Vodafone GPRS Settings for PDA Mobiles

I recently got a PDA formself; Strangely enough while GPRS was working from my normal mobile I had issues with configuring the same on GPRS. I got an Vodafone activation done one time through the SMS and then called up Vodafone care 111. But to my surprise they said that PDA are not supported with Vodafone Live and I need to go for a 499/- Internet package. Baffled I gave up the idea, though I used to connect through my internet enabled laptop to connect to the internet.
While researching I found this on some forums which might help people like me to enable and configure your GPRS feature on your Vodafone connection. don't get fooled by the ready to help Customer support which never will provide support on this.
Use this simple settings and voilla there you are....
Account Name: Vodafone_gprs
Homepage: http://live.vodafone.in/
User Name: (no need)
Pass: (no need)
Access Point Settings:
Proxy: Enabled
Proxy Address: 10.10.1.100 Proxy Port: 9401
Its that simple...
So all of you HTC, ASUS, Palm and HP PDA mobile users hope this helps.

Note: The Proxy settings would prevent Internet connection through the PC (ActiveSync). So while connecting through ActiveSync uncheck the proxy and check it back if connecting back to WAP/GPRS.

Oh my Boss!!

In a week from now, that's coming week I will completing 36 months of professional life; a life of works man, a life of Management professional, a life of a fresh Management trainee. I would be completing 3 years of one of the most dynamic and challenging building years with a continually shifting horizon and continually changing dynamics and work environment. I've joined IIM in 2004 where IIM K was budding to be in top with other IIMs; with lots of dreams and passion. True to our motto the batch truly dreamt, innovated and achieved; much was to be seen in the placement committee's achievement and the new heights we as a student organisation went. But stepping into a professional environment has a totally different set of challenges and required a totally different and may be irrational approach to succeed.
Post my two years stint with Genpact and an Year at CTS I was able to observe, analyse and greatly categorise my Bosses and shared bosses I worked for and under. I have learned a lot and how organisation and work environment effect the organisation's professional traits.
Here goes the traits of bosses under different categories.

1.Raging Bull
As the name suggests this type of the boss is full of rage and is extremely tempered and furious with his subordinates on most if not most of the occasions.
Typical Traits

• Takes out anger on others in Public
• Humiliates and dissipates individuals for ill or non-performance in full Public View.
• Controls and rules the team with instilled sense of fear

Ideally
This kind of boss should give freedom and encourage people to be more open and take feedback. Private counselling instead of public humiliation for his subordinates.
2. Insecure Boss
This kind of boss typically is low on self esteem and probably self confidence in the decision he needs to take and keeps avoiding and skipping such decision making situations. His insecurity of the situation at hands unnerves his co-employees a lot.
Typical Traits

• Approval Seeking boss ;Who looks at everyones approval before making a choice
• Dependent on others for decision making
• Suspicious of everyone and everything that goes on due to his insecurity
• Self, keeps thinking of oneself and self needs

Ideally

Should look at prioritising and system driven approach instead of relying on everyone for inputs.

3.Targets Tyrant
This kind of a boss is typically bent upon on achieving targets set by the management, customer or self set targets. They are very public and verbal on the targets set and try to ensure in every possible way to meet the same
Typical Traits

• Sets unrealistic goals for the team
• Aims at unduly perfectionism from all
• Work Alcholic
• Control freak, believes in having everyone under his vigil.

Ideally
This kind of a boss should ensure a good work-life balance for everyone while ensuring that everyone is given enough time to unwind at end of the project.



4. Whimp
This kind of people look like idle people to work for in the beginning. As a fresher you might idealise such personality but later on one realises it doesn't work that way always.



Typical Traits

• Typically follow the rule by the book
• Play it safe; risk averse attitude ; Lacks Challenge
• Continually shifting personality to suit moods and needs
• Not a go getter and has a potential to miss targets

Ideally

Be a little more innovative and open to change. Creativity is the key for success in such cases.

5. Mr.Chaotic
This boss creates confusion, misunderstandings and ultimately runs a havoc if not set right.
Typical Traits

• Lacks direction and focus on his tasks.
• Can't Prioritise work and task allocates neither can delegate effectively
• Unaware on what to do and how to do
• Confused
• Stressful

Ideally
Should be organised and keep a track of whats happening round him and evaluate current and plan for the future activities
So...do you feel like your bosses fall under any of the categories mentioned above. Oh yes the boss personality types is not exhaustive and yes they are well admired and ideal bosses do exist and I never got that feel ever so you could say I am a bit of critic of my bosses and possibly resistant to be bossed around, yeah with some consequences.

To sum up Raging Bull, Target Tyrant category of bosses are typically found in very demanding work environments where one has daily deliverables and KPA/KRAs (Sales teams, Call Centres, BPOs and few IT projects).

Insecure Bosses are typical in a laid back culture organisations.

