The "RAJ"

Don't throw tray in the trash

2011-09-04T10:12:00.001+05:30

Why is it that most Indian restaurants in the US and McDonalds in Pune have to display on their trash cans "Don't throw trays into the trash?".

Just beats me as to how much common sense still needs to be drilled into literate people in India.

Google Voice in IE9 64 bit Systems

2011-08-31T20:35:00.001+05:30

Instead of using IE9 64 bit version use the 32-bit version which comes installed by default.

Nokia N900 Firefox vs Opera

2011-04-27T07:56:00.000+05:30

Opera much better than Firefox

Things a pillion rider should never do

2011-03-28T23:07:00.002+05:30

1. Sit awkwardly trying hold from behind the back and shifting the entire CG of the bike behind.

2. Touch the feet on the ground as soon as the bike might seem to stop. This irritates me the most.

3. Try to look from over my shoulder.

Above facts very true about people who have never ridden a bike or are not from Pune.

zhendu chi fule

2011-03-13T22:24:00.002+05:30

Germans

2010-06-27T22:30:00.002+05:30

I admire Michael Ballack no 13 for Germany. Check it out here.

This time though Michael is not around. But then his replacement no#13 Muller is not taking much time to grow into the famed number 13 of Germany.

And Ozil Muller partnership seems to be working wonders. But how far they can progress remains to be seen.

And about Bastian how matured a player he is since the last world cup can only be gauged from his consistent performances.

Go Germany

Saussurea obvallata

2010-06-27T22:23:00.001+05:30

Safety norms

2010-06-12T12:29:00.002+05:30

Saw a car on fire at Karve Road.The flouting of safety rules by the police is horrendous.

The playground.

2010-06-10T23:48:00.002+05:30

Once upon a time this small circle had only 1 car. And this was around 1990.
Now there is no place for anything more.

The place was where we played cricket through the mornings afternoons and evenings.

Will try to post an old photo of the ground when I browse through the albums of the early 90s

Power cuts

2010-06-10T17:18:00.004+05:30

Loss of electricity is part and parcel of life in India albeit in Mumbai.

The earliest times I remember when there were power cuts is back in the day when I was in the first standard, in Mumbai. There was only BSES then. Now there is Reliance Energy.

Ours being a joint family there were a lot of people at home.My Grandfather, grandmother, mom, dad, uncle, aunt, cousin, my brother me. Then there was my Grandfather's unmarried youngest brother. Our house was in a typical middle class locality wherein the doors and windows of all houses are open all the time. This meant that the entire locality literally was a close knit unit in itself.

There were times especially during the onset of the monsoons or the pre-monsoon showers ,that the supply would be interrupted because of some fallen branch which snapped the overhead cables.

This was the best time. In our immediate neighborhood which comprised of 4 buildings (4*12=48 flats) out of a colony of 41 there was only 1 car owner and it being Bombay there were no 2 wheelers at all. Once the supply of electricity was lost male members would bring out the cane chairs and put them out. Women would make tea and Bhajjis. And there would be chat sessions which would go on for long amongst the elderly. The kids would then be allowed to play well past the time. The games which were played during these times would also be very different. But that is a topic of discussion for some other blog post.

There have been really weird situations when there have been power-cuts.
- During the Xth standard board exams. The night before there had to be power-cuts.
- During the F.E. graphics exams. The graphics paper is the only one in a Psychos world which runs for 4 hours and well past 5 pm when the sun is almost settings. And then the lights have to go off.
- During the climax of a movie or a nail biting finish to a sports match.

The loss of electricity leads to frantic search for the candle which is never found in its place.Now-a-days with the UPS and generators those 'Candle Light Dinners' don't happen anymore. And by the time you are able to find where you put the candle the last time the lights were out, and you light it, the electricity is back. A favorite past time during such times would be to stand right in front on the candle and create different shadows using your hands and body. The best ones being a flying bird, a camel and a dog and what not.

What I realized was the culture of a place is sooo defined by the activities that go around. I bet no one outside of India can connect to the amount of fun there is in loss of electricity and the eerie silence which makes us realize what 'silence' really is.

The rains are here

2010-06-10T10:25:00.001+05:30

The rains are here and I am back on blogger!

My Ajji

2010-02-07T10:27:00.004+05:30

My maternal grandmother- my Ajji was one of the first person's I looked upto.

She was one of the first independent women and happiest woman I had ever seen in my entire life. Though of a generation, in which not many women worked, she worked for almost 40 years of her life looking after house hold chores and balancing work. She always said women should strive to attain the best in their lives and she would try to imbibe in all us grandchildren the same values. She had travelled the entire country from North to South and East to West. My grandfather being in the Railways was one of the reasons; she always had great stories to tell of different places in India. She would tell us various mysteries and stories of various temples in India. She had travelled to Nepal and she would talk about the Pashupatishwar temple.She would talk about temples in Gujrat, Rajasthan and their splendor.She would talk about Badrinath Kedarnath.She was never superstitious but she was religious. She knew India's history really well. She would relate to incidences and tell us those pre-independence stories and the days of her childhood in and around Pen,Apta and erstwhile British Bombay.

She was one the first person's to tell me stories about Shivaji and Peshwa. This may sound cliched but the stories were always the best. It was back then that I really started liking the history of India. She had songs for each story and she had them at the tip of her mouth. She had studied upto her matriculation yet she had all the dates of various historic events accurately in her mind. Today having studied so much I won't be able to tell what historic event happened when.
She used to sing to us songs of various events that happened in India.
I specifically remember one song she used to tell us,
" इन्फलुयेंझा झाला मग इन्फलुयेंझा झाला
नर्स असो वा डॉक्टर,
मीस असो वा मीशतर,
या रोगाने पछाडले
या देशाचे मीनीस्टर
या या या लवकर या खाटेवरती पडून रहा
तेही पडले नीरोपयोगी काय करावे बोला ? ...

या या या लवकर या ABC च्या गोळया घ्या
तेही पडले नीरोपयोगी काय करावे बोला? "

This song specifically spoke about the time when Bombay was hit by the Influenza. The song further speaks about how the Government came out with the ABC tablets so on and so forth. One estimate said that 40% of Mumbai's population was hit by the epidemic. In her own family my grandmother's 5 siblings were hit by the flu. My grandmother and her mother were the only one's in the family not to be hit by it. But this song if I had not heard from her, I would never have known that before the H1N1 scare there was a scare that was something even worse when medicine was not that advanced as it is today.

She was the first person to push me to face my fears and sing or talk in front of people. She was the person who always kept telling me to overcome my shyness in front of a lot of people.She always pushed me into every sport and every competition always stressing that education is important but far more important is one's overall development.

As a kid if there was a person who I felt most comfortable with was my Ajji. I travelled with her to Thal in Alibag where my grandfather's ancestral home is a number of times. She would teach me how to find out if it was time to collect the Supari or how the watering of the entire farm or वाडी is done. The first taste of rural India and the great Maratha legacy of forts were introduced to me by my Ajji. She was always curious about things. She would always ask me how mobiles work and how computers work.

Any academic success or otherwise which I gained she was the first to congratulate me and she was the first to one to feel really proud. She would brag to her friends about me. When I left for the US she was the one who told me to make the most of the opportunity and use it for my over all development. When I was in the US I used to write to her. Her letters always had everything in them. There would be advice, there would be wishes there would be encouragement. I would always look forward to receiving her letters. I remember one such letter which she wrote to me as a reply to the Diwali Greeting I had sent. She wrote, " where ever one is, one should celebrate one's own festivals. allow your tongue to taste the delicacies prepared on that day. This according to her gives us the strength and hope to go through the year looking forward to the next year's festivities." I read that letter once again yesterday and I felt a lump in my throat.

The day I decided to leave the US for India, again the first person to wholeheartedly support my
decision was my Ajji. She said you have got good experiences in life you got a good opportunity to see the culture of a different country. Eventually one needs to come back and here you are.
I was so moved by her words then.To not talk about her cooking would be a crime. Every grandchild loves the cooking of the grandmother. Her tilgul and specifically prepared Pickles were out of this world. I was never a person who ate a lot of spicy stuff but her pickles were the best and I would devour them.

Even when I went to see her a week before to meet her, when she was at the hospital, she asked me how I was, and even in so much pain she put her hand on my head to bless me. I felt blessed.
On the 5th she left for the heavenly abode. I am sure where ever she is she will always be looking after me and may she find the most happiness wherever she is.

2010-01-26T10:51:00.000+05:30

Why is facebook becoming more popular than Orkut?

Computer Language

2009-12-12T17:26:00.000+05:30

The most important thing in the programming language is the name. A language will not succeed without a good name. I have recently invented a very good name and now I am looking for a suitable language.
Donald Knuth

A simple Perk

2009-11-27T09:43:00.003+05:30

This is a really weird incident I got to know from my mom। She has been to Poona Sugar Depot obviously at Tulsibag - the place where many say that anything in this world can be found. I guess she was there to buy some Horse Gram (कुळीथ).

The total must have been I don't know some number of which neither him nor my mom had any change.Lets assume the bill was 42 and my mom did not tender an exact change. So she gave him a 50. Now here is where the owner stepped in and said we don't have change either so you need to have a Perk(8 Rs). My mom would budge and not take the Perk for obvious reasons. She told him he is doing a business and he should have change. This is another story that she had just seen another customer giving change to the owner. The owner would not give her any change back. So my mother, angry that she was, left the place moved into the shop next to Poona Sugar Depot and bought the Horse Gram without any hassles.

