Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Morality of Babies?
A fascinating and intriguing article in NewYork Times on Morality of Babies. Its a longish article that I am trying to read through completely, with all the other hell breaking loose around- I have completed only 4 pages so far out of the total of 7 pages. I have my own interpretation of the research and outcomes- but need to condense them and comprehend the article in its entirety before making a post on it. Will wait for when I finish the article!
Labels: Interesting, NewYork Times
Sunday, October 05, 2008
கண்ணன் மனநிலையை தங்கமே தங்கம்!!
கண்ணன் மனநிலையை தங்கமே தங்கம்
கண்டு வரவேணுமடி தங்கமே தங்கம்
எண்ணம் உரைத்துவிடில் தங்கமே தங்கம்
பின்னர் எதுனிலும் செய்வமடி தங்கமே தங்கம்
கன்னிகையாய் இருந்து தங்கமே தங்கம்
நாங்கள் காலம் கழிப்பமடி தங்கமே தங்கம்
அன்னிய மன்னர் மக்கள் பூமியில் உண்டாம்
என்னும் அதனையும் சொல்லிடடி தங்கமே தங்கம்
சொன்ன மொழி தவறும் மன்னவனுக்கே எங்கும் தோழமை இல்லையடி தங்கமே தஙம்
என்ன பிழைகள் இங்கு கண்டிருக்கின்றான்
அவை யாவும் தெளிவுபெற கேட்டு விடடி
மையல் கொடுத்து விட்டு தங்கமே தங்கம்
தலைமறைந்து திரிபவர்க்கு மானமும் உண்டோ
பொய்யை உருவமென கொண்டவன் என்று
கிழப்பம் நீ உரைத்ததுண்டு தங்கமே தங்கம்
ஆற்றந்கரை அதனில் முன்னம் ஒரு நாள் என்னை அழைத்து தனி இடத்தில் பேசியதெல்லாம்
தூற்றி நகர் முரசு சாற்றுவன் என்று சொல்லி வருவையடி தங்கமே தங்கம்
This is the poem from Bharathi. Reading this, I am still amazed on the nuances that Bharathy has been able to capture in this song. The song presumes a girl in love with Krishna and in a scene where Krishna has not met the girl for sometime or where there is some "ஊடல்" as they call it - I couldnt find an equivalent english word to capture the sense of that word- anyways, with that in mind, if you read this poem, you can find first the girl's helplessness, asking the parrot to get to know Krishna's mind- saying if he speaks his mind, then may be I can decide on something- "எண்ணம் உரைத்துவிடில் தங்கமே தங்கம்
பின்னர் எதுனிலும் செய்வமடி தங்கமே தங்கம்"- and she also says, I would rather stay unmarried- I dont think Virgin would make appropriate sense here- the beauty of this phrase is that the Girl seem to be speaking for a group of girls rather than herself, when she says that they would remain Unmarried- you can sense the feeling of jealousy and "That which I didnt get would not be gotten by others too"- kinda self centered moun.
And this just in the next line morphs to one of indifference, saying we would find a king if not you. Bharathi has been able to capture this sense of disillusionment with an object of desire when that doesnt seem to be coming our way. How many time would have we thought the same way with an object of desire? Atleast I have gotten over with some of them on the same lines as abject helplessness to one of hope to one of despair to one of indifference to one of disgust. :)
Then, comes the disgust part- cursing Krishna that if he doesnt keep up with his words, then there is no friends for him anywhere and noone would look onto him. Then the cycle of emotions come back to the same starting point- this time seeing a cause of guilt -questioning self if there are any mistakes on her own- a willingness to take the blame for the sake of him. Then again, the own self image takes the upper hand and comes the next curse as to asking if someone who hadnt kept his word has any self respect- and also blaming self for trusting him, when everyone [including the parrot] had indicated about the cheat that is Krishna.
The last one is the most interesting verse of the entire poem- the direct threat to expose him to the public- this I find the most interesting part of any of the romantic escapades. The implicit understanding of the undesirability of making what is private, public- I hadnt come across anywhere, where this implied secrecy of the intimacy is used as a arguing point....
I am still relishing the poem for all the multitude of emotions that it brings out of humans and its gut in bringing Him to be just another mortal, with all its emotions and constraints...pretty interesting thought......
கண்டு வரவேணுமடி தங்கமே தங்கம்
எண்ணம் உரைத்துவிடில் தங்கமே தங்கம்
பின்னர் எதுனிலும் செய்வமடி தங்கமே தங்கம்
கன்னிகையாய் இருந்து தங்கமே தங்கம்
நாங்கள் காலம் கழிப்பமடி தங்கமே தங்கம்
அன்னிய மன்னர் மக்கள் பூமியில் உண்டாம்
என்னும் அதனையும் சொல்லிடடி தங்கமே தங்கம்
சொன்ன மொழி தவறும் மன்னவனுக்கே எங்கும் தோழமை இல்லையடி தங்கமே தஙம்
என்ன பிழைகள் இங்கு கண்டிருக்கின்றான்
அவை யாவும் தெளிவுபெற கேட்டு விடடி
மையல் கொடுத்து விட்டு தங்கமே தங்கம்
தலைமறைந்து திரிபவர்க்கு மானமும் உண்டோ
பொய்யை உருவமென கொண்டவன் என்று
கிழப்பம் நீ உரைத்ததுண்டு தங்கமே தங்கம்
ஆற்றந்கரை அதனில் முன்னம் ஒரு நாள் என்னை அழைத்து தனி இடத்தில் பேசியதெல்லாம்
தூற்றி நகர் முரசு சாற்றுவன் என்று சொல்லி வருவையடி தங்கமே தங்கம்
This is the poem from Bharathi. Reading this, I am still amazed on the nuances that Bharathy has been able to capture in this song. The song presumes a girl in love with Krishna and in a scene where Krishna has not met the girl for sometime or where there is some "ஊடல்" as they call it - I couldnt find an equivalent english word to capture the sense of that word- anyways, with that in mind, if you read this poem, you can find first the girl's helplessness, asking the parrot to get to know Krishna's mind- saying if he speaks his mind, then may be I can decide on something- "எண்ணம் உரைத்துவிடில் தங்கமே தங்கம்
பின்னர் எதுனிலும் செய்வமடி தங்கமே தங்கம்"- and she also says, I would rather stay unmarried- I dont think Virgin would make appropriate sense here- the beauty of this phrase is that the Girl seem to be speaking for a group of girls rather than herself, when she says that they would remain Unmarried- you can sense the feeling of jealousy and "That which I didnt get would not be gotten by others too"- kinda self centered moun.
