TechECE

Cricket Best Eight Balls From The Magician Shane Warne

2006-12-04T08:07:00.000-08:00


No introduction needed for this australian guy. He is, arguably, the best Test Cricket bowler the history has ever seen and he narates which were his best eight deliveries out of moret han 650.

Dada is back!

2006-11-30T06:34:00.000-08:00

Now-a-days, I don't find cricket all that interesting but I am feeling like reconsidering my opinion, after reading the news of Ganguly's inclusion in the Indian squad.

Whether India wins or not, it should be interesting to watch the trio - Ganguly, Dravid and Chappel, both on and off the field.

If you ask me, Ganguly is the man who falls in the league that comprises of elite personalities like Jayalalitha. They have strong will power and ability to bounce back in flying colors from very bad times. I wish he succeeds once again in the big arena.

Who knows, with protests building up against Chappel in parliament and all over the country, this may just be the 'begining of the end' for Chappel and Prince of Kolkatta might become the ruler of the Indian Cricket once again.

Vitamin C- Friends Forever - Lyrics

2006-11-27T21:00:00.000-08:00

And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives
Where we're gonna be when we turn 25
I keep thinkin' times'll never change
Keep on thinkin' things will always be the same
But when we leave this year we won't be comin' back
No more hangin' out 'cause we're on a different track
And if you got somethin' that you need to say
You better say it right now 'cause we don't have another day
'Cause we're movin' on and we can't slow down
These memories are playin' like a film without sound
And I keep thinkin' of that night in June
I didn't know much of love but it came too soon
And there was me and you and then we got real blue
we Stay at home talkin' on the telephone
And we would get so excited that we'd get so scared
Laughin' at ourselves thinkin' life's not fair
And this is how it feels

As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come whatever
We will still be
Friends forever

So if we get the big jobs and we make the big money
When we look back now will our jokes still be funny?
Will we still remember everything we learned in school?
Still be tryin' to break every single rule?
Will little brainy Bobby be the stock-broker man?
Can Heather find a job that won't interfere with her tan?
I keep, I keep thinkin' that it's not good-bye
Keep thinkin' it's a time to fly
And this is how it feels

As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come whatever
We will still be
Friends forever

La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la
Yeah, yeah, yeah
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la
La la la la la la la la
We will still be
Friends forever

(Music Break)

Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?
Can we survive it out there, can we make it somehow?
I guess I thought that this would never end
And suddenly it's like we're women and men
Will the past be a shadow that will follow us 'round?
Will these memories fade when I leave this town?
I keep, keep thinkin' that it's not good-bye
I Keep on thinkin' it's a time to fly

As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come whatever
We will still be
Friends forever

As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come whatever
We will still be
Friends forever

As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come whatever
We will still be
Friends forever

Life @ IIMA

2006-11-23T08:28:00.000-08:00

Life at IIM Ahmedabad

9 min 39 sec - May 20, 2006

If you're having trouble watching the video, try copying the following URL into your browser:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4721279918728839854&pr=goog-sl

Life @ Wharton

2006-11-23T08:18:00.000-08:00

Wharton

2 min 24 sec - Feb 26, 2006

Description: Featuring our social life at Wharton. Class of 2006. By Ari Chester. Wharton MBA.

If you're having trouble watching the video, try copying the following URL into your browser:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2266599687363853475&pr=goog-sl

Web 2.0 - Top 10 Lies

2006-11-15T01:04:00.000-08:00

This is so hilarious and something I can relate to :)

1. We learned our lesson last time. And we're going to cash out before this bubble pops.

2. This is not a bubble. Hot parties, overheated PR pitches, and five or six dozen social networking sites are just healthy indicators of a new boom.

3. It's all about community and sharing. But we told our venture capitalists that our exit strategy will make them rich. (Corollary: But you have to know someone to get into our conference/party.)

4. Online advertising will pay for everything. As if click fraud is any kind of a threat.

5. These sites are so easy, my mother could use them. And they're so geeky, she has no interest in even trying.

6. The analysts are trustworthy now. Like the one who said MySpace will be worth $15 billion in a few years -- or was that the one who said Amazon was worth $400 a share? Whoops, I'm mixing my bubbles.

7. There's no glut of social networks -- young people are always up for trying something new. And we're happy to share in the 17 percent of them who aren't glued to MySpace.

