Short Circuit Engineer

JP Nagar to Kalyan Nagar in 1 Hour?

2018-03-14T22:38:00.000+05:30

If you live in Bangalore and If I said I did it between 5PM to 6 PM on a working weekday you will seriously laugh at me. Bangalore's road's are not kind on anyone.

Yeah, The distance with straight roads is just 20KM. But time to cover the distance varies based on time. At 10 PM it shows 50 mins and at 12 PM it shows 1 hour 15 mins.

So to pick my vehicle from Service I had to head to Kalyan Nagar, The centre closes at 6:30. Reaching on time was important.

I checked google maps before I headed to Kalyan Nagar, 1 Hour 40 mins is what it read. Now if you wonder I cut the 40 mins by my/taxi drivers amazing driving, The answer is NO.

This amazing feat was possible because of NAMMA METRO.
JP Nagar to Majestic : 20 mins
Majestic to Bayappanahalli: 20 mins
Auto for next 9 Km's: 20 mins (Thanks to the ORR which just misses the KR Puram/Tin Factory junction.)

This efficient use of public transport made me write this post. Hope the metro construction progresses at a faster pace.

How much Time it took me to get back from Kalyan Nagar to JP nagar in my serviced Vehicle?
1 Hour 40 Mins. :(

Nidagal Trek

2018-02-07T23:20:00.002+05:30

After a long time a trek....!!

This time it was in Pavagada district.

Place is ~200KM from Bangalore 3-4 hours drive.
Road via Dabaspet is in a better shape is what I felt (Took this route while coming back).
But If you live in North Bangalore take the Hyderabad highway and take left towards Pavagada from Penakonda.

Location:

It is a Moderately difficult trek. Carry Water and plenty of snacks. Took us 3 hours to reach the top with lot of breaks.
Wear shoes (Mistake I did as I was wearing 80% covered Woodlands sandals, Things can enter inside from the rest 20% uncovered part).

Park your vehicles at bottom of hill and start climbing which looks like a simple climb. (It is NOT)

Here is what it looks like from the bottom.

You can see layer of mountains at a distance when you climb up.

A panorama from the top.

(There are 2 cars in this picture and you can't see them because they are so far away.)

At the Top there is a Nandi Temple.

Joy of reaching top...!!

Special Thanks to Sandesh Mavinakuli Ringing me up for this.

The trek was planned at 10 AM on Feb 3rd Saturday.

We started at 3 PM to reach Pavagad at 8:30 PM. Booked a hotel and slept through the night.

Climbed the Fort next morning starting at 8:30 AM from the bottom.

For additional details on this trek you have to wait for his post.

Catch his blog at : http://www.thetravelreminiscences.in/

He is an avid traveler and inspires souls like me to explore.

+ This blog will open your mind for places to visit around Bangalore

Digital India ?

2017-11-16T12:34:00.003+05:30

Well, Every time I see the word digital I feel happy. Yes, We definitely should move towards digital India & move towards cashless India..

Then I look at the cost of going digital. Some say the cost is reduced but then I had a look at 1 of my bank statements and realized, Digital is costing me money more that I expect it to cost.

I have a account in Corporation Bank, Which I rarely use as you can see from the picture below. Has Internet banking and a vanilla debit card. I don't have a cheque book issued because I never needed one for this account.

So Technically I have gone digital with this account. I use Debit card, don't use cheque book, don't visit the branch, do banking online. So look at the charges which I have shown.

1. They charge 150 Rs per year for having the Debit Card. (Should not this be part of banking now a days? Is it still a privilege?)

2. They charge me 100 Rs per year for getting SMS alerts. (Yeah, Right how much does bulk SMS's are charged these days)

3. Then Government wants me to pay 45 Rs of Tax. (The actual Irony)

Total 295 Rs per year for a account which I am just holding.

Now if I do a NEFT transfer they will charge me minimum of 2.5 Rs/ 5 Rs / 25 Rs + Tax. (Link)

So digital essentially does not save any money for the me (common man), It just helps the banks and Governments make more money.

You may say convenience, yes it is convenient not carrying cash everywhere. But some places just charge you extra 1.5 to 2 % for using card. Those times I am sure you would be more happy paying cash than paying by card. Reason? 50K transaction at 2% will cost you 51K (1K extra for those weak in maths).

Unless these charges come down, The Digital India is not going anywhere. Though it's pushed down our throats. The term has become a tool for Corporations and companies to make more money from the consumers.

