Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Bernard Madoff!
Hey readers, I know I'm again slipping into the bad habit of ignoring this space! I guess I just sometimes lose the will to write! Although there is plenty of material to include in this space. What with the discovery of the Ponzi Scheme being run by Bernard Madoff -- over a period of several years -- making the investors further jittery! Grrrrrr... As if the things were not bad enough already!
Friday, December 12, 2008
More stimulus packages on the way!
And this news completely slipped my mind - Kamal Nath today said that the Government is looking to come out with more stimulus packages to revive the economy. I guess this measure is certainly needed to inject some confidence in the amrkets after dismal car sales in November, downward revision to India's growth in 2009 and poor IIP figures. Sigh - where is the bottom? The current economic scenario is increasingly resembling a black hole of bad news!! Sigh!!
Cybercrime - The new face of Evil!
Hey readers, it's not like I'm again in the mood to renegade on my promise of blogging frequently - itls just that work and my rogue friend, Nitesh, have kept me busy!! Anyways, more on my misadventures later, I thought of sharing a thought with you - a thought that I may expand by devoting an entire article to it.
Around September last year, rise in food prices was being blamed on the growing taste buds of the Indian and Chinese Population. At the same time, cybercriminals were growing in notoriety and governments increasingly were looking at cybercrime as a serious menace. And then the world turned upside down and the economic events that followed sort of diverted our attention away from these areas of concern. Now, a new study released by McAfee, draws attention to the rapid growth of cyber criminals who continue to grow!!
But more on this later - I got a deliverable to complete. Will probably expand my idea a bit in a later post!
Around September last year, rise in food prices was being blamed on the growing taste buds of the Indian and Chinese Population. At the same time, cybercriminals were growing in notoriety and governments increasingly were looking at cybercrime as a serious menace. And then the world turned upside down and the economic events that followed sort of diverted our attention away from these areas of concern. Now, a new study released by McAfee, draws attention to the rapid growth of cyber criminals who continue to grow!!
But more on this later - I got a deliverable to complete. Will probably expand my idea a bit in a later post!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
There is no sun shining through!
Listening to Metallica's Unforgiven, I am struck by these lines,"
Looking at the current state of affairs in India, to an outsider it would certainly seem so. 2008, which began with a lot of promises, has failed to live up to any. he Sensex, which was promising much at the beginning of the year, instead crashed all hopes, declining by almost 60% since attaining the peak of 21k in January 2008. If this weren't enough, the US economy collapsed (the technical term is "entered into a recession"), dragging the entire world down with it. Growth slowed, banks failed and then disaster struck Uncle Sam -- banks filing for bankruptcy and growing unemployment were but a few problems faced by the US.
This for the world scenario. On the home front, India was battling inflation while witnessing the meltdown of realty stocks and financial firms (darlings of the stock markets in the years gone by). When the realization finally dawned that this crisis was far from over - infact, it was worse than the Great Depression of the 1930s - the US Government stepped in with bailout packages, rate cuts and special plans to try and revive a sagging economy. The net result: still more collapses, more banks and firms going to their respective governments, hats in hand seeking more aids, investor's confidence continued to erode! Oil prices, which had scaled a historic high of $147 a barrel in July 2008, slipped and then went into a tailspin and finally a free fall -- oil prices were $43 a barrel in today's trading! And oh did I mention the governments of Iceland, Ukraine, Pakistan and Hungary that approached the World Bank / international Monetary Fund for a cash infusion to rescue their stalling economies?
In between this mayhem, a black man (who was not even born in America) was chosen as the President of the United States of America. The world cheered -- amidst this darkness, the success of Barack Obama was seen as the spark, the miracle the world was waiting for. Suddenly, people had hope - countries woke up from their stupor, took a realistic lookaround and declared that the world would be back on the growth path -- and out of this financial crisis-induced mess -- within 18 months! This was followed by coordinated rate cuts across the globe and stimulus packages (on the lines of the U.S. Government's) in a bid to revive the economy and prevent it from slipping into a period of stagflation or even worse, a recession.
Just when all seemed to be going well, terror struck. From Delhi to Malegaon to the heart of India's financial capital, terrorists of all kinds -- from the jihadis to the Hindu zeonists -- played havoc! And of course, the crown of all attacks go to the planners of the attack on Mumbai -- well planned, even better executed! They stuck to their tasks and their mandates unlike our politicians. It certainly seemed like there was no sun shining through...
However, the attack on Mumbai touched too many raaw nerves and for once, the governments decided to act unitedly. Diplomatic pressure was the mantra of the day and within 2 weeks of India's version of 7/11, the Pakistan government agreed to crack down on the non-state players that were using its territories to launch acts of terrors on foreign lands. I will not bore you with the details, but here is the concerned press release.
And only yesterday, on December 7, 2008, the Indian Government announced several measures, including duty and rate cuts and a stimulus package exceeding Rs. 32,000 crore to achieve our GDP growth target of 7% for 2008. Suddenly, you can sense some hope in the air. But whether it will stay or how long will this hope last are the questions doing the round in my head. Do you have the answer? I invite you to share your opinion here.
There is no sun shining through..
There is no sun shining.....
Looking at the current state of affairs in India, to an outsider it would certainly seem so. 2008, which began with a lot of promises, has failed to live up to any. he Sensex, which was promising much at the beginning of the year, instead crashed all hopes, declining by almost 60% since attaining the peak of 21k in January 2008. If this weren't enough, the US economy collapsed (the technical term is "entered into a recession"), dragging the entire world down with it. Growth slowed, banks failed and then disaster struck Uncle Sam -- banks filing for bankruptcy and growing unemployment were but a few problems faced by the US.
This for the world scenario. On the home front, India was battling inflation while witnessing the meltdown of realty stocks and financial firms (darlings of the stock markets in the years gone by). When the realization finally dawned that this crisis was far from over - infact, it was worse than the Great Depression of the 1930s - the US Government stepped in with bailout packages, rate cuts and special plans to try and revive a sagging economy. The net result: still more collapses, more banks and firms going to their respective governments, hats in hand seeking more aids, investor's confidence continued to erode! Oil prices, which had scaled a historic high of $147 a barrel in July 2008, slipped and then went into a tailspin and finally a free fall -- oil prices were $43 a barrel in today's trading! And oh did I mention the governments of Iceland, Ukraine, Pakistan and Hungary that approached the World Bank / international Monetary Fund for a cash infusion to rescue their stalling economies?
In between this mayhem, a black man (who was not even born in America) was chosen as the President of the United States of America. The world cheered -- amidst this darkness, the success of Barack Obama was seen as the spark, the miracle the world was waiting for. Suddenly, people had hope - countries woke up from their stupor, took a realistic lookaround and declared that the world would be back on the growth path -- and out of this financial crisis-induced mess -- within 18 months! This was followed by coordinated rate cuts across the globe and stimulus packages (on the lines of the U.S. Government's) in a bid to revive the economy and prevent it from slipping into a period of stagflation or even worse, a recession.
Just when all seemed to be going well, terror struck. From Delhi to Malegaon to the heart of India's financial capital, terrorists of all kinds -- from the jihadis to the Hindu zeonists -- played havoc! And of course, the crown of all attacks go to the planners of the attack on Mumbai -- well planned, even better executed! They stuck to their tasks and their mandates unlike our politicians. It certainly seemed like there was no sun shining through...
However, the attack on Mumbai touched too many raaw nerves and for once, the governments decided to act unitedly. Diplomatic pressure was the mantra of the day and within 2 weeks of India's version of 7/11, the Pakistan government agreed to crack down on the non-state players that were using its territories to launch acts of terrors on foreign lands. I will not bore you with the details, but here is the concerned press release.
And only yesterday, on December 7, 2008, the Indian Government announced several measures, including duty and rate cuts and a stimulus package exceeding Rs. 32,000 crore to achieve our GDP growth target of 7% for 2008. Suddenly, you can sense some hope in the air. But whether it will stay or how long will this hope last are the questions doing the round in my head. Do you have the answer? I invite you to share your opinion here.
Big Pharma Research and Development Spends
Here is a good article that illustrates the money being pumped into new drug development at the major pharma companies. Hope you enjoy it!
Monday, December 8, 2008
What you did over the weekend?
Hey readers, how was your weekend? Mine was good, saw Transporter 3, had the pleasure of being amongst the last customers in a Powai restaurant on Friday night, slept till evening yesterday and then had an awesome salad at Just Round the Corner. Oh, and I also sharpened my culinary skills, making cups of coffee and maggi during the weekend.
Now with the govt announcing a stimulus package, markets too opened strong, with banks and realty stocks leading the pack. As an investor standing on the sidelines, I can only hope and pray that the markets recover soon. I've also been thinking of keeping my money in a liquid fund for just a few days - however, I am petrified of the market swings and at this moment, I cannot withstand a potential dilution of my meagre income level. So, am happy with fixed deposits for the time being.
Now with the govt announcing a stimulus package, markets too opened strong, with banks and realty stocks leading the pack. As an investor standing on the sidelines, I can only hope and pray that the markets recover soon. I've also been thinking of keeping my money in a liquid fund for just a few days - however, I am petrified of the market swings and at this moment, I cannot withstand a potential dilution of my meagre income level. So, am happy with fixed deposits for the time being.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Are we safe - anywhere?
Hey readers, Mumbai is on high alert following reports that of the 10 bombs planted by the terrorists, 1 is yet to be traced. The police found 1 unexploded bomb in the CST station on Wednesday, a week after the initial attack. It's surreal to read such horrifying reports in the papers and still go on with life as if everything is normal. It's like a mentality that nothing can happen to me because I'm god's special child - I'm sure even the 200 odd people who died in the attacks last week were thinking on the same lines.
But then, where do we go? Mumbai isn't safe, Delhi is even more dangerous. A blast in a market in Peshavar gave birth to the terrifying thought that we are vulnerable to terrorists from all sides. How do we create a boundary around us, a cocoon where no one can harm us? Jaane kaha wo duniya hai, jaane ki wo hai bhi ya nahi -- a song from Jaane Tu ya jaane na unintentionally, but aptly, sums up the current conundrum.
But then, where do we go? Mumbai isn't safe, Delhi is even more dangerous. A blast in a market in Peshavar gave birth to the terrifying thought that we are vulnerable to terrorists from all sides. How do we create a boundary around us, a cocoon where no one can harm us? Jaane kaha wo duniya hai, jaane ki wo hai bhi ya nahi -- a song from Jaane Tu ya jaane na unintentionally, but aptly, sums up the current conundrum.
A Spirit that Never Dies!
In a unique show of solidarity, ALL radio stations in Mumbai played the song "Maa Tujhe Salam", sung by AR Rehman, at 8 p.m. on December 3, 2008 on their respective wavelengths! Now ain't that something? Good to see that they let go of their constant endeavor to hog the limelight and take such a step -- I hope our news channels too take note of this and do something similar.
In another more widely covered act the same day, thousands of citizens took to the street across the metros in India to demand action against the terrorists and to express solidarity with the victims of this attack. Read more on this here.
I just can't help being sceptical of such ACTS - taking out demonstrations has the means to catch attention but I believe to elicit some sort of action from our thick-skinned politicians, it's going to take something more than this! By now, our netas have tackled the aftermath of so many terrorist attacks that such "peaceful" demonstrations will not more than scratch the surface! History shows that we are pretty tolerant and lack muscle -- from the Bombay bomb blasts in 1993 to the bomb blasts in the Mumbai local trains and the attack on the Parliament (not to mention several other instances of similar horrendous terrorist strikes, quite a few in 2008) we have been happy enough simply to put a bold, tough stance early on only to soften our "tough" stance as time goes by. We have been waving our "List of 20 most wanted terrorists" in front of Pakistan for several years -- yet have we done anything beyond mere demonstration to show that we are serious about what we want. I think not.
What will it take to wake up the Government and get them to swing into action -- actions that will not let terrorism rear its ugly head again and again? How many more lives need to be sacrificed for us to see some justice being done, our security being enhanced, our lives being securd? For how long do we carry on like this? It's good that Mumbai and along with it, the rest of India, has an indignant streak, a get-on-with-life spirit -- else how will we survive and continue our struggle in the city of dreams, the city that never sleeps, with a sword hanging perpetually over our heads?
Preaching about what is wrong with our system is a thing taken for granted these days -- heck, I do it, you do it, the news channels do it all the time, with or without any due reasons. Now what can we do to show that this time, yes THIS TIME, we mean action! Action that is not only immediate but also long-term -- while we are used to live under the lengthening shadow of fear and insecurity, let us make an effort to ensure that the next generation does not need to put up with the atrocities like we did.
Thinking of what the radio stations did made me think of what more could we do. A possible idea doing the rounds in my head is this: Could our newspapers join hands and launch a major campaign directed against terrorism? Times of India has in the past taken the lead and launched campaigns like "Lead India" (2007) and "Teach India" (2008) initiatives. Now can the newspapers come together, join hands and announce a war on terrorism? They say that a pen is mightier than a sword -- time to put the old proverb to test, what say India??
Even as I'm writing this piece, I've received a mail from Network 18 announcing the launch of a platform "to express our frustration and helplessness". Check the site here. I'm withholding my comments on this new endeavor for the time being.
In another more widely covered act the same day, thousands of citizens took to the street across the metros in India to demand action against the terrorists and to express solidarity with the victims of this attack. Read more on this here.
I just can't help being sceptical of such ACTS - taking out demonstrations has the means to catch attention but I believe to elicit some sort of action from our thick-skinned politicians, it's going to take something more than this! By now, our netas have tackled the aftermath of so many terrorist attacks that such "peaceful" demonstrations will not more than scratch the surface! History shows that we are pretty tolerant and lack muscle -- from the Bombay bomb blasts in 1993 to the bomb blasts in the Mumbai local trains and the attack on the Parliament (not to mention several other instances of similar horrendous terrorist strikes, quite a few in 2008) we have been happy enough simply to put a bold, tough stance early on only to soften our "tough" stance as time goes by. We have been waving our "List of 20 most wanted terrorists" in front of Pakistan for several years -- yet have we done anything beyond mere demonstration to show that we are serious about what we want. I think not.
What will it take to wake up the Government and get them to swing into action -- actions that will not let terrorism rear its ugly head again and again? How many more lives need to be sacrificed for us to see some justice being done, our security being enhanced, our lives being securd? For how long do we carry on like this? It's good that Mumbai and along with it, the rest of India, has an indignant streak, a get-on-with-life spirit -- else how will we survive and continue our struggle in the city of dreams, the city that never sleeps, with a sword hanging perpetually over our heads?
Preaching about what is wrong with our system is a thing taken for granted these days -- heck, I do it, you do it, the news channels do it all the time, with or without any due reasons. Now what can we do to show that this time, yes THIS TIME, we mean action! Action that is not only immediate but also long-term -- while we are used to live under the lengthening shadow of fear and insecurity, let us make an effort to ensure that the next generation does not need to put up with the atrocities like we did.