8. Our site is still in Beta. And it won't be out of Beta until we figure out how to make money from it, or sell it to Google, whichever comes first. (Paraphrased from Ivor Tossell’s piece in Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper)

9. We're different from all those other sites. But we have a silly name, open APIs, some flashy Ajax technology, and other features just like the rest of them. (Thanks again to Tossell)

10. We look forward to working with our new partners at Google. Take the money, hand over the keys and step aside. Larry and Sergey are driving your bus now.

Source: SFGate Tech Chronicles (via rediff blog)

Funny comments in Orkut...

2006-11-12T21:41:00.000-08:00

மக்களே நானும் பொறுமையா இருக்கனும்னு தான் பாக்கறேன்... ஆனா நம்மல விட மாட்டானுங்க போலிருக்கு...

எப்படியெல்லாம் நம்ம பசங்க ஆர்குட்ல பொண்ணுங்களை ஃபிரண்ட் பிடிக்கரானுங்கனு பாருங்க...

1:
U looking Mallika Sheravath
i looking Imran aasmi
Come let us murder the world

(டேய் நாயே!! நீ முதல்ல இங்கிலிஷ மர்டர் பண்ணிட்ட... அடுத்து ஊர்ல இருக்கறவங்களை கொல்ல
போறியா?)

2.
hey annikku Ravi yoda b'day party la Krishna voda vandha Janani yoda school friend Ramya voda boy friend Sriram voda girl friend Anitha voda class mate Vanitha dhaaney nee???
Hi..

(ஏன்டா இப்படியும் அவசியமா கடலை போடனுமா?)

3.
Hi!
if u retain this scrap I will understand that you are interested in meand if u delete this scrap, it means you are dreaming about me.
Now u decide wat to do

(இவரு புத்திசாலியாம்... அப்படியே மடக்கிட்டாராம்)

4.
hi,the numerical value of L+O+V+E=54
but the numerical value ofF+R+I+E+N+S+H+I+P= 108
54+54= 108
LOVE+LOVE= FRIENDSHIP
so friendship is two times greater than love.............
so will u be my friend ?

(டேய் நாயே, அடுத்து We will divide our friendship by 2னு சொல்லுவ)

5.
heyyy gal,Barcelona hav won the champions league finals!
hurraaaayyyy!!!! come on lets be friends....

(டேய் முடிவா நீ என்னடா சொல்ல வர?)

6.
generally i never scrap to unknown ones but this pic just caught my eye...
awesome pic gal.
kalakita po.. lol

(இவரு நல்லவராம்.... ஆனா அந்த போட்டோ இவர மாத்திடுச்சாம்...
மொன்ன நாயி...இதையே எல்லார் புக்லயும் எழுதி வெச்சியிருக்கு)

7.
hi niki.. well can i expect a scrap back from ya..
well thought u are a person who can read and write... is it true.,... ?

(டேய் நாயே எழுத படிக்க தெரியாதவங்க எப்படிடா ஆர்குட்ல அக்கவுண்ட் ஓப்பன் பண்ணுவாங்க)

8.
If u add me in ur list ill make ur life more pleasant and colorful...watsay?
scrap me bak if u wannna be ma friend!

(ஆமாம் இவர் கொத்தமல்லி, அவரை சேத்துக்கிட்ட அப்படியே வாசனை வந்திடும்)

9.Scrap - Eyy black beauty,how are you so fair???
If you don't add me its very unfair...

(இவருக்கு கவிதை வேற...)

10.
Nice face, sexy smile, beautiful Eyes, Lustful Lips....Overall stunning effect...
But Miss Do i know you??? Dont embarass me by saying-u dont know me..
ya i know u dont know me.. but who bothers??
come on-add me as friend..
am waiting 2 b ur fan...

(மானத்த வாங்கறதுக்குனே இருக்கீங்கடா... ஒரு தடவை பாட்ஷா பாருங்கடா...)

மக்களே இதை நீங்க யாருக்காவது பயன்படுத்திடாதீங்கப்பா...

Courtesy: Mail Forward.

A disturbing example

2006-11-09T22:12:00.000-08:00

When I first read the news of Patna Municipal Authorities using eunuchs to collect tax from evading shopkeepers, I was stunned. What disturbed me more was people all over the web are lauding the so called 'novel' effort by the municipality.

Watching the eunuchs forcing themselves into shops and getting money (a.k.a. begging), had always made me thoughtful. It is the aversion of the shopkeepers towards them that makes them give money immediately and drive them away. The eunuchs also don't mind as long as they get money. They can't get any job respectable after all.

