As more and more channels come out with shocking revelations about how the government has consistently turned a blind eye to security of our country, it is time to make the public more aware of what is happening. How much money is spent on bullet jackets and helmets for our forces? How many posts are vacant? How much is the money spent on security of our politicians? Can we have these figures made public?
Can we set up a citizen-led task force to oversee and monitor what the governments do from here on to boost our security and make sure the money goes where it is supposed to be, and not in funding some politicians estates?
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Let's Do Something!
Let's do something - let's not stand by frustrated waiting for the politicians to do something. What can we do? We have so many connects today - email, SMS, Facebook, Orkut - let's use this mechanism to stir our passions and our emotions, and then channelize this energy into action.
Let's get more sensitive to the whole issue of terrorism. Let's be more vigilant. Let's fight corruption. Let's be more inclusive in our thinking.
Let's contribute to police funds. Let's dedicate some of our efforts to improve their lives, and their ability to do their work.
I am trying to goad my bosses into kicking off something. I am trying to rouse my friends. I am trying to find some avenues... let me know if you have any ideas... let's make it work!
Let's get more sensitive to the whole issue of terrorism. Let's be more vigilant. Let's fight corruption. Let's be more inclusive in our thinking.
Let's contribute to police funds. Let's dedicate some of our efforts to improve their lives, and their ability to do their work.
I am trying to goad my bosses into kicking off something. I am trying to rouse my friends. I am trying to find some avenues... let me know if you have any ideas... let's make it work!
Government Takes The First Step...
The Home Minister has resigned... the first in the LONG list of things the government needs to do. While it was expected, I think it's a good start!
Can't wait to see Vilasrao go next. As well as some of the top honchos in the bureaucracy... it's time for a major clean up!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Light a Candle
It may be a simple show of symbolism – but maybe it will make a difference. By taking these few seconds from your busy lives to pay your homage to our brave heroes, maybe you will see a small glow of patriotism and pride in your own hearts.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tributesshow.cms
Today, pledge to be a proud Indian! We can make a difference!
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tributesshow.cms
Today, pledge to be a proud Indian! We can make a difference!
Movie Review: Max Payne
Max Pain would have been more appropriate - a dull, grey movie set in the dark and dirty alleys of New York, some extremely ordinary action, a very predictable and boring story, a surprisingly ordinary cast, and an extra-ordinarily wasted Bond girl Olga Kyrilenko, this movie is something you should definitely miss!
OK, that's enough, this movie has already got more attention than it deserves...
OK, that's enough, this movie has already got more attention than it deserves...
We are Indians, Mr Politician!
Dear Mr Politician, I hope these last 3 days have made one thing clear to you - we are not Marathis or Biharis. We are Indians. When Mumbai needed help, a barely out-of-his-teens Major Unnikrishnan from Bangalore, of the Bihar Regiment of the NSG, took a bullet in his head. A Gajendra Dixit from Dehradoon fought along with hundreds of his colleagues under command of a Dutt, and lost his life. The bullets from the terrorists did not ask where he came from. Neither did the thousands of Mumbaikars who came out in the streets to cheer it's heroes and hug and touch them in sheer reverance.
India stands as one today - please stop trying to divide us with your petty politics!
India stands as one today - please stop trying to divide us with your petty politics!
Hey Beautiful Taj - You Will Rise Again!
The beautiful Taj building... this picture taken in May during a visit to Mumbai for the IPL semi-final. A beautiful monument, an icon of the city. Anyone who's lived in Mumbai would have felt his heart bleed at seeing the Taj in flames, raped and abused for almost 60 hours.
But the Taj will rise - just like it has done so many times in the past. Because we won't give up. Not yet, not ever.
Shraddhanjali to Our Heroes
Three days of terror are finally over. The day broke with heavy winds and dark clouds, dull and dreary - it was as if the heavens had also been shocked by the utter senselessness of it all.
Today, let us salute our heroes - those brave men of the Mumbai police, the ATS, the Army and Navy commandos, the NSG, the RAF, the Home Guards, who gave up their lives and tireless fought those bastards. The fire fighters who braved grenades and bullets in their line of duty. And how can one forget the wonderful, wonderful staff members of the Taj and the Oberoi-Trident hotels who never once flinched and showed the rest of the world what Indian hospitality was all about!
