tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83471355019883591622024-03-08T04:57:10.525-08:00que sara saraThis is my yet another feeble attempt at blogging my way to glory of recginition in this world of bits and bytesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-21827108675454667432010-01-28T02:55:00.000-08:002010-01-28T03:17:29.176-08:00of thoery of relativityI have always beleived that no absolute can exist without being relative. All the facts and figures that we percieve to be absolute , can be attributed to existence of some relative means of measure.<br /><br />For example, all the units of measure themselves are relative. The temperature in degree celcius is relative to the 0 degree , when the water freezes over and 100 degrees when water boils under NTP conditions. the fact that water boils at 100 degrees is also relative to the pressure and purity contents.<br /><br />The water we consider as potable or pure is one, which will not have any harmfull constituents for us. Even drinking distilled water (so called purest form) is detremental in long term as it does not conatins essential minerals.<br /><br />In this way each fact that we know is depenedend upon one or more set of facts and the varying nature of these facts bring in relativity.<br /><br />Money is relative, numbers are relative (to the base of number system) , hapiness is realtive, so is content. I even believe in the fact that even good and bad are relative. What is good for one, will be or can be bad for another. the act of terrorisms, though are bad for everyone in general , but for a group of people (terrorists) it is good as it gives them credibility, showcase their abilities and pitch for money to their funders.<br /><br />Plagues, earthquakes, dry spells, floods etc are bad for us humans, but its good for the earth. They are its purging mecahnism to get rid of excess stress on natural resources.<br /><br />Even the moksha we all aim for is relative. To some it is dying peacefully knowing that we have completed all our life tasks, to other it is entering the heaven or meeting the lord himself.<br /><br />This leads me to the question, what are we working for in our life?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-89408210228234666112009-12-03T21:24:00.001-08:002009-12-03T21:58:00.869-08:00Of 2 states by Chetan BhagatGone are the days when books were read for literary pleasure ... days when the first half of the book would be used to build a complex plot and the other half to unwind it ..... If on one scale we place 'Pride & prejudice ', that was about marriages in early 19th century in England, on the other scale we will have 2 states .. about love & marriage in early 2000s in India. There obviously is nothing common between the two except marriage and match making.<br /><br />On second thought why do i even bring 'pride & prejudice ' in my review ? the answer is simple ..... the punjabi family described in the book reminds me of the Nadira bakshi & Anupam Kher of "Bride & Prejudice " ....<br /><br />The talk , the food obsession , the show off , the marriage deals ... it is really impossible to wipe out those images while reading the novel.....<br /><br />well anyways coming to the novel ... it is about the usual North vs south divide , the boy wooing girl family, the girl wooing boy family etc ......the story in itself is old and repetitive but the treatment is somewhat new and refreshing ala Chetan Bhagat style.... the novel resembles the script of a bollywood movie with its ups and downs and old and new humor bound together in somewhat loosely linked story chain.<br /><br />somewhere, sometime we all have heard of Chennai's autowallas, pesky landlords , IIT obsession , extravagant marriages of north full of liquor and bitching aunties. Chetan Bhagat manages to ink many moments that compel a reader to recall some incident from his own life, and here lies the USP of the book. Apart from being an entertainer it has something for almost everybody.<br /><br />The book suffers from usual Chetan Bhagat flaws like characters not being sketched properly, the god intervening and talking , predictable story turns and a hurried end. like a usual bollywood movie one fails to understand how Ananya the protagonist manages to gather all youngsters in marriage and in 2 mins is able to give the gyan and convert the heart of the groom. Similarly why all of a sudden Krish's father turns from a wife beating , "i give a damn" guy to sensitive father, is not at all explained. the story had lots of scope to build the father son rift and coming close , but somehow Mr Bhagat missed on it .. or may be he plans to cover it in his next novel.<br /><br />Apart from the bollywoodish flaws, the novel is a great entertainer and like all his novels fast and humorous. After four novels now, Mr Bhagat is getting repetitive and now he has exhausted both his student life IIt and IIM. i somehow feel that Me Bhagat would be at literary crossroads in his minds.. weather to grow up and attempt something that would satisfy the writer in him (glimpses shown by thoughts such as the train passes thorugh agra, jhansi , gwalior, bhopal .. many states that make up India but also divide it )or stick to the beaten path of entertainers that merely titillate and would not compel any reader to look at the book twice.<br /><br />To sum it all , the theme is made by Shyam Benegal or Hrishikesh Mukherji would have been a thought provoking masterpiece , made by Priyadarshan or David Dhwan would have been a laugh riot all along, a degree superior to the book . The book is like Ram Gopal Verma's interpretation of the subject , funny but with old jokes, trying to invoke sympathy and tears but it fails.<br /><br />ps: why do i always recall movies while reading or talking about Chetan Bhagat ? Any guesses :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-43818436221667588342009-07-30T02:35:00.000-07:002009-07-30T02:38:51.755-07:00of remebering pyaasi ....If National integration wanted a showcase , then it would have to look no further than the pyaasi haveli ..... a house haunted by 13 ghosts .. each a unique personality ... though most of us had been interviewed in Pune but in reality we belonged to different parts of the country .....