aham Brahmaasmi

Dangerous USB drives and equally dangerous english language

2010-01-21T06:54:00.000-08:00

USB Drives? What an invention? I am currently using a 4GB drive and it costs peanuts (when you buy peanuts in one or two sack-fuls)...actually rs 383 - app 8USD...Why are they dangerous, and why is english language equally dangerous? This is not a geek post, because i know nothing geeky, so dont worry about tech info, the fun(ny) part comes later on...now coming to the danger of USB drives..they

Memorable Tamil Movie dialogs

2010-01-06T23:12:00.000-08:00

I know there has been immortalised tamil movie dialogs, like "சபாஷ் சரியான போட்டி!", "ஓடினான் ஓடினான் வாழ்க்கையின் ஓரத்துக்கே ஓடினான்." "வரி வட்டி கிஸ்தி...எங்களோடு வயலுக்கு வந்தாயா நாற்று நட்டாயா, களை பறித்தாயா? நீ என்ன மாமனா மச்சானா, மானம் கெட்டவனே."But these are old-ones...I think we have had enough time to chart new set of Tamil Movie Dialogs...am proposing some.If anyone else is as vetty as

Visible but invisible - Festivity, Fun and Frolic Season in Tamilnadu

2010-01-04T04:11:00.001-08:00

Tamilnadu and Winter Season – festive mood around! Some cynics will say, let the winter season actually come to Tamilnadu…ignore them, am referring to the generic time of Nov, Dec and Jan – when it houses the traditional winter month of “MARGAZHI”…Chennai and Tamilnadu wears a distinctive face and becomes a complete festive cauldron, which no other city in the world has.You do have carnival in

More of Dinamalar

2009-08-18T07:29:00.000-07:00

Shouldn't this news filed under "பிரச்னைகள்" here be actually filed under "முக்கிய செய்திகள் "?

Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code

2009-08-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

From Dinamalar today,"இர்பான் பதானுக்கும், யூசுப் பதானுக்கும் திருமணம் செய்ய அவரது பெற்றோர்கள் யோசித்து வருகின்றனர். இதற்காக அவர்கள் வசிக்கும் வீடு விரிவுபடுத் தப்பட்டு வருகிறது"Huh, do their parents accept it really? Have we Indians become that progressive, and broadminded? Does Dinamalar aggressively support the bold part? Do they really "hold this up" in the wedding? (I couldnt avoid the pun -

Walk the Talk, Run for Fun - Day 8

2009-08-17T20:31:00.001-07:00

Because of a too long a break I took, I could just 5 rounds in the 500m trail - 3 rounds of walking and 2 rounds of jogging. It had me gasping for breath already, and I stopped and came home. Tomorrow is my hope to get back into atleast 8 rounds. Once again, next 4 days after that, there is little scope for me to run - 2 days I am off to Management Offsite at our office, 1 day of my returning

Walk the Talk, Run for Fun - Day 7

2009-08-17T20:29:00.000-07:00

Nothing to add. It rained. My son didnt go to school. So two excuses combined into one big reason for not doing this on Day 7. Bad!

Yahoo...its official

2009-08-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

Oh yes...I think I am officially out of the long-term blogstipation ; and require some adjustment and that should explain my 4th post of the day today and the 5 posts in the immediate past...some bit of bloggorhea...kindly excuse!I would like to recall the famous heart-touching philosophical lyrics that has been a life-changer for me, as an inspiration for this bloggorhea, from Student No:1"

I am scared...

2009-08-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

...after watching "Anu Alavum Bayam Illai" - the new (dur)reality show on the Vijay TV. Instead of looking as an inspired show like from AXN's "Fear Factor", this looks more like a spoof of it. To put it crudely, this looks like the Action Stunt's Lollu Sabha.if only had you watched the episode of crossing the 4 boats, you would know what I mean!Takeshi's Castle on Pogo TV is much better!

Walk the Talk, Run for Fun - Day 6

2009-08-15T09:25:00.000-07:00

Nothing to update; I slept off till 9.30am...and got into a vetty conversation with a neighbour for 30 mins...Damn Me :-(

L. Kishore Kumar - Sitar Musician

2009-08-15T08:52:00.000-07:00

It was a very proud moment for me to watch my dear friend from Loyola College days, Shri L. Kishore Kumar sharing the dais with esteemed playback singer Shri S. P. Balasubrahmanyam as a judge in Hamam Nalangu Maavu - Ennodu Paattu Paadungal. He is the son of veteran music director Shri T. G. Lingappa - no more alive - who has composed some immemorable songs like "Kaana inbam kaninthatheno", "

Helmets are meant for menial Public you and me..

2009-08-13T21:21:00.000-07:00

...of course it is legal for POLICEMEN near VIP areas like Chief Minister House and Opposition Party Leaders House to streak down without a helmet;Clicked on August 12 2009 @ 4.15pmVehicle No: TN 09 V 6355 Location: The street cutting off TTK Road, Alwarpet, and leading into CIT Colony; the road straight goes and cuts left and right. Few meters away on the right is a VVIP house.Clicked on July 25

Walk the Talk, Run for Fun - Day 5

2009-08-13T21:16:00.000-07:00

Yay! Not only could I sustain Day 3, I could do extra.Covered 6 rounds of walking on 500m trail, and 1 round of walking on the 250m trailCovered 2 rounds of jogging on 500m trail, and i round of jogging on the 250m trailIn all, covered 4.5 kms today. Yes!!!

