Rhythm of life

My letter to Tharoor

2010-03-03T23:52:00.000-08:00

To: Regional passport office, Hyderabad, Ministry of external affairs.

Subject: Not allowing submission of application without online registration

This is to bring to your notice that regional passport office at
Hyderabad is not allowing citizens to submit passport application
without online registration.

As per your website http://passport.gov.in/cpv/obtain.htm I quote

"""One can apply for Passport through Online Registration, (after
doing online registration, get print outs of the application form)
click here for details for Online Registration. Apart from this
applicant can submit directly in the respective passport office/
DPCs/Speed post centers, get the relevant application form from here.
"""

But when I went there twice I was not even allowed to enter the
premises. I tried contacting Sh. A.T.Murthy, Deputy Passport Officer
on Phone No. : 040 - 27806657, which he never answered. I tried to
meet the officer at the RPO, hyderabad but I was not allowed to do so.

I would also like to bring to your notice that dates are not available
for the entire month of March. Earliest available date online is 12th
April. It's unfair to ask citizens to wait for 40 days to submit their
applications.Whole procedure is flawed as anyone can register for any
number of dates without having to pay anything.

I and other citizens of India will highly appreciate if you do
something to improve the process. In my opinion following things can
be done immediately.

1. Allow submission of application without online registration till
you fix your online registration process.
(Which you already claim on your website)

2. In order to improve online registration you can do the following
a. Ask the applicant to pay the money for the service (i.e. new
passport, renewal etc) online or at bank branch.
b. Give the registration ID to the applicant.
c. Applicant shall use that ID to get the appointment
d. Let applicant use the same ID to get new date in case his
application was rejected.

This way you can eliminate multiple registration by same person, and
non-serious applicants would refrain from taking dates.
This is least such learned people like you can do to improve the life
of citizens.

Birla sun life + Citibank immoral sale

2010-01-18T02:37:00.000-08:00

It's time of the year when you start thinking about tax savings. So, I contacted citi bank to enable my account so that I can buy MFs online. They said they will send wealth managers to come and collect PAN card copy and will prepare your portfolio and all blahs...

2 gentleman came to see me at my office. Nicely dressed and fluent in english, with laptop and a bag. They started asking me personal questions like my bank balance etc. made entry in one of the excel with macros (Macro had bug!) and their first version showed I need to save 18L per year :D Then he came up with another figure 3.35L / year. He didn't care to explain how the figure is down >80%.

Then he said buy Birla Sunlife ULIP saying it's best in the market, I must buy that. I heard them for 1 hour. I bought time saying I need to do some research on my own before buying it. When I Googled it there were many funds available who were charging less fees and had proven track record. I was wondering why was he trying to sell only Birla sunlife to me. My gut feeling was saying don't buy it from these people. Still I met them next day, I told him clearly that I doubt their motive as they are not offering any option to me and they are making decision for me. If they had given me 2-3 options I could have picked one and wouldn't be so skeptical about the whole thing.

Anyways, I didn't buy policy. But he was supposed to be my wealth manager! But he was trying increase his and his companies wealth by selling product which I thought was not the best. Then I talked to my friends and to my surprise all of them were also contacted for the same product.

In conclusion, they are nothing more than modern day cheaters.

One, they didn't make any disclosure on their company's tie up with Birla Sunlife. Second, they claimed to be wealth manager but acting as marketing guys (I called up my RM to inquire if they were from Birla sunlife or Citibank, it was that bad). It's next to cheating your customer who is already having business with you.

Times of india is one lousy News Paper

2010-01-07T00:22:00.000-08:00

There was a terror attack in Srinagar yesterday (Jan 6th day when Omar completed his one year as CM).

2 Jawans died and many more got injured. Almost all news paper carried the story on their front page. But Times Of India didn't even care to write 1 line about it, not on front page not on 10th! As if it just didn't happen. May be because they are carrying 'Aman ki aasha'. But aman can't return to weak. Only strong has the right to demand peace.

How pathetic? It's time to move to Hindu/Deccan if you are in Hyderabad.

It's not about creativity

2010-01-06T02:21:00.000-08:00

I'm rethinking my views on my last blog on FPS and 3-idiots.

Now that issue is almost dead I can think about it more clearly. It is fact that makers of 3-idiots didn't show enough grace in acknowledging Chetan Bhagat (CB) 's role. Issue wouldn't have got so much attention, if VVC & Co. had just said, "sorry we should have placed it in the beginning, we never thought CB will make such a big deal out of it. We will correct it in future releases.". Then CB would have looked real publicity hungry guy. But that didn't happen. They fought for silly thing like where the credit line should appear. Do you think that these people are really that naive or arrogant? Arrogant may be, naive i don't think so.

In the final analysis, I get the feeling that it was more of typical filmy way of getting publicity out of controversy. I'm not sure if both parties are hand in glove but both have benefited from this trivial issue. FPS sales have increased more than 30% and 3-idiots' collections have been highest.

So, it's not about creativity stupid, it's about money!

FPS and 3 idiots

2010-01-02T04:14:00.000-08:00

I watched 3 idiots and I have read FPS (five point someone). I loved both.

Anyone who has read FPS, knows what 3 idiots is based on. It's no brainer.

I wonder what Raju Hirani and Vidu Vinod Chopras think?

Whole plot is based on FPS. When I was watching movie whole first half was based on the novel. In the interval I thought now, plot might change to something, but to my surprise even after interval movie goes back to college. And I had no doubt in my mind that it was Five point someone with pre and post modification, but heart of the story was five point someone.

By making rancho topper or not having sex with professor's daughter in her house or finally getting married or adding the plot how rancho was poor guy who studied for knowledge not degree doesn't change the whole damn thing. Javed Jaffrey was guest artist wasn't the hero of the movie. Who was the hero? Rancho? What's the movie's theme? College life? Where is the argument?

What is shocking is why film makers are shying away from giving due credit. Remember Omkara? Vishal Bhardwaj shared due credit. And VVC & company should when you had formal contract. What's wrong then? I don't know. You already paid him the money. Show some grace.

It's really bad that, creative people don't respect others creativity.

My 2 cents.

End of the year review

2009-12-30T21:54:00.000-08:00

* Professional achievements

- I have become better at CS.

- Developed proof of concept called Jugaad : where you can use developer machines as grid of machines to run your jobs.

- Developed 2 features for google reader

Feeds from people you follow

Favicons in subscriptions

- Developed fully working site for finding production rollbacks in GWT

- Got two awards in a year

* others

nothing great worth mentioning

visa restrictions

2009-11-27T00:45:00.000-08:00

India is doing U.S. In order to block Chinese workers India introduced policy that restricts number visas that can be granted to skilled labors. It is 1 for every 100 local workers. report.

Move is completely regressive and against the stand India has taken in international forums. It is also shocking because likes of Kamalnath and others have advocated increasing H1Bs in the past when U.S. introduced restrictions on H1B. I just wonder how can you suggest something to someone and then do exactly opposite yourself and on top of that defend it.

It requires lot of courage and leadership to do the right thing in adverse conditions. World lacks them everywhere.

India after 26/11

2009-11-25T20:15:00.001-08:00

Many things are said and written about whether things have changed or not in last one year. But 2 things that not many people are talking about are 1. police reforms and 2. judicial reforms.

As Einstein said "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.". We have got in this problem because system is dysfunctional.

Agreed, we had weak home minister both at the center and state, but that's not the root cause. Root cause is not that we have stupid politicians. Problem is in the way police operates from recruitment, promotions, transfers to postings. You give best man in the world the lousiest system and he will also fail, and we have got one of the lousiest system.

There is corruption at every level in police force, beginning from the recruitment, then we have endless political interference. Whole system is so subverted that honest and better performing officers are punished more often. You see wholesale transfers every time there is change in regime. Then we have one of the most rotten appraisal system. There is no regard for merit and work ethic. You see many times favorites superseding senior officers. (Oh yes, and this concept of seniority!) Older, stupid and lazy donkey gets to become boss by the virtue of being senior.

Finally, we have reservations! Without improving the system we think we can beat terrorism. Are we day dreaming? Police, so poorly equipped, so poor in its attitude, and so un-professional in its conduct, I just wonder why only few terror attacks are happening. India just runs on the goodwill and good behavior of the people as it has been for thousands of years.

Not a single state has implemented directives from supreme court on police reforms. I remember some talk on police reforms on TV after 26/11. But then no one cared to push this agenda, neither opposition, nor media. If only, BJP had lived up to its duty as opposition party things might have changed for better.

Same is true for judiciary. Lakhs of cases are pending in our lower court. As Dr.JP said, "No person with right mind will recommend anyone to goto court". Corruption in lower judiciary is so high that you are almost certain to get acquitted if you have money and connections. No wonder, you hear "we have full faith in judiciary" so often. What they are saying is, "We have full faith in judiciary that judgement will be delivered in our favor". Why cases go on for 20-30 years?

