The thinking thinkers think tank...

Winners in the New World

2011-03-30T00:14:00.000-07:00

The Winners of the new world will be the countries that are least dependent on fossil fuels.

Wouldn't it be nice

2011-03-30T00:12:00.000-07:00

Wouldn’t it be nice if cell phone companies actually let us use the product online, to check out the interface and functions. Instead they just give us the screenshots and 360 Degree views.

Are we sitting on Financial Crisis like USA?

2011-01-03T02:44:00.000-08:00

Financial crisis rocked the financial markets across the world and the world is still not able to recover from that. In India we saw very little impact of the same.

However, did we learn from the mistakes of the USA and Europe?

It seems we have not yet taken any learning from the crisis.
I say this because; still in India it is very easy to obtain credit with very little documentation. Loans like home loans are still lent out with loads of paperwork.

But, credit card debts and personal loans etc. are lent out on the basis of salary only.
The banks do not even check the total amount of loans on a single person. That makes it very easy for a person to be under a huge debt.

Salary is not a good guarantee in India, especially with lack of labor rules people are fired indiscriminately during recession; with no notice pay on the basis of lack of performance. In such a scenario and lack of any social security benefits, how can one pay back the massive amounts of debt?

Home loans in a way are secured because the house is an asset that can be sold. But this theory failed in US and European markets where the house values dipped during the crisis.

Clock is ticking and if not the banks, we as individuals should take good care when taking loans. It is an individual's responsibility. A commitment to sustainable development.

Met Deptt. Does not have official IDs

2010-01-11T21:35:00.000-08:00

HSBC India

2009-09-20T01:11:00.000-07:00

HSBC 'Customer Care' is great... talk time = 2 mins... time on hold = 28 mins... server down time everyday... work done = 0 ... thats HSBC for you!!!

Tax, Tax & More Tax

2009-07-04T04:33:00.000-07:00

How much tax do we pay effectively in India?

We pay toll tax for roads - for which we have already paid as taxes on petrol + 1% cess for highways.

User development fee for using airports - for which we pay taxes through air tickets.

We pay income tax, VAT of 4 different types, Octroi, Excise, Customs, Property etc. The number of direct and indirect taxes in India are comparable to number of stars in the universe. Effectively we pay around 50% of our earning as tax for an appalling infrastructure and facilities.

The question is where does all this tax go?

We all know that it goes into the pockets of few GREEDY PIGS (so called politicians) pockets.

That is why our votes and getting the right people into the system matters so much.

It will be a slow process, but we need to set the wheels in motion.

WTF

2009-01-08T06:35:00.000-08:00

What a start to new year....
Israel attacks palestine, satyam fraud, truckers & oil companies strike, ukraine russia gas issues. How is economy going to get started again?

Thought things will start picking up again slowly this year but got too many speedbreakers it seems.

Doing a background check on a company

2009-01-05T22:17:00.000-08:00

During my job hunt and before accepting the new offer. I did a bit of background check on my prospective employers.

This is when I came across a couple of websites which offer a lot of help. Also, the companies section on www.linkedin.com is of great help with its statistics and all.

Here are the links to two web sites I found really helpful.

www.talentquity.in
www.workexp.com

Post crap errrr post scrap...!!!

2008-10-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

'Post Scrap' on orkut sounds so similar to 'Post Crap'

My 5 cents on Financial Crisis

2008-09-15T20:38:00.000-07:00

I had been following the current Financial Crisis and Credit crunch very keenly since it all started.

Yesterday it seems it was the final straw with Lehman brothers filing for bankruptcy, Merryll Lynch being bought for 50 billion US$ and AIG also about to fall.

From here on I beleive things will be better.

But, throughout I can't stop thinking about all these banks, investment banks, mortgage firms etc. They are headed by the most qualified people in the world, all passouts from Ivy League colleges. How can they do such a silly mistake -

"Lending money to people who have already deaulted on loans or have poor credit history, that too on higher rates than the market."

Obviously they will default on these loans too. Such people don't need loan, they need help.

I am not an economic whizz but it is common sense.

And even if you lend money like this, one tries to contain the exposure to risk.

For example if I have 100Rs extra and my expenses are 50Rs I will lend only 10Rs for risk related investments.

What I understand for all this is; that some people to bloat there sales figures and to get good salary hikes have proposed this and went overboard selling such loans. Now, they are sitting pretty with their millons of dollars while everybody else is facing the music.

With the slowdown in economy it does affect people like you and me everywhere across the world.

I will say this is a shame to all the people involved and they should be brought to court and tried for duping the investors and manipulating the economy.

Today's news

2008-09-10T21:18:00.000-07:00

While watching news this morning I came to know that Shah Rukh Khan smoked a Cigarette in Khalsa college premises.

Government was very quick and filed a complaint against him in court.

Wow!!! At least our government is fast in something.

While so many other big crimes go unnoticed, it seems government has time to sue Sharukh Khan for smoking cigarette.

WTF!!!

My birthday gift

2008-09-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

My Birthday present - 32" Sony Bravia LCD TV with 1000W rms, 5.1 channel home theatre system. Wooo Hooo!!!

Reliance

2008-09-05T22:54:00.000-07:00

I am Reliance phone customer for quite some time. Although after 2 years of use I have ditched my CDMA handset and went for a GSM handset on vodafone network. I still use reliance wireless for free STD calls.

I recently moved house and faced a minor difficulty which was annoying enough.

It seems they have trouble accepting when I can call in and ask them to send my bills to new address. They are adamant to send the bills to wrong person on wrong address even if I am telling them where to send it.

The process is that I should walk into a reliance webworld and hand over a photocopy of my photo ID so that they know it is me; and a photocopy of my new address's proof of address.

How lame can they be?
I sometime totally fail to understand who sets these rules and policies.
Ideally they should after verification change the address on the phone itself and should drop an acknowledgement email and SMS.

I am very irritated and amused after the call I made to customer care.

Post bomb blasts bengaluru

2008-07-27T05:04:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is true POLICE activities have increased in Bangalore post serial bomb blasts.

Yesterday at around 1:30AM while driving back to home on a usual saturday night. We were stopped not at one but at two police checkpoints. Infact all the vehicles passing were checked.

Checking was not usual checking, but thorough checking. All doors were opened, all items were inspected and questions asked.

2008-07-08T20:44:00.001-07:00

This picture was taken in southern andhra. I would like to title this photo as 'Lonely'

Cost of petrol - Reality check

2008-07-01T20:53:00.000-07:00

Well, this morning I got my car filled with gas at one of the Shell petrol stations in the city (Bangalore).

I paid INR 69.05 per litre (Super Unleaded).

This is the actual cost of petrol without subsidies. This is INR 9.00 per litre more than the petrol available at state owned petrol pumps.

Random Quote

2008-07-01T20:49:00.000-07:00

A diamond is only a piece of charcoal that was lucky to be under pressure!

Well said, positive stress brings out the best in a person. If the stress is too much or negative stress then it can be lethal.

Nokia Navigator 6110

2008-07-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

Well tools like navigator comes handy in so many ways. Sometime back on one of the Saturdays we were at one of the night clubs and once we came out. The area was totally unrecognizable due to the reasons which cannot be mentioned here.

Guess how did we reach home? – Hail Nokia Navigator.

Well, may be Nokia can put this as another use of GPS fitted into mobile phones.

