Appraisal Time !!

It is March and time for appraisals at workplace. Hope to see some positive feedback (not that I don't like negative feedback, just that I ignore them).

But as always I will go with my favourite principle in life - "No Expectations, No Disappointments".

Peepoo - Novel Concept ...

A biodegradable toilet bag that can be used as fertiliser. That's PEEPOO.

According to its creator   Anders Wilhelmson  , Peepoo is not just a toilet bag. It is a solution to the human waste disposal problem which today is one of THE biggest obstacles to sanitation and public health in developing countries.



Read more about the Peepoo initiative here.

Pakistan Cricket - Talent 0% (100% nullified) Red Tapism 100% ...

A country that has little cricketing infrastructure (compared to the likes of Australia, South Africa and to an extent India), Pakistan has always produced some of the world’s best cricketers. The Wasim Akrams, Saqlain Mushtaqs, Wasim Baris, Imran Khans (just to name a few).

The poor (or non-existent) infrastructure never ever was a hurdle to these cricketing legends. The system and red-tapism was and is. Today, I read that Younis Khan and Mohd. Yousuf have been banned for life. Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved have been handed a 12 month ban. And Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal have been put on probation for 6 months (this is the most comical news I have ever come across - probation in sport).

And all this action because the team under-performed in the recently concluded series down under. What action should be taken against the board which is a group of jokers managing the enormous talent that the country possesses, but is not keen on placing any faith on its players? It is really painful to see a team having the most number of players having been the captain of the national side.

Click here to read more about the ban here.

Cricket is a team game and the players need to understand each other so as to complement each other’s game. Chopping and changing at the whims and fancies of a bunch of idiots has already taken a toll on Pakistani Cricket and this news has taken the team and its administration to a new low.

It’s a pretty sad day in the history of cricket - the day when the last nail in the coffin has been drilled.

R I P Pakistan Cricket. We will miss your exuberance.

Red Letter Day. Indeed !!!

March 08, 2010. I will remember this day for the rest of my life, the day I started my FITNESS REGIME.

Being a lazy bum all through these years took a toll on my fitness. I couldn't walk short distances, started tiring soon, and slept long hours. And being in the software industry doesn't help one bit as we are always glued to our seats and seldom move (except for numerous coffee breaks and luncheon interval). Realizing that this lifestyle would have an adverse impact later, I decided to start exercising and what better way than cycling.

Here's a brief timeline of what happened today morning.
0645 - Woke up to ensure that my fitness regime doesn't impact my daily routine (and that's 2 hours earlier than my normal wake-up time)
0650 - Had a hot cup of tea to get over the laziness
0655 - Was out on the roads on my brand new bicycle (read more about it here) to kick-off my fitness regime
0700 - Was panting like a dog after cycling for just 1.5 kms at pretty normal speed (it has been ages since I had driven a bicycle) and was ready to give up. But somehow I managed to overcome the negative thought and continued
0710 - 4.5 kms and the thought of giving up crossed my mind for the second time. This time around it was easier to negate the thought
0715 - Back home after cycling 5.5 kms

I wasn't able to stand steadily for a few minutes as my legs were shaking pretty badly. I felt that the dialogue "Building strong, basement weak" was very APT given the state I was in. But I felt rejuvenated.

Nevertheless, 20 mins of exercise is a decent enough beginning for a guy who hasn't exercised all through his life and I am sure I have made a good start (better late than never though !!!). I hope to continue this regime religiously from now on.

Anybody game to give me company?

Surprise !!

Exercise - the word that I had seen only in the dictionary (can't remember the last time I looked upon) and frequently heard on the idiot box, it had no relevance for me. That's what I thought all along.

I realised that I couldn't take the stairs in the office and I started panting like a dog every time I made an attempt. Finally, I understand that I wasn't FIT. So, it was a decision I took at the spur of the moment and it was made easier by the proximity of the cycle shop to my home. I have got myself a BRAND NEW BICYCLE (Hercules Atom MTB 6-speed with front and rear shocks) and intend to cycle for at least 2-4 kms (and gradually increase it to cover 8-10 kms) daily in the mornings. This I believe will help me regain my fitness.

As with any new thing, I wanted to try out my bicycle driving skills immediately. It has been nearly 15 years since the last time I rode one (phew! that's ages!!). My legs started aching after just 5 mins. I had planned to cycle from home through Cathedral Road to Citi Center, the Beach Road, the Napier Bridge and right up to the War Memorial Roundabout and back home the same route home. The distance of approximately 12 kms seems nothing when travelling by bike, by on a cycle its a different ball game altogether.

My fitness regime starts tomorrow. Wish me good luck.

Songs - Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya ....

After listening to the songs for more than 2 months, I was yearning to see how Gautam had picturised these timeless melodies that Rahman had composed for the movie. And thanks to Kalaignar TV, I was able to get a feel of it. And I must admit that the director has come out with flying colours.

