I recently got a mail about lateral thinking and i found this one to be the best!
What does it mean... "Long time No C". Cool! Isn't it?
I haven't got a chance to post in my blog from a long time! Was awefully busy with work! Now i am moving to Training for a month... a much needed-respite from the hustle-bustle of the floor!
This will also give me a chance to go through the training docs and to refresh the knowledge that i gained on the floor as an Engineer and as a Tech Lead!!
I will keep posting whatever i learn.. So watch out... if your machine has any performance issues..! The solution might lie in one of my future posts!
Adios!!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Summers in Pune!
When i first came to Pune, summers here were pretty cool! Slowly, due to Global Warming and rise in population, it has become very hot! Right now, if i look out of my window, there is not a single soul in sight... 'cos the sun is shining with all its might, making it terribly warm!
Oh my beautiful Pune..... what have we done to you!
I am feeling sad now!
Oh my beautiful Pune..... what have we done to you!
I am feeling sad now!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Kolkata Trip!
After Jamshedpur, i decided to meet a few of my Friends who are working in Kolkata now!
Anjani, my school fren, works in Cognizant Technologies.
Nitin Dubey works in Reliance Money!
And my Pune friend, Sumit Manna is working in Birla Sunlife! Three different industries and i spent a day each with each one of them!
It was fun and Kolkata had the charm of being a typical old Indian city! Rickshaws jostling for space along with Honda City's! Given a chance, i would definitely like to set
tle in Kolkata!
Some More pics for you! Till then.... Enjoy!
Jamshedpur Trip
I got an opportunity to go to Jamshedpur, my Home town, after a gap of 2.5yrs! A long time!
I had to haggle a lot with my Manager to get my leave approved but in the end i prevailed over him. Was really a fabulous trip because all my sisters'a and my brother had come, along with my Mom and Dad! Spent a week there and it was fun. Here are some pics which i will savour for a very very long time to come!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Chak De India!
An enthralling series comes to an end, and both the Indian and Australian public will remember it for a long long time to come!
Mahi and his boys played perfect Cricket in the finals to defeat the World-Champion of world cricket!
I was following the series quite closely, right since the day, India set their foot on Australian soil! Boxing Day test at the MCG gave me an impression that it will be very similar to the 1999 tour, when Mr. Jaywant Lele (remember ??) had predicted a 3-0 whitewash! But Sydney changed it all!!
And how our boys fought!
Australia showed very poor sportsmanship and Indian lower order showed absolutely no-spine on the last day, at SCG! But you can't blame them when the illustrious top order had crumbled in just one session!
Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson were appaling on the field. The result combined with Andrew Symonds' charge that Harbhajan had called him a "Monkey" got the Indian Team together! And they fought back superbly in Perth, where they were supposed to be blown away by Aussie pacers, Shaun Tait in particular!
Unfortunately, Tait was the one to be blown out of International cricket!
Adelaide was enthralling not minding the draw. Both teams were not ready to concede an inch.
Then it was time for the seniors to leave and arrived Young India, full of energy, ready to take any one, ready to give it back, punch for puch, knock for knock!
20-20 at MCG again, was a disaster. It gave an impression that they were trying to go, too soon, too hard at the Aussies!
However, as the One Dayers progressed, they grew in confidence and were sensing an opportunity!
Final of the VB Series, got "Maximus" out of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar! Stung by the criticism he had to face (no century in Australia, scores poorly in second innings etc.), he responded magnificently to help India chase the 1st final, and took India to a competitive total in the 2nd Final! But he was not alone! Bhajji, MSD, Yuvi, Utthapa, Pathan, Kumar, all played like one team! Bhajji had the final laugh and the biggest laugh when he ran Hayden out and got Symonds soon after and lead India to victory!
It was Bliss!!
If i recollect the series, some moments stand out!
At MCG, India capitulating!
At SCG, Symonds not leaving the crease after edging behind, Sachin scoring a century and Ponting's celebration after the win!
