Jan 31, 2008
** Thuglak **
Thuglak is online... subscription fee is $20 p.a. If you are interested -> click here www.thuglak.com
** Another New Car **
This time it is Mahindra that has come out with a cheap car priced at Rs 1.3 lakh.... my friend mailed me the info and I do not know how valid and good the info is .... - Neverthless, the car has nice looks and hence thought of posting.....
** ICL Vs IPL **
Indian Premier League (IPL), the Board of Cricket Control of India's (BCCI) new wing has got the biggies of India like Ambani, Vijay Mallaya, Sharukh sponsor the newly formed Twenty-20 teams. Thus it has taken a huge leap both financially and on conducting this tournaments as well. Ambani has taken away the Bombay team for 436 crores, Vijay Mallaya the Bangalore team for 435 crore, India Cements the Chennai team for 354 crore, Sharukh the Calcutta team for 312 crore and so goes the list. (Something similar to the Football sponsors) . Now we will have the tournaments conducted in Apr this year.
With this move, the Zee group headed ICL, with Kapil Dev at its helm, is heading towards even tougher battle. Its existence is going to be in question. The ICL was facing a tough battle right from the beginning. The BCCI got it de-recognized by the ICC !! BCCI had the players participating in ICL banned from its official list. BCCI manipulated and got the big stadiums locked for the ICL tournaments. And the final blow was this "IPL" punch!!
Whether cricket will get more interesting or not - cricketers are going to be getting more and more money !! Let us not forget the betting aspects !!
With this move, the Zee group headed ICL, with Kapil Dev at its helm, is heading towards even tougher battle. Its existence is going to be in question. The ICL was facing a tough battle right from the beginning. The BCCI got it de-recognized by the ICC !! BCCI had the players participating in ICL banned from its official list. BCCI manipulated and got the big stadiums locked for the ICL tournaments. And the final blow was this "IPL" punch!!
Whether cricket will get more interesting or not - cricketers are going to be getting more and more money !! Let us not forget the betting aspects !!
** New New YEAR **
Karunanidhi has done it again. He has got a resolution passed in assembly changing the Tamil New Year's day from Apr to Jan ("Thai" first will be Tamil New Year's day henceforth and not "Chithirai" first). It actually makes NO difference to all of us. But, on what basis did he do that? What are the benefits of this move (ofcourse other than the old man's political gimmick) ? - Luckily, for Karunanidhi, does NOT have the necessity to answer anyone - after all Tamil Hindus will take anything and everything !!
Jan 27, 2008
** Bharat Ratna - Cont'd **
If you have something as the HIGHEST award and honour - it should not be given to the "best amongst the AVAILABLE". To me, it is simple - if no one deserves - then DONT give it. I am not surprised at the fact that the award has not been given to anyone in the past seven years.
Talking about the yardstick - YES, I do agree that we lack one. Moreover, over a period of time, this award has been totally politicized. I think, this syndrome started when Rajiv Gandhi decided to confer the award on MGR for sheer political reasons.
Gandhi is considered above this award. So, I think, we should set such a high standard - someone of the stature and caliber of Gandhiji. I dont think that there is a single politician in our nation who deserves this award and hence my view that they should be kept out of it. I am ready to change my view, if we get to see a Politician of the calibre of Gandhiji in our life time. History provides a twisted picture when you learn that both MGR and APJ Abdul Kalam were the recipients of this award. If MGR deserves the award - then why not NT Rama Rao?
Talking about the yardstick - YES, I do agree that we lack one. Moreover, over a period of time, this award has been totally politicized. I think, this syndrome started when Rajiv Gandhi decided to confer the award on MGR for sheer political reasons.
Gandhi is considered above this award. So, I think, we should set such a high standard - someone of the stature and caliber of Gandhiji. I dont think that there is a single politician in our nation who deserves this award and hence my view that they should be kept out of it. I am ready to change my view, if we get to see a Politician of the calibre of Gandhiji in our life time. History provides a twisted picture when you learn that both MGR and APJ Abdul Kalam were the recipients of this award. If MGR deserves the award - then why not NT Rama Rao?
Jan 25, 2008
** Bharat Ratna **
It is shocking to see the list of names that are being recommended for "Bharat Ratna" by all the political parties. Kanshi Ram, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Karunanidhi - well, this can only be the best way to denigrate the highest award of the Nation !! I suggest that we should adopt a resolution stopping this award from going to any Politicians henceforth. That way, we will start taking notice of some real deserving candidates like MS Swaminathan and Ratan Tata.
