Karmasutraa !

2009-10-27T04:20:00.000-07:00

Life @ XIMB

2009-09-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

The following words are the creation of Kartikeya Mishra,XIMB-2004-06 batch(My Super Super Super Super Super Senior..Perhaps that makes him my Superior Duperior Senior :P)
The text has been taken from Life @XIMB thread on Pagalguy. Quite frankly,I tried writing something similar, but could not dare, since the following account is as precise as it could get. Enjoy reading ...

XST: XIM Standard Time

Normal daily routine of a guy at XIMB

8:45 XST: Wake up time...the alarm goes off....
8:48 XST: The alarm which you conveniently ignored earlier ...goes off
again
8:50 XST: You finally wake up
8:51 XST: A quick trip to the loo
8:55 XST: You wake up ppl...who'r still in a slumber
8:58 XST: You dash to the class.
9:00 XST: If you are lucky you make it to class, JIT (just in time)
9:02 XST: The ones who are not so lucky, make an entry into class, some

would be asked to leave, if you are lucky, you get to attend the

class, but no attendance for u, if you are really really lucky...the
prof

is late!!!
9:05 XST: Attendance done...time to doze off in class
9:10 XST: Man when does this class end
10:25 XST: Yawn....of the class is coming to an end is it???
10:30 XST: Damn c’mon prof....you gotta let us go now
10:31 XST: Hey prof CMON
10:32 XST: Finally...you're out
10:35 XST: Breakfast time
10:59 XST: What time for the next class already...DAMN
11:00 XST: Class 2...more or less the same as class 1
12:30 XST: Time for lunch..or is it time for another nap...
12:45 XST: Lunch!!!
13:15 XST: Do i have to bathe today???
13:20 XST: Do i really need to bathe...
13:30 XST: ok guess its been days since i last bathed...
13:50 XST: Damn another class....what about my nap...
14:00 XST: Class 3..... read what happens in class1
15:30 XST: Class ends....time for a coffee...
15:35 XST: You sip coffee peacefully.....
15:45 XST: Class 4, what a quiz...a surprise quiz....how come the other

section gets to give it in the next class...how come no
"surprise"

for them....
15:46 XST: Damn was this ever discussed in class...i can't seem to recall

anything
15:59 XST: Thank god its over...lets hope..everybody got it wrong..that

way..it really doesn't matter..
16:00 XST: Time to sleep again
17:15 XST: Yawwnnnn...oh the class got over is it..
17:16 XST: Snacks time.....
17:30 XST: Time for football...time for tennis...time for badminton....
18:15 XST: Can't i bunk the next class...how about a proxy...
18:36 XST: You make it class...a whole 6 mins late...
19:15 XST: You need to be excused....you take a loo break...you walk out..
19:16 XST: You change your mind ...you don't wanna go back.....plus ...its

time you've been to sandy square...this is the time..when all the

pretty faces turn up ..there..you head to CCD..
19:20 XST: You get an SMS from a frnd in class "Dude ...why aren't you
back

yet, prof just announced a surprise quiz.....he's bolted the door"

aaarrrrrrrrggggghhhhh..you just lost 15% of your weightage....damn
damn

damn

20:14 XST: You just realise ...thats its a 6 class day....and today’s the

day..
20:15 XST: What another class....when does all this end..
20:30 XST: You turn up 15 mins late...
21:00 XST: Sir, can we end ...the class now...its been a long day...
21:01 XST: Just a few more mins..son...i promise to end the class 5 mins

earlier...(thats still 40 mins away)
21:30 XST: Sir can we end now puhlllllllease....sure sure....just a few
more

mins
21:45 XST: You start getting up to leave...its times the class ended...
21:46 XST: Just a min son, i know i promised ...we'd end early...but i
gotta

explain this....cmon..we'd can start something...new next class
21:50 XST: Finally it ends..
21:51 XST: Thank god the day is over....well is it...
21:52 XST: There's a commotion in the porch area...
21:53 XST: What the hell's happening......WHAT .... assignment......MC

assignment and it NEEDS TO BE SUBMITTED BY 11:59 tonite.....when was
that

announced.....there was nuthing on the notice board...when you chkd at

8pm...it just got announced.........

