Why Rajnikant is such a superstar has less to do with the way he flicks his gogs and more to do with his residence address. Nowhere in this country are people as movie-mad as in south India. When Andhra's N.T. Rama Rao's films were released in the sixties and seventies, his underprivileged fans would donate blood to pay for movie tickets. When M.G. Ramachandran died in 1987, two million followed his remains, 30 committed suicide and thousands shaved their heads. Rajkumar's death last year brought on riots in Bangalore; his 'fans' shut the city down for two days, burnt cars, tear-gassed civilians and indulged in street wars. Interestingly, Andhra is known to have more cinema halls per square kilometre than anywhere else in the country. South Indian films are a curious social phenomenon. They may be scoffed at as vulgar, base and even gaudy. The heroes are paunchy and mustachioed. The heroines are fair, flabby and semi-naked, like zaftig dolls. The sets are huge and surreal, the action extreme, the songs are raunchy and the plots are stuck in the eighties.
But that's the most wonderful thing about the films. They may be unintentionally comic, but they are unpretentious. They pander to every stereotype there is without any intent to pseudo-intellectualise. Rajni played a foreign-returned person in last week's Rs 90 crore release, Sivaji - The Big Boss. His face was whitened in every frame, using a first-time computer regeneration technique and a Caucasian woman's complexion. These films are watched with the heart, not the head. They are made for the front-bencher for whom cinema is the only escape from the hot weather, his jobless existence and an ultra-conventional mindset. The film is his relief. Which is why all southern heroes are almost always fighting the system. Which is why the hero always gets the girl. Which is why the impoverished employee always wins over the rich employer. Which is also why the average film-watcher will queue up for never-ending hours to pay Rs 10 for a first-come-first serve seat.
I'm convinced of this, especially when you take Kerala into account. Kerala doesn't share the economic disparities of its southern counterparts. Audiences here enjoy a superlative literacy rate. Kerala boasts immense talent as well; Mammootty and Mohanlal are both brilliant, and Adoor Gopalakrishnan is one of the state's intellectual exports to the mainstream.
The south Indian hero is a cultural mixed bag; he is a political, economic and social icon. NTR always played Krishna in Telugu mythologicals. Rajni will never play a bad guy. Khushboo, who had a temple built to her, was chased with a broom when she innocently said that a woman didn't need to be a virgin when she married. These stars are a reminder of a movie-goer's moorings.
Can Amitabh Bachchan ever achieve this? Not unless he returns as the angry young man. And learns to speak Tulu.
Info: Yahoo India news
Monday, June 25, 2007
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Jerry Yang- The new Yahoo CEO
Bill Gates, David Packard, William Hewit Steve Jobs and its the turn for Jerry Yang. Didnt get the point. Yes, Jerry Yang is going to be the CEO of Yahoo, who is replacing Terry Semel, as the company girds up to fight back the Google juggernaut. Yes the above list are college drops and strike it big in the sillicon valley. Let see his return may be a sign of bigger changes ahead. He is one of the co-founder of Yahoo.There is also a talk of possible alliances with rivals or even mergers with the likes of Time Warner, Microsoft and News Corp, could be rumours. Whatever may be the outcome, it surely will be challenging times ahead for Yahoo as it searches for the perfect biz plan to re-establish its links with profitability.
The poor show reflects in Yahoo's stock price which dropped 38 per cent in 2006, which is much worse than Google. It will be interesting to see if Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang refreshes his company's fortunes. All the best Mr.Yang!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
India defends trafficking record
The Indian government has rejected its inclusion on a list of countries compiled by the US which have not fully stopped human trafficking. India was designated as a "Tier 2" country: it did not fully comply with minimum standards but was making significant efforts to do so.
The government says a lot is being done to tackle the problem, although more needs to be done.
It says efforts are underway to rescue and rehabilitate trafficking victims.
Sanctions possibility "The world's largest democracy has the world's largest problem of human trafficking," said the US state department's specialist on trafficking issue, Mark Lagon.
The department has warned India would be downgraded to a "Tier 3" category unless it improved its track record. That would mean that the US would withhold non-humanitarian, non-trade related foreign aid.
The US wants countries to address the trafficking problem Correspondents say that "Tier 3" countries are also denied access to educational and cultural exchange programmes. The state department estimates that around 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year, and that 80% of them are females used in the sex trade.
The annual report places India as a "Tier two" country for the fourth year in a row.
An official in India's Women and Child Development ministry, however, defended her department's efforts in tackling the problem.
'Unfair' "We are doing our bit, but more needs to be done," said Deepa Jain Singh, secretary for the Women and Children's Development Ministry. Non governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the area have supported the government's efforts.
"We don't agree that nothing has changed. Legislation has come in place to deal with the issue. It is a clear indication that the pressure on the government is working," Rishi Kant, from the women's group, Shakti Vahini, told the BBC News website.
India has been warned it may face sanctions Other women's groups argued that it was unfair that India was being put on the US watch list over the issue, and not Bangladesh or Nepal.
Aid agencies estimate that around 5,000 to 7,000 women and girls are trafficked to India from Nepal and around 10,000 to 20,000 women and children from Bangladesh.
"Nepal, Bangladesh and India need to work together to stop such trafficking," United Nations Development Programme spokeswoman Archana Tamang told the BBC.
