tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60228032011-12-01T14:00:50.991+05:30"What do you want to do in life?" Someone asked. I am still looking for the answer.<br><br> Its like a long journey with a start and a finish. In between everything is incidental. Neither ahead. Nor back . Nor good. Nor bad. Not better. Neither best. Just moving on.<br><br>kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.comBlogger1821100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-78616705261493897852010-11-05T11:48:00.003+05:302010-11-05T12:02:08.473+05:30

If the answer to the above question is "No", do not read further. This post, which was written in an early September morning, finally sees the light of the day.Early today morning, shoulders drooping, head weighed down, my eyes fell on my AVIS Rental contract which is of no use anymore. Just a month back this was one of those many important documents whose loss threatened great challenges. Dodge

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-13853351715824256392010-07-24T02:21:00.005+05:302010-07-24T04:18:23.839+05:30

Death comes nearer, kisses and teases me one more time26 Mar 1986 was the first time I ever had consciousness of death. Before that day, news of death never stirred my senses, never made a difference to "my" life. But this time it was my granddad - a grander man I have never known and whose presence I had gotten used to since my birth. He was bed ridden for three months and his death brought a

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-69913303116475797852010-06-16T18:55:00.000+05:302010-06-16T18:56:09.007+05:30

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-59869836008235091662010-01-25T00:08:00.003+05:302010-01-25T00:17:44.152+05:30

There have been many yearnings to 'post'. Many flashes of titles. The letters floating around those titles, trying to get colored in the myriad hues of emotions that they come swimming in. However, the circumstances have not allowed me to sit by and allow those letters to sequence themselves in a post of mine. I started writing a post about a couple of months back. The notepad file where I pen my

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-67630883568447099852009-07-15T11:13:00.006+05:302009-07-23T08:10:38.503+05:30

Chronologically enabled,Technically challenged.Vision mired in the past,Path clouded by the future.Blackle, Bing, Twitter, iPod,Google and God.The struggle and the dream,The odd couple; strange bedfellows.A substanceless high.I was born in 1974 in the lap of luxury. We had a ubiquitous black telephone. Its number 2454568.Dadu liked to acquire the latest wonders of technology. We had a radiogram,

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-71315534295346998122009-07-09T19:28:00.005+05:302009-07-09T19:44:42.277+05:30

One of June's favorite pastime at home is to take my mobile phone and click photos. Some of them are funny to look at. Some of them are pretty interesting. These are three photos that June clicked (completely unaided and undirected) during our trip to Goa. I have not edited them in any form. Mun often complains that we (mun and me) don't have a good photograph together. I think we finally have a

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-75553069554093201722009-07-08T15:00:00.003+05:302009-07-08T15:09:55.319+05:30

I had to pack my bags and leave within 48 hours. Destination? Boston. I was excited. Boston was my enunciation to world history. I remember reading about the Boston Tea Party and also remembered that it had nothing to do with a party. But the rest was all hazy.My first trip outside India in 2006 was full of apprehension. Piling up with 4 other married bachelors, indulging in currency conversion

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-33210273502302988002009-06-26T18:56:00.004+05:302009-06-26T19:38:12.954+05:30

This one is a big news.Every news channel in US had it as their breaking news. I am hearing all the interesting views and counterviews about the man, his legacy, his music and his misdemeanours. I would not go into that.The only thing I would disagree is with the headlines that read "Michael Jackson Dies". Whenever, I have looked at Michael Jackson's photographs recently and read any news story

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-2535699805301340142009-06-26T18:54:00.001+05:302009-06-26T19:40:27.229+05:30

I read the TOI, epaper, today. As much as I deride it, I still cannot live without it. It helps me keep in touch with home but rarely gives me a moment of despair from being away from home. However, two news stories touched my heart today - Kapil Sibal and Nandan Nilekani. Kapil Sibal's education reform agenda will finally put education at the center of our national agenda. It will also enable

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-79202735847136580112009-06-16T07:23:00.003+05:302009-06-16T07:31:55.002+05:30

June turns five today. A milestone, which I will miss. It's a strange feeling to be away from her birthday celebrations. So I take the liberty of getting a bit emotional. A lot has happened in five years. I have changed three jobs, been away from home three times, seen my income grow threefold and most importantly, my marriage evolving each day and meandering through the challenges of time.All of

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-76448894762945428682009-04-20T09:28:00.004+05:302009-06-16T06:24:44.886+05:30

One of our weekend activities.

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-14609188864228248092009-04-06T14:44:00.000+05:302009-04-06T14:45:33.434+05:30

Today I was late by about 30 seconds for a training session in office. The intructor did not allow me to get in. I was embarrassed. While I was thinking about the episode my mind was forced back to the day when June was punished for arriving late for school. What happened with me today was very similar. I was held as an example so that the trend could be bucked.In July 08, June, along with others

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-24129770590468541032009-03-26T17:48:00.003+05:302009-03-26T17:50:05.467+05:30

I got a call on my mobile. It read "Home". Munmun is usually not back so early.I said "Hello". She said "Hi Papa! I called by myself."This is June's first independant phone call, completely unaided and unprompted.26 03 2009 05:10pm my phone records as the time of the call. We talked for 4.06 mins.Recently, I made her learn my phone number by heart so that she can get some lady to call me up

