Giddy Musings and other bakwaas

A decade of iPod and Windows XP

2011-11-04T18:46:00.002+05:30

This week is remarkable for two 10-year computing anniversaries: that of the Apple iPod and of Microsoft's Windows XP.

Both should be celebrated for their success and impact on consumers and tech sector. But while Apple's iPod will be celebrated in the history of its creator and – no doubt – the annals of computing history as a landmark device, Windows XP has become an inconvenience to Microsoft. XP has lived on despite outrageous circumstance and determined attempts by Microsoft to kill it. The OS is destined one day to become little more than a footnote on a version-history page of Wikipedia.

Launched on 23 October 2001 to skeptical critical opinion, the iPod breathed fresh life into what was an uninteresting and forgotten category of consumer devices: the MP3 player.

Apple's player teamed sleek, touchable, cigarette-packet-sized design (initially) with fingertip-scrolling and playing that quickly got you to the music. Apple married this with an online music, film and apps store while the design idea as well as the player leapt to the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad.

In the aftermath of Steve Jobs' death, it has become de rigueur to associate each of Apple's successes with his genius vision and Midas-like touch.

But it wasn't Jobs who came up with the idea for the iPod: that was entrepreneur Tony Fadell, a contractor and hardware expert who had worked at General Magic and Philips. Fadell is the man who dreamed up the idea to take "an MP3 player, build a Napster music sale service to complement it, and build a company around it."

Fadell shopped his idea to other consumer electronics companies but they didn't bite.

Apple did bite: it hired Fadell in early 2001, giving him a team of designers, programmers and hardware engineers to work on manufacture in tight secrecy with PortalPlayer, since bought by Nvidia. It was Jobs' infinite and exacting interference and nit-picking that gave us a player that had near total market saturation and is only now slowly sliding back to something approximating a commercially acceptable level of market share.

What differentiated the iPod against other MP3 players was the music store, the second component of the Fadell vision. In 2003, iTunes opened with just 200,000 songs but priced at 99¢ each. Support for Windows in the second-generation iPod in 2002 then took Apple's player to a wider audience

Microsoft's Windows XP officially launched on 25 October 2001.

As with the iPod, Microsoft had a heavy consumer focus for its operating system. But unlike Apple, Microsoft didn't keep the development of Windows XP secret. In fact, there was a lot of discussion by Microsoft and others about the significance of Windows XP.

Windows XP was important because it marked the final convergence of Microsoft's two code bases: 9.x for the desktop – which embraced Windows 3.0, Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows ME – and Windows NT, Microsoft's workstation and server operating system intended to answer Netware and Unix.

What gave Windows XP legs? One was these delays to Windows Vista and the hostile reception it received. When Windows Vista eventually shipped in 2006 and 2007, customers and businesses preferred to stay with the past.

Another factor playing in Windows XP's favour were delayed upgrades to Windows XP from older versions of Windows. Businesses shied away from Windows XP after it joined Windows 2000 in being savaged by Nimda, Sasser and Blaster worms plus their derivations, mutations and other worms that exploited network holes to crash PCs and take over people's inboxes to propagate their payloads. It wasn't until the Windows XP Service Pack 2 in 2004 that businesses began to upgrade in numbers and with confidence.

Ten years to the month after Windows XP launched, it has only just been overtaken by Windows 7 to become the world's most popular desktop operating system.

There were voices at Microsoft saying: 'You need to something about security', and they [management] said: 'We know what we are doing'. The people running Windows hadn't been though that thing before and they didn't listen. It was probably arrogance."

Just months after Windows XP, a humbled Bill Gates had announced the Trustworthy Computing initiative to shift from focusing on features to spotlighting security and privacy.

When it comes to music players, meanwhile, Microsoft has given up on the idea of beating the iPod with a Zune device, and is following Apple by putting its music player on a smartphone. In Microsoft's case, it's smartphones running Windows Phone.

As for Apple's iPod, it's not clear what happens next. With the latest iPod Touch, all that's changing is the version of iOS running inside and the – gasp – yes, addition of a white case. As Apple customers shift to the iPhone and iPad as a music-playing device, iPod sales are spiking down

Wintel overtaken in Market Cap by AAPL

2011-06-05T09:17:00.002+05:30

As on Friday, the Market cap of Apple (AAPL) was 317.54 Bn a tad over the combined market cap of Microsoft (MSFT) and Intel (INTC) put together. Microsoft had a Mcap of 201.29 Bn and Intel that of 115.48 Bn combining to 316.77 Bn. It is a really remarkable turn-around when 5 years back the analysts and Internet media started writing the demise of Apple.

Quoting a few below:

http://www.applematters.com/article/875/ --> Five reasons why there will be no Mac in 2010

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/columnist/kevinmaney/2005-12-20-jobs_x.htm --> 2006 will be the year that Apple CEO Jobs falls off the pedestal

http://www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/funds/supermodels/10201037.html --> Apple turns out to Philips Electronics for a bailout

The one that catches my eye, in 1998 Bill Gates had said “What I can’t figure out is why he (Steve Jobs) is even trying (to be the CEO of Apple)? ” wondered Bill. “He knows he can’t win.” (http://www.cringely.com/2010/04/masters-tournament/). Look at it 13 years hence, a look at the financials of these two companies suggest Apple with $ 66Bn in cash and a share price of $ 343.38 (with a Mcap of $ 6Bn in 1998) and Microsoft with $ 52 Bn in cash and a share price of $ 23.87 (with a Mcap of $ 240Bn in 1998) shows a stark contrast.

The only inferences I draw from the above figures are

1) Microsoft has stagnated ever since 1998 and have not been able to deliver value to share holders

2) With the rave of tech geeks and gadget freeks and social status elements clearly behind Apple, they have grown the shareholder value consistently

3) The rave of every new product release with customers lining up days together to have the first crack of the new innovations from Apple speaks volumes of a great turn-around that Steve Jobs has brought into this company. No wonder, he has been the CEO of the decade with "Fortune", "Forbes" and many other media publications

4) Remember, Google (GOOG) in the meantime has evolved and has gone on to own a Mcap of $ 168.66 Bn in direct competition to Microsoft which signifies Microsoft is still sleeping and wanting to live on past laurels

IS STEVE BALLMER LISTENING ???

The curious case of Raul Vinci... oops Rahul Gandhi

2011-06-01T09:41:00.001+05:30

DISCLAIMER: I DON'T ENDORSE ANY POLITICAL PARTY. NOR DO I ENDORSE ANY OF WHAT MAYAWATI IS DOING. I WAS JUST TAKEN ABACK BY RAHUL GANDHI'S HYPOCRITICAL COMMENT AT THE RECENT FARMER AGITATION IN UTTAR PRADESH. Rahul Gandhi: "I feel ashamed to call myself an INDIAN after seeing what has happened here in UP".

Please don't be ashamed of Uttar Pradesh yet. Congress ruled the State for the Majority of the duration Pre Independence to Post Independence.. from 1939 to 1989 ( barring the Periods of Emergency..

