India - a land of great think tanks

Recently, i have come across many igniting articles/Blogs on topics comdemning attack on media,questioning Indian citizens about who would be Indian Obama and so on.......
While these blogs are eye-openers and thought provoking, huge number of comments supporting those articles are equally thought provoking. But unfortunate no body talks about what is to be changed and what role the author wants to play during that change. Person who is addicted to web opens his eye after watching so many blogs. this guy opens blogs/discussion boards and post his views. back to normal life. Another set of people, who are not addicted to web opens their eye after watching TV programs like 30 minutes. With in these 30 minutes, media elaborates on a topic and cover every part of that event (they will obviously put a question mark on future and ask us to wait and see rather than suggesting an approach to face the issue). watch the TV, discuss with your neighbour and go to work next day.
Unfortunately, all these think tanks are turning their thoughts into dreams. Our politicians generated apathy towards politics. our politics is full of dynasty rule and cult leaders. Definitely, It is not an easy road to drive on. But there are few things, every body can do. Like software engineers, who spend most of their time infront of web can spend their week ends creating awareness on government policies and one's rights to un educated people and people living below poverity line. NRI's keep funding organizations which are doing good...so on...Politics is not a unique way to serve others and blaming politicians is not the only thing you can do...

Managers

This is my second project and this is 27th month in job. After completing my graduation in may 2005, i have spent some 8 months on trainings on various technologies. SQL, .NET, Java, J2EE..
My institute made me a guy, who is adaptable to everything. Ofcourse i was under the same impression that i should be ready to accept any job.
In March 2006, i got into an organization. i was asked to attend client calls. I was very enthusiastic and cleared interviews. i was placed into project within 15 days. I did what i was supposed to do for one year. After one year, time has come to change my project. My project moved to another organization.
Drama1 -
Day 1 - I informed my manager that i am no more interested in the work i am doing and want to change the kind of work i am doing.
My manager happily accepted and promised me that he would be taking care of everything.
Day 2 - My client side manager got a call from another manager inquiring about my abilities at work. My client side manager informed that, my profile has been pushed to another project where similar work will be there. Now it is clear that my manager is not going to stand on his promise.
Day 3- I enquired about a vacant position, which suits my interest and updated my manager.
Day 4 - My manager shouted and almost barked me for not keeping him updated and ruined that oppurtunity.
Either he didnt help me or he didnt allow me to get into the place, where i am interested. I have made up my mind to leave company, if i get a chance rather than running around managers to change my work.
Second project -
I struggled a lot initially, but it was a better project than older one work wise. 9 months passed in project and it was the time i was around 2 years old in industry. I got an offer from another company. I went to my manager and informed him that i am going to leave this organization because i am getting good pay, which is not good enough to deal with my expenses.
Drama 2 - I asked him for an onsite oppurtunity where i can earn money to get rid off current financial concerns.
My mgr happily accepted and asked me to groom myself technically and he is going to take care of rest. He also said that his first step would be to take me out of the team after talking to my client maanger and sending me to another location in 6 months.
Months passed away with no update. I mailed my manager asking to meet. He is busy busy busy and almost indirectly indicated that he cant send me onsite.
Drama 3 - Again situation aroused, where my project is moving away (Please dont think that all projects are moving out because of my performance. They are moving out for other reasons).
I met my manager and asked him about onsite oppurtunity.
This time, he went a head and quoted few country names and project names where he can push me. i was little excited that this time, i may get an oppurtunity.
I was waiting waiting waiting for the update on it.
Suddenly i got an update that my project is going no where and is staying back with my organization. My manager didnt exhibit minimum concern by updating me.
Oh god, how many times, these guys do false promises and talk what every they want...
Ofcourse i have come across some good managers as well - But they didnt stay long in the project to help me. May be my bad luck.

Trip to Mahabaleshwar, Pune

A hill station located 100 kms away from Pune. It has got around 14 points for tourists to visit and enjoy. you will find lot of yummy strawberry's around this place and lot of hills around. Krishna river, which serves Maharashtra and Andhra originates here. This place has got a historic Mahabaleshwar temple (a must watch, but didn't watch :( ). Before i visited, i read in web that it is a summer capital. But after visiting this station in core summer, i seriously disagree the statement. Left one is the picture i got in web before visit and right one is the picture i took during visit.

Then visited Pratap Gad, the place where afzal khan was slayed by Chatrapathi Shivaji. This place is a sort of relief to me out of whole trip after travelling Mahabaleshwar under burning sun.

April 30th 2008 - I was said that bus will be reaching secunderabad at 7 PM. Seems, i am the only punctual person around. Bus was very late and it left hyd at 10 PM.

