Speaking my Mind Out

How to sue vodafone

2011-06-23T00:02:00.001+05:30

Can someone help me sue idiot vodafone and their lousy customer service for mental harassment, intimidation and trying to extort money in consumer court??!!

MF Hussain - RIP: Who cares!!!

2011-06-09T14:49:00.006+05:30

I might be called a religious fanatic if I try to justify why I, a Hindu, was offended by MF's paintings but who cares - my answers to the liberals

- The painting were drawn in 70's - why such hulla in the 90's? Information spread quickly in the 90's as compared the 70's. People were better educated, more aware of their rights and probably, had more sense of swabhiman!!

- See you backyard - what is Khajuraho - isnt it a pornographic description? 1st I personally believe indian society was much liberal and it amalgamated due to coming of the Islam and Victorial culture (let it leave for some other topic). Now on question of Khajuraho - whatever pornography they have carved out of stone do not depict Nude goddess or deities!!!

- Artistic freedom of expression - shouldn't he be allowed to express himself? Yes he is and on should express but shouldn't he also think about the feelings he might hurt. I condemn the Danish cartoon drawn because of insensitivity towards the Muslims but shouldn't I, by the same yardstick, condemn this great artist?? Did MF Hussain ever supported the cartoonist saying that he should be allowed 'freedom of expression'? Did he tried to depict any Muslim symbol as nude?

- Nude goddess are pure - but then why all the of his muslims drawing clothed? If he was an out an out 'Nude painter', I won't have any problems with his nude paitings of goddesses but he seemed to have selective nudity in mind.

P.S. I, seriously, do need feel offended by the paintings (who cares - I am more of a spiritual atheist and believe real hinduism, per se, do not care about these things) but the reason that liberals will abuse conservatives for all India ills without knowing the facts made me write this short post!!!

My Wedding Card

2011-06-01T16:32:00.003+05:30

Though a bit late I wanted to make my presence felt on the web as a creative - funny person :P

A dirty party and how it distorted history - 5 points you forgot and 3 questions you should ask!!!

2011-05-15T01:02:00.012+05:30

Today, after a long time, an article caught my eyes which took me back almost 6-7 years when I used to float around a mail (mostly fact, some fiction) when BJP unfortunately and unexpectedly lost in 2004 elections. The mail was something which contained fact and (probably) fiction about Mrs. G and how humiliating it will be if that piece of foreign **** becomes Indian PM just because an old political party has distorted history in in such a way that every good thing in India has happened because of some foreign educated Mr. G and Mr. 'krishan kanhaiya' N. At that time it was more of a young blood boiling who cannot accept the fact that in a population of 1 billion , because of this old party, we will again be ruled by a foreigner and this time it's more from a guy who though wants to do something for the country but has a much better things to take care of - roti, kapda, aur makaan - because, unfortunately my dada-pardada didn't leave swiss bank accounts for me.

People while voting for congress sometimes justify it by saying that the family gave its life for India and Congress has done a lot for the country. My question is what the hell has Congress done for India other than distorting the history so that I am always indebted to them and less I say about the great family - is better.

A few of the things which were done, probably, were the best option at that time and lot of people were inspired by the organization but the fact is INC and the Father do not deserve as much credit as is being given to them

Mr. M.k. Gandhi and his contribution to Indian Independence:

1919: If India takes part in WWI, independence will be given? Was it given... No!!!

1942: Did Quit India movement achieved what it should have?... No

What made British leave

Their own dirty war..

SC Bose & INA

AND

The Indian Navy rebellion of 1946 (search for it...!!!) which is mentioned in 1 line in class 7th/ 8th history text books.

It's a no brainier what happens if a country's force is not with the rulers but this fact has been conveniently and deliberately forgotten.

The X, Y & Z generation is too happy with the holiday on the 15th but the fact is that the true story has never been told and hopefully, soon credit will go to the right people and not to some money hungry politicians and their legitimate/ illegitimate children. Who rules might not matter to you now because you have all the resources but who knows you children can be affected.

History is there so that we can learn something and its a golden opportunity, we, the people of India, have to use the means of communication and knowledge which we never had to learn the truth and analyze where we have been wrong!!!

If MK Gandhi is that great as is being told since yours-my-or your fathers nursery class - why it took him 40+ years to get a country independent... what an efficiency rate?

If congress and its policies were that great why was it that even after 40 years of unopposed rule majority of population was poor/ illiterate. Germany or Japan were in no better condition - destroyed by the war and paying war costs to the Allies for years to come.. but their was a marked difference between them and India after 40 years!!!

Who first supported those because of which Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were killed? Both have respectively supported Bhindranwale and LTTE and ultimately both were the reason of their killings (similarly like Osama was made all powerful By US and he made them bleed) - so I do not think they laid life for the country and I am not indebted to them

Prometric reply

2010-03-22T22:00:00.001+05:30

1. If you see at my 1st RTI you will realize that I never asked to recheck my marks and my question were very different. This is the exact reply these guys have sent to umpteen other students who mailed them regarding knowing their actual scores. If they are not even reading the questions how can they be trusted to answer them correctly.
2. In my 1st RTI I have asked about my actual scores and data based on that which I have been denied. Now I wish to ask you how such a data can be ‘propriety’. The reason given is ‘Public disclosure of the questions, its contents, answer keys and specific scoring procedures for each candidate compromise validity and subsequent use of the questions.’ Now the idiots (mind my language) but it is a collective frustration of so many days, so many students who have been cheated and the way authorities are treating students – now coming back to the point – they are saying that content, answer keys etc. cannot be disclosed – but how on the earth these idiots can say ‘specific scoring procedure’ compromise validity. How can disclosing scoring procedure compromise validityty. Or it is because of the reason that the scoring itself is so screwed they are bloody afraid of disclosing each and every step? I am really sorry for using swears words but… this is the state of the nation and the professors and the nexus between academia and the corporate.

Dear Shubham Lahoti,

This is with reference to your mail to IIM requesting for certain information under the RTI Act, 2005. We have carefully reviewed your responses, rechecked your scores and have found them to be absolutely correct. You will be happy to note that they are exactly the same as reported to you on www.catiim.in.

To safeguard certain information which is proprietary to Prometric and IIM and to ensure the integrity and security of CAT, it will not be possible for us to disclose the additional information that you are requesting for. We continue with this practice which has been followed all along in CAT and in all other tests of other educational institutions. You will understand that the purpose of the test is to assess a candidate’s aptitude and skill in a domain. Public disclosure of the questions, its contents, answer keys and specific scoring procedures for each candidate compromise validity and subsequent use of the questions.

The above policy is consistent and based on the academic work done in this filed, the references for which are given below:

1. Principles for the Validation and use of Personnel Selection Procedures, 4th Edition, Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Inc. (2003).

2. Standard for Educational and Psychological Testing, American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, and National Council on Measurement in Education (1999).

We wish you all the best in your admission process.

Sincerely,
CAT Candidate Care Support
Prometric Testing Pvt. Ltd.
http://www.prometric.com/iim-cat/contactus

Dummie Guide

2010-03-08T23:22:00.001+05:30

Open Question to Caterrorist: Prometric Boss

2010-03-08T22:52:00.005+05:30

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/assessmentcat-fair-prometric/87787/on

American firm Prometric, which conducted the computer-based Common Admission Test (CAT), today sought to allay doubts raised over the credibility of the assessment of papers and said "fair and equal opportunity" was given to candidates to display their knowledge.

"How did you decide that every one was given a fair and equal opportunity? Will you be kind enough to enlighten us? Was anyone found guilty of cheating? Or by fair and equal opportunity you meant those who got less marks their marks were increased and for those with higher higher marks, it was decreased."

"We have reviewed the test scoring and we are completely confident that the results are appropriately distributed across the population, and that the test were performed well within international standards," Prometric Chief Operations Officer Charles Kernan told reporters here.