Thanks to your Grand Mom Indira G. and a couple of transitional Governments) 8 out of the total 14 Prime Ministers of India have been from UP, 6 out of those 8 have been from Congress...

I think your party had more than half a century and half a Dozen PM's to build a State...

The Reason Mulayam Singh, subsequently came to Power is because your party wasn't exactly Gandhian in their dealings in the State.. So May be If you look at in totality the present chaos in UP is the outcome of the glorious leadership displayed by Congress in UP for about 50 years! So Please don't feel ashamed as yet Dear Rahul.. For Mayawati is only using the Land Acquisition Bill which your party had itself used to LOOT the Farmers many times in the Past!

WHY DIDN'T YOUR PARTY CHANGE THE BILL WHEN IT WAS IN POWER FOR SO LONG?

Not that I Endorse what Mayawati is doing.. What Mayawati is doing is Unacceptable..

But the past actions of your party and your recent comments, puts a question mark on your INTENT and CONSISTENCY.

YOU REALLY WANT TO FEEL ASHAMED

But don't be disappointed, I would give you ample reasons to feel ashamed... You really want to feel Ashamed..?

First Ask Pranav Mukherjee, Why isn't he giving the details of the account holders in the Swiss Banks.

Ask your Mother, Who is impeding the Investigation against Hasan Ali?

Ask her, Who got 60% Kickbacks in the 2G Scam ?

Kalamdi is accused of a Few hundred Crores, Who Pocketed the Rest in the Common Wealth Games?

Ask Praful Patel what he did to the Indian Airlines? Why did Air India let go of the Profitable Routes?

Ask Manmohan Singh. Why/What kept him quiet for so long?

Are Kalmadi and A Raja are Scapegoats to save Big Names like Harshad Mehta was in the 1992 Stock Market Scandal ?

Who let the BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY Accused go Scot Free? ( 20,000 People died in that Tragedy)

Who ordered the State Sponsored Massacre of SIKHS in 84?

Please read more about, How Indira Gandhi pushed the Nation Under Emergency in 76-77, after the HC declared her election to Lok Sabha Void! (I bet she had utmost respect for DEMOCRACY and JUDICIARY and FREE PRESS) I guess you know the answers already. So my question is, why the Double Standards in Judging Mayawati and members of your Family and Party?

I condemn Mayawati. But is she the only one you feel Ashamed for?

What about the ones close to you? For their contribution to the Nation's Misery is beyond comparison. You talk about the Land being taken away from the Farmers. How many Suicides have happened under your Parties Rule in Vidarbha ? Does that not ashame you ?

THE 72,000 CRORE LOAN WAIVER

Your Party gave those Farmers a 72,000 Crore Loan Waiver. Which didn't even reach the Farmers by the way. So, Why don't you focus on implementing the policies which your govt. has undertaken, instead of earning brownie points by trying to manufacture consent by bombarding us with pictures of having food with Poor Villagers....

You want to feel ashamed. You can feel ashamed for your Party taking CREDIT for DEBITING the Public Money (72,000 crores) from the Government Coffers and literally Wasting it...

You want to feel ashamed.. Feel ashamed for that...

WHY ONLY HIGHLIGHT THIS ARREST?

Dear Rahul, to refresh your memory, you were arrested/detained by the FBI the BOSTON Airport in September 2001.

You were carrrying with you $ 1,60,000 in Cash ( Similar to the Arrest of Rahet Fateh Ali Khan recently, because you han't decared that Amount) . US allowed $ 10,000 cash at Immigration. 9 HOURS he was kept at the Airport. He was later freed on the intervention of the then Prime Minister Mr.Vajpayee.. FBI filed an equivalent of an FIR in US and released him. When FBI was asked to divulge the information for the reasons Rahul was arrested by Right/Freedom to Information Activists... FBI asked for a NO OBJECTION CERTIFICATE from Rahul Gandhi. So Subramaniyam Swami wrote a Letter to Rahul Gandhi, " If you have NOTHING to HIDE, Give us the Permission"

HE NEVER REPLIED!

Why did that arrest not make Headlines Rahul? You could have gone to the Media and told, "I am ashamed to call myself an INDIAN?". Or is it that, you only do like to highlight Symbolic Arrests (like in UP) and not Actual Arrests ( In BOSTON) Because it so happens RAHET FATEH ALI KHAN'S recent arrest was Splashed in the Media and Your arrest in 2001 hardly got a MENTION..

Kindly Clarify.....

In any case, you want to feel ashamed, Read Along...

YOUR MOTHER'S SO CALLED SACRIFICE OF GIVING UP PRIME MINISTER SHIP in 2004.

According to a Provision in the Citizenship Act. A Foreign National who becomes a Citizen of India, is bounded by the same restrictions, which an Indian would face, If he/she were to become a Citizen of Italy.

(Condition based on principle of reciprocity) [READ ANNEXURE- 1&2] Now Since you can't become a PM in Italy, Unless you are born there. Likewise an Italian Citizen can't become Indian PM, unless He/She is not born here! Dr. SUBRAMANIYAM SWAMI (The Man who Exposed the 2G Scam) sent a letter to the PRESIDENT OF INDIA bringing the same to his Notice. [READ LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT IN ANNEXURE -3] PRESIDENT OF INDIA sent a letter to Sonia Gandhi to this effect, the day she was about to get sworn in 2004. Manmohan Singh was brought in the Picture at the last moment to Save Face!! Rest of the SACRIFICE DRAMA which she choreographed was an EYE WASH!!!

So She didn't make any Sacrifice, It so happens that SONIA GANDHI couldn't have become the PM of INDIA that time. You could be Ashamed about that Dear Rahul!!

THINK ABOUT YOURSELF.

You go to Harvard on Donation Quota. ( Hindujas Gave HARVARD 11 million dollars the same year, when Rajiv Gandhi was in Power) Then you are expelled in 3 Months/ You Dropped out in 3 Months.... ( Sadly Manmohan Singh wasn't the Dean of Harvard that time, else you might have had a chance... Too Bad, there is only one Manmohan Singh!) Some Accounts say, You had to Drop out because of Rajiv Ji's Assasination. May be, But Then Why did you go about lying about being Masters in Economics from Harvard .. before finally taking it off your Resume upon questioning by Dr. SUBRAMANIYAM SWAMI (The Gentlemen who exposed the 2G Scam)

At St. Stephens.. You Fail the Hindi Exam. Hindi Exam!!!

And you are representing the Biggest Hindi Speaking State of the Country?

SONIA GANDHI's EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Sonia G gave a sworn affidavit as a Candidate that She Studied English at University of Cambridge [SEE ANNEXURE-6, 7_37a] According to Cambridge University, there is no such Student EVER! [ SEE ANNEXURE -7_39] Upon a Case by Dr. Subramaniyam Swami filed against her, She subsequently dropped the CAMBRIDGE CREDENTIAL from her Affidavit. Sonia Gandhi didn't even pass High School.

