Arbit Scratchpad

Some excerpts: Is it a fallout, a sort of appendage, of globalization that was critical in rescuing our economy in the early 90s – I don't deny the kind of economic progress and better standards of living it has brought in, but the baggage which comes with anything external is here to stay. The money has come along with the consumerist, lascivious culture glorified in the western society. Earlier it was less of everything from sense pleasures to money to celebrations, but now more is in – excesses in everything is the order of the day. There are a lot of positive aspects in the western society, the fastidious nature, the punctuality, the industrious and reasoning mentality and the cleanliness; but we seem to have copied in all the wrong things. Read the essay Ad Nauseam

Disputed world champion and the highest ELO rated chess player Gary Kasparov quit chess - the genius ended his career after winning the Linares 2005 chess competition recently. The main contender in recent times against Anand; had a row with the one of the two major chess governing bodies worldwide, FIDE. I was a great fan of his... We had been on an outbound with our team of 90 project members to Shakti hill resorts recently. Good spot with lots of greenery. We had games, teambuilding sessions etc etc and good food ...

How the Jharkhand fiasco was initiated and the behind the scene operations .... For that matter, the manner in which constitutional norms where thrown to the winds, and all ethics and rules subverted, the PM was busy in the budget and not even aware of what the Italian lady and her cronies and syncophants are up to. The country seems to be largely run by the whims and desires of an italian waitress and au pair combo, Sonia Gandhi, the next Indira Gandhi duplicate on the block. She acts, as if she doesnt get into any of this, is so innocent and doesnt know anything - but because of these recent elections, the actual dark side of this scorpion-like venomous personality is out (is she from the Mafia family background or undergone training for some nasty tricks at some Mafia training camp, I sometimes think). Haryana (read Bhajan Lal's statement?He has sworn to topple Hooda within a few months), Goa, Bihar and Jharkhand all in a mess for Congress. Did the docile PM know who initiated t...

Listening to 'Sun sun sun sun zaalimaa' ... from Guru Dutt's movie 'Aar Paar' on Doordarshan. The Google blog template , seems a definite hit ! However, I hope its not a copyright infrigement. Copying a web template should not be; but you never know. I was just reading a document back at office; each and every publicity note or advertisement or even internal notices have to follow a format, a particular specified style. Was reading 'To Kill a Mockingbird' - it is one of the most poignant and subtly humourous and touchingly sensitive books that I finished recently ... The ending is very unexpected. Just started 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho . Ashwin Kumar 's movie LITTLE TERRORIST has been nominated in the SHORT FILM (LIVE ACTION) category at the Oscars ... Lets see if the Indian director picks up an Oscar today ...

Started reading this week, ' To Kill A Mockingbird ' by Harper Lee. It is the best book I have read till now, (earlier it was 'A Clockwork Orange', and 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'; in the classics category); the way imagery has been captured is just amazing at that time (1960) its as if you were watching a movie about a little girl as she grows up. The way people behave in her neighbourhood; along with her brother, and her father, a lawyer fighting for the rights of blacks, when the black and white divide was still rampant. I have read about half the book and I am enjoying this, like I havent done with so many books, for a long time ... It strikes a chord, right with my heart, an amazing classic. Lovely. Sometimes serious, conveying a message ; and simultaneously humourous with a subtle humour at every step. Its a novel I would have loved to write. Highly recommended !

What do you think are the advantages of corporate blogging? Both EXTERNAL and INTERNAL usage for the organisation ?

Today is the 108th birth anniversary of Netaji, the revolutionary freedom fighter and leader who gave up everything for our country's salvation. Subhas Chandra Bose, The Indian National Army, and The War of India's Liberation Anecdotes Give Me Blood! I Promise You Freedom!! Speeches and articles Hitler's secret Indian army