Anurag Jain's Blog
Thursday, September 29, 2005

One more airline: Paramount Airways

Paramount Airways has started flying on Sep 24. Deploying Embraer jets (first time in use by an Indian civil aviation carrier), the airline plans to fly on Coimbatore-Delhi, Kochi-Delhi and Coimbatore-Chennai sectors. To the best of my knowledge, at 2hr50mins (Delhi-Coimbatore), and 3hrs (Kochi-Delhi) block time, these must be the longest direct (non-stop) flights in India! On the fares front, they are definitely not an LCC. Paramount started with inaugural fares for Coimbatore-Delhi of Rs 11,999, and Rs 13,000 for Kochi-Delhi. Currently, they are offering 'Flexi fares' starting Rs 7999. More at Paramount's website (http://www.paramountairways.com/).

Recently, Air Deccan too started flights between Kochi-Bangalore, and Kochi-Chennai. Looks like COK (Kochi airport code) is set for some hot action.

Amidst all this hypergrowth, all Indian airports' staff are on strike today and hence a lot of flight disruptions!

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Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Air Deccan launches new sectors

The juggernaut rolls on. Apart from flight launches on Bangalore-Kochi and Chennai-Kochi sectors on 26th Sep, Air Deccan opened bookings for four new Airbus sectors today. The sectors are: Hyderabad-Mumbai, Delhi-Srinagar, Delhi-Pune, and Guwahati-Kolkata. I could see some 1Re and 500 Re tickets scattered acoss the travel dates.



Delhi-Pune 500 Re ticket on Air Deccan for Dec 28,2005 (on Sep 28, '05)


Delhi-Srinagar 500 Re ticket on Air Deccan for Dec 22,2005 (on Sep 28, '05)


Hyderabad - Mumbai 1 Re ticket on Air Deccan for Nov 28,2005 (on Sep 28, '05)


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Tuesday, September 27, 2005

1st Oct: Bengali short plays at ADA Rangamandira

"mukhOsh presents: A pair of Bengali plays, short and bold: Monikaanchon & Shoorpanakha
Date: Saturday, 1st Oct'05
Time: 6:30 pm
Venue: ADA Rangamandira (J. C. Road, opp Ravindra Kalakshetra)
Tickets: Rs.49/- (Sitting on first come-first serve basis)

For advance booking, mail to: mukhosh_iisc@yahoo.co.in, or call Ayan Roy: 9242493533 Anindita Bhadra: 9886307249 Ayan Banerjee: 9886807298. Tickets are also be available at: Crossword, Lazeez, Casa Piccola, Bangaliana (Koramangala), Bengal Sweets (Gangamma Circle), K. C. Das (j. P. Nagar).

You can check out our profile at: http://mukhosh.blogspot.com/

About the plays:

Monikaanchon
A play by Badal Sarkar
The play revolves round the magician couple Moni-Kaanchon. The play begins with the prime attraction of their shows - a thought-reading trick. At the end of the show their manager comes in to introduce Mr. Mallik, the right-hand man of "Chief". Mallik puts them to a test and a curious chain of events convinces him that Kaanchon is a real thought-reader. Then follows Moni-Kaanchon's encounter with fate......

Shoorpanakha
A play by Jyotsnamoy Ghosh
This play attempts to look at the story of the Ramayana from the point of view of the non-Aryans. The play is set in the court of Ravan, where a heated discussion is on regarding Sita's abduction. An Aryan and a "Shudra" come in to the scenario and help to build up a socio-political picture of the times. The play ends with Ravan promising to take up arms on the cause of the non-Aryans and fight a momentous battle against the Aryans.

mukhOsh is a Bengali theatre group comprising of present students and alumni of IISc. We have been performing plays in IISc for three years, and are now set to stretch our horizons beyond the campus."

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Sunday, September 25, 2005

Time for Cacofonix to hang head-down again?

Quid novi? I'll tell you what is new. Sursum corda and Plaudite cives, Sol lucet omnibus: Asterix is back!! ! A new Asterix comic book is to be released next month. Ita est, this will be 33rd in the series. Following is the back cover of an old Asterix book called "The Complete Guide To Asterix - 106 - BC".

Looks like it isn't Acta est fabula after all! Bis repetita placent. Nunc est bibendum!



