Thursday, October 4, 2007

Rajmachi




I have just arrived from a trek to Rajmachi,and this trek has taught me a wonderful lesson-"Man,in front of Nature,is a nobody!"

Looking at the beautiful,lush green mountains,I felt a feeling of hope.Hope against what,is what I still have to understand.
Rajmachi is very famous fort near twin hill stations in Maharashtra - Lonavala and Khandala. Rajmachi fort is nearby 18/20 Kms from Lonavala but a nice way to reach the fort is from Tungarli Lake.Shrivardhan and Manoranjan can also be considered as two separate forts. There is one small plateau in between them. A temple of 'Bhairoba' is very beautiful. Shrivardhan is 'Bale killa' of Rajmachi.
It is almost 3000 feet high. But it was mainly built to keep watch on Konkan area. The other - Manoranjan is 2700 feet high.
Manoranjan consists of strong walls,3 doors and many water tanks. One can see Ulhas river, Dukes Nose also called Nagphani,Karnala ,Matheran, Mahuli and Bhimashankar.
The old caves of Kondhavi on Rajmachi fort are worth to see.The way to the fort is long but has a good view. One can enjoy the forest, Tungarli lake and many waterfalls along as well.

Two Forts were built by Shivaji Raja here-The Shrivardhan and Manoranjan forts.I couldn't help but marvel at them.Built 2700-3000 feet above sea level,I was just awed at the sight of them.
If we were huffing and puffing just to reach there,just imagine what would be the state and conditions of the people that lived around 2500 years ago,when there would have been almost no road to get on the top of the mountain.
The most beautiful part about Rajmachi is the place itself.Its very laid-back.Calm,serene environment..cool breeze...Its just amazing.The people over there are courteous and helpful.
There are quite a number of Houses that will accommodate you, The cost is minimal, and you get a good service.All houses in the village accommodate trekkers and provide simple meals, tea and snacks. The nachni bhakri, thecha (fiery chutney) and pithla (Maharashtrian speciality) are simply delicious.We stayed at Rajaram Umbre's house,his place being called as "Hotel Ganesh".
Respect the house rules where u staying. You are like a paying guest there.

check out our trek pictures by clicking on this link:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=4545&l=cb82c&id=503408278

I really hope that Rajmachi doen't get converted into a town or something like Lonavala.I am 100 percent confident that fellow trekkers who have visited Rajmachi will agree on this.
Rajmachi is a wonderful place.If any one does go there,marvel at that place and respect it.
Cheers!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007















TWENTY20
WORLD CUP...
A few 'Jais'[Hails]
Not in order of importance,but they are all important...

Jai Dhoni for being the great captain he is...

Jai Yuvraj..need i explain why?

Jai Joginder...Guts,glory and balls of steel..

Jai Sree Sreesanth for mentally[?] being at par with the Aussies and doing stupid stuff!!......

Jai Afridi for getting out early...

Jai Hafeez for dropping Rohit Sharma's catch and sending it for six..

Jai Harbhajan for givin 3 sixes and makin the match more tense[saala #$#%$%]

Jai South Africa for keeping the Indian population!!

Jai Misbah for playin a sick shot...

Jai Viru for not playing the game...

Jai Gambhir...75 runs..top score...

Jai Irfan...3-16,baap bowling!!

Jai Yusuf... just for hittin the six of Asif!!

Jai Rohit....Mumbai's khadoosgiri;in the flesh!

Jai Uthappa...for having a delightful last name,and creating the turning point of the final!!

Jai RP....top wicket taker...and bowled marvellously!!!

Jai Agarkar....for not taking further part in the tournament!

Jai Mark Benson...for letting Imran Nazir know he can't get a runner,and thus pressurising him....heh heh!

Jai Akmal,their wicket keeper...for having an annoying voice behind the stumps,which annoyed every Pak fielder no doubt!!

Jai Shahrukh...Just for being there..

Jai Sharad Pawar...for announcing 2 million bucks for the players... I know i won't get any,but hell happy for them...

Jai Prasad...for having a tiff with Mickey Arthur[SA Coach]...and for developing our bowlers!

Jai Robin...Fielding coach...great job!

Jai Rajput...our Manager....I dunno what he did,but did a hell of a job!!

Jai Indian team support staff....physios,masseurs et al....great work!!

Jai Flintoff...for revving up Yuvraj!

Jai Broad....for being the the bowler whom Yuvraj screwed!

