Hathway cable service in the Erandawane region has been most unsatisfactory to say the least in recent times. Firstly, only 40 channels can be decently viewed. The other 30 that are available the signal is extremely weak. What's more is that important channels such as ESPN, BBC, DD Sports (at times STAR SPORTS) figure in the later group of channels. While pretty ordinary channels like the recent sensationalistic news channels, hungama etc. that hardly anyone would care a damn about are shown in the first category. Another issue is that Zee Sports which telecasted the Challenger series last week is not shown at all - it was shown in the adjoining Rajendranagar area - while several other Z channels ranging from Z Gujrati to Z Punjabi are shown.
It must be noted that whenever there is a cricket match on, one of the sports channels is swapped from the later group so it clearly proves that there is no technical reason as to why they should not be able to show all good channels at all times. Even assuming there is, it is understood that we are paying to see all available channels PROPERLY. This is really disturbing and someone needs to voice their concerns over this.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
The Bacon Number
Monday, October 17, 2005
When Killers Become Healers
This post on Rediff describes how the jehadi organisations in POK are helping out the quake victims - common people, police and army-men alike.
They have reached the remotest areas where the Government has failed.
Goodness of heart or plain opportunism ?
The article goes on to imply that jehadi movement has been strengthened by the quake and that grateful 16-year old kids are keen on joining the Mujahiddeen.
They have reached the remotest areas where the Government has failed.
Goodness of heart or plain opportunism ?
The article goes on to imply that jehadi movement has been strengthened by the quake and that grateful 16-year old kids are keen on joining the Mujahiddeen.
The Unimplementable Laws
Last month was the nth occasion when the Maharashtra government was supposed to start the strict enforcement of the draconian helmet rule in Pune. And for the nth time it flopped. Why the Government expected that it would be successful on this occasion given n-1 previous failures and all other things remaining constant is a mystery. The Government's vain efforts on this front are now a source of great hilarity for Puneites and although it might have escaped them, an embarassment for the authorities.
And then some time last month, they announced a much more reasonable law comprehensively banning use of plastic bags in the state. This was, it was reasoned, as a response to the July 26th floods in Mumbai. Apparently, it was the clogging caused by plastic bags that caused the drainage systems to fail. The language of the legislation was terse and strict - no exceptions made. There were protests by the usual suspects happened of course - how will one get milk ? what about cooking-oil ? what alternatives are we supposed to use ? does the Government realise the amounts of price-hike this will cause ? etc etc - of course we needn't have bothered. After making a few noises for a couple of days everyone has forgotten about it. The starting date for the proposed ban is long gone and yet we see plastic bags existing happily in our daily lives, carrying items of day-to-day use, littering roads and (maybe) blocking drainage.
And then some time last month, they announced a much more reasonable law comprehensively banning use of plastic bags in the state. This was, it was reasoned, as a response to the July 26th floods in Mumbai. Apparently, it was the clogging caused by plastic bags that caused the drainage systems to fail. The language of the legislation was terse and strict - no exceptions made. There were protests by the usual suspects happened of course - how will one get milk ? what about cooking-oil ? what alternatives are we supposed to use ? does the Government realise the amounts of price-hike this will cause ? etc etc - of course we needn't have bothered. After making a few noises for a couple of days everyone has forgotten about it. The starting date for the proposed ban is long gone and yet we see plastic bags existing happily in our daily lives, carrying items of day-to-day use, littering roads and (maybe) blocking drainage.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Writing
I am worried that I might lose my writing skills forever. By writing, more precisely I mean handwriting. In this era of the WWW who has the time or will to take a pen and paper and write ? Well, even if one decides to take the effort he is going to be the loser as he will be spending extra time and effort reproducing that in print again. Unless some one is willing to employ specialist typists for every little piece he writes ...
I do believe this is a great tragedy of the modern era. Surely, we agree on the importance of getting children acquainted with computers at an early age via courses in school but I don't think the day is too far when kids will not know what "hand-writing" refers to.
And there is more loss than one can immediately perceive. Handwriting is universally accepted as reflecting the character of a person. There is no need for me to go into details of this. Handwriting breeds of individuality - the lovely curly one, the straight clear yet not-very-beautiful one, the childish flabby one, the completely incomprehensible rubbish - all of these reflect different types of personalities. Hell, it is not for nothing that we used to have hand-writing contests and prizes for the best hand-writing in school in those good old days. What individuality does the typed word signify ? Reading this post, does it indicate in any way what kind of a person I am ? (Of course I do believe that reading emails and conversations a person does develop a certain style and it is reasonably possible for me to identify the sender/chatter based on the type of net-language used ... (for eg someone may be one to say 'yeh' one may say 'hi' etc) ... but that's not quite the same is it ?)
And most frighteningly, I do not see any really feasible solution. Any ideas ?
I do believe this is a great tragedy of the modern era. Surely, we agree on the importance of getting children acquainted with computers at an early age via courses in school but I don't think the day is too far when kids will not know what "hand-writing" refers to.
And there is more loss than one can immediately perceive. Handwriting is universally accepted as reflecting the character of a person. There is no need for me to go into details of this. Handwriting breeds of individuality - the lovely curly one, the straight clear yet not-very-beautiful one, the childish flabby one, the completely incomprehensible rubbish - all of these reflect different types of personalities. Hell, it is not for nothing that we used to have hand-writing contests and prizes for the best hand-writing in school in those good old days. What individuality does the typed word signify ? Reading this post, does it indicate in any way what kind of a person I am ? (Of course I do believe that reading emails and conversations a person does develop a certain style and it is reasonably possible for me to identify the sender/chatter based on the type of net-language used ... (for eg someone may be one to say 'yeh' one may say 'hi' etc) ... but that's not quite the same is it ?)
