The growing pursuit of wealth

There was a young guy, who like any other inspiring blood had an intention to change the world, to help as many people as he could and to make people happy around him but unfortunately that has changed radically and now he is filled with a never ending desire of accumulating as much wealth as possible to fulfill his and his family growing needs. This in fact is an interesting anecdote valid for most of us and we can easily relate to it because we are now part of this culture of aggregating where everyone wants to rough shod over everybody to have more and more (refer story of 99 gold coins). This culture of “Ye dil maange more” is the reason behind this transition from “the pursuit of happiness” to “the pursuit of wealth”. Some may argue that wealth = happiness and they have their preset notion pretty much set so I won’t argue with that and them. 

Earlier, when a man used to come home, he would humbly tell everybody what act of random kindness (ARK) he has done today and inspire other too but now he just brags about his new luxury possession, how much more money he will make in next few months, his new role in office, his foreign trip in pipeline etc. Yes, we aspire to have more but at what cost, we see an accident in front of us and we don’t even bother to stop because we are worried about getting late to office which might result in our pay cut. Preposterous!! 

 It is quite clear that ‘Money is king’ today, no doubt money is important but the important question is how much? Yes, we are entitled to ensure well-being of our family but I don’t think it is just confined to earning money. That being said i am no guru in telling you what is right or wrong and you are better equipped to decide on that, I am just asking or would rather request to take a sabbatical, spend some time alone and search your own meaning of well-being, for you and for your family. 

Mantra: Just ask yourself everyday “what act of kindness you have done today? ” and you will enjoy a restful sleep and that means a lot! 

“There is no wealth but life”. ~ John Ruskin

Enough of Platitudes India

If you are looking for any inspiration from this post, i must tell you there isn't any here. So if you seriously looking for one, then just go and see your mom, sister, wife or daughter right now.

What i really wanted to do with this space was to share ideas on how to tackle the menace of sexual crimes against women. Like most of us i can also go on and on when it comes to criticizing and complaining the Government actions (sec 144, shutting down metro, faking sympathy) and in-actions (police reforms, law & order, governance paralysis). But that would be the easiest thing to do, having said that do you really think government is only to blame here, actually we all are partners in crime and it's high time we introspect. 

These following 5 points are essential is what i feel to completely eradicate this menace.

1. Don't just start weeping, don't behave like a stubborn child, zip it and ACT consistently and not just when you get a wake up slap. Enough of Platitudes people, seriously enough.
2. Name and shame the sex offenders, including the MP and MLA's by publishing their names on the national website and ridiculing them. FYI, around 650 MPs and MLAs have been charged for sexual crimes against women which is still pending with courts. This will also force the political parties to remove them.
3. Stay United, so if you see a guy fighting with a eve -teaser alone consider him as your best friend/brother and join hands against crime and injustice.
4. Police System really needs an overhaul and it is not limited to just by transferring/suspending, it also includes our Judiciary system, so if a girl gets justice in 15 yrs it isn't a justice actually, henceforth we need a sex offense bill, police reforms and fast track courts across India for such kind of cases.
5. Social equality; if a girl is raped, she should not be treated as some second class citizen. Rather than blaming and disgracing her, the guy should be humiliated for his action. It would be a slow process in this male dominated society and we need to start from scratch, creating awareness. We really need to ask some hard questions this time.

Last and the least,  "Don't Betray her, Don't Forget". I sincerely hope her death will not go in vain and i am worried it will.

~ The Angry Indian.

What's in the Name? A lot Actually.

Tropical cyclone 'Sandy' threatening US, Sandy! yes you heard it right, ironically sounds more like an angry girlfriend than a natural disaster to me. But as Shakespeare had said "Whats' in a name".

But i disagree, what if we name a natural disaster like tsunami after our PM, Manmohan Singh  probably it won't do anything, Not that natural forces know the difference and will be effected, it's the perception that will change among the masses.

So, the Hurricance will make their share of necessary damage but naming it Sandy will help us in preparing it mentally and to eventually sustain it.

Open Letter:

Dear Sis,

Hope you are safe in US. If required i will send my personal hand made 'Ark' to you. BTW, what is the price of Kindle Fire HD in US (Height of Shamelessness).

Your loving, caring and 'selfless' brother. :)


For real time updates on hurricanes across the Globe check out this website- http://tropic.ssec.wisc.edu/ (There is a storm Cyclone Nilam presently hovering around Indian east coast too.)


Stay Safe !!

I Apologize for my Existence !!

A soldier has a gun, A artist has a skill, A painter has a brush, A writer has a pen, I have a Keyboard. Obviously, that doesn't mean i can vent and spit out anything. I am a responsible citizen of this country, who is grief-stricken and heart-broken.

India facing Government Paralysis!!

Where our leaders say, what should be said (sometimes needless and weird), but without any need to deliver. Where media, the pillar of our democracy, rather than making sense, is more interested in making sensation. Where People (some of them),are keen and proactive in burning buses and creating chaos. Where People (rest of them) just don't care. Where the Intellectual types (including me) are busy tweeting, blogging and ranting stuff without the need to participate.