Jai Steve Elworthy for organising this tournament successfully!!

Jai Sachin,Sourav,Rahul for not playing!

Jai Zimbabwe...just for defeating the Aussies!

Jai South Africa....for the wonderful memories!!

Chak De India!!

Friday, August 24, 2007

The Real Deal...The Greatest Principle ever!

The Real Deal...My Management Principle[Foolproof]..results guaranteed!

First an Introduction:We have witnessed 100s of Management Principles throughout the years,Henry Fayol's 14 principles,Maslow's theory,McGregor's Leadership theory,to name a few.
All these theories worked in some situations while they seemed useless in some situations.Anomalies which arised during situations gave way to new ideas and principles.People who were smart wrote books about their theories[Many still do..] So even if that theory is redundant to our line of work,we still marvel at the person and say "Wow!He must be a genius".Of course,people like Mr. Peter Drucker[and even after his death] were all time Management geniuses.But its people who were one-off wonders that got the world pissed off...coz they never updated,upgraded or even ameliorated their so-called 'Principles' that they put forth.So we were stuck with some quondam theories which,even if we study them till their very end,may or may not be beneficial to us in the long run.Hence,the returns aren't guaranteed.
Of Course,many purists argue that these principles form the base of Management studies.I have not yet got the opportunity to study in a Management school uptil now,but I do have some knowledge of various Management theories.Agreed that they are the base for Management studies,but if knowing these principles was a criteria for being a great manager or say,an entrepreneur,would we have ever got personalities like Mr.Dhirubhai Ambani?

I may be going on a different level here,for which i don't think i should apologise you...[Heh heh!!] ...

I am not against Management Principles in any way.I respect them.But my view here is that inspite of all that research that's gone in,all these years,why haven't we got THE perfect Management Principle.Many,including me to some extent,beleive in the Contingency approach of Management.For those incognizant of this theory,it means that everything shall be planned and be kept ready for a rainy day[read:Contingency] so that everything's taken care of when the situation arises.In case it doesn't happen,no worries.coz then at least you were prepared for it.But then again,Why spend valuable resources for things that may or may not happen?Even if the contingency doen't arise,valuable resource[viz. time] was wasted in its planning and execution.So there's no perfect theory as yet...Or is there?

Now,the thing which i actually wanna talk about:Let me get right to the point....After endless discussions with my brain[its a wonderful thing that!pity we use it scarcely],I came up with my own Management Principle.

It's a very flexible principle.Its application runs throughout the entire organisation level(s).No matter which Organisation hierarchy prevails in any organisation,No matter what flow of communication runs between the higher authority,middle and the lower level authority,this principle will work.This principle gives utmost importance to hard work and talent.If properly followed,the entire organisation's vision will turn into reality.Plans,which seemed unmanageable and/or difficult to work on-with this principle,results are guaranteed.Ninja Managers,Shoebox Managers,XYZ managers..Whatever-its for everyone!Higher authority personell who seem apprehensive at some things...look no further...follow my principle and reap rich rewards.
Some long term and short term benefits include:
1) Better returns
2) Higher task completion rate.
3) No overload of work to be carried forward everyday.
4) More people are happy around you coz you follow this principle!
5) And many more!

Waiting for it,are you?Well for $499.95 charged to your credit card,you can gain insights...aww hell just kidding!

Brace youself now..
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[Drumrolls]
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[Star Wars entrance theme..clichéd at any Indian Awards night!]
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My principle is called "JuDoYoFriJo"
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It ain't a Japanese technique if u are confused by the name...The name,btw,is the principle itself...coz "JuDoYoFriJo" stands for-

"JUst DO YOur FRIckin' JOb"
..
...
Trust me,It works!

Hope it Clicks;If it doesn't,don't shoot me...think,why you should shoot yourself 1st..
Cheers!
(Another blog has the same matter...wonderful the way some people think alike!!!http://brfsstrategic.blogspot.com/2007/05/jdyfj-latest-management-fad.html
Do Check it...its good!)

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Live Earth!

I know its kinda late....but was wondering what the hell were they doing wasting electricity and other resources at the recently organised Live Earth Concert,when in fact the concert's 'motive' was to save them....Weird,but true!I don't think any1 cared,but it was just another concert for the people...

Friday, July 6, 2007

Friday, June 29, 2007

Creed....