** More Quota **
In UP, Mayawati has taken the next step on the "Quota Game". Henceforth, in UP, all the Govt contracts will be allotted based on caste Quota.
Yes, so far, it was based on (ruling) party quota - atleast behind the screens. From now on, UP will have an additional quota raj!! If a contractor is an SC/ST, he will get the contract, say, to build roads and bridges. He/She would be preferred over other caste contractors.
Generally, NO poor man can be a contractor. All contractors can enter the fray only if they have sound financial background. They need lakhs of rupees just to pay the earnest deposit. So why the hell do they need a quota??? Well, thats Indian politics for you !! We are never going to see an end to this dirty game !!
Yes, so far, it was based on (ruling) party quota - atleast behind the screens. From now on, UP will have an additional quota raj!! If a contractor is an SC/ST, he will get the contract, say, to build roads and bridges. He/She would be preferred over other caste contractors.
Generally, NO poor man can be a contractor. All contractors can enter the fray only if they have sound financial background. They need lakhs of rupees just to pay the earnest deposit. So why the hell do they need a quota??? Well, thats Indian politics for you !! We are never going to see an end to this dirty game !!
Jan 17, 2008
** Kumble **
Kumble took his 600th wicket today (Jan/17). He has won more matches for India than Sachin and yet, he has not got the credit that he is due for. This man has achieved everything that any cricketer would aspire for - above 600 wickets, a test century, a perfect 10 wicket in an innings and now the captain of the Indian cricket team. His statesman like handling of the crisis after the second test at Sydney thoroughly deserves a round of applause. Kudos to Kumble.
** Indian Missile Program - II **
To my posting on DRDO & Indian Missile program, the below is what my friend wrote...
---------------
Private Companies need to step in to take the research & development also. The requirements of the Armed forces shall be given and they will spend their money to find the product which shall be purchased from them after it is put to test by the end users. That's the model being followed in the U.S.
These private companies like Boeing, Dassault are allowed to sell to friendly countries after the NOC from the U.S State Department. That way, they make their money.
But I would not blame the DRDO as the Politicians made a spoilsport of the DRDO by unwanted interventions. I still remember one of the Wings of DRDO which is the CVRDE (Combat Vehicle Research Development Establishment) in Avadi where the First Director was a Alumini of Indian Institute of Science and he would have completed the MBT in time to be inducted in the 90's. Such was his excellence. But the sad part was that Rajiv Gandhi in 1985 brought in somebody above him due which he was disgruntled and resigned to go to the U.S. Other than the MBT, this guy successfully inducted the Bridge Layer Tank and the Mine Sweeping Tank which still are serving in the armed forces. I had seen able scientists working even from their homes on various drawings. Such was the commitment. Bueracracy spoiled everything.
Another classic example is the Spying case truncated against the ISRO Mahendragiri Director and finally it was proven that it was set up. Nobody would give the honest scientist his honour back. No newspaper carried that report. No politician/Bureacra t apologised for this. so what will be the morale. People now fear to do the right thing as they are always in doubt. Everybody wants to finish his service to go happily with his Full Pension in hand.
Given the independence, Any organisation can perform.People have to be trusted. Independence given. Any Big organisation first is given the Target, when it is agreed by the Organisation then What resources are required to achieve it is asked. Given the time & resources, Any organisation can perform. But the Motivating factor should also be there.
Abdul Kalam in one of his Memoirs talks about Dhawan who was the first director of ISRO when all the rockets were falling into the Sea. Dhawan used to motivate his scientists to go look at the problems associated with the failed Launch and he went to face the Press. Nobody ever knew who was Abdul Kalam or other scientists of the failed Launch. After Many failures, when the first successful Launch happened, Dhawan stepped aside and asked his Team of Scientists to go meet the Press to explain the success story. This fact was emotionally said by none other than Abdul Kalam and Dhawan is no more but his Statue has been errected in front of ISRO in Sriharikota. This is a example of True Leadership who motivated his team to
find success inspite of repeated failures. But for Dhawan, ISRO would not have been a success story. We would have been discussing as another White Elephant.
The Talents are there. It has to be properly nurtured.