And most frighteningly, I do not see any really feasible solution. Any ideas ?
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Go Gaurav
This post is to support Gaurav Sabnis, a Mumbai blogger who is involved in some pretty serious legal matters on account of some of his blog posts that sought to bring to the notice of the blogosphere certain issues regarding IIPM and a certain Arindam Chaudhary.
Im sure many of you must have heard about the story but for those of you are uninitiated or are unclear this post of Amit Varma is a good point to begin.
Of course you can find details of the latest from the above post and on Gaurav's blog. I just want to support Gaurav wholeheartedly for the principled stand he has taken and his determination to stand for freedom of speech. I also wish him all the best and hope that he emerges victorious.
Yes, I do have a lot more to say on the role of the blogosphere in this context, but for lack of time, that will have to be some time later.
Im sure many of you must have heard about the story but for those of you are uninitiated or are unclear this post of Amit Varma is a good point to begin.
Of course you can find details of the latest from the above post and on Gaurav's blog. I just want to support Gaurav wholeheartedly for the principled stand he has taken and his determination to stand for freedom of speech. I also wish him all the best and hope that he emerges victorious.
Yes, I do have a lot more to say on the role of the blogosphere in this context, but for lack of time, that will have to be some time later.
Art And Science
What is Art ? What is Science ? How are they related ? Where does the boundary lie ? Is there an art in doing scientific research ? Is there a scientific way to create art ?
Questions aplenty.
Questions aplenty.
Friday, October 07, 2005
Iqbal
Quite a fabulous movie. No other way to describe it.
About the only negative point about the movie was the way it was promoted - somehow it gave people the feeling that it would be a somewhat sad movie about a deaf-and-dumb youngster. But in fact, it is quite a brilliant feel-good movie while all the time being extremely realistic and down-to-earth. Definitely one of the best films of the year.
The simple life in the village is so beautifully portrayed with no efforts to glamorise or dramatise it anywhere. It feels as if you have just walked into this village and are meeting these lovely people. Cricket of course is the theme of the film, but it is not just about cricket. It is about the life of these villagers including but not restricted to the central character, their hopes and aspirations, their despairs and disappointments. It is about the bubbly and loyal younger sister (who is in the truest sense the heroine of the film - whoever said that a hero and heroine need to be romantically linked in a movie ?). It is about the loving and supportive mother, the stern yet good-at-heart father and most importantly about the extremely adorable, alcoholic coach Mohit- portrayed by the as-usual-brilliant Nasseruddin Shah. Mohit in his time himself was a fast bowler and a victim of political selection policies.
He is initially reluctant to coach Iqbal. This is due to various factors. Firstly he prefers to drink and sleep all day. Second he does not know how he is going to communicate. This is where the sister plays a stellar role. And third, he is convinced that nothing good can come out of being a fast bowler based on his own experience. Iqbal's persistence pays off and finally Mohit is drawn completely into it. He even tries his best to convince the austere father when the situation arises.
How he goes about teaching the raw, talented but extremely naive Iqbal the art of bowling is very cleverly depicted. The idea of Iqbal naming his buffaloes Kapil, Kumble, Harbhajan, Balaji and Irfan is very appealing. As is his idea of using them as stumps in his early days to practice bowling. Using them as fielders during practise to make the batsman play the shot that the bowler wants him to (a brainwave of Mohit's) is an intelligent one.
Of course towards the end, the plot is lost somewhat but that is bound to happen. But it is not completely lost like in most movies. The predictable aspects such as fixing in matches and selection are dealt with and while the end is a little over-dramatic it can be pardoned after such a beautiful effort.
About the only negative point about the movie was the way it was promoted - somehow it gave people the feeling that it would be a somewhat sad movie about a deaf-and-dumb youngster. But in fact, it is quite a brilliant feel-good movie while all the time being extremely realistic and down-to-earth. Definitely one of the best films of the year.
The simple life in the village is so beautifully portrayed with no efforts to glamorise or dramatise it anywhere. It feels as if you have just walked into this village and are meeting these lovely people. Cricket of course is the theme of the film, but it is not just about cricket. It is about the life of these villagers including but not restricted to the central character, their hopes and aspirations, their despairs and disappointments. It is about the bubbly and loyal younger sister (who is in the truest sense the heroine of the film - whoever said that a hero and heroine need to be romantically linked in a movie ?). It is about the loving and supportive mother, the stern yet good-at-heart father and most importantly about the extremely adorable, alcoholic coach Mohit- portrayed by the as-usual-brilliant Nasseruddin Shah. Mohit in his time himself was a fast bowler and a victim of political selection policies.
He is initially reluctant to coach Iqbal. This is due to various factors. Firstly he prefers to drink and sleep all day. Second he does not know how he is going to communicate. This is where the sister plays a stellar role. And third, he is convinced that nothing good can come out of being a fast bowler based on his own experience. Iqbal's persistence pays off and finally Mohit is drawn completely into it. He even tries his best to convince the austere father when the situation arises.
How he goes about teaching the raw, talented but extremely naive Iqbal the art of bowling is very cleverly depicted. The idea of Iqbal naming his buffaloes Kapil, Kumble, Harbhajan, Balaji and Irfan is very appealing. As is his idea of using them as stumps in his early days to practice bowling. Using them as fielders during practise to make the batsman play the shot that the bowler wants him to (a brainwave of Mohit's) is an intelligent one.
Of course towards the end, the plot is lost somewhat but that is bound to happen. But it is not completely lost like in most movies. The predictable aspects such as fixing in matches and selection are dealt with and while the end is a little over-dramatic it can be pardoned after such a beautiful effort.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
My Experiments With Myself
Yesterday I planned my day to a T. Every minute was assigned a task (even relaxation and TV surfing was allocated a separate time slot).
