So, what happens when a Superman meets his Lex Luthor? A Wolverine his Sabretooth? A Batman his Joker?
A Sherlock Holmes, his Professor Moriarty?
Sherlock Holmes 2: The Brilliant Game of Shadows!
Labels:
entertainment,
movies
| 1 Comments
So, what happens when a Superman meets his Lex Luthor? A Wolverine his Sabretooth? A Batman his Joker?
A Sherlock Holmes, his Professor Moriarty?
Ooty–The Queen of Hillstations
Labels:
travel
| 2
Comments
Its holiday season!!! Bells jingling everywhere to signal joy and happiness, so isn’t it the perfect time to find a scenic beauty-spot to escape from the mundane activities of life and catch a glimpse of paradise? Now, at such a time, imagine your door bell rings and you open it to find your secret Santa gifting your family a trip to Ooty! As for me, when I saw the tickets, my jaws just dropped..
Its heaven on earth – simply magnificent. Ooty, or Udagamandalam, is around a 100 km from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Situated amidst the Nilgiri range, you are at a height of 2300 m. For those of you who want to make their visit to South India worthwhile, especially for the excited honeymooners out there, this is the best bet.
I am sure you aren’t worried about accommodation! Villas and cosy hotels are aplenty, horse rides and boat rides tempting and the scenery breathtakingly beautiful. Take a break from your hectic office schedule to be in the womb of nature, with dense greenery all around to please your senses. Experience what you will cherish for the rest of your lives!
Having applied for leave and told the maid to enjoy her mornings too, we set out. The roads to this hillstation are well-kept, and the ride is very welcoming – through the Mudumulai forest and wildlife sanctuary. Here’s a peek at who escorted us. :)
Its heaven on earth – simply magnificent. Ooty, or Udagamandalam, is around a 100 km from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Situated amidst the Nilgiri range, you are at a height of 2300 m. For those of you who want to make their visit to South India worthwhile, especially for the excited honeymooners out there, this is the best bet.
I am sure you aren’t worried about accommodation! Villas and cosy hotels are aplenty, horse rides and boat rides tempting and the scenery breathtakingly beautiful. Take a break from your hectic office schedule to be in the womb of nature, with dense greenery all around to please your senses. Experience what you will cherish for the rest of your lives!
Having applied for leave and told the maid to enjoy her mornings too, we set out. The roads to this hillstation are well-kept, and the ride is very welcoming – through the Mudumulai forest and wildlife sanctuary. Here’s a peek at who escorted us. :)
Upon reaching Ooty, the pleasant weather of the valley and the unpolluted, free air took us quite by surprise. As its a tourist hot-spot, Hindi functions well, though a decent knowledge of Tamil will earn you an extra bonus from the rickshaw drivers.
Actual “tourist season” includes the summer months and October to a certain extent. That is when hotel tariffs are at their highest along with the population density. However, if you are looking for some space for relaxing and tranquillity, the other months are better – just pack enough sweaters and mufflers to befriend the cold temperatures and foggy days.
http://www.skhglobal.com/Admin/imgupload/ooty-hill-station.jpg
Lodge yourself comfortably in a nice hotel by the Lakeside, dump your bag and set out to discover. For those young at heart, there’s a hiking cum biking trail that’s been opened recently. And for others, the lake itself is wholesome entertainment. Boating is irresistible, rowing your way to Neverland! I’m a little hesitant to admit, but the deep waters intimidated me. Nevertheless, they had enough options for people like me too, as I gleefully noted! For shopping lovers, there are several shops dotting the streets – for herbal products, organic gardens and winter wear to keep you warm and cosy. As for children, they forget about time as they enjoy all-time favourite games like Dashing Cars nearby!
Lodge yourself comfortably in a nice hotel by the Lakeside, dump your bag and set out to discover. For those young at heart, there’s a hiking cum biking trail that’s been opened recently. And for others, the lake itself is wholesome entertainment. Boating is irresistible, rowing your way to Neverland! I’m a little hesitant to admit, but the deep waters intimidated me. Nevertheless, they had enough options for people like me too, as I gleefully noted! For shopping lovers, there are several shops dotting the streets – for herbal products, organic gardens and winter wear to keep you warm and cosy. As for children, they forget about time as they enjoy all-time favourite games like Dashing Cars nearby!
How can a visit to Ooty be complete without visiting a Tea Garden! Yes, you got me right. The aromatic leaves that give you flavoured tea – Honey, Chocolate, Ginger etc – originate from these hundreds of acres of tea farms. There are organised tours to conduct you all throughout the processes that go into converting a leaf to the delicious tea in your cup at home. Ready yourself to go back in time to see how tea was introduced to India, what role the Britishers and Chinese played, how to select the best of leaves and the high temperatures at which the leaves are dried!
Having finished these, we went on the famous Blue Train to Coonoor. These sister towns are very similar yet unique in themselves. The train ride is worth every second..making your way through woods and dense lands while getting sudden glimpses of terraced fields.