Walk the Talk, Run for Fun - Day 4

2009-08-13T21:10:00.000-07:00

I coudlnt do the intended sustenance run of Day-3. Because I woke up late. Reason for waking up late is because, the kids didnt have school. When I woke up, I din't have the mood to go for a walk/jog. By the time, I pepped myself up, it was hot in the morning.Later, i covered about 2kms in walking by going up to Kapali Temple Market, and purchasing few stuffs for the Janmashtami celebrations. The

Walk the Talk, Run for Fun - Day 3

2009-08-12T08:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, I did it...5 rounds of walking and 1 round of jogging in the 500m trail. Tomorrow it is the sustenance of Day-3 levels...

Walk the Talk, Run for Fun - Day 2

2009-08-10T22:52:00.000-07:00

Day 2; I took my scooter to first measure the 7km trail around in Mylapore; I was so shocked to find out that the route covering Luz Church Road, De Silva Road, entire stretch C. P. Ramaswamy road, St. Marys Road turning towards Crean Center, the road joining near Hotel Sangeetha, and all the way upto the Axis Bank, was just 2.5kms. This means I need to go from my home, and maybe up to the Boat

Walk the talk, Run for Fun - Day 1

2009-08-10T22:36:00.000-07:00

Nageswara rao Park walkers path has 2 trails - one for 500m, another for 250m;Goal is to cover 7km as walk first, then as jogging and ultimately start running.Yesterday was Day 1; walked for 4 rounds on the 500m trail; jogged once in the 250m trail.Am used to walking distances of 3-4km in one shot,but not run or jog.Jogging was a different experience altogether. My entire innards were jumping

Chevrolet Spark, 10m-10k :-)

2009-07-20T05:25:00.000-07:00

Just 10 months ago, I acquired my Chevy Spark LS for a good sum of Rs 3.35L, spent additional 11k for the music system; for one month, used call driver services, I figured out I wasn’t enjoying my car drives, simply because I don’t stop wherever I want to and whenever I want to. Regardless of scratches and dents, I needed to start driving, and I did manage to get scratches on all four sides of

Someone needs pink chaddhi urgently..

2009-06-05T07:37:00.000-07:00

...come on ladies, re-start the campaign again...I am siding with you. . Shame on you Sharad Yadav! Shame on you MCP!! for this irresponsible cowardice announcement in the Parliament."I will commit suicide, if the Women's Quota Bill in its current form is tabled"People like him have wasted years and hours of parliamentary time, already in stopping this bill being tabled!No one condemned him in

Airtel Super Singer 2008

2009-06-03T11:32:00.000-07:00

...and the winner is Ajeesh!Congrats Ajeesh, you deserved this win...You were cool, calm and composed, but was having fun always. I listened and liked your renderings a lot from Semis and Beyond. A person with a smile, no pretentious brighas, no false voices, humble in front of the judges.Though you were not my personal favorites from the Airtel Super Singer - Prasanna was my favorite - I

Foodies Lane of Chennai that starts at Mahatma Gandhi and ends at Uttamar Gandhi

2009-06-02T10:23:00.002-07:00

This particular stretch I am talking about in Chennai, actually consists of 3 roads; Starting at Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai starts at Mahatma Gandhi Statue, passes through Cathedral Road and goes all the way under the flyover, into Uttamar Gandhi Salai (better known as Nungambakkam High Road) and bangs into Nungai Amman Koil!Borrowing Mountroad Mahavishnu’s clichéd lines – this is a stretch, with a

Parenting - what it means to me

2009-05-29T06:07:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Subhashree, aka, my wife, who tagged me! I need to say 5 things as to what parenting means to me...1. Parenting is a collective verb. No fathering, no mothering...parenting! It means whatever we do is collective decision making for the good of kids...and that brings me to second point2. Oh my gosh! As parents, one needs to be responsible for all the decisions made on the kid sbehalf,

Sunday - End of ASS 2008

2009-05-28T01:30:00.000-07:00

Come sunday, and we will know who is the ASS?Well, ok, the talent is there definitely, so its unfair to name any of them as ASS.Actually, we are the ASSES, dont we address us as mASSes? We have let ourselves easily be the butt of Vijay TV's joke on us, titled Airtel Super Singer (ASS) 2008 - lingering midway into 2009.Hopefully, come this sunday we will know who is the Super Singer. Of course, we

I love Bangalore...

