News Muse

Today it's another India growth story... This time on the DTH front...
CLICK HERE

News Muse

Thought of sharing links of news which are certainly not the headlines and which we might miss. Here is one about a tunnel in Mumbai post office....via BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11586210

A Few From MTV

These are from MTV Ticker...




Which bollywood actress doesn't have any friends?
Koi-na-Mitra!

What did Dharmendra say proposing Hema Malini?
Ring-de-Basanti!!


What is one-fourth of Harbajhan Singh called?
Pav Bhajji!!

Few Onliners

No one has ever complained of a parachute not opening..


My father is so old that when he was in school, history was called current affairs.


No one is listening until you make a mistake.


The severity of the itch is proportional to the reach.


To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research. And this compilation is a research :-)


There's a fine line between fishing and just standing on the shore like an idiot.


Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly, and for the same reason.

Tik Tok Tick Tok Tic Toc

Hmm...well here is Kesha singing Tik Tok.....the one which SONY is using for its walkman ad... But don't ask me how do we wake up in the morning feeling like P Diddy....though I do wake up Giddy at time..

Lyrics

Kesha lyrics - Tik Tok lyrics

We Are Sorry...

Bapu, you are remembered today by our nation for the struggle you have undergone to give us the freedom which we are utilizing bribing and getting bribes, being involved in scams, killing our fellow countrymen, extorting, enough...the list goes on. Yes, we are proud that we are following you - albeit your pic that we have beautifully printed on what we call CURRENCY. And we are equally proud that we are following your ideologies at least 10% which we hope to bring down to 0% by 2020. Anyways, we are also sorry that you are only rememberd this one day and that's the only day your statues get a bath and then you need to wait for a year to get yourself cleaned from the dust and crow droppings. Sitting there you might feel if you had wasted your life in giving us this freedom. But BAPU, please don't curse us...We are unrepairable. Forgive Us.

Here is the Trunk

When the branch is that, can the trunk be different. Our CM here...

Proud To Be a Keralite

Here our is minister health department of Kerala English little talking funnily....

SONY DSC-H55

 

>>14.1 MP
>>10x optical zoom.
>>Approx. 20x digital zoom.
>>Sweep Panorama.
>>3.0 inch Clear Photo LCD
>>720p HD movie recording.
>>Approx. 170g weight.

Quote For the Day:

"Oney nam, no ball ekak dana puluwan"

                                           - St. Dilshan.

Suzuki GS 150R

Take A Note Please...

Finally a solution for the partially torn and soiled bank notes. RBI is planning to come out with polymer notes of Rs. 10 denomination by the end of 2010. Polymer notes are plastic notes which doesn't get mutilated or soiled. These notes would have an average life span of five years compared to one year for the paper-based currency notes (although most of the paper-based notes that are circulating now are more than five years old!!!). Based on the results of this, it will further be extended to other denominations.

Already countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, New Zealand are using polymer notes. In fact, Australia was the first country to issue polymer notes.

In a country which tops the tourism charts, it's a shame where tourists develop a phobia to touch our currency to avoid infections! The condition of paper-based currency notes are so pathetic that it is quite welcome that RBI woke up from the deep slumber to act on this issue. Indeed quite a welcome move....

MobNews...

One of India's antivirus solution providers, Quick Heal, has launched what is claimed to be the world's first mobile phone virus scan - PC2Mobile Scan.


The mobile can be scanned once connected to the PC or laptop using an USB cable or via Bluetooth connections if both the PC and mobile are Bluetooth-enabled. It works on phones with Symbian OS, Windows Moblie OS and other Linux based mobile OS.

Currently it costs Rs 2,000 for one year. Customers will get a 30% discount for renewal of license after one year. Now that's not a big amount considering the fact that already 20-30 different variants of mobile viruses circulate in India and with the advent of 3G services and increasing number of smartphones, this threat is only going to increase.

Chor! Chor!

It's everybody's knowledge that Bollywood gets a lot INSPIRED by Hollywood in terms of the story line and also music. Music directors like Bappi Lahiri, Anu Malik and nowadays Pritam gets too much INSPIRED by Western hip-hop and rock numbers. But it was new to me that they get INSPIRED to Hollywood posters too. Just have a look at the poster of Anjaana Anjaani slated to be released in September. And then maybe you can change all the occurances of the word "INSPIRED" in this para to a much more apt term.

