Tuesday, December 30, 2008

India - Poor Country?

Who said India is a poor country? See the temple below…


The photo above is the Sripuram Sri Mahalaksmi Golden Temple.More than 400 gold and coppersmiths are said to have worked for six years to craft the Rs 600-crore gold temple located on 55,000 sq ft of land near Vellore.

http://www.hellovellore.com/SripuramGoldenTemple.asp

Recently, I had chance to visit the temple. I could see it only as tourist spot; not as a temple. It's filled with full of Money, more than the spirituality.

In ancient age, Our Kings had plenty of wealth and resources, so they built many temples with rich artistic work. Those temples spread the devotion as well as the Art.

But in the current situation, where still a lot of people struggling for basic amenities, Do these new expensive temples needed?

Ok, if you wish, then why can't you renovate old temples, which are in poor condition?

I'm not an atheist. In fact, I'm a strong believer of God. But I don't like the way we mix the Divinity with Deluxe.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Su-do-ku

Nowadays, you can’t see any newspapers without Su-do-Ku. I’m not going to post the history of Sudoku here. I say about my experience with the game and how I was screwed up it for sometime.

I didn’t really notice much, when SudoKu got introduced to Tamilnadu. As usual , I was living my life with Ananda Vikadan and Thinathanthi. But it all changed on one day….. The day when Deccan Chronicle entered into Chennai.

With the sudden love on English, I gave up all the Tamil daily’s and jumped to Deccan Chronicle ( Don’t ask me, was it because D.C sold for just 1.5rupees :-)).On initial days, I used to read only sports column, didn’t even look on other pages(including the Sudoku boxes).Once day, I read about “Sudoku” in one of Sujatha’s articles.

So, what the hell is there in this Sudoku? Let me also try that… I started my first Sudoku… It took nearly 4days to solve my first puzzle.After that, I became one of routines. I started buying D.C only because of Su-do-Ku. As days move, I could able to solve 6 to 7 puzzles a day. Later on I went an extreme of 15 per day 

At that time, I was commuting to my office by train, which took nearly 1.5+1.5=3hrs a day. I spared the whole 3 hrs with Sudoku. I used to download Sudoku puzzles from internet and took printouts(at office printer:-)) everyday, when I leave office. I installed Sudoku on my mobile and started digging it, till my mobile’s joystick go bad. Yes…. I almost became an addict to Su-do-Ku.

Even when I sleep, the boxes came in my dream. It was pathetic :-).I was trying hard to leave the habit. But it was very difficult.

Finally, one fine day, all of sudden Mr.Kalanithimaran cameup with his “Thinakaran” for 1Rupee. Immediately, wisdom came to me..Oh! My god!.. How bad I’am. I’ve forgot my Mother tongue Tamil and went with English Deccan Chronicle !. The next day itself, I gave up D.C( again,only for SudoKu) and jump to Thinakaran. That’s the end to my SudoKu…

Nowadays, I don’t even touch Sudoku. Today, one of friends came to me to solve a Sudoku puzzle. I just escaped from him (in fact, from Sudoku). That instance made me to think about all my experience with Sudoku and so this post.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Most Annoying English Phrases !!!

Oxford researchers got together and compiled a list of the Top 10 most irritating expressions in the English language.Here is the Top 10 list they came up with:

10. It's not rocket science
9. 24/7
8. Shouldn't of
7. It's a nightmare
6. Absolutely
5. With all due respect
4. At this moment in time
3. I personally
2. Fairly unique
1. At the end of the day

I would like to add few more
1. hopefully
2. I believe
3. as soon as possible!...

In your opinion, what are the most irritating phrases in English?

Fed up with Favouritism :-(

"Teacher's pet" is not the relevant phrase once you comeout of the school, but the truth is that many aspects of classroom culture crop up in office life. Few are more frustrating and damaging.Favouritism is a serious one....I believe,most of us will either suffer or benefit because of it at some time in our careers.

Frustrated with favouritism, it is very difficult for me to keep numb without commenting on this.I feel "If someone else is clearly your boss's favourite it will surely affect your self-esteem and motivation,also make you heart burning"

It's best to leave the behaviour left in the classroom itself.

What you say on this ?

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Vijay TV - Airtel Super Singer - Ravi

It is very clear that Ravi is going to win Airtel Super Singer 2008 Title. His performance in the medley round was simply mind blowing. From the very beginning of the contest, when he sang ‘Pen ondru Kandaen’ song along with Prasanna, I was pretty sure about Ravi winning the title and his yesterday’s performance reassures it again and the judge Srinivas himself told that openly in yesterday’s episode.

