An Algorithmic Journey

Ever since I read Chetan Bhagat’s  “One night at the call Center”, I long for the same fortunate incident befalling, each time I travel on trains . This time was no different. I was travelling from Hyderabad to Kolkatta- two cities known for their mesmerising beauty.

I boarded the train as quickly as I could, and in anticipation went on to enquire the reservation chart. To my surprise and excitement I found few gals near my berth!

All these time I kept on feeling jealous of Chetan Bhagat, who found a young and beautiful lady on a vacant train-A journey that made him prolific and earned him millions. A vacant train is of course a tale of the past. Of late the railway has earned a dubious reputation of mismanagement.

It has been almost 10 years, since I am travelling on trains, but never could I find a young and beautiful lady in and around my berth. Aunties with kids are my all time favorite ! Still there is always a meek chance –That’s the beauty of human psychology! One doesn't lose one’s hope until and unless a conclusion is met. I, being one of the optimists, kept on hoping for that magic to bechance.

I was waiting in anticipation to have a glimpse of my companion, when suddenly I saw a couple of lady approaching toward me.In no time they were seated beside my birth. Thank god I had a side birth which guaranteed luck together with safety-if in case I find it uninteresting!

One of the ladies among them was mentally challenged. I could not stop myself uttering Burfy.( The lead character of a recent Bollywood  movie)- Whispering just as loud to be heard by me. And that’s how my journey started.

The next few hours I was completely lost in her world of fantasy, truthfulness and freedom blended with her incapability and challenges. For the first time I realized it is easier to take care of a newborn child than the kind I was looking.

Her life was still like, that of a new born child, except that she was a bit grown up physically. Her emotional part was quite evident and I wondered why god has given her, that side of the human quality in plenty. At one moment she was happy like a Princes and the very next moment she was sad and remorseful, sometime crying out loud and complaining to her mother. She was completely indulged in her own world. Once I had heard a friend describing why she needs a pack of drink before she goes in a pub.  If she has to be believed, People need it (drinks) to swipe out the worldly concerns and get rid of the thoughts of what people might think. And when they are drunk, they are in the state of eternal peace and with a carefree soul. Burfy had this privilege by default.

As the journey commenced further, I slowly started losing hope for any miracle to happen. I started browsing my FB account, where I came through an interesting post. It said “The Indian railway uses an algorithm for berth allocation” I could not stop myself smiling, when suddenly I noticed a well equipped and beautiful (I should say that) probably in her mid 20’s taking the seat opposite to me. Well equipped because I could notice a lot of accessories adorned on her body. She wore a pair of long earrings, big translucent goggles revealing her beautiful eyes, Lot of fancy finger rings with colored polished nails and a pearl necklace hanging between her things, almost trying to infiltrate through. From the moment she came, she had her mobile phone hidden within her dense curly hairs. The train sped up, and I wondered which network she was using, that she kept her conversation on and on with ease. My mystical smile looking at both the ladies and the FB post would definitely have flattered her.

Wondering what algorithm would have been used for this strange allocation, I went on the upper birth and felled asleep until a coolie waked me up at the Howrah station.

I came out of the train and looked for my companions around. At one corner I found Burfy delighted to meet her relatives, just then my eyes caught the attention of my other companion still busy with her cell phone. This time I gave a more distinct smile and walked away, wondering what I would think of while boarding a train next time.

India Today and Tommorow: Apple iPhone 5: My disappointment with expectation...

India Today and Tommorow: Apple iPhone 5: My disappointment with expectation...: I really wonder the way people’s expectations keep on rising. Too much of expectation is bound to bring about a feeling of disappoint...

Apple iPhone 5: My disappointment with expectations

I really wonder the way people’s expectations keep on rising. Too much of expectation is bound to bring about a feeling of disappointment. When expectations are for a relationship, one can understand that it involves loads and loads of emotional and hormonal changes inside one’s body, but when it comes to expectation from a third party (materialistic things), it is something beyond my understanding.

