President Dr.APJ Kalam's address to Indians

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalaam's speech in Hyderabad.
A must read for every Indian.

"I have three visions for India.

1. In 3000 years of our history, people from all over the world have come and invaded us, captured our lands, conquered our minds. F rom Alexander onwards. The Greeks, the Turks, the Moguls, the Portuguese, the British, the French, the Dutch, all of them came and looted us, took over what was ours. Yet we have not done this to any other nation. We have not conquered anyone.


2. We have not grabbed their land, their culture, their history and tried to enforce our way of life on them. Why? Because we respect the freedom of others. That is why my first vision is that of FREEDOM. I believe that India got its first vision of this in 1857, when we started the war of independence. It is this freedom that we must protect and nurture and build on. If we are not free, no one will respect us.


3. My second vision for India is DEVELOPMENT. For fifty years we have been a developing nation. It is time we see ourselves as a developed nation. We are among top 5 nations of the world in terms of GDP. We have 10 percent growth rate in most areas. Our poverty levels are falling. Our achievements are being global ly recognized today. Yet we lack the self-confidence to see ourselves as a developed

nation, self- reliant and self-assured. Isn't this incorrect?

4. I have a THIRD vision. India must stand up to the world. Because I believe that, unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. Only strength respects strength. We must be strong not only as a military power but also as an economic power. Both must go hand-in-hand. My good fortune was to have worked with three great minds. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai of the Dept. of space,Professor Satish Dhawan, who succeeded him and
Dr.Brahm Prakash, father of nuclear material. I was lucky to have worked with all three of them closely and consider this the great opportunity of my life.

5. I see four milestones in my career:

Twenty years I spent in ISRO. I was given the opportunity to be the project director for India's first satellite launch vehicle, SLV3. The one that launched Rohini. These years played a very important role in my life of Scientist.


After my ISRO years, I joined DRDO and got a chance to be the part of India's guided missile program. It was my second bliss when Agni met its mission requirements in 1994.

The Dept. of Atomic Energy and DRDO had this tremendous partnership in the recent nuclear tests, on May 11 and 13. This was the third bliss. The joy of participating with my team in these nuclear tests and proving to the world that India can make it, that we are no longer a developing nation but one of them. It made me feel very proud as an Indian. The fact that we have now developed for Agni a re-entry structure, for which we have developed this new material. A Very light material called carbon-carbon.


One day an orthopedic surgeon from Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences visited my laboratory. He lifted the material and found it so light that he took me to his hospital and showed me his patients. There were these little girls and boys with hea vy metallic calipers weighing over three Kg. each, dragging their feet around.


He said to me: Please remove the pain of my patients.

In three weeks, we made these Floor reaction Orthosis 300-gram calipers and took them to the orthopedic center. The children didn't believe their eyes. From dragging around a three kg. load on their legs, they could now move around!


Their parents had tears in their eyes. That was my fourth bliss!

6. Why is the media here so negative? Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements? We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them.


7. Why?

We are the first in milk production.
We are number one in Remote sensing satellites.
We are the second largest producer of wheat.
We are the second largest producer of rice.

8. Look at Dr. Sudarshan, he has transferred the tribal village into a

self-sustaining, self driving unit. There are millionsof such achievements
but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters.

9. I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert land into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news.


10. In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime. Why are we so NEGATIVE?

11. Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things?

12. We want foreign TVs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology. Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance?


13. I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is.

She replied: I want to live in a developed India.

For her, you and I will have to build this developed India. You must proclaim. India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation.


14. Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance.
Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours.

YOU say that our government is inefficient.
YOU say that our laws are too old.

YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.
YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke,
The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their
destination.
YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.

YOU say, say and say.

15. What do YOU do about it? Take a person on his way to Singapore. Give him a name - YOURS. Give him a face - YOURS. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. You pay $5 (approx.
Rs.60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOUcomeback to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity. In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai. YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah. YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the t elephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (
Rs.650) a month to, "see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else." YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55
mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, "Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost."


16. YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand.

Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo?
Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston??? We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India?


17. Once in an interview, the famous Ex-muni cipal commissioner of Bombay, Mr.Tinaikar, had a point to make. "Rich people's dogs are walked on the streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place," he said. "And then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements. What do they expect the officers to do? Go down with a broom every time their dog feels the pressure in his bowels?


18. In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan. Will the Indian citizen do that here?" He's right.

19. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility. We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect t he railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.


20. We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity. This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public. When it comes to burning social issues like those related to

women, dowry, girl child and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? "It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons' rights to a dowry." So who's going to change the system?


21. What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbors, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families in to a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr. Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.


22. Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England. When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.


23. Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too....I am echoing J.F.Kennedy's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians.....


"ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE
INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY"

24. Lets do what India needs from us.


Thank you,
Dr. Abdul Kalam
(PRESIDENT OF INDIA)

Competitive America

Compete America is determined to make America competitive, by making it easier for competent qualified individuals from around the world, come and work in the land of immigrants.

Here is their press release:
Looking ahead:2007


Wait, wait, hear this short video about the problems faced by Skilled Immigration applicants.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8979947213013752340&hl=en

Peter Boyle is no more

How can we forget Frank Barone always yearning for food or lying in front of the TV. He used to often exclaim "Holy Cr**". Was rightfully married to Marie. Well, this was all part of the television world, Peter Boyle graced. The show was "Everybody Loves Raymond".

Peter Boyle is no more: Peter Boyle is no more

The real Sidarth (Macaca) has spoken

Sidarth writes a nice article about what it is to be called a "Macaca"

I am Macaca

We are with you, Sid!

If you want to catch a glimpse of sidarth, u can here.