WACA Perth, who can forget Ishant Sharma's spell to Ponting, and destruction of Shaun Tait!
Adelaide, Ponting back in form!
20-20 at MCG : Young Team surrendering meekly!
Finals : Sachin's century and Praveen Kumar's opening spell!
Top of the list: Symonds giving the Male streaker a "cold" shoulder!
Way to go India... Bring on the next World Champions in ranking.... South Africa!!
Mahi and his boys played perfect Cricket in the finals to defeat the World-Champion of world cricket!
I was following the series quite closely, right since the day, India set their foot on Australian soil! Boxing Day test at the MCG gave me an impression that it will be very similar to the 1999 tour, when Mr. Jaywant Lele (remember ??) had predicted a 3-0 whitewash! But Sydney changed it all!!
And how our boys fought!
Australia showed very poor sportsmanship and Indian lower order showed absolutely no-spine on the last day, at SCG! But you can't blame them when the illustrious top order had crumbled in just one session!
Steve Bucknor and Mark Benson were appaling on the field. The result combined with Andrew Symonds' charge that Harbhajan had called him a "Monkey" got the Indian Team together! And they fought back superbly in Perth, where they were supposed to be blown away by Aussie pacers, Shaun Tait in particular!
Unfortunately, Tait was the one to be blown out of International cricket!
Adelaide was enthralling not minding the draw. Both teams were not ready to concede an inch.
Then it was time for the seniors to leave and arrived Young India, full of energy, ready to take any one, ready to give it back, punch for puch, knock for knock!
20-20 at MCG again, was a disaster. It gave an impression that they were trying to go, too soon, too hard at the Aussies!
However, as the One Dayers progressed, they grew in confidence and were sensing an opportunity!
Final of the VB Series, got "Maximus" out of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar! Stung by the criticism he had to face (no century in Australia, scores poorly in second innings etc.), he responded magnificently to help India chase the 1st final, and took India to a competitive total in the 2nd Final! But he was not alone! Bhajji, MSD, Yuvi, Utthapa, Pathan, Kumar, all played like one team! Bhajji had the final laugh and the biggest laugh when he ran Hayden out and got Symonds soon after and lead India to victory!
It was Bliss!!
If i recollect the series, some moments stand out!
At MCG, India capitulating!
At SCG, Symonds not leaving the crease after edging behind, Sachin scoring a century and Ponting's celebration after the win!
WACA Perth, who can forget Ishant Sharma's spell to Ponting, and destruction of Shaun Tait!
Adelaide, Ponting back in form!
20-20 at MCG : Young Team surrendering meekly!
Finals : Sachin's century and Praveen Kumar's opening spell!
Top of the list: Symonds giving the Male streaker a "cold" shoulder!
Way to go India... Bring on the next World Champions in ranking.... South Africa!!
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Budget 2008! Thanks Mr. Chidambaram!
Finally, the budget for 2008 is out and in my personal opinion, what a budget it is!
Without doing anything spectacular, Mr. P Chidambaram has managed to gladden everyone's heart! While i was reading today's ToI, did not read any comments from the Opposition! Very strange... considering that each and every move by the Government is vociferously opposed by the Opposition! I guess the FM did a good job.
Coming back to the perks that the FM has provided to a salaried person like me, this year, i will be able to save close to a month's salary which i paid as tax last year! Isn't that great??
Hats off to Mr. Chidambaram for writing off the loans of the small farmers! Every morning, Reading reports of farmers committing suicides in parts of India was shameful, to say the least. With this provision in the budget, they will be able to start afresh! However, i am not very convinced about this step. It would have been better, if we are able to provide the needy farmers with modern technology, high quality seeds, better irrigation system and a loan at very low interest rate! We need to introspect as to what we have done for their benefit after independence.
Overall, the budget was very good! Only disappointing thing was that my ciggy would cost me more. (which happens after every budget) But its ok! I will try to quit!
Signing off.....