Working life

2008-06-20T02:09:00.000-07:00

23 years on an average is wasted preparing to get a job.
This is 28.75% if our life (assumption based on average life expectancy of 80years)

We all know each year has 365 days.

On an average private companies have 10 national holidays and an employee gets 30 days as paid leaves.

Saturdays and Sundays makes up 104 days in a year

To conclude we work 221 days in a year and end up spending 60.5% of our working life waiting for a weekend or a holiday.

If we assume that a person works for 30 years. We waste 18 years waiting for a weekend or a holiday.

Based on the assumptions above if we live till the age of 80 years we waste 41 years .i.e. approx 51% of our lives working waiting for weekend or a holiday to relax and enjoy life.

- Thinking thinker thinking too much

India's reality

2008-06-19T20:19:00.001-07:00

Came across this video on YouTube.

As usual politicians run away, police is sleeping and nobody does anything. Eventually, people take the matter in their own hands and keep moving. This is so symbolic of current progress seen in India. It is the will power of the people to keep on moving, that India has progressed.

New quote

2008-06-19T03:12:00.000-07:00

"Do not wash the cockroaches under the carpet, kill them" - DK

I love this quote man. I love it!!!

Achievement or a loss

2008-06-16T20:55:00.000-07:00

1 year and 6 months.

Yes that is the time I have spent in my current company and on same job profile. This is the longest I have ever been on one job and it brings with it a unique sense of achievement, that I have finally managed to stagnate.

Or

Finally I am stable?

It will be while before I will get to see the full results of this. However, staying in one job in the same organisation seems to bring its own set of challenges and learnings. On some of the days I really really hate my job and on some days I really love it.

During the past 4-5 years I have been a:

- Trainee web developer
- Real estate agent
- Telesales call centre executive
- Technical Support
- Waiter/Cook/Cleaner at major food chains
- IT Analyst
- Offshoring Consultant
- Data Analyst and R&D Engineer
- Software Engineer

Hopefully this stagnation will help me become an expert in one of the verticals.

Going Down...

2008-06-07T14:23:00.000-07:00

Well, as predicted it 'Recession' has started. After few years of robust growth and increase in wealth we are now heading towards the worst crisis situation ever. This time it is not slowdown of economy or something. This time we are running short of resources to continue.

Will this be the worst or the end of it all?

This remains a question which will be answered in the due course of the time.

- Fuel Crisis:

Nobody knows the exact figure as to how much petroleum reserves are left in the world.

We have cars running on electricity and compressed air so hopefully we will see a solution to the problem in next 5-10 years.

Ethanol for running vehicles is a good idea. But, with so many people going hungry in the world; It is shameful to use any food as fuel.

People wasting natural resources should be imprisoned for life.

- Food Crisis:

At the moment we have largest ever population to feed.

Farming is not an attractive industry to work in.

Global warming and ongoing droughts/excessive rains in once fertile farm lands are playing havoc with food supplies.

- Global warming / Carbon footprint /CO2 emissions:

- Terrorism

This is what we get in news nowadays and get to discuss with friends/colleagues in different parts of the world.

I don't know where are we going from here. But, it sound like an alarm bell for all human beings to sit up and take attention. I feel that most of the problems can be resolved by controlling human population. Secondly, there should be a UN body governing the migration of population from densly populated areas on earth to where they are needed.

This will prevent any imbalances. For example Italy is promoting schemes for citizens to have more babies. While, countries like Indian and China constantly bring out policies to control the population.

My long term vision is not see United States of Africa, European Union or United States of America; but, to see United States of the Earth. So as to manage things more efficiently and in a uniform manner.

NCR - National Capital Region

2008-06-05T20:02:00.000-07:00

For those who do not know the meaning of NCR.

Please see the link below:
National Capital Region

Web hosting solutions

2008-05-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

Checkout thebestdomainsite for truly superb and cost effective web hosting solutions starting from US$ 3.99 only.

Random Thought - Buses and Lorries

2008-05-19T21:46:00.001-07:00

I wonder why Buses and Lorries choose to drive in the right most lane on the road, at breakneck speeds.

Travelling on ring road everyday to reach office - they really test my nerves.

Recruitment Agencies

2008-05-12T21:43:00.000-07:00

From here onwards I will start maintaing a list of all the recruitment agencies which are not upto the mark (As per my experience and people who choose to communicate to me; their experiences). As this leads to terrible waste of time and other resources, and not to mention heartburn. It is high time that recruitment agencies do their work properly.

I will start my list with INX Services Private Limited INX Services Private Limited.

Reason why it is in the list:
1. CV sent without matching with profile.
2. Entertain clients which are even worse and conduct the interview (even when the profile is not matching)

www.aroundtheworldwithme.com

2008-04-09T22:36:00.000-07:00

Here is new website where I will be moving all my travel related entries to:

Around the world with me...

www.TheBestDomainSite.com

2008-04-07T04:39:00.000-07:00

Please click here to reach thebestdomainsite.com
Thebestdomainsite.com provides one stop solution for your domain name registration, hosting, eMarketing etc. at a very competetive price.

Go ahead register your domain today.

HAKA

2008-03-07T00:15:00.000-08:00

Haka is located at RMZ Infinity, Old Madras Road. The RMZ infinity building has shops and food court on the ground floor and offices above it. Companies such as Agilent, Synopsys, Reuters have their offices here.

Haka looks nice and attractive from outside and the ambience is also modern. Seating is not the best but comfortable. One does not end up sitting in some awkward position or one arm distance from the table.

Food and service is average – nothing much to write about. Quantity of food when compared to other restaurants of same standard and pricing is less. Infact this is the trend with all the stores and food joints at RMZ infinity. Low on quality and high on price.

This may be because there is no mall in nearby areas and they are holding people for ransom, which is a trend in Bangalore. Well this is not the topic of this post so I would refrain from writing anymore on this.

Overall I would not rate the restaurant above average, but you may visit the restaurant if you have some extra money in your pockets ready to be spent.

Mainland china at Indiranagar and Church Street is anytime better at comparable prices and provides better ambience and better quality of the food.

Tandoor

2008-03-05T04:21:00.000-08:00

To start off Tandoor is a restaurant on MG Road, Bangalore. The décor is 'haveli style' this is the best I could think of, and yes the seating is not that comfortable. I don’t know when my search for perfect seating and perfect food will end.

Coming to, the food, is amazing at Tandoor. It is a haven for a northie residing in Bangalore. The food is 'Lajwaab' in short. The restaurant is a bit on expensive side; drinks and food for two will cost anywhere around 800.00INR to 1200.00INR, depending upon one’s appetite.

Please beware the servings are quite generous and if you are not that hungry. Think twice before ordering multiple dishes. Food should never go wasted, there are millions is people starving to death on this planet

Our (As we are two now) two favourites dal makhani with naan is delicious and chicken is fantablous.

The ambience is good on ground floor. However on the first floor towards the other end of the floor, some tables are too close to the toilets and some old furniture is piled up in full view of the customers. This looks quite shabby and is not expected from a restaurant of such a repute.

Like any other restaurant in Bangalore, while going for dinner on weekends – PLEASE BOOK IN ADVANCE.

Wedding - VIII

2008-02-23T00:10:00.006-08:00

Well this post was supposed to cover lots of happenings (4 months in total). In short the wedding was great followed by a trip to beautiful Mauritius.

