In 1981 the Pope died, Prince Charles got married and Liverpool were
crowned Champions of Europe.
This year the Pope died, Prince Charles got married and Liverpool were
crowned Champions of Europe.
Superstitious, anyone?
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Jackie Chan and the art of Kalaripayattu
A still from The Myth A chance encounter with Hollywood actor Jackie Chan has changed the life of Kerala's popular martial arts exponent, G
Sathyanarayanan.
Last year, Chan happened to see a CD the Kerala Tourism Department sent him, requesting him to be the brand ambassador of its tourism initiatives.
Kerala Tourism could not get Chan, but Sathyanarayanan -- who performed the traditional Kerala martial art Kalaripayattu in the CD -- impressed Chan so much
that the superstar invited him to be part of his new film.
Sathyanarayanan flew to Shanghai for a 30-day shoot with Chan for The Myth; the film includes Tony Leung Ka Fai, Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat and
television actor Sudhanshu Pandey.
Since then, Sathyanarayanan has not looked back. "I am getting a number of offers from Hollywood. All because of Jackie Chan only," he told rediff.com.
According to Sathyanarayanan, a leading US filmmaker has offered him a key role as a martial arts fighter in a forthcoming, untitled film. "It is a great
chance for me to work in Hollywood and present our traditional Kalaripayattu. I am taking this rich cultural art to Hollywood," he said.
Sathyanarayanan refused to divulge the details of the Hollywood film. "All I can say is that I have got a good role in it because the film is basically based
on martial arts. The world will now see a lot of Kalaripayattu through the film," he said.
He said he has received enquiries from a few other film companies abroad about his expertise in Kalaripayattu. "It is all because of my Jackie Chan
connection. You know, in the Jackie Chan film, I had a one-to-one fight sequence with him. He is simply superb," Sathyanarayanan said.
Sathyanarayanan is the eldest son of Govindankutty Nair Gurukkal, who founded Kerala's most famous Kalaraipayattu school: C V N Kalari.
In the past, fighters from C V N Kalari have performed in several Asian countries like Japan as well as in Europe as part of the Indian government's cultural
exchange programmes.
Kalarippayattu, considered to be the mother of all martial art forms, is a priceless asset to Kerala's heritage. An intricate blend of physical prowess,
mindset, martial techniques and indigenous medical system, this form of armed, close quarter, hand-to-hand combat is unique to Kerala.
"It is a great feeling that Kalaripayattu is becoming a well-known martial art across the world. Now, foreign films are coming to endorse our great fighting
skills," said Sathyanarayanan.
Sathyanarayanan.
Last year, Chan happened to see a CD the Kerala Tourism Department sent him, requesting him to be the brand ambassador of its tourism initiatives.
Kerala Tourism could not get Chan, but Sathyanarayanan -- who performed the traditional Kerala martial art Kalaripayattu in the CD -- impressed Chan so much
that the superstar invited him to be part of his new film.
Sathyanarayanan flew to Shanghai for a 30-day shoot with Chan for The Myth; the film includes Tony Leung Ka Fai, Bollywood actress Mallika Sherawat and
television actor Sudhanshu Pandey.
Since then, Sathyanarayanan has not looked back. "I am getting a number of offers from Hollywood. All because of Jackie Chan only," he told rediff.com.
According to Sathyanarayanan, a leading US filmmaker has offered him a key role as a martial arts fighter in a forthcoming, untitled film. "It is a great
chance for me to work in Hollywood and present our traditional Kalaripayattu. I am taking this rich cultural art to Hollywood," he said.
Sathyanarayanan refused to divulge the details of the Hollywood film. "All I can say is that I have got a good role in it because the film is basically based
on martial arts. The world will now see a lot of Kalaripayattu through the film," he said.
He said he has received enquiries from a few other film companies abroad about his expertise in Kalaripayattu. "It is all because of my Jackie Chan
connection. You know, in the Jackie Chan film, I had a one-to-one fight sequence with him. He is simply superb," Sathyanarayanan said.
Sathyanarayanan is the eldest son of Govindankutty Nair Gurukkal, who founded Kerala's most famous Kalaraipayattu school: C V N Kalari.
In the past, fighters from C V N Kalari have performed in several Asian countries like Japan as well as in Europe as part of the Indian government's cultural
exchange programmes.
Kalarippayattu, considered to be the mother of all martial art forms, is a priceless asset to Kerala's heritage. An intricate blend of physical prowess,
mindset, martial techniques and indigenous medical system, this form of armed, close quarter, hand-to-hand combat is unique to Kerala.
"It is a great feeling that Kalaripayattu is becoming a well-known martial art across the world. Now, foreign films are coming to endorse our great fighting
skills," said Sathyanarayanan.
Bhava, the great
Bhavayude veetil bhayankara thirakkanu ………
karanam enthanu ennu parayamoo ………???
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“Aareyum Bhava gayakanakkum………….”…….thats why….
Bhavayude veetil bhayankara thirakkanu ………
karanam enthanu ennu parayamoo ………???
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“Aareyum Bhava gayakanakkum………….”…….thats why….
Unknown History of Words.....INTERESTING ons.
Know some unknown history of words............................
MOPED is the short term for 'Motorized Pedaling'.
POP MUSIC is 'Popular Music' shortened.
BUS is the short term for 'Omnibus' that means everybody.
FORTNIGHT comes from 'Fourteen Nights' (Two Weeks).
DRAWING ROOM was actually a 'withdrawing room' where people withdrew after
Dinner. Later the prefix 'with' was dropped.
NEWS refers to information from Four directions N, E, W and S.
AG-MARK, which some products bear, stems from 'Agricultural Marketing'.
JOURNAL is a diary that tells about 'Journey for a day' during each Day's
business.
QUEUE comes from 'Queen's Quest'. Long back a long row of people as waiting
to see the Queen. Someone made the comment Queen's Quest.
TIPS come from 'To Insure Prompt Service'. In olden days to get Prompt
service from servants in an inn, travelers used to drop coins in a Box on
which was written 'To Insure Prompt Service'.
This gave rise to the custom of Tips.
JEEP is a vehicle with unique Gear system. It was invented during World War
II (1939-1945). It was named 'General Purpose Vehicle (GP)'.GP was changed
into JEEP later.
MOPED is the short term for 'Motorized Pedaling'.
POP MUSIC is 'Popular Music' shortened.
BUS is the short term for 'Omnibus' that means everybody.
FORTNIGHT comes from 'Fourteen Nights' (Two Weeks).
DRAWING ROOM was actually a 'withdrawing room' where people withdrew after
Dinner. Later the prefix 'with' was dropped.
NEWS refers to information from Four directions N, E, W and S.
AG-MARK, which some products bear, stems from 'Agricultural Marketing'.
JOURNAL is a diary that tells about 'Journey for a day' during each Day's
business.
QUEUE comes from 'Queen's Quest'. Long back a long row of people as waiting
to see the Queen. Someone made the comment Queen's Quest.
TIPS come from 'To Insure Prompt Service'. In olden days to get Prompt
service from servants in an inn, travelers used to drop coins in a Box on
which was written 'To Insure Prompt Service'.
This gave rise to the custom of Tips.
JEEP is a vehicle with unique Gear system. It was invented during World War
II (1939-1945). It was named 'General Purpose Vehicle (GP)'.GP was changed
into JEEP later.
Running a successful IT company has its perks, if the compensation of the top executives at Wipro are an indication.
The company's annual report shows Vivek Paul, vice chairman of Wipro Ltd and executive officer of the company's largest business, IT services, took home
close to a couple of million dollars in pay and other compensation, last fiscal.
Paul, the top paid employee of the company was paid salary and allowances of $459,999 and $1,185,638 in commissions. He is also the beneficiary of the
largest number of stock units given out to a senior executive, as part of his long term compensation, at 75,000 restricted stock units/American depository
shares.
Deferred benefits, in the case of Vivek Paul, comprises Wipro's contribution to a Deferred Compensation Plan. The company also has a Participation Agreement
with him.
Contributions made by Wipro under the plan are managed by an irrevocable trust whose trustees are appointed by Wipro under a Trust Agreement.
Wells Fargo NA has been appointed as a Trustee of the Trust. Wipro makes a contribution of 15 per cent of the base salary of Paul to the Trust and he is also
eligible to contribute up to 15 per cent of his base salary and up to 100 per cent of his commission to the Trust.
The Trust will make payouts upon compliance with specific conditions prescribed in the plan and related agreements. Under Wipro's pension plans, any pension
that is payable to an employee is not computed on the basis of final compensation, but on the accumulated pension fund to the credit of the employee at the
date of separation, death, disability or retirement.
Wipro annually contributes 15 per cent of chairman Azim Premji's base salary and commission earned for that year to its pension fund for his benefit. For
fiscal 2005, Premji, who owns 84 per cent of Wipro Limited, as chairman earned salary and allowances of $61,076 and $404,590 in commissions and $36,106 in
housing.
Pratik Kumar, corporate vice president, human resources, earned $71,010 in salary and allowances and $32,465 in commissions.
Suresh Senapathy, chief financial officer earned $101,931 and $56,814, Vineet Agrawal, president of Wipro Consumer Care, $128,193, Sudip Banerjee, president,
enterprise solutions, $88,543 and $42,113, Girish Paranjpe, president, finance and insurance at Wipro Technologies, $88,643 and $44,402, Tamal Dasgupta,
chief information officer, $71,245 and $31,251, A L Rao, president, telecom and internetworking solutions, $95,693 and $45,895, Ranjan Acharya, vice
president, human resources, $70,093 and $31,407, Suresh Vaswani, president, Wipro Infotech, $99,847 and $47,857, and Ramesh Emani, $102,516 in salary and
allowances and $44,636 in commissi
These executives also have stock units granted to them, ranging from 8,000 to 14,000.
The company's annual report shows Vivek Paul, vice chairman of Wipro Ltd and executive officer of the company's largest business, IT services, took home
close to a couple of million dollars in pay and other compensation, last fiscal.
Paul, the top paid employee of the company was paid salary and allowances of $459,999 and $1,185,638 in commissions. He is also the beneficiary of the
largest number of stock units given out to a senior executive, as part of his long term compensation, at 75,000 restricted stock units/American depository
shares.
Deferred benefits, in the case of Vivek Paul, comprises Wipro's contribution to a Deferred Compensation Plan. The company also has a Participation Agreement
with him.
Contributions made by Wipro under the plan are managed by an irrevocable trust whose trustees are appointed by Wipro under a Trust Agreement.
Wells Fargo NA has been appointed as a Trustee of the Trust. Wipro makes a contribution of 15 per cent of the base salary of Paul to the Trust and he is also
eligible to contribute up to 15 per cent of his base salary and up to 100 per cent of his commission to the Trust.
The Trust will make payouts upon compliance with specific conditions prescribed in the plan and related agreements. Under Wipro's pension plans, any pension
that is payable to an employee is not computed on the basis of final compensation, but on the accumulated pension fund to the credit of the employee at the
date of separation, death, disability or retirement.
Wipro annually contributes 15 per cent of chairman Azim Premji's base salary and commission earned for that year to its pension fund for his benefit. For
fiscal 2005, Premji, who owns 84 per cent of Wipro Limited, as chairman earned salary and allowances of $61,076 and $404,590 in commissions and $36,106 in
housing.
Pratik Kumar, corporate vice president, human resources, earned $71,010 in salary and allowances and $32,465 in commissions.
Suresh Senapathy, chief financial officer earned $101,931 and $56,814, Vineet Agrawal, president of Wipro Consumer Care, $128,193, Sudip Banerjee, president,
enterprise solutions, $88,543 and $42,113, Girish Paranjpe, president, finance and insurance at Wipro Technologies, $88,643 and $44,402, Tamal Dasgupta,
chief information officer, $71,245 and $31,251, A L Rao, president, telecom and internetworking solutions, $95,693 and $45,895, Ranjan Acharya, vice
president, human resources, $70,093 and $31,407, Suresh Vaswani, president, Wipro Infotech, $99,847 and $47,857, and Ramesh Emani, $102,516 in salary and
allowances and $44,636 in commissi
These executives also have stock units granted to them, ranging from 8,000 to 14,000.
How a credit card can ruin you financially
Amit Kowli | July 13, 2005
n How I make my card work for me, a reader wrote an interesting piece on how he uses his credit card to the hilt. Not all agreed.
Here we have Amit Kowli on why he sees the credit card as an enemy and the debit card as a friend.
I have a great idea for someone who wants to get into a debt trap. It is quite simple actually. All you have to do is get yourself a credit card.
Think I am kidding? Hear me out.
Chances are, a sales agent will call you and try to woo you with a card that has no membership fee and no annual renewal fee. So you will jump at it (after
all, it's free!).
Hold on! Have you considered how the bank issuing the card is going to make money? Remember, there is no free lunch. They will make you pay for it in
different ways.
Smart ways to manage your money
Cash back
Sounds great! You spend and they actually give you some money back. But, the key word is spend. For instance, one of the offers was that you get back 5% of
every purchase provided it is Rs 2,000 or above. Nothing if you spend less.
Or, they give you points. You accumulate the points and hey, you get a gift if you accumulate a fair number of them.
Got it? Their job is to get you to spend and spend!
How to start saving
What's wrong with spending?
Nothing actually. But, it all depends on where you manage to draw the line.
You may consider yourself self disciplined but when you realise that you have a huge credit line at your disposal, self restraint takes a backseat.
And, chances are you won't care much. After all, the card agent sweetly assured you that you need not settle your entire bill at the month end. Just pay 5%
and carry the balance to the next month.
Let's assume you buy that Plasma television for Rs 1,50,000.
Since you don't have the necessary cash at the moment, you decide to use the revolving credit option and pay 5% of the amount -- Rs 7,500 -- now.
The balance (Rs 1,42,500) is carried forward and will be added to your next bill.
Good news over!
Now get ready for the bad part. The bank will charge you an interest of 2.95% on the pending amount.
And, this interest is charged on a monthly basis; per year, it works out to a whopping 35.4%.
At 2.95% per month, your interest on Rs 1,42,500 works out to Rs 4,203.75 a month.
So, if you don't use your card in the coming month, your next credit card bill will be Rs 1,46,703.75 (Rs 4,203.75 + Rs 1,42,500).
However, in that month, you happen to go out for dinner and the bill comes to Rs 1,000. You pay for it with your credit card.
Unfortunately, you are no longer enjoying the benefit of 'free credit'.
Earlier, you spent money through your credit card and paid up when the bill came at the end of the month.
From the time you spent the money till the time you paid the bill, you were enjoying free credit; when the bill came, you paid just what you spent.
Now that you owe the bank money, you don't have the privilege of free credit anymore.
The Rs 1,000 you spent is added to your outstanding balance of Rs 1,42,500. You are now expected to pay interest on Rs 1,43,500 (Rs 1,42,500 + Rs 1,000). As
a result, your total interest now works out to Rs 4,233.25. This means you now owe the bank Rs 1,47,733.25 (Rs 4,233.25 + Rs 1,43,500).
Now, until you clear your loan, every single payment you make using your card will be added to your loan amount and you will be charged interest on it.
This will go on till every single rupee has been repaid.
Well, I guess I have made my point. With barely any effort on your part, you have just entered a debt trap in which you end up spending more than you make
and more than you can afford to pay.
Save and repay your loan
The way out
Try a debit card. It matches the credit card in convenience. You can take it anywhere you want and use it to make purchases or at a restaurant.
Moreover, you are forced to spend only what you have.
Here, you do not get a credit line as in a credit card. This card is directly linked to your savings account and you can spend only to the amount you have
there.
The moment you touch your limit (your bank balance limit), the card will not pass any transaction.
Sure, you may wipe out your bank balance but you certainly will not get into debt.
With a credit card, you end up doing both – get into debt and then wipe out your saving to repay it.
Agreed, the credit card bill works as a money management tool but so does the debit card. Just walk up to your ATM and take a mini statement to look at your
savings and expenses.
A debit card with a difference
There's more to life than spending
Don't worry about not getting that plasma TV which you so desperately want. Your world won't come to a sudden end just because you have to wait a while for
it.
Instead, consider other options like going in for an interest-free installment scheme. If you desperately need it, try for a personal loan. You may get it at
11% from your company but at a steep 18% outside. Just pay the regular monthly installments and it will work out cheaper than incurring credit card debt.
And, as for not being able to buy your girlfriend the expensive gift this month, I am sure she won't dump you because of that!
Illustration: Uttam Ghosh
n How I make my card work for me, a reader wrote an interesting piece on how he uses his credit card to the hilt. Not all agreed.
Here we have Amit Kowli on why he sees the credit card as an enemy and the debit card as a friend.
I have a great idea for someone who wants to get into a debt trap. It is quite simple actually. All you have to do is get yourself a credit card.
Think I am kidding? Hear me out.
Chances are, a sales agent will call you and try to woo you with a card that has no membership fee and no annual renewal fee. So you will jump at it (after
all, it's free!).
Hold on! Have you considered how the bank issuing the card is going to make money? Remember, there is no free lunch. They will make you pay for it in
different ways.
Smart ways to manage your money
Cash back
Sounds great! You spend and they actually give you some money back. But, the key word is spend. For instance, one of the offers was that you get back 5% of
every purchase provided it is Rs 2,000 or above. Nothing if you spend less.
Or, they give you points. You accumulate the points and hey, you get a gift if you accumulate a fair number of them.
Got it? Their job is to get you to spend and spend!
How to start saving
What's wrong with spending?
Nothing actually. But, it all depends on where you manage to draw the line.
You may consider yourself self disciplined but when you realise that you have a huge credit line at your disposal, self restraint takes a backseat.
And, chances are you won't care much. After all, the card agent sweetly assured you that you need not settle your entire bill at the month end. Just pay 5%
and carry the balance to the next month.
Let's assume you buy that Plasma television for Rs 1,50,000.
Since you don't have the necessary cash at the moment, you decide to use the revolving credit option and pay 5% of the amount -- Rs 7,500 -- now.
The balance (Rs 1,42,500) is carried forward and will be added to your next bill.
Good news over!
Now get ready for the bad part. The bank will charge you an interest of 2.95% on the pending amount.
And, this interest is charged on a monthly basis; per year, it works out to a whopping 35.4%.
At 2.95% per month, your interest on Rs 1,42,500 works out to Rs 4,203.75 a month.
So, if you don't use your card in the coming month, your next credit card bill will be Rs 1,46,703.75 (Rs 4,203.75 + Rs 1,42,500).
However, in that month, you happen to go out for dinner and the bill comes to Rs 1,000. You pay for it with your credit card.
Unfortunately, you are no longer enjoying the benefit of 'free credit'.
Earlier, you spent money through your credit card and paid up when the bill came at the end of the month.
From the time you spent the money till the time you paid the bill, you were enjoying free credit; when the bill came, you paid just what you spent.
Now that you owe the bank money, you don't have the privilege of free credit anymore.
The Rs 1,000 you spent is added to your outstanding balance of Rs 1,42,500. You are now expected to pay interest on Rs 1,43,500 (Rs 1,42,500 + Rs 1,000). As
a result, your total interest now works out to Rs 4,233.25. This means you now owe the bank Rs 1,47,733.25 (Rs 4,233.25 + Rs 1,43,500).
Now, until you clear your loan, every single payment you make using your card will be added to your loan amount and you will be charged interest on it.
This will go on till every single rupee has been repaid.
Well, I guess I have made my point. With barely any effort on your part, you have just entered a debt trap in which you end up spending more than you make
and more than you can afford to pay.
Save and repay your loan
The way out
Try a debit card. It matches the credit card in convenience. You can take it anywhere you want and use it to make purchases or at a restaurant.
Moreover, you are forced to spend only what you have.
Here, you do not get a credit line as in a credit card. This card is directly linked to your savings account and you can spend only to the amount you have
there.
The moment you touch your limit (your bank balance limit), the card will not pass any transaction.
Sure, you may wipe out your bank balance but you certainly will not get into debt.
With a credit card, you end up doing both – get into debt and then wipe out your saving to repay it.
Agreed, the credit card bill works as a money management tool but so does the debit card. Just walk up to your ATM and take a mini statement to look at your
savings and expenses.
A debit card with a difference
There's more to life than spending
Don't worry about not getting that plasma TV which you so desperately want. Your world won't come to a sudden end just because you have to wait a while for
it.
Instead, consider other options like going in for an interest-free installment scheme. If you desperately need it, try for a personal loan. You may get it at
11% from your company but at a steep 18% outside. Just pay the regular monthly installments and it will work out cheaper than incurring credit card debt.
And, as for not being able to buy your girlfriend the expensive gift this month, I am sure she won't dump you because of that!
Illustration: Uttam Ghosh
Lightning and Car!!
Since there aren't a lot of actual Faraday cages lying around, an all-metal car makes a good makeshift Faraday cage in a pinch. Soft top convertibles or
Fiberglas-roofed utility vehicles won't work. Some people think that it is the car's rubber tires that provide the protection, but it isn't. Think about it.
This big electric arc can jump an air gap that is miles across! It isn't about to be stopped by an inch or so of rubber. If that worked, your sneaker soles
would provide you protection while walking in the open, but they don't.
What happens when a bolt strikes a Faraday cage, or an all-metal car, is that the current spreads out across the conductive metal surfaces and eventually
passes to the ground, either through the tires or over their wet surface. As long as you aren't in contact with the car body, you're protected from the
electrical current. You may get some hearing damage from the thunderclap, or your eyes might get a retinal after-image that stays with you for hours,; but
your body will be left relatively unscathed
Since there aren't a lot of actual Faraday cages lying around, an all-metal car makes a good makeshift Faraday cage in a pinch. Soft top convertibles or
Fiberglas-roofed utility vehicles won't work. Some people think that it is the car's rubber tires that provide the protection, but it isn't. Think about it.
This big electric arc can jump an air gap that is miles across! It isn't about to be stopped by an inch or so of rubber. If that worked, your sneaker soles
would provide you protection while walking in the open, but they don't.
What happens when a bolt strikes a Faraday cage, or an all-metal car, is that the current spreads out across the conductive metal surfaces and eventually
passes to the ground, either through the tires or over their wet surface. As long as you aren't in contact with the car body, you're protected from the
electrical current. You may get some hearing damage from the thunderclap, or your eyes might get a retinal after-image that stays with you for hours,; but
your body will be left relatively unscathed
Unlocking the Car door from 100s of miles ayay using MOBILE PHONE
Just try - This may help you
Hi,
If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, Don't Panic Just call someone on your cell phone who has access to the spare set.
Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the other person at your home or wherever press the unlock button, holding it near the phone on
their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away and if you
can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car you can unlock the doors (or the trunk!).
Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried and it unlocked our car over a cell phone! Neat tip"
Just try - This may help you
Hi,
If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, Don't Panic Just call someone on your cell phone who has access to the spare set.
Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the other person at your home or wherever press the unlock button, holding it near the phone on
their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away and if you
can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car you can unlock the doors (or the trunk!).
Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried and it unlocked our car over a cell phone! Neat tip"
OLD 1 BUT GUD 2 C AGAIN
A Tribute to the Professors of India, on their usage of
English
# Inside the Class:
* Open the doors of the window. Let the atmosphere come in.
* Open the doors of the window. Let the Air Force come in.
* Cut an apple into two halves - take the bigger half.
* Shhh...Quiet, boys...the principal just passed away in the
corridor.
* You, meet me behind the class. ( meaning AFTER the class ..)
* Both of u three, get out of the class.
* Close the doors of the windows please .. I have winter in
my nose today.
* Take Copper Wire of any metal especially of Silver.
* Take 5 cm wire of any length.
* shhh... quite, the principal is rotating in the school.
* (Facing the Board)
Dont talk in front of my back.
# About his family:
* I have two daughters. Both of them are girls....(?)
# At the ground:
* All of you, stand in a straight circle.
* There is no wind in the ball.
# To a boy, angrily:
* I talk, he talk, why you middle middle talk?
# Giving a punishment:
* You, rotate the ground four times...
* You, go and under-stand the tree...
* You three of you, stand together separately.
* Why are you late - say YES or NO ....(?)
# Sir at his best:
Sir had once gone to a film with his wife. By chance, he
happened to see
one of our boys at the theatre, though the boy did not see
them. So the
next day at school (to that boy): "Yesterday I saw you WITH
MY WIFE at the
Cinema Theatre."
English
# Inside the Class:
* Open the doors of the window. Let the atmosphere come in.
* Open the doors of the window. Let the Air Force come in.
* Cut an apple into two halves - take the bigger half.
* Shhh...Quiet, boys...the principal just passed away in the
corridor.
* You, meet me behind the class. ( meaning AFTER the class ..)
* Both of u three, get out of the class.
* Close the doors of the windows please .. I have winter in
my nose today.
* Take Copper Wire of any metal especially of Silver.
* Take 5 cm wire of any length.
* shhh... quite, the principal is rotating in the school.
* (Facing the Board)
Dont talk in front of my back.
# About his family:
* I have two daughters. Both of them are girls....(?)
# At the ground:
* All of you, stand in a straight circle.
* There is no wind in the ball.
# To a boy, angrily:
* I talk, he talk, why you middle middle talk?
# Giving a punishment:
* You, rotate the ground four times...
* You, go and under-stand the tree...
* You three of you, stand together separately.
* Why are you late - say YES or NO ....(?)
# Sir at his best:
Sir had once gone to a film with his wife. By chance, he
happened to see
one of our boys at the theatre, though the boy did not see
them. So the
next day at school (to that boy): "Yesterday I saw you WITH
MY WIFE at the
Cinema Theatre."
Greet the morning with a wild laugh!!!
The phone rings.
