Anurag Jain's Blog
Sunday, January 30, 2005

Swastika, Nazis, & Jains

Because of its association with Nazis, Swastika is seen as evil. However, that association of Swastika is much younger than its actual existence of 6000 years. It has origins in Sanskrit and a lot of religions of this part of continent, including Jainism, have a place for Swastika in their doctrines.

Here are some articles that expound on the background of Swastika:
# How An Ancient Symbol of Luck Became Image of Evil. Scotsman, Jan 13, 2005.
# Emblem's history is far from evil. Scotsman, Jan 22, 2005.
# Give Swastika back its real meaning. The Examiner, Jan 28, 2005.
# Whose symbol is it anyway?. Times of India, Jan 18, 2005.
# Preserving a heritage of 5,000 yrs. Times of India, Jan 19, 2005.
# What the Swastika means. Times of India, Jan 18, 2005.

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Insights into Split-personality

My favorite comic strip is Calvin & Hobbes. I love the way Hobbes is a real tiger to Calvin. There was a neat editorial in Times of India on Jan 22, 2005 titled Divided Selves, which talks about all such matters. I loved this piece for explaining all-matters-doppleganging so subtly:

"A secret identity is not necessarily a bad thing
That everybody has a secret is no secret. That a lot of people, in addition, harbour an undisclosed facet to their identity, however, is not so well known or understood outside of comic book superheroes and some classic protagonists of fiction like Dr Jekyll or Walter Mitty. And like Mitty, the middle-aged, middle-class man who escaped from the routine drudgery of his suburban American lifestyle into fantasies of heroic conquest, behavioural scientists are now discovering that a divided self is more the norm than the exception. According to psychiatrist Dr J S Kwawer, director of clinical education at the William Alanson White Institute in the US, a person's double life is an extreme example of how mental anguish can cleave an identity into pieces. He cites the case of a respected New York real estate developer who for more than 10 years kept his alternative persona — that of a person habitually dealing with prostitutes and drug peddlers — out of the ambit of his normally evident life till an accidental discovery drove him to seek therapy. Pioneering American aviator Charles Lindbergh, for example, led a double life for decades. With one family comfortably ensconced at home, he fostered another in Germany, fathering three illegitimate children in the process which only DNA tests conducted in 2003 finally confirmed as fact.

But the interesting thing is, a significant majority of psychologists maintain that the ability to hold a secret is fundamental to healthy social development and that we don't really have a self until we have an elective subterfuge to reassert our identity as someone apart.(emphasis added) This seems natural given the constant tensions, conflicts and contradictions — and even boredom — we have to deal with in our social lives, at work or inside many marriages. As a result, gentle reactive daydreams soon turn into full-fledged fantasies which manipulate many of us into reinventing at least a part of ourselves as a form of hidden wish-fulfilment. Some take music lessons on the sly, yet others foster covert friendships on the Internet. As long as it doesn't involve anything criminal or violent and doesn't have the potential to degrade into a psychiatric disorder but remains a mildly (or even wildly) salacious and spicy personal activity, it's probably harmless. At least it's more rewarding than some of the meaningless overt roles we're sometimes forced to play by dint of being social beings."

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Are we born free?Review on 56th Republic Day

This is from Rajendra Gupta of India-Force egroup.

Every year rhetoric is enacted on 15th august and 26th January to make our younger generations know that India was till recently a slave country to white skinned masters in europe and that we owe all the faulty systems to the British.And we proudly continue their legacy as it suits the corrupt politicians and bureaucrates including a good part of judiciary.It is probabaly the only country other than Britain where so many titles are bestowed on Tom and Harries and words like VIP, VVIP, Honourable are liberally used in display of sycophancy and acknowledging the continued flattery of imaginary British Rulers even now. I would like people to ponder-Is only a judge honorable but not a Rickshaw puller who honestly earns his living carrying people all day across the town and folows dictates of his/her conscience and reliion sincerely? Why this ruling class mentally has been created and is used still after 58 years including use of red lights and all other kinds of lights on vehicles?

The public servants are instead called government( From british hangover) servants who behave as if they still report to and are paid by some unknown imaginary Masters other than Republic of India and unleash daily corruption, bribery, misbehaviour besides extremely poor accountability and productivity which would easily be one of the lowest in the world for public servants.It feels as if Governments in india are not owned by people but some unknown aliens who these corrupt bureucrates report to and serve and thus have right to plunder the government(assuming it to be oreign owned).

Shamelessly a former Prime minister declared from parliament that corruption is Global phenomenon and we clapped. ( read-we should therefore also loot and plunder public money in India).When it comes to increasing prices we quote USA figures but when it comes to per capita income we forget about USA.The only thing Indians compare around the world is how bad a paticular society is compared to Indian society .So please allows us to exploit Indian citizens.Nothing unusual in it.

Indians should think , do they need such Governments and Public administration or should they stop paying their wages and expenses?

The goonda elements and criminals are flourishing through channel of psuedo democracy and and an outdated and impotent constitution written by the people who lived in 19th century.The Indian constituiton that is badly mouled already 106 times needs rewriting to change with modern society and to arrest decay that has set in.

The only freedom and guranatee this constituioon gives is to criminals, bureaucrtaes and elected representatives who have taken the country to ransom.

The judicial system is thoroughly incompetent and lethargic as also toothless in administering fair and speedy justice, be it criminal law or civil suits.The process is endless and fraudulent. The only utility of courts is to give bails mostly to criminals and to give temporary relief in form of writ jurisdictions.

The police organisations in country are rampantly corrupt, degraded and immoral without any accountabilty. The Hafta eaters( Weekly kickbacks)are having whale of a time thanks to our impotent systems and corrupt senior officers.

Do we really need such governments and public services? Number of poor people have increased 10 times in absolute numbers as compared to 1947.The crimes have increased almost 50 times.The quality of life has degraded with numerous ghettos and Jhuggi Jhopri settlement sprouting all over the country in big cities( our boneless politicians will dole out figures of Uganada to compare our state of affairs as being better).

The only beneficiary of the independence and the absurd contitutional arrangement are corrupt politicians-businessmen-bureaucrates nexus which is about 5 crore people in all but who are exploiting the national resources and the rest 96 crores indians.

In 58 years India has miserably failed to provide basic needs, primary education and health care and an inexpensive and speedy judicial system that can guarantee safety of dignity, life,freedom and property of citizens. Just imagine foolish laws of India. If a person commits cheating of say Rs 2 lacs, the only thing court will do ,if at all, and after 10-15 years is to send person for jail for may be 1 year but wont be able to order recovery and return of cheated money to victim.Nothing cant be more fraudulent law in any civilised society. In fact in India victim has no recognition because it is State vs criminals , the clear hangover of colonial system of eartwhile masters who made laws for the subjects and not sovereign republic.It is shameful.What our law commission and Supreme court have been doing all these years not bringing in even simple reforms in criminal procedure codes and Indian Penal code?.