Everybody enjoyed and had a gala time. Few close friends attended the wedding.

In the beginning I was very uncomfortable with the idea of sitting on the horse. However, in the end I had to sit on a horse and pass through the entrance (shown in the pic) right to the stage. See what all one has to do to get married.

Wedding - VII

2007-10-25T00:47:00.000-07:00

Okay so very little time is left for the engagement function and everybody is running around. In the process everybody has forgotten the Groom ;-)

The groom is sitting all alone typing this post from his office doing nothing. He just calls up people to briefly get the description that they are busy, busy and busy. This is the saddest part of the whole wedding. Everybody remembers the wedding but not the person involved in it. What an irony it is?
Ha ha ha

Rest all is fine. Everybody is in Joyous mood, I won't say the same for groom as he is in mixed mood.

I feel like I am out of the spotlight, in this whole process. And, all because I am away from home. I feel that leaving home for career was the biggest mistake I have ever done.

I Love This Post

2007-10-17T12:59:00.000-07:00

This is simply amazing. This makes me feel so nostalgic.
Click here to read.

I went to UK in January of 2004 for doing MS that was then, things were easy and tough.
I found MSN maps and went through them multiple times to make myself familiar to the area.

UK and I will forever share a relationship of love and hate.

That time I was driven by my ambitions and lived for other insignificant things.
Now, I am driven by the people in my life and the love they have for me.

Gotra

2007-10-14T03:55:00.000-07:00

Click here to read more about Gotras and their significance in Indian hindu marriages.

Wedding - VI

2007-10-14T02:49:00.001-07:00

From 11 months to only few countable days are left for the wedding. It is 12 days for the engagement and 41 days for the wedding. Time sure does pass by quickly.

Preparations for the wedding have now started in multiple cities, to welcome the new Bride. Bride herself is very busy with all the work and is enjoying every moment.

Even after 10 months of carefully planning and working on the preparations, there is lot of work to be done. Sometime back my uncle on chat told me, that preparation for the wedding is like an exam. No matter how much time one is given there will be last minute rush.

So here we are at the very crucial stages of the wedding!!!

However, I am the only person who is very relaxed during all this as I am out of the city. But, I know I will be the most busy person after marriage ;-). My blissful days of bachelorhood are numbered and I will be busy like everyone else who is married.

Yes I am ready with all my shopping and arrangements. Few last minute touches are remaining.

Working for small company Vs big company (IT)

2007-09-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

As a fresher there is always a conflict about joining a big brand or a start up/medium scale company. Everyone have their own biased views on the same, depending upon their past experiences.

Common arguments for smaller companies are:

1. One gets to learn more as there are less procedures and everyone should know how to work on everything as per the need.
2. The work is more challenging.
3. Visibility to the top management.

Arguments for joining a big brand:

1. Big bucks sooner or later.
2. Easy life as one is on the bench all the time.
3. Learns more on how not to work by putting in more procedures.
4. One gets to learn how to get work done in proper manner.
5. One develops skills in one area, hence becoming master in one technology rather than being jack of all trades.

Well, the pros and cons are numerous for both the cases.

In my personal opinion it is very difficult to join big brands once you have worked for smaller brands. Especially if one started working from a small company.

A fresher in beginning needs the support from the ecosystem of a big branded company. One needs to be groomed, polished and trained for the corporate world. In the starting one may feel stifled working for a big company as he/she may end up on the bench for 6months to 1 year. Benefit of being on bench is that one gets proper time to adjust to the big bad world before being entering the rat race.

Small companies have their own advantages as they make you rough and tough to the core. But one ends up lacking in procedures and feels stifled in more professional work environments.

Choosing which kind of company to work for is a big decision as it is difficult to shift between the two. Especially if one develops their comfort zone in one kind of environment.

Before choosing which offer to accept one should sit down and write on a piece of paper what Big company has to offer and what a small company has to offer. Then one should write down his/her expectations from the workplace where they would like to work. This then should be tallied with the lists of what big and small companies have to offer. Also, one should network as much as possible and find out about respective working environments.

I hope this would be of help to many people struggling with the question of where to join.

Indica - Taxi to Private cars

2007-09-28T13:19:00.000-07:00

Indica was launched in 90s with much fanfare by TATAs. According to me it was first vehicle by an Indian company which actually looked good.

Soon the car which was released to be used as personal vehicle, changed into a TAXI. Being a diesel vehicle it was being used as Taxi and sales of Indica soared.

Well since then lot has happened we now have Indica Turbo/Xeta etc. and it is exported to Eurpoe under a different brand name.

Well this post is to review the car - Indica V2 onwards.

Indica is nice, spacious, bulky, economical car. On the negatives the car is noisey, pick up is sluggish and since it is often seen as a taxi many people keep away from buying an Indica. Problem of sluggish pick up has been addressed in Indica Turbo which feels more or less like a petrol car.

Indica is a nice car for average family with good interior space and good economies. The car is superb for highways and city conditions.

There is nothing much to write about this car; as it is a practical car for practical people.

Classic @ Reliance

2007-09-19T12:56:00.000-07:00

I own a reliance cell phone connection for quite some time, for the simple fact that STDs are cheaper. After 1 year of heavy usage my Nokia handset was showing signs of age, and that is when I decided to go for a new handset.

My visit to local 'so called world of mobile phones' coincided with the new 'Classic' phones being launched. Hastily I decided to buy the handset manufactured by this new company. Within days of using the phone I heard a tuk sound in my ears and the phone stopped charging.

Well this is just the start of the so called Ordeal which has still not ended with struggling for over 1 month now. I took the phone back the very next day to the world of webs or whatever. They refused to repair/replace the phone saying that this needs to be taken to service centre. So I took it to the Service Centre somwhere I do not remember. Once at the service centre I was told that they do service classic phones, but not this model. At the next service centre I was told that they service only Nokia handsets.

I have not tried getting the handset repaired after that but on discussion with many other people, I came to know that nowadays retailers only sell the product and for service/warranty/guarantee they direct the customers direct to the manufactures and shrug off their responsiblity.

This way I do not think I will be purchasing again from a retailer. It would be better to buy from the manufacturer's showrooms directly.

Wedding - V

2007-09-07T12:52:00.001-07:00

With only 11 weeks remaining the actual panic, last minute rush has started for everybody. Even after preparing for last 9-10 months there are loads of things to be done. And, that is actually the fun of a mariage - the preparations.

There are not many updates at the moment except for the usual wedding preparations.

Back to India

2007-09-07T12:33:00.001-07:00

My trip back to India was very smooth with no special events. Except for that I was almost stripped of my clothes at Security checks at heathrow like everybody else. It was good to see all the familiar faces after a long long time. The heat was unbearable though.

Well this happiness was shortlived and soon I had to fly to Bangalore for work. Now it has been more than a month and I have visited Delhi again for a week. This is it for now. Cheerios!!!

Wedding - IV

2007-07-12T15:25:00.001-07:00

Soon enough new phase in the wedding will start, as I travel back to India. Looking forward to seeing all including the new extended family.

Its less than a day to start my journey.

Wedding is going to go in its final phase very soon. All the arrangements have been done.

For me and my better half a new phase starts on personal level. It has been difficult time staying away from each other. Finally the moment is going to come when we two will meet. This long duration of separation has taught us a lot. New challenges were thrown at us and sometimes we accepted them happily, sometimes with reluctance. Overall developing a wonderful relationship, we both are looking forward to.

