Half Rebel

I'm moving

2007-04-10T03:04:00.000+05:30

Hi all,

I'm moving to a new blog address http://halfrebel.vox.com/ which is hosted on vox which i've found more sleeker and user-friendly for my purposes. Do comment on new look of blog.

Cheers,
Himanshu

My SELF

2007-04-08T03:11:00.000+05:30

This is a post long due on my blog. I haven't written anything on this blog since a long time. To give an excuse, most of the people leave writing posts on their blogs after three months of starting their blogs. One can call it the fatigue factor. Initially, it's the euphoria of starting a new thing but later on, one has to have a very strong reason for writing. To some people, the instinct might come from within but to a rather mute person like me, It sometimes feels more of an effort.

A blog is a manifestation of a person's self expressed in words. Whenever we want to look at us in retrospect, we want to look at ourselves as perfect. Therefore, most of us don't like our photographs because most of us aren't photogenic. Similarly, Writing a blog is an easy thing but when over a period of time when your pieces of writing get build up, Many a times you come up with pieces that weren't written with fullest sincerity. And in my case, it makes me feel Bad. So, In a way, I've accepted this fact that I do not live my life with sincerity but do not like that that I'm imperfect.

Most of bloggers who write continuously usually have something to write about. But subject usually fail me. What should i write about. Germany? Regarding what.. The people here? the contrasts with India? Economy and Infrastructure, etc etc. I'll tell all about it to anyone who's interested in asking about any of these, but write it on blog.. It's strange that i'm not able to conjure up a coherent story.

In fact, I just lack every trace of coherency in my life. I do not know my life's goals. Currently i'm reading Milan Kundera's "The Unbearable Lightness of being". Kundera speaks about life as a unique event which has never occurred before. Nobody knows the future and the fear of the unknown is constant companion to everyone because what happens tomorrow has never happened before. Therefore, not knowing my life's goals should be the only possible option before me. That i do not know my future is the only reason i look forward to the future. If i were to know everything about my future, life would just be too boring. Perhaps, Understanding this truth helped me in ridding myself of frustration for few moments but still it didn't charged me in any way towards the way i do my office work or conduct my everyday relations.

So, Being a self-proclaimed amateur Economist, I can clearly say that I do not have an incentive in my life. The incentives that i have right now such as earning money to achieve short-term gratification don't propel me to change my attitudes towards life. But simply speaking, I've come to feel that i've a problem with the conventional incentives. In fact, I usually find other people strange who do things with their full zeal. I feel very grateful to people who help me, care for me and love me and I find myself reciprocating such things without doing any personal efforts. But to other things where the reciprocation is done by money or a higher authority order, I find it extremely turn off. So, clearly The incentives in my case aren't the usual incentives such as money, promotion or anything else but they are People, My personal attachments with them, time spent together and mutual understanding. But I also understand that most of people i know seem to do things as if they really want to do what they're doing. Or at least, their dedication, sincerity and zeal makes me feel so. I just want to understand that whether i'm an exception in this world of Perfect humans or whether i'm the norm and everybody is wearing a false face? If i were to ask my friends, they'll just ignore my question and say "Well.. nobody knows. Why don't you just continue with life and at least enjoy it in a better fashion by fighting for usual incentives." Perhaps.. Perhaps..

In a world of Perfects, i'm the one with the clown face. In the world of faces, I'll show everyone my true self coz nobody will believe it. Such would be my fate. Amen.

Found God - The Physics Way

2007-03-08T16:41:00.000+05:30

For past few months, I've been dwelling on Atheism, God and the fear of the unknown. And Now, After going through research spanning several decades by eminent Scientists and reading though our Hindu philosophy, I've come to conclusion that whether God exists or not, He can be described in real sense using available modern science in concrete terms. Here's my theory:

All non-Hindu followers who believe in God, are perplexed by stone and idol-worshiping practice of the Hindus. Those acquainted with Christian philosophy will know that according to Christianity, God can't be present in anything present in this whole Universe that we can imagine of as everything that's even remotely human is unholy. Similar view is true of Islam too. As per Bible, Christ came to this earth, but he wasn't a human and none of His body or deeds were even comparable to Humans. He was born from a virgin (Mary) and never married (Therefore, this hullabaloo over The Da Vinci Code).

Now, Going by Hindu philosophy, God is present inside everything present in Universe that we can think of and can't think of. So, When we worship a stone We are not worshiping a stone, We are worshiping God which is inside stone. Cut the stone into two, You won't find God standing there playing a flute or an electric guitar. The two pieces of Stone still have god inside them and as per your belief, you can continue to worship the Stone to please the God ultimate.

Now, keep on cutting the stones to further smaller pieces. To what level you'll go.. Molecules, Atoms, proton, neutrons, electrons? Just keep on cutting. Now, According to Modern Science, The smallest atomic particles discovered till date are electron, positron, neutrino and anti neutrino. So, Finally these can be assumed as the equivalents of Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and Shakti (Kali) in Hindu philosophy as God can't reside inside anything further smaller. Therefore, Positron == God.

PS: If you believe in non-particulate nature of matter, then God == wave. So, this accounts for the unimaginable (advait) part of God. So, Finally I've found God via The Physics way :)

The Authority Deficit

2007-02-28T22:47:00.000+05:30

I've been thinking over a little concept for last few days. How much external influence and authority have influence on our actions. I can start the discussion with Milgram's experiment, but I would like to look at the question in a more personal and Indian contexts.

