A Decade gone..so much learnt yet so much still to offer.

With in few hours a decade would have passed by and wouldn't even realize how so many years have been gone. If i look back and see what this decade has given me, its been an overwhelming experience so far. I have got the best people around me who can always stand by me in any kind of situation and the kind of influence they had on me is paramount. I can't imagine if hadn't met these people how life would have been otherwise. Every moment spent with these guys has been a phenomenal. The fun time i have had, the good things we did, the knowledge that was exchanged, the ideas that were brain stormed, the initiative that took shape were truly a great learning experience. Carrying forward this experience I am for sure the new Decade has more to offer. Taking a leaf out of in the company of a good friend over the last six years " I want to keep the life Simple and Follow "BE GOOD, DO GOOD" and would want to stick it for the rest of the life. Thank you friends for always being there for me and I want the New Year for all of Us to be more Purposeful with loads of Fun.

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Encounter with a rickshaw driver in Mumbai

Suvendu Roy of Titan Industries shares his inspirational encounter with a rickshaw driver in Mumbai

Last Sunday, my wife, kid and I had to travel to Andheri from Bandra. When I waved at a passing auto rickshaw, little did I expect that this ride would be any different.

As we set off, my eyes fell on a few magazines (kept in an aircraft style pouch) behind the driver's back rest. I looked in front and there was a small TV. The driver had put on the Doordarshan channel. My wife and I looked at each other with disbelief and amusement. In front of me was a small first-aid box with cotton, dettol and some medicines. This was enough for me to realise that I was in a special vehicle. Then I looked around again, and discovered more -there was a radio, fire extinguisher, wall clock, calendar, and pictures and symbols of all faiths - from Islam and Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. There were also pictures of the heroes of 26/11- Kamte, Salaskar, Karkare and Unnikrishnan. I realised that not only my vehicle, but also my driver was special.

I started chatting with him and the initial sense of ridicule and disbelief gradually diminished. I gathered that he had been driving an auto rickshaw for the past 8-9 years; he had lost his job when his employer's plastic company was shut down. He had two school-going children, and he drove from 8 in the morning till 10 at night. No break unless he was unwell. "Sahab, ghar mein baith ke TV dekh kar kya faida? Do paisa income karega toh future mein kaam aayega." (Sir, what's the use of simply sitting at home and watching TV? If I earn some income, then it will be useful in the future.)

We realised that we had come across a man who represents Mumbai - the spirit of work, the spirit of travel and the spirit of excelling in life. I asked him whether he does anything else as I figured that he did not have too much spare time. He said that he goes to an old age home for women in Andheri once a week or whenever he has some extra income, where he donates tooth brushes, toothpastes, soap, hair oil, and other items of daily use. He pointed out to a painted message below the meter that read: "25 per cent discount on metered fare for the handicapped. Free rides for blind passengers up to Rs50?. He also said that his auto was mentioned on Radio Mirchi twice by the station RJs. The Marathi press in Mumbai know about him and have written a few pieces on him and his vehicle.

My wife and I were struck with awe. The man was a HERO! A hero who deserves all our respect. I know that my son, once he grows up, will realise that we have met a genuine hero. He has put questions to me such as why should we help other people? I will try to keep this incident alive in his memory.

Our journey came to an end; 45 minutes of a lesson in humility, selflessness and of a hero-worshipping Mumbai - my temporary home. We disembarked, and all I could do was to pay him a tip that would hardly cover a free ride for a blind man.

Some Pictures:

He has got a first aid box on the left and a newspaper box on right (which had all hindi-english- marathi-gujrati and economic times)

He has got a tv on the top with cable (I was watching colors channel) and below tat is the tissue box. on the left is the mandir types and dont miss the "Only gandhigiri" written there , below tat is the calender and a notepad and pen along with a blue fan (which is blowing towards the customer who sits)

Its amazing there are ppl still alive like him in this world!