5/1/08 8 AM - bloody bus dropped me at Pune (The horrible travels i am referring to is kesineni travels, mark it as a final alternative for your travel any time).

8:15 AM - i reached my home, beautiful and safe pune, took me in 15 minutes. Nischal (My brothers child, 2 years). I am surprised to see him talking more and more.

9 Am - Siva and Srinu reached my place with a tavera.

9:15AM- we started at viman nagar

10:30 AM - Had Maharastra special Pav Bhajji at Home for Pav Bhajji. This Pav Bhajji was great, but smirn off sucks at that time in hot summer

12 PM: we reached Mahabaleshwar, Siva boasted a lot about parachutes and beaches in Mahabaleshwar. But to my surprise, we could not find anything more than dry hills there.

1 Pm: we stopped at Macro garden where lot of strawberry's were found. we purchased strawberry milk shake and mixed fruit jam and left that family garden.

2 Pm - we were taken to few points where we can see dry hills from the top. that was a good view.

2:30 Pm- we were taken to other point, where we can see dry hill again, but this time a little of krishna dam covered.

2:45 - monkey point, few monkeys and again hills.

3:15 Pm - again hills. this really frustrated me. Mahabaleshwar has got around 14 points, around 10 points has got similar scenic view.

we thought that this is not a right choice for summer.

we thought of moving to Pratap Gad and then watch Sun set point and leave this Mahabaleswar. Sun slowly stepped down for that day and we had good journey to Pratap gad. we reached Pratap gad at 6:00 PM. we have decided to take a guide to this historic place.

Guide started with entrance and explained about Maharaj Shivaji starting with assasination of Afzal Khan. He has show us the place where Afzal Khan was slayed by Shivaji. Ofcourse that place is not open to visit now because Govt has stopped visitors to that place keeping in mind that communal differences, that may arouse.

We have shown lot of interest in listening to history lecture by this old guide. Later we saw Bhavani Mandir, where Saaligrama of Shiva and Sword of his senapathy can be found. We stood surprised to see the weapons used to break stones after hearing that fact that those weapons weigh 40 Kilo's.

Later we saw punishment point and Shivaji's Idol. we came to know that Britishers destroyed maximum part of the fort after assasination of Shivaji, which is sucking.

Seenu boasted a lot of Maharaja's and stood there thinking himself as Maharaj for some place in his previous janam.

Siva , seenu and me. we reached pune at around 10 PM. This is our last photograph after have good long day under sun.

Mothers day - To my Mom

My father use to spend most of the time at work place. Like all other's mother, my Mom took complete responsibility of our studies. She is a perfectionist. She is not as educated as we are, but her common sense and patience mad her a good teacher to us. we always had schedules in home. After coming back from school at 5 PM, we should take snacks and then play and then come back at 7 PM, fresh up and start doing home work and all till 9 PM. if tutions were there, we had different timings, but rarely we went to tutions. we never dare to skip schedules :-). To my knowledge, we rarely use to waste rice items in house by throwing them out. Like, My Mom's estimates on cooking rice was too good. This helped my father a lot in handling financial things properly. My Mom never left us free during our schooling, but gave enough freedom, while we completed schooling. with all these, we have grown up as matured boys and took responsibilities very soon.
I cannot give anything to her on this day and explain her, what she has given to us. I have seen her feeling proud when people talk good about us. I have seen her feeling bad, when some body in my circle points us out wrongly.
what else i can expect from God, such a wonderful family...

Che Guevara

To outline about Che, Che was a marxist, Politician, Author, Medico and guerilla leader during 1950's. Che is Medico by profession transformed into combatant during the confrontation where more than 60 out 0f 82 in Gueara's army were attacked and executed. Che played a vital role in Cuban revolution under the leadership of Fidel Castro against imperialism of United States. Castro appointed Guevara as chief official at the National Institute of Agrarian Reform INRA and later President of the National Bank of Cuba BNC, while allowing him to retain his military rank. Later Guevara lead Congo's revolution and aimed to export Cuban Revolution by instructing local Simba fighters in marxist ideology and foco theory strategies of guerrilla warfare. he cites the incompetence, intransigence and infighting of the local Congolese forces as key reasons for the revolt's failure. Later that year, ill with dysentery, suffering from asthma, and disheartened after seven months of frustrations, Guevara left the Congo with the Cuban survivors. (Six members of his column had died.) At one point Guevara considered sending the wounded back to Cuba, and fighting alone until the end in the Congo, as a revolutionary example; however, after being urged by his comrades and pressed by two emissaries sent by Castro, at the last moment he reluctantly agreed to retreat. A few weeks later, when writing the preface to the diary he kept during the Congo venture, he began: "This is the history of a failure."
Guevara was reluctant to return to Cuba, because Castro had made public Guevara's "farewell letter" —a letter intended to only be revealed in the case of his death—wherein he severed all ties in order to devote himself to revolution throughout the world.

