The System Halted By Palak Mathur

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book-review (38)
poetry (40)
  • Letter to Self - Passion

    This is a letter to my past self just beginning to grow into an adult.

  • Nazeer Akbarabadi - Mahadevji ka byah

    This post is about Nazeer Akbarabadi (1735-1830), a poet who wrote beautiful poetry on Indian festivals.

  • दूर आगरा से

    Here I try to express my life, H1B and GC travails using Mir's couplets.

  • Mir and My H1B and GC Travails

    Here I try to express my life, H1B and GC travails using Mir's couplets.

  • नया सवेरा थम जाता, तो क्या होता?

    A new philosophical poem

  • हुनर की शूआ’

    A new philosophical poem

  • Prayers and Condolences (शोक है हमें इस बात का)

    A new poem that I wrote after Uvalde, TX shooting

  • Toronto Declaration

    Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are going to change the society by bringing significant benefits and improvements to the way of life. However, without any checks-and-balance in place, they can pose serious threat to the same way of...

  • Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Vedanta Hinduism

    This post attempts to define a Test of Intelligence based on my understanding of Advaita Vedanta. Submitted as part of CS7637 Homework

  • आज का दिन कुछ खास है

    With love to Srishti

  • [Book Review] IshqFareb by Chandan Pandey

    Book Review of Hindi book IshqFareb by Chandan Pandey

  • कुछ पोखरण यहाँ भी, कुछ विस्फ़ोट वहां भी

    कुछ पोखरण यहाँ भी, कुछ विस्फ़ोट वहां भी,एटम बम बनाके है खुश यह जहान भी,जब फटेगा यह बम हमारे आशियाने या तुम्हारे आशियाने में,चीथड़े उड़ेंगे कुछ यहाँ भी कुछ वहां भी|

  • तुम्हारा साथ

    प्रीति के लियें - एक साल साथ निभाने और मुझे झेलने के लिएँ

  • दर्द कितना है दिल में न जान पाओगे

    दर्द कितना है दिल में न जान पाओगे, हम रोज़ अपने ग़म का इश्तेहार नहीं करते, जो आँख से टपकें लहू तो बतायेंगे, पानी के बेहने को अश्क़ नहीं कहते ॥

  • आज फिर वोह याद आये हैं

    आज फिर वोह याद आये हैं, आँखों में मेरे आँसू लाये हैं, काश ऐसा हो कर दें वोह मुझको माफ़, आ जायें मेरी बाहों में ऐसा हो इन्साफ़!!

  • कब होगा यह सच, या कभी नहीं?

    कब से अरमान ज़िन्दगी के जगा रहा हूँ,कब से उसे मैं बिन रुके बुला रहा हूँ,कब से इंतज़ार है उसके आने का,कब से विचार है उसमें डूब जाने का,कब से आरज़ू है उसकी आवाज़ में खो जाने की,कब से चाहत...

  • पानी के बेहने को अश्क़ नहीं कहते

    दर्द कितना है दिल में न जान पाओगे,हम रोज़ अपने ग़म का इश्तेहार नहीं करते,जो आँख से टपकें लहू तो बतायेंगे,पानी के बेहने को अश्क़ नहीं कहते॥

  • फिर चमकेगा सूर्य स्वछन्द नीले गगन मे

    समय की धरा पर हूँ मैं यूं चल रहा,जिस तरह पंछी उड़ रहे गगन में, विचारों का समूह है यूं उमड़ रहा, जिस तरह बादल गरज रहे आसमान मे |

  • चाहत

    मजबूरी और बेबसी का जो है आलम, निजात उससे पाने की चाहत है, इंसानों को अब इंसानियत की है ज़रुरत, बस उनको यह समझाने की चाहत है |

  • एक कविता उन शहीदों के नाम

    हुकुम ख़ुदा का माने, या सियासी मेहरबानों का, गर्दिश में तारे हिन्दोस्तान के नज़र आते हैं, या माने उनकी जो खुद फ़नाह हुए, जो आजकल ख्वाबों में नज़र आते हैं|

  • सब कुछ बेगाना हो गया है

    धोका खाकर दिल बेसहारा हो गया है, दुश्मन ना था कोई पर हर कोई अब रंजिश में हो गया है; सोचता हूँ के क्या बुरा किया था मैंने, की अपनों में ही सब कुछ बेगाना हो गया है!!

  • सिर्फ़ है तेरा आसरा

    ज़िंदगी से रंजिश है मेरी, क्यों है न जानता हूँ मैं, खुशी आती है पल भर के लिए, बैठती ही नहीं है साथ मेरे, न जाने किस बात की नाराज़गी है, न समझ पाता हूँ मैं!

  • सिर्फ़ है तेरा आसरा

    A poem written at Pune

  • Yeh Jo Zindagi Ki Kitab Hai

    I am skeptical about what OSHO said. Sometimes I think that what he preached was near to life. We think that a Mahatma is a person who leaves all the materialistic luxuries of life and do dhyaan. But to me...

  • नाम बताने से वोह रुस्वाह हो जाएंगे

    नाम बताने से वोह रुस्वाह हो जाएंगे,ना वोह जी पाएंगे ना हम मर पाएंगे,रहने दो उन्हें गुमनाम इन्ही दीवारों में,जाएंगे तो वापिस शायद नहीं वोह आएंगे!!

  • सब कुछ बेगाना हो गया है!!

    धोका खाकर दिल बेसहारा हो गया है,दुश्मन ना था कोई पर हर कोई अब रंजिश में हो गया है;सोचता हूँ के क्या बुरा किया था मैंने,की अपनों में ही सब कुछ बेगाना हो गया है!!

  • नाराज़गी

    ज़िंदगी से रंजिश है मेरी,क्यों है न जानता हूँ मैं,खुशी आती है पल भर के लिए,बैठती ही नहीं है साथ मेरे,न जाने किस बात की नाराज़गी है,न समझ पाता हूँ मैं !!!

  • कल मुसकरा कर फिर मिल जाएंगे

    हर राह पर तकाज़ा करेंगे आपका, शायद कभी तो मिल ही जायेंगे,आज जा रहें हैं रोते हुए, कल मुसकरा कर फिर मिल जाएंगे !!

  • शिकवा नहीं है अब उससे

    रोज़ अपनी ही तैलाश में निकलता हूँ सवेरे,पर अपने आप को न पा पता हूँ,जिंदगी भी अब परेशान है मुझसे,शिकवा नहीं है अब उससे।

  • अपनी ही तैलाश में हूँ, गैरों कि तरह

    अपनी ही तैलाश में हूँ, गैरों कि तरह,ज़माने के साथ हूँ, बेसहारों कि तरह!न जाने कब यह ज़िंदगी सुधर जायेगी,खो गया हूँ यहाँ ख्यालों कि तरह!!

  • अपनी तलाश में

    आज सुबह से ही मन उदास है। पता नहीं क्यों लेकिन है . कभी - कभी सोचता हूँ कि आदमी कितना विचित्र होता है, बिना किसी कारण ही परेशान और उदास हो जाता है। समझने कि कोशिश कर रहा हूँ...

  • आज ज़माने से हार चूका हूँ मैं

    आज ज़माने से हार चूका हूँ मैं, जिससे करता हूँ प्यार ना पा सका हूँ मैं, वोह संगदिल हसीना पास ही थी मेरे,   पर उससे बहुत दूर जा चूका हूँ मैं!!

  • जिंदगी क्या चीज़ होती है ?

    रात थी , बारह बज रहे थे , सिर्फ अँधियारा था चारों ओर,मैं सोच रह था कि ज़िंदगी क्या चीज़ होती है?इंसान होती है या भगवान् होती है??कि तभी दरवाज़े पर हुई एक हलकी सी खटक,जिसे सुन मेरी साँसे गयीं...

  • Tanhai

    तन्हाईचारों और के अंधियारे मेंजब मैं छत पर बैठा था अकेला,दूर तक निहारने कि कोशिश कर रहा था ,तभी मुझे लगा मेरी आत्मा मुझसे अलग होमेरे पास आ बैठी है ,मेरी तन्हाई में अपने को शामिल करने ,और शायद कुछ...

  • जिसकी चाहत मेरा ख़्वाब है

    A poem written at Infosys, Pune at request of my friends

  • आज ज़माने से हार चूका हूँ मैं

    A poem written at Infosys, Mysore

  • होली

    एक कविता होली के अव्सर पर! लिखे हुए तो काफ़ी समय हो गया, कई साल बीत गए हैं पर दिल में हर साल यही कामना रहती है।

  • तन्हाई

    यह कविता मैने १७ मार्च २००२ को आगरा में खतैना रोड वाले घर में लिखी थी तकरीबन रात को १:२५ बजे।

  • जिंदगी क्या चीज़ होती है?

    A poem written while in College.

  • तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय

    A poem written while at Agra.

hindi (35)
  • Nazeer Akbarabadi - Mahadevji ka byah

    This post is about Nazeer Akbarabadi (1735-1830), a poet who wrote beautiful poetry on Indian festivals.

  • दूर आगरा से

    Here I try to express my life, H1B and GC travails using Mir's couplets.

  • Mir and My H1B and GC Travails

    Here I try to express my life, H1B and GC travails using Mir's couplets.

  • नया सवेरा थम जाता, तो क्या होता?

    A new philosophical poem

  • हुनर की शूआ’

    A new philosophical poem

  • Prayers and Condolences (शोक है हमें इस बात का)

    A new poem that I wrote after Uvalde, TX shooting

  • आज का दिन कुछ खास है

    With love to Srishti

  • कुछ पोखरण यहाँ भी, कुछ विस्फ़ोट वहां भी

    कुछ पोखरण यहाँ भी, कुछ विस्फ़ोट वहां भी,एटम बम बनाके है खुश यह जहान भी,जब फटेगा यह बम हमारे आशियाने या तुम्हारे आशियाने में,चीथड़े उड़ेंगे कुछ यहाँ भी कुछ वहां भी|

  • तुम्हारा साथ

    प्रीति के लियें - एक साल साथ निभाने और मुझे झेलने के लिएँ

  • दर्द कितना है दिल में न जान पाओगे

    दर्द कितना है दिल में न जान पाओगे, हम रोज़ अपने ग़म का इश्तेहार नहीं करते, जो आँख से टपकें लहू तो बतायेंगे, पानी के बेहने को अश्क़ नहीं कहते ॥

  • आज फिर वोह याद आये हैं

    आज फिर वोह याद आये हैं, आँखों में मेरे आँसू लाये हैं, काश ऐसा हो कर दें वोह मुझको माफ़, आ जायें मेरी बाहों में ऐसा हो इन्साफ़!!

  • कब होगा यह सच, या कभी नहीं?

    कब से अरमान ज़िन्दगी के जगा रहा हूँ,कब से उसे मैं बिन रुके बुला रहा हूँ,कब से इंतज़ार है उसके आने का,कब से विचार है उसमें डूब जाने का,कब से आरज़ू है उसकी आवाज़ में खो जाने की,कब से चाहत...

  • पानी के बेहने को अश्क़ नहीं कहते

    दर्द कितना है दिल में न जान पाओगे,हम रोज़ अपने ग़म का इश्तेहार नहीं करते,जो आँख से टपकें लहू तो बतायेंगे,पानी के बेहने को अश्क़ नहीं कहते॥

  • फिर चमकेगा सूर्य स्वछन्द नीले गगन मे

    समय की धरा पर हूँ मैं यूं चल रहा,जिस तरह पंछी उड़ रहे गगन में, विचारों का समूह है यूं उमड़ रहा, जिस तरह बादल गरज रहे आसमान मे |

  • चाहत

    मजबूरी और बेबसी का जो है आलम, निजात उससे पाने की चाहत है, इंसानों को अब इंसानियत की है ज़रुरत, बस उनको यह समझाने की चाहत है |

  • एक कविता उन शहीदों के नाम

    हुकुम ख़ुदा का माने, या सियासी मेहरबानों का, गर्दिश में तारे हिन्दोस्तान के नज़र आते हैं, या माने उनकी जो खुद फ़नाह हुए, जो आजकल ख्वाबों में नज़र आते हैं|

  • सब कुछ बेगाना हो गया है

    धोका खाकर दिल बेसहारा हो गया है, दुश्मन ना था कोई पर हर कोई अब रंजिश में हो गया है; सोचता हूँ के क्या बुरा किया था मैंने, की अपनों में ही सब कुछ बेगाना हो गया है!!

  • सिर्फ़ है तेरा आसरा

    ज़िंदगी से रंजिश है मेरी, क्यों है न जानता हूँ मैं, खुशी आती है पल भर के लिए, बैठती ही नहीं है साथ मेरे, न जाने किस बात की नाराज़गी है, न समझ पाता हूँ मैं!

  • सिर्फ़ है तेरा आसरा

    A poem written at Pune

  • नाम बताने से वोह रुस्वाह हो जाएंगे

    नाम बताने से वोह रुस्वाह हो जाएंगे,ना वोह जी पाएंगे ना हम मर पाएंगे,रहने दो उन्हें गुमनाम इन्ही दीवारों में,जाएंगे तो वापिस शायद नहीं वोह आएंगे!!

  • सब कुछ बेगाना हो गया है!!

    धोका खाकर दिल बेसहारा हो गया है,दुश्मन ना था कोई पर हर कोई अब रंजिश में हो गया है;सोचता हूँ के क्या बुरा किया था मैंने,की अपनों में ही सब कुछ बेगाना हो गया है!!

  • नाराज़गी

    ज़िंदगी से रंजिश है मेरी,क्यों है न जानता हूँ मैं,खुशी आती है पल भर के लिए,बैठती ही नहीं है साथ मेरे,न जाने किस बात की नाराज़गी है,न समझ पाता हूँ मैं !!!

  • कल मुसकरा कर फिर मिल जाएंगे

    हर राह पर तकाज़ा करेंगे आपका, शायद कभी तो मिल ही जायेंगे,आज जा रहें हैं रोते हुए, कल मुसकरा कर फिर मिल जाएंगे !!

  • शिकवा नहीं है अब उससे

    रोज़ अपनी ही तैलाश में निकलता हूँ सवेरे,पर अपने आप को न पा पता हूँ,जिंदगी भी अब परेशान है मुझसे,शिकवा नहीं है अब उससे।

  • अपनी ही तैलाश में हूँ, गैरों कि तरह

    अपनी ही तैलाश में हूँ, गैरों कि तरह,ज़माने के साथ हूँ, बेसहारों कि तरह!न जाने कब यह ज़िंदगी सुधर जायेगी,खो गया हूँ यहाँ ख्यालों कि तरह!!

  • अपनी तलाश में

    आज सुबह से ही मन उदास है। पता नहीं क्यों लेकिन है . कभी - कभी सोचता हूँ कि आदमी कितना विचित्र होता है, बिना किसी कारण ही परेशान और उदास हो जाता है। समझने कि कोशिश कर रहा हूँ...

  • आज ज़माने से हार चूका हूँ मैं

    आज ज़माने से हार चूका हूँ मैं, जिससे करता हूँ प्यार ना पा सका हूँ मैं, वोह संगदिल हसीना पास ही थी मेरे,   पर उससे बहुत दूर जा चूका हूँ मैं!!

  • जिंदगी क्या चीज़ होती है ?

    रात थी , बारह बज रहे थे , सिर्फ अँधियारा था चारों ओर,मैं सोच रह था कि ज़िंदगी क्या चीज़ होती है?इंसान होती है या भगवान् होती है??कि तभी दरवाज़े पर हुई एक हलकी सी खटक,जिसे सुन मेरी साँसे गयीं...

  • Tanhai

    तन्हाईचारों और के अंधियारे मेंजब मैं छत पर बैठा था अकेला,दूर तक निहारने कि कोशिश कर रहा था ,तभी मुझे लगा मेरी आत्मा मुझसे अलग होमेरे पास आ बैठी है ,मेरी तन्हाई में अपने को शामिल करने ,और शायद कुछ...

  • जिसकी चाहत मेरा ख़्वाब है

    A poem written at Infosys, Pune at request of my friends

  • आज ज़माने से हार चूका हूँ मैं

    A poem written at Infosys, Mysore

  • होली

    एक कविता होली के अव्सर पर! लिखे हुए तो काफ़ी समय हो गया, कई साल बीत गए हैं पर दिल में हर साल यही कामना रहती है।

  • तन्हाई

    यह कविता मैने १७ मार्च २००२ को आगरा में खतैना रोड वाले घर में लिखी थी तकरीबन रात को १:२५ बजे।

  • जिंदगी क्या चीज़ होती है?

    A poem written while in College.

  • तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय

    A poem written while at Agra.

personal (119)
  • Letter to Self - Passion

    This is a letter to my past self just beginning to grow into an adult.

  • Org Incentive Optimization Problem

    Most orgs are unknowingly running an “Org Incentive Optimization” algorithm that over-rewards flashy new platforms and under-values quiet reliability work, so you have to translate maintenance into visible, computable outcomes.

  • The Power of Transparency in Leadership - Lessons from Experience

    Transparency is a powerful tool in leadership that fosters trust, collaboration, and growth. As a manager, I've experienced firsthand how embracing transparency positively impacts team dynamics and overall performance. By expecting transparency from above and leading by example, I strive...

  • The Role of Management Philosophy for New Managers

    As a manager and specially as a new manager, your philosophy and approach to leadership can have a significant impact on your team and the overall success of your organization. Whether you're new to management or an experienced leader, it's...

  • Graduated from Georgia Tech

    Finally, I completed my MS in Computer Science from Georgia Institute of Technology

  • Problem with Delivery Apps

    There are certainly problems with Delivery Apps when it comes down to employee and customer satisfaction. A quick take.

  • Mir and My H1B and GC Travails

    Here I try to express my life, H1B and GC travails using Mir's couplets.

  • Gandhi - The Movie

    Watched Gandhi with Rayirth today. He had read about him in the school but I thought it would be a good idea to show him the movie. His appreciation for Gandhi and India’s Struggle for Independence increased manifold.

  • Which Beginner Telescope to Purchase

    This is the first question that everyone asks when getting into star-gazing. Here I repeat what experienced amateur astronomers say.

  • Raju Srivastav

    Raju Srivastav was the king of comedy

  • Bhupinder Singh

    Om Shanti! Bhupinder Singh ji your voice will continue to mesmerize us.

  • Vangelis

    Greek Musician Vangelis died last month. Om Shanti!

  • KK

    This world will forever remain mesmerized by you and your songs KK. Om Shanti!

  • Gun Laws and Constitution - A quick take

    The Preface to the Constitution talks about bringing tranquility to the nation. Gun Laws in many state just go against the Constitution.

  • Bigger Gains Are Often Found Through Removal

    This is profound. It is counter-intuitive to what most of us do but it makes total sense. When I transitioned from Individual Contributor to Manager, the transition was little scary as most of the time I was involved in things...

  • South Carolina Shooting and Shooting is a Norm!

    I didn’t feel a thing today. And then I did some.

  • iPhone Apps, Distractions and Life - App Inventory

    Tired of distractions that I carry with myself all the time - my iPhone Apps, today I did an inventory of all the apps that I have on my phone

  • Lata Mangeshkar

    Om Shanti! Lata Mangeshkar will live forever!

  • Are Lazy Programmers The Best programmers?

    “Lazy programmers are the best programmers!” You will often here this when someone automates a task that takes x time units spending y time units and obviously here x < y.

  • Voyeurism is bad

    If we are all souls impersonating as man or woman, we have no sex. We are just a pure soul, an image of God. Leave people and their sex lives alone. Voyeurism is bad!

  • Years 2020 and 2021

    Year 2020 and 2021 have been mixed; but have they really been bad? They have propelled me toward spirituality, which I think is a good thing.

  • Rinayra is a brave girl!

    Rinayra got hurt. But she was so brave!

  • Dark Skies - Need them now more than ever

    There is light everywhere, and you want it to go off. Need dark skies more than ever. There is nothing that tell and forces and pleads to the people to dare to dream than the beauty of a night sky...

  • Hindu Fundamentalism or Kattar Hindutva

    Hinduism is one of the most flexible religions of the world. Recently I saw someone calling themselves “Kattar Hindu” (Hindu Fundamentalist). I was wondering what it would mean to be a “Kattar Hindu”.

  • Rahul Gandhi Hatao, Desh Bachao

    “Rahul Gandhi Hatao, Desh Bachao"

  • Silence in the face of the evil is itself evil!

    “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil!”

  • Walmart Digical Fail

    Horrible experience with Walmart

  • Sold my car to Carvana

    Carvana - Delightful experience

  • New Year 2020 - Resolution

    Procrastinator's attempt to follow a better lifestyle. First Post.

  • GATech - Second Course Completed

    Finished Second course in GATech OMSCS program

  • Gratitude Metrics

    Gratitude is important. Quantifying is importanter.

  • Images, Pictures, Videos and Instagram

    Instagram changed the way I share pictures and short videos.

  • Welcome Rinayra!

    Welcome Rinayra, my princess!

  • Got a new bicycle!

    Got a new bicycle!

  • Tolerance and Intolerance - Lack of Sense of Justice

    Aamir Khan's recent statement started a debate and widespread criticism. My quick thoughts!

  • First Day in USA

    Today, 15th Feb 2013, is the day when Priti and I came to The USA for the first time. How the first day went?

  • Transitioning myself from a Forgotten Electronics Engineer to a Known Software Engineer.

    I am an Electronics Engineer by education and a Software Engineer (???) by profession. There is always a feeling that I lack the knowledge to be a suitable person for my profession as I do not have the skills that...

  • Moved to my own Website

    Dear All,Thank you for showing support for so long. I have decided to move ahead and am up with my very own site. You may click here  to visit it or copy and paste the following url to a browser...

  • Domain Registration - One Week Headache

    Domain registration became a weeklong headache for me. What happened? How I overcame it. This post is on a personal experience.

  • Is Fundamental Right to Freedom in India only available for Privileged Few?

    Part III of The Constitution of India guarantees Fundamental Rights to citizens of India which includes right to freedom of speech and expression. However, with series of recent incidents that have taken place, it seems that it is available only...

  • IS FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO FREEDOM IN INDIA ONLY AVAILABLE FOR PRIVILEGED FEW?

    Part III of The Constitution of India guarantees Fundamental Rights to citizens of India which includes right to freedom of speech and expression. However, with series of recent incidents that have taken place, it seems that it is available only...

  • Reforms Phase I

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] politics - Clint's Nolan Chart - 20020718 - slightly inaccurate but good (Photo credit: Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL))[/caption]#I wrote this on PG on 13th Oct 2010. And posted on FB Notes on 30th Jan 2011. We...

  • Technical Blog

    I have moved technical content to my new blog Tech Jaunt - http://techjaunt.wordpress.com

  • Changing Focus

    Dear All,It has been a quite a good time that I have been writing on social issues. Now, I am changing my focus to technical stuff - Programming Languages, etc. There will be posts on social issues and other regular...