In Coonoor, there are several high points and cliffs like the Dolphin Nose; the Flower garden and Botanical Garden are definitely worth a watch too. You can hire an auto to show you around the whole day, but be sure to bargain for a good deal.
In Coonoor, there are several high points and cliffs like the Dolphin Nose; the Flower garden and Botanical Garden are definitely worth a watch too. You can hire an auto to show you around the whole day, but be sure to bargain for a good deal.
Catch a train back to Ooty before nightfall or stay overnight and come back the following morning. Three days flew by and one doesn’t even notice!
Before you know it, you are on your way back home - to the routine of office, college, work and cities.
But well, fret not! On a lazy sunday morning the following week, flip through your photo album to recollect these golden memories. For, it’s a trip you’ll love..just like CCD’s Ms. Macchiato in the cool evening to warm you up.
Apple iPad for Lok Sabha MPs: A Historic Decision!
Labels:
india
| 10
Comments
I woke up with this news headline featuring on my Facebook page: “Apple a day: Lok Sabha MPs to get iPads” and started calculating in awe:
No. of members in Lok Sabha now = 544
Amount Sanctioned for each MP = 50,000 INR
Total amount to be spent = 544 X 50, 000 = 2,72,00,000 INR. Only.
The Dirty Picture–A tribute to Vidya Balan’s range as an actress
Labels:
entertainment
| 0
Comments
Silk Smitha and Vidya Balan.
The comparison is unavoidable. And, wanted. What with releasing Ekta and Shobha Kapoor’s The Dirty Picture on December 2nd, 2011 – Silk Smitha’s birth anniversary!
The posters are bold and unabashed. Vidya Balan is hot and wooing audiences even before the film releases. The music is “killer” in the true sense of the term with Vishal-Shekhar composing 5 tracks and Rajat Aroraa penning the lyrics.
The comparison is unavoidable. And, wanted. What with releasing Ekta and Shobha Kapoor’s The Dirty Picture on December 2nd, 2011 – Silk Smitha’s birth anniversary!
The posters are bold and unabashed. Vidya Balan is hot and wooing audiences even before the film releases. The music is “killer” in the true sense of the term with Vishal-Shekhar composing 5 tracks and Rajat Aroraa penning the lyrics.
To all the hesitant crowd out there, this movie is dirty only to the extent of its title. Even as I’m writing this post, Tusshar Kapoor clarifies for me and all the listeners on Radio One that “ there is nothing that you haven’t seen onscreen before”. So, Bollywood fans out there, grab the tickets and go for what might turn out to be a turning point for Indian Cinema!
“Silk” is Vidya’s character name in the movie and is based on the South Indian siren Silk Smitha. Google for her and you’ll see a very ‘beautiful’ woman, a famous heroine in the ‘80s. But the movie isn’t only about this. Milan Luthria painfully tries to clarify [if possible, try to ignore the fact that the cast and everybody is trying to clarify a LOT about the movie, lest negative publicity ruin it] that they have made the movie very aesthetically appealing and NOT crude or crass.
This, I don’t think I have to press further. We already know our Vidya is most comfortable in sarees and salwars. So what made her take the hot pants, low necks and petticoats?! Not to mention the extra 12 kgs!
There is only one answer - Vidya Balan is a true artiste. And when you have someone like her as the protagonist, you can surely expect a mind-blowing 2 hours in the theatre irrespective of the genre. This pretty Tamilian already has an awe-inspiring share of movies in her kitty. Recently, with Paa, the much acclaimed movie which starred Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan, she showed us a completely new side to her diverse persona. From the proper Bengali girl in Parineeta to the bubbly RJ in Lage Raho Munnabhai, she has won the hearts of millions of us. Cross your heart for you cannot lie, my dear friend.
Most importantly, unlike several others artists, she has braved the media and refuses to be stereotyped. The Dirty Picture is no different. Possibly her bravest performance ever, she has fiery dialogues and a character that requires a lot of courage to pull off. My jittery fingers are crossed, as the movie releases today in cinemas all over India. Cheers to my favourite actress, and hope people love her performance just as much as I did.
Coming to the movie itself, it talks about the life of the heroine who, like Silk Smitha, became the ultimate symbol of sensuality and the ups and downs such a typecasting has in an exploitative industry like Indian cinema. Full of raunchy dance numbers, red-lipstick and bold dresses, Vidya is definitely at the centre of all this limelight.
Accompanying her, we have one of the finest actors Bollywood has ever seen – Naseeruddin Shah – The Shah of Acting , as Ekta Kapoor herself put it. Tusshar Kapoor is a script-writer who is initially unclear about himself and confused. With Silk, he gains confidence and sees success. Our talented serial kisser Emraan Hashmi has a character with an interesting graph. A director who makes artsy movies, the film starts off with him disliking Silk, who is synonymous with entertainment. However, expect the twist when love makes it impossible for him to hate her anymore.
Smitha was found dead in her apartment in Chennai. What is the fate of Vidya's character Silk, in the movie? Is this a movie you want to take your kid to? I am not so sure. But is this a movie you should watch? I say, Why not! It promises to be different and the casting is unique with Balan and Hashmi paired opposite each other – now, who could have thought of that if not the Balaji house! Have a fun-filled Friday evening with Balan dancing to Ooh La La and Naseer with black hair and a moustache.
