pradeep singh's blog

Life and Death

2012-01-28T21:57:00.001+05:30

‘Death’ is the biggest ignorance and the ultimate truth. Knowledge of death teaches us value of people around us and hence that of life. All the things, we fight over or struggle for, becomes trivial and we understand the importance of love, companionship, faith, trust, relation, happiness, sharing…..all that we ignore in the blind race for material possessions of our so called modern life.

'Life' : The mysterious illusion, with its indefatigable instinct to exist and continue, a path, a journey or a destination? Who understands life?

P.S.: I wrote this on 22nd Jan 2010 in a thought to post when I write more, but a year passed in that thought. May be a larger essay some other time when i understand this duo better.

India and NRIs

2012-01-28T21:38:00.000+05:30

This post is a comment to a blog which was a response to another blog. I have two interesting blogs for you to read.

This starts with a story of an NRI who wrote “Why I left India (again)”, (do read this to make sense of what follows) and then Chetan Bhagat wrote a very interesting response "Why i am still here" ( not to that NRI but to us all in general). In first blog the NRI has explained how he tried to return to India but found himself losing those traits he valued. Then Chetan Bhagat shared his positive and indeed inspiring experience. What follows is my comment to Chetan but before that please read above two.

Thanks Chetan for sharing this.
what an experience...I stumbled on your blog while reading comments on the blog of that NRI. and i stumbled on that while googling for whether Indians tops in remitting forex or not. It was also very interesting to read the comments.
I really appreciate that you are practicing those values which others just find "lacking" here in India but when comes practice , they also hide behind the "hypocrite" status of Indian society.
I also share the ambivalence in the treatment to domestic helps and really abhor calling them servant and rather refer them as employees. on the other hand, being nice to domestic helps is, as with you, a mixed experience. Specially when a raise disturbs the "market price" and my neighbors tend to complain and every other help want a raise. And as we know by Herzberg's theory, money is not a constant motivator. However, good family like treatment invariably wins their heart and they themselves tend to be good at service.
I try to talk to a rickshaw puller or vegetable vender as an equal and it makes them happy except few instances when my politeness is (mis)interpreted as weakness(but i don't care). Of course one has to struggle hard to find one's way in India, but being good yourself really helps. It had happened many times that i have avoided a road-rage (imagine Delhi roads) just by with a smile having a sorry or forgiveness (depending on who is at fault more) tone. Actually just before one start responding to an unintentional scratch on your car, if you show a smile, and be as considerate as its just an accident and your body is more important than your car, they tend to copy it and do not take the course of anger and just shrug it.

Coming back, i started this with my search on which country has highest remittances in the world. India is numero uno :-) and till 2010 our foreign remittances were about 55 Billion USD, keeping China as second with a close sum. This money is about 5% of our GDP, So I believe many NRIs are doing a very good job out there. About half of this money comes from Gulf countries where poor labourers are working away from home sending money to feed their family. That's also the reason Kerala is amongst rich states in India.
I thank all NRIs for bringing wealth and modern values in to India. We will take time, but we will come to what we dream for. All we need is just each of playing our own part well.

Science and Religion

2012-01-20T00:40:00.000+05:30

There is one religion which tells that people are different and those who dont follow your God are not good. and their is this other which says that we are all one. Which one shall I choose?

We all originated from forests of Africa so we are compatriot in the sense that even after taking American citizenship, an NRI is called Indian American.
We all evolved from the same unicellular protozoans and thus all species are one.

We all share same electron protons and neutrons and are thus build by same material hence are inherently same.

What a unifying experience science is. It is all about what is naturally there. Its pure and not limited some man made rules. It does not discriminate between man and among, between different cast, color, creed, race, species or anything. It has no man made limits. It is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient. Its thus the most divine. Science is at a much higher plane than religion.

Many times science is misrepresented as anti-nature. But that's only when we put out greed or stupidity before it. Science is all about nature. We are supposed to live together in harmony, taking care of everyone's need, even when in this cycle (like food chain) one is fed by one above it but in the end thats makes the whole life possible on earth. Had it not been a cycle but a singular chain, as we are making of most of things using our unnatural and unsustainable linear exploitative methods, we would end up killing us all (like killing the hen for all golden eggs) . We are exploiting the resources with out giving anything back. We ate most of fish making many species extinct , polluted all rivers and consumed most of the oil and still think that we are going to survive this way. Life and Nature has its own survival instinct and if we don't align ourself to this cycle, its a matter of time when the world with end. But that would only end this greedy humanity and not the world. It wil come back but may be we might end up doing a permamnet damage to it.

We are in a unique position , we are the only life in so called advance form in this universe. Even if there is some life , its not near, not within many thousands light years. So we are the only hope of taking this miracle of evolution, called humanity, further. or as like other species that went extinct, we would also be one failed attempt of nature to create a species that can carry life further so that when after millions of years later when our sun is no longer able to support life, we have advanced enough to spread in other part of the universe. who knows this is the first time the life has advanced so much , at least not in this galaxy. we should not be in so hurry to kill ourself. Life is so hard to kill. Its instinct to exist and go on will keep doing something and we better move in that direction instead of our self destructive methodology of killing nature.

So coming back to religion, the religion that unifies all, that teaches all to love and take care of each other and every species and everything on the planet, that is in conformity with nature, is true religion. and that is the religion of science. The statements like "my country is best or my religion is best" are like the statement like "my home the sweetest or my dad is the best". Of course we all love our family and home but we don't hate or look with disdain other people and still make friends and other relations. We are not confined to just our house. We need to have wider vision. Its ok if you don't love the other country or people as much as yours but don't hate that just because its not yours. Everyone is someone's father, mother brother or sister. So no one can go start hating others.
The rigidity of a religion kills the very spirit it is supposed to exist, the dignity of human life..and not just human but of every living being . Any philosophy or thought that brings rigidity is destined to rot with time.
Now coming to Atheism. Atheism is not anti-theism, its just absence of dogma but not rejecting the utility of religion! Its like just going back to the basics. Religion originated with culture, the nature way of living and respecting nature. But then it turned into scripture and become rigid..and now....when we are trying to understand it again...instead of blindly following the dogma..we are getting closer to the "righter" or "purer" and "rational" form of religion. Religion was supposed to be the "means" for having a good life...but some selfish people turned it the other way round and people got confused and we started "living" (mostly dying and killing) for religion (that too in the name of God) and made it an "end" rather than "means". This means-end reversal can be corrected with atheism 2.0

But its really difficult to take away religion from society, as pure rationalism is colorless for a common man. Culture and art fill life into it. Very simple example, its difficult to follow the advice of a doctor to avoid junk food or do exercise...but people walk miles on pilgrimage and stay hungry for days for religious festivals. People donate billions in religious institutions but otherwise a common man is not so generous. Religion is not a thing to reject but to reform. We need faith and religion and we want a God to be there for us..even if we are atheist and our God is not a deity but a force inside subatomic particles.

why everyone want to be on facebook

2011-12-22T22:46:00.000+05:30

I asked these questions to myself today. Why everyone with net access want to be on facebook? What is so peculiar about FB and other social websites like youtube or blogs on internet? Why the virtual world has become so important in our life? What is the biggest difference in our life in virtual world and real world? and the answer that came in to my mind was "Equality". It's this quality of equality that has made social media so popular. No one is no one's boss or superior or subordinates...their are just friends or friends of friends or friends of friends of......friends. And in Equality, a sense of empowerment is inherent. Here everyone is important. Of course all of us has raised ourself to the status of a mini celebrity, which has its side effect too but yet, a common man (and woman and children too of course ) of real world is a really important person. And those who are not so good in real world can very well pretend to be as good as they want to be. The social media on internet give us an opportunity to fill the gap between our 'real self' and 'ideal self', which is certainly a very important factor in giving us a sense of identity. There are certain anomalies and negative sides of this virtual reality, be it net addiction or compromise to our privacy, we still don't want to give it up. This probably tells us what we actually want from real world...a little sense of importance, a sense of care and of course a sense of equality and empowerment. The distance and limitation of the physical world disappear in the virtual world. The freedom of expression be exercised so vividly on the internet. You can say anything about anyone or anything so candidly. The virtual world has transcended the geographical and political boundaries. We have a platform to know the people of the rest of the world, (even if we don't know a person living on the next door but that's a different aspect of the story of our ever changing society). We tend to share our life, express ourself and want to about everything happening to everyone everywhere in this world. At least virtually we are unified.

5 days of facebook: lyrics of new video

2011-10-24T23:22:00.006+05:30

Lyrics of the song 5 days of Facebook
Recently i came across this pretty innovative video by Manish jain and Rahul Bhatt! Its awesome..so touching and so novel! Two parallel videos of comparing real life with expectations...its really too good! And the acting by Gaurav Gera is so natural.. and very good direction by Manish. Mixing and editing is also just prefect! Really great team effort! Initially I was so amazed by the concept and the music that i couldn't focus on lyrics. So i thought to put down those beautiful words also down here.
Here is the youtube link of the video!

कल को ना जाने कोई इधर
आशाओं के रंग बिखरे जिधर
आवाज़े सुनकर .. मन को समझाने चलो
कल की सुबह ...अब तो पहचाने
लेकर अपनी तू मुरादें पूरी कर यहाँ
जो जीना था अब तो ज़ी ले पा ले आसमान !

पलकों में सोये सपने अगर
पल दो पल की ये दुनिया मगर
यादों के लम्हें ...अब तो जुड़ जाये .. ..सुनो
जाने वालो ..अब तो रुक जाये
लेकर अपनी तू मुरादें पूरी कर यहाँ

जो जीना था अब तो ज़ी ले पा ले आसमान!

----
लेकर अपनी तू मुरादें पूरी कर यहाँ
जो जीना था अब तो ज़ी ले पा ले आसमान!

अरमानो के जब कटते हैं पर
कैसे भूले कोई उड़ना मगर

ना सोचे पंछी क्यूँ वो घबराये

नया ....आशियाना अपना बनाये

लेकर अपनी तू मुरादें पूरी कर यहाँ
जो जीना था अब तो ज़ी ले पा ले आसमान !

some dohe from kabir, rahim

2011-09-26T17:22:00.000+05:30

पाहन पूजे हरि मिलें तो मैं पूजूं पहाड़
ताते तो चाकी भली पीस खाए संसार!
( If one can reach God by worshiping stone, i will worship mountain. Even millstone is better as which is used to feed the world by grinding grain)

काकर पत्थर जोरि के मस्जिद लयी बनाए
ता चढ़ मुल्ला बांग दे क्या बहरा हुआ खुदाय!
( you build a mosque from stone and the Qazi shout on loud speaker from there as if God is deaf)

बुरा जो देखन मैं चला बुरा न मिलया कोय
जो मन देखा आपना मुझसे बुरा न कोय
(I was looking for evil in this world but couldn't find any, but when i looked into myself, i found myself the most evil)

बानी ऐसी बोलिये, मन का आपा खोय।
औरन को सीतल करै, आपहु सीतल होय॥
( Speak good so as to make others happy as well yourself)

पोथी पड़ पड़ जग मुआ हुआ न पंडित कोय

ढाई आखर प्रेम का पड़े सो पंडित होय

(True knowledge is that of love and not of the books and letters)

रहिमन धागा प्रेम का, मत तोड़ो चटकाय।
टूटे से फिर ना जुड़े, जुड़े गाँठ परि जाय॥
( Never break the bond of love as its very difficult to join again and even if you do there is a joint (which takes away smoothness of the relation) )

जो रहीम उत्तम प्रकृति, का करि सकत कुसंग।
चन्दन विष व्यापत नहीं, लपटे रहत भुजंग॥
(People of good character cant be corrupted by bad company as sandalwood don't lose its coolness with snakes all around it)

रहिमन देख बडेंन को लघु न दीजिये डारि |

जहाँ काम अवे सुई कहा करे तरवार ||

(don't neglect small when you see big as sword can't be used where you need a needle)

PMs letter disclosed by wikileaks

2011-09-16T13:56:00.001+05:30

If our beloved PM Dr. Manamohan Singh would have got a chance to reveal his thoughts, probably that's how it would have been. प्रिय प्रधानमंत्री जी से मेरी सहानुभूति है और उनके लिए इस काल्पनिक पत्र का असली खुलासा!

विकीलीक्स का एक और खुलासा ..मनमोहन सिंह ने खुद देश के नाम सन्देश लिखा

प्रधानमंत्री मनमोहन सिंह अपनी दुनिया भर की आलोचना से तृस्त हो गए और उन्होंने अपना पक्ष रखने का निर्णय लिया!
पंद्रह अगस्त को अपने भाषण के बाद उन्होंने ये ख़त देश को सुनाने के लिए लिखा था लेकिन वो मौका उन्हें दिया नहीं गया! बारिश में ख़त भीग गया और उन्हें बेमन से लौटना पड़ा!
विकी लीक्स ने ये ख़त उनके घर से निकली रद्दी में से बरामद किया !

"मेरे प्यारे देशवासियों . आज मैं आप सबसे अपने मन की बात कहना चाहता हूँ. मुझ पर हर कोई आरोप लगाता रहता है की मैं कुछ बोलता नहीं हूँ. कमजोर हूँ और एक कठपुतली हूँ ! मुझे भी आज आप लोगो से शिकायत करनी है! आखिर मुझे भी अपनी भावनाएं व्यक्त करने का हक है! पहले तो आप मुझे समझाओ की रामलीला मैदान में इकठ्ठा होने से या जंतर मंतर पे धरना देने से देश का विकास कैसे होगा. अगर जो कानून आप कह रहे है वो मैं बना भी दूं तो क्या होगा. इतने सारे कानून पहले से हैं ! हमने सूचना का अधिकार एक्ट बना दिया लेकिन आप लोग हैं कि उसका पूरी तरह इस्तेमाल ही नहीं करते. ये सारे प्रोफेसनल्स जो अपने ऐसी ऑफिस छोड़ के रामलीला मैदान में आ गए... ना तो सूचना के अधिकार का प्रयोग करते हैं न वोट देते हैं..और न ही किसी भी तरह से प्रशासन में कोई भी योगदान देते हैं. अपना एक घंटा बचाने के लिए किसी भी बाबू को तुरंत रिश्वत दे देते हैं.. आधी जनता के पास पीने का पानी नहीं है तो आप सरकार को गाली देते हैं और खुद जाने कितना पानी बर्बाद करते हैं. और मुझे समझ में नहीं आता कि ये कोल्ड ड्रिंक क्यूँ पीते हैं.. उसमे कुछ होता तो है नहीं..मैंने सुना है एक लीटर ड्रिंक बनाने में फैक्टरी कई लीटर पानी बहा देती है. और जिम का कांसेप्ट तो मुझे समझ में नहीं आया. एक खाली पैकेट कूड़ेदान में डालने में आपको आलस आता है लेकिन जिम में घंटो पसीना बहाते हैं. देश में गरीबी है और आप शादी , पार्टी में लाखो रुपये उड़ा देते हैं. दस लाख कि गाडी लेंगे पर डीज़ल वाली ! अरे भाई सब कुछ मैं थोड़े करूंगा ..बिना आप लोगो के एक्टिव पार्टीसिपेशन के कोई बदलाव नहीं आ सकता . आप जो नियम क़ानून हैं पहले उनका तो यूज करो.फिर नए कानून कि दुहाई देना ! और ये मीडिया वाले बड़े अजीब लोग हैं. कोई मर रहा होगा तो उसकी फोटो लगा देंगे लेकिन उसे बचायेंगे नहीं क्यूँ कि ये उनका काम नहीं है! क्यूँ भाई ..आप इंसान नहीं हो क्या! अगर मीडिया वाले टी आर पी बढाने कि बजाये लोगो को और जागरूक बनाये तो कितना कुछ हो सकता है लेकिन आपको तो राखी और कटरीना की पड़ी रहती है ! और बाकी टाइम मेरी बुराई.
आपको इतनी दिक्कत है तो बताओ ...है कोई और आपके पास पी ऍम बनाने लायक. माना मैं उतना अच्छा लीडर नहीं हूँ लेकिन मैंने तो कहा नहीं था कि मुझे पी ऍम बना दो. आपने कोई अच्छा नेता ही नहीं चुना तो मजबूरन मुझे ही ये बोझ उठाना पड़ा. हम तो केवल आपके प्रतिनिधि हैं. हमारे हाथ में सब कुछ नहीं है. असली ताकत तो जनता के पास ही होती है. आप अपने मतलब के लिए किसी कि भी जी हुजुरी कर लेते हो और हम देश में राजनीतिक संतुलन बनाये रखने के लिए कुछ कर दें तो हमें कमजोर कहते हो. अरे आपने खुद ही अपने आप को कमजोर बना रखा है. आपको बिजली पानी सब चाहिए लेकिन इनके संरक्षण में खुद कुछ नहीं करना. आपके सामने कुछ गलत हो रहा हो तो कौन टेंशन ले कह के आगे बढ़ जाते हो. और ये किसान जो बेचारे गरीब हैं उनके लिए हम प्रोग्राम बनाते हैं और जो पहले से अमीर हैं वो बी पी एल कार्ड बनवा के उनका हिस्सा मार लेते हैं. अब ये सब मैं थोड़े रोक सकता हूँ. ये काम तो आपको और मीडिया को करना होगा. ब्लैक में गैस आप लो, और सप्लाई न हो तो हमें गाली दो! अपराधियों को वोट आप दो और हम इलेक्सन रेफोर्म न करें तो हमें गालियाँ दो. टैक्स चोरी , ब्लैक में बिना बिल के सामान आप लें, भ्रष्ट नेताओ कि रैली में आप जाएँ, मार्केट में होर्डिंग और स्पेकुलेसन आप करें, और इकोनोमी कमज़ोर हो तो हमें गाली दें. अगर आपके सामने कुछ गलत हो रहा है और आप कुछ नहीं करते तो आप भी उतने ही ज़िम्मेदार हैं. अरे जब आप सब मिलके संसद को हिला सकते हो तो इन छोटे मोटे भ्रष्ट लोगो के खिलाफ कुछ क्यूं नहीं करते! हम सब मिलके ही , मेहनत और ईमानदारी से हिंदुस्तान को आगे ले जा सकते हैं. मेरी आप सबसे अपील है कि आलोचना करने के बजाये खुद को और अपने आसपास के सिस्टम को सुधारने में हिस्सा लें , देश अपने आप आगे बढेगा!
जय हिंद!"

