Shree

Started using Microsoft Windows Live Writer

2011-12-11T17:19:00.001Z

Installed Windows Live Writer on my machine today.

It says I can post to multiple blogs sites from one editor, preformatted WYSIWYG.

Let’s see if I can accept using it or it is more fun to post on the blog site itself. :)

Wish you an enreaching 2008!

2007-12-31T15:42:00.000Z

When a drop falls on a still water, it raises a circle of waves.
The waves that flow in all directions.

After a few moments, you cann't tell where the drop of water went.

This is acceptance!

May new year bring you host of moments of sheer joy.

Wish you an enreaching 2008!

Wish you a very happy Diwali!

2007-11-10T08:51:00.000Z

Diwali gives us an opportunity to take stock of the good and evil within us and around us - thus gives an opportunity for meaningful and sustaining decision making for progress. Let us continue our struggle to better ourselves as well as those around us, with more vigor!

Wish you a very Happy Diwali!

(Collected from a friend's fw ;))

India's exports went up

2007-11-02T08:21:00.000Z

India's exports went up by 19.26 per cent in September this year, despite a rise in rupee value, while imports went up by a moderate 2.31 per cent.

However, in rupee terms, the export growth in September was 4.31 per cent while imports declined by 10.51 per cent.

(Courtesy: Rediff)

Philippines, a land of lovely people...

2007-08-15T16:13:00.000Z

I was little suspecious and worried when I stepped out of the SIA flight at Manila airport. About weather, about people. Ten days stay here has assured me of the friendliness of Filipino people. They are charming, fun loving and always ready to help.

As you are calculating in your mind, yes there are a lot of beauties around. :) And they are usually frinedly too.

Makati city (part of Metro Manila where I stay and work) is like any other well developed city in the world. I saw people speaking the local language most of the time, but they also understand and speak English. In all, it is nice to be here till now.

I wish to see 1 beach and 2 volcano here :D I hope it is granted before I come back.

शोध..

2007-03-25T15:48:00.000Z

हलकेच ओंजळीत घेतो मी सुखस्वप्ने ही माझी
अर्घ्य द्यावया त्यांचे या आत्मरत सूर्याशी ।
या सवितेच्या तेजाने मी मार्ग आजवर क्रमलो
आधार मला त्या रवीचा सर्वत्र सर्व पंथांशी ॥ १ ॥

मज इच्छा अन शंकांनी घेरले अनेक वेळा
द्वंद्वाने त्यांच्या मजला जखडले अनेक वेळा ।
भांबावलो, थकलो क्षणभर, शक्तीने मी सावरलो
त्या सत्याचे ज्ञातेपण तो सूर्य दावूनी गेला ॥ २ ॥

निष्क्रिय मनाची संथा, बळी देत कर्माची
मिथ्येची माया मांडूनी करी दिशाभूलही माझी ।
त्या भानूच्या स्पर्शाने भिवविली क्रूर निश्चलता
मज उत्साहाचा कल्पद्रूम कर्तव्य शिकवूनी गेला ॥ ३ ॥

अत्यंत आदराने मी मग शोध तयाचा केला
हे तेज कोठूनी आले, सन्मित्र कुठे हा लपला?
शोधले जसे मी त्याला, मज शोध नवाची गवसला
मी नव्हतो आणखी उरलो, मी तो तेजःपुंज होतो ! ॥ ४ ॥

- श्रीपाद

2007-01-25T13:20:00.000Z

In the 60th Year of Indian Independance,

Wish you all a very happy republic day!

Are We..?

2007-01-16T21:53:00.000Z

In day-to-day life, we encounter numerous situations, observe numerous behaviours and gather numerous experiences. These experiences form the basis for our behaviour or responses towards the events happening around us.

We also carry some assumptions (or truths as most of us might believe them to be) along with us, all the time at all the places we go. Some of these historical responses help us decide our behaviours. Based on our awareness and willingness to change, we analyse and reform our thoughts and try to formulate the 'right' responses.

This happens with most of us, we may realise it or not. You can feel it when you are facing a totally new or never-before situation. Just try to analyse how do you respond in these circumstances.

I can feel, it takes a lot of our mind and energy in doing so. Life then, is a conscious OLTP.. :D; i mean a conscious attempt to live the experiences we face. This could certainly lead to a content life and off course could teach us the right way to live it or the right way to change our self to live it.