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-2705642650921045262009-03-06T09:34:00.004+05:302009-03-06T10:08:10.730+05:30

... I have not given up. I don' think I can or would want to.Time has not been the central factor. Inspiration has never been one too. However, when too many things happen it is difficult to sit down and pen any one thing. Thoughts keep criss-crossing and you finally entangle yourself while you write.The recession is doing crazy things to my life. It is cutting down on my aggro, threatening to

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-67499101113172229652008-05-24T17:39:00.001+05:302008-05-24T17:41:19.756+05:30

My present job and my current circumstances leaves me no space to breath. So that explains the trickle of my posts.On 22nd May 2008 I became a year older. Undoubtedly it was my busiest birthday. I rushed out of home to reach in time for a call.These days I drive to work. It takes me anywhere between an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes. A far cry from my beautiful walk to work in Bangalore and

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-54888457058171265782008-04-11T11:33:00.004+05:302008-04-11T11:40:49.486+05:30

I admire Lord Krishna and I admire Bill Clinton but I wasnt sure why. Now I know -Cognitive Dissonance. A small excerpt from an article I was reading in The Economist.Born a modestly well-off villager, Mao lived like an emperor, carried on litters by peasants, surrounded by concubines and placated by everyone. Yet his most famous slogan was “Serve the People”. This paradox illustrates one aspect

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-67392034634938475662008-04-03T14:21:00.006+05:302008-04-03T20:34:51.526+05:30

June's first complete portrait drawn without any assistance or any external trigger.June surprises me and in turn I surprise myself.Its easy to gloat about your kid's achievements because its a definite high. And sometimes when you are narrating her escapades to others you tend to exaggerate. I admit I did that a few times. But thats taking nothing away from what glimpses June has given till

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-5264254540871682232008-04-02T10:57:00.006+05:302008-04-02T11:24:08.977+05:30

So it is her parents'He would always win the fightBang bang, he shot me downBang bang, I hit the groundBang bang, that awful soundBang bang, my baby shot me down.Seasons came and changed the timeWhen I grew up, I called him mineHe would always laugh and say"Remember when we used to play?"Bang bang, I shot you downBang bang, you hit the groundBang bang, that awful soundBang bang, I used to shoot

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-28028310838944449912008-02-25T12:34:00.006+05:302008-02-25T14:51:18.053+05:30

January was my first "dry" month for a long time. I wrote this post at 2:00 am on 5th Feb. But I am posting it now. Doesnt it tell something.Six months is a long time to be away from home, to be away from India. So when I was at Gate 4 of JFK's Terminal 3 I could feel India right away. Curiously this gate is tucked away in a non-descrepit corner of an otherwise swank airport. It is dark, small

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-36403810329891116982007-12-28T06:55:00.000+05:302007-12-28T20:51:54.286+05:30

I saw Chak De!! Yes I did.And I really liked the movie. For once I cannot explain why but I liked the movie. It was a brave movie and a well made one.I liked Shahrukh. Yes I did. I admire the fact that he chose to come out of the mould. He was hamming alright and some other person could have done a better job alright. But I dont think any other person would have been able pull the crowds to this

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-42409986549587938982007-12-24T02:16:00.001+05:302007-12-24T07:05:05.791+05:30

Because of my penchant to avoid movies which are overtly violent I avoided Kill Bill for 3 long years. Recently I watched the two volumes back to back and I was left gaping (No Opu, Kill Bill is not about two parts its one great movie). I also discovered that there are other discerning people with whom I should watch more movies and who will help me to reach to more good movies and there by reach

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-90809835671325767732007-12-12T01:41:00.000+05:302007-12-18T11:13:07.779+05:30

I wrote of this man off, like so many others including his fans and his haters. The two posts sums up what I felt at that moment.Oh Captain! My Captain Goodbye DadaI wanted him to leave cricket and take up something else where he could use his leadership skills best.But thankfully I was wrong. If you read the above posts you would know why I like this man. But these days I like the calmness that

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-70645636135928171532007-12-07T08:48:00.000+05:302007-12-07T09:00:09.250+05:30

Get this widget Track details eSnips Social DNA Press the play button first. Let the music roll. Ready? And then read or else please dont. Respect my feelings for atleast this occasion.Today I (no, we) complete 7 years of married life. We married after completing 7 years of non-married life before that. So its an major landmark. The first seven year itch was saved by getting married. So can we

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-42992718576577942542007-11-27T08:20:00.000+05:302007-11-27T08:24:17.420+05:30

Click here

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-46507649059617957672007-11-18T00:42:00.000+05:302007-11-18T00:55:02.389+05:30

A tribute to the spirit of Bhaiyyaji @ the Deloitte Top Chef competitionThe BasicsThe secret ingredient of this dish – Mustard OilThe secret to success of this dish – A walk into the Indian StoreThe basic truth about this dish – There is nothing called a Dehati ChickenA bit of a background because food is also about the experience70% of India lives in the villages. In the northern part of India

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-20232866125311348522007-11-13T12:11:00.000+05:302007-11-16T06:19:46.961+05:30

I read about the Sierra Nevada mountains in Ms. Bose' geography lessons way back in 1987. Little did I know that 20 years later I would be in its lap. Like all natural wonders the experience left me spellbound. It left me gaping at the wisdom of these granite shapes, jutting into the sky like monoliths reminding me of the futility of things. The Giant Sequoias trees - known to be the world's

