why dont companies that sponsor sports persons help families of martyrs?

A few years back Sachin signed one of the biggest deal with a television channel, a sports company and few other corporations to become their brand ambassador. Considering Sachin's contribution to world cricket in general and Indian cricket in specific, these deals seemed worth every penny. Nobody questions why people offer so much to Lord Venkateshwara in Tirumala and on same lines, in the game of cricket, no one dared to ask why a Sachin or a Tiger Woods get so much money in their kitty. Millions are spent on sportspersons and actors whose next game we are not sure if they will win or next movie will run successfully. Yet, corporations pour in millions of dollars every year.

On the other hand, our martyred soldiers' families receive 5 lakhs in cash for playing with their lives to save lives of fellow countrymen. Corporations that cry loudly about the government not doing anything for them, do not even spend one cent of their money on such brave men who lay their lives to save some high profile CXOs and business leaders. Unfortunately, corporations do not see any ROI on the money that they might have to invest and therefore it would not make business sense to value one's life. India's corporate structure is now so ruthless that it just aims at achieving maximum revenue.

This thought was fuelled by a forward mail that one of my friend's sent after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. It was then that I started thinking what the corporations' priorities were.

"DE"nnis the Menace...

No no, it is not the cartoon character that I am talking about. It is an exam at work place that had become a menace for me as I was unable to clear it last year. Yes, after two unsuccessful attempts, it spilt over to this year. One full year had passed and here I was again trying to overcome my biggest nemesis ... this DE*** exam. Despite noble thoughts of preparing in the best possible way, all I could do was negotiate with myself on losing some sleep and trying to cram up as much as possible. In the end, statistically, I had prepared for 30% of the syllabus.

As things turned out, I had to muster my memory from last year's preparation and I scored 70%. I could not believe that I had passed! This was such a relief especially after not being able to prepare as well as I had expected. I cant believe, especially because I had prepared so well and still failed to clear it last year. I can't believe, especially because the network connectivity was lost half-through the exam and I was nervous that I would be able to complete the exam. Well, sometimes you never know what might happen :-)

Horn Please!!!

Driving on the highway in India, it is quite common to notice that the truck in front of you has a stylishly written "Horn Please" that would make caligraphics in the world proud of their community. It is the most polite way in India to 'horn' (honk) in order to ask way. Horn is a device that will help a motorist gain his right of way. It is not used as a device to remind the erring motorists. Lane driving is a thing of the distant future.

A couple of years back, I was in London. In the six months of my stay in London, I got used to the low sound levels of the traffic. There would hardly be anyone who would honk. And if someone really did, then it would be an embarassment to the driver. In India, it was different. I had to cover my ears for an instant when I heard constant honking till I realised that it was the way of life in India. So much so that people honk out of fun even if they dont see any traffic in front of them. I once asked my uncle why he honked once every few seconds and he said that "Someone might come in the way of our car, so I honk before that can happen". It was so annoying to hear the sound continuously.

Even worse is if you are stuck in a Traffic Congestion. One impatient person will honk and all it does is start of a chain reaction of honkers trying to tweak their way out of the jam. Initially, onlookers and pedestrians might have felt it irritating, but now even they have thrown deaf ears to such noises. Today, nobody even cares for the horn. Noise pollution, irritation to passers by, annoyance to residents are all but forgotten. India was once famous for its resilience and patience, today it is well known for its inaction and apathy. The horn is now falling to deaf ears.

What does "Take - Nikal" (technical) mean in the IT world?

In the IT field, people switch companies in search of better roles, better challenges and better salaries. Once they know that they have taken enough, woh nikal jaate hain. Take, nikal...

So, now when some one says "I have lot of experience in take-nikal (technical) aspects", you know you can have a good laugh.

Well, dont take it seriously. The weekend is here and I am just cracking up! ;-)

"Sad Sad" and "Happy Sad"

I smiled when I heard the little girl in the movie "Cheeni Kum" say "Tum sad sad kyon ho, happy sad kyon nahi?"

Well, people who make you feel sad whenever they meet you and then hurt you again at special occasions make you "sad sad"

And the people because of whom you feel happy hurt you, then you become "happy sad"

What a concept!!! I am so "HappY HappY" with this concept because I can smile thinking of this concept irrespective of the person with whom I am or what they do to me :-)

How personal is official?

Manager: "It is very important that you complete this task over the weekend."
Employee: "I had some personal work planned this weekend."
Manager: "I understand it, but this is very important and it needs to be sent out first thing on Monday morning to the bosses."
Employee: "Hmmm... OK"

This is a very common conversation that we hear at work and many a times, we change personal plans to accomodate official work. At times, it makes sense when there are really important and priority matters that need immediate attention. However, with conversations such as the one above, it does not really make sense as to why there would be so many important/ priority tasks within every project/ organization.

