Let's Forget 9-11 - part 3

:-)

Let's Forget 9-11 - Part 2

Let's Forget 9-11

World Cup Hockey

After World Cup Football, it is time for World Cup Hockey to be played in Germany from 6-17 September. Premier Hockey League (PHL) has announced a cash award of Rs 1 crore for the Indian team if it wins the cup, 50 lakhs if it ends up as a runner up, or 25 lakhs if placed third. That's a move that is really appreciable. At a time, when there are talks that cricket is overshadowing other sports, and too much of money is pumped into the sport, this announcement by PHL is more than welcome. Now let's wait and watch how much money motivates the team! ALL THE BEST INDIA!

Babu Mushai!

Director Hrishikesh Mukherjee, one of my favorite directors, passed away yesterday in Mumbai's Leelawati Hospital due to kidney failure at the age of 83. Why I liked his films so much was because his films were definitely very "Hatkey." None of his films had any usual Bollywood scenes like running and singing around a tree or unbelievable heroisms. The heroes in his films were very down-to-earth, middle-class characters whom we can relate with ourselves. He kept equal distance from commercial cinemas as well as parallel ones. It was actually a mixture of both. He has directed films like Mili and Anand (a little sentimental ones), but most of his other films were humurous. Films like Golmaal, Chupke Chupke, Rang Birangi, Khubsoorat, Jhoothi etc. are films that can be watched even now. His last movie Jhoot bole kauwa Kaate wasn't a success. His best two films are undoubtedly Abhimaan and Namak Haram. No doubt, with his departure, Bollywood has lost one of its best directors.

Funny People in A Funny World Series -2

Is winning an argument so important? I really don't know the answer to this. Maybe the answer varies from person to person. There are people in this world who are very knowledgeable. Throw any topic, and they start speaking. Now there is another group, who really has the skin of a hippo. This group coolly passes comments on a topic which they really don't know. But in most cases, the listener catches it and understands that this guy is just bluffing, but might just keep quiet. The speaker in this case has certainly fallen in the eyes of the listener, but that fool believes that he has created a good impression. And the listener might think that let the speaker be of the impression that he has created a good impression. In this case, actually who has fooled whom? I don't know what is so low in admitting that we don't know about a particular topic. Not everyone will know about all the topics in this world except a handful as I mentioned before.

Another thing that I have noticed is even while you are chit-chatting, and you give your piece about a topic and even if the other person agrees to your views deep inside, he will not admit it. He will come out with the exact opposite of what you said just to show that he is different and has a different view altogether. Days later if again you happen to discuss the same topic, you might see him saying and supporting what you exactly said before. By this time, the guy must have forgotten the first conversation.

Though all these are harmless, I don't feel that there is any need for these.

Funny People in A Funny World Series -1

Today afternoon I was at the famous Kairali hotel. I had my lunch and was waiting for my turn to wash my hands since there was a guy who was already doing so. As I was waiting, lo! suddenly two guys came from behind, overtook me, washed their hands and coolly went off as if they hadn't seen me waiting in front of them (or were they blind? God knows). And they know very well that I wasn't waiting there to watch a movie.

And this is not the first time it has happened with me. A month back when I went to have my breakfast in a nearby mess (a small one), only one table was vacant. It was almost 8:35 and I had to reach my office at 9:00. I washed my hands and was proceeding towards that table when from nowhere a guy ran and overtook me and sat in that table. I really got irritated to the core. But since that was my birthday, I didn't want to spoil a good day.

I know that everybody is in a hurry, and that in today's world it is "kayi ookullavan kaaryam kaanum," but isn't there something called a courtesy at all? After all what did the guys involved in both the instances gain? My curses or a few seconds? There are instances in life where you need to be competitive, but definitely not in such cases, where there is not much benefit for such actions.

I basically feel that it is their parents who are responsible for such actions. Somebody who is not brought up in the right way are bound to behave in such ways. I think animals have better courtesy!

August 15 - 2006 - MAA TUJHE SALAAM!

Fate??

Is there something called "Fate?" Well I believe there is. Well then who decides your fate? It is that superpower we call GOD, which is further bifurcated as Shiva, Allah, Jesus etc. But of course there is some superpower that exists who decides your fate. I have seen people who does not believe in GOD at all. GOD is a three-letter word created by us to name that superpower. There are people who say that there is nothing like fate and you can achieve anything in life by sheer hard work. I beg to differ here. I have had experiences wherein I have given my 100% and yet faced obstacles in achieving a goal, whereas there are instances where by applying just 20% have got the results unexpectedly.

We are what we are at present mainly because it was decided that way. There are so many people who are born blind, deaf, handicapped. Why weren't I? Who decided that? And on what basis? Why were they born like that? Of course NO ANSWER. I am what I am today just because I was born to my parents and not to someone in a slum. That of course was not in my hands as to where I was going to take birth. Who decided that again? And again on what basis? Do you think that it is just a coincidence? How much ever good a driver we are, it just takes a minute's folly of ours or someone else's for our lives to end. So, what is in our hands? Nothing. So, just carry on enjoying this beautiful life, for we don't know what is tomorrow, and thank the Almighty for whatever we are. No preaching here, of course.

Back Again!

It is not that I stopped blogging. After the lift of ban on blogs, only yesterday I was able to open blogs here. And so after a short break, I am back!

Blogs Blocked!

Just to block four blogs, the government has gone ahead and blocked all the blogs, the reason being that no technology is available to block just four blogs! I think India is a threat to China not only in economics and population. Well, in Malayalam there is a saying "Eliye kollan illam chuda." I think nothing is more apt for this situation. Here are a few tips that the govt. can follow:


To catch a thief or criminal in India:

Close all the borders. Arrest all the 1 billion people. The theif/criminal is automatically caught!!!


To prevent spreading of AIDS in India:
Close all the borders. Shoot all the 1 billion people. AIDS will then never proliferate.

There are more tips available. I am available for any more tips if required. By the by, I am a great fan of Tuglak, like our officials.

To Access The Mirror

The Mirror can be accessed through:

http://www.pkblogs.com/zoom2x


Don't worry, if this is banned, another alternative will appear soon. I don't believe that those idiots can even spell out I-N-T-E-R-N-E-T. Forget technology!!

Blogs Banned In India!!!

The Department of Telecommunications in an order to all leading Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) ordered the blocking of popular Internet blogging sites. The premise for such a move was that that blogs were spewing communal hatred and some indulging in ‘anti-national acts and writings’. The order is not only absurd in its approach towards emerging changes on the web; it is in fact against the entire idea that is the Internet. The Internet, the great knowledge tool, which knows no boundaries, was envisioned as the great leveler. The ability to access any information anywhere in real-time revolutionized not only the world but helped in ‘flattening’ the world thereby giving developing nations like ours the competitive edge to showcase our talent and entrepreneurial skills. The web-log or blog was the natural extension of this phenomenon that extended its reach to the common user to put his thoughts and ideas out into the infinite space of the Internet. Blogging took off after the Iraq war in 2003 and has not looked back ever since. In fact, in the West, blogging has become the first source of news and information for many readers who are moving from the traditional media, whom they see as biased in their leanings and motives. The world of blogs really got recognition when Yahoo decided to introduce a news search that included blogs, thereby giving legitimacy to what was viewed earlier by mainstream media as armchair journalists trying to become the real thing.



Closer home, the paranoia that has set in the government in the aftermath of the criticism it received for policies like being soft on terror, foreign policy flip-flops and reservations has made it take this rather draconian step. It seems that the government instead of trying to listen to the voice of the people wants to gag it. This is not the first time that the Congress has tried to breach the freedom of speech. The Indira Gandhi government was notorious for what it did to the media during the emergency. With remnants of the ‘Young Turks’ of the time still very much present in the decision-making of this government, it is easy to see where the idea got its origins. The government fears that the communally loaded messages of some blogs are detrimental for the nation’s fragile communal harmony. While one must concede that there are a few rotten apples in every sphere, to typecast blogging, per se, as being anti national, is a bit over the top. If anything, blogging initiates healthy debate, which must be encouraged in every democracy. And if the government cannot stand the heat of what its citizens have to say, then they should do a rethink on their policies rather than go after the voice that has raised an opinion. The government has also pointed out to the banning of blogs that can cause damage to relations with other nations. The reality is that a blog is just an opinion; it does not have the power to alter the mood of a foreign nation to become hostile towards us. Rather it is politicians on both side of the divide that spread hatred towards our own citizens or other nations, a vitriolic Narendra Modi or Pravin Togadia, or a narrow minded Arjun Singh are more detrimental to this country than any blog.


The UPA with this order to gag the web and trying to alter the Broadcast Bill to make it more stringent towards the media is unnecessarily venturing into areas where it is bound to face tough resistance. This at a time when they should be more concerned about the nations’ security and the rising tensions within its own alliance. By trying to curb freedom of expression they might ultimately manage to antagonize the last remaining support for itself and thereby hasten the downfall of its very existence with out of sync policies like blocking blogging and gagging the media.


Coutesy: TOI

WHAT DID YOU GAIN??????