However, if the movie disappoints [ which I pray it doesn’t, after so much attention pre-release! ] don’t forget to tell me. Let us warn the ignorant before it’s too late, what say!
Smitha was found dead in her apartment in Chennai. What is the fate of Vidya's character Silk, in the movie? Is this a movie you want to take your kid to? I am not so sure. But is this a movie you should watch? I say, Why not! It promises to be different and the casting is unique with Balan and Hashmi paired opposite each other – now, who could have thought of that if not the Balaji house! Have a fun-filled Friday evening with Balan dancing to Ooh La La and Naseer with black hair and a moustache.
However, if the movie disappoints [ which I pray it doesn’t, after so much attention pre-release! ] don’t forget to tell me. Let us warn the ignorant before it’s too late, what say!
“What’s up?” Why would you ask that?
Labels:
arbit
| 4
Comments
What a level of ubiquity the phrase has achieved. Every other person we talk to, the first words that exit our mouth and enter his/her ears are, "What’ sup?" or "Sup?" or any other random variation of the same. The slang has infected the virtual communications more than the verbal ones. Think of a time when you typed something other than the above mentioned clichés to initiate an online chat? Still thinking? News for you- You have been infected by the Sup-Epidemic.
त्रि-आयामी परछाई
Labels:
arbit,
hindi,
poetry
| 4
Comments
Post summer placements, I didn’t have much to do out here… In these idle times, the poet inside knocked on my unbolted door.
And I responded.
At times, we find ourselves all alone, struggling against the whole world. During those times too, there are people who stand by us. Who believe in us. Like our ever faithful shadow.
Ever realized you are never alone?
Metallica, Bangalore – A Bihari's Review
Labels:
entertainment
| 5
Comments
If you have been born and brought up in Bihar, Metal just does not make it to the list of the stuff you get to listen to. Perhaps, in this post I should talk more about what happened there at the Metallica show and I’ll be doing the same in the paragraphs that’ll follow, but lemme just tell you this funny thing that happened after the show. I come out of the concert with Alok (you all know him) and Tapan, a college friend of mine,we walk to the nearest bus stop to rest our asses and my sister calls from Patna. While I was telling her all about the show, I could hear in the background Chhath songs being played. Being immersed in a crowd all painted in black, dudes sporting goaties, ladies showing off their outrageous devilish tattoos, I must say there was this culturally shocked Bihari sitting right there on the bus stand. Okay! Enough! I’ll not make this post go all about the above shit, 'coz there are million other things to talk about from the show. Just know one thing about the NRBs (Non Resident Biharis), they tend to get nostalgic at the worst of the times.
Enough Shit!! I talk Metallica now. And before I start talking, lemme show you the exact place I was headbanging around.
Enough Shit!! I talk Metallica now. And before I start talking, lemme show you the exact place I was headbanging around.
Facebook Timeline
Labels:
tech
| 9
Comments
The cute guy at Facebook headquarters has rolled out developer’s edition of Timeline in the website’s stream already. Some geeky freaky minds are up with testing it.
Call it an attempt to sideline Google+if at all it needs to be sidelined! or simply an upgrade to the next level of social networking phenomenon, Facebook Timeline has got everything to be the glitzy favorite of netizens in the coming days.
Here is a preview of my profile page:
Call it an attempt to sideline Google+
Here is a preview of my profile page:
…to the eternal travels of life.
Labels:
travel,
wanderlust
| 5
Comments
I stumbled upon this audio song of Lucky Ali today afternoon. He uploads all his new albums over internet to be downloaded for free. This song is one gem of a nomad’s thoughts. I searched for the video. Couldn’t find one.
So, I gathered some of the photographs of my travels till now, and joined them in high definition for a photomontage. I hope the result of the experiment does justice to the lyrics.
If you have a reasonably fast internet, watch it in HD (720p or 1080p). The pics come out better.
The return of the white elephant.
Labels:
india,
issues
| 7
Comments
I googled “700 crore”. That’s it. Just to get an estimate of the true value and what positive can be done about it.
Here are some search results:
· Assets worth 700 crore found in Kerala temple
· 700 crore HUDCO loan assistance to Bangalore Metro
· DLF to raise 700 crore via 400 plots sale in Gurgaon.
I don’t know if I’m the only one who thinks it is – in plain and simple words- really stupid to spend such an amount of money on a park.
Here are some search results:
· Assets worth 700 crore found in Kerala temple
· 700 crore HUDCO loan assistance to Bangalore Metro
· DLF to raise 700 crore via 400 plots sale in Gurgaon.
I don’t know if I’m the only one who thinks it is – in plain and simple words- really stupid to spend such an amount of money on a park.
