India-Pakistan hand in hand

BBC catches them red handed

Nostalgia

Some memorable videos from DD.

"A" Coincidence?

How many place names that start with "A" end with "A"..?!?!?

Almost all Continents:
Asia, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, America

Countries:
Australia, Austria, Argentina, Angola, Algeria, Armenia, Albania, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua, Aruba

Cities, States other land marks(By no means exhaustive)
Alabama, Atlanta, Alaska, Arizona, Atacama(Desert), Abha (Saudi), Acaricuara (Columbia), Acarigua (Venzuela), Accra (Ghana), Ada, Adana(Turkey), Afutara (sol islands), Agana, [Agartala, Akola, Agra(India)], Aiyura (P New guinea), Akita (Japan), Alameda.... (dont have the patience to type country name any more!).....Alahsa, Alamosa, Albenga, Albina, Alineva, Alerta, Alexandra, Alexandria, Algona, Alma, Alpena, Alpha(Australia), Alta, Altamira, Alula,Ama, Amata, Ambanja, Amchitka, Amderma, Amman (Jordan), Ampara, Anaa(French polynesia), Anaco, Anacostia, Analalava, Anapa, Ancona, Andapa, Andriamena, Anegada.... I give up......

In all this, I have covered a third of the world cities which have listed airports - imagine what the entire list will be. Do we have a tendency to finish proper nouns (names of places, plants, animals etc) with a sound of "A" , that which starts with one??

A Confident Google - article from Cnet.com

Google clears Wall Street profit estimate

Posted by Stephen Shankland | Post a comment

Google topped pessimistic Wall Street profit expectations Thursday, reporting a net income increase of 31 percent to $1.31 billion for its most recent quarter.

Excluding various items, that meant earnings per share of $4.84, well above the $4.52 expected on average by analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial. Revenue, which benefited from the acquisition of DoubleClick, was $5.2 billion in the quarter ended March 31, compared with $3.7 billion for the same period a year earlier.

(Credit: Google)

The company's stock surged more than $54, or 12 percent, to $503 in after-hours trading. That's a significant step back toward the company's all-time high of $747.24 in November.

"Our ongoing innovation in search, ads, and apps (online applications) helped drive healthy growth globally across our product lines, yielding another strong quarter for Google," said Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt in a statement.

The report comes amid fears that an economic slowdown or recession could be hurting Google's paid-click results, the number of text ads that Web searchers click on.

Google has been concentrating on showing fewer ads but making them better-suited to search results, a move it hopes increases the revenue generated by each click. But statistics from ComScore released this week show that paid clicks declined in the first quarter compared with the fourth quarter of 2007 for Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft's MSN.

Last quarter, Google's financial performance fell short of Wall Street expectations, triggering fears that economic woes might be hurting the company. Schmidt pooh-poohed the idea, at least for that quarter, by saying: "We have not yet seen any negative impact from rumors of future recessions. We'll see what happens."

Google said paid clicks increased 20 percent over the first quarter of 2007 and 4 percent over the fourth quarter of 2007.

Colors Of The City

I was sitting on my penthouse level and staring at the surroundings. From the seventeenth floor, there is not much you can't see on a day of bright sunlight. Being the core part of the city, there was not much colors.

Every building seemed like drab and colorless. All of them were shades of white, cream, gray or a pale brown. The occasional steel gray and colorless glass punctuates the scene. Colors have been silenced - perhaps to provide a sense of seriousness or mature outlook to these buildings. The occasional ad sings of Subway or McDonald's breaking silence, is a welcome sight.

The multi-storied parking lots, apartment complex, lush green parks, shopping malls, gas stations, all constitute to this drab but sophisticated cityscape. America is not without bums and beggars and bad roads - obviously, Hollywood wont show you any. Men and material, propelled by money, moving at massive speeds fill the roads and walkways. Formals attires also dull, matching the theme.

Their lives are somehow pretty bright and colorful. Somehow they manange to be colorful on the "inside" !