I have come to learn that it is basically two things -
1. Our (over)commitment to work and to outperform others
2. Poor planning, prioritization and judgement by higher management

When we are passionate about what we do, we tend to overdo things without realizing the actual worth of the task. Sometimes, we believe that the task is really important to be done immediately. We leave aside our personal work, sometimes to such an extent that rather than earning for the extra work, we pay for it. Only if the work was planned well in advance or we had stuck to our personal priorities as well, many of us would not have to suffer.

Everyone of us need to understand the importance of segregating official and personal tasks and that in itself will help us become better planners and keep us very organized.

A busy month, huh!

October has been quite eventful. It has been busy professionally and personally. First, there was neck deep work. I was so exhausted in the first couple of weeks. Then there were some personal targets to achieve. By the time I was done with them, I realized I had not slept for even 6-7 hrs on any day in October. So, I wanted to just doze off like a log. So, that is when we decided to rent a car and go off to places. Two more days of running around ended in a tired Sunday night. I am taking a Monday break today, i.e. have postponed all of my personal work to another day.

Writing this is making me tired, huh! So, go out and enjoy before Winter sets in.

Sad about Sourav's exit

Sourav Ganguly's career is coming to an end.

The way he mentioned about his retirement in the press conference was as bland as the above statement. But beneath the bland statement that Sourav made must have been canned up emotion that he obviously cannot display in public. He alone knows how painful the decision would have been.

I admire Sourav for the air of confidence he brought about around himself and his team. Indian cricket players were always branded as ones who lacked "fire power in their belly". They were associated with the nice guys in the game. But it was Sourav who brought arrogance mixed with positive attitude and gave the Indians the much needed fire power. He showed lot of confidence in few individual talents and backed them all the way through. Most of his judgements were bang on target and it therefore comes as no surprise that he was one of the longest serving Indian captains and also one of the most successful. His arrogance though, brought his downfall too, but to look back on a career, it did help him and a nation of cricket fans a world of good.

The other quality that I always liked about him was his fighting spirit that lifted the team morale more than on one occasion. His comeback too was nothing short of being a fantastic story for those who give up easily. It is a shame that Sourav is deciding to quit not because he wants to quit, but because he knows that if he does not do it now then he may not even get a fair chance to quit on his own terms. Some credit should also go to the new selection panel who, either intentionally or unintentionally, gave this former captain, the God of offside strokeplay, the Prince of Kolkata - a chance to perform one last time on the big stage and bow out gracefully.

Dada - Thanks for the great entertainment over these 16 years!

Sure about uncertainty?

Well, yes that is the only thing we are sure of. Uncertainty. Who will be the next US president - McCain or Obama? Will India be able to pull off the 123 deal? is there an end to terrorism? Will I continue writing blogs next year?

While there seems no one thing that is certain, the only certainty seems to be uncertainty. Just like change is the only constant thing. We are able to advance mathematically, scientifically, astrologically but yet, no one has complete control on the next second. Our control is limited. I am not certain about that either! :-)

We have "company" for Patriotism

How can one show patriotism?
a. Wear it on your t-shirt
b. Fly the national flag outside your house
c. Buy only country made products or
d. Paint it on your face

While we all have our ways of showing our way of patriotism, I noticed one interesting commonality among some US companies (and on top of the cop car). Then, as I started looking around myself, I found more and more of the same thing - things around me were in Red, Blue and White - the same colors that adorn the US flag. I showed it to some of my friends who were all amazed at the simple observation and they started seeing the same too. From small shops that sell items of daily needs to large corporations, many organizations show their nationality, patriotism and character by putting their country's colors on their logos. Check out the collage if you want to see what I mean. ;-)

Third time lucky?

It will be the third nomination for an Amir Khan movie at the Oscars this year. After Lagaan and RDB it is Taare Zameen Par - a movie in an altogether different plane. Going by the thoughts of different people, it seems like this movie finally stands a good chance for an oscar. Will it get it or not is a totally different question. It is like my organizational certification exam that I gave today. It was the third and last attempt that I could afford. There were multiple choice questions where each option was in close resemblance to the other. The correct answer could have been any of the four options. One small mistake and the game could be over. But then I am hoping that this time, just like my successful certification, Amir Khan's movie gets third time lucky!

New week ahead!

As I watched the movie "Office Space" last night, I could relate to a lot of things. And I picked up a new phrase - "Case of the Mondays". Yes, it is true that so many times in our lives we have felt why is today a Monday? Why could it not have been a Sunday for just one more day?