"Ten"dulkar

Why does Sachin Tendulkar get out at the score of 10 lately. As M.Karunanidhi commented - he is "TEN"dulkar. ;)

Stephen Colbert Rocks as ever

MSNBC reported that according to a survey (do not know which one), Stephen Colbert is the most powerful man in the media. Ofcourse, the survey is debatable because the person at the next place is Rachael Ray.

Apart from being one of People Magazine's Sexiest Men alive, Stephen has a huge huge fan following (typically youth, read college/university students). Every congressman who appeared on his show won a seat to the 110th Congress. Plus he is one of Time magazine's 100 most influential persons in 2006.

The other day on Larry King Live, John Kerry had this to say about himself - "I botched a joke, they botched a war". Interesting statement along the lines of some activist groups in Chicago, who had - "Clinton lied, but nobody died".

I do not want to comment on the politics in the US. Just what I have been hearing.

Now back to Stephen Colbert, never never forget "Truthiness" - Merriam-webster's 2006 word of the year.
TRUTHINESS

After Lizzat, here is another example why a team succeeds

Often, we are so engrossed in individual success that we forget to realize that there is tremendous strength in working together as a team. The cooperative movement has had some major successes including Amul and Lizzat (of Amul Cheese and Lizzat Papad fame).

Here is another great example of why cooperative movement is a success.
Milk is the way to dignity

It was also great to note that the Nobel Price went to Grameen Bank founder in Bangladesh.

Well, the poor, downtrodden and hopeless people will always find help in a democracy. Don't they?

Ganguly is back in Team India

Well, it is time for Sourav Ganguly to strengthen the Indian Cricket Team atleast in the test arena. Sourav is known for his guts and grittiness. He leads the team from the front (at least he got us till the WC finals in South Africa - wait, that was on flat pitches). There is no point in looking at the current series with SA. The bigger question is to be concerned about the World Cup in West Indies.

Here is a nice review of the whole situation.
Sourav’s back, what about cricket?

When the players are so over worked and loaded with money via endorsements, there is no need for the country to be too hopeful for the WC. Let the players atleast get to bat 50 overs (forget the total they will post in an inning).

Reuters article on Legal Immigration

Legal immigrants to U.S. face green card logjam

Well, this article is no different from the series of other articles, web links I have posted on this blog.

Well, if you do not think immigration for skilled people should be discussed, then the following would have never been part of the US.

1) Albert Einstein (Germany)
2) Enrico Fermi (Italy)
3) Madeline Albright (Czech)
4) Henry Kissinger
5) Bjarne Stroustrup (Denmark)
6) Liz Claiborne (Belgium)
7) Andy Grove - Founder, Intel Corp (Hungary)
8) Martina Navratoliva (Czech Republic)
9) Linus Trovalds (Finland)
10) Vinod Khosla (India)
11) Arnold Schwarzenegger (Austria)
12) Sidney Poitier (Bahamas)
13) Sir Anthony Hopkins (UK)
14) Elizabeth Taylor (UK)
15) Michael J Fox (Canada)
16) Bob Hope (UK)
17) Zubin Mehta (INDIA)
18) Arthur Rubinstein (Poland) -Pianist
19) An Wang (China) -Founder of Wang Computers
20) Joseph Pulitzer (Hungary)
21) Ang Lee (Taiwan)
22) S Chandrasekhar (INDIA)
23). Hargovind Khurana (India Nobel winner)
24). Amartya Sen (India, Nobel winner)
25). Sam Pitroda (India)
26). Bose (India)
27). Von Braun (Germany) Father of missile and Space program
29) Kalpana Chawla (India) - Astronaut
30) Jawed Karim (Bangaldesh) - YouTube Co-Founder
31) Raghuram G. Rajan (India) - Chief Economist, IMF
32) Fareed Zakaria (India) - Editor, Newsweek International and Member Council on Foreign Relations. In 2006 he was named one of the 100 most influential graduates of Harvard University.
33) Hakeem Olajuwon (Nigeria)
34) Carlos Santana (Mexico)
35) Andy Garcia (Cuba)
36) Indira Nooyi (India) - CEO PepsiCo - Most Powerful women in US
37) Niels Bohr (Denmark)
38) Andrew Carnegie (UK)
39) Charlie Chaplin (UK)
40) Levi Strauss (Germany)
41) Kiran Desai (India) - won the 2006 Man Booker Prize

There are countless prominent Scientists (including Engineers, Doctors, Physicists, Researchers) who are finding it difficult to immigrate into the US. This is because the 109th Congress did not clear any legislation related to immigration.

There is a need for everyone to push their lawmakers to make immigration for skilled workers easy.

Cover Letters from Hell

Killian Advertising is a small ad agency in Greek Town of Chicago. Here is a link on their web site that displays humorous cover letters.
Cover Letters from Hell

ABC News has a news video on this:
ABC News Video

Next time you send a cover letter. Read it 2 or 3 times after you run it through a spell checker.

Immigration for Skilled People Topic

Broaching the topic of simpler immigration rules for highly skilled immigrants from India and China, I would like to bring out this new ad banner from immigrationvoice.org



There are many eminent doctors/physicians (I am NOT one of them) that are stuck in the immigration pipeline for a long long time, in frustration, that are looking forward to some legislation. It is not the question of doctors alone - there are graduates, engineers, lawyers, business graduates etc with the same plight.

Here is another instance where in another developed nation (in this case, Australia) is opening its doors to high-skill immigration.
Australia:Skilled migrants to be fast tracked

What is the solution? Contact your local congressman and express a need to ease out the immigration plights of highly educated migrants from India and China.

Are you eating your spinach?

What we can learn from the Spinach scare

The more civilized a nation gets, the more it goes away from nature!

