Plastic smiles for long!!

Recently, I was visiting 'more' retail shop. My friend told me that the food items at more is always fresh and better. The store stood true to its fame but one thing was disheartening. I saw reams of plastic bags being used there. No need to mention how hazardous these bags are. Also, 'more' is not the only one store to use these bags. Everybody uses these bags. But, I was amazed to see that the storekeepers there insist people to use such bags. Even though, I bought 2 capsicums, I had to keep those in a large plastic bags and put some green chillies in another huge bag . Now, this needs serious concern.

Plastics are non-biodegradable materials. It takes around 10,000 years to recycle a plastic bag. If necessary use it. But at least we should avoid the use of such materials. Have a look at any garbage dump and then you will realise how hazardous this material is.

In spite of using plastic carry bags, we can use paper bags or of other materials.

Say no to plastics, it kills the mother earth.

Hinjewadi Traffic League - 2008

Welcome to the new avataar of Hinjewadi Traffic League -2008. The league has got bigger because of the commencing of Phase 2 and 3 IT park at Hinjewadi. Feel the gruelling sounds of monster buses lazying around you. With the newly brought circuit by Pune police, it has got more chaotic than it was ever. You will start feeling the heat straight from Wakad. For beginners, even Aundh circuit can play havoc.

" Every morning, in the jungles of south Africa, when a lion wakes up, he knows he has to outsmart the slowest gazelle to confirm his survival. And the gazelle knows that he has to race behind the fastest lion to enjoy his breathings. "

Come prepared with whatever you can because, till the rally ends, you will end up with all your enthusiasm. Believe me, this time you will not return without getting frustrated and infuriated upon yourself as why you chose your participation. Cars rubbing shoulders against giant buses and construction vehicles. You can find all sorts of trucks, excavators, cranes, buses, cars fighting with each other to get out of this battleground, but only a handful of them get the chance to come out of it on time. And don't miss to watch crazy bikers, cutting their corners and challenging the mighty giants.

This time come prepared with enough courage, skill and aggression.

so, Do you have IT in you??

India gets NSG approval

It is time to celebrate. NSG has passed the waiver to India on nuclear trade with international community. After a long discussion at Vienna, India managed to win the confidence of the world and got the most coveted waiver for nuclear trade. This is a historic moment for us as it has opened the gates of NSG countries for India.

Lets hope that the US cabinet will also clear the agreement by this month end.

Till then, kudos to the efforts of : Manmohan Singh, Pranab Mukherjee, Shiv Shankar Menon, Shyam Saran, MK Narayanan, Anil Kakodkar, RB Grover, DB Venkatesh Varma.

Help BIHAR ..

As We all know that Bihar is witnessing the worst ever catastrophe now a days in form of deluge, It is time to contribute for the wellness of the people of this state. No matter how much we contribute, it will be useful for the victims of nature's fury.

The floodwater of river Kosi has inundated vast areas of Supaul, Madhepura and Araria districts of Bihar and is spreading into adjoining districts of Purnea and Saharsa. It has created unprecedented havoc in the lives of people and destroyed vast property.

Please contribute generously towards the Chief Minister Relief Fund, Bihar.Contributions received will be used to carry out relief operations and rehabilitation of those affected by the flood.

Contributions made to Chief Minister Relief Fund shall qualify for 100 per cent exemption from Income Tax under section 80g(2)(iii)(hf) of the Income-Tax Act.

Contributions can be sent by Cheque or Bank Draft in the name of CHIEF MINISTER RELIEF FUND payable at PATNA.

Funds can also be sent by electronic transfer into the account of: CHIEF MINISTER RELIEF FUND, State Bank of India, Account Number: 10839124928 Branch: Patna Secretariat, Bihar.

The cheques/bank drafts may be sent to the following address:CHIEF MINISTER RELIEF FUNDChief Minister Secretariat4, Deshratna Marg, PatnaBihar, India - 800001Telephone no: 0612-2222430, 2217793.e-mail: cms-secy-bih@nic.in.

What Bihar needs? The flood victims need blankets, utensils, milk powder, durries, Glucose- D.

Send all such donations to Red Cross centres across the country. Disaster Relief State Control Room Number: (0612)- 2217305, 2215027, 6452572

The time pass theory

Most of the times, I think that I am involved in a wrong job. I am made for something else and I am made to do something else. Yesterday, I borrowed a book from my friend and was reading it. I came across a very beautiful concept "The time pass theory". According to this theory, We all are born in this world with same purpose and that is to die. The journey from birth till death is just a time pass. Many times, while taking decisions of life we think about benefits, side effects etc. associated with it. Similar is the case of choosing profession, we choose a profession with just a single purpose in our mind that is to pass the time in our favourite manner.