The lady of the house answers, "Yes?
Mrs. Ward, please."
"Speaking"
"Mrs. Ward, this is Doctor Jones at the Medical Testing Laboratory.
When your Doctor sent your husband's samples to the lab, the samples from another Mr. Ward were sent as well and we are now uncertain which one is your
husband's. Frankly, it is either bad or terrible."
"What do you mean?" Mrs. Ward asks.
"Well, one Mr. Ward has tested positive for Alzheimer’s disease (related to memory) and the other for AIDS. We can't tell which your husband's is"
"That's terrible! Can we do the test over?" questions Mrs. Ward.
"Normally, yes. But Medicare won't pay for these expensive tests more than once."
"Well, what am I supposed to do now?"
"The people at Medicare recommend that you drop your husband off in the middle of town.
If he finds his way home, don't sleep with him."
The lady of the house answers, "Yes?
Mrs. Ward, please."
"Speaking"
"Mrs. Ward, this is Doctor Jones at the Medical Testing Laboratory.
When your Doctor sent your husband's samples to the lab, the samples from another Mr. Ward were sent as well and we are now uncertain which one is your
husband's. Frankly, it is either bad or terrible."
"What do you mean?" Mrs. Ward asks.
"Well, one Mr. Ward has tested positive for Alzheimer’s disease (related to memory) and the other for AIDS. We can't tell which your husband's is"
"That's terrible! Can we do the test over?" questions Mrs. Ward.
"Normally, yes. But Medicare won't pay for these expensive tests more than once."
"Well, what am I supposed to do now?"
"The people at Medicare recommend that you drop your husband off in the middle of town.
If he finds his way home, don't sleep with him."
friendship day wishes
NE DAY MONDAY
WENT TO TUESDAY
TO SEE WEDNESDAY
N ASK THURSDAY
WHETHER FRIDAY HAS
TOLD SATURDAY
THAT "SUNDAY" IS
FRIENDSHIP DAY!!!!
ADVANCED HAPPY FRIENDSHIP’S DAY, MY DEAR FRIENDS!!!
WENT TO TUESDAY
TO SEE WEDNESDAY
N ASK THURSDAY
WHETHER FRIDAY HAS
TOLD SATURDAY
THAT "SUNDAY" IS
FRIENDSHIP DAY!!!!
ADVANCED HAPPY FRIENDSHIP’S DAY, MY DEAR FRIENDS!!!
Don't play with clipboard
Just follow these steps here:-
1) Copy any text
2) Click the Link:
http://www.friendlycanadian.com/applications/clipboard.htm
3) You will be able to see the text you copied on the Screen.
NOTE: If you are using to save PASSWORDS / Cr. Card#s / IMP
Info in clip-board Read carefully...
Do not keep sensitive data in the clipboard while surfing the
web. It is a single line code to extract the text stored in the
clipboard to steal your sensitive information.
1) Copy any text
2) Click the Link:
http://www.friendlycanadian.com/applications/clipboard.htm
3) You will be able to see the text you copied on the Screen.
NOTE: If you are using to save PASSWORDS / Cr. Card#s / IMP
Info in clip-board Read carefully...
Do not keep sensitive data in the clipboard while surfing the
web. It is a single line code to extract the text stored in the
clipboard to steal your sensitive information.
Can engineers be 'Touchy feely'?
Can engineers be 'Touchy feely'? Apparently they can... says author Chetan Bhagat
I remember the incident - I was in a restaurant, and one girl in our group was especially charming. So I, like any other male, tried to put on a wooing act.
You know the routine, a nanosecond extra eye contact, a few more nods to whatever she says, and attempts to throw in those one-liners which you know you
wouldn't if she weren't there.
And it seemed to be working. She leaned forward when she spoke to me, and every now and again, we'd have a small conversation of our own, separate from our
group. She laughed at my approach with the fork and knife, and I teased her about her hair band, which had little teddy bears. Yes, we were flirting. A while
later, she asked me the question - what did I study? I said engineering, without any particular meaning attached to it. And then like a cold metal rail, she
went stiff. My jokes weren't funny any more. Her eyes wandered to everyone else. What was it?
Why? Why? Why?
Two days later, I still couldn't get over my great start that had dissipated listlessly upon mentioning my education. Engineer? What was wrong with that? My
mom had wanted me to become one since I was five! I had to call her. 'So what happened to you that day, hot and cold, missie?' And then she said, trying to
be nice, 'Well, it's just that I am skeptical about engineers as friends. I don't know, they can be, you know, very logical and everything... not very touchy
feely'.
Not touchy-feely. Now what the heck did that mean? Well, she obviously did not mean it literally, since girls don't really suggest that sort of stuff,
certainly not in the first meeting across the table. I guessed it was something to do with feelings, sort of having an emotional side. The stereotype being,
the nerdy guy who sees relationships like laws of physics, to whom love is just a bunch of chemicals going crazy in your brain, and getting to know a person
means obtaining their bio-data.
It's time to set the record straight.
It's true that a lot of what engineers study (and they end up studying quite a lot), has to do with formulaes, laws and numbers. No matter how hard we try,
some of the vocabulary we read all day gets into our language. So when my mother said, 'Are you getting married next year or not?' I was liable to say,
'Well, at this moment in time, the probability is relatively low,' and felt it was completely normal to say it. And when my sister went sari shopping and
couldn't explain the shade she wanted, I told the shopkeeper the percentages of pink, orange and red in the sari.
Yet, ladies, I don't think we're bad at relationships, love and getting to know people. We too, can be touchy-feely, as that is part of our education as
well. The reason for this is that most engineering students live in the ultimate educator - boy's hostels. Now, let me explain how this plays into this
'touchy-feely' thing. Relationships. Imagine eating, sleeping, brushing your teeth, bathing (ok rarely this one) and partying with the same people all the
time. So, when you are kicking that bathroom door down for the tenth time, or when you stand in line for 'gulab-jamuns' in the mess, and when you are done
with the vodka bottle and sharing all your secrets, you know it is good practice. Yes, hostels maketh the man.
So, next time you are in a flirtatious situation with the techno types, go on, flirt a bit more. Of course, I am biased towards my kind, but if you find the
conversation turning too geeky, just ask them, 'So, what were your hostel days like?' and chances are, you'll see a heart behind the calculator. Coming back
to my missie, I thought of what would make me win her over. Flowers... too cheesy. Music... don't know her taste (nor trust mine). Teddy bears... don't even
go there. Desperate for some good lines, I just turned it right back at her. 'Yes, I know what you are saying about engineers. The thing is, unless people
with depth like you start hanging out with us, we won't get any better. Can you meet me some time for some touchy/feely... oops, I mean coffee/tea?' She
giggled. When they giggle, you have won. Hence proved.
I remember the incident - I was in a restaurant, and one girl in our group was especially charming. So I, like any other male, tried to put on a wooing act.
You know the routine, a nanosecond extra eye contact, a few more nods to whatever she says, and attempts to throw in those one-liners which you know you
wouldn't if she weren't there.
And it seemed to be working. She leaned forward when she spoke to me, and every now and again, we'd have a small conversation of our own, separate from our
group. She laughed at my approach with the fork and knife, and I teased her about her hair band, which had little teddy bears. Yes, we were flirting. A while
later, she asked me the question - what did I study? I said engineering, without any particular meaning attached to it. And then like a cold metal rail, she
went stiff. My jokes weren't funny any more. Her eyes wandered to everyone else. What was it?
Why? Why? Why?
Two days later, I still couldn't get over my great start that had dissipated listlessly upon mentioning my education. Engineer? What was wrong with that? My
mom had wanted me to become one since I was five! I had to call her. 'So what happened to you that day, hot and cold, missie?' And then she said, trying to
be nice, 'Well, it's just that I am skeptical about engineers as friends. I don't know, they can be, you know, very logical and everything... not very touchy
feely'.
Not touchy-feely. Now what the heck did that mean? Well, she obviously did not mean it literally, since girls don't really suggest that sort of stuff,
certainly not in the first meeting across the table. I guessed it was something to do with feelings, sort of having an emotional side. The stereotype being,
the nerdy guy who sees relationships like laws of physics, to whom love is just a bunch of chemicals going crazy in your brain, and getting to know a person
means obtaining their bio-data.
It's time to set the record straight.
It's true that a lot of what engineers study (and they end up studying quite a lot), has to do with formulaes, laws and numbers. No matter how hard we try,
some of the vocabulary we read all day gets into our language. So when my mother said, 'Are you getting married next year or not?' I was liable to say,
'Well, at this moment in time, the probability is relatively low,' and felt it was completely normal to say it. And when my sister went sari shopping and
couldn't explain the shade she wanted, I told the shopkeeper the percentages of pink, orange and red in the sari.
Yet, ladies, I don't think we're bad at relationships, love and getting to know people. We too, can be touchy-feely, as that is part of our education as
well. The reason for this is that most engineering students live in the ultimate educator - boy's hostels. Now, let me explain how this plays into this
'touchy-feely' thing. Relationships. Imagine eating, sleeping, brushing your teeth, bathing (ok rarely this one) and partying with the same people all the
time. So, when you are kicking that bathroom door down for the tenth time, or when you stand in line for 'gulab-jamuns' in the mess, and when you are done
with the vodka bottle and sharing all your secrets, you know it is good practice. Yes, hostels maketh the man.
So, next time you are in a flirtatious situation with the techno types, go on, flirt a bit more. Of course, I am biased towards my kind, but if you find the
conversation turning too geeky, just ask them, 'So, what were your hostel days like?' and chances are, you'll see a heart behind the calculator. Coming back
to my missie, I thought of what would make me win her over. Flowers... too cheesy. Music... don't know her taste (nor trust mine). Teddy bears... don't even
go there. Desperate for some good lines, I just turned it right back at her. 'Yes, I know what you are saying about engineers. The thing is, unless people
with depth like you start hanging out with us, we won't get any better. Can you meet me some time for some touchy/feely... oops, I mean coffee/tea?' She
giggled. When they giggle, you have won. Hence proved.
Why "404 - Page Not Found "? - Why not " 808 ? Page Not Found " ?
The history of 404: Before the beginning of time, when the Internet was still very much under the spell of bare Unix shells and Gopher, before SLIP or PPP
became widely used, an ambitious group of young scientists at CERN (Switzerland) started working on what was to become the media revolution of the nineties:
the World Wide Web, later to be known as WWW, or simply 'the Web'. Their aim: to create a database infrastructure that offered open access to data in various
formats: multimedia. The ultimate goal was clearly to create a protocol that would com! bine text and pictures and present it as one document, and allow
linking to other such documents: hypertext.
Because these bright young minds were reluctant to reveal their progress (and setbacks) to the world, they started developing their protocol in a closed
environment: CERN's internal network. Many hours were spending on what later became the world-wide standard for multimedia documents. Using the physical lay
-out of CERN's network and buildings as a metaphor for the 'real world' they situated different functions of the
protocol in different offices within CERN.
In an office on the fourth floor (room 404), they plac! ed the World Wide Web's central database: any request for a file was routed to that office, where two
or three people would manually locate the requested files and transfer them, over the network, to the person who made that request. When the database started
to grow, and the people at CERN realized that they were able to retrieve documents other than their own research-papers, not only the number of requests
grew, but also the number of requests that could not be fulfilled, usually because the person who requested a file typed in the wrong name for that file.
Soon these faulty requests were answered with a standard message: Room 404: file not found". Later, when these processes were automated and people could
directly query the database, the messageID's for error messages remained linked to the physical location the process took place: "404: file not found".The
room numbers remained in the error codes in the official release of HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) when the Web lef! t CERN to conquer the world, and
are still displayed when a browser makes a faulty request to a Web server.
In memory of the heroic boys and girls that worked deep into the night for all those months, in those small and hot offices at CERN, Room 404 is preserved as
a 'place on the Web'. None of the other rooms are still used
for the Web. Room 404 is the only and true monument to the beginning of the Web, a tribute to a place in the past, where the future was shaped.
became widely used, an ambitious group of young scientists at CERN (Switzerland) started working on what was to become the media revolution of the nineties:
the World Wide Web, later to be known as WWW, or simply 'the Web'. Their aim: to create a database infrastructure that offered open access to data in various
formats: multimedia. The ultimate goal was clearly to create a protocol that would com! bine text and pictures and present it as one document, and allow
linking to other such documents: hypertext.
Because these bright young minds were reluctant to reveal their progress (and setbacks) to the world, they started developing their protocol in a closed
environment: CERN's internal network. Many hours were spending on what later became the world-wide standard for multimedia documents. Using the physical lay
-out of CERN's network and buildings as a metaphor for the 'real world' they situated different functions of the
protocol in different offices within CERN.
In an office on the fourth floor (room 404), they plac! ed the World Wide Web's central database: any request for a file was routed to that office, where two
or three people would manually locate the requested files and transfer them, over the network, to the person who made that request. When the database started
to grow, and the people at CERN realized that they were able to retrieve documents other than their own research-papers, not only the number of requests
grew, but also the number of requests that could not be fulfilled, usually because the person who requested a file typed in the wrong name for that file.
Soon these faulty requests were answered with a standard message: Room 404: file not found". Later, when these processes were automated and people could
directly query the database, the messageID's for error messages remained linked to the physical location the process took place: "404: file not found".The
room numbers remained in the error codes in the official release of HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol) when the Web lef! t CERN to conquer the world, and
are still displayed when a browser makes a faulty request to a Web server.
In memory of the heroic boys and girls that worked deep into the night for all those months, in those small and hot offices at CERN, Room 404 is preserved as
a 'place on the Web'. None of the other rooms are still used
for the Web. Room 404 is the only and true monument to the beginning of the Web, a tribute to a place in the past, where the future was shaped.
The Organs of your body have their sensory touches at the bottom of
your foot , if you massage these points you will find reliefFrom aches
and pains as you can see the organs are on right and left foot, the
heart is on the left foot.
This time, it put organs on the feet as they are. Typically
they are shown as points and arrows to show which organ it connects to.
It is indeed correct since the nerves connected to these organs
terminate
here.
This is covered in great details in Accupressure studies or textbooks.
God created our body so well that he thought of even this. He made us
walk so that we will always be pressing these pressure points and thus
keeping these organs activated at all times.
So, keep walking...
During a visit to the mental asylum, a visitor asked the Director what is the criteria that defines a patient to be institutionalized.
"Well," said the Director, "after we fill up a bathtub, we offer a
teaspoon, a teacup, and a bucket to the patient and ask the patient to
empty the bathtub"
Here are the choices:
Would you use the spoon? The teacup? The bucket?
"Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would choose the bucket as it is larger than the spoon or the teacup."
Noooooo," answered the Director, looking at the visitor with new interest.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"A normal person would pull the plug".
"Well," said the Director, "after we fill up a bathtub, we offer a
teaspoon, a teacup, and a bucket to the patient and ask the patient to
empty the bathtub"
Here are the choices:
Would you use the spoon? The teacup? The bucket?
"Oh, I understand," said the visitor. "A normal person would choose the bucket as it is larger than the spoon or the teacup."
Noooooo," answered the Director, looking at the visitor with new interest.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"A normal person would pull the plug".
On Death
Shaykh Abu Bilal Mustafa al-Kanadi
Allah takes souls at the time of their death and [the souls] of those that do not die during their sleep. He retains those souls for which He has ordained
death, whereas He releases the rest for an appointed term. [39:42]
Ibnul-Qayyim identifies over 90 supporting statements from the Quran, the Sunnah and sayings of the companions, which altogether give a complete picture of
the nature of the human soul and the conditions which surround it.
If you could see when the worngdoers taste the pangs of death and the angels stretch their hands out, [saying], 'Deliver up your souls. This day you will be
awarded a degrading punishment.' [6:93]
Here it is stated that death is painful for the disbelievers. Although they are ordered to surrender their souls to the angels, they are unwilling;
therefore, the soul must be forced out as it does not wish to meet its punishment. [Qurtubi]
According to hadeeth: The Angel of Death... [says], 'O you foul soul, come out to the anger and wrath of your Lord.' The soul inside the disbeliever's body
is overcome by terrible fear [and does not want to deliver itself up], whereupon the Angel of Death violently pulls it out like multi-pronged skewers being
yanked out of wet wool - tearing with them the ateries and nerves.
Umm Salamah (radhiAllaahu 'anha) reported: Allah's messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) entered upon Abu Salamah [i.e., his corpse], whose eyes were
wide open. The prophet closed the lids and then said, 'When the ruh is taken out, the eyesight follows it [ i.e., watches it ascend].' [Muslim & Ahmed]
The Angel of Death comes to the [dying] believer, sits at his head and says, 'O you good soul, come out and receive your Lord's forgiveness and pleasure.'
Then the soul flows out effortlessly just as water flows from the mouth of a waterskin.
Abu Hurairah (radhiAllaahu 'anhu) narrated that the messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: When the soul of a believer comes out [of its
body], two angels receive it and rise with it towards the heavens, whereupon the inhabitants of the heavens say, "A good soul has come from the earth. Allah
has blessed you and the body which you used to occupy." [Muslim]
The nafs and the ruh: The correct view, as maintained by the vast majority of Muslim theologians and endorsed by the scholars of ahl-us-Sunnah, is that the
terms nafs and ruh are interchangeable. However, the term nafs is usually applied when the soul is inside the body, and the word ruh is used when the soul is
aprt from the body. However, each one has clearly distinct and restricted applications in certain contexts. E.g., nafs may represent self as in 24:61, or
revelation as in 42:52, or Jibreel as in 26:192-193, or in an even more restricted sense e.g., spirit of faith as in 58:22.
Hadeeths which prove that both are the same thing:
Umm Salamah (radhiAllaahu 'anha) reported that the messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: When the ruh is taken out, the eyesight follows
it.
Abu Hurairah (radhiAllaahu 'anhu) reported that the messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: Do you not see that when a person dies his gaze
is fixed intently; that occurs when his eyesight follows his nafs [as it comes out] [Both in Muslim & Qurtubi's at-Tadhkirah] Also see Siddeeq Hasan Khan's
Fath-ul-Bayaan.
The experience of death: Every soul will taste death [3:185]
Hardships and agonies:
And the agony of death comes, in truth; that is what you wished to avoid. [50:19] In this verse the phrase "sakratul mawt" is used to indicate the swoon of
death. This verse implies that every dying person must experience some pain and torment. [See al-Alusi's Ruh-ul-Ma'ani and Qurtubi's tafseer]
Aishah (radhiAllaahu 'anha) related: [On the occasion of his approaching death], Allah's messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) had a small vessel of
water placed before him. He began to dip his hands in the water,a nd wiping his face with them. He said: There is none worthy of worship except Allah. Indeed
death brings with it agonies! Then he raised his hand up and kept repeating, 'In the most exalted company' until his soul was taken and his hand fell limp.
[Bukhari]
Aishah (radhiAllaahu 'anha) reported: Truly, I saw the messenger of Allah when death approached him. He had a container with some water in it into which he
dipped his hand and then wiped his face. Then he said: O Allah help me to overcome the agonies of death.
Appearance of Satan:
Hadeeth: Verily Satan comes to you at all circumstances and affairs of your life, even at the time of eating. [Muslim]
Al-Qurtubi mentions that a great number of pious and dependable scholars are known to have witnessed the presence of Satan at death. He relates that he heard
one of his own respected teachers, Imam Abul-'Abbaas Ahmad bin 'Umar al-Qurtubi, say, "I visited the brother of our teacher, shaikh Abu Jafar Muhammad al-
Qurtubi at Cordova and found him near death. It was said to him, 'Repeat Laa ilaaha illallaah,', to which he replied, 'No! No!' When he came to, we mentioned
what had occurred. He said, 'Tow devils came to me , one on my left and the other on my right. One of them said, "Die as a Jew, for verily it is the best of
religions," while the other said, "Die as a Christian, for truly it is the best of religions." So I answered them saying, "No! No! How dare you say such a
thing to me!"
Repentance before death:
Hadeeth: When any of you completes the last tashahhud of his prayer, let him seek refuge in Allaah from four things, saying, 'O Allah, verily I seek refuge
in you from the punishment of the Hellfire and the torment of the grave; from the fitnah of life and of death; and from the evil fitnah of the false
messiah.[Muslim, Nasai & others]
Allah accepts the repentance of the servant so long as his spirit has not arrived at his throat. [Tirmidhi, al-Haakim, Ibn Hibbaan]
Their faith was of no use to them once they saw Our doom. [40:85]
Forgiveness is not for those who continue to do evil deeds up until when death comes to one of them [and] he says, 'Truly, I repent now!' [4:18]
"Oh Allah, I seek refuge in You lest I misguide others, or I am misguided by others, lest I cause others to err or I am caused to err, lest I abuse others or
be abused, and lest I behave foolishly or meet with the foolishness of others". (Abu-Dawud, Ibn Majah, Nasa'i, At-Termithi see also Al-Albani, Sahih At-
Tirmithi 3/152 and Sahih Ibn Majah 2/336)
Allah takes souls at the time of their death and [the souls] of those that do not die during their sleep. He retains those souls for which He has ordained
death, whereas He releases the rest for an appointed term. [39:42]
Ibnul-Qayyim identifies over 90 supporting statements from the Quran, the Sunnah and sayings of the companions, which altogether give a complete picture of
the nature of the human soul and the conditions which surround it.
If you could see when the worngdoers taste the pangs of death and the angels stretch their hands out, [saying], 'Deliver up your souls. This day you will be
awarded a degrading punishment.' [6:93]
Here it is stated that death is painful for the disbelievers. Although they are ordered to surrender their souls to the angels, they are unwilling;
therefore, the soul must be forced out as it does not wish to meet its punishment. [Qurtubi]
According to hadeeth: The Angel of Death... [says], 'O you foul soul, come out to the anger and wrath of your Lord.' The soul inside the disbeliever's body
is overcome by terrible fear [and does not want to deliver itself up], whereupon the Angel of Death violently pulls it out like multi-pronged skewers being
yanked out of wet wool - tearing with them the ateries and nerves.
Umm Salamah (radhiAllaahu 'anha) reported: Allah's messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) entered upon Abu Salamah [i.e., his corpse], whose eyes were
wide open. The prophet closed the lids and then said, 'When the ruh is taken out, the eyesight follows it [ i.e., watches it ascend].' [Muslim & Ahmed]
The Angel of Death comes to the [dying] believer, sits at his head and says, 'O you good soul, come out and receive your Lord's forgiveness and pleasure.'
Then the soul flows out effortlessly just as water flows from the mouth of a waterskin.
Abu Hurairah (radhiAllaahu 'anhu) narrated that the messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: When the soul of a believer comes out [of its
body], two angels receive it and rise with it towards the heavens, whereupon the inhabitants of the heavens say, "A good soul has come from the earth. Allah
has blessed you and the body which you used to occupy." [Muslim]
The nafs and the ruh: The correct view, as maintained by the vast majority of Muslim theologians and endorsed by the scholars of ahl-us-Sunnah, is that the
terms nafs and ruh are interchangeable. However, the term nafs is usually applied when the soul is inside the body, and the word ruh is used when the soul is
aprt from the body. However, each one has clearly distinct and restricted applications in certain contexts. E.g., nafs may represent self as in 24:61, or
revelation as in 42:52, or Jibreel as in 26:192-193, or in an even more restricted sense e.g., spirit of faith as in 58:22.
Hadeeths which prove that both are the same thing:
Umm Salamah (radhiAllaahu 'anha) reported that the messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: When the ruh is taken out, the eyesight follows
it.
Abu Hurairah (radhiAllaahu 'anhu) reported that the messenger of Allah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: Do you not see that when a person dies his gaze
is fixed intently; that occurs when his eyesight follows his nafs [as it comes out] [Both in Muslim & Qurtubi's at-Tadhkirah] Also see Siddeeq Hasan Khan's
Fath-ul-Bayaan.
The experience of death: Every soul will taste death [3:185]
Hardships and agonies:
And the agony of death comes, in truth; that is what you wished to avoid. [50:19] In this verse the phrase "sakratul mawt" is used to indicate the swoon of
death. This verse implies that every dying person must experience some pain and torment. [See al-Alusi's Ruh-ul-Ma'ani and Qurtubi's tafseer]
Aishah (radhiAllaahu 'anha) related: [On the occasion of his approaching death], Allah's messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) had a small vessel of
water placed before him. He began to dip his hands in the water,a nd wiping his face with them. He said: There is none worthy of worship except Allah. Indeed
death brings with it agonies! Then he raised his hand up and kept repeating, 'In the most exalted company' until his soul was taken and his hand fell limp.
[Bukhari]
Aishah (radhiAllaahu 'anha) reported: Truly, I saw the messenger of Allah when death approached him. He had a container with some water in it into which he
dipped his hand and then wiped his face. Then he said: O Allah help me to overcome the agonies of death.
Appearance of Satan:
Hadeeth: Verily Satan comes to you at all circumstances and affairs of your life, even at the time of eating. [Muslim]
Al-Qurtubi mentions that a great number of pious and dependable scholars are known to have witnessed the presence of Satan at death. He relates that he heard
one of his own respected teachers, Imam Abul-'Abbaas Ahmad bin 'Umar al-Qurtubi, say, "I visited the brother of our teacher, shaikh Abu Jafar Muhammad al-
Qurtubi at Cordova and found him near death. It was said to him, 'Repeat Laa ilaaha illallaah,', to which he replied, 'No! No!' When he came to, we mentioned
what had occurred. He said, 'Tow devils came to me , one on my left and the other on my right. One of them said, "Die as a Jew, for verily it is the best of
religions," while the other said, "Die as a Christian, for truly it is the best of religions." So I answered them saying, "No! No! How dare you say such a
thing to me!"
