Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Flagging on in an Active Financial Year

Flagging on in an Active Financial Year

Well! The Financial Year of our country ranges from April to March. But on personal fronts, we seldom count April and May towards investments and long term planning for simple reasons like these months, we tend to be with our families in cool hill resorts, depending upon the personal budgets, escaping the scorching heat of the Kathiri Veyyal (Hot Summer). Perhaps I would like to recall for the readers, an earlier post of Hot summers in Chennai.

Start with June, the kids in the family would be busy getting up ready for school and our attention to the work too would be in full swing and hence our focus to investments towards taxation purposes too.  This time, I have a lot of my friends, ushering in on entering new houses rather than getting constrained to rented tenements.

While Sengu sent me an invitation for his house-warming ceremony at Pondicherry, there were a couple of house-warmings of my other colleagues in and around Medawalkkam, about four kilometers from my residence. The latest to join our bandwagon in Medawalkam is Ramesh. Santosh takes a detour as his proposed apartment is in the South East tip of Chennai (near Pallavaram) which can be checked out from here

There are more potential to growth and encouragement. With TechEd 2006, around the corner there is more vibrant enthusiastic spirit of development for IT fraternity.

A lunch outing with a difference...

A lunch outing with a difference...

Today had been a bit busy day. I had a couple of personal bank tasks to see through and while at HSBC, there was a tring tring reminder from my Airtel and I got to recall that there was a lunch party of our team scheduled at Hotel Riveria, Adyar. In a way, I do understand and as far as possible, I avoid exorbitant parties like this for a simple reason, which my regular readers would know from here and appreciate.

However, even the most established of Windows Self Defense software in its XP2 avatar, Windows Firewall, was devised to accept and live with some exceptions. While it was taught by the folks and brahmas at Redmond only to ruthlessly drop network packets that were originating from the untrusted sources, it still ought to listen to the immediate user for what should be allowed and what should be dropped but of course with little and more freedom and restrictions.

Even today, while recieving the invitation-by-call, my personal policy took the upper stern stand and I was thinking. Actually, it was given by my lead, who is joining a new company sometime in a week's time.

There are a couple of occasions for which I have a treat-cum-party pending from my side. I just wanted to re-emphasize that I have'nt forgotten. The case of 'I forgot' happens with me only on two reasons:

  1. MSN Hotmail Calendar experiences a technical fault and drops a couple of appointments or reminders set.
  2. I am at vacation and away from the computer and hence unable to check and synchronize my events or have deferred them to a later date deliberately.

Well! Coming back to the main discussion thread again, I would anyway, take this occasion to congratulate my friend (Ramesh Nagarajan) best wishes and green pastures in his new field and new opportunity. I think this post caption does seem to differ from what is being the flow of the post and that essentially reflects the state of the mind too. When it comes to bidding farewell to a closer friend, it always is felt with a sense of cavity, inspite of the fact that they are benefitting otherwise. We always suffer a sort of psychic myopia. Is'nt it?

If I remember right, I think we almost joined in the same time period with even the roll numbers in the closer vicinity. With a couple of projects alone in different directions, the current one anyway gave more an opportunistic aspect of working along, moulding my mind in thinking in a more practical project perspective and realtime encounters rather than stupid mundane coding, which the Visual Studio .NET wizards and Rocky, the office Assistant in Microsoft Office Applications would do much better than me.

There is'nt anything to add and my mind keeps getting heavier. I would anyway, take this occasion to congratulate and express best wishes and green pastures in his new field and new opportunity.

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Away from the city and into sprawling highways...

Away from the city and into sprawling highways...

Since May 17, there has'nt been much of city commuting for me. My workplace has been shifted to Ekkaduthangal, near Guindy, well served by long route Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses plying between Tambaram and Ambattur, complimented by long route services connecting to the other parts of Tamil Nadu. I admit that there has'nt been much of a change from the business hub of T. Nagar to the city communication artery of Jawaharlal Nehru Road linking Kathipara junction to Chennai Moffusil Bus Stand via Ashok Nagar.

