Is This Right?

Supreme Court declined legal protection (from TOI) to 19 year old Ajith D for creating a community on Orkut where offensive comments were put in by anonymous users.

SC says:

"We cannot quash criminal proceedings. You are a computer student and you know how many people access internet portals. Hence, if someone files a criminal action on the basis of the content, then you will have to face the case. You have to go before the court and explain your conduct."

There is huge uproar against the ruling citing that this is against Freedom of Expression. I was of the same opinion to an extent till Sanjukta took a dig at me and convinced that online media is no different from print media.

While completely understand that libel, slander and defamation is not the way to go about it, I am not sure if verdict comes out as a very positive thing for the common man let alone the bloggers. There are political party leaders out there making inflammatory speech, instigating feelings that can disrupt communal harmony and case filed against them does not go anywhere but under the huge stack of case files that would be dug out in another 10 years. They roam around scot-free after getting bail within minutes of case being filed (and in quite a few cases, even before case is filed).

I quote what Sanjukta wrote on her post:

"This nation has more important issues to handle than to curb a handful of Bloggers freedom"

The context of this statement was different, but I want to put it other way round.

Yes there are bigger issues to be handled ...

There are cases of heinous crimes still lying out there not being touched. High profile corruption cases are still being heard. Discussions are still on to see how and when the terrorist who went ballistic on the streets of Mumbai on 26/11, should be tried and prosecuted. Court cases running for 13 years and then the accused is sentenced for 3 years jail.

There is frustration ... Huge amounts of it ...

It comes out as if law is applicable only to common man who cannot get diplomatic or legal defense easily. Displeasure and frustration sky rocketing because the real issues are not being addressed at the grass root level instead of wasting time on Ajith's case. Anti social and anti secular elements are roaming free.

Am I surprised by the reaction from Indian Blogosphere? - NO !!!

Am I hurting "public sentiment" right now? 

I DO NOT KNOW !

Disclaimer: I strongly oppose creation of hate communities and usage of abusive language on any media. For the same reason, I do not support what Ajith did.

Slumdog Glory and Indian Cinema

Aaah ... finally, it's over. Slumdog Millionaire has won 8 Oscars out of the 10 nominations.

For me, the proud moment for Indians was Resul Pookutty, Gulzar and AR Rahman winning the Oscars. Rahman for Original Music Score and along with Gulzar for Original Song. Resul for Sound Mixing.

Now that the Oscar is over, I am waiting to see when the Indian media will stop the whole hype about Slumdog Millionaire. When will Rajeev Masand stop dissecting the movie to death?

GreatBong writes in his post:

... Surely a movie/documentary made by non-Indians with India as the subject winning equates to India conquering the Oscars. Just like if the “March of the Penguins” would have swept the Academy Awards, it would have been a glorious achievement of Antarctica and a proud day for all penguins. ...

The media is out to tap whatever is possible to increase their TRP, and we have Congress party claiming the credit and talking about "good governance".

The movie was a win for Danny Boyle and a few Indians who were part of the movie. It is definitely not a win for Indian Cinema yet. Indian Cinema has a long way to go. We were able to demonstrate to an extent that we are technically capable and there is a lot of work that can be done in India at a lower price. (Outsourcing here too???) But, the driving force behind most of the movies in India is financial benefit more than creativity. This has resulted in a very slow evolution of movies from a technical and content point of view when compared to Hollywood.

I remember watching "Jumanji", "Independence Day" and "Twister" way back in 1996-1997, but I doubt if the Indian movie industry has the muscle to make a movie of that scale and technical excellence even now.

Feel proud of what Rahman, Resul and Gulzar achieved. Be happy that Mumbai (and India) is in the spotlight. But, grow up and innovate. Break out of the traditional shell and move forward, else there is no way, at any point, that we will match the caliber of Hollywood. Not just Hollywood, but British, French, Japanese or German Cinema.

Young World

Meghna is one of the youngest bloggers in the world. She is just 13 and ranked 9th in the world among young bloggers. Huge achievement at this age!

She aspires to be a writer and I truly respect her parents for letting her hang on to Internet and pursue her interest. I do not think parents of majority of kids would ever let them spend so much time on internet.

Academics has become of such prime importance that kids are forced just learn whatever is there in the syllabus and get good score (without which they cannot get into IIT or Medical College). The education system forces kids to overwork themselves without letting them have fun and learn science and history in a way that interests them. 

She writes in one of her posts:

"Shakespearean English and the Dozing Off!