Well, we all know that wont happen. So, let's face the truth and hope that the week ahead is good. After an uneventful last week, I am hoping that a new week brings better luck. What better way to start than on the first day of fall. A refreshed me, renewed energy and a formatted cell phone that works better should bring better luck. The signs were quite visible when I won a couple of rounds at the bowling alley on Saturday night. It felt so good to strike twice in the last round and win suddenly out of nowhere. Some good boost for me ;-)

Have a great week ahead!

Money & Its importance - During life and afterwards

Everyone knows that money is very important for survival. But it was important after death, I realised it only today. AIG almost went bust, giving insurance holders a near heart attack. But it is the lack of insurance that must have caused even more grief for the parents of Vikram Reddy Tummala - one of the two Indian students who were found dead in St.Louis last week. I was appalled to read that the concerned authorities demanded over Rs.Three Lakh to transport and secure his body from the USA. It is a shame that the parents had to go through this during such a stressful period. It is true that logistics should be sorted out, but there has to be some sense in trying to figure out priorities. I hope the family get to see the boy's body before it is too late.

May the boy's soul rest in peace!

The tale of two birthdays and the "queeny"

It makes for a wonderful story if I tell you how I got two birthdays. Yes, one is the original and the other that is now on all official records. But the truth is that there are two birthdays that I can boast of.

It is difficult for me to think that I am "officially" older by a year. So, when someone wishes me on my official birthday, it sometimes takes me a while to remember why they said so. My organization sends me greetings and lots of colleagues pour in their wishes through emails. It is a nice feeling but it reduces the number of wishes by that many on my actual birthday, which is sad.

Anyway, coming to the point, speaking to a colleague today at office, I got to know that the Queen of England has two birthdays- an actual and another official one to celebrate in summer with the public. I later learnt that this is common practice in several countries. So, when I told them that I too had two birthdays, someone instantly joked and said we have a "Queen" here! And so, I got nicknamed 'The Queen' today. Couple of minutes and a few laughs later, that name changed to "Queeny" which was even more worse (and funnier to them)!!!

That is not the most "queen-tessential" name that one would like to have.

Cla-sick-al music

The sun shone the week before, then it rained.

After a weekend of perfect weekend outing in lake Michigan waters, a week of cold, cough and fever gripped me. My first music class went OK but the second was a quick short 20-30 min rehearsal for the classical music concert (you may ask - music concert in the second class???). But then that's the way our music teacher is. Threw a challenge at us and there we were on stage on the night of our second music class!

It was a simple song, would have spanned 2-3 mins. Remember the numbers '2-3' because that's the number of mistakes I made while singing that pretty simple song. The day was rainy, things were not going all too well for me and then 'on expected lines', I made few mistakes. But, despite the blunders, the music concert had its own good points - there were very few people to notice the mistakes that we made and most importantly, our friends were there to encourage us, cheer our performance and then to appreciate it. They say the rainbow comes out after the rain and that's exactly what happened to us. After the initial mistakes in the song caused some disappointment, we sang the 2 stanzas in coherence and finished on a high with appreciation.

Our first classical performance, was not a bad start after all! It indeed gives us a very good lesson and little scope to fumble from now on.

Economic Turmoil

Lehman Brothers filed for bankruptcy this morning. Among the news of big financial firms falling apart, this was another jolt that has dampened the spirits of those who were trying to think that the economic crisis has passed and we can now slowly build the economy back. Lehmann Brothers is the fourth largest investment bank in the US. It is scary to hear such news and goes to show that the impact of the US mortgage market can still be felt for some more time to come. With so many banks trying desperately to stay put, who knows what lies in store ahead.

On the other hand, IT companies are feeling the pinch too as several big names in Indian IT sector are firing employees left, right and center. Sends jitters down my spine for sure. TCS fired 500, Wipro 1000 and another 2000 under review, Satyam 4500, Patni 400 - these are still early days and depending on how the economic situation in the US shapes, things will change. Let's hope that things will turn for the good.

Cheers to a decade since college!!!

"R. E. C." - Regional Engineering College - A name synonymous with some of the best education institutes in India.
"Warangal" - A place in Andhra Pradesh infamous for naxalism.

Combine the two words and you get "R.E.C. Warangal" - the first REC in the country that was established in Oct 1959. The name continued till 2002 when we graduated and it was changed to National Institute of Technology, Warangal (N.I.T.W.).