My question to the owner is what is he trying to sell??His main business is selling grains and other related items.Why is he trying to Perk his business my selling non entities like chocolates. And in any case is he going to accept a Perk tomorrow if I give 4 Ten Rupee notes and one Perk for a bill of 48?I seriously doubt it. So a small request to anyone who is buying items do not accept chocolates in return for change unless you actually want that Eclair or Mango Bite. As for Poona Sugar Depot I am pretty sure they have lost one customer in the form of my mom.

Bhogle and Tendulkar

2009-11-13T14:15:00.001+05:30

And all along I thought Tendulkar has been playing for 20 years when actually Bhogle has seen it all along!!
2 really great pieces.

http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/434224.html

http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/434247.html

Creating Makefile

2009-11-05T15:01:00.005+05:30

I heard one of my colleague say, "I want to learn to create a Makefile."
Creating Makefile is such a wierd sentence.
A makefile is something which creates. How can someone create a Makefile?
Ah!I rant as usual :)
Edit: Its an oxymoron

The world of facebook

2009-11-02T08:53:00.002+05:30

So weird a thing that why do we surf these social networking sites?The reason is because we have nothing better to do or meet our real friends.
The entire world IS online and you would better have some stranger tell you that the he/she likes the recent quiz you took.
But I think I would be taken aback if someone I met asked me questions of himself.
This really is a weird world !

NOTA

2009-10-16T22:54:00.002+05:30

I don't think having a NOTA (None of the above) option on a voting machine is right. A person who is pressing that button should think okay if none of the above then whom?Do you think you are better off than that person, then better go and stand for elections rather than opting none of the above.
I seriously feel it is a wrong way to approach elections.
If you want to vote, and which one must being a duty, you better choose of them however ineligible you feel they maybe.Else have the guts to go there and suggest who would be a better candidate.

The worse thing is that the media is making it look as if its one of the great things of modern India's democracy by printing it all over by giving statistics as to how many choose the NOTA option. Simply pathetic.

Bolt celebrations

2009-09-26T12:27:00.004+05:30

Ussain has made his Bolt celebration sort of a trade mark.But others are not far behind.
Ussain has got a cult following.

Danny Welbeck (Manchester United Player)

After scoring in the Carling Cup.

Nikita Miller:

After scoring a fifty for West Indies against Pakistan in the low scoring match at the Champions Trophy.Check this link for the photo.

http://www.cricinfo.com/iccct2009/content/image/426258.html

Farmville

2009-09-17T09:50:00.002+05:30

I am sick of people playing Farmville all around me.All I can hear now is my Egg Plant is ready.I am saving up for the town house. I need a tractor so that I don't need to click click.
There are people all around me coaxing me to join Farmville.Ofcourse I won't!

Now I know why companies block social networking sites!!It is dangerously addictive.
People set reminders for the next day when the crop is going to need to be harvested.And I don't really care what people do but coming and discussing with me what they did to their farm today is getting to me. I know now what happens when you get an Ugly duckling and what needs to be done to get more coins.
It is safe to say I know which colleague of mine is on what level.

Change of guard

2009-09-14T19:15:00.007+05:30

After serving me for 9 years it was time for a change.
I changed my ~~hemlet~~ helmet :)

Virtual Reality

2009-09-07T10:52:00.002+05:30

Its a weird virtual world out there.
And by virtual I mean the web messenger world.

Usually you will find people online on gtalk, yahoo messenger.You try to ping them they will say they are BUSY.

And the irony is the people you are talking to online will be invisible when they are NOT BUSY.
Correct me if I am wrong.

If humans start talking the Computer language

2009-09-04T21:37:00.003+05:30

With the number of software engineers in and around town and the hundreds of lines of code being thrown out everyday I wonder if people start talking the computer language.

The entire conversation can be with for ,if else and while loops.
A group of friends decide to meet and they start talking on the phone.
1st Friend: If (time ==5) coffee place.Else my place
2nd Friend: wait for 5 mins.
1st Friend: (dead delay) while (time<5 mins) NULL.
2nd Friend: (See you at the coffee place) exit.

Just a thought though

The bike city

2009-09-04T12:33:00.011+05:30

The only city in India where you will find gazillion two wheeler riding females Pune. The land of the Peshwa. Whoever would have imagined that this bicycle city along the river Mula would become the two wheeler capital of India. The love affair of the city with two wheelers goes a long way back. Even the great P.L.Deshpande has mentioned in Mumbaikar, Punekar and Nagpurkar that the two wheeler(although in those days it was the bicycle) is used as a weapon rather than a means of transportation.

Cut to pre H1N1 era.

I remember reading a blog wherein a foreigner had made a mention of the way the scarfs are worn around the heads of women riders. Occasionally a man will wear it as well.I am sure he must have been ridiculed all along. Mostly this is for pollution as it seems. But a quick talk to one of my female friend gave me an insight. The use of the scarf is two fold. First, pollution and hair loss.Secondly, no known person can recognise them(the females) if they are riding behind a male with a scarf on(a service they are doing to the male as well by not letting anyone know about her identity) and help avoid any embarassment in turn.

The two wheeler riders in the Pune are really unique.

As you are riding along the road and some sleek 200cc + bike whizzes past you with a girl in tow eyes are bound to turn. The bike turns out to be a BMW . You tick the rider off saying that ah! he must be some spoilt brat with rich parents. Usually, the brat won't be from your town (or so you are made to believe). You will immediately state that this fellow must be from someonewhere outside and you are quick to add that these students who come to Pune are spoiling the culture, the traffic and in short the essence of the city. These imported bike wielding guys are the ones that you envy but you also point fingers at them whilst at the same time driving through a traffic light.

On a Sunny ( I mean a moped and not the sunny day) on any given day you will usually see a lady with 2 kids on it. She has married a guy from Pune and he expects that his not-born-in-Pune wife learn to ride a vehicle. So he gets her a Sunny(ok a Bajaj Sunny). This bike (if we may call it one) is usally the one bearing the brunt at parking spaces on Laxmi road. Being just 60cc it is lifted from parking places and people park there vehicles in those spots. A Luna comes in the same category. The Luna and Sunny were bikes which Pune college-goers used in the late 90s. The riders of these bikes will usually be riding on the leftmost lane of the road just about trying to avoid the drains. Another sort of people in this category will be 60+ aged people who envy the Luna's all steel body and how it never rusts come what may.Also a Sunny owner will tell you about the Sinhagad(SCOE) adventure wherein he rode double seat right to the top. This should be taken as a downright lie for a Sunny finds it difficult to even get up Ganesh Khind Road.

Then there are the Scooty /Spirit I-just-got-into-college students who get there first rides from there parents as they are proud of the kids who have shone at the just concluded SSC exams. The pre-exam promises like, I will get you a Scooty if you do well now come into vogue. Suddenly, the demand for these vehicles goes high alongwith the admissions. I even hear that some college pass pamphlets of these vehicles alongwith the brochure of the college. The 16 year olds suddenly feel they own the world now and that they can explore what they want. This is the age group that is the only group which wears a helmet meticulously. Taking a helmet in the hand makes them feel cool. Athough the parents themselves won't wear a helmet ,they make it a point that these fellows DO wear helmets come what may. Of all the owners you WILL have a scooty owner who says he rode all the way to Sinhagad on his scooty but he does not tell you that there was a piston Sieze

Now comes an interesting category of people who own Splendour/Passion/CD-100s. These are the people who tell others that in this energy greedy world they are the only ones trying to take steps by buying vehicles which are really very high on mileage. They might go a step further to say that the Government should bring in a law which makes it mandatory for all the 2 wheeler industry to adopt these machines. These 100cc something owners are the ones who will have almost so much dickie space on these bikes that they might as well call these bikes as cars. The people with jazzier bikes will ridicule them trying to cast them as stingy miserly people who cannot but think of mileage. Amogst these owners as well the Splendour and CD100 owners are on a lower rung. The owners of Passion want the benefits of the bike but they also want to be coller than the rest so they will go in for a Passion which has the same engine as a Splendour but they feel the looks will sort of save them from being called miserly.

Now the "Definitely Male" or Pulsar category owners are the ones who want to be play it cool. These are bikes which have the looks and they feel the girls are attracted to people owning these bikes. And surprise surprise the girls actually are attracted to the owners :)

Now here is where the brand loyalty comes in. Those who are loyal to Bajaj will go in for a Pulsar and those who are loyal towards Hero Honda will go in for a CBZ. All the same they both fall in the same category of the people ( I mean teenagers or 20 somethings) who want to play it cool and woo the fairer sex. You ought to have made a 300+ km journey on the bike.And later you ought to brag about it.

The owners of RX-100 are a class apart. They know that there bike though long out of productoin and the only good 2 stroked engine bike is a pride for the owner and an object of envy for the on-looker. The sound of its exhaust is real music. But alas for the maintainence costs.

Activa and Dio - The Honda market is usually of the mid-aged people who feel it is good for transporting goods as well as kids standing in the front while making a good mileage bike. There was a time I think till 2004 or 2005 till when the license holder of a two wheeler without gear meant he could drive a vehicle under 60 cc without gear. Guess only 3 or 4 bikes came under those categories. But now it seems these are the bikes of the college goers the XI th grader. I wonder whether the license still says <=60cc!

Fiero/Victor people who want to stand out by not buying the all so common Splendour and be tagged as miserly.

Chetak Priya Yezdi M80 Kinetic Hondas-This clan is different all together. They have a cult following. and buy they I mean the bikes. A man reaching his 60s who can't leave his vehicle for which he had waited 4 years after paying the installments in the 1980s and almost half his monthly salary back then can't partake his bike for sure. These bikes have defied the boundaries of time.

