Remembering Leh after one year

Leh Notes: quick snapshot of two main trips we made during a week long stay in Leh during summer 2013

Trip1:  Nubhra Valley

(a) Valley flower camp on Sumur side of town.

(b) Diskit on Hunder side of town

Trip2: Panggong Lake, really bad road as you move past Zingral

(a) Shey Palace and Thiksey monasteries (clean)

Sleeping in Panggong tents is a challenge, cold and the dogs returned. The morning calm balanced those challenges.

Aamir Khan exposed

Dhoom3 exposed the weakness of Aamir Khan  as an actor. All you see is an irritated man with eye-brow raised at 30degrees and when he smiles his lips tilted at 15 degrees. Shows what a bad Director and a bad script could do to an above average actor. I am saying above average because I have never felt he was great though he almost reached greatness through roles like Rang De Basanti and Dil Chahta Hai.

Abhishek Bachan and  Uday Chopra are actually better in terms of acting compared to Aamir Khan.

Pictures from Delhi

Janpath and Chandni Chowk are shown in the pictures below

Cheap movie tickets Shanghai

Bumped into this guy at Hengshan Cinema and his claim is he can get you 50% discount on movie tickets. I think it is worth sharing and may benefit some of you.

Commuting in Shanghai

Shanghai has a well connected network of subway, buses, taxis and scooter walas. The subway is clean, efficient and cheap. For most rides you will pay approximately ~4RMB, slightly more or less depending on the number of stations between your destinations. But expect to walk a lot if you switch lines. Most of the people on subways are doing only one thing though, looking at the screens of their smart-phones.

 The taxis start at approximately 14RMB for the first 2.4Kms and then it scales up. Taxis are amazing if you are too tired to commute within a 3Kms radius as for RMB20 or less you will reach your destination in 4-5 minutes assuming less traffic versus 30minutes or so it would take in walking to a subway station, walking towards the platform, commute time, getting out of the station and walking to your actual destination. So highly recommended.

Buses are present but they are Chinese heavy so use this link to figure out your idea bus for the route. I managed to find the bus that takes me to Zhangjiang Hi-tech park station but it takes me  at least 20minutes to reach there on bus versus 5 minutes it take me on taxi but the price is only 2RMB for most bus rides. So if you are living in an area well connected by bus you are in luck for a cheap ride. The ride also becomes entertaining because these bus drivers think they are driving a space-ship and maneuver it like that.


Speaking of cheap rides, the third option is that of scooters that take you from one place to next for only 5RMB flat. These scooter guys/gals can be seen outside of railway station exits and outside office's during rush hours and are ideal if you want to be somewhere quick and for cheap. Be conscious of the fact that these guys are flexible when it comes to  following the traffic rules.

Pictures capturing rush hour traffic in Pudong Office Area close to Jinke Subway Station

And more pics from Shanghai

I figured I am actually enjoying sharing about Shanghai and what the city has to offer. So here are more pictures from the city. The weather has improved in the last couple of days which is an amazing relief. The pictures are from different days and capture Shanghai food, bakeries, living and peak hour metro commute. I particularly liked how clothes were being dried perpendicular to the buildings which was both unique and highly effective.

I have always been a sucker for bakeries and loving bakeries such as bread talk, 85C and other French influenced bakeries spread across the city. Amazing everything and perfectly sweet.

Sikhs in Shanghai

As mentioned earlier that I will share my journey of uncovering Sikh roots in Shanghai. Here are some pictures from Shanghai Museum of Public Safety which showcases a strong presence of Sikhs as traffic policemen during later 1800 and uphill 1940s (basically end of WWII). Sikhs sided with the Japanese as part of Azad Hind Fauj and therefore I doubt they would enjoyed staying in China after end of World War II.

Museum address: 518 South Ruijin Road
Entry Fee: Free for me on a Saturday

Station: Luban Road on Line 4
Take the Dapu Road exit and once you get out walk right on Quxi Road towards Dapu Road. Once you reach Dapu continue one more long block on Quxi till you reach South Ruijin Road, cross the intersection and walk a little on the right to reach the museum. (Approx walking time from station exit: 12minutes)

Side note: On the Dapu Road intersection there is a bakery called 85C definitely worth a stop on your way back.

