Neolithic aesthetics

They were found in the settlement of Ain Ghazal, a Neolithic settlement quite close to modern-day Amman in Jordan. I was very fascinated by those eyes.

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Sunday picnic with Ila

The last time I saw her, nearly an year ago, Ila was no more than a breathing bundle of tissues and bones, with a smile nonetheless, sustained by medicines, and sheer tenacity of her parents.Her father Srinivas attributes Ila’s remarkable recovery to ”too much fight in the little girl to let adversity, unspeakable pain, and a constant threat to life interfere with her sense of fun”. . .More. .

"Are you from a special category ?", asks a businessman!t

A businessman is on the verge of expanding his business. He knows, he alone cannot manage the entire affairs of the concern and wants a competent person to share his job. But how to find such a person is his biggest problem because this guy values nothing but competency; no influence, no quota and no money, all he needs is a capable person who can improve his business.Till now, he has met several people but he is, somehow, not satisfied with any of them. He is told by one of his friends to try for IIM guys, who are supposed to be...... More

MGP demands to retain District In-Charge Minister Shobha Karandlage

There are strong rumours in recent weeks that there are efforts made to transfer Mysore’s District In-Charge Minister Shobha Karandlage. Is there a need for a change of guards when Dasara is practically here? Is there a need to bring some new minister when she has been here for a short time and has accomplished a lot for Mysore? Just like it has become a routine thing for political leaders to request the transfer of inconvenient officers even before...... More

The Number

One of my favourite stories is that of the mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan and his mentor G. H. Hardy. Ramanujan, ill equipped to cope with the vagaries of the inclement British weather, fell ill in England. Hardy visited him in hospital, taking a ride in a taxicab...More here...

Call for reservation in Love

I'm writing this post with immense pain in my heart. Is this world only meant for select few lucky guys? What about ordinary guys like me? Why is that I'm rejected by every girl whom I approach, that too so rudely. Every time I seek a girl, I get nothing but outright rejection. I know I have few defects. In fact, deep inside me, I know that there is nothing which is praise worthy either and it is actually not just "few" defects. But how rude..... More

Wastage in government

It was Rajiv Gandhi who, I believe, once observed that not more than 15 paise in every rupee the government spent on welfare schemes made it to their intended beneficiaries. Inefficiency, wastage and corruption accounted for the other 85 paise. Over 50 percent of tax revenue in many states go for payment of staff salaries. . .More. . .

Actor in him

I do not regret having given up “stage” performances – I am fully satisfied playing “roles” in Real Life. The Actor in Me is still Vibrant. . . More

Goodbye, Friend

One of the victims of this year's drought and failed monsoon was our Kala Siris, or Albizia Chinensis tree. It was the tallest and grandest tree in our bungalow.

Unique Identification of Indian Citizens

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIA) formed in February 2009 is set to provide a unique number to all Indian citizens by 2011, at a cost presently estimated between Rs.30,000 to Rs.150,000 crores, with initial budgeted outlay of Rs.100 crores for the current year. It is expected to create 100,000 new jobs and business worth Rs.6,500 crores. UIA will create and operate a database to create a Multi-purpose National Identity Card for all citizens over 18 years of age, with a unique number along with photographs and biometric data. It will link together various existing identity databases like.... continue reading

Are you Krishna conscious?

It's Krishna Jayanti later this week. Here's a quiz (prepared for a local event) on the Lord and His doings. Hope you feel blessed enough to take the very simple challenge. :) More

Do you really need a blog?

Or 6 reasons why you need a blog.

Blogs may have been born as personal journals - but today - they have exploded as a business application thanks to their far-reaching effects. Just some of the benefits of blogging are... More...

You Have The Power!

Here are some wonderful 'Monday' thoughts that can easily be converted to action, age no bar. More...

Let's Kick Some Butt!

Of late, am so into these misleading titles... that people expect something totally different from what I actually end up writing. Yeah - this post is similar - am yet again spreading sweetness and light. I have this super-affinity to all things health-related - could be my constant association with hospitals and doctors - could be because I am part of an ethics committee (that evaluates protocols for clinical trials) - and could be just that I am fulfilling that sneaky wish to share information that can make life better...

Whatever - this one's about smoking - and why it is time to kick that butt. More...

That's what friends are for...

This is for Corinne, my best friend. It is one of my favorite songs and says it all. More...