I've been listenin to Creed since the last week or so,and am very amazed at the deep meanings of some songs i've heard...here are the lyrics some of their songs....
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'Bullets'

"Walking around I hear the sounds of the earth seeking relief
I'm trying to find a reason to live
But the mindless clutter my path
Oh these thorns in my side
(Oh, these thorns in my side)
I know I have something free
I have something so alive

I think they shoot cause they want it

I feel forces all around me
Come on raise your head
Those who hide behind the shadows
Live with all that's dead

Look at me
Look at me
Look at me
At least look at me when you shoot a bullet through my head
Through my head
through my head

In my lifetime when I'm disgraced
Jealousy and lies
I laugh aloud cause my life
Has gotten inside someone else's mind

Look at me
Look at me
Look at me
At least look at me when you shoot a bullet through my head
Through my head
Through my head

Hey all I want is what's real
Something I touch and can feel
I'll hold it close and never let it go
Said why, why do we live this life
With all this hate inside
I'll give it away cause I don't want it no more
Please help me find a place
Somewhere far away
Yes I'll go and you'll never see me again

Look at me
Look at me
Look at me
At least look at me when you shoot a bullet through my head
Through my head
Through my head *2x

Look at me
Look at me"
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'Weathered'

' I lie awake on a long, dark night
I can't seem to tame my mind
Slings and arrows are killing me inside
Maybe I can't accept the life that's mine
No, maybe I can't accept the life that's mine

Simple living is my desperate cry
Been trading love with indifference
yeah it suits me just fine
I try to hold on but I'm calloused to the bone
Maybe that's why I feel alone yeah...
Maybe that's why I feel so alone

'Cause me…I'm rusted and weathered
Barely holding together
I'm covered with skin that peels and
it just won't heal
I am rusted and weathered
Barely holding together
I'm covered with skin that peels and
It just won't heal
No, it just won't heal no no no...

The sun shines and I can't avoid the light
I think I'm holding on to life too tight
Ashes to ashes and dust to dust
Sometimes I feel like giving up yeah...
I said, sometimes I feel like giving up

'Cause me…I'm rusted and weathered
Barely holding together
I'm covered with skin that peels and
it just won't heal
I am rusted and weathered
Barely holding together
I'm covered with skin that peels and
it just won't heal
It just won't heal

The day reminds me of you
The night hides your truth
The earth is a voice
Speaking to you
Take all this pride
And leave it behind
'Cause one day it ends
One day we die
Believe what you will
That is your right
But I choose to win
I choose to fight
To fight

'Cause me... I'm rusted and weathered
Barely holding together
I'm covered with skin that peels and
it just won't heal
I am rusted and weathered
Barely holding together
I'm covered with skin that peels and
It just won't...
Covered with skin that peels and
It just won't...
Covered with skin that peels and
It just won't heal'
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'Higher'
'When dreaming I'm guided through another world
Time and time again
At sunrise I fight to stay asleep
'Cause I don't want to leave the comfort of this place
'Cause there's a hunger, a longing to escape
From the life I live when I'm awake
So let's go there
Let's make our escape
Come on, let's go there
Let's ask can we stay?
Can you take me higher?
To the place where blind men see
Can you take me higher?
To the place with golden streets
Although I would like our world to change
It helps me to appreciate
Those nights and those dreams
But, my friend, I'd sacrifice all those nights
If I could make the Earth and my dreams the same
The only difference is
To let love replace all our hate
So let's go there
Let's make our escape
Come on, let's go there
Let's ask can we stay?
Up high I feel like I'm alive for the very first time
Up high I'm strong enough to take these dreams
And make them mine'
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'My Own Prison'

' a court is in session, a verdict is in
no appeal on the docket today
just my own sin
the walls are cold and pale
the cage made of steel
screams fill the room
alone i drop and kneel
silence now the sound
my breath the only motion around
demons cluttering around
my face showing no emotion
shackled by my sentence
expecting no return
here there is no penance
my skin begins to burn
so i held my head up high
hiding hate that burns inside
which only fuels their selfish pride
we're all held captive
out from the sun
a sun that shines on only some
we the meek are all in one
i hear a thunder in the distance
see a vision of a cross
i feel the pain that was given
on that sad day of loss
a lion roars in the darkness only he holds the key
a light to free from my burden and bring me life eternally
shouldve been dead
on a sunday morning
banging my head
no time for mourning
aint got no time
so i held my head up high
hiding hate that burns inside
which only fuels their selfish pride
we're all held captive
out from the sun
a sun that shines only some
we the meek are all on in one
i cry out to god seeking only his decision
gabriel stands and confirms
ive created my own prison'
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Creed's songs do seem to have a religious ting to them,and many have criticised them for being so...but if we all understand the songs in each of our life's contexts,they'll strike a chord.

