Angel Falls (sigh!)
Hangzhou Bay Bridge
California Academy of Sciences (maybe after 5 years or later)
Leh (sigh!)
Shimizu Mega City Pyramid (4/5 years)
(to be contd .. )
Death Valley, Mojave Desert, USA.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Anil Kumble retires :(
Anil Kumble announced his retirement from International Cricket today! Suddenly, on the very last day of 3rd test match at Firozshah Kotla, against the aussies. I knew it would come soon, for his nagging injuries were slowly chipping off his greet, but had hoped that he would retire after England Series, with back-to-back series wins.
I have been a staunch supporter of Kumble. To me, he is the epitome of dedication, hardwork and integrity, the last-drop-of-blood fighter. The greatest bowler India has ever produced. Yeah! and despite all that, he is such a humble person.
And talking about Integrity, he never moved away from the face of his opponent, never gave an inch away, but never ever crossed the line or questioned of his dignity. The only time he was ever called by the match referee, was as captain of the team, in the sydney test match!
What a competitor! Even in this very test match, with broken finger he ran backwards to take a high catch, while everyone else was dropping dollies!
That he was no great fielder was beyond doubt, but none could ever question his commitment every time he dived hopelessly to stop a run! (He broke his finger in this match, setting the same example of competitiveness)
Take a bow for arguably the greatest cricketer India has ever produced.
All the best Anil, never will I have the peace of mind that you will come onto the attack and change the course of a game when India needs breakthroughs.
I have been a staunch supporter of Kumble. To me, he is the epitome of dedication, hardwork and integrity, the last-drop-of-blood fighter. The greatest bowler India has ever produced. Yeah! and despite all that, he is such a humble person.
And talking about Integrity, he never moved away from the face of his opponent, never gave an inch away, but never ever crossed the line or questioned of his dignity. The only time he was ever called by the match referee, was as captain of the team, in the sydney test match!
What a competitor! Even in this very test match, with broken finger he ran backwards to take a high catch, while everyone else was dropping dollies!
That he was no great fielder was beyond doubt, but none could ever question his commitment every time he dived hopelessly to stop a run! (He broke his finger in this match, setting the same example of competitiveness)
Take a bow for arguably the greatest cricketer India has ever produced.
All the best Anil, never will I have the peace of mind that you will come onto the attack and change the course of a game when India needs breakthroughs.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Youtube discovery: Sungha Jung
I was looking for Joshua Redman's version of "Hit the road jack" on youtube, when I came across this.. by a kid called Sungha Jung
I stood cold for some time ..
also check him playing "canon in D" ..
I stood cold for some time ..
also check him playing "canon in D" ..
Saturday, July 12, 2008
3 day greenhorn!
Well, within 24 hours of putting my last blog entry, I got msgs from a few colleagues. Are they connected/informed or what! So, right at this moment someone from office may be reading my blog! I hate you "Google"!! (not really) ..
anyway, in the past 3 days, I have tried to soak in as much as I can .. acclimatization!
Its a crazy, intriguing, religionistic/neologistic, sometimes non realistic, brilliant, friendly, chaotic, sincere organization!! Its a great balance that must be maintained. why! the two heads of the office have least hair on their heads! Although no such effect on the BD team!
Oh! I gotta update my vocab. SME is "Subject Matter Expert" not "Small and Medium Enterprises". Things like that. Even technological terms, on many occasions, went by me. I am going for a object bootcamp :) from monday .. it should be interesting .. also to get a feel of the dev community.
anyway, in the past 3 days, I have tried to soak in as much as I can .. acclimatization!
Its a crazy, intriguing, religionistic/neologistic, sometimes non realistic, brilliant, friendly, chaotic, sincere organization!! Its a great balance that must be maintained. why! the two heads of the office have least hair on their heads! Although no such effect on the BD team!
Oh! I gotta update my vocab. SME is "Subject Matter Expert" not "Small and Medium Enterprises". Things like that. Even technological terms, on many occasions, went by me. I am going for a object bootcamp :) from monday .. it should be interesting .. also to get a feel of the dev community.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
my new organization
I have joined ThoughtWorks as yet another developer. Now, many of you might be wondering ...