2009-05-28T01:13:00.001-07:00

...because it has made me appreciate Chennai on a few points. Main thing being 'traffic'In Chennai, the drivers have not become so rude or so blind, like the Bangaloreans. Chennai drivers still signal to some extent, most of them wait when we signal about crossing or going first. These drivers include govt vehicles and autos as well. In Bangalore, they drive like anything in front of them is

Airtel Super Singer 2008

2009-05-02T09:14:00.000-07:00

This program is increasing my expectation like anything.End 2008 came, we were nowhere closer to closure; in fact, we saw all the eliminated singers come back again in 2009; in fact, I got it clarified at home we were not on to Super Singer 2009. I suppose it was still Airtel Super Singer 2008.Then, I thought this would end in FY08-09 atleast...no, the end was nowhere to be seen.We are into May

Insider trading

2009-04-29T06:45:00.000-07:00

Recently one of the Anna's Brother confessed in a letter, that he got on to a tiger ride, which he couldnt let go...however despite the confessions/claims, his share benefit had been reaped fast...and he announced it fast, and all saw it fast on the TV, when the "rising sun" roseAN INDEFINITE FAST, THAT STARTED AT THE BREAKFAST, AND ENDED SO FAST! DEFINITELY FAST...No more combats, but will comb

Om shanthi shanthi oh shanthi...

2009-04-28T12:19:00.000-07:00

..the song in "Varanam 1000" has some extremely great lyrics. Wonder why music directors do not use an extremely talented and fresh idea-writing lyricist like Thamarai..bringing in a lady perspective to the songs.Consider this line"ennodu vaa veedu varaikkumen veettai paar, ennai pidikkum"(For the benefit of Tamil-challenged, here is the meaning - come with me to my home; meet people at my home,

Most versatile acting moments

2009-04-28T12:12:00.001-07:00

I have written my favorite acting moments from the movies I have seen in my life so far. There is no ranking in these, not written in any particular order. The expressions are priceless.1. Vaaranam Aayiram: Surya as a school student, he would be beaten up some students; in a few seconds close-up scene, Surya would show "fear in his eyes". Do you ask what is so special in showing fear? try

Elections and Me...

2009-04-13T04:10:00.001-07:00

First time I saw an electionSay Elections, and the first public election, I remember was that when Rajiv Gandhi became the Prime Minister of India. Next election which is much more clearer is when V.P.Singh was made the Prime Minister. I have had my own associations with the public elections.Election JobsWhen I was studying in Xth standard, during summer vacation, the elections were announced.

Cleansing inner self...

2009-03-20T04:46:00.000-07:00

...starts with identifying the inner problems. Almost always it starts with buying new branded undergarments.--- Self Anointed Wisdom Saying ---

Getting to the top...

2009-03-18T03:29:00.000-07:00

...in the corporate world isn't as easy as I thought. I attended a high-profile meeting sometime back, consisting of C-level executives. My own limitations surged in front of my eyes, and I realized I have a long, long way to go. But it was a good opportunity to be in there.Some of the key qualities are: grey hair and/or bald patch, small paunch, specs/glasses. If these can't be managed, atleast

Oh my crazy woman...

2009-03-13T06:14:00.000-07:00

2 years, 10000+ visitors, colourful photographs, and a great chronicling of our lives around the kiddos for the last 2 years...amazing...My wife's blog just had 10000 visitors and is going to turn 2 this March 28th...my congrats to you sweetheart...kudos and well done...you have persisted, sustained, found new people to meet up with, improved your writing style, found a platform to voice what you

Old age and operations

2009-03-13T06:06:00.000-07:00

This post in IDLYVADAI about Mr. CareNoNidhi's chronicling about his spine operation, and Mr. (Vi)Gnani - because he discovers many things - feedback in Kumudam, I was prompted/compelled/urged/itched to post a response. Since by itself, this response became lengthy, I just realized I can use the Dilbertian technique, to post this as a post in my blog as well, and increase my post count. Only if I

Heroines of Tamil Movies...P-1

2009-02-11T19:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was watching "Madhavi Pon mayilal" song, being danced by Padmini; it just struck me despite being plump, looking heavy and bulky, she managed to jump and dance, very light-footed and completely agile..."Mannavan vandhanadi" or "Nalamthana" or "Marainthirunthu", Padmini will be all over the screen, dancing heartily...not mere shrug of shoulders, or expressions in the eyes, she had a

Continuing family saga...

2009-02-10T09:46:00.001-08:00

Thatha vaazhga!!!A channel and big business for his grand-son - the eldest MORON!IT Ministry earlier - first part of "Spectrum" (mis)allocation, now a party post - the youngest MORON (how come he still retains the old website with title as S(M)INISTER of IT, despite being removed out of ministry, while the current KOOJA has not even a website, and even the current MIT website does not even list

What it means to be an ASS-ociate?

2009-01-29T05:29:00.000-08:00

No wonder Raju preferred to address Satyam employees as associates, as he made an ASS of them. Perhaps he had it in his mind as ASS-ociates...what does it mean to be an ASS-ociate actually, for him?1. Slog your asses off, to meet customer demands; and when customer demands to move the business away, slog the asses again to transition. Both, not being the fault of the ASS-ociate...some sales guy

The 3 Mistakes of my Life

2009-01-20T05:57:00.001-08:00

[Yaam petra inbam peruga ivvaiyagam]My own BOOKer List and ReviewThe 3 Mistakes of my life - Written By: Chetan BhagatMistake 1: Carrying on the hangover of the down-to-earth, funny novel "Five Point Someone" to get lured into buying this bookMistake 2: Despite the casual flipping of the pages at the book store, where the text in the flipped pages failed to hold attention, and despite the fact, I

Who moved my blackberry?

