I am normally not in the habit of posting New year messages on this blog - but i guess there is sufficient reason to break the trend this year.
Here are two things:
Thing# 1 - The Incident
Might be classified 'interesting', especially since it happened on New year's Eve ( at least - for people like me who have antisocial tendencies bordering the level marked 'MANIAC' on the scale)
Today, Dec 31, 2008 - S, Mr. B's last son drowned in a pond - while he was enjoying an afternoon of drunken revelry with 3 more useless assholes. The assholes live. Poor S was fished out in his underpants a few hours later - as dead as the proverbial dodo - and as drunk, got rest his soul, as an english lord (His corpse puked when it was pulled out. )
As our plant is just 10 mins away, i was amongst the first to receive a call to organize / attempt a rescue - and i was like standing next to the hole when they were first searching for him and when they eventually pulled him out. It was too late for emergency procedures anyway.
To explain it in more detail - the hole in which he drowned is like just off the road leading to the hills near alagarkoil (which is a spot for all such activities - loads of greenery, loads of such small idyllic ponds & abandoned wells). And as the story surfaced subsequently, the 4 assholes got to the hole, got drunk and had this diving contest or something.
The 3 other mahatmas were so drunk that they did not notice S was missing until, like 30 or 40 minutes later and one of them - a hint of consicousness awakening him - saw that their mate was missing and promptly used S's cellphone to call S's dad, Mr. B, give a so-so description of the incident / location and promptly pass out, drunk and dead to world (as they lay, when the first search party reached them)
Mr. B knows my dad for more than 20 years he even does some work for us in Tirupur, and was there yesterday, as always. He calls me, then my old man and we call the police (who come over in 20 mins) and then the Fire service (who reach the 'spot' in like 2 hours and maybe a bit more) - We were there with a few of our employees, a couple of policemen - the 3 mahatmas are so drunk that they arent able to confirm the name of the guy in the pond, they get slapped around by the cop - manage to puke a few times, stumble out some details.
In any case, its been more than hour since S went in - and we all can do nothing but wait - cursing the fire service - S's mother comes, wails & curses every1 in sight and faints, gets carried home. Its a full 2 hours since the call went out - for the firemen to arrive. They stroll down from their fireengine, with great loops of rope and a few them strip off. Theres now a big crowd - the locals, a lot of our employees.
Then, surprise surprise, the firemen walk around the perimeter of the hole - dipping a rope / hook in - hoping to hook the corpse out - no sign of them jumping in - my father loses his cool and reminds them, in pretty severe language, about what they are supposed to be doing and what jokers they are - we quickly gather a few locals - who then dive in - the firemen watching them go in - and one manages to pull S out in about 20 minutes.
Out he came, wearing a bright orange chuddi - and the crowd actually burst out in applause! He was pretty dead in any case.
I spend the rest of the day taking S to the Morgue, bribing the cops, firemen, the ambulance man, the morgue technician and listening to a constable bullshit about drunken louts, whores, bus-marials and the general moral degradation of today's young people.
Throughout the episode, i felt nearly no emotion, except when his mom & sister were on the scene - i did not know S that well - i know his big brother, R, because i sell some stuff to him. I know his mom and his dad pretty well - they come home often.
Strangely, when i came home around at night, mobile battery dead - i hated S - for being such an asshole, for letting every1 down - for going out with trash like the 3 i saw, for getting drunk and getting killed like that.
I heard today that he was engaged to be married in April - they are so-called 'orthodox' muslims - and his mom said, scheduling his 'nikkah' was supposed to 'stop him fooling around' and 'settle down' and that he was brought up 'chellam' because he was the last kid - i actually became peeved with Mr. B and his beevi - i know that R, S - always scoot around all the time, Mr. B buys for R a new car every year - and that their idea of fun is to drive -inebriated- up to kodaikanal - cool off - load up again and drive down
- Although i wont understand these things completely - i also blame Mr. B - kids' behaviour is a reflection of how they are brought up. My own father has never told me what to do / what not to do with my personal stuff nor asks me to account for expenses - but he neednt. Not that i dont make mistakes - but i know when im crossing the line and i more than know what a foolish, irresponsible, juvenile jock can do to himself, to his friends and family.
2008, as hot and happening as it was, ended thusly.
Every now and then life throws up an experience when you least expect it - but as with all things in life, you go through it - try and take away a few things. No ?
Thing # 2 : The Gyaan
Now to copy something off another New year message and tweak it slightly:
I never used to like New Year's - Faux merriment, drinking, SMS greetings, socializing with jocks/assholes or louts (however cool or hip or socially required it is) - from this year - i make it OFFICIAL and consider the above experience as a validation of my regular existence as a voluntarily obnoxious person.
('an excuse!' C says on the phone ;- when he called me today. He was surprised that my phone was switched off one New year's eve and he actually thought i officially turned lunatic!)
More important :
While you are still growing up - PLEASE do not indulge in behaviour similar to poor S's. EVER. Dont mix with trash who are prone to such behaviour. They arent worth it. They are just foolish, juvenile, attention seekers who have nothing better to do in life.
When you are grown up - PLEASE bring up your kids right or you have no right to spawn any.
And Lest i end on a morbid note:
HAPPY 2009 ;-
( p.s - funny telecon from evening, 1 Jan 2009:
me to A: Dei, 2009 is going to be an important year for me at work da. Possibly the most important ever.
A: Poda waste fellow. Youve been saying that every year since ive known you. )
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Monday, 29 December 2008
Sooper time waster post - Five fives - ;-
I am sitting on the outside porch - it is nice and cool - the laptop feels nice and warm on my lap - heres a post il complete
-Ta ta da - Presenting: Five fives from 2008
No.1 # 5 so-so movies i was forced to sit through this year
1. Flashbacks of a fool (Starring Daniel craig)
2. Beverly hills Chihuahua (Publicly screened on a plane. sema dumb)
3. Dosti (Pathetic flick starring bobby deol & akshay kumar - played over and over on S's new car DVD player and him saying ' Waah kya mast movie yaar' )
4. Ghost rider (Starring Nicholas cage. yuck)
5. About 30 mins of 'Saawariya' (But it still qualifies)
No.2 # 5 places ive been to for the first time on work
a) Sivakasi (ammadiyo)
b) Sao Paolo, Brasil ( ;-)
c) Mannheim, Germany (Wow)
d) Chiang Mai, Thailand (Nice)
e) Guangzhou, China (Big)
No.3 # 5 names ive been called this year:
a) Pundi kazhudhai [pun dee] (Mother. It means 'dirty' 'untidy' in palakkad tamil)
b) 'Kaaten da enaku,loose Koo&#*' (Brother, yelling about 2 feet from 15 elderly uncle/aunties sitting & listening to music at V's wedding, the poor bugger was excited, my oh my, he was like red in the face after!)
c) 'Dear abhi darling' (Fa - on MSN)
d) 'sarcastic b$#%$%d' [The baaaa pronounced - like a sheep bleating] (T. During last telecon)
e) 'Moron' [N - sort of metaphorically implied, via email]
No.4 # 5 works of Non-fiction that one mustnt miss - Lucid, easy on the head, but worth the read
a) Anthony Bourdain's autobiographical - Kitchen confidential
b) The Lexus and the olive tree : Thomas.L.Friedman
c) Sidney Sheldon's Autobiography : The other side of me (His BEST book by far)
d) Andy Kessler: How it all began
e) Jeffery Archer's Prisoner's diaries (All volumes)
No.5 # 5 companies on whose stocks iam down by more than 100,000 bucks
a) Shasun chemicals (Y = 0.20 X)
b) Ipcalabs (Y = 0.6 X)
c) Amtek auto = (Y = 0.4X)
d) Canara bank (please dont ask)
e) Bhartitele (Y=0.70X)
X= quote at xtime
Y = quote at ytime
You figure what is what :(
I am spent
**yawn**
-Ta ta da - Presenting: Five fives from 2008
No.1 # 5 so-so movies i was forced to sit through this year
1. Flashbacks of a fool (Starring Daniel craig)
2. Beverly hills Chihuahua (Publicly screened on a plane. sema dumb)
3. Dosti (Pathetic flick starring bobby deol & akshay kumar - played over and over on S's new car DVD player and him saying ' Waah kya mast movie yaar' )
4. Ghost rider (Starring Nicholas cage. yuck)
5. About 30 mins of 'Saawariya' (But it still qualifies)
No.2 # 5 places ive been to for the first time on work
a) Sivakasi (ammadiyo)
b) Sao Paolo, Brasil ( ;-)
c) Mannheim, Germany (Wow)
d) Chiang Mai, Thailand (Nice)
e) Guangzhou, China (Big)
No.3 # 5 names ive been called this year:
a) Pundi kazhudhai [pun dee] (Mother. It means 'dirty' 'untidy' in palakkad tamil)
b) 'Kaaten da enaku,loose Koo&#*' (Brother, yelling about 2 feet from 15 elderly uncle/aunties sitting & listening to music at V's wedding, the poor bugger was excited, my oh my, he was like red in the face after!)
