The Utterances of a Peculiar Mindset

Ever thought of studying something new and stuck due to lack of books? Ever stuck while studying cause a concept wasn't clear from the printed book? What do you think of at this moment..? Searching net for pdfs and downloading them?
Wiki has come up with a solution called Wiki Books. Wikibooks is a Wikimedia project that was started on July 10, 2003 with the mission to create a free collection of open-content textbooks that anyone can edit. Since ts founding, volunteers have written about 26,945 modules in a multitude of textbooks.
My say: Worth a try. If you are a master of a subject, don't hesitate to go ahead and share your knowledge with the world by writing a wiki book about the topic of your interest.

Vidya Balan: I just love this girl.. ;-)

Delhi Police have decided to rope in IT firms in the war against increasing cyber crime, Police Commissioner Y.S. Dadwal said here Wednesday.

"We have decided to rope in the services of IT majors for their expertise for the technological advancement of our sleuths and the cyber cell. They have been asked to hold regular interactions with sleuths investigating cyber crime cases," Dadwal said on the second anniversary of the women protection programme 'Parivartan'.

"The step was taken to keep pace with rapid technological advancement," he said.

"Cyber related crimes are on the rise, but we are fully equipped to meet the challenge. We have a number of experts and engineers working in the cyber cell to catch these new age criminals," Dadwal added.

The cell is a wing under Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW).

According to Delhi Police statistics, a total of 17 cases related to hacking, obscenity, e-commerce fraud (online share trading, credit card fraud) and Internet-related crimes, including copyright violation and misrepresentation on the web, were registered last year.

This was against 12 cases registered in 2005, indicating a 42 percent rise.

Earlier this month, the new police chief, in a meeting with senior officials, had directed that all cyber related cases be investigated under the EOW.

"We are planning to introduce a single window mechanism under the EOW, where all cyber crime cases will be investigated by the experts," Dadwal had told EOW officials.

"The step is being taken as the experts will scrutinize the cases and it will also help in speedy disposal of the pending cases. People will find it convenient to register their complaints," he added.

Currently, assistant commissioners of police (ACPs) at the district level are responsible for investigating cyber crime cases, besides the EOW.

In a highly surprising move, Yahoo has decided to close down its photo sharing service. Here is the message provided by the company.

For some time now we've supported your popular and favorite photo sharing service, Yahoo! Photos. But even good things come to an end, and we've decided to close Yahoo! Photos.

We will officially close Yahoo! Photos on Thursday, October 18, 2007 at 9 p.m. PDT. Until then, we will offer you the opportunity to download your original resolution photos back to your computer or to move to a great photo sharing service, Flickr – the award winning photo sharing community that has even been called “completely addictive.” All you need to do is give us your decision before we close, after which any photos remaining on Yahoo! Photos will be deleted and no longer accessible.

Yahoo has provided an option to shift the photos to other popular services like flickr, photobucket, shutterfly etc. They have also provided an option to order a CD with all the snaps downloaded.

So, if you have a photo account on yahoo and are relaxing with belief in its unlimited storage space, its time to wake up and have some action.

What makes a leader? I’d say, really good acting skills. The most effective way to lead is not to show that you are doing it. People hate being told what to do, and what not to do. No one likes to be led by the nose. You must not make them feel you are the boss, guide, whatever. You just have to carry people along with compassion, love, and not least of all, a sense of humour. In fact, not only should others not feel the burden of your leadership, the leader himself should lead without realising it, without donning the grand mantle of setting some maha example. Achievement is the destination, leadership is showing the way to it.

Secondly, I’ve seen that every true leader treats people well. That’s crucial. You can get away by treating some people badly some of the time, but you cannot make a practice of it. I’d say the best leadership is like parenting. You don’t have to instil awe; you should create loving respect.

Thirdly, you have to have focus. But it is important that the leader’s focus does not become heavy, aggressive, pressuring, troubling, aggravating for others. You should do the planning and what you have to do, and then leave everyone to get on with his or her part of it. It’s most important to believe in everyone else as much as you do in yourself. It’s your team. You’ve chosen it. The people on it should be good, right?

I know that the film industry gets a great deal of flak for not putting itself in a leadership role. On the contrary, it is accused of sending the wrong signals, as happened in recent cases. We are constantly told ‘you guys should be doing so much more considering the extraordinary, even


absurd, influence you wield’. But, when people say ‘industry’, it should encompass all media: not just films, but newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, the works.