HANG THEM!!

For all those who watched the previous video, here is an addendum to it......Please CLICK HERE and read this.

What Do I Need More?

Was thinking what do I need more? Make my home AC, buy a car, get a Nokia N900, a DSLR camera, a target-less bank balance, gold, a few acres of land.....list goes on....but will all that content me? Don't think so... A new list will take shape....hmmm idiotic ME.....

Visa, MasterCard, and...........IndiaPay

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), with the support of Reserve Bank of India is actively engaged in the development of IndiaPay, a payment processing platform, which is expected to be up within the next 18-24 months. This is going to give Visa and MasterCard an unusual competition from India. Once launched, IndiaPay is going to affect the dominance of Visa and Mastercard, at the same time, bringing down transaction charges for the banks. Every time a cardholder uses credit or debit card, banks have to pay fees to Visa and MasterCard for facilitating the processing of such transactions. With the increasing use of plastic money, banks will be more than happy to give a thumbs-up to this platform, which will obviously be quoting a much lower transaction charge. The NPCI is promoted by major Indian banks including ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, Punjab National Bank, as well as global banks like Citibank and HSBC. Indeed another INDIAN development story.

EPIC 1.1

Hidden Reflex, a Bangalore-based company had launched the first India-centric browser, EPIC, about a month ago, which is based on the Mozilla platform. Recently they have come up with the next version of it, Epic 1.1. Now, I am no geek to review something like this. But yes I can talk about it from a layman's point of view. I have been using this browser right from the day of launch and now using the version 1.1.

First of all, what's new in this? The major ones are the side bar and the built-in antivirus. Frankly after using other browsers, it took some time to be comfortable with this, you know to get that "used to" kind of feeling. But once I got used to it, was very comfortable with this. One mental hindrance with the side bar was the feeling that it took space from the viewable portion of a page, a feeling that you get by watching a 12 inch Tv after watch 32 inch regularly. But if you really see, the side bar doesn't take much space after all.

Now what does this side bar contain. It contains buttons - a one-click access to a host of applications like news, gmail, yahoo, orkut, facebook, twitter, cricinfo etc. and it is customizable. You can choose from your interest. Also there is a collection of more than 1500 India-centric wallpapers to choose from to give your browser the look you want. Of course, you can access your folders in your computer from the "My computer" button on the side bar. The browser supports 12 Indian languages. The "to do" and "timer" options on the side bar also attracted me. Next, you have a full-fledged word processing software, where you can write in English and get the text transliterated to a language of your choice. When you research online and when you find something useful, you just have to highlight the text and drag and drop it into the Epic write tab.

The anti-virus has options to scan your whole system for viruses and malware as well as automated scanning of downloaded files and provides anti-phishing protection too. It warns users when they’re about to visit a potentially dangerous website.

Then you also have a one-click private data deletion button which also deletes Flash cookies. And if you don't want to save any browsing information, you have the private browsing mode button for that. There is a zoom button on the right-hand bottom part whereby you can zoom a page that you are viewing.

And I think the rest, one can download and explore further. For I would say it's worth a thing to try out. One of thing I had felt was the time it takes to load, but even that has been rectified to an extent in version 1.1. So, go ahead and give this INDIAN product a try. JAI HIND....

LAUNCHED!

Well for all those who were waiting their dream car to be launched (minus me) to buy one, Mercedes Benz launched the Gull Wing, Super fast, Sports Coupe, the majestic SLS AMG in India.


>>>Horse power = 571 on 6.3 L V8 engine.
>>>Top speed is 317 kmph.
>>>Started production couple of weeks ago in Germany.
>>>Will be delivered with waiting period of 6-8 months.


PRICE: Rs. 2.0 - 2.5 crore ONLY.

Flying Colors

In continuation to my post dated June 20, 2010....

Watch out for the battle between Dev and Beera......

Mani Rathnam's RAAVAN premiers on Colors this Sunday...August 1, 2010 at 8 p.m.

Of course, this movie has a distinction of getting both the extreme reviews. One group who has said so good about it, and another who has said no good about it. Whichever side u take.....

If ads don't irritate you..... here is something to hang on with...

How I Wonder What You Are!

