Its not just dark anymore

No, Its not dark anymore. I've changed my template, the reason,
Only thing constant in this world is change.

Who killed Arushi?

Who killed Arushi? This question has been bothering the consciousness of the country for more than a month now. It got TRPs which can only be challenged only by some exciting episode of stupid serials or by Cricket match. But the public interest in this double murder case ensured one simple thing; you can become a celebrity after your death (even without becoming an artist).

I feel for Arushi, it is not that I’d ever knew her. Even if I’d met her when she was alive, I wouldn’t have given a shit. I just don’t just care about people from high society schools. But after her death, I do feel bad for her, bad but not sad. And I have my reasons.

For me she was not murdered, she was assassinated. Not on that fateful night whose date I don’t remember, but on the later days when her character, her nature and her life was put to investigation. She was assassinated by media, by their constant questions on her character, a fact which they just forgot to double check. She was assassinated by public, who after receiving any information made unsolicited comments about her. She was assassinated by police, which through its shoddy investigated made it sure that killer can run scot free. She was assassinated by us, every day after her murder.

We love entertainment. Let it be of any kind, even at anyone’s expense, we will enjoy it. Thrilled, laugh, cry, anguish, feared, petrified but entertained. And this time we have crossed our limits, we even let the dead entertain us. We see their re-enacted videos, what they would have done, or what they might have done; without giving a shit what actually must have happened. It is just like the age of gladiators, when people welcomed a person’s death by clapping and cheering.

Coming back to question, which by now has become a whodunit, I don’t know the answer. Even if CBI comes to any conclusion, I won’t give a shit. Why? A person is murdered in Delhi in almost everyday, and she was just one of them. But now I do feel for her, the thing they did to her after her death.

In the foot hills of Himalayas

Taking a break is always a good proposition, better when a person haven’t being outside NCR for more than 7-8 years. A mind, which works 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, needs a break. So it was proposed to me, during my examinations that a trip is being organized to Rishikesh for camping and rafting, I accepted it immediately.

We left on the evening of Friday, Friday the thirteenth. So we were late, late by at least 3 hours. Therefore when we reached Rishikesh, it was early morning 2 AM. But the ensuing journey to Rishikesh was beautiful; the Ganges at the Hari Ki Pauri provided a magnificent look, just like the teeming stars came straight to the water itself and made it their residence. On the way to Rishikesh from Haridwar we had a brief encounter with a deer. And when we reached Rishikesh it was raining cats and dogs, just adding to its beauty.

I woke up early in the morning, had sleep for only for two hours. But the sleeping less has its worth in the picturesque scenery which soothed my eyes. A photographer’s delight, especially when could covers the mountain itself, there is no more beauty than it. And you know one thing for sure, it is not Delhi, and you are in the foothills of Himalayas.

At 10 AM we left for Shivpuri, the place we were camping, our guide came to take us there. At least an hours journey from the Rishikesh, Shivpuri is a secluded place, not entirely cut off from the civilization but at least free from the hustle bustle of cities and the ever ringing mobile phones ( there was no cellular network in that place for most of the time). We were in the cradle of nature, surrounded by trees, mountains and mighty river flowing in between.

We trekked out way into the camp, it took almost 20-30 minutes, but it was great. I felt it this part of my life was missing from me, taken away by crude demands of career and life, and now I am free, free to fall. But I didn’t just trek my way to the camp, through the mountain, through the bridge and through the river bank.

Ganges was at her mighty best, the level of water and current of water was higher and faster than usual. But she provided an amazing sight. Just look the way she manages her way through the rocks, can make you realize what determination of a person can do, let it be man or woman. We spent few hours near the bank and then after lunch went for the waterfall trek.

I hate falling water, especially when it’s cold, a bit deep and fast. Our guide told us and we have to trek our way into the main fall where the actual fun lies. For that actual fun, few of us fell and few decided not to go through deep water, but after negotiating two obstructions, it was worth to stand under the fall and enjoy force of water straight into the head or body. We spend half an hour there before trekked back to our camp. That trekking involved a jump into the deep water, in the lower part of the fall, and that I must confess was great fun.

We took a shorter route to the camp. It involved negotiating cold Ganges in the evening, and possibly wild animals. We were scared, by seeing footprints, and it could be off any animal (we speculated it to be of cheetah). But all of us reached camp safely; only actual trouble was with a bull that was blocking the way, however, he also left the path for grass. And we were in the camps by 8 PM, a time to be friends.