It was September 1998 when 324 gems from different parts of the country stepped in to RECW to get polished and shine. And looking back at it today, I do really feel that it was worthwhile to have joined the college. It still feels like it was yesterday we were in college and we were all mischievous. But the truth is that today we completed 10 years since the day we joined college and had our first lecture.

10 years!! Sounds like a long time and, as a matter of fact it is. We have traveled further in our lives and have progressed quite well. Many have completed their masters, some have done doctorates and some have excelled in the industry. Many have progressed in their personal lives too and have married, become parents too. Despite all this progress, I can bet that many would yearn to go back to college all over just once more to have all the fun and relive those moments. Alas, life gives you only one such opportunity and I am happy I was there with all those great blokes.

I still remember the people who ignorantly asked why my parents were sending me away to a far off place when there were several new colleges near by. I laughed then but realize now how important that decision was. Thanks to my parents, teachers and professors who have guided me all through. 4 years at that place doesn't seem to be enough.

I had been to college in Dec 2006 and I was a total stranger in that place. A place where everyone seemed to recognize one another had seemed so new to me. That day I really understood the meaning of "It's the people and not the place that makes for a happy living".

Today, all that remains is contact with a group of few good friends. But to know so many good people all in one place was amazing. Thanks RECW for giving me such good friends! Cheers, to a decade of friendship and much more!

LHC and The Big Bang

There is such a big noise about the Big Bang. Noise - why do I call it noise? Simply because it is an unknown territory where no one knows what the outcome will be but everyone hopes that the Big Bang can be repeated. The LHC - Large Hadron Collider - is a massive achievement after several years of hard work put in by numerous tireless scientists, helpful, sympathetic, empathetic and apathetic governments and many more ardent observers and followers. I am hoping that the expirement turns out to be a success for the good and not because so much of money and effort have gone into it.

Such is the passion of these scientists that they are even competing with the American Fermilab near Chicago to understand the nature better. I wish I too had such passion towards... ummm... hmm... aaan... something :D I dont know what it is though ... he he he...

An old friend visits Chicago

"Urmila Matondkar", I said happily when my friend asked me which Urmila I was talking to over the phone. I was being a little mischievious (as IPK would normally be). I was so happy that one of my old school time buddies and my teacher's daughter would be visiting Chicago and I would be meeting her.

She had been one of the most bubbly and cheerful persons I had ever met and she has not changed till now. She is still as thin and slim as she was in school. If anything, she has become more mature now. Her sister Girija though had grown taller and was not the same old little girl whom I remembered in school. Our meeting, more of a reunion, took me back to the memories of school and all the fun that we had back then. As she and her sister Girija narrated some incidents from school days that I was involved in, I was pretty amazed. There were so many incidents that I had nearly forgotten and given a chance, would not have been able to recollect. I suddenly felt that I had long since stopped taking part in so many activities that I so enjoyed. Anyway, I was happy that my good old friend had come down to Chicago and we caught up on a lot of things. I am so happy that she is getting married in December this year with one of our own classmates.

A SECULAR REVIEW OF MAHABHARATA !!!

This was a forward mail that I received today from a friend! It is very creative, though not even a word of it is true. Happy reading...
-------------------------------------------------------

Government of India
Ministry of Human Resources Development
Department of Culture
Films Division

No. B1452/234/2003 Dt. 23.6.07

To:
Shri. B. R. Chopra,
Film Director,
Mumbai

Ref: Film story submitted by you, regarding financing of films by Government of India, Your letter dt. 2.12.90


The undersigned is directed to refer the above letter and state that the Government has examined your proposal for financing a film called ''Mahabharat'. The Very High
Level Committee constituted for this purpose has been in consultation with the Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Women and Labour Commission, in addition to various Ministries and State Governments and have formed definitive opinions about the script. Their observations are as below:

1. In the script submitted by you it is shown that there were two sets of cousins, namely, the Kauravas, numbering one hundred, and the Pandavas, numbering five. The
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has pointed out that these numbers are high, well above the norm prescribed for families by them. It is brought to your kind attention that when the Government is spending huge amounts for promoting family planning, this will send wrong signals to the public. Therefore, it is recommended
that there may be only three Kauravas and one Pandava.

2. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has raised an issue whether it is suitable to depict kings and emperors in this democratic age. Therefore, it is suggested that
the Kauravas may be depicted as Honourable Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha) and the Pandava may be depicted as Honourable Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha). The ending
of the film shows the victory of the said Pandavas over the said Kauravas. The ending may be suitably modified so that neither of the Honourable Members of Parliament are shown as being inferior to the other.

3. The Ministry of Science and Technology has observed that the manner of birth of Kauravas is suggestive of human cloning, a technology banned in India. This may be
changed to normal birth.