I know criticizing is the easiest thing to do and i have criticized almost everybody in my country. I know i don't have to a right to do so and like to apologize on that note.

I apologize if i have offended any of our politicians (Their Pets Included), as i want to avoid my mysterious disappearance to the extend that even my family won't be able to see my dead body.

I apologize if i have hurt the feelings of our Media (including India TV), as i am not a sensation of any kind, i am not Digvijay Singh.

I apologize to the people of this country for my existence.

"I just broke my personal record of no of days without dying today." Thank You !!

The Great Indian Weekened!

The Great Indian Weekened! Really, NO. I am a Dreamer !! 

Saturday:: 

Mumbaikars: There is nothing interesting on Television today, let's go and burn some buses.

Me: Why are you burning the buses? 

Mumbaikars: Some chinese have entered Mumbai. 

Me: Great, you have put the Bengalis to shame. 

"Mumbaikars Don't fret, atleast i am writing about you, there are few geographically isolated places i don't talk about (Assam)".

 I am an Escapist

Sunday:: Of Aug 12, should be renamed as Sushil kumar Shinday (oops Sunday). Great Punch, Give him one too. 

Me: We had a highest ever tally of medals, Yay!. 

Cynics: Yea, we have won 6 medals out of 1.2 billion people.

 Me: We won not because of our system but despite our system. 

Cynics: Whatever, we have 0 Gold, China has 38. 

Me: Yes, we had 2 Silver, 4 Bronze and 1 Bappi da so we still Win ...Boo Ya! 

I am an Optimist

Bottomline: I am a DORK!

Stay Connected a whole lot easier

Traveling internationally often means leaving someone back home and having to deal with excessive international mobile roaming charges or high-priced calls when using hotel telephones.  We do understand when family is involved there shouldn't be any hesitation to pick up the phone at whatever cost. But with the options available at your disposal it can be a easy ride.

Global Phone - Enjoy the convenience of one phone, one number, and one bill. Plenty of companies offering a solution try goggling it.

Global Access - Take advantage of high-speed wireless Internet access and use a Global USB data card or select Mobile Broadband Built-In notebooks to connect to the network anywhere, anytime.

Global Email - With global devices like the BlackBerry® Storm,™ your employees can stay connected wherever business takes them.

Calling cards - Traditional but can be handy for a short and sweet talk.

Local Sim Cards - Purchase Local sim cards on your arrival to the destination country and float it as your Facebook status or using a tweet.

These options can provide you cost-saving service to enjoy voice and data communication around the world and stay connected anytime , anywhere!!

International Cell Phone Rentals - A Trap or a Genuine Money Saver

Renting an international cell phone can be a good and cost effective option to stay connected,  if your travel duration is brief. There are many companies offering international cellphone on rent with alluring plans, but I recommend caution before putting yourself in a trap with some trickster.

You will find many companies when browsing through Google but make sure you check their reviews before deciding the purchase. I have shortlisted some companies based on multiple reviews, based on the personal experiences of many.

Recommended companies for renting an international cellphone or SIM card:-

• Telestial – Offering prepaid SIM cards, unlocked GSM and satellite phones for international travelers. Has the largest market share of North America’s market
• Cell Hire – Save over 70% on your calls abroad with free incoming calls!
• Mobal - No contract cell phones which are affordable & easy to use
• Cellular Abroad - National Geographic International cell phone rentals and travel SIM cards

You can do a sim card only purchase, if your phone is quad-band,  simply meaning it support 4 frequencies. Please check your phone manufacturer or check out the product catalogue for confirmation.

Please ensure that you purchase or carry adapter for foreign AC converters. This will allow you to plug your charger into European / international electrical outlets.

The Europe emergency number for police, fire, and ambulance is 112 and 911 works only in states. Outside Europe, emergency numbers will vary by country.

True Places are never on the Map – Happy Traveling !!

Smarter phones emerging in the future

Cell phones are getting smaller and more powerful each day. The disposable Concept and Conduit cell phone is already patented and being manufactured; it is a mere two by three inches, with the thickness of three credit cards, and is made entirely of paper (the circuit board is printed with metallic conductive ink).  Such phones, in volume, will likely cost less than a dollar each, with the air time for educational uses likely subsidized by carriers and others. Some already see mobile bills shrinking to only a few dollars as the mobile companies pay off their investments in the new networks.

Although we often hear complaints from older Digital Immigrants about cell phones' limited screen and button size, it is precisely the combination of miniaturization, mobility, and power that grabs today's Digital Natives.

They can visualize a small screen as a window to an infinite space and have quickly trained themselves to keyboard with their thumbs.

Despite what some may consider cell phones' limitations, our students are already inventing ways to use their phones to learn what they want to know. If educators are smart, we will figure out how to deliver our product in a way that fits into our students' digital lives—and their cell phones. Instead of wasting our energy fighting their preferred delivery system, we will be working to ensure that our students extract maximum understanding and benefit from the vast amounts of cell-phone-based learning of which they will, no doubt,

soon take advantage.