Hemant Karkare, a master strategist and Chief of the Maharashtra ATS, Vijay Salaskar, encounter specialist and scourge of criminals and the Mumbai underworld, Ashok Kamte, loved by the very crowds he was a master at controlling, Gajendra Singh, the Delhi commando who lost his life fighting at Nariman House, Major Unnikrishnan of the NSG, who took a bullet in his head, and the dozen plus other policemen who lost their lives in this terrible battle - India will forever be indebted to you. Your sacrifice will not go waste. You will inspire an entire generation of Indians to close ranks and be one.
And you give us countless reasons to be terribly proud to be Indians! I wonder how many police forces in the world will have it's chief reaching the site of a terrorist attack, and getting into the scene of the battle - protected only by an ill-fitting helmet and a jacket that could barely afford any semblence of protection, instead of sitting behind a wooden desk in a plush AC office and directing his men into battle.
Thank you, my heroes! May your souls rest in peace!
Today, let us salute our heroes - those brave men of the Mumbai police, the ATS, the Army and Navy commandos, the NSG, the RAF, the Home Guards, who gave up their lives and tireless fought those bastards. The fire fighters who braved grenades and bullets in their line of duty. And how can one forget the wonderful, wonderful staff members of the Taj and the Oberoi-Trident hotels who never once flinched and showed the rest of the world what Indian hospitality was all about!
Hemant Karkare, a master strategist and Chief of the Maharashtra ATS, Vijay Salaskar, encounter specialist and scourge of criminals and the Mumbai underworld, Ashok Kamte, loved by the very crowds he was a master at controlling, Gajendra Singh, the Delhi commando who lost his life fighting at Nariman House, Major Unnikrishnan of the NSG, who took a bullet in his head, and the dozen plus other policemen who lost their lives in this terrible battle - India will forever be indebted to you. Your sacrifice will not go waste. You will inspire an entire generation of Indians to close ranks and be one.
And you give us countless reasons to be terribly proud to be Indians! I wonder how many police forces in the world will have it's chief reaching the site of a terrorist attack, and getting into the scene of the battle - protected only by an ill-fitting helmet and a jacket that could barely afford any semblence of protection, instead of sitting behind a wooden desk in a plush AC office and directing his men into battle.
Thank you, my heroes! May your souls rest in peace!
Sandeep Unnikrishnan 
Hemant Karkare
Ashok Kamte
Vijay Salaskar
Aye Mere Vatan Ke Logon... Zara Aankh Mein Bhar Lo Paani... Jo Shaheed Hue Hain Unki... Zara Yaad Karo Qurbaani
Monday, November 24, 2008
Movie Review: Dostana
Dostana (would have been better named Gaystana!) is about two guys who pretend to be gay to make sure they can co-habitate with the sexy niece of the Sindhi auntie, fall in love with the niece, try to woo her, and finally get her married to a single father of a five year old to live their part in their dostana!
The first half is hilarious. The second half loses its way pretty quickly, though. John scratches his bum in his yellow and gray undies to keep his female fans happy. Priyanka looks better with each movie, and is a treat in every frame. The darling of the movie, though, is Abhishek who would probably give Ash sleepless nights with his antics... just in case...
Anywayz, a good movie for a one-time watch - but hey, keep those kids at home!
The first half is hilarious. The second half loses its way pretty quickly, though. John scratches his bum in his yellow and gray undies to keep his female fans happy. Priyanka looks better with each movie, and is a treat in every frame. The darling of the movie, though, is Abhishek who would probably give Ash sleepless nights with his antics... just in case...
Anywayz, a good movie for a one-time watch - but hey, keep those kids at home!
Movie Review: Death Race
It's 2012. The American economy has collapsed. Crime is rampant, the jails are over-flowing, and now run by private corporations. And like in the Roman ages, prisoners are now roped in for entertainment. As TRPs increase and pay-per-view becomes huge business, Death Race is born... The rules are simple: there are none. There are only manipulations. It's like a video game. As the heavily armoured cars race and fight against each other on the prison island complex, panels on the road light up allowing you to "activate" defence mechanisms, weapons and death traps on the road. If you win, you live to see another day. If you lose, you probably lose your life too!