How do you want to live Ayurveda?

Here is a neat link to 20 ways to live Ayurveda.

20 Simple Ways to Live Ayurveda!

Now start living while also looking at the following links:

High Fructose Corn Syrup
High Fructose
What is best for you?

Do you want to boost your energy with Ayurveda?
Then, Boost your energy

Skin Diseases

Do you believe in evolution?

Before you answer the question, you should watch the following video:



I personally feel that having religious beliefs should not force to disbelieve scientific facts. It is probably how you grasp religion, that needs to be looked at.

Scientists always have to toy with the existence of superficial/unseen/intangible forces to explain strange phenomena. My contention is that there are very few scientists who are complete Atheists.
Dr.Abdul P Kalam

Sam Pitroda

It is an honor for every Indian that a great soul like "Sam Pitroda" is born in India. I can just tell that I have used the yellow STD booths around India many times in my life. That itself is my respect/admiration to SAM.

Sam Pitroda

For the uninitiated, Sam is the architect of India's telecom infrastructure (and in many ways, he is the architect of today's IT boom).

References:
Sam at AllExperts

Ways to give up the wrong path

When your husband/boy friend refuses to give up anti-social endeavors, there is one time-proven remedy for this.

Read here:
Give up

Interesting?

India attracts Western tech talent

India attracts Western tech talent

True side-effect of a global world.

But what about the plight of skilled talent waiting for immigration in the US?
Immigration Voice Urges Lawmakers to Focus on High-Skilled, Employment-Based Immigration

Now Australia welcomes Indians.Australian welcome for Indian migrants

Again this blog post is only about SKILLED immigration (and does not concern with other forms of immigration).

Crocodile Hunter is no more

What a terrible loss? Steve Irwin is no more.

Steve Irwin


He died doing what he liked doing. Irwin is survived by his Oregon-born wife Terri and their children, two-year-old Bob and eight-year-old Bindi Sue.

TIME tribute

Traits of Bill Gates

Well, he has been ranked the World's Richest Man for 12 years in a row. Apart from this, Bill Gates has an interesting thing associated with him:
- He hardly carries a WALLET.

Value of Education

Countries with poor educational standards cannot really achieve the level of sophistication, for its citizens, at par with those bestowed in developed nations.

With the growing popularity of education and its association with a better life (better standard of living conditions etc), there are numerous other issues that I can think of.

- Well educated individuals are usually busy because they have better paying jobs which typically carry greater responsibilities. This means less time for patience, less time for kids and most importantly less time to locate a compatible spouse.

Here is a clear indication of this:
Group dating takes off in China

- Apart from education, rapid innovation in science & technology has also put stress on the society. With gadgets at one's disposal - an individual is always connected with the world (be it business, be it social). This means less time for personal introspection. Less meditation implies agitated personalities. Peer pressure, office politics etc are clear side-effects.

- An issue that I can think of (which may not apply universally) is the constant friction between couples due to logic (Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus type of syndrome), views that are not coherent/synchronized.

What do others think?

Tribute to Hrishikesh Mukherjee

Hrishida was a great director of Indian Cinema. Anand, Abhimaan are among his most memorable movies. His legacy lives on.

Dangers of Medicine

Sometime medicine can prove the wrong choice. A drug to combat morning sickness yielded deformed children in the 1960s/70s.
Deformed Children
1972

Mother returns home

How safe are we?

Drinking Tea is good for you

Have you ever worried that you drink too much Tea? Well, I always used to do, until this research report published on BBC.

Tea healthier drink than Water

Now have a few sips. Don't forget to drink water.

Secret of Success

If you want to know more about Rene Godfroy, please see:
Rene Bio

The meat of the blog entry is here:
===========================================================================

Most of us have, deep at the center of our hearts,some things we would like to accomplish. But few of us dare to start on the journey.

We sit around blaming our circumstances on others andmaking excuses for our shortsightedness, then we go to our graves with unfulfilled dreams. Underneath it all, the real reason we don’t get the promotion, succeed in the business, or raise a happy, self-confident family is that we fail to prepare. We leave it to chance,
hoping somehow things will turn out all right. We float on the ocean of life until we run aground and wreck ourselves.

No Excuses: It’s Up To You!

In 1983, I left Haiti with a Haitian Theater company
to perform in Montreal, Canada. After a few
appearances, I escaped from the troupe. Because the
immigration department in Canada had no pity on
immigrants, I faced the threat of going back to Haiti,
and, believe me, that was not an option for me.
Instead I paid a truck driver to smuggle me into the
United States.

I remember how I had to wedge myself underneath the
tractor-trailer, between the rear tires, in a push-up
position. I was covered with dust, smoke and ashes. I
had cramps in my legs, and I was shaking. I wanted to
give up. But when I remembered my family and my
friends back in Haiti who were counting on me for
help, I had to hold on.

I finally made it to what I call the Promised Land —
America. The truck driver literally dumped me in
Brooklyn, New York. I was excited on one hand and
confused on the other. It was as if I were swimming in
a sea of change, and I had just two choices: Swim, or
die. My only possessions consisted of one pair of
pants, two shirts, and five dollars. In addition to
that, I was unable to speak English. The only thing I
knew for sure was that life was never going to be the
same again!

I share my story with you to impress one thing upon
you: No matter where you start in life, you can become
a leader the moment you realize that if it’s going to
be, it’s up to you.

Five Ways to Prepare Yourself for Success

1) Become an Avid Reader

"Good leaders are good readers" —Jim Rohn

Abraham Lincoln once said that if he were given eight
hours to chop down a tree, he would spend six hours
sharpening his ax and two hours chopping down the
tree. That is one of the true characteristics of a
leader. We all should take time to sharpen our axes —
by reading!

