Against the wind...

Bangalore Durga Puja 2011

2011-10-01T11:45:00.005+05:30

Celebrate Durga Puja in Bangalore.... here is the updated list of Durga Puja's happening around Bangalore. Kindly post your comments and forward the link to this page to your friends and dear ones. Wish you a happy Durgatsav 2011 !!!

Sl No	Puja Orgs	Area	Location/Direction
1	AirForce Training Command Campus [1973]	Mekhri Circle	Just after Mekhri Circle towards Hebbal on the left side of the Road) You are crossing the mekhri circle bridge from below from (new airport road) immediate left in to defense colony gate inside.
2	AirForce Colony Murgeshpalya Durga Puja [2006]	Indiranagar, Murgeshpalya, Wind tunnel road	Murgeshpalya Army Base, Wind Tunnel Road, Near Manipal hospital: After you enter Wind Tunnel Road from Airport Road, halfway on Wind Tunnel Road, there is a driveway that takes you into an Air Force Campus. This is probably opposite Rifco Apartment. A sureshot way to not miss it is to realize that the Air Force Campus wall stretches from Airport Road halfway into Wind Tunnel Road.
3	Airforce Command Hospital [1980]	Indiranagar/ Cambridge Layout/ Ulsoor	Inside Command Hospital, Cambridge Layout, Indiranagar/ Another approach is there from Airport Road Side on the way to MGRoadIf you go from MG Road towards the Airport, you will notice a left turn just before Command Hospital pops up on your left. Entering this left turn, you'll find yourself deep inside the defence's property. A few hundred metres in, there is a circle where you have to enter the hospital gate on the right. Inside you wind along towards the commotion and presently you'll find yourself at a large playground where the puja is held.
4	Antaranga Bengali Cultural Association [2004]	Sanjay Nagar	Ramana Maharishi Centre for Learning, Post Office Road , Sanjay Nagar) Foodworld on Sanjaynagar Main Road . Take the Sanjay Nagar Main Road from Gangenahalli on Bellary Road -- go ahead about 1km to reach FoodWorld. Take the Post Office Road, which is next to it. The puja is on your left, a few steps away.
5	Banaswadi Bengali Cultural Union [2004]	Banaswadi	Sitarama Kalyana Mandap, Banaswadi main road, Bangalore-560 043 - Near Uttam Sagar Restaurant* Through RamaMurthy Nagar Ring Road Circle: Come straight about half km on Banaswadi Main Road, it will be on right side. * If you come from the ITC Factory side: Cross Rly. overbridge; after another half km, it will be on left side. * From Hebbal side through Ring Road: After Hennur Ring Road Circle, take the next Circle (Royal Concorde School). * Kalyana Nagar Circle: Go straight upto Banaswadi Main Road and take left turn, it will be on your left.
6	BANGALORE RURAL ASSOCIATION	Hosur Attibele,	Sedul Dassappa Kalyana Mantap, Near Attibele bus terminal circle, HosurRoad; This is at Attibele, Hosur Road. Sidla Basappa Nanjamani Charitable Trust, Attibele. Beside Attibele Police Station, and near the Attibele bus terminal circle.
7	Brigade Gardenia Durga Puja	JPNagar 8th Phase	Brigade Gardenia Apartments , RBI Layout, JP Nagar 8th Phase, near Brigade Millenium, Puttenahalli)
8	Hebagudi Durga Puja [2007]	Hosur road	Near Hebagudi bus stand, beside BIOCON factory,HOSUR ROAD, Bâ€™lore - 62
9	Hosur Durga Puja	Hosur	Hosur Taluk office, Near Balaji Theatre of Hosur City
10	Jalahalli Airforce Base (East) [1978]	Jalahalli	Reach the AF Station, Jalahalli East, and inquire at the gate. Near HMT circle, Gokula
11	Jalahalli Airforce Base (West) [1977]	Jalahalli	Reach the AF Station, Jalahalli West, and inquire at the gate. Near Peeniya circle
12	Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja [1955]	Jayamahal	Jayamahal Ladies club Association Premises, Adjacent to Jayamahal Park, Jayamahal Extension.Off Nandi Durga Road , Jayamahal; Directions From Miller Road Underpass: o Come up from the underpass from the Ulsoor side (proceeding towards Bangalore Cantonment Rly. Stn). o Take a right turn into Nandidurg Road (first major right turn) to proceed towards the TV Tower/Mekhri Circle. o Continue on the Nandidurg Road till you cross NEFERTITI, a Floral Boutique, on your left (You can see the Airtel/Cypress Technologies Office on your right). o Take the second left turn after Nefertiti (just before the Airtel Office) and you will hit the Jayamahal Park. The Puja is adjacent to it. Take a left turn.
13	K.R.Puram Durga Puja	K R Puram	Sea College Campus, Near K.R.Puram Main Market after I.T.I - Off old madras road
14	Kaggadaspura Durga Puja [2008]	Kaggadaspura	ANISHA GRANGEâ€ Appt. 6th Cross, Kagadasa Pura, C V Raman Nagar, Bâ€™lore â€“ 93; 29 Cross, Janajeevan Estate, Near SCT College.,
15	MAGADI ROAD DURGA PUJA	Magadi road	Industrial Area, Kamakshi Palya, Magadi Road, Bâ€™lore â€“79
16	MUNIKOLALA DURGA PUJA	Marathalli junction	Near Marathahalli Bridge, In Munnekolala, near to Marathahalli Railway Bridge on Varthur Main Rd ; Munnekolal, Marthahalli. Opp Innovative theatre.Bâ€™lore â€“ 37
17	NORTH BANGALORE CULTURAL ASSOCIATION [1977]	Nandini Layout	â€œMandirâ€; 8A, FTI Colony, Nandini Layout, Near Nandini Layout Bus Terminus
18	Oriya Association	Agara lake	On the Road next to Mantri elegant leading to Silk board Bus stand , adjacent to Agara lake, next to temple next to sewage treatment
19	POORVA BANGALORE CULTURAL ASSOCIATION [2004]	Marathalli, Brookfield	Opposite HLL, in marriage hall, close to Coffee Cafe Day; VSR Convention Hall, ITPL Road, Brookfields. It is reached crossing Marathahalli railway overbridge. Take the first left turn going towards ITPL, the Choultry is on your left about 1km ahead, next to CafÃ© Coffee Day.
20	Prabasi Association [1979]	Malleshwaram	Canara Bank Union Hall, Malleshwaram, 15th cross; Malleswaram Canara Union Hall/BPL Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy on 8th Main, 13th Cross, Malleswaram - Not far away from MES College -- (8th Main starts from Yesvantpur circle and goes toward Malleswaram Rly. Station. Malleswaram addresses are easy to locate once you know the Main & Cross).
21	PURVANKARA APPT. RESIDENTIAL ASSO.	Marathalli	Marathalli, Near Spicy Garden Restaurant, Bâ€™lore - 37
22	R. T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti [2007]	R T Nagar	At Sai Baba Temple , Near R.T Nagar Bus Terminus Sai Baba Mandir, HMT Layout, Anand Nagar, next to RT Nagar Bus Depot. You can take the road next to CBI office that takes off from Bellary Road towards RT Nagar Main Road. Go to the end, then take a left turn. Go across the BMTC Depot and reach the Sai Baba Temple.
23	R.T.Nagar Bihari Association	R T Nagar	Bihar Bhavan, Next to Cafe Coffe Day in R.T.Nagar
24	SAHAKARA NAGAR DURGA PUJA	Bellari road	Sahakara Nagar, Kodigehalli, Bellari Road, Bâ€™lore â€“ 92
25	Sai Samridhi Durga Puja	Marathalli	Varthur-ITPL Road Signal on Varthur Main Road . They are organizing inside their apartment complex. near Marathahalli Railway Bridge,Varthur-ITPL Road Signal, It is reached by taking a right turn from the top of Marathahalli railway overbridge, while headed toward Whitefield (alongside Aishwarya Apartments).
26	Sarathi Socio Cultural Forum [2006]	Koramangala	Muni Reddy Kalayana Manthapa,6th Block, 80 Ft Road , Koramangala, Opp. BMP Park & Near Koramangala Post Office Near other Koramongala Puja
27	Sarathi Socio-Cultural Trust [2003]	Koramangala	Mangala Kalyan Mantapa, 80 ft Road, Koramangala 8th Block. [ Opp. Ganesha Temple , next to Aangan Restaurant, near Forum Mall] ) 'Police Choultry' (Mangala Kalyana Mantapa,8th Block, 80 Ft. Road, Koramangala) opposite Ganesh Temple. If you come from FORUM towards National Games Village, after some distance you will find this Puja on your left side. If you are coming from SONY WORLD crossing, come upto National Games Village main gate, take a right turn on the road which leads to Forum -- Police Choultry is on your right.
28	Socio Cultural Association [1975]	Indiranagar, Cambridge Layout	Defence Colony Park in 2nd/3rd Cross joining 80Ft Road and 100Ft Road in Indiranagar, HAL 2nd Stage. Direction: From 80Ft road take the road opposite to Spencer's) Defence Colony Play Ground, Indiranagar. New location this time, but easy to locate -- on 6th Main, Between Indiranagar, 100 Ft. Road and 80 Ft. Road.
29	SORRBA [2009]	Sarjapur Outer Ring Road Intersection	Total Mall in Outer Ring road, Sarjapur, Parking lot
30	South Bangalore Cultural Association [1998]	JP Nagar	G N R Kalyana Mantapa; NO 1/1 18th Main Road, Jayanagar 4th T Block Bangalore 560041 (Opposite to Shoppers Stop)
31	Swarnakar Samiti [2003]	Corporation Circle	Beside Hotel Geo near Hudson Circle and Bangalore Corporation
32	Tripura mondoli Durga Puja, Parimala Sabhawgana	Indiranagar	#6A , 9TH CROSS INDIRANAGAR 1ST STAGE, BANGALORE â€“ 560038
33	Bengali Association (Ulsoor ) [1950]	Palace Ground	Gayathri Vihar, Plalace Ground, Mekhri circle
34	Vivekananda Cultural Association [2002]	Yelahanka , Seshadripuram	Seshadripuram 1st Grade College Campus, opposite Railway Reservation Counter, New Town, Yelahanka
35	WHITEFIELD CULTURAL ASSOCIATION	Whitefield	Inner Circle of Whitefield Village , close to Nilgiris in Whitefield; C/o Chetan Building, Beside WhiteField Police Station, White Field Main Road.

Anandabazaar Bengali News Site got a new look and now works with Firefox and other browsers

2011-09-20T15:13:00.010+05:30

After a long wait, finally, the website www.anandabazaar.in has revamped itself and the new site could be viewed in all major browsers (Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Google Chrome, etc) with latest Adobe flash support. Thanks to AnandaBazaar Patrika for the initiative. Now we can read news on Phones, Tablet PCs and normal PCs.

The new site also has good look and feeling. Fonts are more crispier. I just love reading those articles (Utsav, Patrika, etc) from the links at the bottom of the front page.

For people who are not able to open or view the bengali texts can download the free bengali font from here (Free Bengali Unicode Font - Kalpurush.ttf).

Steps to install font in Windows are:

1. Download the Kalpurush.ttf font to your desktop
2. Copy/Install the font to c:\windows\Fonts
3. Restart your browser and reload the webpage www.anandabazar.in/

The other points listed out in their website on how to resolve viewing problems are:

Hope this helps !!!

Bangalore Durga Puja 2010

2010-10-13T09:51:00.013+05:30

Below is the list of Durga Puja happening in and around Bangalore.