<br /><br />The story of pyaasi haveli had close linkage to Hotel we all stayed in ..... just as fate had it .... Infy by some random program had put about 30 people together in hotel Mayura (or Ashoka) i dont recall now ..... and of these 30 people there were 5 girls who obvioulsy had a seperate house hunting prgram but in the rest of the people there were 4 people who were highly active ..... Me aka deven, Lade aka Ninad, gandhi aka Prajyot and gajjan aka aditya ..... it so happened that each and every one of other 20 odd guys had attached himself to one the four and so in short we four were searching for about 20 odd people..... during the first week of house hunt we used to regularly get down at BTM and scout for houses, and exchange information on the way back to the hotel .. soon few guys got a cheap house for rent at some obscure place, away from BTM and koramangla and so we were left with about 16 odd guys ... .Gajjan found a house for 3 k in electronics city and took 3 guys with him ... that left us with 12 guys and 3 people ..... me, lade and gandi all 3 of us had ganged together and had decided to look for 2 big houses to accomodate the 12 guys ..as luck had it we got an adverstisement about 4 flats (2 BHK each ) in BTM newly made for rent .... on seeing the place we three just fell inlove with it ... it had four small flats , 2 on ground and 2 on first floor, each one had two small room perfect for one person and a hall ...(the personl living in hall did have little privacy but had huge room for himself) the whole bleck when rented together was a bot cheaper and in 17 k we got all the four flats ....<br /><br /> so now all 12 of us could stay together and we named the place pyassi haveli (because we did not have drinking water there and for the first 3 days till we could arrange for drinking water can, pots etc we all used to be thirsty at home )...... so there it was 12 of us in one haveli .. .four flats ....<br /><br />the lower ground floor, was occupied by Jhawar, guru and ATJ<br /><br />Jhawar - the shy, demure marwari guy with charming boyish looks ...also called as VVS JHAWAR ... for his stylish batting in front of the infy feb 03 girls... there was hardly any girl in the batch who did not swear by his charms<br /><br /><br />ATJ - the gujju bhai ... his fetish for his receding hairline and body building was necesaary .. the unique style hiss and the commands of his on language were legendary ...... like all gujju bhais he is very very particular about financial detailsGuru - the guy from nagpur .... his oneliners and his ability to end any everlasting debate with 3 words were talking town of whole bangalore ..... The other flat on ground floor had 3 people ...<br /><br />Rahul aka thapa - the guy from pune had love for cars and hindustan times.. he tried his best to bat well in front of gals but always beaten by jhawru ....Krishna aka daddu .... The tall, handsome and quiet guy from yavatmal ... he had outgrown his height as well as age and would always talk as mature as a 70 year old guy<br /><br />Binoy aka captain ... the mallu whose song neele neele ambar par titilated mallu as well as tamil babes (his targets ) but alas he ended up as a brotherly figure for all<br /><br />they were later joined by Karun gajaria - aka gajar .... the snart ... naughty and stylish guy form delhi ..... he would smell of cigarettes from top and his socks always stinked even if they were fresh ... he slowly was relegated to remove his shoes outside the haveli and stay there for one hour till smell fades away<br /><br />The first flat on first floor was occupied by Mallya, Kg and gandhi<br /><br />Mallya - the tullu speaking , god fearing konkani guy from mumbai would crack jokes, immitate people and was the live wire of the group ... but he was also the one who would wake up the earliest , pray , study and be clean and fresh every day<br /> KG - kaustubh the typical puneri brahmin was the quietest and most sincere of the lot .... he was hardly noticed in the house as eother he would be sleeping or working at office<br /><br />Gandhi - the playboy , had the uncanny ability to hide his mischevious tendencies under sweet smile and mature talks ... but a level deeper he was pure mischeif<br /><br /><br />The last of the fourth floor had again three guys -anand kumaran aka anna - he had only 3 obsessions in his life<br />1. His girlfirnd manju and getting to marry her<br />2. chennai his hometown where he went every weekend (also to meet manju)<br />3. Shakira - the big babe .....<br />every friday he wouldnt return home but monday morning he would present himself with fish gravy and rice for all of us<br /><br />Lade the ninad .... the hyderabadi - mumbai mix guy with pink nipples was known for his husky voice and swearing tenedency ... his abuses were innovative, hillarious and enever ending ... he was the only one with camera and was always in lime light for kinky snaps taken by others and published in his name<br /><br />me aka chandu aka deven ... i was the lazy, money guy who handled the finances, adeplans for outing and was always the last one to leave the haveli in morning and firstone to eneter in evening .... having stayed in north and central india i was the food guide for the whole pyaasi ....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-25995474183982397832009-07-21T01:41:00.000-07:002010-01-28T03:18:04.956-08:00of Harry Potter and HBP ReviewIf order of phoenix was a dark , war movie ... half blood prince is teenage <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Chiclets</span> set in fantasy land ..... All the harry potter fans had expected this edition to be full of dark magic as well as dark secrets being revealed...... the movie sadly lacks in fulfilling either of the two .....<br /><br />To start with let us discuss what makes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">HBP</span> -the book as one of the best of the series..... the book though contains very less of war and magical duels .... it makes up for it by clever use of human emotions and sketching out of characters ...... The book <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">essentially</span> is about the relation between the trio of harry, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ron</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Hermione</span> with others, as well as sketching the character of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Voldemort</span> ...... by the 827<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span> page, every reader is aware of what lord <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Voldemort</span> was like as a child, what he grew up to be and what are the traits that make him the darkest wizard of all times.....