Category Archives: india

india

Metro @ Whitefield finally

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It took forever – may be 5 years?

But finally – this coming Saturday – May 25th 2023 – Metro is going to be thrown open at Whitefield.

From Kadugodi to KR Puram. The critical KR Puram to Byappanahalli will take June/July – but I am ok to wait – we have waited all these years.

Every time I go to Dubai I will be jealous of their Metro System.

In December I was there for 10 days – and not once I took taxi. Did go around a bit – we even went to the Dubai Library – it was a long walk from Metro station though.

Now – soon – things will be the same here.

For the nearest Metro station – SAP labs – I have to do a 900m walk, then take a bus – 335E and 500 series – 4 stops. Then I can go anywhere in Bangalore.

Just love this freedom – and guilt free travel – without polluting too much nor adding to the traffic woes of Bangalore.

Come March 27th – Monday – I will go to office in Metro – for the first time in India. Have done it in Chicago ( not metro exactly – it was a suburban train ), and in Dubai.

Me happy!

india

I Support Anna Hazare.

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There you go – let me come out in the open.

While I might doubt the success of the JanLokpal bill – which no politician in the right mind will ever pass it – I love the revolution Anna Hazare and team is creating.

Dear Egypt, Syria, Lebonon – watch what is happening here. We are a healthy democracy and we are not fighting dictators. In another 50 years you will be going through what we are going through. You might be getting a honest leader now – but slowly without you even knowing – like the proverbial frog on a hot stove – your country will start getting looted. You will get so used to corruption tax that you will not even know that this is a crime you are committing. Then look back at history and see 2011 – what happened in India. You can get some inspiration out of this.

Back to my beloved country people – Go ahead – ask me – have you bribed?

Yes. I have. I am guilty but I am not ashamed. Before you call me a hypocrite read further.

Karnataka – the most corrupt state in India – is the only state in India to have Lokyukta. Santosh Hegde and his brave team keeps unearthing stash of illegally got wealth from officials from every department. We see in newspapers the photos and the grand total – that run into crores. What happens next? The officials get suspended for a few weeks or months – and they are back to their jobs – milking the system.

All we are asking is a Lokyukta with powers to prosecute.

These are the benefits :

1. Of course the whole corruption industry will go into recession.

2. The “tout-layer” will go out of business. There are honest officials and the buyer ( we ) are not aware of them – however the touts charge a fee saying it is for bribe and pocket the money. All these lazy goons will stop loitering around the government buildings and we go meet with these honest officials directly.

3. The rich country that India has become – will see less poverty. The largesses dished out ( no not the TVs and Fridges from TN govt ) – the subsidized rice from ration shops, the compensation from calamities ( gosh how can they even think of stealing from this )  – will all reach the people to the last paise.

4. People will donate to the PM’s relief fund.

5. Probably the goons will start concentrating on other ways to make money and will quit politics – so educated youth like you and me can start thinking of Politics as a career option.

Provided I have the confidence in me – that I will not be beaten up by goons for raising an RTI, or my house transfer is frozen for ever – because I refused to pay a bribe – I will not pay a bribe. I will use that money to go buy something tangible – that will provide more jobs and make everyone richer.

So my friend – you support Anna Hazare or not – let us work towards revolutionizing India.

I am following Anna Hazare’s path – you find a better path take it. Probably I will join you as well – and let us let India rise to its true potential.

india, US

Have you kept rice in the pressure cooker?

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5 years back we emigrated to India – and here is the story.