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-34744662792008830512007-11-09T14:15:00.000+05:302007-11-12T14:17:06.777+05:30

Each week has been an exploration. And this week was about Ice Skating. Munmun is a champion roller skater so how could I be left behind when I saw an ice skating rink near the Ferry building. So I put on the boots and hopped in. And what an experience. I slipped, I rolled, falling again and again and finally getting swept off my feet by two graceful Germans. They made people like us look wooden

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-50794800422134946792007-11-06T03:48:00.000+05:302007-11-06T22:54:53.394+05:30

Ghetu's post provoked me...I can identify with what Ghetu is going through right now. Each time I go to a new city I try to own it up. Making myself feel positive about it. I am convinced thats the best way to go. Sometimes it works but sometimes it doesn't.I have been lucky till now. My experience with every city where I have spent some time has been mostly positive.Calcutta, Mumbai, Delhi,

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-68232963889364861172007-10-22T11:48:00.001+05:302007-10-22T12:26:40.048+05:30

Traditional Durga Idol at Sunnyvale Durga Puja festival in 2007"Ai Shyamal, prosad ta niye ja""Abar kole keno. Puro shari ta noshto hoye jaache. Dhur!""Rosogollai apnar rosh dhokeni""Kabiraji cutlet - $5""Koto boro hoye gechish""Anjali kokhon""Maa, khide peyechi. Aar kotokhon line ey daratey hobe""Jotoshob naikamo. Aajkalkar meyegulor kono lojja nei""Ei khokon tor baba kothai re?"Ei Doshta taka

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-54981060679925565002007-10-18T09:23:00.000+05:302007-10-18T09:28:44.319+05:30

I have just discovered from some folks here that it is so better to lie in the sun and sleep. All of these pictures were taken by a kind friend of mine while I was deep in sleep.It is one liesure I have found can be done anywhere anytime and without any cost. Its invigorating after a nice long walk and a bellyfull of food. And by the time you are awake you are ready to hit the road again.

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-2282219573876490052007-10-08T10:47:00.000+05:302007-10-17T03:09:45.491+05:30

This weekend I went to the San Francisco Fleet Week. Of the numerous events the show stopper was the pyrotechniques of the Blue Angel's. I had last been to the Bangalore Airshow. But it could not have got bigger than this. I have a lot of pictures to share. For a start here is the Blue Angels - The U. S. Navy’s Flight Demonstration Squadron. They were flying the Boeing F/A - 18 Hornet.More to

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-31972729519138221662007-10-06T11:35:00.001+05:302007-10-06T13:57:19.226+05:30

Its too late I know but its never too late you know I envied people who could live by themselves; live alone and be independant. No emotional dependance, a feature that I am seeing about life here in America and what I saw in Scandinavia. You are trained to do things by yourself. Make it out on your own.So this time during my trip to San Francisco I finally have an opportunity to live alone in

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-16938993496439240972007-10-04T22:21:00.000+05:302007-10-07T00:08:41.899+05:30

I hope this post is not too premature.Last night I got a call from my wife. Apparently June has spent 3 complete nights without her fingers in her mouth. It makes me really sad. I will not be able to see the cute sight ever again.The way she put her fingers in her mouth was unique (next only to Ayush's). I really thought that defined her as a child and was a special feature of her personality. I

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-76739456845229514472007-09-26T09:59:00.000+05:302007-09-26T11:28:29.071+05:30

....certainly not in the blogworld. A post inspired by Vikas I dont know Vikas at all. And yet I know him so well. He is among the many other interesting folks that have got appended to my life because of Opu. And it seems that Vikas is going through exactly the same cycle that I went through a couple of years back.I was a solitary blogger, its writer and its reader. I was happy, very happy. I

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-63304567163616232482007-09-17T11:34:00.001+05:302007-09-17T12:03:04.359+05:30

And like all long waits I hope this one doesnt end in a damp squib. Wish me luck friends!!

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-37323660077440104042007-09-03T23:41:00.001+05:302007-10-07T00:07:54.242+05:30

My first trip to the San Francisco suburbs using the Muni - the metro rail system.An excellent journey. As the snake winds through the tunnel it comes out of its hole once outside the main city area. The train then becomes the tram winding its way through the streets. Stopping in between roads. People hopping off and hopping on.It took me to the Ocean Beach. San Francisco's very own full fledged

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-82030092250563673262007-09-03T23:31:00.000+05:302007-09-03T23:34:17.669+05:30

Courtesy Rajesh GodeThe name is good, the brand is bigBut the work I do is that of a pigThe work or the brand; what is my way?I don't know if I should stay.To work, they have set their own wayNobody will care to hear what I sayMy will be NULL, they wont change their wayI don't know if I should stay.The project is in a critical stageBut to do good work, this is the ageThis dilemma is killing me

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-48928923732195838142007-08-25T05:46:00.000+05:302007-10-07T00:09:00.307+05:30

photo courtesy David AntonyThis picture is typical of San Francisco and it tells a story. Old monuments have held its own against the winds of time. The shadow at the bottom of the clock is that of a huge highrise just opposite. But the old and the new co-exist so well here. Niether at the cost of the other. The city respects and loves its past and thus preserves it. And unlike in India the