Despite repeated requests why are you shying away from sharing these international standards and their impact on the CAT scores?

The three-step CAT test development process includes calculation, equation and scaling of the raw scores and was conducted in alignment with the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing, the American firm said.

Now even a nursery class student knows this - we are asking how you equated the scores. And if you so confident gives us our actual scores.

The computer-based 'CAT-2009' in the first phase was marred by technical glitches from the very first day as students faced problems while logging on at centres in Gujarat, Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Bhopal.

Nearly 7,000 students had to take the test in January this year during the second phase. They could not take the exam in the first phase due to glitches that were attributed by the IIMs and Prometric to virus attacks and hardware problems.

"We take the blame for whatever happened. But, this is the first time in 31 years that the IIMs preferred the computer method. Even EVMs were criticised when they were introduced 10 years ago. Now, they are path-breaking," Prometric India Managing Director Soumitra Roy said.

Definitely EVMs are here to stay but do you think you have a single chance of staying here. I can go on and on but the best one is: IIMA director himself has said you guys faltered 'badly'.

CNBC AWAAZ Interview - bad quality/ small version

2010-03-06T01:24:00.004+05:30

Just a small piece from the interview (just stumpled upon in night so recorded screen)

Some points he made like
- they have updated the website with the procedure? Who are they fooling... themselves...HUH???
- He is very confident of prometric? That's why IIMA is thinking of scrapping their contract... HUH?
I hope to get hold of whole interview tomorrow which will expose how confident and consistent he was in his interview...!!!

DON'T LET US TAKE LEGAL ROUTE...!!!

2010-03-05T23:21:00.001+05:30

HAVE SOME SELF RESPECT... ACCEPT YOUR MISTAKE

Professinalism of Prometric

2010-03-05T16:41:00.002+05:30

So, in a very (un)important announcement where Prometric tried to explain the marking scheme they wrote -1 points for question answered correctly...!!! Kuch bhi...!!!

Open Letter: More play of words from Prometric and IIMs

2010-03-05T11:30:00.005+05:30

Development

The CAT test development process was conducted in alignment with the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. The exam was designed with three sections: (1) Verbal Ability, (2) Quantitative Ability, and (3) Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning. These three sections are consistent with the knowledge domains historically assessed by the IIM and are also aligned with the content areas covered in equivalent global admission examinations that measure performance along similar scales.

Yes who doesn't know this...?

Content of the examination was developed and confirmed by individuals with high levels of expertise in each of three content domains (Verbal, Quantitative, and Data Interpretation). Post-administration analysis was conducted by credentialed psychometricians to confirm the validity of the examination scores and to ensure that every candidate was provided a fair and equal opportunity to display their knowledge.

Has this psychometric ever been applied to previous CAT exams? What is the proof the this so called "credentialed psychometricians" is valid for the CAT exam? How much variation is there?

Scoring
Prometric employed an industry-standard, psychometrically-sound approach to the scoring process for all IIM candidates. The three-step process is outlined here and is supported by the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing and the ETS Standards for Quality and Fairness.
Step 1: Raw Score is Calculated
Your raw scores are calculated for each section based on the number of questions you answered correctly, incorrectly, or that you omitted.
Correct X Incorrect Answer 0 Omitted
+ 3 points for questions you answered correctly -1 Points for questions answered correctly 0 points subtracted for questions you did not answer
This scoring methodology ensures that candidates are only awarded points for what they know. Candidates are not awarded inappropriate points for random guessing. This is a standard process in the testing industry and is a methodology employed in scoring similar admissions tests such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Step 2: Raw Score is "Equated"
Equating is a statistical process used to adjust scores on two or more alternate forms of an assessment so that the scores may be used interchangeably. Industry standard processes were used for equating, such as those outlined within the ETS Standards for Quality and Fairness.

I will come back to the point I made earlier i.e this tested on earlier CATs for benchmarking or was there a dry run for the same? Why were students not told about this 'Equated' part when they were sitting for the exam? Was it decided after the exams were over that such a 'equated scores' need to be awarded? Who were the people involved in this decision and why was it done after the exams? If you are so confident of your industry standards why are you shying away from sharing the same? Why are you just playing with words and buying your time? You won't gain anything by bringing fancy terms like psychometric analysis etc...? This is what we know you have done... can you please explain how you have done this and how much is the variation between the original percentile with the one you awarded?

Step3: Equated Raw Score is "Scaled"

In order to ensure appropriate interpretation of an equated raw score, the scores must be placed on a common scale or metric. A linear transformation was used for this scaling process, which is an industry standard practice (Kolen & Brennan, 2004).

The IIM scaling model is as follows:

Section Scores = 0 to 150 Total Exam Score = 0 to 450

Four scaled scores are presented for each candidate: an overall scaled score and three separate scaled scores for each section. As the three sections evaluate three distinct sets of knowledge and skills, scores do not correlate across sections. A high score in one section does not guarantee a high score in another section. Percentile rankings are provided for each individual section as well as for the overall exam score.

So, whats new in this...???

About Test Difficulty

The CAT exam was developed to accurately identify top performing candidates and that design makes use of a scaled score range of 0-450. In order to appropriately identify the top performing candidates, the CAT exam was, by design, very difficult. As would be expected with the more difficult CAT exam, no candidate answered 100% of the items correctly and no candidate achieved the top theoretical score. The exam design accomplished the goal of identifying the top performing candidates who were, indeed, ranked at the top of the list. If the exam were designed to be substantially easier, it would be theoretically possible for a candidate to achieve a score of 450. However, an exam constructed to be that easy would not serve the distinct purposes of the IIM.

Again don't people over the ages know this. But still I would like to be enlightened why people who attempted only one section in 2 hours (and I can assure you there are people like that) and have answered all the questions correct didn't get high percentiles. You may ask me how I know it...? Well, there are teachers who do it and what is stopping you from disclosing actual marks to prove me wrong?

References

American Educational Research Association (AERA), American Psychological Association (APA), and the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME). (1999). Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing. Washington, D.C.: Author.

Educational Testing Service (ETS). (2002) ETS Standards for Quality and Fairness. Princeton, N.J.

Kolen, M. J., & Brennan, R. L. (2004). Test equating, scaling and linking: Methods and practices. 2nd Ed. Springer.

I am going to read the pdfs and will put my comments by weekend. Meanwhile if someone can give some views it would be great...!!!

The tail of a CAT

2010-03-04T23:05:00.004+05:30

Though the RTI submitted contains most of the question here is the much broader version, mostly based on the writeup of some good guy. Below it I have also mentioned how I would personally like the way it should work on from now.

The CAT 2009 scores were released on Feb 28th 2010, but the student community have a lot of questions regarding the methodology used to obtain the results as well as the marking scheme. Quite a few students have resorted to the Right-To-Information Act to seek answers.

Our Issues:

The student community has largely echoed the lack of transparency in the marking scheme and lack of access to the details of the papers as one of the main issue. Even after repeated queries Prometric and the IIMs did not to respond to our mails.

Prior to the CAT 2010 examination, IIM authorities had categorically stated that the difficulty levels across papers in all slot were consistently maintained by generating a large number of questions of equal difficulty to establish equivalence; but have now introduced a vague term in the scorecard “ Psychometric equivalences to adjust for the difficulty levels". This seems a contradiction! We students are confused to see such a marking scheme introduced without prior notification before the exam and till now no explanation has been given from the IIMs or the Prometric.

As students we would like to bring to your notice few important points:

1. CAT 2009 – is a Computer Based Test, ((please note not a Computer Adaptive Test ) where all questions (complete 60) are downloaded from the internet at the start of the exam and the students are allowed to review and answer any question they want. The set of questions are all predetermined. It is just a shift from shading an OMR to using a computer mouse.

