The End of an Era, Sidney Sheldon dies-
I got my first Sidney Sheldon book at the age of 13, I think it was "The Other Side of Midnight." I was captivated by the sheer brilliance of the author, suspense and drama, that made me turn each page with eager expectation. As the years progressed I graduated to serious literature and philosophy, but Sidney Sheldon along with Robert Ludlum and Jeffrey Archer are my favourite authors.
Sidney died yesterday at the age of 89, because of complications related to pneumonia. He donned a variety of roles in his long and eventful life. Jewish by birth, he won his first prize of $ 10, for a poem that he wrote as a ten year kid. During the Depression of 1929, he held various jobs. He worked as a script-reader and eventually emerged as a script-writer himself, writing plays that were staged on Broadway. He served in the War as a pilot and used his experiences in "The Other Side of Midnight." He wrote and produced serials for television, with "I Dream of Jeannie," being one of the most loved comedies on American television. He wrote his first novel at 50, and then there was no stopping him, as his books broke one record after the other. His works have been translated into more than 30 languages and will be cherished as an author who was loved by many people across the globe transcending all boundaries of differences.
My favourite Sheldon books are-"If Tomorrow Comes," "The Doomsday Conspiracy" and "Master of the game."
Adieu Mr. Sidney Sheldon, you will be missed...
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
For Once, it did not rain...
The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and cricket-lovers in Chennai, breathed a sigh of relief when it did not rain in Chennai during the third ODI between India and West Indies. The match ended in favour of the Caribbeans, but it was a good contest. India frittered away an excellent start given by Uthappa who scored 70 and Dravid and Sachin who scored 57 and 60 respectively. At one stage India were 232/3, but the devil popped up its ugly head and India were all out for 268.
West Indies lost Chris Gayle in the first over and it looked like India might sneak a series win but Lara with his knock of 83 and Marlon Samuels's 98 ensured that the series was kept alive.
The match at Baroda will be India's litmus test and a victory would boost the overall morale of the team and the fans, let us see what happens..
The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and cricket-lovers in Chennai, breathed a sigh of relief when it did not rain in Chennai during the third ODI between India and West Indies. The match ended in favour of the Caribbeans, but it was a good contest. India frittered away an excellent start given by Uthappa who scored 70 and Dravid and Sachin who scored 57 and 60 respectively. At one stage India were 232/3, but the devil popped up its ugly head and India were all out for 268.
West Indies lost Chris Gayle in the first over and it looked like India might sneak a series win but Lara with his knock of 83 and Marlon Samuels's 98 ensured that the series was kept alive.
The match at Baroda will be India's litmus test and a victory would boost the overall morale of the team and the fans, let us see what happens..
A Challenge for Saravana Stores?
People living in North India are familiar with Big-Bazaar and the various services offered by the retail chain. January 26-28, saw a major traffic problem near the Vadapalani bus-stand. The reason-The three-day special price sale offered by Big-Bazaar. A whole range of products offered under one roof.
I visited the place on Jan 27, and I got the shock of my life, the place was jam-packed with people trying to get a good deal for their money. I guess this is how the retail chains like Wal-Mart generate mass hysteria among American shoppers with their unbelievable offers. Big-Bazaar has been open for quite some time in Chennai, but they embarked on an aggressive ad-campaign from mid January 2007 and have managed to give Saravana Stores a run for their money.
Three trousers for Rs 597, Four formal shirts for Rs 999, DVD players for Rs 1800, 21 inch television sets for Rs 7000, microwave ovens for Rs 2200, mobile phones starting from Rs 999 the list goes on. The crowds just went crazy and I believe that the three days would have generated business close to Rs 1.5 crores, if not more than that.
The billing section needs to be revamped, with each section having its own counter, the present system of having all the billing counters at the exit is not a good idea. I had to wait for an hour and a half to complete my payment and leave the shopping centre. Big-Bazaar, has strted on a strong note and opening more outlets in other parts of the city and suburbs like Avadi, Tambaram, Thiruvotriyur, would be a good idea.