  • Parkinson's Law of Triviality

    If you doesn't know it already, then let me introduce it to you. This law was propounded by C. Northcote Parkinson and it argues that organizations give disproportionate weight to trivial issues. Parkinson demonstrated this by contrasting the triviality of the cost...

  • Zurker - an Introduction to the Future

    You may know that Facebook founder Mark Zukerburg has stolen the idea from two twin brother in harvard university in 2001. Later on they complained and got 65 million dollar in 2007. In 2009 they started a new project(ZURKER). You can...

  • Old Indian Photos

    Panoramic View from the top of the Paunch Mahal looking North-Eastvia Old Indian Photos.

  • 2011 in review

    The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.Here's an excerpt:The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 32,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at...

  • Should Capital Punishment be Abolished?

    The question of abolition of capital punishment has been the most debatable question and brings lots of emotion and sentiments. There are people who are in favour of abolition and there are others who try to defend capital punishment or...

  • Back to work now

  • Mumbai - As I like It

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]Mumbai - the city I thought was appalling had changed my attitude towards itself transforming my apprehensions to appreciations and there are many of them. I only regret that I did not carry a camera...

  • Have some respect for the Constitution

    Mr Kejriwal says, “Anna Hazare is above Parliament and that he has the right to do so as a citizen … Every citizen is above Parliament.” If this is the understanding of a person who was once part of Indian...

  • Wordle for Palak Mathur | Renaissance

    I am obsessed with India!!Courtesy: Wordle - Gallery: PalakMathur Related articlesWordle for writing assessment (bengrundy.wordpress.com)

  • [Videos] Justice Bhagwati on the Supreme Court's darkest hour - YouTube

    Video and Content Courtesy:  RainmakerIndia[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdq_c6qr17M&feature=player_embedded]"The instances of the Apex court's judgment violating the human rights of the citizens may be extremely rare, but it cannot be said that such a situation can never happen." A Supreme Court bench comprising...

  • Cash-for-vote Scandal and Case of H G Mudgal, 1951 - Waiting for Parliament to take action!!

    Many of my friends might not know about the case of H G Mudgal. So, let us first focus on it. This case exemplifies the serious concern shown by the Parliament of India in the year 1951 about the misconduct...

  • Right to Property Debate

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="105" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]In recent times, there have been multiple incidents where farmers were protesting against the Government as it took away the land from them without paying the adequate compensation and against the wishes of many...

  • Bura Jo Dekhan Main Chala, Bura Naa Milya Koye

    लोग आये जंतर मंतर पेतालियाँ पीटी,चीखे-चिल्लाएकैमरे के सामने उछले-कूदे,माइक पे गीत गायेजोर-जोर से लगाए नारेअमर रहे अन्ना हजारेसरकार को गालियाँ दे रहे थे जब सारेमुझे याद आ रहा था वो गानाजिसने पाप न किया हो,वो पहला पत्थर मारे.I just read...

  • There is no tolerance in India

    'Aarakshan' banned in UP; stay order on film's release in PunjabThe tolerance in India is negligible!! We can't listen anything about a cause, we can't read anything about the cause but we can implement it. "Aarakshan" is a just a...

  • Need for Sex Education in Schools

    I was not shying away from this topic. Yes, it is late, but better late then never. I was going through my notes on the subject when I realized that I have not posted anything on this topic. I talked...

  • My Political Ideology

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="180" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]The other day while reading “India after Independence” by Bipan Chandra, I was overwhelmed by thoughts about India and its politics. Soon I was thinking about my political ideology and myself. I have always...

  • Journalists and their Journalism - Damned and Doomed

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="160" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]It is not long ago that we were discussing how journalists in India and Japan differ when it come to journalistic ethics. We praised Japanese for not showing any scenes of the horror, the...

  • Sadhu dies after 115-day fast to save Ganga

    # Cross-posted from my blog on blogspot as part of clean-upBaba Ramdev's deluxe ward at Dehradun's Himalayan Hospital was not far from that of his 'fellow faster' Swami Nigamanand. Yet, while the camera bulbs wouldn't stop flashing as Ramdev broke...

  • 'Don't stop traffic for me': Mamata Banerjee

    Image via WikipediaYesterday, I read a news with the same headline. Mamata Banerjee was on its way to Writers' Buildings from her Kalighat house in her black Santro car when traffic police stopped other vehicles. The CM asked her security and...

  • Wholesale Price Index and Inflation

    Wholesale Price IndexWPI is the index that is used to measure the change in the average price level of goods traded in wholesale market.   The  characteristics of Wholesale Price Index are as follows:-1. A new WPI series with 2004-05 base...

  • Government and Its ever-increasing Organisations

    Recently there was news that a high-level meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh decided to set up an autonomous Nuclear Authority of India to address people’s safety concerns.  The proposed Nuclear Regulatory Authority will be an autonomous body answerable...

  • [Video] Richard Feynman on doubt, uncertainty and religion

    Richard Feynman's views on doubt, uncertainty and religion. Have a look.[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeCHiUe1et0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3]Related ArticlesHow Richard Feynman Thought (freakonomics.com)Lawrence Krauss's Feynman Biography Now Available | The Intersection (blogs.discovermagazine.com)Danny Hillis remembers Richard Feynman at TEDxCaltech (longnow.org)Richard Feynman Wants His Orange Juice | The...

  • English Usage Notes from OAULD

    # Ref: Free online dictionary definitions for learners of English | Oxford Advanced Learner's DictionaryI was going through OAULD and found this which comes very handy so keeping it here for ready reference. I had copied it on FB but...

  • An answer from a genius

    The following is an actual question given on a University of Washington chemistry mid-term exam. The answer by one student was so "profound" that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet, which is, of course, why we now...

  • Time to bring Real Power in Hands of the People

    On a Saturday, we were celebrating a victory after 28 years, a much needed win to bring the world cup back. Next Saturday, we witnessed another win for the people of SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC of India when they...

  • Isn't using subsidized diesel for private cars a luxury?

    With the price of crude oil rising high and putting pressure on economy is it right to use diesel when it is subsidized to reduce the cost of transportation to maintain the supply of essential commodities to the comfortable levels?...

  • Government Integration!!!! ;)

    From all the government literature that I have read in last few years, I have found that usage of phrases and terms like Integrated Action Plan, Sustainability with Inclusive growth and whatsoever are the right ingredients for policy formulation. Without...

  • ISA Centennial Jam - Right to Express

    #I found this as a private post. So, thought to share it with world. Anyways time of this post and time mentioned  at the start of the post may not be in sync.7 hrs. 53 mins. 40 secs left when...

  • Happiness

    I was going through Bruno's One Minute Email that I subscribed while I was working for VCustomer. It was after a long time that I checked my email account on india.com, where we all registered as it was the only...

  • What I am?

    I was asked sometime back whether I am a feminist or not. I was thinking about that question and could not come up with any answer. Here I am trying to analyze myself. Let us see what happens. What exactly...

  • MTS MBlaze - Worst Internet Service Provider

    This is my story of sufferings that I faced with MTS MBlaze. It was a red-letter day when thought of buying MTS MBlaze entered my mind and that was the day when I had given open invitation to trouble, frustration,...

  • Missing Delhi and Agra

    I wish to go home now. Near my dear ones. It has been more than four years now that I have been staying away from my home. Wish to go back there or at least near it. I work in...

  • MBA Options

    There are many options available for MBA currently. They are:-1. Full-time MBA of 2 years (Conventional MBA)2. Part-time MBA of 3 years3. Executive MBA (Full time) for 1 year or 1.5 years4. MBA through Distance Learning.For the people with experience...

  • In Search

    I am in search of a ray of light to come and ignite the darkness in which I currently am.

  • Literacy in India - An Assessment

    We are going to have a largest Youth population in 2012-2015. Major hindrance to our path of growth is unskilled labour which is also uneducated too. The National Literacy Mission (NLM) was set up in May 1987 that aimed to...

  • Think Before You Pay

    Few days back I wanted to drink Coke. Here outside my office, there are many "tapris" (a roadside shop) on the footpath. In the absence of a good alternative like a cafeteria, etc people from nearby companies rely on these...

  • Views on Nathuram Godse’s Last Speech

    My personal reflections on Nathuram Godse’s courtroom speech, and the precise point where any agreement with him must end

  • Breaking Rules - Generation after Generation

    Since long I have been thinking to write something on this issue but was not able to collect my random thoughts properly. Today I thought it is better to say it in whatever manner – proper or improper. At-least the...

  • A Journey from R220 to S5233

    One fine afternoon, at around 3PM I returned home from college. Everyone was sitting on the double-bed. There was excitement in the eyes of all the three persons sitting on the bed – my father, mother and younger brother. I...

  • Changed the Template

    Finally today I changed the template for three of  my blogs on blogger, viz. Renaissance, Aatmiyata and Tech Foci . Was getting bore while doing deployment. Actually, I have been deployments for past few weeks and now I am not...

  • Last Few Years

    We are few days into the new year and have high hopes that this year will be great for all of us. Looking back past few years, I realize that I have learnt a lot but the thing that matters...

  • Even this shall pass away

    Mid the revels of his court, In the zenith of his sport, When the palms of all his guests, Burned with clapping at his jests, He, amid his figs and wine, Cried: "Oh, precious friends of mine, Pleasure comes, but...

  • A mail to my friends at Infosys

    Following is the mail that I sent to my friends at Infosys after joining IBM. It was critical of the applications that both the companies have on their intranets - Sparsh and w3 respectively.Dear All,It has been two weeks now...

  • IBM - The Journey Begins

    3rd July 2009. A guy walked into Hinjewadi Phase 2, Pune campus with a smile on face and heart filled with excitement and anxiousness. He reached the reception and he saw that he was not the only one. There were...

  • The Day Has Come

    # This is the last mail that I sent in Infosys. Whenever I read it, I become nostalgic.26th March 2006 A guy with a friend (Puneet) stepped out of Karnataka Express at Bangalore City station and headed straight to the...

  • Escape From...Death!!!

    Saturday!! What a saturday it was! Everything was happening and happening too very fast!! On Saturday, I was carelessly sitting on my bed, laptop was on and was chatting with my cousins and few friends at Vichar Vahak. Everything was lazy as...

  • Human spirit is the strongest force

    I read this quote by Dr. Daisaku Ikeda and liked it. I do not claim that I follow this but would love to do it.The human spirit is the strongest force there is. As long as our spirit remains unbroken, there...

  • Diversity and Cross-cultural Sensitivity

    I don't want to use the divisive terms - North Indian and South Indian, but want to say something that will involve these, so please don't mind. I actually hate these terms, but they are the fact they exist.North Indians...

  • Gandhi and his view on Religion and Politics

    As per Gandhiji, Religion is a moral order and different Religions are sets of belief systems and rituals. This is the reason he advocated entry of Religion into politics but not Religions into politics.  Gandhi wanted India to be secular,...

  • Nokia 1110i - Lost it!!!

    The song that is coming in my mind is from film Rock On, "Pichhle Saat Dino Mein Maine Khoya." Yes it is true for me, but not in seven days but last three months. Recent addition is my Nokia 1110i...

  • In Continuation...

    We need leaders. Not exactly leaders but mass leaders who can help masses find a direction, who can help them to "act" instead of just giving verbal expression. A leader like Mahatma Gandhi. I have an untramelled desire to be...

  • Renaissance

    Renaissanceenlightenment-reawakening-reformation Enlightenment leads to reawakening and reawakening leads to reformation!This will lead to the formation of globally democratic society. The society that will have the ability to participate in the progress of the entire society - our home - The...

  • Implications of the M.S. Gill precedent on statecraft

    Read an article with the same title on Hindu by Harish Khare. Here is my opinion on the issue.

  • Happy Birthday Mummy!!

    Happy Birthday Mummy!!Today is my mom's birthday. Today is Mahashivratri too. And also a coincidence!! Today after many years 6th March and Mahashivratri have fallen on the same day. And same was the scenario when my mom took birth in...

  • Deadlock

    Sometimes I think that it is better to be in deadlock. Because when the transaction progresses, many old things are lost. I am talking about life. You leave many things, many moments and memories and can't get them back.

  • My first encounter with Infosys

    I don't know why I started writing this. However, I know that it was somewhere in my mind to write something on it. I had lost hope to get a call from Infosys. So, I was trying to run for...

  • What shall I do???

    There are times when you loose enthusiasm to be with your near and dear ones, your close friends and want to live in solitude for some time. It is what is happening with me right now. I feel a loss...

  • There is more to come...!!

    Whenever I think a goal is accomplished, another goals starts blinking and I head towards it. On the way there comes hurdles and I think that I should leave and return back. But with GOD grace, I reach the goal...

  • I am lazy or I am?

    Sometimes I think, what to blog and at others why to blog? I want to write everything but when I sit in front of this machine I feel like "Leave it" or "Anyways, who cares?". I have evfen not updated...

  • Communication Skills

    Since I was in school, I have been asked several times to improve and hone my communication skills. Later in college, professors asked me and often scold me when judging on same parameters and now in office Performagic is killing...

  • Want our paths to cross again!!

    Dear COAFians,The day has come and I have to bid farewell to CLO. I never wanted to do this. It has never been easy to bid farewell to anyone anywhere, so I am not going to bid farewell as we...

  • Going for a Holiday!!

    Finally I am going for a holiday to stay With my parents. After a year of effort, I will rest at my home town, city of Love, Agra. This time I am going for a two week break.A year has...

  • CLO

    It has been long since I wrote anything on my blog. And whatever I wrote was just nothing that interested me. I was so much absorbed in work that I don't got time to leven Sign In to blogger. For...

  • One Night at Capone ODC

    It is 4 in the morning and night is having its toll on us. We are sleepy, tired and frustrated.... Frustrated????? Are we?? Really?? No, we are enjoying this frustration and tiredness and sleep is adding to it this fun...

  • Fog Index

    // Disclaimer:: Fog Index is not developed by me. I am just presenting it in my words. :)Fog Index measures the complexity of writing samples. It provides a means of calculating the educational level (in years) required to understand a...

  • Cycle of Failure and Success - My Story

    # Last edited on 29th May 2011 at 12:52 AM. I had lot of traffic to this post after IIT-JEE 2011 results when those who could not make it to IIT were trying to search for some solace. I added this italicized...

  • I bought some Neighbours Envy :)

    Hi friends,I have bought a new TV. It is ONIDA BLACK 200 (21"). It cost me Rs.7600. If I count from the first TV that my father bought. Then this is the third one from the stable of Onida. Hope...

  • The Surveys -- My analysis

    Last week I read two surveys - First was The Best Company to Work for in India by BT and the other The Indian Youth by BW.Yes, Infy is once again rated to be the best employer in India. But...

  • Nanaji

    It is now little more than a month after Nanaji left us to his abode at God's place. The only thing that remain with us are his memories. We have a good memory, but whatever else we remember or forget,...

  • Hope for Pope

    The Pope's recent speech in which he condemns Islam has caused a furore all over the world. This act of his has not only caused anger and rage amongst Muslims but have also led the world to the verge of...

  • Wars

    # Written on August 8, 2005From the very beginning of humanity, human beings are fighting with each other to gain supremacy and to acquire power - power to control others. The homo sapiens, as we are called, are the supreme...

  • Nothing is Well

    Nothing is going well. Nanaji is not doing well and is in ICU at Fortis Hospital Noida. We are just keeping ourfingers crossed and hope for a positive outcome.

  • Call Center Memories

    Yesterday I read 'one night @ call center' by Chetan Bhagat. Thanks to Vishik for lending me his book. Let me tell you that I read it because of my anger for the recent Cost Cutting carried out at one...

  • Namashkar

    It has been a long time since I started this blog, but never posted anything on it except a one time post on new jobs. Now, onwards I will be posting everything on this blog that I feel and want...

  • About My Blog

    This blog is meant for all my friends who want to keep in touch with me. This blog will provide you with all you need to know about me.

opinion (111)
  • Letter to Self - Passion

    This is a letter to my past self just beginning to grow into an adult.

  • Org Incentive Optimization Problem

    Most orgs are unknowingly running an “Org Incentive Optimization” algorithm that over-rewards flashy new platforms and under-values quiet reliability work, so you have to translate maintenance into visible, computable outcomes.

  • The Power of Transparency in Leadership - Lessons from Experience

    Transparency is a powerful tool in leadership that fosters trust, collaboration, and growth. As a manager, I've experienced firsthand how embracing transparency positively impacts team dynamics and overall performance. By expecting transparency from above and leading by example, I strive...

  • The Role of Management Philosophy for New Managers

    As a manager and specially as a new manager, your philosophy and approach to leadership can have a significant impact on your team and the overall success of your organization. Whether you're new to management or an experienced leader, it's...

  • Problem with Delivery Apps

    There are certainly problems with Delivery Apps when it comes down to employee and customer satisfaction. A quick take.

  • Mir and My H1B and GC Travails

    Here I try to express my life, H1B and GC travails using Mir's couplets.

  • Gandhi - The Movie

    Watched Gandhi with Rayirth today. He had read about him in the school but I thought it would be a good idea to show him the movie. His appreciation for Gandhi and India’s Struggle for Independence increased manifold.

  • Gun Laws and Constitution - A quick take

    The Preface to the Constitution talks about bringing tranquility to the nation. Gun Laws in many state just go against the Constitution.

  • Bigger Gains Are Often Found Through Removal

    This is profound. It is counter-intuitive to what most of us do but it makes total sense. When I transitioned from Individual Contributor to Manager, the transition was little scary as most of the time I was involved in things...

  • South Carolina Shooting and Shooting is a Norm!

    I didn’t feel a thing today. And then I did some.

  • iPhone Apps, Distractions and Life - App Inventory

    Tired of distractions that I carry with myself all the time - my iPhone Apps, today I did an inventory of all the apps that I have on my phone

  • Are Lazy Programmers The Best programmers?

    “Lazy programmers are the best programmers!” You will often here this when someone automates a task that takes x time units spending y time units and obviously here x < y.

  • Voyeurism is bad

    If we are all souls impersonating as man or woman, we have no sex. We are just a pure soul, an image of God. Leave people and their sex lives alone. Voyeurism is bad!

  • Years 2020 and 2021

    Year 2020 and 2021 have been mixed; but have they really been bad? They have propelled me toward spirituality, which I think is a good thing.

  • Dark Skies - Need them now more than ever

    There is light everywhere, and you want it to go off. Need dark skies more than ever. There is nothing that tell and forces and pleads to the people to dare to dream than the beauty of a night sky...

  • Hindu Fundamentalism or Kattar Hindutva

    Hinduism is one of the most flexible religions of the world. Recently I saw someone calling themselves “Kattar Hindu” (Hindu Fundamentalist). I was wondering what it would mean to be a “Kattar Hindu”.

  • Rahul Gandhi Hatao, Desh Bachao

    “Rahul Gandhi Hatao, Desh Bachao"

  • Silence in the face of the evil is itself evil!

    “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil!”

  • Walmart Digical Fail

    Horrible experience with Walmart

  • Sold my car to Carvana

    Carvana - Delightful experience

  • New Year 2020 - Resolution

    Procrastinator's attempt to follow a better lifestyle. First Post.

  • GATech - Second Course Completed

    Finished Second course in GATech OMSCS program

  • Gratitude Metrics

    Gratitude is important. Quantifying is importanter.

  • Images, Pictures, Videos and Instagram

    Instagram changed the way I share pictures and short videos.

  • Welcome Rinayra!

    Welcome Rinayra, my princess!

  • Got a new bicycle!

    Got a new bicycle!

  • Tolerance and Intolerance - Lack of Sense of Justice

    Aamir Khan's recent statement started a debate and widespread criticism. My quick thoughts!

  • First Day in USA

    Today, 15th Feb 2013, is the day when Priti and I came to The USA for the first time. How the first day went?

  • Transitioning myself from a Forgotten Electronics Engineer to a Known Software Engineer.

    I am an Electronics Engineer by education and a Software Engineer (???) by profession. There is always a feeling that I lack the knowledge to be a suitable person for my profession as I do not have the skills that...

  • Moved to my own Website

    Dear All,Thank you for showing support for so long. I have decided to move ahead and am up with my very own site. You may click here  to visit it or copy and paste the following url to a browser...

  • Domain Registration - One Week Headache

    Domain registration became a weeklong headache for me. What happened? How I overcame it. This post is on a personal experience.

  • Is Fundamental Right to Freedom in India only available for Privileged Few?

    Part III of The Constitution of India guarantees Fundamental Rights to citizens of India which includes right to freedom of speech and expression. However, with series of recent incidents that have taken place, it seems that it is available only...

  • IS FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO FREEDOM IN INDIA ONLY AVAILABLE FOR PRIVILEGED FEW?

    Part III of The Constitution of India guarantees Fundamental Rights to citizens of India which includes right to freedom of speech and expression. However, with series of recent incidents that have taken place, it seems that it is available only...

  • Reforms Phase I

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] politics - Clint's Nolan Chart - 20020718 - slightly inaccurate but good (Photo credit: Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL))[/caption]#I wrote this on PG on 13th Oct 2010. And posted on FB Notes on 30th Jan 2011. We...

  • Technical Blog

    I have moved technical content to my new blog Tech Jaunt - http://techjaunt.wordpress.com

  • Changing Focus

    Dear All,It has been a quite a good time that I have been writing on social issues. Now, I am changing my focus to technical stuff - Programming Languages, etc. There will be posts on social issues and other regular...

  • Parkinson's Law of Triviality

    If you doesn't know it already, then let me introduce it to you. This law was propounded by C. Northcote Parkinson and it argues that organizations give disproportionate weight to trivial issues. Parkinson demonstrated this by contrasting the triviality of the cost...

  • Zurker - an Introduction to the Future

    You may know that Facebook founder Mark Zukerburg has stolen the idea from two twin brother in harvard university in 2001. Later on they complained and got 65 million dollar in 2007. In 2009 they started a new project(ZURKER). You can...

  • Old Indian Photos

    Panoramic View from the top of the Paunch Mahal looking North-Eastvia Old Indian Photos.

  • 2011 in review

    The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.Here's an excerpt:The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 32,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at...

  • Should Capital Punishment be Abolished?

    The question of abolition of capital punishment has been the most debatable question and brings lots of emotion and sentiments. There are people who are in favour of abolition and there are others who try to defend capital punishment or...

  • Back to work now

  • Mumbai - As I like It

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]Mumbai - the city I thought was appalling had changed my attitude towards itself transforming my apprehensions to appreciations and there are many of them. I only regret that I did not carry a camera...

  • Have some respect for the Constitution

    Mr Kejriwal says, “Anna Hazare is above Parliament and that he has the right to do so as a citizen … Every citizen is above Parliament.” If this is the understanding of a person who was once part of Indian...

  • Wordle for Palak Mathur | Renaissance

    I am obsessed with India!!Courtesy: Wordle - Gallery: PalakMathur Related articlesWordle for writing assessment (bengrundy.wordpress.com)

  • [Videos] Justice Bhagwati on the Supreme Court's darkest hour - YouTube

    Video and Content Courtesy:  RainmakerIndia[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdq_c6qr17M&feature=player_embedded]"The instances of the Apex court's judgment violating the human rights of the citizens may be extremely rare, but it cannot be said that such a situation can never happen." A Supreme Court bench comprising...