Believe it or not, the average American reads just one
book a year. What that means to you and me is that if
we only read one book a month in our field, we will be
twelve years ahead of the average person!

The late Earl Nightingale, in his book, The Strangest
Secret, said that if we read for two hours every day
on any subject, in five years, we would become
national experts on that particular subject. And in
ten years, we would have the equivalent of a Ph.D!

To me, reading quality books is the ultimate joy in
life. It rekindles my hope and takes me to new
heights. It rejuvenates me and gives me a boost. We
can no longer make excuses about not having time to
read. Today we can even buy most books on tape,
thereby turning our cars into a university on wheels
while commuting to and from work!

On the road to success, we must gather a lot of
information through quality reading.

2) Network with Successful People

In America, there is an association for continuing
education in every line of business. If we want to
meet the movers and shakers directly, we have to
become joiners. It’s amazing how accessible the "big
dogs" are when we attend the networking events. It’s
like being a small fish in a big pond. It allows us to
bypass the gatekeepers — the assistants — and go
straight to the decision-makers.

The best way to find out which associations you can
join is to go to the library and ask for the
Encyclopedia of Associations. Another great way to
network is to join the local Chamber of Commerce.
First, however, you must learn how to network and
build strong referral systems. There are many books on
the subject. One of them is by Harvey Mackay: Dig Your
Well Before You’re Thirsty.

3) Find a Mentor

Every great athlete, celebrity, and business executive
can point to a mentor — a coach. They each had people
who helped them to get where they are. One of the best
methods of preparation is to find a mentor — a person
who has been there, done that, and has gotten the
T-shirt — to guide you along the way.

Whether you want to move up in your company or
establish a solid business of your own, a mentor can
make a significant difference. And you don’t
necessarily have to have just one mentor; you can have
many. This may sound simple, but it is powerful!

No matter what line of business you are in, you need a
coach — someone you talk with about your failures and
successes, someone who can advise you. How do you find
a mentor?

Just ASK!

People normally love to talk about their successes and
how they accomplished them. They are eager to help us
if we courteously ask them. For many years I failed to
put into practice the old advice in the Bible: "Ask
and ye shall receive." Don’t let that happen to you —
ASK!

4) Attend Continuing Education Classes

Our minds are like leaky buckets; what we know is
constantly dripping out. I read a story about a man
who was working for a company for about twenty years.
It seems like they always passed over him for
promotions. Ironically, he had trained new hires who
would eventually become his boss!

One day he confronted the president of the company
about the situation. He told his boss that he was
being treated unfairly, especially since he had had
twenty years of experience with the company. The
president sat the man down and told him, "No!

You only have one year of experience repeated for
twenty years."

How long have you been in your line of business?

Are you getting new knowledge, or are you applying old
knowledge?

If we are going to thrive and survive in these
turbulent times, we must expand our minds. And one of
the best ways of expanding is to attend adult learning
classes at the local colleges, universities, and
technical schools. They are very affordable, and they
also have flexible schedules. There are no excuses:
IT’S UP TO YOU!

5) Find Time for a Quiet Reflection

The great philosophers, thinkers, scientists, and
business gurus always find quiet time to be alone — to
ponder, recharge, and flood their minds with images of
their future goals. We should never be so busy chasing
a dream that we are no longer able to visualize it in
our minds. There are times when the burdens are heavy,
but this is when we need to enter our inner world and
examine our lives. Socrates once said to his students,
"An unexamined life is not worth living." Quiet
reflection is a time to get to know the invisible
power that sustains our lives. Starting today, take a
few moments every day to reflect.

A Final Note

I would love to meet you personally to find out what
you are doing to prepare yourself for success. The old
adage says that the road to success is always under
construction. It is the same for our self-improvement.
If you are not constantly adding new tools to your
toolbox, you will always be where you are today. I
urge you to read, find a mentor, network with other
leaders, and find

time for a quiet reflection.

I wish you incredible success!


Rene Godefroy
======================================================================

Money and Happiness

Interesting blog entry on Money and Happiness.

Money and Happiness

American winning Sitar Competition

A cricket in court of Akbar

In the winter of 2003, New York-based musician Andrew Mendelson won the gold medal at the largest music competition in Rajasthan, India — becoming the first American to ever win the title of Sur Nur champion. He is now set to return to India to defend his title and capture this spectacle on film. Along the way, he will explore and celebrate the rich tradition of North Indian Classical Music.

David Copperfield Essay: "The Gift of Kindness"

Heard this essay on NPR. You can read the essay here (but listen to David reading it)

The Gift of Kindness

Want to be a Cricketer and have a family too?

Every boy in cricket-playing nations have had a hero in the national team (and aspired to be a cricketer playing for their country). I did.

Now comes the question: what are the perils of International Cricket?

Derek Pringle, who played for England has written an excellent article on the perils of marriage when associated with International Cricket.

Read it here: Don't marry a cricketer

What do you say?

Ordeal of Asians in Uganda of the 1970s

Asians in Uganda were troubled a lot by Idi Amin. History is their proof:

Links:
To UK

Expelled from Uganda

In 2003 on this day, Idi Amin died.
Idi Amin

Massive Dell Battery Recall

If you have a Dell laptop, you may be affected by this:

Dell Battery Recall

Please check if you are affected:
Check Recall

Interesting take on India

Look at this interesting perspective on somebody's feelings on INDIA.

10 Things to Hate

10 Things to Love

Some saints living in India.Saints

Take a Stand, Take a Step

I attended the "Music Without Borders" concert series last evening at the Millenium Park in Chicago. Anouska Shankar, daughter of Pandit Ravishankar was the artist at the concert.

The concert was very good.