Night in camp was just like you are engulfed in nature, dark and cloudy night, mighty Ganges flowing at her full might, is what remains in your mind for a long time, it is these things which people call memories. It had rained in the night; therefore we woke up to a misty morning. Fog covered the entire stretch of the river, as if it was providing it with some divine protection. The fog was moving north, but it kept herself over the river, like bound by an old promise not to leave it at any case.

In morning we went for some rappelling, it was raining; therefore we did it from a shorter height. From there we again walked our way through the river bank, the level had risen considerably since we came.

After breakfast, it was time to wind up, and now we had to trek our way up to our cars. This was something, something even one month of gym can’t provide you. Moving up against gravity was tiring, backbreaking and tedious. But in all it was to prove something how weak we have made ourselves through our daily intake of luxuries. We took our car to Bhrampuri, the place from where we will commence our rafting.

The road to Bhrampuri was longer than usual. What would have taken only 40 minutes took 3 hours, we were stuck in a landslide. It had rained all night, and that would have possibly resulted in such slippages of rocks and soil. It was longer than usual, stretching up the Bhrampuri itself.

Once we reached Bhrampuri, we were on the final leg of our journey. After this, we have to have say goodbye to the foothills, and return to our usual and sometimes pathetic city life. Our raft was ready there and we were provided with our protection gears like life jacket, helmet and the paddle. Our car moved on too Rishikesh where it would pick us up and we will be going to Rishikesh through our raft.

Rafting was the hallmark of entire journey; it tested our strength, our guts and our skills. The water flow was fast, so the journey which would have taken 2 hours, ended in 40 minutes. We encountered three rapids, and saw one whirlpool. One feels great when a gush of water hits you in your face, we paddle the way our instructor asked us and then when we made it made it to the shores we were asking for more. It was thrill, a brief encounter with the highest risk. On shore we had some tea and then proceeded to change our clothes. Girls were luckier to get a room, and we boys, we changed in the road itself. I don’t know how many eyes would have peeped to see us semi naked.

After we were dressed, we said goodbye. Now back to same miserable life of an ass. We got the first signals of it when we were stuck in the traffic jam in Haridwar itself. Welcome Back! It would have told us if it could speak. We were back in our asylums by early Monday morning. Goodbye foothill for now, but we will meet again..

Bangalore Bangalored

I hated it. I loathed it. From its very inception itself I thought it to be a copied idea from its competitor. And when it was launched it was (and is) nothing more than money making machine. Obscene amount of money was involved in a game where players where ‘auctioned’ to the highest bidder.

But now I am writing on it. And I have no qualms about it. Why? Well it is my blog after all. But here something very personal is involved, something to which almost every Bengali is attached to. Something which each and every Bengali holds close to his or her heart- its cricket and Saurav Ganguly.

Ever since Ganguly lost his captaincy of Indian Cricket Team to Rahul Dravid. There has been some evitable bad blood between the two. One may not see it, but feel it the way team was working. Coach changed, but the animosity remained, though lessened a bit by now.

September 2007, big three of Indian Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid voluntarily decided not to participate in Twenty20 World Cup. It was their personal decision based on the fact that Twenty20 is a young man’s game. The decision yielded results, India won the World Cup.

However for Ganguly it was still a war, a battle to prove his mettle, to prove why he is the best captain India ever had and why unceremoniously he was dropped in favor of Dravid. He got his chance and that too as captain, not in Ranji but in Indian Premier League Twenty20 challenge.

IPL as it called is a Twenty20 championship made to counter Indian Cricket League’s separate Twenty20 challenge. It involved great sum of money as I have already written, and I would not get down to them thinking about the moral question. But here Kolkata franchise owned by Shah Rukh Khan and named Knight Riders made Ganguly Captain, on the other side Bangalore side, owned by liquor baron Vijay Mallya also known as Royal Challengers chose Rahul Dravid to be captain (in other way both of the player where designated to be captain as they were not auctioned and have special value).

April 18, 2008 is the day when first match was played, Knight Riders versus Royal Challengers at Bangalore. As expect the match started with usual pomp and show. When it stared Knight Riders showed its intention by Brendon McCullum blasting his way to highest individual score in T20 history with 13 sixes to his credit. When given to ball Knight Riders bundled up the Royal Challengers for 82 runs against the gigantic 222-3 scored by them which includes McCullum’s 153*.

However, the real battle was between two ex-captains of Indian team, Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid. Both of them have their reasons and both wanted to win. But for Ganguly it was matter of pride, he wanted, not only to beat Bangalore, but to knock them out. Hit them so hard that Indian Cricket establishment would remember why he was the best captain of Indian team. And he did it in style.

