tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197401592024-02-29T00:41:04.110+05:30Life is Like That ! !..with too many big people in a small little world.Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-77112932352468667852015-12-30T09:17:00.002+05:302015-12-30T09:17:57.266+05:30The new generation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It was by chance that I stumbled upon an article in a Malayalam magazine at a relative's place. The article was about the so-called 'new generation' Malayalam movies. It was a lady who wrote the article, who seemed to be their in her sixties. She was comparing the old movies to the ones currently being released in Malayalam, with some of them being called 'new generation' movies. I will go over her thoughts while sharing my thoughts in this.<br />
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In the first place, I am not sure who gave the term 'new-generation' to a certain set of movies. Is it because it is directed by few young chaps? May be it is because it kind-of breaks the image or the expectation from a movie in the older folks. One thing I am sure about is - the term 'new generation' is not used very positively by our older folks.<br />
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But if you actually look at the generation of older folks, they too had their 'new gen' guys. There were movies which depicts some revolutionary stuff during their times as well. The lady who wrote the article which I read was referring to the movie <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idukki_Gold_(film)" target="_blank">Idukki Gold</a>. Yes, there are some scenes, dialogues which the older folks might bit too open. The fact is there were movies during their times as well which had these things, which was considered too forward and open at that time as well. Being too restricted in views and opinions about certain aspects in life has made the society harp at anything which even slightly deviates from the moral code it has set for people to follow.<br />
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Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-11894539593371816072014-01-19T00:25:00.001+05:302014-01-19T00:32:11.125+05:30Don't Underestimate The Power of A Common Man ! !<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, I do not normally blog on core politics and this is my first one. I am an Aam Admi (common man, not a party member) of India :), who loves news channels at 9 for their shows by Rajdeep Sardesai, Barkha Dutt, Arnab and the like for their better comedy than 'Comedy nights with Kapil'.<br />
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Common Man of R. K. Laxman</div>
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Lot has been tweeted, shared, liked (sad that FB doesn't have 'hate', 'disagree', 'sad' buttons yet), blogged on the functioning of AAP, so much so that even if Arvind Kejriwal sneezes it becomes a sensation.<br />
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I remember, sometime in 2010, my neighbour inviting me for the Lokpal movement and march happening at the Freedom park in Bangalore. Anna Hazare was in news, and it was during that time I started reading and hearing about Arvind Kejriwal. After that I have seen the movement on-and-off with the events that followed. I did not follow the pre-election news and it was a surprise when AAP had won a good number of seats in Delhi. I am sure lot of others were surprised as well. This was not expected. A good job done by AAP. Winning these many seats for a party which is less than 2 year old is indeed a big thing, and that too a state which was ruled by Congress for ten years or more.<br />
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Two things, according to me, has made this happen. One, Delhi as a place/state had lot of issues which could really engage the activists. It did have burning issues in the past two years for which the previous government did not/could not do anything substantial. Here, AAP had a significant role in getting involved in social causes and gained people's confidence. Second, Delhi is the capital as well as a small state. So all the political buzz starts here, and as I understand it had lot of scams in hand, alleged corruption in govt. office etc., which again strengthened AAP's position.<br />
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I think even the AAP top team would not have imagined that they would win so many seats in the elections, forget forming the government. Now that they have, and this making lot of accomplished professionals joining the party along with lakhs of common men and women, AAP has really come into limelight. Sounds like a fairy tale, or Rajnikath movie. Previous year beaten by Police, this year Chief minister.<br />
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Now, coming to the controversies against AAP that they are friends of Congress, unclear about policies and governance, anarchists etc. Well, I feel certain things could be true, while others are speculations.<br />
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On being friends of Congress - I happened to see and read many posts and news items on this, and thought - 'Could be'. Well, we cannot rule out anything in today's world. I happened to see the interview of Arvind Kejriwal with Rajdeep and Barkha in their respective channels. From what Arvind Kejriwal was talking, the way he was responding, I think he has substance. His clarity of thought seems to be good, and he responds to the allegations quite maturely. He looks grounded and doesn't seem to be backing, or being backed by anyone.<br />
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About being unclear about policies and governance - Could be. But we will have to give it to AAP. Like I said, they wouldn't have imagined this state would come where they will form the government. So they would not have had discussed in depth on economic policies, national issues, and their stand on various other things in detail. Let us be fair and give them some time to come out with their agenda. With what they have done in 3 weeks, looks like we can expect something, while I do agree that they seem to be in a hurry. May be they are still transitioning from their activist role to governing role. Takes time.<br />
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Till yesterday I was unsure about AAPs future. Thought that they will create this hype for few months, and fade away after that once they are out of government but still remain activists. After seeing today's interview, I am quite impressed, to be frank, the way Arvind faced the questions and the way he responded. If the same clarity drills down to the party ministers and office bearers then there is hope. Party members and volunteers can have their views and opinions but it is critical for the office bearers and spokespersons to have this clarity.<br />
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I do feel that they should have focused on Delhi now, not wanting to contest for Lok Sabha elections. All they can do is grab few seats, which otherwise would have gone to BJP as I do not believe Congress do not stand much chance this time. But again, it is better to ride the wave that is created now, take advantage of it to create a nation-wide presence, and grow the party. So may be it is okay.<br />
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I do not see a PM in Arvind for sure, and I see that in Modi, though I believe BJP is also tainted with corruption. I would say that if the necessities of nation are being met (curb inflation, generate employment, develop infrastructure, and control corruption) then who rules is not a big issue. Congress has proved that they can't. Now BJP can try. But with corruption it is again doubtful, but could be better.<br />
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My only wish for AAP is that while scaling up in number and spreading across the country, their core principles and value should not get diluted. After all, they are also human beings with minds. Power, position and money gives a better kick than anything else.<br />
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Jai Hind !<br />
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I will vote. Will you?<br />
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Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-852298743402627272013-11-11T18:00:00.002+05:302015-12-10T12:51:45.143+05:30Kollur, and back to Bangalore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Continuation of my previous blogs <a href="http://www.gopikrishna-a.blogspot.in/2013/11/why-this-kolaveri-di-kolavara-homestay.html" target="_blank">Why this Kolaveri Di</a> and <a href="http://www.gopikrishna-a.blogspot.in/2013/11/kolavara-heritage-homestay-sringeri.html" target="_blank">Kolavara Heritage Homestay & Sringeri</a><br />
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Day 3: 27-October-2013</h4>
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Today was supposed to be a relatively lazy day – with just 2
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We woke up leisurely at around 0700, and had our cup of tea.
We had decided against coffee as the coffee served at Kolavera was little
strong, and of a little different taste than what we preferred – and their tea
was very good. So wife and I chose tea after first experience with coffee.
Dad and Mom chose tea from the first time itself.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I had planned to wash my car today as it had got soiled in
the past drives. There was a washing bay – to my curiosity – at the
homestay. It was a proper one which we see at washing stations, where we could
wash the under-body as well. I enquired with Nishchal (son of owner uncle), and
he told that this is common in the planters' homes in that area. The reason
being, they typically had few vehicles and could not take them to wash to the
town every time. Moreover, if the washing guys say they are busy, then it could
be a lot of waste of time. So, many of them built this at their homes itself.
There was a water tap and a hose next to the bay, so I could wash properly and
it was over in about an hour.<br />
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Breakfast was ready by 0800 which was a spread which
included a different kind of dosa (batter mixed with beaten rice powder). I
thought we could leave by 1100 and as per my estimate, Kollur will take 2 hours
of drive, and we could reach by 1300 or max 1330 to have lunch there, or
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By the time I finished washing the car, others
had got ready and had breakfast. It was my turn to take bath and get ready. I
took bath and got ready by around 0930 and had breakfast. We spent some time
packing and loading stuff into the car. The owner uncle and autny had gone to a
relative’s place in the morning. So, we had bid them goodbye in the morning
itself while I was washing the car. We got ready to leave by around 1100 and
bid goodbye to Nischal, wrote our comments in the guest-book and left. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We would be taking the Tirthahalli – Agumbe – Someshwara
route to Kollur as advised by Nischal. The roads were good and we covered
Tirthahalli in 30 min. I filled petrol from there and increased the tyre
pressure also a bit as seen in the ford note while washing. It said that if
there are 3-4 passengers the pressure should be 34 psi. I had been riding at 31
psi. After increasing the tyre pressure the ride quality increased. We
continued to Agumbe, and the roads were excellent. It was full of plantations
on both sides, or forests, or villages. It was a real pleasure to drive on that
road. No wonder why Malgudi days were shot in that village. If this is feeling
so nice now, how it would have been when Malgudi days were shot?<o:p></o:p></div>
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We stopped in Agumbe for a tea-break. There is a small lake
there, near where the ghat begins. Not sure if there is any activity there,
like boating or walk-way. I did not venture out into find out more. We had tea
and checked out a store with few handicraft items, and left. The ghat section
was not in very good condition, but doable. We reached Someshwara in another 30
min and followed the signages to Kollur. Road conditions deteriorated after
that. I got worried a bit. But then it improved, but still not good. I
continued anyways, there was nothing much to do. By now, it was almost more than
an hour and Kollur did not seem another 1 hour away, it definitely seemed more.<o:p></o:p></div>
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After Someshwara the roads are patchy, with certain bad
sections, okay sections and good sections which came alternatively in cycles.
We passed places like Halady, Sankaranarayana and finally reached Kollur by
1430. It took 3.5 hours against my assumption of 2 hours, due to 2 main
reasons. One, the distance was more than I expected. I expected around 80-90
kms, but we drove around 140 kms. Second, the roads were not good throughout.
50% of the roads were in not-so-good or bad condition.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The question now was - where to have lunch? I did not stop
anywhere on the way though it was lunch time and I had seen a couple of
okay-types hotels. This is the problem with me. In eagerness to reach the
destination I somewhat forget these little comforts or breaks that I should be
giving my fellow-travellers and myself.<o:p></o:p></div>
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To our pleasant surprise Vasudev Adigas has opened an outlet
in Kollur. They are in the premises of Hotel Mookambika Palace. I had read
reviews about this hotel. Being a new hotel, it had good reviews. But tariff
was on the higher side – 2k for a double bedroom per night. This was the
starting as they had only A/c rooms. They seemed good. But I decided against.
