Smart Eggs and Intelligent Rice

I heard about the Smart Eggs and the Intelligent Rice in NPR. Great work by the scientists I thought.

Here are the details on the Rice:

A gene that enables rice to survive complete submergence has been identified by a team of researchers at the International Rice Research Institute in the Philippines and at the University of California's Davis and Riverside campuses.

The discovery allows for development of new rice varieties that can withstand flooding, thus overcoming one of agriculture's oldest challenges and offering relief to millions of poor rice farmers around the world.

Here are the details on the Eggs:

Scientists are close to cracking the age old problem of cooking your boiled egg just right…step aside the clock and the running sand granules – here comes the self-timing egg.

I need your help with COGNOS

I've been assigned a project to build a Data Mart for my company using COGNOS. I'll be doing everything from scratch.

Though I know the techniques I am new to COGNOS.

If you or any of your friends have experience in COGNOS can you please contact me ASAP.
I'll appreciate your help.

My email id - specialdosa at gmail dot com

Thank you

Cherrapunji crying for Rains

Imagine most of India blanketed with a feet of snow. Now imagine Ski Resorts in South India. Imagine sub-zero temperatures in winter. Well it could all happen, if Cherrapunji can cry for rains.

Cherrapunji in Assam used to be the place with the highest amount of rainfall while I was in school and college.

It is shocking to read this report on Cherrapunji. While we digest this news, it’s important to ponder why this is happening.

I feel that it is very important for all countries to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. It is sad that USA and Australia have refused to ratifiy the treaty though they have signed it.

Raagamaalika - Jaya TV

I am a big fan of Music Programs on Sun, Vijay, Jaya TV's. Especially Ragamalika on Jaya TV. Here is a Video of a Raagamaalika program.

Chandrika Soap

CHANDRIKA SOAP has been my favorite bath soap all my life. It started with my Dad introducing it to me when I was young.

I used to love the foam ( even in the hardest water ) which probably is one of the reasons I fell in love with it ( Which kid doesn't like blowing Soap bubbles ).

As I grew up, Chandrika was always there with me.

Now living in the USA I still buy Chandrika soap and surprisingly even my kids love it!

BTW, It costs around One US Dollar a piece here.

Karunanidhi's - Double Stand

This is what Mr.Karunanidhi, the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu said today about banning PEPSI and COKE.

Chennai, August 8: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today told the state Assembly that if the Centre imposed a ban on Pepsi and Coke, his government would follow suit.

"The DMK government has always adhered to the policies of the Centre. In this case too, if the Centre implements a ban on Pepsi and Coca Cola, the Tamil Nadu government will follow suit," Karunanidhi said, replying to a question by C Gnanasekaran (Cong.

Isn't he the same person who threatened to pull out of the NDA (Thanks Chakra Sampath) UPA government on the Quota Issue a few months back ?

Why this double stand Mr.Karunanidhi ? Why not take your own decision and ban the colas? Why wait for the Center now ?

PS - To ban or not is another question, which is debatable.

The Class of 1981 Reunion - MCC Tambaram, India

Feels like last year!! But it has been 25 years since I graduated from MCC Tambaram. I finished my Bachelors in Statistics in 1981 and then went on and did my Masters that I finished in 1983.

The Batch of 81 is having a reunion on August 13th and 14th, 2006 at Chennai, India. Too many memories. I wonder how all those friends whom I last saw in 1981 look like today. That includes a lot of girls as well. Too many thoughts to share.

Can I go? Will I go? Everything is going to depend on the INS-Parole clearance for which I have been waiting the last one year. If I get it, I'll fly out the same evening! Let's see!

My best friend Muralikrishnan aka DON has been a key player in organizing this reunion. Hats off to you Don Macchi.

Here is the Reunion Website

Chappell vs BCCI vs Kiran More - Where is the Disconnect?

First, Greg Chappell ( Team India Coach) said 'Sachin is not 100% fit'

BCCI then said 'No..No..Sachin is fit'.

KIRAN MORE says today that 'Sachin is fit'.

Here is what he says:

Sachin is fit, there is no question about that. If he was not fit, then we would not have selected him in the team. Sometimes the media likes to make a big issue of things that do not exist," said More, Chairman, BCCI Selection Committee.

--**--

Mr.More: Please don't talk like an idiot. Your coach was the one who said Sachin was not 100%...Not the media.

VIJAY TV USA - WHY IT SUCKS ?

Unable to bear the torture of 'Mega Serials' in SUN TV, I got out of Dish Network and moved to DIRECTV to try VIJAY TV, which is a part of STAR TV Network.

Though the quality of programs is much better than SUN TV, I am surprised and angry at VIJAY TV for taking the US viewers for a ride.

Here are some points that I hate about VIJAY TV.

1) There is a ONE WEEK delay in the programs - As opposed to 12 hour delay of SUN TV.

2) No NEWSCAST. This is unacceptable !

3) No commercials. The previews of other programs are repeated over and over again.

4) Many programs are repeated on a daily basis.

5) Program info is wrong ( Today I was watching a tamil movie - Aadu puli aattam and the info said 'Jalli Kattu' which was showing last week).

6) The monthly charge for this is 15$ which I think is not worth considering all the points above.

If VIJAY TV doesn't make a note of these points I am sure its viewership might not improve in the USA, no matter how the quality is.

For my part, I will pull the plug on VIJAY TV and totally quit watching Tamil Channels.

PS - I wrote to VIJAY TV and got an immediate reply. They said, on Festival days, the delay in progams would be just like SUN, ie 12 hours...which is good..But what about the rest of the issues?

Sachin not 100% - Yet in team Why?

GREG CHAPPELL has said today that Sachin Tendulkar is not 100% fit.

My question - Why risk ? Why not let him rest and heal completely so that he can be fit for the ICC trophy and the other games to follow.

It's even more shameful that he came into the team without any fitness test.

Where is the justification to drop 100% fit performing youngsters like Robin Uthappa, Venugopal Rao and the likes.

Shame on the selectors, Shame on Indian Cricket.