Thinking of what the radio stations did made me think of what more could we do. A possible idea doing the rounds in my head is this: Could our newspapers join hands and launch a major campaign directed against terrorism? Times of India has in the past taken the lead and launched campaigns like "Lead India" (2007) and "Teach India" (2008) initiatives. Now can the newspapers come together, join hands and announce a war on terrorism? They say that a pen is mightier than a sword -- time to put the old proverb to test, what say India??
Even as I'm writing this piece, I've received a mail from Network 18 announcing the launch of a platform "to express our frustration and helplessness". Check the site here. I'm withholding my comments on this new endeavor for the time being.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Pakistan an International Migraine?
Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State, has termed Pakistan an international migraine, citing the presence of nuclear weapons, wide-spread terrorism, extremists, corruption, poverty, issues with India and strategic location. I just read the news clip in Indian Express. Here is the news link: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Pakistan-an-international-migraine--Albright/393424/
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Mumbai stands united!
In a unique show of solidarity, ALL radio stations in Mumbai played the song "Maa Tujhe Salam", sung by AR Rehman, at 8 p.m. today on their respective wavelengths! Now ain't that something? Good to see that they let go of their constant endeavor to hog the limelight and take such a step -- I hope our news channels too take note of this and do something similar.
I wonder whether Times of India is planning to do a campaign, similar to the "Lead India" (2007) and "Teach India" (2008) initiatives, on the war against terrorism. history shows that we are pretty tolerant and lack muscle -- from the Bombay bomb blasts in 1993 to the bomb blasts in the Mumbai local trains and the attack on the Parliament (not to mention several other instances of similar horrendous terrorist strikes)we have been happy enough to put a bold stance early on oly to back off it as time goes by. We have been waving our "List of 20 most wanted terrorists" in front of Pakistan for several years -- yet have we done anything beyond mere demonstration to show that we are serious about what we want. I think not.
What will it take to wake up the Government and get them to swing into action and deliver some serious action? How many more lives need to be sacrificed for us to see some justice being done, our security being enhanced? For how long do we carry on like this? It's good that Mumbai has an indignant streak, a get-on-with-life spirit -- else how will we survive and continue our struggle in the city of dreams, the city that never sleeps, with a sword hanging over our heads perpetually?
I wonder whether Times of India is planning to do a campaign, similar to the "Lead India" (2007) and "Teach India" (2008) initiatives, on the war against terrorism. history shows that we are pretty tolerant and lack muscle -- from the Bombay bomb blasts in 1993 to the bomb blasts in the Mumbai local trains and the attack on the Parliament (not to mention several other instances of similar horrendous terrorist strikes)we have been happy enough to put a bold stance early on oly to back off it as time goes by. We have been waving our "List of 20 most wanted terrorists" in front of Pakistan for several years -- yet have we done anything beyond mere demonstration to show that we are serious about what we want. I think not.
What will it take to wake up the Government and get them to swing into action and deliver some serious action? How many more lives need to be sacrificed for us to see some justice being done, our security being enhanced? For how long do we carry on like this? It's good that Mumbai has an indignant streak, a get-on-with-life spirit -- else how will we survive and continue our struggle in the city of dreams, the city that never sleeps, with a sword hanging over our heads perpetually?
New Heights of Dependence and Sophistication!
Hey readers, remember me telling you about my meet with an ex-colleague and friend from Zacks? Well, upon our conversation, we also touched upon Hrithik Roshan's dialogue 'Man made computers not vice versa' (please bear with my liberal translation) in Koi Mil Gaya. That got me thinking on how in our daily lives, we are all so dependent on the computers and the laptops, not to mention the fact that we got most of our vital info stored on our mobile phones. Our idea of social networking is hanging out on Facebook, Orkut, LinkedIn or Twitter!
I shudder to think of the dire consequences if I ever were to lose my mobile, laptop or both of these items! Heck, I don't even have a backup of all the contacts' telephone numbers. Gone are the days when I could recall even an old acquaintance's number verbatim - these days I only bother with a cursory glance at the number and store it away!
In this age of high-sophistication, I was amused to see that interior designing has evolved to include even music - homes these days are increasingly seeing or rather hearing music in tune with the design/symmetry of their homes! Ahhhhh - but more on this later! Time to get back to work!
11:40 PM: Well, I found the article on Audio Architecture in the print edition of Livemint long back but I just couldn't locate the article on the paper's website or the concerned section. After a long search I can only conclude that probably the article is not there because it's copyrighted to New York Times..
I shudder to think of the dire consequences if I ever were to lose my mobile, laptop or both of these items! Heck, I don't even have a backup of all the contacts' telephone numbers. Gone are the days when I could recall even an old acquaintance's number verbatim - these days I only bother with a cursory glance at the number and store it away!
In this age of high-sophistication, I was amused to see that interior designing has evolved to include even music - homes these days are increasingly seeing or rather hearing music in tune with the design/symmetry of their homes! Ahhhhh - but more on this later! Time to get back to work!
11:40 PM: Well, I found the article on Audio Architecture in the print edition of Livemint long back but I just couldn't locate the article on the paper's website or the concerned section. After a long search I can only conclude that probably the article is not there because it's copyrighted to New York Times..
Some articles worth sharing!
Hey readers, browsing through today's edition, ie the December 2, 2009 edition of Mint, I am impressed with 2 articles: the first 1 is a 2-page writeup on HIV/AIDS and the 2nd is a full-page transcript of Ratan Tata's interview on CNN, hosted on Sunday evening.
Visit www.liemint.com/hivaids/atm for more on this. I'll try and post the link for the interview transcript tomorrow! My days as a biotech analyst have left me deeply interested in talks ranging around topics such as Cancer, HIV/AIDS and viral infections, particularly Hepatitis C, to name a few. Hence, just couldn't resist sharing this good article with you. With the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and the inefficiency of our politicians/crisis management team (whatever is there) hogging all the limelight at the moment, it was nice to see some space being devoted to other issues of concern too!
Visit www.liemint.com/hivaids/atm for more on this. I'll try and post the link for the interview transcript tomorrow! My days as a biotech analyst have left me deeply interested in talks ranging around topics such as Cancer, HIV/AIDS and viral infections, particularly Hepatitis C, to name a few. Hence, just couldn't resist sharing this good article with you. With the terrorist attacks in Mumbai and the inefficiency of our politicians/crisis management team (whatever is there) hogging all the limelight at the moment, it was nice to see some space being devoted to other issues of concern too!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
National Pollution Prevention Day!
Hey readers, did you know that listening to the radio can be educative as well?? I was surprised to learn that today, December 2, is National Pollution Prevention Day in India! Quite a nice fact, huh?? Look at the irony of it -- for the several millions of officegoers in Mumbai, the pollution on the roads have gone up several notches ever since the Mumbai metro project came up! And with elections round the corner, several roads have been dug up in a bid to repair them and win a fwe votes.
While in the long run, the citizens should benefit from these activities, I wonder how many of us will survive to see that day -- what with terrorists striking at will and the pollution threatening to choke you! Did you read about the new type of smog -- the brown haze thing? Read this Livemint article here for more on what it is all about! Quite terrifying the things that we need to live with these days! Life sure is a struggle!
While in the long run, the citizens should benefit from these activities, I wonder how many of us will survive to see that day -- what with terrorists striking at will and the pollution threatening to choke you! Did you read about the new type of smog -- the brown haze thing? Read this Livemint article here for more on what it is all about! Quite terrifying the things that we need to live with these days! Life sure is a struggle!
Workings of an idle mind!
Goodmorning readers! There are days when I yonder and wonder if people don't have any work! I mean, I've checked my Gmail umpteen times since morning and I haven't even received a lousy mail!! Sure puts me in a grumbling mood especially since I'm running light on work at the moment!
You know, I'd thought of writing something meaningful and deeply insightful last night. But a conversation with an old friend and colleague from Zacks changed all that! Oh, how fondly we reminisced about the old days! Zacks was 1 place where I made some real good friends! Met a lot of good people and I count my lucky stars that I still am in touch with some of them!
Anyways, given a chance I can rumble on and on but my designated 2 mins break for blogging is almost over! So fellas, I'm back to work while you too continue with your daily chores, boring or interesting as they might be!
You know, I'd thought of writing something meaningful and deeply insightful last night. But a conversation with an old friend and colleague from Zacks changed all that! Oh, how fondly we reminisced about the old days! Zacks was 1 place where I made some real good friends! Met a lot of good people and I count my lucky stars that I still am in touch with some of them!
Anyways, given a chance I can rumble on and on but my designated 2 mins break for blogging is almost over! So fellas, I'm back to work while you too continue with your daily chores, boring or interesting as they might be!
Monday, December 1, 2008
AIDS, Terrorists and God!
True to my promise, here is the official site of the World AIDS Day: www.worldaidsday.org
As I browsing the news clips over Google, I was struck by Aamir Khan's comments that terrorists have no religion or God! How true is all that I can think of!!
What more, what more - I am again getting restless waiting for my work to be reviewed. God, please grant me some patience and make it fast, will you?
As I browsing the news clips over Google, I was struck by Aamir Khan's comments that terrorists have no religion or God! How true is all that I can think of!!
What more, what more - I am again getting restless waiting for my work to be reviewed. God, please grant me some patience and make it fast, will you?
Something cooking!
Hey readers, it just struck me that today is the World AIDS Day! Maybe I'll scribble something on it later tonight.
The first day of the month and I can't just sit idle! I'm in quite a frenzied, irritable, need-to-do-something-new sort of a mood, just jumping around since morning. Jonathan Cainer attributes this mood swing to the movement of the planets and says that something good, a change in fortunes, is expected this month!
After all the hardships faced this year, I certainly need some good luck coming my way!
The first day of the month and I can't just sit idle! I'm in quite a frenzied, irritable, need-to-do-something-new sort of a mood, just jumping around since morning. Jonathan Cainer attributes this mood swing to the movement of the planets and says that something good, a change in fortunes, is expected this month!
After all the hardships faced this year, I certainly need some good luck coming my way!
It's that time of the year again!
Hey readers, I'm back! Like our esteemed politicians, I too love to make promises at the beginning of a month and once the first 10 days are gone, I tend to push this space back to the corners of the wardrobe! This, despite me being regularly online these days!! Heck, I can't even cite not reading newspapers as being the sole reason for the missing content on this site.
Sigh.. I am sure some of you might have noticed that today is Dec 1 and hence a time to make new promises!! Will I keep my promises of writing more often? Ah hmmm.. I am not sure but till my roomie returns from France on Dec 19, I promise to make a conscious effort to post regularly!!
'Til then, keep visiting this site often!
Sigh.. I am sure some of you might have noticed that today is Dec 1 and hence a time to make new promises!! Will I keep my promises of writing more often? Ah hmmm.. I am not sure but till my roomie returns from France on Dec 19, I promise to make a conscious effort to post regularly!!
'Til then, keep visiting this site often!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Tough times!
Tough times call for extreme measures, right? Well, atleast that is what the top honchos of India Inc. seem to be thinking. If the recent salary cuts, massive layoffs and shutdowns are anything to go by, then one should buckle themselves for a rough ride ahead. Already, the slowdown has resulted in companies adopting a "wait-and-watch" approach. Employers are holding off on making offers, deals are taking longer to convert with several clients even refusing to take a perfunctory call!
Salaried people are facing the heat from both sides - while most have seen their main source of income - their salaries - being reduced by as much as 20%, the unlucky few ahve had to face the prospects of layoffs. As if these were not enough the rising prices have done little to aid matters. I certainly don't mean to rant on and on about what is quite an obvious thing, but seriously, we need to think where is this all leading?
Salaried people are facing the heat from both sides - while most have seen their main source of income - their salaries - being reduced by as much as 20%, the unlucky few ahve had to face the prospects of layoffs. As if these were not enough the rising prices have done little to aid matters. I certainly don't mean to rant on and on about what is quite an obvious thing, but seriously, we need to think where is this all leading?
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Buzzzz!!
Hey readers, did you see the breaking news today? Barack Obama has won the U.S. Presidential Electiond today - don't know who broke the news first but Google News was prominently displaying the headlines from the major news channels!
On the work front, project deadlines kept me real busy yesterday. A bit more relieved at the moment but got nothing much to write on.
So give me some time to go find a topic on which I can scribble something legible. By the way, I am not renewing my Gold's Gym membership - the current gym is too far from my residence plus given the work timings I maintain, a workout isn't really very high on my list of things to do!
On the work front, project deadlines kept me real busy yesterday. A bit more relieved at the moment but got nothing much to write on.
So give me some time to go find a topic on which I can scribble something legible. By the way, I am not renewing my Gold's Gym membership - the current gym is too far from my residence plus given the work timings I maintain, a workout isn't really very high on my list of things to do!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Heights of Localization!
Consider this: Person A, sitting in Mumbai and originally from Calcutta / Rajasthan, dispatches a gift on the account of Person B, working in Pune, currently in Mumbai and originally from Bihar via BlueDart Couriers for Person C, working in Chennai, currently in Delhi and originally from Haryana, through Person D's (working in Mumbai and originally from Calcutta / U.P.) office account!! Now ain't this true localization?
Rest assured guys that this is a true incident - happened last night itself! I am sure you can guess the identity of the 3 of the 4 people involved above! A DVD of 'Horton Hears a Who' for those who can correctly identify Person C - those who know the identity are automayically disqualified!! ;-)
Rest assured guys that this is a true incident - happened last night itself! I am sure you can guess the identity of the 3 of the 4 people involved above! A DVD of 'Horton Hears a Who' for those who can correctly identify Person C - those who know the identity are automayically disqualified!! ;-)
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Realty stocks - trick or treat?
Hey readers, I've been in a flashback sort of a mood for the last couple of days. Looking at the late buying spree witnessed towards the close of yesterday's trading session, my mind went back to the time of last year's Diwali and the two months after that when the market scaled one peak after another. While the rise of the market was stupendous, the fall has been much more sensational. India had the distinction of being the seocnd best market among the emerging economies in 2007; in 2008, it has the distinction of being the third worst performing economy after Russia and South Korea. I guess we just can't shrug off the Russian influence, how hard we may try, can we?
While equities across all sectors have corrected severely, I've been dumbstruck with the correction in the prices of realty stocks. DLF, which touched a high of Rs. 1,250 last year, is now trading just above Rs. 200/-!! Look at Parsvnath Developers - it touched a high of Rs. 598/- in January 2008, yesterday, it closed slightly over Rs. 40/-!! And rest assured, there have not been any stock splits or earth-shattering fundamentally negative news in any of these stocks to make them behave in the manner they have in the recent global meltdown.
I wonder what I would have done if a prophet had whispered in my ears about the upcoming doom of these stocks - I guess I would have probably ignored the call, certifying the poor person as insane! But having the latest carnage, I feel wiser and certainly, much poorer! So much for experience! When investors lose confidence, even the sound fundamentals can't save a vibrant economy like India's! Anyways, the current recovery in the markets should continue given the massive interest rate cuts announced by the RBI today.. I believe a strong gap up opening is on the cards - hope the banks follow these rate cuts with cuts of their own which should reduce the burden on the shoulders of those weighed down by their home loans. I think another rally in the realty stocks is on the cards - now whether it will be sustained or not is entirely your call.
