Ad. intrusion in news space

We know about the increasing hold ad. sponsors have on our newspapers. But doesn’t this appear a bit intrusive ? Or is it thinking out-of-the-box in page-designing?. . .More. . .

Kerala Architecture: The house where I was born

This is my mother’s house, Kallivayalil Konduparambil. She was not born here, but it was home to her till her marriage at the age of 15. But I was born in this building though it was Thekkanattu Parayil that I called home.

Congrats To ISRO For Detecting Water In Moon

The talented space scientists of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) have done a great service to the world – and have also made India so proud – by finding water in the Moon while conducting their now fabled Moon mission - Chandrayaan-1. More

FORMULA 1 SINGAPORE GRAND PRIX

Formula 1 GP Singapore just ended and I am feeling tired, my body and mind is winding down from all that adrenaline that was coursing through my veins all evening. The action was fantastic, those who have only seen the race on TV like I have for a long time, really need to get to a race and watch it live. The sound, the speed, the atmosphere, the fun, nothing comes close to being there. This time I found myself at the Pit Grand Stand, opposite the pit lane and garages, meters away from the starting grid! Read more..

(Virtual) Life after death?

Have you ever thought what happens to your internet presence after your death? Will your emails be gone forever? Who will update the status of your Twitter, Facebook or Orkut accounts ("I'm dead!")? And who will post articles on your blog? And what will happen to your domain, will it be lost forever and many such questions.... continue reading

If a picure = 1000 words, this cartoon = million essays

Surendra's eloquence leaves me rather lump-throated. More...

Photos: Dragonflies by KO Isaac

All rights reserved.

You've come a long way, baby!

This post is not for the squeamish. If you count yourself among that number, consider yourself warned that there are plenty of photos here which are very explicit and, some may say, downright ugly.

The death of Chess in Mysore

For those who are not aware of the chess scene of Mysore a decade ago, this might come as a surprise, because for chess to die, now, there is no existence at all. But this wasn't the case around ten years back. Mysore was the best place for state level chess tournaments, where one could get the best accommodation in the form of Youth Hostel. Mysore has now come to a point where.... continue reading

JNNURM- IS THERE DANGER AHEAD FOR MYSORE?

In the euphoria over hundreds of crores of rupees flowing into Mysore for JNNURM works, most people have forgotten that Mysore City Corporation has to foot a hefty bill, with no indications till now as to how MCC will meet this challenge. JNNURM is clearly no free lunch................... continue reading

The Reluctant Maami

I'll come out and confess this: I am an abject failure. A bitter let-down to a proud tradition and lineage, one who failed after barely trying, who lacked even a pallid and watery version of a single attribute required for success.

Yes. I am a failure. More

SOUTH GOA - MOBOR - BETUL BEACH

My favorite time at Mobor is in the evenings. I like this a lot, warm waters gently lapping at your feet while you walk on the edge of the water and the soft sand of the beach. The sunset in the horizon, changing hues of orange to somewhat deep red before plunging below. The soft sounds of the waves and the gentle breeze. I like stopping by and watching little birds run behind small crustaceans on the exposed wet sand when the tide goes out and then they come running back when the waves return towards the beach. For me that’s what a piece of heaven would feel like. More...

“Why do you want me to think that this is great architecture?”

T.V.Mohandas Pai, Infosys' head of HR and administration, says on the newly inaugurated Infosys Global Development Center here in Mysore: “We have looked at balancing the best infrastructure against the right training vision. GEC-II is the largest building to be built in India in the classical Roman style. The main foyer of the building is modelled on the Parthenon in Athens, only the floor area is bigger.” Reading that, I could not but think of a dialogue from the book, The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand.... continue reading

A gardener's dilemma

Such a tiny, innocuous-looking pearl.
Glistening new and perched precariously on the down-slope of the freshest, limpest, thinnest leaf possible.
So fragile, it looks like the slightest shiver of a capricious breeze can send it careening down into oblivion.
But just what am I getting so ecstatic about? Let's rewind, shall we?