And this just in the next line morphs to one of indifference, saying we would find a king if not you. Bharathi has been able to capture this sense of disillusionment with an object of desire when that doesnt seem to be coming our way. How many time would have we thought the same way with an object of desire? Atleast I have gotten over with some of them on the same lines as abject helplessness to one of hope to one of despair to one of indifference to one of disgust. :)
Then, comes the disgust part- cursing Krishna that if he doesnt keep up with his words, then there is no friends for him anywhere and noone would look onto him. Then the cycle of emotions come back to the same starting point- this time seeing a cause of guilt -questioning self if there are any mistakes on her own- a willingness to take the blame for the sake of him. Then again, the own self image takes the upper hand and comes the next curse as to asking if someone who hadnt kept his word has any self respect- and also blaming self for trusting him, when everyone [including the parrot] had indicated about the cheat that is Krishna.
The last one is the most interesting verse of the entire poem- the direct threat to expose him to the public- this I find the most interesting part of any of the romantic escapades. The implicit understanding of the undesirability of making what is private, public- I hadnt come across anywhere, where this implied secrecy of the intimacy is used as a arguing point....
I am still relishing the poem for all the multitude of emotions that it brings out of humans and its gut in bringing Him to be just another mortal, with all its emotions and constraints...pretty interesting thought......
Labels: Bharathi, Interesting, Tamil, Thoughts
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Interesting Realisation!
The other day I was listening to some old Tamil melodies, when I realized I wasn't even born when those films were released and still I loved the music and the songs and lyrics. It struck me as a surprise, that I do have a penchant for old music. I am sure these would not have gotten into my liking of my own volition- just like Roxette or Bryan Adams got into. With Roxette, I consciously decided that I liked the music, whereas with the old songs, I can't say that.
Thinking about it, I realise these might have been the result of the way I grew up. Growing up in an extended family, with aunts and uncles living together, exposes you to a variety of tastes and preferences and makes you more of a liberal is what I think. You are introduced to a multitude of thoughts apart from your own parents- for ex- I can point to my uncle from whom I got the taste for old songs- especially MGR songs. My father has a very specific taste for Gemini Ganesan songs and I like them too. Possibly I wouldn't have liked MGR songs had I not had my uncle when I grew up. My penchant for books and reading can be directly attributed to my aunts, who were in themselves quite voracious readers. When I look back and compare my sister and her tastes with myself, I see her tastes are more modeled around my parent's, which can be reasoned by the fact that, when she was born many of my aunts have already gotten married and my uncle was away working.
These days as the extended family is mostly out of "trend", nuclear family and two earning member families on the raise- with the time spent by the parents with the children coming down, I am afraid, children would probably end up with a rather narrower taste and outlook. Not to say it is impossible to develop a wide variety of likes, exposure and tastes- but what came to us naturally, would have to be imbibed to the next generation.
Am I the only one feeling this way?
Thinking about it, I realise these might have been the result of the way I grew up. Growing up in an extended family, with aunts and uncles living together, exposes you to a variety of tastes and preferences and makes you more of a liberal is what I think. You are introduced to a multitude of thoughts apart from your own parents- for ex- I can point to my uncle from whom I got the taste for old songs- especially MGR songs. My father has a very specific taste for Gemini Ganesan songs and I like them too. Possibly I wouldn't have liked MGR songs had I not had my uncle when I grew up. My penchant for books and reading can be directly attributed to my aunts, who were in themselves quite voracious readers. When I look back and compare my sister and her tastes with myself, I see her tastes are more modeled around my parent's, which can be reasoned by the fact that, when she was born many of my aunts have already gotten married and my uncle was away working.
These days as the extended family is mostly out of "trend", nuclear family and two earning member families on the raise- with the time spent by the parents with the children coming down, I am afraid, children would probably end up with a rather narrower taste and outlook. Not to say it is impossible to develop a wide variety of likes, exposure and tastes- but what came to us naturally, would have to be imbibed to the next generation.
Am I the only one feeling this way?
Labels: Interesting, Thoughts
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Change!
Have you ever been to a temple and offered Puja to the deity? I mean the usual puja or archana as we call, where all your family members are spelt out and the God is invoked to bless you- or even the one where there is Sankalpa performed?
Last Prathosham I had been to the Bridgewater Balaji Temple and something that happened there, intrigued me. As part of Prathosha pujas, Rudram, Namakam etc are recited. Before they start reciting rudram, it is customary that the Sankalpam is performed, which goes something like the below:
Last Prathosham I had been to the Bridgewater Balaji Temple and something that happened there, intrigued me. As part of Prathosha pujas, Rudram, Namakam etc are recited. Before they start reciting rudram, it is customary that the Sankalpam is performed, which goes something like the below:
dweethiya parardhe, shweta varaha kalpe, , Vaivaswatha manvanthare, ashta vimshathi thame, kali yuge, prathame padhe, Jamboo dweepe, Bharatha varshe , Bharatha Kande, Meroh dakshine parshwe, Shakabde Asmin vartamane , vyaavaharike prabhavaadheenam xxxxx samvatsaranaam madhye , xxxxx nama samvatstare, xxxx-yane, xxxx rithou, xxxx mase, xxxx pakshe, xxxx shubha tithou, xxxx vasara yukthayam, xxxxx nakshatra yukthayam, shubhayoga, shubha karana evam guna, viseshana visishtaayam, asyam vartamanayam xxxx shubha thithou.......