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-69003184902984889492007-08-10T10:39:00.001+05:302007-08-10T11:11:42.554+05:30

A post inspired by RIP's rants.Statutory Warning: To be able to appreciate the nuances of this post you must read all the comments of my previous post and ofcourse lived and worked in more than 3 different cities.In India the migratory instinct is displayed in some specific pockets. Tamilnadu (Chennai is the second busiest consulate in the world), Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and to some extent

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-65689177665052234292007-08-07T13:47:00.000+05:302007-08-07T14:04:08.994+05:30

June finally seems to have understood that we are in Hyderabad which is not Bangalore, Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata. But she also has some strange associations in her mind. Sorry folks the father is not to blame.The three of us are in the car coming back from somewhere.Me: June! Dont put your fingers in your mouth. You are a big girl now.June doesnt respond and continues sucking her preferred fingers

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-72739100138838500162007-08-07T10:09:00.000+05:302007-10-17T03:09:45.491+05:30

My first adult stopover at Chennai. It is not bad. But then this is not Chennai. I am at the lobby of Trident Hilton. Each moment reminds me of her.But it feels good to see your own name on a placard in the hand of a smiling suited chauffeur. Trident is good. And next day when you are dropped to the US Consulate in air conditioned comfort you dont even let the Chennai heat get to you.However the

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-137700203429023952007-07-23T10:07:00.000+05:302007-10-17T03:09:45.491+05:30

PrologueJune is 3 and she has already lived in Kolkata, Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Along with us, a few plants have moved as well. Plants which could withstand the ravages of eviction. Plants which are well ensconced in their pots. But some have died, some have struggled as we have moved on and some have got renewed vigour. But we have moved on.Initially June was more like those plants which

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-66722751467745215502007-07-12T08:55:00.000+05:302007-10-17T03:04:28.426+05:30

Its been a while since I have written for nothing.Each morning as I look out from the window through the gaps of my sheet, most often I dread the white light of the day. Another new day, another round of painful meaninglessness. I dont wake up to something or go to sleep for something. Each day goes by. One by one, like pages of a novel which you just want to finish. Like watching TV. Click,

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-39721661168766173492007-06-22T09:28:00.000+05:302007-06-22T09:35:59.164+05:30

Do you guys see the link?It made my gut wrench when I saw Toby Maguire say "Hum Makar Manav Hain, Ud kar aayab aur tohar tetua daba deb". But why I thought? Maybe my urbanite snobbery is raising its sinister head once again.Hollywood has finally decided to woo India. The India that 'we' do not know or claim to belong. The aam admi's India. And Makad Manav is a super hit in Bihar and the cow

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-31658117371763770022007-05-11T14:37:00.000+05:302007-05-11T14:38:31.204+05:30

".. everyone will search for his treasure, find it, and then want to be better than he was in his former life. Lead will play its role until the world has no further need for lead; and then lead will have to turn itself into gold.... That's what alchemists do. They show that, when we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too."I am in search of an Alchemist.

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-9958265744503881822007-04-20T14:10:00.000+05:302007-04-20T14:44:17.768+05:30

After having significant interactions with people (of both sexes) who drink, I think there is a false notion that it is Macho to get drunk. And this notion usually gets into the head while in high school. Some people dont quite outgrow it even in the mid-forties. No Shuv, I am not talking about you at all here. You are considerably younger.But what I find more amusing (I wanted to use 'dangerous'

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-21059209929093151722007-04-16T15:08:00.000+05:302007-04-16T15:09:36.010+05:30

After many days I saw an impact film. Borat. I like to use the term impact because irrespective of whether you like these films or not, they leave an impact on their times.Borat is raw and almost completely crass. Its humour most often hits below the belt. And it can be horribly depressing. But its a film that should be watched.You will laugh your guts out. And most often you will be ashamed that

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-51141600941537670382007-04-10T12:51:00.000+05:302007-04-12T13:58:51.302+05:30

Trying to get an auto on Bangalore streets can be a harrowing experience. Especially if you are a northy. Never mind which part of the country you come from, anything above the Vindhyas is North.Some of the autowallahs will not even bother to say no. They just drive on. Some smirk and some ask a volley of question and then refuse. Either way all you can do is just give a mouthful.And there are

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-12533229435908607042007-04-02T10:44:00.000+05:302007-04-02T11:06:02.741+05:30

All my apprehensions of an awkward boring evening was proven wrong. I always knew Rumman was excellent company but the same applies for Scout as well.Ghetu being Ghetu, it takes time for him to let his hair down. But that is not taking away anything from the fact that he is an excellent human being. I believe in this aura thing and I enjoy having people around me and my family who exude a

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-44128932837494818382007-03-29T11:53:00.000+05:302007-03-29T12:14:31.849+05:30

"Lets see how crude will behave today".Thus said the news anchor for Business Buzz on Times Now. Whenever I have to reveal to everyone that I watch news I feel like I have been caught with my pants down.But this statement made me think.As if crude has a mind of its own. Day in and day out I have to hear about the different indices moving up and down. The Wholesale Price Index and the inflation

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-19661639605117064182007-03-26T11:09:00.000+05:302007-03-26T11:10:11.450+05:30

Since consciousness there have been about a thousand Monday's. In school, in college, in university, in office and on each stage.Each week is like a crossroad. Each week is like an opportunity. The light seems to be just around the corner.Signs of potential and traces of brilliance. Inflated consciousness and bubble-like sensitivity. Mediocrity, laze and lady luck walking hand in hand. Immaturity

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-49577206321235246382007-03-22T19:06:00.000+05:302007-03-22T19:10:10.343+05:30

With all the talk of a March end meet I got myself a new hair cut. June loves it.But all concerned parties are just silence personified.We three are ready. What about the others??Looks like my Rs. 60 is wasted.