In this sense, She shares a common Educational Background with Karunanidhi

You Fake your Educational Degree, Your Mother Fakes her Educational Degree. And then you go out saying, " We want Educated Youth into Politics!" Letters sent by Dr. Swami to EC and then Speaker of Lok Sabha are in ANNEXURE 7_36 &7_35 RESPECTIVELY

Contrast that with Gandhi Ji , who went to South Africa, Became a Barrister, on Merit, Left all that to work for South Africa, then for the Country....

WHY LIE ABOUT EDUCATIONAL CREDENTIALS?

Not that Education is a Prerequisite for being a great Leader, but then you shouldn't have lied about your qualifications! You could feel a little ashamed about Lying about your Educational Qualifications. You had your reasons I know, because in India, WE RESPECT EDUCATION! But who cares about Education, when you are a Youth Icon!!

YOUTH ICON

You traveled in the Local Train for the first time at the Age of 38. You went to some Villages as a part of Election Campaign. And you won a Youth Icon!! ... That's why You are my Youth Icon. For 25 Million People travel by train every day. You are the First Person to win a Youth Icon for boarding a Train. Thousands of Postmen go to remotest of Villages. None of them have yet gotten a Youth Icon. You were neither Young Nor Iconic.

Still you became a Youth Icon beating Iconic and Younger Contenders like RAHUL DRAVID.

Shakespeare said, what's in a Name? Little did he knew, it's all in the Name, Especially the Surname! Speaking of Surname..

DO YOU REALLY RESPECT GANDHI, OR IS IT JUST TO CASH IN ON THE GOODWILL OF MAHATMA? Because the Name on your Passport is RAUL VINCI. Not RAHUL GANDHI..

May be if you wrote your Surname as Gandhi, you would have experienced, what Gandhi feels like, LITERALLY ( Pun Intended) But you don't seem to use Gandhi except when you are fighting Elections. (There it makes complete sense). Imagine fighting by the Name Raul Vinci...Even Leonardo Da Vinci couldn't win an Election in India with that Name!! It feels sadly Ironic, Gandhi Ji, who inspired Icons like Nelson Mandela ,Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lennon, across the world, Couldn't inspire members of his party/ Nehru's Family, who only seem to use his Surname for the purposes of FIGHTING ELECTIONS and conveniently use a different name on their PASSPORT. You could feel ashamed for your Double Standards.

YOUTH INTO POLITICS.

Now you want Youth to Join Politics. I say First you Join Politics. Because you haven't joined politics. You have joined a Family Business. First you join Politics. Win an Election fighting as RAUL VINCI and Not Rahul Gandhi, then come and ask the youth and the Educated Brass for more involvement in Politics. Also till then, Please don't give me examples of Sachin Pilot and Milind Deora and Naveen Jindal as youth who have joined Politics..

They are not Politicians. They just happen to be Politicians.

Much Like Abhishek Bachchan and other Star Sons are not Actors. They just happen to be Actors (For Obvious Reasons) So, We would appreciate if you stop requesting the Youth to Join Politics till you establish your credentials...

WHY WE CAN'T JOIN POLITICS!

Rahul Baba, Please understand, Your Father had a lot of money in your Family account (in Swiss Bank) when he died. Ordinary Youth has to WORK FOR A LIVING.

YOUR FAMILY just needs to NETWORK FOR A LIVING

If our Father had left thousands of Crores with us, We might consider doing the same.. But we have to Work. Not just for ourselves. But also for you. So that we can pay 30% of our Income to the Govt. which can then be channelized to the Swiss Banks and your Personal Accounts under some Pseudo Names. So Rahul, Please don't mind If the Youth doesn't Join Politics. We are doing our best to fund your Election Campaigns and your Chopper Trips to the Villages. Somebody has to Earn the Money that Politicians Feed On.

INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

You want to feel ashamed.. Feel Ashamed for what the First Family of Politics has been reduced to... A Money Laundering Enterprise. If MONEY is all the Motivation there is, You can Feel Ashamed for Sonia G's 'POVERTY of AMBITION' You really want to feel Ashamed. Feel Ashamed for what you ' SO CALLED GANDHI'S' have done to Mahatma's Legacy..

Meanwhile, I would request Sonia Gandhi to change her name to $ONIA GANDHI, and you could replace the 'R' in RAHUL/RAUL by the New Rupee Symbol!!!

RAUL VINCI: I am ashamed to call myself an Indian. Even we are ashamed to call you so!

P.S: Popular Media is either bought or blackmailed, controlled to Manufacture Consent! My Guess is Social Media is still a Democratic Platform. Let's ask these questions, for we deserve some Answers.

For we are all Gandhi's. For he is the Father of the Nation. To know more, try looking for Dr. SUBRAMANIYAM SWAMI. He is the reason today 2G SCAM is being Investigated!!!

Giddy Musings and other bakwaas: My First Tech Industry Blog - Missing the bus

2011-02-13T12:56:00.000+05:30

Giddy Musings and other bakwaas: My First Tech Industry Blog - Missing the bus

My First Tech Industry Blog - Missing the bus

2011-02-13T12:17:00.002+05:30

I had resisted blogging on this for too long but could not after a spate of recent experiences and observations.

Here walks a colleague and asks "I am still not convinced about iPad, but am amazed to see Apple shipped over 7 Million units of iPad last fiscal year" and another....

"I am in a dilemma as to should I buy a laptop/ iPad"

While in the former case, it was a long discussion on various applicable areas that iPad may be used those 7 Million buyers and seemingly finding new ways to put iPad into use, in the latter it was a clear requirement of laptop wherein the colleague was tempted to explore iPad to replace the same.

On these experiences, it just makes me feel though iPad may not replace laptops in few cases, they can in few other user specific needs.

This blog of mine is about has Microsoft missed the bus yet again? As a pioneer and visionary of thinking of tablets close to 8 years ago, it has hardly found a way to convince customers on the utility of the same. Vivid in my mind when Bill Gates, used a pen (of course a digital one) to write on the screen and was to show the world, that newer forms of input is the future of the end-user experience. The tablet was launched later by Microsoft, but never generated the pull or excitement as iPad has delivered so far. No wonder 60+ vendors are launching/ launched their tablets already. Many of these vendors are launching on Android.

It is even more interesting to see that 23 Million units is what analysts predict for iPad shipments this fiscal year. In all, close to 30 Million user-situations do not need a bulky laptop and can be met by tablets. Not to count the other tablet vendors. In a nutshell, the user experiences that are gonna be delivered by non-Microsoft is going to be far outnumbering that Microsoft will be providing.

This comes soon after Microsoft missing to get it right repeatedly on the mobile device market. Their recent sign-up with Nokia (remember the CEO of Nokia was the ex-head of the business division of Microsoft) is the only hope of lifting the sagging markets for both Nokia and Microsoft. It has taken long for Microsoft to build on top of other mobiles OSs than spend millions on their own mobile OS.

Lastly, with increasing number of user experiences being identified on tablets, and mobile devices gearing up to fill the void, Microsoft is increasingly losing relevance with end-users with the age-old PC and laptop? No wonder, fresh ideas are needed for Microsoft to stem these slides at the top lest they become irrelevant to the new-world.