GRE and GMAT are Computer ADAPTIVE Tests where the candidate answers different questions of varying difficulty level based on the candidate’s performance in the previous question. Psychometric equivalences in GRE and GMAT is time tested and justified after many revisions.

But CAT2009 was a computer based exam similar to the BITSAT. Question sets were predetermined and large number of questions with equal difficulty were prepared by the IIM authorities and so scaling across different slots was unnecessary. Psychometric scaling does not seem to fit this type of testing! BITS, Pilani conducts similar computer based system where no psychometric analysis is done.

This gives a reason for the large number of anomalies in the expected and actual scores of candidates.

2. GRE and GMAT have world wide takers and therefore a huge database on performances over the time can lead to generalizing psychometric patterns. These tests have been there for years.
CAT is confined to India and this is the first time it has become computer based. No prior experience and from where and how was the database created to generalize psychometric patterns or any marking scheme.??

3. There are rumors of differential marking scheme based on weightage to different questions. It is the right of the candidate to know about the changes in marking scheme if any, prior to the examination. None of the IIMs or the Prometric informed us regarding differential marking. IIMs were following only equal marking all this while.

Candidates who have attempted the questions that had higher weightage incorrectly have got a reduced score.

In the absence of the appropriate information regarding the changes in the examination and evaluation pattern, many serious candidates are now in a state of shock and disbelief. At the same time many high scoring candidates have expressed their surprise on the high scores.

4. We would like the Prometric to enlighten us about the veracity of this international system that has been introduced in an Indian environment when the system of testing differs widely. How can application of psychometric expertise be called fair here?

5. Easiness and difficulty are relative terms, how can an absolute scoring system be used here? IIMs said they had prepared question papers of equal difficulty across all slots, if this is true, a simple normalisation (wrt to the slots) as done by the IIMs all these years should be sufficient. This is the only way we will get to know our true scores.

6. How do the IIMs decide that a particular section on a particular day was difficult? It is something that is riddled with a barrage of subjectivities.

7. If the IIMs and Prometric are very sure of their methodology and calculations, please make the detailed scores of each candidate public, Let there be no doubt in the minds of the students by making each parameter of CAT 2009 transparent.

8. It seems the IIMs and Prometric were deliberately delaying the result so that student can’t resort to RTI’s and petitions and they can publish whatever result they wish to publish. I personally believe it is simply the arrogance of IIMs which is not letting them accept that they did a mistake.

9. Why did IIMC want to revert back to paper based & other IIMs rejected? Now, why IIMA wants to revert back to paper based format and IIMC doesn't. The statment coming is 'earlier they didn't accept what we said'!!! So naive and simple... huh.
Isn't it just the ego of the IIMs which is jeopardizing future of many.

10. It might be true that CBTs are the future but was any study done or any analysis done that how that change can be brought about in India before taking such a big decision. If the answer is YES... I am definitely interested in knowing who did it?

11. IIMs should understand they are just poor man's Harvards, Whartons et al.

What I wish:

1. Best option is scrapping, which I strongly doubt will happen. So here are some wish-list.

2. Make actual scores and percentiles public (both overall, day wise and slot wise) available, asap

3. Institute show some logical thinking and use these percentiles too in their shortlisting. Rethink about the shortlists you have done. Its simply a humble request because in the end I strongly believe its their Institute and it depends on them how they want to take students (pun intended) but that too without transparency... is sick.

4. If large selection not possible, try squeezing a small screening round in between to give those deserving candidates some chance.

Personally, I hate the idea of studying for MBA entrance and too much dependence on the marks of the same for shortlisting, but this is the case right now so... atleast give the options to the people for correcting the mistake you have done.

Btw an interesting graph by some PG guy/ gal (nice work though) (its roll number vs selection graph). though i doubt it says anything as roll number given were in order of the student registering on the site or the slot they chose is something I don't know. If it is as per the slot they shose... then to.. bhagwaan hi malik hai (why I didn't take the first day ;))

RTI submitted at IIMA

2010-03-04T16:48:00.003+05:30

SO here goes my first RTI...!!! Hope to receive a reply from their side soon.

Racism and favorism - Sports

2010-03-02T15:32:00.000+05:30

Though most of the International Sporting Bodies claim themselves to be anti racism and someone who are promoting harmony but its hard to understand that how come the way their officials treat the Asian countries go unnoticed needless to say whenever they are a 'bit' aggressive and winning. A recent incident in Hockey world cup when a minor incident was served with a 3 match ban - needless to say a brown player was banned.
Its a pity that the so called 'responsible media' has nothing to say on this while the country federation does nothing to help the poor player. Coincidentally, its an Australian (a country of the culprits and LEAST RACIST) who has handed the ban...!!!
I have no issues if everyone is treated as same but the issue is they have one set of punishment for one group and another set for other. God knows, why the hell are they happy accepting all this bullshit in the face. I know it doesn't matter either ways but seeing such an attitude of all the parties involved, you ought to feel sad for the player and worried for the whole nation. I might be exaggerating but this is the reason how Indians are taken for granted everywhere - by the people, by the companies and what not.

JLT

2010-02-26T20:00:00.000+05:30

up in the air,
down in the woods,
I keep running around
like a lost mule...!!!

What the hell is ICC and Chirs Broad doing...??

2010-01-19T11:28:00.004+05:30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=225Yk0U2Xfc (and the video is removed as it exposes the racist b@st@rds of Cricket)
http://www.crichotline.com/australia-vs-west-indies-3rd-test-2009-sulieman-benn-vs-brad-haddin-n-mitchell-johnson-fight/

Quote

2009-10-19T17:42:00.001+05:30

Zindagi main jalna sabko ek na ek ek din hota hai, it depends on you ki chandan ki lakdi pe jaloge ya neem ki...!!! - obviously Me ;)

Quotes

2009-09-20T04:28:00.001+05:30

Anyone can pick something when they know what it is. It takes real leadership to pick something you're clueless about. - Simpson's the Movie

Zindagi mein hamari waat iffe nahi lagti ki hum kaunfa raafta chunte hai. Waat lagti hai iffe ki hum kaunfa raafta chodte hai -Kaminey

09/09/09 09:09:09

2009-09-09T09:09:00.000+05:30

just a small tp :D

for dummies

2009-08-19T21:56:00.002+05:30

pun itnended on me...!!!

I too need a bailout...!!!

2009-08-18T20:13:00.001+05:30

by shubham | Create your own Cartoon at www.toondoo.com

A few quotes...

2009-08-18T15:33:00.001+05:30

- The world is my 'lesbian wedding' - Mr. Bing... Friends 2x11

- Shouldn't I also be given a bailout; aftreall anyone who does a stupid mistake gets one...!!!

I-Day Playlist

2009-08-15T12:00:00.003+05:30

Well, anyone who stumbles here... can add any good songs I am missing :)

This is the list specific to IDay and RDay. And every time I keep adding a couple of songs but still I believe I am missing some good ones :(

Taqat Watan Ki - Prem Pujari.mp3
Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon.mp3
Kabuliwala-AyeMerePyareWatan.mp3
19897_Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan.mp3
Mera_Mulk_-_Kumar_-_Aditya.mp3
Zindagi_Maut_Na_Ban_Jaye.au
apni-azaadi-ko-hum(MastiMag.com).mp3
13831_Ham Laaye Hain Toofan Se .mp3
Kismat - Door Hato Ae Duniyawalon.mp3
A R Rehman - Maa Tujhe Salaam.mp3
21468_Aye Watan - Fast.mp3
5 Sarfaroshi Tamanna - Mohd. Rafi
14535_Nanha Munna RahiI Hoon.mp3
Aao Bachhon Tumhen Dikhaaye.MP3
12788_Nanhe Munhe Bacche.mp3
De Di Hamein Aazaadi.MP3
-------------------------------------

de di hamein azaadi.mp3 (heard it only once as it makes me hate the guy aka mk gandhi even more.. ) And atleast today i wanted to hear these songs peacefully...

