tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71275692024-03-13T11:41:22.566+05:30RebornGaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-1904864353122459762020-03-29T02:53:00.001+05:302020-03-29T02:53:49.215+05:30My Favourite Shahrukh Khan movies <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Shahrukh Khan was the biggest superstar for most of my growing up life. And while he has been part of numerous blockbusters, there have been certain roles by him that have stayed with me, and for sure showed the audience (and myself) certain acting nuances which would have otherwise undiscovered.<br />
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3 of his movies which have remained with me and which I think were his best in terms of acting skills were Swades, My Name is Khan and Chak De India. They might not be his biggest block busters, but he did make sure he touched a chord within me in each of them.<br />
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Swades the first one of them was a commercial failure, not everyone's cup of tea and definitely not mainstream.The story of Mohan, trying to find his nanny from yesteryears after spending most of his youth and adult life in the US was something thought provoking. What touched me is his act when he interacts with the villagers and the poorest of the poor in India. There is this one scene where he goes to collect rent from someone - and finds how life actually is. There is this particular sequence where he is in a train, while a boy outside is vending drinking water for 25 paise (Rs. 0.25). There is no dialogue, but his face and eye expressions were priceless. Gives me goosebumps even today when i think of the economic disparity in India exposed in that one scene.<br />
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My Name is Khan is another stunner - as he handles both religious and racial discrimination in his quest to meet POTUS, as he seeks retribution for the death of his son due to a fight as a result of religious discrimination in the aftermath of 9/11. He is also handicapped by a disorder which limits his ability to interact and emote. This one did well overseas , and decently in India too. The whole movie is a treat - and shows how a man who shrugs off negativity thrown his way to come up a winner against a system prejudiced against him.<br />
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Chak De is the most commercially successful of this list (at least in India). In this one the script itself does a lot of the work and the support cast is great too. However the story inspired by true events ( former Indian field hockey player Negi) of a man who got accused of throwing away a match due to his religious background. Years later, still bearing the scar of that accusation he comes back to coach the women's team to word cup glory. Scene of the movie for me? Probably the end when he visits his old home.<br />
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Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-86297905523167741132020-02-19T07:07:00.001+05:302020-02-19T07:07:39.194+05:30The importance of data led decisions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Of late there has been great talk around data getting captured in whatever we do...people use various hyperbolic statements about how some fictional 'Big Boss' personaility uses all this data to manipulate us. I am not saying these concerns are unfounded, however I have long back understood not to worry about things beyond your control. And I think that is the way to go for me.<br />
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I digress. I have become a big fan of data based decision making. Its basically of getting the odds in your favour using data rather than what others say or by conventional wisdom. I am not talking only about buying products and looking at reviews. You can perhaps decide what area of a particular city you want to stay in based on data , especially if you have a well developed data system in your city. You could perhaps decide what investments have been working well, based on actual data. a real life example is that recently, a friend of mine asked me about potential for jobs in our field of work, and I did a very interesting 'project' for him where i found out which city from a list of cities had least competition in terms of jobs. and I am sure you can use this for various decision making processes...Moving to a new city ? find out which neighbourhood has certain kind of housing / transport / demographics. Not gross number of jobs but potential applicants per job - and it confirmed what i always thought - competition in the GTA is higher than other cities. and we could apply this in many of our choices - rather than going with 'conventional wisdom' please use data to make informed decisions. I am not saying all decisions will be right, but now the odds will be on your side.</div>
Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-3737370338583585792014-02-07T00:56:00.002+05:302020-12-22T23:46:04.786+05:30People's movements in politics<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Arvind Kejriwal is the flavour of the season in India right now. He manages to grab all the media attention without spending the huge amounts of PR (Public Relations) money his peers, Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi have been spending. And that's not surprising. His party has born out of a people's movement and hence had received support from the media right from the beginning. His mentor and former Guru Anna Hazare's IAC movement(India against corruption) was widely publicised. When Anna's movement failed, Arvind could not sit back and watch hopelessly from the sidelines and entered politics. After a great debut in Delhi in 2013, he wants to capture the national stage in 2014. He might well be the party pooper for the major alliances.<br />
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There are others too who could to enter politics on the fringes of a people's movement. In Italy, a movement of a similar kind called Five Star Movement is become active under comedian turned activist Beppe Grillo. They contested the 2013 general elections and got 25% of votes. They were the in the top 2 largest parties by number of seats won but lower than the major political coalitions. They will probably get their turn in the next general elections.<br />
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Imran Khan in Pakistan has also been a social crusader before his entry into mainstream politics. He has won power in a province, and might get to power in the next general elections.</div>
Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-73927493641023684632014-01-18T02:04:00.000+05:302014-01-18T02:04:11.066+05:30Open up<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have been growing a a person in the last few years. I have come to start respecting different cultures and languages, trying out new cuisines and doing things which are not in my comfort zone.Flexibility and willingness to adapt is the hallmark of a evolving person. I look at myself wanting to develop into such a person. One who understands different cultures, open to experimentation and looking forward to discovering new things. If one is willing to keep one;s mind open, it opens up new doors of opportunities. It also helps you to assimilate with other people more easily and be acceptable.<br />
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I have notices that being a people person is not a challenge as long as you can understand other people and learn by observing. Being one dimensional does not really work today. It is the era of mutifacetness and multi tasking. Those who can't adapt will be found out. Very much like how a T20 batsman will be found out in a test match</div>
Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-2912266887357632952012-06-09T18:31:00.001+05:302012-06-09T18:31:14.168+05:30The Sinful Tongue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It is so true that most sins are committed by the tongue. It can erase all the goodwill and good work that you might have done with a particular person or on a a particular project. It can harm relationships - the damage depends on the amount of venom you spew .<br />
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How many times we regret what we say, just after saying it, and wishing we never said it. And although people do 'take back their words' , does it really work that way?</div>Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-76144928073966129042011-07-03T23:05:00.007+05:302011-07-04T10:23:07.373+05:30A Tale of Two Cities<p></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I happened to be in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city> this weekend as it was the main city on the way to my destination - Khurja - to observe fieldwork. Khurja – unknown to many - is a small town in western UP some 150 Kms from <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city>. The town's population is only 1 lac in sharp contrast to neighboring <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Delhi</st1:city></st1:place>'s population of 1.26 crores.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The contrast was alarming in a lot of other ways too. The 150 KM seems like a time trail with a gap of 150 months between the towns. Apart from one being a small town and another the country's capital, yet the differences are too stark and even surprising for me.<br /><br />First let’s talk of basics … Khurja full of overflowing gutters, and garbage strewn around and monsoons only made it worse. There was only one "khotwali' in Khurja where I couldn’t even spot one havaldar. Khurja had only one Hotel with only10 rooms! The town had no restaurants. Yes not even one! There was a roadside Dhaba where we had to go to have our fill. The main mode of transport within the town is cycle rickshaw and if you want to go to the railway station (5 KM from main town), then its a tempo rickshaw ride. People are filled in like sardines and I was lucky to be inside the sardine tin and not hanging out like some others.