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Friday, September 23, 2005

A R Rahman Live in Bangalore

India Classic Arts presents The Biggest Musical Event in the History of Bangalore, First Time in Bangalore, On October 8, 2005 at the majestic Palace Grounds A R Rahman 3rd Dimension Live!

"In The History of Live Entertainment, for the 1st time, a Live 3D Concert... A concert where you can reach out and Touch your stars...The Virtual Reality, embraces the Live format.. AR Rahman, along with his troupe and entourage of 70, including a multitude of legendary celebrated cosingers: Alka Yagnik, Shankar Mahadevan, Hariharan, Chitra, Sadhana Sargam, Madhushree (Sujata Bhattacharya), Rajesh 'Blaaze' Raman, Kailash Kher, Alma (from Bosnia), and Ani (from Armenia)" Bangalore will be part of History in the making! Bangalore is a major stop in the 2005 world tour that includes London, Birmingham, Sydney, Melbourne, United States, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.

CORPORATE TICKET OFFER
Exclusive Rs.500/- Discount - Original Price Rs.2999/- reduced to Rs.2499/-
for a specially created corporate section that is nearer to the stage, good view of 3D, separate entrance, and dedicated enclosure.

Other non-discounted tickets include:
Rs.9,999/- (VVIP)
Rs.5,999/- (VIP)
Rs.2,499/- (Seating)
Rs.999/- (Standing)
Rs.499/- (Standing)

- 14 Albermarle Dr. Marlboro, NJ 07746 USA. +1-732-371-4757.
- 11, 1st Cross, 7th Main, 7th Block, IV Phase, BSK III Stage, Bangalore 560085 India. +91-98456-57432.
- www.indiaclassicarts.com, info@indiaclassicarts.com

ICA's commitment to charity: A part of the proceeds is earmarked for Namma Mane, a charitable trust dedicated to fill a socially noticeable void: senior and mentally challenged women who are in need of basic life necessities. Namma Mane is striving to provide shelter, create a medical infrastructure to manage and care for, generate an ambiance of mutual love to nurture the emotional need, and provide simple religious and philosophical discourses to satisfy the spiritual yearnings, creating in totality a cohesive social structure to serve these special - elderly and mentally challenged - women.

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Thursday, September 22, 2005

Rock Show @ Vibrations 2005

As part of the annual cultural festival of the Indian Institute of Science, Vibrations 2005 aka Vibes, Moksha and Motherjane would play in the pro-rock shownite titled Event Horizon at the Gymkhana Grounds on October 1st, 2005 from 6 pm onwards. The entry pass is free for all students who produce valid id cards and for the non-students is available at a nominal rate of Rs. 50/- only. Passes would be available at the venue as well as at select Coffee Day outlets.

For more details contact eventhorizon05_iisc@yahoo.co.in

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Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Retro Management Fundas! 
 


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Strawberry Fields (NLS), 2005

"Strawberry Fields 2005, National Law School’s Rock Show, will rock Bangalore on the 11th, 12th and 13th of November 2005. Voted the best college rock fest by visitors to the Rock Street Journal website, beating stalwarts like the IITs and BITS-Pilani, Strawberry Fields was described as “...India’s best rock fest” by The Week. Boasting a line-up of over 50 of the best bands from every corner of India, and several from other parts of the sub-continent, and an expected crowd this year of 12,000-15,000, Strawberry Fields is one of the most anticipated events on India’s music calendar. The event is held over three days, with the grand-finale on Sunday evening featuring 5 of the best participating bands, with a professional act as the headliner. As always the prize money is big and an enormous 5-figure crowd is expected. Tickets are free as always and can be collected a week before the show (we'll let you know where...).

We are likely to collaborate with VH1 this year giving the event national attention and promising a show like never before. To play at Strawberry Fields 2005, you can register ahead of time and ensure your spot by sending a letter to this effect stating 1) The name of the band 2) The names of the band members and the instruments they play 3) Whether the band is a semi-pro, or college band

Please send along with a letter either a Cheque or DD for Rs/- 500 towards registration charges,made out to "Student Bar Association (Le'Gala Account)". The letter is to be addressed to – The Event Management Committee, c/o Roshan Balasubramanian National Law School of India University Nagarbhavi, Bangalore – 560072.