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-77840850723844317032007-03-22T18:40:00.000+05:302007-10-17T03:05:18.444+05:30

To us all she was the ubiquitous Mrs. Chatterjee. Buxom and with a face more like Moon Sen. In my 12 years in CBS she never wore anything but the slingy sleeveles blouse.Her physique was more like what the crowd in Chennai roots for but in Class VII she was our elixir. Even at 35 she was as coy as a newly married.There she was getting up again with her frail son who studied in Class II. This H.B.

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-11715522678424496912007-03-22T14:59:00.000+05:302007-10-17T03:04:04.937+05:30

I miss her so much

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-47365391440893106152007-03-15T11:54:00.000+05:302007-10-17T03:05:18.444+05:30

Mom was yet to arrive. In a family as big as ours it was easy for a 9 year old to get lost. Everybody loved me but no one seemed to notice my pain. There was only Laluda who understood my predicament.Each morning he reminded me that I had to go to school. Each day I cried. I just could not get out of it. Each day Maa'm would call me at her desk and console me. That was the only time of the day I

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-14055065825276178662007-03-13T12:17:00.000+05:302007-10-17T03:06:26.395+05:30

June 1983. First day of school in a new academic year.Like usual I was one of the first to reach school. I had to take the best seat. That would be mine to keep for the rest of the year. All assembled and the teacher (I dont remember her name) was doing the roll call.Kaushik Som! I had to wait for my alphabetic turn. I always had to wait an eternity. Only Sourav Talukdar had to wait longer. My

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-3800729936827015402007-02-28T12:13:00.000+05:302007-02-28T12:22:10.103+05:30

There are 2 gates through which you can enter our campus. The first one is near to where ITD's (ITC Tobacco Division's) marketing cell is housed. The other one is used mostly by ITC Infotech & CLI3L - the Call Center division's employees.If I use gate no. 1 I always get saluted. If I use gate no. 2 I never get saluted. Rather sometimes my ID is checked and a few questions asked. Not that I care.

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-14502257930845810042007-02-24T01:11:00.000+05:302007-02-24T01:22:40.863+05:30

Since Thursday night, life has been surreal. Everything is back to basics. Food, adda, play, fun, leg pull.A whole platter of kebabs laced with a few shots of drinks and at 4:00 am we were screeching down Devanahalli road on Loki's Swift. We were trying to find out Nandi Hills to catch a glimpse of the rising sun. And lo behold Nandi Hills seems to have vanished. But we did catch a glimpse of the

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-23481468900132870862007-02-17T10:05:00.000+05:302007-02-17T10:25:09.057+05:30

Just as I was about to suggest that my Donor 150 could be the material for an amazing script I saw Eklavya. Vidhu Vinod Chopra has done exactly that.He has put the concept in an Indian context amidst Rajas & Maharaja story of Rajasthan. It is more interesting because in case of Donor 150 procreation was external & modern. Eklavya's case is more complex as it requires the Maharani & the handsome

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-45727122359117257282007-02-16T13:42:00.000+05:302007-02-16T13:56:43.898+05:30

I am the biggest follower of my blog (even my wife has stopped visiting my blog). But who cares. I love reading my posts, patting myself for the emotion they exude. But most times I chid myself for all the silly grammatical mistakes that I make. Like the silly mistakes that I continue to this day - not only in my writing but in my daily life as well. Sample this...Leaving the car keys inside the

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-11886125430618054752007-02-15T15:58:00.000+05:302007-02-16T13:57:41.743+05:30

This is a new age story is typical of our times. Stories like these are precursors to more such stories that will start coming in.But somewhere it touched a chord and made me think of relationships. And it can be the seed of a blockbuster script.Read On

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-31193700711823965472007-02-01T11:28:00.000+05:302007-02-01T11:47:56.705+05:30

I felt agitated when I read a post like this. You must read that post and then read this response of mine...I am a Bengalee and I feel displaced everyday of my life, like scores that traverse this earth. Even though I am enjoying the fruits of liberalisation in Bangalore. I yearn to go back and live in Kolkata. I never voted the leftist while I was there but I wish I could vote for them now.Sumit

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-90905389127935291172007-01-30T15:37:00.000+05:302007-01-30T16:26:29.018+05:30

I had talked about Bhaiyaji who had opened a small North Indian joint called Magadh. I had visited it for the first time last week, one month after it had opened. And I made 2 repeat visits in the following 2 days.The first day was spent in getting a taste of the thalis. It seemed the cooks were nervous. The food was a bit coldish. The chicken a tard undercooked and did not pass my red marrow

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-72881137328371601622007-01-22T13:54:00.000+05:302007-01-22T14:05:35.246+05:30

While me and Scout were exchanging some friendly banter I realised that men and women can be distinguished from their writing. And how can I say that? Dont ask me. Rather you are free to test me out. I think 90% of the time if I read someone I can tell whether she is male or female. I will also not have any shame in being proven wrong.And this besides the point that I have raised whether Scout is