But what attracted me most was the punch line on some guy's T-Shirt: "TAKE A STAND, TAKE A STEP".

Does that tell you something? It did for me.

Silver Jubilee to the IBM PC

How many of you have never used a Personal Computer? If you say YES, I will be surprised because you may be peeking at green terminals that are dumb.

Quarter Century of PC

Review: "Sau Jhooth Ek Sach"

This movie by Bappaditya Roy, an NID Alumnus is an awesome movie. The director has done a great job in maintaining suspense throughout the movie and has a well-knit story.

After "Being Cyrus", this was a good intellectually simulating movie.

Here is Bappa's discourse: Screenplay

America must stay competitive in a global economy

An initiative has to be driven at the grass roots level to make technical education attractive to the youth. This is one way by which the American competitiveness/supremacy can be maintained in the global economy.

Wells Fargo is opening a technology centre in INDIA. The reason is lack of talent in the US.
Wells Fargo to open technology center in India

Many will argue that this is just a ruse to save costs. I cannot comment on that.

Another way by which the American technical supremacy can be maintained and nurtured is through smooth immigration process for people with advanced degrees in Science and Technology.

For this reason, I support ImmigrationVoice. ImmigrationVoice

Become members.

Dr.Manmohan Singh

Would you like to have a look at Dr.Manmohan Singh's resume? For the uninitiated, he is the current Prime Minister of India as well as the original architect of India's Globalization Push of 1992.

Here it is:

EDUCATION /Qualification:
>
> 1950: Stood first in BA (Hons), Economics, Panjab University,
> Chandigarh,
> 1952; Stood first in MA (Economics), Panjab University, Chandigarh,
> 1954; Wright's Prize for distinguished performance at St John's
> College,Cambridge,
> 1955 and 1957; Wrenbury scholar, University of Cambridge,
> 1957; DPhil (Oxford), DLitt (Honoris Causa); PhD thesis on India's
> export
> competitiveness
>
> OCCUPATION /Teaching Experience:
>
> Professor (Senior lecturer, Economics, 1957-59;
> Reader, Economics, 1959-63;
> Professor, Economics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 1963-65;
> Professor,
> International Trade, Delhi School of Economics,University of Delhi,
> 1969-71; Honorary professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University,New Delhi,
> 1976 and Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi,1996 and Civil
> Servant
>
> Working Experience/ POSITIONS:
>
> 1971-72: Economic advisor, ministry of foreign trade
> 1972-76: Chief economic advisor, ministry of finance
> 1976-80: Director, Reserve Bank of India; Director, Industrial
> Development Bank of India;
> Alternate governor for India, Board of governors, Asian Development
> Bank;
> Alternate governor for India, Board of governors, IBRD
> November 1976 - April 1980: Secretary, ministry of finance (Department
> of economic affairs);
> Member, finance, Atomic Energy Commission; Member,finance, Space
> Commission
> April 1980 - September 15, 1982: Member-secretary, Planning Commission
> 1980-83: Chairman, India Committee of the Indo-Japan joint study
> committee
> September 16, 1982 - January 14, 1985: Governor, Reserve Bank of
> India.
> 1982-85: Alternate Governor for India, Board of governors,
> InternationalMonetary Fund
>
> 1983-84: Member, economic advisory council to the Prime Minister
>
> 1985: President, Indian Economic Association
>
> January 15, 1985 - July 31, 1987: Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission
>
> August 1, 1987 - November 10, 1990: Secretary-general and
> commissioner,south commission, Geneva
>
> December 10, 1990 - March 14, 1991: Advisor to the Prime Minister on
> economic affairs
>
> March 15, 1991 - June 20, 1991: Chairman, UGC
>
> June 21, 1991 - May 15, 1996: Union finance minister
>
> October 1991: Elected to Rajya Sabha from Assam on Congress ticket
>
> June 1995: Re-elected to Rajya Sabha
>
> 1996 onwards: Member, Consultative Committee for the ministry of
> finance
> August 1, 1996 - December 4, 1997: Chairman, Parliamentary standing
> committee on commerce
>
> March 21, 1998 onwards: Leader of the Opposition, Rajya Sabha
>
> June 5, 1998 onwards: Member, committee on finance
>
> August 13, 1998 onwards: Member, committee on rules
>
> Aug 1998-2001: Member, committee of privileges 2000 onwards: Member,
> executive committee, Indian parliamentary group
>
> June 2001: Re-elected to Rajya Sabha
>
> Aug 2001 onwards: Member, general purposes committee
>
> BOOKS:
>
> India's Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth -
> Clarendon
> Press, Oxford University, 1964; also published a large number of
> articles in various economic journals.
>
> OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
>
> Adam Smith Prize, University of Cambridge, 1956
>
> Padma Vibhushan, 1987
>
> Euro money Award, Finance Minister of the Year, 1993;
>
> Asia money Award, Finance Minister of the Year for Asia, 1993 and 1994
>
> INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS:
>
> 1966: Economic Affairs Officer
>
> 1966-69: Chief, financing for trade section,
> UNCTAD
>
> 1972-74: Deputy for India in IMF Committee of Twenty on International
> Monetary Reform
>
> 1977-79: Indian delegation to Aid-India Consortium Meetings
>
> 1980-82: Indo-Soviet joint planning group meeting
>
> 1982: Indo-Soviet monitoring group meeting
>
> 1993: Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Cyprus 1993: Human
> RightsWorld Conference, Vienna
>
> RECREATION:
>
> Gymkhana Club, New Delhi; Life Member, India International Centre, New
> Delhi
>
> Name: Dr Manmohan Singh
>
> DOB: September 26, 1932
>
> Place of Birth: Gah (West Punjab)
>
> Father: S. Gurmukh Singh
>
> Mother: Mrs Amrit Kaur
>
> Married on: September 14, 1958
>
> Wife: Mrs Gursharan Kaur
>
> Children: Three daughters

A Legend called "Warren Buffet"

Well, you may think of Warren as the second richest man in the world, after Bill Gates.But you probably do not know that he
a) does not compete with Bill on riches/billions.
b) meets every student who approaches him for guidance in Omaha, NE.

