Thursday, May 31, 2007

BMW - Hit & Run!!!

NDTV's recent expose on subversion of the legal system doesn't really come as a surprise to me. The very fact that all the witnesses turned hostile pointed to collusion and power play in all high profile cases.

This ofcourse is not an isolated case. We've had Jessica Lal, Nitish Katara and Priyadarshini Mattoo cases where the rich have used money, muscle and power to subvent the legal system to their advantage. Then again we have so many unknown cases where this happens everyday but never comes to limelight.

Are the rich and powerful the only people responsible. Well I think there are a few more who are responsible -

1. Lawyers like Ram Jethmalani who take up cases of Manu Sharma despite knowing that he's
committed the crime. Now I know conservatives will get up say that every person has a right
to be defended and is not guilty until proven so.
But isn't this exactly the first step towards manupilation of the judicial system. When
renowned counsels take up a case, they have a reputation to keep. A winning habit to
maintain. And thats when witnesses are threatened, coerced or eliminated to strengthen their
case.
Lawyers know everything about their clients. Should there not be a provision for punishing
the counsel if it comes to be known that he/she was aware of their client's involvement in the
the crime?

2. The Politicians - Ah! the favorite punching bag of all. We curse them, cry foul over their
antics but never do anything beyond that. Isn't it time that we start a revolution demanding a
review of the judicial system. Infact a review of the constitution itself.

3. Witnesses like Sayan Munshi. Who despite being influential in the society, turn hostile.

There can be so many other reasons too but these are the ones which come to my mind immediately. Is there a solution in sight?

There is !!! A rovolution. A long due revolution. To herald a new dawn. To revamp the system. To cleanse the mess.

And it starts with me.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Unforgiven!!!

"Forgiveness is a great virtue! Why don't you forgive her?" She was trying hard to reason.

"Forgiveness is the refuge of cowards! I forgive mistakes but not blunders. I also don't forgive
people who cheat, who take me for granted..." he thundered.

She looked at the rebel in him.

"Times have changed" under her breath.

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Camouflaged by Rains!!

He likes the rains. The heavy downpours particularly. Standing all alone while the drops ravage the soil.

The tears flow slowly. And the drops wash them away. Tears of grief, sorrow, melancholy.

These are emotions not to be displayed publicly.

So while the rains camouflage the tears washing away the grief, he returns back to the world he belongs.

No one has an inkling that he also sheds tears.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Nonsense Talk!

Do you know what was the menu at mine and your dad's marriage

No. Did u'll invite me to the wedding

Looks like we missed inviting you. Where were you at that time?

Dont remember. Will tell you once I recall :)

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Driving in Bangalore / India

Inspired by the DreamCatcher's post on Traffic jams in Bangalore, I thought of throwing some additional insights on driving in India.

This hilarious article was written by a Dutchman who spent two years in Bangalore, India, as a visiting expert.

For the benefit of every Tom, Dick and Harry visiting India and daring to drive on Indian roads, I am offering a few hints for survival. They are applicable to every place in India except Bihar , where life outside a vehicle is only marginally safer.

Indian road rules broadly operate within the domain of karma where you do your best, and leave the results to your insurance company. The hints are as follows: Do we drive on the left or right of the road? The answer is 'both'. Basically you start on the left of the road, unless it is occupied. In that case, go to the right, unless that is also occupied. Then proceed by occupying the next available gap, as in chess. Just trust your instincts, ascertain the direction, and proceed. Adherence to road rules leads to much misery and occasional fatality. Most drivers don't drive, but just aim their vehicles in the generally intended direction.

Don't you get discouraged or underestimate yourself except for a belief in reincarnation; the other drivers are not in any better position. Don't stop at pedestrian crossings just because some fool wants to cross the road. You may do so only if you enjoy being bumped in the back.

Pedestrians have been strictly instructed to cross only when traffic is moving slowly or has come to a dead stop because some minister is in town. Still some idiot may try to wade across, but then, let us not talk ill of the dead.

Blowing your horn is not a sign of protest as in some countries. We horn to express joy, resentment, frustration, romance and bare lust (two brisk blasts),or just mobilize a dozing cow in the middle of the bazaar. Keep informative books in the glove compartment. You may read them during traffic jams, while awaiting the chief minister's motorcade, or waiting for the rainwater to recede when over ground traffic meets underground drainage.

