Category: India

  • ISI Mark has lost its sheen?

    ISI Mark has lost its sheen?

    As a kid, I remember seeing the ISI mark advertisements promoting the new standards. The government was very much active in propagating it, and soon even manufacturers started adding it to their adverts. It soon became the standard it intended out to be, thanks to the push from the Government to make it mandatory for everyone to comply with it.

    In last two years, I had purchased a few electrical goods that didn’t do great but had the ISI mark on it intact. But I do know for sure that its quality was compromised by the components used to make them. I thought to myself whether I should buy ISI marked goods solely because it is marked ISI, or look at other standards.
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  • Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) may be setup in India

    Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) may be setup in India

    Ever since I have read that China is building a high altitude observatory, I was very jealous. Being built at Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China, it is designed to detect cosmic rays. I envy the pace at which China was developing its next generation of tools for scientific and space exploration. It only made me wonder why India has not much thought about it.

    Given that we are already advanced in Space exploration, but China is catching up and fast. The little Indian heart that I have, does not let me believe that India should be left behind, by none other than China to say the least. So, when I read about the TMT eyeing a place in India – I want to say snap it up while it is available.

    TMT or the Thirty Meter Telescope project is a not for Profit organization, which is working to get a giant, 30 meter telescope installed to observe the universe.
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  • The new race to win the 4G race

    The new race to win the 4G race

    After years of waiting, the 4G is finally here. Exactly, the Airtel girl has been yakking about it for ages now but the true arrival of 4G for me is now. It is when the competition starts off.

    Airtel made the first move, and others followed as soon as they can implement their own version on to their networks as early as possible. And as you all may already know, the pace of the launches are all keeping an eye on the Jio bomb that Mr. Ambani has been readying.

    The news of launch have been leaked quite a few months ago, and ever since this has been one race against the clock to gain advantage while Reliance is readying their arsenal. Airtel had a first mover advantage when they launched 4G, but how many new subscribers got added is something that is not very clear. Also, most of the additional connections have been the portable Wi-Fi devices – still a win for Airtel.
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  • 4 months away from an idiot box

    4 months away from an idiot box

    So I moved into my new house about 4 months ago, and I have not got a TV yet for my home. It has been those four months where I did feel missing the TV around the house, and it absence has definitely helped me use my laptop more. Err.., that is not why I didn’t get the TV yet but then again, I do miss it.

    That idiot box is being missed by my wife has been turning this thought around of avoiding TV for some weeks now, especially with my wife wishing to catch up the ongoing T20 after coming home. As I spoke to a colleague today, realized that her child has learned a lot from watching youtube.com and TV also kind of rekindled the thought to get one. The decision is still not been made, but mostly I would give in.

    And the reason why I would give in has nothing to do with what others are saying. It has to do with what I am missing out on. If you remember one of my previous posts on the idiot box was about my craze for wild life, travelling and science channels, I have been missing watching them as well. The idiot box, after all is not idiot if the one watching on the other end is thoughtful enough. Not having TV around also means that I am missing out on learning something new from this medium. Watching such channels was never frowned up on by my family unless it was becoming a daily affair and made them miss their regular shows.

    The idiot box, after all is not idiot if the one watching on the other end is thoughtful enough.

    And one of the things that I want my daughter to do is to pick up these good habits that I have. Like reading when she grows up or never to stop learning – the two of my activities that has held me in good stead. The third one could be blogging, but she is still too young to do that just yet and I would let her decide if she wanted to do it.

    What do you think about your idiot box at home? Have you ever thought of getting disconnected from it?

  • 10 not-so-common questions on home insurance policies

    I have been thinking a lot about a home insurance policy and in the process, did a lot of research. Me and my wife recently got our first house and for all of us, our home is one of our precious assets that gives me the comfort and peace after a long tiring day at work. It is the place where you sink in and to think of the risks of anything happening to it is seriously worrying. You put in all your savings, risking a huge EMI from a Bank. EMI stands for Easy Monthly Installments, but is should be HMI – hardest monthly installment. 😀

    PS: It is rather just coincidence that Vijay Mallya story doing rounds these days and I am writing this :P.

    Home is a name, a word, it is a strong one; stronger than magician ever spoke, or spirit ever answered to, in the strongest conjuration.” Charles Dickens

    So what can go wrong?