Without doing anything spectacular, Mr. P Chidambaram has managed to gladden everyone's heart! While i was reading today's ToI, did not read any comments from the Opposition! Very strange... considering that each and every move by the Government is vociferously opposed by the Opposition! I guess the FM did a good job.
Coming back to the perks that the FM has provided to a salaried person like me, this year, i will be able to save close to a month's salary which i paid as tax last year! Isn't that great??
Hats off to Mr. Chidambaram for writing off the loans of the small farmers! Every morning, Reading reports of farmers committing suicides in parts of India was shameful, to say the least. With this provision in the budget, they will be able to start afresh! However, i am not very convinced about this step. It would have been better, if we are able to provide the needy farmers with modern technology, high quality seeds, better irrigation system and a loan at very low interest rate! We need to introspect as to what we have done for their benefit after independence.
Overall, the budget was very good! Only disappointing thing was that my ciggy would cost me more. (which happens after every budget) But its ok! I will try to quit!
Signing off.....
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Marathi manoos vs Bhaiyaas'!
Wanted to write on this topic a long time ago but somehow was too pre-occupied with other stuff!
Raj Thackeray, the nephew of Hindu-Samrat, Bala Thackeray, has now targeted the Biharis' and UPwaala's who come to Mumbai in droves, month after month, year after year! Being a Bihari myself, i have mixed feelings about this issue.
Yes, Biharis' and UPwala's are coming in great numbers to Aamchi Mumbai! And that is creating too much strain on the civic system and the local residents have reasons to feel aggravated. I myself have witnessed this outflow in my native place in Bihar, where half of the present generation is either in Mumbai or Delhi or Surat... You will find them everywhere but their own village. And that includes me as well!
However, that does not give Mr. Thackeray a reason to start hating them and pushing them out of Maharashtra! If we all believe in India, One United India, this propoganda by Mr. Thackeray has to be nipped in the bud. Here is my solution to the problem:
1] Stop the attack on innocent, poor Biharis', UPwalas' in Maharashtra. This step will put Marathi people staying in other states, especially in the north, in trouble and i am sure Mr. Thackeray wouldn't like that to happen if he is a real champion of marathi manoos!
Already, we have seen a local marathi dead in Nasik due to the stone pelting, and a marathi colleague of mine at work, had her car windshield broken in the outbursts. So much for working for the pride of marathi manoos that we are hurting our own people!
2] Mr. Lalu Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati have to introspect and see what kind of development have they done in their respective states that the local population has to move out to earn a livelihood. The day, their own villages, own districts become self reliant, the outflow of population will stop. And no prizes for guessing what type of development has happened in Bihar in the past 20 yrs.
3] I don't believe that a Bihari is taking the job of a local marathi in Mumbai/Maharashtra! If they have, that means they were better in terms of qualifications/experience which i don't think is the case. Most people coming in are poor, uneducated people and they end up doing low grade jobs like driving a taxi, opening a paan-dukaan, selling vegetables, becoming a watchman, selling milk etc. I think the primary reason is that the local population was not ready to do these kind of work and hence the availability and suitability of the outsiders! The uneducated, unskilled locals should have latched on to these opportunities a long time back. If people from outside Maharashtra are doing it now, then all i can about the local population is that "they missed the bus".
If i am working in Maharashtra now, it does not mean i have taken a local's job. I don't see any reason, why and how a local would have done this job better than me. It is the age where quality of work matters and great countries and great corporations have benefitted from the diversity in their population. Prime examples are cities like New York and London, and companies like UniLever and Citibank! The Ivy-league business schools strive to get people from diverse fields, regions, experience in their intake every year!
4] Local population of Maharashtra will have to think about the kind of leadership they have at the moment! The Quality of politicians in Maharashtra is not very different from the politicians of Bihar/UP. And at the same time, they need to think if they are acquiring the skills to benefit from immense industrialisation that is happening in Maharashtra. If someone from outside Maharashtra is coming for the same job that they are aspiring, they should give them a strong reply, not with hands/fists/sticks, but with their skills! The outsider will automatically understand that chances of eeking out a living here is tough and will go back.