Everyone in this multifaceted industry must work together on providing the right leadership. But everyone functions as an independent segment, does whatever it wants to. Besides, at the end of the day, we are just doing a job. We are an industry like any other. We are all in a commercial state of mind. We don’t take all this importance upon ourselves.

I understand that, yes, I should be taking up real-time roles, but I’m an actor. I know what to do when I’m acting. However, I need to be told how to play the roles which set an example, or use my position for the larger good. I am truly glad and proud that the Times group asked me to do this film to kick off their Leadership campaign. If you think I am a youth icon, use me by all means.

In the Times campaign, my role is to lead people into action. It’s about getting up and doing whatever it takes. I did not think of this as lines in a script. It is 100% my personal belief. I am not a thinker. I’ll read about something, and do it.

Even if I know the outcome will not be what it should, I have to physically work it out myself. It’s fantastic if you get it right. But it’s equally all right if you get it wrong. Just do it. That’s what I tell my son and my daughter. There’s always a second time to get it right. I simply don’t believe in not doing anything because you are afraid it won’t work out as planned. For leaders as for followers, there should be no don’ts; just do it..

That's what we guys have to do to save ourselves from girls on every Rakhi..
Anyways, Wishing a very happy Rakshabandhan to you all.

Those who have added me in their orkut friend list already know that my birthday is approaching. If you don't yet know, find out the date.
Well, here is my wish list for this birthday. These are few things which are on my "buy list". However, if you gift those to me, that will be great.. :-)

1) Trekking shoes (Preferably "Woodlands Tractor" but for your convenience you can go with " Hunter shoes from Bata")
2) The book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad"
3) The book "The monk who sold his ferrari"
4) A cool and trendy locket
5) Bluetooth Headset (Nokia Preferably)
6) Video Disc of "Rang De Basanti"
7) Web Space of about 30 MB. (I already have a domain dineshsoni.com )

Well, these are only small things. Big things like 6.1 MP Digital Camera and music player I will prefer to buy myself.. And ya. Don't forget to call me up to wish a Happy Birthday..

Ragging is a very essential and nondetachable part of any technical education. And MMS is no exception for it. So yesterday was our first day show at ragging.
We all were invited in the auditorium. Our seniors were already there waiting for us. It started with presenting a slide show of their photographs of last one year. Probably in an attempt to relax us before starting with further procedures. And then, they started inviting people on stage.
And I was among the first group to be called on stage. We were first asked to formally introduce ourselves. On my introduction, one senior gave the reaction, "There is a professor among us".. :-)
Later came the most interesting part. We were asked to dance on "Kajrare". I had never danced in my whole life but somehow managed to have 1-2 thumkas. And thankfully, that was all. He didn't ask me to do anything more.
From today for a week more, we all are supposed to be in tie. So yesterday I bought a tie and now looking for someone to tie a knot (only tie knot.. No any other knot you fool) for me.
That's all for the first day. More is gonna come our way. And I will be trying to enjoy it.

I'm in mumbai these days, as most of you already know. Life is going great here. Though I'm not getting much time to brainstorm and scribble in this place, let me assure you that the flow will never stop. Anyways, here is what I did in last 3 days..

August 21st: It was our introduction ceremony. We were told about college and its facilities etc. Same old thing like happens in every college. Best thing about the day was I met with my fellow classmates with whom I was in constant touch through orkut and messengers. And to tell you something, people actually found me very silent guy. I mean they were expecting a very dynamic kinda guy in me. But I turned out to be kinda introvert against their expectations. Well, I just said them one thing.. WAIT AND WATCH :-)

August 22nd: We had been to "Chak De" today. Will write whole review of the movie soon. But for now, just know that its worth a watch. I was to this movie with new friends. And this friends still think I am very silent kinda guy totally opposite to their expectations. WAIT AND WATCH :-)

August 23rd: Today was our induction program. We were introduced to the subjects we are going to study in the coming semester. And this was first time I realised what a tough time we are gonna have in the coming times.. Pray for me friends..

Here I come.. To rock Mumbai..
I'm gonna be here for 2 more years. For my post graduation in management..

We've listened to it and also sung it numerous times. But still, we don't know the exact meaning of the great composition by Rabindranath Tagore. Here is English translation of the same.