c) 'Dear abhi darling' (Fa - on MSN)
d) 'sarcastic b$#%$%d' [The baaaa pronounced - like a sheep bleating] (T. During last telecon)
e) 'Moron' [N - sort of metaphorically implied, via email]
No.4 # 5 works of Non-fiction that one mustnt miss - Lucid, easy on the head, but worth the read
a) Anthony Bourdain's autobiographical - Kitchen confidential
b) The Lexus and the olive tree : Thomas.L.Friedman
c) Sidney Sheldon's Autobiography : The other side of me (His BEST book by far)
d) Andy Kessler: How it all began
e) Jeffery Archer's Prisoner's diaries (All volumes)
No.5 # 5 companies on whose stocks iam down by more than 100,000 bucks
a) Shasun chemicals (Y = 0.20 X)
b) Ipcalabs (Y = 0.6 X)
c) Amtek auto = (Y = 0.4X)
d) Canara bank (please dont ask)
e) Bhartitele (Y=0.70X)
X= quote at xtime
Y = quote at ytime
You figure what is what :(
I am spent
**yawn**
Friday, 26 December 2008
Wikipedia etc.
After one's working day is spent - trying desperately -- in vain - to fix either the phone line or the broadband cable to get some work done - the day in question being the first day back in more than a month - by the evening - one isnt too inclined to put up majorly masalafied posts like rad descriptions of Scarlett Johanssen's backside or reviews of soccer matches.
Heres something thats worth a minute or two:
"Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet is given free access to the sum of all human knowledge — Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia"
Heres an appeal hes put up - asking for donations - " An appeal from Jimmy Wales "
I am seriously tempted to drop a few $$$ in - considering the inordinate amount of wikiing one does these days - its one of those things - like Thayir saadam & Vadu maangai - that one cant live without.
I cant help but wonder - why doesnt he syndicate Adverts on wikipedia ?? I am sure they can rig it up with google ads and with the kind of specialization they bring in to contextual Ads and stuff - im pretty damn sure that wikipedia will more than make the 3 million dollars it needs a year - heck, maybe a lot more than that.
Take these blokes at google for eg. - they are as commercial as they come - AND everybit lifechanging with the kind of things they come up with - Google, Gmail, News, Reader, Gtalk - and Google Apps - (for this princely sum of 10 dollars a year - i deploy gmail, docs, sites, gtalk - the works across upto 200 users - near unlimited space - on my own domain- i do this with GREAT results in our own company) - all of it done with a commercial motive by the good folks over at google. No ?
Wikimedia foundation ought to ask Eric Schmidt to sit on their board and make them some money on the amazing franchise they've built up.
Heck, if they fucken charge 20 dollars a year for unlimited access per computer - they'll fucken take in cash by the jumbo jet load !
*sigh* i am not really in mood to stay up.
Paul Theroux becons.
Heres something thats worth a minute or two:
"Imagine a world in which every single person on the planet is given free access to the sum of all human knowledge — Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia"
Heres an appeal hes put up - asking for donations - " An appeal from Jimmy Wales "
I am seriously tempted to drop a few $$$ in - considering the inordinate amount of wikiing one does these days - its one of those things - like Thayir saadam & Vadu maangai - that one cant live without.
I cant help but wonder - why doesnt he syndicate Adverts on wikipedia ?? I am sure they can rig it up with google ads and with the kind of specialization they bring in to contextual Ads and stuff - im pretty damn sure that wikipedia will more than make the 3 million dollars it needs a year - heck, maybe a lot more than that.
Take these blokes at google for eg. - they are as commercial as they come - AND everybit lifechanging with the kind of things they come up with - Google, Gmail, News, Reader, Gtalk - and Google Apps - (for this princely sum of 10 dollars a year - i deploy gmail, docs, sites, gtalk - the works across upto 200 users - near unlimited space - on my own domain- i do this with GREAT results in our own company) - all of it done with a commercial motive by the good folks over at google. No ?
Wikimedia foundation ought to ask Eric Schmidt to sit on their board and make them some money on the amazing franchise they've built up.
Heck, if they fucken charge 20 dollars a year for unlimited access per computer - they'll fucken take in cash by the jumbo jet load !
*sigh* i am not really in mood to stay up.
Paul Theroux becons.
Sunday, 21 December 2008
Ha
Presenting the amazing Sia ;-
('Si' as in 'ceylon' and 'a' as in 'asia')
S (Sia's dad) : Sia beta, abhilash ko jaanti ho naa last year mili thi! halo bolo!
Sia: <> naahin
mrs.S: arre. Halo tho bolo.
Sia: naaahin.
mrs.S: #$#%## in a mixture of thai and punjabi.
Sia: naaahin mummi.aap kahan ke hain ?
Me: Chennai. Chennai jaanti ho kya ?
Sia: India jaanti hoon. Mumbai dekhi hai. Photo keentchna aata hai? keetcho naa.
Sia, all of 6 years of age and with near unlimited energy is already a master in the arts of charming, manipulating and getting things done - not by crying, yelling or throwing tantrums - but by batting her eyelashes and sweettalking you into doing her bidding.
I saw her chatting up waiters (for ketchup - which is normally self service) , camera salesmen (whom she sweet talked into gifting her this camera cleaning bellow - like the kind one squeezes with hand (like this autorickshaw horn) to produce a gust of air - which sia found amusing) and even her tired looking 8 year old elder sister to play 'camera ' -all in a mix of not less than 4 languages.
Later....
Sia (dropping me at the airport): Aap kabhi aayenge next time. Kuch leke aayenge for me ? (the tilted chin and smile again)
mrs S: ##$#*&*& (Thai mostly)
Me: Very soon. U just see what il get you. :)
Sia: See mammi i told you, abhilash is my friend.
S: (smile and shake of head) iski tho aap kaafi thick dost ban gaya yaar - mere se bhi ithna baath karti nahin hai.
And i always thought i was such a whitewash with girls ;-
('Si' as in 'ceylon' and 'a' as in 'asia')
S (Sia's dad) : Sia beta, abhilash ko jaanti ho naa last year mili thi! halo bolo!
Sia: <> naahin
mrs.S: arre. Halo tho bolo.
Sia: naaahin.
mrs.S: #$#%## in a mixture of thai and punjabi.
Sia: naaahin mummi.
Me: Chennai. Chennai jaanti ho kya ?
Sia: India jaanti hoon. Mumbai dekhi hai. Photo keentchna aata hai? keetcho naa.
Sia, all of 6 years of age and with near unlimited energy is already a master in the arts of charming, manipulating and getting things done - not by crying, yelling or throwing tantrums - but by batting her eyelashes and sweettalking you into doing her bidding.