There is no reward for going digital but there is a penalty. I seriously hope the scenario changes.

Dandiganahalli Dam

2016-07-16T22:13:00.001+05:30

After a long long and Long time visited a place.

Calm Place. Morning well spent. Some clicks

A Video of Clouds moving around.

That's all...!!

Why do they put LED on the Power Button??

2015-01-17T12:43:00.003+05:30

So my UPS has a power button, which has a white LED indicating it's ON...!! Nice feature ain't it? Similarly my PC has a White LED on Power Button..! Looks pretty cool.

But have you ever thought about Kids + LED's on power button :)

Imagine your curious kid amazed by the glowing white light comes and tries to explore the button more, You suddenly realize that LED's on the power button creates more troubles for you :)

So that Mosquito Repellent Liquid and it's LED is a worry now, For that matter anything which comes with a LED worry's you.

So your washing machine has a child lock feature, So your kid can't change any settings. Turn on the Child lock and Yes There it is another LED turned on telling you Child lock is ON and the color is RED..! Kids are just fascinated by RED...!! Now he goes and presses a button and that red LED Blinks..!!?? Telling kid that child lock is on?? For a kid it's amazing...!! He presses the button again to see the LED blink... :D

So any such experiences with LED's?? :D

Shiradi Ghat - All patched up now

2014-01-20T23:32:00.001+05:30

Last month was a nightmare traveling on the Shiradi Ghats. Here is the latest news from my recent trip.

The Ghat roads are all patched up. You can drive on it, If you are traveling by bus then you can sleep peacefully.

So enjoy the ghat sections till next May, Looking at the 5 Cr Patchworks, the quality seems a very low plus + this will give up during next rainy season. Hope for the best and enjoy the ride/drive.

Shiradi Ghat Road: Naming Potholes and Sections.

2013-12-27T12:41:00.001+05:30

So, Here is the next part of the Pictures. There is NO road in some parts.
You drive on whatever side you want to and whatever surface is left.

Disclaimer: ALL THE NAMES USED IN THIS POST ARE FICTIONAL, ANY RESEMBLANCE / MATCH TO ANY LIVING OR DEAD PERSON IS PURELY ACCIDENTAL...!!

More potholes

No Road Sections

Con-gress Section?

B-J-P Section?

J-DS Section?

Rajiv Pothole?

Indira Lorry Breaker?

More potholes?

Lalu Rubble strip

He was trying to find road

And some more road

There were some Pieces

Then there were Potholes

Rumblers

Oscar Pothole Section

He braked and Stopped

Why??

Oh!! Moily Cliff !!!

Another shot of Moily Cliff...!!

Are you bored yet?

Still There?

Yeah Baby Yeah..!!

What? I thought this was a NH...!!

1st Gear 2nd Gear

Break

1st Gear 2nd Gear

Check the Height

Now Check back the height

Ahem

Must Be Sonia Pothole

This guy was cool as cucumber

That is what is left of the Road...!!

9:50 AM: Uppinangady 44Km

Wow...!! Amazing Shiradi Ghats

Looks Like some road

Shiradi section

More sections

OK I am Bored

9:54AM: Uppinangady 43 Km We were driving Normally.

Break, Or Break your Car

There is no wrong side, You are always on right side.

Fantastic

Whom should we name this after...?

Hmmm There was a road here

Built by some ancient Civilization

Pranab??

Or Pranab??

Brave Guy...!!

All pics look the same isn't it?

This Looks Young, Rahul??

Or Modi??

Sibal Bombarded pothole?

Potholes...!!

Finally some hope..!!

And it was short lived.

They were trying to repair...!! Seriously?

10:21 AM : Uppinangady 38 Km

This how to Tar roads

The First Pothole filling Operation

Very modern Technology

Modern Tools

How to Drive in Shiradi Ghats and Get out Alive:
1. Don't Drive, Crawl.
2. There is NO wrong Side, The road changes sides depending on whats left of Surface.
3. Don't even think about Driving in Night.
4. Never Ever drive behind a Truck...!!
5. Let the KSRTC Red bus Overtake and Pass you.

Take the Charmadi Ghat, Narrow Twisty and Slow

Take the Agumbe Ghat, Narrow section but it's Short - but 30 kms more to Bangalore.

Shiradi Ghats Condition: Trailer...!!!