And now comes the Harley of India Enfield. This bike come what may for years to come will always be called a Doodhwala's bike.

Finally, the Harley is going to be launched in India. For all you bike lovers from Pune lets see you fill up the roads with the Harley or maybe the Splendour still rules the roost.

F1, is it a sport?

2009-09-01T12:26:00.005+05:30

A few days back the sports minister of India had made a comment about F1 not being a sport at all. He had rejected a grant from the government to host F1 sports in India. And timing for Vijay Mallya couldn't have been better. Soon a week passed and Force India got a pole at the SPA and finished on the podium. The media was quick to interpret the remarks made by the Sports minister. Also there were comments that finally F1 has made it. Vijay Mallya took his dig at the government especially the Sports Minister He compared its fan following to the Olympics. Oh !Really?I don't think in India it is even followed to that extent. Maybe the youngsters in urban areas do follow it. But I don't think there is too much following. Maybe we can find it out from the type of advertisements which are broadcast during the F1 race.

In spite of all of this I think MS Gill has taken a great decision. According to me what MS Gill said was indeed correct.

Firstly, there is too much technology that goes into F1 which I don't think even 10% of the viewers completely understand. Can you really call a competition between good technology as sports? Maybe we can call them Robo wars or something. Its like Spelling Bee competitions. I really don't know whether Spelling Bee can be called a Sport? Coming back to F1,

The race is not amongst equals. By equals I mean its not about who can drive better but its more about which car is better. The contestants are not on equal footing.For that matter A1 has tried to bridge that gap by getting people on equal footing and making strategy and skill more important.

Secondly, it is estimated that 1800 $ is the cost per lap per car which is the operating cost. In a country where other sports don't even have basic amenities to transport their gear(pun intended), spending so much seems uncalled for. Again the environmental pollution that comes along with it,is massive. I really can't see an environment friendly F1 ever happening. The rate at which the tyres are changed and the amount of fuel you utilize just going round in circles is something to think over.

Thirdly, in a country where everything is done for the masses I can't see how anyone can imagine that poor of India will be able to even see the Grand Prix; if it were to be held in India. Again, for this to happen there needs to be everything that goes from grass roots.I don't even know or rather I haven't ever seen any place or race where an Indian teenager can test his skills that one day he will become a F1 driver. Maybe Narain really needs a pat on his back for this. I for one would not like to go see a Force India win which has a German Engine and Italian Driver. I don't think other than Kingfisher being its sponsor and that the name itself is Force India there is nothing that really makes it Indian.

The government's stand that the money to be spent on making a race track might as well be spent on something better. Lets say on Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi. Come on we can setup a spectacle with the amount which they expect from the government. I am sure Commonwealth Games hold a higher respect round the world than F1 Racing. Even progressive countries and developed countries find it difficult to continue staging the races. Silverstone is a good example wherein it had almost reached a point where it could no more host the race for financial reasons.

And coming to think of it what is the government anyway going to earn from all of this?Nothing other that a little tax here and there.

Finally, as usual the media has used MS Gill's statement just to create a controversy. What he actually said after he had made the previous statement is that, "India is a free country and that people can do whatever they want to." In short meaning, if the private players want to bring F1 to India you can go ahead.Just don't ask the government to give you cheaper land, good roads and other amenities like connectivity from the airport and security.Security! As if the government does not already have its hands full as regards security. Kudos Mr.MS Gill I really hope you don't succumb to the pressures of the politcal bigwigs.

Idea Netsetter Card on Ubuntu 8.04

2009-08-25T12:45:00.006+05:30

Idea Netsetter does not provide support for Linux.
Here is the configuration which should get you through
on a Ubuntu 8.04 box.

Initially make sure that the USB are detected as Modem
and not as a mass storage device.If they are detected as
mass storage device then change the mode using
"modeswitch(apt-get install usb-modeswitch)".

Add this to /etc/wvdial.conf

Make sure your device is ttyUSB0 else replace it
accordingly.

[Dialer Defaults]
Modem=/dev/ttyUSB0
Baud = 460800
Init 1 = AT+CGMM
Init 2 = AT+CMEE=1
Init 3 = ATE0
Init 4 = AT^HS=0,0
Init 5 = AT+CFUN?
Init 6 = AT+CLCK="SC",2
Init 7 = AT+CPIN?
Init 8 = AT+CLCK="SC",2
Modem Type = USB MODEM
Phone=*99#
Username = idea
Password = idea
Dial Command=ATDT
Stupid Mode=1
ISDN=0

wvdial and you will get a PPP address.You are good to surf.

The flu

2009-08-10T00:30:00.002+05:30

I have just stopped short of writing anything on H1N1.But it so happens that people with N95 masks all around me makes me a little worried.

Ajji and Computers

2009-07-25T12:12:00.005+05:30

My grandmother always keeps asking me like what my job is all about. I try to tell her it has to do with software computers. And as inquisitive that she is, she wants to know what computers and software and IT is all about?

These many years I tried to just ward off questions like these. Its really difficult to describe what I do. Like when I first joined my company she asked what is your product? I tried telling her but she could not understand.

But this time I decided I would try and explain it to her. I mean we always keep making fun of how the so called 'Computer Illiterate' people (read -people above age 40 from India) are afraid of the PC. Its like if something goes wrong its the end of the world. Or how they really find it difficult to double click!My folks usuually get really hyper when something goes wrong , like a virus. Then you try to tell them this virus and the other virus is really different. My grandmother keeps peperring me with questions like how do you tell the computer what is to be done? For her telling the computer is like talking to the computer.

So here I am trying to tell my grandmother what is hardware what is software and what usually these IT compaies do. And I think she is getting a hang of it when she asks me a question which I think sums up everything. She asked me if there was a need to do the given task on a day to day basis. And I said no and asked her why? She said how will you tell the computer what you did yesterday! I tell her that we can 'save' data. But for me even to ask this question is something which I did not expect. Then I start wondering what if the computer could not save data once they are switched off? Thanks to the advances in electronic technologies this is not necessary.

EVS and Civics

2009-07-24T07:52:00.010+05:30

The only 2 subjects that make a Citizen out of a man are Environmental Studies and Civics.

Traffic Disciplined

2009-07-24T07:52:00.008+05:30

One of the more brilliant pics. Is Pune traffic actually becoming disciplined?
I am surprised by the lane discipline actually.

Although this photo is from Sakal newspaper with the tag पौड फाटा येथे कोंडी (traffic jam at Paud Road)!The irony is that I find more positives than negatives from this photo.

H1N1

2009-07-24T07:50:00.001+05:30

The scare has started hopefully it will come under control soon enough.

The Traffic Couples

2009-07-21T11:14:00.003+05:30

Anyone who has gone through the SSC grind should at some point of time written an essay about the vacation they had taken. That essay would usually contain details about fellow passengers and how corny or cocky certain fellow passengers were.

How well has P.L.Deshpande written about a journey! Albeit a long journey from Ratnagiri to Mumbai ,his short story, Mhais is just another example.

If you got parents,siblings or anyone in Bombay (ooops Mumbai!! I almost invoked the wrath of the Raj ;) ). I support the MNS wholeheartedly though. Coming back to the point, these relatives should have told you about meeting fellow passengers over years in the local trains and having a small chat with this totally unknown person whom they may not ever meet again. Such meetings make for nice after dinner stories from grand parents.

Cut to Pune. Anyone who stays in Kothrud knows about the horrors of Nal Stop and Paud Bridge. I mean horrors related to the traffic. And nobody needs to be made aware of Pune being a two wheeler city. I can be sure that no other city even comes close to the number of two wheelers registered with the traffic authority. Between 10 am and 1 pm from Kothrud, (both Karve Road and Paud Road) traffic towards Nal Stop under the Paud Bridge moves at an absolute snail's pace. I need to use the word 'absolute' cause there is no other word for anything slower than a snail. Cyclists will reach faster to their destinations than the SUVs during this RUSH hour or what we like to call office rush hour. Many a times I really think I should be cycling my way to office to beat the traffic jams.

I am one of those making the Pune traffic worse than it already is. So I was pleasantly surprised to see total strangers standing (I mean riding on two wheelers) side by side talking to each other a la local trains in Mumbai. And the surprising similarity in both these conversations is that they actually meet each other quite often. They ride their two wheelers side by side over a km or two and once past the bottle necks they ride off in their own respective directions. They talk anything from Article 377 of the constitution to the rains in Pune. And believe me I have over heard the conversations.

I sometimes wonder if there will be a time when yong people will tell home that I am going to marry so and so person who I regularly meet under Paud Bridge for the past one year to the surprise and horror of parents. But out of the need to socialise I think this totally makes sense. These couples will meet their soul mates just because of traffic snarls and traffic jams. The so called traffic couples.

Dial 101

2009-07-10T12:32:00.006+05:30

The other day I had my first encounter with dialing 101 the Fire Brigade number.

Our neighbors were barricaded in there house when a huge 60 feet tree that stood tall just got uprooted because of the rains. I was sitting in my living room when I heard this huge bang. My brother and me ran out and talked to our neighbors. We decided to call the Fire Brigade. I was all worried before calling up for the reason that having been in the US and seen 911 service first hand I was not sure whether the 101 service in India could match upto them.

The control room person picked up the phone talked to me and asked me my address and phone number. Checked my credentials making sure that this was not a crank call. Later he said that since the tree was on private property there would be a Panchanama (police case). And sure enough at 10:30 pm( around 2 hours after the call) the guys were there working removing the fallen giant with their electric saw. In 45 minutes flat the tree was cut to pieces and the work accomplished.