"Women and children are not being brought into India only, there is a lot of reverse trafficking taking place as well.
"It is really important for all the three nations to work together as a sub-regional group to remedy the situation," she said.
The government says a lot is being done to tackle the problem, although more needs to be done.
It says efforts are underway to rescue and rehabilitate trafficking victims.
Sanctions possibility "The world's largest democracy has the world's largest problem of human trafficking," said the US state department's specialist on trafficking issue, Mark Lagon.
The department has warned India would be downgraded to a "Tier 3" category unless it improved its track record. That would mean that the US would withhold non-humanitarian, non-trade related foreign aid.
The US wants countries to address the trafficking problem Correspondents say that "Tier 3" countries are also denied access to educational and cultural exchange programmes. The state department estimates that around 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders every year, and that 80% of them are females used in the sex trade.
The annual report places India as a "Tier two" country for the fourth year in a row.
An official in India's Women and Child Development ministry, however, defended her department's efforts in tackling the problem.
'Unfair' "We are doing our bit, but more needs to be done," said Deepa Jain Singh, secretary for the Women and Children's Development Ministry. Non governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the area have supported the government's efforts.
"We don't agree that nothing has changed. Legislation has come in place to deal with the issue. It is a clear indication that the pressure on the government is working," Rishi Kant, from the women's group, Shakti Vahini, told the BBC News website.
India has been warned it may face sanctions Other women's groups argued that it was unfair that India was being put on the US watch list over the issue, and not Bangladesh or Nepal.
Aid agencies estimate that around 5,000 to 7,000 women and girls are trafficked to India from Nepal and around 10,000 to 20,000 women and children from Bangladesh.
"Nepal, Bangladesh and India need to work together to stop such trafficking," United Nations Development Programme spokeswoman Archana Tamang told the BBC.
"Women and children are not being brought into India only, there is a lot of reverse trafficking taking place as well.
"It is really important for all the three nations to work together as a sub-regional group to remedy the situation," she said.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
New Tech-Mind Blowing
1. In these days, I found 2 technologies are going to rock, I sure. The first Technology is nothing but a mixture of TV look, desktop performance and with Laptop features. this mixture was initiated by sony couple of months before and it is getting hard time to commercialise. Just hang the monitor on the wall, have a seat away of 5 feets, hold a wireless keyboard and mouse, start using either as TV or Computer. I loved this model and still my purse is weight though, have to wait for .:)
//Experience high style and versatile performance in one. The VAIO® VGC-LS30E all-in-one desktop PC incorporates a powerful VAIO LS into a stunning 19" widescreen display, perfect for computing or watching TV.//
Sony LS Series have a glimpse and amaze yourself.
2. This is a new technology brought by Microsoft or tuned up guys of Bill. this is an innovative idea might work out in presentation or customer oriented or sales. The software giant has built a new touchscreen computer—a coffee table that will change the world, forget the keyboard and mouse: The next generation of computer interfaces will be hands-on.Is MS trying to get rid of computers? we can only feel this model by end of 2007 . Click here
//Experience high style and versatile performance in one. The VAIO® VGC-LS30E all-in-one desktop PC incorporates a powerful VAIO LS into a stunning 19" widescreen display, perfect for computing or watching TV.//Sony LS Series have a glimpse and amaze yourself.
2. This is a new technology brought by Microsoft or tuned up guys of Bill. this is an innovative idea might work out in presentation or customer oriented or sales. The software giant has built a new touchscreen computer—a coffee table that will change the world, forget the keyboard and mouse: The next generation of computer interfaces will be hands-on.Is MS trying to get rid of computers? we can only feel this model by end of 2007 . Click here
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Deccan sells 26 pc stake to UB Group
//Bangalore: Deccan Aviation Ltd, the company that runs low-cost carrier Air Deccan, on Thursday announced it has sold 26 per cent in the airline to Vijay Mallya's UB Holdings for Rs 550 crore. UB Holdings has already paid Rs 150 crore and the remaining amount would be paid in the next four weeks, Air Deccan Managing Director G R Gopinath told reporters after the company's board meeting.
The transaction, which values Air Deccan at Rs 155 a share, would be through allotment of non-preferential shares to UB, he said. UB Group runs the premier full-service, true-value carrier Kingfisher Airlines. Gopinath would continue to remain the Executive Chairman of the Board, while Mallya would be the Vice-Chairman. The promoters and investors would have equal number of directors, besides six independent directors.//
This is called Entrepreneurship, being an army person, look into the emerging market, put efforts to create a company, sell your tickets for Rs.1 and get marketed yourself. Then screw up with your Service and quality and finally sell your stake to a company for a handfull money.
The transaction, which values Air Deccan at Rs 155 a share, would be through allotment of non-preferential shares to UB, he said. UB Group runs the premier full-service, true-value carrier Kingfisher Airlines. Gopinath would continue to remain the Executive Chairman of the Board, while Mallya would be the Vice-Chairman. The promoters and investors would have equal number of directors, besides six independent directors.//
This is called Entrepreneurship, being an army person, look into the emerging market, put efforts to create a company, sell your tickets for Rs.1 and get marketed yourself. Then screw up with your Service and quality and finally sell your stake to a company for a handfull money.