<br /><br />The movie sadly misses this vital part of the book ... no where <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Voldemorts</span> character is sketched out in detail , as the book does.... there is a small mention of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Voldemort</span> wanting to be different and collecting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">tropihies</span> but that is no where translated to his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">horocruxes</span> or the hiding places he chooses .... sadly also the ring (one the three deathly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">hollows</span>) is ignored in the movie ...... the average viewer is left guessing , as to how did <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Dumbledore</span> knew about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Vodermort's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">horocruxes</span>, how he had figured about the cave and even what would the other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">horocruxes</span> might be .....<br /><br />Now coming to the part of emotions ...... in the book, Rowling has <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">successfully</span> sketched the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">characters</span> of Harry, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Ron</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Hermione</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Ginny</span>, Luna, Mrs <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">weasly</span>,<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">weasly</span> twins, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Rupin</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">Snape</span>, Bellatrix, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">narcissia</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Dumbledore</span> , Nevil etc etc .... each one of the characters is set up for the role they play in the seventh edition ... it also details out the love angels of harry, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Ron</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Ginny</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Hermione</span> ..... the movie does its bit in sketching those details out ... but in trying to stay a fast paced movie, the editor has messed up the director's vision of the movie being a love story ......<br /><br />One character that is sketched as per <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Rowling's</span> vision, is Draco <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">malfoy</span> ... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">malfoy</span> who was reduced to an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">extra's</span> role gets his due in the movie. the movie captures his dilemma , his arrogance of being marked a death eater, his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">frustration</span> and his fear of not being able to deliver his task. Sadly though this will be the last time he gets <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">any decent</span> screen space for he is almost absent in the seventh book.<br /><br />The movie also has quite a few deviations from the book ..... for starters.... the coffee shop girl is an addition, so is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">Maclaggen's</span> advances on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">Hermoine</span> ...... Its Luna who saves harry in the train compartment when <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">malfoy</span> knocks him out, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">and points</span> out <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">Felix</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">Felic's</span> to Ron, as against <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">Tonks</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">Hermione</span> respectively who do so in the book... the attack on burrow is uncalled for so is the part about Harry and Ginny's kiss in the room of requirements .... these deviations neither add any spice in the movie nor are a visual treat ...... the worst part of the movie is that it changes the ending completely ...... Harry instead of being frozen by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">Dumbledore</span> , is asked by him to move to the floor below, from where he watches the whole death sequence of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Dumbledore</span> ...... this is gross absurdity for harry would never stay quiet while <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_47">dumbledore</span> is being attacked ..... and even if he does, it was very easy for him to blast the whole place, after <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_48">dumbledore</span> was killed, and kill the death eaters which he does not ....... not quite the ending we expected ..... and even worse was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_49">Dumbledore's</span> funeral which was marked by raising of wands.....<br /><br /><br />This is not to say that the movie has nothing to offer to the audience ... it is a visual delight.... sequences like breaking of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_50">millennium</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_51">bridge</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_52">slughorn's</span> conversion to an arm chair, or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_53">inferni</span> attacks on Harry & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_54">Dumbledore</span> are well shot and are the one that linger on in the memory long after the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_55">movie</span> ... the value of the movie lies in its cinematography as well as the sets (usual part of HP movies) ..... The movie is fast paced to the extent that many important characters are reduced to passing mentions ...... but that perhaps also makes the movie interesting ..... for example ... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_56">Greyback</span> is introduced in the movie <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_57">through</span> a 5 second shot of a wanted poster...... the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_58">viewer</span> then has to link that shot with 3 subsequent instances when he is shown in the movie...... so anyone who missed that cue will not be able to realize who <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_59">greyback</span> is ... or the viewers see <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_60">dumbledore</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_61">playing</span> with tom riddle's diary just before <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_62">horocrux's</span> are mentioned.... thus it is left for viewers to deduce that the diary was also one of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_63">horocruxes</span>.