Sunday, August 30, 2009

Japan wins the Clunkers

As expected, the Japanese automakers have won the clunkers battle.

Reports indicate that the 'Cash for clunkers' participants preferred foreign brands to the local, especially the Japanese cars
, which tend to give better mileage and are very reliable.

One has to applaud the public for buying reliable and fuel efficient cars. A good step forward I feel.

As Detroit loses another battle here, the message which is very clear to all of us, hopefully will ring a bell in the ears of American auto makers.

Detroit lost, thanks to the clunkers they produced, poor quality and living in illusion.

Everyone learns by making mistakes, Detroit did the same and I am sure it will come out of this mess soon !

Friday, August 28, 2009

தமிழ் வாத்தியார் - திரு.சந்திரசேகரன்!

ஈறுகெட்ட எதிர்மறைப் பெயரெச்சம்

பள்ளிக் காலத்தில் தமிழ் இலக்கணம் என்றாலே பயம் தான்.

அதை போக்கியவர், எனக்கு 9,10,11 வகுப்புகளில் தமிழ் பயிற்றுவித்த திரு.சந்திரசேகரன், தமிழ் வாத்தியார் அவர்கள்.

தாம்பரம் கார்லி உயர்நிலைப் பள்ளியில் படித்த எவருக்கும் திரு.சந்திரசேகரன் அவர்களை நினைவிருக்கும்!

அவரது வகுப்பெடுக்கும் தோரணை, நேசம், ஊக்கம், நகைச்சுவை எல்லாம் இன்னும் என் நினைவில் பசுமையாக இருக்கிறது.

அவரை நான் கடைசியாக பார்த்தது - 1977 !

அவரைப் பற்றி உங்களுக்கு விவரம் தெரிந்தால்
தயவுசெய்து எனக்கு தெரியப் படுத்தவும்!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

THE HINDU - Outsourced


Those of you who read 'THE HINDU' would have noticed the newly designed BETA. I did and I kinda like it.

What I found surprising was the team behind the BETA:
  • The design is by Mario Garcia Jr., of Garcia Media, Tampa, Florida, USA.
  • The workflow solution is by CCI Europe A/S, Denmark.
  • The web publishing system is from Escenic A/S, Norway.

When the West is outsourcing to India, 'THE HINDU' is outsourcing to the West.

Maybe this will start a trend and boost the ailing American Economy.

Thank you, 'THE HINDU'.


Wednesday, August 26, 2009

நெஞ்சு பொறுக்குதில்லையே!!

நன்றி - தினமலர்

இன்றல்ல நேற்றல்ல

பல வருடங்களாக

மக்களை

வாட்டும் 'கப்பு' பிரச்சனை!



இதற்கு ஒரு வழி இல்லை



சிங்காரச் சென்னையாம்!


வெங்காயம்!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Raveendran Master

Raveendran Master
Pic courtesy: WWW

My love story with Malayalam films / music began in the early 80's thanks to a couple of my friends who were from Kerala.

It blossomed while I was working in Bombay in the 80's, thanks to my two room mates. It continues till date (Thanks to songs like Picha Vecha) and I am sure it will be like that till my lifetime.

One master figure, 'Raveendran Master' was/is 90% responsible for my love with Malayalam film songs.

Yesudas, IMHO became a super star...thanks to Raveendran Master. Tons of Malayalam movies became blockbusters thanks to some wonderful directors, actors, singers and Raveendran Master.

Today, I had a chance to watch a You Tube video on 'His Highness Abdullah', one of the many musical masterpieces of Raveendran Master.

All the songs in this movie are evergreent hits. M.G.Sreekumar got a National award for his song 'Nadha Roopini' from this movie !

My personal favorites - Gopika Vasantham and Pramadhavanam take me to heaven even today when I listen to them.

Unfortunately, Raveendran Master couldn't shine in Tamil. It's a loss to Tamil music I feel.

Here is a great tribute to Raveendran Master from Idea Star Singer:

Monday, August 24, 2009

My RBI Post - More points

My post on RBI has resulted in some people questioning my Cribbing ! I accept I crib, but I think I have a right to do so. I would do the same even if were a RI instead of a NRI.

