This poem is dedicated to everyone of the IndiBloggers and those whose blog posts / art works have been copied because of someone who was exposed recently on Indiblogger Blog.
Let the emotions flow,
After hitting the heafty blow,
A theif who ruts out anger,
And now aware of the Danger,
Everyone is up in arms,
For he has lost his charm,
Go in deep and read the shit,
Let us kick his goddamn bullshit!!
All form of Plagiarism is a crime. I have been personally subjected to it and have tried my best to protect my interests. It is, the same for every blogger/artist in any form of life. IndiBlogger has taken a step to expose one such blogger and all that we expected was an apology to all of his fans and readers and return of the prize money.
After threatening for a legal action and cooking up ‘fictional’ stories of an unknown, deleted blog not searchable via Google on the IndiBlogger Blog, sculpting on his Facebook page blog and group page about fictional allegations best described only by him and a lot of flaming and usage of foul language from his fake ids on the IndiBlogger forum. I think its time that we stand united against Plagiarism of every kind, and by ANYONE.
What is your Idea of celebrating your weekend? I am so tired to think and hence looking for a few interesting answers from you. I am not interested in going out coz it makes me feel tired. I want to relax at home but being in Mumbai and having lived the fast life, you are habitual not to be doing anything at any point.
All I do is be lazy at my home, try to read something, eat, be online, munch something, pester my mom and sister, then again eat!
Some times I have tried cooking but am most of the times shoooed away from the Kitchen for creating a mess for my poor mom to clean up.
Reading books is a on-the-bed affair and my mom will keep yelling me to get out of it at least on a weekend :P.
Being online requires me to start my cooler and point it to my lappy and not at me [my lappy gets real hot when I am on it you see :)].
And its a regular affair to fight with my sister, mom and dad for the very so precious REMOTE CONTROL of the Idiot Box.
Heck, I am not in for it anymore.
So folks, what is the best things that you can do at home and still be lazy at it?
Annie’s Best Idea: Be on Bed, pretend to be ill, get all the attention and love…
I don’t understand the reason for State honors for Satya Sai Baba. He is neither a Military man, not a government office bearer that he gets this privilege. More over, I think no one in politics should never get that. But that’s a different story. With all due respect to his holiness, I dont think there was any god living in this time of the world. But people used refer him to god. I never heard of a God who lived in a Rs. 50,000 Crore empire, travelling in Rolls Royce. I dont even think Sai Baba (Shirdi Sai Baba), whom Satya Sai Baba claims to be as his reincarnation, would have spent a life as stylish.
No offence to so many people following him, and I respect their rights of freedom of thinking. But I need answers to my questions.
I read on some news sites, that State honors for Satya Sai Baba as it is followed for every other Hindu spiritual leaders! Is that correct? If Hindu Spiritual leaders on their death get State honors, then there a so many spiritual leaders, why didnt they get? Does being famous make him eligible to get state honors? Really looking for answers, if some one has please do let me know.
I wish to write more about this topic of Satya Sai Baba. I hope I find enough time.
It really took a very long time coming but its finally here! My 200th post!! A journey of more than 5 years took me here at last. I blog very regularly when I am in mood, which rarely happens. But nonetheless, a milestone achieved.
Thank you all my readers! I am paying my Blog a tribute here for giving me so many nice friends who have in more ways than one helped me improve as a writer and cheered me up!
Take some cake for 200th Post
Thank you to IndiBlogger! Without Indi, I wont have got so many readers! Also, it helped me educate so much more about Blogging and so many resources. Its a must platform for all the bloggers out there.
Stats – Indianomics
In 2008, I shifted to WordPress and from Blogger and I was floored with WP’s blogging powers. During this journey, there were so many people who helped me grow as a blogger. I thank all of them sincerely for being great supporters and critics alike. Thank you very much. 🙂
Here is a list of must read blog posts.
Life is Cool – A sweet poem inspired by the Rainbow I saw while traveling on the Mumbai Suburban Railways
Akshaya Patra and generous deed – “Akshaya Patra” means an inexhaustible vessel. My article for Akshaya Patra IndiBlogger contest. It was written for the sheer thought that every blog post will earn 50 children a Meal
The Seconds Effect! Will Tata DoCoMo change market Dynamics – Tata Docomo had launched in 5 circles already and was readying its offerings for other cities as well. I had written this article about Tata Docomo because this enterant was sure to shake up things in what was then a some-what stable market. This post is also special because Tata Docomo Marketing team themselves landed up on my post to comment and reply to those who complained.