Whimps are usually found in the Audit and possibly compliance based organisations where the focus is to go by book and creativity is locked.
Mr.Chaotics are typical in situations where people have been hastily promoted.
Anyways an organisation should be cognizant of such traits and ensure that work environment and work culture is cultivated in an healthy, supportive and a collaborative fashion.
At a strategic level and a leadership level

• Clear thought process and Vision should be available and be well communicated and emphasised
• The organsation should take stock of the situation and be aware of constantly changing work dynamics
• System Setup - A well setup and organised system and process should be set in place to tackle early warning and grievances.
• Everyone starting from the top should aspire to build and spread a role model behaviour to start off an organisational revolution.

I am quite sure that all the budding managers are open to such realities of professional life and come out successful tackling and succeeding and pick up the best of the things while stepping towards their own Managerial stints.

Sri Rama Navami - What is it to be like Lord Sri Ram

Today is Sri Rama Navami; Sri Rama Navami marks the birthday of Lord Sri Ram in Ayodhya and also Sri Rama's marriage with Sita Devi. This day falls on Chaitra Sukla Navami (the ninth day of the bright half of Chaitra Masam) and the star "Punarvasu" as per traditional Hindu Moon Calender. On this very day 'Sree Sitarama Kalyana Mahotsav' (wedding) is performed in the abode Bhadradri Sri Sitarama Temple, Bhadrachalam, Andhra Pradesh. On Sri Rama Navami, Panakam (Jagery water with Ginger and Cardamon powder), Buttermilk, and Panchaamruthamu (Banana, cow milk, Ghee, Curd, Honey, Tulasi Leaves) are offered as Prasad to Lord Rama. During the evening the Posession of Rama & Sita comes onto the streets in a Palki.
Dedicated tune for the occassion - Pibare Rama Rasam - Pibare Ramarasam by Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna which is one of the most famous renderings of Pibare Ramarasam of composer Sadasiva Brahmendra, sung in Raga Ahir Bhairavi by the Legendary Andhra classical vocalist, Dr.M.Balamuralikrishna.

Lord Sri Rama has become so much identified with all the good and great and virile qualities of heroic manhood. The saying in Telugu goes like "Ramudoo manchi baludoo" meaning comparing onseself to be like Shri Rama who is with good qualities;Where in lay the secret of this unique greatness in Rama's personality? He is called Maryaada-Purushottama Let's Look into these 16 Personality traits of Shri Rama which are ideal to possess by one and all. I am quite sure you would not find the same else where....

Suguna Abhi Ram'udoo - ( Means Good qualities/Characters loved by all in Shri Ram)
1. SuGunaVanth'udoo - Good Characteristics / Good-natured / Very virtuous
2. Veerya(vīrya)Vanth'udoo - Strength, Valerous, Vigour, Energy
3. Dhármagyan'udoo - Righteousness’ or ‘duty’. It is said that the great one who never deviated from the norms set by Dharma. It was his supreme commitment to "Putra-Dharma" (duty of a son) that made Rama smilingly depart to the forest for fourteen years at the bidding of his father. Rajadharma for the sake of people of Kingdom Sri Ram even sent his beloved Sita away to forests. Sri Rama's intense adoration for the motherland has been immortalized by a legendary couplet which is playing on the lips of millions even to this day:
Janani janmabhoomischa swargaadapi garreyasi (the mother and the motherland are to me greater than the heavens themselves).
4. Krutágn'udoo - Gratitude and thankful to everyone.
5. Satyá Vákya Pálák'udoo - One who always speaks the Truth / Habitual speaker of truth
6. Drudávánth'udoo - Strong determination
7. Cháritrá Prásimsak'udoo / Cháritráréna Yukta - One who is hailed for good conduct throughout history.
8. Sarvá Bhoothá Sám'udoo - Egalitarian ( the belief that all/some people ought to be treated equally)
9. Vidhváns'udoo - Scholar
10. Samarth'udoo - Competent, Proficient
11. Priyadharshanám'udoo - Popular and liked by everyone
12. Aáthmagyani - Self Realisation / Enlightened
13. Jithakrodh'udoo - Conqured one's Temper / anger
14. Kaanthivanth'udoo - Radiancy / Luminance
15. Anasuyak'udoo - Void of Jealousy
16. Apradhrushyá Shourya Vant'udoo - Undefeatable Valour / Courage
I hope everyone tries to move towards achieving the traits / personality and align ourselves with Lord Shri Rama's Characterisms.