Without fixing these two aspects of Indian administration, you cannot expect to improve the governance. Everything else is blah.

politics cricket and corruption

2009-11-21T01:01:00.000-08:00

Well, I wrote before about Md.Azharuddin's election to parliament.

What were his credentials? He is a cricketer banned for lifetime by BCCI for match fixing. No, he was Muslim.

Don't tell me he was Indian skipper and all. Because he didn't do service to the nation. He sold his soul and his passion for money.

One may argue what about Ajay Jadeja? Well NDTV should answer that. They should have some conscience. They have got the commentator who was also banned. But he is not representing 10lakh people. Btw, going by the wisdom of the crowd other choices offered to them must have been worse than Azhar.

Anways, now politicians are asking BCCI to remove lifetime ban on Azhar, so that he can do some commentary, start coaching classes and make some more money from the sport it has done so much disservice.

These jokers must be thinking that Azhar just did match fixing in stupid sport, poor fellow. We jump parties every other day, we sold our sould long ago and we sell our nation every day (remember Koda?). We make money on dead bodies. He is much better than us in that way. Give some reprieve to him. And by doing so they must be thinking that they are doing good job, huh? Or was it a part of the deal that he will get one seat for congress in UP and congress will get him out of BCCI ban?

Recall last scene from shool.

India's richest and per capita income

2009-11-18T23:58:00.000-08:00

I wrote about per capita income before. Today I read story by Forbes India about India's richest. It says 100 richest Indians have wealth equivalent to ~25% of India's GDP.

Now that is the case, then we should stop looking at per capita income of an individual and start looking at the median income of the nation. Because in one room let's say there are 1000 people, randomly selected, are sitting. It is more likely that average income per year would be around 50,000Rs. (Avg annual income of an Indian is 50,000 this includes Ambanis) Now you replace 1 guy with Mukesh Ambani and average income will multiply by 10. But, probability of Mukesh Ambani (or one of the top 1000 richest) getting picked up is 1 in 1,000,000. Is this the same probability that average Indian earns 50,000 Rs?

In all of this good thing is that he can still claim that he (his father for most part) earned his fortune unlike our ruling class.

hiring fresh engineers in software testing

2009-09-12T03:14:00.000-07:00

I have been involved in hiring fresh engineers from colleges for test organization. But lately I'm thinking if that's really a good idea.

1. I have not heard of many colleges who actually teaches testing as a part of their curriculum.
2. Very few students I have interviewed have idea of what goes on in testing. There are students who are vaguely aware of unit testing but beyond that they don't know much.

As far as IT companies are concerned you can divide them on two broad categories.

1. Companies who give same title and salaries to both dev and test. Roles are interchangeable. People move to different roles.

2. Companies who have established test departments. They look for completely different skill-sets. But usually there is a difference in treatment that devs and test engineers (Engineering, what?) get.

Companies who fall in first category always have benefit of doubt and they can claim that before moving to development you should have some testing experience. I see some merit in it, but it is mostly used as an excuse to staff new recruit in the team.

Companies who fall in second category know what they are hiring for. And most likely candidate won't be able to jump the boat (except most brilliant ones). Then there is a salary difference. Two students of the same class gets hired by the same company at different salary levels. Are companies really that brilliant to figure out their worthyness in 4 hours? Well, they decide on the worthiness of the job.

Why candidates fall for testing role? There are many reasons.
1. They have no idea what they want to do. All they know is they want job.
2. They are already sold on the company brand. It's cool tell your friends that I have an offer from so and so company.
3. May be that's the only job they are offered
4. Companies don't tell them clearly what role demands

And many more reasons but definitely not career in testing. Because if you don't know what testing really is, how can you say you want to have a career in testing.

So question is why should we hire testers from college? May be because there aren't enough in the market.

Ganesh chaturthi

2009-09-02T10:26:00.000-07:00

I first installed Ganesh Idol in my home for 5 days, when I was in 3rd standard (that was private affair). Then from 4th standard onwards with the help of village friends and elders we used to have our own pandal. For 5 years we used to install Ganesh idol in a pandal. We would sleep there, study there, play near that pandal do everything there as if it's our new home for 5 days. We used to enjoy a lot because of the freedom we used to get in those days, and chance to stay with friends all the time, and just hell lot of fun.

Just before Ganesh chaturthi, we would go to every house in the village to collect donation. Those who won't give, we would curse them and those who give 21Rs or more we would love them. (11Rs was the norm). We also used to have lottery to make money of course. (No one minds if you bring gambling in religion). What we used to do with spare money? Buy cricket bat, carrom board etc. You have to device strategy to increase your revenue to buy more resources.

Then one day in a week we would go and visit all the pandals in the town (Valsad close to my village) on bicycle. See what kind of decorations different pandals have, compare what kind of decorations we were doing. Dream of carrying out bigger and better decorations, having bigger murtis (idols) and so on. In those days Navayug and Shaheed chawk were two most famous pandals with giant murtis and massive resources and decorations. (I guess even in those days their budget might have been in lakhs). After covering most of the pandals go to a restaurant (Lakshmi Vilas) eat outside and have fun! Once we built (not we, we just hired to kids from near by slum.. outsourcing!) Queens Palace, Kolkata with thermocol sheets.

Those days were real fun. But at the same time I discovered many things during our visits to these pandals in night. People would gamble in front of idol, people would booze as well. In fact many people who used to come during immersion used to be drunk... Then the whole money thing. I picked up fight with one of my best friends because they bought decoration items for Navaratri festival (which comes just 20 days after Ganesh Utsav) from Ganesh Utsav fund. Today it looks really childish (we were child though) that we fought for 95/115 Rs if I recollect. We literally split in two groups for un-believable 3 years, until his grand father died and almost everyone in the group (we were around 20 kids at that time) had changed sides and were tired of this group-ism.

Anyways I was always excited about Ganesh Utsav, being last bencher in the class and less then mediocre in study, once in a year I used to get something meaningful (at least I used to think it was meaningful) to do. I used to get importance for being team leader and could channelize my energy on these kind of activities. But when we entered 9th class, my best buddy and ally Maulik's mother told me that he would not be taking part this year as 10th is approaching (wow parent's do prepare for board exams for 1 year in advance). I used to rely most on him. Without him I couldn't muster courage. Besides, there is some rule that you have to install idols in odd digits, like 5, 7 years. 6 years are not auspicious. So that brought end to my participation in Ganesh Utsav.

But now looking back, I think it was good experience and good that I experienced it early. I learned many leadership, organizational qualities. Btw, I didn't know that Tilak started public celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi during freedom movement. May be that's why it's too popular in Maharastra. But now that we have got freedom technically this festival has lived well past it's expiry date. May be because goons and useless people (the way I was in my early school days) have vested interest in continuance of this festival. Lot of nuisance value is added to it. I don't know if lotteries still goes on but there is loud music till mid night for sure as I can hear it even after calling cops 3 times (Cops just want move their ass unless you go and give complaint in writing) I am sure gambling would still be going on, as would be booze, and so is bollywood music in the middle of night (open sky dance bars :-)).

What a journey for me from being active participant in the festival to .....

But I recognize that society approves everything that is going on and that's why it goes on. And then some anti-social people who have anyway nothing to do will just use these kind of events for their ego tripping, their enjoyment and advance their petty social/political career. So be it...

Media and Civil Aviation

2009-08-30T22:31:00.000-07:00

Air-india is being given bailout (yes, literally bailout!!) package of 5000 crores.

Compare this with the ho-ha happened last month on private airlines one day strike.

What private airlines were asking for was not money or equity. I think their demands were very reasonable.

Rationalization of turbine fuel taxes levied by states

How fair is it that Singapore airline gets fuel cheaper than king-fisher? Shouldn't it be other way around? If not that way at least price should be same for both the parties.

Contain/Rationalize unreasonable increase in airport charges by private airport developers

Why should GVK/GMR and others allowed to increase airport charges due to drop in pessenger traffic?

But what media termed it? Bailout. Not a single media house reported sensibly on this issue. Everyone thought that Vijay Mallya and Goyal are out to loot tax payers money. Opinion was formed without due diligence and verdict was delivered.

Ok. strike or service off whatever - is bad, but then you just don't shoot like that. You have to report from both point of views. They definitely didn't do that.

But if media claims to be neutral and impartial why are they so silen on actual bailout being offered to a white elephant.

These kind of behavior raises doubts on media's credibiltiy. Were they bought off by government? Did they have something aginst private airlines? Come on guys, here govt is talking about 5000Crs (1B USD) to a company that has already high interest loan of 11,000Crs!

Ramazan

2009-08-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

Ramzan is the holiest month for Muslims in India. Many muslims observer Roza : (fasting where you don't eat/drink from dawn to evening (around 5-6). Ramazan falls somewhere between between august - october (Shravan month (holiest for hindus) and diwali). I remember once both diwali and Id fell on the same day.