The newly launched Apple iPhone  5 is one such latest example I could put forward. I am not able to understand, what the expectations of our people are. Sometimes, it feels too annoying to hear people, commenting on topics which are beyond their understanding. Just with the motive of coming into limelight and showing off their keen interest in high end technologies, people end up criticizing.

Just after the launch of Apple’s new iPhone 5, I came through number of posts on social networking sites, expressing disappointment on Apple’s new product.

Indeed it cannot lay eggs nor does it have a printer to take printouts; but still, try to jot down 5 features which you would have loved to see in iPhone 5.

Let’s have a quick glimpse on the features of Apple’s new avatar

1. Lighter and easier to hold than previous versions

2. Larger screen with retina display

3. Camera with panoramic view

4. Much speedier than its predecessor because of powerful      processing chips and upgraded wireless technology

5. Superior sound system with earpods, which Apple claims to have developed in 3 years of time

6. The new operating system iOS 6, packed with features to make it more user friendly and fun filled.

7. Loads of new applications

I am still wondering what more can be expected. As per the report, the new Apple's iPhone 5 is a beauty carved out with precision!! The media went on to speak to the extent, that Jobs would have been delighted with iPhone 5’s ” blend of beauty, utility and versatility.

My intentions are not to promote a product, nor are these my personal review. The fact is that, it is yet to be felt by anyone of us, who are discussing the product’s failure to live up to our expectation.

I am completely disappointed by the people’s reviews and posts all around on social networking sites-Again, I know, My Expectations are too high (from my People) but that’s the way it is!!! 

Evils of Alcohol exposed!

The last time when I published the Blog “No One killed Jessica” I had to face a lot of critics from my readers. Apparently I had to stop it from publicising, as it reflected some of the truth which was difficult for the youths to digest.

The recent incident of molestation involving a minor in Guwahati has yet again raised eyebrows on the male physiology of the Indians. The Indians have made it clear that they are not mature enough to adapt to the habits of the west!

We do try to show off the western culture in us, which sometime end up in a mess; this incident is the best instance of the consequences which could be faced trying to do the IMPOSSIBLE!

Alcohol has yet again proven to be threatening, this time fortunately not as fatal as it usually turns out to be.

The guys involved and the victim as well, are reported to be drunk when the fateful incident took place. What has happened is indeed disgraceful and inhumane, but we cannot deny the fact that consumption of Alcohol has played a major role in it.

Within hours after the incident was reported and the video of the heinous crime was uploaded, all the social networking sites were flooded with the views of people all around the globe. Just because of the irresponsible behavior of few men, the entire male community was looked down with hatred.

Well, I firmly believe that crime should be dealt with motive not only to punish the culprit, but with a motive to end the root cause of the crime as well.

As per the Wikipedia, People, only above 18 years of age are legally allowed to consume alcohol in India, and that too, it is prohibited in the state of Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Gujarat.

I wonder why I never come across news of a minor seen drunk on the street, or in a party.  Even in the Guwahati case, the news channels termed the victim as a “minor”. Was there any case lodged for consuming alcohol before the permissible age, against the victim? So far I could not find one.

Why is there so much of relaxation for the laws created? Why do these laws exist?  Are these laws made only to be read in books or are just symbolic rules to be at par with the standards of other countries? Why don’t the media focus on the fact that a minor had been involved in an illegal activity of consuming alcohol? At least the audience could have learnt about it.

Well, questions are aplenty, and I understand that this crime was hidden behind the greater crime of molestation, but believe me these questions need to be answered if we dream of a India, different from what it is today.

It is the need of the hour that we realise our limits and act accordingly. The age old adage “Prevention is better than cure” tells a lot about how we can avoid any such incidents around our vicinity.

Government should come up with plans either to ban consumption of alcohol in pubs and bars, or make necessary arrangements so that such incidents do not occur over and over again. As part of precautionary measures we should offer the same advice to others, what we actually offer to our loved ones. Things cannot be changed overnight. We are still a developing country rather than a developed one. It’s a slow process which needs our responsible behavior.

