tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-189542922024-03-13T14:54:27.212+05:30Life as we know itThis blog is dedicated to my views upon the current events in the world and in my mail-box's forward folder. You are free to express your views. The forwards and jokes are to enjoy only, No serious stuff in there.
Declaration:
I would like to declare that any material posted on this blog apart from my views is not a copyright of mine and has been copied from various sources.
Amit Aroraamitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-58555177746551568342009-06-25T00:42:00.003+05:302009-06-25T00:59:15.212+05:30Judicial system of two neighboursPakistan supreme court rejected review petition of Sarabjit Singh, an Indian citizen convicted for espionage and bomb blasts in various cities of Pakistan. The petition was rejected on the grounds that Sarabjit's lawyer was not present in the court for the procedings. (<a href="http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/14-supreme-court-rejects-sarabjit-singhs-appeal-zj-04">Link</a>)<br /><br />Contrary to this, in India the court will not prosecute Ajmal Kasab (a Pakistani citizen arrested for being responsible for the mumbai terrorist attacks) unless he had a lawyer to represent him. Even though everyone in the world saw Kasab live firing from his assault rifle at the commuters on VT station. This is a striking difference between the judicial system of the two neighbouring countries.<br /><br />If Sarabjit Singh had a lawyer representing him in the court, the result might have been different. However, the court decided to reject his case because his lawyer deserted him. The judicial system has to be something better than this.<br /><br />This should also be an eye opener for all the people who were lynching the lawyers agreeing to represent Ajmal Kasab, just to make sure that the trial moves forward. Also, the people who were against any trial for terrorism convicts and direct death sentence. We would never want our judicial system to reach those shallow levels. India has always been and should always provide proper legal assistance before trying any criminals. With proper working legal system we can solve these issues and earn respect in eyes of a common human being.amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-44488694085989191902009-06-08T02:03:00.002+05:302009-06-08T02:07:58.045+05:30Invited speakers from AID India<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Association for India's Development</b> (AID) </span>presents <span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">as part of its Distinguished Speaker Series, M Damodharan and Dharmendra Kumar, both noted social workers committed to the cause of sustainable and just development at the grassroots level in different parts of India.</span><br /></div><br />Date : 9th June<br />Time : 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm (ADMISSION FREE)<br />Venue : 260 Willard Building, Penn State University<br /> <br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>M Damodharan</b> comes from the state of Tamil Nadu (TN) in southern India and has been with AID India for the past 9 years. He is the </span><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">program head for community development, and content head for the language program at AID TN.</span> <span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">Damu, as Dhamodaran is popularly known, has been the major driving force behind the widespread implementation of the “Padippum Inikkum” reading program launched by AID TN in 2006. AID India was awarded the Pratham 2006 Achievement Award for this reading program.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Dharmendra Kumar</b> comes from the state of Bihar in eastern India. He was the state coordinator of </span><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">All India People Science Network's (AIPSN) </span><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">"Joy of Learning Campaign." Besides his interests in education, between 2004 to 2007, Dharmendraji coordinated </span><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">public health initiatives such as </span><span style="font-family:arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">the Hundred Block Program and Jan Swasthya Abhiyan. Since January 2008 he has been coordinating AID India’s activities in Bihar to promote social equity and development. He was also actively involved with the flood relief activities during the Bihar floods in 2008. </span><br /></div><br />Please join us to hear their experiences of working in these interesting projects.amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-42001537745995717462009-06-05T01:06:00.004+05:302009-06-05T08:41:48.963+05:30Providing food with dignityThe calamity times can be really bad on a person's dignity. In these times when one is fighting against the nature to feed his/her family, keeping ones dignity intact is even tougher. How to accept the relief material, the food, clothes and medicines. If it was from govt, there would be a right to ask for it. But if it comes from foreign corners, how would someone feel while taking it. What to do if there is no other alternative available?