Frankly speaking I had never heard about Prahlad Jani Mataji (male he is!) until two days ago when a program was aired about him in Vijay TV. That instilled a curiousness in me and it led to a little bit of research about him.

He claims to have lived without food and water for the past 82 years or so. Inedia or Breatharianism has references dated years back, but his claims are yet to be fully studied.

Two extensive testings were conducted on him by the doctors and researchers of Defence Institute of Physiology & Allied Science (DIPAS), a branch of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation within the Indian Ministry of Defence. In 2003 and then this year, 2010, a team of 35 doctors kept him under 24-hour surveillance for fifteen days. The team reported that he did not consume any food or water during this time. Only thing he did was gargling and bathing and doctors had measured the fluid that was spit out. But they did not comment on his claim of being able to survive this way for several years. The study concluded that he was healthy without food or water, and had passed no urine or stool and no dialysis during this period.

Anyway until all results are published in a scientific journal, we will have to wait for the genuiness of these claims.

An excerpt:
 
 

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner made its first international flight on Sunday and landed in the UK to participate in the Farnborough International Airshow.

When its competitor Airbus went ahead with its large model the 880+ seater, Airbus A380, (called superjumbo now), Boeing stuck to its plan with a medium sized one, of around 330 seats. But Boeing has not been able to keep up its dates with the delivery of the first Dreamliner. It was due two years back, but it seems that the first delivery to Japan's All Nippon will be delayed further to maybe 2011.

But that does not seem to affect Boeing in any way. They are quite confident that once launched, they can give Airbus a run for their money. It seems despite the delays, the Dreamliner already has more orders than the rival Airbus A380 as of date. The advantages vs. A380 according to Boeing is that one, cost advantage. The A380 costs $326m vs. $180m for dreamliner. Two, many airports need to be extended to accommodate the A380, which is not the case with the Dreamliner. Anyway who will emerge victorious, only time can tell.....

Rupee Font - Free Download

The good news is that Foradian Technologies, an Indian company has come up with the rupee font, and it is now available for download for free.


1. CLICK HERE and download the Rupee Font Version 2.0

2. Copy the font, go to START--SETTINGS--CONTROL PANEL -- FONTS, and paste it there.

3. Open MS Word, go to INSERT -- SYMBOL and select RUPEE FORADIAN from the drop-down menu, select symbol, insert.

4. In case you don't find the symbol, the first time, open MS WORD, go to FORMAT -- FONT, Select Rupee Foradan from the Font drop down menu, click ok and then click ~ key [the key above the tab key].


 
The only limitation now is that it works only on computers where this font is installed till unicode accepts this.
 
Kudos to Foradian for coming out with this so fast!!

Rupee - New Symbol!

We now have a symbol for the Rupee. So far what was represented as Rs. and INR has now a symbol, thanks to an IIT postgraduate, D Udaya Kumar, whose design was selected from the five shortlisted. The design has part of letter R, or can be seen as the Hindi letter Ra (Devnagari) and an "equal to" sign which represents a part of the national flag or symbolizes that Rupee is no less inferior to any other currency.

In Malayalam, there is a saying "Ammayey thalliyalum randunde abhiprayam." Didn't get the equivalent in English, but it simply means that even if you slap ur mom, there will be two different opinions.

Opinions like what good will it do? Will it remove poverty? Will it do this, will it do that? Well our Rs. 500 in the bank account will surely not devalue. So, if there is no harm, why the hue and cry? Some said the symbol looks like a twin blade shaving razor. Well it's the perception. Then I can see the Japanese Yen as an old catapult which has lost its elastic!!

So, let's leave it there yaar. This negativity is unwarranted. Let us take pride in the fact that our currency has a symbol now. I am sure that it's going to give the Dollar, Pound and Euro a run for their money in another 20 years along with Ruble and Renminbi. So, ending with this wish to see the 3Rs ruling the world!! Jai Hind.

Soapy

I am sure it has happened with all of us that we see a lot of information here and there but when we need it we might have to do a search all over again. Thought of just sharing certain things that might be useful for us in the future. By the way, I am no expert in any of these things. A little bit of research and an article on it. To start off, let me start with bathing soap.

What all we need to look at before buying a soap? Most of us just look at the fragrance and cost and take a decision.

The BIG thing to look at is the TFM percentage mentioned on the wrap.