Today I had the urge to try the exact opposite. I would plan nothing. Just take things as they come and do what I feel at that moment.
So far I am not really able to say with any conviction whether one was any better than the other. Maybe a compromise is the best solution. Ah well, the experiements will continue.
Today I had the urge to try the exact opposite. I would plan nothing. Just take things as they come and do what I feel at that moment.
So far I am not really able to say with any conviction whether one was any better than the other. Maybe a compromise is the best solution. Ah well, the experiements will continue.
Happiness
The other day I read a brilliant article in The Times and cited on slashdot about happiness and its pschycological links. Unfortunately can't find it right now.
The most important point it made however, is that often are wants and likes are different. We crave for certain things and try our best to get them expending time and effort but in the end we do not end up liking them even if we manage to achieve them on most occasions. Such a simple thought and so true - yet something we don't always realise. It would be a good idea hence to remember the moments that made us truly happy and then try to recreate the situations that caused them.
The article also talks about, among other things, how the human race might have evolved in a manner such that when there is a danger or a crisis we make efforts to fight it but when all is going well we move into cruise control and take it for granted - make no effort to enjoy it or improve it. This is attributed mainly to the fact that our prehistoric ancestors had to fight against natural calamities during the Ice Age and then with wild beasts just to survive and now while that is no longer relevant our brain which has adapted to that resists change.
Update:
Meanwhile completely tangentially The Times (not the London times our very own Tabloid) says that Pune is the happiest city in India !! Isn't this too good or what !! Link via Amit Varma.
The most important point it made however, is that often are wants and likes are different. We crave for certain things and try our best to get them expending time and effort but in the end we do not end up liking them even if we manage to achieve them on most occasions. Such a simple thought and so true - yet something we don't always realise. It would be a good idea hence to remember the moments that made us truly happy and then try to recreate the situations that caused them.
The article also talks about, among other things, how the human race might have evolved in a manner such that when there is a danger or a crisis we make efforts to fight it but when all is going well we move into cruise control and take it for granted - make no effort to enjoy it or improve it. This is attributed mainly to the fact that our prehistoric ancestors had to fight against natural calamities during the Ice Age and then with wild beasts just to survive and now while that is no longer relevant our brain which has adapted to that resists change.
Update:
Meanwhile completely tangentially The Times (not the London times our very own Tabloid) says that Pune is the happiest city in India !! Isn't this too good or what !! Link via Amit Varma.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Getting The Timing Right
Is extremely important of course in all walks of life, in cricket ...
It so happens it is also important in your daily Tekdi visit.
Of course, Tekdi is a hot topic in the blogosphere of Pune bloggers courtesy this post by Gaurav (see here and here) and hence thought I might as well add my two-pence to it.
Yesterday I started climbing at 6 and it was a touch too late. For while returning it gets a bit dark and lonely.
Today I started at 5.20 and it was a bit too early !! Because the crowds really don't start pouring in that early and the Tekdi is resultantly much less romantic, devoid of life. Of course a bit too sunny too.
So you see, tomorrow I think I should look to start at around 5.40 ...
It so happens it is also important in your daily Tekdi visit.
Of course, Tekdi is a hot topic in the blogosphere of Pune bloggers courtesy this post by Gaurav (see here and here) and hence thought I might as well add my two-pence to it.
Yesterday I started climbing at 6 and it was a touch too late. For while returning it gets a bit dark and lonely.
Today I started at 5.20 and it was a bit too early !! Because the crowds really don't start pouring in that early and the Tekdi is resultantly much less romantic, devoid of life. Of course a bit too sunny too.
So you see, tomorrow I think I should look to start at around 5.40 ...
Ubuntu - Humanity To Others
Check this out.
Linux for Human Beings it seems. In African other than the above mentioned title it also means "I am what I am because of who we all are".
'The Ubuntu Linux distribution brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the software world.' according to their website.
My good friend Pavgi will no doubt be already onto it.
Interesting ...
Originally found via slashdot.
Linux for Human Beings it seems. In African other than the above mentioned title it also means "I am what I am because of who we all are".
'The Ubuntu Linux distribution brings the spirit of Ubuntu to the software world.' according to their website.
My good friend Pavgi will no doubt be already onto it.
Interesting ...
Originally found via slashdot.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
US Open Men's Final 2005
What a grand final ! After the rather tame affair on the women's side, this was certainly a final worth waking up late at night to see. First of all, Agassi's march to the final was extremely creditable. Agreed, he got a "relatively" simple draw and I say that because he is after all 35 and was playing people 10 years younger most of the while. He beat Blake in a classic who himself had played gorgeous tennis to beat the red-hot Nadal and then Ginepri who had ousted Roddick's conqueror and had done really well leading up to the US Open.
And in the final, right up until the third set tie-break, it genuinely seemed that a "match" was on, unlike say when Hewitt played Federer when it looked like he was playing just for honour and the result a foregone conclusion. For some time now, Federer must have been thinking that it was about time somebody stepped up to him (according to one of the commentators) and Agassi did so in spectacular style. Looking at the way Agassi played in the earlier rounds, it seemed that he would be thrashed by Federer - he only barely managed to get past Blake, Malisse and Ginepri in 5 sets. But today against a champion he realised he had to lift his game and did so quite magnificently. It was indeed sad that he should come out second in the end - after all, this could well be his last realistic chance at a Grand Slam title.
But there is no shame and indeed nothing to feel to bad about to lose to a champion like Federer. Not only is he probably the greatest ever tennis player to have walked this Earth, he is also such a wonderful human being. At the end of the match Agassi said so in precisely these words. And Federer paid homage to the senior pro and the champion of a generation when he said that this was his biggest career final (no disrespect to the Phillippousises, Safins, Roddicks and Hewitts although after this performance by Agassi one wonders whether they are really any good capitulating so easily to the Master) and in a touching gesture hoped that Andre kept on playing so that they could have many more great matches.