Repentance before death:
Hadeeth: When any of you completes the last tashahhud of his prayer, let him seek refuge in Allaah from four things, saying, 'O Allah, verily I seek refuge
in you from the punishment of the Hellfire and the torment of the grave; from the fitnah of life and of death; and from the evil fitnah of the false
messiah.[Muslim, Nasai & others]
Allah accepts the repentance of the servant so long as his spirit has not arrived at his throat. [Tirmidhi, al-Haakim, Ibn Hibbaan]
Their faith was of no use to them once they saw Our doom. [40:85]
Forgiveness is not for those who continue to do evil deeds up until when death comes to one of them [and] he says, 'Truly, I repent now!' [4:18]
"Oh Allah, I seek refuge in You lest I misguide others, or I am misguided by others, lest I cause others to err or I am caused to err, lest I abuse others or
be abused, and lest I behave foolishly or meet with the foolishness of others". (Abu-Dawud, Ibn Majah, Nasa'i, At-Termithi see also Al-Albani, Sahih At-
Tirmithi 3/152 and Sahih Ibn Majah 2/336)
O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to march forth in the Cause of Allah, you cling heavily to the earth. Are you pleased with the life of this world rather than the Hereafter. But little is the enjoyment of the life of this world as compared with the Hereafter." (Quran 9:38)
An Intelligent Person Is One Who Constantly Think About Preparation For Life After Death.
Ya Allah
Today, upon a bus,
I saw a girl with golden hair.
and wished I was as fair.
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch.
But as she passed, a smile.
Ya Allah, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 legs, the world is mine.
I stopped to buy some candy.
The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him, he seemed so glad.
If I were late, it'd do no harm.
And as I left, he said to me,
"I thank you, you've been so kind.
It's nice to talk with folks like you.
You see," he said, "I'm blind."
Ya Allah, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 eyes, the world is mine.
Later while walking down the street,
I saw a child with eyes of blue.
He stood and watched the others play.
He did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said,
"Why don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word.
And then I knew, he couldn't hear.
Ya Allah, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 ears, the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I'd go.
With eyes to see the sunset's glow.
With ears to hear what I'd know.
Ya Allah, forgive me when I whine.
I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine.
Remember My Brothers And Sisters That We Have So Much To Be Thankful For.
I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Muslim duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer.
No time to speak of Allah to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God held a book;
It was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said
Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time"
Now do you have the time to pass it on?
Funny how simple it is for people to ignore the path shown by Allah and then wonder why the world's going to hell.
Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Allah says.
Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do anything that Allah says.
Funny how someone can say "I believe in Allah" but still follow Shaytaan
Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding Allah, people think
twice about sharing.
Today, upon a bus,
I saw a girl with golden hair.
and wished I was as fair.
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and wore a crutch.
But as she passed, a smile.
Ya Allah, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 legs, the world is mine.
I stopped to buy some candy.
The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him, he seemed so glad.
If I were late, it'd do no harm.
And as I left, he said to me,
"I thank you, you've been so kind.
It's nice to talk with folks like you.
You see," he said, "I'm blind."
Ya Allah, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 eyes, the world is mine.
Later while walking down the street,
I saw a child with eyes of blue.
He stood and watched the others play.
He did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said,
"Why don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word.
And then I knew, he couldn't hear.
Ya Allah, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 ears, the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I'd go.
With eyes to see the sunset's glow.
With ears to hear what I'd know.
Ya Allah, forgive me when I whine.
I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine.
Remember My Brothers And Sisters That We Have So Much To Be Thankful For.
I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.
So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Muslim duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.
All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer.
No time to speak of Allah to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.
I went before the Lord,
I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God held a book;
It was the book of life.
God looked into his book and said
Your name I cannot find.
I once was going to write it down...
But never found the time"
Now do you have the time to pass it on?
Funny how simple it is for people to ignore the path shown by Allah and then wonder why the world's going to hell.
Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Allah says.
Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do anything that Allah says.
Funny how someone can say "I believe in Allah" but still follow Shaytaan
Funny how you can send a thousand 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding Allah, people think
twice about sharing.
Profile of a Software Engineer
About me: I think I am changing the world, but I am not. I think I am
contributing to the Indian economy, but I guess I am not. I think I love
my work, but I do not. I think I hate all people who made me earn my
engineering degree, and I do. I think I am living, but and most
importantly, I am LOOKING for someone!! Ok...I won't be funny anymore. I
am a cool guy with a zeal to enjoy life (If you know me--> "Just stop
laughing!!")
Relationship status: what?
Birthday: The day my PL is about to fire me
Age: 10111
Here for: web browsing in company hours
Children: can't be (hey, don't get me wrong here!!)
Ethnicity: Programmer
Languages I speak: Java, C/C++, 010101110101
Religion: I get holidays on all religious festivals, so I love all religions.
Political view: the guy sitting beside me is a pig!!
Humor: weekly
Sexual orientation: When will I have sex?
Fashion: Ask my company HR. Btw, I like jeans, t-shirt and a cross-bag.
Smoking: The second greatest pleasure on the earth
Drinking: The first is this.
Pets: Yeah, my PL looks like a dog.
Living: Cummon, this is a stupid one. How can this be asked to a software
engineer? Believe me, I am living!!
Hometown: My company (Oh God! Please bring my appraiser to this page)
Webpage: http://naukri.com, http://jobsahead.com
Passions: searching for the cheapest pub around, cursing my company,
looking for another company, remembering my good old college days,
worrying about my future
Sports: quake, CS (Counter Strike), computer chess
Activities: Are you crazy?
Books: "How to lose weight in 20 days?", "How to live a happy life?", "101
ways to attract a girl", "Java Unleashed", "C++ at your footsteps", Others
censored
Music: Metallica, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, ACDC, and anything depressing
Tv shows: can't afford one
Cuisines: Bread Butter, Maggi, anything available within 200 metres of home
contributing to the Indian economy, but I guess I am not. I think I love
my work, but I do not. I think I hate all people who made me earn my
engineering degree, and I do. I think I am living, but and most
importantly, I am LOOKING for someone!! Ok...I won't be funny anymore. I
am a cool guy with a zeal to enjoy life (If you know me--> "Just stop
laughing!!")
Relationship status: what?
Birthday: The day my PL is about to fire me
Age: 10111
Here for: web browsing in company hours
Children: can't be (hey, don't get me wrong here!!)
Ethnicity: Programmer
Languages I speak: Java, C/C++, 010101110101
Religion: I get holidays on all religious festivals, so I love all religions.
Political view: the guy sitting beside me is a pig!!
Humor: weekly
Sexual orientation: When will I have sex?
Fashion: Ask my company HR. Btw, I like jeans, t-shirt and a cross-bag.
Smoking: The second greatest pleasure on the earth
Drinking: The first is this.
Pets: Yeah, my PL looks like a dog.
Living: Cummon, this is a stupid one. How can this be asked to a software
engineer? Believe me, I am living!!
Hometown: My company (Oh God! Please bring my appraiser to this page)
Webpage: http://naukri.com, http://jobsahead.com
Passions: searching for the cheapest pub around, cursing my company,
looking for another company, remembering my good old college days,
worrying about my future
Sports: quake, CS (Counter Strike), computer chess
Activities: Are you crazy?
Books: "How to lose weight in 20 days?", "How to live a happy life?", "101
ways to attract a girl", "Java Unleashed", "C++ at your footsteps", Others
censored
Music: Metallica, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, ACDC, and anything depressing
Tv shows: can't afford one
Cuisines: Bread Butter, Maggi, anything available within 200 metres of home
Latest proposal idea..!!
I feel like cursing you, for all the sleepless nights that you have given me,....
"you'll have a son, who will go mad behind my daughter, just like the way I am mad for you"
....but then......why trouble those innocent ones....come lets make them brothers and sisters
"you'll have a son, who will go mad behind my daughter, just like the way I am mad for you"
....but then......why trouble those innocent ones....come lets make them brothers and sisters
Oru chinthakan (Enne kollaruthu )
Cycilil poyal cycling aavum ...Trainil poyal athu training aavumoo??
nammal kadayil poyi 501 bar soap vangikumbol kadakkaran nammukku oru
soap mathram tharunnu..
bakki 500 soap evide poyennu aarengilum chinthichittundo??
Oru cuticura powder idumbol athinte ammacurayem achancurayem evide ennu
anweshichittundoo?
paavam cuticura ...
thengeennu thengaa veezhum ..
maavennu maanga veezhum ..
plaavennu plaangaa entha vizhathe ??
nammal kadayil poyi 501 bar soap vangikumbol kadakkaran nammukku oru
soap mathram tharunnu..
bakki 500 soap evide poyennu aarengilum chinthichittundo??
Oru cuticura powder idumbol athinte ammacurayem achancurayem evide ennu
anweshichittundoo?
paavam cuticura ...
thengeennu thengaa veezhum ..
maavennu maanga veezhum ..
plaavennu plaangaa entha vizhathe ??
Falling asleep in meetings and seminars?
Hi All, Do you keep falling asleep in meetings and seminars?
What about those long and boring conference calls?
Here's a way to change all of that:
1. Before (or during) your next meeting, seminar, or conference call, prepare yourself by drawing a square. I find that 5" x 5" is a good size. Divide the
card into columns-five across and five down. That will give you 25 one-inch blocks.
2. Write one of the following words/phrases in each block:
Basically
Core competencies
Best practice
Bottom line
Revisit
Obviously
To tell you the truth (or "the truth is")
24/7
Out of the loop
Benchmark
Value-added
Proactive
Win-win
Think outside the box
Essentially
"Hit the nail on the head",
"Having said that"
"ya know what I'm say'n"
At the end of the day
Touch base
He goes/she goes
Client focus(ed)
Paradigm
"I'm like"
Leverage
3. Check off the appropriate block when you hear one of those words/phrases.
4. When you get five blocks horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, stand up and shout "BULLSHIT!"
Testimonials from satisfied "Bullshit Bingo" players:
"I had been in the meeting for only five minutes when I won." - Adam W, Atlanta
"My attention span at meetings has improved dramatically." - David T, Orlando
"What a gas! Meetings will never be the same for me after my first win." - Dan J, New York City
"The atmosphere was tense in the last process meeting as 14 of us waited for the fifth box." - Ben G, Denver
"The speaker was stunned as eight of us screamed 'BULLSHIT!' for the third time in two hours." - Richard C, Chicago
What about those long and boring conference calls?
Here's a way to change all of that:
1. Before (or during) your next meeting, seminar, or conference call, prepare yourself by drawing a square. I find that 5" x 5" is a good size. Divide the
card into columns-five across and five down. That will give you 25 one-inch blocks.
2. Write one of the following words/phrases in each block:
Basically
Core competencies
Best practice
Bottom line
Revisit
Obviously
To tell you the truth (or "the truth is")
24/7
Out of the loop
Benchmark
Value-added
Proactive
Win-win
Think outside the box
Essentially
"Hit the nail on the head",
"Having said that"
"ya know what I'm say'n"
At the end of the day
Touch base
He goes/she goes
Client focus(ed)
Paradigm
"I'm like"
Leverage
3. Check off the appropriate block when you hear one of those words/phrases.
4. When you get five blocks horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, stand up and shout "BULLSHIT!"
Testimonials from satisfied "Bullshit Bingo" players:
"I had been in the meeting for only five minutes when I won." - Adam W, Atlanta
"My attention span at meetings has improved dramatically." - David T, Orlando
"What a gas! Meetings will never be the same for me after my first win." - Dan J, New York City
"The atmosphere was tense in the last process meeting as 14 of us waited for the fifth box." - Ben G, Denver
"The speaker was stunned as eight of us screamed 'BULLSHIT!' for the third time in two hours." - Richard C, Chicago
LAWYERS Vs INSURANCE
This is the best lawyer story of the year, decade, and probably the
century.
A Charlotte, NC, lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars,
then insured them against fire among other things. Within a month having
smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars and without yet having
made even his first premium payment on the policy, the lawyer filed a
claim against the insurance company. In his claim, the lawyer stated the
cigars were lost "in a series of small fires."
The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason: that the
man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion. The lawyer sued .. and
won!
In delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insurance company that
the claim was frivolous. The Judge stated, nevertheless, that the lawyer
held a policy from the company in which it had warranted that the cigars
were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them against fire,
without defining what is considered to be unacceptable fire, and was
obligated to pay the claim. Rather than endure lengthy and costly appeal
process, the insurance company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the
lawyer for his loss of the rare cigars lost in the "fires."
NOW FOR THE BEST PART...
After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had him arrested
on 24 counts of ARSON!!!!
With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being
used against him, the lawyer was convicted of intentionally burning his
insured property and was sentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24,000
fine.
This is a true story and was the 1st place winner in the recent Criminal
Lawyers Award Contest.
century.
A Charlotte, NC, lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars,
then insured them against fire among other things. Within a month having
smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars and without yet having
made even his first premium payment on the policy, the lawyer filed a
claim against the insurance company. In his claim, the lawyer stated the
cigars were lost "in a series of small fires."
The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason: that the
man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion. The lawyer sued .. and
won!
In delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insurance company that
the claim was frivolous. The Judge stated, nevertheless, that the lawyer
held a policy from the company in which it had warranted that the cigars
were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them against fire,
without defining what is considered to be unacceptable fire, and was
obligated to pay the claim. Rather than endure lengthy and costly appeal
process, the insurance company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000 to the
lawyer for his loss of the rare cigars lost in the "fires."
NOW FOR THE BEST PART...
After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had him arrested
on 24 counts of ARSON!!!!
With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being
used against him, the lawyer was convicted of intentionally burning his
insured property and was sentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24,000
fine.
This is a true story and was the 1st place winner in the recent Criminal
Lawyers Award Contest.
THE BEST WORST
THE WORST HIJACKING
We shall never know the identity of the man who in 1976 made the most
unsuccessful hijack attempt ever. On a flight across America, he rose from
his seat, drew gun and took the stewardess hostage.
"Take me to Detroit," he demanded.
"We're already going to Detroit," she replied.
"Oh ... good," he said, and sat down again.
THE WORST BANK ROBBERY
In August 1975 three men were on their way in to rob the Royal Bank of
Scotland at Rothesay, when they got stuck in the revolving doors. They had
to be helped free by the staff and, after thanking everyone, sheepishly
left the building. A few minutes later they returned and announced their
intention of robbing the bank, but none of the staff believed them.
When they demanded 5,000 pounds in cash, the head cashier laughed at them,
convinced that it was a practical joke. Then one of the men jumped over
the counter, but fell to the floor clutching his ankle. The other two
tried to make their getaway, but got trapped in the revolving doors again.
THE WORST ANIMAL RESCUE
During the firemen's strike of1978, the British Army had taken over
emergency fire fighting and on 14 January they were called out by an
elderly lady in South London to retrieve her cat which had become trapped
up a tree. They arrived with impressive haste and soon discharged their
duty. So grateful was the lady that she invited them all in for tea.
Driving off later, with fond farewells completed, they ran over the cat
and killed it!!
We shall never know the identity of the man who in 1976 made the most
unsuccessful hijack attempt ever. On a flight across America, he rose from
his seat, drew gun and took the stewardess hostage.
"Take me to Detroit," he demanded.
"We're already going to Detroit," she replied.
"Oh ... good," he said, and sat down again.
THE WORST BANK ROBBERY
In August 1975 three men were on their way in to rob the Royal Bank of
Scotland at Rothesay, when they got stuck in the revolving doors. They had
to be helped free by the staff and, after thanking everyone, sheepishly
left the building. A few minutes later they returned and announced their
intention of robbing the bank, but none of the staff believed them.
When they demanded 5,000 pounds in cash, the head cashier laughed at them,
convinced that it was a practical joke. Then one of the men jumped over
the counter, but fell to the floor clutching his ankle. The other two
tried to make their getaway, but got trapped in the revolving doors again.
THE WORST ANIMAL RESCUE
During the firemen's strike of1978, the British Army had taken over
emergency fire fighting and on 14 January they were called out by an
elderly lady in South London to retrieve her cat which had become trapped
up a tree. They arrived with impressive haste and soon discharged their
duty. So grateful was the lady that she invited them all in for tea.
Driving off later, with fond farewells completed, they ran over the cat
and killed it!!
We have started a website for malayalam books: www.indulekha.com. It is a place to read and discuss Malayalam books. We will upload some pages of a new
book everyday. Besides there are another channels like keralacurry, cinemascope, art gallery(colours) rain etc. You are welcome to the site. We would like to
get your comments.
book everyday. Besides there are another channels like keralacurry, cinemascope, art gallery(colours) rain etc. You are welcome to the site. We would like to
get your comments.
True Football fan
A man had two suite tickets for the Euro2004 Cup final Greece v Portugal.
As he sits down, another man comes down and asks if anyone is sitting in
the seat next to him. "No," he says. "The seat is empty." "This is
incredible!" said the man. "Who in their right mind would have a seat like
this for the best game of Euro 2004, the biggest sporting event in the
world, and not use it?" He says, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me.
My wife was supposed to come with me, but she passed away. This is the
first European Cup Final we haven't been to together since we got married."
"Oh I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. But couldn't you find someone
else a friend or relative, or even a neighbor to take the seat?"
The man shakes his head... "No. They're all at her funeral." :-)
As he sits down, another man comes down and asks if anyone is sitting in
the seat next to him. "No," he says. "The seat is empty." "This is
incredible!" said the man. "Who in their right mind would have a seat like
this for the best game of Euro 2004, the biggest sporting event in the
world, and not use it?" He says, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me.
My wife was supposed to come with me, but she passed away. This is the
first European Cup Final we haven't been to together since we got married."
"Oh I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. But couldn't you find someone
else a friend or relative, or even a neighbor to take the seat?"
The man shakes his head... "No. They're all at her funeral." :-)
NAPOLEAN:"In my DictionAry there is no word called 'IMPOSSIBLE'....
......
......
......
.......
.......
.......
.......
......
.......
........
..........
Sardarji: "eni paranjitu kariyamilla medichappo nokenamayirunnu!!
......
......
......
.......
.......
.......
.......
......
.......
........
..........
Sardarji: "eni paranjitu kariyamilla medichappo nokenamayirunnu!!
A true friend is one who sees ur 1st tear,
Catches d 2nd,
Stops d 3rd,
When d 4th comes, slaps u n says....
"Dey over aakkalle....!"
Catches d 2nd,
Stops d 3rd,
When d 4th comes, slaps u n says....
"Dey over aakkalle....!"
Its really inspiring.....
L N Mittal left India in the mid-1970s to start his career. Through the next thirty years he went on to become the world's largest steel manufacturer.
The Sultan of steel is signing a deal for yet another steel plant in Jharkhand, thirty years after he left India for Indonesia. He was sent there by his father to shut down the family's ailing steel plant. Instead, young Mittal saw an opportunity and turned the plant around, something that would become a Mittal hallmark in later years.
To prove that this was no fluke, Mittal acquired a 1.3 million tonne, Iscot Steel plant in Trinidad & Tobago, which was losing $1,00,000 a day. One year of Mittal-style management and it was making profits, the LN Mittal legend was born. That move helped him get into America.
The Mexican government seeing the success that Mittal made of Iscot, asked him to take over their ailing steel plants in 1992.
But it was not all that smooth. In 1994 Mittal had differences with his brothers and father, and went on to form his own company.
The following year Mittal made his big-ticket entry into the lucrative European market. He acquired the massive 5 million tonne Kazakh steel plant, Karmet from the government of Kazakhastan.
At that time it was a rundown plant. Mittal brought in new technology and turned it around. Mittal's trademark was to buy old rundown steel mills from governments at throwaway prices and then turn them around. Plants in Romania, the Czech Republic and Poland between 2001 and 2004 followed.
Mittal had in the mean time, listed Ispat International on the New York and Amsterdam Stock Exchanges in 1997. Eight years later Mittal became the world's largest steel maker when he took over the US' largest steel producer - the International Steel Group. He then consolidated all his steel holdings into Mittal Steel.
Mittal Steel is the world's largest steel producer at 70 million tonnes a year, almost double the world's second largest producer - Arcelor. October 2005 saw the first battle between the big two- Mittal and Arcelor, both bid for Ukraine's largest steel mill - Kryvorizhstal in an open televised bid. Mittal beat Arcelor to the 4.8 billion dollar deal, at more than twice what analysts had valued Kryvorizhstal.
Reports suggest that it was this bidding war with Arcelor that gave L N Mittal's son Aditya, the CFO of Mittal Steel, the idea of taking over Arcelor. His reason was that it would eliminate any future messy battles.
Less than three months later, Mittal launched his takeover bid of Arcelor. Along the way there have been many criticisms. Mittal has been accused as a man who worships the bottomline, ruthlessly downsizing the workforces of his newly acquired assets. For example, workers at his plant in Ireland were given just a day's notice when he decided to shut it down.
He has also been accused of buying political influence. In 2001, when Mittal was bidding for a Romanian steel mill, he donated 1,25,000 pounds to Tony Blairs's Labour Party. Just days later, Blair wrote to the Romanian Prime Minister saying his country's chances of joining the European Union would be much better if Mittal Steel was given the plant.
Mittal has grown from strength to strength.
Now, with 10 per cent of the world's notoriously fragmented steel making capacity, he is undoubtedly the Sultan of steel.
The Sultan of steel is signing a deal for yet another steel plant in Jharkhand, thirty years after he left India for Indonesia. He was sent there by his father to shut down the family's ailing steel plant. Instead, young Mittal saw an opportunity and turned the plant around, something that would become a Mittal hallmark in later years.
To prove that this was no fluke, Mittal acquired a 1.3 million tonne, Iscot Steel plant in Trinidad & Tobago, which was losing $1,00,000 a day. One year of Mittal-style management and it was making profits, the LN Mittal legend was born. That move helped him get into America.
The Mexican government seeing the success that Mittal made of Iscot, asked him to take over their ailing steel plants in 1992.
But it was not all that smooth. In 1994 Mittal had differences with his brothers and father, and went on to form his own company.
The following year Mittal made his big-ticket entry into the lucrative European market. He acquired the massive 5 million tonne Kazakh steel plant, Karmet from the government of Kazakhastan.
At that time it was a rundown plant. Mittal brought in new technology and turned it around. Mittal's trademark was to buy old rundown steel mills from governments at throwaway prices and then turn them around. Plants in Romania, the Czech Republic and Poland between 2001 and 2004 followed.
Mittal had in the mean time, listed Ispat International on the New York and Amsterdam Stock Exchanges in 1997. Eight years later Mittal became the world's largest steel maker when he took over the US' largest steel producer - the International Steel Group. He then consolidated all his steel holdings into Mittal Steel.
Mittal Steel is the world's largest steel producer at 70 million tonnes a year, almost double the world's second largest producer - Arcelor. October 2005 saw the first battle between the big two- Mittal and Arcelor, both bid for Ukraine's largest steel mill - Kryvorizhstal in an open televised bid. Mittal beat Arcelor to the 4.8 billion dollar deal, at more than twice what analysts had valued Kryvorizhstal.
Reports suggest that it was this bidding war with Arcelor that gave L N Mittal's son Aditya, the CFO of Mittal Steel, the idea of taking over Arcelor. His reason was that it would eliminate any future messy battles.
Less than three months later, Mittal launched his takeover bid of Arcelor. Along the way there have been many criticisms. Mittal has been accused as a man who worships the bottomline, ruthlessly downsizing the workforces of his newly acquired assets. For example, workers at his plant in Ireland were given just a day's notice when he decided to shut it down.
He has also been accused of buying political influence. In 2001, when Mittal was bidding for a Romanian steel mill, he donated 1,25,000 pounds to Tony Blairs's Labour Party. Just days later, Blair wrote to the Romanian Prime Minister saying his country's chances of joining the European Union would be much better if Mittal Steel was given the plant.
Mittal has grown from strength to strength.
Now, with 10 per cent of the world's notoriously fragmented steel making capacity, he is undoubtedly the Sultan of steel.
oru decent naadan pattu….
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Kulippanaay kulam venam
Kulathil chenthaamara venam
Kulippanaay kulam venam
Kulathil chenthaamara venam
Kulichu chennakam pookaan chandanam venam(2)
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Poovayaal manam venam
Poomanaayaal gunam venam
Poovayaal manam venam
Poomanaayaal gunam venam
Poomaani makalayaal adakkam venam(2)
Nadaayaal nrupan venam arikil manthrimar venam(2)
Naadinu gunamulla prajakal venam (2)
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Yudhathinkal ramanallu kulathinkal seethanallu(2)
Oonurakkam upekshippan lakshmananallu(2)
Padakku bharathanallu paravaan painkilinallu(2)
Parakkunna pakshikalil garudanalloo(2)
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Mangattachanu nyayamallu mangallythinu swarnnenalloo(2)
Mangaathirippaan nila vilakkunalloo(2)
Paaliyathachanu prayam nallu paalil panchasaranallu(2)
Paaraathirippaan chila padhavinalloo (2)
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Kulippanaay kulam venam
Kulathil chenthaamara venam
Kulippanaay kulam venam
Kulathil chenthaamara venam
Kulichu chennakam pookaan chandanam venam(2)
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Kulippanaay kulam venam
Kulathil chenthaamara venam
Kulippanaay kulam venam
Kulathil chenthaamara venam
Kulichu chennakam pookaan chandanam venam(2)
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Poovayaal manam venam
Poomanaayaal gunam venam
Poovayaal manam venam
Poomanaayaal gunam venam
Poomaani makalayaal adakkam venam(2)
Nadaayaal nrupan venam arikil manthrimar venam(2)
Naadinu gunamulla prajakal venam (2)
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Yudhathinkal ramanallu kulathinkal seethanallu(2)
Oonurakkam upekshippan lakshmananallu(2)
Padakku bharathanallu paravaan painkilinallu(2)
Parakkunna pakshikalil garudanalloo(2)
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Mangattachanu nyayamallu mangallythinu swarnnenalloo(2)
Mangaathirippaan nila vilakkunalloo(2)
Paaliyathachanu prayam nallu paalil panchasaranallu(2)
Paaraathirippaan chila padhavinalloo (2)
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Kulippanaay kulam venam
Kulathil chenthaamara venam
Kulippanaay kulam venam
Kulathil chenthaamara venam
Kulichu chennakam pookaan chandanam venam(2)
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum venam
Aalayaal thara venam aduthorambalam venam
Aalinu chernnoru kulavum
Sunday
Monday
TuesDay
WednessDay
ThursDay
Friday
Saturday
Is it over??