The Chennaite's fascination for Mambalam and Ranganathan street and Spencer's Plaza is bound to change with companies like Reliance and Bharti-Wal-Mart, entering the Retail segment. This year will see more malls coming up, let us wait and watch, I guess the middle-class would be the happiest as they have more options and will get more value for their money.
It is Happy Shopping for the middle-class, husbands beware take care of your wallets.
People living in North India are familiar with Big-Bazaar and the various services offered by the retail chain. January 26-28, saw a major traffic problem near the Vadapalani bus-stand. The reason-The three-day special price sale offered by Big-Bazaar. A whole range of products offered under one roof.
I visited the place on Jan 27, and I got the shock of my life, the place was jam-packed with people trying to get a good deal for their money. I guess this is how the retail chains like Wal-Mart generate mass hysteria among American shoppers with their unbelievable offers. Big-Bazaar has been open for quite some time in Chennai, but they embarked on an aggressive ad-campaign from mid January 2007 and have managed to give Saravana Stores a run for their money.
Three trousers for Rs 597, Four formal shirts for Rs 999, DVD players for Rs 1800, 21 inch television sets for Rs 7000, microwave ovens for Rs 2200, mobile phones starting from Rs 999 the list goes on. The crowds just went crazy and I believe that the three days would have generated business close to Rs 1.5 crores, if not more than that.
The billing section needs to be revamped, with each section having its own counter, the present system of having all the billing counters at the exit is not a good idea. I had to wait for an hour and a half to complete my payment and leave the shopping centre. Big-Bazaar, has strted on a strong note and opening more outlets in other parts of the city and suburbs like Avadi, Tambaram, Thiruvotriyur, would be a good idea.
The Chennaite's fascination for Mambalam and Ranganathan street and Spencer's Plaza is bound to change with companies like Reliance and Bharti-Wal-Mart, entering the Retail segment. This year will see more malls coming up, let us wait and watch, I guess the middle-class would be the happiest as they have more options and will get more value for their money.
It is Happy Shopping for the middle-class, husbands beware take care of your wallets.
Monday, January 22, 2007
The Return of the Prodigal
I guess that India will win a match, if the match is not telecast live on T.V., India defeated the West Indies by 14 runs in the first match of the Pepsi Series. The pitch at Nagpur was a beautiful batting track, and had absolutely nothing for the bowlers in it. Lara won the toss and asked the Indians to bat first.
The mess that Team India created for itself in South Africa was still vivid in our memories, and it was a gamble of sorts when Gautham Gambhir and Sourav Ganguly opened the innings. The Carribean attack was bludgeoned by the two south paws and shared an opening partnership of 144 runs, India's best in almost nine months. Dada scored 98 runs of just 109 balls and missed out on a century because of an excellent piece of fielding by Dwayne Smith. Sachin was out for 31. Dravid and Dhoni scored 54 and 62 respectively. The last 12 overs yielding 119 runs. India set West Indies an imposing total of 339 for victory.
The West Indies chase started in true calypso style with some powerful shots from Gayle and Chanderpaul. Some shoddy fielding resulted in the Indian fielders dropping three-four catches.
Harbhajan got the breakthrough by removing Gayle and Morton. Chanderpaul was batting as if he was on a mission and spared no Indian bowler, he remained notout on 149, but it was not enough as they could only score 324 at the end of 50 overs for the loss of 8 wickets. Gayle scored 52 and Samuels scored 40 runs. If somebody in the tail would have supported Chanderpaul, the result would have been different.
Well let us celebrate when we can, Dada has acquited himself, though he should have completed his century and boosted the total. I am really happy for him and hope he plays an important role in the forthcoming matches and the World Cup.
The bowling and fielding needs to improve and the bowlers need to get their act together, or the series will definitely go the Calypso way. Let us hope that the Nimbus-Prasar Bharathi battle is sorted out and we can watch the remaining matches.
