VWCA Appreciation Dinner

Something that I really want to attend but won't be able to. Flying out on the same day.

Suspect Actions

Sunil Narine has been reported for suspect bowling action.

It is good that ICC is checking all suspect actions. Though I must say that Sunil's action looks much cleaner than the action of some of the others, who have recently been reported. India's Ravinchandran Ashwin bowls some deliveries with Sunil's action and those do not look clean at all. Ashwin's action should be scrutinized as well. 

And this 15 degree rule is absurd and should be removed. It is only encouraging bowlers to try something naughty.

Dinner at Chili's Bangsar

Any Veg Option in CMs?

Vegetarians would be really happy with the choice for the next Tamil Nadu Chief Minister....Panneer-selvam!!!

Movie Review: Satya 2

I recently wrote a blog about Ram Gopal Verma and while writing the blog, I had referred to his filmography. I was particularly interested in the movies that he has directed as I firmly believe (at least so far) that he is a good director and can tell a story like no one else can.

While looking at his work as a director, I came across a movie called 'Satya 2'. Somehow I did not know much about the movie and had no clue how good/bad/ugly is the movie and how it fared at the box office. Since I had loved the original 'Satya', I decided to give it a shot.

Key Limitations

• The story has cerrtain flaws. Why was a person given huge resposibilities to start with? Why did an 'insider' reveal the identity of a big player but not the captain has been left unanswered.
• The movie has relatively unknown cast. There are some 'remotely known' faces in support role but the key actors are all new. That is not a limitation as the original 'Satya' also had a relatively unknown cast. Manoj Bajpai was known but was yet to become big....which he, to a certain extent, still is. Urmila was the only well-known actor. In this movie, the main protagonist, his partners and his opponent are all either new or are not popular actors. The role of the main police official handling the case  should have been essayed by a popular actor. For example, Mohanlal played the role of the Police Commissioner in 'Company'. Such a personality was needed in this movie.  More importantly, the choice of the actor for the role of the main protagonist is questionable. The actor has done a decent job but lacks personality that was required for the role. Someone with a stronger personality or image would have helped the movie in performing better at box office.

Key Strengths

• The story, despite its flaws, is gripping. It does not get boring at any point of time, except the meaningless songs that lacked melody. I wish the movie did not have any songs. Having said that, the movie would make you sit till the end to find out what happens.
• The treatment of the movie and narration has RGV singature all over it. The camera angles, the dialogues, the background score compliment the story really well

Overall, it is a decent movie. If you like RGV brand of cinema (real RGV style of movies and not what his lesser-intelligent clone made) then you would like the movie. However, it cannot be denied that the movie could have been much better.

Bubble Caught & Shot

Bubble Caught By: Ananya Ajay
Bubble Shot By: Animesh Kumar 

Love Jihad: My Take

'Love Jihad' is an interesting term. I must say that when I first came across this term (and came to know that the term has been coined by a prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Leader), I thought that they mean that we should spread love and not hatred. Only later, after a post-mortem by the media, I understood the real meaning. I was surprised and must say….somewhat embarrassed.

I support BJP but I do not like all BJP leaders. I believe in Narendra Modi as a leader/visionary and that is the only reason why I support BJP. There are some more leaders like Subramanian Swamy and Arun Jaitley, whom I like but I still ‘suspect’ the ‘others’. When I understood the meaning of ‘Love Jihad’, I felt that it is an unnecessary attempt by a section of BJP, which tries to please the voters who have a ‘communal bend of mind’. I hate that section of BJP. Then Subramanian Swamy started talking against ‘Love Jihad’ and that made me take it seriously!!! (I agree with him on most points)

I came across some more facts about what is actually going on. There are indeed a lot of reports about Muslim boys marrying Hindu girls and then trying to force their religion on the girl. There have been confessions from Muslim boys that they were asked to lure Hindu girls to marry them and then try to convert the girls. Following is an interesting bit that I read somewhere about the ‘AGENDA’ (as per the confession of a Muslim boy);

• If 1 Muslim boy marries 1 Hindu girl and has 6 children, India would become a country with Muslim majority in 40 year
• If 1 Muslim boy marries 2 Hindu girls and has 6 children with each of them, India would become a country with Muslim majority in 24 years

I am not sure about the assumptions in the calculations above or the accuracy of the calculations. However, as per the Muslim boy, this is what they are being preached and are being asked to follow!!! They are being asked to have more children and if possible with Hindu girls. That way the Muslim population would grow faster and a check can be put on the growth of Hindu population. Again, I am not sure if this is an actual confession or a made-up story but if someone wants to convert India into a Muslim dominated country, then the approach makes absolute sense!!!