This theory has made me think. Why am I sticking to something that doesn't interest me when my only aim in this world is to see things and pass by? The reason is obvious, money, that brings all sorts of comforts with itself. Money is the only allurement that keeps people bounded in this world of 'Maya'. Why can't we simply decide to choose what we like?

I don't know how much time will it take. But, someday I will rise against this charm of money and do what I like. Till that day, just watch and pass by.

--------

Jara hat k, jara bach k....... yeh hai duniyaa meri jaan.

Tata Crucible 2008 - pune prelims

Hi,

Here are some questions from Pune prelims.

Qs1. Which sports goods company owns the range of products under the name Ballistic, Stealth, Atomic and Velocity?

- puma
2. What is brewed at six locations across India namely Mount Shivalik in Rajasthan, Impala Breweries in Goa, Mikal in Orissa, Iceberg in Bihar, SOM in Madhya Pradesh and Manav Breweries in UP?

- Cobra

3. Who sponsored the FairPlay award at this year IPL?

- Kingfisher ( this year it was Chennai super kings )

4. Which brand owned by N Ranga Rao and Sons was amidst a controversy for it's similarity to the logo of a prominent political party?

- Cycle brand incense sticks

5. This company then (in 1852) was known as the Volcanic Repeating Arms Co. It started to produce a lever action pistol nicknamed the Volcanic Pistol (named by Scientific American because of the pistols incredible firepower and its rapid-fire capability). In 1986 it was sold to Tomkins plc of London England and subsequently in 2001 it was acquired by Saf-T-Hammer Corporation. This company was in news recently for the interest Indian Army showed.

- Smith & Wesson

6. Name this joint venture formed between Airtel and IFFCO aimed at providing a major boost to the Indian Agriculture sector

- IFFCO Kissan Sanchar

7. Who has been selected as a brand ambassador for Fly phones by Meridian Mobile. As mentioned by the company the person (male) reflects the brands chs of being a go-getter and aggressive

- Ishant Sharma

8. Which clothing company recently launched a brand of clothing for kids - OYO (On Your Own)?

- Spykar

9. By what name are the chain of specialty stores focused on selling health and beauty products launched by Dabur know as?

- newu

10. Which company (into the beverages industry speaking on a macro level) has ventured into the hospitality sector by launching The Serai, a hotel and a spa. This move demonstrates a new kind of busines concpet that the company has tapped into considering it's land bank.

- Café Coffee Day

11. Which company has recently launched its clothing line Probase. It also has two other brands in it's portfolio titled Genesis and Basis. (the name of the co. will remind you of a toys co.)

- Hasbro Clothing, chennai

12. This print syndicate launched DailyINK, an online service which bills subscribers $15 annually. DailyINK makes available, on a web page and via email, more than 70 vintage and current comic strips, plus editorial cartoons. Name this company?

- King Feature

13. This entertainment company derives its name from a famous landmark in Vancouver. It is famous for producing the Michael Moore documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, which became the studio's highest grossing film.

- Lions Gates Films

14. Which company in India produces the Nightingale brand of diaries? (_____ Fine Arts)

- Srinivas Fine Arts (SFA)

15. TIME in 1952 described this as 'a short lived, satirical pulp'. What?

- Mad ( a comic book )16. Which novelist and poet is featured on the bank notes issued by the Bank of Scotland?

- Sir Walter Scott

17. This publishing house, part of the Random House is known for its 'Borzoi' trademark. Name it

- Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. is a New York publishing house

18. Yahoo India recently launched a new concept in online search which collates and integrates the most relevant information from across the web onto a single visual search results page. Name the concept.

- Glue pages

19. It was first mentioned by Mark Twain in 1872 in his novel 'Roughing It'. There was also an attempt to trademark it by a magazine known by the same name. However it was not allowed to do so. What is being referred to here?

-

20. Terrapin, is the children's imprint of _______ It has published six books, in association with JSW, to make children aware on climate change and the nature around them. Fill in the blank

- TERI

21. Visual for Lenovo

22. Visual Y C Deveshwar

23. Visual Avon Cycle logo

24. Video SBI Ad (two old ladies traveling all the distance to wish their their old brother on his birthday. An ad highlighting the importance of relationships)

25. Video Camlin Marker (the famous ad depicting mourning in process and the village women trying to wipe off the bindi from the forehead of the "widow")


I have checked some answers on Google.

The crucible quotient

Recently I got an opportunity to participate in Tata Crucible corporate Quiz 2008. This was something for which I was waiting for so long. Everyday in my office, I find same people. Even at home, same old friends. I decided to take a break and open up myself to the world of business quotient, what we call .... the crucible quotient. Believe me it was an eye opener for me. 20 months of monotonous job had corroded my thinking. I could not find a reason to fight for. I have realized one thing in my life that it is the journey that is always exciting not the destination. Once we reach the destination, there is no satisfaction, there is only emptiness. I don't know whether it was emptiness or darkness but, world had stopped moving for me since last 20 months.