TFM - Stands for total fatty matter. It's an indication of the percentage of fatty (oily) matter available in a soap. It is this oil that can make the skin supple. The higher the percentage, obviously better the soap is. Roughly this should be above 75% to be considered good. Worldwide, that is still grade-2. To qualify for grade-1 it needs to be above 80%, not seen in many soaps here in India. But below 75%, better not to go for it because it will cause a dry feeling after bath and is not good for the skin.

10% of a soap is water/moisture; so also look at date of manufacture before buying. As it can lose moisture and hence weight too making it a hard stone.

Of course, do not just look at cost alone. Look at the weight too. Many companies have big box cover and when you go home and open, the soap might lie in one corner of the box. Let's not get cheated by attractive and big covers.

So do check in the following order:

1. TFM
2. Date of Manufacture
3. Fragrance
4. Weight
5. Cost.

Happy soap buying!! :-) :-)

SO SPAIN IS THE FIFA WORLD CHAMPIONS

CONGRATS..........................


Paul too will be remembered......

The next wait begins...2014... Brazil

HP and the Deathly Hallows - Part II

The second part of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" is slated for release on July 15, 2010. The first part was released in Nov. 2009. So, Harry Potter fans eagerly waiting for the last movie in the series!

A Short Break

Time for a short break -- I will be back tomorrow!!

FIFA WORLD CUP - SEMI FINAL-2

So, it's Spain Vs. Netherlands final. And the winner? Well we have to wait two more days. Right now only God and Octopus knows the answer :-)

FIFA WORLD CUP - SEMIFINAL-1

So, this time the FIFA World Champion is definitely from Europe. The last of the Latin-American team Uruguay was defeated 3-2 by The Netherlands in the semifinals yesterday.



Let's wait for the second semi final today - Germany Vs. Spain to decide the other finalist!!

Dhoni - (Married)

Was wondering why nothing else came out other than strictly the marriage news. Finally got it. We ought to have it. Just have to search. The search ends......Read on....


http://www.bollywoodmantra.com/news/dhoni-s-affair-with-deepika-leads-to-secret-wedding/6034/

Quote for the Day

Today, I was just thinking of a few quotes that I sometime use in my conversations, and never really think about who actually said those. Of course, when we use a TV, we don't think about John Baird all the time; neither of Galileo when we use a thermometer. That made me think about starting something like Quote for the Day, just to make a mention of the people who said those and remember them. To start with I chose for today a famous one:


A Thing Of Beauty Is A Joy Forever - JOHN KEATS


This is the beginning line of his poem Endymion published in 1818, and it received a lot of criticism after its publication. But it mentions things of beauty like trees, rivers, shepherds, sheep. The poet finds solace in nature, yet the pain and sting of ill health is still written repeatedly among nature’s beauty throughout this poem, thought something to do with the tuberculosis that he was suffering from, at the age of 20. John Keats just lived 25 years, but gave the world a collection of good poems, and was considered a romantic poet.

Hozzat?

Not all get the opportunity to tie knot to their sweethearts! Lucky are those and doubly lucky are those who get their dreamgirl as their birthday gift. Well, if the news is not a rumour, Indian cricket team Captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is getting married to his childhood friend Sakshi on 4th of July and reception for the same scheduled for 7th of July, his birth date. Best Wishes Dhoni!

FIFA WORLD CUP - SEMIS

This might be a rare world cup where you don't have any of France, Italy, Brazil, Argentina in the semis. Brazil and Argentina has a good fan following in India and most might have awaited a final between them. But it was Brazil's turn to disappoint the fans first, after being beaten by The Netherlands 2-1. Next day, it was the turn of Argentina to bow out, this time beaten by Germans 4-0. Superstars like Messi too seemed a cat in front of the Germans. In the other matches, Spain was victorious against Paraguay, defeating them 1-0. And Uruguay defeated Ghana in a penalty shootout 4-2. Thus, no African team even this time in the semis.