I am off to read Robin Cook's Critical and later catch Horton Hears a Who and Ice Age 2 - purchased the novel and the DVDs of these movies yesterday! Have a great weekend!
While equities across all sectors have corrected severely, I've been dumbstruck with the correction in the prices of realty stocks. DLF, which touched a high of Rs. 1,250 last year, is now trading just above Rs. 200/-!! Look at Parsvnath Developers - it touched a high of Rs. 598/- in January 2008, yesterday, it closed slightly over Rs. 40/-!! And rest assured, there have not been any stock splits or earth-shattering fundamentally negative news in any of these stocks to make them behave in the manner they have in the recent global meltdown.
I wonder what I would have done if a prophet had whispered in my ears about the upcoming doom of these stocks - I guess I would have probably ignored the call, certifying the poor person as insane! But having the latest carnage, I feel wiser and certainly, much poorer! So much for experience! When investors lose confidence, even the sound fundamentals can't save a vibrant economy like India's! Anyways, the current recovery in the markets should continue given the massive interest rate cuts announced by the RBI today.. I believe a strong gap up opening is on the cards - hope the banks follow these rate cuts with cuts of their own which should reduce the burden on the shoulders of those weighed down by their home loans. I think another rally in the realty stocks is on the cards - now whether it will be sustained or not is entirely your call.
I am off to read Robin Cook's Critical and later catch Horton Hears a Who and Ice Age 2 - purchased the novel and the DVDs of these movies yesterday! Have a great weekend!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Weather grumbles and more!
Hey readers, welcome to the end of another month! This month seemed to take forever to end for reasons unknown!! Or maybe, I only expected it to end before it all even started, huh? Anyways, while November signal the onset of winter across India, Mumbai remains as hot as the day I arrived here. The only difference you can note is in the slight chill that sets on late in the evening. But if you, like me, stay holed up at home, with even the windows closed, then the weather outside won't matter the dime to you!
Now you may be wondering what in the world set me cribbing about this weather? Well, nothing really did! I was just taking a normal post-lunch walk in the office building's basement when the heaviness in the weather hit me and got me thinking of another reason why this city is not yet in my list of favorites, despite the glam-sham and the terrific sea-side views!
Will write more when I get something more interesting to talk about. By the way, I finished David Baldacci's Collectors within 2 days. The novel was, again, an ok-ok sorts - nowhere near the league of the Alez Cross novels by James Patterson.
Now you may be wondering what in the world set me cribbing about this weather? Well, nothing really did! I was just taking a normal post-lunch walk in the office building's basement when the heaviness in the weather hit me and got me thinking of another reason why this city is not yet in my list of favorites, despite the glam-sham and the terrific sea-side views!
Will write more when I get something more interesting to talk about. By the way, I finished David Baldacci's Collectors within 2 days. The novel was, again, an ok-ok sorts - nowhere near the league of the Alez Cross novels by James Patterson.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Cracking post-Diwali happenings!!
Happy Diwali to all my readers! As an epilogue to my last post, well the markets did take a breather and in line with global markets, staged a strong recovery on the muhurat trading on Diwali. Sentiments were volatile yesterday, with the markets see-sawing between the red and the green territory, ending the day with marginal gains. With the US Fed cutting interest rates by 50 bps in a desperate move to revive the stalling economy, Asian markets opened strong and closed in the green. I have not checked the European markets opening yet and with India's stock markets closed for today, it'll be interesting to see the direction the markets when they open tomorrow.
Back to my personal life - with the sound of fire crackers popping in my head, I made an adhoc decision to go down to Pune yesterday afternoon. Packed my bags within 15 mins, grabbed an auto to rush to the domestic airport and luckile caught a shared sumo, which promptly left as soon as I got in - @ 3 pm. Amazingly, I reached Pune at 5:30 and met up with Nitesh 'Talli' Kumar at Parihar Chawk by 6:15. Then we went to 11 East St Cafe and from there to Mocha. We were disappointed to be turned away from Riverview (sexiest restaurant to-date, what an ambience!! A perfect place for chipmunks and chippies to chill out and catch up on life! ;-))..
More disappointment was in store for us as we found Sheesha to be closed when we reached there after 11. Quite surprising to me! I think I can pin the blame on a certain Mr. Gaurav Chandak who made us walk a 20-min distance by claiming that the place was only 5 mins away!! Everyone is a bloody con these days! Finally, we had sandwiches and frappe at Barista (after ages!) and then returned to Gaurav's flat, which by the way he hasn't cleaned since he moved in! Yuck! As if on cue, my nose turned up at the sight of such unearthly mess and promptly, I began sneezing - another way of voicing my displeasure at the appalling surroundings!! Okay okay, I'll give him a break provided he cleans up the place - Gggrrrr!
So we retired to bed by 1 and I was woken up by the alarm at 4 - got up, took a cold bath and then Gaurav got me a shared cab at 5 in the morning. Amazing weather coupled with a scenic (and fast) drive made the time slip away like anything - was at my flat at 7:15 and in office at 9:05!!
Quite an eventful post-Diwali day for me. Looking forward to sharing more tit-bits with you guys in the coming days. 'Til then, work hard N harder!!
Back to my personal life - with the sound of fire crackers popping in my head, I made an adhoc decision to go down to Pune yesterday afternoon. Packed my bags within 15 mins, grabbed an auto to rush to the domestic airport and luckile caught a shared sumo, which promptly left as soon as I got in - @ 3 pm. Amazingly, I reached Pune at 5:30 and met up with Nitesh 'Talli' Kumar at Parihar Chawk by 6:15. Then we went to 11 East St Cafe and from there to Mocha. We were disappointed to be turned away from Riverview (sexiest restaurant to-date, what an ambience!! A perfect place for chipmunks and chippies to chill out and catch up on life! ;-))..
More disappointment was in store for us as we found Sheesha to be closed when we reached there after 11. Quite surprising to me! I think I can pin the blame on a certain Mr. Gaurav Chandak who made us walk a 20-min distance by claiming that the place was only 5 mins away!! Everyone is a bloody con these days! Finally, we had sandwiches and frappe at Barista (after ages!) and then returned to Gaurav's flat, which by the way he hasn't cleaned since he moved in! Yuck! As if on cue, my nose turned up at the sight of such unearthly mess and promptly, I began sneezing - another way of voicing my displeasure at the appalling surroundings!! Okay okay, I'll give him a break provided he cleans up the place - Gggrrrr!
So we retired to bed by 1 and I was woken up by the alarm at 4 - got up, took a cold bath and then Gaurav got me a shared cab at 5 in the morning. Amazing weather coupled with a scenic (and fast) drive made the time slip away like anything - was at my flat at 7:15 and in office at 9:05!!
Quite an eventful post-Diwali day for me. Looking forward to sharing more tit-bits with you guys in the coming days. 'Til then, work hard N harder!!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Will Diwali trading turn the tide?
Welcome back dear readers, here is your host wishing you all a very happy Diwali - may the festival of lights spark a recovery rally in the Indian stock markets. By the way, the early signs sure do look encouraging - Hang Seng and Nikkei are up by 5% each, so here is hoping a reversal in tides and fortunes for our stock exchanges as well.
Quite a surprise to see some stocks trading below their book values - take Suzlon Energy for example. To an analyst like me, it's a clear sign to pick up such a company as not only is it being currently being undervalued by the company, it also has sound fundamentals coupled with a strong management at the helm. Anyways, this is my opinion and does not reflect either my position or my company's! So, please don't sue either of us for voicing a positive opinion in such a bear market!
Iceland, Pakistan, Ukraine, Hungary - who is next is what must be running through everyone's minds! These are the 4 countries (to-date) who have sought IMF's help to tide over the current financial crisis. Read this article for more: http://www.livemint.com/2008/10/27092101/IMF-announces-aid-for-Ukraine.html
Quite a surprise to see some stocks trading below their book values - take Suzlon Energy for example. To an analyst like me, it's a clear sign to pick up such a company as not only is it being currently being undervalued by the company, it also has sound fundamentals coupled with a strong management at the helm. Anyways, this is my opinion and does not reflect either my position or my company's! So, please don't sue either of us for voicing a positive opinion in such a bear market!
Iceland, Pakistan, Ukraine, Hungary - who is next is what must be running through everyone's minds! These are the 4 countries (to-date) who have sought IMF's help to tide over the current financial crisis. Read this article for more: http://www.livemint.com/2008/10/27092101/IMF-announces-aid-for-Ukraine.html
Friday, October 24, 2008
Midnight stress busting sessions!!
Welcome dear readers! For all the hope that I'd garnered in the deepest corners of my heart of having a relatively easy time on Friday were busted pretty early on in the day - had the most stressful day at work with fast approaching deadlines and seniors breathing down my neck for a report that was due as late as last week!! Atleast that is how it felt to me, poor dear me who didn't even get the time to take a much needed loo break!! Imagine, I got through today w/o a cup of tea or coffee!! But yep, end of day, I enjoyed the edge I experienced today - was at my sharpest and boy, did I learn a few things today!
Overall, the week has been very heavy (in terms of workload) - in fact, I need to put in some time tomorrow to help a friend of mine tide over some project. But enough of that - right now, I'm enjoying a cup of coffee (in a bid to de-stress myself) at the Gloria Jeans Cafe (Pali Naka branch). I am also using this time to shoot a few emails and of course catch up on the news of the weeks gone by! Seriously guys, life ain't a joke and all-fun-no-work types in the city of dreams and success!! More on my experiences later - it's time I get back to my cuppa! Can't let it get too cold, can I? Never keep a cup of hot coffee waiting is my life's policy!
Overall, the week has been very heavy (in terms of workload) - in fact, I need to put in some time tomorrow to help a friend of mine tide over some project. But enough of that - right now, I'm enjoying a cup of coffee (in a bid to de-stress myself) at the Gloria Jeans Cafe (Pali Naka branch). I am also using this time to shoot a few emails and of course catch up on the news of the weeks gone by! Seriously guys, life ain't a joke and all-fun-no-work types in the city of dreams and success!! More on my experiences later - it's time I get back to my cuppa! Can't let it get too cold, can I? Never keep a cup of hot coffee waiting is my life's policy!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Mumbai, meri jaan!
Welcome dear readers, time certainly flies - and how! As I near Diwali, I feel obliged to share my experience of living in Mumbai - I've spent almost 3 months here and it all so feels like yesterday that I was packing my bags and getting ready to bid adieu to Calcutta. The festive environment in the office today, on account of several people going home for Diwali vacation, made me take a look at the happenings in my life in the time goneby. Starting off on the work front, I am slowly easing into my job and the unpredictable nature at which things shape up here -- also the delay in delivering targets on time is becoming a daily routine -- or maybe the Project Managers just plan things that way! Anywhich way, I am enjoying my job at the moment.
Coming back to the city, well I am disappointed to some extent. Frankly, I'd come to Mumbai expecting, anticipating the rush that this place gives you. But one look at the roads in the morning - either the traffic jams or the long line of people waiting for autos - and I wonder how this city can continue running smoothly with so much chaos all around. And oh, say nothing about this city being the city that never sleeps - visit bandstand / carter road or marine drive after 1 in the night and you will probably be asked by the police to pack your bags and push off home. Most restaurants/bars/pubs here close at 1 am, so whatever justifies the tag "the city that never sleeps"? Well, I can only propose (as a way of explanation) that probably the exhaustion caught up with the city and now it has decided that a few hours of sleep needs to be built into its itenary too! I can only ask them to take some inspiration from a metro like Kolkata where people party harder - and longer - than Mumbai!
But you know the most amazing part - everyone here has a story to tell. Be it the autowalla or the small-time shopkeeper, people have loads of stories and time to share with strangers like me! And interestingly, even Maharastrians can't do without their afternoon nap - who said that only Bengalis are the lazy sorts?? I'll love to share a bit more of my experience but I got to rush to office too! And before pushing off to bed, I need to wash the dishes and sweep my flat! Talk of multitasking guys!
Oh, how sorely I miss Calcutta's Park St and Barista's coffee and the apple cake!!
Coming back to the city, well I am disappointed to some extent. Frankly, I'd come to Mumbai expecting, anticipating the rush that this place gives you. But one look at the roads in the morning - either the traffic jams or the long line of people waiting for autos - and I wonder how this city can continue running smoothly with so much chaos all around. And oh, say nothing about this city being the city that never sleeps - visit bandstand / carter road or marine drive after 1 in the night and you will probably be asked by the police to pack your bags and push off home. Most restaurants/bars/pubs here close at 1 am, so whatever justifies the tag "the city that never sleeps"? Well, I can only propose (as a way of explanation) that probably the exhaustion caught up with the city and now it has decided that a few hours of sleep needs to be built into its itenary too! I can only ask them to take some inspiration from a metro like Kolkata where people party harder - and longer - than Mumbai!
But you know the most amazing part - everyone here has a story to tell. Be it the autowalla or the small-time shopkeeper, people have loads of stories and time to share with strangers like me! And interestingly, even Maharastrians can't do without their afternoon nap - who said that only Bengalis are the lazy sorts?? I'll love to share a bit more of my experience but I got to rush to office too! And before pushing off to bed, I need to wash the dishes and sweep my flat! Talk of multitasking guys!
Oh, how sorely I miss Calcutta's Park St and Barista's coffee and the apple cake!!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Ordeals of an Ordinary Man!
"Living in Mumbai is a lifetime experience"
Whoever said the above thing must be a genius.. I mean just imagine what all I suffered today and for what -- so that the rickshaw drivers and the taxiwallas can keep their 25-year old taxis on the roads!! Think nothing of the safety of the poor passengers, my dear readers but atleast spare a thought for the driver of that 25-year old wreck - doesn't he deserve to benefit from the advents of globalization? But anyways, why bother about them when I got plenty on my plate!
Was a fight getting to office in the morning today -- had to hang literally from a bus to reach office! And to think I'd left all this when I left Calcutta -- kuch yaadein or cheezen kabhi saath nahi chodti, kyun??
Anyways, I am not in the mood to ramble on for too long.. The sinking stock market and my ever expanding hunger-pangs are leaving in my mind little room for wishful thoughts! So here is wishing you all a lovely good night! Please pray that my dinner arrives soon and I wake up tomorrow to find the world turned around for the better -- if this is not posssible, then just pray that the Autos are back where they belong - back on these bloddy dirt roads!!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
A snapshot on Mumbai - meri Jaan!