If I try to infer reason for Ramzan at least minimally, It is one month of the year where person can spend time with him/herself, remember god, read Quran and do fasting. Ramazan is about spiritualism for believer.

What it has come to become? From the outside Haleems, Iftaar parties, and complete mess in muslim localities. We Indians know how to celebrate. Though roza looks easier (because you can eat before dawn and then again in evening) than Athhai (observed by Jains where you don't eat anything for 8 days), for me it's still very tough. Even with the temptation to have to best meal in the evening I don't think I will be able to fast for whole month.

Though Islam doesn't forbid or discourage meat, I find it ironic that holy month of Ramazan is when people advertise a lot about meat products. esp. Haleem. It's also interesting how Ramazan is associated with the violence on animals. How can you really aspire to have peace when you inflict violence on living animals.

This is the tragedy of every religion. Every religion is trivialized by many of their practitioners because they don't really want to know the reasons behind rituals, customs and methods.

House search

2009-08-26T11:15:00.001-07:00

I'm planning to buy house in Hyderabad. I have done some market research in the area I'm interested in.

Mostly kondapur and gachibowli area. Rates very from 2300 to 3800 Rs/SFT.

How remarkable that in 25 sqkms area price very so much.

There are quite a few projects going on in this area.

1. Aparna - 2800 & 2400 resp
2. DLF - 2100 (in reality median is 2650)
3. Mantri - 3000
4. Ramky - 3300
5. Bharat ICONIA - 2300 (median is 2600)
6. Aditya - 3500
7. L&T - 3800
8. Vijetha - 2800
9. Hallmark towers - 3200
10. Smaller projects like westend by kribh and few others near chirec public school - 2400-2500

It's completely competitive market. I don't think it's oligopoly or monopolistic market. Neither do I see any cartel being formed. It's purely driven by consumer demand. There are people in the market who are ready to pay higher price. And if seller has holding capacity he will hold on to his property till he gets better time. Someone who has to exit may have to lower the bar to exit (how much lower depends on how quickly he/she wants to get out).

But it's basically driven by 3 kind of buyers. 1. investors 2. owners and 3. speculators. Most of the people are 1 and 2 (at the same time) while speculators are less because not every one has that deep pockets.

Myth is that you own the house or you have invested in the house. But I will try to explore how much truth is there in that belief.

Is good relations with Pakistan in India's interest?

2009-07-16T05:29:00.000-07:00

I wrote this blog some time ago but I think it is more relevant today

This week I heard many Pakis talking on Indian TV channels asking India to resume talk. Question is not whether we should talk to them or not. It is about whether stable and strong Pakistan is in India's interest?

Many people argue that Pakistan is nuclear state and if it collapses India will also suffer. Nukes can land in the hands of terrorists, Smaller and weaker Pakistan won't be able to control Jihadi elements etc.etc.

But here is my proposition.

1. Pakistan doesn't want peace. It wants Kashmir. (Why? only they know)
2. Pakistan have played active role in sponsoring terrorism.

Kashmir to me is just an excuse. Hypothetically speaking even if we had lost Kashmir in '47 they would have found 10 more reasons to fight against us. Because fundamentally country is founded on wrong beliefs. Pakistan was founded on the belief that Muslims cannot co-exist with Hindus. While India has proved otherwise. And if idea of India can survive then there is no reason for Pakistan to exist. So, you see why they hate us.

Besides, Kashmir is a non-issue. India won't give Kashmir (I don't mind people from Valley going to Azad Kashmir if they want). Pakistan can't take it by fighting with us. I think biggest idiots are Kashmiris. They really think they can be independent. If it was in my power I will tri-furcate Kashmir and deal with Valley separately. We have spent hell lot of money on them. Anyways why to keep grudge just move on. But they can't. Because it's business of violence.

If we have 3 smaller countries Baluchistan, Sindh and Punjab it will be much easier to deal with three smaller states. Nukes falling in terrorists hand is a probability but that can happen even today. Zardari's regime is anyway one of the weakest Pakistan had in many years.

Second point is if the states are smaller their ex-chequers will also be smaller and U.S. donations will also be equally smaller. With less money they can't buy as many AK-47 as now.

I don't see any reason to have strong and hostile neighbor. Expecting Pakistan to become strong and liberal is long shot and it's not our business anyway. I am personally not hostile towards Pakistan but I don't really like them as well. They have created all sorts of nuisance for us in last 60 years.

Mid year review

2009-07-15T01:38:00.000-07:00

I'm late by 2 weeks but here goes my mid year review of my dreams

* Professional:
- Become master of computer science fundamentals
** no significant progress - started reading many books but not even 10% is covered
- Develop hardcore product (Conceive, develop and launch)
** Yay! developed internal tool, developed feature for Google Reader

* Family and friends:
I can't evaluate other dreams... but
- Visit different places with them
** Went to Goa

* Community
- Not much. I was part of Teach India in Q1 and now supporting 2 kids I haven't met.

* Personal Development:
- Be grateful and appreciative
** Achieved something here I guess.
- Be patient, calm, thoughtful, mindful
** he..he i'm aiming for the sky
- Be passionate, motivated, joyful and energetic
** Some days yes. But consistency is the key
- Not to criticize or condemn if cannot suggest improvement or solution
** wow.. made some progress. At least I'm aware when I'm making negative comments
- Excellent orator with fluency in English
** he..he.. haven't got opportunity to evaluate.

- Maintain healthy lifestyle
** bad. near zero
- Zero addiction, not even of news papers
** bad.
- Not to over indulge in junk food
** in control
- Learn one art per year
** if you consider Sudarshan Kriya yes. But that was not on my mind.

* Personal Wealth:
- Own house, car and nice things in life
** Bought car.

These 6 months were somewhat better but could be better.

f* is fine but chu is not

2009-07-13T06:49:00.000-07:00

I have met many people particularly convent educated Indians who are perfectly fine with the word F***. They themselves may use it regularly or occasionally, but if someone uses hindi slang चु*** then they feel offended. I'm not sure if it's language bias, poor imitation from Hollywood or their linguistic illiteracy!

Flyover mishaps, Gammon India and political connections

2009-07-13T00:53:00.001-07:00

Yesterday 6 people died in DMRC's flyover mishap in Delhi. Though everyone in Media is focusing on DMRC no one has mentioned anything about the contractor, Gammon India.

It's the same contractor who was building flyover in Hyderabad that collapsed in 2007. I'm wondering why this company is still in business and awarded similar contract in Delhi. Now what will happen? Will it be black listed? Shouldn't the company be barred from taking any public works in India? What will happen to M.D. and board and other senior officials? Isn't 2 mishaps and 7 lives and many more injuries too many?

Per capita income - my take

2009-07-01T21:02:00.001-07:00

It has been long time since I have been thinking on this topic. I thought of putting it on paper (web).

What is per capita income of the country. Total income of the country / total population.

But then in country like india where top 100 are among the top 1000s of the world, if not 100s.

Is it a real indicator of country's progress or wealth? No.

In mathematics we have something called median value. Median in layman's term is middle value in sorted list. Which can give some insight on how we are doing. You add billion in the list and also add 1 to the same list median remains same. But avg is could be in millions now.

Other indicators are access to amenities to mass public.

1. Education to children (Quality education)
How many engineers are from public school? (Not Delhi Public School!)

2. Work for needy
Is NREGA working for everyone, transparently and honestly?

3. Food for hungry
I read somewhere that 40-50% of children are malnourished. Link.

4. Shelters (Pukka houses)
We have lot of slums in all major cities

5. Health care
If you have ever visited public health center or hospital you will know

6. Access to hygienic toilets and bathrooms
There are Sulabhs now but still 30% of us (300M+) relieves themselves in open. link.

7. Good humane public transport
I wish I could take picture of bus in busy hours and put it here. Because pictures speak more than words.

8. Roads, Water and Electricity (been so popular in elections these days)
India has 200KMs of freeway! India is electricity deficit country and There are water wars these days.

These are some of the very very basic indicators how well society is doing. I don't want to paint gloomy picture but these are plain facts. Of course there are malls, pubs and multiplexes... but these are also facts.

Will I ever see real difference in all these in my life time? Yes!

Bandra Worli sea link

2009-06-28T22:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Ms.Sonia Gandhi ingaurated Bandra Worli sea link. One of it's kind in India.

First open sea bridge in India. How much did it cost? 1600+ crores. Is it a solution to Mumbai's traffic problem? Partly. Mumbai requires great infrastructure but at the same time Mumbai or for that matter any Indian city with population > 10lakhs requires good public transport system.

Spend same amount again and Mumbai can have 2285 Volvo buses (70L/bus).

I lived and worked for one month in Mumbai's worli office. At that time I used to travel by local till Dadar and then take shared taxi till office. I sometimes tried catching AC buses that best runs but they were always full and were not that frequent, besides they take 2 as much time as local.

So sea link is good but we need more buses/metro/mono rail/trains.