Pic Courtesy: Manorama

Mumbai Blasts

The situation seems to be grim at Mumbai as more details are pouring in. Official figures put the dead at 137 and more than 500 injured. My heart goes out to all those who lost life and their kith and kin, and I wish those behind this barbaric act are NOT caught ALIVE but KILLED in an ENCOUNTER!!! because if caught alive they will have a chance to live for years till Indian Law comes out with some sort of a verdict!!

FIFA 2006 FINALS - HIGHLIGHTS

FLASH NEWS

A series of bombs exploded at Mumbai today evening. Six blasts rocked first class compartments of various trains at Matunga, Jogeshwari, Borivali, Khar, Santacruz, and Bhayendar suburban railway stations. Obviously the target was people returning home after work. Many are stated to be injured, but details are awaited.....

ITALY - FIFA WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS 2006

Udayananu Thaaram

Tu Hi Mera Shab - Gangster

Two Lovely Songs From Parineeta

Achuvinte Amma

I wasn't blogging for a few days now, not because I was very busy but mainly couldn't find anything to write about. All my recent posts have been videos. Will definitely come back to writing soon. Till then I thought I would post some of my favorite songs in various languages. Here are some:

Paakathae

Dishyum

And This Day Is Not Far Enough!

Dhoom - Malayalam Version

Spain Vs. France - Highlights

Brazil vs. Ghana - Highlights

Argentina Vs. Mexico - Match Highlights

The Crazy Frog Is Back!!

Czech Rep Vs. Ghana

Ghana will never forget Saturday, 17 June, when they defeated Czech Republic 2-0.




Asamoah Gyan scores the first one for Ghana in the 1st minute.




Sulley Muntari scores the second one for Ghana in the 81st minute.

Accident Compilation

Lucky Escape

LET'S CHASE THE CRAZY FROG

FIFA WORLD CUP - COUNTDOWN ENDS HERE

Well the countdown for the FIFA WORLD CUP 2006 ends here. A month-long action packed days are ahead.

For schedules of the matches - CLICK




LET'S HAVE A GALA TIME AHEAD.........................

FIFA WC 2006 - ONE DAY TO GO.......

10 DRIVING RULES - COIMBATORE

New to Coimbatore? Finding it hard to drive on the streets of Coimbatore? Well let me guide you a bit. Here are certain rules that you can go through which will help you become an expert driver here.

1. As far as possible, try to overtake from the LEFT. Remember not to honk. Always take the guy in front by surprise.

2. If you are entering a main road from a sub, don't look to your right or left. Just take the vehicle in and turn. It is duty of the vehicles coming through that road to stop - not yours.

3. When turning, never put on the indicator or show hand signal unless you have reached some 5 feet before the junction.

4. If you are a pedestrian and would like to cross the road, again don't look to your either sides, just raise your hand (signalling the vehicles to stop) and cross. After all they have to...

5. If you are the owner of a TVS moped, you are free to carry even your house from one location to other. Don't worry, no one will question you.

6. In a signal always stop 5 feet ahead of the line so that when the green light is turned on, you are the first one to take off. In case you are behind a few vehicles, don't forget to keep honking (who knows? the person in front of you might have stopped there to read a magazine or also that he might be blind and might not have seen the green light on). And for that don't forget to fit in a loud horn - the other person's eustachian tube should come out.

7. What in case you are going to the north from south and suddenly you want to turn back. Don't worry, you don't have to stop. As you are driving just take a U turn and turn back. You might hear some screeching sound of vehicles behind you as they apply the brake and you might hear some people shouting. Never mind, after all WHO ARE THEY TO SHOUT? You are also paying road taxes.

8. As a precaution avoid drunken driving after 9 pm. Before that? No problem, go ahead and drink -- and drive. You are safe - provided you drive safe.

9. You want to overtake a vehicle in front, but another vehicle is coming from the opposite side, what would you do? errrhhh what did I hear? You will slow down? Not required. Just blink your headlight twice and proceed. What does it mean? It means that you are going to overtake anyhow and that the vehicle coming towards you has to either stop or slow down.

10. After reading all these you are telling me you don't have a license? Arrey yaar it's Pay and Use policy. No, I am not talking about the toilets here. Pay the broker, get the license and Use your vehicle. Simple.

FIFA WC - 2 DAYS TO GO....

INDIA VS. WI - FIRST TEST

The first cricket test between India and West Indies ended in a draw with WI 298/9 at close. One wicket seperated India from victory at the end. All in all, a good come back by India after being bowled out for 241 in the first innings, thanks to a brilliant 212 by Jaffer and a blistering 69 by Dhoni.

Of course, there are lots of ifs and buts, but definitely there will be some fingers raised against the Indian team selection. Ajit Agarkar, no doubt was the best bowler for India in the one dayers. But he was left out of the team (the team for the tests were decided after the 2nd or 3rd one-day match - I don't quite remember). The next best bowler for India in these slow tracks was obviously Harbajan Singh. He was left out of the playing 11 and instead VRV Singh was given an opportunity. Youngsters should obviously get chances, but not in the very first test where each team tries to get an upper hand. Experiments when succeed gets praise and if not are criticized. But I don't think this was any experiment at all.

What next for the second test? May be drop Wasim Jaffer and Dhoni and include Romesh Powar and let Dravid keep wickets!! Another experiment right? Or would you call it a blunder?

PETROL PRICE

So, petrol and diesel prices have gone up, petrol by Rs 4 and diesel by Rs 2. As expected, the opposition and the left parties have started agitation. BJP has called in for a hartal in Kerala on Friday, June 9th. There are protests being planned in other states also. So what next? Obviously, as usual the government is going to fool all of us. By next week, definitely you can expect a news stating petrol prices have been brought down by 50 paise and that the increase will only be about Rs 3.50. A big win for the protestors!! This has always been the government's way of fooling us. It works out like this. Suppose they need to increase the price by say Rs 5. They will then decide to hike it by Rs. 6. They know that there will be protests against this. Then they will decide to bring it down by 50 paise or Re. 1. Target achieved and people fooled!!!

As international oil prices are going up constantly, now almost $70 a barrel, obviously there is no way but to increase the price. But on the other hand, India is the only country which imposes taxes and duties to the tune of 60% on petrol. Which means out of Rs 50 which you pay for a liter of petrol, Rs. 30 goes towards taxes and duties, and Rs. 20 is the cost of the petrol. Obviously you can't do without taxes. But this is certainly a very high percentage. In US it is about 16%. This is where government should consider its decision by being not too greedy and putting the burden on the common people. Subsidising product A and ending up with higher prices for products B to Z is simply ridiculous.

FIFA WC - 3 DAYS TO GO.......

IQBAL - PART TWO

His father is a driver of a BEST bus in Mumbai, one brother drives auto rikshaw, mother used to sell pickles --- all in the hope that one day he would be able to see his as well as their dreams come true. I am talking about none other than Wasim Jaffer, who yesterday scored 212 runs to help India not only make sure they don't lose, but also dream of a victory.

Abdul Kader, father of Wasim Jaffer, dreamt of making his son Kalim (Wasim's elder brother) a cricketer, but couldn't because of financial constraints. He even once spend his entire month's salary of Rs 450 to buy a bat for Kalim. But the family didn't give up. When they saw Wasim's interest in cricket, the entire family did all that they could so that nothing would hinder Wasim's dreams. His mother made pickles at home and sold, his brother Saleem drove auto, and Kalim became his coach and supporter. The responsibilities were shared and not for a moment Wasim was allowed to forget his aim.

Wasim on his part was mature enough to realize how fortunate he was in getting a family like this one, and the motivation reflected in his performances. The 400 that he scored in inter-school tournament helped him to clinch a place in Mumbai's under-19 team. There he was spotted by former India test cricketer Sudhir Naik, who in turn polished him. He went on to make 314 in his second Ranji Trophy match. The family, increasingly hard-pressed financially, never gave up even during this time.

Then Wasim was selected for the tests against South Africa when they visited India, where he failed to make any impression a series which India lost 2-0. India then kept on trying different openers, but Wasim was never called for. Those were trying times for him and he expected to be called in for the England series, but was not. Finally after success in Duleep Trophy, this time he was included in the West Indies series and made the best out of the opportunity. Though he could score only 1 run in the first innings, he went on to score 212 yesterday in the second innings - an innings played under tremendous pressure. This time he ensured that his beloved family smiled! Well done Iqbal -- oops Jaffer!

BONEY M - RASPUTIN

Though India did not perform well yesterday in the First Test against WI, ending the day at 235/9, let's keep enjoying some music. Here is Boney M's Rasputin...

There lived a certain man in Russia long ago
He was big and strong, in his eyes a flaming glow
Most people looked at him with terror and with fear
But to Moscow chicks he was such a lovely dear
He could preach the bible like a preacher
Full of ecstacy and fire
But he also was the kind of teacher
Women would desire

RA RA RASPUTIN
Lover of the Russian queen
There was a cat that really was gone
RA RA RASPUTIN
Russia's greatest love machine
It was a shame how he carried on

He ruled the Russian land and never mind the czar
But the kasachok he danced really wunderbar
In all affairs of state he was the man to please
But he was real great when he had a girl to squeeze
For the queen he was no wheeler dealer
Though she'd heard the things he'd done
She believed he was a holy healer
Who would heal her son

(Spoken:)
But when his drinking and lusting and his hunger
for power became known to more and more people,
the demands to do something about this outrageous
man became louder and louder.