I guess that India will win a match, if the match is not telecast live on T.V., India defeated the West Indies by 14 runs in the first match of the Pepsi Series. The pitch at Nagpur was a beautiful batting track, and had absolutely nothing for the bowlers in it. Lara won the toss and asked the Indians to bat first.
The mess that Team India created for itself in South Africa was still vivid in our memories, and it was a gamble of sorts when Gautham Gambhir and Sourav Ganguly opened the innings. The Carribean attack was bludgeoned by the two south paws and shared an opening partnership of 144 runs, India's best in almost nine months. Dada scored 98 runs of just 109 balls and missed out on a century because of an excellent piece of fielding by Dwayne Smith. Sachin was out for 31. Dravid and Dhoni scored 54 and 62 respectively. The last 12 overs yielding 119 runs. India set West Indies an imposing total of 339 for victory.
The West Indies chase started in true calypso style with some powerful shots from Gayle and Chanderpaul. Some shoddy fielding resulted in the Indian fielders dropping three-four catches.
Harbhajan got the breakthrough by removing Gayle and Morton. Chanderpaul was batting as if he was on a mission and spared no Indian bowler, he remained notout on 149, but it was not enough as they could only score 324 at the end of 50 overs for the loss of 8 wickets. Gayle scored 52 and Samuels scored 40 runs. If somebody in the tail would have supported Chanderpaul, the result would have been different.
Well let us celebrate when we can, Dada has acquited himself, though he should have completed his century and boosted the total. I am really happy for him and hope he plays an important role in the forthcoming matches and the World Cup.
The bowling and fielding needs to improve and the bowlers need to get their act together, or the series will definitely go the Calypso way. Let us hope that the Nimbus-Prasar Bharathi battle is sorted out and we can watch the remaining matches.
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Happy Pongal
It was a simple celebration, to thank the Sun-God and seek his blessings for the coming year. Mother prepared Ven Pongal and Chakarrai Pongal and after the rituals we had a late breakfast of pongal.
T.V. rules all celebrations and public holidays and Pongal was no different. The various channels were and are fighting tooth and nail by airing some of the biggest blockbusters of last year. Some of the movies on show include-Autograph, Anniyan, Pattiyal, Vanakkam Thalaiva. I was glued to Autograph and after failing to see the movie in a theatre or on dvd, I finally saw the whole movie. The advertisements mar the tempo of the movie an ad-break of around 10 minutes after 25 minutes of a movie is a crime which all viewers have to face. I guess Sun TV will launch Movie on Demand and only then we will escape from the torture of the advertisers.
So folks hope all of you had a gala time celebrating Pongal, bye for now.
It was a simple celebration, to thank the Sun-God and seek his blessings for the coming year. Mother prepared Ven Pongal and Chakarrai Pongal and after the rituals we had a late breakfast of pongal.
T.V. rules all celebrations and public holidays and Pongal was no different. The various channels were and are fighting tooth and nail by airing some of the biggest blockbusters of last year. Some of the movies on show include-Autograph, Anniyan, Pattiyal, Vanakkam Thalaiva. I was glued to Autograph and after failing to see the movie in a theatre or on dvd, I finally saw the whole movie. The advertisements mar the tempo of the movie an ad-break of around 10 minutes after 25 minutes of a movie is a crime which all viewers have to face. I guess Sun TV will launch Movie on Demand and only then we will escape from the torture of the advertisers.
So folks hope all of you had a gala time celebrating Pongal, bye for now.
Friday, January 12, 2007
A Step in the Right Direction
Finally the BCCI has taken a right step by dropping Sehwag for the first two matches of the upcoming series against the West Indies. I have added the list of players at the end of this topic. Let us hope that the Indian team regains its winning form.
15-man team for West Indies ODIs: Rahul Dravid (c), Sachin Tendulkar (vice-captain), Sourav Ganguly, Robin Uthappa, Gautam Gambhir, M S Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Zaheer Khan, S Sreesanth, Ajit Agarkar, Joginder Sharma, Ramesh Powar, Harbhajan Singh, R P Singh, Suresh Raina.