Sreedhar
---------------
Private Companies need to step in to take the research & development also. The requirements of the Armed forces shall be given and they will spend their money to find the product which shall be purchased from them after it is put to test by the end users. That's the model being followed in the U.S.
These private companies like Boeing, Dassault are allowed to sell to friendly countries after the NOC from the U.S State Department. That way, they make their money.
But I would not blame the DRDO as the Politicians made a spoilsport of the DRDO by unwanted interventions. I still remember one of the Wings of DRDO which is the CVRDE (Combat Vehicle Research Development Establishment) in Avadi where the First Director was a Alumini of Indian Institute of Science and he would have completed the MBT in time to be inducted in the 90's. Such was his excellence. But the sad part was that Rajiv Gandhi in 1985 brought in somebody above him due which he was disgruntled and resigned to go to the U.S. Other than the MBT, this guy successfully inducted the Bridge Layer Tank and the Mine Sweeping Tank which still are serving in the armed forces. I had seen able scientists working even from their homes on various drawings. Such was the commitment. Bueracracy spoiled everything.
Another classic example is the Spying case truncated against the ISRO Mahendragiri Director and finally it was proven that it was set up. Nobody would give the honest scientist his honour back. No newspaper carried that report. No politician/Bureacra t apologised for this. so what will be the morale. People now fear to do the right thing as they are always in doubt. Everybody wants to finish his service to go happily with his Full Pension in hand.
Given the independence, Any organisation can perform.People have to be trusted. Independence given. Any Big organisation first is given the Target, when it is agreed by the Organisation then What resources are required to achieve it is asked. Given the time & resources, Any organisation can perform. But the Motivating factor should also be there.
Abdul Kalam in one of his Memoirs talks about Dhawan who was the first director of ISRO when all the rockets were falling into the Sea. Dhawan used to motivate his scientists to go look at the problems associated with the failed Launch and he went to face the Press. Nobody ever knew who was Abdul Kalam or other scientists of the failed Launch. After Many failures, when the first successful Launch happened, Dhawan stepped aside and asked his Team of Scientists to go meet the Press to explain the success story. This fact was emotionally said by none other than Abdul Kalam and Dhawan is no more but his Statue has been errected in front of ISRO in Sriharikota. This is a example of True Leadership who motivated his team to
find success inspite of repeated failures. But for Dhawan, ISRO would not have been a success story. We would have been discussing as another White Elephant.
The Talents are there. It has to be properly nurtured.
Sreedhar
** West Bengal **
West Bengal is going through a tough phase - It started with the TATA Nano car factory at Singur, then the two episodes of Nandigram and now the dreaded Bird flu !! An estimated FOUR lakh chickens and ducks need to be killed. And villagers, not happy with the compensation being given have let loose their birds making the culling process even more difficult for the officials. This time, it seems we are worst hit by the flu. Three districts have been quarantined and border with Bangladesh sealed. So far, no human loss has been reported. We can only hope that this problem is culled at the earliest and in an efficient manner.
Jan 12, 2008
** TATA's Car - Nano **
Finally the much talked about 'one lakh' car is out. Full credit to Ratan Tata for this achievement. To know about tech specifications and to see more fotos of the car, please click here.
TATA Dealers are so happy that they have already been flooded with calls. Looks like this car is going to have a wait period of atleast one year after registration (like our good old days when we waited eternally to get a telephone line after booking - we got the telephone line connected to our residence two years after registration). With rear engine, this car, looks like a modified version of our Autorickshaws. So what? Its going to be the world's cheapest car. At this point, all I am worried about is the traffic chaos !!
TATA Dealers are so happy that they have already been flooded with calls. Looks like this car is going to have a wait period of atleast one year after registration (like our good old days when we waited eternally to get a telephone line after booking - we got the telephone line connected to our residence two years after registration). With rear engine, this car, looks like a modified version of our Autorickshaws. So what? Its going to be the world's cheapest car. At this point, all I am worried about is the traffic chaos !!
Jan 9, 2008
** Indian Missile Prog **
"On 8 Jan 2008, DRDO announced that it will be closing the missile programe formally, since most of the missiles in the programme are developed and inducted into Indian Armed Forces. According to statement by Dr. S Pralhada - Head controller of DRDO, new missile and weapons systems will be developed within a five-year time frame at low costs, with foreign partners and private industries."