What Milgram Experiment suggest is - Human beings obey to external authority if they believe in its veracity and even in cases, The correctness of the authority isn't very clear but If the subject (Person participating in experiment) assumes that what is being asked is for some ultimate better purpose, People are willing to do what is being ordered. The Aim of Milgram's experiment was to suggest a reason for behavior of Nazi soldiers during Second world war for execution of thousands of Jews - Why didn't they protest it? What happened to their Morals? Their common sense?

The Experiment gives out a surprising result in overall statistics. People behave strangely as opposed to common sense. They perform actions which they rationally can't justify. They know that what they are doing is somewhat wrong but still as the external authority wants it and gives a plausible reason for it (which they would never believe during a rational discussion), They do it. A very cruel real life example is present here.

I would like to discuss on our personal lives. A lot many times in our life, We are asked by our supervisors, our parents to act or follow some command. A very real example would be some guy who is on site, to work continuously for 28 hours and then report next day after some 3 hrs sleep. I've never encountered a person who would not come to office next day at the right time. People would whine and complain but still they would obey. Why? Because they believe that such an action is the right action. Talking of parents, i've seen few of my friends trying to do a love marriage. The lucky ones have their parents agreeing to them but to the other ones, It's something strange. Parents give absurd reasons - caste problems, religion problems, families status problems, Society pressures, yada yada yada - All of which are rationally unjustifiable. And yet my peers never say it boldly to their parents. And what i feel most disturbing about this is - They accept the authority of their parents. I'm very sure that there are instincts in human beings which enrage them when it comes their basic moral values. But when it comes to parent's advice people don't get enraged.. they just feel depressed and lost.

I've many roommates with whom i've had discussions on this. All of them agree with futility of arranged marriages but still none of them agrees that their parents' and families' views are absolutely absurd. What i'm trying to say all along is: They accept the authority of their parents even when these people are 25-26 years old, are intelligent, are more well read than their parents ever would be, but still accept the views of their parents. None of them has a stand that they are as intelligent and rational as their parents and therefore, they are capable of making right decisions about their life. All of them say "I can't fight against my parents, I'll try to pacify them and change their stance" - A decent approach but flawed basically. The usual approach is - "I know you're angry but please listen to me. I love this boy/girl and allow me to marry him/her". Why does no one ever say "I'm more intelligent than you would ever be and I'm going to make my own choices".

Coming back to job life, Most of us are not satisfied with our pay packages, our work profiles. And yet, when at the next boss-to-subordinate interaction, when he says that Our company has the best work, even though it doesn't has the best pay package.. Most of us believe him. At all water cooler talks at office, People cry about the pay packages but i've never heard anyone crying - This company has no work or challenging projects. Why are boss always able to project to their subordinates that the projects they are working on are Challenging enough. It's again the authority given by team members to the Boss. When he says "We've got fantastic project.. a challenging project and enticing prospects ahead" Nobody crosses him even in his own mind. Yes, i know that people do switch jobs but still everytime it's the pay package that's the driving factor and not the delusion about work challenge prospects.

I know that some people would say it as "Respect to elders" is a age-old Indian tradition. But traditions have to have some basic grounding. If we never question our traditions, our society would always remain a backward society no matter how economic growth we achieve. What i feel is that in the garb of Elderly authority, Most Indian youths are making fool of themselves by not challenging the age old beliefs.

How many times do we question the existence of God even when we can always justify every act rationally or scientifically? How many times we ever believe that our parents are normal human beings who are capable of making erroneous judgments as We youths are at an age of 25-26. We, in fact, never believe that our elders are just plain simple men and women having a limited understanding of the world as we all human beings have. I know that some people would argue against me but my point always was - "Why do people give authority to others just based on perceptions of the society on Power and Authority hierarchies?". The debate was never against elders or teachers or company bosses. It always was - Do we all lack so much authority in ourselves that as soon as somebody else exercies it, We are willing to accept it.

If you are not yet satisfied with my reasoning, Watch Black Friday. It beautifully tells the story of Badshah khan who is lured by Tiger Memon to murder Hindus for avenging Muslim blood. Never during the conversation, Badshah khan questions the authority of Tiger Memon which Tiger Memon gets only due to being group leader of the Terrorist Gang. In real life too, The bloody politicians are able to incite mobs for riots only because The Mob itself gives an unquestionable authority to the politicians to sway their views on truth and lies, and all this happens in a democratic country like India and not a totally communist country like China where the Mob has to agree. Perhaps, it's the biggest flaw of human nature that we all need a leader, for our Society to be organized. And it's the same need for a leader, an external authority which will make us realise, How big a fool we've all been.

No One

2007-01-08T21:40:00.000+05:30

I'm the One.
I'm the One.

Don't know my goals..
but the world tells me,
you have to be the One.
Get a salary,
Get a perfect body,
and be the One.

Forget the one you love,
and marry the fair babe.
Take the initiative, be creative.
Be a leader,
After all,
there is no glory
in just being a seeker.

Run..
coz if you don't run,
you're a loser.
Read the books..
coz if you don't read,
you're a fool.
it doesn't really matter,
if you don't understand anything.
Your life,
has to be interesting.
or, else copy the Page3 preachers.

Life's a mess,
and it can't belong to those,
who find it without having tons of money.
and then without leaving it all,
and then without going to himalayas,
and then without becoming the next Budhdha!!