I saw her chatting up waiters (for ketchup - which is normally self service) , camera salesmen (whom she sweet talked into gifting her this camera cleaning bellow - like the kind one squeezes with hand (like this autorickshaw horn) to produce a gust of air - which sia found amusing) and even her tired looking 8 year old elder sister to play 'camera ' -all in a mix of not less than 4 languages.
Later....
Sia (dropping me at the airport): Aap kabhi aayenge next time. Kuch leke aayenge for me ? (the tilted chin and smile again)
mrs S: ##$#*&*& (Thai mostly)
Me: Very soon. U just see what il get you. :)
Sia: See mammi i told you, abhilash is my friend.
S: (smile and shake of head) iski tho aap kaafi thick dost ban gaya yaar - mere se bhi ithna baath karti nahin hai.
And i always thought i was such a whitewash with girls ;-
Friday, 19 December 2008
The Paragon
Whats the best shopping mall youve ever been to ?
Ive been to quite a few - Ones in dubai, in Europe, Singapore..a few others and of course the chickenshit ones in India.
My pick of the lot is the Amazing - Siam paragon - here in bangkok. (*** Update below)
It has its own train station, this HUGE multiplex, HUGE. 20+ screens / Imax / what not, A big aquarium on the ground floor, a food court with thousands of outlets, atleast 5 book stores - each have atleast twice the number of books at Landmark in Spencer, ULTRA cool sports car showrooms on the 4th floor - macerati, BMW, Porche, Lamborghini, a HUGE gym and a HUGE gourmet department store on the ground floor - (How many kinds of mushrooms do u know of ? I saw ATLEAST 50 kinds of them here)
I did one stupid thing and one super thoughtful thing today - i left my camera (stupid) and my wallet (super thoughtful) behind.
I put 300 bhat and some small change in my pocket when i left.
What can one do with 300 bhat at the amazing paragon - Eat this measly plate of Indian food and not have money left over to buy a bottle of water - And by the time i bought a 25 bhat return ticket to Asok - i had about 2 bhat left
- But with no wallet or dollars or tempt you - you can ogle all you want at pancakes, exotic fruit smoothies and 500 bhat special offers for Imax screenings of 'The day the earth stood still'
Please, PLEASE go here if you ever get the chance to visit these parts.
UPDATE:
I seem to have made a sweeping declaration all too soon.
Theres the Emporium (ive been going to it now for 3 years) - about 10 mins by foot from my Hotel which gives it a fair bit of competition. The thing with the emporium is that it has these MILLIONS of shops where you can ACTUALLY shop - like Clothes, bags and stuff.. cheap and like FLOODED with choice. The paragon is more,um, ritzy, shall we say?, stuff is more expensive there.
In the main entrance, every December, they put up these superb christmas declarations and invite school choirs (full of Attention deficit hyperactivity syndrome afflicted thai kids), conductor in tow - dressed in costumes - to belt out chirstmas carols - different choirs perform in slots / dates assigned to them and competition appears fierce - ADS seems to be affecting parents too - who wear santa hats and sing along with their kids in some cases. Quite a case study in human behaviorial patterns i guess - but very entertaining to watch.
The Emporium's Kinokuniya branch is amongst the best bookstores ive ever been to. Woodpanelled flooring, they even have displays for antique / collectors items type books - original handwritten stuff from T.S.Eliot - and stuff like that - some for display and some for sale. Kinokuniya of course has a fiercely loyal following from upmarket patrons of all ages & Expats - their children's section has the most amazing collection of comics from all around the world and brilliant picture books -and it is a common sight to see young parents sprawled on the wooden floors with toddlers - showing them all kinds of kiddie books.
Ive been to quite a few - Ones in dubai, in Europe, Singapore..a few others and of course the chickenshit ones in India.
My pick of the lot is the Amazing - Siam paragon - here in bangkok. (*** Update below)
It has its own train station, this HUGE multiplex, HUGE. 20+ screens / Imax / what not, A big aquarium on the ground floor, a food court with thousands of outlets, atleast 5 book stores - each have atleast twice the number of books at Landmark in Spencer, ULTRA cool sports car showrooms on the 4th floor - macerati, BMW, Porche, Lamborghini, a HUGE gym and a HUGE gourmet department store on the ground floor - (How many kinds of mushrooms do u know of ? I saw ATLEAST 50 kinds of them here)
I did one stupid thing and one super thoughtful thing today - i left my camera (stupid) and my wallet (super thoughtful) behind.
I put 300 bhat and some small change in my pocket when i left.
What can one do with 300 bhat at the amazing paragon - Eat this measly plate of Indian food and not have money left over to buy a bottle of water - And by the time i bought a 25 bhat return ticket to Asok - i had about 2 bhat left
- But with no wallet or dollars or tempt you - you can ogle all you want at pancakes, exotic fruit smoothies and 500 bhat special offers for Imax screenings of 'The day the earth stood still'
Please, PLEASE go here if you ever get the chance to visit these parts.
UPDATE:
I seem to have made a sweeping declaration all too soon.
Theres the Emporium (ive been going to it now for 3 years) - about 10 mins by foot from my Hotel which gives it a fair bit of competition. The thing with the emporium is that it has these MILLIONS of shops where you can ACTUALLY shop - like Clothes, bags and stuff.. cheap and like FLOODED with choice. The paragon is more,um, ritzy, shall we say?, stuff is more expensive there.
In the main entrance, every December, they put up these superb christmas declarations and invite school choirs (full of Attention deficit hyperactivity syndrome afflicted thai kids), conductor in tow - dressed in costumes - to belt out chirstmas carols - different choirs perform in slots / dates assigned to them and competition appears fierce - ADS seems to be affecting parents too - who wear santa hats and sing along with their kids in some cases. Quite a case study in human behaviorial patterns i guess - but very entertaining to watch.
The Emporium's Kinokuniya branch is amongst the best bookstores ive ever been to. Woodpanelled flooring, they even have displays for antique / collectors items type books - original handwritten stuff from T.S.Eliot - and stuff like that - some for display and some for sale. Kinokuniya of course has a fiercely loyal following from upmarket patrons of all ages & Expats - their children's section has the most amazing collection of comics from all around the world and brilliant picture books -and it is a common sight to see young parents sprawled on the wooden floors with toddlers - showing them all kinds of kiddie books.
Stuff
First - this REALLY nice thought. (Off Seth godin's blog here)
Quote
Confusing activity with action
Thing is, most of the stuff you do online doesn't cost money.
In the old days, money added friction. Money made you choosy. Money ensured that you valued your marketing efforts appropriately, because if they didn't work, they cost you money.
Today, reading and posting and linking and networking and connecting and commenting and podcasting and linkblurbling and doseedoing online all feel like essential marketing tasks. They certainly keep you busy.
But is the activity getting in the way of action?
Is the online work you're doing actually leading you where you want to go, or merely keeping you busy?
Dmitri calls this "imitation of turbulent activity" or ИБД, Имитация Бурной Деятельности.
Unquote
That is EXACTLY what i feel too.
Quote
Confusing activity with action
Thing is, most of the stuff you do online doesn't cost money.
In the old days, money added friction. Money made you choosy. Money ensured that you valued your marketing efforts appropriately, because if they didn't work, they cost you money.
Today, reading and posting and linking and networking and connecting and commenting and podcasting and linkblurbling and doseedoing online all feel like essential marketing tasks. They certainly keep you busy.
But is the activity getting in the way of action?
Is the online work you're doing actually leading you where you want to go, or merely keeping you busy?
Dmitri calls this "imitation of turbulent activity" or ИБД, Имитация Бурной Деятельности.
Unquote
That is EXACTLY what i feel too.
Thursday, 18 December 2008
How much more is more enough
Its like 12:30 at night here in bangkok but il complete this post and get back to washing clothes in the bathtub.
Conversation # 1 - Subjects Abhilash (A) & Mrs. S (this thai lady with PhD in pharmacology from UK and a big stud, bad ass boss of this BIG customer)
S: Hi Abhilash. How are you ? You havent come in a year. How are you? whats new ?