Holi ...Through the Colours of Intoxication

So this year as always India goes to celebrate one more holi. As always people apply and splutter various colours on almost everyone they know and yes they don't really know. Like in many places people get drunk in Bhang if not other alcholic beverages. Yes people get cleverly masked in unrecognizable formats where one drinks and lashes out in objectionable manner.The tradition of consuming bhang on holi is particularly rampant in North India where holi itself is celebrated with a gusto unseen anywhere else.
Over the centuries and over the decades the festive spirit of holi slowly deteriorated; it has been hugely corrupted and misused by people. I greatly feel this has been due to an excessively bad influence of bolloywood movies of the 1960s and the 1970s. The Bachan era (Don) bought in a lot of celebrity status to this festival and corrupted it with open indulgence in consumption of narcotics, alcohol and objectionable sexual opportunism and exhibitionism.
Bhang is a very intoxicating drink and is the official drink of Holi. Bhang escalates the spirit of holi - and believed to be a festival which does not recognise any restrictions. Typically buds and leaves of Indian Hemp plant called Cannabis Sativa(Charas/Grass/Hashish) are squashed and ground into a green paste. This is then added to milk, ghee (reduced butter), and spices to create a drink. The drink is accompanied with pakoras, barfi, jalebis, lassi, and kulfi all combined to be called as a Holi Lunch. Cultivation of Cannabis is illegal in many parts of the world including India where its abundantly grown, and there is only a mild social stigma attached to it compared to smoking marijuana outright. The psycho-active component of cannabis preparations is delta 9-TetraHydroCannabinol and not DeHydroCrotinin. Delta 9-THC as it is referred to is prepared from the Indian hemp plant cannabis sativa, a hardy, aromatic annual herb. cannabis is probably the most commonly used illicit drug in the world. The cannabis herb contains other psychoactive components too, but Delta 9-THC is most abundant. The most potent forms of cannabis come from the flowering tops of the plants or from the dried, black-brown, resinous exudate from the leaves referred to as hashish or charas. The stem and leaves of the plant when cut, dried and chopped are then smoked in cigarettes commonly called as "Joints" "Grass" or mixed with milk, sweetmeats and cakes to make "Bhang".
As far as health effects go, Cannabis smoke is a potential cause of Cancer because of presence of similar if not more carcinogenic substances as cigarette smoke. It can also lead to bronchitis. Far more significant are the psychological effects of cannabis. Chronic Cannabis use may precipitate Psychosis in vulnerable individuals and long-term cannabis use may exert subtle effects on memory, attention and the integration of complex information leading to insanity.
It is important that our youth are sensitised to the message that be it "Bhang" or "Charas" or "Grass", they all contain Delta 9-THC in different potencies. And as with all poisons, there is no such thing as too little of it. People might ignore it for a day; people might ignore these facts for pleasure; people might overlook these facts for forgetting pain and displeasure; but in all it hits back some time in life.
I also want to remind that in this festive mood, it is easy for everyone to forget that there is something known as the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in India. Few Indians realise how powerful this act is, with potential for abuse. For example, someone arrested under this act is presumed guilty until proven innocent, which is against normal jurisprudence. Bail can be granted only after a court hearing. Given the Indian judicial system, this can take a few months to many years. Its in all good that one stays away and discourage usage of Bhang or Joints or to that extent alcohol to the fullest extent.
But though Bhang is derived from Cannabis, and is listed under Narcotic substance source; Bhang does not come under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Potency scale of products(2% to 20%) from Cannabis Bhang (Hashish). Extracts from unpollinated female parts of the Cannabis are the most potent of all the forms. Bhang should be elevated into this list as the effects irrespective of potency does have an abuse on the human body. And with laws not monitoring this unorganised production might lead to a fatal case due high potency of Charas black resign presence.
Sources - Web and Paper on Potency of Cannibies

The True Spirit of Holi

We in our modern era and our modern cosmopolitan culture are very fast in keeping in pace with the modern culture and the in-things by conveniently ignoring the core spirit of our Indian festivals. Indian festivals have a strong traditional, cultural heritage and are among the most symbolic in expressions and intent. Over the years and decades the core essence is slowly but forgotten. It is for us to rediscover the true symbolism and true meaning in the festival. A closer look and little thought with some bit of media surfing should reveal the significance of Holi in more ways than that meets the eye.
Mythological Significance

1. Prahalad & Hiranyakshyap - Due to profound devotion of his Son Prahalada, Hiranyakshyap who has been graced by Bramha and hated MahaVishnu; orders extermination of Prahalada in fire. Hiranyakshayap's sister Holika is inturn set ablaze as the devotion in Prahalada protects him from being engulfed in Agni(fire) but Holika pays the price of her price in "Holika Dahaa"
2. From the Shri Krishna era; Lord Krishna is shown applying colours to Radha and other Gopikas. It also states that Holi is the celebration of death of Ogress Pootana who tried to killing infant Krishna by feeding poisonous milk.
3. Another legend of Holi which is extremely popular down South is that of Lord Shiva and Kaamadeva. As per the legend Kaamadeva sacrifices himself by getting incinerated by Rudradeva's Agninetram to break Siva's Samadhi to protect the world from Tarakasur who in turn was killed by Karthikeya swamy son of Parvathy & Siva.

Cultural Significance

Holi is typically a two day festival which leads to a New year Ugaadi. It symbolises destruction of old habits and adaption of new cleaner and austere habits as one steps into a new year. It lets us symbolically leave behind the past of bad and unpleasant feelings and fill ourselves with brightness and colours of new coming year. It prepares us to enter the new Year in a cleansed, Pure and a rejuvenated state.

