Arz kiya hai....kisne pata nahi...magar mulaheza farmaiye...

samajh sake na log siyane
ishq ka rutba ishq hi janay

duniya bhulaadi ishq nay
apni mana li ishq nay
dil wale jal geye shauq se
jab aag lagayi ishq nay
jis ko diya dil jaan bhi usi ko do
jal kai kahen parwane
ishq ka rutba ishq hi janay

qissa poorana ishq ka
dushman zamana ishq ka
jis ko laga majnoo bana
ulta nishana ishq ka
jitay bhi jhele dukh shikwa kabhi na kare
chup hi rahen deewany
ishq ka rutba ishq hi janay

Why is that we immediately retaliate when someone one pokes fun at us?

I have been running an errand for a friend whose happily tucked away in Europe. He has problems with his credit card company, and I am his PRO here dealing with those people, who for a change are kewl people, who give a ear to the problem. Unlike many of the rest, who just refuse to talk to u with courtesy.

Our mode of operation is like this: He sends me details via mail, I call the bank, and write back to this guy with the details. One such mail, I took the pain of writing the entire transcript, clearly stating what is required from him. My dear friend writes back saying...I didn't understand anything. I was zapped, I wrote it again with clear instructions and small details. to which the reply I got is..." Its not u ... its the basic matter of the sexes.... which man has understood what a women has said !!!"...if at all this guy had made the statement in front of me, he would have got such a kick, which he would remember all life...

After all the natak I do with the bank, this is what I get to hear....Well i guess we bear everything with friends. All in the game ;)

What can make u as bright as a Lilly on a silly day?
A short conversation filled with news that can last a lifetime from a real old pal....the voice which reminds u of the carefree days of college...the life which had absolutely no tension (except for the exam tension) worth mention...bringing back memory of the sublime pleasures of life which consisted of bunking classes, creating ruckus in the class room, bugging the teachers, worrying friends, hooting,booing, cheering....

I experienced all this for a perfect timing of 7 minutes 10 seconds....but the memory of this talk will last a life time :)

Many of us (sorry no percentages used here) would have started blogging just becoz one of our close buddies started blogging, or we just liked the concept, or we wanted to be different from the rest of the world, or just becoz everyone was doing it, a few of us did it, right...well I could be wrong as well. I will not be surprised if you tell me that these thoughts didn't cross my mind at all when I started my blog. I for sure, started my blog becoz Maltesh (an ex-blogger) did it, and he ensured that I was a member of blogland within a week of his having ventured here. Ofcourse I also triggered this reaction among the bunch of people I know, and got two people to successfully blog :)

A Blog Survey on Expectations of Privacy and Accountability has been published on MIT Technology Review. The survey was conducted between January 14th and January 21st, 2004. During that time, 486 respondents answered questions about their blogging practices and their expectations of privacy and accountability for the entries they publish online. Results are quite interesting.
Question like identity of the blogger, kind of blogging people indulge in. Is it personal rambling, political talk, business talk etc etc. Do people take permission from people they blog about form the body of the survey.

Reading through this, made me realise that, there are so many facets to blogging. Typically when something catches my fancy, I make a mental note to blog, and 80 out of 100 times I do it, unless laziness takes over me and I just defer the job to a later date. At the end of the day, something which is of interest goes in or just some rambling go on the blog. Not bothering at all that someone may ask me questions like, what do u blog...boy this is something quite serious to think, do u feel so?

The fee cut at IIM has drawn too much of response from the general public. There are many who whole heartedly welcome the drastic cut, while many disagree to the fee cut. Disparity will continue either which way.

Interestingly, this whole debate has brought us (atleast me), the kind of people who aren't so accustomed to the managerial reading to read a lot about the role and interests of the B-School Don. The Editorial of Star of Mysore, a local newspaper of Mysore, spoke of the ways our B-School Dons.

Mr. N.R.Narayana Murthy was quizzed on the elitism of the faculty of IIM's. He was told that the IIM readers and professors produced little or nothing of note. Most of their research papers were esoteric and had little or no use to the public. Worse, although we pay their salaries, neither the public nor the Press had access to it. Mr. Murthy, of course, denies the charge.

