I didn't want to join the debate on the whole IIPM issue, not because I have any sympathies for IIPM or Mr. Arindam Chaudhuri but simply because I thought it was a storm in a tea cup and would subside soon enough...
But that hasn't happend and the issue since has reached the mainstream media...
Read two interesting articles on the issue : Fury over a blog! and one on ZDNet India : Indian worker quits IBM after blog dispute .
Some startling lines from the second article :
"...Yes, we have approached IBM and asked them to take a proper action against someone spreading baseless lies against a reputed institution. They did what they must have deemed fit after their internal examinations and procedures," said Anil Saxena, head of corporate communications at IIPM."
So that leaves no doubt that indeed IIPM has been using pressure tactics. Also the repulsive comments left by people allegedly from IIPM does not leave any room for sympathy. I guess IIPM management thought that they will put pressure on the bloggers to make them retract their statements...but the whole plan seems to have backfired on them...not only more people now know about the whole issue, but people have begun doing some "investigations" of their own. A case in point being : http://www.desipundit.com/
Also liked this part from the first report:
"...To form an opinion about something you need both sides of the story but most often you get to know only one, the one that media wants you to know. The power of blogs is that it permits you to know both sides of the story. In this information age the answer lies in adopting the new media and not attacking it."
When I read an article on how bloggers can become journalists in their own right I didnt take it seriously, even now the blogging community is fairly small but a start has been made...Blogs can indeed make a difference in a world where the media is owned by corporations that have there own leanings.
Media will do well to take cognizance of this fact and become more responsible in its approach.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
The "God" of Cricket is Back!
I have been waiting for 6 months and 8 days but now the wait is over.
I could feel a rush of childish excitement come over me...as I opened CricBuzz and waited for the Indian innings to begin...
So many questions were swirling in my head...will he be able to play like he used to? will he be comfortable?...will he be able to hit with power? Will he hit any cover drives? Heck, I wanted to know if he will be able to continue for 2-3 more years atleast!!!!
And I got all my answers...as i read about the way he was batting....i wanted to rush home and see for myself...but i had to wait ofcourse...but there would be the highlights later...
And he played like only he can...true Irfan was scoring runs faster than him...but somehow it was not even half as enjoyable as Sachin's strokeplay...
Having gone under the surgeon's knife and suffering a rehabilitation period where he could not even pick up a cricket bat, I guess he must have been as eager to get back into action as his millions of fans...And now he is back not ready to fade away just yet! I am just sure of it!
Nice song playing here
I could feel a rush of childish excitement come over me...as I opened CricBuzz and waited for the Indian innings to begin...
So many questions were swirling in my head...will he be able to play like he used to? will he be comfortable?...will he be able to hit with power? Will he hit any cover drives? Heck, I wanted to know if he will be able to continue for 2-3 more years atleast!!!!
And I got all my answers...as i read about the way he was batting....i wanted to rush home and see for myself...but i had to wait ofcourse...but there would be the highlights later...
And he played like only he can...true Irfan was scoring runs faster than him...but somehow it was not even half as enjoyable as Sachin's strokeplay...
Having gone under the surgeon's knife and suffering a rehabilitation period where he could not even pick up a cricket bat, I guess he must have been as eager to get back into action as his millions of fans...And now he is back not ready to fade away just yet! I am just sure of it!
Nice song playing here
"I don't know what it is, that makes me feel like this"
"I dont know who you are, but you must be some kind of superstar"
"Coz you got eyes on you no matter where you are!"
Lets not look into the original song too closely..lol...
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Black Friday
Saw it last night and have been thinking abt it for a while...
The docu-drama is yet to be officially released as a stay has been placed on its release by the courts. Infact after the end, a friend said that he was glad that the movie hasn't been screened or else there might have been more violence and riots...I don't agree...
I think such movies can go a long way in healing the old wounds permanently...turning away from reality will not make it go away...sooner or later it will catch up with us again...what happened in Gujarat for example...and we will be left shaking our heads in despair! So, it is vital that the people get to know the facts and are able to grasp the stupidity of their actions.
