tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-127393892024-03-08T04:48:05.527+05:30In This Beautiful World...River Of Thoughts...Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.comBlogger170125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-50869491022131608872014-02-04T21:38:00.000+05:302014-02-04T21:45:57.156+05:30When Sachin Tendulkar retired<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h1 class="ha" style="background-attachment: inherit; background-clip: inherit; background-color: white; background-image: inherit; background-origin: inherit; background-size: inherit; border-right-color: inherit; border-right-style: inherit; border-right-width: inherit; color: #222222; font-weight: normal; margin: 12px 1px 9px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 8px;">
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="s1"></span><span class="s1">I was away from Internet when he retired in November but today as he received the ultimate honour, </span>it’s sinking in.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXFn2BmRJpsNrGhrf8RODfN4PVxtS3-gRKty4xcU7_PckfWACYN2sU4mAZhiI7oVt86cYEYOJygerKm_Cf4_honCD8kxaYV7mlZ6_7G0kgYd6yCLaa7ojjx2wXerY1J3FnXAo/s1600/178161.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXFn2BmRJpsNrGhrf8RODfN4PVxtS3-gRKty4xcU7_PckfWACYN2sU4mAZhiI7oVt86cYEYOJygerKm_Cf4_honCD8kxaYV7mlZ6_7G0kgYd6yCLaa7ojjx2wXerY1J3FnXAo/s1600/178161.2.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We, the kids from 80s, <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/current/story/598402.html" target="_blank">grew up with Sachin</a>. That signature <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJC-5dUT3eM" target="_blank">straight drive</a> was one of the highlights of growing up days.</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And innumerable <a href="http://vinaykrishna.blogspot.in/2007/03/my-favorite-worldcup-moment.html" target="_blank">moments</a> like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52e9678oiTA" target="_blank">this</a> etched forever in memory.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our hearts have a special compartment for him, for when be batted, </span></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQrD4O22WNc" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;" target="_blank">We felt like God</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p2" style="text-align: center;">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We believed</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQ4LZLx_jt16SoFT3tyxg3gQ6FlA7rvi7qVbPr4LMhPbsdO4k-R3yjdx5PkbtL9s116lG8_7khrlCDnNafau2J-U5Xli80GjWboVi98bepyuf4U5jU2XthZcRwpXcvh76X6DS/s1600/131043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQ4LZLx_jt16SoFT3tyxg3gQ6FlA7rvi7qVbPr4LMhPbsdO4k-R3yjdx5PkbtL9s116lG8_7khrlCDnNafau2J-U5Xli80GjWboVi98bepyuf4U5jU2XthZcRwpXcvh76X6DS/s1600/131043.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">With Tendulkar it's personal because deep down secretly inside it was us in his Avatar thrashing those big bad fast bowlers. He has been a part of the kid inside. </span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">So when Sachin Tendulkar retired, may be it’s not just him…</span></span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thank you Sachin, for all the joy of 24 years.</span></span></div>
</h1>
</div>
Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-9348658708998781972012-08-19T14:04:00.000+05:302012-08-19T14:10:49.334+05:30VVS Laxman, the man who never quit<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,<br />
When the target you are chasing seems all up hill,<br />
When the chances are low and stakes are high,<br />
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,<br />
When care is pressing you down a bit,<br />
Relax, VVS Laxman comes out to bat.<br />
<br />
Cricket is queer with its twists and turns,<br />
As every one of us sometimes learns,<br />
And many a failure turns about,<br />
When you might have won had you stuck it out,<br />
Laxman never gave up, though the pace seemed slow,<br />
More often than not, he succeeded with another blow.<br />
<br />
Often the goal is nearer than,<br />
It seems to a faint and faltering man,<br />
Often the struggler has given up,<br />
When he might have captured the victor's cup,<br />
But not our very own man, VVS Laxman,<br />
He turned it on & won the golden crown.<br />
<br />
Success is failure turned inside out—<br />
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,<br />
And you never can tell how close you are,<br />
It may be near when it seems afar;<br />
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit—<br />
VVS laxman embodied the spirit best.<br />
<br />
'Let me entertain you', Laxman specials always arrived when rest had quit, hence my lame attempt inspired by the Don't Quit <a href="http://www.thedontquitpoem.com/thePoem.htm" target="_blank">poem</a><br />
Words don't do justice to the beauty of his batting, so I had refrained from writing about him all the while.<br />
Farewell, to my all time favorite cricketer.</div>
Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-6563166964733225292012-06-19T08:24:00.001+05:302012-06-19T22:28:12.845+05:30One Day Outing - Bangalore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://onedayouting.com/" target="_blank"><span id="goog_460685714"></span>One Day Outing - Bangalore<span id="goog_460685715"></span></a> - By friends.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Please spread the word :-)</span>
</div>