<br /><br />Mukti, NGO being supported by AID made the dilemma easier for the people affected by cyclone Aila. The next biggest danger people in these areas were facing was the disaster coming in form of high tide at the full moon night. The embankments to the river need urgent repair to avoid the destruction by high tide. At one hand people are dying of hunger, on the other hand the embankment won't be repaired because of lack of manpower. Since the paycheck from govt comes really late, its hard to motivate people to work while their family is dying of hunger. Mukti volunteers proposed to give food to the people who worked to repair the embankment. "<span style="font-style: italic;">Mukti motivated the villagers by providing snacks (breakfast) in the morning session and 2kg of rice and 200 grams Dal and 250 grams potato 100 grams of onion at the end of the day in addition to wages which they will get in time.</span>" This was a good enough motivator to feed their family and save their village while keeping their dignity intact. There were 450 people working on first day and 900 from second day onwards. The model is being appreciated by the govt officials and other NGOs and is being replicated in other villages too.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://aidindia.org/main/content/view/884/407/">Link for Mukti report</a><br /></div><br />So end of the story is that even in middle of such devastation there are people working really hard and coming up with intelligent solution to odd problems.<br /><br />Another news: A supporter have pledged to donate $1500 if AID can generate $5000 for cyclone aila relief fund. So go ahead and donate generously. Every $10 of yours will mean $13 to the needy people.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://secure.aidindia.org/aidadmin/donate/current/Donate.jsp?p=Cyclone%20Aila%20Relief%20Fund"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 127px;" src="http://oneforindia.org/cms/files/VideoSidebutton.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />News reports: <a href="http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/06/cyclone_aila.html"></a><a href="http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/06/cyclone_aila.html">TheBigPicture</a> | <a href="http://www.telegraphindia.com/1090603/jsp/bengal/story_11056498.jsp">Telegraph </a>| <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Exodus-hits-embankment-repair-work/articleshow/4610735.cms">ToI </a>| <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Kolkata-/High-tide-storm-pose-twin-threats/articleshow/4614699.cms">ToI</a> | <a href="http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Tidal-alert-sounded-in-Sunderbans/470981/">IndianExpress</a> | <a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/content/6383/bangla-villagers-lend-helping-hand.html">DeccanHerald</a>amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-19696067302101814942009-06-01T03:52:00.002+05:302009-06-01T04:37:44.416+05:30Cyclone Aila updates<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://secure.aidindia.org/aidadmin/donate/new/Donate.jsp?p=All%20India%20Relief%20Fund"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 468px; height: 60px;" src="http://aidindia.org/main/images/Aila/wbailabanner1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Life is still paused in the areas affected by cyclone Aila. However, the relief given by AID is reaching to some parts of these areas. The most satisfying fact is that the money I saved from not eating my meal at a restaurant actually fed almost a whole village in these difficult times. If you are able to contribute even a penny to this effort, please do not think twice. Every dime and a dollar will be used to save human lives.<br /><br />Here are few updates from the ground. The video has some stats and then pictures from the relief camp being run by Mukti, an NGO working with AID in the affected villages.<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sIrmwCHpWzw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sIrmwCHpWzw&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />Here is a report from M. A. Wohab, Director of <a href="http://www.shisindia.org/">SHIS</a>, another NGO conducting clinics everyday in the affected villages besides providing water and food. If you are a doctor, or know a doctor who might want to help these people let me know.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://aidindia.org/main/content/view/865/407/">Report</a><br /></div><br />Here is a detailed survey from BTS/Mukti covered areas giving an idea of the damage and the type of relief available.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://docs.aidindia.org/Documents/AID-Projects/NGOs/Mukti/Survey_rpt_BTS_Mukti.pdf">Link</a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Budget from BTS/Mukti for the relief work in the villages.