21:54 XST: WHAT ABOUT THE DINNER THAT WE HAD PLANNED OUTSIDE...
21:55 XST: You rush to the mess...and finish off dinner.......
22:00 XST: What did i have for dinner anyway......well does it really
matter

22:10 XST: You try and understand what the assignment is all about..
22:15 XST: You ping your grp mates....(thank god...they invented instant

messengers )....Guys get your ass down to my room ASAP..
22:40 XST: Your first grp mate arrives..."Man i buzzed you 20 mins
back..."

Sorry man..i just got your ms"..."What about others"...."Well who

elses there in our grp"
22:41 XST: Oh yeah good question...let me chk...
22:45 XST: Hey class rep....who all did you put in my grp...
22:46 XST: Class reps no where to be found....
23:00 XST: Class reps finally found...hey who all in my grp......the reply
"Chk grp listing on the intranet - The grps were made by prof"
23:05 XST: Damn why didn't i think of that...
23:15 XST: Distress call...you send a msg on the LAN mssnger "My grp

mates...whoever you are....please come to my Room ASAP...with regards
to

the MC assign...please please please come..."
23:20 XST: Whats the point...the msngr seems to be flooder with similar

msgs....
23:25 XST: You decide to deal with the assignment ...with just the 3 of
your
grp mates..who decided to turn up...hell with the rest...

23:30 XST: Google.com.... you copy paste...the question as mentioned in
the
assign......you do manage to get some results......download some
relevant stuff
23:40 XST: You start copy pasting.....your doc seems to building up... hey
not bad...i think we can finish it off...Hey Hey add the
names...add
the names of the grp member..ok done..
23:55 XST: You are pleased with your work..... man time to upload...you
gotta hurry....deadline 11:59 sharp...else the intranet won't accept
it.
23:58 XST: You login to the ..intranet//
23:58 XST: Where do i upload...wheres the damn link.....oh yeah found..
23:58:52 XST: NOTICE ON SOME SCREENS ..... UPLOAD COMPLETE....UPLOADED BY
USER U104082 at time 23:58:52..
0000 XST: Notice on some screens
"DEADLINE HAS EXPIRED" You cannot upload .... please contact the
course instructor...

0001 XST: What the f......... i did upload ...i upload well before the
deadline....you finally come to realise that your system clock is not
synchronized with the server lock.....DAAAAAAMMMMMMMMNNNNNNNN...thats
another 15% lost...

0200 XST: You while away time..... happy at completing the assignment (or
cribbing over failing to upload ....in some cases)....you get a
buzz...
0201 XST: You read the msg "Hey....we got a presentation ...at 9 in the
morning....i forgot all about it......didn't realise it was our grps
turn...so what say ...we do that now???? "

0202 XST: what again.......you are too dumbstruck to even think...you
reply...."ok sure....i'd be in your room in a few mins......inform the
girls as well...make sure everybody's there"

0215 XST: You walk into your frnds room...everybodys there... except for
one
girl...where the hell is ...she...

0220 XST: After some frantic calls to girl2, girl1 says..shes taking the
ximb walk...with.. ..you know who....
You scream....."She better be here...or else...shes thrown out of
the grp"

0230 XST: Girl 2 finally shows up "Sorry yaar...was just discussing
...today‘s quiz with......" yeah whatever...

0345 XST: Presentation..doesn't seem to be making sense....2 of your grp
members have dozed off....
0400 XST: Two members leave.....
0415 XST: the three of you who are left.....finish off....the
presentation....pleased with ur work...at least thats what you think
0430 XTS: Its been a horrid day...time to crash..
0845 XTS: Man ..i gotta dress up for the presentation... man i need to
shave....
0905 XTS: You arrive in class..clean shaven, your clothes are unironed
though....never mind...
0910 XTS: The class is waiting for u to start..with your presentation..oh
you've forgotten the pen drive...well never mind...take it off.. your comp
on the network...damn i forgot to share the folder.....ok ok ...never
mind..you can map your drive....don't worry...oh yeah...i can ......but
it
wouldn't access.....DAMN i had turned my comp off..............
...............
..........

and so the saga continues.......

the routine continues....every single day........

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2009-08-21T00:46:00.000-07:00

Janmashtami @ XIMB

2009-08-18T22:04:00.000-07:00

There have been so many Krishna janmashtamies till date in my life, 22 to be precise, but I have never enjoyed the birthday of Krishna this much as I did here at XIMB.