No guyz....
There is one more day left... especially for Trivandrum Guys... what could
be it??
Guess
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
"Entharadey"......................
Monday
TuesDay
WednessDay
ThursDay
Friday
Saturday
Is it over??
No guyz....
There is one more day left... especially for Trivandrum Guys... what could
be it??
Guess
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
"Entharadey"......................
WHEN U LIFT THE PHONE WE SAY "HELLO", DO U KNOW WHAT IS THE MEANING OF HELLO? IT IS THE NAME OF A GIRL YES AND DO U KNOW WHO IS THAT GIRL SHE IS THE GIRLFRIEND OF GRAHAMBELL WHO INVENTED THE TELEPHONE.ONE CAN FORGET THE NAME OF GRAHAM BUT NOT HIS GIRLFRIEND!!!
Malayalam blogs
There are a lot of good malayalam blogs. Malayalam
blogs exists for everythings from cooking till
literature and vedic mathematics.
have a look at
http://kodakarapuranams.blogspot.com/
http://arkjagged.blogspot.com/
http://mandatharangal.blogspot.com/
http://nilavathekozhi.blogspot.com
http://malayalam.usvishakh.net/blog/posts-categorywise/
http://suryagayatri.blogspot.com/
etc.. (u'll find others soon)
also take a look at
http://thanimalayalam.org/ for recently written
blogs.
blogs exists for everythings from cooking till
literature and vedic mathematics.
have a look at
http://kodakarapuranams.blogspot.com/
http://arkjagged.blogspot.com/
http://mandatharangal.blogspot.com/
http://nilavathekozhi.blogspot.com
http://malayalam.usvishakh.net/blog/posts-categorywise/
http://suryagayatri.blogspot.com/
etc.. (u'll find others soon)
also take a look at
http://thanimalayalam.org/ for recently written
blogs.
Toll Free Number's
Airways
Indian Airlines - 1600 180 1407
Jet Airways - 1600 22 5522
SpiceJet - 1600 180 3333
Automobiles
Mahindra Scorpio - 1600 22 6006
Maruti - 1600 111 515
Tata Motors - 1600 22 5552
Windshield Experts - 1600 11 3636
Banks
ABN AMRO - 1600 11 2224
Canara Bank - 1600 44 6000
Citibank - 1600 44 2265
Corporatin Bank - 1600 443 555
Development Credit Bank - 1600 22 5769
HDFC Bank - 1600 227 227
ICICI Bank - 1600 333 499
ICICI Bank NRI - 1600 22 4848
IDBI Bank - 1600 11 6999
Indian Bank - 1600 425 1400
ING Vysya - 1600 44 9900
Kotak Mahindra Bank - 1600 22 6022
Lord Krishna Bank - 1600 11 2300
Punjab National Bank - 1600 122 222
State Bank of India - 1600 44 1955
Syndicate Bank - 1600 44 6655
Cell Phones
BenQ - 1600 22 08 08
Bird CellPhones - 1600 11 7700
Motorola MotoAssist - 1600 11 1211
Nokia - 3030 3838
Sony Ericsson - 3901 1111
Computers/IT
Adrenalin - 1600 444 445
AMD - 1600 425 6664
Apple Computers - 1600 444 683
Canon - 1600 333 366
Cisco Systems - 1600 221 777
Compaq - HP - 1600 444 999
Data One Broadband - 1600 424 1600
Dell - 1600 444 026
Epson - 1600 44 0011
eSys - 3970 0011
Genesis Tally Academy - 1600 444 888
HCL - 1600 180 8080
IBM - 1600 443 333
Lexmark - 1600 22 4477
Marshal's Point - 1600 33 4488
Microsoft - 1600 111 100
Microsoft Virus Update - 1901 333 334
Seagate - 1600 180 1104
Symantec - 1600 44 5533
TVS Electronics - 1600 444 566
WeP Peripherals - 1600 44 6446
Wipro - 1600 333 312
xerox - 1600 180 1225
Zenith - 1600 222 004
Couriers/Packers & Movers
ABT Courier - 1600 44 8585
AFL Wizz - 1600 22 9696
Agarwal Packers & Movers - 1600 11 4321
Associated Packers P Ltd - 1600 21 4560
DHL - 1600 111 345
FedEx - 1600 22 6161
Goel Packers & Movers - 1600 11 3456
UPS - 1600 22 7171
Education
Edu Plus - 1600 444 000
Hindustan College - 1600 33 4438
NCERT - 1600 11 1265
Vellore Institute of Technology - 1600 441 555
Healthcare
Best on Health - 1600 11 8899
Dr Batras - 1600 11 6767
GlaxoSmithKline - 1600 22 8797
Johnson & Johnson - 1600 22 8111
Kaya Skin Clinic - 1600 22 5292
LifeCell - 1600 44 5323
Manmar Technologies - 1600 33 4420
Pfizer - 1600 442 442
Roche Accu-Chek - 1600 11 45 46
Rudraksha - 1600 21 4708
Varilux Lenses - 1600 44 8383
VLCC - 1600 33 1262
Home Appliances
Aiwa/Sony - 1600 11 1188
Anchor Switches - 1600 22 7979
Blue Star - 1600 22 2200
Bose Audio - 1600 11 2673
Bru Coffee Vending Machines - 1600 44 7171
Daikin Air Conditioners - 1600 444 222
DishTV - 1600 12 3474
Faber Chimneys - 1600 21 4595
Godrej - 1600 22 5511
Grundfos Pumps - 1600 33 4555
LG - 1901 180 9999
Philips - 1600 22 4422
Samsung - 1600 113 444
Sanyo - 1600 11 0101
Voltas - 1600 33 4546
WorldSpace Satellite Radio - 1600 44 5432
Hotel Reservations
GRT Grand - 1600 44 5500
InterContinental Hotels Group - 1600 111 000
Marriott - 1600 22 0044
Sarovar Park Plaza - 1600 111 222
Taj Holidays - 1600 111 825
Insurance
AMP Sanmar - 1600 44 2200
Aviva - 1600 33 2244
Bajaj Allianz - 1600 22 5858
Chola MS General Insurance - 1600 44 5544
HDFC Standard Life - 1600 227 227
LIC - 1600 33 4433
Max New York Life - 1600 33 5577
Royal Sundaram - 1600 33 8899
SBI Life Insurance - 1600 22 9090
Mattresses
Kurl-on - 1600 44 0404
Sleepwell - 1600 11 2266
Investments/ Finance
CAMS - 1600 44 2267
Chola Mutual Fund - 1600 22 2300
Easy IPO's - 3030 5757
Fidelity Investments - 1600 180 8000
Franklin Templeton Fund - 1600 425 4255
J M Morgan Stanley - 1600 22 0004
Kotak Mutual Fund - 1600 222 626
LIC Housing Finance - 1600 44 0005
SBI Mutual Fund - 1600 22 3040
Sharekhan - 1600 22 7500
Tata Mutual Fund - 1600 22 0101
Paints
Asian Paints Home Solutions - 1600 22 5678
Berger Paints Home Decor - 1600 33 8800
Teleshopping
Asian Sky Shop - 1600 22 1600
Jaipan Teleshoppe - 1600 11 5225
Tele Brands - 1600 11 8000
VMI Teleshopping - 1600 447 777
WWS Teleshopping - 1600 220 777
Travel
Club Mahindra Holidays - 1600 33 4539
Cox & Kings - 1600 22 1235
God TV Tours - 1600 442 777
Kerala Tourism - 1600 444 747
Kumarakom Lake Resort - 1600 44 5030
Raj Travels & Tours - 1600 22 9900
Sita Tours - 1600 111 911
SOTC Tours - 1600 22 3344
UPS
APC - 1600 44 4272
Numeric - 1600 44 3266
Others
Consumer Helpline - 1600 11 4000
L'Or?al, GARNIeR - 1600 223 000
KONE Elevator - 1600 444 666
Indane - 1600 44 51 15
Aavin - 1600 44 3300
Pedigree - 1600 11 2121
Kodak India - 1600 22 8877
Domino's Pizza - 1600 111 123
World Vision India - 1600 444 550
Telecom Monitoring Cell - 1600 110 420
Indian Airlines - 1600 180 1407
Jet Airways - 1600 22 5522
SpiceJet - 1600 180 3333
Automobiles
Mahindra Scorpio - 1600 22 6006
Maruti - 1600 111 515
Tata Motors - 1600 22 5552
Windshield Experts - 1600 11 3636
Banks
ABN AMRO - 1600 11 2224
Canara Bank - 1600 44 6000
Citibank - 1600 44 2265
Corporatin Bank - 1600 443 555
Development Credit Bank - 1600 22 5769
HDFC Bank - 1600 227 227
ICICI Bank - 1600 333 499
ICICI Bank NRI - 1600 22 4848
IDBI Bank - 1600 11 6999
Indian Bank - 1600 425 1400
ING Vysya - 1600 44 9900
Kotak Mahindra Bank - 1600 22 6022
Lord Krishna Bank - 1600 11 2300
Punjab National Bank - 1600 122 222
State Bank of India - 1600 44 1955
Syndicate Bank - 1600 44 6655
Cell Phones
BenQ - 1600 22 08 08
Bird CellPhones - 1600 11 7700
Motorola MotoAssist - 1600 11 1211
Nokia - 3030 3838
Sony Ericsson - 3901 1111
Computers/IT
Adrenalin - 1600 444 445
AMD - 1600 425 6664
Apple Computers - 1600 444 683
Canon - 1600 333 366
Cisco Systems - 1600 221 777
Compaq - HP - 1600 444 999
Data One Broadband - 1600 424 1600
Dell - 1600 444 026
Epson - 1600 44 0011
eSys - 3970 0011
Genesis Tally Academy - 1600 444 888
HCL - 1600 180 8080
IBM - 1600 443 333
Lexmark - 1600 22 4477
Marshal's Point - 1600 33 4488
Microsoft - 1600 111 100
Microsoft Virus Update - 1901 333 334
Seagate - 1600 180 1104
Symantec - 1600 44 5533
TVS Electronics - 1600 444 566
WeP Peripherals - 1600 44 6446
Wipro - 1600 333 312
xerox - 1600 180 1225
Zenith - 1600 222 004
Couriers/Packers & Movers
ABT Courier - 1600 44 8585
AFL Wizz - 1600 22 9696
Agarwal Packers & Movers - 1600 11 4321
Associated Packers P Ltd - 1600 21 4560
DHL - 1600 111 345
FedEx - 1600 22 6161
Goel Packers & Movers - 1600 11 3456
UPS - 1600 22 7171
Education
Edu Plus - 1600 444 000
Hindustan College - 1600 33 4438
NCERT - 1600 11 1265
Vellore Institute of Technology - 1600 441 555
Healthcare
Best on Health - 1600 11 8899
Dr Batras - 1600 11 6767
GlaxoSmithKline - 1600 22 8797
Johnson & Johnson - 1600 22 8111
Kaya Skin Clinic - 1600 22 5292
LifeCell - 1600 44 5323
Manmar Technologies - 1600 33 4420
Pfizer - 1600 442 442
Roche Accu-Chek - 1600 11 45 46
Rudraksha - 1600 21 4708
Varilux Lenses - 1600 44 8383
VLCC - 1600 33 1262
Home Appliances
Aiwa/Sony - 1600 11 1188
Anchor Switches - 1600 22 7979
Blue Star - 1600 22 2200
Bose Audio - 1600 11 2673
Bru Coffee Vending Machines - 1600 44 7171
Daikin Air Conditioners - 1600 444 222
DishTV - 1600 12 3474
Faber Chimneys - 1600 21 4595
Godrej - 1600 22 5511
Grundfos Pumps - 1600 33 4555
LG - 1901 180 9999
Philips - 1600 22 4422
Samsung - 1600 113 444
Sanyo - 1600 11 0101
Voltas - 1600 33 4546
WorldSpace Satellite Radio - 1600 44 5432
Hotel Reservations
GRT Grand - 1600 44 5500
InterContinental Hotels Group - 1600 111 000
Marriott - 1600 22 0044
Sarovar Park Plaza - 1600 111 222
Taj Holidays - 1600 111 825
Insurance
AMP Sanmar - 1600 44 2200
Aviva - 1600 33 2244
Bajaj Allianz - 1600 22 5858
Chola MS General Insurance - 1600 44 5544
HDFC Standard Life - 1600 227 227
LIC - 1600 33 4433
Max New York Life - 1600 33 5577
Royal Sundaram - 1600 33 8899
SBI Life Insurance - 1600 22 9090
Mattresses
Kurl-on - 1600 44 0404
Sleepwell - 1600 11 2266
Investments/ Finance
CAMS - 1600 44 2267
Chola Mutual Fund - 1600 22 2300
Easy IPO's - 3030 5757
Fidelity Investments - 1600 180 8000
Franklin Templeton Fund - 1600 425 4255
J M Morgan Stanley - 1600 22 0004
Kotak Mutual Fund - 1600 222 626
LIC Housing Finance - 1600 44 0005
SBI Mutual Fund - 1600 22 3040
Sharekhan - 1600 22 7500
Tata Mutual Fund - 1600 22 0101
Paints
Asian Paints Home Solutions - 1600 22 5678
Berger Paints Home Decor - 1600 33 8800
Teleshopping
Asian Sky Shop - 1600 22 1600
Jaipan Teleshoppe - 1600 11 5225
Tele Brands - 1600 11 8000
VMI Teleshopping - 1600 447 777
WWS Teleshopping - 1600 220 777
Travel
Club Mahindra Holidays - 1600 33 4539
Cox & Kings - 1600 22 1235
God TV Tours - 1600 442 777
Kerala Tourism - 1600 444 747
Kumarakom Lake Resort - 1600 44 5030
Raj Travels & Tours - 1600 22 9900
Sita Tours - 1600 111 911
SOTC Tours - 1600 22 3344
UPS
APC - 1600 44 4272
Numeric - 1600 44 3266
Others
Consumer Helpline - 1600 11 4000
L'Or?al, GARNIeR - 1600 223 000
KONE Elevator - 1600 444 666
Indane - 1600 44 51 15
Aavin - 1600 44 3300
Pedigree - 1600 11 2121
Kodak India - 1600 22 8877
Domino's Pizza - 1600 111 123
World Vision India - 1600 444 550
Telecom Monitoring Cell - 1600 110 420
A Dutch man's view on Indian road habits.
This hilarious article was written by a Dutchman who spent two years in
India, as a visiting expert. A little long article but makes interesting
reading!!!
For the benefit of every Tom, Dick and Harry visiting India and daring
to drive on Indian roads, I am offering a few hints for survival. They
are applicable to every place in India except Bihar, where life outside
a vehicle is only marginally safer.
Indian road rules broadly operate within the domain of karma where you
do your best, and leave the results to your insurance company. The hints
are as
follows: Do we drive on the left or right of the road? The answer is
"both".
Basically you start on the left of the road, unless it is occupied.
In that case, go to the right, unless that is also occupied. Then
proceed by occupying the next available gap, as in chess. Just trust
your instincts, ascertain the direction, and proceed. Adherence to road
rules leads to much misery and occasional fatality. Most drivers don't
drive, but just aim their vehicles in the generally intended direction.
Don't you get discouraged or underestimate yourself except for a belief
in reincarnation; the other drivers are not in any better position.
Don't stop at pedestrian crossings just because some fool wants to cross
the road. You may do so only if you enjoy being bumped in the back.
Pedestrians have been strictly instructed to cross only when traffic is
moving slowly or has come to a dead stop because some minister is in
town.
Still some idiot may try to wade across, but then, let us not talk ill
of the dead.
Blowing your horn is not a sign of protest as in some countries. We horn
to express joy, resentment, frustration, romance and bare lust (two
brisk blasts),or just mobilize a dozing cow in the middle of the bazaar.
Keep informative books in the glove compartment. You may read them
during traf fic jams, while awaiting the chief minister's motorcade, or
waiting for the rainwater to recede when over ground traffic meets
underground drainage.
Occasionally you might see what looks like a UFO with blinking colored
lights and weird sounds emanating from within. This is an illuminated
bus, full of happy pilgrims singing bhajans. These pilgrims go at
breakneck speed, seeking contact with the Almighty, often meeting with
success.
Auto Rickshaw (Baby Taxi): The result of a collision between a rickshaw
and an automobile, this three-wheeled vehicle works on an external
combustion engine that runs on a mixture of kerosene oil and creosote.
This triangular vehicle carries iron rods, gas cylinders or passengers
three times its weight and dimension, at an unspecified fare. After
careful geometric calculations, children are folded and packed into
these auto rickshaws until some children in the periphery are not in
contact with the vehicle at all. Then their school bags are pushed into
the microscopic gaps all round so those minor collisions with other
vehicles on the road cause no permanent damage. Of course, the
peripheral children are charged half the fare and also learn Newton's
laws of motion enroute to school.
Auto-rickshaw drivers follow the road rules depicted in the film Ben
Hur, and are licensed to irritate.
Mopeds: The moped looks like an oil tin on wheels and makes noise like
an electric shaver. It runs 30 miles on a teaspoon of petrol and travels
at break-bottom speed. As the sides of the road are too rough for a
ride, the moped drivers tend to drive in the middle of the road; they
would rather drive under heavier vehicles instead of around them and are
often "mopped"
off the tarmac.
Leaning Tower of Passes: Most bus passengers are given free passes and
during rush hours, there is absolute mayhem. There are passengers
hanging off other passengers, who in turn hang off the railings and the
overloaded bus leans dangerously, defying laws of gravity but obeying
laws of surface tension. As drivers get paid for overload (so many
Rupees per kg of passenger), no questions are ever asked. Steer clear of
these buses by a width of three passengers.
One-way Street: These boards are put up by traffic people to add jest in
their otherwise drab lives. Don't stick to the literal meaning and
proceed in one direction. In metaphysical terms, it means that you
cannot proceed in two directions at once. So drive as you like, in
reverse throughout, if you are the fussy type. Least I sound
hypercritical; I must add a positive point also. Rash and fast driving
in residential areas has been prevented by providing a "speed breaker";
two for each house. This mound, incidentally, covers the water and
drainage pipes for that residence and is left untarred for easy
identification by the corporation authorities, should they want to
recover the pipe for year-end accounting.
Night driving on Indian roads can be an exhilarating experience for
those with the mental make up of Genghis Khan. In a way, it is like
playing Russian roulette, because you do not know who amongst the
drivers is loaded.
What looks like premature dawn on the horizon turns out to be a truck
attempting a speed record. On encountering it, just pull partly into the
field adjoining the road until the phenomenon passes.
Our roads do not have shoulders, but occasional boulders. Do not blink
your lights expecting reciprocation. The only dim thing in the truck is
the driver, and with the peg of illicit arrack (alcohol) he has had at
the last stop, his total cerebral functions add up to little more than a
naught.
Truck drivers are the James Bonds of India, and are licensed to kill.
Often you may encounter a single powerful beam of light about six feet
above the ground. This is not a super motorbike, but a truck approaching
you with a single light on, usually the le ft one. It could be the right
one, but never get too close to investigate. You may prove your point
posthumously.
India, as a visiting expert. A little long article but makes interesting
reading!!!
For the benefit of every Tom, Dick and Harry visiting India and daring
to drive on Indian roads, I am offering a few hints for survival. They
are applicable to every place in India except Bihar, where life outside
a vehicle is only marginally safer.
Indian road rules broadly operate within the domain of karma where you
do your best, and leave the results to your insurance company. The hints
are as
follows: Do we drive on the left or right of the road? The answer is
"both".
Basically you start on the left of the road, unless it is occupied.
In that case, go to the right, unless that is also occupied. Then
proceed by occupying the next available gap, as in chess. Just trust
your instincts, ascertain the direction, and proceed. Adherence to road
rules leads to much misery and occasional fatality. Most drivers don't
drive, but just aim their vehicles in the generally intended direction.
Don't you get discouraged or underestimate yourself except for a belief
in reincarnation; the other drivers are not in any better position.
Don't stop at pedestrian crossings just because some fool wants to cross
the road. You may do so only if you enjoy being bumped in the back.
Pedestrians have been strictly instructed to cross only when traffic is
moving slowly or has come to a dead stop because some minister is in
town.
Still some idiot may try to wade across, but then, let us not talk ill
of the dead.
Blowing your horn is not a sign of protest as in some countries. We horn
to express joy, resentment, frustration, romance and bare lust (two
brisk blasts),or just mobilize a dozing cow in the middle of the bazaar.
Keep informative books in the glove compartment. You may read them
during traf fic jams, while awaiting the chief minister's motorcade, or
waiting for the rainwater to recede when over ground traffic meets
underground drainage.
Occasionally you might see what looks like a UFO with blinking colored
lights and weird sounds emanating from within. This is an illuminated
bus, full of happy pilgrims singing bhajans. These pilgrims go at
breakneck speed, seeking contact with the Almighty, often meeting with
success.
Auto Rickshaw (Baby Taxi): The result of a collision between a rickshaw
and an automobile, this three-wheeled vehicle works on an external
combustion engine that runs on a mixture of kerosene oil and creosote.
This triangular vehicle carries iron rods, gas cylinders or passengers
three times its weight and dimension, at an unspecified fare. After
careful geometric calculations, children are folded and packed into
these auto rickshaws until some children in the periphery are not in
contact with the vehicle at all. Then their school bags are pushed into
the microscopic gaps all round so those minor collisions with other
vehicles on the road cause no permanent damage. Of course, the
peripheral children are charged half the fare and also learn Newton's
laws of motion enroute to school.
Auto-rickshaw drivers follow the road rules depicted in the film Ben
Hur, and are licensed to irritate.
Mopeds: The moped looks like an oil tin on wheels and makes noise like
an electric shaver. It runs 30 miles on a teaspoon of petrol and travels
at break-bottom speed. As the sides of the road are too rough for a
ride, the moped drivers tend to drive in the middle of the road; they
would rather drive under heavier vehicles instead of around them and are
often "mopped"
off the tarmac.
Leaning Tower of Passes: Most bus passengers are given free passes and
during rush hours, there is absolute mayhem. There are passengers
hanging off other passengers, who in turn hang off the railings and the
overloaded bus leans dangerously, defying laws of gravity but obeying
laws of surface tension. As drivers get paid for overload (so many
Rupees per kg of passenger), no questions are ever asked. Steer clear of
these buses by a width of three passengers.
One-way Street: These boards are put up by traffic people to add jest in
their otherwise drab lives. Don't stick to the literal meaning and
proceed in one direction. In metaphysical terms, it means that you
cannot proceed in two directions at once. So drive as you like, in
reverse throughout, if you are the fussy type. Least I sound
hypercritical; I must add a positive point also. Rash and fast driving
in residential areas has been prevented by providing a "speed breaker";
two for each house. This mound, incidentally, covers the water and
drainage pipes for that residence and is left untarred for easy
identification by the corporation authorities, should they want to
recover the pipe for year-end accounting.
Night driving on Indian roads can be an exhilarating experience for
those with the mental make up of Genghis Khan. In a way, it is like
playing Russian roulette, because you do not know who amongst the
drivers is loaded.
What looks like premature dawn on the horizon turns out to be a truck
attempting a speed record. On encountering it, just pull partly into the
field adjoining the road until the phenomenon passes.
Our roads do not have shoulders, but occasional boulders. Do not blink
your lights expecting reciprocation. The only dim thing in the truck is
the driver, and with the peg of illicit arrack (alcohol) he has had at
the last stop, his total cerebral functions add up to little more than a
naught.
Truck drivers are the James Bonds of India, and are licensed to kill.
Often you may encounter a single powerful beam of light about six feet
above the ground. This is not a super motorbike, but a truck approaching
you with a single light on, usually the le ft one. It could be the right
one, but never get too close to investigate. You may prove your point
posthumously.
Just for laughs - GAG
An elderly couple were having dinner at another couple's house and after their meal, the wives left the table to go to the kitchen.
The two elderly gents were talking, and one says: "Last night we went out to a fabulous new restaurant .I'd highly recommend."
The other man says: "What's the name of the restaurant?"
The first man thinks long and hard with a furrowed brow, finally saying: "Ah, what is the name of that red flower you give to someone you love?"
His friend replies: "A carnation?" "No, no. The other one," the man says.
His friend suggest "The poppy?"
"No, no, no" growls the man.
"You know - the one that is red and has thorns."
His friend says: "Do you mean a rose?"
"Yes! Thank you!" the first man says. He then turns toward the kitchen and yells: "Rose, what's the name of that restaurant we went to last night?"
The two elderly gents were talking, and one says: "Last night we went out to a fabulous new restaurant .I'd highly recommend."
The other man says: "What's the name of the restaurant?"