Vatsan
, whom I respect a lot writes ' I don't see the need for you to ask the RBI about Forex. By allowing you to ask the question is pertinent of the RBI's openess'.

Another blogger writes that having websites are not that important in a country without water!

My response is this:


Why should RBI have a email option that doesn't work? If an esteemed organization like RBI has an option enabled in their website, It's our right to ask that it works.

It's like having a counter in a RBI branch and telling people,"Sorry, this is DUMMY".

In today's world, Mom and Dad companies have wonderful websites and pay to maintain it. Why isn't RBI doing it?

If RBI doesn't want us to send emails, I would rather they take the option out and have a clean website with information only ! Would be better !

What kind of image does it send to the world , if someone were to go to email RBI only to see the email returned?

Malathy Lakshmanan - You Rock

Pic courtesy: WWW

Have you listened to the song 'En Peru Meena Kumari' from the film 'Kandasamy'. If you haven't, please check it out. Wonderful high energy song !!

It's been playing in repeat mode the last few days in my car and those who saw me on the road would have seen me clapping and making dance movements!

Yeah, I am crazy about this song. Especially the Chennai Rhythms just before the second charanam ( Starts at 3.00 min ).

I decided to write about Malathy Lakshmanan the singer when I realized that she and I share the same Birthday !! Yeah, Malathy was born on Aug-27th !! only 12 years after I was born !

I've always admired the range of her voice and her versatility. Though I am not a big fan of 'Dappan kuthu' songs, somehow, her latest stuck to my head. I am sure it's a big hit down south and very well deserved too.

I'll write about 'SRUTHI ORCHESTRA' later ( Malathy is married to Sruthi Lakshmanan who is the chief of SRUTHI ) but for now, I would like to say "MALATHY YOU ROCK !!" and thanks to SRI DEVI PRASAD for bringing out the CHENNAI RHYTHMS !!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Kandasamy - Fun !

Pic courtesy: IndiaGlitz

What I liked

Songs
Vikram's presence and acting
Shriya's role
The younger villan - ( Actor Prithiraj's brother )
Costumes
Dialogues
Cinematography
Locales chosen

What I didn't like

Length of the movie
Vadivelu's comedy track ( waste of time ! )

My verdict

But for some violence and flesh, worth a watch!


Friday, August 21, 2009

RBI in the 21st Century

One would expect the website of 'Reserve Bank of India' to be in top shape right?

I thought so and
tried to send an email via their website about a FOREX question.

A minute later the mail bounced with this message:

--------------------------------------------------------------------

UNDELIVERABLE MAIL

Your message to the following recipients cannot be delivered:

:
mail2.rbi.org.in [210.212.219.77]:
>>> RCPT TO:
<<<>: Relay access denied

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Shameful !!

We live in the 21st century and RBI is India's Central Bank.

Well..Well...Some things about India will never change.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Friends

I remember the handful of sand that I dropped into Kishore's grave as they were closing it! I remember his casket, I remember his funeral !

I remember that day when my wife told me 'Kishore passed away'.

All those wonderful years of friendship finally ended that day !! Kishore was laid to rest in Oct 1997.

He might be gone, but I remember him every now and then, during times of joy and sorrow. I feel that Kishore is looking out for me !! I honestly believe so !

Friends - They mean more than everything else for me in life. I am sure it's the same for most of us.

It's hard to part with friends!

Today, I had to pickup my daughter after a sendoff party for one of her friends who is moving to Missouri ! My daughter and Sierra have been friends the last five years and they've been pretty close too.

As we hugged and said 'Bye' as we left the restaurant, I felt like crying.

Friends - Thank God for giving me some wonderful friends!


Tuesday, August 18, 2009

H1N1 - Testing centers in TN

A total of 9 labs. recognized by the TN.Govt so far. (Apart from King Institute I think ).

Is this enough?


Chennai

Lister Metropolis
Sri Ramachandra University
Bharat Scans, Royapettah
Hi-Tech Diagnostic Center, T.Nagar

Diagnostic Services, T.Nagar

Coimbatore

Immuno Ancillary Clinic
Micro Labs, R.S. Puram

Nagercoil

Vivek Labs

Tiruchi

Dr. Rath’s Lab, Thillai Nagar

(Source: The HINDU)

Monday, August 17, 2009

The language barrier

There is a debate in the 'Mallu' music world about the latest super hit song 'Picha Vecha Naal'.