Enjoyment has different shapes and sizes; it is your decision to choose the correct one, which suits you best and the society as well. Enjoy life but not at the risk of becoming the victim of circumstances. As a responsible citizen of the country each one of us should abide by the rules and regulations of the state and help the government to fight against the evils of the society.

"Page cannot be Displayed"

Almost every alternate day in the last few weeks, the first thing I hear before getting up from my bed is the song from the movie “Shanghai”

Jai bharat mata ki jai
Sone ki chidiya dengue, malaria
Gud bhi hai gobar bhi
Bharat mata ki jai!!

When I heard this song for the first time I could not believe my ears, I had to look for it’s lyric to get the wordings right, and yes, my ears were right!!

Don’t be mistaken that this song is played on some TV channel at my place every day. Rather It’s the alarm alert for one of best buddy who turns out to be a self-served, railway reservation broker every morning! His dedication is just commendable. It’s basically an hour job, where his Sunshine decides his success or failure on a given day.

This morning I was irritated and amused at the same time when he was trying to book a ticket for himself. I was still on my bed and could not stop myself, shouting out the lyric of the song, stressing the “Gobar” more than the “Gud”, when he was repenting on his failure, yet again for not being able to book a confirmed tatkal ticket. His reaction still reverberates in my ears. With partially closed eyes, and frustrated soul the only sentence he uttered- “Ben c**d”,Page cannot be displayed!!  paise bhi kat gaye aur ticket bhi nahin mila”!!

Very often I notice him abusing the system, especially the railway reservation system, and holding India and the Indian government responsible for the plight of the common man.

At any given time, he has around 10 tickets booked in IRCTC and his appetite for booking never ends. For a single journey from his workplace to his home- a mere distance of around 400 kilometers,  he holds these many tickets in the wait listed status, in as many train as possible and finally travels on a  Tatkal ticket.

He is not the only person doing this. Same is the case with majority of people travelling on trains at regular basis. This is just an exploitation of the common man at the hands of the government. I am not an economist neither an MBA guru, but from the Aam aadmi understanding, what I infer is that, it is an effect of the most basic concept of economics-the demand supply theory. The demand is made to look too high, which actually may not be the case. The system basically compels the common man to struggle and fight for it, thereby raising the demand to its zenith.

In a small survey from my friends and acquaintances, I found out some stunning figures. Anyone who travels on regular basis, books at least 2 tickets for a single journey.  And there is never a case where one is unable to travel due to unavailability of tickets. The TT sahib is always there, to do the needful on exchange of a few hundred bucks, depending on the demand- supply curve for a given train.

It’s time to admit our failure and the fact that our entire system has been corrupted. Before the situation turns into an epidemic, the government should come up with plans, to make sure that confirm tickets are available to everyone willing to travel for any route, booked before a certain period- say a fortnight or a month and ensure transparency in the system. Accordingly the train capacity should be made flexible to provide the required service.

We are a nation with abundance manpower, we have one of the biggest railway networks in the world, but that’s not reason enough to flaunt and be complacent. Neither do we have the best train service in the world nor adequate numbers of train as compared to its population. Despite the fact that we produce the best of the management and engineering brains we still long for the appropriate idea which could find a permanent solution to the problem.

Well, it might be a profit endeavor of the government and the railway in particular, but, is this, not the responsibility of the government to make sure that the common man does not suffer?

Until we find solutions for these basic requirements, the Indian image of the golden bird, is going to elude and the diseases like the dengue and malaria are bound to thrive. It’s our choice ultimately weather to keep convincing our self and live on the past glory, or raise our voice against any such prevailing issues in our society affecting the normal lifestyle.

Something To Ponder Part II

Vacation time, especially when you have kids at home, is something, entirely different. My nephew has grown up and is always occupied with lot of activities these days- Drawings, arts and craft, school projects and other innumerable activities difficult to explain through words.

On one fine day of my vacation at home, I happened to confront few questions from my nephew, which has almost moved me and left me absconding.