Eunuchs deserve the right to be human being first. The government and authorities ideally should try to bring them into normal stream. They should take efforts to wipe out these differences in the society. Instead they are trying to capitalize on the general aversion that prevails, towards the eunuchs. If the municipality's sole aim was to embarrass the shopkeepers, they could have done it through 1000 other ways. There are, at least in book, law and police to make the defaulters pay. The more disturbing thing is no one seems to condemn this act which in my opinion deserves appropriate punishment for socially humiliating someone on the basis of their sex.

It is really amusing see some people looking at this as providing the eunuchs their due respect. Look at this comment in one of the news sites:

"It is nothing but a different approach to handle tax defaulter.But in this way we are providing eununch a very good, respectable and ideal job. It should be appreciated by socity."

The Patna Municipality has set a bad precedent. Wish others don't join the band, in the name of giving "respect" to eunuch.

The flip side...

2006-10-30T21:27:00.000-08:00

I got busy with myself and had dismissed the news about death penalty of Afzal and associated protests (for / against), as just another political stunt. As another set of Hindutva / Minority Appeasement gimmicks. Until this chilling article gave me a totally different perception of the Kashmir story. We mortals can never be sure of what is truth but this story throws light on two sad issues. One, the media playing spoil sport on individual lives, by it's hype. The second, the fear / indecisiveness / inability of the moderates (if any) in GOI to do anything against the extremists (people who take extreme positions :D) in the Kashmir Issue, as with the quota issue.

Toon Tamasha

2006-10-30T19:21:00.000-08:00

The creative boy inside though in comatose stage at present, now and then wakes up and asks me why don't u have a cartoon strip on your own, why don't you write a book, why don't you start an ad agency. Since, cartoons are closer to my heart, I have been thinking about this cartoon strip thing for a while...hmm. may be 3 weeks. What if i actually come out with a good cartoon strip which would reflect the hyprocrisies present in our society. What if i manage to sell it to some good newspaper like "The Hindu". O.k dreams apart. There is no way that i am going to make it. Even if i manage to bring dry wit embellished with satire, i would still be missing the fundamental part of cartoon drawing. The "Drawing" itself.
Not everyone gets the chance to fly an aeroplane. isn't it? But, almost everyone would have played with the toy aeroplane, fought with another fighter plane in mid-air and always managed to hit the other one with our brute force. In the same way, i managed to play with my cartoon dream. I took one of the Calvin strip and modified to put down my message. How is it? Not bad huh?!?! What ?!?! Bad...

Note: The K in Kalvin was intentional and the word Kavin means beauty (thats why cavin care) in tamil.

Just wanted to share a memorable moment

2006-10-12T18:14:00.000-07:00

I don't remember the year. must be third or fourth year. I was standing in electron devices lab. It was not Sathyabama Madam's lab hour. Someoneelse's. She came storming into the lab, came straight to me, gave a key and said
"Ram, konjam vandiya open panni thara mudiyuma"
"Sure madam"
We went towards the hapless scooty parked infront of the lab. I was happy. Doing a help to a staff means good name in staff's mind. isn't it?? I was asked to unlock and lift the seat. It got struck. When i used my force, the vehicle was coming along with the seat much to the annoyance of Sathyabama Madam. Then she did what i didn't expect in worst of nightmares. She offered me a hairpin and asked me to try it again. For a guy who has a pazham image (which was true in most of the cases) in the department, it was a real surprise. I said I can't do it...without even trying. We both parted ways. Still wondering what prompted her to offer me a hairpin.Till date, when i think about the incident, i laugh aloud confirming my family members' doubt that i am a semi-crack.

One minute story from Ananda Vikatan.

2006-10-10T05:57:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it is a faithful translation. Please bear with me.

I went to his house for consoling my friend. He just lost his job.
"Dai harish, yennada panra".I was just there to save him from suicide.
"Vidra yennai. vidra"
"Nee yenna paithiyama. yennada suicide panikirae"
"Vera yennada pannanum. naan yepadi yen parents moonjila mulipan."
"Why did you choose hanging from fan? Is this is the only way you got?"
Still in tears he said, "I thought of taking poison, railway track, jumping from a building. So what?"
"If there are so many ways to die, there must be more ways to survive. Think about it."Harish mind was already changing.