    I for one, cannot forget the day of 26th of July, 2005. Apart from holding a very special place in my heart for a different reason, that day scared the heck out of me. Yes, it did. Natural calamities like such as an earthquake, and flood has time and again caused loss of life and property alike. The life comes to an abrupt halt whenever any natural calamity strikes and the destruction it brings with it leaves unbearable financial and emotional pain. You cannot rebuild a life that could not be saved, but you can rebuild your life.

    You cannot rebuild a life that could not be saved, but you can rebuild your life

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  • US Politics: Elect a President please

    I have been reading a lot about the US Elections and about how Donald Trump is blowing his own trumpet to woo voters in his favor. That said, the method he has used sometimes are downright cheap and not fitting for someone who is contesting for the post of President of United States of America.

    Donald Trump says that “I’m the most successful person to ever run for the presidency, by far.”

    Well, I am no one to judge if Americans think he is the right candidate, but I would start questioning a majority of Americans and way of their thinking if at all Trump wins. Someone who has a net worth of $9 Billion, and not shy to praise himself, one has to think too hard to say this guy is running be a President of USA. His campaign team differs on his net worth by one, to count it a $10 Billion net worth instead.

    “A total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what’s going on”

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  • Air India to fly all women crew on March 8!

    The flag carrier of India will be flying an all women crew this March 8 to celebrate Women’s day on a flight to San Francisco. This will include 4 pilots (2 each in 2 shifts for the unintended) and the whole cabin crew during the 15 hours Delhi-San Francisco. To top it and make it even more interesting, the flight dispatcher and flight engineer will also be women.

    So if you are flying to SF on 8th of March, you are sure to support and celebrate Women’s day just by flying Air India. Yay, Celebrate women hood up at 35,000 Feet!

    I was wondering if a similar treatment will be meted out during International Men’s Day. Well, chances are that it won’t ever happen. Now, I have written in the past how fliers constantly nag about Air India’s older flight stewardess/hostesses and there are such a negative notion that many carry. Though people ignore that they are much more experienced. However, have you ever heard any one complain an aging male crew? Is it because it never happens? I am not sure, almost all the flights I ever flew had both male and female crew.

    The situation is what it is, and I cannot speak for everyone. But for me, it won’t matter if it is men or women who are flying or providing services in a flight as long as service are great and makes your journey comfortable and you get what you pay for. Air India remains my favorite (with patriotic bias stepping in)

    What I think Air India or any other airline should do is – ensure you have an All Women Crew on at least 1 flight every day. That would help you celebrate women hood. Every. Freaking. Day.

  • Why you must keep reading?

    I was having a conversation with my team members about the impact of reading and was surprised that people had so limited view of what is in store for them. Blame it on them not having met me before :). Jokes apart, they never got anyone in their family or circle of friends tell them these things. It is another matter that they should feel it within them, but it never occurred to me before I started as well so can’t blame them.

    I spoke to them about the tiny islands of Tokelu and Tuvalu from my list of must visit destinations before I die, and they were totally surprised such places even exist. Showed them what Aurora means, how fascinating it is and what causes it. However, I could not digest the fact that they did not even recollect the difference between nuclear fusion and fission they learned in schools. (more…)

  • Magzter: Why no Windows app yet?

    For those who love the Windows Phone and Windows 8/10, getting the right apps has always been a challenge – thanks in part to Google, who refused to budge. This includes many famous services like Snapchat, Quora etc., who have so far not divulged into the Windows ecosystem yet. So far as Snapchat CEO stating they will never develop for Windows.

    The Facebook and Instagram (MSFT has stake in both of them via 26 million shares in FB) apps are not as slick as the ones found on Google and Apple. That bit may not go well with a lot, but the apps at least are very usable.

    Well, this rant is directed towards Magzter. I have been a customer of Magzter since long, even upgraded to their Gold Membership. It is a compelling product. My primary reading device is a 4 year old iPad 2 which has been in a great shape. I do like Apple, but not as much as my Windows Phone and PC. The Metro UI got me hooked, and Google’s pathetic attitude of late (being the Evil, Microsoft once was) made me a hater. Buying into a Samsung Galaxy Note I with Android on top was the last nail in the coffin, with this acquisition lasting only 6 months for a flagship.