If you ponder, the life of a common middle class family in India has changed drastically over last few decades. (I am from a common middle class Indian family, so will talk with that context)
The life our grandfathers went through, the life our parents lived.. there professions, the environments they worked in.. the economics are way different!

Today, we live closer to the social and economic problems of our country, of the world.
Unlike to the old days, the events in one part of the world affect us here. We feel the heat and threat of social unsecurity.
Today, we never know which part of the world your friend might be working/living next year, or next month may be ;).

We actually SEE the world beyond the horizon we might have thought as a member of our family. And, we continue to grow in this way.

Consider the speed of change. Looking at the history, from last couple of decades, every five years were drastically different from the previous five. (Those amongst us who trade in stocks could resonate with this, at least by theory ;))

What does that mean to us?

Do we live in a time when we are, knowingly or unknowingly, writing whole new paths/ways?
If yes, how seriously aware are we about this?
And, how are we ensuring it is going to be the right way, and not sleep-walking through it?

The impressive 'Ugly Brown Napkin'!

2006-12-30T03:56:00.000Z

... please give our staff the evil eye ...

(Click the image to read more..)

Kabul Express

2006-12-23T02:28:00.000Z

Fast and focused! This movie portrays Afganistan after Taliban. The dark realities of the country with shades of humor..

The photography of the movie is too good! I bet you would like it.

Salman Shahid makes impression with his acting.

Arshad warsi is good at timing his dialogues as usual and succeeds in making viewers smile even through such serious subject except only on a few occasions he looks artificial.

Linda Arseno is a pleasant new face, an eyecandy!

Watch yourself!

मला पुन्हा एकदा तरी शाळेत जायचय

2006-11-28T18:27:00.000Z

कुठल्याशा email मध्ये मिळालेली ही कविता.... खरच शाळेचे, बालपणीचे दिवस आठवून गेले.. भाषा थोडी बोबडी/अशुद्ध आहे, पण चालते अश्या वेळी. ;-)

"मला पुन्हा एकदा तरी शाळेत जायचय.
धावत जाऊन माझ्या रोजच्या बाकावर बसायचय
रोज सकाळी खड्या आवाजात राष्ट्रगीत म्हाणायचाय
नव्या वहिचा वास घेत पहिल्या पानावर छान अक्षरात आपल नाव लिहायचाय
मला पुन्हा एकदा तरी शाळेत जायचय.

मधली सुट्टी होताच वाटरब्याग सोडुन
नलाखाली हात धरून पानी प्यायचाय,
कसाबसा डबा सम्पवत तिखट मीठ लावलेल्याचिन्चा, बोर, पेरु, काकडी सगळ खायचय
सायकलच्या चाकाचा स्ट्म्प करुन क्रिकेट खेलायचय,
मला पुन्हा एकदा तरी शाळेत जायचय.

उद्या पाऊस पडुन शालेला सुट्टी मिलेल का?
हा विचार करत रात्री झोपी जायचय,
अनपेक्षित मिळणारा सुट्टीच्या आनन्दासाठी,
मला पुन्हा एकदा तरी शाळेत जायचय.

घन्टा व्हायची वाट का असेना
मित्राशी गप्पा मारत वर्गात बसायचाय,
घन्टा होताच मित्राशी सयकलची रेस लावून घरी पोहचायचय,
मला पुन्हा एकदा तरी शाळेत जायचय.

कितीहि जड असुदे...
जबाबदारीच्या ओझ्यापेक्षा दप्तराच ओझ पाठिवर वागवायचय,
कितीहि तुटका असु दे..
ऒफ़िसमधल्या एकट्या खुर्चिपेक्षा दोघान्च्या बाकावर ३ मित्रान्नी बसायचय
मला पुन्हा एकदा तरी शाळेत जायचय.."

(अनामिक)

Bye bye Bangalore

2006-06-03T15:28:00.000Z

I was busy testing my application. It was the last day of support for the project and we were supposed to be released after that, not knowing what next. But all that was not on my mind, when my project manager read an e-mail aloud that said something like… send him to Pune ASAP, as there is urgent requirement… I turned my ears to him. It was sure about me.