1) I have never worked for professional services as such. Even while working for Agni and later Adea, I was into Product development. So this is a new experience for me.
2) I got little sick of doing R&D(s) year after year. Wanted to experience different things. Lets see how it goes. :)
Now why TW?
Well, I have never worked for big corporates. Although there are many things, which I fundamentally disagree with TW, I believe it still gives me an option to voice my opinions and at least listening to it. This was a fundamental reason .. freedom (of speech as well).
I hope it gives me scope for consulting and for more customer facing roles, as I would like to experience that, and think I have a flair for customer handling. All my old clients will vouch for my best intensions to bring in value onto work they are paying for, and thought I would make a good client advocat. :))
TW has a product division but of course they would want to make money through me by keeping me in Professional services. But I hope I have the scope of working with their product division in whatever capacity because I can bring value there, surely. If not, TW's loss! However TW's products are into dev community space, so its unlike any commercial product I have been involved with. I look forward to learn about building/selling products in that space as well.
I have more or less decided that the next product I want to take responsibility of building (concept to roll out), would have to be something I believe in totally and preferably mine! I had quite a few product development and management options in some of the big giants but I didnt believe in any of the ideas! Although I am sure I would have learnt a whole lot about product management and sales in completely different scale but ....
So amigos, here I am, in ThoughtWorks! And I hope, I am not branded as geek/techie/whatever .. because I am not! More laters ...
1) I have never worked for professional services as such. Even while working for Agni and later Adea, I was into Product development. So this is a new experience for me.
2) I got little sick of doing R&D(s) year after year. Wanted to experience different things. Lets see how it goes. :)
Now why TW?
Well, I have never worked for big corporates. Although there are many things, which I fundamentally disagree with TW, I believe it still gives me an option to voice my opinions and at least listening to it. This was a fundamental reason .. freedom (of speech as well).
I hope it gives me scope for consulting and for more customer facing roles, as I would like to experience that, and think I have a flair for customer handling. All my old clients will vouch for my best intensions to bring in value onto work they are paying for, and thought I would make a good client advocat. :))
TW has a product division but of course they would want to make money through me by keeping me in Professional services. But I hope I have the scope of working with their product division in whatever capacity because I can bring value there, surely. If not, TW's loss! However TW's products are into dev community space, so its unlike any commercial product I have been involved with. I look forward to learn about building/selling products in that space as well.
I have more or less decided that the next product I want to take responsibility of building (concept to roll out), would have to be something I believe in totally and preferably mine! I had quite a few product development and management options in some of the big giants but I didnt believe in any of the ideas! Although I am sure I would have learnt a whole lot about product management and sales in completely different scale but ....
So amigos, here I am, in ThoughtWorks! And I hope, I am not branded as geek/techie/whatever .. because I am not! More laters ...
Friday, May 02, 2008
IPL 2008
ongoing IPL reminded me of ..
"Money, its a gas.
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash.
New car, caviar, four star daydream,
Think Ill buy me a football team "
-- Pink Floyd, Dark side of the moon.
"Money, its a gas.
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash.
New car, caviar, four star daydream,
Think Ill buy me a football team "
-- Pink Floyd, Dark side of the moon.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Rats!
Uncle Sam is brooding, Mushi welting, Bharat Mata mahan.
Corporates wincing, KRV wreaking, Aishwariya mata zindabad!
What percentage of Indian population, do you think knows about the ongoing famine in Mizoram? Yes! in this era of prosperity and communication!
Mizoram and parts of Manipur, Tripura and Assam are going through “Mautam”. Mautam means bamboo death. Its an ecological phenomenon that occurs every 48/49 years in the wide and wild bamboo forests in North Eastern states and the neighbouring Myanmar Chin State. Melocanna baccifera, the species of bamboo, (cover 30% of Mizoram) flowers at one time, followed by seeding which artracts hordes of bandicoot rats, which multiply so fast, that they eventually turn to crops and stored grains! 1959’s famine saw creation of MNFF(Mizo National Famine Front) and subsequently an armed movement led by Laldenga.
