Saturday, August 30, 2008

Kashmir again

The lack of action by the central government seems to have allowed the resulting unrest in Kashmir as discussed here

The right approach

to address Trescothick's mental fragility proposed by Rob Steen

Friday, August 29, 2008

Read on

for more information about Sarah Palin here, here .

McCain's VP

He chooses Sarah Palin. An very interesting choice considering the fact that there were many experienced senators in the running. Is this McCain's answer to Obama's charisma?
Here, we have a young, no-nonsense maverick woman politician (not to mention a former beauty queen) who will be the VP candidate. She has quite a history in the Republican Party too. She has gone against the Alaska GOP many times and her stance has been redeemed once couple of senators she fought were implicated in corruption scandals.
Now, I will give my hypothesis for why McCain chose her. First, she is like him who does not just fit into a system. Second, with her gender she might be an appealing choice for Democrats (shud i say women) who were unhappy Clinton lost the presidential nomination. Add to that the fact that men might find it more appealing to vote mccain bcos there is a woman (they wud want to see women at the top.. but not at "The top").
Of course, these are my hypotheses and even if they are partially true this might be the master stroke McCain needs to win the election!

Power anyone

Austin finds an innovative way to generate electricity.
Will it work? We have to wait and see!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Well, even Forbes

is acknowledging Mayawati. Not great news at all!

Cricket's WMD

A nice review of ball tampering cases from the past

It is back

The discussion on Ball Tampering returns folowing Trescothick's revelations. I am not sure I fully concur with Sambit Bal on this one!

Money and women

More proof to why they don't go hand in hand (I mean they do go hand in hand if you are talking of spending money. I am referring to wise financial choices). However, I am not generalizing it but merely stating an observation from my limited knowledge of females!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

On the

younger generation of cricket players Greatbong expresses his admiration and doubts

The sad

state of affairs in sports administration is ridiculous
(post by Sonia Faleiro)
link via Amit Varma

Olympics

I haven't followed Olympics a lot except for some specific events. But some photographs of the Mega event have attracted my attention.
See the reasons for yourself here, here.

Link via ipatrix.

An interesting

piece detailing the need for Indians to understand what is required to progress drawing from the growth of countries like China (However, not by mimicking them)

A struggle

against shackles

A nice post by Anjali

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Please do your bit to help others

I have just added a list of sites that offer variety of resources to the needy via sponsored ads. I have provided the list under the heading "Please do visit".

If you have time to kill please click away to glory.

These sites include:
Freerice - the site donates rice based on the number your english vocabulary skills. For each correct answer 20gms of rice is donated. (Link via GK)

HungerSite - For each click on the website you give 1.1 cups of rice to the hungry (Link via Deepak)

Similar sites exist to help children to study (Literacy) and with child health care (Child health), and help women with breast cancer.

You can do your bit this way!

Finally some decent news

for the American economy

An excerpt from the economist
Now this truly is a bright spot for housing markets: the lastest Case-Shiller home price index numbers, for the month of June, showed a real moderation in price declines. Second-quarter prices were down only 0.5%, compared with 0.9% in the first quarter. The year-over-year price drop remained substantial at 15.9%, but was still less than expected. Best of all, 9 of the 20 metropolitan areas examined showed increases from May to June, and declines for a number of others narrowed sharply. America isn't out of the woods yet, but expectations that the bottom is near should help bring it about, by bringing buyers into the market to take advantage of low prices, and by giving banks more confidence that losses may be near an end.

Somedays

When I keep learning new things about the political situation in a number of regions or the economic issues in a host of countries I really doubt if I can stay put in my research. There is so much that is so exciting that for a moment I realize my research isn't the only exciting thing for me in life. In a way, it is both comforting and distressing!

Well, for now work will go on (or should I say begin! after a 4 week break)

Kashmir

The Kashmir issue has started attracting lot of attention recently. What with the protests and rising violence it is imperative that the government and people of Kashmir address the issue at hand. Outlook has a series of articles on the mood and situation in Kashmir. These present a whole range of opinions.

So read them here, here.

