Vociferous Ventriloquism

Weathering the Euro

2011-12-04T21:22:00.001Z

Calorific value = Infinite

2011-12-04T21:17:00.000Z

Vit D

2011-02-06T15:32:00.001Z

Ceiling

2011-02-06T15:29:00.000Z

Crystal hunt

2011-02-06T15:20:00.001Z

Summers are lovely

2010-05-27T04:25:00.001+01:00

hot , dry and bright

Two tracks running in parallel

2010-05-20T18:25:00.000+01:00

...and on one day, they met.

Colours of a new life

2010-05-12T05:51:00.000+01:00

August rush

2010-04-18T07:05:00.001+01:00

Orchestra

All is well that ends well

2010-04-18T06:37:00.002+01:00

3 idiots ;)

Health and wellness

2010-03-13T04:46:00.001Z

'Naturals'?

Life on wheels

2010-03-13T04:43:00.001Z

zooming till the sun goes down

Herd mentality

2010-03-13T04:41:00.001Z

Unity is strength

Trespassing

2010-02-07T06:51:00.002Z

marking the territory

(LEFT blank intentionally)

2010-02-04T18:58:00.002Z

Only one possible location

Stopping by the hills on a wintry weekend

2010-01-12T02:50:00.000Z

I ve never been a good follower, especially of the herds, flocks and schools. But the rigours of city life had dented my enthusiasm way beyond repair and pushed my life towards a point of no return. Thankfully, the holiday cluster rekindled my sagging enthusiam. I decided that enough of putting up with the 'idiots on the road' (courtesy Ceat ad) and prepared for a ride that would take me away from it all, albeit temporarily. Temporarily the ride that would detach me from the world's rat race - the craving for money, space, time, comfort and other so called worldly possessions that some, myself included, shamelessly call it a necessity for survival. Survival instinct, not survival per se, which had kept mankind alive and evolving, has taken a turn for worse. We may soon become victims of our own successes and walk straight into what gurus call a success trap.

No such thoughts while on the road, the fresh breeze caressing the rider, the vibration and the accompanied grunt from the engine playing the music notes, the images on the rear view fast disappearing into obscurity while my mind remained focused on the task at hand - ignoring the past and focusing on the present - as I pointed the nose of my motorcycle in the approximate direction of Yercaud.

Yercaud,was a compromise - to be honest - not close yet not very far -just perfect. It is nestled atop the Shervaroy hills, north east of Nilgiris. Of course, it doesnt have the glamour quotient of Ooty or the sheer pull of Kodai or Munnar. Yet, it goes about its business without giving a damn about its more popular sisters - which if I may say attracted me most as the choice for the riding route. Yercaud was a part of the journey, for there was no destination.

The ride began at 6am on Friday and managed to get to a clear stretch of tarmac within an hour. After that it was smooth sailing to towards that literary 'fork on the road' which led to the road less travelled (quoting R.Frost) by the 'community'. Incidentally, that was another National Highway no# 66 and this is in no reference to the famed Route #66 (Chicago to LA). I soon realized that the reason why NH 66 received less patronage was because of the poor condition of the road. A breakfast was forced upon me by a growing belly and the need to bring back some blood circulation before I could attack the craters on the path.

I hit the road again and headed towards that heavenly piece of tarmac that would leave an indelible impression on my mind. As I kept day dreaming, the fuel gauge's heart started beating too - or, was that blinking? Thankfully, a BP Pure For Sure outlet served me with Saudi's finest. I was concerned about the quantity as much as quality for I dont foresee very many such 'bars'. A left turn after the fuelling made my dreams come true. The roads were super smooth with well marked signs though I was skeptical of the boards and relied on my instincts. The corners were attacked without using the brakes, without letting go of the throttle, moving around on the saddle and with a lot of body lean. It was like tango - intense, coordinated, focused but without all that music. The scenery was breathtaking too- bamboo trees formed magnificent arches across the road, the dry and withered leaves that offered a texture to the road and the monkeys those eagerly looked for a snack.

The usual route to Yercaud is via Salem, but I took an alternate route that is used only by the villagers and a lone public bus. I was skeptical about the condition of the road post monsoon. But decided to go ahead as I got bored with the routine stuff on offer. I was a little sore from the 300 odd km already covered, but my mind was teeming with enthusiasm at the prospect of an engaging ride ahead. In no time, the forested environment over-powered the seasoned biker as I pussy footed through the curvaceous roads. The ambience was one where humans are not on top of the food chain - there are bears and leopards in the area and therefore a sudden calm made me scan the surrounding for objects of danger. The jungle cover soon gave way to tribal hamlets consisting of 10 to 15 houses with lots of eager faces. Actually, they were more surprised on seeing me - a helmeted - jacketed - gloved moving thing on a yellow bike is considerable cause for amusement for the locals who in all probability had not seen such a thing since Giant Robot (if only they had TV back then).