Through the words of the song, it is not clear if it is composed in praise of India. When it was first sung on 27 Dec, 1911; it was considered as loyal welcome of George V on his visit to India. Tagore himself has said the song to be addressed to the All Mighty (addressed as "Bhagya Vadhata" in the song). It was accepted as National Anthem on January 24, 1950. And a petition was filed in 2005 pleading to delete the word "Sindh" and instead put up the word "Kashmir". The argument was that Sindh was no longer a part of India, having become part of Pakistan as a result of the Partition of 1947. Opponents of this proposal hold that the word "Sindh" refers to the Indus and to Sindhi culture and people which are an integral part of India's cultural fabric. The Supreme Court of India refused to tamper with the national anthem and the wording remains unchanged.

Here's wishing you all a very Happy Independence Day. As the India steps into the 60th year, let us come together, help ourselves and help the country. The country's economy is growing and let's take it to the highest level.

The tourism ministry Monday launched itself as a Brand Channel on YouTube and its 'Incredible India' promotional videos will now be available on the popular video sharing website.

The initiative will help promote tourism by showcasing India's cultural and heritage wonders to a worldwide audience on the Internet at www.youtube.com/India.

"The Incredible India campaign is well recognized all over the world and efforts are being made to maximize our reach. We have to show the world the progress India has made since its independence 60 years ago. Using YouTube website for promotion of Incredible India campaign is an effort in that direction," said Shilabhadra Banerjee, secretary, tourism ministry.

This website on YouTube will enable people across the world to experience and engage with the marvels of India through the power of video. Currently there are 18 films/videos uploaded on the site.

YouTube is a leading site where people watch and share videos through the web. It has about 48 million users in the US alone and is the eighth most visited website in the world.

India turns 60. And Orkut is celebrating with us. India is among the major marketplace for orkut so they are trying to build an emotional bondage with the people of the country. Similar attempt was made during Diwali last year. Or is it just the usual google thing of introducing designer logos at various occasions?
Well, this made me to think where the country stands on its 60th Birthday. Are we really on the route of progress? Or is the progress just the false balloon being launched for showing to the world?
India has progressed in various fields ranging from sports, politics, movies, social aspects during these 60 years. Though the success isn’t spectacular, but it atleast provides hopes for a better tomorrow. We won world cup in cricket but hockey almost vanished from the country. Football could never take up any shape. Tennis got no one beyond 2-3 stars. In a country of 120 crores, we could not get a single gold medal in last 60 years.
Nehru, Shastriji, Indira, Rajiv developed a place for India in international politics. And India is doing well on the political field. The wat Vajpayee and Manmohnji took it further is really commendable. I’m not much aware of the minute things of the international politics. So its better I don’t comment more on this..
What I want to discuss is India’s progress in the field of technology and is effect on the common man. No doubt India has done very well on this front. Ever since the time way back in 1987 when Rajiv Gandhi used to dream of taking India to the 21st century before time, the country is progressing very rapidly in this field. It all started with Dr Sam Pitroda returning to India on Rajiv’s call. He initiated the communication technology revolution in the country. With the associates like Dr Vijay Bhatkar, he just got boost in the revolution.
When India wasn’t allowed access to a Super computer, Dr Bhatkar took up the challenge of creating a super computer for India. And he came up with Param, India’s first very own super computer.

This was the time when the masterminds like Mr. Murthy andMr. Azim Premji realised the need of taking India to the Global stage in the Information Technology wing. And they did the work fantastically. No doubt about that..

Today, India’s economy is progressing like anything. The development rate has crossed 9% and is second highest after China. If the rate continues, Indian economy will become third biggest economy of the world by 2015. I was recently in Mumbai where I read a hoarding as “Sensex crossed 16000 mark. Will 30 crore people cross Povery Line?” Everyone will have different answer and justification to this based on his/her views. My say to this is, Yes. They will cross the poverty line if they stop spending their money o liquor and prostitutes. I mean a person who earns 200 Rs per day spends 100 for liquor, 50 for prostitute and looses remaining 50 in gambling or lottery. And then shouts by the name of the government and the society. The government has created enough work for the poorest peoples. The industries are also creating lot of work. But they people don’t want to do it properly. They rather prefer to find the easy way out to avoid the work and still earn money. The people try in gambling and lottery for the easy money. And thus lose whatever they have.
Then they again shout for not having work and not having money.
The government provides hem shelter through projects like Mhada, which they rent to others and go back to slums. Then they occupy another home through same scheme, rent it again and get back for third one. And the cycle continues. They still shout for not having the shelter.
How to stop this cycle is the big question in front of our politicians. Rather why to stop this is the question. These below poverty line people are among the biggest vote banks for any politician. If they remain below the line, the politicians can show them the dream of a better tomorrow and win their votes The dreams are only to be shown and not to be fulfilled. That’s the reason why the people are never shown a way to fulfil the dreams.
This can only be stopped through the active awareness in the minds of the people who are suffering. The government has helped us enough. We couldn’t utilise the help. Now its time that we help ourselves. And in turn we will help the government.