Also, it was wonderful to see Steffi Graf and the two kids at the matches. Looking forward to the day when Andre and Steffi are in the stands cheering their kids !!
And in the final, right up until the third set tie-break, it genuinely seemed that a "match" was on, unlike say when Hewitt played Federer when it looked like he was playing just for honour and the result a foregone conclusion. For some time now, Federer must have been thinking that it was about time somebody stepped up to him (according to one of the commentators) and Agassi did so in spectacular style. Looking at the way Agassi played in the earlier rounds, it seemed that he would be thrashed by Federer - he only barely managed to get past Blake, Malisse and Ginepri in 5 sets. But today against a champion he realised he had to lift his game and did so quite magnificently. It was indeed sad that he should come out second in the end - after all, this could well be his last realistic chance at a Grand Slam title.
But there is no shame and indeed nothing to feel to bad about to lose to a champion like Federer. Not only is he probably the greatest ever tennis player to have walked this Earth, he is also such a wonderful human being. At the end of the match Agassi said so in precisely these words. And Federer paid homage to the senior pro and the champion of a generation when he said that this was his biggest career final (no disrespect to the Phillippousises, Safins, Roddicks and Hewitts although after this performance by Agassi one wonders whether they are really any good capitulating so easily to the Master) and in a touching gesture hoped that Andre kept on playing so that they could have many more great matches.
Also, it was wonderful to see Steffi Graf and the two kids at the matches. Looking forward to the day when Andre and Steffi are in the stands cheering their kids !!
Saturday, September 10, 2005
Clijsters v Pierce In US Open Final
I have this weird tendency to find patterns in the weirdest of things. Quite often, in cricket and tennis - my favourite sports. Take this one for instance. In 2005, Lindsay Davenport made it to the finals of the Australian Open and Wimbledon, losing both, one to Serena Williams, the other to Venus. Mary Pierce made it to the finals of the French Open and was destroyed by the Belgian Justine Henin Hardenne. Now she makes it to the finals here and takes on another Belgian. What are the odds then of Clijsters breezing to her first and long overdue Grand Slam title ? To make the analogy stronger, both Pierce and Davenport are veterans on their last legs in professional tennis.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Ganpati Bappa Moraya
On the auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi, Namaskar. The enthusiasm of the youngsters in organizing the society Ganpati celebrations brought back nostalgic memories of those good old days in Rajdoot, the place I used to live as a lad. The last 2 years when I was overseas, I had kind of missed this excitement. Of course we had Ganpati celebrations at a few of my friends' place but the atmosphere here is totally different. There are programs like dramas, dance and music at night and it is just wonderful.
Which brings me to another important social issue. For what is Ganeshotsav if not a celebration of the society ? It so happens that this year, all our evening programs start at 8 pm. Which means that people like my father won't be able to enjoy most of these. Why is it so ? Because it has been ruled that the use of loudspeakers will not be allowed beyond 10 pm.
I find this really very disturbing. I am all for allowing people their privacy and peace. I do not support the blaring use of loudspeakers at night that ruins the lives of those all around. But if you are not allowed open-air theatres beyond 10 pm at night nor the use of light-and-sound of Ganpati, you are really destroying the soul of the whole festival. It is an occasion for families to get out and roam the streets of Pune late into the night watching the various decorated Ganpatis. If all is going to be shut at 10 pm, how do you expect someone who works hard till say 9 o clock return home and take his family out to enjoy the festivities ??
I think this is a problem of rigidity, adamancy and stubbornness alongwith a lack of will and organization. One must make exceptions for cases like these. Of course, you might argue that it would be unfair on others who might want exceptions on occasions of say Id, Christmas etc (hypothetically). Sure, if so is the case, I have no problems in granting them the exceptions as well. The issue is that this is what the people want. It is not something for 1 particular individual. After all, since our legislators represent us, they should make the exceptions in the law and I do not quite blame the courts as much as I blame them.
Another arguement is that Ganpati is a phenomenon restricted to the people of Maharashtra, more particularly those of Mumbai and even more than Mumbai, Pune. The ban on use of loudspeakers is nationwide and is overseen by the Supreme Court. What do the politicians in Delhi care of what we want here locally ?? To hell with this rubbish, I say ! I think we should fight for greater autonomy. Such decisions which are not of national importance should definitely be made at state level, if not even lower. In the United States, every city has the autonomy to decide on use of fireworks and the like. If you do not allow each city to retain its soul, its character what is to happen to the great Indian ideal of "Unity in Diversity" ? How is the diversity going to be sustained ? Isn't this akin to the BJP's dangerous proposal of a Uniform Civil Code ? We should take care that we do not destroy the diversity of this country in strengthening the unity.
Already, great traditional cultural activities in Pune like the Sawai Gandharva have had to bear the brunt of this draconian rule. I would like the PMC to file a PIL against this and this should come now for next year. Not five days before. I would also like people to undertake civil disobedience and court arrest. Of course, I doubt any of this is going to happen. We are like this only. Aren't we ?
Update: In lieu of the the restrictions on the loudspeakers, the leading Ganpati mandals decided to initiate action. The 5 Manache Ganpati decided to observe an hour of silence for one hour as a mark of protest. The newspapers too were filled with stories of the death-like silence that had marred this year's celebrations. It looked likely that some sort of action would follow. However the next day a poll in the newspaper showed that in fact over 70% of the people were happy with the embargo on loudspeakers and did not support the Ganesh Mandal's protests. This was an eye-opener for me. Truly, the residents of Laxmi Road and downtown Pune must have been relieved and happy at being able to live in peace and silence. What still needs to be addressed however is the issue of the blanket ban. True, a loud-speaker blaring out stuff like "Dhoom Machale Dhoom" and "Kajara re" for hours late at night is definitely a pest and should be an absolute no-no. On the other hand, a loudspeaker that is narrating a story about some scene or is used for open air theatre should be allowed to function ?!?! The issue is one of discrimination. We are very good at discrimination in general. We have reservations in colleges, in the Parliament, in the Government jobs and now are planning to extend it to the private sector. Why then do we refuse to discriminate here ?