Kolkata–Kalikkhetro
Labels:
india,
lifestyle
| 1 Comments
The beauty of eastern India – its metropolitan hub. And vibrant hues of reds, yellows, blues and greens. Yes, it’s time for Durga Puja in Kolkata. The time when the fairy tales you read from gold embossed books in childhood seem to come alive.
http://durgawalls.com/2009/09/24/durga-puja-2009-jodhpur-park/
http://cshyamal.sulekha.com/blog/post/2008/10/a-photo-feature-on-durgapuja-in-calcutta-2008-part.htm;
It is said that the name comes from Kalikata – meaning Kalikshettro , the abode of Goddess Kali - one of the 3 villages that was present in the area before the arrival of the British. Take a walk here and you are transported back in time. With a history of inhabitation for over two millennia, once the capital of the British Raj and presently the 8th largest urban conglomeration in the world, this city has more layers than meets the eye. One second, the Victoria Memorial catches your breath and the next, before you realise, an antique tram has subtly gone past you!
http://traveltoindias.blogspot.com/2010/06/victoria-memorial-kolkatta.html
As a newcomer to Bengal, if you do not know the sweet tongue of Rabindranath Tagore, fear not, my friends! For the people are so warm and friendly. They will even invite you home to try out some of the famous delicacies. And talking about food, who can not mention Rasogullas – ah, the heavenly taste of sugar syrup and homemade cottage cheese! Note: There are several of Haldiram’s outlets around the city. If you wish for a more authentic flavour, you can try out the local sweet joints snugly squeezed into the corners at crossroads
http://funnfud.blogspot.com/2008/04/rasgulla-traditional-bengali-sweet.html
The transport modes are a highlight to any tourist – such a wide variety is not present in any other city in India. Comfortably seated in the trademark good-old yellow Ambassador taxis, which are the lifeline of Kolkata, you can spot horse-carriages along Maidan Road, trams playing hide-and-seek every once in a while, buses – news ones as well as the older generation with wooden window shutters, cycle rickshaws and hand rickshaws, autos and yes, cars – from BMW models to the cosy Nano.
http://www.rakhdu.com/destinations/asia/india-asia-destinations/west-bengal/kolkata/yellow-taxi-kolkata/
http://www.filmapia.com/published/places/trams
Places to see here? If you are an ardent cricket fan, you will look no farther than Eden Stadium and Sourav Ganguly’s residence.
http://crazyharsha.blogspot.com/2009/01/saurav-ganguly-living-legend-of-indian.html
For those of you who admire engineering marvels, Howrah Bridge is the place to be. It is a cantilever truss bridge that was constructed without using any nuts and bolts way back in 1874. Amazing, isn’t it?
http://vashiculturalassociation.com/template1/places-in-calcutta.asp;
Looking for family entertainment with kids? Relax your worries, Kolkata offers that too – with its beautiful Nicco Park and the Science Centre!
For a walk through history, there is the privately owned Marble Palace with its artistic sculptures and masterpieces, the Indian Museum, the Town Hall and Writer’s Building for a glimpse of British Administrative buildings and the Shaheed Minar to name a few.
Finally, at the end of the day, wish to sweep your special one off her feet? Take her shopping – to the gigantic malls in Salt Lake City and elsewhere or if she loves bargaining and the excitement of roadside shopping, New Market, Esplanade, Gariahat, Chowringhee Road with its terracotta wares [a Kolkata speciality] and Vardaan Market. However, you are sure to discover lots more markets in your travels.
The cultural capital of India, this city welcomes you with an open heart and casts a spell on you with its depth. How many ever times you come here, its never enough. There is always more to be seen, known, observed, experienced.
Keep visiting it. Again and again. Its worth every bit of it.
P.S: Traffic congestion and pollution are one of the major drawbacks of this metropolitan hub. Make sure you go at a favourable time of the year, unless you wish to be drenched in sweat and scorched by the sharp sun. Lastly, beware of taxi drivers who might take you for more of a ride than you’ve bargained for.
http://durgawalls.com/2009/09/24/durga-puja-2009-jodhpur-park/
http://cshyamal.sulekha.com/blog/post/2008/10/a-photo-feature-on-durgapuja-in-calcutta-2008-part.htm;
It is said that the name comes from Kalikata – meaning Kalikshettro , the abode of Goddess Kali - one of the 3 villages that was present in the area before the arrival of the British. Take a walk here and you are transported back in time. With a history of inhabitation for over two millennia, once the capital of the British Raj and presently the 8th largest urban conglomeration in the world, this city has more layers than meets the eye. One second, the Victoria Memorial catches your breath and the next, before you realise, an antique tram has subtly gone past you!
http://traveltoindias.blogspot.com/2010/06/victoria-memorial-kolkatta.html
As a newcomer to Bengal, if you do not know the sweet tongue of Rabindranath Tagore, fear not, my friends! For the people are so warm and friendly. They will even invite you home to try out some of the famous delicacies. And talking about food, who can not mention Rasogullas – ah, the heavenly taste of sugar syrup and homemade cottage cheese! Note: There are several of Haldiram’s outlets around the city. If you wish for a more authentic flavour, you can try out the local sweet joints snugly squeezed into the corners at crossroads
http://funnfud.blogspot.com/2008/04/rasgulla-traditional-bengali-sweet.html
The transport modes are a highlight to any tourist – such a wide variety is not present in any other city in India. Comfortably seated in the trademark good-old yellow Ambassador taxis, which are the lifeline of Kolkata, you can spot horse-carriages along Maidan Road, trams playing hide-and-seek every once in a while, buses – news ones as well as the older generation with wooden window shutters, cycle rickshaws and hand rickshaws, autos and yes, cars – from BMW models to the cosy Nano.