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">In sharp contrast, <st1:city st="on">Delhi</st1:city> was much better and cleaner, except some parts in <st1:place st="on">East Delhi</st1:place>. Accommodation for visitors to the capital is not at all a problem as I am sure <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Delhi</st1:city></st1:place> has more than 2000 hotels. In <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city> one can see that even security is very well taken care of. Transport in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city> is well taken care of with its Metro or Rickshaw and the nice CWG buses which some commuters use.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Now let’s come to other things. <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Delhi</st1:place></st1:city> is known for eve teasing but even then the advent of the metro has changed the way the women in the city feel about their safety. Girls are no longer afraid of being groped at as in the Blue Line buses and are free to wear what they want and travel in the ladies compartment of the Metro. In Khurja post 7 PM it is difficult to see women folk. Even in the day they walk in groups or with other male members of their family.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Cinema being one of my passions I was irked that Khurja has only 2 theatres. One theatre, which looks the younger of the two, currently plays the Imran Khan Starrer 'Delhi Belly' while the older one plays a suggestively titled ' Taank Jhaank'. This feels so distant from the many multiplexes sported in the capital city.</span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">I strongly feel that this disparity in the distribution of developmental resources is somewhere close to the whole poor - rich divide which haunts <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. The silver lining to the cloud is that there is hope though - I saw all the top FMCG brands in Khurja. Maybe not the really classy ones like Loreal but definitely the Garnier Shampoos and the Gillette shave gels were there. </span></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></p><br /><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">All in all a question that comes to mind … if the FMCGs could see hope in the Khurjas of the country then why can't the government?</span></p>Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-23341430241093686832010-06-21T17:38:00.002+05:302010-06-21T17:44:49.082+05:30Rains and the EconomyWe all know the co-realtion between good rains and the economy. In India we always thought that as we are an agriculture domianted economy, we are very dependent on rains .<br /><br />However an interesting thought came to my mind the other day. Rains are great for the urban economy too. Look at Mumbai as an example. The moment it rains, all rickshaw and taxi drivers who otherwise have no 'bhada' are in business. people who normally take buses / trains will take rick / taxi to reach their destinations. The other day there were no ricks at the arrivals where normally there is a serpentine queque of ricks and supply overshoots demand. Why? because it was raining and the rickshaws in the area had already got long haul passengers to bother waiting at the airport.<br /><br />talking of rains, we in mumbai are hoping it rains well this year and fills all our water supplying lakes. Keep your fingers crossed.Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-9298343270763709462010-04-28T23:07:00.003+05:302010-04-28T23:14:08.025+05:30The Morning afterMonday 26th April...the day after Mumbai Indians lost the IPL finals<br /><br />the scene in mumbai in the morning was pretty much like a funeral procession. There were people who had mustered up the strength to get traveling, but the usual energy was missing...no fights, no pushing for seats<br /><br />In office too people worked like silent zombies...the depression getting to them.<br /><br />Quite a contrast to Sep 2007 when Dhoni and Co got the T20 world cup home...man did the same Mumbai celebrate and how...open air bus to welcome the heroes home!!!!<br /><br />If franchisee loyalty is what IPL wanted, it's engraved by leaps and bounds into the Mumbaikar after this season. people already awaiting the Champions T20 and billing it as revenge time...<br /><br />For the record - by Tuesday Mumbai was back to life ..the usual way :)Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-89281167296283969482009-03-11T11:25:00.006+05:302009-03-11T12:48:48.952+05:3020 minutes at Churchgate Station<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AYfWgDIDc_YJa8MsLyqxm4jAcFAhkxLvhpIsF9BFA-14URKwhORmFHpgFswGYcZ2mOpv0J2WWhBqiRDdbyW8R2CLZDoxFdtXC1MDWJz0iRhTr_PjXD1a7mMa_H_Yg3mY92xB/s1600-h/mumbai_churchgate_station_060712.