Candid confessions of an Addict.

It’s quite some time I haven’t posted on the blog. I understand the anxiety of the readers. I received umpteen calls asking me to update it and here I am. Let me make a confession here, I am totally addicted to playing FIFA’09 (a computer game by EA Sports). Now, does that sound strange? I don’t know how but that’s a fact. Let me clarify. This all started almost 10-15 days before when I got FIFA’09. Since then I have been playing it for at least 4 hrs a day (or would that be an understatement?). I had lot many addictions with many games before – Age of Empires , Rise of Nations and Cricket 07. I still remember playing Rise of nations till 0400 AM in the morning in Mathura and still attending the office at 0800 AM with red eyes. Back then I didn’t have any other engagements. It used to be just office and home and no other responsibilities and more over my PC was the best of the machines one could have ever thought of then – Core 2 duo - processor , Intel DG965 - Motherboard, 250GB - HDD, 1GB – RAM, 19” wide TFT to boast of. Now who could have resisted the temptation to play on such a machine and that to games as exciting as Rise of Nations. But the two situations are very different. Now, I have an entrance exam every Sunday and remember I have taken a yearlong break for them. 4 hrs a day on a computer game is such a scenario is criminal waste of time. I understand but then you know – you have no control over it that’s why they are – Addictions. 

The heights which great men reached and kept, were not attained by sudden flight.They, whilst their companions slept, were toiling upwards in the night.

It's not denial. I'm just selective about the reality I accept. 

An Interesting conversation

Teacher: 'What is your name?'.
Student: 'Mera naam Suraj Prakash hai.'
Teacher: 'When I ask a question in English, answer it in english.'
Student: 'My name is Sunlight .

Teacher: What happened in 1869?
Student: Gandhi ji was born.
Teacher: What happened in 1873?
Student: Gandhiji was four years old.

Question: What is the fullform of maths.
Answer: Mentally affected teachers harassing students

Teacher: Now children , if I saw a man beating a donkey and stopped him then what virtue would I be showing ?
Student: BROTHERLY LOVE

Teacher: Because of Gandhiji's hard work what do we get on 15th August.
Student: A holiday

Teacher: Tomorrow there will be a lecture on Sun.Everyone must attend it.
Raju: No ma'm! I will not be able to attend it.
Teacher: Why?
Raju: My mother will not allow me to go so far!!!

Teacher: 'Can anyone give me an example of Coincidence? '
Johnny: 'Sir, my mother and father got married on the same day same time.'

Teacher: How old is ur father.
Sunny: As old as I am.
Teacher: How is it possible?
Sunny: He became father only after I was born. (1st Rank)

Teacher: There is a frog,Ship is sinking,potatoes cost Rs3/kg...Then, what is my age?
Student: 32 yrs.
Teacher: How do you know?
Student: Well, my sister is 16 yrs old and she is half mad.

Do we deserve anything else????

People around the world are expressing shock and revulsion at the deadly terrorist attacks in Mumbai. But I would like to ask why do you esteemed readers feel that this should not have happened or whats the reason to be in such a shock? Atleast I don't find any reason to be shocked about it at all. With the levels of corruption and immorality prevelent in our beuracracy this was definitely comming also proximity to Pakistan makes us a very easy target.

I have purposefully kept this terse with an intention to have some comments from the readers. Be considerate enough to put some of your thoughts here.

World Bank and India

In India, WBI’s urban governance and management program supports the establishment of a Certification Program in City Management within local capacity development and learning institutions. Engagement with the Indian urban sector takes place at the national level with the Advisory Committee on Certification in City Management chaired by the Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, and at the state government level with the respective urban development departments mandated to oversee the development of urban local bodies. At the institutional level WBI cooperates with the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) and Yashada the state training institution of Maharashtra. WBI facilitates the adaptation of a nationally accepted curriculum on urban management. More than 200 city managers have completed the program to date. The program is now scaling-up by increasing the number of institutions in the certification network WBI also facilitats web-based learning; integration of the certification model in World Bank lending operations in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to date; and through the capacity building component of the Government of India’s National Urban Renewal Mission.