Disenchanting Night Watchman's innings by Manmohan Singh...

2010-09-10T10:46:00.001+05:30

For those non-cricket followers... A night watchman is one who is sent higher than his batting order towards end of day's play to protect more accomplished batsman for a fresh day's play the next day. The pitfalls of this strategy is if he fails to survive or survives too long by hitting a stroke-less century forcing the match to a meaningless outcome. In the latter case, it is only a personal achievement that a night watchman can claim as it did not help the team's cause. Manmohan Singh's prime ministership is akin to the latter. Take this for sample...

Manmohan Singh's government has failed in their policy and decision making time and again. For starters, Sharm el-Sheikh in July-2009, fresh in his second term, makes a hara-kiri by issuing a joint statement with Pakistan Prime Minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, to debracket terrorism from composite dialogue and including Balochistan. The inclusion of Balochistan, where Pakistan has always unsuccessfully accused India of fomenting trouble, not only drew international attention, but also eased the pressure Pakistan was under after 26/11. That Manmohan Singh found himself isolated within his own party showed that his move at Sharm el-Sheikh was irresponsible, impulsive one, which his own party boss (a.k.a Sonia Gandhi) disowns.

It is also noteworthy that economist prime minister lack of leadership gets manifested best in abdication of responsibilities on issues concerning Indian economy. Even as the government fiddles on the critical issue of food grains, continue to rot for want of storage space, it is inexcusable that Singh's assertion that Supreme Court must not dictate policy - a statement that absolves the agriculture minister, Sharad Pawar for all his failures.

Even as Naxals continue to kill forces at will, there is utter chaos in the basic comprehension of the problem. While Home Minister, P.Chidambaram suggests it as "law and order" problem, Digvijay Singh thinks otherwise. Even as the killing continues, Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, addresses massive rally at Lalgarh along with Maoists and supports investigation into the death of Naxal commander. Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee disapproves Mamata's antics only to Congress heir apparent, Rahul Gandhi addressing a massive tribal rally alonside suspected Naxal leaders as the soldier for tribals in Delhi. No one can decipher on what Manmohan Singh thinks of this problem.

It is becoming only natural to expect inaction from Manmohan Singh by constantly looking the other side on issues involving corruption be it the ones concerning Telecom Minister A.Raja or Common Wealth Games Chariman Suresh Kalmadi. One does not need more instance to conclude, India deserves a "in-control" PM. However, the point is, what makes the projected and proclaimed PM-in-waiting, Rahil Gandhi to be 'shielded' perpetually? Has he done a reality check and concluded that he is not ready for the job? Is he worried that he will face same flak when he gets his opportunity?

Even more appalling is our PM-in-waiting is invisible when it concerns issues of the country. Rahul is busy just canvassing with colleges for youth to join politics, but is silent on any policy, proving he is mysterical... may be incapable. Never has he expressed his comprehension on issues of national importance - be it Naxal menace, Kashmir problem, China's bullying or price rise.

The opposition parties, who have done well recently, are weary of bowling to a Night Watchman for more than six years now and seems to have taken the game away, without any apparent merit. They must be raring to have a go at a main batsman, who is happy cooling heels in the pavilion.

To conclude, What will Rahul be as a prime minister - main batsman or Night Watchman? Its anyboy's guess, but to me all hints points towards another Night Watchman PM-in-waiting and not a main batsman...

If I were a Pakistan cricketer, I will fix matches...

2010-09-06T08:19:00.001+05:30

There has been a lot of hooplah around the recent spot-fixing of cricket games by Pakistani cricketers. No doubt, it has weaned away the audience who were on the wall in terms of which game to follow. Especially in cricket playing nations such as West Indies, the audience and support is weaning away, this will only make the spectators move away from cricket as a game...

Having stated the obvious, I would like to present a paradox view on this allegations, from the shoes of a pakistani cricketers. Herein is a nation torn with domestic violence, human rights as well as role models like cricketers turned politician. The last aspect of cricketer turned politician seems to be a sub-continental disease with the likes of Mohammed Azharuddin, Imran Khan, Arjuna Ranatunga to name few. The glitzy lifestyle of Pakistani politicians like Zardari only makes the Pakistani cricketers envy glitzy lifestyle.

Given that, Pakistani politicians do nothing to instill confidence to the world on the measures to kill violence within their country, the cricketers are already reeling under "no playing" in Pakistan approach from various cricket teams.

Also, the annual contracts for Pakistan cricketers are the lowest of the big-8 cricketing nations that they cannot compete with their contemporaries from other 7 countries wherein the cricketers are paid much higher annual contracts.

In this backdrop, it is only natural that the Pakistani cricketers adopt to "quick-buck" approach as they are not sure how long would they get to play the game and get the glitz.

I am not supporting that match fixing is the right thing, but being in Pakistan cricketer's position, the temptation to get involved is very high. Something on the lines of Naxals having the poorest of poor in India enrolled in their ranks

Indian Members of Parliament (MP) - Grossly underpaid

2010-08-25T19:28:00.004+05:30

I could not resist blogging on the recent upward revision of the salaries of Member of Parliament. As per recent report, their monthly salary has been increased to INR 1,60,000/- excluding accommodation. This is the basis of my blog. Going by this figure, they are grossly underpaid still. For the purpose of this blog, let us assume that the accommodation is approximately INR 1,00,000/- per month.

Sample this: Hypothetically, a CEO of a corporate are typically paid INR 16,66,666/- per month who manages a team of 100,000 employees. A typical MP is normally the CEO of the constituency that he represents. Of the eligible 550 Million voters in India on an average a Member of Parliament represents 1 Million voters. If non-voters are included, this becomes 2 Million population. Going by this, the Member of Parliaments are grossly under-paid even with this increase. By this logic, they should be paid INR 1,66,66,666/- per month for every eligible voter measure and INR 3,33,33,333/- per month for population measure. Compare this with INR 2,60,000/- per month is just 1.5% of their total representation (0.75% should it be on the total population of the constituency)

Sarcasm in the blog is intentional :)

Internet Access in Indian Companies

2010-04-06T15:00:00.004+05:30

Internet access at workplaces is restricted in most of the big & medium sized companies. They restrict blogs, social-networking, shopping sites, popular email sites (Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo), forums, dating sites from being accessed while at work. Most companies do this as they think Internet access will affect productivity.

A 10-nation study that surveyed information technology (IT) decision makers and end users in 10 countries, released on Wednesday, said 52% of organizations prohibit the use of social media applications or similar collaboration tools at work. India, with 96% of its IT decision makers admitting to prohibiting the use of these tools in the workplace, ranks on top in viewing these tools through the security prism, followed by the UK, Italy and Japan. (Source: http://www.livemint.com/2010/03/24221140/Socialmedia-Indian-offices-mo.html?h=B)

Here are my list of "For" views and "Against" Views against the same.