One good that came out of this was that I got to see all my neighbours at one place together for 15 mins atleast.

The Firemen did live upto their reputation. One can say the response time was a bit slow but then this was not a fire after all.

Bandra Worli Sea Link

2009-07-10T12:23:00.003+05:30

With the Congress in power at both center and state it was hardly surprising that the Bandra Worli Sea Link project was named after Rajiv Gandhi. With a few more months left for the assembly elections, it would hardly be surprising if the BJP-SS combine puts up a slogan for the forthcoming elections as "Gandhi Gandhi everywhere not a drop to drink." For sheer haphazard usage of water during the last year we face this situation. The PMC ought to make sure that there is minimal wastage and that there is equitable distribution of water all across Pune.

If the so called drought conditions persist for another 2 weeks it is going to get scary in Pune. It no longer is funny we are actually facing shortage of water. Lets hope Rajiv Gandhi's name can bring about luck in the Maharashtra Monsoon this year.

Rains @ London

2009-06-29T21:15:00.003+05:30

Since my posts off late have been related to rains here is another one. While Pune is getting no rains is no surprise what is surprising is the entire first week of Wimbledon has gone without a single drop of rain falling.Not that anyone is cribbing. But the English summer without rains IS surprising.

What is really weird is that the commentators this time around in the Wimbledon are waiting for the rains to come... The reason - The new roof over center court. The rain Gods too had to make the organizers wait to showcase the 100 million pounds roof.

Monsoons

2009-06-25T11:11:00.003+05:30

There is no more joy than looking out of the window into infinity and admiring the beauty of the monsoons. I want to go somewhere on a long drive!

Kalmadi or Shirole?

2009-04-22T10:00:00.002+05:30

If you are a person who wants to vote for a person who is learned and has served the nation then you would want to vote for Kalmadi for he has worked for the Indian Air Force and is a graduate at that.
But that is where I find the fault with the Indian Democracy. I would vote for him but that just means a Congress Government at the centre which I think has been meek and not so effective.
If I vote for Anil Shirole then he is not what a call a brilliant and learned person who will take Pune to greater heights. But then I want a BJP Government at the centre and for that I might as well vote for him.
One can argue in these circumstances I should vote for Arun Bhatia but then what can a single person an independent do to form a Government at the centre? I personally believe it is nothing that he can do all on his own. He was better off joining some big party.

This is where I again come back to the point that a 2 party system with Direct Presidential elections on the lines of the US Senate seem to be more effective than the indirect elections in India. But this is how it has been and this is how it is going to stay. So let the best man win.

The most ironical part is though I am writing about the Pune Lok Sabha Constituency my name actually is in the Baramati Constituency whence I pay taxes to the Pune Municipal Corporation!!The committee for delimitation really did not do a good job at that.

Money

2009-01-30T09:25:00.000+05:30

I met money one day. I said, "You are just a piece of paper."

Money smiled and said, "Of course I'm a piece of paper, but I haven't seen a dustbin yet, in my life".

Source: An email I received

In the lap of nature

2009-01-26T23:42:00.002+05:30

It is often said what is the use of power if it is not used. And for once I should say even if it is power and clout which has been used to bring about development in this valley; it surely has helped a lot of villages enroute. Ultra modern roads have been built to connect place to the rest of the world.

I have been visiting this place for around 15-20 years and this is for the first time in years that I have felt this place is developing too. Not a good sign maybe but noone is complaining. And thats what I fear. Some places are better off the way they are!

A few photos.

DASAVE VILLAGE

DASAVE VALLEY

VEER BAAJI PASALKAR LAKE

And then they were gone

2008-12-29T12:31:00.001+05:30

There was laughter, there was noise, there was every car model in town vying for space. There was utter chaos all around. And then they were gone.

In utter chaos I could hear silence. Though I never cry at such situations, I could feel a lump in my throat.

There shall be no more of those familiar voices for a long long time to come.

Mumbai Blasts

2008-11-28T23:13:00.002+05:30

The long ordeal is finally coming to an end. it the most tragic, horrific of terror attacks the country has seen. The manner in which the whole operation was done just made me completely numb. Kudos to the brave men from police, army and the NSG.

Now as the operation comes to final stages, there will be innumerable post mortems of the entire episode. Some of which have already started on the news channels.

Will the politicians still keep blaming each other for it?

May their souls rest in peace.

Laws

2008-11-24T17:05:00.003+05:30

This is an ever raging debate between me and my friend. My friend thinks that for traffic situation to improve it should come from within the person for any change to take place.
I think this is not possible. I feel very very strict laws are essential to enforce the rules.
This will help them see the advantages of following traffic rules which will then make him/her change from within.

By me the only reason why people don't follow rules (majority of them) is that they don't know how effective it is. And for this the authorities should show them the way by having a strict policy.
I would really make a good traffic law enforcement officer (Is there such a post?If not, then something equivalent.Though this is not to be confused with the post - traffic police).

Food and places

2008-10-02T09:37:00.002+05:30

I came across a wasted print out paper and there was a map on it.Obviously I was attracted to it.It was probably used as a cup placer so that the tea marks would not be left behind on the table. The nerve of a the person who used it to do the same. I mean come on for God's sake it is a map & that too India's map.When I started reading it, I realised it was a map which had the specialities of each state mentioned on it.I realised here i boast of having had a chance to tase Sushi to hotdogs and Steak to noodles I myself have not tasted even 30% of these dishes. So here it is that I write it for you.Unfortunately, part of J&K was smudged (oh! the irony of it).

Kashmir: Gustaba, Tabak Maz, Dum Aloo, Haak or Karam ka Saag

Punjab: Dal Makhani,Makkai-di-Roti,Sarson ka Saag,Chana Bhature,Amritsari Machchi & kulcha

Himachal Pradesh: Sidu, Aktori and Dham

Uttarkhand: Aloo ke Gutke,Kaapa,Jhangora ki kheer,Chainsoo

Harayana: Kachri Ki Sabzi, Cholia, Chaach Lassi,Bajre ki Khichdi

UP: Kababs,Biryanis,Bedmi Aloo Kachori,Halwa,Banarasi Chaat

Delhi: Chaat, Tandori Chicken, Paranthe, Nagauri Halwa, Chole Bhature

Rajasthan: Dal Baati Churma,Ker Sangari,Lal Maas,Gatte, Pyaaz ki Kachori

Gujrat: Thepla, Dhokla,Khandvi, Handwo, Panki

MP: LApsi, Bafla, BUtte ki Khees, Bhopali Kababs

Jharkhand: Thekua, Pua, Pittha, Marua ka Roti

Bihar: Litti, Sattu Khaja , Khubi ka Lai, Anarsa , Tikut

Chattisgarh:Bafauri,Kusli,Red Ant Chutney

West Bengal: Bhapa Illish,Rosogulla, Mishti Doi

Orissa: Fish Orly, Khirmohan, Rasabali, Chhenapodapitha

AP: Hyderabadi Biryani,Mirchi ka salan, Ghongura ickle, Korikoora

Maharashtra: Shrikhanda, Thalipeeth, Vada Pao, Modak

Goa: Vindaloo, Xacuti, Bibinca, Prawn Balchao

Karnataka: Bisi Bele Bhaat, Kesari Bhaat, Mysore Pak, Dharwad Pedha, Chiroti

Kerala: Sadya Meal, Avial, Malabar PArotha, Payasam, Irachi Stew

Tamil Nadu: Appam,Dosai,Idli,Sambhar, Rasam, Chettinad chicken, Pongal

Pondicherry: Kadugu Yerra, Vendakkai Patchaddy

Chandigarh – Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, Mutton Pulao

Tripura: Chakhwi, Mwkhwi,Muitru

Mizoram: Zu(a type of tea)

Meghalaya: Jadoh, kyat(local Beer)

Assam: Maasor Tenga, Pitha

Arunachal Pradesh: Apong (local beer)

Sikkim: Momos, Thukpa, Gundruk, Phagshapa and Sael Roti

Manipur – Iromba, Kabok, Chakkouba

Nagaland – Momos, Rice Beer and Cherry Wine

Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Seafood especially uncooked (mostly in tribal areas)

Lakshadweep: A drink made of coconut water(Name not known) & Seafood again

Just to make the list complete I myself have added the last two details browsing the net.

For all you food lovers if you visit these places then be sure to try these dishes.
And once in a while prefer Maharashtrian Thali over Thai/Italian :)

Nuclear Deal

2008-09-30T21:40:00.000+05:30

I don't know why suddenly there was something which sparked that suggested US Senate was not going to sign the Nuclear deal and here it finishes off with a good majority.I fail to understand.

OFF

2008-09-23T11:38:00.002+05:30

You know you are talking too much of embedded stuff when you read OFF as "zero","eff(/ɛf/)","eff(/ɛf/)".

17th Sept 2008

2008-09-17T16:53:00.001+05:30

Sometimes you are both happy and sad for the same incident and you don't know what to make of it.Guess I am more happy than sad.

Tremors

2008-09-17T16:37:00.002+05:30

For the first time I actually felt an Earthquake.n to say the least I was scared..Really scared.
If this is what is termed as a slight earthquake by Seismological Society of India, God forbid one should ever experience an earthquake of huge magnitude.Touch Wood.

Time:	03:17:16.6 HRS(IST)
Intensity:	SLIGHT
Magnitude:	4.8
Epicentre:	Lat. 17.9°N Long. 73.9°E
Region:	SATARA, MAHARASHTRA

Source:http://www.imd.gov.in/section/seismo/dynamic/PRLMNEW.HTM

Wrong place wrong time

2008-08-26T23:29:00.001+05:30

Why do I reach Chitale's shop on a Monday?Padma on Tuesday and any Government office on a second Saturday?