PROUD TO BE INDIAN

World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick has namedSanjay Pradhan to head the World Bank Institute (WBI), the learning, training and capacity-building arm of the World Bank Group. Mr. Pradhan, an Indian national, is a leading authority on governance and public sector capacity building, combining a distinguished research record with extensive operational experience. In recent years he led the design and implementation of the World Bank Group’s Governance and Anticorruption Strategy. Before his appointment as Vice-President for WBI, Mr. Pradhan directed the Bank's Public Sector Governance Group from September 2002, where he oversaw worldwide advisory and lending services to governments on public sector management, public finance and governance. Mr. Pradhan joined the Bank Group in 1986 as a Young Professional. Subsequently, he held various positions, including Sector Manager, Public Sector, in the South Asia as well as Europe and Central Asia Regions. Mr. Pradhan was also a principal author of the World Development Report 1997, The State in a Changing World. He holds a PhD and Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.
The WBI works with local training partners, universities and other academic institutions, and centers of excellence to bring global and local knowledge to bear on national and regional development issues. Through its courses and seminars, professional networks, and communities of practice, WBI creates opportunities for South-South and North-South knowledge exchange and innovation. For more than 50 years, WBI has influenced half a million public and private sector decision makers around the world, many of whom have become leaders and change agents in their countries.
“Today policymakers around the world want to know what has worked elsewhere, and they want to connect with practitioners in other parts of the world. They want just-in-time global knowledge that can be customized for local conditions. The World Bank Institute can serve as a premier global platform that connects practitioners with cutting-edge development knowledge.” Mr. Pradhan said. “By supporting dynamic capacity development that inspires, informs and catalyzes innovative reforms across countries, the World Bank Institute can play a very helpful role in improving development outcomes.”

Find some words here

Howz this ?

IIM - A ki seat dilade

तेरी ऊँची शान है मौला
मेरी आरजी मान ले मौला
तू है सब कुछ जान्ने वाला
मुझको भी तू लिफ्ट करदे
थोडी सी तो लिफ्ट करदे.
कैसे कैसों को दिया है
ऐसे वैसों को दिया है
मुझको भी तू लिफ्ट करदे
IIM - A की सीट दिलादे.

I am glad to inform you that I have been ranked 11th in Nagpur in the AIMCAT-902 conducted on last Sunday that should mean that i score some 95-97%ile. Ya ... me I have scored that .You find hard to beleive it , even I do. Understandably so after being the University topper way back in 2004 and getting selected in Indian Oil Corporation in 2006 this is the first time I have something worthwhile to mention. In last 3 test 2 times I have scored close to 95%ile and that has made me belive that I to can one day surely be a part of the esteemed and most coveted IIMs.

Having said that i also have some complaints. These days I am more into filling forms for the B'schools rather than preparing for the exams.Others may not sympathise (ya, sympathise i should say) but those who have gone through it or going through it will definitely Commiserate.
I fail to undestand one thing, when most have them have accepted to take CAT score for consideration why don't the get the relevent information from IIMs.They can just ask the students to simple quote his/her CAT application number and deposit the application fee into their gluttnous account. But no, they will make you fill their worthles forms which hardy have any sensible questions. I don't understand who will teach these so called management schools how to manage simple things.It's no surprise that we are very much into such a grave problem courtsy IIM gards selected into financial biggies like the erstwhile Lehman Bors,Merryl Lynch, AIG, Fannie, Freedie and others.

Yeh B'schools walon ki shaan me kuch aarj karta hun...

