A week ago, Urban India was shocked by the following incident:
Girl raped, killed in Bangalore
The employee of Hewlett Packard in a city which is called the Silicon Valley of the east was raped and killed by a pretended HP cab driver. Its something that cannot be forgotten or forgiven. Its not just the loss of life or the pain that that the girl and her family would have had to face. But its about the very fact that even in the most urbanized locations in India, this 'stray, one-off incident' did take place.
HP and other IT and BPO firms might tighten security, Politicians and Nasscom chief, Kiran Karnik might condemn it. But the fact that its a 'stray, one-off incident' remains. The fact that there was pain, suffering and murder remains. The fact that every woman has the right to protect herself remains.
In recent years, there are lots of equipment in the western markets that help woman to defend themselves when they are cornered in such situations. The use of tasers, stun guns and aerosol sprays are just the begining of things, coupled with self-defence tactics would help her to protect herself.
Here are the list of self-defence equipments for woman.
Stun Gun
Pepper Spray
Also keep updated on all the latest equipment and self-awareness at the AWARE website. Hope we are able to make this place safer for them by spreading awareness.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
My Writeup: My Engagement
My Engagement
I have got engaged to Mythreyi on Dec 14, 2005. We are looking forward for a wonderful future ahead.
I have got engaged to Mythreyi on Dec 14, 2005. We are looking forward for a wonderful future ahead.
Thursday, December 01, 2005
Article: The ugly face of politics
RAJU NARAYANASWAMY IAS
(*IAS – Indian Administrative Service)
First Rank in State in Secondary School Examination (MD Seminary High School, Kottayam, Kerala)
First Rank in University in Plus Two (SB Collge, Changanassery)
First Rank in IIT Entrance Examination
First Rank in All India IIT Computer Science
First Rank in IAS Entrance Examination
First Rank in IAS Training Institute
On passing out from IIT Chennai Mr. Narayanaswamy was offered scholarship by the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. He who came from a middle class family believed that he had a moral obligation to give something in return for the lakhs of rupees the government spent on him as an IIT student. He had the intelligence and conviction to realize that this money came also from the poorest of the poor - who pay up the excise duty on textiles when they buy cloth, who pay up customs, excise and sales tax on diesel when they travel in a bus, and in numerous other ways indirectly pay the government. So he decided to join IAS hoping he could do something for the people of this country. How many young men have the will power to resist such an offer from USA? Narayanaswamy did never look at IAS as a black money spinner as his later life bears testimony to this fact.
After a decade of service in IAS, today, Narayanaswamy is being forced out of the IAS profession. Do you know why?
A real estate agent wanted to fill up a paddy field which is banned under law. An application came up before Narayanaswamy who was sub collector the, for an exemption from this rule for this plot of land. Upon visiting the site he found that the complaint from 60 poor families that they will face water logging due to the waste water from a nearby Government Medical College if this paddy field was filled up was correct. Narayanswamy came under intense political pressure but he did what was right - refused permission for filling up the paddy field. That was his first confrontation with politicians.
Soon after his marriage his father-in-law closed down a public road to build compound wall for his plot of land. People approached Narayanaswamy with complaint. When talking with his own father-in-law did not help, he removed the obstructing wall with police help. The result, his marriage broke up.
As district Collector he raided the house of a liquor baron who had defaulted Rupees 11 crores payment to government and carried out revenue recovery. A Minister directly telephoned him and ordered to return the forfeited articles to the house of the liquor baron. Narayanswamy politely replied that it is difficult. The minister replied that Narayanaswamy will suffer.
In his district it was a practice to collect crores of rupees for earthen bunds meant for poor farmers,but which were never constructed. A bill for rupees 8 crores came up before Narayanaswamy. He inspected the bund. He found it very weak and said that he will pass the bill after the rainy season to ensure that the bund served the purpose. As expected the earthen bund was too weak to stand the rain and it disappeared in the rain. But he created a lot of enemies for saving 8 crores public money.