The boring lines that Shakespeare wrote
The same way our teacher goes
The students are pretty much busy too
Holding one dropping head there, or two

Here she goes, not caring at all
Whether we listen
Or the dozing heads fall

The rhythmic snoring
With Portia roaring
Or Juliet calling out to Romeo
Yet students all drooling


Ah here goes, the verses he wrote
Oh why? Mr. Shakespeare?
Why trouble us both?

I can’t bear it any longer
So this poem stands in the memory of those
Who slept in heavenly bliss
Waiting for the bell to ring."

Such creativity for a 13 year old is stunning ...


There are a lot of "software engineers"
- Who do not even have an internet connection at home.
- Who do not even read anything else on the internet except for regional newspapers.
- Who do not even access internal systems of the company.

These people who are here to make money have zero passion for Internet or gathering knowledge through similar sources. They still call themselves software engineers with no sense or understanding what "engineer" means.

With "Internet illiterate" people making abnormal amount of money, I see great future for Meghna. I really would love to see parents of coming generation focusing on "education" and not academics. I want to see parents guiding kids in having fun and making them smart and not book worms.

Without this, we will be left with a generation which has no intellect. Quality work force which can build a nation will remain a dream ...

No Software Engineers Please

Spotted on Sharjeel's blog ...



Thank God ! I got married at the right time ... Otherwise I would have to try farming or newspaper boy job ...

Punish Him Even If Dead

This is height of nonsense that I have seen/heard in long time and that too from a state which boasts of being 100% literate.

A non-bailable arrest warrant has been issued against EK Nayanar for the protest he conducted at a collectorate in 2001.

EK Nayanar was a prominent communist leader and three time Chief Minister of Kerala.

There are lot of issues in this country and we bank on the judiciary for most of it. Now, when judiciary issues orders of this kind, where do we go?

WTF???

iPhone Mania

Funny one ...
iPhone guys can't stop showing it off ...

Whats Wrong With People?

There is a big uproar against the Hug Karo and Pub Bharo Andolan stating that it is against Indian culture (see comments in the post) and follows Western Culture.

I do not understand the point of saying that going to Pubs is western culture. How come going to liquor joints/bars and toddy shops is completely fine and going to Pubs is not? How is it that Pubs form western culture and liquor joints do not?

A large part of Indian population consumes alcohol and quite a large part go back home and create a nuisance for their family and neighbours. No one has a problem with that.

As for the "Hug Karo", I think it is a very creative. Most people who are of the opinion that this is not a "dignified" way to protest have to check the Free Hugs Campaign. The campaign in itself was a controversy, but may be, the video here will give you some information ...



"Jadoo Ki Chappi" in Munnabhai took India by storm, but in real life, it is so difficult for people to digest. It was already done in Mumbai and was well received.

When it comes to ideas, ways and motivation to protest, majority of the population just have opinions and criticisms. For a person who coughs up the courage and takes a step towards a harmless way of protesting, encouragement is the last thing that you can expect in this society.

I hope everyone understands the difference between sitting among the audience and criticizing the batsman and actually going out and playing the game of cricket (facing a ball that is comes towards you at 100 miles/hr is real).

The Pink Condoms campaign is another one out to prove that the Pink Chaddi campaign is BS.

Why???

"Because the campaign tried to unnecessarily implicate an assertive Hindu and RSS (they showed pictures of RSS members in a derogatory way) for Managolore pub attack incident. RSS and Hindus didn’t approve of Mangalore incident, still they were demonized, which was result of a mentality which is full of hatred towards Hinduism."

Pink Underwear(for a better word) was about opposing what Sri Ram Sene did in Mangalore and is not against Hindus. These guys do not even know what they are reacting to.

It is all about reacting without knowing what the underlying issue is.

Muslim radicals out to kill Hindus ...
Hindu radicals out to wipe Muslims off ...
Hindu radicals hate Christians ...
Political parties enjoying mudslinging ...
Corrupt politicians and administration ...
Talk about Kamasutra as part of Indian heritage and just wanting to be invisible when someone talks about sex ...

Legislative assembly members creating a ruckus in the assembly ...
Self proclaimed radicals out to make a common man's life miserable ...
People do not care for each other ...

We boast of "Unity in diversity".
I am still wondering how this country is still in one piece ...

Twinkle Twinkle Indian Styles

Ran into this one after watching CNN-IBN. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in various Indian styles ... I think the Punjabi one wins hands down ...

Yes We Can

Obama mania continues ...



This hoarding was spotted yesterday ...