Indian Missile Program is CLOSED and thats official now. But the above official release is only one of the sample on the series of lies that DRDO has been dishing out and fooling public. - What is Mr Pralhada talking about when he says that most of the missiles were developed and inducted? What happened to Prithvi - Ver II & III?? What happened to Agni?? If he says that the the Indian Missile Prog was successful and all that were designed were developed and inducted... why the hell is he now going for foreign and private partnership?? If it had been successful - are you not supposed to sell your successful missiles to other nations and earn revenue?? Is he saying that the programme was successful, it had accomplished what was intended for and hence is being closed down?? Could there be anything farther away from truth other than this ??
Akash, Nag, Prithvi, Agni .... - we kept reading the "success" stories in news papers and magazines. Truth is, nothing tangible was achieved and not one of those missiles were actually declared as 'success' by the user community (If it had been successful, this programme would not have been scrapped).
In my view, this DRDO, under MoD is a white elephant !! Compare that to the success story of ISRO and you will realise that DRDO is nothing but a BIG flop story. What has DRDO produced till date? Hundreds of crores of rupees is being allocated to DRDO and there is NOTHING worth the name to its credit till date. All it has produced so far is bluffs, botch ups and cover up stories. Can anyone name one single big achievement that this organisation can be credited with - other than playing dirty politics and cheap media tricks by planting "success" stories in the media??
I am sure, had only our ex-President and Father of Indian Missiles known about DRDO before, he would have fought tooth and nail for a separate agency like ISRO for the Missile development program. Unfortunately, it was not to be so and hence this sorry state of current affairs.
Ideally, not just the Missile program, Govt should CLOSE down the DRDO !! This Missile program is just ONE of the skeleton that has fallen out of the DRDO's cupboard.
Indian Missile Program is CLOSED and thats official now. But the above official release is only one of the sample on the series of lies that DRDO has been dishing out and fooling public. - What is Mr Pralhada talking about when he says that most of the missiles were developed and inducted? What happened to Prithvi - Ver II & III?? What happened to Agni?? If he says that the the Indian Missile Prog was successful and all that were designed were developed and inducted... why the hell is he now going for foreign and private partnership?? If it had been successful - are you not supposed to sell your successful missiles to other nations and earn revenue?? Is he saying that the programme was successful, it had accomplished what was intended for and hence is being closed down?? Could there be anything farther away from truth other than this ??
Akash, Nag, Prithvi, Agni .... - we kept reading the "success" stories in news papers and magazines. Truth is, nothing tangible was achieved and not one of those missiles were actually declared as 'success' by the user community (If it had been successful, this programme would not have been scrapped).
In my view, this DRDO, under MoD is a white elephant !! Compare that to the success story of ISRO and you will realise that DRDO is nothing but a BIG flop story. What has DRDO produced till date? Hundreds of crores of rupees is being allocated to DRDO and there is NOTHING worth the name to its credit till date. All it has produced so far is bluffs, botch ups and cover up stories. Can anyone name one single big achievement that this organisation can be credited with - other than playing dirty politics and cheap media tricks by planting "success" stories in the media??
I am sure, had only our ex-President and Father of Indian Missiles known about DRDO before, he would have fought tooth and nail for a separate agency like ISRO for the Missile development program. Unfortunately, it was not to be so and hence this sorry state of current affairs.
Ideally, not just the Missile program, Govt should CLOSE down the DRDO !! This Missile program is just ONE of the skeleton that has fallen out of the DRDO's cupboard.
Jan 5, 2008
** Top 100 products **
PC World has listed the top 100 products - of which, Verizon FIOS is ranked at 4th.. :)
If you wish to have a look at other products... check it out at...
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,131935-page,13/article.html
If you wish to have a look at other products... check it out at...
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,131935-page,13/article.html
** Gift **
Fred, a Pharmacist in Pittsburgh, gifted some 25 lotteries to his relatives, out of which one won $1 million dollars !! His wife's cousin was the lucky one who received this gift. No, Fred did not claim it back saying that it was gifted and wont claim it back. When the interviewer asked whether he likes his wife's cousin more now, Fred, says that they would like him more now than the other way around.
Watch out his interview in...
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=5822517
Watch out his interview in...