Here, in the above sankalp, all those parts marked would vary according to the year, month, day and time of the occasion- but what doesn't vary in all parts of India is the remaining part.
In the first part, I am not sure, if we really follow the Nakshatram and thithi the same way we follow it in India. But I know for sure, if you are performing the Sankalp in US, you cannot say "Bharatha Varshe", "Jamboo dweepe", "bharatha kande", "Meroh dakshine parshwe". US is definitely not in "Bharatha Varsha" or in "Jamboo dweepa" or in "Bharatha kanda" and most certainly not to the south of "Meru"!
The Sankalp is one of the most scientific and mathematically accurate component of the Hindu rituals. Shoud it not remain so- should we not accommodate our knowledge of what it means and rather than merely repeating the slokas as a machine, should we not improvise them to suit the realities? I mean if the days and month and year can be changed, sure the geographical coordinates too can be changed accordingly. If we say we can't change because it is against tradition, are we not doing a disservice? Sankalp is supposed to say where you are and what you are doing...if we continue to "be" in India while actually in a different place, are we not cheating God?
Just thinking loud- can't we create new coordinates- say south of Mt.Rushmore or north of Rushmore? Would that be asking for too much?
In the first part, I am not sure, if we really follow the Nakshatram and thithi the same way we follow it in India. But I know for sure, if you are performing the Sankalp in US, you cannot say "Bharatha Varshe", "Jamboo dweepe", "bharatha kande", "Meroh dakshine parshwe". US is definitely not in "Bharatha Varsha" or in "Jamboo dweepa" or in "Bharatha kanda" and most certainly not to the south of "Meru"!
The Sankalp is one of the most scientific and mathematically accurate component of the Hindu rituals. Shoud it not remain so- should we not accommodate our knowledge of what it means and rather than merely repeating the slokas as a machine, should we not improvise them to suit the realities? I mean if the days and month and year can be changed, sure the geographical coordinates too can be changed accordingly. If we say we can't change because it is against tradition, are we not doing a disservice? Sankalp is supposed to say where you are and what you are doing...if we continue to "be" in India while actually in a different place, are we not cheating God?
Just thinking loud- can't we create new coordinates- say south of Mt.Rushmore or north of Rushmore? Would that be asking for too much?
Labels: Hinduism, Interesting, Rituals, Thoughts
Monday, March 17, 2008
Life and the Love of it!
At times I do wonder what is it that makes you carry on with life? There should be some sort of an invisible thread- a fear of death, a fear of unknown that drives you to live, rather than a fondness for living itself..like in the moments when you want not to live- but you are afraid of death..speaking of death, I think I had a fairly close brush with it last Saturday, when I was driving Lakshmi at around 70-75 MPH in I287.
Myself and a colleague of mine had gone for some shopping roughly around 30 Miles from my place and it was raining cats and dogs when we started in the morning- though I enjoy driving in rain, I was a bit uncomfortable driving that particular day. I felt a slight unease setting in, as the intensity of the rain increased slowly, I was getting more and more uncomfortable, as the visibility reduced to within a few feet and I was driving at atleast 60 MPH. Foolish me- I know, but speed always enthuses me. I enjoyed it with a feel of trepidation.
But the sky was clean and spotless when we reached the shopping mall. The shopping mall was deserted for a Saturday- blame it on rains and ofcourse the slowing US Economy. All reasons said and accepted, the purchase went on smooth and the rains started when we started back. It was already 5:00 when we started from the mall and to our credit, we didn't do much of a shopping- what can two clueless dudes do in a shopping mall, figuring out what to buy for a 18 Month old kid?? We ended up buying something that we thought would be good..but then God only knows if that ever would be the case!
Anyways, coming back to the post, we started back to home at around 5:30- we know we had not a long drive ahead and also we had planned to come down to Saravanabhavan for dinner and for early bed!- as things would happen, we lost our way in 202- we went round and round in 202, unable to get the bearings- sadly for me, iPhone was also not of great help, as it kept giving some weird error messages in the maps. Somehow, we trusted our instincts to drive North and were really happy to see I287- following the same logic and forgetting that we drove on I287N to reach this place and thinking we need to go north to reach home, we started on I287N..the fact dawned on us, as we saw the exits increasing in their numbers rather than reducing...so had to take a detour and come back again to join I287S- but then it was already 4 miles since we missed our path...so that makes it 8 miles of round about route..anyways, cursing everything, I took the next exit to join back on I287S.
When I joined the interstate, I could feel the car was wobbling a bit and was running between lanes and the steering was a bit hard to handle- but I thought it was more to do with my speed rather than anything else..we would have gotten some 10 minutes into the highway, when out of the blue, suddenly there was a huge THUD sound and nothing was visible in the front..nor could I see anything in the rear view mirror..for a second or so, I could not make out what has happened..all I know/hear was the rumbling of the motor against the roar of the traffic outside..but the car was still running at 70-75MPH- as I hadn't slowed down or applied brakes..sensing trouble at the front, I put on the parking lights and was about to pull over to the right[as usual, I was on the left lane], when the dreaded 18-Wheeler whisked past me with a loud horn...I hadn't feared for my life ever as I did then- it was a terrible. But still, I hadn't figured out what has happened.