I was 11, when the events depicted took place - too young to understand. Today I understand them better...
Based on a book by S. Hussain Zaidi, this docu-drama tries to recreate those events and the intense feelings that followed them.
On March 12, 1993 Bombay aka Mumbai was torn apart by a series of explosions (12 explosions at key points around the city). The death toll was close to 300. A thorough investigation followed...the bombs were made using a high-powered explosive, RDX - obtained probably through the collusion of Pakistan. The first clue - An abandoned vehicle filled with explosives and weapons - Registration papers in the name of 'Rubina Memon', sister-in-law to one 'Tiger Memon', resident of Mahim, Bombay.
As the people involved in implementing the conspiracy get arrested, the motive becomes obvious: the blasts were revenge for the atrocities suffered by the Muslim minority community during the December 1992 and January 1993 Bombay riots.
On November 4, 1993, the police filed a charge sheet against 189 accused. Then on August 5, 1994, Tiger's brother, Yaqub Memon, willingly turned himself in to the authorities.
In a candid Newstrack interview on national television Yaqub states that it was Tiger and his underworld associates who orchestrated the conspiracy. And Tiger Memon has now disappeared - allegedly enjoying the safe heaven that is Pakistan.
I especially liked the title of the last part of the movie: What is past is prologue
A look back at what started it all - the terribly violent Bombay Riots in the months of December and January of 92-93 - an unprecedented outburst of emotion that resulted in thousands of deaths.
The masterminds have never been caught...a closure has never been achieved, be it Gujarat or Mumbai or Delhi, communities live with the feeling of humiliation and a desire for revenge...
All this in the name of religion, a doctrine that -
The docu-drama is yet to be officially released as a stay has been placed on its release by the courts. Infact after the end, a friend said that he was glad that the movie hasn't been screened or else there might have been more violence and riots...I don't agree...
I think such movies can go a long way in healing the old wounds permanently...turning away from reality will not make it go away...sooner or later it will catch up with us again...what happened in Gujarat for example...and we will be left shaking our heads in despair! So, it is vital that the people get to know the facts and are able to grasp the stupidity of their actions.
I was 11, when the events depicted took place - too young to understand. Today I understand them better...
Based on a book by S. Hussain Zaidi, this docu-drama tries to recreate those events and the intense feelings that followed them.
On March 12, 1993 Bombay aka Mumbai was torn apart by a series of explosions (12 explosions at key points around the city). The death toll was close to 300. A thorough investigation followed...the bombs were made using a high-powered explosive, RDX - obtained probably through the collusion of Pakistan. The first clue - An abandoned vehicle filled with explosives and weapons - Registration papers in the name of 'Rubina Memon', sister-in-law to one 'Tiger Memon', resident of Mahim, Bombay.
As the people involved in implementing the conspiracy get arrested, the motive becomes obvious: the blasts were revenge for the atrocities suffered by the Muslim minority community during the December 1992 and January 1993 Bombay riots.
On November 4, 1993, the police filed a charge sheet against 189 accused. Then on August 5, 1994, Tiger's brother, Yaqub Memon, willingly turned himself in to the authorities.
In a candid Newstrack interview on national television Yaqub states that it was Tiger and his underworld associates who orchestrated the conspiracy. And Tiger Memon has now disappeared - allegedly enjoying the safe heaven that is Pakistan.
I especially liked the title of the last part of the movie: What is past is prologue
A look back at what started it all - the terribly violent Bombay Riots in the months of December and January of 92-93 - an unprecedented outburst of emotion that resulted in thousands of deaths.
The masterminds have never been caught...a closure has never been achieved, be it Gujarat or Mumbai or Delhi, communities live with the feeling of humiliation and a desire for revenge...
All this in the name of religion, a doctrine that -
- most people don't even follow
- most people are not even well versed with
- we don't even choose on our own but simply inherit by being born in a family practicing it...