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AYfWgDIDc_YJa8MsLyqxm4jAcFAhkxLvhpIsF9BFA-14URKwhORmFHpgFswGYcZ2mOpv0J2WWhBqiRDdbyW8R2CLZDoxFdtXC1MDWJz0iRhTr_PjXD1a7mMa_H_Yg3mY92xB/s320/mumbai_churchgate_station_060712.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311825775000434178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Sitting at Churchgate staion is an experience. Varied people. Varied Situations. TC's. Gaurds. People of foreign origin. People wanting to go outstation. What a melting pot</span><br /><br /><br /><br />Last weeend, I was to meet up with a friend near Churchgate. Since I came in early, I decided to spend time at the station itself.<br /><br />I took up a vacant seat at the of a platform and began observing.<br /><br />It was very interesting. First the symchronisations amongst gaurds. They arrive well before the local arrives. Then they wait pateiently for the motorman gets down and then get in and take command. And when the big digital clock at the strikes time , they blow the whistle and set off the train. Some dont blow whistles though.<br /><br />People coming in are also varied-some ask the gaurd where the is going, some ask the motorman who bought the local in. Poor guy looks at the indicator and tells them.<br /><br />Saw a group of woman who loked like have come from the Middle East- asking if the train went to bandra. Problem is she asked the gentleman next to me in English and that guy had no clue. I intervened and helped them. :)<br />Next came along a young man wanting to go to Valsad. We (me and that other gentleman who doesnt know English) told him that train doesnt go directly and he will have to go to Mumbai central and get an outstation train.<br /><br />Two young women who just got down from an incoming train were caught by the TC and asked for tickets. As it turned out these girls did not have valid tickets or their pass had expired. They were trying to convince the TC and trying to wriglle out of teh situation without a fine by smoothtalking. I wanted to watch what happens further, but just tehn my friend called up and I had to go. It would be interseting to see what finally happened. maybe they asked the TC to overlook their mistake as it was Women's Day that day...Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-16575070554889556922008-10-26T13:50:00.002+05:302008-10-26T13:56:37.123+05:30Ganguly's swansongI really liked the way Ganguly celebrated after he got his 100 in the 2nd Test at Mohali....The joy of the man who knew that he was not going as a sore loser but on his own terms.<br /><br />He is certainly not the unfit (atleast not as much as Laxman and Kumble currently) but still he had so much to prove to all...and that he did<br /><br />I read some days ago on how India lost out on 3-4 years of Javagal Srinath in his youth, just because Kapil wanted to retire after getting to Hadlee's record...that is still happening with the current Inidan team...I only hope the careers of people like Mishra, Gambhir and Co go don't go that way.Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-78560607003146819902008-08-11T10:52:00.005+05:302008-08-19T14:38:15.487+05:30Most memorable train ride of my lifeI was waiting at the Thane railway station, for my train to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mangalore</span>. It was the start of a 1 week break from my work, and i was eagerly waiting to meet my friends in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mangalore</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">kickstart</span> the vacation. Only one thing was in between - the boring train ride.<br /><br />What??? Boring train ride does not match with the title of this post? That's cos even before I could settle down in the train I heard a voice call out ''Hi, are you Gary?". I saw this pretty bespectacled face look up to me with a kind of unsure but friendly smile. The face was partially hidden under a fat book (I am not quite sure- I guess it was a non faction book on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ratan</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tata</span>) she was holding unto her face. I was quite unsure how she knew my name , and asked if we had met before. She smiled back at my seemingly ignorant question, saying that she and her sister (who had come to leave her on the train on the earlier station ) had read the reservation charts. I later came to know that they had imagined my as a 80 year old man ! (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">c'mon</span>, girls - I am sure that an age column would be around somewhere :)<br /><br />Anyways, I introduced myself back and then settled down on my seat. The next 5-10 minutes were spent in knowing each other's backgrounds and instantly I knew that there was some kind of '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Kismat</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Konnection</span>' between us. There was definitely some chemistry between us (she had done her Grads in chemistry). We were both kind of very happy to have found just the right kind of company in that train. She soon put her book down and got lost in our conversations.