http://www.bestourism.com/img/items/big/8138/Calcutta-A-beautiful-city-of-India-_Means-of-transport_15761.jpg
http://www.rakhdu.com/destinations/asia/india-asia-destinations/west-bengal/kolkata/yellow-taxi-kolkata/
http://www.filmapia.com/published/places/trams
Places to see here? If you are an ardent cricket fan, you will look no farther than Eden Stadium and Sourav Ganguly’s residence.
http://crazyharsha.blogspot.com/2009/01/saurav-ganguly-living-legend-of-indian.html
For those of you who admire engineering marvels, Howrah Bridge is the place to be. It is a cantilever truss bridge that was constructed without using any nuts and bolts way back in 1874. Amazing, isn’t it?
http://vashiculturalassociation.com/template1/places-in-calcutta.asp;
Looking for family entertainment with kids? Relax your worries, Kolkata offers that too – with its beautiful Nicco Park and the Science Centre!
For a walk through history, there is the privately owned Marble Palace with its artistic sculptures and masterpieces, the Indian Museum, the Town Hall and Writer’s Building for a glimpse of British Administrative buildings and the Shaheed Minar to name a few.
Finally, at the end of the day, wish to sweep your special one off her feet? Take her shopping – to the gigantic malls in Salt Lake City and elsewhere or if she loves bargaining and the excitement of roadside shopping, New Market, Esplanade, Gariahat, Chowringhee Road with its terracotta wares [a Kolkata speciality] and Vardaan Market. However, you are sure to discover lots more markets in your travels.
The cultural capital of India, this city welcomes you with an open heart and casts a spell on you with its depth. How many ever times you come here, its never enough. There is always more to be seen, known, observed, experienced.
Keep visiting it. Again and again. Its worth every bit of it.
P.S: Traffic congestion and pollution are one of the major drawbacks of this metropolitan hub. Make sure you go at a favourable time of the year, unless you wish to be drenched in sweat and scorched by the sharp sun. Lastly, beware of taxi drivers who might take you for more of a ride than you’ve bargained for.
India. Needs Change.
Labels:
india,
issues
| 6
Comments
I don’t know if I should let my heart free and lash out in a sentimental diatribe against those responsible for the state of affairs in our country, or if I should urge you soberly with figures. They say statistics have a way of making a calamity into just another piece of data. How about some data then?
There are an estimated 800 million people in our country living in poverty, struggling to see another sunrise. More than five out of every hundred babies born don’t make it past childbirth; they are victims of our floundering healthcare system. Illiteracy, disease and monetary damages are commonplace in our rustic brethren. As for our losses in corruption, I won’t even quote any figure here, for the very real fear of understating the numbers involved. But then, complaining won’t magically change anything, will it?
There are an estimated 800 million people in our country living in poverty, struggling to see another sunrise. More than five out of every hundred babies born don’t make it past childbirth; they are victims of our floundering healthcare system. Illiteracy, disease and monetary damages are commonplace in our rustic brethren. As for our losses in corruption, I won’t even quote any figure here, for the very real fear of understating the numbers involved. But then, complaining won’t magically change anything, will it?
When I woke up in God’s own country: Kerala #3
Labels:
Kerala,
Munnar hill station,
travel
| 3
Comments
Day 3: The Green Falls and the Greener Wildlife Sanctuary
Today was going to be the last day in Munnar. And in Kerala. We had plans ready, and a jeep too. Rest what happened, the pics below would say for themselves…
The day started with a bit of shopping. We reached the local markets. Friends bought miniature boats for themselves. I had already got a gift for her the day before, so I continued clicking images around.
Today was going to be the last day in Munnar. And in Kerala. We had plans ready, and a jeep too. Rest what happened, the pics below would say for themselves…
The day started with a bit of shopping. We reached the local markets. Friends bought miniature boats for themselves. I had already got a gift for her the day before, so I continued clicking images around.
When I woke up in God’s own country: Kerala #2
Labels:
Kerala,
Munnar hill station,
travel
| 2
Comments
Day 2: The Lake, the tea plantations and the mighty hills!
Reaching Munnar from Kochi was a disaster. The state KSRTC bus felt as if it was a war-truck, transporting us all to some random unknown place in the dead of the night.
Thankfully, the back breaking ordeal ended, and we reached the hill station. A cottage in Munnar was waiting for us for an incredibly cheap price. It is always better to look for cottage homes instead of hotels in these kinds of places. They are closer to the actual touch.
We hired a Jeep. The driver knew all the places pretty well, and knew some good anecdotes too. We started on the day’s trip by first visiting a lake where we could powerboat!