<br /><br />the whole plot of half blood prince is lost somewhere in movie and as per me could have been eliminated completely to give some more details about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_64">voldemort</span>.<br /><br />The cast as usual delivers a good performance.... Ron, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_65">slughorn</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_66">Hermoine</span> and Lavender brown being the top pick ...... <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_67">Radcliffe</span> now looks too mature to play a 15-16 year old boy and the production movie house now needs to shoot the 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_68">th</span> edition pretty soon before he starts to look manly .....<br />Speaking of production house, some one has to ensure consistency across all the seven parts in small things like props (the stone pensive changes to a steel one in the movie, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_69">Dumbledore's</span> wand has changed , the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_70">slytherine</span> locket does not have a S on it, the school brooms now have leg rests which were not there in the first movie and so on ..... character's dressings have also changed a fair bit .... Ron no where sports the red sweaters that are typical of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_71">weaselys</span> or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_72">Snape</span> hair is less greasy from previous version.<br /><br />Overall, all that you missed in the fifth part - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_73">Quidditch</span>, Ron's antics, love and crushes, you will find in the sixth part ...... do talk someone who has read the book , after the movie .... this will ensure you get to understand what actually has happened in the sixth edition of the book and what all you have missed.......<br /><br />My advice - the movie is worth a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_74">dekho</span> for its visual appeal but please <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_75">don't</span> expect a lot of story in it ...... those who know the book by heart look out for small cues that could be used in the next part (like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_76">RAB's</span> photo on slug's desk)<br /><br />Overall rating - 3 /5Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-83436825274365442692009-05-10T23:12:00.000-07:002009-05-10T23:59:36.952-07:00of the gap in generationgeneration gap was once the most talked about topic ... during the mid 90's we were the young guns , the teenagers , who were always telling their elders how the new generation is different ... we always believed we had the 'X' factor and somehow the elders would never understand our feelings, our issues, our pains.<br /><br />Now the tables have turned on us ..... not even touching 30 and we find ourselves alienated from the new age super kids .... we just cant understand how these kids can spend so much money? Its very tough on me to see young girls wearing micro mini skirts for school uniform. Similarly young boys wearing ultra low waist almost fallen off trousers to school make me wonder how old am i? I just cant keep myself abreast of the countless gizmos and their specification which is gossip for these kids.<br /><br />i dont count myself as a yuppie ..... but then i am someone who takes his parents to mall and urges them to buy branded clothes and enjoy Baskin Robins .... <br />Seeing people spending lavishly reminds me of the times when our pocket money was rs 5 a week, of times when One rupee was so important ... when cadbury bar was sign of good time and celebration .... <br />On the otherhand seeing slums on side of the road makes me wanr to spend and enjoy my life. I want my parents, my wife , my family to enjoy the luxuries the life has to offer and i can spend all my svaings for the same......<br /><br />I guess somewhere i am confused .... i am stuck in between the two generations ..... in short time i have seen both sides of the coin .....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-18780563497757710622009-04-20T22:22:00.000-07:002009-04-20T23:30:26.222-07:00of voting in indian democracyif there will be a contest to check desperation to vote , i will definetly be amongst the finalists. The whole process has taken more than 6 months now and still i dont have any clue where am i stuck.<br /><br />It is really frustating that in my own country i dont have a right to vote. My voter ID application's status is unkown and i am shuttling between the election office and the election incharge for the ward. No one can tell me whether or not my application has been aprroved, if yes then has the card been made, if yes where it is , if no when will it be made. <br />Besides that the survey for electoral roll has been completed, when, i have no clue ... but for sure it was on a weekday when both me and neha were at work. No idea how to get my name on that and whom to contact.<br /><br />Not only that, i dont know who are the contestants this year, they have not yet visisted my office or home to ask for our vote. there is no spam mail, sms, processions, loud speaker blaring or not even a banner informing who the contestant is , which party he/she belongs and that person needs my vote to win.<br /><br />All this is really frustating... how can the whole system conspire against genuine and interested voters? I am quite sure all these obstructions are not faced by the people living in slums, for their votes can be bought for 50-100 rupees. No party is interested in talking to us for we will ask questions. We will not be happy that they want to give rice at 2 rupees per kg, but we will ask "from where will they get the money for this scheme?"<br /><br />I just want to salute the tactician, the master politician who devised this plan of alienating the thinking population and concentrating mainly on saleable votes. the plan has worked so well that all the young people like us do not regard ourselevs as real india. Every person i meet and talk to has the opinion that we are not real india. real india is the person living in city slums and in villages. <br /><br />My only worth to the country is the tax i pay every year , thats it. other than that the government, the politicians the country is not all worried about me. I pay the road tax but that will be used to build road near some neta's home or in his constituency during elections. I pay education cess and the SC/ST candidates, whose father is some big IAS officer or public sector employee(again due to reservations)will get subsidy in education. And i am conditoned not to ask any question by drilling one line in my head from childhood "ask not what your country has done for you, ask what you can do for the country."Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-71843614728880710792009-04-14T02:46:00.000-07:002009-04-14T03:34:23.980-07:00Of vegetarian Vs Non-vegetarian foodOf late i have been into numerous discussion with Neha about vegetarian food ... even though i am a vegetarian but i don’t buy any single arguments given by vegetarians on why vegetarian food is good and non-veg is bad...Here is my point to point rebuttal of the same:-<br /><br />1. veg food is healthier than non veg: <br /><br />Most the articles that site non veg food as bad are generally written by veg fanatics who say that eating non veg increases obesity, heart ailments. They give calorie contents and other scientific facts and compare butter chicken with aaloo gobi or bhindi subzi ..... all i would say is that if this is true then Gujratis who don’t even touch non veg should be the fittest of the Indian community .... why don’t we compare fafdas , veg tikki and pakodas with staked fish? the results will surely be opposite ..... The truth is veg cuisine is as fried, oil and cholesterol full as non veg cuisine and it depends on individual recipe on how healthy or unhealthy the food is ..... <br /><br />I am not even going into nutrition content of individual item as none item is complete or balanced diet in itself. It takes a balanced meal to ensure all nutrients are assimilated.<br /><br />2. Veg food ensure that animals are not killed and ensure sympathy towards animals.<br /><br />Let us recall that it an Indian MR J.C.Basu who showed that plants like animals are living, have feelings and they can feel. There is no food in this world that can be achieved without killing or hurting any living being. (If you say fruits i will say eggs are their equivalent).<br />Many argue that plants have just 2 or 3 senses and animals are more developed/ higher / superior living beings thus eating animals is less sinful.<br />Is killing a deaf and dumb man less sinful that killing a normal man? Is killing snake ok, given that it can not hear? how can a religion differentiate between living beings based on the senses? this way hizras are less human coz they cant reproduce.......<br /><br />Well senses are man's definition of being a higher living organism. I argue that plants are the only living species that create their own food from sunlight, water and minerals, that’s why they are superior beings, hence killing them is higher sin. <br /><br />Plants do not depend on animals for food (well baring 1-2 species) and it is the animal kingdom (including human) that needs to eat other living beings. So let us all animals fulfill this need of ours amongst ourselves and not depend on plants for the same.<br /><br />3. the environmental veggies say that rearing animals (that are culled for food) is a drain on environment. <br /><br />Ahem .... what about the fact that if we all turn vegetarians the whole of the earth would not be able to provide requisite amount of fruits, veggies and other grains?<br />I mean where will you get the land to farm for 8 billion people? <br />I read some where that grains used for feeding animals reared on farms can feed 800 million people. Well good. But can it feed them for a life time? can those grains provide a balanced diet? what about the fact that the meat thus generated serves need of about another 800 Million people?<br />In such a regard non veggies are better as they don’t just depend on land but also on water (sea) for food and so the overall pressure on land is less.....<br /><br />Let us all start eating sea food and fishes... this way land required for agriculture will reduce and 2/3rd of worlds surface can be used for food requirements of human being<br /><br />4. veg food is less tamsik, does not increases sexual desire, aggression and is pure ....<br />Ahem ..... My dear religion fanatics .... tamsik, satvik , aggression etc is more dependent on an individual and his character rather than food he/she eats .... if that is the case then most of the vegie wives should be docile and non domineering ... a fact all their husbands can refute :)<br /><br />Well what about food like onion, garlic, various veggie aphrodisiacs? <br /><br />5. Non veg brings all with it diseases from poultry etc ....<br />Duhhh.... what about pesticides on crops? Please someone remind these veg fanatics that rotten veggies and fruits is as harmful as diseased meat!!<br /><br />My take: Different food groups have different nutritional value and a balanced diet requires all the components. Some of them are abundant in non veg food and some in veg, but this does not means that other food group is deficient in these.<br />It is simply a matter of individual choice and let us keep it at that ......Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-2507816584035734742009-02-09T03:14:00.000-08:002009-02-09T03:18:22.960-08:00of calvin and business theory<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uYBUU-V8eKQ/SZAQtjWpD7I/AAAAAAAABAQ/PoaLYYeLyxw/s1600-h/ch.bmp"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 223px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uYBUU-V8eKQ/SZAQtjWpD7I/AAAAAAAABAQ/PoaLYYeLyxw/s320/ch.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300755136185438130" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-59878536286654450112008-12-02T01:28:00.000-08:002008-12-02T01:29:22.913-08:00of dogs and ministersIt is indeed a great gesture when a CM offers condolences.... But the fact is mr Achuta went to Major Sandeep's house just beacuse he was a malyalee ??? What about other NSG commandos? What about Mumbia police martyers? Is their martyrdom any less? Dont their death count for mr Achuta? Just coz they are not malyalee or dont belong to kerela, their deaths go unnoticed? Why din Mr Achtua atleast offer verbal condolences to the rest of martyers? <br />When will our politicians, our media and all of wake up to this fact that each one who dies in such unfortunate incident is a human first, then an Indian , then a brother , son, father husband and lastly he belongs to his caste, region etc?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-78982411253216876312008-11-25T01:56:00.000-08:002008-11-25T02:18:23.738-08:00of social messagesfinally something that actually forced me to break my long hiatus and post a new blog .... this is about all the social messages ... messages that tell us we are lucky to have shelter on our heads and food in our belly, messages that tell us that our restraunt expenses are equal to someone's monthly groceries and hence we should be careful......