[Movie] Oblivion (2013)

Oblivion is a a movie set in post apocalyptic world. It has great performances by Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman and Andrea Riseborough. 

I wouldn't like to spoil the plot by revealing too much. So watch it for sci-fi, suspense and romance, I enjoyed the movie and especially the Oblivion soundtrack by Susanne Sundfor and M83 at the end of movie is worth mentioning. :)

USB 3.0 port not working on Asus X53TK (Solved)

Hi,
I am running Windows 7 - 64 bit but my single USB 3.0 port won't work.
If you are also one of the harried souls whose USB 3.0 port is not working on Asus X53TK, read on.. :)

My Asus X53TK for some curious reason did not show USB 3.0 host controller in Device Manager instead there was an "Unknown device" in SM Bus Controller. I tried all kinds of stuff - downloaded AS media driver, NEC driver, edited driver files to install Before fortunately arriving at the fix below.

(For Device Manager: Right click "My Computer". Click 'Properties'. Click Device Manager)

Step 1: Uninstall the pesky "Unknown device"
Just right click the "Unknown device" entry in device manager. Click "Uninstall". Click OK.

If you have installed ASMedia driver for USB 3.0 or NEC USB 3.0 driver. Please uninstall them too.

Step 2: Download Chipset_AMD_Compal_Win7_64_Z897300000 driver from Asus website (Link: http://support.asus.com/download.aspx?SLanguage=en&p=3&m=X53TK). It is a 215 MB zip file.

It is the latest Chipset driver for X53TK. (see pic below)

Step 3: Extract the zip file and run setup.exe from it.
It will install USB 3.0 Host Controller and your USB 3.0 port should start working.

Thank me, if it helps. :)

When the past inconveniences you

There are situations when you are inconvenienced by past experiences, presence of some people,... What to do at that time?

Just know that This is a new day, a new time. Don't be embarrassed about your past, Accept what you were. Learn from it.  Today is new, the situation can never be the same again, Why?.  Because one variable has been altered forever, the wiser You!

Books to read before you die

I have tried to include a lot of different kinds of books to select according the mood you are in.

Take your pick from the books that can add something to your life. I am adding stories to meet the target  But I assure you they are all worth it. I have tried to be concise without revealing too much.

1. The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. Suffice to say - Must read.

2. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. This is the magnum opus of Ayn Rand. Must read after Fountainhead.

3. India after Gandhi by Ram Chandra Guha. Excellent book to know the problems our leaders faced and overcame after independence to keep India a thriving democracy.

4. Tinderbox: The Past and Future of Pakistan by M J Akbar
If India is discussed Pakistan cannot be left out of discussion. This book highlights what Pakistan lacks that India has that makes it easier for democracy to work in India while Pakistan seems to be a nation owned by the military.

5. A Hunger Artist by Franz Kafka. Read it for fun and more...

6. The metamorphosis by Franz Kafa. Read it for pure brilliance of his writing and may be more...

7. Deception Point by Dan brown. A good read.

8. Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer. Best book by Jeffrey Archer in terms of story so far.

9. Cat o nine tales by Jeffrey Archer. A collection of witty stories by Jeffrey Archer.

10. Future Shock by Alvin Toffler. This book was written in the 70s and You would be surprised at It's accuracy of prediction and a lot of predictions still to come true.

11. Jeeves Omnibus by PG Wodehouse. Subtle humor at it's best.

12. Bourne Series by Robert Ludlum. For a beginner thriller read.

13. Mein Kempf by Adolf Hitler (not fully read) But an excellent read to understand Vitriol and specious arguments.

14. The Kite Runner by Khalid Hosseini. Haven't read a better story.

 15. And thereby hangs a tale by Jeffrey Archer - a collection of good stories.
16. Zero to One by Peter Thiel. - A good book on building company - pitfalls and must haves

17. It ends with us by Colleen Hoover - A good fiction on people and relationships

On news and views

Below is the link of a good article on the need for separating facts and opinions, as media decides to take sides.

http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/toi-edit-page/my-darling-columnists-credibility-of-political-pundits-is-low-but-voters-need-for-punditry-high/

Movie: The machine (2013)

What would be the consequences of creating thinking machines? How will these machines respond to us? How will thinking process work for a machine?

If you are looking for a science fiction thriller with a thought gone into it.Watch this movie.(Yup! It's not Transformers). The acting throughout the movie is superb.

I watched the movie and enjoyed. It is the kind of movie You can enjoy on a relaxed Sunday afternoon. :)

Good things always happen to good people.*

And by good I mean everything: honest, respecting, caring ...
You can be good due to two reasons
1. Consciously choosing to be good.
2. Unconsciously choosing good: It's Just like your religion. You didn't choose it. You were just X (Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jain, Sikh etc.) and you would remain an X throughout your life, no matter what.