A brief History about Creed:(Source:Wikipedia.org)

Scott Stapp-Vocals, guitar
Mark Tremonti-Guitar, vocals, studio bass guitar on Weathered
Scott Phillips-Drums, percussion, keyboards
Brian Marshall (departed in 2000)-Bass guitar
Brett HestlaBass guitar (Touring Member after the departure of Brian Marshall)

Creed originally came together in Tallahassee, Florida in 1995 as Naked Toddler when Scott Stapp and guitarist Mark Tremonti, former high school friends, got together and started writing songs. They soon added bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips. Brian Marshall came up with the band name "Creed", taken from the name of his former band, Maddox Creed.

They then found work at a live music bar, where they impressed owner Jeff Hanson enough to let them play at one of his bigger venues known as Floyds Music Store on the Tennessee Street Strip in Tallahassee. Hanson liked the band so much that he convinced producer John Kurzweg to produce the band.

On June 4, 2004, it was announced that Creed had broken up. Stapp began the process of recording a solo album, The Great Divide, collaborating with Roadrunner Records recording artist Goneblind, while the other band members (including former bassist Brian Marshall) formed a new band, Alter Bridge, with Myles Kennedy. Touring bassist Brett Hestla has since joined the band Dark New Day.

Since Creed's disbandment, there have been many rumors of a reunion. The three members currently involved in Alter Bridge have stated that Creed is soley in their past, and will not reunite any time in the future. Yet Stapp maintains that Creed is an open book, and that he and the rest of the band have discussed reuniting.
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Alter Bridge's song 'Metalingus' is one of my fav songs...I didn't even realise that Alter Bridge had 3 ex-members of Creed.Alter Bridge clearly states that they aren't "Creed with a new Vocalist" but are a completely different group altogether..'Alternative metal' and 'Post-grunge' being its genre as compared to Creed's 'Alternative rock, Hard rock and Post-grunge'.Myles Kennedy(formerly of The Mayfield Four) is lead vocals and guitar for Alter Bridge.

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Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Black holes and Wives...explained?!

Thank You Nashahita for giving me this challenging topic to write on.I hope not to dissapoint you as well as the readers...Enjoy in good spirit!

Q:Ok,What's this Black Hole thing??
A:Wikipedia defines a Black hole as "An object with a gravitational field so powerful that a region of space becomes cut off from the rest of the universe – no matter or radiation, including visible light, that has entered the region can ever escape."

and now,a non Scientific Defination:A Wife/Girlfriend.
explained:The object [A Wife/Girlfriend.] has a gravitational field[sob stories,crocodile tears,power of seduction etc etc.,] so powerful,that a region of space[her husband/Boyfriend] becomes cut off from the rest of the universe[his group of friends]-no matter or radiation including visible light,that has entered the region can ever escape[hear it means,once u're married/steady,u have no chance of escaping anywhere else]

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Q:What makes a Black Hole so damn difficult to escape from??
A:If your Wife/Girlfriend covers all paths you take,no matter where you search for a road to freedom,U will get screwed up and find it difficult to escape!
Quote Einstein,"“Women always worry about the things that men forget; men always worry about the things women remember”"..

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Q:Are there any types which we need to know?
A:Types of Black Holes:astrophysicists currently classify black holes according to their angular momentum (non-zero angular momentum means the black hole is rotating) and electric charge:

Uncharged-Rotating,Uncharged non-rotating,Charged-Rotating,Charged non-rotating.

1.Uncharged-Rotating:Wherein your wife isn't mad yet,but is still keeping a 360 deg lookout on you.

2.Uncharged non-rotating:The more calmer of the lot;rare to find on earth!

3.Charged-Rotating:Wherein your wife is damn mad at you,and is keeping a 360 deg look out on you!The worst black hole to be in.There have been no survivors recorded in this type.Say your prayers because you are already screwed!

4.Charged non-rotating:Wherein the wife's mad,but doesn't give a damn to keep a tab on you.2nd most preferred choice for people,but again rare to find!