On the Poornima night the night before Holi; all the people of the society gather for Holika Dahan. People put into the fire Flattened Dried Cow dung cakes, alond with old clothes and old thrash. Sajjana Sangatyam - Social Well being is the motive behind this Dahan.The symbolism behind this one is destroying old things at home is of destroying all the bad and evil we have picked up in our daily lives till that date. Symbolically with burning of old useless and unwanted things we are destroying the poor shades of our past life to start new one. While burning the discarded things of all others from the society; signifies destruction of all Social Taboos and Social evil in the society, where the society proclaims destruction of all things which are bad. Having completed this ritual of Holika dahan individuals and society alike have set ablaze all the social perils and evils [Kama (Lust), Krodha (Rage), Lobha (Greed), Moha (Attachment) and Ahankar (ego) ]; In the same way Lord Shiva destroyed Kamaa we should also be aiming to eliminate all the lust and desire from ourself and aid in universal brotherhood and social well-being. This when achieved will lead way to peace and prosperity to the entire world which is much required in today's world. One also takes Oath on Agni that one is willing to forget and forgive all the previous animosity against others and oneself and promise to be a better person.

On the Second day everyone gets together to smear colours on each other. Everyone comes out to meet and greet everyone friends and enemies alike and exchange colours. This signifies that one after being purified in the Holika Dahan by stripping ourself of all the evil and bad one is pure and Divine. And a person by socialising and applying colours exchange all the Goodness and purity of the other. The more a person socialises the more the good characters and good spirits one is able to attract and adopt. Colours act as an exchange of key characteristics of goodness and well being each colour signifying one key characteristic. Adapting colours in equivalent to inviting and exchanging more goodness to self and others. In other sense it reinstates and realigns all the brotherhood and friendship to set sail for new heights. As Agarbathi wards off bad odour without loosing its characteristic odour in the same fashion it is believed one is inviting others goodness by keeping off evil from this day. One should aim to find the colours of Divine or the colours of Param Athma the Supreme Spirit during this stage. Usage of natural colours like Pasupu(Haldi), Kumkum, Bilvaku, Vibhuti (Ashes), Chanda (sandal) have there own key attributes and attractive potency to retain and store human characterstic traits.

These purpose adds a very different dimension to the festival in all. And I really hope the true spirit is identified and lives on to live on.

Biological Significance

This festival occurs at the onset of spring. As Holi comes at a time of the year when people have a tendency to feel sleepy and lazy. This is natural for the body to experiences some tardiness due to the change from the cold to the heat in the atmosphere. This period, during which the weather changes, is prone to cause viral fever and cold. Thus, the playful throwing of the coloured powders has a medicinal significance as the coloured powders are made of Neem, Kumkum, Haldi, Bilva, and other medicinal herbs prescribed by Ayurveda doctors. Biologists believe the liquid dye or Abeer penetrates the body and enters into the pores. It has the effect of strengthening the ions in the body and adds health and beauty to it. It's also thought that deficiency of a particular colour in our body causes ailment, which can be cured only after supplementing the body with that particular colour.

Another scientific reason for celebrating the Holi, pertains to the tradition of Holika Dahan. The mutation period of winter and spring, induces the growth of bacteria in the atmosphere as well as in the body. When Holika is burnt, temperature rises to about 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Following the tradition when people perform Parikrima (going round) around the fire, the heat from the fire kills the bacteria in the body thus, cleansing it.

However, current Holi colors are chemical concoctions that are in fact toxic and are to be avoided at all costs. There is a movement in Indian metros to make Holi safe again.

So wish you all a Safe, and a Sound Holi.

Sound of Music from ANIMALS!!!

We as Indians are very much familiar with the seven basic notes of classical music which incidentally are the 101 of all basic music learning. One could infact sing each and every song in these syllables.
Going back to these Indian notes, or Swaras or Swaramulu as they are called, the seven notes are actually derivatives of
Shadja
Rishabh
Gandhar
Madhyam
Pancham D
haivat
Nishad.
Interestingly, these swaras are believed to have originated from the sounds different animals, and some have additional meanings of their own.
The association with animals is as follows:
Sa (meaning Sagar) - Peacock
Re (Bull) - Bull
Ga (Gagan) - Goat
Ma (Middle) - Dove
Pa (Fifth) - Cuckoo
Dha (Dharti) - Horse
Ni (Outcast) - Elephant
Was amazed and intriguided my small accidental discovery of this. Hope people who are into singing and music know this.