आपका
मनमोहन सिंह
दिनांक १५ अगस्त २०११
-------------------------

Harry Potter's Magic

2011-07-18T17:15:00.000+05:30

so finally the seventh part of Harry Potter series came alive, that too in 3D. The tale of the wizard got a happy ending. A tale, not just about magic but more about love, friendship, trust and determination. All that wizard stuff is great but what appealed most is the way this and such movies encourage children to do big, to take new courses, to lead, to innovate, to learn, to risk and to believe to be larger than life. We, in bollywood also ponder about love but sadly just keep it there. There are few movies with children being the lead heroes. It seems that our system, be it society, family or school, expect children to be just compliant and follow the path they are put on, rather than choose their own or lead. This can also be attributed to the feeling of insecurity and the killing competition. no wonder there is no link in education and profession. However, no doubt children learn a lot other then just study. So if we just let them decide and pursue their identity, may be we will have a wonderful youth making their destiny larger then we can imagine. But Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, or Transformers or Thor or Matrix, its all about two things, love and belief in oneself!

Coming back to Harry, the movie proceed like a hindi movie hero's pursuit, full of courage and determination, also reveals lot of mysteries about many characters, specially Snape. and 3D is really fun! So even if you are not an HP fan...give it a try...of course at least see part one to get some idea.

Evolution of God - Contd...

2011-05-28T01:18:00.000+05:30

The idea of God have many perspectives. Its not just that our fears and ignorance take us to the refuge of God, its a psychological need too. There is no doubt that there is some power which is omniscient and omnipotent, be it spiritual, supernatural or metaphysical or mythical...makes no difference as all are equally beyond definition. We need to have faith in this world and show gratitude towards that supreme power and this need drives us to find a suitable model of God. This also helps us to keep us modest. Otherwise how will one explain MS Dhoni shaving his head after winning the world cup for India? Its not that the God only made that happen..it was certainly the team's true effort. But this idea of faith and gratitude towards the almighty saves us from developing false pride.....vanity or Ahankar. We know that its was our hard work but we also know that we are nothing before that supreme power. But we are anyway nothing if we dont do anything and leave everything on God. But when we put ourself at God's disposal, we free ourself from pressure of performance....we do our duty fully without being attached with result. Ofcourse winning matters but being attached with the result put immense pressure on us and deteriorate performance. The idea of Nishkam karm keeps us at our best to perform our duties. That's close to the Karma that is preached in SriMadBhagwatGita that is Karmanyewadhikaraste Ma faleshu kadachan. (Do you work and don't worry about the result). But when we become fatalistic and lose faith in ourself...the faith in God is a vain attempt. That's why we say...the God lives within us.

My understanding of God is developing with time. We can't be atheist or theist without fully understanding the philosophy of God. The blind faith leads to superstition and rationality take us closer to the understanding of that supreme power. But for a destitute, that faith is probably the only hope..as there is no choice otherwise. God is simplistic. All complex forms with all those complex rituals and rules are self-interest driven ideas serving a few and probably exploiting many.

That would be enough for today. May we find the God within.

Meri zindagi pe ek kavita

2011-05-03T02:27:00.001+05:30

Zindagi to meri ekdam suljhee huyi si hai..

kuchh jyada hi seedhi saadi si..

ek seedhe resham ke dhaage see..

jo hawa ke sath udata hai..

jisme nahi pada koi fanda ya koi gaath..

bah rahi hawa ke sath mano doondh raha ho apna bandhan ..

meri zindagi ek sidhe bina ulajhe dhage see!

Jaise ek hawa me girta pankh ka tukda...

na to ud sakta aur na girta jameen pe..

bahta rahata apni halki si kaya liye..

chad jata kisi bhi foonk ki sawari

Jaise ped pe ek sukha patta..

jo atka hai ek sukhe huye sire se..

apne vajood se alag hoke bhi..
juda hai kisi jod se..

Ek dhalan pe ludakta hua patthar....

jharane ke pani sa bahta..

kis rah pe jayega wo..

ya ruk jayega kisi tane se takara ke..

ya fir ek pani kee boondh si..

jo chali thi badal se...ek anjani see rah pe..

udegi hawa ke sath ..ya pahuchegi zameen par.

giregi kisi patte pe ya milegi samandar se...

banane ko fir se ek boond...kabhi pani se bhap.. kabhi bhap se pani !
Meri Zindagi!!!

(Please see previous post for Hindi font version)

मेरी ज़िन्दगी पे एक कविता

2011-05-03T02:22:00.000+05:30

ज़िन्दगी तो मेरी एकदम सुलझी हुयी सी है ..

कुछ ज्यादा ही सीधी सादी सी ..

एक सीधे रेशम के धागे सी ..

जो हवा के साथ उड़ता है ;

जिसमे नहीं पड़ा कोई फंदा या कोई गाँठ ...

बह रही हवा के साथ मानो दूंढ रहा हो अपना बंधन ..

मेरी ज़िन्दगी एक सीधे बिना उलझे धागे सी !

जैसे हवा में गिरता एक पंख का टुकड़ा ...

न तो उड़ सकता और न गिरता जमीन पे ..

बहता रहता अपनी हलकी सी काया लिए ...

चढ़ जाता किसी भी फूंक की सवारी !

जैसे पेड़ पे एक सूखा पत्ता ..

जो अटका है एक सूखे हुए सिरे से ..

अपने वजूद से अलग होके भी

जुड़ा है किसी जोड़ से ..

या

एक ढलान पे लुड़कता हुआ पत्थर ...

झरने के पानी सा बहता...

किस राह पे जायेगा वो ..

या रुक जायेगा किसी तने से टकरा के ..

या फिर एक पानी की बूंद सी ..

जो चली थी बादल से ...

एक अनजानी सी राह पे ;

उड़ेगी हवा के साथ या पहुंचेगी ज़मीन पर ...

गिरेगी किसी पत्ते पे या मिलेगी समंदर से ...

बनने को फिर से एक बूँद ...कभी पानी से भाप .. कभी भाप से पानी !

मेरी ज़िन्दगी!!

Story of Chandu

2011-04-25T11:57:00.001+05:30

Chandu....he is not a fictitious character, he is a poor boy, about ten year old, who, when asked about his age, said he don't know. Till last friday, his father, an immigrant from a village in Bihar used to come to collect the garbage at my home in Delhi. Since two days Chandu was coming to collect garbage instead of his father.

Today when he came, I asked , "School jate ho?".. He said, "Jab baba the tab jate the". Then I came to know, his father died two days back. Poor fellow. He told me that he get just about 100-150 Rs for collecting garbage. He is now alone with his mother, who is also not educated. I asked, "Agar main tumhne sau rupaye doon to kya karoge, padoge?" He replied, "yahan kuchh nahi hoga, Ghar jake padenge". He will be going back to Bihar on fourth of next month. I asked him to wait for a minute and then I gave him two hundred rupee notes and told, "ek se apni kitaben lena and dusre se jo man ho karna". Chandu looked very much obliged and surprised too. When he was leaving, I asked , "Are apna naam to batado yar". He replied .."Chandu". I said to him..."Chandu, Padna...Padae se hi sab hota hai". And then Chandu left to pick garbage from other houses.

I hope this small contribution , which might not do much do help him financially, would certainly motivate him to do good in life.

When first day I saw Chandu, I felt frustrated. All this right to education and child labour laws seems hollow. We all know that the laws see just one side of problem. They don't give an option of rehabilitation of children like Chandu. I am sure his father did not want his child to be a labourer like him, picking garbage from houses. Before education, people need to survive.

I, with a feeling of helplessness, thought that what I can do! But that would really be pathetic. We can certainly do, at least a little. And I did what I wanted to and I wish I could do more...or may be I will do more. You never know when this small help can make a big difference. I request all to look around and if you see any young child being deprived of education, do at least something. Those two hundred rupees are nothing for us, it is the price of the movie ticket I watched yesterday. But for Chandu, it's a Month salary....it can at least partially help him to educate himself....and imagine how much moral support he will get. He won't see this world as a cruel place that gave him a fatherless life with poverty and misery. He will be more optimistic and work hard to fight all hindrances and may be, will become a valuable citizen of the country.

The King's Speech: The Movie

2011-04-25T01:14:00.000+05:30

I thought it to be just another Oscar movie but ..its was ..indeed...making of a king!

The Throne of a king is certainly not the bed of roses. Making your life at the disposal of your countrymen, every step of yours..and every decision ... is made with people as the first priority. The struggle of a prince who is a king at heart but is dragged behind by his inability to speak , to be the voice of the nation. This is, from psychological point of view, a case of psychoanalysis and , also a case showing how lack of unconditional positive regards and forced compliance affecting the personality of a would be king.

The confidence of the therapist, Lionel, who is not a doctor indeed, to ask for equality, from a king, is commendable. The role of king's loving wife is amazing and shows how much, the family love and support, is important.

I found this movie very inspiring and awesome. Other technicalities like cinematography , well presentation of the early 19th century has been specialty of such movies.And of course, a much watch for people interested in psychology.
To know more about the movie, please visit the wikipedia page of the movie .

my favourite quotes 2

2011-04-21T00:38:00.000+05:30

The fate of love is that it always seems too little or too much.
Amelia Barr

We either make ourself miserable or we make ourself strong, the amount of work is same.

Before we acquire great power we must acquire wisdom to use it well.

A man is what he thinks the whole day!

Anger is the feeling that makes your mouth work faster than your mind.

Life is run on heuristics , not on algorithms!

A witty saying proves nothing.
Voltaire

All the reasonings of men are not worth one sentiment of women.
Voltaire

The first recipe for happiness is: Avoid too lengthy meditation on the past.

The effectiveness of work increases according to geometric progression if there are no interruptions.
Andre Maurois

Communication gap is the root of every problem.

Arriving at one goal is the starting point to another.

Anyone who has begun to think, places some portion of the world in jeopardy.
-John Dewey

Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes.
-John Dewey

Discontent is the first necessity of progress.
Thomas A. Edison

Just because something doesn't do what you planned it to do doesn't mean it's useless.
Thomas A. Edison

What a man's mind can create, man's character can control.

Discontent is the first necessity of progress.
Thomas A. Edison

The Man and the World!

2011-04-21T00:29:00.001+05:30

This world is full of paradoxes, and the Man, I guess, is the biggest paradox of all. He is both the best and the worst. Its the reason of disasters and also the savior. He is like nuclear energy, in fission it can be an atomic bomb and in fusion it can be the very source of energy and the life, the Sun, and as a matter of fact, we are still struggling to get a hold on fusion while the disasters of fission are as obvious as air pollution. This species, considered to be the most advanced and the ultimate evolution, is the reason of biggest wipe out of other species, be in animal, bird, plant of anything and yet he is the only hope to save the planet too. We are here, to kill each other and also to save us from ourselves.

Human is probably the only developed species that kill its own type. The differential value of human life is so baffling. Man is considered the conqueror of the world and we know about whats happening in stars too but we know so less about ourselves. We don't knows yet where we came from and where are we going. We have such a destructive instinct as wherever we go, all others are in trouble.

I really am not sure whether to call our "intelligence" a boon or curse to the world. With our developed mind, we are finding new ways to destroy the planet. Just withing few thousands years of our existence, which is not even one-thousandth one percent of the time since the life evolved, we have created so much trouble in the world. The world is not even ten percent as diverse as it were before homo erectus evolved into homo sapiens. Yet we are supposed to be having inbuilt good in ourself. We are both the daemon and the god. We are the classic example of the misuse of power. We keep showing that the power corrupts. We are like the Bhashmasur of Hindu mythology. The daemon, who wherever put his hand, cause it to get bhashm (burnt down). The power of fire we use not in lighting (illuminate) but in lighting (burn) .
The power of thinking we use more in harming others in an attempt benefit ourself. How paradoxical it is. We all know life is one and we are all same. We also know the economics that the best is what is best for everyone as a whole and not just for individual. But yet, one try to single out oneself in order to exploit every resource we get, in a fear of scarcity or may be just out of greed. It reminds me of a story of heaven and hell.

Once in the heaven and the hell, big sticks were tied to the hands of the people so that they could not bend their elbow and thus their hand could not reach their mouth. When super was served, in hell there was chaos. People were trying eat their food by all means like throwing the meal in the air and trying to catch it in mouth but could not succeed. But in heaven, it was all calm. Everybody happily had food. How?? Because their everyone fed each other sitting in front. Their hand could not reach their mouth but could reach the others. The simple act of serving others satisfied them all.

The moral is , we can survive only when we help each other rather than compete or serve only our mean interest. This world will be a beautiful place the day people will start thinking about others and not just about themselves. When we will consider ourself as the part of the universal life . The differential value of life will then be one....just like the almighty is.

value of money!

2011-02-09T21:57:00.000+05:30

I was wondering why Gold is so precious. ..generally we cant do anything with it. we can't eat it and can't produce energy with it. Its just a"SYMBOL" of wealth...a converter ..using which bartering is easy...people can exchange goods and services ..but I think its too over priced because it has no inherent value. a kg of wheat or coal or a liter of milk or even a gram of uranium ..these can be used to get energy.. these have an inherent value..but gold..its just a mediator . its symbol of the mediator/broker/contractor class..or symbol of capitalism, who takes the product from the producer and supply it to end user..and for that it takes huge margin making fool of both customer and producer. Unfortunately poor producer is most disadvantaged! The high value of gold represent our social structure. The whole world is governed by few and the larger section is poor and powerless.

marriage and "man vs woman"

2011-02-05T18:29:00.002+05:30

The institution of marriage is one of the greatest parts of civilized life. This is an equation which disturbs the equilibrium and tends to create a new one. Both the girl and the boy enter into a life full of responsibility, leaving behind a care free life full of freedom. As it is said that the man loses his bachelor’s degree and the woman get her Master’s! However, this great tradition is loaded with tonnes of expectations from each family. The husband is supposed to be treating the wife as the most important person, jokingly termed as “joru ka gulam” and the wife, who leaves her own family and accept the new house as her own is expected to follow the norms of her in-law's house.

But if husband ignores wife’s need, he is being a good man probably by not being “joru ka gulam” and if the girl tries to look for some autonomy, she is a rebellion. All the burden of family's pride and respect is always on woman .Our TV serials had played a great role in maligning sas-bahu relations, but that’s not the focus right now. All I need to say is that the girl is expected to adapt with new family while there is no such expectation on the other side. She certainly loses the comfort and independence of what she used to enjoy at her Mayka. Why is she supposed to call even the younger sister-in-law and brother-in-law as bhaia and didi. Why is she supposed to follow the instructions instead of deciding herself what to do and what not to? Why a mature, self dependent girl suddenly treated as naive to take her own decisions and expected to take permission for even small things. And if she doesn’t, she is too “modern” who don’t have respect for traditions. If the boy stay out at office for longer or go out to meet friends, it’s his fundamental right, but if the girl want to do same, she has to inform in-laws and take permission in advance, and mostly her such needs are not an important thing, even if it’s a matter of great significance for her. And generally the opposite sex friends and not welcome. Some people might counter argue here for giving rationale of respect for traditions and wish of elders for these prejudices against the woman. But there is no question of rational here, it’s the situation and it’s so deep rooted that even we can’t dig up to the rationale. Moreover, the tradition and the rational are not always in sync as the rational keep changing with time. If I give example of sati pratha ...contemporary people justified such inhuman tradition. You can say that sati was an extreme case, however the extremities help to understand the direction if not the intensity, and I want to emphasize the negativity of the situation here.

The question is probably too obvious with centuries of exploitation and suppression, the woman is certainly a disadvantaged group not only socially but also psychologically! I don't know what more to write about it. The opinion would be very subjective and a social change is always too slow.