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://docs.aidindia.org/Documents/AID-Projects/NGOs/Mukti/budget.pdf">Link</a><br /></div><br />For regular updated on the relief work <a href="http://aidindia.org/main/content/category/36/281/407/">click here</a><br /><br />To donate to the relief fund <a href="https://secure.aidindia.org/aidadmin/donate/new/Donate.jsp?p=All%20India%20Relief%20Fund">click here</a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://secure.aidindia.org/aidadmin/donate/new/Donate.jsp?p=All%20India%20Relief%20Fund"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 468px; height: 60px;" src="http://aidindia.org/main/images/Aila/wbailabanner1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div>amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-60825465411102422372009-05-29T20:10:00.008+05:302009-05-30T01:58:07.590+05:30Cyclone Aila relief work<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://secure.aidindia.org/aidadmin/donate/new/Donate.jsp?p=All%20India%20Relief%20Fund"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 496px; height: 63px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-GAKW7JEK9mVAshKNehw2IFq08XmEySd2psjRsXdKHbn9QnxuJ88Y8MUhNDQDqMiFx1m9a_hbNLoonPz_FmU6sFcaJa6svd3txtBI2JjLLnCqbELTDMkH957m3s48eF5NRLA/s400/WBAilaBanner2.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341266077569757826" border="0" /></a>Cyclone Aila struck the coasts of Bangladesh and West Bengal, India killing more than 200 people and destroying 180,000 homes. Over 3 million people have been displaced as per the estimates.<br /><br />The govt help is as always not adequate. Association for India's Development (AID) is partnering with local NGO partners to provide food, water and shelter. AID has <a href="http://aidindia.org/main/content/view/845/407/">already disbursed $21,000</a> to one of the partner NGO <a href="http://aidindia.org/main/content/view/845/407/" mce_href="content/view/845/407/">Baikanthapur Tarun Sangha</a> (BTS) for this work.<br /><br />If you would like to help the relief work please donate to <a href="https://secure.aidindia.org/aidadmin/donate/new/Donate.jsp?p=All%20India%20Relief%20Fund" mce_href="https://secure.aidindia.org/aidadmin/donate/new/Donate.jsp?p=All%20India%20Relief%20Fund">AID All India Relief Fund</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://aidindia.org/main/content/category/36/281/407/">Click here if you would like to follow the regular updates</a> (from people working right in the middle of it and not from seasoned journalists)<br /><br />If you would like to go and help in the relief work drop a hint in the comments section.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://secure.aidindia.org/aidadmin/donate/new/Donate.jsp?p=All%20India%20Relief%20Fund"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 35px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHf_Wsv_nF2p7HDb7RAHZzqcJYxUZMQLviTcNJSfp7Trcuu2-1v4Z1NxeTG8ZjyJVd5ms4BbItcT12r-MmuXZadjqnRmSUKoXP94iiOFSAYwY_0gkVSpOL88AdLZazmoE3IoCi/s400/Banner_WestBengalAila.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341266835391205938" border="0" /></a><br />Cyclone Aila in press : <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8069458.stm">BBC</a><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Aila-struck-areas-crying-for-relief/articleshow/4591043.cms"> </a>| <a href="http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=17204">The Daily Star</a> | <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/27/india.cyclone.deaths/index.html">CNN </a>| <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Aila-struck-areas-crying-for-relief/articleshow/4591043.cms">ToI</a><a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8069458.stm"> </a>| <a href="http://www.hindu.com/holnus/001200905271421.htm">The Hindu</a>amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-27846687849155840652009-05-21T09:40:00.003+05:302009-05-21T10:36:39.770+05:30Urban Legend - Act 49-OWhile the parliamentary election were on in India, I received several emails to exercise my right of not giving my vote to anyone. The general email reads as follows:<br /><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">Did you know that there is a system in our constitution, as per the 1969 act, in section "49-O" that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he doesn't want to vote anyone !!!! Yes, such a feature is available, but obviously these seemingly notorious leaders have never disclosed it. This is called"49-O".