Lovely Letter To A Bank

I received a copy of this lovely letter from an elderly woman to her bank. I am not sure whether such a letter was really written. But it ought to be.

Here is a lovely response by a house of representative when asked about his position on whiskey. 

One more joke.

Kerala - God's Own Country

Beautiful pictures of Kerala that someone forwarded to me.

Alleppey



Bekal - Kasargod



Canannore……………….



Kochi



Kochi



Idukki



Ponmudi - Trivandrum



Veli lake - Trivandrum

Yoga - Suryanamaskar

This is a nice article on Suryanamaskar.

Indian Railways - WL, RAC, CNF And What Not

For simpletons like me this is a good link to get to know about the logic used by the reservation system. 

Here is an article that explains the WL, RAC concepts. And great tips here for booking tatkal ticket.

Look here for details on tracking live train running status.

A Dream Trip - Buddhist Heritage Sites

This (http://www.hindu.com/fline/fl2825/stories/20111216282506200.htm) is a dream trip for me. As I was getting my hair mottai (shaved completely) in a barber shop, I read this article about a trip across Kalmykia in Russia, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan along the silk route.

This article is written by Benoy Behl.

Space In Relationships

This (http://www.loveshack.org/forums/t39699/) is a nice blog on relationships.

This one too http://www.loveshack.org/forums/t31675/.

Forbidden Love

This is a nice one (http://www.funtoosh.com/jokes/personality/409).

Lagniappe: http://www.santabanta.com/jokes.asp?catid=10816

Are You Gay?

A friend sent me this test (http://fishki.pl/fishka,Test-na-geja,27046.html) 

Ami Vangla Valovashi (I Love Bengali)

Yesterday I came across the usage of Valo in Bengali which is correctly pronounced as BHalo. I wonder how this spelling (while writing Bengali using Roman script) came about. I read this (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=106952504894).

Bengali does not have the sound "V". It's converted to "Bh". Nor does it have the sound "a" as in "bus". It is pronounced "a" as in "ass". Bengali is one of those languages where the spelling corresponds exactly with the pronunciation. And even while writing Bengali using English (Roman) script, "Bh" would be used and not "v".

Wonder where the new trend came from.

Blog On Women's Identity

I liked this (http://criticalroundup.blogspot.com/2010/06/do-women-yearn-to-be-tamed.html) blog on women's identity. 

Here is another (http://ccostello.blogspot.com/2007/04/welcome-to-my-blog.html) lovely one by a Jewish woman.

Lovely Blog On Old Hindi Songs

I found this lovely blog (http://sunheriyaadein.wordpress.com/) on old Hindi film songs. And this one (http://memsaabstory.wordpress.com/) I had come across earlier but hadn't mentioned.

I came across some movies and some songs I hadn't known earlier. Nice.

Father And Son

A friend gave me this. What a lovely video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZlXWp6vFdE&sns=fb).

Interesting Character Descriptions

I read two lovely articles today.

This (http://www.life-with-confidence.com/always-to-blame.html) is about a person who leaves people immensely distressed and creates a lot of anguish in others.

This (http://www.damninteresting.com/unskilled-and-unaware-of-it/) is about incompetent people and how they apprise themselves as being above average in areas where they lack any expertise.

Are You As Smart As a 4 Year Old

Jalani sent me this (http://blog.intelligentecommerce.com/2010/12/professional-giraffe-test.html) quiz.

Nice one. Enjoy.

Nice to be a younger than a kid, no?

I Am Glad That Dev Anand Passed Away

A friend asked me today whether I had heard the sad news. I said yes, my maid has not come yet. She said "Idiot, I am talking about Dev Anand". It was then that I read (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Dev-Anand-death-Bollywood-plunges-into-mourning/articleshow/10977462.cms) that Dev Anand passed away.