The Sublime and the Ridiculous

September blows in with cool winds and dazzling sunlight, the skies awhirl with lazily spinning leaves. A perfect day fades into a long, still night wracked by feverish coughs and disjointed dreams. Wild thoughts bubble up, puncturing the surface of sanity. A cool hand soothes a hot brow and in the twilight zone of delirious reflections and drifting reveries, one phrase repeats itself: plainly mad, plainly mad, plainly mad…. More

One missed Onam

Our family had a special reason to remember this Onam. Ammachi's birth centenary was on August 28, during the Onam week....But I missed it all...

Holy cow err bison err nothing!

If people had paused to think and reflect they would have realized that Tharoor used some clever puns in his reply and a literary nerd like him will make use of advanced English due to his proficiency in the same. If you are a simpleton who cannot distinguish between literal language and figurative language then the best possible solution is to JUST SHUT UP! Unless of course you think the general population are dimwits whom you can rile to some bile over a non issue...more.

I am Spring Cleaning My Life

Spring may not be here, but I am going ahead anyway - and spring cleaning - my life. Life is so hectic these days that all that is left is the stress from rushing around. It is practically impossible to keep pace. And it is not just me – it is just about everyone I know – young and old. In fact the retired people I know are even busier than I am – because they are all tied up doing the things they always planned to do, but never had the time to do before.

Makes me think:

“What is this life, if, full of care
We have no time to stand and stare?”

The only staring I seemed to be doing these days was...More

Satyadev Sharma – The “Bollywood” Hero From Real Life

The incident took place in the night of 12th September, in Delhi’s satellite town of Noida. Sub-inspector (SI) Satyadev Sharma, the in-charge of Sector 62 “chowki” of the town, was in the duty of checking vehicles at Nawada village. It was at that time that he saw three men approaching on a bike. The moment he tried to stop them, the two pillion riders started firing at him. More

Jammu & Kashmir – The Paradise On Earth

Jammu & Kashmir – Where snow-white mountains are immersed into deep meditation from pre-historic times

Jammu & Kashmir – Where mountain streams are flowing with sweet sounds, as if little children are reciting their nursery rhymes.

Jammu & Kashmir – Where green meadows, valleys of flowers and apple orchards are eagerly waiting to welcome you

Jammu & Kashmir – Where you encounter experiences that are so unique and completely new. More

Light at the end of the tunnel

This is a previous blog on Mysore Airport flogged again because of recent updates to the article. Scroll down to the bottom of the blog for fresh news!

DUDHSAGAR FALLS GOA

There was a princess who used to bathe in the falls a long time ago. She used to drink a jug of milk after her bath everyday it seems. One day she was startled to see a handsome prince (what did you expect) who had stumbled on to the falls and since she was in the buff, she grew red in the face and poured the jug of milk in front of her into the waterfall. This milky white water shielded her for a brief moment that it took the attendants to drape a cloth over her and protect her modesty. More...

MODHAKAMS, KOLU AND THE DIGITAL KIOSK

Navarathri means the ‘kolu’, the arrangement and display of multi-coloured dolls on steps. The pavements of North Mada Street in Mylapore are once again full of the lovely dolls. . Read more here

Health Is Wealth

I got this in the mail, and just had to share it with everyone. Take it seriously, and make a pledge to eat healthy (for those who don't know - last week was "Nutrition Week") But then, every week ought to be Nutrition Week - so here goes:

Good health is a multifaceted aspect, and staying healthy in body and mind means taking up a lifestyle where you strike a balance between food and exercise. To do this, you need to know the do's and don'ts depending on your specific health condition so that you can take advantage of nutritious food.

The food you eat on a daily basis impacts how your body works - so a nutritious diet that is rich
in fruit and vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, and mono-saturated fats such as olive oil, will show in your overall health. So make sure you develop healthy eating habits along with your other health-related activity.

How to do this? More

The Delhi Bloggers Meet # 31 – A fun-filled evening at Old Delhi

Yesterday (12th September, 2009) the “Delhi Bloggers Bloc” (DBB) had its 31st meet at the Jama Masjid of Old Delhi, followed by a solid meal at the “Al-Jawahar” restaurant in that area itself. And wow, what an experience it was!