2009-01-20T03:50:00.000-08:00

[yaam petra inbam peruga ivvaiyagam] - my own BOOKer list!Who moved my blackberry? - Written By: Lucy KellawayA Dilbertian take on senior management, and how the top moves happen in an organization, and how stupid people make it to the top. Gives us a new nice term - Creovation (TM) - creativity and innovation. Whether the author actually invented it to be a coporate term, or purely as a funny

Mylapore macabre

2009-01-19T20:15:00.000-08:00

The scene at the CM and CM Son's neighborhood, and their constituencies- CM's house is in CIT Colony and it leads one side into Oliver Road in Mylapore. It is one way from Alwarpet end, and its parallel road, Luz Church Road, is one way as well from Luz side. However, this one way rule normally does not apply to Auto, arrogant two-wheelers and to Police.- We hardly have any

Satyam:Forgotten aspects, unasked questions

2009-01-18T09:15:00.000-08:00

Some of the aspects that were either overlooked or forgotten:1. Employees welfare: Though I hear that the "spirit of satyam" campaign is on, and it is trying to instil morale in the minds of the employees, it is still seen as senior management activity. High time the mid and junior level employees actually start something to voice their collective opinions and discuss concerns. Still "Economic

Money (Not-in) Control advice...

2009-01-12T06:35:00.000-08:00

From Moneycontrol.com - Mumbai,IndiaBuy and Hold --> Gujral told CNBC-TV18, "Tata Consultancy Services seems to be the strongest of the lot and in case you are looking at buying, you would look to buy it at ...Oops...didn't we hear such things in the past, as recent as 2 months back, about a certain "TRUTH" whose truth never existed?The so-called ANALysts and PUNdits, including research firms,

Dinamani or DIN-A-MANY

2009-01-12T06:28:00.000-08:00

Refer to this Dinamani editorial on Satyam Scandal from idlyvadai. And my subsequent reaction:Dinamani and its ridiculous editorial! There are so many factual errors, and it is not clear what is the editorial trying to imply. Sometimes I feel there is nothing wrong in that CareNOnidhi admonishing Dinamani. It also shows how limited is the view and insight of tamil dailies in out-of-tamilnadu

Vaanaram Aaayiram - 0001

2008-11-20T09:48:00.000-08:00

[Let me introduce my son Sriram, a brat and very adorable and loveable at that. he is now 4.5 years old, and picks up conversations very well. And my daughter - Akshata alias Manasa. Despite having such cute names, I prefer to call her "ammu"; she is going to be 2 soon.My "Vaaranam Aayiram" - corrected to "Vaanaram Aayiram" - thanks to sweetheart! - series is going to deal with my conversations,

Pollution

2008-11-20T08:38:00.000-08:00

This is a topic that came up in one of a meeting.Someone wanted to have a celebration at their home and had an emotional reason for the same. She fervently pleaded for a 2-hour once in a year. Typical middle class brahminic coward he was - typical 'paappaan' whom carenonidhi admonishes often - instead of confronting the lady with his problems he talked of an advocate who came and complained to

Few Updates in my life.

2008-10-02T11:14:00.001-07:00

My life has gone for several changes in the recent past. Changes are for good and for positive sense…Ranging from playing the role of vendor manager at job to buying a car…My happiness knows no bounds, when after a month of buying the car, I drove it today without fear to Triplicane. Considering the nightmare it is in Triplicane roads, I must say with pride, I drove

World Environment Day and Chennai Buses

2008-06-08T04:43:00.000-07:00

I wonder what this organization in our citycalled TNPCB is doing to the blatant pollution of our dear Chennai. Maybe the point I am raising is also within the purview of this department as well...but then we know how spineless they are...(and addressless too...this website is not operational any more)Almost every airbus operated by MTC, have only airhorns fitted in them. And, the IT Company buses

meeting the bloggers...

2008-06-08T04:30:00.000-07:00

Met some of the fellow bloggers at an informal meeting! At Chennai Citi Center!Thanks to Dubukku...I have not been blogging actively for quite sometime. Felt really good to be still recognised as a blogger. I have been avid reader of blogs, though not a blogger these days.It was fun to meet people, considering that I had not socialised recently.

Simple Pleasures of Classroom Games

2008-05-06T05:46:00.000-07:00

This on Book Cricket from Krish Ashok had got me all nostalgic.So nostalgic, that I am almost blurting out "in our days...". However, considering the recent employee introduction note (sent by me to my HR for an internal communication to our employees), and considering the number of "youthful colleagues" in our company, am parking the "blurting out" bit for now.Ok, ignoring that deviation, back

After a long break...