Ping!!

2008-08-12T23:21:00.005+05:30

This is a weird dream my colleague was telling me about.This is regarding the work pressure!!Now, I have been fortunate enough not to experience "work pressure" as yet.
This friend of mine is working on a project which needs a lot of stuff with IP addresses. She was telling all the people at work about the dream she had. She I think is working on some network protocol which just doesn't seem to work.

She was fast asleep at night when her baby daughter started crying.Now, because of the work she kept imagining for a minute or two and kept telling her daughter don't cry on this IP address this is already in use!!And when she realized what she had dreaming a minute or two later;I am sure she must not have stopped laughing.

Is this really weird or people do experience such things?

Some songs we cannot forget

2008-08-07T15:48:00.000+05:30

कोणास ठाऊक कसा पण सिनेमात गेला ससा
सशाने हलविले कान, घेतली सुंदर तान
दिग्दशर्क म्हणाला, व्वा व्वा !
ससा म्हणाला, चहा हवा
कोणास ठाऊक कसा, पण सर्कशीत गेला ससा
सशाने मारली उडी, भरभर चढला शिडी
विदुषक म्हणाला, छान छान !
ससा म्हणाला, काढ पान
कोणास ठाऊक कसा, पण शाळेत गेला ससा
सशाने म्हटले पाढे आणि घडघड वाचले धडे
गुरुजी म्हणाले, शाबास !
ससा म्हणाला, करा पास

2008-07-29T19:06:00.001+05:30

Today we are going through"tough phase for mankind" as one of my friend said.

I wonder if this has been the thought of people all along the journey of mankind.Each one feels this has been the toughest era that the mindkind has ever faced.

Roam naked??Next step?

2008-07-28T14:47:00.003+05:30

The recent announcement that the Police Commissioner from Nagpur who has got transferred to Pune recently made was, to say the least - horrible.I don't really understand what the police chief intends to achieve through this.He has made an announcement that girls can't wear scarves when riding two wheelers or rather when roaming in public.

And this comes at a time when Pune has been declared one of the most polluted cities in the country.Also for a few months I have been contemplating wearing a scarf myself but for being labeled as a social outcast I have just stopped short.There are many reasons I don't understand why this(banning scarves) needs to be done.

Firstly, this just seems to be a diversion by which the authorities plan to refrain from tackling the real issues.I mean why not try to totally try to make the city a clean place by having certain anti pollution norms in place?The six seater rickshaws and a host of other dilapidated vehicles cause a lot of smoke.This is the real issue rather than the scarf issue.There is nothing wrong if the people are trying to save themselves from the smoke and dust.

Secondly, why would a person with terrorism on his/her mind come wrapped in a scarf?I mean why is a terrorist so stereotypical?The recent blasts at Ahemadabad and Bangalore show that the terrorist are just like any other common man. The police are trying to throw away the onus from their shoulders and trying to get an excuse which would save them from the wrath of the public for being lax about the safety issues.

And finally tomorrow are they going to ask people to come naked on roads just because they could have guns on them?

Culture

2008-07-24T09:22:00.003+05:30

When you bring Dalimbyanchi usal for your lunch and someone tells, you are from Velneshwar there is something about YOU which is standing out.Don't know if anyone feels the same as I?

The Vote of no-confidence

2008-07-22T15:37:00.000+05:30

Well though the title of this track is opposite to the name of this blog I hope the UPA government survives for the sheer reason that it will be a tremendous loss to the exchequer.
And in any case as we would say in Hindi the government is a "Chand Dino Ka Mehman" ( a guest who stays over for 4 days).

This is why Pune is famous

2008-07-22T13:37:00.003+05:30

A person who has stayed long enough in Pune knows that the Chitale Bandhu Shop is a standing joke.Though I must confess, the sweets you get there are beyond compare.
The total disregard for customers (as pointed out by the great P.L.Deshpande) of the Pune shopkeepers is well known.

Another important aspect of the Pune life is the PMT.Now, I must say though Suresh Kalmadi has put in a lot of efforts (?) to upgrade the system; it seems to be heading nowhere.The PMT I can vouch is actually a mess.

But when these two things come together then havoc is created.And this can happen only on Baji Rao Road. This is really wierd incident which should have been shot on camera.After Shanipar right in front of the Chitale shop there is a traffic light.The PMT bus came to a stop right at the light. The driver called out to the guard outside the shop and gave him a 500 rupees note.The guard ran in; to get the "chakka"(pun not intended). Usually one would have to get a token, stand in the line, and then only you can get the "chakka". But the guard ran like crazy and jumped the line bought the "chakka" and gave it to the driver.

All this while there was a traffic buildup behind the driver.But the driver wouldn't budge.
And he being the driver of PMT noone dared say anything.All the people could do was to honk.Finally after getting the "chakka", the driver gifted the guard with a few chocolates and a tip and then drove away.

When the people came to know why the traffic was stopped the entire road rage turned to laughter and people went their own ways.But this incident is possible only in India!!I love Pune... :)

PS:Chakka -- Milk preparation

Where are we going?

2008-07-17T10:26:00.000+05:30

Why does Times of India have to post a headline which says MUSLIMS to vote against the IAEA.? I am sure there is no hidden motive but isn't media itself creating differences in the minds of the people by printing all this crap?

As far as I know the Indian Muslim MPs have their own agendas as do the rest of the MPs why not let them vote for or against the motion without anyone pointing fingers at their religion. The reasons maybe anything but the media is the one which sows the seeds of hatred as I see it.What is the need to print such news is what I fail to understand?For once let the politicians make a mature decision.

If the congress loses the vote of confidence when inflation is so high I think the unstability caused by the fall of the government will cause more harm than good.For the sake of the nation I hope they don't lose the vote.

Smoking

2008-07-14T10:43:00.000+05:30

While in the US, I have seen women smoking I have even seen people smoking any random thing.Still the sight of a woman smoking seems unfathomable.I mean this is not some medical reason that the woman's lungs are not strong enough to sustain the smoke and the likes but I still can't see a girl smoke and accept it and I can't seem to come to reason for it.

The Big(Nuclear) Deal

2008-07-11T12:23:00.000+05:30

Though I think the nuclear deal does not mean anything to the common man.I think it should mean something.For as the present energy crisis persists there seems to be no solution to this other than nuclear energy, which unfortunately has huge repurcussions.
And IAEA, I feel is more like WADA for sports.But then again being a part of an international program is a step forward.

123 India –US Nuclear deal

2008-07-11T11:54:00.000+05:30

http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/11/stories/2008071155691100.htm

This is a link which I came across in The Hindu. It is L.K Advani’s interview on nuclear deal.
He actually true in pointing out that this deals means nothing to the common man who is struggling with the inflation and price rise.
The common reaction for today’s political scenario for most of the people would be what is that deal that these people are fighting over.??? It hardly matters.
But for once I must accept that the government has shown the guts to accept something which I don’t think has much importance from the “vote bank” perspective. I don’t know what are the hidden gains as the deal is still not made public..
Anyways the above article is a good read.. :)

Tempers flying high...

2008-07-10T10:03:00.000+05:30

This incident occurred with me yesterday when I was returning from work in my office bus very near to my house.. to be precise near Anand nagar( for people who know the area). A person on bike with his wife riding came in front of the bus and were trying to cut across the lanes as people in Pune usually do.. But something happened and I guess the bus stopped very close to the vehicle..
The next moment the man riding the bike came in the bus and started beating the bus driver. It was not a verbal fight but the man actually started hitting him and no one in the bus could understand what was happening. But the bus driver just maintained his cool and hence the fight did not aggravate. The lady with the man who had her hand in plaster and a medical report in her hand came in apologized to the driver and gave the reason that since she was injured and this was nearly an accident the man was angry.
The whole incident got me thinking, are people so short tempered these days. I always considered people in this part of the country as cool headed. The fights usually never occurred and if anything happened it used to end in a few “shivya”. But this was disturbing. Hope people maintain their calm as the bus driver did.

Great Indians... :)

2008-07-03T12:48:00.000+05:30

Yesterday I was as usual surfing through the television when I came across a show being aired on discovery channel. It was a show about the ancient Indian Civilizations and they were showcasing the maurya and gupta dynasties. The point that caught my attention was that they were discussing about the scientific achievements at that time. They mentioned Aryabhatt as a most influential and visionary scientists who at that time had calculated the periphery of the earth. The discussion concluded that Indian scientists at that time were proposing ground breaking theories when the western countries were busy in wars. This was the point that actually struck me… why were the Indians at that time so ahead of their times. Well a little thought into it I realized that the rulers at that time had provided social, political and financial stability to everyone in their kingdom, this gave the people ample time and a mental peace to think and imagine new things.
So the political situation in any country actually affects the scientific discoveries and inventions of the country. Now we know why the country is not making the progress that it deserves… :D

Majority...????

2008-07-03T12:42:00.000+05:30

For the past few days there was quite a lot of ruckus regarding the allotment of land to the Amarnath Shrine Board. Though I don’t have detailed information regarding, this is what I felt..
Firstly the land was to be allotted to the board for constructing facilities for pilgrims who undertake the arduous amaranth yatra. The reason why the PDP was against it is the reason I am unaware.. (tried finding it but was unable to). One reason I heard was that the environment will be affected due to the construction and that the already deteriorating stalactite in the cave would be further damaged. But this seems hardly a reason why a political party would create such a hue and cry. The other reason would be that the land might be misused as it was being given to the board. But correct me if I am wrong but the Haj committee also has land where it makes arrangement for pilgrims going to Haj. So why this discrimination against the the amaranth board. Whatever may be the reason the end result was that the order was revoked and now the land is given to the tourism board for constructing the same facilities. Does the majority in this country has no say…??

http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/02/stories/2008070261380100.htm

F1~~

2008-07-02T23:05:00.001+05:30

SOURCE:PhD Comics
Hear Hear its so true...!!