A: Hi Mrs.S! I am fine. Nice to see u looking so fine. All is well. I sent u the email about our COS getting listed...can we looked at the 500mg coated tablet project in more detail now ? because last time you preferred a listed COS (inspite of your country being in the same regulatory level as India and you buy CONTAINER LOADS of Non-COS grade - but still push for a COS grade - but prices revised DOWNWARD with every upgrade i bring to you)
S: yes yes. Good work abhilash. Now you have a COS - i need you to immediately run around and send me 10 kilos of DC, with full formulation evaluation data, and basic in vitro comparision with innovator product. T here will give you a sample bunch from our regular product. Then next year we'll take another step.
A: Right Mrs. S. Thank you so much. (F$#%#n C$#%, you rotten, sadist #$%##)
Conversation # 2 - Subjects Abhilash (A) & Mr.G (This big stud bizdev guy from a BIG listed Indian Pharma company)
G: Abhilash! Man! how are you? havent seen or heard from you in six months! Where hav u ben ? I told u to keep in touch or call me. You havent!
A: Hi Gji. I am sorry actually didnt want to bother you at all (I emailed u 2wice when u were in brazil - i was in brasil at the sametime too and i cud av used some help. Then i called u thrice in hyderabad - u did not answer ur freakin phone). Kya haal hai ?
G: Haalath kharab hai bhai. Not much going on. Tell me Abhilash, T tells me that youre doing great and hes been selling in 100,000s of $$ regularly. Badiya hai! Keep it up! Doosra product bhi banao. U need help, please tell me.
A: Right sir thanks so much. Actually we cud do a little better, u know, But im working on it.
G: So lets meet for dinner wherer ya stayin.
A: Rembrandt sir. Sukhumvit.. regular jagah pe. Room 1701.
G: Arre that place is bad man. I am at the Westin grand - in Silom. Its far from sukhumvit - i guess ul go crazy coming over. Lets meet in India. k?
(he breezes out)
T : Abhilashji, Gji sold something for 700,000 with Mrs.S's guys when you were chatting her up he's just pulling your leg about how much we are doing. So work harder. Mrs. S really likes you. You should get BE / Invitro/In vivo all done this year. When are you doing USFDA ?
(The westin grand charges 7000 bhat a night - about - 200 dollars - G is staying for a day - but hes booked for 2 days nonrefundable - He sells 700,000 every month - one product - one customer)
Conversation # 3 - Subjects Abhilash (A) & R(My cousin & soon to be daddy 0n the subject of my absence at his wife's seemandam on google talk)
R: Enda b#$#u. Enga da irukke !Mobile switched off varudhu.
A: Hi R. I am travelling i told u right. !? I had this really important appointment and a plant trial so i really had to come. im still here. Im in the hotel.
R: I specifically told you to come because K (his missus) told me - you havent ever met her brother and sister and all her batchmates from MMC. Uve met her exactly three times -( inspite of working out the next street )- since we got married like a year and half before and now we're having our first baby and we had this periya gathering. There was R, B, G, H, his sisters, why even your lazy brother dropped in. Nee seriyana waste fellow da. Oru vaaram kazhinzhu poyinrunda koranju poyirupiyo!
A: Ille da. Romba mukiyam adhaan.
R: $#%^$^ $#^$^#%&!$
Conversation#4: Email from R - this lazy ass QC guy at a big, bad paint factory in madras- whose purchase manager was a slave trader in his previous incarnation and now bullies suppliers with his old instincts.
Dear Abhilash,
ASOL 1001 of batch no.:1109808. In one of the barrel , half quantity of the resin is found in semisolid condition.We do not test all the barrels and hence this problem is not noticed initially. We added this defective material in one of the batch and 800ltrs of the paint batch is now held up because of bittiness in the finish.
There is 14000kgs from your last supply left and we really do not know what is happening at your end.
Kindly arrange to send your representative to observe the problem at our end. Please call tomorrow as i am unable to reach you on mobile.
[ This guy is supposed check each batch before use. I know for a fact that the other supplier's FULL last supply gelled in the drums because they left it in the sun or something and they are hving this awful fight and all - but still - he'll call and ask us about who is responsible for the end product that has failed etc. ]
Conversation#5: Email from C- This great girl who works for me in Uruguay. But could use some more grey cells up in her head.
Dear Abhilash, TOP URGENT???
Ref. yr attached email about Szabo problem - they found tablets of strange product with strange markings (Those are tablets made for testing the quality - but for some strange reason - my QC guy had the gall to pack a few in with the supply and scare the fuck out of the customer) inside the drums of the DC and reclaim every day for a concret explanation we could not inform nothing, for this reason, for avoid more problems with this customer we need yr maxim support on this matter and we expect yr urgent reply still during this week, because the next week the customer will be closed for christmas holidays.
We thanks in advance for yr urgent reply.
Bst rgds,
C
There are 100s of such things happening now every week, every month, every year. This raises a more fundamental question - What is all this for ? How much more is more enough ?
Any1 know some1 who'll pay me 30 grand a month at a 9 to 5 desk job ? I'l attend seemandams, weddings, watch movies every weekend or go to carnatic music concerts wearing studly kurtas.
Conversation # 1 - Subjects Abhilash (A) & Mrs. S (this thai lady with PhD in pharmacology from UK and a big stud, bad ass boss of this BIG customer)
S: Hi Abhilash. How are you ? You havent come in a year. How are you? whats new ?
A: Hi Mrs.S! I am fine. Nice to see u looking so fine. All is well. I sent u the email about our COS getting listed...can we looked at the 500mg coated tablet project in more detail now ? because last time you preferred a listed COS (inspite of your country being in the same regulatory level as India and you buy CONTAINER LOADS of Non-COS grade - but still push for a COS grade - but prices revised DOWNWARD with every upgrade i bring to you)
S: yes yes. Good work abhilash. Now you have a COS - i need you to immediately run around and send me 10 kilos of DC, with full formulation evaluation data, and basic in vitro comparision with innovator product. T here will give you a sample bunch from our regular product. Then next year we'll take another step.
A: Right Mrs. S. Thank you so much. (F$#%#n C$#%, you rotten, sadist #$%##)
Conversation # 2 - Subjects Abhilash (A) & Mr.G (This big stud bizdev guy from a BIG listed Indian Pharma company)
G: Abhilash! Man! how are you? havent seen or heard from you in six months! Where hav u ben ? I told u to keep in touch or call me. You havent!
A: Hi Gji. I am sorry actually didnt want to bother you at all (I emailed u 2wice when u were in brazil - i was in brasil at the sametime too and i cud av used some help. Then i called u thrice in hyderabad - u did not answer ur freakin phone). Kya haal hai ?
G: Haalath kharab hai bhai. Not much going on. Tell me Abhilash, T tells me that youre doing great and hes been selling in 100,000s of $$ regularly. Badiya hai! Keep it up! Doosra product bhi banao. U need help, please tell me.
A: Right sir thanks so much. Actually we cud do a little better, u know, But im working on it.
G: So lets meet for dinner wherer ya stayin.
A: Rembrandt sir. Sukhumvit.. regular jagah pe. Room 1701.
G: Arre that place is bad man. I am at the Westin grand - in Silom. Its far from sukhumvit - i guess ul go crazy coming over. Lets meet in India. k?
(he breezes out)
T : Abhilashji, Gji sold something for 700,000 with Mrs.S's guys when you were chatting her up he's just pulling your leg about how much we are doing. So work harder. Mrs. S really likes you. You should get BE / Invitro/In vivo all done this year. When are you doing USFDA ?
(The westin grand charges 7000 bhat a night - about - 200 dollars - G is staying for a day - but hes booked for 2 days nonrefundable - He sells 700,000 every month - one product - one customer)
Conversation # 3 - Subjects Abhilash (A) & R(My cousin & soon to be daddy 0n the subject of my absence at his wife's seemandam on google talk)
R: Enda b#$#u. Enga da irukke !Mobile switched off varudhu.