2008-03-27T22:13:00.000-07:00

..the ahambaavam is back and peaking!One year down the line, no major changes in status of Chennai, except forunreasonable change in rentals by 20% for absolutely no apparent reasonMr. Moron replaced by Ms.Can-I-Muzhi and Mr. Harakiri in Deadly Morons KonglomerateMr. Stal(l)in(g) is busy installing flyovers at junctions where a simple drive to remove encroachments and a simple move to replace the

Low cost airlines

2007-03-28T05:58:00.000-07:00

Last week, first time in my life, took a low cost airlines for a 45 min flight. As the snacks were very costly in airport, I was waiting for the airlines snacks. Imagine my shock and awe, after the flight took off, when they gave me only a MINTI...not even othai rooba choclate, but 50paisa MINTI...nalla low costra maadhava...

Oldies - where are you?

2007-03-25T23:53:00.000-07:00

Browsing several FM channels of Chennai, the song "Paatu paada vaa" was being broadcast by some FM station. A very melodious one indeed.It then struck me suddenly that I have been hearing this song on the radio quite very often. In fact, a standard set of old songs. They simply re-hash them so many ties, than actually go seeking those songs. I am not against these std list of oldies, but then, I

Thiruttu YouTube...

2007-02-23T11:33:00.000-08:00

People talk about pirated VCDs/DVDs etc, and there is tall talk too. But the entire Pokkiri is available in parts on the YouTube. And am sure, there are so more many online locations you can find the movie.No more Thiruttu VCD, Only Thiruttu YouTube

Thanks to Dhirubhai Ambani...

2007-02-23T09:28:00.000-08:00

If not for his dream of "mobile phone for every Indian", the rates wouldnt have dropped so much, that a cell phone has become an almost essential commodity in people's lives today in India.Thanks to Dhirubhai Ambani again. But for him, I can't get to watch the scenes like below:A lovely couple holding their hands fondly, looking into each other's eyes with romance and affection, sitting opposite

Sivaji Ganesan - Not Stereotypical

2007-02-21T10:46:00.000-08:00

This started as a response to a note from Saneram for my earlier post on Sivaji Ganesan's versatilityperhaps true...abt new age actors. But i wont agree to the fact hat sivaji was stereotypic...he wasnt. Take thiruvilayadal for example. May it be the innocent woodcutter, or the Paramsivan in playful mood, or the fisherman folk...very fine dfferentiation he had shown. You dont get to see the same

Aavin...Wow Win

2007-02-21T09:44:00.000-08:00

When you come out of the Guindy railway station on the Race course side, there is an Aavin Milk Parlour. When I come all exhausted from office in the evening, I find the Hot Milk (available at Rs 5 a cup) very refreshing.I struck a conversation with the person manning the parlour. Information he gave was very interesting.All private milk sellers have hiked the price of a packet by atleast 1 Re

Total admin collapse in Tamilnadu -> Moron, Stal(l)in(g) and CareNoNidhi

2007-02-21T04:44:00.000-08:00

Auto rickshaw fares in Tamilnadu have been revised, but am yet to board an auto rickshaw who agrees to charge the meter rate. And am yet to get through to the grievance cell number given by the Police. It is forever engaged. There is a huge pit right in the entry side of Royapettah Flyover. And, the road next to this flyover leading up to Royapettah signal is filled with potholes, very rough

A new atrocity by Call Taxis in Chennai

2007-02-04T04:25:00.000-08:00

A silent atrcoity is being committed by call taxis in chennai now. From the day, the auto fares were revised, and the ever unreliable auto drivers refused to use meters, and the not credible Police did not receive any complaints againast erring auto drivers, the call taxis in Chennai silently did an atrocious illegal act. For a distance of travel that is less than 10 kms, the call taxis say that

Autorickshaws and Chennai Police

2007-02-04T03:50:00.000-08:00

Recently Government revised the auto fare strcuture. There was huge campaigning also from Chennai City Police insisting that auto drivers enforce the new fare and do no charge unreasonable rates, while urging the general public to file complaints with Police.A couple of days later, Chennai City Police, while talking about the effectiveness of regulation system, opined "no complaints from general

Profound truths in life

2007-02-02T04:58:00.000-08:00

Come in very simple movie songs like:"Varaamalay poga mudiyuma" - From Student No:1 movie of Sibiraj.[in English, roughly "can you go without coming"...the "come" is not "come" as in American porn]Athuthaaney, how can you "poga mudiyum"...first "varanum".!Next gem:"Arachai maava araippomaThuvacha thuniya thovappoma" - from Vallavan movie of Simbu.!What stressful life/wife, the lyricist (Mr.

Versatility of Sivaji Ganesan...

2007-02-02T04:29:00.000-08:00

Whenever I watch many of Sivaji ganesan's movies of 60's. one thing that come into my mind earlier is "man, what an overacting!"....But those finer points/nuances of acting which differentiated versatility of Sivaji - his body langauge, facial expressions etc etc, I realised recently.Not through one of his movies, but through a movie awards function.A seasoned actor like Prakashraj was dancing

SCENIC BEACH ROAD...

2007-01-31T00:28:00.000-08:00

...thats how an advertisement said, which I saw today on the East Coast Road. It said "own a house on the beautiful scenic beach road".That might have been true earlier, but today till Kelambakkam you see very little of the scenic beach from the main road - ECR. I remember those days (around 10 years back), when right after Tiruvanmiyur, you get to see those lovely sea waters traversing with you

Why do we do, what we do?