He (http://www.tamil-movie.net/UploadedImages/Actors/big/75/Dev%20Anand-1.jpg) was a wonderful actor. I still can't forget him in Guide, Jewel Thief. The dialog "Kal tak aap lagti thi chalees saal ki aurat. Jo zindagi ki har khushi har umang kahin raaste pe kho aayi hai. Lekin aaj...".

What was deeply distressing about the news link above was the list of actors who talked about him. The oldest ones were possibly Amitabh Bacchan and Anupam Kher neither of whom was around in the 1960's. The rest like Abhishek, Arjun Rampal, Poonam Pandey to name a few spoke sentimental stuff about Dev Anand. I wonder who these people are. Next it will be Sonia and Rahul saying similar things about Dev Anand. (Well of course I live with his songs everyday, so it's ok if I say such things.)

How sad it is to be remembered fondly by people who may not have known you in the first place.

Now this (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/article2686659.ece) is a nice tribute. Whew.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbK8KW-1D34. Enjoy.

For great old Hindi songs listen to: http://tunein.com/radio/Hindi-Desi-Bollywood-Evergreen-Hits-s129208/

Ayn Rand: Atlas Shrugged And Fountainhead

I had earlier mentioned about Ayn Rand in http://vbala99.blogspot.com/2011/04/course-101-for-aspiring-gurus.html and http://vbala99.blogspot.com/2011/04/frisco-and-slug.html.

Leeloo told me about a website (http://englishtips.org/) where I could find novels and download them. Note that the site is in Russian.  There are two flags on the top right side of the page. Click on the 2nd flag to read the site content in English. 

You have to register first. Then use the search box. It's not a very user friendly site. Once you have found the book you want, click on the Mirrors link. Additional links will be displayed. You are on your way to downloading the books.

I found Atlas Shrugged (http://englishtips.org/1150836602-atlas-shrugged-by-ayn-rand.html) and Fountainhead (http://englishtips.org/1150836599-the-fountainhead-by-ayn-rand.html).

Leeloo tells me that this site is really useful for students and teachers of English.

Additional reading: 
http://calmisc.blogspot.com/2017/07/frisco-and-slug.html

Sleeping Pills And Porn - All Bull

In a lighter vein.

http://www.santabanta.com/jokes.asp?catid=10779

http://www.santabanta.com/jokes.asp?catid=10778

http://www.santabanta.com/jokes.asp?catid=10780

Why Teachers Drink

I read this (http://ladyridesalot.blogspot.com/2011/09/friday-funny-why-teachers-drink.html) today  and cracked up.

Places To See and Eat in At Amritsar

If you are planning to go to Amritsar, here are some links which would be of interest: Jalianwala Bagh (http://calmisc.blogspot.com/2011/01/jallianwala-bagh-massacre.html), Kesar Da Dhaba, Lassi Near Hindu College, Durdiana Mandir, Mata Mandir, Golden Temple.

About Amritsar And Wagah:

http://www.bhramanti.com/amritsar.html
http://www.travelamritsar.com/html_files/waghaborder.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wagah

Mandirs:

Mata Devi

http://www.durgianamandir.com/

Food related:

http://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurant_Review-g303884-d779594-Reviews-Kesar_da_Dhaba-Amritsar_Punjab.html

http://www.thehindu.com/features/magazine/karishma-upadhyay-on-how-amritsar-can-inspire-gluttony/article8801071.ece

http://www.tripadvisor.in/Travel-g303884-c153663/Amritsar:India:What.All.Not.To.Miss.In.Amritsar..html

http://www.thehindu.com/arts/magazine/article495085.ece?service=mobile (ahuja lassi, hindu college and jalebi in Katra Ahluwalia)

http://www.foodspotting.com/places/210509-ahuja-milk-bhandar-amritsar/items/290768-kesar-lassi

Special thanks to Gunda for the info she provided fast. In return I will let her tell me as many Sardarji jokes as she likes.

What Was The Man Doing With His Camera On The Cliff?