A: Hi R. I am travelling i told u right. !? I had this really important appointment and a plant trial so i really had to come. im still here. Im in the hotel.
R: I specifically told you to come because K (his missus) told me - you havent ever met her brother and sister and all her batchmates from MMC. Uve met her exactly three times -( inspite of working out the next street )- since we got married like a year and half before and now we're having our first baby and we had this periya gathering. There was R, B, G, H, his sisters, why even your lazy brother dropped in. Nee seriyana waste fellow da. Oru vaaram kazhinzhu poyinrunda koranju poyirupiyo!
A: Ille da. Romba mukiyam adhaan.
R: $#%^$^ $#^$^#%&!$
Conversation#4: Email from R - this lazy ass QC guy at a big, bad paint factory in madras- whose purchase manager was a slave trader in his previous incarnation and now bullies suppliers with his old instincts.
Dear Abhilash,
ASOL 1001 of batch no.:1109808. In one of the barrel , half quantity of the resin is found in semisolid condition.We do not test all the barrels and hence this problem is not noticed initially. We added this defective material in one of the batch and 800ltrs of the paint batch is now held up because of bittiness in the finish.
There is 14000kgs from your last supply left and we really do not know what is happening at your end.
Kindly arrange to send your representative to observe the problem at our end. Please call tomorrow as i am unable to reach you on mobile.
[ This guy is supposed check each batch before use. I know for a fact that the other supplier's FULL last supply gelled in the drums because they left it in the sun or something and they are hving this awful fight and all - but still - he'll call and ask us about who is responsible for the end product that has failed etc. ]
Conversation#5: Email from C- This great girl who works for me in Uruguay. But could use some more grey cells up in her head.
Dear Abhilash, TOP URGENT???
Ref. yr attached email about Szabo problem - they found tablets of strange product with strange markings (Those are tablets made for testing the quality - but for some strange reason - my QC guy had the gall to pack a few in with the supply and scare the fuck out of the customer) inside the drums of the DC and reclaim every day for a concret explanation we could not inform nothing, for this reason, for avoid more problems with this customer we need yr maxim support on this matter and we expect yr urgent reply still during this week, because the next week the customer will be closed for christmas holidays.
We thanks in advance for yr urgent reply.
Bst rgds,
C
There are 100s of such things happening now every week, every month, every year. This raises a more fundamental question - What is all this for ? How much more is more enough ?
Any1 know some1 who'll pay me 30 grand a month at a 9 to 5 desk job ? I'l attend seemandams, weddings, watch movies every weekend or go to carnatic music concerts wearing studly kurtas.
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Update
The old man's cronie, Zeenat ;- called in the morning, trying to broker peace - trying everything from 'spend a few more days in bangkok' (How lame!) to 'your poor dad is not feeling well' to 'what did u have for dinner'
When I only gave her monosyllabic replies and non-committal grunts - then she put the old man on - who proceeds to ask me this that and if i spoke with any1 last night, order book for January etc. - as if we had this pally stroll through natesan park all of yesterday evening.
ha, What nerve!
When I only gave her monosyllabic replies and non-committal grunts - then she put the old man on - who proceeds to ask me this that and if i spoke with any1 last night, order book for January etc. - as if we had this pally stroll through natesan park all of yesterday evening.
ha, What nerve!
Monday, 15 December 2008
More...on the last one
I have quite a bit of work to get through after this - cleaning up, packing up and stuff - i but i think a few minutes on this will be worth the effort.
[ Sidetrack# I am reading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen confidential: Adventures in the culinary underbelly - an absolutely gorgeous read if ever there was one. Its a kind of autobiography, cook book and a sort of mini book on management.]
Back to the main theme - i think - with reference to the old post below - my old man has been essentially trying to tell / teach me what Anthony Bourdain is trying to say in one of his chapters - relevant text typed out here to make more sense:
" I can break down line cooks in to three subgroups:
You've got your artists: The annoying, high-maintenance minority. This groups includes specialists, butchers, garde-manger psychos, the occasional saucier whose sauces are so ethereal and perfect that delusions of grandeur are tolerated.
Then there are exiles : People who cant make a living in any other business, could never survive 9 to 5 jobs, wear a tie or blend in with the civilized society - and their comrades
Finally, there are the mercenaries: People do it for cash, do it professionally and do it well. Cooks who, though they have little love or natural proclivity for cuisine, do it at a high level because they are paid well to do it - and because they are professionals.
Cooking is a craft i like to think, and a good cook is a craftsman - NOT - an artist.
Theres nothing wrong with that : the great cathedrals of Europe were built by craftsmen - though not designed by them. Practicing your craft in expert fashion is noble, honorable and satisfying. "
It what my dad keeps saying - mildly most of the time - severely at times like today (with a nice dose of sarcasm) - truely sucessful business people have always been people who are people with lesser knowledge of the wider world, people who dream less, people who sit on their arses all day at routine day jobs and practice their craft with consistency and discipline.
Nowadays thats what he says all the time - sit down, work at more fundamental aspects of the business like systems, infrastructure - etc. - the trouble started when i send him a big email giving list of plant requirements / deficiency analysis of our plants vis-a-vis - ANVISA/COFEPRIS requirements (they are the FDA equivalents of Brasil and Mexico) and giving him information that i received from the consultant - he wants me to bring my ass down there and do it myself. He said something like: "Easy to write up an email in one night. It takes more than knowing to get what u ask done. We'll see, wont we ? "
I guess i should save the dreamer's hat for special occasions and try and learn to be a craftsman.
But seriously, i have some advice for any dreamy, hyperactive, distraction prone young person who wants join the family business - especially if the business is not like pyramidal, fully manager run companies like Godrej or Tata or something - you ought to be prepared for a really rough ride.
Be strong. Be patient and be prepared to HATE your normally docile, friendly old man - whos suddenly turned into Colonel Jessep :)
[ Sidetrack# I am reading Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen confidential: Adventures in the culinary underbelly - an absolutely gorgeous read if ever there was one. Its a kind of autobiography, cook book and a sort of mini book on management.]
Back to the main theme - i think - with reference to the old post below - my old man has been essentially trying to tell / teach me what Anthony Bourdain is trying to say in one of his chapters - relevant text typed out here to make more sense:
" I can break down line cooks in to three subgroups:
You've got your artists: The annoying, high-maintenance minority. This groups includes specialists, butchers, garde-manger psychos, the occasional saucier whose sauces are so ethereal and perfect that delusions of grandeur are tolerated.
Then there are exiles : People who cant make a living in any other business, could never survive 9 to 5 jobs, wear a tie or blend in with the civilized society - and their comrades
Finally, there are the mercenaries: People do it for cash, do it professionally and do it well. Cooks who, though they have little love or natural proclivity for cuisine, do it at a high level because they are paid well to do it - and because they are professionals.
Cooking is a craft i like to think, and a good cook is a craftsman - NOT - an artist.
Theres nothing wrong with that : the great cathedrals of Europe were built by craftsmen - though not designed by them. Practicing your craft in expert fashion is noble, honorable and satisfying. "
It what my dad keeps saying - mildly most of the time - severely at times like today (with a nice dose of sarcasm) - truely sucessful business people have always been people who are people with lesser knowledge of the wider world, people who dream less, people who sit on their arses all day at routine day jobs and practice their craft with consistency and discipline.
Nowadays thats what he says all the time - sit down, work at more fundamental aspects of the business like systems, infrastructure - etc. - the trouble started when i send him a big email giving list of plant requirements / deficiency analysis of our plants vis-a-vis - ANVISA/COFEPRIS requirements (they are the FDA equivalents of Brasil and Mexico) and giving him information that i received from the consultant - he wants me to bring my ass down there and do it myself. He said something like: "Easy to write up an email in one night. It takes more than knowing to get what u ask done. We'll see, wont we ? "
I guess i should save the dreamer's hat for special occasions and try and learn to be a craftsman.