2007-01-30T01:12:00.000-08:00

This post is not connected to the title of this post. Nor is the post bear any relevance to the state of my mind or the status of my philosophy in lie. Actually this is not a post at all.In fact, this entry is merely to keep up with one of my "resolutions". I dont want to break my resolutions right on the second day itself, especially when Chakra thinks I will break the resolutions only after 2

The year resolutions

2007-01-28T22:56:00.000-08:00

Yeah, I know they are coming in a month late. But heck, who cares! I am a lazy guy, so lazy not to make resolutions at all. At least now, I am a bit surusuruppu and making some resolutions even when they come late.Ok, now down to the list:1. Almost no interactions with auto, bus, Govt vehicles and those coming on the wrong side in full speed, on the Chennai roads. I say "almost", because I intend

Sai Baba and the Wannabe Baba...

2007-01-24T02:43:00.000-08:00

No, no…am not talking about the fall of pagutharivu at the feet of aanmeegam. I just happened to notice these two billboards on Anna Salai. While traversing towards Teynampet from 1000 Lights on the Anna Flyover, somewhere when you cross American Consulate, look to your right. There are two billboards adjacent to each other. One featuring a photo of a “Wannabe Baba” aka the 3-fingered

Cycle Race - ICR on ECR- 19th Jan 2007

2007-01-03T21:18:00.000-08:00

Attractive prize money! Fundraiser for an ambitious schools project (6000 schools by 2010 in remote reaches of India)!! (For more information on Schools for India, log on to: www.schoolsforindia.org) (A further post by another blogger, Kiruba, on the rally and his impressions about the project and the man behind the project can be found at: http://www.kiruba.com/2007/01/

Saddam Hussein's Execution

2007-01-02T04:08:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know Saddam Hussein was a dictator, and he was hanged as part of capital punishment for the mass murder crimes committed by him. It is also apparent that USofA had an influencing role in the execution, if not directly, atleast indirectly. It is indeed incorrect. But my point, why all this stupid arguments like “didn’t George Bush groom Saddam or for that matter, Bin Laden? Wasn’t it

Movie Ticket Prices Slashed

2006-12-28T01:50:00.000-08:00

Regarding the recent announcement from Govt of Tamilnadu that movie ticket prices slashed in Tamilnadu. I do not have any objection (as if my objection matters) to slashing the movie ticket prices…many movies aren’t worth the money anyway. However, few points: Recently, Govt of Tamilnadu gave entertainment tax concessions to Tamil Movie titles that were in pure Tamil. As far as

Thukkada

2006-10-26T03:42:00.000-07:00

La Marina - New foodcourt opened in Chennai City Center. A welcome addition, and a good choice of cuisines.To buy tamil books in Chennai, I found a few shops - Higginbothams (Mount road), Vidloka (Mylapore Bheemasena Garden Road), Bharathi Puthagalayam (Bang opposite a lane leading from Anna Arivalayam's side entrance - near Eldams Road), Manimegalai Pathipagam (TNagar), Kannadasan pathipagam (

DMDK, MDMK, ADMK and DMK

2006-10-26T03:31:00.000-07:00

Vijayakanth's DMDK garnered 3% of votes this local body elections. Amma says "what is so great in 3%? Even MDMK got so much votes."Amma says DMDK is as worthless as MDMK? VaiKo - Please note. Time to do a Thirumavalavan?Being in an alliance with a larger party doesnt necessarily mean advantage. DMDK stood alone and got 3%; while MDMK also got 3% only, even after aligning with a bigger party like

Random midnight channel surfing

2006-10-15T20:09:00.000-07:00

(written on Friday but posted only today) I happened to be awake yesterday night – Thursday night – without the pressure of having to wake up early on Next Day morning. No MCity – courtesy Local Body Polls! I was curious to know what was running in the multiple channels at this point of time…interesting mix in this random midnight channel surf Vijay TV -- Pandit Guruprasad was explaining

Dvaitam and tamilnadu

2006-10-14T03:34:00.000-07:00

The great Pagutharivu (rationalism) corner of the Indian nation, is today propogating the Dvaita Philosophy vigorously: Courtesy : Kalagangal...oops...kazhakangal!Here are the prominent Dvaita principles in vogue today:Jeya or Mu.Ka.Local Election Violence: Sun TV News version of ADMK inciting violence or Jaya TV news version of DMK arajakamNamitha in a club dance for Karunanidhi on Sun TV or

FM Formula 2.0

2006-10-08T23:27:00.000-07:00

‘Till sometime, we had to be content with Radio Mirchi and Suriyan FM doling out “Oru maalai”, “Manjal Veyyil”, and “Namma kaatula” at least 3 times a day. Now 3 more have got added – Big FM, BBC + someone else JV FM and Radio City, which means we get to hear the same songs atleast more times in a day. Oh gosh! My life has been touched upon benevolently by the

Impact of SEZs!