The first man thinks long and hard with a furrowed brow, finally saying: "Ah, what is the name of that red flower you give to someone you love?"
His friend replies: "A carnation?" "No, no. The other one," the man says.
His friend suggest "The poppy?"
"No, no, no" growls the man.
"You know - the one that is red and has thorns."
His friend says: "Do you mean a rose?"
"Yes! Thank you!" the first man says. He then turns toward the kitchen and yells: "Rose, what's the name of that restaurant we went to last night?"
My First Date
by: PRASUN ROY
I still remember the first date I ever went on in my life. Usually first dates are memorable to everyone but for me it was something that I can never forget. I went out for my first date with my high school crush when I was in class eleven. It was a day that I planned for weeks and finally she, Rachna, agreed to come out with me, Prasun Roy! In school who was famous for being a person with a cool attitude with no constraints from the family end, whose parents were more of buddies than dominating guardians! However the fact remained that I too was from a middle class family with core values and principles like all others.
Back home I lied to my parents that I was going out for a school excursion and managed to get the approval of my parents and finally the day arrived.
After a short lunch at a funky restaurant, Rachna and I went hand in hand for a romantic movie.
Even in the darkness of the theatre hall I went lost in her blue eyes, glossy lips and hair that could drown ships bigger than the Titanic, maybe!
She was the princess who was the incarnate of Diana, the goddess of love, for me and I hardly concentrated in the movie. Getting lost in her presence was more lucrative than the stars gleaming in the wide screen of the theatre.
We enjoyed the day in each other's presence and time seemed to pass with flights of fantasy for me. As the evening was drawing to a close we were roaming in the streets of "New Market" talking to each other, about each other. Life suddenly seemed so beautiful.
All of a sudden out of the forgotten multitude that was also walking in the same street I could see a familiar face quite distinct, why I didn't know.
As realization embraced my consciousness I comprehended that the face of the person approaching me from the other side was of none other than but my FATHER!
Within a fraction of a second all romanticism vanished from my heart and a fear engrossed it instead. I could interpret in that short time the amount of humility and shame I would face suddenly as my father would recognize me, scold me after we meet, and that was inevitable! Apart from the scorn that I would face at home, I could also feel the embarrassment I would face in front of Rachna, who recognized as the cool guy . in school as well as back home!
Crippled with the fear I only prayed that the earth would open up and I would hide there from all the humility. However there seemed no practical escape from it. Then some thing happened.
My father came near me, along with the now not-so-forgotten multitude, looked into my eyes as a stranger and passed by me rubbing his shoulder against mine and passed by without even recognizing me. It was the biggest shock and relief of my life. I still don't know which emotion was predominant at that moment.
After sometime, Rachna went away to her home oblivious of the fact what ever I just revealed, and I came back to mine.
At home that night, life seemed to me like a prison. I went for dinner with a fearful heart and a lost appetite. To my surprise, everything was so very normal. My mother served dinner and we all ate the usual way. This made my life more miserable. I quickly finished my food and went back to my room.
Questions crowded my mind and I couldn't figure out what might have happened after my father came back home and revealed about my forged romantic rendezvous. Why everything was still so normal pained my mind even more!
Presently my father calmly came into my room and sat beside me. I looked into his eyes with fear in mine but discovered a smooth comfort in his! He soothingly asked, "So Sunny Boy, how was your date, I must say she was a pretty and sweet lady!"
Like somewhat mesmerized I revealed everything to him about my first date and added, "Dad, it was simply out of this world, but the day passed away life a few minutes only!"
He smiled and said, "You know what, Albert Einstein once said ... Put your hand on a hot oven for a minute and it would seem like and hour; put your hand upon those of a pretty lady for an hour and it would seem like a minute! Now that's relativity. Its all relative, the fact is how much you cherish what you gained . RIGHT! This is the biggest lesson of life my son"
I had never seen my father being like this before; he was more of a buddy than my guardian actually. I could feel within me that I would never ever be able to hide anything else from him, he actually understood me much more than my own self.
We talked for an hour and I would remember those words forever perhaps! I couldn't interpret whether it was my First Date with my dream girl or the First Date of knowing my father actually. However I knew that I realized how much I loved and respected my father after that. Just as he was leaving my room I called him and said "Thank You daddy! Thank you so much!"
Both of us knew what I was thankful for and required no mentioning. He turned towards me with his dreamy eyes and said these words.
"Hey son, how could I ever let you down my child, never! I would just say, whatever happens in life and whomever you love in your life and to whatever degree, you only remember one thing that your Daddy has loved you 18 years more than that. 18 years more than that dear!"
He switched off the light and went to his room. In the mild blue and gray of the moonlight ushering into my room through the window I too could feel one thing . Yes, its truly 18 more years of Love, I, or any child, can never ever cover up! It was in fact my First Date, the first one of actually realizing the Love I had taken for granted for all those Eighteen Years perhaps! It truly was so.
I still remember the first date I ever went on in my life. Usually first dates are memorable to everyone but for me it was something that I can never forget. I went out for my first date with my high school crush when I was in class eleven. It was a day that I planned for weeks and finally she, Rachna, agreed to come out with me, Prasun Roy! In school who was famous for being a person with a cool attitude with no constraints from the family end, whose parents were more of buddies than dominating guardians! However the fact remained that I too was from a middle class family with core values and principles like all others.
Back home I lied to my parents that I was going out for a school excursion and managed to get the approval of my parents and finally the day arrived.
After a short lunch at a funky restaurant, Rachna and I went hand in hand for a romantic movie.
Even in the darkness of the theatre hall I went lost in her blue eyes, glossy lips and hair that could drown ships bigger than the Titanic, maybe!
She was the princess who was the incarnate of Diana, the goddess of love, for me and I hardly concentrated in the movie. Getting lost in her presence was more lucrative than the stars gleaming in the wide screen of the theatre.
We enjoyed the day in each other's presence and time seemed to pass with flights of fantasy for me. As the evening was drawing to a close we were roaming in the streets of "New Market" talking to each other, about each other. Life suddenly seemed so beautiful.
All of a sudden out of the forgotten multitude that was also walking in the same street I could see a familiar face quite distinct, why I didn't know.
As realization embraced my consciousness I comprehended that the face of the person approaching me from the other side was of none other than but my FATHER!
Within a fraction of a second all romanticism vanished from my heart and a fear engrossed it instead. I could interpret in that short time the amount of humility and shame I would face suddenly as my father would recognize me, scold me after we meet, and that was inevitable! Apart from the scorn that I would face at home, I could also feel the embarrassment I would face in front of Rachna, who recognized as the cool guy . in school as well as back home!
Crippled with the fear I only prayed that the earth would open up and I would hide there from all the humility. However there seemed no practical escape from it. Then some thing happened.
My father came near me, along with the now not-so-forgotten multitude, looked into my eyes as a stranger and passed by me rubbing his shoulder against mine and passed by without even recognizing me. It was the biggest shock and relief of my life. I still don't know which emotion was predominant at that moment.
After sometime, Rachna went away to her home oblivious of the fact what ever I just revealed, and I came back to mine.
At home that night, life seemed to me like a prison. I went for dinner with a fearful heart and a lost appetite. To my surprise, everything was so very normal. My mother served dinner and we all ate the usual way. This made my life more miserable. I quickly finished my food and went back to my room.
Questions crowded my mind and I couldn't figure out what might have happened after my father came back home and revealed about my forged romantic rendezvous. Why everything was still so normal pained my mind even more!
Presently my father calmly came into my room and sat beside me. I looked into his eyes with fear in mine but discovered a smooth comfort in his! He soothingly asked, "So Sunny Boy, how was your date, I must say she was a pretty and sweet lady!"
Like somewhat mesmerized I revealed everything to him about my first date and added, "Dad, it was simply out of this world, but the day passed away life a few minutes only!"
He smiled and said, "You know what, Albert Einstein once said ... Put your hand on a hot oven for a minute and it would seem like and hour; put your hand upon those of a pretty lady for an hour and it would seem like a minute! Now that's relativity. Its all relative, the fact is how much you cherish what you gained . RIGHT! This is the biggest lesson of life my son"
I had never seen my father being like this before; he was more of a buddy than my guardian actually. I could feel within me that I would never ever be able to hide anything else from him, he actually understood me much more than my own self.
We talked for an hour and I would remember those words forever perhaps! I couldn't interpret whether it was my First Date with my dream girl or the First Date of knowing my father actually. However I knew that I realized how much I loved and respected my father after that. Just as he was leaving my room I called him and said "Thank You daddy! Thank you so much!"
Both of us knew what I was thankful for and required no mentioning. He turned towards me with his dreamy eyes and said these words.
"Hey son, how could I ever let you down my child, never! I would just say, whatever happens in life and whomever you love in your life and to whatever degree, you only remember one thing that your Daddy has loved you 18 years more than that. 18 years more than that dear!"
He switched off the light and went to his room. In the mild blue and gray of the moonlight ushering into my room through the window I too could feel one thing . Yes, its truly 18 more years of Love, I, or any child, can never ever cover up! It was in fact my First Date, the first one of actually realizing the Love I had taken for granted for all those Eighteen Years perhaps! It truly was so.
Italian Imagination
It took Italians to make this one!
Please click the link below to see the video.
Superb Advertisement- shows popularity and respect to Gandhiji,
A great ad.... Ironically from a non- Indian company!!
And none the less This ad won the EPICA awards for best ad.
Click below and Forward this :--
http://www.epica-awards.org/assets/epica/2004/winners/film/flv/11071.htm
Please click the link below to see the video.
Superb Advertisement- shows popularity and respect to Gandhiji,
A great ad.... Ironically from a non- Indian company!!
And none the less This ad won the EPICA awards for best ad.
Click below and Forward this :--
http://www.epica-awards.org/assets/epica/2004/winners/film/flv/11071.htm
A guy in the plane got up all of sudden and shouted "HIJACK" ..
the passengers got scared and put their hands up ...
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From the other end someone shouted Hi John
the passengers got scared and put their hands up ...
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From the other end someone shouted Hi John
More I Q questions... Kollaruthu ;-)
Q1. Ee forest nirachum ___________ .
a) Poovanallo
b) Marangalanallo
c) Kaadanallo
Q2. Da da da Mandan ____________ nee enne kooduthal mandan aakkam ennu vicharikkenda
a) Konappi
b) Kunjappi
c) Mara manda
Q3. Thomasu - kutty ______
a) Vittoda
b) Chadikkoda
c) Odikkoda
Q4. "Aa Raathri" – kku enthu patti?
a) Olichu poyi
b) Maanju poyi
c) Chathanju poyi
Q5. __________ aliyaa...
a) Machambi
b) Thambi
c) Chattambi
Q6. I am Jackie , _______ Alias Jackie
a) Shekar
b) Sarkar
c) Sagar
Q7. Ennennum _________ ettante...
a) Kannu
b) Mookku
c) Pallu
Q8. Innenikku _____ kuthan, sandhyayil chaalicha sindhooram. Enthu kuthan?
a) Kathi
b) Mottusoochi
c) Pottu
Q9. Athu _______ udachappol oru piece vellathil poyatha…Enthu udachappol ?
a) Kalam
b) Thenga
c) Plate
Q10. Just _________ that
a) December
b) Remember
c) Forget
Q11. Athu manassilavan sense undavanam sensibility undavanam _____ undavanam
a) Creativity
b) Atrocity
c) Sensitivity
Q12. Kilometers and kilometers.. In these days of _____ decencies....
a) Integrating
b) Degenerating
c) Differentiating
Q13. ___ alle?
a) Strong
b) Weak
c) Best
Q14. Ningalkku onnum ariyilla... Karanam ningal ___ aanu
a) Pattikal
b) Jettikal
c) Kuttikal
Q15. Mohan Thomasinte uchishtavum ___ um kootikuzhachu.....
a) Uchakanji
b) Amedhyam
c) Bhrushtam
Q16. Total ____ !
a) Construction
b) Destruction
c) Constitution
Q17. Maanasa ________ varoo...
a) Kaakke
b) Pooche
c) Myne
Q18. Yevan ________ Aanu ketta!!
a) Puppili
b) Singam
c) Puli
d) All the above
Q19. “…..Annu thodangiyatha thirumeni eapachunu nerathe paranjathu, _________ … Bahumankkuravu!! Fill in _______ !
a) Irresistible
b) Irrigation
c) Irreverence
d) Interrogation
Q20. Chandanlepa sugandham choodiyathu aaro… Kaatooo.______yo..
a) Mandakini
b) Gajagamini
c) Kamini
Q21. My number is ____
a) 1144
b) 2255
c) 3366
d) 0000
Q22. Kittiyal Ooty! …illengil ______!!!
a) Patti
b) kutti
c) kuppi
d) chatti
Q23. _____ kalil, B.Com ____, Pre-Degree ______ ennonnum illa…. Fill _____
a) ABCD
b) ADB
c) CID
Q23. ________ Meghame Nee Yadukula Snehadoodhumai Vaa
a) Shama
b) Kallada
c) Sharma
d) Shyama
Q25. Oh ho Mr _____ !!!
a) Samosa
b) Masala dosa
c) D’souza
a) Poovanallo
b) Marangalanallo
c) Kaadanallo
Q2. Da da da Mandan ____________ nee enne kooduthal mandan aakkam ennu vicharikkenda
a) Konappi
b) Kunjappi
c) Mara manda
Q3. Thomasu - kutty ______
a) Vittoda
b) Chadikkoda
c) Odikkoda
Q4. "Aa Raathri" – kku enthu patti?
a) Olichu poyi
b) Maanju poyi
c) Chathanju poyi
Q5. __________ aliyaa...
a) Machambi
b) Thambi
c) Chattambi
Q6. I am Jackie , _______ Alias Jackie
a) Shekar
b) Sarkar
c) Sagar
Q7. Ennennum _________ ettante...
a) Kannu
b) Mookku
c) Pallu
Q8. Innenikku _____ kuthan, sandhyayil chaalicha sindhooram. Enthu kuthan?
a) Kathi
b) Mottusoochi
c) Pottu
Q9. Athu _______ udachappol oru piece vellathil poyatha…Enthu udachappol ?
a) Kalam
b) Thenga
c) Plate
Q10. Just _________ that
a) December
b) Remember
c) Forget
Q11. Athu manassilavan sense undavanam sensibility undavanam _____ undavanam
a) Creativity
b) Atrocity
c) Sensitivity
Q12. Kilometers and kilometers.. In these days of _____ decencies....
a) Integrating
b) Degenerating
c) Differentiating
Q13. ___ alle?
a) Strong
b) Weak
c) Best
Q14. Ningalkku onnum ariyilla... Karanam ningal ___ aanu
a) Pattikal
b) Jettikal
c) Kuttikal
Q15. Mohan Thomasinte uchishtavum ___ um kootikuzhachu.....
a) Uchakanji
b) Amedhyam
c) Bhrushtam
Q16. Total ____ !
a) Construction
b) Destruction
c) Constitution
Q17. Maanasa ________ varoo...
a) Kaakke
b) Pooche
c) Myne
Q18. Yevan ________ Aanu ketta!!
a) Puppili
b) Singam
c) Puli
d) All the above
Q19. “…..Annu thodangiyatha thirumeni eapachunu nerathe paranjathu, _________ … Bahumankkuravu!! Fill in _______ !
a) Irresistible
b) Irrigation
c) Irreverence
d) Interrogation
Q20. Chandanlepa sugandham choodiyathu aaro… Kaatooo.______yo..
a) Mandakini
b) Gajagamini
c) Kamini
Q21. My number is ____
a) 1144
b) 2255
c) 3366
d) 0000
Q22. Kittiyal Ooty! …illengil ______!!!
a) Patti
b) kutti
c) kuppi
d) chatti
Q23. _____ kalil, B.Com ____, Pre-Degree ______ ennonnum illa…. Fill _____
a) ABCD
b) ADB
c) CID
Q23. ________ Meghame Nee Yadukula Snehadoodhumai Vaa
a) Shama
b) Kallada
c) Sharma
d) Shyama
Q25. Oh ho Mr _____ !!!
a) Samosa
b) Masala dosa
c) D’souza
An interesting reflection : Slow Down Culture
It's been 18 years since I joined Volvo, a Swedish company. Working for them has proven to be an interesting experience. Any project here takes 2 years to be finalized, even if the idea is simple and brilliant. It's a rule.
Globalize processes have caused in us (all over the world) a general sense of searching for immediate results. Therefore, we have come to posses a need to see immediate results. This contrasts greatly with the slow movements of the Swedish. They, on the other hand, debate, debate, debate, hold x quantity of meetings and work with a slowdown scheme. At the end, this always yields better results.
Said in another words:
1. Sweden is about the size of San Pablo, a state in Brazil.
2. Sweden has 2 million inhabitants.
3. Stockholm, has 500,000 people.
4. Volvo, Escania, Ericsson, Electrolux, Nokia are some of its renowned companies. Volvo supplies the NASA.
The first time I was in Sweden, one of my colleagues picked me up at the hotel every morning. It was September, bit cold and snowy. We would arrive early at the company and he would park far away from the entrance (2000 employees drive their car to work). The first day, I didn't say anything, either the second or third. One morning I asked, "Do you have a fixed parking space? I've noticed we park far from the entrance even when there are no other cars in the lot." To which he replied, "Since we're here early we'll have time to walk, and whoever gets in late will be late and need a place closer to the door. Don't you think? Imagine my face.
Nowadays, there's a movement in Europe name Slow Food. This movement establishes that people should eat and drink slowly, with enough time to taste their food, spend time with the family, friends, without rushing. Slow Food is against its counterpart: the spirit of Fast Food and what it stands for as a lifestyle. Slow Food is the basis for a bigger movement called Slow Europe, as mentioned by Business Week.
Basically, the movement questions the sense of "hurry" and "craziness" generated by globalization, fueled by the desire of "having in quantity" (life status) versus "having with quality", "life quality" or the "quality of being". French people, even though they work 35 hours per week, are more productive than Americans or British. Germans have established 28.8 hour workweeks and have seen their productivity been driven up by 20%. This slow attitude has brought forth the US's attention, pupils of the fast and the "do it now!".
This no-rush attitude doesn't represent doing less or having a lower productivity. It means working and doing things with greater quality, productivity, perfection, with attention to detail and less stress. It means reestablishing family values, friends, free and leisure time. Taking the "now", present and concrete, versus the "global", undefined and anonymous. It means taking humans' essential values, the simplicity of living.
It stands for a less coercive work environment, more happy, lighter and more productive where humans enjoy doing what they know best how to do. It's time to stop and think on how companies need to develop serious quality with no-rush that will increase productivity and the quality of products and services, without losing the essence of spirit.
In the movie, Scent of a Woman, there's a scene where Al Pacino asks a girl to dance and she replies, "I can't, my boyfriend will be here any minute now". To which Al responds, "A life is lived in an instant". Then they dance to a tango.
Many of us live our lives running behind time, but we only reach it when we die of a heart attack or in a car accident rushing to be on time. Others are so anxious of living the future that they forget to live the present, which is the only time that truly exists. We all have equal time throughout the world. No one has more or less. The difference lies in how each one of us does with our time. We need to live each moment. As John Lennon said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".
Congratulations for reading till the end of this message. There are many who will have stopped in the middle so as not to waste time in this globalized world.
Globalize processes have caused in us (all over the world) a general sense of searching for immediate results. Therefore, we have come to posses a need to see immediate results. This contrasts greatly with the slow movements of the Swedish. They, on the other hand, debate, debate, debate, hold x quantity of meetings and work with a slowdown scheme. At the end, this always yields better results.
Said in another words:
1. Sweden is about the size of San Pablo, a state in Brazil.
2. Sweden has 2 million inhabitants.
3. Stockholm, has 500,000 people.
4. Volvo, Escania, Ericsson, Electrolux, Nokia are some of its renowned companies. Volvo supplies the NASA.
The first time I was in Sweden, one of my colleagues picked me up at the hotel every morning. It was September, bit cold and snowy. We would arrive early at the company and he would park far away from the entrance (2000 employees drive their car to work). The first day, I didn't say anything, either the second or third. One morning I asked, "Do you have a fixed parking space? I've noticed we park far from the entrance even when there are no other cars in the lot." To which he replied, "Since we're here early we'll have time to walk, and whoever gets in late will be late and need a place closer to the door. Don't you think? Imagine my face.
Nowadays, there's a movement in Europe name Slow Food. This movement establishes that people should eat and drink slowly, with enough time to taste their food, spend time with the family, friends, without rushing. Slow Food is against its counterpart: the spirit of Fast Food and what it stands for as a lifestyle. Slow Food is the basis for a bigger movement called Slow Europe, as mentioned by Business Week.
Basically, the movement questions the sense of "hurry" and "craziness" generated by globalization, fueled by the desire of "having in quantity" (life status) versus "having with quality", "life quality" or the "quality of being". French people, even though they work 35 hours per week, are more productive than Americans or British. Germans have established 28.8 hour workweeks and have seen their productivity been driven up by 20%. This slow attitude has brought forth the US's attention, pupils of the fast and the "do it now!".
This no-rush attitude doesn't represent doing less or having a lower productivity. It means working and doing things with greater quality, productivity, perfection, with attention to detail and less stress. It means reestablishing family values, friends, free and leisure time. Taking the "now", present and concrete, versus the "global", undefined and anonymous. It means taking humans' essential values, the simplicity of living.
It stands for a less coercive work environment, more happy, lighter and more productive where humans enjoy doing what they know best how to do. It's time to stop and think on how companies need to develop serious quality with no-rush that will increase productivity and the quality of products and services, without losing the essence of spirit.
In the movie, Scent of a Woman, there's a scene where Al Pacino asks a girl to dance and she replies, "I can't, my boyfriend will be here any minute now". To which Al responds, "A life is lived in an instant". Then they dance to a tango.
Many of us live our lives running behind time, but we only reach it when we die of a heart attack or in a car accident rushing to be on time. Others are so anxious of living the future that they forget to live the present, which is the only time that truly exists. We all have equal time throughout the world. No one has more or less. The difference lies in how each one of us does with our time. We need to live each moment. As John Lennon said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".
Congratulations for reading till the end of this message. There are many who will have stopped in the middle so as not to waste time in this globalized world.
Testing pazhanchollukal....
Moothavar chollum(ezhuthum) test script aadyam failaavum pinne paassavum
(manual testing) ariyaatha pilla UAT-yilariyum..
Testing ethaayaalum product nannaayal mathi.
Bug vishamaanu. athu undaakkaruthu, pakartharuthu(copy-paste),
openaakkiyidaruthu.
Windowsile buginu naanamilla..
Puthen bug project kalakkum
Buggine pedichu project nirthano??
Kollaan varunna bugginte mumbil process paranjittu kaarayamilla.
Payye ezhuthiyaal buggillatheyum ezhuthaam.
Testerkku than bug pon bug
Bug kulichaal feature aakumo??
Bug malinjaal productil keattamo??
Buginotha tester!! (chakkikkotha chankaran!!)
Ninneppole ninte testereyum snehikkuka.
Ezhuthuvin bugundaakkapedum!
Bug kandavanu product venda. (kollam kandavanillam venda!)
Craashaavanirunna systethinte thalayil bug veenu!
Bug vettiyavane(ezhuthiyavane) tester pidichu!
(manual testing) ariyaatha pilla UAT-yilariyum..
Testing ethaayaalum product nannaayal mathi.
Bug vishamaanu. athu undaakkaruthu, pakartharuthu(copy-paste),
openaakkiyidaruthu.
Windowsile buginu naanamilla..
Puthen bug project kalakkum
Buggine pedichu project nirthano??
Kollaan varunna bugginte mumbil process paranjittu kaarayamilla.
Payye ezhuthiyaal buggillatheyum ezhuthaam.
Testerkku than bug pon bug
Bug kulichaal feature aakumo??
Bug malinjaal productil keattamo??
Buginotha tester!! (chakkikkotha chankaran!!)
Ninneppole ninte testereyum snehikkuka.
Ezhuthuvin bugundaakkapedum!
Bug kandavanu product venda. (kollam kandavanillam venda!)
Craashaavanirunna systethinte thalayil bug veenu!
Bug vettiyavane(ezhuthiyavane) tester pidichu!
Interview questions(very tough but useful)
1.Ottamalsarathil oral finishing line kazhinjittum odiyal ayale enthu vilikuum????????
Ans: Extraordinary (Extra oodi nari)
2.Apparavum ipparavum irunnu Bhakshanam kazhikkunavare enthu vilikkum????
Appropriate
3.A cow standing on the road keeps shouting 'F'... 'F'...
Why???
*
Because F=ma (Newton's Second Law :) )
4.WATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RADIO AND AHANGAARAM?
Radio paadum ……………..
Ahangaaram paadilla………………….
Ans: Extraordinary (Extra oodi nari)
2.Apparavum ipparavum irunnu Bhakshanam kazhikkunavare enthu vilikkum????
Appropriate
3.A cow standing on the road keeps shouting 'F'... 'F'...
Why???
*
Because F=ma (Newton's Second Law :) )
4.WATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RADIO AND AHANGAARAM?
Radio paadum ……………..
Ahangaaram paadilla………………….
A Malayalam humour
Babuvetan chaayakkada nadathikondirikkukayayirunnu..Athinte laabham
vechu babuvetan oru CAR vaangi..pakshe aa CAR enganeyo nashtapetu..athinu
shesham babuvetan peru mati.. enthanu aa peru?
-
carlose..hehehehheh
vechu babuvetan oru CAR vaangi..pakshe aa CAR enganeyo nashtapetu..athinu
shesham babuvetan peru mati.. enthanu aa peru?