#	Puja/Club name	Area	Location/Direction
1	Oriya Association	Agara lake	On the Road next to Mantri elegant leading to Silk board Bus stand , adjacent to Agara lake, next to temple next to sewage treatment
2	Banaswadi Bengali Cultural Union	Banaswadi	Sitarama Kalyana Mandap, Banaswadi main road, Bangalore-560 043 - Near Uttam Sagar Restaurant* Through RamaMurthy Nagar Ring Road Circle: Come straight about half km on Banaswadi Main Road, it will be on right side. * If you come from the ITC Factory side: Cross Rly. overbridge; after another half km, it will be on left side. * From Hebbal side through Ring Road: After Hennur Ring Road Circle, take the next Circle (Royal Concorde School). * Kalyana Nagar Circle: Go straight upto Banaswadi Main Road and take left turn, it will be on your left.
3	SAHAKARA NAGAR DURGA PUJA	Bellari road	Sahakara Nagar, Kodigehalli, Bellari Road, B’lore – 92
4	Swarnakar Samiti	Corporation Circle	Beside Hotel Geo near Hudson Circle and Bangalore Corporation
5	Hosur Durga Puja	Hosur	Hosur Taluk office, Near Balaji Theatre of Hosur City
6	BANGALORE RURAL ASSOCIATION	Hosur Attibele,	Sedul Dassappa Kalyana Mantap, Near Attibele bus terminal circle, HosurRoad; This is at Attibele, Hosur Road. Sidla Basappa Nanjamani Charitable Trust, Attibele. Beside Attibele Police Station, and near the Attibele bus terminal circle.
7	Hebagudi Durga Puja	Hosur road	Near Hebagudi bus stand, beside BIOCON factory,HOSUR ROAD, B’lore - 62
8	Tripura mondoli Durga Puja, Parimala Sabhawgana	Indiranagar	#6A , 9TH CROSS INDIRANAGAR 1ST STAGE, BANGALORE – 560038
9	Socio Cultural Association	Indiranagar, Cambridge Layout	Defence Colony Park in 2nd/3rd Cross joining 80Ft Road and 100Ft Road in Indiranagar, HAL 2nd Stage. Direction: From 80Ft road take the road opposite to Spencer's) Defence Colony Play Ground, Indiranagar. New location this time, but easy to locate -- on 6th Main, Between Indiranagar, 100 Ft. Road and 80 Ft. Road.
10	AirForce Colony Murgeshpalya Durga Puja	Indiranagar, Murgeshpalya, Wind tunnel road	Murgeshpalya Army Base, Wind Tunnel Road, Near Manipal hospital: After you enter Wind Tunnel Road from Airport Road, halfway on Wind Tunnel Road, there is a driveway that takes you into an Air Force Campus. This is probably opposite Rifco Apartment. A sureshot way to not miss it is to realize that the Air Force Campus wall stretches from Airport Road halfway into Wind Tunnel Road.
11	Airforce Command Hospital	Indiranagar/ Cambridge Layout/ Ulsoor	Inside Command Hospital, Cambridge Layout, Indiranagar/ Another approach is there from Airport Road Side on the way to MGRoadIf you go from MG Road towards the Airport, you will notice a left turn just before Command Hospital pops up on your left. Entering this left turn, you'll find yourself deep inside the defence's property. A few hundred metres in, there is a circle where you have to enter the hospital gate on the right. Inside you wind along towards the commotion and presently you'll find yourself at a large playground where the puja is held.
12	Jalahalli Airforce Base (East)	Jalahalli	Reach the AF Station, Jalahalli East, and inquire at the gate. Near HMT circle, Gokula
13	Jalahalli Airforce Base (West)	Jalahalli	Reach the AF Station, Jalahalli West, and inquire at the gate. Near Peeniya circle
14	Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja	Jayamahal	Jayamahal Ladies club Association Premises, Adjacent to Jayamahal Park, Jayamahal Extension.Off Nandi Durga Road , Jayamahal; Directions From Miller Road Underpass: o Come up from the underpass from the Ulsoor side (proceeding towards Bangalore Cantonment Rly. Stn). o Take a right turn into Nandidurg Road (first major right turn) to proceed towards the TV Tower/Mekhri Circle. o Continue on the Nandidurg Road till you cross NEFERTITI, a Floral Boutique, on your left (You can see the Airtel/Cypress Technologies Office on your right). o Take the second left turn after Nefertiti (just before the Airtel Office) and you will hit the Jayamahal Park. The Puja is adjacent to it. Take a left turn.
15	South Bangalore Cultural Association	JP Nagar	G N R Kalyana Mantapa; NO 1/1 18th Main Road, Jayanagar 4th T Block Bangalore 560041;
16	Brigade Gardenia Durga Puja	JPNagar 8th Phase	Brigade Gardenia Apartments , RBI Layout, JP Nagar 8th Phase, near Brigade Millenium, Puttenahalli)
17	K.R.Puram Durga Puja	K R Puram	Sea College Campus, Near K.R.Puram Main Market after I.T.I - Off old madras road
18	Kaggadaspura Durga Puja	Kaggadaspura	ANISHA GRANGE” Appt. 6th Cross, Kagadasa Pura, C V Raman Nagar, B’lore – 93; 29 Cross, Janajeevan est, Near SCT College ,,
19	Sarathi Socio-Cultural Trust	Koramangala	Mangala Kalyan Mantapa, 80 ft Road, Koramangala 8th Block. [ Opp. Ganesha Temple , next to Aangan Restaurant, near Forum Mall] ) 'Police Choultry' (Mangala Kalyana Mantapa,8th Block, 80 Ft. Road, Koramangala) opposite Ganesh Temple. If you come from FORUM towards National Games Village, after some distance you will find this Puja on your left side. If you are coming from SONY WORLD crossing, come upto National Games Village main gate, take a right turn on the road which leads to Forum -- Police Choultry is on your right.
20	Sarathi Socio Cultural Forum	Koramangala	Muni Reddy Kalayana Manthapa,6th Block, 80 Ft Road , Koramangala, Opp. BMP Park & Near Koramangala Post Office Near other Koramongala Puja
21	MAGADI ROAD DURGA PUJA	Magadi road	Industrial Area, Kamakshi Palya, Magadi Road, B’lore –79
22	Prabasi Association	Malleshwaram	Canara Bank Union Hall, Malleshwaram, 15th cross; Malleswaram Canara Union Hall/BPL Prakash Padukone Badminton Academy on 8th Main, 13th Cross, Malleswaram - Not far away from MES College -- (8th Main starts from Yesvantpur circle and goes toward Malleswaram Rly. Station. Malleswaram addresses are easy to locate once you know the Main & Cross).
23	PURVANKARA APPT. RESIDENTIAL ASSO.	Marathalli	Marathalli, Near Spicy Garden Restaurant, B’lore - 37
24	Sai Samridhi Durga Puja	Marathalli	Varthur-ITPL Road Signal on Varthur Main Road . They are organizing inside their apartment complex. near Marathahalli Railway Bridge,Varthur-ITPL Road Signal, It is reached by taking a right turn from the top of Marathahalli railway overbridge, while headed toward Whitefield (alongside Aishwarya Apartments).
25	MUNIKOLALA DURGA PUJA	Marathalli junction	Near Marathahalli Bridge, In Munnekolala, near to Marathahalli Railway Bridge on Varthur Main Rd ; Munnekolal, Marthahalli. Opp Innovative theatre.B’lore – 37
26	POORVA BANGALORE CULTURAL ASSOCIATION	Marathalli, Brookfield	Opposite HLL, in marriage hall, close to Coffee Cafe Day; VSR Convention Hall, ITPL Road, Brookfields. It is reached crossing Marathahalli railway overbridge. Take the first left turn going towards ITPL, the Choultry is on your left about 1km ahead, next to Café Coffee Day.
27	WHITEFIELD CULTURAL ASSOCIATION	Marathalli, Whitefield	Inner Circle of Whitefield Village , close to Nilgiris in Whitefield; C/o Chetan Building, Beside WhiteField Police Station, White Field Main Road.
28	AirForce Campus	Mekhri Circle	Just after Mekhri Circle towards Hebbal on the left side of the Road) You are crossing the mekhri circle bridge from below from (new airport road) immediate left in to defense colony gate inside.
29	NORTH BANGALORE CULTURAL ASSOCIATION	Nandini Layout	“Mandir”; 8A, FTI Colony, Nandini Layout, Near Nandini Layout Bus Terminus
30	Ulsoor Bengali Association	Palace Ground	Gayathri Vihar, Plalace Ground, Mekhri circle
31	R.T.Nagar Bihari Association	R T Nagar	Bihar Bhavan, Next to Cafe Coffe Day in R.T.Nagar
32	R. T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti	R T Nagar	At Sai Baba Temple , Near R.T Nagar Bus Terminus Sai Baba Mandir, HMT Layout, Anand Nagar, next to RT Nagar Bus Depot. You can take the road next to CBI office that takes off from Bellary Road towards RT Nagar Main Road. Go to the end, then take a left turn. Go across the BMTC Depot and reach the Sai Baba Temple.
33	Antaranga Bengali Cultural Association	Sanjay Nagar	Ramana Maharishi Centre for Learning, Post Office Road , Sanjay Nagar) Foodworld on Sanjaynagar Main Road . Take the Sanjay Nagar Main Road from Gangenahalli on Bellary Road -- go ahead about 1km to reach FoodWorld. Take the Post Office Road, which is next to it. The puja is on your left, a few steps away.
34	SORRBA	Sarjapur	Total Mall in Outer Ring road, Sarjapur, Parking lot
35	Vivekananda Cultural Association	Yelahanka , Seshadripuram	Seshadripuram 1st Grade College Campus, opposite Railway Reservation Counter, New Town, Yelahanka

Older Posts: Durga Pujo 2008 @ Bangalore

Durga Puja in Bangalore 2009

2009-09-16T23:53:00.003+05:30

I am running short of time.... i guess places and venue will remain the more or less the same like last year 2008 ....

Please visit : http://souravblogs.blogspot.com/2008/10/durga-puja-in-bangalore-2008.html

Please let me know of any missing in the list....

Happy Durga Puja.. to all of you !

Michael Jackson: Gone too Soon !!!

2009-06-28T01:16:00.002+05:30

Many of us grew up listening to MJ's music. I could remember the first english song I listened was from MJ's Off The Wall album and that is how my apetite for western music have grown. I still remember the craze for performing "moonwalk" in the school.

I can still recollect how many days I saved my pocket money for tiffin and bought his cassette album (those were days without internet and mp3). In fact it took me two months to wait and buy the History album. Still today I own all of those cassettes, but unfortunately I dont have any cassette player working anymore. For listening now, I have the CDs and MP3s instead.

For many MJ's song are loud and hard for ears, but there are some soft numbers like "Gone too Soon", "I Just Can Stop Loving You", "Liberean Girl" etc ... these are few melodious numbers that really touch everyone's heart.

The beats and rhythm of "Billy Jean", "Beat It", "Thriller", "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'", "Remember the Time" are equally good and will always put you in good mood to dance.
I love the bass thump in "Stranger in Moscow" and the picturization - extreme slow motion shot. Simply awesome.

The voice of MJ was distinct among many famous singers, and one could see it in the song "We are the world - USA for Africa". The music composition and style have influenced many indian music composers and actors. MJ was/is/will remain a LEGEND always!

Long live MJ's music!

May MJ's soul R.I.P. !!!

The 7 Habits of Men & Women

2008-11-12T14:47:00.002+05:30

The 7 Habits of Men & Women
(Something to grin on :-D...)
Men:

All men are extremely busy.
Although they are so busy, they still have time for women.
Although they have time for women, they don't really care for them.
Although they don't really care for them, they always have one around.
Although they always have one around them, they always try their luck with others.
Although they try their luck with others, they get really pissed off if the woman leaves them.
Although the woman leaves them they still don't learn from their mistakes and still try their luck with others.

Women:

The most important thing for a woman is financial security.
Although this is so important, they still go out and buy expensive clothes.
Although they always buy expensive clothes, they never have something to wear.
Although they never have something to wear, they always dress beautifully.
Although they always dress beautifully, their clothes are always just "An old rag".
Although their clothes are always "just an old rag", they still expect you to compliment them.
Although they expect you to compliment them, when you do, they don't believe you.

Dont you think it is so complicated ?

A Song that inspired Pancham Da

2008-10-12T12:00:00.006+05:30

Original Version:
"Sing" - by "Carpenters"

Sing, sing a song
Sing out loud
Sing out strong
Sing of good things, not bad
Sing of happy, not sad

Sing, sing a song
Make it simple
To last your whole life long
Don’t worry that it’s not good enough
For anyone else to hear
Just sing, sing a song

(La la la la la, la la la la la la
La la la la la la...)

(Sing, sing a song
Let the world sing along
Sing of love there could be
Sing for you and for me)

Sing, sing a song
Make it simple
To last your whole life long
Don't worry that it's not good enough
For anyone else to hear
Just sing, sing a song
(Just sing, sing a song)

Just sing, sing a song
(La la la la la, la la la la la la
La la la la la la...
La la la la la, la la la la la la
La la la la la la...
La la la la la, la la la la la la
La la la la la la...
La la la la la, la la la la la la
La la la la la la...
La la la la la, la la la la la la
La la la la la la...
La la la la la...)