We had lunch at Vasudev Adigas, and proceeded towards Lalithambika Guest House
managed by the temple. We normally stay here, and we get rooms for 300-350 for
a double room. So spending 7 times that amount for one night was hurting the
mind. So I decided to take this risk. I saw the rooms and seemed okay, though
in mind I was not so okay. My review about this place can be read in
Tripadvisor here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We took rest for a while. Well, with the kid, it is not rest
actually if the kid is not sleeping <span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Arial; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Arial; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> Wife and I normally venture out to take bath in
the stream nearby. This time also we stepped out, not sure of whether we can
take bath or not. Dad and Mom also came along with us, with Samyu. The place
was little away from Lalithambika guest house, and normally deserted. This time we did not venture out into water but gave Samyu a bath. She was so fascinated in playing with water that she cried and howled while she was taken off from water. We also would have jumped into water but could not get a right spot where we could do so. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We came back to the room, took bath, got ready and left for
temple. The temple was not that crowded, may be because it was a working day.
Had a good darshan, did our offerings and spent some time there. After darshan
it was around 2030, and we proceeded towards Vasudev Adigas for dinner. I can
confidently say that this place is one safe bet to have food in Kollur. I
cannot guarantee any other place. Meanwhile, I had enquired about the road
condition to Shimoga via Nagara. The feedback was negative stating that it is
in shambles, and in some areas road never existed. So I had made up my mind to
retrace the route which I took while coming. Retired to our rooms by 0900
thinking of tomorrow. It is going to be a long drive.</div>
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<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Day 4: 28-October-2013</h4>
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We woke up by 0400 and got ready by 0500. We could not sleep
properly as there we lot of mosquitoes. In fact the sleep was very bad. Luckily Samyuktha was
sleeping well, and we ensured that she was covered properly. That really
helped. But the sleep that I lost did affect me during the day while driving.</div>
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The temple opens around 0500 in the morning. The plan was to
start immediately after the morning darshan. We were on the road by around 0545
after the darshan. The roads were empty except few vehicles once in a while. I
drove with less anxiety as I knew the road conditions. Reached Someshwara by
0730, and I stopped for breakfast. Had a pretty good breakfast of Neer dosa,
vada and Poori. We bought few snacks as well from here and started by around
0800. We crossed Agumbe and Tirthahalli without any stop. I wanted to stop at
Sakrebylu elephant camp if possible. We reached there by around 1000 and it was
open. They are open from 0830 to 1130, and it was a good experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are elephants in captivity, they do bathing and feeding from 0830 to 1130 and then they are let into the forest for roaming till next day. The next day morning, the caretakers go into the jungle to bring them all back. Quite strange and unbelievable. But they do it daily, sometimes these elephants will be with other herd and it takes a hell a lot of efforts to bring them back.</div>
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So bathing time was over this time when we went, but could be near elephants. We did not do a ride though. Samyu was quite excited. She often imitates elephant and we are supposed to be acting scared when she does that. So she got to see some real elephant buddies, from 3 months old to 95 year old. </div>
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I took Shimoga, Arsikere route to Bangalore. We took a break
at Café Coffee Day for lunch. The drive was getting little heavy as I had not
slept properly before. But I managed to keep the head cool and continue. We
passed Tumkur, after filling petrol, and after a small break where wife wanted to buy vegetables saying it will be fresh here. Reached Bangalore by
1815 and was very tired. Luckily Samyuktha seemed fine, apart from the fact
that she had been restricted into the car’s space for her movements.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well, a vacation that was very good had come to an end. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-14042360602461319612013-11-05T13:30:00.002+05:302015-12-03T10:12:26.950+05:30Kolavara Heritage Homestay & Sringeri<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In continuation to my previous blog <a href="http://www.gopikrishna-a.blogspot.in/2013/11/why-this-kolaveri-di-kolavara-homestay.html" target="_blank">Why this Kolaveri</a><br />
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<b>Day 02: 27 October 2013</b></h4>
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Next day we woke up around 0700. Sun was getting out slowly and it was getting warmer. We did not feel too much cold as expected. Had tea, which was very good, and just lazed around. Another family who had come from Bangalore were busy making their travel plans for the day. I had not planned anything for the day and thought will do as I feel like.</div>
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The atmosphere was so calm and peaceful that I really did not feel like venturing out anywhere for the day. Just want to be with me, myself and I in that pristine surroundings. But keeping the kid and others busy was not an easy thing, and Sringeri being close (about 40 kms), thought will visit Sringeri temple. The owner suggested that we visit Sirimane falls as well, as it is just 13 kms from Sringeri. So the plan was made. I estimated that the round trip would take 3 - 4 hours. Since the plan was made by around 0930, by the time all of us got ready and left, it was 1030.<br />
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The ride to Sringeri</b></h4>
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The owner uncle told us clear directions on how to get to the main road which goes to Sringeri. We need not trace back the route which we took while coming. There was another route which could take us to main road in the direction towards Sringeri. His directions were - "Always take left, keep taking left turn on the tarred roads till you reach the main road. It is about 5 kms from here.". I had switched on my navigator and mapped Sringeri. It also showed some directions. We started. Took the first left, then second left, and reach the third point. Now, my navigator was showing 'Go straight', but I could see a left which is a tarred road (well, how well tarred was it is another debate. It could be argued that it was not a tarred road as well.) I was in doubt. I found a local person and asked him for directions to Koppa which is en-route Sringeri. He guided us straight. So with my navigator and this person suggesting the same direction, I headed straight.</div>
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I was only worried about the road condition here. There is one more risk that the navigation tool might suggest roads which were there when it's software was update. The road could be there now or need not be there as well and the condition of the road was also not certain. </div>
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The road straight was not good. It was narrow and broken. But I went ahead. The navigator kept showing me directions and I followed. Asked one more person on the way for Srigneri and he also pointed in the same direction. So I was happy. By now we had traveled more than 5 kms from Kolavara and I was certain that navigator is showing me a different (and shorter??) route to the main road. I had missed what the owner uncle had told, at that junction. </div>
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The route was very scenic through the woods, bamboo forests and water-bodies. Roads were there, but not good. Finally reached the main road and headed towards Sringeri. Superb roads from there, and driving was fun too with the winding and curving roads. So, in short, we did a longer stretch on the bad roads and lesser on good roads than what we would have done if followed owner uncle's directions. But, we did save lot of distance in that process, at least 7-8 kms.<br />
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<b>Sringeri</b></h4>
Reached Sringeri in almost an hour from the homestay. There was rush since it was a Sunday. Had darshan at the Vidyashankara temple and Sharadadevi temple. There was some new construction happening there since our last visit in 2009. There is a Gopuram which is 127 mts which is under construction, and there is a new temple for Shankaracharya which is almost complete. There were 2 elephants and one cow which were blessing people (trained to do so). Tip their masters, they will bless you and you can take photos with them. We wanted to take Samyu closer to an elephant and did so. She was not scared, but was amused to see the elephants and cow.</div>
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Next destination was Sirimane falls. Asked for directions and headed towards the falls.<br />
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<b>Sirimane falls</b></h4>
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The route from Sringeri to Sirimane falls was good. First few kms were on the main road, and then a right which was going in the direction of the falls. The roads were in good shape and was mostly empty. Passed through good vegetation, small villages. I love this kind of place. Vast green spaces, farms, woods, streams, and fresh air. In about 8kms we reached a temple town of Kigga. The road from this point was narrow, and was not of good surface. In about 5 kms we reached the falls. It is pretty far from main road, about 10 kms. </div>
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The falls are tucked inside thick vegetation, and nobody can guess there is a falls nearby. We parked at the parking slot, took the tickets and started descending the steps towards the falls. It was a superb view, and the falls were great. Unlike other falls, this was a safe one where one could take bath safely right under the falls.</div>
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We did not plan to take bath, and had to get back for lunch at the homestay. It was already past 1300 hours and it would take minimum 1.5 hours to reach back. So we spent around 15 - 20 min there while Janaki ventured to get her feet wet, and for few snaps. We returned to the car and started back to the homestay. The route was same, and this time I took the route suggested by the owner uncle. It was longer on good roads and shorter on bad roads.</div>
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Reached homestay at about 1430 and went straight for lunch. Lunch was simple, tasty and nutritious. We were a bit tired after the quick trip, and so we got back to the rooms, took a good nap. Evening was again time for roaming around and a chat with the son of the owner. He took us around the area showing the crops that are being cultivated, their pond, mini-waterfall, and other plantations. It was a nice, informal, and informative chat with him. It was getting dark by the time we got back.<br />
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They had put up the camp fire by then and few of us assembled around it for chatting. By around 2000 hours dinner was served, and was usual stuff - good and healthy. We slept off early as we had to head to Kollur tomorrow morning. Another eventful day came to an end.<br />
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Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-8978216472309988062013-11-02T13:10:00.002+05:302015-12-03T10:12:49.619+05:30Why this Kolaveri Di - Kolavara Homestay, Sringeri, Tirthahalli and Kollur<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Prelogue</b></h4>