The homo sapiens have clearly taken a toll on nature, the coffee, teak, orange and beetelnut plantations, however green looking, were done to feed human needs at the cost of nature. The native vegetation is hardly seen except in pockets because they are hard to access places with a rocky terrain. There is no end to this human desire to consume as if there were no tomorrow. I would be sorry for the future generations who would be surviving in climate controlled environs with periodic picnics to reality. Remember, I went on a trip to Yercaud and not Copenhagen.

Yercaud would merely be a dot on my route, or so I thought, but it certainly threw more weight on the trip. I stayed within 50meters from the main bus stand and enjoyed the buzz of activity: niche mom-and-pop shops that cater to the travelers, the tea shops that are open late into the night, the bakery where I bought my xmas cake and taxi drivers who double up as guides. I did ride around yercaud and visited the boat house, a few scenic locales and wrapped up the day with a magnificent view of the sunset from the edge of a cliff. The next morning, I warmed up the engine with a ride to the highest peak in the hills and spent some time in solitude reflecting on the year that went by - the memories both good and bad.

All good things come to an end as I checked my watch for several readings - altitude 1700m, humidity 60%, pressure, direction and of course time 7am. I simply didn’t want to leave that paradise. I thumbed the starter, headed towards my lodge and packed my bags to leave. I am not a person to pass up opportunities to extract excitement out of even mundane things - a vital weapon to kill boredom in situations when everything is commoditized, while anything customized calls for Rockefeller or Oceans 11.

I headed downhill, took the neglected and narrow road - taken only by the tribals and the foolish (wish I shared my lineage with some tribe). There was a serene charm associated with every corner; some new scenery unfolded every moment, a new type of vegetation, some unique fragrance from the flowers, several mud lanes that are not present in any map and dozens of locals in the hamlets that I rode through. I only wish I had enough time to stop, chat and understand the lives of the tribals. I realized that I had not taken my breakfast and stopped at a small roadside eatery. I had a sumptuous brunch that I would not forget - my breakfast was cooked on a coal-fired stove and was served on a table facing the magnificent hills. I was never more alive in my life. I could have written off half my fortune for such a treat, but the bill said Rs3/item (MRP, VAT included ;) No, they dont accept Sodexo food coupons even if you are the Finance Minister.

The rest of the ride home consisted of typical highway blitz and I grew to like my motorcycle more and more with every passing km. There is nothing to write about the multi-laned super ways that whiz people off to megacities in no time. I thought about all the places that I ve been to, the interesting people I met and all the exotic fragrances, tastes and colors I ve witnessed. There were a million synapses that fired randomly in my brain and my thoughts wandered as I headed towards the dreaded capital city of chaos - some call it Chennai - I call it home.

Disclaimer: Please take the above contents with a pinch of salt. My opinions are strong, self-aggrandizing and intended to take a dig at every possible thing human or animal - dead or alive - myself included as long as the readers have a good laugh.

In or Out? Game Theory

2010-01-08T04:08:00.002Z

Prisoner's Dilemma even for the trusted

Chunnel vision

2010-01-08T04:05:00.002Z

Dark and deep, even for the boisterous and the fashionable. Glad I missed out the hoopla.

New at the cost of old

2010-01-04T17:51:00.000Z

3G of life

My cuppa tea

2010-01-04T17:47:00.001Z

is frothy and always full

Turning a new leaf

2010-01-04T16:54:00.003Z

and soaring high skyward...

Stopping by the hill on a chilly evening

2009-12-31T03:34:00.001Z

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
- R.Frost (1923, NH)

Wild wet south

2009-12-12T09:13:00.001Z

somewhere in picturesque kerala

Who says elephants cant be stars?

2009-10-26T16:36:00.000Z

Road blocks to development

2009-10-19T17:29:00.000+01:00

Are India's problems man-made or natural?

Reorganization @ India Inc.

2009-10-17T03:26:00.001+01:00

Rays of hope or limelight?

2009-10-11T12:14:00.002+01:00

This institution of learning, well supported by light, ventillation and cooling.

Untangling or unwinding?

2009-09-29T07:09:00.001+01:00

Vacation turned Stacation turned Sick Leave.