Silverware

2008-07-01T23:24:00.002+05:30

Ballack has a lot of silverware...
5 losing finalist medals are all silver medals :)

Champions League final with Bayer Leverkusen 2001
World Cup final with Germany 2002
League Cup Final with Chelsea 2008
Champions League Final with Chelsea 2008
European Championship Germany 2008

The difference in knowledge throughput

2008-07-01T14:32:00.002+05:30

Newton was born 1643.He did most of his discoveries in between 1663-83.

At that time in India Shivaji was born in 1630 and died in 1680.Now it needs no expert to place where both the countries were in terms of scientific progress.

BJP

2008-06-26T15:30:00.000+05:30

Does BJP's website have a RSS feed?I wonder .. :)

Flying

2008-06-24T10:37:00.002+05:30

There are certain things i have observed which have changed over the years as I have been travelling on flights. I still have real vague memories of the time when I travelled when I was probably 3 or 4.

1) Airlines have become more and more uncomfortable.Previously having food on the airline would be a treat. There would be specific menus being dished out especially for air travellers. Now it is just crap that they serve. People might have heard about the millions of pounds saving made by British Airways around 5 -7 years back by just cutting out on an olive serve with
every salad they served.

2) The security has become obnoxiously tough.But for the Indians its not a problem cause the Indians are very very patient when it comes to standing in long queues. The training begins at a very small age.Right from paying fees to even saying the morning prayers everywhere there is a queue which is horribly slow and impossible to handle.The patience levels are thus very high.

3) The baggage taken by people on journeys.This has increased as the frequeny of flights has increased. I know and distinctly remember the bags that would be transported were a bag a person.Now there is no limit to the baggage the people carry.Just pay excess and you are through.Yes, also the loss of baggage is immense.Anupam Garge is an exponent of this trade.Everytime he steps into the US his bags go for a toss.How does he manage is an amazing thing!

4)People always talk about meeting pretty faces on the flight.I never do.Nor has it ever been that way.

Snickers

2008-06-23T11:40:00.000+05:30

If there is something I dearly miss about the US and especially NC State Univ is the Vending machine at Avent Ferry Complex. In the first sesmester I reached there Gautam and I would eat infinte number of Snickers.They were for a mere 75 cents while all other vending machines sold them fo 1.25 $ (which I think was the prevalent cost).Come Jan 2007 and that machine too started selling at $ 1.25.We were shattered but the craving for the snickers was too much. The price rise did not stop Gautam from having Snickers and me from Coke and Snickers.

3 Mistakes of my life

2008-06-23T10:41:00.001+05:30

Just finished reading the 3 mistakes of my life by hBhagat. It is a good read though the usual stuff is present.BUt I like the way he has written certain incidences like when ,m"Govind Patel" stares (not amorously) for an extra second at "Vidya" and the awkwardness of the situation. The entire guy- girl relation is depicted perfectly.

I would recommend you all to read if you have liked FPS by Chetan Bhagat again.

So close yet so far

2008-06-20T07:32:00.002+05:30

For the Portuguese it was so 'Klose' yet so 'Lahm' ;)
Go Basti.. Go Ballack..

Disclaimer: Only Marathi speaking people can get the joke!

The venerable 'Lal Dabba'

2008-06-19T09:35:00.003+05:30

I remember my grandmother telling us how during the 1942 Quit India movement when she was in Bombay (now Mumbai!). She used to stay in the typical Maharashtrian Area to be precise on Churni Road which is very pretty to shores. She remembers how during that point of time the vigor in the Independence movement. Bombay being a center of political upheavel they were all in the midst of things.

I remember her telling me this particular incident of that time. There was a bomb which exploded in the Mazgaon Docks area. Ofcourse the people were scared because the ship which was blown off was belonging to some British trading company. There were rumors ofcourse which said that the ship was carrying gold bricks so people rushed to the docks to see whether actually such things were happening. My grandmother and her siblings being in their teens or pre-teens were ofcourse excited by this snippet of information. But her father, being scared that the children would be dragged into the Quit India movement decided apart from him the entire family was to leave for home which is 'Pen' . Pen is about an hours drive from Mumbai by car on modern roads. But back then the buses plied only upto Panvel. Beyond Panvel they had to travel in Bullock carts. So thus began the journey for my grandmother and her family. They reached Pen only to receive a telegram from her(my grandmother) father, that it was alright to come back to Bombay. So they all setback for Bombay because there was some infectious disease doing the rounds in the Konkan area.All this took up almost 4-5 days.

My grandmother was one of the many families that had to do all this travelling during that time.As soon as the situation in Bombay detiorated father's sent their families back to their native places.And usually the tensions subsided in a day or two and thus the families had to travel back. The government realised all this and started the State Transport Company that we know today.
This is the Lal Dabba I am talking about in this post. I am sure everyone has seen it and maybe travelled in it, especially if you are from Maharashtra. Now I know for certain a few of my friends totally despise travelling in that Lal Dabba. I won't name them here ; they know for themseleves. But I have been fortunate enough to travel a lot in the Lal Dabba especially between the period 1990-1997. I must have travelled atleast a 50 times in the Lal Dabba during this time. But the point I am making is though we curse the State Transport buses their quality , cleanliness and other points yet there are places in Maharashtra where the ST is the only means of transport. Why venture too far out into the interiors. If one wants to travel to Padalghar and Warasgaon villages near Warasgaon Dam there is no road albeit a mud pathway if you can cal it that. But the ST (Lal Dabba) is the only means of conveyance over there. And it is doing brilliant service over there.

The ST ofcourse has come a long way since 1947 when 80% of the roads it travelled on were kaccha roads. Now the mid eighties to late eighties service of Asiad is probably the best example of the service. Non Stop service from Pune Station to Dadar TT with buses plying every half an hour to 45 mins is in itself an achievement. They face stiff competition from private buses post FM Manmohan Singh era yet they don't falter. They have been progressing as well.What with the green coloured semi luxury buses to the Volvo -Shivneri service. True the Lal Dabba might seem to be not so comfy .. not upto your standard type of bus service but let me tell you there is a very different experience in travelling a Lal Dabba.

The powerful announcement which has always caught my eye at every ST stand is 'Travel ST buses for there is a guarantee that the drivers won't be drunk.'nd it is actually true.Private buses don't take this guarantee. And inspite of plying so many buses criss cross across the state and on impossible terrain and horrible roads , the accident rate is very minimal.So to really enjoy rural Maharashtra especially Konkan ( my Kobra instincts come into play ) next time travel in a Lal Dabba instead of driving to Konkan.

Thanks to my grandmom I never despised the Lal Dabba and after knowing so much I never will. My friends will ofcourse remember my photo on the way to Sujay's place!!

People can't believe

2008-06-18T15:58:00.002+05:30

People can't believe....
1) ..that I am holding a Masters degree.
( back then they did not believe I was a grad student.)
2) ..that I looooooove Geography
(what is in maps they ask?But geography is not 'only' maps, is it? )
3) ..that I talk about history and geneology because I am genuinely interested.
(all that is past is gone..but doesn't it invoke interest in you to know what your roots are?Where you come from?)
4) ..that a person can read so much of politics (thats what I do at work
(People don't even know who the chief minister of Tripura is, do you?And you call yourself Indian.)
5) ..that I want to get married.
(Why? they ask.I say, why not?)
6) ..that there exists a sport called 'Curling'!
(Well people from Madison or Milwaukee can help.Or more so from Minneapolis.I say this because it is extensively played in Wisconsin.)
7) ..that I don't see TV.
(How come?, they ask.Yet I love watching any sport.Be it darts on TEN SPORTS or Rugby on Star Sports)
8) ..that I am from COEP.
(I give this to them..but tarihi COEP baaaaap aahe!)
9) ..that Padma is better than Barista.
(Unfortunately people from Barista won't know Padma)
10) ..that I really can't get along with new people.
(I just can't seem to come out of the yolk.And I don't want to!)

Inko bhi galiyan ati hain!!!

2008-06-18T11:16:00.000+05:30

While on my way to work i saw 3 kids on a cycle driving past me. In a second I was swept back to the point in my childhood wherein we would do similar things.
Most of my past times of childhood are associated with Bombay.But there are a few incidences which are still etched in my mind.
The one I remember the most is probably sometime in June or July 1992.The usual Mumbai rains were incessant.There was water logging in front of our house.And we used to play football over here.And we played football in a water logged area with water right upto our hips. It was the most fun I probably had while playing football.

Another incident which i am reminded of is the time when we played a 50 over match. Ofcourse the match ended in 22 overs for our innings. We scored something around 150 runs. But I remember it because I scored a not out half century. The thing was that I was the youngest of the lot then.

And the most important and the hillarious one was when we were travelling triple seat to one of the places where we used to get "Pepsi Cola" not the softdrink but the frozen pencil like thing which you suckjed at for 2 mins and 2 rupees.While we were on the way back we were talking to each other, I think. There were 2 elderly women coming straight at us.Since one f my friend was sitting on the bar and me on the stand, the friend who was riding the cycle lost control of the cycle and we went and banged into the women.All 3 of us fell into the storm water drains, which are so famous in Mumbai. The old ladies actually swore at us. The height of the entire scene was when one of my friend quipped , "Inko bhi galiyan ati hain!!"