Why i wrote about the evolution of God

2011-02-05T18:27:00.001+05:30

Why a middle class Indian youth constituting our country’s intelligentsia is so indifferent to the burning issues around. Be it starving poor, or naxals or Kashmir or corruption. I get probably the answer by looking at my own past. During my college days I was bothered by disarrangement at hostels and pathetic conditions of toilets and labs. But I knew I could not do anything about it and I ignored it with my helplessness.( I said I could not because we tried and failed.) Then I got into job and got busy with life. And in rest of the time thinking about a good pass time, so called enjoyments...making friends and socialising. Still not much concerned about the society and having no tension from the family. When did I have the time from my leisurely luxurious time schedule to think about others? As the psychological principles say that we don’t feel empathy for the event happening at distances far away. Like we may not kill a person in front because of our human instinct but we may not hesitate much in firing a missile that would kill hundreds of man a thousand miles away. Even the animals don’t kill their own species. This instinct is unique to the great highly developed human. Till I had job/family/friend/social networking related responsibilities and pursuing my hobbies, I hardly get time to think about any issue bigger than the traffic jam on way to office or bad food at office canteen. I never bothered about political, economical and social problems of the world or the nation. May be I was not aware of or may be my psychological defence mechanism to save myself from the frustration and information overload avoided any attention to these issues. We, specifically people earning good enough like bachelor software engineers seems to be living in a pseudo reality....a world of the air conditioned offices or the big Malls or multiplexes and we think that everything is so good....we don’t see the things happening outside.)

But now, now I am in an identity crisis. What I am here for! What’s the purpose of my life...why I am what I am? What role I am going to play in this world. If things keep going like this, what will be the future or will there be any future at all? This put a big question before me questioning significance of every moment of my life...for me and for others.

I can feel a little pulse of how the youth might have felt during the British rule. ..The frustration and the helplessness...the quest to find a way to do something...to make a change! But it all looks in continuity. Oppression and exploitation be it by British or American or our own natives, how does it make any difference to the poor. May be that’s how life is. Or maybe now the rosy picture of the world is getting clear and it’s not so colorful at all. Now I understand why the subjects like religion and philosophy are so important. We can’t make sense of our life without them. That probably why we created the thing we need most..... the concept of God..to save us from ourselves!

Ideas for India

2011-01-23T11:34:00.000+05:30

1. For drinking water issue

Essential commodities like water should not be left for exploitation by private industries. I see no rational why drinking water erstwhile available free should suddenly become 12 Rs per litre. It’s because of lack of political will and ignorance and hopelessness of public that we are ready to pay 12 Rs for bottled water but we want our domestic supply free. We can pay 10 Rs for a cold drink bottle which may not cost even 2-3 Rs to the company. The govt. should impose higher taxes on such industries and should give open declaration that money collected from such tax will be used in supplying pure drinking water for domestic supply. Govt should not interfere much with market but it should regulate it strongly. I see no reason why Railneer was also 12 Rs per litre. If govt sold Railneer at 5Rs per bottle, the prices of other brands would have immediately come down.

If natural resources like water, air, land, minerals, spectrum etc. will be left unregulated and uncared for, the few influential people will exploit it and the people of India won’t get anything from it, and we will remain a rich country of poor people. Most of such ideas are rejected as wishful thinking but they are not so. We need to restore public trust in the govt. and need a leadership with such vision.

We should have local level water treatment plants to filter at every outlet of a local sewage/nala to a river.

Increase awareness among public not to waste and pollute water.

MNREG schemes should be used for employing people for cleaning of rivers and water harvesting projects.

2. Increasing transparency and accountability

RTI is one of the biggest act passed by legislature. It has tremendous potential to ensure accountability and increase transparency of the system. Currently our bureaucracy (Babus) take it as a burden and it s not being used them as a tool to fight corruption. If all departments and offices make suo moto disclosure of their work including implementation of programmes and the account of the way public money is spent, even a corrupt person can’t dare to make money on loopholes of the system. The suo moto clause of the RTI act empowers officers to save themselves from the pressure of corrupt system and it will put a check on victimization of honest officers.

The finance is the backbone of any country. The weak payment and banking system can’t check while money getting converted to black money. A lakhs and crores of rupees starting from the center level are siphoned out before it reaches the grassroots. A direct payment system is a solution to remove such obstacles.

In this direction, including post offices in the banking system can be a major step forward. Thus govt. can be directly sending money to the beneficiaries to their post office accounts. India has a very huge network of post offices and every village have a post office. We can have a central database connected to state database further to district database and village database which will be connected through post offices. All records of beneficiaries will have account info, and their money should be electronically transferred.

Moreover, all the financial transaction should be made online. All payments for contracts and purchases should be done online so that all transactions are recorded in the bank statement. This will also help in accounting and auditing and will increase transparency.

3. Utilising tax revenue for social upliftment

The tax burden should be well targeted and directed for specific schemes. Tax can be used as a tool to regulate market and direct public money to where it should be spent.

1. Tax on soft drinks --> use for water treatment and free drinking water

2. Entertainment tax on private channels --> to increase education expense

3. Tax on alcohol and tobacco --> health expenditure

4. Tax and penalty on polluting industries --> for keeping air clean and river water pure

5. Either remove subsidy on diesel or impose higher tax on diesel cars/SUVs. Subsidy on CNG/LPG and electric cars and on public transport (not just metro but also better bus service for villages too)

4. Improving the system: Transport, health, education and administration

i. The market highly depends on the transport and supply.The increased cost should be handled by
-making better roads so that less fuel is spent and less pollution
-making the supply system faster by removing bottlenecks on roads like making functioning of toll plaza smooth, bypasses from crowded cities, fencing NHs
ii. Removing role of middleman as much as possible specifically for agricultural products and making storage facility for products so that supply side bottlenecks can be managed
iii. More expenditure should be made to provide better teachers. More incentives should be given for rural school teachers.
iv.The routine functions of the district administration like issuing certificates etc should be fully automated and computerised so that IAS officers can spend more time in planning and development.
v.All data starting from panchayat level should be digitalised; it will make data handling easy.
vi. UID, census, land revenue management, certificate issuance and other public service can be directly served by such database.
vii.Higher education and research should be made more attractive by increasing the scholarships and stipends for research students.
viii.Video clinics should be established in every tehsil/sub-district level so that specialists can provide consultation to patients.

With cleaner air and water, we will have less diseases and load on health facilities will be less.

Natural resources should be utilised in a sustainable manner by public, the private companies should be regularised so that people's money is spent on people. Let us take back the public money to serve the people.

5. Understanding People

Suppose there is some garbage on the road. Now there can be five kind of responses

1. people see the garbage and start throwing more garbage there...making it worse just like people spit exactly where its written not to or park at no parking.

2. people see it, curse the other people and the system but don’t do anything. However, they, at least do not add to the problem

3. people see it, condemn it, and make effort to clean it by themselves...that’s out NGOs and active civil societies

4. there are the people who create awareness and lead people with a vision to keep it clean..our leaders, which are very few there for creative issues like this.

5. and finally people who make the structural arrangement to get it clean and make sure it do not get dirty again by strengthening the system. That’s the executives..our bureaucrats.

These last two have most important role and we need to include the civil societies with us. With a participative system we can easily get support of second and third too and then the first have no reason to make it worse.

Ultimately all power lies with the public but it is too ignorant or unorganised to use it.

Movie Review: No one killed Jassica

2011-01-22T22:59:00.000+05:30

In the times when the cinema halls are flooded with pathetic soulless movies like "Tees Mar Khan" and "Yamla Pagla Diwana" etc, I started to think that Bollywood has lost it to just masala and cheap comedy..and they just want to make money by fooling viewers, "No One Killed Jassica" turned out to be amazingly good movie restoring my faith in film industry. Not just because its based on a sensational real life episode, but because it has lot of things that a good movie should have. The casting itself was very impressive and background music through out the movie was catchy. Very good performance by Rani Mukherjee and also by Vidya Balan. Coming to the storyline, this movie has very realistically depicted the whole episode. Its neither a documentary nor there is any overacting.

We all live in a world of our own and deny that anything wrong is going to happen to us.But when it happens in front of our eyes..we just can not sit and watch things to go on. Jassica episode was a symbol of how influential and powerful get away even after committing a heinous crime. The poor state of judiciary and helplessness of the police, everybody knows but no one does anything about it. The frustration of the inspector for not being able to convict the criminal is well represented in the movie.

How a small idea can become a nation wide campaign gives us a hope that if the public is made aware then public opinion can bring the accountability and check the powerful from buying the system. The inspiration for candle march as India Gate is one such example.

Some of the small scenes are superb. In one scene when a man teases Jassica's sister, She runs after that man and beats him to his embarrassment. At this her sister says .."Jaane do" (Leave it), she replies.. "Tu kahegi to chhor doongi...Ye dilli hai...ladna seekh..aaj chhoo ke gaya hai..kal rape karke jayega."

(I won't let him go unpunished..this is delhi..you should fight..today he has just touched you..and if you don't fight back..tomorrow he can rape you as well.").

This movie make us think that if we don't react and fight back...what kind of future we are going to have. When mistrust and insecurity are there, how can one say that "Viswas pe duniya kayam hai".(The world is running on trust).

I would say "Must watch" movie. I give it score 3.5 out of 5.

RTI Campaign

2010-03-13T13:23:00.001+05:30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ1yvrMDUMU&feature=player_embedded#
RTI (Right To Information) is the historical instrument that has empowered the common man to ask for what he deserves from the government for the tax he pays. I want to talk about two factors that will enable its proper utilization.

Increasing awareness about RTI in common man specifically in professionals of middle class
Encourages govt. officials to positively take RTI applications and rewarding them for positive work

First of all, in common man, there is a feeling of mistrust and helplessness about the government. The ‘janta’ do not trust the public officials and is so sure about that they won’t do anything that they don’t even think about using tools like RTI. This feeling can be taken care by citing the success stories of RTI. Our intelligential and working middle class of doctors, engineers, teachers etc is so busy in its own world that they have alienated from rest of the world and also developed a feeling of helplessness. Firstly most of them do not vote so they think they won’t be heard by the govt. anyway and secondly they want to do something for society but don’t know how. They are also frustrated about idleness of municipalities and other govt. authorities, be it passport office or RTO. Once they realise he power of RTI, they can earn accountability from the public administration. People in software industry should use their online communities to popularise RTI and also provide information about its usage and importance. The HR officials should take initiatives in this regard as an employee will be happier if he is free from the burden of problems related to public authorities and also he would feel happier for being able to do something for the society.

Second point is that the RTI is taken as a pain or burden by government officials and of course they are to be blamed for their unscrupulousness. But here if we take a cooperative and persuasive approach, we can expect more positive responses from them. This way we won’t overburden them and also will not make them curse RTI. Even there should be some reward for a good work. One can send a letter of thanks of flowers for a major goal achieved.

I hope people will use this effectively. I have many success stories to share. One of my friends Agraj made his village hospital and Aaganbadi people work properly with the help of RTI. There are revolutionary changes brought about with the helpof RTI. Let not go this great initiative of the govt. in vain. Corrupt bureaucrats and politicians are trying hard to weaken it and if we don’t use it effectively, they may succeed in curtailing the only power the common man has after vote.

thought of the day

2010-03-01T16:36:00.000+05:30

Choices we make each moment give direction to our life.

60 years of Republic, are we still uncivilised!

2010-01-28T22:07:00.000+05:30

Today evening I went to see the India gate decorated with lights of tricolor and the beautifully illuminated Parliament. It was dark and the whole view was awesome. Here on Janpath, I saw a group of well dressed elites also enjoying the view. Suddenly, I noticed that one of them turned toward the corner of the road (Rajpath) where the cars (including mine) were parked, looked here and there and started relieving himself. I was suddenly taken aback. One don’t expect some elite to show such uncivilized behavior, at least not in front of India gate on Rajpath! I intended to stop him but I couldn’t do that because I knew that there is no “Sulabh Shauchalay”(public toilet) nearby. When I asked a local vendor about it he told “ye lawn hai na..jana hai to yahi kar lo” (Use this lawn for toilet).

In a moment, all my joy of that panoramic view and proud of 60 years of republic, transformed in the feeling of frustration and despair. Before like everyone else, I could have ignored it by saying “Hindustan ka kuch nahi ho sakta” or “Indians and well as their government are hopeless”, I decided to write this letter to the authorities as soon as I reached home. I wonder why all around the world Indians are so easily identified and branded as most uncivilized people. In India, talking about toilet is as taboo as talking about sex education. I wonder why! Such a basic necessity is so prejudiciously ignored as no one needs it. It’s not that Indians are uncivilized, it’s because government is not active in providing basic facilities and above this our civil society has also ignored it.

I request Delhi government to kindly make some arrangement in all public/tourist places. A mobile toilet would be a very logical solution in such posh areas like Janpath/India Gate considering the space problem in Delhi. Moreover, think about women, they can’t use this liberty also as men mostly do.

I wonder how in a country with woman president, woman speaker, woman leader of both ruling and opposition party has such apathy for woman! (not to forget that Delhi itself has a woman Chief minister)

Evolution of God

2010-01-22T01:27:00.002+05:30

God, a term which is most difficult to define but exist, even before we, the Humans, came into existence. A word, mostly used by all and believed to exist even when how, what, who and where GOD is , is beyond our imagination. God is defined by nothing but ‘faith’. God exist only for we have faith in that supreme entity. We defined God as per our own convenience to make it easy for us to present all our grievance and wishes to, to ask those questions which no one has answers of, to have a sense of security that someone is there to take care of us, to bless us, to control this very world we live in, to punish daemons and to reward the righteous, to help the helpless and to give us luck and prosperity. If human is most splendid extraordinary superior creation of GOD, God is the most selfish creation of human.

The idea of God originated from the ignorance about this world. We had no idea why we exist, why the sun rise and sets, why the rain, thunder, storm is there, from where river, mountain, sky and the stars came and the ultimate mystery of Life and Death. This ignorance, which gave birth to fear, made us to derive the idea of an almighty: The God.

So all that we need, we ask God for it. In the prehistoric times, we found God in Nature. Our Gods were as simple as Fire-God, Rain-God, Sea-God and Wind-God. God is so beyond our conception that we simplified God in Human like forms. God existed even before Ram, Christ or Mohammad. We believe in God’s human incarnation or Avtar. Almost all religions have ‘Avatar’ or ‘Son of God’ or ‘prophets’. And here comes the religion. The Religion, which probably was not something that originated from the God, rather, the religion, which was man-made and which made the concept of God narrower and rigid. Some mighty people of the society defined the norms of society and imposed there definition of ‘God’ to the people. So as our society progressed, the God and the Religion, both became complex. New Gods got introduced as per the need of society. The idea of ‘God’ evolved further.

As we became a more sophisticated society, the selfish man started exploitation of the God and the religion. Then we needed reforms, and some enlightened souls gave us better ideas of God and religion. We needed to come out of this rigid concept of God as restricted by the dominant high classes. These reformers redefined religion and re-simplified the idea of God. The modern religions like Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism looked for simplified and less orthodox ideologies that came in the ancient religions as a result of selfish strategies and politicization of religion. The Protestantism, Zoroastrian, Confucianism and others forms also looked for maverick ideas.

As our knowledge of this world increased, we started questioning more the idea of God. The science became the answer to a lot of our questions but still the idea of God remained because many questions were still unanswered. God is a traditional idea and largely depend on faith. God is knowledge. The faith of humanity gives shape to the concept of God. May be God is also trying to tell people to think about what, who, where and how the God is. All we need to do is to look inside and think over. The quest for the God made me write this. There has to be some God, or how else will we get the solace in this world of mystery and misery. Let there be God. May God Bless all!

me and my computer..the journey from 2001 to 2009

2009-11-01T19:12:00.007+05:30

My hands are tempting to write something...after such a long interactions with computer, my fingers have fallen in love with the keyboard.. always want to write..to browse..to push the keys..they are so immersed in this love that they don't need much help of my eyes to the keys...sometimes i feel as fingertips have some memory. my fingers......all of them..are just always ready to touch their beloved (keyboard).

i remember in college days we used to dream that when will it happen when we would be able to type without looking on to keyboard like a typical software geek :-o . now that day is here... it had been 8 years of using the computers ...how much it has changed...from a bulky P3 with win98 to a small laptop with vista! but the funny thing is that in 2001-02, that 256MB RAM 4 GB HDD 800MHz PC was worth 35-40K and this 2GB RAM, 2Ghz, 80GB HDD laptop is cheaper than that!! and imagine the value of Rs40k then and now. And the irony is that , the old big box was faster than this hi-fi laptop! I don't know how is this happening ...we are having faster technology but still slower PC...we are having faster RAM but a heavy OS which eats up all of it!
there was no single PC in hostel which could bear me..as soon i start working on it, it used to hang ..and unfortunately i have yet not found a fast enough!
computers has become a part of an average family in India....i am so much used to of doing everything online...from booking of movie and travel tickets to bill payments and banking...everything! without internet, a computer is a soul without body (or vice versa). and now this has changed the way we live...out community is now ONLINE..we meet friends online...talk on video chat to friends and family on skype ..and can't complete without mentioning orkut..that enable us to keep our social circle alive!
we are living in virtual world!!
so lets get real.... go out of the door and meet the real people there :-)

RTI : bringing accountability in the Government

2009-09-20T15:11:00.002+05:30

We are all used to of two things about Indian political system and Bureaucracy: "chalta hai" and "kuchh nahi ho sakta" . By these two we all accept them as they are. We dream of an accountable and honest system but don't bother how it will come!! Right to Information Act 2005 is one of the biggest achievement of a government and people of India. Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) deserve a big applause for its effort.
Now BIG problem is that people don't know about it. The good things is that address of all public information officers are available online. So here we all ..people of internet word..who care a lot about the world but feel helpless against the system can make a big difference . in RTI you can send application about any thing happening ( or not happening) anywhere in india. You don't need to even tell the reason. So if a particular got office is not working properly, you can ask them why..or can even visit their office to see how they work. RTI is properly utilized have empowered citizen.
So now we all should start a RTI campaign. Whenever you see a problem, right an application and send it. This is bare minimum we all can do..and here is how to do it:

1. Find out the address of PIO from internet or directly from the office against which you want to send RTI Application
2. Write application on a plain paper with all the questions and information you want to seek.
3. provide your complete address and contact number on the application.
4. Get a Indian Postal Order of Rs 10 from any post office and make it payable to the account officer of that organisation. Check the website or inquire in the office directly. Otherwise just write
"Account officer," e.g. Account officer, Department of Heath & Family welfare".
5. keep a copy of application and IPO number with you.
6. send the application only by registered post of speed post . Keep safely the receipt of your post. Do not send by normal post of courier.
If you submit application personally, take receiving on its copy with stamp of that office.