I am off to the theatre to watch the movie. Anyone game for it?
In the meantime, I found these youtube videos of the programme aired on Kalaignar TV and thought it appropriate to have it on my blog for you. :) Happy viewing.

Part1: Hosanna, Omana Penne

Part2: Omana Penne (contd)

Part3: Kannukkul Kannai

Part4: Kannukkul Kannai (contd)

Part5: Mannippaaya, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa

Part6: Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa (contd), Anbil Avan, Aaromale

ECR and OMR - Lifelines of Chennai ...

ECR (or East Coast Road) - a state highway that connects the city to various tourist destinations down south like Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry and other Indians temple towns and heritage places.

This route was designed to ease the traffic on the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR, and today the Rajiv Gandhi Salai) which was bursting on its seams because of the unprecedented mass relocation of big software firms and other institutions.

There were 2 roads leading to the same destination, one which was awfully choked while the other was supposed to ease the pressure. There wasn't enough thought given on various aspects while the plan was being formulated which resulted in the plan going awfully wrong and traffic snarls and major accidents became a feature. Travel on these roads became a nightmare.

And suddenly, some sane individual (or group of individuals) decided that enough was enough. The plans were re-drawn. The ECR was the first to be upgraded (if I may say so).

The lanes were clearly marked with reflectors (no road in the city had this, and I presume ECR had the privilege of being the first) that were placed all along the route till Pondicherry. Medians, high mast lighting and speed-breakers were erected in all residential areas through which the road weaved its way. Encroachments were cleared and the 2-way carriageway (one for each direction), now supported 2 lanes on each side with ample space being made available for cyclists and pedestrians. A nominal toll (the toll plaza is once again a first for the city) is collected from all vehicles using this road and this amount has been best utilised in maintaining the road as smooth as silk.

Taking a cue from the success story of the ECR, the state government has embarked on achieving the same with the OMR. With software giants peppering the busy road and logistics becoming a headache, this development work was expected sooner than later.

Today, ECR is regarded as ONE of THE BEST ROADS in the country and is an apt example to showcase what the government is capable of with regards to infrastructure development. The OMR is closely following suit and one day will surely dethrone the ECR from its numero uno position.

The nightmares have now becomes LIFELINES of the city. Wonder what would have happened to Chennai but for the transformation of these two roads over the last decade.

P.S.: You might be wondering why the hell I am blogging about two roads. It is because these are the best roads in the city today and their proximity to the Chennai coastline adds an X factor. The pleasure one experiences while on an evening cruise cannot be described in words, but needs to be experienced in person.

Best Ad 2010 !!!

This should win the award for being one of the best advertisements telecast on Indian television. The creativeness and thoughtfulness of the person who conceptualized this should be given a LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.





And the tagline goes - Vishwas hai.. isme kuch khaas hai (that translates to "I believe.. This has something special").

God save us.

Social Networking - Beware !!

I have never liked the concept and idea of social networking sites. I do not understand the funda of making friends with people based on some crap that they post about themselves. A human being is the most complex creation of Almighty. Even after so many centuries and millenniums of evolution, no one has able to identify why a human being behaves in a certain way. But these sites promote friendship through the web !!

The internet and the dotcom boom have had a great impact on our lives. It has given us the power to do many things which weren't possible earlier. But as the dialogue (in the movie Spiderman) goes "With great power comes great responsibility". And none of the social networking sites have actually made an effort to be more responsible. They claim to have, but there are numerous instances across the globe that prove otherwise.

I am not against Tweeting, Orkuting, Digging, Buzzing or being a member of any of the social networking sites. But please be aware of what you are doing. Protect yourself from becoming a prey to the numerous predators who are on the prowl on these networks in the guise of making friendships. As they say "Prevention is better than cure".

Forgotten Shopping Malls !!

Parsn Complex is amongst one of the oldest shopping landmarks in the city. Situated near the Gemini flyover, this shopping plaza was once famous for the variety of shops that it housed. One could find almost anything. Computers, Travel agents, Mobiles - you name it and you got it.

Today, it is a picture of neglect. Not sure if any one even realizes that the complex exists! There has been no maintenance that has been carried out and that shows blatantly. The elevation (exteriors in technical jargon) doesn’t please the eye and is an instant turn-down for anyone wishing to go to the complex. The less said about the interiors, the better. Poor lighting within, pan stains all over the walls, nonsensical graffiti all over, urchins and other anti-socials lurking around the dark-alleys - has made this once active commercial space in the heart of the city to a shopper’s nightmare.

Most of the other shopping landmarks in the city present no different picture -  Fountain Plaza, Alsa Mall, Prince Plaza to name a few. Once THE hang-out locations of the Chennai youth, these places have lost their importance and have been overshadowed by their much swankier and posh cousins like Spencer Plaza and the Citi Center.

It’s high time the owners of these malls put in some concerted effort to project their prime properties in a better way. A few coats of paint, some lights and some innovative ideas to popularize them should help. These malls and shopping complexes are integral part of Chennai’s history and shouldn’t let them go into obscurity.