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Q:OK,Is there a possibilty to escape from rotating black holes?
A:If the predictions of Kerr's solution are found to be true,rotating black holes could theoretically provide the wormholes which often appear in science fiction. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that the internal properties of a rotating black hole are exactly as described by Kerr's solution and it is not currently known whether the actual properties of a rotating black hole would provide a similar escape route for an object via the inner event horizon.Even if this escape route is possible, it is unlikely to be useful because a spacecraft which followed that path would probably be distorted beyond recognition by spaghettification.

IN SHORT;IF HE COULDN'T COME CLOSE TO GETTING AN ESCAPE ROUTE,ALL THOSE IN THIS PREDICAMENT ARE SCREWED ROYALLY!!!

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Q:Are Black Holes a threat to us?
A:Scientifically,"Black holes are sometimes listed among the most serious potential threats to Earth and humanity,on the grounds that:
*A naturally-produced black hole could pass through our Solar System.
*A large particle accelerator might produce a micro black hole, and if this escaped it could gradually eat the whole of the Earth."

My View:IF U DON'T GET THE DRIFT FROM THE ABOVE,U DESERVE TO BE EATEN UP BY A BLACK HOLE!!

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Q:So,is there any hope?
A:Well of course there's hope...Why do you think majority of the scientists who dealt with this topic were men?Its all thanks to them that we now understand black holes better!!

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Cheers!!

SSC results are out,BUT...!!!

The SSC results will be declared today,June 26 '07...My memories go back to the day of my SSC Result...After waiting for months and discussing various career choices,me and my friends waited anxiously for that day.After all,this result would define which college would we go into...more the percentage,better the college.I ,along with my school and tuition friends[Nik,Abhi and all],went to Phadkewadi's Ganesh Temple...then,after meeting out tuition sir,we all went to a press office at Ambewadi...we stood in a line waiting for our results to be declared to the press...we were so impatient that we couldn't wait till that afternoon,when our school(St.Teresas' High) would give us our results.
After waiting for a long time,we came to know that the result list would come in the press only after 2 or 3 pm...we felt no sense in waiting,and decided to go home and then after having lunch,make our way to school.On our way home,my friend who seemed nonchalant about the outcome,was asked by another friend,"Why the hell you not tense today?".He replied,"arrey,i know i am passing yaar.."."we all will pass,but u not worried about your percentage?good college?"...then my friend said something which in the years to come would be the most talked about and debated subject in India..."I'll get in to Sydenham very easily yaar...they have an OBC Quota...so i'll easily get in!!".We weren't shocked to hear this,in fact we laughed along with him,not knowing that 5-6 years down the line,there would be morchas,debates and what-nots against Reservation and quotas...
We got our result,I attained 70.13%[many ppl were shocked to hear i got those many marks...i was shocked too!!]We all Hi-Fived,danced on the school grounds[our school had a 100% record...still has,touchwood!]
After going through our version of hell[that was when we were 15-16 yrs old only],we would later realise that we hadn't still entered Hell!Life was just to begin,and we would enter a new phase in our lives...I gained admission into Lala Lajpatrai College @Mahalaxmi,which,too, would be a major experience for me.I had got admission in KC after 10th,through someone,but something inside my head made me decline the same...I still don't know what made me change my decision,but i feel now that i really justified it to an extent.

Nowadays students are pressurized so much to study hard,I wonder what they must be going through mentally.The state of depression,which in case of students of 14-16 years,was almost unheard of 10-15 years ago,is been seen and read everyday in the the news.The state of education in Maharashtra is not great,especially with teachers being paid low salaries...Peons in corporates seem to earn more than a School-teacher.Recently in the news,there was an article about how BPOs are willing to employ English school teachers,because of their skill.If all teachers are to be employed,there would definately be a scarcity of 'Good' English teachers.
The problem lies in the system...Some people say that SSC pattern of examination is the best,because it helps in building up a student's memory...Hell,ya right!!Our pattern has become so outdated that its no surprise that students from the CBSE board do far better as compared to the SSC[which upgrades its syllabus once every 10 years!]
There lies some hope in the fact that the Mathematics[Algebra and Geometry] syllabus was upgraded this year.Students now have topics related to Commerce,which were not even considered 10 years back..topics like Interest,Taxation etc will be far more helpful for a commerce or an arts student 20 years down the road than would a topic like trigonometry..
All in all,hope the students do well,get in to good colleges and make a good career for themselves.Even if things don't go as per plan and you get something less than expected,Cry if you want on that day[coz it relieves urself]...but from the next day,make sure that you learn from your mistakes and carry on....that's it-Carry on!!
Cheers!!