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-36671263063285510552007-01-17T15:27:00.001+05:302007-01-17T15:27:43.006+05:30

You are The SunHappiness, Content, Joy.The meanings for the Sun are fairly simple and consistent.Young, healthy, new, fresh. The brain is working, things that were muddled come clear, everything falls into place, and everything seems to go your way.The Sun is ruled by the Sun, of course. This is the light that comes after the long dark night, Apollo to the Moon's Diana. A positive card, it

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-28222385688092437192007-01-17T12:23:00.000+05:302007-10-07T00:12:38.016+05:30

My usual winter homage to Kolkata came to a nice end.Unlike my last two visits this one took a negative sheen. All the politics around the industrialisation is the main reason for that. I also see a undercurrent of support for those who are doing the antics against industrialisation. There is too much politics in the average Bengali. So while Bengal and Kolkata decays and bleeds the Bengalees

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-85313117857009356832006-12-21T11:46:00.000+05:302006-12-21T12:04:35.476+05:30

When I say I am growing up with June I really mean it. Both of us had our first tryst with the law on Sunday. It was our first visit to the Police Station and thank god it was Frasertown Police Station.Built on a donation by some Colaco brothers it is what police stations in India are not like. I didnt find any criminal in the lock up. The toilets were so clean. And the adjacent garden equally

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-39101888004482842862006-12-20T11:09:00.000+05:302006-12-21T11:45:56.388+05:30

Bhaiyaji is Neeraj's elder brother. And Neeraj is Opu's one time colleague. Somehow we have been in touch. Neeraj is from Bihar and he is has a very straight way of looking at things. Thats why I was not surprised when he called me up the other day to tell me that he and his Bhaiya are opening a restaurant in Bangalore.I went to the opening ceremony and was amazed to meet his Bhaiya. He has

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1165563184033200242006-12-08T13:01:00.000+05:302007-10-07T00:12:38.016+05:30

I am back to the place we jokingly refer to as 'Bloody India'. The country that I was born - my 'desh'. But i ask myself is India really my 'desh' or is it West Bengal? My grandpa used to be from Opar Bangla (now bangladesh). So my roots go right till there. Or does it go back further?So who am I? To whom do I owe my allegiance? Does it get decided by birth? Or does it get decided by the langauge

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1164640386172143452006-11-27T20:37:00.000+05:302007-10-07T00:12:38.016+05:30

The last time I went Go-Karting Opu promised never to accompany me. But then I had an excuse. I didnt know driving. Danske Bank employees go Go-Karting once in every month. And the person with the best time gets to keep a trophy for a month. And its not the best finisher but rather the one with the best lap time. And you get 15 laps to prove your mettle.My team mate asked me if I would be

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1163969507227378762006-11-20T01:20:00.000+05:302007-10-07T00:12:38.017+05:30

I was living on a street called Holger Danske Vej (Vej is pronounced as 'way' in Danish). And I was curious to know why would someone name a street on Holger Danske. In the catacombs of Kronborg castle (it is called the Casemates) I discovered the legend of Holger Danske.The casemates of Krongborg Castle comprises a series of tunnels. You can walk through them, get a real experience of the

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1163964843939425732006-11-20T00:35:00.000+05:302007-10-07T00:12:38.017+05:30

Surprised? I was too when I saw this painting of our dear Bengal. Inside the Marine Museum in Krongborg Castle (earlier called Elsinore) I saw this painting by one J. Hammer. It depicts an Indian village overlooking the river Hughli. The Danes seemed to have been there around the late 18the Century."During the course of the 18th century Bengali goods, especially cotton fabrics, became more and

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1163750154379781502006-11-17T13:19:00.000+05:302007-10-07T00:12:38.017+05:30

The Frederiksberg Garden (ignore the man in the picture)Last weekend I was running around the Damhus Sø. Sø is a lake in Danish. The 'Ø' is special about the nordic languages. It more 'oo' than 'o',a little touch and go, like most other sounds here. And my Danish keyboard helps me type that.Usually I cannot run for more than 2km at a stretch. But the 4 km run around the lake doesnt seem like a

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1162281248018856512006-10-31T12:51:00.000+05:302007-10-07T00:12:38.017+05:30

Øresund BridgeSt. Peter's ChurchMalmo ParkØresund From TopMalmo CastleThe Nordic WindmillTurning Torso - Sweden's Tallest BuildingI travelled across the Øresund Bridge on Saturday to go to Sweden. Malmo, the nearest Swedish town is beautifully small. For someone like me who has come from a behemothic country with those big gargantuan cities, Malmo is quite a revelation. It is small, it is

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1162214643892872662006-10-30T18:47:00.000+05:302006-10-30T19:15:43.523+05:30

Amidst all the news on Copenhagen this post is about a game that I used to follow till the Sharad Pawar captured it. I found it hilarious. It made it to my blog because it was written by someone from down south.Chappell is an expert in the intricacies of the modern game and is at the cutting edge of coaching techniques. He has had over a year in the job to stamp his influence on the team.Chappell

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1161759204844503362006-10-25T12:16:00.000+05:302007-10-07T00:12:38.017+05:30