Ravi already has won the SS Music Launch Pad singing contest and I still remember Ravi’s brilliant rendition of ‘Veyilodu Vilayadi’ song in the finals of that contest. Ravi’s voice in Yuvan’s music will be an interesting combination. Let us wait and watch.

Airtel Super singer 2008 is not so interesting this time mainly because there is no any competition and we know who is going to be the winner. All the other contestants though have very good voice quality, is not as consistent in their performances as Ravi. But Deepshika’s exit was surprising. I was expecting Ragini Sri to leave. Though Ragini Sri has classical music knowledge and training, none of her performances so far was at par.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

India Blasts

Terror attacks Rock Mumbai; More than 100 People are Killed; At least 300 people have been injured in the worst terror strike to hit the country's financial capital.

Happy ThanksGiving from Terriorist to all sleeping and lazy people of INDIA. People with the finest brians around the world, people with an attitude to work hard and get ahead of the world in mere 60 years are helpless now.

This is not the first time; Earlier there's a serial Blast at all major Cities. But still we are not able stop this.Why there is no attack on US now after 9/11 ?

As for as me, I could see a Simple Sequence :

1) Bomb blast by terrorists in Indian cities.
2) Media people run behind it as they need show their performace for upcoming appraisals.
3) Media broadcat it repeatedly for 2-3 days, without break.
4) Defence minister start singing in same tune.
5) Prime minister loose his sleep.
6) Police as usual put ther maximum efforts for everything
7) Public start discussing of terrorists by seeing them in TV's.
8) After 4-5 days, all above mentioned forget everything as if nothing happaned.
9) As usual food, work, drink, dance untill next attack.

Who's responsible for these ? Government ? Politicians ? We ?..... I feel , it the responsiblity of everyone.Let's Come out and vote for litrate, brave and brainy leaders.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Dell- Energy-Efficient LED Displays

Dell implements transition to LED laptop displays which will impact energy consumption as equipment is replaced. ...

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... "Dell's 15-inch LED displays consume an average of 43 percent less power at maximum brightness, resulting in extraordinary cost and carbon savings. The company estimates customer savings of approximately $20 million and 220 million kilowatt-hours in 2010 and 2011 combined, the equivalent of annual CO2 emissions resulting from energy use of more than 10,000 homes1. Dell also estimates that at least 80 percent of its total laptop volume will be delivered with LED as a standard back-lit display by the end of 2009 and 100 percent in 2010. " ...
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Checkout "Dell Driving Transition to Energy-Efficient LED Displays"

Monday, September 8, 2008

If Tomorrow Comes .....


A novel which I read recently..."If Tomorrow Comes..."

Author : Sidney Sheldon
Genre : Thriller
Published on: 1985

The story starts with the suicide of Mrs.Whitney, mother of Ms.Tracy Whitney. Tracy who is engaged to Chrles Standhope, and carrying his life within her, is shocked with the news of her mother''s death. She comes to know that her mother has been cheated and forced to sell her business. On hearing this, Tracy got furious and goes to threaten the guy (Joe Romano), who cheated her mother into accepting the truth. Things goes completely against her and she ends up in jail.

This is where the story actually begins. She faces big challenges and tragedies with the Prison atmosphere and some incidents in the jail. After many troubles, she is released for good conduct (she saves the kid of the warden, dumping her plans to escape). Then Tracy starts destroying the people, who are behind the death of her mother and for ruing her life. Ernestine, jail cellmate of Tracy helps her for the revenge operation.

With no one ready to employ her, she indulges into robbery out of desperation, where she was surprised by her own talent in this field. Something which starts as the means to stay alive later turns into passion and there is no stopping her unless Jeff Stevens enters her life(and later manages to enter into her.....heart). A competition starts and they are now stealing for pride.

Finally they end up together getting engaged and still they can’t be stopped.

A typical Sheldon class novel, it has lot of “masala”, which is not new for Sidney Sheldon. A good entertainer, especially the way both Tracy and Jeff steal, it makes for a good page turning stuff.

A novel worth reading for some nice entertainment..

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Frog Light: Light bulb with LED

We all know we should be replacing our energy-sucking incandescent light bulbs with CFLs. As part of its green design program, frog design has conceptualized this lovely light bulb around a high-output LED.

The frogLight bulb fits in a standard socket and can be dimmed -- an important ability for both energy-saving and mood-setting that CFLs can't yet manage. And it's projected to last for 30years.