After letting the truck pass, and steering the car out to the shoulder, I came out without even switching off the car, only to see a gapping opening in the place of the bonnet and the bonnet perched atop the windshield. Mortified seeing at the way the bonnet has come to, I went back to switch the engine off and then came back to see the bonnet with a big dent running through its entire breadth. The force of the wind was such that, it has pried open the bonnet and had left a good dent on the roof too. More than the dent on the bonnet and the roof, the worst part was the condition of the windshield. The windshield had been completely smashed and there were pieces of glass inside the car. The rearview mirror has got detached from the windshield and had been thrown onto the rear seat. Luckily it didnt strike either me or my colleague.
I had to sit on top the bonnet and jump over it, to get it back to lock position and started back on the way. For some 10 minutes after this, I was driving on the shoulder itself- didnt have the courage to drive on the highway with a broken windshield and no rear view mirror. But after sometime, I was able to regain my confidence and started driving on the road- needless to say, was not clocking anything more than 40 MPH. It took us nearly an hour to reach home- but the wind has already created havoc everywhere. There were lots of fallen trees and my friends place was out of power for atleast 4 Hours.
I think this was for once a daring and a drastic experience for me- now read my opening lines- so, why do we live? Is it that we are afraid of death or we are fond of living?
When I joined the interstate, I could feel the car was wobbling a bit and was running between lanes and the steering was a bit hard to handle- but I thought it was more to do with my speed rather than anything else..we would have gotten some 10 minutes into the highway, when out of the blue, suddenly there was a huge THUD sound and nothing was visible in the front..nor could I see anything in the rear view mirror..for a second or so, I could not make out what has happened..all I know/hear was the rumbling of the motor against the roar of the traffic outside..but the car was still running at 70-75MPH- as I hadn't slowed down or applied brakes..sensing trouble at the front, I put on the parking lights and was about to pull over to the right[as usual, I was on the left lane], when the dreaded 18-Wheeler whisked past me with a loud horn...I hadn't feared for my life ever as I did then- it was a terrible. But still, I hadn't figured out what has happened.
After letting the truck pass, and steering the car out to the shoulder, I came out without even switching off the car, only to see a gapping opening in the place of the bonnet and the bonnet perched atop the windshield. Mortified seeing at the way the bonnet has come to, I went back to switch the engine off and then came back to see the bonnet with a big dent running through its entire breadth. The force of the wind was such that, it has pried open the bonnet and had left a good dent on the roof too. More than the dent on the bonnet and the roof, the worst part was the condition of the windshield. The windshield had been completely smashed and there were pieces of glass inside the car. The rearview mirror has got detached from the windshield and had been thrown onto the rear seat. Luckily it didnt strike either me or my colleague.
I had to sit on top the bonnet and jump over it, to get it back to lock position and started back on the way. For some 10 minutes after this, I was driving on the shoulder itself- didnt have the courage to drive on the highway with a broken windshield and no rear view mirror. But after sometime, I was able to regain my confidence and started driving on the road- needless to say, was not clocking anything more than 40 MPH. It took us nearly an hour to reach home- but the wind has already created havoc everywhere. There were lots of fallen trees and my friends place was out of power for atleast 4 Hours.
I think this was for once a daring and a drastic experience for me- now read my opening lines- so, why do we live? Is it that we are afraid of death or we are fond of living?
Labels: Interesting, Introspection, Life, Love
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Peak Oil and afterthoughts!
So what do we have for the new year?? A 100$ Oil, 39/$ Rs, Real Estate boom/bust [Depending on which democracy- largest or oldest that you live in], a certain/near certain election looming on the horizon [this time the oldest and the largest democracy], warmer winters, hotter summers- is that all we got?- May be....
The 100$/Gallon oil is nothing but a psychological fix- some tell us, whereas some others are really spooked about the whole thing and there are many who say, we will adjust- this euphemism is really a wretched thing with no substance- ofcourse we will adjust- we have always been adjusting- else human race wouldn't be what it is now. But what we really need to think about is, at what cost- is that cost worthy for the benefit that we would get by adjusting and who will adjust?
There is lot of stories written on the cause and the effect of the 100$ for Oil- but nothing as interesting as this piece by Nate Hagens. Ofcourse, this piece is not "written" by Nate Hagens- but nevertheless, it was he who posted it. :)
The post is a preview of the paper by Charles Hall, Robert Powers, and William Schoenberg titled "Peak Oil, Investments, and the Economy in an Uncertain Future". Enjoy reading!- Pretty long post that one is..but nevertheless interesting. However, I am yet to completely understand the assumptions and the imponderables that this paper had thrown out. Say for example, trying to measure down all productivity in terms of manual labour with no measurement for the productivity improvement through the "mental" fruits- say for example. I can say- it would take 10 men to harvest a farm working 8 hours a day- but the inbuilt assumption doesn't consider the effort required to make the tool to help up in the work- the sickle- it might have consumed some energy in being made- but did we consider the cost of the idea?- What is the worth of the idea that a sickle can be used to ease the effort?
I think till we can quantify that effort too, we would be shooting in the dark!- Ofcourse there is only some thing that we can assume and the magnitude of our assumptions affect our conclusions.
The 100$/Gallon oil is nothing but a psychological fix- some tell us, whereas some others are really spooked about the whole thing and there are many who say, we will adjust- this euphemism is really a wretched thing with no substance- ofcourse we will adjust- we have always been adjusting- else human race wouldn't be what it is now. But what we really need to think about is, at what cost- is that cost worthy for the benefit that we would get by adjusting and who will adjust?