It's been ages or to be more precise, over a month since I last scribbled in this space.. I pick up the baton again to try and be more regular in this space and share the latest happenings in my life with you, my treasured readers! Well, as I am writing this, a lot of worries are doing the rounds in my head.. some of the near ones are concerning my shift to my new flat with my buddy, Vikash Khandelwal - a lot of logistics need to be solved and somehow I got to find a way to fit an AC in that flat and at the same time, keep Vikash and the landlord off my back! :-) Oh, never mind that I need to quit my midnight-clothes-washing spree and seriously hunt down a househelp who can wash dishes, sweep the house and wash my clothes every day.. And now that Vikash too will be here, I seriously need to ensure that I pass on my home management skills to him else I'm sure he'll be doomed! Mumbai has been so-so so far with me -- while I've grown out of my love for coffee (blame it on the lack of company or on the absence of any barista nearby), I am falling more and more in love with sitting on the rocks in Bandra well past midnight, even on normal weekdays! Such a thing would have been impossible in Calcutta but some how, given our more hectic lifestyles here, I believe it is fully justified -- sitting on the seaside, enjoying the lovely breeze, watching the waves and listening to the crowd (and boy, is there a crowd on Carter Road at 1 am in the night!! They sure can teach you a couple of dance steps!!)! I've really tried on a lot of restaurants here -- from Red Box in Bandra (Amazing Mexican Italian dishes, great rock music and fantastic red decor) to Sheesha Mezbaan (the one in Carter Road as well as the one on Mega Mall, roof top), 5 Spice (the one beside Mega Mall - best chinese food I've had to date, not to mention the complementary salad and the Chinese herbal tea), Just Round the Corner (best place for buffett - just stock up on their salad plate guys), Mocha (Juhu, Powei, Churchgate), Pritam da Dhaba (Dadar TT Junction, great authetic ambience, good food), Sagar Restaurant (I liked the ambience, rest all is just so-so), Prithvi Theatre's cafe (hats off to their chai-pakode and the Irish Coffee), Grill Cottage (kya chaas ka glass hai yahan!), Gloria Jeans (I am in love with their decor), Chawla Dhaba (nice food, rajasthani style), Machan, Zaffran (good arabic food again) et cetera et cetera!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Movie Review: WANTED
Not since Iron Man came out earlier this year have we seen such kickass action - I am certainly not taking into account The Dark Knight which came out a couple pf months ago!
If you thought only Bollywood could think up weird storylines, then you need to watch WANTED where the storyline is staler than the morbid Bollywood script we have become so familiar with.. But what stands out in the movie (apart from Angelina Jolie's butts ;-) ) is the sheer graphics and action sequences which leave you gasping for breath! The standout moment was obviously the car chase in the beginning of the movie when Angelina manages to beat the crap out of her sports car!!
Don't worry, I am not going to give much away, just don't go looking for a svelte story line guys — because there ain't one!! But Hollywood being Hollywood, the cool cats easily blindside the audience with tattoos all over AJolie's lithe body; it's a good flick where they trace how our hero has to undergo the rigorous of trainings to find what he was born for (I am growing kinda bored of this type of a storyline) ... The movie somehow reminded me of Jumper though I'm still trying all feasible permutations and combinations to connect the two movies!
Go catch this movie if like me, you too couldn't get tickets for Rock On!! Even if you do get the tickets for Rock On, take out a couple of hours and watch this great flick!
If you thought only Bollywood could think up weird storylines, then you need to watch WANTED where the storyline is staler than the morbid Bollywood script we have become so familiar with.. But what stands out in the movie (apart from Angelina Jolie's butts ;-) ) is the sheer graphics and action sequences which leave you gasping for breath! The standout moment was obviously the car chase in the beginning of the movie when Angelina manages to beat the crap out of her sports car!!
Don't worry, I am not going to give much away, just don't go looking for a svelte story line guys — because there ain't one!! But Hollywood being Hollywood, the cool cats easily blindside the audience with tattoos all over AJolie's lithe body; it's a good flick where they trace how our hero has to undergo the rigorous of trainings to find what he was born for (I am growing kinda bored of this type of a storyline) ... The movie somehow reminded me of Jumper though I'm still trying all feasible permutations and combinations to connect the two movies!
Go catch this movie if like me, you too couldn't get tickets for Rock On!! Even if you do get the tickets for Rock On, take out a couple of hours and watch this great flick!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Sapne -- Ye kaise sapne!!
Hey guys, bahut idno k baad I'm making an entry in here, in fact this will be my first psot after I've shifted to Mumbai! So to cut a long story short, I reached Mumbai on August 2, 2008 and joined Aranca Research Pvt Ltd. on August 4, 2008. It's almost a month now in Mumbai and I'm typing away from the glory and cozy conforts of my rented property in Andheri!
Mumbai me log kya kya sapne leke aate hai -- goals, ambitions aur na jaane kaun kaun se adjectives!! Main bhi baki sab logon ki tareh apni aankhon me success and fame k sapne saza k aaye tha lekin hai ram -- yaha to saala roz jhaadu dete kamar tut gayi!! Pehle to office me gadho ki tareh karo kaam, fir ghar aa k bhi na mile koi aaram!! Hey bhagwan, bol ye tu mujhe kaun se sapne dikha raha hai??infact, I've become so adept at handling household chores (which include washing dishes, clothes and of course sweeping and mopping the flat apart from preparing my lunch, dinner and breakfast) that I'm thinking of taking an ad out in the matrimonials column:
Bas ye hai meri kahani, I hope to write in more regularly from now onwards, next up is a movie review of WANTED!! [starring Angelinne Jolie]..
Mumbai me log kya kya sapne leke aate hai -- goals, ambitions aur na jaane kaun kaun se adjectives!! Main bhi baki sab logon ki tareh apni aankhon me success and fame k sapne saza k aaye tha lekin hai ram -- yaha to saala roz jhaadu dete kamar tut gayi!! Pehle to office me gadho ki tareh karo kaam, fir ghar aa k bhi na mile koi aaram!! Hey bhagwan, bol ye tu mujhe kaun se sapne dikha raha hai??infact, I've become so adept at handling household chores (which include washing dishes, clothes and of course sweeping and mopping the flat apart from preparing my lunch, dinner and breakfast) that I'm thinking of taking an ad out in the matrimonials column:
Domesticated Male, experienced in handlign household chores along with demanding job! After marriage, no handling jobs, only handling tough wife who earns multi million dollars!!
Bas ye hai meri kahani, I hope to write in more regularly from now onwards, next up is a movie review of WANTED!! [starring Angelinne Jolie]..
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Last days mark the beginning -- ??
Mmmmm... The bread is extra soft today as I bite into it .. The sandwich is perfect - just the way I like it.. And oh the frappe - it's so heavenly delicious, not all that sweet with the right amount of bitterness stirred in with the coffee!
Oh shucks, there goes my try at being a writer - the last line was so ... so... I am lost for words here! But anyways, to cut a long story short, I have finally completed my stay at Zacks; today was my last day and I am now sitting at the Barista outlet next to Forum.. probably having my last cup of coffee here - it sure remains a very special Barista for me!
Anyways, you all know my travel plans - so I won't repeat them here again!
Hope to get on with my packing again tonight -- it's proving to be such a pain in the arse guys! I am not quite liking the feeling of being unemployed -- today and tomorrow! Everyone is kinda giving me a farewell -- feeling pretty numb and dumb! I guess, the fact that I'm leaving Calcutta is yet to sink in!
Anyways, I believe that the last days in calcutta will mark the beginning of the next phase in my growth - personally as well as career wise! Hope this change brings along some much needed luck - I desperately need it! Well, I can keep rumbling on & on & on without making much sense, so please pray that I settle down on landing in Mumbai. 'Til, play hard and party harder!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Hey readers, it's been a long time since I last wrote here. My last post was a movie review of Kismat Konnection. Sadly, I have not been able to watch any other movie after KK. However, I did have the luxury of being asked to sample some of the new coffees launched at Barista this week, the best among them being Espresso Creme Shekerato! It's an awesome concoction of a drink and it sure will strike a chord with strong coffee lovers who prefer their coffee cold! This drink is perhaps the ideal cold, strong coffee. Served in a wine glass, it's best enjoyed when taken chilled, un-stirred.
More on the coffee and my plans for this week later! Enjoy!
More on the coffee and my plans for this week later! Enjoy!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Movie Review: Kismet Konnection
It’s amazing how you can speak right to my heart ...
Without saying a thing, you can light up the dark...
It’s amazing how you can aptly use these lines to describe the expression in the eyes of Vidya Balan. Her smoky eyes speak a thousand words and light up the scenes in Kismat Konnection. Like Jaane Tu ya Jaane Na, Kismat Konnection too moves on familiar lines. There is nothing new in the story line – in fact, the story is somewhat predictable in the way it twists and turns.
However, two notable things about the movie are the chemistry between Raj Malhotra (Shahid Kapoor) and his best friend, Hiten Patel and of course between, Raj and Priya (Vidya Balan). However, I was left feeling disappointed with the characterization of Haseena Bano Rani (a special appearance by Juhi Chawla). While I do believe that Juhi was perfect for the role, I think that the Director should have worked harder on this character rather than let Juhi act out her Kurkure-act. Still, the character eked out a few laughs from the audience but frankly, I believe Juhi was wasted in this role.
Those of you who went to watch the movie expecting another Jab We Met would have been left severely disappointed – I went in with a fresh mind, harbouring no expectations from the movie (all due to the average reviews of the movie) and I was left pleasantly surprised at the end of this 2hr, 45 min flick! I liked the movie – it had a nice, feel good factor about it! And of course, Neeraj Shreedhar rocked with the title track.. The music was decent, with Bakhuda Tumhi Ho and Kismet Konnection (ae pappi) being the highlights! Go watch it, it’s pretty decent stuff and especially, if you can’t get tickets for The Dark Knight.
Footnote: While Shahid's dressing sense is immaculate throughout the movie, Vidya Balan's dressing sense slips from pretty okay to sheeeeee as we approach the climax! Seriously guys -- I'm not joking!
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Check my Kismat Konnection!
So readers, tell me what percentage of India believes in Destiny, or Karma, or Kismat? Well, I don’t about the rest of you, but there certainly are two people in the world who believe in the world of karma or Kismat: I and the other being the Director of Kismat Konnection. After reading the average reviews of this movie in various publications including the Rediff.com and The Telegraph, I had chucked the idea of catching this movie. As it is, the last few months, I’ve severely cut down on my going out for movies. So, watching a sub-standard movie was far off my mind when I ventured out of home earlier today at around 11 in the morning.
After taking care of a couple of my works, I called up my buddy, Amit Jodhani (one of those rare souls who have stayed on as my friends in Kolkata) and asked him his program. We had an educational thing to take care of and according to plans made on Friday night, we were supposed to meet up at 3 pm on Saturday, i.e. today, July 19, 2008. After taking care of my works, I thought I’d plenty of time to work out at the gym and catch Amit at 3. It was 12:25 pm when I entered my gym. As luck would have it, Amit called me up 10 minutes later and suggested that we meet up at 1. Now, I’d already changed and was ready to hit the gym floor and work up a good sweat. As a bargain for meeting so early, Amit agreed to go for a movie. After hunting through the newspapers for the movie timings, we finally agreed to watch The Dark Knight at Fame, South City. For some inexplicable reasons, INOX was not screening this movie in either of its theatres in Kolkata. It was 12:45 then and with the show beginning at 1:15 pm, we agreed to meet in 10 mins as the Fame South City multiplex was 15 mins drive from where we were.
I huffed and puffed and was able to reach the ground floor of the building (which houses my gym) but Amit was stuck in some pretty bad traffic jam. 1:15 pm came and went and Amit was finally able to pick me up at 1:25 pm.. After discussing for what seemed like ages, we decided to head for the Russell St dhaba where we finally agreed on watching the movie at 4:15 pm at the same multiplex. With plenty of time to kill, we took care of our educational queries and reached South City at 3:15 pm. However, to our utter dismay, the 4:15 show of The Dark Knight was already housefull (with only 1 ticket available – the lady at the counter was kind enough to inform us of this fact).. We then decided to choose from Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na or Kung Fu Panda but as our Kismat would have it, we bought tickets for Kismat Konnection, a movie both of us had initially agreed on to skip!
Thanks to the unpredictable nature of life, we were able to watch this lovely flick – it’s not mind blowing like Jaane tu Ya jaane Na or Jab We Met but it’s still manages to be worth 1 watch atleast! I’ve written the review of this movie but I’m waiting for it to be published on Desicritics.org before I publish the same here. So, fingers crossed, I hope that your Kismat lets you watch the movie and read my review, right here, sometime tomorrow! And yes, a girl like Vidya Balan is the perfect take home material – watch the movie to understand more! :-) :-) :-) And for that person, who had originally received this remark - hope you got it! Then again, I did mention it to you at the Airport!
And a final word of caution: Besides the obvious similarity to Jab We Met, the movie also has some sequences which will remind you of Chalte Chalte and Lage Raho Munnabhai. Nonetheless, this movie is certainly a good timepass!
After taking care of a couple of my works, I called up my buddy, Amit Jodhani (one of those rare souls who have stayed on as my friends in Kolkata) and asked him his program. We had an educational thing to take care of and according to plans made on Friday night, we were supposed to meet up at 3 pm on Saturday, i.e. today, July 19, 2008. After taking care of my works, I thought I’d plenty of time to work out at the gym and catch Amit at 3. It was 12:25 pm when I entered my gym. As luck would have it, Amit called me up 10 minutes later and suggested that we meet up at 1. Now, I’d already changed and was ready to hit the gym floor and work up a good sweat. As a bargain for meeting so early, Amit agreed to go for a movie. After hunting through the newspapers for the movie timings, we finally agreed to watch The Dark Knight at Fame, South City. For some inexplicable reasons, INOX was not screening this movie in either of its theatres in Kolkata. It was 12:45 then and with the show beginning at 1:15 pm, we agreed to meet in 10 mins as the Fame South City multiplex was 15 mins drive from where we were.
I huffed and puffed and was able to reach the ground floor of the building (which houses my gym) but Amit was stuck in some pretty bad traffic jam. 1:15 pm came and went and Amit was finally able to pick me up at 1:25 pm.. After discussing for what seemed like ages, we decided to head for the Russell St dhaba where we finally agreed on watching the movie at 4:15 pm at the same multiplex. With plenty of time to kill, we took care of our educational queries and reached South City at 3:15 pm. However, to our utter dismay, the 4:15 show of The Dark Knight was already housefull (with only 1 ticket available – the lady at the counter was kind enough to inform us of this fact).. We then decided to choose from Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na or Kung Fu Panda but as our Kismat would have it, we bought tickets for Kismat Konnection, a movie both of us had initially agreed on to skip!
Thanks to the unpredictable nature of life, we were able to watch this lovely flick – it’s not mind blowing like Jaane tu Ya jaane Na or Jab We Met but it’s still manages to be worth 1 watch atleast! I’ve written the review of this movie but I’m waiting for it to be published on Desicritics.org before I publish the same here. So, fingers crossed, I hope that your Kismat lets you watch the movie and read my review, right here, sometime tomorrow! And yes, a girl like Vidya Balan is the perfect take home material – watch the movie to understand more! :-) :-) :-) And for that person, who had originally received this remark - hope you got it! Then again, I did mention it to you at the Airport!
And a final word of caution: Besides the obvious similarity to Jab We Met, the movie also has some sequences which will remind you of Chalte Chalte and Lage Raho Munnabhai. Nonetheless, this movie is certainly a good timepass!
Friday, July 18, 2008
IMF Revises Inflation & Growth forecasts
Oh wow ... Another 500 point rise --- oooo boy, the lovely days are back here again or are they? Hmmmm... Well, the oil has declined by $16 in the last 3 sessions, when I had checked in the morning - so this seems to be more of a relief rally more than any fundamental factor which may be driving the Sensex north. There are too many worrying factors on the horizon, most notably political uncertainty, inflation worries and a worldwide economic slowdown.