Reaching Munnar from Kochi was a disaster. The state KSRTC bus felt as if it was a war-truck, transporting us all to some random unknown place in the dead of the night.
Thankfully, the back breaking ordeal ended, and we reached the hill station. A cottage in Munnar was waiting for us for an incredibly cheap price. It is always better to look for cottage homes instead of hotels in these kinds of places. They are closer to the actual touch.
We hired a Jeep. The driver knew all the places pretty well, and knew some good anecdotes too. We started on the day’s trip by first visiting a lake where we could powerboat!
When I woke up in God’s own country: Kerala
Labels:
Alleppey,
Kerala,
travel
| 3
Comments
Day 1: The Backwaters!
We reached Alleppey before the dawn broke. A few cups of tea later, we set on our task to find a good and affordable houseboat for our day’s travel. Midway, good food at a local restaurant set the mood for the day.The weather was cool and everything was just right for a wonderful boat trip in the Kerala Backwaters!
Kaun Banega Crorepati? Not again.
Labels:
arbit,
entertainment
| 4
Comments
Facepalm. My obvious reaction on hearing the question asked in India’s most popular game show’s not-so-popular season.
“What electronic device has types like ‘split’ and ‘window’?
A. Television
B. Air Conditioner
C. Refrigerator
D. Toaster
(Why didn’t they make it even simpler? )
“What electronic device has types like ‘split’ and ‘window’?
A. Television
B. Air Conditioner
C. Refrigerator
D. Toaster
(Why didn’t they make it even simpler? )
Isn't it lovely when it rains!
Labels:
nature,
poetry
| 5
Comments
Isn’t the grass greener when it rains?
Isn’t the air refreshingly cleaner?
Isn’t the chatter of raindrops and the white foam purer?
Isn’t the air refreshingly cleaner?
Isn’t the chatter of raindrops and the white foam purer?
The Play of Life.
Labels:
arbit,
life
| 8
Comments
Shivers of reluctance are bound to run through the body when leaving the womb-like wings made with the very sole aim of comforting the soul. It is the inertia of human, that brings about his indolent likeness to a comfortable situation, and fear enters fearlessly into his mind, obscuring his view to the world beyond.
A morning in Nandi Hills: Stuff dreams are made of…
Labels:
Karnataka,
Nandi hills,
travel
| 9
Comments
So, the wanderlust tantalized by the Shivasamundram trip found me roaming around in yet another amazingly beautiful place this Sunday. And as always, I couldn’t resist putting the experience up on aS travel !
A bike trip to the Nandi hills, Karnataka.
It all was pretty randomly planned for me. At 10:45 pm I got to know about a bike trip being planned, at about 1 am I got the bike keys from Chaitanya.
A bike trip to the Nandi hills, Karnataka.
It all was pretty randomly planned for me. At 10:45 pm I got to know about a bike trip being planned, at about 1 am I got the bike keys from Chaitanya.
Just Hired!
Labels:
arbit
| 5
Comments
 |  |
Once upon a time,
in a land far far away lived a pretty girl. Every day, she would let her thoughts wander into the depths of paradise surrounding her little kingdom -- the angels flying in the skies, the devils haunting the dark forests, witches and cruel stepmothers, Prince Charming, talking animals and birds, magical spells and curses -- nothing was impossible in her world full of miracles!
For years she waited in her cottage -- for she knew destiny wouldn't disappoint her. Lo and behold, one fair morning, as she opened her eyes she found her wings. A fairy had blessed her in her sleep! She could fly! And fly she did, to discover her paradise.
The girl was Soumya. arbitSpeculations is the fairy, and the wings are -- well you know :)
I thank Team aS for welcoming me into the family! With my newly bestowed e-quill, I set forth to discover the world of Blogging.
Believe in miracles, they do happen ;)
| Aloha Everyone!
Now a member of this blog arbitSpeculations ( Wow! It felt so great to type that down!)- here I am, Vish.
Soumya has told you all about me at http://goo.gl/lHI0t
(Believe me, it wasn't exaggerated at all). So now it's my turn to describe myself in a few words.
I guess one word is enough- arbitrary. So I believe I'm at the right place. I hope you guys like my writing style. I'll be blogging about everything that I know of, that can be put into letters and spaces ( long, detailed sentence to say that I can't write on anything specific).
Thanks for welcoming me aboard this ship!
|
|
Soumya
|
Vishesh
|
Racking arbitSpeculations up!!!
Labels:
arbit
| 0
Comments
Results are out, ladies and gentlemen!!! arbitSpeculations is done with the hiring process, and here are the newest additions to the hallowed team aS.