  • Cash-for-vote Scandal and Case of H G Mudgal, 1951 - Waiting for Parliament to take action!!

    Many of my friends might not know about the case of H G Mudgal. So, let us first focus on it. This case exemplifies the serious concern shown by the Parliament of India in the year 1951 about the misconduct...

  • Right to Property Debate

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="105" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]In recent times, there have been multiple incidents where farmers were protesting against the Government as it took away the land from them without paying the adequate compensation and against the wishes of many...

  • Bura Jo Dekhan Main Chala, Bura Naa Milya Koye

    लोग आये जंतर मंतर पेतालियाँ पीटी,चीखे-चिल्लाएकैमरे के सामने उछले-कूदे,माइक पे गीत गायेजोर-जोर से लगाए नारेअमर रहे अन्ना हजारेसरकार को गालियाँ दे रहे थे जब सारेमुझे याद आ रहा था वो गानाजिसने पाप न किया हो,वो पहला पत्थर मारे.I just read...

  • There is no tolerance in India

    'Aarakshan' banned in UP; stay order on film's release in PunjabThe tolerance in India is negligible!! We can't listen anything about a cause, we can't read anything about the cause but we can implement it. "Aarakshan" is a just a...

  • Need for Sex Education in Schools

    I was not shying away from this topic. Yes, it is late, but better late then never. I was going through my notes on the subject when I realized that I have not posted anything on this topic. I talked...

  • My Political Ideology

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="180" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]The other day while reading “India after Independence” by Bipan Chandra, I was overwhelmed by thoughts about India and its politics. Soon I was thinking about my political ideology and myself. I have always...

  • Journalists and their Journalism - Damned and Doomed

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="160" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]It is not long ago that we were discussing how journalists in India and Japan differ when it come to journalistic ethics. We praised Japanese for not showing any scenes of the horror, the...

  • Sadhu dies after 115-day fast to save Ganga

    # Cross-posted from my blog on blogspot as part of clean-upBaba Ramdev's deluxe ward at Dehradun's Himalayan Hospital was not far from that of his 'fellow faster' Swami Nigamanand. Yet, while the camera bulbs wouldn't stop flashing as Ramdev broke...

  • 'Don't stop traffic for me': Mamata Banerjee

    Image via WikipediaYesterday, I read a news with the same headline. Mamata Banerjee was on its way to Writers' Buildings from her Kalighat house in her black Santro car when traffic police stopped other vehicles. The CM asked her security and...

  • Wholesale Price Index and Inflation

    Wholesale Price IndexWPI is the index that is used to measure the change in the average price level of goods traded in wholesale market.   The  characteristics of Wholesale Price Index are as follows:-1. A new WPI series with 2004-05 base...

  • Government and Its ever-increasing Organisations

    Recently there was news that a high-level meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh decided to set up an autonomous Nuclear Authority of India to address people’s safety concerns.  The proposed Nuclear Regulatory Authority will be an autonomous body answerable...

  • [Video] Richard Feynman on doubt, uncertainty and religion

    Richard Feynman's views on doubt, uncertainty and religion. Have a look.[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeCHiUe1et0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3]Related ArticlesHow Richard Feynman Thought (freakonomics.com)Lawrence Krauss's Feynman Biography Now Available | The Intersection (blogs.discovermagazine.com)Danny Hillis remembers Richard Feynman at TEDxCaltech (longnow.org)Richard Feynman Wants His Orange Juice | The...

  • English Usage Notes from OAULD

    # Ref: Free online dictionary definitions for learners of English | Oxford Advanced Learner's DictionaryI was going through OAULD and found this which comes very handy so keeping it here for ready reference. I had copied it on FB but...

  • An answer from a genius

    The following is an actual question given on a University of Washington chemistry mid-term exam. The answer by one student was so "profound" that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet, which is, of course, why we now...

  • Time to bring Real Power in Hands of the People

    On a Saturday, we were celebrating a victory after 28 years, a much needed win to bring the world cup back. Next Saturday, we witnessed another win for the people of SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC of India when they...

  • Isn't using subsidized diesel for private cars a luxury?

    With the price of crude oil rising high and putting pressure on economy is it right to use diesel when it is subsidized to reduce the cost of transportation to maintain the supply of essential commodities to the comfortable levels?...

  • Government Integration!!!! ;)

    From all the government literature that I have read in last few years, I have found that usage of phrases and terms like Integrated Action Plan, Sustainability with Inclusive growth and whatsoever are the right ingredients for policy formulation. Without...

  • ISA Centennial Jam - Right to Express

    #I found this as a private post. So, thought to share it with world. Anyways time of this post and time mentioned  at the start of the post may not be in sync.7 hrs. 53 mins. 40 secs left when...

  • Happiness

    I was going through Bruno's One Minute Email that I subscribed while I was working for VCustomer. It was after a long time that I checked my email account on india.com, where we all registered as it was the only...

  • What I am?

    I was asked sometime back whether I am a feminist or not. I was thinking about that question and could not come up with any answer. Here I am trying to analyze myself. Let us see what happens. What exactly...

  • MTS MBlaze - Worst Internet Service Provider

    This is my story of sufferings that I faced with MTS MBlaze. It was a red-letter day when thought of buying MTS MBlaze entered my mind and that was the day when I had given open invitation to trouble, frustration,...

  • Missing Delhi and Agra

    I wish to go home now. Near my dear ones. It has been more than four years now that I have been staying away from my home. Wish to go back there or at least near it. I work in...

  • MBA Options

    There are many options available for MBA currently. They are:-1. Full-time MBA of 2 years (Conventional MBA)2. Part-time MBA of 3 years3. Executive MBA (Full time) for 1 year or 1.5 years4. MBA through Distance Learning.For the people with experience...

  • In Search

    I am in search of a ray of light to come and ignite the darkness in which I currently am.

  • Literacy in India - An Assessment

    We are going to have a largest Youth population in 2012-2015. Major hindrance to our path of growth is unskilled labour which is also uneducated too. The National Literacy Mission (NLM) was set up in May 1987 that aimed to...

  • Think Before You Pay

    Few days back I wanted to drink Coke. Here outside my office, there are many "tapris" (a roadside shop) on the footpath. In the absence of a good alternative like a cafeteria, etc people from nearby companies rely on these...

  • Views on Nathuram Godse’s Last Speech

    My personal reflections on Nathuram Godse’s courtroom speech, and the precise point where any agreement with him must end

  • Breaking Rules - Generation after Generation

    Since long I have been thinking to write something on this issue but was not able to collect my random thoughts properly. Today I thought it is better to say it in whatever manner – proper or improper. At-least the...

  • A Journey from R220 to S5233

    One fine afternoon, at around 3PM I returned home from college. Everyone was sitting on the double-bed. There was excitement in the eyes of all the three persons sitting on the bed – my father, mother and younger brother. I...

  • Changed the Template

    Finally today I changed the template for three of  my blogs on blogger, viz. Renaissance, Aatmiyata and Tech Foci . Was getting bore while doing deployment. Actually, I have been deployments for past few weeks and now I am not...

  • Last Few Years

    We are few days into the new year and have high hopes that this year will be great for all of us. Looking back past few years, I realize that I have learnt a lot but the thing that matters...

  • Even this shall pass away

    Mid the revels of his court, In the zenith of his sport, When the palms of all his guests, Burned with clapping at his jests, He, amid his figs and wine, Cried: "Oh, precious friends of mine, Pleasure comes, but...

  • A mail to my friends at Infosys

    Following is the mail that I sent to my friends at Infosys after joining IBM. It was critical of the applications that both the companies have on their intranets - Sparsh and w3 respectively.Dear All,It has been two weeks now...

  • IBM - The Journey Begins

    3rd July 2009. A guy walked into Hinjewadi Phase 2, Pune campus with a smile on face and heart filled with excitement and anxiousness. He reached the reception and he saw that he was not the only one. There were...

  • The Day Has Come

    # This is the last mail that I sent in Infosys. Whenever I read it, I become nostalgic.26th March 2006 A guy with a friend (Puneet) stepped out of Karnataka Express at Bangalore City station and headed straight to the...

  • Escape From...Death!!!

    Saturday!! What a saturday it was! Everything was happening and happening too very fast!! On Saturday, I was carelessly sitting on my bed, laptop was on and was chatting with my cousins and few friends at Vichar Vahak. Everything was lazy as...

  • Human spirit is the strongest force

    I read this quote by Dr. Daisaku Ikeda and liked it. I do not claim that I follow this but would love to do it.The human spirit is the strongest force there is. As long as our spirit remains unbroken, there...

  • Diversity and Cross-cultural Sensitivity

    I don't want to use the divisive terms - North Indian and South Indian, but want to say something that will involve these, so please don't mind. I actually hate these terms, but they are the fact they exist.North Indians...

  • Gandhi and his view on Religion and Politics

    As per Gandhiji, Religion is a moral order and different Religions are sets of belief systems and rituals. This is the reason he advocated entry of Religion into politics but not Religions into politics.  Gandhi wanted India to be secular,...

  • Nokia 1110i - Lost it!!!

    The song that is coming in my mind is from film Rock On, "Pichhle Saat Dino Mein Maine Khoya." Yes it is true for me, but not in seven days but last three months. Recent addition is my Nokia 1110i...

  • In Continuation...

    We need leaders. Not exactly leaders but mass leaders who can help masses find a direction, who can help them to "act" instead of just giving verbal expression. A leader like Mahatma Gandhi. I have an untramelled desire to be...

  • Renaissance

    Renaissanceenlightenment-reawakening-reformation Enlightenment leads to reawakening and reawakening leads to reformation!This will lead to the formation of globally democratic society. The society that will have the ability to participate in the progress of the entire society - our home - The...

  • Implications of the M.S. Gill precedent on statecraft

    Read an article with the same title on Hindu by Harish Khare. Here is my opinion on the issue.

  • Happy Birthday Mummy!!

    Happy Birthday Mummy!!Today is my mom's birthday. Today is Mahashivratri too. And also a coincidence!! Today after many years 6th March and Mahashivratri have fallen on the same day. And same was the scenario when my mom took birth in...

  • Deadlock

    Sometimes I think that it is better to be in deadlock. Because when the transaction progresses, many old things are lost. I am talking about life. You leave many things, many moments and memories and can't get them back.

  • My first encounter with Infosys

    I don't know why I started writing this. However, I know that it was somewhere in my mind to write something on it. I had lost hope to get a call from Infosys. So, I was trying to run for...

  • What shall I do???

    There are times when you loose enthusiasm to be with your near and dear ones, your close friends and want to live in solitude for some time. It is what is happening with me right now. I feel a loss...

  • There is more to come...!!

    Whenever I think a goal is accomplished, another goals starts blinking and I head towards it. On the way there comes hurdles and I think that I should leave and return back. But with GOD grace, I reach the goal...

  • I am lazy or I am?

    Sometimes I think, what to blog and at others why to blog? I want to write everything but when I sit in front of this machine I feel like "Leave it" or "Anyways, who cares?". I have evfen not updated...

  • Communication Skills

    Since I was in school, I have been asked several times to improve and hone my communication skills. Later in college, professors asked me and often scold me when judging on same parameters and now in office Performagic is killing...

  • Want our paths to cross again!!

    Dear COAFians,The day has come and I have to bid farewell to CLO. I never wanted to do this. It has never been easy to bid farewell to anyone anywhere, so I am not going to bid farewell as we...

  • Going for a Holiday!!

    Finally I am going for a holiday to stay With my parents. After a year of effort, I will rest at my home town, city of Love, Agra. This time I am going for a two week break.A year has...

  • CLO

    It has been long since I wrote anything on my blog. And whatever I wrote was just nothing that interested me. I was so much absorbed in work that I don't got time to leven Sign In to blogger. For...

  • One Night at Capone ODC

    It is 4 in the morning and night is having its toll on us. We are sleepy, tired and frustrated.... Frustrated????? Are we?? Really?? No, we are enjoying this frustration and tiredness and sleep is adding to it this fun...

  • Fog Index

    // Disclaimer:: Fog Index is not developed by me. I am just presenting it in my words. :)Fog Index measures the complexity of writing samples. It provides a means of calculating the educational level (in years) required to understand a...

  • Cycle of Failure and Success - My Story

    # Last edited on 29th May 2011 at 12:52 AM. I had lot of traffic to this post after IIT-JEE 2011 results when those who could not make it to IIT were trying to search for some solace. I added this italicized...

  • I bought some Neighbours Envy :)

    Hi friends,I have bought a new TV. It is ONIDA BLACK 200 (21"). It cost me Rs.7600. If I count from the first TV that my father bought. Then this is the third one from the stable of Onida. Hope...

  • The Surveys -- My analysis

    Last week I read two surveys - First was The Best Company to Work for in India by BT and the other The Indian Youth by BW.Yes, Infy is once again rated to be the best employer in India. But...

  • Nanaji

    It is now little more than a month after Nanaji left us to his abode at God's place. The only thing that remain with us are his memories. We have a good memory, but whatever else we remember or forget,...

  • Hope for Pope

    The Pope's recent speech in which he condemns Islam has caused a furore all over the world. This act of his has not only caused anger and rage amongst Muslims but have also led the world to the verge of...

  • Wars

    # Written on August 8, 2005From the very beginning of humanity, human beings are fighting with each other to gain supremacy and to acquire power - power to control others. The homo sapiens, as we are called, are the supreme...

  • Nothing is Well

    Nothing is going well. Nanaji is not doing well and is in ICU at Fortis Hospital Noida. We are just keeping ourfingers crossed and hope for a positive outcome.

  • Call Center Memories

    Yesterday I read 'one night @ call center' by Chetan Bhagat. Thanks to Vishik for lending me his book. Let me tell you that I read it because of my anger for the recent Cost Cutting carried out at one...

  • Namashkar

    It has been a long time since I started this blog, but never posted anything on it except a one time post on new jobs. Now, onwards I will be posting everything on this blog that I feel and want...

  • About My Blog

    This blog is meant for all my friends who want to keep in touch with me. This blog will provide you with all you need to know about me.

technology (46)
travel (72)
  • Letter to Self - Passion

    This is a letter to my past self just beginning to grow into an adult.

  • Either This Or That - Why I Wanted Disjunctive Types In Java

    When your Java methods really mean "either this or that" but the type system only says "here’s something…maybe," you’re flying blind. This post walks through using Result types, sealed hierarchies, and a bit of logic-thinking to make those hidden alternatives...

  • Revolutionizing Global Payments - A Comprehensive Analysis of Real-Time Payment Systems - UPI in India, FedNow in the US, and Similar Interfaces Worldwide

    Real-time payment systems have become the backbone of modern economies, offering rapid and secure transactions for individuals and businesses alike. This in-depth technical article explores the transformative power of real-time payment systems, with a focus on two major players -...

  • Navigating Chaos - Reflecting on India's Traffic Woes and Empowering Change on India's Road with AI

    In the bustling streets of India, a chaotic symphony unfolds daily, as vehicles of all shapes and sizes jostle for space. For some, this spectacle is a source of amazement and curiosity, but for others, like myself, it evokes a...

  • Cricket - Beginner's Guide

    This post summarizes sport of cricket for people who are interested in the game.

  • Nazeer Akbarabadi - Mahadevji ka byah

    This post is about Nazeer Akbarabadi (1735-1830), a poet who wrote beautiful poetry on Indian festivals.

  • दूर आगरा से

    Here I try to express my life, H1B and GC travails using Mir's couplets.

  • Mir and My H1B and GC Travails

    Here I try to express my life, H1B and GC travails using Mir's couplets.

  • P and NP - Understanding the Complexity of Algorithms

    When it comes to understanding the complexity of algorithms, the terms "P" and "NP" often come up in discussions. These terms are used to describe the complexity of problems and their corresponding algorithms in terms of time and space complexity....

  • [Movie Review] Major (in Hindi)

    If I have to rate, I will give it 3 out of 5. 2 marks for emotions and 1 for being committed enough to make a movie on Maj Unnikrishnan.

  • iPhone Apps, Distractions and Life - App Inventory

    Tired of distractions that I carry with myself all the time - my iPhone Apps, today I did an inventory of all the apps that I have on my phone

  • How to read a book

    Reading is fun and in this post I will share how I approach reading and reading alternatives

  • Dark Skies - Need them now more than ever

    There is light everywhere, and you want it to go off. Need dark skies more than ever. There is nothing that tell and forces and pleads to the people to dare to dream than the beauty of a night sky...

  • Images, Pictures, Videos and Instagram

    Instagram changed the way I share pictures and short videos.

  • Migrating SVN Repo to Git

    How to migrate SVN repository to Git?

  • First Day in USA

    Today, 15th Feb 2013, is the day when Priti and I came to The USA for the first time. How the first day went?

  • Transitioning myself from a Forgotten Electronics Engineer to a Known Software Engineer.

    I am an Electronics Engineer by education and a Software Engineer (???) by profession. There is always a feeling that I lack the knowledge to be a suitable person for my profession as I do not have the skills that...

  • Domain Registration - One Week Headache

    Domain registration became a weeklong headache for me. What happened? How I overcame it. This post is on a personal experience.

  • Is Fundamental Right to Freedom in India only available for Privileged Few?

    Part III of The Constitution of India guarantees Fundamental Rights to citizens of India which includes right to freedom of speech and expression. However, with series of recent incidents that have taken place, it seems that it is available only...

  • [Book Review] Trade Winds to Meluhha by Vasant Dave

    Finally, I had the opportunity to read this novel, which has been long pending, due to one reason or the other and more of my laziness. Since it was an e-book and I do not have any e-book reader that...

  • [Book Review] I, Rama: Age of Seers (Book – 1) by Ravi Venu

    Ramayana has been the epic the story of which has been told and retold and is still being told. There is an enchanting literary colour that has been liked by many and is still being liked and loved.[caption id="attachment_1697" align="alignright"...

  • LPG Transparency Portal

    Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched the LPG Transparency Portal under Government to Citizen (G2C) service category.Click on the above link or paste the following url in your browser:-http://www.bharatpetroleum.com/Transparency_portal/LPG_portal.htmlAs per National Portal of India,LPG consumers can know their...

  • Walking through history in bylanes of Agra by Brij Khandelwal

    Walking through history in bylanes of Agra by Brij Khandelwal via Overseas Indian: Connecting India with its Diaspora.

  • Old Indian Photos

    Panoramic View from the top of the Paunch Mahal looking North-Eastvia Old Indian Photos.

  • [Book Review] Hot Tea Across India by Rishad Saam Mehta

    For a long time I wanted to read a travelogue – beautiful images and memories captured in one book. Therefore, when BlogAdda gave me an opportunity to review one, I grabbed it. It is another story that how I received...

  • [Book Review] East Into Upper East by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

    East Into Upper East is a collection of short stories by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. Jhabvala is a Polish born in Germany and married to an Indian architect C S H Jhabvala.[caption id="" align="alignright" width="146"] [/caption]I have read only few stories...

  • Mumbai - As I like It

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]Mumbai - the city I thought was appalling had changed my attitude towards itself transforming my apprehensions to appreciations and there are many of them. I only regret that I did not carry a camera...

  • Judicial Reforms - My Take

    I was going through a post of my friend Shailendra. And I tried to put few suggestions. While commenting there, I realized that I wrote enough that it can be transformed into a post. So here are my suggestions:-1. Judiciary...

  • [Guest Post] Views on Terrorism by Padmaja

    Trying to understand Terrorism, Padmaja tries to explore whether one can really go so far for the sake of just a belief and raises few questions on the world leadership. Read it.One more terrorist attack & we are all forced...

  • Right to Property Debate

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="105" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]In recent times, there have been multiple incidents where farmers were protesting against the Government as it took away the land from them without paying the adequate compensation and against the wishes of many...

  • My Political Ideology

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="180" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]The other day while reading “India after Independence” by Bipan Chandra, I was overwhelmed by thoughts about India and its politics. Soon I was thinking about my political ideology and myself. I have always...

  • Journalists and their Journalism - Damned and Doomed

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="160" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]It is not long ago that we were discussing how journalists in India and Japan differ when it come to journalistic ethics. We praised Japanese for not showing any scenes of the horror, the...

  • Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (GURT)

     GURT, also called terminator technology, is a biotech-based strategy that prevents seeds from germinating in the next growing season unless treated chemically by the seed company prior to planting. When seeds of crop varieties (containing this kind of genetic manipulation)...

  • Minting and Issue of Coins

    Hammered Coins (Image by Wikipedia) # Taken from RBI website and WikipediaThe responsibility for coinage vests with the Government of India in terms of the Coinage Act, 1906. The government has the sole right to mint coins.  Government of India is...

  • Government of India and Its Websites

    I am just fed-up with how government functions. All the Pub Ad stuff is weird specially when it comes to implementation in India and by the Government. The efficiency of Government organisations are always questioned and the quality of the...

  • India Facing Cash Crunch on High Tax Refunds

    Image via WikipediaDon't panic. It is temporary cash crunch that the government of India is facing on account of tax refunds of nearly Rs 45,000 crore during April and May. But this cash crunch is prompting it to resort to short-term borrowing.People might be...

  • Banking the Unbanked

    "Banking the unbanked" is the topic that I first heard during Davos 2007 media reports. There are hundreds of reasons for large part of population in many countries - developed, developing and underdeveloped - to stay outside the realms of...

  • Speech of Mahatma Gandhi at a Prayer Meeting

    Location: NEW DELHI,Date: December 6, 1947Brothers and Sisters,You heard the bhajan and the Ramdhun sung by Subbulakshmi. She is new to Delhi. Usually she gives music recitals. One ought to lose oneself while singing bhajans and Ramdhun. Today you must have realized why...

  • [Book Review] More Salt Than Pepper by Karan Thapar

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="129"] [/caption]If you have missed Karan Thapar's articles in HT either because of you were not born or were too young to understand or read or your interest developed late or for any other reason, then please...

  • [Book Review] The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream by Paulo Coelho

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="140"] [/caption]I don't like self-help books. But on strong recommendation from my wife and others, I gave a chance to myself and read the book. I liked the story and kept reading until I finished it. Few of...

  • [Book Review] Early Records Of British India: A History Of The English Settlements In India by James Talboys Wheeler

    [caption id="attachment_795" align="alignright" width="150"] [/caption]The book name is Early records of British India: a history of the English settlements in India, as told in the Government Records, the works of old travellers and other contemporary documents, from the earliest period down...

  • [Schooling in India] Bishop’s Flawed Reason for Detaining a Student

    Today in Pune Mirror there was a  news that The Bishop’s School has detained a boy who has passed IX finals and has also advised him to seek a new school. I was shocked at the irresponsible behaviour of the school...

  • Pune Mathur Association's Summer Dhamaka

    # Ref: Taken from Priti Mathur's blogMathur Association, Pune organized grand Summer Dhamaka for all the Mathurs residing in Pune on April 16th at Ivy Studio, Viman Nagar. All the members with their families were invited to attend the function and...

