Life @ XIMB

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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Janmashtami @ XIMB

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

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

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

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.