I see that these problems cannot be solved overnight but one suggestion I have is to make Mumbai metro politan area a city state. Similar to Delhi. Or give *LOT* more power to corporation and Mayor. Mumbai has population of 30M (if you add thane, vashi, mira bhaindar and others). If mumbai is seperate state it would be 13th biggest state in India. Bigger than Assam, Jharkhand, Punjab, Hariyana and many others.

It is my firm belief that smaller states (not as small as Sikkim or Nagaland) but of the size of Punjab/Hariyana are better governed than much bigger states like Maharastra.

Take for example Maharastra CM doesn't have total stake in the development of Mumbai. There is a stake of 7 Lok-sabha and around 40-50 Assembly seats. His own fate is decided by people of Nanded. Same is true for most of the bigger states.

There is no direct link between performance, reward and accountability in current scheme of things.

innovative reason

2009-06-27T02:49:00.000-07:00

It was 2.10am and we were in Ohri's Banajara. Shutters were coming down but they were still serving guests inside (including 6 of us). We already had few coffees, milk-shakes, sandwich and pizza. Rishit wanted to have Kit-kat milkshake so he asked waiter if he can have one Milkshake.

Waiter said no milkshake sir. Rishit wasn't sure why can't he have when all of us had it 10 minutes back. Waiter said "Sir, milk is spoiled"... Wow! what an amazing reason. He could have said it's closing time or anything but here you can't argue much.

I am not sure whether it's co-incidence or genuine innovation, but I liked the reason(excuse whatever you read)!

Pak wins and fire-crackers in India...

2009-06-21T10:39:00.000-07:00

First disclaimer. I don't watch Cricket that much. I watched only 2 matches in whole tournament, second semifinal between Srilanka and WI and the final. Pakistan played much better cricket than Srilanka at least in the final. Did I enjoy Pakistan winning? No.

Though I have never seen people in India celebrating Pakistan's victory, I have heard many stories about them. Same thing happened today just after the match. And I have a question if Pakistan wins and few people in India celebrates, are they traitors? Does that mean that their loyalty doesn't lie with India?

It depends on the perception. If you think Pakistan is our enemy and you celebrate enemy's victory, yes then for you they are traitors! To me it's provocative and mischievous to create heartburn at the very least. What's the need to fire crackers.

I have personally supported W.I. throughout my childhood even against India. So am I traitor? I don't think so. You support the team you like for some irrational reasons.

With Pakistan people add enmity, rivalry, terrorism... They have created enough troubles for us in last 60 years. So when they win and people fire crackers they upset many moderates as well.

Echoes

2009-06-10T00:05:00.000-07:00

These days I love listening to amazing music from Echoes on WFUV.. (11.30am to 2.30pm IST. It's 2-5am EST)

It's all amazing fusion... (almost all instrumentals)

Racist attacks in Australia

2009-06-02T21:31:00.000-07:00

There is more than what meet our eyes as far as attacks on Indians in Australia goes.

I am personally least affected by the frenzy that media in India is trying to create. Shouldn't I be disturbed by the events in Australia against fellow Indians? Well, of course I will be if it were genuine problem. I don't believe that it's wider problem of racism. Though I have never been to Australia, I don't think Indians face discrimination in their day to day life there. Making it us vs. them is taking the whole issue too far. Yes there are attacks on Indians but to paint it with same color is too much. I'm not saying there are no racists in Australia. But where aren't they? We have enough people in India doing the same thing to our own people. Besides, Hind/Muslims we have North Indian/ South Indians, Marathi/North Indians and many more differences that come up in everyday conversation. People genuinely dislike and believe that others are inferior, dirty, and what not.

And we Indians (read NRIs) discriminate against fellow Indians in foreign land. I have experienced it many times in Indian restaurants and other places in New York, Bar Area, and Chicago. Treatment/Service given to Indians is visibly inferior to others. And I am sure things won't be very different in UK or Australia as well. Might be little different in remote European country where you don't find many fellow Indians.

So, had it been systematic discrimination against particular community, I could understand. But I don't think that Australian government have hired thugs to attack Indians. I was also attacked in New York that doesn't mean that U.S. govt was out to get me. I believe there is something more to this sustained coverage by media. I am so surprised that when media dumps many big stories in 1 day. This campaign is going on for 1 week.

What could be the motive? There are no news now that Manmohan Singh has won the election and government formation is over. Or something else? I don't know. What's your guess?

fixers go to parliament

2009-06-02T01:41:00.000-07:00

In any other country person charged with match fixing (in country's most popular game) would live in humiliation for rest of his/her life. But not in India!

India sends fixers to the parliament. Md. Azharuddin has reached parliament.

Will he like Mr.Modi say that it's people's verdict and all his past sins are now redeemed by holy bath in democracy?

What Signal we Indians in general and Congress party in particular are sending? Cheat your nation and enter parliament! Not one person in Congress party asked any question? Didn't Sonia and Rahul know? Didn't they find better Muslim candidate to field that they had to import Azhar from Hyderabad to Moradabad?

BJP and it's blunders

2009-04-06T09:55:00.000-07:00

I am no die hard fan of BJP. I have never voted for them but I still consider that Vajpayee gvt. had something to talk about in terms of development. I am really surprised the way BJP is handling 2009 election. I don't know who is managing BJP's media cell!

I don't know why they are failing to bring the issues that really matter to middle class considering the perception that vast majority of middle class favors BJP over Congress. Congress has not done anything great in last 5 years. There is hardly any improvement in electricity generation, highway construction, airport modernization, or anything you take. I would say 9% growth was due to global boom because there is nothing reformist that this gvt. has brought in except for VAT. They have nothing great to showcase.

Take this example. If I have one full week to work and I show two hours work as my achievement will any layman with little bit of understanding believe what I'm saying? What is congress's claim of achievement?

NREGS
RTI
Nuclear Deal

All 3 are legislative achievements.

What about the executive branch of the government? Executive branch has nothing great to showcase...

What about Police reforms, Judicial reforms, Economical reforms? What about building massive infrastructure, Talks of converting Mumbai to Shanghai? SEZs have proved to be more of real estate than industrial zone development. They have done very little on these fronts!

But, I was so shocked that Varun Gandhi literally hi-jacked 2009 election's first round. BJP was in difficult spot and chose easy way out or may be that's their basic instinct. It's not my case who wins this election but I think BJP has lot to hope for then why do they look so demoralized!

BJP is making so many blunders and if they don't correct their strategy very soon, they are serving victory to Congress on platter despite congress's break up with RJD, SP, and PMK.

Just look at the bad news that went to BJPs way and the way they handled them...

Jaswant Singh distributes money and then defends his act
Varun Gandhi utters gutter and refuses to give voice sample to police.. and Rajnath singh visits him Etah jail...
BJP gave ticket to murder accused of Kandhamal riots
Mayaben Kodnani is sent to police custody and Gujarat BJP doesn't even condemn it
Advani brought issue of black money in swiss bank when they inducted neera yadav and gave so much importance to Sudhanshu Mittal

Why don't they just go all out and attack congress on stupid Bijli, Sadak and Pani?

This are my projections for the different group

Cong: best case scenario - 180 : worst case scenario : 125
Key states (A.P., Maharashtra, Raj, Guj)

Congress has to carry AP (20+ at least) and Rajasthan (15+ in) to cross their present tally

BJP: best case scenario - 155 : worst case 132
Key states (MP, Karnataka, Guj)

Problem with BJP is there is no scope for improvement except Guj where they have very strong hold.

I have written off UP and Bihar for both the national parties as they can't win significant seats. If Rajnath Singh cannot deliver UP BJP should sack him. If he is a party boss and cannot carry his own state then why is he the chief? I don't know how BJP elects it's party chief. Even Venkaiah Naidu couldn't get single seat from AP in 2004.

Anyways I have put Gujarat as crucial state as Modi is playing Indira Gandhi of 1971 by fielding new faces (in BJP, 7 were old rotten congress rebels) in majority of seats. But whatever pundits have to say I think Modi will find it hard to carry Gujarat. We may see repeat of 2004 or worse. Modi has fielded 7 congress rebels who were regarded as very corrupt leaders. Besides %-difference in most of the seats except few like Surat, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar was <10% that makes Gujarat very interesting state.

Winning your own election is different and making someone win on your name is different. Sonia and Rahul can win their elections but they cannot get Congress candidates win in Assembly elections even in their constituency. That's the level of influence they have! I think we will figure out in this election where Modi stands!

Finally, I see that UP went to BJP in 98 with 50+ seats. If Mayawati can do the same she will be in striking distance from 7 race course road. She can play the role that left played or become PM! But big question is can she repeat her performance in 2007 or better it?

I think this is the closest and most dull election I have seen in my adult life! Can we have some fire works please? All bets are off. Only wish I have is that left should not have any say in the next government even if Mayawati becomes prime minister.

Coincidence

2009-03-27T02:18:00.000-07:00

Is it co-incidence that top two headlines of the day is related with BJP?