  • Time to bring Real Power in Hands of the People

    On a Saturday, we were celebrating a victory after 28 years, a much needed win to bring the world cup back. Next Saturday, we witnessed another win for the people of SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC of India when they...

  • Government considering bio-shields against tsunami

    I was going through this news sometime back  so thought it is worth sharing. Here are the excerpts:The Environment Ministry is considering the idea of developing bioshields comprising mangrove and non-mangrove species in coastal areas adjoining critical infrastructure projects such...

  • Right to Die!

    #Copied from Facebook NotesTrying to analyze the verdict given by Hon Supreme Court on Euthanasia. In my humble opinion, the court has done the right thing mainly because:-1. Art 21 of Fundamental Rights of Indian Constitution that grants Right to Life does...

  • MTS MBlaze - Worst Internet Service Provider

    This is my story of sufferings that I faced with MTS MBlaze. It was a red-letter day when thought of buying MTS MBlaze entered my mind and that was the day when I had given open invitation to trouble, frustration,...

  • Missing Delhi and Agra

    I wish to go home now. Near my dear ones. It has been more than four years now that I have been staying away from my home. Wish to go back there or at least near it. I work in...

  • MBA Options

    There are many options available for MBA currently. They are:-1. Full-time MBA of 2 years (Conventional MBA)2. Part-time MBA of 3 years3. Executive MBA (Full time) for 1 year or 1.5 years4. MBA through Distance Learning.For the people with experience...

  • Think Before You Pay

    Few days back I wanted to drink Coke. Here outside my office, there are many "tapris" (a roadside shop) on the footpath. In the absence of a good alternative like a cafeteria, etc people from nearby companies rely on these...

  • Nathuram Godse's Last Speech

    This is the speech given by Nathuram Godse in the court when he was tried for the murder of Mahatma Gandhi.Born in a devotional Brahmin family, I instinctively came to revere Hindu religion, Hindu history and Hindu culture. I had,...

  • Breaking Rules - Generation after Generation

    Since long I have been thinking to write something on this issue but was not able to collect my random thoughts properly. Today I thought it is better to say it in whatever manner – proper or improper. At-least the...

  • A Journey from R220 to S5233

    One fine afternoon, at around 3PM I returned home from college. Everyone was sitting on the double-bed. There was excitement in the eyes of all the three persons sitting on the bed – my father, mother and younger brother. I...

  • A mail to my friends at Infosys

    Following is the mail that I sent to my friends at Infosys after joining IBM. It was critical of the applications that both the companies have on their intranets - Sparsh and w3 respectively.Dear All,It has been two weeks now...

  • IBM - The Journey Begins

    3rd July 2009. A guy walked into Hinjewadi Phase 2, Pune campus with a smile on face and heart filled with excitement and anxiousness. He reached the reception and he saw that he was not the only one. There were...

  • The Day Has Come

    # This is the last mail that I sent in Infosys. Whenever I read it, I become nostalgic.26th March 2006 A guy with a friend (Puneet) stepped out of Karnataka Express at Bangalore City station and headed straight to the...

  • Escape From...Death!!!

    Saturday!! What a saturday it was! Everything was happening and happening too very fast!! On Saturday, I was carelessly sitting on my bed, laptop was on and was chatting with my cousins and few friends at Vichar Vahak. Everything was lazy as...

  • Speech: Javed Akhtar: India Today conclave session on Spirituality - Halo or Hoax.

    # This is the speech given by Mr. Javed Akhtar. For a reply by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, please click here. INDIA TODAY CONCLAVEDAY 2, Saturday, February 26, 2005Session: Spirituality - Halo or Hoax.SPEECH: JAVED AKHTAR I am quite sure ladies...

  • Earth Hour - Lets Make the Difference

    Global Warming is a 'global' issue. We all know about it and its consequences. We all want to do something about the issue but don't know where to start. So, here is an opportunity for all of us to be...

  • Diversity and Cross-cultural Sensitivity

    I don't want to use the divisive terms - North Indian and South Indian, but want to say something that will involve these, so please don't mind. I actually hate these terms, but they are the fact they exist.North Indians...

  • Gandhi and My Irony

    [caption id="attachment_99" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Mahatma Gandhi"][/caption]Condemning Gandhi has become a fashion these days. People don't understand and can't appreciate what he has done. They must realize that the real force behind uniting the nation was Gandhi. For years we have...

  • Migration

    Lately we have seen this coming up as a major issue and finding a great TRP for news channel. The hue and cry about the issue and the implication of speeches of leaders fighting against migration and those favouring it...

  • Happy Birthday Mummy!!

    Happy Birthday Mummy!!Today is my mom's birthday. Today is Mahashivratri too. And also a coincidence!! Today after many years 6th March and Mahashivratri have fallen on the same day. And same was the scenario when my mom took birth in...

  • Agra in News

    So Agra was in news and that too because of our college... Anand Engineering College. And there is nothing to cheer about. It was all for bad reasons.The act that I am talking about is unacceptable under any circumstances. And...

  • My first encounter with Infosys

    I don't know why I started writing this. However, I know that it was somewhere in my mind to write something on it. I had lost hope to get a call from Infosys. So, I was trying to run for...

  • I am lazy or I am?

    Sometimes I think, what to blog and at others why to blog? I want to write everything but when I sit in front of this machine I feel like "Leave it" or "Anyways, who cares?". I have evfen not updated...

  • Communication Skills

    Since I was in school, I have been asked several times to improve and hone my communication skills. Later in college, professors asked me and often scold me when judging on same parameters and now in office Performagic is killing...

  • Want our paths to cross again!!

    Dear COAFians,The day has come and I have to bid farewell to CLO. I never wanted to do this. It has never been easy to bid farewell to anyone anywhere, so I am not going to bid farewell as we...

  • Going for a Holiday!!

    Finally I am going for a holiday to stay With my parents. After a year of effort, I will rest at my home town, city of Love, Agra. This time I am going for a two week break.A year has...

  • Fog Index

    // Disclaimer:: Fog Index is not developed by me. I am just presenting it in my words. :)Fog Index measures the complexity of writing samples. It provides a means of calculating the educational level (in years) required to understand a...

  • Cycle of Failure and Success - My Story

    # Last edited on 29th May 2011 at 12:52 AM. I had lot of traffic to this post after IIT-JEE 2011 results when those who could not make it to IIT were trying to search for some solace. I added this italicized...

  • OOTY-COONOOR TRIP

    # A letter to Sunanda Mainji on 1st May 2006Respected mainji,JRJK!!This was a long weekend and we have a holiday today also on account of May Day. So, we decided to visit OOTY and COONOOR.We left Mysore on Saturday morning...

leadership (52)
  • Hello, 2026: Shipping Hope in Small Commits

    A New Year note from a builder who still believes small, consistent commits can change a life, and sometimes a team.

  • Letter to Self - Passion

    This is a letter to my past self just beginning to grow into an adult.

  • TDD as a Management Technique Revisited

    I still think TDD is a Taylorian construct. But I now care less about the ritual and more about a deeper idea - thinking about evaluation and testing before we write code.

  • Org Incentive Optimization Problem

    Most orgs are unknowingly running an “Org Incentive Optimization” algorithm that over-rewards flashy new platforms and under-values quiet reliability work, so you have to translate maintenance into visible, computable outcomes.

  • India and the United States

    Let us explore the Indo-US relations over the year and where they are headed after recent tariffs imposed by US on India

  • The Power of Transparency in Leadership - Lessons from Experience

    Transparency is a powerful tool in leadership that fosters trust, collaboration, and growth. As a manager, I've experienced firsthand how embracing transparency positively impacts team dynamics and overall performance. By expecting transparency from above and leading by example, I strive...

  • Navigating Chaos - Reflecting on India's Traffic Woes and Empowering Change on India's Road with AI

    In the bustling streets of India, a chaotic symphony unfolds daily, as vehicles of all shapes and sizes jostle for space. For some, this spectacle is a source of amazement and curiosity, but for others, like myself, it evokes a...

  • Cricket - Beginner's Guide

    This post summarizes sport of cricket for people who are interested in the game.

  • American Football - Beginners Guide

    As a newcomer to USA in 2013, American Football was really confusing at first. Here I summarize the rules at high level for the people who are new to the USA and want to understand and enjoy the game.

  • On Agile - Part 2

    In this post I do a quick glance of Agile frameworks, their pitfalls and some high level strategies to avoid those pitfalls.

  • The Role of Management Philosophy for New Managers

    As a manager and specially as a new manager, your philosophy and approach to leadership can have a significant impact on your team and the overall success of your organization. Whether you're new to management or an experienced leader, it's...

  • What is Advaita Vedanta?

    Advaita Vedanta is a powerful and transformative philosophy that teaches the concept of non-dualism. Through the realization of the oneness of the individual self and the universal self, we can attain liberation from the cycle of reincarnation and experience true...

  • Bigger Gains Are Often Found Through Removal

    This is profound. It is counter-intuitive to what most of us do but it makes total sense. When I transitioned from Individual Contributor to Manager, the transition was little scary as most of the time I was involved in things...

  • Roc Lang and Compiler Optimization by Richard Feldman

    Loved this talk by Richard Feldman on Roc-lang in particular and language optimization in general.

  • iPhone Apps, Distractions and Life - App Inventory

    Tired of distractions that I carry with myself all the time - my iPhone Apps, today I did an inventory of all the apps that I have on my phone

  • On Agile

    First and foremost thing to remember about Agile is that it fosters democratic mindset - of the developers, by the developers, for the developers. The teams that do not understand this have unsatisfied developers.

  • Hindu Fundamentalism or Kattar Hindutva

    Hinduism is one of the most flexible religions of the world. Recently I saw someone calling themselves “Kattar Hindu” (Hindu Fundamentalist). I was wondering what it would mean to be a “Kattar Hindu”.

  • Test Driven Development - A Management Technique

    Test Driven Development is just a management technique.

  • Toronto Declaration

    Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are going to change the society by bringing significant benefits and improvements to the way of life. However, without any checks-and-balance in place, they can pose serious threat to the same way of...

  • Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Vedanta Hinduism

    This post attempts to define a Test of Intelligence based on my understanding of Advaita Vedanta. Submitted as part of CS7637 Homework

  • General Data Protection Regulation and Personal Data

    GDPR and its impact on Advertising. Submitted as part of CS7637 Homework

  • MH370 - Blackbox Data Backup

    The disappearance of MH3701 made me wonder about one thing in particular. What if we did not depend entirely on physical black boxes at the bottom of an ocean. What if at least part of the flight recorder data was...

  • Transitioning myself from a Forgotten Electronics Engineer to a Known Software Engineer.

    I am an Electronics Engineer by education and a Software Engineer (???) by profession. There is always a feeling that I lack the knowledge to be a suitable person for my profession as I do not have the skills that...

  • Domain Registration - One Week Headache

    Domain registration became a weeklong headache for me. What happened? How I overcame it. This post is on a personal experience.

  • Java and JVM Languages

    Over the years, [JVM](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_Virtual_Machine "Java Virtual Machine") has become not only the host of Java but also of several other languages. Categorized together as [JVM-based languages](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_JVM_languages), these languages claim to better what and how Java does performs specific functions. Some...

  • LPG Transparency Portal

    Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched the LPG Transparency Portal under Government to Citizen (G2C) service category.Click on the above link or paste the following url in your browser:-http://www.bharatpetroleum.com/Transparency_portal/LPG_portal.htmlAs per National Portal of India,LPG consumers can know their...

  • Electoral Reforms

    Image via WikipediaIn June this year (2011), 7th Regional Consultation on Electoral Reforms  was held in Guwahati. A number of measures have been proposed by various committees on different issues.  I am just copying them from its press release for ready reference. These measures, including the ones...

  • Have some respect for the Constitution

    Mr Kejriwal says, “Anna Hazare is above Parliament and that he has the right to do so as a citizen … Every citizen is above Parliament.” If this is the understanding of a person who was once part of Indian...

  • [Guest Post] Views on Terrorism by Padmaja

    Trying to understand Terrorism, Padmaja tries to explore whether one can really go so far for the sake of just a belief and raises few questions on the world leadership. Read it.One more terrorist attack & we are all forced...

  • My Political Ideology

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="180" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]The other day while reading “India after Independence” by Bipan Chandra, I was overwhelmed by thoughts about India and its politics. Soon I was thinking about my political ideology and myself. I have always...

  • National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

    India has announced a National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in June, 2008 which incorporates its vision of sustainable development and the steps it must take to realize it. The NAPCC is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and...

  • Government of India and Its Websites

    I am just fed-up with how government functions. All the Pub Ad stuff is weird specially when it comes to implementation in India and by the Government. The efficiency of Government organisations are always questioned and the quality of the...

  • [Book Review] Introduction to the Constitution of India by Dr. Durga Das Basu

    [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="97"] [/caption]Introduction to the Constitution of India is a fantastic book on the subject of Indian Constitution and presents a wonderful commentary on the same. It deals with everything and nothing substantial is left out. The language...

  • India Facing Cash Crunch on High Tax Refunds

    Image via WikipediaDon't panic. It is temporary cash crunch that the government of India is facing on account of tax refunds of nearly Rs 45,000 crore during April and May. But this cash crunch is prompting it to resort to short-term borrowing.People might be...

  • Avoiding emails without Subject?

    More often than not I used to compile a fantastic mail to send to my colleagues (even managers) in office and just after clicking Send, it used to strike me that I had missed mentioning the subject. So, I requested...

  • Credit Crunch - Meaning, Example and Implications

    What is Credit Crunch?In simple words, when you can't get loans easily, its credit crunch.Definition: Reduction in the general availability of loans (or credit) or a sudden tightening of the conditions required to obtain a loan from the banks. Examples of...

  • ISA Centennial Jam - Right to Express

    #I found this as a private post. So, thought to share it with world. Anyways time of this post and time mentioned  at the start of the post may not be in sync.7 hrs. 53 mins. 40 secs left when...

  • Why G-20 is a failure or will be one?

    Prof. Nouriel Roubini, the famed economist who is credited with predicting the global financial crisis comments on the utter failure of the G-20 in giving global leadership.  Recently he cited reasons for this failure. I am just putting them down...

  • MBA Options

    There are many options available for MBA currently. They are:-1. Full-time MBA of 2 years (Conventional MBA)2. Part-time MBA of 3 years3. Executive MBA (Full time) for 1 year or 1.5 years4. MBA through Distance Learning.For the people with experience...

  • Views on Nathuram Godse’s Last Speech

    My personal reflections on Nathuram Godse’s courtroom speech, and the precise point where any agreement with him must end

  • Nathuram Godse's Last Speech

    This is the speech given by Nathuram Godse in the court when he was tried for the murder of Mahatma Gandhi.Born in a devotional Brahmin family, I instinctively came to revere Hindu religion, Hindu history and Hindu culture. I had,...

  • Last Few Years

    We are few days into the new year and have high hopes that this year will be great for all of us. Looking back past few years, I realize that I have learnt a lot but the thing that matters...

  • A mail to my friends at Infosys

    Following is the mail that I sent to my friends at Infosys after joining IBM. It was critical of the applications that both the companies have on their intranets - Sparsh and w3 respectively.Dear All,It has been two weeks now...

  • IBM - The Journey Begins

    3rd July 2009. A guy walked into Hinjewadi Phase 2, Pune campus with a smile on face and heart filled with excitement and anxiousness. He reached the reception and he saw that he was not the only one. There were...

  • The Day Has Come

    # This is the last mail that I sent in Infosys. Whenever I read it, I become nostalgic.26th March 2006 A guy with a friend (Puneet) stepped out of Karnataka Express at Bangalore City station and headed straight to the...

  • Speech: Javed Akhtar: India Today conclave session on Spirituality - Halo or Hoax.

    # This is the speech given by Mr. Javed Akhtar. For a reply by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, please click here. INDIA TODAY CONCLAVEDAY 2, Saturday, February 26, 2005Session: Spirituality - Halo or Hoax.SPEECH: JAVED AKHTAR I am quite sure ladies...

  • A Take Towards Our Failures

    In India, we are growing, despite all odds against us. We have a society which is so varied in culture and is linguistically diverse, besides we don't have a Flat World either, with a great part of our population which...

  • Show support for them too!!!

    The news has lost its worth in the smog of Cricket wins over the last week. Can you guess what I am talking about. One more team is working hard and winning matches. But no one is bothered. If you...

  • Agra in News

    So Agra was in news and that too because of our college... Anand Engineering College. And there is nothing to cheer about. It was all for bad reasons.The act that I am talking about is unacceptable under any circumstances. And...

  • One Night at Capone ODC

    It is 4 in the morning and night is having its toll on us. We are sleepy, tired and frustrated.... Frustrated????? Are we?? Really?? No, we are enjoying this frustration and tiredness and sleep is adding to it this fun...

  • Donkey Kicks an Elephant!!

    Can a donkey kick an elephant and that too hard enough for elephant to counter? If I say yes, then you will say I have gone mad. But wait, a donkey certainly can!! So you ask how? Read today's TOI....

  • Call Center Memories

    Yesterday I read 'one night @ call center' by Chetan Bhagat. Thanks to Vishik for lending me his book. Let me tell you that I read it because of my anger for the recent Cost Cutting carried out at one...

india (130)
  • A Tomato’s Journey: Revisiting India’s Post-Harvest Supply Chain (2011 → 2026)

    A 2026 rewrite of a 2011 note: one tomato’s journey through India’s post-harvest chain, what changed since 2011, and what still leaks value.

  • India and the United States

    Let us explore the Indo-US relations over the year and where they are headed after recent tariffs imposed by US on India

  • Revolutionizing Global Payments - A Comprehensive Analysis of Real-Time Payment Systems - UPI in India, FedNow in the US, and Similar Interfaces Worldwide

    Real-time payment systems have become the backbone of modern economies, offering rapid and secure transactions for individuals and businesses alike. This in-depth technical article explores the transformative power of real-time payment systems, with a focus on two major players -...

  • Navigating Chaos - Reflecting on India's Traffic Woes and Empowering Change on India's Road with AI

    In the bustling streets of India, a chaotic symphony unfolds daily, as vehicles of all shapes and sizes jostle for space. For some, this spectacle is a source of amazement and curiosity, but for others, like myself, it evokes a...

  • Cricket - Beginner's Guide

    This post summarizes sport of cricket for people who are interested in the game.

  • Nazeer Akbarabadi - Mahadevji ka byah

    This post is about Nazeer Akbarabadi (1735-1830), a poet who wrote beautiful poetry on Indian festivals.

  • Gandhi - The Movie

    Watched Gandhi with Rayirth today. He had read about him in the school but I thought it would be a good idea to show him the movie. His appreciation for Gandhi and India’s Struggle for Independence increased manifold.

  • What an Inning from Virat Kohli vs Pakistan

    This is a note to self for memories in the later years. This was the innings that proved why Virat Kohli is a King!

  • Raju Srivastav

    Raju Srivastav was the king of comedy

  • India - 75 years of Independence

    India celebrates its 75th Independence Day tomorrow, 15th August. There is so much to dream about India; so much to cherish, so much to cheer, so much to hate and so much to desire about it.

  • [Movie Review] Major (in Hindi)

    If I have to rate, I will give it 3 out of 5. 2 marks for emotions and 1 for being committed enough to make a movie on Maj Unnikrishnan.

  • iPhone Apps, Distractions and Life - App Inventory

    Tired of distractions that I carry with myself all the time - my iPhone Apps, today I did an inventory of all the apps that I have on my phone

  • Lata Mangeshkar

    Om Shanti! Lata Mangeshkar will live forever!

  • Dark Skies - Need them now more than ever

    There is light everywhere, and you want it to go off. Need dark skies more than ever. There is nothing that tell and forces and pleads to the people to dare to dream than the beauty of a night sky...

  • Rahul Gandhi Hatao, Desh Bachao

    “Rahul Gandhi Hatao, Desh Bachao"

  • Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Vedanta Hinduism

    This post attempts to define a Test of Intelligence based on my understanding of Advaita Vedanta. Submitted as part of CS7637 Homework

  • Tolerance and Intolerance - Lack of Sense of Justice

    Aamir Khan's recent statement started a debate and widespread criticism. My quick thoughts!

  • First Day in USA

    Today, 15th Feb 2013, is the day when Priti and I came to The USA for the first time. How the first day went?

  • Is Fundamental Right to Freedom in India only available for Privileged Few?

    Part III of The Constitution of India guarantees Fundamental Rights to citizens of India which includes right to freedom of speech and expression. However, with series of recent incidents that have taken place, it seems that it is available only...

  • IS FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO FREEDOM IN INDIA ONLY AVAILABLE FOR PRIVILEGED FEW?

    Part III of The Constitution of India guarantees Fundamental Rights to citizens of India which includes right to freedom of speech and expression. However, with series of recent incidents that have taken place, it seems that it is available only...

  • Reforms Phase I

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] politics - Clint's Nolan Chart - 20020718 - slightly inaccurate but good (Photo credit: Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL))[/caption]#I wrote this on PG on 13th Oct 2010. And posted on FB Notes on 30th Jan 2011. We...

  • [Book Review] The Complete Yes Minister - The Diaries of a Cabinet Minister by the Right Hon. James Hacker MP by Jonathan Lynn and Antony Jay

    This was one review that has long remained pending.This is a fantastic book. The portable form of Yes Minister sitcom that rocked BBC in 1980s. In India, we have  had a hindi TV-series by the name of "JI Mantriji" and...

  • [Book Review] IshqFareb by Chandan Pandey

    Book Review of Hindi book IshqFareb by Chandan Pandey

  • [Book Review] Trade Winds to Meluhha by Vasant Dave

    Finally, I had the opportunity to read this novel, which has been long pending, due to one reason or the other and more of my laziness. Since it was an e-book and I do not have any e-book reader that...

  • [Book Review] The Krishna Key by Ashwin Sanghi

    If I have to give a single phrase verdict for the book then it would be Well-researched. Ashwin Sanghi has written a well-researched book, engraved deep into the History of the Indian Sub-continent and linked it well with the history...

  • Learn Python - Resources

    Here I am listing few of the resources that I think will be good for someone to refer if (s)he wants to learn Python.

  • [Book Review] I, Rama: Age of Seers (Book – 1) by Ravi Venu

    Ramayana has been the epic the story of which has been told and retold and is still being told. There is an enchanting literary colour that has been liked by many and is still being liked and loved.[caption id="attachment_1697" align="alignright"...

  • LPG Transparency Portal

    Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched the LPG Transparency Portal under Government to Citizen (G2C) service category.Click on the above link or paste the following url in your browser:-http://www.bharatpetroleum.com/Transparency_portal/LPG_portal.htmlAs per National Portal of India,LPG consumers can know their...

  • [Book Review] The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino

    [caption id="attachment_1657" align="alignright" width="300"] [/caption]I got interested in The Devotion of Suspect X when I came to know that it is a bestseller in Japan and has rave reviews elsewhere. Last year I happened to read three thrillers and this...