Which brings me to another important social issue. For what is Ganeshotsav if not a celebration of the society ? It so happens that this year, all our evening programs start at 8 pm. Which means that people like my father won't be able to enjoy most of these. Why is it so ? Because it has been ruled that the use of loudspeakers will not be allowed beyond 10 pm.
I find this really very disturbing. I am all for allowing people their privacy and peace. I do not support the blaring use of loudspeakers at night that ruins the lives of those all around. But if you are not allowed open-air theatres beyond 10 pm at night nor the use of light-and-sound of Ganpati, you are really destroying the soul of the whole festival. It is an occasion for families to get out and roam the streets of Pune late into the night watching the various decorated Ganpatis. If all is going to be shut at 10 pm, how do you expect someone who works hard till say 9 o clock return home and take his family out to enjoy the festivities ??
I think this is a problem of rigidity, adamancy and stubbornness alongwith a lack of will and organization. One must make exceptions for cases like these. Of course, you might argue that it would be unfair on others who might want exceptions on occasions of say Id, Christmas etc (hypothetically). Sure, if so is the case, I have no problems in granting them the exceptions as well. The issue is that this is what the people want. It is not something for 1 particular individual. After all, since our legislators represent us, they should make the exceptions in the law and I do not quite blame the courts as much as I blame them.
Another arguement is that Ganpati is a phenomenon restricted to the people of Maharashtra, more particularly those of Mumbai and even more than Mumbai, Pune. The ban on use of loudspeakers is nationwide and is overseen by the Supreme Court. What do the politicians in Delhi care of what we want here locally ?? To hell with this rubbish, I say ! I think we should fight for greater autonomy. Such decisions which are not of national importance should definitely be made at state level, if not even lower. In the United States, every city has the autonomy to decide on use of fireworks and the like. If you do not allow each city to retain its soul, its character what is to happen to the great Indian ideal of "Unity in Diversity" ? How is the diversity going to be sustained ? Isn't this akin to the BJP's dangerous proposal of a Uniform Civil Code ? We should take care that we do not destroy the diversity of this country in strengthening the unity.
Already, great traditional cultural activities in Pune like the Sawai Gandharva have had to bear the brunt of this draconian rule. I would like the PMC to file a PIL against this and this should come now for next year. Not five days before. I would also like people to undertake civil disobedience and court arrest. Of course, I doubt any of this is going to happen. We are like this only. Aren't we ?
Update: In lieu of the the restrictions on the loudspeakers, the leading Ganpati mandals decided to initiate action. The 5 Manache Ganpati decided to observe an hour of silence for one hour as a mark of protest. The newspapers too were filled with stories of the death-like silence that had marred this year's celebrations. It looked likely that some sort of action would follow. However the next day a poll in the newspaper showed that in fact over 70% of the people were happy with the embargo on loudspeakers and did not support the Ganesh Mandal's protests. This was an eye-opener for me. Truly, the residents of Laxmi Road and downtown Pune must have been relieved and happy at being able to live in peace and silence. What still needs to be addressed however is the issue of the blanket ban. True, a loud-speaker blaring out stuff like "Dhoom Machale Dhoom" and "Kajara re" for hours late at night is definitely a pest and should be an absolute no-no. On the other hand, a loudspeaker that is narrating a story about some scene or is used for open air theatre should be allowed to function ?!?! The issue is one of discrimination. We are very good at discrimination in general. We have reservations in colleges, in the Parliament, in the Government jobs and now are planning to extend it to the private sector. Why then do we refuse to discriminate here ?
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Pune Traffic
This morning I was a victim of the notorious Pune traffic system. No, don't worry - I did not face a near-death experience. "Earree !! Mag kay ??" I know several of you will rebuke me for making such a big deal. If it is not near-death, it is not worth fretting about, is it ?? An hour's delay here and there is something to be expected, is it not ? Well, what if I then tell you that my delay didn't really last for an hour but about ten minutes ?? Well, I can already hear the "pch pch" es from all of you - What a cry-baby I am ! Ain't I ??
So be it. I will lodge my complaint anyway. This morning I was walking to the nearby grocer (kiranamalacha dukaan), Umesh to get some milk. Those who are aware of the geography of the region will agree that walking out of the back gate of Himali Society via the narrow lane that opens into Lakshminarayan Nagar on the left, it should take an average walker no more than five minuted to get to Umesh. Allowing for two minutes ito get the milk (he is very efficent, that man), the complete excursion should not take more than 12 minutes. Of course, only if you do not take into account the delay caused by the infinite time required to cross the Gulawni Maharaj Road. So it happened that today it took me about 20 minutes to complete the above mission.
To look to your right and see an ocean of cars and two-wheelers like Ganpatis in the Anant Chaturdashi procession is quite overwhelming. I waited for ten minutes (well maybe seven to eight, but what the hell) patiently looking for an opening. Again, I can hear you chiding me for following the wrong strategy and then bickering. "This is not the way it works in Pune, is it ?? You have to keep moving forward regardless of the flow and through the chaos will emerge a strange kind of order and you will reach your destination safely 99% of the time, isn't it ??" Well, call me American-minded (since I have just returned after staying there for two years) for expecting a sense of discipline and method if you like. I am sorry, when it comes to such things where I feel the American way is right, I will not desist from saying so. I expect some sense of decorum. I expect that while the traffic is in flow, the pedestrians should stop and the vehicles return the favour in due course of time.