I have loads of work lined up especially for me at both professional and personal level. It is going to be fun trying to balance the work load without stressing myself.

Well I end my update on the wedding here and will post more soon.

God Bless Us!!!

2 Days 7 Hours

2007-07-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

Two days and seven hours to start my journey and then couple of hours more on the flight and I will be eating Aloo Tikkis. Level of desperation is really high and my taste buds are crying out loud for an aloo tikki. I know how each single day has passed without my dear Aloo Tikkis.

2 days 7 hours to go

Hip Hip Hurrah

SLUUUURRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

Can you hear the slurppp in Delhi?

Journey Back Home...

2007-07-10T02:53:00.000-07:00

The final countdown has begun. But thinking thinker is Sick :-(

Hope to be well before I land in Delhi, so that I can enjoy the holidays.

Right now I am feeling low, very tired, sick, lost and lonely.
There is nobody by my side to take care of me,
:-(

3 Days 13 hours remaining

I am 10 days 12 hours away from...

2007-07-03T03:59:00.001-07:00

I am 10 days 12 hours away from, heaven

Yummmmmmyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!

I cannot wait any longer :-)

Expiry

2007-06-29T02:37:00.000-07:00

RRR has gone to GURGAON for 1 week, I am going on 6th for 1 week.
When r u coming and getting lots of gift for us

Waitinng for u and the gift.

May be we all will celeberate together the 'expiry' of our Bachelor life.

With Regards
GGG

This email was written to me by my housemate, CCd to all my housemates. They all are also getting married by the end of this year or starting next year. Please notice, the word EXPIRY has been used very cleverly in this email.

Landing in New Delhi...

2007-06-29T02:19:00.000-07:00

Now that I have landed in Delhi many times, I thought of sharing my experience and it is only 14 days before I land at IGI airport so the memories are coming back.

My nose tells me that I have arrived in Delhi. I can smell and know that the flight is about to land in Delhi. It is a good smell, a familiar smell of dust and smoke. This smell fills the air cabin as the plane flys over Delhi, few minutes before landing.

It is so wonderful to feel choked, I feel so nostalgic. For me who is allergic to dust and smoke, I know I have arrived in Delhi when I sneeze. It takes a while for my immune system to adjust to Delhi air.

As soon as one gets down at IGI airport there is a strong smell of Phenyl and the white tiles and mosaic floors reminds one that they have gone back in time. Man I love the 80s, I feel I am a kid again.

By this time having experienced so many 'fragrances' my nose gives up and I barely can breathe.

Then comes the immigration queues, the wooden tables, and paan eating babus waiting to stamp your PASSPORT and ask weird questions. Just as one thinks it is all over and now I will meet my loved ones. One has to collect the luggage, with people literally resting their heads on your shoulder to look at the conveyor belt.

By now I want to really get out, cry, scream, run; but wait there is more.
While getting out of the airport I have to tell so many people that I have arrangements to go back home. People of Saddi Dilli are so courteous to the guests. I am talking about millions and zillions of taxi drivers waiting outside.

Well, whatever it is. It is my home and I love being in Delhi. The dust, the smoke, the traffic, the swearing while driving, the food, the mess - I love it all.

Dilli is Dilli
And, I love Dilli

Wow!!!

2007-06-27T03:52:00.001-07:00

I am sitting in Office working.

I get some free time, so I check the counter for number of days remaining in UK.

And then WOW!!!

I can smell DAAL MAKHANI and NAAN. Yes it is true!!!

I do not know how? But, it is true...

Yummmmmmm... I love DAAL MAKHANI...

I AM COMING BACK TO INDIA IN 16 DAYS

Childhood

2007-06-27T03:13:00.000-07:00

When we are young, we spend time wishing about when will we grow up? Grow up to decide things on our own and be independent.

What we do not realise is, that being a grown up is a lot of responsibility. Well, my post is not about being a grown up. But, it is to cherish those wonder years.

The days when we were in school -

Had no worries, no tension, had 2 months off in summers and 10 days for Dusshera and 10 days in winters, etc.

The list is endless.

I just remembered few memories of my school days and I am feeling so happy and nostalgic.

Do I need to say more about UK...

2007-06-23T17:32:00.000-07:00

.................................................................................NO................................................................................

No I am not going to comment on this pic. Enough is enough the picture is worth 1000 words.

I don't want to stay in UK any longer because I need to pee after 5PM :-(

Sob sob sob sob sob sob sob sob sob sob

Restaurant: Fav 5

2007-06-22T03:04:00.000-07:00

I have been tagged to write about - 'My 5 Favorite Restaurants'
http://logicalreligion.blogspot.com/2007/05/restaurantsfav-5.html

List of my 5 favorite restaurants are:

1) 13th Floor, MG Road Bangalore. - For its Daal Makhani and amazing view of Bangalore from the 13th Floor balcony.
2) 3 Quarter Chinese, Bangalore - For its ambience
3) Queens, Church Street, Bangalore - For its daal Makhani
4) Elixir, Sector - 29, Faridabad - For its Daal Makhani
5) Hunger Cure, Sector - 29, Faridabad - For its Indian sauce used in Pizza

I rate restaurants on the basis of the quality of Daal Makhani.
:-)

Introduction

2007-06-22T01:46:00.000-07:00

The person you all wanted to know about, now has her own blog:

Piu's Blog

She is a Punjabi Kudi from National Capital Region.
But she is a lazy bum, so let us see when she actually starts blogging on it.

Wedding - III

2007-06-19T06:37:00.000-07:00

Only 5 months remaining for the big day, half of the year has already passed by.
:-D

The wedding as any other wedding has seen its share of ups and downs in past 6 months.
Nothing much is happening on the preparations front.
I will try to maintain a daily journal for the very last month, if I get time.

I do not understand why Punjabi weddings have to be so GRAND?
Why can't a wedding be a smaller event between family and very close friends at a resort or somewhere
:-)

One has to be very thick skinned while going through a Punjabi wedding, because of so many people just blurting out whatever they feel like.

I RETURN TO INDIA IN 24 DAYS

Small update for long time away

2007-06-14T03:46:00.000-07:00

Well it has been long long time since, I updated my blog.

Things are finally picking up pace at work and my UK stay is coming to an end (30 days remaining). Looking forward to facing the Indian summers - which I have not faced in last 3 years.

Every time I say goodbye to UK and return. I have to return to UK.
Let us see what happens this time.

Random Thought

2007-05-19T16:05:00.000-07:00

Sometimes hope is the only hope for one to carry on...

-Thinking Thinker

Virtual life

2007-04-25T15:15:00.000-07:00

Today some incident made me think about my current life. For the past 4-5 years I am an important part of life for some people and more recently I got added to the life of many more people. But, the fact is that I rarely get to meet them.

For all of them I exist, as a person and they occasionally get to hear about me from different people. But, I am never ever in front of them. It has been ages since I have met them.

Even for my immediate family, I exist only on phone, Internet; in pics, web cam etc.

What next?
Will I always be away from my loved ones?

Bristol Revisited

2007-04-25T14:35:00.000-07:00

This post was long overdue. The picture here shows Bristol city centre. Yes, I did visit Bristol again, after about a year.

I left Bristol in December, 2005 never to return. But, I always had this feeling that I will return soon and I returned. I returned as a completely changed person.