Later Guevara trained bolivian military army secretly and later his capture and execution happend in Bolivia.

Few impressive things about Guevara are -

1. His tour to latin-america during his studies, where he witnessed poverity and later responded

2. His vast knowledge by reading numerous books. It was said that in adolescent age, his house contained 3000 books.

3. His brutality and ruthlessness and harsh disciplinary treatment. During the guerrilla campaign, Guevara was also responsible for the execution of a number of men accused of being informers, deserters or spies.

4. His tours to various countries to export marxism and help revolutions.

Few things to be doubted are -

why did Cuba exiles community oppose Guevara? Exiles inturn helped CIA in finding Guevara. This leads to a doubt about what this brutal boy did in Cuba after revolution...

Abovephotograph of Guevara is termed as "Most famous photograph of the world"

Ego-nomics

Egonomics – by David Marcum & Steven Smith

The word ego has a negative reputation and usually equated to words such as “inflated sense of self importance,” “arrogant,” “self-centered,” “insecure,” “close minded,” “defensive,” “conceited,” “condescending” etc.

In one of the experiments, people were asked to take part in a “bidding war.” Individuals were paired and were asked to compete with each other in bidding for one dollar. The goal was to get that dollar for less than a dollar but one could spend up to five dollars to get one dollar. People were split into two groups. People in Group-A were told, “If you are the kind of person who usually chokes under pressure, or you don’t think that you have what it takes to win the money, then you might want to play it safe. But it’s up to you!” Group-B wasn’t given any instructions. As the bidding soared, the people in Group-A, who had received the “ego threat,” let their bids escalate higher in almost every instance – spending $3.71 to buy one dollar.

This sort of decision making plays out every day in all aspects of our professional and personal lives. We throw good money after bad; entrepreneurs stay engaged in unprofitable projects; CEOs buy companies because they get locked into escalating bidding war (also referred to as the “winners curse”). Organizations are rarely short of people with enough talent, drive, desire, IQ, imagination, vision, education and experience. The issue is too much ego – costing companies millions, and in some cases, billions of dollars.

Is ego all bad? Not really. On the positive side, ego is an asset. It sparks a drive to achieve; and tenacity to conquer setback. Words such as “self-confidence,” “self-esteem,” “open-minded,” “ambitious,” and “confidence” come up. In fact, lack of ego can lead to insecurity, hollow participation, and apathy.

In the book “Good to Great,” Jim Collins describes “Level 5” leader as someone with 1) intense professional will, and 2) extreme personal humility. Collins deals with the question … what allows ego to take their organization to good, but without humility never allow them to move to great? Why does it appear that ego is something we must have if we want to succeed, but having it often interferes with the success we pursue? Can we learn to be humble? Can ego and humility coexist?

As individuals, we have a number of personality traits. These include: Assertive, flexible, charismatic, decisive, optimistic, courageous, etc. When we don’t mange the intense power of ego, these same traits become weaknesses. For example:
Strength Weakness
Charismatic
Paints a vision; inspires others; keeps people motivated.
Manipulates bad ideas to sound good; substance for style.
Dedicated
Doesn’t let obstacles overcome the end in mind; finds a way to get things done.
Wouldn’t consider alternatives; resists change; cuts off creativity in the name of “getting things done.”
Optimistic
Keep things in perspective; can help people get through difficult times.
Wouldn’t listen to bad news; rejects bad news as a lack of faith.
Diplomatic
Invites diversity; understands the dynamics of group process and facilitates discussion.
Becomes political; creates division and sets people against each other; focuses on who wins than on which idea is the best.
Ego Balance Sheet
The book describes 4 warning signs of out of balance ego and three ways to overcome it.

Warning Signs:

Being Comparative: “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something,” wrote C.S. Lewis, “only out of having more of it than the next man.” In being comparative, we fixate on someone else and it makes us less competitive. (“Every man in the world is better than someone else and not as good as someone else.”)

Being Defensive: As we move up the leadership ranks and become visible, we are expected to be “perfect.” It is as if we are not allowed to have flaws … leading to being defensive. There is a vital difference between defending an idea and being defensive. The motive behind defending an idea is to let the best argument win. When we are defensive, we defend our position and who we are.

Showcasing Brilliance: Showcasing isn’t about making our brilliance visible – it’s about making it the center of attention. The more we want or expect people to recognize, appreciate, or be dazzled by how smart we are, the less they listen, even if we do have better ideas.