There is lot of stories written on the cause and the effect of the 100$ for Oil- but nothing as interesting as this piece by Nate Hagens. Ofcourse, this piece is not "written" by Nate Hagens- but nevertheless, it was he who posted it. :)
The post is a preview of the paper by Charles Hall, Robert Powers, and William Schoenberg titled "Peak Oil, Investments, and the Economy in an Uncertain Future". Enjoy reading!- Pretty long post that one is..but nevertheless interesting. However, I am yet to completely understand the assumptions and the imponderables that this paper had thrown out. Say for example, trying to measure down all productivity in terms of manual labour with no measurement for the productivity improvement through the "mental" fruits- say for example. I can say- it would take 10 men to harvest a farm working 8 hours a day- but the inbuilt assumption doesn't consider the effort required to make the tool to help up in the work- the sickle- it might have consumed some energy in being made- but did we consider the cost of the idea?- What is the worth of the idea that a sickle can be used to ease the effort?
I think till we can quantify that effort too, we would be shooting in the dark!- Ofcourse there is only some thing that we can assume and the magnitude of our assumptions affect our conclusions.
Labels: Energy, Interesting, Oil
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Who Said that??
Know who said that??- If I had been asked this question a couple of days back, I would have blankly said, some conspiracy theorist, an extreme rightist, an anti-establishmentarian or an anarchist- but definitely an intelligent economist.Modern monetary systems have fiat basis- literally money by decree- with depository institutions, acting as fiduciaries, creating obligations against themselves with a fiat basis acting in part as reserves. The decree appears on the currency notes: "This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private". While no individual could refuse to accept such money for debt repayment, exchange contracts could easily be composed to thwart its use in everyday commerce. However, a forceful explanation as to why money is accepted is that the federal government requires it as payment for tax liabilities. Anticipation of the need to clear this debt creates a demand for the pure fiat dollar.
But today- only one of those is correct- intelligent economist- Unless you consider Federal Reserve Bank of St.Louis as all of those! The Fed says this in "Money, Credit and Velocity", Review, May, 1982.
Ways of the world!
Labels: Book, Economy, Interesting
Sunday, August 26, 2007
IBN's Foot in Mouth!!!!
I dont know what is with IBN-Live Website these days, I am finding it highly unimaginative and stale to read the stories posted in there. May be they suffer from Foot-in-Mouth disease too. Take for example a recent article they had posted on the TATA-Land Rover Deal. The story opens like this:
In other related observation, is CNN-IBN partly owned, or in debt to TATA industries? I agree TATA is a big name and all that- but what is the reason behind CNN-IBN covering only TATA related news in its business section?
Look at the news items in the business section right now. There are a total of 7 topics listed in that section and the headlines read thus:
New Delhi: Ratan Tata, owner of the largest Indian conglomerate is planning a smooth drive with American car giants Land Rover and Jaguar.Thankfully, this story had been written by a Human- Karan Thapar. While I dont deny the fact that, these brands are American owned, Land Rover and Jaguar are hardly "American" Giants. They are owned by Ford- but they are basically European- British to be precise Giants. Their official websites place their registered offices in Britain- not Detroit. Though it is perfectly true to call these American Cars, it is not fair to call them American Brands. Hopefully, Karan Thapar will get over the Foot and Mouth Disease soon. May be I need to send him a Get-well card. But I should thank CNN-IBN for this wonderful discovery. If not for them, I wouldn't have been interested in searching for Foot in Mouth in Wiki and got this wonderful piece!
In other related observation, is CNN-IBN partly owned, or in debt to TATA industries? I agree TATA is a big name and all that- but what is the reason behind CNN-IBN covering only TATA related news in its business section?
Look at the news items in the business section right now. There are a total of 7 topics listed in that section and the headlines read thus:
- India's BPO export accounts 47 per cent growth
- TCS to hire 2,000 science and maths graduates
- Satyam joins hands with Malaysian government
- Infosys BPO unaffected by US stock mkt trouble
- 'Nuclear deal is best thing to have happened to India'
- Tata welcomes: Jaguar, Land Rover & Rs 1-lakh car
- Despite protests, Tata small car project on track
An astonishing 5 out of 7 stories there had a mention of TATA group in it. I wonder if there aren't any other businesses in India than TATA's or is it that ways for CNN-IBN?
Labels: CNN IBN, Interesting, Media, Thoughts
Monday, June 11, 2007
Disappointed with Apple Safari for Windows!
When I first read about the release of Apple Safari for Windows, I was jumping in joy- It's been my wish to use it ever since I saw Safari working with Mac. I wanted to use the browser- if not for anything atleast for the user interface. The moment I was able to, I downloaded Safari and installed it. And then began my saga of trying to get to open a few pages in Safari.
The pages that I tried to open in Safari in the same order in tabs.
Apple (This is the home page)
Google.com
GMail.com
I was never able to get the Apple site open for me in the 20 Minutes that I had kept the window open. In the 20 minutes, I have downloaded, Maxthon browser, installed it and even browsed all my unread items in my Bloglines account. It is fast.
The first time I am disappointed with Apple. Hopefully, this is the last time too.
The pages that I tried to open in Safari in the same order in tabs.
Apple (This is the home page)
Google.com
GMail.com
I was never able to get the Apple site open for me in the 20 Minutes that I had kept the window open. In the 20 minutes, I have downloaded, Maxthon browser, installed it and even browsed all my unread items in my Bloglines account. It is fast.
The first time I am disappointed with Apple. Hopefully, this is the last time too.
Labels: Apple, Disappoinment, Interesting, Safari
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Interesting!
This news item that appeared in BBC today, caught my attention. The news is about Google deciding to ban essay writing ads from appearing. This is a classic case of clash between ethics/morality and business. The legitimate businesses that provide essay writing services- the business line here is legitimate. They are in outsourcing industry- its that simple. However, how many of us are comfortable with an University student buying an essay from one of these companies and submitting it, as his own?
