My journey with technology

Recently some of tweeple junta was putting forward their views about windows 7. I was thinking how quickly technology is changing. It has been 10 years since I started using a desktop computer. It was during my first year of engineering (1999) when I first hold the mouse. It was a Windows 95 operating system. Starting few months we didn't go to computer centre due to ragging. So only after diwali I used computers. My classmate Avinash shaw helped me to create my first e-mail id on yahoo. It took around 1 hr as net speed was too slow at that time. Though majority of students learned basic of computers during their school but our case was different. Most of Rajasthan board Hindi medium students saw PC in Engg College only.
Both Windows 95 and Windows 98 were used along with unix also. During my four year stint in Engg College I saw many OS like windows millennia edition, windows 2000, Windows NT but I liked windows 98 most. We also used Netscape navigator for browsing purpose also, probably it's not used today. There were few students in my class, who knows in and out of OS and PC very well. In fact those guys helped a lot to maintain our department lab and computer centre.

During second year we became addicted to chatting. Yahoo chat room was commonly used among students. My friend Gaurav goyal (naam rashi :) was the guy who spent time on chatting more than any of us. We made many fake profiles and entered in different-2 chat room. It was good experience. Chatting with friends happened after college only as my other friends were not in touch with computers.
By the time we entered in third year, a few of my friends bought personal computer in hostel rooms. We didn't have LAN in hostel at that time so computer were used to watch movies only. We used to see movie in group with lot of hulla gulla. Slowly-2 people shifted to Windows XP as we are mastered in copying the OS without paying. If I am correct, XP ran quite longer time compare to other previous OS. At the end of third year (2001-02), mobile services started in jaipur by BSNL. A few of my friends bought mobile phone in final year and most common use of mobile were SMSing as initially BSNL kept SMS free and call rates were exorbitantly high. Due to this free SMS and congestion, if someone sent a SMS - 'coming for lunch' that used to deliver after finishing the lunch. Due to this problem they started charging SMS. Digital cameras were also not common at that time, so most of friends have that reel based camera.
In my company I used laptop (HP-Compaq) first time and bought my first mobile in Dec 2003. After college, social networking sites became new theme. I joined orkut quite late as internet uses were restricted in my organization. Due to non-availability of softcopy of my college day's pics I couldn't upload those pics on orkut. It's quite tough to connect all of your batch mates after college. I have connected many of my class mates but still some are off the radar. Suddenly yahoo chat disappeared and gmail rocked the world.
A rapid change has happened during last one and half year in IIMK. I addicted to twitter and facebook. Made profile on number of social networking sites. Working on Windows vista on my own laptop though I found vista is worst OS so far. It's going to be exciting as technology changing at very fast rate. I will try to keep abreast of latest technology now on.

Mumbai or Bombay? What's in the name?

“Ae dil hai mushkil jeena yaha jara hat kar jara bach kar yeh hai bambai meri jaan” A song from old hindi classic ‘CID’ which and many other song depicts the true character of the city. I have to take care of now as I can’t sing this song in my country, because there is no city in India named as ‘BOMBAY’. Recently released ‘Wake up Sid’ has entangled in the controversy over using Bombay 12 times in movie instead of Mumbai. Producers have done the biggest sin on the earth. Biggest surprise was the way the producer has repented by apologizing to the self proclaimed GOD of Marathis.
After 62 years of Independence, What kind of law and order situation prevails in our country, I am pointless. If someone has any problem with the use of word ‘Bombay’ than there is police and court to report that objection but as they are the self posted whole sole leader of Marathis, their ego hurts if they go to police and court, according to them it should be other way round.
From the K-Jo’s and Film unit’s point of view, if there movie screening has been installed than they should have gone to police. But they choose the safest option to drive through the residence of chief. Producer apologized to him, God became happy as it shows the strong position they hold in the state.
Why there is so much fuss about name of the city? Are we not confident that if we continue with the name given by angrej to city, our culture/patriotism will vanish? Ok, now the name has changed, but is there any rule or ban by law not to use old name, than change the name of IIT BOMBAY, IIT MADRAS and many other.
Though, it’s true that we should not hurt the sentiments of masses especially this theory apply to the public figure but what about freedom of expression? Next time each producer should have a special screening before release to these powerful people, and should secure their blessing. Otherwise it is tough to run their show.
If someone wants to start political career in my state Rajasthan, what should be his/her entry strategy. They should invoke sentiments of masses. There is one trap in Rajasthan; there are different dialects in Rajasthan – Hadauti, Shekhawati, Marwari, Mewari etc. So based on language the invoking sentiments will be tough task. So what can be other point?

A Visionary Leader - We need you a lot

One of my role model Mr. E Sreedharan, Padma Vibhushan, Chief of Delhi Metro has resigned today. Today is a sad day for delhi for two reason. first it was third mishap on delhi metro since its inception caused five casualty so far and second due to resignation of Mr Sreedharan.