World Cup probables: Rahul Dravid (captain), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Mohd Kaif, Gautam Gambhir, Sourav Ganguly, Robin Uthappa, Joginder Sharma, Ajit Agarakar, M S Dhoni, R P Singh, Dinesh Karthik, Suresh Raina, Zaheer Khan, S Sreesanth, Romesh Pawar, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan,
Munaf Patel, Anil Kumble, Dinesh Mongia, VRV Singh, Parthiv Patel, VVS Laxman, Rohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma, Cheteswar Pujara, S Badrinath, Rajesh Pawar.
Finally the BCCI has taken a right step by dropping Sehwag for the first two matches of the upcoming series against the West Indies. I have added the list of players at the end of this topic. Let us hope that the Indian team regains its winning form.
15-man team for West Indies ODIs: Rahul Dravid (c), Sachin Tendulkar (vice-captain), Sourav Ganguly, Robin Uthappa, Gautam Gambhir, M S Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Zaheer Khan, S Sreesanth, Ajit Agarkar, Joginder Sharma, Ramesh Powar, Harbhajan Singh, R P Singh, Suresh Raina.
World Cup probables: Rahul Dravid (captain), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Mohd Kaif, Gautam Gambhir, Sourav Ganguly, Robin Uthappa, Joginder Sharma, Ajit Agarakar, M S Dhoni, R P Singh, Dinesh Karthik, Suresh Raina, Zaheer Khan, S Sreesanth, Romesh Pawar, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan,
Munaf Patel, Anil Kumble, Dinesh Mongia, VRV Singh, Parthiv Patel, VVS Laxman, Rohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma, Cheteswar Pujara, S Badrinath, Rajesh Pawar.
Monday, January 08, 2007
That Sinking feeling again-Indian cricket team flatters to deceive, yet again
At the end of India's first innings, in the final test, I felt that India had a good chance to win the test and the series and create a new record. Unfortunately India lost the match and could only score a measly 169 in its second innings.
I still do not understand why the batting order was changed once again when Jaffer and Karthik put on a solid display of batting in the first innings. Sehwag at the top of the order has consistently failed in this series and he is having a negative effect on the batting of the other players. One more thing why was Munaf picked for the final test, John Gloster will have to answer some bitter questions to the BCCI for giving a clean chit to Munaf, who was limping like a granny through most of the match.
Sreesanth, Zaheer and Ganguly have cemented their place in the team with good performances and I feel Dada should be a part of India's World Cup plans. Drop Sehwag bring in Uthappa and make Karthik play as a batsman along with Dhoni as the keeper or vice-versa, but both of them should be a part of the squad as it adds depth to the disappointing batting line-up.
The umpiring was horrible with Munaf getting out on the SEVENTH ball of an over, plus some very awkward and bad decisions with respect to Kartik, Dravid and Sachin.
Let bygones be bygones and may the Indian team win the upcoming series.
At the end of India's first innings, in the final test, I felt that India had a good chance to win the test and the series and create a new record. Unfortunately India lost the match and could only score a measly 169 in its second innings.
I still do not understand why the batting order was changed once again when Jaffer and Karthik put on a solid display of batting in the first innings. Sehwag at the top of the order has consistently failed in this series and he is having a negative effect on the batting of the other players. One more thing why was Munaf picked for the final test, John Gloster will have to answer some bitter questions to the BCCI for giving a clean chit to Munaf, who was limping like a granny through most of the match.
Sreesanth, Zaheer and Ganguly have cemented their place in the team with good performances and I feel Dada should be a part of India's World Cup plans. Drop Sehwag bring in Uthappa and make Karthik play as a batsman along with Dhoni as the keeper or vice-versa, but both of them should be a part of the squad as it adds depth to the disappointing batting line-up.
The umpiring was horrible with Munaf getting out on the SEVENTH ball of an over, plus some very awkward and bad decisions with respect to Kartik, Dravid and Sachin.
