The Hindu : Chennai / MetroPlus : Drive to change

The Hindu : Chennai / MetroPlus : Drive to change

DeivaThirumagal - Go for it for its Innocence and worship of Relationships!!!

Latest film of Vikram directed by Vijay, is a movie which has its moments mainly between the lead vikram and his daughter Nila (played by Sara). Though unofficially it is a remake of Hollywood movie I am Sam, director has taken just the plot and woven the characters of his own. Vikram & Sara steals the show in the first half, while Anushka and Nasser in the second half. Though the movie churn out many logical questions, I would suggest to ignore those questions and watch the movie for its novelty and the fact that films like this come as a rarity in Indian film industry which is known for its larger than life characters, colorful costumes, some songs and action. There are many poetic moments, not only between Vikram and Sara, but also with Anushka and Vikram, Anushka and her father played by versatile YG Mahendra, Amala & Sara, Amala & Vikram. Cinematography is best with locations like Ooty captured well in the first half. Music is good with all the songs and Re-Recording is extraordinary. Songs 'Kadha solla' & 'Vizhigalil oru' have been picturized well. Not even a single moment you feel bored that the film keeps you engaged throughout with all the emotions right from laughter, sadness to everything. On the whole, a roller coaster of emotions you can say!! Go for it!!!!!!!!!!

Will this end soon?

Yet Again Terror Attack in Mumbai. Its been from 1993 till 2011 there are around 8 blasts in Mumbai. Very sad that government had not taken enough measures yet. I am referring from all perspective: Infrastructure, Hospital accessibility, Intelligence agency reports, etc. Hoping that this will end sooner. And Government should take serious measures to tackle this. May GOD give courage to those who lost their loved ones.

Mobile phone radiations are "possibly carcinogenic to humans": WHO - The Hindu and Wikipedia

The World Health Organization (WHO) released a report on 31 May 2011 classifying cell phone radiation as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B on the IARC scale). It was classified as such after a team of scientists reviewed peer-reviewed studies on cell phone safety. One study of past cell phone use cited in the report showed a "40% increased risk for gliomas in the highest category of heavy users (reported average: 30 minutes per day over a 10‐year period)." More info @ Mobile phone radiations are possibly carcinogenic to humans: WHO and Wikipedia : Mobile phone radiations are possibly carcinogenic to humans: WHO

Germany decides to abandon nuclear power by 2022 - TOI

BERLIN: Germany's ruling coalition said on Monday it will shut down all the country's nuclear power plants by 2022. The decision, prompted by Japan's nuclear disaster, will make Germany the first major industrialized nation to go nuclear-free in years. More info @ Germany decides to abandon nuclear power by 2022 While most nations are planning to go nuclear free, India is planning to setup few plants which is not the need of the hour as we have multiple issues to look into.

April 13 - Voting Day

Make sure you are voting on April 13 without fail. First and foremost try to read the election manifestos by the parties [eventhough nothing seems to have futuristic plans while most of them are having freebies]. But still find time to go through the manifesto and vote on April 13 without fail. You can also practice 49-O if you wish so. If you feel going alone and posting 49-O creates problems go in a group to vote for the same. Wish u a happy voting.

Consumer Respect/Delight?

Few incidents made me think again "ARE CUSTOMERS/CONSUMERS delighted/respected in so called CULTURAL INDIA?" First one - I booked a ticket for Trichy in KPN Travels. At the last moment I had to change my plan and cancelled the return ticket. Agent has to give Rs.648 and Rs.324 respectively [cancelled two sets of tickets], but had given Rs.645 and Rs.320. Response when I asked was even more shocking. They said that they dont have change and they will round off like this only. And added that if I want the money I need to give Rs.3 and Rs.6 so that they will round and give me back Rs.5 and Rs.10 respectively. I was wondering if the money belongs to us or them. Though the private travels make you reach faster than government counterparts, I dont think this will delight consumer. Dont know where from they get this courage and how they never feel guilty. Second one - I had travelled back from Trichy by SETC AC bus. As per the present traffic suggestion, no outstation buses are allowed to enter the Chennai City during 8AM to 8PM. So, when I boarded the bus @ 3 PM, I was informed that the bus will not go via Tambaram, Guindy [Most irritating fact is that Condutor told that bus will go only after 10PM via Tambaram as against 8 PM]. And Bus was in a poor condition that it was very slow. By 8 PM, it reached only Melmaruvathur. Due to heavy traffic, it was by 10 PM only bus reached near Tambaram. When few of us approached conductor to go via Tambaram as it is already 10 PM, conductor told that it will not go because the traffic will be more inside the city. After few fights stating that there wont be any bus in Koyambedu, driver finally agreed to go via Tambaram. Things to note hear are 1) Govt buses are not in condition in most cases. 2) Govt drivers are not respecting or responding appropriately to passengers thinking that they are working for govt and not for public.