The net result of all such unholy activities was that he was asked to go on leave by the government. Later such an illustrious officer was posted as "State Co-Ordinator, Quality Improvement Programme for Schools". This is what the politician will do to a honest officer with backbone - post him in the most powerless position to teach him a lesson. Since he found that nothing can be achieved for the people if he continued with the State Service he opted for central service. But that too was denied on some technical ground. What will you do when you have a brilliant computer career anywhere in the world you choose with the backing of several advanced technical papers too published in international journals to your credit? When you are powerless to do anything for the people, why should you waste your life as the Co-Ordinator for a Schools Programme?
Mr. Narayanaswamy is on the verge of leaving IAS to go to Paris to take up a well paid United Nations assignment. The politicians can laugh thinking another obstacle has been removed. But it is the helpless people of this country who will lose - not Narayanaswamy. But you have the power to support capable and honest bureaucrats like Narayaswamy, G.R.Khairnar and Alphons Kannamthanam who have suffered a lot under self seeking politicians who rule us. You have even the power to replace such politicians with these kind of people dedicated to the country. The question is will you do the little you can do NOW? At least a vote or word in support of such personalities?
(*IAS – Indian Administrative Service)
First Rank in State in Secondary School Examination (MD Seminary High School, Kottayam, Kerala)
First Rank in University in Plus Two (SB Collge, Changanassery)
First Rank in IIT Entrance Examination
First Rank in All India IIT Computer Science
First Rank in IAS Entrance Examination
First Rank in IAS Training Institute
On passing out from IIT Chennai Mr. Narayanaswamy was offered scholarship by the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA. He who came from a middle class family believed that he had a moral obligation to give something in return for the lakhs of rupees the government spent on him as an IIT student. He had the intelligence and conviction to realize that this money came also from the poorest of the poor - who pay up the excise duty on textiles when they buy cloth, who pay up customs, excise and sales tax on diesel when they travel in a bus, and in numerous other ways indirectly pay the government. So he decided to join IAS hoping he could do something for the people of this country. How many young men have the will power to resist such an offer from USA? Narayanaswamy did never look at IAS as a black money spinner as his later life bears testimony to this fact.
After a decade of service in IAS, today, Narayanaswamy is being forced out of the IAS profession. Do you know why?
A real estate agent wanted to fill up a paddy field which is banned under law. An application came up before Narayanaswamy who was sub collector the, for an exemption from this rule for this plot of land. Upon visiting the site he found that the complaint from 60 poor families that they will face water logging due to the waste water from a nearby Government Medical College if this paddy field was filled up was correct. Narayanswamy came under intense political pressure but he did what was right - refused permission for filling up the paddy field. That was his first confrontation with politicians.
Soon after his marriage his father-in-law closed down a public road to build compound wall for his plot of land. People approached Narayanaswamy with complaint. When talking with his own father-in-law did not help, he removed the obstructing wall with police help. The result, his marriage broke up.
As district Collector he raided the house of a liquor baron who had defaulted Rupees 11 crores payment to government and carried out revenue recovery. A Minister directly telephoned him and ordered to return the forfeited articles to the house of the liquor baron. Narayanswamy politely replied that it is difficult. The minister replied that Narayanaswamy will suffer.
In his district it was a practice to collect crores of rupees for earthen bunds meant for poor farmers,but which were never constructed. A bill for rupees 8 crores came up before Narayanaswamy. He inspected the bund. He found it very weak and said that he will pass the bill after the rainy season to ensure that the bund served the purpose. As expected the earthen bund was too weak to stand the rain and it disappeared in the rain. But he created a lot of enemies for saving 8 crores public money.
The net result of all such unholy activities was that he was asked to go on leave by the government. Later such an illustrious officer was posted as "State Co-Ordinator, Quality Improvement Programme for Schools". This is what the politician will do to a honest officer with backbone - post him in the most powerless position to teach him a lesson. Since he found that nothing can be achieved for the people if he continued with the State Service he opted for central service. But that too was denied on some technical ground. What will you do when you have a brilliant computer career anywhere in the world you choose with the backing of several advanced technical papers too published in international journals to your credit? When you are powerless to do anything for the people, why should you waste your life as the Co-Ordinator for a Schools Programme?