However, the most enjoyable part of the trip was finding a Gurughar in Shanghai. A generous family basically lets sangat to their home gurdwara on Sunday and they have a 3 hour program followed by langar. Everything is explained in English as almost four out of the ten families were non Sikhs. Their mutual bonding and love was evident. I will not share the address here as it is someone's house but finding the address via contacting them by email should be easy for anyone.

SEL love/hate

During the last two years, I was increasingly finding Shankar annoying because he was giving me an overdose of himself. Frankly, I liked SEL as musicians but this overdose of Shankar had pushed me away from them as a group. But I guess Shankar had this self-awareness that his overdose was hurting fans like me. As a result, in the last year or so, you do not see him judging any reality show which had become the norm for him in the last 4-5 years.

But the reason for this post is that SEL have won me over again with their track Bhaag Milkha Bhaag  - Rock version. An absolute pleasure to listen to it. The rage, the zeal its all their in this song. Thanks SEL! 

More pics from Shanghai

A few iPhone pics capturing shanghai. Kids apparently have the highest competences in the world at 8th grade level so it was good to see them dancing on a rainy night on east nanjing road. But I could wrong about their ages.

Also got a chance to see the Pearl Tower on a nice evening. My self decision not to spend money on high buildings and their views stops me from spending 100RMB (or 17USD) to go on top of this tower. This week I discovered good Thai, Malay, and Korean restaurants in various mall food courts and also a cheap Kung Pao Chicken serving restaurant near my apartment. But the most fascinating aspect was discovering tandoori naan's on the streets of Shanghai. My theory is that this is an offshoot of the Sikh influence that was prevalent in Shanghai during the late 1800s to 1940s (more on that later)

Last but not the least look who I found in a DVD store :) The last picture is for a building which when completed would be the second tallest building in the world at 638m or so.

     

Making international calls from Shanghai

While in Shanghai, making international calls is simple yet difficult at the same time. Simple because if you are a China Unicom customer, you should precede dialing your desired international number by 10193. Which means if you were to call US from Shanghai, type your number this way

10193 + 00 + 1 + your number and press "dial"

The difference in what you pay 180x lower just by dialing this IP code of 10193.

The difficult part is that I wish the China Unicom customer service had told me this before I wasted close to 200RMB on international calls. Sigh! the shyness prevails and don't ask don't tell policy as well. But the cheap rates of 0.039RMB/min now compensate for all the bitter feelings. Also, China Unicom usually has special pricing on its 3G plans (China Mobile does not have 3G), for example, I recently got 500MB for 30Yuans. So get a lower plan at first and re-charge later to get more 3G if you do not expect a lot of phone calls.

Experience in Shanghai

A place of shy people, exotic foods and fake products is my first take on Shanghai. The place in summers feels like a gas chamber and provides Delhi's heat in combination with Mumbai's humidity --> go figure.

The biggest positive I have noticed is that girls have probably a much better life here compared to India or even US. From what I have heard Shanghai men like to cook, clean, and earn for their wives. I think Shanghai girls have it easy :)

A few pictures are included to give a glimpse of shanghai food and the city. More to follow

song in my head

Is from the movie Lootera, there is this epic tune in this song which to me represents change:

Kya kabhi savera laata hain andhera
Sookhi sihaee deti hai gawahee
Sadhiyon puraani aise ik kahaani
Reh gayi....(2) Ankahee

Ishmeet's second single came out early this year and got her nominated for the best debut female voice award in the PTC Music Awards 2013. Wishing many more to come.....

Haas EWMBA Experience

Any student who plans to fully experience the EWMBA program at UC Berkeley should just two things:

1) IBD program
2) SIB program

Women shopping

Is an endless treasure hunt where the more you hunt the less rich you get

Tu Kya Jaane

One of the best songs in recent times byKailash Kher. Listening to this song makes me want to become a radio jockey again, tired of the crap being played on both KLOK1170AM and 1550AM. Bay Area deserves better. All of you few who stumble on this blog, enjoy....

How to run a business?

US Postal Service loses $15.9B every year, wow had no clue. Imagine the need to run this business more efficiently? Pension plans that are bloated. Man this is just not what I had thought of US when I landed here 12 years ago :)

words of wisdom

What's the point to remain dry when we can always get wet? Wet in joy, wet in sorrow, wet in happiness.

 

Bifurcations

I grew from a branch and over the years forked my own path. I was encouraged to do that by my branch and to explore the world. But now when I look back I feel detached from the branch that was once my originator. Deep within I am still part of it but I am unable to trace my path back home.