I was in a big green. The day had arrived without notice. I thought how long it has been since I was thinking of going to Pune. I wanted to be with my parents. I wanted to be close to my friends. I wanted to be in my own ways.

For almost two years now, Bangalore has been the place for me. I now realize how difficult it is to leave something you are already habituated with! Here, I always used to complain about the traffic, high cost of living, a crowded workplace like Infosys Bangalore… Those who have been in Infy here can only feel it. Its like, for everything you have to stand in a queue. And, by that, I mean everything. From getting a coupon for lunch, getting a lunch plate, getting a seat to sit and have your lunch, washing hands, drinking water to withdrawing money from an ATM on campus, buying something from FoodWorld located inside canteen, even to throw the paper dishes after finishing your snacks (yes, it does happen); you will find a queue. I feel damn lucky when I see a single person or none standing in front of the ATM machine. I was fortunate just two or three times in my two years stay here to see such scenes!

But there are pleasures of everything. When I go to lunch in a canteen of my choice, the crowd reminds me of traditional weddings that happen in our region. If you know what pangat means, you would get it:). Lot of noise annoys, but when you are standing on roadside of a canteen floor (I am talking about LOTUS canteen, B18, for those who know Infy Bangalore campus; the space between Café Coffee Day and Kamath juice center facing Terminal), with a cup of tea while chatting with a friend, and you can see the sea of people coming out of TERMINAL (another canteen in front of LOTUS), people cycling on the roads heading towards there building after lunch, people chatting in groups, lush greenery on either sides… its an experience in its own! Nothing matches it. Well, I should be more precise in saying all these, as the word people might be misleading. It’s the number of beauties in campus that make it pleasant.

It sure is cosmopolitan. Bangalore city itself is cosmopolitan. I myself never felt the need of thinking whether I am a local guy or from some other state who doesn’t know Kannada. Bangalore has huge variety of people from different places across the globe, different cultures and professions… But they all love liberty, success (money, off course) and that work hard, stay cool attitude!

The best thing about Bangalore is its weather. It’s really cool. Summer doesn’t heat you more than 37-38°c. Winter will keep itself up to 13-15°c. And rain, which starts in May somewhere, is a friendly companion. Sometimes it rains heavily too, as it did last year; but that’s not the picture of Bangalore you take away with. My mental picture of Bangalore has always been a clean, dark black road heading a long way with lush green trees on both sides of it; a cool breeze. The recent additions, very friendly people and lot of beauties. :)

I did not intend to make this a write up on Bangalore, but I couldn’t help. It’s city you will love from your heart. And, I still didn’t talk about the gardens, lakes and nightlife here!
I have too much to leave here. I am surely taking some things with me.
I really feel thankful to all my friends and people I am attached to here…

When I was doing my engineering, I had a dream to be in Bangalore.
Thanks to life, I got chance to make it part of my life. That dream will never die in me.

I would always have connection to this city and will be keen to know when the BTM flyover gets completed and when the Hosur road flyover work starts...

See ya again, Bangalore!
Enjoy madi. :)

A moment of Eternity...

2006-04-18T06:51:00.000Z

"When I first saw her, I wished could I hear her voice.

One day, I heard, she called my name.
She was so easy, she spread all over my life!

I always wanted to talk to her.
And always, she would come first and tell me something.
I wished always, I would ask her something, and
she would do it faster.

Without her, it was all about her.
And with her, it was so difficult to speak
even a bit of my heart!

Without many words, we grew so close.

As time passed by, I realized
she can't be in front of my eyes forever.

When it was time to depart,
I waited in her way.
She came, and wished me luck.
But, I, couldn't say.

I said, yes, for I knew it was.

We stood there for a few moments.
Speechless... until we realized, its too uncomfortable.
Not only for us, but for the friends around, too.

Eyes blinked.

She smiled, with tears.
And, she put forward her hand.

I shook hand with her, with a similar smile.

That moment, was eternity...

After that, life is running again.
As was."

-Shripad

Two ways

2006-04-16T10:44:00.000Z

There are two ways to get true happiness in life...

- Learning something new.
- And, helping someone with what you have learned.

Bangalore is Bangalore..

2006-03-15T11:28:00.000Z

My train reached the Bangalore city railway station on sunday at around 06:45 in the morning. I jumped down from my upper berth seat where I was laying comfortably from those long night hours. I took my bag and stood near the door in the queue to get down. It was another pink winter morning with equally cool wether.

