Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Threats to hinduism

I believe the biggest threat to hinduism (and India) is our chalta hain attitude. Please refer to the latest Jodhpur accident. We have thousands of people in a narrow lane, yet there are no emergency exits any whereAnd go to of our temples, and the scene is the same. I went to Balaji, and trust me, it is another disaster waiting to happen. You have thousands people again without any emergency exit. The priests, or the guards literally push people after they had the darshan. Same trouble exists in Vaishav Devi, Kashi Vishwanath, any other temple. Its a miracle that accidents are not happening.

Even after accident, people are being carried out by hand. No stretchers, nothing. Have we ever thought how many people die after accidents as a result of careless, make it callous, attitude. But we do not complaint because of our chalta hain. We often commend that US had no terrorists activities after 9/11. But did we ever notice that 9/11 had very less people dying via stampede. We don't need terrorists to kill our people. This attitude is doing enough on that front.
Another issue - people often blame Islam, or missionaries over declining hindu ratios in states. But I have another question. But will our shankracharya EVER allow a lower caste to feed him. Have we ever seen any of traditional religious teachers doing anything on untouchability. If you keep on ignoring a huge class of people for generations, why will they not convert. Was this not the reason why we asked British to leave. Why should these peole not leave?

Let us start cleaning ourselves from inside first. If a person is sick then the first priority is to have a strong immune system. Let us work on our immune system first. Let us work on untouchabilty in our lives, our families, our temple, our marriages first. Let us attack on our chaltaa hain attitude first. Let us ensure that our houses have fire enxtenguishers, our offices have them. Let us ensure our cops have bullet proof vests. Once this all is done, we would have won defeated 90% of threats.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Taking the GMAT

With regards to preparation, I would say the first step is taking an appointment. Without it, you can't study. Or at least people like me can't. For over 3 years I had been planning for GMAT preparation, purchased books, been there done that, but nothing worked. Then one day took appointment. Kept three months for preparation and that is when it all started.

I started with basic books. Thompson's GMAT preparation in 30 days and Kaplan's. Honestly speaking Thompson's is not respected highly, but it is a good book. Especially for math. It has formulas and everything in a neat format. And it ensures that you study at least something daily. Kaplan, as we all know, is the bible kind of for GMAT. But I differ and would come to this later. I also purchased one year subscription for 800GMAT score. It costs something around 25$ and is worth it. So my strategy at this stage was straight, I would read the day’s material from Thompson's and practice in 800GMATscore (http://www.800score.com).

Also I gave Kaplan's test in between, and was pretty disappointed with scores. I guess practicing with Kaplan test's here is a big advantage. You get low scores, and realize you have to work hard.

After completing these I moved on to the official guide. Again it has no parallel in terms of practice material. But I feel it lacks in terms of those TOUGH questions. I feel most of the questions here are mid range kind of. But it is important to be thorough with all of the questions here. And all the math formulae.

Having completed these and with 45 days approx remaining, I purchased GMAT official paper tests. I purchased two of those. Each has 3 tests. I gave them with all honesty, using timers and all. This helped in two ways, building stamina and pinpointing weak areas. And the biggest weak area was SENTENCE CORRECTION. I am writing this in a hurry, and I guess you guys can interpret, my natural writing...

At this point I must thanks Hagrid. He advised me for Manhattan book. And it was definitely worth it. The book is nothing short of brilliant. And they give you six practice tests free, which are quite good ones in terms of toughness, so it is worth it.

I also purchased the Kaplan 800 series and some mini tests from Manhattan guys, and kept on using them in between.

Before concluding the learning part there is one area I would like to stress. Essays. They are important for two reasons. They can be strange, if you don't practice. And more importantly they are the first questions. So if they are not correct, you go into the whole test with a negative mood. And that hurts.

Now coming on to the actual test experience.

My test was scheduled for 10; I reached at 9:15, completed formalities and had started the test at 9:30. So you can start early. Better than feeding the butterflies in stomach...The essay questions were cool. I had 5 minutes to spare after the second one. And used that for a BIG advantage in math. I drew the number line of math on the grid and plotted some fractions, positive numbers, negative, roots etc. on the copy. This really helped me with two DS questions in math..:-)

There was one strange thing that I saw in Math. After two or three super tough questions, one absolute easy was thrown. Now hearing to all this CAT stuff, I thought I had blundered on last questions. But the score says otherwise. So God knows what they were. But I think one should not fret too much about toughness of questions and all that mumbo jumbo. Basically each answer has to right, as per your interpretation. I did guess in some questions, because they were out of my reach...

Now coming to things that I did WRONG in test. First, I was over cautious with timings. I had around 19 minutes remaining when I was at quest 37 in quant. Then I did even worst in analytical. 22 minutes in hand. This time should have been utilized in answering questions on which I guessed. I mean GMAT does not score marks on speed like Manteca does. So be cautious.