RDBurman's Version:
"Phir Wohi Raat Hai" - from movie "Ghar"

phir wahi raat hain
hmm hmm hmm ....
phir wahi raat hain
phir wahi raat hain
khwaabo ki
raat bhar khwaab mein dekha karenge tumhe
phir wahi raat hain
phir wahi raat hain
phir wahi raat hain
khwaabo ki
raat bhar khwaab mein dekha karenge tumhe
phir wahi raat hain

masoom si neend mein jb koi sapna chale
humko bula lena tum palko ke parde tale
yeh raat hain khwaab ki khwaab ki raat hain
phir wahi raat hain

phir wahi raat hain
phir wahi raat hain
khwaabo ki

kaanch ke khwaab hain aankhon mein chubh jayenge
palko mein le na inhe aankho mein rut jayenge
yeh raat hain khwaab ki khwaab ki raat hain
phir wahi raat hain
phir wahi raat hain
phir wahi raat hain
khwaabo ki

raat bhar khwaab mein dekha karenge tumhe
phir wahi raat hain
raat hain, raat hain

Listen and get inspired !!!

Book Review: Call of the Wild by Jack London

2008-10-11T11:32:00.003+05:30

I just finished the book "Call of the Wild" by Jack London". I had a recommendation on this book from Amit Da who is ardent reader and book lover.

I really liked the storyline, the characterization and overall presentation in the book. The tale is all about Buck, a 4yrs old shepherd dog, who is kidnapped from a judge's residence and later pass through the hands of multiple owners thereby being forced to face hard cruelty and struggle (for existence and survival) in real life.

The vivid descriptions and expressions used throughout in the book has brought out Buck as more of a lively person than a dog. One will feel very close to Buck's feeling out of all his experiences. Indeed a great work, or a portrait, by Jack London.

I really liked the following lines from the book (Chapter III. The Dominant Primordial Beast):
"There is an ecstasy that marks the summit of life, and beyond which life cannot rise. And such is the paradox of living, this ecstasy comes when one is most alive, and it comes as a complete forgetfulness that one is alive. This ecstasy, this forgetfulness of living, comes to the artist, caught up and out of himself in a sheet of flame; it comes to the soldier, war-mad on a stricken field and refusing quarter."

I won't spoil the fun by telling about the ending in the book. It is a must read for all story lovers.

I have plan to read the counterpart of this book by the same author - "White Fang"

Durga Puja in Bangalore 2008

2008-10-02T13:34:00.018+05:30

Hello Everybody!

View Larger Map

In continuation to my earlier posts about Durga Puja in Bangalore(2007) , here I present the updated list of sites where Durga Puja Celebrations are going on. There have been some minor changes in the venue of Puja and some additions. So far, there have been 34 puja's been registered with the Ulsoor Bengali Association, but listed below are the puja's I am aware of.

Following are the places, that I came to know through various sources, where Durga Puja Celebration is happening all around Bangalore this year (04 October 2008 to 09 October 2008).

Ulsoor Bengali Association (Location: RBANMS Exhibition Ground near Commercial Steet,Shivajinagar)

Socio Cultural, Indiranagar, Cambridge Layout (Location: Defence Colony Park in 2nd/3rd Cross joining 80Ft Road and 100Ft Road in Indiranagar, HAL 2nd Stage. Direction: From 80Ft road take the road opposite to Spencer's)

Koramangala, Sarathi Socio-Cultural Trust (Location: Mangala Kalyan Mantapa, 80 ft Road, Koramangala 8th Block. [Opp. Ganesha Temple, next to Aangan Restaurant, near Forum Mall])

Koramangala, Sarathi Socio Cultural Forum (Location: Muni Reddy Kalayana Manthapa,6th Block, Koramangala,(Location: 80 Ft Road, Opp. BMP Park & Near Koramangala Post Office))

JP Nagar, South Bangalore Cultural Association (Location: N.R.Kalyana Mantapa, adjacent to Mandavi Motors Workshop,Bannerghatta Road, 2nd phase J P Nagar)

Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja (Location: Jayamahal Ladies Club Ground, Off Nandi Durga Road, Jayamahal)

R.T.Nagar Bihari Association (Location : Next to Cafe Cafe Day in R.T.Nagar)

Airforce Command Hospital (Location: Inside Command Hospital, Cambridge Layout, Indiranagar/Another approach is there from Airport Road Side on the way to MGRoad)

Jalahalli Airforce Base (East/West) (Location: Jalahalli Airforce Base)

K.R.Puram Durga Puja (Location: Sea College Campus, Near K.R.Puram Main Market after I.T.I - Off old madras road)

Brookfield Durga Puja, POORVA BANGALORE CULTURAL ASSOCIATION (Location: Opposite HLL, in marriage hall, close to Coffee Cafe Day)

Whitefield Durga Puja (Location: Inner Circle of Whitefield Village, close to Nilgiris in Whitefield)

Attibele Durga Puja, BANGALORE RURAL ASSOCIATION (Location: Near Attibele bus terminal circle, HosurRoad,3rd year)

Corporation Circle , Durga Puja (Location: Beside Hotel Geo near Hudson Circle and Bangalore Corporation)

AirForce Colony Murgeshpalya Durga Puja (Location: Murgeshpalya Army Base, Wind Tunnel Road, NearManipal hospital)
AirForce Campus Mekhri Circle Durga Puja (Location: Just after Mekhri Circle towards Hebbal on the left side of the Road)

Hosur, Durga Puja in Taluk office(Location: Near Balaji Theatre of Hosur City)

Marathahalli, Durga Puja near Marathahalli Bridge (Location: In Munnekolala, near to Marathahalli Railway Bridge on Varthur Main Rd)

Kaggadaspura Durga Puja (Second Year) (Location: 29 Cross, Janajeeva Nest, Near SCT College,Kaggadaspura, Bangalore.)

Malleshwaram (Location: Canara Bank Union Hall, Malleshwaram)

R. T.NAGAR SARBAJANIN DURGA PUJA SAMITI (Location: At Sai Baba Temple, Near R.T Nagar Bus Terminus)

BANSWADI BENGALI CULTURAL UNION - (Location: Sitarama Kalyana Mandap, Banaswadi main road, Bangalore-560 043 - Near Uttam Sagar Restaurant)

YELAHANKA, VIVEKANANDA CULTURAL ASSOCIATION (Location: Seshadripuram 1st Grade College Campus, opposite Railway Reservation Counter, New Town, Yelahanka)

SANJAY NAGAR PUJA, ANTARANGA BENGALI CULTURAL ASSOCIATION (Location: Ramana Maharishi Centre for Learning, Post Office Road, Sanjay Nagar)
Sai Samridhi , near Varthur-ITPL Road Signal on Varthur Main Road. They are organizing inside their apartment complex.
Nandini Layout, NORTH BANGALORE CULTURAL ASSOCIATION (Location: “Mandir”; 8A, FTI Colony, Nandini Layout, Near Nandini Layout Bus Terminus)

Puja Schedule & Timings:[PDF][Webpage]

I wish you all sharadiya greetings on the occasion of Durga Puja Festival. Pujo sobaar bhalo katuk!

Best Regards,

Sourav

P.S: Feel free to ask me for any directions. Please post your feedback in blog's comment section or email me souravbasugmailcom.

Funny Conversation

2008-09-19T15:36:00.010+05:30

Below are collection of some funny cutouts in Bengali which I had received through forwarded email. And here goes the translation:

Conversations Before Marriage: (After marriage:)
Boy: So, you are ready at last! I was hardly able to wait for it.
Girl: Will you leave me?
Boy: No not at all. Don't ever think about it.
Girl: Do you love me?
Boy: Obviously, forever.
Girl: Will you ever cheat me?
Boy: No way, how could you ever think about that?
Girl: Will you ever play with my beautiful hair?
Boy: Yes, whenever I will get a chance I will.
Girl: Will you ever hurt me?
Boy: Are you mad? I am not that type of person.
Girl: Would I will be able to trust on you?
Boy: Yes
Girl: Oh my Darling !!

(For coversation after marriage, just read the above conversations in reverse order (i.e, from bottom to top)).

And here is one more on definitions in Bengali...this one is difficult to be translated

Another Nostalgic Song in Bengali - E Jeno Ajana Ek Poth

2008-09-18T21:38:00.003+05:30

E Jeno Ajana Ek Poth

Ke jane kothaye hobe sesh

Sapno eki cheye je dekhi

e jeno achena ek desh !

Janina du chokhe mor

E alo choralo aaj ke?

Janina notun e gaan

E prane bhoralo aaj ke?

Phurale e gaan robe resh

Ohhhhhhh Ohhhhh Ohhhhhhh Ohhhhhhh....

E Jeno Ajana Ek Poth

Ke jane kothaye hobe sesh

Khushi holo mon akhas ke aaj dekhe

kaatbe amaar belaa shudhu-i chobi enke

janina kane kane ki katha batash koye jaye

janina e mon amar kanoje jharna hoye jaye

hariye jete lage re

Ohhh Ohhh Ohhh....

E Jeno Ajana Ek Poth Ke jane kothaye hobe sesh

Sapno eki cheye je dekhi e jeno achena ek desh !

Another nostalgic bengali song from the film "Rajkanya (1965)". Actor Uttam Kumar is looking stunning in this song. Shymal Mitra's composition and singing has added the eternal touch to the song doing justification to the flawless lyrics.

Cannibalism - Yuck ! Yuck ! Yuck !

2008-09-16T14:18:00.005+05:30

Today as I was searching for something on the web, my attention caught on an article posted in "How Stuffs Work" ... it is on How Cannibalism Works.

The first thing that comes into our mind whenever we hear the word Cannibalism is eating human flesh. The dictionary explains it as "The practice of eating the flesh of your own kind".

Just for the sake of curiosity I read the first page of the article. It is so fascinating that it has been there from pre-historic days and someway or the other people have been following it - some by means of rituals and others are forced to do so for living.

The article talks about two kind of cannibalism (aka anthropophagy in science):

Customary anthropophagy - where people practise this out of their interest.
Survival anthropophagy - where people have no other option but to adapt, for survival.

It is so amazing to know how at different situations people have turned into Survival Anthropophagy just for survival. It reminds me of a movie which I saw sometime back where people survived a plane crash on the high top of mountain and could survive 70 days by forcing themselves to eat people who died in the crash. And also about another documentary in Discovery Channel where they were showing how to survive in extreme situations like if you are deserted in a sea or island.

It was interesting reading to know about lot more facts and history associated with this. If interested please visit : http://history.howstuffworks.com/historians/cannibalism.htm

Anyway, to make it short, what I feel that all these facts proves clearly that we human have a strong presence of animal characteristics within ourselves and we can go to any extent for the sake of self survival. In turn, it also proves Darwin's theory on existing of species - hence leading to the truth that "Man is the most intelligent species in this World".

Subha Mahalaya

2008-09-13T16:19:00.000+05:30

You can listen to Mahalaya online here:

PART1

PART2

Wish you Subha Mahalaya and Advance Sharodiya-r preeti subhechha !!

Main Jahaan Rahoon, Main Kahin Bhi Hoon

2008-08-19T21:54:00.000+05:30

Very recently I heard this song from the film "Namastey London" at my friend Subham's house and got blown away by the song, tempo and its lyrics. I am liking it more I hear it. How could I ever miss to hear this song.... it is just awesomely sung and composed. Here goes the song and the lyrics following it:

Main Jahaan Rahoon, Main Kahin Bhi Hoon
Teri Yaad Saaath Hai
Kisi Se Kahoon, Ke Nahi Kahoon
Yeh Jo Dil Ki Baat Hai

Kehne Ko Saath Apane Ek Duniya Chalti Hai
Per Chhupke Is Dil Mein Tanhaayi Palti Hai
Bas Yaad Saath Hai , Teri Yaad Saaath Hai

Main Jahaan Rahoon, Main Kahin Bhi Hoon
Teri Yaad Saaath Hai

Kahin To Dil Mein Yaadon Ki, Ek Suli Gad Jaati Hai,
Kahin Har Ek Tasveer Bhahut Hi Dhondhali Pad Jati Hai,
Koi Nayi Duniya Ke Naye Rango Mein Khush Rehta Hai ,
Koi Sab Kuch Paake Bhi Yeh Mann Hi Mann Kehta Hai,
Kehne Ko Saath Apane Ek Duniya Chalti Hai ,
Per Chhupke Is Dil Mein Tanhaayi Palti Hai,
Bas Yaad Saath Hai , Teri Yaad Saaath Hai ,

Kahin To Beete Kal Ki yadein, Dil Mein Hi Utar Jaati Hai,
Kahin Jo Dhage Tute To Malaayen Bhikar Jaati ,
Koi Dil Mein Jagah Nayi, Baaton Ke Liye Rakhta Hai,
Koi Apni Palko Par Yaadon Ke Diye Rakhta Hai,
Kehne Ko Saath Apane Ek Duniya Chalti Hai ,
Per Chhupke Is Dil Mein Tanhaayi Palti Hai,
Bas Yaad Saath Hai , Teri Yaad Saaath Hai !!