-
carlose..hehehehheh
Guts and Balls
We've all heard about people having guts or balls. But do you really
know the difference between them? In an effort to keep you informed,
the definition for each is listed below...
GUTS - is arriving home late after a night out with the guys, being
met by your wife with a broom, and having the guts to ask: "Are you
still cleaning, or are you flying somewhere?"
BALLS - is coming home late after a night out with the guys, smelling
of perfume and beer, lipstick on your collar, slapping your wife on
the butt and having the balls to say: "You're next."
I hope this clears up any confusion on the definitions. Medically
speaking, there is no difference in the outcome, since both
ultimately result in death
know the difference between them? In an effort to keep you informed,
the definition for each is listed below...
GUTS - is arriving home late after a night out with the guys, being
met by your wife with a broom, and having the guts to ask: "Are you
still cleaning, or are you flying somewhere?"
BALLS - is coming home late after a night out with the guys, smelling
of perfume and beer, lipstick on your collar, slapping your wife on
the butt and having the balls to say: "You're next."
I hope this clears up any confusion on the definitions. Medically
speaking, there is no difference in the outcome, since both
ultimately result in death
Compartment S1 - The journey of a lifetime - Read in Leisure
She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. I cannot describe her beauty in the limited time I have here. I was 23 and fresh out of college, when I saw her. I don't know if it was the hormones but I loved her at first sight. She was the girl of my dreams.
It is said that matches our made in heaven. It was sheer destiny that we were traveling to Chennai on the same train, The Niligiri Express. We were in the same compartment, S1 and were seated next to each other, 25 and 26. It was an amazing coincidence as my ticket had been confirmed only at the last minute.
"Hi, my name is Shalini," she introduced herself with a beaming smile. She stretched out her right hand. I was shivering when I shook it.
"I am Sunderesan," I said and added, "Pleased to meet you."
She had a serene, innocent face; the face of the kind of person who gets bullied in school. The image of a woman who couldn't hurt a fly if she wanted to.
"How old are you?" I blurted out. It was the worst question to ask a woman but I was a nervous wreck and I wanted to talk to this woman.
She smiled at me and said, "Never ask a man his salary and a woman her age."
"I'm so sorry. I don't..." My tongue adamantly stuck to the roof of my mouth
"No, it is okay. Let us say, I will be sixty seven in 2050."
I worked out the math. She was twenty two. I was twenty three. It was perfect! A match made in heaven.
"Do you have a crush on me?" she asked.
"What? How could you ask...?"
"Do you have a crush on me or not?" she asked emphasizing on 'crush'.
"To tell you the truth, yes," I said meekly.
"It's okay. You can be bold about it. I'll tell you a little secret."
She pulled my ear next to her mouth and whispered, "I think you are attractive. I might even love you"
I turned pink the next moment.
"Hey you believed me, didn't you? April fool, go to school. Tell your teacher, you are a fool," she shouted. She laughed at the top of her voice.
I checked my watch. It was April 1st, 2005 and I had been made a jackass. I didn't want to look at the woman's face again. I loved her but I hated her for what she had done. I turned to the opposite side and stared out of the window.
She noticed my sulking face.
"Hey, don't get mad at me. It was a joke. That's all. I'm sorry," she said.
I didn't look at her and didn't reply.
"Okay. What can I do to compensate?"
"You could sing a song for me," I said softly. I wanted to know how well my girl could sing.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you." She stood up and went to the centre of the compartment.
"Friends, we have a birthday boy in our midst. I want all of you to wish him happy birthday."
The entire compartment including the TTE (Train Ticket Examiner) was singing "Happy birthday to Sunderesan."
She took out a vegetable sandwich from her bag. She said that it was a substitute for a cake. I cut the sandwich and gave her the first piece. She removed the tomato and cucumber from the sandwich. She pasted the cucumber and tomato all over my face. I distributed the remaining bits of the sandwich to everyone in the compartment. It was the best birthday I had ever had.
When all the euphoria died I asked her, "How did you know that it was my birthday?"
She pointed to the card on top of my bag.
"Will you make a birthday resolution for me?" she asked.
"Sure. Tell me."
"Promise to always smile because life presents too many opportunities to cry. And you look ugly when you are sad."
"It is a promise." I rested my palm on top of hers.
The perfectly romantic scene was disturbed by a child's cry coming from the adjoining apartment. She took her hand off mine. I thought, "Damn, tough luck."
She went to the next compartment to see what the problem was. The boy was two years old and his mother was not to be found. Nobody seemed to care about the boy.
She carried the boy in her arms and brought him to our compartment. She cajoled the boy by singing a lullaby for him. She had a sweet voice; the voice of a nightingale.
"I love kids," she said.
"I love kids, too," I replied, eager to show we had similar tastes.
The boy did not stop crying. He appeared to be terrified of us. His mother was nowhere to be seen.
"You don't like songs. Okay, I will tell you a story. Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a king."
The boy listened intently for a second but started crying as soon as she paused.
"Hey, relax. Give me time to think of a story. You are an impatient baby. In this land..."
"I will look for the boy's mother," I said. She nodded her head.
I found the boy's mother, two compartments away. She had gone there to meet a friend. She had forgotten about her kid.
When we came back to S1, we found the boy sound asleep in Shalini's lap. She had used all her powers of persuasion to make him feel secure in her lap.
"I want to thank..."
"Shh...Your son is sleeping. Don't disturb him," she whispered to the boy's mother and gave the boy to her.
"Do you want the Nobel peace prize?" I asked her cynically.
"I love people. When I am around, the people around me should be happy. That is my philosophy in life," she said, sincerely.
It made me feel small and stupid in front of her. I began to rethink about my mission in life. Should I be a priest? No, can't marry her. Social worker, peace activist...maybe.
We heard a voice in the distance shouting "Is there a doctor on this train?"
"Dr. Shalini, here. How can I help you?" she shouted back.
We waited to see the face of the voice we had heard. It was a co-passenger, a bearded man who seemed anxious.
"Doctor, my father is serious. Please do something."
"Come with me. You could be of help," she told me. She caught hold of my arm and guided me along the compartment. I had absolutely no say in the matter. Oh! The power of women!
The old man was in a grave condition. His breathing was heavy and he was coughing profusely. He seemed ready to make peace with god. "Open the windows," she told me. I opened all the windows to allow fresh air to come in.
"Hold him up for me," she instructed.
I made the old man sit up. She took out her stethoscope and checked his heartbeat. She checked his pulse for variations.
I watched her lovingly as she worked her magic on the old man. She was so soft and tender with people. Whether it was a little boy or an old man, she had so much affection for them. Unbelievably, the old man was normal within half an hour. His son didn't have enough words to thank Shalini.
"He is okay now. Don't disturb him. Let him sleep well," she instructed him.
"I never expected you to be a doctor," I said.
"Men always think that beautiful women don't have brains."
I didn't know how to reply to that remark. Did she mean that she was beautiful, or brainy or both. One can never understand a woman's mind. So, I diverted the conversation.
"What made you become a doctor?" I asked.
"A lot of things. It was my father's dream. Above all else, it gives me the power to make people smile; the power to save lives."
"Will you marry me?" I asked, spontaneously. I had never been more sure of myself.
"Is this April fool?"
"No. I am serious. See, I know that I am unemployed. I am not even as educated as you. I don't even look good. I have no caliber. But I love you. Will you marry me?"
"You know nothing about me. I don't like commitments. I live every day like it is my last."
"If you marry me, I will live everyday like it is my first."
She closed her beautiful eyes. She took a deep breath and thought for a moment. The suspense was killing.
"God, why didn't I meet you earlier," she said.
I had no time to reply. The doors to my mouth were sealed by her lips. I thought that my head was immersed in the clouds. The people in my compartment pretended to close their eyes. But I could see the men looking at me with envy through the corner of their eyes. It was the most beautiful moment of my life. It still is the most beautiful.
The train came to a screeching halt. We had reached Tirupur station. It was hard to believe that so much had happened in two hours.
There are some moments in life which you can remember even in your sleep. For me, it was what happened at Tirupur railway station. It redefined my life forever.
"I am hungry. Get me something to eat," said Shalini. She dug into her leather handbag and brought out twenty rupees.
"It's okay. I have money. What do you want?"
"Get me Strawberry milk to drink. And honey, I love you," she said, earnestly.
We hugged again. For the last time.
The milk booth was about hundred feet from S1. It gave me time to think about the sudden changes in my life. My parents were conservative people. I had to convince them about Shalini. If they agreed, good. If not, who cares? I loved Shalini more than my parents.
My thoughts were disrupted by the sound of an explosion. It sounded like the aggregation of a thousand thunders. The impact of the explosion threw me off my feet. I turned to look at the train. S1, S2 and S3 had been reduced to pieces, like waste in a manufacturing process.
My only thought was about Shalini. I ran towards where S1 had previously been. I searched for her amidst the corpses. All I could find were severed hands, burnt flesh and a fresh stream of blood. Not a single body was identifiable in the three compartments.
Who on earth could do such a cruel thing, I wondered. I swore that I would get even with the people who had taken my beloved Shalini's life. I wept like a little boy who had lost his favorite toy. Amidst the tears, I thought about the two hours I had spent with Shalini. Something she had said had struck me as strange.
"You know nothing about me. I live everyday like it is my last. God, I wish I had met you earlier." "Could it be Shalini," I wondered. "No, not Shalini. She had too innocent a face to do such a dastardly act. Besides, she was a doctor. And they know the value of a human life," I reasoned to myself.
The next morning, my worst fears were confirmed. A newspaper report said, "A twenty two year old doctor named Shalini had committed suicide on the Niligiri express. She had taken the lives of hundred people with her. The reasons for the attack are unknown."
I never understood the reasons for the attack. It could have been personal or ideological. All I can still remember is her face, how innocent it looked. How she made everyone around her happy. How she showed love and care to kids and old men alike.
That face was a mask. Beneath the benevolent mask, was the true Shalini. A hard-nosed, sadistic, terrorist capable of sacrificing human life to satisfy her selfish needs.
She truly changed my life. >From then on, I realized that every human wears a mask which he develops over a period of time. It is the mask which is exposed to the world. Beneath that mask, after layers of deceit there lies the true nature of each individual. This real person in each one of us is intricately more fascinating than any figment of wild imagination.
Shalini's mask was my first love. I will always love her.
About the author
Ramsubramaniam Suraj is currently working as a Project Engineer in the Nortel Optical project Wipro. He loves writing fiction and has written a novel called Revolution and also a book of short stories called S1 - A train journey. Suraj is currently working on his next book called You and Me. Apart from writing, he is also passionate about debating and has won numerous accolades at the school level.
It is said that matches our made in heaven. It was sheer destiny that we were traveling to Chennai on the same train, The Niligiri Express. We were in the same compartment, S1 and were seated next to each other, 25 and 26. It was an amazing coincidence as my ticket had been confirmed only at the last minute.
"Hi, my name is Shalini," she introduced herself with a beaming smile. She stretched out her right hand. I was shivering when I shook it.
"I am Sunderesan," I said and added, "Pleased to meet you."
She had a serene, innocent face; the face of the kind of person who gets bullied in school. The image of a woman who couldn't hurt a fly if she wanted to.
"How old are you?" I blurted out. It was the worst question to ask a woman but I was a nervous wreck and I wanted to talk to this woman.
She smiled at me and said, "Never ask a man his salary and a woman her age."
"I'm so sorry. I don't..." My tongue adamantly stuck to the roof of my mouth
"No, it is okay. Let us say, I will be sixty seven in 2050."
I worked out the math. She was twenty two. I was twenty three. It was perfect! A match made in heaven.
"Do you have a crush on me?" she asked.
"What? How could you ask...?"
"Do you have a crush on me or not?" she asked emphasizing on 'crush'.
"To tell you the truth, yes," I said meekly.
"It's okay. You can be bold about it. I'll tell you a little secret."
She pulled my ear next to her mouth and whispered, "I think you are attractive. I might even love you"
I turned pink the next moment.
"Hey you believed me, didn't you? April fool, go to school. Tell your teacher, you are a fool," she shouted. She laughed at the top of her voice.
I checked my watch. It was April 1st, 2005 and I had been made a jackass. I didn't want to look at the woman's face again. I loved her but I hated her for what she had done. I turned to the opposite side and stared out of the window.
She noticed my sulking face.
"Hey, don't get mad at me. It was a joke. That's all. I'm sorry," she said.
I didn't look at her and didn't reply.
"Okay. What can I do to compensate?"
"You could sing a song for me," I said softly. I wanted to know how well my girl could sing.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you." She stood up and went to the centre of the compartment.
"Friends, we have a birthday boy in our midst. I want all of you to wish him happy birthday."
The entire compartment including the TTE (Train Ticket Examiner) was singing "Happy birthday to Sunderesan."
She took out a vegetable sandwich from her bag. She said that it was a substitute for a cake. I cut the sandwich and gave her the first piece. She removed the tomato and cucumber from the sandwich. She pasted the cucumber and tomato all over my face. I distributed the remaining bits of the sandwich to everyone in the compartment. It was the best birthday I had ever had.
When all the euphoria died I asked her, "How did you know that it was my birthday?"
She pointed to the card on top of my bag.
"Will you make a birthday resolution for me?" she asked.
"Sure. Tell me."
"Promise to always smile because life presents too many opportunities to cry. And you look ugly when you are sad."
"It is a promise." I rested my palm on top of hers.
The perfectly romantic scene was disturbed by a child's cry coming from the adjoining apartment. She took her hand off mine. I thought, "Damn, tough luck."
She went to the next compartment to see what the problem was. The boy was two years old and his mother was not to be found. Nobody seemed to care about the boy.
She carried the boy in her arms and brought him to our compartment. She cajoled the boy by singing a lullaby for him. She had a sweet voice; the voice of a nightingale.
"I love kids," she said.
"I love kids, too," I replied, eager to show we had similar tastes.
The boy did not stop crying. He appeared to be terrified of us. His mother was nowhere to be seen.
"You don't like songs. Okay, I will tell you a story. Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a king."
The boy listened intently for a second but started crying as soon as she paused.
"Hey, relax. Give me time to think of a story. You are an impatient baby. In this land..."
"I will look for the boy's mother," I said. She nodded her head.
I found the boy's mother, two compartments away. She had gone there to meet a friend. She had forgotten about her kid.
When we came back to S1, we found the boy sound asleep in Shalini's lap. She had used all her powers of persuasion to make him feel secure in her lap.
"I want to thank..."
"Shh...Your son is sleeping. Don't disturb him," she whispered to the boy's mother and gave the boy to her.
"Do you want the Nobel peace prize?" I asked her cynically.
"I love people. When I am around, the people around me should be happy. That is my philosophy in life," she said, sincerely.
It made me feel small and stupid in front of her. I began to rethink about my mission in life. Should I be a priest? No, can't marry her. Social worker, peace activist...maybe.
We heard a voice in the distance shouting "Is there a doctor on this train?"
"Dr. Shalini, here. How can I help you?" she shouted back.
We waited to see the face of the voice we had heard. It was a co-passenger, a bearded man who seemed anxious.
"Doctor, my father is serious. Please do something."
"Come with me. You could be of help," she told me. She caught hold of my arm and guided me along the compartment. I had absolutely no say in the matter. Oh! The power of women!
The old man was in a grave condition. His breathing was heavy and he was coughing profusely. He seemed ready to make peace with god. "Open the windows," she told me. I opened all the windows to allow fresh air to come in.
"Hold him up for me," she instructed.
I made the old man sit up. She took out her stethoscope and checked his heartbeat. She checked his pulse for variations.
I watched her lovingly as she worked her magic on the old man. She was so soft and tender with people. Whether it was a little boy or an old man, she had so much affection for them. Unbelievably, the old man was normal within half an hour. His son didn't have enough words to thank Shalini.
"He is okay now. Don't disturb him. Let him sleep well," she instructed him.
"I never expected you to be a doctor," I said.
"Men always think that beautiful women don't have brains."
I didn't know how to reply to that remark. Did she mean that she was beautiful, or brainy or both. One can never understand a woman's mind. So, I diverted the conversation.
"What made you become a doctor?" I asked.
"A lot of things. It was my father's dream. Above all else, it gives me the power to make people smile; the power to save lives."
"Will you marry me?" I asked, spontaneously. I had never been more sure of myself.
"Is this April fool?"
"No. I am serious. See, I know that I am unemployed. I am not even as educated as you. I don't even look good. I have no caliber. But I love you. Will you marry me?"
"You know nothing about me. I don't like commitments. I live every day like it is my last."
"If you marry me, I will live everyday like it is my first."
She closed her beautiful eyes. She took a deep breath and thought for a moment. The suspense was killing.
"God, why didn't I meet you earlier," she said.
I had no time to reply. The doors to my mouth were sealed by her lips. I thought that my head was immersed in the clouds. The people in my compartment pretended to close their eyes. But I could see the men looking at me with envy through the corner of their eyes. It was the most beautiful moment of my life. It still is the most beautiful.
The train came to a screeching halt. We had reached Tirupur station. It was hard to believe that so much had happened in two hours.
There are some moments in life which you can remember even in your sleep. For me, it was what happened at Tirupur railway station. It redefined my life forever.
"I am hungry. Get me something to eat," said Shalini. She dug into her leather handbag and brought out twenty rupees.
"It's okay. I have money. What do you want?"
"Get me Strawberry milk to drink. And honey, I love you," she said, earnestly.
We hugged again. For the last time.
The milk booth was about hundred feet from S1. It gave me time to think about the sudden changes in my life. My parents were conservative people. I had to convince them about Shalini. If they agreed, good. If not, who cares? I loved Shalini more than my parents.
My thoughts were disrupted by the sound of an explosion. It sounded like the aggregation of a thousand thunders. The impact of the explosion threw me off my feet. I turned to look at the train. S1, S2 and S3 had been reduced to pieces, like waste in a manufacturing process.
My only thought was about Shalini. I ran towards where S1 had previously been. I searched for her amidst the corpses. All I could find were severed hands, burnt flesh and a fresh stream of blood. Not a single body was identifiable in the three compartments.
Who on earth could do such a cruel thing, I wondered. I swore that I would get even with the people who had taken my beloved Shalini's life. I wept like a little boy who had lost his favorite toy. Amidst the tears, I thought about the two hours I had spent with Shalini. Something she had said had struck me as strange.
"You know nothing about me. I live everyday like it is my last. God, I wish I had met you earlier." "Could it be Shalini," I wondered. "No, not Shalini. She had too innocent a face to do such a dastardly act. Besides, she was a doctor. And they know the value of a human life," I reasoned to myself.
The next morning, my worst fears were confirmed. A newspaper report said, "A twenty two year old doctor named Shalini had committed suicide on the Niligiri express. She had taken the lives of hundred people with her. The reasons for the attack are unknown."
I never understood the reasons for the attack. It could have been personal or ideological. All I can still remember is her face, how innocent it looked. How she made everyone around her happy. How she showed love and care to kids and old men alike.
That face was a mask. Beneath the benevolent mask, was the true Shalini. A hard-nosed, sadistic, terrorist capable of sacrificing human life to satisfy her selfish needs.
She truly changed my life. >From then on, I realized that every human wears a mask which he develops over a period of time. It is the mask which is exposed to the world. Beneath that mask, after layers of deceit there lies the true nature of each individual. This real person in each one of us is intricately more fascinating than any figment of wild imagination.
Shalini's mask was my first love. I will always love her.
About the author
Ramsubramaniam Suraj is currently working as a Project Engineer in the Nortel Optical project Wipro. He loves writing fiction and has written a novel called Revolution and also a book of short stories called S1 - A train journey. Suraj is currently working on his next book called You and Me. Apart from writing, he is also passionate about debating and has won numerous accolades at the school level.
Four insurance companies are in competition:
One comes up with the slogan, "Coverage from the cradle to the grave."
The Second one tries to improve on that with, "Coverage from the womb to the tomb."
Not to be outdone, the third one comes up with, "From the sperm to the worm."
The fourth insurance company really thought hard and almost gave up the race, but
finally came up with, "From erection to resurrection."
The Second one tries to improve on that with, "Coverage from the womb to the tomb."
Not to be outdone, the third one comes up with, "From the sperm to the worm."
The fourth insurance company really thought hard and almost gave up the race, but
finally came up with, "From erection to resurrection."
* * Women & Men* *
* * Women * *
Between the ages of 15 - 20 a woman is like Africa.
She is half discovered, half wild.
Between the ages of 20 - 30 a woman is like America.
Fully discovered and scientifically perfect.
Between the ages of 30 - 35, she is like India &
Japan.
Very hot, wise and beautiful
Between the ages of 35 - 40 a woman is like France.
She is half destroyed after the war but still
desirable.
Between the ages of 40 - 50 she is like Germany.
She lost the war but not the hope.
Between the ages of 50 - 60 she is like Russia.
Very wide, very quiet but nobody goes there.
Between the ages of 60 - 70 a woman is like England.
With a glorious past but no future.
The last one was left out. After 70, they become
Siberia.
"Everyone knows where is it, but no one wants to go
there."
-----------
* * Men * *
This one for the guys.
A guy's life can be described as a train on a railway
track.
When they are 20,
Every station they want to stop.
When they are 30,
They can only stop at one station.
When they are 40,
They want to stop but they are not allowed to stop.
When they are 50,
They want to stop but they cannot stop.
When they are 60,
They can't even start. How to stop?
Between the ages of 15 - 20 a woman is like Africa.
She is half discovered, half wild.
Between the ages of 20 - 30 a woman is like America.
Fully discovered and scientifically perfect.
Between the ages of 30 - 35, she is like India &
Japan.
Very hot, wise and beautiful
Between the ages of 35 - 40 a woman is like France.
She is half destroyed after the war but still
desirable.
Between the ages of 40 - 50 she is like Germany.
She lost the war but not the hope.
Between the ages of 50 - 60 she is like Russia.
Very wide, very quiet but nobody goes there.
Between the ages of 60 - 70 a woman is like England.
With a glorious past but no future.
The last one was left out. After 70, they become
Siberia.
"Everyone knows where is it, but no one wants to go
there."
-----------
* * Men * *
This one for the guys.
A guy's life can be described as a train on a railway
track.
When they are 20,
Every station they want to stop.
When they are 30,
They can only stop at one station.
When they are 40,
They want to stop but they are not allowed to stop.
When they are 50,
They want to stop but they cannot stop.
When they are 60,
They can't even start. How to stop?
Hope Drives the World!!! - Here is an example :)
There were two donkeys A & B - best of buddies.
At the village fair A is sold to a rich Arab while B is sold to a rich businessman.
The Arab treats A like his child takes good care of him etc. etc.
While the businessman ill treats B, does not feed him well and makes him work hard.
After few years A & B meet and have a chat.
A is very sad about B and says that "My Arab can buy you from your business man and you can have a good life too"
B says, "No, I have hope here"
A: "What Hope?"
B: The businessman has a beautiful daughter, and when she misbehaves
The businessman tells her - "If you continue misbehaving I will marry you off to this donkey!"
Hope Drives the World!!!
At the village fair A is sold to a rich Arab while B is sold to a rich businessman.
The Arab treats A like his child takes good care of him etc. etc.
While the businessman ill treats B, does not feed him well and makes him work hard.
After few years A & B meet and have a chat.
A is very sad about B and says that "My Arab can buy you from your business man and you can have a good life too"
B says, "No, I have hope here"
A: "What Hope?"
B: The businessman has a beautiful daughter, and when she misbehaves
The businessman tells her - "If you continue misbehaving I will marry you off to this donkey!"
Hope Drives the World!!!
Poetic resignation
The name is good, the brand is big
But the work I do is that of a pig
The work or the brand, what is my way?
I dont know if I should stay.
To work, they have set their own way
Nobody will care to hear what I say
My will be NULL, they wont change their way
I dont know if I should stay.
The project is in a critical stage
But to do good work, this is the age
This dilemma is killing me day by day
I dont know if I should stay.
The money is good ,the place is great
But the development is at a very small rate
Should I go for the work, or wait for pay
I dont know if I should stay. !
The managers dont know what they talk
The team doesnt know where they walk
That's a bad situation, what say?
I dont know if I should stay.
I can go to any other place
But what if I get the same disgrace
I cant keep switching day by day
I dont know if I should stay.
The -ves are more, the +ves are less
Then why have this unnecessary mess
No more will I walk their way,
Its all done, I won't stay.
But the work I do is that of a pig
The work or the brand, what is my way?
I dont know if I should stay.
To work, they have set their own way
Nobody will care to hear what I say
My will be NULL, they wont change their way
I dont know if I should stay.
The project is in a critical stage
But to do good work, this is the age
This dilemma is killing me day by day
I dont know if I should stay.
The money is good ,the place is great
But the development is at a very small rate
Should I go for the work, or wait for pay
I dont know if I should stay. !
The managers dont know what they talk
The team doesnt know where they walk
That's a bad situation, what say?
I dont know if I should stay.
I can go to any other place
But what if I get the same disgrace
I cant keep switching day by day
I dont know if I should stay.
The -ves are more, the +ves are less
Then why have this unnecessary mess
No more will I walk their way,
Its all done, I won't stay.
Keep Laughing.....
I don't worry about terrorism.
I was married for two years.
--Sam Kinison
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I take my wife everywhere, but she keeps finding her way back .
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Every man should get married some time;
after all, happiness is not the only thing in life!!
--Anonymous
------------------------------------------------
We always hold hands.
If I let go, she shops.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bachelors should be heavily taxed.
It is not fair that some men should be happier than others.
--Oscar Wilde
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't marry for money;
you can borrow it cheaper.