It revolves around 'Shankar Mahadeven' the versatile singer, who has sung this Malayalam song from the movie 'Puthiya Mugam'.

Many feel that the pronunciation is bad !! The consensus is that Shankar has done a great job with the 'Feel' ...but missed out in pronunciation.

That's makes me wonder. Why didn't Deepak Dev ask a Mallu singer to sing this song...why Shankar?

Honestly, I don't know why.

I've seen this happen in Tamil for a long long time ! Music directors would prefer a Sadhana Sargam or a Shreya Ghosal or a Sonu Nigam or a Udit Narayan to tons of local singers ! Result - songs with pathetic Tamil pronunciation.

Why ? Is it the Money? No idea !!

Look at Hindi on the other hand. It's hard for a singer like Chinmayi / Benny Dayal to get more opportunities in Hindi. I doubt if anyone would give them a chance outside AR. RAHMAN ?


However - I am surprised how Rahman manages to dominate Bollywood !

Why is the non-Hindi audience more receptive to non-native singers? Can someone help me please?

Mortgage companies rip us off !

One of my best friends got demoted a few months back and went to work for only 1/2 his previous salary.

He didn't have a choice since his wife was pregnant ( we all know about the medical insurance issues here in the US ) and chose to remain in the demoted position, just for the medical insurance.

His mortgage was over 1/2 of his original salary, so he spoke to his mortgage company to modify his mortgage.

Until date, for the last 6 months the mortgage company, has been working/sitting on his case, which is pretty straight forward.

He has sent documents every month to show that his income is only 1/2 his previous income and yet nothing has happened !

This makes me real angry. How many people like this are suffering?

Why should we bail out the banks !

I am glad we have a president who talks about all these issues . I am confident , that he will do something.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

BART Strike called off !!


I was expecting this to happen.

Neither the Management nor the Unions would want bad PR during these troubles times with the economy.

This is great news for the Bay Area commuters!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Jo's Version of PICHA VECHA - Rocks

This song is in repeat mode at home these days.

Everyday, I watch this song at least once in my DVR.





I am sure a whole bunch of singers are going to sing this song in their blogs..thanks to the amazing Karaoke that came as a part of the original album !!

Aug-15-1947 - Aug-15-2009


63 years of Independence.

Time to sit back and think about the sacrifices made by the great souls !

Time to think about their next generations and wonder how they are doing !

Time to realize the importance of leading the country to independence from the evil forces that drive the nation today.

Time to think and act.

'HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY , INDIA'

Friday, August 14, 2009

Picha Vecha - Inspired by ?

THANK YOU - KRISHNAN PRASAD

for letting me know about the song that inspired Deepak Dev to create ' Picha vecha NaaL'





Thursday, August 13, 2009

Being an entrepreneur

For most of us it's in the blood. We were raised that way.

"Get a good degree, get a good job, settle down in life"
How often have you heard that?

How many of your near ones told you:
'Start your own business - Don't look for a Job'

I think it's a big mistake that we all make !

I would tell my kids to become
entrepreneurs. I'd like for them to start their own businesses. Be on their own feet, work hard !

I see a lot of people shine in life and believe me, most of them are on their own. I've seen them struggling to come up, sacrifice a lot ( Just like how we all do in our jobs initially ) and now they are on their feet on their own, happy !

Being your own Boss !! What a feeling that would be.

Nobody to Micro Manage, Nobody to abuse you just because you are ........

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Healthcare Reform - Let it happen !

Pic courtesy: WWW
When I read about the protests, screaming and name calling at the town hall meetings about President Obama's Health care reform I wonder..

Do these people really have any brains?

Do these people who scream and protest know what it is to be without medical insurance? How stressful it could be?

In this country, if someone loses his/her job...along goes with it the medical insurance ! COBRA can help to some extent but the costs will be pretty high for a family.

God bless you, if you end up with some medical condition or emergency when you are without Insurance. Bills could run to thousands of dollars.