Withing 1-2 week you will see action on this. And if you dont get anything in a month complaint about that PIO to appellate authority.
You will find all the required information here
http://www.rti.gov.in/

you can also join
http://www.rtiindia.org/forum/

I would say just start sending RTI to all places you see corruption , unaccountability or harassment of public. If a good officer is transferred, send an RTI application with question why he/she got transferred. If a bad officer is still not handled, send a RTI asking why. If there are path-holes in your road, send RTI to municipality asking why. Just go on..wake up.and ask..why Public Department dont work for public. Just start it.. believe me...you will see the change!!

e-filling of ITR

2009-07-23T11:20:00.006+05:30

E filing of Income tax return
I wanted to share my beautiful experience filling return online again this year.

In case you are not aware or skeptic about e-filling , let me tell you, its so easy that it took just 10-15 minutes!!

This is for AY 2009.

For latest see http://www.incometaxindia.gov.in/home.asp

Here are the details of how to do this:

https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/howToEFile.do

How to do:

Just go to IT dept website

http://incometaxindia.gov.in/

Click on income tax return

https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/index.jsp

Download return calculation software

https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/downloads09-10/itr/ITR1_2009_10_R1e.zip

https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/downloads09-10/Instructions/Instructions%20ITR-1.zip

Read the instructions and fill the form. Then create an account on https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/index.jsp using your PAN number as user name.

Upload the xml generated.

https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/uploadXML.do?assyr=2009

Take the print of the acknowledgment and sent it using ordinary post to the Bangalore office as specified on the acknowledgment. I got the receipt of my acknowledgment in a week. :-)

Here are the details of how to do this"

https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/howToEFile.do

Its so easy!!

And Yes, you can contact our call center Aayakar Sampark Kendra (ASK) on phone number 0124-2438000 for assistance.
https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/faq_process.do

and those who need PAN related help can see these links

For online application of reprint of PAN or any change in PAN data

http://www.tin-nsdl.com/default.asp

https://tin.tin.nsdl.com/pan/index.html

please visit http://incometaxindia.gov.in/ and https://incometaxindiaefiling.gov.in/portal/index.jsp and appreciate the govt initiate to ease out this annual ritual!

NPTEL : Online enginnering courses by IITs

2009-07-08T12:01:00.003+05:30

The IITs have taken up an initiative of starting online teaching and thus have started offering course materials online for every engineering stream.

Many professors from all the IITs have provided course materials for each chapter and each subject..
Every Chapter has been described with diagrams and charts. Please spread this message to everyone, as many can benefit from this program taken up by the government and IIT.
1] Type the following address on internet explorer http://www.nptel.iitm.ac.in
2] Click on Courses http://www.nptel.iitm.ac.in/courses.php
The video courses are available on you tube http://youtube.com/iit
Please spread the word, so that this initiative benefits as many students as possible.
Its good to see such initiatives coming in India. MIT has a very good online course material website
http://www.nptel.iitm.ac.in/index.php
"Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow."

Black Money:The dark cognate of money

2009-06-07T11:58:00.006+05:30

Black Money: a money for which you have not paid tax, money of people stolen either from government or directly from us! Whenever we don't take a bill for our grocery purchase, or pay a bribe to some babu(clerk) or mamu (traffic police), or buy pirated CD, download pirated songs/movie/software, we are contributing to the realm of the black money.
Its kind of fascinating that as there is "matter and anti matter" , we have "money and Black money". Both were created at the "moment of creation" (of course their individual creation).
They coexist, with out interfering to each other. But there is one thing very different about this cognate of money with that of matter. Matter cannot be converted to Antimatter but money can!
Its like playing the role of its cognate twin.

I believe that e-money or plastic money is a good solution to this twin brother devil. Once, while getting my CNG car refulled, the man at the gas station gave a very fantastic pragmatic idea of dealing with balck money problem. That was "sare currency note badal ke naye chhaapo to sara kala dhan, jo bekar pada hai, ekdam khatam". The government should cancel all the old notes and issue a new currency. They should slowly replace the existing currency and support e-money and plastic money. This will reduce the value of all those crores of rupees of black money to a pile of scrap (raddi). And then , at least that heap of black money cant be used to fertilize the corrupt business practices and also the crime and terrorism. but as most of the black money is with the poerfull businessmen or Netas(politicians), this kind of change has to come with a very string political will to fight against black money!
Till than,dont pay bribe, dont buy pirated CDs, and use your debit/credit card instead of paying cash or take a billl (pakka bill..not just a rough paper).

Improvement of girl's education in rural areas

2009-06-04T12:29:00.003+05:30

Woman development and empowerment is a key requirement for the growth of any society. And education is that can make that possible. But unfortunately, in rural areas of India, which comprises a very large part of India's population, due to poverty, children are not able to go to school. Woman and kids work in fields at very low wages. Mostly the work from woman and children comes free with the employed man labour. And in such scenario, even the daily school meal scheme is unable to attract poor kids to school. Over that the corruption level in the system which leaks most of fund to the corrupt officials makes it worse.

We all are aware of this problem. Talking about this on this forum won’t help at all. We should take some action. We all have some links to village, our neighbours, distant relatives and friends can coordinate in this. If each one of us supports one girl child, give her fees and basic monthly expense that her family will otherwise get by putting her in some child employment, it will really make a difference. And in long term, we can make a informal group of such girls who will themselves got o the families and will motivate and pursue the parents of girls to send them to school. An amount of 2000/- may not be large for we living in the cities, working on our laptops and spending 500 for a lunch. But that money is enough for a month’s expense to a family in a village. So we, if cumulatively support such group, things will really take shape. There are NGOs but they also have limitations and again no one works for free. So it will be better if we try implementing this at personal level, giving few hours a week to work towards this. At very minimum, we can at least support the poor families in our vicinity, be it the domestic help working at your home or a peon in your office. We don't need to go too far to find a poor family.

Know India online

2009-04-27T14:06:00.004+05:30

Official Website of India
http://india.gov.in
http://india.gov.in/knowindia/profile.php

Parliament of India
http://parliamentofindia.gov.in/

Lok Sabha
http://loksabha.nic.in/

Rajya sabha
http://rajyasabha.nic.in/

Census data

http://www.censusindia.gov.in/

You can find any village or suburban area of india here. Find census data, maps and various statistics about India.

India Fact book Published by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of. India,
can be found here
http://www.publicationsdivision.nic.in/

/

India 2008
http://bombayhighcourt.nic.in/libweb/India_2008.pdf

India 2009
India Info - India 2000
http://www.indianembassy.org/indiainfo/

Indian General Elections : NOT official website..but lots of info
http://www.indian-elections.com/

Economic Survey of INDIA 2007-08
http://bombayhighcourt.nic.in/libweb/Economicsurvey.htm

The constitution of India
http://lawmin.nic.in/coi/coiason29july08.pdf

India Budget
http://indiabudget.nic.in/

And these two are worth mentioning as one of the greatest administrative reforms :
Online Public Grievance Lodging and Monitoring System
http://pgportal.gov.in/

Right to Information Portal

http://rti.gov.in/

jaagore

2009-03-23T16:47:00.001+05:30

Hey,

I've been awakened and I want you to be awake too. I realized how important it is to stop complaining but start voting to make a difference. And now, it's simpler than ever before!

Jaago re! One Billion Votes - a nationwide movement on voter registration - has made it possible to fill a voter registration form online and that too in just 5 minutes!

Go to www.jaagore.com to learn more and register to vote right now..

If you have already registered to vote, you can still register with Jaago re! One Billion Votes movement and get periodic confirmation of your voter status, and election related news and reminders. Believe it or not, even registered voters sometimes do not figure in voter lists!

Go to www.jaagore.com for more information, and to learn about voting related rules and procedures.

Thanks

e-mail works : jaago grahak jaago!!

2009-03-06T22:35:00.003+05:30

E-mail has become really powerful. Just send a mail to customer care or lodge your grievance online, you will be surprised to get response. So if you bought an electronic device and it does not work well, or your bank does not work well or your policy insurer is delaying the payment, just send a mail to their customer care/grievance cell or public relation officer, and you will see the action.
There are so many sites

Online Public Grievance Lodging and Monitoring System http://pgportal.gov.in/
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission http://ncdrc.nic.in/
RBI Ombudsman for banks http://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/bankingombudsman.aspx

Always go goggle to know more cases and sites.
keep visiting http://india.gov.in/
http://india.gov.in/spotlight/spotlight.php
http://fcamin.nic.in/index.asp
http://business.gov.in/consumer_rights/index.php

One night at Bangalore Airport

2009-01-18T01:00:00.007+05:30

One night at Bangalore Airport

I have spent three years in Bangalore with cherishable moments of the very first years of my career as a software engineer. But on 24th December 2008,I spent my worst night in Bangalore. I was on my holiday visit to Singapore and at immigration check I was detained and was denied to board the flight. This incident was my worst encounter with regionalism and with the poor system of police and government my very own country.

Day: 24 December 2008, 10 PM Place: Bangalore International Airport

I reached airport before 9 to catch my flight to Singapore, Singapore airline’s Fight SQ502 at 11:10PM. After checking in my luggage with my friend, I reached immigration counter. When I presented my passport to the Immigration officer, he looked at me strangely and asked “Are you Punjabi?”. I clarified that not all “Singh”s are sardar/punjabi. Then he asked me do you have a nick name “Pitta”. Now I was puzzled what’s happening. Then he took me to the inspector to discuss the case without telling me what the matter is. Then they started talking in Kannada without bothering to tell me about why I am not being told anything. With my little knowledge of Kannada, I could make out that there is a person name “Pardeep Singh” whose name is of course similar but not same to my name Pradeep Singh. This person is a Punjabi with nick name Pitta and has a FIR against him in 2006. In Nov 2006, Punjab police has sent a LOC ( Look out circular)

The immigration officer named Mr. Vasu didn’t allow me to go on the basis of an LOC which was against Mr. Pardeep Singh alias Pitta who is a resident of Punjab. This LOC was more than 2 year old and was raised in November 2006. As per CBI guidelines, an LOC must be as per the Proforma and must have at least three parameters of identity other than name and is invalid after a year.

They didn't listen to any logic and told me that they will let me only when they get a written confirmation from Punjab police that I am a different person. Even after a confirmation on telephone by a senior police officer (SP) that the real convict Pitta was arrested in Nov 2006.

And as per the “smart” and “intelligent” officers and Bangalore airport, I had a match of three parameters with a criminal out of which, two were sex and Nationality. So according to them, all Indian males have a 50% probability of being a criminal.

There was no sufficient information provided in that LOC just the name and father name. Despite the spelling of my name was different and there was no other information like passport number, age or physical parameters were available, they detained me. And at worse, they literally trapped me. My fault was that I thought being innocent I will be freed soon and they are just doing formality as part of their duty. I didn’t realise the gravity of situation and took it lightly which cost me a whole night there at airport and ruined the very first day of Singapore visit!!!

They knew that I am not the same person. And i can’t believe and they didn’t know that they shouldn’t stop me on the basis of an LOC more than a year old, but they were too pro-kannada and didn’t like not just north Indians but all non kannadiga people.

I was stupidly thinking that mater will be resolved. But I was kept in dark. They didn’t tell me what was happening. And when I tried to ask any question or give any justification, they threatened me to put in jail with no body available to listen to me. I didn’t realize they have determined to trap me probably for two reasons, one being I was a north Indian and dint know kannada. And they were stubborn on their argument that I was a Punjabi and all people with surname “singh” are Punjabi. And they argued that anyways UP and Punjab are very close having same borders. ( I wish they would have ever seen India ‘s map). At an international airport there were people who didn’t understand their country’s geography and demographic diversity.

And they didn’t like me going from Bangalore, when i could have gone from New Delhi. I told them that i worked in Bangalore for 3 years and have lots of friends. And also flights are cheaper from Banaglore. But they were not listening any of my argument.

Till I could have realised their intention, I had missed my flight and I was completely shocked that they have actually detained me and I am being treated as a suspect criminal. They didn’t listen to any of my point. I had many proofs to tell that I was a different person but they didn’t bother. They were determined to harass me. I was in identity crisis. Every time I tried to say anything, they threatened me that they will put me in jail. They were very rude and uncooperative. Very soon I realised that they were “kattar” kannadiga as the officer was very often showing people that he sign in kannada language. They were talking in Kananda and didn’t tell me anything about what is happening. Anyone who was not talking in kannada was being treated as an alien and was being questioned rigorously and illogically. For example they just coudn't bear a girl from bangalore not knowing Kannada and tried their best to stop her and to ruin her honemoon plan.

Now I had no choice. When I tried to ask any question or give any justification, they threatened me to put in jail. I could not sleep whole night. I was very disturbed with this incident. My friend Akash who was also going to Singapore with me, also voluntarily disembarked from flight and chose to stay with me. There was a detention room where I and my friend could have stayed and taken some rest, but until 3 AM in morning (after 5 hours), they didn't let us move from the immigration counter.

Next day morning, the duty officer changed. He also told me that LOC was more than year old and was not renewed so I should have been allowed to go. In morning they got another confirmation call from Punjab Police that the real convict is in Punjab and is attending court for the case against him. Then they verified my passport again. After 11 AM, 25th Dec 2008, I was told that I can go. But I had to wait for the FAX from Punjab police as I knew that at every immigration check point in India, I was going to face this problem.

Punjab police is also responsible for this as they raised an LOC with insufficient information. Had there been complete information, I would have been saved from being humiliated and harassed. Punjab police had complete detail in FIR but still they dint put complete detail in LOC violating LOC proforma.

In my own country I was feeling like an alien. I was on a 10 days holiday plan and all my plan get ruined because of this. I have never faced such torture in my life. These officers behaved as brainless with complete disregard to civil rights.

I want to tell that during my visit to Singapore and Malaysia, I met other country's immigration officers. They were very polite, helpful and respected citizen. But my worst experience was in my own country. Every next moment those officers kept telling me that they are doing their duty, it's MY STATE's police which is delaying the process (by saying this they meant MY North Indian state Punjab) . Every time they were making me feel that India is not one. UP, Punjab and Karnataka etc are not the integral part of same country. I was complete shaken by such an opinion.

I was very much hurt by this incident. I later found that as per CBI guidelines, LOC must have at least 3 parameters other than name. An LOC is valid for a period of one year. However, in case the originating agency wants to extend the validity beyond one year it can ask for the extension before the expiry of the one year period. If no request is made for the extension of the LOC within the stipulated period of one year, the Immigration Officer concerned is authorized to suspend the LOC.

But still as it would have been clear, I was not stopped because of law but by corrupt regionalist narrow minded idiots.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

My suggestion to all international travelers to be aware about LOC and other processes at immigration checks. They are all idiots sitting there you assume. As soon as they try to trap you on some illogical basis, immediately contact your family or friend to get some help. Keep a close eye on your passport or someone may tamper it and may get you in trouble. Always keep 1 hour extra for immigration check if you are visiting that airport/country first time. Keep some proofs other than PAN and passport which have your address. If you are a working professional, its good to keep your visiting card and office id card with you.

I thank Singapore airlines for providing me a seat in next day's flight. Luckily on xmas day, flight was having lot of vacant seats so i could go finaly without having to buy ticket. I thanks my friend Akash who also waited with me there and provided moral support.

Now i want to teach a lesson to those unscrupulous people. I dont know what to do. I have already put my grievance on India's official grievance website http://pgportal.gov.in/ . Hope there would be some action.

---
NOW
----

That was in 2008, after that i literally started an RTI campaign to resolve this issue.