Let bygones be bygones and may the Indian team win the upcoming series.
memories
Well it took very little time to complete all the formalities of leaving my old company and the HR guy Susei was very helpful. I have joined my new company, and got my own workstation. The setup looks pretty professional and the office decor is pleasing. I was pleasantly surprised to meet my college mate Ashwin here, even he joined here just a week ago, so we will be having training together. More details will follow.
Well it took very little time to complete all the formalities of leaving my old company and the HR guy Susei was very helpful. I have joined my new company, and got my own workstation. The setup looks pretty professional and the office decor is pleasing. I was pleasantly surprised to meet my college mate Ashwin here, even he joined here just a week ago, so we will be having training together. More details will follow.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
memories
The Noida Tragedy
2006 has brought to light a tragedy in Noida that has taken the nation by storm. Skeletons were discovered buried inside the backyard of a house and the drainage beside the house. As investigations continue it is believed that businessman Moninder Singh Pandher and his servant Surender are responsible for the deaths of about 36 children, both boys and girls who were first brutally raped and then killed.
The people of Nithari village have gone on a rampage and the police were shown beating the angry parents. This shows the apathy of the police towards the public. Can the police dream of beating the wife of the CEO of Adobe India, whose son was rescued after a kidnap-drama. Different yardsticks for measuring people from different strata of society.
As more shocking news is being leaked out to the media, there are suspicions of an organ-racket as the skeletons that have been recovered show missing torsos. The mystery is deepening and bitter truths are going to come out.
These criminals have to be hanged or better still they should be presented to the parents of the poor dead children who should stone these people to death.
If the law is allowed to take its course these people might get released saying that they are lunatics and get admitted to some asylum to escape from the death sentence.
These manic paedophiles should be hanged.
The Noida Tragedy
2006 has brought to light a tragedy in Noida that has taken the nation by storm. Skeletons were discovered buried inside the backyard of a house and the drainage beside the house. As investigations continue it is believed that businessman Moninder Singh Pandher and his servant Surender are responsible for the deaths of about 36 children, both boys and girls who were first brutally raped and then killed.
The people of Nithari village have gone on a rampage and the police were shown beating the angry parents. This shows the apathy of the police towards the public. Can the police dream of beating the wife of the CEO of Adobe India, whose son was rescued after a kidnap-drama. Different yardsticks for measuring people from different strata of society.
As more shocking news is being leaked out to the media, there are suspicions of an organ-racket as the skeletons that have been recovered show missing torsos. The mystery is deepening and bitter truths are going to come out.
These criminals have to be hanged or better still they should be presented to the parents of the poor dead children who should stone these people to death.
If the law is allowed to take its course these people might get released saying that they are lunatics and get admitted to some asylum to escape from the death sentence.
These manic paedophiles should be hanged.
memories
A New Year-A New Beginning..
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYBODY
So one more year has flown by and another year has started. The year had its fair share of highs and lows of me and I am looking forward to 2007 as I am leaving my first job and joining a new company.
The 18 months that I have worked in this company, has brought in a lot of happiness and knowledge. The joy that I felt when my first month's salary got credited into my account, the nervous tension that I experienced when I had my own bank account and used an ATM for the first time will all be cherished forever.
Life is a constant sea of change and I believe I have taken the right step in joining another company. I pray to God to give me strength to carry on and learn new things and fulfill my dreams.
Thanks God for all you have given and for all that you will give.
A New Year-A New Beginning..
A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYBODY
So one more year has flown by and another year has started. The year had its fair share of highs and lows of me and I am looking forward to 2007 as I am leaving my first job and joining a new company.
The 18 months that I have worked in this company, has brought in a lot of happiness and knowledge. The joy that I felt when my first month's salary got credited into my account, the nervous tension that I experienced when I had my own bank account and used an ATM for the first time will all be cherished forever.
Life is a constant sea of change and I believe I have taken the right step in joining another company. I pray to God to give me strength to carry on and learn new things and fulfill my dreams.
Thanks God for all you have given and for all that you will give.
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