  • Zurker - an Introduction to the Future

    You may know that Facebook founder Mark Zukerburg has stolen the idea from two twin brother in harvard university in 2001. Later on they complained and got 65 million dollar in 2007. In 2009 they started a new project(ZURKER). You can...

  • Walking through history in bylanes of Agra by Brij Khandelwal

    Walking through history in bylanes of Agra by Brij Khandelwal via Overseas Indian: Connecting India with its Diaspora.

  • Old Indian Photos

    Panoramic View from the top of the Paunch Mahal looking North-Eastvia Old Indian Photos.

  • [Book Review] Urban Shots – Bright Lights – Edited by Paritosh Uttam

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="130"] [/caption]I have always been a non-fiction reader and as far as fiction is concerned, I am a pucca Wodehousean. I also love to read short stories and have a good collection of classics of the likes of...

  • [Book Review] Hot Tea Across India by Rishad Saam Mehta

    For a long time I wanted to read a travelogue – beautiful images and memories captured in one book. Therefore, when BlogAdda gave me an opportunity to review one, I grabbed it. It is another story that how I received...

  • [Notes] The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010

    The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill tries to lay down enforceable standards of conduct for judges.The Bill seeks to:-Lay down judicial standards,Provide for the accountability of judges, andEstablish mechanisms for investigating individual complaints for misbehavior or incapacity of a judge...

  • [Book Review] Transforming Capitalism Improving the World for Everyone by Arun Maira

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="234"] [/caption]I recently got an opportunity to read and review this book under BlogAdda’s Book Review program. I have been a huge fan of Arun Maira’s articles and being able to review his book was like a dream...

  • Should Capital Punishment be Abolished?

    The question of abolition of capital punishment has been the most debatable question and brings lots of emotion and sentiments. There are people who are in favour of abolition and there are others who try to defend capital punishment or...

  • [Book Review] East Into Upper East by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

    East Into Upper East is a collection of short stories by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. Jhabvala is a Polish born in Germany and married to an Indian architect C S H Jhabvala.[caption id="" align="alignright" width="146"] [/caption]I have read only few stories...

  • Mumbai - As I like It

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]Mumbai - the city I thought was appalling had changed my attitude towards itself transforming my apprehensions to appreciations and there are many of them. I only regret that I did not carry a camera...

  • Judicial Reforms - My Take

    I was going through a post of my friend Shailendra. And I tried to put few suggestions. While commenting there, I realized that I wrote enough that it can be transformed into a post. So here are my suggestions:-1. Judiciary...

  • Electoral Reforms

    Image via WikipediaIn June this year (2011), 7th Regional Consultation on Electoral Reforms  was held in Guwahati. A number of measures have been proposed by various committees on different issues.  I am just copying them from its press release for ready reference. These measures, including the ones...

  • Reforms in Anti-Defection Laws - Recommendations of Various Committees and Commissions

    The Anti-Defection Law was passed in 1985 through the 52nd Amendment to the Constitution, which added the Tenth Schedule to the Indian Constitution. The main intent of the law was to combat “the evil of political defections”. There are several...

  • Have some respect for the Constitution

    Mr Kejriwal says, “Anna Hazare is above Parliament and that he has the right to do so as a citizen … Every citizen is above Parliament.” If this is the understanding of a person who was once part of Indian...

  • Wordle for Palak Mathur | Renaissance

    I am obsessed with India!!Courtesy: Wordle - Gallery: PalakMathur Related articlesWordle for writing assessment (bengrundy.wordpress.com)

  • Air India and Its Future

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by BriYYZ via Flickr"][/caption]Air India is India's national flag carrier. Over the years it has lost its fervour and there has been plenty of reforms to make it work and bring it out of the...

  • [Videos] Justice Bhagwati on the Supreme Court's darkest hour - YouTube

    Video and Content Courtesy:  RainmakerIndia[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdq_c6qr17M&feature=player_embedded]"The instances of the Apex court's judgment violating the human rights of the citizens may be extremely rare, but it cannot be said that such a situation can never happen." A Supreme Court bench comprising...

  • [Guest Post] Views on Terrorism by Padmaja

    Trying to understand Terrorism, Padmaja tries to explore whether one can really go so far for the sake of just a belief and raises few questions on the world leadership. Read it.One more terrorist attack & we are all forced...

  • Cash-for-vote Scandal and Case of H G Mudgal, 1951 - Waiting for Parliament to take action!!

    Many of my friends might not know about the case of H G Mudgal. So, let us first focus on it. This case exemplifies the serious concern shown by the Parliament of India in the year 1951 about the misconduct...

  • Right to Property Debate

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="105" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]In recent times, there have been multiple incidents where farmers were protesting against the Government as it took away the land from them without paying the adequate compensation and against the wishes of many...

  • [Book Review] Hello, Bastar by Rahul Pandita

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="187"] [/caption]Few years back I was searching for information on Naxal Movement in India, when I encountered website of Hilary Pais. I found good amount of knowledge about Naxals or Maoists. It is one of the best-written...

  • There is no tolerance in India

    'Aarakshan' banned in UP; stay order on film's release in PunjabThe tolerance in India is negligible!! We can't listen anything about a cause, we can't read anything about the cause but we can implement it. "Aarakshan" is a just a...

  • Need for Sex Education in Schools

    I was not shying away from this topic. Yes, it is late, but better late then never. I was going through my notes on the subject when I realized that I have not posted anything on this topic. I talked...

  • My Political Ideology

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="180" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]The other day while reading “India after Independence” by Bipan Chandra, I was overwhelmed by thoughts about India and its politics. Soon I was thinking about my political ideology and myself. I have always...

  • Journalists and their Journalism - Damned and Doomed

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="160" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]It is not long ago that we were discussing how journalists in India and Japan differ when it come to journalistic ethics. We praised Japanese for not showing any scenes of the horror, the...

  • Sadhu dies after 115-day fast to save Ganga

    # Cross-posted from my blog on blogspot as part of clean-upBaba Ramdev's deluxe ward at Dehradun's Himalayan Hospital was not far from that of his 'fellow faster' Swami Nigamanand. Yet, while the camera bulbs wouldn't stop flashing as Ramdev broke...

  • Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (GURT)

     GURT, also called terminator technology, is a biotech-based strategy that prevents seeds from germinating in the next growing season unless treated chemically by the seed company prior to planting. When seeds of crop varieties (containing this kind of genetic manipulation)...

  • National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

    India has announced a National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in June, 2008 which incorporates its vision of sustainable development and the steps it must take to realize it. The NAPCC is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and...

  • Employment and Unemployment Measurements in India

    I am copying this from Annual Report to People on Employment (2010) published by Ministry of  Labour and Employment, Government of India. This was the first comprehensive report on the subject. However, it would have been read by intellectuals of...

  • Wholesale Price Index and Inflation

    Wholesale Price IndexWPI is the index that is used to measure the change in the average price level of goods traded in wholesale market.   The  characteristics of Wholesale Price Index are as follows:-1. A new WPI series with 2004-05 base...

  • Minting and Issue of Coins

    Hammered Coins (Image by Wikipedia) # Taken from RBI website and WikipediaThe responsibility for coinage vests with the Government of India in terms of the Coinage Act, 1906. The government has the sole right to mint coins.  Government of India is...

  • Government and Its ever-increasing Organisations

    Recently there was news that a high-level meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh decided to set up an autonomous Nuclear Authority of India to address people’s safety concerns.  The proposed Nuclear Regulatory Authority will be an autonomous body answerable...

  • Government of India and Its Websites

    I am just fed-up with how government functions. All the Pub Ad stuff is weird specially when it comes to implementation in India and by the Government. The efficiency of Government organisations are always questioned and the quality of the...

  • [Book Review] A Wonder That Was India Vol 2 by S A A Rizvi

    [caption id="attachment_1006" align="alignright" width="147"] [/caption]Read the book named Wonder That Was India Vol 2 by SAA Rizvi second time since 2008. It is the second volume of the series of which the first volume is famously known by the name...

  • [Book Review] A New Look at Modern Indian History by B.L.Grover and Alka Mehta

    [caption id="attachment_998" align="alignleft" width="217"] [/caption]This is an important book on Modern Indian History especially for the events before the Revolt of 1857 and after Government of India Act of 1935. The book is a fantastically arranged and divided into 50...

  • [Book Review] Introduction to the Constitution of India by Dr. Durga Das Basu

    [caption id="" align="alignleft" width="97"] [/caption]Introduction to the Constitution of India is a fantastic book on the subject of Indian Constitution and presents a wonderful commentary on the same. It deals with everything and nothing substantial is left out. The language...

  • India's child malnutrition puzzle

    Was reading an article by Neeraj Kaushal, Associate Professor of Social Work, Columbia University by the same title in ET. Was shocked to note the details. Here are excerpts:-[caption id="" align="alignright" width="350" caption="Image via Unicef"][/caption]India is home to about a third...

  • India Facing Cash Crunch on High Tax Refunds

    Image via WikipediaDon't panic. It is temporary cash crunch that the government of India is facing on account of tax refunds of nearly Rs 45,000 crore during April and May. But this cash crunch is prompting it to resort to short-term borrowing.People might be...

  • Banking the Unbanked

    "Banking the unbanked" is the topic that I first heard during Davos 2007 media reports. There are hundreds of reasons for large part of population in many countries - developed, developing and underdeveloped - to stay outside the realms of...

  • [Book Review] Kadambini - Hindi Monthly Magazine

    Kadambini is one of the famous Hindi monthlies that is published by Hindustan Media Ventures Limited. I remember that my father used to buy this magazine every month from  A H Wheeler stall at Mathura Junction when he was posted...

  • WHAT IS SLR, CRR, BANK RATE, REPO AND REVERSE REPOs and difference between CRR and SLR?

    # Copied from somewhere on Internet to Facebook Notes and now as a part of cleanup of FB copying here as ready reference.What is Bank rate?   Bank Rate is the rate at which central bank of the country  (in India...

  • What are ADR and GDR?

    American Depositary Receipt (ADR)ADR is method of trading non-U.S. stocks on U.S. exchangesSuppose, Indian Co. wants to raise money from America, by issuing shares in American stock exchange.But then Indian co. will have to maintain accounts according to American standards.To...

  • CDS : Credit default swaps

    In simplest form Its buying insurance against a default.ExampleI'm a banker, gave car-loans to dude, but I'm afraid he might not pay back the full money. So I'll goto some other Bank X who sells Credit default Swaps (CDS).I've to...

  • Credit Crunch - Meaning, Example and Implications

    What is Credit Crunch?In simple words, when you can't get loans easily, its credit crunch.Definition: Reduction in the general availability of loans (or credit) or a sudden tightening of the conditions required to obtain a loan from the banks. Examples of...

  • Speech of Mahatma Gandhi at a Prayer Meeting

    Location: NEW DELHI,Date: December 6, 1947Brothers and Sisters,You heard the bhajan and the Ramdhun sung by Subbulakshmi. She is new to Delhi. Usually she gives music recitals. One ought to lose oneself while singing bhajans and Ramdhun. Today you must have realized why...

  • How to calculate GDP (PPP) and GDP nominal?

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="119" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]Take a basket of commodities (like 1 kg sugar,wheat,veggies and cloths etc).Now find out how much money do you need to buy everything from that basket?For India suppose the bill is 1700 Rs.Go to...

  • Why use GDP (nominal) instead of GDP (PPP) when comparing two nations?

    For example:In India majority of people are poor, and receive subsidized grains (like 1 kilo rice for 3 Rs, kerosene etc. from PDS shops.In America poor people are supported by Government by food stamps and social security cheques.Now comparing two...

  • [Banking in India] History

    Banking in India started with setting up of two banks in the last decades of the 18th century. The banks were:-        1.  The General Bank of India  (1786)    2.  Bank of Hindustan (1790)    Both of them...

  • [Banking in India] Story of State Bank of India

    Note: I am starting with a series on Banking in India. Will try to include everything regarding Indian Banking System that is necessary from examinations point of view. To start with here is the Story of State Bank of India. I...

  • Corporate Social Responsibility

    # Copied from my notes on Facebook, few things might have changed in between. Verify them!!Official definition of CSRThe World Business Council defines CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) as “the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic...

  • Food security related statistics for India

    The Global Hunger Index released by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) places India 67th in rankings with a score of 24.1, far below China and below Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal.The Global Hunger Index is calculated as an average of (1) proportion of the population that...

  • [Book Review] Ancient India in Historical Outline by D.N. Jha

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="140"] [/caption][caption][/captionIt is a wonderful book for those who want to read and understand Ancient India. A nice book for starters as it gives you a feel of Ancient Indian History. Ancient History being weird in the...

  • [Book Review] Indian Memsahib - The Untold Story of a Bureaucrat's Wife by Suchita Malik

    #Read in Jan 2009Indian Memsahib: The untold story of a bureaucrat's wife is an unconventional look into the world of Indian bureaucracy and its fascinating order. The book is a subtle attempt at showing how bureaucracy works in certain ways...

  • [Book Review] Early Records Of British India: A History Of The English Settlements In India by James Talboys Wheeler

    [caption id="attachment_795" align="alignright" width="150"] [/caption]The book name is Early records of British India: a history of the English settlements in India, as told in the Government Records, the works of old travellers and other contemporary documents, from the earliest period down...

  • [Schooling in India] Bishop’s Flawed Reason for Detaining a Student

    Today in Pune Mirror there was a  news that The Bishop’s School has detained a boy who has passed IX finals and has also advised him to seek a new school. I was shocked at the irresponsible behaviour of the school...

  • Time to bring Real Power in Hands of the People

    On a Saturday, we were celebrating a victory after 28 years, a much needed win to bring the world cup back. Next Saturday, we witnessed another win for the people of SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC of India when they...

  • Isn't using subsidized diesel for private cars a luxury?

    With the price of crude oil rising high and putting pressure on economy is it right to use diesel when it is subsidized to reduce the cost of transportation to maintain the supply of essential commodities to the comfortable levels?...

  • Right to Die!

    #Copied from Facebook NotesTrying to analyze the verdict given by Hon Supreme Court on Euthanasia. In my humble opinion, the court has done the right thing mainly because:-1. Art 21 of Fundamental Rights of Indian Constitution that grants Right to Life does...

  • ISA Centennial Jam - Right to Express

    #I found this as a private post. So, thought to share it with world. Anyways time of this post and time mentioned  at the start of the post may not be in sync.7 hrs. 53 mins. 40 secs left when...

  • How did the small-ticket reform help India?

    It has been a constant refrain among economists that the country's budgets have lacked big-ticket reforms. This is an op-ed by TT Ram Mohan, Professor at IIMA:- http://goo.gl/p0T7L. Read it and if you lack time read the excerpts here.Excerpts:-One area in which...

  • Why G-20 is a failure or will be one?

    Prof. Nouriel Roubini, the famed economist who is credited with predicting the global financial crisis comments on the utter failure of the G-20 in giving global leadership.  Recently he cited reasons for this failure. I am just putting them down...

  • India likely to be world's largest economy by 2050: Citi

    In view of its continuing robust growth, India is expected to be the world's largest economy by 2050, surpassing China and the US, a Citi report said.  The estimates are based on purchasing power parity (PPP), an economic growth indicator...

  • Why use GDP (nominal) instead of GDP (PPP) when comparing two nations?

    For example:In India majority of people are poor, and receive subsidized grains (like 1 kilo rice for 3 Rs, kerosene etc. from PDS shops.In America poor people are supported by Government by food stamps and social security cheques.Now comparing two...

  • Happiness

    I was going through Bruno's One Minute Email that I subscribed while I was working for VCustomer. It was after a long time that I checked my email account on india.com, where we all registered as it was the only...

  • LokPal Bill

    Much has been made of the decision to put the Prime Minister under the purview of the proposed corruption watchdog, the Lokpal, but the official draft of the Lokpal Bill is full of escape clauses for politicians. All critical decisions...

  • Happy Republic Day

    Happy Republic Day to you all.  May this year the republic of India is not cheated by its sons and daughters.Wish that all the scams and scamsters will retreat with the Beating Retreat. And as the pious lights will glow...

  • Chhau, Kalbelia, Mudiyettu in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

    Image via WikipediaUNESCO announced this month that three Indian elements were among the 46 inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. But why didn't it make any noise? Why did no one notice it?Anyway,  three...

  • UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL REFORMS

    Oct 24th was marked as UN Day. US President paid a State visit to India and gave us a hope of permanent membership in UNSC and now US has cautioned against expecting any breakthrough "anytime soon" on the UN Security...

  • MBA Options

    There are many options available for MBA currently. They are:-1. Full-time MBA of 2 years (Conventional MBA)2. Part-time MBA of 3 years3. Executive MBA (Full time) for 1 year or 1.5 years4. MBA through Distance Learning.For the people with experience...

  • Literacy in India - An Assessment

    We are going to have a largest Youth population in 2012-2015. Major hindrance to our path of growth is unskilled labour which is also uneducated too. The National Literacy Mission (NLM) was set up in May 1987 that aimed to...

  • Views on Nathuram Godse’s Last Speech

    My personal reflections on Nathuram Godse’s courtroom speech, and the precise point where any agreement with him must end

  • Nathuram Godse's Last Speech

    This is the speech given by Nathuram Godse in the court when he was tried for the murder of Mahatma Gandhi.Born in a devotional Brahmin family, I instinctively came to revere Hindu religion, Hindu history and Hindu culture. I had,...

  • Breaking Rules - Generation after Generation

    Since long I have been thinking to write something on this issue but was not able to collect my random thoughts properly. Today I thought it is better to say it in whatever manner – proper or improper. At-least the...

  • India's Income Distribution - International Business

    India's Income Distribution - International Business. Was going through this link. I was not surprised to know that in India, 35 % of the country's population survives on less than $1 a day. This is the state of development in...

  • Obermann Once More by Matthew Arnold

    "The East bow'd low before the blastIn patient deep disdain;She let the legions thunder past,And plunged in thought again."This is a part of a poem written by Matthew Arnold(24 December 1822 – 15 April 1888), viz. Obermann Once More.This poem is...

  • Women Empowerment - Challenges and Issues

    In the simplest words, empowering the women means creating such an environment in which they can take independent decisions for their personal development and the development of society in general. Empowerment is the process by which the women achieve increased...

  • The Day Has Come

    # This is the last mail that I sent in Infosys. Whenever I read it, I become nostalgic.26th March 2006 A guy with a friend (Puneet) stepped out of Karnataka Express at Bangalore City station and headed straight to the...

  • Constitution and Law

    I was having a discussion with few of my friends and as the discussion progress my frustration grew so stronger that I had to stand up and say SHUT UP!! I don't know what we were discussing when suddenly the...

  • Socialist Capitalism - The Way to Follow

    I feel exhausted after studying, understanding and writing about The Preamble to the Indian Constitution. Can't stop thinking about the effort it took and the thought it must have taken towards realizing the dreams into reality or atleast on paper....

  • Literacy in India

    For the success of any country it is necessary that its people are educated and literate. India has been a feudal for centuries. The concept of nationhood is still new and people find it hard to understand this and therefore we see...

  • Everyone has the right to be ignorant by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

    (H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar offers a counterpoint to Javed Akhtar 's finite views on Spirituality)It is funny that in a country like India spirituality is talked about as a hoax. How can something which is so obvious, which is...

  • Speech: Javed Akhtar: India Today conclave session on Spirituality - Halo or Hoax.

    # This is the speech given by Mr. Javed Akhtar. For a reply by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, please click here. INDIA TODAY CONCLAVEDAY 2, Saturday, February 26, 2005Session: Spirituality - Halo or Hoax.SPEECH: JAVED AKHTAR I am quite sure ladies...

  • Is Left Left Behind In The Race?

    For years Indian Communism has been strongly influenced by the two influential Communist powers of the World, viz., Russia and China. Indian Communist for long have looked for these countries for advice, thoughts, policies, reactions and everything related to these...

  • Social and Cultural Stigma - Unwed Mothers

    Over the time I have seen many girls and ladies (I will not disclose the names) who have become pregnant before marriage and few of them had teenage pregnancy. I will not discuss how they became pregnant as we all...

  • Tryst with Destiny

    [caption id="attachment_235" align="alignright" width="600" caption="Freedom at Midnight"][/caption]Sixty-two years have passed since independence. Was thinking about the morning of August 15, 1947, when the national flag was raised over the Council Hall. I am trying to visualize the moment. How thrilling...

  • Indian Culture and Moral Policing

    Who is going to define morality? What is right and what is wrong? These are very subjective and open questions and depend upon the perception of a person. Why should I hear someone else opinion and his lessons on morality?...

  • Diversity and Cross-cultural Sensitivity

    I don't want to use the divisive terms - North Indian and South Indian, but want to say something that will involve these, so please don't mind. I actually hate these terms, but they are the fact they exist.North Indians...

  • India - Sense of Belonging and Participation among Masses

    It is true that sense of belongingness lacks in India. We take freedom and democracy for granted and live like feuds. We, in India, are culturally distinct people, with differences in languages, customs, rites and rituals. We came together (not...

  • Gandhi and his view on Religion and Politics

    As per Gandhiji, Religion is a moral order and different Religions are sets of belief systems and rituals. This is the reason he advocated entry of Religion into politics but not Religions into politics.  Gandhi wanted India to be secular,...

  • Gandhi and My Irony

    [caption id="attachment_99" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Mahatma Gandhi"][/caption]Condemning Gandhi has become a fashion these days. People don't understand and can't appreciate what he has done. They must realize that the real force behind uniting the nation was Gandhi. For years we have...

  • A Take Towards Our Failures

    In India, we are growing, despite all odds against us. We have a society which is so varied in culture and is linguistically diverse, besides we don't have a Flat World either, with a great part of our population which...

  • Reservation and Social Justice

    Reservation is for the upliftment of the depressed and continuing it for the lifetime of the nation is not good. People for whom this is meant should recognise the efforts the government is putting in for their upliftment and use...

  • Migration

    Lately we have seen this coming up as a major issue and finding a great TRP for news channel. The hue and cry about the issue and the implication of speeches of leaders fighting against migration and those favouring it...

  • Migrants - A big picture of a bigger issue!!

    Read an article on Shailendra's blog. I agree with whatever he has said. The issue is widespread and is deep rooted in the way Indian Politics works. The lack of visibility, innovation and above all the determination needed to address...

  • Show support for them too!!!

    The news has lost its worth in the smog of Cricket wins over the last week. Can you guess what I am talking about. One more team is working hard and winning matches. But no one is bothered. If you...

  • Future of Engineers

    Read this article on Wordpress. Agree with most of the things said. It is true that all engineers out of college look forward to get a Software job in companies like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Cognizant and all not because they...

  • Do We Believe This?

    The East low before the blast In patient deep disdain;She let the legions thunder past,And plunged in thought again.This is a part of a poem written by Matthew Arnold(24 December 1822 – 15 April 1888), viz. Obermann Once More.This poem...

  • Cycle of Failure and Success - My Story

    # Last edited on 29th May 2011 at 12:52 AM. I had lot of traffic to this post after IIT-JEE 2011 results when those who could not make it to IIT were trying to search for some solace. I added this italicized...