Just as you take the harbour ride on little boat this Opera House stands out like a monument of modernity amidst all the history of the other building. The shipping giant Maersk is behind this endevour and has spend close to $ 26 billion behind this (please check the numbers i may be wrong.This is the pedestrian street - an ultimate shopper's paradise and supposedly one of the longest walking

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1161758231539202522006-10-25T11:48:00.000+05:302007-10-07T00:12:38.018+05:30

It has been a fortnight in Copenhagen. Most of time was spent around the City Center, the town square, the pedestrian street and the new harbour. Friday the 13th was culture night at Copenhagen. About 300 events were taking place simultaneously across the city. One had to buy a pass of 70 kroners and you could walk into any of those events. And with same pass you could avail any public transport

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1161068962868081612006-10-17T12:10:00.000+05:302007-10-07T00:12:38.018+05:30

How is it like sitting in one of the most hep neighbourhoods of Copenhagen with soulful Red Indian music playing on your earphones while you tap away on your keyboard? Those who have experienced similar kind of phenomenas would know. Its ethereal. And for the first since landing at Copenhagen I feel like writing.So here starts my Danish Diary...Starting PangsThe airport at Delhi was not one of

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1159331345965728042006-09-27T09:57:00.000+05:302007-10-17T03:07:05.304+05:30

"It would be enough; as an alibi for a life, it would do; she would not need to apologise for how she spent her time on this earth"Amitava Ghosh in The Hungry TideThere is this feeling which haunts me every moment, every hour, every day & every year. Am I giving a good account of myself?It leads me to measure myself. But how? Against what? With whom?At most times I go to bed with this uncanny

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1157949777812085132006-09-11T10:04:00.000+05:302006-09-11T10:19:06.013+05:30

I was yet to shake off my Blogger's Block. But the following good wishes and frank opinions from "a well wisher" has put everything to rest...dear kaushik, believe me i tried a lot to pacify and restrain myself but sorry I have lost that control today and I have to tell something that the world thinks about you. To put it simply, I(we) have never seen a bigger fool and dumb person than you.

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1155560679575793662006-08-14T17:27:00.000+05:302007-10-07T00:12:38.018+05:30

It has been about 15 months with ITC - my first "big company stint". And thanks to my really big company I have had the opportunity to be pampered right royally. Here are some pictures of St. Margaret's - ITC's Holiday Home in Ooty. Its a 8-9 acres property nestled amidst the hills. Mrs. Babu - the caretaker ably manages the property with her 8 member staff. Here are some snapshots of the

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1155297560404954872006-08-11T17:22:00.000+05:302006-08-11T18:29:57.330+05:30

Merriam Webster explains the word "Beulah" as "an idyllic land near the end of life's journey in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress". And so it was for all of us who experienced Beulah Farms. Our visit to Beulah farm was the perfect topping on our Ooty visit. Beulah Farm is on the way between Wellington and Kotagiri. From Ooty you can reach it either using Coonor road or Kotagiri road. The Kotagiri road

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1155207119160196152006-08-10T16:05:00.000+05:302006-08-10T16:39:56.013+05:30

I watched Omkara Friday, first day last show. Next day rediff.com ran a story "Nobody is watching Omkara". I guess thats how I got my tickets.My years, Opu's cynicism and my disgust for journos make me give a damn about reviews. But I do read reviews. Only after watching the movie. They help me form an opinion about the reviewer. Most come cheap. Some, a little more expensive. Depends on which

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1154320913124943642006-07-31T09:57:00.000+05:302006-07-31T14:24:06.130+05:30

On one thing I have beaten my legendary lack of keeping up with things. This is my 100th post and I am still keeping my fingers crossed. Murphy, please forgive me. But I am happy.And what better way to publicise the Happiness Map of the World. Adrian White, from the UK's University of Leicester, used the responses of 80,000 people worldwide to map out subjective wellbeing. Map created by Adrian

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1153999601862404092006-07-27T16:49:00.000+05:302006-07-27T17:04:42.523+05:30

Picture courtesy www.chinadaily.com.cnDuring one of my daily romps around bbc.co.uk I read about a story. And I am not too sure how to react. Hilarious, sacrilegious, ridiculous, ingenious, brilliant or simply voyeuristic. The story is about little Shiloh, the Namibia born daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt. She is the youngest person to have a replica model installed at Madame Tussauds in

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1153294825095595762006-07-19T13:08:00.000+05:302006-07-26T16:00:20.143+05:30

My current affairs consciousness grew up along with the The World This Week. Remember Appan Menon, Surya Gangadharan and slew of respectable journalists who were born again in their electronic avatars.TWTW was my staple diet every Friday night. It ushered in a new era. An era of the late night gift of Ajit Panja and Jain TVs Saturday night adult fare. TV was about Aap Ki Adalat and Siddhi Baat.