Personally, I find no wrong in essay writing companies doing what they are doing. It is a legitimate business avenue for them. They get their work outsourced from their clients. Students in this case are outsourcing their job of learning/preparing a document about their learning to these third parties. Is it something wrong? My business logic says it isn't. I would try to get my job done as easily and best quality as possible. That is what all outsourcing is about. I get my job done at the cheapest and efficient place possible. It is also about the "Core Competency". May be essay writing is not my core competency. May be studying is not my core competency. So, I outsource that to someone who does it best. But where I go wrong in this case is, when I claim such a work as mine. If I dont claim that work as mine, then there is no point in me wanting that work done..right? The essay writing companies claim that they warn the users that, the work cannot be claimed as user's own is at best, sort of a disclaimer that no one really cares about. I really don't believe the claim that their essays are not being used for submission. As I said, there is absolutely no use in me paying for a work whose only purpose is submission as my own and not submit it!
It's a good case study for ethics class is all that I can say. Having done some ethics case studies, I think this case will have not differing opinions. Everyone will try to be in the "right" side of the divide. How can I justify the stance that the material is not used for plagiarism purposes? It is completely a personal ethical stance that every individual takes. As such, morality and ethics are seldom practiced as a group - though they get framed by a group- its always an individual that needs to follow it!- Weird World- Weird People!
Personally, I find no wrong in essay writing companies doing what they are doing. It is a legitimate business avenue for them. They get their work outsourced from their clients. Students in this case are outsourcing their job of learning/preparing a document about their learning to these third parties. Is it something wrong? My business logic says it isn't. I would try to get my job done as easily and best quality as possible. That is what all outsourcing is about. I get my job done at the cheapest and efficient place possible. It is also about the "Core Competency". May be essay writing is not my core competency. May be studying is not my core competency. So, I outsource that to someone who does it best. But where I go wrong in this case is, when I claim such a work as mine. If I dont claim that work as mine, then there is no point in me wanting that work done..right? The essay writing companies claim that they warn the users that, the work cannot be claimed as user's own is at best, sort of a disclaimer that no one really cares about. I really don't believe the claim that their essays are not being used for submission. As I said, there is absolutely no use in me paying for a work whose only purpose is submission as my own and not submit it!
It's a good case study for ethics class is all that I can say. Having done some ethics case studies, I think this case will have not differing opinions. Everyone will try to be in the "right" side of the divide. How can I justify the stance that the material is not used for plagiarism purposes? It is completely a personal ethical stance that every individual takes. As such, morality and ethics are seldom practiced as a group - though they get framed by a group- its always an individual that needs to follow it!- Weird World- Weird People!
Labels: Blabber, Google, Interesting, Thoughts
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Revisiting!
One!
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Then the traveller in the dark,
Thanks you for your tiny spark,
He could not see which way to go,
If you did not twinkle so.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
In the dark blue sky you keep,
And often through my curtains peep,
For you never shut your eye,
Till the sun is in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
As your bright and tiny spark,
Lights the traveller in the dark,—
Though I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Another One!
Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir,
Three bags full.
One for the master,
One for the dame,
And one for the little boy
Who lives down the lane.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Then the traveller in the dark,
Thanks you for your tiny spark,
He could not see which way to go,
If you did not twinkle so.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
In the dark blue sky you keep,
And often through my curtains peep,
For you never shut your eye,
Till the sun is in the sky.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
As your bright and tiny spark,
Lights the traveller in the dark,—
Though I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Another One!
Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir,
Three bags full.
One for the master,
One for the dame,
And one for the little boy
Who lives down the lane.
Labels: Blabber, Interesting, Introspection, Nostalgia
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Hampi
Been to Hampi- one of my "must go" destination for a long time. I didn't want to go there without my own camera- preferably a SLR. Now that I have that with me, planned for a quick trip- one of the must visit spot there was the "Stepped Well"- Well, will come to that later.
Started off from Mangalore on Friday- a KSRTC bus was all could get- When we enquired for direct buses to Hampi, I was surprised when people asked me "where is Hampi?"-While I didn't expect people to readily give me an answer if there are buses to Hampi, I atleast expected that, they would know the place. Sad that people in Karnataka themselves don't know much about Hampi.
All set for the trip, we reached the bus-stand and was really thrilled to find a decent bus. Our thrill didn't last long- the road is awesome. You virtually visit the heaven's every now and then, when the bus tries tackling the numerous speed breakers- there are a series of speed breakers, wherever a gully or a small road meets the Highway- the speed breakers are in the highway. Some speed breakers should be definitely called back breakers. I don't understand the logic of having speed breakers in the highway, when a smaller road meets it!- So much for Logic!
The trip was so much eventful, that when we reached Hubli at around 4:30 AM, we were simply amazed to find an entrepreneurial guy, trying to sell the Duck-like-sound making doll at such an hour- you would have seen those toys that make sound when hit or shaken. He was selling that in such a devilish hour- Couldn't understand the logic!
But, once we reached Hampi. all these pains were replaced by pure bliss! Let the pictures speak the rest of the story!
Started off from Mangalore on Friday- a KSRTC bus was all could get- When we enquired for direct buses to Hampi, I was surprised when people asked me "where is Hampi?"-While I didn't expect people to readily give me an answer if there are buses to Hampi, I atleast expected that, they would know the place. Sad that people in Karnataka themselves don't know much about Hampi.
All set for the trip, we reached the bus-stand and was really thrilled to find a decent bus. Our thrill didn't last long- the road is awesome. You virtually visit the heaven's every now and then, when the bus tries tackling the numerous speed breakers- there are a series of speed breakers, wherever a gully or a small road meets the Highway- the speed breakers are in the highway. Some speed breakers should be definitely called back breakers. I don't understand the logic of having speed breakers in the highway, when a smaller road meets it!- So much for Logic!