मैं तेरे लिए ताजमहल से बड़ी इम्मारत

मैं तेरे लिए ताजमहल से बड़ी इम्मारत

मुमताज़ तो मर के दफ़न हुई थी

मैं तुझे जिंदा ही दफ्नौन्गा

02 Nov 2008

I started my day almost 15 mins past 0600 hrs. That’s worth noting because it was just yesterday that I decided to start my studies by 0600 hrs.
For about 2 hrs in the morning I practiced a few RC passages and thought to do at least 2 RC passages in today’s AIMCAT 0902.
The exam did bring some cheer as I had a descent score – 104 (EU – 21 (c/w) 7/9, DI – 47 (12/1), QA – 36 (10/4)). That should fetch me some 95%ile. I committed some silly mistakes but then I won’t complain as they are going to be there in the actual CAT too.
English was the toughest section this time with 3 long RC passages and FIJ. DI and Quants were both relatively easy.
After the paper I met one of my friends. He was my batch mate at LIT and we both joined ESSAR as GETs. We had some 3 hr long discussion and all the sweet memories of ESSAR were rekindled. They say you never forget the lessons and the great memories of your first job as you don’t forget your first Girlfriend. For the former, I vote in favor but for the latter I am blank. As you know very well that Girlfriend and all doesn’t seem to be my cup of tea.

गर्लफ्रेंड से याद आया :-

हर समुन्दर में साहिल नही होता,
हेर ज़हाज़ में मिसाल नही होती ,
अगर वेस्टर्न कल्चर का असर न होता
तो हेर लुक्खे के पास गर्लफ्रेंड नहीं होती।

Wah Wah .. kya creativity hai.. CAT ka to pata nahi par Shero shayari me koi apna haath nahi pakad sakta......

Kya kehte ho...?

Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi,,,

Martti Ahtisaari a former President of Finland and a United Nations diplomat, wins the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize.

Napolean by Emil Ludwig

I am hooked up to a new book these days. After being surfeit with books on some great Germans of the likes of Adolf Hitler, Karl Marx and Frederic Engels and Sigmund Freud I have taken up with their arch rivals The French. I am writing French cause most of you would associate Napoleon with France if at all you know something more than his name. The book Titled ‘NAPOLEON’ is around 600 pages and is a biography by Emil Ludwig.

Some comments by a German, Mr Johann Wolfgang von Goethe on Napoleon are:-

Napolean went forth too seek virtue but,since she was not to be found, he got power.

The story of Napoleon produces on me an impression like that produced by revelition of saint John the divine. We all feel there must be something more in it, but we do not konw what.

So divine an illumination is alwayse linked with youth and productivity; and in very truth, Napoleon was one of the most productive men that ever lived.
One who thoughtfully ponders the centuries, surveys the whole in the clear light of the spirit; All that is petty has vanished from sight; Oceans and continents alone are of account.

It is essential that man shall be ruined ! ... But since, here below everything takes place by natural causes, the daimons trip him, thus, in the end, even Napolean is overthrown.

On judgement day, before God's thrown,There stood at last, Napoleon.The Davil had his list begunof crimes the Bonapartes had done,When God the Father, of God the Son,Cut Satan short before God's throne."Don't bore us all to death with readingA german professorial pleading !If you're bold enough to face him,In your kingdom you may place him."

In Lighter Vein

Long back,a person who sacrificed his sleep,forgot his family,forgot his food,forgot laughter were called "Saints"
But now they are called.."IT professionals"

An interesting line written at the back of a Biker's T Shirt:" If you are able to see this, Please tell me that my galfriend has fallen off"

Most Relationships fail not because of the absence of love..Love is always present..Its just that,One loves too much,and
The other loves too many.

Employee: Boss, Now i have got married..! Please increase my salary..!
BOSS: Factory is not responsible for accidents occuring outside the company..!

Philosophy of life
At the begining of married life, every gal treats her husband as GOD,Later on somehow the alphabets got reversed..!

What is a Fear?Fear is the Deep, Wrenching feeling in your stomach When pages of your book still smell new and Just few hours left for your exams..!

Thats a joke dont take it seriously pls.
Someone has rightly said, "A fool can ask More questions that a wise man can answer"No Wonder why so many of us are speechless when lecturers ask question..!

Boy: Do you have Cards with sentimental Love quotes?
Shopkeeper: Oh sure..! How about this card, it says "To the only Girl I ever loved.!"
Boy: Thats good, Give me 12 of them..!