If you are consciously choosing good, You should be aware of a myth:
Good things always happen to good people.

Why? Because you are good!
Is there some kind of entitlement for being good? If you think so. Think again.

The world is complex. The good and bad overlap. Sometimes good people pay despite no fault of theirs.

I do not imply that being good is disadvantageous, but sometimes It would be and knowing this helps you to be good consciously. That way You wouldn't blame such as
"This world is not for good people."
"Only the corrupt succeed in today's world."
etc.

Be good but remember like all approaches in life it will also have its pros and cons.

The pros of being good are You don't have to remember what you lied to whom, You don't need to fake and most importantly good qualities are a reward in themselves. So Be smart. Be good. :)

How to change your phone number on ebay india?

Looks like an obvious thing but it's really not. Don't worry! It's not very difficult either. So here we go:

Step 1: Login to your ebay India account

Step2: Click "Account Settings" from the drop down menu

Step 3: Click "Addresses"

Step 4: Click "View all shipping addresses"

Step 4: Now click "edit" for the corresponding addresses to change the phone number. Got it? :)

Movie: The Mechanic (2011)

For all the action buffs : It has Jason Statham So we know what to expect. And he doesn't disappoint here.
If you have seen "3:10 to Yuma", You know Ben Foster. The role of Harry's son was made for Ben Foster. Even if you haven't seen it, no worries. :)

Arthur is a hitman, providing services under the term mechanic, to fix things. Harry (Donald Sutherland) is his mentor. As always a rule in action movies: You don't tell what happens. You watch!

The pace of movie is good. Great action flick with great acting from all actors and actress. Watch it if you want to enjoy an action flick.

History should be based on evidence or belief?

The new Chairman of ICHR has a deep faith in Ramayana and Mahabharata and that's great. But where I disagree with him is :
"The writing of history cannot depend only on archaeological evidence. We have to depend on folklore too."

History should be based on evidence not on hearsay.

 I am sure, many from my generation sat in front of TV every sunday to see Mahabharata and Shree Krishna on Doordarshan.If he feels strongly about learning from Mahabharata and Ramayana, Introduce it as optional learning. There was Catechism subject at St. Paul's H.S. School alternatively with moral science.

But I am not for modifying text on the basis of folklore. Next Harry Potter may become the new God!

Source: http://www.outlookindia.com/article/Ramayana-Mahabharata-Are-True-Accounts-Of-The-PeriodNot-Myths/291363

That mushy feeling

Being a single guy, I have always wondered what it's like to committed.
I have seen committed people talking hours with each other and the inane conversations including what you had for dinner?
And frankly as the kind of person who doesn't remember what he wore yesterday I got irritated at such conversations.

With time I have developed two things
1. More patience for such conversations :P

2. and the understanding that there are two feelings at the core of our existence, which the mind knowingly or unknowingly pursues
a. To be pampered (Obviously!)
b. To have someone to pamper. (Yup! We all need one)
 That's one of the reason for looking for love.

It is an equal pleasure to get pampered as it is to pamper someone. See for yourself! :)

Mad or not

You must be mad going against, when everybody is following it.
May be, You are right But I have my reasons. I would be madder, if I did something I didn't want to do.

Account Manager - An app which learns for you.

How great, it would be if you could use your mobile to track your expenses. So you could know where all your salary goes? ;)

There are a lot of android apps on market to do it but Unfortunately they expect you to do a lot of typing. This takes a lot of time and effort.

So here is an app to track your expenses effortlessly. It learns as you use it (like your personal assistant). This saves you time and a lot of effort. After all "Time and Convenience" matters. Doesn't it?

Key features are:

• Learns as you use.
• Your data is secure within the app. Import it and export in simple CSV format.

• Minimalisitic UI design.

Learning feature:

The app learns like a kid.
Say you bought milk the first time. You manually type it.

Now the next time. When you buy milk. You won't need to type "milk" again. It would automatically detect what you are trying to type from the first letter and make appropriate suggestions. So just 1 tap and you are done. :)



In a few days, the app will learn your routine and help you to save and track your expenses effortlessly.

Data Privacy:

The app does not share your data with anybody. You can export your data effortlessly and open it in Microsoft Excel easily.
So saving an expense is a matter of  "tap Next tap tap Next Done!"

Give it a try. You will love it. :)

Click this to download

Just download the Account_Manager.apk file and click Install.

Note: Your phone should be running Android HoneyComb or later versions for this app to work.
In technical terms it's minimum requirements are supporting API Level 11.

P.S. Remember to go to "Settings" and allow "Installation of apps from unknown sources" for app to install otherwise you will get parsing error.