Weekend Trip to Home

The last time after I was in Hyderabad was for my Sankranti vacations. It was till date the longest vacation I have ever taken in my professional life; a good 9 days there with 4 days off. Considering that I have taken just 2 days off for my marriage and 1 day for my honeymoon; this was a long trip.
Post such a long trip; my next trip to Hyderabad was on 1st of March that's a good 42 days after my last visit. I find this it amazing for the fact that its the longest gap between two consecutive visits of mine. Yes during my stay at Kozhikode the gap was much longer, but those days were much different. I found a few things changed during this gap. Earlier my gaps were as short as 5 days; with almost 3 trips a month, that meant I hardly used to spend a weekend in Pune. Offlate after marriage I got to spend time money, and effort going in and around Pune. One as gets to accustomed to the localities I feel one gets connected, that connection temporarily overshadows the core identity. This is what seemed to have happened when I tried to reconnect back to my family and the city.
I was hardly getting the slang and salutations which I was so much used to earlier. Every now and then there was a slip of tongue; though I was very much aware; with my flow the occurrences where irreversible and in correctable. Got to thank my lucky stars that no one took note of those changes. I vividly remember when I first returned home after my 4 months stay in Kozhikode, Kerala that my mom had serious complains on my language. And she said that my Telugu started to sound very non-Teluguish and I was starting to speak Telugu as a language I recently learned. Yes may-be I never realised it nor I intentionally did it; but while one tries to put an attempt to adopt a certain slang of another language for greater acceptance once native slang also gets impacted to little extent. So in addition to expanding adaptive technique of mutual acceptability one more propounding thing was the influence of my gal. Now after six months of marriage, things change; and believe me they change a lot. I don't think any one would be in a position to guess how I call my gal (no am not giving any prizes/ nor am letting it out); that very way of addressing her got pushed when I got to meet my children (cousin's). No matter how hard I tried it kept slipping out of my mind. It was only after 36 hours that things were stable; but that was only after a long and dedicated monitoring of my tongue.
Anyways it was a great weekend to unwind and have fun. Cousin's Kids Annaprasana ceremony was time to catchup with all of my cousins too. And yeah I forgot felt good to see my parents and high my regular fights with my mom too.

Movies I was watching...Oscar Fever

It's been sometime that I had blogged on movies I was watching/ rather there weren't enough bloggable movie content to motivate me. Yes after the Oscars show I have a couple to final break loose my silence.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett this movie is adapted from the 1921's story by F. Scott Fitzgerald is about a man Benjamin who is born in his eighties and ages backwards.

Story is a slow-moving long one which unfolds in a death bed in New Orelans hospital in the back drop of Hurricane Katrina, with the Daisy asking her daughter to read the story in a diary which happens to be an unusual one about daughters biological father.

It talks about Benjamin who was deserted and subsequently brought up by black foster parents working as care takers at old age home. The boy was taken to be a monster and deserted by his father owing to his demise of his wife during pregnancy and primarily due to Gerontological conditions. Subsequently the boy survives his condition to grow younger and reversing his condition to die as a baby. The role has been intelligently and amazingly crafted plots and situation to add reality to a rather unrealistic subject. The backdrop of wars, depressions, Cyclone Katrina, Balle has been used as intelligent props throughout the story. An inherent love story brews with Benjamin and his childhood friend fall madly and deeply in love when there ages coincide around 40 years. Emotions of seeing one age while other grew younger was touchy, and finally when Benjamin dies as a baby in old Granny-like ladies hands who in reality should have been wife and husband longed for the pain one had to endure through at those crucial age. But ahem this is outcastly unreal who cares about this, its not even close to real life was what I felt and stop being emotional at the end.

It received 13 nominations and is the only Best Picture finalist this year to have earned more than $100 million in US. It won three Oscars for Art Direction, Makeup, and Visual Effects, and incidentally has tied the record for the most nominated film not to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.

As the Oscars speaks BENJAMIN’s script or even the fine acting aren’t its most impressive accomplishment; the technology–both CGI and makeup–used to make Benjamin and Daisy age are remarkable, and makes the film entirely believable, not undermining performances from both Pitt and Blanchett.

Slumdog Millionaire

Directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan is a British movie in the backdrop of Mumbai's slums. Its an adaptation of Boeke Prize winning novel of 2005 Q&A by Vikas Swarup. Though its not an exact adaptation it reflects a story of slum boy's tale of Rag's to Riches with a love-at-first sight love story. This movie stories the hardcore realities of Mumbai's slums and social conditions woven around Mumbai riots of 1992 and struggle of life during past this to become not only an Ultimate Survivor but also winner of one's Childhood love.

The entire movie was made in a budget of just over 75 crores which is a very small amount considering its international status, but made good returns during its later run. The movie flunked in India and faced lots of criticism from likes of Arinidham Choudary and Amitabh Bachan. Even my Gal had very serious reservations against the movie, even I agree to it to some extent. The poorly did show India in a bad light, and on the purpose front I felt was wrong. During these economical turmoil it showed that the Western countries are much better off than the state of affairs in the World's largest democracy. The movie offered a lot of solace to countries like USA and UK which huge debt-driven infact the largest indebted economy and people in the world are not Africans or Asians or Indians but the Americans.

I was a bit hurt when the places like the pride of India the Taj Mahal was showcased and which showed how tourist were misguided throuout and looted. It does throw a very bad impression of the professional Guides working there in Taj Mahal and tourist who trot to India in search of the Global Symbol of Love and a gateway to India. They would definitely think twice while offering a dime to those children on the roads. It has both the good and bad sides though.