I love it when Aussies cry...

2009-07-20T17:35:00.003+05:30

Only a few months ago this Aussie media and crowd was talking of Spirit of Cricket :). Comparison of two tests:

- Sydney 9 wrong decisions; Lords 3 (& 1 against England too)

- Sydney: atleast 3-4 out of these were like anyone's granny would have spotted them; here 1-2

-And now they are crying as if they have been robbed

Aussies are nothing but a piece of ####ing cry babies who have killed the poor indeginious people and have replaced them with their criminal genes from the Europe. Its so funny when Ponting talks of Sprit of Cricket. :)

BTW I still wonder if ICC code of conduct which says physical contact is a foul and Gautam Gambhir can be banned for a match for the same, why can't the same rule be applied to AUssie/ English players (Shoulder bump: 1st Test '09). If it's not racism, then what is...???

My online life - RIP

2009-07-09T23:08:00.003+05:30

Nothing big but some chinese b@$t@rd sent a mail from my account everyone in my address book (i am not sure if it was hacking or what) as thankfully nothing else was messed up. He/ she simply chose to advertise an online elec shop...!!!

BTW i don't know why but my contact in gtalk are also depleted and you'll see me offline 24 hrs which obviously is not true - probably you need to add me again coz neither I nor you can see each other online :). Not sure what exactly happened but...!!!

Anyways I'll resurrect my life using fb/ orkut/ ?? :)

Where BJP went wrong?

2009-05-19T20:12:00.003+05:30

I am not a political analyst nor am I here to analyze the result keeping in mind the technicalities like vote share percentage etc. I am just going to analyze the BJP lose as a layman and put forward my views on the same.
First of all I believe that the result portrays more of a Congress win than a BJP lose. Secondly, people somehow have voted against Third and Fourth Front considering them as an opportunistic group which is fighting against the Congress in respective states but finally, will get involved in horse trading. Hence, in that sense, first look on the election make us believe that it was somewhat intelligent voting on the part of voters. Thirdly, even in parliament elections there is no denying the fact that local factor work to a large extent and finally, BJP campaign this time was worse than the ‘India Shining’ one. This time they seem to lose plot somewhere in middle.
BJP Campaign:
- Repeated utterances of weak PM by PM in waiting. Yes, accepted Dr. Singh is weak who even after winning the election repeatedly thanks the leadership of Soniaji and Rahulji for the win but the way BJP took this particular concept of condemning the PM made BJP and Advani look arrogant, to say the least. Everyone knows he is weak but atleast have traits like clean, humble etc. which became more visible after these uncalled for attacks every next rally. Once or twice it was fine but somehow Advani’s speech writer/ advisors went over board for something that was important but not that important. It was something like ‘thotha chana baaje ghana’
- Leaving out the real issues like inflation, terrorism, corruption, some new policies etc. Their promises like increasing tax exemption limit etc. should be given more space and time. Though it is different thing that I have always found media emphasizing on BJP’s blunder but still a better campaign strategy should have been in place.
- Projection of Modi. I wonder if it had any effect, positive/ negative, on the voters
- Varun Gandhi factor. More or less if it worked, it worked only in UP to some extent. But yet BJP should understand that Hindus are moderate class of people in general and are not typically like some community which supports someone who publicly put price on a cartoonist head. Hindus are those who don’t want to increase their number by paying money and are more than willing to visit a mosque or church. So BJP should understand that most Hindus are very moderate even if their religion is questioned and they accordingly need to plan their strategies.
- Rahul Gandhi Factor. Though I hate the Congress and the family but yet this Gandhi is doing some good work. Like his parents or grandparents he is not jumping directly to grab the top post. He is not only working but working hard to make sure voter do not feel he is getting it in a platter. He looks like trying to work hard to earn the top post. And, I feel, if he continues like this, he will earn a lot of respect from the youth and urban/semi-urban India who mostly are pissed off due to family first attitude of Congress.
- Black Haired MPs. This is where BJP need to work hard to make sure youth are attracted towards them. I accept the fact that most of these dudes of Congress are there because of their dads who were killed/ died. (A conspiracy Theory by me putting serious question marks on the accidental deaths of Scindhia and Pilot) But they display a face which unfortunately people of India, especially the youth prefer to see - English speaking, little sophisticated, intelligent, charming etc. This is where BJP lacks big time and they need to search people who are like 20 years younger version of Jaitely, Chandan Mitra, Shourie et al, who can become a face of BJP.

State Wise

Rajasthan: I fail to understand why Mrs Sindhia was still treated so highly, even after the state election lose. Not only she was unpopular with the masses after the arrogance and princely ways of living she displayed while in power, but also her hold on party was not convincing. Without naming the source this is one statement, from a core BJP supporter, I would like to share is ‘Maharani rahengi to harenge ho sahi’. BJP need to understand now people are looking for leaders who are humble and not display arrogance, atleast publicly. Though I feel even if the leader was different, still BJP would have improved its tally by not more than 3-4 seats.

UP: Here I think the Gandhi factors worked
- Varun: in polarizing one community vote in favor of congress.
- Rahul: general vote base increase
I believe the votes which were mostly divided in SP and BSP got concentrated and went to Congress because of the speech. Now, I am not saying what he said was right or wrong but it probably had an effect on the final outcome. Secondly, work of other Gandhi scion helped increase the base for the grand Old Party.

Gujrat/ MP: It’s always hard to sweep but seems some local factors spoiled the party's chances and nothing more.

Other states where BJP didn’t perform well: I have no idea :)

What are their strengths
- Right ideology party: If you want, you can call me communal/ nationalist but I have been ruled by the outsiders for last 1000 years and I no more want to be ruled by foreigners or those who have got foreign blood in them. This is something if you speak in public people will brand you communal etc. but the fact is major middle class and a large percentage of decently educated people who generally do not vote because they are not in their home towns, according to me, feel like that. BJP should try to attract such population as much as possible.
- Conversions: I hate to see poor people being converted for money and I hate to see infiltrators’ being given legal status for votes. Someone can say atleast these poor are getting benefitted with money but then people should understand that indoctrinated people owing their loyalty to the outside world will finally lead to another Pakistan or Christistan or something like that. While in the first place, my highly controversial question is why the poor is poor? (Again another post can be written so I’ll just leave this for now). I know India gave the slogan of ‘Vasudev Kutumkam’ (world is one family) but the fact is no country follows this ideology and I alone cannot be idiot enough to accept and follow this. I strongly believe atleast in the Hindi belt a large population is like this who doesn’t want them to be ruled by pseudo-Christians but BJP need to trap such people to convert their votes. But yet BJP should understand that Hindus mostly are moderate and peace loving
- Non Appeasement: When you hear statements like Minorities have first right over country’s resources you obviously are worried till what depth will this appeasement and so- called Secularism brand of politics fall. Is being a Hindu a crime?
- Not that much of dynastic politics
- Respect India’s Past: Theories which have been discredited all over the world are still being taught in schools. BJP ideology is also based upon the fact that our past was great and this is something which I like as it tries to instill a feeling of self honour in Indian psyche.

Besides that there is quite less to separate these two, presently (Historically I hate congress). Both have similar foreign and economic policy. BJP likes to portray it stricter with internal affairs and will take no non-sense but still, I believe with present Indian situation both of them are equally limped in tackling the issue. (May be BJP is a little better, but yet...)

Why is it hard to accept congress?

2009-05-17T13:33:00.001+05:30

An election which could have gone either ways definitely went the way I didn’t want it go. I wished the exit polls to go wrong but in the other direction. Though I know whichever party comes to power, it won’t be affecting general public life to a large extent and only people who will be benefitting will be the ministers in the government who will be making money for their generations to come. Still, accepting congress in its present form due to reasons like historical blunders, one family rule, sycophancy, etc. is atleast not possible for me.