5] What happens with Mr. Thackeray? I strongly believe that he needs to be tried in a court for trying to create a divide between local population and citizens coming from outside Maharashtra. If we don't take strict actions, day is not far, when someone starts demanding ferociously about creating a Vidharbha from Maharashtra, a Telangana from Andhra, Bundelkhand from UP, Khalistan from Punjab, a separate country of Kasmir from India and so on. Allready we had to create Pakistan in 1947... and in the last 20 years, we have seen so many new states like Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh, Uttarakhand being created to fulfill regional aspirations. It is a good thing to maintain individuality in the ocean, but ultimately, we need to survive as one country! Ask yourself a question. "Am i an Indian first or a Bihari/Marathi/Bengali/Assami/Kannada/Telugu/Tamil/Gujrati/Kasmiri/Punjabi..... first?"
Take your pick! Your answer will decide the future, if India will remain India.
and yes.... i have decided to learn Marathi now.... The only thing on which i agree with Mr. Raj Thackeray is that outsiders (like me) are guilty of not imbibing local culture and traditions!
But, I still have my marathi friends intact, with me, and Sachin Tendulkar still remains my favorite batsman and listening to Lata Mangeshkar songs takes me to an all-together different world. Marathi or Bihari.... doesn't matter to me... I consider them Indians!
Signing off... as Sunny Deol would have said.... "Main Indian hoon.. Indian"
Raj Thackeray, the nephew of Hindu-Samrat, Bala Thackeray, has now targeted the Biharis' and UPwaala's who come to Mumbai in droves, month after month, year after year! Being a Bihari myself, i have mixed feelings about this issue.
Yes, Biharis' and UPwala's are coming in great numbers to Aamchi Mumbai! And that is creating too much strain on the civic system and the local residents have reasons to feel aggravated. I myself have witnessed this outflow in my native place in Bihar, where half of the present generation is either in Mumbai or Delhi or Surat... You will find them everywhere but their own village. And that includes me as well!
However, that does not give Mr. Thackeray a reason to start hating them and pushing them out of Maharashtra! If we all believe in India, One United India, this propoganda by Mr. Thackeray has to be nipped in the bud. Here is my solution to the problem:
1] Stop the attack on innocent, poor Biharis', UPwalas' in Maharashtra. This step will put Marathi people staying in other states, especially in the north, in trouble and i am sure Mr. Thackeray wouldn't like that to happen if he is a real champion of marathi manoos!
Already, we have seen a local marathi dead in Nasik due to the stone pelting, and a marathi colleague of mine at work, had her car windshield broken in the outbursts. So much for working for the pride of marathi manoos that we are hurting our own people!
2] Mr. Lalu Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati have to introspect and see what kind of development have they done in their respective states that the local population has to move out to earn a livelihood. The day, their own villages, own districts become self reliant, the outflow of population will stop. And no prizes for guessing what type of development has happened in Bihar in the past 20 yrs.
3] I don't believe that a Bihari is taking the job of a local marathi in Mumbai/Maharashtra! If they have, that means they were better in terms of qualifications/experience which i don't think is the case. Most people coming in are poor, uneducated people and they end up doing low grade jobs like driving a taxi, opening a paan-dukaan, selling vegetables, becoming a watchman, selling milk etc. I think the primary reason is that the local population was not ready to do these kind of work and hence the availability and suitability of the outsiders! The uneducated, unskilled locals should have latched on to these opportunities a long time back. If people from outside Maharashtra are doing it now, then all i can about the local population is that "they missed the bus".
If i am working in Maharashtra now, it does not mean i have taken a local's job. I don't see any reason, why and how a local would have done this job better than me. It is the age where quality of work matters and great countries and great corporations have benefitted from the diversity in their population. Prime examples are cities like New York and London, and companies like UniLever and Citibank! The Ivy-league business schools strive to get people from diverse fields, regions, experience in their intake every year!