The trip was so much eventful, that when we reached Hubli at around 4:30 AM, we were simply amazed to find an entrepreneurial guy, trying to sell the Duck-like-sound making doll at such an hour- you would have seen those toys that make sound when hit or shaken. He was selling that in such a devilish hour- Couldn't understand the logic!
But, once we reached Hampi. all these pains were replaced by pure bliss! Let the pictures speak the rest of the story!
 |
| From Hampi Visit |
Labels: Fun, Funny, Interesting, Observation, Travel
Friday, March 16, 2007
Hardened Thoughts
It's been two years that I wrote this piece.
There is so much of imitation of American way of life in Indian Global companies- it hardly matters if you are in US or in Indian offices of these companies. The companies, though Global, are basically, very much American. It is a fallacy that we call them Global companies. The American hegemony (if I can call it that ways) is all too visible in the way business is conducted across Indian companies. Is there any distinct Indian-ness in any of the companies? Or for that matter is there any distinctiveness in any of the companies that dot the Globe now, except Americanism?
While writing this, I have a parallel thought- is there any distinct Americanism anywhere?- Or is it simply the most efficient way of doing things as we know now? Is it simply because of the American efficiency- which I thoroughly appreciate and marvel at, that we tend to have clones everywhere trying to do things that Uncle Sam had done and done it successfully?
Questions to Ponder- I don't think I would be pondering them while on flight back home!
[...Geopolitics of Globalisation by Baldev Raj Nayar. A nice collection of facts, interpretations, history and Politics of Globalisation. The author seem to have a bent towards anti-americanism...american hegemony....Hegemon of Hegemons as he calls it....though the hegemonism be true, still it doesn't prevent the author from taking stance.....would we - meaning the Indians be any different, given the chance and the ability to lord over the world...Simple facts like the amount US spent on its defence in the year 2001 (US$351 Bn) is way..infact miles ahead of the next five countires put together...the US's power isn't manifest only in Military...it is there in Hollywood, McDonald's , Walt Disney, Microsoft, Google...everything....one probable reason why US is able to lord over the world is this hidden influence on the way people everywhere think....by creating clones everywhere, US is able to sustain interest in it....there are many grey areas in the development stories of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan...the author provides a nice account of what transpired between the powers that be....how many conditions of America was accommodated..It's surprising that in the two years, my thoughts had changed little. But I wrote those words, without seeing/verifying things on my own. But now, having seen a bit of US, I know I hadn't been wrong. Yesterday, as we had gone to Costco for some shopping to carry back to India, I noticed something and made a note to my room mates and they too seem to agree.
There is so much of imitation of American way of life in Indian Global companies- it hardly matters if you are in US or in Indian offices of these companies. The companies, though Global, are basically, very much American. It is a fallacy that we call them Global companies. The American hegemony (if I can call it that ways) is all too visible in the way business is conducted across Indian companies. Is there any distinct Indian-ness in any of the companies? Or for that matter is there any distinctiveness in any of the companies that dot the Globe now, except Americanism?
While writing this, I have a parallel thought- is there any distinct Americanism anywhere?- Or is it simply the most efficient way of doing things as we know now? Is it simply because of the American efficiency- which I thoroughly appreciate and marvel at, that we tend to have clones everywhere trying to do things that Uncle Sam had done and done it successfully?
Questions to Ponder- I don't think I would be pondering them while on flight back home!
Labels: America, Interesting, Observation, Thoughts
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Visual DNA
Monday, February 12, 2007
Yahoo- Kanukku Puli
You have 5 mails unread in the morning.
You read all of them through the day logged into another machine.
You return back and see the page opened.
You click on the "Check mail" button.
The Screen refreshes to 3 unread mails (though they had been read through the day).
You hit the button twice and you get-
Yahoo!!! for sure is a kannakku puli (Though I am tempted to ask that quintessential question that always comes with this satire! [:P]).
My father would be heartened to see his son in the care of such maths genius!
You read all of them through the day logged into another machine.
You return back and see the page opened.
You click on the "Check mail" button.
The Screen refreshes to 3 unread mails (though they had been read through the day).
You hit the button twice and you get-
Yahoo!!! for sure is a kannakku puli (Though I am tempted to ask that quintessential question that always comes with this satire! [:P]).My father would be heartened to see his son in the care of such maths genius!
Labels: Interesting, Yahoo
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Tale of Two Worlds!
We're going to run into a constraint pretty soon, though. It turns out corn is needed for more than just ethanol. You got to feed your cows and feed your hogs.
- GWB, Caterpillar, Inc. East Peoria, Illinois
"When there isn't enough money to buy meat, you do without," one woman in Mexico City, Bonifacia Ysidro, told the Associated press. "Tortillas you can't do without."
Labels: Blabber, Interesting, Thoughts
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Indian Outsourcing Industry!
While skimming through the headlines, I got upon this particular article from Infoworld. Makes an interesting read and one that echoes what had been running in my mind ever since I joined one of those (All said and done, my employer is still perceived as an outsourcer only- though many might not agree). I have been seeing many business managers (both from my Senior batch and my batch) joining IT companies- the lure of money, the opportunities, the general "Oh, you are an IT Guy" might have been reasons for the same.
I can very well testify that there had been movements other way too, but they pale in comparison with the movement towards IT. As the later portion of the article points out,
I understand there are issues here like Margins, Credit, Pricing etc. I would assume the same issues with any client. After all, any client would be tight on his wallet. I know we can't expect the same margin as with our European and American clients- after all, we would have to negotiate in terms of Rupees and not in Dollars :)- but that's the part of the business. I am afraid, because, if we loose out on this now, it might just be too late, later.