<br />Why should you go and say "I VOTE NOBODY"... because, in a ward, if a candidate wins, say by 123 votes, and that particular ward has received "49-O" votes more than 123, then that polling will be canceled and will have to be re-polled. Not only that, but the candidature of the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on them. This would bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates for their parties for election. This would change the way, of our whole political system... it is seemingly surprising why, and election commission has not revealed such a feature to the public.... please spread this news to as many as you know... Seems to be a wonderful weapon against corrupt parties in India... show your power, expressing your desire not to vote anybody, is even more powerful than voting... so don't miss your chance. So either vote, or vote not to vote (vote 49-O) and pass this info on...</span>"<br /><br />While there is some truth in the email, some of it is false.<br /><br />Truth: Yes there is a clause in "Conduct of Election Rules, 1961" called 49-O, which is very similar to the one described in the email. The clause says:<br /><br />"<span style="font-style: italic;">49-O. Elector deciding not to vote.-If an elector, after his electoral roll number has been duly entered in the register of voters in Form-17A and has put his signature or thumb impression thereon as required under sub-rule (1) of rule 49L, decided not to record his vote, a remark to this effect shall be made against the said entry in Form 17A by the presiding officer and the signature or thumb impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remark.</span>" [<a href="http://lawmin.nic.in/legislative/election/volume%202/conduct%20of%20election%20rules,%201961.pdf#page=27">Ref</a>]<br /><br />False: Although there is a clause named 49-O and it also give you a right not to vote, it has no tooth. I mean there is no provision for re-election, re-polling, or removal of the candidature of the candidates.<br /><br />The clause is mainly to help avoid proxy voting. If you don't want to give your vote to anyone, and also don't want someone else to do proxy voting in your name, you can go and exercise your right to not to vote. This would make it impossible for someone else to cast vote in your name.<br /><br />The problem in exercising this right is that your identity would be revealed. Earlier, in times of old Ballot Paper, you could leave the paper blank and drop it in the box. However, the new EVMs doesn't have an option of 'None of the above'. If you exercise this right, the polling official and the polling agent would come to know about it. The proposed election reforms have considered this issue, and have suggested an extra option on the EVMs. [<a href="http://eci.nic.in/PROPOSED_ELECTORAL_REFORMS.pdf#page=15">Ref</a>]<br /><br />Now about the tooth part, there are PILs and several activists trying to convice Supreme Court and Election Commission to amend this clause and give it some tooth.<br /><br />So there exists a clause named 49-O and it does take care of 'Negative / Neutral Voting'. However it doesn't have any option of cancelling the election in the particular are, or forcing re-polling.amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-62440126963239623322009-05-12T10:15:00.003+05:302009-05-12T10:31:38.293+05:30Do you play Sudoku?Sudoku is a combinatorial number puzzle. You have to fill in a 9x9 grid with numbers 1-9 in each line and in nine 3x3 squares. I started doing it back in 2005 when they started it in Indian newspapers!! I still do it in the newspapers and sometime on this website: <a href="http://www.websudoku.com/">Link</a><br /><br />Today while searching for computer accessories, I found this product on deal:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.deepdiscount.com/viewproduct.htm?productId=12614857">Link1</a><br /><a href="http://www.bimbambanana.com/index.php?p=&side=visProd&prod_id=287">Link2</a><br /></div>The description of the product says "We all know that having a sit down can be a time consuming and boring process. Some people read, others sing. Why not play Sudoku with your loo paper?<br />The perfect gift for the person who has everything!"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83xfnjpMDtNuvG-L3Ya27zk-xBuGH-1_hjGtIkjPzLaT9uyvAVzrM_ftBqO2sVkeLb-R8_2liu-S_4NHB90_emKThBu6qocQgduIbZE1IwRkm6DxaFdCbxRN-Fq5lhsDTOlHL/s1600-h/sudoku-toilet-press-image_2416_st.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 367px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83xfnjpMDtNuvG-L3Ya27zk-xBuGH-1_hjGtIkjPzLaT9uyvAVzrM_ftBqO2sVkeLb-R8_2liu-S_4NHB90_emKThBu6qocQgduIbZE1IwRkm6DxaFdCbxRN-Fq5lhsDTOlHL/s400/sudoku-toilet-press-image_2416_st.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334796854858964914" border="0" /></a><br />As they say, if you are addicted to it, you would find time and place for it.\<br /><br />Picture courtesy www.bimbambanana.comamitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-24412632097823949342008-08-20T02:06:00.005+05:302008-09-05T23:02:09.345+05:30How much do you know your world?What if knowing a place can get 10 cups of water to needy, what if knowing a word would mean feeding someone?<br /><br />Try your knowledge to help someone get food and water.