Most Awaited Weekend of the Year

This weekend was the most awaited weekend of the year for me. This was because I have taken the Formula 1 tickets way back in March. I have been waiting for the date with these cars since then. Finally I had a wonderful, amazing, astonishing, astounding, enjoyable, excellent, extraordinary, fabulous, fantastic, incredible, lovely, magnificent, marvelous, phenomenal, sensational, superb, terrific weekend. I mean it. I was at the race and the experience is once for life time. I am now part of history. I was in the Pit Grandstand and being first to watch the start and end of the first ever F1 night race. Haha .. anyways I will be updating my three day experience in my travel & photo blog.

Five Point Someone

After One Night @ Call Center, I started reading Chetan Bhagat's first book Five Point Someone. I heard that Raj Kumar Hirani is making a movie based on this movie starring Aamir Khan. After reading this book I thought there is so much to relate to our lives. The story is about three students with different backgrounds coming together at IIT.

Story shows that these guys get frustrated with pressures of assignments & grading system. They feel that the system is not correct and its only promoting mugging and there is no appreciation for the original work. They decide to enjoy the college life by placing themselves at the edge of the passing percentage which they call 5.0+ GPA (Five Point Something GPA).

Even though I am not an IITian,
Even though I was never traumatized by our professors,
Even though I never had these unending quizzes and assignments,
I liked this book a lot.

But the similarities that I have found in my life from the book are:
Like the three heroes of the novel Ryan, Hari & Alok , I found my best friends of life in those 4 years of graduation.
Ragging as freshers.
Bunking our classes.
Eating at roadside dhaba after college hours.
Talking about the girls and the affairs.
Most important of all, even I am some where near to Five Point Something. As the main plot goes these guys think that they have to enjoy their graduation life, is what I have also thought long time back and have settled for just Five Point Something enjoying each and every moment of those 4 years.

As I flipped through the pages of novel, I could remeber so many events from my college life. Its just like a nostalgic journey of the time we spent at our alma mater.

One Night @ Call Center

In all my profiles I always write "I Hate Books". This time when I was coming back from Hyderabad, I was alone and had to kill sometime even at Bangalore airport. Meanwhile my eyes went to Landmark bookshop at Hyderabad airport. Just went inside with no intention of buying any books.

I have seen a book with the name ‘One Night @ The Call Center’. I heard a lot about this book. I have mainly heard about this because Katrina Kaif was acting in the film based on this book. So I became curious after seeing the book and thought I will read it. This was the second book of the IIT and IIM student Chetan Bhagat.

I just started it with a very little interest and as the story went on I got more and more interested in the book. It had all that youth element in it and also had the masala required for a bollywood movie. It had the comedy, tragedy, romance, action and complete entertainment. Even though I have worked in such a call center for more than 2 years I never experienced such a night. After reading this book I thought this guy would be one of best storytellers of the new genre.

The book was nearly 280 pages and was extremely racy (even though I felt a little drag in the story at some points) and also engaging. It is all the more interesting because the novel is centered on the India’s new generation. I was so desperate to finish this book as I did not want to wait for long time. I read the whole book in a single day. The language used in the book was also very much easy to understand.

Hence I would suggest this book as the first book to get interest in reading books for any starters. I am planning to read his first book Five Point Something which is based on three IITians.

A crazy day - 12th Sep 2008

It was a regular Friday when I went to office and started early back home along with Nagraj as he was going to Banglore. On the way back home in the train we were just discussing all kinds of stuff. Suddenly Nagraj gave me an idea and the whole chaos started.

4.05PM: Started from office.

4.30PM: I told Nagraj that about the call from dad saying that he is missing me. Nagraj asked why not I go to Hyderabad as it was weekend. Immediately my mind started thinking about possibilities to go.

4.35PM: Called Mahesh and Srinivas to check if there were any flights to Hyderabad or Banglore or Chennai that day. I was very much excited about me going to India.

4.45PM: Mahesh called and informed that seats were not available in Tiger Airways to Banglore and there are no flights to Chennai that day. Till 5PM he was on the call and suggested all possibilities but finally said it would be impossible to start that day.

As I did not have my room key I went to Nagrajs place.

5.45PM: Mahesh called and suggested one more plan to take Singapore Airlines one way to Hyderabad, then take a flight to Banglore on Monday and then come back in Jet Airways from Banglore. This whole trip would cost me about 1500+ dollars for which I was ready as I was very excited.