The annals of my mind are still replete with the memories of how I used to celebrate the occasion back home-getting up early in the morning, taking the bath and visiting temple to see the new born Makhanchor. I know it’s boring, but that’s the way it’s meant to be celebrated. That’s the tradition. But then I remember someone long ago said- “If it's not fun, you're not doing it right”

Well, that’s been the tradition here.
Batch had its own share of fun by setting up The ‘dahi handi’ in the campus, as I mentioned this is a tradition, but perhaps this is for the first time many of us tried our hand on this adventurous and audacious event (I know usage of the bombastic words is not indispensable but can’t help it, I felt it that way).

The guys from the batch coming together to take on the challenge, some new rivalries emerged between sections and some new mateship developed as well. Trying to form the human tower amidst heavy dunking and Govinda Ala Re playing in the background, it was a moment to savour & cherish and look forward until next janmashtami for the pgp 2s and for the pgp 1s respectively, until then its Govinda Ala Re-- at XIMB campus!

Sublime Barcelona beat United in Champions League

2009-05-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

By Barnaby Chesterman

ROME (AFP) — Barcelona stunned holders Manchester United to win their third Champions League crown with a 2-0 victory here.

Goals from star forwards Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi gave the Catalans a deserved victory and denied United from becoming the first team to retain the title since the European Cup became the Champions League in 1993.

It gave the Spaniards a unique treble having already won their domestic league and cup and meant they repeated a feat United achieved in 1999, which Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson had then claimed would never be matched.

It crowned a marvellous debut season for his Barcelona counterpart Pep Guardiola, who at 38 becomes the youngest coach to take European club football's greatest prize.

British newspapers said Manchester were ripped to shreds by a superior Barcelona in the Champions League final, taking Alex Ferguson's hopes for a place in history down with them.

"United leave Rome in ruins," said The Times, after the 2-0 defeat in the Italian capital on Wednesday. "United fold without a fight," said the Guardian.

There was universal admiration for Barcelona's performance -- and scathing words for United, which had hoped to become the first team to retain the Champions League for a second year running.

The Sun said Barca offered a "mesmerising" performance which made United look "as lifeless as the statues that lined the road to the Stadio Olimpico".

"It's Messi-cre for Fergie flops" said the Sun, referring to Barcelona's Lionel Messi who scored the second goal of the night 20 minutes from time.

"Ferguson's side, making elementary mistakes at the back, didn't have an answer," said one commentator in the tabloid.

For Thierry Henry it ended years of frustration especially when his then team Arsenal lost to Barcelona in the 2006 final.

"Finally I have won it! I have been waiting for so long for this moment," said the France great, whose daughter celebrated her birthday as well on Wednesday.

"The last five minutes were the longest of my life. Even if we were 2-0 up we were playing the best team in the world (referring to the world club championship title United won earlier this year)."

Ferguson accepted defeat with good grace.

"We started the game brightly but the goal was a killer," said the 67-year-old Scot, who looked to have had a good omen when one of his horses Last Three Minutes won a race earlier on Wednesday.

"However, they are a better team than us. We conceded two bad goals. Our defence has been good all season but those were two shoddy goals to lose."

Barca overcame early jitters to dominate large parts of the game as the English club never managed to get their usual high tempo game into gear.

In a clash billed as the match of the century pitting the best two teams in the world - with each one boasting one of the best two players in the world - only one played to their full potential.

A letter to electronic media...with no hard feelings

2009-04-08T10:30:00.000-07:00

Neither I am too qualified to speak on this issue nor I have an urgent requirement, its just that I have noticed something in past few days and I am getting sort of disturbed by the happenings. The reporting by some sections of electronic media has made my head chock a block full with intricacies, apprehensions and some questions.

I have a keen interest in politics, thanks to my father who wants all of the family members to listen and watch quality news, and for that reason I have been following politics, political parties and their leaders for last 10 years, since I was in 7th standard.

I have always been an ardent follower of news channels like NDTV and Aaj Tak,for they have always truly represent the meaning of mature democracy and responsible reporting, which India never heard of before these channels and other channels of the ilk came to fore. But as they say, Excellence is not a singular act, but a habit. You are what you repeatedly do. And for the news channels, the character is changing. In this post I would like to make some observations and examine whether or not the media houses are delivering what they are supposed to do, or they are just beating around the bush.