And that this outbreak and disaster was eminent was well known in advance and as early as 2003/4 Mizoram Govt formed a special team for preparation. The problem is now wide spread. Even parts of Tripur and Manipur effected. 90 percent of crops and areas in Mizoram are already gone! Oh, in 2007 they burnt 230,000 rats and rupee 1 granted for each tail! Don't produce grains, buy would have been the logical question but the state is so poor and badly connected but still there's no excuse! (And Govt did nothing about informing people not to harvest Paddy in Nov/Dec!) Myanmar Chin state neighbouring Mizoram is also badly effected and resulting huge infiltration as well. This only adds to the trouble of already effected Mizoram and partly Manipur's economy whatever existent.
If not controlled and acted strongly and immediately, the situation is going to get really really worse. Manipur, Mizoram are going through enough trouble already and Tripura, which for the first time in so many years is really looking forward, can take a really bad hit! Prices are rising every single day!
I am also surprised that there has been very little action taken in this age of connectivity. The rest of India, even other parts of North East is hardly concerned about it. Why can't the Mizo youth come forward and spread the information, on TV, radio, newspapers and get the Govts, not just Mizo, but Assam, and at Centre take serious notice of this? Why not take to televised media, petition to whoever counts and reach out also through internet. The relief and rehabilitation and recovery work must be intensified aggresively like never before NOW! Monsoon will start in another two months, making it virtually impossible to reach out to distant areas! Hello, is there anybody listening? I don't want to hear about Deepika Padukone!
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/mautam-march-2008-update/301459503
What can you do? Get information (more ground level the better), Validate, aggregate and publish. spread the news. But avoid confusion and be sensible; in hard times, emotions often override the brain! Validation - you do not want to spread any sort of misinformation or cause more confusion.
People need food, and the kind of nutritious food that can be easily stored cooked and eaten, without aiding to the rat population! If you work for a corporate or industrial house or university, you can talk to your HR department and see if they do something. Lots of organizations do .. or you can even try to convince them that it will look good on paper and publicity .. Whatever works!
http://www.idsa.in/publications/stratcomments/NamrataGoswami010408.htm
Corporates wincing, KRV wreaking, Aishwariya mata zindabad!
What percentage of Indian population, do you think knows about the ongoing famine in Mizoram? Yes! in this era of prosperity and communication!
Mizoram and parts of Manipur, Tripura and Assam are going through “Mautam”. Mautam means bamboo death. Its an ecological phenomenon that occurs every 48/49 years in the wide and wild bamboo forests in North Eastern states and the neighbouring Myanmar Chin State. Melocanna baccifera, the species of bamboo, (cover 30% of Mizoram) flowers at one time, followed by seeding which artracts hordes of bandicoot rats, which multiply so fast, that they eventually turn to crops and stored grains! 1959’s famine saw creation of MNFF(Mizo National Famine Front) and subsequently an armed movement led by Laldenga.
And that this outbreak and disaster was eminent was well known in advance and as early as 2003/4 Mizoram Govt formed a special team for preparation. The problem is now wide spread. Even parts of Tripur and Manipur effected. 90 percent of crops and areas in Mizoram are already gone! Oh, in 2007 they burnt 230,000 rats and rupee 1 granted for each tail! Don't produce grains, buy would have been the logical question but the state is so poor and badly connected but still there's no excuse! (And Govt did nothing about informing people not to harvest Paddy in Nov/Dec!) Myanmar Chin state neighbouring Mizoram is also badly effected and resulting huge infiltration as well. This only adds to the trouble of already effected Mizoram and partly Manipur's economy whatever existent.
If not controlled and acted strongly and immediately, the situation is going to get really really worse. Manipur, Mizoram are going through enough trouble already and Tripura, which for the first time in so many years is really looking forward, can take a really bad hit! Prices are rising every single day!
I am also surprised that there has been very little action taken in this age of connectivity. The rest of India, even other parts of North East is hardly concerned about it. Why can't the Mizo youth come forward and spread the information, on TV, radio, newspapers and get the Govts, not just Mizo, but Assam, and at Centre take serious notice of this? Why not take to televised media, petition to whoever counts and reach out also through internet. The relief and rehabilitation and recovery work must be intensified aggresively like never before NOW! Monsoon will start in another two months, making it virtually impossible to reach out to distant areas! Hello, is there anybody listening? I don't want to hear about Deepika Padukone!
http://video.aol.com/video-detail/mautam-march-2008-update/301459503
What can you do? Get information (more ground level the better), Validate, aggregate and publish. spread the news. But avoid confusion and be sensible; in hard times, emotions often override the brain! Validation - you do not want to spread any sort of misinformation or cause more confusion.