There might be other concerns. What would be the result of such an approach on the Psyche of the employees. Take it or not, the option of an On-site is a big factor "for" an IT job. Would it still matter if I know for sure, I wouldn't have that option as an employee with a company concentrating on domestic market and still find it luring enough? Would that lead to an increase in wages- what would happen in such a scenario, where there is already pressure on the margins and also on the expenditure? Would that be a good enough scenario for Indian companies to work in and survive? Can their overseas market subsidise domestic market for long?
These questions, I assume are being asked at the relevant offices and I hope, we see atleast a spark of an activity in this area.
I can very well testify that there had been movements other way too, but they pale in comparison with the movement towards IT. As the later portion of the article points out,
Indian IT spending is growing at a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.8 percent, the highest in the Asia-Pacific region, to over $36 billion by 2009, Gartner said. This increase comes from rising expectations from businesses for IT to play a larger role in growth, efficiency and competitive advantage, it added.When we have such a big IT spender in our midst, seems like we are blissfully unaware of the market or we are blatantly ignoring them, for want of quick bucks. I am sure Indian IT companies can subsidise their Indian operations for a couple of years, so that they can gain a foothold in a fast emerging market. Consider the spate of industrial growth that has been triggered in India- take for example the retail industry alone. There are other auxiliary industries like Logistics, Packaging and Supply Chain Management etc that would grow as retail grows. If we are able to concentrate on those for the time being- I am not saying that we leave the lucrative operations in NA and Europe for India...If we can just put in some effort and are willing to wait for results in a couple of years time,we might just crack the potential here.
I understand there are issues here like Margins, Credit, Pricing etc. I would assume the same issues with any client. After all, any client would be tight on his wallet. I know we can't expect the same margin as with our European and American clients- after all, we would have to negotiate in terms of Rupees and not in Dollars :)- but that's the part of the business. I am afraid, because, if we loose out on this now, it might just be too late, later.
There might be other concerns. What would be the result of such an approach on the Psyche of the employees. Take it or not, the option of an On-site is a big factor "for" an IT job. Would it still matter if I know for sure, I wouldn't have that option as an employee with a company concentrating on domestic market and still find it luring enough? Would that lead to an increase in wages- what would happen in such a scenario, where there is already pressure on the margins and also on the expenditure? Would that be a good enough scenario for Indian companies to work in and survive? Can their overseas market subsidise domestic market for long?
These questions, I assume are being asked at the relevant offices and I hope, we see atleast a spark of an activity in this area.
Labels: Interesting, Thoughts, Work
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Funny Spam!
Sometimes, when I really want a break from work for real, I read through the tens of spams that I get everyday. Some are ridiculously short "This is the file- Ok-Bye" stuff, while some are more elaborate "You inherit the wealth of Africa- waiting to confirm your account number stuff".
But some are interesting, in the subject they choose and the content they have. For example, I got a mail with the Subject "testimonial" and the content as below:
Today I bought a book of stamps. On the other hand we're all getting better as time goes along. Since this is a core piece, any application in windows will be able to use the drive. PrintAnywhere is a windows-installed piece of software that allows other people on the 'net to print to your printer. mostly sweet, with a few nuts. Today I bought a book of stamps. simpler, more efficient and quieter than it's prop cousins, this thing's sure to be a hit. you're investing in the service up front.
PrintAnywhere is a windows-installed piece of software that allows other people on the 'net to print to your printer. 51 up front to be used in 12 months. This movie focuses on an arranged wedding, and life in general in India.
after sticking my stamps carefully on the 4 pieces of mail I had. PrintAnywhere is a windows-installed piece of software that allows other people on the 'net to print to your printer. I've given up on an out of date tamps beacause it's so time consuming to stand in line at the Post Office to get 1c stamps.
Since this is a core piece, any application in windows will be able to use the drive. On the other hand we're all getting better as time goes along. With a learning Bayesian filter this has the ability to grow with spam challenges. Cripes I hate colour spaces. on the other hand you're going to have to worry about colour spaces and differences between tone on a monitor, camera, printer, and in paint. but it's memory remains.
Here comes the quote of the year:
If Microsoft wanted to get more candy more quickly, it would leave some in the jar.
If Microsoft wanted to get more candy more quickly, it would leave some in the jar.
Some really thoughtful words with a hurt ego:
If rationality ever becomes a widespread infectious vector, maybe someone will listen to you someday.
Labels: Blabber, Funny, Interesting
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Banana State!
I love this Idea. I love every bit of it- Infact, I love the concept, the proposed execution and the idea so much that I wouldn't mind stay put at this place till this idea sees the ....errr...sky..Welcome to the Banana State of Texas!
While I am disappointed that this project is due to be completed not untill 2008, I really had a good laugh at the Introductory pages of the site..I am just wondering whether at sometime when the entire thing will become a sort of Million Dollar Home Page....Infact, nothing can be more popular than this..only point of concern is, how big the ad should be to be visible from earth?- or Should it matter at all??- The mere fact that my company is there, is enough of an advertisement for me..aint it? ;)
But then, who really cares- I just found this funny enough to cite and did just that.....[Post Courtesy - Boing Boing or Metafilter- I don't remember- Information Overload!]
While I am disappointed that this project is due to be completed not untill 2008, I really had a good laugh at the Introductory pages of the site..I am just wondering whether at sometime when the entire thing will become a sort of Million Dollar Home Page....Infact, nothing can be more popular than this..only point of concern is, how big the ad should be to be visible from earth?- or Should it matter at all??- The mere fact that my company is there, is enough of an advertisement for me..aint it? ;)
But then, who really cares- I just found this funny enough to cite and did just that.....[Post Courtesy - Boing Boing or Metafilter- I don't remember- Information Overload!]
Labels: Interesting
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Truth of the fun!
True...I would say! [;)]- Warning- A 10 minute video - but fun and to a good extent true.
Labels: Interesting
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