Seeking Acceptance: Leadership is best reserved for those who don’t need a leadership position to validate who they are. Being aware of what people think is a sign of great leadership. Becoming oversensitive to what people think of us keeps us from being true to ourselves. Tom Brokaw once said, “Here is a secret that non one has told you: Life is a junior high. The world that you are about to enter is filled with junior high, adolescent pettiness; pubescent rivalries; the insecurities of 13 year olds; and the false bravado of 14 year olds.”

Three principles of egonomics:

Humility: A characteristic of humility is constructive discontent. Without causing loss of confidence of lessening the importance of what we have achieved, humility craves the next level of performance.

Curiosity drives exploration of ideas. Curiosity gives us permission and courage to test what we think, feel, believe to be true … reminding us we don’t know everything about everything.

Veracity is the habitual pursuit of and adherence to truth. It helps make the undiscussable discussable and closes the gap between what we think is going on and what’s really going on.

I particularly liked the visualization – imagine two end of ego spectrum (“ego empty” and “egotistical”) as two magnets and you in the middle. You are constantly pulled to one side or the other. At the center (and only at the very center), the magnetic pull has little effect. As you deviate from the center, you slowly get pulled towards one or the other end; the stronger we get pulled; and the harder it is to make it back to the center.

The key is to constantly check your-self and stay balanced – by constantly practicing Humility, Curiosity and Veracity.

Is Bhajji a controversial guy?

Too many things happened during series of australia. For the sake of win, ponting and few ozzie players did too many things during second test.
-> Kumble had accused aussies for not playing in the spirit of game
-> Sachin allegedly sending a text message to sharad pawar raising red flag to australian tour unless ban is lifted on Bhajji
-> Disciplinary action taken on sunny for commenting Mike Proecter...
The match loss and much respected kumble and sachin speaking out didn't made us think much about Bhajji's issue. Single thought ran on every body's mind, Symonds/Aussies team is the center for all controversies.
After the recent Harbhajan/Sreeshant issue during IPL matches, it is evident that Harbhajan is a bad tempered boy. Though the controversy has been sorted out immediately with an apology to paceman, this behaviour is unacceptable when you are under 100 camera's.

A little change in habits to make the life interesting

change your principles frequently to make your life interesting. For the first six months of the year booze a lot. For the next six months, go worship god. For next six months, go around girls..
Like this, keep changing your attention towards different things. this concept will be very interesting . Few things i would love to change now are
1. Go to Office in time, come back in time..
2. If you are feeling sleepy, go to bed without second thought. If you are feeling bored, go through some interesting books. If it is week end, go and meet some friends.
3. Wake up during early hours. Be fresh..
4. talk less..
Ofcourse, it is tough to implement all. But even then, i feel like its good to implement few things atleast.
Obviosly, if i say somebody that i am changing habits, a question arises in everybody's mind. Why would one change his habits for no reason?Any strong reason?
My answer is NO. i am just trying to do what reaches my mind at that point of time. Let me try it.

what's God's gift to us?

I have the habit of thinking what God has given to us? and Ofcourse i sometime compare with that of others. In bad situations, i think God has given more to others than me and in other situations, i think i am superior. one day morning at 6:30, , In a neutral environment,i felt that compassion towards others is a great gift to me by God. Later i thought, it is true.
why would one need compassion towards others?
very simple answer, to become a complete man.
there might be many meanings for this. But compassion is a gateway to one's happiness and others happiness. I dont ask you to give too much to others in such a way that our generosity will be taken as advantage by others. First respond with your heart and then leave it to your mind to decide what is to be done.

Not a good start

Alright, 6 days gone in 2008, Nothing has gone interesting or good. Although its short period to calculate year's fate, but there is always a sentiment that a good start will boost confidence. But anyway life is a two-sided coin, you cannot expect one side always.
Its really surprising how time is moving, i have completed 2 years in my company, i have completed > 20 Years, i have completed my studies. whats next yaar, this year completes and next year comes. It seems life is nothing, saving ourself in job (some times pulling others leg, which i hate to the core), Going out for shopping or movie with wife ( in case of married) or with friends. Wow, for this life which has always two sides, people try to pull others legs in job or real life...interesting..why don't people understand that if they pull my leg, trouble will come in others form. Leg pulling is ok, but committing brutal things for self satisfaction is too worst. Apart from charity i need to do few more things it seems (All i can do is at this time only, because i am bachelor). Many people are crossing their limits to satisfy their soul, which is not at all fair. They need severe treatment. I will try some new way to do this and make my life interesting and challenging.