He had a project on Indian history, and he chose it to be the Indian independence. The moment one goes on to study the Indian history, one cannot deprive oneself from developing a feeling of hatred for the British. I can recall my history syllabus, from Jallianwala Bagh to Revolt of 1857, from salt satyagrah to brutal execution of our revolutionary leaders like bhagat singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev , it’s all filled with hatred for the British. No surprise, it continues to be the same, what I read in my childhood that my nephew and other youngsters are learning.

As a child we are always very stringent about rules and regulations, so is my nephew. On that fine day I was watching television with him; as I was browsing through the channels I stopped by a channel telecasting the national anthem. To my surprise; my nephew made me stand in attention in the lonely room along with him in the honor of the national anthem. I was impressed that my nephew has learned the rituals well. I never knew that after 52 seconds of the national anthem, I would be facing, some of the nightmarish questions from an innocent kid, making my life difficult for the rest of my stay at home.

“Uncle I would like to include the national anthem’s history to my project work. Could you help me in the preparation of the content?” I proudly accepted the request; after all it was the national anthem, something which I remember even after 25 years of my life-not an usual thing for a person who do not even remember twinkle twinkle little star, completely.

“Uncle, tell me who has written it and how long it took for the poet to complete it? It would have been a difficult task, isn’t it uncle?”  Off course, I replied, “Its Rabindra Nath Tagore who has composed it, he was a Nobel Prize winner and an awesome writer; you are going to read a lot of his writings in your higher classes.” Oh that’s great, he replied, “How was he motivated to write this anthem, uncle; I want to know the meaning of what it actually mean.”

As a child I never thought of learning anything apart from the syllabus, but today’s kid is different from what we used to be. In this age of internet and other innovative style of teaching and learning, kids grow up more maturely than ever before. Trying to save my ass from the little kid, I thought better to google, before answering any of his queries.  Who knows if I happen to say something wrong, and he finds out someday, it would be a shame for a lifetime.

That night I spent hours on my system looking for the history of the national anthem. The fact I found out was something very difficult to digest, which I had been unaware of, since last 25 years of my life. Explaining things in that fashion to my nephew was a distant thing, I was myself confused. I feared he would come with many other questions which could make me sound completely unconvincing.

As per the Wikepedia, the largest reference website, “The poem was composed in December 1911, welcoming and honoring King George V at the time of the Coronation Durbar of George V, and "Bharat Bhagya vidhata" and "Adhinayaka" is in fact in praise of King George V and not God. The composition was first sung during a convention of the then loyalist Indian National Congress in Calcutta on Dec. 26, 1911. It was sung on the second day of the convention, and the agenda of that day devoted itself to a loyal welcome of George V on his visit to India. The event was reported thus in the British Indian press:

"The Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore sang a song composed by him specially to welcome the Emperor." (Statesman, Dec. 28, 1911)”

Of course there were few controversial things as well, but going through these facts and the thought of it to be a controversial made me more and more anxious.

How could I justify the poem, which was composed in the honor of a  Firangi, to be our national anthem, to a kid, who has grown up learning to hate the British and the British rule in India?

As I was wondering how I could frame this for my nephew, I heard a sound of knocking at the door. It was none other than my nephew, curious to know and learn new things. “You still awake?” I asked in a loud voice. “In fact you said that you will help me out for my project un..c..lle.. “ . “Don’t be stupid” I replied in agony, “better concentrate on your studies than doing these rubbish projects. Your grades are degrading constantly”.

Surprised by my behavior, it took a few seconds for him to react and apologize for something he shouldn’t be, and left the room immediately.

Indeed I saved my ass…but I still wonder if I actually did?

A PERCEPTION TO REMEMBER

Kolkata has been a part of my itinerary for more than 30 times in the last 7 years. Each time I travel home from my work place or vice-versa, it has been a connecting land for me. 7-8 hrs of stay each time, after all isn’t a small time to know any place better. A city of life and speed, Kolkata has been one of the business capitals for years. It’s a city of survival. The proverb, “survival of the fittest” do not hold true here. From a labor class to a high profile delegates, everybody has something to live with, in this glamorous city. And nothing has ever changed.