God..
The messiah of the losers,
The Biggest lie on Earth,
and yet everyone's brainwashed.
Find him, and get the Nirvana.
Its just that.. nobody knows
whether he too wants to be the One!!

If i'm not the One,
I have to be the One.

You understand me!!
I just can not be a No One.
I'm the One.
I'm the One.

Corrupt mind (or, Corrupt brain)

2006-12-22T20:39:00.000+05:30

This article caught my attention. A Person in US started behaving abnormally after developing a brain tumour. Remove the tumour, off goes the abnormality. Resurfaces the tumours, resurfaces the problem.

Another article in TOI reported that a person UK got paid 3m for a damage to his brain which altered his personality.

The question here, as raised by The Economist, is about the free will. Do we have a free will or, are we conditioned by some factors over which we have no choices. I haven't read Broca's brain but have heard about one or two fascinating cases mentioned in the book - cases about persons who can recognise stationary objects but can't register moving objects, and about many more mind-boggling cases.

Though these cases caught my attention just for their peculiarity, but when i told these cases to my friends, they just said - "So, now you've got an excuse for your lecherous activities". Huh! Sometimes even when you're speaking truthfully, nobody believes you. Where's the question of free-will when it comes to people making judgements about you.

Longing for an answer

2006-11-02T11:45:00.000+05:30

I was just wondering over a trivial question, Why do men generally have shorter head hair and women longer head hair in Human societies. I tried to find the answer but couldn't find anything satisfactory than shorter hair for man are proscribed in military services just for the purpose of maintaining discipline.

In Indian context, i can't find any specific reason for this practice. i'm not saying that this is something horribly wrong happenning with our society, still just for a curiosity. One thing about men and women hair i know for sure - only men become bald, not the women. Women's head hair density becomes low but they don't become bald. Is that got something to do with shorter hair for men.

The only reason i've been able to conjure up is, it just started somewhere as a tradition and since then, its been continuing without anybody ever questioning it. Well, The Great Indian culture!!

Note: I understand that sikhs have long hairs, but again that's for a traditional reason. Similarly, the dudes having pony tails or boys who keep long hairs nowadays are doing it just for the sake of individuality (read - for pretending to be hip and followers of western values) So, somewhere in our society, it's not natural for men to have longer hairs. The same kind of argument will apply to women also. They do have bob cuts, etc. but still the ratio is heavily skewed in favour of long haired woman.

huh.. In the end, what a silly question when Indian Economy is growing and india's youth (i'm surely not one of them, according to the surveys done by business magazines all over india. Though i've never met even one person who personifies the ideal indian youth presented in these magazines) are sucking the lifelines of the West with their firang accent, writing software codes and by answering one or two profound questions of the world in BPO call centres? I should better get going to get a haircut. At least it will help to beat the mumbai humidity.

jackwise

2006-08-14T22:08:00.000+05:30

my friend prakhar has written few very nice poems on his blog. Do visit.

sky-crapper

2006-08-14T21:49:00.000+05:30

Okay, what do you do when you begin to feel that the quality of your writing is no longer to your satisfaction. You stop writing or, you continue the crap expecting that perhaps beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. That's why, even in this all mess of mine, i believe some patient and imaginative reader will be able to find some beautiful pattern that will make him relive the memories of long long forgotten childhood, drops of rain and usual emotional stuff. So, all of you reading my infinite universe of crap, one advice for you. Do keep reading my blog regularly so that you'll always have confidence in yourself that perhaps you don't write that bad after all. There is someone in this universe who is lot worse than you.

Plagiarised Business idea # 1

2006-07-30T22:11:00.000+05:30

I'm not quite aware of How the Medical system works in US. As far as i know Mediclaim is one of the biggest expenses there and All reknowned Hospitals ask for your Mediclaim papers before treating you. However, now they've come up with some fast-food versions of bigger Hospitals. However, in india its the Jugaad that wins always. So, we already have clinics at every nook and corner comprimising of allopathic, homeopathic, Yoonani, etc. So, you want medical treatment at Rs. 10/- you can have it.

Still, the philosophy adopted by Hospitals in US can be applied here in India. For e.g. Government can allow some similar medical clinics on the local train platforms of mumbai. In such a busy life of mumbai, its just way too difficult to extract time for a visit to Doctor. Even though we have doctors at every nook and corner. Still, the best ones are always crowded and one has to take a margin of one to two hours for any simple treatment. So, definitely i would welcome such versions.

PS: If somebody amongst you has been excited by my plagiarised business idea, then whenever you open you clinic, do thank me. And one more thing.. Will we get the nurse shown in the photograph. Well, that's The Tipping point.. what say?

i'm burning.. still

2006-07-30T21:59:00.000+05:30

Today I read an article of Hugh Mcleod. I won't say that it was bad or boring in any way at all. However, I do feel that all Creative persons have self-attached ego with themselves. So, they keep on trying to show the way for the world. I'm not saying that Hugh is any way boring or, his work is bad ( in fact it's fantastic). However, I can't take straight advises from someone, So can't accept his too.. Heh. Spirit of Half Rebel alive inside me.

Himanshu Zen

2006-07-30T19:39:00.000+05:30

No, i haven't changed my surname. i'm Himanshu Gupta still.