God is above everything else

2009-09-29T07:06:00.002+01:00

except for the lone street light

Leaders and chasers

2009-09-15T01:28:00.002+01:00

overtaking a McLaren on the outside, tail-gating a Ferrari World Champion, finishing ahead of a three World Champions, supplying manpower to Scuderia...

Force India - my daily commute

Bleak or bright?

2009-09-14T01:24:00.000+01:00

The future.

Chennai's Night Life - Glaring!

Left or right?

2009-09-14T01:20:00.001+01:00

Thankfully, I am on the left here. God bless the 'right' people.

Completed, yet WIP

2009-09-02T18:34:00.002+01:00

the difference between dry and wet

Barriers to entry or exit?

2009-09-02T18:30:00.001+01:00

Better to be IN or OUT?

Enlightenment

2009-08-30T13:57:00.000+01:00

under a neem tree @ Delhi?

Bud light

2009-08-30T13:47:00.001+01:00

yet to open and flower. Life's little disappointments.

Gated or Chained?

2009-08-29T07:10:00.000+01:00

The protector is now the protected.

Joy ride

2009-08-29T07:08:00.000+01:00

followed by a safe landing. The flat ground never felt so good.

Masakali?

2009-08-25T06:56:00.002+01:00

Royals & Slaves - The sequel...

Being born a slave is'nt your fault, but dying one is. If a slave can, why can't you?

Some lights shine brighter

2009-08-25T06:45:00.001+01:00

...just as the results are waiting to be announced at the National Competition for Young Managers 2009 at The Sheraton Hotel, New Delhi.

Town Hall

2009-08-11T17:20:00.000+01:00

The hall is here. Where is the town?

Multitasking

2009-08-11T17:19:00.000+01:00

but, do I hold the controls?

Hard vs. smart

2009-07-30T16:40:00.001+01:00

mutually exclusive? if only some had a choice...

The best?

2009-07-28T16:54:00.002+01:00

is yet to come...

Link: http://www.aima-ind.org/winners_SR_NCYM_2009.asp

Up and down in a jiffy

2009-07-26T14:32:00.001+01:00

regenerative?

Like moths to the flame

2009-07-26T14:31:00.001+01:00

Are these natural?

2009-07-05T08:16:00.000+01:00

flower 'decorations'

Colourful boardrooms

2009-06-25T14:05:00.001+01:00

if only all boardrooms are this colourful with mischief - life will be a celebration

Happy family

2009-06-25T14:01:00.001+01:00

Rare occasion?

Happy - yes
Day - yes
Family - ?

Gambled Money

2009-06-01T15:31:00.001+01:00

...yet another victim to haughty behavior

Back with a Bang

2009-05-31T06:25:00.001+01:00

My Biking Blog >> http://bikeking.blogspot.com/

Inclusive thinking anyone?

2009-05-10T05:56:00.004+01:00

The 2009 Q1 results have not been as bad as expected and if you are one of those 'optimists', you are probably talking of 'recovery'. But, life proceeds unmindful of all those vagaries in a tucked-away corner in Chennai. The 45 'orphaned' kids do stay at a 'home'- not the one with mom-&-pop, but more of a refuge until the kids can fend off on their own. But, the winners, runners, losers and spectators of the rat-race remain mostly oblivious of all these in their quest for more. So, if you identify yourself as a rat-racer, it is high-time that you looked beyond yourself and try to include the 'left-overs'...for you are their 'recovery'.

The commute that kills

2009-02-22T02:24:00.001Z

3h/24h = 12.5% of my time. lifetime?

Pole(s) apart

2009-02-18T14:43:00.001Z

there is food, clothing and shelter - but the bare minimum.

Strong enough to fight fire

2009-02-16T15:02:00.001Z

but tender enough to hold a candle near it.

Play time

2009-02-08T07:58:00.001Z

Whether you work to play, or play while you work...

Madras eyes

2009-01-31T15:04:00.002Z

This 'bottom of the pyramid' hangout place is the 2009 Chennai Trade Fair. An inexpensive entry fee, a variety of stalls, an assortment of rides, food items unique to this event what more can one ask for? Though this place is in stark contrast to the Disneyworlds and other theme parks, this event is an example of inclusive thinking by the Indian Govt.

Hard labour with nary a break

2009-01-28T03:30:00.002Z

Workers during a 'long week'-end

Yet another one of this world's unfair practices, the physical labor is paid the least while expected to work the most/longest. I cant believe this does not strike a chord with the so-called intelligensia, or, have we got inured and no longer care?