Let me know. :)

Nitish Kumar's Master stroke

In a master stroke, JD(U) Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar resigned on moral grounds without asking for dissolution of Bihar Vidhan Sabha.

Now all eyes are on BJP poaching JD(U) MLAs to form the next government thus any poaching by BJP is sure to earn it bad reputation.
Meanwhile JD(U) Chief Sharad Yadav tries to forge alliance with RJD Chief Lalu Prasad Yadav to again form JD(U) government.

BJP has tried to counter Nitish's move by calling his resignation as 'emotionally black mailing the rebellious MLAs'.

Dear BJP and JD(U),
We understand!

Foot Note:
The move has element of strategy of using media attention just like AAP (28 seats) ,chief convenor, Arvind Kejriwal's declared no interest to form the government with assertion that BJP would poach MLAs to form the goverment in the Delhi Vidhan Sabha.

This focussed media attention on BJP (31 seats) which needed only 5 MLAs to reach the majority mark in 70 member assembly. As a result of media attention BJP could not garner the required support by poaching MLAs.

Source:
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/nitish-quits-as-dissent-brews-in-jdu/article6021159.ece?homepage=true
http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/resignation-is-toemotionally-blackmail-rebel-jdu-mlas-bjp/

How to improve your english vocabulary

Vocab is an essential component of language. It helps you to present your ideas beautifully as well as read, understand and appreciate other people's ideas. So do not see vocab as merely a hurdle to be crossed to get through but also as something that would improve your personality and appreciation of finer things.

To start with
Why do we fall short of words when we are expressing our view?
Either we do not know the word or we do not remember it at that time.

So
Step 1 Know words:

You can get a good list from reading a newspaper, magazine

To begin with, I would recommend
Read just two pages of newspaper daily
Front page of newspaper, Editorial page of newspaper

When you get a difficult word, mark them and find the meanings. But don't stop there
Look at the origin of the word (It helps you to understand why the word means what it means and it can also be used to group words as we will see later)

And now comes the difficult part
Write the word, origin, meaning and the sentence.
Believe me, it works! and you will never forget the word. You would not even need to revise.

Step 2: Remembering the words

Our mind has difficulty remembering a lot of things separately. It is far easier to club things together under a heading. So just remember the heading and all the small things come to you.

For example
Think about move
What words come to your mind?

You would think walk, run, gallop,
Now I come across a new word called 'amble' (means leisurely walk). So I add the word to the heading move

So next time I think of move
My mind automatically thinks walk, run, gallop, amble

So as I find more new words I put them under generic headings. The mind does the rest.
Off the top of my head I can associate with move: walk, run, dash, gallop, scamper, scurry, sprint, flee, amble, saunter, trudge, cavort, stroll, dawdle...

So just put words, usage under generic headings and they will come to you.

Using Origin to group words: You can also remember words by using origin. Get the origin of the word and find all words having the same etymology and group them together. Now, You can act pedantic too while telling somebody about a word... :P

P.S. Have a look at the ads, if they serve you. Google rewards me too. Thanks!

Mushrooms

Come rains and we see mushrooms popping out of nowhere.
Similarly, come elections and we see some faces being prominently displayed by the media as "People to watch out for." I simply don't get the logic and wonder  "Do, even, they get it?"

"I have no idea, Why I am here?" seems to be Mrs. Priyanka Gandhi's gesture

I haven't read about such famous personalities as above in the past 5 years. Now since I have no data on their actions for past 5 years. There are two possibilities

1. They are selfless workers who kept a low profile for the past 5 years.

2. They come out to make headlines.

Since I haven't come across any work of selflessness being carried out by them for the past 5 years. I am inclined to go with the latter possibility

"Media gets a photo op. 

Junta gets a darshan.
As useful as Kim Kardashian."

Safe House (2013)

Brilliant action movie with a great plot and brilliant acting by all actors.
Starring Denzel Washington, Ryan Renolds.

Watch it, if you want to see a brainy action flick.

P.S. Have a look at the ads, if they serve you. Google rewards me too. Thanks!

If you're gonna vote

There is this term 'emotional investment' : the amount of feeling in favour of someone. As an example: we can say 'A mother has a high emotional investment in her child.' because she loves her child, no matter what. So To the mother, Her child is the most honest, sincere and good natured kid in the world. It would be difficult to convince her other wise even with proof.

Emotional investment can also be seen in nationalism - 'We want India to win even regardless whether other side is Bangladesh or Australia.' We won't accept or it would be difficult to make us consider the idea that may be the other side may be better than India. Even if we do consider, we may not give the other team players deserved credit.

Emotional investment can also be high in political parties. One says I am a fan of Narendra Modi. Rest are thieves., other says I am a fan of Arvind Kejriwal. Rest are thieves.
It seems that in a zeal to see our favourite party win in elections, we may choose to ignore looking carefully at records of all the candidates (even the party we don't like) in the fray.