V. Muthusamy Iyer, Thamizh Scholar

The article is about Sri V. Muthusamy Iyer, my husband’s grandfather (maternal) who was a Thamizh scholar. It is remarkable that a scholar of this stature lived in a not so far past. We are proud to be a part of his family. Read about him....

MONSOON MAGIC - 2

Winding down the narrow roads of the Western Ghats with enough twists and turns to churn whatever is in the stomach, one finally emerges in the coastal area of Karnataka near Honnavar Town where the mountain road meets the so-called National Highway NH-17. The “highway” is quite narrow by International standards and was badly worn out and exposed in stretches. Swollen rivers and lakes were all around us as we drove North towards Goa, reaching a wet and windy Colva Beach (Colva is near Madgao for those familiar with the larger cities of Goa).

He might have taught at IIM-A, so what?

When Lalu was the Railway Minister in the previous U.P.A government, he was credited for having brought a turnaround to the Indian Railways. That Indian Railways- wholly controlled by the Indian Government-, which until then was tottering under heavy losses started earning profits during his regime is a legend now. I was not amused. But I was really surprised when IIM-A had.... More

WHERE IS THE AUDIENCE

. . . . The paucity of audience was compensated for by the mikes – we got six – and our own enthusiasm. We sang for 75 minutes . . . More. .

Mobile entertainment

Now that the Big 10 bus services have been introduced in Bangalore, I find my self using the service to go to town...quite literally. During weekdays we car pool, so during weekends I use this service to give me a break from driving. During my travels from home to Brigade Road I find myself seated next to a lot of people who use the travel time to catch up with friends, relations, parents, BF/GF etc. Of these, the mallus are the most voluble...more.

Aadi, Sri Krishna Jayanthi and Ganamritham

Sri Krishna Jayanthi, which falls this year on August 13, and the series of concerts are part of the two-week celebrations. At Sri Gaudiya Math where we are going to sing today, a series of sequences from Lord Krishna’s life are exhibited. See here

Thatched Roof Memories, and a Mystery

The words are like a magic incantation: Dhalankuthakadhiku thaka thadhinginathom. Chanted to a rhythmic marching beat of one-two-three-four. The years fall away, and I am back in dance - Bharata Natyam - class. There is a pervasive memory of heat and humidity. In my reminiscence, it is always May, when schools and colleges are closed for the summer holidays. More...

People: The village savoury maker

There was a long list of palaharams. It included ovulos unda, ari unda, Achappam, cheeda, kuzhal appam, and more. She also ventured into diamond cuts and burfi, as a concession to changing times...

"A rose-red city half as old as time"

Al Khazneh, as you emerge from the Siq

We soon left the hills of Amman behind and found ourselves surrounded by largely featureless desert. Some hills dotted the distance, there was little vegetation and only the tall, wind blown swirls of sand broke the monotony. I had half hoped for some pale imitation of Wadi Rum, but no luck: the desert was not giving up its jewels to casual passers by. Featureless settlements had come up around the few crossroads, each with an oil-stained garage, a shop or two, a very basic restaurant and some windowed concrete blocks that served as houses.

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Oh, please don't!

Nagging and punishment just don't really work. Just imagine - the repercussions - be it management styles, teaching style, parenting or relationships - could be enormous. . .More

Of jerks and losers

So in one of the easiest selections in the 3-week-old history of the 'Biggest Losers Blog', here's presenting our #3 nominee, Dr, Conrad Murray.. .More. . .

Household energy audit

The Green entrepreneur Ashwin has offered to draft a project paper; and also conduct a pilot programme to give us a sense of its working - 'I know of a school (Vidyavardhaka, Kuvempunagar) which has many eco-conscious teachers'. . .More

Opinion: Justice KT Thomas on the frisking of Dr. Kalam

Most of the points presented in the write-up by the former Justice of the Supreme Court of India are valid. But in my opinion, what he has stated is a personal opinion and not a judicial assessment. And, on certain counts, my views are different...

A Paper Plane to the Devils from "Hell"

The kids scream so much everyday now that that its’ unbearable. The elders in the Van find a more dignified way of expressing their anger. The Van has been bought from Hella manufacturing company, the sticker above the left window says so. They work together to scrape off the “a” with their fingernails, rechristening the little rectangle on wheels “Hell”...More

Welcoming The Newest

The VIP who my mother knitted it for has made her appearance.....Though we haven’t seen her yet, we hope to be with her in some weeks’ time. But here we are all excited, conveying the news....More