"This man's just got to go!" declared his enemies
But the ladies begged "Don't you try to do it, please"
No doubt this Rasputin had lots of hidden charms
Though he was a brute they just fell into his arms
Then one night some men of higher standing
Set a trap, they're not to blame
"Come to visit us" they kept demanding
And he really came

RA RA RASPUTIN
Lover of the Russian queen
They put some poison into his wine
RA RA RASPUTIN
Russia's greatest love machine
He drank it all and he said "I feel fine"

RA RA RASPUTIN
Lover of the Russian queen
They didn't quit, they wanted his head
RA RA RASPUTIN
Russia's greatest love machine
And so they shot him till he was dead

(Spoken:) Oh, those Russians...

REMEMBERING BONEY M.......

Boney M, started by Frank Farian in the 70s is still undoubtedly my favorite group. Right from "Baby do you wanna bump" they rocked the 70s and 80s with hits like "Brown girl in the ring," "Rasputin," "Rivers of Babylon," "Daddy cool," "Felicidad," "Belfast," "Ma Baker" etc. "Rivers of Babylon" became the second highest selling single of all time in the UK in 1978. What better time remembering this group than this when the first cricket test between India and the West Indies starts today. So here is "Rivers of Babylon" for today...........


By the rivers of babylon, there we sat down
Ye-eah we wept, when we remembered zion.

By the rivers of babylon, there we sat down
Ye-eah we wept, when we remembered zion.

When the wicked
Carried us away in captivity
Required from us a song
Now how shall we sing the lords song in a strange land

When the wicked
Carried us away in captivity
Requiering of us a song
Now how shall we sing the lords song in a strange land

Let the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart
Be acceptable in thy sight here tonight

Let the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts
Be acceptable in thy sight here tonight

By the rivers of babylon, there we sat down
Ye-eah we wept, when we remembered zion.

By the rivers of babylon, there we sat down
Ye-eah we wept, when we remembered zion.

By the rivers of babylon (dark tears of babylon)
There we sat down (you got to sing a song)
Ye-eah we wept, (sing a song of love)
When we remember zion. (yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah)

By the rivers of babylon (rough bits of babylon)
There we sat down (you hear the people cry)
Ye-eah we wept, (they need their God)
When we remember zion. (ooh, have the power)

10 MORE GREAT GOALS

6 MORE DAYS TO GO..........

FIFA WC - TOP 10 GOALS

7 DAYS TO GO............

FIFA WC - BEST GOALS OF YESTERYEARS

8 DAYS TO GO..........

INDIA VS. WI TEST SERIES

The test series between India and West Indies begins tomorrow. After a 4-1 defeat in the one-day series, team India's morale must be really down. India should have won the one-day series 4-1, thanks to the lack of experience of the Indian team, they didn't. In 4 matches out of the five, India were in a commanding position at one stage or the other. India went to the West Indies expecting fast tracks, but didn't know how to react when the pitches were dead slow. Here experience comes handy. If you analyse, you will see that all the experienced players - Yuvaraj, Kaif, Sehwag, Dravid (in one game), Harbhajan, and Agarkar did fairly well. But the new comers (Pathan - should not be called one now, Munaf, Sreesanth, Uthappa, Dhoni, Raina, Powar) all faired very badly. A loss sometimes will do good for a team, provided they learn. Now with some experience coming back to the team for the tests in the form of VVS Laxman and Anil Kumble, all eyes are focused on how India will face WI in the test series.

The schedule for the four test series is as follows:

June 2-6 -- Ist Test -- Antigua
June 10-14 -- 2nd Test -- St. Lucia
June 22-26 -- 3rd Test -- St. Kitts
June 30-July 4 -- 4th Test -- Jamaica

FANAAH - TRAILER

COURTESY: BOLLYWOOD SARGAM

GANGSTER - MUSIC REVIEW

Gangster - from the houses of the Bhatts, directed by Anurag Basu has Emraan Hashmi, Shiney Ahuja, and debutante Kangna Ranaut (who is touted to be the next Madhuri Dixit by Mukesh Bhatt) in its lead roles. Lyrics are by Sayeed Quadri and Mayur, and music by Pritam of Dhoom fame.

Tu Hi Meri Shab Hai is a beautifully written number by Sayeed Quadri and sung equally good by K.K. It's a catchy, melodious number which is bound to be a hit in the coming days. It is surely going to be appealing to anyone who listens to it. Rating 8/10.

Bheegi Bheegi is another well-written number by Mayur, sung by debutant James, who hails from Bangladesh. Though not as appealing as the first track, I believe it is still a very haunting track. Once when I tuned into Zoom channel, I heard that James was actually made to drink by the composer before he came behind the mike. Rating 6/10.

Lamha Lamha written by Neelesh Misra and sung by Abhijeet and Sunidhi Chauhan is simply superb. Like majority of Abhijeet's songs, this one too has a certain innocence around it. This is one song which will catch you right at the first instance when you hear it. I would simply rate this as the best. Rating 9/10.

Ya Ali written by Sayeed Quadri and sung by another debutant Zubin from Assam is sort of a westernized qawalli number. This one is already on top of the charts in various countdown shows, although I believe Lamha Lamha and Tu Hi Mera Shab Hai will eventually overtake this one on popularity in the coming days. Rating 7/10.

Mujhe Mat Roko again, written by Sayeed Quadri and sung by Kavita Seth is sort of a 'thumri' number. Though a bit slow, it definitely is a touching and meaningful number. These sort of songs are best enjoyed lying down, switching off all the lights, and playing it in a very low volume at night. Rating 6/10.

Then there are two remixes of Tu Hi Mera Shab Hai by Bunty Rajput and Jatin Shama. This is a new trend in recent albums, although I don't quite feel it is really necessary. I think it is done mainly to fill up the remaining space and to compose an album of 10 songs by repeating remixes of some of the songs.

There is also a solo version of Lamha Lamha by Abhijeet.

Overall, the album is a good one. Nice compositions by Preetam to equally good lyrics by Sayeed. I reckon it to be in the top of the charts for the coming weeks. Overall rating: 8/10.

Overheard Conversation

I married a widow having a young daughter. My father married my daughter and so my father became my son-in-law and I became my father's father-in-law. My daughter is my mother and my wife my grandmother. More problems occurred when I had a son. My son is my father's brother and so he my uncle. Situations turned worse when my father had a son. Now my father's son i.e. my brother is my grandson. Ultimately, I have become my own grand father and I am my own grandson.

VIA: SUDESHNA

FUNNY!

FOUND THIS FUNNY - BUT VIEWER'S DISCRETION RECOMMENDED!






VIA: BRIGADIER

FANAAH - MUSIC REVIEW

Fanaah (slated for release on May 26) has music by Jatin-Lalit, and it is their last one as a duo. It is really sad that a talented pair as theirs is parting ways. They started from the movie Yaara Dildaara, which had the superhit number "Bin tere sanam, marmitenge hum" and their last one Hum Tum too was really good.

The lyricist for Fanaah is Prasoon Joshi, and he really deserves a pat on his back. The poetic lyrics of Fanaah can even be compared to the one and only Javed Akhtar's.

The opening track of the album - Chaand Sifarish - rendered by Shaan and Kailash Kher is a hummable number. Nothing innovative in the music, but as I said, the lyrics stand apart.

The second number - Mere haath mein, thera haath ho - is my favorite. This song is a slow, melodious one with a Kashmiri background score, and is really soothing to the ears - undoubtedly the best one.

"Des Rangila" by Mahalaxmi Iyer, as the title suggests is a patriotic song - just about average.

"Dekho Na" a soft romantic number can be best described as the second best song of the album, with soothing santoor and flute played in the background. Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan sings.

"Chanda Chamke" sung by Babul Supriyo and Mahalaxmi Iyer is a rhythmic number with tongue twisting lyrics - Kids would really love it (a segment often forgotten by today's bollywood)

Then there is an instrumental number of "Dekho Na" and a remix of "Chaand Sifarish" by DJ Aqueel, just to fill up the remaining space.

In the times of Himesh NASALmiya, the songs in this album are really welcome numbers, though some of the tunes are reminiscent of Jatin-Lalit's previous works. All in all, a good album, after a long long time. Special praise to Prasoon Joshi for the lyrics!! Happy Listening!!

Bad News??

WELL THE BAD NEWS IS THAT ELECTIONS ARE OVER, IT'S TIME FOR PETROL PRICE HIKE!!

Nothing Unexpected!

Well, another elections are over, results are out. As expected, LDF is back in Kerala and Bengal, and DMK in Tamil Nadu. Now what people are awaiting is to know who will be the Chief Ministers of these states. Well, I read in IBN's site Karunanidhi quoting Stalin as the next Chief Minister of TN. In the same site, I saw a comment "It is good that Vijaykanth has won, or else he would have returned to ACTING"!!. As far as Kerala is concerned, it seems decision will be taken by 15th. If Achu Mama becomes the Chief Minister, the swearing-in ceremony might take one whole day!! (Pun intended).