But from my perspective, the amount of time, I need to waste in the city roads and the acuteness of the city traffic snarls and impact of the time wasted can be considerably reduced, since either ways of commuting either through the Velacherry suburb or Tambaram GST road reduces the commuting time or improvises it at least by a significant 35 per cent. I think this should be a significant number at least considering the peak hour rush of Chennai.

Kathipara is currently undergoing some sort of flyover construction works and this contributes to brief delays and in a way presents a first-hand information to the visitor entering the city limits that city would be only like this. But, going by the Government's assurances, the flyover should ease the traffic in the area and the above figure should be, positively speaking, improving further. But that is in the long run.

Sunday, May 21, 2006

15th Anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi (May 21)


15th Anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi (May 21)

If you had been watching Mahabharat Episode by B R Chopra, there is a small timewheel which comes and narrates in brief about the current occurences. Just thinking about May 21 and its significance. This day, about 15 years ago (in 1991), while coming for a normal election campaign, near the little peaceful satellite town called Sriperumbudur, he was brutally assassinated by a human bomb. The time wheels have rotated so fast and 15 years have fled fast. India has seen so many elections after that but the only thing that is still lacking is the introduction of peace and prosperity in the country.

Even now, at the time of election campaign, a private Television Channel was alleging that a peer political party and its leader was helping out the relatives of assassin. They were framing out in a more rhythmic Tamil "Edharkaga Indha Kaimmaru" (Why is this gratitude to the brutal assassins?) The dirty politicians in India are trying to raise their ugly heads everywhere.

It was really a horrible incident on May 21, 1991 regarding the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. India can never try and get another able leader like him. He was very much instrumental in even bringing in peace in the neighbor country of Sri Lanka, where Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was sent during his regime. It is said that the Liberation Tigers of Sri Lanka got enraged only because of that and his name got included in thier hit list.

Well! The past is past. Let us observe a two minute silence and pray the Lord Almighty to give peace and have the noble soul of Rajiv Gandhi to rest in peace.

Turning into Second Year...

Turning into Second Year...

Last week was bit tiresome. Starting from the previous Wednesday (10th May, 2006 till 1359 hours of 19th May, 2006), the only world that I could see, understand is the books from Alagappa , University, towards giving my second semester MBA examinations. And normally, there is a feeling that even semesters (like 2, 4, 6 etc.) are prepared with a question paper that is relatively tougher in the sense either the questions are bit thought-provoking or would test your perseverence and endurance in giving a paper of length in the same three-hour duration. To address this Even Semester Syndrome, I had applied for a leave for the entire of the week. I seldom use the leaves available to me. This had been my practice ever since my school days too and I have a lot of continuous Full Attendance Certificates in the school too.

Interestingly, my workplace was shifting in the mid of the week and a careful planning of the schedules was in fact, the dire need of the hour.

This time, there was one another interesting thing too to include. The examination center was at Avichi Higher Secondary School in Virugambakkam. There were some good things too:

  1. Proximity to my old school. Just about 1.5 kms from Avichi.
  2. An inner close circle of my friends within reach at stone-throw distance.

With an empowerment of these, there was an extra-sense of power to give the examinations with a more powerful force. With this, I am now entering into the second year of MBA with Alagappa University, the subjects are now with the electives only I have chosen and hence not much (!!) of the struggles in the alien jungles.

I was intending to blog this sometime yesterday but I was feeling almost dead tired and got up only towards afternoon and a brief touring to my friends' places. Today, I had to renew the book I had borrowed from Connemara Public Library and then a brief shopping and then this blog.

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Radha Kalyana Mahotsavam

Radha Kalyana Mahotsavam

Wedding is a very holy and an important event in anybody's life. It is generally treated as an important milestone in one's life. When this is a case for normal human being, if it comes to the point of wedding of the Lord, it would be a greatest pleasure and boon for the entire universe, beyond doubt. Is'nt it?