For last few days, i'm again going into that blank phases of mine. So, i thought that since indian philosophies and hinduism isn't working for me. (yeah.. i know that i don't do anything least bit religious still.. frankly speaking i'm bored) So, i thought that why not give Zen teachings a try. At least, the things you don't understand can be termed as enlightening. In hinduism you will get interprations of every Act of Gods (Democracy.. duh). In Zen teachings, nobody will explain you anything. You just keep observing the universe, try to solve some mind-less puzzles (can' use mind in solving them). So, i thought that maybe a mind-less guy like me(this time speaking it literally) would fit good with Zen. However, i'm yet waiting for enlightenment when i'll take my first step towards it.

RSS Feed, The murderer

2006-07-24T21:40:00.002+05:30

Did RSS Feed kill anybody.. yes they did. i'll tell you how. They killed the google Ads, the source of income for a "now poor" blogger like me. Now anybody who is using a feed reader such as Google reader or, bloglines must have observed by now that the Google Ads that show on the blog during normal viewing don't figure in the RSS Feed reader interface. So, one misses all the Ads and that's the reason that I, who once used to get millions of visits and used to make millions of dollars by my Google Ads no longer make any money because nobody visits my blog anymore. They all read it on their feed readers where my Google Ads can't reach.. Oh god.. did ye hear my cries, did ye hear that RSS Feeds killed my ambition of equalling Warren Buffet's wealth. RSS Feed.. the murderer.

Now, to those who don't even know what RSS Feeds are, Go phish. and i'll live in the misery along with my google Ads. what? you can' see any Google Ads on my Blog. well.. there's an old story about a beautiful painting of "cow eating grasss". Have you ever seen it. i'll show it to you. Here is it below.
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you: Er.. can i ask you something Mr. Himanshu. i can't see any painting above here.

himanshu: Well.. the picture is of a cow eating grass.

you: i can' see the grass.

himanshu: Well.. the cow has eaten all of it.

you: and now where's the cow? After eating all the grass it has left the field and has gone to graze somewhere else.. is that what you are saying.

himanshu: exactly...

i think you got my point. Okay, don't kill me. sorry for such a long long Poor joke.

Father. i've a confession to make.

2006-07-22T22:31:00.000+05:30

What the Heck!! Do you guys even understand the pressures of feeling blogimpotent. i'm just imagining the pressure of real one's (and being a pervert won't make you an eligible bachelor) My Advice, Go to Doctor and have a check. I had mine just this morning. I'm not diabetic.

Bodhisatva,The Realization

2006-07-22T21:41:00.000+05:30

I always used to console myself over my poor grades in college saying that 'one should be an allrounder in life' believing that a little bit of dancing besides studies would make me an all-rounder. Alas! i was wrong. In life, it is always decided by others that whether you're an allrounder or not.

Thanks.. Babu

2006-07-22T21:09:00.000+05:30

lo! Here's the secret behind mumbai being voted the rudest city in the world. i'm proud of my manhood (pun unintended) .

PS: The heading of this post is a tribute to Manoj Bajpai's iconic feat in 'Road'. i hope my fans will send me boxes full of cakes and pastries saying 'Thanx.. Babu'. Well... don't bug me alright. i used to attend english speaking classes at a time. So, a word or phrase was given at the start of the class and everybody had to frame a sentence using that phrase. so, it was just one of those sentences. However, i wouldn't mind if you'll send me a suitcase full of cash. I swear i'll send you a clip saying "Thanx.. Babu" in my own natural amitabh bachchan baritone voice.

Fasting, Feasting

2006-07-22T21:02:00.000+05:30

Here's to Americaano indian culture spreading in our indian cities. I've heard that Anita Desai has written a novel by the same name as the Heading of this post. Okay, my dear google i've found it.

Do look at the comments on Paris Hilton's pic. Though for paris hilton's true fans, here's a gem.

Is Google missing something?

2006-07-15T18:11:00.000+05:30

The eye-candy of today's www (world wide web, How many of you still remeber that :) ) Google definitely seems indestructible and unstoppable today. Just go to google Labs and you would be amazed.

However, i've found two flaws about Google which might be a sore throat for it in the long run. One is lack of Google's integration of its social services network and more than it, keeping most of its project in the Beta phase. Orkut is still not open to everyone as against MySpace, which anyone can join. Its blogging portal, blogger doesn't provides features such as control on Who can view your blog posts, as in case of Yahoo 360. Part of Being a social Service provider means that one should have access over one's accessories. Some major points have been raised in the following post.

My other contention is related with google's promotion of firefox over Internet Explorer. It is obvious as IE is a Microsoft's product. However, in the case of firefox, one of the most used features of Firefox is its tabs feature. You want to open a window, you just open a new tab and start surfing. The problem with this is that no homepage opens on your Screen.

Companies like google, yahoo and microsoft spend millions of dollar on tie-ups with browser developers and softwares firms such as Adobe so that their webpage would be the first preferred portal for users. Presently, Google is the first choice world over when it comes to numbers, regarding the most preferred search engine. However, if a time comes when Google starts losing in numbers behind other firms then its strategy of promoting firefox might backfire. Because the first page that the user would see would no longer be Google, instead it would be his own preferred portal such as microsoft, yahoo or any other webpage accessed directly and not after viewing Google as homepage of Firefox (or any other browser).

Perhaps, that's why Microsoft is yet to release a version of Internet Explorer with tabbed browsing facility. I would like to know reader views on this.

Food®

2006-07-14T21:52:00.000+05:30

Mom enters kitchen to find her family seated at the table.

Mom: So what do you guys want for dinner?

Son: Original Recipe®!

Dad: Green Beans!

Daughter: Tender Roast®!