<br /><br />It seemed we knew each other from kinder garden and not from a few hours. She shared with me many stories from her college days, about her family, her hobbies. She was quite different in the sense that she wasn't a TV or movie freak, she spent her time developing other skills like cooking, driving , teaching ...the list is amazing.<br /><br />I was amazed by her personality and various instances she narrated about her life. The journey I wanted to get done with earlier - now seemed like i wanted it to last a little longer. Her love for food, her phobias of public restrooms, her limited knowledge of the Indian railways, her anxiousness about getting a return ticket back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Mumbai</span> ...everything was so cute.<br /><br />We exchanged numbers and mail ids promising to get in touch later. We are to let each other know if the return journey was as exiting (both of us are travelling alone by train ..again...but from different locations on different days) I am sure there would be more meetings . talks and interactions with her, but am sure it will be difficult to beat this experience of the first meeting.Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-32924783402442988832008-07-20T12:31:00.001+05:302008-07-21T10:10:56.626+05:30The Dark Knight - A reviewThe Dark Knight<br /><br />Rating 4/5<br /><br />One of the best superhero movies recently made (sorry for putting Batman in that genre - as Batman has no superpowers), this one is a thrilling ride all the way.<br /><br />The opening few minutes , where the Joker and his bunch of cronies are robbing a bank is just the perfect setting for 2 1/2 hours of great entertainment. The script is the real winner - the characterizations of the major characters - specially Batman / Bruce Wayne, Harvey Dent, and the Joker are so detailed, that you actually feel like you are sitting inside the mind of these characters - as they go about their business on screen.<br /><br />This is a Batman movie, and as in most Batman movies, the bad man (Joker) gets the meatiest role. The way the character is portrayed by the late Heath Ledger is simply remarkable. His interaction with Batman - in the interrogation room and with Harvey Dent = at the hospital , are scenes which are simply out of this world.<br /><br />The movie is a bit long by Hollywood standards, but you wont get bored even for one bit. In fact the intermission, a sad compulsion in Indian cinema - was the only point when i got irritated.<br /><br />The Dark Knight has already set records for the opening day in the U.S., with some predicting that this movie may well turn out to be the highest grosser of the decade.<br /><br />Go catch it before it is taken out of the cinemas to make way for some mediocre Bollywood movies.Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-52231780411361689472007-09-25T23:00:00.000+05:302008-12-11T05:02:09.520+05:30yesssss...We won the world cup !<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBU1ENxILgMSgnrvNuZzVdKzpyGWy4YO-SYzYNKPq_RcVZz5OVkE6jmegMUfuahB8gr8vUD__n8H6Z230RG9y6QEWN9GWHgTIqRh43K1MCbPKfmfFtFIL797mXMFUiOUUzk28A/s1600-h/image003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBU1ENxILgMSgnrvNuZzVdKzpyGWy4YO-SYzYNKPq_RcVZz5OVkE6jmegMUfuahB8gr8vUD__n8H6Z230RG9y6QEWN9GWHgTIqRh43K1MCbPKfmfFtFIL797mXMFUiOUUzk28A/s320/image003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114563394252352882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMu90h3GaPiUMawNVoXrcZAKSk6WhZIGVNY8ZDzP8yO08Q2CJQ08KaK44kjophJKARsKwP-j5abXSVnpjfhi9nTpsSTvckOqR0miBVSX2SL1deTPY1bah8xO-k8Vo53OTcdrxo/s1600-h/image004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMu90h3GaPiUMawNVoXrcZAKSk6WhZIGVNY8ZDzP8yO08Q2CJQ08KaK44kjophJKARsKwP-j5abXSVnpjfhi9nTpsSTvckOqR0miBVSX2SL1deTPY1bah8xO-k8Vo53OTcdrxo/s320/image004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114563394252352898" border="0" /></a><br />After a long wait of 24 years...India are world champs again...Words won't capture the emotions..nothing can...its a great moment for India and Indians....