On one hand where the entire nation is fighting the rising prices, Kolkata still have the same importance of its 25 paisa coin. I guess the only place where it still exists. I remember, on a hot afternoon while on my way back home from Nagpur, I had a sight of a lemon-water vendor. I had a glass of cool drink for which I offered 10 bucks. The shopkeeper requested me for change. I wondered if I had offered 100 bucks instead. (Elsewhere in the country and especially in metro and metropolitan cities it normally used to be 8 or 10 bucks a glass.)I reverted back “what more change you need”. “Ab 2 rupay ke liye sab 10 ka note denge to kaise chalega sarkaar” replied the shopkeeper. I was shocked and thrilled at the same time. And things continue to be the same.

Since then I never miss to try out anything which catches my attention. And each time I do so I love misjudging the prices. That’s the city Kolkata.

Every time I happen to be here, I just keep on wondering what makes this city so unique. Though I never wish to stay back or settle here, but the few hours of stay for my connecting journey is something, just about sufficient enough to fill my appetite for this city.

In all these years I have been noticing the architecture of the building and shops besides the road. Most of them look like the one, built at the times of British, and the Indians still love them.

It’s a different thing that if I would have hated British and things would have been under my control, I would have demolished each and every construction including the Howrah Bridge, which could symbolize my hatred toward them. But things aren’t that way.

All through the way one can see the wooden railings and the windows collapsing partially, which would come down any time, but in all these years, it has maintained itself as it is. The black turned wooden work of the windows and railings, incredibly decorated with multi layered spider’s web are something of great interest to me. Whenever I see them, it reminds me of my childhood when fearing the nib of the pencil to be broken; I preferred not to sharpen them. Who knows, it might be the same with those web laden windows and doors, which is preventing them to be cleaned.

While on my way from the airport to the Howrah station, each square seemed to be the same as the one of the Bada bazaar. Same crowd, same shops and same construction with wooden work laden with incredible spider’s web!

I would say people are more creative and thoughtful when alone and sometime when ill. Waiting eagerly to reach the station, I continuously kept on staring each and every shop and squares, each of them resembles to be the one where I had been earlier, but it wasn’t.

The city busses driven on roads combined with trams tracks in between caught my imagination once again. I started looking for any similarity between the buses. The only common thing I found was that it moved. The busses had multiple fractures, patched with tins of different colors. Same was the condition of the trams. No one knows how many times they have collided against each other. The bus drivers too seemed to be classical-Men in the age group of 45 to 50, wearing slim shirts and vintage eyeglasses which are fortunately in fashion at present, but for them it’s their trademark.

My journey this time was different than regular. It was my illness which led to this journey. I was in real pain and suffering and my only ambition was to take my last breath at my home with my family. Trying to keep myself composed I tried to overcome my nervousness, I kept on engaging myself with whatever activities I could.

As I tried to virtually entertain me I noticed an old lady struggling with her cough and the stress of reaching the hall upstairs. I wondered how difficult it is for the elders to cope with the world. Their existence is a complete challenge. I was quick to realize that my pain was quite temporary and superficial as compared to her. I went deep into thoughts of what would have been going in her mind.

Looking at her pain I wondered if, ever, anything changes. I really doubt! May be sometime later in my old age I would be sitting in the place of that old women and someone as young as me, would be sitting and observing me and the world around, trying to read nature’s law, but still believe me, the findings would be yet again the same..” nothing changes only the perception change” 

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No One Killed Jessica??

Jessica!! The moment we listen this name the first thing to strike our memory is that it is about a spinster who was denied justice. True, but partially.

Thousands of supporters all over the country came out in panic to display their sympathy and fight for the injustice caused to an innocent girl..

The males in this society where we live are Sinners!! Wait a minute. Let us know who declares this?

The male themselves have declared it with the humble support of the females of the society.  Wow this is what the fairer sex always enjoys.

I have read thousands of articles regarding this fateful event but never could I find anyone showing sympathy towards the guy. And why should anyone do so? There is a saying “being an accomplice is similar to the person who commits the crime”.