It has been a long pending plan of me to visit the Malnad area of Karnataka. The plan got postponed for quite a while, and it happened finally in Oct 2013. While searching for places to visit in Malnad, I had come across few stay options. They were mostly homestays, since there were only very few or no hotels in some places. The places to visit included Tirthahalli, Sringeri and the towns around them.<br />
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<b>The plot</b></h4>
This October I decided to go there for few days. The plan was to drive to to Tirthahalli, spend couple of days there, visit Kollur Mookambika Devi temple and return to Bangalore. I wanted to spend 2 lazy days in Tirthahalli just to cut-off from the daily hectic routine, and then visit the temple.<br />
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Shortlisted <a href="http://www.kolavaraheritage.com/" target="_blank">Kolavara homestay</a> for stay in Tirthahalli. Did the bookings by calling them and confirming availability, and later on transferring an advance amount. I did not want to do any advance booking at Kollur since I will be reaching there on a Monday and rooms should be available since it is a weekday.<br />
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<b>Day 01: 26 October 2013</b></h4>
We were 4 adults (me, my wife and my parents) and my daughter Samyuktha who is just 14 months old. The plan was to start by 0400, and reach Tirthahali by lunch time. Started finally around 0430 from Bangalore, passed Yeshwantpur in 30 min and Tumkur in about another 1 hour. Traffic was there but relatively less. Took the Tumkur bye-pass to take the road to Gubbi, Tiptur, Arsikere and Bhadravathi.<br />
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The break</h4>
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We broke at around 0800 before reaching Arsikere to have our packed breakfast. We were carrying idlis and chutney for breakfast. I was lucky enough to find a place with a seat and toilet to break for food. This seemed like a new shop in the making. The roads were good throughout except the Tumkur bye-pass which is about 7-8 kms.<br />
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There seemed to be a small play area in the making, as we could see a couple of swings. Samyu enjoyed the swing and was reluctant to come out from it. We all had idlis, and fed Samyu as well. The total break was about 30-40 mins and continued our journey towards Bhadra dam.<br />
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Bhadra Dam</h4>
We wanted to visit Bhadra dam as well to see the place where Sri Sri Ravi Shankar meditated for 10 days in 1982 after which he conceived Sudarshan Kriya. This spot is next to the dam, attached to the Tourist Banglow. We reached the place in about an hour after taking a detour from the highway. We could take the car up to a certain point to one end of the dam. We could not enter the dam since we did not have prior permission. We walked towards the Tourist Banglow, but to our disappointment we found this to be locked. Nobody seemed to be there.<br />
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We waited for few min, and then 2 fellows came in a scooter, who looked like the caretakers of this place. When I checked with them on entering the premises, they denied, saying that we need prior permission to enter. This permission has to be got from the Bhadra Project office which is about 3 km away. We taking permission meant another 1 hour delay here (time to go and come back with permission, and visiting this place again will take away 1 hour minimum). So we decided against it and started off to our next destination - Tirthahalli.<br />
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Bhadra Dam to Kolavara</h4>
Here, while driving from Bhadra dam to Tirthahally, I could have done a clever thing, which I thought about. But decided against it since it was risky, being with a family. There is a road which you could take to Koppa via. Narasimharajapura from Bhadra dam. You need not touch Shimoga to reach Tirthahalli in that case, and can cut down on travel time. This could have saved about 20 kms. But I did not take this route since I was not sure about the road conditions. If the road condition was bad, it would have been pretty difficult to drive with family. So I decided to take the more safer Shimoga route. Below is the route which I could have taken (in Blue) and the route which I took (in red).<br />
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The roads were good throughout. Took the Shimoga bye-pass and entered the road to Tirthahalli. The road surface is too good and drive was cool. The only drawback is that there are no good break points in between. Folks inside were getting impatient since we did not break anywhere else for a tea or coffee. So after taking the right from Tirthahalli I stopped at a small shop where we all had tea, bajji and biscuts. This seemed to pacify them a bit.<br />
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Meanwhile I asked for directions to the homestay and they guided me properly. But I overlooked one point and hence lost my way taking a wrong right wandering off about 7 kms. Finally called them again and got the correct update. Finally reached there by around 1430 hours. All of us were tired and were hungry as well. We had lunch and went to the rooms allotted to us.<br />
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<b>Kolavara Heritage</b></h3>
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This heritage homestay is located off Tirthahalli - Koppa route, about 7 kms from the main highway. Kolavara is the name of their family, which is now the name of the village. So you might see sign boards in Kannada towards this place but nothing in English. There are no boards put by the family for the homestay on the way apart from the few boards which are there once you are really close to the homestay.<br />
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Once you reach there it is so silent, serene and calm. There are no houses nearby, and you are amidst a plantation. The house is maintained well, and tastefully done with antique furniture and curios. There is a huge central courtyard which houses a tulsi plant in the middle which adds to the serrenity. There are lounge spaces on 2 sides of this courtyard. One side is the main part of the house which the family uses, and the other side has the rooms where the guests are housed.<br />
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We arrived for lunch at Kolavara and was greeted by the owner of the homestay along with his son, who currently manages the plantation and homestay. They ensured that we felt at home right from the moment we stepped out. We were taken to the dining area which is big and is adjacent to the house. It is open, clean and has some entertainment options like tv, carrom and newspapers. The lunch was buffet style with fixed menu. Food was authentic, malnad cuisine, and healthy. We are vegetarians and hence cannot comment on their non-veg fare. But I think that should also be good.<br />
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After food we went to our rooms, got freshened up and rested for a while. We did not have any plans for an outing that day. So we wanted to go slow, enjoy the surroundings and roam around for a while. We had coffee by around 1730 and it was already getting dark in that area. We spoke to the owner to understand about this locality. It was so nice to be away from the city, with no phone calls, no tv, no access to internet, not much unwanted thoughts.<br />
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My wife and I played a game of table tennis, and carrom. Dinner was ready by around 2000 hours which was again buffet style. Food was of same, high quality, served generously. It was interesting to note that they had provided some innovative and interesting desserts using brown bread and white bread. Later on we came to know that it is the owner's wife who manages the show in kitchen with her helpers. She is also interested in flori-culture and gardening which was very evident with the landscaped surfaces, bonsai and orchids of different varieties displayed across the compound. We were even invited to do wine tasting - the wines prepared by the owner's wife again. They had some interesting wines - banana wine, arecanut wife, and the usual grape wine. It seems she had even prepared jack-fruit wine earlier, but that was not available now. Had dinner and roamed around the property for a while doing chit-chat and finally went to sleep at around 2200 hours.<br />
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Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-39840675610534506982013-10-15T11:47:00.001+05:302015-12-03T10:18:27.146+05:30Kochi - Bangalore: A different route<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I had been to Kochi for a week during 1st week of Oct. Came back through a scenic route: Ernakulam-Thrissur-Shoranur-Ottapalam-Nilambur-Gudalur-Gundlupet-Chamranagar-Bangalore. The reason why I chose this route was I wanted to drop at a relative's place in Ottapalam. We broke the journey in Nilambur where we stayed in KTDC Nilambur overnight. Pretty decent hotel.<br />
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This route is around 490 km as per my odo, (but Google maps shows 509 km) whereas the normal route through Kovai-Salem is around 550 km. Wanted to try this one as this was the unexplored one in my list. Very scenic and good route, but might take the same time or more as the alternate route since the roads are not so wide (2 lane throughout) and has some rough patches here and there. The beauty of this route is that after about 25 km Nilambur, there is forest section, and then it is forest for the next 3 hours, which passes through Mudumalai and Bandipur wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka respectively.<br />
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There are very high possibilities of wildlife sightings, especially during dawn and dusk. We passed through this stretch around 6.30 am to 7.30 am which was apt for sightings. We saw deer and elephants - one lone tusker even charged on us. This guy seemed to be an Ottayan (lone tusker) , was on the roadside facing the opposite direction and hence could not spot us fast. It was just when we passed him he saw us and came charging a few meters. By then we had gone sufficiently ahead.<br />
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Wished I had a good camera and a brave navigator to capture this. Dad was finding it difficult to capture this with his mobile camera and he was scared too :)<br />
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In fact, if you search Google for routes between Kochi and Bangalore, three routes show up. One is through Kovai-Salem (around 540 km), second through NH 209 passing through Satyamangalam, Chamrajnagar, and Kollegal and third one is the route which I took this time.<br />
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I will be off to Kannur may be next week. Will post the updates after that on that route.<br />
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Love you.<br />
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Gopu</div>
Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-46135706871722697072013-08-23T14:10:00.000+05:302015-12-03T10:13:26.976+05:30Guruvayoor, Kanyakumari and Thiruvananthapuram<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The next leg of the journey was to Guruvayoor for Samyu's Choorunu (Annaprasam). It is a ceremony where the baby is given rice for the first time. In Kerala, it is normally given it at a temple. So Guruvayoor it was for Samyuktha.<br />
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The drive to Guruvayoor was through Aluva, Thiruvairanikulam, Angamaly, and Thrissur. We had to attend a wedding at the famous Thiruvairanikulam Sree Mahadeva Temple and so we decided to proceed from there to Guruvayoor. From Thiruvairanikulam I used the Garmin to guide me to the main road and it did the job pretty well guiding me to the Kalady-Angamaly road. From there on it was known to me and reached Guruvayoor by 4.15pm. Enquired about the function after checking in at the hotel. It was planned to be done next day morning. Rest of the day was at leisure, roaming around the temple and having the darshan at night. Samyuktha was all excited to be at a new place with both sides grandparents around.<br />