Some general tips before concluding. Wear comfortable cloths. Try giving at least one test at home with earplugs. It is strange having them in ear. And that was some disturbance when I was at Math and guy next door was typing his essay. Also remember that 10 minutes break is actually 8 minutes. Because the moment you leave computer, you call instructor to lock the computer. Then you leave room, have finger printing. Then you return to room, again finger printing, again unlocking. So just keep that in mind while practicing.

Last advice (sorry if I am preaching), give loads of practice tests. I gave around 25(6 from GMAT paper tests, 6 Manhattan, 6 800 score, 4 Kaplan, two official and one somewhere). I guess this helped most. Because it helps you get in the mood to think on all shortcuts and all. But don't give unrecognized tests. Because you have no way to realize whether your score is good or not.

Monday, March 17, 2008

This is shameful

Posting an HT article

http://hindustantimes.com/htsite/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=9f666c0f-04eb-441c-ba37-23ac8a6f4e1d

A freshly minted statue of Nathuram Godse that was to be formally unveiled on Wednesday has kicked up a row in a coastal Andhra Pradesh town.

Activists of Gandhi Mandali Abhibrudhi Committee protesting against the glorification of the Mahatma’s killer damaged the statue with axes and shovels and brought it down. They threatened to intensify the agitation if the statue was allowed to be installed.

“Tadepalligudem has played a great role during the freedom movement and a number of local youth went to jail inspired by Gandhiji`s call. Mahatma Gandhi spent a night in the town too. Installing the statue of Gandhiji`s killer in this town is an affront to the memory of hundreds of freedom fighters as well as their descendants,” said Appa Rao, adding that it is intended to cause ill will among people.But the man behind the statue, appropriately named Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, is unapologetic. He insists he has the right to go ahead with installing the statue. “I have made the statue with my own money and I am installing it in my own land, not in any public place. What objections do they have,” he asked.

Mukherjee, a lawyer, wanted to unveil the statue on Wednesday to commemorate Godse’s death anniversary. On Mukherjee’s complaint, police has booked a case and started investigations.

The act of Mr. Mukharjee.. Sad.. The act of so called Gandhians.. SHAMEFUL...

Had these people not demloished the statue this Mr. Mukharjee would have gone unnoticed. Now they have made him a news item. I am sure this is something Gandhi would have never approved off..

Let us imagine that the protestors would have followed Gandhiji here. And an ailing freedom fighter from the region, or any one from the region would have taken a fast unto death. The scene would have different. Mr. Mukharjee would have been object of shame for killing an old man . I am sure he would have been forced to remove the statue. Mission acomplished. Gandhi was a genius. When will some Gandhi followers understand that he was one of the best and williest politicians that we had.

Can someone please get me the address of Mr. Mukharjee. I am planning to send over a DD to him as compensation of his losses.

Though I did not distroyed his property, I feel ashamed to be a part of group that did. Request to others. If you think what was done to Mr. Mukharjee was wrong, let's make it right. What he did is now inconsequential. What has been done and what should be done is paramout.If we can pool in our sources and send a join compensation, that will save him the hassles of depositing money again and again. Else I plan to send him within a week or so.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Lessons from Chennai

Just an incident that I faced while in Chennai. After couple of days in Chennai I realized that auto drivers would ask for more money if I told them the amount and place in English. Slowly I started learning Tamil that allowed me to bargain with them and that did the trick.

The point I am trying to make is that I learnt Tamil because market forced me to do so. However, if the government had said that I have to pass exam X in Tamil before landing in Tamil Nadu or within 3 months I would have protested. Or worst, passed the exam using unscrupulous means.

And that is what governments need to realize. They can play the role of catalyst. They can offer incentives, benefits etc. to people if they adopt a certain line. But forcing people to adopt that approach often has the negative effect. And it wastes energy of governments in ensuring that people are following. And it people do not follow, it gives them the message that its OK not to follow. Everyone looses.

Governments need to remember that catalyst is defined as one that hastens (or slows) a reaction, without being consumed in the reaction. Being a catalyst preserved government and its energy for future uses. And it ensures that the reaction if doomed is not executed.

In terms of history, I think man created markets first, and governments later. There is info on first profession, but none of first government. And that is something that governments need to realize. They are powerful. But market is more powerful. For ages we lived under the socialistic era. Nothing was allowed to be imported without permission. Yet everything you wanted was available. Because market wanted it.

The problem with the government power is perhaps that it does thing artificially at times. For example take the development of Amethi. It prospers when Nehru’s are in power and then dithers. Because the progress is unnatural. This is not to say that governments should never intervene.