I received this link (http://hausfeldaboutlyme.wordpress.com/2011/06/13/clinical-insanity/) today. Amazing..

I am reminded of a minor incident near a railway station which involved myself. I had often wished i had a photo of the same.

Dont Force Your Husband To Come Shopping

My brother forwarded this (http://advancedlifeskills.com/blog/15-funny-reasons-not-to-take-him-shopping/) to me. 

I can't stop laughing.

Wildlife

Mary sent me this link http://in.news.yahoo.com/photos/photos-awesome-animals-1322202965-slideshow/animals-in-news-photo-1322202586.html) to pictures of wildlife. Amazing...

How Women Rate Men - Visual And Textual

Wow this (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/man-woman/Women-can-tell-if-youre-handsome/articleshow/10855567.cms) is interesting.

So what does this tell about men or women?

Rover in Mars - Engineering At Its Best

I read this (http://in.news.yahoo.com/photos/nasa-launching-curiosity-to-explore-mars-1322045159-slideshow/nasa-handout-image-mars-science-laboratory-curiosity-rover-photo-004606728.html) today. 

Read the small description against each photo. How amazing.

I Love You This Much

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s320x320/392950_252483471475780_231408810249913_702092_819560976_n.jpg. 

This is how much I love you.

Added later:
Guruji gave me this (http://www.funtoosh.com/jokes/men_women/503). Nice.

Another Nice Dance Video

Blondie sent me this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cehkSxOLNA) dance video. Very nice.

Camoflauge Photo - Locate The Man

A friend gave me this link (http://games.yahoo.com/photos/camouflage-paintings-1321923033-slideshow/camouflage-paint-bookshelf-photo-1321569970.html). In each photo, there is a photo of a man. Can you find him?

Things That Men Are Good At

This (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/relationships/man-woman/7-Things-men-are-perfect-at/articleshow/9347424.cms) made me wonder.

I mean are there really things (that too 7 of them) that men are supposedly PERFECT at? Wowowow.

Graceful Advertisement

I love this advertisement.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTNT1DdtyLg (27 seconds). Graceful mother and a good son.

Another one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8qvFzkGnOE Very sweet girl.

A friend gave me this. If you like puppies, have a nice lick http://www.horness.com/tools/screenclean.swf.

Here is another lovely dog video (http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=P9Fyey4D5hg).

A lovely cat video that Mary gave me. https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1059039411220.

And some visual jokes: 
http://www.funtoosh.com/jokes/office_humor/161, 
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/390104_277098235660332_266562810047208_683673_1791138203_n.jpg, 
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/391651_276615735708582_266562810047208_682510_1865879358_n.jpg, 
http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/378089_276481249055364_266562810047208_682167_666444876_n.jpg,

Dibrugarh Comes Closer To Vellore

This (http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2642902.ece) is an article i read about the new train route linking India's North East with the South.

Austria In The Local Newspaper Here

This article (http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/article2639529.ece) came in the local newspaper.

Ice Cream Sandwich Is Sweet

I read this article (http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/11/ice-cream-sandwich-hands-on-with-googles-new-android-os/all/1) about Android's Ice cream sandwich.

Indian's Silicon Valley

I had earlier written about the appalling educational system in India.

Today when I read this article (http://www.linkedin.com/news?actionBar=&articleID=908132495&ids=djAQczcNe30Vb3wTc30UdPcMeiMQczoQe3kOcjAIc3kTcPoNcP0V&freq=weekly&aag=aag) I can't but feel warm. There is a thrill in the air.

Our Wishes

A friend gave me this (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150441611189328&set=p.10150441611189328&type=1&theater) link. 

Nice.

Petit Le Prince

A friend of mine told me about Le Petit Prince (The Little Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I was reading about it. And I found some quotations from the book in this (http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2004/4/20/23953/2559) link.