Take my case - When I had my heart attack last year, my Insurance took care of the bill completely, but I did get the bill...! It was over 70,000 USD. Imagine, if I didn't have insurance !
Try getting Medical Insurance with pre-existing conditions and you'll know how it is.

All of you, who scream and yell...Please think about it. You'll realize how important the reform is, only when one of your family members / friends goes without insurance!

Sometimes, politicians/public in the US behave even worse than those back home.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Swine Flu - Testing in Chennai - II

What a shame !

King Institute, Chennai doesn't even have a website !


India / Chennai - Well known world over for IT !

S H A M E F U L !

Swine Flu - Testing in Chennai

Pic courtesy: WWW

With Swine Flu cases going up in India, I was checking to see testing centers in Chennai, my hometown.

Was shocked to see only King Institute in the list !

King Institute of Preventive Medicine Chennai
Guindy,
Chennai – 600032

(24/7 Service) 044-22501706

Chennai city has over 5 Million people ! God save the city..in the event of a Swine Flu pandemic !!


What about the other corners of Tamil Nadu ?

Where will the samples from there go for testing ?


S C A R Y.....S C A R Y !

Sunday, August 09, 2009

Deepak Dev

Deepak Dev - Malayalam music industry must be proud to have a MD like Deepak. I fell in love with his music, the first time I listened to 'Thumbi kinaaram' from Naran.

His latest from 'Pudhiya Mugam', 'Picha Vecha' is probably breaking records in Kerala already, if what I see on the Malayalam TV channels is any indication.

Here is the beautiful song - sung by Deepak first and then the one from the movie. I am very impressed at Deepak's singing, not to mention the reactions of Mr.Alphonse and my favorite M.Jayachandran !




Friday, August 07, 2009

Fake faces

We all fake. We all have two faces. We show one to some and the other one to others. Some even have multiple faces.

As we grow older in life, we are able to see these faces. We try to alter ourselves to have one face..but rarely do we succeed. We go to our graves with our faces.

Ask your better-half, your parents, your kids, friends, colleagues at work, your neighbors and you'll know your multiple faces.

Let's face it - That's the way life is.

The next time on.... try a few ounces of
this. You'll realize and think about your own face. It might be an eyeopener !!


Happy Weekend !

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

புதிய நாள்

நன்றி - WWW

விடியலின் மணிகள் ஒலித்திட
உலகம் நித்திரை கலைத்திட

துறவு ஆடையை அணிந்திட்ட
இரவும் களைப்புடன் மறைந்திட

நாளை என்று நேற்று எண்ணிய
இன்று கண்கள் விழித்ததோ

பூமிப் பெண்ணுடன் காதல் பேசிட

கதிரும் கிழக்கினில் உதித்ததோ !

Groceries and Jute twine

Pic courtesy: WWW

Not sure if you've read 'Chariots of the Gods' by Eric Von Daniken

The author in this fascinating book suggests with examples that our ancestors had higher technological knowledge than today !

Let's not go to technology. Let's not go several hundred years back. Let's turn the clock back to the 70's when I was growing up.

Today, everyone talks about being green ! Looking back, I think we lived even greener.

One example - I used to buy groceries from local shops. The grocer would pack the items in paper and tie it up with JUTE twine. Both these items were 100% biodegradable. We used to take our own cloth bags from home to carry the groceries !!

2009 - I go to stores in the USA and they ask me if I want paper or plastic ! Several stores don't even offer plastic anymore. And I see a lot of people carrying their own bags...and I do too...( I forget sometimes though).


I hear that pretty soon, the stores will be charging for the paper bags. That will force everyone to carry their own bags from home.

So

Were we more advanced in our thoughts in the 70's?

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Between the Assassinations

COUNTERFEITING
CORRUPTION
BLACK MARKETING

If these were included in the Olympic Games, India will win the GOLD,SILVER and BRONZE in each category.

Not my words !!

This is from Aravind Adiga's new book 'Between the Assassinations'.

I read a few chapters of this wonderful book today. I must say I am very impressed.

Some call him 'Pessimistic'.
Some call him 'Cynical'.


I call him 'Brilliant'.

Will write in detail when I complete the book.