Some chilling excerpts from the first piece by Arundhati Roy
I asked a young woman whether freedom for Kashmir would not mean less freedom for her, as a woman. She shrugged and said, "What kind of freedom do we have now? The freedom to be raped by Indian soldiers?" Her reply silenced me.

There were plenty of insults and humiliation for India: Ay jabiron ay zalimon, Kashmir hamara chhod do (Oh oppressors, Oh wicked ones, Get out of our Kashmir). Jis Kashmir ko khoon se seencha, woh Kashmir hamara hai (The Kashmir we have irrigated with our blood, that Kashmir is ours!). The slogan that cut through me like a knife and clean broke my heart was this one: Nanga bhookha Hindustan, jaan se pyaara Pakistan (Naked, starving India, More precious than life itself—Pakistan)

and Arundhati roy sums it as
The Indian military occupation of Kashmir makes monsters of us all.It allows Hindu chauvinists to target and victimise Muslims in India by holding them hostage to the freedom struggle being waged by Muslims in Kashmir. It's all being stirred into a poisonous brew and administered intravenously, straight into our bloodstream.

From the second piece

I am served excellent salted tea at the very elegant home of Dr Shad Salim Akhtar, the Valley’s top cancer specialist. He is joined by his son, a medical student. They both tell me Indian secularism is a sham "that has cheated Muslims of every right". How is Pakistan a success, I counter, where Muslim kills Muslim and it’s tribe against tribe? "Pakistan may not be run well but that is not the fault of the concept of an Islamic nation. It is held in high esteem by many of us because it was the only country created in the name of Islam," says Dr Akhtar

Have to admit the situation is sad. There was a time, when in my ignorance, thought that Kashmir belonged to India. I was too young to even understand the politics behind the actions during independence. But over the years, the more I learned about Kashmir (still I know very little) has made me understand its not a clear cut case. In fact the recent knowledge has made me implicitly acknowledge India has been wrong to some extent and is not handling the situation as it should. In fact, when you see a region yearning to join a country that is as rudderless as it ever was since independence, it puts things in perspective. I mean the people of Kashmir are choosing Pakistan over India (given a chance to exercise their choice, which the Indian state does not allow) is a stinging review of the role of India (and its army) in Kashmir. I used to wish Kashmir remained as part of India earlier. Now, all I wish for is an amicable solution to everybody even if that means secession of Kashmir from India. I just hope that the so called leaders have the courage to make decisions that would benefit people rather than political motives. Well, am i not a wishful thinker ?

Monday, August 25, 2008

A little bold

prediction perhaps on the potential political situation in Andhra.

More violence

A nice article

bemoaning the policies of the current government and how they should try to be more than being pure nuisance

Interesting

discussion on Kashmir

Have to say one of the

funniest posts in recent times by Sidin Vadukut

Comment on Rushdie's new book

by Jessa Crispin

The lit putdown of the day comes from Jessa Crispin, writing about “The Enchantress of Florence”:

Reading the sex scenes is sort of like watching your
father flirt with a waitress your own age—you feel really bad for
everyone involved.


That just about nails it. Er, no pun intended.




Link via Amit Varma

A nice post on issues

of friendship.

A small comment: Does such issues occur always only to girls? I mean it seems like there is something wrong with the way they are programmed. I know even guys feel it but its not as strong that you want to run away from the friend. Time will allow you the space if needed. But its not simple I guess!


Don't take this too

Sunday, August 24, 2008

Hmmm

The last 3 months have been very stressful emotionally. I hope the future will be better. I kind of believe that whatever happens does for the best philosophy. It is not very easy to accept that at all times but may be in some time I will see that and continue forward. I just hope I will have the strength to pursue my goals with conviction. That's all I ask for!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Pure Genius

Christian Rosenthal

A short story by Jeffrey Archer. Such a great story. It is a tragic love story. But it was simply amazing. The ending tugs at your heart making your eyes moist!

Anyway!

Friday, August 22, 2008

I don't see

why we should have Kashmir as a part of India if their people so desperately want to be out of India

As if it was not enough

that they screwed with the quality of students, now the congress government wants to ruin the quality of faculty with reservation! I just don't get it. This is ridiculous!