Both the headlines would have deeply embarrassed anyone who believe in civilization, moderation, restraint in behavior, equality and human rights. But not BJP. BJP would be proud party having distinguish members like Maya Kodnani and Varun Gandhi joining the ranks of Narendra Modi.

I hoped that BJP will become Right of center moderate party, but it's slowly drifting to extreme right. May be fall of Vajpayee is taking BJP back to where it belongs. India need 2 strong parties but BJP is leaving little choice for moderates like me.

Varun Gandhi withdraws bail plea from HC

27 Mar 2009, 1427 hrs IST, TIMESOFINDIA.COM

BJP Lok Sabha candidate Varun Gandhi's lawyers on Friday withdrew bail plea from the Delhi HC in connection with the 'hate speech'. UP police can now arrest Varun.

Gujarat minister Mayaben resigns after bail is rejected

27 Mar 2009, 1255 hrs IST, PTI

Gujarat minister Mayaben Kodnani, an accused in the 2002 riots case, resigned on Friday after the High Court cancelled her bail. Mayaben is likely to be arrested today.

Interesting problem(s)

2009-02-18T03:41:00.000-08:00

I came across very interesting problem(s) working on my recent task. Just to note it down for myself.

1. Write a method that takes two arguments 1. an array 2. a number
Method will find out if the number exists in side an array or not? If it doesn't then it will further check if number can be generated from the elements in the array. Only operation possible on elements is summation, and any elements can be used only once in possible solution.

2. In BankruptBank customers visit it by taking prior appointment. Every morning BankruptBank would know how many customers it has to serve. It has fixed number of counters and each counter can serve at the max N number of customers. (i.e. On one counter there may have 3 employees serving 3 customers.) Each customer takes same amount of time. Each counter if operates will operate at full capacity. (i.e. if counter has 3 employee then counter will serve 3 customers or none). Once employees are set for counters cannot be altered (You cannot have 3 employees in first and 2 in second). BankruptBank has to arrange counters in such a way that it takes least number of rounds to serve all customers. e.g. if there are 3 counters and you set 5 employees per counter, it will take 3 rounds to serve 45 customers. but in case of 41 this arrangement will break.

Similarity between what Pakis and Modi are saying

2009-02-10T00:57:00.000-08:00

Is it just co-incidence that what Modi said in BJP's Nagpur meet, is being repeated by Pakistani investigators? This is second time in last two months that Mr.Modi has said something which was picked up by Pakistani establishment!

Case-1

As per Economic Times, "There is a strong realisation in Pakistani security agencies that without the help of elements in India, the Mumbai crime could have not been committed," official said.

Compare this with Mr.Modi's statement: "Such a big attack could not have been possible without the local support. I want to know who is stopping the government from taking action. This is because of vote bank politics,"

Case-2

As per Indian Express

Modi had recently said that even in India a mere statement is not regarded as evidence under the existing laws. He had wondered that, "What if Pakistan and US both ask India if our law has similar provision which accepts Ajmal Kasab's statement as evidence? What can be more unfortunate?"

Pak PM: "I want to set the record straight. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has said that mere information cannot be evidence. He agreed with my stand that information is not evidence," Gilani said on Friday.

obsession over...

2008-12-30T21:29:00.000-08:00

Finally, my obsession with agile wallet is over. I got close to what I was looking for. There is scope for improvement in this. May be V1.1.

This is money clipper. If you will search in Google images you can see many variants.

Why my version wasn't the best option.
1. As Srikanth pointed out it wasn't well compartmentalized. Only 2 compartments.
2. It was already full with 20Rs itself.

Good thing about it
1. It was transparent. So I need not pull out my license.

Now what I bought. I went searching for this version in around 5-6 shops. I spent 3 hours and 220Rs/- (Just transport) to get this 210 Rs/- Money clipper :-)

Puravbhai didn't find it safe enough as money is visible.
But I put money in wallet only in the morning and then again in night. For any transaction during the day money goes in pocket not in wallet.

One more drawback is it doesn't have transparent front pocket so that I need not pullout license.
But, I guess I can live with it.

Agile wallet

2008-12-30T03:10:00.000-08:00

This new year I want to be more agile in everything I do. How about smaller wallet. I think it will certainly improve agility :-) I wanted card holder similar to what Pragnesh Kaka has. But it's difficult to get in India. Now, I think many of these items that you get in US may be coming from India but you don't get it so easily in India. How sad!

Anyways, I got rid of my older bulkier wallet and replaced it with very small 2 piece holder. In fact I cut it from my old wallet (Hanging ID Card holder), removed un-wanted items in my wallet and kept only those must to have things. (Better for veggie like me! Veggie paradox of having leather items some other time!)

Previously my older wallet had items which I didn't need to carry, something like...
Social Security Card (America's card in India!)
Membership cards (Marriott, Kingfisher)
Pan Card
Visiting Cards
Few dollars (American, Australian)

Now, I'm carrying Driving license, 1 atm, 1 credit card, 2 postages, 2 photographs, 2 pieces of papers and some currency (20Rs/-) while I'm writing. It's smaller than my cell. How cool!

Size (smaller than iphone) -->
Thickness (better than iphone)->

Of course not that classier and aesthetic, but cost effective.

Dreams

2008-10-15T00:20:00.000-07:00

I'm reading one book called Rhythm of life. It is one of the best book I have read. I have not finished it yet, but so far sooo good. He addresses many questions I have about life.

Anyway, so following his suggestion I'm going to write my dreams. Of course it's first draft and need to fine tune many times.. Let's get started

* Professional:
- Become master of computer science fundamentals
- Develop hardcore product (Conceive, develop and launch)

* Family and friends:
- Be loving and caring person
- Be helpful to friends
- Be good listener
- Spend quality time with loved ones
- Visit different places with them

* Community:
- Start primary school in Valsad
- Start computer lab in a school in Valsad
- Start world class eduction institute in Valsad

- To teach 10 children

* Personal Development:
- Be grateful and appreciative
- Be patient, calm, thoughtful, mindful
- Be passionate, motivated, joyful and energetic
- Not to criticize or condemn if cannot suggest improvement or solution
- Excellent orator with fluency in English

- Maintain healthy lifestyle
- Zero addiction, not even of news papers
- Not to over indulge in junk food
- Learn one art per year

* Personal Wealth:
- Own house, car and nice things in life

Great! too many things to do in one lifetime :-)

Hello!!!

2008-08-17T03:21:00.000-07:00

It's been long long time. Almost 1 year 9 months I wrote anything on this blog.

Where have I been? Was chasing illusionary corporate dreams!!! About that later.

Lot of water has passed through mighty Ganges, many people have left this planet and many might have joined us by this time. Remarkably I'm still alive to write this blog.

Surprisingly many things haven't changed. Like my occupation and America's occupation of Iraq :-).

I created one site for my village that's http://www.bhagda.com . That was so easy with http://google.com/a . Now what? Hardly anyone has access to internet and people have to goto near by town. How about starting library with Internet connection?

By the way, have you found the mission of your life? Well I think I have found it. It's so simple. I want to settle in my village. It's that simple. I can go back and start farming. But I have no farm. I can take job there. But there aren't any software companies. So what? OK here it is.

1. Earn enough to be able to buy decent farm
2. Become so capable to generate employment right there

I picked 2. Why? It's not just about me. It's much bigger than me. I'm small guy. I can rise only by hanging on to dream bigger than me. And good thing about my village, district, and state is that it's not like Bihar or UP. There is basic infrastructure. There are people who are career oriented and ambitious and are really capable.

If I can dedicate my life with the goal of generating 1000s of jobs (100s are fine to begin with) right there that would be enough contribution from my side to my people, country and planet in general. I do not intend to solve world hunger problem. I can't see beyond my village or town for that matter. With my limited capability I will strive to achieve that.

So how to go there? Now I have destination but where is the path? Can Google help me get there? Have I developed that capability? What kind of business? MBA or My own company or both? All these questions are tough and requires answers. I know I can't go there in next 3 years. But how about 5-10-15-20 (If I live that longer!)

So have you found the mission of your life? Everyday matters!

Last year snippets

2006-12-31T09:38:00.000-08:00

Finally today is the time to review the year went by...
Changed 2 jobs... Adobe and Microsoft
Moved to new city of hyderabad.
Initiated and participated in anti-reservation movement.
Participated in couple of bhumi events
Got B1 visa and visiting u.s.
Read chetan bhagat's two novels, rich dad poor dad, freedom @ midnight, bhagwad gita, Started Sardar- 150pg
Almost bought flat. (Seller ditched last moment literally!)
Paid off some of the debt (1Lakh 40k)
Professionally not that great year.