<br /><br />Headlines of Major Dailies<br /><br />Times of India - We are the world<br />Hindustan Times - Top of the world<br />DNA - we won<br /><br />there was this great sense of positiveness in todays day..whether it was in the local train or at office or out in the streets..just amazing<br /><br />will leave you with 2 snaps that will be embedded in history forever<br /><br />1st one - Misbah, Jogi , asif and the umpire watch as the ball is in the air off Misbah's scoop shot. (look on Joginder's face : priceless)<br />2nd one - Victors and the Vanquished - Indian team crowds around Joginder and start celebrating even as Misbah is down in despair (reminds me of the opening scenes of Chak de India)Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-4020833936718544622007-09-16T21:39:00.000+05:302007-09-16T21:56:17.574+05:30Oh Captain my captainCaptaincy blues haunt the Indian cricket team as Dravid resigned even before India had played a match in the T20 world cup (the match against the scots was washed out)<br /><br />Dravid, the captain over the last 2 years or so, has put in his papers saying that he wants to concentrate on the game.And now the selectors are making a mockery of it by trying to reinstate Sachin at the top...Hello..this is the same sachin who resigned from captaincy cos he wanted to 'concentrate on batting' just like Dravid. And now you want to put him back in the same spot? Sachin has just started playing freely (the England tour was great for Tendulkar)and now the selectors want to put teh crown of thorns on him again.I am a critic of teh way sachin has approached batting in recent years , but the England tour was a pleasant exception.<br /><br />Who are the alternatives then? Dhoni, ganguly and Yuvraj.Ganguly - dunno if he wants the job. Dhoni - OK choice, just like Azhar was made captain when there was problems with the senior players in the early 90's. But can he take teh pressure? Maybe the T20 world cup can answer that. Yuvi ..well he is not even a regular in the Test side...<br /><br />I quite like the approach some teams have taken in recent years to Captaincy. Lee Germon was made captain of a Kiwi side in his 1st one dayer, and Greame Smith took over as S.A. captain even as he had played just a couple of tests and one dayers..<br /><br />Waiting for the drama to unfold at the nautanki called BCCIGaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-51368037981747384262007-08-05T23:11:00.000+05:302007-08-05T23:41:08.479+05:30Sanjay DuttOn 31st August 2007, Justice Kode sentenced Sanjay Dutt to 6 years RI. I don't know but i have this gut feel that Dutt, even is he has to undergo the sentence (if the SC turns down his appeal) will come back a stronger man, and will continue delivering hits.In the past he has risen like a phoinex when industry experts gave him no chance.<br /><br />Lets look at his past comebacks.<br /><br />Naam (1986) : after his debut in Rocky (1981) he seemed to fade away before getting back to teh box office with a bang in this movie.<br /><br />Khalnayak (1993) : Released when Dutt was in Prison, this movie again established the fact that he could play Grey shades with ease, perhaps the first of the A grade stars of his time to attempt a negative character and be successful.<br /><br />Vastav (1999) : after releasing from prison , Dutt starred in several unsuccessful movies and was declared a spent force when he came back with Vastav.<br /><br /><br />Munnabhai MBBS (2003):again to put a rest to the doubting thomas of the world, here came a rejuvenated Dutt , with his producers laughing all the way to the bank.<br /><br />i wont count Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006) cos i won't classify it as a comeback film.I was itching to include Saajan (1991) but its just missed my cut.Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-81260400692329864482007-07-30T22:58:00.000+05:302007-07-30T23:19:10.106+05:30Work and HomeOne should keep his tensions of work away from home and vice versa.....easy to say, but so hard to achieve :)Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-9192590002881262802007-06-23T19:28:00.000+05:302007-06-23T19:40:08.436+05:30News !Well I was just watching the India - Ireland ODI when my dad asked me to switch to a news channel to catch the news.Well i asked him if i could switch to a news channel after 2-3 overs.<br /><br />I can switch back to the scene about 10 years ago.people would still want to catch the 7pm 'Batmya' or Marathi news on DD1. Now they are spoilt for choice. At least 10 news channels...24*7...<br /><br />But, is it that the frequency of significant events has increased in the last 10 years.I don't think so.Then how come there is enough news for these channels to showcase.how come 10 years ago all the news could be fitted into 30 minutes a day, and now there is enough news to last 24 hours?<br /><br />The answer is repetition .The same news on all channels with little diffrentiation. also the same clips repeating again and again.Any stupid niche news becomes 'BREAKING NEWS'. Also put an astrologer here, a tarot card reader there...and hey you managed to create content for a 24 hour news channel.Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-69458685830406584282007-02-04T19:59:00.000+05:302007-02-04T21:14:11.471+05:30Heartless MumbaiA recent incident in the Local train has left me speechless about the heart of the city.