With the kind of support congress had before independence, it is hard to believe they took more than forty years to get us independent. One might argue the methods used then were the only possibilities and it is easy to condemn the past sitting in the lap of the present, but yet a leadership which was more foreign than Indian in their thoughts and was more than happy of having Dominican status was not the best bet for India. Even the leaders like S. C. Bose who also captured the imagination of masses weren’t supported by M.K. Gandhi for the reasons well documented and ultimately have to move away from the Congress. With all due respects to the work done by the leaders and people then, there is no denying the fact that if it was not for the World War II, the party could have fought for next hundred years for the Indian independence but couldn’t have achieved anything. A well documented reason that it became harder economically for the British to sustain a colony after WWII is never even talked of at school level. Indian Navy revolt, another major reason which made British to leave India, is never taught in school history to keep the credit of Independence always with the Congress. It is an accepted fact that the history is the mistress of the victorious but the way the past governments have indoctrinated Indian public of their glorious past is something unacceptable. India has been ruled by the outsiders for last 1000 years and the majority population, whether you want to accept it or not, was treated badly during those times. But blatantly and selectively wiping off the history in the name of maintaining communal peace was not a way forward. Having said that, there is no doubt that people followed them due to charismatic nature of these leaders and ultimately it is the public that decides who leads them at the end of day, hence the blame totally lies with us, the people of India.

Ruling a country for around fifty years at a stretch and still having a large portion of population which thrives on reservations, a large percentage being illiterate, a lot of area no better than a place in underdeveloped country makes me think if the ruling party (or the family) never really worked on making things works the way they should have been. Some classical examples given are that of China and Japan, which were almost at the same level as was India at the time of independence. No doubt, they are the countries with different models but yet, if their model worked why couldn’t the Indian model work. Did the party have some vested interest in keeping people the way they were is something to ponder about?

Democracy, as per many commentators, is the best form of rule tried and tested till now. But seeing the democracies around the world makes me wonder if it’s just an exercise where people vindicate their trust in the hereditary rule. Again there is no denying the fact that it is the people of a country who are electing these scions but has it to do something with the mentality of people or is it just a human nature to go and trust the people of a particular family to lead them. Congress keeps falling back on one family to revive their fortunes because they know that people of this country will support the family. People whose leadership credentials are no better than mine just jump into the fray and may become the ruler one day just because of his/ her family name. Was it possible if large population in the country was educated is something I always wonder?
A party which since long has supported corruption, appeased people in name of secularism, or backed sycophants is the last thing India needed at this stage.

The Great Indian Cricket Tamasha

2009-04-24T15:41:00.000+05:30

As if the shifting of the tourney or the multiple captain theory or deposing of Indian origin captains, for some reasons well known to the owners, wasn’t enough, we know have this fakeiplplayer (who has decided to go underground for now/ got caught) washing the dirty linen in public and providing much more entertainment than the IPL itself. Though the guy doesn’t look like a player but still the entertainment he has provided is awesome. (http://fakeiplplayer.blogspot.com)
A tournament which undoubtedly is a dirty nexus of big money and cricket now looks more interesting not because of the teams competing with each other but due to the good old heroes trying to shove up their owners’ a$$. With ‘the wall’ and ‘dada’ showing the ‘batliwala’ and ‘bhaand’ their real aukaat, respectively, and playing much better than their owners’ firang assets, it just remains to be seen when these two owners will kick themselves for the decisions they made. A highly diplomatic, modest and sensible guy like Dravid making statements likes ‘the conditions will definitely suit me’, ‘we are losing match in initial overs’ (implying before I even come to bat) or making violent gestures after reaching fifty tells you what these guys are feeling. Anger and a desire to screw their owners is written all over their faces. Just see them while batting and you can see the determination on their faces. I wish both team go down the well but not before these two champs have made their statements. Dada haven’t got an opportunity to speak till now but seeing what Dravid said, I bet this bhaand will simply be running for covers if Ganguly gets a chance to speak once.
BTW I fully agree with Abhinav Bindra…!!!

How Ms. Lewinsky shaped World History

2009-04-19T23:13:00.001+05:30

The most famous intern in the world appears high on this list for one reason: Had President Bill Clinton not left a stain on Lewinsky’s dress and his presidency, Al Gore would almost certainly have won the 2000 election. That means the U.S. would not have invaded Iraq, killing thousands and spending nearly a trillion dollars there. Lewinsky’s seductive flute playing changed the course of history.

Source: some site :)

Digital Picture Folder

2009-04-09T20:11:00.004+05:30

Was just synchronizing my pic folder with all new pix :). All Pix of last 4 years

Simla-Manali: A trip with family

2009-04-09T12:08:00.006+05:30

A trip like this after approximately 3-4 years
Problem with such trips:
You can't do a lot of things which you would have done if alone/ friends :); especially when it was such a nice climate

Route: Delhi-Kalka-Shimla-Manali-Chandigarh-(Kota)-Delhi

Well to be true, the trip was a little big: 7-8 days are fine if you are travelling alone and exploring the place on your own. But when you take a package tour with family it becomes a little boring (in the sense you have to follow a routine.. sort of), especially if you are a person like me. In a single line the trip can be summarized as Local sightseeing, some tourist spots, some shopping, lot of bargaining (from general shopping to price of adventure sports), a little adventure sports, lot of temples, some argument with driver, lot of photography, taash, and hmm… general fun. Besides all these thanks to our driver he took us to some konte ki (corner) place which was not in the itinerary – a nice temple almost cut off from the crowd. BTW this was the first time I made some videos using N96, though they aren’t that professional but still good if you want to recall stuff and atleast I find them assuming :). Especially one of the videos in which we are buying shawls etc. from an old Kashmiri guy – nice natured, jolly, funny – he was one guy with whom we used to so time-pass while buying stuff. This trip for me was quite different from last few trips (2-3 years) because this time as it was with family. You most importantly need not worry about anything :). Besides that this entire shopping, bargaining etc. was funny and a good time-pass. Just think it like this, most of tourists are the honeymoon couples, so somehow I feel there is not too much bargaining and hence the prices are high. (My Theory - Husband in his enthusiasm to impress his wife, probably pays whatever he is asked for). So, when seasoned buyers like my mother & father were there - it was a nice watch.
Adventures Sports:
Rafting – not as great as what we did in Rishikesh
Para Gliding – hmmm… Nice as it was first time for me (from 1000 pp we did it for 400 pp)
General
Snow Skiing – though it’s almost farzi, but still I did more than what I did in Innsbruck after taking a snow board and dress for more than 40 Euros. Rohtang pass wasn’t open so snow point was made some 40 kms before that. (Here we were looted wrt prices and hence the altercation with the driver… he had his commission from guy giving equipment. A bit of our mistake though as we had some idea but got confused)
Photograph – Well… I believe I was mostly taken as a photographer (pun intended).
Tons of pics and videos
Temples – Some nice beautiful temples
Shopping – Bargaining
Tourist Spots – This is some concept which I hate – making random places tourist spots. But this happens everywhere you can’t help it.
Chandigarh – Nice and well planned city. Rock Garden – Nice.

Anyways have lot of stories but writing about family here… naah.
But this trip helped me in one big way – I strengthened my resolve to have a bike trip to Laddakh. I just can’t wait to get some time off and go to this place atleast once and then I assure you will be writing ‘some’ blog about that trip. Btw since returning I am ‘consulting’ my tauji how to do a Manali/ Himachal trip :).

A few random pics

Well while writing this post I realize I have only 300 mb left. I need to have my own personal space atleast here in the online world :). another name... http://shubh.am :). And probably rather than uploading images create some slideshows etc. Lot of ideas floating in like videos, slideshows etc. Lets wait for next trip ;)

Now an Indian Shoe thrower...