Love and Marriage

2006-10-10T05:44:00.000-07:00

"Passengers boarding flight..."
When Sundaram is around, I don't listen to anything. He takes care fo everything. Sundaram.....Sundaram, Project Manager, CISCO, my husband.
"Raji, come lets go, Take out the flight tickets"
(Yes, yes I know), "O.K"
"Raji, this is your seat, seat no. I29. This is mine"
(As if someone will kill us if we interchange), "O.K"
"In few minutes Raji, zoom we are off to Switzerland"
"Thats hmm... great"
"Do you know Raji, Swiss bank which operates...". Huh, he has started again. Look at this lame duck. He is missing the beautiful sky and the exotic aerial view of Arabina Sea. Clouds so real yet not solid enought to touch.Sundaram is very good person, caring, intelligent et al. But, something is missing, something,... something real.. some...some liveliness. In short he is prosaic. Even this word, Sundaram taught me when i complained him about this. He is quite different... quite different from Pradeep.
Pradeep....Pradeep my classmate for four years. quick, witty, intelligent, caring...my lover.The clouds...the clouds which caressed us in my ooty industrial visit arranged in my college. College....Government college of technology, the lush green campus, bathroom slipper clad students, stray dogs treating the students as stray humans, peacocks...it was a world of its own...World of our own... World of pradeep and me. We were declared lovers. Even our lecturers knew it.
"Mam, We have downloaded the algo, we will try to implement it next week."
"Rajashree, This is what you told the previous week."
"No time Mam"
"How did you find time for park activities?"
"Mam, i am feeling dizzy. shall i go to the hostel?"
With a smile she said, "There is a good doctor called Pradeep in Bharathiyar Park. Go and take medication."
I was rushing, "Thank you Mam"
"Don't forget to implement the algo. My PhD depends on it."
Nobody was complaining. Why would they when i am the topper and he is also a merit student. Contrary to our department track record, we went for 2 nights/3 days ooty trip. First night went in camp fire. There were 56 of us. The place was so small. Hence, it was difficult to see who was sitting who was missing. Next night, everyone was tired. Only half turned up for camp fire. No one knew who turned up who did not. But, we knew where we were... In a garden near by.
"Raji, what are you thinking?"
"Na..nothing...err about our future". (Such a dangerous mind-reader, Pradeep)
"I know what you are thinking. i am thinking the same." His hands were already touching my thighs. That night, I lost and he won my virginity.
Job - incometax - onsite oppurtunity - investment - marriage. Everything happened so quickly.
Plane was shaking a bit. "Raji, what are you thinking?"
"Na..nothing...err about our honeymoon". (Such a dangerous mind-reader, Sundaram)
"I know what you are thinking. i am thinking the same."
We were into immigration check. I was first in the queue followed by Sundaram.
"Mrs.Rajashree, Can you show your passport? Thank you"
"Mr.Pradeep Sundaram, Can you show your passport? Thank you"

Note: This is not the janaranjaga story i wanted to write.

Ram - part4

2006-10-08T04:45:00.000-07:00

Government Hospital, Chennai - Campus where he wandered and topped his batch. Now, a guest lecturer and visiting psychatrist. Through his influence, he had secured free treatment to Ram.
"Ram, how are you?"
"Fine as ever."
This is precisely what confuses Karuna. How come this stupid can answer this forever. He and Ram studied together in SBOA anna nagar. Ram was son of a whole sale supplier & an influential man and he was the son of Bank manager. Ram was always happy.....No matter what happenned in his life. His mother's death during 12th entrance exam - Love marriage against parent's wish and subsequent dismissal from college - Wife's death due to miscarriage - Terrible accident which made him impotent. Still..
"Fine as ever."
"Eat well da. I am trying hard to get the contact of leading surgeon in US."
"It's o.k da. Take your time."
Karuna cannot hide it anymore. "Dai yepadi da. yivalavu sogathulayum santhoshama iruka."
"Chee poda. So, howz the madumitha's case going?"
"Dai i have solved many psychological mysteries. As the last resort, i have even tried hypnotism. But, nothing is working against you. I am sorry i did it without your permission."
"Hey take it easy karuna. My brain is always yours. You can do whatever experiments you want. Without you, i would n't have got this treatment."
"Then for Lord Rama's sake, tell me how do you manage?"
Ram smiled, thats when Dr.Shyam came."Dr ipa avar thoonga vaendiya time. i hope you understand."
"Sari da let me sleep. I have to fight with Arjuna and get the nobel prize."
"What?!?! did u say anything? O.k take rest da. i will come tomorrow. Atleast tomorrow tell me the truth da. Bye Ram Bye Ram."