Last weekend, when I was at home, I saw Cyrus interviewing Navjot Singh Sidhu in MTV. In that, I liked a comment made by Sidhu on talkative people. He said "They have a DIARRHEA of words, but CONSTIPATION of thoughts!! Well said Sidhu.

How Smart Are You?

There are lots of tests available today in the net. Most of them ask you to send money once you finish it to get the results. This one is fairly simple. When I did it I could score only 7, and the interpretation was "Normal Intelligence." Thank God!

Try it for yourself---HERE

Well Done Dhoni!!

Yesterday's knock of 59 runs in Abu Dhabi propelled Dhoni to the top spot in ICC ODI rankings leaving Australian captain Ricky Ponting to No.2.

16 April, 2006

EASTER WISHES TO ONE AND ALL!!

April 14, 2006

WISHING YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY MALAYALAM AND TAMIL NEW YEAR DAY!!

MAD??

This weird calculation has been running in my mind for quite sometime now. It's about how we spend our entire life.

Take a person, say who lives for 60 years.

Supposing he takes 5 min to brush his teeth everyday = 1825 min a year = 30.41 hours a year = 1825 hours in life = 76 DAYS OF HIS LIFE!!

Then let's say he spends 15 min in the bathroon everyday = 5475 min a year = 91.25 hours a year = 5475 hours in life = 228.15 DAYS OF HIS LIFE!!

Similarly for breakfast, let's say he takes 15 min = 228.15 DAYS OF HIS LIFE

For Lunch, 15 min = 228.15 DAYS OF HIS LIFE

For supper, another 15 min = 228.15 DAYS OF HIS LIFE

If he sleeps for 7 hours a day = 2555 hours a year = 153300 hours in life = 17.5 YEARS OF HIS LIFE

In short, ONE-THIRD of his life he spends eating and sleeping!!!!

Some Old Cartoons!

KOCHI ODI

ME TOMORROW:




OR




AND ME?





OR

Year 2020!

It is the year 2020 and call centers are opening all over
the West, as the new economic power India outsources work to
the countries where many jobs originated. Millions of
Americans, still struggling to adapt to a global economy,
are willing to accept jobs that pay them in a new currency
sweeping much of the world: EuRupees.

Some of them, eager to land one of the customer service jobs
from India, are attending special training sessions in New
York City, led by language specialist Dave Ramsey, who goes
by a simpler name for his Indian clients: Devendra
Ramaswaminathan.

On this warm afternoon, the professor is teaching three
ambitious students how to communicate with Indian customers.

Professor: "Okay, Gary, Randy and Jane, first we need to
give you Indian names. Gary, from now on, you'll be known to
your customers as Gaurav. Randy, you'll be Ranjit. And Jane,
you'll be Jagadamba. Now imagine you just received a call
from Delhi. What do you say?"

Gary: "Name as tea?"

Professor: "I think you mean 'namaste.' Very good. But what
do you say after that?"

Gary: "How can I help you?"

Professor: "You're on the right track. Anyone else?"

Jane: "How can I be helping you?"

Professor: "Good try! You're using the correct tense, but
it's not quite right. Anyone else?"

Randy: "How I can be helping you?"

Professor: "Wonderful! Word order is very important. Okay,
let's try some small talk. Give me a comment that would help
you make a connection with your Indian customers."

Randy: "It's really hot, isn't it?"

Professor: "The heat is always a good topic, but you haven't
phrased it correctly. Try again."

Randy: "It's deadly hot, isn't it?"

Professor: "That's better. But your tag question can be
greatly improved."

Randy: "It's deadly hot, no?"

Professor: "Wonderful! You can put 'no?' at the end of
almost any statement. You are understanding me, no?"

Jane: "Yes, we are understanding you, no?"

Professor (smiles): "We may need to review this later. But
let's move on to other things. Have you ever heard Indians
use the word 'yaar'?"

Randy: "Yes, my Indian friends use it all the time. Just
last night, one of them said to me, 'Randy, give me yaar
password. I am needing it to fix yaar computer."

Professor (laughs): "That's a different 'yaar,' yaar. The
'yaar' that I'm talking about means friend or buddy. You can
use it if you've developed a camaraderie with a customer.
For example, you can say, 'Come on, yaar. I am offering you
the best deal.' Do you understand, Jagadamba?"

Jane: "Yaar, I do."

Professor (smiles): "Okay, let's talk about accents. If your
client says 'I yam wery vorried about vat I bought for my
vife,' how would you respond?"

Randy: "Please don't be vorrying, yaar. She vill be wery
happy."

Professor: "Vunderful! I mean, wonderful. You have a bright
future, Ranjit. And so do you, Jagadamba. But Gaurav, you
haven't said anything in a while. Do you have any questions
about what we've just learned?"

Gary: "Yes, Professor, I do have one question: Wouldn't it
be simpler to learn to speak Hindi?"

By: Melvin Durai

Foresight!

Rajneesh Kapoor

Management Solutions

How well do you tackle problems that obstruct your way ? Observe how one master does it...

Laloo talks to his son

Laloo : I want you to marry a girl of my choice
Son : I want to choose my own bride.
Laloo : But the girl is Bill Gates' daughter.
Son : Well, in that case... I can consider the idea..

Next Laloo approaches Bill Gates

Laloo : I have a husband for your daughter.
Bill Gates : But my daughter is too young to marry.
Laloo : But this young man is a Vice President of the World Bank.
Bill Gates : Ah, in that case...I can give it a thought

Finally Laloo goes to see the President of the World Bank

Laloo : I have a young man to be recommended as a Vice President.
President : But I already have more Vice Presidents than I need.
Laloo : But this young man is Bill Gates' son-in-law.
President : Really ? in that case I will certainly think on it...

This is called Real Management .......

Spare A Thought

Palmistry:

" APNE HAATHO KI LAKEERO KO KYA DEKHTE HO,
NASEEB UNKE BHI HOTE HAI JINKE NASEEB ME HAATH NAHIN HOTE...."

WHOZ THIZ??

Return Of The King? Have To Wait And See...

AYYE!!!

ASTROLOGY!

Tough days ahead for you Mr. Dravid and Mr. Chappel. Until the one-day series starts, both of you can expect lots of criticism at your workplace. Mental agony is also on the cards. The last two pages of any newspaper in India will be dedicated exclusively to you. Family gettogethers possible. Some of you may take time off work for the next few days. Family and friends will support you.

Naukri.Com Gets Legal Notice!

A 11-year-old has served a legal notice on Naukri.com for poking fun at a name that is same as his own, in one of its ads.
READ MORE

Weekend!

Last two days, I was at home, mainly watching the third test between India and England. Seeing the match, some weird thoughts ran into my mind..

Why don't we change the batting order of Indian batting, reversing it totally, with Sreesanth and Munaf Patel opening the innings. I think India will score more...

Why not remove some of the non-performers, and put the commentators instead, who knows exactly at what angle the bat should have moved, which direction your feet should be, what degree your head should have tilt for each shot?

Also, I would like to know whether the so-called experts would exactly know whether batting first is better or bowling before even a single ball is bowled. It is pretty easy to say something after one session of the match.

Irfan Pathan played a shot (the shot which he got out). Unfortunately, he was caught and had to leave the field. Every commentator said it was an unnecessary shot, and that Irfan was irresponsible. This to a player who had contributed (may be more than Tendulkar) in every match. I agree, it might have been an immature shot. Now, had that ball cleared the ropes, what would have been the commentator's reaction? Should have been "Wow that's a shot only Irfan can play at this juncture of the innings."

Also I pretty well know how these so-called experts reacted to such situations when they were in the field (Long Long Ago).

EASY TO PREACH EH?

Recognized This One?

Similar to the previous one....




Powered by Castpost

Nostalgic

This one was a filler which Doordarshan use to air in its initial days. Really, it takes me to my school days.





Powered by Castpost

Q&A

**If all one billion Chinese jumped at once, would the earth be thrown out of its orbit?
**What are hiccups and why do we get them?
**Does smoking have any health benefits?
**What was the Leaning Tower of Pisa for?
**Which will keep you drier, running through the rain or walking?


These and a lot of other weird questions with answers HERE

Courtesy: Straightdope

News Top 3! (March 14th, 2006 @11 p.m. IST

3: Indian masseur arrested for sexual assault.


2: Bird flu confirmed in Maharashtra


1: Jaya nominated for Nobel Prize

Heroes -- My Observations....

HINDI:

Stage I:
Acts in any film that comes his way.
If he gets a film with good songs, the film clicks, he is accepted as an actor.

Stage II:
Keeps on repeatedly doing the same genre of films with hairline difference in the story, until he becomes stereotyped, the audience gets fed up and no more accepts him in such roles.

Stage III:
Tries changing tracks, if successful will repeat step II.

Stage IV:
Then he is forgotten, say till the age of about 50-60, when he is remembered again and conferred with "Life Time Achievement Award" by Filmfare.
THE END.