July 13th – 2006 :
My sister got a phone call around 10.30 AM. We called her from Meenambakkam airport – and this is what we asked her : “Have you kept rice in the pressure cooker?” – she did not understand – why will we call from US to know if she has kept rice in the pressure cooker for the afternoon.
We were not supposed to come to India till October and it was not yet confirmed – and why was he asking this dumb question. Anyway I did not let her wonder too much – and broke the news that will be in landing in Coimbatore airport in another hour. So please add some more rice for both of us!
Good my mother did not take the call – she would have got a heartattack.
My sister’s and my mother’s BP shot up. After we had spoken, my sister suspected I was playing a prank. But she knew I will not play with sentiments like this – so it has to be true. And for the first time ( her claim ) she scolded me as “Naai” (dog ).
July 11th, 2006 :
We had to board Air India flight in Chicago’s O Hare Airport. We packed a little too many things – thought will pay ( no not bribe ) for the excess and get through. We had a little too many sentimental things and of course chocolates. The iron lady behind the counter was unforgiving. She hated Sangeeta for some reason and will not allow any slack to us. So we had to take off all the chocolates and bring it to precisely within the range. Ideally we should have got embarrased with so many people watching us take things out and giving it away to a lady who had come to see someone off ( her lucky day ) – but we were so excited about getting back to India – and the very thought that we were going to shock everyone..kept us in high spirits.
July 2, 2006 :

Witnessed Formula 1 at Indianapolis – one of my lifetime dreams to watch Formula 1 Live. Schumi won – but what a bore. Watching it on TV was much better. Some dreams should always remain dreams – should never meet them.
It was hot sweaty, everything was expensive, nothing good to eat. Bought 2 Ferrari caps and Ferrari 2005 replica adding to the weight of our suitcases ! This was our last long drive in US. Will surely miss those gas stations, slurpies, starbucks, cruise control…

June 2006 :

Shipped off 10 boxes of stuff we had accumulated. Then put ads in craiglist etc to sell off our cars, router, futon, table..
A cousin’s family was planning to visit Chicago in end July – and we had to discourage them without letting out the big secret. Having a secret was too much of stress – especially when the D day was just a couple of weeks away- we had to watch what we speak to home and friends.
May 2006 :

Applied for transfer to India – and finally got it approved after a few twists and turns. Got off work early that day and went to Devon avenue to book tickets to India. Picked Air India as they let people carry a little excess weight – someone knowledgable had once advised me. 2 one way tickets – and they were quite expensive.
Sangeeta was in Cleveland that time – got into the car, kept the tickets on the passenger seat and called Sangeeta to tell that I have got the tickets. It was an amazing feeling.
—
So that was what happened 5 years back. The story had some more events – none of our suitcases arrived with us, flight got delayed, missed the connecting flight, they put us on a flight to Hyderabad (??) and finally landed in Chennai. There Sangeeta & I lost each other in Meenambakkam airport – and we had no cell phones to find each other.
And since we had to give away all the chocolates while checking in, I bought some in a shop inside OHare, and had kept it under the foot, but forgot while changing planes. So we landed without a single chocolate on our hand. Till date my sister, my nephew and Sangeeta’s brother have not forgiven us for this oversight on our part.
india, netas

My dear netas – you deserve business class

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Our poor netas, who have already sacrificed some good professions like farming, medicine, engineering, business, law, stock trading, IT etc – for the greater good of the country, and for serving the downtrodden of this nation – are being punished by forcing them to travel in economy class. What sacrilege.

No one is there to speak in support of our netas – and they will not protest but will accept this quietly – because their humility does not allow them to protest. So I am taking up their cause in this post. No they did not pay me – our netas will never do such a thing.
Why our netas deserve business class and private jets:

1. Stress

They take so much stress. From the build up to getting a party ticket, fighting for votes, then the horse trading and finally they become ministers. And still it is not over, they have to ward off allegations of corruption, nosy reporters, RTIs, PILs – and somehow manage to find time to serve the masses.
And you expect them to be herded like cattle in economy class? Give them a break.
2. Seats are too small

Have you not seen the photos of our netas? Because they take enormous stress and the long hours they put in every day – they are a little bigger than an average Indian. They simply cannot fit in an economy seat. Please do not ask them to go join a fitness club. There is not enough time in a day.
So if your seat is next to them – in economy class, you are better off sitting on the floor. Fight for them to go business class to save your ass ( literally speaking ).
3. Entourge

Do you think our netas travel alone? They will have a bunch of IAS, IPS, SAS, CRM, CBI, ABC, GHI officials accompanying them all the time. Putting all of them in a private jet is cheaper than buying tickets for each one of them in an economy flight.
So my dear fellow countrymen – don’t you agree – our Netas deserve business class and private jets. Don’t believe what the media is saying and don’t join them in celebrating the suffering of our poor netas.
cricket, india

IPL 09 or Election 09 – which is the best entertainment?