2006-09-28T21:21:00.000-07:00

Consider this. While I appreciate and welcome the export-oriented Special Economic Zone that boosts the wider growth of the economy, it has always struck me as "at what cost?". Taking away the farm lands, and erasing 1000's of acres to build concrete structures - what do we do to counter-balance the ecological, social and economic impact of this? Taking away acres of farmland for SEZs

MCity to MCity

2006-09-26T03:52:00.000-07:00

I was born and brought up in Triplicane.Upto 12th Standard, I studied at Triplicane Hindu Senior School. After that, for my UG, I joined Loyola College – hardly 20 mins by bus. Then, I did my PG at Pondicherry University, staying in the hostel. No commutes then. After education, I got a job with S. My first posting was at Alwarpet office

Impressive Railways

2006-09-15T00:59:00.000-07:00

Recently I had to undertake a trip to Bangalore, and I was so lazy to go to a Railway Ticket booking counter, stand there and get the ticket booked. The option of using a travel agent was also not enticing because of 2 reasons: bit high service charges, and no guarantee if the person really understood my requirement and will be able to quickly think and decide. I had heard of IRCTC:The

Seven year itch

2006-09-14T12:42:00.000-07:00

Dear S, Though you were not my dream at first, I was forced to engage with you around eight years back. A year later, we formalised our relationship. It was a relationship, I entered with chastity, loyalty and lot of excitement and expectations. It was interesting at first. Then slowly started getting drifty and tentative. You know I dont like tentativeness. So I asked for assurance and

Peace unto you PS20!

2006-09-14T11:50:00.000-07:00

I just dont know what to blog. This post is for One of our close friends, Shriram fondly remembered as PS20, after his roll number at Loyola College. We did our BSc (Stats) from Loyola College and belong to the "P" batch, and a real "P" in the "A" for our professors.My son is named after several S(h)rirams I know, who all are very good people and absolutely great human beings. And of these, this

Petrol Rate Hike and our good old Autos

2006-08-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

Recently I had to take an auto from Adyar to Triplicane, which is just 4 kms. FOr this distance, the auto driver asked me Rs 100. WHen I questioned him the logic, he explained the petrol rates have increased. And that was an Auto running on LPGFrom Tiruvanmiyur to Triplicane, I was recently asked to pay Rs 80 by another auto driver. He explained petrol rates have increased. I doled the

Writer Rajeshkumar does a Kaavya Viswanathan

2006-08-23T05:32:00.000-07:00

Recently, I was reading a short story written by famous Tamil Crime Writer Rajeshkumar in the magazine Kungumam. If I recall correctly, this edition was dated August 11 (or was it July 11).The story is about a couple visiting a relative in Mumbai, who is a big kanjan, and his wife is pretty miserly too. The miserliness is to the point of putting the guests to inconveience. The guest couple go to

TV Channel fined for bias in Elections

2006-04-04T21:09:00.000-07:00

In Italy, Berlusconi TV fined for bias during election campaign. This is the 4th time, the TV channel being fined for such a bias. I wonder what the "Thyaga chemmal" (meaning in English : Epitome of Sacrifice), the bride from Italy has got to say about the Moronic Minister, his affectionate political party's TV Channel.

Bama Vijayam

2006-03-27T09:48:00.000-08:00

What a movie!Simple story, straight narrative, splashed with daily humor, great acting from people like Nagesh, Sowcar Janaki and all other veterans.The aspiration of the then middle class (today's middle class has a totally different face: different post at a different time) to be up the status and the make overs they do to keep themselves up to the standard. Nice story with a Chandamama ending,

Thukkada post...

2006-03-25T04:26:00.000-08:00

Its been three months since I came back to Madras from UK, and am yet to see atleast one sparrowRecently I was reading Kumudam Bakthi. I came across a Q&A section and it was very well answered. The author of this section is ShriVenugopalan. The same ShriVenugopalan writes under another pen name - Pushpa Thangadurai, and writes sensuous stories in Tamil magazines. He wrote a story about Redlight

Famous Doordarshan songs

2005-12-14T08:11:00.000-08:00

Long back in good olden days of Doordarshan, we used to have a program to help the farmers. This was called "Vayalum vaazhvum"..meaning, Farmfield and life. The title music was composed and sung by none other than the great Tamil film music composer - Sri MS Viswanathan. This song goes like this: "Thaai nilam thantha varam, taavaram Athu thazhaikka

IT Minister Mr. Moron and his Grandfather Mr. Care-No-Nidhi do it again!!!

2005-12-12T04:06:00.000-08:00

Hindustan Times reports about the silly loosetalk comments by IT Minister Mr. Dayanidhi Moron and his Do-Good-For-No-One Grandfather Mr. Care-No-Nidhi, in the presence of "Annan" Bill Gates, who has come with load-sacks of dollars to invest in Tamilnadu.Considering the fact that Highways Ministry was handled by DMK Ministers for so long, and that the particular South Chennai constituency MP is

Would you feel like working here?

2005-12-05T05:42:00.000-08:00

Today I received a mail in Inbox. The subject read: All positions; very hot… I was about to dismiss the email as one of those e*ection, v.agra, elongation spams. I stopped on time, when I noticed MNC tagging along at the end of three dots. When I opened the email, it was a job offer email - courtesy some recruiter who got my profile and email-id from

Am I becoming anti-HINDU?