But let me make it very clear and state it categorically that I do not endorse the ideology of any particular political party. It’s just that I have observed something awry happening in a particular section of the electronic media that I wish to bring to the forefront.

Let me start with the coverage of release of BJP’s manifesto, as NDTV and CNNIbn has more often than not been accused of being biased against the main opposition party. As a person of age 22 and being socially responsive, I found 3 points from the manifesto of BJP, worth mentioning and which made me consider the possibility of exercising my franchise.[ This is the first time I am going to cast my vote in a general election]

Firstly, the part has promised that–Education and Job quota will be introduced for economically backward sections of society other than SCs, STs and OBCs, for whom reservations will continue.

Secondly, the party has promised that Study loans will be made cheaper and more accessible by fixing student loan interest at 4%.

Third promise of introducing a comprehensive National Identity Card for all citizens of India. Along with that the part also promises that –We will systematically detect, detain and deport illegal immigrants who have emerged as a major source of homegrown terror. Fencing of the India-Bangladesh border, will be speedily completed.

Other unconventional highlight was importance given to the issue of global warming.

But as the BJP stalwarts were announcing the manifesto, the news channels NDTV and CNNIBN started rolling tickers with captions like ’Ram with Governence’, BJP ki Ramleela, BJP ko yaad aaye Raam, Advani ka Ram Rajya and many more like these. Advani made a brief statement at the eve of releasing the manifesto and in that statement he announced or rather expressed his desire of Ram Rajya in the country. RamRajya as is known symbolizes the epitome of good governance and welfare of all sections of the society i.e. collective welfare and inclusive growth. It has got to do nothing in favor or against any particular community or faith.

Recently I came across a blog of a Nagpur based professor cum Blogger on sulekha.com who puts this issue blatantly –

I still believe that the role of the media is to bring the truth of the things before the public. But had it been only sensationalization, I would have gulped down the foul taste in my mouth, put my head down and carried on. But it seems that the media has taken a whole new avatar and is now the most active, vile, and vicious campaigner for a political party or a political group. And this makes it very dangerous.

More dangerous than any dictator. More dangerous that a government appointed publicity manager even though that manager may possess the abilities of a Goering. It is dangerous because normally the ills of the society are brought to light through the media. When the media campaigns, it hides the ills on one side, magnifies those of the other side, perpetrates several lies in order to achieve this, holds governments to ransom since it was on its back that the government got power, and therefore has a vicious grip which it can - and will - use selfishly for its own ends.

I was just being an idiot and listening to the TV news. Any sane minded person should have long stopped watching the tamasha that is our news. But old habits,they say, die hard. On the prime time show of much celebrated news channel the reporter talked about Advani asking the government to be serious about the black money in the swiss banks - some 70 lakh crore or some such vulgar amount - and probe to whom does it belong and then to bring it home. Then he said that Kapil Sibbal - he of the obnoxious smile - of Congress had said that Congress does not need suggestion from Advani. Then the camera thought it proper to show his devilishly smiling mug and broadcast his smug words. What he said was something like this : What was Advani doing when he was the home minister? What was NDA doing when it was in the government? Why did they not do smoething about it then? Had Advani raised this point in Parliament, honorable Prime Minister would have answered it. And blah blah and more blah.

The reporter shifted to another news. To another news? Why? Was there not something significant that was being missed? Something that has happened just days previously and that the TV reporters know about. What is being missed is being deliberately missed. Make no mistake about it. Days previously, the swiss banks announced a change in their policy. Previously a government wanting to know about money deposited by its nationals had to prove fraud and go through several insurmountable hurdles before getting the information. Now the government just needs to ask. They will tell who holds the account. And what is the amount of money the crook holds. That is what has happened when US president Barack Obama has pressed down heavily on swiss banks to reveal the name of 300 CEOs and top executives of American MNCs, holding surfeit amounts of bonuses and cash incentives in these accounts.

Also in the same episode, YogGuru Baba Ramdev was putting across his points for he was a special invitee, for the fact that he has asked the hoi polloi to vote for the party[do not read BJP] that promises to bring back the black money from the swiss banks. The channel awarded him by the caption—Baba par chadha chunaavi rang[Baba in election mode].

Opinion polls asking questions like—do you think the person who consults astronomers before filing his nomination can run the country, not only tangles the public with frivolous questions but also attacks the faith of the candidate which is too personal a matter and often ultimately leads to mudslinging.