The fundamental deficinecy in our system is absurd model of democracy.In which public servants have become masters.They have zero accountability and hardly any action is taken against any person in government thanks to completely rotten higher public services cadres like IPS,IAS and similar ones.They have totally failed the nation, every one of them competing for corruption, rapid promotions,perquisites and authority without any responsibility.Never any complaint of citizen is replied and manadatory action taken.This has completly deteriorated lower cadres right upto a Havaldar.

Once elected representatives are sent, the citizens loose control over them and their performance.This gives them 5 years total freedom to loot the society.That is why more and more criminals are finding safe sanctuary in politics which is now a business with highest rate of return with zero risk.

There is need to rewrite constitution, reduce public services salary in line with per capita GDP, reduce top heavy posts and rapid promotions of public servants and bring in concept of mandatory action on complaints , law of torts and damages against State and make judicial system simple, time bound and rid of foolish and clerical procedures. All public servants in class II and class I cadres should be audited after first 10 year of service and every 5 years thereafter, by a committee of eminent citizens, judicial officers and flawless burecrates to give atleast 25 % people VRS and sue those who are found to have indulged in bribery and abuse of power.

Number of public servants have to be reduced to half bringing in simple procedures, computerisation and increasing productivity of bureucracy.

Number of judges should be doubled immediately and fines and penalties under Indian penal Code should be increased 30 times atleast. Imagine fine for rape to be just Rs 2500.This is shamelss state of affairs.Justice has to be time bound with 1 year limit in criminal law and 1.5 years in civil law.

Bar Copuncil of India Act and Advocates Act have to be amended to rein in the lawyers who are one of the most irresponsible professional body in the country.

As regards Dr kalam's 10 point program for employment generation announced yeasterday, we the citizens are fed up with these 10 and 20 point programs started with Indiara Gandhi to make people feel happy and to divert their grievances.These are useless.Every one is lecturing others.Who will start actual action and reforms?To whom such advices are given on television and from Red Fort? To pakistanis or chinese to do the work for us?Who will take action?

The way almost half of indin Government's revenue is eaten away by these presidents, prime ministers, Governors and IAS,IPS and other govenment employees is matter of grave concern.The bureucarcy has become top heavy with a DIG for toilets, administration, security,welfare and so many things.But what is the output?increasing crimes, hardly 10% conviction rate and that too after may be 20 years of 3 or 4 tier appeals, bribery and wastage of Rs 50 to 100 thousand Per month on each senior officer and ministers.It is free loot in name of democracy and to run a government for people, 30 % of whom cant even afford proper clothing and food and another 20% who are unemployed in cities or underemployed.Which government? and for which people? They are running.Becoming millionaires in 25 years of service, shamelessly and grinning their teeth in name of public service.

Let us stop celebrating these functions which require positioning 20000 armed guards and increase threat of life and property and we spend each year 500 crores rupees to make mockery of democracy and people of India who are silently suffering.

3 States are now going to elections( there are always election somewhere)in february .Let us resolve to educate opeople to see that parties of people like Om Prakash Chauthala and Lalu Prasad are thoroughly defeated so as to start cleansing process from this republic day atleast.

Though long term solution would be drastic admnistrative and legal reforms in india.

Moderator
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Bangalore Bloggers and Tsunami Efforts

Anita Bora of Just a little something recently told me about the bloggers' meet to be held on Monday. The objective is to discuss Tsunami Efforts using our blogs. Commendable initiative, I say. I'd be there!

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Telling isn't Selling. (For more, watch Boiler Room.)

Boiler Room was on my To-Watch list for quite sometime, but could watch it only recently. The term Boiler Room denotes a (usually scam) telemarketing sales operation. Some people allege this movie is a Wall-Street rip-off, but IMHO the essence of this movie is how to make a Sale Pitch. In fact, it is known for that. A friend of my mine works with a call center here in Bangalore, and according to her: "Boiler Room has been recommended to us by our Team Leaders in order to know more about how to make sales calls.." Statements such as "Telling isn't Selling" assert the central theme of the movie: Sales!

Some of the fantastic quotes from the movie, including Ben Affleck's (Jim Young) fantabulous speeches:

# Seth Davis: I read this article a while back, that said that Microsoft employs more millionaire secretary's that any other company in the world. They took stock options over Christmas bonuses. It was a good move. I remember there was this picture, of one of the groundskeepers next to his Ferrari. Blew my mind. you see shit like that, and it just plants seeds, makes you think its possible, even easy. And then you turn on the TV, and there's just more of it. The $87 Million lottery winner, that kid actor that just made 20 million o his last movie, that internet stock that shot through the roof, you could have made millions if you had just gotten in early, and that's exactly what I wanted to do: get in. I didn't want to be an innovator any more, i just wanted to make the quick and easy buck, i just wanted in. The Notorious BIG said it best: "Either you're slingin' crack-rock, or you've got a wicked jump-shot." Nobody wants to work for it anymore. There's no honor in taking that after school job at Mickey Dee's, honor's in the dollar, kid. So I went the white boy way of slinging crack-rock: I became a stock broker.
# Jim Young: And there is no such thing as a no sale call. A sale is made on every call you make. Either you sell the client some stock or he sells you a reason he can't. Either way a sale is made, the only question is who is gonna close? You or him? Now be relentless, that's it, I'm done.
# Jim Young: They say money can't buy happiness? Look at the fucking smile on my face. Ear to ear, baby.
# Jim Young: Anybody who tells you money is the root of all evil doesn't fucking have any.
# Greg: "Now, now, listen to me. Even though you're not actually selling stock yet, I want you to remember the code we have here, okay? Did you see Glengarry Glen Ross?"
Seth: "Yeah."
Greg: "Okay, do you remember 'ABC'?"
Seth: "Yeah. 'Always be closing.'"
Greg: "That's right. 'Always be closing.' 'Telling's not selling.' That's the attitude you wanna have, okay."
Greg: "Now there's two rules you have to remember as a trainee. Number one: We don't pitch the bitch here."
Seth: "What?"
Greg: "We don't sell stock to women. I don't care who it is; we don't do it. Nancy Sinatra calls, you tell her you're sorry. They're a constant pain in the ass and your never gonna hear the end of it. All right? They're gonna call you every furking day wanting to know why the stock is dropping. And god forbid the stock should go up. You're gonna hear from them every fuckin' 15 minutes. It's just not worth it. Don't pitch the bitch."
Seth: "Okay, yeah. Don't pitch the bitch."
Greg: "Number two: Don't write wood, all right? A lot of trainees are so anxious to get off the phone that they just steamroll the guy into getting the press packet so they can hang up. Then I call back, and I'm, like, 'Hi. You spoke to a junior associate of mine last month.' And the guy's like 'Yeah, not interested. Bye.' That's a shitty lead, okay? That's fucking wood. The info we send is bullshit, all right? The most important part is telling them you have that one great idea and that a senior broker's gonna call them back in a month. This way they don't think we fire off a million recos a day. We don't want our clients thinkin' you're pitchg them something you read in the Journal this mornin', right?"
Seth: "Yeah, right."
Greg: "Okay, so no wood. I'm serious. No wood."
Seth: "All right. All right. Take it easy. Take it easy."
Greg: "Hey, don't even start that fuckin' shit with me, okay? I'm tryin' to tell you what's expected of you and what you job is. I'm tryin' to make the job easier here, okay? Don't give me any of that fuckin' lip."
# Funny stuff: FBI asks Seth Green to "back up your entire C:/ drive onto floppy"!

