Personal blog of Partha

One more blog ? Why ?

2012-02-01T11:56:00.000+05:30

One more blog ? Why ? (Click this link to know more)

4/2012 My website parthas.htm in QR code

2012-01-30T04:53:00.000+05:30

Here is my URL in QR code :::

3/2012 KODAK will smile no more

2012-01-20T08:34:00.000+05:30

KODAK, the photography giant has filed a claim for bankruptcy. This makes one more victim of technological progress.

All these years KODAK had brought smiles on millions of faces. Now, KODAK has decided to stop smiling and make people smile. So sad ! We will miss you KODAK.

partha

2/2012 India does it !

2012-01-13T09:23:00.003+05:30

The Year 2012 starts with some bright news. For a whole year we have not seen a single case of polio in India. Thanks to the efforts of everyone concerned, polio is on the way out from India. Reason to rejoice, time to celebrate. Till recently India was endemically affcted by the polio virus. Now, our children and grand children will enjoy a life of polio free good health.Proud to be an Indian. partha

1 / 2012 The Year that was 2011

2012-01-01T06:47:00.001+05:30

I closed 2011 with 25 entries in this blog, and 113 entries in my "Professor's blog". Quite an effort that was. Of course the readership and feedback was as low and dumb as usual.Never mind, I will keep talking, I mean blogging.

Reminds me of an experience I had about my course on cryptography which I did in Kathmandu. I remember having informed a lot of people about this course. All of them are "very successful" computer professionals. All I got as feedback was about how lovely Nepal is and what were the tourist spots there. None of these so-called professionals had any idea about cryptography, or had any suggestion of any academic/scientific value. I am ashamed to notice the low intellectual level of these colleagues.

There is still a lot to do. I will try my best.

partha

Testing Latex on Blogger...ignore this post

2011-12-29T08:06:00.002+05:30

$\LaTeX$, $\frac{1}{2}$, $\mathcal{P}^r(\mathcal{L})$
Happy ?

A suggestion to Mr. Anna Hazare

2011-12-28T21:00:00.002+05:30

Why do you want to starve and torture yourself to get the country to accept the Jan Lokpal Bill which you propose ? Have you not learnt anything ins all theses years ? There is an easy and proven way to get things done in India, just bribe the concerned persons. Remember the episode when our MPs were bribed with crores of Rupees, just a few years ago ? Why not try bribing the MPs again ? They are waiting. It is easy and an accepted procedure.

All the best.

partha

PS: This is my last post for 2011. Whish you all a happy and corruption free India in 2012.

Amazing India

2011-12-13T08:45:00.000+05:30

Did you know ? 2 of the 9 beautiful temples of the world, are in my India ::

http://www.mostinterestingfacts.com/building/top-9-most-beautiful-temples-in-the-world.html

And, we also have the most expensive house in the world::

http://www.mostinterestingfacts.com/building/antilla-the-most-expensive-house-in-the-world-from-india.html

Visit India, and see for yourself.

partha

What do they do to babies, In India ?

2011-12-13T08:32:00.002+05:30

Baby Dropping Ritual: Solapur, India

Muslims in western India, at Solapur exactly, lining up to drop their babies from a tower with a height of 15 meters.This ritual has been done for over 500 years, and believed to make their child grow healthy and strong.

There is something more weird in Spain. They drop a goat from church roof !

Don't believe this ?

Read, and see the pictures at ::

http://www.mostinterestingfacts.com/culture/top-10-most-dangerous-traditions-around-the-world-in-modern-era.html

Torakichi Akita

2011-11-25T07:14:00.002+05:30

Met an amazing person : Mr. Torakichi Akita (Akita, for friends) in Kathmandu, today. Akita is a master practitioner of Sotai and Kai system of Japanese physitherapy. Works magic with his fingers. He also uses his finger for creating another kind of magic. He is a professional pianist. They say, he is the only piano tuner in Nepal. GOD has given this frail old man from Japan, so much of talent. GOD bless him.