Vijay Mallya, 50, was elected as Chairman of United Breweries by shareholders at the young age of 28, following the demise of his father in 1983. UB is growing like anything and Mallaya started building sky scrappers in the hottest place near to MG Road, Bangalore. Kingfisher Airlines has already notched up a marked share of 9% in India and has ordered 30 Airbus A-320 Aircraft, 5 Airbus A-330 Aircraft, 5 Airbus A-350 Aircraft, 5 Airbus A-380 Aircraft and 5 A340-500 Aircraft in addition to 35 ATR 72-500 turboprop Aircraft to cater to its growth and route expansion plans till 2012.
So ultimately a market itself shrinks under an umbrella.
Then, what else? Black money.... God save US
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Do we really?
Sometimes, I do think that are we really passion about our country?
FYI, this is my 250th Post.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
US asks Infy, Wipro to explain use of H-1B visas
Contending that the H-1B visa programme is being abused to displace qualified American workers, two US lawmakers have asked nine foreign-based firms, including some leading Indian companies that used 20,000 of such visas, to disclose details about their workforce and their use of the special programme.
As the US Senate gets ready to take up the comprehensive immigration reform legislation, the two top law makers -- Republican Senator Charles Grassley and Democratic Senator Richard Durbin -- said "more and more it appears that companies are using H-1B visas to displace qualified, American workers."
"As we move closer to debate on an immigration bill, I continue to hear how people want to increase the number of H-1B visas that are available to companies. Considering the high amount of fraud and abuse in the visa programme, we need to take a good, hard look at the employers who are using H-1B visas and how they are using them," Grassley said in a statement.
"Supporters claim the goal of the H-1B programme is to help the American economy by allowing companies to hire needed foreign workers. The reality is that too many H-1B visas are being used to facilitate the outsourcing of American jobs to other countries," Senator Durbin said.
The two have written letters to the firms to determine if the programme is being used for its intended purpose, which is to fill a worker shortage for a temporary time period.
The companies the senators sent letters to were Infosys Technologies, Wipro, Tata Consultancy Services, Patni Computer Systems, I-Flex Solutions, Satyam Computer Services, Larsen & Toubro Infotech, Tech Mahindra Americas and Mphasis.
As the US Senate gets ready to take up the comprehensive immigration reform legislation, the two top law makers -- Republican Senator Charles Grassley and Democratic Senator Richard Durbin -- said "more and more it appears that companies are using H-1B visas to displace qualified, American workers."
"As we move closer to debate on an immigration bill, I continue to hear how people want to increase the number of H-1B visas that are available to companies. Considering the high amount of fraud and abuse in the visa programme, we need to take a good, hard look at the employers who are using H-1B visas and how they are using them," Grassley said in a statement.
"Supporters claim the goal of the H-1B programme is to help the American economy by allowing companies to hire needed foreign workers. The reality is that too many H-1B visas are being used to facilitate the outsourcing of American jobs to other countries," Senator Durbin said.
The two have written letters to the firms to determine if the programme is being used for its intended purpose, which is to fill a worker shortage for a temporary time period.
The companies the senators sent letters to were Infosys Technologies, Wipro, Tata Consultancy Services, Patni Computer Systems, I-Flex Solutions, Satyam Computer Services, Larsen & Toubro Infotech, Tech Mahindra Americas and Mphasis.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Tamil Blogs
Tamil Blogs- One of the fastest growing community. All of the Tamil blogs can be viewed from these following aggregation websites.
http://tamil.blogkut.com/ சங்கமம்- Aggregates all of the Tamil blogs, news and videos not required to register with. also Comments aggregated.
http://tamil.kanimai.com - Aggregates all of the Tamil blogs, not required to register with.
To these aggregators, bloggers have to register with them to get served for blogs.
http://thamizmanam.com -Aggregates blogs and comments and one of the tamil blogs Aggregation pioneer. Have to have a their source code in the blog's templates.
http://thenkoodu.com -Aggregates blogs. Have to have a their source code in the blog's templates.
http://tamilblogs.com - Aggregates blogs.
http://thiratti.com- aggregates blogs.
http://tamilveli.com- Aggregates blogs and comments.
Update : 2008-Jan
http://tamil.blogkut.com/ சங்கமம்- Aggregates all of the Tamil blogs, news and videos not required to register with. also Comments aggregated.
http://tamil.kanimai.com - Aggregates all of the Tamil blogs, not required to register with.
To these aggregators, bloggers have to register with them to get served for blogs.
http://thamizmanam.com -Aggregates blogs and comments and one of the tamil blogs Aggregation pioneer. Have to have a their source code in the blog's templates.
http://thenkoodu.com -Aggregates blogs. Have to have a their source code in the blog's templates.
http://tamilblogs.com - Aggregates blogs.
http://thiratti.com- aggregates blogs.
http://tamilveli.com- Aggregates blogs and comments.
Update : 2008-Jan
Sunday, March 04, 2007
A Bit Masala-RajniKanth
Once, Newton came to India and watched a few Tamil movies that had his head spinning. He was convinced that all his logic and laws in physics were just a huge pile of junk and apologized for everything he had done.
In the movie of Rajanikanth, Newton was confused to such an extent that he went paranoid.
Here are a few scenes
1) Rajanikanth has a Brain Tumor which, according to the doctors can't be cured and his death is imminent. In one of the fights, our great Rajanikanth is shot in the head. To everybody's surprise, the bullet passes through his ears taking away the tumor along with it and he is cured! Long Live Rajanikanth!