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Next day, had the function, did Tulabharam (an offering where a substance like banana, butter or anything is offered to the diety which wieghs as much as the devotee, Samyu in this case) and had darshan.<br />
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We left Guruvayoor by around 2pm and took the Thriprayar, Kodungalloor route and reached home by around 5 pm. This route took longer time though distance was short.<br />
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Next day, the plan was to start around 10am and to reach Kollam. I had planned it this was as the drive to Kanyakumari from Kochi would be too long as the roads are 2-way with lots of traffic. Hence the plan to break the journey at Kollam. Started as per the plan, and had lunch at the KTDC hotel at Alapuzha. It was a good meal. We reached Kollam around 4pm. All through this journey I had booked the rooms in Govt owned properties to check out how it will be. The property in Kollam was by KTDC and was okay. The location was very good, as it was next to the lake and all rooms were overlooking the lake. We had plans to go for a boat ride in house boat, but since no boat was available, dropped the plan.<br />
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Went to the beach in the evening, and it was a good beach. Had dinner from a good, small hotel and returned to the hotel.<br />
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Here is my review of KTDC Tamarind Kollam which is published in Tripadvisor:<br />
<i>"I stopped over in Kollam for one night on the way to Kanyakumari from Kochi. Booking was done through KTDC website and I got 15% discount since I did it online. Check-in process was simple, staff were courteous and overall the place was clean and neat. The location of this property was very good - overlooking the lake. We did not order food from their restaurant since I knew that it will take time and there won't be much choices. Hence I had no disappointments on food front. Overall, a good value for money option for a budget traveler. Frankly, I do not expect great service from KTDC hotels, but one thing I know is that KTDC has awesome properties in great locations which are not maintained to the same degree but has basic hygiene and cleanliness. Hence I choose them purposely on my trips. This too, was good as it met my expectations."</i><br />
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Next day morning we left by around 7 am with plans to have dinner from Tvm. The roads were less crowded but then too there were too many vehicles for this time of the day. Kerala is really crowded. Dropped in at Ginger in Tvm for breakfast. This was on the Tvm by-pass and was convenient for us since we had to bye-pass the city. Here again, I used the Garmin to guide me and it did it's job perfectly. In 1 hours time I was driving past Tvm to Kanyakumari. Never I had to stop, or ask anyone or got confused. The road from Tvm to Kanyakumari is a real nightmare. Very narrow roads, too much traffic and indiscipline. The distance from Tvm to Kk is about 100 kms but took a well 3 hours. And I am given to understand that it was like this ever since.<br />
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Reached Kk by around 1.30 pm and checked into Hotel Tamil Nadu which is a superb property by Tamil Nadu Government. Had lunch at their restaurant where the food was simple and good. In the afternoon we planned to visit the Vivekanada rock memorial. It was a nice experience - the boat ride, the cave, and the island. In the evening we stepped out towards the watch tower but it began to rain. So we had to rush back to the room. The day ended like that.<br />
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Next day morning we had the darshan, visited Gandhi mantap, had breakfast and started back to Tvm. Here is my review of Hotel Tamil Nadu, Kanyakumari which is published in Tripadvisor:<br />
<i>"Location, Location, Location. This is the best thing about this hotel. I read reviews on this hotel online and had booked twin cottages online for one night. Booking process was simple and straight. Check-in process was smooth and the service of the staff was also good. The rooms were very spacious and is great value for money. I do not think any other hotel would provide such great rooms are this price. I think almost all rooms are sea facing, and only very few could be non sea-facing - not sure about this though. The property was clean and neat throughout, and it spreads over lot of land, and hence does not feel like a hotel. All attractions are nearby and walk-able distance from this place. The restaurant served good food. (We only had lunch at the restaurant.) Overall, the place is awesome to stay in Kanyakumari."</i><br />
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Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-76199126130002447042013-07-04T12:04:00.003+05:302015-12-03T10:13:53.005+05:30Southern Sojourn - continued<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So it was Coimbatore for the next day.<br />
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We visited Isha Yoga campus the next day. I tried to figure out the location and route through Garmin and Google, but it was not mapped in Google maps then. (Now when I search the location shows up correctly, or may be I did not look up properly then.). Hence, with an approximation I started out. We did get on the right track but lost our way once we were nearing the place. It is completely in a village tucked away in the foothills of Velliangiri.<br />
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The road is pretty bad when you near the campus. The campus is nice and a lot of construction work was going on - a big hall and pond etc. We spent around 3-4 hours there visiting the enclosure that houses Dhyana Lingam, temple, visited the shop there and Janaki bought some powders made by some wing of Isha foundation. (Ada powder, Chola dosa powder, Sambar powder etc). We fed Samyu also sitting in their canteen and then we decided to leave. This time I did not lose the route and could reach Vadavalli without any miss. The rest of the day was at leisure. Next day morning we were supposed to leave to Thrissur.<br />
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We got up early and left by 5 am to Thrissur. Garmin baby led us correctly out of Kovai town to reach the highway. The road till Palakkad was bumpy and I decided to take the route via Shoranur as the direct stretch from Palakkad to Thrissur was not in god shape. Palakkad-Ottappalam route is too good, well laid out and with enough width.<br />
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We stopped over at Uthralikkavu for a quick darshan and the temple was so peaceful and that too in the morning without much rush. Loved it. Even Samyu seemed to enjoy it.<br />
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Reached Thrissur by around 8.30 am, had breakfast at Bharath and went to meet Chechi (she owns the PG where I stayed during my engg times.).<br />
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Left Thrissur by around 11 am and reached Ernakulam by 1.30 pm.<br />
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Thus finishes the first leg of the Southern Sojourn.<br />
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Now what follows is the Guruvayoor trip, Kanyakumari trip, Kannur trip and the trip back to Bangalore from Kannur.</div>
Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-10033276065960374032013-04-02T19:17:00.001+05:302015-12-03T10:14:06.058+05:30Southern Sojourn<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Feb was a month of travel for me. And I did plan it. It was quite some time since we traveled after Samyuktha was born. So this was it. Her 'Choorunu' (Annaprasam) was planned in Guruvayoor temple on 11th of Feb, on the day of 6th wedding anniversary of Janaki and me :)<br />
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Bangalore to Coimbatore<br />
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4th February it was, at around 5.45 am we started off from our house in Jayanagar towards Coimbatore. The plan was to reach Coimbatore, and stay there overnight at a relatives place. Next day we had plans to visit the Isha Yoga center in Kovai (that was Janaki's plan) and also a rest day. We did not want to take chances with Samyuktha as I did not know how she will respond to the first long distance travel.<br />
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So off we went, this time taking a different route from normal. Usually we take Bangalore - Hosur - Salem - Coimbatore route which is almost a 4-lane highway. But this time, I wanted to take a different route and that was Bangalore - Kanakaura - Kollegal - Chamrajpet - Satyamangalam - Coimbatore. This route was not very famous till recently as it was not in a good shape and long time back it was infamous for the forest hero Veerappan who used the forests on the way as hideouts.<br />
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The drive was good and the first stop was a bio-break shortly after Kollegal. I had expected few<br />
speed-breakers on the way but surprisingly there were none. The whether was so cool and fresh. There were no vehicles on road and we were the only one for sometime. Samyuktha didn't quite like her seat in the car but did not make much noise.<br />
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Clicked few pictures of the surroundings and headed towards Chamrajanagar where we planned to have breakfast.</div>
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We stopped at Nijaguna residency at Chamrajanagar by around 9.30 am. I had read reviews of this place and was supposed to be the only decent place to eat on this route. Eateries are the only concern in this route to Coimbatore. Well, we learnt that this place was expensive while paying the bill. A coffee cost us Rs. 35, a simple coffee - nothing great in terms of taste or quantity. Well, we used few of their resources to feed Samyuktha and get her freshened. So we thought it is okay.<br />
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We left the place around 10.15 am or so and headed towards Satyamangalam. The road was nice, and the drive was good. The scenes around the road was good - not much of human in-habitation and lot of trees. Well, most parts were part of reserved forest I believe. We crossed the Dhimbam ghats with its 27 hairpin curves in around 30 minutes and landed in Bannary. Satyamangalam was covered in another 30 minutes and it was a pretty big town. Not like what we have heard about the dreaded Veerappan sir. Even I found one Muthoot Gold Loan branch there. Well, Mallus are everywhere!!</div>
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Before entering Kovai town I took the deviation towards the relatives place which is in Vadavalli. Thanks to my Garmin and Google maps, I had mapped out the route in Garmin. But the roads were not that good but still okay. One thing I should tell, if you map your routes well, you don't have to stop anywhere to ask for directions and get lost. My Garmin clearly led me to the house without any confusion. I just had to follow her instructions (no...not Janaki's, my Garmin lady's).</div>
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Finally, we landed up in Vadavally at around 1 pm after having lunch at a hotel on the way. Samyuktha was okay, bit tired. That's all. Otherwise she was fine with her first long journey in car.</div>
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Well, here I would like to mention one thing. This route to Coimbatore from Bangalore is around 60 kms lesser and also will save you around Rs. 400 as toll fee. It might take 30 min extra, but here you are driving in pristine natural conditions, not the uneventful 4-lane highway. Try it next time. (The only problem is - if you have to cross Coimbatore and go, like for e.g., Palakkad or Kochi, you will have to cut across Coimbatore town which will take time.)</div>