God save the country and the education system!

A detailed economic

piece on the sub-prime crisis. The reasons why this occurred seem so clear now that we know them. I recommend this article to the novices to understand how and why the sub-prime mortgage has reached alarming proportions. In fact, so huge is the crisis that it might destroy the entire economy!

Thursday, August 21, 2008

A compelling

argument of why China's way of talent scouting for Olympics might not be good

Seriously?

One bad year and this is how you treat him?

In the final quarter, you could argue that Federer is now at the stage of his career where he needs good draws. Well, he got one in a big way. The defending champion shouldn’t have a problem getting to the semis with only Radek Stepanek in the third round, Fernando Verdasco in the fourth round and Nikolay Davydenko or Richard Gasquet in the
quarterfinals. He should be more than happy with the hand he’s been dealt.

I have to say its ridiculous! Of course only Federer can change that media attitude!

Interesting

research on determining aggressiveness based on facial features.

A very good piece

on Kashmir and how may be are getting it entirely wrong by Mitra Kalita.

An interesting

discussion on post-cold war era politics.

The NSG meet

The Nuclear Supplies Group meeting holds the key to whether India shall be permitted to resume civil niclear trade. The details of the first day's deliberation are discussed here

New Apartment

I have moved every year since I have been to Austin. Some years I even moved more than once for a variety of reasons. So, this year I have entered my 6th home in 4 years. Because, I expect this to be my last year in Austin, I hoped I will live in a nice place. Looks like my wish has been granted. I really like my apartment. For the first time during my stay here, I have given thought regarding how should I arrange my room. Not that it makes a huge difference, but the effort to make the room nice makes me feel good.

Have to get some minor things to make my room complete. Hopefully over the next few days I will get these stuff sorted out.

Funny how looking for joy in trivial stuff can allow you sometime from the pressing issues at hand!

Some story

This is good to see

There is progress in tracking down the culprits behind the blasts in India. I just hope these efforts are adequate to prevent future attempts to disrupt the lives of Indians!

What can you say man

this is downright funny!

Well, Vijender Kumar now cannot deny he had a shot at Gold and Bipasha. Its all in your hands now dude!

A nice post

on some superstars by Chandni.

I have to say some of the people on the list sure are my favorites too.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Some words

just make you so angry it all seems pointless!!

I am back

Now that I am back in Austin and will have unlimited time to kill regular blogging will resume! (If you haven't noticed that I have already started!)

It does not matter

It feels good to realize that whatever has been bothering me for the last 3-4 months will "not" affect what I want to do in this life. The assertion might seem grandiose but that's what makes the realization more important.

I have to say I am in debt to Khaled Hosseini. At different times in my life he through his books has helped me to take some important decisions in life. Thanks man!

Kashmir

Amit Varma puts it so well here

I have to agree with him!

A Thousand Splendid Suns

A stunning book. I am at loss of words to describe how good it is.

It puts LIFE in perspective. There are people in this world who are not allowed to live. They just do not die. Their lives are a wait for death. Not that they do not want to live. They are deprived of the freedom to live. There are millions of such people in the world in many countries. It is sad that we loose sight of their suffering in our so called "troubles". It shall be really sad if in the course of a lifetime all we do is think of ourselves.

Anyway, I recommend "A Thousand Splendid Suns" to everybody. Because people who read this post of mine will surely belong to the "lucky" group of individuals. For all of us, it is necessary to see the life on the other front. Look at how we take so many things for granted. Reading some of the incidents in the book makes me feel realize how trivial things in my life are!

Great job Khaled Hosseini for giving life to such a humane story !

The deplorable

handling of the new crisis in Kashmir described here

Hmm

My horoscope

You know you're good, but you may not understand why it feels like you need to work so hard and yet get so little in return. It's true that you are probably worth more than you make, yet it's also possible to overestimate your market value today. It's great to aim high, but don't make your goals so unrealistic that you set yourself up for disappointment when you miss your mark.


In a different context, a part of this seems so true!



Sunday, August 17, 2008

Last day

Today is my last day at home for this trip.

My sis made something for me. I ate it and I was in tears remembering that I will not have anybody from my family from the moment I reach USA.

