tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123507092024-03-08T04:15:07.931+05:30Mature Thoughts Of An AmateurSumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-77902973786423637482013-01-21T11:59:00.001+05:302013-01-21T11:59:07.790+05:30People Think I Am ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People think, I am an oasis in the middle of a dessert</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Desert - Yes, Oasis - may not be</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People think, I am a celebrity</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Celebrity - Yes, Fan following - not quite there</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People think, my wife is an icing on the cake</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ice - Yes, Cake - Just not there</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People think, I am happily settled</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Settled - Yes, Happy - Not yet</span></div>
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Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-46307955224800599392013-01-19T23:00:00.000+05:302013-01-21T11:52:00.677+05:30Story Untold<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gujjar Singh. All your accomplices are either dead or captured. You are left with no choice, but to surrender.. Or else be prepared to be shot down. In the vast stretches of desert, the loud-speaker was making the voice to resonate across the atmosphere. The echo followed…Prepared to be shot down by Police …</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dadda, remember the promise that we made to ourselves, when we joined Durjan Singh gang.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What promise ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We will never allow ourselves to be shot dead by police. If at all, it came to that, we will kill ourselves instead of being killed by Police.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, I remember that promise made in front of Goddess Kali, before we set out for our first robbery.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The day has come, when we fulfill that promise.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What are you talking about ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How many bullets, we are left with, Dadda ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">None.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How can we be left with no bullet so soon into the battle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember, Dukhiya, our informer. He switched allegiance and is now a Police informer. He siphoned off most of our weapons, while we were sleeping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dukhiya….You cheat. Gujjar Singh screamed. I saved you from the clutches of police and you did <i>this</i> to your brothers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No point blaming Dukhiya. It was our fault, we should have done a recce of this village, before deciding to spend a night here.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If we don’t have any bullet left, we have no choice but to surrender.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Surrender…I thought that day would never come. But looks like, we don’t have any choice, we will have to surrender.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No, it is not <i>WE</i>, it is <i>YOU</i>, who will surrender, Dadda.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Only me, how about you ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have saved a bullet for this very day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What ?? Dadda almost screamed in disbelief.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See this, Gujjar Singh searched through a secret pocket tied to his undergarments’ pocket and the bullet was there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sorry Dadda, I have to leave you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why cannot you also surrender ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even if I do, I will not be spared by Police. Remember, the 50 Thousand bounty on my head ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If that is the case, why do you want me to live ?? I am worthless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No you are not.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you die, how will people know what made Gujju, the dumb-headed gold-medallist, into Gujjar Singh, the dreaded gangster. There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The naked Goddess Kali was still sticking her tongue out, perhaps in awe of Gujjar’s great sacrifice. It was a story worth being told.</span></div>
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Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-63752113579022816592013-01-14T08:42:00.002+05:302013-01-14T08:42:40.538+05:30Guilty Conscience of an Auto Rickshaw<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mantri Fame, As I confirm the place's name</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mind starts playing a game; to game or not to game</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clock is ticking, time more or less the same, it's just a game</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I start belching thick black flame, I wonder, why no shame !!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PS: My first _real_ shot at poetry, written as part of a warm-up exercise during one <a href="http://www.meetup.com/Write-Club-Bangalore">Write Club Meetups</a></span></div>
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Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-3371802392061471482013-01-12T22:00:00.000+05:302013-01-14T20:00:26.485+05:30Black Magic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where have you been ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sorry, I got late.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But where did you go ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">somewhere close by.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had gone to watch the magic show by PC Sarkar, the great magician from Bengal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What ?? You didn’t even tell me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You would have said no anyway, what was the point in asking ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is ridiculous. How can you go to a magic show without even asking me ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had some real fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What fun, Mona ?? What is wrong with you ?? You should know, he is no magician, he is a conman. You get it, a conman.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No Raj. The Bengali magic is for real.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t buy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will…someday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That will be the day, Mona. Not in my lifetime at least.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forget it. You must be feeling hungry, so am I.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> -----</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kala Jadoo...Kala Jadoo... Aaiye Aaiye..Appke Shehar Mein Pahli Baar…Bangal ka Asli Kala Jaado...Aaiye Aaiye…The announcement was to be followed by a sweet sound of dumroo..Darrr…Darr…Aaiye Aaiye....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I looked around, tried locating the source of this voice, I noticed a decent gathering, making its way to a corner. It was for a magic show. Black Magic…From Bengal…Not Any More. I will expose him in front of everyone. Let me grab those "front-row" seats. How will I catch him, if I don’t stand close enough ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the center of all this, I saw a young boy in his teens, who was proclaiming himself to be the practitioner of Black Jadoo. Hmm Not Bad..But poor boy, your story is soon going to over. You will regret doing a magic-show in my town.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The show started with few routine tricks, as you would expect out of a run-of-the-mill Magic-Show. The handkerchief turning into a bird. Goldplated coins raining from vaccum….Must be sleight of hands, I quipped. While people around me clapped, I was not impressed. My mind was fixated on his hands and gestures. Suddenly, the magician announced “The show is almost over. I am now going to try my last magic. I promise, it will blow your minds. Are you all ready ??” Yes, we are, The chorus followed his voice and everybody started clapping in anticipation of what would come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The magician hand-picked a person from the crowd and claimed that he would turn him blind by applying black-magic and then revert him back to normalcy, again with help of Black Magic. Everyone was awe-struck. He is going to make somebody blind and then restore his vision. Must be the dreaded Bengali Kala Jadoo !!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He started chanting abracadabra with a magical wand in his hand, looking into the person’s eyes all this while. The effect was instant. The man became blind in a flash. The magician proudly announced the person has become. He is blind. You all can test it yourself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let me test him. I told to myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How many ?? I raised my hands, with my little finger hidden underneath my thumb.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can’t see anything. He complained.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Must be lying …I kept my thoughts to myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By now, everyone else, except me, was convinced that he was blind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I will revert his eye-sight, the magician announced. The audience had their heart in their mouth. Can he do that ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh Yes, He can !! The same chore followed. And his vision was restored, or at least proclaimed to be so by the great magician. A round of applause followed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Folks, now it is your turn ?? Any one want to experience Black Magic first-hand. His tone was surprisingly strong for a performer inviting his audience on stage, as if he was throwing a challenge to them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To my utter surprise, nobody volunteered. I thought, there would be a flood of people willing to experience Black Magic first-hand. No one. This was my chance to prove that he is a cheat. A golden opportunity indeed. I promptly raised my hand.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So you want to give the Black Magic a try. The magician took a good hard look at me and tried confirming my intentions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you sure, you want to give it a try.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you really sure ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, I am. I was getting annoyed at his questionnaire.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope, you are aware of the consequences ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What consequences ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See, there is always an element of risk involved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What risk ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a remote chance that the magic will fail. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fail, What do you mean ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You may become blind for the rest of your life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am fine. I firmly stood my ground. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some people did get scared. I could hear them whisper “There is no guarantee that the Black Magic will succeed ?? What if the magic fails ?? His eye-sight will be gone, really ?? But, I was not unfazed by his failure. After all, I was praying for his failure, wasn’t I ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok, fine. As You Wish. But let me repeat, there is a remote chance of you loosing your eyesight permanently. The magician made a last ditch attempt to convince me, not to try Black Magic.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have to constantly look into my eyes, while I chant my mantras, get it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, go ahead.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With a resigned look, the boy started chanting all those mantras. I was standing very close to him, his fist occasionally touching my belly, as he waved his magical wand. There was no impact whatsoever as a result of his innocuous chanting, at least I didn’t feel anything. But, a close look at his torn clothes and miserable condition started making me drowsy. A glance at his empty stomach, squeezed almost to the back, was making me loose my eye-sight. As I looked deep into his wet eyes, I was blinded by the light coming out of them. I was becoming blind. Yes, I was becoming blind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mona, you were right. The Bengali Black Magic is for real, it works..It works.</span></div>
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Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-82810377582871599812013-01-06T08:49:00.000+05:302013-01-14T08:52:32.051+05:30When You ..<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you crossed my path, it changed my <i>path</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you looked at me, it changed by <i>looks</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you shook my hand, it shook my <i>mind</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you spoke to me, it changed by <i>voice</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you were absent, I felt <i>absent</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you were present, I still felt <i>absent</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you waved good-bye, I felt the <i>waves</i> changed</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you finally went, I felt the <i>world</i> changed</span></div>
Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-75058591549261805182012-12-15T23:00:00.000+05:302013-01-01T01:08:40.913+05:30A Looser Who Won<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am backing out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What ?? There is no going back. A yes is a yes. I have already paid 2000 Rs to Zafar. Gaurav is also contributing 1000 Rs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok, fine. I will pay the rest. I know, My promotion treat has been long due. Raj was poked enough number of times for his treat, so as to concede defeat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This treat would be one of its kind, a treat no one else would have given to anyone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">May be (pause). I have not been to many treats, So how would I know ??</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, let’s make this diwali night memorable for all of us. A night, I am sure, we all will never be able to forget in your lifetime.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As his moped left a trail of thick black smoke, Raj kept staring at the circles formed by it, wondering if it were a noose, tightening around his neck. He used to be a good boy, in fact in his college days, he was so dumb, a special award was constituted to honour people like him. And, today he is going to get a bravery award for something, he would never imagined even in the wildest of his dreams. Trin.. Trin.. Trin.. Raj was woken from slumbers by the all-too-familiar Nokia ringtone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hey Raj. Happy Diwali, man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Same to you man.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What are doing on Diwali ??</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nothing special.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come over, I have few friends gathered, after bursting crackers, we plan to drink. You want to join ??</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t drink, man. What will I do ??</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can have some Fanta, man. Come over.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok, I am in.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chetan was due to come back by 9. A glance at his wrist watch gave Raj some relief, It would be another couple of hours, before we will have our <i>surprise</i>. Raj is sure, he will be back in time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are there any more crackers left ??<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">No dude, we are all done with crackers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am feeling hungry, man.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let’s order some chicken. Chicken goes along very well with Red Wine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The chicken arrived in no time. There was a KFC outlet very close. Who are these people, working even on Diwali nights, delivering </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">happiness</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to their customers. Raj felt very sorry for the delivery-boy. This world can never be the same for the rich and the poor. Raj wished him Happy Diwali with a cosmetic smile on his face and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">offered a generous tip. Inside the room, everybody was busy pouring lemon onto their glasses of Vodka.