2) In another movie, Rajanikanth is confronted with 3 gangsters. Rajanikanth has a gun but unfortunately only one bullet and a knife. Guess, what he does? He throws the knife at the middle gangster? & shoots the bullet towards the knife. The knife cuts the bullet into 2 pieces, which kills both the gangsters on each side of the middle gangster & the knife kills the middle one.
3) Rajanikanth is chased by a gangster. Rajanikanth has a revolver but no bullets in it. Guess, what he does. Nah? not even in your remotest imaginations. He waits for the gangster to shoot. As soon as the gangster shoots, Rajanikanth opens the bullet compartment of his revolver and catches the bullet. Then, he closes the bullet compartment and fires his gun. Bang... the gangster dies...
This was too much for our Newton to take! He was completely shaken and decided to go back. But he happened to see another movie for one last time, and thought that at least one movie would follow his theory of physics. The whole movie goes fine and Newton is happy that all in the world hasn't changed. Oops, not so fast!
The 'climax' finally arrives. Rajanikanth gets to know that the villain is on the other side of a very high wall. So high that Rajanikanth can't jump even if he tries like one of those superman techniques that our heroes normally use. Rajanikanth has to desperately kill the villain because it's the climax. (Newton dada is smiling since it is virtually impossible?) Rajanikanth suddenly pulls two guns from his pockets. He throws one gun in the air and when the gun has reached above the height of the wall, he uses the second gun and shoots at the trigger of the first gun in air. The first gun fires off and the villain is dead.
In the movie of Rajanikanth, Newton was confused to such an extent that he went paranoid.
Here are a few scenes
1) Rajanikanth has a Brain Tumor which, according to the doctors can't be cured and his death is imminent. In one of the fights, our great Rajanikanth is shot in the head. To everybody's surprise, the bullet passes through his ears taking away the tumor along with it and he is cured! Long Live Rajanikanth!
2) In another movie, Rajanikanth is confronted with 3 gangsters. Rajanikanth has a gun but unfortunately only one bullet and a knife. Guess, what he does? He throws the knife at the middle gangster? & shoots the bullet towards the knife. The knife cuts the bullet into 2 pieces, which kills both the gangsters on each side of the middle gangster & the knife kills the middle one.
3) Rajanikanth is chased by a gangster. Rajanikanth has a revolver but no bullets in it. Guess, what he does. Nah? not even in your remotest imaginations. He waits for the gangster to shoot. As soon as the gangster shoots, Rajanikanth opens the bullet compartment of his revolver and catches the bullet. Then, he closes the bullet compartment and fires his gun. Bang... the gangster dies...
This was too much for our Newton to take! He was completely shaken and decided to go back. But he happened to see another movie for one last time, and thought that at least one movie would follow his theory of physics. The whole movie goes fine and Newton is happy that all in the world hasn't changed. Oops, not so fast!
The 'climax' finally arrives. Rajanikanth gets to know that the villain is on the other side of a very high wall. So high that Rajanikanth can't jump even if he tries like one of those superman techniques that our heroes normally use. Rajanikanth has to desperately kill the villain because it's the climax. (Newton dada is smiling since it is virtually impossible?) Rajanikanth suddenly pulls two guns from his pockets. He throws one gun in the air and when the gun has reached above the height of the wall, he uses the second gun and shoots at the trigger of the first gun in air. The first gun fires off and the villain is dead.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
About Budget 2007-By IT Giants
Union Budget 2007 has disappointed India Inc. The IT industry seems particularly miffed at some of the proposals. Here are some of the voices from the industry on the Budget and the impact it would have on the sector.
"The impact would be substantial for the industry, but a little less for us as we pay slightly higher withholding tax in most key overseas markets such as the US and Europe and enjoy double taxation avoidance credit. The net negative impact for Infosys, therefore, would be about 1.5 % of our total net income."
- V Balakrishnan, CFO, Infosys Technologies
“We are dismayed at the proposal to extend MAT on export incomes which are exempt under Sections 10A and 10B. This is a regressive step that withdraws government’s commitment to provide tax incentives till 2009, on the basis of which companies have made their business plans and investment decisions. This could affect investor confidence and growth in this sector,”
- Kiran Karnik, President, Nasscom
"This is totally negative for the software sector since none of our issues have been addressed. He did not say anything about the continuation of STPI scheme nor was there anything concrete on SEZs. On the other hand, he has extended minimum alternate tax (MAT) to IT companies. They have also imposed a 1 percent education cess."
- Deepak Ghaisas, CEO, I-Flex Solutions
"It will definitely have a very negative impact on the sentiment. It is like the government has decided to pull back the support to IT industry mid-way through,"
- Manoranjan Mohapatra, President and CEO, Flextronics
"It would have been better if the government had looked at the positive benefits of getting higher personal income tax from the IT professionals rather than trying to erode our margins so seriously."
- Vishnu Dusad, Managing Director, Nucleus Software
"The good thing is that the government's overall push for e-governance projects, higher outlay on IT education, computerisation of PDF and FCI will result in a positive demand for the demand for PC hardware."
- Vinnie Mehta, Executive Director, MAIT
"There are some positives in the budget for the software sector like the increase in the allocation for e-governance projects, "pass through" status for tech VC funds and doubling of allocation for secondary education. But the negatives are that they've not spoken about the STPI. The introduction of MAT will have a significant impact on smaller IT companies. Bringing ESOP under fringe benefit tax has to be clarified because ESOPs are meant to retain talent."