At the age of 77, he is serving for people of this country. As far as I know, he has done a gr8 job in developing Konkan Railways and Delhi metro against all odds. In India where bureaucratic hurdles delays each project, he has shown that a world class infrastructure can be developed in our country. We are not entitled to be called as third world country.

Having worked closely with government department I know how a project complets and reach its end. I am not sure but when government started Delhi metro project way back in late nineties, they approached mr E sreedharan. I heard that he put some conditions that he should be given free hand in all area of metro functioning, no bureaucratic hurdles, no political interfere and result is in front of us.

He has shown to the our fellow countrymen as well as other countries that we Indians are not behind other countries। At this age, he deserve a great accolade। He has resigned because DMRC is famous for its safety record and today five labour died in the mishap. He shouldnt have given the resign because it is fault of some other officers in charge but he has taken its moral responsibility. No beaureaucrat has that much courage to do so. They always play safe.

He could give us metro because he has courage, dedication and vision. If delhi govt. accepts his resignation, I am pretty sure that DMRC will not be able to complete its task in time. Compare it with Bangalore metro a project with hell lot of chaos. I mentioned in one of my previous blog that why we cant find a man out of 1.1 billion population who is comparable to Mr E sreedharan.

I think delhi junta should come forward and ask him to carry out responsibilities till commonwealth games. as far as I concern, I have full faith only in him to finish the project not in any other officer/bureaucrat.

First year at IIM Kozhikode

IIM K Kampus

I have completed one year in IIM K. It has been great learning experience so far. It’s just not academics but overall exposure which was entirely new for me. Due to recession, sometimes I used to think whether I have made right choice to leave a reputed government job. But when I look back I feel that I have made very much correct decision. Prior to IIM life I had monotonous job, daily going to office, doing same job for more than 4 years and came back to room in the evening. It’s very difficult to conclude what I have achieved in last one year in B-School. One thing which I found unique in B-school especially in IIMs that your colleagues in institute are not from common set of people, they have different age group, different education background and work experience. Compare to my engineering college everything I find here is extraordinary whether classroom or hostels, facilities and infrastructure. I feel very proud studying here in such a healthy environment after doing my schooling in typical government schools. Teaching methodologies are very much in contrast with engg college. Class participation gives us so much power to share our ideas with professors which were missing in my graduate college. I feel that my communication skills have improved slightly and become more confident in speaking to others. Hope this learning curve will steep rise further. My performance in academics is below my expectations, it’s improving but not same as during engineering days. I am trying hard and not disappointed.

Cooperation among students are amazing, those who know a subject better never hesitate to share their knowledge with others. Internet especially IP messenger is life line at K. Festivals are being celebrated with full josh and vigour here. My days at K have made me very flexible in terms of sleeping; I can manage with 3 hour sleep and also can go on for more than 10 hour. I have started running first time in my life (coz gained some weight). Studying in library was new for me as we didn’t go to our engg library except for book collection. Parties at K are best across the campuses.

Still lot to do, would like to participate and win some competition. Hopefully I will utilize my remaining 283 days in my college.

Challenges for new government : Foreign Policy

India is euphoric about thumping victory of UPA for its clean sweep. Most of people are happy as Left is left out and government will functioning without any hindrance. Even bulls returned in stock market with a bang. But as the dawn settle before PM swearing, there are few immediate challenges which India government have to take care according to my understanding.
Over the years our relations with neighboring country have been sour. Each neighbour is facing problem in its turf.
a) Pakistan: Most unstable country in the region is a new democracy, where is fight going on in order to save democracy. US has dropped Indian concern while giving billion dollar annual aid. It will be tough for Indian diplomats to keep a good rapport with Obama administration. We are not able to exert pressure on Pakistan regarding 26/11 attacks.
b) Nepal: Only Hindu country in the past and a new democracy. Only good things happened there that maoist has renounced the violence and now they are in main stream. But problem is the increasing relation with China and Nepal. Recent removal of Nepal Army Chief controversy has done a damage to indian foreign diplomacy. At least we should have the best relation with this tiny Himalayan country.
c) Sri Lanka: Aftermath of LTTE fall, onus is on India to take care of ethnic Tamil issues. India should look that these srilankan tamilians get honorable citizenship, equal rights and resources. These people should become the part of main stream as divide between singhalies and Tamilians are mammoth.
d) Bangladesh: The country which was created by us is creating problem. The terror camp, support to ULFA, the refugees problem, water sharing are the important area of concern.
e) Afghanistan: Though India have strong relation with this country. As taliban is emerging again, we should continue cooperate with Mr Hamid Karzai government. Its an important nation for our foreign policy.

Other than that relation with USA, China, EU and Russia will be interesting to watch.

Road ahead is full of thorn. It will be interesting to see How Indian government reacts to these issues in next 100 days.

All the best to new government.

Democracy Won

2009 Parliamentary election results are unexpected beating all exit polls regarding fractured mandate. Most positive aspect of these results is that we will have a stable government at centre which will work for full five year with less pressure from its allies compare to last term. Congress has gained seats in J&K, Kerala, Rajasthan and Arunachal Pradesh (All four corners of countries). This year’s parliamentary and 3 assembly elections have turned down the anti-incumbency factor.