Well, have a look at the Charlie Rose interview:
Warren Buffet: Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Donating majority of his riches to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has sent shock waves around the world, but one thing is clear: "Money does not always matter".

Hope the other rich group members, do follow suit. There is so much of an opportunity to do good in the world.

Power of Sandal Wood and Home Remedies

Sandal Wood has been used for fragrance and medicinal purposes.

A good FAQ on the power of Sandal Wood.
Sandal Wood

If you are looking for home remedies for simple ailments:
Home Remedies

Other sites for remedies:
General Health

Are you Color Blind?

If you wanna know an immediate answer to this question, then take the test at:
Color Blind Test

This test is not an official test but will give you an idea.

'Head On' Ad

If you have seen this ad on TV, then you will know what I am referring to.

Here is an opinion on Slate.

Head On Ad

Cost of textbooks

No matter where in the world you go to School, you will need textbook(s) and the cost of them can be troubling. Here is a new report that shows that the cost of text books in US is on the rise.

Book Costs Shock

One-foot wide well and the Haryana Boy

I hope the boy named Prince survives his fall into the 1-foot wide well. He has survived for so long. Few more hours to go to get him out.

Haryana Boy in Well

He is snuggled in a 2 and half feet wide pit.

Lets hope for the good news!! Go Indian Army!

Latest news on this: Prince is Out

Picture of rescued Prince:
Prince Photo

When there is so much negative things going on in/around India/World, an entire nation got together to rescue this boy.

Here is a beautiful pictorial representation of the rescue:
Rescue Image

Ofcourse then there are those that want to monetize on this sensation. The value of this beautiful child is 150 Crores (15 million rupees).
Punters

Lentil Shortage

NRIs, if you have not woken up to the fact that there is a lentil shortage, then do so, because what you eat for the next few months is going to be affected by this.

Lentil Ban

Here is how people are reacting.
Lentil Shortage

Sharing bed

Men become dull and women don't care.

Sharing bed

Telecommute or Live in Barcelona,Work in London

It is not surprising with broadband and a global economy that statements like "Live in Bracelona but work in London" is not absurd.

The new commuter belt

Rembrandt is 400 years old

Yeah, the great Dutch Creative genius is 400 years old. Visit the Chicago Art Institute for a section of Rembrandt.

Remembering 400 years of Rembrandt

Drink Coors and get ticketed in own driveway

Go figure!
Ticket Coors!

Women should feel young

It is certainly true that in the subcontinent, once a woman crosses 35/40 years of age, she stops feeling young and looks forward to the later years. As a result, the physique changes towards obesity, which induces mental tension, finally having side-effects on her family and the society as a whole.

In the western countries, you can clearly see Women staying and feeling young for a long long time (not that there is no obesity, but the fraction of the general populace is small).

The background to this post is Zeenat Aman's excellent comments in:
Zeenat Aman talks

What do you say?

Immigration for people with Advanced Degrees

Ok, US Immigration is not the easiest to traverse in comparison to the toughest maze in the world. Anyway, the work done by Immigration Voice is commendable, considering that it is a band of volunteers in the same boat.

Remember to register at the site and send a web-fax supporting immigration for Advanced Degree Holders in Science and Technology.
Web Fax

Ok, if you are already a US citizen or you have a GC, don't ridicule the process (if you are doing). Just be considerate and support IV by doing the web fax.

Cheers to IV!

God bless America, India and the whole world!!!!

World Cup in Italy breaks

Sneering at this article, World Cup breaks into two, I should wonder whether Italy really deserved to win - if ever there was a conspiracy at the team level, to sledge Zidane throughout the match (knowing his wild temper).

Also funny is to read that the captain slept with the cup, the night he won. Then of course, it will break!

Remebering Stalwarts of yesteryears and their families

Here is a link that Indian Express has posted today.

India ’s greatest mid-fielder passed away unnoticed

WHILE WE WERE BUSY READING MATERAZZI’S LIPS...
India ’s greatest mid-fielder passed away unnoticed

Long ago I had read that the family of the "Father of Indian Cinema" (Indian Cinema), Dada Saheb Phalke, was facing economic hardship in making two ends meet. Now, the government hands out awards to noted film luminaries in Phalke's name. But everyone has forgotten about the real PHALKE, his family which cannot feed on his legacy.

Question is that how far will current fame take a person? Cricketers, Tennis Stars, Soccer Players, Actors, Actresses make fame and money in their prime years. After their time, their legacy remains in an etch in the annals of history and a mention in their field. But are they immortal?

On the other hand, think of Mahatma Gandhi (Ok, Mohandas Gandhi, if you are a non-Indian). His fame/legacy has not diminished in any way. So is Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King Jr.

Ban Hunting please

Wonder how many of you will support hunting after reading this piece?

Environmental Education

Here is the snippet that is relevant:

It happened many years ago when I was in my twenties. I was serving in the Forest Department then and acquired the habit of bringing down a bird or two for dinner now and then.

The day was particularly hot and it had taken a long time and much effort to stalk a pair of birds, a variety of pigeons locally called "manipura". Finally, the pair rested on an elevated piece of ground. Carefully I got within range, took aim, and fired. One bird lay dead in the ravine below and the other was nowhere to be seen.

As I approached to collect the dead bird, a male, my attention was drawn by its mate circling above. Hardly had I retreated some distance when I observed a strange and most moving scene.