    Everyone knows Android sucks on devices with less than 3GB RAM and an top processor but still would cling on to it – it is too difficult to explain my love for Windows too, so lets leave it at that.

    I do understand the semantics of having multiple platform support, including that of the costs – but there are so many developers who are ready to help for 1/4 of the cost it would otherwise take Magzter to build an app at first place. So why not? You will have at least 3% more people to tap into and based on what we have seen, Windows 10’s adoption rate has been pretty good – so the universal app way should get the overall market share for Windows go up as well.

    So, hopes are intact for now. Just sent them another email, checking if they are indeed developing something for Windows 10. This story will be updated based on their response.

  • TATASky: This is your stupidity and pathetic service! (update)

    TATASky: This is your stupidity and pathetic service! (update)

    I have to say that this the most pathetic service I ever got from any company. I have been subjected to many scenarios across many companies but so far they have managed to outlast all others and stoop to such levels. What is worst, they send you reminders that they haven’t paid the money to keep the account active, and also ensure feedback calls are made to customers!

    Yes I am talking about you Tata Sky!

    It’s been 10 Days

    TATASKY Work Order completed even before the scheduled time!! Of course when no one is visiting to check the issue, they saved time so it is bound to closed before time…

    It has been 10 days since I lodged the second complaint (first one was on 8th March when only a few channels weren’t available) and to my utter surprise the request has been closed on pretext of having completed the work order within ONE MINUTE! Look at the time difference in the above screen: 5:50 pm I receive the message that my request was scheduled for resolution and 5:51 pm it is resolved?  All this while no one turned up at my house to check the complaint at first place. Absolutely not.

    True, when TataSky was unable to assign someone to work on my problem, they gave me 5 days (3 days first and 2 days later) of subscription extension as a benefit for the delay from their end. But surprise, SURPRISE! If my connection itself isn’t working what am I supposed to do with that!!!

    Who was supposed to resolved issue? TataSky Kalyan Installation Center, but no one turns up from there. 

    Surprise! SURPRISE!! If my connection itself isn’t working what am I supposed to do with bonus credits for 5 days!

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  • What is on business?

    It has been ages since I wrote about the Indian Business or my interests in the world of business in general, but after going through a lot of the news lately I was reminded of my days when I used to write about them.

    Pininfarina makes an interesting buy for Mahindra

    It started with a startling news that Mahindra may be looking for a stake buy in Pininfarina, the Italian design house for cars. The Aviation to Scooter company is making great strides into picking up key properties across the world, including the recently acquired scooter business from Peugeot. SsangYong is already turning out to be a good addition in terms of sales and Mahindra actually has been able to make them sensible to outside world. Buying this iconic designer will be a shot in its arm, and Mahindra can apply the talent across its businesses.
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  • How life has changed after Modi?

    Modi winning the elections and becoming the Prime Minister was largely predicted. So how has your life changed after about 10 months of Modi rule?

    In essence, nothing much really. All of the actions Modi has taken so far are further promotions of what he wants to do. The Rs. 9 Lacs Modi suite he wore when meeting President Obama was a moral low, Ghaar Wapasi has been more damaging. Modi’s image of a doer has not yet to be seen on the ground.

    True, it may take time to really start seeing the change, but many from BJP has been already professing that since they are in the center inflation has come down. As with any oil consuming economy, the recent dive in prices of crude oil has lead this downward rally. But if you remove that from the picture, there is almost no effect. The realty prices are not going down making affordable housing too difficult to achieve. (more…)

  • What is Microsoft doing right, and wrong for Windows Phone?

    Well to those who know me, I am an Windows Phone fan, so much so that my entire family now has windows phone (I bought them). But off late, I am unhappy about a few things that I need to voice it out.

    Windows Phone 8 showed immense promise to the world, with its Metro UI and 8.1 just enhanced it. But since then, Microsoft has been pretty much playing catch up with iOS and Google’s Android. Last it was known, Android had pretty much of 80% market share which is rather impressive if you also know that it is the newest software platform here. iOS, when launched, was based on Mac OS X and Microsoft always made its mobile OS and had often positioned it as the Business Phone. But Microsoft being the most experienced has had not been able to transform it all to this new OS.

    The Apps of the Ecosystem (more…)