Kai Po Che

One of the better hindi movies. Great performances, narration and presentation of a complicated subject. Recommended for viewing. 

Strategy lessons

Work to commoditize your complements, this would in turn increase the demand for your products.

In the past, Microsoft flourished as the PC market got commoditized with lower PC prices meaning increased demand and more revenue from OS and software sales for Microsoft. Google is now challenging Microsoft. Google offering word, excel and powerpoint for free is to weaken Microsoft control in OS as these 3 are great application complements to the windows OS.

Challa connection

At 2:55am on a Thursday morning, I feel happy to find out that the original Challa sung by Gurdas Mann was composed by Late Jagjit Singh. No wonder the song is legendary. Here is a classic recording of Jagjit Singh available for a limited time courtesy BBC: Link

The right Pricing strategy

What is it? Here is a quick snapshot of my nascent understanding. From my readings it is a combination of the following aspects:

0) pricing strategy should be in sync with your marketing strategy and not convey a message which undermines the entire marketing strategy

1) price products based on EVC (economic value to the consumer), never do cost-plus pricing and never indulge in price war

2) always have multiple price point offerings, different price for different segments

3) have the right price metric in place, sometimes bundle products (Mac value meals) or unbundle (airlines)

4) never do anything that gives consumers a hint of unfair pricing, behavioral responses hurt more than you imagine

5) always think about competitive actions never ignore competitive forces from the equation

Pricing

Something about pricing has always interested me, to squeeze the maximum out of your end customer is a fascinating topic if you ask me. A marketeers ability to increase the perceived value of the product in the eye of the customer is critical to charge premium dollars. A good marketeer is one who can successfully shift the perceived value of the product in the eyes of customer to be equal to the objective value of the product.

Love pricing! Would love to help start-ups or SMBs come up with best pricing strategies

Longing to belong

To USA as my heart is still lost somewhere on the dusty streets of India.

Good music comes in waves

Just when I had given up on the quality of music in the last couple of months, I heard Kai Po Che tracks. Just 3 of them and loved them to the core. This one is my current favorite "Meethi Boliyan". I love the word "Sobte"that comes in this song. "Sobte" in hindi means association and in this song means association with buddies for life. Time comes when you want to be with your real sobte of life.

Check this song here:  Meethi Boliyan
Music Director: Amit Trivedi
Lyrics: Swanand Kirkire

Song in my head

Benny Dayal and Shalmali Kholgade nailed it on this one from Race-2. My favorite track these days. The best part is when Shalmali says the word "sharat".

Power of advice

I wish we could all be mature to not offer advice to people in misery or whom we judge are not doing so well. Sometimes a pat on the shoulder, a hug is all they need.

Songs that are more like worm-holes?

There are some songs that just take you to a different time.

4th year, 2001 2am or so, I walk into chinkos and play my favorite song of that era "sona nahin na sahin" from one 2 KA four on the jukebox for Rs 1/-. Yes, in full disclosure I loved Alka Yagnik's rendition and combine that with Udit Narayan's voice with Dholak prominently used in this song.

Not to forget the turmeric egg bhurji and 2 slices of toast for Rs 5/-, sometimes Sari would just walk in at 2:15am with Topi or Bharat or Bongi.

Baaj

Who can stop an eagle, daring to fly

Aate de chiri

My grandmother (Late Sardarni Gyan Kaur Chadha) did something very unique everyday. She would knead atta (wheat) and then make very small bite sized food drops for sparrows. I grew up watching her do this everyday with extreme love and remember learning how to make those the food drops from her. She usually made a little bird (chiri) out of the dough for me and that was the first time I heard these words - "atte de chiri". Her birds knew her timing and this was perhaps the only time my grandmother spent doing something sitting all by herself.

Now my grandmother and I shared a special relationship. Probably a little more deeper compared to her other grandsons. So deep that she even tied me rakhi for two years because her dead brother came in her dream once to let her know that I was his reincarnation. She stopped tying me the rakhi after two years as she realized that does not made any sense but as a 10-12year old this left an indelible mark on my memory.

Another fun facet of my grandmother was that she took the credit of planting the guava tree in our front yard. Therefore, she always wanted me to give her the softest and guavas bitten by parrots to her. I used to own that tree as a kid and spend hours on it, so her demands were always sort of funny for me. Still, when I look back I wish I had given more of those soft guavas.