Is it then really worth it?
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
Corruption Index
Transparency International has come out with the Corruption Perception Index for year 2005.
India is ranked 88th out of the 159 countries considered. Apparently we have improved our position by 2 (infact last year only 146 countries were surveyed, so that makes it even better).
I can't help but wonder - Have we become less corrupt or has the world around us become more corrupt??
Within the country, Kerela has been declared the least corrupt state and Bihar (surprise surprise!) rounds up the list.
The survey mentions a very obvious gain from reduced corruption:
"...When countries improve governance and reduce corruption, they reap a 'development dividend' that can include reduction in child mortality rates and increase in per capita income and literacy rates..."
Iceland, by the way, continues to be the least corrupt nation. The whole table can be found here : Table
India is ranked 88th out of the 159 countries considered. Apparently we have improved our position by 2 (infact last year only 146 countries were surveyed, so that makes it even better).
I can't help but wonder - Have we become less corrupt or has the world around us become more corrupt??
Within the country, Kerela has been declared the least corrupt state and Bihar (surprise surprise!) rounds up the list.
The survey mentions a very obvious gain from reduced corruption:
"...When countries improve governance and reduce corruption, they reap a 'development dividend' that can include reduction in child mortality rates and increase in per capita income and literacy rates..."
Iceland, by the way, continues to be the least corrupt nation. The whole table can be found here : Table
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Reunion
Though it was short, the reunion (of sorts) left me feeling nostalgic and with that goody goody feeling.
We met just like we used to meet in college...I couldn't help but notice how much at ease I felt in their company (unlike the uptight feeling I get here in Hyderabad)
Here was a motley bunch of people - a journalist (Apurv), a budding lawyer (Neha), a research analyst (Gunjan), a future environmental expert (Swapan), a coding guru (Amit), and guest starring an actor in the making (Saurabh) - meeting together for the first time since graduating in 2003...so much had changed and yet it all seemed like "old times" to me...
Ofcourse some key people were missing...Shehzaad, Ritesh, Abhishek, Sameer, Daanish, Sinjini and Shriyukta to name a few. But this is not the last of the meetings...fingers crossed, I hope we will spend many such evenings together, wallowing in nostalgia!!
Amen!
One for the Camera(1st Sem, 1999) !!
Friday, October 07, 2005
Obsessed with the minority issue
It is no secret that I totally despise the whole philosophy of minority - majority atleast in the context (on religious lines) that is prevelant in India today. So whenever some new development takes place that strengthens my own ideas, I tend to jump on to them. A few friends think that I do so because I havent faced any personal discrimination so far, maybe...but that does little to reduce my frustration when I come across new developments relating to the issue.
All this blabber started when I read about the Allahabad HC ruling on Aligarh Muslim University's Minority Status.
I have never understood the need for having minority institutions in education. Formative years are the time when we form all our prejudices and biases towards things and people. Why on Earth would we want to do that when we are trying to build a pluralistic society. Unless ofcourse we dont want to build a pluralistic society, hmmm....thats worth considering...but maybe not today...
We keep talking about equality and a desire to become one people but our laws end up keeping the different groups from mingling - leading to mis-information and grudges.
It is not surprising therefore to see lack of collectivism in thought and action as people continue to see themselves as part of a group or a region rather than as the citizens of India.
p.s: Some sections of the (supposedly) aggrieved community have threatened a nation wide stir to put pressure on the center to revoke the ruling, it will be interesting to see the state's response to the whole issue. I hope that such melodrama will not be tolerated. There are more important things to worry and agitate about.
All this blabber started when I read about the Allahabad HC ruling on Aligarh Muslim University's Minority Status.
I have never understood the need for having minority institutions in education. Formative years are the time when we form all our prejudices and biases towards things and people. Why on Earth would we want to do that when we are trying to build a pluralistic society. Unless ofcourse we dont want to build a pluralistic society, hmmm....thats worth considering...but maybe not today...