Well this trip was done over the Easter weekend, and I met all my old friends and revisited all the places I used to hang around. Even, got to visit my University.

Well, there is not much to say about the trip, except that I felt like home in Bristol. Also, I got to meet my old friends and all old memories were refreshed. It was a good trip, marking the start of some horrible weeks ahead.

Interesting

2007-04-05T00:39:00.000-07:00

This is something my friend sent to me this morning.

When u really want something,
Sometimes u have to swim a little ....Deeper....
You can't give up just because things don't come easy....
You have to overcome the obstacles and face your fears....
But in the end, it's all worth while!!!!
Life is full of ups and downs,
But if u believe in urself...
U will always come through with flying colors.....
Value Friendship, Love and Faith...
Never underestimate urself.

Wedding - II

2007-03-05T07:46:00.000-08:00

The things are shaping up now. With loads of misunderstanding, miscommunications, formalities, etc. It is fun to be part of all but it is very straining. Venues and date are decided and I am too far to be part of it. As always, I am part of it through proxy.

Well, let us see during the last phase of the wedding, how it unfurls itself.
The clock is ticking.

Tanha Dil Tanha Safar : Lyrics

2007-03-05T07:44:00.000-08:00

Aankhon mein sapne liye
Ghar se hum chal to diye
Jaane yeh raahein ab le jaayengi kahan
Mitti ki khushboo aaye
Palkon pe aansu laaye
Palkon pe reh jaayega yaadon ke jahan
Manzil nayi hai anjaana hai kaarvaan
Chalna akele hai yahan
(Tanha dil, tanha safar
Dhoonde tujhe phir kyoon nazar) - 2
Tanha dil
Dilkash nazaarein dekhe
Jhilmil sitaarein dekhe
Aankhon mein phir bhi tera chehra hai jawaan
Kitni barsaatein aayi, kitni saugaatein laayi
Kaanon mein phir bhi goonje teri hi sada
Maane kiye the apna hoga aashiyaan
Vaadon ka jaane hoga kya
(Tanha dil, tanha safar
Dhoonde tujhe phir kyoon nazar) - 2
Tanha dil
Tanha dil
Aankhon mein sapne liye
Ghar se hum chal to diye
Jaane yeh raahein ab le jaayengi kahan
Mitti ki khushboo aaye
Palkon pe aansu laaye
Palkon pe reh jaayega yaadon ke jahan
Manzil nayi hai anjaana hai kaarvaan
Chalna akele hai yahan
(Tanha dil, tanha safar
Dhoonde tujhe phir kyoon nazar) - 2
Tanha dil, tanha dil, tanha dil
Tanha dil, tanha dil

Where is ThinkingThinker?

2007-02-26T07:04:00.000-08:00

Well, thinking thinker is back to UK. Hence, there is reduction in number of posts on the blog. I will post more as more will happen, as at the moment except for work nothing is happening.

After a year’s gap it feels like I never left UK, it is all the same

Friends - II

2007-01-31T19:57:00.000-08:00

The comment:

Thinker, Good, though provoking post. I am not sure which of the affected parties you feel yourself as representing, if at all. But I am afraid, I must disgree with quite a few things here.

-- Friends are somebody you can be cool with.
o Friends are people with whom you can be what you want to be - at any given time - cool, moody, playful, argumentative, sad, happy. You do not have the right to hurt your friends, or be abusive to them. If you can be yourself without doing so, it should be alright.

-- There are no expectations, no hard feelings etc.
o There should definitely be no hard feelings, specially about petty matters like not returning a call or mail. But you can, and should have, expectations. If you do not have any expectations, you cannot really care about a person. Of course, you should not have unrealistic expectations, which are totally selfish.

-- What happens when a friend always dumps all the negativities on you
o Your friend is probably suffering from some problem - which are hogging all his or her concious mind. You can try to help your friend. But if this becomes a constant habit, you should not also feel obliged to take it all. Whenever obligation comes into picture, genuine concern goes away. One should be true to his or her friends, but the ultimate responsibility of a person is to be true to self.

-- Isn’t friends supposed to be cool – who have moderate or no expectations? Understand that there may be better things happening in your life, keeping you occupied?
o As I said, I think that friends should have expectations from each other. A total lack of it, to me, represents the end of affection between friends, a loss of the camerediere they once shared. At times there may be things in your life that will keep you completely occupied for some time. Friends should of course understand that, and should not feel dejected. But on the other hand, if you have some happy event in your life, you should make your friends feel a part of your happiness.

I think I should stop here, though there still are a lot of things to say on this topic.

PS: Did I do too much of preaching ?

The Reply:

No this is not too much of preaching.See in friendship there has to be some sort of attachement. But, excess of it spoils the show. Excess of anything is bad.

Well the point is, that friends should not feel dejected. What matters is, that you are there for your friend and your friend is there for you when needed; this includes happy times and sad times both.

Big Fat Indian Wedding

2007-01-30T20:26:00.000-08:00

Who said weddings are simple affair?
Its no simple task especially if it is a Punjabi wedding :-), we all know what all goes around and comes back in a Punjabi wedding.

Well, being at the centre stage of a wedding that starts this month and will continue till November, 07. I am already getting the jitters and the shocks and everything else that comes along and frankly it is no easy task – with so many people involved, with their egos, mood swings, influence etc.

Will keep you all posted with any further developments.
:-)

Friends

2007-01-30T20:02:00.000-08:00

Some random thinking related to friends.

Friends are somebody you can be cool with.
There are no expectations, no hard feelings etc.

But, what happens when a friend always dumps all the negativities on you?
What happens when friend forgets to react to good things happening to you and is only occupied with his/her problems?
What happens when friend only reacts to his/her problems and is too moody?

Do you keep them as friends because they are good at heart OR do you slowly depart because they drain too much of energy? How far do you go to keep a good friend?

Isn’t friends supposed to be cool – who have moderate or no expectations?
Understand that there may be better things happening in your life, keeping you occupied?
Is not required to be assured everyday that you are there for him/her; sooner or later they will come back to you.

Isn’t a friend supposed to be the happiest soul on earth – if something good happens in one’s life? Rather being not in mood to react to good news.

I believe between friends there should be no formalities like - you called I called, you did not meet, you did not email, you are too busy etc. Touchwood I have good friends, with whom I cannot be in touch with for many years and still they will be there for me. I am not saying that I am person who does not remain in touch for years – but the frequency may go up or down depending upon the circumstances. Which I hope friends should understand.

That’s it, enough thinking for today.

Air Travel in India

2007-01-29T00:31:00.000-08:00

Air travel in India was a good experience till last year when I travelled Jet and Sahara. With new year's start I travelled with Paramount, Sahara, SpiceJet, GoAir and IndiGo.

Well my review regarding domestic Air Travel especially with -
SpiceJet
GoAir and
IndiGo
is a nightmare.

My advice to people travelling especially with IndiGo is to go 1hour late as all their flights are always 1hrs late. We always talk about Deccan being late and not being on time. But these other no frill airlines have crossed the limit.

First the boarding call is delayed by 15-30mins and then you board the plane.
After boarding the plane, one keeps sitting inside for 30-40mins for god knows what passengers.

So overall - Indian no frill airlines I give a thumbs down.
I only travel through them because I have no other option.

Travelling through no frill airlines is a painful experience, especially if you are one of those very few punctual flyers. Who reach airport on time and check in on time.