Does anyone believe this?  Yes and even the law agree.  Well it does not give me any pleasure to stand against females or Jessica in particular but I do have my point of view. Yes, different but logical.

Is it right for a young and a beautiful girl to go out in a bar at the midnight? Yes I do remember that she was not here for having fun around, or might be, who knows? That was her profession and there’s nothing wrong in doing something which give us the bread and butter. The dominating sex has always enjoyed and kept on making the life of female vulnerable. Times and over again they have used them to fulfill their appetite.  But who needs to understand this?

It is hardly possible for the younger generation to accept this. Why do we need girls in party and bars? Everybody has the answer. And everybody is right.  This society has made females as an object of fun and pleasure and the girls are enjoying it .

Alcohol is considered to be harmful in all ethics. But still people enjoy having it. The first thing which dissolves in alcohol is the dignity.  It’s an established fact that alcohol makes one out of control and people do not tend to be themselves.

It was not the minister’s son who murdered Jessica but it was a suicide. It was Jessica who killed herself. The drug which she used to offer to her customers, to get rid of the worldly discomfort, killed her. I know there would be hardly anyone who will support this. But it’s the truth which I believe and everyone agrees but finds it difficult to digest.

I have often heard people saying that it is a profession. For all those who believe so, my only suggestion for them is to go and join a bunch of prostitute who earns their living selling off their skin. There is no difference between the two professions.  It’s the way you look at it. Any profession which demands fairer sex for glamour is one and the same. They have no rights to provoke the guys to commit any such sin which latter becomes a taboo for their gender and society.

It’s high time for us to decide and come to a conclusion what is right and what is wrong. We need to choose our profession which keeps our dignity intact. An Army never complains nor does their family fight for justice if he loses his life in the war. But there’s a dignity and valor attached to it. If a whore is fucked or a drunker loses his self consciousness, it is their own choice to do so and no one should be blamed for the same. Fighting for the justice for the moral crime committed never makes any sense. We need to think upon it as long as we don’t get any other solution for such crimes in the society.

How Dirty Is the Dirty Picture!!?

Before watching the movie, “The Dirty Picture” I had a completely different mind frame based on its nomenclature, but after watching it I am compelled to think over it and compare movies on the lines of dirtiness. Just because its name suggest something dirty should not be enough to hallmark it as an erotic movie.

What makes this picture dirty in the views of critics? Is that the skin show, the story or the direction? As far as skin show is concerned I can bet; it is not at par with any of the Imran Hashimi’s movies.  Just because the ill fitted outfits are boldly displayed and intentions revealed frankly, which in other movies are overseen, cannot earn Vidya, a dubious reputation.

Any of the Malika sherawat’s or even the so called reputed female artist’s movies had displayed much more than Vidya ever did. I can remember the beach scene picturising Imran and Malika or Anil Kapoor romancing Dimple, to be more erotic and sensual than what this Dirty picture has put on.

The actual motive behind the movie should not be misinterpreted as commercial one, rather it tries to expose out the real state of mind of the audience and the upcoming stars who are struggling to find their way out in the glamorous world. It may not be a fiction but making movies on such stories itself gives an indication of the real motive behind the movie.

Movies are the reflection of our society, at least in the developing countries like India. The Dirty Picture reveals the class of people who admires skin over the talent, theme and the hidden message.

This is a motivational movie for the young generation girls who believe skin show can achieve everything. It’s time for them to realize that taking advantage of being the fairer sex by misusing the nature’s beauty, at times can be dangerous for them as well as for their near and dear ones.

Useless to say, the males of the society have always used the females for their entertainment. It’s high time to realize that we need to respect them as we do respect our spouse, mothers, sisters and offspring. Women cannot be treated as an object of entertainment and pleasure just because they do not belong to one’s scion.

I would accolade the Dirty picture if it could inspire at least one aspiring artist not to fall prey in this male dominated society and choose to earn a leaving in a dignified way. And I am sure it did fulfill the purpose.