As I grew up, the pressures of life took a toll on me. I know it sounds crazy but life takes you away from the gentle touches of your grandparents. My grandmother always wanted to put oil in my hair and joyfully claimed that my mother does not know how to put oil. I probably got it done four or five from her but I remember one instance very clearly. Lying in our front yard on a manji (cot) with sun shining on a winter Sunday, her hands moving slowly in my hair and telling me stories from our Gurus. At that time, I felt she is so slow and I wanted my Mom's style of fast swift action. But now, my heart knows how much I yearn for that gentle selfless touch.

Biquees Kaur

Recently stumbled upon this series Bilquees Kaur from HumTV. What an amazing series, great play-writing and acting. Highly recommended better than anything I have seen in recent times.

Khwaab

Apne hi khwaabon se jal na jao kahin,
Darr raha hain sajan mera mann

Bonus

Should one be happy to see their bonus or should one think how is their business relative to others. As much as I try to think about the latter, I think I belong to the former category. Happy and content this Diwali :)

Middle market private equity

So I got introduced to middle market private equity pretty late in the game. By game I mean my MBA at Haas. There are some things that immediately suck you in and learning about middle market PE play was one of them. In John Brennan of Silver Lake Sumeru words "The ability to add value via operational experience" is what differentiates them. There is something magical in those words...operational excellence is one of them. How exciting it is to look at a business closely and fix it. I am sure I am not alone who gets excited by all this but the real question is, who is going to bet on me?
Other conclusions were, when you evaluate a business understand what they call as their accounts receivables, revenue recognition methods and importance of using net sales vs gross sales. All this is music to me. What was even more interesting was that as a PE guy one should always question all the assumptions as you evaluate a business, something my previous boss at work always stressed tremendously. 

feel good or really good?

A solid short movie, makes you wonder how many non-sikhs actually like these movies or believe in their message? Whatever the answer to my inconsequential question is, this movie created by Mr. Satdeep Singh is impactful.

dishaheen

zindagi guzar na jaaye dishaheen hoke
khoj hain uss pal ki jab mujhe bhi yeh pata chalein,
ki aakhir majra kya hain, talaash kya hain

birthday blues

Today was my first birthday when I did not hear from my papa. He did not wish me today but I guess he is around. Here is a pic from when I was 2 year old, that is Papa feeding me cake.

Chase student loans

Avoid chase student loans like plague. Used to be a happy customer but their pathetic customer service pissed me off so badly that I cancelled my credit card with them as well. You take your customer for granted and the customer hits back! Enjoy that chase, no wonder you are giving away $150 in cash to have new customers.

Zindagi Na Mile Dobara

Decent movie, recommended. Quoting some lines from the movie, I never thought I will quote Javed Akhtar. These were the lines when Farhan Akhtar is going through his inflection point.

Jab jab dard ka baadal chaya
Jab ghum ka saya lehraya
Jab aansoo palkon tak aya
Jab yeh tanha dil ghabraya

Humne dil ko yeh samjhaya
...Dil aakhir tu kyun rota hai
Duniya mein yunhi hota hai

Yeh jo gehre sannate hain
Waqt ne sabko hi baante hain
Thoda ghum hai sabka qissa
Thodi dhoop hai sabka hissa

Aankh teri bekaar hi nam hai
Har pal ek naya mausam hai
Kyun tu aise pal khota hai
Dil aakhir tu kyun rota hai

Found this link on youtube and it was worth sharing:

miss you papa

there are moments in everyday life when the realization that papa is no longer with me tries to sink a little bit more deep. these are moments when i remember the days, he used to bring fresh jamun for me during summer days. he had those jamuns because a poor sabjiwala did not had money to buy medicine so my father used to give him the medicines in barter for the jamuns. no wonder they tasted so sweet.

i miss you so badly....i wish i could have spent some more time with you.....

laila

There was a time in my life when Ishmeet simply disappeared from my life. Tough times those were....and I used to wonder...tu saamne kyon na aaye. Guess what, Faridkot's Laila song brought so many memories of those challenging times...

check this song out: laila

1984 riots

I was four and a half years old when the 1984 riots unfolded in Delhi. We happened to be in Delhi when the riots happened. The only thing I remember is sitting in the Vayudoot flight from New Delhi to Kota as a girl. Yes, my mom had done two piggytails and I also remember that the air-hostess complimented me for picking only 2 candies from her tray. She said a very well behaved boy.