Vasundara Raturi a Little champion

Vasu darling, yours is an awesome performance. Always my blessings with you. You made my day yesterday. You explaining about diwali, your honesty everything is very impressive..all the best my little sister.

A Different Contribution

After i got settled, i made it a habit to collect money from different sources and distribute it to needy. There were many instances...
Some months back, There was an ad in news paper saying that one child needs to be operated and operation costs around 25000. i have made an online transfer and the response was really great and child was safe. Same case happened in Apollo, hyderabad, where i went personally and donated money.
Some months back again, i had a school, which i closed and now i am paying fee for few children. I always felt proud and pay fee everymonth and track progress.
Some days back, i have contributed to an organization who runs an oldage home. It was another proud act.
Now..it was a little different situation, rather a hard situation. Recently, My friend met with an accident where he is hospitalized and he has lost one of his family member. I am very poor at strenghtening people in such situation. i went to him along with my friend after some 15 days and spoke with him. i spoke to him all non-sense (which made sense at that moment). After all, i have to donate him some amount. i was seeing at my friend (who came along with me) thinking that he would initiate this topic. But he was not talking and he asked me to give it suddenly. It was an embarassing situation. I took out money from my pocket,Immediately, i have observed my friend in an embarassing situation. It was a tough time, me and my friend sat and made him compromise and take this money.
I have a little to talk about donors also. They always want some money to be spent on some purpose. They are always ready to donate in emergency cases. There are many situations, where the people who received money felt happy from their heart. I will tell you, every heart feel will be a blessing to these donors. Hats Off guys.

Top MBA Careers

I aspire to do MBA, My plan is to represent the work of company and not to do the work that represents company (Ofcourse there may be bit deviation to this statement in other cases). Anyway i have collected few MBA careers from other site(just copied and pasted) and classified it for any future use. i will be adding full list going forward
IT Background and career after MBA towards IT
Director of Mobile Computing. If you love mobile technology and have an MBA with a focus on information technology, this might be the career for you. CNN Money says that keeping all these mobile lifelines updated and in good working order now comes with a title and a nice paycheck.
Business Relationship Management. You know how that guy from the IT department keeps trying to explain that new software to you but you still don’t get it? That might be because your organization doesn’t have a Business Relationship Manager. This managerial expert is the liaison between the technology and the people in a company, and helps make the transitions to new technology smoother. As the impact of technology on day-to-day business continues to grow and evolve, corporations are finding it important to have someone established to help smooth out the rough edges.
Collaboration Services. Individuals in the office often collaborate on projects; but how can someone in the New York office successfully collaborate with their counterpart in Tokyo? With collaboration services, of course. Technology such as web-conferencing, intranets, and other services make it not only possible, but also easy. To facilitate these collaborations, a management specialist is needed to oversee all the efforts of the corporation.

Marketing

Professional Coach. This coach position comes without a whistle. Professional business coaches may come in to train staff of a company, help an entrepreneur launch a new business, or help an experienced professional change careers. The need for coaches has exploded in the last decade, with nearly 20% of professional coaches making hefty six-figure incomes.

Customer Relationship Management. There is one thing every business needs to succeed whether it’s a management consulting firm or the corner store, and that is customers. How do you attract customers? How do you retain them? The specialist in Customer Relationship Management tackles this equation. Making your customers happy and engaging in repeat business has become a science, and an MBA with a specialization in Marketing is the way to go if CRM is for you.

Business-to-Business Marketing. What if your business’s primary customers are other businesses? You can’t use the same marketing techniques that are used for individuals; you need a specialized marketing manager. Business-to-business marketing (B2B) is an exploding market that, according to Finance Magazine, has grown over 60% in the last ten years.

Finance Or Accounting

Director of Internal Controls. Thanks to legislation like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, businesses are awash in new rules regarding their money management. Companies now need an individual who can manage the flow of internal financial information, make sure everyone is complying with rules and regulations, safeguard assets, adhere to company policies—and promote efficiency at the same time.

Business Continuity Director. September 11, Hurricane Katrina, the Midwest power outage—how do businesses continue to function when the worst happens? Because business is so heavily reliant on technology, companies must prepare for any calamity that might interrupt power or prevent employees from getting to the office. The MBA that will help get you into this niche career could be in information technology or in finance.

HR

Chief People Officer. What used to be the Human Resources Director has morphed into an even bigger job with a bigger title. Large international companies need a CPO with a wide range of experience and a knack for finding the best talent. Workplace management is a huge concern, especially with issues such as the costs of health care impacting a company’s bottom line. An MBA graduate with a focus in human resources might find this the perfect fit.

Glory of night...