6PM: Nagraj dropped me at Terminal 2 and left for the Budget terminal. Mahesh was on the way to room to get me my passport. I went near the Singapore Airlines counter and asked if tickets were available. The lady said it would cost about 852 dollars for one way and half the flight was empty.

6.15PM: Nagraj called me and asked me to wait until he checks with Tiger if they have any tickets available. Mean while I started giving my details to the lady for the Singapore Airlines ticket.

6.20PM: Nagraj called and told me that the 2 way ticket to Banglore was available for just 540 dollars. I asked him to immediately book the ticket. I left the terminal 2 for budget terminal in the shuttle bus.

6.40PM: Mahesh came to airport along with my passport. At this point I was directly coming from office with just the passport and no hand or check in luggage.

7.30PM: We boarded the flight and flight took off at 8.15PM

10.55PM: We landed in Banglore. The landing itself was so crazy that he just jumped on to the runway which actually hurt the passengers inside including me.

11.25PM: Took a ticket for Hyderabad which was scheduled at 3.30AM.

3.00AM: Boarded the flight and at 3.30AM flight took off.

4.35AM: Landed in Hyderabad.

6.15AM: I was at home giving a surprise visit to mom and dad. Actually speaking even I was surprised about my sudden visit to Hyderabad. I hope this will not be repeated and I should have control on my mind regarding such decisions :P.

Influential Cinema

Yesterday I have seen a movie called Meet John Doe. This was one such movie which would make us think about the subject even after the completion of the movie. Movie making has two reasons to make a movie. One is for entertainment and other for making people think about a subject. In fact both the movies leave good impact on audience provided actors and subject are professionally selected.

Movies that are made for entertainment, help people forget about their daily problems and stress. It's a way of having fun and enjoying life. In most of the countries where war and trouble is prevailed, entertaining movies will help innocent civilians at least make their life easy, have an ambitious at a better future.

On the other hand movies made for audience to think also have a great impact on the common man. These movies give us facts and stories about very important events, and very important people. Many influential novels have been made into movies as the whole novel can be explained in just 3 hours and still influence the common man. These movies which make us think not only allows us to improve the way of looking at life but also helps in making others life comfortable.

It would be hard or harsh for anyone to choose between these two types of movies. Depending on the situation and mood we can actually choose the movie. Also the film makers should think about making both variety of movies rather than just making the mass masala movies. Actually filmmakers can think of movies like Charlie Chaplin where they made people think and at the same time gave lot of entertainment.

Movies of the Day

Agent Cody Banks - Save the world. Get the girl. Pass math.
Good movie for Kids. I would rate 6 out of 10. After seeing this movie I thought that Baadshah starring Shahrukh was inspired from this movie.

Agent Cody Banks - Destination London.
This is a sequel but did not really have that feel good factor in it. I would rate it 5 out of 10.

Meeting John Doe
Its a profound and moving film. This movie would be one of them which would make us start thinking. This movie has been remade in Hindi as Main Azad Hoon starring Amitabh.

Mails from Managing Editor - Picture.com

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Dont Miss "A Wednesday"

The story is all about a fateful Wednesday in Mumbai between 2PM to 6PM. Police Commisioner gets a call from a man informing about the bombs that he has planted in different places in Mumbai. The only way to avoid this devastation would be to give the man what he wants.

Personally I felt A Wednesday is a better film than Aamir. The movie can be called the best with the help of strongest contributions from everyone involved in the film. Anupam Kher has done some excellent work as a responsible cop. Debutant Aamir Bashir and Jimmy Shergill were also looking good in their roles. The Baby Doll image Deepal Shaw did her job fine though the dialogue delivery was stiff. Last but the best Naseeruddin Shah was at his intimidating best.

The plot was great. The dialogues were good and looked awesome because of the stellar performances by Anupam and Naseer. Even though I watched this movie online I would suggest you to go to theater and watch this movie. At the end of the movie this movie will make you start thinking.

Watching TV at Home was Never so much Fun

This weekend I have seen 13 movies. Now you may wonder how somebody can see so many movies with just 2 days. I have seen them at my home in my new TV and Home Theater. Recently I have bought a Samsung 40" Full HD LCD TV with 800W output 5.1 Channel Home Theater. This was the first time that I was experiencing such a theater effect at home.

We saw movies like Black Hawk Down, Prey, 300 etc to feel the theater effect. I also enjoyed listening to music in this. Overall we had a great weekend with some great food, great movies and some really good music. Thanks to Samsung :-).