"For" Views:

Internet access actually increases productivity of the employees as they can leverage another powerful medium to check for their problem resolution - Even the ever popular Office Productivity tools provide a wider help with Internet Access than what has been installed along with their software
It also increases concentration as employees who want to take intermittent breaks from the monotonous jobs find it as an easier mechanism to connect with buddies and friends through social networking sites and personal e-mails
Even airlines provides Internet access in their long-hauls for passengers to connect with their friends and personal information.
Help and information during many of the past catastrophe' has been abundant thanks to Internet and it has proved wiser with informed people than ill-informed victims

"Against" Views:

Opening up full access of Internet to employees is risky – classified data could be compromised through free email sites like Gmail, Yahoo where it is very easy to share data with anyone.
Company network could get infected with virus if harmful file is downloaded / installed.
Loss of time and productivity due to time spent on internet to carry out non-work related activities.
There are other risks as well but the 3 above are the most important reasons why Internet access is generally restricted.

My take on this - Internet access to employees actually boosts productivity and concentration.
The companies should devise a strategy to m the Internet access stringently and also gauge the productivity of its employees rather than completely cutting off the employees from this powerful medium

The flawed Logic of Quotas

2010-03-20T09:00:00.004+05:30

The Indian parliament and media was in a frenzy recently on the Women's reservation Bill. With political parties with larger elected members supporting the bill and the political parties with smaller elected members wanting a sub-reservation within Women's reservation and opposing the bill. The media, with none in exception, was tom-toming that this is the best thing to happen in India.

The subject that I am tabling here
(1) By providing reservation for women, will it ensure that discrimination and attrocity against women will go away. Look at what has happened to India with over a rich legacy of reservation of over 60 years of reservation-raj. While initially, the reservation for SC, ST were to last just 10 years, and clearly having lasted 6 times over its life time, there is a clear segmentation that only creamy layers within these communities have reaped the benefits. This is clearly vindicated by the division within these castes on the creamy and non-creamy layers.
(2) Interesting claim by a section of Muslim women - while one section demands a quota for Muslim women in general, another section argues that within women quota there should be a fair proportion reserved for lower caste Muslim women. They hold the upper caste Muslims responsible for keeping the lower caste Muslim trapped in backwardness and illiteracy
(3) The prominent women in Indian politics is also dragging women leadership to new lows, irrespective of the caste that they belong to Jayalalitha & Mayawati belonging to 2 different spectrum of caste equation, but are unanimous in pulling the women-fame down to new lows.
(4) It is evident that, the parties that supported the bill to pass through would just be aiming to grab the women reserved seats for their families and extended families. What a fun when a women elected representative will be referred as "wife of X and X is brother Y who is a friend of Z". Is it what the women kind is fighting for?

Instead, why not women volunteers fight for something revolutionary, which the men community has not ventured into - like reservation within Women's quota for physically handicapped women, women beggars, women afflicted with leprosy, women from rural, women from sports etc. Such elected women representatives, for sure, can think and build a great governance and support system for other women of similar nature and can bring up a milestone based success and these type of reservation can really be time bound. Just another way of bringing a corporate way to governance and up-liftment.

Women kind.... are you thinking????

PS: Saina Nehwal and Sania Mirza's achievement in the individual sport categories is my inspiration for this blog post

My Most watched IT items in the 1st decade of 21st Century

2009-12-17T07:26:00.004+05:30

Ah! With a first decade of the 21st century coming curtains down in few days, just a article down my memory lane on the IT brands and products that created waves. The millenium started with hoopla for IT and IT Services companies scrambling and preparing for the aftermath of the perceived and real Y2K issues, few noteworthy brands and products survived (few died) that shaped beyond the hoopla. Here is my compilation of the exciting news makers and breakers in IT over the last decade

(1) Windows-XP and Internet Explorer-6: Amazing run with Windows-XP, launched in 2001 and still a potent desktop OS to contend with. At the turn of the decade, a sizeable number of desktops still running XP. Internet Explorer-6, still commanding 20% market share of the browsers. Truly surviving the test of times
(2) Death of Worms - Last heard large scale devastation of Worms (ILOVEYOU in 2000) made the world notice and put a full-stop to Worms. No more to Worms led to death of devastation by Worms. Is it just the "Death of Worms"
(3) USB - What a simple way, that powered a large set of devices to be a part of the IT industry. Remember a world now without USBs. Throw those Digital Cameras, Voice recorders, Web Cams, scanners, printers et al..
(4) iPhone - Break away from stylus. Apple launching yet another trendy device riding on the success of iPod. Commending over 50% marketshare in consumer devices, it was a trail blazer to dislodge the major device player of 1990s (nokia) out of the top-seat in devices. Commendable...
(5) Amazon viola ... Cloud - From a popular e-trailer riding the crest of the .com waves in late 1990s and early 2000s, Amazon just built on the APIs that they were publishing for book sellers to be on their platform. Built on these APIs it to be a "Cloud Platform", which is what all tech majors (MSFT, IBM, ORCL, GOOG et al) have started speaking in the death of the first decade
(6) Ubuntu, MySQL - The open-source community wanting to break the heavy-weights of MSFT and ORCL in their space. Ubuntu - created waves with their first release, a desktop OS distribution within half a CD capacity. Helped them build momentum on the desktop OS. MySQL, with few customers broke the back of ORCL, which made ORCL take notice and is one of the main reasons for their interest in Sun Microsystems
(7) The fall of Sun Microsystems - The company which was the pinnacle in the late 1990s with the "Dot in the .com" tagline, wrote a suicide note when their key acquisitions were killed and old-ally of ORCL bailing out through a take-over
(8) IP Privacy - Remember the lawsuit that put the curtains on Napster, the largest On-line music share. This made technology companies take notice of Intellectual Property Rights and the data privacy discussions. Not a brand, but an important phenomenon which made the Open-Source supporters too come up with GPL based IP protection.
(9) Google - Creating a new business model around "Search" and monetizing the highest web-based advertising marketshare. Had few other Search vendors, emulating a similar model (remember altavista !!!) gasping for breath and being pushed down the drain...
(10) Taken over by Oracle - The take-over brand of the decade. 56 acquisitions in the last 4 years (Need to check the # takeovers before 2005 with Larry, may be), gobbling up every brand worth its name. Remember the whos-who of the niche' vendors... Salesforce, BEA, Siebel, Peoplesoft... the list keeps continuing with their new acquisition interest on Sun Microsystems

Few other nostalgic decade with big ticket financial impropriety (Sanjay Kumar- Computer Associates, Ramalinga Raju - Satyam) also worth a mention

The scramble for IT Services

2009-09-22T09:41:00.005+05:30

With the announcement of Dell acquiring Perot Systems for USD 3.9 Bn , the race for IT services business is back to the fore. While most of the IT technology majors have been focusing and finding ways to get into the IT and Business Consulting services businesses. This comes in a short time especially within 11 months of another Product centric company acquiring a pure-play services company. HP had acquired EDS for USD 13.2 Bn at USD 0.6 to a dollar of EDS revenue (EDS revenue was USD 21.6 Bn for the full year). The deal of Dell and Perot is at USD 1.6 to a dollar Perot's revenue.