Leh and Markha Valley Trek

2008-08-06T17:32:00.000+05:30

20Jun2008, Sunday - Flight from Delhi to Leh :
The irritating alarm started ringing at 0245 hrs reminding me about my flight to Leh. I stopped the alarm and reluctantly got up from the cozy bed. After freshening up I took a quick shower and finalized my backpack packing and camera - all is well packed and batteries are fully charged. Ideally it should take around 30 minutes drive to reach Airport and would give me enough time board the Airdeccan flight departing at 5AM.

I got a phone call from Rahul-da who is anxiously waiting in the airport for me to join in. I assured him that I would reach well in time. My friend Partha, who works at Delhi drops me at Airport ... it took us 25 mins to reach the Delhi Airport from Partha's house. It is still dark outside and about to dawn. I found Rahul-da impatiently waiting at the entrance gate and together we went inside to collect the boarding pass. After getting the boarding pass, I went to meet the other new friends from Pune - Raja, his cousin Sunny, Leena, her sister Nirmal and Lekha. Raja was having a troubled time after he broke his glass but soon he could get his spare glass out of the checked in luggage during luggage identification.

Our flight departed at the right time and luckily I got the window seat. We could find very few Indians as co-passengers, except few newly married couples. We realized that the temperature difference between outside and inside the aircraft is causing the fog coming outside of the air conditioner.

The flight duration from Delhi to Leh is just 1Hr30min. I could see many co-passengers continuing their sleep inside the aircraft, while few others like me are excited about flying over the Himalayas and peeping out of the porthole to capture the snow capped Himalayan mountain peaks. I could get great views of the Himalayas which is difficult to explain. I tried to capture them with my camera.

Soon, the landscape changed from black and white snow filled mountains to barren rocky mountains with very fewer green vegetation in pockets of valleys. The water stream running through the vast mountain desert tell us all about the rough weather condition in that vast terrain. The light and shade compositions attributed by the sunlight and clouds are just fascinating which keeps changing as the clouds keep floating around. So, the same frame would look very different from time to time with the play of lights and shades.

The flight gradually descended taking sharp turns and twists on to the plains of Leh. We all passengers were thrilled as the wings of the aircraft went unusually close to a monastery (Spituk Monastery) just before touching the small airstrip of Leh. The passengers applauded and cheered after the skillful landing of the aircraft.

Leh Airport is restricted army area and all passengers are escorted by jawans with smile on their face. The moment we descended from the Aircraft, we all were left spellbound for few moments by the sights outside. The magnificent view of lofty mountains and colouration due play of sunlight and white fluffy clouds filled all our heart. This is what we were longing to see in our naked eyes. It is something natural and unbelievable. We could see mountainous desert all around us and some snow filled white peaks. We couldn't stopped taking out our camera but soon stopped by security guards because of army restrictions.

Soon after collecting all our luggage we stepped out of the Airport and found someone from Tapo Stanzin's office waiting for us to receive us. He took us to Mahey Guest House located in Tukcha Main Road, Leh. We are suppose to take rest for two days to get acclimatized to Leh's high altitude before we start our trek.

The Mahey Guest House provided us a cozy and homely environment. The view from the courtyard is remarkable. They have a small garden where we could find variety of flowers and vegetables. The green of the garden gives a very good match to dark grey mountains in the front with brilliant white peaks and blue sky. The white cloud playing a vital role in forming patterns of shadows on the mountains and plains in the front. And the pattern keeps changing every minute because of drifting clouds.

I could experienced that the place is unusually calm and quite. It is so quieter that one could hear the humming flies or bees passing by - everything felt so nicer to our eyes and ears. The view from Mahey Valley Guest House is so much picturesque. The colourful flowers in midst of green vegetations, dark mountains in the front with blue sky is just awesome. I felt like sitting there rest of the day and watch them again and over again. I could see so many sparrows and other birds chirping and playing around the coutyard of our guest house.

As we entered the guest house we found an inviting dining hall cum lobby decorated in tibetian/ladakhi style - tea table and low raised cushioned seats running all around the endge of the room - very similar to Japanese dining setup. The tibetian chanting music playing at the background have added a new dimension to the setup.

We were all very hungry, having skipped our morning breakfasts. We quickly ordered for our breakfast and went for freshening up. We finished our breakfast in our room and crashed in the bed. It was late afternoon when we woke up and hungry too. We quickly ordered for our lunch meals and gathered in the courtyard of the guesthouse for a lavish lunch. Most of the vegetables (cauliflowers, cabbages, peas), were hand picked from the garden of the guest house, had added pleasant taste to our food. After stomach full of lunch we crashed once more into our bed.

Some of us, including me was feeling slight headache, due to high altitude and lack of oxygen supply to our brain. It was only end of 2nd day when the headache had completely gone.

Rest of the day we spent watching movies in the lobby room, sipping cup of tea and admiring the view of the mountains and flowers in the guesthouse. At night we had one more round of delicious meal and went to our bed. Getting sleep was bit uneasy for many of us and we had to get up many times between our sleep to catch our breath.

21Jun2008, Monday - Resting in Leh :
(CONTINUES... ... ...)

Pritam's Music Composition (???)

2008-06-27T20:59:00.000+05:30

Pritam Chakraborty is now a famous music director in Bollywood. He has many recent hits, some of the songs he seemed to compose are even topped many charts. He is really a talented guy and have good ears for music. I really liked his compositions from "Jab We Met" film.

It came to me as a shock when I saw a mail forwarded by a friend of mine. I am just copying the mail content below and leaving it to you people to comment on them.

Listen these songs and compare...
Dhoom song DHoom Macchale <-- Jesse Cook's 'Mario takes a walk'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=e3iTfEF52kw
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=CvhPvxmD3mI

Race Song Pehli Nazar <-- Chinese Kim Hyung Song Sarang Hae Yo
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=8KoS3weBxAg
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ffp5h_FGEJY

Race Song Zara Zara Touch Me <-- Lee-Hom Wang's 'Zhu Lin Shen Chu'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=wdTrPI3mumU
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=kLU76W2qbPs&feature=related

Jab we met's 'Yeh ishq kya' <-- Anggun's Être Une Femme
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=T4poevqspsI
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=TQyU6EqWh_o&feature=related

Jab We Met Aao milo chale copy Indonesian band, Peterpan's 'Di Belakangku'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=EGXniVSfSZE
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=7jpUic8hWD8&feature=related

Woh Lamhe 'Kya mujhe pyaar hai'<-- Indonesian Band 'Tak bisakah'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=EZTqg1MgkTY
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=2EoblYYvLsE&feature=related

Bhool Bulaiya Halla Hafiz <-- Amr Diab's Awedony
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=8Xi_xOmmsRY
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=UtVerSkccgo&feature=related

Dhol Dil Liya <-- Dania Khatib's 1999 hit, 'Leiley'
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/Leiley-DaniaElKhateeb.rm
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=xBkp57nRE5A

Life in a Metro song Baatein kuch ankahee <-- Korean song, 'Ah Reum Dah Oon Sa Ram' by Seo Yu Seok!
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=KCTGuhPcC4Y
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Ura4grIiF90&feature=related

Bhool Bhulaiyya Hare ram hare ram <-- Bill Hailey's Oriental Rock
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/OrientalRock-BillHaleyComets.rm
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4lu3EorpiQ4

Life in a Metro song O Meri jaan <-- Queensryche's Silent Lucidity and Amr Diab's Ba'ed el Layali
Original 1: http://youtube.com/watch?v=-2ohGF0K4AI
Original 2: http://youtube.com/watch?v=P2y_Vbev5zs
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=3g2ICCQNQ-w

Pyar ke side effects song Jaane kya <-- 'Mahi' by Hadiqa Kiyani
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=mokJJsRfP6Q
Pritam's Version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5fEHdP-5Dc

Woh Lamhe song Chal Chale <-- a 1965 track called 'A World of our own' by the band, The Seekers
Original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9oaXzrsV3Q
Pritam's Version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeJ2tqPjnps

Dhoom Song DHOOM AGAIN <-- a song called 'Dudu' from Tarkan
Portions edited appropriately
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/Dudu_ver2-Tarkan.rm
Pritam's Version: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/DhoomAgain-Dhoom2.rm

Speed song Tikki Tikki <-- Turkish pop superstar Tarkan's 2003 hit, 'Dudu'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=KoJ34jPX3WM
Pritam's Version: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/TikhiTikhi-Speed.rm

Agnipankh song Janmabhoomi & Zindagi hai <-- Abrar-ul-haq's 'December
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/December-AbrarUlHaq.rm
Pritam's Version 1: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/Janmabhoomi-Agnipankh.rm
Pritam's Version 2: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/ZindagiHaiTo-Agnipankh.rm

Bhagam Bhag songs Signal & Afreen <-- Trinidadian Soca hit, 'Signal for Lara' by Superblue & Cheb Mami's 2001 track, 'Viens Habibi'
Original 1: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/SignalForLara-SuperBlue.rm
Original 2: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/ViensHabibi-ChebMami.rm
Pritam's Version 1: http://youtube.com/watch?v=G31riHQjvDI
Pritam's Version 2: http://youtube.com/watch?v=b-65fajmsC8

Life in a Metro In dino <-- Waqar Ali's 'Mera naam hai mohobbat'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=89wB3og_yXQ
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=aQ52IJjbNg4

Raqueeb songs 'Jaane kaise' <-- Amr Diab's 2003 track, 'Allem albi' and song 'Channa ve channa' <-- Pashto singer Rahim Shah.
Original 1:http://youtube.com/watch?v=NqoXaLHFTik&feature=related
Original 2: http://youtube.com/watch?v=JplIDBi6wZE
Copy 1: http://youtube.com/watch?v=rjwMsYnEJ58
Copy2: http://youtube.com/watch?v=33EJLt-NMDQ&feature=related

Kya Love Story Hai Song 'Miss you everyday' Lift of Lebanese singer Karina's 2006 chartbuster 'Alatoul'
'Jab se tum mile ho' is a lift from Pakistani singer Hadiqa Kiyani's 1996 number (album: Raaz), 'Jab se tum milay ho'!
Original 1: http://youtube.com/watch?v=snIA9iR0b-0
Original 2: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/JabSeTumMilay-Hadiqa.rm
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=FJ_w0HDh0N0

Kya Love Story Hain song 'Deewana teri aankhon ka' <-- Black Eyed Peas' 'Bebot'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=gQAGh3JViyI
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Nr0ASdmHF40

Kya Love Story Hai song Gum sum hai dil mera <-- Thai song, 'Oh la nor...my love' by Bird Thungchai.
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=tJjrJIh8c8k
Pritam's Version: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/GumSumHaiDil-KLSH.rm

Ankahee song Aa paas aa <-- Ottmar Liebert's 'Starry nite (March of Kings)
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/StarryNite-OttmarLiebert.rm
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=KbsUBqQxygY

Apna sapna money money song Dil mein baji guitar <-- song, 'Sheloha shela' by the Middle Eastern group, Miami Band
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/ShelohaShela-MiamiBand.rm
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=pCPA80elJlY

Woh Lamhe song 'Tu Jo nahi' <-- 'Tu Jo Nahi SB John
Original:http://youtube.com/watch?v=HWoKJMnMRSQ&feature=related
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=br_RJ0-rlbY

Bas ek Pal song 'Hai ishq' <-- Yuri Mrakadi's 'Arabiyon Ana'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=c8gt6agxYN0
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=qoHtiN4rWJo

Pyaar Ke Side Effects song 'Is this love' <-- Paul Anka's 1969 track 'A-mi-manera'
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/A-mi-manera_MyWay.rm
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=CGzMwPzc1VY

Ankahee Title song <-- Boney M's 1984 track, 'Somewhere in the world'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=68hPjUoAk4E
Pritam's Version: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/Ankahee-TitleSong.rm

Gangster
Song 'Ya ali' <-- Arabic band Guitara's 'Ya ghaly'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZJi50826cu4
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=dpl9o_0Dtb4&feature=related

SOng 'Lamha lamha' lifted form Waris Baig's 1998 track, 'Kal shab dekha maine'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=0wfe0u-7DpI
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=dJscz7bJ080

Song 'Bheegi bheegi' lift from Mohiner Ghoraguli's Bangla jibhonmuki gaan
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=xAkzopTMXHc
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_wwsyz2YBUg&feature=related

Song Tu hi meri shab hai <-- 'Sacral Nirvana' by Oliver Shanti & Friends
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=5JXrmUD0EK0
Copy:http://youtube.com/watch?v=BklekKJPjlI&feature=related