Son: Seasoned Rice!

Dad: Homestyle Biscuits!

Daughter: The Colonel’s Crispy Strips®!

Son: KFC® Snacker!

Voiceover: KFC. Resistance is futile.

This was only an Advertisement spoof. However, there are some beautiful Ads in India such as, that of Frankfinn Air Hostess Academy.

Soha Ali khan: Are reena, kya kar rahi ho aajkal?
(Reena, What are you doing now a days?)

Reena's mother: computer kar rahi hai. ek saal baad shaadi karaa denge.
(She's doing computer. we'll marry her after one year)

aaargh.. computer?? What is meant by doing computer. anyways, The spoof of This Ad can't be made for sure. It itself is a big spoof.

A million steps of bruised steel

2006-07-12T21:29:00.000+05:30

I'm late in blogging anything about mumbai blasts. Yet, it shakes one's insides to be a part of most cosmopolitan city of india and watching gory scenes on your Television. and still.. there is nothing you can do except just sympathesize.. or is it?

As soon as the news of blasts reached everyone, the cellphone networks were jammed. if you had access to net, fine.. at least you could inform your loved ones that you are safe. But it was a different thing altogether, to observe and live the journey back home. Fully-packed buses, people walking towards homes in middle of rains, bunches of people trying to get hold of any mode of transport - i saw many trucks full of people standing on their backs. The air seemed different, i don't know whether i was afraid or not, but perhaps i was watching mumbai with a different perspective altogether.

After few moments, it seemed everyone around had forgotten what had happenned. Mumbai roads and traffic were already in tatters after few showers of monsoons and it was no different yesterday, with the situation more worse than ever with everybody switching to road transports. Stranded in traffic jams, i just observed those around me. Sitting in a company bus, knowing that you are safe now but observing the common people outside, i understood everybody knew that something terrible has happenned to the city. We were not running for our lives. We were not afraid. But it wasn't alright.

When i boarded down from the bus, i went to the temple and wished for everyone's safety. i thanked god for taking care of me and then i saw urchins playing in front of temple. Playing and laughing, they didn't care what had happenned to mumbai. i looked towards the highway, towards the traffic jam and then i looked towards the urchins, towards the temple and idol of Sai Baba and walked towards my home.

By now, All of us have watched these heart wrentching scenes of flesh and blood spilled everywhere and have discussed it with our friends, our family. Few posts by Amit and Gaurav have been really touching and really the efforts of Mumbai Help are praise worthy. But i perhaps want to understand that what is it that will change inside us when we observe such incidents. Will we change, will we stand up and give the perpetrators of terror a bloody blow on their faces. Or, perhaps we would just look towards the gods, thank them for keeping ourselves and our relatives safe, condolesce with the dead and their relatives, and move on with Life.

I don't know the clearcut answer. We don't know who did this. We don't know what purpose they would achieve by doing this. But i know that mumbai can't stop. It just can't. All local trains were operational by 10.30 p.m. yesterday night and all offices and schools are open today. The city was bruised, injured and batterred but it won't give up.

Today morning, when i came to office, there were no traffic jams. Perhaps, many people were staying in their homes and spending time with their family and loved ones instead of coming to offices. But i know that terrorists can't win. They would never. I know that again there will be traffic jams and the roads will be crowded and the city would move on, without caring two pence for anything or anyone in this world. That's the indomitable spirit of Mumbai.

Spreading hatred everywhere

2006-07-08T21:30:00.000+05:30

Having varied experiences in our life is definitely we all crave for. however, i came across this blog where the blogger seems to enjoy hate mail

I've been waiting and waiting for it. I knew eventually I'd say something that would piss people off.

Well, i hope i too will get loads and loads of hate mails coz, there is a saying in hindi "badnaam bhi hue to kya hua, naam na hoga". (Being infamous, in itself, is being famous too)

I think if i would have read something like this about some politician or, some media channel i just would have cringed. Since, this is the usual norm of these persons that you find it awry if they start behaving like true gentleman. anyways, having an opinion will always result in somebody having a different opinion than yours.

Since, this was the post of a just simple girl, that's why i put it here. Although i hope that i won't start getting hate mails from this girl itself for calling her 'simple' :)

Bravo!!

2006-07-04T14:33:00.000+05:30

I'm glad that i had to eat my words regarding Indian cricket team performance. I know that neither my criticism nor my praise would reach Indian team However, i as a fan have perfectly genuine expectations from my favourite team.

Cricket is a religion in India. People here won't know so many stories about their religious gods as much they would know about their cricketing heroes. I'm just glad to be a part of this fan following, This crowd of foolish people who know that perhaps sleeping 3 hours less would make the next day in office almost unbearable. We indians do love our Heroes of cricket team.

Other sports winners may cry foul but i think it all becomes irrelevant when you see Sachin Tendulkar going on backfoot and hooking Shoaib Akhtar for a Six in world cup Semifinal. You would dance the whole day and whole night in wait for the next innings of 'The god' Sachin.

Here's to our Heroes 'Dravid and his mates'.. Bravo!!

i do have ears

2006-07-01T18:14:00.000+05:30

To know that you are a fool and still not doing anything about it, can be summed up as my interpretation of myself. most of the times, i end up realizing everything after i have done it. Previously, i used to get frustrated at this.

However, now i've become rather neutral to this. i don't bother about whether i was able to achieve what i had set out to. But the world has its own ways, i've been forced to learn.

