Personal Weblog of Deepak Vasudevan

A for Accelerator; B for Brake and C for Clutch From the second part of December, when I had relatively less items in my calendar, I just thought I would focus on getting some driving learnt. The class tutor (Parthiban) of Bala Driving School, Kamarajapuram had an interesting way of starting the teaching. Any learning starts as A, B, C right. Going by the same lines, he makes the trainee understands the three basic entities of any car. A for A ccelerator B for B rake C for C lutch And interestingly these would form right to left in Indian cars. Sometime back we were discussing about cars in United States here . Interestingly in India, it is right-handed driving and we follow 'Keep Left' policy on roads.

Making our country safer and secure I came across a very good website called SaferIndia from my friend Aravind Babu and Mohan Chandran and would like to share the website with others too. About the website: This website of an NGO is started by Ms. Kiran Bedi. One can browse this website and lodge a complaint against any crime if the police station in your website is refusing to accept the same. The NGO would take your complaint and forward it to the DGP of your area. You can also use the email as a legal document in case of filing a case in the court. Also, since the website is monitored by Ms. Kiran Bedi, all emails directly go to her. Let us try to educate everyone about this website so that people feel more secure in their homeland.

Indian Railways -- Getting More Secure Indian Railways are said to be the largest employers and one of the world's biggest enterprises. We would need to proud to have such a big entity in our motherland and should sincerely thank Lord Dalhousie (who is being rightly revered as 'Father of Indian Railways') for bringing this marvelous public commuting system to India when Britishers ruled us. It is most economical and comfortabe transporation system. The only concern currently in Indian Railways is an amicable security cover for the passengers through out the journey. There exists three modes of transport between the cities: Buses Railways Airways A flight between the two cities is just about 35 minutes maximum but costs not less than INR 3000. It is extremely safe and secure journey but is simply out of reach for normal use, unless there is an urgency or someone is sponsoring us. Buses are good as long as there are no political riots anywhere. At least for women passenger...

Some interesting recipes in Chennai I have been thinking of sharing this for a while but just took some time to confirm the latest updates with the service providers. I am sure, in Chennai it would be nightmarish now to drive and we soon become very tired. There are two good restaurants in the West End of Chennai and East End of Chennai. They are just ordinary restaurants and not categorized as star so don't worry about pricking your wallet. Remember that we just discussed about ' The value of every 'Penny' sometime back very recently. The two interesting recipes that I wanted to share was: Thoothukudi Parota Kanchipuram Idli Thoothukudi Parota: This is a very interesting recipe that is available in Bhat's Bhojan at Tambaram. It is just priced at about half a dollar (20 INR now). Thoothukudi is the tamil name of Tuticorin, an important harbour town of Tamil Nadu near Kaniyakumari (Cape Comorin). The another interesting recipe of Bhat's Bhojan is the hot Sambar ...

The value of every 'Penny' I was just thinking of writing about this for a while but a variety of factors were en route either preventing it or procrastinating it. What are they? A seamless flow of content. Sometimes, we get a thought directly from the sky but we would be struck on where to start, how to draft and how to express it to others. Time factor. With a plethora of tasks outlined, the 24 hours that the Lord has bestowed for every day seems to be too little. But, when I say this, I recall, the quote that my Mathematics teacher in standard twelfth at Balalok and the then tuition master used to say "It is not that 24 hours which is insufficient. But we do not know how to make the best use of every second. We have 60 seconds a minute. 60 minutes to comprise an hour and 24 hours to comprise a day. And so on and so forth. The need of the hour then is an efficient time management". Well! I just thought the current generation seems to be so much spendthrift like neve...