When the audience's favourite driver, the masked Frankenstein meets his match and loses his life, the jail warden needs to ensure TRPs and gets another ex-champion in his place - after implicating him in the murder of his wife. The "deal" is simple - win one more race, and you win your freedom.
The plans, though, are very different...
Statham is perfect for the part - his lean mean physique and emotionless face cool in the midst of the mayhem. Natalie Martinez as his sexy navigator will have your pulse racing if the race doesn't get to you first! She's hot and worth every inch of the screen she occupies!
The action is gory, no-nonsense and fast paced, the soundtrack perfect... and even though it's a little heavy, the movie stays very true to the concept. Be a little patient at the beginning, and trust me, this is one movie you'll definitely want to catch again...
When the audience's favourite driver, the masked Frankenstein meets his match and loses his life, the jail warden needs to ensure TRPs and gets another ex-champion in his place - after implicating him in the murder of his wife. The "deal" is simple - win one more race, and you win your freedom.
The plans, though, are very different...
Statham is perfect for the part - his lean mean physique and emotionless face cool in the midst of the mayhem. Natalie Martinez as his sexy navigator will have your pulse racing if the race doesn't get to you first! She's hot and worth every inch of the screen she occupies!
The action is gory, no-nonsense and fast paced, the soundtrack perfect... and even though it's a little heavy, the movie stays very true to the concept. Be a little patient at the beginning, and trust me, this is one movie you'll definitely want to catch again...
Quantum Again
Watched Quantum of Solace again today... for the second time. And interestingly, I liked it even more this time. Just like Casino Royale, for some reason, the second time felt even more exciting :)
Maybe it's because once I already know the main plot, I can spend more time looking at the finer details and appreciating those small things you miss otherwise?
And of yeah, it did feel like a Bond movie this time :) And another thing I noticed - he's got action on foot, by car, in the water and in the air!
Maybe it's because once I already know the main plot, I can spend more time looking at the finer details and appreciating those small things you miss otherwise?
And of yeah, it did feel like a Bond movie this time :) And another thing I noticed - he's got action on foot, by car, in the water and in the air!
India Make it 4-0
No matter what England does, India seems to be one step ahead. It's 4-0 now - will we make it 7-0? Let's wait and watch!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
India Crush England, Again!
Yuvraj Singh hit a back to back century, and then demolished the English line up with a 4 wicket hall to hand India a 2-0 lead in the 7 match series in yet another one-sided encounter today :)
Monday, November 17, 2008
Back to Pune!
We came back to Pune last night, finally! Must say, we are GLAD to be back...
Chennai was a disappointment, and didn't really come across as a metro. It's as if the winds of economic growth and change somehow bypassed this city... forget Beemers and Mercs on the road, even Skodas and Fiestas were hard to come by. The Amby still rules the road. But more than the lack of swanky malls and cars, the garbage got to me. Chennai must be one of the filthiest cities I have seen recently... it's as if cleaning the city of it's garbage was never defined as a KRA for the city corportation!
Sanam and I spent all of Friday in the room, watching TV and playing monopoly. We just didn't feel like getting out. We did try talk a walk in the area in the late evening, but were really turned out by the lack of footpaths and the filth and dirt on the roads, and came right back!
Saturday was much better... look out for some following posts on Dakshin Chitra, the Crocodile Park (where I wore a live python around my neck and kissed a baby croc) and the cool rock sculptures of Mahabalipuram.
We stayed at the GRT Temple Bay Resort, splurging a cool 12.5K on one night. Again, I must say, I was terribly disappointed. Can you believe the resort making its patrons buy a 20 rupee coupon to play in some stupid games? Can you believe a five star resort without running hot water, leave alone a tub? Even the decor in the room was minimalistic - more like a budget hotel than a five star resort!
The food was good, thankfully - the live band was nice too!
We had some excitement on the way back last night when our flight was asked to circle over the city for 15-20 mins, since a previous flight had struck a dog on the runway...
And yes, Pune city just seemed like the best place on Earth!
Chennai was a disappointment, and didn't really come across as a metro. It's as if the winds of economic growth and change somehow bypassed this city... forget Beemers and Mercs on the road, even Skodas and Fiestas were hard to come by. The Amby still rules the road. But more than the lack of swanky malls and cars, the garbage got to me. Chennai must be one of the filthiest cities I have seen recently... it's as if cleaning the city of it's garbage was never defined as a KRA for the city corportation!