In my RTI campaign, i gave some trouble to Bangalore Police and BIAL Airport Police. Thanks to Ministry of Home for taking care of my requests and to direct Immigration Bureau and IB for proper action. This issue was handled at the level of principal secretary in MOH. Punjab police also sent RTI response with all details. I happen to contact Punjab Police, CBI, Ministry of Home, Bangalore Commissioner, Airport Police and Information bureau and also Public Grievance department. Its great to find that RTI has opened door for citizen to directly contact the government officials.

in my further trips i discovered that now there is no such LOC. However, since my passport is old and is handwritten, it takes a minute more than others. I suggest old passport holders to get new digital mark passport.

WALL-E : we are coming down!

2008-12-22T01:54:00.004+05:30

Wow!
WALL-E is one of the most adorable and cutest movie i have ever scene. Hats down to PIXAR team for such an excellent animation and to Andrew Stanton for such an imagination and great direction. The movie is so lovable. The small waste cleaning robot performed such cute actions. Such a nice love story. A must watch movie. And the emotions of our hero WALL-E are so beautifully presented by simple sound effects, i don't have enough words for appreciation. They have not only made the two main characters WALL-E and EVE lively but also lovely, filled with purest emotions!
Wonderfull movie! Watch it today if you have not seen yet.
And yes...if you are one of those who just say "अंग्रेजी पिक्चर नही देखना...." bosss..you are going to miss the most appreciated and lovelist movie. And dont worry about the dialogues or the language problem. You just need a heart to understand whats going on..no dualogues as such :-)
And the song, "Down to earth" is so touching. I loved this song.
For details about the movie, go google or wiki. I am sure you will enjoy the movie.

The Pale blue dot : This is our world!

2008-11-17T00:38:00.002+05:30

Here is one of the most profound speech in the history of Earth. Which tells are how important The Mother Earth is for this world.
That small dot in this picture is our Earth!
The Pale Blue Dot is a photograph of planet Earth taken by Voyager 1 from a record distance, showing it against the vastness of space.
The details are here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pale_blue_dot

And the video on your tube:
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=tJE_Ld-UyCk

Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader", every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.

The Earth is a very small stage in a vast cosmic arena. Think of the rivers of blood spilled by all those generals and emperors so that, in glory and triumph, they could become the momentary masters of a fraction of a dot. Think of the endless cruelties visited by the inhabitants of one corner of this pixel on the scarcely distinguishable inhabitants of some other corner, how frequent their misunderstandings, how eager they are to kill one another, how fervent their hatreds.

Our posturings, our imagined self-importance, the delusion that we have some privileged position in the Universe, are challenged by this point of pale light. Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves.

The Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life. There is nowhere else, at least in the near future, to which our species could migrate. Visit, yes. Settle, not yet. Like it or not, for the moment the Earth is where we make our stand.

It has been said that astronomy is a humbling and character-building experience. There is perhaps no better demonstration of the folly of human conceits than this distant image of our tiny world. To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known.

Chandrayaan : A Proud Milestone in space for India

2008-11-16T18:14:00.000+05:30

India has once again shown its reach in deep space. Chandrayan is our first moon mission which is an International endeavor indeed. By this we are not only challenging the monopoly of US,EU and Russia but also announcing that we are not behind in Technology.
Here are some video and images from you tube and internet.

Chandrayaan Mission :

Some more pics can be found here :
http://www.isro.org/chandrayaan/htmls/resources_image.htm

This video briefs about the mission:
Chandrayaan-I - India's Lunar Mission
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=043KLT0zoHY

Chandrayaan 2008
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=00AvB-9RFUI

These three videos provide details about the mission and its objective:
Chandrayaan-1, India's first mission to Moon
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-NVUEziJJo
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=jxHjCzjJ0A0
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=Nrbm7oeVEyc

you can search more on goggle, wikipedia and youtube.
Congratulation India..congratulation to All!

Why not to buy a santro, damn Safdarjung Hyundai!

2008-10-14T12:48:00.001+05:30

This is about the worst Hyundai car dealer Safdarjung Hyundai, Gurgaon!
They will make you fool, they will not give you any service! And still they are one of the start dealer of Hyundai!
Santro might be a good car.. but it all depends on your luck..

If you are lucky and get a good dealer ..you may be a happy guy.. but I think Hyundai guys sometimes rate their worst dealers to be STAR dealers..I am a victim of Safdarjung Hyundai, Gurgaon.

They gave a me such a horrible experience that forget about santro.. i don't even think about a Hyundai car.
Let me tell you from the start and i will also compare it with my next cars experience from Allianz maruti, delhi!
I went to Safdarjung hyundai in October to buy a new car. I inquired few more dealers and decided to buy it from them.
1. first i was looking for GLS and they said. take GL . Have you ever heard a salesman asking you to take a lower model??
They took more than a month to get the paper work about loan! And i cant forget my round to the showrrom every next day!! :-(

2. after the booking i got the car after a long waiting time ! They can’t handle any promise.
They will talk big words but wont do anything!
I had to sometimes wait for 20-30 minutes to get somebody talking to me about business!
Sheer waste of my time

From Allianz Maruti, i get it in promised time of 5 days, including loan approval!!

3. i got the registration after more than six months !! Horrible .
In Maruti, i got in a month!!

4. My Santro BROKE DOWN in the middle of road withing 4 days!!
How horrible! And over that I had to pay for that!! As Clutch plates are not covered in Guarantee!
My whole day was wasted ! You can imagin if a new car broke down with fumes coming out of bonnet!!
I was sunk in shock!! I had even words with the GM of safdarjung hyundai! and they said, its a one in million case and they wont cover it in guaruntee!
that means if you are an unlucky guy to get that defected piece that might be one in billion.. instead of admitting their mistake and giving service,, they will just take this opportunity to make some more money on service!! How pathetic!

5. Then after few months, its CNG kit malfunctioned! I had to wait for 4 hours before i coudl get connected to the technician that too on phone!!
No body came! I had to myself fix the problem!

6. Then all the accessories that i got fitted.. the Gear Lock, The power window and even the centre locking ..
all of them malfunctioned within 10 months!! I was hopeless by this time!

Let me tell you.. all this is true. and they just don't care!

And i am putting it here to save victims like me!!

If you need to talk to mee to confirm this, you can post a comment on my blog

http://pradeepsinghhbti.blogspot.com/

Safdarjung hyundai is ruing the brand name of Hyundai! ( I must say already Ruined.. )

~
Pradeep

RTGS NEFT Fund transfer in banks across India + IFSC codes

2008-07-01T15:00:00.002+05:30

Internet Banking has improved in India. Fund transfer was never so easy.
No more cheques and drafts.. and no more charges for transfer. We have NEFT and RTGS.
Now one can easily transfer any amount within minutes to any branch that has RTGS ( Real Time gross settlement system) and Nation Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT).

See your banks website for more details.
And for all details.. see RBI website www.rbi.org and go google :-)

To get list of branches and IFSC code of all branches , please see
http://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/BS_ViewRTGS.aspx
List of RTGS enabled bank branches

The following document i have copied from RBI website http://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/RTGS/DOCs/FAQs%20on%20RTGS.doc

FAQ

Q.1 What is RTGS System?

Ans The acronym "RTGS" stands for Real Time Gross Settlement. RTGS system is a funds transfer mechanism where transfer of money takes place from one bank to another on a "real time" and on "gross" basis. This is the fastest possible money transfer system through the banking channel. Settlement in "real time" means payment transaction is not subjected to any waiting period. The transactions are settled as soon as they are processed. "Gross settlement" means the transaction is settled on one to one basis without bunching with any other transaction. Considering that money transfer takes place in the books of the Reserve Bank of India, the payment is taken as final and irrevocable.

Q.2 How RTGS is different from Electronic Fund Transfer System (EFT) or National Electronics Funds Transfer System (NEFT)?

Ans EFT and NEFT are electronic fund transfer modes that operate on a deferred net settlement (DNS) basis which settles transactions in batches. In DNS, the settlement takes place at a particular point of time. All transactions are held up till that time. For example, NEFT settlement takes place 6 times a day during the week days (9.30 am, 10.30 am, 12.00 noon. 1.00 pm, 3.00 pm and 4.00 pm) and 3 times during Saturdays (9.30 am, 10.30 am and 12.00 noon). Any transaction initiated after a designated settlement time would have to wait till the next designated settlement time. Contrary to this, in RTGS, transactions are processed continuously throughout the RTGS business hours.

Q .3 Is there any minimum / maximum amount stipulation for RTGS transactions?

Ans. The RTGS system is primarily for large value transactions. The minimum amount to be remitted through RTGS is Rs.1 lakh. There is no upper ceiling for RTGS transactions. No minimum or maximum stipulation has been fixed for EFT and NEFT transactions.

Q4. What is the time taken for effecting funds transfer from one account to another under RTGS?

Ans. Under normal circumstances the beneficiary branches are expected to receive the funds in real time as soon as funds are transferred by the remitting bank. The beneficiary bank has to credit the beneficiary's account within two hours of receiving the funds transfer message.

Q.5 Would the remitting customer receive an acknowledgment of money credited to the beneficiary's account?

Ans The remitting bank receives a message from the Reserve Bank that money has been credited to the receiving bank. Based on this the remitting bank can advise the remitting customer that money has been delivered to the receiving bank.

Q.6 Would the remitting customer get back the money if it is not credited to the beneficiary's account? When?

Ans Yes. It is expected that the receiving bank will credit the account of the beneficiary instantly. If the money cannot be credited for any reason, the receiving bank would have to return the money to the remitting bank within 2 hours. Once the money is received back by the remitting bank, the original debit entry in the customer's account is reversed.

Q.7 Till what time RTGS service window is available?

Ans The RTGS service window for customer's transactions is available from 9.00 hours to 15.00 hours on week days and from 9.00 hours to 12.00 noon on Saturdays i.e. to accept the customer transactions for settlement at the RBI during 9.00 hours to 15.00 hours on week days and between 9.00 hours and 12.00 noon on Saturday. However, the timings between these hours would vary depending on the customer timings the branches have. For inter-bank transactions, the service window is available from 9.00 hours to 17.00 hours on week days and from 9.00 hours to 14.00 hours on Saturdays.

Q.8 What about Processing Charges/Service Charges for RTGS transactions?

Ans While RBI has waived its processing charges for all electronic payment products till March 31, 2008, levy of service charges by banks is left to the discretion of the respective banks. The bank-wise details of charges levied are available on the RBI website – www.rbi.org.in.

Q.9 What is the essential information that the remitting customer would have to furnish to a bank for the remittance to be effected?

Ans The remitting customer has to furnish the following information to a bank for effecting a RTGS remittance:

1. Amount to be remitted

2. His account number which is to be debited

3. Name of the beneficiary bank

4. Name of the beneficiary customer

5. Account number of the beneficiary customer

6. Sender to receiver information, if any

7. The IFSC code of the receiving branch

Q.10 How would one know the IFSC code of the receiving branch?

Ans. The beneficiary customer can obtain the IFSC code from his branch. The IFSC code is also available in the cheque leaf. This code number and bank branch details can be communicated by the beneficiary to the remitting customer.

Q.11 Do all bank branches in India provide RTGS service?

Ans No, all the bank branches in India are not RTGS enabled. As on January 31, 2007 more than 26,000 bank branches are RTGS enabled. The list of such branches is available on RBI website www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/Bs_viewRTGS.aspx

Q.12 Is there any way that a remitting customer can track the remittance transaction?

Ans It would depend on the arrangement between the remitting customer and the remitting bank. Some banks with internet banking facility provide this service. Once the funds are credited to the account of the beneficiary bank, the remitting customer gets a confirmation from his bank either by an e-mail or by a short message on the mobile.

Q.13. Whom do I can contact, in case of non-credit or delay in credit to the beneficiary account?

Ans Contact your bank / branch. If the issue is not resolved satisfactorily, the Customer Service Department of RBI may be contacted at -

The Chief General Manager,

Reserve Bank of India,

Customer Service Department,

1st Floor, Amar Building, Fort,

Mumbai-400001

or send an email by clicking here.

Q.14 How much volume and value of transactions are routed through RTGS on a typical day?

Ans On a typical day, RTGS handles about 14000 transactions a day for an approximate value of Rs.1,50,000 crore.

Q.15 How can a remitting customer know whether the bank branch of the beneficiary accepts remittance through RTGS?

Ans For a funds transfer to go through RTGS, both the sending bank branch and the receiving bank branch would have to be RTGS enabled. The lists are readily available at all RTGS enabled branches. Besides, the information is available at RBI website (www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/Bs_viewRTGS.aspx ). Considering that more than 26,000 branches at more than 3,000 cities/ towns and taluka places are covered under the RTGS system, getting this information would not be difficult

My favorite quotes

2008-04-11T12:52:00.004+05:30

Some of my favorite quotes from http://www.brainyquote.com

Every great and deep difficulty bears in itself its own solution. It forces us to change our thinking in order to find it.

Everything we call real is made of things that cannot be regarded as real.

A physicist is just an atom's way of looking at itself.
by Niels Bohr

Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.
Les Brown

From the deepest desires often come the deadliest hate.

By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
Socrates

I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done.

Love is metaphysical gravity.

Now there is one outstanding important fact regarding spaceship earth, and that is that no instruction book came with it.

R. Buckminster Fuller

A real decision is measured by the fact that you've taken a new action. If there's no action, you haven't truly decided.

In life you need either inspiration or desperation.

One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular.

Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life's deepest joy: true fulfillment.

Tony Robbins

Dust does rise, doesn't it? And so can I.
Dionne Warwick

Some more:

Appologising doesn't mean that your are wrong and other is right…It only means that you value your relationship more than you're your ego.

You are happy when you choose to be happy।

If everybody is happy with you, you have made lot of compromises in your life.

LET THE THINGS HAPPEN!!!

for a misc blog....things we dont know.. and some keyboard shortcuts

2008-04-11T12:31:00.000+05:30

Here are few interesting facts that are very usual to know but we are unaware!

Things we didn’t know (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backronym )

• SOS, the international distress signal is chosen solely for its easy recognizability in Morse code(...---...). The International Wireless Telegraph Convention makes no mention that it stands for "save our ship", "save our souls", or "send out succour".
In Morse code is S = … (3 dots), O = --- (3 dashes)

• ISO The International Organization for Standardization chose the three letters "ISO" as a short form of its name, based partly on the Greek word Isos which means equal. This has often been assumed to be an acronym for "International Standards Organization", even though the correct title of the organization is "International Organization for Standardization".

I will keep adding more things to this blog.

And here are few shortcuts for computer users:

. use F7 to activate cursor on web page
. use F11 for full screen
. use CTRL+ page up/down to move across sheets in MS Office excel
( this was really tough to find )

. To change tabs in Mozilla, double click on the top of the tab, and use arrow key
. use "windiff" in run command in windows to see file/directory differences.
. CTRL+G for jumping to page number ( in word or pdf)
. F6 to go to address bar in mozilla
. Window key + L to lock your PC.

showers at delhi

2008-04-06T21:31:00.001+05:30

This weekend was the coolest one... sudden showers and cloudy days dipped the temperature way down to call it a summer.( and ofcourse the consequence being me sneezing since then :-)
I could see the rainbow right on the way.

The whole sky was covered with cloud. it was awesome. Here are few snaps from my sony k750i's camera which was nonfunctional but suddenly started clicking in that good weather. and after those charming snaps it gave up again :-(.

I could capture the flight just above the gurgaon delhi highway (NH-8) :-)

Thoughts of the day!!

2008-03-24T11:00:00.002+05:30

o Every one owns one’s struggle in life!!

o I though I am knowing more… but actually I was getting aware of the fact that I know nothing.

o A philosopher is a confused person trying to understand life. And that person resides with-in all of us!

Life's Little Instruction Book

2008-02-19T14:32:00.001+05:30

I found this is fwd mails and is already on so many sites and blogs.. but still I would like to have it in my blog!!

The next great thing after pravs I found putting inspiration with a smile!!

Life's Little Instruction Book

Have a firm handshake.

Look people in the eye.
Sing in the shower.
Own a great stereo system.

If in a fight, hit first and hit hard.
Keep secrets.
Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday.
Always accept an outstretched hand.

Be brave. Even if you're not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
Avoid sarcastic remarks.
Choose your life's mate carefully. From this one decision will come 90 per cent of all your happiness or misery.

Make it a habit to do nice things for people who will never find out.
Lend only those books you never care to see again.
Never deprive someone of hope; it might be all that they have.
When playing games with children, let them win.
Give people a second chance, but not a third.

Be romantic.
Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
Loosen up. Relax. Except for rare life-and-death matters, nothing is as important as it first seems.
Don't allow the phone to interrupt important moments. It's there for your convenience, not the caller's.

Be a good loser.
Be a good winner.
Think twice before burdening a friend with a secret.
When someone hugs you, let them be the first to let go.

Keep it simple. Be modest. A lot was accomplished before you were born.
Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.
Don't burn bridges. You'll be surprised how many times you have to cross the same river.
Live your life so that your epitaph could read, No Regrets

Be bold and courageous. When you look back on life, you'll regret the things you didn't do more than the one's you did.
Never waste an opportunity to tell someone you love them.
Remember no one makes it alone. Have a grateful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who helped you.
Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone else choose it for you.