MALAYALAM:

Stage I:
*Acts in films that kind of generates a sympathy for the actor...he suffers a lot, lives for his family, is always ditched by others and generates an "IO PAAVAM" like feeling.
*Continues the same genre of movies till he finds a place in the audience's heart.

Stage II:
He then switches over to Macho-roles, his moustache turns the other way, and does things that are good to fantasize.

Stage III:
Mostly ends up doing elderly characters -- father, grandfather.....



TAMIL:

Stage I:
Almost similar to Malayalam. Acts in a few movies, mainly romantic initially.
Plays similar roles, mostly beaten by 2-3 lean villains, tries to generate the same "IO PAAVAM" like feelings.

Stage II:
Once accepted by the audience, he then switches over to super-hero type roles, wherein he is now capable of beating 10-15 bulk villains may be with just one finger.

Stage III:
Continues doing this...

Stage IV:
Maybe politics..

NOTE:
1. Exceptions are there.
2. Read - all above-mentioned actors are good actors.

The Corporate Structure

And The Oscar Goes To.............

Performance by an actor in a leading role:
Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Capote”

Performance by an actor in a supporting role:
George Clooney in “Syriana”

Performance by an actress in a leading role:
Reese Witherspoon in “Walk the Line”

Performance by an actress in a supporting role:
Rachel Weisz in “The Constant Gardener”

Achievement in directing:
Brokeback Mountain -- Ang Lee

Best motion picture of the year:
Crash


-->FULL LIST

A380 Pics..

Click pics for enlarged view........

WANTED!!

The photograph above is that of a dreaded terrorist "Abu Pughal Ibrahim Bhai," responsible for notorious activities in and around the town. Any information about him fetches a reward of "Two chicken specially imported from Nandurbar, Maharashtra."

God Please Bless My Computer

Every night I lie in bed
This little prayer inside my head

God bless my mom and dad
and bless my child
and take care of my spouse
who brings me so much joy...

God, there's just one more thing
I wish that you would do
if you don't mind my asking
to bless my computer, too?

Now I know that it's not normal
to bless a small machine
but listen just a second
and I'll try to explain...

You see, that little metal box
holds more than odds and ends
Inside those small components
rest a hundred loving friends.

Some it's true I've never seen
and most I've never met...
never shaken hands or
ever truly hugged, and yet...

I know for sure they love me
by the kindness they give,
and this little scrap of metal
is how I get to where they live.

By faith is how I know them,
Much the same as I know You.
I share in life it brings them,
So if it's OK with you...

Just take an extra minute
from your duties up above...
to bless this little hunk of steel
that's filled with so much love.

So God, Please Bless My Computer...

Mysterious Fever

A mysterious viral fever is doing rounds in Orissa's steel town of Rourkela affecting almost 3000 people. MORE

Kya Bolti Tu??

Hindi:
A Kya Bolti Tu?
A Kya Mai Bolu?
Sun
Suna
Ati Kya Khandala
Kya karu Ake mai Khandala
Are Ghumenge, nachenge, gayenge Aish karenge or kya ?



English :
Aye what do you say?
Aye what should I say?
Listen.
Speak on.
Coming to khandala?
What should I do, coming to khandala?
We'll roam, we'll loaf, we'll sing, we'll dance we"ll
freak, baby, what else?



Sanskrit :
Aye balike, twam katham kathisyasi?
Aye balakah aham kim kathisyamh?
Shrinvasi!
Shrunha
Kim twam khandaalaa agchasyasi
Aham kim kurwasyami khandaalayeh
gamisyami, bhramisyami, nryuthyami, gaayami, maja
karishma, kim karishyami?



Gujarati :
Aye shun bole tu?
Aye hun shun bolu?
Sambhal
Sambhlaav
Aave chey su khandaalaa?
Shun karu aaviine khandaalaa?
Ghumshun, pharshun, naachshun, gaashun, majaa karshun,
beeju shun?



Marathi
Aye kaai tu mhantes?
Aye kaai mi mhanhu?
Aik
Aikav
Yetes kai khandaalaa?
Kai karu yevon mi khandaalaa?
Are ghumuyaa, phiruyaa, gavuyaa, nachuyaa, aish
karuyaa, aankhin kai?



Konkani :
Aye ! kitte sangta tu?
Aye ! aao kite sangu?
Saang
Saangta
Khandalaa yeta ghi?
Khandalaa yevun kithe kharche?
Bhovya, Phireya, Naachya, Gauya, maja korya, anikithe?



Bengali :
Ei ki bolis tui?
Ei ki ar boli?
Shon
Shonaa
Jabi ki khondalaa
K! i kori giye khondalaa
Are, ghurbo, phirbo, nachbo, gaibo, maja korbo ar ki?



Malayalam :
Aye yendhu parayunnu?
Aye njan yendhu parayan?
Keku
Parayu
Varunno khandala?
Yendhu cheyum? Njaan vannu Khandaala?
Karangam, chuttam, paadam, aadam, adichu
polikyam, verendha?

Budget '06 Highlights..

*Excise duties on small cars reduced to 16%.

*No change in rates of personal income tax or corporate income tax.

*Duty on leather footware cut.

*Ninety-six per cent of the golden quadrilateral would be completed by June 2006 and the corridor would be completed by the end of 2008.

*Raised excise duty on cigarettes by five per cent :-((

*Fiscal deficit in 2006/07 likely to be 3.8 percent of GDP

*GDP growth likely to be 8.1 percent in 05/06

*Aims to raise power generation capacity by 15,000 megawatts by March 2007


Just in: Maruti cuts prices by 13-22k, and Hyundai by 23k for its Santro model..

Zipped!

ANNIVERSARIES

Until now I only knew about silver anniversary, golden anniversary, and diamond anniversary, and even that I was almost always confused...Here is a list that I came across... Any additions welcome...

1st - Paper Anniversary
2nd - Cotton Anniversary
3rd - Leather Anniversary
4th - Silk Anniversary
5th - Wood Anniversary
6th - Iron Anniversary
7th - Bronze Anniversary
8th - Electric Anniversary
9th - Ceramic Anniversary
10th - Tin Anniversary
11th - Steel Anniversary
12th - Linen Anniversary
13th - Lace Anniversary
14th - Ivory Anniversary
15th - Crystal Anniversary
20th - China (porcelain) Anniversary
25th - Silver Anniversary
30th - Pearl Anniversary
35th - Coral Anniversary
40th - Ruby Anniversary
45th - Sapphire Anniversary
50th - Golden Anniversary
55th - Emerald Anniversary
60th - Diamond Anniversary
75th - Platinum Anniversary
80th - Oak Anniversary

Beyond that...No Idea...Also no idea about the missing ones in the list....

Old PCs Can Be Useful....

Remembering You....

Australia Stunned by Dilshan!

Four brilliant run outs by Dilshan helped Sri Lanka win the first game of VB Series Finals today. Sri Lanka made 274/8 in their stipulated 50 overs with Sangakkara (Man of the Match) making 83 and captain Atapattu 53. In reply Australia were all out for 252, losing the match by 22 runs (a defeat in the finals after a long long time for Australia, I believe...)

48th Annual Grammy Awards

Irish rockers U2 scooped a staggering five awards at the Grammys last night. The stars won accolades for "Album of the Year" and "Best Rock Album" for How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, Song of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Group and Best Rock Song.


Prominent winners include:


Record of the year:
Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green Day

Album of the year:
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb - U2

Song of the year:
Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own - U2

Best new artist:
John Legend

Best female pop vocal performance:
Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson

Best male pop vocal performance:
From the Bottom of My Heart - Stevie Wonder


A complete list is HERE

BSNL Announces OneIndia Tariff Plans...

OneIndia tariff plan by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd - Re 1 per minute for fixed line calls to anywhere in India - has finally been announced. The plan will become effective from March 1, 2006.

STD calls to anywhere in the country under OneIndia will be charged at Re 1. Rentals are likely to be hiked, which could range from Rs 300-500.

BSNL would offer a minimum tariff of 40 paise a minute for its mobile subscribers (post-paid) for calls on its network. For its post-paid mobile services, the corporation has proposed a rental of Rs 299 and the calls to other BSNL subscribers would be at the rate of 40 paise a minute. Calls to any other network across the country would attract a tariff of Re 1 a minute.

The pre-paid subscribers, on the other hand are being offered a package of Rs 799, which would include a talk time of Rs 550 for a validity period of 30 days. Under the package, calls made to BSNL subscribers would be at the rate of 60 paise a minute, while for other networks it would be at the rate of Re 1 a minute.

Need Your Help...

Can somebody tell me what is wrong with Moin Khan? Who is he and what does he think about himself? Nobody has played against any cricketing rules....READ THIS

Welcome Google!

Google officially announced the commencement of its operation in India today, opening its operations in Delhi and Mumbai.. READ MORE

Rudra Might Tame Kamasutra

Chennai-based company Sanrasoft has come out with their second version of the anti-virus technology RUDRA, which the company claims to identify the Kamasutra virus (which has affected about 6-7 lakhs computers worldwide) and remove it. The company reported that the beta version of this anti-virus technology would be avialable for free by mid-February.