By the way, IMF has revised both inflation and growth forecasts. Read the piece here for more on this!
By the way, IMF has revised both inflation and growth forecasts. Read the piece here for more on this!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Teach India - Are you Game?
Hey guys, do you that the Inflation data will now be reported on a Thursday instead of the usual Friday 12 noon announcement? Read the same in Rediff.com today and saw the inflation at 11.91% in CNBC sometime in the evening. Now hile the infaltion has been steadily creeping higher, a point to note is the reduction in the rate at which the inflation rate has been creeping higher. All fiscal and monetary measures operate with a lag and maybe in the coming couple of weeks, we will see first signs of the restrictive monetary events like rate hikes take place, bringing the inflation down. No need to panic on that issue at least!
With the way the Times of India have gone about promoting the Teach India campaign, I am sure that not many of us may have missed it. According to the campaign, this effort requires only 2 hours of our lives per week for a duration of 3 months. For those of you registering for this program, the Times of India group will patch you with a local NGO of your chosen area with whom you can take this charitable work further. 2 hours a week, on any day of your choice and any time, shouldn't be too much to ask for - So are you volunteering?
With the way the Times of India have gone about promoting the Teach India campaign, I am sure that not many of us may have missed it. According to the campaign, this effort requires only 2 hours of our lives per week for a duration of 3 months. For those of you registering for this program, the Times of India group will patch you with a local NGO of your chosen area with whom you can take this charitable work further. 2 hours a week, on any day of your choice and any time, shouldn't be too much to ask for - So are you volunteering?
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Some newsworthy events of the week gone by!
Hey readers, I gave up a chance to again go & watch Jaane Tu ya Jaane Na with my family for the second time – I thought that well, I needed to devote some time to this space too! So, here I’m and this is me... Ten ta naaaaaaaa....... Not that Jaane Tu... wasn’t worth a second watch but I thought I should stay back and try and bring some sense to the belongings that I’ll be lugging over to Mumbai (where I’m shifting early next month ... O.k. you cynics, I am probably shifting!!) and also to read up on the latest happenings and all!
I was pretty sad to hear about Pepsi and Airtel chucking ties with Sachin Tendulkar. Reports are that Mahendra Singh Dhoni is now drawing a higher ad fee than Sachin – he certainly has a lot more brands under his belt at the moment. Here is a report that highlights the higher earnings (via ads) of Dhoni vs. Tendulkar. In other events, TRAI has suggested an online auction for all broadband and wireless services – I say, way to go TRAI! Read the report here for more on this! According to another report, NASSCOM has said that the Indian IT growth is expected to take a dip following an increase in competition from new outsourcing destinations like Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Indonesia. Remember that saying when the going gets tough, the tough get going – Time for the heavyweights like Infosys and Wipro to take notice and raise the bar higher!
And finally, am I glad to see the Prime Minister showing some spine and coming out all guns blazing in support of the N-deal! If reports are to be believed, the Government is looking to launch several ads meant to educate teh public and get crucial public support for the deal. No wonder the Government has good reason to look towards the future as well with elections round the corner! Check the report here for more details of the same.
I was pretty sad to hear about Pepsi and Airtel chucking ties with Sachin Tendulkar. Reports are that Mahendra Singh Dhoni is now drawing a higher ad fee than Sachin – he certainly has a lot more brands under his belt at the moment. Here is a report that highlights the higher earnings (via ads) of Dhoni vs. Tendulkar. In other events, TRAI has suggested an online auction for all broadband and wireless services – I say, way to go TRAI! Read the report here for more on this! According to another report, NASSCOM has said that the Indian IT growth is expected to take a dip following an increase in competition from new outsourcing destinations like Sri Lanka, the Philippines and Indonesia. Remember that saying when the going gets tough, the tough get going – Time for the heavyweights like Infosys and Wipro to take notice and raise the bar higher!
And finally, am I glad to see the Prime Minister showing some spine and coming out all guns blazing in support of the N-deal! If reports are to be believed, the Government is looking to launch several ads meant to educate teh public and get crucial public support for the deal. No wonder the Government has good reason to look towards the future as well with elections round the corner! Check the report here for more details of the same.
Hey readers, this certainly is a new experience for me - blogging from my mobile! For long, I've bemoaned the slow speed of my Reliance NetConnect for the infrequency of my blogging but today, while I was just lazing around, I stumbled upon this application in my mobile browser! Oh, I simply love my Sony P990i! More later!
Friday, July 11, 2008
DLF buyback at RS. 600 per share
Well, the markets sure are representing a roller-coaster ride - up by 60 points one day and down by 570 points the other day! It's a yo-yo ride and it's more down than up - and isn't that the most scary part? Going down, the earth rushes to meet you and embrace and then suddenly you are yanked and now you are going up, all the while knowing that the next turn is going to send you hurtling down once again! Ha ha, enjoy the ride guys! As I’ve mentioned earlier, it’s a great time to build your portfolio with a long-term view of at least 2-3 years.
I liked the positive steps taken by the management of DLF to boost its share price – the stock had slumped to a low of Rs. 350/- after touching a high of Rs. 1225/- a few months earlier.. The company had announced the decision to buyback shares at a price of Rs. 600/- per share.. It sure does represent a good premium to the current stock price and should boost the company’s share price in the near-term. Also, with DLF being the giant in the infrastructure place, one may expect the sentiments in the infrastructure to improve going forward.
I liked the positive steps taken by the management of DLF to boost its share price – the stock had slumped to a low of Rs. 350/- after touching a high of Rs. 1225/- a few months earlier.. The company had announced the decision to buyback shares at a price of Rs. 600/- per share.. It sure does represent a good premium to the current stock price and should boost the company’s share price in the near-term. Also, with DLF being the giant in the infrastructure place, one may expect the sentiments in the infrastructure to improve going forward.
Friday, July 4, 2008
Love Story vs. Jaane Tu?
Vs.
Oh well, today sure is a BIG day for moviegoers - two heavyweight films (1 claiming to be a sci-fi flick with a Hrithik Roshan look-alike while the other is a teeny romance story launching the nephew of Aamir Khan, the guy with a dog named Shah Rukh). While chances of me watching either of the movies is pretty slim, I did skim through the reviews posted on Rediff.. So, I thought, why not, I shall share the same with you! Click here and here for the review of Love Stroy 2050 .. And click here and here for the reviews of Jaane Tu ya Jaane na!
Well, both movies got some new faces but its Jaane Tu... that is my pick from the two! I simply love the Aditi song from this movie!
By the way, this blog on the Indian Economy is simply awesome! And also an article which pins the blame of rising food prices on Biofuels, not India!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Patience, dude, Patience!
I have often found myself praying to God, asking him to grant me some patience and asking him to make it fast! I've so often heard people saying that those who wait for the right opportunity get the best offers! Now isn't that weird - how do you know what is the right opportunity and what is not? What quality of one offer makes it the best while making others look worse? I mean, it's only now when I look back at my earlier years can I say for sure that yes, that was the right thing to do and that wasn't.. But for someone who started his professional career only a couple of years back, how can I tell instantly which offer is best and what is the right opportunity? Is it necessary that the right opportunity has to come with the best offer????
Give me a decade.. else, atleast another 5 years, and then maybe I can tell you whether I made the right professional choices or not but hearing people repeat such sayings over and over again sure makes me see red! :-)
Give me a decade.. else, atleast another 5 years, and then maybe I can tell you whether I made the right professional choices or not but hearing people repeat such sayings over and over again sure makes me see red! :-)
Grrrr... Nice take on patience though ... The pic is taken from here.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Up, up and away!
Hey readers, Gmail has finally been banned in office and after 30 months since first joining this company, I've resigned -- well, I'd expected to feel sad and nostalgic but currently I feel pretty numb!
Anyways, what a stupendous rise in the indexes today - over a 5% increase. The markets needed a positive sign and with DLF signalling a shares buyback, the investors simply gave in to the news, with the realty index rising by over 12%.. Sure was good news for a sector that had born the brunt of the negative market sentiment in the last 6 months!
More on this and the above later - time for me to head home now!
Anyways, what a stupendous rise in the indexes today - over a 5% increase. The markets needed a positive sign and with DLF signalling a shares buyback, the investors simply gave in to the news, with the realty index rising by over 12%.. Sure was good news for a sector that had born the brunt of the negative market sentiment in the last 6 months!
More on this and the above later - time for me to head home now!
Monday, June 30, 2008
The Erudite Song!
KUCHH BAATEN BHOOLI HUYI, KUCHH PAL BEETE HUYE,
HAR GALTI KA EK BAHANA, AUR PHIR SABKI NAZAR ME AANA...
EXAM KI POORI RAAT JAGNA, PHIR BHI QUESTION DEKH KAR SAR KHUJLANA,
MAUKA MILE TO CLASS BUNK KARNA, PHIR DOSTO KE SATH COFFEE PINE JANA...
USKI EK JHALAK DEKHNE ROJ ERUDITE JANA, AUR DEKHTE DEKHTE SAWAL KARNA BHOOL JANA,
HAR PAL EK NAYA SAPNA, AAJ TO TUTE PHIR BHI HAI APNA...
YE ERU(dite) KE DIN, IN LAMHO ME JINDAGI JI BHAR KE JEE LO,
YAAD KARKE IN PALON KO PHIR ZINDAGI BHAR MUSKURANA.....
HAR GALTI KA EK BAHANA, AUR PHIR SABKI NAZAR ME AANA...
EXAM KI POORI RAAT JAGNA, PHIR BHI QUESTION DEKH KAR SAR KHUJLANA,
MAUKA MILE TO CLASS BUNK KARNA, PHIR DOSTO KE SATH COFFEE PINE JANA...
USKI EK JHALAK DEKHNE ROJ ERUDITE JANA, AUR DEKHTE DEKHTE SAWAL KARNA BHOOL JANA,
HAR PAL EK NAYA SAPNA, AAJ TO TUTE PHIR BHI HAI APNA...
YE ERU(dite) KE DIN, IN LAMHO ME JINDAGI JI BHAR KE JEE LO,
YAAD KARKE IN PALON KO PHIR ZINDAGI BHAR MUSKURANA.....
Oh well, had I not been busy working on the major announcement due this week, I would have certainly written in depth about an interesting conversation I'd with a friend of mine, SS, earlier in the day today - the conversation revolved about an investor's never-ending sense of optimism when the markets are going down and then the sudden evaporation of the same when the markets swing back in the green. I mean, how investors refuse to admit their mistakes and short their holdings when the markets travel down south while they short the same as soon as they recover their profits instead of letting the profits go on and on... Am I making any sense here? OH forget it - I think the conversation will be better illustrated if I sit down to write on it in detail!
Feeling pretty nostalgic today -- aaj kisi ki yaad aa rahi hai.. Goodnight people -- maybe this is all for today!
Feeling pretty nostalgic today -- aaj kisi ki yaad aa rahi hai.. Goodnight people -- maybe this is all for today!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
A new swapping commodity - Wives!
Hey readers, welcome to a lazy, rainy Sunday morning! It’s been overcast ever since I opened my eyes to the world (that was sometime around 9 am).. Then after taking my bath and gulping down a glass of milk, I sat down with this Sunday’s edition of The Telegraph – It’s not often that I sit down with the paper, so today’s was a day to cherish. And as so often happens, in my quest for some questionable article, I chanced upon an article on "wife - swapping" (Basically, only a fool would have missed that article - it was a big one-page item!)..
Now that got my grey cells kicking first thing in the morning - as soon as my room was cleaned, I opened my lappie and sat down to read a bit more on this ... errr, interesting topic.. Did a google search on this topic, results of which you can check here ..
So, naturally, with my curiosity ignited, I intend to discuss this topic further with a couple of my friends.. Kudos to the writers (Reena Martins and Rahul Jayaram) though for doing some good research and coming up with such a good read on such an intriguing article. It's now time for some yummy alu parathas followed by a couple of hours in the gym.. Then, it'll be time to catch up with a couple of friends and rejoin my family for dinner! In the meanwhile, enjoy the links to the article on Wife swapping!
Now that got my grey cells kicking first thing in the morning - as soon as my room was cleaned, I opened my lappie and sat down to read a bit more on this ... errr, interesting topic.. Did a google search on this topic, results of which you can check here ..
So, naturally, with my curiosity ignited, I intend to discuss this topic further with a couple of my friends.. Kudos to the writers (Reena Martins and Rahul Jayaram) though for doing some good research and coming up with such a good read on such an intriguing article. It's now time for some yummy alu parathas followed by a couple of hours in the gym.. Then, it'll be time to catch up with a couple of friends and rejoin my family for dinner! In the meanwhile, enjoy the links to the article on Wife swapping!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Invest with a 2-3 year horizon.
Sensex below 14k - So what are your senses telling you?? How many of you are ready to throw caution to the wind and get rid of your portfolios and invest the proceeds elsewhere, in safer options like bonds?
Well, if it's any consolation, then let me remind you that markets were at 15k in August 2007 - from there onwards, the markets began a climb which enabled them to touch a peak of 21k in January 2008 and from there onwards, the journey has all been downhill - at a rapid pace! FIIs have clearly pressed the apnic button and have so far withdrawn over $6.3 billion in the first 6 months of 2008 - compare this with the $17 billion odd figure that they invested in Indian equities last year (data available with SEBI).
So what can you, as a retail investor, expect in the months to come? It's my personal opinion that somee sense has returned to the market - after the run-up witnessed last year, we have seen a meltdown in the lofty valuation the Sensex was commanding in January 2008! Equities look muuch cheaper and attractive now - you just need to take a look at the real equity / infrastructure stocks and the banking / financial services stocks to see what I mean. The huge sellign in these secotrs has left many a stock trading below their IPO issue prices - prime examples would be DLF and Motilal Oswal. Both stocks are trading at a significant discount to their respective IPO prices and a deeper look at the fundamentals of the two companies will convince you of the long-term potential that these companies hold.
As an investor, your best bet would be to ride out the market tide - it's the ideal time to build your portfolio with a 2-3 year investment horizon. be very stock specific and diversify your holdings across 8-10 stocks from different industries / sectors. I am hoping to tap into the knowledge reservoirs of some of my seniors and then maybe next week, I can give you a detailed brief on how I expect the various sectors to perform in the coming 3 years.
By the way, stay tuned in to this space - I got a major announcement coming your way in the first week of July. And for those who do not follow this space - well, do not accuse me of not informing you of these developments later on.
Well, if it's any consolation, then let me remind you that markets were at 15k in August 2007 - from there onwards, the markets began a climb which enabled them to touch a peak of 21k in January 2008 and from there onwards, the journey has all been downhill - at a rapid pace! FIIs have clearly pressed the apnic button and have so far withdrawn over $6.3 billion in the first 6 months of 2008 - compare this with the $17 billion odd figure that they invested in Indian equities last year (data available with SEBI).