Ram - part3

2006-10-08T04:42:00.000-07:00

Dr.Karunakaran was one of the top 5 psychiatrist according to ACNielson-SunTv. Not a small achievement at the age of 35. But, he knows for sure he needs atleast 10 years to actually deserve that honour. The high profile cases that he solved especially the role he played in convicting the Mao chief brought him into the limelight. He just finished the conversation with Home minister Chozhan.
"Doctor, neenga thaan yen magala kapaathanum"
"Yennala mudinchatha pannraen"
"Apadi solaantheenga she is my only daughter. I can give you how much ever money you want.". Chozhan never hided his control over english just to prove that his harward economics degree was not a fake but a real one.
"Just give her some of your time. Thats enough."
Eyes showing little signs of getting red, "Doctor, it would be good for both of us."
Karuna knows that is the last signal. "O.K i will do it for you. What specifically i have to do?"
"Erase that bastard's name out of my daughter's memory....even if she dies because of this."
All these are routine things to Karuna. Never really a challenge. His only challenge till now an unfinished one remains... his best childhood friend Ram. Got to see him in GH tomorrow when he reports to duty.

Goals?!?!

2006-09-20T02:17:00.000-07:00

We have had long discussions abt defining, setting and achieving goals.
I found this article in rediff and found it relevant to our discussions.
The article wud make a good read for interested ppl.

Ram - part2

2006-09-17T07:39:00.000-07:00

"Hei anga paarungadi loosu poraan"
"Atho paaruda sethu vikram avanum avan moonjum"
"Good morning guna".
"This way Sir."
"John, Am I looking o.k"
"You look terrific. Sir"

Ram's maths' teacher, "Nee venumnaa paaruda road road paradesi mathiri alaiya porae. mathsla yennaiyae kelvi kaekura"
"Mr.Ram, how was the flight journey?"
"4 hours flight delay in Lisbon and an emergency landing in Frankfurt. i really don't like travelling"

Ram's father, Maths 100 English 10. "Dai englishla fail aana collegela sera mudiyathuda. athaiyum konjam padi"
"Mr.Ram, can you explain the advantages that your latest valli algorithm has over RSA algorithm?"
"Sure gentlemen. Combinatorics deals with collections of objects that satisfy specified criteria....."

Ram's mother was crying, "yentha pasanga koodayum sera maatengra akka. yellarum sirikum pothu evan moraikiraan. yellarum moraikum pothu evan sirikiraan".
"Mr.Ram, in what way do you think your rasappan methodology would change the world economics?"
"I don't know about that. but, its sure gonna change my wallet size." Press persons were in splits.

"Naai aalu nikaraanga kooda pakaama apadiyae pothu paaru. loosu loosu. ingeetha theriyaathu"
"Excuse me gentlemen, its getting late for my Nobel lecture."

The Beach!!

2006-09-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

I had been to an interesting place last weekend. It's a restaurant called "The Beach" at Indira Nagar. It was a birthday treat and we (seven of my friends) reached there around 7 PM last friday straight from the office.

As we entered the restaurant, we were thrilled by it's very look - sand everywhere, open sky with small huts here and there covered by palm leaves, a pillow on top of a cut coconut trunk replacing the traditional chairs, a mini flat bole of a tree supported by two bamboo sticks replacing tables, circular candles everywhere that were the only source of light, a mini light house at one corner, small pool of water at another corner (supposed to be the beach but it had very little water), a small but deep pit containing water that had fishes, crabs and couple of water snakes, heavy rock music in the air, cute girls all around....I should say nothing short of an electric atmosphere.

We were welcomed by a Chinese cutie who led us to a small hut. Next to us were a couple, two foreigners and were resting their body on a bed (yeah... there were few beds in the restaurant on a corner and they had two cylindrical rests as well) and were drinking some cocktails. We ate hell lot of side dishes - mostly sea foods, few mocktails and cocktails, and finally some rice. If I say that the food wasn't all that great, it is definitely euphemistic- I was puking that night.

