Friday, December 31, 2010
Transitioning to the next decade
Monday, December 20, 2010
A trip to the Chilika Lake, Gopalpur and Rambha

Wednesday, December 15, 2010
The Go Green Approach of Standard Chartered Bank
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
The More You Have The More Concerned You Are: A Simple Example
They say more money results in more worry. The more (assets) you possess the more concerned you are about their protection if not appreciation in their value. Well, these wise sayings are not only valid for money-matters. In small incidents of our daily life this is quite evident. You travel wearing a precious jewelry or carrying a costly gadget say, your iPhone in public places and you are constantly vigilant not to lose them. You have property and you are worried that somebody might encroach on it. You have gold ornaments at home and you are scared to go out keeping the room locked. You have a high designation in office and you are constantly trying to live up to it if not to move-up.
In this context, I’ll narrate a simple incident. I travel between Kolkata and my native place by public bus. The journey of about 100 Kilometers takes around 2 hours thanks to the National Highway built under Golden Quadrilateral project. The buses generally are crowded and unless you buy the ticket beforehand (sometimes almost a week ago), it’s highly unlikely that you will get a seat after boarding. Hence, I, ninety nine percent of the time, buy the ticket well in advance. But during my last travel I didn’t have a pre-booked ticket!
When I have the ticket I am anxious to board the right bus (there are many similar looking buses on different routes) at that particular time, find the right seat (and I hope that a young lady sits on the seat beside me)! But, when I don’t have the ticket, I am not worried. I know that if I miss the 7.10 bus I will catch the 7.45 one. As I don’t have a seat, I board patiently. In other words, I feel lot less stressed. (I have to stand for the next two hours though – but more calorie burns while standing than while sitting!).
Is the number of senior citizens increasing?
Is the number of senior citizens increasing in ‘young’ India? Or are they becoming more aware of the rights and benefits available to them? Because, for the last few months I am observing the following: whenever I travel by public buses and sit on a vacant seat reserved for the senior citizens, some fellow of my father’s age come and rightfully claim their seats!!! :) May be they are travelling more now than ever?
Friday, December 10, 2010
Movie Review: Planet of the Apes
I was watching the movie ‘Planet of the apes’ tonight. Here is the story in brief:
Three US astronauts after travelling for almost 2000 earth years in a spacecraft crash lands in a planet 300 light years away. They found that a portion of the planet is habitable but apes rule there. Humans are primitive and couldn’t speak. The apes treat them as beasts and use them for experiments. The humans along with the three newly arrived astronauts are attacked and captured by the ape soldiers. One of the astronauts dies in the fight. One is operated upon in the brain while in captivity and made voiceless. Ultimately, the third astronaut, Mr. Taylor, breaks free with the help of a researcher couple, who try to prove that men were there before the ape. Mr. Taylor takes Dr. Zaius, Minister of Science and Chief Defender of Faith of the ape civilization, hostage and set for the forbidden land(other part of the planet). But Dr. Zaius knew all along about the humans and there destructive nature. He lets Taylor go and says that ‘He will find his destiny’. After riding along the coast on horseback for some time, Taylor sees the wrecked Statue of Liberty. He understands that he has reached earth only (2000 years later) and breaks down with laments.
Wonderful concept!