Needless to say, victory was a sweet revenge for Ganguly, 141 run trashing can be not only saddening, but humiliating. And Ganguly directed the entire event. Bangalore is Bangalored, floored and beaten, so hard that it would be difficult to them to recover easily. It will be something that will be etched in their minds. Tacitus has rightly said “Gratitude is a burden, Revenge is a pleasure.”

An exucuse for not writing

I am not a person know for keeping his resolutions (not promises). So long ago a resolution was made to blog everyday, but it hardly turns out even once a month. And there are many things which have. Now at this point of time, listening to music and doing some social networking thing, I am trying to type something worthwhile. So how is it these days, if I be ever being asked (since no body visits this blog anyway)? Well to answer that (probably to myself) tough and ill. In bed with food poisoning for almost three days and the ensuing weakness is enough to break the best of my plans. No I am not a weakling but it just happens to break me up when I stayed without food for almost three days for curing the food binge of one day. Anyhow more frustrating is lack of doing which I am supposed to do. But I am an optimist in a pessimist cloak, lets see what it holds.

Why Holi-day is a Holiday?

Posting after more than 2 months, I am not sorry for not writing. However, back to my insticts, since today was HOLI, why it is holiday?
Why it is a Holiday, you fool, in a day when you swear by color. Smear the colors in every possible way. And got drunk in youth (if you are), vitality, and above all alcohol (or Bhang, who want to be more traditional). Then the after effects, lasts for entire day, won't they.
Therefore, Holi-day is a Holiday.

Won't work UFBU calls for nationwide strike

Again again again, it happens so frequently in India only.
United Forum of Bank Unions or UFBU an apex body fo nine unions called for nationwide strike of banks on 25th January, 25th and 26th February for these reasons.
1. Protest against current policy of mergers of Public Sector Banks
2. Restoration of compassionate appointments in Banks.
3. Filling up of all vacancies.
4. Against outsourcing of normal outsourcing of banking jobs.

These was released in a press release by convenor of UFBU, VJ Johny.

Now what one has to say for horrendous reasons to call for a strike. Strike at the first position is a tool of last resort for getting the rights of workers, but it now seems that it had becopme a tool in the hands of some communist only to flex their muscles.

Public sector banks in India have a tarnished image, their customer service is shoddy and most of them(if not all) work under the whims and fancies of various political akahs. After nationalisation, the branch numbers might have increased but the quality have gone down. Down to a level where these banks cannot be even called a commercial enterprise, but a dipalidated government department.

Focusing back to the reasons for calling the strike, the first reason is against the policy of mergers between various banks. With rapidly expanding international financial horizon, it has necessary for banks to gain scale, apart from profitability. China is doing just that, this is the reason that their banks are garnering record valuations, just infusion of fresh capital and writing off of Non performing assets: the result big banks with large market capitalizations. It is to be noted that these Chinese banks ( especially ICBC, CITIC) few years back were on the verge of bankruptcy. And still they manage to garner such high valuations. But in back home in India, we are looking back. Especially our unions, who seems to receive special communiques from China to oppose such mergers, as it would, if not surprass, will definately challange the valuations of their banks. Mergers create efficiency, reduce wastage, and lead fo harmonization of resources. Only if they are planned in a manner they are ought to be planned. However the opposing such mergers by the unions is not the ground that it will create more unemployed. Unemployment is just a mask, real intention is falling clouts of the union if the banks merge, a loss which particularly be disastorous for the communists. Therefore they are doing what their comminsars in China told to them.

The second reason is rather laughable. I do not know the meaning of 'commassionate appointment'. But putting it in laymans terms, it must mean employing, employing and employing thereby making a commercial enterprise a tool of achieving social ends. Back during the days of Eastern Block and Soviet Union these measures used by them for promoting socialism proved the nemesis of those countries, we in India saved ourselves from such destruction. But such demand raised by the union does seems that more than the development of the country, they believe in development of their union and the political party to which they are associated. May be more of a soundbyte.

The third reasons, I feal is direct outcome of the second reason of calling a strike. Filling up vacancies, old habits die hard, even when computers are there they still need more workers. For filling up the union, or they are more lazy. One thing one can do nothing but notice that a person joins a public sector bank only to join politics. And union is the stepping stone for such thing.

Fourth reason, that is, regarding outsourcing of work, is strictly a commercial decision. But since it has an impact on not only quality of services but also creates a situation where existing employees are in quandary about there position in the bank, therefore such decision of outsourcing must be taken by the management by taking into factor various factors. However, strike is not an answer, more strike would inadverently results in more oursourcing.