<br />I was traveling in a local train in the morning.Although it was peak hour, since it was a Saturday, there wasn't much rush.I boarded at the starting station i.e Borivali and sat down.At Kandivali, some people got in.Just as the train was about to start, someone noticed a pickpocket trying to flick a purse.he was caught, although he tried to get down before the train started.The people started abusing him and then started hitting him like he was some punching bag.Thy hit him without any mercy.I was totally stunned by this misbehavior.The crowd then stripped him of his garments ad threw him out of the train at Malad, the next station.<br />I think that even if someone would have tried to stop the crowd, they would have hit that person too.It seemed as if the crowd was just channeling their everyday life frustration on that pickpocket, be it their boss, wife or someone else.I know the pickpocket was in the wrong, but did he deserve all this? when one old gentleman told the mob to stop and hand the person to the police ,he was asked to shut up, and told that the police is hand in glove with such guys.<br /><br />Is it that Mumbai has lost its heart?Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-62609473478463328302007-02-04T18:51:00.000+05:302007-02-04T19:37:15.500+05:30Dry day bluesLast Friday got a call from Nandan...We thought of meeting up fr dinner and daroo...we thought of sitting at on of these sidey places in central Mumbai and catch up with each other.<br /><br />Well what we weren't aware of , was that since it was the day for counting for the civic elections, it was a "dry day", which means that bars and wine shops will be closed!<br /><br />Nandan thought that only the central suburbs being a sensitive area had this problem, so we went to another suburb of Mumbai, but again we were left disappointed.<br /><br />Ok, here is the fun part.When we were looking tor open bars in Dadar, we met a Havaldar patrolling traffic on the street.Hence is the gist of the conversation, translated in English.<br /><br />Nandan : Hellos Sir, is there a dry day today?<br /><br />Cop : Arey boys, see today is counting day.Now actually we don't need a dry day today, but the powers above think that people might drink today, and may cause a law and order problem.<br /><br />Nandan : oh, OK<br /><br />Cop : See actually the wine shops and the bars would love to remain open today.The victors in the election, would love to drink and celebrate, and the losers would probably like to drown their sorrows in booze.But the authorities think otherwise.<br />now everyday drinkers know when are the dry days, so they have stocked up the booze already.Its just people like you who drink once in a while who are caught unawares.<br /><br />Nandan : so what do you suggest now?<br /><br />Cop : well most of teh shops here in this area are closed. a wine shop down the 1st left from here may be open, just try your luck.<br /><br />Nandan : but then we can only bu the booze there, where should we drink? <br /><br />Cop : well just head for the beach<br /><br />Nandan : but then you guys(cops) will come there and drive us away...<br /><br />Cop : No no my friend, we visit teh beach to drive people away only at 12. now its only 10 pm, so you guys can enjy for 2 hours <br /><br />Nandan : Thanks, nice talking to you, bye<br /><br />Well we didn't find that elusive , "open" wine shop and had to settle only for a nice non veg dinner, without booze, but the conversation with teh cop did lift up our moods for a while!Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-49960602234114127922007-01-07T19:37:00.000+05:302007-01-07T19:45:59.619+05:30India in south africaHi,<br />am posting after some time!<br /><br />The Indian cricket team has flattered to deceive once again.I thought that this time we will win a series in south Africa, something that we haven't done ever.<br /><br />The disappointing end however had a silver lining.Dada now looks set to play the one day series against SL and Windies , as well as the World cup.And Shreesanth has finally managed to get a foot in the door and looks set to play the WC2007.Dinesh Kartick has done well in the few opportunities he has got on the tour.Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-72889464281298551582006-12-10T19:22:00.000+05:302006-12-10T19:24:28.418+05:30Ox,Bull,Buffalo,Cowok, we spent 3 hrs on Saturday in office trying to argue about the "distinguishable features" of all the above named animalsGaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-23848901387007366722006-11-26T13:04:00.000+05:302006-11-26T13:05:42.045+05:30True Spirit of ChristmasSince, I was a kid, Christmas has always been special for me.It was always an occasion to look forward to, not only for gifts, but also because it gave a change for us kids to feel good, meet other cousins and have a good time.<br /><br />And so when I decided to do my MBA away from Mumbai, one thing on my mind was, how will Christmas be away from home? I want to be at home, i must.But that wasn't something I had control over.