Dummy entry. Testing. Ignore.

2011-11-23T12:11:00.002+05:30

Testing testing Testing

This is a dummy entry, for testing. Please ignore.

This is a dummy table.
Date	Day #	Class #	Highlights
row 1 col 1	row 1 col 2	row 1 col 3	xcvb
row 2 col 1	row 2 col 2	row 2 col 3	xcvb
row 3 col 1	row 3 col 2	row 3 col 3	xcvb
row 4 col 1	row 4 col 2	row 4 col 3	xcvb

Buddham sharanam gachhami

2011-11-05T07:29:00.003+05:30

A memorable day with Buddha, at Swaymbhunath Buddha stupa, just outside Kathmandu. Wonder how Buddha manages to live with so many monkeys around (in both the literal and figurative sense), Is that why the world worships Buddha ?

The largest curios and souvenirs bazaaar

2011-11-05T05:57:00.003+05:30

At Basantpur, near Durbar Square of Kathmandu, lies the largest curios and souvenirs bazaaar of Kathmandu. The choice is awesome. Prices are moderate. Bargainig is allowed and encouraged. Vendors are friendly. What more does a tourist want ?

PS : Partha bought a "khukri" for his one month old grand daughter Samviti.

Daddy's day out

2011-11-05T05:52:00.002+05:30

Visiting "Durbar Square" of Kathmandu, Partha discovers many lovely ideas and objects. His love for objets d'art dragged him to the curios market at the square.

Ugly teacher, lovely campus

2011-11-05T05:44:00.004+05:30

Reaching the height of teaching (literally), Partha is on a hillock (Kathmandu University) which marks the beginning of the Himalayas. Teaching young Nepalis about security, is a paradox by itself. Nepalis (Gorkhas) are famous the world over as security people, guarding the rich and the famous. Now an Indian Professor will teach them a thing or two on how to guard computer based assets.

Discovery

2011-09-25T06:10:00.006+05:30

"My first (1) child was born on July (7) twentyninth (29)"

1729 happens to be a famous number (Ramanujan Hardy number). Read about this number ::
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1729_%28number%29 (link)

The beauty of mathematics is that there is so much to discover in it.

partha

Meet Miss. SAMVITI

2011-09-11T11:11:00.000+05:30

Samviti's album

partha

Start of a new generation .....

2011-09-10T07:14:00.001+05:30

I am a grandpa now.

Parishram has a cute daughter SAMVITTI since yesterday 9-9-11

partha

End of a generation

2011-08-27T07:38:00.002+05:30

Bhavani chithy (aka Pankaja chithy), my aunt and mentor, left this earth yesterday. She was 80. Her body has been donated to a medical college. She was the fifth amongst six siblings, and the last one to leave. This marks the end of mom's generation. May she find peace in the eternal world where she has gone.

The pot calling the kettle black.....

2011-08-21T18:48:00.004+05:30

Cornered by a lone crusader, the current Congress party has done just what all criminals and crooks do. It tries to wriggle out by calling Anna Hazare a corrupt preson ! Let's see who is talking : friends, promoters and accomplices of A Raja, Kalmadi, Kanimozhi et al. Let us cheer and applaud our learned Prime Minister for his brave and futile stand ! Let us see how lomg he will stand the noise generated by Anna Hazare and his supporters. Reminds me of the way the Britishers faced Gandhi's QUIT INDIA movement and eventually got deported unceremoniously. But, let us hope our Anna is not given the fate which they gave to Gandhi. Cornered and caught criminals can go to any extent. Please take care Anna sahib. We need you.

partha

Who says Prabhakaran is dead ?

2011-07-15T09:27:00.002+05:30

V. Prabhakaran, noted terrorist, crippled life in Sri Lanka for 30 years, and was finally shot dead. His ghost has appeared in the Southern state of Andhra Pradesh, killing his own people, paralysing life, threatening innocent citizens, and crippling the state. All for an unsustainable claim like that of VP -- fragmenting a sovereign country. When will he get the fate VP got ?

partha

MISCHIEVOUS PERVERT

2011-06-11T05:11:00.004+05:30

http://www.hindujagruti.org/activities/campaigns/national/mfhussain-campaign/

YOU GOT WHAT YOU DESERVED.