I do not seek to change anyone's voting preferences but we need to look at all candidates objectively and take care that in our zeal for our favourite political party we don't vote in criminals to run our country kyonki Criminals ki ek hi party hoti hain :|

Here is the official link to check your candidate's affidavit on his criminal record : affidavitarchive.nic.in

Windows 7/8 Installation Issue: CD/DVD device driver missing...

For the past few days, I was troubled by cd/dvd driver missing error :(
I was trying to install windows 7 (or windows 8) on my PC using a USB drive

But when I click "Install now" I get the error
"A required CD/DVD device driver is missing. If you have a driver floppy disk, CD, DVD or USB flash drive, please insert it now."

Solution:
When windows asks for driver just click "Cancel".
Now press Esc key or click the "x" button on top right (the red one). It will ask that "To install or upgrade windows, you must run windows installation. Are you sure you want to cancel windows installation."
Click'Yes'.
This will bring you back to the original screen showing Install Now.

Now physically remove your USB drive from the original USB port and put it in a different USB port. (Very Important)
Click "Install Now". This time it should not ask your for device driver missing.
Voila! Installation continues without error. Have fun.
Say 'Thanks', if I helped you. :)

Reasoning:
This problem happens to all new version of updated Windows 7 installer. I think, it is due to failure of Windows installer to continue detection to the USB drive. It loses the connection and becomes confused, It doesn't know where to find the USB drive it used while setting up.

When we re-insert the USB drive, Windows installer detects  the USB drive back, and continues like usual.

Source: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-hardware/a-required-cddvd-device-driver-is-missing-usb/61eda679-66cc-4512-b175-d02871394461

P.S. Have a look at the ads, if they serve you. Google rewards me too. Thanks!

Voting : The Indian way

me: Uncle ji, Kisko vote donge is baar
Him:  Is baar phool ko denge
me: Koun hain phool se
Him: Modi ji hain phool se
me: Aacha, aur Ticket par kyoun khada hain yahaan phool se
Him:  Koi bhi khada houn Phool se.Sarkaar toh Modi ji ki hi banegi.

I wonder 543 seats for Parliament are being contested and there is just one factor in my fellow country men's mind on deciding.
My constituency has a BJP candidate with criminal charges of intimidating at gun point. He proudly says - "Is baar Modi ji ki lahaar hain. Main hi jeetunga." There is a clean candidate contesting from other party but never mind. :|

Have a look at the ads, if they serve you. Google rewards me too.Thanks!

BJP welcomes Satpal Maharaj

First they said "He has stolen money in govt. project"
Then they said "He will make us strong".
They refers to BJP and He is Satpal Maharaj. All the characters in this story are true and greedy. 

Why do I call them greedy?
I cannot overlook the fact that here is a party in the best circumstances some would say (in the past 10 years) of forming government at centre. Thus its obvious that people would like to join the bandwagon but even in good circumstances, BJP has joined hands with the people whom it accused of corruption a few days back showing unethical conduct in mild words. What It would do in difficult circumstances? I can't guess.

It would take something to acknowledge this, especially for a BJP supporter. 

Facts on the matter

1. Satpal Maharaj, the Congress MP from Pauri (Uttarakhand), joined the BJP this morning. Rajnath welcomed him in the party headquarters, saying: “Satpal Maharaj will boost the party’s prospects in Uttarakhand. I welcome him in the BJP.”

2. Maharaj, said: “India will become a superpower in Narendra Modi’s leadership.”

3. Less than a month back, BJP State unit had demanded a CBI probe against Maharaj, Rawat and their son Suyesh for channelling horticulture subsidy to build polyhouses in their private nurseries.

On February 19, BJP MLAs led by Leader of Opposition Ajay Bhatt stormed the Well of the Uttarakhand Assembly demanding a CBI probe into a ₹63-lakh subsidised loan scam in which Maharaj and his family were involved.

BJP has 31 MLAs in Uttarakhand and Congree has 32 MLAs.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/politics/bjp-gives-a-royal-welcome-to-satpal-maharaj/article5815729.ece

P.S. The writer is neutral on all parties in politics. He prefers to look at individuals over parties.

Have a look at the ads, if they serve you. Google rewards me too.Thanks!

Media - the Holy Cow

I saw a video in which Mr. Arnab Goswami said that "Media exposes corruption without seeking any benefits for itself" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlzkGrvqNv0)

"Media exposed CWG scam, 2G scam, Devas ISRO scam, Adarsh Kargil scam. We have fought against corruption we have taken risks and questioned politicians. We do it every night and we don't do it so that we can fight an election and become an MLA, MP or Chief Minister."

Prima facie it looks a good argument. There is no doubt that corruption scams highlighted by media have increased pressure on government to take action.