I sit in cab at 11 PM in the night to reach my home from office. It happens many times that i leave around 11. I will have my MP3 on and start thinking,
why team didnt perform so well today? Is there some thing which i could have done? Lemme automate few things and find permanent solution for this....Lemme take responsibility and make the team better...
Now after 5 KM's
why was there misunderstanding between me and my fnd on that day, is it necessary? I could have got compromised....Its ok, in future, i will have a compromise...nothing wrong compromising with fnds...
After another 5 KM's
what a music Rehman has given to this album..Ok Let me turn to another album and hear some folk or mass songs....wow, these songs are also too good, when singer is singing on high pitch, music started slowly and ended up in high pitch..it was excellent mix by music director...
Another 5 KM's while reaching home...
when i was staying in home, my family use to wait for me and eat at this time...we had fun @ dinner. Now all are gone, life has become mechanical...Let me open a blog and write abt how life has become so mechanical now a day..
Like this, a fresh thought mixed with positive attitude comes to our mind in the nights..what ever the songs i listen, mass or classics, i find good in that. I am looking for solutions when ever i feel bad of some thing and not complaining it. This is the credit of night, where every soul will be sleeping...no packed crowd...no disturbance. May be this is the reason, why sex has also got priority in the life and its said that, it will satisfy people.
This thought also to write about night has born at night.

Our Kalam talks abt how an Indian should be...

Was First citizen listed what are all the things an Indian citizen could do to make India another US or any other developed nation..
The President of India DR. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam 's Speech in Hyderabad . *
Why is the media here so negative?Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements?
We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?
We are the first in milk production. We are number one in Remote sensing satellites. We are the second largest producer of wheat.We are the second largest producer of rice.Look at Dr. Sudarshan , he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters. Iwas in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the dayafter a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. TheHamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of aJewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in thenewspaper, buried among other news.In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime. Why are we so NEGATIVE?
Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T. Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology.Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance? I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture,when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India . For her, you and I will have to build this developed India . You must proclaim. Indiais not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation. Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance. Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice isyours.YOU say that our government is inefficient.YOU say that our laws are too old. YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage. YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke,The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination.YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits. YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?Take a person on his way to Singapore . Give him a name - YOURS. Give him aface - YOURS. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of MahimCauseway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity... In Singapore youdon't say anything, DO YOU? YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai . YOU would not dare to go out without your head coveredin Jeddah . YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds ( Rs.650) a month to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else.'YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop,'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost.' YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and NewZealand .Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo ? Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston ??? We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be thesame here in India ?Once in an interview, the famous Ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay , Mr. Tinaikar , had a point to make. 'Rich people's dogs are walked on the streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place,' he said. 'And then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements. What do they expect the officers to do? Go down with a broom every time their dog feels the pressure in his bowels?In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan . Will the Indian citizen do that here?' He's right. We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage allover the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food andtoiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity. This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public. When it comes to burning social issues like those related towomen, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? 'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego mysons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system? What does a system consist of ? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and thegovernment. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away. Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England . When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a greatdeal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too....
I am echoing J. F. Kennedy 's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians..... 'ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIAAND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY' Lets do what India needs from us.Forward this mail to each Indian for a change instead of sending Jokes or junk mails.
Thank you,Dr. Abdul Kalaam

20-20 Champions

I am labour, i will have to work for almost around 15 hours a day. I will have no chance to watch cricket. But fortunately in my vacation, i covered 20-20. Young Indians are tigers. Future India certainly rocks...
It was poor performance again by Indians versus aussies. I am not sure how many times seniors should be blamed for all these defeats. Eagerly waiting for their retirement.
Sourav - Man he is playing to strengthen his place and for nothing else. He is killing all the energy, aggressive ness in the field. This guy has to voluntarily go out. You have stunning records in Intl Cricket. But You are no longer an add-on to the team. Stay away.
Dravid - Great wall. Everything is going bad. I know this guy will voluntarily go out.
.........................
Now its Young Indians turn - while i am seeing commentary over web for last 50 over match and 20-20 match, i am fascinated to see two statements...
"Ponting looks very tensed in field now" - This happened when zaheer and karthik are taking away match from aussies. You both rock....
Pontings stmt after 20-20 match..I wanna play more with young Indians...Young team, You know who quoted these words. Racist captain Ricky ponting, who does not give a damn while playing to any team. They dominate every time. You brought tension on their face, You attracted their interest. You gave them tough competition...Good Job team...