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No fanta for me. Raj almost screamed, taking everyone by surprise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why ??</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to <i>drink.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really ?? Dude, this is not Red Wine. This is Vodka, the </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">real wine.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I want to give it a try.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok....</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first sip induced a burning sensation near his threat, but Raj somehow managed to swallow it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not Bad, Raj. I had vomited my first sip, you did a lot better.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Second sip onwards, Raj started enjoying the taste of Vodka.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another glass for me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are you sure ??</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, I am.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No body knew, what occurred to Raj on that fateful Diwali night, but he kept on drinking, as if there was no tomorrow. There was something heavenly about Vodka. Raj can only vaguely recollect a Russian story from his school days, when a farmer was made aware of beauties of Vodka by an imp. Though, it was just a story and the imp just an imp, Raj somehow felt imp's presence in that room, as if he was talking to him. Remember...After first glass, you all will become fox ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hey, Raj. Don’t you want to go home. We are done with drinks. Raj's body was being </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">vigourously</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">shaken, but Vokda magic was not going away soon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t think, he will wake up. Let’s not waste time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had a great time today, hadn't we ??</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ya, man. Raj turned out to be a dark horse. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What is the time ??</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is already well past midnight.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No wonder, I am feeling sleepy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of them were now lying one after the other, just like pigs in a pool of mud (After 3 glasses, you will become a pig). Suddenly, t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">he infamous Nokia ring-tone made its present felt.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shit, man. What an irritating ring-tine ??</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Must be Raj.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Raj was not known for his taste of music, but this ring tone was too bad, even by his standards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hey, Venkat.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is Raj still there ??</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, he is (pause) but sleeping.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really ?? Tell him his surprise is here. What is he doing there ?? Would not he want a taste of his surprise ??</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No man, he is drunk and fast asleep.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Even though Venkat's voice was loud and clean, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chetan tried adjusting the volume of his handset and requested Venkat to repeat his words<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Drunk and Fast asleep.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Almost in disbelief, When did he start drinking ??</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Only today.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Poor chap. The surprise would be here only for a night. He missed out on some real fun.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next morning, when Raj reached his flat, he was informed of the <i>surprise</i> and the <i>opportunity</i> missed. It is better to be a clean pig than a corrupt human. Raj won’t get the bravery award, as planned earlier. But he is not sad. He has not won many awards in his life, but this was one award, he was happy loosing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As Raj readied himself for an important meeting in office, Chetan’s voice was still echoing in the room, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You looser, You looser ...</span></div>
</div>
Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-12761704045837762022012-12-08T22:30:00.000+05:302012-12-27T13:09:48.063+05:30MukhiyaG<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t know why people always mistook him for being a hard-nosed person.When I got close to him, I felt he was more like a coconut, hard only on the periphery, but very soft deep within. May be, people never got too close to him to find out his true colours. Though, he was very neatly dressed, as would be a village-chief, there was nothing flamboyant about his looks. A cream-colour dhoti along side a translucent, somewhat oversized, silk-kurta was probably doing justice to his body. A turban was sitting atop his head, reminding me of a character in a Rajasthani play, I witnessed in my college days. I am not good at guessing numbers, but he looked to be in his early forties. But, I was soon proven wrong, when I noticed the black spots on his face, reminding me of times when vaccine for chicken pox was still elusive and being developed. My mother used to tell me rich people never grow old, looking at him, I felt she was right. May be, Rich people know how to defy their age and time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had heard from my friends that he hardly opens up in
front of strangers, so I was taken by surprise, pleasantly though, when he
offered his hand. Those were probably the hardest and roughest hands that I
ever had a handshake with.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know, this is not the ideal time to ride the train,
today being cattle’s fair in neighbouring villages. So along with human beings,
you will also have goats, sheeps, calves as your company. But this is now how
it usually is. You should give this train another try.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Though, it was stinking inside the compartment, somehow,
his kind and empathetic words made me forget the stink for a moment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hey, don’t tie the cycle to this window, can’t you see, I
am sitting in this compartment, he was shouting at the top of his voice, as he
announced his arrival.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You could have taken a bus or a boat, why did you choose
this jam-packed train, MukhiyaG asked me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Where else you can ride for free ?? I promptly replied.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MukhiyaG burst out laughing.
I appreciate your honesty. Not many people from town are like that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MukhiyaG had this wrong
notion of people, living in cities, to be mean and dishonest. I don’t know what
he saw inside me, but he started opening up in our conversation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you live in town ??</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, I do. Why did you come
to the village then ??</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am returning from a pulse
polio drive in neighbouring village.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How about you ?? I asked
back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What will I do in town ?? I
am a damn villager. Only once in my life before, I have been to town, when I
went to drop my daughter. You know, there are no colleges in village, so I had
no other choice, but to send her to town. Today is the second time, I am going
to town. My daughter wants me to see her new campus, her new hostel, her new
college building, her new life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The discussion was becoming
more and more personal.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But why did you send her for
further studies ?? The moment, I uttered those words, I felt like crossing the
line. I wish I could take back my question.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">See, Girls at my daughter’s
age are being married off, some of them have even become teenage mothers, but I
wanted my daughter to be different. I want her to set an example for others to
follow. Girls are not meant only to be homemakers and baby-generating machines.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Very brave. MukhiyaG was
living up to his billing of a fierce communist warrior.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Which college does she study
??</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">R.S.M College.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is not that too hi-fi a
college ?? I have seen boys and girls roaming around freely holding each
others’ hands. Aren’t you afraid your daughter will forget her roots.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No, not at all. I have
infinite trust in her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope, your trust remains
intact, I kept my thoughts to myself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you don’t mind, I want
you to introduce to my daughter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will she be there at the
station ??</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, she should be waiting
for me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the train crossed the
last unmanned signal, I knew, the end of our journey was near. I pulled out the
glasses out of my short’s pocket, MukhiyaG adjusted his turban and stood
motionless.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh man, people have already
blocked the door. How will I get down ?? MukhiyaG was increasingly getting worried.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don’t worry, I will help you. And the train will
stop for nearly 5 minutes, so we have enough time. I tried calming MukhiyaG nerves.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The train came to a
screeching halt. People started shrieking, almost crushing the cattles seated
next to the toilet. MukhiyaG eyes were scanning the platform, searching for his
beloved daughter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> To Be Continued ...</span></div>
</div>
Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-35895678005673394042012-11-17T23:30:00.000+05:302012-12-27T11:49:02.492+05:30Impulse Of Theft<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you know, what is common in all districts across 25
states of Republic of India.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What ??</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All of them have a Gandhi Maidan of their own.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really !! Raj was taken by surprise. The father of this
nation deserves that much respect, Papa.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Raj had come to witness a cricket match between Supaul,
his hometown and Kadampura, an archrival. As Raj prepared to gauge this big
playground called Gandhi Maidan, he noticed few gentlemen defecating in the
open, that too in full public view. Not too far away, there was a foundation
stone, laid for a proposed public toilet. Raj went closer and tried deciphering
the date, but he could only read the year. 1980. Holy cow. He was not even born
!! As his eyes rolled further, he saw a little pond, whose water was barely
visible, after being overtaken by water hyacinths. Inside the pond, a herd of
buffalos were having fun. Barely ten feet away, people were using the same
water for sanitary purposes. Is this people’s idea of giving respect to father
of the nation, Raj kept his thoughts to himself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Raj had come to witness a cricket match between Supaul,
his hometown and Saharsa, an archrival. As usual, it was a hot and sunny
afternoon. Raj wondered, why all cricket matches are played under scorching
heat. Can’t they be played out in night ?? Just last night, he had heard on
radio his favourite cricketer Kapil scoring a thrilling century under the
lights. When will my hometown have a day-night encounter ?? Raj asked himself.
That will be the day, my dear friend, Pinku replied. That will be the day, when
Supaul will host a day-night cricket match. Let’s focus on the match at hand.
We have lost the toss and are fielding first.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pinku, though 5 years elder than Raj, got along very well
with him. He was instructed by Raj’s mother to keep a tab on Raj’s mischiefs
and used to accompany Raj, wherever he went. Of-late, they had formed a cricket
team with Raj at the helm of affairs and Pinku as his sidekick. They used to
charge 1 Rs per month to all team members, except Raj, who had volunteered to
donate a thick wooden-slab as cricket bat and Pinku, who had creatively
designed some cricket equipments, like pads, arm guards using jute-sticks and
discarded clothes. They used to play mostly with plastic ball, but occasionally
experimented with heavy charcoal balls. Almost everyone had this long-cherished
dream of playing with a leather ball also known as <i>DUES BALL</i> or <i>ORIGINAL
BALL</i>. Though, they never ventured <i>inside</i> Gandhi Maidan, reserved
exclusively for <i>big </i>guys, they used to be restricted to a corner at the
periphery of the playground. Unfortunately, this particular stretch of land
also used to be a favourite hunting ground for a group of hungry pigs and their
arrival used to signal end of the day’s play. Occasionally, one of those <i>big
guys</i> Karia used to pay a visit and teach them few basics of game especially
fielding. But then fielding was never their idea of fun, it was meant for
someone who was not good at batting or bowling. So they hardly listened.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had our first ball of the match bowled. Oh no, it has
been smashed to the boundary. Really. Yes, but no worries, it is going to be
caught. Raj pointed his fingers towards the ball, as it was making its way
towards the palms of Karia, our star fielder. But then tragedy struck. At the
last moment, Karia lost sight of the ball amidst the sunshine and the ball
thudded into one of his eyes. He was down on the ground, writhing in pain. All
of us rushed towards our star fielder, only to see that he was lying unconscious,
bleeding through his eyes and nose. It was a serious accident and organizers
decided that the match be called off. As the crowd started dispersing, so did
we. Some reserve players took it as an opportunity to practice and started
throwing dart-balls around. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we were passing by, suddenly we noticed one ball
rolling along the ground, as it hit one of us. This was our dream ball, the <i>DUES
BALL</i>, the <i>ORIGINAL BALL</i>. As Raj picked it up and stretched his arms
diagonally to throw it back, Pinku stopped him and whispered in his ears “We
won’t get a better opportunity to own a <i>ORIGINAL BALL</i>”. Raj was
confused, on one hand, he had his moral values, his upbringings, which always
prevented him from bads and on the other, he had <i>his dream </i>right in
front of him, lying almost unclaimed. Raj chose to go with his dreams. But how
do we hide it ?? This is so big in size. Raj replied back with a voice barely
audible to Pinku. Don’t worry. I will take care of it. Pinku used to wear
shorts, which used to have custom-designed deep pockets. He safely pocketed the
ball and started walking nonchalantly, as if nothing has happened. Though, his
pocket had ballooned outwards, which could potentially make people suspicious,
Pinku put one of his hands in other pocket, forming a fist, so as to make both
pockets look natural. Before reaching home, they checked <i>it</i> again. As
they rolled their fingers around the cherry, they felt proud of their prized
catch, almost blinded by the shine of leather ball.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hey Sumit, see Karia has given us <i>THE DUES BALL</i>, <i>THE
ORIGINAL BALL<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really !! Sumit said, almost in disbelief.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes. Ask Raj. He was also there</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hey Raj, is Pinku right ?? Did Karia really give us this
ball ??</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, Sumit. Raj affirmed his response.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t believe you guys. Just, look at this ball. It is
shining bright. All the threads along the center are intact. It is a brand new
ball. Why would Karia donate us a new ball ?? No matter how generous he may be,
if at all, Karia were to give us a ball, he would have given us a used ball.