<br /><br />Christmas eve came.Although my parents were not with me, mom tried to make up by sending some foodstuff for me from home.Although it wasn't enough, at least something is better than nothing.I decided to go along for mass with my friends.I have always had a lot of non catholic friends all my life, and MBA was no different.My friends had never been for a mid night mass before, and I asked them asking them to come with me.We had a nice time at the mass, in the open grounds, listening to the Christmas story and singing carols, and I almost forgot that I was away from home.Being with my new family, my college mates, made me more than happy.Before we knew, mass ended, we greeted each other, came back to the hostel and went to our respective rooms.<br /><br />I felt something missing, there was a family here, but where is the spirit of Christmas? It is then that I saw the bag of cookies sent by mom, and it hit me.I sat on my laptop and typed a message on the instant messenger calling one and all in the hostel to share the cookies.Moments later, my room was full of people, all sharing the stuff I had got.Another Catholic friend barged in, apparently he had just received some stuff from his folks sometime ago.And there we were, now celebrating the true spirit of Christmas.Yes the true spirit of Christmas is in sharing.<br /><br />It was indeed a Merry Christmas now!Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-62338272284633873732006-11-25T20:44:00.000+05:302006-11-25T20:47:25.947+05:30Trip to Bangalorethere are cleints..and then there are clients<br /><br />our clients want us to see fieldwork ourselves, to verify if its taking place correctly...sothey manage to sendus to bangalore fr a day<br /><br />24 hrs in total...work of about 8 hrs, hunting housesand locations fr 4 hrs...sleep for 8 hrs and tp for 4 hrsGaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-1161942551094355182006-10-27T15:19:00.000+05:302006-10-28T13:52:36.616+05:30Cricket Unites<div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>Cricket is a religion in </span></font>India, no doubt.and hence it is one of the greatest binding factors I know of. I mean 2-3 people, who have never met each other, can suddenly start chatting/discussing/arguing or quarreling, when it comes to the mention of this game. It doesn’t matter if the place of disscussion is a local train, or a office cubicle.Talking to that tough looking VP the way you chat with friends doesn’t look possible, but then start talking cricket and he will talk as if he knows you from years!</p> <p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;font-weight:normal'> </span></font></b></strong></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>I can recall this incident about 4 years back, when I was still doing graduation. I and a friend were traveling in the Mumbai local train, back from college. The second class compartment was crowded as usual but we managed to grab a place. As soon as the discussion veered away from studies and towards cricket, 2 gentlemen who were sitting besides us got involved in the discussion. One of them gave his expert analysis on why John Wright was not the right coach for </span></font>India, while another was lamenting the fact that the BCCI does not keep enough day-night matches, which means the common man doesn’t get to see matches. (Day matches get over by the time the guy comes back home)</p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'> </span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>By the time we reached our station, we got enriched on a lot of aspects of Indian Cricket.</span></font></p> </div>Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7127569.post-1161703675818149002006-10-24T20:47:00.000+05:302006-10-24T20:57:55.846+05:30Diwali / Eid Holidaysman, Diwali n Eid are gr8...since i joined IMRB, ihave never got 5 days off on a trot..and now that i have, i didnt know how to spend them!<br /><br />but i guess everythin has its way, andi found it out too<br /><br />Saturday: went to awedding...manglorean one, so lots of hoggin of food....Something i noticed and wanna share with u guys, i the way music has changed in these weddings...from western classic and rock to Indipop...heard more of himesh than anyone else!<br /><br />Sunday :made chilli shots at home ...Ya i made my own variations..but then its cool...Later in the day had some great non veg food at Bhendi bazar ((iftar hosted by my frends)...and then watched Schumi in his final race <br /><br />Monday: Packed off my bike...my bros gettin it on friday<br /><br />Tuesday: Enjoyed at my 8 year old cousin's place!Its really fun playin with kids!<br /><br />Wednesday: well my weekly Mahim novena...and maybe wld meet sum friends!<br /><br /><br />Happy Diwali and Eid MubarakGaryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01142414850052612751noreply@blogger.com0