<br /><a href="http://www.freerice.com">www.freerice.com</a><br /><a href="http://www.freepoverty.com">www.freepoverty.com</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="width: 220px;"><center><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" id="fpMovie" width="220" height="200"><param name="movie" value="http://www.freepoverty.com/swf/banner1.swf?ID=5292375163495786959"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff"><embed src="http://www.freepoverty.com/swf/banner1.swf?ID=5292375163495786959" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" name="fpMovie" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" width="220" align="" height="200"></embed></object><a href="http://www.freepoverty.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="http://www.freepoverty.com/images/donate_now.png" style="border: medium none ;" width="121" height="33" /></a></center></div>amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-13959054975015583802008-08-08T10:01:00.002+05:302008-08-08T10:12:38.262+05:30Coming out of hibernationAhh... long time no see!!!<br /><br />I am coming out of my hibernation from the blogging world. While I was in hibernation, I got involved in couple of interesting activities. I found a direction to walk, a motivation to work for the future. The future of the country I left two years ago. I didn't know that it was waiting for me here, but fate brought me here and I found my directions to the destination.<br /><br />I always used to feel empty whenever someone asked what I want to do after all this education. I could never imagine myself 4-5 years later in my life. In fact I am one of those who don't believe in planning the life more than next couple of hours. However now I can see myself walking a road which I know I would love to walk on. It would be difficult, but it would be satisfying.<br /><br />I am sure there are not many people interested in what I would be doing in future. Still here is the hint, check out <a href="http://www.aidindia.org/">www.aidindia.org</a> <br /><br />Adios!!amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-69161749558894225612008-04-18T02:13:00.002+05:302008-04-18T02:21:14.298+05:30Chashme Buddoor [1981]Chamko detergent, does that rings a bell to you? you might never have seen this brand of detergent, however if you watched hindi movies on doordarshan in early 90's you cant miss this brand.<br /><br />This is kinda identification for the movie: <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082162/">Chashme Buddoor (1981)</a>. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Farooq Shaikh</span>, Deepti Nawal.<br /><br />A very simple <a href="http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=1482715">Middle-of-the-road movie</a>.<br /><br /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://blip.tv/scripts/flash/showplayer.swf?enablejs=true&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmusicpremichu%2Eblip%2Etv%2Frss&file=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Frss%2Fflash%2F503521&showplayerpath=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Fscripts%2Fflash%2Fshowplayer%2Eswf" width="400" height="255" allowfullscreen="true" id="showplayer"><param name="movie" value="http://blip.tv/scripts/flash/showplayer.swf?enablejs=true&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmusicpremichu%2Eblip%2Etv%2Frss&file=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Frss%2Fflash%2F503521&showplayerpath=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Fscripts%2Fflash%2Fshowplayer%2Eswf" /><param name="quality" value="best" /><embed src="http://blip.tv/scripts/flash/showplayer.swf?enablejs=true&feedurl=http%3A%2F%2Fmusicpremichu%2Eblip%2Etv%2Frss&file=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Frss%2Fflash%2F503521&showplayerpath=http%3A%2F%2Fblip%2Etv%2Fscripts%2Fflash%2Fshowplayer%2Eswf" quality="best" width="400" height="255" name="showplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-29616304563409550072008-03-25T19:22:00.004+05:302008-03-25T19:37:44.111+05:30Power of educationRead this article on <a href="http://irfanpermana.wordpress.com/2007/04/11/why-are-jews-so-powerful-and-muslims-so-powerless/">Powerful Jews</a> and response on <a href="http://desicritics.org/2008/03/25/053951.php">desicritics</a>.<br /><br />The original article was a bit too long and most of it was repetitive. But if I got it right then there were two important parts in that article.<br /><br />"Question: So, why are Jews so powerful?<br />Answer: Education."<br /><br />and<br /><br />"So, why are Muslims so powerless?<br />Answer: Lack of education!"<br /><br />I would not say that Jews are most powerful and Muslims are most powerless in the world, however I don't see why I should disagree with the two reasoning above. If a religion emphasizes more on education, its bound to have more intellectuals. In today's world you cannot ignore the power of knowledge. Yes you can say that jews or for that christians have english as their basic language which is the language of most part of the knowledge available in the world today. However you cannot ignore the emphasis they put on literacy.