Cops are same everywhere

2006-12-22T20:59:00.000-08:00

Last week on 17th Dec. around 10.30pm after spending lot of idle time I went to Chipotle for dinner. Btw Chipotle is excellent mexican grill. Its little expensive than taco-bell but far better than it. I went there only once in my recent trip to NYC. Okay so I had if I remember correctly veg. burrito. Thats one more reason I goto Chipotle. They have vegetarian dish with rice and beans. Apna daal chawal. Coming back to the point after having dinner I was walking back to my hotel room which is just 2 blocks away. This one was at 26th street and 7th avenue and my hotel is on 24th and 7th. I almost reached 25th . I wasn't looking up and I was in my own thoughts of getting rid of fat from my belly and I found myself pushed towards dustbin in the corner. I saw 1 girl ard 20 and 2 guys same age. Later my friend told if I thought they were 20 then they could be even minor. In any case they were laughing and walking away. I was feeling why the hell I was pushed. So, I called them. 'Hello, why did you push me?'... 'Go away...' one of them replied walkig away from me. So I walked couple of steps. They saw it and returned. Girl looked at me and tried to bully me. Then they again started walking. I followed them. One of them, I suppose youngest said go away they are just making fun of yours. I kept walking behind them. Now that lady said I have gun! Stop following us.

She showed it.. it was on her right waist under jeans. Youngest one came to me and said why are you following us. I said I'm not following I just want to know. 'You are following us'. Well I think they also got scared. I was definitely scared after seeing gun. Now came the 2nd guy he had little moustache - kind of french cut - he was holding gun. May be same gun or different I don't know. He came closer and pulled the slider. younger one of them told don't shoot here. Leave it. He is not going to do anything. Well of course he was right. Well some sense prevailed and they let me go with two punches on my chin for coming in their way and then following them to know the reason for getting pushed. I think 2 punches for a life is a steal.

Hey but title says something about cops. Isn't it? Yes it does. I ran to my hotel and called 911. That lady on the phone took 5 minutes to note down all the details. I was great fan of american police. If you haven't seen them in black uniform you should have a look. They look amazing. Wheatever, I thought they will send cops with light flashing immediately and we will be able to catch them. But that didn't happen, partially because I gave wrong address. Instead of 160w I told 170w. So they called again to my hotel but they didn't come with flashing lights and siren. I waited for 10-15 minutes then I lost hope if they would come. But still I called them and it was new country didn't find enough courage to goto my room. Then I saw one car coming stopping infront of my hotel. Well they didn't come for me. But still I went there and started talking to them. May be because of my strong Indian accent or color they were looking at me little differently but I think they were good guys. They asked me if I want to complain and wants to come to police station and see pictures etc.. I was little reluctant considering I was visitor and recently had bad experience of police in India (that story sometimes later). But then they assertively asked me to sit in the car. We went to police station. While going I wondering how will I return to hotel. When I looked at police station I thought its okay. I think madhapur police station is better than that one. So I went inside with them. One of them straighaway took me to 1st floor and asked me to sit in one room. I think it was interrogation room. While coming upstairs I saw couple of detectives in ties. That was little different from India.

While I was sitting in interrogation room one of that well dressed detective came and asked me what happened. I narrated the story. He took note and went. Then came another guy same story was repeated, then one more guy and one more. Exactly same thing happened when I went to madhapur police station. But I think cops in India were more polite. Here one guy asked me if I'm carrying any ID. I showed him my passport. He was looking at all visa stamps and trying to figure our something. Was he seeing if they were valid visa stamps :). They returned that and wanted to see another ID. I opened and showed them my passport. That bugger snatched my purse and started searching something. They saw illinios driving license. One of them laughed, he thought it was fake. I paid to get that stuff. I got little annoyed by this kind of behavior. I was the complainant and they were treating me like criminal. I replied saying its original and go and get it verified. They took it to write my name. Definitely they were finiding problem pronouncing and spelling my name. Even people in India find it that way. Sometimes I feel shorter names are better. At least you save lots of time spelling it out on phones and many other places.

Another rude behavior was detective threw that illinois license at me instead of returning it in my hand. But that's okay. He was wearing nice tie and shirt. Good clothes can substitute good behavior. I have seen good behavior substituting ethical and moral actions. But that story sometimes later. From very beginning I was getting the impression that they just wanted to push off the case if they can. They sensed my reluctance to go any further. I definitely didn;t want to get into any trouble. Had they come in 5 minutes which I initially imagined they would I would have gone along with them and searched for culprits. But once I was sitting in interrogation room and being treated this way I thought I am big fool to call 911 and get into all this. I am big fool to follow those 3 morons who were showing their powere because they had gun. I thought I have an interview to take tomorrow morning. Will I be able to get up? Will these people let me go? Or they have got their piece of timepass to spend whole night. Finally they sent mother of all. Once lady detective came. I got to learn a lot from her. She was very strict in composure and very frightening. She began 'Tell me the complete truth. This is very serious matter. If you are lying tell me now or you will goto jail'. I was out on the very first ball. Why the hell I wanted to goto jail after getting another birth just 1 hour back. I started narrating same story again. She was like now you are changing story everytime. There is some confusion out there. I got pissed off. I said see madam I've been telling the same story every time. I don't know why they are confused. Story went on. We reached when I said I saw gun with the girl. She said was it gun or just like gun. Or you think it was gun. Bloody my habit of using think has got me so wrong here. I told it was definitely gun. And if you will ask me whether it was mock or original then I can't say that as I'm not gun dealer. Bloody that was the first time I saw naked gun. Then story went on. She interogetted me thoroughly. Then I asked her miss I want to go home. How can I go at the earliest? You can see relief on her face and of course that got relief on my face too. She made report of menacing and said 2ce 'don't call this number which i'm giving you if you do not want to go any further'. We shook hand and I came out of police station. For a while I walking in the middle of the road then came one car and I realised that I was in u.s. :)

Google reader

2006-12-21T13:34:00.000-08:00

Well I was just browing thru google's site and I found interesting item...
google reader. reader.google.com. You can read your friends blog rather new entries without going there. I need to try and see how useful it is.

જિંદગી...

2006-12-05T14:29:00.000-08:00

જિંદગી બહુ ઉદાર છે તુ, મુજ નાદાન ને કેટલું શીખવે છે તુ
ભુલો ની સજા અનુભવ, દર્દ ની સજા કરુણા બહુ ઉમદા છે તુ

પડે આપત્તી કે મળે સુખ સાથે છે તુ, જિંદગી મારી સખી છે તુ
સફર ખેડી જોડે, સહ્યા ઘણા દુ:ખ પણ જિંદગી થાકિ નથી તુ

એહ્સાન કેટલા અને આપ્યુ કેટલું પણ કદિ કહેતી નથી તુ

સહુ ચાહે તને ખુદ થી વધારે તો પણ જિંદગી છકી નથી તુ

-શ્રેયસ

સરદાર એટલે સરદાર

2006-09-06T03:58:00.000-07:00

હાલ મા મેં ગુણવંત શાહ ની સરદાર એટલે સરદાર વાચી. ઘણી સરસ છે. એમણે કરેલુ પ્રુથ્થકરણ ખુબજ સરસ છે. દરેક મુદ્દા ની એમણે તાર્કિક ચકાસણી કરી છે. જોકે થોડે અંશે મને એ નેહરુ વિરુધ્ધ લાગ્યાપણ એકંદરે આ એક સારો સંગ્રહ છે. એમણે જે પુસ્તકો નો ઉલ્લેખ કર્યો છે એ હુ પણ વાંચવા માગુ છુ. એકંદરે પુસ્તક ને અંતે મને પણ એમ થયુ કે 'સરદાર એટલે સરદાર' !

Propoganda of modi

2006-08-18T21:21:00.000-07:00

One very interesting thing about Modi is how to use propoganda machinery so effectively.
Whenever there is any controversy about him he will or his close media groups in gujarat will bring out some story on threat on his life.

Before it was terrorist encounter in ahmedabad then some email and now some gangster in ahmedabad called lawyer and asked him to prepare feedayeen to kill him. May be all these things are true. But why it always follows the pattern.

Movie on gujarat 2002

2006-08-18T20:57:00.000-07:00

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9101562255306616976&ampq=hindu+muslim

I felt so ashamed. Though I'm self proclaimed agnostic, Still my roots are hindu. My parents esp. mother is very religious woman and so is my sister. And most of my relatives are. So my roots lies there.

Whatever I have read, I felt hinduism is one of the most tolerent religion. Otherwise how could India become home of so many sects and religions? But how come it has become so brutal? Its not new. Its centuries old. But still!

I still believe that average indian be it hindu or muslim or christians are very tolerent.

Dawn at mid-night

2006-08-16T11:00:00.000-07:00

Its paradoxical that I met these people at the height of anti reservation movement and we had heated discussion about reservation. I didn't agree on their line. But there was some goodwill that I had for them in general and Rakesh in particular. Though he was pro-reservation I found him true to his belief. Then I met this group couple of times for different reasons. I somehow wanted to know what they are doing as cause was noble.

Though I feel that reservation issue is very big and has huge impact on our society. If we can get rid of it, that will be the first step in making India truly homogenous society. I hope to see that happening in my life time.