With this in mind, our ancestors were keen in celebrating Kalyanotsavams for the Lord in various temples and places. Kalyanotsavam is very famous in Tirupathi and even to book the same, you need to have a slot booked months before with the Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams.

When it comes to Lord Krishna, He is better known and associated with his consorts Lordess Radha (known as Radhika in Hindi) and Lordess Sathyabama (who is considered as a form of Lordess Earth). Many people celebrate the wedding of the Lord with Radha, and this is observed as Radha Kalyana Mahatsavam.

I was staying for sometime in Sarada Nagar, Virugambakkam before moving to my own house now in the neigborhood of Tambaram. At Sarada Nagar, the residents welfare association was having this practice of celebrating Radha Kalyana Mahotsavam with more fervour and devotion. The entire celebration would last for 2 days and now it is being celebratated for 3 days with more spiritiual discourses, bhakthi (devotion) exercises for kids etc.

We should be thankful to Jaya TV, in arranging for the Radha Kalyana Mahotsavam of Sarada Nagar, Virugambakkam this year being telecasted in today morning 'Arul Neram' in the more sweet and honey words of Sri Kavi, for the welfare of devotees worldwide. I would try to get more details from my friends there and would publish them after some time.

Friday, May 12, 2006

Routine Triplicane Temple > With a difference

Routine Triplicane Temple > With a difference

Monotony always presents and solicits drudgery and boredom. With examinations around the corner, the weekly triplicane schedule has been temporarily shuffled to Saturday for two weeks and then it would be restored back after. And my yesterdays' temple trip was very fruitful in ways in more than one and in a way, it seemed to be an invitation from the Lord too.

I could not go to Kanchipuram Garuda Seva for a specific number of years since this or that there would be some schedule. This is inspite of the fact that the same Garuda Seva can be worshipped in all Varadaraja Temples at the same time not alone in Kanchipuram. Some of the other Varadaraja Temples include the following, the list of which I would like to share with the reader.

This is the list of the temples in Chennai. I would like to request the reader to share the list of similar temples elsewhere for the benefit of other readers.

  1. (Chinna) Kanchipuram (aka) Athigiri
  2. Aminjikarai Sri Prasanna Varadaraja Perumal
  3. Tiruvallikeni Sri Gajendra Varadaraja Perumal
  4. Poovirunthavalli Sri Varadaraja Perumal
  5. Virugambakkam Sri Sundara Varadaraja Perumal

Whilst I pondering over this for a while a couple of weeks back and yesterday the Lord seemed to shown the information that this year's Garuda Seva is scheduled for May 13. And this news flashed as SMS from my friend and also via DivyadesamOnline Yahoogroups.

Just wanted to post this, so that other devotees can also go to the nearest Varadaraja Temple, worship the Lord and get His divine blessings.

Newer Novel Nourishing Regime in Tamil Nadu

Newer Novel Nourishing Regime in Tamil Nadu

There seems to be an unwritten note for Tamil Nadu that the same party never gets elected in Tamil Nadu for two continuous tenures. In a way, this seems to carry a lot of advantages for the state too. Perhaps a significant among them are:

  1. The current state administration can not get deep rooted with any of their malpractices since that would come to limelight in the very next tenure.
  2. No Monopolies.
  3. Competitive Advantage to the state and Strategic Positioning of the state in Economic and social market.

The current offering is for DMK, to be lead by Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi and they have planned to organize the swearing in function sometime tomorrow in Nehru stadium, Chennai.

There are but a lot of responsibilities, deliverables and expectations lined up before the new administration. Well. I would'nt start discussing into the internals of the previous administration or the maladies associated with the same. Let us wish our people's representatives all the good luck in making our state a role model in economic upliftment. As you read the blog, you would also hear the welcome prayer to 'Lordess Tamil' to get Her blessings for our success in all quarters of life and hence please have your speakers turned on.


Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Network Subsystem Troubleshooting

Network Subsystem Troubleshooting

My BSNL Landline seems to be on an unannounced summer vacation since yesterday. While contacting BSNL fault booking numbers through Airtel Mobile, even the number in its own exchange is getting denied with the message 'This number is not serviced by this exchange'.

Then I devised an innovative idea of putting somebody else to call the Sangamam Call Center, Chennai servicing BSNL customers and have the fault booked. I was particular to have the fault booked at the earliest since otherwise, the queue number would be very back and proportionately, you need to give more undertable gratification to the line man to address your issue.

My friend, Seshadri, immediately called Sangamam but he, too was facing some issue in getting the customer care since only the hold music was going on for a long time, I guess. After repeated attempts, we got the docket number addressed. I have asked my other colleague in Selaiyur, to have the line man come over today and have the issue addressed.

Just thought I would post this incident for the following reasons:

  1. An exquisite get-to-gether of Airtel and Hutch numbers working together to solve the issue with BSNL landline.
  2. A word of thanks to my friend, Seshadri was having booked the fault inspite of me calling him rather late night.
  3. A unique blend of telecommunications friendship between us since normally we play with our mobiles ringing at each other in anonymous mode. And perhaps, to crown this, even his birthday celebration function ("Treasure Hunt"), to be described by VettiBoss, he had to identify me with a puzzle related to 'Anonymous caller from Triplican Exchange'.
  4. A note to Ministry of Telecommunications India that there are more renaissance to bring in the department other than also innovations galore which are most welcome.

"Bharat Darshan" on Wheels

"Bharat Darshan" on Wheels

Aspiring to take up a tour of all important places in India but feeling daunted since the cost involved is quite prohibitive and so much of pains taken that overwhelm the pleasure of tourism. The Indian Railway Ministry has brought in a concept tour called Bharat Darshan, the train arranged for the same starts from Madurai and visits as many tourist spots in India, reaching upto Chandigarh.

They are planning upto three days halt at Chandigarh where you are given an option of taking a local sight seeing tour and nearby places or pay a premium and take up a dedicated trip to Kulu-Manali. I came across this news in Tamil Murasu, a leading evening daily in Tamil Nadu.

I am not able to locate this information in IRCTC and hence giving the news clip address of Tamil Murasu here. If some other reader has an English version of the same, please feel free to share the same with others as a comment.

Cops Snore is an Eye Sore

Cops Snore is an Eye Sore

The most important business hub of Chennai -- T Nagar, which contributes to so many crores of business to umpty number of people and revenue to the government. But is this an internationally praise worthy location in Chennai. When you do a bit of introspection, I think, it is far from truth.

Ranging from the length and spagetti traffic snarls to the more unrelenting cops that support undertable revenues from everyone ranging from small traders to vehicle owners, I think T. Nagar is uncrowned in the negative perspective of Indian economic development.

Adding to the woes, is the T. Nagar bus stand which has a cherished heritage of making the passengers to practice marathon since there would always be two buses in the same route waiting and the bus crew would be more happy to anchor a maraton or a musical chair contest to make the passengers dart between the buses. I think, some advertisors can take this opportunity, to sponsor a 'T Nagar Maraton', and offer prizes to passengers, who successfully compete and win the contests. This has been brought to the notice of MTC by so many organizations time and again and inspite of that MTC is very firm in upholding this tradition which has been coming down from age-old period.

Next, the more cute fast crawling highways of T Nagar. Geographically, T Nagar is linked to Kodambakkam via Usman Road which is trifurcated like below:

  1. South Usman Road (connecting CIT Nagar to T Nagar Terminus)
  2. Usman Road (linking T Nagar Terminus upto Panagal Park)
  3. North Usman Road (spans the stretch between Panagal Park upto Kodambakkam Flyover).