  • Donkey Kicks an Elephant!!

    Can a donkey kick an elephant and that too hard enough for elephant to counter? If I say yes, then you will say I have gone mad. But wait, a donkey certainly can!! So you ask how? Read today's TOI....

  • The Surveys -- My analysis

    Last week I read two surveys - First was The Best Company to Work for in India by BT and the other The Indian Youth by BW.Yes, Infy is once again rated to be the best employer in India. But...

  • Call Center Memories

    Yesterday I read 'one night @ call center' by Chetan Bhagat. Thanks to Vishik for lending me his book. Let me tell you that I read it because of my anger for the recent Cost Cutting carried out at one...

politics (67)
  • India and the United States

    Let us explore the Indo-US relations over the year and where they are headed after recent tariffs imposed by US on India

  • Revolutionizing Global Payments - A Comprehensive Analysis of Real-Time Payment Systems - UPI in India, FedNow in the US, and Similar Interfaces Worldwide

    Real-time payment systems have become the backbone of modern economies, offering rapid and secure transactions for individuals and businesses alike. This in-depth technical article explores the transformative power of real-time payment systems, with a focus on two major players -...

  • Navigating Chaos - Reflecting on India's Traffic Woes and Empowering Change on India's Road with AI

    In the bustling streets of India, a chaotic symphony unfolds daily, as vehicles of all shapes and sizes jostle for space. For some, this spectacle is a source of amazement and curiosity, but for others, like myself, it evokes a...

  • Nazeer Akbarabadi - Mahadevji ka byah

    This post is about Nazeer Akbarabadi (1735-1830), a poet who wrote beautiful poetry on Indian festivals.

  • Gandhi - The Movie

    Watched Gandhi with Rayirth today. He had read about him in the school but I thought it would be a good idea to show him the movie. His appreciation for Gandhi and India’s Struggle for Independence increased manifold.

  • India - 75 years of Independence

    India celebrates its 75th Independence Day tomorrow, 15th August. There is so much to dream about India; so much to cherish, so much to cheer, so much to hate and so much to desire about it.

  • Hindu Fundamentalism or Kattar Hindutva

    Hinduism is one of the most flexible religions of the world. Recently I saw someone calling themselves “Kattar Hindu” (Hindu Fundamentalist). I was wondering what it would mean to be a “Kattar Hindu”.

  • Rahul Gandhi Hatao, Desh Bachao

    “Rahul Gandhi Hatao, Desh Bachao"

  • Tolerance and Intolerance - Lack of Sense of Justice

    Aamir Khan's recent statement started a debate and widespread criticism. My quick thoughts!

  • LPG Transparency Portal

    Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched the LPG Transparency Portal under Government to Citizen (G2C) service category.Click on the above link or paste the following url in your browser:-http://www.bharatpetroleum.com/Transparency_portal/LPG_portal.htmlAs per National Portal of India,LPG consumers can know their...

  • Where to file Grievance against Public Grievance Portal?

    After trying for more than two hours, I have lost the patience and I feel exhausted. Somehow I have gathered energy to write this post.Before we begin, ere are two screenshots of the Lodge a Grievance Page.I tried to lodge...

  • [Notes] The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill, 2010

    The Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill tries to lay down enforceable standards of conduct for judges.The Bill seeks to:-Lay down judicial standards,Provide for the accountability of judges, andEstablish mechanisms for investigating individual complaints for misbehavior or incapacity of a judge...

  • Should Capital Punishment be Abolished?

    The question of abolition of capital punishment has been the most debatable question and brings lots of emotion and sentiments. There are people who are in favour of abolition and there are others who try to defend capital punishment or...

  • Judicial Reforms - My Take

    I was going through a post of my friend Shailendra. And I tried to put few suggestions. While commenting there, I realized that I wrote enough that it can be transformed into a post. So here are my suggestions:-1. Judiciary...

  • Electoral Reforms

    Image via WikipediaIn June this year (2011), 7th Regional Consultation on Electoral Reforms  was held in Guwahati. A number of measures have been proposed by various committees on different issues.  I am just copying them from its press release for ready reference. These measures, including the ones...

  • Reforms in Anti-Defection Laws - Recommendations of Various Committees and Commissions

    The Anti-Defection Law was passed in 1985 through the 52nd Amendment to the Constitution, which added the Tenth Schedule to the Indian Constitution. The main intent of the law was to combat “the evil of political defections”. There are several...

  • Have some respect for the Constitution

    Mr Kejriwal says, “Anna Hazare is above Parliament and that he has the right to do so as a citizen … Every citizen is above Parliament.” If this is the understanding of a person who was once part of Indian...

  • [Videos] Justice Bhagwati on the Supreme Court's darkest hour - YouTube

    Video and Content Courtesy:  RainmakerIndia[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdq_c6qr17M&feature=player_embedded]"The instances of the Apex court's judgment violating the human rights of the citizens may be extremely rare, but it cannot be said that such a situation can never happen." A Supreme Court bench comprising...

  • [Guest Post] Views on Terrorism by Padmaja

    Trying to understand Terrorism, Padmaja tries to explore whether one can really go so far for the sake of just a belief and raises few questions on the world leadership. Read it.One more terrorist attack & we are all forced...

  • Cash-for-vote Scandal and Case of H G Mudgal, 1951 - Waiting for Parliament to take action!!

    Many of my friends might not know about the case of H G Mudgal. So, let us first focus on it. This case exemplifies the serious concern shown by the Parliament of India in the year 1951 about the misconduct...

  • Right to Property Debate

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="105" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]In recent times, there have been multiple incidents where farmers were protesting against the Government as it took away the land from them without paying the adequate compensation and against the wishes of many...

  • Need for Sex Education in Schools

    I was not shying away from this topic. Yes, it is late, but better late then never. I was going through my notes on the subject when I realized that I have not posted anything on this topic. I talked...

  • My Political Ideology

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="180" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]The other day while reading “India after Independence” by Bipan Chandra, I was overwhelmed by thoughts about India and its politics. Soon I was thinking about my political ideology and myself. I have always...

  • Sadhu dies after 115-day fast to save Ganga

    # Cross-posted from my blog on blogspot as part of clean-upBaba Ramdev's deluxe ward at Dehradun's Himalayan Hospital was not far from that of his 'fellow faster' Swami Nigamanand. Yet, while the camera bulbs wouldn't stop flashing as Ramdev broke...

  • National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

    India has announced a National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in June, 2008 which incorporates its vision of sustainable development and the steps it must take to realize it. The NAPCC is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and...

  • 'Don't stop traffic for me': Mamata Banerjee

    Image via WikipediaYesterday, I read a news with the same headline. Mamata Banerjee was on its way to Writers' Buildings from her Kalighat house in her black Santro car when traffic police stopped other vehicles. The CM asked her security and...

  • India Facing Cash Crunch on High Tax Refunds

    Image via WikipediaDon't panic. It is temporary cash crunch that the government of India is facing on account of tax refunds of nearly Rs 45,000 crore during April and May. But this cash crunch is prompting it to resort to short-term borrowing.People might be...

  • Corporate Social Responsibility

    # Copied from my notes on Facebook, few things might have changed in between. Verify them!!Official definition of CSRThe World Business Council defines CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) as “the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic...

  • What's wrong with our post-harvest agricultural supply chain?

    Read this story:- http://goo.gl/xZMgKExcerpts:-The linkage between the farmer and the consumer that exists now is not only inefficient and wasteful and subject to abuse and manipulation but also inimical to boosting production. Any hint of a shortage in relation to demand...

  • Pune Mathur Association's Summer Dhamaka

    # Ref: Taken from Priti Mathur's blogMathur Association, Pune organized grand Summer Dhamaka for all the Mathurs residing in Pune on April 16th at Ivy Studio, Viman Nagar. All the members with their families were invited to attend the function and...

  • Time to bring Real Power in Hands of the People

    On a Saturday, we were celebrating a victory after 28 years, a much needed win to bring the world cup back. Next Saturday, we witnessed another win for the people of SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC of India when they...

  • Experts take on the high risk perception in public about nuclear power plants

    There are two reasons for this high risk peception. One is that while the probability of a catastrophic nuclear plant accident is very small, the damage due to a meltdown could be very high. The general fear is that it...

  • Government considering bio-shields against tsunami

    I was going through this news sometime back  so thought it is worth sharing. Here are the excerpts:The Environment Ministry is considering the idea of developing bioshields comprising mangrove and non-mangrove species in coastal areas adjoining critical infrastructure projects such...

  • Isn't using subsidized diesel for private cars a luxury?

    With the price of crude oil rising high and putting pressure on economy is it right to use diesel when it is subsidized to reduce the cost of transportation to maintain the supply of essential commodities to the comfortable levels?...

  • Right to Die!

    #Copied from Facebook NotesTrying to analyze the verdict given by Hon Supreme Court on Euthanasia. In my humble opinion, the court has done the right thing mainly because:-1. Art 21 of Fundamental Rights of Indian Constitution that grants Right to Life does...

  • Why G-20 is a failure or will be one?

    Prof. Nouriel Roubini, the famed economist who is credited with predicting the global financial crisis comments on the utter failure of the G-20 in giving global leadership.  Recently he cited reasons for this failure. I am just putting them down...

  • India likely to be world's largest economy by 2050: Citi

    In view of its continuing robust growth, India is expected to be the world's largest economy by 2050, surpassing China and the US, a Citi report said.  The estimates are based on purchasing power parity (PPP), an economic growth indicator...

  • Happy Republic Day

    Happy Republic Day to you all.  May this year the republic of India is not cheated by its sons and daughters.Wish that all the scams and scamsters will retreat with the Beating Retreat. And as the pious lights will glow...

  • Chhau, Kalbelia, Mudiyettu in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

    Image via WikipediaUNESCO announced this month that three Indian elements were among the 46 inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. But why didn't it make any noise? Why did no one notice it?Anyway,  three...

  • UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL REFORMS

    Oct 24th was marked as UN Day. US President paid a State visit to India and gave us a hope of permanent membership in UNSC and now US has cautioned against expecting any breakthrough "anytime soon" on the UN Security...

  • Happy Independence Day

    I would like to wish all of my fellow citizens Happy Independence Day.We are celebrating our 64th Independence Day. Pakistan celebrated its 64th Independence Day yesterday. Hope that the coming years will deplete the bitterness from both sides and we...

  • Literacy in India - An Assessment

    We are going to have a largest Youth population in 2012-2015. Major hindrance to our path of growth is unskilled labour which is also uneducated too. The National Literacy Mission (NLM) was set up in May 1987 that aimed to...

  • Think Before You Pay

    Few days back I wanted to drink Coke. Here outside my office, there are many "tapris" (a roadside shop) on the footpath. In the absence of a good alternative like a cafeteria, etc people from nearby companies rely on these...

  • Shouldn’t there be a limit to Opinion-based Columns and News?

    I don't remember when I first read the editorial of any newspaper. But it has been a long time now. I have been watching newspapers because of my interest in the news and reading newspapers. What is interesting to note is...

  • Views on Nathuram Godse’s Last Speech

    My personal reflections on Nathuram Godse’s courtroom speech, and the precise point where any agreement with him must end

  • A Tribute to the Shaheeds

    Today is 23rd March 2010. 69 years ago, on 23rd March 1931 - Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru became martyrs for this land of ours. Wish we have more people like them who devote their lives for the country. My...

  • India's Income Distribution - International Business

    India's Income Distribution - International Business. Was going through this link. I was not surprised to know that in India, 35 % of the country's population survives on less than $1 a day. This is the state of development in...

  • Constitution and Law

    I was having a discussion with few of my friends and as the discussion progress my frustration grew so stronger that I had to stand up and say SHUT UP!! I don't know what we were discussing when suddenly the...

  • Socialist Capitalism - The Way to Follow

    I feel exhausted after studying, understanding and writing about The Preamble to the Indian Constitution. Can't stop thinking about the effort it took and the thought it must have taken towards realizing the dreams into reality or atleast on paper....

  • Yojana - A journal by Publication Division

    There are several books and journals that are published byPublication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, GOI. One of the journal is Yojana. Yojana is a monthly devoted to socio-economic issues and started its publication in 1957 with Mr. Khuswant Singh as its Chief Editor....

  • Literacy in India

    For the success of any country it is necessary that its people are educated and literate. India has been a feudal for centuries. The concept of nationhood is still new and people find it hard to understand this and therefore we see...

  • Is Left Left Behind In The Race?

    For years Indian Communism has been strongly influenced by the two influential Communist powers of the World, viz., Russia and China. Indian Communist for long have looked for these countries for advice, thoughts, policies, reactions and everything related to these...

  • Earth Hour - Lets Make the Difference

    Global Warming is a 'global' issue. We all know about it and its consequences. We all want to do something about the issue but don't know where to start. So, here is an opportunity for all of us to be...

  • Tryst with Destiny

    [caption id="attachment_235" align="alignright" width="600" caption="Freedom at Midnight"][/caption]Sixty-two years have passed since independence. Was thinking about the morning of August 15, 1947, when the national flag was raised over the Council Hall. I am trying to visualize the moment. How thrilling...

  • Indian Culture and Moral Policing

    Who is going to define morality? What is right and what is wrong? These are very subjective and open questions and depend upon the perception of a person. Why should I hear someone else opinion and his lessons on morality?...

  • Diversity and Cross-cultural Sensitivity

    I don't want to use the divisive terms - North Indian and South Indian, but want to say something that will involve these, so please don't mind. I actually hate these terms, but they are the fact they exist.North Indians...

  • India - Sense of Belonging and Participation among Masses

    It is true that sense of belongingness lacks in India. We take freedom and democracy for granted and live like feuds. We, in India, are culturally distinct people, with differences in languages, customs, rites and rituals. We came together (not...

  • Gandhi and My Irony

    [caption id="attachment_99" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Mahatma Gandhi"][/caption]Condemning Gandhi has become a fashion these days. People don't understand and can't appreciate what he has done. They must realize that the real force behind uniting the nation was Gandhi. For years we have...

  • A Take Towards Our Failures

    In India, we are growing, despite all odds against us. We have a society which is so varied in culture and is linguistically diverse, besides we don't have a Flat World either, with a great part of our population which...

  • Reservation and Social Justice

    Reservation is for the upliftment of the depressed and continuing it for the lifetime of the nation is not good. People for whom this is meant should recognise the efforts the government is putting in for their upliftment and use...

  • Implications of the M.S. Gill precedent on statecraft

    Read an article with the same title on Hindu by Harish Khare. Here is my opinion on the issue.

  • Is Kenya turning into a police state?

    Just read an article with the same title. The people of Kenya are losing faith in their leaders and government. They don't have faith in their president, Mwai Kibaki.One of the Kenyan blogger writes:-• The Election Commission of Kenya bans...

  • CRPF camp attack

    CRPF camp attack. What the hell????

  • Future of Engineers

    Read this article on Wordpress. Agree with most of the things said. It is true that all engineers out of college look forward to get a Software job in companies like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, Cognizant and all not because they...

  • Do We Believe This?

    The East low before the blast In patient deep disdain;She let the legions thunder past,And plunged in thought again.This is a part of a poem written by Matthew Arnold(24 December 1822 – 15 April 1888), viz. Obermann Once More.This poem...

  • Donkey Kicks an Elephant!!

    Can a donkey kick an elephant and that too hard enough for elephant to counter? If I say yes, then you will say I have gone mad. But wait, a donkey certainly can!! So you ask how? Read today's TOI....

  • Hope for Pope

    The Pope's recent speech in which he condemns Islam has caused a furore all over the world. This act of his has not only caused anger and rage amongst Muslims but have also led the world to the verge of...

movie-review (24)
  • Org Incentive Optimization Problem

    Most orgs are unknowingly running an “Org Incentive Optimization” algorithm that over-rewards flashy new platforms and under-values quiet reliability work, so you have to translate maintenance into visible, computable outcomes.

  • Revolutionizing Global Payments - A Comprehensive Analysis of Real-Time Payment Systems - UPI in India, FedNow in the US, and Similar Interfaces Worldwide

    Real-time payment systems have become the backbone of modern economies, offering rapid and secure transactions for individuals and businesses alike. This in-depth technical article explores the transformative power of real-time payment systems, with a focus on two major players -...

  • [Movie Review] Major (in Hindi)

    If I have to rate, I will give it 3 out of 5. 2 marks for emotions and 1 for being committed enough to make a movie on Maj Unnikrishnan.

  • Bigger Gains Are Often Found Through Removal

    This is profound. It is counter-intuitive to what most of us do but it makes total sense. When I transitioned from Individual Contributor to Manager, the transition was little scary as most of the time I was involved in things...

  • Roc Lang and Compiler Optimization by Richard Feldman

    Loved this talk by Richard Feldman on Roc-lang in particular and language optimization in general.

  • Star Wars - Mandalorian

    Mandalorian - an extension of Star Wars Universe. Not really, it is `part` of Star Wars Universe.

  • MH370 - Blackbox Data Backup

    The disappearance of MH3701 made me wonder about one thing in particular. What if we did not depend entirely on physical black boxes at the bottom of an ocean. What if at least part of the flight recorder data was...

  • Electoral Reforms

    Image via WikipediaIn June this year (2011), 7th Regional Consultation on Electoral Reforms  was held in Guwahati. A number of measures have been proposed by various committees on different issues.  I am just copying them from its press release for ready reference. These measures, including the ones...

  • Air India and Its Future

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by BriYYZ via Flickr"][/caption]Air India is India's national flag carrier. Over the years it has lost its fervour and there has been plenty of reforms to make it work and bring it out of the...

  • There is no tolerance in India

    'Aarakshan' banned in UP; stay order on film's release in PunjabThe tolerance in India is negligible!! We can't listen anything about a cause, we can't read anything about the cause but we can implement it. "Aarakshan" is a just a...

  • Employment and Unemployment Measurements in India

    I am copying this from Annual Report to People on Employment (2010) published by Ministry of  Labour and Employment, Government of India. This was the first comprehensive report on the subject. However, it would have been read by intellectuals of...

  • Banking the Unbanked

    "Banking the unbanked" is the topic that I first heard during Davos 2007 media reports. There are hundreds of reasons for large part of population in many countries - developed, developing and underdeveloped - to stay outside the realms of...

  • [Book Review] Early Records Of British India: A History Of The English Settlements In India by James Talboys Wheeler

    [caption id="attachment_795" align="alignright" width="150"] [/caption]The book name is Early records of British India: a history of the English settlements in India, as told in the Government Records, the works of old travellers and other contemporary documents, from the earliest period down...

  • India likely to be world's largest economy by 2050: Citi

    In view of its continuing robust growth, India is expected to be the world's largest economy by 2050, surpassing China and the US, a Citi report said.  The estimates are based on purchasing power parity (PPP), an economic growth indicator...

  • Black Day for Java

    Image via CrunchBaseI was long awaiting such kind of act by Oracle and it happened. Oracle sued Google over Java in Android platform ( News and actual complaint).                        ...

  • Literacy in India - An Assessment

    We are going to have a largest Youth population in 2012-2015. Major hindrance to our path of growth is unskilled labour which is also uneducated too. The National Literacy Mission (NLM) was set up in May 1987 that aimed to...

  • Women Empowerment - Challenges and Issues

    In the simplest words, empowering the women means creating such an environment in which they can take independent decisions for their personal development and the development of society in general. Empowerment is the process by which the women achieve increased...

  • A mail to my friends at Infosys

    Following is the mail that I sent to my friends at Infosys after joining IBM. It was critical of the applications that both the companies have on their intranets - Sparsh and w3 respectively.Dear All,It has been two weeks now...

  • Socialist Capitalism - The Way to Follow

    I feel exhausted after studying, understanding and writing about The Preamble to the Indian Constitution. Can't stop thinking about the effort it took and the thought it must have taken towards realizing the dreams into reality or atleast on paper....

  • Literacy in India

    For the success of any country it is necessary that its people are educated and literate. India has been a feudal for centuries. The concept of nationhood is still new and people find it hard to understand this and therefore we see...

  • Social Media - Journey towards a New Era - "Webhood"

    Image via Wikipedia#Cross-posted from Tech-FociSocial media has come a long way. Some people have just used it and some have misused it. And few have gained too. Social Media can be a powerful tool if used effectively. Many Social media...

  • Migration

    Lately we have seen this coming up as a major issue and finding a great TRP for news channel. The hue and cry about the issue and the implication of speeches of leaders fighting against migration and those favouring it...

  • Want our paths to cross again!!

    Dear COAFians,The day has come and I have to bid farewell to CLO. I never wanted to do this. It has never been easy to bid farewell to anyone anywhere, so I am not going to bid farewell as we...

  • Donkey Kicks an Elephant!!

    Can a donkey kick an elephant and that too hard enough for elephant to counter? If I say yes, then you will say I have gone mad. But wait, a donkey certainly can!! So you ask how? Read today's TOI....

united-states (11)
  • India and the United States

    Let us explore the Indo-US relations over the year and where they are headed after recent tariffs imposed by US on India

  • Revolutionizing Global Payments - A Comprehensive Analysis of Real-Time Payment Systems - UPI in India, FedNow in the US, and Similar Interfaces Worldwide

    Real-time payment systems have become the backbone of modern economies, offering rapid and secure transactions for individuals and businesses alike. This in-depth technical article explores the transformative power of real-time payment systems, with a focus on two major players -...

  • American Football - Beginners Guide

    As a newcomer to USA in 2013, American Football was really confusing at first. Here I summarize the rules at high level for the people who are new to the USA and want to understand and enjoy the game.

  • Problem with Delivery Apps

    There are certainly problems with Delivery Apps when it comes down to employee and customer satisfaction. A quick take.

  • Mir and My H1B and GC Travails

    Here I try to express my life, H1B and GC travails using Mir's couplets.

  • Gun Laws and Constitution - A quick take

    The Preface to the Constitution talks about bringing tranquility to the nation. Gun Laws in many state just go against the Constitution.

  • Tolerance and Intolerance - Lack of Sense of Justice

    Aamir Khan's recent statement started a debate and widespread criticism. My quick thoughts!

  • First Day in USA

    Today, 15th Feb 2013, is the day when Priti and I came to The USA for the first time. How the first day went?

  • [Guest Post] Views on Terrorism by Padmaja

    Trying to understand Terrorism, Padmaja tries to explore whether one can really go so far for the sake of just a belief and raises few questions on the world leadership. Read it.One more terrorist attack & we are all forced...

  • What are ADR and GDR?

    American Depositary Receipt (ADR)ADR is method of trading non-U.S. stocks on U.S. exchangesSuppose, Indian Co. wants to raise money from America, by issuing shares in American stock exchange.But then Indian co. will have to maintain accounts according to American standards.To...

  • Donkey Kicks an Elephant!!