Why on earth, he will donate a new ball. I am sure, this is an act of theft.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No, not at all. Trust us.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don’t. Don’t fool yourselves, guys. I would never
indulge in theft to fulfill my dreams. This is not done, yet. You will surely
have to pay for this. May not be today, but in future. Someday, God will take
his revenge.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life moved on. Raj went on to become a high-flying
corporate executive, a ridiculously priced management-consultant, doling out
invaluable advises to his clients. He headed many companies before becoming a
member of board-of-directors at one of the fortune 500 companies, TechnoLabs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pinku went on to become a stock trader, plying his trade
on Mumbai’s famous Dalal Street. Sumit was happy playing second fiddle to his
seniors in a local government office.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suddenly, their world was shaken by this tsunami called
recession. Lehman Brothers went bankrupt, others followed suit, bringing the
world economy down on its knees. No one was spared, no one. Traders started
shutting shops left right and center. Raj’s clientele suddenly pruned down to
single-digit, as corporate houses tightened their budgetary expenditures and
consultants were the first one to be axed. Pinku was almost on streets, having
suffered massive losses. Amidst all this mayhem, Sumit’s life went on smoothly.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today is a big day. Raj has been accused of a million
dollar inside-trading fraud involving Pinku. As Raj stood in front of a
life-size mirror, he started searching for answer as to why he fell prey to
lure of wealth. Just why ?? He can’t help but go back to <i>that</i> incident
involving Pinku and Sumit. Even though the incident happened nearly 25 years
back, Sumit’s voice was as loud and clear as it was back then. <i>You will have
to pay for this.</i> <i>You will have to pay for this.</i> Was that an impulse
?? Yes, it was. It was an <i>impulse of theft</i>, an <i>impulse of greed</i>,
which took over his conscience and made him call his penniless broker friend
Pinku about TechnoLabs’ past quarter’s earnings only to help Pinku make a
killing on trading circuits next day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let the trial begin, judge strikes the gavel and orders
start of proceedings. As Raj prepares to defend himself, he wonders, will he
ever be able to forgive himself for that <i>one</i> impulse ?? May be. May be
not. The proverbial remorse stays deep into his heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PS: This was written as part of a Story Hack organized by <a href="http://campusdiaries.com/">Campus Diaries</a> at <a href="http://www.meetup.com/Write-Club-Bangalore">Bangalore Writers' Club</a>.</span></div>
</div>
Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-53743973846772838952012-11-07T21:19:00.001+05:302012-11-07T21:19:24.807+05:30Unanswered Myths<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom, you are so boring. Get a life. Don't sleep with your head facing north. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't eat facing west.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't wash your hands in plate after a meal. If you fast on this day, you will go to heaven. If you do this, you will go to hell. You shouldn't travel south on Thursdays. I am sick and tired of it. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who created these mindless rules that we mortals are supposed to follow ?? How does it matter to us ?? A 10-year old kid complained, treating his mother's advice with disdain.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It matters my son, it matters, a concerned mother echoed her sentiments.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How ??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember, I told you some time ago. There is a reasoning behind everything.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What reasoning ??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You know, these rules were not created yesterday, they have been in existence since eternity. Before you know the history behind these rules, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">you would also have to know how we human beings were created. Shall I start ??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sure, the kid nodded his head in acceptance.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These rules were prevalent among Gods as well. At one point, the almighty wanted to teach offenders a lesson. So he sent the most erring god to rot as human being on earth. Back then, there was no soil, no water, no aid, not trees, not even air.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then ?? The excitement was slowly building in kid's eyes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nothing. The lone God on earth felt insulted at his eviction, but took it into his stride and started creating a parallel universe, a world of his own. He used his super-natural powers for all this. He created trees, so that we could find shelter underneath. He created air, so that we could breathe. He created soil, so that we could cultivate it and grow food for ourselves. He created these rivers and oceans, so that we could get water. He created those birds, so that we could hear them chirp. That's how our surroundings were formed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How did we came into existence, Mom ??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After the lone god on earth spent nearly a million years and used up most of his powers, the almighty finally decides to forgive him. So he ordered him to come back to heavens. The god on earth refused almighty's request. He didn't want to leave the earth and the world, created by him. Was he homesick ?? Perhaps. This angered the almighty a great deal and he took away all his powers and cursed him to become a mortal and rot on earth </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">forever</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, all alone. That's how we human beings came into existence, got it ??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, But how one turned into a billion, mom ??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before the almighty cursed him, he granted him a final wish. You know, what did he ask ??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What ??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He asked for a soul-mate, somebody he can share his feelings with, somebody he can co-exist with. Almighty had no choice, but to grant him his final wish. They made love and ended up being our ancestors.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">OK, I got it, how we came into existence. But, you still have not answered my question. Who created these damn rules, who ??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Humans like you and me, who else ??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PS: This was an exercise on creation mythology and I chose to give it a contemporary touch :-)</span></div>
</div>
Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-73380570381927903922012-11-02T08:35:00.001+05:302012-11-02T08:44:39.237+05:30Like Father Like Son<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is this what your report-card has to say ? An angry John slammed the door behind, as his son Paul lay busy with his video-game. Get me a cup of coffee, honey. Inside the room, Miley was inconsolable, Her face was completely blank, expressionless, as was her body, motionless. I could have never imagined in wildest of my dreams that my son will do acts of this kind.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What has he done ??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You don't know.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No, I don't. How would I know ?? </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">John asked with a bewildered look on his face.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No different. After all, he is </span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">your </i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">son, is not he ??</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What ?? John almost fell off his chair.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh My God, does he even know, what he has done.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By now, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">John's tone was soon becoming that of an anxious father, worried about his children's future.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't worry, I will speak to Paul, John said with a concerned voice.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who are you to give moral lecture to my son ?? Miley's voice suddenly changed to that of a roaring lioness. Remember your late-night <i>meetings</i> and your busy schedule with your <i>associates</i>. But, you are an adult, you can get away with all that, but not Paul. He is only 15, he is still a bloody minor. We are paying for your sins. Go hang your head in shame. John kept starting at the tiles with his head bowed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is still hope, we will talk to Paul. We will solve it John, just like <i>those</i> issues. As they opened the door, they found Paul eavesdropping on their conversation. Papa, you are a cheat. Mummy loved you so much and you did <i>this</i> to mamma. Shame on you. "<i>Like Father Like Son"</i>, Paul said unabashedly. The chandelier in the room was still emitting pale light.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PS: This was an exercise on dialogue-writing, where A and B had to talk about a taboo thing their relative C has done/gone through and they themselves have had issues of similar kind in the past.</span></div>
</div>
Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-79188885022856362652012-10-21T11:13:00.001+05:302012-11-01T23:03:45.324+05:30My Escape<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mornings are always greeted with an unpleasant alarm, which sounds more like a malfunctioning sewing machine. I was still rubbing my eyes, preparing to take my first yawn of the morning, when I heard someone shouting at top of his voice "Hurry Up. It's getting late for the school". As I got up from my bed, I started feeling jealous of my neighbour-next-lane taking gentle bath. I don't even remember the last time, I had a bath. Looking at my neighbours having fun with soap and water, I wish, I could be like one of them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I halfheartedly pack my bags and get ready to be dropped to school. As I see my fellow classmates, zooming past me at lightening speed, I wish, I could be like one of them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Time for some breakfast.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As I wait for my food to be served, the same mundane grass, I get to eat every single day, I look at the sumptuous food, being served to other classmates right in front of my eyes. As I see my classmates feasting on them, I could taste those delicious dishes one day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As I land in my school, no body looks at me. As my classmates rush to take front seat, I feel isolated. I find a corner in a big class room to make peace with. Teachers keep coming and going throughout the day, but no body seems to be bothered about my presence. I waited for my turn, which never arrives.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As sun was preparing to wave good-bye, I suddenly heard a kiss of death. I watched myself helplessly being thrashed from all different corners by none other than my fellow classmates. I cried for help, but to no avail. I tried running away, but there was no escaping their clutches.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Time to pack your bags, folks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">As I waited for my turn to be picked up, I wondered why I am always the last one to be picked. As I see my classmates making their way in front of me, I wish I could be like one of them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When I reached home, somebody seem to be angry with me. I was still searching for a reason, when I received a tight slap on my face. Your Punishment for the day; "Go to bed on empty stomach". While my neighbours have the luxury of sleeping under a shade, some fortunate ones even have a spacious bedroom, I have to fend for myself under an open sky. As I see my fellow neighbours being caressed to sleep with warm cotton mattress draped around their body, I wish, I could be one of them.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Battered and bruised, I lay down on my bed, nothing but bare floor. With my eyes closed, I start dreaming about the day of my escape. A dream, I know, will never materialize. But the proverbial perennial hope lingers on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">PS: This was an exercise on personalization and my pick was a discarded vehicle at a driving school.</span></div>
</div>
Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-41237361150610004172012-10-15T18:53:00.000+05:302012-10-21T11:11:21.835+05:30An Inconvenient Truth Continued ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can you see something in the sky ?? Raj pointed his forefinger towards a non-existent aeroplane in the sky.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gopi : No Raj, I can't see anything</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suhash : I can see some birds and blue sky underneath.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Raj (with a touch of arrogance) : It is like Arjun. Only I can see, what other can't see. Someday, I have to ride that aircraft (fingers pointing towards vacuum) and be airborne over this village.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What would you want, Sir. Tea or Coffee ?? The air-hostess's sweet voice kissed Raj's eardrums and woke him up. Black coffee without sugar, ma'm, Raj promptly replied.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Raj : Can your father give me a drop to station tomorrow night ??</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gopi: Sure, he can.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Raj: Promise</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gopi: Promise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the cows started coming home, Raj was busy packing his bags. It was the shriek of an owl on a mango-tree, that started worrying Raj. It was nearly 7 and Gopi's father was no where to be seen. Suddenly, he heard someone knocking on his door frantically and shouting Raj Raj, Where are you ?? Raj rushed outside only to see Gopi with his father's </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hand-pulled </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">rickshaw. Are you ready ?? Yes, I am. But where is your father ?? He is lying on a deathbed running high temperature. But don't worry, I am here. Raj didn't waste anytime and boarded the rickshaw. Along the way, Gopi picked his father and had him sit next to Raj. He was barely recognizable with this face turned pitch dark, even though it was a full moon, his face was hardly visible to Raj. This is no ordinary fever, Gopi, Raj exclaimed with a concerning tone. Yes, this is no ordinary fever. This is dengue, that's why I am taking him to a doctor's place. Raj had read about dengue only in his school-text books, so he remained oblivious to the real pain, Gopi's father was going through. After plenty of anxious moments, finally they reached the station, minutes before the train left. A</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">s Gopi waved goodbye to Raj, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">last words came from his father : A promise is a promise. I kept mine, I hope you will keep yours.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Veg or Non-Veg, the chef's voice broke the silence inside the waiting room and woke Raj from his slumbers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PS: These two pieces on "An Inconvenient Truth" were written as part of a writing workshop, hope to complete it soon.</span></div>
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Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-69084332315226426392012-10-14T22:47:00.001+05:302012-10-14T22:47:37.120+05:30An Inconvenient Truth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As Raj got down from the general compartment of the local train, he hardly noticed any changes to the railway-station, he had last seen nearly 25 years ago. As he prepared himself to incline his trolley so that it could stroll along, suddenly a 10-12 years old child came and with a pleading tone said "Aap kasht kyon karte hain Malik , Hum hain naa". This was Mohan, son of Gopi, with whom Raj had spent his entire childhood with. Gopi's father used to ferry Raj's parents and grandparents, now it was Gopi's son's turn to ferry Raj's children, even though Mohan himself was not much older than Raj's kids. As Raj looked around, he noticed the same set of sweet shops, with the number of flies comfortably outnumbering the number of sweets, same set of tea-stalls, except for a new whitewash and some new brands of packages water and namkins. Some children in their early teens were still roaming naked, playing around the discarded station-building and rail tracks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As Raj made his way through the station on a hand-pulled rickshaw pulled by a minor, he wondered : Though the world continues progressing, the law of natural progression seems to have deserted this village. The village almost defies the law of nature. Who is responsible ?? He murmured. Deep down, he knew the answer, but he was too ashamed and frightened to admit it.</span></div>
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Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-73324854913603555462012-08-08T20:39:00.000+05:302012-08-08T20:40:51.003+05:30Giant Goggles at Google !!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we first told MAD children that as part of Placement Activity, we are going to visit offices of Google, almost all faces in the classroom drew a blank. They had seen Goggles, on their favourate hero/heroine's eyes, but never heard anything about a company called Google. So we had to explain a bit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Google is like a book available to everyone for free, which can be used for searching anything and everything. The number of pages in Google "book" is way more than anybody's imaginations, we could see some confused faces, as if to suggest it would definitely take some effort to carry the Google "book" :-)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Google can tell you how far your father's office or your home is from your school. Now, we could see some interest building up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sitting right inside your room, you can take a tour of entire world, including places you have never been to, places you always want to see. We could see some excitement in the class.</span></div>
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<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Google is a dream company for most of the people, working in IT firms. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now we could gauge the mood in the class, almost everybody was ready, all they wanted to know were the dates of Google campus visit !! And when we told them about the SECRET SANTA gifts for the kids during the visit, their excitement just increased many-fold. Only later, we came to know that as many as 75 kids had written letters to Santa, some of them as many as 10 days prior to the visit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, here we go to Google campus with a batch of MAD students,with their eyes filled with dreams ,faces lit with smiles & hearts full of happiness & Joy. When we stepped in Google's awesome campus, kids were amazed that people work here (They thought, why would someone waste his or her time working, this was a campus tailor made for playing !!). Once we completed the tour of Google campus, we had an awesome lunch inside Google Cafeteria. This was followed by some very good career oriented sessions from heads of different departments at Google, like Facilities , Security , Catering and House-Keeping. The educational session was closed by a 1 hour session by one of the Senior Manager (Director) at Google, which really motivated our kids a lot. They also got a chance to know more about Google's products like Google Maps, Google Earth, which truly amazed them a great deal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once the "classes" were over, it was time for fun and play !! They walked into Google Theater room and started watching lot of videos, cartoons on a Big Screen. It was also an occasion to put theory learned during prior sessions into practice. They started taking a tour around Bangalore using Google map. They started exploring the world using Google Earth. Starting with the great Taj Mahal, they saw all wonders of the World and many other places, they get to hear about/see only in books and stories. Their adventure was complete with a great homecoming with their Hostel's building (including its lush green playground) in a Big Screen :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The jaw dropping silence, the Oohs, the Aahs, the Wows were a treat to watch for all the fellow MAD volunteers.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But picture abhee baki thee, The Google story was far from over, there was more to come in form of a secret Christmas gift for all the kids. Any guesses, who was going to give them these gifts ?? Santa, ofcourse !! So on the D-day, when they finally got a chance to meet their Santas, the joy in their eyes was absolutely priceless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were somewhat skeptical of how the children would feel at the end of the day. Will they be in awe of this great company called Google and amazing environment inside Google campus ?? But at the end, it turned out to be one of the most exciting and awesome Placement Activities at MAD. Thanks to Google for giving us an opportunity to MAD children, Thanks to MAD for being a facilitator for these under-privileged kids’ and last but not the least Thanks to all MAD volunteers for putting up a wonderful show and instilling the belief in all MAD students that "Don't Stop Believing" !!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This blog post was submitted as part of my application for "Blog Admin" for an awesome organization called <a href="http://makeadiff.in/"><b>MAD (Make A Difference)</b></a>. The task was to clean up the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">following sample post, make it presentable, and ready for the internet audience and this was to be done without changing the original intent of the author.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sample Write Up</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Eyes filled with dreams , Faces lit with smiles & Hearts full of happiness & Joy :)" all of this happened in during one of the most exciting and awesome Placement Activity at Google.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People working in the top IT firms dream of working for THE GOOGLE. When the kids were told where they were going, their excitement was inexplicable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we stepped in Google's awesome campus kids were amazed that people work here . We had awesome lunch with our kids in Google and then very good career oriented sessions from Heads of different departments of Google like Facilities , Security , Catering and the 1 hour session by one of the Senior Manager (Director) which really motivated our kids a lot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then kids watched lot of videos , cartoons in Google's Theater and got a chance to know more about Google's products like Google Earth which was really amazing , they saw all Wonders of the World and many other places and also their Hostel's building via Google Earth in a Big Screen :)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Oohs and Aahs and the wonder in their eyes were a treat to the eyes of all the volunteers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Google story dosent end there... it had a Christmas gift for all the kids. And who was gonna give them those gifts? Santa, ofcourse !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kids were all excited when we told them about the SECRET SANTA theme for the kids. So 75 kids wrote letters to Santa some 10 days back . And today they got a chance to meet their Santas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a just awesome to see the happiness in their eyes whole day</span><br />
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<br /></div>Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-26274590946667085432012-07-20T13:55:00.000+05:302012-08-08T20:30:09.568+05:30Project 5 Speech at Toastmasters - Your Body Speaks<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My morning was greeted with a a Breaking News and surprisingly it was not my wife (pause). It was an idiot box, predicting the unthinkable, a submerged London, and a largely inundated Mumbai by 2100. My wife was overly concerned, but I was as cool as a cucumber. I glanced through Bangalore Mirror and noticed a full page advertisement about some people dressed as super heroes and heroines, claiming to be Earth Warriors. I had heard enough about warriors in Indian mythology and history, even Star Warriors, but Planet Warriors ?? They seem to belong to species, worried about anything and everything around. worried about the air, worried about the water, worried about the soil, worried about insecticide, pesticide, food additives, green-house gases, saving endangered species.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good afternoon fellow toastmasters and guests, Let me tell you about endangered species. Saving endangered species is just one more arrogant attempt by humans to control nature. O</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ver 90%, way over 90%, of all the species that have ever lived on this planet are gone..</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whoosh..They are extinct. We didn't kill them all ?? (pause) This list includes monsters like Dynasours and small/tiny creatures like Dodo. They just vanished !! That's what nature does. Even today </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">as we speak, they are disappearing at the rate of 25 every day. So regardless of our behavior, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">25 species that are existing today, will be gone tomorrow. Let them go gracefully ?? Leave nature alone. Why interfere in nature's affairs ??</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How about global warming ?? It will surprise you that in 70's and 80's, people were worried about global cooling. Now it is turn of global warming !! And just </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in case somebody questions their claims, they renamed it back to Climate Change !! If you look at earth's temperature over the past 1000 years, it has remained more or less constant. There has been </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">an increase of about one degree Fahrenheit (half of one degree Celsius), I will not be surprised if this deviation is because of insufficient data, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">wrong assumptions and could very well turns out to be a human error :-) Remember your college day Eletrical Engineering Experiments where you had equipments </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">showing their efficiency more than 100% :-) The earth has natural cycles of warming and cooling that have more to do with sunspots, solar wind cycles, and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">volcanic/tectonic activity. And we think the car that we drive (pause) the autos we ride (pause) the refrigerator we use (pause) the tissue papers that we use and throw are causing all this!!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everybody around is busy saving something.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Save the water, Save the paper</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Save the trees, Save the bees</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Save the whales, Save those snails</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and the greatest arrogance of all, Save the Planet. What save the planet ?? Are these people kidding me ?? We don't know how to take care of ourselves, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but we make an overly pompous claim of saving this planet !!