- Ashank Desai, Executive Chairman, Mastek Ltd
"We appreciate the reduction in the rate of customs duty and the increased outlays for e-Governance. At the same time, the imposition of MAT on the deductions applicable to IT companies and increase in the Dividend Distribution Tax could have been avoided."
- Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman, Microsoft India
"With respect to MAT, though there is an increase in coverage of MAT for 10A/10B companies, there is the facility of carry forward of MAT which is available to all companies. So in effect we will not have much impact on profits."
- Amar Chintopanth, Executive Director and CFO, 3i Infotech
"We are also happy that the government has decided to increase expenditure on infrastructure and education, which will have a positive effect on the BPO industry. However we are disappointed with the introduction of MAT for companies which were formerly exempted from MAT under Sec 10A and 10B."
- Susir Kumar, CEO, Intelenet Global Services Ltd
"The imposition of MAT on the ITES industry is dissappointing as is the lack of any announcement on the exemption of the 10A-10B benefit beyond 2009."
- Ananda Mukerji, MD & CEO Firstsource
"A key task for industry and government is to increase the PC penetration rate by making the PC more affordable. We were hoping for drops in CVD (currently 16%) and SAD (currently 4%) on components/ peripherals to help the PC become cheaper. So no news, while being perceived as neutral impact, is actually bad news."
- Moninder Jain, Director, South East Asia & India, Logitech
"It is heartening to see that the Government is committed to e-governance, having increased the allocation both at the Center and state level, with a new scheme for manpower development in the software export industry. Computerization programmes for the public distribution system and FCI will also enhance efficiency and benefit the common man."
- Jangoo Dalal, President, India & SAARC, Cisco
"There is no change in the IT hardware industry, so prices remain the same. We had not expected any changes; in fact, we had recommended that no changes be made. We are happy with the budget."
- Raj Saraf, CEO, Zenith Computers
"The impact would be substantial for the industry, but a little less for us as we pay slightly higher withholding tax in most key overseas markets such as the US and Europe and enjoy double taxation avoidance credit. The net negative impact for Infosys, therefore, would be about 1.5 % of our total net income."
- V Balakrishnan, CFO, Infosys Technologies
“We are dismayed at the proposal to extend MAT on export incomes which are exempt under Sections 10A and 10B. This is a regressive step that withdraws government’s commitment to provide tax incentives till 2009, on the basis of which companies have made their business plans and investment decisions. This could affect investor confidence and growth in this sector,”
- Kiran Karnik, President, Nasscom
"This is totally negative for the software sector since none of our issues have been addressed. He did not say anything about the continuation of STPI scheme nor was there anything concrete on SEZs. On the other hand, he has extended minimum alternate tax (MAT) to IT companies. They have also imposed a 1 percent education cess."
- Deepak Ghaisas, CEO, I-Flex Solutions
"It will definitely have a very negative impact on the sentiment. It is like the government has decided to pull back the support to IT industry mid-way through,"
- Manoranjan Mohapatra, President and CEO, Flextronics
"It would have been better if the government had looked at the positive benefits of getting higher personal income tax from the IT professionals rather than trying to erode our margins so seriously."
- Vishnu Dusad, Managing Director, Nucleus Software
"The good thing is that the government's overall push for e-governance projects, higher outlay on IT education, computerisation of PDF and FCI will result in a positive demand for the demand for PC hardware."
- Vinnie Mehta, Executive Director, MAIT
"There are some positives in the budget for the software sector like the increase in the allocation for e-governance projects, "pass through" status for tech VC funds and doubling of allocation for secondary education. But the negatives are that they've not spoken about the STPI. The introduction of MAT will have a significant impact on smaller IT companies. Bringing ESOP under fringe benefit tax has to be clarified because ESOPs are meant to retain talent."
- Ashank Desai, Executive Chairman, Mastek Ltd
"We appreciate the reduction in the rate of customs duty and the increased outlays for e-Governance. At the same time, the imposition of MAT on the deductions applicable to IT companies and increase in the Dividend Distribution Tax could have been avoided."
- Ravi Venkatesan, Chairman, Microsoft India
"With respect to MAT, though there is an increase in coverage of MAT for 10A/10B companies, there is the facility of carry forward of MAT which is available to all companies. So in effect we will not have much impact on profits."
- Amar Chintopanth, Executive Director and CFO, 3i Infotech
"We are also happy that the government has decided to increase expenditure on infrastructure and education, which will have a positive effect on the BPO industry. However we are disappointed with the introduction of MAT for companies which were formerly exempted from MAT under Sec 10A and 10B."
- Susir Kumar, CEO, Intelenet Global Services Ltd
"The imposition of MAT on the ITES industry is dissappointing as is the lack of any announcement on the exemption of the 10A-10B benefit beyond 2009."
- Ananda Mukerji, MD & CEO Firstsource
"A key task for industry and government is to increase the PC penetration rate by making the PC more affordable. We were hoping for drops in CVD (currently 16%) and SAD (currently 4%) on components/ peripherals to help the PC become cheaper. So no news, while being perceived as neutral impact, is actually bad news."