Usman Road, has however been declared as one-way since it encompasses within its purview, the business hub called Ranganathan Street which stands testimony of large crowds even when the clock strikes 00:00 in the night. However, there are some salient observations and/or undocumented workarounds to deal with, during your visit to T.Nagar.

This is not to emulate but fondly hope, that if a competant authority of City Metropolitan Administration drops by , let them have the cops wake from their deep slumber to realise thier duties to deliver.

  1. Even though it is one-way, you can still lurk through Usman Road with pleasure. As a salient example, you can see scores of autorickshaws following this. If a cop encounters you, a simple ten rupee note can serve to cool him down and you can continue unabated.
  2. The small traders too are are at the mercy of cops. I have personally seen an umpty number of incidents when the patrol cops take up handsful of apple fruit from the fruit cart, in front of the vendor and discussing with his colleague 'Porumappa. Unakku evvallu venum'? [Tranlated into English: 'Buddy. Is this enough. How much more you want']. These cops do not pay anything to the poor vendor. The vendor too can not voice any complaint against since, by virtue of being day-waged, he has to bear the atrocities of the law-makers (or ethical law-breakers), who would file false complaints on them.  This, inspite of the fact, that there are two police stations at the borders of Usman Road; one near T. Nagar Terminus and the other near Pondy Bazaar.
  3. I know closely a couple of drivers en route 12G (KK Nagar to Anna Square), since every week I go to Triplicane. I have observed one guy playing a real comedy on the cops near the Pothys Junction. When the vehicle stops, he used to give the cop a friendly salute. The cop would think that he is giving him respect and would reply with a majestic smile. But to only persons near the driver, it would be known that the driver would be whispering the most horrendous comment on him. Actually, the gesture of salute is so well fabricated by him, that it looks like a salute but actually, tapping his head in much disgust, the line of demarcation between the two being very minimal.

I think, after the elections, whoever comes to Chennai Administration, should see that the police and security department are cleaned up of all shrubs that have gone all through, infected by so much of parasites.

BSNL was once upon a time like that but thanks to Daya Nidhi Maran, that it is now an enviable department among all telcos in the world. Similarly, the city administration should put in thier might to bring in renaissance into the city security infrastructure and related personnel. I think, during his previous regime, Dr. Kalaignar M Karunanidhi was very much instrumental in raising the image of Chennai police that they were appreciated on par Scotland Yard, like Mumbai Police. Whoever is elected during the current elections, should ensure that this spirit is rejuvenated and the same emphazised. Let us hope for the best.

Monday, May 08, 2006

Elections in full Swing in Tamil Nadu


Elections in full Swing in Tamil Nadu

Polling in Tamil Nadu begins with full swing today. Thanks to the Election Commissions' more stringent security measures and systematic observation of procedures for free and fair conduct of polls, exercising the franchise for the citizens is a breeze.

I went to our booth at New Prince College near Medawalkam, on the Velacherry - Tambaram road. I guess, this would be 5th poll vote that I am casting. About there in Valasaravalkam. One in Mambalam. Some of the salient features witnessed at the polling station are:

  1. Tighter and surprise security checks that were being planned has instilled fear in the minds of candidates and as well polling/presiding officers. And hence you can hardly witness the usual fish-market crowds that you can see near the ballot room.
  2. The normal police behavior of resting in the corner of the road was observed. Huge traffic chaos near even the mofussil booth and the police pickets posted only to remain as silent and mute spectators.
  3. No ferrying of passengers observed to the polling stations, thanks to the hard-and-fast rules of the Election Commission. Albeit this, there are news reports which claim that parties were planning to ferry passengers in some remote areas and to give them arrack and biriyani to purchase thier votes. Letz wait and see the news flashes towards evening.

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Novel Wizard to Control Telephone Bills

Novel Wizard to Control Telephone Bills

While browsing Orkut Communities, I came across a website called YourBillBuddy. It is based on a registration and once registered, it tries to analyse your telephone bill (either landline or wireless) and suggests you different plans and options currently available with the same or different providers, which would try to bring down your mobile phone bill.