One thing I hate

is This

Seinfeld - the best stand-up comedian

Some nice quotes by Jerry Seinfeld

• It's amazing that the amount of news that happens in the world every day always just exactly fits the newspaper.

• I read a thing that actually says that speaking in front of a crowd is considered the number one fear of the average person. I found that amazing - number two was death! That means to the average person if you have to be at a funeral, you would rather be in the casket than doing the eulogy.
• Did you ever notice, when you are sitting at a red light, that when the person in front of you pulls up a couple of inches, you are compelled to move up too? Do we really think we are making progress toward our destination? "Whew, I thought we would be late, but now that I am nine inches closer, I can stop for coffee and a danish!"
• I am so busy doing nothing that the idea of doing anything—which as you know, always leads to something—cuts into the nothing and then forces me to have to drop everything.
• Kids could always resolve any dispute by calling it. One of them will say, "I got the front seat." "I want the front seat." "I called it." And the other kid has no recourse. "He called it, what can I do?" If there was a kid court of law it holds up. "Your Honor, my client did ask for the front seat." The judge says, "Did he call it?" "Well, no, he didn't call it..." He bangs the gavel. "Objection overruled. He has to call it. Case closed."
• Looking at cleavage is like looking at the sun. You don't stare at it. It's too risky. You get a sense of it and then you look away.
• Now they show you how detergents take out bloodstains, a pretty violent image there. I think if you've got a T-shirt with a bloodstain all over it, maybe laundry isn't your biggest problem.
• Seems to me the basic conflict between men and women, sexually, is that men are like firemen. To men, sex is an emergency, and no matter what we're doing we can be ready in two minutes. Women, on the other hand, are like fire. They're very exciting, but the conditions have to be exactly right for it to occur.
• The Four Levels of Comedy: Make your friends laugh, Make strangers laugh, Get paid to make strangers laugh, and Make people talk like you because it's so much fun
• There is no such thing as "fun for the whole family."
• What would the world be like if people said whatever they were thinking, all the time, whenever it came to them? How long would a blind date last? About 13 seconds, I think. "Oh, sorry, your rear end is too big." "That's ok, your teeth are yellow anyway. See you later."
• You know you're getting old when you get that one candle on the cake. It's like, "See if you can blow this out."

Wish List

Some thing I would like to see within this century:

1. Generically engineered babes - with specific physical and emotional qualities.
2. Some mechanism in which human body can generate its own food from sunlight, air and water. I don't mind a green tinge to the skin and a few leaves on the head.
3. Personal flying machine (a flying car) - No traffic signals please. If possible make it run on sea water or air.
   
4. Many big breaks in theoretical physics - higher dimensions, parallel universes, interplanetary travel, time travel, teleportation; I want to really test the grandfather paradox, Also avoid travel time to office.
5. Computers and electronics (literally)on fingertips, integrated with body. My logic-chip should automatically alert me when I am facing a trick question from my boss or girl friend/wife.
   
6. An ice age(Al Gore's predictions), couple of massive solar storms, at least 2 more world wars and a big comet hit on earth. And I should live to see the last of those tragedies. (My intentions are purest - population reduction and increased unity).
   

Caste Based Reservation

Very good article on latest supreme court ruling. In India, there is a strong caste based reservation system, which ensures that socially backward people get a healthy share of growth. Starting from school, colleges, jobs, promotions, government benefits, etc. The article addresses only half the problem. Elimination of creamy layer for backward classes. What about those deserving people not part of the backward classes?

The million dollar question is "Is she/he socially backward or economically backward or educationally backward?" and which of the three is the yardstick for providing reservation. Some more questions - When is a backward individual considered on par with others? after he completes schooling like others? after he graduates college like others? after he joins a job and earns as much as others? If so, why is being unfairly promoted? Why do his children still get to use the reservation?

Politicians use these people as proof that backwards are coming up. Result? More deserving people of backward class still don't come up, we compromise our quality, the economically backward suffer, people take pride in calling themselves backward, faking of caste certificates etc. The biggest chunk of economically backward never get the benefits - uneducated, unemployed and breeding like rabbits. Cycle continues..