2009-04-07T14:07:00.004+05:30

Well... now we have an Indian shoe thrower...huh. First thing which came to my mind was - ' we indians can't be bloody innovative'. Leave aside stealing music, movie plots et al, now we even have to steal the ways to protest and insult a person...
Jokes aside, few other questions which this Great party should answer (which just came to mind :))
- how and why did CBI let off Mr. Q (probably Madam G wanted this). I wonder who is going to throw shoe for that?
- Varun Gandhi Controversy - I am not here to comment what he did was right or wrong. My only question in why the hell if he is behind bars Mr. Lalu (Lalu said that he would have “crushed” Varun under a bulldozer) or some D Srinivas (he would “severe hands of those who point a finger at minorities”) are roaming free. Is it just that in the name of secularism only one religin has to be responsible?
I just wonder if this appeasement in the name of secularism is just a ticking time bomb...???

Why???

2009-04-01T23:53:00.003+05:30

Why are we prisoners of our own desires?
Why are we prisoners of what others want from us?
Why are we prisoners of situations in front of us?
Why are we prisoners of rules created by a few?
Why can't a person live life like he wants to live?

Why the hell are we prisoners on this Earth?

Stop! Stop! Stop! :D

A poem from the past

2009-03-18T22:33:00.003+05:30

A poem which I wrote in April '06...

kinkartvayavimud sa kiya is jeevan ne..
akele baitha likh raha poem main raat ke andhere main
hindi english ka banaya aisa mixture
padne waala bhi puche kaun hai yeh naya poet

apne views humein kyon suna raha hai
aakhir hamne iske aisa kya bigada hai
kal endsem hai aur ise qavita sujh rahi hai
shaayad iske mann main fir se fakke khane ki iccha jagrit hui hai

bhai gazab kar rahe ho
qavita likhne waale ko discourage kar rahe ho
main puchta huun kya sirf intellectual hi qavita likh sakhte hain
mere jaise normal insaan kya apna view nahin prakat kar sakte hain

bhai to hum hi mile the kya qavita sunane ko??
sun ke to dekhiye, ho sakta hai nai tasveer dikha duun aapko
chalo tumhari bhi baat maante hai,
ek aur qavi ko ab hum paalte hain
rahne dijiye kyon itne bhaav kha rahe hain
chaar line ke khaatir kyon apne ehsaan tale mujhe daba rahe hain
qavita to maine apne liye likhta huun, har ajju baaju waale ki man ki baat
bolta huun
nahin sunani to chup chapp aage jaiye, jabardasti ki kahri khoti to mat sunaiye
sunne waale to aur bhi bahut mil jayenge, aaj nahin to kal hum bhi famous ho jayenge,
humein dutkaarne se phle kam se kam itna to sochna tha
qavi banne se pehle main bhi aapke jaisa normal sa insaan tha
lekin desh ke haalaat ne itna rulaya tha
qavita hi aakhri raasta nazar aaya tha

multinational ke chakkar main fansa middle class hai
saas bahu ke alawaa baaki sab bakwaas hai
bhaarat se jyada US unhe pyaara hai
aakhir is desh ne diya hi unhe kya hai
roti daal to ban gaya old fashion hai
pizza burger hi karta puri apni temptation hai
aathaane ki cola petrol ke daam main bikti hai
jise bechne ke liye puri bollywood line laga ke khadi hai
gita, mahabharat, ramayan yah sab to bakwaas hai
zee aur star main hi basa apna sansaar hai

duniya ki sabse puraani bhaasha main dhara hi kya hai
ab to angrezi main hi rakha 'mom' aur 'dad' ka pyaar hai
jab hum apne vedon ko bhul chuke teh
tab chinese aur german uspe research kar rahe the
haldi neem ka patent bhi videshi le rahe the
jab hum paste use kar rahe the
jhan videsh main yoga famous ho raha hai
is desh main McD nayi dukaanein khol raha hai
jis desh ne guru ko bhagwaan mana hai
wahin pe convent main n padne waala illiterate samaan hai

culture aur sanskriti ko bhi humne taak pe rakh diya hai
mallika sherawat bina din kahan katta hai
Tv n hua family member ho gaya
adhnangi ladkiyan dekhna family tradition ho gaya
saath baith ke khana rare ho gaya
kyonki busy schedule se family ke liye time nikalna difficult ho gaya
rishton ke is daish main bhi paise ne apna ruup aisa dikhaya
baap ko bete aur bhai ko bhai se ladwaaya

bollywood main bhi naya daur aa gaya hia
saaf - suthri family film banana ab ek paap hai
music vidoes ne to saari had paar kar di
TV pe hi saari fantasies puri kar di
kabhi kabhi to burman da bhi upar se sochte honge
kya maine gaanne in remix ke liye likhe the

kyon is desh ke logon ko videshi itne bhaate hain
kyon yah sab godi chamadi ke itne bade pujaaree hain
ya fir hum abhi bhi 1 hazaar saal ki gulaami ko bhul nahin payen hai
jisne khatam kar diya hamara aatm vishwaas hai

qavita khatam karke main bhi ab normal insaan nahin rah gaya huun
shayyad ek intellectual ho gaya huun
aapke bhi gyaan chakshu khol chuka huun
bharat ke baare main bahut kuch bol chuka huun

61 pics of Independence: 1956

2009-03-16T00:01:00.000+05:30

61 pics of Independence: 1955

2009-03-15T00:02:00.000+05:30

61 pics of Independence: 1954

2009-03-14T00:01:00.000+05:30

61 pics of Independence: 1953

2009-03-13T00:01:00.000+05:30

61 pics of Independence: 1952

2009-03-12T00:01:00.000+05:30

61 pics of Independence: 1951

2009-03-11T00:01:00.000+05:30

61 pics of Independence: 1950

2009-03-10T00:01:00.000+05:30

61 pics of Independence: 1949

2009-03-09T00:00:00.000+05:30

61 pics of Independence: 1948

2009-03-08T00:01:00.000+05:30

61 pics of independence: 1947

2009-03-07T00:01:00.000+05:30

Close 2nd

Hypocrites in the world

2009-03-06T00:01:00.001+05:30

How my planning works

2009-03-05T00:01:00.000+05:30

News content of 24x7 news channels

2009-03-04T00:05:00.000+05:30

Language India's Y-Gen speak

2009-03-03T00:03:00.000+05:30

What age people want to be of

2009-03-02T00:01:00.001+05:30

Girls and me

2009-03-01T00:01:00.001+05:30

This one is inspired (a bit :P) from one of the graphs at graphjam and paper 'Why I don't have a girlfriend'

Nudity in public

2009-02-28T00:01:00.000+05:30

Women Tennis Viewer

2009-02-27T00:02:00.000+05:30

India: How your Income Tax money is spent

2009-02-26T00:03:00.000+05:30

Bollywood music over the years

2009-02-25T00:01:00.000+05:30

Behaviour of Share Markets

2009-02-24T00:01:00.000+05:30

Winner of International Beauty Contest

2009-02-23T00:01:00.000+05:30

Weekly EQ#3

2009-02-22T23:17:00.003+05:30

Australian Cricket Team...

2009-02-22T00:01:00.000+05:30

How much people remember God when...

2009-02-21T00:01:00.001+05:30

Time spent...

2009-02-20T00:01:00.000+05:30

Spending Habits of India's Gen-Y

2009-02-19T00:01:00.001+05:30

TV watching habits wrt channels coming

2009-02-18T00:20:00.000+05:30

Every Honest - Hardworking person's Life Story

2009-02-17T17:19:00.000+05:30

People Posing for PETA

2009-02-16T00:01:00.000+05:30

Did it....

2009-02-15T23:27:00.002+05:30

Graphs till 28 feb done.. ufff.. atleast i delivered on what I promised myself... this one time :P :)
May be they are bad/ may be good... but according to me i am satisfied...

After an Eternity...