India: 59 years of constitutional rule

2009-01-26T05:05:00.002Z

Despite all the lawlessness, callousness and irresponsibility publicly exhibited by its citizens at large, India trudges along as the world freest and fairest democracy in the world. It is even better than the greatest.*

The art of cooking

2009-01-25T17:53:00.002Z

is slowing losing its flavour among the new generation of kitchen users. The principle of cooking from basic ingredients has to be practised atleast on weekends.

Fishing in troubled waters

2009-01-17T17:03:00.001Z

Is it ethical or value-add to shareholders? I am more curious to know who will defect first and set off a rat race.

Crocodile tears

2009-01-15T07:50:00.002Z

The Indian Govt. is getting carried away by the fake tears and publicity generated by the global powerful and their media. None [ other than Indians] cares about the Mumbai [26/11] disaster, why should the others... when their window panes are still intact? The global powerful's interest lies on the other side of the 'seemingly impregnable' border, why wont the Indian Govt realize this? Or is the Govt doing this to acount for 'all options' used? Instead of grumbling and complaining, Indian Govt should act for once. It should not fall for the tears, instead use the bite.

Repackaging tradition

2009-01-14T07:12:00.002Z

and commercializing it. The need of the hour during a sordid year of crisis, fear and fraud.

The Chennai Sangamam offers an urban stage to the folk arts, artists and connoiseurs all packed in a truly Indian setting, on the street and it comes free!

The goliath year

2008-12-31T11:59:00.003Z

The year that started with everything, but ended with nothing. The year that proved that the big are fallible too. The sun about to go 'under water' near Cape Comorin, the southern tip of Indian peninsula.

Game Over @ LBS

2008-12-14T20:55:00.002Z

I spent a jolly good 3months in LBS, meeting new people, learning skills, giving my opinion, understanding European lifestyle, managing my final few shillings, attending parties, travelling around UK and of course attending classes. I surely walkout as a different person and carry with me some intangibles that I will benefit from in my lifetime. Thank you LBS and London for hosting me.

S-Ex and the city

2008-12-13T15:14:00.001Z

As my student exchange [S-Ex] term in the City draws to a close, there is still a list of unfulfilled aspirations.

Commodity trading at CBoT

2008-12-10T18:11:00.002Z

Who wants to buy when the prices are falling by the day! Rod, you should have shorted and stayed out of trouble.

As the sun sets

2008-12-09T22:26:00.000Z

in yet another eventful year

When the news made news

2008-12-08T19:27:00.002Z

Known as the World's Greatest News [WGN], this Chicagoan goes down. But he shall rise again! just like in 1871.

Not all courts try criminals

2008-12-07T22:17:00.002Z

This centre court in Wimbledon has let rackets talk globally for the last 130years.

Go long or short

2008-12-06T21:13:00.000Z

that is the option now

Blue-blooded ones for sure

2008-12-05T10:37:00.001Z

I felt at home with the Brit biker community at the International Motorcycle Snow in Birmingham

The real @Risk

2008-12-04T09:57:00.003Z

The Hell Riders trio riding on the Wall of Death.

Golden Land in Bangkok

2008-12-02T21:31:00.000Z

Wish to see this place in all its former glory.

Why walk when you can skate?

2008-12-02T11:40:00.002Z

Some people turn a tough situation on its head and have fun in the process. While walking on thin ice is risky, skating isnt. You also get a few xmas lights thrown in.

Bridging the gap

2008-12-01T19:56:00.003Z

between the known and the unknown will narrow the gap between the haves and havenots? The bridge, that keeps 'falling down' around the world everyday, stands tall in London.

Going... one up

2008-11-30T01:12:00.001Z

After, Chennai, Chicago and Hong Kong, it is time to go one up in London.

Headhunters - on a prowl ?

2008-11-30T01:00:00.001Z

...or, heads on a roll?

People and palaces

2008-11-17T18:39:00.005Z

This morning, on my way to school, a young lady stopped me and asked, 'How do I get to Sherlock Holmes Palace?'. I pointed to the small house right across the road and said, 'Intelligent people like Sherlock Holmes, don't get to live in palaces'. True?

Waiting for the bulls

2008-11-17T18:33:00.002Z

Stocks have nose-dived, a 'bailout' by the bulls is the need of the hour. National Governments should spend more on education, healthcare and general well being.

Hang on for the ride ahead

2008-11-13T14:07:00.002Z

As the global economy hits rumble-strips [thankfully not spike strips], either hibernate and sleep it out or bravely go out for the hunt. You are better off either way instead of grumbling over spilt milk.

Weird structure

2008-11-12T11:12:00.001Z

The feedback that I got for my thinking process.