Going further, the editor, introduces the readers to a particular Don of B-Schools of the US of A. Ofcourse, all bench marks are done only with Uncle Sam's kids. After all they are the people with the attitude of "been there done that" right? Let me introduce you to this interesting personality, a professor of management, who has indulged in, surveys which are to a great extent uplifting, not just enlightning ur knowledge but also your mood. As you read through the kind of work this simple man has done, it will surely lighten ur spirit, make u smile and nod your head in agreement. Becoz, am sure, at some point of time even you would have been just like his subjects of study. [Don't worry he does not do any study on Gorilla's...;-)]

Prof. Trinkaus, 87, is a professor emeritus at the Zicklin School of Business in New York City. He takes enormous pride in producing work that is simple and interesting, and which the common man can relate to. his studies explain the mysteries of Human-Behaviour? What percentage of car drivers come almost - but not completely - to a stop at a traffic sign? What percentage of commuters carry brief cases equipped with locks? What is the average waiting time in a doctor's clinic?

So far so good, read this:

What is the usual response of people in a lift when asked 'is this car going up' or 'is this car going down'? What is the percentage of people who wear their caps inverted, with the beak at the back? What is the percentage of people who use 'absolutely' or 'exactly' instead of using the far simpler 'yes' when asked a question? Studied violations of hadicapped parking space at a shopping mall to determine the ratio of expensive to inexpensive vehicles in improper parking spaces. (The result suggested that parking violations are more a function of prevailing cultural norms than of automobile purchase prices.) A Study was also conducted to see the trends of people "Wearing Baseball-Type Caps", 'Drop-In Chapel Attendance", Color Preference in Sport Shoes, Changing Multiple-Choice Test Answers

Prof. Trinkaus has produced 87 such papers so far, each a page or two long. If you think this is a crazy don, then ur wrong. When quizzed on why he undertakes such study, he said.

"First, to make people smile, especially folks in the ivory tower, who tend to be serious about everything all the time. Second, to send a signal to fresh PhDs that all academic research doesn't have to appear to be formidable and overpowering. Third, to provide information about people's behaviour that probably translates into what they do in the workplace."

It did make interesting reading(to me atleast) and also provoked me to read more about Prof TrinKaus. the ever relaible google led me to a few pages, which made me build this post for today. Read more about him at http://www.improb.com/airchives/paperair/volume9/v9i3/trinkaus0.html

All I would say is, each one his desire. Guess each and every individual have their core area of study, but what underlines the point is that, when so much of money is taken from the tax payer, there must be someway he will also have to benefit from it. A strategy can be made from these haigly acclaimed professors, who would for sure know all kinds of management...

There is some magic which creates in seconds the moment u start listening to Jagjit Singh. Each one of his track is a gem by itself. I am sure not many would disagree on this. The soft music, the easy lyrics....Its a state of mind which has to be felt rather than told.

As part of my job, i get to read loads of newspapers and news items every morning, and when something interesting strikes me i make a mental note to have that up on blog. But that never happens 9 out of 10 times, since it skips my mind or my attention gets diverted. This morning i read this edit from Financial Express, An open letter to the PM. Am sure u will enjoy reading it.

On a lighter note, I took this test and see the results

My inner child is ten years old!

The adult world is pretty irrelevant to me. Whether I'm off on my bicycle (or pony) exploring, lost in a good book, or giggling with my best friend, I live in a world apart, one full of adventure and wonder and other stuff adults don't understand.

How Old is Your Inner Child?
brought to you by Quizilla

Have a good weekend!

For whatever reasons I thought I was in total control of my bad temper. I was telling myself great, long gone are the day when a silly simple thing would flare my temper, I congratulated myself for having become a good, matured(???) adult. But the party didn't last long, all the fancy trips that I took myself were a waste or to say short-lived. I thought I was a very adjusting person, but nah....from Monday I have been letting out my ire in each and everyone who is trying to make things difficult for me. I am a person who has not imbibed "impossible" or "cannot be done" word or attitude in my fabric of life.

I am reminded of the line from Alchemist, which says, when u set to achieve something the whole world conspires against U. Thankfully the temper flaring has remained to the confines to my work place, the rest of the world does not seem to face it. To make things easy, I am lying low these days, silence prevails when I reach home (for once), and ofcourse my best friends, my books, give me great company. Thanks to all the various book fairs I keep visiting on and off.