We keep talking about equality and a desire to become one people but our laws end up keeping the different groups from mingling - leading to mis-information and grudges.
It is not surprising therefore to see lack of collectivism in thought and action as people continue to see themselves as part of a group or a region rather than as the citizens of India.
p.s: Some sections of the (supposedly) aggrieved community have threatened a nation wide stir to put pressure on the center to revoke the ruling, it will be interesting to see the state's response to the whole issue. I hope that such melodrama will not be tolerated. There are more important things to worry and agitate about.
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Chess
Is there a better game in the world? Some say Go is better, but I don't know much abt it...so for me chess remains the ultimate game ever developed...I remember planning to develop a chess engine for my Final Semester Project but after researching I quickly realized the complexity involved and I decided to put the project on the back burner....it must be completely burnt by now...nah I do intend to get back to it some time soon....
Came across this fantastic piece, written by Arthur C. Clarke, probably one of the shortest sci-fi stories ever written...but still fantastic!
Earth's flaming debris still filled half the sky when the question filtered up to Central from the Curiosity Generator.
"Why was it necessary? Even though they were organic, they had reached Third Order Intelligence."
"We had no choice: five earlier units became hopelessly infected, when they made contact."
"Infected? How?"
The microseconds dragged slowly by, while Central tracked down the few fading memories that had leaked past the Censor Gate, when the heavily-buffered Reconnaissance Circuits had been ordered to self-destruct.
"They encountered a - problem - that could not be fully analyzed within the lifetime of the Universe. Though it involved only six operators, they became totally obsessed by it."
"How is that possible?"
"We do not know: we must never know. But if those six operators are ever re-discovered, all rational computing will end."
"How can they be recognized?"
"That also we do not know; only the names leaked through before the Censor Gate closed. Of course, they mean nothing."
"Nevertheless, I must have them."
The Censor voltage started to rise; but it did not trigger the Gate.
"Here they are: King, Queen, Bishop, Knight, Rook, Pawn."
Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, First Issue, Vol 1, No. 1, Spring 1977
Came across this fantastic piece, written by Arthur C. Clarke, probably one of the shortest sci-fi stories ever written...but still fantastic!
Quarantine
Earth's flaming debris still filled half the sky when the question filtered up to Central from the Curiosity Generator.
"Why was it necessary? Even though they were organic, they had reached Third Order Intelligence."
"We had no choice: five earlier units became hopelessly infected, when they made contact."
"Infected? How?"
The microseconds dragged slowly by, while Central tracked down the few fading memories that had leaked past the Censor Gate, when the heavily-buffered Reconnaissance Circuits had been ordered to self-destruct.
"They encountered a - problem - that could not be fully analyzed within the lifetime of the Universe. Though it involved only six operators, they became totally obsessed by it."
"How is that possible?"
"We do not know: we must never know. But if those six operators are ever re-discovered, all rational computing will end."
"How can they be recognized?"
"That also we do not know; only the names leaked through before the Censor Gate closed. Of course, they mean nothing."
"Nevertheless, I must have them."
The Censor voltage started to rise; but it did not trigger the Gate.
"Here they are: King, Queen, Bishop, Knight, Rook, Pawn."
Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine, First Issue, Vol 1, No. 1, Spring 1977
Lousy Job
I feel like a caged beast right now...I dont remember staying angry for so long...and all this over a 3 day leave...
Having to virtually beg for the leave and being told loads of bull like you are a key member in return...
What good is a job that doesnt even let you meet the few people that you value? What kind of existence is this...despicable!!
WTF is it worth anyway?
Having to virtually beg for the leave and being told loads of bull like you are a key member in return...
What good is a job that doesnt even let you meet the few people that you value? What kind of existence is this...despicable!!
WTF is it worth anyway?
I want to break free
I want to break free from your lies
You’re so self satisfied I don’t need you
I’ve got to break free
God knows, God knows I want to break free
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