Online Tamil Dictionary Sometime back we had a very interesting discussion in CodeProject Lounge on a particular guy in my close circle who has the habit of coughing in a very musical tone. For those interested, here is the permalink URL for the same . After that once, it so happened after a heavy lunch on Friday, myself and my other friend (the innovative inventors of the discussion thread outlined) had some constant burps. We were teasing each other like whether we are trying to emulate the Musical Cougher . In Tamil, we call burp as ஏப்பம். But I was trying to find out high and low on what is the English equivalent of this ஏப்பம். Today I found a very good Tamil - English website which gives the English words for Tamil words. In our current context ஏப்பம் means burp or belching sound in English. But I would say, anyone should have this Online Tamil English dictionary in their favorites as it is very useful for everyone. Check it out here : http://www.tamildict.com/display.php?alpha...

A Quick General Knowledge cum Fun Quiz on Internet A casual Saturday browsing brought me around a unique website that checks our knowledge on how deep our knowledge on Internet is. It wanders around the various Internet protocols, history etc. At the end of the test, it gives an interesting score and a website badge that you can proudly showcase on your website too. Check out the Fun cum Knowledge Test on Internet here .

Time crammed January 20th, 2008 (Busy Busy Sunday) I have three invites for celebrations across the city tomorrow. Perhaps, to take rest, since Sunday is also the only day to take rest, I may chose to send the wishes by calling them too. My friend (Rekha's Wedding) -- Unavoidable or there might be an aggressive call from Bangalore demanding a reason for absenting from the same. :) Sathya's Sister Wedding in West Mambalam -- This is actually my friend's sister. Hence I have some excuses for attending it via GSM. Anyway, I have his wedding to attend next month. :) A housewarming function of one of my colleague ( Maria Sagayaraj ). I may assign a ThreadPriority.Low to this for the following reasons: A very huge distance from my residence. It almost involves a semicircle trip across the Chennai City Map from Tambaram to Ambattur Pattaravalkam Railway Station. A one day technical workshop towards evening. There are a real number of factors that are involved in which one to atte...

My Pongal Celebrations 2008 I would like to draw the attention of users to our Pongal/Makara Sankranthi wishes before I discuss about my Pongal Celebrations this year. I think the weeklong Pongal Celebrations I was going through almost coincided with the exact days that has been earmarked for each of the festival. Rather, I would say, I was celebrating each day on its eve (a day before), with a sense of being an early bird . Bhogi on 14th January 2008 The day before Pongal is celebrated as Bhogi. It is customary for the people of Tamil Nadu to white-wash (paint) their houses in bright colors, clear off all dust that has gathered and keep the environment spic-and-span. The elders also used to advise that on Bhogi day we should burn off all evil that have gathered at heart and cultivate a very holy thought-mind ( Saatwic Mind ). With this custom around, my schedule on 13th January 2008 was to clean up the house in full with all rubbish being destroyed. There were but little to huge junk...

Tax Time need not be Taxing Time As the month of March nears, most of us reel under acute mental stress and tensions since it is the period when you would need to consolidate your income, investments and other expenditures and submit the same to your taxman. Should you have been little lazy, then this period might bring you some more mental stress. Fortunately, for everyone, Nithyanand has released a cool little tool again this year called Tax Calculator 2007-08 which should help us in calculating the investments made and that need to be done to escape the clutches of heavy tax burden. I would also like to draw the attention of users towards our earlier discussion on " Tax and Investment -- A Guide ".

Happy Pongal and Makara Sankaranthi Let us wish each other a very happy and a prosperous new year besides a very happy Pongal/Makara Sankranthi Celebrations. Let us start this by watching the Live Telecast of Makara Jyothi from Sabarimala facilitated by Podhigai at 1630 hours today and Raj TV at 1700 hours today. **Check out actually whether it is Podhigai or Jaya TV. I am little confused by the spurtof TV programme advertisements that I had a glimpse today morning. I think it is Podhigai.If some one could confirm, it would be great. Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa!!