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Thursday, January 27, 2005

Dogville: Self-serving emptiness.

Watched Dogville recently. The movie slides from a lot of initial 'feel-good' factor to downright 'hate-this-world' feeling. Apart from deep psychological meanings in the movie, people have tried to look for socio-political undertones too (Read the brilliant political allegory comparing Dogville with USA and Grace with the MiddleEast!)

In the end, as the narrator also says somewhere in the movie:" goodness is relative", the movie is about our fake morality. The following briliant dialogue (courtesy ALexander Ritter's site) between Grace (Nicole Kidman) and her dad 'The Big Man' (James Cann) demonstrates the power of natural laws and also the futility of being sacrificial, over-moral and overlooking one's own interest.

- Why did you come?

Our last conversation, the one in which you told me what it was you didn't like about me, never really concluded... as you ran away... I should be allowed to tell you what I don't like about you... that I believe would be a rule of polite conversation

- So what is it? What is it, the thing, the thing that you don't like about me?

It was a word you used that provoked me, you called me arrogant, but that is exactly what I don't like about you... it's you that is arrogant

- I'm not the one passing judgement, daddy, you are!

You do not pass judgement, because you sympathize with them. A deprived childhood and a homocide really isn't necessarily a homocide, right? the only thing you can blame is circumstances. Rapists and murderes may be the victims according to you... but I, I call them dogs. And if they're lapping up their own vomit, the only way to stop them is with a lash.

- But dogs only obey their own nature so why shouldn't we forgive them?

Dogs can be taught many useful things, but not if we forgive them everytime they obey their own nature.

- So I'm arrogant, I'm arrogant because I forgive people...?

My God! Can't you see how condescending you are when you say that. I mean you have, you have this preconceived notion, that nobody, listen, that nobody can't possibly attain the same high ethical standards as you, so you exonerate them. I cannot, I cannot think of anything more arrogant than that! You, my child, my dear child, you forgive others with excuses that you would never in the world permit for yourself

- Why shouldn't I be merciful? why?!

No, no, no, you should, you should be merciful when there's time to be merciful. But you must maintain your own standards... you owe them that, you owe them that. The penalty you deserve for you transgression, they deserve for their transgressions.

- They're human beings, dad

No, no, no: but does every human being need to be accountable for their actions? of course they do. You don't even give them that chance! and that is extremely arrogant! I love you, I love you, I love you to death, but you are the most arrogant person I've ever met, and you call me arrogant? Listen, power is... is not so bad, I am sure that you can find a way to make use of it in your own fashion. Take a walk, and think about it...

- The people who live here.... are doing their best under... very hard circumstances

If you say so, Grace, but is their best... really good enough?

---- Start Narrator
Grace looked around at the frightened faces behind the window panes that were following her every step, and felt ashamed of being part of inflicting that fear. How could she ever hate them, for what was at bottom merely their weakness? She would probably have done things like those that had befallen her if she had lived in one of these houses. To measure them by her own yardstick, as her father put it, would she not in all honesty have done the same as Chuck Veira and Ben, and Mrs Henson, and Tom? and all these people in their houses? Grace paused, and while she did, the clouds scattered and let the moonlight through. And Dogville underwent another of those little changes of light. It was as if the light, previously so merciful and faint, finally refused to cover up for the town any longer. Suddenly you could no longer imagine a berry that would appear one day on a Gusberry bush, but only see the thorn that was there right now. The light now penetrated every uneveness and floor in the buildings and... in the people. And all of a sudden she knew the answer to her question all too well: if she had acted like that, she could not have defended a single one of her actions and could not have condemned them harshly enough. It was as if her sorrow and pain finally assumed their rightful place. No: what they had done was not good enough! And if one had the power to put it to rights it was one's duty to do so. For the sake of other towns, for the sake of humanity, and not least for the sake of the human being that was Grace herself.
----End Narrator
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Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Matmatah. 29th January, 2005.

GET ROCKING!!!!! Alliance Française de Bangalore and The Embassy of France in India present LIVE IN CONCERT IN BANGALORE

M A T M A T A H

celtic rock & ethno world BAND A unique Rock Show by the best from FRANCE. Saturday 29th January , 8.00p.m. AT St. Joseph's Boys' High School Grounds, M.G. Road ( next to Raheja Towers). ENTRY FREE

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Official response on cancelation of Vasantahabba 2005

As you know Vasantahabba 2005, originally scheduled for 5th February, 2005, has been canceled. Here's Nrityagram's official response on cancellation of Vasantahabba 2005:

Dear Friend,

Vasantahabba has always been a celebration of life. In the past few weeks however, nature has lashed out at our illusions of immortality and left us painfully aware of how fragile that life can be.

In the wake of so much devastation, one could argue that we carry on with Vasantahabba and celebrate the spirit of survival. And we will. But not this year. This year we choose to pay our respects to the memory of those who did not survive, and to those they left behind. It seems to our conscience, difficult, if not unreasonable, to raise and spend a considerable amount of money on a music and dance festival, when every possible rupee from every home and institution should be on its way to help rebuild homes and livelihoods.

We trust that our generous supporters will channel their contributions toward those who need it the most; and our loyal and loving family of friends will understand and support our decision.

Spring will come again. And we shall celebrate it. This year however, we ask that you allow a silent celebration of the strength of the human spirit.

We shall meet again. At Vasantahabba 2006.

Warm regards,
Nrityagram
Hessaraghatta,
Bangalore 560088
Karnataka
India
nrityagram AT vsnl.com
www.nrityagram.org
tel: 91 - 80 - 28466313
tel2: 91 - 80 - 28466314
fax: 91 - 80 - 28466312
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Coming: Complete Calvin & Hobbes collection!