ChangeMind Ver 1.0 – No more caste differences – Its one crazy idea of inventing a technology to change the mindset of people with Cast Differences. Though this is purely fictional and a complete non-brainer, I have tried to tell you all what I feel about how does this caste differences work so badly for people who are in love.
Airtel Ad: Timeless Goodbye – The new Airtel ad where they launch their 3G services is reviewed. Created by JWT, this ad triumphed Tata Docomo’s 3G (though sober and cute) advert by miles. Docomo was the first to launch 3G. It touched emotional chord with its users, particularly those unmarried love couples.
What is your favorite topping for a Pizza? – I have this tendency to write about complete non-brainers you see :P. Here I have shared my favorite Pizza Toppings 🙂 and others did theirs too 😀
Sugar Cane Juice – the old way – I came across a completely wooden Sugar Cane machine, crushed using the power of hands. Never tasted Sugar Cane juice as sweetest as this 😀
The Sahyadris – Some pictures I & The Sahyadris – Some pictures II – I had been to a short trip down to Goa via Konkan and these are the snaps that I took early morning from the train. I was completely mystified with the beauty of nature. Its awesome to say the least. Am sure there are much more beautiful places on earth, but for me this trip will remain memorable.
A Place for Lovers in Mumbai – After lunch, I was talking to my friends outside our office. A topic we discussed was Lover’s place in Mumbai. Suddenly pictures of Bandra Bandstand, Borivali National Park (Kanheri Caves), Juhu Beach and Airol Garden were flashing in minds of each one of us. Its hard still to find a place for couples in Mumbai?
Women and their addiction to men’s height! – Once I was having a lighter discussion with my mom when she revealed that she would have preffered a taller man to a same heighted or slightly tall. My dad is taller, but not much. This forced me to think, and then write, about why women have this addiction to men’s height
Air India and its never ending woes – The official carrier of India fondly called as ‘Maharaja’ is in financial doldrums. Air India has everything it possibly can, except for productivity. I tried to suggest a few things on how we can bring about a change in the fortunes of Air India. This post was chosen for Tangy Tuesday’s at Blog Adda
Evening @ Summer Funk – Shaimak Davar’s Dance academy conducts its Annual show for parents and children alike. This evening was really special coz I saw Deaf people dancing!! When I saw deaf people dancing, I was taken aback. How in the world do they do it? And such coordination of steps left my mouth opened for minutes!
Praise them and kick them – Media reports saying “Why Sachin created hopes in Billions of Indians about a turn of tide and filed to finish it?” forced me to write this post. This post is featured in Blogjunta Editor’s Choice.
This was not an eagerly awaited but yet exiting day for many who are living the Googlage (Stone Age, Fire Age, Fuselage, Googlage 😛 ). Google this year around dont have a big list as it did last year they have a few tricks up their sleeves anyways. Have a look and feel GoogFooled!
Chromercise your Fingers and brun Calories – A Very neat website to do things with Chrome.
Now Send emails using Gmail Motion – Gmail understands your motions via a Web Cam
AutoCompleter’s Job Vacancy – Google always keeps creating new benchmarks and here they created a new Job Title.
Okay, I know very well that its been high time I have blogged. Today I wanted write about something that one of my colleague sparked. Its about expressions.
Human expressions have been varied and vivid in nature but I wanna write a few that are an uncommon thought.
1. A slight movement in a Bus
This is funny. When you are standing in a bus waiting for a seat while traveling, you find this man / women moving a bit and Bang, you are just next to that seat in a moment. Hoping that person will get up and you can rest your body down! Even that’s an expression…
2. A Super Crowded Train
Imagine you are traveling in Mumbai’s super famous crowded trains where you always accidentally put your feet on someone else’s feet and then realize there is no place to keep it. You almost stand on a single leg when you see that frown on others’ face! Talk about expressions…
3. A Sweet Blink (mind you, with both the eyes and not one 😛 thats Wink!)
When you roam around in office and people whom you see everyday, they give you a smile and you reply with a Blink 🙂 Its also seen as a sign of assurance, but in this context, this is how you acknowledge people whom you dont know. It can start even conversations. (thanks to Varun Shridhar‘s Post which made me realize it but you will not find it on his blog now :P)
4. Waving Hands
Ever took a train journey when you were a kid? I for one had traveled long distances from 6 hours to 3 days two nights in a train. I always used to be at door ever since I felt being an teenager who had some daring. And waving hands at passers by even when the train is running at 70KMPH or more. That wave brings in smiles.. to me and the ones were stationary on the Earth by the railway lines.