--Scottish Proverb
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bachelors know more about women than married men;
if they didn't,they'd be married too.
--H. L. Mencken
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Men have a better time than women;
for one thing, they marry later,
for another thing, they die earlier.
--H. L. Mencken
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Marriage is a three ring circus:
--engagement ring
--wedding ring
---suffering
----------------------------------------------------------------
When a newly married couple smiles,
everyone knows why.
When a ten-year married couple smiles,
everyone wonders why.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Love is blind
but marriage is an eye-opener.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I asked my wife, "Where do you want to go for our anniversary?"
She said, "Somewhere I have never been!"
I told her, "How about the kitchen?"
------------------------------------------------
My wife was in beauty saloon for two hours.
That was only for the estimate.She got a mudpack and looked great
for two days.Then the mud fell off.
------------------------------------------
She ran after the garbage truck, yelling, "Am I too late for the garbage?
"Following her down the street I yelled, "No, jump in!"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If your dog is barking at the back door and your wife is yelling at the front door, who do you let in first?
The Dog of course..
at least he'll shut up after you let him in!
>--------------------------------------------------------------------
A man placed some flowers on the grave of his dearly departed mother and started back toward his car when his attention was diverted to another man
kneeling at a grave.
The man seemed to be praying with profound intensity and kept repeating, "Why did you have to die? Why did you have to die?"The first man approached him and said, "Sir, I don't wish to interfere with your private grief, but this demonstration of pain is more than I've ever seen before. For whom do you mourn so deeply? A child? A parent?"
The mourner took a moment to collect himself, then replied, "My wife's first
husband."
------------------------------------------------------------
A couple came upon a wishing well. The husband leaned over, made a wish and threw in a penny. The wife decided to make a wish, too. But she leaned over too much, fell into the well, and drowned.
The husband was stunned for a while but then smiled "It really works!"
I was married for two years.
--Sam Kinison
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I take my wife everywhere, but she keeps finding her way back .
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Every man should get married some time;
after all, happiness is not the only thing in life!!
--Anonymous
------------------------------------------------
We always hold hands.
If I let go, she shops.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bachelors should be heavily taxed.
It is not fair that some men should be happier than others.
--Oscar Wilde
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Don't marry for money;
you can borrow it cheaper.
--Scottish Proverb
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bachelors know more about women than married men;
if they didn't,they'd be married too.
--H. L. Mencken
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Men have a better time than women;
for one thing, they marry later,
for another thing, they die earlier.
--H. L. Mencken
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Marriage is a three ring circus:
--engagement ring
--wedding ring
---suffering
----------------------------------------------------------------
When a newly married couple smiles,
everyone knows why.
When a ten-year married couple smiles,
everyone wonders why.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Love is blind
but marriage is an eye-opener.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I asked my wife, "Where do you want to go for our anniversary?"
She said, "Somewhere I have never been!"
I told her, "How about the kitchen?"
------------------------------------------------
My wife was in beauty saloon for two hours.
That was only for the estimate.She got a mudpack and looked great
for two days.Then the mud fell off.
------------------------------------------
She ran after the garbage truck, yelling, "Am I too late for the garbage?
"Following her down the street I yelled, "No, jump in!"
----------------------------------------------------------------------
If your dog is barking at the back door and your wife is yelling at the front door, who do you let in first?
The Dog of course..
at least he'll shut up after you let him in!
>--------------------------------------------------------------------
A man placed some flowers on the grave of his dearly departed mother and started back toward his car when his attention was diverted to another man
kneeling at a grave.
The man seemed to be praying with profound intensity and kept repeating, "Why did you have to die? Why did you have to die?"The first man approached him and said, "Sir, I don't wish to interfere with your private grief, but this demonstration of pain is more than I've ever seen before. For whom do you mourn so deeply? A child? A parent?"
The mourner took a moment to collect himself, then replied, "My wife's first
husband."
------------------------------------------------------------
A couple came upon a wishing well. The husband leaned over, made a wish and threw in a penny. The wife decided to make a wish, too. But she leaned over too much, fell into the well, and drowned.
The husband was stunned for a while but then smiled "It really works!"
Collection of weblinks
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_48/b4011409.htm
http://www.kaumudiusa.com/kusa/page/html/news_a.stm#mess
http://blog.csdn.net/xbitor/archive/2004/10/12/133329.aspx
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_40/b3953601.htm?campaign_id=nws_insdr_sep23&link_position=link1
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3335275.stm
http://www.comp.pucpcaldas.br/~al550050184/flashgames/sapo.swf
http://home.iitk.ac.in/%7Ehussain/fav/Animation.swf
http://www.blogthings.com/howsyourattitudequiz/
http://www.kaumudiusa.com/kusa/page/html/news_a.stm#mess
http://blog.csdn.net/xbitor/archive/2004/10/12/133329.aspx
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_40/b3953601.htm?campaign_id=nws_insdr_sep23&link_position=link1
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3335275.stm
http://www.comp.pucpcaldas.br/~al550050184/flashgames/sapo.swf
http://home.iitk.ac.in/%7Ehussain/fav/Animation.swf
http://www.blogthings.com/howsyourattitudequiz/
Pray!!
I got up early one morning
and rushed right into the day
I had so much to accomplish
that I didn't have time to pray
Problems just tumbled about me
and heavier came each task
'Why doesn't God help me?' I wondered
He answered, 'You didn't ask'
I wanted to see joy and beauty
but the day toiled on gray and bleak
I wondered why God didn't show me
He said, 'But you didn't seek'
I tried to come into God's presence
I used all my keys at the lock
God gently and lovingly chided'My servant, you didn't knock'
I woke up early this morning
and paused before entering the day
I had so much to accomplish
that I had to take time to pray
and rushed right into the day
I had so much to accomplish
that I didn't have time to pray
Problems just tumbled about me
and heavier came each task
'Why doesn't God help me?' I wondered
He answered, 'You didn't ask'
I wanted to see joy and beauty
but the day toiled on gray and bleak
I wondered why God didn't show me
He said, 'But you didn't seek'
I tried to come into God's presence
I used all my keys at the lock
God gently and lovingly chided'My servant, you didn't knock'
I woke up early this morning
and paused before entering the day
I had so much to accomplish
that I had to take time to pray
An Inspirational Story (Fact) - Read in leisure
a good read... i would certainly recommend it... dont miss the author's recommendation on Reservation... in bold at the end... a very good point!!!
When 27-year old Sarathbabu graduated from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, he created quite a stir by refusing a job that offered him a huge salary. He preferred to start his own enterprise -- Foodking Catering Service -- in Ahmedabad.
He was inspired by his mother who once sold idlis on the pavements of Chennai, to educate him and his siblings. It was a dream come true, when Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy lit the traditional lamp and inaugurated Sarathbabu's enterprise.
Sarathbabu was in Chennai, his hometown, a few days ago, to explore the possibility of starting a Foodking unit in the city and also to distribute the Ullas Trust Scholarships instituted by the IT firm Polaris to 2,000 poor students in corporation schools.
In this interview with rediff.com, Sarathbabu describes his rise from a Chennai slum to his journey to the nation's premier management institute to becoming a successful entrepreneur. This is his story, in his own words.
Childhood in a slum
I was born and brought up in a slum in Madipakkam in Chennai. I have two elder sisters and two younger brothers and my mother was the sole breadwinner of the family. It was really tough for her to bring up five kids on her meagre salary.
As she had studied till the tenth standard, she got a job under the mid-day meal scheme of the Tamil Nadu government in a school at a salary of Rs 30 a month. She made just one rupee a day for six people.
So, she sold idlis in the mornings. She would then work for the mid-day meal at the school during daytime. In the evenings, she taught at the adult education programme of the Indian government.
She, thus, did three different jobs to bring us up and educate us. Although she didn't say explicitly that we should study well, we knew she was struggling hard to send us to school. I was determined that her hard work should not go in vain.
I was a topper throughout my school days. In the mornings, we went out to sell idlis because people in slums did not come out of their homes to buy idlis. For kids living in a slum, idlis for breakfast is something very special.
My mother was not aware of institutions like the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, or the Indian Institutes of Technology. She only wanted to educate us so that we got a good job. I didn't know what I wanted to do at that time because in my friend-circle, nobody talked about higher education or preparing for the IIT-JEE.
When you constantly worry about the next square meal, you do not dream of becoming a doctor or an engineer. The only thing that was on my mind was to get a good job because my mother was struggling a lot.
I got very good marks in the 10th standard exam. It was the most critical moment of my life. Till the 10th, there was no special fee but for the 11th and the 12th, the fees were Rs 2,000-3,000.
I did book-binding work during the summer vacation and accumulated money for my school fees. When I got plenty of work, I employed 20 other children and all of us did the work together. That was my first real job as an entrepreneur. Once I saw the opportunity, I continued with the work.
Life at BITS, Pilani
A classmate of mine told me about BITS, Pilani. He was confident that I would get admission, as I was the topper. He also told me that on completion (of studies at Pilani), I will definitely get a job.
When I got the admission, I had mixed feelings. On one hand I was excited that for the first time I was going out of Chennai, but there was also a sense of uncertainty.
The fees alone were around Rs 28,000, and I had to get around Rs 42,000. It was huge, huge money for us. And there was no one to help us. Just my mother and sisters. One of my sisters -- they were all married by then -- pawned her jewellery and that's how I paid for the first semester.
My mother then found out about an Indian government scholarship scheme. She sent me the application forms, I applied for the scholarship, and I was successful. So, after the first semester, it was the scholarship that helped me through.
It also helped me to pay my debt (to the sister who had pawned her jewellery). I then borrowed money from my other sister and repaid her when the next scholarship came.
The scholarship, however, covered only the tuition fees. What about the hostel fees and food? Even small things like a washing soap or a toothbrush or a tube of toothpaste was a burden. So, I borrowed more at high rates of interest. The debt grew to a substantial amount by the time I reached the fourth year.
First year at BITS, Pilani
To put it mildly, I was absolutely shocked. Till then, I had moved only with students from poor families. At Pilani, all the students were from the upper class or upper middle class families. Their lifestyle was totally different from mine. The topics they discussed were alien to me. They would talk about the good times they had in school.
On the other hand, my school years were a big struggle. There was this communication problem also as I was not conversant in English then.
I just kept quiet and observed them. I concentrated only on my studies because back home so many people had sacrificed for me. And, it took a really long time -- till the end of the first year -- to make friends.
The second year
I became a little more confident and started opening up. I had worked really hard for the engineering exhibition during the first year. I did a lot of labour-intensive work like welding and cutting, though my subject was chemical engineering. My seniors appreciated me.
In my second year also, I worked really hard for the engineering exhibition. This time, my juniors appreciated me, and they became my close friends, so close that they would be at my beck and call.
In the third year, when there was an election for the post of the co-ordinator for the exhibition, my juniors wanted me to contest. Thanks to their efforts I was unanimously elected. That was my first experience of being in the limelight. It was also quite an experience to handle around 100 students.
Seeing my work, slowly my batch mates also came to the fold. All of them said I lead the team very well.
They also told me that I could be a good manager and asked me to do MBA. That was the first time I heard about something called MBA. I asked them about the best institution in India. They said, the Indian Institutes of Management. Then, I decided if I was going to study MBA, it should be at one of the IIMs, and nowhere else.
Inspiration to be an entrepreneur
It was while preparing for the Common Admission Test that I read in the papers that 30 per cent of India's population does not get two meals a day. I know how it feels to be hungry. What should be done to help them, I wondered.
I also read about Infosys and Narayana Murthy, Reliance and Ambani. Reliance employed 20,000-25,000 people at that time, and Infosys, around 15,000. When a single entrepreneur like Ambani employed 25,000 people, he was supporting the family, of four or five, of each employee. So he was taking care of 100,000 people indirectly. I felt I, too, should become an entrepreneur.
But, my mother was waiting for her engineer son to get a job, pay all the debts, build a pucca house and take care of her. And here I was dreaming about starting my own enterprise. I decided to go for a campus interview, and got a job with Polaris. I also sat for CAT but I failed to clear it in my first attempt.
I worked for 30 months at Polaris. By then, I could pay off all the debts but I hadn't built a proper house for my mother...
But I decided to pursue my dream. When I took CAT for the third time, I cleared it and got calls from all the six IIMs. I got admission at IIM, Ahmedabad.
Life at IIM, Ahmedabad
My college helped me get a scholarship for the two years that I was at IIM. Unlike in BITS, I was more confident and life at IIM was fantastic. I took up a lot of responsibilities in the college. I was in the mess committee in the first year and in the second year; I was elected the mess secretary.
Becoming an entrepreneur
By the end of the second year, there were many lucrative job offers coming our way, but in my mind I was determined to start something on my own. But back home, I didn't have a house. It was a difficult decision to say 'no' to offers that gave you Rs 800,000 a year. But I was clear in my mind even while I knew the hard realities back home.
Yes, my mother had been an entrepreneur, and subconsciously, she must have inspired me. My inspirations were also (Dhirubhai) Ambani and Narayana Murthy. I knew I was not aiming at something unachievable. I got the courage from them to start my own enterprise.
Nobody at my institute discouraged me. In fact, at least 30-40 students at the IIM wanted to be entrepreneurs. And we used to discuss about ideas all the time. My last option was to take up a job.
Foodking Catering Services Pvt Ltd
My mother is my first inspiration to start a food business. Remember I started my life selling idlis in my slum. Then of course, my experience as the mess secretary at IIM-A was the second inspiration. I must have handled at least a thousand complaints and a thousand suggestions at that time. Every time I solved a problem, they thanked me.
I also felt there is a good opportunity in the food business. If you notice, a lot of people who work in the food business come from the weaker sections of the society.
My friends helped me with registering the company with a capital of Rs 100,000. Because of the IIM brand and also because of the media attention, I could take a loan from the bank without any problem.
I set up an office and employed three persons. The first order was from a software company in Ahmedabad. They wanted us to supply tea, coffee and snacks. We transported the items in an auto.
When I got the order from IIM, Ahmedabad, I took a loan of Rs 11 lakhs (Rs 1.1 million) and started a kitchen. So, my initial capital was Rs 11.75 lakhs (Rs 1.17 million).
Three months have passed, and now we have forty employees and four clients -- IIM Ahmedabad, Darpana Academy, Gujarat Energy Research Management Institute and System Plus.
In the first month of our operation, we earned around Rs 35,000. Now, the turnover is around Rs 250,000. The Chennai operations will start in another three months' time.
Ambition
I want to employ as many people as I can, and improve their quality of life. In the first year, I want to employ around 200-500 people. In the next five years, I hope to increase it by 15,000. I am sure it is possible.
I want to cover all the major cities in India, and later, I want to go around the world too.
I have seen people from all walks of life -- from the slums to the elite in the country. That is why luxuries like a car or a bungalow do not matter to me. Even money doesn't matter to me. I feel bad if I have to have food in a five star hotel. I feel guilty.
Personally, I have no ambition but I want to give a house and a car to my mother.
Appreciation
I did not expect this kind of exposure by the media for my venture or appreciation from people like my director at the IIM or Narayana Murthy. I was just doing what I wanted to do. But the exposure really helped me get orders, finance, everything.
The best compliments I received were from Narayana Murthy and my director at IIM, Ahmedabad. When I told him (IIM-A director) about my decision to start a company, he hugged me and wished me luck. They have seen life, they have seen thousands and thousands of students and if they say it is a good decision, I am sure it is a good decision.
Reservation
Reservation should be a mix of all criteria. If you take a caste that comes under reservation, 80 per cent of the people will be poor and 20 per cent rich, the creamy layer. For the general category, it will be the other way around.
I feel equal weightage should be given for the economic background. A study has to be done on what is the purpose of reservation and what it has done to the needy. It should be more effective and efficient. In my case, I would not have demanded for reservation. I accepted it because the society felt I belonged to the deprived class and needed a helping hand.
Today, the opportunities are grabbed by a few. They should be ashamed of their ability if they avail reservation even after becoming an IAS officer or something like that. They are putting a burden on the society and denying a chance to the really needy.
I feel reservation is enough for one generation. For example, if the child's father is educated, he will be able to guide the child properly.
Take my case, I didn't have any system that would make me aware of the IITs and the IIMs. But I will be able to guide my children properly because I am well educated. I got the benefits of reservation but I will never avail of it for my children. I cannot even think of demanding reservation for the next generation.
When 27-year old Sarathbabu graduated from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, he created quite a stir by refusing a job that offered him a huge salary. He preferred to start his own enterprise -- Foodking Catering Service -- in Ahmedabad.
He was inspired by his mother who once sold idlis on the pavements of Chennai, to educate him and his siblings. It was a dream come true, when Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy lit the traditional lamp and inaugurated Sarathbabu's enterprise.
Sarathbabu was in Chennai, his hometown, a few days ago, to explore the possibility of starting a Foodking unit in the city and also to distribute the Ullas Trust Scholarships instituted by the IT firm Polaris to 2,000 poor students in corporation schools.
In this interview with rediff.com, Sarathbabu describes his rise from a Chennai slum to his journey to the nation's premier management institute to becoming a successful entrepreneur. This is his story, in his own words.
Childhood in a slum
I was born and brought up in a slum in Madipakkam in Chennai. I have two elder sisters and two younger brothers and my mother was the sole breadwinner of the family. It was really tough for her to bring up five kids on her meagre salary.
As she had studied till the tenth standard, she got a job under the mid-day meal scheme of the Tamil Nadu government in a school at a salary of Rs 30 a month. She made just one rupee a day for six people.
So, she sold idlis in the mornings. She would then work for the mid-day meal at the school during daytime. In the evenings, she taught at the adult education programme of the Indian government.
She, thus, did three different jobs to bring us up and educate us. Although she didn't say explicitly that we should study well, we knew she was struggling hard to send us to school. I was determined that her hard work should not go in vain.
I was a topper throughout my school days. In the mornings, we went out to sell idlis because people in slums did not come out of their homes to buy idlis. For kids living in a slum, idlis for breakfast is something very special.
My mother was not aware of institutions like the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, or the Indian Institutes of Technology. She only wanted to educate us so that we got a good job. I didn't know what I wanted to do at that time because in my friend-circle, nobody talked about higher education or preparing for the IIT-JEE.
When you constantly worry about the next square meal, you do not dream of becoming a doctor or an engineer. The only thing that was on my mind was to get a good job because my mother was struggling a lot.
I got very good marks in the 10th standard exam. It was the most critical moment of my life. Till the 10th, there was no special fee but for the 11th and the 12th, the fees were Rs 2,000-3,000.
I did book-binding work during the summer vacation and accumulated money for my school fees. When I got plenty of work, I employed 20 other children and all of us did the work together. That was my first real job as an entrepreneur. Once I saw the opportunity, I continued with the work.
Life at BITS, Pilani
A classmate of mine told me about BITS, Pilani. He was confident that I would get admission, as I was the topper. He also told me that on completion (of studies at Pilani), I will definitely get a job.
When I got the admission, I had mixed feelings. On one hand I was excited that for the first time I was going out of Chennai, but there was also a sense of uncertainty.
The fees alone were around Rs 28,000, and I had to get around Rs 42,000. It was huge, huge money for us. And there was no one to help us. Just my mother and sisters. One of my sisters -- they were all married by then -- pawned her jewellery and that's how I paid for the first semester.
My mother then found out about an Indian government scholarship scheme. She sent me the application forms, I applied for the scholarship, and I was successful. So, after the first semester, it was the scholarship that helped me through.
It also helped me to pay my debt (to the sister who had pawned her jewellery). I then borrowed money from my other sister and repaid her when the next scholarship came.
The scholarship, however, covered only the tuition fees. What about the hostel fees and food? Even small things like a washing soap or a toothbrush or a tube of toothpaste was a burden. So, I borrowed more at high rates of interest. The debt grew to a substantial amount by the time I reached the fourth year.
First year at BITS, Pilani
To put it mildly, I was absolutely shocked. Till then, I had moved only with students from poor families. At Pilani, all the students were from the upper class or upper middle class families. Their lifestyle was totally different from mine. The topics they discussed were alien to me. They would talk about the good times they had in school.
On the other hand, my school years were a big struggle. There was this communication problem also as I was not conversant in English then.
I just kept quiet and observed them. I concentrated only on my studies because back home so many people had sacrificed for me. And, it took a really long time -- till the end of the first year -- to make friends.
The second year
I became a little more confident and started opening up. I had worked really hard for the engineering exhibition during the first year. I did a lot of labour-intensive work like welding and cutting, though my subject was chemical engineering. My seniors appreciated me.
In my second year also, I worked really hard for the engineering exhibition. This time, my juniors appreciated me, and they became my close friends, so close that they would be at my beck and call.
In the third year, when there was an election for the post of the co-ordinator for the exhibition, my juniors wanted me to contest. Thanks to their efforts I was unanimously elected. That was my first experience of being in the limelight. It was also quite an experience to handle around 100 students.
Seeing my work, slowly my batch mates also came to the fold. All of them said I lead the team very well.
They also told me that I could be a good manager and asked me to do MBA. That was the first time I heard about something called MBA. I asked them about the best institution in India. They said, the Indian Institutes of Management. Then, I decided if I was going to study MBA, it should be at one of the IIMs, and nowhere else.
Inspiration to be an entrepreneur
It was while preparing for the Common Admission Test that I read in the papers that 30 per cent of India's population does not get two meals a day. I know how it feels to be hungry. What should be done to help them, I wondered.
I also read about Infosys and Narayana Murthy, Reliance and Ambani. Reliance employed 20,000-25,000 people at that time, and Infosys, around 15,000. When a single entrepreneur like Ambani employed 25,000 people, he was supporting the family, of four or five, of each employee. So he was taking care of 100,000 people indirectly. I felt I, too, should become an entrepreneur.
But, my mother was waiting for her engineer son to get a job, pay all the debts, build a pucca house and take care of her. And here I was dreaming about starting my own enterprise. I decided to go for a campus interview, and got a job with Polaris. I also sat for CAT but I failed to clear it in my first attempt.
I worked for 30 months at Polaris. By then, I could pay off all the debts but I hadn't built a proper house for my mother...
But I decided to pursue my dream. When I took CAT for the third time, I cleared it and got calls from all the six IIMs. I got admission at IIM, Ahmedabad.
Life at IIM, Ahmedabad
My college helped me get a scholarship for the two years that I was at IIM. Unlike in BITS, I was more confident and life at IIM was fantastic. I took up a lot of responsibilities in the college. I was in the mess committee in the first year and in the second year; I was elected the mess secretary.
Becoming an entrepreneur
By the end of the second year, there were many lucrative job offers coming our way, but in my mind I was determined to start something on my own. But back home, I didn't have a house. It was a difficult decision to say 'no' to offers that gave you Rs 800,000 a year. But I was clear in my mind even while I knew the hard realities back home.
Yes, my mother had been an entrepreneur, and subconsciously, she must have inspired me. My inspirations were also (Dhirubhai) Ambani and Narayana Murthy. I knew I was not aiming at something unachievable. I got the courage from them to start my own enterprise.
Nobody at my institute discouraged me. In fact, at least 30-40 students at the IIM wanted to be entrepreneurs. And we used to discuss about ideas all the time. My last option was to take up a job.
Foodking Catering Services Pvt Ltd
My mother is my first inspiration to start a food business. Remember I started my life selling idlis in my slum. Then of course, my experience as the mess secretary at IIM-A was the second inspiration. I must have handled at least a thousand complaints and a thousand suggestions at that time. Every time I solved a problem, they thanked me.
I also felt there is a good opportunity in the food business. If you notice, a lot of people who work in the food business come from the weaker sections of the society.
My friends helped me with registering the company with a capital of Rs 100,000. Because of the IIM brand and also because of the media attention, I could take a loan from the bank without any problem.
I set up an office and employed three persons. The first order was from a software company in Ahmedabad. They wanted us to supply tea, coffee and snacks. We transported the items in an auto.
When I got the order from IIM, Ahmedabad, I took a loan of Rs 11 lakhs (Rs 1.1 million) and started a kitchen. So, my initial capital was Rs 11.75 lakhs (Rs 1.17 million).
Three months have passed, and now we have forty employees and four clients -- IIM Ahmedabad, Darpana Academy, Gujarat Energy Research Management Institute and System Plus.
In the first month of our operation, we earned around Rs 35,000. Now, the turnover is around Rs 250,000. The Chennai operations will start in another three months' time.
Ambition
I want to employ as many people as I can, and improve their quality of life. In the first year, I want to employ around 200-500 people. In the next five years, I hope to increase it by 15,000. I am sure it is possible.
I want to cover all the major cities in India, and later, I want to go around the world too.
I have seen people from all walks of life -- from the slums to the elite in the country. That is why luxuries like a car or a bungalow do not matter to me. Even money doesn't matter to me. I feel bad if I have to have food in a five star hotel. I feel guilty.
Personally, I have no ambition but I want to give a house and a car to my mother.
Appreciation
I did not expect this kind of exposure by the media for my venture or appreciation from people like my director at the IIM or Narayana Murthy. I was just doing what I wanted to do. But the exposure really helped me get orders, finance, everything.
The best compliments I received were from Narayana Murthy and my director at IIM, Ahmedabad. When I told him (IIM-A director) about my decision to start a company, he hugged me and wished me luck. They have seen life, they have seen thousands and thousands of students and if they say it is a good decision, I am sure it is a good decision.
Reservation
Reservation should be a mix of all criteria. If you take a caste that comes under reservation, 80 per cent of the people will be poor and 20 per cent rich, the creamy layer. For the general category, it will be the other way around.