Learn more about the frogLight >>

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Thursday, August 28, 2008

What every worker wants ?

The other day, I posted a blog (What the change you want?) about the changes, we want in the organization. That discussion leads me to think on "what every worker wants in his work place....."

Here's an article in Computerworld about how to make your workplace Gen-Y friendly.

"5 ways to make your company Gen Y-friendly "

Some key points:

- Offer freedom about when, how, and where to work
- Have clear and quick paths to growth
- Have/Be an understanding, open-minded, and supportive manager
- Offer good healthcare and retirement benefits
- Create opportunities for social interaction and collaboration

Anything more you want from your most admired work place ?

Sunday, August 24, 2008

A Beautiful Mind (2001)


"A Beautiful Mind" is a wonderful film based on the life of the Nobel Prize winning mathematician and economist John Nash and his lifelong struggle with schizophrenia. The acting of Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connely are both superb, as is the story, which I find quite moving.

The movie begins at Princeton University, where Nash (Crowe) is attending graduate school in math. He is brilliant but socially awkward. He becomes best friends with his roommate Charles, a literature student.

After college, Nash accepts a position at MIT, along with his friends Sol and Bender. Shortly thereafter he meets Alicia (Connely), with whom he falls in love and eventually marries. Nash runs into his former roommate Charles, who introduces him to his young girl Marcee. Nash meets a Department of Defense agent, William Parcher. Nash is invited to the pentagon to crack a secret encryption of an enemy communication, which he does in his head. Parcher also asks Nash to look for secret codes in newspapers and magazines. Nash begins behaving erratically.

Sol, one of his team mate starts watching Nash and eventually gets him sedated and sent to a psychiatric facility, where it is discovered that he's been suffering from hallucinations and schizophrenia. Then he's released from the hospital with the provision that he take antipsychotic medication.

Nash is able to keep his illness under control when he realizes that Marcee has not aged since he met her several years ago. He then realizes that Charles, Marcee, and Parcher are products of his imagination. Over the next several years, he slowly recuperates. Eventually he receives the Nobel Prize in Economics as an old man.

A fascinating film which successfully blurs the lines between John Nash's imagination and the world of reality, A Beautiful Mind clearly illustrates one man's struggle against great odds.

Russell Crowe's follow up performance to smash hits LA Confidential and Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind is an unbelievable journey into one man's reality.

It definely takes a place at "My all time favourites"

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Beijing'08 - Olympic inauguration

The world's 29th Olympics inaugurated on 08:08:08 pm on 08/08/08. I felt so bad for missing the live telecast show,after seeing this mail forward.Some cool photos from the inauguration ceremony, for U.... Excellent Photography!!!.
























Monday, August 11, 2008

Abhinav Bindra won 1st indian Gold Medal


Abhinav Bindra won India's first ever individual Olympic gold medal on Monday with a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the men's 10m air rifle.

Bindra had been fourth after qualifying but had a brilliant final round and even hit a near perfect 10.8 on his last shot to pull in front of Henri Hakkinen of Finland, who dropped to bronze with a poor final shot of 9.7.

That allowed China's Zhu Qinan, the defending Olympic champion and heavy favourite, to pass him on his final shot and win the silver medal.

Join me in congratulating the Olympic champion!

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Dell's "Cloud Computing" Trademark Approval to Be Reviewed

Dell has filed an application to trademark the term "cloud computing". And, Dell was so-close to final approval for the trademark, but the USPTO cancelled its "Notice of Allowance" on Tuesday. The application has been "returned to examination."

Undoubtedly, the reconsideration of the application has something to do with the uproar around the Internet over the application. You know,"cloud computing" is a generic term, it had been used for years before Dell used it, and on and on.

One thing though: Dell does own the domain cloudcomputing.com, which redirects to http://www.dell.com/cloudcomputing.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Gmail adds Automatic Email Encryption- But for a Price :-)

Don't worry Gmail fans, the price doesn't involve money; it involves performance (at least Google things so.)

From the day it launched, Gmail has supported something called "https". Https keeps your mail encrypted as it travels between your web browser and our servers, so that other's WiFi can't read it.

Encryption of your Gmail messages, as opposed to just encryption of your password when logging into Gmail, isn't new. It's been around for some time, but you had to to to a different URL, meaning https://mail.google.com.

But now, and rolling out gradually, as every new Gmail feature does, you can set all you email to be encrypted simply by changing a setting (as noted above).