Chiranjeevi thinks he can pull it off in Hyderabad where there is a large population of IT employees just by blatantly copying what Obama tried in the US?

How would Chiru look without hair? ...

(Note: Prajarajyam is a party launched by megastar of Telugu film industry in Andhra Pradesh)

Dalai Lama Goes Social

Dalai Lama goes social ...

He was there on Facebook and MySpace and now he is on to Twitter as well.

Check out OHHDL for updates ...
The site is being administered by The Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama (OHHDL).

What better way to keep in touch with youth and technologically advancing audience ...

Pink Chaddi Campaign

... This year let us send the Sri Ram Sena some love. Let us send them some PINK CHADDIS.

Look in your closet or buy them cheap. Dirt-cheap. Make sure they are PINK. Send them off to the Sena ...

One of the novel initiatives that I have ever seen ... ;)

What is it that forms Indian Culture? Is there a single place where I can go and see what the role of woman in Indian society is?

Luck By Chance

I watched this movie yesterday and I have to tell you I got lucky by chance. The movie turned out to be a good one. Now, there is nothing that really sets it apart from the other movies and picturisation is concerned. It has a decent story line, good camera work and good editing.

What is so special about Luck by Chance? What struck me most is the core message of the movie. The message from the movie, for me, was that there are a lot of things that happen around us. We call it circumstances/situations, but what we are left feeling after a certain incident is something that could alter our lives. We could be excited, upset, dissatisfied, disappointed etc. This influences your thought process and decision and as a result your future.

Now, what "Luck By Chance" deals with is, it does not matter what happens, we chose to feel what we feel. That way, we control our lives and not circumstances.

Farhan and Konkona did their roles with conviction and first directorial venture by Zoya can leave thinking public thinking and non-thinking ones completely entertained with a pure commercial movie.

I would recommend watching this one ...

Trouble Getting Married?

(Via email from Ramu)

Sri Ram Sena leader Mr. Mutalik says that they will not spare dating couples on Valentine’s Day.

All married couples, especially young ones, please carry your marriage certificate with you all the time. You would not know if you will be asked to marry again otherwise ...

Cows With Names Make More Milk

Spotted on Discovery News ...

"... new research suggests a gentle way to get more milk out of anxious mama-cow: Stroke her, ask about her day, and call her Elsa, Rose, or Lady Moo. Cows with names produce up to five percent more milk, according to a study published in January in the journal Anthrozoos ...

... Rather, a cow with a name is likely to be more relaxed than if she were treated as just another number ..."

Just wondering if chicken (or may be it's egg) would taste better if we call it by a name?

14 Year Old Inventor

To power his family's home, young William Kamkwamba built an electricity-producing windmill from spare parts and scrap

Read more on TED

Next social entrepreneur in the making ...

Raju May Be A Fashion Icon?

Raju owned 321 shoes, 310 belts and 1000 suits.

Hmmm ... We can feed quite a lot people with that money ...

And villas in 63 countries?? ... Does he rent it out?

Pay What You Want

Something that was spotted on Digg . This the most amazing thing that can happen to a food buff (especially a person like me).

A London restaurant has decided to do away with bills for the next month, asking customer to pay only what they want for meals.

"Anything between a penny and 50 pounds ($70) will make me happy, it's entirely up to the customer to decide," ....

 

"Customers have already paid 20 percent more than the original price," he said, confident that he will more than cover his expenses for the month. "People want to be polite and would be embarrassed not to pay enough." 

 

Pretty interesting, but for drinks, you need to pay ... 

Wonder what will happen if a restaurant tries this out in India !

Last Evacuation Drill

XYZ Office -> A fire alarm rang at 6 PM when almost all employees were in office(approx 5000). As usual entire office was evacuated within 3 mins & every employee gathered outside the office.

10 mins passed ..................................
5 more mins passed .................................

Security Officer announces,

"Dear Employees - with melting heart I am making this announcement that for many of you it will be a last evacuation drill, as we are laying off almost 80% of the employees. While moving in, if your access card does not work, you are laid off & all their belongings will be couriered to them tomorrow. We followed this approach as we don't want to fill email box size with layoff mail in thousands & also to avoid any fight inside office".

Hope you have nice career ahead. Please move in & try your luck.

(Via email from Ramu)

Disclaimer: XYZ is a fictitious firm and any resemblance to any real life one is purely coincidential

Dollar After Economic Slump

I will not be surprised if it is a picture of Benjamin Franklin hanging by a rope ...