Has the media become insensitized too? No. It has not. It is merely acting blind, deaf and dumb in order to favor one party, one group. So that when that group comes to power, the real ruler is the media. And thereby hangs the biggest danger to Indian democracy - whatever idiotic democracy it may be, whatever it may be in the name of democarcy. Tomorrow you will be ruled by the media. A rule worse than any dictator’s rule, even though that dictator may be worse than a Saddam or a Stalin.

Most people say that is it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character. Albert Einstein quotes.

It seems that some news channels have been paid for campaigning for a particular political party. Always highlighting the so called shining images of one faction and projecting the young son of the party leader as the face of young India or the leader of the youth, doesn’t matter whether he speaks for the youth or not, whether its anti-reservation protests or any other matter of importance to youth. Showcasing how the same young leader spends a single night in the shanty of a ‘dalit’, for several nights on prime time.

When Jagdeesh Tytler was let off by the CBI, he came out a hero. The two news channels had the headlines “I am glad the truth finally came out: Tytler”. The news channels have already decided that Tytler is innocent even before the court decides.

I may sound like a chauvinist but same rule of the same media rule book could be applied to Varun Gandhi as well.

It seems that media houses will do anything to get some disgusting sensational piece of breaking news—news that breaks the reputation of one political party which in the channels’ opinion is not fit to rule the country!

The high handedness and brash conduct of some media houses have always been in public domain, not in news though; who will play the news is the question. Barkha Dutt’s reporting of the Kargil conflict was criticized by The Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta who insinuated that she may have compromised the security of the troops by giving away locations. Ms Dutt refuted these charges, citing former Army chief Gen VP Malik’s book that had proved otherwise. General Malik had been army chief during the Kargil conflict.

Barkha Dutt, according to many publications, was the journalist who came in for the most criticism after the Mumbai Terror Attacks. It has been reported in Times Of India, that the LeT handlers warned the terrorists by during the Mumbai attacks about the impendng arrival of commandos by following Live TV reports. “The FBI has given to Pakistan evidence amassed by it on involvement of elements based in that country in the Mumbai strikes, including on the LeT handlers’ warning to the attackers about the arrival of Indian commandos while watching the mayhem live on TV (NDTV), a media report here said on Sunday.” Also, the channel has often been critcized for being heavily biased against the main opposition party BJP.

NDTV issued a legal notice to a blogger Chetan Kunte for “abusive free speech” for a post criticizing their coverage of the Mumbai attacks. The blogger unconditionally withdrew his post, replacing it with legal undertaking and an admission that his post had been “defamatory and untrue” which resulted in several Indian bloggers criticizing NDTV for trying to silence critics. The comments and observations made by one of the blogger is as follows— _____ reminds NDTV and Barkha Dutt where and why they are wrong in this drama. Can you imagine if what would have happened if any of the politicians had dared to sue NDTV for libel. Not only NDTV but everyone in English media would be crying fascism like it was Third Reich. This despite the fact that not only a politician has as much right to redressal as NDTV but also the blogger probably has a stronger case for libel against Barkha Dutt (and English media) as she has got against Kunte.

Arguing strongly, I believe the time has come for the news channels to appoint an ombudsman or the government should set up an independent watchdog to ‘scan’, not regulate the news and information passed onto the general public so the media houses and electronic media in particular, owing to its wider reach and accessibility , shall not be able to twist, flex and concoct the facts and figures ,especially at the time when the country is going to celebrate the festival of biggest democracy in the world.

–Abhay Mittal–

abymittal@gmail.com

India’s Shoegate—Anti-Sikh riots haunt congress again

2009-04-07T01:43:00.000-07:00

A Sikh journalist today hurled a shoe, at Home Minister P Chidambaram ,a gesture to exhibit his protest against home ministry and Congress party in particular protesting against CBI's clean chit to senior Congress leader Jagdish Tytler accused in 1984 anti-Sikh riots case.

As the action caused a flutter in the hall, trying to make a brave face Chidambaram appealed to the reporters, "let not the action of one emotional person hijack the entire press conference. I have answered his questions to the best of my ability."

The press conference was being held at the Congress headquarters where Chidambaram was presenting his party's report card on terrorism. The journalist asked the minister whether letting Tytler off the hook ahead of the elections was not politically motivated.