</div>Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-84239921467293151722012-03-20T22:54:00.001+05:302012-03-21T13:00:21.168+05:30Real story of a fan - Retold!<a href="http://issuu.com/vinaykrishnag/docs/realstoryofafan">Real story of a fan - Retold!</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RealStoryOfAFan">Facebook Page</a><br />Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-34157139542307320192012-03-19T16:16:00.001+05:302012-05-20T10:40:58.078+05:30Pursuit of Excellence, starring Rahul Dravid :-)Sehwag, Maverick; Tendulkar, Genius; Ganguly's Charm; Laxman's Elegance;<br />
Dravid? <br />
He kept chopping, until the tree fell. He turned it into an art! (It did help that he sharpened the axe all the time.)<br />
Plain & Simple, yet the results were magical!<br />
Sure the other four delighted us.<br />
But when the going gets tough, it's in Dravid 'we - the common people' find inspiration.<br />
Thanks & Salute to Rahul Dravid.Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-51749776325512276592011-11-02T09:07:00.000+05:302011-11-02T09:07:04.896+05:30Nenapinangala, a book I readSometime back, I casually asked my colleague Sunil N, 'what's up for the weekend?'<br />
He said he's attending something special, a book launch! And thanks to him, I got a copy of the book Nenapinangala.<br />
<br />
The book is about late Ramesh Pattar, who was a popular government official, living true to 'Government's Work is God's Work'. Common people loved him.<br />
Apart from serving the people through various positions he held, he also indulged in literature, writing plays, poems & stories which show his dynamic personality.<br />
Coming from a middle class family, working his way up on his own, having experienced village life from close quarters, his writings reflect his social consciousness. <br />
<br />
After he passed away, son Ravindra Pattar who loves his father immensely collected all his writings, brought out as a book along with photographs & opinions.<br />
Right from the cover page design, to layout & content, just like Ramesh Pattar's life & his son's love for him, the book is special.<br />
<a href="http://rameshpattar.com/">Here is the website</a>Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-10690247293906059252011-10-06T09:55:00.001+05:302011-10-06T13:15:55.684+05:30Steve Jobs: Hero, Inspiration. Thanks, RIP.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8PHqhotoTNzS8YlScwzVrrg-bQnsK9xndqDINLPzJijvnYAsasoYqyugRZ6AR_nf8Lv_kJf73mv4d1hG2swlqweb9VkjpUWCfyb9w1TIduY_Pboq0Z4JG51qyPBJX7dY6_lK/s1600/t_hero.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8PHqhotoTNzS8YlScwzVrrg-bQnsK9xndqDINLPzJijvnYAsasoYqyugRZ6AR_nf8Lv_kJf73mv4d1hG2swlqweb9VkjpUWCfyb9w1TIduY_Pboq0Z4JG51qyPBJX7dY6_lK/s400/t_hero.png" width="400" /></a></div></div><br />
<b>Steve Jobs in Videos</b><br />
<br />
<b>1984:</b><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYecfV3ubP8">The Commercial</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B-XwPjn9YY">Introducing the Macintosh</a><br />
<br />
<b>1997:</b> After coming back to the ailing Apple<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oAB83Z1ydE">Think Different</a><br />
<br />
<b>2001:</b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN0SVBCJqLs">iPod</a><br />
<br />
<b>2005:</b> After the surgery for pancreatic cancer in 2004<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc">Stanford Commencement Address</a><br />
<br />
<b>2007:</b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftf4riVJyqw">iPhone </a><br />
<br />
<b>2010:</b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLBQVKwcIDw">iPad</a><br />
<br />
Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-91410118976077181802011-08-24T22:56:00.000+05:302011-08-24T22:56:35.214+05:30Magic WandDuring college days I too believed that one day we will become a great nation from a developing country, soon.<br />
After that phase of 'I can change the world' comes the reality in every common man's life, of being a part of society & system to make a living :P<br />
I had to start learning to live with the harsh reality of, everyday fight for basic necessities, our lack of discipline & cleanliness and our general lack of awareness & interest or the will to change the system. Without realizing, I was slowly being sucked into the vicious circle of 'chalta hai', 'we are like this only'.<br />
As terrorism & corruption grew we remained apathetic.<br />
Doubts started creeping in, 'will India ever be a developed country'?<br />
Engine of India's growth, the middle class, was simply detached or indifferent, seemingly happy with the status quo.<br />
<br />
But past few days have been refreshingly different.<br />
As Anna, epitome of a common man, set out to cleanse the system, the middle class awakened, shook the rust off hearts & dusted off the souls and responded in a manner that befits the land of Gandhi.<br />
The floodgates opened & people warmed up to Anna from their frozen state, pouring into the streets to protest peacefully.<br />
I think all that we needed to come out of inertia, was just a right leader.<br />
The Jan Lokpal Bill per se may not eradicate corruption. (I partially agree with the anti-Anna (pseudo?) intellectuals on this. But the movement is not just about marching to the Jan Lokpal Bill destination. I believe, the long journey has just begun)<br />
<br />
The common man was woken up & that's enough to restore my hope & faith.<br />
And Mr. Prime Minister, Anna has the magic wand.Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-47140476115238719492011-04-03T22:20:00.005+05:302011-04-17T20:17:51.292+05:30A night, when India turned into a party hall with 1.2 billion peopleYes, number one in Tests, first T20 world-cup, but deep down every Indian wanted this one, for 28 years.<br />
And when it came, it came in some style, with Indian captain triggering the celebrations by blasting one into the crowd.<br />
<br />
And the celebration in streets was like nothing we had ever seen before!<br />