4] Local population of Maharashtra will have to think about the kind of leadership they have at the moment! The Quality of politicians in Maharashtra is not very different from the politicians of Bihar/UP. And at the same time, they need to think if they are acquiring the skills to benefit from immense industrialisation that is happening in Maharashtra. If someone from outside Maharashtra is coming for the same job that they are aspiring, they should give them a strong reply, not with hands/fists/sticks, but with their skills! The outsider will automatically understand that chances of eeking out a living here is tough and will go back.
5] What happens with Mr. Thackeray? I strongly believe that he needs to be tried in a court for trying to create a divide between local population and citizens coming from outside Maharashtra. If we don't take strict actions, day is not far, when someone starts demanding ferociously about creating a Vidharbha from Maharashtra, a Telangana from Andhra, Bundelkhand from UP, Khalistan from Punjab, a separate country of Kasmir from India and so on. Allready we had to create Pakistan in 1947... and in the last 20 years, we have seen so many new states like Jharkhand, Chhatisgarh, Uttarakhand being created to fulfill regional aspirations. It is a good thing to maintain individuality in the ocean, but ultimately, we need to survive as one country! Ask yourself a question. "Am i an Indian first or a Bihari/Marathi/Bengali/Assami/Kannada/Telugu/Tamil/Gujrati/Kasmiri/Punjabi..... first?"
Take your pick! Your answer will decide the future, if India will remain India.
and yes.... i have decided to learn Marathi now.... The only thing on which i agree with Mr. Raj Thackeray is that outsiders (like me) are guilty of not imbibing local culture and traditions!
But, I still have my marathi friends intact, with me, and Sachin Tendulkar still remains my favorite batsman and listening to Lata Mangeshkar songs takes me to an all-together different world. Marathi or Bihari.... doesn't matter to me... I consider them Indians!
Signing off... as Sunny Deol would have said.... "Main Indian hoon.. Indian"
Friday, February 22, 2008
My Delhi Trip!
I am back! After njoying the winters of Delhi!
It was a cool trip.. considering the fact that Shekhar, one of my best buddy, was getting married. So i had to be there.
The thing that amazed me most was the development of Delhi and Gurgaon in particular. I had only heard about the development taking place in Gurgaon but this trip also made me witness it.
1996, was last when i went to Delhi and no one knew about Gurgaon. But now, Gurgaon has its own identity. The toll-naka between Delhi and Gurgaon amazed me with the fancy cars all lined up to cross over to Haryana and vice-versa!
All this while, i just heard about India Shining... first time that i saw it, live. Gurgaon has been developed beautifully. Full marks to the administration there!
Roads of New Delhi were simply amazing, especially the ring road (20kms stretch without a signal) and the "Quagmire of Flyovers", close to AIIMS.
Mindblowing! All in all... a trip that i will remember for a very very long time.
And i am pretty confident, i will go back to Delhi... pretty soon!
Some pics for you to enjoy!
The AIIMS flyover!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Mahabaleshwar Trip (Feb)
Half of India is in the grip of a Cold wave in Feb, we came to know that it snowed in Mahabaleshwar, we couldn't resist the temptation to go even though we have been there quite a few times.
Got the online booking done from MTDC website and off we were, 4 people on 3 bikes. Took us 3 hrs to reach. To our dismay it wasn't as cold as we expected it to be, but nevertheless, it was a memorable trip. I took "class" of my fellow TL, Somanath, after getting drunk and looks like he is still angry with me.
Got the online booking done from MTDC website and off we were, 4 people on 3 bikes. Took us 3 hrs to reach. To our dismay it wasn't as cold as we expected it to be, but nevertheless, it was a memorable trip. I took "class" of my fellow TL, Somanath, after getting drunk and looks like he is still angry with me.
Roads were awesome and riding in the ghats is an experience in itself!
Next, i am going to delhi to attend a close friend's marriage! Will by flying for the first time and i am very excited about it. Will keep you posted.
Year of Travel - 2008
2008 has started on a good note for me! It is my resolution to see atleast 12 new places this year... and if my budget permits, atleast one international location.