As per the relevant (who spoke against ‘Love Jihad’) BJP Leaders, they are concerned about the above-mentioned agenda and that is what they want to stop/control. The whole ‘Love Jihad’ controversy picked up steam when some cases supporting the arguments of these BJP Leaders were reported in the media.

I must say that I am not sure about how they of want to solve this ‘menace’. Or rather, how they define this problem? Following are some of the definitions of ‘Love Jihad’ that I have come across so far (it is a list of scenarios which have been termed as ‘Love Jihad’ by various (not collectively) BJP leaders;

1. Muslim boy marries a Hindu girl
2. Muslim boy marries a  Hindu girl and then the Hindu girl willingly converts to Islam
3. Muslim boy marries a Hindu girl and then the Hindu girl is forced to convert to Islam
4. Muslim boy portrays himself as Hindu and then marries a Hindu girl. Hindu girl accepts the marriage but does not convert to Islam
5. Muslim boy portrays himself as Hindu and then marries a Hindu girl. Hindu girl accepts the marriage and willingly converts to Islam
6. Muslim boy portrays himself as Hindu and then marries a Hindu girl. Hindu girl is later forced to convert to Islam

My opinion is that 3 and 6 are clearly wrong and should be considered as criminal offence. At the same time, 4 and 5 should be condemned as the relationship started with a lie. However, if the girl and her family do not have an issue with 4 and 5, then everyone else should mind their own business.

So if the solution that they are contemplating is to not allow Muslim boys from marrying Hindu girls, then it is truly insane. It is against the freedom of choice. We should not become a Hindu version of ISIS (now IS) or Taliban. At the same time, we should not completely ignore this issue.

My take is that I do believe that there is an ‘agenda’. As I mentioned earlier, I am not sure about the calculations but the approach mentioned in the agenda makes complete sense (from the point of view of Love-Jihadists). The government and the society must be aware of such threats as it is indeed happening. Several parts of India have already become Muslim-dominated in the past few decades. That is not a problem per se. However, if someone is planning that demographic change in order to later leverage that, it can turn into a massive issue. We have already seen issues in Saharanpur. Everyone should be aware of such threats and such agendas. At the same time, I really do not want to see people stopping Muslim boys from marrying Hindu girls - when there is no hidden agenda. We must be little open-minded and accommodating.

There is a difference between Jihadists/IS/Taliban/Pakistan and us. It is important that the difference is maintained.

Pic Source: http://about.me/jimmyspencerjr

Good Morning!!!

South Indian Restaurants: My Funda

I have a simple theory about South Indian restaurants. I am not talking about restaurants, which serve all types of cuisines including South Indian dishes. This theory is true for restaurants serving South Indian dishes ONLY as well as restaurants serving Indian cuisine in general but specializing in South Indian cuisine.

I will share a little background, basically to indicate my 'credentials' and 'expertise' over the subject;

• I stayed in South India between June 2001 to July 2011. This period was spent in Bangalore (~1.5 years) and Hyderabad (remaining period)
• I have also traveled to many places in South India like Chennai, Pondicherry, Mysore, Warangal, Khammam, Vizag, Bidar, Suryalanka, Ooty, Coimbatore, Vijaywada, Mangalore and Udupi. And, I like South Indian dishes so I have had South Indian food at most of these places
• We also had this 'tradition' of having Sunday brunch comprising of South Indian dishes. So, in all the years that I have spent in South India, we can easily say that on an average, I had at least one South Indian meal each week. Trust me, it was way more
• I am a foodie and I know about food. If you do not believe that, I would be happy to send a picture of mine

I think we have established that I know a thing or two about South Indian food. 