Did you know that whole CH works are going be published very soon! A complete collection, in three hardcover volumes of a total 1440 pages, is planned for release this year by Andrews McMeel Publishing.

"The entire body of Calvin and Hobbes cartoons will be published in a truly noteworthy tribute to this singular cartoon. Composed of three hardcover, four-color volumes in a sturdy slipcase, this edition will include all Calvin and Hobbes cartoons that ever appeared in syndication. This is the treasure that all Calvin and Hobbes fans will seek."

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Monday, January 24, 2005

Yamini Schedule

Desperately waiting for tomorrow night. Especially now that Vasantahabba 2005 has been canceled, Yamini is gonna be the only event of the year that is closest possible to Vasantahabba. The schedule is:

25 January 2005, 7:00 pm
Open Air Theatre, IIMB
For details contact: 9886081653 / 9341313023



Schedule
7:PM:
Pt. Kadri Gopalnath - Saxophone
Smt. A. Kanyakumari - Violin
Shri Benkano Kovai V. Mani - Thavil
Shri Amrit - Kanjira
Shri B. Rajashekaran - Morsing

9:PM
Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt - Mohan Veena
Shri Ram Kumar Mishra - Tabla

11:00PM
Smt Nirupama & Shri Rajendra - Kathak

1:00 AM
Karnataka Mahila Laya Madhuri - Percussion Ensemble

3:00AM
Shri Ganesh & Shri Kumaresh - Violin
Shri Pravin - Mridangam
Shri Giridhar Upupa - Ghatam

5:00 AM
Master Shashank - Flute
Shri Nagai B Shriram - Violin
Shri Neyveli B venkatesh - Mridangam
Shri Giridhar Udupa - Ghatam

(Update Feb 08,2005: A review of Yamini 2005 here at Vishnu's blog)

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Sunday, January 23, 2005

Adventure Sports in Bangalore

Bangalore has a vibrant adventure sports scene. Still, more needs to be done. Following article in The Times of India quotes me on the same issue (Click here for text article). Refer to my site for more details on what can be done here in Bangalore. I also suggest SkyDiving and in the long run, SkyDriving! But, for now, I'd do with ParaMotoring only. :)



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Saturday, January 22, 2005

Para Motoring in Bangalore: 30th Jan!

For the first time Paramotoring is happening. I've been fascinated with it for quite sometime now, but always thought it was restricted to Defence forces only! So, who's with me on this fantasy-come-true trip? :)

Hi Mr. Anurag Jain

I am pleased to inform you that we have introduced Para Motoring, which will start on 30th Jan. This is the first time in our State, Para Motoring being offered to general public. We will give preference to our members. The details are as follows. I cordially invite you to take part in the same. I have a personal suggestion i.e. morning batches would be ideal for Para Motoring because of mild wind & cool weather conditon. In the meantime, I would request you to kindly forward this circular to your colleagues & friends.

Further, we will be having Parasailing event also on 30th Jan. You may kindly go through our web for further details. If you need any more information, please feel free to be in touch with us.

Regards
Sheshadri S.K.
Ph: 51281478 - Mob - 98456-95350

Para Motoring

Para Motoring is a simplest form of an A aircraft. By design, it is a very simple way to fly and be like a bird. The parachute is an aerofoil manufactured using cloth and Kevlar ropes. The pilot along with the participant wears a safety harness and attaches himself to the wing and takes off. A motor engine is attached to the pilot's back for take off. It takes a few steps and the person is airborne in about 10-20 ft & therefore one can fly form small field & therefore, it doesn't need a run way. Landing is also quite simple - it takes 3-10 ft to land...
Photographs

Dates : 30th January - Sunday
Venue: Hoskote - 22 Kms from Bangalore Click here for Road Map
Fee: Rs.750/- Per Launch- Cash to be paid at the venue.
Registration: Kindly click here for submitting the Regn form; immediately on receipt of your appn form, we will mail you the confirmation slip with the reporting & other details

CARE, Vijayashree Builing, No.1, 3rd Floor, 18th Cross Malleswaram, Bangalore – 560 055.
Ph: 5128 1478 Mob: 98456 - 95350 URL: www.careadventure.com , Email: info@careadventure.com


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Bangalore Harcourtians Meet on 21st Jan, 2005: An account

Despite the day turning out to be a bad choice (Violence in the city; Friday), a good number of people showed up for the alumni meet in Bangalore yesterday.

Total attendance was 17 Harcourtians, mainly from 2002, 2003, and 2004 batches (Except me of course!). Also present were Vikrant and Gurpreet from 3rd CSE, and 2nd MCA respectively.

After a thorough talk on Incord, topics such as networking amongst Harcourtians through alumni forums were discussed. Some points:
* Based on the enthusiasm, it was proposed to hold alumni meetings in Bangalore every 3 months or so.
* The day of meeting should be Saturdays for everyone's convenience. And also, duration of meeting should be limited to 2 hours or so, otherwise discussions can be unending! :)
* Also, we would strive to connect already-active alumni chapters in various cities to one single platform.
* A monthly Harcourtian newsletter should be started so as to give a concentrated update on Harcourtians' achievements.

Thanks to all those who showed up, and hoping to see the rest of you in the next meet.
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Friday, January 21, 2005

Invitation for Holistic Health Retreat...

An interesting and very useful retreat is being organised by Brahma Kumaris on coming 26th January in Sindhi School Auditorium. Entry is free. For details and registration, contact bkkp@vsnl.com

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Exhibition on stainless steel sculptures

BALAN NAMBIAR cordially invites you to a preview of his stainless steel sculptures, slated for an exhibition at Art Heritage, New Delhi, From Feb. 11 to March 2, 2005.

You are welcome to visit his studio at Shed No.8, Muniveerappa Industrial Estate, Garudacharpalya, Mahadevapura. (Krishnarajapuram- ITPL Road). For details, contact: 23331536/ 98450-79566

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IIMB: SPICMACAY Yamini

"SPIC MACAY – IIM Bangalore is proud to announce its signature cultural event of the year 'Yamini – malkauns se bhairavi tak', a Dusk to Dawn Classical Festival.

The event will have an impressive line up of classical music and dance events. in the Indian classical pantheon including Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Pandit Kadri Gopalnath, Master Shashank, Kumaresh -Ganesh and Nirupama and Rajandra Rao for Kathak.

The festival begins at 7.00 PM on tuesday, 25th January and will go on upto 6.30 AM the next day at the OpenAir Theater.

Regards,
SpicMacay IIM B
"dipajyoti namo astute" - I Salute the one who is the lamplight."