It is such a strange situation. I am getting diverted from my topic. I have a lot to write but, words are not enough to describe my feelings. I am of that breed of persons who constantly require goals to achieve, what we call in slang "danda chahiye". Otherwise, I feel emptiness in my life. This quiz was like a drop of nectar in desert. Although, I was out of the contest in prelims, I watched it for another 4 hours. I don't have words to describe my emotional state for those 4 hours. It was so wonderful. At least, I was applying my small brain there. I always think actions in two dimensions. One is intellectual advantage and the other is commercial advantage. Most of the time, my intellectual quotient wins over commercial one. This event was totally an intellectual advantage. What could be more thrilling than to watch the best of the corporate leaders applying their mind for pride of their beloved company!

In simple words, it was aw inspiring. I got some dreams from this event. These are somethings for which I can fight for. With this wish that tomorrow will be a brighter day.....

Gyan

Well, do not miss to watch the telecast of this event at CNBCTV18 on 6th sept. at 1800 hrs.

motivational

My brother sent me this message some days ago. This simply inspires:

====================================================================

People often ask me how I became successful in that six-year period of time while many of the people I knew did not. The answer is simple: The things I found to be easy to do, they found to be easy not to do. I found it easy to set the goals that could change my life. They found it easy not to. I found it easy to read the books that could affect my thinking and my ideas. They found that easy not to. I found it easy to attend the classes and the seminars, and to get around other successful people.

They said it probably really wouldn't matter. If I had to sum it up, I would say what I found to be easy to do, they found to be easy not to do.Six years later, I'm a millionaire and they are all still blaming the economy, the government and company policies, yet they neglected to do the basic, easy things.In fact, the primary reason most people are not doing as well as they could and should, can be summed up in a single word: neglect.

It is not the lack of money - banks are full of money. It is not the lack of opportunity - America, and much of the free World, continues to offer the most unprecedented and abundant opportunities in the last six thousand years of recorded history. It is not the lack of books – libraries are full of books - and they are free! It is not the schools - the classrooms are full of good teachers. We have plenty of ministers, leaders, counselors and advisors.Everything we would ever need to become rich and powerful and sophisticated is within our reach. The major reason that so few take advantage of all that we have is simply, neglect.Neglect is like an infection. Left unchecked it will spread throughout our entire system of disciplines and eventually lead to a complete breakdown of a potentially joy-filled and prosperous human life.Not doing the things we know we should do causes us to feel guilty and guilt leads to an erosion of self-confidence. As our self-confidence diminishes, so does the level of our activity. And as our activity diminishes, our results inevitably decline. And as our results suffer, our attitude begins to weaken. And as our attitude begins the slow shift from positive to negative, our self-confidence diminishes even more ... and on and on it goes.So my suggestion is that when giving the choice of "easy to" and "easy not to" that you do not neglect to do the simple, basic, "easy"; but potentially life-changing activities and disciplines.

To Your Success,

Jim Rohn
Motivational Speaker, Businessman & Self Help Author Jim Rohn is one of America's foremost business and self help leaders. He is a millionaire, entrepreneur, businessman, author, and motivational speaker.

Mind and Body, Heart and Soul.

Day before yesterday, I had a discussion with Harman. Harmanbir is my friend at office. It was just a casual discussion but he mentioned a very strong point regarding future of India. He told that If we want to really make this nation a superpower, we need to concentrate on 3 factors - proper health, proper education and good moral values. What a beautiful thought!

Many times, we overlook these small things. It is not only responsibility of government to provide these facilities. We should also think about these things as an individual. Without a good health we can't expect ourselves to work with enthusiasm. I see people working late night at offices, specially in IT industry. This is because of many reasons like lot of work, lot of technical facilities at our daytime, or sometimes just because one could not finish task in time. But, all this on stake of our health. Sometimes, we skip lunch, take junk foods. All this is dangerous to our health. Everybody should keep a watch over his health. Now coming to a broad stage. We have alarmingly poor health care facilities in rural regions. Infant mortality rate in rural sectors is increasing year by year. Still, there are villages which don't have proper sanitation facilities. We don't have cumulative growth in health care facilities. You can find better hospitals, doctors only in cities. Here comes govt. responsibility. Central as well as state govt. should join hands to improve infrastructure in rural areas. Connect these areas with cities with better roads so that one can easily reach the facilities in cities. A healthy society is a must for a stronger India.

Now, the second concern, Education. I see a significant improvement in this sector but still, more needs to be done. Apart from primary education, govt. should also expand its focus on higher education. Primary education is of no use if you don't support it with quality based higher education. Yesterday, PM promised that more IITs, IIMs and ITIs are to be started. I hope this will become a reality soon. We should also focus on streams like arts, culture, humanities. Technicians bring the innovation but art sustains it. It completes our life with reasons, with music, with paintings. We need to start IIT level institutions for arts also. No mention, political science should be given its due respect after looking at the quality of our politicians.