It is not that I just want to bicker and preach. I want to practically try to analyse the situation and make suggestions to improve it. One, the difficulty mainly arises with the traffic that is moving towards Mhatre Bridge, not away from it. This can quite clearly be attributed to the existence of the signal just after Mhatre Bridge at the ... Chowk. (Note to self: Find out the name of this chowk, too) which regulates the flow of traffic allowing periods of calm for the pedestrians to cross. Now, there exists a signal at the other end too - near Kirloskar Cummins - (Note to self: Find out the name of this chowk also) which clearly isn't functional. At least, it was not this morning and based on the experiences of many people's complaints and resultant reluctance to cross this road, does not for a major part of the time. It is imperative that this should be looked into. There should be no excuse for a signal not functioning at all. People not obeying it is a secondary matter. Otherwise there is no way we can break out of this vicious circle - vehicles not bothering to stop to allow pedestrians to cross and pedestrians pushing their way through. As I said that it will work 99% of the time is no justification. Last week an old woman was killed in front of Vishrambaug Wada doing just this. The papers were quick to castigate the "reckless vehicle drivers" but can they really be blamed if people are pushing their way through heavy traffic ?? The next day, another paper carried a piece lambasting these "careless and irresponsible pedestrians" - but pray what are they supposed to do ?? Wait for an eternity to find some breathing space ?? Clearly the answer does not lie in blaming either. The time must be fairly divided to allow both proper use. After the Vishrambaug Wada incident, the city police were shaken into action - and the idea of using a rope at the signal at Alka is certainly a welcome one. But at other places like this one too, signals must be strictly enforced.
Now let us look at the context. Umesh is a pretty well-known and significant trader and has several customers in the region, particularly in Himali. There are a lot of senior citizens living in Himali and while most are fairly well-to-do, not all have servants who can deliver their groceries home. Even though Umesh provides for home deliveries when purchases are made in bulk, there are occasions where people will want the odd item like I did this morning or where they will just feel like walking to the grocers. This number will soon grow when more people move in into the newly built Sankul. Already there is a lot of traffic flowing in and out of Dinanath Hospital - access to which from either side is not easy to put it mildly. In such a scenario it would not be unjustifiable to demand for a signal in the Chowk of Umesh itself. At least, the authorities should make sure that the existing signals are functioning properly.
It is said "Charity begins at Home." I think we need to start taking an interest and resolving local issues like these. There is no question Pune is growing fast. But it is growing in a wild, indisciplined manner. We need to make sure that it remains a decent place to live in. We need to follow the examples of Bangalore (BATF) and Kozhikode (the first litter-free city in India). I wonder if there is any group of bloggers interested in making Pune a better place and are working for that - I would be keen to join - similar to the effort 'Mumbai Help' by some Mumbai bloggers. While Pune has been lucky that it has suffered much less than Mumbai with regards to natural and man-made disasters, it is severely lacking in other respects such as traffic and discipline.
I admit I don't really know how to go about trying to make a difference by myself. I know I should and I probably will communicate this to the authorities, newspapers etc but we all know for any change to happen, people in large numbers need to come out and voice their opinion. I am not the best at organizing people to do that. Hence I am making use of this blog to communicate with similar-thinking people who are interested in bringing about a change. Let us hope we can make a difference.
Update: I did check the signal later in the evening and while it was working, it is run in such a manner that it gives the pedestrians negligible time to cross. Really, it should be better regulated.
So be it. I will lodge my complaint anyway. This morning I was walking to the nearby grocer (kiranamalacha dukaan), Umesh to get some milk. Those who are aware of the geography of the region will agree that walking out of the back gate of Himali Society via the narrow lane that opens into Lakshminarayan Nagar on the left, it should take an average walker no more than five minuted to get to Umesh. Allowing for two minutes ito get the milk (he is very efficent, that man), the complete excursion should not take more than 12 minutes. Of course, only if you do not take into account the delay caused by the infinite time required to cross the Gulawni Maharaj Road. So it happened that today it took me about 20 minutes to complete the above mission.
To look to your right and see an ocean of cars and two-wheelers like Ganpatis in the Anant Chaturdashi procession is quite overwhelming. I waited for ten minutes (well maybe seven to eight, but what the hell) patiently looking for an opening. Again, I can hear you chiding me for following the wrong strategy and then bickering. "This is not the way it works in Pune, is it ?? You have to keep moving forward regardless of the flow and through the chaos will emerge a strange kind of order and you will reach your destination safely 99% of the time, isn't it ??" Well, call me American-minded (since I have just returned after staying there for two years) for expecting a sense of discipline and method if you like. I am sorry, when it comes to such things where I feel the American way is right, I will not desist from saying so. I expect some sense of decorum. I expect that while the traffic is in flow, the pedestrians should stop and the vehicles return the favour in due course of time.
It is not that I just want to bicker and preach. I want to practically try to analyse the situation and make suggestions to improve it. One, the difficulty mainly arises with the traffic that is moving towards Mhatre Bridge, not away from it. This can quite clearly be attributed to the existence of the signal just after Mhatre Bridge at the ... Chowk. (Note to self: Find out the name of this chowk, too) which regulates the flow of traffic allowing periods of calm for the pedestrians to cross. Now, there exists a signal at the other end too - near Kirloskar Cummins - (Note to self: Find out the name of this chowk also) which clearly isn't functional. At least, it was not this morning and based on the experiences of many people's complaints and resultant reluctance to cross this road, does not for a major part of the time. It is imperative that this should be looked into. There should be no excuse for a signal not functioning at all. People not obeying it is a secondary matter. Otherwise there is no way we can break out of this vicious circle - vehicles not bothering to stop to allow pedestrians to cross and pedestrians pushing their way through. As I said that it will work 99% of the time is no justification. Last week an old woman was killed in front of Vishrambaug Wada doing just this. The papers were quick to castigate the "reckless vehicle drivers" but can they really be blamed if people are pushing their way through heavy traffic ?? The next day, another paper carried a piece lambasting these "careless and irresponsible pedestrians" - but pray what are they supposed to do ?? Wait for an eternity to find some breathing space ?? Clearly the answer does not lie in blaming either. The time must be fairly divided to allow both proper use. After the Vishrambaug Wada incident, the city police were shaken into action - and the idea of using a rope at the signal at Alka is certainly a welcome one. But at other places like this one too, signals must be strictly enforced.