Oh yes, in all this confusion, I remembered that I have another blog, my foodie corner, have updated after half a year...give me ur inputs :)

While surfing over the net, i came across India Together and read this poem. Its got a strong message, but its a well written one. This one is called Kathamanabi - "Her" Voice Written by, Mallika Sengupta, who has written numerous poems in Bengali. This series is called 'Kathamanabi' which translates to "Her Voice". In this series she has chosen to narrate the stories from the lives of eight women beginning with Ganga, Draupadi and Kshana and ending with Shah Bano and Medha.

Kathamanabi
Poetess Mallika Sengupta in "her voice".
Translated by Vaijayanti Gupta
I am "her" voice, recounting her tales,
from the vedic age to the 21st century.
The fire that has remained stifled in the ashes of history, smothered by time and age,
I am that woman - I speak of her.
I read tears, I write fire,
I live in infamy and consume its ashes.
I endure violence, and still breathe fire.
I live as long as this fire burns within me.

It is rather hard to endure the scorching heat of the flame that my words kindle. You do not like to hear a woman speak strong words….
You meet me very often;
After the initial exchanges, when you have known me better,
You are taken aback. 'How strange', you say, 'the traditional bindi adorns your face, your hair is braided casually, you look like any other woman. I expected you to be different…'
Tell me, to voice "her" protests, do I need
To dress in a different attire, shut my natural cravings to be affectionate or to be in love?
I want to rebel, despite being in love.
Along with my loveliness and charm, I want you to see the fire that burns within me.

O man, my equal partner in life,
If you are to ask how I would like to be treated- 'As an equal'.
The same answer that Porus gave king Alexander, 'treat me as befits a king'.

You have loved me, worshipped me, but never treated me like a human, as an equal.
Of course I will protest, should I not?
O earth, water, wind, fire and life (people)
Of India, I offer my humble prayers to you.
Let me speak of us, your women,
Trampled all through history, cornered and defeated.
Listen to my tales.

I was in Kshana's screams
When her tongue was cut and she was silenced,
Because her intellect outshone yours.
I was born as Kunti then, Kalpana Chawla now, the same story repeated.
I was Roop Kanwar in this century, and Sita in the vedic ages.
The cries of Anarkali are buried deep within me.
My clothes were torn off my body when I lived as Draupadi in Hastinapura.
My rape and humiliation still continues in the alleys of the metros in India.
I have walked along the banks of the ancient Saraswati and was born as Medha's spirit, in this age, to love and battle for a river.

I live in them, those that have borne this nation in their wombs, but are not the true guardians of those whom they bear.
I am the helplessness of the women Panchayat leaders, puppets of your political
schemes.
I exist in the women who kill their baby girls in their wombs, the blood of
infanticide staining their hands and souls.
In all mute, deaf, and disabled women,
Burdens of this society, I am alive in them.

Born of this earth, your daughter,
Full of emotions and sentiments and love
I salute you mother India,
I begin my story, the story of your women.

Ramana asked me "Does ur heart beat faster sometimes?" and I replied "My heart beat has never been slow"...this wasn't a personification of myself. I have realised off late that there has to be excitement else I am as good as a dead person.

Moving onto some good things in life...Main Hoon na Audio is surely rocking...After the lovely "Kal ho na ho" magic, the magic trio King Khan-Javed Akhtar-Sonu nigam have come up with a beauty in the title track of Main Hoon na. Anu Mallik has done a wonderful job as always. The song is mesmerising, and not to mention I have been hooked onto it from the past week or so. Its soothing, and easy on the ears. No high pitch, no heavy beats. Infact the entire album has a oldist touch to it. A very recommended listen.

Agar koi problem ho toh...Main hoon na...!!!!

Many Many Happy Returns of the day to the F1 freak

Happy Holi to the rest of the junta!

Something which came on the mail...makes interesting reading...wonder why i dont make such mistakes?

anyways read on

"Genius? Nothing! Sticking to it is the genius! ... I've failed my way to success."