Moral of the story: If these airlines cannot get a person from Point A to Point B on time these airlines are useless. They don't solve the purpose of travelling.

What does being bored does to a normal human being...

2007-01-18T01:54:00.000-08:00

Firstly, boredom makes a person blog so that one may spread the infectious boredom to others.

Boredom makes one:

1. Yawn
2. Eat
3. Drink Coffee
4. Stretch
5. Slouch
6. Surf Internet
7. Talk on phone
8. Fall in Love
9. Get married
10. Sleep
11. Prepare a list of all useless things that can be done, to prevent boredom.
12. Roam around
13. Smoke
14. Make an endless list of endless tasks

Yawwwnnn...!!!

Long time...

2007-01-16T20:10:00.000-08:00

It has been long since I Posted on the blog.

First 15 days of this year had been awfully busy. Things are settling down now and it seems that whatever happened in last 15 days will now slowly sink in. As thinking thinker is numb at the moment. About, the new year resolutions - well almost 90% of them are already done ;-)

Well I cannot think of anything more to write about.
Ciao for now!!! Will post more later...

2007

2007-01-04T21:40:00.001-08:00

Well, 2007 is going on a high which means it will soon start to head downwards; like a roller coaster ride. It goes up and it comes down. Well my Cochin and Chennai trip was good and yielded interesting results - which I will soon be sharing with all. Results which have changed my life from this point onwards.

Today is my last day at present employer and soon I will be moving on to a new company, new people, new profile. Hoping that, so many new things happening in the start of the year marks a good start.

In past 2-3 years 'change' has been a constant factor and that too happeing as if it is on a 5th gear. Meeting new people, seeing new cultures, discovering myself, changing houses (Every 3 munths), Job Profiles, Jobs, Finding love, Travelling. Well, I am enjoying it this ways for now, and would like it to continue for some more time. Lets see what future holds for me.

What is it... in the air?

2007-01-03T01:54:00.001-08:00

What is it in the air... that I am so excited...

What is going on that I am so restless...

I am not such a good poet, but I think you get the flow of things...

[Note for people who think in double meanings, this is not what you are thinking - got it. So make no comments of such nature.]

New Year - I am excited

2006-12-27T23:27:00.001-08:00

New Years Eve!!! Hmmm...

Coming year has so many things already set to happen. Some by chance, some planned and some spontaneously planned. Hopefully plans will excute as planned.

Last to last, new years was a bad year with Tsunami and me and my friends donated their new year celebration money. Let us hope nothing similar happens this year. And last year I was too busy to think about anything regarding life, celebration or anything. While, this new years resolution is to spend some time living and not working; and travelling across the globe. Hopefully I will be able to travel as much as I am planning to.

Wishing a very happy and prosperous new year to all, who visit my blog. I won't be posting anything till 2nd Jan, 2007 as I will be travelling.

Kitne Ajeeb Rishtey Hein Yahan Par

2006-12-27T00:00:00.001-08:00

Looking back at last two years, it makes me think; how weird are relations between human beings. How one connects with another unknown person in a minute and how the very next minute they are bitter enemies.

Does setbacks like these, makes one surround himself/herself in a shell. Technically speaking should one become Introvert?

It is so strange that once you are best of best friends and then over years something happens and then you have nothing to with that person. What makes this happen?

- Too much informality?

- Lack of communication?

- Taking another person for granted?

- Greed?

Well, there can be multiple reasons. But, human mind is most difficult to understand. Well I think title of this post will always remain a mystery.

Don't worry...

2006-12-26T04:45:00.001-08:00

Don't worry

...

be happy ...

...

Life sucks!!! ;-)

Hai Mera Dil

2006-12-19T01:31:00.001-08:00

Movie Name: Josh (2000)
Singer: Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan
Music Director: Anu Malik
Lyrics: Sameer
Year: 2000
Producer: Venus
Director: Mansoor Khan
Actors: Aishwarya Rai, Chandrachur Singh, Priya Gill, Shah Rukh Khan, Sharad Kapoor
Theme: Love

Itna Pyaar Hai Yeh Pyaar, Pyaara Pyaara
Hua Hai Pehli Baar, Hota Hai Ek Baar
Phir Na Hoga....Yeh Dubaara...
Hai Mera Dil, Churake Le Gaya
Churane Wala, Mera Katil...
Hai Mera Dil, Churake Le Gayi,
Churane Wali, Meri Katil...
Yeh Dil Tujhpe Aaya Hai, Aate Aate
Darde Dil To Jaate Hai, Jaate Jaate
Jaage Hain, Soye Hain, Hum Dono Khoye Hain
Kaisi Tanhai Hai, Masti Si Chhaayi Hai
Yeh Mausam Hai, Pyaar Ke Kaabil
Hai Mera Dil, Churake Le Gaya
Churane Wala, Mera Katil...
Ab To Kaate Na Kate, Pyaasi Raate
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Sun Ke, Aisi Baate
Bechaini Sehne De, Palko Mein Rehne De
Teri Baahon Mein Hai, Teri Raahon Mein Hai
Jaanejaana Meri Manzil
Hai Mera Dil, Churake Le Gayi,
Churane Wali, Meri Katil...
Hai Mera Dil, Churake Le Gaya
Churane Wala, Mera Katil...
Itna Pyaar Hai Yeh Pyaar, Pyaara Pyaara
Hua Hai Pehli Baar, Hota Hai Ek Baar
Phir Na Hoga....Yeh Dubaara...

Civilization(s)

2006-12-13T23:43:00.001-08:00

We study about Egyptian Civilization, Mayas, Indus valley and many more. This makes me wonder:

What will our civilization will be called?

Are we one civiliaztion across the globe?

Are we multiple civilizations?

Will we be survived by future generations to be explored?

Can we be called a civilization? Are we civilized?

I am not worried about the first three questions. What makes me wonder is the 4th question. All the civilizations before us vanished. But, our civilization is the only one which has the potential to destroy the whole planet. And, we are doing that job pretty well.

If we consider all the world as one civilization then, we will be the most advanced and the largest civilization on earth, ever. But, will we be remembered, explored etc. Will there be people to explore us, afte we vanish?

Or more interesting, if we manage to ruin and destroy our planet and before that we colonise other planets in the solar system. What kind of civilization will we develop there?

I do not know where I want to go with this post. But these were just few of those random questions and ideas one gets :-)

Test (Blogger Beta with Updated Windows Live Writer)

2006-12-08T02:27:00.001-08:00

Test

Classic Tale (Wants and needs)

2006-12-08T02:13:00.001-08:00

Read the story

http://in.rediff.com/getahead/2005/sep/28don.htm

Jagger almost got it right with that fantastic song: You always want what you can't get

Ring-Ring sorry I am busy

2006-11-26T22:13:00.000-08:00

As the economic boom continues and people are getting more and more ambitious day by day; if you sit back and take a bird’s eye view of the situation – one may see that things are not as they seem to be. The fact is people are getting busier day by day; they have no time to sit back and relax.