So, here is what I do when I go to a South Indian restaurant. I first order a plate of 'Sambhar Vada' (also known as 'Sambhar Vadai'. Some restaurants have other fancier names like 'Sambhar Bucket Vada!!!') before ordering anything else. Please note that Sambhar-Vada is different from 'Vada Sambhar', which is just Vada and a bowl of Sambhar. 

Pic Source: www.madrasrestaurant.ca

The reason I order Sambhar Vada first is because I believe that one can tell how good or bad is the food in a South Indian restaurant by the taste of their Sambhar!!! 

Sambhar is an integral part of most South Indian dishes/meals. There are indeed dishes that are not Sambhar-based or are not accompanied by Sambhar. Moreover, there are people who prefer Rasam or dishes that go with Rasam and not Sambhar. I am not talking about those dishes and preferences, though the theory covers restaurants serving those all those dishes as well.

My simple theory is that 'If you cannot get your Sambhar right, you are a useless South Indian restaurant'. Period!!! And, thus far, this theory has NEVER failed me. I am yet to find a restaurant that serves below-par Sambhar and an awesome Uttapam.

Good Morning

Consultant Blogger

All of us....with Madam Aanu!!!

 

Pic & Graphics Courtesy: Animesh Kumar; Collage Courtesy: Roshni Swarup

Grrrrr!!!

I am working alone in a room and I just noticed what my wife has left on the screen!!! Today, I am going to kill this woman!!!

Meetings :(

Monday, 22 Sept 14: 8 PM till 12:30 AM

Tuesday, 23 Sept 14: 8:30 PM till 1 AM

Wednesday,  24 Sept 14: 2:30 PM till 7 PM

That has been the meeting schedule in last three day....and with the same client. Each meeting has lasted 4:30 hours!!!

I do not want to see his face again in next couple of weeks at least. I am sure, he is feeling the same.

Baccha Party.....

Customary Weekend South Indian Brunch

Papa ko Pappi

Wanna hear a joke...poor one?

What if someday Times of India takes over Lashkar-e-Taiba?

It will become 'ToILeT'!!!!

"1.....2.....3....Mile"

Bilawal....Pakistan's Rahul Baba!!!

Made by: Animesh Kumar

It could have been handled better

The following is a real incident;

A unit of the Gurkha Regiment was posted in Kashmir. One day a group of soldiers were standing on the side of a road. Not sure but they were probably sent to manage a protest rally. A large mob had assembled. The mob was marching on the road when one idiot decided to act funny. Confident that the soldiers would not say anything to him as he was part of a large mob that clearly outnumbered the soldiers, he walked to a soldier and tried to touch the rifle. 

As per the witnesses, the soldier moved in lightning speed and in one swift motion, chopped off the hand of that idiot. It was so sudden that the idiot could not even react and the severed hand was left dangling on the rifle. Of course a Court of Inquiry followed. However, the soldier was not punished or reprimanded as his logic was clear, "Usne hatthyaar pakadne ki koshish ki" ("he tried to grab the weapon")!!!

It is that simple. No one (unless authorized) should be allowed to even touch a military equipment, forget about grabbing it or taking it away.

I wish that soldier was there when Yasin Malik snatched away an Indian Army boat, meant for rescue operations in Kashmir.

An Enigma called Ram Gopal Varma

Let me start by making an honest confession, which will probably erode my social circle even further. I like the movie 'Sarkar', which is an adaptation of 'The Godfather' more than the original!!! I know it is hard to believe but it is what it is!!!

I would not say that I am a fan of Ram Gopal Varma but I do believe that he has the potential to make truly world-class movies. He is best when it comes to dark movies about crime and underworld. He can be pretty okay with horror genre as well. Yet, he churns out one shitty movie after another!!! That truly baffles me.

How can a director who has made movies like 'Satya', 'Company', 'Sarkar' 'The Attacks of 26/11' and 'Kaun?' also make movies like 'Ram Gopal Varma ki Aag', 'Naach', 'Shiva' (new one) and 'Department'? Even some of his horror movies like 'Raat', 'Darling' and 'Bhoot' have been quite good/okay.

There is no denying the fact that he lacks consistency. That coupled with his attitude makes him quite a unpopular person on social media. He has become a joke in the league of KRK!!! 