A Free Astrologer Consultation Offer by Kumudam While casually reading through the newsletter of Kumudam , a premiere Tamil Magazine in Tamil Nadu, India, I came across a lucrative offer that the magazine is bringing out for its readers. I just thought I would share across the same with other readers too for their benefit: Offer Detail: Kumudam.com seems to have partnered with a few premiere astrologers in Tamil Nadu to scrutinize the horoscopes of interested readers from the perspectives of which planet is currently weaker, which one is stronger and also what Pariharams (appeasing) to the planets. How to apply? All the interested readers have to do is the following: Draft your query whatever it is like Career Queries, Problems in current work environment, Family issues, Financial Troubles in brief. Draft your Name, Birth Rasi and Birth Star Send the information to jothidam (at) kumudam.com Kumudam.com would contact the astrologers and send you back a comprehensive report on your queri...

Ninth Prize Winner of Community-Credit December 2007    I am happy to share the information that I have again won the ninth prize in Community-Credit December 2007 contest. You can check out other Prize winners and prize details over here .   It is a sheer pleasure of helping peers in various technology forums and knowledge sharing and a recognition to cherish for ever. Here is a little quote from Community-Credit Prize Notification email:     Hello Deepak Kumar,     Congratulations. You won 9th Prize in the December 2007 Contest. As you may know, a lot of people competed, but only a few won. Nicely done! Please also keep in mind that your prize is not just a stupid, geeky gift, but it's also a symbol to represent your contributions to the development community. When folks ask you how you won, you can tell them that it was by helping out other geeks. Be proud and brag. Below you will find the details of your prize....

Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamigal Deivath Thamizh Isai Vizha I came to know of the programme Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamigal Deivath Thamizh Isai Vizha from thier pamplets and would like to share with other interested devotees too: Date and Time: 22nd December 2007 to 28th December 2007 (Margazhi 6 to Margazhi 12) 1900 hours to 2100 hours. Venue: Mahodaya Hall, Stree Seva Mandir, 36, 4th Avenue, Ashok Nagar, Chennai -- 600 083. (Near Pudur Government School) Organizers: Madhuramurali and Chaithanya Mahaprabhu Namabhiksha Kendra Related Websites: 1) http://www.madhuramurali.org/ 2) http://www.namadwaar.org/ [Chaithanya Mahaprabhu Namabhiksha Kendra, #51, 7th Avenue, Ashok Nagar, Chennai -- 600 083. Telephone: +914424895875] Quick Summary of Programmes: 22 December 2007: Nadaswaram by Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam Asthana Nadaswara Vidwan, Cuddalore Sri. M. P. Balachandar and Sri. M.P. Balamurugan 23 December 2007: Thirumurai Innisai ("Vedageethan" Kudanthai Sri Lakshmana Iyer (Vocal),...

"Pallikkattu Sabarimalaikku" Programme in Vijay TV during early morning hours...   Sometime back we have been discussing about a programme called " Pallikkattu Sabarimalaikku " that is being telecasted in Vijay TV at 1900 hours everyday between Monday to Thursday. It had been a cause of concern to everyone since not many people who return from work could catch up at this schedule.   One of my friends (Sundar (Sundersan)) told me yesterday (and just confirmed me a few minutes before calling) that a casual tweak of channel once a few days back he found that Vijay TV is actually telecasting the programme once again during 0500 hours in the morning.  I am sure that this would be a great boon for many people since those who can not catch up the evening 1900 hours telecast and now get a glimpse of the same during the 0500 hours telecast.   Again from today, it is Margazhi month (dedicated to Thiruppavai). Hence while 0500 to 0530 is for "Pallikkattu Sabarimalai...

Get Payments from those who Scoff at!   Following up our discussion on the societal malady that a few people nurture sadistic pleasures in passing circastic comments on others deriving pleasures and satisfying their bestial instincts in that way, we outlined a solution of making them donate a few bucks which we can channelise for the upliftment of the society.   I just thought instead of putting the noble thought to slumber, let me roll out an implementation quickly. The following are the first-cut implementation of the same:   Outline of the scheme The Donations Page A hosted spreadsheet to list the donors and give 'credits' to them.   Readers: What do you feel? Aren't we more socially concerned now? This is just a very small pebble to lay foundation towards Rama Rajya but in the story of Ramayana, which praises the efforts of little squirrels which have also helped in the construction of the great Sethu Samudram Bridge . Even when the little tender s...