Touchy were parts on exploitation of children by gangsters, mobs, Sex-industry, the drugs, the underworld; It shows that no place is void of evils of this era, be it culturally strong nation like India or China or highly civilised or a developed nation like an USA. Evils of the mankind hunt and haunt young and old, male and female alike. I feel sad when I see people falling in for such evils be it out of necessity or be it out of opportunism. I always hope that there would be days in future where people could make choices and always make a correct and a better choice.

I somehow believed there were lots of other movies and documentaries which showcased the slums and penance of our country but this failed to showcase how life thrives, survives in this hardest of hardest environments. It also fails to address the spirit of Indian culture or Spirit of Mumbaikar who against all odds learns to survive and live a decent life. Its not always illegal and anti-social modes that people end-up in but hard workers over shadow those opportunists. A message should have been sounded aloud making a attempt to bring people and lifes to the mainstream course of moral and spiritually ideal well being and happiness. Would have definitely liked to have this in this movies core message.

From the Oscars front it had a conversion rate of over 90% with winning 8 awards from 9 categories it got nominated for. It missed out on sound mixing which was bagged by the much deserving movie The Dark Knight. Ideally I wouldn't have wanted this movie to be the best movie for the year 2008, yes Danny deserved credit for digging out Gold and making millions and billions out of the Indian theme. If it wasn't for Danny and British production community we wouldn't have got this amount of recognition and laurels for our immensely but sadly under recognised movie making fraternity of technicians and behind the scenes artisans. One might have failed to recognise that the Taj Mahal shown here in the movie was a set which was erected by our own Indians with lots of detail to enable a close-up shots. The set was erected near Pune. Also Kudos to Oscar winners Resul Pookooty and AR Rehman. I believe though Rehman wasn't at his best compared to Swades, Roja or a Vandemataram in this movie he deserved an oscar for what he was and the talent he posses. I hope he wins a life time achievement award at Oscars and Grammy's for his contributions to the music community.

So the Button man from New Orleans had the one tough one to beat in this years Oscars; hadn't the kid from Mumbai shown up and seized moviegoers' hearts it was surely up there and yes this managed a Golden Globe though. This proves that movies which are unreal have little chance against movies which are surreally close, touchy and inspiring. Like politics, aren't always predictable. Benjamin B. is Hillary to Slumdog's Obama.

Arundhati

So much for the Oscar fever the other movie I wanted to talk about is Kodi RamaKrishna's movie Arundhati. This movie staring Anushka Shetty and Sonu Sood with Sayaji Shinde and Manorama in the supporting cast had been raking up a lot of interest back home in the Tollywood. Incidentally I too fell victim to it that I watched it on the first day of the release during my Sankranti Vacation. I was waiting eagerly to watch this movie as it got postponed twice in the week. I watched the Second show with my Gal, and yes it gave enough goosebumps while driving back past the Muslim crematory near RaniGunj to Marriott route of Secunderabad. My Gal couldn't sleep alone and kepy squealing every now and then for next 15 days after watching the much anticipated movie. Well this was the first movie we as a couple watched for the the first time and guess it was a right choice. All through the screen my lady was on my shoulder grasping every inch of my long hand.

The effects were amazing by out standards, but looked very much like CGI and wires frames animation. While the plots were seemingly adopted from Final Destination, The excorcist, Gothika to name a few, there was a bit of resemblance to a few other cult movies of Kodi Ramakrishna's movies. I felt Anoushka could have been a bit better on the dances as I felt she struggled in that. Anyways it was her first character based and role-heavy performance kudos to her too. Shinde and Sonu Sood outlived their roles and gave a spectacular performance. The movie pace I felt was too fast and plots should have been better plotted. The movie wrapped up even before one could realise what hit them. A nice attempt by the crew; though a sad one in terms of getting the women audience to start believing in all the black magic and superstition in this seemingly progressive times.

I still smile when I see my gal shivering when I say to her "Bomallee ninuu Vadalaa!!!"

Keys, mouse, chips, webs, viruses......CiIlitetrate

Cilliterate....or Computer Illiterate
Yes you are if you failed to connect the above words.
Computer literacy can also refer to the comfort level someone has with using computer programs and other applications and technologies that are associated with computers.
My exposure to computers started quite early in my age. I had my own PC when I was in my 6th Standard thanks to my dad who envisioned that Technology is the future. I was only 11 years when I first got to work on a computer of my own. It was year 1992 and by those days standards I had a fairly fast and efficient system. The configuration of today's mobiles are better than my first PC. It was a
Intel 80286 (In an era of 64 bits 286 has had 7 predecesors to Todays P4/Athlons)
Running at 20 Mhz Speed (yes Mega Hertz was big in those days 1024 times lesser than that of todays)
1 MB Ram (we talk of 1 GB as miminmum today thats 1024 times lesser than todays capacity)
40 MB HDD
Display - MDA (Moncrome Display Array) - 14 inch B&W L&T Monitor
Sound card - Our only sounds we heard were beeps
123 Key - TVS Keyboard
Mouse - Never needed one
OS - MS DOS 5.00
Spread Sheet- Lotus Spread sheets
Word Processor - Word Star 4
Database - Fox Pro & DBase 4+
Languages - C, BASIC
Anti Virus - MSAV
DiskDrive - 5 1/4 Floppy Drives