I came out and walked my way through the crowd towards the main gate. To my surprise and pleasure, there was a ledies ticket checker standing at the exit. [ I feel good when a T.C. checks or collects my ticket at station. Aare bhai, I have paid for it; how would TC know that? Yahh.. and a ladies TC offcourse!]

I did not take auto, as I usually do but decided to go the Majestic bus stand and catch a bus to BTM. I did not want to miss the chance of travelling through 'a lot of Bangalore' on such a beautiful morning. [You know what I mean. Buses generally take you through as many areas as possible which are not exactly on your way and could have been bypassed. Atleast, I feel so. But I like that, sometimes.. :) ]

And here is the best part. The wether is cool. The sky, turning red from east; rest of it clear like blue crystals. Birds singing [whatever you feel that is]. Tree leaves murmuring along with the winds. The clean, dark-black streets [and, the sight of the municiple workers cleaning it, if you get there before they disappear and you know who cleaned it]. The street hawkers near Govt offices and buildings, preparing tea! People sitting around on wooden benches and enjoying it. The lush green trees on the road sides [most of the times, if not always]. Shops and hotels, with shutters just being opened. Some shopowners doing their morning pooja while others already at work, serving the people who have started for work with edali-wada or dosas.

And then you are travelling through Jaynagar.. People [read aunties], cleaning the terrace or the open spaces in front of their houses, some drawing Rangoli.. And some fair young angels, floating along side the road; with their cute and not so qute dogs. [These dogs are integral part of a well managed, Bangalored families. Like it or not, you have to live with it!]

Our bus climbed the BTM flyover and I had to get out of my seat. I got down at the water tank bus stop and started walking into the lanes of BTM. I need to cross a playground and a small garden to get to my house which is just 5 minutes from the main road. [Thats Bangalore, the city of gardens!]

I was close to my house and was about to take the last turn near a laundry shop when a sweet voice broke my thoughts. "Can you please tell me where is..". "Sure..", I said happily. Who would not love to have a chat with an exceptionally beautiful young lady on such a romantic morning? With a big green on my face, I pressed the doorbell of my house. [That is to it! Luckily or unluckily, I never saw her again anywhere near my house. :( ]

As per my expectations, all of my dear friends were enjoying the sweet sunday morning sleep, but they did open the door for me. I was in no mood to go to bed for rest. What a great start to the day, I thought. Sometimes, I just can't stop liking Bangalore..

Man, you got to be here to feel it!

I had lunch with God...

2005-12-21T07:49:00.000Z

Whenever we have faith, do some selfless act, we find ourselves delighted. But most often, we do not realize the immense effect it has on our subconscious. It's so heart pleasing to see someone happy because of you, something you did solly for others. This is one such article summarizing 'faith lies in the hearts of believers!' Read on.

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of hop beer and he started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. He was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons.
The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his hop beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie. He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a hop beer. Again, he smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.

As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a hug. He gave him his biggest smile ever.
When
the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy? "He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what?
He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, "Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!

What do I live for?

2005-12-15T06:46:00.000Z

To unveil the mystery
Of my deep pleasures
I asked myself
What do I live for?

For, me within myself
Couldn’t find time to reply,
Busy with work, busy with life...
Or afraid to answer, or just comply?

I earn many perks
People envy me, gather around me,
Those who earn even better
Find pity for me, how assume I envy?

I wished I could earn
And I started earning
I wished I could rock
And I started rocking
A time came, I didn't know
What to wish for...
I asked myself, then, again
What do I live for?

There were times, when I was happy
I didn't know many things, but I knew I was happy
I was not reach, nor was I famous
But I also didn't know then, what a rich can't buy...
Here, Life looks just like a race
People gauging people on only scale of pace,
Do I loose my direction, or did I have one to run for...
I asked myself, again, what I live for...

2005-10-11T13:59:00.000Z

Happy Dasara!

Toxic Thinking

2005-09-10T04:12:00.000Z

Occasionally I like share good things that have come my way. This one I have read few months back, and reading it back again confirms its applicability. Well, that's what I think. You can try out, a good read infact!

Do share your comments.

"I remember my dad teaching me the power of language at a very young age. Not only did my dad understand that specific words affect our mental pictures, but he understood words are a powerful programming factor in lifelong success.