2013-12-26T18:26:00.002+05:30

So every year during Monsoon you hear the cry, Shiradi Ghat roads are not good. Shiradi Ghat has gone bad etc etc. No one ever gets a chance to see how bad the roads actually are, mostly because the buses you travel in take that route during night. Only thing you know about Shiradi Ghats is when entire bus shakes, makes noises and you are thrown all around.

I and Kevin took this route on 7-Dec-2013. Look at the Pictures you will come to know about Condition.

We started off Bangalore at 5:00AM Reached Sakleshpura at 8:00AM Yes, that is 230 KMs in 3 Hours.

Spent 30 Min to fill up the ourselves and Cars fuel Tank, Air.

Here is the real Picture of the Ghat Section, Thank that Bus driver who saved your life last time you traveled on this road.

Let the Ghats Begin: Trailer

8:49am : Welcome To Shiradi Ghats

Potholes

More Potholes

This was some big Dig, Someone tried to find some treasure here

And More

Yeah yeah

Shiradi Ghats

National Highway to Mangalore

Road? What Road?

9:05 AM Trucks and rubble

Trying to overtake

Welcome to the Shiradi Ghats

More Potholes

Shiradi Ghats

National Highway??

I am Going to kill you...!!

Drive on what is left...!!

He somehow managed to overtake

This is why we vote...!!

A Signboard...!!

9:13 AM : It Just says Turns, No mention of Potholes on the Road.

That Was a Trailer...!!! Catch More Images in Next Post....!!

Credits: Kevin for Clicking Pictures, Myself for Staying Calm and Driving, Car for saving us from Dust and Not breaking down.

Ownership Review of Beat Diesel LT

2013-03-19T08:39:00.001+05:30

Completed 14000km's, Here is the feeling about car in those KM's clocked.

Passenger Space: The front Passengers will never complain. There is enough room in front that you can stretch your legs freely. Can't say the same for rear passengers - All I can say is it has enough space where 2 grown people can sit a bit comfortably, get in 3rd one and you have a space jam. The thigh support is not great, nor bad either.

Luggage Space: Well, 4 Normal sized bags go inside comfortably. So you can carry 2 peoples luggage for a week or 4 peoples luggage for a weekend. If you are a heavy packer, then the boot space will not be sufficient for you. This car has a most tiny boot in the Hatchback space?! The 60:40 Split seats have helped me a lot of times when returning from my home town filled with luggage.

Mileage: Hovers around and above 20kmpl for the Highway drives, Stays 17 -18 in normal City driving conditions, and worst ever I got was 15 when I was stuck in traffic for ~2 hours multiple times. For more detailed mileage specs you can see my earlier post with all the fuel up details http://lozil.blogspot.in/2012/11/chevrolet-beat-diesel-mileage.html

Power: tiny 3 pot diesel engine does what it is supposed to do. The torque makes up for the lack of power. For city driving the car is good as most of the time in crawling traffic you can manage in 2nd gear and rarely do need to shift to 1st. On highways I am quite happy as the 5th gear can pull from speeds of 45kmph, So minimal gear changes required.

Handling: The steering is like a joystick, You turn it as you are turning a gaming steering wheel. This means easy to drive in traffic.

Speed: 80kmph comes easily, 100-120kmph is a comfortable speed to drive on highways. Anything above does not seem very confidence inspiring. (Have reached the top speed 150 on a occasion just to realize not suitable for the car). Now usually drive speeds of 80 -120kmph on highways.

Suspension: Nothing to complain about, takes most of the small bumps comfortably.

Breaks: Adequate stopping power from speeds of 120kmph-0, No complaints.

Ground Clearance: Never faced the bottom scrapping issues in the Bangalore City speed breakers even when loaded with 5 people. But Shiradi ghats beat the car's ground Clearance.

Air Conditioning:(Front passenger perspective)
Option 1: Set the temperature, Turn the ACC on, Stop worrying. 1-2 mins and you are cooled of from the Mangalore heat.
Option 2 : Turn on AC, turn the temperature to low turn the fan for full, 1 min and you are in a refrigerator.
- There is lack of power when AC is turned on and you are in climbing a hill from standstill, No problems when in normal flat roads in city traffic.
- AC Does not make much of a fuss with power when you are driving on highways.

Noise: The Engine sounds like a small tractor when started, 1 min Idling and the noise settles down. While driving, anything above 3000rpm is audible inside.