<br /><br />I have always believed in the power of education. All the issues in this world can be settled with proper knowledge transfer. Think of global warming, educate people about it and they would use the resources carefully. Think of international disputes, educate people about the issues and they would come up with an amicable solution. When you see a disease like AIDS which does not have a cure yet, the best option you are left with is educate people about it.<br /><br />Religious principles might not be the only reason for the growth of people belonging to a particular religion, however these principles can have a huge impact on the social development.amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-30038622498268089882008-03-14T19:45:00.003+05:302008-03-14T19:50:56.763+05:30Brain Drain15 bright students of Indian origin, sitting in a small room in one of the biggest university of USA. Any guesses what they were doing in there?<br /><br />Discussing the economy? <span style="font-weight: bold;">No</span><br />Celebrating the rise of India? <span style="font-weight: bold;">No</span><br />Talking over the rising oil prices? <span style="font-weight: bold;">No</span><br /><br />They were concerned about the lack of interest of poor dalit children in education. They were discussing how to support a group to take initiative and teach those children in their own homes. These students were discussing the living conditions of the poor people in one of the small village of West Bengal.<br /><br />I have been hearing about brain drain since I joined IIT Kharagpur. It was hard to convince people that even after coming out of country, people do think about India. A small meeting yesterday evening bolstered my belief in indian brain's worry about their country.<br /><br />wanna know more?? <a href="http://aidindia.org">AID India</a>amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-27068725946661785112008-02-14T21:51:00.002+05:302008-02-14T21:52:16.743+05:30Happy Valentines' DayA thought for the day ....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdipekYOJL0QHvgCxrcbvSCgoVKyDrIXK6hZCZGWZ_EiZqNDqlj2Er_3s7TDszpVF-PX4ESz-8jarsxZos9M0WLVbikZ6F8kK24XZHjZOZcUIXZfZm5RCoc9-jJ1iZNkU9rpu/s1600-h/love-dog-poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdipekYOJL0QHvgCxrcbvSCgoVKyDrIXK6hZCZGWZ_EiZqNDqlj2Er_3s7TDszpVF-PX4ESz-8jarsxZos9M0WLVbikZ6F8kK24XZHjZOZcUIXZfZm5RCoc9-jJ1iZNkU9rpu/s400/love-dog-poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166871896894021170" border="0" /></a>amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-1382057473522866342008-02-11T10:30:00.000+05:302008-02-11T10:35:48.705+05:30Screen-print your own T'sHave you thought of screen-printing your own T's sometime ..... well its a nice weekend project ... I found this video on youtube for screen printing the T's.<br /><br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ee_8IMx0uMo&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Ee_8IMx0uMo&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="355" width="425"></embed></object>amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-41938965931534828552008-01-23T22:42:00.000+05:302008-01-23T22:50:22.030+05:30google is watching!!Here comes google with <a href="http://en.blog.orkut.com/2008/01/orkut-trends-who-sends-scraps.html">orkut trends</a>!!<br /><br />Google has been watching your searches and now they are also watching how much do you scrap and what do you write in that!! And above all, google never removes this data from its storages!! It scares a lot of people who are privacy cynic, however I don't mind as long as google gives me better results in my searches and comes up with services I always want.<br /><br />Lets see what google comes up next with!!amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-32455713934935102812008-01-23T10:10:00.000+05:302008-01-23T10:13:15.949+05:30Triple Filter Test<span style="font-family: courier new;">In ancient Greece (469 - 399 BC), Socrates was widely lauded for his wisdom.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">One day the great philosopher came upon an acquaintance who ran up to him excitedly and said, "Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">Wait a moment," Socrates replied. "Before you tell me I'd like you to pass a little test.It's called the <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Triple Filter Test</span>."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">"Triple filter?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">"That's right," Socrates continued. "Before you talk to me about my student let's take a moment to filter what you're going to say. The first filter is <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Truth</span>. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">"No," the man said, "actually I just heard about it and..."