Going back to the topic, these group of people are from Bhumi, sister organization of BHarat Uday MIssion. We had discussion on what kind of political framework they have and what kind of work they do. I found that they were also in their very early stage. Kind of toddler. So was YFE. But YFE used to get more representation in rallies and protests. So they wanted to leverage youth power for their social work. Hence we got in touch. I tried and informed people. But at that time it was difficult to put time in those activities as we were quite busy in our protests. I personally wanted to do something but my first priority was YFE. Hence coulndn't do much till YFE took back stage or almost got suspended. Now, politicians alone can put some fuel into it.

First, I tried to arrange joint blood donation camp of YFE and Bhumi. Unfortunately we couldnt mobilise enough people to make it a joint event. Then there was another.

It was to construct compound wall at government school in rasoolpura slum at the stroke of mid-night on 15th august, Indipendence Day! What a classy thought and idea. Initially I was little reluctant. Well I was planning to goto my home town but didn't get ticket. Then just on 14th something in me started pushing me to go. So I said okay lets go for couple of hours just to see how many ppl are actually turning up and see what is happening.

When I reached there it was almost 12. I reached may be couple of minutes late. But I was glad to see more than 100 youngsters from almost all walks of life. From journalist to dentist to student. Its really good to see many like minded people. It was a dawn at midnight. Dawn of new era and time. Time. Dawn of hope for slum dewllers. They started fire-crackers and then some speech and then all began. I still thought of dropping out by 2.30. But then everyone in their core group knew me, couple of yfe friends, chetan and vishnu were also there and I also started enjoying it. Though it was labour more like token labour still it was satisfying to the core.

Thought has power. Something done with clear-cut agenda has lot more power. Their whole agenda is to transform rasoolpura slum into developed locality. Its their first project. I wish them luck and success. Its not in their interest to succeed but in India's interest. Its such a powerful idea if well executed will transform India forever. But as Vivekanada said, you get everything but committed people. When I came to know that only 6-7 people are driving the show I could sense how committed they would be and how much sacrifices they would be making. We need more people like them. I am think on a lint to contribute more actively. But depends on the amount of time I can get.

Bhumi is a great thought but as everything it risk of becoming instrument to provide opportunity of token patriotism. Their founders will have to be very committed and tightroped till it becomes big brand. Also they have to transform it in more democratic and participatory organization otherwise. How much great a cause be people get exhausted after some time. Delegation, Marketing, Branding and Reachingout to the people is key. They have mantra now they have to spread it.

Bhagwad Gita Online

2006-08-05T17:43:00.000-07:00

Gita by Gandhi...

http://members.aol.com/jajnsn/index.html

complex life

2006-07-30T06:28:00.000-07:00

Friday evening I went to cyber towers for some work. While returning one kid came and asked for parking fee. I asked for coupen. Coupen didn't have anything printed on it except 2Rs. I inquired about who gave him permission to collect fee. He told Circle Inspector gave him the permission! I was wondering how come circle inspector got the power to allot parking to some vendor! I asked near by Cop of this. He explained me like this. "Sir, too many bikes are getting stolen from hi tec city area. So our inspector have appointed these ppl to take care of bikes and collect parking fee". I was still not convinced that it was that simple. But I gave in(1st time) and gave 2 rupees. Next day I again had to visit Cyber Towers. Today same kid came and asked for 2 rupees. I denied. I asked him let's goto police station. He refused to come. So I decided to go myself. Why sudden change from yesterday? Because I thought over it previous night if I did the right thing by letting those ppl collect money without proper authentication? I thought it amounts to extortion. I also had a doubt that Police was making money out of it. So I decided to investigate my self and lodge complaint. So I went to police station. First the receptionist "Surya Prakash" he told "Saab, 2 rupey ke liye kyaa kir-kiri karna". I told its not matter of 2 Rs. I spent 20 Rupees to come to this police station. Do you think I'm crazy? He was reluctant and somewhat suspicious so he called his saab. One guy came in civilian clothes and started explaining me the motive to keep that parking. I listened him thoroughly. One thing I learned is listening. It helps a lot. Listen what they are saying but do what you want to do. Anyways then I told him that may be your intention is good but police can't decide where to have paid parking and all. Its civic body's power. Beside many evils have born in India out of good intention. After him 2 more guys tried to explain me why they have made that paid parking. I told them that okay but you take complaint and do whatever you want to do. Then finally PI of that police station came. He was around 45 years of age and looked okay.
He went to his office and I got summoned in couple of minutes. I went to his cabin which was neat and clean. Well overall whole police station was very neat. I told him that parking vendor is using your name. He told me that APIIC has give the permission. I told him that no issues take the complaint and close it. He told what is the point? I told you verbally na.. I told fine write it down same thing. He fumbled. Then he started telling why that parking is good and all. I told him fine that may be good but that doesn't make it authorized. Now he realized that he has some crackpot to deal with. He saw my t-shirt and told you work with the best company and why are you worrying about all these? What is your interest? Give me your manager’s name and number I'll talk to them. I told him that I can't give it to you and besides I'm complaining as citizen not as an employee. Then he asked me my employee number. I told him where is it written that I need to furnish my employee number to give police complaint. Besides I seriously didn’t know my employee number. He told bring those details and ill take your complaint. I got furious and asked are you refusing to take complaint. Bloody I'll show you. One pimp standing next to him asked me if I was warning him. I said you can take it the way you want.
It went on like this he was insisting on my employee number. I bloody couldn’t come up with and forged number. I thought I will go to office and bring that. Then I realized I spent 2 hours here and my bike was still there. Finally I told I'll bring those details and then will you take my complain? He said yes. Then he send 2 of his hawaldars with me to cyber towers. They dropped me there. I came to office and saw my employee number J Then I realized bloody he dodged the bullet. I made the proper complaint this time. And went again next day. He asked me if I have all the details. I said yes. Then I thought of going back and bring that parking ticket. At that time I thought of making concrete complaint but today I think it wasn’t necessary. So I went to cyber towers again and asked parking vendor for parking receipt. This time boss himself was at shop. His name was Narsimha. He said its with boys and they will come tomorrow. Then he himself asked “saab aap hi they kya kal who bacho ne panga kiya. Jaane do saab kya 2rs ke liye kirkiri karte hai”. For almost 1 hour I interrogated him to figure out how much money he is making. My guess was 2000Rs/day. But he claimed 450Rs. He sweared on his mother, money and many things to say that he makes only 450Rs a day and 300Rs goes to boys who works there. I asked one of the boy sitting next to me. He nodded. Narsimha told at least 10 times that young guys get job because of parking. Bloody I got sentimental. I told him Ill observe it for 2-3 days to see what is going on and then I will decide on complaining. But to my surprise there was no parking next day, next week till now!
Wasn’t something fishy? Something seriously wrong? Didn’t they outsmart me and saved their ass?

Professional pride or arrogance or ignorance?

2006-07-25T05:24:00.000-07:00

We software professionals are proud lot. Believes that we are intellectual and whitel color executives! But in monetory terms we are just nothing compared to even kirana shop owner. But because in India we respect education and degress we feel proud. We feel that we are blue blooded princes and princesses.

But look around and you will find that you are nothing. You can't buy decent house. You can't buy mid-size sadan. But we are proud middle class of India.

I want to see people who give smiles to security guys in their company, smiles to their house keeping staff. Of course there are few but I'm talking about lot. We have hierarchy. Person's intellegence is judged by the company he works for and the money he earns. You don't agree? You will find out. Talk to more and more people.

I asked many people why they are in this industry? They don't look like geek or nerd ! They say this is the only industry which offers handsome salary. Agreed. But then what about your dreams and aspirations? Fuck them. They matters if you are earning and living well.

I asked them would they work if they had 1 crore rupees. They don't know. I bet they would still be working. Because there is some false pride attached to the job you are doing, company you are working with and money you are making.

By the time many would realise that they have ended up becoming just resource it would be too late. At the moment it seems I'm one of them.

Interesting incident

2006-07-20T23:09:00.000-07:00

Yesterday night (can I use yesternight? :p) we (me and Saurabh) were trying to find guy who can paste posters for us. We couldnt as he was sleeping like hell. So by 1.00am we decided to call it off. Saurabh had a plate to take at 3.30am as he was flying to see his mother who was serious. So I said bye and started my bike. I drove around 10 mtrs and I saw one girl asking me for lift. I stopped. Now I tell you 2 things. One I stop anytime if person asks for lift. I have done it in Noida also which is not considered safe. Ofcourse I give 1 second look at person to figure out if I can take chance. 2nd I was really curious to have this kind of experience.

So I stopped with 2 feelings one to help her if she is real good and another if she is a call girl then just get some experience of conversing with her. Besides, I thought its not very safe to walk down alone on the road.