As step back on each of these fierce competitors. Dell has been losing market share in the products that they compete with HP. Dell's market share has slipped from 19% to 14% while HP's has increased from 15% to 20%. Is it a way to resurrect the dip in market share from Dell?

Coming to the topic... most of the IT technology majors have seen growth avenues predominantly through Services. Take few analysis down below.

IBM - 58.5% (USD 13,632 Mn of Services revenue in a total revenue of USD 23,300 Mn for IBM, for the quarter ending June-2009
HP - 30.36% (USD 8,746 Mn of Services in a total revenue of USD 28,800 Mn for HP, for the quarter ending Jan-2009)

The growth lever for these organization to have a top-line, for sure, is Services as the route. With the advent and newer areas of Cloud Computing models of various other Software technology companies (Google, Microsoft, Adobe, Salesforce...) , the traditional route of IT services for organizations doing it in-house does not seem to be detering. This also opens a big pandora's box in terms of IT outsourcing deals as few of the outsourced customers have already mentioned that the asset transfer aspect in such deals is proving to be a major hurdle than convenience.

Sport or Entertainment

2009-08-26T09:17:00.002+05:30

It was bemusing to recently read about a Govt. organization ruling a particular sport as a Entertainment medium and that Govt should not support in getting that sport to be staged in India.
My understanding of the English studied in my high school days defines sports as one that is conducted in open-air, builds the competitive spirit, distinction of better talents participating in the same. And entertainment as agreeable occupation of mind diversion.

For many, solving a puzzle everyday is an entertainment ... watching a game or a sport is an entertainment and so on.

The clear case of distinction between sport and entertainment goes this way
Sport: tests the talent, builds the competitive spirit, a clear winner is the outcome
Entertainment: provides a mind diversion, makes it amusing and enjoyable.

Sports can be entertaining while the other way round is meaningless. Look at this, a movie can be a medium of entertainment and is not a sport while a sport is also a medium of entertainment for its followers.

The Govt. then should also declare that Olympics, Asian Games etc as Entertainment, if not, why is there a grandiose opening and closing ceremony when there is no sportiness involved in those activities

The Income Tax code for Apr-2011

2009-08-17T07:37:00.001+05:30

As the news was published on the proposed recommendations for the Income Tax from the fiscal year 2011-2012, the talk with many salaried class was around how will it impact their Income Tax moving forward.

My first take...

The goodies for the salaried

(1) The recommendation proposes the tax liability to reduce tax on incomes up to Rs 10 lakh at 10%, that between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 25 lakh at 20% and sum in excess of that at 30%. Thus, an individual with taxable gross income of Rs 10 lakh will pay tax of Rs 84,000 as opposed to about Rs 2.11 lakhs currently.
(2) Deductions allowed for investments like long-term savings and retirement savings—will go up to Rs 3 lakh from Rs 1 lakh.

The bad ones

(1) The bad news is that retirement savings will become taxable on withdrawal, so, your long term savings (like PF, PPF, NSC) and retirement savings (all those of you who invested in Super Annuation Fund, Retirement Plans etc) will be taxed. The income from these instruments, most likely in later years of ones life, will be construed as income for that year and will be taxed as per the tax structures prevailing then .
(2) The deduction of Rs 1.5 lakh allowed on interest paid on home loans appears set to be scrapped. There is no mention of such a deduction being allowed in the draft code.

As may be seen from above, it is a mixed bag depending on the spectrum of planning you have planned for.

The two clear cut outcomes of this report are

(1) The tax treatment of the perks enjoyed by the government employee and the private sector employee will be the same - The Government employees can stop pointing additional perks provided by private sector when compared on the standards of pay
(2) If you plan to invest in Insurance linked Investments (many Insurance companies have been targeting this route to mop up investments from the salaried class) the withdrawals, in future, will be taxable.

The Garb of disease and religion

2009-08-16T09:22:00.000+05:30

Over the last few days, the media frenzy has been around 2 issues - The causalities of Swine Flu and a Bollywood icon being detained in an US airport.

On digging deeper The Swine flu ...

(1) The rate of Swine flu infected people through Swine Flu has been 0.4% (4 in 1000 people). The normal flu has the same level of contagiousness. Do the media make special mention about normal flu infections?
(2) All the reported death cases of Swine flu, in India, has had history of respiratory/ lungs related problems. Is the media not aware of this? What are they doing to educate and support a programatic cause of reaching out to those with history of such ailments and work a testing plan for them? Simply, it is a case of them not wanting to be constructive but just live by sensationalism.
(3) The Indian media reported the possibility of Swine Flu infections in India as early as 2nd May 2009, a whopping 3 months since. Had they made efforts to educate and bring about awareness to the Indian masses, on the impact of such a epidemic, they can hold their head high and support the cause of Indian citizen. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/India/3-suspected-cases-of-swine-flu-in-India/articleshow/4474629.cms. Rather, they end up blaming the lack of infrastructure for treating such cases now. What an apathy?

The religion debate ...
Shah Rukh Khan detained in an US airport....

It is a real irony, that personality in India from non-majority religion, always seek their sympathy by their allegiance and following to a specific religion. To name a few incidents in my living memory, when the Indian captain (Mohammad Azharuddin) was reported to be a suspect in match-fixing scandal, when another Bollywood actor was refused an application for purchasing a property in a society in Mumbai and now, when US immigration officials question some one from Bollywood.

Isn't this the same personalities who advises people to be united by the country and not be divided by religion?

Here is where the stand-out incident of an ex-president belonging to a similar minority religion was frisked and never made an air about his religious following.

Whilst, the immigration officials version is awaited, hasn't there been incidents that personalities have side-stepped the "rights of the society". Case in point: A pakistani cricketer belonging to a minority religion in India, was found carrying drugs in Middle East, ex-English cricketer was jailed for carrying drugs, Indian fashion designer claiming ignorance on how drugs had seeped into his bag and many more. Isn't there a case of being a personality does not absolve you of doing wrong things.

What is more saddening is that it is the actor who interprets that since his name ends in Khan, he was subjected to such detention. As a matter of fact, as a normal citizen, even I have been subjected to deeper questioning, both by Indian and other country immigration officials on the purpose of the visit etc, even though my surname can be mis-interpreted to a surname from the minority religion in India. The last that thing that comes to my mind during such instances is religion. May be, had the actor responded to the queries with the right responses, he may have had his way through and not be detained.

On the other end of the spectrum, in one recent incident, an airline employee who helped Al-Gore circumvent security screening was pulled up and the ex Vice President of US was brought back to go through security, which he did willingly and without making fuss.

It is aghast that such personalities have the audacity to stand-up and fight for a religious harmony in this country.

For the readers reference, including the documented policy on What to expect in US Port of Entry (POE)

* Upon arrival at the POE you must present your passport and other required documents. CBP officers will review these to determine whether to allow you to enter the US.