We, the DBB members were also accompanied by the members of “Eating Out In Delhi” (EOID) – a group that visits or revisits various Delhi restaurants about twice a month, to “experience Delhi's offbeat eating joints, which are low on pretension and high on value for money and dining experience”. More

Distinguished Alumna of Lady Shri Ram College

All those years ago, when I was a student in Lady Shri Ram College (1964 to 66), I had no idea that one of my contemporaries was going to be an international figure.... More here

Corporate hostages

Recently a very senior colleague of mine, who had joined a small company so that she could take a break from a hectic job that involved 75% travel, got the shock the shock of her life when she resigned. Her manager after failing to convince her to stay back leveled charges of giving false employment details and humiliated this woman with an enviable track record, before letting her go...more.

Ji, aunty-ji !

Aunt : the sister of one's father or mother. Or the wife of one's uncle.(Origin - Old French ante )
Unless, of course, one lives in India. When every girl goes through a weird metamorphosis the minute she ties the knot and even before she steps out of the marriage hall. She is now Aunty to every one under 20.Hey, so what if the addressor is all of 19 ? Our glowing bride is now a very respectable Aunty... even if she was thought to be the hottest babe in town just yesterday!

Mumbai's feathered citizens

It all started with a very cheeky thief.
I was standing right next to my Custard Apple tree and admiring the fruit ripening when I saw this green bandit tearing open the sweet fruit and helping himself, as bold as you please! ....
I swear that it was my sneaking admiration that made me look out for other birds that call Mumbai home.

Here and There

North and South, West and East, the cities of New York and Madras would appear to have nothing in common. And indeed, the ways in which they differ are too numerous to list here, and would serve perhaps as a useful exercise to while away time on a rainy day. Yet, both these places, founded as early-modern colonial cities within a few years of each other (New York came into being around 1624, as New Amsterdam; Madras, in 1639), can proudly claim to be among the most culturally vibrant and diverse in their respective countries. And I, resident of one in body and the other in spirit, am the happy beneficiary of this. More....

Economical bathing

Do you know that during bathing, about 50% of water falls directly to the floor without touching the body if water is poured hurriedly? In India most of us, first fill a bucket and then pour on our body using a mug....... Continue...

Destiny in someone's hands

I recall an incident that happened in my work place one day and that was to alter the future course, thanks to some boldness and some luck I must say. Read about it.

MGP Opposes Electricity Rate Hike

Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation which supplies electricity to Mysore and its surroundings has now filed an application before Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission for yet another increase in tariff. Among other violations, The company's financial statements which includes balance sheet, the schedules and comments/observation are not audited as required by KERC (Tariff) Regulations 2000 Annexe II.... continue reading

District Forum Holds Bank Responsible for Security Lapses

Srinivas Gudi is a marine engineer working for Shell International Shipping and Trading Company. On 3rd and 4th December of 2008, Rs. 99,000 was withdrawn from ATMs in Malaysia using his SBI debit card and his code number. But Gudi was on duty aboard a ship in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean at that time. Gudi's wife noticed this large debit from his account and called him immediately. Using satellite phone..... continue reading

The Jungle a.k.a. my vegetable patch

I sometimes wonder whether I grow beans for their flowers . Or, maybe because it has to be one of the easiest vegetables to grow.
This is vegetable season in Mumbai ! With 3 months of rain, the land is transformed into a picture of fertility and abundance.

Aliens in my garden

I had my first nigglings of suspicion when I saw these fiery balls appear out of the blue in my garden. There were just too many strange things happening in my Mumbai garden. And everywhere I looked, I could spot Them .
You know who I mean ... those Beings whom I've noticed out of the corner of my eye. Look too fast and all you'll see is a blur of motion as they slide out of view.
But they're there. I know it.
Trying for all the world to pass themselves off as innocent Earth-landers but we know better, don't we? Their very appearance signals their alien-ness, don't you think?

A Beautiful Sunday Evening

September 6, 2009, 5.30 pm.

Smriti Diwas celebrated by Nisarga Academy to honor Pandit Bhatkande and Pandit Paluskar, two greats of Hindustani Classical Music.