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Sojourn is not over yet. It was just the beginning of the 2700 odd kilometers and 1 month from Bangalore to Guruvayoor to Kanyakumari to Kannur and then to Bangalore back.</div>
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Lungi is simple and 'down to earth' like the mallu wearing it. Lungi is the beginning and the end of evolution in its category.You cant provide it with gills to allow it to breathe more freely .Wearing something on the top half of your body is optional when you are wearing a lungi. Lungi is a strategic dress. It's like a one-size-fits-all bottoms for Keralites.<br />
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The technique of wearing a lungi/mundu is passed on from generation to generation through word of mouth like the British Constitution. If you think it is an easy task wearing it, just try it once! It requires techniques like breath control and yoga that is a notch higher than sudarshan kriya of AOL. A lungi/mundu when perfectly worn won't come off even in a quake of 8 on the richter scale. A lungi is not attached to the waist using duct tape, staple, rope or velcro. It's a bit of mallu magic whose formula is a closely guarded secret like the Coca Cola chemicals.<br />
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A lungi can be worn 'Full Mast' or 'Half Mast' like a national flag. A 'Full Mast' lungi is when you are showing respect to an elderly or the dead. Wearing it at full mast has lots of disadvantages. A major disadvantage is when a dog runs after you. When you are wearing a lungi/mundu at full mast, the advantage is mainly for the female onlookers who are spared the ordeal of swooning at the sight of hairy legs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPznUH8lsV5q4SoqVyXQ2tquqkUM-nB9H8X32oXTcofIDiNEUMMmlpgrjsOcKTeESwom845CaDOJA2NxfyK_ozIGcum3OCDNL7xkcqj_wceEKS0pU6OSe2P_J-hob4qxZw4lXVbA/s1600/kerala_lungi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPznUH8lsV5q4SoqVyXQ2tquqkUM-nB9H8X32oXTcofIDiNEUMMmlpgrjsOcKTeESwom845CaDOJA2NxfyK_ozIGcum3OCDNL7xkcqj_wceEKS0pU6OSe2P_J-hob4qxZw4lXVbA/s320/kerala_lungi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table>Wearing a lungi 'Half Mast' is when you wear it exposing yourself like those C grade movie starlets. A mallu can play cricket, football or simbly run when the lungi is worn at half mast. A mallu can even climb a coconut tree wearing lungi in half mast. "It's not good manners, especially for ladies from decent families, to look up at a mallu climbing a coconut tree"- Confucius (or is it Abdul Kalam?)<br />
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Most mallus do the traditional dance kudiyattam. Kudi means drinking alcohol and yattam, spelled as aattam, means random movement of the male body. Note that 'y' is silent. When you are drinking, you drink, there is no 'y'. Any alcohol related "festival" can be enjoyed to the maximum when you are topless with lungi and a towel tied around the head. "Half mast lungi makes it easy to dance and shake legs" says Candelaria Amaranto, a Salsa teacher from Spain after watching 'kudiyaattam' .<br />
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The 'Lungi Wearing Mallu Union' [LUWMU, pronounced LOVE MU], an NGO which works towards the 'upliftment' of the lungi, strongly disapprove of the GenNext tendency of wearing Bermudas under the lungi. Bermudas under the lungi is a conspiracy by the CIA. It's a disgrace to see a person wearing burmuda with corporate logos under his lungi. What they don't know is how much these corporates are limiting their freedom of movement and ex-pression.<br />
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A mallu wears lungi round the year, all weather, all season. A mallu celebrates winter by wearing a colourful lungi with a floral pattern. Lungi provides good ventilation and brings down the heat between legs. A mallu is scared of global warming more than anyone else in the world.<br />
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A lungi/mundu can be worn any time of the day/night. It doubles as blanket at night. It also doubles up as a swing, swimwear, sleeping bag, parachute, facemask while entering/exiting toddy shops, shopping basket and water filter while fishing in ponds and rivers. It also has recreational uses like in 'Lungi/mundu pulling', a pastime in households having more than one male member. Lungi pulling competitions are held outside toddy shops all over Kerala during Onam and Vishu. When these lungis are decommissioned from service, they become table cloths. Thus the humble lungi is a cradle to grave appendage.<br />
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(The credit for this article goes to the author, unknown as of now. I'm sharing this in my blog for your information and knowledge enrichment.)<br />
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For more information on Mallu, and what that means, please read <a href="http://gopikrishna-a.blogspot.com/2008/10/i-yaame-mallu.html">i-yaame-mallu</a>Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-79132704446047015102010-08-15T11:16:00.003+05:302010-08-15T15:18:49.841+05:30The Pursuit of Happyness<div style="text-align: left;">"Hey, there needs to be a spell check done", was the first reaction that I had when I saw the movie title. It said Happyness, and not Happiness.</div> <p class="MsoNormal">Sometime I wonder the change in scenario; where a studious student during my times was having all set of dictionaries - English-English, English-English-Hindi, English-English-Malayalam and all sorts of combinations. We were encouraged (rather threatened) to look up these heafty stuff to find the correct spelling and meaning. So we knew most of the spelling correctly. But this generation just hits the spell-check button and bingo all the wrong spellings are corrected and also the system throws up the suggestion for grammar too. So the result is, if you have to write down something in a paper, the student is blank regarding the spelling.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The point I was trying to tell is, the movie is good. And, I'm not trying to give a review of that. What left me thinking is that, what made that guy to rise up in life? Money? Wealth? Luxury? (By the way, money and wealth are two different things).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">My earlier boss used to tell me, "Money is the only motivator for most of them". I look back. Did I work with all the enthusiasm just because I got the money I wanted? Mostly, No.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Money is an attraction, but cannot be a motivator, I believe. When somebody takes up a new job offer, money, of course, is an attraction. Once inside and on the job, the attraction remains for sometime. But after sometime he/she gets used to it, and its no more an attraction or motivation.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The driving factors might be a sense of satisfaction of doing something good, some recognition of good work, promotion, etc. Some folks may not be so focused on the satisfaction part, as long as the month-end sms comes from the bank. But here too, its not motivation, its complacency.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Another breed just cannot stand the concept that you are working 'for' someone, and starts up something new which gives him/her a kick. May be 5% have this mindset, but only 0.5% get ahead and do something. Others do a SWOT analysis, and finally decide to stick on to the month-end sms lifestyle.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here, one thing to note is that all have some wishes, desires and dreams.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">All of us have lot of wishes - like, "I wish this country had better infrastructure", "I wish I had XYZ car", "I wish I had a monthly income of Rs. ABC".</p> <p class="MsoNormal">If you ask them very firmly, "Do you really want all these things?", they might answer, "Well, not really. I am okay with the current setup". They are driven by the fear of failure and since they are not ready to move out of the comfort zone, they remain where they are with their wishes.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">A few in this group think of doing something about it. They analyse the pros and cons, see what they could possibly do, and see a few options. They are turning a wish into a higher level - a desire. But many stop at this level, due to the lack of confidence, complacency, or no proper guidance.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarlRge3-QzSXhbF6hnflJgbaxjZNZE3Q8wh-55mM9bK8vxoGprZPaNke5BCH4bTJRCY-icoX7GJe-2Ha-Wh2pS-tl63qa4YhtMOoDeX0xkbphxocV9z4jWtR_A4lPEtaVIKDyXA/s320/Dreams.jpg" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Very few actually turn these desires into their dreams, set goals, and chart an action plan to achieve them. And they make a difference to their own life, and to life of people who are associated with them.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">What I felt is that its not important what the dreamers achieve, whether it is a plush house, a few luxury cars, or a hefty bank account. If the person is focused, and sensible, it is more important on what he/she, as an individual, as human being, become in that process of achieving his dreams.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">If we look around we will see people in all the categories, and which set do each of us belong to?</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmbGKbm3RUSOdVs_vXseb2hpdn78tRZBRv4Ov2CHLCHbQ7uOZTEmqtZWwLdG-GpKAVCw1QgFX93c22CpUAkHHHliWnWI23z_I1tp9Pk-ZWzqlTfP5hWdEDGGgQHZcF5mSepm96w/s320/dreams_moon.gif" /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Cheers!</p>Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-84829890140707776242010-08-09T23:37:00.000+05:302010-08-09T23:38:07.286+05:30The clutter free life<div>Bang!! I turned around and saw a huge pile of junk being dumped in the junk shop. It was a pleasent evening and I had got out for a walk. This thought stuck my mind - A shop for junk stuff. </div><div><br /></div><div>It made me realise that anything sells! Also that all of us have lot of junk to give - both in our house and mind. There are tens and thousands of thoughts that cross our mind, and if you observe, only a few thoughts comes again. Most of them are not relevant at all, but stays somewhere in the background of our mind. Same is the case with things. Look around our house, and if you look closely you will realise that most of the stuff around us are not used or ages. There might be bits of papers, used bus or train tickets, notices all are lying around us.</div><div><br /></div><div>Clutter is common. You find it everywhere. People love it. Be it house, public place, office, mind. We feel something is very important and keep it; or just neglect it saying its unimportant. I made it a habit to hit the Delete & Refresh button very often in my life and mind. Remove all those unwanted stuff from your life physically and mentally. Then you will see that a new life comes, a new energy. Think about it. If you have not used a particular stuff in your house for past 6 months, then mostly you will never use it. There is something fresh and new awaiting but unless we hit the Delete and Refresh button, the new stuff won't happen.</div><div><br /></div><div>And I reached home to find that I am yet to hit the Delete and Refresh button for my mind for that day. Want to know how? Ask me.</div><div><br /></div><div>Cheers!</div>Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-48152034308657802032009-12-04T19:32:00.022+05:302015-12-03T10:14:26.193+05:30Gokarna, Idigunji, Murudeshwar and Kollur<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">It was a pretty long wait at the Jayanagar 4th Block pick-up point for theVRL Roadlines. The bus that I had booked to Gokarna was a sleeper cum sitting. I had opted for the sitting option being a little worried about the sleeping option. Gokarna had only bus option from Bangalore, no direct train, or else take a flight to Goa and head back to Gokarna via road, about a couple of hours I guess.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial";">Gokarna is a sleepy little town in the coastal Karnataka but a famous place due to two things. Temple and beaches. The Shiva temple is considered to be very special due to the Jyothir lingam of Shiva. And the beaches are clean and isolated by rocks and hills.