* Your first encounter with CBP officers will be at a primary inspection station where they ask foreign nationals questions to determine their identity and nationality.

* If they decide to admit you the CBP officer will also determine how long you will be allowed to stay in the US, and in what status you will be admitted.

* CBP officers review passports, visas, and other supporting documents of each and every foreign national arriving at a US POE. The CBP officers also compare fingerprint records and name check databases for recent derogatory information, ask questions about the foreign nationals general qualifications for the visas they have, review the Form I-94 Arrival and Departure Record (or, for Visa Waiver travelers, Form I-94W).

What Kind of questions do the CBP officers ask?

CBP officers at US POEs will ask you questions to determine the true intent of your trip to the US. Inspections Officers are trained, and have the experience to back up their training, to indentify if a foreign national has a pre-conceived intent behind their trip to the US, i.e., they are looking to see if you are actually coming to go to school or for a job interview when you say you are coming to visit Disneyland. If an officer is not convinced with your initial statements, they may ask for additional supporting documentation be allowing you to enter the US.

CBP officials – their power and authority – what they can do?

CBP officers have complete power and authority at the POE. It is up to their discretion to conclude whether or not a foreign national is eligible to enter the US. It is only after a CBP officer stamps and dates the I-94 form, places an admission stamp in the foreign national's passport, and the foreign national passes through the inspection station that the foreign national is admitted to the United States.

Secondary Inspection – what leads you to a secondary inspection?

If the first CBP officer that a foreign national meets feels that the inspection requires additional time for review to determine a foreign national's eligibility, the officer may refer the foreign national for a "secondary inspection." This secondary inspection is a much more comprehensive review, and can take several hours to complete. Generally a foreign national referred for secondary inspection is not considered to be "admitted" to the United States.

What generally happens in a secondary inspection?

In secondary inspection, CBP officers will ask a foreign national more detailed questions about their travel plans for the US. Foreign nationals may even be asked to produce additional identification and other documentation in order to determine their actual identity and purpose of their visit to the United States. The foreign national and their belongings may also be searched, and the foreign national may be required to give a full set of fingerprints.

Any person, foreign national or person with a claim to US citizenship and presenting a US passport, may be sent to secondary inspection if the CBP officer has reservations about admitting him to the United States. A person may also be sent to secondary inspection if there is a possibility the person is smuggling contraband or violating any other customs or immigration regulations, or federal law in general.

Literacy and politics

2009-06-04T07:22:00.001+05:30

It is aghast to read the recent expose' of a popular newspaper on Medical College in TN charging INR 40 Lakhs and INR 20Lakhs for an MBBS seat admission. At the outset, it should be condemned especially after mushrooms of private colleges, with the sole intention of transforming education as business have creeped up.

I remember the days of my college, where handful of professional course colleges to opt for and the start of the ballooning growth of private college beginning in the country.

Look at the state: The Govt of India collects a 2% Education Cess on the Service Tax levied and recently 1% for Higher education Cess. A back of the hand calculation on the budget numbers for 2008-09 indicates a Service Tax collections of INR 64,460 Crores and Income Tax collections of INR 138314 Crores, translating to approx INR 1289 Crores and INR 2766 Crores, a total of INR 4055 Crores (USD 862 Mn) for basic and primary education and INR 646 Crores and INR 1383 Crores, a total of INR 2029 Crores (USD 431 Mn) for Higher education every year.

The Income Tax collections have been growing at 16.89% and Service Tax collections at 27.83% Year-on-Year.

Given this back drop and the politicans finding an easy way to provide education, they are least interested in increasing genuine Govt funded colleges/ schools with the Cess collected and are in the ruthless mode of approving more private funded colleges. Is it not Govt's responsibility to utilize these Education Cess for building more Govt owned colleges? How many new schools are being opened for primary education and colleges for higher education which are funded from these collections? Is the Education Minister carry these in his achievement scorecards? Why aren't the politicians thinking of those, rather than increasing seats for a segment of the populace in premier institutions like IIM?

What an apathy ....

Indian Election Anamolies -- Digging Deeper

2009-05-20T00:05:00.000+05:30

As ever, Indian Elections throws glaring gaps... Here are few more :-(

(1) The glaring gaps on a high profile candidate, P. Chidhambaram, got elected... He was trailing for over 14,000 votes till the penultimate round bit was the eventual winner with 3,000+ votes margin :-(
(2) No psephologist (including me, I have been following and analyzing Indian Election results in my own way for over 13 years now) or any factor for Congress to be the 2nd biggest party from UP. I do have a hunch that this was what was rigged to ensure that the in-charge of UP for Congress is seen as the next successor to the PM's throne :-(
(3) Bargaining of the the TN party, especially DMK, to ensure ministries only for his kith and kins... as per news channels, currently M.Karunanidhi is fighting for cabinet berths only for his son, MK Azhagiri and daughter, Kanimozhi. Sad, that his daughter is not a Lok Sabha MP. Are only the kith and kins of a political leader eligible for such positions. I remember the same politicians maintaining that britishers and early Indian politicians were the ones where they made a cobbler's son not to rise beyond a cobbler in profession etc. :-(
(4) News channels continue to project that Montek Singh as the next FM and get him through Rajya Sabha... We will then have a PM and FM, the 2 key positions in this country not even having a people's mandate. Is this what India wants to project to outside world :-(

Indian Elections - Real Soul Searching

2009-05-17T20:05:00.000+05:30

Having watched the elections and election results unfold over the last few days and the subsequent events it is clear that the politicians do not want to really think of people but take care of themselves. Consider these points:
(1) As a single largest party, the Congress with 206 MPs cannot find a Prime Minister who is elected by the people of India
(2) Post election results the irony of India having a Finance Minister in Montek Singh Ahluwalia. This is again what the party likely to run in power's cowardice act of getting the key portfolios through the Rajya Sabha route.

Will the constitution will amend to not allow for
(1) Cabinet and Prime Ministers to come from Lok Sabha only - as they are elected by people
(2) No candidate shall be allowed to contest from more than 1 seat during an election. It is just a drain on the people's money in the sense should the candidate win both seats, resulting in bye-elections. If the candidate is not sure of a win in the constituency, they do not deserve to hold a accountable position like cabinet of local ministers

The debate - airlines, airports blah blah

2008-07-17T15:13:00.000+05:30

As my first international travel was to originate from the new Bangalore airport to the US, the excitement was great in wanting to experience the capabilities and (in)efficiencies of the new setup. Surprisingly, the check-in and immigration was a relatively smooth affair and the biggest let-down was the amenities in the waiting hall for the aircraft. As most of the international flights was relatively less loaded the waiting areas was sufficient to hold the total passengers. It is really frightful should there by few more aircrafts flying at the same time. Also, the food and shopping choices in the waiting hall deserves a lot more. There are hardly any variety and/ or options for passengers that need to travel.

Having left the airport on my way to Paris, it was a great let down, both in terms of seating as well as service with Air France. As a staunch vegetarian and prior intimation, Air France could offer only apologies as my food as they had ran out of stock of vegetarian food. Definitely, the Indian aircraft carriers do a far better service than them.