But seriously, i have some advice for any dreamy, hyperactive, distraction prone young person who wants join the family business - especially if the business is not like pyramidal, fully manager run companies like Godrej or Tata or something - you ought to be prepared for a really rough ride.
Be strong. Be patient and be prepared to HATE your normally docile, friendly old man - whos suddenly turned into Colonel Jessep :)
Pretty depressed
Earlier today, I got this absolutely viscious, caustic tongue-lashing - gaali and all - on phone - from the old man - and officially now i am making it my life's mission to cover his face in egg, soot and whatever.
The thing is - for more years that ive been alive - hes been used to doing things his way and mostly hes turned out right - Now he loves to sadistically rub in any old slip up / mistakes when hes in full swing with this rant - he calls my computer names, he calls me names, calls my customers names... asks me what i do all day and all night long in office.. etc.
I think he gets majorly uncomfortable if i stay out of madurai for extended periods of time or something. Maybe hes just plain old and has a blood pressure problem to add to his existing attitude problem!
My existing complex gets compounded when such things happen. I am not sure he realizes how emotionally fragile his offspring can be. Hes sure to call me at night and il fucken not answer the phone. Serves him right -the stubborn old cynic!
Then il be abroad rest of the week and send him emails addressing him as "Mr. Narayanan" and he can curse and rant all he likes.
I wonder if every1 has so much trouble with parents!
The thing is - for more years that ive been alive - hes been used to doing things his way and mostly hes turned out right - Now he loves to sadistically rub in any old slip up / mistakes when hes in full swing with this rant - he calls my computer names, he calls me names, calls my customers names... asks me what i do all day and all night long in office.. etc.
I think he gets majorly uncomfortable if i stay out of madurai for extended periods of time or something. Maybe hes just plain old and has a blood pressure problem to add to his existing attitude problem!
My existing complex gets compounded when such things happen. I am not sure he realizes how emotionally fragile his offspring can be. Hes sure to call me at night and il fucken not answer the phone. Serves him right -the stubborn old cynic!
Then il be abroad rest of the week and send him emails addressing him as "Mr. Narayanan" and he can curse and rant all he likes.
I wonder if every1 has so much trouble with parents!
Tuesday, 9 December 2008
Political Jokers !? ROTFL
Read this - Apparently a Sri Lankan Army chief called all TN politicians 'Political Jokers' in the pay of the LTTE. LOL
And all of the gang are now up in arms claiming that some 'outsider' has no right to comment etc. -
Some of the regulars ('the alleged Jokers ;-' ) from TN who comment on Sri Lankan affairs / Make Pro LTTE remarks etc. are 'outsiders' in the Sri Lankan context - No ? They ought to keep their noses out of this - we're much too close - there really cant be any spillover of any incidents into India - bad for everyone.
Staying on with the 'political jokers' theme - when in the last week or so when all the DMK honchos announced their patch up with the Sun TV gang citing 'Mana Maatram' as reason - amma, with an amused expression - on JayaTV said - 'Manamaatramaa, illai panamaatrama ? :)'
I dunno who'll answer for the few blokes who got lynched at the Dinakaran office - their fault being the fact that they got in between internal crossfire. I am pretty sure too that no one ever got convicted for that incident.
Some world we seem to be living in!
And all of the gang are now up in arms claiming that some 'outsider' has no right to comment etc. -
Some of the regulars ('the alleged Jokers ;-' ) from TN who comment on Sri Lankan affairs / Make Pro LTTE remarks etc. are 'outsiders' in the Sri Lankan context - No ? They ought to keep their noses out of this - we're much too close - there really cant be any spillover of any incidents into India - bad for everyone.
Staying on with the 'political jokers' theme - when in the last week or so when all the DMK honchos announced their patch up with the Sun TV gang citing 'Mana Maatram' as reason - amma, with an amused expression - on JayaTV said - 'Manamaatramaa, illai panamaatrama ? :)'
I dunno who'll answer for the few blokes who got lynched at the Dinakaran office - their fault being the fact that they got in between internal crossfire. I am pretty sure too that no one ever got convicted for that incident.
Some world we seem to be living in!
Sunday, 7 December 2008
Disturbing stuff
Read this and cringe
The lone terrorist arrested apparently told police that they use Google Earth to study geo layouts and its apparently explicit that they were trained in pakistan.
Im imagining a scenario where some1 carries out an attack of similar scale in America or for that matter in China or in Europe and then it gets revealed that the blokes involved are trained in Pakistan - They would go into a state of war with pakistan - wont they ? - I havent a SHRED of doubt - they would go to war - the next moment.
Why do i get this sinking feeling that we'll (or a coalition of nations) be at war with Pakistan in the near future - its probably the most popular thing for some government in India to do anyway - Heres something here - about all the Government bashing thats going on in Bombay and all around the country -
If there are a couple more sparks and if all diplomacy fails - thats pretty much the ONLY way Congress can hope to get reelected.
Theres this article about 'South Asia's Deadly Domino effect - Here - it concludes like this:
'' The Mumbai terrorists “wanted to create a problem for the whole region, because they knew this could radicalize the population more.” But, he said, none of that has to happen — if the Indian government resists the domestic pressure to hit back at Pakistan. It would be too much, to start a war just to keep a government in place.''
If ONLY things quieten down from here- just a FEW more sparks - diplomatic or otherwise - and India' government WONT sit by and be accused of not acting - and there will be this godawful border tension - there will be troops taken out of western pakistan and brought to the Indian fronts -
Our generation (born after 1980) havent really seen big Indo-Paki wars and stuff - But basic ramifications from such incidents will leave - fundamental ones / religious tolerance related ones
I remember a telecon with a friend couple of days back - he was saying crap like 'Basic islamic stuff is all wrong / radical teaching is corrupting muslim minds / religious tolerance is going too far now in India etc.' - i am often accused of pussyfooting around the issue - adopting a fake 'ever tolerant, pseud - pragmatic, non-confrontational stance' - but seriously i cant muslim-bash at all - its plain stupid - heck, there are more muslims in India than in pakistan for pete's sake
With stuff like Citibank, GM, Most US job losses in a century - things can only go from bad to worse if theres war.
*Sigh* all so worrying.
Right!
im attempting a french beard and im now going back to - 'Hierarchy of beards': Evolutionary history of facial fur' on Boing Boing (a subscription of which comes HIGHLY recommended) and this close up of the beard catalogue - to try and visualize myself in one of those dos when im like 60 or something.
Busy DND ;-
The lone terrorist arrested apparently told police that they use Google Earth to study geo layouts and its apparently explicit that they were trained in pakistan.
Im imagining a scenario where some1 carries out an attack of similar scale in America or for that matter in China or in Europe and then it gets revealed that the blokes involved are trained in Pakistan - They would go into a state of war with pakistan - wont they ? - I havent a SHRED of doubt - they would go to war - the next moment.
Why do i get this sinking feeling that we'll (or a coalition of nations) be at war with Pakistan in the near future - its probably the most popular thing for some government in India to do anyway - Heres something here - about all the Government bashing thats going on in Bombay and all around the country -
If there are a couple more sparks and if all diplomacy fails - thats pretty much the ONLY way Congress can hope to get reelected.
Theres this article about 'South Asia's Deadly Domino effect - Here - it concludes like this:
'' The Mumbai terrorists “wanted to create a problem for the whole region, because they knew this could radicalize the population more.” But, he said, none of that has to happen — if the Indian government resists the domestic pressure to hit back at Pakistan. It would be too much, to start a war just to keep a government in place.''