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1153194264145472952006-07-18T09:05:00.000+05:302006-07-18T09:14:24.163+05:30

To all those who can still think and are still in IndiaYesterday I couldnt get into Opu's blog. Neither could I do the same with mine. Today I know the answer. Our government, the so-called people's government, has decided to block 18 Blogsites.Lets look at the composition of the government of India. Manmohan Singh is called a technocrat, Jairam Ramesh is a brilliant economist himself, PC is not

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1152696729527585182006-07-12T14:43:00.000+05:302006-07-12T15:18:22.213+05:30

ACHIEVER SERIES - 2My first Achiever generated some debate but the person I am featuring this time will certainly not. A post dedicated to all the dedicated kajer loks that I have ever known.I grew up in a typical ekannoborti poribar. Like any other such poribars, ours too had its hordes of kaajer loks. At any given point of time there would be about a couple of Madons and Ganeshes for the

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1150868160464941282006-06-21T10:59:00.000+05:302006-06-21T11:12:40.503+05:30

ACHIEVER SERIES - IZee's Sa Re Ga Ma is another reality show with crass display of emotions and stage managed theatrics. But one contestants story was inspirational enough to give me enough goose pimples to tickle my tear buds. Interestingly my ACHIEVER SERIES starts with Rajeev, someone whom I have not seen in flesh and blood.Rajeev is a lad from sleepy Chamba. He wants to make it big as a

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1150429154299629732006-06-16T09:08:00.000+05:302006-06-16T09:09:14.316+05:30

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1150281903469988202006-06-14T14:58:00.000+05:302006-06-14T16:17:34.230+05:30

At times we complain about life and how unlucky we have been. Most times these cribbings becomes the source of excuses that shield our lack of resolve.Many individuals are born with golden spoons. Some of them make the most and add onto what they are already born with. Some waste it and end up in the negative. While there are some who are also rans.For many days I have been wanting to write about

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1149584592657634912006-06-06T13:56:00.000+05:302006-06-06T14:33:14.710+05:30

The f letter reminds me of the f word. And in case of 2F more so.The new income tax form is suitably named 2F. If you are part of the silent salaried class then you have one more pinch in the ass delivered by Dr. Singh's government. From an visionary economist to a lame duck PM Dr. Singh has come far. His PC - the educated, respected and suave lawyer has strangely decided put us under the

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1148445554601012902006-05-24T09:30:00.000+05:302006-05-24T11:50:12.063+05:30

3 issues I wanted to reportReservations is getting bulldozed further down the countries throat.Manmohan Singh has failed me as a politician and as a man of conviction. I cannot vote the Congress anymore not for the next term atleast.Fanaa will be blacked out from Gujarat.Good! I never voted the BJP because of its overtly divisive agendas. And I never will. Narendra Modi is the last thing we want

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1148367417875064162006-05-23T12:22:00.000+05:302006-05-23T12:31:30.563+05:30

Whenever this issue of reservation crops up I somehow feel very agitated. The recent pictures of students getting beaten up only added fuel to the fire. I wished I was there in one of those protests feeling the heat. One friend of mine was part of one such protests. And I have one more reason to respect him.Click here to know more.

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1148102687066318612006-05-20T10:41:00.000+05:302006-05-22T10:10:05.726+05:30

The folly of being named ArjunUnfortunately I follow Indian politics very closely. And I admit it does not endear me well to others as it forces me to devote my time and read about people like Arjun Singh.Born a rajput, Arjun Singh was never able to accept that he would not rule some day. Good for him because one of the key attributes of a ruler is that he has to be a leader. And leaders have to

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1148024848001678742006-05-19T13:13:00.000+05:302006-05-19T17:36:50.696+05:30

2 recent incidents will lay etched in my memory forever. Scenes stark enough to make blood curdle. First when the news channel were showing a hapless constable being chased by a mob on the streets of Bangalore after Rajkumar's death. As an outsider I could not fathom the reasons behind the riots.A walk down my neighbourhood told me it was an enforced mourning. Small groups of youth carrying the

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1148024342553570232006-05-19T13:04:00.000+05:302006-05-19T17:21:02.613+05:30

The phenomenon that is Bangalore.I have had the opportunity to spend quite some time in a few Indian cities. Each time I have gone to a new city I have done so with an open mind. To absorb the new culture, their way of life. It is very interesting how each city is different from one another. But no Indian city (apart from Kolkata) has left so much impression on me as Bangalore has done.The first

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1147413591556148012006-05-12T11:06:00.000+05:302006-05-12T11:35:56.436+05:30

"Change what you can, accept what you cannot and have the wisdom to know the difference"In the daily muddle of everyday life how many of us can claim to be happy? The problem may not always be that we are unhappy. It may be with the definition of happiness. What does happiness connote to each of us? Ilona Bloniwell, an academic psychologist and a practitioner, in a recent study based on BBC Two's

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1146810701875382952006-05-05T11:34:00.000+05:302006-05-05T14:53:14.876+05:30

I owe this one to Opu. A much awaited holiday was about to be spoilt by the death of Rajkumar. There was no way we could take the bus to Kodai. Bangalore was burning. I had just 2hrs to take a decision. It was then Opu came online and suggested that I drive the distance. 490 kms would be a 10hr drive. I flinched at the idea. And was almost preparing for the dissappointment.Back home one look at

kaushikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15177754004998444622noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6022803.post-1146803830445351672006-05-05T10:06:00.000+05:302006-05-05T10:07:10.450+05:30

Many lifeless objects become part and parcel of our life. Our car, the TV, a favourite dress, the good pen and many more. For us these cease to be inanimate. When they are gone, we feel hollow. June had August. But August is missing from yesterday. Another lifeless object was responsible for the dissappearence. His name Bernard.Back from work, I had an early dinner. June was getting a change. The

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