To which Chidambaram replied that CBI had only presented a report to the court and it was up to the court to either accept or reject it. The journalist wanted to ask another question but Chidambaram said he did not want to get into an argument and refused to take further questions.

As the journalist persisted with his questions, Chidambaram told him "no arguments, you are using this forum..." following which the journalist threw his shoe saying-“I Protest”.

It must be added here that the gesture of throwing the shoe had a clear intent of exhibiting the anger and protest and not hurting P Chidambram as is evident from the news clips. After all the distance between Jarnail Singh and PC was barely few meters.

An unapologetic Singh said he will not apologise for his action, though his manner of protest might have been wrong.

"My manner of protest might have been wrong, but I did not intend to hurt anyone," he said. He alsomade it categorically clear that he is not against any party, he is just upset with the CBI’s decision.

Asked if he could have used some other manner to protest, he said, "For the last 25 years this has been happening. So what other method is left (to protest)". Earlier this month, CBI had given a clean chit to 1984 anti-Sikh riots accused Tytler and sought permission from the court for the closure of the case against the Congress leader.

It is the first of its kind incident in India but throwing shoes at political leaders has become a high-profile form of protest. The trend was started by an Iraqi journalist who had thrown shoes at former US President George Bush at a press conference in Baghdad last year.

The incident also caught congress on the wrong foot as firstly it criticized the journalist and after an hour or so, the clarification came that the home ministry or the congress party won’t press any charges against Jarnail Singh. Mean while the SGPC Delhi has started protests march against the congress party and Jagadish Tytler. While BJP must have been enjoying TV footages of the incident, it also provides an opportunity to the congress party to self introspect who have always believed in the minority reforms and slamming Modis and Advanis on the minority issues.

Then Prime Minister of Rajiv Gandhi, made a statement at Boat Club in New Delhi on 19 November 1984, on the birthday of Indira Gandhi, "Some riots took place in the country following the murder of Indiraji. We know the people were very angry and for a few days it seemed that India had been shaken. But, when a mighty tree falls, it is only natural that the earth around it does shake a little. The remarks were deemed as insensitive by many. Rajiv Gandhi's widow, Sonia Gandhi and current President of the Congress Party, officially apologized in 1998 for the events of November, 1984.

Updates--Dainik Jagran journalist Jarnail Singh has apologised for his act and said that my action shall not ignite the feeling of hatred against anyone and no journalist shall do repeat of what I have done. However he sticked to his stance saying that, the manner in which he protested might be wrong but the issue is just.

AR Rahman Does India proud

2009-02-22T22:21:00.000-08:00

This has been a special day for the Indian film industry. But not because ‘Slumdog millionaire’ has won eight Academy Awards at the 81^st Academy Awards ceremony at LA Kodak theater but because of the fact that our very own AR Rahman has won OSCARS for the best Music(song) Jai Ho and best original score.

In his thank you speech Rahman said—“Before coming, I was excited and terrified. The last time I felt like that was during my marriage. There's a dialogue from a Hindi film called "Mere paas ma hai," which means "I have nothing but I have a mother," so mother's here, her blessings are there with me. I am grateful for her to have come all the way. And I want to thank the Academy for being so kind, all the jury members. I want to thank Sam Schwartz, I/D PR, all the crew of Slumdog, Mr. Gulzar, Raqueeb Alam, Blaaze, my musicians in Chennai and Mumbai. And I want to tell something in Tamil, which says, which I normally say after every award which is... "God is great." Thank you.

Also Resul Pookutty wojn the Oscars for the Sound Mixing category alongside Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke. In his acceptance speech Resul gave a special mention to India when he said—“This is unbelievable. We can't believe this. Ladies and gentlemen... sorry... I share the stage with two magicians, you know, who created the very ordinary sounds of Bombay, the cacophony of Bombay, into a soul-stirring, artful resonance called Slumdog Millionaire.

I come from a country and a civilization that given the universal word. That word is preceded by silence, followed by more silence. That word is "Om." So I dedicate this award to my country. Thank you, Academy, this is not just a sound award, this is history being handed over to me. My sincere and deepest gratitude to my teachers, Danny Boyle, Christian Colson, Paul Ritchie, Pravesh... and everybody who has contributed to this film, Glenn Freemantle and all the sound mixers. I dedicate this to you guys. Thank you, Academy. Thank you very much.