If ONLY things quieten down from here- just a FEW more sparks - diplomatic or otherwise - and India' government WONT sit by and be accused of not acting - and there will be this godawful border tension - there will be troops taken out of western pakistan and brought to the Indian fronts -
Our generation (born after 1980) havent really seen big Indo-Paki wars and stuff - But basic ramifications from such incidents will leave - fundamental ones / religious tolerance related ones
I remember a telecon with a friend couple of days back - he was saying crap like 'Basic islamic stuff is all wrong / radical teaching is corrupting muslim minds / religious tolerance is going too far now in India etc.' - i am often accused of pussyfooting around the issue - adopting a fake 'ever tolerant, pseud - pragmatic, non-confrontational stance' - but seriously i cant muslim-bash at all - its plain stupid - heck, there are more muslims in India than in pakistan for pete's sake
With stuff like Citibank, GM, Most US job losses in a century - things can only go from bad to worse if theres war.
*Sigh* all so worrying.
Right!
im attempting a french beard and im now going back to - 'Hierarchy of beards': Evolutionary history of facial fur' on Boing Boing (a subscription of which comes HIGHLY recommended) and this close up of the beard catalogue - to try and visualize myself in one of those dos when im like 60 or something.
Busy DND ;-
Friday, 5 December 2008
Thursday, 4 December 2008
Pics from yesterday's gateway rally
Here. are pictures from yesterday's rally where lots of mumbaikars showed up - holding a lot of anti government stuff.
Sometimes i always wonder if Government bashing in India is almost all too easy - calling cops chors, traffic cops as corrupt, tax officials, ministers etc. - but somehow with the number of people and the amount of strain they put on the governmental resources - the fact that its functioning without a state of anarchy is itself a big deal -
and after all, elected officials are just like glorified common people - mostly powerless to change how the governmental's systems function. They just get into their portfolios after election, fit right into the existing system - the corruption and all.
All violence happens when some1 feels insecure/threatened - the easiest way to promote tolerance / reduce extremism is to spread economic prosperty, gradually professionalize the governmental machinery.
Staying on in the same theme - Thomas Friedman says - In the context of Pakistan's reaction to the whole thing -
Quote:
On Feb. 6, 2006, three Pakistanis died in Peshawar and Lahore during violent street protests against Danish cartoons that had satirized the Prophet Muhammad. More such mass protests followed weeks later. When Pakistanis and other Muslims are willing to take to the streets, even suffer death, to protest an insulting cartoon published in Denmark, is it fair to ask: Who in the Muslim world, who in Pakistan, is ready to take to the streets to protest the mass murders of real people, not cartoon characters, right next door in Mumbai?
......
We know from the Danish cartoons affair that Pakistanis and other Muslims know how to mobilize quickly to express their heartfelt feelings, not just as individuals, but as a powerful collective. That is what is needed here.
Sometimes i always wonder if Government bashing in India is almost all too easy - calling cops chors, traffic cops as corrupt, tax officials, ministers etc. - but somehow with the number of people and the amount of strain they put on the governmental resources - the fact that its functioning without a state of anarchy is itself a big deal -
and after all, elected officials are just like glorified common people - mostly powerless to change how the governmental's systems function. They just get into their portfolios after election, fit right into the existing system - the corruption and all.
All violence happens when some1 feels insecure/threatened - the easiest way to promote tolerance / reduce extremism is to spread economic prosperty, gradually professionalize the governmental machinery.
Staying on in the same theme - Thomas Friedman says - In the context of Pakistan's reaction to the whole thing -
Quote:
On Feb. 6, 2006, three Pakistanis died in Peshawar and Lahore during violent street protests against Danish cartoons that had satirized the Prophet Muhammad. More such mass protests followed weeks later. When Pakistanis and other Muslims are willing to take to the streets, even suffer death, to protest an insulting cartoon published in Denmark, is it fair to ask: Who in the Muslim world, who in Pakistan, is ready to take to the streets to protest the mass murders of real people, not cartoon characters, right next door in Mumbai?
......
We know from the Danish cartoons affair that Pakistanis and other Muslims know how to mobilize quickly to express their heartfelt feelings, not just as individuals, but as a powerful collective. That is what is needed here.
Unquote
One cannot decribe this concept any better. The full articles is of course on his blog here
I do regular business with Pakistanis - they speak hindi - and most of them are no different from the typical North Indian person - maybe the hindi is too correct - but im sure they too, as they often tell me when we meet in European fairs - hope that all the internal violence and animosity between India / Pakistan can end and they can do productive work - they agree that their political system is corrupt - and there are constant security hassles in Pakistan.
I guess for pakistan its a bit of an internal grappling to get through - getting rid of the corruption / weak government (in a way, Musharraf was kind of sucessful) - and when that gets strong - they have the muscle to give the radical/madrassa types a firm shove or two -
Wednesday, 3 December 2008
Um, a really rad letter
QUOTE
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Amit Gangapurkar <amitgangapurkar@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Dec 3, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Subject: Fw: Editor - Times of india
To:
LETTER TO PRIMEMINISTER
Dear Mr. Prime minister,
I am a typical mouse from Mumbai. In the local train compartment which has capacity of 100 persons, I travel with 500 more mouse. Mouse at least squeak but we don't even do that.Today I heard your speech. In which you said 'NO BODY WOULD BE SPARED'. I would like to remind you that fourteen years has passed since serial bomb blast in Mumbai took place. Dawood was the main conspirator. Till today he is not caught. All our bolywood actors, our builders, our Gutka king meets him but your Government can not catch him. Reason is simple; all your ministers are hand in glove with him. If any attempt is made to catch him everybody will be exposed.
Your statement 'NOBODY WOULD BE SPARED' is nothing but a cruel joke on this unfortunate people of India.Enough is enough. As such after seeing terrorist attack carried out by about a dozen young boys I realize that if same thing continues days are not away when terrorist will attack by air, destroy our nuclear reactor and there will be one more Hiroshima. We the people are left with only one mantra. Womb to Bomb to Tomb.
You promised Mumbaikar Shanghai what you have given us is Jalianwala Baug.Today only your home minister resigned. What took you so long to kick out this joker? Only reason was that he was loyal to Gandhi family. Loyalty to Gandhi family is more important than blood of innocent people, isn't it?I am born and bought up in Mumbai for last fifty eight years. Believe me corruption in Maharashtra is worse than that in Bihar. Look at all the politician, Sharad Pawar, Chagan Bhujbal, Narayan Rane, Bal Thackray , Gopinath Munde, Raj Thackray, Vilasrao Deshmukh all are rolling in money.
Vilasrao Deshmukh is one of the worst Chief minister I have seen. His only business is to increase the FSI every other day, make money and send it to Delhi so Congress can fight next election. Now the clown has found new way and will increase FSI for fisherman so they can build concrete house right on sea shore. Next time terrorist can comfortably live in those house , enjoy the beauty of sea and then attack the Mumbai at their will.Recently I had to purchase house in Mumbai. I met about two dozen builders. Everybody wanted about 30% in black. A common person like me knows this and with all your intelligent agency & CBI you and your finance minister are not aware of it. Where all the black money goes? To the underworld isn't it? Our politicians take help of these goondas to vacate people by force. I myself was victim of it. If you have time please come to me, I will tell you everything.If this has been land of fools, idiots then I would not have ever cared to write you this letter. Just see the tragedy, on one side we are reaching moon, people are so intelligent and on other side you politician has converted nectar into deadly poison.
I am everything Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Schedule caste, OBC, Muslim OBC, Christian Schedule caste, Creamy Schedule caste only what I am not is INDIAN. You politician have raped every part of mother India by your policy of divide and rule.Take example of former president Abdul Kalam. Such a intelligent person, such a fine human being. You politician didn't even spare him. Your party along with opposition joined the hands, because politician feels they are supreme and there is no place for good person.
Dear Mr Prime minister you are one of the most intelligent person, most learned person. Just wake up, be a real SARDAR. First and foremost expose all selfish politician. Ask Swiss bank to give name of all Indian account holder. Give reins of CBI to independent agency. Let them find wolf among us. There will be political upheaval but that will better than dance of death which we are witnessing every day. Just give us ambient where we can work honestly and without fear. Let there be rule of law. Everything else will be taken care of.Choice is yours Mr. Prime Minister. Do you want to be lead by one person or you want to lead the nation of 100 Crore people?