Other Rattles: None, Most of the times the sound is from my keys in Cup holder, or a Bisleri bottle in the Door when car revs cross 2800rpm.

Music Player: Still with the Stock Player, Good enough for me, Plays from USB, CD, FM/AM.

That is my honest attempt to summarize my ownership in past 8 months, Please shoot any questions if you have in comments section

Provident Fund: Pension Scheme - Part 3

2013-02-19T20:33:00.002+05:30

So you came here searching for the answer for 541 Rs or 8.33% of PF which go to the Pension Scheme?
Then you should try reading this: http://www.epfindia.com/Circulars/EPS95_update102008.pdf .

Sounds too complicated? Let us simplify some part of it.

A Part of PF contribution goes to Pension fund. The Aim is to give you some money when you get retired on monthly basis, or in other words to pay you Pension.

Questions:
1. When will I get Pension:
After you reach age of 58 years or 50 Years if you are willing to get a reduced amount.

2. How much pension I can get?
Well, If you work for 35 years and when you are 58 your basic pay is more than 6500 then you can get around 3250 Rs per month. Formula for calculation is as below
Pension = (Last pensionable salary*Years of pensionable service)/70

3. Can I withdraw the amount?
Yes and No
Yes: If you withdraw your PF before 9 year 5 months of service.
No: If you withdraw your PF after 9 year 6 month of service.

4. How much amount I will get when I withdraw?
Yrs Factor
1   1.02
2   1.99
3   2.98
4   3.99
5   5.02
6   6.07
7   7.13
8   8.22
9   9.33
On the left are your number of years service, Multiply With the factor to your basic salary to calculate your pension. Eg your Basic was 6500 and your worked for 5 years and withdraw the pension the it will be 6500*5.02 Rs.

5. What happens after you complete 10 years of service?
You get a service certificate which you can use to get pension after you attain age of 50 or 58.

6. Why can't I see the Pension fund amount after I transferred my PF account to another company?
Because the amount never gets transferred, Only the service gets transferred..! Reason being the pension calculations are done on Your Last drawn salary for 12 months and Your total service.

So the moral of story is: Start investing in Some other pension schemes which can give you a better return than the EPS. This Pension Scheme is just a eyewash by government. Why? Lets do a simple calculation. You contribute 541 Rs for 35 years in a RD and lets assume a interest of 8%, you will get amount of 1233189. Keep it in FD at 7% Interest then also you will get more amount than what government is paying(Interest rates are subjected to change).

That is all the Gyaan I can give right now. Next I will try to explain the part how to transfer and withdraw your PF account.

Please ask your queries in the comments...!! Thanks for reading. Share it if you like it... :)

There are a Few More posts by me on Provident fund You can read them at below Links.

Provident Fund Explained: Part 1

Provident Fund Checking Balance: Part 2

Provident Fund: Checking Balance - Part 2

2013-01-26T00:19:00.000+05:30

This is continuation from my previous Post Provident Fund Explained - Part 1 So if you have missed it, Please read through it.

Now let us come to the question, How to check my PF Balance?

Follow the below steps and it should be pretty easy.

1. Click on the Link http://epfindia.gov.in/
2. Now you should be able to see a link which read Know Your EPF Balance.
3. Click on the link, Which takes you to a page explaining lot of things.
4. Scroll down, See the Link CLICK HERE to know the Balance Yeah, that small thing you need to click.
5. Next- Select your State.
6. Click on the PF office your Company's comes under.
7. Now find your PF Number, Usually in Payslip in format
XX/XXX/XXXXX/(XXX)/XXX - Values (XXX) might not be present in your PF number.
8. The first 2 fields will be filled with your State code and PF office code automatically XX/XXX/XXXXX/(XXX)/XXX
9. Now enter the 3rd field with the establishment code XX/XXX/XXXXX/(XXX)/XXX
10. 4th field can be left blank if you don't have extension code XX/XXX/XXXX/(XXX)/XXX
11. Enter your PF number XX/XXX/XXXX/(XXX)/XXX
12. Enter your name as in Payslip and mobile number.
13. Check the "I Agree" box and Submit.

You must get your PF Balance in 5-30 mins on your cellphone as message.

Reading the Message:
The message will contain 2 things. EE amount and ER amount, Now if you read my earlier post then you should be able to make out why that ER is less.
*Your balance might seem low, The date will tell you till what date the data is updated, So don't panic.