Bands can also register by meeting with me (Roshan, Ph. No. - 9886946640) or Rishab Bailey ( Ph. No. 9886485882) anytime and paying cash. Registration will also be open on the days of the event but we may not be able to guarantee a spot due to time constraints. Please do register early so noone gets left out. If you have any queries please contact: Roshan Balasubramanian Strawberry Fields 2005, Head Ph. no- 9886946640 e-mail - strawberryfields@nls.ac.in "

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Tuesday, September 20, 2005

'Toto Funds The Arts' Music Awards

TOTO FUNDS THE ARTS (TFA) announces the second annual award for young musicians and bands. The award is worth Rs. 50,000 in kind, intended to support the advancement of your musical career.

BUT: If you are older than 30 on January 1, 2006, and do not live in India, read no further!
ALSO: The spirit of the TFA Awards is to identify and encourage young talent. Therefore, do not submit an entry if you are already a known name.

TFA is looking for entries in all types of music and from all parts of India. The list of genres extends from rock, jazz, heavy metal, trance, house, instrumental, folk - to the as yet unimagined. Entries should adequately represent the musician/band's range of music.

The submissions should be 100% original. Use of samples and remixes is not permitted. Cover versions will not be accepted.

Entries should be sent as three CD copies of the music. The entries should reach TOTO FUNDS THE ARTS (TFA) before November 10, 2005.

TOTO FUNDS THE ARTS (TFA) H 301 Adarsh Gardens 8th Block, 47th Cross Jayanagar Bangalore 560 082

THE FINE PRINT:
- Entries must be accompanied by a signed statement confirming the applicant's date of birth, whether the applicant has public music releases in existence, and also affirming that the submitted work is original.
- Submitted material will not be returned.
- The decision of the TFA jury is final and cannot be contested in any forum.

TOTO FUNDS THE ARTS (TFA) is a not-for-profit public charitable trust set up in memory of Toto Vellani who was intensely passionate about music, literature and films of all kinds.

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Monday, September 19, 2005

It's Funny. Laugh. 
 


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Sunday, September 18, 2005

CyberSpace Camp  
 
Computer Law Association in collaboration with National Law School of India University is organizing the first CyberSpace Camp. The camp endeavors to bring together on a single platform, global ICT law practitioners and experts who will conduct in a classroom style, training of lawyers and law enthusiasts in ICT law and its application. It is on 7 - 8 October in Bangalore. Special discount for TiE members - Rs. 6000 (delegate for the camp including gala dinner) & Rs. 2500 (invitee for gala dinner) Click here for details.
 
 
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Saturday, September 17, 2005

IIMB's Satellite View 

With the advent of tools like googlemap, Geographical Information Systems today have really come of age.
 
Here is a picture of IIM Bangalore taken in Jan '04 from the American Satellite Bluebird. The resolution is 63 cms.  Pretty neat stuff.
# Compare the green cover of the campus versus the area outside.
# Look at the 'activity-free' Bannerghatta Road! I wonder what time of the day was the pic taken :)
# What I can't understand though is the shining object by the footer ground.
 
(Click for bigger version)

 
 
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Friday, September 16, 2005

The Marketing Summit 2005: Marketing Crystal Gazing 2015  
 
 
 
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Thursday, September 15, 2005

Musical Tribute Epilogue: New Orleans is Sinking

This is the last in the series of my musical tribute to the Big Easy. This number I am uploading is tragically by a group called Tragically Hip, and ironically titled New Orleans is Sinking. It has been banned recently by quite a few radio stations after hurricane Katrina.

My memory is muddy what's this river I'm in
New Orleans is sinking and I don't want to swim


Get it here: Tragically Hip - New Orleans is Sinking.

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Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Air Deccan Lowest Fare Challenge

In a bid to reaffirm its position as THE lowest fare airline, Air Deccan is throwing a challenge to the market. If a customer can find a competitive fare lower than Air Deccan, s/he can claim a free return ticket on Air Deccan! Shows the confidence of Air Deccan in their cost and pricing management, doesn't it? I say, way to go! Let's kick some inefficient airlines' butt.



Terms and Conditions


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Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Bangalore-Kolkata and Mumbai-Kolkata at 1 Rupee! 
 