"Slumdog" writer Beaufoy, who adapted the script from Vikas Swarup's novel "Q&A," said there are places he never could imagine being.

"For me, it's the moon, the South Pole, the Miss World podium, and here," Beaufoy said.

In all, Slumdog Millionaire" has cruised to eight Academy Awards wins including best director for Danny Boyle.

The evening is following the script of earlier Hollywood honors, with "Slumdog Millionaire" steamrolling its way towards the big prize, best picture. The other Oscars for "Slumdog Millionaire" include adapted screenplay, cinematography and both music awards, for score and song.

For his demented reinvention of Batman villain the Joker, Heath Ledger becomes only the second actor ever to win posthumously, his triumph coming 13 months after his death from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs on Oscar nominations day last year.

The previous posthumous Oscar recipient was Peter Finch, who won best actor for 1976's "Network" two months after his death.

At the start of this piece I said that this is a special day because of Allah Rakha Rahman but not because of Slumdog millionaire in which almost everyone from producer to director, from technicians to distributors were foreigners so why is that the Indian media is going haywire over the ‘Slumdog success’. Of course there is no denying that we all are very proud for AR and we should celebrate his success as our own success but the media is jumping the gun just because there are some familiar faces acting in the movie.

The movie has got its own share of critics as well like Amitabh Bachhan who has regret the fact that director Danny Boyle has chosen the slums and the dirty and filthy underbelly of the “Rising India”. So are we too touchy to manifest the reality of India and does it make us uneasy when one foreign film director showcases Mumbai riots, beggary rackets, slums and brothels of India or are we mature enough to accept the facts as they are? What do you think?

Abhay Mittal

Courtesy-AP

Satyam Shocker

2009-01-06T07:03:00.000-08:00

Misfortunes always comes in twos—that is what perhaps has been happening to B.Raju and his company satyam.

The chairman of Satyam Computer Services B.Ramalinga Raju-India's 4th-biggest software services exporter, announced his resignation on Wednesday, triggering a more than 60 percent drop in the company's share price.

In a statement to the stock exchange, B. Ramalinga Raju said Satyam's end-September balance sheet had been overstated. He apologised to staff and shareholders and said he was prepared to face the legal consequences.

The resignation came in just within 24 hours after Forrester backtracked on Satyam and 24 hours prior to the scheduled Board meeting on 10 January.

The benchmark indices have extended losses further due to sharp cut in Satyam. Satyam's board in a press release mentioned that the balance sheet has inflated cash & bank balance of Rs 5040 crore. The balance sheet has inflated accrued interest of Rs 376 crore in books is non-existent. The stock crashed nearly 50%.

According to press release, Rs 1,230 crore was arranged to Satyam, which is not reflected in books. Raju said Merrill Lynch can be entrusted to explore merger options. Ram Mynampati to act as interim CEO.

In a letter to the board members, Raju also said that the company reported inflated revenues over years.
In reaction to Raju’s revelations, the stock was hammered by investors and it is down over 48 per cent.
He said that he feared takeover due to poor finance performance. Coming clean on financial irregularities, he said that the company had Rs 1,230 crore worth of understated liability as of September 30. He also revealed that he tried to fill fictitious assets with Maytas deal.
His decision was conveyed to the company’s board members. The company was supposed to hold a board meeting this Saturday.

The company has submitted a copy of a communication sent by Ramalinga Raju, addressed to the Board, with the stock exchanges, capital market regulator SEBI and senior leaders of the company.

Satyam said that it is also in receipt of resignation tendered by Rama Raju, Managing Director of the company who will continue in the position only till such time the current Board is expanded and the continuance is just to ensure enhancement of the Board over the next several days or as early as possible.

Shares of Satyam have tumbled by over 60% to Rs.70. The scrip plunged to an intra-day low of Rs59 after hitting an intra-day high of Rs.188. The stock recorded volumes of over 100million shares within a span of 45 minutes Wednesday morning, on BSE.

Satyam has informed that DSP Merrill Lynch has terminated its engagement with the company. Merrill Lynch was entrusted with the task of finding a strategic option for the company in the wake of the controversial withdrawal of the plan to acquire two promoter group companies.

Reactions are coming in fast from the various quarters of the Indian IT fraternity, most of which are drenched with the feeling of shock.