Ek Hasina Thi
Song Akhiyaan Na Maar <-- Pakistani singer Waris Baig's 2004 track, 'Challa'
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/Challa-WarisBaig.rm
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=BuFQ0aZLP8E

Song Jal Jal Ke <-- Yuri Mrakadi's 2001 track, 'Arabiyon Ana'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=gmmToe4TJw8
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=F_MYsiA3YY0

Fight Club Song Chorein ki Batein <-- Pakistani singer Ali Zafar's 'Channo ki aankhen'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=lLhylAWQgo8
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=NrVm2NEoatY

Ek Khiladi Ek Hasina song 'Jhoom' Lifted from Britney Spears' commercial for Pepsi, 'Joy of Pepsi'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=HSZaif6xlWc
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=wKpYRUI3o4M

Garam Masala
Songs 'Dil samundar' <-- Turkish singer Tarkan's 'Kuzu kuzu'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=u4kncVrjaQk
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4SHSxTBT4D0

Song 'Chori Chori' <-- Balwinder Safri's 'Hai rabba'
Original 1: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/ChoriChori2-GaramMasala.rm
Original 2: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/HaiRabba-DrZeus.rm
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=xT5-NxdawRI

Song'Ada' <-- song Amr Diab's Ana
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/AmrDiab-Ana.rm
Pritam's Version: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/HaiRabba-DrZeus.rm

Dhoom song Shikdum <-- Tarkan's 'Sikidim'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=g2uy7Cfl6kU
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=i2xThHWuM9A

Chocolate
Song 'Zahreeli raatein' <-- Jal's 'Aadat'
Original: http://youtube.com/watch?v=FdZDRZTf67Y
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=XyZEth7A0aw

Song 'Bheega bheega sa' <-- Abrar-ul-Haq's 'December'
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/December-AbrarUlHaq.rm
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=LCZhMHUFabI&feature=related

Song 'Halka halka sa' <-- 'Breeze from Saintes Maries'
Original: http://www.itwofs.com/audio/BreezeFromSaintesMaries-JesseCook.rm
Pritam's Version: http://youtube.com/watch?v=xcaog3CT6Fs

Now will you call it inspiration or something else?

Planet Earth : Countries I would like to visit/leave my footmark

2008-06-04T17:09:00.000+05:30

Africa
Algeria
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Congo
Congo Democratic Republic
Cote d'Ivoire
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
Sudan
Swaziland
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Antarctica

Asia
Afghanistan
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
Brunei
Cambodia
China
East Timor
Georgia
India
Indonesia
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Malaysia
Maldives
Mongolia
Myanmar
Nepal
North Korea
Pakistan
Philippines
Russia
Singapore
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Vietnam

Central America
Antigua and Barbuda
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominica
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Grenada
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Nicaragua
Panama
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago

Europe
Albania
Andorra
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia FYR
Malta
Moldova
Monaco
Montenegro
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
San Marino
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
United Kingdom

Middle East
Bahrain
Cyprus
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Oman
Palestine
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Syria
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
Yemen

North America
Canada
Mexico
United States

Oceania
Australia
Fiji
Kiribati
Micronesia
New Zealand
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Samoa
Solomon Islands
Tonga
Vanuatu

South America
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela

Interesting Definitions...

2008-05-16T21:15:00.000+05:30

School: A place where Papa pays and Son plays.
Life Insurance: A contract that keeps you poor all your life so that you can die rich.
Nurse: A person who wakes you up to give you sleeping pills.
Marriage: It's an agreement in which a man loses his bachelor degree and woman gains her masters.
Tears: The hydraulic force by which masculine willpower is defeated by feminine waterpower.
Lecture: An art of transferring information from the notes of the Lecturer to the notes of the students without passing through "the minds of either".
Conference: The confusion of one man multiplied by the number present.
Compromise: The art of dividing a cake in such a way that everybodybelieves he got the biggest piece.
Dictionary: A place where success comes before work.
Conference Room: A place where everybody talks, nobody listens andeverybody disagrees later on.
Father: A banker provided by nature.
Boss: Someone who is early when you are late and late when you are early.
Politician: One who shakes your hand before elections and your confidence after.
Doctor: A person who kills your ills by pills, and kills you by bills.
Classic: Books, which people praise, but do not read.
Smile: A curve that can set a lot of things straight.
Office: A place where you can relax after your strenuous home life.
Yawn: The only time some married men ever get to open their mouth.
Etc: A sign to make others believe that you know more than you actuallydo.
Committee: Individuals who can do nothing individually and sit to decide that nothing can be done together.
Experience: The name men give to their mistakes.
Atom Bomb: An invention to end all inventions.
Philosopher: A fool who torments himself during life, to be wise afterdeath.

Poila Baishakh

2008-04-17T15:28:00.000+05:30

Shubho Nababarsho!

Welcome to the New Bengali Year. Baishakh is the first month of Bengali calendar. According to the Bengali calendar, the year starts from 'Baisakhi' that is the 13th or the 14th of April of the Gregorian calendar. From the time when English calendar was an unknown entity, Bengali calendars reigned supreme. English calendar started getting precedence over Bengali Calendars due to the influence of the British Empire on India. A plethora of socio-economic factors gave rise to the importance of English calendars. However, of late, Bengali calendar has somewhat regained it's lost glory.

Earlier, there were two methods of calculation - the 'Sauramana' system based on the solar year and the 'Chandramana' system based on the lunar year. Around 1181 BC, the two were merged. Although based on this system, all of India would have one New Year Day, in actual practice, different days are followed in different states based on past practice that is several decades old. The Bengali Calendar is based on ancient sub-continental calendars which was codified and standardized by the Mughal Emperor Akbar about 6 centuries ago. The start date of the Begali calendar was made to coincide with the start date of the Islamic calendar. The calendar is a solar one which is composed of six seasons that revolve around the region's agricultural cycle. In India, although the Gregorian calendar is used for official purposes, Hindus have a New Year of their own, based on the 'Samvatsar' system.

For the past few years, the month of 'Baishakh' is getting it's due importance. Baishakh is one of most auspicious month for the Bengalis. Bengali businessmen - small and big - take up the occasion to open their new shops, outlets as well as accounts. It ushers the beginning of agricultural production of Bengal. The rural folks still follow the Bengali calendar. Most of the events in the villages take place according to the Bengali calendar.
From time immemorial, the month of Baishakh has acquired a pride of place. It is considered the most auspicious month for marriage, the most auspicious month for undertaking any business venture and it is also the month when all agricultural production process begins. Bengali's think that any child born in this month would acquire all the qualities of being a prodigy. No wonder, the great Rabindranath Tagore, was born in this month. Rabindranath was born on the 25th of Baishakh.

If one have ever walked on the streets of Kolkata sometime in the beginning of April, one will be surprised with all the crowd, and perhaps curiously ask to oneself as to why all this shopping. Well this is the end of the month Chaitra and you can't stop people to get themselves prepared for their cherished Poila Baishak or 'Naba Barsho'. Yes the Bengalis celebrate this day as their New Year.

The first day of Baishakh remains a holiday in Bengal. The day is called 'Poila Baisakh'. The day starts with 'Surya Pranam'. Generally new clothes are purchased and worn by the family members. With powdered rice, housewives make beautiful designs called Alpana on the floor of their houses. People wear new dresses and go about socialising. The day is considered to be auspicious. Mostly elderly people visit the Ma Kali's temple with their offerings and prayers for the well being of society. Many cultural events are organized, sweets are distributed and greetings exchanged. The day is celebrated with much pomp and funfair. The Bengali New Year begins at dawn, and the day is marked with singing, processions, and fairs. On the day of Poila Baishakh, cultural programmes are organised throughout Bengal to welcome the new year. People pray for the well-being and prosperity. In the morning, processions called 'Probhat Pheri' (early morning processions) is taken out in various parts of Kolkata. Young ladies clad in white saris with red borders and young men clad in dhuti and punjabi perform on the road, welcoming the arrival of the new year. Through its traditional festive spree, offering to Lord Ganesha, 'Hal Khata' (new ledger), new clothes and of course Rabindrasangeet, West Bengal greets Poila Baishakh on a note of optimism and wishful thoughts. The day marks the end of Chaitra and welcomes Nor'wester, the first spate of rainfall in an otherwise long hot and humid summer.

The last month of the preceding year i.e. Chaitra, becomes a month of frenetic activity for all garment traders. All over Bengal, Chaitra Sale is organised with great fanfare and garments are sold with heavy discounts. In Kolkata, if one visits the Hatibagan area during the month of Chaitra, the person would get an idea about the magnitude and importance of Chaitra Sale. In fact, the arrival of Chaitra Sale announces the arrival of Baishakh. It also signals the end of the year. Kolkata during this time reels under a different type of invasion. The crowds throng the various marketing hubs to avail of the discount that is offered on garments and other consumer products before the Bengali New Year. This phenomenon is known all over Bengal as the Chaitra Sale. Men, women and children of all ages are seen to visit markets in different corners of the city, to buy a summer collection and new clothes for Poila Baishakh. Vibrant souls and colourful clothes fills the pavements where every trader, big and small, settles down with their largesse. People from all trades of life visits shops which are giving discount ranging from 10% to 50%. And Kolkata is once again painted with festive hues.

Traditionally, businesses start this day with a new ledger, clearing out the old. Hindus generally associate their New Year with Lakshmi the Goddess of Wealth. Therefore Lakshmi puja is also common. Fairs and festivals are held all over the country, where singers sing traditional songs welcoming the new year. Food vendors sell traditional foods and artisans sell traditional handicrafts.

The day of Poila Baishakh also sees hectic activities in the film studio areas of Tollygunge. Most of the producers prefer to perform the 'mahurat' on that day. Producers pray for better business prospects. It is a common belief that if one can release a film on the day of Poila Baishakh, it shall do good business. In India, the day of new release in friday, and not every year the day of Poila Baishakh coincides with a friday. On the day of Poila Baishakh, the studio area of Tollygunge becomes a very colourful place, with actors, actresses and other technicians doing their rounds resplendent in their best attires.

If the rest of Bengal celebrates Poila Baishakh, can the Maidan be left far behind? All the football teams, including the giants, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, start their practice for the season by performing the 'Bhoomi Puja' on that day. Players of the respective teams gather in the respective grounds and start their practice by kicking the balls. It is a gala affair on that day, with famous players of yesteryears paying a visit to the grounds on that day.
The old year, for better or worse, is gone for good. The new year has begun with fresh promise. Here's our chance to start again, to do it right this time, to have another shot at success… at glory… at accomplishing what we resolve to. The day of Poila Baishakh bears immense significance in the life of Bengalis. It is not the first day of another year, it is the first day of hope, of reckoning, and of surprises. Let us all hope that the new year brings us joy, well-being and prosperity.

Subho Naba Barsho again ... (Happy New Year!)

Source: Forwarded Email.

70+ Reasons to love KOLKATA

2008-03-05T17:59:00.000+05:30

1.. Phulkopir Shingara: samosas don't stand a chance against these.

2.. Phuchka: gol-gappas aren't a patch on phuchkas. Try Bengal Lamp/Dakshinapan. Karaishutir Kochuri: a seasonal favourite, have it with "alur dam".

3.. Luchi: puri and phulkas - no comparison.

4.. Alurdom: the world's best. Try the offering at Vivekananda Park.

5.. Jhalmuri: a unique concoction, with nothing to equal it.

6.. Telebhaaja: these and jhalmuri are like 'made for each other'.

7.. Chanachur: many have tried unsuccesfully to steal the formula, MNCs included!

8.. Alukabli: where will you get something like this?

9.. Ghugni: again, chana is not the same at all.

10.. Radhaballavi: try it with alurdom or cholar daal.

11.. Chanmp: even Pakistani cricketers have sampled these, in Chitpur.

12.. Rezala: out of this world, just out of this world!

13.. Paradiser Sharbat: there is one which is green, and another, pink.No college student from Presidency or the University has failed to sample these!

14.. Lere Biscut: needed to make the batter for chop-katlet.

15.. Chicken Kabiraji: an unbelievable variation on the chicken cutlet.

16.. Moton Afghani: an equally innovative presentation of the mutton cutlet.

17.. Dimer Kalia: again, where do you get something like this?

18.. Kasha mangsho: it has become an institution now.

19.. Roll: the ubiquitous mutton, chicken or egg roll. Unquestionably superior to any variants (Frankies 4 that matter) in any other city of the world. And also....

20.. Coffee houser coffee ar adda: try the float with ice cream.

21.. Bharer chaa: on the Maidan, from shining brass vessels on a rainy day. And not to be missed in all this,

22.. Pan unmatched, even in Benaras or Lucknow. Honestly!