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am tired of these so-called environmentalists talking about saving the planet all the time. I am tired of hearing about Earth Day, tired of these Go-Green </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">activists. The only thing, I am not tired of, is all those good-looking models, going nude to increasing awareness; about what ?? environment conservation !! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Going nude for planet, (pause) I am sure there are better ways to save the planet !!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And besides there is nothing wrong with the planet, absolutely nothing wrong with the planet. Compared to ourselves, Planet is going great. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Planet has been here for 4 and 1/2 billion years, and we humans have been here for what 100 thousand(pause) may be 200 thousand years. And we have been engaged in </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">heavy industries for only about 200 years. Do your maths, folks; 200 years versus 4 and half billion ?? And we still concede that somehow we are a threat, somehow we are putting into </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">jeopardy this beautiful little blue green ball that is just floating around the sun, as if to suggest that humans are the worst thing to have happened to this planet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Planet has been through a lot worse that this. It has been through earth quakes, volcanos, sun spots, magnetic storms, hundreds and </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">thousands of years of bombardment by comets and asteroids, world wide floods, fire, erosion, cosmic rays, recurring ice-ages.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And we think some plastic bags ;(pause) Some aluminium cans ?; (Pause) Some extra trees are goiing to make a difference ??</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Planet is not going anywhere, We are !! We are going away. Pack your bags, folks, because t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">he planet will be here for a long, long time, even after we are gone. It will heal itself, it will cleanse itself, because that is what is does. It's a self-</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">correcting system. The air and water will recover, the earth will be renewed, and if we think, plastic is not degradable, it will find a way to recycle it. After all, Plastic </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">came out of the earth, could possibly the ONLY reason why nature allowed HUMANS. It wanted Plastic for itself, didn't know how to make it, so invented humans :-). </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But when we humans do go, for the planet, this will be just another failed mutation, just another closed and biological mistake, just another step in evolution.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now let me give you somethings about state of humans</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> One out of 4 kids worldwide is malnourished, by 2025, this number is going to increase upto 450 million.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> Nearly half of Indian population don't have access to toilets</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> Millions of people go to bed with an empty stomach every day, not knowing what they will have during next day lunch either</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"> 1,00,000 kids are being forces to fight a war each year</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Are these stats serious enough to warrant our attention ?? They surely are. In fact, to be honest they are frightening and should scare the hell out of us. I am not saying we should stop </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">bothering about our Planet, but I am sure there better things to be done, there are bigger fishes to fry. Let's try to save ourselves first, the human beings. Planet knows how to save itself !! It is the humans who are at threat more than the planet !!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over to you Toastmaster.</span></div>
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</div>Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-12315393962200051112012-01-05T00:18:00.002+05:302012-01-05T20:21:39.737+05:30How Facebook Trumped Orkut In Indian Market<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I wanted to write this blog post for a long time, but somehow couldn't manage to find time for the same due to various reasons. Past few months have been incredibly hectic, not just profession wise, even on personal front there are far too many things happening to keep me busy like crazy.<br />
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Few months back, I attended an <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/omecommunity"><b>OME (Online Marketing Enthusiast)</b> </a>community meetup in <b>Christ College Bangalore</b>, where I happened to meet <b>Srinivas Tamada</b> (the brain behind <b><a href="http://9lessons.info/">9lessons.info</a></b>, India's 2nd largest technology blog in terms of Adsense revenue and popularity after the numero uno <b>Amit Agrawal</b> of <b><a href="http://labnol.org/">labnol</a></b> fame). Srinivas is barely 25, but such a soft-spoken, charming and humble personality that it was nothing sort of a pleasure interacting with him. Srinivas shared a wonderful conjecture related to <b>Orkut</b> and <b>Facebook </b>rivalry in Indian market, how Orkut's enormous popularity was followed by a steady decline in the wake of Facebook onslaught and Google's seemingly helplessness in reviving Orkut. It all boiled down to one killer feature that <b>Facebook </b>introduced. This seemingly game-changing feature was nothing but <b>Facebook Wall</b> feature, which was already present in <b>Orkut </b>as <b>Scrap Book !!</b><br />
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The reason, why <b>Orkut</b> clicked in India, after wooing the masses in <b>Brazil</b>, is the fact that both these countries are very similar in nature, especially the social culture, how people maintain their familial relations (Giving respect to elders, a liking for emotional TV soaps, undue interest in others' affairs ; to name a few of them). But one thing that stood apart in Indian culture is We <b>Indians</b> are extremely interested in knowing what others are doing, did Roy broke up with his girl friend or not, how is SharmaG's conventional family coping with their modern daughter-in-law et al. This was one of the biggest factor, which propelled <b>Orkut's</b> enormous growth in Indian market. I still remember, one of the favourite timepasses used to be looking others' (read babes') <b>Scrapbooks</b>, see the conversation unfold and extrapolate the relationship.<br />
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On the other hand, <b>Facebook</b> was a distant second and happy playing 3rd or 4th fiddle in Indian social networking market space. Facebook had a harsh realization that it was not doing good, as expected. They started analyzing Orkut's market share and researching as to what made Orkut so popular amongst Indians. They finally cracked the jigsaw. They noticed that <b>Scrapbook </b>was the ONLY thing that was clicking for Orkut.<br />
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Almost around the same time, Orkut implemented some of its <b>Privacy Control</b> features, by which you could restrict your scrapbook's and photo album's visibility. One of the most hated screen messages on Orkut at that time was</div>
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No scrap from you !!</div>
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But, Orkut didn't realize that Privacy is not such a big concern amongst
Indian masses compared to western societies and over-estimated the <b>Privacy</b> threat. While this provided ladies some much needed respite from useless friend requests, it turned out to be the
<b>biggest mistake Orkut ever committed</b> in Indian market (they are still paying for that). People in US and elsewhere are extremely particular
about Privacy. But not so much in Indian society, where everyone knows others' grand fathers' name as well as how much his or her neighbour's salary is. So giving such an option to end users was nothing sort of <b>committing suicide</b>. But Orkut's mind was fixated with privacy concerns and not so much about the underlying side-effects, these new changes may bring.<br />
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Facebook pounced on this and came with its own version of <b>Scrapbook </b>i.e, <b>Facebook Wall</b>. It is rumoured that on the day of Facebook Wall launch, nearly 7 million people in US and elsewhere DELETED their Facebook account. Till then, Facebook was nothing but a <b>Dating Website</b> for them, where all things personal were TRUELY PRIVATE. The moment, <b>Wall</b> came through, they were worried that people may come to know about their social lives(read rendezvous) and took it as an intrusion of their privacy. But <b>Facebook</b> was not too concerned, they had Indian mass in mind. They knew the potential of Indian market, they had their eyes firm on billions of Indians and not on millions of "Angry with Facebook Wall" US/Europe nationals.</div>
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Facebook was already rich with apps, performance wise it was faster and better than Orkut. So when they introduced the <b>Wall </b>feature, it was the <b>death nail</b> for <b>Orkut</b>. Add to that the <b>strict privacy controls</b>, people started loosing motivation in staying hooked to Orkut. It had nothing new on offer (Orkut was damn lazy in bringing out features and almost took its numero uno position for granted). As a result, people started migrating in bunches, the initial mass consisted of those disgruntled people, who were fed up of seeing "<b>No scrap from you</b>" screens. In the beginning, People doubled up on Facebook and Orkut for sometime, waiting for the moment, when all their friends moved to Facebook. Once the migration was complete, they simply got hooked to Facebook and never went back to Orkut. Some of them even went to the extent of deleting their Orkut account. And we all know, where Facebook is. </div>
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Ever heard a story of somebody beating his competitor with his competitor's weapon. <b>Facebook</b>'s battle with <b>Orkut</b> is a classic example !!<br />
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PS: Wish you all a very very happy and prosperous new year 2012 :-) </div>
</div>Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-67317355241858282352011-10-18T03:30:00.003+05:302011-10-18T03:42:16.453+05:30Project 4 Speech at Toastmasters - How to say it<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Project 4 speech is considered as a very important milestone in Toast Masters's communication track, in fact many people believe this should be taken as the first sign, of one being serious about achieving his or her Competent Communicator goal. So following that trend, I recently delivered my Project 4 speech at Orators, the Toast Master club that I am part of. I am not going to list down the speech objectives, as they have been described at length, quite beautifully in Toast Master Competent Communicator manuals. The speech text follows</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kirr..Thuck..Kirrrrr..Thuck..KirrrrrrrrrrrrrrR..Haan haan haah. When I woke up, I realized it was not my mobile's alarm, but the doorbell, which was ringing; ringing out loud; <b>loud enough to wake up even the dead</b>. I got down from my bed, started walking with my legs <b>as heavy as those of an elephant</b>. I reached the main-gate while still rubbing my eyes. Kya SaaB, Etna Der Se Baja Raha Hai , <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bais_Rajput">Bhains</a> kee mafik so raha tha Kya (I am knocking for a long time, but you were sleeping <b>like a buffallo</b>. I saw my maid thundering <b>like a rocket</b> (Dhech Kaun. Dhech Kaun.. taking evasive action..) I didn't say anything. As has been the norm set earlier, I only said Sorry, promised that from next day onwards, she will not have to complain about anything and let her enter my house.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fellow toastmasters and guest, right then I suddenly saw something, which had the potential of setting the tone for rest of the day, may be even rest of my life. As I stood in my balcony, I saw two young girls making their way towards my house, one <b>as gorgeous as a greek goddess</b> and other <b>as ugly as a wicked vamp</b> frequently seen in 70’s-80’s bollywood movies. I have understood physics, <a href="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/albert_einstein">Einstein</a>’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_relativity">relativity theory</a>, maths, numbers; how infinity plus infinity equals infinity, I have even understood how <a href="http://indiatvnews.com/">India TV</a> shows live ghosts talking to its journalists. (<b>l have even figured out how Amitabh Bachchan starts his day using Big Babool tooth-pase, apply Boro Plus on his face, consume Dabur Chyawanprash, get dressed in a Reid and Taylor suite and drive down a Ferrari and end his day with a blog on BigAdda : </b><i>I had to skip it, because of time-constraint</i>). But I have failed; failed miserably in understanding why a good-looking girl is almost always accompanied with an equally bad-looking one. (Optional : Describe their clothing, their jewellery, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nail_polish">nail-polish</a> etc to create picture … : <i>Again skipped due to time-crunch</i>), a classic case of <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakhi_Sawant">Rakhi Sawant</a> giving company to an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aishwarya_%28actress%29">Aishwarya</a> Rai</b>.