It won't be easy leaving tomorrow! especially given that I was here for only 2 weeks !

Life has to move on I guess!

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Finally

For once, our cops identify the people behind the bomb blasts. Is it a coincidence that they belong to Gujarat. I don't think so! Narendra Modi, despite of his faults, was the only leader who responded judiciously to the bomb threat. And I will credit him for ensuring a quick investigation in the case!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Good to see

such innovative measures of truth in governance!

A commendable piece of journalism!

Real democracy

The article outlines what needs to be done for the success of real democracy by Ramesh Ramanathan

A nice article

on Sehwag

What can I say

My horoscope

If you have been dealing with issues of self-esteem, today may be a turning point as you ruminate about your shortcomings. Unfortunately, everyone has regrets; there are always things you could have done differently or should not have done at all. Instead of trying to be perfect, maybe it would be smarter to accept your imperfections, along with the fact that you are human.

Anyway!!

A great piece

on the eve of 61st independence day by Mitra Kalita

I hope I will see a real politician utter words of such relevance some day.

Past

It is not very easy to run away from the past!
The fact that you know this does not help when you have to face it.

Anyway!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Home

I am at home relaxing a bit. The trip was short for me. So had lot of traveling cramped into my schedule. These four remaining days I hope to relax before I start my return to Austin and the grind!

The food at home has been awesome. I hope to recharge before I come back there and start my work on different things!

Anyway!

Monday, August 11, 2008

Olympics

As many people would have already told you, India wins its first individual gold medal in Olympics history (also the first gold after 24 years!). Congratulations to Abhinav Bindra!

Hopefully the other members of the Indian contingent will bring more medals

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Wedding

Tomorrow we will leave for Hyderabad for the wedding of one of my closest friends. It was August 2000 when I met him in my room 269. I never at that moment thought that we will form a friendship let alone one that is as strong as it is now (and hope will be forever). Eight years it has been since we first met. And what a ride it has been (and wishing it to continue forever).

We shared so many things in these 8 years. We had our mugging (predominantly first year only because of our different branches..with me mostly sleeping when he was studying - remember Basic Elec :P), our trips (Yercaud, Pondichery, Gonikoppal (Coorg), Gandigunta, Nandaluru, Austin, Madison, Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, Ames, Goa, Upstate Michigan, Washington DC, Seattle among others),our fights, our mutual enlightenment sessions (mostly yours truly preaching), time with families (a lot at his house - ultimate cooking by his mom, the cricket matches, movies), and most importantly many ups and downs (especially during the application times when all four of us were waiting for that replies from US). The four years in IIT went well and it was not very difficult to enjoy the times, but it was when we landed in the US that made the friendship more stronger. Away from our families, we managed to meet regularly and keep up our spirits both in good and tough times.

Now, this fellow will move into the next stage of adulthood with the big step on sunday. We hope to find a new friend in her that will make our friendship stronger! So, as he enters into new territories of marriage with a new person I shall wish both of them luck and all the happiness!

Well

I don't know if it is good or bad or worse, but I thought of something that might be useful at this time. I just needed it to take some things off my mind.

So, for sometime I hope to avoid cryptic weird posts!

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

Random

We went to a temple on the banks of Krishna today. It was fun trying to swim in the river (albeit for only 20 feet).

The temple's chief deity is "Sri Laxmi Narasimha Swami". We drove on our bikes there. It was cool. I seem to enjoy bike driving a lot. Its much more fun than driving a car.

Now I am off to Vijayawada for a small trip

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Terrorism in India

Disclaimer: I don't claim to be knowledgeable in Islam, its tenets and details. So, I would appreciate if you would be kind enough to point out any factual errors in this post. This is just an attempt to spread some thoughts to people who would like to read a summary of such issues rather than the entire details.

The recent bomb blasts in India have prompted me to read some articles on the rise of Islamic terrorism in India and elsewhere. A major part of this post is drawn from my reading of the detailed coverage in India Today edition August 11. I shall try to summarize what I have learned hoping more people would be aware of what we are dealing with.