Kadapa - Bangalore - Bandipur - Bangalore - Hyderabad

Thank God!!! i got a chance to visit all these, rather i would say my cage is opened to have a fresh breathe. Its not 2-3 days vacation this time, i got 10 days to freak out....It started on 14th September

It was an instant idea to go to Bangalore and reach out near by areas. After going through sites and reviews, we decided to go to Bannergatta National Park on first day, Mysore GRS fantasy Park on Second day and third day to Bandipur. This third day trip was under abeyance because either we have to go to Bandipur or to Ooty or some other places, because we have Bannergatta national park in our schedule already. See how it ended..

Bangalore on 1st day: After crossing some Horrible traffic (Believe me, i never saw such traffic in hyderabad, its really horrible, standing traffic at every signal and every signal will be very near by), we reached Bannergatta national park @ 11 AM. There are around 4 choices to enter forest..

1. Walk

2. Elephant ride

3. Safari

4. Wild Safari (Or some other name, the only difference with safari is, we will have bears and lions included)

We took 4th option and moved, Karnataka Tourism mini bus was waiting. I was always dreaming about open jeep to enter any forest, but unfortunate these people dont have that facility. we got into a sealed bus, i got a feeling that Animals may enjoy watching men in Zoo. First animal to meet us is deers and later stags. Later we entered in Beer zone, Beers were running on roads, it was a good see. Later we went into elephants zone, unfortunate no elephant found. Later into tigers zone, Floods of tigers roaming around. It was a real good zoo. Surprised by the term zoo, Yes i am writing correctly, this bannergatta national park has got many ferocious animals but this is literally a zoo. Drivers knows exactly where animals stay because there is fencing and animals will not cross them. One difference between zoo and this park is park contains N number of tigers where as in zoo, its only one. May be any name, zoo or national park, i enjoyed upto 40% atleast seeing those many tigers saved there. There is nothing much you can enjoy here, but 100% safety ensured and real visual treat for people who like watching many animals. This park has got no time restrictions (Morning to evening) and other attractions include butter fly park, zoo...though i never visited them, i can say entire trip can be completed in 3-4 hours here. We had a lunch at that restaurent, i wish you arrange your food while coming here.

We changed second day schedule to visit Wonder La, 20 KMs away from bangalore (very much similar to GFS fantasy park). Good place, It will take atleast 8-10 hours to complete all rides. But remember for water rides, no costumes will be provided for rent, you will have to buy. It is better to take our own rather than buying them. Its timings are also flexible (12-6 for water rides and other attractions till 8 PM on week ends and till 7PM on other days). You bet, you will hang there till the end of every thing. Virtual reality show is good technically Ofcourse there is nothing more exciting about this, you can enjoy (better than 3D films, a fresh look).

We decided to go to Bandipur National Park on 3rd day, as we missed all excitement seeing bannergatta national park, Bandipur is around 200 Kms from Bangalore and 80 Kms away from Ooty.

Reached Bandipur at around 9 AM, happened to see Deers on the way and a perfect forest look. We stopped at reception, i was surprised to see timings(i didnt know them earlier).

Forest entry timings are

1. 6 to 9 AM

2. 4 to 6:30 PM

So i booked an open top gypsy for evening (around 1200 for Indians and 1600 for Foreigners). Gypsy will have a capacity of 5 (On request they can accomodate more, we were 7 and they charged 1600). I have not seen any wild animals in the forest in my 90 minute trekking, then also it is worth entering this forest. People who like to enjoy nature will definitely love to visit this forest many times. Safety is least prioritized in this forest. Transport to other places is not that good, better to have our own vehicle. Climate will be sexy all the time. There are very few restaurents or hotels to stay there for 2 or 3 days. They charge 2000 per person.
Places around this to visit are Gopala Swamy Betta. Never Never miss this temple. This temple is built in the midst of wild forest and you can enjoy nature like anything near this temple.

College Alumni meet today - Part II

idhi maa college first alumni meet anattu...one of our HOD lesaru speech modaletteyyanu..

Its a very first of its kind...our college arranging this meet...You people must be knowing its very first of its kind...many students came here, i am very happy to see them...even though its first of its kind, i am happy to see good strength here...

naaku, maa friends ki navvagatle...nee first of its kind tagaleyya, raatranta bus lo baga alochinchukoni raaskonochinattunnave anukoni...aa naati rojulu gurtu techukunnam...this HOD was our acting principal once...maa friend intlo oka sad incident jarigindi, so we asked this prince guy permission to send all of us and boycott classes for that day..prince did not accept, we demanded,then also no. we left classes and started marching out.watchman did not allow us to go out...dobbukoni elpoinam anthe. aaroju aipoindi, next day first hour