But There are some concerns:

1. Was 2G scam exposed by media?

The ground work was done by others most notably

• An NGO Telecom Watchdog files complaint to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) on the illegalities in the spectrum allocation to Loop Telecom.(4 May 2009)
• Mr. Subramanian Swmay: HC refuses to direct the prime minister to decide on a complaint by Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy seeking sanction to prosecute Raja for his involvement in 2G scam. (18 August 2010)

Media highlighted it but appropriating all the credit for it?

2. Does media follow up scams?

It is obvious to all that  media moves on from one sensational news to another without tracking actions taken for their key story item of previous day.

CWG scam has seen no conviction.

3. Media selflessly exposes scam

It would take a stretch of imagination to assume media altruistically does it. A more reasonable explaination is "News is infotainment not just information in the cut throat competition" So media highlights scams to grab eyeballs.

It is as simple as that. But of course just like "Politicians are in politics for serving the country. Media is in business to save the country. No questions asked?" We understand. :)

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2G_spectrum_scam

http://beloved-brands.com/2012/09/22/does-the-sacred-cash-cow-still-exist/ (Cash cow image)

What can Lok Sabha MPs do

A Lok Sabha MP goes to the Lok Sabha

Thus he works for the Indian government and not the local administration
So apart from policy making at national level What can he do for local area

1. There is the local area development fund
Each MP will have the choice to suggest to the Head of the District works to the tune of Rs.1 crore per year, to be taken up in his/her constituency. Elected Members of Rajya Sabha representing the whole of the State as they do, may select works for implementation in one or more district(s) as they may choose. Nominated Members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha may also select works for implementation in one or more districts, anywhere in the country. The allocation per MP per year stands increased to Rs.2 crores from the year 1998-1999.

Source: http://mplads.nic.in/dpguid.htm

Escape Plan (2013)

Starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone

As expected from the star cast this is an action movie with a plot of breaking out of prison. I won't spoil the plot by revealing it. We know the rule for action movies - "You don't apply too much logic." It's a good entertainment.

Rating: Watch it When you want to switch off your brains and enjoy an action movie.

P.S.> Have a look at the ads, if they serve you. It rewards me too.Thanks!

Symptoms and cure for the latest disease

There is a new disease doing the rounds.
It is consuming lives in thousands.

It's addiction with politicians.The addiction has existed for long but it is recently that this addiction has gone viral. Earlier it was confined to a few people called 'staunch loyalists' but today it is pervasive in all political discussions.

 It has ruined calm and peace in people's lives.The discussions have been known to ruin  people's composure, sleep, friendship and friend circles. (oops! That got repeated) But you get the point! :)

So here are a few ways to check, if any of your loved ones are afflicted by it

1. Feverish Symptoms: Burning sensation

The subject gets incensed while reading/hearing somebody's ill remarks on Y. The subject can feel the heat rising from your gut as it starts to heat up his body starting with a tingling sensation in his ears.

As the rage slowly starts to overcome the subject at the audacity of the speaker to cast such spurious allegations on his favorite politician Y. You may see fumes form his ears. (see illustration below)

2. Inability to see or hear

No The subject don't go blind (or deaf!) with rage but it is just that The subject can see and hear some things while others he can't.
"Z is right , he said Y is good but he is damn wrong when he says X is good. I think Z has been misled."

3. Why You no sense!

The subject is unable to see any point in anybody's argument  allegations against Y. It all seems like gibberish sounds of an alien trying to communicate. (pic above)

He decides to go one step ahead and delve into the minds of X and Y finding their game-plan for elections. (Why don't they hire him as campaign manager!)

 Y thought that X would anticipate what Y thought and in anticipation said what X was thinking but X wasn't thinking what Y was saying So what Y said is not what X thought but what X didn't think so either Hence... You get the drift... 

3. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

After having ignored considered all the objections of his unknowledgable knowledgable opponent.
He immediately launches into a long tirade on X. How X is the wolf in sheep's cloth...ya da ya da ya da

Comments sound approximately like:
"Aarey bevkoof! Aankhe kholo. Clearly, X chor hain aur Y sevak  hain. X tumhe bevkoof bana raha hain aur tum ban rahe houn. Y ko support karo."

He never says "I see your objections but I prefer X over Y. Let's see what happens and hope for the best."
He feels the compelling need to write a long reply and shake the fool (oops!) esteemed colleague out of the dream he is living in.


4. The subject hates this article.

If you find any such signs or symptoms in your loved ones.
Take them in a corner and slowly whisper

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
-Aristotle

Remind them daily and pray they get well.

P.S. A few years back, we were indifferent towards our leaders. That didn't do well.
Now moving towards the other extreme - worshiping our leaders. It is anybody's guess what that would bring.