One particularly interesting event occurred when I was eight. As a kid, I was always climbing trees, poles, and literally hanging around upside down from the rafters of our lake house. So, it came to no surprise for my dad to find me at the top of a 30-foot tree swinging back and forth. My little eight-year-old brain didn't realize the tree could break or I could get hurt. I just thought it was fun to be up so high.

My older cousin, Tammy, was also in the same tree. She was hanging on the first big limb, about ten feet below me. Tammy's mother also noticed us at the exact same time my dad did. About that time a huge gust of wind came over the tree. I could hear the leaves start to rattle and the tree begin to sway. I remember my dad's voice over the wind yell, "Bart, Hold on tightly." So I did. The next thing I know, I heard Tammy screaming at the top of her lungs, laying flat on the ground. She had fallen out of the tree.

I scampered down the tree to safety. My dad later told me why she fell and I did not. Apparently, Tammy's mother was not as an astute student of language as my father. When Tammy's mother felt the gust of wind, she yelled out, "Tammy, don't fall!" And Tammy did... fall.

My dad then explained to me that the mind has a very difficult time processing a negative image. In fact, people who rely on internal pictures cannot see a negative at all. In order for Tammy to process the command of not falling, her nine-year- old brain had to first imagine falling, then try to tell the brain not to do what it just imagined. Whereas, my eight-year-old brain instantly had an internal image of me hanging on tightly.

This is why people who try to stop smoking struggle with the thought of stopping smoking. They are running pictures all day of themselves smoking. Smokers are rarely taught to see themselves breathing fresh air and feeling great. The language itself becomes one barrier to success.
This concept is especially useful when you are attempting to break a habit or set a goal. You can't visualize not doing something. The only way to properly visualize not doing something is to actually find a word for what you want to do and visualize that. For example, when I was thirteen years old, I played for my junior high school football team. I tried so hard to be good, but I just couldn't get it together at that age. I remember hearing the words run through my head as I was running out for a pass, "Don't drop it!" Naturally, I dropped the ball.

My coaches were not skilled enough to teach us proper "self-talk." They just thought some kids could catch and others couldn't. I'll never make it pro, but I'm now a pretty good Sunday afternoon football player, because all my internal dialogue is positive and encourages me to win. I wish my dad had coached me playing football instead of just climbing trees. I might have had a longer football career.

Here is a very easy demonstration to teach your kids and your friends the power of a toxic vocabulary. Ask them to hold a pen or pencil. Hand it to them. Now, follow my instructions carefully. Say to them, "Okay, try to drop the pencil." Observe what they do. Most people release their hands and watch the pencil hit the floor. You respond, "You weren't paying attention. I said TRY to drop the pencil. Now please do it again." Most people then pick up the pencil and pretend to be in excruciating pain while their hand tries but fails to drop the pencil.

The point is made.

If you tell your brain you will "give it a try," you are actually telling your brain to fail. I have a "no try" rule in my house and with everyone I interact with. Either people will do it or they won't. Either they will be at the party or they won't. I'm brutal when people attempt to lie to me by using the word try. Do they think I don't know they are really telegraphing to the world they have no intention of doing it but they want me to give them brownie points for pretended effort? You will never hear the words "I'll try" come out of my mouth unless I'm teaching this concept in a seminar.

If you "try" and do something, your unconscious mind has permission not to succeed. If I truly can't make a decision I will tell the truth.
"Sorry John. I'm not sure if I will be at your party or not. I've got an outstanding commitment. If that falls through, I will be here. Otherwise, I will not. Thanks for the invite."

People respect honesty. So remove the word "try" from your vocabulary.

My dad also told me that psychologists claim it takes seventeen positive statements to offset one negative statement. I have no idea if it is true, but the logic holds true. It might take up to seventeen compliments to offset the emotional damage of one harsh criticism.

These are concepts that are especially useful when raising children.

Ask yourself how many compliments you give yourself daily versus how many criticisms. Heck, I know you are talking to yourself all day long. We all have internal voices that give us direction.

So, are you giving yourself the 17:1 ratio or are you shortchanging yourself with toxic self-talk like, "I suck. I'm fat. Nobody will like me. I'll try this diet. I'm not good enough. I'm so stupid. I'm broke, etc. etc."