However, Sikhs all over the world should be ashamed of themselves that even after 27 years, there is no justice for us. More than five thousands were killed sadly ny our own people. Most of the people who killed sikhs, burned them alive, or raped our women, are most probably between the ages of 45 and 50 now. How do they sleep at night? How do they look at the faces of their young sons and daughters? I wish one of them comes out of the darkness one day and apologizes to the women who once had everything and are now left with just memories.

pyaar

"Choti Choti Baaton Mein Chipa Hain Yeh Pyaar...."
"Rote Rote Hasne Ki Dawa Hain Yeh Pyaar"

Love is thinking about class IV-B and remembering Papa standing outside my class on my results day. Always smiling....I can still see him through those grilled windows.

al pacino

nothing pleases me more than to see a standing ovation as Al Pacino walks to receive his golden globe award

I will miss you Ranade

I think I come back to my blog whenever I am in a sad mood. This is a place where I share or write my secret things...unlike FB where its all BS. Today as I departed from Ranade's apartment a strange sadness engulfed me. The feeling when you fly back from India.
When I first moved to the Bay Area 6.5 years ago, it was Ranade and Anu who welcomed me here. I used to spend my weekends with them and Ranade's effort to help somani and me organize the class reunion was phenomenal. So many good memories, so many fun times and seeing Ranade become a father. I wish I could have spend more night-outs learning bridge from you man....

Miss you till we meet when we meet,
Chadha

DDS - Ik Jindree (One Soul) feat. Bikram Singh and Ishmeet Narula- Trailer

yeh kya ho raha hain?

Jo saath thein woh ab saath nahi hain,
Jo ek saath khus thein woh ab khush nahi hain,
Woh ek saath khush to thein?
Bhrahm tha ya sach,
Shaayad bhrahm hi hoga,
Ya shaayad bhatak gaye hain woh.

Madno

Sometimes you come across words that just pull you towards them. There is something about the way they are used or someone pronounces them in a certain manner. Recently I came across this word "Madno" and could not resist googling it up. "Madno" simply means "Sajna or Beloved". This one goes out for my Madno...:)

Check out this lovely track Madno from the movie Lamhaa. Do listen to the "Sajna" version of the Madno song beautifully sung my Mika and Chinmayi.

Rishi Kapoor Vs. Amitabh Bachan

If Rishi Kapoor gets to do half of the movies that Amitabh does, things would be so different..this one is for the finest oldie cutie of India...Rishi love you.

new albun "22 no faatak"

His new album "22 no faatak" is quite enjoyable. My favorite song is Tere Bin. Interestingly the guy is an engineer and works in Adobe full time. Most songs are romantic ones, my only wish was that he had put together a song about his college days as the album's title is dedicated to his college memories.

www.dilpreetbhatia.com

Sukhwinder Singh Concert Bay Area 6 June, 2010

Friends, Comrades and Fellow Music Lovers,
I hereby declare that I will avoid going to or supporting any Sukhwinder Singh concert or event. The guy has some serious problems and does not give a shit to his fans and their expectations. He sang just 6 or 7 songs, after appearing on stage 1 hour and 30 mins late and did not apologize.

That will be all!

Ranjha Ranjha from Raavan

Some songs just stick to you the first time...Ranjha Ranjha from Raavan is one of those.

May 1st comes and things such as fight for immigration reforms hold new meaning for me.

blog exclusive pic

A picture from our recent trip from India taken during Sahiba-Jaspreet wedding. Love the colors.

india calling

The feeling just keep getting stronger. All I need is the right opportunity to fit back in as if I had never left. Time will tell as I think it would mean lost 8 years of my life. Still I would have the remaining 40 odd to enjoy in India. I find it hard to understand whether being pragmatic has elements of cowardice hidden in them? Strength, wisdom, advice and prayers is what I seek.

Listening to Kay Kay right now and remembering how Parle used to recommend him as a singer.

upcoming india trip

Makes me very anxious.

beautiful line I just heard

uljhe nahi to kaise suljho ke? bikhre nahi to kaise nikhroge?...