Occasionally you might see what looks like a UFO with blinking colored lights and weird sounds emanating from within. This is an illuminated bus, full of happy pilgrims singing bhajans. These pilgrims go at breakneck speed, seeking contact with the Almighty, often meeting with success.

Auto Rickshaw (Baby Taxi): The result of a collision between a rickshaw and an
automobile, this three-wheeled vehicle works on an external combustion engine that runs on a mixture of kerosene oil and creosote. This triangular vehicle carries iron rods, gas cylinders or passengers three times its weight and dimension, at an unspecified fare. After careful geometric calculations, children are folded and packed into these auto rickshaws until some children in the periphery are not in contact with the vehicle at all. Then their school bags are pushed into the microscopic gaps all round so those minor collisions with other vehicles on the road cause no permanent damage. Of course, the peripheral children are charged half the fare and also learn Newton's laws of motion enroute to school. Auto-rickshaw drivers follow the road rules depicted in the film Ben Hur, and are licensed to irritate.

Mopeds: The moped looks like an oil tin on wheels and makes noise like an electric shaver. It runs 30 miles on a teaspoon of petrol and travels at break-bottom speed. As the sides of the road are too rough for a ride, the moped drivers tend to drive in the middle of the road; they would rather drive under heavier vehicles instead of around them and are often 'mopped' off the tarmac.

Leaning Tower of Passes: Most bus passengers are given free passes and during rush hours, there is absolute mayhem. There are passengers hanging off other passengers, who in turn hang off the railings and the overloaded bus leans dangerously, defying laws of gravity but obeying laws of surface tension. As drivers get paid for overload (so many Rupees per kg of passenger), no questions are ever asked. Steer clear of these buses by a width of three passengers.

One-way Street: These boards are put up by traffic people to add jest in their otherwise drab lives. Don't stick to the literal meaning and proceed in one direction. In metaphysical terms, it means that you cannot proceed in two directions at once. So drive as you like, in reverse throughout, if you are the fussy type. Least I sound hypercritical, I must add a positive point also. Rash and fast driving in residential areas has been prevented by providing a 'speed breaker'; two for each house. This mound, incidentally, covers the water and drainage pipes for that residence and is left untarred for easy identification by the corporation authorities, should they want to recover the pipe for year-end accounting.

Night driving on Indian roads can be an exhilarating experience for those with the mental make up of Genghis Khan. In a way, it is like playing Russian roulette, because you do not know who amongst the drivers is loaded. What looks like premature dawn on the horizon turns out to be a truck attempting a speed record. On encountering it, just pull partly into the field adjoining the road until the phenomenon passes.

Our roads do not have shoulders, but occasional boulders. Do not blink your lights expecting reciprocation. The only dim thing in the truck is the driver, and with the peg of illicit arrack (alcohol) he has had at the last stop, his total cerebral functions add up to little more than a naught. Truck drivers are the James Bonds of India, and are licensed to kill. Often you may encounter a single powerful beam of light about six feet above the ground. This is not a super motorbike, but a truck approaching you with a single light on, usually the left one. It could be the right one, but never get too close to investigate. You may prove your point posthumously.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Time Flies!!!

Without realising it, I completed 2 years with the organisation on May 16. A mail in the morning from the Global Risk Head & President brought me to the realisation. Phew! Time is deceptive. On some occasions it takes ages for a moment to pass while on others it just flies by. This is what my big bosses wrote to me -

"Congratulations on completing 2 years with FT. All the best. You have been doing a splendid job with us - thanks for all the good work. What else should we be doing to ensure you retire from here?"

Retire from here!!! Too optimistic boss. But let me list out a few things which may lure me -

1. Stock Otptions - $10 millions
2. How about a Rolls? A Lamborghini or BMW will also do?
3. A holiday house in Bahamas or Geneva. Even Mauritius will do.
4. A 10 bedroom sea-facing apartment at Juhu.
5. Atleast a million dollars in bonuses every year.
6. Another million a year in salary.
6. Five premium club memberships.
7. A week's paid holiday every six months to any detination worldwide.

I think I'll stop at it now. The list will become too long. These are just some of the things which will ensure that I retire from here :)

Thursday, May 17, 2007

I'll Cry Instead!!!