Nowadays, i'm trying to come to office on time, trying to make priorities in life, and finally, i'm trying to study for CAT. Perhaps, the level of preparation and its pace isn't fast enough. Still, it's encouraging and absorbing. At least, i'm able to do something which i want to do.

I'm gonna try and do some more things of this sort. Perhaps, then i would believe in myself that i can do things which i dream.

Get up Half-rebel!!

God.. i wait for thee

2006-07-01T17:59:00.000+05:30

Today is a Sad day. Argentina lost the match against Germany. My god 'Riquelme' is out of world cup. I will still watch the world cup however, without supporting any team.

However, As far as Cricket test match between india-west indies is concerned, Gaurav Sabnis writes

The Indian team is very considerate. They are batting like this in the first session because they don't want the fans to feel they missed anything watching Germany-Argentina.

The score as I post this - 13/2 in 16 overs.

Well, definitely watching Indian cricket team's attitude for the last three test matches, its better not to watch the match at all. Always, on the final day the Indian team goes on the defensive while claiming that we had the upper hand. Come on guys, at least try for a win.

anyways, its a Sad day. i'll wait for you - Riquelme, give me the world cup next time for sure

Go India!! Go

2006-06-28T20:09:00.000+05:30

Found this hilarious link. entrepreneurs wanted :)

Looking for a dream career, Think no more

2006-06-27T21:29:00.000+05:30

There are many boys like me who have been inspired by great Antara mali epic "Main madhuri dixit ban na chaahti hoon" and we too have imagined ourselves in the role of "Main Imraan haashmi ban na chaahta hoon". Of late, i've heard that our "pappi raja" won't be doing any kissing from now on in his movies. i wonder what work will he do then in the movie. If any of you has thought even in his dreams that "Mr. serial kisser" can act, then do post a comment here.

Anyways, money being the ultimate goal, i'm thinking nowadays about becoming "serial suer" - guy who keeps on sueing serially.

Following are my inspiration behind pursuing this career:

paul doyle on Guardian's world cup blog

As anyone who's ever sued a supermarket after tripping over a stray piece of broccoli knows, societies are increasingly litigious. Football clubs and players are not excluded from this trend, nor would we expect them to be, given the amount of money now swishing around the game. Manchester United reportedly threatened to hold Sven-Goran Eriksson personally liable if Wayne Rooney suffered a recurrence of his metatarsal injury during the World Cup, and Newcastle are said to be considering launching proceedings against Fifa to force the global governing body to pay Michael Owen's salary for the duration of his latest convalescence, which apparently could last up to six months.

and closer home, Sahara-Jet divorce before marriage

Sueing is fun. koi shak!!! (himesh reshammiya's sucking line.. yuck yuck!!)

Sorry

half rebel

2006-06-26T19:34:00.000+05:30

Indian express writes:

"In fact, Indian society has a particularly hypocritical attitude towards teachers’ pay: the loftiness associated with teaching is seen as some sort of a justification for low salaries. This is bunkum, of course. We won’t get either enough teachers or, more important, good teachers unless we make the profession attractive materially. And while doing this we mustn’t make the mistake some Western countries like the US and Britain have: try to hike pay at college and university levels while keeping school teaching a low paid job. There’s no point talking of quality education, if well-paid educators aren’t central to the discussion."

This is one issue i've always felt about. I, as a child, used to adore my teachers. i believed them when they taught me that we should be morally right. I used to listen their stories with awe and admiration. i trusted them and believed them, they gave wings to my dreams in the stories which they taught us in class.

But now, i'm a grown up. i think of teaching as a profession, just as any other profession. In fact, frankly speaking i've become so much cynical that i almost refuse to believe the age old logic that people doing teaching jobs, at least in india, are doing it to serve society. In this fast paced and demanding life of today, money has become a very important factor for choosing any career. I, being from an IIT, can't imagine any of IITians engaged in low-paying teaching jobs in schools. There are a few who go into coaching institutes for the lure of the money But there isn't one who teaches in Schools.

But when i start thinking about the future of India, i am scared at the prospect. If underpaid, unsatisfied and lesser-competent persons only will take to teaching profession due to its low-paying status, In the long run, we might be creating a hollow future.

Perhaps, youths like me do get inspired by watching movies like 'Rang De Basanti' but when it comes to taking a choice for lifetime, we are just unable to choose, unable to think on our own. Our society is so much bound by stereotypes that, making your parents and relatives understand your choice, to accept a life of lesser money than your colleagues, just to do good for the society doesn't really charges anyone to change life's paths.

Well.. i know i'm a half-rebel.

janmat zindabaad

2006-06-24T19:15:00.000+05:30

Yesterday, i had my friends were having free evening snacks in our canteen. By chance, we enjoyed a great evening at i-flex :)

It consisted of two parts. first was the food. Now, my company never wants its employees to become fat. that's why the taste of the food is always such that even if you are hungry since last two days, you won't be able to eat more than two chapatis. Yesterday, i think by some mistake, we had some nice tasting snacks on our tongue-buds. Ok, that was the first part.

In our canteen, we are having two flat screen televisions so that whenever an outside visitor would visit our company, He would be led to believe that we employees enjoy so much freedom that we can watch television also. Obviously, there is a catch. The television is 'ON' between 7 to 7.45 p.m. only. you can't change the channels nor the volume (due to god damn Child lock.. hail i-flex).