- Moninder Jain, Director, South East Asia & India, Logitech
"It is heartening to see that the Government is committed to e-governance, having increased the allocation both at the Center and state level, with a new scheme for manpower development in the software export industry. Computerization programmes for the public distribution system and FCI will also enhance efficiency and benefit the common man."
- Jangoo Dalal, President, India & SAARC, Cisco
"There is no change in the IT hardware industry, so prices remain the same. We had not expected any changes; in fact, we had recommended that no changes be made. We are happy with the budget."
- Raj Saraf, CEO, Zenith Computers
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Big Brother-Shilpa Wins!
Sensational Shilpa has been crowned the winner of Celebrity Big Brother after polling 67% of the final vote. A window-smashing scream welcomed the news, along with disbelief from the shocked actress. "Are you kidding me?" she bawled, accompanied by the compulsory waterworks.
Story continues below
Unlike earlier sobbing sessions, these were definitely tears of joy. Following her farewell to Jermaine she dashed to the toilet to gain some composure. Amidst an awesome firework display, she emerged to an adoring crowd and frantically blew kisses. History has been made. The self-proclaimed 'Angelina Jolie' of Bollywood, Shilpa's stay has been dominated by culinary-related rows and flirtations with a certain A-Team legend.
Story continues below
Unlike earlier sobbing sessions, these were definitely tears of joy. Following her farewell to Jermaine she dashed to the toilet to gain some composure. Amidst an awesome firework display, she emerged to an adoring crowd and frantically blew kisses. History has been made. The self-proclaimed 'Angelina Jolie' of Bollywood, Shilpa's stay has been dominated by culinary-related rows and flirtations with a certain A-Team legend.
A beacon of calm when engulfed in a verbal storm, Shilpa's outlook was perhaps helped by her regular meditation sessions. She even gave Carole and Ken a tutorial on Day 2! But when Jackiey and Jade came in to form their extended Family, it wasn't long before sparks started to fly. Who knew that the pronunciation of a two-syllable name would prove so problematic? Shilpa's devotion to feeding the housemates didn't quite win her unanimous support, as Danielle, Jade and Jo debated the health and safety of her chicken. And then came the great stock cube argument...
But Shilpa managed to sail through stormy waters with her head held high and her oversized sunglasses firmly secured. Apologies and cider were soon heaped upon her and her infectious laughter was regularly heard bouncing off the walls of the House.
Especially when there was a spot of Dirky Dancing... Ah yes, Dirk. The articulate actress attracted the attention of a certain lovestruck A-Team star and their frequent fliratations were welcome relief. Dirk admitted tcarrying a torch for her back on Day 5, but alas the fire never quite ignited between them.
She also formed a close bond with Jermaine, who functioned as 'her rock' in times of need. And with child-like wonder, she witnessed her first snow fall on Day 22. Her time in the House was definitely full of emotion and incident, and she has won over a legion of new fans.
Shilpa - the deserved winner of Celebrity Big Brother - we salute you!
Is it because of Fame? Vote? Controversy? Sympathy? Unity?
Info Thanks:channel 4
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
How to recruit the right person for the job?
One more forwarded mail Blog
Put about 100 bricks in some particular order in a closed room with an open window.
Then send 2 or 3 candidates in the room and close the door.
Leave them alone and come back after 6 hours and then analyze the situation.
If they are counting the bricks.
Put them in the accounts department.
If they are recounting them..
Put them in auditing.
If they have messed up the whole place with the bricks.
Put them in engineering.
If they are arranging the bricks in some strange order.
Put them in planning.
If they are throwing the bricks at each other.
Put them in operations.
If they are sleeping.
Put them in security.
If they have broken the bricks into pieces.
Put them in information technology.
If they are sitting idle.
Put them in human resources.
If they say they have tried different combinations, yet not a brick has been moved.
Put them in sales.
If they have already left for the day.
Put them in marketing.
If they are staring out of the window.
Put them on strategic planning.
And then last but not least.
If they are talking to each other and not a single brick has been moved.
Congratulate them and put them in top management.
Put about 100 bricks in some particular order in a closed room with an open window.
Then send 2 or 3 candidates in the room and close the door.
Leave them alone and come back after 6 hours and then analyze the situation.
If they are counting the bricks.
Put them in the accounts department.
If they are recounting them..
Put them in auditing.
If they have messed up the whole place with the bricks.
Put them in engineering.
If they are arranging the bricks in some strange order.
Put them in planning.
If they are throwing the bricks at each other.
Put them in operations.
If they are sleeping.
Put them in security.
If they have broken the bricks into pieces.
Put them in information technology.
If they are sitting idle.
Put them in human resources.
If they say they have tried different combinations, yet not a brick has been moved.
Put them in sales.
If they have already left for the day.
Put them in marketing.
If they are staring out of the window.
Put them on strategic planning.
And then last but not least.
If they are talking to each other and not a single brick has been moved.
Congratulate them and put them in top management.
Friday, November 24, 2006
ATM-->Robbers
Adding to my previous post a good initiative taken by all banks to help investigate on ATM-Thefts.
If you should ever be forced by a robber to withdraw money from an ATM
machine, you can notify the police by entering your Pin # in reverse.
For example if your pin number is 1234 then you would put in 4321. The
ATM recognizes that your pin number is backwards from the ATM card you
placed in the
machine.
The machine will still give you the money you requested, but unknown to
the robber, the police will be immediately dispatched to help you.