Source of Islamic Fundamntalism
Make no mistake, the issue of Islamic Terrorism has not started now. There have been fundamentalist Islamic organizations even before independence. But they were very few in number. In India the majority of the Muslims follow a secular Islam that has evolved with amalgamation of the local cultures. however, the minority group of Muslims follow the radical Wahhabi fundamentalism. The reason for the growth of this sect has been the unlimited funding of the Madrasas by Muslims belonging to Saudi Arabia (where the state sponsors the Wahhabi fundamnetal form of Islam). These fundamental organizations have even taken over (with their money) some of the more secualr organizations and have started preaching the supposedly "pure" form of Islam. These organizations encourage violence as a means of purifying the Islamic religion. When the profiling of terrorists ivolved in all the bomb blasts in the recent eyars has been carried out, it has ben learned that most (if not all) of these individuals belong to the fundamentalist category. Now, the conservative Islamic groups have awakened and refuse to be funded by Wahhabi group of Islamists. The Wahhabi fundamentalism is also very similar to the Deobandi spirit of Islam. The Wahhabi school of thought has been spreading not only in India, but also in Britain. Most of the terrorists now are home grown in madrasas belonging to these radical schoolos of thought. The secualr group of islamists have realized that they need to step up to prevent the further radicalization of Islam, but it needs to be seen if their actions are adequate enough. There is also the fact that Muslims have progressed evry little since independence that seems to be driving them towards a more fundamental form of Islam among the youth. This is something that needs to be addressed.

Recent blasts and the reaction
Well, many people have expressed their disappointment at the way Indian government (for that matter the entire political system) has reacted to the recent serial blasts in many urban regions. These blasts allegedly perpetuated by Indian Mujahideen show clearly how vulnerable the country is to terrorism. The reactions to these blasts only further strengthen the fact that India is a soft target. In spite of so many lives lost we have not seen the arrest of any significant people behind such dastardly acts. The congress government does not act strongly because it does not want to offend the minorities. But, isn't this coming at the cost of innocent lives? The only leader who has responded credibly (not acted yet) is Narendra Modi. Of course, the rest of the BJP has not done itself any favors. Anyway, until a specific department to counteract Islamic fundamentalism is setup there will be no progress and more of such blasts will be occurring.

To say the least the attitude of the government is appaling. The India Today article tiltled the article aptly as "Impotent India". I can't argue with that! Can you?


Another day

Days start to fly by.

There are thinks at the back of my mind that seem to slow the time. Yet time flies by!

Food has been amazing and I feel slightly bad that I am unable to stuff myself with more.
May be by the time I leave I will be more satisfied :P

Watched Rajni's new movie, it was so so. It was about freindship, so I was ok with it. But the first half could have been better (way better actually)

Anyway!

Sunday, August 03, 2008

From home

Started running again. For the first time since my marathon I ran again. Not for long but for 3.5 miles. So not a bad start. Made me happy again, so thats all I want (especially in the current times).

And running serves another prime purpose. It allows me to space in my tummy. The last one year has seen an amazing reduction in my appetite and to keep that I need to burn the food I eat or else my mom will give up on me. She thinks I eat very little. Anyway, I will do my best to keep filling myself with the awesomest food ever!

Apart from that its been nice to be home watching cricket (India winning) and spending time with family.

Life is cool...except for... anyway

Friday, August 01, 2008

Reporting from India

Well, after a long journey I reached my home.

some Random facts of my trip

It took me 52 hours to reach my home after I left Austin.

I slept for 7-8 hours in the last 72 hours

My luck with flights finally ran out and Luthansa strike left me stranded for a while in Philly. Luckily I made it out of there and to India with +10 hours to the trip.

Dubai airport is one crazy place!

There are a number of muslims that travel from Dubail to Hyderabad. I mean its expected but seeing was something. When I say muslims the conservative types. I even saw a 10-12 year old girl in a burkha. Man thats not right somehow. Anyway, who am I to question religious faiths.

My luggage failed to arrive (again first time)

India is totally cool.... (Should I have to say this)


Blogging might be sporadic because of me bing in India. But I should be blogging on and and off (Don't be surprised if you find me blogging regularly)