After reading the form filled by an applicant.. The employer said: " WE do have an opening for you..!
Applicant: What is it?Interviewer: Its called the "door..!"

A Banner cum Sign Board In front of an IT company..Drive Slowly, Dont kill our Employee... ..... Leave them to us

Fused bulbs - craving for electricity

The electricity supply problem seems to be creating problems galore. Earlier we used to have power cuts at our residence; thanks to the inverter that problem has been well addressed. However, I am facing the same problem but at a different location. This time it happens to be at our German Language Class. We have been facing this problem right since the first day of the class, had a hiatus for some 10 odd days (during the Ganesh Festival days) and back it comes again. What irritates me the most is, the fact that the MSEB authorities, well aware of the class timings in the university library (oh sorry if I have not yet mentioned - our German language classes are conducted in RTMNU Library premises) haven’t budged an inch. I understand their tribulations about the scarcity of electricity and have no problems with them if they resort to power cuts, but I want them to be judicious about the timings of the power cuts at least. We have to study or at least make such attempts in the absence of the ELECTRIC TUBELIGHTS (class timings being 1800 hrs to 2000 hrs), not to talk about our fused bulbs which are never going to accept anything even in the bright daylight. (The comment is a general one – those 100 Watt bulbs need not take offence). There is a lot of huge and cry for improving standards of education and the importance of this in the modern-day economy but alas all that doesn’t mean anything to the MSEB authorities. Our department has made arrangements for us by providing us with emergency lights (2 or 3 max), but for a class of 120 students it is grossly inadequate. Unless the attitude of the authorities changes the fused bulbs shall be left craving for electricity.

Gam ki aandhiyo me utar jayenge,

sagar kya samundar bhi tair jayenge,

hame marne ke liye fansi ki zarurat nahi,

DIL se nikal do u hi mar jayenge.

A New Villain

How readily will you accept him as a Villian in the next Bond flick.?

Teacher’s Day Celebrations

This time I happened to celebrate the day after about 12 years or so last time being when I was in school.

Life as such keeps turning lot of surprises every other day but that’s not very true for me. To get over the boredom I decided to pick up some value addition activity and ended up joining German language classes with RTMNU. I supposed these classes to be a good pass time but it proved quite otherwise. Right since the first day I have been befuddled by some fuzzy questions the most irritating of it being why did you join these classes? I don’t understand the reason for this question when everybody is aware that nobody joins these kinds of classes for any purpose as it became quite clear by the puerile answers that the question received ranging from – ‘helpful for campus placements’ to as funny as ‘mere time pass’. Come on I understand everybody joins it for the same reason but at least don’t say that. I have been trying to prevaricate for quite some time on this question but alas nobody seems to believe. Problem is that after being out of the college for almost 4 years or so I have lost my knack to produce convincing bluffs and end up producing silly answers. (With your presumed kind permission I deviate. It has been the biggest fault in our education system that we never give any credit to the genuine but to the one who can forge and produce a hypocritical reason). I ended up saying that as I am a fan of Adolf Hitler and hence I wanted to learn German and my gullible classmates believed me without any frown on their forehead. (If one of them happens to read this, I am sure of being taken to one of the Nazi concentration camps).And believe me as soon as I Said I am a fan of Adolf Hitler, back came the reply “You must have read ‘Mein Kampf’?”. What else did they ever want me to read? I knew I was not going to be granted any impunity in that belligerent class and hence made my stance very clear at the outset that I admired his ideologies and preferred not to offer comments on his acts. The crowd had already started dragging me into controversies by spelling out contentious topics as Nazism.
There is another question which I like to avoid but it time and again comes to pester me. “Why do you want to opt for MBA?” This time it was a reframed one “Why do you want to opt for MBA, when you can get a good job on your B.Tech Degree?” I had a counter question ready for this but decided otherwise. I wanted to ask for the definition of a ‘Good Job’. The answer I gave for the question was the stereotyped one growth prospect and bla bla bla. Again on this question to I have my own understanding. Its herd mentality they call it. You just want to be a part of the RAT RACE. Students without any work experience who don’t understand even the abc of business want to opt for Masters in Business Administration. Sounds a bit funny, but that’s the bitter truth. I don’t wish to say that those with work experience understand too much of business for that matter. Here too I have my reservations which I would disclose some other time. At this point I would appreciate the answer by Kapil, who was quite candid in his reply when he said that he wanted to earn 100 thousand per month (Rs I suppose as he didn’t mention Rs or $).