The sweeter side23.. Roshomalai: a creamy, mouth-watering delight!

24.. Jilipi: smaller than the jalebis and tastes quite different.

25.. Lal doi: is an experience by itself!

26.. Sada Doi: have it @ the shop, "Mithai"

27.. Kamala bhog: a pale yellow orb, delicately sweetened.

28.. Notun gurer sondesh: a winter speciality available in no other city.

29.. Rosogolla: simply needs no introduction.

30.. Natun gurer Rosogolla: the latest innovation.

There are many, many more traditional favourites. and also...

31.. Shitabhog: pure white, sweetened to just the right extent.

32.. Mihi Dana: golden yellow, saffron scented.

33.. Maalpoa: rich brown pancakes, dripping in sugar syrup.

34.. Ranga alur pithey: another traditional favourite in winter.

Up fashion street
35.. Fashions keep changing. But the dhuti-panjabi and tangail look never becomes out-dated.

36.. Dhuti with extra broad borders: the finest and most elegant available here.

37.. Dhutis in red or black! The latest sensation in Calcutta.

38.. Giley kara Panjabi: those with the improbably crinkled sleeves.

39.. Tangail Sari: the best in these all-time favourites can be found here.
and the other marks of distinction are...

40.. Bidy asagari choti: you still get them here.

41.. Kabuli Chappal: another old favourite.

42.. Garader Sari: ideal with pujo bari, shankher awaaj.

Sights and soundsOne wakes up in the morning and hears their voices drifting through the air. So typically do they say their bit...that it is difficult to forget....and even more so ...to imitate...

43.. Shil katowala: they chip the stone slabs which grind masalas.

44.. Chhuri Kanchhi Shaanwala: sharpens knives, scissors and anything with an edge.

45.. Lep Shelaiwala: they make those cotton quilts which warm you up in winter.
And early in the morning, before Durga Pujo, who can forget the strains of

46.. Mahalayar mahishashuromardini
Other things, quaint and very special

48.. Chinese Food in China Town: an early morning breakfast here is an experience.

49.. Metro Rail: spick and span, and the trains are dot on time.

50.. Maidan: the ideal p lace to be on a sleepy, winter morning.

51.. College Streeter Boipara: bookworms buzz around this place morning, noon and night.

52.. All Night Music Conference: you won't find a minute to yawn.

53.. Circular Rail: see the river all along as you travel on the train.

54.. Ganga te nouko bihar: either in a country boat or a steamer or on hover craft!

55.. Dolphins in the Ganga: if it's your lucky day, you might catch a glimpse of a frolicking shoal.

56.. Morning tram to the Maidan: see how green and fresh the city looks.

57.. East Calcu tta Wetlands: our very own eco-system regulator - just on the outskirts.
Travel in style

58.. Rickshaw: still the preferred form of transportation for some, especially children and the elderly.

59.. School van: it's to be seen to be believed.

60.. Tram: if you have time on hand, you can see the city glide by.

Calcutta's passion

61.. Roker adda: Calcuttans are an adda baaj lot.Mohan Bagan & East Bengal: prices of ilish or chingri go up, depending on who wins the day.

62.. Jatra: who says it is all melodrama?

63.. Durga pujo: the pomp and pageantry, reserved each year for the 'mother of all festivals'.

64.. Little magazine: you still find devotees of this publishing wonder.

65.. Book Fair: when the fair is on, you are there - whether you love books or not.

66.. Cricket match at the Eden: cricketers and cricket lovers the world over treasure the experience.

City's own
67.. Hydrant: there's a move by the CMC to revive the practice of ashing the streets with Ganga water from the hydrants

68.. Italian Saloon: road side barber joints, where you sit on a piece of brick (it).

69.. Chinese dry cleaners: do a very clean job, indeed.

70.. Darjees of Metiabruz: are a cut above the rest. Even if they cut corners at times!

Some more food delicacies below:

Somebody took the time to make this list. How many have you tried ?

These are all available in Calcutta/Kolkata:

Kabiraji Cutlet from Regent (S N Banerjee Road)

Moghlai Parota from Anadi Cabin (S N Banerjee Road)

Kosha Mangsho from Golbari (Shyambazar)

Phulkopir Singara from Mrityunjoy (Lansdowne)

Double Egg Chicken Roll from Kusum, Hot Kati @ Park Steet)(Campari @ Gariahat & Nizam is a close contender!)

Chicken Rezala from Shabbir (off C R Avenue)

Ujjala's Chanachur ( no comparison anywhere)

Telebhaja from Putiram (College Street)

Daab Chigri from Kewpies (Elgin Lane)

Daak Banglo Mutton/Chicken from Oh! Calcutta

Chicken Cutlet from Baked & Fried/Mukherjee Sweets (Ballygunge Place)

Bijoli Grill's Fish RollMochar Chop Dhoka from Apanjan (Sadananda Road)

Boudir's Lebu Cha (Deshapriya Park)

Kochuri & Tarkari from Tasty Corner (Mandeville Gardens)

Phuchka/Churmur/ Dahi Phuchka from Bilas or Boudi (Southern Avenue)

Chicken Cutlet near Samur (Bhowanipur)

Mishti Doi & Rosogolla from Mithai (Beckbagan)

Sandesh (all types) from Balaram (Bhowanipur) (Naram pak & Ice creamsandesh)

Pantua from Bancharam

Indrani from Ganguram

Rabri from Chittaranhan

Darbesh from Sen Mahasay

Amritti from Bhim Nag/Ganguram, Maniktala (Jalebis are no match)

Skyroom's Prawn Cocktail & Mixed Grill & Baked Alaskaor

Blue Fox's Lobster Thermidor - NOT anymore....even theMandarin Fish from Waldorf is no more available!!

Chelo Kabab from Peter Cat

Now, Tell Me Is There Any Other Place Better Than Kolkata On Earth? ........... :-):-):-):-)

Something to know about our diets

2008-03-05T17:28:00.000+05:30

Apples - Protects your heart, prevents constipation, Blocks diarrhea, Improves lung capacity, Cushions joints.
Apricots - Combats cancer, Controls blood pressure, Saves your eyesight, Shields against Alzheimer's, Slows aging process.
Artichokes - Aids digestion, Lowers cholesterol, Protects your heart, Stabilizes blood sugar, Guards against liver disease.
Avocadoes - Battles diabetes, Lowers cholesterol, Helps stops strokes, Controls blood pressure, Smoothes skin.
Bananas - Protects your heart, Quiets a cough, Strengthens bones, Controls blood pressure, Blocks diarrhea.
Beans - Prevents constipation, Helps hemorrhoids, Lowers cholesterol, Combats cancer, Stabilizes blood sugar.
Beets - Controls blood pressure, Combats cancer, Strengthens bones, Protects your heart, Aids weight loss.
Blueberries - Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Stabilizes blood sugar, Boosts memory, Prevents constipation.
Broccoli - Strengthens bones, Saves eyesight, Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Controls blood pressure.
Cabbage - Combats cancer, Prevents constipation, Promotes weight loss, Protects your heart, Helps hemorrhoids.
Cantaloupe - Saves eyesight, Controls blood pressure, Lowers cholesterol, Combats cancer, Supports immune system.
Carrots - Saves eyesight, Protects your heart, Prevents constipation, Combats cancer, Promotes weight loss.
Cauliflower - Protects against Prostate Cancer, Combats Breast Cancer, Strengthens bones, Banishes bruises, Guards against heart disease.
Cherries - Protects your heart, Combats Cancer, Ends insomnia, Slows aging process, Shields against Alzheimer's.
Chestnuts - Promotes weight loss, Protects your heart, Lowers cholesterol, Combats Cancer, Controls blood pressure.
Chili Peppers - Aids digestion, Soothes sore throat, Clears sinuses, Combats Cancer, Boosts immune system.
Figs - Promotes weight loss, Helps stops strokes, Lowers cholesterol, Combats Cancer, Controls blood pressure.
Fish - Protects your heart, Boosts memory, Protects your heart, Combats Cancer, Supports immune system.
Flax - Aids digestion, Battles diabetes, Protects your heart, Improves mental health, Boosts immune system.
Garlic - Lowers cholesterol, Controls blood pressure, Combats cancer, kills bacteria, Fights fungus.
Grapefruit - Protects against heart attacks, Promotes Weight loss, Helps stops strokes, Combats Prostate Cancer, Lowers cholesterol.
Grapes - Saves eyesight, Conquers kidney stones, Combats cancer, Enhances blood flow, Protects your heart.
Green Tea - Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Helps stops strokes, Promotes Weight loss, Kills bacteria.
Honey - Heals wounds, Aids digestion, Guards against ulcers, Increases energy, Fights allergies.
Lemons - Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Controls blood pressure, Smoothes skin, Stops scurvy.
Limes - Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Controls blood pressure, Smoothes skin, Stops scurvy.
Mangoes - Combats cancer, Boosts memory, Regulates thyroid, aids digestion, Shields against Alzheimer's.
Mushrooms - Controls blood pressure, Lowers cholesterol, Kills bacteria, Combats cancer, Strengthens bones.
Oats - Lowers cholesterol, Combats cancer, Battles diabetes, prevents constipation, Smoothes skin.
Olive Oil - Protects your heart, Promotes Weight loss, Combats cancer, Battles diabetes, Smoothes skin.
Onions - Reduce risk of heart attack, Combats cancer, Kills bacteria, Lowers cholesterol, Fights fungus.
Oranges - Supports immune systems, Combats cancer, Protects your heart, Strengthens respiration.
Peaches - Prevents constipation, Combats cancer, Helps stops strokes, aids digestion, Helps hemorrhoids.
Peanuts - Protects against heart disease, Promotes Weight loss, Combats Prostate Cancer, Lowers cholesterol, Aggravates diverticulitis.
Pineapple - Strengthens bones, Relieves colds, Aids in digestion, Dissolves warts, Blocks diarrhea.
Prunes - Slows aging process, prevents constipation, boosts memory, Lowers cholesterol, Protects against heart disease.
Rice - Protects your heart, Battles diabetes, Conquers kidney stones, Combats cancer, Helps stops strokes.
Strawberries - Combats cancer, Protects your heart, boosts memory, Calms stress.
Sweet Potatoes - Saves your eyesight, Lifts mood, Combats cancer, Strengthens bones.
Tomatoes - Protects prostate, Combats cancer, Lowers cholesterol, Protects your heart.
Walnuts - Lowers cholesterol, Combats cancer, boosts memory, Lifts mood, Protects against heart disease.
Water - Promotes Weight loss, Combats cancer, Conquers kidney stones, Smoothes skin.
Watermelon - Protects prostate, Promotes Weight loss, Lowers cholesterol, Helps stops strokes, Controls blood pressure.
Wheat Germ - Combats Colon Cancer, prevents constipation, Lowers cholesterol, Helps stops strokes, improves digestion.
Wheat Bran - Combats Colon Cancer, prevents constipation, Lowers cholesterol.

3 Minute Management Course

2008-02-13T17:49:00.000+05:30

Lesson 1
A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door there stands Bob, the next door neighbour. Before she says a word, Bob says, 'I'll give you £800 to drop that towel.' After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob. After a few seconds, Bob hands her £800 and leaves. The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs. When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks 'Who was that?' 'It was Bob the next door neighbour' she replies. 'Great!' the husband says, 'did he say anything about the £800 he owes me?'

Moral of the story: If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

Lesson 2
A priest offered a Nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident.After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg. The nun said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?' The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again. The nun once again said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?' The priest apologised 'Sorry sister but the flesh is weak'.Arriving at the convent, the nun went on her way. On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, 'Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.'

Moral of the story: If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

Lesson 3
A sales rep, an administration clerk and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie comes out. The Genie says, 'I'll give each of you just one wish'. 'Me first! Me first!' says the admin clerk. 'I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world'. Puff! She's gone. 'Me next! Me next!' says the sales rep. 'I want to be in Hawaii, relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life'. Puff! He's gone. 'OK, you're up', the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, 'I want those two back in the office after lunch'.

Moral of the story: Always let your boss have the first say.

Lesson 4
An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing. A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing?' The eagle answered: 'Sure, why not.' So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story: To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sittingvery, very high up !

Lesson 5
A turkey was chatting with a bull.. 'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree,' sighed the turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.' Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull. 'They're packed with nutrients.' The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally, after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree. He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story: Bullsh*t might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.

Lesson 6
A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realise how warm he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate. Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Moral of the story:

Not everyone who sh!ts on you is your enemy
Not everyone who gets you out of sh!t is your friend
And when you're in deep sh!t, it's best to keep your mouth shut!