MAY YOUR SOUL NEVER REST IN PEACE.

Skype is dead (RIP)..... FOSS is alive and kicking

2011-05-16T09:33:00.002+05:30

So what if Skype is dead ? There is always FOSS.....

take a look ::;

http://ostatic.com/blog/bye-bye-skype-top-3-free-replacements

http://directory.fsf.org/category/tel/

Have fun....

partha

Skype spiked

2011-05-11T04:17:00.005+05:30

I regret to announce the death of Skype, ever since it got infected by a cancer called Microsoft.

I have deleted my Skype account.

partha

Meet my best friend.....Nobody

2011-05-07T14:21:00.000+05:30

Nobody knows who I am
Nobody cares for what I do
Nobody bothers about me
Nobody understands how I feel
Nobody wants me around
Nobody walks with me while I cross the desert
Nobody stands by me when I face the storm
Nobody thinks that I am his friend
Nobody cares if I am dead or alive
Nobody will bring flowers to my grave

PS : Nobody reads such lamentable blogs

Send all spammers to hell....

2011-04-22T21:29:00.001+05:30

I found a neat and fun way to frustrate spammers ::

http://cactus.eas.asu.edu/partha/nospam.htm

Thank you, Professor.

partha

The learning never stops....

2011-04-20T05:55:00.004+05:30

Learning is endless. My next target is Malayalam, the language of Kerala, a lovely state in the southwestern part of India.

http://www.save-malayalam.com/learn-malayalam/

In fact the Malayalam script is very close to Tamil script (my mother tongue), so I guess things should not be difficult for me.

Notice that the word "malayalam" is a palindrome !

Wish me good luck.

partha

For lovrs of classical music

2011-04-11T19:12:00.002+05:30

Lovers of classical music played on thr piano, will love this gold mine of free downloadable mp3 recordings:::

http://server3.pianosociety.com/cms/index.php

The mp3 files are neatly classified under :: composer names, and artist (pianist) names.

No unnecessary registration and such nonsense.

Enjoy,

partha

The glory of Dusi

2011-04-10T21:23:00.002+05:30

THE HINDU pblished an article describing the glory of my village, Dusi. Here is the story ::
http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/03/18/stories/2011031850130300.htm

Take a look.

Also visit the Dusi village website

Dusi samprokshanam

2011-02-22T18:12:00.005+05:30

The ancient temple at Dusi, my village, is now being renovated. The "samprokshaanam" will be held on 24 march, about a month from today. Here is the formal invitation ::

http://dusi-roots.zxq.net/sampro1.pdf

To know more about Dusi, visit::
http://dusi-roots.zxq.net/index.html

partha

The scariest day of my life !

2011-02-02T10:45:00.003+05:30

I remember the scariest day in my life which happened this same day, 31 years ago (2 Feb. 1980).

A young researcher, in an alien land, had to face a jury of highly competent Professors, in an open interrogation. The entire process, done in a foreign tongue, watched by more than a hundred people, was to decide the worth of more than three years of hard work. The result changed my life altogether. Not only was Partha crowned as "Dr. Partha", the jury gave an overwhelming approval for Partha's work, by awarding it a very high rating.

Thank you dear France, for making me what I am today.

Doing the right thing the right way ....

2010-12-20T18:00:00.000+05:30

Doing the right thing the right way ....

Just after the NCAR fiasco, I had the opportunity to attend a function arranged by the Alliance Francaise of Hyderabad (AFH). AFH was celebrating its 30th birthday. There was song, music, dance, and mime, interspersed with some short speeches by people who know France, French and AFH. It was all so pleasantly done and organised. The performing artists were in the age group 6 to 26 (about). Every one played his/her tune well. The Band Master , the Director of AFH, had planned it all so well, and orchestrated the event flawlessly. The evening ended with a sumptuous dinner. And every one went back, with the satisfaction of having spent the evening in a worthwhile way.