I find it extremely strange. The question that I ask is 'does he really care'? I do not know how good/bad/ugly is he in terms of financials but I hope he understands that movie making is not only about creativity, art and joy. The movies need to make sufficient money so that you can make another one. He makes so many movies so I guess he does not have financial issues but the rate at which his movies are tanking at box office, he may soon lose market confidence or simply run out of gas. 

To his credit, RGV is one of the few directors who keep experimenting. There are few others who are similar. Anurag Kashyap is a great example but he IS from 'Ram Gopal Varma School of Film Making'. Anurag agrees that he has learnt a lot from RGV!!

There are 'lesser-Directors' who do not experiment much and make nonsensical movies but they make truck loads of money. Rohit Shetty can make interesting and entertaining movies but can also make absolute crap. Sajid Khan is class apart when it comes to making stinky-shitty-crappy-bullshit. Karan Johar makes 'goodie-goodie' movies. They are not 'story-tellers'. They are just 'story-sellers'. 

RGV is certainly better than these directors but he is trying hard to prove this wrong. I wonder how does he select a story. If he is good enough to understand that a story like 'Satya' would work (especially in the time when it was made) and is good enough to make a masterclass out of that story, why cannot he understand that a movie like 'Naach' or 'Department' would not work. Or does he do all that because it makes HIM happy? Does he get engulfed by his desire to try out new things so much that he forgets that people would come to watch the movie in hope of seeing the kind of magic that only he or only few can create in Indian cinema? Does he treat movies like 'Department' or 'Agyaat' as laboratories for testing out new things?

Hindi movies enjoy decent popularity here in Kuala Lumpur. Whenever people (Malaysians, Chinese and people of Indian-origin) ask me which movies should they watch, I do suggest 'Satya', 'Company' and 'Sarkar' along with others. I am sure most of them curse me after watching these movies as they are mostly 'Sharook Kan' fans!! Yet, I suggest these movies as these are movies that I feel proud of!!! I do not know the reason but I guess I am happy that Indian directors can make such movies. I call these movies as 'RGV Signature Movies'. 

Amidst all the 'tests' that he conducts, I hope he delivers his signature movies every now and then.  However, I feel if something gives him happiness, he does not care about what others think or want. I think he is in a different world where he does things that truly please him. 

He is the Howard Hughes of our times!!!

Old Quote -2

Old Quote

http://healthcare.financialexpress.com/200906/market01.shtml

Done...Dona...Done Done!!!

Hectic....HECTIC Day!!!

Had 3 calls yesterday morning. Then ran for a client meeting. Came back from the meeting and had 2 more calls. Then briefed a colleague regarding changes required in the proposal. Then started working on a proposal and worked well past midnight. Then decided to take some rest and today was expected to be even more hectic. However, could not get sleep as I could not lose the momentum. Mind was full of thoughts, ideas, concerns. Got up at 7. Got ready and came to the office. Had a call. Had a meeting to review the work done by the colleague. Suggested more changes. Made additions in the proposal. Had more calls. Finalized the proposal. At 1 PM, realized that I have not had breakfast. Sent the proposal for final review. 

Have come for lunch. 

Eyes are burning after constantly staring the laptop for hours. Need some rest. After this, another proposal needs to be made and there are at least 2 more calls to take care of...........before I can get some rest. Hmmmmph!!!

A Management Consultant Wonders

"You focus too much on execution and quality".

He wondered if this is a bad attribute. After all, it has not been impacting the profitability, productivity and utilization. Any management consultant should be proud of such a comment. His company, which is perceived as a reports and market research provider but wants to grow in consulting, should in fact give value to such attributes and employees, who possess such attributes. However, that is not the case in his company!!! Here, such employees are required to change!!!

The individual who has been quoted at the beginning had added further, "Focus on getting more business. You should not say NO to anything that the client wants in scope. Do not worry about execution - that we will manage somehow".

'Manage somehow' is not the best approach in an industry where clients pay you for your expertise and project management skills. It is an industry where clients have 'almost zero tolerance' towards low quality and non-adherence to timelines.