And the biggest advantage being, the channels shown on these televisions. yesterday, One of them was showing 'Janmat' and the other was showing 'Channel 7'. Now, definitely i-flex doesn't wants its employees to watch television even for half-an hour. Who the hell on earth watches janmat or, channel 7??

So, i along with my friends was enjoying my free snacks and then, something happenned. The television beside me started showing images of bikini-clad women shaking their bodies vigorously while doing samba. Now, that was a sight for us. all the women sitting nearly started blushing. But obviously, the television was child-locked so, nobody could do anything about it. So, we guys kept on enjoying the beautiful brazilian females while women sitting around tried to behave as if nothing was happening :)

Well.. at that moment i cried loudly (obviously, i wasn't caring about women employees. i don't think i have any chances of making any girl-friend even here in i-flex. curse of ITBHU :( ). So, coming back to my crying loudly.. i cried "JANMAT ZINDABAD". (hail janmat). "junta ka mat" :) (public's view)

Hehe

mum-bhaiyya

2006-06-24T18:06:00.000+05:30

I've been living in mumbai for about 1 year now. i've went through all kinds of emotions about mumbai. i've loved its diversity - endless people everywhere, endless faces with wrinkles, sweats, rich and poor, its one of its kind life in india - the city respects every individual. Here in mumbai, Nobody asks you questions, you are free. your next-door neighbour won't ask you about your personal life. you live life in mumbai, you die and you are forgotten, still the pace of the life moves on.

And then there are scenes of traffic jam, pollution, utter chaos and waste of time due to roads and flyovers being constructed in every nook and corner of the city.. it just makes me sad and sometimes cringe for shifting to some other city.

Perhaps i haven't really understood mumbai in its totality. still when i found this link on flickr on photographs of mumbai, i again went through all those emotions and those memories.

When you live in mumbai - you have all kinds of questions in your mind. Everyday, the pace of life remains same. you get up, you run and you do your job in office. your only interaction with the city being the long traffic jams and broken roads. you find yourself crying for some relief.

Sometimes, there are reports in mumbai newspapers regarding mumbaikars loving their city the most in India and i wonder what might be the reason behind it. There is no space to live in the city. Even a 1 BHK in far suburbs would easily cost 25 lakhs. infrastructure of the city is collapsing.

Still, people love it. i've talked with my friends - my room mates and they love this city. Anurag said to me - This is the only city which is alive no matter when you step out of your home. Even at 3 am in the night, one would find roads filled, highways being plied upon by vehicles, you can always find a roadside cigarette and coffee-wala at this time, sitting beside the highway.

There would be girls and boys enjoying and partying in pubs. Even at 12.30 in the night, i've found girls walking alone while they are in tee shirts and low waist jeans. i don't know whether such girls are call girls or not as it rather seems strange to find a girl being so much prepared with make-up. But then, i think that i respect the city's attitude - rarely any man would dare to approach the woman. you are respected. "mumbai mein har koi apne kaam se kaam rakhta hai" i had heard this line often before coming to mumbai but now, i realize it.

In cities like bangalore, i've heard from my friends that the native people of city don't accept the outsiders like me, ridiculing us as north indians. There is no such attitude in mumbai. Regarding pune, it closes down at 10 p.m. in the evening. no open shops, nothing.

I think we all have a tendency to curse the system sometimes. Even when we are satisfied and things are going according to us, our basic system cringes for a change. that's why we humans rebelled in the first version of The Matrix :)

i think i cry because i try to go down into my memories of my college days of BHU. its a completely changed life now. i get up, i go to office, i come back, watch TV, chat to my friends for half an hour or so and go to sleep. i think the 'the fun part' of the life has become rather subdued.

i'm slowly trying to make a sense of all this. i no longer cringe for that night life. however, i do get bored whenever any newspaper brings out an article regarding night life of mumbai. i know that i can be blamed as a case of sour grapes as i myself am not living a very active life, i might be termed 'sour grapes'. But still, with the kind of job pressures, crumbling infrastructure and roads which keep you stuck in traffic jam for 3 hours daily, one might think that night life is only for the sons and daughters of the ameer junta (super riches).

Still, watching those flickr images and the time which i spend in my balcony watching the blue sky, watching slums stretched across many kilo metres, and just observing the passing time and life, i think i forget all my complaints. The city has its charm. i might not cheer up whenever i listen "Mumbai" but yes, it's a different kind of city.

Perhaps we don't know how to live the life. perhaps if i had more money and a less hectic job, i would have enjoyed mumbai more. perhaps if i lived in the posh areas of mumbai - bandra, juhu or south mumbai.. i would have complained less as there would be lesser traffic jams, better roads and infrastructure.

i've never made an effort for anything in my life. i've slowly become a mumbai wallah. i've never watched a sunrise or sunset in mumbai. my balcony faces west and from ground there are tall building everywhere that i can never watch the sun setting in the mountains.

I think we all keep on running for getting something in our lives that has been eluding us. But i don't know whether achieving money, time, life-partner will make me reach there.