This was the system I had and continue to have (of course its packed) as an antique since 1992 with a bundle of 5 1/4 and 3 1/2 inch floppies. The software which is stored in it is specific to that system and none of todays software runs on the system. I wanted to add some bit of interactivity to the system and install Windows 3.11 which used to run as a front end for DOS, but decided against it as it was too resource hungry for my system.The system then costed my dad a little over 30K rupees without monitor and printer (dot matrix).
All my initial days I learned and played on this system. I was envied by adults and kids alike. I was able to speak a language which many where not even aware off. My first computer was operational to the fullest till 1999. After 7 years it was replaced, I moved to adapt a non intel processor.
I got an AMD K6 in later 1999 (Pic - my cousin - with L&T Dotmatrix printer and K6 on Viewsonic). The system had 128MB RAM, with Windows 98 and 20 GB HDD and 400 Mhz (20 times faster than my older 286)with a 15" Viewsonic Monitor. I used this system during my engineering till 2004. This is system which provided me my first multimedia expereince and internet expereince. Those were the early days of internet and it was costly to have an internet connection. I remeber using various dial-up connection and due to my high internet usage at times our telephone bills used to run up quite high. My primary dial-up those days were Dish-net connection and occassional a Tata Nova. I used to borrow accounts to meet my craze those days. During my early days of internet I was hugely into intenet contests. Quite popular and an addict I was for Contests2win, Hungama.com and occasional MTV contests. I at one stage used to get gifts and memorobila on an weekly basis from these sites (mostly Hungama). Loved collecting points for playing contests and redeeming the same for some cheeky gifts. Approximate count of gifts I collected run in excess of 200 items.
Next I got an AMD Athlon 1800. It was a 1.6 Ghz processor with 384 MB RAM. I got it assembled at Parklane, Secunderabad before carrying it all the way to IIM-K. Incidently I ran Windows 95 on this system.This system I used for 2 years while I was in Kozhikode between 2004 and 2006, and later dumped it at K before returning back to Hyderabad in March 2006. Post which I continue to use my bro's AMD Athlon and my bro's Dell Inspiron laptop which he got it from US.
While in Genpact I was using the companies provided Dell Latitude D510 model. I felt this was the most robust and sturdiest of all Desktops and Laptops I ever got to use.
Moving from Hardware to Software I started with BASIC based programming and games like Prince of Persia, Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego, Genghis Khan
From Banner Mania, Wolf Pack,Para Trooper, Packman, Test Drive to name a few. As years went by and technology improved I got newer games. I still remeber I used to steal a few bucks from my dad's change and save enough to buy one single game from a small computer shop (PARAS Computers) on the road connecting Mozamjahi Market and Koti. Each floppy game costed 20/- then. Much for privacy of today :).
Initial utilitis like Banner Mania and Paint pro were fun to work and impress the guests who came in. I also remeber we used some Basic based application to generate Astrology charts. It was so much fun those old days, for uniqueness is definetly something to cherish.
Today as I blog this I am amazed at the journey I made from 1992 to 2009. 17 Years is time taken, I have moved from a 80286 to a P4 mobile processor, from floppies to SD Micros, from PC Games to Playstation, from B&W monitors to 32" LCD's from beep speakers to 5.1 DTS Home theatre from a small selffocus cam to a Compact DigiCam . From Bannermania to Photoshop; from DOS to Windows Mobile; from PacMan to NFS; from text to HDDVD authoring, I feel I have come offage in technology. It's not that I thrive on getting the latest Gizmos, but addition happens automatically; If that technological tranformation is not happening am afraid to say that one is Technophobic and Cilliterate.
Yes there might be circles who differ on amount of adaption technology in daily life, lets not debate it today. Technology is part of parcel of modern day's life.

Shivaratri - Importance & Lingashatakam

Shivaratri unlike many other traditional Hindu festivals doesn't reflect celebrations or fun or new clothes or sweets or well-wishes. One hardly see's a one getting up early and bathing to wear new clothes on this day. The festival may be a bit unpopular because of these mentioned aspects. But Shivratri has upteen religious importance and spiritual austerity attached which the larger population are unaware. And for the ignorant they believe its the birthdate of Shiva which is untrue.
Shivratri festival falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight(a night before amavasya) in the month of Phalgun which pleases Lord Shiva the most. This has been declared by Lord Shiva himself, when Parvati asked him as to which ritual performed by his devotees pleases him the most.
It is said that if a devotee performs sincere worship of Lord Shiva on this auspicious day he/she attains moksha breaking the birth-rebirth cycle.
On this day after having the having a dip in a holy river, one proceeds to Shivabhishekam or the Ritual Bath of Shiva Lingam.
Lord Shiva is worshiped in a special form of Lingam called ‘Lingodabhavamurti or Jyotirlingam.’
Lord Shiva the ParamAtma or the supreme soul is considered to have no form, and endless energy. Shiva manifests in form of Lingam; in the form of fire which has neither a beginning nor an end. It must be noted here that ‘linga’ only means ‘sign.’ And it is merely an attempt to capture the formless of the almighty. It's believed that the first appearance of Jyotirlingam (Somnath) signifies the importance of this day.
As per Shiva Purana one have to use six items for the same.