The approach of 'get more business and do not say no to anything that the client wants in scope' is extremely risky. He thought that the fact that his management is still a fan of this approach, even after losing some high-profile clients in recent past, is nothing short of BIZARRE. His company lost a client, who had awarded more than 5 projects in that year, as the VP and Director/PM could not say NO to an impossible scope. The client has not worked with his company since then!!! Our management consultant had suggested that they should not touch the project. Still, people refuse to learn from the mistakes!!!

In fact, his 'questionable' attribute had helped in getting repeat business from multiple clients. There was a company which did not award a project to his company as they wanted to work with a more established consulting firm. They went with one of the best consulting firms that is around. However, it turned out that the consulting firm promised too many things (had not said NO to anything) and could not deliver. The next time, the client awarded the project to our management consultant's company and he led the project. And like always, he executed the project perfectly (clearly he is not being modest!!!). Later, the client awarded his company another project and requested him to lead the project. So, his work made a client happy - the same client who was pissed with the quality of work produced by a top consulting firm. Commendable, is it not? It is indeed but such qualities are not valued in his company. He wonders WHY!!!

He points that he does not believe in playing safe. He does not promise only those things which can be 'easily' delivered. Firstly, in consulting, no one pays for things that can be easily delivered. Moreover, in consulting, you are selling an idea and service, which needs to take shape over the duration of the project. Things have to go as per plan and have to fall in place. So everything is a risk. One has to take a risk and plan/aim for whatever can be delivered in the best quality. However, one should not 'gamble' while pitching for a project. One needs to be realistic and practical, which he is (again, no sign of modesty!!!).

Our management consultant wonders....if he needs to change himself and if he needs a change.

Craze over new phones/technology

Another iPhone has been launched amidst worldwide excitement and euphoria. Several friends have been having multiple orgasms and have expressed their excitement on various social media platforms. Though I am not and have never been an iPhone user (or Apple user), such excitement always manages to engulf me and makes me curious.

I asked my friends and family members that why is iPhone 6, the newest member of iPhone family, better than its predecessors and other smartphones in the market. I have realized over the years that it is a wrong question to be asked by a Samsung user to any ardent iPhone fan. However, my curiosity prevailed my apprehension and I went ahead with the question.

What I got was a feeling of Deja Vu. I got the same response that I had got last year and the year before and the year before. I am not saying that nothing has changed in iPhones over the past few years. What I realize is that several (not saying 'most' to avoid getting pounced) iPhone users are not technology savvy enough to understand the changes. 

I have concluded that it is the brand or brand loyalty that fascinates them or makes them purchase every new product. Moreover, it is the 'status-symbol' aspect that fascinates them. Nothing wrong with either. However 'loyalty' and 'showing-off', after the 'safe level', become craze and start making the affected individual look crazy!!!

I am not trying to ridicule their purchase though. I am sure iPhones in general and iPhone 6 in particular must be offering several exciting features and benefits to the users.

However, I do not believe in purchasing the new version of a phone/brand as soon as it is launched. The rate at which phones are getting launched these days, it is impossible to keep up with the latest technology. And it is impossible to fight an argument that your phone is better than the latest phone in the market. Every new phone offers something new and/or is cheaper. So, everyone can defend their purchase. So, loyalty is fine but purchasing a phone as it has the best technology in the market is crazy. Especially when most people do not even understand these technologies.

My phone, Samsung Note 2, is 2 years old. Since then Note 3 has been launched. Note 4 has already been introduced and will be available with one month. So, am I tempted to purchase a new phone? Not at all. The reason being that I am happy with the overall package. 

• I can make calls (I hope all phones can do that!!!)
• I can download hundreds of applications (all smartphones can do that)
• I can download most of those applications for free (hmmm...not all smartphones offer that)
• I can comfortably watch movies and work on my phone as it has a big screen (not all phones have such a big screen and can boast of such comfortable viewing experience)
• I can plug a USB and can download movies and music (not all phones can offer that)

Another big reason for not even thinking about any change is the 'exit barrier'. I have a multimedia dock and extra-battery kit for the specific model, which ensure that my phone never runs out of juice and help me in easily connecting my phone to mouse, keyboard, television etc. I can work comfortably on my phone. Of course I cannot prepare decks on my phone but I can 'comfortably' (that is the key word) browse internet, respond to my work mails, view attachments - without opening the laptop. So, why should I change my phone?