In Jan, i went to Kashid, Murud and Janjira, which is 50kms from Alibaug and about 170kms from Pune.
Kashid beach was excellent and not that crowded! Pretty easy on pocket since it cost me around 2000 for an overnight stay, including petrol. Here are some pics.
One thing that i have found is that seafood is not very readily available and everyone is ready with a chicken dish. C'mon... i don't go to a beach to have chicken which i have quite often in Pune. Anyways, the trip was excellent and i enjoyed it thoroughly.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Thx Gilly!
A Fantastic, Well-fought series between Australia and India comes to an end, and along with it ends a remarkable career, of probably the all-time best No. 7 batsman this world has ever seen!
Adam Gilchrist!! The name evoked awe and fear in the opposition for almost a decade in Test Cricket.
It has been a wonderful journey for him and he has given us a lot of moments to cherish!
Let us recap a little.
The One Day International triangular series between India, Australia and South Africa in 1997, saw a new wicketkeeper come into the Australian side in place of legendary Ian Healy and in Faridabad, on debut, He was bowled through the gates by the fiery Allan Donald.... and i had doubts about the player. I guess there were many more who had doubts then but how wrong were we! That player turned into one of the best stroke player this world ever saw!
Some of his best innings will remain itched in my memories forever, particularly, the fastest double century against New Zealand which was immediately taken over by Nathan Astle in the next innings and his century against India in Mumbai where Australia were reeling with half the side back in pavillion with less than a hundred on scoreboard.
And who can forget his fantastic century against Sri Lanka in the last World Cup Final!!!
Gilchrist has been a thorough gentleman on and off the field and had a reputation of walking away on his own if he was out! A rare phenomena these days.
In the twilight of his career, Gilly started dropping some odd catches.... very rare for a player of his caliber and quality! You can't blame him for a dropped catch considering he has more than 400 dismissals against his name in International cricket.
Glenn Mcgrath, Shane Warne and Brett Lee would have been incomplete without Gilly behind the stumps.
I am sure, All cricketing enthusiasts, across the world would be saddened that Gilly has bid the game adieu!
Without him, the Australian cricket will never be the same and Brad Haddin has a tough job ahead.
Thanks a lot for all the lovely memories and joy that you gave us on the cricketing field Gilly!
We will miss you, for sure.
Adam Gilchrist!! The name evoked awe and fear in the opposition for almost a decade in Test Cricket.
It has been a wonderful journey for him and he has given us a lot of moments to cherish!
Let us recap a little.
The One Day International triangular series between India, Australia and South Africa in 1997, saw a new wicketkeeper come into the Australian side in place of legendary Ian Healy and in Faridabad, on debut, He was bowled through the gates by the fiery Allan Donald.... and i had doubts about the player. I guess there were many more who had doubts then but how wrong were we! That player turned into one of the best stroke player this world ever saw!
Some of his best innings will remain itched in my memories forever, particularly, the fastest double century against New Zealand which was immediately taken over by Nathan Astle in the next innings and his century against India in Mumbai where Australia were reeling with half the side back in pavillion with less than a hundred on scoreboard.
And who can forget his fantastic century against Sri Lanka in the last World Cup Final!!!
Gilchrist has been a thorough gentleman on and off the field and had a reputation of walking away on his own if he was out! A rare phenomena these days.
In the twilight of his career, Gilly started dropping some odd catches.... very rare for a player of his caliber and quality! You can't blame him for a dropped catch considering he has more than 400 dismissals against his name in International cricket.
Glenn Mcgrath, Shane Warne and Brett Lee would have been incomplete without Gilly behind the stumps.
I am sure, All cricketing enthusiasts, across the world would be saddened that Gilly has bid the game adieu!
Without him, the Australian cricket will never be the same and Brad Haddin has a tough job ahead.
Thanks a lot for all the lovely memories and joy that you gave us on the cricketing field Gilly!
We will miss you, for sure.
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