5. That Hanging Head
I was once traveling back home on a lazy Saturday afternoon when I saw this very thin guy dosing off. His whole body was tilting to the right to left as much as 45°, as if he was a Palm tree in a desert storm. And when i woke him up, his expression was as if I asked him his kidneys!! Lolz..
6. The Peeping Tom caught Red Handed
I had this person working in office who always is so interested in listening to what others say. Be it about anything. The moment he senses some talks going on, without knowing what it is about, he will barge into the middle of the conversations and try to know what was the conversation all about. The funniest thing is that he even looks at other’s computers from standing right behind them and reads what he/she is tying on chat with a friend. That’s disgusting. And when he is caught peeping, that expression on his face is awesome!! He tries to shamefully smile and say “kuch nahi, i was just passing by”.. Lolz…
7. The Horrible Stare!
Have you come across some one who Stared at you for long? If you may have, chances are more that he was thinking of some(one/thing) else and you just happened to be in the way of his/her eye sight. You can see the victim even moving hands and trying to fetch something but he/she wont blink neither realize that they are staring at some one. 😛
8. Exactly Sir Syndrome!!
Reader ES is surprised how his colleague handles the questions from the boss:
How are you going to do this job?
Exactly Sir!
By when will you complete it?
Exactly Sir!
Are you going to do it at all?
Exactly Sir!
At this moment, the boss looks at him. The expression on both their faces is priceless!!
If you have more of these funny expressions that you have experienced, share with me under Comments. I will add up with a link back to your blog. 🙂
Wishing all my visitors and regulars a very Happy New Year. From this new year, for me things remain largely (i.e. except date) unchanged and all I am looking forward to is having happier times ahead 🙂
I had planned for the theme change since end of last year, and here I am. I had penned good bye to my last theme Pixel and gone for Comet, a very light theme with 7 color color options and as with every other wordpress theme, highly customizable. There are some changes I wish to do now to optimize the pages to meet Google Page Speed and Y!Slow.
In the mean while, I would like to have your humble review of the color and theme in general. I am not keen on using Heavy graphics this time around. I like this color and hence pasted it in the background. Once again fellas, wishing you a Happy New Year
PS: Not that i will change this color, but yes suggestions are welcome 😛
“Akshaya Patra” means an inexhaustible vessel. It was a wonderful vessel given to Yudhishthira by the Lord Surya, which held a never-failing supply of food to the Pandavas every day.
Akshaya Patra
The Akshaya Patra Foundation is the largest non-profit organisation in the world to implement the school meal programme. They reach out to over 12 lakhs children in 19 locations across 9 states of India, providing them with freshly cooked meal on all school days. What started as a small initiative 10 years ago has born fruit to many children in India.
“No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger.”
Today, there is a need for organizations like Akshaya Patra since our Government has been ineffective in bringing down or getting rid of corruption in India. The government organized School Meal service has been often in news for Corruption, Low Quality food and unhygienic kitchens in which the food is cooked. The food, served to the next generation that will guide our country, is often tasteless. (more…)
This as promised is the second part of the series of pictures that I had taken on my trip to Konkan. I hope you enjoy the pictures. These are the snaps that I took early morning from the train. I hope you would enjoy them.
IndiBloggers can promote this post via IndiVine here.
The gallery is available to be viewed on the post page so please click on read more if you are on home, posts, category or tag page. Ignore if you are on the same page.
I had been to a short trip down in Konkan and these are the snaps that I took early morning from the train. I hope you would enjoy them.
Update: There are many more sequence shots that I have taken while the train was moving and I would be uploading them by this weekend. You can watch out for more 🙂
These pics were taken on my E63 and while the train was moving and hence, the pics wont reflect the best of the quality.
Yesterday as I was walking in Vashi on the way to meet a friend. While on the way I saw this wooden machine that extracts sugarcane juice. Obviously surprised, since it is something I have never seen before. This device is manually operated, with more than 95% of the motor made of wood.
As I was walking through the by-lanes to go somewhere, I saw them. It was a boon for me on a hot and humid day, with no other shops in the area to quench my thirst. I had one glass of the juice, and I should tell you that it was the best Sugarcane juice I had ever had in Mumbai.
Best sugarcane juice, ever!
The centerpiece crushes the canes in-between and extracts the sweet nectar when the axle is rotated. In fact, this is a complete retro way of making the sugarcane juice, with the machine hosted on a wooden cart, with wheels to boot!