    Can a donkey kick an elephant and that too hard enough for elephant to counter? If I say yes, then you will say I have gone mad. But wait, a donkey certainly can!! So you ask how? Read today's TOI....

mumbai (11)
  • [Movie Review] Major (in Hindi)

    If I have to rate, I will give it 3 out of 5. 2 marks for emotions and 1 for being committed enough to make a movie on Maj Unnikrishnan.

  • First Day in USA

    Today, 15th Feb 2013, is the day when Priti and I came to The USA for the first time. How the first day went?

  • Domain Registration - One Week Headache

    Domain registration became a weeklong headache for me. What happened? How I overcame it. This post is on a personal experience.

  • Is Fundamental Right to Freedom in India only available for Privileged Few?

    Part III of The Constitution of India guarantees Fundamental Rights to citizens of India which includes right to freedom of speech and expression. However, with series of recent incidents that have taken place, it seems that it is available only...

  • Mumbai - As I like It

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]Mumbai - the city I thought was appalling had changed my attitude towards itself transforming my apprehensions to appreciations and there are many of them. I only regret that I did not carry a camera...

  • Journalists and their Journalism - Damned and Doomed

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="160" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]It is not long ago that we were discussing how journalists in India and Japan differ when it come to journalistic ethics. We praised Japanese for not showing any scenes of the horror, the...

  • Minting and Issue of Coins

    Hammered Coins (Image by Wikipedia) # Taken from RBI website and WikipediaThe responsibility for coinage vests with the Government of India in terms of the Coinage Act, 1906. The government has the sole right to mint coins.  Government of India is...

  • India Facing Cash Crunch on High Tax Refunds

    Image via WikipediaDon't panic. It is temporary cash crunch that the government of India is facing on account of tax refunds of nearly Rs 45,000 crore during April and May. But this cash crunch is prompting it to resort to short-term borrowing.People might be...

  • Earth Hour - Lets Make the Difference

    Global Warming is a 'global' issue. We all know about it and its consequences. We all want to do something about the issue but don't know where to start. So, here is an opportunity for all of us to be...

  • Migration

    Lately we have seen this coming up as a major issue and finding a great TRP for news channel. The hue and cry about the issue and the implication of speeches of leaders fighting against migration and those favouring it...

  • Cycle of Failure and Success - My Story

    # Last edited on 29th May 2011 at 12:52 AM. I had lot of traffic to this post after IIT-JEE 2011 results when those who could not make it to IIT were trying to search for some solace. I added this italicized...

agra (18)
  • Nazeer Akbarabadi - Mahadevji ka byah

    This post is about Nazeer Akbarabadi (1735-1830), a poet who wrote beautiful poetry on Indian festivals.

  • दूर आगरा से

    Here I try to express my life, H1B and GC travails using Mir's couplets.

  • Mir and My H1B and GC Travails

    Here I try to express my life, H1B and GC travails using Mir's couplets.

  • Transitioning myself from a Forgotten Electronics Engineer to a Known Software Engineer.

    I am an Electronics Engineer by education and a Software Engineer (???) by profession. There is always a feeling that I lack the knowledge to be a suitable person for my profession as I do not have the skills that...

  • Walking through history in bylanes of Agra by Brij Khandelwal

    Walking through history in bylanes of Agra by Brij Khandelwal via Overseas Indian: Connecting India with its Diaspora.

  • Old Indian Photos

    Panoramic View from the top of the Paunch Mahal looking North-Eastvia Old Indian Photos.

  • Government of India and Its Websites

    I am just fed-up with how government functions. All the Pub Ad stuff is weird specially when it comes to implementation in India and by the Government. The efficiency of Government organisations are always questioned and the quality of the...

  • Banking the Unbanked

    "Banking the unbanked" is the topic that I first heard during Davos 2007 media reports. There are hundreds of reasons for large part of population in many countries - developed, developing and underdeveloped - to stay outside the realms of...

  • MTS MBlaze - Worst Internet Service Provider

    This is my story of sufferings that I faced with MTS MBlaze. It was a red-letter day when thought of buying MTS MBlaze entered my mind and that was the day when I had given open invitation to trouble, frustration,...

  • Missing Delhi and Agra

    I wish to go home now. Near my dear ones. It has been more than four years now that I have been staying away from my home. Wish to go back there or at least near it. I work in...

  • Escape From...Death!!!

    Saturday!! What a saturday it was! Everything was happening and happening too very fast!! On Saturday, I was carelessly sitting on my bed, laptop was on and was chatting with my cousins and few friends at Vichar Vahak. Everything was lazy as...

  • Migration

    Lately we have seen this coming up as a major issue and finding a great TRP for news channel. The hue and cry about the issue and the implication of speeches of leaders fighting against migration and those favouring it...

  • Happy Birthday Mummy!!

    Happy Birthday Mummy!!Today is my mom's birthday. Today is Mahashivratri too. And also a coincidence!! Today after many years 6th March and Mahashivratri have fallen on the same day. And same was the scenario when my mom took birth in...

  • Agra in News

    So Agra was in news and that too because of our college... Anand Engineering College. And there is nothing to cheer about. It was all for bad reasons.The act that I am talking about is unacceptable under any circumstances. And...

  • My first encounter with Infosys

    I don't know why I started writing this. However, I know that it was somewhere in my mind to write something on it. I had lost hope to get a call from Infosys. So, I was trying to run for...

  • I am lazy or I am?

    Sometimes I think, what to blog and at others why to blog? I want to write everything but when I sit in front of this machine I feel like "Leave it" or "Anyways, who cares?". I have evfen not updated...

  • Communication Skills

    Since I was in school, I have been asked several times to improve and hone my communication skills. Later in college, professors asked me and often scold me when judging on same parameters and now in office Performagic is killing...

  • Going for a Holiday!!

    Finally I am going for a holiday to stay With my parents. After a year of effort, I will rest at my home town, city of Love, Agra. This time I am going for a two week break.A year has...

sports (30)
  • The Advancements in Technology and Training Methods that have Improved the Performance of Athletes

    The world of sports has come a long way in the past decade. With advancements in technology and training methods, athletes are now able to push their bodies to new limits and break records that were once thought impossible. From...

  • Cricket - Beginner's Guide

    This post summarizes sport of cricket for people who are interested in the game.

  • American Football - Beginners Guide

    As a newcomer to USA in 2013, American Football was really confusing at first. Here I summarize the rules at high level for the people who are new to the USA and want to understand and enjoy the game.

  • Language Part 3 - Vocabulary

    This is Part 3 of Language series where we will talk about vocabulary.

  • The Role of Management Philosophy for New Managers

    As a manager and specially as a new manager, your philosophy and approach to leadership can have a significant impact on your team and the overall success of your organization. Whether you're new to management or an experienced leader, it's...

  • What an Inning from Virat Kohli vs Pakistan

    This is a note to self for memories in the later years. This was the innings that proved why Virat Kohli is a King!

  • Which Beginner Telescope to Purchase

    This is the first question that everyone asks when getting into star-gazing. Here I repeat what experienced amateur astronomers say.

  • Working Copy - The Powerful Git Client for iPad

    Working Copy is the missing Git Client and Editor for iPad.

  • Dark Skies - Need them now more than ever

    There is light everywhere, and you want it to go off. Need dark skies more than ever. There is nothing that tell and forces and pleads to the people to dare to dream than the beauty of a night sky...

  • Mesmerized by Skies

    First look at the skies through the binoculars and I must say I am hooked for life

  • Got a new bicycle!

    Got a new bicycle!

  • Reforms Phase I

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] politics - Clint's Nolan Chart - 20020718 - slightly inaccurate but good (Photo credit: Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL))[/caption]#I wrote this on PG on 13th Oct 2010. And posted on FB Notes on 30th Jan 2011. We...

  • Electoral Reforms

    Image via WikipediaIn June this year (2011), 7th Regional Consultation on Electoral Reforms  was held in Guwahati. A number of measures have been proposed by various committees on different issues.  I am just copying them from its press release for ready reference. These measures, including the ones...

  • Consumer Price Index (CPI) - Draft

    CPI is a statistical time-series measure of a weighted average of prices of a specified set of goods and services purchased by consumers. It is a price index that tracks the prices of a specified basket of consumer goods and...

  • Journalists and their Journalism - Damned and Doomed

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="160" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]It is not long ago that we were discussing how journalists in India and Japan differ when it come to journalistic ethics. We praised Japanese for not showing any scenes of the horror, the...

  • Wholesale Price Index and Inflation

    Wholesale Price IndexWPI is the index that is used to measure the change in the average price level of goods traded in wholesale market.   The  characteristics of Wholesale Price Index are as follows:-1. A new WPI series with 2004-05 base...

  • [Book Review] A Wonder That Was India Vol 2 by S A A Rizvi

    [caption id="attachment_1006" align="alignright" width="147"] [/caption]Read the book named Wonder That Was India Vol 2 by SAA Rizvi second time since 2008. It is the second volume of the series of which the first volume is famously known by the name...

  • WHAT IS SLR, CRR, BANK RATE, REPO AND REVERSE REPOs and difference between CRR and SLR?

    # Copied from somewhere on Internet to Facebook Notes and now as a part of cleanup of FB copying here as ready reference.What is Bank rate?   Bank Rate is the rate at which central bank of the country  (in India...

  • How do changes in CRR and SLR affect the economy?

    First lets see what exactly is CRR and SLR:-CRR - Cash Reserve Ratio:- You're a banker, you've to keep deposit that much ca$h in RBI.SLR - Statutory Liquidity Ratio:- You've to keep that much gold/ca$h/bonds in your bank.Lets assume you're a banker, have...

  • Credit Crunch - Meaning, Example and Implications

    What is Credit Crunch?In simple words, when you can't get loans easily, its credit crunch.Definition: Reduction in the general availability of loans (or credit) or a sudden tightening of the conditions required to obtain a loan from the banks. Examples of...

  • [Book Review] Indian Memsahib - The Untold Story of a Bureaucrat's Wife by Suchita Malik

    #Read in Jan 2009Indian Memsahib: The untold story of a bureaucrat's wife is an unconventional look into the world of Indian bureaucracy and its fascinating order. The book is a subtle attempt at showing how bureaucracy works in certain ways...

  • Isn't using subsidized diesel for private cars a luxury?

    With the price of crude oil rising high and putting pressure on economy is it right to use diesel when it is subsidized to reduce the cost of transportation to maintain the supply of essential commodities to the comfortable levels?...

  • Think Before You Pay

    Few days back I wanted to drink Coke. Here outside my office, there are many "tapris" (a roadside shop) on the footpath. In the absence of a good alternative like a cafeteria, etc people from nearby companies rely on these...

  • Nathuram Godse's Last Speech

    This is the speech given by Nathuram Godse in the court when he was tried for the murder of Mahatma Gandhi.Born in a devotional Brahmin family, I instinctively came to revere Hindu religion, Hindu history and Hindu culture. I had,...

  • Literacy in India

    For the success of any country it is necessary that its people are educated and literate. India has been a feudal for centuries. The concept of nationhood is still new and people find it hard to understand this and therefore we see...

  • Everyone has the right to be ignorant by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

    (H.H. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar offers a counterpoint to Javed Akhtar 's finite views on Spirituality)It is funny that in a country like India spirituality is talked about as a hoax. How can something which is so obvious, which is...

  • Is Left Left Behind In The Race?

    For years Indian Communism has been strongly influenced by the two influential Communist powers of the World, viz., Russia and China. Indian Communist for long have looked for these countries for advice, thoughts, policies, reactions and everything related to these...

  • Show support for them too!!!

    The news has lost its worth in the smog of Cricket wins over the last week. Can you guess what I am talking about. One more team is working hard and winning matches. But no one is bothered. If you...

  • I hate Sreesanth!!!!

    He is just an I*I*T. I don't know who selected him. It is ok to be agressive but at the same time baby PERFORM - Key Mantra!!!But no, who cares. Will do a film, advertisments, Music album. NO CRICKET. Then...

  • Want our paths to cross again!!

    Dear COAFians,The day has come and I have to bid farewell to CLO. I never wanted to do this. It has never been easy to bid farewell to anyone anywhere, so I am not going to bid farewell as we...

pune (15)
  • Mir and My H1B and GC Travails

    Here I try to express my life, H1B and GC travails using Mir's couplets.

  • Mumbai - As I like It

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]Mumbai - the city I thought was appalling had changed my attitude towards itself transforming my apprehensions to appreciations and there are many of them. I only regret that I did not carry a camera...

  • [Schooling in India] Bishop’s Flawed Reason for Detaining a Student

    Today in Pune Mirror there was a  news that The Bishop’s School has detained a boy who has passed IX finals and has also advised him to seek a new school. I was shocked at the irresponsible behaviour of the school...

  • Pune Mathur Association's Summer Dhamaka

    # Ref: Taken from Priti Mathur's blogMathur Association, Pune organized grand Summer Dhamaka for all the Mathurs residing in Pune on April 16th at Ivy Studio, Viman Nagar. All the members with their families were invited to attend the function and...

  • Right to Die!

    #Copied from Facebook NotesTrying to analyze the verdict given by Hon Supreme Court on Euthanasia. In my humble opinion, the court has done the right thing mainly because:-1. Art 21 of Fundamental Rights of Indian Constitution that grants Right to Life does...

  • MTS MBlaze - Worst Internet Service Provider

    This is my story of sufferings that I faced with MTS MBlaze. It was a red-letter day when thought of buying MTS MBlaze entered my mind and that was the day when I had given open invitation to trouble, frustration,...

  • Breaking Rules - Generation after Generation

    Since long I have been thinking to write something on this issue but was not able to collect my random thoughts properly. Today I thought it is better to say it in whatever manner – proper or improper. At-least the...

  • A Journey from R220 to S5233

    One fine afternoon, at around 3PM I returned home from college. Everyone was sitting on the double-bed. There was excitement in the eyes of all the three persons sitting on the bed – my father, mother and younger brother. I...

  • A mail to my friends at Infosys

    Following is the mail that I sent to my friends at Infosys after joining IBM. It was critical of the applications that both the companies have on their intranets - Sparsh and w3 respectively.Dear All,It has been two weeks now...

  • IBM - The Journey Begins

    3rd July 2009. A guy walked into Hinjewadi Phase 2, Pune campus with a smile on face and heart filled with excitement and anxiousness. He reached the reception and he saw that he was not the only one. There were...

  • Escape From...Death!!!

    Saturday!! What a saturday it was! Everything was happening and happening too very fast!! On Saturday, I was carelessly sitting on my bed, laptop was on and was chatting with my cousins and few friends at Vichar Vahak. Everything was lazy as...

  • Speech: Javed Akhtar: India Today conclave session on Spirituality - Halo or Hoax.

    # This is the speech given by Mr. Javed Akhtar. For a reply by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, please click here. INDIA TODAY CONCLAVEDAY 2, Saturday, February 26, 2005Session: Spirituality - Halo or Hoax.SPEECH: JAVED AKHTAR I am quite sure ladies...

  • Migration

    Lately we have seen this coming up as a major issue and finding a great TRP for news channel. The hue and cry about the issue and the implication of speeches of leaders fighting against migration and those favouring it...

  • I am lazy or I am?

    Sometimes I think, what to blog and at others why to blog? I want to write everything but when I sit in front of this machine I feel like "Leave it" or "Anyways, who cares?". I have evfen not updated...

  • Communication Skills

    Since I was in school, I have been asked several times to improve and hone my communication skills. Later in college, professors asked me and often scold me when judging on same parameters and now in office Performagic is killing...

society (62)
  • India and the United States

    Let us explore the Indo-US relations over the year and where they are headed after recent tariffs imposed by US on India

  • Revolutionizing Global Payments - A Comprehensive Analysis of Real-Time Payment Systems - UPI in India, FedNow in the US, and Similar Interfaces Worldwide

    Real-time payment systems have become the backbone of modern economies, offering rapid and secure transactions for individuals and businesses alike. This in-depth technical article explores the transformative power of real-time payment systems, with a focus on two major players -...

  • Navigating Chaos - Reflecting on India's Traffic Woes and Empowering Change on India's Road with AI

    In the bustling streets of India, a chaotic symphony unfolds daily, as vehicles of all shapes and sizes jostle for space. For some, this spectacle is a source of amazement and curiosity, but for others, like myself, it evokes a...

  • Mastodon - What is it? Why should I join? How to join?

    Mastodon is a dynamic and diverse platform that offers users a lot of flexibility and control. Whether you're looking for a more privacy-conscious alternative to traditional social media platforms, or you want to join a community of like-minded individuals, Mastodon...

  • Problem with Delivery Apps

    There are certainly problems with Delivery Apps when it comes down to employee and customer satisfaction. A quick take.

  • Star Wars - Mandalorian

    Mandalorian - an extension of Star Wars Universe. Not really, it is `part` of Star Wars Universe.

  • Tolerance and Intolerance - Lack of Sense of Justice

    Aamir Khan's recent statement started a debate and widespread criticism. My quick thoughts!

  • Reforms Phase I

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] politics - Clint's Nolan Chart - 20020718 - slightly inaccurate but good (Photo credit: Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL))[/caption]#I wrote this on PG on 13th Oct 2010. And posted on FB Notes on 30th Jan 2011. We...

  • LPG Transparency Portal

    Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched the LPG Transparency Portal under Government to Citizen (G2C) service category.Click on the above link or paste the following url in your browser:-http://www.bharatpetroleum.com/Transparency_portal/LPG_portal.htmlAs per National Portal of India,LPG consumers can know their...

  • Where to file Grievance against Public Grievance Portal?

    After trying for more than two hours, I have lost the patience and I feel exhausted. Somehow I have gathered energy to write this post.Before we begin, ere are two screenshots of the Lodge a Grievance Page.I tried to lodge...

  • Should Capital Punishment be Abolished?

    The question of abolition of capital punishment has been the most debatable question and brings lots of emotion and sentiments. There are people who are in favour of abolition and there are others who try to defend capital punishment or...

  • Judicial Reforms - My Take

    I was going through a post of my friend Shailendra. And I tried to put few suggestions. While commenting there, I realized that I wrote enough that it can be transformed into a post. So here are my suggestions:-1. Judiciary...

  • Have some respect for the Constitution

    Mr Kejriwal says, “Anna Hazare is above Parliament and that he has the right to do so as a citizen … Every citizen is above Parliament.” If this is the understanding of a person who was once part of Indian...

  • Air India and Its Future

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by BriYYZ via Flickr"][/caption]Air India is India's national flag carrier. Over the years it has lost its fervour and there has been plenty of reforms to make it work and bring it out of the...

  • [Guest Post] Views on Terrorism by Padmaja

    Trying to understand Terrorism, Padmaja tries to explore whether one can really go so far for the sake of just a belief and raises few questions on the world leadership. Read it.One more terrorist attack & we are all forced...

  • Cash-for-vote Scandal and Case of H G Mudgal, 1951 - Waiting for Parliament to take action!!

    Many of my friends might not know about the case of H G Mudgal. So, let us first focus on it. This case exemplifies the serious concern shown by the Parliament of India in the year 1951 about the misconduct...

  • Right to Property Debate

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="105" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]In recent times, there have been multiple incidents where farmers were protesting against the Government as it took away the land from them without paying the adequate compensation and against the wishes of many...

  • Consumer Price Index (CPI) - Draft

    CPI is a statistical time-series measure of a weighted average of prices of a specified set of goods and services purchased by consumers. It is a price index that tracks the prices of a specified basket of consumer goods and...

  • Bura Jo Dekhan Main Chala, Bura Naa Milya Koye

    लोग आये जंतर मंतर पेतालियाँ पीटी,चीखे-चिल्लाएकैमरे के सामने उछले-कूदे,माइक पे गीत गायेजोर-जोर से लगाए नारेअमर रहे अन्ना हजारेसरकार को गालियाँ दे रहे थे जब सारेमुझे याद आ रहा था वो गानाजिसने पाप न किया हो,वो पहला पत्थर मारे.I just read...

  • Need for Sex Education in Schools

    I was not shying away from this topic. Yes, it is late, but better late then never. I was going through my notes on the subject when I realized that I have not posted anything on this topic. I talked...

  • Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (GURT)

     GURT, also called terminator technology, is a biotech-based strategy that prevents seeds from germinating in the next growing season unless treated chemically by the seed company prior to planting. When seeds of crop varieties (containing this kind of genetic manipulation)...

  • National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

    India has announced a National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in June, 2008 which incorporates its vision of sustainable development and the steps it must take to realize it. The NAPCC is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and...

  • Employment and Unemployment Measurements in India

    I am copying this from Annual Report to People on Employment (2010) published by Ministry of  Labour and Employment, Government of India. This was the first comprehensive report on the subject. However, it would have been read by intellectuals of...

  • Minting and Issue of Coins

    Hammered Coins (Image by Wikipedia) # Taken from RBI website and WikipediaThe responsibility for coinage vests with the Government of India in terms of the Coinage Act, 1906. The government has the sole right to mint coins.  Government of India is...

  • India's child malnutrition puzzle

    Was reading an article by Neeraj Kaushal, Associate Professor of Social Work, Columbia University by the same title in ET. Was shocked to note the details. Here are excerpts:-[caption id="" align="alignright" width="350" caption="Image via Unicef"][/caption]India is home to about a third...

  • India Facing Cash Crunch on High Tax Refunds

    Image via WikipediaDon't panic. It is temporary cash crunch that the government of India is facing on account of tax refunds of nearly Rs 45,000 crore during April and May. But this cash crunch is prompting it to resort to short-term borrowing.People might be...

  • Banking the Unbanked

    "Banking the unbanked" is the topic that I first heard during Davos 2007 media reports. There are hundreds of reasons for large part of population in many countries - developed, developing and underdeveloped - to stay outside the realms of...

  • WHAT IS SLR, CRR, BANK RATE, REPO AND REVERSE REPOs and difference between CRR and SLR?

    # Copied from somewhere on Internet to Facebook Notes and now as a part of cleanup of FB copying here as ready reference.What is Bank rate?   Bank Rate is the rate at which central bank of the country  (in India...

  • Yield Spread and its use

    MeaningYield spread is a way of comparing any two financial products.Yield spread is the difference between profit you can make in two different types of investment.Why do we need to calculate Yield spread?Before coming to the purpose of calculating yield...

  • How do changes in CRR and SLR affect the economy?

    First lets see what exactly is CRR and SLR:-CRR - Cash Reserve Ratio:- You're a banker, you've to keep deposit that much ca$h in RBI.SLR - Statutory Liquidity Ratio:- You've to keep that much gold/ca$h/bonds in your bank.Lets assume you're a banker, have...

  • What are ADR and GDR?

    American Depositary Receipt (ADR)ADR is method of trading non-U.S. stocks on U.S. exchangesSuppose, Indian Co. wants to raise money from America, by issuing shares in American stock exchange.But then Indian co. will have to maintain accounts according to American standards.To...

  • CDS : Credit default swaps

    In simplest form Its buying insurance against a default.ExampleI'm a banker, gave car-loans to dude, but I'm afraid he might not pay back the full money. So I'll goto some other Bank X who sells Credit default Swaps (CDS).I've to...