<br />My simple answer to all these is so what? So what if i have money and i can spend it? so what if someone has children whom he/she can not feed? so what if someone has to work 10 hours a day in sun to earn rupees 50?<br /><br />Why do these messages always want to make people feel guilty that thay are well fed and can afford a decent living? what do they want people to do- give away all their money and join the downtrodden gang? Do they want that everone should stop sending their kids to school and send them to some factory to work with all child labourers so that they dont feel bad?<br /><br />Well my simple question is that why should i share my wealth or fortune with anyone? i work for providing basic necessity and luxury to my family and whats wrong in that? If there is any1 in the down-trodden section who has intelligence, business accumen, he.she will rise like many business giants have. for rest of the incapables why should i take responsibility? <br /><br />It just reminds me of the modern version of the ant and grasshopper story where ant is fined by socialists for not sharing his food with grasshopper. <br /><br />the beggar doe snot thinks twice before having kids. Infact he has 6-7 kids even when he doesnt know where his next meal is gonna come. Whereas me, i will plan my kid for 2 years, accumulate fund for his future , and then have just 1 or max 2 kid. <br />now someone tell me why should i pay for beggars or his chidrens misfortune? why doesnt the beggar plan and save for his kids? why do the social service ppl want a pie from my child's kitty?<br /><br />will my child get moeny because he/she can not afford a limo or ferrari like the ambanis, tatas, gandhis etc?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-91019685901156660692008-07-15T02:26:00.000-07:002008-07-15T02:36:08.319-07:00of HappinessSometimes the most tiring of the experiences are the one that give u the most joy .... when u fall on the bed after a tiring day, the joy is immense ......<br />all it takes is one small comment that makes ur day and all ur tiredness vanishes .... and i am so happy coz after all the rukus and mayhem of last 3 month finally we moved to a small abode we can call our own and "she" liked it ......<br /><br />those 5 words " i love our new house" have just made my life so worthwhile :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-6994238336447649822008-02-13T01:27:00.000-08:002008-02-13T01:31:03.515-08:00of MR RajIndia's petty politician are at it again.......... now there is fight in Mumbai between so called 'mumbaikars' and 'north indians' and all this ignited by a Mr Thakrey ................. now those who do not him, he is nephew of another Mr Thakrey (read Bal) who also had similar nack of placing his religion, region and mother toungue over Country ...... Mr R now follows the footstep of his uncle and indulges in petty politics ............<br /><br />I just have a small quetsion: isnt practicing regionalism punishable by law???? where is our police, our judiciary?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-30501597439463738182007-12-06T04:40:00.000-08:002007-12-06T04:41:53.029-08:00long long hiatussometimes u just want to write so much, theres so much to talk about, so much to speak about but words are always amiss....<br /><br />its so tuff to write what u feel .............................................Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-50069294245848639382007-10-25T08:46:00.000-07:002007-10-25T08:54:53.531-07:00of long long breaks.........If 20 days was a long break this one is a very very long break .... anyways guys and gals ...please look at the post "of being and indian"<br />http://devendra-chandani.blogspot.com/2007/05/of-being-indian.html<br /><br />Now after you have read the post , recall the new advertisement for "idea " where Mr abhishsek bacchan suggests that each one of us should be known by our mobile numbers and there shall be no caste based fights............<br />http://youtube.com/watch?v=STZAcD2R6YI<br /><br />see and connection ..... my "idea" is picking up :)<br /><br />hail the power of blogging<br /><br />ps: i know there might not be any link between the two, but kehne mai kya harz hai :)<br /><br />TDLY: dad moved to bahrain, mom with me and we making plans for Diwali :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-71386813662232466432007-08-28T21:28:00.000-07:002007-08-28T21:45:51.334-07:00of cricket authorities:)<br /><br />This one has to start with a smile ....... for once something great happening in indian cricket .. no its not india winning matches or a great player in making but is something even more meaning full.... its the fight ... the fight for right to play cricket in India..... BCCI with its monopolistic attitude has always played around with cricket ... it has filled its bank accounts with filthy sum of money and also made its administrators super rich .... Meanwhile it has always jerked away all the responsibility and accountability in name of autonomous body .... <br /><br />Meanwhile ICL backed by Subhash Chnadras big moolah has entred the arena , is giving the players huge sums of money .... and promising a profesisonally run game..... the fight will be intersesting coz BCCI is now caught in its own web of declaring itself a autonomous, private body ... so now it can no longer deny ICL privileges of using its grounds, players and who knows may be ICL sends a team india to future international tournaments :)<br /><br />TDLY : back to gurgaon after 5 days at home .......Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-90253025595588661732007-08-27T21:16:00.000-07:002007-08-27T21:21:51.003-07:00of long break.........back after a long long time.......<br />things that happened meanwhile.....<br /><br />my happy wala bdday ......<br />veenu came here and now she has joined Infosys....<br />Had a day long outing with lalit, anu neha and veenu<br />program for bahrain visit finalised<br />some work started at office<br /><br />so now me back to meetings :)<br /><br />TDLY: hmmmm dads bahrain plan finalisedUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-75088988822017454642007-08-07T21:00:00.000-07:002007-08-07T21:36:36.164-07:00of "one of ours""one of ours"<br />This is by far the most favourite line in vouge now .... Be it the bollywod organising events and giving interviews left right and centre to support release of Sanjay Dutt or be it the kawariyas protesting the deaths by accident ...<br /><br />All are aghast by the fact that one of their community has met with some injustice or accident or whatever .... what they fail to understand that somewhere the so called victim may also be at fault ...