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial";">More than 30 min of waiting and couple of frowns from Janaki, we were inside the bus. The intensity of frowns got stronger when we realised that the sleeping option was better as it looked more spacious and comfortable. I somehow 'tried' justifying my choice of sitting option and left Jayanagar by around 8.30 pm. When it left Bangalore it was almost past 10 pm.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial";">It was around 9.30 next morning when we finally reached the little town. Got down and was picked up by the vehicle of Om beach Resort where I had booked for the stay. I had been to Gokarna about 6-7 years back and had known that there were few hotels. This time I wanted to have more beaches also along with the divinity in the trip, and so Om beach resort was chosen.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial";">Little did I know that the 'beach' term in that name was a misnomer. The Om beach was pretty far, around 4kms from the resort. I had got a hint from the website I had visited so not very disappointing. Resort was pretty good, and had to hurry for breakfast as it was about to close by 10am. Food was good and had a quick nap after food. At around 4 pm we visited the Om beach. The resort had a drop and pick-up facility to the beach for the guests. It was drizzling and later the shower was strong.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial";">There are about 5 beaches in Gokarna. Kudle, Om, Paradise, Town, and Long beach. All these are separated by hillocks. These beaches are frequented by foreigners who come to camp in here. There are several cafes (don’t have high expectations, it’s too far from Cafe Coffee Day and stuff like that. These are simple coconut-leaf roofed, semi-brick buildings where they offer basic food and shelter).</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial";">We strolled along the beach which was almost deserted. The sea was calm and I took bath and we both meditated for a while on the rocks. It was so nice, that the mind automatically comes to the present moment and no thoughts disturb you.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial";">By around 6.30 pm we headed back to resort in the same vehicle of resort (again, don’t have high expectation, it is not a limo that comes but a cranky Mahindra jeep which probably was the first one from Mahindra.) A quick shower and we planned to go to the temple. The auto-rickshaws charge a bomb there. For a 2 km trip they charge around Rs. 50!! With no option left we opted for an auto to the temple for Rs. 100 for round trip + waiting.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial";">Incidentally it was Maha-Pradosham or Sani-Pradosham which was considered to be very auspicious to visit Shiva temple. There was no much rush, and as soon as we reached a priest (there are many sub/assistant/deputy priests) came to us and started taking inside the temple as if we had asked him to be there. I ignored him as I knew that there are such people who come uninvited and make us do all sorts of so called pujas and finally give us a bill which has many zeros in it. To avoid that I told, in the Kannada I knew, that we are fine alone. We made some donations to the temple, and took a ticket for a small puja which we could do alone. Some other priest came and made us do the puja, and it was nice as there was less crowd and we could touch the Shiva linga, which is one speciality of this place, that we can do the puja on our own. Back to auto, and back to resort for dinner and hit the bed.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial";">We had booked a cab to Kollur. Since there were a couple of temples Idagunji and Murudeshwar on the way, we visited them too. Idagunji is an old Ganapati temple about 4km away from the highway. Murudeshwar is a beach temple town, much like Gokarna. Its is more famous for the World's largest Shiva statue. The temple is on a beach and has a resort like feeling in the temple premises. There are beaches on both sides where water sports are in full swing.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial";">We had a quick lunch and then hopped in to head towards Kollur, and reached Kollur by around 2.30 pm.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial";">This was the first leg of the 2 weeks trip that we had during the 2nd week of November. Watch this space for more.</span></span></div>
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Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-19406545247926251072009-10-21T19:11:00.003+05:302009-10-21T19:24:32.617+05:30Long Time!!Woooh!! 5 months! Its been long time since I posted anything. <div><br /></div><div><ul><li>Films release and flop or become hit in 5 months.</li><li>Countries go on war, and return to peace in 5 months.</li><li>People jump multiple jobs in 5 months.</li><li>Mosquitoes take birth, die and again take birth (may be as a mosquito again or not, not sure) in 5 months. (FYI: The average life span of a female mosquito is 3 to 100 days; the male lives 10 to 20 days.)</li><li>Marriages are made and broken in 5 months.</li><li>Companies are born and go broke in 5 months.</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>But still here I am, not writing anything for 5 months. Don't know why, but I get this strange feeling of wanting a very private and thought free space to have my creative juices flowing in the brain. This is very bad because as you can see, I end up doing nothing. So may be I will jot down something at least every week.</div><div><br /></div><div>I am not yet into tweeter, may be I should have a look at it. Anybody there who tried that? Any advice/warning??</div><div><br /></div><div>(Btw, I am really surprised on how the celebrities mange to have a blog and write daily on that. Really surprising to me. Is it really written by them or somebody is writing for them? Not sure)</div>Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-78823581293741396452009-05-31T00:31:00.011+05:302015-12-30T08:59:01.711+05:30BMTC Diaries: Burning sensation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
These days I have reduced my frequency of travel in bus and rely on company transport. But I had and still keep having many experiences and thoughts on which I probably will write. I have this bad habit (one of the many I have) of postponing things with an intention of fine-tuning it a bit. This applies to my updating the blog also. So you may see very less updates of the blog. Somehow have to get over that. Any suggestions/tips/tricks?<br />
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Honk! I was woken up in my bus on the way to office. The bus was at a junction and I had dozed off peacefully after boarding as the bus was almost empty and I had got a comfortable seat. Cool and fresh Bangalore breeze had made me slip off into the ‘nirvana’ state soon.<br />
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This honk came from a car driver who, I think, wanted to move ahead without waiting for the signal to turn Green. I was looking around and it was a big junction on Residency road. There were about 10-12 two-wheelers, 4-5 cars, 3 buses, 4-5 auto-rickshaws at the junction. Some of them were honking impatiently as if those honking will make the signal change quickly. Two things stuck me.<br />
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All this impatience is of no use. You leave this signal at the speed of a rocket, just to reach the next signal first. You will reach the next signal to only greet all those slow starters from the previous signal who will slowly come and stand beside you in this signal or junction. So no point racing ahead when you see ‘Green’.<br />
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Second point was a bit statistical which will require some data backing to it. I could see around 25 vehicles at a signal to one-side, so around 75 still vehicles at any given point (25 x 3, assuming one signal is green and vehicles at that side is moving.) My wild guesstimate tells me there would be minimum 100 such signals in Bangalore. So total 100 x 75 = 7500 vehicles at a peak hour which are still but the engine are ‘On’.<br />
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Later on I did a simple calculation as below based on the following assumptions:<br />
10 cars and 30 2-wheelers at a junction, including 3 roads.<br />
100 junctions in Bangalore alone<br />
10 hours per day when signal is active<br />
Car gets a 12 km per liter and 2-wheeler gets 60 km. <br />
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Going by the above, an amount between 30 to 40 Lakhs PER DAY is burnt together by people in Bangalore waiting a signal. This is just the story of Bangalore. Assume there are 10 other cities in India with same 100 or more signals and above assumptions. A clean 3 to 4 Crores per day? And add other cities in India with tweaking the assumptions a bit. I am sure not less than 5 Crores PER DAY (around 1500 Crores PER YEAR) is spent at traffic signals by burning fuel. So imagine the savings if you just switch off the engine for 1 minute at a signal.</div>
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This thought was alarming to me. How much money & fuel (a non-renewable source of energy) can be saved by just a small twist of our hand. Amazing as well as alarming. I always used to switch off the engine of my car or bike at a junction due to selfish reason, to save my money. But now realizing the bigger picture, I urge each one of you to practice this to save Earth.</div>
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Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-40987631018186179382009-05-30T23:19:00.003+05:302009-05-30T23:22:22.228+05:30Believe it or not !!!There are 2 types of people in this world. First, who knows about a particular thing. Second, who believes about the same thing.<br /><br />Tune to Class VIII B. Teacher, who has a spiritual inclination, was taking a new chapter and at some point asked, “How many of you believe in God?” All, except this particular child, raised their hand.<br /><br />Surprised at this the teacher asked this child, “Why? You don’t believe in God?” The child replies, “No. I know God. I don’t need to believe in God.” The child continues, “Ma’am, I don’t need to believe that you are standing in front of me. I know that you are in front of me.”<br /><br />We believe in something which we don’t know, or which we are not sure of. We don’t believe in something that we know. I have to believe that there is Grand Canyon or Niagara falls because I have not seen them. (Of course I may be convinced that they are there, but then too there is some degree of uncertainty)<br /><br />At the same time I do not need to believe that there is Taj Mahal, or that you, the reader, exist. I know that its there.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341675824735649410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTd0v9o-_Vhc6CWUA2WvEILEgGHP4ooe9uOCDOJEMzok_XZRyyRgR0zSefbyu9oUFX1Zhwebef-pruCK2AUS1XXQT5cm_aI8Guf9igg-qPj1v1BVp9wCI_0EE2nfaGHmkKgHKowQ/s320/believe.jpg" border="0" /><br />Another school of thought: Whether we believe in something or know something, things are there as they are. We believing it or knowing it does not change it anything. For our own comfort and convenience we either know it, believe it or disbelieve it. The fact does not change, it remains.Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-84700530291973695832009-03-11T11:22:00.011+05:302009-03-11T11:55:26.279+05:30BMTC Diaries: Cool Conductors<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5kt9MZEkvXd7c4aycYoBfzH7LA-QvCJ9E7kOGQmeR52UNum7LWB8qot0T0MpP9t9tjf_6mK0DZ7mr5XjwJUwWry_Oi5yxJLbSlqLeD5c7Vv_EFQxWEZNarw-myEd6n6eeuE4zA/s1600-h/Bus1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311804323517236690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 157px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 120px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5kt9MZEkvXd7c4aycYoBfzH7LA-QvCJ9E7kOGQmeR52UNum7LWB8qot0T0MpP9t9tjf_6mK0DZ7mr5XjwJUwWry_Oi5yxJLbSlqLeD5c7Vv_EFQxWEZNarw-myEd6n6eeuE4zA/s400/Bus1.jpg" border="0" /></a>It was yet another day when I hurriedly walked to the bus stop at around 6.30 am. I quickly checked my pockets to see if any change is there. Lucky, I have got some change for the tickets. Conductors are an integral part of the BMTC journey, and for any bus journey for that matter. And I think Bangalore is one place where you find a lot of feminine crowd also doing this job.