  • Credit Crunch - Meaning, Example and Implications

    What is Credit Crunch?In simple words, when you can't get loans easily, its credit crunch.Definition: Reduction in the general availability of loans (or credit) or a sudden tightening of the conditions required to obtain a loan from the banks. Examples of...

  • What are equity, bonds and debentures?

    You gave me 100 Rs and I gave you a paper writing" I'll pay back 120 Rs. after 1 year"This paper is bond.You give me 100 Rs. and I gave you a paper "this gives you a partnership of 100 Rs....

  • How to calculate GDP (PPP) and GDP nominal?

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="119" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]Take a basket of commodities (like 1 kg sugar,wheat,veggies and cloths etc).Now find out how much money do you need to buy everything from that basket?For India suppose the bill is 1700 Rs.Go to...

  • Why use GDP (nominal) instead of GDP (PPP) when comparing two nations?

    For example:In India majority of people are poor, and receive subsidized grains (like 1 kilo rice for 3 Rs, kerosene etc. from PDS shops.In America poor people are supported by Government by food stamps and social security cheques.Now comparing two...

  • [Banking in India] History

    Banking in India started with setting up of two banks in the last decades of the 18th century. The banks were:-        1.  The General Bank of India  (1786)    2.  Bank of Hindustan (1790)    Both of them...

  • [Banking in India] Story of State Bank of India

    Note: I am starting with a series on Banking in India. Will try to include everything regarding Indian Banking System that is necessary from examinations point of view. To start with here is the Story of State Bank of India. I...

  • Corporate Social Responsibility

    # Copied from my notes on Facebook, few things might have changed in between. Verify them!!Official definition of CSRThe World Business Council defines CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) as “the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic...

  • Food security related statistics for India

    The Global Hunger Index released by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) places India 67th in rankings with a score of 24.1, far below China and below Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal.The Global Hunger Index is calculated as an average of (1) proportion of the population that...

  • What's wrong with our post-harvest agricultural supply chain?

    Read this story:- http://goo.gl/xZMgKExcerpts:-The linkage between the farmer and the consumer that exists now is not only inefficient and wasteful and subject to abuse and manipulation but also inimical to boosting production. Any hint of a shortage in relation to demand...

  • [Schooling in India] Bishop’s Flawed Reason for Detaining a Student

    Today in Pune Mirror there was a  news that The Bishop’s School has detained a boy who has passed IX finals and has also advised him to seek a new school. I was shocked at the irresponsible behaviour of the school...

  • Time to bring Real Power in Hands of the People

    On a Saturday, we were celebrating a victory after 28 years, a much needed win to bring the world cup back. Next Saturday, we witnessed another win for the people of SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC of India when they...

  • Government considering bio-shields against tsunami

    I was going through this news sometime back  so thought it is worth sharing. Here are the excerpts:The Environment Ministry is considering the idea of developing bioshields comprising mangrove and non-mangrove species in coastal areas adjoining critical infrastructure projects such...

  • Isn't using subsidized diesel for private cars a luxury?

    With the price of crude oil rising high and putting pressure on economy is it right to use diesel when it is subsidized to reduce the cost of transportation to maintain the supply of essential commodities to the comfortable levels?...

  • Right to Die!

    #Copied from Facebook NotesTrying to analyze the verdict given by Hon Supreme Court on Euthanasia. In my humble opinion, the court has done the right thing mainly because:-1. Art 21 of Fundamental Rights of Indian Constitution that grants Right to Life does...

  • How did the small-ticket reform help India?

    It has been a constant refrain among economists that the country's budgets have lacked big-ticket reforms. This is an op-ed by TT Ram Mohan, Professor at IIMA:- http://goo.gl/p0T7L. Read it and if you lack time read the excerpts here.Excerpts:-One area in which...

  • Why G-20 is a failure or will be one?

    Prof. Nouriel Roubini, the famed economist who is credited with predicting the global financial crisis comments on the utter failure of the G-20 in giving global leadership.  Recently he cited reasons for this failure. I am just putting them down...

  • Why use GDP (nominal) instead of GDP (PPP) when comparing two nations?

    For example:In India majority of people are poor, and receive subsidized grains (like 1 kilo rice for 3 Rs, kerosene etc. from PDS shops.In America poor people are supported by Government by food stamps and social security cheques.Now comparing two...

  • LokPal Bill

    Much has been made of the decision to put the Prime Minister under the purview of the proposed corruption watchdog, the Lokpal, but the official draft of the Lokpal Bill is full of escape clauses for politicians. All critical decisions...

  • Literacy in India - An Assessment

    We are going to have a largest Youth population in 2012-2015. Major hindrance to our path of growth is unskilled labour which is also uneducated too. The National Literacy Mission (NLM) was set up in May 1987 that aimed to...

  • Think Before You Pay

    Few days back I wanted to drink Coke. Here outside my office, there are many "tapris" (a roadside shop) on the footpath. In the absence of a good alternative like a cafeteria, etc people from nearby companies rely on these...

  • Shouldn’t there be a limit to Opinion-based Columns and News?

    I don't remember when I first read the editorial of any newspaper. But it has been a long time now. I have been watching newspapers because of my interest in the news and reading newspapers. What is interesting to note is...

  • India's Income Distribution - International Business

    India's Income Distribution - International Business. Was going through this link. I was not surprised to know that in India, 35 % of the country's population survives on less than $1 a day. This is the state of development in...

  • Women Empowerment - Challenges and Issues

    In the simplest words, empowering the women means creating such an environment in which they can take independent decisions for their personal development and the development of society in general. Empowerment is the process by which the women achieve increased...

  • Smarter Planet - Idea and the Involvement - Time to say THANK YOU!

    When I joined IBM on 3rd July 2009, the first thing I noticed was the poster of Smarter Planet at the gallery leading to my induction room. Later during induction, we were shown the video advertising Smarter Planet concept and...

  • Yojana - A journal by Publication Division

    There are several books and journals that are published byPublication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, GOI. One of the journal is Yojana. Yojana is a monthly devoted to socio-economic issues and started its publication in 1957 with Mr. Khuswant Singh as its Chief Editor....

  • Literacy in India

    For the success of any country it is necessary that its people are educated and literate. India has been a feudal for centuries. The concept of nationhood is still new and people find it hard to understand this and therefore we see...

  • Social and Cultural Stigma - Unwed Mothers

    Over the time I have seen many girls and ladies (I will not disclose the names) who have become pregnant before marriage and few of them had teenage pregnancy. I will not discuss how they became pregnant as we all...

  • Migration

    Lately we have seen this coming up as a major issue and finding a great TRP for news channel. The hue and cry about the issue and the implication of speeches of leaders fighting against migration and those favouring it...

  • Migrants - A big picture of a bigger issue!!

    Read an article on Shailendra's blog. I agree with whatever he has said. The issue is widespread and is deep rooted in the way Indian Politics works. The lack of visibility, innovation and above all the determination needed to address...

  • Agra in News

    So Agra was in news and that too because of our college... Anand Engineering College. And there is nothing to cheer about. It was all for bad reasons.The act that I am talking about is unacceptable under any circumstances. And...

economy (62)
  • India and the United States

    Let us explore the Indo-US relations over the year and where they are headed after recent tariffs imposed by US on India

  • Revolutionizing Global Payments - A Comprehensive Analysis of Real-Time Payment Systems - UPI in India, FedNow in the US, and Similar Interfaces Worldwide

    Real-time payment systems have become the backbone of modern economies, offering rapid and secure transactions for individuals and businesses alike. This in-depth technical article explores the transformative power of real-time payment systems, with a focus on two major players -...

  • Navigating Chaos - Reflecting on India's Traffic Woes and Empowering Change on India's Road with AI

    In the bustling streets of India, a chaotic symphony unfolds daily, as vehicles of all shapes and sizes jostle for space. For some, this spectacle is a source of amazement and curiosity, but for others, like myself, it evokes a...

  • Mastodon - What is it? Why should I join? How to join?

    Mastodon is a dynamic and diverse platform that offers users a lot of flexibility and control. Whether you're looking for a more privacy-conscious alternative to traditional social media platforms, or you want to join a community of like-minded individuals, Mastodon...

  • Problem with Delivery Apps

    There are certainly problems with Delivery Apps when it comes down to employee and customer satisfaction. A quick take.

  • Star Wars - Mandalorian

    Mandalorian - an extension of Star Wars Universe. Not really, it is `part` of Star Wars Universe.

  • Tolerance and Intolerance - Lack of Sense of Justice

    Aamir Khan's recent statement started a debate and widespread criticism. My quick thoughts!

  • Reforms Phase I

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] politics - Clint's Nolan Chart - 20020718 - slightly inaccurate but good (Photo credit: Rev. Xanatos Satanicos Bombasticos (ClintJCL))[/caption]#I wrote this on PG on 13th Oct 2010. And posted on FB Notes on 30th Jan 2011. We...

  • LPG Transparency Portal

    Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has launched the LPG Transparency Portal under Government to Citizen (G2C) service category.Click on the above link or paste the following url in your browser:-http://www.bharatpetroleum.com/Transparency_portal/LPG_portal.htmlAs per National Portal of India,LPG consumers can know their...

  • Where to file Grievance against Public Grievance Portal?

    After trying for more than two hours, I have lost the patience and I feel exhausted. Somehow I have gathered energy to write this post.Before we begin, ere are two screenshots of the Lodge a Grievance Page.I tried to lodge...

  • Should Capital Punishment be Abolished?

    The question of abolition of capital punishment has been the most debatable question and brings lots of emotion and sentiments. There are people who are in favour of abolition and there are others who try to defend capital punishment or...

  • Judicial Reforms - My Take

    I was going through a post of my friend Shailendra. And I tried to put few suggestions. While commenting there, I realized that I wrote enough that it can be transformed into a post. So here are my suggestions:-1. Judiciary...

  • Have some respect for the Constitution

    Mr Kejriwal says, “Anna Hazare is above Parliament and that he has the right to do so as a citizen … Every citizen is above Parliament.” If this is the understanding of a person who was once part of Indian...

  • Air India and Its Future

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="Image by BriYYZ via Flickr"][/caption]Air India is India's national flag carrier. Over the years it has lost its fervour and there has been plenty of reforms to make it work and bring it out of the...

  • [Guest Post] Views on Terrorism by Padmaja

    Trying to understand Terrorism, Padmaja tries to explore whether one can really go so far for the sake of just a belief and raises few questions on the world leadership. Read it.One more terrorist attack & we are all forced...

  • Cash-for-vote Scandal and Case of H G Mudgal, 1951 - Waiting for Parliament to take action!!

    Many of my friends might not know about the case of H G Mudgal. So, let us first focus on it. This case exemplifies the serious concern shown by the Parliament of India in the year 1951 about the misconduct...

  • Right to Property Debate

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  • Consumer Price Index (CPI) - Draft

    CPI is a statistical time-series measure of a weighted average of prices of a specified set of goods and services purchased by consumers. It is a price index that tracks the prices of a specified basket of consumer goods and...

  • Bura Jo Dekhan Main Chala, Bura Naa Milya Koye

    लोग आये जंतर मंतर पेतालियाँ पीटी,चीखे-चिल्लाएकैमरे के सामने उछले-कूदे,माइक पे गीत गायेजोर-जोर से लगाए नारेअमर रहे अन्ना हजारेसरकार को गालियाँ दे रहे थे जब सारेमुझे याद आ रहा था वो गानाजिसने पाप न किया हो,वो पहला पत्थर मारे.I just read...

  • Need for Sex Education in Schools

    I was not shying away from this topic. Yes, it is late, but better late then never. I was going through my notes on the subject when I realized that I have not posted anything on this topic. I talked...

  • Genetic Use Restriction Technologies (GURT)

     GURT, also called terminator technology, is a biotech-based strategy that prevents seeds from germinating in the next growing season unless treated chemically by the seed company prior to planting. When seeds of crop varieties (containing this kind of genetic manipulation)...

  • National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)

    India has announced a National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) in June, 2008 which incorporates its vision of sustainable development and the steps it must take to realize it. The NAPCC is coordinated by the Ministry of Environment and...

  • Employment and Unemployment Measurements in India

    I am copying this from Annual Report to People on Employment (2010) published by Ministry of  Labour and Employment, Government of India. This was the first comprehensive report on the subject. However, it would have been read by intellectuals of...

  • Minting and Issue of Coins

    Hammered Coins (Image by Wikipedia) # Taken from RBI website and WikipediaThe responsibility for coinage vests with the Government of India in terms of the Coinage Act, 1906. The government has the sole right to mint coins.  Government of India is...

  • India's child malnutrition puzzle

    Was reading an article by Neeraj Kaushal, Associate Professor of Social Work, Columbia University by the same title in ET. Was shocked to note the details. Here are excerpts:-[caption id="" align="alignright" width="350" caption="Image via Unicef"][/caption]India is home to about a third...

  • India Facing Cash Crunch on High Tax Refunds

    Image via WikipediaDon't panic. It is temporary cash crunch that the government of India is facing on account of tax refunds of nearly Rs 45,000 crore during April and May. But this cash crunch is prompting it to resort to short-term borrowing.People might be...

  • Banking the Unbanked

    "Banking the unbanked" is the topic that I first heard during Davos 2007 media reports. There are hundreds of reasons for large part of population in many countries - developed, developing and underdeveloped - to stay outside the realms of...

  • WHAT IS SLR, CRR, BANK RATE, REPO AND REVERSE REPOs and difference between CRR and SLR?

    # Copied from somewhere on Internet to Facebook Notes and now as a part of cleanup of FB copying here as ready reference.What is Bank rate?   Bank Rate is the rate at which central bank of the country  (in India...

  • Yield Spread and its use

    MeaningYield spread is a way of comparing any two financial products.Yield spread is the difference between profit you can make in two different types of investment.Why do we need to calculate Yield spread?Before coming to the purpose of calculating yield...

  • How do changes in CRR and SLR affect the economy?

    First lets see what exactly is CRR and SLR:-CRR - Cash Reserve Ratio:- You're a banker, you've to keep deposit that much ca$h in RBI.SLR - Statutory Liquidity Ratio:- You've to keep that much gold/ca$h/bonds in your bank.Lets assume you're a banker, have...

  • What are ADR and GDR?

    American Depositary Receipt (ADR)ADR is method of trading non-U.S. stocks on U.S. exchangesSuppose, Indian Co. wants to raise money from America, by issuing shares in American stock exchange.But then Indian co. will have to maintain accounts according to American standards.To...

  • CDS : Credit default swaps

    In simplest form Its buying insurance against a default.ExampleI'm a banker, gave car-loans to dude, but I'm afraid he might not pay back the full money. So I'll goto some other Bank X who sells Credit default Swaps (CDS).I've to...

  • Credit Crunch - Meaning, Example and Implications

    What is Credit Crunch?In simple words, when you can't get loans easily, its credit crunch.Definition: Reduction in the general availability of loans (or credit) or a sudden tightening of the conditions required to obtain a loan from the banks. Examples of...

  • What are equity, bonds and debentures?

    You gave me 100 Rs and I gave you a paper writing" I'll pay back 120 Rs. after 1 year"This paper is bond.You give me 100 Rs. and I gave you a paper "this gives you a partnership of 100 Rs....

  • How to calculate GDP (PPP) and GDP nominal?

    [caption id="" align="alignright" width="119" caption="Image via Wikipedia"][/caption]Take a basket of commodities (like 1 kg sugar,wheat,veggies and cloths etc).Now find out how much money do you need to buy everything from that basket?For India suppose the bill is 1700 Rs.Go to...

  • Why use GDP (nominal) instead of GDP (PPP) when comparing two nations?

    For example:In India majority of people are poor, and receive subsidized grains (like 1 kilo rice for 3 Rs, kerosene etc. from PDS shops.In America poor people are supported by Government by food stamps and social security cheques.Now comparing two...

  • [Banking in India] History

    Banking in India started with setting up of two banks in the last decades of the 18th century. The banks were:-        1.  The General Bank of India  (1786)    2.  Bank of Hindustan (1790)    Both of them...

  • [Banking in India] Story of State Bank of India

    Note: I am starting with a series on Banking in India. Will try to include everything regarding Indian Banking System that is necessary from examinations point of view. To start with here is the Story of State Bank of India. I...

  • Corporate Social Responsibility

    # Copied from my notes on Facebook, few things might have changed in between. Verify them!!Official definition of CSRThe World Business Council defines CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) as “the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic...

  • Food security related statistics for India

    The Global Hunger Index released by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) places India 67th in rankings with a score of 24.1, far below China and below Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal.The Global Hunger Index is calculated as an average of (1) proportion of the population that...

  • What's wrong with our post-harvest agricultural supply chain?

    Read this story:- http://goo.gl/xZMgKExcerpts:-The linkage between the farmer and the consumer that exists now is not only inefficient and wasteful and subject to abuse and manipulation but also inimical to boosting production. Any hint of a shortage in relation to demand...

  • [Schooling in India] Bishop’s Flawed Reason for Detaining a Student

    Today in Pune Mirror there was a  news that The Bishop’s School has detained a boy who has passed IX finals and has also advised him to seek a new school. I was shocked at the irresponsible behaviour of the school...

  • Time to bring Real Power in Hands of the People

    On a Saturday, we were celebrating a victory after 28 years, a much needed win to bring the world cup back. Next Saturday, we witnessed another win for the people of SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC of India when they...

  • Government considering bio-shields against tsunami

    I was going through this news sometime back  so thought it is worth sharing. Here are the excerpts:The Environment Ministry is considering the idea of developing bioshields comprising mangrove and non-mangrove species in coastal areas adjoining critical infrastructure projects such...

  • Isn't using subsidized diesel for private cars a luxury?

    With the price of crude oil rising high and putting pressure on economy is it right to use diesel when it is subsidized to reduce the cost of transportation to maintain the supply of essential commodities to the comfortable levels?...

  • Right to Die!

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  • How did the small-ticket reform help India?

    It has been a constant refrain among economists that the country's budgets have lacked big-ticket reforms. This is an op-ed by TT Ram Mohan, Professor at IIMA:- http://goo.gl/p0T7L. Read it and if you lack time read the excerpts here.Excerpts:-One area in which...

  • Why G-20 is a failure or will be one?

    Prof. Nouriel Roubini, the famed economist who is credited with predicting the global financial crisis comments on the utter failure of the G-20 in giving global leadership.  Recently he cited reasons for this failure. I am just putting them down...

  • Why use GDP (nominal) instead of GDP (PPP) when comparing two nations?

    For example:In India majority of people are poor, and receive subsidized grains (like 1 kilo rice for 3 Rs, kerosene etc. from PDS shops.In America poor people are supported by Government by food stamps and social security cheques.Now comparing two...

  • LokPal Bill

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  • Literacy in India - An Assessment

    We are going to have a largest Youth population in 2012-2015. Major hindrance to our path of growth is unskilled labour which is also uneducated too. The National Literacy Mission (NLM) was set up in May 1987 that aimed to...

  • Think Before You Pay

    Few days back I wanted to drink Coke. Here outside my office, there are many "tapris" (a roadside shop) on the footpath. In the absence of a good alternative like a cafeteria, etc people from nearby companies rely on these...

  • Shouldn’t there be a limit to Opinion-based Columns and News?

    I don't remember when I first read the editorial of any newspaper. But it has been a long time now. I have been watching newspapers because of my interest in the news and reading newspapers. What is interesting to note is...

  • India's Income Distribution - International Business

    India's Income Distribution - International Business. Was going through this link. I was not surprised to know that in India, 35 % of the country's population survives on less than $1 a day. This is the state of development in...

  • Women Empowerment - Challenges and Issues

    In the simplest words, empowering the women means creating such an environment in which they can take independent decisions for their personal development and the development of society in general. Empowerment is the process by which the women achieve increased...

  • Smarter Planet - Idea and the Involvement - Time to say THANK YOU!

    When I joined IBM on 3rd July 2009, the first thing I noticed was the poster of Smarter Planet at the gallery leading to my induction room. Later during induction, we were shown the video advertising Smarter Planet concept and...

  • Yojana - A journal by Publication Division

    There are several books and journals that are published byPublication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, GOI. One of the journal is Yojana. Yojana is a monthly devoted to socio-economic issues and started its publication in 1957 with Mr. Khuswant Singh as its Chief Editor....

  • Literacy in India

    For the success of any country it is necessary that its people are educated and literate. India has been a feudal for centuries. The concept of nationhood is still new and people find it hard to understand this and therefore we see...

  • Social and Cultural Stigma - Unwed Mothers

    Over the time I have seen many girls and ladies (I will not disclose the names) who have become pregnant before marriage and few of them had teenage pregnancy. I will not discuss how they became pregnant as we all...

  • Migration

    Lately we have seen this coming up as a major issue and finding a great TRP for news channel. The hue and cry about the issue and the implication of speeches of leaders fighting against migration and those favouring it...

  • Migrants - A big picture of a bigger issue!!

    Read an article on Shailendra's blog. I agree with whatever he has said. The issue is widespread and is deep rooted in the way Indian Politics works. The lack of visibility, innovation and above all the determination needed to address...

  • Agra in News

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  • United Nations Security Council - Reforms

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  • United Nations Security Council - Reforms

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  • iPhone Apps, Distractions and Life - App Inventory

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  • Nathuram Godse's Last Speech

    This is the speech given by Nathuram Godse in the court when he was tried for the murder of Mahatma Gandhi.Born in a devotional Brahmin family, I instinctively came to revere Hindu religion, Hindu history and Hindu culture. I had,...

  • Yojana - A journal by Publication Division

    There are several books and journals that are published byPublication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, GOI. One of the journal is Yojana. Yojana is a monthly devoted to socio-economic issues and started its publication in 1957 with Mr. Khuswant Singh as its Chief Editor....

  • Speech: Javed Akhtar: India Today conclave session on Spirituality - Halo or Hoax.

    # This is the speech given by Mr. Javed Akhtar. For a reply by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, please click here. INDIA TODAY CONCLAVEDAY 2, Saturday, February 26, 2005Session: Spirituality - Halo or Hoax.SPEECH: JAVED AKHTAR I am quite sure ladies...

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  • iPhone Apps, Distractions and Life - App Inventory

    Tired of distractions that I carry with myself all the time - my iPhone Apps, today I did an inventory of all the apps that I have on my phone

  • Dark Skies - Need them now more than ever

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  • Testing and the Perfect Software

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  • Part 5: NaN, Infinity and the Rules of Weird Math

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  • Part 5: NaN, Infinity and the Rules of Weird Math

    In IEEE 754 floating point, there are special values (NaN, +∞, −∞) that follow rules that look like broken logic, until you realize they're trying to protect you from lying math.

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  • A quiet rebuild: assets, webcmd, and accessibility

    Over the last day I made a round of changes that do not scream “new feature,” but materially improve how this site loads, behaves, and feels – especially for readers who use keyboard navigation or assistive tech. This post is...

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    Over the last day I made a round of changes that do not scream “new feature,” but materially improve how this site loads, behaves, and feels – especially for readers who use keyboard navigation or assistive tech. This post is...

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