After writing more than fifty lines about a newsarticle which appeared in a business daily in need to know page, occupying only one small column. It would be enough to say that what sort of public sector exists in the country. Employees join the companies, not specifically for their livelihood, or for the service of country or public, but just not working and getting a passport into the politics. I don't know how the strike will go, customers will face inconvenience, even if they are facing some emergency. Already tarnished image of a public sector will only be blemished.

Again again again, it happens only in India.

Lesson from Last Blogpiece.

What lesson have you learned from the last post.

Let me say it, smoke and smoke heavily if you want to be in work.

It is upto you how you chose to live, and it is always upto you to chose your manner of honourable death.

A newsartuicle appeared on HIndu Business Line on Jan 12, 2008

Berlin, Jan. 11
The owner of a small German computer company has fired three non-smoking workers because they were threatening to disturb the peace after they requested a smoke-free environment. The manager of the 10 person IT Company is Buesum, named Thomas J., told the Hamburger Morgenpost newspaper he had fired the trio because their non-smoking was causing disruptions. Germany introduced non-smoking rules in pubs and restaurants on January 1, but Germans working in small offices are still allowed to smoke. “I can’t be bothered with trouble makers,’ Thomas was quoted saying. “We’re on the phone all the time and it’s easier to work while smoking. Everyone picks on smokers these days. It’s time for revenge, I’m only going to hire smokers from now on.”-Reuters

I am King

Burden of life is one the heaviest burden one has to bear througout the life.
Writing about such burden while listening to piano man is really some thing crazy for sure. But its my blog and I will do whatever my want.

I have been dormant for a long time now, and now its time to show up. Enough of being late starter, a slow person, a person who waits for other person to make a move. I resolve to be as blasphamous as I can be, demeanig whoever comes in way. People say that people are weak when they are alone, I have been alone for a long part of my life, when it was required most, I was left alone, I endeared alone. Therefore there's no question of being weak now, since I Have alway been alone. Lonliness is a friend of mine, it wouldn't weaken me.

But now I won't be alone because I never approached anyone, onus will be on others. Thats for sure.

So people, be ready to face the flak.

I AM THE KING OF MY WORLD.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Hats of to the “Professionalism” of NIRC-ICSI

CS is a professional course, but how the course is managed by the ‘professionally’ was very evident in the TOP (Training Orientation Program) that began today at NIRC-ICSI.
I registered for the TOP just one week earlier, since I was kept on waiting list, there was near minimum chance of me to getting the letter. However, I was made to believe that since student drop out during last days, there is a chance of me getting TOP. Given that I am at NIRC before stipulated time.
I diligently went to the NIRC in time today 14th of January 2008 and signed the waiting rolls. After 9:30 AM we were given folders for attending the TOP and were made to sit in the auditorium. Till then we were sure that we will not be denied the TOP. I am using we, because there were at least 10 of us. But after 10 minutes, the officer who was sending us inside came inside the auditorium, and asked us to get outside so that they could ascertain how many people are sitting there with letter, so far so good, therefore we obliged them and left the auditorium. However one can see even after the reporting time people with letter were pouring in, late and were not denied entry as prudent professional behavior would ask for.
Being outside we were asked to give back the folders given to us, but they kept us assuring that we will be allotted seats even if we were in the waiting list, they told us this thing from the very beginning. Now the real show of professionalism began. The introduction stated at TOP and we almost 12 of us were outside, standing for more than two hours but were kept reassuring that everything will be fine. Since there were 70 seats and we were told that it can only be stretched to 75 even though total capacity was 80, but maximum capacity is not allowed. 66 seats were already full and two participants came late, we asked the official not to allow them, he did and told the latecomers to get the permission of the senior madam, which they got and eventually were made the part of group photograph. For us, we were made to stand for another half an hour, only to be told that only to be told that outstation candidates will be given preference, this was fine, as people were coming from every corner of the country. We on our part asked the question whether is it fair? We were told in angry manner by the madam, still knowing and not recognizing her mistake, that since they have the letters they can come, even though they were late. I asked her since we came here in time and were will be given preference in next TOP, her answer directly or indirectly was no.
I left the place with my friends. In evening I got a call that all the girls who were in the waiting list and were waiting outside, were allowed to attend the TOP. Even when we were earlier categorically told that 80 students would not be in any case accommodated.
Right now I am simmering with anger and feeling cheated, they could have told us before 10 that we do not have hell of a chance, so that I would not miss my classes, instead I stood there for more than two hours only to be told no vacancy for boys.HATS OFF TO SUCH PROFESSIONALISM