Soumya Pasumarthy - IIT Kharagpur
Vishesh Gupta - IIT Kharagpur
मैं लिखता हूँ |
Labels:
arbit,
hindi,
poetry
| 10
Comments
मैं और आलोक अब एक ही शहर में रहते हैं| ऐसा बड़े दिनों बाद हो पाया है|१२ साल पहले एक ही क्लास में पढने से लेकर आज एक ही शहर में फिर से दोनों रोज़ अपनी अपनी दौड़ दौड़ते हैं | इन बीते सालों में बहुत कुछ किया है हमने साथ में,लिखने बैठूं तो शायद रात से सुबह,फिर सुबह से रात हो जाए| aS भी इन्ही में से एक है|
Rising in a fall : ShivaSamudram, Karnataka
Labels:
Karnataka,
Shivasamudram waterfalls,
travel
| 5
Comments
Image courtesy: Bhavya Sindhu M.
“ I faced it and tried to open my eyes. I just couldn’t. The mighty waterfall was coming down on my face and my chest full on.
It hurt.
But I had never felt this alive before. With my arms stretched wide, I tried looking around. Hazy sights of white bliss falling on a bunch of adventure freaks.
Of IIM Bangalore. Thanks, Anveshan.”
aS Travel
Labels:
travel,
travel pilot
| 0
Comments
Diu Fort, 2009
While I was in Ahmedabad, one of my co-interns from Bangladesh planned to visit Diu. He wanted to spend at least three days there. I asked him what would he do for three days, when he could have effectively roamed around the entire place in a single day.
He said, “I don’t want to be a tourist. I want to be a traveler.”
ZNM Dobara. Facing one’s fears was never this poetic.
Labels:
entertainment,
movies
| 1 Comments
Yeah yeah. Management is one taxing course to pursue. Especially timewise. I remember talking about good movies here on aS every time I saw one. And though this post comes after a long long time, I think it’s worth it.
So, after one hectic week full of exams, I got a day to myself. And I watched Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara here in Cinepolis, Bangalore.
Take out the beautiful landscape of Spain. Take out the Tomatina festival. Take out Hrithik’s perfect body, Abhay’s chilled out demeanor and Farhaan’s amazing dialogue delivery.
Take out the gorgeous Katrina.
You still are left with a great movie that talks about how important it is to face your fears and move on in life.
So, after one hectic week full of exams, I got a day to myself. And I watched Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara here in Cinepolis, Bangalore.
Take out the beautiful landscape of Spain. Take out the Tomatina festival. Take out Hrithik’s perfect body, Abhay’s chilled out demeanor and Farhaan’s amazing dialogue delivery.
Take out the gorgeous Katrina.
You still are left with a great movie that talks about how important it is to face your fears and move on in life.
Indians, Humans and Cannibals
Labels:
india,
issues
| 1 Comments
3 moderate to high intensity bomb blasts rocked Mumbai today. We heard the boom kilometers away. India is on high-alert. Death toll continues to increase every second hour. Mumbai is in a chaos. Home Ministry is now on alert, once again. Media is reporting from ever nook and corner of the blast affected areas. People have lost their dear ones. Some are injured, some are scared. So far, no terrorist organization has taken the responsibility of the blasts. Indian political dais is burning in the fire of a dirty blame game. Loss, distance and pain are together pertaining to an intense agitation. There has to be an answer.
Facebook ready to Bounce back!
Labels:
tech
| 0
Comments
After a week of Google+ hustle, Facebook is back into news. Zuckerburg announced a couple of goodies for all Facebook addicts few hours ago. The website’s blog announced it earlier than him. Nevermind.
So, coming to the point. Facebook will have Video calling for everyone over the next few weeks, but if you don't want to wait, you can get it now. Yes! Mark told the media that this is going to be a less than 30 seconds affair on a sound internet connection. The two biggies, Facebook and Skype have joined hands to make the world smaller.
So, coming to the point. Facebook will have Video calling for everyone over the next few weeks, but if you don't want to wait, you can get it now. Yes! Mark told the media that this is going to be a less than 30 seconds affair on a sound internet connection. The two biggies, Facebook and Skype have joined hands to make the world smaller.
Chalo Dilli : Another ‘feel-good’ movie of Vinay Pathak
Labels:
entertainment,
movies
| 1 Comments
Months had passed since I watched a good hindi comedy. Chalo Dilli did it for me. A lovely movie to watch if you want some light hearted comedy, along with some clichéd life lessons.
The story is about a working woman who is a senior VP of an investment banking firm, and believes in living with total control; and in the meanwhile, has forgotten when was the last time she saw a beautiful sunrise. It’s about her ordeal from Mumbai to Delhi via Jaipur, and in the meanwhile, her journey back to the basics of life.
The story is about a working woman who is a senior VP of an investment banking firm, and believes in living with total control; and in the meanwhile, has forgotten when was the last time she saw a beautiful sunrise. It’s about her ordeal from Mumbai to Delhi via Jaipur, and in the meanwhile, her journey back to the basics of life.
When Blue shadows turned Red...
Labels:
arbit
| 0
Comments
I am walking with many people on a road, that leads to nowhere. Suddenly I have a feeling that I am being followed by no one. I look back. There is no one there. I get a feeling that nobody’s leading me either. I look straight again.
Sheer cipher. Nobody.
I am walking alone. Everything has disappeared.
I realise that I am walking on a thin but straight thread, and am amused by the perfect balance that I have been maintaining.