PLEASE READ N FORWARD AS MANY PEOPLE IN YOUR CONTACT
UNQUOTE
Holy moly! The guy sure sounds peeved!
I have to admit though - most part of this rant kind of makes sense - no ?
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Amit Gangapurkar <amitgangapurkar@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Dec 3, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Subject: Fw: Editor - Times of india
To:
LETTER TO PRIMEMINISTER
Dear Mr. Prime minister,
I am a typical mouse from Mumbai. In the local train compartment which has capacity of 100 persons, I travel with 500 more mouse. Mouse at least squeak but we don't even do that.Today I heard your speech. In which you said 'NO BODY WOULD BE SPARED'. I would like to remind you that fourteen years has passed since serial bomb blast in Mumbai took place. Dawood was the main conspirator. Till today he is not caught. All our bolywood actors, our builders, our Gutka king meets him but your Government can not catch him. Reason is simple; all your ministers are hand in glove with him. If any attempt is made to catch him everybody will be exposed.
Your statement 'NOBODY WOULD BE SPARED' is nothing but a cruel joke on this unfortunate people of India.Enough is enough. As such after seeing terrorist attack carried out by about a dozen young boys I realize that if same thing continues days are not away when terrorist will attack by air, destroy our nuclear reactor and there will be one more Hiroshima. We the people are left with only one mantra. Womb to Bomb to Tomb.
You promised Mumbaikar Shanghai what you have given us is Jalianwala Baug.Today only your home minister resigned. What took you so long to kick out this joker? Only reason was that he was loyal to Gandhi family. Loyalty to Gandhi family is more important than blood of innocent people, isn't it?I am born and bought up in Mumbai for last fifty eight years. Believe me corruption in Maharashtra is worse than that in Bihar. Look at all the politician, Sharad Pawar, Chagan Bhujbal, Narayan Rane, Bal Thackray , Gopinath Munde, Raj Thackray, Vilasrao Deshmukh all are rolling in money.
Vilasrao Deshmukh is one of the worst Chief minister I have seen. His only business is to increase the FSI every other day, make money and send it to Delhi so Congress can fight next election. Now the clown has found new way and will increase FSI for fisherman so they can build concrete house right on sea shore. Next time terrorist can comfortably live in those house , enjoy the beauty of sea and then attack the Mumbai at their will.Recently I had to purchase house in Mumbai. I met about two dozen builders. Everybody wanted about 30% in black. A common person like me knows this and with all your intelligent agency & CBI you and your finance minister are not aware of it. Where all the black money goes? To the underworld isn't it? Our politicians take help of these goondas to vacate people by force. I myself was victim of it. If you have time please come to me, I will tell you everything.If this has been land of fools, idiots then I would not have ever cared to write you this letter. Just see the tragedy, on one side we are reaching moon, people are so intelligent and on other side you politician has converted nectar into deadly poison.
I am everything Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Schedule caste, OBC, Muslim OBC, Christian Schedule caste, Creamy Schedule caste only what I am not is INDIAN. You politician have raped every part of mother India by your policy of divide and rule.Take example of former president Abdul Kalam. Such a intelligent person, such a fine human being. You politician didn't even spare him. Your party along with opposition joined the hands, because politician feels they are supreme and there is no place for good person.
Dear Mr Prime minister you are one of the most intelligent person, most learned person. Just wake up, be a real SARDAR. First and foremost expose all selfish politician. Ask Swiss bank to give name of all Indian account holder. Give reins of CBI to independent agency. Let them find wolf among us. There will be political upheaval but that will better than dance of death which we are witnessing every day. Just give us ambient where we can work honestly and without fear. Let there be rule of law. Everything else will be taken care of.Choice is yours Mr. Prime Minister. Do you want to be lead by one person or you want to lead the nation of 100 Crore people?
PLEASE READ N FORWARD AS MANY PEOPLE IN YOUR CONTACT
UNQUOTE
Holy moly! The guy sure sounds peeved!
I have to admit though - most part of this rant kind of makes sense - no ?
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
2008 - Lesson of the year
Little knowledge is a dangerous thing - is wrong.
The more one knows, the more one yearns for, the more one is like 'oh my god, oh my god, this, that, whos doing this, whos doing that, this book, that place-' and more one tends to get pressurized and eventually one turns bitter, psyched and starts drifting.
These days it should beLittle Excessive knowledge is a dangerous thing - and while i hate to admit it - the old man is right again.
-The point can be illustrated thusly - i would probably feel like the king of the world if i had no knowledge of this, this, this, this (and this) and all the various tidbits of info that endlessly rain down my laptop daily - constantly asking myself why i havent done this, been there, have this etc.
During his own quarter life crisis - My dad only read the day's newspaper at night after getting back from work, there was no TV until the 80s - and he confesses that the only exotic actresses he could ogle at were from Hindi cinemas - but his trips to theatres were so few and far between that he could never (till date) tell the difference between Zeenat Aman and Dimple kapadia - he thought they all probably looked a bit like my mother [ :) ] - when they had first met - when she was all of 20 years of age and he, a few years older.
Until the time like when i was born - he had been to madras a handful of times, to bombay even fewer times and isnt really sure if he ever had been to other places and he was like 6 years older than i am today - he says, 'tut - tut'ting all the time - that now, while i am all of 24 years of age, my first passport is out of pages, a few of the second one's are gone , that i whine like an old woman and that i have a 'haunted' look on my face - all because i worry / think / meddle in too many things.
Hes bloody right, i say.
I tried calling him an hour ago - my mom (aka zeenat) says he's asleep - while i fight off any sleep - worry about what to biography to start reading - Andy Grove's or Warren Buffett's, refresh inbox a few times per second, chatting with half-crazy latin americans on MSN and 'constantly spoil my eyes' as he wud say.
*Sigh*
The more one knows, the more one yearns for, the more one is like 'oh my god, oh my god, this, that, whos doing this, whos doing that, this book, that place-' and more one tends to get pressurized and eventually one turns bitter, psyched and starts drifting.
These days it should be
-The point can be illustrated thusly - i would probably feel like the king of the world if i had no knowledge of this, this, this, this (and this) and all the various tidbits of info that endlessly rain down my laptop daily - constantly asking myself why i havent done this, been there, have this etc.
During his own quarter life crisis - My dad only read the day's newspaper at night after getting back from work, there was no TV until the 80s - and he confesses that the only exotic actresses he could ogle at were from Hindi cinemas - but his trips to theatres were so few and far between that he could never (till date) tell the difference between Zeenat Aman and Dimple kapadia - he thought they all probably looked a bit like my mother [ :) ] - when they had first met - when she was all of 20 years of age and he, a few years older.
Until the time like when i was born - he had been to madras a handful of times, to bombay even fewer times and isnt really sure if he ever had been to other places and he was like 6 years older than i am today - he says, 'tut - tut'ting all the time - that now, while i am all of 24 years of age, my first passport is out of pages, a few of the second one's are gone , that i whine like an old woman and that i have a 'haunted' look on my face - all because i worry / think / meddle in too many things.
Hes bloody right, i say.
I tried calling him an hour ago - my mom (aka zeenat) says he's asleep - while i fight off any sleep - worry about what to biography to start reading - Andy Grove's or Warren Buffett's, refresh inbox a few times per second, chatting with half-crazy latin americans on MSN and 'constantly spoil my eyes' as he wud say.
*Sigh*
Monday, 1 December 2008
Thanni party tonight
After swatting flies all through the weekend - i receive an email from EDQM today saying that our Metformin's DMF is now approved for registration and sale in the EU.
Here, ha!
It took me a lot of effort this one - over 2 years - and when it wasnt coming as planned on 10 Nov - i was getting jittery - a lot of professional pride, money and effort riding on it.
But now - its 'Thanni party' tonight (I told my mother about the thanni party and she laughs saying theres enough thanni in Madras already. She says that im not capable of having anything to do with getting drunk. Ha! what does she know ?)
Here, ha!
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