But I still feel that local issues have driven the results. In case of left ruled state, due to their internal fight, non-performance; they have lost the plot. In AP, YSR’s populist schemes have worked. At the same time in Bihar, People have given vote to JD(U) led front due to its development policies. Gujarat also has given verdict on state development issues. Delhi is again another strong example of development. In Karnataka, people have retained their faith in BJP; probably they will wait how this new government lead by Mr. Yedurappa performs. As they have seen the poor rule by JD(S). Chattisgarh also Mr Raman Singh performed based on expectation. There was little anti incumbency in Madhya Pradesh but Mr Shivraj Singh has not lost his ground. Punjab the Singh factor worked and also at certain extent state government has not worked well. Tamilnadu the populist measures by DMK (1 Rs Kg Rice, free power etc.) has tremendously helped them to retain their last time figures.

Only puzzle for me are Rajasthan, UP and Uttranchal. First let’s talk about Uttarakhand which is ruled by Mr Khanduri. Who was Road & transport minister in Vajpayee government. His records were impeccable. Despite his clean image, BJP lost all seats.

Rajasthan has always seen the anti government in centre compare to state government but this time both state and centre government will be ruled by same party. So hope to see some development in my state. But here development card didn’t work. Despite the hard work put by Vasundhara government they lost assembly polls some time back and now a shameful defeat in loksabha.

UP the largest state in terms of seats have voted against current mismanaged state government, but they have not given a clear cut verdict to a party.

Point I am trying to make is that there was no national issues in these elections. The verdict shows that who have won the election, has won based on local/state issues. And there the NDA missed the trick. I am not a political analyst but from my understanding I could figure out it.

Though this is one part of story there may be other reasons as well.

I am hoping that due to stable government, Market will surge, there will be revival of economy and upsurge in employment. But Democracy ki Jai Ho !

Waiting for D-Day

Elections are going to over today evening, real game starts now. Everybody is claiming to make their government. Who will be able to make will be known only on 16th may. As indications and media reports suggests (it may change also) that no group will be able to make government on their own. So there will be lot of poaching of small player/parties. Politics has touched its rock bottom where parties are willing to welcome any party to form the government without synchronous in their philosophy. But one more thing there are few parties who works on ideology otherwise most of the parties are opportunistic. They will support the side which they feel to have power to form government.

So this time each small tiny player will have power to run the government. When such kind of government forms it is called in our local language ‘jugaad’. The so called coalition dharma will act as hindrance to development because government can’t take hard bold decision as they have to save their government. In order to appease the small player and other coalition member, they forget the path of development and wellbeing of aam aadmi.

The problem which I see is the regionalism; we forget the larger issue of country. While giving vote for MPs we forget that these votes are about country. We entangled in local issues rather than focussing on national issues. State and municipal elections are for local issues but parliamentary elections are national election. In my opinion we should vote for a government which can make a strong and stable government at center based on national and international issues.

I hope over the years people will raise above the caste and regional issues; they will vote for development. Ummeed per duniyaa kaayam hai.

Does education make a difference

From my childhood, I am listening these words ‘padhne likhne se aadmi samajhdaar banta hai’ But after so many years I am not sure about this line. Let me tell you my own experience which i have encountered over the years. I am talking about education as a general word not related to professional or higher education.

I have a mindset that education teaches us behaving with manner; education can distinguishes yourself with uneducated people. Though it’s true that education brings a lot of change in terms of earning, social status, thinking. But when I walk across the road, I have realised that in our normal daily routine life, education is not a distinguishing factor.

Those who have travelled by air (domestic), they will probably appreciate my observation. The moment aircraft lends at the air strip, passenger loosens their seat belts, open the cabin box to take out their luggage and stand in the queue (including me). They will stand in the queue for next 10 minutes because it will take some time to park the plane in parking bay and then stairs will come in next few minutes. And the scene inside the aircraft become so chaotic, you can’t say these people are highly educated and professional persons. In my opinion it will take same time if you keep sitting in your seats and disembark one by one. But one passenger will start initially and soon everybody will follow it.

I am from Rajasthan and so I know how precious water is. During my engineering days and now in B-school, people are not different. I have seen many people wasting water while brushing and shaving. Despite advertising on TV and other medium regarding efficient use of water, people show irresponsibility. Same can be seen in terms of usage of electricity. In offices because one doesn’t need to pay the electricity charges so they don’t take care of electricity that when they are not in the room switch off some lights. College hostels, Government accommodation (where light charges are fixed) have same kind of problem. If same set of people including me live in some private apartments where they have to pay the bill they will use electricity as precious commodity. Why such kind of differences in their approaches is out of my understanding.

I have also seen people travelling in big car, throw waste out of car’s window and many more examples we can find in daily routine which you will not expect from educated person.

Your comments will be appreciated, please tell me whether I am right or wrong.