I hope, one day, you too have a chance to meet Mr Sandeep Bachhe in his auto rickshaw - MH-02-Z-8508

Urgent appeal for millions affected by Cyclone AILA in India

As of Wednesday, 27 May 2009, more than 200 people are reported dead and an estimated 3 million displaced from their homes by Cyclone Aila that made landfall in eastern India on Sunday, May 25.

Please visit AID's site for regular updates from the ground. Rs. 10 Lakhs (Rs 1 million) has already been approved for Baikanthapur Tarun Sangha (BTS) working in the Sundarban region to provide food, water and temporary shelter to the affected.

According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), 13 districts in the state of West Bengal have been hit. However, the islands in the ecologically diverse Sunderbans delta have borne the brunt of the cyclone.

Those displaced are suffering acutely due to lack of food and clean water. "There is water everywhere. We could reach aid to only 10 percent of the affected population. We could not even airdrop food packets because of the flooding," Kanti Ganguly, West Bengal state minister for Sundarbans, told Reuters, as quoted in the Washington Post.

This is an hour we all must come together and show our wholehearted support for the cyclone victims. It is critical that the immediate needs such as food, clean water and medicine are provided to those affected.

AID is a volunteer movement, and a registered non-profit charitable organization. All donations are tax exempted under 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961 and receipts will be issued. For online donation please click here.

Thanks to the support of the community AID has helped support relief and rehabilitation work following natural and human-made disasters, in various parts of India, including Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Assam. We worked with the flood relief in Bihar in 2008 and with the Tsunami relief effort since 2004.

Right now AID is actively working with several partner organizations in West Bengal for relief and rehabilitation of the survivors. It is committed ensure that the funds get dispatched at the earliest.

We hope you will help us maximize the support we can provide as quickly as possible. The need is dire and we all must act with the greatest possible urgency to rush aid and relief to those affected.

For further information on Cyclone Aila, please visit the following links:

AID INDIA Relief Work: http://aidindia.org/main/content/category/36/281/407/

The Hindu: http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/27/stories/2009052759951000.htm

The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/world/asia/28cyclone.html?r=1&hp

Believe in being the Change!

Not many people seem to understand the importance of being involved in the development sector at a grass root level or being involved in multiple activities which we are passionate about. Hope this blog posting is an eye opener for all those individuals who don't dare to be different rather lead a conventional life without any challenges and yet feel proud. The triggering point for this posting is a discussion i have had with couple of elderly folks recently with whom i shared my thoughts on the different things i am involved like theater group, working with NGO's focusing on life skills among children, a group involved in creating a clean environment, an e-magazine focusing on social-sector, helping individuals connect to organizations for volunteering - all these besides work. I appreciate few people asking how come i am involved in so many stuff, simple answer stretch my selves that extra bit which gives me greater sense of satisfaction and at the same time keeps me motivated and deliver 100% at Work and being a responsible son and carrying out all the house hold activities that i am supposed to. However i am extremely pissed off with the people who think that all we have to do is be involved in the company we work for and the people at home, and don't be bothered about anything else. These are those self centered cocoons who are 9AM-6PM office slaves who can never think BIG and never realise the potential that they could have to transform the society they live in into a much better place and these are the same crowd who will crib about the system of not doing anything for them or for the public at large and think too many times when they think of getting associated with the other end of the spectrum. Well i place these people in the narrow minded buckets who can never think out of their sphere and be speculative about other people who do such things.

Imagine if this has been the thought that people thrived up on when civilization started and we wouldn't have had so much progress if we haven't thought about the community we live in or the society that needs us. And i don't consider myself to have influenced the society to that great extent or belong to league of social workers and not even after i was featured in a mumbai based magazine couple of years back on the eve of 50 years of independence (zoom to see the adjoining scanned cut out) , however i feel myslef to be lucky to get a chance to atleast influence few lives in whatever i way could. I always believed in Being the Change to actually see the change and never be a narrow brainer instead attack the problems at the grass root level more strategically if it means devoting some time to those organizations on a consistent basis and be a change maker. If you still feel that i am into too many things and appear confused, i pity for not looking at the Big picture as I am Well Mixed and this sentiment is well reflected in all my blog posts so far and its time for those who think otherwise to introspect the true meaning of a being a Human...