Fading light

2008-11-08T17:20:00.001Z

As the dusk settles upon my stay in London, time is fast running out for me to explore the unknowns.

Time for some change

2008-11-06T13:44:00.001Z

even the Left is bathed in deep blue

Remember, remember the 5th of November?

2008-11-05T17:39:00.001Z

only 25 more days to go for 26 to end!

Got change, now what?

2008-11-05T12:05:00.003Z

A historic event with a futuristic impact? It is easy to claim too many things on today's event, but we must not consider this as the destination. This is one bright spot [ok, dark spot] and the world [that includes USA] needs several more.

British industries in bad weather

2008-11-04T17:07:00.004Z

Jaguar Car Factory, Birmingham.

The heart and soul of the industrial revolution that changed the face of this world, are caught in bad weather. Starting from yarn, going all the way to hitech machinery, this sector is under tremendous pressure. I eavesdropped a couple of elderly gentlemen only to hear,"The industries that once defined Britain are dead and long gone, while all we have left are financial institutions(bonkers)". True, the government has bailed out the big banks [big bath?] from their demise paying Pounds 60 billions or more despite all the problems they brew. But, didnt act on protecting the local manufacturers by pitching in with a few timely millions. Negligence or selective politics? the havenots, as always, tend to be the losers.

Dont knock, push and the door shall be opened for thy entry

2008-11-04T16:50:00.003Z

The days when we lived by 'da book', for some principles, with some people are passe! It is time to write your own book!

Balaji Temple, Dudley Road. Link :http://www.venkateswara.org.uk/Default.aspx

Food brings us closer

2008-10-31T17:53:00.002Z

A HKUST MBA students reunion at an ornately decorated restaurant in Central London.

Straddling different timezones

2008-10-30T12:08:00.002Z

and standing on own feet in different hemispheres, albeit confortably. But for how long? only time will tell...

At zero longitude, Greenwich

Sea change

2008-10-30T12:05:00.001Z

Snow, for a change. For the first time in 70years, snow in London during the month of October.

An invitation for a disaster

2008-10-30T11:59:00.002Z

Seen here, are the posters that were used to advertise the new ship, the largest one ever- Titanic. Though the ship was never moored at Liverpool, it was registered by the White Star Line at Liverpool.

Evil designs- Imperialism or its history?

2008-10-30T11:55:00.002Z

The worst 'ism' this world has been through. But, the museum only mentions WWI through Iraq. Selective communication, some say...

Imperial War Museum, Manchester

Tracing the route: Manchester to Liverpool

2008-10-30T10:48:00.002Z

The first ever railway route in the world, after nearly 180years of fascination.

An invitation to mix with the 'well-heeled '

2008-10-10T17:54:00.002+01:00

I got an invitation to visit 'The Lansdowne Club' for an evening party and I jumped at the opportunity. The location, apart from serving as an insight into the customer behavior, also has a fabulous history unknown to most of my co-participants. Technically, this place is the ex-White House.

"In 1782, Shelburne, the Prime Minister, concedes independence to the United States in the Treaty of Paris, drawn up with Benjamin Franklin in the Round Room".

This is the sort of place where the waiters wear Armani while serving Champagne with Beluga Caviar. The fried prawns, they served, just melted in my mouth.

A string of pearls

2008-10-03T16:40:00.002+01:00

I ve been attending a string of recruitment presentations by leading companies that are still seeking people...as opposed to seeking empty chairs. They all echo one opinion, that is an epochal shift in the global environment - thinking outside the west.

...in the eye of the beholder

2008-10-01T20:39:00.002+01:00

I got a free ride on the London Eye. Even the famous British weather cleared itself up to gift me a spectacular view of London for the very first time.

Trying to revive the fallen spirits

2008-09-30T21:30:00.002+01:00

"The Voodoo Room" - tucked in a remote corner in the centre ;) of Edinburgh, Scotland. Took us 1hr of walking to find out!

...so I took the train and headed up North to Scotland

2008-09-29T15:48:00.003+01:00

and visited Glasgow and Edinburgh and their umpteen castles, old style buildings and locks. I never liked Nessie much. A detailed report with photos will follow soon.

My road to Europe ends here

2008-09-25T17:25:00.002+01:00

This may sound silly, but I wanted to travel on TGV, ride a Ducati in Bologna and explore the major cities by walk/bicycle. But all this came to a dead-end today when my visa was rejected for the second time because of some silly rule that means nothing. But thankfully, the person at the counter was friendly and unlike the fickle one from my last experience. In a positive light, I have saved a lot of money in this process!