The female came down and was pecking at something. Closer scrutiny showed that it was swallowing something. I do not know what. There was no food there to feed on. It was in fact swallowing pebbles. After it had swallowed a good quantity, the bird flew straight up, high in the air, closed its wing and dropped straight to earth like a rocket, and lay dead.

[...]

Imagine celestial beings hunting humans for passtime food or fun.

NBA Star Yao Ming has signed up for Wildlife Preservation.
Yao Ming

Light a Candle for Mumbai Victims

Worthy cause.
Light an online candle for Mumbai Victims

Learn from Animals and Animal Trainer

Interesting article on how animal trainers train animals and how a writer used it to improve her marriage.

Shamu and Happy Marriage

FIFA World Cup

Watched the FIFA World Cup Final on Sunday. The first half was dominated by the Italians. The 2nd by the French. The 2nd goal by the Italians was disallowed by the offside referee who certainly must have been on crack.

But it was the Zidane incident that was the highlight of the match, just as the Timberlake/Janet Jackson incident was the highlight of a Superbowl.

I saw a news article on Maradona' famous goal against England in 1986.
Hand of Diego

Review: Fanaa

Watched Kunal Kohli's Fanna this week. Here is a summary of this film:
a) The story line has some punch but the direction could have been better.
b) Potboiling and regular bollywood drama at regular intervals (Presence of Aamir and Kajol cannot erase this stupidity).

Liked the song - "Mere Haath mein tera haath ho...." (must be the title song).

Paparazzi and Celebrities

Everyone wishes to be a celebrity of some sort. If you do not, then you are not normal. Many of the celebrities are tormented by paparazzi. Remember Princess Diana?

Here is Britney Spears reaction to paparazzi:
Britney on Paprazzi

India's influence Soar

Interesting article in the TIME.

India's influence soars

Shashi Taroor for UN Secretary General

After Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam became India's President, there is a rare opportunity for another elite Indian to claim the reigns of the democratic world.

Shashi Taroor is India's candidate for UN Secy General.

I like Shashi for his great novel : "The Great Indian Novel". If you have not read it, borrow it from your local library and read it. It is a great satirical marvel. Work of a genius.

Link to Shashi:Shashi Taroor

Here is Times of India page dedicated to Shashi's nomination for the UN top post:
Shashi Taroor

Vacation from Job

Interesting read in the NY Times:
A Life Between Jobs

"Da Vinci Code"

Last week, I read Dan Brown's thriller "Da Vinci Code". It reminded me of the novels by Robert Ludlum, that once opened to read, were difficult to put off.

I am not sure how many of Dan Brown's claims in the book are true, because I have read both sides of the camp, in the media.

Here is one note:Cracks in 'Code'
Another:Da Vinci Code and the Church

Bangalore - What is the future?

I have been hearing news reports that the government of Karnataka has taken the stance of discouraging new IT development in Bangalore. The growth of the IT industry in Bangalore cannot be synched up with the development of the infrastucture.

So I have been wondering as to what would be the ideal future for Bangalore.

Lets look at the issue of the infrastructure and other parameters:
a) The roads of Bangalore were mainly designed for the 1920's or let us say pre-independence era.
b) There were always drinking water issues even before the IT boom started.
c) Electricity - well we do not have a nuclear reactor close by. Karnataka buys power from neighbors.
d) Dearth of quality schools for kids. (Trust me, this is a problem). Imagine every parent wanting their child to go to Bishop Cottons etc....
e) Petrol?

Some statistics I read was that there is a new IT company in Bangalore every 3-4 days or something like that. And then there is the exodus of low-wage artisans from as far as the Northern states of India. They never go back and also bring their brethren from their villages, because the real estate development in Bangalore will never end.

Given this, what would be ways to develop Bangalore and stop the crazy mania out there?
- Get a nuclear reactor in Karnataka?
- Evaluate alternative fuels like the Brazilian Ethanol campaign?
- Improve roads (But How? )
- Stop the influx of junta.
- Improve Public Education at par with private schools? Give emphasis on English, Kannada and Science/Technology.
- Expand Bangalore and maybe good public transportation - how about getting those electric trains like Mumbai?
- Stop treating Mysore as a tourist destination and make it a IT platform and offload some of the Blore junta there? For this to happen, Mysore will need a classy airport.

Your thoughts?

Here is an article that provides some hope.
Latin American model for Bangalore’s traffic woes

Review: "Being Cyrus" [3.5 out of 5 stars]

A better review of this film is at: Review of 'Being Cyrus'.

Majority of the movie is spent in understanding where the plot is and to link the scenes together. But towards the end, things unfold and everything becomes clear.

To watch this film, lots of patience is needed. If you have acumen for non-mainstream movies, then this will be a treat in the end.

Review: "Water" (4.5 out of 5 Stars)

Friday evening, I had the pleasure of watching Deepa Mehta's movie "Water".

You can get more information about the movie at: WATER

All I want to say about the movie is that everyone from India should watch this movie. Direction and acting is great. Symbolic events in the movie are great - like the handing of Chuiyaa to Narayan at the end (symbol of freedom from oppression) and the crossing of the river by the widows paddled by the eunuch, as a symbol of exploitation from the rich.

"Vidhwa Ashram" or the "Widows Ashram", a prevalent concept in India over the ages, need to be revisited.

Starting a micro-business

I stumbled upon an email from the author of the following blog entry:
The biggest barrier to starting your own micro-business

His prior blog entry is:
Launching your micro-business - some basics to consider

You can get a PDF of his book from Danger Quicksand - Have A Nice Day(An unconventional guide to surviving corporate employment), published by http://bentcrowpress.com/

Tax Filing Season

Wonder how many know that TaxAct.com will allow you to e-file your taxes for free. I had downloaded their software to prepare my taxes and was going to mail them by paper. But as a final check, I went to their website and was pleasantly surprised to see that the e-file for federal returns is free.

