How does the blog look now?

Guys, I have just changed the design and UI (in simple terms the look and feel) for my blog. Just lemme know if you like it.

Love.

Nano: Yes-yes or no-no?

Guys, Rattan Tata launched his much awaited car Nano yesterday in Mumbai. It looks sleek, colors are amazing and the best of all it is dearth cheap as compared to other four wheeler options available.

Some folks are loving it, but others are ruing about the fact that a cheap car would mean more traffic on the already congested Indian roads. While, middle-income families are happy that they may be able to own a ‘gaadi’ of their own, some snooty souls believe that Nano’s advent would increase class consciousness among people as the wealthy may not want to be seen driven around in Rs1 lakh car.

What’s your take about it?
- Yes, Nano
- No Nano

Let’s talk about this cutie while I read up more stuff on Nano.

Do we really care so much about Bapu?

The auction of Mahatma Gandhi’s personal belongings became a matter of international debate. Indian politicians, as hypocrite as they always are, asserted that they would give anything to get Bapu’s memorabilia. In the end, liquor baron Vijay Mallya got hold of Bapu’s belonging for $1.8 mln at an auction in New York.

Do these articles/personal belongings only classify as Bapu’s heritage?

Aren’t his teachings and experiences his real heritage?

If the politicos, pseudo leaders and self-acclaimed representatives of Indians care so much about Bapu’s heritage then why don’t they adopt his principles of honestly and self-less service to the nation?

Slumdog Millionaire and the hoopla

Slumdog Millionaire (SM) is the latest buzz word in the gossip circles. Almost everybody is talking about their contribution to the film, except may be the director Danny Boyle. People are going ga-ga about the lead actors, the child actors, the hair dressers or how Frieda Pinto ‘dumped’ her ‘fiancée’ or why she wore a John Galliano for Oscars and not traditional Indian thing.

Guys, we have had enough of this crazy gossip. Can we let these people breathe easy? Please let them be. Why are we so star struck? OF course there are million reasons to cheer for Rahman but what is SM’s contribution to India for that matter. At best, this hoopla can translate into big bucks for the film crew and lead actors. But will it materalise into anything for the others? Will it make life easier for slum kids? Don't know. Don't think so.

Euthanasia debate: Is it ok to choose deliberate death than choose a miserable life?

Read a story about the euthanasia controversy. A woman, who was comatose for a long time, was the point of controversy this time. She was in the vegetative stage for many years and her parents had urged the authorities to stop her nutrient supply so that “she could die with respect”. It seems all her chances of regaining life were lost.

This brings me to the middle of discussion once again. Do we have the right to die? Is it ok to choose deliberate death than choose a miserable life? Do humans have any right to play God and decide upon anybody’s right to live?

Complex questions with no seeming answers.

Weekend Getaway: Awesome Amritsar

The mere mention of Amritsar may evoke mixed feelings. Some may just bow down with devotion while others may think of it like a cultural trip. For me, it was both. Me (along with family folks) headed to the holy city last weekend. We planned this tip in a jiffy and must say that place was worth all the efforts. We drove from Chandigarh to Amritsar by car. It took us 4 hours (including one quick breakfast break) to reach there. This, of course, comes after you’ve braved the maddening traffic. It’s not the pace of the traffic but the unregulated traffic movement that causes the frustration. You’ll have to race with rickshawpullers, auto-walls, BMWs, Volvo buses and may be even carts to get ahead on the road. 

Things get better once you are out of Ropar. On your way to Nawan Shahar, you’ll come across lush green fields laden across wide highway. It’s a delight for drivers as they have a chance to test their speed limits here. Mustard fields and virginal villages along this highway will invariably remind you of DDLJ. There are numerous dhabas (street side eating shops) serving awesome food. However, you can only expect north-Indian delicacies here. Must haves are aloo parathas with white butter in any of these joints. Besides them, there are few urban eating joints which may serve better platters. But on personal note, I would suggest dump fancy restaurants for dhabas ….. at least in Punjab. Food is good and they’ll serve it with gratitude. And you wont come across this sense of hospitality in Delhi at least.

Once you reach Amritsar city limits, the battle for driving space will start all again. The city is currently upgrading its infrastructure. Hence there is lot of construction activity going on all over. This may bring delight to travelers in near future. However, at this point of time construction activities are nothing more than a hindrance. The city authorities need to do something very very quickly to save themselves from this mess. 

Once you brave all this and reach the temple complex, you'll feel as if time has stopped here. The temple complex is amazing. This place has something magical about it. You actually get to feel that you are so closer to the almighty. I'm not one of those religious fanatics, but must admit that the sober and somber environs here can heal any wounded soul. Guess that is why we call God 'THE ALMIGHTY'. May be he is present everywhere on earth but in places like these you can feel him in evey bit - in every breath you take, in every thing that you touch around. Things like ego and pride melt in thin air. I felt like this crazy kid who's lost his game and runs home to get patted by his folks. It’s a heavenly feeling. It's as if someone reassures you that things will be alright. You have to be there to get this feeling. 

You can plan a getaway any time of the yaer. A must visit place. And if any of you have been there, you can share your experience in the 'comments' sections.

Life without fuel. What would it be like?

Year 2009 has started with some startling realisations about what may become of us when the oil reserves finish??? 

Last week life of hundreds of citizens in Delhi came to a standstill when workers of prominent oil companies called for a strike. The city was reeling under acute oil crisis as many gas stations reported no stock left. Officials from 14 Indian state-run oil companies, seeking higher salaries, stayed away from work. As a result many people ran from pillar to post, drove to city limits to fuel their vehicles. Many discussed options like traveling by public transport (which is a big no-no for snooty Delhiites as owning a vehicle is a symbol of affluence for many), still others thought about car-pool and some preferred to work from home as this strike was perceived to be an indefinite one. Thankfully, the government got cracking and the protest was called off in two days itself.

This was one random case. But what will happen when one day every natural resource will come to an end? There’s no oil, no gas. What we do then? There will be no car pool or public transport options. What would you do then? Will ‘work or study from home’ become the norm? Will the world come to a standstill then?

Think about it? Would love to hear some innovative ideas.