Class ki faculy raaledu, prince dooresadu..vaammo eedu dooradani andaru stun aipoyam...he started...You people are not behaving like students , you are behaving like rowdies, goondas anukuntu saavadobuttunnadu...mem as usual last bench lo getti gettiga navvukuntunnam...unnattundi yemaindo yemo yedchesadu principal yededo cheppukuntu...aina maaku navvu aagale...asalenduku yedchado yemo
ila HOD speech ki gurtochesindi, next vallanta mamuluga charimen ni pogudutu vice chairmen ni pogudutu yedo sollu cheptu gadipesaru...energy levels taggipotunnai..marie gold biscuitlu techaru..ee scene kaithe andariki ollanta kaalipoindi
last ki okayana speech start chesaru, starting bane unnindi tarvatha tarvatha aina involve aipoi prophet mohammed charitra, bhagadwadgeetha cheptunnaru..aapavayya please ante kuda aapatle...cheppatlu kotti try chesam..oohoh, no use...aina style lo aina saavagotti antha aipoyakane aapadu...inka naa yokka valla kaale akkadundatam, ventane jumpooooo jumpu....

College Alumni meet today

I worked for all night on 18th and left to room at 7 AM on 19th. I leaned on to bed without even brushing. A phone call from my friend...i picked it up...i heard my friend talking without any break
where are you? are you on the way? i am starting, Sir called me..come on
i said whats going on?
Today we have alumni meet, you have to come..i said i cannot do it..Bye
Another phone call, i wish to tell about this in telugu..phone yettanu karma kali
ataip voice: yemaya yekkadunnav
me: room lo unnanu, intaki nuvvevaru
ataipu: nenaya mohan babu sir ni
me: o sir meera hi sir
ataipu: i am expecting 50 members..tondaraga andariki phone chesi arrange cheyyavaya
me: (okkasariga ulikki padda 50 anagane) Sir nen kuda raalenemo sir, ippude vocha office nunchi
ataipu: ivvalaki adjust avavaya..please
ila pettesaru ...sare veldam le ani teerigga TV chustunna..
after 10 mins, malli phone mogindi, malli Sir gaaride phone...parledu rest teesko antademo ani phone yettanu
Sir: yendivaya inka raala nuvvu
Me: (dimma thirigipoindi naaku) padi nimishalaindi anthe sir meeru phone chesi, oka ganta padutundi sir nen ready ayi raavali ante
Sir: chairmen gaaru 11 kantha vellipovalanta, tondaraga raa ba
Me: vostunnanu sir
inka lesi ready ayi o araganta tarvatha bayalderi gantakella reach aipoyanu, maa paatha mohalanni yedurayyayi abba anukoni oka sarcastic smile ichi dusukonellanu..11 aindi, yedava jeevitham chairmen 11 ki vellipovalannaru, chooste 11 kocharu
Second part gurinchi inko post lo maatladukundam

60th Independence Day - - Memorable

All these years from my childhood, Independence day was only considered as a national holiday by me. Ofcourse some times case was different, while attending essay writing competitions or some other competition, i have spent enough time on national leaders and nation but never won a prize or never presented correctly about nation. But this time, its altogether a different deal. Along with few of my colleagues in company, we visited an organization named WOMEN who has given shelter to Helpage India....Confused right?...we will talk about helpage and WOMEN in later part.
Started with Flag Hoist and Jana gana Mana ..we assembled in small place which accomodated around 75 Old people + 30-40 Volunteers (From 2 different Organizations) + around 10 Helpage people..Speeches started, for every single sentence, people started clapping. I was gradually losing energy seeing all these and my hands are not willing to join and make sound. atlast Cultural activities started, old people started enjoying (ofcourse its not us). we atlast were succesfull in disturbing these elderly people, went on and started interacting. One old woman got onto stage and started dancing for Meri anganemo tumara kya kaam hein Song and one more old woman joined..i could not stop laughing and enjoying. While we are distributing fruits and sweets, Some of them started keeping these fruits safe in carrier boxes and then asking for another one, i then realized poor people are trying to take these fruits and sweets to their family. at the lunch also same thing happened. Altogether it was like a different world for me on that day. we enquired with few old people about Helpage, there was no single concern raised by any of the aged person there..thats where i was impressed about this helpage...Last but not least, Lunch with volunteers, we had good food, healthy jokes...consolidating Fun @ Food time.. (Telugu: kondari lo too much comedy undi asala, sattires yesi sampesaru.)
Here is something about Helpage, if any reader (Other than me if available :-)) is interested
Helpage is an organization who will pay visits to all Slum areas with the help of mobile vans and get all the details of Aged people and help those aged people survive better by providing them with pensions, taking them to some other places frequently...Helpage has not got any specialized home to carry on with all these activities, Helpage tied up with 911 such organizations (Like WOMEN) to help Old people. For more details visit http://www.helpageindia.org/