The Panja

2008-06-13T11:34:00.000+05:30

Kalmadi made a speech today saying the BRT shall continue to exist with plans for expanding it to Karve Road.
Sakal runs an article which says BRT on Satara Road to be scrapped the barriers will be realocated to different places. This is the claim by the PMC's standing committee.
Is this a farce on part of the PMC?

Although on a totally different note:
14th June is Raj Thackeray's birthday... :)

PMC and its ideas

2008-06-13T09:54:00.000+05:30

Sometimes you just feel can't PMC complete the entire roads work in 3 weeks time??Just employ more staff that is all that needs to be done..And the people of Pune will have to suffer only for 3 weeks albeit the trouble would be not using their private vehicles on those roads.

Language barriers

2008-06-11T07:37:00.002+05:30

Any person from India who is not from the Hindi speaking states and is educated, usually knows to read write and speak atleast 3 languages.Yet there are conversations or certain incidents which can better be explained in a particular language.The repertoire of knowing so much of vocabulary also falls short in these circumstances and with a few Umms and aaaa who slip into a different language from where it all started.

Sample these conversations:

1)A teacher asks a Marathi speaking student:
"तु काल का नाही आलास?"
Student starts off in Marathi and says,
"Teacher असं झालं की My Grandfather expired"

The death of a person is easier told in English than any other language.

2)In a meeting a Manager asks a newly hired employee,
"So what were you doing during the last 2 years?"

The new employee says starts off in English and says,
"Actually sir ,मला मुलगी झाली म्हणून मी नोकरी सोडली होती!Now that she is a little older I am back to work"

The delivery of a baby is better explained in your mother tongue than in English.

Weird though true. I have heard these conversations on more than one occasion.

Continuing with the rainy season

2008-06-06T17:36:00.002+05:30

The Great Indian Dream!

2008-06-05T09:45:00.000+05:30

The Commonwealth Youth Games Pune October 2008

Any games may they be Olympic Games or Commonwealth games are supposed to bring in a lot of foreigners to the city. The sole purpose behind the Olympic Games or the Olympic movement is peace, brotherhood through games/sports. I know for sure that these games do bring in many such things. Like long back I don’t remember which Olympics (or which sporting extravaganza it was) it was but for sure the countries at war decided to call a ceasefire till the games got over.

Now why do countries bid so vociferously and vigorously for hosting these games is a question to ponder upon. Is it just pride and honor? Surely not! Is it only money which is going to be generated through the sports viewing and the media, television rights and advertisements. Maybe yes or maybe no. Either way monetary gain is surely the case. But there is something beyond all this as well. Showcasing to the world what the city is made up of. Showcasing to the world the culture of the place. Demonstrating to the world how good the country can be as a host. And last but the most important point is to bring about the overall development of the city not just in terms of the sporting facilities which would be available ; after the games but also in terms of public transport and the likes.

A country like China which has very few fluently speaking English people has trained its cab drivers in English just so as to help commute of the spectators coming in from foreign countries. They have expanded there international airport to accommodate more than double the present capacity of travelers. They have built new trains to the Sports Village and back.

What has the IOC (Indian Olympic Committee) done to tackle all these issues. Mr.Suresh Kalmadi has brought in new PMC buses (or rather PMPML buses) which is a good thing. But a simple thing called as traffic rules they find difficulty in following. Stickers pasted on the back windows read ‘Zebra crossing ver thambayala amhala laaj vatate.’When a number of photographs of the bus stopped on the zebra crossing were published the PMPML authorities say that the stickers are meant for others. ‘Amhala’ being interpreted as the entire community. But I stray. Yes the new buses are a good sign but then why do the old buses still ply the roads? Change all the buses. People will argue that already we don’t have money. But I don’t think this is a good reason. In the Peth Areas let there me mini buses. Buses can atleast then move safely and steadily.

Now there is going to be a heavy travel of people from the sports city to the actual city everyday. It is estimated everyday around 80-90 thousand people will commute during the construction phase and people in excess of 2 lacs during the actual games. I am sure there aren’t enough buses to take so many people to and fro. Also the roads are not good enough so that people can drive to the sports city in there private vehicles. So in order to overcome this the IOC could have easily chalked out a 20 kms train from lets say somewhere in Kothrud or lets say a somewhere in Aundh to the sports city and back. This train would in the future have catered to the Hinjewadi Infotech Park as well. Isn’t this a development plan we intend for Pune City. As it is there is immense traffic at the Hinjewadi Infotech Park. A few crore rupees investment would have made commute for the Software professionals simpler. Lesser Road blocks and the problem of the Bombay Pune bypass and the Hinjewadi traffic could have been eased. I don’t know maybe this project is geographically not feasible but then there are other things which can be done. The proposed monorail to ply from Agriculture college to Kothrud over Karve Road is never going to happen might as well divert the funds here.

Coming to the infrastructure yes the sports city will help Pune City sportsmen but then are the constructions being done in a timely manner? Being 2008 had finished all its constructions 6 months prior to the games. A record in itself I agree. But, when a country has so much labor workforce at its disposal why the problem in the first place. Most countries face the problem of labor so their construction activities stop. Another question to ponder upon is whether the construction activity is upto the mark. Or else it will happen like the National Games 1994. Balewadi will rot and go to ruins. Maintenance is a must. Hopefully this time around people will make use of the facilities at Balewadi sports complex.

And probably the foremost important thing is that the local Pune fellows should be encouraged to come see the games and cheer for their players. Schools should arrange trips to these games. When else is a citizen of Pune going to get a chance to see such a huge sporting event right in their city?

When is the CYG 2008 committee going to test all the facilities? The construction activity seems to be going on forever. Isn’t testing an important aspect? Even in the software era we tend to neglect testing. All this does not bode well for the actual Commonwealth Games to be held in Delhi in a few years time. These games were supposed to set a milestone and show that we can do it. It may still happen cause I believe India can do it when she decides to. But has she decided to is the question?

A lot needs to be done by Mr. Suresh Kalmadi if he wants my vote for the next Parliamentary Elections. Maybe a good show at the CYG Games might just swing my vote in his favor who knows. Lets just wait and watch.Yet I will say Pune Welcomes one and all..!!

Rains

2008-06-03T22:30:00.002+05:30

How much ever you are stressed out.Whatever thoughts you have in your mind.There might be anything happy or sad going in your mind or life - the first rains of the season have to make you stop and see into infinity for a bit.
For a single glance into the Indian monsoon is sure to bring a smile on your face and a feeling of tranquility!!
Yes, it rained today.

PUC

2008-05-30T07:57:00.000+05:30

How effective is this PUC farce?
The drive started in order to bring the pollution under control.But I see there is no point of this Rs.30 document. I mean there are so many roadside PUC "stalls" (if I may call them that). I have seen people taking home PUC certificates without even having their vehicles around.For a mere extra 10 or 20 Rs these PUC centers give fake certificates.There should be more regularization on these PUC certificate vendors.Something like every 5 years a trip to RTO is necessary .

Although implementation of BHARAT II has helped a lot, this will o a long way in making sure that people maintain their vehicles.

NA Lands

2008-05-25T08:54:00.000+05:30

If all lands in and around Pune start becoming NA won't the food shortage problem get more and more acute?

Tekdi: A different Route

2008-05-25T08:47:00.000+05:30

A few points:
1)This road will go through the law college campus coming out somewhere near Balbharti. This entire area is a forest area.
2)The need for this road is because of the unplanned development on S.B.Road (especially ICC) which could have been avoided and S.B.Road itself made really wide.
3)Instead of developing commercial hubs right in the heart of the city, plan them on the outskirts. There are 2 advantages people who come to work there if they feel the commute is too far might move closer to their workplaces. And also the planned development of the outskirts would be possible.
4)And instead of doing all of this make Chandani Chowk area a better place and automatically Kothrud commuters to Pashan and Sus areas will start taking the bypass road.

Cyber Cafes

2008-05-24T14:00:00.001+05:30

The additional commissioner of police recently published a format which the Net Cafe owners have to maintain in order to keep a tab on the net cafe activity.
This is to stop miscreants from harassing people. But this is what I found out.
On JM Road -- Anyone can come in anyone can go out.
On Bhandarkar Road -- I needed to show my license whose number was recorded.

It is for us to see how crime can be stopped but some people are rarely bothered.The licenses of such people should be revoked.

Abhinava Chowk a solution

2008-05-24T12:50:00.000+05:30

The present situation that exists at Abhinava Chowk. The intermediate signal I think can done away with which should ease the traffic a little more.There is no need for 2 signals one after the other from Karve Road toward Deccan.
This will help regulate the congestion which is caused by the traffic which is moving towards Deccan whilst some vehicles wait for the right turn signal to go green moving towards Mhatre Bridge/Mehandale Garage.Especially in the mornings when PSPL and TechM employees rush towards their offices it is absolutely chaotic.