At 9 PM, the DJ stepped in. Rocks transformed into Hip-hops. One girl alone was dancing for half an hour but her boy friend didn't moved his ass even by an inch. Then all of a sudden, few more guys and girls stepped in. At 10:30, almost everyone in the place, except us were dancing. A couple were twisting their body ferociously and my friend told me that it is called "Salsa"?!, a form of dance (who knows?). At 11 PM, after watching all those fun around us, even we shaked our head (it's strange to find most people dancing with their head and hips; but legs glued on the ground) for sometime and left the place by 11:30 not before spending a memorable evening at ' The Beach'.

You know what... girls get unlimited beer for free of cost during wednesdays...should we call them 'feminists' ?!

Definitely worth going there once!!

Ram - Part1

2006-09-11T06:51:00.000-07:00

Sage was wakened by his disciple before the usual time. "Guruji, our cows have been stolen by some armed men. As per your teaching, i didn't confront them but just asked them why they are doing this. they replied in this way". The young sadhu was showing his bruise. Sage sivananda closed his eyes to know what happened. By this time, the entire gurukul has assembled. The head disciple, ram, waited for the Guru to open his eyes. Favourite was he, the guru asked him the question once he opened his eyes.

"So, what do you think ram?"

"They could have asked us guru. They shudn't have done this. According to thiruseniaasthram 12:35:89 they should be punished"

"Are you angry with them?"

"Why should i guru dev? afterall i posess nothing in this world. just have the worry that we couldn't take care of the cows that king chakrakoushik gave us."

"Get back those cows"

"As you say guruji"

Sage sivananda is regarded as the best warrior in the world. Even the great Bheeshmar can't defeat him. He learnt his skills under Lord Shiva. Born as kshatriya, he so excelled in his skills that Shiva requested him not to continue as kshatriya.

"You have completed all the lessons. There is nothing in the world i can teach you now."

"Oh! thanks Lord, this shows your love for your disciple."

"But, you must promise me one thing. You should never attach yourself with any material things in your life."

"As you wish Lord"

"You have one more work to do. You have to identify potential kshathriyas whose onslaught this world can't bear. just like you and groom them under your custody. See to that they also don't fight."

"I am honoured my Lord."

This was just thousand years ago. Of all disciples, Ram was his pet. He followed by other disciples went to the Contingent leader and begged to return their cows. As fate would have it, he didn't heed and insulted the poor monks. Ram realised there is no other go, he ordered one of his fellow monks to take care of the small contingent of thousand soldiers and he went passed the crowd. He caressed the head of the horse and took the divine horse with him. Arjuna was outraged as well as surprised to know that harmless monks took the horse away. In aswemedha yaga, taking the horse means open defiance. He took his kandiva and prepared for the battle. Something told him to take his other 3 brothers present with him. Battle began. This side 32 sadhus and the other side thousands of soldiers. Ram ordered his fellow sadhus take care of the army while he take care of Arjuna and his brothers. Arjuna used all his skills but with no use. One of the arrows divided into two pierced Arjuna's soldier and hung him high in the ratha. Seeing his brother humiliated, bheema jumped out of his ratha to engage Ram in gatha battle. Ram dodged the shot and used bheema's force to flung away bheema's gatha. In a quick manoeuvre, he placed his legs between bheema's leg and took lifted bheema to thrash him in the ground. Bheema swooned. He used his mohana asthra to tame the other two brothers. Sadhus lifted the four brothers and brought them to their guru. With proper treatment, all the four recovered.

"Oh! sons of kundi sorry for bothering you. This land and the cows were given by king chakrakoushik to us for our survival. Kindly allow us to safe guard it."

Arjuna recovering from his humiliating defeat, "Guruji, who are you? We have never heard of such great warriors."

"Arjuna, it is better that you forget whatever happened here. These people are not warriors but sadhus. They are not fit for fighting with mortals. Ram can you leave the honourable kings to their haven."

"As you wish guruji"

Experience the difference

2006-09-09T01:14:00.000-07:00

Experience is a teacher who gives the test first & then the lessons. This was one of the proverbs which i wrote in my school's black board.(we had a healthy competition then, who comes up with the best saying, this one made me popular). If you start thinking this one is about my recent GMAT debacle, no it isn't. Something about the lessons life is giving me about inequality surrounding me.