<br />These conductors in BMTC are very smart. They adopt certain techniques to make more unaccounted moolah!<br /><br />Technique 1<br />If you require a ticket for Rs. 3 or 4, and you give a denomination of coins 2 + 1 or 2 + 2, then they will try to strike a ‘deal’ with you if possible. They will return the 1 Re. coin or the 2 Rs. coin to you. The deal is that for a Rs. 3 or 4 tickets you need to pay only Rs.2 and no ticket. He will just return the ‘excess’ amount and walk away as if nothing has happened.<br /><br />Now, its up to you to feel joyful about the deal that saved Rs. 1 or 2 for you, or worry on if any ticket inspector is on his way from the next stop. Either ways, Mr. Conductor is happy. He has got some (unaccounted) money, and assuming he does it with around 75-100 people per day, he has a decent ‘earning’. Also he is not responsible for people travelling without ticket.<br /><br />Technique 2<br />In case you give a currency of 20 or 50 or 100 for a ticket of, say, Rs. 8, and unfortunately you don’t have change to exact amount. The gentleman conductor will scribble the balance in the reverse of the ticket (you get a ticket in case he doesn’t apply the Technique 1 above). Most of the cases he will do it even if he can pay the balance then and there. After all we cannot dig into his purse and check for the balance, right?<br /><br />Now it is up to your presence of mind that you ask for the balance while you get down. If you missed it, you missed it, that’s it. I think the conductors adopt this because most often people forget (unless one is very much aware and vigilant about the balance that is due, unfortunately I am not one among that gang). So if a balance of 2 or 5 or 10 or whatever is due and you get down, and forget to ask for that, bus would have left by the time you recollect this. If a conductor manages to owe big amounts like this to about 30-40 people per day, and people like me travel in his bus, he can make around 200-300 bucks per day easily. Smart! Isn’t it?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPStcZTyay0BrtiAtkQvDBdAnRi1eZUVZm16nTcJvCo6qO73vOi_8PokwDoprydoVfeomfd1f2ZAOW8WxgsJ5Ac9-T7DcMfj_DpcYpjHjoWRGfQg_iK7QL44wSlvVpNtho6awz3g/s1600-h/Bus3.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHdqn9jGtXz4PNdOYVPVYe7_ObVU8H-uz2YiVXEsxsGsR3YnbSpXk84CurMqIXUuAxlCMvBWddub5zT36M_Vcp7yzcbiNgP6j6JAtqbONEIRSgPKMkEUMOCr6iUX5FML0duwPXsg/s1600-h/Bus3.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqRxh4i_8PrwA-oZjECzSMq_nD6CaklK9pIS_uTXA7U3Ov8LaxDKxLkwUc9yUghvSbQaExgpNnUs8wNix1p2iIjcBDJSMlBvV33OCxaYK4_P3SZTOKc57Z1ASbI_8LMeA0Hp77A/s1600-h/Bus3.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJ2PcLTL7zRPIprk1-VcHB8RHM9L8h-X5mUAjiXq8l3c2QqyDhwtvDlYFR0XTg43UVkmr08WFK72FtsAJAUDWn_7EOka23ZA2tWjDWnqCObHc5V0C02ujUu7rxXsfCVccvvxYdQ/s1600-h/bus.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311812188244573058" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 154px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 139px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJ2PcLTL7zRPIprk1-VcHB8RHM9L8h-X5mUAjiXq8l3c2QqyDhwtvDlYFR0XTg43UVkmr08WFK72FtsAJAUDWn_7EOka23ZA2tWjDWnqCObHc5V0C02ujUu7rxXsfCVccvvxYdQ/s320/bus.png" border="0" /></a><br />Both these techniques are used widely by conductors, both male and female, and unless w<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlVYXoZCbexlLFpPef2c-mJ4i1WlNrV8IzeCu6QsF1pNK1SFBYuMVijwjJahIxMNsWN_ORVl8amny9yjt7V0DyWWaViM0WQqCj2fCFY98AmeWXNK-E3NFzKimgm1AQ-xCEjNL8Q/s1600-h/Bus3.jpg"></a>e customers are vigilant and smart, they will really take us for a ride in their gigantic bus. By the way, my bus has come and I am careful to hand over the exact change or get the balance promptly even though the conductor is a pretty lady. Oh no, the bus is moving, let me get in..</div>Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-41985522338211364352009-02-23T11:34:00.005+05:302009-02-23T11:55:31.577+05:30Shambho!!Shambho!!<br /><br />Thats how lord Shiva transforms the world, and tonight is Shivaratri.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305874134493902594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP6tBsh6Bj1IdBZchIio4DfjzMbQ82YhHgV2Tymp5IvMm1IcPu3h7VWLgntQ6ankj68mOq9JGS0n5-THK9IRHf-b4TMD2WYRUJbttrkm-071ghseKbUYrKJTkqB_jaGxJodFndBw/s400/Shiva.jpg" border="0" /><br />The thought of transforming my blog was also there in my mind for quite some time. And the day could not get better than today, being Shivaratri.<br /><br />Continuos transformation is required in every creation, to keep everything new, fresh and alive. Nature takes care of this aspect so beautifully, every leaf blossoms, ripens and then falls off to join the earth, and again it becomes a part of the plant.<br /><br />So, we, as humans, should transform ourself to getting better. Good thought? :-)<br /><br />Love<br />GopuGopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-37385943677111567412009-02-22T12:59:00.005+05:302009-02-22T13:10:42.128+05:30BMTC Diaries: Vroom…..<div><br /><div>BMTC (Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation), for those who are wondering what it is, is the government owned city & suburban bus service. Find more about BMTC in <a href="http://www.bmtcinfo.com/">BMTC website</a>, and in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangalore_Metropolitan_Transport_Corporation">Wikipedia</a>. </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305523212606046962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 201px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUzK1g6KQyboR9knNFfWmmPtI87seidH85JkqLW9j3cgVEw9E6IamuGywi9Mw_Jun7P3vlajy6SUo7bNlBVXJ4KuELfEpgJS7xTy-GGUJseIm-uo1YgU9RQiOCNTEQ9KLvMkRt2A/s320/Bmtc.jpg" border="0" /><br />I am using the service of BMTC to commute to work. I have company transport, but since the timings are not convenient to me, I use BMTC to go to office and to return I use office transport. I’ve been using BMTC’s service for the past 3-4 years, except for about an year.<br /><br />In this series I share my experiences in the daily BMTC travel that I do to office. The morning Bangalore, people, BMTC experiences, that I get during my 1 hour journey to office. The sequence of my travel is of 3 types; Bus-Bus-Bus-Walk (90% of times), Bus-Bus-Walk (8% of times), Bus-Walk (2%); which means, in the first case I have to change 3 buses and walk about a kilometer to my office, as my office is at the end of a business park, and so are the other types.<br /><br />I set out at around 6 AM in the morning, or at times 6.30, or 7 to the nearby bus stop. I stay in Jayanagar 4-T Block (South Bangalore), and my office is in a place called Nagawara (North Bangalore), so has to cut-across the city.<br /><br />The route: In the Bus-Bus-Bus-Walk scheme, I take my first bus to Jayanagar 4th Blcok, and from 4th Block another bus which pass through Jayanagar 3rd Block, Lalbagh gardens, Shanthi Nagar BMTC Bus Stand, Residency Road, M.G Road and reach Shivaji Nagar. From Shivaji Nagar I take another bus which goes to Yelahanka, which pass through Cunningham road, Bangalore Cantonment Railway Station, Tannery Road, and finally Nagawara. The entire trip takes about 1 hour in the morning hours before 8.<br /><br />During the first few days of my travel, I used to go to the bus stop, carrying my bag, somewhat neatly dressed. There used to be very few people at the bus-stop, like some flower or vegetable sellers, a few students who are going for their early morning tuitions and very few early office goers like me. Initial days, I used to get these who-is-this-guy kind of looks from the vendors, and a few other people since they used to see office goers only little late.<br /><br />More any my daily experiences are on the way. Do let me know what you feel on this article.<br /><br />Love<br />Gopu</div></div>Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-80146196380720033302009-02-19T21:02:00.008+05:302009-02-20T21:43:09.351+05:30RansomA man was walking hurriedly along the road with a bag when his friend saw him. His friend asked him, "Hello, you look to be in a hurry. Where are you going?".<br /><br />He replied, "Yes, I am in a hurry. My wife is kidnapped. This bag is full of money to pay to the kidnappers as ransom."<br /><br />His friend said sadly, "Oh! Thats too bad. You go fast and get your wife back."<br /><br />The man said, walking away, "No, that's not the case. The kidnappers have threatened that if I don't pay the ransom they will release mywife."<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304541791813962370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 197px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 196px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSPyrS1WS2moITE8CbRIFd1XvncIBPghZoWfaz16-8cqiLz1frYl-ZVAhYdSmMcUWwyoTGa8DHG8q21qExPVWIiTMKdesJbAT0QMkBcUKWHMN9-7g1i4IHqXYDvrjpulRKDNNbQg/s400/laugh.jpg" border="0" />Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-35679773389701772012009-02-16T12:33:00.012+05:302009-02-22T11:45:58.080+05:30Ram Sena, Shiv Sena and finally Vanara Sena<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20lK3QaCvnlkvwVgMwu5t2eeYSBd6jSxiI2QIH6DACH1Ks4RaNIEyAfJxEg_MDyt0-neI1LRHXzl0qfnaRQM8y1AnNDu5eK_voQgIsLQ8w1eKRYKgHN9AHo2_TtDR8o3UREE-hA/s1600-h/Gita.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303289793219981266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 216px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj20lK3QaCvnlkvwVgMwu5t2eeYSBd6jSxiI2QIH6DACH1Ks4RaNIEyAfJxEg_MDyt0-neI1LRHXzl0qfnaRQM8y1AnNDu5eK_voQgIsLQ8w1eKRYKgHN9AHo2_TtDR8o3UREE-hA/s400/Gita.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">"Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya<br />Glanirva Bhavathi Bharatha,<br />Abhyuthanam Adharmaysya<br />Tadatmanam Srijami Aham'.<br />- Bhagavad Gita (Chapter IV-7)<br /><br />"Whenever there is decay<br />of righteousness O! Bharatha<br />And a rise of unrighteousness<br />then I manifest Myself!" </div><br /><div align="left">These are the days when many senas are formed for restoring the dharma in the world (India, to be precise as per the Sena’s jurisdiction). They decide who should do what. They will tell who all should go to pubs, restaurants, what people should wear, who all should celebrate which all festivals and the list goes on.<br /><br />They have proved their mettle in Mumbai, and especially their presence during the Mumbai attacks their presence was greatly felt as they were in the forefront in rescue operations. They, who were against people who were not Maharashtrians, did not oppose or make noise when non- Maharashtrians were trying to rescue the Maharashtrians caught in the hotels. Those things are okay for them.<br /><br />Another set of Sena is trying to gain popularity by attacking women in South India and thereby creating a replica of the North India Sena here. Claiming that the women were breaking or violating the Indian Culture laws laid down by the Sena, they beat the women. Yes, beating up women was not there in the Indian Culture laws given to them by their leaders. Poor guys, they don’t know what they are doing.<br /><br />They are a bunch of people who are totally confused. They do not know what they want and where they are heading. They think by forcing people do a few things which they think are right, they can restore the Indian culture. Poor them! I feel pity.<br /><br />They think they preserve Indian culture and traditions by stopping people from celebrating a few occasions like Valentine’s Day. These small, petty issues clearly shows how small-minded and narrow is their vision.<br /><br />India has a tradition of honoring and valuing all other cultures and traditions. If at all those Sainiks feel Indian culture, traditions and heritage is collapsing, they should have come up with some valid reasons. Even I feel the same, but it cannot be and should not be restored by the means the Sainiks adopt. There are several other reasons and ways in which it can be done.