Mr. Narayanaswamy is on the verge of leaving IAS to go to Paris to take up a well paid United Nations assignment. The politicians can laugh thinking another obstacle has been removed. But it is the helpless people of this country who will lose - not Narayanaswamy. But you have the power to support capable and honest bureaucrats like Narayaswamy, G.R.Khairnar and Alphons Kannamthanam who have suffered a lot under self seeking politicians who rule us. You have even the power to replace such politicians with these kind of people dedicated to the country. The question is will you do the little you can do NOW? At least a vote or word in support of such personalities?
Sunday, October 16, 2005
My Writeup: DNA - A new print for Mumbai readers!
DNA - Daily News & Analysis
Its a new news paper launched on Aug 30, 2005 in Mumbai. Started by the Indian television group Zee along with Dhainik Bhaskar, an Hindi daily the news paper was launched after an extensive survey of readers in Mumbai.
I had been in Mumbai 3 years back. And the only options for a good English daily was from the Times group - Times of India or Economic Times. But with DNA and Hindustan Times launched in Mumbai, we have got a wider choice in the print media.
I stumbled upon a copy of DNA recently, 'cos my rommie works with them. The content and presentation of the daily was as good as my favourite news paper The Hindu, in circulation in Southern India. DNA has some good sections and their finance and sports sections are pretty good. Many articles hold interest of the readers and the articles carry stuff that covers all sections of the educated society. Hope they continue to maintain the quality in the long run.
At present, DNA does not have a web presence. Will update this post as soon as they have one.
Its a new news paper launched on Aug 30, 2005 in Mumbai. Started by the Indian television group Zee along with Dhainik Bhaskar, an Hindi daily the news paper was launched after an extensive survey of readers in Mumbai.
I had been in Mumbai 3 years back. And the only options for a good English daily was from the Times group - Times of India or Economic Times. But with DNA and Hindustan Times launched in Mumbai, we have got a wider choice in the print media.
I stumbled upon a copy of DNA recently, 'cos my rommie works with them. The content and presentation of the daily was as good as my favourite news paper The Hindu, in circulation in Southern India. DNA has some good sections and their finance and sports sections are pretty good. Many articles hold interest of the readers and the articles carry stuff that covers all sections of the educated society. Hope they continue to maintain the quality in the long run.
At present, DNA does not have a web presence. Will update this post as soon as they have one.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
My Writeup: My First Trip to Melkote
Melkote is a small village near Mysore. Its my ancestral hometown and I had missed the opportunity to enjoy the serenity of the place until last weekend.
Two families setout on this most memorable trip. We started off from Chennai on the Mysore Cauvery Express on a Saturday night. Reached Srirangapatinam station on the next morning greeted by the warm sunlight of a bright Sunday. We stopped by and took our bath at the Cauvery river and setout to the Ranganathar Swami Temple. The statue of the Lord here was similar to the one at Srirangam. From here we headed off to the Bus station and took a bus to Melkote.
Melkote is around 25 Kms drive from Mandya, Karnataka. To more know about the history of Melkote refer the following link: History of Melkote
Academy of Sanskrit Research, Melkote
Gates to Melkoteon the next day, we setout for the Yoga Narasimhar temple which was situated on the hills. Enroute we came to the Kalyani kulum where we spent some time. The pond was clean and the mandapams surrounding it made it look awesome. Once we reached the top of the hill, we had our first darshan of the Lord. Following which we had our prasadams. And witnessed the thirumanjanam for the Lord. Unlike other temples in the city, people here seemed to perform the procedures with absolute perfection according to dad and mom. We took prasadams and walked back home. In the evening we took a auto back to Mandya station from where we caught the Mysore-Chennai Express back to Chennai.
To me, this trip will remain significant. Finally, the Melkotes find their way back to their ancestral home. I hope and pray to re-live what we had missed for the last 3 generations.
For photos of the trip Visit Photo Gallery of Melkote Trip
More Info at
http://www.ramanuja.org/sv/temples/melkote/
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