2009-02-15T22:43:00.003+05:30

ate out... had icecream... had chocolate
1st cough/ cold in dec & then dental pain on the very 1st day (rather 1st hour resulting in root canal :() of the year kept me away from all the delicacy for more than 2 months which seemed like years.
But why whenever I go for these costly ice creams and see the guard or anyone - feel sort of guilty - which I know I shouldn't but somehow socialistic ideals inside me resurface at such instances...

of Chaddis and Protest #2

2009-02-15T12:59:00.000+05:30

Weekly EQ #2: Week 6

2009-02-15T00:01:00.002+05:30

Time taken in...

2009-02-15T00:01:00.001+05:30

Reason: How much I like organizations banning V-day Celebrations

2009-02-14T10:55:00.000+05:30

of chaddis and Protests

2009-02-13T14:06:00.003+05:30

http://thepinkchaddicampaign.blogspot.com/

Time: How much I like organizations banning V-day Celebrations

2009-02-13T00:01:00.002+05:30

Domain Name

2009-02-12T23:32:00.002+05:30

Just in thinking phase...

Shall I buy one...???
shubham-lahoti.me
lahoti.name
or shubham-lahoti.name
(forgot if shubham.me/.name) was available

Suggest...!!!

Life's Like That

2009-02-12T14:02:00.000+05:30

Who rules in a democracy

2009-02-12T00:00:00.001+05:30

Jobs for Indian Politicians

2009-02-11T10:43:00.000+05:30

by shubham | Create your own Cartoon at www.toondoo.com

Solution of problems in India

2009-02-11T00:11:00.001+05:30

Influence of Cinema on socitey

2009-02-10T00:03:00.000+05:30

DIgnity vs Opprtunity

2009-02-09T00:01:00.001+05:30

My friend request on social networking sites

2009-02-08T20:07:00.002+05:30

Life in Graph: Education till 2K2

2009-02-08T12:48:00.002+05:30

Weekly EQ - Week 5

2009-02-08T02:49:00.001+05:30

Why someone is virgin

2009-02-08T00:01:00.001+05:30

Why Indian Youth want to follow western culture...

2009-02-07T00:59:00.000+05:30

Handwriting during exam

2009-02-06T12:01:00.002+05:30

My Idea of V-Day

2009-02-06T11:58:00.003+05:30

Time Spent UG vs PG

2009-02-04T22:54:00.001+05:30

Job I DO

2009-02-04T22:38:00.005+05:30

Getting bored...

2009-02-01T00:51:00.004+05:30

Have nothing specific to write... was just getting bored and hence this post. Since last few days have been thinking about topic X*, morality, philosophy, spirituality, people and... lots of similar farzi - thought provoking topics - typically, thinking a lot without doing anything else :D.
Life has again come to a standstill with my schedule again becoming sort of static :(
A typical week day
9:00 - 9:30 reach office
12:45 - lunch
5:30-6:30 gym
6:30/7:00 - 9:00 Pool
9:00 - 12:00 - dinner, TMkOC (taarak mehta ka ooltah chashma), general tp

And hence the reason for me to question my existence and reason of this life...!!! So just came up with an impromptu to-do list to spice... naah... shake up the things. Again there are so many things to do but somehow I get lost in deciding from where to start :(. Again this is a list which i am sharing and my actual to-do, if you know me, is much different ;)
- wait for the D-day - sometime in March (what's this D-day... let's wait for it)
- organize the thousands of songs (again this is in my to-do since eternity... donno when will it be done)
- pain a couple of people ;) - did it but no response... assuming now it really pained them :)
- write the travelogue (hyd-bidar-hyd)
- probably write a couple of blog posts

Again a lots of things need to be done... and what, when and how... I don't know.

* something which I ain't comfortable with sharing with the World/ blogosphere :)

Solitary Rider: A bike trip to Bidar

2009-01-31T16:04:00.002+05:30

To begin with

A three day weekend and I was alone. So first day went peacefully but by the evening I again started getting that particular itch – to go somewhere taking my tanhai and bike with me. So by the time I slept I was more or less decided on a bidar trip with soft copy of map etc in newly got N96. Left early in the morning at around 6 a.m. after taking out some cash from the axis bank (near BHEL) and just kept on going straight non-stop with continuous music into my ears. (At this moment I realize I need to create proper playlist in N96). With one stop for pics, I reached Bidar in less than 2.5 hours. Till 1 p.m. I was roaming in the city seeing different places like temples (the one with water & other Shivji), fort, gurudwara et al. The only thing I regret was that the fort was closed due to some Bidar Mela so couldn’t take lot of pics. And this time I realized one problem with travelling alone – you don’t have your own pics clicked. So, you have to remain contented with clicking the beautiful surroundings. In a way I feel this is also a blessing in disguise – you can concentrate more on clicking good pictures without human beings crowding the pic – may be this improves my photography down the line.
Finally, I just can say one thing why the hell I didn’t buy a bike in Bangalore… it could have been an awesome experience there.

Bush finally finds WMD

2008-12-16T00:11:00.003+05:30

Finally the loyalty pays :P/ Now everything is equal

2008-12-12T12:50:00.002+05:30

Well… couldn’t really decide which title better suits the post hence…!!! Am not going to write a big post due to lack of time ;)… it’s just sort of update. I had this 3230 which I bought from my internship kamai some 3.5 years back. Since, last 1 year I have been advised to change it by, I think, each and every one I have met… but as you know me… I didn’t due to couple of reasons which I am not going to write here… Now how did the loyalty pay??? Well, I won a brand new N96 after playing a promotional game online (www.project6xn.com). I seriously don’t remember if I even knew that it was a promotional game when I played it, probably a reward (:P) for sticking with the dibba 3230, a failed model, for 3+ years. Anyways, if I was going to buy it would have been a touch screen one… but due to several reasons I didn’t and hence… :)
Now why everything is equal… well again for those who know me, I sort of wasted my 30k some 1.5 years back. So, this was sort of make up for that and my balance now is neither red nor green due to my idiotic mistake. And this means a lot to me. And again this is third thing after INPhO & Wien PT, I was sort of happy for... again those who know me... it's hard for me to be happy ;)…!!!

My first job… was that of a waiter

2008-09-17T23:38:00.007+05:30

Those were the days when Indian markets were just opened, Babri was demolished, and video games were something new for the Indians. I had this thing for these machines from the very beginning but thanks to our Crown TV, which always went out of order when anything starting with V was attached to it – my parents never bought it. Two such experiences were good enough for us to not use a VCR or Video Game with it for next 16 years (and still counting). They compensated for this by buying me a Casio handheld game called Funny Waiter (not to be confused with brick games which flooded the market after some 4 years) when we went to Madras which looked like this.

Though I believe, it was probably smuggled maal – reason nothing specific - just a gut feeling knowing the nature of Indian market. Anyway, let us not divert form the real point. That game was one of the best things I have owned and it seems that I’ll never forget about it. Though this is a different thing that I can recall 90% of the games/ toys I have had but still this one was special in the sense it was a new thing in the market, first electronic game for me and as I said earlier, I have some thing for such stuffs.

It was a game where you play as a waiter and serve three of the guests in a particular time. A more detailed account of the game is here. This game was with me for around 7 years and I didn’t change the battery even once. This robustness of the game really frustrated me in the end as one of my other handheld had given me a lot of problems and finally, I disected it (this proves since childhood I was an Electronics Engineer) and somehow reassembled it correctly. If I remember correctly, this game stopped working only after my sister threw it in water and I lost a dear toy of mine. Though, I am not sure which of the two events occurred earlier – throwing in water and kept working & I opened it but was unable to reassemble it properly which proves I ain’t that good a engineer and lot of people might agree with it. I somehow believe later scenario happened as I vaguely remember that we were quite astonished to see it working even after being thrown in water.
There are just two things I think whenever thought about this game comes to me –
The game cost was Rs. 200. I just wonder in ’91 my parents buying me such a costly toy though that is a different story that I generally didn’t use to ask for anything. But still, I really feel so much privileged when I think of such a game.
What if I would be having that game now – how much could it have fetched me. Going by the eBay prices for similar games it could have probably fetched me something from $50 to $200 (Rs. 2000 – Rs 8000). One of the best investments my parents could have made.
Anyways if some one wants to buy it, I will try to search for the game at my home if the price is right.