To be frank, today’s working youth has no time to; even attend phone calls (that are not work related) most of the time. A typical workday starts at 7:30-8AM from getting ready to work and reaching office by 9. This ends by 6-8PM depending upon the workload, plus the traveling distance. Rest of the time is spent either on internet, TV, relaxing, having food etc. This problem is further compounded if you are staying with your parents. Then there is absolutely no time et al. However, people staying independently still have some time to touchbase with friends etc. But those times are so late in the day that one may only touchbase with other people in similar situation like them (Other people who are living independently). Well this leads to only casual relationships or friends and no real relationships or real friends. This takes its toll in the long run in many ways. There is very little or no scope for having a friends circle outside your office colleagues.

Well this is one problem; there are more problems that are slowly cropping up – like health related issues, stress etc. We seriously need to look for more venues for improving our lives. Life is not just work, but many other things. Fun and relaxation does not mean partying out late, binge drinking, taking dope etc. These methods of fun and relaxation often lead to feeling more tired and stressed out than he/she was previously.

Conclusion: We must seriously try to pause, our fast-paced life and take out time to reflect upon what are we doing and where are we heading? How this all is affecting your personal life?

Discussing all the issues and providing solutions to these issues is out of scope for this post and may be this blog.

Nice Story

2006-11-23T21:22:00.000-08:00

This was FWDed to me by one of my friends:

A man was walking down the beach at sunset. As he walked along, he saw another man in the distance. He noticed this man kept leaning down, picking up something and throwing it out into the water, again and again. As he approached even closer, he noticed that the man was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach. He was throwing them back into the water, one by one.
Puzzled, he approached the man and said, "Good Evening. I was wondering what you are doing."
"I'm throwing these starfish back into the ocean. You see, it's low tide and all these starfish have been washed up onto the shore. If, I don't throw them back into the ocean, they'll die up here from lack of oxygen."
"But, there must be thousands of starfish on this beach. You can't possible get to all of them. And, don't you realize this is probably happening on hundreds of beaches all up and down this coast. Can't you see that you can't possibly make a difference?"
The man bent down and picked up yet another starfish, and threw it back into the ocean. With a smile he replied, "Made a difference to that one !!!"

Search for Perfection

2006-11-09T22:38:00.000-08:00

Our entire effort, from the day we enter the education system, is targeted towards getting that dream job. Though the dreams keep changing as we mature the underlying principle remains the same – a job which we enjoy doing. When we start our first job the illusions of a ‘perfect job’ usually vanish within the first few months and we are forced to admit that there is no such thing as a ‘dream job’. For the fortunate few who are able to get that elusive ‘dream job’, stick with your current job and stop reading this article!
Normally all jobs have a positive as well as a negative aspect and if we are forced to define the concept of a ‘dream job’ it would be a job, with as few negatives to it as possible, which we enjoy doing. Read More ...

There is nothing new to post about

2006-11-02T21:19:00.000-08:00

Thinking thinker is off for some time.

World is same everday; same things happen over and over and over again. So no new posts.

Bye

Jaago India Jaago - Wake Up!!!

2006-10-17T23:57:00.000-07:00

Ques: How ridiculously inefficient our government is?

Answer: Farmers in UP who are dying of hunger, receive payments of ridiculous amounts such as 3Rs, 10Rs.

Even if officials had to do a scam and gobble up money sanctioned for the purpose, they should have thought about what are they doing, giving 3Rs, 10Rs, what were they thinking?

What we should do?

Stop giving salary to all bureaucracy in UP, Mulayam Singh and his cabinet.

Then make them survive on 3Rs per year. Let us see how well they do?

I was recently reading an article on how citizens in west have so much faith in their governments. In India with such incidents happening everyday, how can we have similar faith in state bodies?

No wonder why, many corporate(s) get roads built on their own. People of a colony employ own security guards and get street lights installed at their own expense.

I write this many times and I write it again, for god sake, next time you go voting only vote for a person who is educated and has performed in the past. Use your brains India!!!

Only once in every 5 years use it for your own use. Do not give it for rent to get outsourced work.

Sheesh!!!

Must Read: Proof that this guy has lost it

2006-10-12T23:31:00.000-07:00

Everything Evolutionary!: Marriage is a Multi-objective Problem

Well, what can I say?
I am speechless, thoughtless etc etc etc.

Here is Azahar trying to solve marriage with multi objectivity.
May god bless him!!!
;-)

Maruti Alto

2006-10-04T02:48:00.000-07:00

I think its time I should review some cars. I am going to start with Maruti Alto Vxi.

This is a good value for money car, well atleast it seems so when your buying it and saving few bucks in comparison to Wagon R or Indica or Santro. The car is good for city driving, AC is effective but you keep banging your head, elbows etc etc because of lack of space. Especially if your are used to more spacious cars.

This car is for a young professional, and is a good first car. It is fuel efficient and low on maintenance. Another, problem is 800CC engine, well in Matiz this is not a problem. Even on highways you never feel that you are running a car with 800CC engine. But in Alto with AC on, on highways you can feel the lack of power. You may come across this even on steep slopes in city driving conditions. At speeds of 100Kmph it starts to start making funny noises.

Well from my experience a CBZ breezed by us on the highway, while we were struggling to keep speeds of 120Kmph. Even braking gives up on high speeds. On the turns especially, you feel the car is skidding. It lacks the necessary grip or weight to be a stable car.

However, even with all these drawbacks - power steering is really great. You can drive and take sharpest of the turn without any efforts (Good for parking in really small spaces). Then it makes up as a good first car, and is good for driving in city conditions where parking is scarce and traffic jams are frequent. This is your evryday use, common mans car, so you should not have loads of expectations from this car. This car is placed in between Maruti 800 and the segment which starts from Wagon R onwards. Maruti 800 comes with 4 gears, while Alto is with 5 gears and more effective Air Coditioning.

If you have a budget of Maruti 800 and can stretch a little bit more, but cannot stretch till Santro, Wagon R or Indica. This is a good option. But then if you plan to travel a lot on highway and a speed freak like me, avoid Alto. Because it makes noise as if it is crying, when you push it over 100Kmph.

I will give this car

7/10 overall.

7/10 on value for money

4/10 on looks

8/10 on fuel efficiency

Life

2006-10-04T02:27:00.000-07:00

When bad things happen in life, one feels bad. One is left with bitter feelings for the one who caused it. But, now I have started to like all those people who did bad to me. When something goes wrong or bad it leaves you more wiser and you get to learn a lot from it. Which, helps you improve your future.

But this is subjective - some people get bogged down from the bad things happening in life and some people try to gain as much as possible from it.

It is the way you look at things that changes everything. Who said medicine tastes good (except for homeopatheic medicines ;-) ).

When the going is tough, one might feel that he/she is a loser etc. It is easy to give it all up and just sit in those moments. But that is the time when you can sit down and prepare yourself for the battles to be WON ahead. Destiny is what you make of yourself, it is not what you let others make out of you. Maybe sometimes things are not in your control - but basically you should always have loads of patience, tolerance and above all you should always be pro active. Yes this all sounds easy, but very difficult to act upon.

This is life!!! - In my short simple way

Markdowns in Retail

2006-09-28T05:07:00.000-07:00

Click Here to read the complete report.

Was browsing through Internet when I came across this report and realized how narrow is my scope of work. With so few companies worldwide in such a big segment.

Till atleast a decade back, all mark downs were done based on no scientific basis. It used to be knee jerk reaction after; every 6 months if the item is not selling - price used to be reduced by x %age amount. With the entry of SAP and Oracle through acquisitions, many more smaller companies have mushroomed all across the world.