<br />
As we hit the road at midnight, opening highlight was an uncle parading his entire family, standing through sun roof & windows on his SUV, complete with flags & tricolor on face & screams of joy!<br />
And then while filling petrol, we started realizing the magnitude of it all.<br />
Long queue in the petrol bunk but no one in a hurry, people screaming slogans, loud music from a car & everyone swaying to it, party in a petrol bunk!<br />
Celebrating all along with people on road as we neared the MG Road Bangalore, it was an unbelievable sight.<br />
People riding on the top of vehicles, in the boot, sitting on windows, hi-fives, chanting 'Indiaa India', honking the same tune, waving flags, everyone expressing the overwhelming happiness in their own way. Each one seemed to have just realized a childhood dream.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMXX6OhnNLcanWEG8Pcpm9biNOGiYxcb7oXgizKKsl6-CmCHtPSmOV3hLYJE2YqjQ1bQpxrnZrdQlaR9xCXKiiUMZ09EiMa_7tC3zSnYl3CCe7YswnM1L1s-H-wbjnieYuSeL/s1600/DSC00171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMXX6OhnNLcanWEG8Pcpm9biNOGiYxcb7oXgizKKsl6-CmCHtPSmOV3hLYJE2YqjQ1bQpxrnZrdQlaR9xCXKiiUMZ09EiMa_7tC3zSnYl3CCe7YswnM1L1s-H-wbjnieYuSeL/s400/DSC00171.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Banners & bats, songs & dance, young & old, men & women...highlight was all of them taking turns to use the barricades in the road side as musical instrument & breaking into a impromptu jig with strangers, hugging each other and then moving ahead!<br />
It was surreal.<br />
Everyone had turned into a kid who just got his or her favorite toy.<br />
Even with all mayhem, with policemen quietly watching, things were so great and there was so much happiness in air that even MG would have nodded from up above.<br />
<br />
In the most successful ICC event ever (Inaugurated by Sehwag with a Four, ended by Dhoni with a Six!), India's journey had some awesome moments.<br />
A tie with the entertainers of the world-cup England.<br />
A ferocious opening assault from the big two, Sachin & Sehwag on the great SA pacers before the mind melt in the end.<br />
And raising the game to different level in knockout stages especially with fielding from a team never known for it's athleticism!<br />
<br />
In the quarterfinal, magnificence of Ponting & Brett Lee's fight. And then Yuvraj Singh turning a king again, slaying the demons of 2003.<br />
<br />
The high voltage, semi-final with Pakistan,so spectacular that it made all the pre match hype look like, understatement!<br />
A team effort to the core, with even much maligned Nehra & Munaf rising to the occasion with Bhajji's timely strike and Zaheer Khan leading the pack with sage like calm to overcome Pak with ruthless efficiency. Sehwag cameo at the top was the highlight. <br />
Well, not to forget Afridi's dignity in defeat.<br />
<br />
Every time, the tough time came, a hero rose for India, like we had read in fables!<br />
And in the match worthy of final, where Mahela's class shone though, chasing 274, at 31/2 we really needed a hero.<br />
And it was gutsy Gambir who put his hands up first looking possessed.<br />
And when Kohli departed, out came the out of form, short of runs, Indian captain (the man surely has balls), ahead of Yuvraj, as if to announce 'I am here to take the bull by horns'.<br />
And boy, he then went on to play what they call a 'Captains Innings'. Period.<br />
<br />
Next day as it all started sinking in, it was stirring to see the footages of Anil Kumble being handed over the cup by Sachin, for we need to salute him & the fine men like Ganguly, Dravid, Laxman & Srinath, for being a part of the team which laid the foundation to this day.<br />
<br />
When the man who carried the hopes of more than billion hearts for more than two decades, held his most coveted trophy aloft, every Indian in the world would have been smiling, content, proud & misty-eyed.<br />
<br />
They say, life is about moments that take your breath away. <br />
All the above, as I witnessed magic happen, is stored in my memory forever as a little private video.<br />
I am sure everyone has his or her own :-)Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-26179535496527727852011-02-15T09:24:00.001+05:302011-02-15T09:26:31.155+05:3055-fiction(An attempt at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/55_Fiction">55 word fiction</a>)<br />
<br />
‘Inspector, my wife works as maid and has not returned’<br />
‘You know the house?’<br />
‘Yes, though I never went inside’.<br />
No answer at the door, on pushing, it opens to darkness!<br />
Inspector ’Light’<br />
There lies body of a female!<br />
‘You are under arrest’, says the Inspector, as the correct switch was pressed on first attempt!Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-19657991857718630432011-01-20T09:25:00.013+05:302011-01-20T12:19:28.268+05:30The Killer Elephant!Three men were strolling merrily that night.<br />
They had a good dinner & drink. One among them had got engaged & were walking back from that function.<br />
Suddenly, out of the thick dark forest, emerged an elephant, onto the moon lit mud road catching them unaware.<br />
It grabbed one with its trunk, flung him into the drain beside!<br />
Elephant threw the other one up & as the body hit the ground, stepped on him, killing violently!<br />
It heard the moaning of the one in drain & killed him too.<br />
The third one ran & saved his life to tell the sorry tale.<br />
An occasion of joy in the village had turned into mourning the next day.<br />
-----<br />
The elephant had escaped from Circus.<br />
It had lost one of the tusks to its antics. One day it killed the mahout & ran into the Malenadu forest.<br />
Thus a terror was born in the neighboring villages!<br />