Now let us look at the context. Umesh is a pretty well-known and significant trader and has several customers in the region, particularly in Himali. There are a lot of senior citizens living in Himali and while most are fairly well-to-do, not all have servants who can deliver their groceries home. Even though Umesh provides for home deliveries when purchases are made in bulk, there are occasions where people will want the odd item like I did this morning or where they will just feel like walking to the grocers. This number will soon grow when more people move in into the newly built Sankul. Already there is a lot of traffic flowing in and out of Dinanath Hospital - access to which from either side is not easy to put it mildly. In such a scenario it would not be unjustifiable to demand for a signal in the Chowk of Umesh itself. At least, the authorities should make sure that the existing signals are functioning properly.
It is said "Charity begins at Home." I think we need to start taking an interest and resolving local issues like these. There is no question Pune is growing fast. But it is growing in a wild, indisciplined manner. We need to make sure that it remains a decent place to live in. We need to follow the examples of Bangalore (BATF) and Kozhikode (the first litter-free city in India). I wonder if there is any group of bloggers interested in making Pune a better place and are working for that - I would be keen to join - similar to the effort 'Mumbai Help' by some Mumbai bloggers. While Pune has been lucky that it has suffered much less than Mumbai with regards to natural and man-made disasters, it is severely lacking in other respects such as traffic and discipline.
I admit I don't really know how to go about trying to make a difference by myself. I know I should and I probably will communicate this to the authorities, newspapers etc but we all know for any change to happen, people in large numbers need to come out and voice their opinion. I am not the best at organizing people to do that. Hence I am making use of this blog to communicate with similar-thinking people who are interested in bringing about a change. Let us hope we can make a difference.
Update: I did check the signal later in the evening and while it was working, it is run in such a manner that it gives the pedestrians negligible time to cross. Really, it should be better regulated.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Weird Windows XP
Over the past few days, I was facing peculiar problems browsing the Internet via my new HP Notebook. Peculiar because several sites like Blogger, Cricinfo, Yahoo Mail refused to load at various times. And did load on other occasions. Every time it seemed it was some site or the other that caused problems and I could find no underlying pattern. All this while MSN and Yahoo Messengers performed to perfection.
I tried the usual fixes. Went through two vain attempts of troubleshooting the problem. My brother had already disabled the firewalls so I was sure that that was not what was causing the problems. When I looked up on the Internet today, someone suggested that I should check Internet Explorer in the Exceptions to Windows Firewall List. Though it should not have made a difference, the firewall already being disabled, I went ahead and did it anyway. Lo and behold, here I am comfortably able to access all the above mentioned sites and writing to you all via one of them !!
Really weird. I wonder if this is just another manifestation of random behavior of software in general or Windows XP in particular and if in ten hours' time Im frustrated by the same old problems again. Or is this really a bug in Windows XP ?? My friends in Microsoft, care to help me out ??
I tried the usual fixes. Went through two vain attempts of troubleshooting the problem. My brother had already disabled the firewalls so I was sure that that was not what was causing the problems. When I looked up on the Internet today, someone suggested that I should check Internet Explorer in the Exceptions to Windows Firewall List. Though it should not have made a difference, the firewall already being disabled, I went ahead and did it anyway. Lo and behold, here I am comfortably able to access all the above mentioned sites and writing to you all via one of them !!
Really weird. I wonder if this is just another manifestation of random behavior of software in general or Windows XP in particular and if in ten hours' time Im frustrated by the same old problems again. Or is this really a bug in Windows XP ?? My friends in Microsoft, care to help me out ??
Friday, July 29, 2005
Of Hope ...
Have been reading reports of the terrible tragedy Mumbai suffered - all over the electronic media and in the blogosphere. Sitting here 5000 miles away it is difficult to completely grasp the gravity of the situation but even if I was in closeby Pune which was completely unaffected I'm sure it would have made no difference. Once again the spirit of Mumbai and the Mumbaikar has shone through and the city is slowly (or maybe prettty quickly) returning to normal. On this occasion, I remember and find it apt to quote a poem by the Late Harivanshray Bachchan that I studied while in high school:
Need Ka Nirman Phir Phir, Neh Ka Ahvan Phir Phir
Yeh Uthee Aandhi Ki Nabh Mein Chha Gaya Sahasa Andhera
Dhooli Dhoosar Badalon Ne Bhoomi Ko Is Bhaanti Ghera
Raat Sa Din Ho Gaya Phir Raat Aayee Aur Kali
Lag Raha Tha Ab Na Hoga Is Nisha Ka Phir Savera
Raat Ke Utpaat Bhay Se Bheet Jan Jan Bheet Kan Kan
Kintu Prachi Se Usha Ki Mohini Muskaan Phir Phir
Need Ka Nirman Phir Phir, Neh Ka Ahvan Phir Phir
Yeh Uthee Aandhi Ki Nabh Mein Chha Gaya Sahasa Andhera
Dhooli Dhoosar Badalon Ne Bhoomi Ko Is Bhaanti Ghera
Raat Sa Din Ho Gaya Phir Raat Aayee Aur Kali
Lag Raha Tha Ab Na Hoga Is Nisha Ka Phir Savera
Raat Ke Utpaat Bhay Se Bheet Jan Jan Bheet Kan Kan
Kintu Prachi Se Usha Ki Mohini Muskaan Phir Phir
Friday, July 22, 2005
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Parineeta
Overall an excellent movie. Parineeta means "The Married Woman" - a fact I discovered only during the movie. Kind of helped me appreciate it all the more. The story albeit simple is a pretty well-acclaimed classic but where the director Pradeep Sarkar scores is in its sensitive yet well-paced handling. Nowhere (except at the fag-end ... "Tod Shekhar Tod" ...) can you sense a trivialisation of issues (unlike Munnabhai MBBS, Vidhu Vinod Chopra's previous work); at the same time your patience is not tested by ultra-sentimental and hyper-emotional scenes.