So what can you, as a retail investor, expect in the months to come? It's my personal opinion that somee sense has returned to the market - after the run-up witnessed last year, we have seen a meltdown in the lofty valuation the Sensex was commanding in January 2008! Equities look muuch cheaper and attractive now - you just need to take a look at the real equity / infrastructure stocks and the banking / financial services stocks to see what I mean. The huge sellign in these secotrs has left many a stock trading below their IPO issue prices - prime examples would be DLF and Motilal Oswal. Both stocks are trading at a significant discount to their respective IPO prices and a deeper look at the fundamentals of the two companies will convince you of the long-term potential that these companies hold.
As an investor, your best bet would be to ride out the market tide - it's the ideal time to build your portfolio with a 2-3 year investment horizon. be very stock specific and diversify your holdings across 8-10 stocks from different industries / sectors. I am hoping to tap into the knowledge reservoirs of some of my seniors and then maybe next week, I can give you a detailed brief on how I expect the various sectors to perform in the coming 3 years.
By the way, stay tuned in to this space - I got a major announcement coming your way in the first week of July. And for those who do not follow this space - well, do not accuse me of not informing you of these developments later on.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
India trounce Pakistan!
Oh well quite a pummeling Pakistan received at the hands of India in the Asia Cup! After they lost Umer Gul at the start of the Indian innings, Suresh Raina and Virender Sehwag meticulously took the bowling attack of Pakistan apart! It was a well-deserved century for Virender Sehwag and I felt sad for Raina who missed out on a second consecutive hundred!
Pakistan will ahve their chance at redemption when they meet India in the round robin stage of the Asia Cup on July 2, 2008. India, meanwhile, willface Bangladesh in the first match of the round robin stage followed by back-to-back matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Thanks to this win, India now needs to win 2 of the 3 matches in the round robin stage to reach the finals of the Asia Cup while Pakistan face an uphill task of beating Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka to reach the finals! Quite a daunting task but I would be a fool to count out the ever-so-unpredictable Pakistan team at this moment!
I'll be back with more updates - related to both the financial and the cricket world tomorrow! 'Til then, I wish you a lovely and a peaceful good night!
Pakistan will ahve their chance at redemption when they meet India in the round robin stage of the Asia Cup on July 2, 2008. India, meanwhile, willface Bangladesh in the first match of the round robin stage followed by back-to-back matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Thanks to this win, India now needs to win 2 of the 3 matches in the round robin stage to reach the finals of the Asia Cup while Pakistan face an uphill task of beating Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka to reach the finals! Quite a daunting task but I would be a fool to count out the ever-so-unpredictable Pakistan team at this moment!
I'll be back with more updates - related to both the financial and the cricket world tomorrow! 'Til then, I wish you a lovely and a peaceful good night!
Back from Exile!
Long time, no blogging! Hmmm – as always, my ever handy excuse for not writing remains my poor net connection. Add to that the stricter IT policies in our office and frequent power cuts that have made blogging from cyber cafes a real pain in the neck for yours truly!
--- Sigh --- Such is life and its adversities! To top it all, I am virtually without work here and the HR has taken it upon themselves to keep me tied to my seat, thus restricting my physical movements and mental flights of imagination.
But worry not, you dear readers, I am here – your saviour, host and dost! I shall try my best to save you from the fickle nature of life and keep boredom at bay! But please have patience with me and do suggest a few topics on which I can research and write about!
In the meanwhile, take a look at some of the following sites to track the stock quotes -- with the Sensex at the 14k levels, it is a good time to build your portfolio with a 2-3 year investment horizon. Apart from the regular sites (like the NSE and the BSE sites), you can check out the MoneyControl and the MyIris sites. The sites of brokerage firms like India Infoline, Motilal Oswal, Karvy and Kotak also offer streaming quotes and live stock news. If equity is not your cup of tea, then check these sites for the latest info on debt and bonds.
Phew ... That’s a lot of sites for the time being; yet the list is far from over. So, I’ll be looking to update you on interesting sites as and when I chance upon something worth sharing! ‘Til then, please stay tuned to this space!
--- Sigh --- Such is life and its adversities! To top it all, I am virtually without work here and the HR has taken it upon themselves to keep me tied to my seat, thus restricting my physical movements and mental flights of imagination.
But worry not, you dear readers, I am here – your saviour, host and dost! I shall try my best to save you from the fickle nature of life and keep boredom at bay! But please have patience with me and do suggest a few topics on which I can research and write about!
In the meanwhile, take a look at some of the following sites to track the stock quotes -- with the Sensex at the 14k levels, it is a good time to build your portfolio with a 2-3 year investment horizon. Apart from the regular sites (like the NSE and the BSE sites), you can check out the MoneyControl and the MyIris sites. The sites of brokerage firms like India Infoline, Motilal Oswal, Karvy and Kotak also offer streaming quotes and live stock news. If equity is not your cup of tea, then check these sites for the latest info on debt and bonds.
Phew ... That’s a lot of sites for the time being; yet the list is far from over. So, I’ll be looking to update you on interesting sites as and when I chance upon something worth sharing! ‘Til then, please stay tuned to this space!
Sehwag on a rampage!
The ‘90s were the period when everyone wanted to see India take on arch rivals Pakistan. Due to reasons extending beyond cricket administration, the encounters between the two sides were few but the contests were nail-biting, edge-of-the-seat ones!
Cut to the present scenario where we have had India take on Pakistan three times in the month of June itself; it is likely that the two sides may will meet 2 more times in the coming week (in the round robin stage of the ongoing Asia cup and probably the finals too).. Before this, we have had plenty of matches between the two sides with as many as 3 series in the last 2 years! Phew ... That’s a slew of matches and this sudden spurt of matches seems to have taken the sheen off these encounters! It’s just another day at the office for the players from either sides – I mean, with the increase in the number of international matches, players have learnt to take the matches in stride but still – an India – Pakistan encounter should remain an enthralling and an exciting one for audiences! The BCCI should look to regulate the number of times these countries meet in the coming years – satiate the appetite of fans but excess of anything is not good for everyone involved!
But I ain’t complaining – after getting hooked to the tele night after night during the IPL, I find the current slew of ODIs ongoing between as many as 10 countries (yes – you read it right! 10 countries – Australia in West Indies, New Zealand in England and the 6 nations in the Asia Cup) a good way to while away the plethora of time I have on my hands these days!
So, then – I am going away to the ongoing India – Pakistan match in the Asia Cup. India’s score at the end of the 23rd over reads 179/1 – Both Sehwag and Raina are thrashing the bowlers to all corners of the park and well, Sehwag has hit the 4th six of his innings! Kya peeta hai ye?? Anyways – Am getting back to the match to cheer for Sehwag and his around-the-corner 9th ODI century! And while I wrote all this, Sehwag marched into the 90s, helping himself to 2 sixes off the bowling of Salman Butt!
N.B.: Thanks to some publishing problems, Sehwag has marched on to his 9th hundred, a well-deserved landmark for this great batsman!
Cut to the present scenario where we have had India take on Pakistan three times in the month of June itself; it is likely that the two sides may will meet 2 more times in the coming week (in the round robin stage of the ongoing Asia cup and probably the finals too).. Before this, we have had plenty of matches between the two sides with as many as 3 series in the last 2 years! Phew ... That’s a slew of matches and this sudden spurt of matches seems to have taken the sheen off these encounters! It’s just another day at the office for the players from either sides – I mean, with the increase in the number of international matches, players have learnt to take the matches in stride but still – an India – Pakistan encounter should remain an enthralling and an exciting one for audiences! The BCCI should look to regulate the number of times these countries meet in the coming years – satiate the appetite of fans but excess of anything is not good for everyone involved!
But I ain’t complaining – after getting hooked to the tele night after night during the IPL, I find the current slew of ODIs ongoing between as many as 10 countries (yes – you read it right! 10 countries – Australia in West Indies, New Zealand in England and the 6 nations in the Asia Cup) a good way to while away the plethora of time I have on my hands these days!
So, then – I am going away to the ongoing India – Pakistan match in the Asia Cup. India’s score at the end of the 23rd over reads 179/1 – Both Sehwag and Raina are thrashing the bowlers to all corners of the park and well, Sehwag has hit the 4th six of his innings! Kya peeta hai ye?? Anyways – Am getting back to the match to cheer for Sehwag and his around-the-corner 9th ODI century! And while I wrote all this, Sehwag marched into the 90s, helping himself to 2 sixes off the bowling of Salman Butt!
N.B.: Thanks to some publishing problems, Sehwag has marched on to his 9th hundred, a well-deserved landmark for this great batsman!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
10 activities to utilise you idle time!
Off late, I've found myself with plenty of time on hand and not much work to do. Not being used to sitting idle, I indulged myself in a host of activities to ensure that I keep myself busy. So, here is a list of 10 things to do during your free time in case you too end up idle like me:
1) Think of ways to earn money - more & more money:
Ha ha, this is the best way to put your skills to test and use - in case you are a blogger, you can try and enhance your blog with additional features that help you retain visitors and get regular readers. Some of these features can also help you improve your site's visibility - check here or do a google search for features/articles that inform you on ways to increase your reader base.
An alternative case could be for you to think of ways to spend money: one such thing could be going bungee jumping or maybe parasailing!
2) Read a book:
This is one of my favourite past times - when faced with the option of no work, I simply head over to Crosswords, pick up a book whose title / cover catches my fancy, grab a comfy seat and simply lsoe myself into the book. The latest book that I've picked off the shelves is Karen Rose's Scream for Me.
Alternatively, you can buy a book and head home, make yourself cozy and then proceed to immerse yourself in the book. You may also go bargain-hunting in the second hand bookshops. A couple of places in Kolkata like the Free School Street or the book stalls under the Gariahat flyover are great places to get an awesome bargain!
3) Head for the gym:
Most of the times, we have plenty of excuses lined up for not workng out and staying fit - hence, this will be one of the best ways to ensure that all you workout-phobiacs put your idle time to some fat-burning use!
4) Pamper yourself:
Idle times have a bad way of coinciding with times when we are at our wits's ends or are feleing a bit under the weather. Your greatest asset (or atleast the second best one) is YOU - so why not throw a treat in your honour? Who needs another reason to celebrate life - say cheers to life for who you are! Go shopping else go binging on ice creams or cakes!
5) Hunt for a job:
There is nothing more depressing than going on a job hunt and not finding a single job that suits your profile! This will in turn make you go back to the rest of the activities to occupy your time.
6) Make all those phone calls that you had been avoiding - catch up with long-forgotten acquiatances, old friends, relatives and all those aunties, uncles and cousins.
7) Grab a bunch of friends and go partying:
Well, I rather prefer to sit down with friends and recount tales of our times spend together, indulge into arguments, trade knowledge of the latest happenings in town or in someone else's life - all while sitting around a few hot cups of coffee and some soothing music in the background.
8) Do something special for your family, loved near and dear ones:
Give someone special a surprise, take your family out for dinner or a movie or simply express your gratitude for their support, love, care - Do not hesitate to tell those who matter to you that THEY MATTER! Some things are better left said than assumed - oops, sorry if I didn't get the phrase right but I know that you get my drift.
9) Switch off your phone, draw curtains across your windows and lock yourself up in your bedroom and doze off to glory:
So many of us are running low on sleep, so simply take a day off and recharge those old batteries.
10) Go & enroll yourself in a langage/computer/martial arts course - Dude, do somthing to kick some butt man!
Basically, don't just sit twiddlign your thumbs and wonder what you should do - do what you want to, what you haven't had time to off late (like practicing your guitar); more than anything else, do something close your heart, something therapeutic like playing with kids (word of caution: some kids can send your blood pressure soaring - avoid such kids at all costs!)!
Well, there must be a lot more activities that I may have missed in my short post here (e.g. watching movies) - so why don't you go ahead and update me with the activities that you do in your idle time. Looking forward to your valuable suggestions...
1) Think of ways to earn money - more & more money:
Ha ha, this is the best way to put your skills to test and use - in case you are a blogger, you can try and enhance your blog with additional features that help you retain visitors and get regular readers. Some of these features can also help you improve your site's visibility - check here or do a google search for features/articles that inform you on ways to increase your reader base.
An alternative case could be for you to think of ways to spend money: one such thing could be going bungee jumping or maybe parasailing!
2) Read a book:
This is one of my favourite past times - when faced with the option of no work, I simply head over to Crosswords, pick up a book whose title / cover catches my fancy, grab a comfy seat and simply lsoe myself into the book. The latest book that I've picked off the shelves is Karen Rose's Scream for Me.
Alternatively, you can buy a book and head home, make yourself cozy and then proceed to immerse yourself in the book. You may also go bargain-hunting in the second hand bookshops. A couple of places in Kolkata like the Free School Street or the book stalls under the Gariahat flyover are great places to get an awesome bargain!
3) Head for the gym:
Most of the times, we have plenty of excuses lined up for not workng out and staying fit - hence, this will be one of the best ways to ensure that all you workout-phobiacs put your idle time to some fat-burning use!
4) Pamper yourself:
Idle times have a bad way of coinciding with times when we are at our wits's ends or are feleing a bit under the weather. Your greatest asset (or atleast the second best one) is YOU - so why not throw a treat in your honour? Who needs another reason to celebrate life - say cheers to life for who you are! Go shopping else go binging on ice creams or cakes!
5) Hunt for a job:
There is nothing more depressing than going on a job hunt and not finding a single job that suits your profile! This will in turn make you go back to the rest of the activities to occupy your time.
6) Make all those phone calls that you had been avoiding - catch up with long-forgotten acquiatances, old friends, relatives and all those aunties, uncles and cousins.
7) Grab a bunch of friends and go partying:
Well, I rather prefer to sit down with friends and recount tales of our times spend together, indulge into arguments, trade knowledge of the latest happenings in town or in someone else's life - all while sitting around a few hot cups of coffee and some soothing music in the background.
8) Do something special for your family, loved near and dear ones:
Give someone special a surprise, take your family out for dinner or a movie or simply express your gratitude for their support, love, care - Do not hesitate to tell those who matter to you that THEY MATTER! Some things are better left said than assumed - oops, sorry if I didn't get the phrase right but I know that you get my drift.
9) Switch off your phone, draw curtains across your windows and lock yourself up in your bedroom and doze off to glory:
So many of us are running low on sleep, so simply take a day off and recharge those old batteries.
10) Go & enroll yourself in a langage/computer/martial arts course - Dude, do somthing to kick some butt man!
Basically, don't just sit twiddlign your thumbs and wonder what you should do - do what you want to, what you haven't had time to off late (like practicing your guitar); more than anything else, do something close your heart, something therapeutic like playing with kids (word of caution: some kids can send your blood pressure soaring - avoid such kids at all costs!)!
Well, there must be a lot more activities that I may have missed in my short post here (e.g. watching movies) - so why don't you go ahead and update me with the activities that you do in your idle time. Looking forward to your valuable suggestions...
Monday, June 9, 2008
Cheers to Beers!
Today at the gym, I was privy to an interesting conversation between 2 middle-aged guys, where 1 guy, Mr. JG, was explaining the good effects of having beer to the other guy, Mr. X. Now, after a lot of heavy weight discussion on what is good for the body and what is not, JG explained to X that having beer is better for one's body than having any other type of hard/alcoholic drink. This is so because beer is fat free AND cholesterol free.JG went on to explain the process with which beer is made and all and the final conclusion was that having beer is good for one's health.