Visit friends and relatives when they are in hospital; you need only stay a few minutes.
Begin each day with some of your favourite music.
Once in a while, take the scenic route.
Send a lot of Valentine cards. Sign them, 'Someone who thinks you're terrific.'

Answer the phone with enthusiasm and energy in your voice.
Keep a note pad and pencil on your bed-side table. Million-dollar
ideas sometimes strike at 3 a.m.
Show respect for everyone who works for a living, regardless of how trivial their job.

Send your loved ones flowers. Think of a reason later.
Make someone's day by paying the toll for the person in the car behind you.
Become someone's hero.
Marry only for love.

Count your blessings.
Compliment the meal when you're a guest in someone's home.
Wave at the children on a school bus.
Remember that 80 per cent of the success in any job is based on our ability to deal with people.

Don't expect life to be fair.

Existence day

2008-01-28T11:07:00.000+05:30

Today is my existence day :-)

I with my friend Ashish in college defined a new term called EXISTENCE DAY

Definition: Existence day is the day of marriage of your parents.

If they were not married, the children wouldn't exist, hence the name Existence day!

Why we defined it, … Being a son/daughter, this gives a great feel of attachment to parents.

Anniversary of parents = Existence day for children.

Lets celebrate our existence!!!

Weather variation from delhi to gurgaon

2008-01-11T10:15:00.000+05:30

Today I will share my experience about my journey to office. That tells that in

India

, while moving from one city to other you may feel like coming in a different country.

It was a chilled winter in Delhi till yesterday, 10^th jan 2007. Now it is getting warmer and while coming today to office, I was thinking of not taking my jacket with me. It’s a sunny day with no chilling wind . What a nice weather like “Basant”. And as soon as reached Delhi-Gurgaon border.. wooooooo.. I felt like being in a different country altogether..

It was so dense fog that I couldn’t see even 10 yards away.

The picture below will tell the rest of the story..

The Delhi Gurgaon highway

Inside gurgaon, see in inset..The Sun.. looks like moon

2008-01-02T11:19:00.000+05:30

Hi ..Happy 2008..

As the new year is here.. Why to keep my blog with just a forwarded mail..

Lets write something on my own too.. to have a good beginning..
Today while coming to office (after 4 days of vacation :-)) I was talking a lot to myself.. that.. I will be like this..I wont do that.. and bla bla.. you know…those typical new year resolution kindda things..

I really enjoy talking to myself.. because here I don’t have to explain why am like how I am ( hehehhehe.. now that’s sounds pretty simple..right ?) and the good thing is that we both understand each other ( hahahaha.. that may sound complicated.. the talking one me and the listening one me )

So I talked about what I should and what I shouldn't do…. it was like what to be and what not to be ( ho ho ho ho..again twisting a good dialogue) ..however I know.. I am going to be the same old pradeepsinghhbti as I am. You know..its so difficult to improve over perfection :-)

So guys .. don’t think to much.. just enjoy each mili second.. no confusion about anything.. just do it.. and follow your heart..

And yes.. TARE ZAMEN PE is a really must watch movie .. go watch it!!

Have a blasting start of the year!!

All the best!!

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED..

2008-01-02T10:47:00.001+05:30

I got this Forwarded mail and couldn’t stop publishing it on my blog!!

WHY MEN ARE NEVER DEPRESSED:

Men Are Just Happier People-- What do you expect from such simple creatures? Your last name stays put. The garage is all yours. Wedding plans take care of themselves. Chocolate is just another snack. You can be President. You can never be pregnant. You can wear a white T-shirt to a water park. You can wear NO shirt to a water park. Car mechanics tell you the truth. The world is your urinal. You never have to drive to another gas station restroom because this one is just too icky. You don't have to stop and think of whic h way to turn a nut on a bolt. Same work, more pay. Wrinkles add character. Wedding dress $500 0. Tux rental-$100. People never stare at your chest when you're talking to them. New shoes don't cut, blister, or mangle your feet. One mood all the time. !

Phone conversations are over in 30 seconds flat. You know stuff about tanks. A five-day vacation requires only one suitcase. You can open all your own jars. You get extra credit for the slightest act of thoughtfulness. If someone forgets to invite you, he or she can still be your friend.

Your underwear is $8.95 for a three-pack. Three pairs of shoes are more than enough. You almost never have strap problems in public. You are unable to see wrinkles in your clothes. Everything on your face stays its original color. The same hairstyle lasts for years, maybe decades. You only have to shave your face and neck.

You can play with toys all your life. One wallet and one pair of shoes -- one color for all seasons. You can wear shorts no matter how your legs look. You can "do" your nails with a pocket knife. You have freedom of choice concerning growing a mustache.You can do Christmas shopping for 25 relatives on December 24 in 25 minutes.

No wonder men are happier.

Share this to the women who can handle it and to the men who will enjoy reading it

Thought of the day

2007-12-10T15:58:00.001+05:30

Life is too short, so break rules, forgive quickly, believe slowly, love truly, laugh loudly and never avoid anything that makes you smile instantly!!

Happy Living!

AM PM confusion in train timings in India, Indian Railway website

2007-11-13T15:21:00.001+05:30

This topic might seem very trivial in first glance but is a serious problem in India. We Indians have a mentality of day timing according to God Sun with sunrise and sunset. So the 24 hr clock creates lot of confusion there. We are used to of 12 Hr timings where 5 AM to 5 PM is day and 6 PM till next morning is night. And thats where the problem is.. as after 11:59 of midnight.. next day starts .. where we are in mindset of the night of the same day. I am putting this in blog because recently two of my friends missed there trains that were scheduled at 1:00 AM. That was the very early morning ( i.e. night of the previous day) but it was confused with the night of same day. Alas!! Even with a recent incident I let my 2nd friend do that .. (height of idiotism and ignorance) .

For example if train is scheduled to depart at 1:20 AM of 7th November, you need to get at station at the night of 6th November.

However, it's never too late. So I am sharing this with all. Be very very careful whenever you book a railway ticket and your train is at midnight or say between 00:00 to 04:00 hours. (As luckily for us 5 AM is morning of same day :-).

Always check detailed train schedule from eRail.in or www.trainenquiry.com to avoid any confusion.

Some websites for Indian Railway

Main: https://mail.google.com/mail/www.indianrail.gov.in : for search and Info about all other websites .

Here are some tips to use this website of Indian Railway:

1. first click on Train between imp.stations : www.indianrail.gov.in/inet_metro_trns.html

2. Then at the bottom of the page you will get other links like TrainsBetween Stations : www.indianrail.gov.in/src_dest_trns.html

You can explore more to get more options

A fruit wala, A bus wala and we

2007-10-24T10:17:00.000+05:30

Today morning while coming to office what I saw is worth sharing. I saw something really good which revived my belief that we are still a supportive and cooperative and society, not just busy in our own things.
We were crossing Basantkunj-Mahipalpur road on my way to Gurgaon. In the mid of road a fruit vendor, whose cycle was probably got misbalanced by the coming bus, had all his fruits fallen on the road. That guy were standing there helpless putting his cycle aside from road. The bus driver probably had some sympathy and didn’t run over his fruits. I and my friend Akash realised that clearing of this will take time and may cause a traffic jam and also in the worst case the bus might have to move forward crushing the whole day’s business of that poor guy. I parked my car at side of the road and we came forward help that guy in collecting all fruits and putting back in the basket.
And suddenly what I saw was surprising…. One scooter guy and one motor bike also stopped and few pedestrians crossing the road also came forward. And there were about 6-7 people, to join this altruism. And in less than 2 minutes, it was all clear. Wow!!! We were so happy to see this!! This would have been really a motivating and feel good incident for all viewers there. Then we took a sigh of relief that it’s not only American’s, we also have a culture to help and support others. India is changing, and as our father of the nation said… Be the change you want to see.

HBTI Kanpur

2007-10-22T11:12:00.000+05:30

Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur, also famous as HBTI Kanpur is one of the oldest and premier engineering college in India. Since 1921, it had been serving country producing great engineers in all branches of engineering. It has 13 branches of engineering having 6 specialised branched in Chemical engineering itself. Computer Science and MCA courses started little later after Electronics and Computer Science had a lot of scope in their own directions. Soon Information technology was also added in 2004 when HBTI get affiliated to UPTU. Now it has MBA course also. After establishment of IIT Kanpur, the attention of government had been diverted a bit that side but HBTI is able to maintain its niche in the technical world being best government college in Uttar Pradesh. It is amongst top 25 engineering colleges of India. HBTI Students are known as Harcourtian.

Here I am putting some links about HBTI:
Official website: www.hbti.ac.in (old link www.hbti.edu is defunct now.)
University website: http://www.uptu.ac.in/ (Also http://uptu.nic.in/ )
Official Alumni Website: http://www.harcourtianalumni.org/
Main Alumni yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HBTI_Alumni/
Owner of Group: Anurag Jain Moderator: Pradeep Singh

Postal Address: Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Nawabganj, Kanpur (U.P.) – 208 002 Phone: +91-512-2534001-05
Fax: +91-512-2533812
E-mail Contacts: webmaster@hbti.ac.in , registrar@hbti.ac.in, director@hbti.ac.in, placement@hbti.net

There is one website made by few 2001 batch alumni that is myhbtidays.com. Its really nice effort.
There are few links that are NOT official.
www.hbti.com : This has just a home page and not much info.
www.hbtik.com : This is alumni database. Updated on voluntary bases by Alumni. You need to be a member to access database. I hope this information would be helpful. Some of it might change and I will try to keep it updated.

trip to Skandagiri and Nandi hills bangalore

2007-09-10T20:40:00.001+05:30

(Panorama view from Skandgiri)
hi.. as i thought that his sep 2007 is going to be my last month in bangalore, i thought of going to the nearest places that i must have gone in my 3 years in bangalore. Nandi hills! We decided on friday that this saturday (8 sep) we ( me, ravi, manas and atul) will be going in morning. We cam to know that skandgiri is nearby nandi hills and good for tracking. So we decided to first go there. Skandagiri is good for night track.... u go there in night. do tracking for 2 hs and enjoy the beautiful morning .. with lovely clouds below the hill! but as it was our first experience, we decided to go in morning. We started well.. the 70 km long drive at speed of 100 km/hr from BTM -> Mekari circle -> Chikballapur was awesome. I strongly recommend helmet for security for both pillion and rider on bike as facing wind with so much speed will cause trouble.. and its better be safe !
So we reached there in 100 minutes. We were able to see beautiful clouds on both nandi hills and skandgiri on the way. We reached skandgiri and asked ppl about the way to go up. One way was simple tracking ( more of walking up actually) of 7 km and other way was tedious 3 km uphill climbing. And we ignorantly chose the tough way. our hard luck that as soon as we started, clouds started moving away and it became a very tedious climbing in a sunny day. I recommend at least 1 ltr water per person. We took lot of brakes in between and in two hours we reached up. It was beautiful there. But we missed the beautiful morning clouds :-(
But

Then we discovered the other way which was simpler We came back from the same way.
I have plan to go there again to enjoy sunrise।

Few suggestion for those who want to go Skandagiri:
Way: its straight on NH7 , 50 km from Mekari circle, Keep watching board at your left. Also local ppl will help you.
1. best time : go in night, start climbing at 2-3 AM. U will reach in 2-3 hours. There is a parking place, the starting point is less than 1km from there.Take long one 7 km simple path for night track. You can also reach early and get rest in tent ( u have to bring with u) up there. You can come back from same way. It will be at left while coming down.
2. take some food and enough drinking water. However you can get it up also on weekends at least.
3. If you like really tough climbing, take other uphill way of 3 km. That is suitable for day. Please note that it wil be difficult to come back from this way. You should take he first way.

After this we had lunch and started for nandi hills. There its more fun on the way. Those lovely curvy roads reminded me of nainital. It was amazing experience. Up there its same as Skandagiri. Reach early morning to see sun rise. The good thing is you don't have to climb. just enjoy that cool drive. This is complete commercialized picnic spot.
Returning was also fun. I had a race with a guy who was having her girlfriend at back seat. ( hee heee hee.. boys are boys )We were so close to them. We overtook them once than bade sayonara.
The whole day was very adventures. I enjoyed it lot.
For more photos please visit my public album at picasa. http://picasaweb.google.com/pradeep115

thought of the day!!!

2007-09-10T19:08:00.001+05:30

I am not afraid of death.. I just fear its consequences!!

-me

blogging in hindi .. google created hindi translator

2007-09-07T11:51:00.001+05:30

Hi All!
Check this URL. It is a very good innovation from Google: WHAT EVER U TYPE
IN ENGLISH IS CONVERTED TO HINDI after hitting space

http://www.google.com/transliterate/indic

And now you can blog in hindi also!! type in this page.. and copy hindi to ur mail , blog.

हमे भी बहुत अच्छा लगा
अब बात करें हिन्दी मे....मुझे आशा है की शीघ्र ही गूगल इसे gtalk, orkut मे सम्मिलित कर देगा

चलो भाई.. अब हिन्दी मे आराम से ब्लॉगिंग करो... इससे हमे अंग्रेज़ी से थोड़ा छुटकारा तो मिलेगा
तो मेरे प्यारे मित्रों .. शुरू हो जाओ .अब इन्टरनेट सिर्फ़ इंग्लिश के लिए नही है.. अपने विचारो को अपनी मातृभाषा मे व्यक्त करो!!

जय गूगल!
जय हिन्दी!
जय भारत!

P.S.

check these pages if you face any problem any problem

http://www.google.com/transliterate/indic/about.html#fonts

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Enabling_complex_text_support_for_Indic_scripts

Mozilla users, please install this add on http://padma.mozdev.org/

chak de India!!

2007-08-16T23:38:00.001+05:30

wow!
what a superb movie! simply awesome!
After a long time.. got to see a good movie under yashraj films banner! I loved each and every bit of movie. ... no fiction.. no magic..
very realistic.. and a complete entertainment for 3 hours!!
Other than entertainment, movie has truly portrayed the poor support for games in India. ( cricket might seems to be an exception.. but that too for boys only..) forget about woman sport .. other than sania... Its sad that people's support is not about the country or the sport..but about glamor.
Well.. no bhasan.. no dhar udhar ki baten.. no gyan.. just watch the movie and you will love it. Its a very inspirational movie not only for girls and emerging sportsman and sportswoman in India, but also for all of us!
and dear Sharrukh.. hats off for you once again.. he has proved that he is fit for all .. not about just lovely chocolaty or typical hindi heroic roles.. he did very well..
and all the girls.. oh my God.. they all had been so natural.. so good.. i loved performance from all of them..that hariyana da tasan..and panjab da gusss.. wow!! all have left an impression on mind!!
All the matches ..specially the final and the match against boys ( not hocky.. but fight in a mall :-) .are unforgettable..

And soon i am going to watch this movie again..
and last but not least.. a true FAMILY movie .. go ..take your son..daughter..uncle aunty..mummy papa..amma..dada dadi..i am sure all of them will love it! ( ooops!! I missed boyfriend and girlfriend there :-)

Chak de INDIA!!

NOKIA Battery BL5C : possible explosion problem

2007-08-14T20:55:00.001+05:30

This i am taking from Nokia's official site: http://www.nokia.com/batteryreplacement/en/

Before i say this, i want to tell that this is just for information and precaution and nothing to be panic.
And any battery has a chance of explosion if overheated or exposed to high temperature and short circuit, be it a phone battery or computer battery.

It had been reported that battery BL5C used in most of Nokia phone has a defect.
It has a risk of blast if there is some short circuit while charging it.
This problem is reported for batteries produced by a particular supplier between December 2005 and November 2006.
Please see this link for details:
http://www.nokia.com/batteryreplacement/en/

Product Advisory: Nokia BL-5C battery

Please select the language: English

Dear Nokia Customer,

This is a product advisory for the Nokia-branded BL-5C battery manufactured by Matsushita Battery Industrial Co. Ltd. of Japan between December 2005 and November 2006. This product advisory does not apply to any other Nokia battery.

Nokia has identified that in very rare cases the affected batteries could potentially experience over heating initiated by a short circuit while charging, causing the battery to dislodge. Nokia is working closely with relevant local authorities to investigate this situation.

Nokia has several suppliers for BL-5C batteries that have collectively produced more than 300 million BL-5C batteries. This advisory applies only to the 46 million batteries manufactured by Matsushita between December 2005 and November 2006. There have been approximately 100 incidents of over heating reported globally. No serious injuries or property damage have been reported.

Consumers with a BL-5C battery subject to this advisory should note that all of the approximately 100 incidents have occurred while charging the battery. According to Nokia's knowledge this issue does not affect any other use of the mobile device. Concerned consumers may want to monitor a mobile device while charging that contains a BL-5C battery subject to this product advisory.

While the occurrence in the BL-5C batteries produced by Matsushita in the time-period specified is very rare, for consumers wishing to do so, Nokia and Matsushita offer to replace any BL-5C battery subject to this product advisory.