• Bathing of Shivalinga with water, milk and honey and Sandal/ bel leaves added to it, represents purification of the soul.
• The Ashes paste applied on the linga after the ritual bath represents virtue.
• Offering of fruits symbolizes longevity and gratification of desires.
• Burning of incense sticks yields wealth.
• The lighting of the lamp symbolizes attainment of knowledge.
• Offering of betel leaves marks satisfaction with worldly pleasures.

Devotees take up Upvas (fast) & Jagran on this day.
UpVaas - Is formed by culmination of two words. Up means closer and Vaas means adobe of God. It means being closer to the Supreme Spiritual form, in a state where one forgoes all the earthly body needs including thirst and hunger. One should strive to get close to the supreme self by concentrating on achieving this closeness and discovering the divinity in ourselves. One by not having even a drop of water one in denying the body of all its urges and attempts to divert our concentration and meditative state focussed on the Paramatman.
Jagran - Is is the awakening of the soul to the resonate onself to the frequency of the Supreme soul. One's endevour should be to connect to the almighty and fill ourself with divinity on this day and all days to continue.
All-Night Shiva WorshipWorship of Lord Shiva continues all through the night on Shivaratri Festival. Devotees stay awake all night and spend the night in Shiva temples in worship of Lord Shiva. Singing of hymns and verses in praise and devotion of Lord Shiva besides the intense chanting of Om Namah Shivay, the mantra that is said free people from all their sins, continue through the night on Shivaratri.
The Lingashatkam is culmination of Eight Slokas. And it's believed that whoever recites these eight slokas, in praise of the Shivalinga with the presence of Lord Shiva, with outmost sense of devotion attains that Supreme abode of Shiva and enjoys everlasting bliss with Him
Text One
Brahma Muraari Suraarchita Lingam Nirmala Bhashita Shobhita Lingam Janmaja Dukha Vinaashaka LingamTat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
I always bow to that Shiva Linga, which is adored by Brahma, Vishnu and other Gods, which is praised by pure and holy speeches and which destroys the cycle of births and deaths.
Text Two
Devamuni Pravaraarchita Lingamkaamadaham Karunaakara Lingam Raavana darpa Vinaashaka Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
I always bow to that Shiva Linga, which is the destroyer of desires, which the Devatas and the sages worship, which is infinitely compassionate and which destroyed Raavana's pride.
Text Three
Sarva Sugandha Sulepitha Lingam Buddhi Vivardhana Kaarana Lingam
Siddha Suraasura Vanditha Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
I always bow to that Shiva Linga, which is smeared with variety of perfumes and fragrances, which incremental elevates the wisdom and enkindles the light of discrimination, and before which the Siddhas and Suras(demi-Gods) and Asuras(Demons) prostrate.
Text Four
Kanaka Mahaamani Bhushitha Lingam Phanipathi Veshtitha Shobhitha Lingam
Daksha Suyajna Vinaashaka Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
I always bow to that Shiva Linga, the destroyer of Daksha Prajapathi's sacrifice, which is decorated with Gold and precious jewels and which is coiled by a sparkling glow emiting from Serpent Lord, Naga.
Text Five
Kumkuma Chandana Lepitha Lingampankaja Haara Sushobhitha Lingam
Sanchitha Paapa Vinaashaka Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
I always bow to that Shiva Linga, which is smeared with saffron and sandal paste, which is decorated with garland of lotuses and which wipes out all accumulated sins.
Text Six
Devaganaarchitha Sevitha Lingam Bhaavair Bhakti Bhirevacha Lingam

Dinakara koti prabhakara Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
I always bow to that Shiva Linga, which is worshipped by all of Gods with devotion and outmost faith and whose splendor is like that of a million suns.
Text Seven
Ashta Dalopari Veshtitha Lingam Sarva Samudbhava Kaarana Lingam

Ashta Daridra Vinaashaka Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
I always bow to that Shiva Linga, which stands on the eight petalled Lotus and which is the creator of all and destroyer of eight types of misery & poverty.

Text Eight
Suraguru Suravara Pujitha Lingam Suravana Pushpa Sadaarchitha Lingam

Paraatparam Paramatmaka Lingam Tat Pranamaami Sadaa Shiva Lingam
I always bow to that Shiva Linga, which is the Transcendent Being and the Supreme Soul, worshipped by all Suras and their king (Indra), with innumerable flowers from the celestial gardens.
Text Nine

Lingashtakam, Idam Punyam padeth Shiva Sannidhow,

Shivalokam avapnothi shive na sahamodathe.

Any one who chants the holy octet of the Lingam,In the holy presence of Lord Shiva,Would in the end reach the world of Shiva, And keep him company.

I hope people get to believe in the Supreme Soul (Parmatma) and connect self to Supreme Energy and in this process are enlighted.