Chicken a la Carte

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

I wan't to be a PM!

I remember winning an essay competition in school on "What you would do if you become a PM?". When i look back the topic seems so funny, yet it has instilled certain thought process on what are things that needs attention and has to be improved. However with the 15th Loksabha elections underway it seems like there are way too many people who wants to be the PM yet not knowing whats the importance of this honour of being the PM of a vibrant democratic country. The congress has fielded the best candidate who time and again has proved the world he is best for the job, and the BJP has the candidate who has been waiting for quite a considerable time, However with the Third and Foruth Front emerging who seem to have too many backs without any proper and everybody claims to be a PM candidate. Starting from DeveGowda, Mayawati Ji, Chandrababu (If his "Mahakootami" which seems to make all kinds of noise wins a considerable LS seats) , Amma, Sharad Pawar and now to add this List Mr Lalu, i wonder why the left brigade's the Karat's and yechuri's 'aren't thinking to be in the race so that they can make thinks progress backwards in the coming times. Probably the first time in the history where we get to hear so many names and wonder if the inspiraration is "Obama" or the hunger for "Power". Are these third, fourth, fifth front candidates worth to lead the nation? Do they have any sense of purpose in filling the candidature? Have they contemplated on what are the reforms they are going to bring in if they become PM rather just thinking to be a PM? What is the ultimate objective behind aspring for such a post? This is not an essay writing stuff where everybody want's to be a PM(even that had what would you do if you are a PM) instead they should think do they fit the bill or what they are going to do if they are going to be a PM. Just because the policitcal parties can play some foul games of post poll alliances everybody is aspiring for that, but we have seen in the past how well they can justify their job or atleast for how long can they withhold the job? For all we know all they would list 10 backs with all the fronts and lead the nation 6 months each and may be transfer another 50K Crores to their swiss bank accounts, No wonder every a$$ wants to be a PM in the era of a Coalition Politics...

To Vote or Not To Vote?

That seems to be the flavour of the season. Where the entire media fraternity, organizations are pushing big time to exercise the Adult Franchise. A very focused effort to ensure the youth too gives their mandate. Though not many countries in the South Asia have this flexibility where the people of the country can decide the fate of the government, But is it enough to come out on the D-Day vote for the nation. Is it Ok to be irresponsible don't care about small things like jumping signals, driving on footpaths, no respect to pedestrians, litter left right center, don't care about the amount of plastic consumption, vandalize public properties, participation in riots, be influenced by communal speeches and the list goes on and on. As one of the taxi driver said "we don't want to change ourselves but would want to change the world" and i second his thought as majority of us are self centered, since the offices have declared a holiday we will go and cast the vote on the election day and wash of the ink and don't be bothered about some things for which we need to change and yet criticise the system doesn't take care of it. However am happy to be part of the conscious movement to encourage peoples participation to build a democratic nation, but how well are we palced to make an informed judgement on whom to cast the vote for? May be we should depend on the journalism to make this decision? But are they really helping us to make a choice? Most of the debates over the last couple of months on this whole election thing seems to devoted more towards who is going to win the election rather than what is "Agenda" going to be to win an election? Most of this Agenda is restricted to the manifestos the details of which hardly reaches out to everybody and do we have a debate on this manifesto? Not really. Are we sure the parties craving for power have devoted enough thought on how they are going to improve the economy? What is going to be the focus on Agriculture? Measures to Improve the health sector? What about the Action plan on Infrastructure and education ? How are they going to curb corruption? Did we ever hear about the parties debating on how they are actually going do deliver this? The media fraternity and other stake holders who facilitate us in making a good decision to choose a particular candidate or particular party are more concerned about a person making a communal speech and how he is going to polarise the vote bank and make him a hero, show him over and over again, not ready to move over the sikh riots and the godhra issue and parties blaming each other than having better discussions/debates on the real issues. In a nation where the media predominant focuses are on a sporting carnival taking centre stage against election, displaying the crorepati neta's assets than his calibre as a candidate, debating whether Baba Ramdev is mixing spiritualiy with politics, dicussing what is the post-poll alliances going to be, running innumerbale campaigns to VOTE is never going to help the commonS to take an informed decision. Sometimes i wonder what is rational behind this whole Vote Campaigns of the media, Is it just to tinker their minds to come out and vote and always leaving this question mark on whom to vote for? Or its just another business in this captilistic world always interested in how to increase the TRP's than influencing the people at large to take a healthy decision. What ever might be the case i have chosen not to abstain from voting and with the basic research i have done on the candidates contesting in my constieuncy i have boiled down on whom to vote for, it matters the end game or not and can be only hopeful that we have more impartial and sensible channels to help millions like me to take decision which allows the nation to progress forward only.