Alcoholic drinks

In real life, water does not make a good combination with alcohol. But words for various alcoholic drinks, surprisingly have their root in Water.

Whisky - water of life
Rum - root word rumbullion  - strong water
Vodka - 'Voda' in russian means water (specifically water of life)
Wine - In the biblical story, Jesus turns water to wine.The word itself is derived from grape vine.

Some other popular drinks and their meanings
Place names:
Tequila - A place name in mexico where the drink is made
Scotch - Scottish whisky

Source of Drink
Gin - dutch word for juniper berries
sake - rice wine (or) distilled beverage
beer - barley
fenny - cashew
Arrack - coconut

Thanks to Arabic invention of distillation, we have managed to make strong alcohol out of anything with a potential to decay (source).

Agave: Tequila · Mezcal
Almond: Amaretto
Anise: Absinthe · Arak · Ouzo · Rakı · Pastis · Sambuca · Sassolino
Apple: Applejack · Calvados
Barley: Scotch whisky · Irish whiskey · Japanese whisky
Cashew: Fenny
Coconut: Arrack · Malibu
Fruit: Boukha · Brandy · Kirschwasser · Limoncello · Pisco · Palinka · Rakia · Schnapps
Grape: Cognac · Armagnac
Honey: Bärenjäger · Krupnik
Maize (corn): Bourbon whiskey · Corn whiskey · Tennessee whiskey
Plum: Slivovitz · Ţuică
Pomace: Grappa · Orujo · Zivania · Tsikoudia · Tsipouro
Cinnamon: Tentura
Potato: Vodka · Aquavit · Brennivín · Snaps
Sorghum: Baijiu (Kaoliang)
Rice: Rice baijiu · Soju · Awamori
Rye: Rye whiskey
Sugarcane/Molasses: Rum · Cachaça · Aguardiente · Falernum · Guaro · Seco Herrerano · Tharra

Music is Divine

The Indian system of music is arguably the most intricate and complex systems on the planet. So sophisticated - yet so beautifully simple. Initial impedance for learning the art is set low. But if you have to be good, that is a different ball game. Lot of rules and restrictions  - seems like a very rigid framework with the no scope for imagination and creativity. You can't be more wrong. Actually, you realize the real beauty of it when you see the outcome of years of training - a great singer on stage.

Our music system integrates yoga into it. The breath control required for singing, the position you sit, The way you handle your instruments, and most important of all the level of concentration on the platform. Among so much crowd and noise, you aim for perfection - nothing less. It is like a penance out there.

How many of us really appreciate or listen to the these traditional music? Our general argument is that it is slow, boring and out of fashion. Truth is most of us are unable to appreciate it due to our ignorance. Most melodious of the Indian film songs have their roots in this boring, out-of-fashion treasure house. Still filmy music uses less than 5% of the tunes of the traditional forms.

In a very Indian tone, we seek God in everything. Music is no different. Like any art form, it gives great joy to both the artist and listener. Even the non-religious can accept the divinity of our classical music.

Wanna scratch your heads?

Some interesting invalid proofs - like 1=2, 1<0, 1/4 = infinity, -1=1, x=y for any real numbers x and y, 1=3 etc
Enjoy!!!!!

China's Plans On Arunachal

A very neutral Canadian article on Chinese military buildup along the Indian border and their claim on Arunachal Pradesh.

Cinemas - The Mighty Tool

Gifted and sensible film makers have brought in a lot a changes to society. I am struck with awe with the power and reach of this media. No other media so comprehensively affects peoples thoughts and actions.

Cinemas in India and abroad have historically been used as great motivators. During times of crisis and war, messages reach audience more effectively through this tool than any other. Even during peace time, some movies and documentaries, have brought great changes and social benefits. Only thing is we need to make a conscious effort toward it. In India with so many areas where we can get better, having an open and easily influenced audience is both an asset and liability. Hence I think the responsibility falls on the film maker than audience in judging what is shown. Once they start portraying true and positive messages, they will build a credibility and money will be a non issue.