If our parents can set a lifetime of programming with one wrong statement, imagine the kind of programming you are doing on a daily basis with your own internal dialogue. Here is a list of Toxic Vocabulary words. Notice when you or other people use them.
But, Try, If, Might, Would Have, Should Have, Could Have, Can't, Don't

But: negates any words that are stated before it.

If: presupposes that you may not.

Would have: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't actually happen.

Should have: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't actually happen (and implies guilt.)

Could have: Past tense that draws attention to things that didn't actually happen but the person tries to take credit as if it did happen.

Try: Presupposes failure.

Might: It does nothing definite. It leaves options for your listener.

Can't / Don't: These words force the listener to focus on exactly the opposite of what you want. This is a classic mistake that parents and coaches make without knowing the damage of this linguistic error.

Examples:

Toxic phrase: "Don't drop the ball!"
Likely result: Drops the ball
Better language: "Catch the ball!"
Toxic phrase: "You shouldn't watch so much television."
Likely result: Watches more television.
Better language: "I read too much television makes people stupid. You might find yourself turning that TV off and picking up one of those books more often!"

Exercise: Take a moment to write down all the phrases you use on a daily basis or any Toxic self-talk that you have noticed yourself using. Write these phrases down so you will begin to catch yourself as they occur and change them."

PM seeks contributions for relief work

2005-01-02T11:09:00.000Z

December 27, 2004 15:12 IST
Last Updated: December 27, 2004 16:48 IST

In view of the appeal by the prime minister to all citizens to donate
generously to the PMNRF to help relief and rehabilitation operations,
12 banks have been authorised to receive such donations.

They are State Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Union Bank of
India, Dena Bank, Syndicate Bank, Corporation Bank, Bank of India,
Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Indian Bank, Allahabad
Bank and Citibank.

The spokesman said the donations could be made by cheque or draft in
the name of the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund and sent to the
Prime Minister's Office, South Block, New Delhi-110001.

Cheque/DD to: Prime Minister's National Relief Fund
Address: Prime Minister's Office, South Block, New Delhi-110001.

The nationalised banks will not charge any commission on preparation
of draft in favour of PMNRF.

Contributions could also be sent through money orders with no
commission chargeable, the spokesman said adding that the
contributions to PMNRF have been notified for 100% deduction from
taxable income under section 80 (G) of the Income Tax Act.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday announced an
ex-gratia relief of Rs 100,000 to the next of the kin of each of those
killed when tsunamis struck the Indian coast at Andhra Pradesh, Tamil
Nadu, Pondicherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Kerala on Sunday.

The ex-gratia payment will be made from the Prime Minister's National
Relief Fund (PMNRF), a PMO spokesman said.

Shwaas, a Marathi film -best film is India's entry to the Oscars

2004-11-26T14:26:00.000Z

Shwaas, a Marathi film which won this year's national award for best film is India's entry to the Oscars for the best foreign film.

But for a low budget film like Shwaas the biggest problem is money.

In a bid to give the film a fair chance at the Oscars, Amitabh Bacchan today contributed to a unique fund raising campaign for Shwaas.

The actor handed over a cheque worth Rs 1 lakh to the team of the Marathi film.

He however, admits that his contribution is a drop in the ocean. ''I do not know how much they are falling short of, but in my own way I have a small contribution. I know it is a drop in the ocean. But right now every drop matters," said Bachchan.

Apart from Bachchan's contribution and that of Sunil Dutt who pooled in Rs 50,000, there has been no contribution from Bollywood.

The film requires Rs 1.5 crore for publicity in America among Academy members.

People related to stage, culture and the Marathi film industry have scraped together Rs 65 lakh

IIM cutoff this year: 57 and above

2004-11-25T06:20:00.000Z

IIM cutoff this year: 57 and above - Rediff.com

Home > Get Ahead > Transcript
IIM cutoff this year: 57 and above
November 23, 2004