MNP is here, but think before you switch - TOI

Number portability has been delayed by three years, leaving many consumers anxious. Several subscribers, who feel disappointed with billing, customer care, and overall service delivery, have been waiting for this moment. But the real question is whether you should take the plunge and switch loyalties or not. Will the switch really be worth your trouble? More @ Mobile Number Portability - Think before you switch

From Jan 20, switch mobile operator but keep number - TOI

Much awaited MNP has now arrived. More Details on how to use it @ below link Mobile Number Portability

Eager to see 'Vaanam' & 'Payanam'

2011 will see host of good movies by actors Suriya, Vikram, Arya among others. I am eagerly awaiting two movies in the first quarter of the year [Especially during February]. First one is 'Vaanam' and Second one being 'Payanam'. While 'Vaanam' is a remake directed by Krish, 'Payanam' to be made bilingual in Tamil & Telugu is directed by RadhaMohan. Both the directors have their own style of film making. Vaanam is story of five people meeting at the climax and Payanam is about hijack of the plane and the emotions and turmoils that everyone in and around the flight undergo.

Google Science Fair

Google is looking for the brightest young scientists from around the world to submit interesting, creative projects that are relevant to the world today. The competition is open to students aged 13 to 18 from around the world working on their own or in a team of two or three. For more details, visit the Science Fair Rules [http://www.google.com/events/sciencefair/rules.html] page. For more info on Google's Science Fair: Google Science Fair

Traffic Prevention Awareness week & Happy New Year

Happy new year to all. This week is celebrated as "Traffic Prevention Awareness week". I had seen few school students telling the slogans to avoid road accidents by going carefully and slowly and holding banners in their hands today afternoon near Vijayanagar junction of Velachery. There is no need for those students to raise the slogans by coming out of schools but still they did. I was wondering if the road users especially motor bike users and auto drivers follow the traffic rules to avoid accidents which are irreparable. People should understand that there is no right for anyone to play with the life of others. Hoping for a better and healthier, accident-free city. Traffic Prevention Awareness week

UID TO NOW REPLACE PF A/C NUMBER - Financial Express

The retirement fund manager EPFO plans to replace PF account number with unique identification number, a move which will help in speedy transfer of a subscribers' funds in case of job change and allow them to track their accounts online. At present when a subscriber changes job, it takes months to transfer provident fund money from one account to another and so a large number of subscribers withdraw the entire money in their account and go for a fresh account with the new employer. The replacement of PF account number with the UID number will be done by March 2012. Reference - Financial Express

Medical/Health website

I found this website to be useful: http://www.medindia.net/ Take a look when you find time.

One-stop portal for apprenticeship vacancies to be unveiled - TOI

Getting apprenticeship in industries will no longer be difficult for engineering graduates, technical diploma holders and vocational stream students. The Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT Southern Region), a government of India institution, is unveiling a one-stop web portal on Saturday next which will serve as a platform for sourcing apprenticeship in the right industry for students with a technical education background. More info @ One-stop portal for apprenticeship vacancies to be unveiled

Public Transport

Today section of MTC drivers are on a strike because of the attack on one of their colleagues by group of autorickshaw drivers. I found it really tough to commute to the office after reaching Tambaram today morning. Share auto drivers demand more money due to this issue. Article on the strike @ Flash strike by section of MTC employees Due to the above issue, even railway counters [Electric trains] were crowded. I could see around 80 passengers standing in all the queues of the counter which normally seems is not the case. Recently, I went to Boston and Public transport is pretty good over there with GPS system and train frequency is more and ticket counters [automated] are customer friendly. Ofcourse, few people can say that number of people using public transport in USA is less and hence they are able to maintain. But I want Indian public transit to become more customer-friendly and to be in international standard.

The Hindu : Cities / Chennai : Rally to create awareness of blood donation

The Hindu : Cities / Chennai : Rally to create awareness of blood donation

Worth of a Life

Yday I had noticed a incident of passenger illtreat by MTC. Passenger was supposedly climbing into the bus when bus started rolling and passenger fell down. Bus stopped and finally he got into. Then Passenger and Conductor had some quarrel. Don't know whose fault it was but I should say life is worth and bus drivers should understand that. They should atleast wait for 30-40 seconds in a stop depending on the crowd. Also, passengers are to be blamed at times when they try to get into a bus which is already filled. They dont have patience to wait for the next bus. Anyways life is pretty costly and if u lose that you cant get back.

Back from Boston & New library complex in Chennai

I am back from Boston bfr one week. It was nice stay at Boston and place is good. I did miss India and when I got to know that I should go to India earlier Labor day week, I was awaiting when Friday will come. 3 weeks stay I had learnt to cook. Back in India, I just came to new library complex [Anna Centenary library] has been setup & came through an article in "Pudhiya Thalaimurai" and got excited that the library will be first of its kind in India fully equipped with modern technologies. Really interested to visit the library. More info on below links: 1) Children excited about Anna Centenary Library on day one 2) Anna library to house more than a million books Address of Library: Anna Centenary Library, Surya Nagar, Kottur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600085

In Boston

Have come to Boston on a short visit [40 days] on Aug 21. Its been a week now here and quite enjoyed the weather here during first 4 days. It was raining all the day continuously for 4 days. Now the temperature is normal from 25 degree celsius to 33 degree celsius. Went to Walmart and an Indian grocery store last Saturday [alone :)] and bought some groceries and food stuffs. As I dont have any neither friends nor colleagues here, don't find ways to roam around. Infrastructure, Transportation & in few other terms USA is better than India is a fact that has to be accepted. But, there is something missing here. Not able to express that, but I am missing my lovely India and Chennai too. Will come to Chennai by the start of october. Will post things that are happening here.