This information was recently broadcasted on TV and it states that it is
seldom used because people don't know it exists.
If you should ever be forced by a robber to withdraw money from an ATM
machine, you can notify the police by entering your Pin # in reverse.
For example if your pin number is 1234 then you would put in 4321. The
ATM recognizes that your pin number is backwards from the ATM card you
placed in the
machine.
The machine will still give you the money you requested, but unknown to
the robber, the police will be immediately dispatched to help you.
This information was recently broadcasted on TV and it states that it is
seldom used because people don't know it exists.
Friday, November 03, 2006
Microsoft Partners with Novell for Suse Linux
According to the Wall Street Journal, Microsoft has entered into a partnership with Novell Inc. to offer sales support and technology sharing for Novell's Suse Linux product.
While the deal has yet to be finalized, it represents a surprising new alliance between two warring sides in the operating system world. CEO Steve Ballmer made the announcement at a San Francisco news conference that Linux plays an "important role" in many companies, including Microsoft itself. "We see huge potential upside in these markets."
Novell's Suse Linux is currently the second largest commercial Linux distribution, with first place going to Red Hat. As a result of the announcement, shares in Novell jumped 16% to $6.79.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but one of the high points is the expected construction of a joint research facility where the two companies can design and test their software together. Improvements in compatibility between Microsoft Office and OpenOffice are also expected.
Speculation about the long-term outcome of this union has begun already. Frank Artale, vice-president of XenSource, noted that Microsoft's embracing of Suse Linux as opposed to another particular variant could cause a "halo effect" in that the association between the two could make users choose it over another distribution. The open-source community also may have reservations about using a distribution that is "sleeping with the enemy."
As another part of the deal, Microsoft agreed not to file patent infringement charges against Suse users, and Novell has agreed not to sue users of Windows.
Thanks:Daily Tech
While the deal has yet to be finalized, it represents a surprising new alliance between two warring sides in the operating system world. CEO Steve Ballmer made the announcement at a San Francisco news conference that Linux plays an "important role" in many companies, including Microsoft itself. "We see huge potential upside in these markets."
Novell's Suse Linux is currently the second largest commercial Linux distribution, with first place going to Red Hat. As a result of the announcement, shares in Novell jumped 16% to $6.79.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, but one of the high points is the expected construction of a joint research facility where the two companies can design and test their software together. Improvements in compatibility between Microsoft Office and OpenOffice are also expected.
Speculation about the long-term outcome of this union has begun already. Frank Artale, vice-president of XenSource, noted that Microsoft's embracing of Suse Linux as opposed to another particular variant could cause a "halo effect" in that the association between the two could make users choose it over another distribution. The open-source community also may have reservations about using a distribution that is "sleeping with the enemy."
As another part of the deal, Microsoft agreed not to file patent infringement charges against Suse users, and Novell has agreed not to sue users of Windows.
Thanks:Daily Tech
Monday, October 16, 2006
Now it's Chennai Turn
IT professional abducted, molested
CHENNAI:In a shocking incident that exposes the absence of security, a young woman working with a software company was allegedly abducted in a share autorickshawand molested by two youth last week.
Worse, the police have almost hit a dead end in the case as the victim, on the advice of her parents, has allegedly refused to lodge a formal complaint and the identity of the accused has not been established.
According to police sources, the 22-year old woman had left on the evening of Wednesday last hired ashare autorickshaw just outside her office in Thoraipakkam to go to herresidence in Velachery.
The victim told us that it was raining that day and the autorickshaw driver had rolled the shutter sheet down. Midway through the journey she peeped outside and found that the autorickshaw was not proceeding on the Velachery route and attempted to raise an alarm.
Immediately, a youth aged around 25 who was seated next to the driver jumped on to the back seat, slapped her and ordered her to keep her mouthshut, a police officer said.
In the meantime, the girl had managed to alert her friends by sending SMS messages through her mobile phone.
As the vehicle neared a college campus in Karapakkam on the outskirts, the two men dragged her out of the vehicle to a bushy area and raped her. Hearing the victim scream, the security guards of the college blew the whistle alerting apatrol vehicle.
Meanwhile, the police and her parents were alerted by the girl's friends and they launched a hunt for her along the Thoraipakkam Road . Finally, thepatrol vehicle personnel spotted her near the college with her dress torn andgot her admitted to a private hospital in Velachery, the officer said.
The driver and his accomplice had fled the scene much earlier after taking away the girl's gold chain and a bag containing an ATM card and cash.
Though the girl did not lodge a formal complaint, the Thoraipakkam police intercepted several share autorickshaws and sought to match the description provided by the girl with that of the driver's.
"We have not achieved a breakthrough so far but we are hoping to convincethe victim to lodge a complaint which is crucial to nail the accused" the officer added
So Girls
Please see through that you leave early and at a reasonable time toprevent any such happenings.
Such incidents have become very frequent, especially to those working in the s/w industry because of the latetimings.
Even guys have been abducted off their belongings. So ALL should take care of their safety and plz pass this on,So that evry1 is aware of it.
Already I have blogged the same type of incident happend in Bangalore. Now it's Chennai.
CHENNAI:In a shocking incident that exposes the absence of security, a young woman working with a software company was allegedly abducted in a share autorickshawand molested by two youth last week.