The BL-5C batteries which are subject to the product advisory were used with the following Nokia models or separately as accessories:

Nokia 1100, Nokia 1100c, Nokia 1101, Nokia 1108, Nokia 1110, Nokia 1112, Nokia 1255, Nokia 1315, Nokia 1600, Nokia 2112, Nokia 2118, Nokia 2255, Nokia 2272, Nokia 2275, Nokia 2300, Nokia 2300c, Nokia 2310, Nokia 2355, Nokia 2600, Nokia 2610, Nokia 2610b, Nokia 2626, Nokia 3100, Nokia 3105, Nokia 3120, Nokia 3125, Nokia 6030, Nokia 6085, Nokia 6086, Nokia 6108, Nokia 6175i, Nokia 6178i, Nokia 6230, Nokia 6230i, Nokia 6270, Nokia 6600, Nokia 6620, Nokia 6630, Nokia 6631, Nokia 6670, Nokia 6680, Nokia 6681, Nokia 6682, Nokia 6820, Nokia 6822, Nokia 7610, Nokia N70, Nokia N71, Nokia N72, Nokia N91, Nokia E50, Nokia E60

"Nokia" and "BL-5C" are printed on the front of the battery. On the back of the battery, the Nokia mark appears at the top, and the battery identification number (consisting of 26 characters) is found at the bottom.

If you are interested to know if your battery is part of this product advisory, please follow the two steps below:

1) Switch off your mobile device and check the battery model. If your battery is not a BL-5C model, you are not included in this product advisory and your product will not be replaced.

2) If your battery is a BL-5C model, remove the battery and check the 26-character identification number from the back of the battery. Enter the identification number in the field below and you will be advised if your battery may be replaced.

2007-05-05T13:50:00.000+05:30

लो भाई !
अब गूगल वालो ने hindi मे भी ब्लोग शुरू कर दिया ॥ परंतु अभी थोड़ी प्रॉब्लम है । इन्हें छोटी ई की मात्रा समझ नही आयी । मैंने कही भी सही से नही देखा ... जैसे कि यही देख लो। कि का क्या हो गया?
चलो ..शुरुआत हो हूई। अब कमसे कम थोड़ी बहुत hindi तो बोल ही सकते हैं यहाँ पे। वाके बहुत ही सराहनीय प्रयास है। speed भी मस्त है।
एक बार पुनः गूगल महाराज की जय!

watching spiderman 3

2007-05-04T23:23:00.000+05:30

one plus two not equal to three! This is the simplest explanation.
First of all getting to the hall for watching this movie is also a good story..
but that later...
well... don't want to be a spoiler for those who have not seen ... 3 has 3 new super character besides Spider Man himself. A Sand man, a black villain and Black Spider man ( count half for it) . Goblin you already know, so here is his son too ( this half makes out 2.5, complete 3 :-).
But thats all about super heros..and for what we have all special effects and graphics, the superb action.. the primary reasons for what we gp to watch such movies in a Cinema Hall like PVR.
But I am here to tell you the other part. The emotions filled in the story. More focus on love life of a superhero and a beautiful girl.. who are also in-fact just two human beings..with a heart similar to that all of us have..and than there are problems... mistakes..misunderstandings too.
How important it is to understand your beloved and his/her problem rather than just being yourself an important one. Even if you dont have a solution, by understanding only..you can make him/her feel better. "Every body need help..even spider man" ... no matter what happens..never loose faith..faith for the one you love..and faith in yourself... and that will make you stronger. When your friend is in problem, just listening to his problem is good enough..instead for trying to convince him like"oh,..dont worry...its just like that..these problems are just a phase..and everything will be fine.. blaw blaw.." because problems are actually there
Everybody has to solve his problems by himself...by making the "correct choices".
And finally we always need our elders to guide us and show the way when we are confused.
This was about the serious part of the movie.
Now comes to action...the new outfit of spider man is damn dashing. And whole Sand man scene is simply wow. The chasing and fight between Spider man and junior goblin is too fast to catch the whole fun. All that you will enjoy.
Two and half hours of continuous fun, thrill..and comedy too. Some of the things seems to be redundant sometimes...You will see Peter Parker doing a lot of new things. So ..go watch it!
My rating to this movie is 3 and a Half ( hoping you are not fed up of this "half" point theory).
-------
And now the story before the movie. I had a good day at office as it was family day party with RadioMirchi RJ Avinaash as host. Some great dance items by a group names "excellency".
And at 6 all fun was over. And here i was desperate to watch the movie . Seems impossible to get a 7PM show tickets on the first day of one of the most awaited movie. But ..you know.. when you really want something..the whole world conspires you to get that
.. ( Actually God has special arrangement for mad people like me who go for such movie alone..)
so I rushed to PVR that about 12km from office at busy office time...with my YAMAHA. And reached there at 6:30. I ran to the ticket counter and saw all things in red showing all tickets are sold. But i still had hope..getting into the line..i saw people asking for tickets and being answer in negative. than here i come.."Spider man3, current show", "No ticket, sir" he said. "Not even one"..i replied back...and here it goes.."yes sir..one is available".. Yeppi! and i am jumping for the fruit i got for this 40 minute hurry furry chase for the first day show!!
Than..get into the hall..my seat is 3rd from last..too back..so must be a good view..than one more story..i girl on my seat asking me to swap with her seat in the row behind. I ..the "good boy" immediately agree and go back exchanging the ticket. Reaching there i found my co viewer laughing as they were thinking i was made a fool by giving a "defected" seat that i found out as soon as i sat on it!! But no problems...it was just little loose and was slightly more back than normal.... but any thing for a "woman's comfort" :-)
I wish the people of last show would have reported this problem ( as i did and hope that seat would have been fixed :-)

I watched the whole movie ( that means the complete casting in the end too..enjoying the music ) ..one of the reason me choosing PVR ..other guys just switch of as soon as movie is over. No acknowledgment to those who made it! !!
Over all.. enjoyed movie...and thats why blogged here to tell you. May be I will go for it again :-)
Thanks for reading with patience!
ENjoy!!

Losing My religion

2007-04-01T17:41:00.000+05:30

hi,
ever listened to this song...i am just mad over this since tilak, one of my colleague in my office, gifted me this song.... this song has something very deep..and the music has went into my mind getting enqueued in my top favorite list (those songs that i can continuously listen for days with out getting bore..and will switch only not to miss others songs)!
And what is special in this song.... let the meaning of this song be interpreted by you yourself!
For this song (both audio and video) you can try searching at 4shared.com and details about this u can see at wikipedia of course.

I am a great fond of English songs...( and of course i love Hindi songs as well...try Anatkshari with me :-).

Apart from telling how much i like "Losing my religion" by R.E.M., lets talk about music in 21st century.
This time music business is going far higher...everyone wants a mobile with good mp3 player..or an ipod or a USB playerm speakers with FM radio ...you see anywhere...everybody is "plugged in"..in their vehicles they are plugged into radio city...music is ruling the market everywhere!!
And for me Music is soul of life!! i feel empty with out music!! And am crazy about English songs.
My interest started from "My heart will go on" by celion deon..than bryan adams, westlife, MLTR, boyzone, bon zovi, BSB, REM and there is endless list!!
So keep singing..keep listening..keep dancing..keep celebrating life with music.

help UNICEF without spending a penny..just accept this

2007-03-15T12:56:00.001+05:30

Hi ..this is not some junk for earning money..
you can donate money with out spending anything..people forward so many faltoo forwards..here you can give $5 to UNICEF for each one who accept this invitation.

Tell all of your friends about this great opportunity to raise money for UNICEF USA without spending a penny! The more friends you tell, the bigger the difference you can make.

http://friends.unicefusa.org/

here is my personal invite link:

http://friends.unicefusa.org/r/61fe0c022416102a8408

THINK ABOUT…

2007-02-24T23:35:00.000+05:30

Here are the few beautiful lines that always fascinate me...
some i heard...some i read..and some are my own!!!

If u can’t help urself...do help others!!!

When u can’t help it…leave it on God!

Don’t fallow others…make ur own rules because nobody is perfact!!!

BELIEF:
Your are the only one and the best kind of urself …some people are better than you and some are worse but…none of them is you!!!

If you don’t believe in God....believe in yourself....and if u don’t believe in yourself...then believe me JUST start believing ...because if you can’t believe you can’t survive!!!

You can do what u believe and can’t do what u don’t believe!!!

Don’t be upset…u also believe otherwise u would not have been doing what u r doing right now!!!

HOPE
Never worry…..because if the things can be handled why to worry…and if it’s not possible there is no use of worrying!!!

You always not get what u desire but you are always not knowing what you are going to get!!!

Don’t be afraid of loosing as you were never owing any of that!!!

MISTAKES:
Just try to do wrong things …..that will make you confident about what is not right!!!

Learn from others mistakes as you can’t live long enough to make them all urself!!!

Experiance is nothing but mistakes that one did!

KNOWLEDGE:
Either you know or you don’t know ...there is no intermediate stage….so be confident about both ...what you know and what you don’t know!!!

Take risk…. Don’t give you a chance to repent for not even trying!!!

The BAD About GOOD is that has an END
BUT the GOOD thing about BAD is that it also has an END !!!

“ Make friends….they may be ur greatest achievement ”

At least once in a month…. take a break …free ur mind, forget about all the things …just enjoy the leisure!!!

my favourite website links

2007-02-24T23:13:00.000+05:30

So here is the list of top site i visite always!!
first one ofcourse the grand father of all...the gateway to world of web!!
www.google.com

second one the gateway to knowledge...the free, open, online encyclopedia!!
http://www.wikipedia.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

but if you got to share you knowledge..and get others...
all kind of file..the online virtual drive of your own!! You get a GB of free space to save and share your e-files ! There are more like this..but its my favorite!!
www.4shared.com

and here come all the entertainment...all video songs!!
www.youtube.com

And in case you wanna chat but cant install yahoo messanger or google talk in your machine..
here is the one who have it all!!
www.meebo.com

This is the top list .
now what...rest all can be found on google!!

GURU : Movie review

2007-01-17T12:28:00.000+05:30

GURU.. one of the most mature performance by Abhishek Bachchan and another great success of Mani Ratnam with Abhishek!
This movie is simply superb! Completely focused around Abhishek and wonderful music by A. R. Rahaman.
Most of the movie shoots seems to be in south Indian showing beautiful ancient architectures...temples..and waterfalls!!
Ashwarya rai's role was smaller in the beginning but got very powerful in the end! And Mithun Da has also given very good performance.
Vidya Balan and Madhwan also gave good performance.
I loved the direction of the movie !! And the dialogues are mind blowing! Mani ratnam has brilliantly given feel of the period of 1950-80. the trains..buildings..cars..
It looks very real..Bombay 50 years back form now..would have been like that only!!
The movie is all about the vision and "Himmat" courage of Gurukant desai...he change the rules..and keep going forward not giving a damn to what people say.
The main thing I liked was in whole movie the personal relations were given a lot importance. Business is business..but human values are always most important..the love and support of your family and friends gives power and courage to do impossible. " Jahan chah ..wahan rah"
The confidence and courage of GURU's character drives the movie. But at the same time he is very honest in his relationship with his Nana, Mota bhai and friends!!
Ashwarya Rai has supported this character very well!!
So in short...its a must watch movie..Abhishek truly said that not everyone get a chance to wok in a movie like GURU.
Its a lifetime movie for him..and this movie will change the way Abhishek bachchan is perceived. Now he has his own identity ..not just a son of Big B!

Easy vs Difficult

2007-01-16T09:57:00.000+05:30

EASY ....... DIFFICULT

Easy is to get a place is someone's address book.
Difficult is to get a place in someone's heart.

Easy is to judge the mistakes of others
Difficult is to recognize our own mistakes

Easy is to talk without thinking
Difficult is to refrain the tongue

Easy is to hurt someone who loves us.
Difficult is to heal the wound...

Easy is to forgive others
Difficult is to ask for forgiveness

Easy is to set rules.
Difficult is to follow them...

Easy is to dream every night.
Difficult is to fight for a dream...

Easy is to show victory.
Difficult is to assume defeat with dignity...

Easy is to admire a full moon.
Difficult to see the other side...

Easy is to stumble with a stone.
Difficult is to get up...

Easy is to enjoy life every day.
Difficult to give its real value...

Easy is to promise something to someone.
Difficult is to fulfill that promise...

Easy is to say we love.
Difficult is to show it every day...

Easy is to criticize others.
Difficult is to improve oneself...

Easy is to make mistakes.
Difficult is to learn from them...

Easy is to weep for a lost love.
Difficult is to take care of it so not to lose it.

Easy is to think about improving.
Difficult is to stop thinking it and put it into action...

Easy is to think bad of others
Difficult is to give them the benefit of the doubt...

Easy is to receive
Difficult is to give

Easy to read this
Difficult to follow

Easy is keep the friendship with words

Difficult is to keep it with meanings

The movie I loved...SERENDIPITY

2007-01-03T02:49:00.000+05:30

Just watched SERENDIPITY...
What a lovely movie....
such a sweet movie..and it came in to my most favourite..most loving movie list..hollywood 's most romantic sweet love stories starting from NOTTING HILL....LOVE ACTUALY and IF ONLY....all movies i love so much that i can see them thousand times !!!

Serendipity means fortunate accidents..like..discovering something by chance..actualy accidentally..
In this movie Serendipity. the heroin of the movie Sara (Kate Beckinsale) believes in serendipity a lot...she just love this world..( and i too) .she meets the hero (John Cusak) in a store and than a series of serenipitous events happnes there..lovely direction really....there first date in a restaurent named 'Serendipity'. In the beginning the sweet girl Sara tries to prove that serendipity will make them meet again ..but Jon get stcuk in some comic event . but Sara believes that if they are supposed to meet..they will meet some how.Than after few years..both Sara and Jon are about to get married..( unfortunately not to each other). But there had not been a day they have not thought about each other since they met.

And than when just a day is left for Jon's wedding. he feels that the universe is telling him to find Sara..who is supposed to be his soul-mate...and the same thing is happening at Sara's side.
She comes to Newyork..both of them are trying hard to find each other...in this whole event..you will pray to God to do something .you will hold your breath..than you see how beautifully they meet in the end!!

some of quotes that appears in between and I liked .."if you want to improve..you have to be foolish and stupid"..and thus..be passionate about what your dream about..what you really want..however foolish it may seem..but I finaly get you your destiny..and than you can realy justify your efforts.. so never hesitate to take even the most foolish step for what you are passionate about!!
simply WOW Movie...I love ..really love such movies. and I loved this movie so much that I feel like telling everyone..
and hope inside my heart to meet my soulmate...waiting for some serendipitous to happen with me.( and actualy might have tried also sometimes.. ;-)
It’s a must watch movie if you have even small flavor for soft and romantic movies.

====================================
now here is a counter view about Serendipity.. which is bit influenced by other thoughts and is from a different perspective..
If we see the same movie from the point of view of the person who were having existing relationships with Sara and Jonathan.. this all looks stupid.. you are about to get married to someone and suddenly he/she realizes that there is someone whom he/she met for few minutes seems to be his soulmate?? and what the hell they were doing with their existing relationship.. why they went into that at अत all.. and how can they simply ignore it.. it sounds completely dishonest and impractical ..
but इतना दिमाग लंगाने का नही... बस मूवी देखने का .. एन्जॉय करने का .. हीरो हेरोइन के मिलने पे खुश होने का.. and THE END

jai orkut

2006-11-02T12:13:00.000+05:30

www.orkut.com

jai orkut!! its far popular and powerful than yahoo and other messenger and even the revolutionary invention like mobile phone!!
ppl dont meet...dont talk on phone..dont chat on yahoo...but they do orkutting...in a very short time orkut has got immense popularity..even companies that has blocked messengers to avoid employees from chatting, have allowed orkutting!!!

the best thing is you are always connected through orkut..
even if you dont contact one for 6 months...you will be as much connected as u were...and all scraps will update u about the one immediately!!

now ppl chat thru orkut...they share their experiences..snaps..views..testimonials...its very social...

but there is one bad thing..its very uncontrolled...unlimited...any body can see ur profile..all ur scraps and photos....but i guess in near future orkut is going to improve on privacy and security issues. they have already provided facility to get invitations only from friends of friends only.

well ..its a huge success... Google has really put a lot of innovative techniques in place...

thanks ORKUT!

happy orkutting!!

Airlines and train Travel online ticket booking websites

2006-09-21T18:47:00.001+05:30

Hi,
Now Indian Air space is flooded with new low cost airlines. Here you find all the links for airlines (and train also to take you home) across India.
With so much of ticket booking experiance, I came across all these. the best window to find all is Google. its just a quick list !!!

Airlines In India: Flying was never as cheap!!!

Air deccan : they started revolution
http://www.airdeccan.net/airdeccan/home.asp
Now merged to Kingfisher
http://www.flykingfisher.com/

Indigo air : the latest low cost airline
http://book.goindigo.in/

Go Air :
http://www.goair.in/

Air Sahara : Coming down in fare
http://www.airsahara.net
http://www.saharaairlines.co.in/
Now merged to jet as jetlite
http://www.jetlite.com/in/default.aspx

Indian Airlines : the Indian govt Service, getting more economic
latest link: http://www.indianairlines.in/home.asp
old links:
http://indian-airlines.nic.in/
https://www.indian-airlines.org/

For international flights..go to Air india:
http://www.airindia.com/

Warning with Air india and IA flights: You may not be able to reschedule or change online, you have to go to their office for change in itinerary.