Gadgets Change Habits?

One of my recent travels to "Changi" Airport i saw this gentlemen using his black berry with both his hands, seemed to be very focused , Of all probability he might be saving his A$$ with the whole recession thing. But the bizarre part was he was in the urinal leaving the "P"da in his hands and "P" ing, and not sure where all the traces of "P" s left. On an another occasion i have seen best pals communicating over the face book as they don't have time to catch up though they seem to live very next door. How many times would we have clicked the "Get Mail" on thunderbird in a day or twittered every second or Checked your "Text Messages" every odd minute or answered every phone call though you were in the midst of a serious conversation leaving it there and later asking where were we?. As technology advances we tend to adapt them in every aspect of our daily life so much they become part of your life. Now how much of this adaption is good for us? Do they really hamper the productivity at work? Do they affect our life style? Do they change our Habits is some thing to contemplated...Probably technology should only be a part of our life but not the other way round.

Welcome to World of Credit Crisis

This is good visual to explain the whole credit crisis funda. When everybody knew something bad like this could happen why couldn't so called Wall Street Intellectuals stop this in first place? Is it the greed that took everything over? End of the day people who had to make money had made money and its the oppressed class which is bearing this crisis always wondering what kind of bomb is going to explode next?


The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

Slang bang..

can LAH.??. Eh, don't be like dat lah : A common Singaporean slang where invariably they use the lah in every sentence they speak. Though there are many more Singlish Words like accuse me which means excuse me, no nid (no needs) where almost all the english words are axed abruptly.

I reckon to Cheers Mate ..Reckon and Cheers are the typical Aussie words , don't be surprised if an essay of 300 words consists of 100 reckons and ends with a Cheers Mate. Pretty infectious words as they seem to have carried across to the kiwis as well.

If you don't know something say Nigaa....igaa....nigaa.... atleast half the Mainlanders (people belong to mainland, though this is a common word used by the Cantonese (people from hongkong) i came across over the last couple of years use this word which really doesn't have any meaning. Not sure if this is a common across the ABC's (American Born Chinese) as well.

The Siamese (Thai) have wonderful cuisines but can never get hold of the most complicated full names that i came across. The simplest word i could get was Ma..means policeman so important with all that ruckus that Bangkok has been ever since the PM was ousted in a scandal.

Don't think i would ever want to comment on the aggressive mixed breed super power nation with the F*** word most commonly used.

Need i say more with the diversity we have in Indian slangs, though the best is illadaa...(whether you know or don't know this will be the first word to be used by my neighbors :) no wonder we used to call them illads

Beijing Bites!!!