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Backwaters 2005: Management Festival at IIM Kozhikode

"Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kozhikode* is organizing its annual two day Management Festival "Backwaters". Described as "the complete management festival", *Backwaters 2005* is attracting participation from the top B-schools of the country. The itinerary involves online games, live case study, paper presentations and a cultural night. *SBI, Coca Cola* & *Amul* are the event partners. Live case study by *MBT (Mahindra British Telecom)* is one of the key attractions of the event this year. Paper presentations for this year focus on the current topics. *CoolAvenues.com* is associated as the Online Media Partner.

So do visit our website for the schedule and other details about the online games.

The schedule for the various games has been released on our website. We look forward to your enthusiasm and participation.

/From: -/

*sTrEAM Backwaters*,
Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode,
E-mail: *backwaters05@gmail.com* {mailto:backwaters05@gmail.com} & *backwaters@iimk.ac.in* {mailto:backwaters@iimk.ac.in}"

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Thursday, January 20, 2005

Vasantahabba 2005 Canceled

Just now talked to officials at Nrityagram, and turns out that Vasantahabba 2005, originally scheduled for 5th February, 2005, has been canceled. That's so sad to know. The quoted reason is that the sponsors have withdrawn support because now they have committed funds to Tsunami victims. Newspapers will carry the news soon.

Oh, how I waited for it (just like I do every year). Never mind. After all, 2006 is another year!!

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Turbulence: RC plane flying contest. @ TechKriti, IIT Kanpur

Nice to know of a RC event in India!

Hi Anurag !

We are very pleased to inform you that the Aeromodelling club of Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur is organizing an Aeromodelling event, the RC (Remote Controlled) plane flying competition, named Turbulence, in Techkriti’2005, the annual Tech Festival of IIT Kanpur. This event is scheduled in February from 25th to 27th. A little about the event is as follows.

All RC fliers pursuing any class/degree in any college/institute from any part of country are invited to participate in this mega event. This is the right platform for all the student fliers to show their skill and win attractive prizes, who feel little nervous against professional RC fliers.

This event includes two R/C plane flying contests, testing some interesting aspects of this fantastic combination of technology and sport. It includes:-

1) Event 1: Fly High >> Includes 3 stages which includes a series of maneuvers of the plane and a breath-taking obstacles race.
2) Event 2: Bull’s Eye >> As the name suggests. This includes dropping of a given payload, by the RC plane, at a specified location.

Both the contests have attractive prizes to be won.

Every participant will need to do a registration, online or by post. Registration for the event has started so the participants can register online on our website http://www.techkriti.org/competitions.php?eid=13&page=1 For more information about event and registration please visit our website http://www.techkriti.org

We look forward to see your participation. For any query we request you to drop a mail to turbulence@techkriti.org

thanks and regards,
********************
Ashvani Kumar Shukla
Event Coordinator Turbulence
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Tuesday, January 18, 2005

Personal Development Workshop with TM Krishna in the Himalayas

Dear Carnatic Music Lovers

We are conducting a Development Workshop Through Music in Uttaranchal amidst a beautiful property called Himalayan Village (www.himalayanvillage.com). Himalayan Village is a 12 cottage intimate eco-retreat; literally a 25 minute walk from the nearest main road. One has to park a car at a spot and walk for 25 minutes through the village of Sonapani to reach the Himalayan Village. The result is not a murmur of the cars. The owners have deep interest in developing the retreat into a platform for creative _expression.

Within an interactive format, TM Krishna, a leading vocalist of Indian Classical Music from the South will aim to enhance the subtler intelligences latent within us. The whole thinking emerged from the fact that Indian formal education system even in the most privileged urban schools is focused largely on mastering hard intelligences (analytical, mathematical) in a broad sense. As we grow and evolve issues that we face get less defined, more fluid and ambiguous. The subtler intelligences for e.g. moral, social and musical tend to be the reservoir of capabilities that one needs to dip into to deal with situations.

Workshops such as this allow us to also exercise other potentials within them. There are two slots Feb 16th - Feb 18th or Feb 19th – Feb 21st. 2005. Attached is a poster to give a glimpse into the experience. The only criteria is that one needs to be open to music. Though the teacher is a carnatic musician, the actual workshop experience would use all forms of music as a learning and facilitation tool. The interactive sessions will be supplemented with walks around the Kumaon region of Uttaranchal. Please visit the link below for a detailed program outline.

http://www.soulitudesinc.com/changethroughmusic.htm

Two special recitals will enrich the experience: an early morning recital and evening candle light concert which is to invoke the spirit of a time when the place, the performer and the audience were connected.
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HBTI Alumni Meet in Bangalore

"
Its been a long time that we had an alumni meet at Bangalore. Moreover, some current students also would be here in Bangalore this coming weekend (21-23 January).

Hence, let's all Harcourtians in Bangalore meet on 21st January (Friday) at 7PM. Do also inform Bangalore Harcourtians that you are in touch but who might not be on this egroup.

Venue suggestions are welcome (Keep in mind its a weekend evening).

Thanks and best wishes,

Anurag
+91-9886178995
"

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Sunday, January 16, 2005

HBTI's Incord 2005

My alma mater HBTI's Computer Science departmemt is organizing their annual technical festival Incord during Feb 15-17, 2005. More details at the official Incord site. Or click on following pictures.





Incord 2005 is the annual technical fest of the department of Computer Science and Information Technology HBTI Kanpur organized by FCIT (Fraternity of Computer and Information Technologists). This is unlike any seminar or conference that has ever been conducted by engineering college students. It aims to add new dimension to our college activities of the class students have never experienced. We propose to discuss the concerns like network security, power of success, value of marketing and advertisement in the technical domain at international level. To give an overview:

Through video conferencing, we intend to invite acknowledged professors and icons of blue chip software companies to give their lectures on the topic concerning our theme.
A special session on network security to be addressed by none other than Mr. Ankit Fadia.
The panel discussion featuring debate over topic on socio academic and corporate importance.
Seminar on marketing and advertisement by top luminaries of India.
Live open air show performed by leading Indian pop band.

An innovative light and sound show on ‘power to succeed’, which has been highly successful in the college arenas of IIT Delhi and NSIT Delhi.
Other events comprise of paper presentations, technical sessions, software contests, hacking contest, robo wars, rock night and movie show.
As it appears, it is being planned at the highest level of creativity that we can beget. We have highest level of assistance and freedom from our faculty members to make this event possible.


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IIMB's Unmaad

IIMB will host the 2005 edition of its annual cultural festival, Unmaad, during 28th-30th January. As a build-up to the culfest, we have a Jagjit Singh concert on 22nd January. For details click on the picture below.