For small sectors
http://www.mdlrairlines.in/

online train ticket booking: we never imagined getting e-tickets for our trains!!!
http://www.irctc.co.in/

http://www.cleartrip.com/trains

All info about trains in India
http://www.indianrail.gov.in/

Online travel agents / fare search:
My fvrt
Eazeego1 : have good offers on cards
http://www.ezeego1.co.in/

Yatra
http://www.yatra.com/

Make My trip
http://india.makemytrip.com/

Cleartrip
http://www.cleartrip.com/

Rediff fare Search
http://faresearch.rediff.com/travel/domestic/farenchse.htm

Thomas Cook
http://www.thomascook.co.in

IndiaTimes Air ticket and travel
http://auctions.indiatimes.com/oneviewall.html

And dont forget to compare fare on these site with the actual airline website ;-)

And anyways Google is there to help all links!!

HAPPY TRAVELING!!!

India Online... http://india.gov.in the official website of India

2006-09-07T16:50:00.000+05:30

yes..we are going online for every thing..

all information online..be it news or parliament session..maps of India or any information u want..

just log on to http://india.gov.in ..

this site is very useful and you will find a lot of information. This is a web directory to all govt. departments. All the official information about India.

This beautifully arranged website has everything in it. Current news from DD news.. website for almost every city of India. information for tourists..students and all citizen to know about govt. departments. From Parliament to President and PM's office..Constitution to RTI ..every thing is there. Must visit this!!

today's importance for Indians

2006-09-07T15:10:00.000+05:30

Today is 130th Anniversary of our National song Vande Mataram!

It was written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in 1876, on September 7. ( some says its 7th NOv 1975) .

Anyways..lets sing this song that brought courage an enthu in our freedom fighters!

see some details http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vande_Mataram

http://www.vandemataram.com/html/vande/index.htm

सुजलां सुफलां मलयजशीतलाम्
सस्य श्यामलां मातरंम् .
शुभ्र ज्योत्सनाम् पुलकित यामिनीम्
फुल्ल कुसुमित द्रुमदलशोभिनीम्,
सुहासिनीं सुमधुर भाषिणीम् .
सुखदां वरदां मातरम् ॥

सप्त कोटि कन्ठ कलकल निनाद कराले
द्विसप्त कोटि भुजैर्ध्रत खरकरवाले
के बोले मा तुमी अबले
बहुबल धारिणीम् नमामि तारिणीम्
रिपुदलवारिणीम् मातरम् ॥

तुमि विद्या तुमि धर्म, तुमि ह्रदि तुमि मर्म
त्वं हि प्राणाः शरीरे
बाहुते तुमि मा शक्ति,
हृदये तुमि मा भक्ति,
तोमारै प्रतिमा गडि मन्दिरे-मन्दिरे ॥

त्वं हि दुर्गा दशप्रहरणधारिणी
कमला कमलदल विहारिणी
वाणी विद्यादायिनी, नमामि त्वाम्
नमामि कमलां अमलां अतुलाम्
सुजलां सुफलां मातरम् ॥

श्यामलां सरलां सुस्मितां भूषिताम्
धरणीं भरणीं मातरम् ॥

thought of the day!

2006-08-01T11:03:00.000+05:30

Be More concerned with your character
than your reputation,
because your character is what you really are,
while your reputation
is merely what others think you are.

----------------

It takes a minute to have a crush, an hour to like someone

and a day to love someone but it takes a lifetime to forget someone!

So.... Be in Touch with your friends.

stay happy!!

Prince fallen in a pit: mujhe bhi gaddhe me girna hai!!

2006-07-24T16:38:00.000+05:30

These media guys just keep looking for any news ....Prince, a kid fallen in a deep pit ..they made it Headline!!!

i appreciate media's coverage to common ppl..but this is too much...
some pics says the whole story!!

These images are provided by nitin!

My favorite songs online

2006-07-21T18:48:00.000+05:30

"Ab an ja" is one of my most favourite songs..i just love it!

Actualy Euphoria and string are my favourite hindi bands!!

E U P H O R I A - The Official Band Website dhoom.com :

http://www.dhoom.com

Strings Online The Official Website of Strings:

http://www.stringsonline.net/new/music.htm

http://www.dhoom.com/video/ab_na_ja.wmv

AB NA JA....

ankhen band kar lu jo mein
dekhu bas tumhe
khwabon mein keh sakta huin aapna tumhe
rehne de mera ye wehemte hi yakin
na jaoge
pyar ki yeh raat hai ab na ja
chotisi ik baat hai ab na ja
tumhi se hai meri neendein na bhi ho to kya
tumhi se hai meri baatein na bhi ho to kya
kehne de taaron ko kahaani ankahi
na jaoge
pyar ki yeh raat hai ab na ja
chotisi ik baat hai ab na ja

pal do pal ka saath hai ab na ja
jadusi ye raat hai ab na ja
ab na ja

aankhen de pyaar ki boondein
bikhre se kai sawaal
ankhon mein kitne mausam pal mein beetein kitne saal
behne de jahan bhi le jayen zindagi na jaoge
pyar ki yeh raat hai ab na ja
choti si ik baat hai ab na ja
pal do pal ka saath hai
ab na ja
jadusi ye raat hai ab na ja

yeee a ho a ho aho

ab na ja!!!!

Value of life ( Dil se )

2006-07-21T16:44:00.000+05:30

This is really a serious issue. We Indians really don't feel the importance of life, unless we are the ones who have lost someone.

Our Govt does not take action, not because it does not have the power, but because we don't demand, for them as well as us these things are like - CHALTA HAI!!
this cartoon is made by my friend Nitin.

for more Dil se cartoon, please visit
http://www.sirdard.com/dilse.htm

free online songs downloads!!

2006-07-20T17:44:00.005+05:30

Listen online:

http://www.musicindiaonline.com

Sppech of great leaders:

http://www.musicindiaonline.com/music/patriotic/s/album.4673/language.11/

www.raaga.com/

http://www.bollyfm.net/
www.fmw11.com
http://music.cooltoad.com/music/
http://www.bollyextreme.com
http://www.apniisp.com/songs

http://www.mp3shits.com/

http://www.stringsonline.net/new/music.htm

http://www.papuyaar.com/music.php

Following mostly for english songs:
http://mp3search.01-mp3search.com/

http://us.video.aol.com

http://www.mp3raid.com

You can also download songs from www.4hshared.com

enjoy!!

DISCLAIMER: I am not responsible about the legal issues for download.

three things in life

2006-07-20T14:34:00.000+05:30

http://www.thedashmovie.com/

^{3 Things of life}

Three things in life that, once gone, never come back :-

Time

Words

Opportunity

Three things in life that may never be lost :-

Peace

Hope

Honesty

Three things in life that are most valuable :-

Love

Self-confidence

Friends

Three things in life that are never certain :-

Dreams

Success

Fortune

Three things that make a man/woman :-

Hard work

Sincerity

Commitment

Three things in life that can destroy a man/woman :-

Alcohol

Pride

Anger

Three things in life that, once lost, hard to build-up :-

Respect

Trust

Friendship

Three things in life that never fail :-

True Love

Determination

Belief

Bachpan ke din..good old days!!

2006-07-17T12:42:00.000+05:30

Read Till Last(Read when wanna get nostalgic)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
When gulli-danda and kanche (marbles) were more popular than cricket ...
When we always had friends to play aais-paais (I Spy), chhepan-chhepai and
pitthoo anytime ...
When we desperately waited for 'yeh jo hai zindagi' ..
When chitrahaar, vikram-baitaal, dada daadi ki kahaniyaan were so fulfilling
...
When there was just one tv in every five houses and
When bisleris were not sold in the trains and we were worrying if papas will
get back into the train in time or not when they were getting down at
stations to fill up the water bottle ...
When we were going to bed by 9.00pm sharp except for the 'yeh jo hai
jindagi' day ...
When Holis & Diwalis meant mostly hand-made pakwaans and sweets and moms
seeking our help while preparing them
When Maths teachers were not worried of our mummys and papas while
slapping/beating us ...
When we were exchanging comics and stamps and chacha-chaudaris and billus
were our heroes ...
When we were in nanihaals every summer and loved flying kites and plucking
and eating unripe mangoes and leechis ..
When one movie every Sunday evening on television was more than asked for
and 'ek do teen chaar' and 'Rajni' inspired us ...
When 50 paisa meant at least 10 toffees ...
When left over pages of the last years notebooks were used for rough work or
even fair work ...
When 'chelpark' and 'natraaj' were encouraged against 'reynolds and family'
...
When the first rain meant getting drenched and playing in water and mud and
making 'kaagaj ki kishtis' ...
When there were no phones to tell friends that we will be at their homes at
six in the evening ...
When our parents always had 15 paise blue colored 'antardesis' and 5 paise
machli wale stamps at home
When we remembered tens of jokes and were not finding 'ice-cream and papa'
type jokes foolish enough to stop us from laughing ...
When we were not seeing patakhes on Diwalis and gulaals on Holis as air and
noise polluting or allergic agents
When we were using our hearts more than our brains, even for scientifically
brainy activities like'thinking' and 'deciding'
When we were crying and laughing more often, more openly and more sincerily
...
When we were enjoying our present more than worrying about our future
When being emotional was not synonymous to being weak
When sharing worries and happiness didn't mean getting vulnerable to the
listener ...
When blacks and whites were the favorite colors instead of greys ...
When journeys also were important and not just the destinations
When life was a passenger's sleeper giving enough time and opportunity to
enjoy the scenaries from its open and transparent glass windows instead of
some superfast's second ac with its curtained, closed and dark windows...

....sachi kya din hote tha woh.....jab hum 8 baje se Chitrahar ka wait karte
tha har wednesday ko...aur in betweeen..."Rukawat ka liya khed hai" :sorry
for the interruption aajata tha to kitna gussa aata tha,.....
woh time jab hum Chacha Chuadhri aur Raka ki mutbhar pada karte tha, pinky
and billo, mama bhanja, motu patlo......chunni chachi...waow man ....kya din
tha woh...
I think that was the real bachpan which we enjoyed.....

Machhali Jal ki Rani hai
Jeewan uska paani hai
hath lagao darr jayegi
bahar nikalo mar jayegi...

Posham pa bhai posham pa
sau(100) rupay ki ghadi churayi
ab to jail mein jana padega
jail ki roti khana padega
jail ka pani peena padega
thayi thuiya thush
madari baba fushhhhhh....

Ghoda jamal khayi,
picche dekho maar khayi
raste mein chalta tha
uski chiththi gir gayi
kisi ne utha lee
laad saab ko de di
laad saab ne phaad phood ke phenk di

Jhooth bolna paap hai
nadi kinare saanp hai
kali mai aayegi
tumko utha le jayegi...

jhooth bolna paap hai
nadi kinare saanp hai
vahi tumhara baap hai
hahahhahhaha

aaj somvar hai,
chuhe ko bukhar hai
chuha gaya doctor ke pass
doctor ne lagayi sui
chula bola ooooiiiii

aalu-kachalu beta kaha gaye the
bandar ki jhopdi mein so rahe the
bandar ne laat maari ro rahe the
mummy ne paise diye has rahe the

titlee udi,bus mein chadi
seet na mili ,to rone lagi
driver bola aaja mere pass
titlee boli "hat badmash"

chanda mama door ke
puye pakaye bhoor ke
aap khaye thali mein
munne ko de pyali mein

Maanavta ke man-mandir mein, gyaan ka deep jala do
Karunanidhaan Bhagwaan mere Bhaarat ko swarg bana do

Dukh daridrata ka naash karo,
Maanav ke kasht mita do
Amrit ki varsha barsakar
Bhookh ki aag bujha do.
He Kuber Bhandari, jag mein dhaan ke dher laga do
Karunanidhaan Bhagwan mere Bhaarat ko swarg bana do.

akkad bakkad bumbe bol
80-90 pure 100
100 mein laga dhaga
chor nikal ke bhaga...

raja ki raani soti thi
moti ki maala boti thi....

chadrakanta ki kahani
ye maana hai purani
ye purani ho kar bhi
badi lagti hai suhaani
naugarh vijaygarh main thi takrar
naugarh ka tha jo raajkumar
chandrakanta se karta tha pyar
chandrakanta se karta tha pyar...

budhe baba budhde baba
kahan jaa rahe ho
NADEE KINAARE
nadeee to ye rahi(pointing to the circle)
CHHOTI SI HAI
1 paisa daalo badi ho jaayegi
(baba 1 paisa daalta hai)
AB BHI CHHOTI HAI
1 paisa daalo aur badhi ho jaayegi

meri roti kisne khai
bhalu ne
bhalu to mere saath tha
haathi ne
haathi to mere saath tha
sher ne
sher bhi mere saath tha
hum ne..............

-----------------------------------------------------------------
When being smart meant being more helpful and intelligent rather than making other fool for going forward pushing others backward.
In short..we are getting selfish..now we are so busy in making our life that we are not enjoying it at all...its like we are in rush to get a goal..but our attention is more on path rather than the goal! We are too aggressive to reach the destination that we are not enjoying the journey! I have posted this so that we dont forget that life is possible even without mobile phones, internet and sci phi things, what matters is how happy we can make others !!
So never miss a opportunity to enjoy...to have a talk with old frens.. to remember how simple life can be!
Enjoy!

A letter from Mumbai to Terrorists

2006-07-13T15:56:00.000+05:30

Dear Terrorist,

Even if you are not reading this we don't care. Time and again you tried to disturb us and disrupt our life - killing innocent civilians by planting bombs in trains, buses and cars. You have tried hard to bring death and destruction, cause panic and fear and create communal disharmony but everytime you were disgustingly unsuccessful. Do you know how we pass our life in Mumbai? How much it takes for us to earn that single rupee? If you wanted to give us a shock then we are sorry to say that you failed miserably in your ulterior motives. Better look elsewere, not here.

We are not Hindus and Muslims or Gujaratis and Marathis or Punjabis and Bengaliies. Nor do we distinguish ourselves as owners or workers, govt. employees or private employees. WE ARE MUMBAIKERS (Bombay-ites, if you like). We will not allow you to disrupt our life like this. On the last few occassions when you struck (including the 7 deadly blasts in a single day killing over 250 people and injuring 500+ in 1993), we went to work next day in full strength. This time we cleared everything within a few hours and were back to normal - the vendors placing their next order, businessmen finalizing the next deals and the office workers rushing to catch the next train. (Yes the same train you targetted)

Fathom this: Within 3 hours of the blasts, long queues of blood donating volunteers were seen outside various hospital, where most of the injured were admitted. By 12 midnight, the hospital had to issue a notification that blood banks were full and they didn't require any more blood. The next day, attendance at schools and office was close to 100%, trains & buses were packed to the brim, the crowds were back.

The city has simply dusted itself off and moved one - perhaps with greater vigour.

We are Mumbaikers and we live like brothers in times like this. So, do not dare to threaten us with your crackers. The spirit of Mumbai is very strong and can not be harmed.

Please forward this to others. U never know, by chance it may come to hands of a terrorist in Afghanistan, Pakistan or Iraq and he can then read this message which is specially meant for him!!!

With Love,
From the people of Mumbai (Bombay)

bas youn hi....

2006-06-15T01:20:00.000+05:30

Its 01:18 AM...Good morning! Aaj lag raha hai ki jab jyada boriat ho to sabse achchhe 2 kaam hain: 1st talk to friends u havnt talked since long and the second see your old photo album with kishore da singing in backgroud! i bet you will feel better ( at least i am..)... pura college time review kar dala.. uploading some on my e-albums.. will share with all soon.
my friends are scattered in all parts of country ..from bombay to Bangal and from Punjab to Kerala! Bas mobile and orkut hain to sabki khabar hai!!
Ye blogging bhi mast hai sala...jo man aye likho..kam se kam koi ye to nahi kah sakta ki "chato mat" ;-) ....
....Kuchh reet jagat ki aisi hai..har ek subah ki sham huyi....( kishore da singing yaar )
chodo bekar ki bato me kahi beet na jaye raina....kuchh to log kahenge..

to bhai duniya jaye tel lene ash to kar....bole to mast rahne ka...
abhi bahut time se kuch nahi kiya to 5-10 line bhar dali blog ki.. agar apne ye ye sab pada to thank you.. aap apne vichar muhje bhej sakte/i hain.

aur bhai ek salah.. IDBI Bank ke ATM se bach ke rahana... aaaj ham IDBI Bank ATM gaye..wo ATM hamara ATM Card hi kha gaya..aji literaly kha gaya.. atak gaya..ab Bank wale ATM M/c khol ke usme se card bahar nikalenge..fir hame branch jake card lana padega.. bada jhham ho gaya..to bhai logo IDBI Bank ATM se bach ke rahana.. main to ab IDBI ATM jaaonga hi nahi..cheque book zinadabad!!
aaj ke liye itna kafi hai.. will be back soon!!