--Thomas Edison

Sit down. Pour yourself a Coke, have a chocolate chip cookie--whatever you like. Then, grab a yellow sticky note and write this down:

MISTAKES ARE GOOD

You may have heard this before, but I bet you still hate the idea of screwing up and embarrassing yourself in front of everybody. This is understandable. We aren't very nice to people who make mistakes. Unless you somehow manage not to do anything ever again, you will mess up,somehow, somewhere. I promise. If you have the right frame of mind, though, that mistake could turn out to be one of the most valuable, most important, most memorable, or most delicious accidents in history. It's happened before--too many times for me to describe without giving you severe eyestrain. There's a great little book on the topic called Mistakes that Worked , by Charlotte Foltz Jones. It's written for kids, but it's the sort of thing that's a fun read even for adults. I've picked my favorite mistakes from history, science, and folklore. Some are familiar. We already know, for instance, that Christopher Columbus meant to sail to Asia, not America. We may never have pondered other mistakes, however. Where would Jack be ifhis mother hadn't tossed his magic beans out the window? Not up the beanstalk getting golden eggs from the giant's goose, that's for
sure.And where would Cinderella be had she not dropped her glass slipper? Cleaning the fireplace, that's where. (By the way, did you know that the original Cinderella story had her wearing a fur shoe? A French writer made a mistake when he wrote the story down in 1697, confusing two homonyms--vair, an Old French word for fur, and verre, which is French for glass. But it was a good mistake, making for much more romantic story, and much better fashion.)
And now for the rest...Coca-Cola, chocolate chip cookies, and yellow sticky notes Did you wonder why I invited you to have a snack at the beginning of this story? It was because both Coca-Cola and chocolate chip cookies were mistakes--or at least unexpected delights. And yellow sticky notes were the result of a failure. Here's what happened.

Innkeeper Ruth Wakefield was baking Butter Drop Do cookies one day in the 1930s using a recipe that dated back to colonial times. She cut up a Nestlé chocolate bar and put the chunks in the batter, expecting them to melt.
Wakefield thought she'd be pulling chocolate-flavored cookies out of the oven. Instead, what she got were butter cookies studded with gooey chocolate chips. Her mistake became one of the most favorite cookies of all time.

Coca-Cola was the result of another delicious accident. In 1886 a pharmacist named John Pemberton cooked up a medicinal syrup in a large brass kettle slung over an open fire, stirring it with an oar. When he was done, he
figured he had created a fine tonic for people who were tired, nervous, or plagued with sore teeth. Coke didn't make it as medicine, and wasn't even an instant success as a beverage. In the first year, Pemberton spent $73.96 promoting his new product but managed to sell only $50 worth. Today people guzzle 1 billion drinks a day from the Coca-Cola company (they make more than Coke), which is quite encouraging for us everyday screw-ups.

Yellow sticky notes, officially known as Post-it Notes, got their start in 1968 when a 3M researcher tried to improve adhesive tape. What he got was a semi sticky adhesive--not exactly what you want out of tape. Even so, he knew he had something cool--he just didn't know what to do with it. Four years later, another 3M scientist was getting frustrated. This scientist was a member of his church choir, and he kept dropping the bookmarks stuck in his hymnal. What he needed was something that would stick without being too sticky--something just like that weak glue his colleague had accidentally created. In 1980 the Post-it Note became an official product and a huge hit.

This brings to mind a powerful quote by scientist Louis Pasteur, "Where observation is concerned, chance favors only the prepared mind," and another, by writer James Joyce, "Mistakes are the portals for discovery." What they mean is that you should look carefully--and study your errors. You may find things you were never looking for, things that could change the world, or at the very least, taste really good.

The ways of people just does not stop suprising me, or do i say jumping off my seat. I called a certain well known university liason office at 2:30 p.m (IST) and asked for a certain person, the converstaion went like this:

Me: Can i talk to Mr. S?
Other Voice: Sorry Ma'am he is not longer employed with us.
Me: Can i talk to someone else.
Other Voice: Ma'am all are off for lunch
Me: When would they be back?
Other Voice: Call after 5 or 5:30, they should be back by then?
[I had to hold the speaker with both my hands, I wasn't prepared for this reply....imagine a lunch break which goes on till 5:30 p.m?]
Me: What? So long?
Other Voice: Yes [bangs the phone]

Well....what do u have to say to this?