Air Deccan is getting another Airbus (A320) soon. And they've decided to ply it on the most requested Bangalore-Kolkata-Bangalore and Mumbai-Kolkata-Mumbai sectors. The bookings opened today just in time for Durga Puja and Diwali festivals. The travel dates open are 05th Oct, 2005 to Jan 31st, 2006. Here are the screen shots of no-flights to these flights being available to actually 1 Rupee tickets available on random dates. Hope some needy travelers got these real inexpensive fares.
 
Bangalore-Kolkata (and also Mumbai-Kolkata) sector is almost a monolpoly of the incumbents. Now look out for fare-war and as usual the dropping of fares by the incumbents, just like they have been doing wherever Air Deccan has entered.  And market is not sleeping: Jet's stock is getting butchered (graphics version), hovering around its IPO price.
 
(click for bigger pics)
 
No flight Bangalore-Kolkata

No flight Mumbai-Kolkata

Hurray, Bangalore-Kolkata-Bangalore flight is open!

Hurray, Mumbai-Kolkata-Mumbai flight is open!

Rupee 1 tickets for Bangalore-Kolkata-Bangalore on Oct20 & Oct 25

 
Rupee 1 tickets for Mumbai-Kolkata-Mumbai on Oct20 & Oct 25
 
 

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Sunday, September 11, 2005

Musical Tribute to New Orleans: Jon Bon Jovi

Furthering the tribute to the Big Easy serie, I am uploading Jon Bon Jovi's Queen Of New Orleans.

Ooh, ooh, (shalala) I was dancing with the Queen of New Orleans
Ooh, ooh, (shalala) dancing in the streets of New Orleans
Ooh, ooh, (shalala) dancing cheek to cheek in New Orleans
Ooh, ooh, (shalala) it was almost like a dream (almost like a dream)



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Networking with Shekar Kapur on Tuesday 20th Sept 2005 
 
            


Dear Mr. Jain,


Please mark your calendar and register for an exciting TiE Networking Meeting on
Tuesday, 20th September 2005.

Address by

Shekhar Kapur
International Film Director

"The Magic of Technology in Films"


Shekhar Kapur is a critically acclaimed and Oscar-nominated international film director. His creative genius has been demonstrated and cinematic success accomplished both in front of and behind the camera. Kapur’s crowning achievements include the breakthrough feature film Bandit Queen in 1994 and the 8 Oscar-nominated Elizabeth in 1998. More recently, he was the co-creator and executive producer of Bombay Dreams, a theatrical masterpiece showcased at London’s WestEnd; the executive producer of the yet-to-be-released film Water and director of Long Walk to Freedom, a film based on the life of the legendary South African leader Nelson Mandela.


  Date :   Tuesday 20th Sept 2005
         
  Time :   6.45 P.M
         
  Place :   Taj Residency @ Hall: Trinity I, Bangalore
         
  Event Sponsors :   Nishith Desai Associates
         
  Non Member Fee :   Rs. 500/-
         
  Student Fee :   Rs. 250/-

Participation through registration: Contact Alfio Aquien at alfio@tiebangalore.org or call 22120009 Xtn-185.


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Friday, September 09, 2005

Walking to New Orleans.

Fats Domino, one of the classic acts from New Orleans, was earlier rescued from the New Orleans floods. After that, he went missing for sometime, and now he is back safely, but of course with an ordeal to share.

He once sang the following:

I've got no time for talking
I've got to keep on walking
New Orleans is my home
That's the reason why I'm going
Yes, I'm walking to New Orleans
I'm walking to New Orleans
I'm walking to New Orleans
I'm walking to New Orleans


I am uploading Fats Domino's Walking to New Orleans song as a tribute to the spirit of the city and the musician. Get it here.

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Thursday, September 08, 2005

A Musical Tribute to the Big Easy.

Hurricane Katrina has ripped apart the Big Easy, or the city of New Orleans. The city famous for its jazz and music scene in general is devastated. Relief operations are going on. On those efforts, this quote comes to mind.

We all honor heroes for different reasons. Sometimes for their bravery, sometimes for their daring, sometimes for their goodness, but mostly we honor heroes because at one point or another we all dream of being rescued... Of course, if the right hero doesn't come along, sometimes we just have to rescue ourselves.