I have to mention about the CDG airport Paris. A sprawling and huge one with complete lack on planning. The commute from Terminals through the bus is horrendous and the great relief is the amenities in the Terminals. Again as a vegetarian, you are limited in Food. The airport terminal is really cool with ample natural light and enough provisions for passengers to have a smooth and safe connections. I am told that the smoking lobby has been abolished. As a smoker I missed having a smoke during my transit.

The rude shocker was connecting onto Delta at Paris to Atlanta. It was their birth right to offer "Chicken Vegetarian" with apologies as they had my intimation of "Vegetarian" but had not loaded on the flight. If you are a vegetarian be prepared to starve through journey with these carriers. Wiser would be to carry your own food.

Atlanta airport - was a major let down. As you exit the aircraft and clear immigration and customs, you pick your bag only to put it back in another carousel. A stricter physical security check too. None can understand as to why to exit an airport, you would need to be frisked and security checked.

After few stops in the inter-terminal train, you arrive at the Baggage terminal and wait for at least couple of hours to get your checked-in bags. This airport is bursting in its seam and is a major let down for any of the US airports.

As the long warm days in Atlanta dawns on me, it is surprising to note what benchmarks are we setting to claim "Infrastructure does not exist in India", "Service levels of Indian Service Providers have to improve" blah blah. Are there benchmarks to compare when people make these comments....

Dasavatharam - In the Tinsel Town

2008-06-29T08:53:00.001+05:30

At the outset it is a brave attempt to bring the best visual effects in Tamil movie world on screen. Grandiose is an understatement for this movie. The overall budget is projected at whopping INR 70 crores (USD 17 Mn), but then if the intention was to bring the grand styles of Hollywood to Tamil cinema, this budget really looks small in comparison to what the Hollywood movies spend. The opening 15 minutes describing the early days of Vaishnavite-Saivite clashes as well as the Tsunami closure to the movie for 15 minutes towards the end (Of course the Tsunami scene should have been the official climax, the movie extends for 10 more minutes after that). Though the story-line is very flimsy, it is pardonable considering to accommodate the roles of Kamal.

In my opinion, it would require at least 2-3 viewing to appreciate the various avatars of Kamal, the scene setup and editing, the visual effects, not so noisy but a gentle and involved back ground score. This movie certainly must have comforted Kamal for the roles he has portrayed as well as in justifying why he is the "ulaga nayagan". In a nutshell, the stand outs are KAMAL, KAMAL and the visual effects. Screenplay is a major let-down :(

In a nutshell, any review/ comments on this movie will be incomplete without describing Kamal's 10 roles in the movie

(1) Nambi - Next door "iyengar boy" types. Having seen such real life similarities in my family, it was a gleam to see such a make-up and character on the screen. Great opening provided, but the character is short-lived

(2) American Scientist - The back bone of the story as the entire story revolves around this role

(3) American president - Just to make it for 10 roles in the movie :(

(4) The Villain - Amazing hollywood style villain. One of the main reason to compare the movie to hollywood. Emotionless, ruthless killer and Kamal has done exceedingly well in this role. In my opinion the second best role of his in the movie. Gets a chance to romance with Mallika. Though 39, she looks stunning and continues to be the "greed" of women.

(5) Investigation Officer from Andhra - The best role providing the greatest comical entertainment for the movie. This role underlines that comedy comes to Kamal naturally. The best role :)

(6) Tall Muslim youth - Brilliant variation in the dialog delivery. Rolls up as the secondary comedian

(7) Old Iyengar Lady - Make-up at its best

(8) Vincent - Role to establish messages for the youth. One of the other few thin links to the story which otherwise is also thin.

(9) Japanese Warrior - Another classic make-up at its best role. Not much scope

(10) Surdi Singer - Just to ensure that there is some music entertainment and few sentimental scenes

In summary, the Kamal's impact is felt in Investigation Officer, Villain, Scientist, Muslim youth, Iyengar Lady and Nambi are the ones. The rest of the roles looks like an add-in to round it off to 10.

Asin - tries to portray brahmin girl, but the character is irritating to the flow of the screenplay.

The new airport argument

2008-06-05T14:46:00.000+05:30

02/June/2008

As a regular traveller between Bangalore and Hyderabad in the recent times and with both the cities boasting new airports, the interesting thought of comparing the two airport experiences crossed my mind.

I start my day on a day trip between Bangalore and Hyderabad. As my onward flight at Bangalore was departing at 06:25 AM, I start my travel at my home at 04:55 AM. A 45 minutes (unlike what the media claims of 2 hours) drive from the old airport in Bangalore to the new airport in a private taxi, I am at the Bangalore airport. On meeting few of my old colleagues and acquaintance at the airport, I start into my flight. As a frequent flyer with the airline, I was still able to check-in for my flight at 05:45 AM, with no special concession of jumping the queue. The check-in for the flights of “good times” was welcomed with long queues, my check-in with the other popular full-fare airlines was a breeze. Thank God, I am not flying the good times today J
Off takes my flight at 06:30 AM. My pilot anticipates that the aircraft parking will be at 08:10 AM (a neat 45 minute delay) as we were 8th in the landing sequence in Hyderabad due to “air traffic congestion”. Thankfully, we land a little earlier than anticipated (at 7:45 AM). I had just read that this airport was future ready and the congestion hits so soon. As I exit from Gate-22, the baffling aspect was that, the doors leading to the main Transfer lobby, is locked. The glass door gets a pounding with all the passengers trying their hand to open it. Then rushes an airline staff to provide and explanation that the security personnel keeps the door locked. We spend another 15 minutes at the aero-bridge when the security decides to open the gate into the transfer lobby. Hmmm... as it was a day-trip, no checked-in luggage and I keep walking out of the terminal building.

My private taxi driver with my name placard, rushes to me on my exit from the airport. He advises that we walk some distance to the parking lot where the car is parked. The reason, that only Airport Taxi (operated by Meru) can be allowed to pick passengers from the terminal building exit. When I reasoned out to him that this might be a long walk, my drivers reaction was that I can wait and he may take 20 minutes to pull his car from the parking lot and pick me up at the terminal exit building and that the walk to the parking lot will be only 5 – 8 minutes. I reach my car on finishing my cigarette which was lighted at the exit of the terminal building. My driver explains the route to pull his car should I be waiting for a terminal exit pick-up and he could be absolutely right in suggesting 20 minutes for the pick-up. So, if you are prepared to walk, or you wish to take the airport taxi, you can exit the airport faster or else be prepared for a brisk walk of about a KM.

I exit the airport parking lot at 08:15AM. A wonderful road connects the airport to the highway (alas, the U-turn at the highway is manually operated by traffic police and with the speeding traffic on the highway, you pray that your vehicle crosses the highway with no damage or accident), we set out on our journey to Banjara Hills (through Medhipatnam, Attapur).

When will the new airports learn to make it people friendly rather than boasting the biggest concrete glass building with which the terminals are made?