4. The National Commission for Women has objected that the father of Pandavas, one Sri Pandu, is depicted as bigamous, and also there is only one wife for the
Pandavas in common. Thereore suitable changes may be made in the said script so that the said Sri Pandu is not depicted as bigamous. However, with the reduction in
number of Pandavas as suggested above, the issue of polyandry can be addressed without further trouble.

5. The Commission for the Physically Challenged has observed that the portrayal of the visually impaired character 'Dhritharastra' is derogatory. Therefore the
said character may not be shown as visually impaired.

6. The Department of Women and Child Development have highlighted that the public disrobing of one female character called 'Draupadi' is objectionable and derogatory to women in general. Further the Home Ministry anticipates that depiction of such scenes may create law and order problem and at the same time invite strong protests from the different women forums. Such scenes may also invite penal action under SITA (Suppression of Immoral Traffic Act), therefore they may be avoided and deleted from the film.

7. It is felt that showing the Pandava and the Kauravas as gamblers will be anti-social and counter productive as it might encourage gambling. Therefore, the said Pandavas and Kauravas may be shown to have engaged in horse racing. (Hon. Supreme Court has held horse racing not to be gambling)

8. The Pandavas are shown as working in the King Virat's employment without receiving any salary. According to the Human Rights Commission, this amounts to bonded labour and may attract provisions of The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. This may be corrected at once.

9. In the ensuing war, one character by name Sri Abhimanyu has been shown as fighting. The National Labour Commission has observed that, war being a hazardous
industry, and the said character being 16 years old, this depiction will be construed as a case of child labour. Also there is no record of his being paid any
compensation. This may also be deemed to be violatory of the provisions of The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and Minimum Wages Act, 1948. Such
references in the film may be removed.

10. The character 'Sri Krishna' has been depicted as wearing a peacock feather. The peacock is our National Bird and wearing dresses made from peacock feather is an
offence under the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972. This may not be depicted.


11. Smt Maneka Gandhi has raised very serious objection for using any elephants or horses in war scenes, since there is every scope for mistreatment and injury to the
said animals. The provisions of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1890 and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Act, 1960 would be applicable in the instant case. Suitable changes may be made in the script to address the objections raised.

12. In pursuance of the Memorandum of Ministry of Finance regarding austerity measures, it is informed that in the battle field sequences, only ten soldiers may be allowed for each side. Also, all the characters may be shown to have obtained a valid licence under the Arms Act, 1959 as well as the Indian Arms Act, 1878. You are therefore requested to modify the script along the lines indicated above and resubmit it to the undersigned at the earliest.

Sd/- Under Secretary

A fresh start...

It has been a long time since I blogged. I was either lazy or I did not want to blog. Whatever it might be, I did not write for a long time. Now, suddenly I felt that I should start blogging again so that I keep tab of some of the crazy things that I do and I started off with this.

OK, I have fever. A sore throat. Cold, cough, a heavy head. I am tired of coughing and my throat hurts. That's too much at once. I didnt go to office today and rested at home all day. That may be one of the reasons for my idea of blogging once again - boredom.

A US open match that lacked intensity (Roger steam rolled over Andy Murray). It was not a high quality match like some of the others. But Roger earned his fifth US Open title. And I was happy for Roger. He had to wait a long time to get to his 13th title. Let's see how long does he have to wait for the next one.

But I am hoping that things will get better for him and me. People say I have been victimized by 'dishti' - a belief in India that something bad will happen when people feel jealous about one's well being. Weird it may be, but it is true that I am currently down with sickness!

How to make Kashaayam?

One of the things that we drink when we have a sore throat is Kashaayam. It is a drink made of black pepper, jaggery, water and a few other ingredients. It is used to relieve throat pain and help reduce cough.

Now, how do we make it? I dont know. Mom told me over the phone, but I didnt pay attention then and now I dont know how to make it.

After a couple of googling attempts and phone calls to India (mom did not pick up the phone), I still dont know how to make kashaayam. There was one page where they had listed the steps, but that is not how we make it. So till I find out, this post will be incomplete.

Finally I found some recipes and tried one too. Here are the links for the recipes.
1. Sonti Kashayam
2. Pepper Kashayam

Finally, I spoke to mom and got to know the home recipe ...

miriyaalu - 10 pieces (finely ground)
lavangaalu - 5-6
daalchini - chinnadi
dhaniyaalu - 1/2 spoon
jeera - 1 pinch
jaggery - little
water - 2 glasses
ginger - small pieces
Add tulasi - just before taking out the kashaayam

That's it... Kashaayam is ready!