Affectionate Use Of A Bucket Of Water

Jalani gave me this (http://twitter.com/#!/TheQuoteWhore/status/68868065802207232) and I am still rolling on the floor. 

Calcutta Girl Wins Prize

This (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Kolkata-girl-equals-Amartya-MPhil-feat-at-Cambridge/articleshow/10673261.cms) feels good.

Some Articles On Relationships

A friend sent me a link on relationships; about the kind of men you shouldn't marry. I did a back of the envelope calculation: 

There are 7 billion people in the world. 3.5 billion males.

Males up to 18 years age (@20% of total population):  0.7 billion

Males above 60 years of age (@15% of total population): 0.5 billion

Males between 18 and 60: = 3.5 - 0.7 - 0.5 = 2.3 billion

Males (and also females) between 18 and 60 who are not married (@40% of above population): 0.9 billion =900 million.

After you eliminate all of the kind of males listed in the article, I wonder how many of the 900 million males will remain still eligible though. Maybe 2 million?

So 900 million women would be looking out for 2 million men? If a man is part of this 2 million, imagine his odds. Wowowowow.

Another interesting article:

Are you a standby in his life? (http://timesofindia.com/PDATOI/articleshow/10507078.cms)

Apple Vs Google

This is a nice article (http://www.linkedin.com/news?actionBar=&articleID=899290904&ids=0OdP0NejcUejwId30Vc3AOejAUb30Pe3AVdzAVe2MQdzcUejgUejwIdjkNd3wUd3AU&aag=true&freq=weekly&trk=eml-tod-b-ttle-4&ut=3ywcGDrWXyWQY1) on Apple Vs Google. How one focuses on Design and one on data.

Though a small post, this is one of the more interesting ones.

Games We Play

I have loved the book "Games People Play" by Eric Berne and usually try to watch it being played. 

Here is the link to the book: https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.jeelchristine.multiply.multiplycontent.com%2Fattachment%2F0%2FSC1LrgoKCB4AADHa8Es1%2FGames%2520People%2520Play.pdf%3Fkey%3Djeelchristine%3Ajournal%3A15%26nmid%3D96310600

Additional reading; http://Calmisc.blogspot.in/2012/06/working-in-call-center.html

Perfectionism

I came across this (http://www.livestrong.com/article/14702-overcoming-perfectionism/) nice article on perfectionism today.

Tamil In Hindi

Guruji sent me this (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIM/2011/10/30&PageLabel=4&EntityId=Ar00400&ViewMode=HTML) review of SRK's Ra.One.

Though I haven't seen the movie, I loved the review. It's very nicely written.  

Amazing Photos

A friend gave me this link (http://www.digart.pl/galerie/10708/Jesien_w_rozkwicie.html). Make sure you click through all the pictures. Enjoy.

There are no people in the 14 pictures (I recall just one that has two people in the distance). 

Truly beautiful. Thanks Leeloo.

Women Only Look For Love In a Relationship

It's official. Women only look for love. Who said money is as/more important? Read this for details. (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Now-senior-citizens-look-for-love-and-live-ins/articleshow/10586142.cms)

Reliance: Great Customer Service

I have always had great regards for Reliance, the 2nd largest phone company in India. Couple of recent experiences have left me shaken.

The first incident:

Few months back I went to their Web World (showroom) outlet to cancel a connection. They took my request and asked me to wait, they had to get an approval from their back end team. I was impressed. You mean, if I wanted to cancel the connection, do I need an approval? Not from my family mind you. But from their (corporate) family. 

I got a call, while still in the showroom, asking me why I wanted to close the connection. I explained. They tried to dissuade me. I politely said no. They took my request. 

A week later I got a bill. I paid it. I used to get calls from Reliance asking me to try out this option or that option. I kept saying I don't want any option and certainly not a bill at the end of it. If there is going to be any money payout from me without me explicitly asking for a reactivation, I do NOT want it. They assured me there will be NO bill.