...This ends the 3 minute management course.

Pondicherry-Mahabalipuram Road Trip

2007-10-26T15:08:00.000+05:30

The Planning ...
It had always in my dream to drive on the ECR upto Pondicherry since the day I bought my first car. I had been to pondicherry once some two years back. It is not only because of the place, it is the road which lured me again to visit that place again by my car.

I was in Taipei when I planned the trip with my mother over phone. She already knew about my intention of driving the car all the way. Subham, a friend of mine, also wanted to join us for the trip. He too was excited to take his new Alto on the NH4 and ECR.

We also added Mahabalipuram in our destination list and extended our vacation by one more day. We decided to start on saturday early morning from Bangalore and reach Pondy by noon. Everything went according to our plan and we managed to book the accomodations after little dilemma and troubles.

The plan was like this:
Day 1 (Saturday): We will leave from Bangalore on saturday early morning at around 6 Am. We will need 7 Hours to reach Pondy including breaks in between. 2 Night stay at Puducherry.
Day 2 (Sunday): Visit Auroville Matri Mandir early morning. Then the Boating @ Chunnambar and Beaches in the afternoon
Day 3 (Monday): Leave Pondicherry in the early morning to reach Mahabalipuram before lunch. Followed by Sight seeing @ Mamallapuram / Mahabalipuram. 1 Night stay at Mahabalipuram.
Day 4 (Tuesday): Leave Mahabalipuram in the early morning and reach Bangalore before Dinner time, via Kanchipuram and Krishnagiri following NH4.

We managed to book our guest rooms for 2 nights at Anandha Inn (URL:http://www.anandhainn.com/) in Pondicherry and 1 night at Hotel Tamilnadu Resorts on Beach Road of East Coast Road near Mahabalipuram.

The Road Trip ...
As per the plan we started on Saturday early morning by 6:30AM (late by 30 mins). By then city roads have already started getting busier. I filled up some gas in my vehicle and headed towards Hosur. It took almost an hour to reach Silk Board junction on Hosur Road because of increasing city traffics. The traffic became easy after Electronics City and in no time we crossed Attibele and Hosur.

It was around 8:15 when we decided to take a tea break at the A1 Plaza adjacent to Relience Oil Station on the NH4. We took some light food items with Tea/Coffee and continued our journey towards Krishnagiri.

The road NH4 (National Highway 4) is just like a dream. It is a part of Golden Quadrilateral project (4 Roads to connect Metro Cities and major towns). I could easily drive at 100Km/h speed without any hitches. We reached Krishnagiri and took a left turn towards Chennai. On the Krishnagiri - Chennai Road, after going about 3 Kms we had to take a right turn towards Pondicherry.

Till this part of our journey the road is very good. But the road from Chengam to Thiruvannamalai is like hell. I was struggling to maintain average speed of 20 in those roads. The roads are totally out of shape and have numerous pot holes. This contributed some 30 minutes delay in our journey to reach Pondicherry.

The road from Thiruvannamalai to Pondicherry is proper but doesn't have any road/lane dividers. So one has to be very cautious while driving through these roads. On our way, we met many unattended cattle herds that made us wait standstill on the road for sometime.

Finally, following the printouts from Google Map and asking localites, we reached Pondicherry by 2:30 PM. We were hungry and quickly checked in to Ananda inn. The hotel is centrally located and not very far away from the Beach road of Pondy. We managed to freshen up fast and our lunch in one of the hotel restaurants.

In the evening we visited Beach Road and the nearby temples. The walk along the less crowded streets near the Arabindo Ashram, with french style residential buildings all around, is really enjoyable. One will get a different feeling walking through those streets (Rue De).

Puducherry
This was my second visit to Pondicherry and I liked the fact that nothing had changed much from my last visit, except the marine drive has been extended towards the Sea. The weather was perfect - not to hot and not to sultry.

We thought of taking the Pondicherry Tourism Bus to visit Auroville Ashram and other places around the city. But later we decided to take our own car to have more command over the time that we spend in visiting those places.

After enjoying the complimentary breakfast in our hotel we hit the road towards Auroville. It is 11 Kms from the main city towards chennai. The road is narrow but enjoyable. You get to see so many mangroves and mango orchards on either side of the road. As we approached the Auroville the road condition became worser .. until we reached Auroville.

Auroville is really nice as it is. But this time also we missed to see the inner chamber of Matri Mandir (Meditation Dome) as it was under construction. After taking some snaps and buying few souvenirs we moved on our way to Chinnambar Resort.

After reaching there we came to know about a nice beach which can be approached only after a boat ride from the same resort. We decided to go for the beach tour. I had not been to this beach before. It worth all our money and effort. The beach is very nice and well maintained. Most importantly, the beach is a private beach restricting access to public. The clean beach was good enough to lure us to take a dip into the sea waters for sometime. We were almost lost in sea bathing until re realised that we are all very hungry and we have crossed past the lunch time. We hurriedly came back to the resort (taking the ferrying boats) and finally to the pondy city. We were lucky enough to find a restaurant (Vegetarian though) just next to our hotel.

After lunch we headed towards Sri Aurobindo's Ashram and Marine Drive. The leisure stroll by the sea shore was quite relishing. We witnessed the sun set and evening and returned to our hotel for resting. We also visited the Manakula Vinayagar Temple on our way back to the hotel.

More to come : Mahabalipuram, Shore Temples, Butter Ball, Kanchipuram (Silk Sarees), Wild Rain on Highway... keep watching this space.

Hiking on YangMingShan Mountain

2007-10-19T17:00:00.000+05:30

YangMingShan (YMS) Mountain (Official YMS website: http://www.ymsnp.gov.tw/HTML/ENGNEW/index.htm

It was Adrain (a colleague in Taipei office) who planned for the hike on the YangMingShan Mountain in Taipei. I was trilled to hear about the plan.

As per the plan, we were four guys who showed up for the hike - Adrain, myself, Tim and Bruce. Jesper and Icaro had a night out in the city and couldn’t join us. We met at Jiantan MRT station and took the R5 Bus ride upto YMS Bus Station. In an hour we reached the YMS Bus Station. We took a quick breakfast and got some goodies from the 7-Eleven store next to the Bus Terminus.

After enriching ourselves we started walking from there up to Visitor Centre - a warm-up walk. We took a short break at Visitor Centre and decided to hit for the ChihSing Main Peak. ChihSing (which means 7 Stars in Chinese) is highest peak in YMS National Park and one could see Taipei City and Sea on the other side from the top in clear weather.

It takes almost 2-3 Hrs of continuous climb to reach the peak. It was just 1/4th of our way when I started feeling weary and out of breath. So we all took another small break in the side bench and continued our climbing. It was Bruce who extended his help and took my bag to relieve me out of those extra Kilograms. We saw some wild lives including the brown squirrels on our way.

The final 1/4th way of the climb was very steep and myself and Adrain (who had a sprained ankle) decided to go at slow pace agreeing to meet Tim and Bruce at the top. It was fun to see Tim and Bruce racing and climbing up the steep stairs so fast. And within few seconds those two runners went out of our sight.

It was me and Adrain who took our climb slowly, talking about various things on our way, and taking several short breaks. As we approached the summit the weather started to change and we faced strong wind and mist. Finally we reached the top. Unfortunately the weather wasn’t so clear and we missed the view of the YMS valley, Taipei City and the Sea from the mountain top. We joined Tim and Bruce savouring on breads, cookies, and water. As we regained our lost energies, we took the other path to descend the mountain all the way through the volcanic remains and sulphur springs.
It was amazing to see those active sulphur springs ejecting stinky fumes and hot steams which smell like raw egg. The smell reminds me of the Chemistry Labs in the school. We got some strong winds and rains on our way down. The stones near the sulphur springs were slippery and we cautiously took our steps down.

After crossing pasts some fantastic sulphur springs and scenic grasslands we reached the Hsiaoyukeng Visitor Centre withing few hours. We saw the Sulphur Valley next to the bus stop and took the shuttle bus (No 108) to YMS Bus Station. We were all hungry and took a dining break at the Starbucks café and then headed back to our homes/hotels.

To sum up, overall trip was splendid and something that I would never forget in my life !!

Durga Puja 2007 in Bangalore

2007-10-18T21:48:00.000+05:30

Following are the places, that I came to know through various sources, where Durga Puja Celebration is happening all around Bangalore from 17Oct2007 to 21Oct2007. Wish you a very happy Durga Puja festival.

1. Ulsoor Bangali Association (RBANMS Ground near commercial road,Shivajinagar)

2. Indiranagar Cambridge Layout (Near Ulsoor Flower Market)

3. Koramangala, Sarathi Cultural Trust (Mangala Kalyana Mantapa, 8thblock, '80' ft Road, Koramangala. Near Ganesha Temple - Raheja ArcadeRd)

4. JP Nagar (N.R.Kalyana Mantapa, adjacent to Mandavi Motors,Bannerghatta Road, J P Nagar, 2nd phase)

5. Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja (Jaymahal Ladies Club Ground, OffNandi-Durga Rd)

6. R.T.Nagar Bihari Association

7. Airforce Command Hospital (Indiranagar)

8. Jalahalli Airforce Base (East/West)

9. K.R.Puram Durga Puja (Near K.R.Puram Market after I.T.I - Off oldmadras road)

10. Whitefield Durga Puja

11. Brookfield Durga Puja (near ITPL)

12. Hebbagodi Durga Puja (near Hebbagodi bus stand, beside BIOCON factory on HOSUR ROAD)

13. Attibele Durga puja (near Attibele bus terminal circle, HosurRoad,commencing from last year )

14. Durga puja near Bangalore Corporation Circle (beside GEO HOTEL )

15. Rajaji Nagar Durga puja (near Navarang theatre)

16. ARMY DURGA PUJA (MURGESHPALYA ARMY BASE, Wind Tunnel Road, NearManipal hospital)

17. AIR FORCE CAMP DURGA PUJA (NEAR PALACE GROUND)

18. Durga puja in Taluk office ,HOSUR (NEAR Balaji Theatre)

19. Durga Puja near Marathahalli (Near Munnekalola, near to Marathahalli Railway Bridge on Varthur Main Rd)

20. Kaggadaspura Durga Puja (Started this year - Dont have the location details)

Links for Puja Schedule and Timings :http://jayamahaldurgapuja.blogspot.com/

Earthquake Experience in Taipei 07-Sep-2007

2007-09-07T09:57:00.000+05:30

I wanted to share with you the experience of Earthquake today early morning in Taipei. It happened around 3AM Friday (07Sep2007). It was a vigorous shake in middle of my sleep, which wake me up. I felt like somebody was jumping on the bed, by my side, and soon realized I am alone in the room and it has to be earthquake. I tried to look into the glass window from hotel room and saw some of the cars hooting aloud as the security systems would have triggered by the quake. By that time, I could feel the entire building is swaying and the wooden things like room partitions and ceiling was making sound that is generally heard when wooden plank is bent or sheared.

I got frightened and went running out of the room when the quake stopped. I came back to the room to put on the slippers when it again started. It was terrible, and I went running down taking the stairs to the reception. I could see some people like me had already gathered at the hotel lobby and many other anxious people peeping out of the balcony of the above floors. The receptionist explained that this kind of shock is frequent in Taiwan and we need not panic. By that time everything was normal. But it took some time for me to get back to sleep. It was amazing experience - probably I felt it more intense as I was in the 8th floor of the building. I wonder how the buildings in Taiwan last so long in midst of frequent earthquakes.

News URI:
http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2007/09/06/afx4091433.html

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=121421

BREAKING NEWS : 6.6 quake, aftershocks jolt Taiwan
Taipei (dpa) - Three earthquakes measuring 6.6, 5.7 and 3.9 on the Richter scale respectively rocked Taiwan early Friday, causing small damages but there were no immediate reports of casualties. The first quake, measuring 6.6, struck at 1:51 am Friday (1751 GMT Thursday) with its epicentre 74.6 kilometres from Ilan on Taiwan's northeastern coast and 27 kilometres under the sea, the Seismological Observation Centre said. It was followed four minutes later by an 5.7-magnitude aftershock, in the same region. At 3:32 am (1932 GMT Thursday), a tremor measuring 3.9 jolted Taitung in southeast Taiwan.