Some of the providers have'nt seemed to have tied up yet and there might be an occasional 'We do not have any preferred tariff plans' message.  But, I think the Recommendation Wizard is a novel and an innovative one to visit.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Weblog with a new face and presentation ...

Weblog with a new face and presentation ...

There has been a couple of small technical glitches in this weblog. I have addressed the same and also have applied a couple of new features and upgradations. Now you can see a new HowToBeAHero link and along with some advanced web analysis applications.

I guess the new template update should also be relatively more faster in presentation and rendering.

Do post your suggestions towards the same.

In the wireless world with Nokia 6030...

In the wireless world with Nokia 6030...

Yesterday afternoon, I was feeling bit sleepy and just thought I would go out and come since I had some bank work. After completing the bank work, since Univercell was quite near, I was visiting it and my old mobile Nokia 3315 had some problems, I had a plan of having it upgraded to some new model.  After a brief tour of the showcased wireless solutions, I met my sweetie, Nokia 6030, with a more innovative embedded Java solutions, worldwide web connectivity with GPRS and an entertaining FM world.

I firmly believe and emphasize that the plan which had been postponing for a while got materialised and I had purchased only with the blessings of my little friend, Sabarimala Swami Saranam Ayyappa.

Airtel seems to have brought in with an innovative free GPRS solutions and I chose to activate them. During the course of the activation process, there were some nice discoveries too. It is heartening that automatic mobile handset discovery which has'nt been in India seems to have been introduced. Now the network has a clear picture of what handset we are using. Good. I think, this should bring some control over the unrelenting mobile thefts in India.

More experiences and innovative finds to be added... Stay Tuned!

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

[Imported from Blogdrive]Wedding Bells Ring

 

Wedding Bells Ring
There seems to be a lot of wedding bells lined up for Chittirai - Vaikasi. Sometime last Monday, one of my technical leads was getting wedded and his Nikah Reception was held at Hotel Vijay Park.  Another reception was scheduled for Saturday at Hotel Le Royal Meredian.
As I flipped through our YahooGroups pages, there was one more wedding of our old friend Uttam Kumar Samal sometime in Vaikasi.
This month would be bit busy, since my Alagappa University MBA second semester examination timetable has also come and there is more prepare for the same.

Monday, May 01, 2006

New Academic Year

New Academic Year

It is a new academic year starting in June 2006 for both schools and colleges. Engineering Colleges and Medical Colleges would start proper by July/August since there are a lot of Single Window Counselling and other admission formalities and procedures to be completed by Governments, Educational Institutions and Governing bodies like DoTE and DoME.

A newer lifestyle is waiting for the freshers out of school into the college. It is a newer lifestyle with positive aspirations and outlook if one sees it with confidence. Of course, in the negative aspect, there are worst things like Ragging which more academic institutions are fighting hard to eradicate with.  Now with more sons of politicians somehow managing to get admissions into the colleges, only due to them, Ragging takes an ugly spearhead.

Just to recall a few sites on Ragging which I found and would like to share with the other readers. Feel free to share the same with your friends and let us spread our thoughts into our fraternity to make educational institutions as healthy peace spots instead of making them graveyards like what had happened in Annamalai University.

A few of the links on Ragging and how to prevent them:

  1. THE PREVENTION OF RAGGING IN COLLEGES AND INSTITUTIONS BILL, 2005
  2. "What is going on" -- An Article by Apollo Life.

[Imported from Blogdrive]Wedding Bells Ring

Wedding Bells Ring
It is time for Wedding Bells ringing again. One of my colleague in a previous company (Chrysolite Enterprises) Uttam Kumar Samal is getting wedded to Swati Swagatika on 6th May, 2006.
Let us join together and wish the bride and groom happy and prosperous married life.
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        Posted at 04:28 am by Deepak Kumar Vasudevan
 

 

 

 

  Original BlogDrive Post on Monday, May 01, 2006