How many of us had the opportunity to give ourselves a name post-natal stage? You might have always wondered why do i have the legacy of my family names embossed making your name big, though friends might call you with the so called "pet name", we don't really use it officially or do we dare to? Well the average well educated Chinese whose mandarin names are already shorter and easier to remember unlike the "thai" names they do have the flexibility to give an English name, well that sounds really cool to me. Of course when a guy likes monkey names himself as monkey, a girl an Apple, a woman Angelina, that calls for a traveler like me to notice. They do apply the logic to their chinese name - First name followed by family , and they choose an English name which sounds like their first name. Not only that the mainland gives the visitors a Chinese name too...They named me "Ye Wei Jie ", looks they applied the same logic. My recent visit to Beijing is one of the best travels abroad not just because of i hiked "The Great Wall of China" , but because i got to know the pulse of the Chinese culture to a certain extent. Having traveled to good number of places around the globe, i think "We Asians" are very good at hospitality and Chinese are no exception to this, and no wonder i am uncomfortable visiting the west. There are few things i have to mention about my travel, First the food, i had an impression the Chinese food is very difficult and the strange aromas gave me a nauseating feeling when i was in hongkong, however i realized it depends on what kind of restaurant you end up in. And fortunately because of David Wang ( My Colleague, and Good friend) i was able to have the best of the Chinese cuisines. I pretty much tried most of the interesting stuff barring pork and beef though most of the places you end up getting only these two, thanks to David who made sure i always got excluding this, that's what i say it depends on what place you are eating at and whom do you go out with. My favorite on any given day would definitely be the Sichuan cuisine though there is grotesque mis representation as Shezwan in India. You also get to see some strange dishes like this one. Most of the English translations sound bit funny.

Leaving the fun side, i think the infrastructure in Beijing is something commendable, imagine an n level flyover with vast lanes connecting some n ring roads, and those huge buildings in the down town with numerous huge malls which are filled with all the damn brands on earth is something i couldn't even think of. I guess this development is not just restricted to the provinces Beijing,shanghai or xinjiang but to the remote places as well, no wonder almost all the provinces are well connected by road, air and rail. Though you could see every car vendor (there are about 4 MN cars in Beijing almost the population of sydney) , they account to the biggest jam hiccups where you get stranded on the roads for eternity, no wonder half of the 10MN population opts the subway which is well connected and saves good time but is always crowded, nevertheless enjoyable.

One of the important things that Beijing withholds is its traditions and culture reflecting the various eras that it has been through and this is pretty much visible if you visit the Tinamen, Tinamen Square, The old City, The Forbidden city which are located right at the center of Beijing and ofcourse the Winter Place and the Summer Palace where you are enthralled by the beauty of the Huge Palaces, and also the lake across the palce which is frozen at this point of time where are you can pretty much walk on most parts is something to be expereinced. And how can i forget the Great wall at Badaling and The Ming Tombs which gives you an insight into the History of the Mainland and the visit indeed refreshed my memory of the dynasties i studied in school (The Qin Dynasty, Jin Dynasty, Tang and Ming Dynasties to mention a few ) .


Though the Modern China is about tall towers and vast 8 lane roads, the old culture is pretty persistent in every beijinger's Mind and they still like the Dragon (The Emperor) and The Phoneix (The Empress). I think they adapt the technology from the west pretty fast and put it in practice very quickly which is why its such a fast growing economy. Though they speak pretty fast and loud chinese which hard to comprehend from their actions, they have good writing and reading skills of English but poor at listening and i think the new generation is filling the gap and sure to take on the world some time soon. For Instance, Tinamen @ Nite.
The Beijing Olympic Center or the Birds Nest , the stadium is marvellous and if you have witnessed the olympics i don't think no other country in the world can repeat such a feat. Though i would like to key stroke few more thoughts i would like to conlcude with some shopping tips for the shopaholics who might land up at the silk street where you can find the Mix of Fake and the Real Brands and you get pretty much every damn Bag / Clothes- so much of variety for women / watches / electronics / what not...one simple tip start with 20% and walk away if you don't like the price (period).
Here are some of those wonder ful moments captured and i think i should mention about David Wang, without him this travel wouldn't have been so successful and memorable.
The Forbiddedn City.
The Great Wall @ BadaLing



Xie Xie (Thanks) David...

Sipping the Green Tea (My favourite though is jasmine..." i say Zai Jian..(Good Bye)

More Fotos @ : http://picasaweb.google.com/yennevijaykumar/BenguluruToBeijing