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What do you think looking at the photo?

Behind the most powerful protest photo of the year in Ukraine

Wait a minute.
What do you think by looking at the photo?

I feel the photo creates a negative image of the officer but I am somehow not able to find a reason for it.
How I feel may not be correct all the time.

Context : 

A disheveled Ukrainian man and his son walk in the streets of Kiev, a protest site for the past four months. Both their faces are drenched in blood. They’ve come across a Ukrainian soldier or police officer dressed in riot gear. Reuters freelancer Vlad Sodel snapped the photo as the man and his son exchange glances.

My conclusion:
Without full context, the information can be misleading. So better to have no view until complete context is known. Believe me, this comes handy in more cases than you think 
It would be especially useful in avoiding media speculation. Good day! :)

Source: http://www.dailydot.com/news/iconic-kiev-photo-2-men/

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Delhi Politics: The formation of AAP government A thrilling story

Some would call Arvind Kejriwal a shrewd strategist others would say his straight talk is upsetting apple carts.
Either way, I am more than glad. As long as I get honest MPs and MLAs from AAP.

Here is my view on how BJP fell in it's own trap.

Delhi Election Results:
Election results were declared

BJP Alliance:32 seats
AAP: 28 seats
Congress: 8 seats
Others: 2 seats
In the 70 seat assembly. You required 36 seats for simple majority.

 BJP needed just 4 more candidates to make govt. The usual scenario would have been horse trading and Voila! BJP is in power. While the losers would carp over it. It would be all forgotten in a few days by the media and frankly, public memory is also not so strong nowadays.

Kejriwal declared let BJP form the govt. We will be in opposition as usual.

Suddenly BJP is in limelight. BJP does not take the chance to be seen doing exactly What he predicted and asks AAP to form the govt.

Congress extends unconditional outside support  to AAP to form the govt.

He refuses to form the govt. saying BJP is the biggest party. BJP jumps at opportunity to call him a "Shower than a Doer". Mr. Harshavardhan tweets "Why is AAP not forming the government when he has the outside support to form the government. He is running away from governance"

Congress extends unconditional outside support (they would later modify their stance to issue based support) because well, It won't be seen supporting BJP and wants to topple the government after sometime when public opinion against it subsides. It would be harder to topple govt. in case of BJP than AAP.

Kejriwal forms a minority govt. knowing fully well that this won't last more than time of  Lok Sabha elections but gives him time to show his governance to get more seats in next elections. Meanwhile as expected BJP dubs it joining hands with Congress to form the govt. (Minority government term does not register with BJP. They conveniently forget Mr. Vajpayee's 13 day government could also not prove majority.) Mr. Harshavardhan contradicts himself by denouncing AAP's decision to form government. (Wasn't he asking them to form the govt. in first place)

In the few days before vote
He goes on to deliver on water and electricity prices according to what he promised in his manifesto.

Congress is forced by public opinion to support him.

AAP wins the trust vote.

Please let me know for any factual inaccuracies.

To belong or not to belong...

We have often seen people, who just would not accept an argument even if it cannot be refuted just because they belong to the other side.
Further Many people have made opinions, just to belong to a group.

I am sure at some point in time, You must also have been reprimanded by teacher. It isn't fun, especially if you are the only one standing in class on the bench.(with raised hands! :P).
But the moment there is some other guy who also gets reprimanded. You feel - 'You are not alone in this'.
This curiously lessens the pain of being admonished. At that point you and the other guy form a group - The United Group of Being Admonished (UGOBA). The other guy is your pal sharing your hopes and sorrow (oops! blame) :)

And I got it.
Why do we need to belong
1. Survival
After all we are social animals and interdependent. Belonging to a group was one of the key element of survival long back - You simply didn't exist alone long enough in a jungle - and the instinct has remained in us.

2. Better Treatement
If I belong to your group, that makes me one of you and You are more likely to treat me with more compassion than someone who says - "Well, I haven't made up my mind about your argument. But do you mind helping me out on..."

3. Simply cos It's fun
Then there is the fun part of belonging in a group.
Well, they say- 'There is electricity in the crowds'.
If you are unconvinced - go to a bar, discotheque.

What do people pay for? The drinks, the lights, Well, Partially! But it's the environment or ambience, (to sound sophisticated! :P).
People are having fun because people are having fun.

If you don't agree try visiting the place when it's empty and see if you can enjoy the same.

There is also one big flip side to it and it doesnot affect only you but the whole society

When one does not evaluate choices and takes decisions to just belong to a group. It promotes poor alternatives for everyone.
For example: Say. If you bought a watch for a million dollars just because you could afford it. It becomes the buzz of the town. The seller would do well to crane to people who are hesitant to shell out a million dollars for a watch that even Mr. Verma (you are Mr. Verm let's say :P) bought it. Only a connoisseur of Mr Verma's league could see the value of this watch and pay for it.