The motor driving schools

2008-05-24T12:28:00.000+05:30

The basic problem in Pune is ofcourse traffic. Other problems are outcomes of the traffic problem. Commuting from home to office and back takes it toll on the employees. Pollution due to bottlenecks and other other traffic problems is caused due to the traffic congestion solely because anyone hardly cares for the traffic rules. There is total disregard for the rules. Let alone being scared of them. I think the basic training can start at the motor driving schools. These schools employ drivers who teach the students how to overtake from the left. How to not give way to people coming from behind. This is what atleast I was told if I had to survive in the Pune traffic. There should be first training sessions for these 'teachers' and they should be asked to complete a week long training session at the RTO and then only be allowed to teach someone else. True they teach you the nuances but we don't want to hear sentences which say if you can drive in Pune you can drive anywhere in the world.
This is apart from the malpractices being carried out by these driving schools. I won't name the schools but their so called 'contacts' in the RTO are so pathetic that they to get your vehicle registration name changed you don't even need to visit the RTO. A check or tab on these places will help. True, that the new smart card licenses have gone a long way in making sure that the person atleast needs to visit the local RTO for a license but yet I feel there should be stronger measures.

Rains

2008-05-22T19:56:00.002+05:30

And the rains mark their presence.It is predicted that it might rain for 5 and half months this year.I would want to know the preparedness of the BMC and other municipalities to tackle the issue of water logging and as usual the road problem!
Time will tell though photos of the first rains shall be up soon!

A roadblock?

2008-05-22T07:11:00.000+05:30

When the concreting of Paud Road and Karve Road taken up simultaneously the rush at peak hours is just impossible to take.Bottlenecks have sprung up at each and every nook and corner.

Last year around this time some work was going on too.I don't understand what was happening since?Why did the local body just stop work and not continue concreting the remaining parts of the road as well.If they would have continued their work from December i.e. post monsoon then such a situation would not have arisen where they would have had to fight against time.Now as the current situation stands the concreting job needs to be finished before the onset of the monsoons or else it is going to create a hell.When will some sense be knocked into the authorities?

The only good aspect about the job being done this time is that I see quite a few sign boards suggesting that work is on.But then what was the need to start the work of re-laying the tar on Savarkar Bridge?Now the entire patch from Nal Stop right upto PN Gadgil jewelers on Paud Road is choked. The worse thing is that the major bottle neck is right outside Jog Hospital.I fail to understand how the patients in Jog hospital might be coping with all of this.And yet one year and half year since the job was started the work is pathetically slow around a km of the road has been re-laid (only one side is done);whence this job should have been completed in 6 months time.

Has the PMC chalked out a 5 year plan for this?And when do they expect to complete the entire roads?By the end of the decade?Hope not!

Need for debates

2008-05-21T07:42:00.000+05:30

I was discussing with a friend the need for debates. I mean the need for debates amongst the candidates who are standing for elections. Whenever there are elections on a lower government level one rarely knows all the candidates. The idea is to ask questions to each candidate as to what they would be doing for each problem and how they have decided to handle it. This question and answer session would be without allegations and counter-allegations.The candidates would be just asked their own idea on this.Again the place where these debates would take place would be in an educational environment.This way the students (read literate people) would be able to make an educated guess as to the person they wish to vote for; at the same time they would be getting upclose with the candidates. The candidates would also be directly answerable to questions being put forth.

The present situation in which the candidate is not even ever seen by the citizen except for the life size posters which are setup at every nook and corner of the city. From that you don't even know the intellect of the person nor his ideas and policies.Just a slight bit of effort from the candidates would go a long way I feel.

IPL and its Owners

2008-05-21T07:34:00.003+05:30

All is not well with SRK and the Maharaja.Mallya not happy with his team sacks Charu Sharma. The Thai owner of Man City removes Sven Goran Ericcson even after the most successful stint by the club.
Have all sports gone to such low levels that the owners can't even wait for 4-5 years before the team stabilizes and that then they can start reaping benefits?
Even the greatest and the most successful clubs across any sports or geography have had long patches of dry trophy less seasons.It is just not fair on the players to be treated in such a way.

Hope someone drills sense into these owners.

Why blame others?

2008-05-20T08:08:00.000+05:30

This blog though meant to be solely aimed at politics is surely going to be critical of each and every move the government makes. With so much talk on the phone regarding how and why certain policies of the government are wrong or why they should be carried out there is no better way to express than through a blog.So here I begin.
Although I have already mentioned that this blog is going to be overtly critical why in the first place blame others?Can't we first try to assess ourselves?And that is precisely what is probably missing from all of us this 'Election Season' (as a friend of mine has out). To call an election a season is perhaps an appropriate terminology though at first it came off as being a little humorous.Calling it a season is like calling it a festival and celebrating it.And yes I think we should celebrate this festival hoping not to celebrate it again for another 5 years.
Coming back to the point though the elections are barely a year away including the Parliamentary and Assembly elections, there seems to be a certain calmness about the approach of all the parties except the ones who want there voices to be heard namely the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. The citizens are not at all concerned as to what is going around them. The voter ID card drives also don't generate enthusiasm amongst the learned. I read the news in the newspaper and went and told everyone I could. Firstly, more than 80% people gave a cold response saying what is the need for the voter's ID?A few neighbors were irked that I even went and told them. Infact, except for one friend no one went and got those done.Simply ridiculous. True, the system is not where it should be but then if the attitude is not going to change then what the hell the system is not going to change at all.
At the voter's ID drive.I don't know why but the entire idea that a school should be a place where elections and other such programs should take place always has fascinated me.What a novel way!Whenever you enter an educational campus all seems so comfortable.I am sure everyone feels the same.The different classrooms act as different rooms for people with different EPIC numbers. It is really a sorry state over there.People who don't even know how to read those rooms are filled and bustling. But rooms where educated people visit (because the rooms are according to geography) are empty. The mistakes in the entire list are useless and stupid. Someone's father is mentioned as a husband. The gender of a person is totally wrong. The addresses which do not even exist are present. But yes inspite of all this I say the system is trying to improve itself. A major flaw I think in the software created by C-DAC is that it just translates the Devnagri script into English.So the addresses come out totally wrong. At the same time the database is non editable which is good ,lest any malpractice be done.But since the laptops are not connected to the central database editing any detail is merely stupid and hopelessly tedious. Also you never know when the next Voter-ID drive could be taken up.The last time it was taken up was 15 years ago when T.N.Seshan was the Chief Election Officer. I wonder who bears the burden of giving these voter IDs free of cost.It is a big burden on the state exchequer.
There should be offices which take care of these on a day to day basis. The voter ID generation could be charged a mere 30-40 Rs.This will benefit in more than one way.It will generate some employment.And also there would be some transparency and method in the system.But if this is going to cost the government a lot the entire responsibility could be transferred to lets say the RTO.This would ensure many things like a single ID.And would make sure that most people ask for some type of a card from the RTO on the lines of the State IDs at the DMVs in the US.
Although I have said all of this I still feel like saluting the government for there efforts its the people who are nonsensical and least bothered.They just don't care.And I think Care, we must..!Lets hope the build up to the season is full of stories and lots to discuss.

Why is everyone in such a state?

2008-05-18T21:18:00.000+05:30

Everyone around me is going to through maybe something called as the quarter life crisis..And there just doesn't seem to be any out of it... :)

Good to be back home

2008-05-02T22:29:00.000+05:30

Too many things going through my mind.
But whatever;it is good to be back home.

And so the pendulum swings

2008-04-16T10:56:00.002+05:30

Geography is what I love and that has never been a constant factor...!!

24th

2008-04-04T09:30:00.001+05:30

Probably the dullest in the last 4 or 5 years.

Mothertongue

2008-03-27T22:28:00.002+05:30

This might seem to be stupid..But somehow you can relate more to the songs in your mother tongue rather than other languages..!

सप्तपदी मी रोज चालते
तुझ्यासवे ते, शतजन्माचे
हो, माझे नाते

हळव्या तुझिया करात देता
करांगुली ही रूप गोजिरी
गोड शिरशिरी उरात फुलता
स्पर्शाने जे मुग्ध बोलते

करकमळांच्या देठांभवती
झिम्मा खेळत प्रीत बिलवरी
दृष्ट लाजरी जरीकाठी ती
तुझ्या लोचने वळुनी बघते

आठवे पाऊल प्रीत मंदिरी
अर्धांगी मी सगुण साजिरी
मूर्त होता तुझ्या शरीरी
अद्वैताचे दैवत होते

Awesome artha aahe hya ganyacha!

MapMyIndia

2008-03-26T23:43:00.000+05:30

I am in a soup

2008-03-24T21:19:00.001+05:30

I am totally in a soup...Hope someone picks me out!

Genes!

2008-02-15T20:09:00.006+05:30

Phone talks

2008-02-15T20:09:00.005+05:30

There are few things that invigorate me.I can talk on these things for hours to the end.And I take pride in talking about it.

Politics!
I can talk at hours end on politics.I remember my grandfather seeing the Lok Sabha meetings when I was 7 or 8.I used to feel all of that as drab and dull.I remember my father do the same even when he was out of the country.I thought I will never see the day when I will start seeing Parliament sessions.But genes don't change.
And I love Indian Politics.I can rant for hours now.I can see Parliament sessions for hours.I love the regional parties.I like politics of the states and the corporations.I can see news for days at the end & yes I love seeing interviews.

Sports!
Yes I love EPL I adore infact every game I see.
But I think the best games to see in terms of strategy are Rugby & American Football. They seriously have some punch in terms of strategy.
Though you rarely understand it when you see them offhand.

Geneology!
Kobras majlele astat and I am too.This is an interest which is relatively new.But I vociferously try to tell everyone the so called Mythologies and realities.I am sure people just listen to me regarding this subject cause they don't want to insult me; but I keep talking.

Geography!
If I was not to be an engineer then I would have been in the Met department or I would have been in the cartographic society in India.It is one love that I am sure is going to be present in my life all the way through.So next time anyone wants to gift me anything, remember it should be something related to MAPS!And they need to be huge.

I cannot talk anything other than this on the phone!