If you have fever you do take medicines. That's the power of government. If any area is actually lagging the governments should intervene. And yet that's its limitations too. You can't pop up pills daily. So governments after starting a job must be aware of there exit points. You can't live till eternity, even if you take medicines daily.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Valentine's day

I am not very much in favor of Valentine's Day. It’s a marketing stunt in all probabilities. Never heard of it till high school. And I am not a passout of 1800s!

The article by Tarun Vijay in TOI today is good one in this regard. We need to promote and create our festivals. That is needed even to market India abroad. The whole world knows that Chinese celebrated their New Year couple of days back. What about our Makar Sankranti ? Why can't Basant Panchami be national day for love and brotherhood? Let us remember our festivals before jumping in for new ones. Let us keep our windows open for fresh airs, but not be blown away by the wind.

But I am more against the hooliganism that is displayed by those opposing it. It’s even worst. If I had to choose between mindless consumerism and mindless hooliganism, I think I will opt for former.

This hoolignism makes me ask a question ?Why does this country need courts? Justice for these people is a Maggie two-minute noodle. Just add water, boil and eat. So they practice catch the culprit, make a tamasha and beat!!! But remember even if you like this recipe in short term, please remember that Maggie is not good for health. Neither is hooliganism. No matter you call is Hinduism or you call it fatwa. Incidentally this irresponsibilty is perhaps the best (or worst) secular nature we have. Be it Thakrey, or be it the Shahi Imam, every one has the audacity to take country to ransom on name of public.

Who are these people to decide if someone is a culprit? Let us say they are competent enough and beat someone whom you think is culprit. What happens when they realize tomorrow that he was innocent? What if he was framed? Will they then beat up those of your party who beat him? And then if they realize that he was actually victim, whom will they beat then.

I am not saying that judicial system is 100% accurate. The judicial system might be bad, but this judicialism is worst. It is partial and it is innacurate. And in most cases inhuman. Who is responsible for the mother who was forced to deliver baby in a train toilet. Hooliganism practiced by Thakrey. Who is incidentally on a bail and is roaming free with Abu Hashmi.If someone attacks my house I will pull out the revolver first and call police later.

The constitution gives every one freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship. As long as those who celebrate Valentine’s day do not disturb anyone else, they have full right to practice what they believe in. And as long as the protestors do not harm them, they have right to do so. And the moment one of them crosses there limit, he or she or they should be punished as per the law of the land. Nothing more. But nothing less either.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Give them a taste for their medicine.

Some suggestions for the government to try for Shiv Sena cure

1. Today Raj Thakrey has said that no outsider will be allowed to work in Mumbai airport. Extend the approach. Ban all airlines from landing in Mumbai, if he goes ahead with this nonsense.
2. Ban Udhhav from fighting elections for next 10 years. Also ban any candidate he campains for. Declare his MMS and Shiv Sena both as outlawed terror outfits.
3. This one is for the public. Have a complete boycott of these leaders. They should not be invited to public functions, parties, markets, everywhere. Infact, even the thela waalas should stop selling them vegetables.
4. If they continue to attack outsiders, government should declare a subsidy of 50% on all movies made outside Maharashtra. If needed even stop the Mumbai port.

These steps might sound outlandish. But I believe that these pals and there chums should be taught a lesson with the maximum severity. And the people who support them. It is high time that these people do not win even ONE seat in elections. Else the public is as guilty as them.

And one last thing. I have never heard anytime any Muslim organisation making these demands. yet, it is Muslims who have to prove there partiotism. Why doesn't the half mind half nikkar brigade prove its partiotism by stopping all relations with half mind Thakreys.

Friday, February 8, 2008

I hate them...

There's a sense of irony in the lives of those who are consumed with hatred towards any one else. You waste you energy, your energy, your life, based on the terms of the other person.

Its equally sad when people hate on basis of religion/nation etc. All the Muslim bashers, if you were born Muslim you would have been hating Hindus. But you are born hindu, so you hate Muslims. Think of it. You did not control your birth. And an event over which you had no control is affecting your thoughts on which you have control.

It probably is still OK if you hate a person based on what he did to you. But hating a community based on what was done in past. Its like destroying your life. And that applies to every one, irrespective of caste/creed/religion. Perhaps its OK if you want to increase the number of people under your religion. As is said in RSS there are two line and you want to make one line longer. Don't shorten the other line, increase your line. So I wonder where does hatred fit in all this.

One last tip. Please remember that we often become what we hate. There are people who HATE Muslims, because some terrorists (please do not fight with me over percentages here)happen to be terrorists. And then they start suppressing Muslims or other religions in name of stopping terrorism. Are you not doing a terrorist activity yourself. This is what Raj Thakre and party have landed in now. This is what Shiv Sena did some time back. Two wrongs do not make a right. They are still two wrongs..