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?cl=5822517
Jan 4, 2008
** Ananda Vikatan & Benazir **
Magazine 'Ananda Vikatan' has done a five page obituary to Benazir Bhutto. Yes, even Osama Bin Laden will get five pages or even more. But what is more distressing is that the obituary is full of praise for Benazir. Why do we have to always talk high of the dead? But this is the land that even paid rich tributes to the dacoit Veerapan and Phoolan Devi (who even became an Member of Parliament) and our Chief Ministers sing in praise of terrorists !!
** Sachin **
Sachin scored his 38th century today against Australia at Sydney. For many of his critiques who were calling for his head he has replied in his own style. In the recent past, he has been in the habit of getting out in the 90s and today he broke his own jinx. More than anything, India took a first innings lead against the mighty Aussies and probably has posed a threat to the Australians continuous winning streak. It was India earlier too that stopped the Aussies juggernaut of continuous winning streaks. We still have two days to go in this test match and we still have the match wide open. But today, the day belonged to India with Sachin, Ganguly and Harbhajan chipping in with very useful knocks. Also full credit to Lakshman who played a great knock yesterday to put the Aussies on the back foot. There are not many teams that take a first innings lead against the Aussies and India having done that, definitely needs a big round of applause.
Jan 3, 2008
** Movies **
A few days before I wrote about the hindi movie "Taxi NO.9211". Last week I happened to see another good hindi movie "Thathaasthu", staaring Sanjay Dutt. Dutt plays the role of a father, whose son needs heart surgery and doesnt have money to pay for operation. He holds people, around 30, in one of the floors of the hospital for ransom. The story revolves around numerous characters and is well pictured. It was a wonderful movie. I have seen three of Sanjay Dutt's latest movies and he impresses me with his abilities. In Munnabhai MBBS, he played his part better than what Kamal did in the tamil remake version, Vassol Raja. Lage Raho Munnabhai was even better. 'Thathaasthu' - had a nice story line and good picturisation; importantly, it did not have any stupid song & dance sequences.
Talking about good pictures, reminds me of another wonderful movie "Malamaal Weekly". A small time shopkeeper in a poverty stricken village sells around 105 lottries, out of which one wins Rs One crore. The buyer of the lottery ticket, a drunkard, dies out of shock on hearing the news. The shopkeeper takes away the ticket so that he could claim the lottery money. Slowly, one by one, the villagers come to know about the lottery and they all get together to claim the share. Do they get the money? How money motivates and diverts people forms the story line. A full fledged comedy movie, it impresses you to a great extent. Actors, Paresh Rawal & Ompuri play their role with such a professional ease that you cant help but admire their abilities. A wonderful movie, don't miss it if you get a chance (being repeatedly telecast in one of Sony channels).
Talking about good pictures, reminds me of another wonderful movie "Malamaal Weekly". A small time shopkeeper in a poverty stricken village sells around 105 lottries, out of which one wins Rs One crore. The buyer of the lottery ticket, a drunkard, dies out of shock on hearing the news. The shopkeeper takes away the ticket so that he could claim the lottery money. Slowly, one by one, the villagers come to know about the lottery and they all get together to claim the share. Do they get the money? How money motivates and diverts people forms the story line. A full fledged comedy movie, it impresses you to a great extent. Actors, Paresh Rawal & Ompuri play their role with such a professional ease that you cant help but admire their abilities. A wonderful movie, don't miss it if you get a chance (being repeatedly telecast in one of Sony channels).
** Joint Ventures **
Bajaj has signed a deal with Yamaha for a joint venture in manufacture of Two wheelers. Yamaha, which was previously in partnership with Escorts India, did manufacture some excellent bikes. The model, Rx100 is still in great demand in India - the only bike with excellent resale value, even after 10 years of use. And the Bajaj success story with its Pulsar version is well known (it has been choosen as the best bike of the year 2007). Now that both the giants have come together, lets hope that we get to see some more excellent bikes. With TATA all set to roll out its Rs 1 lakh car, prices of two wheelers are bound to come down (Cost of Pulsar was approximately Rs.50,000).
Another important alliance that happened last week was the deal between Reliance and Bata. I think, in near future, we may get to see joint ventures for "Hair cutting Saloons" !!!
Another important alliance that happened last week was the deal between Reliance and Bata. I think, in near future, we may get to see joint ventures for "Hair cutting Saloons" !!!
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