Worse, the police have almost hit a dead end in the case as the victim, on the advice of her parents, has allegedly refused to lodge a formal complaint and the identity of the accused has not been established.
According to police sources, the 22-year old woman had left on the evening of Wednesday last hired ashare autorickshaw just outside her office in Thoraipakkam to go to herresidence in Velachery.
The victim told us that it was raining that day and the autorickshaw driver had rolled the shutter sheet down. Midway through the journey she peeped outside and found that the autorickshaw was not proceeding on the Velachery route and attempted to raise an alarm.
Immediately, a youth aged around 25 who was seated next to the driver jumped on to the back seat, slapped her and ordered her to keep her mouthshut, a police officer said.
In the meantime, the girl had managed to alert her friends by sending SMS messages through her mobile phone.
As the vehicle neared a college campus in Karapakkam on the outskirts, the two men dragged her out of the vehicle to a bushy area and raped her. Hearing the victim scream, the security guards of the college blew the whistle alerting apatrol vehicle.
Meanwhile, the police and her parents were alerted by the girl's friends and they launched a hunt for her along the Thoraipakkam Road . Finally, thepatrol vehicle personnel spotted her near the college with her dress torn andgot her admitted to a private hospital in Velachery, the officer said.
The driver and his accomplice had fled the scene much earlier after taking away the girl's gold chain and a bag containing an ATM card and cash.
Though the girl did not lodge a formal complaint, the Thoraipakkam police intercepted several share autorickshaws and sought to match the description provided by the girl with that of the driver's.
"We have not achieved a breakthrough so far but we are hoping to convincethe victim to lodge a complaint which is crucial to nail the accused" the officer added
So Girls
Please see through that you leave early and at a reasonable time toprevent any such happenings.
Such incidents have become very frequent, especially to those working in the s/w industry because of the latetimings.
Even guys have been abducted off their belongings. So ALL should take care of their safety and plz pass this on,So that evry1 is aware of it.
Already I have blogged the same type of incident happend in Bangalore. Now it's Chennai.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Things we miss/wish in life
1. 5 minutes ago you were traveling to office at 80 mph. in your brand new car. Now you are traveling to hospital at double the speed in an ambulance, You wish there was 'undo (ctrl + Z)' in life!
2. You are already late, and your key is missing, You wish there was 'find tool (ctrl+F)' in life!
3. You are a bankrupt, after investing in some weird business, You wish there was 'rebuild all' in life!
4. The train is so crowded that you cannot get anywhere near that nice girl at the other end, You wish there was 'zoom & view full screen'in life!
5. After marriage you realize that there is bound to be a mismatch, You wish there was an 'evaluation period' or atleast a 'sample download' or a 'demo version'!
6. One day you realize that you are turning bald, You wish there was 'cut and paste (ctrl + X)/(ctrl + V)' in life! And the best one is ..........
7. The best part of the keyboard is U & I are together which is not always there in life......
2. You are already late, and your key is missing, You wish there was 'find tool (ctrl+F)' in life!
3. You are a bankrupt, after investing in some weird business, You wish there was 'rebuild all' in life!
4. The train is so crowded that you cannot get anywhere near that nice girl at the other end, You wish there was 'zoom & view full screen'in life!
5. After marriage you realize that there is bound to be a mismatch, You wish there was an 'evaluation period' or atleast a 'sample download' or a 'demo version'!
6. One day you realize that you are turning bald, You wish there was 'cut and paste (ctrl + X)/(ctrl + V)' in life! And the best one is ..........
7. The best part of the keyboard is U & I are together which is not always there in life......
Thursday, September 14, 2006
"Traveller Tales"
Okhil Chandra Sen wrote this letter to the Sahibganj Divisional Railway Office in 1909. It is on display at the Railway Museum in New Delhi. It was also reproduced under the caption "Traveller Tales" in the Far Eastern Economic Review.
"I am arrive by passenger train Ahmedpur station and my
belly is too much swelling with jackfruit. I am therefore went
to privy. Just I doing the nuisance that guard making whistle
blow for train to go off and I am running with 'lotah' in one
hand and 'dhoti' in the next when I am fall over and expose all
my shocking to man and female women on plateform. I am got leaved
at Ahmedpur station.
This too much bad, if passenger go to make dung that dam
guard not wait train five minutes for him. I am therefore pray
your honour to make big fine on that guard for public sake.
Otherwise I am making big report to papers."
Thanks to Mr.Sen who saved our Privacy on Train Journey's, It led to the introduction of TOILETS in Indian trains.
"I am arrive by passenger train Ahmedpur station and my
belly is too much swelling with jackfruit. I am therefore went
to privy. Just I doing the nuisance that guard making whistle
blow for train to go off and I am running with 'lotah' in one
hand and 'dhoti' in the next when I am fall over and expose all
my shocking to man and female women on plateform. I am got leaved
at Ahmedpur station.
This too much bad, if passenger go to make dung that dam
guard not wait train five minutes for him. I am therefore pray
your honour to make big fine on that guard for public sake.
Otherwise I am making big report to papers."
Thanks to Mr.Sen who saved our Privacy on Train Journey's, It led to the introduction of TOILETS in Indian trains.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
'There's always a risk'
"It shows that Steve came over the top of the ray and the tail came up, and spiked him (in the chest), and he pulled it out and the next minute he's gone," .
He is one among my best in my fav. channel.
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