</span></div><div style="background-color: transparent;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But I was not distracted, my eyes were firmly fixed on my target that is the good-looking one, very much <b>like an eagle eyeing its prey</b>. I waited anxiously <b>with bated breath</b> for their arrival. When they were at a stone’s throw way, I got excited. But those high hopes were soon to be <b>left high and dry</b>. When they came close enough, I heard a word; an <b>unforgettable word which was not to be forgotten</b> for the rest of my life. Uncle !! Uncle !! </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I looked around, but could not spot anybody. I was convinced that these ladies had inadvertently called me Uncle, One single word “Uncle” poured gallons of cold water onto all my dreams, I was shattered, my world came crashing down into heaps. <b>Dejected, disgusted, and devastated</b>, I slammed the door behind and made a quiet exit from the scene. It was time to introspect. I got up and looked into the mirror. I discovered that the Y and Z co-ordinates for my body were becoming more prominent than my X-coordinates. I said to myself “This is not the end of world”. I decided to loose weight and look <b>as macho as Hrithik Roshan</b>, <b>as muscular as The Great Khali</b>. But I didn’t know where to start ?? As I was making up my mind, suddenly I noticed a gentleman, <b>as thin as a toothpick</b>, driving an auto in-front of my house. At the back of his auto, I saw a huge poster of Arnold proudly flashing his over-toned biceps and bulging muscles. At the right hand corner, a mobile number was listed along with a tall claim “Build a dream body in 2 week’s time”, I memorized the number and hurriedly wrote it down on a piece of paper <b>at a speed, reminiscent of the promptness</b>, Digvijay Singh shows in issuing controversial statements.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I called up the number, enrolled myself with a subscription costing way more than my salary. But help came from <b>unexpected corners</b>, HSBC, ICICI, HDFC I had plastic cards, not one, not two but a whole bunch of them. I also bought a treadmill for my morning jog and a couple of dumb-bells for my biceps, non-existent by the way. But, I over-estimated my own capabilities, <b>like most of us do</b>, when putting your alarm-clock before going to bed. I was my usual self, <b>lazy, lethargic, laid-back</b> and hardly used any of these equipments. After a week, I noticed my maid doing innovative things with these equipments. She had a perennial complain w,r,t a cloth-hanger, she finally found one in my treadmill. She used to crib about non-availability of mixer-and-grinder. She used my unused dumb-bells for that. I was glad that if not me, at least these equipments are being put to good use by maid and in-fact have made her happy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But honeymoon doesn’t last forever, do they ?? The worst was about to come. I started receiving numerous calls and messages from the Retail Store reminding me of the balance payment due on my last purchase. When I skipped my credit-card payment, banks didn’t <b>leave any stone unturned</b> in announcing me as a defaulter, a fugitive and letting me know, that I am far more dangerous than a dreaded gangster like Dawood Imbrahim and more corrupt than even A.Raja. After multiple default on my payments, the recovery-agents thronged my house. I had a live-demo of Judo-Karate and Marshal-Art at my house, as I received a royal thrashing from them. I landed in a government hospital, thanks to my roommate. <b>Battered, bruised and injured</b>, I always thought about my dream, a <b>sweat dream</b>, that had just turned into a <b>horrible nightmare</b> ; a nightmare, which haunts me even today. When I got discharged from hospital, I was barely recognizable, as I had lost almost half of my body weight. I had finally achieved my goal, that of loosing weight, albeit via an unconventional path; not by 5 KG, not by 10Kg, but a full 50%. It was <b>like getting a 50% discount</b>, when we go shopping at Big Bazaar.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My journey towards a lighter, thinner version of myself, had finally come to an end. But with so many twists and turns, it couldn’t have been more eventful and exciting. Over to you, ToastMaster.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PS: It was again a cooked up story, but was liked by all fellow Toast Master members and my evaluators alike. In fact, I was one of the very few members in our Orators club, to have cleared Project 4 speech on their first attempt :-)</span></div></div></div><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><br />
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</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.zemanta.com/"></a></span><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=e5d17c88-27c3-44fc-92ba-e4634103dfd5" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; float: right; text-align: justify;" /></a></div></div>Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-18299696637670955722011-10-12T00:30:00.000+05:302011-10-18T04:19:08.283+05:30Guest Blogger on BlogDefined.Com<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About a year back, I started searching for opportunities to do Guest Blogging on other blogs. The first one (and so far the last one :-) that I tried my hands on was <a href="http://blogdefined.com/">BlogDefined.com</a>. It is owned by a full-time blogger Pankaj Gupta,who is a known expert in the field of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and SEM (Search Engine Marketing) and is currently based out of Bangalore. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wrote a total of 9 blogs for <a href="http://blogdefined.com/">BlogDefined.com</a> of which 3 were related to Cricket, so not really relevant today. However, there were other good posts about Blogging, Social Media, Smart phone specifications, which were liked by <a href="http://blogdefined.com/">BlogDefined.com</a>'s readers, as reflected by the number of comments, they attracted.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />Technology/Blogging/Social Media/Smart Phone/E-Commerce</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. How To Enable Logging into Facebook Account Using Gmail Yahoo MySpace</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogdefined.com/5161/how-enable-logging-facebook-account-using-gmail-yahoo-myspace">http://www.blogdefined.com/5161/how-enable-logging-facebook-account-using-gmail-yahoo-myspace</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This blog post talks about a way on how to enable logging into your Facebook account using your Gmail, Yahoo or MySpace credentials.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Motorola Quench XT5 PC Suite Specifications Review Features Price</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogdefined.com/4980/motorola-android-quench-xt5-mobile-phone-pc-suite-specifications-review-features-price">http://www.blogdefined.com/4980/motorola-android-quench-xt5-mobile-phone-pc-suite-specifications-review-features-price</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This blog post gives a product-review of (then newly) Motorola Quench XT5 Handset.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. How To Add Share It Social Networking Buttons To All Your Blog Posts</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogdefined.com/4593/how-add-share-it-social-networking-buttons-blog">http://www.blogdefined.com/4593/how-add-share-it-social-networking-buttons-blog</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This blog post talks about an inbuilt facility inside Blogger to provide a "Share it Social Networking Button" on your blogger blogs.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. Lava A10 Mobile Phone PC Suite Specifications Review Features Price</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogdefined.com/4502/lava-a10-mobile-phone-pc-suite-specifications-review-features-price">http://www.blogdefined.com/4502/lava-a10-mobile-phone-pc-suite-specifications-review-features-price</a></div>
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This blog post gives a product-review of (then newly) launched Lava A10 Handset.</div>
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5. Introducing Like-Dislike Option In All Your Blog Posts</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogdefined.com/188/introducing-like-dislike-option-in-all-your-blog-posts/">http://www.blogdefined.com/188/introducing-like-dislike-option-in-all-your-blog-posts/</a></div>
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This blog post talks about an inbuilt facility inside Blogger to provide an equivalent of “Like-Dislike” feature of Facebook onto your Blogger blogs.</div>
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6. Best Sites Portals For Ordering Buying Books Online</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogdefined.com/116/best-sites-portals-for-ordering-buying-books-online">http://www.blogdefined.com/116/best-sites-portals-for-ordering-buying-books-online</a></div>
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This blog post talks about all websites, which offer online purchase of books, brand new books as well as second hand books.</div>
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<b>Cricket</b></div>
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1. Pakistan New Zealand Test Series ODI T20 Schedule Results Match Summary</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogdefined.com/4967/pakistan-new-zealand-test-series-odi-t20-schedule-results-match-summary">http://www.blogdefined.com/4967/pakistan-new-zealand-test-series-odi-t20-schedule-results-match-summary</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Indian Premier League 2011 IPL 4 Players Auction Latest Update & News</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogdefined.com/4680/indian-premier-league-ipl-players-auction-updates-news">http://www.blogdefined.com/4680/indian-premier-league-ipl-players-auction-updates-news</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Pakistan South Africa Test Series 2010 Schedule Results Match Summary</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.blogdefined.com/113/pakistan-south-africa-test-series-2010-schedule-results-match-summary">http://www.blogdefined.com/113/pakistan-south-africa-test-series-2010-schedule-results-match-summary</a></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-14559276453792318012011-10-05T03:13:00.002+05:302011-10-05T14:23:38.551+05:30Thanda Matlab CocaCola :-)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, It has been a while, since I last wrote a blog. But then, there are far too many things happening on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">personal and professional front, so as to keep be too occupied to find time for my writings.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Recently during one of <b>Toast Master</b> Sessions, the table-topic that I choose to speak on was the famous <b><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca-Cola" rel="wikipedia" title="Coca-Cola">Coca Cola</a></b> tagline: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Thandha <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.mathworks.com/products/matlab/" rel="homepage" title="MATLAB">Matlab</a> Coca Cola</b>. I tried recollecting my thoughts and came across a nice anecdote from my childhood </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">days, which made for an interesting speech (at least, judging my audience's response), as it resulted into me being duly rewarded with "<b>Best Table Topic Speaker</b>" </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">award at the end of the session. Unlike <b>Toast Master Table Topics</b>, where I am constrained by a 2 minute duration </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">for my speech (plus or minus 30 seconds grace period), there is no such restriction imposed on my writings, as far as my </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">blog is concerned :-). After all, this is my blog-space, is not it ;-)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Every time, I hear this <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch_phrase" rel="wikipedia" title="Catch phrase">catch-phrase</a> "<b>Thanda matlab Coca Cola</b>", I can't help but go back to my school days, busy </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">doing my utmost preparation, so that I could be go as part of a "<b>Baraat Party</b>". One of my cousin was getting married and he </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">happened to be married to a girl from a somewhat rich family. When we reached bride's place, we were </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">served with cold-drinks, not in bottles or cans, but in plastic glasses (also called "<b>Piyo Pheko</b>" glasses in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">rural lingo). As far as my memory goes, this was (probably) my first encounter with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_drink" rel="wikipedia" title="Soft drink">Soft Drinks</a>. In all </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage" rel="wikipedia" title="Marriage">marriages</a>, attended before, we used to be served with Sugar (at times saccharin too, if situation demanded aggressive cost-cutting :-)) based "Sarbat",</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> laced with tinge of Rasna (Remember the catch line from 90's : "I Love You Rasna"). So when I was served with a glass bearing a black colour, full of Coca Cola, looking </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">different from all the previous Sarbat-Offering, I was little apprehensive about <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine_tasting" rel="wikipedia" title="Wine tasting">tasting</a> it. But I had no choice, so I just accepted </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it gracefully, held it in my right hand, pretended to drink it and started watching others as to what they were planning to do or </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">already doing with their glasses.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In one corner, we had our grand father, sitting and chatting with his cousins and friends(in the same age </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">group). The conversation was somewhat typical to people from old generations, which went like this</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sushil : What is this black coloured substance, they have served to us. Does any of you have any idea as </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to what this could be ??</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Falgu : No clue, I have attended enough marriages in my lifetime, but never seen anything like this. Must be something specific to towns and cities, as I don't remember coming across anything of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">this sort before in villages. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grand Pa (patting his falling forehead with his right hand) : I feel sorry for this younger generation. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are going no where (with a voice filled with sorrow). Look, what they have done. They started serving </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distilled_beverage" rel="wikipedia" title="Distilled beverage">liquors</a> openly during marriages. Even in our times, we used to have it served, but only to a selected few </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">individuals and that too under the table. But, sadly times have changed. Those were the golden old days !!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Without they realizing it, I was eavesdropping on their conversation. In my <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textbook" rel="wikipedia" title="Textbook">school books</a> and elsewhere, I had read enough about liquor and evil effects of its consumption. So on hearing this, I almost felt happy </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and vindicated of sorts, that I had not touched and tasted the so-called <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine_glass" rel="wikipedia" title="Wine glass">wine-glass</a>. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But then there were few hooligan-types, so called macho-men in brides' side, who were drinking coca-cola in big-gulps </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and were even asking for more. When they saw the gang of my grand-father and few other oldies not even touching these soft-drinks, they </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">went berserk. They started mocking and making fun of us, few of them even started hooting us (it is almost fashionable for people from bride's side to be making </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">fun/mockery of people on groom's side. In general, it is kept within acceptable limits, but sometimes, it does tend to go a little overboard though). They were shouting at the top of their voice : <b>Thanda Matlab Coca Cola</b>..<b>Thanda Matlab Coca Cola</b> ..</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I silently watched all this proceedings from side lines and thought to myself "Why are these people going mad over some gentlemen not touching these black-coloured offerings, which (in their opinion) could possibly be wine ??". For a moment, I thought that all these turbo-charged people were doing, what they were doing, under the influence of alchohol. But at the same time, I didn't want myself to be classified alongside these old orthodox people, so I decided to give cold-drinks an honest try. I took the first ship, but I could not swallow even a single drop of it. The moment, it crossed my throat, I felt like a burning train moving through my digestion-system. For a moment, I thought of throwing it, but then I was leaving myself up for abuse by these hooligans. So I gave it another try. To my surprise (and many others who were with me), I showed enough perseverance to try it second time and this time, I was able to swallow half of it. I was glad, that finally, I was taking it. But little did I realize, that was hardly the end of my troubles. From that point onwards, every time, I bulged, I could feel the Carbon Dioxide gas coming out of my nostrils and through my mouth, creating burning sensation in both the places. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I write this, I can still feel that chilling sensation running through my body, as I get nostalgic about those days. So when did you first had an encounter with soft-drinks ?? When was the first time, you actually tasted it and ended up finishing one or two glasses ??</span></div><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=cc05e590-eb2d-4f0d-a452-42843cfedb79" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div></div>Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com1Bengaluru, Karnataka, India12.9715987 77.59456269999998312.7518902 77.342821199999989 13.191307199999999 77.846304199999977tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-54103734112549967242011-06-30T04:06:00.005+05:302011-06-30T04:16:29.834+05:30The Great Battle Of Giants : Microsoft 365 against Google Apps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Microsoft has just launched its hosted productivity apps service, <b><a class="zem_slink" href="http://office365.microsoft.com/" rel="homepage" title="Microsoft Office 365">Office 365</a></b>, which brings together <b>Microsoft Office</b>, <b>SharePoint Online</b>, <b>Exchange Online</b> and <b>Lync Online</b>. This suite has been targeted at small and midsize businesses, which represent nearly two-thirds of global job growth, but don't have the money to make big investments and complex IT Infrastructure.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This has direct competition from <b>Google Apps</b>, which has been around for nearly 4 years. Although, they may look like competitors, on closer examination, <b>Office 365</b> and <b>Google Apps</b> turn out to be two different products. <b>Office 365</b> is meant to be used with a desktop installed version of Office (preferably <b>Office 2010</b>), whereas <b>Google Apps</b> is <b>100 percent in the browser</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and doesn't require any desktop installation. So comparing them, as to which one is superior, sounds like comparing apples and oranges. However, there are certainly some differentiating factors, that will help organization, especially SMBs, make a choice, as to which cloud, they want to live with in future.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is a brief feature-wise pricing details for Google Apps and Office 365</span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Google Apps (free version) -- Gmail, Calendar, Docs and Sites. All with your domain name. Also other Google apps like Reader, Blogger, Picasa. <b>Up to 10 accounts</b>, <b>7GB limit each for Gmail</b>, various other limits for other apps. You can buy more storage, though.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Google Apps for Business -- Everything in the free version plus <b>25GB limit on email</b>. Google Video for Business and Google Groups for Business. BlackBerry and Microsoft Outlook Interoperability. SSO, forced SSL, custom password strength requirements. 99.9% uptime guarantee SLA and 24/7 support. <b>$50 per user/per year or $5 per user/per month</b>.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Google Apps non-profit -- same as Business deal, <b>$30 per user/per year<br />
</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/buy-small-business.aspx">Office 365 Plan P</a> -- Email, calendar, contacts, personal archive, and <b>25 GB mailbox storage</b> with <b>25 MB attachments</b>. Online document viewing and basic editing capabilities with <a class="zem_slink" href="http://office2010.microsoft.com/en-us/web-apps/" rel="homepage" title="Office Web Apps">Office Web Apps</a>. View files from mobile devices. SharePoint Online. Instant messaging, presence, online meetings, desktop sharing and PC-to-PC audio/video calls with Lync Online. Antivirus/antispam with Microsoft Forefront Online Protection for Exchange. Up to 50 users. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>$6 per user/per month</b></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Office 365 midsize businesses and enterprises -- Plan P and a whole lot of <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/office365/buy-midsize-enterprise.aspx">other features</a>. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>$10-$27 per user/per month</b></span></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Google Apps has ~ 3 million users, but Microsoft boast of ten times as many for Office web apps and as many as 750 million users worldwide, making use of its Desktop based Office Productivity Suite. So just going by sheer numbers make MS the clear-favorite in this great battle of giants. When it comes to pricing, Google Apps does score over Office 365, but the difference is somewhat minuscule (Google Apps for Business at $5 per user/per month or $50 per user/per year while $6 per user/per month Office 365 for Business) and not a significant one, so as to hand over Google Apps a major advantage over Office 365. So looks like the real contest is only between Google Apps Free Version and Office 365 Plan P. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Office Apps is definitely a better option for individuals and organization seeking an elaborate, formal and polished face on communications. However, For organizations, where most of the work happen online, Google Apps seems like a reasonable choice. Office Apps is a better choice, where individuals have got used to using Office Productivity Suite and are not really comfortable moving data to the cloud.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sources/Further Reading: </span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;"><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Frugal Admin: Office 365 tempts me to give up Google Apps, and it will tempt you</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.betanews.com/article/The-Frugal-Admin-Office-365-tempts-me-to-give-up-Google-Apps-and-it-will-tempt-you/1309365956">http://www.betanews.com/article/The-Frugal-Admin-Office-365-tempts-me-to-give-up-Google-Apps-and-it-will-tempt-you/1309365956</a></div></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Want to pay three times more than Google Apps? Office 365 is for you</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <br />
<a href="http://www.betanews.com/joewilcox/article/Want-to-pay-three-times-more-than-Google-Apps-Office-365-is-for-you/1309278999">http://www.betanews.com/joewilcox/article/Want-to-pay-three-times-more-than-Google-Apps-Office-365-is-for-you/1309278999</a></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Great Battle: Microsoft 360 against Google Apps</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.newsystocks.com/News/4098760/the-great-battle-microsoft-360-against-google-apps">http://www.newsystocks.com/News/4098760/the-great-battle-microsoft-360-against-google-apps</a></span></li>
</ul></div><div class="zemanta-related"><h6 class="zemanta-related-title" style="font-size: 1em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Related articles</span></h6><ul class="zemanta-article-ul"><li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.microsoft-watch.com/content/web_services_browser/microsofts_office_365_ready_to_duel_google_apps.html?kc=MWRSS02129TX1K0000535">Microsoft's Office 365 Ready to Duel Google Apps</a> (microsoft-watch.com)</span></li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://gigaom.com/collaboration/microsoft-takes-on-google-apps-finally-launches-office-365/">Microsoft takes on Google Apps, finally launches Office 365</a> (gigaom.com)</span></li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://billbennett.co.nz/is-microsoft-office-365-priced-right-for-new-zealand/">Is Microsoft Office 365 priced right for New Zealand?</a> (billbennett.co.nz)</span></li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-20074973-75/google-swipes-at-office-365-ahead-of-its-release/?part=rss&subj=news">Google swipes at Office 365 ahead of its release</a> (news.cnet.com)</span></li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://news.consumerreports.org/electronics/2011/06/microsoft-launches-office-365-a-shot-across-google-apps-bow.html">Microsoft launches Office 365, a shot across Google Apps' bow</a> (news.consumerreports.org)</span></li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.co.uk/2011/06/28/google_takes_aim_at_microsoft_office_365/">Google in preemptive strike on Microsoft Office 365</a> (go.theregister.com)</span></li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://googleindia.blogspot.com/2011/06/365-reasons-to-consider-google-apps.html">365 reasons to consider Google Apps</a> (googleindia.blogspot.com)</span></li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.co.uk/2011/06/28/office_365_v_google_apps/">Google Apps v Microsoft Office 365: Rumble in the enterprise</a> (go.theregister.com)</span></li>
</ul></div><div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"><a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_e.png?x-id=4001450d-4b79-465c-a7e0-81af4f313941" style="border: none; float: right;" /></span></a></div></div>Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-15313794132479336432010-12-16T10:51:00.007+05:302010-12-17T12:54:36.898+05:30Blog Updates<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">It has been close to a month, since I wrote my last blog entry. During the second half of November, I have been mostly on vacation, so when I got back, I got too busy with work (I am a full-time employee@Oracle :-) and hardly had anytime to update my blogs.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sorry folks, if you have paid a visit to my blog in recent times and went back disappointed. But just give me couple of weeks time, there are plenty of anecdotes to be shared with my readers. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">If you are really bored, you can always check out some of my other blogs that I have written recently </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://ritusays.wordpress.com/">http://ritusays.wordpress.com/</a> (Writing with pseudo name Don)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://manvantarablr.wordpress.com/">http://manvantarablr.wordpress.com</a> (Oracle Toastmasters Club Blog)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.blogdefined.com/">www.blogdefined.com</a> (Guest blogger with Author Name Sumanjee)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hope you enjoy reading my other blogs, as much as you enjoyed this :-) </span>Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-32349014528391092502010-11-18T01:23:00.001+05:302010-12-05T14:58:07.667+05:30Stone Age Techie<div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In one of ToastMaster sessions, fellow TM Venkat happened to share his exploits with Smart-Phones and Social-Networking-Websites. Venkat belong to one of those rare breed of techies, who has a fan-following large enough to convince him to do Mobile-Tweeting. During his Project 2 speech, he managed to convince all of us, including me, into believing that we all are living in a networking age : age of Google and Facebook and how its essential to be connected not only to your neighbour or to your friends, but to the entire world !!