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">"All right," said Socrates. "So you don't really know if it's true or not. Now let's try the second filter, the filter of <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Goodness</span>. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">"No, on the contrary..."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">"So," Socrates continued, "you want to tell me something bad about him, even though you're not certain it's true?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">Socrates continued. "You may still pass the test though,because there is a third filter - the filter of <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Usefulness</span>. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">"No, not really..."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">"Well," concluded Socrates, "if what you want to tell me is neither True nor Good nor even Useful,! why tell it to me at all?"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">The man was defeated and ashamed.</span>amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-14548833353588248752007-12-11T21:13:00.000+05:302007-12-12T08:36:20.063+05:30Asok reincarnated!!Couple of days ago Scott Adams (Author of dilbert) killed the popular indian character Asok in a moon satellite accident. People wondered, how could he get rid of a character like Asok, just like that!! well he kept an option open to bring him back.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/images/dilbert2007112223207.gif"><image src="http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/images/dilbert2007112223207.gif" > </image></a><br />ref: dilbert.com<br /><br />The good news is, Asok has reincarnated and has regained his true shape after a DNA mixup with snickers bar!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/images/dilbert2611150071210.gif"><image src="http://www.dilbert.com/comics/dilbert/archive/images/dilbert2611150071210.gif" ></image></a><br />ref: dilbert.comamitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-76202925078170893042007-10-06T05:28:00.000+05:302007-10-06T05:29:44.442+05:30Before it's too late<object width='300' height='180'><embed src='http://www.lyricsmode.com/i/scroll2.swf?lid=468051' width='318' height='181' type='application/x-shockwave-flash'/></embed></object>amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-55750615443461780212007-09-20T02:34:00.000+05:302007-09-20T02:36:26.968+05:30World Reocrd in Twenty20<object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bob85WbW8cU"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bob85WbW8cU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Yuvraj Singh hitting 6 sixes of 6 balls in the Super 8 round of Twenty-20 world cup against England. Superb sixes :)amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-43814188897409858962007-09-18T00:12:00.000+05:302007-09-18T00:14:07.541+05:30Indian HealthcareThis article in TOI caught my attention.<br /><br /><a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/US_insurance_firms_sell_Indian_treatment/articleshow/2375156.cms">Link</a><br /><br /><br />First of all it proves my view that medical services in India are much better and cheaper than USA.<br /><br />Apart from that I see it as a really good business scheme and a very good opportunity for indian healthcare industry to get an international standing. I have always judged economic developments from the impact to the last person in the chain. If you look at this piece of information, its bound to increase profits of big hospitals and attract more investment into the healthcare sector. This will in turn improve the services provided by them and availability at various places.<br /><br />Above all, more money into the market means greater spending power for a common man which makes everyone happy!!amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-35715780518006399022007-09-11T00:16:00.001+05:302007-09-11T00:17:32.954+05:30Performance Pressure!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYVbKO20cvyevkH6grqgTqLcOl-dp6QGc_VkdcRJDl5Ym1bWCFb5GifpKkUUKZVSVuaZE9rvxGzrOSfkgKCNM6XmDk6Ep_e4b8wGavRlSJY54tnjRpmE_nyCZefUR4emJekoI/s1600-h/image001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYVbKO20cvyevkH6grqgTqLcOl-dp6QGc_VkdcRJDl5Ym1bWCFb5GifpKkUUKZVSVuaZE9rvxGzrOSfkgKCNM6XmDk6Ep_e4b8wGavRlSJY54tnjRpmE_nyCZefUR4emJekoI/s400/image001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108648957951068978" border="0" /></a>amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-31954935313164262722007-08-24T00:54:00.000+05:302007-08-24T00:58:34.786+05:30Astral Cocktails!!Found this list of zodiac cocktails on net ... seems interesting and worth trying!!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Aries - TNT</span><br />¾ oz Pernod<br />¾ oz. Whisky<br />Mix the ingredients with cracked ice in a shaker/blender. Serve in a chilled cocktail glass.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Taurus - Brave Bull</span><br />1½ oz Tequila<br />¾ oz coffee liqueur<br />Lemon peel to garnish<br />Mix the ingredients with cracked ice in a shaker/blender and serve in an old fashioned glass. Twist the lemon peel and drop into the glass.