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I feel Election 09 is more wholesome entertainment than IPL 09 – here is my top 5 reasons.
5. Cricket is a boring sport and IPL is trying to make it interesting and is quite successful in it. Politics has been the world’s most oldest profession/game/sport and Elections make it really interesting. So no contest in this front.
4. IPL has got too many statistics – Net run rate, Batsman’s average, Bowlers average – it all confuses me and is too much for my mind. I like what Election 09 is going to throw up – all within 545 seats distributed among 1025 parties – and you can play the permutation and combination to see who can make the magic 272 – except make sure you dont club the 2 big parties ( now why don’t they partner for a change…that will be fun!)
3. IPL needs gimmicks like cheer leaders, bollywood actress and actors to keep people glued to the screen. Netas need no help from any quarters. They goof up enough, say outrageous things, call names of their opponents – its like reliving kindergarden once again. 
2. IPL is short lived. You have it for a few weeks and then its all over. But Election 09 is going to continue for ever – according to most of the predictions it is going to be a hung assembly. It is bad for the economy but good for TV, Newspaper, Coffee machine gossip. A humble farmer, a 10000 shoe owner, a buffalo milker – everyone has a chance to lead us now. Tell me can IPL give you so much of thrill – that too not for just a couple of weeks – but for the many months to come? 
1. Best reason of all – IPL is a non entity in the world’s eyes – except Australia, SouthAfrica, Indian sub continent. No not England – they invented Cricket and pushed it down our throats – but now have switched to Soccer. But Election 09 will keep Mr.Obama, Zardari, Sarkozky, Putin – all glued to the television sets, twitter accounts or whatever – to find out how the political landscape is shaping. Which language should these leaders start learning – the language of the cows, language of the soil, language of kids ( hehe 🙂 )? 
We are giving them nervous breakdowns – because like it or not India is on the highway to becoming a super power and Election 09 is going to be a major event in the World’s history. IPL is a mere blip. Forget Mc.Cain vs Obama battle – that was nothing. Lets watch Congress vs BJP vs Third Front vs We-are-not-the-fourth-front vs The-unknown-front-to-be-formed after election front.
So, get ready by stocking up on Filter Coffee. Cut down on your morning jogging routine to give more time for reading Newspaper. Things are going to get very interesting. Trust me – you will not bother reading the sports page.
 
environment, india, nano

Why Tata Nano is good for India, Environment and everyone

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Tata Nano is back in the news – for all the good reasons – booking is open online and launch date has also been announced. Here are my top 3 reasons why Nano is actually good for all of us.
1. Nano will make better citizens out of us :
Nano is going to congest the roads – which is a good thing. Now the lazy ones who always had better alternatives to commute will just give up driving and take to cycling, walking, take the public transport or try car pooling. One cannot drive on 1st gear for 20 kms daily – the clutch foot will hurt and petrol bill will bite like a vampire in the neck. Ouch. So these lazy bozos will now suddenly “discover” new ways of commuting – which are cheaper, cleaner,stress free and faster too. 
Time to recommend two of my friends who are doing their part to change the world –
Rohan Kini’s pedal power – bumsonthesaddle.com
Vipul Kasera’s Car pooling portal – commuteeasy.com
2. Govt will make better Public Transport:
This will be the second effect. Now the Ministers and their entourge cannot zip through the roads anymore. How much ever the policemen try they just cannot control the Nano army from invading the roads. So our smart ministers will device ways to shepherd people into buses and trains – so the roads are relatively empty for them to zip past. 
3. Nano will go green:

It is just waiting to happen. Hackers will soon throw in a few batteries and a electric motor into a Nano – so for less than the cost of a Reva you have a better looking 4 door car. Then Tata will think – why don’t we do it ourselves and Tata will launch an electric Nano and suddenly the environmentalists will have to reinvent themselves to criticize Nano – like how it is using Steel and Lead and Arsenic and how bad it is for the environment.
I for one welcome the Nano overlords 🙂
india, politics

Mr. “Ad”vani

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Hello Mr.Advani – err..”Ad”vani. You are killing me. You are there everywhere – wired posts, slashdot posts, lifehacker posts. One Mr.Obama had tremendous success by working the internet machine – but it will not work for you. Here is why.
1. Ads annoy people – especially if it is not targetted. Why should a prosperous India ad show up when I am reading about Pirate bay’s defence or some tech forum topic.  If I am reading about a political blog or on some serious concern related to India then there is some sense. Just throwing money and plastering an ad everywhere will not work. 
2. Is it a wholesome media campaign or your campaign team has bought a big bag of google adwords? I close my laptop, open Indian Express and if I read some thought provoking Ad it will sure impress me. 
3. The “How” is missing. I agree Mr.Advani will try to make India strong prosperous and all that. And so are Mr.Manmohan Singh, Mayawati, Jalalalitha, Laloo etc.  – but “how” is what I want to know. Answer me – either in your speeches, print ads or even in those google ads. People are way too smart to be brainwashed these days.
So till then please stop these ads – they are doing more damage than you guys can imagine. 

gizmos, india

When will Kindle launch in India?

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Hi Jeff Bezos! How are you doing? Feeling recession pangs? Don’t worry – you have got a solid business. You can recession proof further and consider expanding to India. When are you releasing kindle here btw? This is the one gadget I really really want. 

  • I have 30 or so books in my reading list ( in shelfari ) and none are available in India. 
  • I feel guilty when I buy books – dead trees and environment and all that. 
  • I need to search – lot of times I would think of quoting from a book but feel lazy to go search through the book
  • Can read multiple books at the same time
But please please please do not do an iPhone in terms of pricing. Thank you. 
india

India’s ENRON

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Its a sad day for us. In the last post I was exulting that the next apple or google is being cooked up somewhere in India.

And yesterday I was shocked to hear about Satyam with its hand muddied with a Rs.8000 crore fraud. We have managed to create an ENRON. I hope other Indian Companies do not get in the rat race to give bigger better balance sheets compared to the previous year – in order to have better share market results. Focussing on near short term and missing out on the long term benefits – of happy customers, happier employees and a rock solid business.
Thank you Mr.Raju – you have in one stroke made us cheaters. Don’t know how long it will take to  clean up the tarnished image in the world’s eyes.
frustration, india

Scapegoat

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The man on the left is the scape goat because of the incompetency of the following stalwarts.

1. Manmohan Singh
2. A.K.Antony.
3. Sonia Gandhi.
Mrs.Gandhi has successfully placed “dummies” for Prime Minister, President, Defense Minister and Home Minister. 1 and 2 might be clean but that did not come of any good to handle crisis. I prefer a corrupt paan chewing bad guy who will make our enemies think twice before indulging in any such adventures.
Venkat how can you say such a thing? I know I know – even if 1. and 2. are clean – the rest of 3,4…272 are  looting – remember the just concluded Telecom scandal  – Rs 60,000 crores swindled by a Swan technology and one more company – who never had any plans of selling mobile network – but got the spectrum from Mr.Raja for a measly sum and resold it within days to companies who wanted the spectrum badly. 
So corruption will happen – its a serious cancer. But the wounds that are being inflicted now will bring us a quick death. It has to be tackled with some guts and bravado – do you think our “clean” PM and Defence Minister and “competent” Home Minister and the Remote Control can handle it? No.