This seems to be turned into a speech kinda material. But I’ve expressedfew of my feelings through this. More coming soon..

Now this is something I call as dedication to work. I award "Employee of the year" award to this person.. :-)

Did you think that internet is only for the urban people? Then you are probably unknown of something called ITC projects.

The most noticeable of the ITC projects in Rural India are e-Choupal, iShakti, and esagu. Today, they lead a silent revolution that empowers farmers with relevant information to make their lives better.

ITC e-Choupal web portal brings real-time information on weather forecasts and customized knowledge on better farming practices to the farmers' doorstep to improve his crop management. ITC e-Choupal supply chain brings good quality farm inputs at competitive prices to increase his farm yields.

iShakti provides information and services to the farmers through a portal, which has contents pertaining to a variety of rural issues. It enables farmers to have a solution for a pest problem.

Esagu has a three-tier system consists of farmers as end users, coordinators as intermediaries to obtain crop status through digital photographs and text and communicate the advice to the farmers. The agricultural scientists with knowledge system prepare farm advices.

Day 3: August 1
We were close to Jodhpur station as I said hi to the beautiful day. It was 6:30 AM when the train touched platform No. 3 at Jodhpur station. Right in time. The beautiful architecture of the Railway stations gives a perfect impression of what the city is about. Beauty, royalty and hugeness. And the city doesn't let you down at any moment.

The tourist guides and rickshaw hawkers will approach you as soon as you exit the gate. And they won't leave you easily.. Looking for a good place to stay is not much difficult in the city, being a famous tourist spot. We didn't had a night halt plan so any normal lodge was ok for us. We stayed at a place called Sinla Haveli. The person seemed to have converted his haveli into a small lodge. Nice place to stay.

After freshing up, we left for the place called Masuriya (Snaps awaited). This is a religious place and is considered to be the samadhi of sage Balinath, the guru of Baba Ramdeoji. All through the way to Masuriya, we were having a fantastic view of the Mehrangarh fort. (Refer the image above) The sahyadri forts must be looking like this once upon a time, I was wondering.
The Masuriya is actually a cave carved out of giant massive rock. There is one temple of Baba Ramdeoji and Balinathji. The view from the top of the place is just awesome. I sould not go to the top of the rock as they have jammed the way using a gate and glasses.

After this place, we got back to the hotel. Within an hour, we were ready fo out further journey to Ramdeora, our actual destination. There are three ways to go to Ramdeora from Jodhpur. Train, Governement buses an private buses. We decided to take the private bus cause they have good frequency and speed. We left Jodhpur by 1:30 PM.
The journey to Ramdeora was great. I had taken up the window seat and was just looking out of the window all through the way. The journey passed through the desert of Rajasthan and I was enjoying taste of sand with the wind flowing. And I was enjoying. Cause it had the essense and fragrance of my land, Marwad.

The "Rani ki Smadhi" en route to Ramdevra is a beautiful example of Rajasthan architecture. This small but fascinating spot is considered to be tomb of some queen. I could notfind out much information about the same but it must be a tomb of some queens from the Tanwar family which ruled at Pokhran. I will check out for more info ext time I will be at the place.

We reached Ramdeora at around 5 PM. There are lot of Dharmashalas (small lodge kind places, run by trusts). They are cheap and provide very good facilities. Also there are few lodges newly constructed. After getting fresh at the Dharmashala, we left for a visit to the Ramdevji temple. This was the main reason we were to Rajasthan. So I could not just wait much.

Situated about 12 kms. to the north of Pokhran (Jaisalmer), the village of Ramdevra known after Baba Ramdev, a Tanwar Rajput and a Saint who took Samadhi (conscious exit from the mortal body) in 1458 A.D. He had miraculous powers and his fame reached far and wide. Legend goes that five pirs from Mecca came here to test his power and after being convinced, paid their homage to him. Since then he is venerated by Muslims also as Ram Shah Pir. The Hindus regard him as an incarnation of Lord Krishna. There is large number of followers of this god, Spread across whole Rajasthan, Gujrat and many other parts of the country.

After having Darshan at the temple, we just wandered a little in the market, had our dinner and got back to our halting place for a deep sleep. Looking forward to the next day.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Sanjay Dutt has finally got 6 year imprisonment. So what’s the big fuss about it? I didn’t want to write about this. But then the reactions I got through various blogs and media made me scribble about it.