What a contrast with the other event (NCAR)I saw that morning !

Bravo, et mes felicitations.

partha

Doing the right thing, the wrong way.

2010-12-20T17:57:00.000+05:30

I have just come back from a 2-day FOSS event called NCAR2010. This FOSS event, organised by the Free Software Movement of India, and inaugurated by our famous scientist President Honble. Abdul Kalam himself was a place where we were expected to talk and listen about FOSS. The anticlimax came when some of the lecturers found it important to use "Microsoft Power Point", to make their presentations. FOSS admirers like me were naturally shocked and furious to see this double standards. Do we really need Microft tools, to tell us what FOSS is all about ? The organisers of course found it all very acceptable and fine. I complained to the organisers, and left the venue.

When I came back the next day, I was in for more surprise. The lecturers still had their powerless-pointless presentations. The organisers were still blissfully ignorant of this incoherency. I left the venue this time, promising I would never again attend any event promoted by the FSMI. Amen.

The learned lecturers, most of them from reputed academic institutions were dull and bland. They made an absolutely shabby show, making even debutants feel ashamed of their performance. Does no one have any sense of guilt or shame ? I understand that these lecturers were handpicked by the organisers. In addition, there was one institution which dominated and monopolised the entire event. Maybe, the organisers don't see anyone else in the city who knows a thing or two about FOSS.

In short, the show was a big disappointment.

Moral of the story :: If you are looking for some serious FOSS event, NCAR is not the place, and FSMI is not the one who you should trust.

partha

Dusi ... again

2010-12-05T09:54:00.003+05:30

I have uploaded the finished version of the Dusi website. Take a look at:
http://dusi-roots.zxq.net/index.html. Send me your suggestions, if you find something lacking or wrong.

Donations for the temple rejuvenation have started trickling in. I will wait till 15 Dec., and then stop my campaign for collection of donations. Of course, you can still send in your contributions, directly to the "kainkarya sabha" which is actually the prime mover in this project. The address of the "kainkarya sabha" is in the Dusi website mentioned above.

partha

A picture is worth......who says ?

2010-12-05T09:48:00.002+05:30

"A picture is worth a thousand words" ....NO. This picture is worth a million words.

The picture summarises the anger and bewilderment of many Indians like me. Our country can host the Olympics for scams and scandals. We had our politicians and bureaucrats swindle the country -- 2G spectrum issue, housing scam in Bombay, Commonwealth Games scam .....etc. etc.

When will this all end ?

partha

I paid a bribe

2010-11-24T20:48:00.002+05:30

A Minister gets thrown out because he swindled Government money. There are a hundred thousand
scoundrels out there who swindle common folks like you and me everyday.

Maybe this site will help us all fight the cancer called corruption in our society :
http://ipaidabribe.com/

Hats off for the guy who started this site.

partha

Another beautiful poem (on a beautiful subject)

2010-11-18T09:00:00.000+05:30

I think I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breasts
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray
A nest of robins in her hair
Upon whose bosom snow has lain
Who intimately lives with rain
Poems are made by fools like me
But only God can make a tree

Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)

Born free....now walking free

2010-11-14T09:13:00.006+05:30

What is so special about a 65 year old lady walking free from her own home ?

If the lady in question is :: Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, it is an event for celebration. It is an event which proves once again that when it comes to principles, there should be no compromise. Even if that means being locked up in your home for several years. Justice and faith will alwys triumph. Evil and force will fail one day or the other.

May GOD give this world, many more Aung San Suu Kyi

partha

Dusi again .....