Paes win US Open mixed doubles title

Finally after 2 years an Indian player have again shown some talent in Grand slam. The last I saw was the 2006 US and Australian Open Mixed doubles titles that Paes and Bhupati have won respectively. Hope next year we see more of these.

Movies of the Day

I just wanted to write about the movies I saw yesterday. I have seen two movies which had comedy and romance.

1. Lost in Translation - The first 30 minutes of the movie clearly shows the culture differences between the western and Asian countries. This part of the movie is very hilarious. Overall I liked the movie and would rate it 7 out of 10.

2. You Have got Mail - I was looking to watch this for a long time but did not really see it. Finally yesterday I was lucky to get time to watch this movie. Its also a romantic comedy flick. The movie shows the relationship between two people in real life and through Internet. I heard that its a remake of one movie from 1940s. I shall watch that sometime and would love to compare the both. I would rate this movie 6 out of 10.

Teacher's Day

Gurur brahmaa gurur vishnuh
Gurur devo maheshvarah
Gurur saakshaat parabrahma
Tasmai shree gurave namah.

Meaning
Know the Guru to be Brahma himself. He is Vishnu.
He is also Shiva.
Know Him to be the Supreme Brahman,
and offer thy adorations unto that peerless Guru.

This is how we respect our Guru's (Teachers). I thought of writing a small post on this occasion of Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan birthday which we all celebrate as the Teachers Day on SEP 5th every year. As students we all have a lot of influence on us by our Teachers and there is no doubt in the fact that they are the one who put us in the right path. It is so important that in which ever position that we are in today - we should spend some time and remember all those teachers who shaped our careers. So on this important occasion of Teachers Day - join me in sending teachers day greetings and messages to all those teachers our success.

History of Middle Finger

Well, now......here' s something I didn't knew before, and now that I got to know it through a forwarded mail, I feel compelled to share it on to my more intelligent friends in the hope that they, too, will feel edified. Isn't history more fun when you know something about it?

Before the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the French, anticipating victory over the English, proposed to cut off the middle finger of all captured English soldiers. Without the middle finger it would be impossible to draw the renowned English longbow and therefore they would be incapable of fighting in the future. This famous English longbow was made of the native English Yew tree, and the act of drawing the longbow was known as "plucking the yew" (or "pluck yew").

Much to the bewilderment of the French, the English won a major upset and began mocking the French by waving their middle fingers at the defeated French, saying, See, we can still pluck yew! Since 'pluck yew' is rather difficult to say, the difficult consonant cluster at the beginning has gradually changed to a labiodentals fricative F', and thus the words often used in conjunction with the one-finger-salute! It is also because of the pheasant feathers on the arrows used with the longbow that the symbolic gesture is known as "giving the bird."

IT IS STILL AN APPROPRIATE SALUTE TO THE FRENCH TODAY!
And yew thought yew knew every plucking thing.

My Hanoi and Halong Bay Trip Pics

Ganapati Bappa Moriya

Elements of Ganesha

Ganesha Chaturthi aka Vinayak Chaturthi aka Vinayaka Chavithi is on 3rd September, thats tomorrow. When I was in India we used to celebrate with utmost bhakti. This was a special day for us because its my dads birthday also that we celebrate on the same day. Normally this comes in Mid Aug or Mid Sept.

Typical Ganesh Pooja

I just don't want to write what this festival means or what it is all about. I just want to write some of my observations about this festival. Previously the idols were small and cute. Now a days it has become like a competition and the height of the idol is going on increasing. Even at houses people want a big idol.

These huge idols are made of plaster of paris. The quantity of these chemicals used in these huge idols are also high. This not only pollutes water in rivers, lakes and sea but also makes the horrible situation the next morning.

Small and Cute Idol

Some of my suggestions:
1. Keep the idols small and theme BIG.
2. No chemicals but should be made of mud.
3. Immersion in tanks specially organized for this.

Rock on Rocks

Friday night we went to watch this much awaited Rock On Movie. The music was awesome. The actors did their role very well. Everything was great in the movie. I would give 8 out of 10 for this movie. This is yet another youth oriented movie like Jaane tu Ya Jaane na. The story line is inspirational and motivating.

Farhan did a great job even as an actor and singer. Even Arjun Rampal was at his best. The debutants (Prachi Desai, Luke Kenny, Shahana Goswami, Koel Puri) also did a great job in the movie. The best part of the movie is the music by Shankar Eshaan Loy.