2005-11-29T03:33:00.000-08:00

No, not an anti-HINDU as in Mu. Ka. As anti-Brahmin, but as in I-HATE-THE HINDU NEWSPAPER…I don’t really know. But THE HINDU is slipping away in its level of reputation and image it had in me. So it seems like in many other people as well. Chakra today sent me this link

2005-11-28T05:29:00.000-08:00

MK is playing his favorite gameline which as every Tamilian knows is "Anti-brahmin" line. {Those who don’t understand the HEAD or TAIL what I am ranting, please read last one month's newspaper and come back here…a context would be obtained} Recently, his comment about Mrs. Suhasini's support for Khusboo is something like that. He further stated that

White November...

2005-11-25T05:11:00.000-08:00

Yes, it has started snowing in UK. This is the first time, I have seen the snow season twice in the same year! Bbbrrrrr….

Chaos, corporates and the work culture!

2005-11-23T05:37:00.000-08:00

Recently, I was forwarded this article, written by Harshad Oak. It is all about the IT work environs in India - I subscribe to most of the views. If what is written there is TRUE, there is a new trend emerging in today's IT Corporate Culture - especially in India. Here is something, one

Do I qualify to rant about THE HINDU?

2005-11-18T07:03:00.000-08:00

Considering my previous post about THE HINDU, my language looks poor because I wrote without a spellchecker, and in one shot, without organizing my thoughts. Basically, it was an outburst. As a true journalist, one of THE HINDU associate has pointed out about my writing (in) capability. (Reference: COMMENTS section of post on THE HINDU)True. My rant is not untrue, however. It is an outpour of

The Dwindling Hindu...

2005-11-17T07:29:00.000-08:00

…news standards really! Gone are the days, when the national newspaper THE HINDU stood for some strong writing, firm observations, good news reports, assertive reviews. Also, for a news to be mentioned in THE HINDU, it has to have some importance and significance. Gone are those days. Earlier, I had lamented about an incident as trivial as "Dayanidhi

Political Sudoku

2005-09-15T05:14:00.000-07:00

This sudoku content is applicable only in Tamilnadu. But of course, this is a global concept that is applicable nationally in India. One can easily customize this for their respective state. This sudoku is, of course, slightly different than normal Sudoku. Normal Sudoku deals with numbers fom one to nine. You don’t need number crunching capabilities,

Compassionate supermarket

2005-09-08T06:23:00.000-07:00

A supermarket chain in UK has been awarded as the compassionate supermarket of the year, because they spread soft hay for pigs to lie in and feed themselves, before pork is made from them.No wonder AIADMK cadres call Jeyalalitha as "karunai thaai" - compassionate amma!

A. P. Nagarajan

2005-09-02T10:16:00.000-07:00

The other day at blogger's meet, Mdeii Anand and myself were chatting about a visual edition of Ponniyin Selvan. We have so many things in Tamilnadu which have not been brought on to silverscreen. But whatever people know a little about Tamil kings, and the spiritual marg of Tamils, the credit goes to .Shri AP

Indian hogger's meet in UK

2005-08-31T08:49:00.000-07:00

That’s how my wife Subhashree remarked about first ever Indie-blogger's meet in UK. And that's how it was…you could gauge it from this photo on Jag's blog.Me, wife and Sriram attended this meet. Sriram wanted to blog about his first ever blogger meet by himself. Its here...For a change, this blogger meet had a higher attendance from Hindu Senior Secondary School rather than the

Mysterious two days..

2005-07-27T05:10:00.000-07:00

There is a legendary anecdote that goes on about this guy, whose life is apparently described in 7 simple sentences as rhyming verses. When I first heard and understood this piece of literature, I was amazed at how could someone do all this in such a short time. Later on, in my life, when I became little older, a great intellectual friend of mine explained it is not actually short time, but the

Shocking news

2005-06-29T09:05:00.000-07:00

I heard that Metti Oli serial has been completed. I thought it would end only when Daily Thanthi ends it's Kanni Theevu Sindbad cartoon strip.

Murasoli - English edition

2005-06-28T08:45:00.000-07:00

How much out of touch I am with what's happening in Tamilnadu! Looks like DMK's primetime Tamil newspaper – Murasoli has started an English edition. Can someone confirm?Otherwise, HINDU has leased out part of it's news division to Murasoli.You think I am bluffing??? Then, explain to me how come we have this as a news item???Maran inaugurates baggage scanning machine at airport!

Knocking up a blog post!

2005-06-17T09:35:00.000-07:00

I hear that Chennai is blazing hot still. It is summer time in UK as well. Even though cold at times, it is dry as well. Given my earlier career-change thinking, the current job seems all dry suddenly. It has further crept into my blog posting as well. The thought process is so dry, that have not been able to post anything for close to a week. Perhaps one of those Valaichikkal times…But, thanks

Career change

2005-06-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

I am bored of Tech-coolie job, and considering a career shift. I am wondering if I should be a "De-motivation Consultant" or open "Organic Isthiri Shop". This doesn't imply, am giving up my pet project of writing those books - Desi Dilbert, Who moved my underwear, Of boobs and asses....As a de-motivation consultant, I would tell people they are possibly deemed to be doomed. I will ask them to cut