She sat down holding my waist! Oh that was something on 2nd line, I thought. Then she started talking something in Telugu. I didnt know anything so I began in english just to figure out whether she is bindaas IT professional or something wierd. She replied in very poor hindi. She told she was from vizag. I didnt dig much but could make out that she was on 2nd line. So just asked her where she wants to go. She told she was hungry and looking for a place to have food. I told you wont get anything here. From her breathe I could make out that she was drunk or something. She then asked me whether I'm bachelore or married? Where I was staying and with whom? She asked me like if she can stay at my place tonight? I thought hmmm. Though I started with no intention to sleep with her all sorts of thought cam in my mind. My roommate comes neway after 2.00am. I have condoms at home. I can have some good time. At the same time I thought what is this? What a crap? She hardly knows me infact she doesnt even know my name and she is ready to sleep with me! Besides what about my girl friend? I'm happy with her. Then I thought worst come worst I just wanted to know how these kind of girls make their moves. I wasnt interested in anything physical not even kiss. honestly.

Neways, I thought bloody I wanted to help her and she herself seems to be interested in getting fucked! I said I can't take you home, tell me where to drop you. By the time we have reached Cyber Towers. She also realised that this is such a dumbo who wouldnt take cake served in a plate. So, we took u turn form cyber towers. My voice got firmer as I wanted drop her and go home. I asked her where should I drop you. She also realised nothing is going to work out so she also stopped flirting and said something in telugu which I thought meant she will show me the place. I drove ard 500 mtrs and reached pizza hut. She asked me to take left turn. That gully was very dark. No street light, no person, no movement. I got little scared and excited as to anticipate what will happen. Will her guys comeout and kidnap me or beat me? Or will she start kissing me? Man, I tell you its really interesting! I asked her couple of times where is her house. May be even she didnt want to show me her house. leopard was scared of goat :). I was goat here okay. She asked me to stop in front of one house which has some light. She got down said thanks and started walking on the road again. I was not interested in following her anything. So took turn and went home.

While returning there was an infighting in me. One part was happy that I was saved and I didnt mess up with her. Another part was cursing, crying for missing such an opportunity. But I suppose happier one was more correct and Im glad I was saved.

Congress failed us

2006-07-18T06:31:00.000-07:00

I have been staunch Congress supporter once upon a time. So strong that I was beaten up by hindutva senior :p. Well though my thoughts have remained same but congress have bent so much that I wonder how could I support congress even in my dreams.
They claim to be secular. But secularism in India is so spoiled that either you are pro-muslim or pro-hindu or anti-hindu or anti-muslim.
Though I like descipline of left parties and their down to earth approch but their thoughts are so screwed up and their views are so out of touch with reality I cant imagine being left supporter. I feel they are pro poverty rather than pro poor.
But in whole process and movement of anti reservation I have been thrown towards group whom I have opposed through out. Its not that I support them now. But now I can see them with different light, with different perspective. Now I can listen to Tarun Vijay or Balbir Punj.
But I still can't stand Modi, Togadia or Singhal gang. Modi brand patriotism creates terrorists and Congress let this terrorists flourish. So both are 2 sides of same coin. God save India.
I wish if BJP can become more liberal and right wing party then people like me will vote enthusiastically.
But still I think moment is ripe for new political party for urban India. Because BJP neither have guts nor capacity to become more centrist as it is entirely dependent on RSS and Modi brand politics and politicians. Now people may vote for BJP next time as I suppose but that is not their favorite party its just a lesser evil among 2 seeing BJP's rule and 2 years of UPA rule.
I had high regard for Sardar, PC and Ahlivalia team. I thought its the best team india can get. But they dissilusioned me. Road projects have been halted. No major infrastructure projects initiated exc. 2 airport modernisation. Why the hell cant they throw it open to private sector.
I didnt like the slow pace of reforms under BJP but these buggers arent moving at all.
I felt BJP was hesitent in their reform process. But looking at this team I feel BJP had sense of direction at least.
Sardar proved one thing. Merit hostage to mercy of someone of no use. Only talking doesnt work. Good intentions alone are not enough. Just being good is not good enough. You need courage, conviction, ability to speak truth. One who doesnt know his power is powerless. They failed us.

New Beginning

2006-07-17T04:25:00.000-07:00

Saturday I thought of making new beginning. I want to give up this ad-hoc mode of life. Though I hate descipline I want to get desciplined now. May be growing older. May be realising that untrained horse with lots of energy is of no use.
I liked http://calendar.google.com

Btw reading 3 books in a go
1. 1 night @ the call center
2. 7 habits
3. falling over backwards

Suddenly finding too many things to do and too many things to read. As of changed the channel of life. From ndtv and aajtak now on netgeo, discovery and history :p

What life means to me?

2006-06-29T13:05:00.000-07:00

To be honest I don’t know otherwise I would have achieved it in last 26 years. But I have vague idea what it is not.
It is not about passing time. You think you are passing time but in reality time is passing you. World is moving on and you remain there. But, world for everyone is different thing. But still it’s moving too fast isn’t it? In geographical sense also.
You get unknown amount time to visit this place called earth and the moment your time gets over you will be thrown out without any hesitation. Irrespective of class, caste, religion, race, sex, location, status you get the same treatment. Alas, there is one thing in world which treats everyone equally. Communists and Socialists can find solace in it.
Tough question I used to ask before. Why am I here on this planet? Am I just a by product of action of my parents or is there any specific purpose of my being on this planet. After a while I stopped asking this question. Because I realized that it’s you who has to make a call. Make it meaningful, purposeful, eventful. It’s you who is the king of your own destination, your own present and in turn mostly your future. Well why mostly? Let’s discuss it later.
For me life is a journey. Say train journey. Destination is fixed. Death. Path you don’t know. Co-passengers you can’t choose. Who will get on and who will get down you can’t choose. You may feel that life is steady but its not. Journey may not be jerky but that doesn’t mean that it’s not moving. It depends how far you can see. If you only see who is seating next to you, you may not feel much difference. You will feel when that person gets down and bid good bye or change compartment or station or train itself. But if you see closely its ever changing. The one who was standing and struggling initially may be sitting comfortably. The one who was sitting comfortably had to change train and now he is struggling. There are few who come with reservation. But of course they can move up higher in order only if they want to do it.
And for most of us life is like journey no idea about path, stoppages, diversions, or anything. We just follow our co-passengers. If they give GRE we give GRE. If they say MBA is good we go for MBA. If elder person says this is good we go for that one. But does elderly means bigger vision and better understanding of train system? Better understanding of your vision? Are we going on the path of our choice or going on path which someone has carved for us, someone has thought it is good for us or we are in rat race competing fiercely but doesn’t know why we are competing.
Money never attracted me in a big way. I can't say money doesn't attract me. But I have never persued dream of being billionaire. I have dreamed of it. But I didnt find it attractive enough. Because it cant be a goal. Money cant be an end it has to be a by product of your effort. We must enjoy our work, effort, hardship.

But still we think if we have car, house and high paying job we will be happy. We think if we will have pretty girl friend to freak out and envy our friends we will be happy. We think if we settle in west we will be happy. We go for movie to find happiness, fun. We go for dinner to find happiness. We do many other things. But are we really happy? Can complete and ever lasting happiness be attained? What do you think of this life? For me its just survival. Comfortable survival. It’s meaningless. It doesn’t matter whether I eat in the best hotel in the town or at road side dhaba. What matters is was food tasty? For me it doesn’t matter whether I’m in US or in India. Frankly I want to be in India. Because I feel I’m Indian. I cannot think of not being an Indian. Have we born to be just comfortable survivors?
What difference does it make? If you die today or tomorrow or 10 years later. What difference does it make to the world if you have 1 car, or motor cycle or 100 cars? Can you think beyond your own lunch, your own cloth, your sleep, your house, your toilet and your stomach! Even in a small way. Not mere tokenism but in a real constructive way. Can you? Do you? Will you? Come on. Did you leave some mark on the stone call history with the chisel called life is what matters. Your mark may be erased with time. Not every mark is as ever lasting as that of Buddha, Christ, Mohammed and Gandhi. But did you make any positive impact? Were you a liability or an asset? Did you construct something or destruct? Were you beneficial for the humanity or harmful? In my opinion it doesn’t matter at what level you play. It doesn’t matter whether your contribution is recognized immediately or not. What matters is are we human or just another insensitive yet socializing, talkative yet cunning, polite yet selfish mammals. Or are we just an economic entity in this commercialized world that earns, spends, pays taxes and generates revenue. Or are we just one in the mob? Who are we? Life is moving too fast but is there anything steady in us. Values? Beliefs? Commitments? That too is too flexible. World is too fast. Too fast than a villager like me can digest where yesterday’s big event is today’s no story. But still can we be steady yet moving, changing yet familiar. Same yet improved. Growing yet flourishing. Can it be possible? Or am I just dreaming at midnight? Sometimes it’s better to stop somewhere. So let me also stop.
I will find the rhythm of life to enjoy it. Are you also searching for it? Or the rarest breed who have chosen their path for journey. I envy you in that case.