iTelescope

Apologies! I know that I have been away for quite some time now - but there are reasons! Work being the major sucker followed by personal interests. Moreover, my boss paid a visit I tried hard to spare time, then reversed some - but nothing worked! Anyway, the good news is that I’m back.

Census 2011 Logo

I did miss writing all this time & kept noting them as they happened. To begin with, I hope you are aware about Census 2011. Most state & central government employees have to compulsorily participate in this, over & above their routine responsibilities (pl note 0+1=1). The lady who was doing it in our area was an innovator! Instead of visiting each house & collecting data, she took an iterative, outsourcing model. She took the lift to the first floor, and walked down distributing a form in Marathi to each house. She very calmly told people that the form was very simple (I don’t know of a single govt form that is simple) & that one didn’t need to know Marathi to fill it (I don’t know how Bengalis & Malayalis bought this idea?) Suddenly people realized the importance of Maharashtrian neighbours, and fortunately each floor had one. After putting people to the job, she again took the elevator up to start collecting filled forms. I’m sure with this trick she managed to get home in time for lunch, which otherwise she would’ve had to couple with dinner. Just to note, that innovation is not necessarily rocket science.

Rickshaw Meter

Two notable things happened in the near past, both of which have affected our lives in one way or the other. The first thing: revised auto-fares. As Shubhojit said, this is one thing that makes you feel real poor. What I used to spend both way is what the 3-Tyre boogie now takes away one way. All thanks to the revision graced by skilled instrumentation engineers at garages.

Rupee Sign

The other thing - the symbol that our national currency got - actually makes me feel very proud. It is the symbol of globalization, equality & finally a distinguishing factor from other currencies with the same name. Some websites, like Burrp, picked up the symbol in no time. I’m just waiting for it to show up on currency.

Ambedkar Memorial, U.P.

After news about the symbol hit the stands, people questioned the kind of money that must have gone into its making. But I say, what’s wrong? If someone can spend tons of money raising statues in a city where people don’t have enough, (continue reading…)

“The Real Winners in life are the People who look at every situation with an expectation that they can make it work or make it better” - Barbara Pletcher

I do not intend to use my blog to publish silly chain email. But this one was a real exception! And for a couple of reasons: It was a pleasure reading this although prolix, and that my friend Rohit Patkar sent me this. Rohit has also been in my good books (of etiquette) for his email habits - sheer quality and nothing else. For other things, he is an atheist. Read on… (continue reading…)

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. From The Bible: Account of Jesus’ last night in Gethsemane. Matthew Ch.26:41.

The title of this post is an epithet for my blogging dilemma. I have been wanting to blog for the last couple of years - first as part of my website, then separately - but for some or the other reason didn’t take-off! But a few things prevent it from being pushed any further down my task list. I have always had a lot of things in my mind: some for the posterity of the human race and others to take away productive time. Not that I have been great at penning, just that I have always been clear in my thoughts. All I needed was some place to write; and what better than a blog! A few months back, even my boss encouraged me to do some reading, exploration and write about it. What could be a better reason with appraisals right around the corner! (continue reading…)