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But of-late I came across another incident, which surprised me a great deal and forced me to rethink whether Venkat was right.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I happened to invite one of my friend along with his gorgeous wife on dinner. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">My friend is also from IIT Kharagpur, the same IIT I belong to, and currently holds a plum-post at one of the startups (he doesn't believe in cooling off his heels at big corporations and prefer small companies). Armed with </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">excellent technical skills but somewhat pulled down by below-par communication skills, h</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">e is earning as much as anyone else.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">During the dinner, we had our usual talks, Bollywood, Cricket, Office Work and all those jazz. I shared with him one of the ugly incidents that recently happened involving my blog (this very blog ;-). He was somewhat surprised to discover that even blogs can create trouble at work place and asked me "Do you blog ??". I said "Yes, I used to do it intermittently, but of-late became a regular at that". To this, he replied "Haan, You work for a big corporation with plenty of free time, so you can afford blogging. Waise bhee </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Blogging to wahi log karte hain jinke paas bahut sara khali time hoga" (Blogging is mostly done by only those people, who has a lot of spare time at their disposal !!)</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I was shocked.I couldn't believe what I just heard. An IIT graduate working in software industry for about 6 years just rejected blogging (the biggest take away from Web 2.0) as merely a time-pass. I asked him "How about those CXOs of corporations, as big as Google and as small as Cleartrip !! Even they blog. Does that mean they have more spare time than a senior software developer working at a mobile startup ??". There was no answer from my friend, he could have given one, only if he had one !!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I started wondering, how on earth these techies are surviving the test of times ?? But then I realized, may be India's silicon valley doesn't disappoint anyone, not even these stone-age techies :-)</span></div></div>Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-73391135559683168992010-11-17T16:14:00.007+05:302010-11-17T16:43:50.418+05:30What Is In A Name<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was following Cricinfo Live-Commentary on 1st test-match between Sri Lanka and West Indies. As rain stopped play and the commentators got tired of providing weather-updates, the followers themselves decided to have some fun by discussing some interesting anecdotes not related to Cricket. Somehow a topic involving persons with long names came up for discussion. Here are few interesting ones.</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the Sri Lankan players, who have the longest name in Cricket History, are</span></div><div><div><ul><li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Amunugama Rajapakse Rajakaruna Abeykoon Panditha Wasalamudiyanse Ralahamilage Rajitha Krishantha Bandara Amunugama popularly known as Rajitha Amunugama. He </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">boasted 11 initials - a fitting number for a member of a cricket XI, but nothing sort of a headache for scorers and journalists.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Arya Kastriya Takurartiya Dawaditya Gadyawasam Lidamullage Asitha Suraj de Silva popularly known as Suraj de Silva. Total 10 words.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Manampeli Mahapata Bandhi Ralalage Supun Tharanga Coory Wanigaratne popularly known as Supun Tharanga. Total 8 initials</span></li>
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<li style="text-align: justify;">Uda Walawwe Mahim Bandaralage Chanaka Asanga Welegedara popularly known as Chanaka Welegedara. Total 7 words</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Warnakulasuriya Patabendige Ushantha Joseph Chaminda Vaas popularly known as Chaminda Vaas. Total 6 initials</li>
</span></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Imagine a cricket team, featuring all of them and few more that I may have missed. What a day for the scorekeepers and journalists, you can be sure that they will be cursing them forever !! </span><br />
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I went ahead and googled for the person with the longest name and found that the award for the longest name for a person belongs to a German immigrant to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The name he was given at birth, and which somehow fitted on his passport started with 26 words followed by 588 characters and finally ending with Senior.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First and Middle names had a total of 26 words, one apiece for every alphabet in English</span><br />
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</span></div></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Adolph Blaine Charles David Earl Frederick Gerald Hubert Irvim John Kenneth Loyd Martin Nero Oliver Paul Quincy </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Randolph Sherman Thomas Uncas Victor Willian Xerxes Yancy Zeus</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</div></div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His Last name had only 588 characters :-)</div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wolfeschlegelsteinhausenbergerdorffvoralternwarengewissenhaf</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">tschaferswesenchafewarenwholgepflegeundsorgfaltigkeitbeschut</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">zenvonangereifenduchihrraubgiriigfeindewelchevorralternzwolf</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">tausendjahresvorandieerscheinenbanderersteerdeemmeshedrraums</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">chiffgebrauchlichtalsseinursprungvonkraftgestartseinlangefah</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">rthinzwischensternartigraumaufdersuchenachdiesternwelshegeha</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">btbewohnbarplanetenkreisedrehensichundwohinderneurassevanver</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">standigmenshlichkeittkonntevortpflanzenundsicherfreunanleben</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">slamdlichfreudeundruhemitnichteinfurchtvorangreifenvonandere</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">rintlligentgeschopfsvonhinzwischensternartigraum</span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally the last word (Sigh ...)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Senior</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thankfully, the gentleman had <i>"shortened"</i> his <i>long-name</i> to Mr Wolfe Plus 585 Sr !!</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you still want to know What is in a Name ??</span></div>Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-31723213656859588372010-11-07T18:38:00.005+05:302010-11-16T10:08:48.786+05:30State Bank Of India<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">SBI, even though it is the largest bank in India, never inspired me enough to open an account with them. Every time I heard this acronym SBI, all I could think was the Slowest Bank Of India rather that its actual expansion, State Bank Of India. But I was in for a surprise, when I went to open a savings account recently. I had already mentally prepared myself for a long haul, running across different counters, filling out numerous forms and all those classic red-tape things, that one could expect at a PSU. But things were different this time around and I soon was to find that out.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">As I enter the branch, I notice a gentleman greeting me with a gentle smile on his face "Hello Sir, How are you ?? How can I help you ??" I told him, I am in for opening an account. He offered me a chair and handed over a one-page form to me. As I was filling this form, I enquired about the mandatory documents. The gentleman said "Sir, all we require for your account is an identity proof and an address proof". I said "I have a Passport and a Ration-Card, will that be enough ??". Gentleman replied in affirmation and handed over another 4-page form to me and instructed me to fill in all relevant details. After about 10 minutes, I submitted my form to him, he duly checked all the details and said "We are done with form-filling and documents verification, now just pay 1100 Rs at cash-counter and collect all your details like Debit-Card, PIN, Cheque-Book at New Accounts Section Counter No ..".</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
Before he could finish his line, I interrupted him "How about a guaranteer ?? Is not that also required for opening an account@SBI ??" The gentleman replied "Those were the days, Sir !! We don't mandate a guaranteer for new accounts any more" I said to myself "WoW". Since I didn't knew anyone having an account in this branch, this was a huge relief for me.<br />
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I am sure, not just for me, this must be a welcome sign for anyone willing to open an account in SBI. Otherwise, you would have to literally beg in front of other account-holders, that you could spot in the bank at that time, to become a guaranteer for you. I had to show off my identity card that I work for so and so company, all my certificates, xeroxes supported by originals, that I am not a terrorist by any stretch of imagination. And even then, guaranteers were hard to find. If you are lucky, you may very well find a generous fella, if not you may have to run across many of them, before anyone of them agrees to become a guaranteer for you.<br />
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After this I moved on to the cash-counter. It took me another 5 minutes to complete the formalities at the cash-counter. I filled a cash-deposit form, took a token and waited for my turn. In almost no time, my turn had come(here again my prejudice had recommended me to wait, wait patiently for a long time, after all it was a <i>"Sarkari Bank"</i>, but I was again proven wrong by this <i>new avatar</i> of SBI).<br />
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After I paid 1100 Rs at cash-counter, I walked across to "New Accounts Section" and showed them my account-opening-form along with the payment-slip. The lady there at the counter asked me to produce the originals. I promptly took out all originals from my folder and showed it to her. She verified all the details provided against the same and offered her hands for a handshake "Congrats !! You are now an SBI customer ?? After the hand-shake, she handed me over an envelope and informed "Sir, you will be receiving your Passbook after 3-4 days. I opened the envelope, it consisted of almost everything that a new-account-holder would want, an ATM card, its PIN, a cheque book,a mobile banking pin etc. I was amazed with this show, put up by SBI employees. All it took me was mere 15 minutes to open an account with a Sarkari Bank, WoooooW !!<br />
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Way to go SBI, you impressed me and won my heart many times over. In a span of 15 minutes, my notion of SBI being a Slowest Bank Of India changed to a Superfast Bank Of India !! It will be some time, before we can call them as a Supreme Bank Of India in terms of agility and nimbleness, but its definitely changing, changing for the good, not only for itself, but also for all its customers.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
I wish BSNL could also adopt similar attitude for its broadband operations(not many of us would be interested in their landlines and mobile-connections any way). I heard it offers the best internet in terms of connectivity, speed and reliability, but only if you manage to get one :-)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div>Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12350709.post-10857945818700634952010-11-06T16:26:00.001+05:302010-11-06T16:39:44.194+05:303G Life<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">3G - The moment I heard this word, one question immediately came to my mind : what is 3G? Is it 3rd generation or simply GGG which could possibly have meant God Gifted Gizmo.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I remember the day when I was in college and had to miss my home-trips on Diwali, owing to exams scheduled right after Diwali. Yes, we did burst crackers, we did lit diyas, we did had delicious sweet dishes, we still had those laughs and moments of joy with our friends. But, somewhere something was missing. I tried visualizing my parents how ecstatic they would be on Diwali, what are the dishes my mom would have cooked, how many types of bombs and rockets my brother had bought. But I failed, failed miserably in doing so. I called them on mobile and talked to them at length endlessly. In fact I pampered them with questions. Yes, I got to know all I wanted. But I was not satisfied. The sense of missing them and not able to see them was hurting. I was depressed, sitting in my room all alone, dreaming about the day, when I would be with them on Diwali. I wish I could have 3G back then. Well, it would not have felt the same, being at home with family members and friends, but it would surely have given a sense of "being there". My sweet mother's loving face would have been just a video-call away. My brother's adventurous bombing and tricks with crackers would have been playing in front of my eyes. My fathers' concerning voice and anxious face would have visible too. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Only if, I had 3G !!<br />
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This diwali, Tata Docomo is launching 3G all across India. More details can be found at their official 3G Life website http://www.3glife.com/.<br />
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PS: This is my entry to <a href="http://www.indiblogger.in/indipost.php?post=38174">3G Life IndiBlogger</a> contest organized by Tata DOCOMO, please vote for me, if you like it.</div></div>Sumanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09942414358735746913noreply@blogger.com3