Another thing is moral values. A good soul is the place from where good deeds evolve. Good education and good health is useless if the moral values are not coaxed. Education is merely a tool. It totally depends on us how we use it. You can create an atomic bomb as well as atomic energy out of same nuclear reaction. Beginning from family values, we should work on business ethics. A monument is given shape only at beginning. Such is the human character. You can teach a child only till he is child. The day he becomes young, you can only give him a finishing touch. At young age, we can provide training to such guns to become entrepreneurs, business leaders, administrators and politicians of tomorrow.

I am sure that with these three things in mind, we can start our journey towards an independent India.

Happy India.

Happy India !!

It's 3 days that I was planning to post something on blog. I thought about the topic and the only one that came in my mind was Independence day. I had some plans for yesterday but every thing was washed away by my room owner. I don't know what persuaded him to snatch freedom from our hands and get a white - wash at our room. Everything is at sixes and sevens. Still it is not finished and may be today and tomorrow will also be spoiled. Anyways, now our room has got a fresher look.

Yesterday was I-day. Once again I followed the same old ritual - watching flag hoisting at Red Fort, Delhi followed by PM's speech. I was feeling envy to govt. employees as they got a fabulous hike in salaries after 6th pay commission. But, they need that in all aspects. I hope they will now work with double enthusiasm. I strongly agree to the fact that if you want better performance from your employees, you need to pay them better remuneration. All such things like work culture, atmosphere will automatically improve if the employees are willing to work. Till now, Govt. was paying them meager salary in return of their devotion towards work to most of the deserved govt. employees like Defence employees, teachers, scientists. But, I would have been happier if this hike would have been related with performance. I am slightly skeptical about the nature of society that we are building with such myopic decisions.

We need to shape a performane and competition oriented society. I don't say that only the bests should survive. But, everything should be directed towards betterment. In 1996 Atlanta olympics, we won a bronze medal in Men's double Tennis. Then in 2004, a silver in shooting. And now, in 2008, a Gold medal in shooting. I was also excited about Abhinav's win at Olympics but, then I thought where was this guy since last 1 year. We rarely heard about him in last a couple of months. Then one day I read in newspaper he was getting training under his coach somewhere out of his country. Okay, I am also proud of his win but I felt embarrassment when I got to know that he was out of country because he couldn't find proper facilities in India. This is truely shameful.

We have lots of talents here in our country but how many of them get proper training, proper coaching and proper facilities. Not only sports, we lag behind in many sectors. Education holds a paramount importance here. We claim that we are producing largest pool of technicians and engineers each year. But, only an engineer like me feels the stigma of being an engineer. Frankly speaking, I was not employable after my BE and this is the case with many young passouts like me. We are emphasising on quantity but lagging behind in quality. We miss proper infrastructure. I agree that no nation can become superpower overnight but, yes it is more than 61 years after independence. We got freedom in 1947 but we are still dependent on many other nations.
This is time to make India independent. This is time to work not only talk. I will try to bring some concerns in limelight in my next post.

Till then, Happy India.

coming down the road.

August 12, 2008, 7:40 PM, I got down from my office bus. It was like any other rainy day in pune, drizzling all over. An idea clicked in my mind.... what about starting my own blog on internet? Great... go on my boy.. I thought and created my blog. Very simple ... but, it made me think what would I write in my blogs? Same old stories... same old day do day challenges. No... for God sake Gyan, don't eat away the valuable space that blogspot has provided you. Anyways, who would read me ... my friends.. no way .. those who don't know me... but why?
After thinking a lot, I found the answer ... It will be ME. I have a lot of time .. you know. Sitting in my cubicle at my office, I think about hell lot things. Office is one place where I find true solace. I socialise there. Back to home, It is as silent as at midnight. I love the atmosphere at office. But, then my heart sinks when I see the kind of work that we are doing there. I start hating myself, people over there. Working in IT demands a lot of courage. Not in terms of the criticality it handles, but in terms of emptiness it provides.

Let me inform you beforehand that I am working in an organization that is an MNC IT service provider. As usual, I am working for an US based client. Well, I have once seen my client too when they visited us just to see how we handle their tasks here in offshore. I see talented people in my office. Those who are very good learners, those who are very good teachers. But, apart from this, I also find talent getting wasted there. Look at the kind of work these talented individuals are doing. We at India think that IT has been always very good for us, but in the longer run it will be dangerous for our talent pool. It employs best of the talents from colleges and then put them in doing some truely poor job.

Well, it is totally what I feel. No body should take it as an offence to him/her.

It's time to move on to some other topic.