People need food, and the kind of nutritious food that can be easily stored cooked and eaten, without aiding to the rat population! If you work for a corporate or industrial house or university, you can talk to your HR department and see if they do something. Lots of organizations do .. or you can even try to convince them that it will look good on paper and publicity .. Whatever works!
http://www.idsa.in/publications/stratcomments/NamrataGoswami010408.htm
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
blackandblue!
Ever been manhandled, beaten up? No, I am not talking about spanking from parents, brawl with a friend or foe, or a fight in a football match. I mean, on the street on broad daylight for no fault or reason whatsoever?
Today is 12th Match 2008.
I had to go Whitefield for a meeting starting at 8:00 am. Around 7:45/7:50 I was near Kundanhalli (near Marathalli, Bangalore) where I would take a left turn ahead to go towards Transworks/iFlex office and I kept to the left side of the road waiting for the signal. A car (old maruthi 800) coming out of a garage off the road and trying to squeeze in to the main flow, hit a motorbike stationary on my left side which caused the bike to get jammed against my car’s left . When I got out of the car, I checked a few bad scratches and small dents. The bike rider and the driver of the car were already arguing. Nothing happened to the bike because of its front protruding bar. The old car seemed badly beaten already to notice any difference. The driver of the car, a kid in his teens must be, with a slight beard spoke in Kannada and said the brake of the car is not working properly. I assumed the kid must be a helper in garage, and knew that would no way have any money for damage.
When the bike rider moved on, I asked the kid (first in my broken Kannada, and then turning to Hindi) how why he would even try to squeeze in traffic with bad brakes. The kid replied arrogantly in pretty decent Hindi, and part English that the damage would cost me nothing and tried to move away. I asked him to stop. The kid retorted in Kannada showering me handsome praising; and I said I will take note of the car number and give to the cop standing at the signal some 20 meters away or so. The kid threatened to throw a punch at me and I was taken aback, surprised at impudence of the kid; I caught his arm and asked him to come to the police when he was turning away and giving me gaalis all the while.
The moment I caught his arm, he punched at my face, caught my collar, dragged me below and in the process tore my shirt. I was too shocked to react, when I angrily got up, few others from behind suddenly joined in kicking, punching, stamping. I remember that I was trying to get up repeatedly and these guys kept on pushing me down and hitting me. I don’t know how long it was for, a min or more. I don’t even remember the other 2 faces, and I tried to block and retaliate in some blind daze and somehow managed to shout for police. The beating stopped and I stood up and tried to make some sense, and furiously trying to find a cop; one of the guys, a big fat one, returned and kicked me again from the back. My nose was bleeding, my shirt torn, my face, jaws, head, shoulders and back, legs and knees hurting badly, full of dust all over, cut inside my mouth now tasting of blood, it was bizarre; I was in a daze; Good-office-going people around, would not want to interfere of course; other than look with pity probably.
I got inside the car and drove to the cop, and told him the incident. I told him the car number; He asked to go and report to the police. Hmmm .. like Upamanyu Chatterjee, the only reason, I attempted civil services (I flunked), was on the thought that only becoming an IAS officer will shield the civilian from police harassments. I thought I would reach my destination and will probably have time to think and decide. Later on, I gave up on the futility of registering any case; also the fat guy seemed pro, in my bid to protect and lift myself from the ground, I remember this guy particularly trying to aim and hit my face and head, back and knees. This is not wrestle, a brawl .. this is done calmly and intension to maximize injury. Sooo.. whats the story, morning glory? Y! I took the beating and moved on!
I remember, probably early 2000/2001; once returning home late, I found the auto driver cheating;and when I enquired and arguments started, other auto drivers came forth and caught hold of the driver, mediated and made him apologize. Prosperity brings money that brings crime that brings down morality and mortality and somehow in the process, savages keep growing in number, getting bolder and ruthless and above the law.