Vidur is a student with Mrs Murthy, a wonderful teacher (who also performed Raag Kalavathy). His friend Swaahili and he performed Raag Yaman together - a 35 minute treat it was. What an amazing difference from last year! I felt a lot of mommy-pride when people came up to say 'wow' what a performance. :-) What can I say? Last year he was ...More

SAGA CONTINUES

Mysore Airport saga continues. Latest news online suggests that DGCA will not have time to inspect the Airport and give clearance before Dasara...

A belated salute to the vulture

http://www.ivad09.org/wp/

Sept 5th was Vulture Awareness Day, worldwide. I missed that date, but better late than never.

Continue

Wanted- sexy, intelligent girl with no boy friends!

Once in a while, to come out of the boring routine of reading the left leaning articles of my favourite newspaper, I read the “classifieds” section. It satisfies my hunger for little entertainment without fail- courtesy: “brides and bridegrooms wanted” section! I never used to read it until few years back, when a chance reading of the same turned out to be a good exercise for my funny bone. There is nothing which I despise more than this in the category of advertisements, but it serves me by providing fodder to make fun of it. According to a survey......continue reading

Talking Boxes

Bharat desh,
always mourning
celebrating
always rating ...

In Search of Winding Stairway to Heaven

There was no way I was going to leave behind the beautiful collection of A A Milne’s poems nor the Tales from Ireland I picked up for the grandkids nor the little gem on Jazz and Blues that I had earmarked for my brother and the copy of Dame Doubtfire for myself ; well even if I kept that aside , as the lady told me it would make no difference it hardly weighed anything.
(By the way Mom finished reading it in a day and simply loved it). More . . .

Very bad English!

September 5 is Teacher's Day, today. I recollect an innocuous incident when my teacher frowned at my bad performance in a test that kept lingering for many years and was silently instrumental for better things to happen in the future. I also meet this teacher many years later. Read more...

Aniruddha Gupta – The Best English Teacher That One Can Have

- “You know, my son Raja is so weak in English….. In the last terminal test he has not only failed, but has scored such a low marks….. I am so worried, Sir, he is so bad in English…. I have heard a lot about you. You have changed the lives of so many students. Please ensure that Raja can secure at least the pass marks. That is all that I want……Please teach him the basic English, Sir.”

- “Mr. Basu, a teacher never teaches something to his students.” Came the calm reply. “In fact, no body can teach something to somebody. A person cannot be taught anything. He learns. I will never teach English to your son. I will just generate a love and passion for the language in his mind. The rest will fall in place.”  More.....

Bhimsen by Prem Panicker

One of the strongest memories of my childhood is the story telling session by my paternal grandmother, whose story telling quality is unmatched in our family. Only thing required to start the session was the presence of any two of her several grandchildren. Invariably, the story would revolve either around Mahabharata or Ramayana. Usually, the former. At around the same time,.....continue reading

QUESTIONS ON YSR CRASH

I am sorry for this sad post but I guess it reflects how I am feeling today and the anxiety of the previous day when the Helicopter first went missing. I have to ask some plain and simple questions

If there isn't any, start it!

I wanted to know all the facts relating to a certain Kannada book which was at the center of various controversies when it was first published. Since the book was published two years back, all I could rely on was internet. But that proved to be a failure. I was very much wrong when I assumed that there would be wealth of information on the book- in English- as it had generated unbelievable controversy and also the fact that the book had seen several reprints. There was very little information which was available on the net and whatever was available.... continue reading

Happy Birthday to the Blog

It was an incredible high when I first published my first blog post. It felt really good. As you can see from my first post, it was an outpouring of wonderment at the new world that I found on the Net via free hi-speed broadband Internet courtesy a Summer Internship in some company. I wrote again and again and it felt better and better. Then came the spoiler. The first comment by Neil on my first post and I was like “errr wot?” I wondered why he was commenting on my post! It was like putting on music and dancing away merrily in the privacy of your room only to find out that you have an onlooker. That was my feeling at getting my first comment. I went over to Neil’s blog and found to my surprise that he had a blog too. That was my first click through in blog world...more.