I had not used my connection anyway subsequently. The next month I got a bill from Reliance. And then one more bill for the month after that for a different amount. This was painful.

I can understand that it is imperative to retain customers. Sticky revenues and all that. But sending bills after a customer has given a request for cancellation and paid the outstanding amount? Kudos to Reliance. They have taken a totally new refreshing approach to customer retention.

The next incident:

I got a bill for internet usage on the phone. I had used it the previous month and paid the bill in fill. Subsequently, I didn't use internet (mail etc). I called the customer support. I asked the lady who answered my call to explain to me the basis of the internet usage amount. She said I had used so many MB's and and each KB costs 10Paise. I was aghast. "Rs10 per MB?", I asked her. She replied patiently 10p/KB. I said i understand that - "Rs10 per MB?" It took her some time to switch from KB to MB.

I asked her to send me the details of usage. She replied she will have it sent in 48 hours. 

I asked her what details she would send to me. She replied that I would get my usage details. I again asked her "WHAT" details. Would the communication say I used the net at what time, how much I downloaded, which site I used etc or would it give me a summary of usage (total MB's used)? If it's the latter it won't help me. I already am contesting that. She replied then that it would have usage time, usage amount etc but not the name of the site.

Whew. I thanked her and said I will wait for the details and hung up.

I got an SMS immediately stating that as per my request I would henceforth get hardcopy bills and not e-bills.

If I die of Blood Pressure today, you know who caused it.

On Line Ad Spend By Companies

Google controls 46% of all online ad spend as per this (http://www.linkedin.com/news?actionBar=&articleID=879885365&ids=0Vc3wQczAVdPwIdjoPdjwUejsUb34RejsVcz4Ue2MPejoRe3sNe3wIej4Tc3gTdPsU&aag=true&freq=weekly&trk=eml-tod-b-ttle-4&ut=2Lyr9depbnN4Y1) article. Facebook is about 2%.

Wowowow

Aakash: This is Heartwarming

This (http://www.linkedin.com/news?actionBar=&articleID=870315420&ids=0Oe3oTdzoUdzwIdP8PdzwOc3sUb30Od3kNcP0Te2MMdP0Uc3gMdPwIej4Tc3gTdPsU&aag=true&freq=weekly&trk=eml-tod-b-ttle-4&ut=32ct2-EBX0KQY1) is a review of a andriod tablet phone. 

It costs about $35 or so. 

Why Glass Ceiling For Women

This is a nicely written article (http://www.forbes.com/sites/quickerbettertech/2011/10/31/why-most-women-will-never-become-ceo/) on women don't become CEO's.

Convicted For Death - Dowry

This is sad (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/85-yr-old-woman-gets-life-for-bride-burning/articleshow/10538703.cms).

Jokes To Lighten Your Day

I came across this http://www.studynoteswiki.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=54&func=view&catid=163&id=9464 today.

For People from the middle east: http://www.citehr.com/328449-subject-coca-cola-salesman-saudi-arabia.html.

Another one about a grill: http://www.ebaumsworld.com/jokes/read/81788531/.

Poor Man Has An Unhappy Marriage

A friend gave me this story (http://www.itimes.com/public/users/7cz2s0u9sbkfv9sl05qbtq58z/blog/The-web-of-matrimony).

How bad it must have been for the man. Poor guy.

Social Networking And Recruitment

This is an interesting article (http://www.linkedin.com/news?actionBar=&articleID=863923184&ids=0PdzgVdPgVdjwIcPgTd3kSdjoUb3gUcjcOejcSe2MOcPsTcjkRdzwIcj0Pd3kMdjoU&aag=true&freq=weekly&trk=eml-tod-b-ttle-4&ut=02Kl1DBwk9BkY1) on how recruiters use social networking sites. While we may have heard of posting inappropriate stuff on Facebook can harm a person, this article explains how recruiters also use social networking sites create a positive impression.