Another change that is required is from quantity back to quality. These days everyone has money - number of movies have doubled in last 2-3 years. Most award winning movies come from low-budget films in Bengali and Malayalam. Film maker need to realize that money or audience interests are not problems to solve, but assets to be groomed and grown in a healthy way.

Cinemas - Reflection or Example?

My personal opinion is films are, ironically, both a mirror image and the photo-negative of the society.

On one hand, directors and producers defend violence and sex as something which is already present in the society - which they are only playing back. They justify it as reality and not exaggeration. Even more bizarre and shitty things happens in real life - but showing it in films is just free promotion. Majority of the society is unexposed to such brutality and sexual exposure. When they do see this, they think it is already happening some place and that it is OK to do replicate in their lives. Remember that most target audience don't still have the capacity to discern right from wrong. Helps guys behaving violent and gals dressing slutty.

On the other hand, I feel that the movies give what lacks in our society. If you look at Indian movies released in 50s and 60s, most of them were family dramas with lot of emotions and tragedy. That is what the society did not have then. If you look at most movies produced now today - light weight, generally comedies. With today's stressful life, people are not in a position to appreciate serious subjects. They are finding movies as the quick way to vent they stress(comedy), desperation(sex) and built-up aggression(violence).

Is it the average movie goer or the producer who decides the trend? Fashion drives film or film drives fashion? Art or Business of movie-making?

Cinemas - Social Responsibility

This is another highly debated topics - the social responsibility of film makers. Mani Ratnam needs a special mention in Indian directors - mixing commercialism with some message. But is this message loud enough?

Look at the real problems facing India - more than a billion people, poverty, illiteracy, corruption, exploitation, injustice to women, bad judiciary and law enforcement, female infanticide, dowry problems..... tends to infinity. Of course the problems are real and very negative. But the movies need not be negative at all. It can target an individual improvement of herself/himself than, a superhero from upper middle class saving the day for us. Something which makes us think after the 90 minutes we spend inside the cinema hall. Not something which makes us laugh or cry and then forget about it in a week.

One bad thing in our cinema is it mostly focused on the hero. May be the idea comes from our mythology. Real life just doesn't work that way. These directors and producers have a responsibility to the public. After sucking their hard earner money, they do have an obligation to produce content that both questions the present state and provides hope that things can become better. Sure you can still have your "item" songs and fights interwoven. If you can do that with a crappy storyline, you can sure do it with a good story..

Let Her Rest In Peace

It has been more than a decade since Diana died. But still she is making headlines on UK papers.

Yes,we all agree that she was such a beauty - both inside and out. People around the globe still paying respects on the day of her demise. And then there are these people who think they are fighting for her rights in the court.

What they are really doing is using her name to promote our news channels and papers sales. What is it, in us, that seeks the truth? The brain or the heart? If these people have any empathy for that poor soul, instead of politicizing and marketing the whole thing, they will let her rest in peace....

Super-Maze

Initially I thought that only kids get excited, confused and distracted by all the colorful sign boards, shiny packings and low prices. But adults look even more confused - not knowing what they want. A supermarket successfully achieves this.

I think I am a mutant when it comes to supermarkets. I have a mental list of stuff to pickup - go directly to the shelf where my stuff is, pick it up and walk away. But till date I have never seen anyone else shop like that. I don't blame them as hundreds of creative geniuses and thousands of dollars go into the design and arrangement of products in a supermarket.

Believe me every object there is strategically placed. The most required daily stuff like Diary products, eggs and juices are the last segments - opposite corner to the entrance. You have to walk the trap before you get what you want.

If you look at the eyes of those people they will appear lost - looking for what to look for. They place their toddlers in the shopping cart along with their stuff - poor kids, will have a sore ass after an hour on this steel mesh. These people are sure of only one thing - they have to buy stuff. What? How much of it? They don't have a clue...