Sample these dialogues from the movie Blue

Nikki: Hum ko mile 12 ghante bhi nahin hue aur tum humure future ke bare me soch rahe ho ?
Sam: Main to peechle bara ghante se hi humure future ke bare me soch raha hoon ! Aur tum ?
Nikki: Sabkuchh batane ki zaroorat nahin hota *lips tremble*
Sam: *grins* (but gets a boner, secretly)

Sam: Bag mein kya hai ?
Gulshan: Mauka. Utha sako to utha lo. (Now that’s called raw machismo)

Sam : Ek bag ke liye 50 million dollars kuchh zyada nahin hai ?
Gulshan: Bag mera tha to kimat bhi main tyar karunga ! (Lesson in Valuation)

Mona: Mera sapna hai ek oceanography institute, marine life ko protect karne ke liye.
Sagar: Is janam me wo sapna hi rahega. Main machhli pakadta rahunga, tum pakate rehna…. (har har har)

Sagar: Koi aadmi sirf tab andhere mein baithta hai, jab wo isqh mein hota hai ya phir pareshan ho.
Sam: Who ek aur karan bhi andhere mein baithta haijab roshni chala jaye. (makes perfect logocal sense but also makes me laugh out loud)

Arav: I always have two of everything heh heh heh.
Mona: That’s Arav for you, he has two of everything! (makes me ROFL)

Then, there were lot of interrogative dialogues using the word ‘Sawal’ which teaches a sure shot way to compose the sharpest comeback lines. I am sure this can be effectively used in office and homes. Allow me to exemplify-

Boss: Maine jo kam bola tha wo tumne kiya ?
Me: Sawal ye nahin hai ki kam maine kiya ki nahin. Sawal ye hai kam hua ki nahin.

Then at home,
Wife: Tumko aadha kilo kanda lane ke liye bola tha, laya ?
Me: Sawal ye nahin hai ki main kanda laya ki nahin, sawal ye hai ki tumko kanda nahin mili to kya honewala hai.

 

Reading the good stuff.

Dussehra Celebration 2009

Awesome Ravan burning video... :))

Instant Karma in Bay Area

I would say these guys are giving us some of the worst Indian events. They throw attitude like anything and just because there is no competition at this moment, they think people have to put up with their shit. I can see they are going down...sorry Instant Karma and please stop getting drunk 18 year old girls to boss people around in your stupid events.

Kids of our family

 

Introducing my newphew Sifat Singh Kohli

Road Movie - Extended Promo FT. Abhay Deol (Hindi Movie)

Some things are just not worth posting on facebook :)

Gulaal

A complete course in Politics.

love aaj kal

I have to say Imtiaz Ali knows how to use the whole Delhi feel or Punjabi feel in his movies. The scene which depicts Saif travelling to Calcutta just to see her is wonderful. Overall a good movie experience.

toubebas

Toube-Bas is all set to make an opening in the US market. We will be launching our first t-shirt, the IIT-B Skyline tentatively on August 13th!!. To see the actual t-shirt design and place orders on August 13th, please follow the link.

Pricing would be $15 per t-shirt.

IPhone post

This is my first iPhone post. Mood is complex and the uncertainities within are overpowering. Somani and I once discussed how much we both love secretary jobs, I think I would use this passion when I start sending out toubebas tshirts in a couple of weeks.

happiness

I wish I was a little more intelligent and had the ability to think deeper. My habbit of superficial understanding of everything helped me crack exams and get great scores but failed me to understand life and what I want from it.

That will be all.

choti baatein

"choti baatein ki hoti hain yaadein badi"

Just exchanged some emails with topi and puneet on good old Cheda Shopping Center opposite Y-point.

My IISc Day Part3

Later that afternoon, I met with Prof. Dwarkadasa again where he told me that I have been assigned to work with him during the summers. I was honest and upfront to tell him that I am not interested in Physical Metallurgy and would like to carry out my research on electronic materials. He was a very kind natured gentleman and offered his full support to me. Later that night I went to my dorm room and met my roommate Hrithvick, I do not remember his last name. Hrithvick was returning to IIsc for the second time and was carrying out research on genes and biology stuff. The moment we met, I was intrigued and impressed by his intelligence and confidence. On the contrary, he appeared to have figured me inside out. Within half an hour, he bluntly asked me that if I wanted to go to USA after your bachelors, to which I shamelessly said "yes".
Hrithvick smirked and probably crossed my name from his books completely. Over the summers, we rarely spoke or met as we were both busy carrying out research and were rarely in our room. Going back to that dilemmna I was in Prof. ESD next day told me that he had spoken with the registrar and if I am able to find a new advisor within a week to ten days, he would be okay otherwise, I would have to work with him to qualify for the Rs 2500/- stipend.