Wonder how true the data in the article is though. 

Strong Man And Woman

This is a very interesting article I read on strong men and women http://drwill911.blogspot.com/2011/01/can-real-man-love-strong-woman.html. Dont forget to read the comments at the of the article in the link above. One of them is beautiful. 

Also read the comment by Gary in http://fodder4thinking.wordpress.com/2011/02/27/can-a-real-man-love-a-strong-woman/ (the story is the same).

Father's Wife Is No Good

I loved this http://fodder4thinking.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/i-want-my-own-wife/.

Tenets Of Islam

Today I came across a site http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/204/?gclid=CL6b9JKI_qsCFcEc6wodZDTMkg. The content in the home page interested me. So I clicked on the chat link and spoke to an advisor. Here is the transcript of my brief conversation.

Please wait for a site adviser to respond.

You are now chatting with 'Advisor'

Advisor: Hello. Welcome to our live chat.

Advisor: How can I assist you today?

you: just happened to come across this site. I was curious

Advisor: Welcome to the site!

you: :) thanks

Advisor: You are welcome!

you: should man have good character ?

Advisor: yes

Advisor: Are you a born Muslim, a convert, or a non-Muslim?

you: does it matter

you: I have 2 mins. after which I have to go.

Advisor: No problem!

you: :)

you: can a person from other religion not have good character?

Advisor: anyone even an atheist can have a good character,, but the point is, only believers are those who will be rewarded in the Hereafter

you: the site seems to imply that only muslims have character and true

you: hmmm

you: does God belong to Islam? or what about other religions who have a God? how does one say "The only religion in the sight of God is Islam...” (Quran 3:19)?

Advisor: the true God is in Islam only

you: hmm

Advisor: hindus have many gods

you: what is the basis for saying that?

Advisor: but they are false ones

Advisor: There are several ways to look at the proofs of Islam, for example: Scientific proofs in the Quran, scientific proofs in the hadith, prophesies in previous scripture of Muhammad, miracles and prophecies made by Muhammad, the wisdom behind the permissible and the prohibitions in Islam, the wisdom in the laws and penal code system of Islam, and the simple logic that there has to be One God who is the Creator of the universe.

you: ok

you: thanks.

you: nice talking to you. I have to go now.

Advisor: You are welcome!

While I can perhaps understand, though not agree with, how someone is protective of their religion, how does one think God (which is religion agnostic) only exists in their religion? How does one think everyone else (who doesn't belong to their religion) is wrong and/or needs to be destroyed?

Now I have to recount what a friend of mine told me about what she heard in an Islamic discourse she attended. Housewives and mothers were exhorted to send the menfolk in their family for Jihad. Now, who is the Jihad against: Against anyone who is non Muslim.

If you think that this discourse was conducted in Pakistan or in some Islamic country you would be wrong. It was right here in the middle of India.

I have a friend from Israel who is a Jew. She espouses similar views about God and Judaism being the true faith, mercifully she doesn't talk support Jihad.

What has gone wrong with men? Why do we need our religion to be the best? Do we become a good person because our religion is good? Are we and our religion synonymous?

I Am Proud Of Air India

I am proud of Air India for the 1st time http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Baby-born-onboard-Delhi-Toronto-flight/articleshow/10457396.cms

If You Have 5 Days In Delhi

If you have 5 days in Delhi then this is what you need to read. http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/itinerary-delhi-184704949.html

Death Row

This is a lovely one on execution http://www.santabanta.com/jokes.asp?catid=10724

Lagniappe: http://www.funtoosh.com/jokes/personality/1423

On education: http://www.funtoosh.com/jokes/personality/1445.

GodSon

Here is a lovely picture http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=228624803864025&set=a.222658381127334.55604.222490634477442&type=1&ref=nf.

Float On The Water

This article (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/life/article2554661.ece) on travel is about Jordan. A place that I would love to visit :). 