Once in a while it would appear out of nowhere causing havoc, killing people, destroying houses & crops.<br />
It had immense hatred for humans, must be due to the torture it underwent in circus days.<br />
It disliked dogs and fire as well.<br />
One day enraged by a barking dog, it entered a house in the village, taking the dislodged roof on its back to a distance!<br />
It had killed around 10 people in the surroundings.<br />
People in the villages started panicking.<br />
And in the Malenadu village region the houses were a km apart.<br />
There was only one mud road through village and if a vehicle passed by it was a sight/news.<br />
Electricity or telephones were science fiction.<br />
By night, lamps kept inside the house, dogs tied & doors closed, villagers lived in fear.<br />
Rice being the main crop in those days, villages were full of paddy fields and few coconut trees, both prone to elephant attack.<br />
Government finally woke up to the loss of lives & crop, to announce Rs 10,000 and a rifle as prize for killing the rogue elephant.<br />
But in those days of license raj only two people in the village had licensed gun!<br />
For few days, some government officers were roaming around in a jeep with guns but to no avail.<br />
-----<br />
It was dusk when people came running to me, terrified by the elephant!<br />
As they were explaining me how and where they saw the elephant, few others got hold of Padmayya, the other one who had a licensed gun in the village.<br />
I had a Game King - 12 Bore Dbbl Gun.<br />
The cartridges came with different number of lead shots (Single Ball, Double Balls, LG (9), SG, BB...and so on) with the total weight of the lead in a cartridge being same.<br />
I loaded the cartridge with a single lead shot & had backup cartridges in pocket.<br />
Padmayya's gun wouldn’t take a readymade cartridge, the chamber had to be filled with bullet, gunpowder and primer for each shot, entire process taking more than a minute for even the quickest to reload!<br />
Quickly we were set.<br />
Two people with guns, and another with a torch.<br />
The elephant was located in the paddy field, a km away.<br />
Loss of lives, crops & helplessness had enraged us.<br />
Our strategy was to go to the nearest safe distance and fire simultaneously at the elephant.<br />
-----<br />
We had to be careful, while walking through the narrow path through forest, with chances of facing snakes & other wild animals.<br />
We hurried to the paddy field.<br />
It was near full Moon. Standing at a height in a corner, we could clearly see the elephant, right in the center of the field.<br />
It was a sight, a wild untamed elephant in all its glory!<br />
The elephant was collecting a bunch with its trunk, hitting to its leg to get rid of mud from rice plants & eating merrily.<br />
Even with a loaded gun, the sight of the ferocious killer elephant would send shivers down the spine of the bravest!<br />
Luckily it didn't seem to notice us.<br />
We took position.<br />
After a moment, we passed the signal to each other silently.<br />
I pulled the trigger & then Padmayya, 'click, bang' almost simultaneously!<br />
In seconds, I reloaded the gun with a twin lead shot cartridge & shot again.<br />
The sound of gunshots ripped through the silence of the village.<br />
The elephant rose on its hind feet & let out a roar, echoing in the night!<br />
And then it ran madly, with blood dripping.<br />
It got into the nearby river, with boulders & water in the river splattering all over and disappeared into the forest.<br />
<br />
It was only the following day we could locate the elephant.<br />
Next day when the quarry workers, some distance away, went near riverside with thick bamboo cover, found the elephant lying in mud, which promptly got up to chase them!<br />
It was there for three days.<br />
And then it was not seen in the vicinity for quite some time.<br />
----<br />
Notes<br />
- As narrated by my late grandfather around 15 years back & this is my recollection with inputs from those who had heard the story too.<br />
- The elephant died, a while later, holding the electricity line with its trunk near NH 48.<br />
- It was in the 1970s.<br />
- And in the Malenadu village region the houses still are a km apart.Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-47532585771020862682010-11-23T13:38:00.012+05:302010-11-23T17:17:47.403+05:30SIMPLY FLYTo put it succinctly, I had thought of Gopinath as 'an eccentric who built a low cost loss making airline by chance'<br /><br />Boy, I couldn't be more wrong!<br /><br />One fine day I tripped on this <a href="http://thatskannada.oneindia.in/column/bhat/2010/0918-success-story-of-captain-gopinath.html">link</a><br /><br />One line just struck me hard:<br /><br />"ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆಯ ಕೆಲಸದ ಹೆಂಗಸು ಹುಬ್ಬಳ್ಳಿಯಿಂದ ಬೆಂಗಳೂರಿಗೆ ಕೇವಲ ಐನೂರು ರೂ. ತೆತ್ತು ಡೆಕ್ಕನ್ ವಿಮಾನದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಂದ ಕತೆಯನ್ನು ರಸವತ್ತಾಗಿ ನಾಲ್ಕೈದು ತಿಂಗಳವರೆಗೆ ಮನೆಗೆ ಬಂದವರ ಮುಂದೆಲ್ಲ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದಳು. ಅವಳ ಪಾಲಿಗೆ ಈ ಜನ್ಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಸಾಧ್ಯವೆನಿಸುವ ಕನಸೊಂದು ನನಸಾಗಿತ್ತು."<br /><br />(Sorry non-Kannada folks - no translation of the article/above line)<br /><br />A farmer who built an airlines company & made common man fly - must be a mesmerising read, I thought and bought the book.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">SIMPLY FLY</span> - <span style="font-weight:bold;">A Deccan Odyssey</span> <span style="font-style:italic;">by Captain GR Gopinath</span><br /><br />A village boy, went on to join military, quit and took to farming in a barren land to the horror of many, eventually winning awards for ecological farming, pioneering silk farming and then venturing into bike service station chain, stock brokerage firm, Udupi hotel chain, irrigation, agriculture consultancy, helicabs (!), Air Deccan, cargo airline, apart from a failed political venture... (yes the list will go on!)