That brings us to the question that do I feel iPhones are completely useless? Not at all. I firmly believe that iPhones have the best interface and technology. Absolutely no denying that fact. However, I do not want to pay for most applications and download music and movies through iTunes. I prefer Samsung over iPhone as I am prepared to compromise on interface in order to get user-friendliness.

I do not ridicule iPhones as I know they are better in various aspects. However, I am happy with my phone and I am not compelled to change it....till it conks off!!!

Close-up of close ones

Baccha Party!!!

'Being Funny' vs 'Making Fun'

I hate it when people try to be 'funny' and unnecessarily pass a comment on someone. Has happened many a times. Sometimes I ignore, yesterday I did not. Or rather could not.

Had recently heard a quote by a stand-up comedian that "Mazaak woh hota hai jispar sab hanse. If everyone is laughing except the person who is the subject or target of the joke, then you are doing something wrong"!!! 

It is actually that simple. Yet people cross the line.

Had a spat with a friend. In the past few months, this has happened few times but it clearly happened one too many times. He is not a close friend; just a classmate from school. Was not my best friend then as well. However, the depth or seriousness of our friendship does not matter. The point is that he is a friend and we share a Whatsapp group as all of us in the group collectively cherish those days and try to relive those beautiful memories.

The last time we had a spat was around the Indian elections time. The reason - we have different political beliefs. However, if you try to impose your beliefs on me or try to troll my beliefs then I will of course defend my beliefs. After all, I am neither a person who easily starts following someone nor I am a pushover. Unfortunately for him, I had too many facts to fight and defend my case. That spat had got ugly since it was on social media. Few others made some comments and he got pissed. Childish but chalta hai. Aakhir dost hai and as they say, har ek friend zaroori hota hai!! We patched up and I moved on. It seems he did not.

Yesterday, he passed a silly and unnecessary comment on me. I retaliated and gave it back. He tried to be even more funny but in the process and by making some silly comments, he slipped into a territory where I could have ridiculed him. And I do not miss such opportunities in arguments. It went on and on. Then came the classic 'potential knock-out' punch from him. He made a comment about my looks. It is not that overnight I have become 'massively overweight'. I pretty well know it and I am quite used to such comments. More often than not, I am the one making such comments about myself!!! So his potential KO punch did not quite land. But it made the argument even more intense. One has to know what is that 'thing' that will piss the opponent off and drive him/her crazy. Unfortunately, since we 'were friend' (will explain later), I knew about such things. To cut the long story short, I made him super-pissed.

He has left the Whatsapp group (again) and has blocked me on Facebook. That is why I said we 'were friends'. Pretty silly and childish!!!

I would like to tell you my friend that if you plan to make fun of someone, be sporting enough to be target of and accept their jokes/comments as well. If you are so sensitive then you should not piss people off. Definitely not me. 

BTW your warning that if you meet me, you will beat me (dho dalunga) was hilarious!!! Huzur kabhi sewa ka mauka dijiye, saari galat fahamiyaan door kiye denge. And you think that if you are 'Punjabi Jatt', you can beat anyone!!! Seriously??? I think you take your Punjabi crappy songs way too seriously!!! Sikhs are certainly pretty macho. My theory is Sikhs have 3 balls (and not 2 like most men). Two are where they should be and one is in their turban. It is the third ball (the one in turban), which is filled with 'all' the machismo!!! It is a pity that you have cut it off!!! So, Mr. Punjabi Jatt....Parrey Hatt!!!

Jokes apart, "I will beat you if you meet me", "dho daalunga", "saamne mat aana" etc., no longer suit us. I am definitely too mature (avoiding 'old') for such talks. All that talk was okay in school. Now we should grow up and have meaningful discussions, debates and....arguments. If you want to join the group, please be my guest. I would be cordial with you. But if you are expecting that I will come and request you to come back....nope, biwi thode na ho meri!!!

Simple Rule

You do not pay me well....I can still live with it
You do not promote me....I can still live with it
You give credit of my work to anyone else.....Now you have pissed me!!

I will not sit quiet. You owe me an explanation and SOON!!!

Quoted: The Edge

Lunch @ Chilli's