Searching for Company Code: http://search.epfoservices.in/estt_search/est_search.php
Click the above link and search for your company name in last field, you should get all the details about your company.

So you know your PF Balance now, What next? I will try to explain the Damn complicated Pension Scheme document. Even I get nightmares when I see that 58 page Monster Confusing Document.

Provident Fund Explained - Part 1

2013-01-25T20:21:00.000+05:30

It's a pain to look at people when they seem so confused about PF. The PF deductions look like rocket science until you understand them. This blog post is for all my friends who are either confused, or not bothered, or have given up trying to understand the "Employee Provident Fund" called shortly as PF.
Warning..!! - These calculations are just try to summarize the Rocket science of PF. You can't sue me if I have made a mistake.

Lets Start,
So you are working and your Company has a Provision for Provident Fund and all you know is 12% of your Basic Salary or Basic+DA will be deducted and will go somewhere you don't know. Here is a humble try to explain the heck of the process.

Provident Fund(PF) is made of 2 components
1. Employee Contribution (EE) or Your Contribution
(Yes this is the 12% which goes from your Salary.)
2. Employer Contribution (ER)
(This is usually included in CTC but sometimes this also is deducted from your salary if your employer has not defined employers contribution to PF in CTC)

Lets see both the contributions in Detail.

1. Employee Contribution: It's is easy to explain, It's 12% of your Basic Salary. So if your Basic Salary is 10000 Rs per month then 1200 Rs will go towards PF for EE contribution. or if your salary is 6500 then 780 Rs will go towards PF.

2. Employer Contribution: This contribution is a little tricky. There is a scheme called Pension Scheme where Employer has to contribute 8.33% of the contribution, So the simple math says as below.
Contribution to PF by Employer = 3.67%
Contribution to Pension Scheme by Employer = 8.33%

But there is a Catch, Pension Scheme contribution maximum amount is 541 Rs, So if your basic is above 6500 Rs then the 8.33% formula goes for a spin (Because government contributes 1.16% of your Basic Salary to your Pension Fund and have set the cap at 6500 Rs for salary) so the math becomes
Contribution to Pension Scheme by Employer = 541
Contribution to PF by Employer = Employer Contribution - 541

Eg 1:
If your Basic Salary is 5000 then then ER contribution is 600
Contribution to PF by Employer = 183.5
Contribution to Pension Scheme by Employer = 416.5

Eg 2:
So if your Basic Salary is 10000 Rs, then ER contribution is 1200
Contribution to PF by Employer = 659
Contribution to Pension Scheme by Employer = 541

#1 You can always Limit your contribution to 780 Rs which is 12% of the 6500.
#2 You can always increase Your Contribution using VPF i.e more than 12% and but your Employer will still contribute 12%.

So you have some more questions in mind now, Like
1. How the hell I check how much money I have in my PF
2. What the hell is Pension Scheme?
3. Why should I Invest in Provident fund, there are million other options available.

I will explain them in next posts.

Manjarabad Fort

2013-01-06T12:38:00.001+05:30

One fine day I was browsing through the Google Maps near Sakleshpura and I see this...!! And I was like, What on earth is that....!!! I need to go there and see it once.

Well that was almost 4 years ago.

Every time I traveled via Sakleshpura I would remember, There is a Star shaped Fort...!! Manjarabad Fort. Finally was able to visit the fort last month.

[Yeah...!! You have to Climb Stairs...!!]

[The Manjarabad Fort Entrance]

[Gate inside]

[Some well in the center]

[A Panorama from one of the edges, Click for a a bit better resolution]

I don't have any historical data about the Manjarabad Fort, Only know that during some point of time it came under Tipu Sultan.

Blast for the Past - the year 2012

2013-01-04T13:34:00.000+05:30

1. Survived the Mayan Apocalypse:
Never believed the world will end because come civilizations calendar was running out of dates, But simply for the sake. I Survived Mayan Apocalypse and lived to see 2013.