Sanam and I spent all of Friday in the room, watching TV and playing monopoly. We just didn't feel like getting out. We did try talk a walk in the area in the late evening, but were really turned out by the lack of footpaths and the filth and dirt on the roads, and came right back!
Saturday was much better... look out for some following posts on Dakshin Chitra, the Crocodile Park (where I wore a live python around my neck and kissed a baby croc) and the cool rock sculptures of Mahabalipuram.
We stayed at the GRT Temple Bay Resort, splurging a cool 12.5K on one night. Again, I must say, I was terribly disappointed. Can you believe the resort making its patrons buy a 20 rupee coupon to play in some stupid games? Can you believe a five star resort without running hot water, leave alone a tub? Even the decor in the room was minimalistic - more like a budget hotel than a five star resort!
The food was good, thankfully - the live band was nice too!
We had some excitement on the way back last night when our flight was asked to circle over the city for 15-20 mins, since a previous flight had struck a dog on the runway...
And yes, Pune city just seemed like the best place on Earth!
Friday, November 14, 2008
Chandrayaan's MIP on the Moon!
At around 830 this evening, Chandrayaan's Moon Impact Probe successfully detached from the Chandrayaan mother satellite and crash landed on the designated spot on the moon's surface, near it's pole, taking with it India's flag to the lunar surface - and with it, India's name in the history books!
This is indeed a moment all of us should be VERY proud of!
This is indeed a moment all of us should be VERY proud of!
India Crush England
Following up on the super successes of the Australian series, India crushed England by a massive 158-run margin after Yuvraj Singh's 138 not out in 78 balls helped India post an imposing 387 for five in the first of the 7-match one day series.
Sehwag and Gambhir opened steadily, staying at over 6 an over, and though India lost a couple of wickets soon after their departure, Yuvraj and Dhoni ensured the Indian juggernaut only picked up its devastative roll. And before critics could slam the pitch for giving nothing to bowlers, Zaheer and Munaf, and then RP struck hard to reduce the English to 5-76... after that, it was only a matter of when, and by how much they would lose!
Sehwag and Gambhir opened steadily, staying at over 6 an over, and though India lost a couple of wickets soon after their departure, Yuvraj and Dhoni ensured the Indian juggernaut only picked up its devastative roll. And before critics could slam the pitch for giving nothing to bowlers, Zaheer and Munaf, and then RP struck hard to reduce the English to 5-76... after that, it was only a matter of when, and by how much they would lose!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Chennai, Revisited
Sanam and I went to the Snake Park and Children Park in the morning... one had snakes on display, the other had lovers... got wet in the rain (yes, Chennai has rainy season this time of the year)... and then after lunch (which, like dinner, was fantastic) went to a meeting with the Chief IT Manager at BPCL... Sanam making wierd noises after 45 mins of my "anecdotes"... and then we spent the rest of the time bottled up in the room enjoying more of the fantastic culinary delights available...
I gave Chennai 1/10 (1 for the food)... Sanam was a little more gentle with 7/10 (2 for the snake park, 1 for children's park and 4 for the room...)
Frankly, I am very disappointed with the city. It seems colorless, dingy, lifeless.. there are very few cars on the roads, footpaths are broken, there's a lot of weeds, crumbling paint... it's almost like the city was taken over by the lifeless back alleys and gullis of a typical Mumbai suburb...
I gave Chennai 1/10 (1 for the food)... Sanam was a little more gentle with 7/10 (2 for the snake park, 1 for children's park and 4 for the room...)
Frankly, I am very disappointed with the city. It seems colorless, dingy, lifeless.. there are very few cars on the roads, footpaths are broken, there's a lot of weeds, crumbling paint... it's almost like the city was taken over by the lifeless back alleys and gullis of a typical Mumbai suburb...
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Chandrayaan Update
ISRO scientists today successfully completed the final complex maneuvre inserting Chandrayaan-1 in its final orbit around the moon, at a distance of 100 km from the lunar surface. India achieved this lunar insertion successfully in its very first attempt, something even the US and Russia failed to do. It is also interesting to know that over 50% of other moon missions have failed.
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