I feel equal weightage should be given for the economic background. A study has to be done on what is the purpose of reservation and what it has done to the needy. It should be more effective and efficient. In my case, I would not have demanded for reservation. I accepted it because the society felt I belonged to the deprived class and needed a helping hand.
Today, the opportunities are grabbed by a few. They should be ashamed of their ability if they avail reservation even after becoming an IAS officer or something like that. They are putting a burden on the society and denying a chance to the really needy.
I feel reservation is enough for one generation. For example, if the child's father is educated, he will be able to guide the child properly.
Take my case, I didn't have any system that would make me aware of the IITs and the IIMs. But I will be able to guide my children properly because I am well educated. I got the benefits of reservation but I will never avail of it for my children. I cannot even think of demanding reservation for the next generation.
What an Effective Communication
Jack and Max are walking from religious service. Jack wonders whether it would
be all right to smoke while praying.
Max replies, "Why don't you ask the Priest?"
So Jack goes up to the Priest and asks, "Priest,may I smoke while I pray?"
But the Priest says,
"No, my son, you may not. That's utter disrespect to our religion."
Jack goes back to his friend and tells him what the good Priest told him.
Max says, "I'm not surprised. You asked the wrong question. Let me try."
And so Max goes up to the Priest and asks, "Priest, may I pray while I smoke?"
To which the Priest eagerly replies, "By all means, my son. By all means."
Moral : The reply you get depends on the question you ask.
For Example : Can I work on this project while I'm on vacation ?!?
be all right to smoke while praying.
Max replies, "Why don't you ask the Priest?"
So Jack goes up to the Priest and asks, "Priest,may I smoke while I pray?"
But the Priest says,
"No, my son, you may not. That's utter disrespect to our religion."
Jack goes back to his friend and tells him what the good Priest told him.
Max says, "I'm not surprised. You asked the wrong question. Let me try."
And so Max goes up to the Priest and asks, "Priest, may I pray while I smoke?"
To which the Priest eagerly replies, "By all means, my son. By all means."
Moral : The reply you get depends on the question you ask.
For Example : Can I work on this project while I'm on vacation ?!?
Being a twenty-something
It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start realizing that there are many things about yourself that you didn't know and may not like. You start feeling insecure and wonder where you will be in a year or two, but then get scared because you barely know where you are now.
You start realizing that people are selfish and that, maybe, those friends that you thought you were so close to aren't exactly the greatest people you have ever met, and the people you have lost touch with are some of the most important ones. What you don't recognize is that they are realizing that too, and aren't really cold, catty, mean or insincere, but that they are as confused as you.
You look at wat urstudyin or urjob... and it is not even close to what you thought you would be doing, or maybe you are looking for a job and realizing that you are going to have to start at the bottom and that scares you.
Your opinions have gotten stronger. You see what others are doing and find yourself judging more than usual because suddenly you realize that you have certain boundaries in your life and are constantly adding things to your list of what is acceptable and what isn't. One minute, you are insecure and then the next, secure.
You laugh and cry with the greatest force of your life. You feel alone and scared and confused. Suddenly, change is the enemy and you try and cling on to the past with dear life, but soon realize that the past is drifting further and further away, and there is nothing to do but stay where you are or move forward.
You get your heart broken and wonder how someone you loved could do such damage to you. Or you lie in bed and wonder why you can't meet anyone decent enough that you want to get to know better. Or maybe you love someone! but love someone else too and cannot figure out why you're doing this because you know that you aren't a bad person. Getting wasted and acting like an idiot starts to look pathetic. You go through the same emotions and questions over and over, and talk with your friends about the same topics because you cannot seem to make a decision. You worry about loans, money, the future and making a life for yourself...
and while winning the race would be great, right now you are scared just to be a contender!
What you may not realize is that every one reading this relates to it.
We are in our best of times and our worst of times, trying as hard as we can to figure this whole thing out. Send this to your friends... maybe it will help someone feel like they aren't alone in their state of confusion...
Its called "Quarter-life Crisis." nothing is constant......except change ;-) .
wats life without a few risks? keep playing the game !
You start realizing that people are selfish and that, maybe, those friends that you thought you were so close to aren't exactly the greatest people you have ever met, and the people you have lost touch with are some of the most important ones. What you don't recognize is that they are realizing that too, and aren't really cold, catty, mean or insincere, but that they are as confused as you.
You look at wat urstudyin or urjob... and it is not even close to what you thought you would be doing, or maybe you are looking for a job and realizing that you are going to have to start at the bottom and that scares you.
Your opinions have gotten stronger. You see what others are doing and find yourself judging more than usual because suddenly you realize that you have certain boundaries in your life and are constantly adding things to your list of what is acceptable and what isn't. One minute, you are insecure and then the next, secure.
You laugh and cry with the greatest force of your life. You feel alone and scared and confused. Suddenly, change is the enemy and you try and cling on to the past with dear life, but soon realize that the past is drifting further and further away, and there is nothing to do but stay where you are or move forward.
You get your heart broken and wonder how someone you loved could do such damage to you. Or you lie in bed and wonder why you can't meet anyone decent enough that you want to get to know better. Or maybe you love someone! but love someone else too and cannot figure out why you're doing this because you know that you aren't a bad person. Getting wasted and acting like an idiot starts to look pathetic. You go through the same emotions and questions over and over, and talk with your friends about the same topics because you cannot seem to make a decision. You worry about loans, money, the future and making a life for yourself...
and while winning the race would be great, right now you are scared just to be a contender!
What you may not realize is that every one reading this relates to it.
We are in our best of times and our worst of times, trying as hard as we can to figure this whole thing out. Send this to your friends... maybe it will help someone feel like they aren't alone in their state of confusion...
Its called "Quarter-life Crisis." nothing is constant......except change ;-) .
wats life without a few risks? keep playing the game !
Names derived from strange circumstances
There are many companies / brands / products whose names were derived from strange circumstances:
Mercedes
This was actually the financier’s daughter’s name.
Adobe
This came from name of the river Adobe Creek that ran behind the house of founder John Warnock.
Apple Computers
It was the favorite fruit of founder Steve Jobs. He was three months late in filing a name for the business, and he threatened to call his company Apple Computers if the other colleagues didn’t suggest a better name by 5 O’clock.
CISCO
It is not an acronym as popularly believed. It is short for San Francisco.
Compaq
This name was formed by using COMp, for computer, and PAQ to denote a small integral object.
Corel
The name was derived from the founder’s name Dr.Michael Cowpland. It stands for COwpland REsearch Laboratory.
Google
The name started as a joke boasting about the amount of information the search-engine would be able to search. It was originally named ‘Googol’, a word for the number represented by 1 followed by 100 zeros. After founders - Stanford graduate students Sergey Brin and Larry Page presented their project to an angel investor, they received a cheque made out to ‘Google’
Hotmail
Founder Jack Smith got the idea of accessing e-mail via the web from a computer anywhere in the world. When Sabeer Bhatia came up with the business plan for the mail service, he tried all kinds of names endingin ‘mail’ and finally settled for hotmail as it included the letters “html”
- the programming language used to write web pages. It was initially referred to as HoTMaiL with selective uppercasing.
Hewlett Packard
Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard tossed a coin to decide whether the Company they founded would be called Hewlett-Packard or Packard-Hewlett.
Intel
Bob Noyce and Gordon Moore wanted to name their new company ‘Moore Noyce’ but that was already trademarked by a hotel chain so they had to settle for an acronym of INTegrated ELectronics.
Lotus (Notes)
Mitch Kapor got the name for his company from ‘The Lotus Position’ or ‘Padmasana’. Kapor used to be a teacher of Transcendental Meditation of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
Microsoft
Coined by Bill Gates to represent the company that was devoted to MICROcomputer Software. Originally christened Micro-Soft, the ‘-’ was removed later on.
Motorola
Founder Paul Galvin came up with this name when his company started manufacturing radios for cars. The popular radio company at the time was called Victrola.
ORACLE
Larry Ellison and Bob Oats were working on a consulting project for the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency). The code name for the project was called Oracle (the CIA saw this as the system to give answers to all questions or something such). The project was designed to help use the newly written SQL code by IBM. The project eventually was terminated but Larry and Bob decided to finish what they started and bring it to the world. They kept the name Oracle and created the RDBMS engine. Later they kept the same name for the company.
Sony
It originated from the Latin word ’sonus’ meaning sound, and ’sonny’ a slang used by Americans to refer to a bright youngster.
SUN
Founded by 4 Stanford University buddies, SUN is the acronym for Stanford University Network. Andreas Bechtolsheim built a microcomputer; Vinod Khosla recruited him and Scot t McNealy to manufacture computers based on it, and Bill Joy to develop a UNIX-based OS for the computer.
Yahoo!
The word was invented by Jonathan Swift and used in his book ‘Gulliver’s Travels’. It represents a person who is repulsive in appearance and
Action and is barely human. Yahoo! Founders Jerry Yang and David Filo selected the name because they considered themselves yahoos.
Mercedes
This was actually the financier’s daughter’s name.
Adobe
This came from name of the river Adobe Creek that ran behind the house of founder John Warnock.
Apple Computers
It was the favorite fruit of founder Steve Jobs. He was three months late in filing a name for the business, and he threatened to call his company Apple Computers if the other colleagues didn’t suggest a better name by 5 O’clock.
CISCO
It is not an acronym as popularly believed. It is short for San Francisco.
Compaq
This name was formed by using COMp, for computer, and PAQ to denote a small integral object.
Corel
The name was derived from the founder’s name Dr.Michael Cowpland. It stands for COwpland REsearch Laboratory.
The name started as a joke boasting about the amount of information the search-engine would be able to search. It was originally named ‘Googol’, a word for the number represented by 1 followed by 100 zeros. After founders - Stanford graduate students Sergey Brin and Larry Page presented their project to an angel investor, they received a cheque made out to ‘Google’
Hotmail
Founder Jack Smith got the idea of accessing e-mail via the web from a computer anywhere in the world. When Sabeer Bhatia came up with the business plan for the mail service, he tried all kinds of names endingin ‘mail’ and finally settled for hotmail as it included the letters “html”
- the programming language used to write web pages. It was initially referred to as HoTMaiL with selective uppercasing.
Hewlett Packard
Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard tossed a coin to decide whether the Company they founded would be called Hewlett-Packard or Packard-Hewlett.
Intel
Bob Noyce and Gordon Moore wanted to name their new company ‘Moore Noyce’ but that was already trademarked by a hotel chain so they had to settle for an acronym of INTegrated ELectronics.
Lotus (Notes)
Mitch Kapor got the name for his company from ‘The Lotus Position’ or ‘Padmasana’. Kapor used to be a teacher of Transcendental Meditation of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
Microsoft
Coined by Bill Gates to represent the company that was devoted to MICROcomputer Software. Originally christened Micro-Soft, the ‘-’ was removed later on.
Motorola
Founder Paul Galvin came up with this name when his company started manufacturing radios for cars. The popular radio company at the time was called Victrola.
ORACLE
Larry Ellison and Bob Oats were working on a consulting project for the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency). The code name for the project was called Oracle (the CIA saw this as the system to give answers to all questions or something such). The project was designed to help use the newly written SQL code by IBM. The project eventually was terminated but Larry and Bob decided to finish what they started and bring it to the world. They kept the name Oracle and created the RDBMS engine. Later they kept the same name for the company.
Sony
It originated from the Latin word ’sonus’ meaning sound, and ’sonny’ a slang used by Americans to refer to a bright youngster.
SUN
Founded by 4 Stanford University buddies, SUN is the acronym for Stanford University Network. Andreas Bechtolsheim built a microcomputer; Vinod Khosla recruited him and Scot t McNealy to manufacture computers based on it, and Bill Joy to develop a UNIX-based OS for the computer.
Yahoo!
The word was invented by Jonathan Swift and used in his book ‘Gulliver’s Travels’. It represents a person who is repulsive in appearance and
Action and is barely human. Yahoo! Founders Jerry Yang and David Filo selected the name because they considered themselves yahoos.
Do you want to impress or confuse clients or Vice versa ?.........
use Techno vocabulary. It can be called the "Buzzword" writing method. It is simple.
There are three columns of words involved, as follows:
0. Balanced 0. Management 0. contingency
1. total 1. Organization 1. Hardware (or software)
2. integrated 2. reciprocal 2. projection
3. compatible 3. monitored 3. time-frame
4. synchronized 4. digital 4. concept
5. optimal 5. modular 5. programming
6. responsive 6. transitional 6. mobility
7. functional 7. Incremental 7. capability
8. parallel 8. third-generation 8. flexibility
9. systemized 9. policy 9. options
Just select any three-digit number; then use the corresponding Buzzwords from the above grid, e.g., 257: "integrated modular capability". Don't worry if it doesn't make sense to you; it won't mean anything to anyone else either, but they'll think you're just smarter than they are so they won't say anything!! ..
You can propose "systemized reciprocal options" (929) to achieve "optimal transitional flexibility" (568), so that we can think of an "integrated monitored projection" (232) ............... JJJJ
There are three columns of words involved, as follows:
0. Balanced 0. Management 0. contingency
1. total 1. Organization 1. Hardware (or software)
2. integrated 2. reciprocal 2. projection
3. compatible 3. monitored 3. time-frame
4. synchronized 4. digital 4. concept
5. optimal 5. modular 5. programming
6. responsive 6. transitional 6. mobility
7. functional 7. Incremental 7. capability
8. parallel 8. third-generation 8. flexibility
9. systemized 9. policy 9. options
Just select any three-digit number; then use the corresponding Buzzwords from the above grid, e.g., 257: "integrated modular capability". Don't worry if it doesn't make sense to you; it won't mean anything to anyone else either, but they'll think you're just smarter than they are so they won't say anything!! ..
You can propose "systemized reciprocal options" (929) to achieve "optimal transitional flexibility" (568), so that we can think of an "integrated monitored projection" (232) ............... JJJJ
http://www.dontclick.it/
Visit the future website. In this website there is no need to click
Anywhere (except on the first page) to navigate through the site.
It's amazing.............
Anywhere (except on the first page) to navigate through the site.
It's amazing.............
Dhirubhai Ambani's words of wisdom
True entrepreneurship comes only from risk-taking.
* Pursue your goal, even in the face of difficulties. Convert difficulties into opportunities. Keep your morale high, in spite of setbacks. At the end you are bound to succeed.
* My advice to young entrepreneurs is not to accept defeat in the face of odds. Challenge negative forces with hope, self-confidence and conviction. I believe that ambition and initiative will ultimately triumph. The success of the young entrepreneur will be the key to India's transformation in the new millennium.
* Dhirubhai will go one day. But Reliance's employees and shareholders will keep it afloat. Reliance is now a concept in which the Ambanis have become irrelevant.
* I have trusted people and they have put their trust in me. I have encouraged youth, and they have never let me down. I have asked my people to take initiative and to take risks. It has paid me rich dividends. I insist on excellence. This helps us to be leaders. Reliance is built on some of these principles.
* The secret of Reliance's success was to have ambition and to know the minds of men.
* Growth has no limit at Reliance. I keep revising my vision. Only when you dream it you can do it.
The problem with Indians is that we have lost the habit of thinking big!
* We can prove to the world that India can do it. That Indians are not afraid of competition. That India is a nation of achievers.
* I dream India of becoming a great economic superpower.
* We must forge a new partnership for a great India. A strong and constructive partnership between industry, government and society.
* We must always go for the best. Do not compromise on quality. Reject if it is not the best -- not only the best in India, but globally.
* If India wants to be a great nation, we must have courage to trust. This is my sincere belief.
* All we have to do is to break the shackles that chain the energies of our people, and India's economy will record a quantum leap and move into a new, higher orbit of growth, competitiveness and productivity.
* I can never fully repay the debt I owe to Mumbai. To all of you. My past was shaped in Mumbai.
* For those who dare to dream, there is a whole world to win!
* I am deaf to the word 'no.'
* I am 100 per cent pro-liberalisation. I do not think any industrialist is against it. But we should protect our industries, from unfair competition.
* There is no question about that (retirement). Business is my hobby. It is not a burden to me. In any case Reliance now can run without me.
* I give least importance to being Number one. I consider myself to be fortunate in this position and would like to contribute to nation building in some way.
* Does making money excite me? No, but I have to make money for my shareholders. What excites me is achievement, doing something difficult. In this room extraordinary things must happen.
* Think big, think fast, think ahead. Ideas are no one's monopoly.
* Our dreams have to be bigger. Our ambitions higher. Our commitment deeper. And our efforts greater. This is my dream for Reliance and for India.
* First and foremost, I owe my success and achievements to the affection, friendship and trust of millions of employees, customers, shareholders, and business associates, who have stood by me and been a major source of my strength all along.
* I believe that the success of Reliance cannot be attributed to the qualities and achievements of one individual, or even a group of individuals, but has to be viewed as a triumph of a process, and a spirit that binds the entire Reliance family together.
* I consider myself a pathfinder. I have been excavating the jungle and making the road for others to walk. I like to be the first in everything I do.
* I, as school kid, was a member of the Civil Guard, something like today's NCC. We had to salute our officers who went round in jeeps. So I thought one day I will also ride in a jeep and somebody else will salute me.
* My fulfillment lies in the satisfaction of every member of the Reliance family, comprising thousands of workers, managers, business associates and over five million shareholders. Being instrumental in creating wealth for over 5 million India families, and bringing prosperity and well being to their life is the best source of satisfaction and joy for me.
* Give the youth a proper environment. Motivate them. Extend them the support they need. Each one of them has infinite source of energy. They will deliver.
* You do not require an invitation to make profits.
* If you work with determination and with perfection, success will follow.
* Between my past, the present and the future, there is one common factor: Relationship and Trust. This is the foundation of our growth.
* We bet on people.
* Meeting the deadlines is not good enough, beating the deadlines is my expectation.
* Don't give up, courage is my conviction.
* We cannot change our rulers, but we can change the way they rule us.
As A G Krishnamurthy, founder of Mudra Communications, writes in his book, Dhirubhaism, about some of the Reliance founder's doctrines:
* Roll up your sleeves and help. You and your team share the same DNA.
* Be a safety net for your team.
* Always be the silent benefactor. Don't tom-tom about how you helped someone.
* Dream big, but dream with your eyes open.
* Leave the professional alone!
* Change your orbit, constantly!
* Money is not a product by itself, it is a by-product, so don't chase it.
* Pursue your goal, even in the face of difficulties. Convert difficulties into opportunities. Keep your morale high, in spite of setbacks. At the end you are bound to succeed.
* My advice to young entrepreneurs is not to accept defeat in the face of odds. Challenge negative forces with hope, self-confidence and conviction. I believe that ambition and initiative will ultimately triumph. The success of the young entrepreneur will be the key to India's transformation in the new millennium.
* Dhirubhai will go one day. But Reliance's employees and shareholders will keep it afloat. Reliance is now a concept in which the Ambanis have become irrelevant.
* I have trusted people and they have put their trust in me. I have encouraged youth, and they have never let me down. I have asked my people to take initiative and to take risks. It has paid me rich dividends. I insist on excellence. This helps us to be leaders. Reliance is built on some of these principles.
* The secret of Reliance's success was to have ambition and to know the minds of men.
* Growth has no limit at Reliance. I keep revising my vision. Only when you dream it you can do it.
The problem with Indians is that we have lost the habit of thinking big!
* We can prove to the world that India can do it. That Indians are not afraid of competition. That India is a nation of achievers.
* I dream India of becoming a great economic superpower.
* We must forge a new partnership for a great India. A strong and constructive partnership between industry, government and society.
* We must always go for the best. Do not compromise on quality. Reject if it is not the best -- not only the best in India, but globally.
* If India wants to be a great nation, we must have courage to trust. This is my sincere belief.
* All we have to do is to break the shackles that chain the energies of our people, and India's economy will record a quantum leap and move into a new, higher orbit of growth, competitiveness and productivity.
* I can never fully repay the debt I owe to Mumbai. To all of you. My past was shaped in Mumbai.
* For those who dare to dream, there is a whole world to win!
* I am deaf to the word 'no.'
* I am 100 per cent pro-liberalisation. I do not think any industrialist is against it. But we should protect our industries, from unfair competition.
* There is no question about that (retirement). Business is my hobby. It is not a burden to me. In any case Reliance now can run without me.
* I give least importance to being Number one. I consider myself to be fortunate in this position and would like to contribute to nation building in some way.
* Does making money excite me? No, but I have to make money for my shareholders. What excites me is achievement, doing something difficult. In this room extraordinary things must happen.
* Think big, think fast, think ahead. Ideas are no one's monopoly.
* Our dreams have to be bigger. Our ambitions higher. Our commitment deeper. And our efforts greater. This is my dream for Reliance and for India.
* First and foremost, I owe my success and achievements to the affection, friendship and trust of millions of employees, customers, shareholders, and business associates, who have stood by me and been a major source of my strength all along.
* I believe that the success of Reliance cannot be attributed to the qualities and achievements of one individual, or even a group of individuals, but has to be viewed as a triumph of a process, and a spirit that binds the entire Reliance family together.
* I consider myself a pathfinder. I have been excavating the jungle and making the road for others to walk. I like to be the first in everything I do.
* I, as school kid, was a member of the Civil Guard, something like today's NCC. We had to salute our officers who went round in jeeps. So I thought one day I will also ride in a jeep and somebody else will salute me.
* My fulfillment lies in the satisfaction of every member of the Reliance family, comprising thousands of workers, managers, business associates and over five million shareholders. Being instrumental in creating wealth for over 5 million India families, and bringing prosperity and well being to their life is the best source of satisfaction and joy for me.
* Give the youth a proper environment. Motivate them. Extend them the support they need. Each one of them has infinite source of energy. They will deliver.
* You do not require an invitation to make profits.
* If you work with determination and with perfection, success will follow.
* Between my past, the present and the future, there is one common factor: Relationship and Trust. This is the foundation of our growth.
* We bet on people.
* Meeting the deadlines is not good enough, beating the deadlines is my expectation.
* Don't give up, courage is my conviction.
* We cannot change our rulers, but we can change the way they rule us.
As A G Krishnamurthy, founder of Mudra Communications, writes in his book, Dhirubhaism, about some of the Reliance founder's doctrines:
* Roll up your sleeves and help. You and your team share the same DNA.
* Be a safety net for your team.
* Always be the silent benefactor. Don't tom-tom about how you helped someone.
* Dream big, but dream with your eyes open.
* Leave the professional alone!
* Change your orbit, constantly!
* Money is not a product by itself, it is a by-product, so don't chase it.
Tata Tea Mulling $2B Acquisition of AriZona Beverages
India’s Tata Group is eyeing possible acquisition targets in the beverage market in the U.S., primarily AriZona Beverages, best known for its iced tea, according to media reports here.
The Tatas have been interested in AriZona Beverages for three years now, The Economic Times of Mumbai said in a report quoting unnamed sources. Company officials did not comment on the rumors.
Long Island-based AriZona began as a beer distributor in New York’s market in 1971. The company diversified into its well-known tea brands only in 1992. Its product line now includes juices and carbonated drinks. Tata Tea is looking at a possible buyout offer of $2 billion for the U.S. business.
The Tatas were also reportedly part of a consortium led by the Blackstone Group (nyse: BX - news - people ) that was eyeing Cadbury Schweppes (nyse: CSG - news - people )’s beverage business in North America, estimated at around $16 billion. But Cadbury said last month that it was extending the transaction because of volatility in debt markets. The Tatas were keen on a stake in Cadbury’s popular Snapple brand that would extend their portfolio in the U.S. market.
Last August, Tata Tea picked up a 30% stake in vitamin water brand Glaceau. But it sold the stake to Coca-Cola (nyse: KO - news - people ) for $1.26 billion when Coke acquired Glaceau’s parent Energy Brands in May.
At the time, Tata Tea Vice Chairman R. K. Krishna Kumar said the company was keen on aggressively expanding in the U.S. markets and would build up a beverage brand there through inorganic growth. Officials said they were keen on 100% acquisitions, as is the company’s habitual preference, the Glaceau stake notwithstanding.
At present, revenues from the tea business account for 86% of the company’s turnover. Britain’s Tetley Group, the second largest bagged tea brand globally, is also a subsidiary of Tata Tea.
The Tatas have been interested in AriZona Beverages for three years now, The Economic Times of Mumbai said in a report quoting unnamed sources. Company officials did not comment on the rumors.
Long Island-based AriZona began as a beer distributor in New York’s market in 1971. The company diversified into its well-known tea brands only in 1992. Its product line now includes juices and carbonated drinks. Tata Tea is looking at a possible buyout offer of $2 billion for the U.S. business.
The Tatas were also reportedly part of a consortium led by the Blackstone Group (nyse: BX - news - people ) that was eyeing Cadbury Schweppes (nyse: CSG - news - people )’s beverage business in North America, estimated at around $16 billion. But Cadbury said last month that it was extending the transaction because of volatility in debt markets. The Tatas were keen on a stake in Cadbury’s popular Snapple brand that would extend their portfolio in the U.S. market.
Last August, Tata Tea picked up a 30% stake in vitamin water brand Glaceau. But it sold the stake to Coca-Cola (nyse: KO - news - people ) for $1.26 billion when Coke acquired Glaceau’s parent Energy Brands in May.
At the time, Tata Tea Vice Chairman R. K. Krishna Kumar said the company was keen on aggressively expanding in the U.S. markets and would build up a beverage brand there through inorganic growth. Officials said they were keen on 100% acquisitions, as is the company’s habitual preference, the Glaceau stake notwithstanding.
At present, revenues from the tea business account for 86% of the company’s turnover. Britain’s Tetley Group, the second largest bagged tea brand globally, is also a subsidiary of Tata Tea.
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