<br /><br />Among the leaders of these, so called, Sainiks, I am sure many of them would be using technology gadgets, dress and many other things made in western countries. I also doubt how much they themselves are following Indian traditions and values. I am sure most of them will not be, whether it is family values, religious traditions or societal commitments. It’s just the political and personal interests that they do all these halla-bulla.<br /><br />I feel a few of the questions they should ask themselves are:<br />Are they, their family and relatives following the Indian family & traditional values, in terms of festivals, dress etc.<br />Are they promoting Indian products and brands rather than foreign products? I am sure they will be using many of the foreign brands and products right from the toothpaste that they use to the cars they use.<br />One major Indian value is non-violence. Are they practicing it? One single man, with this single principle has given freedom to an entire country. And that principle is still valid today. Arguments like ‘non-violence is not relevant today’ are baseless.<br /><br />If they are able to justify all these then there is some sense in those Sena’s existing. Or they are a waste, to the society, nation and for themselves.<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLO1ye1lmdSerJZRE_ZVJl29h73z74ZNsTa8FJuZCIGovS-KqYe8akzXkpTwbp6_oJnXHGVFALHgCh1myZ6LQueM1G67-LVXAJGHkcEwgGQbzGXgCSDI3sJCd_aeal2lajyQFOQ/s1600-h/Vanara.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303288681548453250" style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 182px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 218px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLO1ye1lmdSerJZRE_ZVJl29h73z74ZNsTa8FJuZCIGovS-KqYe8akzXkpTwbp6_oJnXHGVFALHgCh1myZ6LQueM1G67-LVXAJGHkcEwgGQbzGXgCSDI3sJCd_aeal2lajyQFOQ/s400/Vanara.gif" border="0" /></a></p><div align="left">By the way, an amusing point to note:<br />Shiv Sena: Lord Shiva’s Sena, or army, consisted of bhuta-ganas (demons) who were headed by Lord Ganapati.<br />Ram Sena: Lord Rama’s Sena was full of Vanaras or Monkeys.<br /><br />True, these senas are now trying to live up to their name. </div><br /><div></div>Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-54053059445900272012009-02-07T13:04:00.009+05:302009-02-22T11:46:27.721+05:30From 1990 to 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4r0_tTIxou44Jqx1hQXS5Gc82cC3ChylxLXv175_gabXVSjmilh5-VRJMYeAsusVy4pncyvKw0-RSvgv-sBjMtUUbW6PpWRM0oi_Y52aa3bwU4CkogU_6vr2veLdGxpFlyYIYjg/s1600-h/tech.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299957101024310178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 222px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4r0_tTIxou44Jqx1hQXS5Gc82cC3ChylxLXv175_gabXVSjmilh5-VRJMYeAsusVy4pncyvKw0-RSvgv-sBjMtUUbW6PpWRM0oi_Y52aa3bwU4CkogU_6vr2veLdGxpFlyYIYjg/s400/tech.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I found this very amusing picture in the net. Very truly reflects what has changed over the past two decades. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have not been posting for sometime, don't know why. Lack of topics, events, ?? Naaaah! But somehow I get this love-hate syndrome with the internet. Sometimes I fall deeply in love with the internet, other times I may not even come online for weeks. Anyways I have something in my mind that will come up in this space, and hopefully continously. </div><div><br /></div><div>Love</div><div>Gopu</div>Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-71228813962209215052008-11-23T21:04:00.008+05:302009-02-22T11:47:06.011+05:30The Consultant and the ShepherdIts story time again! This time I would like to share a story about the (so called) corporate consultants, who will study, analyze, the problems or challenges, suggest solutions and fix the problems (hopefully). Hope you enjoy it.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>---------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />One day a consultant was traveling in a car by the countryside when he came across a big herd of sheep. He slowed down to allow the herd to cross the road. Behind the head was the shepherd who managed the herd.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooPT2CbU8158AtDEz5vhpCIS9wTUH9WpSrM098NoC6reLEz7xiVU0lK13SeofYryRV6ReZ0k9obuA5nkDu6CViKIKWikIRA4MrhSYikOoVnwFTtHq9wXl03T8B_G6lWkF-uA6KQ/s1600-h/Sheep.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271877459860342866" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 131px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooPT2CbU8158AtDEz5vhpCIS9wTUH9WpSrM098NoC6reLEz7xiVU0lK13SeofYryRV6ReZ0k9obuA5nkDu6CViKIKWikIRA4MrhSYikOoVnwFTtHq9wXl03T8B_G6lWkF-uA6KQ/s200/Sheep.jpg" border="0" /></a> He stopped the car to take a break, and during that time he spoke to the shepherd. The consultant told him that he will tell him exactly how many sheep were in the herd, and in return the shepherd should give him a sheep as his fee. The innocent shepherd agreed. After 10-15 minutes of studies and analysis, the consultant replies, “You have got 257 sheep in your herd.”<br /><br />The shepherd agreed that it was correct and told him that the consultant could choose one sheep from the herd. The consultant chose his sheep, put it in his car and when he was about to leave the shepherd asked him, “Aren’t you a consultant?” Surprised, the consultant replies, “Yes, but how did you come to know?”<br /><br />The shepherd said, “I could figure it out in 3 instances. First, you <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqE-nB1bc76vht8NKvM8sJ1iP5c9SzFd7FF_k6Jm70O-gJ_f3boqWYKaxCm9ZWc2yEsUL5OtX7GWXx9kfsgqYkfOK20r1ps1KSetLyot2fpJJ5amH4sYxiNN1mnzLzjRpcIjMDQ/s1600-h/Consultants1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271879612339853954" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 139px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEqE-nB1bc76vht8NKvM8sJ1iP5c9SzFd7FF_k6Jm70O-gJ_f3boqWYKaxCm9ZWc2yEsUL5OtX7GWXx9kfsgqYkfOK20r1ps1KSetLyot2fpJJ5amH4sYxiNN1mnzLzjRpcIjMDQ/s200/Consultants1.jpg" border="0" /></a>offered me your service even without me asking for it. Secondly, you gave some information which I already know. You did not tell me anything new that I did not know about my business. Thirdly, you have taken my dog and put in your car thinking it’s a sheep, which shows that you have absolutely no idea about my business and its nature.”</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271878793104306722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 319px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlHYLJXARemwIpjfl-GKpqjirLtE2p0mILPms_1oKlGkajJXmN6t3D4Ng9j-G508yLFx8U4RQ9DtjnGmZ-2DpHq5xR5Ctz0rN6Vf-sifEO2y4ZBVNlR2HI4XzRsR4SUlWZQoQdOw/s400/consulting.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBk4rJjTO1wrQCPH-TvwPixDx_OaohIiQPe6Z2QV4U4Okv5uJIGlOfLT4fIBp5gZq2C64AqOFi3sIMLERZz8W6ryOpgwd7jfmnZmN7LQcnrTeawRARFnEbIcJjW-B1yr5k8cwGMA/s1600-h/consulting.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-20787436084104012322008-10-29T13:21:00.009+05:302009-02-22T11:47:32.235+05:30Are you in Programming or in Management?I came across this bit in the internet and found it very amusing. Thought I will share it with you. :-)<br />In someway it talks about the truth, isn't it?<br />----------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below.<br /><br />He descended a bit more and shouted, “Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don’t know where I am.”<br /><br />The woman below replied, “You’re in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You’re between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude.”<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262483729382747746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 199px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlF6kZ0uyLRUUUk4cFBaC2ZDw8Nx7yALQ_QZ9PEpNlIZRCnUF7-lzrP_TQqjUnKhBWPw8-xm6BerIl2iiuvVHO7qLyRXLmocvWeT_BdfzgoUCnnZ-ivCGVScL4UY4V5JAbXi9pEA/s200/HotAirBalloon.jpg" border="0" /><br />“You must be a programmer,” said the balloonist.<br /><br />“I am,” replied the woman, “How did you know?”<br /><br />“Well,” answered the balloonist, “everything you told me is technically correct, but I’ve no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I’m still lost. Frankly, you’ve not been much help at all. If anything, you’ve delayed my trip.”<br /><br />The woman below responded, “You must be in Management.”<br /><br />“I am,” replied the balloonist, “but how did you know?”<br /><br />“Well,” said the woman, “you don’t know where you are or where you’re going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise, which you’ve no idea how to keep, and you expect people beneath you to solve your problems. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow, it’s my fault.”Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19740159.post-1036124643049623232008-10-09T15:28:00.004+05:302009-02-22T11:48:15.399+05:30I yaame Mallu“MeiM jātā hōōM. Mujhe yahāM nahi āna haiM”. The venue is a packed school auditorium somewhere in Delhi, India. The school annual day celebrations are going on. It’s a group of students presenting a skit in Hindi, obviously the kid who is saying the dialogue, is from Kerala.<br /><br />A fresh software engineer from Kerala, who came to Bangalore for the first time, in a bakery. “Errr…Can I get tea, chips…hai kya?”, confused as to use which language. “എന്താ വേണ്ടേ ?(What do you want?)”, comes the reply from the shopkeeper.<br /><br />Mallu (മല്ലു): Short for Malayalee (മലയാളി) . A rare species of Homo-sapiens found in almost every terrain, irrespective of the climatic conditions of the local geography. Highly adaptable, ambitious (when outside their breeding ground of Kerala), has high survival capabilities (outside Kerala) of that of cockroaches and lizards. Can live without air for days but not without a Mohanlal or Mammootty movie, Puttu-kadala, Idiyappam-kadala or Appam-stew once a week.<br /><br />Let’s accept it. Mallus (pet name for anyone who hails from God’s own country, Kerala) are everywhere. I don’t think there is any other group which is so widely present in the world. Right from North Pole to South Pole, from Sydney to Sweden, they are there. As a story goes when Neil Armstrong landed in Moon there was a Mallu, Govindan-kutty, there who welcomed him, and offered him a black coffee. It was told that Govindan-kutty was running a Hotel & Tea-shop there in moon long before Neil Armstrong landed. But one thing in true, which ever corner you go in this world there will be one Mallu at least to whom you will run into.<br /><br />I have seen that they behave very strangely. We cannot find any correlation between their behavior when they are inside Kerala and outside Kerala.<br /><br />Within Kerala there is nobody else who has so much of detrimental attitude, who takes things for granted. ‘It’s my world, it’s my life, who is bothered?’ – kind of attitude. You take the Mallu through Palakkad (one of the major border districts in Kerala), and slowly head towards the border check-post in Valayar, his behavior appears to change dramatically. And once outside Kerala, he is the smart, ‘ready-to-do-anything’ fellow, who knows how to get his way through.<br /><br />He, in Kerala, will raise slogans and hold flags, throw stones at vehicles, put vehicles to fire, disrupt the normal life of people for petty issues, but the same Mallu when in some other state or country will dutifully follow the rules and will not get into any kind of fix.<br />The one who talks about labour unions, and justifies the need to have a socialistic society when crosses the Arabian Sea and reaches the shores of Arabic countries forgets all his past and starts living a life of a perfect citizen follow the capitalistic model there and admire it.<br /><br />The one who blames and shouts at the Government of Kerala for having kept a toll booth in a bridge for Rs.10/- will very sincerely pay the toll to be paid in any other part of the world which will be several times this amount and will justify it.<br />I have failed to give a logical reasoning for this behavior. If anyone can help me understand this, I will be grateful. Is it because of the socio-economic-political scenario in Kerala, or is it because Kerala is supposed to be highly literate? I don’t know.Gopuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063253389973302977noreply@blogger.com2