2. Purchased a Car - Chevrolet Beat Diesel:
Wanted something better than my Bike to go on some trips, Something comfortable, Something reliable and something which is light on pocket when you fuel up. So after long discussions, research, CC bills clearing etc etc. We Purchased a car Chevrolet Beat Diesel LT.
Driven 9200Km's in a span of 5 months and at the rate of it, it looks that its going to run a hell lot of more miles in coming months/years.
Want to see the Mileage Figures? http://lozil.blogspot.in/2012/11/chevrolet-beat-diesel-mileage.html

3. Explored Srirangapatana.
Seems like I like Tippu Sultan, I have visited numerous places where he set his foot on, Jamalabad fort Near Belthangady, Bekal Fort Kasargod, Sultan battery Mangalore and the list goes on.
So finally decided that I need to explore Srirangapatana and had a awesome trip. No teachers telling me to get inside bus, You will be late, Move fast etc etc.
Just when you thought the Srirangapattan was the last one where visit to places visited by Tippu Sultan ends, 2 Weeks back I Visited Manjarabad fort. So now you know whom to contact in Case you need info about Tippu Sultan. :P

4. Visited Pondicherry.
A long weekend and 2 bored souls, Pack the bags, start the car and decide where to go...!! That was how we ended up in Pondicherry.
Lessons Learned: Before starting Check road conditions.

5. Got a DSLR Camera: Canon 600D
Always wished for a good camera never had one (or never bothered to purchase one) for almost 7 years now. Finally with the addition of car, seemed like a good Camera was very much required. Then one fine day the camera my wife had gave up. Said to myself "Abhi Nahin to Khabhi Nahin" and after a lot of research, searching for low prices etc etc got frustrated and got one from Chroma at market price.
Clicks? Ahem, Learning to hold the camera. So hold on.

6. Took a 10 Day break: After 5 years took a 10 Day break and celebrated Christmas at Home...!!

So that was the Quick blast from past Year 2012.... :) More to Come soon.

Chevrolet Beat Diesel Mileage.

2012-11-23T11:57:00.002+05:30

After the Car purchase everyone asks the same question these days "Kitna Deti Hai", So this post tries to address the Question. :)

Here are the mileage figures which I am getting from the Chevrolet Beat Diesel.

All the readings are actual and calculated on a Full Tank to Full tank basis. If there is any error then it's marginal caused by round up to next 100 Rs while filling up.

So my best Figures till date are 22.5 kmpl Total Highway drive with ~40% AC on.

Worst ones are Inside City 15kmpl with 100% AC on. Most of the time taking 2 hours for a 20km drive.

Below sheet tells you the mileage I am getting for each fuel up.

The
The data will be updated regularly... For more details/doubts, Please leave a comment.

Something Different... The Life..!!

2011-04-30T19:35:00.007+05:30

Yeah, You learn, You bang your head against the wall, your parents spend their hard earned money on your education. Then you go out searching, searching for that ultimate place where you dream of showing the world that how well you have studied, how much your knowledge is and etc etc. The goal? Earn more money than you spend and be happy [Your Ambition].

Then you get your job, You work hard to fulfill Your Ambition. You miss out and fail multiple times, but you read the words from some successful person and start working harder as they did. After all that hard work, you miss and fail again. Now you loose confidence in yourself. You start blaming people around you telling that they are screwing you [Well they always do]. You want a change, you change your job, You start at square one again, You work hard and then harder. You miss it again... There is something wrong...! Something wrong with this world... Why all in earth it is you who is suffering so badly? Damn.. Now you Lose your Ambition. Now you change it, you want to earn as much you spend and be Happy [Changed ambition].

With your Changed ambition there are no changes either...!! It's still the same... Finally you end up torn, seeking someone who can console you and give you new hope...!!

to be Continued...!!

And You Thought Bangalore Elevated Expressway saves time…!

2011-01-10T14:21:00.003+05:30

The Most awesome Stretch of road in Bangalore…!! 9 Km of Signal free riding at 80 Km/h, Silk board to the Electronic city in 8 min...!! Now that should definitely save time and Fuel Right?

No…! Especially if you are traveling by 2 Wheeler…!

You will end up all the time saved by riding while waiting to pay the toll. Also all the fuel you saved will go down the drain while you move in the toll line idling your engine and move at snails pace in 1st gear. [This happens during the peak hours i.e 9 AM to 10.30 AM and 5PM to 8 PM]

This is same story everyday for the two wheelers at peak hours. A single tollbooth for the two wheelers and hundreds of two wheelers waiting in queue for paying toll. If you ride at 80 Km/h then expressway can be covered in 8 min, but to pay toll you need to wait for 10 min…! Now that's insane and meaningless…!