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Naseeruddin Shah's Kaths Collage in Bangalore

Got this in the Fabmall mailer:

If you are a theatre buff and / or a Naseeruddin Shah fan, we have some good news for you.

Naseeruddin Shah is putting up a performance on January 22 and 23 at Chowdiah Memorial titled "Katha Collage" and you can order your tickets online for the play at www.fabmall.com

"Katha Collage" is actually a set of three different plays - written by Premchand Munshi and Kamtanath and is a fascinating mixture of emotions and interplay of relationships.

All the three plays are directed by Naseeruddin Shah and what's more, he is also the lead actor in one of them.

We can tell you more, but we would invite you online to read all about the three plays, the plot lines, the artistes and if you like what you read - we think you will - grab your tickets online.

See you at Chowdiah on January 22 or 23rd 7:30 PM.

Please click here to know all about the upcoming event, being held in support of India Foundation for the Arts.

Donor passes at Rs 1000, Rs 500 and Rs 300 available online exclusively at fabmall.com
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An Ode To Hazel!

Here is a real neat piece of poetry about Hazel. Hazel who ? Well, its the money plant in G-214, which has been named Hazel by a friend of mine. Never knew people could be so poetic. But, of course, such artistic delights are wasted on boors such as yours truly...

As I wind through the canopy of trees
Sweet fragrance enveloped me in the deep lane
Drenched I stepped out to be devoured
By the music of silence
Sheltered under the spread
I hear my thoughts, fear of fears
Fear of possession, Of belonging to the other

My arms reached up toward the sky,
like branches of the gorgeous beauty
Wondered element of a surprise
Awaiting me where I headed to....

Warmth of smile and Coziness of hug
Passion of kiss and Murmurs of heart
Revealed to me as the door closed behind me
Then, I saw her in his den, his cheeks blushed
While she moved gracefully,
her loveliness captured me helpless
I lost myself in her subtle moves
I saw him overwhelmed by her stark beauty
A myrmidon of smells, I froze still a moment!

Slender, Sensitive, her tendrils revolve gently
Drawing support from the structure, Moving closer to him
The Devil's Ivy, seemed possessive of him
Beyond her
Azure blue melting in ripples
Happy chirps, songs to caress my insecurities
Humming birds enjoying flowers,succulent nectar
Her smile, a solace to my tired nerves

The darkness gathered around us
The warmth of his body is felt by me
As she whispers gently, "he is mine"
A presence I feel coming nearer
She waved softly, a gentle breeze
Like Gold threads from above
She seemed reliving the joy of love he gave her
My heart pleads in silence, "am not here to disrupt"
"will let him stay with you HAZEL, Your Tendrils"..


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Hindi Blogs!

I ddin't even know that Hindi Blogs exist until I got this mail in our alumni egroup:

Some of you might remember one of the funniest guys in 1995 MCA batch in HBTI, Atul Arora. I found his blog today filled with hilarious entries http://rojnamcha.blogspot.com/

You will find his another blog "Life in a HOV Lane" hilarious too (I am still rolling on the floor laughing.)

Both of his blogs are nominated for best hindi blogs at Indibloggies, Don't forget to vote for his blogs here.
Nice to see this really humorous blog, especially because it is from an innovative Harcourtian! :)

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Friday, January 14, 2005

Mumbai event: Kala Ghoda Arts Festival

This year Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is being held during 15th Jan-23rd Jan. More details at the official site.

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Thursday, January 13, 2005

Black Bears attacking black forest campground at dark black midnight..

..or something like that!

To cut the chase short, what I am blabbering about is this: Ever tried driving at night with dark sunglasses on? No? Try it. As soon as you can. It's fun! Essentially, it's like a videogame. A racing videogame to be precise. Things coming suddenly outta nowhere, you not knowing how fast you are going, you crashing into things, etc.. Needless to say, you risk your life and limbs in this grand adventure. Not to mention lives and limbs of others who happen to be on the road at that time.

Few things to be careful:
* Speed-breakers (I always thought of them as more of vehicle-breakers!). Before you know it, you'd be on 'em!
* Road-Dividers. Before you know it, you'd be like: "Hey man, what hit me"!
* Potholes (Bangalore Roads. Aarggghhh)
* Some vague figure dashing across the street. In all probability that's a human being. Avoid, if you can, and crash if you must!

With all this, I am sure you can manage to hear some such screams on the street: "Hey woman, get the hell off the road. Can't you see this guy's coming and obviosuly he's mad because he's wearing dark sunglasses at night and driving like crazy?"

Reminds me of this Calvin and Hobbes classic though:


I love it. Heck, I am naming it Black-Driving! Now, if you'd please get outta my way. I have appointment with some crashes, please.

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Wednesday, January 12, 2005

A few forthcoming Bangalore events

1) PLAY : Snakes and Ladders

The students of Christ College, in association with Still Waters present Snakes & Ladders
a play based on The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe Directed by Ram Ganesh Kamatham

7:00 pm Nani Arena, Centre for Film and Drama, 5th Floor, Sona Towers, Millers Road, Bangalore (Go right up Cunningham Road, it's a one way... take a left onto Millers Road. Sona Towers comes up on the left, the second building after the empty lot... the one with Central Bank on the Ground Floor and a big tree near the gate.)

13th 14th 15th & 16th of January, 2005
Tickets @ Rs. 49 available at Supermarket, Brigade Road
For more details contact: 9880228871

About the Author

Sure we all know Shakespeare, but who's that other guy? The one they say was a spy? The writer of the mighty line? The guy who was killed when he was twenty-nine in a barroom brawl?

That would be Christopher Marlowe, the greatest of Shakespeare's predecessors.

The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe tells the tale of a German scholar who sells his soul to the devil for twenty-four years of voluptuous indulgence. Accompanied by the demon Mephistopheles, Faustus has a riotous time, playing practical jokes and conjuring up the spirits of Alexander the Great and Helen of Troy. At the end of the period however, he is faced with the abysmal prospect of surrendering his soul. He utters a poignant plea, but cannot repent. When the clock strikes the midnight hour, he is carted off to hell by a horde of devils. (In one version his dismembered body is discovered by his fellow scholars the next morning!)

About the play

Snakes & Ladders slams this four-hundred year old text into a modern context. Six devils discover some puppets while loitering about the mouth of hell. They bring the puppets to life and begin the retelling of this ancient tale. The reckless student Faustus obsesses over the college bombshell - Helen. Stuck in the middle, is Faustus' buddy Wagner, who watches horrified as Faustus sells his soul to the pill-pushing Malayali businessman Mephisto, in an attempt to impress Helen. Young Faustus foolishly surrenders his soul for a paltry six hours of unadulterated partying and faces the consequences…

Please note : There is NO FOUL LANGUAGE in the play, though you may find it extremely stomach turning :->

2) Finland Band feat. Sakari Kuko on Sax @ Moonplugged Sat, 15th jan at CKP

Introducing
moonplugged
Series of music concerts, showcasing the stars…..