German language - My first Impression

No doubt many words can be made out easily because of the similitude with their English counterparts but the language has its own complexities.

Tortuous as it is, what complicates the issue further is that I am very poor in spellings right from my childhood. You don’t get to see it here, thanks to Mr Gates and team that MS office comes with a built in auto correction facility. Some fine points which I feel complicated are:-
1) Every noun needs to be written with an Article - Can you imagine that a common noun for girl takes an article used for neutral gender.
2) The very confusing V – There is a very confusing character V (fow). You never know when to pronounce it V and when fow.
3) The grammar is as complicated as our own Sanskrit – It reminds me of my childhood days when I used to mug up the roods in Sanskrit.

Some good things about the language are:-

1) Sentence construction is very easy
2) If you listen carefully you don’t have to be worried about the spellings, 90 out of 100 times I get them right you would definitely have a better strike rate.Any knowledge about the language is a key to the vast world of German books. You can get first hand information about Communism reading Karl Marx and Fredrick Engels, Philosophy reading Sigmund Freud and last but not the least Dictatorship reading Adolf Hitler. And yes if literature attracts you then Goethe.

Ganpati Bappa Morya !!!!

It's Again the time of the year we all get togather for the mega event (atleast as far as Maharashtra is concerned).For all those who are not here in the city to witness the event i would like to tell you that the vigour and the enthusiasm has been kept alive despite our modern lifesitles and "no time for social life" cribbings. All the Ganesh Utsav mandals are almost ready with all the decorations and finishing touches are left for tomorrow. So as the The Day arrives we at our place have already got everything ready not leaving anything for tomorrow. It all shall start tomorrow morning and i am quite excited to witness the event this time in Nagpur after having being forced to celebrate it out of Nagpur for last 4 odd years.Having said that I would also like to mention that I would definitely miss my days in Mathura, where we used to have a small but action packed 10 days festivities during this time. The atmosphere is electrifying. Amidst all the fanfaronade I would however like to highlight the indomitable spirit of all the Ganesh Utsav mandals in giving us the all required positive vibes of what seems to be a grand gala event. I wish all of you pray along with me to the almighty Lord Ganesh - the lord of knowledge as i would be in desperate need for the same this time in the CAT. Having said that i am a bit scared if He takes an offence against me for i have already got rid of my Paunche and also cut my sweet consumption two thing which he adores....
Wish you all a very happy festive time - Ganpati bappa morya......

Wellcome to my experiences

All you new/old visitors,
This is best way i have found out to address to all ur "Whats up?, kya chal raha hai?, aur sunao?, Howz life? kinda questions.
So keep visiting i promise to give you weekly if not daily updates on howz my life.

Gajanan

German Language Class

Guten Tag (for those who dont know Deutsch sprache (German language) it means Good Day and is used to exchange pleasentries.

For thsose who are not aware of this. I have joined German Language classes at nagpur University Library. The classes are conduced 5 days a week daily form 6 pm - 8 pm. The classes started some 1 month back. Now that may make you think as to why am i informing you about this. Thats coz of an incident in that took place in the class today.
We had a notice which read:-
A Parent - Teacher meeting has been scheduled to be held on 06 Sept 2009 and all are requested to inform there parents accordingly.
After listening to that notice i was spellbound. i tried to enquire about the agenda of the meeting but unfortunately that was not mentioned in the notice. I am at my wits end finding out as to why this meeting has to take place. i dont know form where have the authorities conjured up this bizzare idea of a parent teacher meeting and that too for students who are graduates or almost graduates. Come on yar we are all above 21 yrs of age and constitution finds us eligile to vote and chose or may be elect would be the right word the leaders of the country. So, why at all this meet.
And as if this was not enough we are supposed to get a writen letter form our parents in this regard which ensures that we have informed them about the same. Come on grow up..........