Sheer cipher. Nobody.
I am walking alone. Everything has disappeared.
I realise that I am walking on a thin but straight thread, and am amused by the perfect balance that I have been maintaining.
Way to go, Man!
Labels:
arbit
| 8
Comments
Who is Anna Hazare and why is he not eating?
Labels:
issues
| 4
Comments
There’s an old man in our country who has chosen hunger over corruption. And he knows how the country can make him eat again – The Jan Lokpal Bill.
Padma Bhushan Kisan Baburao Hazare was working in the Indian Army for 15 long years before a close brush with death in 1965 made him dedicate his life for the people of India. And thus was born a social activist who made sure that one Ralegan Siddhi village was transformed from a highly degraded village ecosystem in a semi-arid region of extreme poverty to one of the richest village ecosystems in the country.
And now this social hero is hungry again.
Padma Bhushan Kisan Baburao Hazare was working in the Indian Army for 15 long years before a close brush with death in 1965 made him dedicate his life for the people of India. And thus was born a social activist who made sure that one Ralegan Siddhi village was transformed from a highly degraded village ecosystem in a semi-arid region of extreme poverty to one of the richest village ecosystems in the country.
And now this social hero is hungry again.
Apple iPad 2 vs. Motorola Zoom
Labels:
tech
| 0
Comments
Apple iPad 2 vs. Motorola Zoom (Source: http://www.youtube.com/user/PCMagazineReviews)
Despite some less robust specifications, the iPad 2 appears more graceful than the Android 3.0, Honeycomb-powered Xoom. But, Xoom is a very solid tablet, and has several features that the iPad 3 designers should consider.
On Aamir khan and Kiran Rao
Labels:
arbit,
entertainment
| 13
Comments
“Abe Aamir ne maal nahi patayi be...”
I heard Ashwin say this as he was casually strolling through this late january edition of People magazine. The issue features a joint interview of Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao. I had read that interview .It was lovely. I ‘ll tell you what kind of lovely. Once it happened with a guy,a friend of mine who fell for a girl. Almost daily he had these conversations with me about how perfect match they were. I found him somewhat crazy on believing all this lovely goddamn perfection thing. But then there happened an occasion when I met both of them together. They looked real lovely. Loveliest of all the goddamn lovely things that I had ever seen. Reading Aamir and Kiran together gave a similar feeling.:D
Hours later I found myself pondering over Ashwin’s oneliner .
“Abe Aamir ne maal nahi patayi be..”
Do You Need a Valentine?
Labels:
tech
| 7
Comments
The Valentine’s week has painted the markets red with much hustle and bustle. Love is in the air. Well, the single hearts must not be disappointed. For, technology market is all hot for you this week. Oh yes!
To start with, Dell phones have already reached India. Dell Venue and Dell Venue Pro. Both top end smart phones with looks you would die for. The Dell Venue runs on Android 2.2 Froyo. It features a 4.1-inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with Gorilla Glass protection, an 8MP camera, in addition to a 1GHz processor. It also sports ActiveSync and QuickOffice, and supports Swype text input. Priced at 29,990 INR this perfect one touch 3.5G(as called by Dell) phone is as pretty as your first girlfriend.
To start with, Dell phones have already reached India. Dell Venue and Dell Venue Pro. Both top end smart phones with looks you would die for. The Dell Venue runs on Android 2.2 Froyo. It features a 4.1-inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with Gorilla Glass protection, an 8MP camera, in addition to a 1GHz processor. It also sports ActiveSync and QuickOffice, and supports Swype text input. Priced at 29,990 INR this perfect one touch 3.5G(as called by Dell) phone is as pretty as your first girlfriend.
The Ideal Scam (Adarsh Ghotala)
Labels:
issues,
scams
| 3
Comments
Scam Scum Series ( The year 2010 was one big precipitation flask for the Indian democracy. Call it crowning corruption or extremely cautious media whistle blowing, the fact remains. India saw scams surfacing like never before in the last few months. We, at aS have started this scam scum series to enlighten our readers about what went rotting in each of these scams.)
Read, and comment.
My list of rare oxymoron words just gets increased by one, when I write ‘The Ideal- scam’. A classic story of how soul-less the Indian politicians and the bureaucracy has become, the Adarsh housing society scam uncovers the dark face of Indian ‘Afsarshahi’.
Morph me Green!
Labels:
india,
life,
nature,
travel
| 9
Comments
My thesis topic brought me back to the rural India, and as always I took with myself my digicam, the infidelity of which I decided to revenge by painting them the color I wanted to see them in.
Hence I morphed them green. All of them; even the black and white ones. Green, after all is more than a color.
Hence I morphed them green. All of them; even the black and white ones. Green, after all is more than a color.
I am what I am.
What Nitish means to me...
Labels:
india
| 1 Comments
As I am typin this all the way from Patna on my non qwerty cell phone, this post is gonna be short and precise.
What does a man named Nitish mean to a young lad from Bihar who is a final year undergraduate student of a prestigious institution called IIT?
Hope.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