The Wonder Years

2008-09-16T23:44:00.003+05:30

I wonder where those wonder years have gone when things were as simple as they could get, when worrying about life was never in the agenda, and when you had no time to think about some really big things like relationships, money, future & sex. Where have those days gone when you can do stupid stuff without really worrying about what others will think and really enjoy your stupidity. There might have been some situations when being a child could have been troublesome but then, moon also has black spots.
I miss those days when friendship meant something, when ego clashes were minimal and when you could say anything to a friend without worrying too much about the consequences. Where have those days gone when you can cry without really feeling weak. How much good was it when you can go to someone for comfort when you are afraid or depressed or whatever, without caring how others will think about you. A time when demands were modest – a maggi in a month, rental video game for just one night in summers, couple of G. I. Joes and some comics, when future meant fantasizing about the adulthood – doing great things and ridding the world of its problems (without having an understanding about them) and when fighting with someone was just a one day affair. Money was nothing but something which your parents gave you for doing some thing. (A typical of my home – points were awarded for doing exercise to grand parents’ seva and at the end of the month those points were translated into money)
How much simple was life in those days when you can like a song not because it had some really nice beautiful lyrics or a scantly clad dancer but because for some weird reasons you simply liked that song. You can watch songs like ‘tip – tip barsa paani’ without thinking about wet Ms. Tandon or something like ‘tu cheez badi hai mast mast’ without feeling embarrassed about the lyrics in those good old days.
Well this was my playlist today – the reason for me going back into those simple days – songs of the late 80’s till mid 90’s.

Anaida-owa, owa
Shweta Shetty-deewane toh deewane hai
Shawa yah gussa ladki ka
Kesariya hai roop maahro
Tu cheez badi hai mast
Chura ke dil mera
Hawa hawa
Amma dekh, tera munda
Tamma tamma loge
I am a bachelor
Patti rap – humse hai muqabla etc.
But I need to download several songs like
Aaja mer gaadi mai baith ja
Bus 1 cup garam –garam chai
Tuna tuna
Tutak tutak tutiya

Aa papaya jhapiya pale hum
Gambler – meri marzi, main sab such kahta huun aapki kasam
And umpteen such chindi songs

Bharat - a land of Bombs, Blasts and Bomb-Blasts

2008-09-14T01:55:00.003+05:30

Another weekend, another bomb blast. Another field day for the umpteen news channel which have mushroomed like anything showing same pictures of blood and death. Another day when people in far off places pray to god that their loved ones are not among those 20 odd unlucky souls which were unfortunate enough to venture out on those bloody streets. Another day of jammed phone line, compensation to the dead, plea for maintaining peace and communal harmony, hard talk against terrorism, email from some psycho group challenging the government etc. etc.

But what next, what will happen tomorrow. Nothing. People will go on with their life as before, may be a little bit afraid for a couple of day, but soon everything will fall into place – they’ll forget a blast happened at that very same place. Some people will praise the spirit of the city, the people and appreciate how they maintained peace, how they started with their lives again – people will be happy again with the brotherhood displayed – until that group decides to blow the lid off, once again.

Two years, four blasts – 200 odd deaths. I have an offer for this IM – select 500 of us randomly or in any particular way you want, kill us – but then don’t blow off another one for next two years. Again select 500 people after two years (and probably this time you can give concession to those families whose members you killed last time) and remain silent for that period. Won’t it be great – you won’t have to worry too much about planning and execution neither do our police and government need to worry about catching you and maintaining peace. They can simply record their statements and play them every two years. A win-win situation for all.

एक हज़ार साल की गुलामी ने ऐसा क्या कर दिया
रगों में बहते खून को पानी मे बदल दिया
दो वक़्त की रोटी ने इतना परेशान कर दिया
यह धमाके भी जीवन का ही हिस्सा लगने लगा

I just want to write so much but alas… have better stuff to do than bitching about bombs, blasts and bomb blasts!!! Probably I’ll wait for another blast to write more – hopefully it’ll be soon.

T7S-ism

2008-09-10T12:04:00.004+05:30

a couple of nice dialogues (which are sort of philosophical/ fundaewaale ) from That Seventy's Show -

Y'know life...is like a train. It's bearing down on you, and guess what?...It's gonna hit you! So you can either start running when it's far off in the distance, or you can pull up a chair, crack open a beer...and just watch it come!
Its funny when friend's get hurt.
Not telling each other what they don't wanna hear is what being a family is all about.
Love is for losers who are too afraid to be alone.

Some dialogues which are downright funny but not cna't be put in the previous category

Red's variation of foot in the a$$ -

You morons just hung vacancy-signs on your a$$es! And my foot’s looking for a room

Nagarjuna Sagar: another bike trip

2008-08-19T15:05:00.000+05:30

To Begin With

So this is why I was frustrated - Have a bike but just one bike trip till now. Definitely one reason is bad climate here but still… Anyways got Sonmitra inspired for the trip (on his bike) and we left for Nagarjuna. Obviously we didn’t start in time - something which always happens when others are with you. After travelling around half the distance, came the bomber from the guy and he said he wants to return because he is not enjoying riding. Now, ideally I wanted to say a lot of stuff but thankfully a little senti >:) with some bad fundas saved the day for me. I shall mention here that I was riding approximately at double his speed ;) and after every half an hour or so used to stop for him clicking pics of khet-khalihan, kisan – whatever I can get :). By the time he reached it was almost late evening but still we managed to reach the waterfall point. After that we stayed in a shoddy guest-house while doing some guy’s stuff. Early in the morning (around 5) we left the place and almost stopping literally after every 200m and doing photos shoot. This made sure we didn’t reach Hyderabad before noon. The only issue was when I reached Hyderabad I somehow lost the way reached Kothi and the traffic in that part made me go mad with sun directly overhead. It was a bad end to the whole trip
Finally another bike trip done in hyderbad. But I shall accept one thing – hot temperature here pains a lot.

Getting nostalgic... naah

2008-07-17T22:50:00.010+05:30

Today, somehow, the preamble which we (Sid & me) wrote while passing out for our Wing came to my mind and after doing some searching in my old documents, thankfully, i got what I wanted. I generally won't have pasted it here but again, things change and views change. BTW, sid can you send me the pic which we shot standing in front of the wall. I just remember one thing now, except for a couple of statements there was a history behind every point of this Pledge & the Emblem ;).

B1L is a Model wing.
all modelite are my gay parteners.
i shall never take a fresher for wing treat.
babe of any one in the wing will be considered my babe.
i shall never do a PHD.
i shall "not" drink smoke or dope.
i shall crack foreign PT's.
i shall not work on foreign PT's.
i shall hate scientists and their kids.
BGF shall love all modelite.
my academic achievement should include either DAC, FF, FR, II, extension or XX.
i shall get a girl in the wing.
i shall steal things from the restaurants and give them as passing out gift

What a day...

2008-07-15T23:46:00.001+05:30

phew... three small thought provoking posts... what a day...!!!

Is it really worth...

2008-07-15T23:28:00.002+05:30

spending time chatting and talking to, lets say so called friends, when in the same time you can probably learn new stuffs/ do useful work/ or do anything else... more useful. again, i don't want to sound like an idiotic introvert but is it not better to keep yourself to yourself enjoying life as it comes to you.

well, i don't want this answer - manage your time in such a way that you can have best of both worlds.

In the end, deep inside I know, I somehow enjoy bakar (talking) and am not able to leave an opportunity if I get one.