I am sure, some of your admirers (after all You must be someone to pay a million dollar for a watch. :P) will want to be in your league and buy it. So a whole lot of people are duped in your name.

This goes for all things from buying watch to matchsticks, to beliefs - political or otherwise - because we influence decisions of people around us.

To conclude
It wouldn't be such a bad thing to have no preference until a strong reason comes along. For the time being it's okay to sit on the fence and watch both the groups curiously (:P) Are they just trying to belong Or Is there a solid argument here? Then you will be closer to the truth.

Let me know! :)

P.S. Have a look at the ads, if they serve you. It helps me too.Thanks!

Why so Gung ho?

Facebook to buy Whatsapp for 19 billion dollars

From the numerous articles throwing mind numbing numbers of How Whatsapp was gonna become the next big thing with its 450 mn users, so many messages,pics.... I could make out two reasons for the acquisition

1. Facebook is buying it to earn more from the increased usage and new users it gets?

The most convincing comment on the topic is:
Facebook is paying $42 per user with the deal, compared with a market value per user of $170 for Facebook and $212 for Twitter, Deutsche Bank's Ross Sandler said in a note.

Well, It looks great! when you put it that way but aren't you assuming Whatsapp user can be monetized the same way as a facebook user (believe me, it's tough and I will tell why) and a whatsapp user is not already a Facebook user. I believe that is too long a stretch...

Let us talk about profits, if you don't mind– Facebook makes profit of 2.25$ per user per year (2.7 bn pretax profit from 1.2 bn users). How much does Whatsapp make per user?

From a forbes article, which says 50 mn dollar annual revenue from 450 mn users.That’s .11 dollar revenue earned per user per year. Profits not disclosed, but surely will be lesser than revenue. So let's work with this only assuming tooth fairy pays for the expenses of Whatsapp.

So you think you can earn 2.25$ profit (20 times more profit)(Remember profit! Here revenue is mere .11 dollars ) from a Whatsapp user. 

All the while you are assuming Facebook user and Whatsapp user inhabit distinct worlds, So they cannot be the same. Now Would you say Facebook is paying cheap?

Why you cannot easily make 2.25$ profit from a Whatsapp user?

Currently Whatsapp revenue source is membership fee paid by its users 99 cents a year. To earn 2.25$ profit. It has to go up by more than 20 times. Will I pay more than 20$ to use Whatsapp? I am not so sure.

Another source of revenue could be ads but there is a problem too.
Whats app is a mobile messaging service like Yahoo Chat, Google Hangout etc. and do not show any ads because well, the chat interface does not have the real estate for putting an ad between conversation.

 Facebook earns from displaying related ads among your posts (Facebook had to bring ads from the fringes to centre to create more user interaction with posts. See the Suggested posts in your Newsfeed!)

So the big question is Will I stay with Whatsapp if it started showing ads to earn revenue while other messengers do not? 

2. Facebook is buying Whatsapp to remain the leader?

Some say the fast pace of growth of Whatsapp was a threat to Facebook.User engagement over Whatsapp was higher than Facebook (by 13%). So Facebook bought it to remain a leader.

Now I think if you pay 19 billion dollars to remain in business where you earn revenue of 7.8 bn dollars. Your forego more than 2 years of revenue to stay the leader. That's a pretty expensive deal, if you ask me.

I am reminded of this lesson from Warren Buffett citing caution to invest in businesses which demand a lot of investment but make little money from those investments.

"There are businesses which continue to demand sizeable investment from time to time just to remain in business. They are not worth investing."

So Yup! I am not gung ho over the acquisition. 

It reminds me of Microsoft's acquisition of Skype for 8.5 bn dollars. Wonder, Was there an article of jump in Microsoft profits after!

Source links:

1. Why Facebook is buying WhatsApp for a whopping $19bn http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/tech-news/internet/Why-Facebook-is-buying-WhatsApp-for-a-whopping-19bn/articleshow/30714970.cms
2. Wall Street sees sense in Facebook's $19 billion WhatsApp purchase http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/20/us-whatsapp-facebook-research-idUSBREA1J0Z720140220
3. Facebook's new 10-year plan? SMS -- aka WhatsApp http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2014/02/20/5-key-reasons-whatsapp-is-worth-19bn-to-facebook/
4. Why Microsoft Is Buying Skype for $8.5 Billion
   http://gigaom.com/2011/05/09/why-microsoft-is-buying-skype-for-8-billion/

Tabling the Lokpal Bill

Can the Lokpal Bill be introduced in Delhi Legislative Assembly?