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Gemini - Double Trouble</span><br />1 part Jack Daniels or Three Barrels brandy<br />4 parts Bollinger champagne<br />Slice of orange<br />Serve in a tall glass or champagne flute with ice and a slice of orange.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cancer - Moonshine</span><br />1 oz Galliano<br />¾ oz white creme de caçao<br />¼ oz orange juice<br />1 oz vanilla ice cream<br />Mix the ingredients with cracked ice in a shaker/blender and serve in a large, chilled cocktail glass.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Leo - Red Lion</span><br />1 oz. Gin<br />1 oz Grand Marnier<br />½ oz. lemon juice<br />½ oz. orange juice<br />Mix the ingredients with cracked ice in a shaker/blender and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Virgo - Virgin Mary</span><br />6 oz. Tomato juice<br />¼ tsp. Worcestershire sauce<br />1 tsp. fresh lemon juice<br />Several pinches celery salt<br />Several dashes Tabasco sauce<br />Pinch white pepper<br />Celery stick to garnish<br />Stir the ingredients well in a mixing glass and pour into a chilled highball glass with several ice cubes. Garnish with a celery stick.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Libra - Cuba Libre</span><br />1 ½ oz.Rum<br />½ oz. lime juice<br />Cola (ice cold)<br />Lime wedge to garnish<br />Pour the rum and lime juice over ice in a highball or Collins glass. Fill with Cola and garnish with the lime wedge.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scorpio - Scorpion</span><br />1 ½ oz. light rum<br />1 oz. brandy<br />2 oz. orange juice<br />1 oz. lemon juice<br />½ oz. orgeat syrup or 2 tsp. almond essence<br />Slice of orange and mint to garnish<br />Mix the ingredients with some ice in a blender and pour over ice in an old fashioned glass. Garnish with orange and mint.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sagittarius - Moscow Mule</span><br />1 ½ oz. Vodka<br />1 tsp. lime juice<br />Ginger beer or ginger ale<br />Lime slice or wedge<br />Pour the vodka and lime juice into a highball glass with several ice cubes. Stir and fill with ginger beer or ginger ale. Garnish with lime.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Capricorn - Capri</span><br />1 ½ oz. crème de banane<br />1 ½ oz. white crème de cacao<br />1 oz. cream<br />Mix the ingredients with cracked ice in a shaker/blender and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Aquarius - Aquarius</span><br />1½ oz Scotch whisky<br />¾ oz Cherry Liqueur<br />1 oz Cranberry juice<br />¼ oz Sugar syrup<br />Maraschino cherry to garnish<br />Shake the ingredients and strain into an ice filled Rocks glass. Garnish with a Maraschino cherry<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pisces - Sea Waves</span><br />1½ oz vodka<br />½ oz dry vermouth<br />½ oz blue Curaçao<br />½ oz Galliano<br />Maraschino cherries to garnish<br />Half fill a cocktail glass or wine goblet with ice, add the ingredients, stir well and garnish with the cherries.<br /><br />Reference: <a href="http://www.astralarts.com/recipeofmonth.html">http://www.astralarts.com/recipeofmonth.html</a><br /><br />Also Read: <a href="http://horoscopes.aol.com/astrology/cocktails-aries-taurus-gemini-cancer-leo">http://horoscopes.aol.com/astrology/cocktails-aries-taurus-gemini-cancer-leo</a>amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-50205359246352389162007-08-13T05:15:00.000+05:302007-08-13T05:17:32.649+05:30dairy milk adOne of the sweetest and melodious commercial and one of my favorites. It brings me up from all the downs!!!<br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aCxT2-PIRP4"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aCxT2-PIRP4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-4574224869793708072007-08-08T05:03:00.000+05:302007-08-08T05:09:50.097+05:30funny adline!!Superbly funny ad:<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2BImty7f5Ng"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2BImty7f5Ng" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Another version of it:<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lE38MxQLYwo"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lE38MxQLYwo" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object>amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18954292.post-58864292914596824462007-08-06T11:04:00.001+05:302007-08-06T11:06:19.886+05:30Indian AdvertisementAnother one of my favorites in the new ones. This is a musical ad but the concept has very strong impact. The ad made me believe that people in advertising in India do get creative ideas.<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/a7TSlg3Jljk"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/a7TSlg3Jljk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object>amitscorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01526133174260507837noreply@blogger.com1