Pot Calling The Kettle Black

This is update on Jayalalitha's disproportionate assets case and Harischandra Karunanidhi's views: (http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/jayalalithaa-reaches-bangalore-court-142684).

Obstetrics Explained

I loved this video https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=137219199633357 which a friend shared with me.

Visit Bhutan

Nice article about visiting Bhutan http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/travel/Bhutan-is-truly-destination-happiness/articleshow/8636133.cms.

Another one here.

Anonymous Posts Designed To Malign

This is a story (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Woman-CEO-maligns-female-colleague-on-Net-detained/articleshow/10381833.cms) of a woman who wrote anonymously about her colleague because of envy.

A View On The Financial Markets

This is a lovely one. http://www.fropki.com/current-situation-stock-markets-vt45879.html.

Bonus joke to make your day: http://ricorant.blogspot.com/2011/10/joke-for-day.html

Kapil Sibal Strikes Again

I had earlier written about Kapil Sibal http://calmisc.blogspot.com/2011/05/kapil-sibal-india-einstein.html. I read today that he believes India needs 1000 more universities (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/article2537790.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home).

That's terrific. Assuming conservatively that each university has 500 students that graduate each year, we will have about half a million more students passing out with undergraduate degrees.

And each of these universities will give employment to about 30 teaching staff, 40 administrative staff. And imagine the spend on land, buildings, computers and other infrastructure. That will give a boost to the economy. Some of the graduating students will return as faculty. Some will go on to do a master's degree or a doctorate and publish papers.

In terms of number of English speaking graduates India's rank might go higher.  It probably is already in the top 3 as I write now. And India, just as any other country, definitely needs top class minds who can make a difference.

Now the question is: What is the quality of the students that graduate from colleges / universities in India? What is the quality of teaching? Infrastructure? What is the crying need? More students? Or Better quality of students? Which issue is Mr Sibal addressing?

How fit are the students for consumption by the industry? Is the primary issue in India one of quantity or quality?

How will 1000 more universities solve the problem? instead of 600 million non- graduate morons we will have perhaps only 590 million of them, the other 10 million becoming morons with graduate degrees. And perhaps one of them may go on to become the Education Minister.

If instead we had the industry dictating what education should be like or at least strong participated in dictating the curriculum and trained the teachers, we could create better citizens and students.

Beer Makes You Smarter

This is a nice one. http://www.funtoosh.com/jokes/stupid/639

Nice Cake

A friend of mine baked this cake. Looks lovely.

Trekking Across Gobi Desert

Nice, isn't it? http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-achiever-sucheta-kadethankar-first-indian-to-cross-the-gobi-desert/20111007.htm

Virtual Reservation Printout Accepted in Indian Railways

A screenshot of the e-ticket as displayed in laptops or mobile devices will also be accepted in place of the printout of a ticket (https://www.irctc.co.in/VRM.htm). This is nice. 

Far better would be to not require even that. The ID proof should be sufficient. And a duplicate copy of the ID proof (not the original) should be made adequate. People don't always want to carry originals with them.

Hiring Of Expats In India To Increase

India is expected to hire more expats this year http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Booming-economy-India-Inc-expats-hiring-up-20-this-year/articleshow/10297215.cms.

Additional reading: http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article2520814.ece. Hindi cinema is becoming popular and being taught at universities around the world. I have an Iranian friend who knows liked Sridevi in Nagina (I barely remember the movie), another in Poland whose knowledge of recent Hindi movies far surpasses mine. Another friend told me that Amitabh and SRK are very popular in Egypt. Same with a Russian friend.

Before we start thinking that these friends are Indians living abroad, let me assure that these are local people in the respective countries. 20 years back I was told that Raj Kapoor was very popular in Russia. And I had not come across any other people outside the Indian subcontinent having a liking for  Indian movies.

Its strange. From business to movies, India is making an impact on people abroad.