Day pass is 20 Rs and Single way pass is 15 Rs for two wheelers. Why you pay that amount of money for a ride? Because, you are tired of Bommanhalli Signal, Hosa road junction signal…! You are tired of those Dumb Private bus drivers who stop at the signals when it's green for a indefinite time blocking traffic behind them [Yeah the TN registration Rolls Royce buses]. Or the BMTC driver who will all of a sudden come to the right fast lane at 30 Km/h.

So, I wrote 2 mails to the e-mail id mentioned on the hoardings explaining the troubles, No reply till now...

Why cant they come up with something which can distributed quickly..?? And actually make the expressway useful to everyone..!

The AXIS Bank TXN password Dillema

2010-07-11T10:57:00.000+05:30

Long time ago I posted how to find the Login ID for Axis bank here. Many people found that post useful as i was going through the comments today.
Earlier that time, even I didn't had any idea about online banking login ID's and Passwords etc etc. Well, didn't used to earn at that time…(Or at least not sufficient)
I remember in previous post I was clueless about the TXN (Transaction)Password which the bank had sent me. But later I found it out what it is used for. Yeah, after activating the transaction facility. So today I am taking some time to ink it in.

The TXN password is used for the Purpose of making a Transaction. So if you want to transfer some money to other account then the TXN password will be asked before you go ahead with a Transfer. Well thats what banks call security.

Well you need to activate the transfers facility to use this. :)

*This is a very old post, was idling in my drafts… So thought of publishing it, hoping someone will find it useful.

Remember Google Buzz and Google Wave…??

2010-05-28T16:06:00.000+05:30

Just saw a article about Google Buzz, and suddenly remembered that google launched Google Buzz and Google Wave a little time ago… :)
When launched the All the Buzz was around Google Wave and Google Buzz, After a few months i can't see anyone Waving anywhere to get a Google Wave Account, The signup frenzy for Wave has just dried up. The Google Buzz came with a BUZZ, Then everyone felt it irritating, There were some privacy issues, and suddenly all the Buzz dried up...
For the timing I am happy with Twitter and Facebook…Anyone Still using Google Wave and Google Buzz??

Unlocking the Airtel MMX 610U Datacard.

2010-05-09T10:34:00.002+05:30

Unlocking Microimax MMX 610U Datacard from Airtel.
1. Remove the Airtel SIM from Modem then insert any other Operators Sim Card.
2. Visit http://a-zgsm.com/huawei.php and enter Your Microimax MMX 610U IMEI number (written on the Card itself). Enter the Security code then press Calculate, You will get 2 Codes Unlock Code and Flash Code.
3. Now connect your Modem to PC, a Screen will be put up to enter the Unlock code, Enter the Unlock Code generated above and you are Done. Your Card is Unlocked....!! Congrats....

The Nokia E71 Story...

2010-05-05T17:28:00.000+05:30

Last Sunday was the day…!! Went into Sangeetha Mobile shop in evening and got myself a New Nokia E71. Liked the Phone and features & loved the QWERTY keyboard.
Sunday was over, Monday was on the verge of finishing itself off I was trying out the GPS feature in my cellphone. With the Black Background I can see some shining dots in Screen…!! At first I ignored, But later it started striking to my eyes…!! Dead Pixels…!! On a New Cellphone…!!
So Now the Action Plan: Waited Tuesday for the office to get over, Reached Home As early as I can, Picked the already backed Mobile box and Bill. Headed towards Sangeetha… Showed the Manager the dead Pixels…!! I Initially was expecting he will tell me You have to go to the Nokia Care etc etc and there will be some Rude conversations. But He surprised me..!! He Took out a Boxed E71 and Replace my Piece…!!(Sweet) Now thats what I Call Smart Service… Very happy with the outcome got back Home and Slept nicely…!!
Now busy exploring the features of it…!! Looks like a great phone..
(Sigh..!! Long time since I Purchased a Gadget.. And 4 years since I changed my Cellphone).

Story of Nokia 1100...

2010-03-20T01:37:00.000+05:30

Yes this is the story about me and the Nokia 1100, a handset which has sold over 200 million pieces worldwide. This must be the most popular phone(Or the most sold phone) Nokia ever manufactured....!!