Increasingly more and more retail firms are realizing the need of such a system to base their decisions on business intelligence; as they grow larger. Indian retailers on the other hand are still trying to stand on their feet and follow old fashioned methods of markdowns. These words are still alien to many of the Indian retailers. But, slowly things will start to heat up in Indian market too.

What I would like to see in future is the use of Artificial Intelligence in these systems. Because, still major chunk of markdown is manual work or repetitive automated task. A fully automated systems giving advice, whatever the case, whatever the segment is a distant dream. The system in question will have adaptable code for changing scenarios and sales patterns and will be able to base the decision not just from the historical data for that particular client, but from the experience it would have gained over the period of time with different clients.

Thinking Again

2006-09-27T06:10:00.000-07:00

Well I am back, after a mysterious sickness.

Its amazing; how more new things come up, when I think I have mastered it. There seems to be no end to learning it seems.

Well I am a firm beleiver of the fact that, there is always that little bit more to learn. This keeps me humble and helps me get to learn more from people around me and other sources of knowledge.

Bush, US and the World

2006-09-21T22:48:00.000-07:00

Check out the news and everyday Bush is giving warnings to some country or other. Its like he is thinking all the world is wild west and mighty cowboy is going to rule.

Since, Bush has been president of US of 'A'. He has invaded

1.Afganistan

2. Iraq

And threatened to invade, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan etc. It seems he is trying to act as the bad boy of the world politics. Ok, agreed that all these countries are major defaulters for terrorism, secret weapons etc etc etc. But this way US will make all world its enemy. It seems US Public Relations team is on holidays.

The worst part is that Bush is in power for his second term.

I want to say more - but all has been said and written and shown on TV; again and again and again. Most probably he will fall under his own MIGHT taking US of A along.

Garuda Parking 10th Floor

2006-09-21T11:55:00.000-07:00

View from Garuda Mall Parking 10th Floor.
This picture was taken longggggg time back, but I am so freaking lazy.
This picture was taken using Samsung D600 Mobile.

New Mac Donalds Outlet in Bangalore

2006-09-20T01:19:00.001-07:00

Finally - there is a new Mac Donalds outlet on Brigade Road. I noticed it this Saturday while walking down brigade road.

So now we have 3 Mac Donalds Outlets in Bangalore.

1. Forum - Kormangala

2. Sigma Mall - Cunningham Road

3. Brigade Road

Huff Puff Puffffff... and here it goes again...

2006-09-19T22:50:00.000-07:00

Huffff pufff shhhh tsk tsk tsk... <<I was quietly watching>>

Puff pufff pufffffff ... <<I blurted out something>>

Dhissshh Pssshhh tshhhh <<lot of steam>>

<<Suddenly it goes off>>

TISSSSSSSShHHH TAAAADDDD DHOOOOOMMMM

<<I realise it does not have a safety valve>>

Hmmmm...!!!

Some people may find this convo offensive

2006-09-15T01:30:00.000-07:00

Discussing the modi condoms controversy:

Thinking Thinker: bhai he is getting himself pictured on condom boxes
Thinking Thinker: thank goodness
Thinking Thinker: he is not there on condoms
Thinking Thinker: else modi wud be f*ck#$g all and going places where he should not ;-)

Height of Publicity - Modi Condoms

2006-09-14T23:15:00.000-07:00

I saw in NEWS today and cannot wait to share this with you all. Most probably the readers in India must have watched this on news.

Okay CM of Gujrat - Narinder Modi is now endorsing a product. The product is free condoms distributed by state government. And for the publicity he has got his pictures printed on them.

These packs are now termed as Modi condoms. Well it seems the day is not far when we may see some other politician on the packs of KS, Moods etc etc etc.

Well I leave it to your imagination what will happen - when you and your partner are all set to get into action and you pull out the condom pack - he he he ;-)

Current Indipop Scene

2006-09-13T10:59:00.000-07:00

Case 1
Two chicks, one Firang and one is Indian-firang
One dances too much and one doesn't know how to dance

This yields to 2 music videos aired on music channels all day long, with some weird one hand movement and scary eyes. Both ending with, a sardar g getting down from a SUV or a MUV - who looks much smarter than both the ladies, by the way.

The Song in question: Kya Kehte Ho by Nic and Nicole

Case 2
One chick, this time a decent one with nice voice.
Doesn't dances as she most probably knows she cannot dance.

The song in question: Bolo na, Singer unknown

The Big Question
Who are these girls trying to speak to?
Two girls are asking kya kehte ho?
One girl is asking bolo na?

Whats wrong? I think all three girls cannot listen, or nobody is talking to them - poor girls.

Moral of the Story
Both songs combined are amazingly, 10 lines long.
So sad all these girls never got to go to school - their vocab is so poor.

Ok this is it, current Indipop scene. Some girls trying to sing, who never got to go to school.
Makes me so sad.

My humble request please don't make another song on trying to talk to somebody, even if you are trying to speak to aliens. If there are aliens, they will run away if you keep asking them to speak to you like this. Still if you cannot control, call my doggie he loves to talk.

Thank you
Thinking Thinker

To be or Not to Be - Part II

2006-09-11T22:30:00.000-07:00

People say I have the right skills, people say I have the talent, people say I am capable of doing much more than what I am doing now, they also say I lead well.

I feel the same too, and I did take a plunge before; not once but twice; and had to come out of it for some reasons. First time all was well and I did well, second time I came out financially unhurt but mentally hurt.

Well today I am very much inspired by many people around me. But, I am in a dilemma as usual - to take the plunge once again or no. This time I will take a calculated risk and not play with all that I have got.

Well, but this time I will give it a good thought.

To be an Entrepreneur once again or not.

At 24 years one succesfull and still running venture and one which broke even financially in less than a year - and a 0 bank balance, I would say I have done well till now.

More Sexiness

2006-09-08T12:31:00.000-07:00

Sexiness

2006-09-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

Very serious thought

2006-09-07T22:50:00.000-07:00

Well seriously, it seems Indian soil does not suit me.

Teaching India loo manners???

2006-09-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

There is a mall boom in Indian cities. This exposes us to world class facilities, shops etc. But, Indian public is still not prepared to absorb all these international standard facilities. Especially, the public toilets are something we are not used to. We are still a country where majority of population has NO access to toilets and those who do, still like to enjoy the pleasures of open skies.

Therefore, no matter how hard these malls try to keep their toilets clean. They always end up being dirty and stinking. Hence, public toilets are better avoided - until and unless in cases of dire emergencies.

On my recent visit to a public loo at a well known mall in Bangalore - I saw something, that I would like to share with you all. Well it seems somebody finally has taken an intiative to start, a toilet manners revolution. See the picture below -

This picture was taken at Garuda mall toilet. And, those of you who think too much - No I am not a weirdo taking pics with my mobile phone in toilets - so please no comments announcing me to be a maniac on a run - taking pics of toilets.

Happy Birthday

2006-09-06T05:13:00.000-07:00

This post is to thank all the people who made my birthday one of the most memorable ones - by being physically present or through cyber space and telephone.

Thank you to all!!!

I did not take any pictures on this birthday, as I will remember this for a long long time to come. This is the first time that my birthday lasted 3 days :-)

Thanks to all, for making it such a special day.

My First Post - from Windows Live Writer (beta)

2006-09-05T23:52:00.000-07:00

This is my first test post from windows live writer (beta).

Lets see how it comes out on the actual blog.