<br />From him fighting a war, to hitchhiking in US, safari in Africa, travelling in Europe, it's a travelogue, an adventure novel as much as an autobiography. From the boy who rode a bullock cart, to the man who built an airlines company, it's an endearing & enduring saga of great human spirit. <br /><br />According to Peter Drucker, <span style="font-style:italic;">A true entrepreneur is the one who creates wealth where it did not exist earlier by creating a new market and a new customer. They create something new, something different; they change and transmute values; and, on a size and scale that will impact society.</span><br /><br />And Air Deccan as we knew may not exist any more, but there is no doubt that it changed Indian Aviation forever and made the common man fly.<br /><br />Few stories from the book are entrenched in my memory<br /><br />- When in army, an adventurous kidnap of his female friend to avoid her forced arranged marriage!<br />- A touching incident, when Manje Gowda - his friendly neighbor pledged his farm for Gopi when every one else had doubted him.<br />- Hilarious episode of trying to use Donkeys' services to water the farm!<br />- Some great heartwarming stories like a) Kaavya who took her father for a helicopter ride on his 60th Birthday with all her savings or b) Manjunath, humiliated by village folks in childhood, left the village, studied & made a life in US, took a sweet revenge by coming back landing a helicopter in his field in the village! <br />- His candor when he explains his first visit to Vijay Mallya's house as 'how he felt like a village boy entering a big city'.<br /><br />The story which's very much Indian common man's, with earthly wisdom, gentle humor, is told with such flair that it has an edge-of-the-seat feel!<br />Undoubtedly one of the most enriching books I have read recently.<br /><br />And here's the link to a piece that's printed at end of the book too.<br /><a href="http://www.mintzberg.org/sites/default/files/gopifarm.pdf">Gopi's Farm</a>Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-71015105636646245362010-06-07T10:23:00.003+05:302010-06-11T08:01:13.651+05:30Lonely Planet Magazine Indian EditionMy newfound interest in travel writing resulted in me going through the travel magazines in India.<br />And then I came across the May issue of <a href="http://inside-digital.blog.lonelyplanet.com/2010/02/05/our-new-magazine-in-india/">Lonely Planet Magazine Indian Edition</a><br />To sum it up in one sentence, it’s the iPhone of travel magazines :-)<br />With a good mix of Foreign & Indian, popular & unexplored places & a variety of budget options, it appeals to all kinds of readers.<br />The photos are breathtaking and you can contribute too, via the postcard section.<br />The magazine oozes quality & unbelievably, the 200+ page treasure is priced Rs 100 only!<br />(Importantly the 'where to stay' sections don’t look sponsored, unlike some of the other magazines.)<br />Each month the magazine comes with a theme and the regulars like ‘easy trips’, ‘city in day’, ‘mini-guides’ etc.<br />The information is practical; the content clear with simple words, presentation is in an informal tone.<br />Sitting in your couch, you will be transported to places as you flip the pages. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Highly recommended.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Some more</span><br />- Here’s the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4040846&id=263694652697#!/TravelWell.in">Facebook page </a><br />- <a href="http://www.travelwell.in/">Travel Well Site</a> – intended vibrant social community for travelers. My gripe is that it’s hard to navigate/share the links from this site. <br />- Personally, I envy the man, Vardhan Kondvikar, editor of Lonley Planet Indian Edition, earlier the editor of BBC Topgear India!<br />- In spite of best of my efforts couldn't get the first 2 issues, Feb & March, would be grateful if anyone can help.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Update:</span> Feb & March issues were delivered at my door :-)<br />Debolin & people @ timesgroup, I can't really thank you enough.Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-40353487198255170112010-05-20T15:22:00.004+05:302010-05-25T21:23:51.938+05:30Serial Killer – Full VersionHere it is, <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/31834287/Serial-Killer">Serial Killer</a>, complete and edited. ( <a href="http://www.detectivethriller.blogspot.com/">blog</a> )Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-66323832637640532212010-05-20T10:50:00.000+05:302010-05-25T21:23:11.285+05:30Big Elephant Butt – Extension :D<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAr19aHDlj72LsfWi4xsPf2wDd5g0SbiT2wcHmiAhVLeMHk4OK1hoT6xUMZlvmF-J-o0n0JyQ8agw7if43fT2iDa8TNrbJY3zN22lJoV8HZkRUKGDnnlKNFDtK-KK-fJVAOTi/s1600/DSC00003+(2).jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAr19aHDlj72LsfWi4xsPf2wDd5g0SbiT2wcHmiAhVLeMHk4OK1hoT6xUMZlvmF-J-o0n0JyQ8agw7if43fT2iDa8TNrbJY3zN22lJoV8HZkRUKGDnnlKNFDtK-KK-fJVAOTi/s400/DSC00003+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473217883318979986" /></a>Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-78392800928451659412010-04-22T14:46:00.004+05:302010-04-26T11:02:58.346+05:30Ginger Tea - Sridevi Bakers - BTM BengaluruEver since I moved to BTM second stage, there is hardly a day when I didn't have the rejuvenating 'Ginger Tea'.