Guruskoolmusic, who catalyse the unique musician's movement known as the FREEDOM JAM, are pleased to launch the MOONPLUGGED music concerts featuring master musicians of various genres who will weave tapestries in sound in a firelit open air ambience.

At 6 pm on Saturday 15th Jan, 2005.at the open air theatre in the Chitra Kala Parishad,on Kumara Krupa road, Bangalore featuring:

The legendary saxophonist Sakari Kukko's PIIRPAUKE (Finland) With special guest - Konarak Reddy
TRANS GLOBAL FUSION feat. Lalitha Nandini -(Chennai)
ESPERANTO feat. Geetha Navale -(Bangalore) with special guest Praksah Sontakke.
Come, be delighted!!

Rs.200/- is collected at the MOONPLUGGED concerts for the benefit of the performing musicians, which includes a CD of one of the featured performers.

The event is supported by independent record label KREEK and WORLD SPACE satellite radio.Passes are available at WORLD SPACE lounges on Brigade Road and Jayanagar and at the venue .

www.guruskoolmusic.com

The concept

'Soma' the moon is spoken of in the Vedas as the source of delight and is truly a great inspiration for music.The moonplugged series of concerts has thus been happening for about a year now at the creekside Guruskool amphitheatre on the outskirts of Bangalore.

The experience of listening to great music amidst nature, illuminated by firelight has been so transporting that we wish to share this experience with a larger audience. It has thus been chosen to hold it at the beautiful open air theatre in the Chitra Kala Parishad arts complex on Kumara Krupa road where we wish to recreate the magic in the heart of Bangalore city.

PIIRPAUKE ( Finland) World Music

featuring Sakari Kukko on Sax, Roi Rottonien on Cello, Olavi Louhivuori Drumset , Lauri Salkovski on Bass, and Seva on Vocals, Emma Salkovski Vocals with special guest Bangalore's own Konarak Reddy on guitar.

A never-ending story of musical travel excitement and brilliance. not following fashions but pursuing new fresh interests and ideas from band leader Sakari Kukko.Somehow Piirpauke always manages to make the diverse material sound like their own.

By now, most people are aware of World Music and realize that it simply means the appreciation of the best tunes from all over the world. Some people saw it coming years and years ago and were playing it before anybody had thought of calling it World Music or anything.

Sakari Kukko - visionary, world traveller and multi-instrumentalist from Finland - saw it coming more than 20 years ago, when he formed the first line-up of Piirpauke and was immediately awarded with a hit. Since that first success with a poignant Karelian folk tune, Sakari has guided his ever-improving line-ups on musical journeys through the delights of Balkan, Turkey, Africa, Latin America and points in between. After more than a dozen albums and many tours and concerts in Spain, Scandinavia, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Holland, Cuba, Soviet Union, India and Turkey the band is now ready to set their sights further afield. Sakari and his saxes, flutes and keyboards have never been content with merely polite "fusion music", but have always striven to draw the most fire and beauty from the most inspiring sources, no matter where. With his present international line-up of master musicians from Finland, Sakari is truly an ambassador of World Music.

KonarakReddy has often been called India's best and most innovative guitarist. His original training was in western classical music on Classical Guitar, and he studied classical theory with Ms. Marion Fewkes. He completed his LTCL and LRSM music degrees through Royal School and Trinity College of Music, London. In 1976 he studied jazz composition, arrangement and performance for one year at Berkley College of Music, Boston.

TRANS GLOBAL FUSION feat .Lalitha Nandini - Chennai - Carnatic fusion

Dr M Lalitha and M Nandini - Violins ,Joel - Keyboards Shantakumar-Tavil , Mrs Subbulakshmi Muthuswamy - Tala ,

The ace Violin duo of the sisters Lalitha & Nandhini . Who are nieces of the famous violin trio viz L Vaidyanathan, L Subramaniarn and L Shankar. They even had the same guru, who's also their grandpa, the illustrious V Lakshminarayana..
Their music sounds like a variation of Bach's toccata and fugue, with elements of jazz and Carnatic styles thrown in. Lalitha, who was recently awarded a doctorate for her thesis on "A Comparative Study of Violin Techniques in Western and South Indian Classical Styles", They have played to audiences all over the world and last august held 10,000 strong crowd spellbound at the FREEDOM JAM festival in Bangalore.

.ESPERANTO feat. Geetha Navale -(Bangalore)

Geetha Navale on Veena, Michael Sorensen on Blues Harp, Gopal Navale on Guitar and Nataraj on percussion & drumset, Krishna Prasad on Ghatam and With special guest Prakash Sontakke on Hawaian Guitar.

Esperanto's music demonstrates the continuing beneficial influence of Indian music upon world culture.

It has expanded its musical vision through continuous collaborations with musicians from around the world at Guruskool, their lush residential world music lab on the outskirts of Bangalore, the esperanto project has over the years evolved and is widely appreciated for its uncanny ability to present various styles of music in settings that are exotically charming but still accessible .

Geetha Navale is an internationally acclaimed carnatic veena player known for her very 'tasty' sound and the ability to blend the ancient strings of the veena with 'avant garde' jazz/rock idioms. Her playing has left audiences in 'over the edge' jazz clubs in New York breathless, dazzled grunge clubs in Seattle as well as gladdened the hearts of the devout in many a small temple in India.

Prakash Sontakke is adept at slide guitar, vocal and violin and is one of the most respected Hindustani classical performers in the City.

The concert concludes with a grand finale performed by musicians drawn form all the groups.

Come, be delighted!!

3) Creeps - Comedy at last

The Company Theater In association with Goethe-Institut, Max Mueller Bhavan presents
Creeps a play by Lutz Hubner in English Directed by Atul Kumar

A shocking comedy looking at the? Generation Next? With the increasing influence of Television and Media and their influence on the personal being and relationships between the young of today. The growing sense of competition and razor edge desire to? Make it? In the new wave of VJ-aying, hosting programes and shashying up market lifestyles and leading Television programmes depicting the hollowness and fatality of dreams, desires and needs of the youth of today. A humorous look at what goes on behind the scenes 

On January 22 and 23, 2005 at 7.30 p.m. (SHARP) at Ranga Shankara (Rs.100/ ticket) and   On January 21 at 7.30 pm (SHARP) in Grasshopper on Bhannerghatta Road (Rs. 250/ ticket with appetizers)

  Tickets available at Max Muller Bhavan (Ph: 2221 9772)
  Ranga Shankara (Ph: 2649 4655/56)
  Shankars (Ph: 2558 6868)
  For email booking of tickets please mail: rswrites@rediffmail.com (NOTE:
email bookings-Tickets will have to be collected well in advance-before the
date of the show)
  For further information contact Nirmala on 98452 09716

Come and experience the extravagance

CAST & CREDITS
Writer: Lutz Hubner
Director: Atul Kumar
Language: English
Duration: 75 minutes without Interval
Genre: Comedy
ACTORS: Shubhavi K Anuja Ghosalkar Priya Venkataraman Freddy Feroz
LIGHTS: Sujay Saple
SOUND: Rachael


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Tuesday, January 11, 2005

When Holden Caulfield worries, he doesn't pee!