Vexillology Suggestion!

The Pakistan cricket authorities have apologised to the Indian team for issuing tickets with the Tricolour printed upside-down. At the lobby in the team hotel, another giant Indian flag that was put up, was also upside down.

It was Sachin Tendulkar who had pointed out the goof-up to the management, which then sent a letter to the Pakistan Cricket Board pointing out the goof-up. The Pakistan board has sought an explanation from the company responsible for the printing of the tickets.

Well well...now let's walk back a little:

This January, the Indian Flag was displayed upside down and without Ashok Chakra during the full dress rehearsal in Udhampur on the eve of the Republic Day, which was removed immediately after somone pointed it out.

During April 2005, when Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf landed in India, the Indian flag on the special Pakistan International Airlines plane was also displayed upside down.

Indeed, some vexillography required!!

Sooryan Has Competitors!

Radio City and Radio Mirchi have won the bids to operate FM radio stations in Coimbatore in the last round of bidding for the South India Zone. Coimbatoreans can now have the much awaited choice when it comes to music. It was a sort of monopoly by Sooryan FM for the past few years with little or no competition from AIR FM.

These stations are expected to beam their waves around Jan 2007. Definitely with the increased competition, program quality too is expected to come up. Happy listening...

Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis Win First ODI

The first ODI in the current Indo-Pak series was won by Frank Duckworth and Tony Lewis. Kudos to them!


Here is how they won:

Basically two teams start a match with the same resources - the number of overs they receive and number of wickets in hand.

If a match is shortened once it's started, so the resources are reduced.

For example, if the team which bats first had their innings interrupted, team two would often be set a larger run target to compensate.

But should the team second at the stumps be interrupted, their run target would often be reduced.

So Duckworth and Lewis came up with the equation which determines how much a run target should be altered.

Here's an example: Let's say that a team have lost five wickets after receiving 25 of their 50 overs when rain stops play.

At this point, using the table produced by the Duckworth-Lewis method, the team's remaining resources are valued at 42.2%.


If 15 overs are then lost because of the weather, the innings will be completed after only 10 more overs.

The D/L method says that, with 10 overs left and five wickets lost, the team has 26.1% of their resources left.

To compensate for the lost overs, we must calculate the resource % lost.

This works out to 42.2 - 26.1 = 16.1.

If the team had been chasing a total of 250 runs, their new target is calculated in the following way.

Resources available at the start = 100%
Resources lost = 16.1
Resources available after rain interruption = 83.9%

Then reduce team one's score in the following way. Multiply team one's runs scored by the recalculated resources divided by the resources available at the start.

That is: 250 x 83.9/100 = 209.75.

The target is then rounded to the nearest whole number, so the team batting second would be set a target of 210 to win.

Very Easy, Right?

Vital Statistics!

In ODI, till November 25, 2005:

2,2,2,39,19,11,2,67,93,9,12,3,6,2,4,47,19,16,74,18,78,82,11,18,37.

31,2,19,20,5,26,51,18,4,9,0,22,55,22,0,48,0,90,90,7,24,25,79,39,60.

The total of the first row is 673. The total of the second row is 746.

Ha ha! The first one is the total of last 25 ODI innings of Mr. Sachin. The second one is that of Mr. Ganguly.

Lets go through some other figures:
16,41,52,52,94,36,32,20,3,55,248,5,2,8,1,8,2,194.

16,101,2,1,12,12,21,88,71,40,57,9,5,45,77,73,144.

The total of the first(sachin's last 18 test innings) - 869 and that
of second(Ganguly's) - 774.

The stats include Sachin's 248 against "Giants" Bangladesh and Ganguly's 101 against novices Zimbabwe. If we take these two innings out then we have 621 and 673 respectively.

No statements made.... Make your own conclusions....

Found This Interesting...

This appeared in today's "The Hindu" supplement - Metroplus. I really found this very informative. Most of you might have read it in the morning, but for those who missed it...


Q: What is Kalahandi Syndrome?
It is starvation in spite of plenty. Kalahandi district in Orissa contributes about 40,000 tonnes of rice to the central food kitty, but small time farmers and landless agricultural labourers starve to death as they do not have the means to buy food.

Q: Which is the only South American country where the Euro can be spent?
French Guyana, which is politically a part of France

Q: Which recent Indian movie is inspired by the 1962 film Miracle Worker?
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Blackbased on the story of Hellen Keller.

Q: Why does a Kashmiri weaver sing as he works?
The designs for the carpets are embedded in intricate codes that have been set into lyrics.

The leader or ustaad sings as he weaves the carpet and the rest of his team follows.

Q: What is the "Paradoxical Frog"?
It is a frog that as a tadpole measures 10 inches but as it grows it gets smaller till it measures only three inches as an adult!

Q: What is the significance of "One horse, twelve perfect shawl goats (six males and six females) and three pairs of Cashmere shawls"?
This was the annual rent, decided by the Second Treaty of Amritsar in 1846, for the Kashmir Valley.

Q: Most bull fighting arenas have a statue or shrine that pays homage to a scientist. Who is he?
Alexander Fleming, whose discovery of Penicillin saved the lives of many injured matadors.

Q: Bei Bei, Jing Jing, Huan Huan, Ying Ying, Ni Ni _ who, or what are they?
They are the Beijing Olympic Mascots that together mean, "Beijing welcomes you".

Q: Who are the Nooglers at the Google Inc.?
They are the new employees at the organisation.

Q: What was the factual error in Van Gogh's self-portrait?
Though he cut off his left ear with a razor following an altercation with Gauguin, in the self-portrait he is shown with the right ear bandaged.

(That is because he painted it while looking at a mirror!)


Courtesy: "The Hindu"

Indo-Pak ODI Series Schedule:

Well, let us have short-term memories of the test series, which Pak won 1-0 - a well-deserved win. Indians just didn't apply themselves. Or rather Pak's bowling was simply superb in both the innings. Going on to win from 39/6 on the first day is not a fluke. Anyway, congratulations to Pakistan, commiserations to India!

Let us now look into how India is going to reply in the ODIs:

1st ODI: Peshawar, Feb 6
2nd ODI:Rawalpindi, Feb 11
3rd ODI: Lahore, Feb 13 (D/N)
4th ODI: Multan, Feb 16 (D/N)
5th ODI: Karachi, Feb 19

Let's keep hopes alive.......

Shani Hits Chappel

It seems Chappel is in trouble again. This time around it is the comments he made regarding Shoib Akhtar's bowling action that has brought him trouble. PCB plans to investigate what has actually happened and it has also been brought to the notice of the match referee. Anyway, I too personally doubt his bowling action. I have always felt that towards the end when he releases the ball, it is much of a throwing action. Well more about the controversy HERE

Oscar Nominations - 2006.....

The nominations for the 78th Academy Awards were announced yesterday. The award ceremony will take place on March 5, 2006 at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland. The following are some of the nominations:


Performance by an actor in a leading role:
Philip Seymour Hoffman in “Capote”
Terrence Howard in “Hustle & Flow”
Heath Ledger in “Brokeback Mountain”
Joaquin Phoenix in “Walk the Line”
David Strathairn in “Good Night, and Good Luck.”

Performance by an actor in a supporting role:
George Clooney in “Syriana”
Matt Dillon in “Crash”
Paul Giamatti in “Cinderella Man”
Jake Gyllenhaal in “Brokeback Mountain”
William Hurt in “A History of Violence”

Performance by an actress in a leading role:
Judi Dench in “Mrs. Henderson Presents”
Felicity Huffman in “Transamerica”
Keira Knightley in “Pride & Prejudice”
Charlize Theron in “North Country”
Reese Witherspoon in “Walk the Line”

Performance by an actress in a supporting role:
Amy Adams in “Junebug”
Catherine Keener in “Capote”
Frances McDormand in “North Country”
Rachel Weisz in “The Constant Gardener”
Michelle Williams in “Brokeback Mountain”

Achievement in directing:
Brokeback Mountain -- Ang Lee
Capote -- Bennett Miller
Crash -- Paul Haggis
Good Night, and Good Luck -- George Clooney
Munich -- Steven Spielberg

Best motion picture of the year:
Brokeback Mountain
Capote
Crash
Good Night, and Good Luck.
Munich


Get the complete list HERE

VANDE MATARAM!!

Text of President's Republic Day eve address:

"Dear citizens, on the eve of the 57th Republic Day of India, my greetings to all of you in the country and those living abroad. I convey my special greetings, to the members of our Armed Forces and the Paramilitary Forces, who guard our frontiers on the land, the sea and the air and also the central and state level police including the other internal security forces. I am also happy to inform that my government has decided to increase the pensionary benefits of JCOs and NCOs of our armed forces from Jan 1, 2006, which will benefit around 1.2 million pensioners.

Critical national needs

In today's Republic Day address, I would like to share with you two critical needs of our nation. One is about the national mission and its progress. The second is to protect our progress and further sustain the earning capacity of individuals and people. For this, it is essential to increase the boundary conditions of our life, which comes out of our long cherished civilisational heritage. This is the time, we must launch and build-up an intensive and extensive movement of cherishing our value systems in all walks of life. This is particularly important since the nation has to provide leadership to the 540 million ignited minds of the youth who are the most powerful resource for translating our vision of transforming India into a developed nation, well before 2020 in an integrated way.