The lyrics from "I'll cry instead" have always touched a chord with me. And whenever those sad times come up, I go back to this wonderful Lennon composition to take my grief away. Did Lennon have the gift to see the future? How else would he know that these are exactly the words which express what I feel. No wonder Beatles is my all time favourite band.

Beatles - I'll Cry Instead Lyrics

I've got every reason on earth to be mad,
'cause I've justLost the only girl I had.
If I could get my way, I'd getMyself locked up today,
but I can't so I cry instead.

I've got a chip on my shoulder that's bigger than my feet,
I Can't talk to people that I meet.
If I could see you now,I'd try to make you sad somehow,
but I can't so I cry instead.

Don't want to cry when there's people there,
I get shy whenThey start to stare,
I'm gonna hide myself away, ay hay;

But I'll come back again someday.
And when I do you'd better hide all the girls,
I'm gonnaBreak their hearts all 'round the world.
Yes, I'm gonnaBreak them in two,
and show you what your loving man canDo,
until then I'll cry instead.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Dilbert's Theory on Resume Making!!!


Hard Facts!!!

"A person should not be too honest. Straight trees are cut first andHonest people are screwed first."

" Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous."

"The biggest guru-mantra is: Never share your secrets with anybody. ! It will destroy you."

"There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no Friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth."

"Books are as useful to a stupid person as a mirror is useful to a blind person."

- Chanakya quotes (Indian politician, strategist and writer, 350 BC-275 BC)



Experience is a Wonderful Thing. It Enables You to Recognise a Mistake, Everytime You Repeat it.

When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Wrong Signals!!!

I did a heavy workout yesterday and then sat for long in the steam chamber & the water in the shower was also hot.

Being summers I was only in my shorts once I reached home. Went to the kitchen and all of a sudden mom noticed something and this is the conversation we had.

Mom : What's there on your back?

Me : What?

Mom : Red marks!

Me : Where? Like what?

Mom: Like scratch marks!!

I could detect her tone turning slightly accusing. I looked at her and said "Must be the hot shower"

Thought for a second of telling her that a virgin can't have scratch marks from a coital experience she suspected but then I thought why not allow her thoughts also to drift. It'll be fun to know what she would think of her son.

And then on second thought I realised that its good that I'm not married. Had that been my wife then it would have been hell in the house.

So much for reading wrong signals.

Wednesday, May 09, 2007

All about Shubhojit!!

Blame it on Shreyasi's latest post. I also got inquisitive about myself. And this is what they say :)



Shubhojit --

[adjective]:

Fuzzy to the touch



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Alternatively




Shubhojit --

[noun]:

A person with a sixth sense for detecting the presence of goblins



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Tuesday, May 08, 2007

When the Mountains Called - II

The next day we woke up at 9 and rushed again through our morning chores. By 10.30 we had checked out of the hotel and were on our way to the first destination – Guru Shikhar.


Guru Shikhar
Covering nearly 7 kms of hilly coal tarred road we finally reached Guru Shikhar. At an altitude of 5,676 feet (1722 meters), is the highest point in Rajasthan. Guru Shikhar has an amazing view of Mt Abu and the surrounding peaks.



Before our ascent to the top began we had breakfast. With the altitude, climbing up was difficult and both me and my friend blamed it on the white stick (cigarette). But once we realized that everyone around was panting, it dawned on us that it’s the air pressure which was making breathing difficult. We reached the top of the peak to be welcomed by a cool strong breeze and a beautiful view of the surroundings.





The peak has a temple of Dattatreya, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. There is a huge brass bell outside the shrine, that overlooks the lush greenery of Mount Abu. A little to the north-west of it is another peak on which stands the shrine of Ahilya, the mother of Dattatreya. The landscape of surrounding plains from the high peaks is simply breathtaking.

On top of Guru Shikhar, The Dattatreya temple and

The Huge Bell

There’s another temple below which looks magnificent from the top. My colleague in office commented that it looked like the temple in the movie "Border".

We were racing against time since I had to take a train from Ahmedabad back to Mumbai so we decided to skip a few not so important sites and head straight for the world famous Delwara Temples .