It's been almost 9-10 years that I read the fantabuous classic Catcher in the Rye (J D Salinger). Since then, I have always been fascinated with the word phony, which is used I don't know how many times in the book! Apart from generally loving the book and the incredible humour in it, I really love the following quote (in bold) from the protagonist Holden Caulfield:

Some things are hard to remember. I'm thinking now of when Stradlater got back from his date with Jane. I mean I can't remember exactly what I was doing when I heard his goddam stupid footsteps coming down the corridor. I probably was still looking out the window, but I swear I can't remember. I was so damn worried, that's why. When I really worry about something, I don't just fool around. I even have to go to the bathroom when I worry about something. Only, I don't go. I'm too worried to go. I don't want to interrupt my worrying to go. If you knew Stradlater, you'd have been worried, too. I'd double-dated with that bastard a couple of times, and I know what I'm talking about. He was unscrupulous. He really was.
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Friday, January 07, 2005

107.99 Ways to Love Google!

I love Google. Who doesn't, anyway. But yesterday, I got one more (107.99 more actually) reason to love my beloved search engine even more: I got a cheque for $107.99 from Google Inc.!

Lest you should start thinking that the dough is my payola from a shady deal with google, allow me to clarify. The moolah is my payout for putting Google Ads on my site and on my blog. A small code from Google generates content-specific ads to appeal to the visitors of a particular site/blog. When someone clicks on a google ad, Google makes money from their advertisers. Google gives a part of that money to the site-owner, such as me. Neat model, eh!

I have put Google ads on total four pages on my website, and of course, on this blog. But the earnings are mainly from my Music page ($68), and from Radiocity page ($27). The other two pages, Indian Fusion/Rock Music, and Aviation, do just okay even though I would expect more from them as they do drive a lot of traffic to my site. This blog of mine, though, performs really poorly when it comes to making money! :)

Notice how good the Effective CPM is for the Music page!

Channel Page impressions Clicks Clickthrough rate Effective CPM [?] Your earnings
Music 15,680 1,002 6.4% $4.58 $71.82
Radiocity 10,340 303 2.9% $2.86 $29.56
Blog 61,821 40 0.1% $0.13 $8.29
Aviation 5,049 62 1.2% $1.15 $5.81
Indianmusic 4,736 57 1.2% $0.82 $3.89

Adsense is a fantastic programme. I earned 107.99 USD without even flapping my arm! So, go get some (Google Ad-)Sense if u haven't already!!


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Monday, January 03, 2005

Ending of a Dream

Tonight a dream ended.

A dream that was most beautiful of all that I dreamt so far. A dream that I truly identified with. A dream that I became one with.

For the last few days I knew the dream was too beautiful and too magical to last this long, and that the dream-run was over. Still, I was clinging on to the hope that it would all just work out fine magically, and that I would remain in the surrealistic dream forever. But deep inside me, this feeling is just not willing to go away that I got so involved with my dream that I scared myself awake. And when I opened my eyes, there was nothing but confrontation with the reality, a feeling that nothing can bring back to real life what I had just dreamt. What a void such feeling can create is indescribable. Oh, what wouldn't I do, and give, to dream that dream again.

As they say, all good things must come to an end. So, here I am, giving in to the traditional wisdom, complying with the laws of life, and in the process feeling no more than a puppet in the hands of feelings..

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Sunday, January 02, 2005

Vasantahabba 2005

It is learnt from sources that Vasantahabba 2005 will be held on 5th Feb 2005 (Saturday). It is organized by Nrityagram. More details later.

Update (16th Jan 2005): Rajika Puri will present FLAMENCO NATYAM at Vasantahabba 2005.
Update: 20 Jan 2005: Vasantahabba 2005 Canceled.

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Benefit Concert in Bangalore for Tsunami Victims

FLOODAID - a tsunami of solidarity

Thermal And A Quarter and Antaragni perform to raise funds for the victims and families of the over 9,000 Indians affected by the tsunami of December 26.

Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Venue: St John's Auditorium
Donor passes Rs 99.99
Time: 8.30 pm onwards

We know it's a weekday, and that you have to go to work the next day. Yes, we know of the traffic jams, too. But tragedies don't think twice before striking. This one struck on Boxing Day, a Sunday, when most of us were still curled in bed dreaming about tomorrow.

Please turn up in large numbers. For some of our brethren, it's not going to be a happy new year. Let's help make their 2005 a little more bearable. Please contribute generously with clothes and non-perishable foodstuffs.

Spread the word. Passes will be available at the venue.

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National Seminar on Jain Unity

Dear Friends,

Jai Jinendra. Sakal Jain Samaj has arranged a national seminar `Jain Unity: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow' on 15th January 2005. Many national and state level Jain leaders and activists are going to participate in this seminar.

The first session of this seminar will be held at 11.30 A.M. to 1.00 P.M. followed by second session between 2.00 P.M. to 5.00 P.M. The seminar will be held in presence of Revolutionary Jain Muni Tarunsagarji.

Venue:
L.R. Shinde Highschool
Sahakarnagar
Pune 411009

You are requested to attend the seminar

Mahavir Sanglikar, P.R.O.
Milind Phade, President
Sakal Jain Samaj, Pune
Phone: 020 4028214, 9890203549

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Saturday, January 01, 2005

Calvin & Hobbes New Year Special!

Here's a treat for Calvin and Hobbes lovers.

I wish you and your family a very happy, prosperous and a joyous new year in a very Calvin and Hobbes style! Let us be as happy in our lives as this 6-year old kid :)

Calvin & Hobbes New Year 1988


Calvin & Hobbes New Year 1989 A


Calvin & Hobbes New Year 1989 B


Calvin & Hobbes New Year 1989 C


Calvin & Hobbes New Year 1990


Calvin & Hobbes New Year 1992


Calvin & Hobbes New Year 1993 A


Calvin & Hobbes New Year 1993 B


Calvin & Hobbes New Year 1995 A


Calvin & Hobbes New Year 1995 B



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