Now I am not going against this argument: I simply corrected JG later that while having beer in moderation is actually beneficial for one's health, too much of beer can cause serious damage to one's body. Beer, in moderation, has similar effects on our body as wine in small quantities. Beer actually has a relaxing and a de-stressing effect on the body. In fact, beer reduces one's chances of strokes, heart and vascular diseases. As published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Nov. '99), those who drank one beer a week compared to those who drank one beer a day experienced no variance in reducing stroke risks. It is said that light to moderate drinkers will decrease their chances of suffering a stroke by 20%. A researcher at the Texas Southwestern Medical Center (May 1999) reported that those who consume moderate amounts of beer (one to two a day at the most) have a 30-40% lower rate of coronary heart disease compared to those who don’t drink. Beer contains a similar amount of ‘polyphenols’ (antioxidants) as red wine and 4-5 times as many polyphenols as white wine. Having beer in moderation helps one sleep better and yes, JG was right - beer is indeed fat free AND cholesterol. So then, why do docs advise against having too much of this sin-less brew?
The reason is because, exces sconsumption of beer has been linked to the development of the beer bellies - excess consumption of beer can lead to deposition of fats around one's internal organs like the liver. Some fat from this fat deposit can then escape into the blood stream and subsequently raise one's cholestrol levels besides severely damaging one's internal organs.
So guys and gals, as per the medical recommendations, a beer a day (for women) and 2 beers a day (for men) are the limits that you should impose on yourself if you want to enjoy this lovely brew while still remaining healthy and fit. And oh, don't forget to hit the gyms or atleast go for regular jogs/walks in the park!
N.B.: JG recommended staying off beer for the 5 weekdays and then enjoying a 6-pack over the weekends - :-) I do not recommend or subscribe to any of his opinions!
Now I am not going against this argument: I simply corrected JG later that while having beer in moderation is actually beneficial for one's health, too much of beer can cause serious damage to one's body. Beer, in moderation, has similar effects on our body as wine in small quantities. Beer actually has a relaxing and a de-stressing effect on the body. In fact, beer reduces one's chances of strokes, heart and vascular diseases. As published in the New England Journal of Medicine (Nov. '99), those who drank one beer a week compared to those who drank one beer a day experienced no variance in reducing stroke risks. It is said that light to moderate drinkers will decrease their chances of suffering a stroke by 20%. A researcher at the Texas Southwestern Medical Center (May 1999) reported that those who consume moderate amounts of beer (one to two a day at the most) have a 30-40% lower rate of coronary heart disease compared to those who don’t drink. Beer contains a similar amount of ‘polyphenols’ (antioxidants) as red wine and 4-5 times as many polyphenols as white wine. Having beer in moderation helps one sleep better and yes, JG was right - beer is indeed fat free AND cholesterol. So then, why do docs advise against having too much of this sin-less brew?
The reason is because, exces sconsumption of beer has been linked to the development of the beer bellies - excess consumption of beer can lead to deposition of fats around one's internal organs like the liver. Some fat from this fat deposit can then escape into the blood stream and subsequently raise one's cholestrol levels besides severely damaging one's internal organs.
So guys and gals, as per the medical recommendations, a beer a day (for women) and 2 beers a day (for men) are the limits that you should impose on yourself if you want to enjoy this lovely brew while still remaining healthy and fit. And oh, don't forget to hit the gyms or atleast go for regular jogs/walks in the park!
N.B.: JG recommended staying off beer for the 5 weekdays and then enjoying a 6-pack over the weekends - :-) I do not recommend or subscribe to any of his opinions!
The weekend that was
Those of you (un)fortunate enough to be residing out of Calcutta must be wondering at the plethora of bandhs we have. It's almost comical the way the political parties vie with each other here to call a bandh in protest of literally anything! As yet another proof of this behaviour, we Calcuttans enjoyed 2 12-hour back-to-back bandhs on Thursday and Friday, giving a lot of people, like me, a 4-day weekend to laze over and recharge our batteries.
Unfortunately, my net connection remains as bad and untenable as ever - hence, my inability to write on loads of topics like a book review (of James Patterson's Black Market), an evening down at the Victoria Memorial and the new South City Mall, as well as a series of articles on the options markets.
Yes, you read it right - I've gone through a lot of books in the last 1 month for some work related to options and I was thinking of doing a 2-3 part article on this. Hell, who knows, this article may even get published in some online magazine if I'm able to do justice to it.
However, this all is dependent on the state of my net connection and the recovery of the stock market. Seeing DLF trade below its IPO price is making me see red and shed copious tons of tears - & no, I see no investment story in this stock at the moment simply because of the lack of funds with me at the moment! :-(
I hope to be back this week with some more entertaining and hopefully, educating material. 'Til then, keep tuning in to the SenseXXXational Ride for your daily dose of news, views and opinions. This is your host signing off --- Ta da li da da, Varun!
Unfortunately, my net connection remains as bad and untenable as ever - hence, my inability to write on loads of topics like a book review (of James Patterson's Black Market), an evening down at the Victoria Memorial and the new South City Mall, as well as a series of articles on the options markets.
Yes, you read it right - I've gone through a lot of books in the last 1 month for some work related to options and I was thinking of doing a 2-3 part article on this. Hell, who knows, this article may even get published in some online magazine if I'm able to do justice to it.
However, this all is dependent on the state of my net connection and the recovery of the stock market. Seeing DLF trade below its IPO price is making me see red and shed copious tons of tears - & no, I see no investment story in this stock at the moment simply because of the lack of funds with me at the moment! :-(
I hope to be back this week with some more entertaining and hopefully, educating material. 'Til then, keep tuning in to the SenseXXXational Ride for your daily dose of news, views and opinions. This is your host signing off --- Ta da li da da, Varun!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Taking stock of the IPL after-effects!
What lull! What happened? What is the time right now? 8:30 pm, right?? So why aren't the TV on? Where have all the screams and shoutings disappeared to? And and how come we got saas-bahu serials on TV again at this hour? What's wrong? No match today? An off day for the IPL?
These were some of the questions that I attempted to answer as I entered home - and then reality dawned on the ignorant me: The IPL extravaganza has come to a conclusion, the festivities, the celebrations had all reached a dramatic crescendo on Sunday, June 1, 2008. Life is expected to return to normal now that our daily dose of the 3-odd hr entertainment show is over. And it is unlikely to stage a comeback atleast till October 2008 and that too only if the Champions T20 cup takes off as planned.
The success of the IPL can be gauzed by how much the IPL had become a part of our daily life! Look at what the IPL has achieved - thank god for the instigation provided by the ICL else IPL may never have been conceptualized, despite whatever Lalit Modi may claim. The IPL has proven to be successful beyond any of our's wildest dreams! A hit with the masses, the stadium sales, the advertisers, the sponsors and the TRPs, all bear fruit to the unprecedented success that the IPL has enjoyed! Lalit Modi has even suggested holding the tournament twice a year from 2011 onwards - what option does ICC have but to make room for the IPL in the Future Tours programme! The game is attracting viewerships across all age groups and geographies and it's not only the organisers who are happy with the success - the players too are reaping benefits of performing in this niche tournament! With their salaries likely to go through the roof from next year onwards (when the cap of $5 million may be removed), the ICC better take proactive measures to ensure that players do not cut short their international careers to participate in the IPL.
The inaugural edition of the IPL has enjoyed unprecedented success and had become a daily ritual where we finished work in time and ensured that we were seated in front of the TV sets by 8 to cheer and egg our franchises on! The next day, at work, was obviously spent in lauding this format and analyzing the game, with expert views coming from both genders! The format and unpredictability of the game has stumped everyone - some have had a pleasant experience while others are fuming at the surprises coming their way! The least we have seen is an unearthing of the talent that abounds in India - if not for ODIs or Tests, we atleast got a healthy pool of youngsters to choose from for the international Twenty20 matches.
And oh, the IPL had also freed us of the daily overdoses of the saas-bahu serials, albeit it was a temporary respite! Now that the IPL is over, we need to return to the normal grind of life and ensure that we sleep-walk thorugh the days till the T20 games are back on TV. As a report in the Times of India website claims, the soaps are back at the top of the TRPs chart - yet another proof of how the IPL had an impact on our daily routines. Click here to read the full report.
The inaugural edition of the IPL has enjoyed unprecedented success and had become a daily ritual where we finished work in time and ensured that we were seated in front of the TV sets by 8 to cheer and egg our franchises on! The next day, at work, was obviously spent in lauding this format and analyzing the game, with expert views coming from both genders! The format and unpredictability of the game has stumped everyone - some have had a pleasant experience while others are fuming at the surprises coming their way! The least we have seen is an unearthing of the talent that abounds in India - if not for ODIs or Tests, we atleast got a healthy pool of youngsters to choose from for the international Twenty20 matches.
And oh, the IPL had also freed us of the daily overdoses of the saas-bahu serials, albeit it was a temporary respite! Now that the IPL is over, we need to return to the normal grind of life and ensure that we sleep-walk thorugh the days till the T20 games are back on TV. As a report in the Times of India website claims, the soaps are back at the top of the TRPs chart - yet another proof of how the IPL had an impact on our daily routines. Click here to read the full report.
P.S. A report in the Times of India website also stated the the cap on players' salaries is unliely to be lifted next year. This is likely to ensure that all franchises have equal purchasing power. Click here to read the entire report.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Mohd Asif: Guilty or not Guilty?
What is with Pakinstan and its fast bowlers? They have a nose for getting into controversies, it seems! Take the latest Mohammed Asif's detention case in Dubai on grounds of having a drug substance with him - read the report here in TOI .. Now while the authorities have cleared him of the drug charges, statements coming out of the camp of the fast bowler suggests that the authorities decided to vent their ire out on him after he slapped one of them. [Yes, he says he has been implicated. Read the report here.. Thank TOI for the great coverage.]
Previously, both Asif and Shoiab were banned for using drugs but the ban was later overturned. The report in TOI eve suggests that some BCCI officials are not impressed with the way the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) handles these drug issues. Oh well, issues, opinions, perspectives - Some things just never change, do they?
And hey, yet another feather in the cap of our Indian ODI and T20 captain, M.S. Dhoni -he has become the first Indian to be invited to attend the Portugal-Switzerland game at the Euro 2008 in Switzerland on June 15, 2008. Read the full report here. Way to go Dhoni!
Previously, both Asif and Shoiab were banned for using drugs but the ban was later overturned. The report in TOI eve suggests that some BCCI officials are not impressed with the way the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) handles these drug issues. Oh well, issues, opinions, perspectives - Some things just never change, do they?
And hey, yet another feather in the cap of our Indian ODI and T20 captain, M.S. Dhoni -he has become the first Indian to be invited to attend the Portugal-Switzerland game at the Euro 2008 in Switzerland on June 15, 2008. Read the full report here. Way to go Dhoni!
Rumbling on & on!
It's been a long time (yep, only 24 hours) since I last scribbled my thoughts in this space. I can think of a multitude of excuses to explain why I didn't but I wonder if anyone will be interested in listening to me going on on! Just in one of those states of mind when the mind is tired out of its wits and is still fuming over the mistakes committed some time back!
Hmmm.. You guessed it right! I want to let go of some pent up emotions, feelings, my thoughts on some things that I've done. Take Monday for example - nothing too outstanding about it except that it was yet again hot, sunny and unbearably uncomfortable! We were all praying for rain but the Met office dashed off all such hopes, saying that no rain was expected in the next 24 hours! And lo & behold, look what we got - a solid downpour which lasted for over 2 hours and yes, yours truly was stuck, taking shelter under a bus stop for the entire duration when it was pouring and howling like cats and dogs!
Anyways, past is past and what's gone is over and done with - still, my mind is aches from all the rain it witnessed yesterday! Oh, and my fascination with the art of cooking still continues. I've finally perfected the art of making that Barista Frappe as reported yesterday.. Took me 4 glass-full of efforts but the end result was worth the effort. However, the state the kitchen was in at the end of this trial was another matter altogether - took me longer to clean the kitchen than it did for me to make the cold coffe. --- sigh --- Innovation (& creativity) sure do come at a great cost
Hmmm.. You guessed it right! I want to let go of some pent up emotions, feelings, my thoughts on some things that I've done. Take Monday for example - nothing too outstanding about it except that it was yet again hot, sunny and unbearably uncomfortable! We were all praying for rain but the Met office dashed off all such hopes, saying that no rain was expected in the next 24 hours! And lo & behold, look what we got - a solid downpour which lasted for over 2 hours and yes, yours truly was stuck, taking shelter under a bus stop for the entire duration when it was pouring and howling like cats and dogs!
Anyways, past is past and what's gone is over and done with - still, my mind is aches from all the rain it witnessed yesterday! Oh, and my fascination with the art of cooking still continues. I've finally perfected the art of making that Barista Frappe as reported yesterday.. Took me 4 glass-full of efforts but the end result was worth the effort. However, the state the kitchen was in at the end of this trial was another matter altogether - took me longer to clean the kitchen than it did for me to make the cold coffe. --- sigh --- Innovation (& creativity) sure do come at a great cost
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
A Walk in the Rain!
Grrrrrrrrr... Had a torrid time yesterday reaching home! Even after 23 years of existence, I made THE fundamental mistake of believing the met forecast that "Kolkat will not experience any rain in the next 24 hours"! And boy, did it rain last evening! I first amde the mistake of taking a walk back home - the walk covers distance of around 3 km (all in vain to get rid of my paunch).. Then I decided to take shelter at a bus stop in Salt lake - the rain was mild compared to the downpour later!
Boy, I stood shivering in the bus stop for over 2 hours and then when I finally decided to go home (cozz my tummy was growling like mad), I was maddeningly soaking wet! I also had to drag my new Reebok shoes through the BIG puddles of water!!!!! Hanging precariously from an auto, me and my bulky bag finally made it home by 9:15 p.m. The only consolation of the evening was some yummy dinner - it was really awesome!
By the way, the markets remain in a dismal state of mind - very rangebound trade and flow of negative news continues unabated. Makes you wonder when are we gonna witness the golden run once again! I believe patience is the key to success in these markets - back fundamentally strong scripts and invest money in those companies which have a good business plan, good management and execution skills.
Boy, I stood shivering in the bus stop for over 2 hours and then when I finally decided to go home (cozz my tummy was growling like mad), I was maddeningly soaking wet! I also had to drag my new Reebok shoes through the BIG puddles of water!!!!! Hanging precariously from an auto, me and my bulky bag finally made it home by 9:15 p.m. The only consolation of the evening was some yummy dinner - it was really awesome!
By the way, the markets remain in a dismal state of mind - very rangebound trade and flow of negative news continues unabated. Makes you wonder when are we gonna witness the golden run once again! I believe patience is the key to success in these markets - back fundamentally strong scripts and invest money in those companies which have a good business plan, good management and execution skills.
Monday, June 2, 2008
The SenseXXXational Brewmaster :-) !!
Hey readers, the trouble with my net connection continues! Spent over a hour in the reliance outlet on saturday trying to get the trouble rectified but to no avail yet. They may replace my modem with a new one if the problem does not get resolved in the coming week or so! 'Til then, I got to live with that slow connection - sigh!