Now while Google specifically warns that "Your computer has to do extra work to decrypt all that data," and that you may see a performance hit, I've never seen any difference when using https://mail.google.com. Google also says that encrypted data doesn't "travel as efficiently across the Internet," I have to say: come on. It's encrypted, but it's not like their adding 3x as much data to the data stream.

I guess it's a very good move by Google.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

~ BMW M - Zero ~

M-Zero is a car concept inspired by BMW M series which also consider Mercedes Benz (as the backlight) and DB9 Aston Martin (the global silhouette of is definitely inspired by the DB9).

Maël Oberkampf, the designer of M-Zero actually tried to make a model which could be considered as the equivalent of the R8 from Audi. And the result is M-Zero, a car concept that is the “synthesis” between the actual BMW design and a high an performance car which could become the most powerful model of the BMW legacy.

The exterior looks great, very BMW style, but we are hoping to be able to see the interior design, BMW bet it’s futuristic.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Who Moved My Cheese?


Who Moved My Cheese? Published nearly a decade ago; me just now got the chance to read :-)

Author : Spencer Johnson
Genre : motivational
Published on: 1998

It Starts with a group of friends meeting up after their high school reunion. One of the friends begins to tell the story of "Who Moved My Cheese?" and at that point the author begins to describe, symbolically, the manner in which so many people in this world deal with change in their lives.

Four characters (Sniff,Scurry,Hem and Haw) live in a maze and look for cheese to nourish them and make them happy. The maze is where you spend time looking for what you want. It may be the organization you work in, the relationships you have in your life, or the community you live in.

Two of the characters named Sniff and Scurry are mice. They represent parts of us that are simple and instinctive. Hem and Haw are the little people, representing those complex parts of us as human beings. Sometimes we are like Sniff, who anticipates change early by sniffing it out, or Scurry, who quickly scurries into action and adapts. Maybe we are more like Hem, who denies change and resists it out of fear, or Haw, who learns to adapt in time when he sees something better. Whatever part of us we choose, we all share the common need to find our way in the maze of life and succeed in changing times.

Haw comes to many realizations during the story that help him move on, and he writes them on the wall as he goes. Here's the summary he writes in the end:

Change Happens
They Keep Moving the Cheese

Anticipate Change
Get Ready for the Cheese to Move

Monitor Change
Smell the Cheese Often So You Know When it is Getting Old

Adapt to Change Quickly
The Quicker You Let Go of Old Cheese, the Sooner You Can Enjoy New Cheese

Change
Move with the Cheese

Enjoy Change!
Savor the Adventure and Enjoy the Taste of New Cheese!

Be Ready to Change Quickly and Enjoy it Again and Again
They Keep Moving the Cheese

After the story, the friends take some time to discuss its meaning. One of the most insightful parts of the narrative is when they realize that they can apply these principles to their personal lives.

It's really worthy & quick read at just 96 pages, and it addresses life changing principles that can greatly alter our degree of satisfaction in life.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Intel turns 40 - what will the next 40 years bring?

Intel,founded in 1968 by physicists Gordon Moore and Robert Noyce,celebrating its 40th anniversary, and as part of that, they unveiled the World Mural Project.

The project is a Web-based digital art piece that includes visual and written contents from the Intel Computer Clubhouse Network, which stretches around the world.Intel asked 500 kids in 21 countries what they expected the next 40 years of computing to bring us.

Their answers are collected in Intel’s World Mural Project, where the youths involved submitted both a picture and completed the statement, “In 40 years, computers will empower us to…” The mural itself is a Flash application that allows users to select a continent and then view the responses generated by students in the region.

According to Intel spokesperson Agnes Kwan,

Some of the themes that the kids have expressed are: having multi-function, wearable computers, achieving a greener environment on Earth, greatly improved healthcare, vastly improving our brain power, experiencing virtual education, communicating through holograms, teletransport, living more relaxed, peaceful lives, and living on Mars.

Check out the Mural for some more possibilities and surf the rest of the site for information here.

For those interested, Intel also has a Flickr set to celebrate its 40th anniversary , with some vintage stuff, like a picture of a 4004 CPU and the original IBM PC.Clickin here to watch the Flickr.

Tell me, what next 40 years of the Digital Age can bring us?