Approach taken to stardom needs to be evaluated

Reading this story on Mallika Sherawat - 'Assets' dont really work always, Mallika!, I should say that Mallika must be feeling the heat about no one in the world, considering her to be a serious actress; but viewing her as siren.

Few months ago, I did hear about Anna Nicole Smith crying out loud, to the audience at some award ceremony, to take her seriously and not view her as a gold digger or a Bimbo.

There have been actresses in the Indian Film World - Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla, Sharmila Tagore, Waheeda Rehman, Shabana Azmi, Smita Patel etc who may have been forced to flaunt their feminine qualities (in the bad perspective) in a movie or two. But overall, these actresses command respect in the eyes of the public. Even Helen of yesteryears is respected.

The point is that, there will always be directors and the masses that will show you the fastest path to stardom and money. But at the end of the day, your character and talent is what counts. Take notice, Bipasha, Mallika and others. In 20 years time, nobody will care about you. You are waste!. You will ponder over your approach, with gray hair.

Interesting, blog entry in India Times on a related story with Bollywood.
Bollywood in Commonwealth Games <--- READ THIS WITHOUT FAIL

Emotional Ecology

Emotions in humans are something that differs from one person to another, when expressed. But each person goes through every emotion one time or the other in his/her life.

Here is a good read on the concept of "Emotional Ecology".
Emotional Ecology

--End---

Review: "Atithi" [Kannada Movie]

I watched "Atithi" yesterday. It is a Kannada Movie on the subject of terrorism. It portrays the conversion of an educated man, who has strayed onto the path of terror, to a path that is humane.

There are English subtitles. Watch for scenic Malnad region and excellent performances.

Cast : Prakash Rai, Baby Raksha, Dattatreya
Music : V. Manohar
Direction : P Sheshadri
English Subtitles - 90 Minutes

Greatest chase in Cricket (SA against AUS)

Here is a link I found that shows the SA innings against AUS.

SA against AUS

Pointing and Gibbs at their best in this match!!!

Funny TV Quotes

Why is creating life under any conditions whatsoever so applauded when there are already millions of unwanted kids around the world? And Angelina Jolie can't save them all! In fact, somebody has got to tell this chick that sometimes when you go to a foreign country, it's okay just to bring home a tee-shirt.

Reference: Bill Maher's New Rules on Feb 24, 2006

"Chef", please don't leave

Isaac Hayes Leaves South Park

South Park has never spared anyone wrt religion. Now that the SP creators want to go back behind Scientology, the loving "CHEF" has taken offense and is leaving. What is with Scientology?

It will never be the same without Chef on the show.

What else is happening in New Delhi?

Apart from being the rape capital of India, look at this new trend of married couples framing their elderly parents with dowry cases, to part with their wealth and live seperately.

I know materialism is glamorous and fun. But is our metropolitan culture deteriorating, ever since our forefathers migrated to urban settings from rural culture-rich settings?

Here is the read:
Couples framing parents with dowry

Kudos to Delhi Police for having gone to the bottom of these charges.

Well, then there was the MMS case....

My sweet old Bangalore

The once laid-back sleepy town has been encroached by technology, traffic and outsiders. The days are long gone when between 9am and 11am on Sunday, the roads would go empty, because Doordarshan was either airing "Ramayan" or "Mahabharat". Religion, caste, creed or language did not come in the way during this period, when everyone would watch these shows. This is what we call "UNITY IN DIVERSITY". I am told that during the airing of "Kaun Banega Karodhpati", the roads go empty. But I am sure it is not to the same extent as Ramayan/Mahabharat times of old.

I was explaining about DilKush and DilPasand to someone, that I had to search the web and found this great blog about Iyengar's Bakeries in Bangalore:
Fresh Puffs, DilKush and Little Nostalgia

What makes Bangalore special?
* DilKush/DilPasand or Congress?
* Ragi Muddhhe/Balls?
* Old times.
* Dr.Raj Annavru?
* Chinnaswamy Stadium?
* Avenue Road?
* Kalasipalya?
* Vidhana Soudha?
* Huttidhare Kannadanadal Huttabekku?
* Majestic?
* Chow-Chow Bath?
* Second/Third Helping of sambhar at xxx-Darshinis?

Listen to http://kannadaaudio.com

Truth about "Whole Foods"

I shop at Whole Foods once in a while, even though I prefer "Trader Joe's"

Here is an article that throws light on the fad created by Whole Foods.
Whole Foods

Some of the statements made by the article are true. But it is heartening to know that the employees are paid and treated well, UNLIKE Wal-Mart.

The other company that I know of, that is flourishing as well as the best pay to employees is COSTCO - courtesy, the generous founder/CEO who is down-to-earth. I read long ago that he is not listening to Wall Street which has repeatedly asked to lower the wages, to keep the balance sheet greener.

Review: Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle

I saw 'H&K Go To White Castle' last night on Encore. Man, this is one of the most hilarious movies I have seen, since "American Pie" and "Dead Man on Campus". Every minute of this movie is hilarious and well connected. Real Stoner Gem.

If you get an opportunity, rent it or see it on cable, with buddies!!!

It is not only me, look at what the movie buffs are saying:
Yahoo Movies User Reviews

Dangers of Micromanagement

Dangers of Micromanagement

Hilarious Video on Italians Vs Europeans

Italy has given us the pizza, espresso, biscotti, pasta etc etc. Here is a video that is funny.
Italy vs Europe

Interesting take on Outsourcing

Why What's Good for India Is Good for Us