<br />Dutt for sure is guilty of carrying illegal weapon and the two kawariyas may have been at fault of walking on a national highway at night ... <br /><br />(The highways are for trucks and vehicles , not for foot passengers .. no matter how holy their pilgrimage may be)<br /><br />So why is their so called community agitated.. why do they stand up in arms for their brothers even when they know no one is at fault ...<br />Why dont they consider the point of view of other parties involved... why their brother takes precedence over the country???<br /><br />It all again bils down to the fact that intolerence is growing in the society... everyone talks of rights but forgets the duties... the mindset is divided into groups <br /><br />TDLY: dad decides to go to Bahrain .. so the planning startsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-68191846329834324872007-07-26T03:37:00.000-07:002007-07-26T04:50:03.094-07:00of Harry Potter - 7 , the BookThanks to the great response to my revie wof Harry potter Movie -5, i am inspired to write this review of Potter 7 the book.... am not a literary great or a wizard with words , but what qualifies me for this is the fact that i have read a book and have an opinion about it ..... And this is my blog so i publish my opinion here ....<br /><br />To start of Harry potter does not dies in the book, nor does Dumbldore comes back to life .......... this might be the most publicly known secret by now .... Ok now back to the book.... It starts where Book 6 left off, that is the war .... lots of swish swoosh of wands, black magic, counter curses, deaths etc etc .... But the biggest difference is the fact that there is no Dumbledore to direct harry to sucess or to protect him .. but the boy wizard who has come of age continues on his mission of finding Horocruxes .... He has his loyal friends Hermoine, Weasleys, Order , Dumbledore's army etc by his side ... <br /><br />The twists and turns and side kicks in the book are a plenty but the book does well in not deviating from the main chase.... <br /><br />All potter fans will be delighted for the fact that he fights well, thinks well and most of all keeps his head firmly on his shoulders .... His emotions are well drawn out at every stage and the books grips the reader almost through out ... there are very few places where the pace slackens .....<br /><br />All the twists, side plots , emotions culminate where it all began the HOGWARTS.... after a fiery battle the good triumphs over the evil and Harry is victorious ....A fitting finale to the grand tale .... ofcourse itis not without its own twist and turns ...<br /><br />Deaths are a plenty but one can argue that no one of real consequence dies :)......<br /><br />So all those who dont know what to do this weekend and have read book 6 , can pick up the book 7 and for sure they will finish it over the weekend ..... And those who have not read Book 6 .... grab that first<br /><br />TDLY- Sitting at home :)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-32770190247507901732007-07-19T02:39:00.000-07:002007-07-19T02:47:37.343-07:00of Dr A P J Abdul KalamToday is the last day in office for the man who showed a country of Billion people how to dream...the father of modern india ...the father of Nuclear india ...a country that has reached moon, is capable of launching satellites on its own, a country that has the might to ask for a permanent seat in UN security council.... all due to the leadership of this one great scholar, scientist and visionary.... <br /><br />Every time i heard him or saw him speak, my heart was filled with joy and pride that my country is represented by a man of great abilities, a man who rose from humble background to reach the President's house.....<br /><br />watching Indian president shall never be the same again as now on the president shall not be someone who is respected world wide or has the thought process that resembles billion of his country men.... Dr kalam was a strong leader who did not play into the hands of ruling party bu actually went by his instincts and work ethics....<br /><br />Its sorry to see him leave without a worthy Sucessor....<br /><br />My Salutes Dr Kalam....<br /><br />TDLY : Ah... nothing much just making plans to go home ..Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-49024759688763659402007-07-17T21:24:00.001-07:002007-07-17T21:30:49.961-07:00of North South divide ....This only happens in India .... <br />the country is so vast that when people travel from one part of the country to another they are in for the shock of their life .... People who live in north just cant adjust down south and vice versa.. ofocurse there are many exceptions too where in people have lived happily in both parts , me being one of them.....<br /><br />The key lies in not comparing the two but in ejoying the differences... its true that roti sabji is very costly down south but then idlis and dosas arnt cheap in delhi either .... As they say "when in rome do as the romans do " so when down south eat curd rice, dosas, idlis .... and if you carve for rotis then eat Andhra food which is awesome ..... <br /><br />things like weather, culture, language etc are all peculiar to a region and no one can control them so no point in cribbing about them ......<br /><br />The bottom line is Enjoy ..... After all Mc'D .. dominos etc are there anywhere and everywhere :)<br /><br />TDLY : Its all about having fun at gurgaon .....Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-49046240558010150732007-07-16T04:46:00.000-07:002007-07-16T22:54:52.143-07:00of harry potter movie -5Harry Potter has grown up !!!!<br />This was the message that the 5th movie (Harry potter and the order of phoenix) had.<br />So all those who go the movie please do not expect cute potter, funny magic tricks, Quidditch games, Potter's spat with Malfoy and professors etc etc that make these movies so adorably cuteee......<br /><br />So what to expect?? A barrage of emotions like anger, frustation, confused thoughts, helplessness etc.... Along with it some dark magic, answers to many questions and ofcourse few other questions ...<br /><br />Essentially it deals with the divison of the magical world into two groups- the one led by Harry and Dubledore that tries to warn every1 that Voldemort is back and the other one led by the Minister of Magic and his adrent follower Umbridge who try to ignore the fact that anything has happened and potray Harry and Dumbledore as cukoos....<br />In am attempt to gain supremacy the later group interferes with Hogwards in form of Umbridge as the Professor, then a High Inquisitor and ultimately the Headmistress...