Had a productive session on Saturday despite the frustrating time spent in Reliance. Went to Victoria Memorial and got a few photos of the surrounding area! Hope to do a feature on Victoria Memorial in the near future - once the speed of my net connection improves. Am currently looking for a few topics to write upon - I would be very glad to take up a topic of your choice! So please feel free to ping me on Gmail or leave a comment here if you have an interesting topic to share with me!
Oh and by the way, I have mastered the technique of making the perfect Barista Frappe - Yes people, I'm well and truly on my way to becoming a brewmaster too! I forgot to take a pic though - so am sharing one of those pics which I found on the net! And here is my secret recipe - the serving is adequate for 3+ people:
4 spoons coffee powder (I used Nescafe)
4 spoons sugar
1 glass milk (250 ml)
375 ml water
6 scoops of Vanilla Ice Cream (Use Kwality Wall's Vanilla Pack for the best effect)
Heinz Chocolate Sauce (optional)
And oh, several ice cubes!
Firstly, we need to brew the coffee - for this pour the water into a vessel and add the sugar & coffee to it. Now stir them well and let them simmer/boil for 15-20 minutes. After that, add several ice cubes to the mix (10+) to rapidly cool the hot black coffee. After the temperature has gone down, pour the black coffee into a mixer and add milk & ice cream to it! Mix them well and lo and behold, you are all set and ready to enjoy a lovely glass of Frappe! The chocolate sauce is basically used as a dressing - I'll actually need to shoot a video for this and then share it with you!
N.B.: Some of you may need more sugar - I advise you to add sugar according to your taste.
Had a productive session on Saturday despite the frustrating time spent in Reliance. Went to Victoria Memorial and got a few photos of the surrounding area! Hope to do a feature on Victoria Memorial in the near future - once the speed of my net connection improves. Am currently looking for a few topics to write upon - I would be very glad to take up a topic of your choice! So please feel free to ping me on Gmail or leave a comment here if you have an interesting topic to share with me!
Oh and by the way, I have mastered the technique of making the perfect Barista Frappe - Yes people, I'm well and truly on my way to becoming a brewmaster too! I forgot to take a pic though - so am sharing one of those pics which I found on the net! And here is my secret recipe - the serving is adequate for 3+ people:
4 spoons coffee powder (I used Nescafe)
4 spoons sugar
1 glass milk (250 ml)
375 ml water
6 scoops of Vanilla Ice Cream (Use Kwality Wall's Vanilla Pack for the best effect)
Heinz Chocolate Sauce (optional)
And oh, several ice cubes!
Firstly, we need to brew the coffee - for this pour the water into a vessel and add the sugar & coffee to it. Now stir them well and let them simmer/boil for 15-20 minutes. After that, add several ice cubes to the mix (10+) to rapidly cool the hot black coffee. After the temperature has gone down, pour the black coffee into a mixer and add milk & ice cream to it! Mix them well and lo and behold, you are all set and ready to enjoy a lovely glass of Frappe! The chocolate sauce is basically used as a dressing - I'll actually need to shoot a video for this and then share it with you!
N.B.: Some of you may need more sugar - I advise you to add sugar according to your taste.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Examination Pattern in India (Revised)
1. General students - Answer ALL questions.
2. OBC - WRITE ANY one question.
3. SC - ONLY READ questions.
4. ST - THANKS FOR COMING..
AND
5. Gujjars/Jats - THANKS FOR ALLOWING OTHERS TO ATTEND THE EXAMINATION . !!
CHEERS TO RESERVATION......
Oh well, another one of those forwards that we find in our mail every morning - but I liked the sarcastic humor (is there any such thing??) evident in the mail. I mean, the way we are going about harping on reservations for people of all castes and creed, it would be a wonder if we have any seats left for the general students, say 20 years down the line! I don't hold any grudges against the so-called minorities but screaming for reservation all the time is not going to solve their problem. Demand better infrastructure, more educational spending - make efforts to match the levels of the general population so that they don't have to scream and fight for reservations.
And until that happens, be prepared for the above examination pattern!
2. OBC - WRITE ANY one question.
3. SC - ONLY READ questions.
4. ST - THANKS FOR COMING..
AND
5. Gujjars/Jats - THANKS FOR ALLOWING OTHERS TO ATTEND THE EXAMINATION . !!
CHEERS TO RESERVATION......
Oh well, another one of those forwards that we find in our mail every morning - but I liked the sarcastic humor (is there any such thing??) evident in the mail. I mean, the way we are going about harping on reservations for people of all castes and creed, it would be a wonder if we have any seats left for the general students, say 20 years down the line! I don't hold any grudges against the so-called minorities but screaming for reservation all the time is not going to solve their problem. Demand better infrastructure, more educational spending - make efforts to match the levels of the general population so that they don't have to scream and fight for reservations.
And until that happens, be prepared for the above examination pattern!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Online Gambling - A booming menace!
Caught this interesting article in the Economic Times:
Quite a serious problem, huh? Especially considering the amount of money which is being circulated around but what is the solution to this? Why not follow suit and legalise the entire online gambling business similar to what the U.K. and the Caribbean have done? Atleast, countries would then stand to benefit from the revenues generated through online gambling (in terms of taxes). Along with the legalisation of gambling, make betting on sports, especially cricket, legal too! According to some reports on the Internet, the current IPL season has seen betting activities to the tune of Rs. 4,000 crore!
Legalise them and then tax them and subsequently pass on the tax benefits to the common people (and this time in equal amounts to either genders :-) ). Try as hard as they may, governments will never succeed in truly eradicating betting and gambling, so why not profit from this burgeoning industry? Atleast, legalisation provides the governments with a way to regulate and profit from the revneues generated by this industry - As they say, if you can't fight them, then join them! :)
The rapidly mushrooming number of illegal sports betting websites is
heightening concerns among authorities about global corruption, money laundering
and gambling addiction.
There are now an estimated 15,000 such sites on the World Wide Web,
including some 13,000 illegal ones, shuffling around $23.6 billion a year,
according to the authorities.
[---]
Declan Hill, a journalist and British expert on the problem, says the
amount of corruption in global sports has increased almost 100-fold in the past
five years thanks to Internet-based gambling.
"Ten years ago, national lotteries controlled 100 per cent of the sports
(betting) market," Hill said.
Quite a serious problem, huh? Especially considering the amount of money which is being circulated around but what is the solution to this? Why not follow suit and legalise the entire online gambling business similar to what the U.K. and the Caribbean have done? Atleast, countries would then stand to benefit from the revenues generated through online gambling (in terms of taxes). Along with the legalisation of gambling, make betting on sports, especially cricket, legal too! According to some reports on the Internet, the current IPL season has seen betting activities to the tune of Rs. 4,000 crore!
Legalise them and then tax them and subsequently pass on the tax benefits to the common people (and this time in equal amounts to either genders :-) ). Try as hard as they may, governments will never succeed in truly eradicating betting and gambling, so why not profit from this burgeoning industry? Atleast, legalisation provides the governments with a way to regulate and profit from the revneues generated by this industry - As they say, if you can't fight them, then join them! :)
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Crazy as ever!
Hey readers, how is it going on with you? I am super-busy here what with having to write an article for the ICFAI Charter magazine, composing questions for FRM 2008 and simultaneously working on 2 top-secret (not defense level) projects! Besides, having to constantly go up against my IT team and the HR guys here at office and I got my hands full! And oh, I forgot to add the bit about me missing out on my reading and the arrival of my cousins, along with their daughters, for the summer vacations! All in all, life sure is super crazy / busy / fun at the moment!
I hope to share with you more on my secret projects in the days to come – provided my efforts bear fruit! Else, it will all go down the toilet with not even a trace left for you to ponder over! Meanwhile, work at office is exciting – got 2 downgrade/upgrade calls right on the button! But heck, this isn’t the place to discuss my work, is it? Oh, and are any of you wondering why I haven’t published any photos from Canon S5 camera that I dedicated so much space to a month back?
Well, frankly, though I do have a lot of photos on the camera, the net connection at home has been nothing short of pathetic – I am using Reliance’s NetConnect and man, the speed is not only super slow, but it also takes an eternity to open a page! I am super tired and fed up of the slow connection – I’ll upload a bevy of photos once I get a new connection – probably sometime next month.
By the way, I have finished reading James Patterson’s Hide and Seek – I might be tempted to write a review of this book sometime during the weekend! ‘Til next time, take care and play safe!
I hope to share with you more on my secret projects in the days to come – provided my efforts bear fruit! Else, it will all go down the toilet with not even a trace left for you to ponder over! Meanwhile, work at office is exciting – got 2 downgrade/upgrade calls right on the button! But heck, this isn’t the place to discuss my work, is it? Oh, and are any of you wondering why I haven’t published any photos from Canon S5 camera that I dedicated so much space to a month back?
Well, frankly, though I do have a lot of photos on the camera, the net connection at home has been nothing short of pathetic – I am using Reliance’s NetConnect and man, the speed is not only super slow, but it also takes an eternity to open a page! I am super tired and fed up of the slow connection – I’ll upload a bevy of photos once I get a new connection – probably sometime next month.
By the way, I have finished reading James Patterson’s Hide and Seek – I might be tempted to write a review of this book sometime during the weekend! ‘Til next time, take care and play safe!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Weekend Diaries!
Hey readers, hope you all had a lovely weekend.. I had an awesome 2 days where I got plenty of time to catch up with my family, sleep, shopping and loads of other things! All in all, I'd a rocking gala time! But thanks to my defunct net connection at home, I couldn't really catch up with news - financial or otherwise - over the weekend!
Hence, my surprise when I caught sight of a Moneycontrol headline saying that RComm and MTN have agreed to enter into exclusive negotiations - now where did Bharti Airtel disappear? Wasn't Bharti the lead horse that was expected to acquire MTN? Oh well, doesn't really surprise me - RComm is entering into a lot of acquisitions of late and the latest deal with MTN simply reiterates the views of Anil Ambani -Dream BIG!
Hence, my surprise when I caught sight of a Moneycontrol headline saying that RComm and MTN have agreed to enter into exclusive negotiations - now where did Bharti Airtel disappear? Wasn't Bharti the lead horse that was expected to acquire MTN? Oh well, doesn't really surprise me - RComm is entering into a lot of acquisitions of late and the latest deal with MTN simply reiterates the views of Anil Ambani -Dream BIG!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Climbing the ladder!
While on one hand I was thankful to the rain last night for making the night cooler, the same rain played a spoiltsport in Delhi when the washed out match between the Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders got rained off! With the washout went any slim hopes KKR may have entertained of entering into the semi-finals of the inaugural edition of the IPL. Quite a disappointing - some may say fitting - end to Dada and SRK's Journey!
A lot of promise - on paper .. They fought bravely but only in patches! Apart from 2-3 outstanding innings, there wasnothing substantial coming out of the KKR camp. Most importantly, the team had to play well together which they failed to have done in this edition atleast! Hoping for more from them the next time they come out to play! We still love you Knight Riders!
By the way, I am currently busy writing an article for the next edition of the The Charter magazine by ICFAI - so my posts may be very general till I finish with that! Additionally, I am workng on a top-secret dream project at the moment, details of which I can't furnish now. So please don't ask me! :-) I thank my argumentative friends who often ignite this I'll-show-you-how-it-is-done spirit in me - just keeps me going, trying my level best to go one step further, climb one more rung! Korbo, Lorbo, JEETBO RE!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Shit happens & How!
Hey guys, saw this interesting status message on one of my online contacts .. Stercus accidit(Shit Happens).. Follow the green highlighted link to read how shit happens in different religions! I am sure you will find it pretty hilarious! If nothing else, it's a good way to pass your time in this sultry weather! Enjoy because shit happens as it has to happen to some one!
Click here if that link does not work! And below is a sample of what you will get to read if you follow the lilnk:
By the way with the shocking defeat suffered by Chennai Super Kings at the hands of Royal Challengers, Kolkata Knight Riders may have an outside chance of qualifying for the semis! With SRK totally behind his team, I think it's team for KKR to show the fighting spirit and exploit this window of opportunity! Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo re!
Click here if that link does not work! And below is a sample of what you will get to read if you follow the lilnk:
Hare Krishna: Shit Happens, Rama Rama Ding
Ding.
She-it happens, She-it happens, happens,
happens,
she-it, she-it... (Repeat until you become one with
she-it)
Please this flower and buy our
shit.
Calvinism: Shit happens because
you don't work hard enough.
Episcopalianism: If
shit happens, hold a procession.
Lutheranism:
Shit happens, but as long as you're sorry, it's OK.
By the way with the shocking defeat suffered by Chennai Super Kings at the hands of Royal Challengers, Kolkata Knight Riders may have an outside chance of qualifying for the semis! With SRK totally behind his team, I think it's team for KKR to show the fighting spirit and exploit this window of opportunity! Korbo, Lorbo, Jeetbo re!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Scribbling .. For Fun!
Hey readers, so how are the summers going? I sure am burning in this heat - my office AC was conked out for the last 2 days and man, it was damn suffocating in here! We even had one person fainting in office, now where are all the activists demanding good working conditions when you need them the most?
If the days are hot enough, then the evenings we got to deal with these Northwesters which even claimed the life of a person in Kolkata .. The guy stayed just a few blocks away from me! Yeeks.. So sad for him! Somehow, it feels so strange .. The guy died because a tree fell on his car and he got crushed to death! Even I was out that night and could only gaze in wonder when I saw trees dancing like drunks and heavy branches crashing at my feet! Somehow, I made it home but that guy wasn't so lucky!
Death is so sudden, coming without any warnings! And that's why folks, do what you have to do NOW! Don't wait for tomorrow or the next moment! Say what you have to say now, do what you have to do now! Don't leave things unsaid or undone - go easy with tensions, misunderstandings, bad experiences! Live life for the beautiful moments it presents you with NOW rather than what may come tomorrow!
And just for the record, I got my profile & my photo (slightly hazy and cocky) featured on the May 2007 issue of the CFA Charter Magazine from ICFAI University! Life, death, sorrow, joy -- everything walks this path together!
If the days are hot enough, then the evenings we got to deal with these Northwesters which even claimed the life of a person in Kolkata .. The guy stayed just a few blocks away from me! Yeeks.. So sad for him! Somehow, it feels so strange .. The guy died because a tree fell on his car and he got crushed to death! Even I was out that night and could only gaze in wonder when I saw trees dancing like drunks and heavy branches crashing at my feet! Somehow, I made it home but that guy wasn't so lucky!
Death is so sudden, coming without any warnings! And that's why folks, do what you have to do NOW! Don't wait for tomorrow or the next moment! Say what you have to say now, do what you have to do now! Don't leave things unsaid or undone - go easy with tensions, misunderstandings, bad experiences! Live life for the beautiful moments it presents you with NOW rather than what may come tomorrow!
And just for the record, I got my profile & my photo (slightly hazy and cocky) featured on the May 2007 issue of the CFA Charter Magazine from ICFAI University! Life, death, sorrow, joy -- everything walks this path together!
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