I have a strong feeling

That I am meant to do something really big. I am hoping I discover that soon.

That will be all and I end on this note.

"Abhi Abhi mere dil mein yeh khyaal aaya hain..."

Youth of India

I think Indian youth should learn at least one martial art. With everything that has happened in the last three-four years to Indians outside India, we should hit back!!.

Personally I plan to learn the sikh martial art of Gatka this summers.

IISc Days Part II

I reached Bangalore around 7pm and I clearly remember as I walking on the platform it felt as if the ground below was shaking. Anyhow, I managed to get an auto rickshaw an reached the IISc campus, clueless as to where I was going to spend the night. After talking to many people and dragging my big green VIP suitcase all over the campus, I met a warden who was kind enough to give me a temporary room for the night.
The room was huge, old and scary but I slept with the lights on. Next morning I attended a reception where I met the other 28 young fellows who were selected from all over India. They were all nice and warm people and to my bad luck, no girl worth my time was there. As I was used to such environments, I overcame this first disappointment with great ease and later that morning went to the Department of Metallurgy to meet my alloted Faculty member. I saw that Prof. ESD was mentioned in front of my name and I felt this was my chance to develop new solar cells. I reached Prof. ESD's office and noticed three other students in his office. I felt I was special so will talk to him once he is done with these other kids. But Prof. ESD immediately said, "Gurjeev, I have been expecting you, come on in"..I moved closer to the table..."7012 Aluminum Alloy would be your alloy to be used in NAL's unmanned aircrafts". Those words, I tell you....shattered me and they still echo in my head because those words were repeated in a slightly different form, again in Michigan. But that is a different story altogether.
Overconfident and loud mouthed which is not my natural style, I replied back "There is some error, I am here to work on solar cell materials". Prof. ESD, smiled at me and said "Come back in 30 minutes and we can talk more". I left his office totally shaken and shattered as if it was the end of the world. But when I look back, I have realized that life's challenges come in various forms and most of the times we just can't figure out things, can we?

Kaminey

I have a feeling...Kaminey would be the first blockbuster of the year.

That will be all

Son Of A Sardar

More than a sense of fulfilment and pride, a sense of urgency to stand up and act surrounds me.

long time

Do not have time to write blogs these days, facebook updates are way too convenient. But there are still somethings such as writing Heidi Klum is hot that I can only do on this blog. I think with Facebook having office colleagues and family, my blog gives me the privacy I seek (oxymoron ?).


That will be all for now

My IISc days-Part 1

Sometimes you get these early morning dreams down the memory lane and yesterday morning I experienced such memories from my IISc days. I had spent two months during the summer of 2000 at IISc Bangalore as part of Young Engineering Fellows. In those two months, I learned so much about myself, my passions and my friends that I can write a book on what went inside my head.

The whole Bangalore trip started off on a setback note. My parents were really proud of the fact that I got selected for this fellowship but my brother who is very passionate about booking tickets forgot to check that my train was not going to take 24 hours from Kota but rather 48 hours to reach Bangalore. We learned this only after reaching the station and I still remember the concerned face of my mother. But I assured her that I would be fine and what started after that was probably the longest journey of my life. I bought my first Filmfare at Nagda junction and read it twice word to word during the trip. I learned the importance of having a good book (not Filmfare level) in your handbag for such long trips. I also learned that the electric engine shiffts to a diesel engine at Kazipet Junction which serves the world's best Mango juice. Just like at Kajrat people go crazy about the wada-pav, people go crazy at Kazipet to drink some of these fruit juices.

Having successfully completed around 28 hours on the train, by the next day I felt much better, less bored and came down from my side upper berth. I slept that night feeling strangely confused and wondered why I was going to Bangalore for two months?, when I could spend that time in Kota/Delhi chilling with family

Bay Leaf Cuisine of India San Jose

This is one of my favorite restaurants in the Bay Area. The tikkas, curries and breads are all amazing and I think this restaurant has made me at least 5lb heavier in the last three years. Interestingly Bay Leaf has some coupons posted on google business pages. I have personally used the 15% discount coupon.