Abhinav Bindra wins Gold at Beijing olympics

Finally its done. We, the nation of over a billion who were alwayse riduculed for not wining even a single individual gold at the olympics for past 112 years find respite in the extraordinary effort by the little champ. This definitely ends the draught for the gold medals at olympics but somehting that makes me uncomfortable is that inspite all the achievement of Mr Bindra it is not taken in the spirit and fervour that it should be.Any victory in World cup (cricket) or even a trination series for that matter make the entire nation dance and party to such an extent that the entire day truns out to be millions of lost man hours. It a very sorry state of affairs and also a rason why a cricket crazy nation does not perfrom at the olympics. It has been so wisely quoted by Mr M S Gill, The Union Sports Mininster on the occasion "The feat by Abhinav is far more than any T20 Cup or even World cup in cricket". Any attempt to glorify the feet would be small because i understand we in India are in no mood to lionise anybody other than our most revered cricketers. We have gone so crazy behind cricket that a sport which is played by only a handful of countries ( less that 20 ) should according to us get a place in Oympics. This is the new mantra that we seem to have deviced to add to our feamished points tally. I would not comment on whether this is right or wrong but would defnitely thake this opportunity to say that we should desperately think beyond cricket and give some credit to other sports as citizens of the country so that other sports also see the same glory as cricket in India sees today. Unless this happens, take it from me no amount of facilities or motivation form any government or Sports club will help in breeding and motivating world champions. Take China for Example. We have alwayse been comparing India with china but i a glace at the olypmics medal tally would make it clear how far behind we are. China as of today has 11 Gold medals and is on thrack of winning another 30 or so and without any doubt i would aver that this is the first and the last gold for India as far as 2008 Olympics are concerned. And never underestimate the feat achieved by the Chinese. The chineses had not won a single gold before 30 years or so and today they are leading the points tally and could very well end up being the best performers at the olympics this year that too despite Micheal Phelps who single handedly gets some 7-9 golds for the US.
Incredible feat and full marks to Chinese. Its time we take a leaf out of China's book and come out with some spectacular performance before its too late. China also deserve full marks for hosting the olympics this year. Lets ensure that we give our best and host the commonwealth Games with the same spirit and success as done by the Chinese.

Having said all that i am reminded of a Chinses Proverb which goes "Its better to light one candle than to curse the darkness". I end this blog having said that and take up with my work to lighting atleat one candle and request you light one candle and dispel the darkness that we Indians are in today. Abhinav has done it now its time for you and me to do it.
Best of luck.

A Day In my Life as an Idler

The Day starts with the ringing of the alarm which shakes me out of my cozy bed at about 0430 hrs in the morning. As many of my close friends must be very well aware of, i am having a bad habbit of setting audacious targets only to realise that they are far beyond my reach. One of them is this daily futile attempt of mine to get up at 0430 hrs. Thanks to the snooze facility available in my mobile device which ensures that i dont get up till 0500 hrs.
I start the day with mild exercies ( a must for we people with sedentary jobs) and some pranayam. That all lasts untill 0600 hrs and then i find myself hurrying for the morning class with T.I.M.E. I come back form the class by around 0845 hrs. Then its time for the newspaper and that is followed by studies ( as u all must be aware CAT takes everything out of you). This study session lasts about 3 hrs. The second session starts at around 1300 hrs and lasts for another 4 hrs. Then i have my German Language Class at about 1800 hrs. i come back from there at 2000 hrs and again this time its time to read some books and some blogging. i call off the day by about 2200 hrs.
So good night its about time to call it off.

On and of 210608

Just another 12 hrs for my 3rd AIMCAT and you would be wondering what am i doing on the blogs. Its a long cherished dream (since last 2 years if not more) to have an online repository of my experiences and thoughts that has made me to come up with this.