Friday, July 18, 2008

JETTA from Volkswagen

Onemore Bigshot has come to the Indian automobile market... its none other than Volkswagen with Jetta... :)


Volkswagen India has launched one of its globally successful models, Jetta, in India. The Jetta sedan, assembled locally at Volkswagen’s Aurangabad facility, will be available in three variants and two engines — Jetta 1.6L petrol engine with a five-speed manual gearbox, a 1.9L TDI diesel and option of a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed DSG automatic transmission version.
The price of the Jetta 1.6L is Rs. 12.97 lakh and the 1.9L diesel Trendline Rs. 14.22 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. The top of the line 1.9L diesel Comfortline with DSG automatic transmission is priced at Rs. 16.67 lakh.

The car will be available in campanella white, red spice, reflex silver, platinum grey and deep black.

Volkswagen Group India sold 10,366 vehicles in the first six months of the current calendar year, a 69 per cent growth over the year-ago period, and is pushing to achieve deliveries of 20,000 units for the full year. The company is planning to sell 1,200 units of Jetta this year.

Volkswagen Group India spokes person when addressing to the media, said, “Jetta is now being assembled in the Skoda facility in Aurangabad with parts coming in from our Mexico facility. Volkswagen Group have accelerated work on the Chakan plant and it will make the VW Jetta and Skoda Fabia from the first half of 2009 with a high local content. Volkswagen Group will receive a sales boost by 2010 when they launch their compact car from their Chakan (Pune) facility based on their Polo model but which has been tailored for India.

Few Snaps.....





Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Mobile Phones and Driving

Yesterday, on the way to my office, It happened to witness a bad road accident due to the Car driver using mobile phone while driving.I was upset with that incident thro'out the day.

It still amazes me how many people continue to use their mobile phone whilst driving and I wonder whether they are aware of the other bad sideof this habit.


Government forms many law against this; conducts many awareness programs; publishes innovative advertisements... and so on.

I wonder whether these will have an effect on people who routinely do this, I guess for most of these messages won't get through until they actually meet an accident.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Dasavatharam - Lord Vishnu - Kamal Hasan

How the Mythological 10 avtars of Lord Vishnu inspired Kamalahaasan's movie Dasavatharam!

(Macha Avthar - Nambi) - Nambi is thrown into water in an act of trying to save lord from being thrown into sea...

(Koorma avatar - George Bush) - The lord is the turtle/tortoise that helps in stirring the ksheera sagara and bringing out the amruth. This essentially creates war among the devas and asuras. Similarly today Bush facilitates war between you know whom… May be Kamal also indicates that this avatar is a bit dumb like the tortoise…

(Varaha avatar - Krishnaveni paatti ) - In varaha avatar lord actually hides earth so as to protect life forms. Here too krishnaveni hides the germs - life form inside the statue so as to protect.

(Narasimha avatar - Shingen Narahashi ) - The name itself is a play on the words singam [means lion in tamil] and narasimha [the avatar being symbolised]. Lord Narasimha manifests himelf to kill Hiranyakashipu.In the movie, he shows up to kill the killer fletcher! and is also a teacher.. Lord Narasimha had to kill the asura with bare hands and hence the martial arts exponent here..

(Vamana avatar - Kalifulla Khan) - In vamana avatar, Lord Vishnu takes the vishvaroopa, that is the giant form! Hence the giant kalifulla here symbolises vamana avatar

(Parasurama avatar - Christian Fletcher) - Parasurama is actually on an angry killing spree and killed 21 generations of the particular kshatriya vamsa. Hence the real KILLER… Guess what, thats what our Fletcher is! He comes around with the gun [modern upgrade for axe] and kills everyone around

(Krishna avatar - Vincent Poovaraghavan) Lord krishna is actually a dalit, he is dark-skinned. He saved draupadi when she was being violated and he was the actual diplomat in mahabharatham. Lord krishna dies of an arrow striking his lower leg. Now look at how vincent was introduced.. He appears when Asin is about to be molested and he saves her like draupadi. Vincent is the dalit diplomat, fights for land issue [soil issue to be exact] and dies from the metal rod striking his leg.

(Balarama avatar - Balarama Naidu) As the name suggests and the role personifies Balaram naidu RAW officer, helps kill the villain

(Rama avatar - Avatar Singh) - Lord Rama stands for the one man one woman maxim, kind of symbolising true love.. Here Avatar portrays that spirit by saying that he loves his woman more than anything and wants to live for her.

Kalki avatar - Govindaraj Ramasamy) The hero in kaliyug can be none other than the Kalki avatar!!!

Of course Kamalahaasan is the best person to explain how he got inspired! Us being mere mortals have to contend with such information from EMail forwards and the like!