Well, now we are just three matches away from getting the FIFA World Champions - 2010. Semifinals are scheduled on 7th and 8th of July:


7-7-10 Uruguay Vs. Netherlands
8-7-10 Germany Vs. Spain

FIFA World Cup - Quarter Finals

So now we have got the Top 8. Quarter final matches schedule for 2nd and 3rd of July:


Date Matches
02/07 Netherlands Vs. Brazil
02/07 Uruguay Vs. Ghana
03/07 Argentina Vs. Germany
03/07 Paraguay Vs. Spain

Keep Going Saina

Hearty Congratulations to Saina Nehwal for clinching the Singapore open and Indonesian Open Badminton tournaments within a span of two weeks, improving her ranking to World No. 3 in the process. Her humble nature is definitely going to take her further, provided the media doesn't spoil her as was the case with Sania Mirza. Let Ads and Media maintain a distance from her and allow her to focus on and play her natural game, though I don't think she will be bogged down by both, looking at her nature. And in a country where cricket rules, making a mark with Badminton is by all means a great achievement. With commonwealth game so close, all wishes for her and prayers that she will be able to make India proud at Delhi and also in the many years to come.

Sri Lanka Test Series - Team Announced

The team for the upcoming test series against Lanka beginning on July 18 has been announced. With the regular "Test"ies, Dravid, Laxman back in the side, plus Sachin, the team looks formidable.

Yuvraj is also back in the team. I like this fellow a lot, especially when he gets going. The only question in my mind is "why did the selectors drop him from the Zimbabwe tour and the Asia Cup?" The possible answers are lack of form or lack of fitness, or his overall attitude, or maybe all three. But if these three were the reasons, why is he back now? Has he proved his form? He has not played even gully cricket after being dropped. So where did the selectors see him playing? I think the same hold true for Sreesanth. Maybe even Ishant!

So one thing is for sure. The selectors just had to find some scapegoats for the T20 debacle. The bar issue at the Windies was something that everybody wanted to avoid. By this step, BCCI managed to keep the media's mouth shut for sometime. Now everybody has sort of forgotton those episodes. And bang....Yuvi is back.

All in all the team really looks good, at least in paper. The rest will be proved over the next two months. Let's keep our fingures crossed!

The Squad:

MS Dhoni (Capt), Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag (Vice Capt), Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, M Vijay, Yuvaraj, Suresh Raina, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Amit Mishra, Pragyan Ojha, and Wridhiman Saha.

Thank God! I am in your Country!

Dear Fellow State Citizens,

I don't know how proud I am to be in God's (don't know if I have to read that backwards) own Country. I am delighted to have a government which is so empathetic with its people that we today had a Hartal Utsav. Why? Well, what a question, do we really need a reason?

But this time we have a reason. The center increased prices of petroleum products from midnight yesterday and we all are very much affected here. What did I hear? That it has also affected you? But we are different my dear fellow state citizens. We are citizens of the most-literate state. So, we are not like you. We will react. We don't suffer silently. Pardon me? What did we gain? Lots dear, lots....

1. No government institutions worked today - so what's new? It’s just like any other day. Well, jokes apart, at least if they open, an hour's job will nevertheless be done in a day!! Today, we couldn't. Sad. Really Sad.

2. None of the educational institutions worked. We all lost a day's session.

3. None of the private firms worked - A real loss of crores of Rupees to the exchequer.

4. I know at least one marriage - that of one of my relative’s today. Forget that people might not have been able to reach for the same, but as a result at least 500 meals must have been wasted in a country where a large number of population hardly gets a times food in a day. This is just one, I don't know how many marriages took place today in Kerala. Just spare a thought.

5. People must have been stranded wherever they are, not able to proceed for urgent meetings etc. losing one man-day of their life.

6. The sick would have had a really tough time going to the hospitals, pregnant ladies et al.

All these are not gains? Sorry, sorry, I had tell you the gains...

The gain is Drunkard's own country (not sure that you know that our state has this record - of being the largest liquor selling state in India) may have made at least 50 crores today. People in my state enjoy this day. The moment they hear the news of a hartal, they thank the government (or the party), run to a bar, stock up liquor and chicken for the next day's party, and see how much the government made out of this, offsetting all the above loses!!!!

Ok ok so what's the ultimate result of the hartal?

Well, the latest I heard is that our PM (who is currently abroad) was shivering out of fear hearing the news of hartal in Kerala, and has called up his ministers to maybe propose doing away with the hike immediately at least only for Kerala.

Well jokes apart here is a fact:

Kerala has the highest ad valorem VAT (something in the hands of the state government) for diesel in India!!! and not too behind for petrol too (close to 29%)!! That is almost one-third (Rs. 15) that you pay for a liter goes to them.