CB Bhave, the chairman of Securities and exchange board of India said that, Satyam’s CEO’s open letter to all the affected parties itself does not clarify all the misdoings and the veracity of the letter can’t be vouched for. also the auditors, the independent directors, the banks cannot be washed away with, they also have a lot to answer.

R.K. GUPTA, MANAGING DIRECTOR, TAURUS ASSET MANAGEMENT, NEW DELHI:

"If a company's chairman himself says they built fictitious assets, who do you believe here? Not only Satyam, this has put a question mark on the entire corporate governance system in India. Probably he will face a rigid enquiry. Anyway, things are pretty bad."

V.K. SHARMA, HEAD OF RESEARCH, ANAGRAM STOCK BROKING:

"It reduces confidence (in corporate governance). It's absolutely wretched.

"There is no option right now (for Satyam). People will leave, clients will walk away. It's a very, very dire thing that has happened. There will be question marks raised everywhere."

JIGAR SHAH, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF KIM ENG SECURITIES:

"I think there is no future for this stock. This case for India is similar to what happened to Enron in the U.S.

Perhaps this the biggest worry. Chairman of NASSCOM Ganesh Natarajan said in his statement on CNBC TV 18, minutes after the ‘Satyam shocker’, that it wont be easy to say that this entire episode would not affect India’s offshoring reputation, keeping in mind that the corporate governance has not always been on the priority of the offshore clients; fortunately or unfortunately. Well, any takers for that?

It’s an interesting twist indeed, as Forrestor was severely critical in its latest report after the Satyam Maytas controversy came out in the open.
But the way Satyam was apparently twisting another report to indicate how Forrestor always said good things about Satyam, is now clearly an embarrassment for both the sides.
The research firm, in its latest report suggests apart from the upheaval on the employee front that unrest amongst the clients is growing and can impact Satyam's business in a big way.

It will not stop at Satyam. Many more companies will come into scrutiny like that. There is a strong possibility investments in India will be affected.

News Courtesy: Economic times

NDTV Profit

--Abhay Mittal--

Khushwant Singh On Jagadguru Sri Kripalu Ji Maharaj

2008-06-12T00:22:00.000-07:00

Online Tribune edition--27January,2007

ON January 14, which happened to be Makar Sakranti, about 10 million people took an early morning dip in the chilly waters at the Sangam of the Ganga and Yamuna at Allahabad. Further downstream at Varanasi, Kripaluji was formally installed as the Fifth Jagadguru. The media did not cover the event. I mention it as of the two dozen men and women who appear regularly on TV channels to give discourses on spiritual matters I find what Kripaluji has to say makes more sense to a non-believer like me than others.

All of them have the gift of the gab but he is more forthright, logical, lucid and gives chapter and verse of the sacred texts he quotes from: his memory is truly phenomenal. He draws large crowds which listen to his discourses in rapt attention.

He was born in 1922 in an affluent Brahmin land-owning family of Mangarh, a village 60 miles from Allahabad and given the name Ram Kripalu. He received his preliminary education in Hindi and Sanskrit in the local school. To the best of my information he speaks no other language besides these two. He went on to study advanced Sanskrit and Ayurveda in Indore and Varanasi and spent a year or more around Chitrakoot — evidently studying the Vedas, Upanishads, the epics and Bhakti literature.

When he emerged from his self-imposed banbas and began to take part in meetings of Sanskrit scholars in different cities including Varanasi, people were amazed by his perfect pronunciation of slokas and the facile way he quoted sources without referring to any books. When he read something, it remained etched in his memory. He began to acquire admirers in increasing numbers. Today his devotees number go into the thousands across the Hindi-speaking heartland of India.

In the 80s, Kripaluji is a tall, ram-rod erect figure with curly hair and aquiline features. He is a married man with sons and daughters. Besides giving discourses he has set up two modern well-equipped hospitals: one in Mangarh and another near Vrindaban. Despite preaching the divine power of healing, he provides all that modern methods of diagnosis and medicines to the poor free of charge.

Despite the esoteric terminology of what Kripaluji has to say about the existence of God, purpose of life and after-life, he is down to earth and comprehensible to the skeptic and the non-believer.

It is summed up in Philosophy of Divine Love, published by the Sadhna Bharan Trust, Mangarh.