The quakes were felt all over the island, causing bottles and cups to tumble off shelves and window frames to rattle. Many residents living in high rises in Taipei ran onto the street, fearing their buildings might collapse. In Ilan, an arch of the Buddhist Lu Yuan Temple tumbled to the ground, but no one was injured, according to TV reports. The quakes triggered rockfalls along the Suao-Hualien Highway on Taiwan's mountainous east coast. In Panchiao, a satellite city of Taipei, bricks broke lose from a building and smashed several parked cars, but no one was injured. Lu Pei-ling, deputy director of the Seismological Observation Centre, said there was no cause for panic, stressing that the quakes were the normal release of seismic energy. "The 5.7 quake was the aftershock of the 6.6 quake. So after the 6.6 quake, there shouldn't be any bigger quake," she said.

Taiwan lies on the circum-Pacific seismic belt, where 68 per cent of the world's quakes occur. Most of the earthquakes which hit Taiwan occur off the east coast because of friction between the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Plate, but generally cause little or no damage.

Taiwan can experience more than 200 quakes each year, with several of them measuring 6 or even higher on the Richter scale. But on September 21, 1999, a quake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale hit central Taiwan, killing 2,400 people and leaving some 10,000 others injured.

The story of the eagles ...

2007-07-02T15:02:00.000+05:30

This is the life story of the eagles... The eagles have the longest life-span of its species. It can live up to 70 years. But to reach this age, the eagle must make a hard decision somewhere in middle of its life journey.

In its 40’s, its long and flexible talons can no longer grab prey which serves as food. And its long and sharp beak becomes bent. Its old-aged and heavy wings, due to their thick feathers, become stuck to its chest and make it difficult to fly.

At this critical juncture of its life, the eagle is left with only two options:

1. Die being defeated by old age and time ... OR

2. Go through a painful process of change, which lasts 150 days.

The latter process requires that the eagle fly to a mountain top and sit on its’ nest. There the eagle knocks its’ beak against a rock until it plucks it out. This is very painful moment for this bird of prey. After plucking it out, the eagle will wait for a new beak to grow back and then it will pluck out its’ talonsWhen its’ new talons grow back, the eagle starts plucking its’ old-aged feathers. And after five months of painstaking moments, the eagle takes its’ famous flight of rebirth and lives for ... 30 more years !!

Why is change needed?

Many times, in order to survive we have to start a change process.
Sometimes we need to get rid of old memories, habits and other past traditions.
Only when freed from past burdens, can we take advantage of the present.

Laughs from Employee Performance Evaluations

2007-06-22T12:35:00.000+05:30

(As obtained from a forwarded email ... )

For everyone who has ever had an evaluation - just remember, it could have been worse. These are actual quotes taken from federal government employee performance evaluations.

1. "Since my last report, this employee has reached rock-bottom and has started to dig."

2. "I would not allow this employee to breed."

3. "This employee is really not so much of a has-been, but more of a definite won't be."

4. "Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap."

5. "When he opens his mouth, it seems that it is only to change feet."

6. "This young lady has delusions of adequacy."

7. "He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them."

8. "This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot."

9. "This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts the better."

10. "Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thingy to hold it all together."

11. "A gross ignoramus - 144 times worse than an ordinary ignoramus."

12. "He doesn't have ulcers, but he's a carrier."

14. "I would like to go hunting with him sometime."

15. "He's been working with glue too much."

16. "He would argue with a signpost."

17. "He brings a lot of joy whenever he leaves the room."

18. "When his IQ reaches 50, he should sell."

19. "If you see two people talking and one looks bored, he's the other one."

20. "A photographic memory but with the lens cover glued on."

21. "A prime candidate for natural de-selection."

22. "Donated his brain to science before he was done using it."

23. "Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming."

24. "He's got two brains cells, one is lost and the other is out looking for it."

25. "If he were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week."

26. "If you give him a penny for his thoughts, you'd get change."

27. "If you stand close enough to him, you can hear the ocean."

28. "It's hard to believe he beat out 1,000,000 other sperm."

29. "One neuron short of a synapse."

30. "Some drink from the fountain of knowledge; he only gargled."

31. "Takes him 2 hours to watch 60-minutes."

32. "The wheel is turning, but the hamster is dead."

Lunch at South Indies @ Indiranagar, Bangalore

2007-06-19T14:47:00.000+05:30

It was the occasion of my friend-cum-colleague giving his farewell treat to us, when we all decided to try out the lunch buffet in South Indies @ Indiranagar (100 Ft Road). Without doing much of RnD on the Internet we went there to try out the food.

We found it to be an exclusive South Indian restaurant with western touch to its ambiance. It is good for people who love south Indian foods and for people who are yet to tickle their taste buds with the taste of south Indian delicacies. They serve only Vegetarian Foods.... bad news for all Non-Veg Lovers like me ;-).

The ambiance is very nice. You have the option of sitting inside the glass rooms or in their courtyard in open air. I was surprised so see a huge rush of people crowding the place (1300 hours). Many of them were foreigners.

The food is well prepared, but I felt they lack variety. You will have very few option between dishes. Having said this, I felt that the price of buffet (Rs. 175/- per person) is slightly overpriced, Rs 125/- would be a fair amount. I guess they charge it more because of nice ambiance and service. They would serve the food in designer plates.

Buffet Items were:

1. Plain Boilded Rice (White Rice)

2. Drumstick Sambar

3. Cucumber Curry (hot)

4. Coconut Stew

5. Uthappam (Keralian Dosa)

6. Parota

7. Lemon Rice

8. Rasam

9. Curd, Pickles, Spicy Pudi (powder), etc

10. Rice Payasam (Rice Custard / Kheer)

11. Ice-creams

(I hope i didnt miss out any item)

They also have serve-on-demand basis service, where you can order any dish of your choice from the menu. The service is very good and response time is impressive.

I also noticed them taking orders on PDA's instead of conventional paper pads - which is similar to any STAR restaurants in modern days.

After googling a bit, I found their website : http://www.thesouthindies.com/

I also found Blog about the restaurant in my friend Thejesh's website with photos: http://www.eventsbangalore.net/2007/05/21/south-indies-good-south-indian-resturant/

Overall Rating : 3.5/5 (3.5 out of 5)

Pros:

1. Good Ambiance 2. Good Service 3. Well Prepared Food

Cons:

1. Less Variety 2. Only Vegetarian Food 3. A bit overpriced.

---------------------------

South Indies phone numbers are 4163 6361 or 4163 6363

Chat with GOD

2007-06-18T13:44:00.000+05:30

God : Hello. Did you call me?

Me: Called you? No.. Who is this ?

God : This is GOD. I heard your prayers. So I thought I will chat.

Me: I do pray. Just makes me feel good. I am actually busy now. I am in the midst of something.

God : What are you busy at? Ants are busy too.

Me: Don't know. But I cant find free time. Life has become hectic. It's rush hour all the time.

God : Sure. Activity gets you busy. But productivity gets you results. Activity consumes time. Productivity frees it.

Me: I understand. But I still can't figure out. By the way, I was not expecting YOU to buzz me on instant messaging chat.

God : Well I wanted to resolve your! Fight for time, by giving you some clarity. In this net era, I wanted to reach you through the medium you are comfortable with.

Me: Tell me, why has life become complicated now?

God : Stop analyzing life. Just live it. Analysis is what makes it complicated.

Me: why are we then constantly unhappy?

God : Your today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday.You are worrying because you are analyzing. Worrying has become your habit. That's why you are not happy.

Me: But how can we not worry when there is so much uncertainty?

God : Uncertainty is inevitable, but worrying is optional.

Me: But then, there is so much pain due to uncertainty. .

God : Pain is inevitable able, but suffering is optional.

Me: If suffering is optional, why do good people always suffer?

God : Diamond cannot be polished without friction. Gold cannot be purified without fire. Good people go through trials, but don't suffer. With that experience their life become better not bitter.

Me: You mean to say such experience is useful?

God : Yes. In every terms, Experience is a hard teacher . She gives the test first and the lessons afterwards.

Me: But still, why should we go through such tests? Why cant we be free from problems?

God : Problems are Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons (to) Enhance Mental Strength. Inner strength comes from struggle and endurance, not when you! Are free from problems.

Me: Frankly in the midst of so many problems, we don't know where we are heading..

God : If you look outside you will not know where you are heading.Look inside. Looking outside, you dream. Looking inside, you awaken. Eyes provide sight. Heart provides insight.

Me: Sometimes not succeeding fast seems to hurt more than moving in the right direction. What should I do?

God : Success is a measure as decided by others. Satisfaction is a measure as decided by you. Knowing the road ahead is more satisfying than knowing you rode ahead. You work with the compass. Let others work with the clock.

Me: In tough times, how do you stay motivated?

God : Always look at how far you have come rather than how far you have to go. Always count your blessing, not what you are missing.

Me: What surprises you about people?

God : when they suffer they ask, "why me?" When they prosper, they never ask "Why me" Everyone wishes to have truth on their side, but few want to be on the side of the truth.

Me: Sometimes I ask, who am I, why am I here. I cant get the answer.

God : Seek not to find who you are, but to determine who you want to be. Stop looking for a purpose as to why you are here. Create it. Life is not a process of discovery but a process of creation.

Me: How can I get the best out of life?

God : Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear.

Me: One last question. Sometimes I feel my prayers are not answered.

God : There are no unanswered prayers. At times the answer is NO.

Me: Thank you for this wonderful chat.

God : Well. Keep the faith and drop the fear . Don't believe your doubts and doubt your beliefs. Life is a mystery to solve not a problem to resolve. Trust me. Life is wonderful if you know how to live. "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that took our breath away!

India on Chikungunya Alert

2007-06-18T13:26:00.000+05:30

Chikungunya, a viral disease, is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes, typically 'Aedes aegypti'(Alpha Virus), although there may be other competent mosquito vectors. The name, chickungunya, comes from the Swahili for stooped walk, reflecting the physique of a person suffering from the disease. Chikungunya, which has dengue-like symptoms of very high fever and rash, is highly contagious and disabling. The disease has been described in Africa, South-East Asia, southern India and Pakistan. It occurs principally during the rainy season and is not considered fatal, so far.

Symptoms:

Chikungunya is rarely fatal. Symptoms appear between 4 and 7 days after the patient has been bitten by the infected mosquito.
A high fever and headache occur, with significant pains in the joints (ankles, wrists) ,rashes and can persist for several weeks.

Preventive Measures:

Good Hygiene, Healthy Eating Practices

Good House keeping

Proper spraying of disinfectants

The main preventive measure is to stop the proliferation of mosquitoes by reducing their breeding grounds. We should take care to see that the surroundings are kept clean and hygienic, without stagnant water-the main source for mosquito breeding.

As per MOHFW (Ministry of Health & Family Welfare) mosquito-control is the only way to fight chikungunya. Health Ministry teams have already been sent to the states and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases is monitoring the situation. While supportive, palliative medical care with anti-inflammatories and analgesics is available; there is no specific treatment for chikungunya. It is usually self-limiting, disappearing with time.

Blogging Inspirations...

2007-06-17T15:43:00.000+05:30

I was reluctant to write a blog until today. In this blog, I'm just trying to jot in down the names of the persons who influenced and inspired me to start my blogging activity... the names are not in any order .. but just random ...

Jayakumar
Ramaswamy
Velu
Vipin
Niranj
Thejesh
Sanju
And many others (I'm just trying to keep this list shorter)

I thank them all...

Against the wind...

2007-06-17T15:26:00.000+05:30

This is my first ever web blog... so thought of starting with a song that I like...

Lyrics and music by Bob Seger

It seems like yesterday

But it was long ago

Janey was lovely she was the queen of my nights

There in the darkness with the radio playing low

And the secrets that we shared

The mountains that we moved

Caught like a wildfire out of control

'Til there was nothing left to burn and nothing left to prove

And I remember what she said to me

How she swore that it never would end

I remember how she held me oh so tight

Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then

Against the wind

We were runnin' against the wind

We were young and strong, we were runnin'

Against the wind

The years rolled slowly past

And I found myself alone

Surrounded by strangers I thought were my friends

I found myself further and further from my home

And I guess I lost my way

There were oh so many roads

I was living to run and running to live

Never worryied about paying or even how much I owed

Moving eight miles a minute for months at a time

Breaking all of the rules that would bend

I began to find myself searching

Searching for shelter again and again

Against the wind

A little something against the wind

I found myself seeking shelter against the wind

Well those drifter's days are past me now

I've got so much more to think about

Deadlines and commitments

What to leave in, what to leave out

Against the wind

I'm still runnin' against the wind

I'm older now but still runnin' against the wind

Well I'm older now and still runnin'

Against the wind

Still runnin'

I'm still runnin' against the wind

I'm still runnin'

I'm still runnin' against the wind

Still runnin'

Runnin' against the wind

See the young man run

Watch the young man run

Watch the young man runnin'

He'll be runnin' against the wind

Let the cowboys ride

They'll be ridin' against the wind

Against the wind ...