What? Yeah I said they have great empathy for us. So what? What? So why are they not cutting down on that VAT to help you out?

Well who really wants?? They just want to show their care for us. I mean only Show, not care!!

Regards
Citizen of Kerala.

Petroleum Products - Price Hike

The Indian government has increased the prices of petrol by Rs. 3:50, kerosene by Rs. 3:00, diesel by Rs. 2:00, and cooking gas cylinder by Rs. 35.

Now, nobody likes prices going up and hitting their monthly budgets. But let me congratulate the team at the Center for this bold move. One, for the mere fact that this was a bold move, per se. How many parties can think beyond votes and take such a measure which is definitely not a populist one. There are parties who give cows, goats, hen to people and try to get votes. I really salute you for taking such a bold decision.

Now if you are asking, Ramesh, have you gone mad. Wait a minute. I did a little research and found out various details. Let me discuss those. Let me just break up this news further.

Before I begin, let me also tell you that I don't support any political party in particular. Will write about everybody - good if they’ve done good, bad if they’ve done bad. Of course, individually I do like a few politicians from all the parties. Okay, let me leave that for another day.

Weren't we all very happy when recession did not hit India at least the way it did US, Europe and others? If we need to see that again in the future, we need to bear these small pains. India's fiscal deficit last year was around 8%. Right now one of the prime targets for the Center is to bring down this to their 2010-11 target of 6%. Yes, the government did win a lot to its kitty via the 3G and wireless broadband bids. Now this is another way for them. And this news has been doing rounds since long. But who will bell the cat was question. Just like nobody dare to touch the caste reservations (though all know it is high time to take them off - but votes!!!!), this also was something like who will do it. Finally, Team Pranab Mukherjee has done the so call inevitable.

Indian government has been subsidizing petroleum products spending to the tune of $16 billion a year. Something like a shopkeeper buying an item for Rs. 10 and selling at Rs. 7. How long will he be able to run is business is anybody's guess. Of course, petroleum companies were also bearing the brunt. OK, now something is subsidized to help the poor, not the rich. Let's scrutinize each of today’s news separately and see how it affects the poor.

1. Increase in cylinder price by Rs 35:

The Kirit Parikh Committee actually has recommended Rs. 100 increase per cylinder to the government. I guess the remainder is on the way. How many of us know that around Rs. 250 subsidy is given by the government for each cylinder? Does this subsidy help the poor? Less than half of India's population uses cooking gas. And that of course will be the middle class and upper class. So what logic in this subsidy?

2. Petrol Price increase by Rs. 3:50:

What point in giving subsidy to people who own cars and bikes and who get this subsidy? Where does the poor come into picture here???

3. Kerosene price increase by Rs. 3:00:

Here of course, poor comes into the picture, but again not much. Most of the kerosene is bought by middleman at subsidized rate and sold again at higher rates outside the government's control. Yeah but of course a small (very small) number of poor people will be affected by this move. The govt. should consider this fact. Though remember, the really poor still use firewood today.

4. Increase of diesel price by Rs. 2:00:

One of the issues that this Govt. is trying to tackle (and they have been failing miserably) is the issue of inflation. When food inflation maintains an upward trend, this move might further take it up. This is an area govt. needs to be really careful. It's all better if govt. takes this back for the time being, wait till the inflation drops, and then take an appropriate decision.

5. Deregulation of petrol prices:

Meaning companies will now have the say on the price of petrol and that will be directly related to the international crude price, a move intended to bring down heavy loses incurred by the petroleum companies, which of course is a good thing. But was just wondering if we will get to see some price tariff wars between the companies and consumers finally emerging the ultimate winners, just as what has happened in the telecom industry! Well we’ll have to wait and see.

So, all in all, not bad moves, though some, as I mentioned, needs a re-look at this time.

Kudos TEAM INDIA

Kudos to Team India for bringing back the Asia Cup after 15 years. Boy that was too long a wait. Anyhow India overcame the jinx of bombing in finals and also beating Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka is no joke. On the finals, they really played like champions, with contributions from every member, doing good in all departments of the game. Rarely we see India in a Final so dominating. Keep it up boyz....