I will not dwell too much on the story here, but just briefly describe what I appreciated the most. Lolita (Vidya Balan) is the central character - the married woman, the Parineeta. Her lifelong love is Shekhar (Saif) - a love while strong and pure, is unexpressed in words and almost taken for granted to the point where it is never acknowledged until the arrival of a third angle Girish (Sanjay Dutt). In one moment of realization, unknown to the rest of the word Shekhar makes Lolita his Parineeta. But things take a turn, Shekhar is convinced that Lolita has given in to circumstances (which I wont describe here) and decided to wed Girish. He condemns her and decides to move on with life and get married. On the day of his wedding Girish arrives to finally let him know that Lolita had in fact refused to marry him(Girish) because she has already accepted Shekhar as her husband. What happens next is obvious (even trivial). But herein lies the essence of the story.
The strengths of the movie are many, primarily the direction - the portrayal of the 1950s Kolkata is immaculate. While the obvious indicators are minimal - the Victoria Memorial, the Hooghly Bridge and the Goddess Durga make only momentary appearances; it is in the other minute details - the characterization and the picturisation that the director has been able to bring out the true spirit of Kolkata - a tribute to him and the entire cast.
The songs while stopping short of being great are very very good. "Piyu bole" is melodious and hummable while "Kaisi Paheli Zindagani" is truly enjoyable - Rekha is amazing.
Finally, the starcast. Saif delivers another extraordinary performance. While I believe his role in Hum Tum though good was not worth a National Award there is no doubt that Saif's star is on the rise and since 2001 he has been the biggest hit in Bollywood consistently. He portrays the rich, young Bengali babu perfectly but the movie in the truest sense belongs to the Parineeta - the beautiful and hugely talented Vidya Balan. She has literally walked into a very demanding role with utmost ease. Nowhere do you find her making an effort - she looks most natural. Sanjay Dutt is good only in parts and probably looks a tad too old for the role. The support cast is excellent.
In the end, a comparison with Devdas is inevitable - both being Sarat Chandra's novels. Parineeta in my view scores hands down over Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus. While the main reason is that Parineeta is simply a much better and positive story, the relatively light-weight starcast has also been a plus-factor. Devdas it seemed was made to showcase Aishwarya, Madhuri and Shahrukh and was resultantly much too elaborate even gaudy. In Parineeta the actors fit into the characters so smoothly to result into an almost perfectly underplayed product.
I will not dwell too much on the story here, but just briefly describe what I appreciated the most. Lolita (Vidya Balan) is the central character - the married woman, the Parineeta. Her lifelong love is Shekhar (Saif) - a love while strong and pure, is unexpressed in words and almost taken for granted to the point where it is never acknowledged until the arrival of a third angle Girish (Sanjay Dutt). In one moment of realization, unknown to the rest of the word Shekhar makes Lolita his Parineeta. But things take a turn, Shekhar is convinced that Lolita has given in to circumstances (which I wont describe here) and decided to wed Girish. He condemns her and decides to move on with life and get married. On the day of his wedding Girish arrives to finally let him know that Lolita had in fact refused to marry him(Girish) because she has already accepted Shekhar as her husband. What happens next is obvious (even trivial). But herein lies the essence of the story.
The strengths of the movie are many, primarily the direction - the portrayal of the 1950s Kolkata is immaculate. While the obvious indicators are minimal - the Victoria Memorial, the Hooghly Bridge and the Goddess Durga make only momentary appearances; it is in the other minute details - the characterization and the picturisation that the director has been able to bring out the true spirit of Kolkata - a tribute to him and the entire cast.
The songs while stopping short of being great are very very good. "Piyu bole" is melodious and hummable while "Kaisi Paheli Zindagani" is truly enjoyable - Rekha is amazing.
Finally, the starcast. Saif delivers another extraordinary performance. While I believe his role in Hum Tum though good was not worth a National Award there is no doubt that Saif's star is on the rise and since 2001 he has been the biggest hit in Bollywood consistently. He portrays the rich, young Bengali babu perfectly but the movie in the truest sense belongs to the Parineeta - the beautiful and hugely talented Vidya Balan. She has literally walked into a very demanding role with utmost ease. Nowhere do you find her making an effort - she looks most natural. Sanjay Dutt is good only in parts and probably looks a tad too old for the role. The support cast is excellent.
In the end, a comparison with Devdas is inevitable - both being Sarat Chandra's novels. Parineeta in my view scores hands down over Sanjay Leela Bhansali's magnum opus. While the main reason is that Parineeta is simply a much better and positive story, the relatively light-weight starcast has also been a plus-factor. Devdas it seemed was made to showcase Aishwarya, Madhuri and Shahrukh and was resultantly much too elaborate even gaudy. In Parineeta the actors fit into the characters so smoothly to result into an almost perfectly underplayed product.
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