Following are the objections to the tabling

1. Section 239 AA 3C

2. Transaction Business Rules (TBR) of 2002 Rule 55(1)

Following are the facts

1. Section 239 AA 3C

If any provision of a law made by the Legislative Assembly with respect to any matter is repugnant to any provision of a law made by Parliament with respect to that matter, whether passed before or after the law made by the Legislative Assembly, or of an earlier law, other than a law made by the Legislative Assembly, then, in either case, the law made by Parliament, or , as the case may be, such earlier law, shall prevail and the law made by the Legislative Assembly shall, to the extent of the repugnancy, be void;

                        Provided that if any such law made by the Legislative Assembly has been reserved for the consideration of the President and has received his assent such law shall prevail in National Capital Territory ;

                       Provided further that nothing in this sub-clause shall prevent Parliament from enacting at any time any law with respect to the same matter including a law adding to, amending, varying or repealing the law so made by the Legislative Assembly.

Source: http://delhiassembly.nic.in/constitution.htm

2. Transaction Business Rules (TBR) of 2002 Rule 55(1)

Official Source not found yet.

“The Lieutenant-Governor shall refer to the Central government every legislative proposal which relates to any matter which may ultimately necessitate additional financial assistance from the Central government through substantive expenditure from the Consolidated Fund of the Capital or abandonment of revenue or lowering of rate of any tax.”

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/centres-consent-needed-for-jan-lokpal/article5683029.ece

How is a bill passed in Vidhan Sabha?

There are 3 stages

1. Introduction

2. Consideration

3. Voting on the bill

What is a money bill?

In the Westminster system, a money bill or supply bill is a bill that solely concerns taxation or government spending, as opposed to changes in public law.

News:

Lokpal bill was defeated at the introduction stage by 42 against and 27 in favour.

The following content is seperate from facts and meant as optional reading.

Questions to consider on the tabling of Lokpal Bill:

Does the Lokpal Bill violate any provision of law made by Parliament (With reference to Section 239 AA 3C)?

How do Transaction Business Rules affect the functioning of Delhi Govt. (TBR 2002 Rule 55 (1))?

Factual Additions or Rectifications ( in case of error) are invited. Provide credible links to support the rectifications.

Please don't send speculations, conjectures or views. The post is intended as an unbiased collection of facts on displayed issues (News over Views).

Reliance Gas pricing

Facts of the case
1. Current gas prices of $4.2 per million British Thermal Units (mBtu) valid till 31st March 2014
2. Rangarajan Committee approved pricing of $8.40 mBtu to hold from 1st April 2014

3. Vikram Singh Mehta, (Chairman, Brookings ,India and Former Chairman, Shell Group ) has claimed the following:
Gas prices across the world :
US: 4$ mBtu (approx.)
Europe: 8$ mBtu (approx.)
Japan: 14-16$ mBtu (approx.)
Import price of gas to India: 16$ mBtu
"Reliance buys from Shell to run its refineries at 16$ mBtu"



Source:
1.http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/higher-gas-price-for-ril-gets-cabinet-nod/article5479309.ece
2. http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/ril-to-give-135-million-bank-guarantee-for-higher-gas-price/article5364171.ece
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4yeZDFI2j4 : Vikram Singh Mehta, Chairman, Brookings India
Former Chairman, Shell Group

Kids and adults

 

I am not very fond of kids and by kids I mean the school going ones (babies are lovable :P). I found it strange why women love kids so much. I mean here is a school going kid who is adamant (most of the times), irrational and a total tantrum machine. Who would love that? Not me! I am sure.

But as I have matured I found one thing that kids are better at than adults
It is expressing - love, joy, hate, anger, surprise, simply anything on all issues even small ones.

Say there is a group of adults working on some project and I feel, I am working hard, being on time while one guy shows up late, talks a lot on his phone while we do project. Basically Does not contribute 100% to the project. What would I do? Tell him "Hey buddy you are wasting our time Attend your calls later.Focus on project."

No Sir!. I am not gonna act like a non adjusting person, the one who complains in the group. I will keep a smiling/OK face (depending on what I am always like :P) all the while cultivating a grudge - That guy doesn't work much. Remember to give him a taste of his own medicine when time comes.

What would a kid do in a similar situation?
He would not conceal his irritation. Let his pal know he is angry, tell him straight, argue, fight.But after all that they are pals again. No grudges. No remembering to give his friend a hard time.

I think Kids are smarter that way. No wonder they are loved by all. :P

P.S. Have a look at the ads, if they serve you. It helps me too.Thanks!

Media on Love and Friendship

I find it hard to digest that movies show that two people in love but can't be with each other due to some reason become friends and stay happy.

I do not agree with the idea because if you love somebody, you would want to be with them always, know them. Friendship is entirely a distinct idea.

P.S. Have a look at the ads, if they serve you. It helps me too.Thanks!