<br /><br />In the mean time there is struggle between Dumbledore's Order of Phoenix and Voldemort's death eaters for a prophecy which will make Voldemort understand what went wrong last time he attacked harry....<br /><br />So is it better than previous movies? Definetly as it goes deeper into the gravity of the battle and moves it from child's play to a full fledged battle that means life and death ...<br />It is more complex that the previous ones where a lot many characters are not even introduced, they are just there as either Harry supporters, Minitry suporters or Death eaters ....<br /><br />It may be frustating for those who have not seen the previous versions as they will face barrage of faces, spells and incidents that they are supposed to know .... Also may be frustating for gals who want to see harry do his tricks, Ron do his goof up and Hermoine act up smarty pants and terrible for those who watch it for Harry and Cho's love affair and kiss... There is nothing to suggest Harry is intrested in CHO except for few lloks, one dialogue and a kiss.....<br /><br />Those who have read the book may find the movie deviating from the actuals, but would only marvel the way director (and script writers) have adapted the 993 page book to a 2.5 hours movie ...<br /><br />the few shortcomings of the movie are 1) the fact that it shorplays the Weasleys ... they are a lovable lot and are under utilised.. 2) The fight sequences and the magical mysteries during the climax do not match upto the expectation 3) A few more questions could be raised (like Harry's fathers Bully nature, effect of belatrix's release, safety at Hogwarts and outside that Voldemort is able to acess Harry's thoughts at will etc etc)<br /><br />All in all a good movie to watch if u follow the series and remember what has happened till now .... and are ready to be set up for what lies ahead........<br /><br />TDLY: Shifted to the new room and enjoying the emptinessUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-55660365023746971132007-07-13T03:01:00.000-07:002007-07-13T03:13:45.549-07:00of the movies and booksIts very interesting debate ... Is reading books better of watching movies (based on these books )better ??? not in terms of time pass or hang out but in terms of understanding the movie/book/plot whatever .....<br /><br />PPL who cheer for movies say that movies give u visualization, it gives faces to the characters and also gives u an interpretation of the book<br /><br />PPL who swear by Books say that books give u imagination, it gives you the liberty to give faces to the characters and also lets you make your own interpretation of the book<br /><br />Heres my take ... Watch movie first and then read the book ....<br />trust me have done for many books like forest gump, Harry potter etc etc<br />This has helped me extend the directors visualization and couple it with imagination to get a better picture (literarily and figuratively speaking ). I also realise how pathetic representaion of the book, these movies were ... but then may be i enjoyed the book lot more only due to the fact that i was able to give face to each name....<br /><br />Anyway cases where i read the book first and then saw the movie (Da vinci code, Day of the jackal) , at all places somehow the movies did not live upto the expectation ....<br /><br />ps: i know all the cases of option II were mysteries where by reading the book, i had killed all the suspense .. but still i stick to my opinion<br /><br />ps2: all this started coz i want to finish Harry porter and order of phoenix in 3 days before i watch the movie :)<br /><br />ps3: this one is just to show like Sony i have 3 PS (play stations)<br />bad joke<br /><br />TDLY: Just another day in the office .... started to have open fights with new bossUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-8877889524423281852007-07-03T01:58:00.000-07:002007-07-03T02:04:08.842-07:00of nothing to write .Plz refer to my eralier post where i wrote about how Blogging is directly propotional to no work at office .... lets look at the personal aspects........... <br />1. I blog when i am sad or frustated and use the post as a medium of venting out the frustation ...<br />2. The only topic i have written about when i am happy is "of nothing, doing nothing etc etc"<br /><br />So to generalise most people use blog as a medium to express views which are generally sad or shocking and when happy they post garbage :)<br /><br />TDLY: Started working at TCS Gurgaon, and started to appreciate ki naye boss se "Nahi jamegi "Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-63879298333528095652007-06-25T01:13:00.000-07:002007-06-25T01:22:57.426-07:00of employee bloggingIt is so interesting to note the direct relation between blogging and having work...... in my case this is absolutely true with follwoing details:<br />1. If i have nothing to do at office i blog<br />2. If i have nothing to do at home i sleep<br />3. If i have read blogs or see some interesting post while working at office i blog<br />4. If i have lotsa work (which is rarity) to take a break i blog<br /><br />so if i generalise the whole idea it leads to the following conclusions:<br /><br />1. All bloggers either have nothing to do, hence they blog <br />2. All bloggers if have work,they stop their work and blog<br /><br />hence in all cases blogs reduce employee productivity ... or atleast takes off his mind from work .... <br />it may be contested that blogging gives the employees much needed break, outlet to vent emotions and post their opinion ... but then why are coffe machines and coffe table gossips for???<br /><br />TDLY: Finally after a lot of tussel on my location Mumbai as told on thrsday and Delhi as told on monday am off to Delhi .... spent saturday n sunday at home and started for delhi on sunday (25th evening) eveningUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8347135501988359162.post-12225458297439070222007-06-21T00:11:00.000-07:002007-06-21T00:17:56.723-07:00of long breaksIt has been 10 days since i wrote and this is mainly due to the followings:<br /><br />1. Left TCS and was unemployed for a day<br />2. joined SAP and now am learning SAP ERP product, german culture , language etc etc<br />3. MOM, dad n veenu met Neha and her family .. all fixed, Roka on 24th<br />And if all this was not enuff , will be going in for outbound next weekned:) and ofcourse richa, piyush jhaji all in delhi and dont know wether i will be able to meet them or not<br /><br />TDLY: fed up of induction and working to get the final presentation of ATOS done .... postings (ie department & locations) about to be released and that is the only excitement left in lifeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0