Progressive momentum towards national missions

Friends, I have visited all the States and union territories and have addressed the Members of Parliament and a number of state assemblies. I have met and interacted with over one million youth. I have met many spiritual leaders. In addition, I have addressed a number of Ministries, professional bodies, educational and scientific institutions, industries, healthcare organisations, judicial establishments, law enforcement agencies, armed forces units, media, non-governmental organizations, artists, creative personalities, rural people and many others. I have also interacted with differently abled persons. In all my interactions with various constituents and specialists of the society, the prime focus of my communication was to present the linkages between the particular institution and the goal of national development. These have resulted in specific missions for the organizations and individuals converging towards Vision 2020. When I visited and interacted with different cross sections of the people at a later time, I have found several of these missions are being translated into actions providing fruitful results.

For example, the interlinking of rivers has made a beginning in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. In Tamil Nadu, the State is considering creation of waterways connecting Palar, Kaveri, Vaigai and Thamiraparani. I have seen and experienced the functioning of four operational PURAs (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas) namely Periyar PURA at Vallam, Tamil Nadu, Loni PURA in Maharashtra, Chitrakoot PURA in Madhya Pradesh and Byrraju PURA in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh. BAIF (Bharatiya Agro Industries Foundation) has brought a new dimension in rural and tribal development, through empowering the rural people with know-how, technology and networks; for water conservation, dairy development, fruit orchard and animal husbandry. In addition, governments of Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh have taken up the PURA missions in their respective states and have completed the planning process. In the 93rd Indian Science Congress, I have suggested to the Ministry of Rural Development to allocate Rs.500 crore for initiation of 100 PURA clusters, each consisting of 20 to 30 villages across the country. Action is progressing. Leadership for these PURA clusters will be provided by the selected educational institutions located in the respective rural areas. Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Uttranchal have undertaken large-scale plantation of jatropha in both government and private lands to produce bio-fuel. I have seen a solar power plant of 120 KW capacity in Kaylapara village in Sagar Island at Sundarbans in West Bengal. This power plant along with a number of 20 to 30 KW plants is supplying six hours of electricity to 33 villages in the Sagar Island. This is going to be expanded to 150 villages very soon. Bangalore Municipal Corporation is in the process of implementing an 8 MW power plant using solid municipal waste through BOOT (build, own, operate and transfer) scheme. The power plant is similar to what we have in Hyderabad and Vijayawada. India's first virtual university has been created by the three 150-year-old universities namely Madras, Mumbai and Calcutta. I have delivered the inaugural address for this virtual university and interacted with 15,000 students spread across the country through EDUSAT using virtual tele-education delivery system. A virtual university by definition is meant to cut across the geographical and administrative boundaries and provide the best of education. It is our responsibility to make it happen in the new environment. I have seen the accelerated learning programme using computers in Karnataka Government schools in association with Azim Premji Foundation to reduce the dropouts. Akshaya Computer Literacy Programme of Kerala has made at least one member in each family a computer literate in whole of Malapuram district of the State. Also, I saw a high profile scientist after his retirement from light combat aircraft programme has taken up the mission of removing the illiteracy in his native village Bour in Darbhanga district of Bihar. Jamsetji Tata Virtual Academy has started the creation of Village Knowledge Centers using the selected fellows of virtual academy in association with M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation. I interacted with a number of village knowledge centres established in different parts of the country from Coimbatore and Hyderabad through EDUSAT connectivity and discussed the problem faced by the farmers, fisher folk and crafts personnel. At Peda Amiram near Bhimavaram, I have visited an International Cancer Centre with all modern facilities for treatment of cancer patients. At Parumala in Kerala, the International Centre for Cardio Thoracic and Vascular Diseases is providing specialized treatment to heart patients in rural areas. I also met 1,000 physically challenged children wearing the lightweight calipers at Nalgonda in Andhra Pradesh and most importantly the first and the 10,000th child benefited from defence technology spin off. All these results indicate that the development has started reaching certain parts of our rural areas. What does it all symbolize? The 5,000-year-old civilization is awakening to new technology and towards development. I can see that developed India is on the rise.

In order to strengthen this process, scientists, technologists and healthcare specialists have a special role to play.

Mission for scientists and technologists: For the scientists and technologists of the nation, I have five immediate national missions: (a). Increasing the Solar Photo Voltaic Cell efficiency from 14 percent to 45 percent using nano-technology; (b) Research in proteomics to identify the disease causing mechanism and to develop new methods to treat diseases; (c) Earthquake forecasting using multiple parameter pre-cursors such as pre-shock conditions and electromagnetic phenomena, prior to the final rupture; (d) Building a validated mathematical model for predicting the quantum of rain for a particular cloud conditions in a particular region in a prescribed time using the new type of polarimetric radar and; (e) Developing the products in the healthcare, electronics and materials to meet the national requirements using the convergence of nano, bio and info technologies.

Healthcare: Healthcare community should give highest priority for treatment of HIV/AIDS and accelerate the development of effective anti-vaccine for certain types of HIV before 2007, by networking with national and international institutions working in this area. They should integrate research efforts of malaria, typhoid, and diarrhoeal disorders for facilitating development of combination vaccine by 2007. Healthcare personnel, doctors, psychologists, researchers, pharmacologists, economists and environmentalists should all work together coherently towards the mission of providing good health to all citizens of India and make the nation near disease free.

Bharat Nirman Programme: The Government has already launched the Bharat Nirman Programme with an outlay of Rs.1,74,000 crore for providing rural infrastructure within the next four years. This will facilitate the rural programme like PURA to progress faster in an integrated way.

Awakening and change

These actions from multiple agencies spread across the country gives me confidence that we are well on our way on the path of development and transforming India into a developed nation before 2020. Every awakening and change, bring with them certain responsibilities and a code of conduct. Therefore, we need to promote ethical values in all walks of life which will enable creation of synergy between establishments for realizing our dream of seeing the smiles on the billion faces. Now I would like to discuss the need for important changes required in our mindset.

Transparency starts from home

On 21st November 2005, I had visited Adhichunchanagiri Math, attended a function of FUREC (Foundation for Unity of Religions and Enlightened Citizenship) and interacted with over 54,000 students of various schools and colleges of Karnataka. There a 10th class student Bhavani studying in Adichunchanagiri Composite High School, Shimoga asked me the following question.

"Dear Sir, What is the role of students to stop corruption which is deeply rooted in our county just like cancer?"

Agony of the young mind is reflected in this question. For me it was an important question, since it comes from a young mind. I was thinking what type of solutions we could give. My thought process was the following:

I said there are one billion people in the country and nearly 200 million homes. In general most of them are good people. However, if we find that people in few million houses are not transparent and not amenable to the laws of the country, what can we do? These houses apart from parents have one daughter or one son or both. If the parents in these houses are deviating from the transparent path the children can use the tool of love and affection and correct the parents to come back to the right path. I asked all the children assembled in that gathering, whether parents of a few children get deviated from transparency, will you children boldly tell your parents, father or mother you are not doing the right thing. That is what we are taught by you and in the school. Most of the children spontaneously responded, "We will do it." The confidence comes from them that they have love as a tool. Similarly I have also asked the parents in some other meeting, initially there was a silence, later, many of them hesitantly agreed that they would abide by the children's suggestion since it is driven by love. The children took an oath. The oath was "I will lead an honest life free from all corruption and will set an example for others to adopt a transparent way of life". Finally I told the students that they should start a movement starting from their home.

Gift extinguishes the dignity of human life

It was around 1940 and the Second World War was in progress. At that time Panchayat board elections took place in Rameswaram. My father was elected as Panchayat Board member and on the same day he was also elected as the President of Rameswaram Panchayat Board. Rameswaram Island is a beautiful place with 20,000 population at that time. They elected my father as Panchayat Board President not because he belonged to a particular religion or a particular caste or particular language or for his economic status. He was elected only on the basis of his being a good human being. I would like to narrate one incident that took place on the day he was elected as President of Panchayat board.

I was a schoolboy at that time studying in fourth class in Rameswaram Panchayat School. Those days we did not have electricity and we used to study in kerosene lamp. I was reading the lessons loudly and I heard a knock on my door. We never used to lock the door in Rameswaram in those years. Somebody opened the door, came in and asked me where my father was? I told him that father had gone for namaz for evening prayers. Then he said, I have brought something for him, can I keep it there. Then since my father had gone for namaz, I shouted for my mother to get her permission to receive the items. Since she was also on the namaz there was no response. I asked the person to leave the items on the cot. After that I went for my studies.