I happened to see my schoolmate. Still searching for a steady job. He has done all sorts of jobs from being a PA, electrician to school teacher. We were once equal,....still we are equal in that parameter(both passed 8th). Only that the parameters which make us unequal have become more prominent reminding that i have travelled not so difficult path. Then, i met another schoolmate. This guy was above-average student with good handwriting and drawing skills. With a SC tag, we all predicted he would become a doctor without much effort. Even he thought so. Now, he is one those guys who is depending on computer centres for job. He knows almost everything. j2ee, .net, testing tools, now oracle....his quest continues.

It is just not a coincidence that what we predicted is made upside down by Him. Once, we start seeing differences, we see differences all over the world. Think about our own classmates. Many of us have spent our college days bullying helpless girls (now ladies). Now, look at them. They know the world better than us. They know gas connections, investment plans, school fees, ration card...list goes on. When they got married, nothing irked me. Afterall, they are leading by just one level. I can catch up. But, now, they are ahead by two levels. They have touched the elixir called Motherhood. Look at me. still not sure where i am going. I can't dismiss the possibility of me competing with their children for MBA.

There is a small creche running next door. They used to conduct all important functions. Recently, Aug 15, there were children performing shows with their parents wathcing them with pride. Being 6 feet, i could watch them over the wall from my side of the compound. "Rakshita pre-kg A winner dancing competition ++applause++ Sugunya, ukg b winner running race ++applause++"". A lady lifts the child & kisses like anything. amma paasam. Wait...I have seen her somewhere. No....it can't be...she is my 10th std classmate. I ran helter-skelter before she notices me and asks "inamuma entrance exam yeluthitu iruka, muraliyae college mudichitaru". Still in the parameter connecting us, we are same. But in others....

Train Conversation...

2006-09-08T03:45:00.000-07:00

In the recent past, life wasn't all that interesting. I felt very boring to come to office at 10 AM, attend some meetings, do some work in-between those meetings, get back home at 7 PM to watch Animal Planet/ Ten Sports for 2 hours and finally go to bed around 1 AM. This has been my routine for last few months. I was thinking how to make my life more interesting!!

Crikey!! How about this... interacting with different set of people in their own bandwidth/mindset. This is really very interesting and challenging than it actually sounds. Here is my first attempt...

Two weeks before, I was travelling back to my home town by train. Since, I was travelling alone, I carried a small story book- "Malgudi Days", written by R.K.Narayanan. As you all know, the stories in the book centre around the life of an ordinary Indian living in a semi-urban Indian city (people say it is Old Bangalore - Malleswaram to Basavangudi => Malgudi). After reading couple of stories, I turned around to look who were around me.

Only now, I realized I was sharing my compartment with couple of married woman - Hema and Geetha. They were mordern house wifes and their age may be somewhere between 28 and 32. Each had a child around 5 years. Geetha started the conversation.

Geeta (caressing her son's hair): "Rajesh is very brilliant at studies. Last evening I went to his school. His teacher told me that he is very smart in studies."

Hema: "Even my daughter is very smart. She ranks Top-10 in studies in her class. She is very good at gymnastics too. Rakesh (I guess her husband) wanted to enroll her in dance class as well. You know he loves her very much."

Geetha. "Even Anil (Geetha's husband) loves Rajesh very much. Even he wanted Rajesh to attend yoga classes. But....I said, 'No'. You know, already he plays lot of games and so I don't want him to get tired physically."

Hema: "Oh. But, Anuritha (guess...it's her daughter's name) doesn't get tired at all. Daily, she wakes up at 6 AM, goes along with Rakesh for a walk, plays shuttle in school, performs gymnastics at National Games village, finishes her homework, plays with Rakesh for sometime and finally goes to bed at 10 PM."

Geetha: "Even Rajesh doesn't get tired that often. Last week we went to Thirupathi for 3 days and came back to Bangalore on Sunday. Next day, Rajesh got up 6 AM and went to school by 8 AM. Even Anil woke up only at 10 AM. That day... inspite of travelling for 8 hours the previous night, Rajesh took part in his school annual day games and stood first in Bun eating competition."

As and when Geetha was saying that "Rajesh stood first in Bun eating competition", there came running a small boy with a slightly big pot belly. I started laughing... only word that I could think of now was... "Sothu Dadia!!"

Now, I wanted to enter into their conversation. I don't want to appear as a stranger to them coz I wanted to maintain the rythm and tone of the conversation.

Kart: "Hi. Neenga Tamizha?"

Geetha: "Yes." (I was actually expecting a reply in Tamil.)