<br />A refreshing dose of ginger tea, gets me starting in the morning, going in the evening & kicks ass anytime :-)<br />They make it freshly on order & serve, very rarely varying in taste.<br />And then there is the unique snacks menu.<br />I love the specialties, Bun Samosa, Bun Puff & the daily specials which are just plain awesome.<br />Clean and served with a smiling face, makes it worth waiting few minutes, with the huge crowd they attract.<br /><br />Well, there won't be anyone in BTM Layout who hasn't been there, for the rest, here's the address!<br /><br />Sridevi Bakers,<br />#688, 7th main,<br />BTM 2nd Stage,<br />Bangalore - 76.<br />Phone - 080 26688797Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-62583374955076615102010-04-19T16:38:00.023+05:302010-04-20T10:10:58.467+05:30Ranganathittu Bird SanctuaryOn March 20th, Saturday, instead of the scheduled 7 AM, we (6 of us) met at 9 AM, and even after breakfast, were unsure of destination for the planned (!) day’s outing!<br />(Yeah, I have backlog of posts too!)<br />Finally we headed towards Ranganathittu with low expectations!<br />'Sometimes best decisions of life are taken impromptu' :-)<br /><br />Driving in Swift, we stopped for lunch at Kamath Lokaruchi (awesome as usual) and reached Ranganathittu (around 125 km from Bengaluru & Mysore’s just 15 km away) in less than 3 hrs.<br /><br />Parking space is ample & the place’s relatively well maintained. There’s a restaurant and a garden too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Px_CA1vuOiHXwGg9kdWM8Xc1ov5HDdkhMHD3uEVAnU8_AYOhxrwZ1A5F9k3U3zWrRMnN0spqWHe2SxzP_qNqZW79jkEG02fM5eMg1zemCObfzuD8Vz-EFweXGCEFMTHTnQNz/s1600/DSCN0762.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Px_CA1vuOiHXwGg9kdWM8Xc1ov5HDdkhMHD3uEVAnU8_AYOhxrwZ1A5F9k3U3zWrRMnN0spqWHe2SxzP_qNqZW79jkEG02fM5eMg1zemCObfzuD8Vz-EFweXGCEFMTHTnQNz/s200/DSCN0762.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461804726089923010" /></a><br />The sanctuary, situated on the banks of Kaveri River, is spread over a group of six islets.<br />The boat charges are reasonable, and oarsman doubles up as excellent guide too.<br /><br /><br />Birds come here in summer which’s the breeding season. They begin arriving in December, lay eggs, breed, and finally move out of the sanctuary with their little ones :-)<br />(During rainy season the islets submerge due to flow of water from Krishna Raja Sagara dam & the islets are restored every year.)<br />Starting from kingfishers, owls, pigeons & peacocks, there are spoonbills, open bill storks, heron, river tern, and many other exotic bird species.<br />Some of these birds are from as far as Siberia, Australia and North America. (Some one quipped; thank god human breeding isn’t so arduous!)<br />To think of how they make it without GPS/Google Map, is amazing!<br /><br />Prettiest of them all :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaBR7JVfiWxmbjnvuNtenDkLp7OuuY6xenLUga1C45ySighYc5X1BxdP6KYla5LCJbMGEUhJJvKpJtNJCwZpBj9V9jY1xXCkapGAUIaBvX4OWMWfi1kUte_DtZ6yO_jLaugKc/s1600/DSCN0832.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaBR7JVfiWxmbjnvuNtenDkLp7OuuY6xenLUga1C45ySighYc5X1BxdP6KYla5LCJbMGEUhJJvKpJtNJCwZpBj9V9jY1xXCkapGAUIaBvX4OWMWfi1kUte_DtZ6yO_jLaugKc/s400/DSCN0832.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461846226905405442" /></a><br />Capturing birds is a lesson in appreciating/photography. I promised myself a SLR camera & trip again to Ranganatittu. (For now excuse the quality & quantity of photographs!)<br /><br />On one of the islets we came across this statue of a Crocodile.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNbjYGJXkjbf_4wjq78S4OQXI_oDGccYqPE6X1MwRa5K714H0l5gZs0OAyqJGz6_2d1Hl8hKbJIMBaD5sJV5f0eQNIupEAcdNpyWwysK9VWNPcckBICVWkX96rqnlgjl_JF0K/s1600/DSCN0781.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNbjYGJXkjbf_4wjq78S4OQXI_oDGccYqPE6X1MwRa5K714H0l5gZs0OAyqJGz6_2d1Hl8hKbJIMBaD5sJV5f0eQNIupEAcdNpyWwysK9VWNPcckBICVWkX96rqnlgjl_JF0K/s400/DSCN0781.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461848043255275778" /></a> And to our horror, it moved upon sprinkling of water! A moment none of us will forget in lifetime!<br /><br />And to give a piece of history, Ranganathittu attained the status of a bird sanctuary in 1940, thanks to, Dr. Salim Ali - Ornithologist, who, during his survey of the birds of Mysore, advocated for the establishment of a sanctuary. <br /><br />The isolated islets and the abundant aquatic insects making it a paradise for birds, now there are thousands of birds of many different species.<br /><br />The best time to visit would be between December & May, early morning or in the evening. (Most birds are out to work 8-5.)<br />Of course there are enough places around to visit.<br /><br />By night we were back, in Bengaluru...from a colorful world of avians...<br /><br />Verdict: - Ranganthittu bird sanctuary is a delightful getaway for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, bird watchers and for one and all :-)Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-29592732578951818592010-04-12T14:24:00.007+05:302010-04-13T09:09:56.080+05:30Buzz In TownSometime back, I attended a bloggers roundtable with Dr. Amitabh Saran, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Buzzintown - an online portal for events and entertainment.<br /><br />True to the site, meet was informal & fun. In a free wheeling chat, Amitabh spoke about various topics. From how they source dynamic content from end users, various entities of the industry including venue managers, artistes and theatre / event production companies, to the revenue generation, through advertising, ticketing, content syndication, corporate sponsorships, and affiliate relationships.