Get Ahead readers were treated to an hour-long chat conducted by Rakesh Kumar and Munish Kumar of Top Careers And You.
This is a transcript of the chat:

sainath : What will be the likely cutoff for TAPMI?
RAKESH KUMAR : The TAPMI cutoff will be 47and above.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
lola : How much time do you need, ideally, to bell the CAT?
RAKESH KUMAR : You need eight to 12 months to bell the CAT.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
reena : What is the likely cutoff in Quant?
RAKESH KUMAR : The Quant cutoff is 16.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
reena : How do you think students have fared this year? I felt it was very tough.
RAKESH KUMAR : The paper was easy, but the uncertainty made it tough initially.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
lola : Was the Quant section really tough?
RAKESH KUMAR : The Quant section was average. The cutoff is 16.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ac : Was this year's exam more difficult than the previous years?
RAKESH KUMAR : No, the level of difficulty was almost the same. But the unanticipated sections/ structure took its toll [on students].
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Menon : Can we expect subsections in XAT also?
RAKESH KUMAR : XAT is not as uncertain as CAT. But going by the trend, please be ready for the worst.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
garimadelhi : I scored 56. Is it okay?
RAKESH KUMAR : If you have the sectional cutoffs, your chances are good.
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RAKESH KUMAR : Cutoffs for DI/DS: 14. Quant:16. Verbal Ability: 21.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dilip : What would be the expected cutoff in Verbal/RC in the worst case?
RAKESH KUMAR : Worst case: 18-21.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
hardik : What would be the cutoff for SP Jain?
RAKESH KUMAR : 53+.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
kanwal : At what score can we expect an IIM call?
RAKESH KUMAR : 57+
--------------------------------- More..

Book Review - Five point someone

2004-09-16T10:50:00.000Z

Written By Chetan Bhagat

The book has somthing related to IIT and the author of the book is an ex-IITan, was first thing that dragged me towards reading this book. Anything about IIT really fascinates, at least me! But don't go just with that.

As the book's homepage would describe its a book about three friends at IIT Delhi, who did all those things which are not supposed to be done by IITans, at least at IIT. Not that, there is more. I must say this is a bold book, that opens up without any hesitation. There is everything. Hari loves Neha, the daughter of his Head of dept., one of the most cruel hearted profs at IIT. And then they attempt to screw the system, which is screwing them up.

The characters are amazing! I used this word 'characters' intentionally, otherwise while reading the book, you live the story.. Thy al become your friends too! You too will love Neha, kid Alok, be impressed by Ryan.. some others to name.

It really reminded me of my college days! I am sure, it will be no different with you.

They Write the Right Stuff..

2004-09-12T11:00:00.000Z

At T-minus 6.6 seconds, if the pressures, pumps, and temperatures are nominal, the computers give the order to light the shuttle main engines -- each of the three engines firing off precisely 160 milliseconds apart, tons of super-cooled liquid fuel pouring into combustion chambers, the ship rocking on its launch pad, held to the ground only by bolts. As the main engines come to one million pounds of thrust, their exhausts tighten into blue diamonds of flame.

Then and only then at T-minus zero seconds, if the computers are satisfied that the engines are running true, they give the order to light the solid rocket boosters. In less than one second, they achieve 6.6 million pounds of thrust. And at that exact same moment, the computers give the order for the explosive bolts to blow, and 4.5 million pounds of spacecraft lifts majestically off its launch pad.

It's an awesome display of hardware prowess. But no human pushes a button to make it happen, no astronaut jockeys a joy stick to settle the shuttle into orbit.

'You have a Muslim President, a Sikh PM, you should be proud'

2004-09-10T09:31:00.000Z

In a side street off the straight deserted road to Madinah, in one of the guest palaces of the Saudi royal family, former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif sits in his chandelier-hung study, sipping 'kahva' and looking wistful about a world he has left far behind.

``I really admire the beauty of Indian democracy,'' he says. ``One prime minister is voted out and he quietly leaves without a fuss while another moves into the house. You have a Muslim President and a Sikh Prime Minister. Your democracy has grown and deepened. You should be proud of your democracy.''

Friendship..

2004-09-10T08:11:00.000Z

'Friendship is - enjoying similarities and respecting differences between two persons.'

Whatever people I have met in my life, I always had a different test. I usually try to get into other 's skin to know what he/she feels and react accordingly. I met some people who called this 'defensive'. Some appreciated as 'caring'. What and what not! Even sometimes I feel that 'is this flirt?' :-) But this is not. I know. Because I think, unless we accept each other as true friends, we don't have any right to invade in each other's 'ThoughtWorld'.

What do you say?