The sugarcane juice is available with ice as well, however I would not recommend it. The ice used by many such shops and stalls or moving machines like these is not made of purified water. It also ruins the original taste. You would not add ice to a glass on wine, would you?
The couple who operates the wooden sugarcane juice machine
You will often only find Sugarcane Juice stalls operating the cane crushing jaws using an electric motor. In the place where I live, there are around seven of them as I remember and I had been at each of these shops.
All these stores use the latest crushers which are an operated by electric motors. They also add a small bell around the cylinders, traditionally tied around the neck of the bull (the workhorse). Every time you hear the bell ringing, you know a sugarcane juice stall is around the corner.
Hence, to find a new, but old way of extracting the juice was refreshing to see and experience. Of course, the vintage appeal should increment the whole feeling, and it does. The taste is something that will remember for years to come!
Reliving memories
I was able to relate the taste of my childhood days going to ‘Aaraatu,’ a traditional mela in my hometown Alleppey, in December every year. As kids, we all used to flock there and buy popcorn and black sugar canes and eat it rather than drinking the juice, a luxury in those days.
The chunks were cut painstakingly by my father once we are back home. It was a celebration as a kid, and every year I used to look forward to visiting the mela. How exciting isn’t it? The humble sugarcane juice can remind you of happiest of your memories from the past!
The family tradition
I interacted with the husband-wife who operated this wonder engine. The couple is from Allahabad, and wooden Sugarcane juice machines are still prevalent in those areas. It is a tedious job, and they love doing it. It is tiresome because the couple has done all the pushing.
The machine in their hometowns operates with the help of bulls. These bulls walk around, with bells around their neck making them ring. They work the lever, which helps crushes the canes to extract the juices between two cylinders.
The husband says it is their family tradition, and that they would try to do as long as they can. He does not think the future generation will keep the tradition alive. Are the days gone when something advanced makes you love the tradition even more?
Kudos to the couple, who are doing their best to bring the tradition to the cities like ours.
Update: You can see such machines in Maharastra as well, specifically Devlali, Nashik, and around Shirdi.
The exotic taste of Sugar cane
Sugarcane Juice Machine, completely made of wood except for nails and bearings extracts the sweetest juice I have ever tasted.
For Rs. 7 a glass, this was undoubtedly the best Sugar Cane Juice I have ever had. It may be the wood, or the cane itself; I may never know. One thing is for sure, some of the best tasteful experiences I have enjoyed in a long time are the ones made traditionally. The modern advancement does not provide the same essence to the food or the juice in this case, like the old one.
Add to it, the exclusivity of rarely seeing the wooden Sugarcane juice machine is the most redefining luxury moment for me. Something that even my parents have not experienced, given how old this process and the tool has been!
Kudos to the couple, who are doing their best to bring the tradition to the cities like ours.
Edit: Updated the article to reflect improved grammar, post framing and of course, the full resolution pictures.
Life is Cool,
Nature’s way,
Sight is good,
Never Away,
The beauty of thee,
I can never ever be,
So uninspired,
Of the views of the nature’s life
When the rains strike,
With the clouds so dark,
Tearing apart,
The sun Shines
Its amazing to see,
The colors of heaven,
The mighty rainbow,
Touching so low,
Never can I ever be,
So unsurprising,
Nature’s way of things such,
Always strike me with a smile…
Rainbow – copyrights reserved by Hemal Shah
Info update: This pic is taken via my E63, hence not pretty clear. The Rainbow arc was fully visible. I took this pic while I was travelling on the Mumbai Local train. The Rainbow was not strong, however it was a full arc.
I have heard a lot of my friends falling flat on face when it comes to the magic word “Love”.
What is love?
Wikipedia explains it as follows – “Love is the emotion of strong affection and personal attachment.”
People fall in love with a lot of things, but the most emotional of course is a human being in love with another human being. Nothing compares to this feeling of being loved and loving someone more than you love yourself.
However, being in India you can sure come up with a lot of exceptions… Of late, you hear it often on the national news channels about honor killings. What two people on this earth did was just loved each other and wanted to live with each other. What hurt their parents / relatives is exactly that?
Love happens. You can’t decide whom to love. When a mother gives birth to a child, she loves him/her because they are special to her, and not because she has to love them.
India is a magical country in many ways than one.
The one technology that I really wish that would exist would be to get rid of the caste differences in people’s brains and teach them the real meaning of Love. To attain something that would rather be used for one’s good. I know I am sounding really superficial here, and not with a sound mindset at present. I want something invented that would get rid of inter caste differences.