<br />From the vision of the portal they had from day one, to the challenges faced...it was an informative, interesting & exhilarating discussion. <br />Though he smiles saying 'Luck' is the most important factor for an entrepreneur, he doesn't seem to have left much for it :-) <br /><br />The specialty of Buzzintown is dynamic coverage of local events which include food festivals, plays, concerts, book reads, exhibitions and expos, which are not likely to be covered by mainstream media.<br />Yes 'Buzzintown keeps users tapped into the cultural pulse of their towns' :-)<br />Most ratings and reviews on the site are by users rather than in-house critics, allowing you to obtain a cross-sectional view.<br /><br />Starting in Jan 2008, they are now across cities in India, United States & Canada.<br />A testimonial to their growing popularity is the huge number of fans on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/buzzintown">Facebook Page</a>.<br /><br />They are adding to the travel section, featuring getaways beyond the usual, guiding the consumers to experience the place rather than just visiting it.<br /><br />You can get updates through Newsletter, RSS, Facebook, Twitter and SMS, while 'selective subscription' feature is 'Coming Soon'.<br /><br />Then there is a TV section too!<br />They seem to be doing so many things, it’s hard to explain in a post!<br />Well, that’s why there is the Portal, <a href="http://www.buzzintown.com/">Buzzintown</a> :-)Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-55857195304077299742010-04-11T22:37:00.007+05:302010-04-12T14:36:30.132+05:30No-Parking, Naturally!When it comes to 'No Parking', no one in Bangalore does it better than <a href="http://vinaykrishna.blogspot.com/2009/01/no-parking.html">Kormanagala People</a> :-)<br />But this latest one near the new (sinfully tasty!) ‘Natural Ice Cream’, beats them all!<br />The house owner must be disgruntled with too many people parking.<br />(Tree's strong & healthy!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yBIazvC3sw4endufW5c2pVz7FK2Wn3kprY1imorTgI4g4iYPldpdk0c0qwsHTMIc5I1A0hyPLDiEHJf9gptdpLWl5cOHNPt5JPTY8_RErNvfmpb2LOBmD_zEg9_Up8r2hNIn/s1600/DSC00110.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yBIazvC3sw4endufW5c2pVz7FK2Wn3kprY1imorTgI4g4iYPldpdk0c0qwsHTMIc5I1A0hyPLDiEHJf9gptdpLWl5cOHNPt5JPTY8_RErNvfmpb2LOBmD_zEg9_Up8r2hNIn/s400/DSC00110.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458930608909273778" /></a>Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-60795663798244663002010-03-12T10:32:00.004+05:302010-03-14T22:47:05.194+05:30A Cab Traveler's Life :P6.00 AM, Alarm rings. Wake up from deep sleep.<br />No luxury of newspaper on commode :D<br />Brush, bath, dress. <br />6.32, hear the sound of news paper being thrown at door.<br />While browsing through it, a second alarm rings, 6.45!<br />Time to tie shoes, lock & walk.<br />As always 5 min early, at pick up point, at 6.55.<br />By 7.05, after a half tea, just about to start cursing the driver, he arrives.<br />Get in and people in cab smile the same routine smile.<br />Thus begins my long journey to ITPL!<br />It's only just 5 days since I stared using office cab, for the first time (after 6 yrs!) & I already feel like I have joined the army!Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-75630638143004386642010-02-26T22:45:00.003+05:302010-04-12T14:36:37.976+05:30Crypsis<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj54PhUtWF2u878FA1u9DSPTUgT3hheOukRmF0XEEkfGV8IkveHEU7lhAaVxReHIyIKd7zzOTUhAGnnzDwPsEV3IH2T_sW2ZR7-GATQZphizBqvhKsVLiSv0ZTHuBfSOfNcYrS/s1600-h/DSC00106.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj54PhUtWF2u878FA1u9DSPTUgT3hheOukRmF0XEEkfGV8IkveHEU7lhAaVxReHIyIKd7zzOTUhAGnnzDwPsEV3IH2T_sW2ZR7-GATQZphizBqvhKsVLiSv0ZTHuBfSOfNcYrS/s400/DSC00106.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442602790629171122" /></a><br />Not for the first time, spotted this insect at my native last week.<br />Also common are the green ones, both effective in avoiding being detected among leaves.Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-25855143744263163562010-02-16T19:36:00.007+05:302010-02-17T23:47:18.634+05:30Fab Four in Four Words & Which Car! :-)<span style="font-weight:bold;">Disclaimer:</span> Of late I have been reading too much of Cricket & Auto content on web :-)<br /><br />The current 'Fab Four' of Indian Cricket, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar & VVS Laxman are regarded the best in world cricket, so are the German auto giants BMW, Audi, Porsche & Mercedes-Benz, best in business.<br /><br />So an impromptu thought & a post :P<br /><br />Four words that best describe the player & the company they should be endorsing :-)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Virender Sehwag:</span> Audacious, Maverick, Iconoclast/Pirate, Entertainer. <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">BMW:</span> The Ultimate Driving Machine.<br /><br />You may argue about his technique, but not with the runs scored at scorching pace & entertainment, like you can argue about looks of BMW, but not with sheer driving pleasure.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Rahul Dravid:</span> Reliable, Persevering, Classical, Understated.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Audi:</span> Vorsprung durch Technik.<br /><br />If it's 'Advantage Through Technology' for the German, it's 'Advantage Through Technique' for the Indian :-)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sachin Tendulkar:</span> Master, Respected, Icon, Best.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Porsche:</span> There is no substitute.<br /><br />Both being legendary, they made interesting moves in early 2000s<br />a) Porsche, the sports car maker, made the SUV Cayanne, with purists crying foul.