Scoffing At? Why Can't They Donate a Dime?   Sometime back I had given a good comprehensive case study on the topic on ' How to deal with people who envy your progress? '. I had been receiving steadfast feedback and appreciation from diversified quarters of readers on the case study. One of the HR personnel hailing from a software company in Pune actually appreciated the post and she was actually supporting the 3 steps that I had mentioned which would be instrumental in shoo-shooing away the prankster who envies you.   After a week-long foray of incidents which I am personally exposed to, thanks to a humorous set of folks who keep always envying against me or scoffing at, I just wanted to thank them for being instrumental in writing this post and also to enhance my case-study with one more solution in dealing with the menace. In this solution, not only the menace is dealt with but really really in a very colorful way.   This topic is little sensitive. A few people may...

"The Thiruchi Ayyappa Temple" As I had outlined my travel weblog and a brief halt at Thiruchi Ayyappa temple on 9th December 2007 over here , I just thought of writing a few words about the same for the benefit of other interested pilgrims also. This temple has a number of excellent innovative blessings that any pilgrim would love to visit. The atmospheric ambience of the temple is really very calm, holy and very divine. Every alternate step they have boards that display quotations, great sayings etc. There is one place in the temple which consists of a song in praise of Mother. It asks the visitor to halt for a while there remembering the parents and thier love before proceeding ahead. They have strict instructions on the following: Ban of mobile phones within temple premises. If you are caught using a mobile phone, you are liable to penalized to an amount of INR 100. A request not to talk very loudly in the temple premises. There is a huge instruction set that the temple st...

Ramayana Mahotsavam in Chennai   Sri Rama Samithi is organizing Ramayana Mahotsavam in Chennai on December 23. The purpose of this function is as follows: Upholding and spreading the moral values from Ramayana Protect the greatest cultural assets of the nation Uphold the Unity and Integrity of the Nation Ensure and Uphold World Peace and Prosperity Programme Timings: December 23, 2007 (0900 hours to 1900 hours Indian Time)   Programme Features:   A lot of great persons, writers and educationist are intending to participate in the function and render speeches. The samithi has also planned to organize puzzle contests for kids, Bhajans, Essay Writing contests, Folk Songs, Suppu Arumugam's Villuppattu etc. The venue of Mahotsavam would also accomodate stalls where books, photos, audio and video (MP3 casettes) related to Ramayana. The samithi encourages everyone to participate in the function and to make it a huge success. If you are willing to participate/con...

Sabarimala Mandala Pooja and Makara Jyothi Yatra by Sri Ranga Travels   I came to know of the various travel programmes that have been planned out towards the Mandala Pooja and Makara Jyothi by Sri Ranga Travels based from T. Nagar, Chennai. Sometime on Friday I went out to their shop and got a pamplet so that I can share the information with other interested devotees and pilgrims. 14th December 2007 to 17th December 2007 (4 days INR 900) (Point to Point) Bhavani, Guruvayoor, Erumeli, Pampa, Kumuli, Pazhani, Samayapuram 18th December 2007 to 22nd December 2007 (5 days INR 1120) (Point to Point) Namakkal, Thiruchengode, Bhavani, Pariyoor, Bhannari, Marudhamalai, Perur, Guruvayoor, Chottanikkarai, Erumeli, Pampa, Kumuli, Pazhani, Samayapuram 19th December 2007 to 22nd December 2007 (4 days INR 950) (Point to Point) Samayapuram, Kumuli, Erumeli, Pampa, Guruvayoor, Pazhani 22nd December 2007 to 25th December 2007 (4 days INR 950) (Point to Point) Bhavani, Guruvayoor, Erumeli, Pa...