While victims continue to be rescued, or practially speaking, continue to rescue themselves, and everybody waits for life to get back to normal, let us dip into the very spirit of the city. How beautifully Willie Nelson sings in City of New Orleans:

"Good mornin' America, how are you?
Don't you know me? I'm your native son!
I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
I'll be gone 500 miles when the day is done"


Am uploading four versions of City of New Orleans. It includes Arlo Guthrie, Johnny Cash, and Steve Goodman versions of City of New Orleans. Download a lil' bit of New Orleans here.

More musical tributes to New Orleans to come tomorrow.

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Support CRY and change lives permanently 
 
  Support CRY and change their lives permanently.
Donate now! Click here  
 


There?s nothing more exploitive and shameful than child labour, whether consensual or forced. While newspaper boast of the strides India has made in every sphere, children continue to be treated as ?property? of the very adults who are supposed to care of them; completely disregarding them as ?persons? with rights and freedom.
  
Together, we can prevent this. We can change their lives permanently. At CRY, we try and change the root cause of child labour. Along with our partners, we help parents increase their incomes and drive home the importance of education and healthcare. Eliminating the need for them to send their children to work.
 

To help us enable millions of children like Subhag Lal, log on to www.cry.org

Make a small contribution,
 

  USA residents can donate to our partner organisation CRY America and avail of tax exemption under 501c3.

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Monday, September 05, 2005

Blogging and information disclosure

Plain-vanilla 'Blogging' is out. Corporate Blogging is in. Toady's Times of India carries an article (Text version, Graphics version) where Vinita Shetty puts together diverse points of view on the topic. Outside of the article, I am publishing my more-detailed take here.

(click for bigger version)


About corporate blogging, I sure have heard of this practice but not so much in Indian context really. In fact, corporate (official) blogging is non-existent (yes, ZERO) in India. Employees blogging on their personal life is different though.

About issuing a blogging fatwa to employees, I think a blanket diktat is not fair. But yes, employees need to be made aware of the privacy and ethics issues involved in involuntary/voluntray disclosure of information. Especially considering the fact that 'bloggers' are 'usually' in the age group 20-25 (in India), its a good idea on the part of company to make them aware of issues involved in dealing with the outside world when it comes to information related to the company. Insofar as that purpose is served, company is well within the sphere of best practices. But, as a 'birthright' to ban employees' blogging, companies would be wrong to do that.

Another issue is productivity. Most of the bloggers I see seem to be techies killing time in office by writing and reading blogs. The tech desk jobs with all-time connectivity are conducive to the practice of blogging and hence lead to a waste of time.

Summing up, banning the blogs doesn't defeat the 'idea of blogging', because if you wanna blog about a particular incident/information, you can still write about it despite the ban, only this time with anonymity or by hiding the names of individuals/corporates involved. It's the old-age question of how much to reveal. People have to act responsibly, and within limits. Net is full of examples of indiscreet behaviour. And with this so-called new publishing-paradigm of blogging, people involved have to learn to respect the privacy and ethics issues. There are only gainers, no losers in this game.

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Saturday, September 03, 2005

Annual Family Dinner: Delhi, 10th Sep!

This is for all HBTI Alumni. Please see the message from the Harcourtians President Mr V K Grover. And do attend the largest Harcourtian event. I wish I was in Delhi on those dates! :(

================================================
Dear Harcoutians,

We have finalized our Annual Family Dinner on 10th September 2005 at The Central Govt. Officers' Club Compound, Multi Story Flats, opposite Bhartia Vidya Bhawan, K. G. Marg, New Delhi from 7.00 PM onwards.

We are also planning to bring out the CD of Harcourtians on the same day, so please forward this mail to all fellow Harcourtians and also send me the addresses that you have A S A P for incorporating in the list..

Any suggestions.... welcome
Looking forward to hear from all of you and if your presence at this alumni meet.......

Best Regards
V K Grover V. C. Gupta 9810112589, Anil Gupta-9810002065, K. M. Agarwal-9810058378
President - Harcourtians
Mob:- +91 98 100 56191
---------------------
Polychem Ltd.
Phone: +91 11 23713691, 23350846
Fax: + 91 11 23713692
Mobile: +91 98100 56191
E-mail: grovervk AT vsnl dot com
================================================

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Thursday, September 01, 2005

Sep 6th: Shyam Benegal @ The Subhas Ghosal Foundation Lecture 2005 
Sep 6th: Shyam Benegal @ The Subhas Ghosal Foundation Lecture 2005
 
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