<br />b) Tendulkar, the master blaster, as his body took a beating, became an accumulator to the horror of fans. <br />Both turned out to be stroke of genius, as Porsche laughed all the way to bank, Tendulkar added tons of effective runs. Genius does what it must :-)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">VVS Laxman:</span> Artist, Nonchalant, Delicate, Elegant.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Mercedes-Benz:</span> Like No Other.<br /><br />Like the encompassing serenity of a Mercedes Benz, he brings calm to dressing room in any situation, apart from the common effortless elegance both share.Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-82536360742588807152010-02-05T16:45:00.009+05:302010-02-10T08:59:28.092+05:30Chandamamu :-)It was in 5th standard. <br />That day, I & Yathish bought new pens together during lunch break. Buying a new pen, those days, it was a huge moment!<br />All friends, ignoring our protests about scratches & cries not to spoil it, passed hands, tried their signatures, some keen ones even de-assembled & assembled back etc which went on till evening!<br />And then it was play hour in the evening. All the students ran to the ground. <br /><br />I slowly walked up to Yathish with a grim face and called him aside.<br />(This guy Yatish's known to be a tough nut!)<br />Me: Hey, while running out you stepped on my bag & broke my pen.<br />Yathish: I didn't.<br />Me: You did, and there are people who have seen it!<br />Yathish: What happened, did it break completely?<br />Me: No, it's just a crack.<br />Yathish: Fine then, just use cellophane tape & fix it?<br />Me: BUT IT'S BRAND NEW.<br />Yathish: So?<br />Me: Buy me a new one.<br />Yathish: It's 5 rupees & I don't have.<br />Me: Then why did you break, I'll beat you up.<br />Yathish: Try it, I'll beat you back.<br />Me: Ok, since you broke my pen, I'll break yours...<br />Yathish: But it won't fix your pen.<br />By now there was a gathering around us, some encouraging & enjoying the fight, some feeling bad for the broken pen, some even contemplating whose side they were! <br />I pulled my last weapon out (or so everyone thought!)<br />Me: I'll complain to the class teacher.<br />Our class teacher was so scary that even the tough nut Yathish gave in. <br />Yathish: No, please, I am sorry Vinay, it wasn't intentional as you know, I can't ask money at home and you are my friend, please...<br />Everyone around seemed be convinced that I shouldn't complain!<br />And then...with a nervous smile, I uttered the words...'Well, hmm, err, actually it was me who had stepped on your bag & your pen is broke, I was so scared that you would do all those...sorry...'<br />I didn't want to see the changing expressions on his face.<br />After a moment of silence when I looked at him, he broke into a pale smile. I shook his hand, patted his back and said sorry again.<br />We smiled a bright smile now.<br />Shaking his head, he said 'you are just...' pause and then we broke into a hearty laughter :-)<br /><br />(I was inspired by the story I had read in <a href="http://www.chandamama.com/">Chandamama</a>, where Ramu's dog eats tough-nut-neighbour Shamu's hen & Ramu uses the above trick!)Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-82900834789451885912009-10-07T11:24:00.005+05:302009-10-11T22:34:50.882+05:30Theory and PracticeLast Thursday was the 'Wake up Sid' premier at PVR - Forum Mall Koramangala.<br />(Twitter Review – ‘Nicely made, but the movie lacks soul’)<br />Since I reached early, went to Landmark & was about to make an 'impulsive buy' of <a href="http://www.flipkart.com/welcome-advertising-now-get-lost/9380032504-it33f996cz#">Welcome To Advertising! Now, Get Lost</a><br />(Verdict – ‘Avoid’)<br />By now friends had come & were waiting at McDonald's in ground floor, to grab a quick bite.<br />7.45, 15 mins to go.<br />Quick glance at the long queue in the 2nd floor (single) counter & I made a dash to 3rd floor.<br />Multiple counters , around 10, a quick application of queuing theory, i.e. no of persons & no of items they were holding, how many were actual buyers & how many were just accompanying etc, bringing all my queuing theory basics to fore.<br />I picked a queue with 5 people ahead of me. On further analysis the credit card reader in the counter was working, & his processing time seemed to be lesser. <br />1st one was quickly done, since the uncle bought only eraser & pencil!<br />Satisfied with my choice, I decided not to change the queue. By now queues were growing too.<br />All the other queues seemed slower, for a change!<br />Again a call "just 10 minutes to go, where are you?"<br />By now the 4th one was also done & and the 3rd in the queue, a teenage girl holding only one book moved towards the counter. And the person in front me, carried only one book too.<br />Me "Am almost on my way", patting myself on the back for my judgment.<br />As I glanced ahead, a lady who looked like her mom, standing in next queue, passed 2 baskets full of stuff to be billed to the teenage girl standing at the counter!<br /> <br /><em> "The difference between theory and practice in theory is much less than the difference between theory and practice in practice.” - Unknown</em><br /><br /><strong>Update</strong>:- I had attributed the above quote to Randal L. Schwartz, who commented below “It's odd how that got attributed to me. I'm just quoting it from somebody's .sig I once saw.”Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12739389.post-87899682044616859662009-09-16T22:50:00.007+05:302009-09-17T19:18:43.970+05:30What's New!- Updated 'Past Favorites' Section<br />- Labeles<br />- 'Email Post' option<br /><br />Old but worth a look - Subscribe through RSS/email.<br /><br />And feedback's welcome :-)Vinay Krishnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06039061336691860352noreply@blogger.com0