Delwara Temples
We had to deposit our cameras and cell phones at the locker room since photography was strictly prohibited. The temple opens at 7 in the morning for Jains and at 12 noon for the general public.

The Delwara temples were built between 11th and 13th century AD and dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras. The temple is a cluster of 5 temples of which the Vimal Vashi temple is the oldest. There’s an interesting fable as to how the name Delwara came to be.
"During the time the temple was being constructed, the scrap used to be accumulated at the end of the day and thrown out. Using that scrap the local artists created another temple which was bigger than the original ones. Since these artists worked from their heart i.e "Dil Se" and not for money it came to be known as "Dilwala" which in Gujrati translates to ‘Delwara’!”

These temples are one the finest examples of ancient Indian Temple Architecture. Built in marble and chiselled to perfection, the carvings rivals that of the more illustrious "Taj Mahal". The image below has been taken from www.mountabu.com and just illustrates a bit of the beauty and elegance of the carvings.


The carvings on the dome have 3 layers. Each layer represents different sculpture and it has been carved from single stones.




Another interesting factor in the architecture was the domes at the top of the temples. These were built to give an impression to Muslim invaders that it was a mosque. Some foresight :)

After the hugely satisfying trip to Delwara and some shopping too we finally took off for Ahmedabad. Stopped in between for a beer and light lunch. Once we left the mountains we realised how hot it was outside. The drive back to Ahmedabad was not so eventful except when a monkey appeared all of a sudden to cross the road and we had to brake really hard to avoid hitting the our simian ancestor :).

Back to office on Monday in the grind of life, I still wait for another call from the mountains.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

What an addiction!!!

You thought smoking, drinking (not water) etc.. are addictions.... Read through and you will be enlightened !!!

A retired corporate executive decided to take a vacation. He booked himself on a Caribbean cruise and proceeded to have the time of his life... until the boat sank!

He found himself on an island with no other people, no supplies, nothing -- just bananas and coconuts.

After many months of isolation, he is lying on the beach one day, when the most gorgeous woman he has ever seen rows up to the shore. In disbelief, he asks her, "Where did you come from! ? How did you get here?"

She replies, "I rowed from the other side of the island. I landed here when my cruise ship sank."

"Amazing," he says. "You were really lucky to have a row boat wash up with you."

"Oh, this?" replies the woman. "I made the boat out of raw material I found on the island. The oars were whittled from gum tree branches. I wove the bottom from palm branch and the sides and stern came from a Eucalyptus tree."

"But, where did you get the tools?"

"Oh, that was no problem," replied the woman. "On the south side of the island, a very unusual stratum of alluvial rock is exposed. I found if I fired it to a certain temperature in my kiln, it melted into forgeable, ductile iron. I used that for tools and used the tools to make the hardware." The guy is stunned.

"Let's row over to my place," she says. After a few hours of rowing, she docks the boat at a small wharf.

As the man looks to shore, he nearly falls out off the boat. Before him is a stone walk leading to an exquisite bungalow painted in blue and white. While the woman ties up the rowboat with an expertly woven hemp rope, the man can only stare ahead, dumb struck.

As they walk into the house, she says casually, "It's not much, but I call it home. Sit down, please. Would you like a drink?"

"No. No, thank you," he says, still dazed. "Can't take any more coconut juice."

"It's not coconut juice," the woman replies. "I have a still. How about a Pina Colada?"

Trying to hide his continued amazement, the man accepts, and they sit down on her couch to talk.

After they have exchanged their stories, the woman announces, "I'm going to slip into something more comfortable. Would you like to take a shower and shave? There is a razor upstairs in the bathroom cabinet."

No longer questioning anything, the man goes into the bathroom. There, in the cabinet, is a razor made from a bone handle. Two shells honed to a hollow ground edge are fastened on to its end inside a swivel mechanism. "This woman is amazing," he muses. "What next?"

When he returns, she greets him wearing nothing but vines and flowers strategically positioned, and smelling of gardenias.

She beckons for him to sit down next to her. "Tell me," she begins suggestively, slithering closer to him, "We've been out here for a really long time. You've been lonely. There's something I'm sure you really feel like doing right now, something you've been longing for all these months?" She stares into his eyes and takes his hand in hers...

He can't believe what he's hearing. He swallows excitedly, tears start to form in his eyes, and he says,
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