I used to learn by reading aloud in my younger days. I was reading loud and fully concentrating on my studies. At that time my father landed and saw a tambalum kept on the cot. He asked me what is this? Who has given that? I told him somebody came and has kept this for you. He opened the cover of the tambalum and found there was a costly dhoti, angawastram, some fruits and some sweets and he could see the slip that the person had left behind. I was the last son of my father, he really loved me and I also loved him a lot. This was the first time I saw him very angry and also this was the first time I had a beating by him. I got frightened and I was weeping. Then he touched my shoulder lovingly with affection and advised me not to receive any gift without his permission. It is not a good habit. Receiving gift with a purpose is a very dangerous thing in life. He quoted a verse from Hadith which means "Gifts accompany poisonous intentions". This lesson stands out prominently in my mind. This experience taught me a valuable lesson for my life.

I would like to mention the writings in Manu Smriti which warns every individual against accepting gifts given with the motive since it places the acceptor under an obligation in favour of the person who gave the gift. Ultimately it results in making a person to do things which are not permitted according to law, in order to favour the person who has given the gift. Therefore it is necessary that the quality of not yielding to attraction of gifts and presents must be inculcated in individuals, so that he/she may develop immunity against the desire for receiving gifts. It is also said that by accepting gifts the divine light in the person gets extinguished. I am sharing this, with all of you particularly the young ones, to emphasize that, not to be carried away by any gift with a motive through which one loses his personality greatly. I will be very happy if you can practice this sincerely.

Mother gives principle of truth

Now, I will narrate to you a story surrounding the life of a great saint Sheikh Abdul Qadir Al-Gelani which happened about one thousand years ago. One day child Abdul Qadir heard a cow saying, "What are you doing here in the grazing fields, it is not for this you have been created?" He ran back to his house feeling utterly terrified and climbed on to the roof of his house. From there he saw a large group of people returning from Arafat Mountain, thousands of miles away from his place in the neighbourhood of Mecca after performing Haj. Bewildered Abdul Qadir went to his mother and asked her permission to make a journey to Baghdad in order to pursue a career in knowledge. Mother understood the divine call and promptly gave the permission for him to go. She gave him 40 gold coins which was his share he inherited from his father. She stitched these 40 gold coins inside the lining of his coat and gave him permission to leave. When she stepped out of the door to bid him a farewell, she said, "Oh, my son! You are going! I have detached myself from you for the sake of Allah knowing that I shall not see your face again until the day of last judgement. But take one advice from me. My son, you always feel the truth, speak the truth and propagate the truth even when your life is at stake".

Abdul Qadir travelled with a small caravan heading for Baghdad. During the journey, when the caravan was passing through the tough terrains, a group of robbers on horses suddenly attacked the caravan and started looting. None of them however took the slightest notice of Abdul Qadir, until one of the looters turned to him and said. "You are here poor boy! Do you have anything with you? Abdul Qadir replied, "I have got 40 gold coins which are stitched by my mother in the lining of my coat underneath my armpit." The looter smiled and thought that Abdul Qadir was just joking. He left him alone and moved elsewhere. When their leader came and the looters took this boy to their leader and said to him, "A poor boy claims that he is in possession of 40 gold coins. We looted everybody but we have not touched him because we hardly believed that he has got gold coins with him". Then the leader put the same question but Abdul Qadir replied the same. Then the leader ripped through his coat and discovered that he indeed got 40 gold coins inside the lining of his coat.

The astonished leader asked Abdul Qadir, what prompted him to make this confession? Abdul Qadir replied. "My mother made me promise to always be truthful even at the cost of my life. Here, it was a matter of only 40 gold coins. I promised her and never betrayed her trust, so I told the truth." The looters started weeping and said, you have adhered to the advice of your great mother but we have been betraying the trust of our parents and the covenant of our creator for many years. From now onwards, you would become our leader in our repentance and they all decided to give up robbery and from that day, became righteous persons. Here the world saw the birth of a great saint, Shiekh Abdul Qadir Al-Gilani out of a message of truth a mother gave to her child. At this juncture, let me recall a Thirukkural composed by Poet Saint Thiruvalluvar, 2200 years ago.

This means that "truth in thinking and action will have a power higher than enduring Tapas and generous charity".

Influence of Teacher: Mission of my life

I have talked to you many times about my primary school teacher Shri Sivasubramanya Iyer. He was a great teacher and he imbibed in many of his students a vision for future. For example, once he explained about bird flight and asked whether we understood or not. Seeing our response, he took us to the seashore and showed the birds actually flying and explained the flight mechanism. Above all, the way he explained he injected into me, what should be the goal of my life. He is an excellent role model for all the teachers.

So far, I have discussed the need of transparent life, problems connected with the motivated gift which extinguishes the human dignity, mother giving the principle of truth and teacher imbibing the vision to the students. Now, I would like to discuss about the importance of developmental politics.

Politics = Political Politics + Developmental Politics

We have been proud at the unparalleled distinction of India being the world's largest thriving Parliamentary democracy of multi-religions, multi-languages and multi-culture, is a matter of self-esteem for the nation and each one of us. We have completed 56 years of our Republic, with a flourishing democratic edifice, that is the envy of many other countries. What amazes the world perhaps is the sagacity and maturity of the Indian voters who have always tried to exercise their mandate conscientiously and enthusiastically proving once again that as envisaged in our Constitution, the people are sovereign and the power flows from them. People have a right and an urge to live in a developed India. Therefore, we need to orient ourselves towards Developmental Politics.

In politics there are two dimensions, the first one is the political politics and the other is the developmental politics. Political politics is required during the election process. Immediately after the election all parties must converge on developmental politics with a common mission. Translating this into action, all parties have to work with zeal to uplift the 260 million people living below poverty line and remove the illiteracy and unemployment. I would like to visualize a situation in which the political parties perform in the environment of developmental politics in our country, competing with each other, in putting forth their focused developmental vision through their manifesto.

Our 540 million youth, who are below 25 years of age, should see an imprint of great leaders in every action of the parliament members. They can become their role models to bring a dynamic change in politics and the developmental missions. Here, I am reminded of the famous statement by Swami Vivekananda: "The basis of all systems social or political rests upon the goodness of men. No nation is great or good because parliament enacts this or that, but its men are great and good."

The story of the Lost Sheep

Dear friends, when I am talking to you, I am reminded of the Biblical story of the "lost sheep" as said by The Jesus Christ. "If anyone of you has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won't you leave the ninety-nine in the field and go and look for the lost sheep until you find it, and when you find it, you will be so glad that you will put it on your shoulder and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbours and say, let us have a feast, I have found my lost sheep."

As the lost sheep is most important for the shepherd, the message for every citizen of our country from this story is that you may find around you a house which is not lit. Please help to light that house. Similarly, teachers in the classroom may find hundreds of bright students but a few may need knowledge with kindness. All teachers must locate such students and impart the knowledge. Leaders of my nation, you may meet many people and help them, but you immediately look for those who need your utmost help and bring them to the mainstream. Those who deal with public administration, look for the last person to be serviced and make him or her feel that he or she is serviced with the kind heart. Similarly, judiciary and law enforcement agencies should look for the marginalized persons, who cannot even reach you because of the multiple gates and layers between the judiciary and the citizen. Media as partner in national development should celebrate the success of our people whether it is in fishing, farming, craftsmanship or achievement of a rural area. The micro world of rural realities lives in the macro reality of a globally acclaimed India. Media has to capture this.

There are many such examples, which can be cited. Dear Citizens, if all of us do this, God will be with us and I am sure the whole nation will be happy, prosperous and safe. This is fully corroborated by the advice given to Mahatma Gandhi by his mother. Gandhiji says, "My mother had given an advice "Son, in your entire life time if you can save or better someone's life, your birth as a human being and your life is a success. You have the blessing of the Almighty God".

Conclusion

Infallibility is divinity. We are not divine. We are fallible. To err is human. Divinity would demand that we realize this irrefutable truth and correct ourselves when we become fallible. The spirit of life and thirst for success and rectitude should propel ourselves to correct our mistakes on our way instead of ruing over mistakes and slips that have been committed even inadvertently. The need of the hour is disciplined action by all citizens. This will lead to the creation of enlightened citizens. Any country is as good as its citizens. Their ethos, their values and their character will be reflected in the country's make up. They are crucial factors that will determine whether the country will move forward on a progressive path or stagnate. Hence, there is a need to cultivate a sense of eternal values in each of its citizens, instil in him or her with a sense of discipline. The education system right from the primary level has to concentrate on this aspect. For inculcating discipline among citizens, I visualize the necessity for providing compulsory NCC training for a minimum period of 18 months to all our youth either during the senior secondary stage and or during graduation in all educational institutions, both Government and private. This will ensure disciplined politics, business, judiciary, bureaucracy, scientific pursuits and sports and games. All of us have to practice the values of honesty, sincerity and tolerance in our day-to-day living. This will elevate our politics to statesmanship. We have to collectively inculcate a positive attitude of what we can do for our country so that we together will be able to benefit ourselves. We have immensely benefited from what our ancestors did and left for us. We have a right and responsibility to leave a positive legacy to the posterity for which we all will be remembered for. The land, water and sky of this nation are the witnesses.

Our righteous toil is our guiding light,
If we work hard, we all can prosper.
Nurture great thoughts, rise up in actions,
May righteous methods be our guide;
May the nation prosper ever with Almighty's grace.
Allow me again, my dear citizens to wish you a very purposeful and happy Republic Day.
May God bless you."