PS: the title of my post is mum-bhaiyya. we north indians are called as bhaiyya log in mumbai. that's why i'm calling myself as mum-bhaiiya :) but still i believe that i am always accepted and forgotten in mumbai :) the city doesn't care for you. it won't stop. it won't bleed for you. it would just keep on moving. this is mumbai, and i'm a mum-bhaiiya

Cinkara

2006-06-22T17:30:00.000+05:30

Cinkara, the energising tonic has changed its punchline in its new Ad campaign. In its earlier Ads, There was this poor man having no energy left in him and being made to to loads of work. its jingle went as:

"Yeh bechaara..
kaam ke bojh ka maara
ise chahiye
hamdard ka tonic
Cinkara"

in english -

This pathetic man
is so much saddled by work.
He needs
Hamdard's tonic
Cinkara

finally in the Ad, our protagonist drinks a spoonful of cinkara, suddenly jumps from his office chair and breaks the office's cabin glass with his new found energy from Cinkara.

Now, i've always been a lazy boy (activation energy in my case has an infinite value.. everybody around me always seems to wonder.. what's wrong with me) . So, when i was young. My father always used to scold me - Why are you so lazy. Why don't you seem energetic like other boys?

and then, there was this Ad of "Cincara" in television commercials. My Dad used to bring Cinkara for me so that i would change at least some bit. Now, i don't really remember my childhood much. So i don't know whether became charged with the energy of 1 photon or not but, recently when i saw the Ad again.. childhood memories came back to my mind.

This time the jingle was:

kamjori se chhutkaara
Cinkara

in english:

relief from weakness
Cinkara

The scene of breaking of office glass were the same this time too.

Why i am writing this. well, now a days i'm doing job. My parents are no longer with me due to job's location constraints, i being in mumbai and they in jabalpur. However, this time, i myself am thinking about buying a bottle of Cinkara :) as it is becoming obvious to me that if i don't change myself soon, i might become extinct (following the Darwinian Principle of Survival of the fittest, i think i am not doing anything for which anybody will give me even a single penny for any job)

So, my appeal to the Readers..

CAN PLEASE ANYBODY BUY ME A BOTTLE OF CINKARA :)

well.. i'm too lazy in even going to the medical store. i think i should talk to some museum where i can get some money by standing as a homo-sapiens specimen. i don't think there is anything else that i can do.. huh... i'm so sad :(

Raat aadhi kheench kar meri hatheli

2006-06-20T18:47:00.000+05:30

This is a poem by late Mr. Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Father of legendry Amitabh Bachchan. Although it would be a great dishonour to Harivansh Rai Bachchan if i take his name along with Amitabh Bachchan only as he in himself was an Amazing Personality.

Here's one poem of his. I am sorry to english-reading viewers of mine as this poem is in hindi. Here are the lines:

Raat aadhi kheench kar meri hatheli
Ek ungli se likha tha pyar, tumne.

Faasla tha kuchh humare bistaron me
Aur charon or duniya so rahi thi.
Tarikayen hi gagan ki janti hain
Jo dasha dil ki tumhare ho rahi thi.
Main tumhare paas hokar door tumse
Adhjaga sa aur adhsoya hua sa.
Raat aadhi kheench kar meri hatheli
Ek ungli se likha tha pyar, tumne.

Ek bijli chhu gayi, sahsa jaga main
Krishnapakshi chaand nikla tha gagan me.
Is tarah karwat padi thi tum ki aansoo
Bah rahe the is nayan se us nayan me.
Main laga doon aag us sansaar me
Hai pyar jisme is tarah asamarth-kaatar.
Jaanti ho us samay kya kar guzarne ke liye
Tha kar diya taiyyaar tumne!
Raat aadhi kheench kar meri hatheli
Ek ungli se likha tha pyar, tumne.

Praath he ki oar ko hai raat chalthi
Auh ujaale mein andhera doob jaata.
Manch he poora badaltha kaun aise
kkoobiyon ke saath parde ko uttatha.
ek chehra sa laga thumne liya tha
aur meine tha utharaa ek chehra.
vo nisha ka swapn mera tha ke apne
par gazab ka tha kiya adhikaar thumne.
Raat aadhi kheench kar meri hatheli
Ek ungli se likha tha pyar, tumne.

Aur utne faasle par aaj tak
Sau yatna kar ke bhi na aye fir kabhi hum.
Fir na aya waqt waisa, fir na mauka us tarah ka
Fir na lauta chaand nirmam.
Aur apni wedna main kya bataun!
Kya nahi ye panktiyan khud bolti hain?
Bujh nahi paya abhi tak us samay jo
Rakh diya tha haath par angaar tumne.
Raat aadhi kheench kar meri hatheli,
Ek ungli se likha tha pyar, tumne.

- Harivansh Rai bachchan

Rebel motto - II

2006-06-20T14:46:00.000+05:30

Here is my rebel motto, which I wrote myself. This gives me the spirit that i will never give up.. never give up. i plan to make it my tee-shirt caption someday. Right now, its my status at google Talk

Rebel motto - I

2006-06-20T14:23:00.000+05:30

This is from Apple's think different campaign. Once upon a time, it gave me the spirit to rebel and still gives. found these lines at wikipedia for "Think Different". Here are the lines:

Here's to the crazy ones.

The misfits.

The rebels.

The troublemakers.

The round pegs in the square holes.

The ones who see things differently.

They're not fond of rules

And they have no respect for the status quo.

You can praise them, disagree with them, quote them,

disbelieve them, glorify or vilify them.

About the only thing that you can't do is ignore them.

Because they change things.

They invent. They imagine. They heal.

They explore. They create. They inspire.

They push the human race forward.

Maybe they have to be crazy.

How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art?

Or sit in silence and hear a song that's never been written?

Or gaze at a red planet and see a laboratory on wheels?

We make tools for these kinds of people.

While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius.

Because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can

change the world, are the ones who do.