Sanjay has committed crime and he deserved the punishment. So justice has been done with him. Now some people have to say ki he took AK47 for protection. That’s among the most irrational claim I had ever heard. I mean why will anyone have this destroying gun for protection? That too the person who was already having 1 pistol and two revolvers with him.

People say he is son of a senior congress leader and MP. So this fact should have been considered. All right. I consider this fact. Sanjay is son of a senior MP. And so he and his dad are supposed to know the laws of this country. And they are also supposed to have a trust in the police and judicial system of the country. So my point is why didn’t he complain in the Police about the threats he was getting?

People say he has already had 18 month imprisonment. So what..? There are many people who have faced 8-10 year imprisonment without any mistake; just because they don’t have money for bail. Or they don’t have a reach in the Page 3 circle. By the time they are proved non-criminal by the judiciary system, they are either already have 8-10 year imprisonment (in police custody). So if you argue that Sanjay should be exempted just because he already had 18 months jail, this is pathetic argument. In fact all the people involved in the case had already have upto 14 year imprisonment (9 times more than what Sanjay had). So should all of them be exempted from the conviction?

Another claim made is he has recently played very good and patriotic roles in Lage Raho Munnabhai and Mission Kashmir etc. So is that a reason he should be exempted? WTF.. We should understand that there is a difference between reel and real life. And if this claim is considered valid, then Aamir Khan should be awarded “Bharat Ratna” for his great work in Mangal Pandey, Rang De Basat, Sarfarosh etc. And Gulshan Grover should be hanged up cause he has killed more than 1 lakh people till date in movies. And how about Ashok Chakra to Hrithik Roshan for his deed of getting back the post in Lakshya?

Sanjay should be exempted because there are movies worth 100 crore pending on him. So what..? When Bharat Shaha was arrested, did we think about Rs 2000 crore diamond business that he runs? No friends. It doesn’t work this way. This will be like the rich people have right to commit crime and to be exempted. Just because they have money to earn. There should not me any difference between a poor and a rich in the judiciary system and Mr. Nikam and Mr. Kode has proved that the system still works the way it is supposed to.

And consider that Sanjay would have got exemption considering these things, would the same media would have taken it positively? People would have again made big fuss about the same. Remember the Salman Khan case where he was released on a bail after killing two persons.

In my opinion, what Sanjay has got is well deserved. Its not that I have any problem with Sanjay. But in my opinion, the justice should be the same for every citizen of this country. And the judiciary system has done the justice.

They explain this as if it has been something horrible and pathetic.

I was on a tour of Rajasthan for one week. Here I will be putting up about my traveling and the places I had been to.

Day 1: July 30
Left for Jalna at morning 6:30. It was 1st Birthday of my sweet cute niece Netal. So just attended the birthday party. We were supposed to move further to Mumbai from here where we would catch train for Jodhpur.
Left for Mumbai at 2300 hours IST by Latur-Mumbai CST Latur Express.. In short nothing much to be written about in the day.

Day 2: July 31
Reached at Dadar at 7:00 AM. Took up a taxi and reached Bandra Terminus, we were to take up train to Jodhpur from here. I would recommend take up a local to Bandra from Dadar. The terminus is just 1.3km away from the Local train station. Or even better, alight at Khar road which is 0.4km away from the terminus.
The station is very clean and well maintained. So getting fresh here was no problem at all. After getting fresh at the waiting hall of Bandra Terminus, we planned to wander a little. Went to my new college (CIMR) and my new hostel. Wanted to show the places to my mom. he was happy and satisfied with the places I'm gonna study and live at.
After getting back to the terminus, we straight away went to our train and rested in the boggie through which we were supposed to travel. The train we had taken up was "Bandra Terminus - Jodhpur Suryanagri Express". Very fast and comfortable train. It stops at Borivali, Surat, Vadodara, Ahmadabad, Abu Road, Palampur, Marwad, Pali, Loni, Rani and Jodhpur. So you can see, very selective stations. I will recommend this train to those traveling to Rajasthan.

The train left Bandra at its scheduled time, 01:30 AM and was running on time throughout. Enjoying food at various stations, we were traveling through the route, looking forward to reach Jodhpur at 6:30 AM next day.
I will specially recommend the Rabdi at Abu Road station. Its very delicious.
At 9:30 PM, I was in my bed, looking forward to next morning.

TO BE CONTINUED...

I was on one week's vacation to Rajasthan. Came back yesterday. The travelogue will follow soon. Keep coming back. :-)