“No one is free, even the birds are chained to the sky.” – Bob Dylan
Today is 12th Match 2008.
I had to go Whitefield for a meeting starting at 8:00 am. Around 7:45/7:50 I was near Kundanhalli (near Marathalli, Bangalore) where I would take a left turn ahead to go towards Transworks/iFlex office and I kept to the left side of the road waiting for the signal. A car (old maruthi 800) coming out of a garage off the road and trying to squeeze in to the main flow, hit a motorbike stationary on my left side which caused the bike to get jammed against my car’s left . When I got out of the car, I checked a few bad scratches and small dents. The bike rider and the driver of the car were already arguing. Nothing happened to the bike because of its front protruding bar. The old car seemed badly beaten already to notice any difference. The driver of the car, a kid in his teens must be, with a slight beard spoke in Kannada and said the brake of the car is not working properly. I assumed the kid must be a helper in garage, and knew that would no way have any money for damage.
When the bike rider moved on, I asked the kid (first in my broken Kannada, and then turning to Hindi) how why he would even try to squeeze in traffic with bad brakes. The kid replied arrogantly in pretty decent Hindi, and part English that the damage would cost me nothing and tried to move away. I asked him to stop. The kid retorted in Kannada showering me handsome praising; and I said I will take note of the car number and give to the cop standing at the signal some 20 meters away or so. The kid threatened to throw a punch at me and I was taken aback, surprised at impudence of the kid; I caught his arm and asked him to come to the police when he was turning away and giving me gaalis all the while.
The moment I caught his arm, he punched at my face, caught my collar, dragged me below and in the process tore my shirt. I was too shocked to react, when I angrily got up, few others from behind suddenly joined in kicking, punching, stamping. I remember that I was trying to get up repeatedly and these guys kept on pushing me down and hitting me. I don’t know how long it was for, a min or more. I don’t even remember the other 2 faces, and I tried to block and retaliate in some blind daze and somehow managed to shout for police. The beating stopped and I stood up and tried to make some sense, and furiously trying to find a cop; one of the guys, a big fat one, returned and kicked me again from the back. My nose was bleeding, my shirt torn, my face, jaws, head, shoulders and back, legs and knees hurting badly, full of dust all over, cut inside my mouth now tasting of blood, it was bizarre; I was in a daze; Good-office-going people around, would not want to interfere of course; other than look with pity probably.
I got inside the car and drove to the cop, and told him the incident. I told him the car number; He asked to go and report to the police. Hmmm .. like Upamanyu Chatterjee, the only reason, I attempted civil services (I flunked), was on the thought that only becoming an IAS officer will shield the civilian from police harassments. I thought I would reach my destination and will probably have time to think and decide. Later on, I gave up on the futility of registering any case; also the fat guy seemed pro, in my bid to protect and lift myself from the ground, I remember this guy particularly trying to aim and hit my face and head, back and knees. This is not wrestle, a brawl .. this is done calmly and intension to maximize injury. Sooo.. whats the story, morning glory? Y! I took the beating and moved on!
I remember, probably early 2000/2001; once returning home late, I found the auto driver cheating;and when I enquired and arguments started, other auto drivers came forth and caught hold of the driver, mediated and made him apologize. Prosperity brings money that brings crime that brings down morality and mortality and somehow in the process, savages keep growing in number, getting bolder and ruthless and above the law.
“No one is free, even the birds are chained to the sky.” – Bob Dylan
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
How Indian am I?
I speak Inglish. Getting by ok. No problems ..
and about Indian cultural heritage and inheritance of it? The way I look at it ... Culture is not something stagnant or impermeable. It soaks and merges and moves. (Maybe it mutates too!) India, I thought, defined that philosophy. Although these days, culture seems like "water sprinklers" in a garden. Its all good .. I am an ok Indian :) .. indivisible (1 ÷ 0) yet fractal.
and about Indian cultural heritage and inheritance of it? The way I look at it ... Culture is not something stagnant or impermeable. It soaks and merges and moves. (Maybe it mutates too!) India, I thought, defined that philosophy. Although these days, culture seems like "water sprinklers" in a garden. Its all good .. I am an ok Indian :) .. indivisible (1 ÷ 0) yet fractal.
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