I used the Nokia 1100 initially when I joined college. Later I started using Nokia 9300 for the later 2 years of College, But later I had to stop using the 9300 when I joined work, Due to the so called security and rules in the company. So what to do? Get back to Old 1100.
At first, the shift was very frustrating. Limited message memory, Limited contacts in the Nokia 1100. I remember how addicted I was with my 9300 in which the limits never existed. Initially I swapped SIM from 1100 to 9300 daily. Later year or so I was doing the swap only during weekends, Now a Days I don't bother.. Why?? The Battery Life...
The 9300 required almost a daily charge. My 1100 with old battery required charge one in 3 to 4 days. Then when the Battery life fell down to 2 days I decided to change the battery. And voila, Now I charge the battery once In a Week...!! Yes That is Once in 7 Days...!! Sometimes it goes down in 5 days when I use it a bit excessively, But under Normal usage conditions the battery lasts more than required. One more advantage is that, Throw the 1100 anywhere carelessly and I am sure nothing will happen to it(unless you pass a truck on it).

Mobiles may have got a lot of features in recent years, but at the end of the day a Cell phone is a device which can make calls, receive calls and some messaging. The Nokia 1100 does effortlessly and never tells you charge too... So why bother with other sets..... :)

Now your turn, Which Cellphone and how often you charge your Phone battery..??
Awaiting Comments... :)

Eclipse...!!

2010-01-15T16:39:00.000+05:30

The year 2010 started with a Lunar Eclipse... A beautiful partial eclipse... I was awake in the night watching the Blue moon... Awesome...
So after the beautiful Lunar Eclipse here comes a Solar Eclipse. Today's eclipse was Longest Solar Eclipse in this Millennium lasting a staggering 11 min 08 s. Next eclipse to beat this time is slated for December 23, 3043.

Preparations: Went to get the Eclipse watching Solar glasses, But they are no where to be found in Udupi, So ended up buying the Welding Glass from a hardware shop as didn't wanted to miss the the view of the eclipse (The best ones are Numbered 14 and are safe to watch a eclipse).
Udupi is not in the strip of the eclipse, so was able to watch almost 80% of the Sun covered by the sun.

Awesome.....!!! Have no other words and Pictures describing the eclipse.

So people who missed today's eclipse I feel sorry for you, Now you have to wait for 9 years to see another Solar eclipse in South India. Not even a partial eclipse for South India for 9 years. The next Solar eclipse is a big one the Annular Solar eclipse Which is passing through south India is dated for 19-Dec-2019. Well that is 9 years from now. But that one will be a more spectacular than this one with the center closely passing though Udupi.

More details about Solar eclipses here: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/solar.html

Who all Missed the Solar eclipse, Watch out a partial Lunar Eclipse is headed our way on 2010 Jun 26. Hope that there are no clouds and you can stay awake at moon rise... :)

More details about Lunar Eclipse: http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/lunar.html

Login Screen Changer For Leopard

2009-10-01T21:22:00.000+05:30

After a Day which was fully boring I felt like doing some Apple scripting. Then with help of a friend for some part i was finally able to complete a Simple but May be Useful Script.

OS: MAC OS 10.5.7 Verified
This Script is Called: Leopard Login Screen Changer.
What It Does: Changes The Boring Galaxy Screen off from your Login Screen in OS X Leopard to the one you love.
Is This Script Really Useful: Naa, Just some Eye Candy.
Any Damage To My System: Nothing serious, After Running the Script for the first time Backup and Keep that DefaultDesktop.jpg file which gets created in your Desktop.(As Later runs will Replace that File with the one you selected previously.)
Any Further Improvements: Possible, But time frame cannot be set.
Which Image I can Set: Only .jpg files
Where can I Get It: Get It From Link Below

Download Here

If You Like it or Unlike it, Leave a Comment..... :)

Jog Falls

2009-09-23T08:27:00.001+05:30

Jog Falls, Asia's Largest Water fall. A road trip to Jog falls was just awesome on last Saturday (19-Sep-09).

Inspired by Rajkumars "Jeevandalli Nodu Omme Jogada Gundi", We decided we will see it.... :)

Now Let the Pictures do the Talking...... :)

The Beautiful Jog Falls.......
(We were lucky, Because the water to the falls is released every now and then)

The Team.....
(Lozil, Kevin, Melwyn)

OK, I did try to Give a Nice Pose.....

Kevin Finally Found His Lost Brother and Started to Take Pictures of Him.

Ya that's it, Saw Jog falls and astonished by it's beauty.

So if you haven't seen Jog Falls Then I feel You are missing something in Life.... You gotta go and See it once... The beauty is just awesome.