Kart: "Which place are you from?"

Geetha: "Bangalore" (Hmmm...expecting a place in Tamil Nadu.)

Kart: "How long are you in Bangalore?"

Geetha: (After a long Pause) "5 years" (No more 1 word answers plz...)

Not knowing what to speak next. I shut my mouth. Then they both started discussing about their children's annual day competition, husband's birthday party, Kids Kemp, PVR, dresses, etc., etc. I was still preparing for my re-entry into the conversation. This time I chose a different strategy.

Kart: "Hi.. what is your name"

Anuritha (Hema's daughter): "I am Anuritha."

Kart: "Where do you study?"

Anuritha: "Saint Mark's School"

Kart: "Which subject do you like the most?"

Anuritha: "English"

(Shifting my attention to Hema...)

Kart: "Cute girl. She is very smart."

Hema: "Yeah. She is very smart. She already started playing with his dad's computer."

Kart: "Oh. That's cool. Even I work on computers. You have lot of kid's educational CDs. You could buy some for her."

Geetha: "Yeah. Even Anil bought few CDs for Rajesh."

Kart: "That's really a very good idea. Children can learn a lot by actually playing with the computer. They will love it."
...
...
...

It was very thrilling for me coz I spent 2 hours chating with couple of strangers and that too discussing on topics that I knew very little.

One minute story (from anantha vikatan)

2006-09-07T23:21:00.000-07:00

She saw what she shouldn't have seen. Its not her fault that the tuition teacher had a fever. She came blasting to her mother coming from temple. "Dad and that maid...shit what a bitch she is? how could dad do this to you? stop her from work right a way."

Her mother with a surprise calm and composure said, "I was me who came to this house as a maid".

India is my country and i love its rich and varied.......

2006-09-07T20:54:00.000-07:00

This happened during the recent mumbai blasts. (What an irony i need to add the adjective recent) My neighbour is a kannadiga and runs a bakery. He was speaking about the blast with my dad in my presence. He told us the incident where he met an auto driver in bangalore who was an ex-serviceman. The driver told that he quit the job because army was not in the same way as portrayed in the outside world. There was a sectarian environment. He accused muslims in military for supporting the terrorists in india. My neighbour, a gentleman in his 50's bought his story and was arguing against muslims and their participation in indian army. "How could they infiltrate without the support of muslims?"

Now, before everybody jumping into attack mode against this old man for his views, let me tell something about him. He is not the usual bigotry one would falsely associate with iyengars. He is a kind man, has a good rapport with the colony people (rare in a higher middle class colony like mine), a hard-worker and helps poor people. The intention of this post is not to shower diatribe on him but to question why did he buy the story. He could have cited the recent controversial census which gave the report that representation of muslims in army is very low. He could have defended his fellow countrymen ignoring a story from a stranger. Afterall, his customers included muslims even though his shop's name has iyengar in it. I am not sure but i think the man's ability to strike similarities among people is both a boon and a bane. Man has this ability to form groups according to the need of the hour. The groups could be based on colour, caste, religion, place, language.. the list is endless. Even in our college, the place where we can expect partisan views the least, we had this oors concept, north-south, madras-nonmadras, paalaru-ponnaiyaru etc. Recently, there has been a sickening trend of associating oneself with their companies. Something like me and prad greeting "Hi companies". "Yintha madras payalgalae yipadi thaan" is not that harsh as "Yintha muslim payalgalae yipadi thaan". But, they are both similar. People who are willing to say the former, would at some point of time say the latter also. Man is so fond of forming groups that he will lose his identity as a human, as a living thing, as a wonderful creation of God.

I jumped into the discussion although i was not invited. I argued "Uncle, your argument is baseless. LTTE is a terrorist organisation in its own right though it started as a liberation movement. They involve drug trafficking, child soldiers etc. Does that mean all tamils are terrorists? Does that mean i am also a terrorist?". Sharp came the reply. "Hey babu, nuvvu tamil kaathura telugu vaadu".

Windows Live Writer

2006-08-24T04:03:00.000-07:00

Windows Live Writer is a desktop application that makes it easier to compose compelling blog posts using any blog service.

Looks like this is cool. You guys may want to try this.

http://windowslivewriter.spaces.live.com/

Check this post...

2006-08-01T02:15:00.000-07:00

You may want to check my blog to solve some interesting puzzles... http://kartsblackbox.blogspot.com/