Image Courtesy: IB Times

Colored Kites

Watch out for Kites on June 27, 2010 on Colors Channel at 8 p.m. After failing at the BO, this movie premiers on Colors within a month of its release. Gaurav Gandhi, Chief Commercial Officer & Head - International Business, Viacom18 says, "At COLORS we endeavor to bring the biggest Bollywood blockbusters to our viewers, right in the comfort of their homes. The next six to eight months are going to be a pure treat for the viewers as we plan to showcase a series of big and recent blockbuster films. With Kites, we begin a long and potentially fruitful association with Reliance BIG Pictures with whom we have signed a much larger deal and will be showcasing a whole range of popular movies from their library in the days to come."


Movie: KITES

Date of Release: May 21, 2010

Director: Anurag Basu

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Barbara Mori, Kangana Ranaut, and Kabir Bedi.

Producer: Rakesh Roshan

Characters:

Hrithik Roshan as J.
Barbara Mori as Natasha a.k.a. Linda
Kangana Ranaut as Gina
Nick Brown as Tony
Kabir Bedi as Bob, Gina and Tony's father
Yuri Suri as Jamaal, Bob's family chauffeur[1]

So stack your kitchen with pop corns & coke (which most of us already done, thanks FIFA World Cup Soccer) get ready for the next eight months!!

NAXALISM VS. TERRORISM

I am a common man. Not intelligent enough to go on to the root causes of various issues. One thing I don't understand is why the government is not going ahead with using our Air Force and Army against the Naxals? Why this soft corner? What is the difference between a terrorist and a naxal in common man's language? Both kill innocents. A lost life is an Innocent's. And a life is life. So our blood only boils if the crime is committed by a person from our neighboring country? We make a hue and cry even if that attack kills 2-3 people. And here our own guys if they can derail a train and kill 138 people, we feel they are our brothers? Well I can't differentiate a terrorist and a naxal. Sorry I am a common man. I don't know why the terminology is different at all for the two cases. I don't want to know the cause for why innocents are killed in either case. Being an Indian, I feel I am helpless in the hands of people whom we elect!!!!!

BUS STRIKE - KERALA

Thought of sharing some of my views on the recent private bus strike in Kerala. The private bus owners' association went on strike in the state demanding four things. Increase the bus fare, increase student's concession rate, ask government-owned KSRTC buses to run on alloted timings, and to stop harassing them on speed governance.

It has been accused that there was an understanding between the association and the government. It seems the government had asked the association to go on strike so that a few days later they can increase the charges stating "there was no other go." And the government's benefit in this? CAN INCREASE KSRTC BUS FARES TOO, WHICH IS RUNNING IN A LOSS.

This accusation holds good in my belief. If you observe, they went on strike following a three-hour discussion, and they withdrew the strike following a 10-min discussion where nothing new was assured to them. It all went wrong for both sides when the HIGH COURT of Kerala intervened during strike saying "Bus fares should not be altered unless they withdrew strike and start services." The earlier nexus went for a sixer now!! There was no other go for them but to withdraw the strike.

Today High Court went ahead and added "DO NOT INCREASE FARES WITHOUT OUR DIRECTIVES."

The end result? Public was fooled, put into all sorts of trouble by both the association and the government. Who cares for the public now? At least at this point in time where there are no elections? The day elections come we can see them again wagging tails in front of public for votes!!.

Well, well, well, I would definitely like to see more of court interventions in the future. What else to do if the government is a shameless one?

FINAL POINT: Heard that the government is planning to increase the minimum fare from Rs. 3.50 to Rs. 4.00, which I believe is a good move as it does not harm both the bus owners and the public in any ways. How? Well, try giving Rs. 4:00 to a conductor and how often do you get back the 50 paise? So in any case, they are taking Rs. 4:00 and we are giving Rs. 4:00. But don't ever think that 50 paise has no value today. It has. Try giving the same conductor Rs. 3:00 and he will stare at you or may even ask you to get down. In short 50 paise has value for a conductor but not for the passenger!! Amen!!

Back To Blogging

September 8, 2006. Yes that was the day when I last posted something....It has been more than three years since. But things are changing and once again I see an opportunity in front of me to return back to regular blogging. Yes, I foresee that happening soon in 2-3 months time. But yes, there will be posts at least weekly till then.....I thank God for this opportunity to come back.....Hope to see you soon....

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