2010-11-09T09:28:00.001+05:30

Courtesy Mr. Prabu Veeravalli, we have some activities planned for the Dusi temple:

1. On Saturday the 13th Nov 2010, a grand THIRUMANJANAM is being proposed by Dusi Pattappa's family.

2. On 19th November 2010, Balalayam is proposed to be carried out for RENOVATION OF THAYAR SANNADHI and MADAPPALLI.

3. After around 40 days a simple SAMPROKSHANAM is proposed to be performed.

More details will be posted soon on the web.

partha

Let's go to Dusi

2010-11-09T08:55:00.004+05:30

"Dusi" a tiny village near the sacred twon of Kanchipuram, in Tamil Nadu, South India, is the place to which I can trace my roots. After several years, and a lot of effort, I have come across some people who are keen about doing something for Dusi. I thank Mr. Prabu Veeravalli for the initiative he has taken. I will be putting up details, on the web, very soon. There is a blog post further above, about my Dusi website.

If you, or your ancestors, are from Dusi, do get in touch with me (drpartha@gmail.com). Pleaase do NOT fone me up. I hate fone calls. I do not like being disturbed while I work.

I have also set up a family tree of my "Dusi family" at ::

http://algolog.tripod.com/dusi.htm

Take a look,

partha

A milestone date... a milestone birthday

2010-11-07T13:36:00.002+05:30

On 30 Oct 2010, I crossed the milestone age of 60. According to Hindu custom, I got married again ! Married a 57 year old lady, mother of two (see picture).

partha

Common Wealth Shame

2010-10-04T06:03:00.003+05:30

P T Usha, the Dash runner, who is a world famous gold medalist athlete, was not called or invited to the Common Wealth Games (which was launched yestaerday in Delhi). P T Usha's former coach, O M Nambiar, who is a winner of Dhronacharya Award, also regretted that he has not been called for the ceremony.

Compare this with all the political heavywights who were
occupying the best seats in the stadium. You will know why we are
still a "developing" country (sic).

partha

Tagore -- the immortal

2010-09-28T20:57:00.003+05:30

I slept and dreamt that life was joy,
I awoke and saw that life was service,
I acted and behold, service was joy.

Rabindranath Tagore

PS: Now I know why Tagore got a Nobel Prize.....partha

My roots .....Dusi

2010-09-19T11:12:00.004+05:30

I have been trying to get a good picture of my own roots. I did a lot of research and hard work, and created the "Dusi family tree" and put it up on the web, at ::

http://algolog.tripod.com/dusi.htm

just so that this information is not lost. I now need a young volunteer from my family, to take over the tree and keep it up-to-date. No one has responded till today.

If you are reading this, and if you are part of the above Dusi family tree, please get in touch. Let this heritage not be lost forever.

BTW, I was in Chennai last week, and met two people whose families hail from Dusi. They had found me, thanks to the dusi tree, and had contacted me. Although I could not find any link from them to my tree, it was a pleasure meeting them and talking to them. Strangers find me, but my own kinsmen do not seem to find me. How sad !

partha

One more achievement, by India ....

2010-08-12T08:23:00.004+05:30

My other blog (the Professor's blog) speaks of an achievement by an Indian (in USA), which makes us all proud. This blog is about another achievement, by Indians in India, which makes me hang down my head in shame and disgust. The Government of India, has now decided to ask every Indian, his caste, and record it officially. We will thus give an official stamp for the unnatural, unnecessary, uncivilised concept of caste. What about people who do not believe in this concept ? What caste will they call themselves ? Why should they give themselves a caste in any case ? Who cares ?

63 years after we got our independence (we will celebrate our Independence day on 15 August), we still seem to be a "developing country". I was wrong. We are no more a developing country, we are a "regressing country", taking steps to go back to the dark ages, as fast as possible.

Thank GOD, Vinay Deolalikar, Chandrasekhar and Amartya Sen are not living in India.

partha

Shame of India ....more

2010-08-07T08:55:00.003+05:30

First it was the Chairman of AICTE, the apex body which supervises technical education in India.
Then it was the Chairman of the Medical Council of India, the apex body which supervises medical education in India. And now, it is a Director General of Police, who is in jail, for molesting a young girl and harassing her family.

The only thing we are good at is in letting these criminals flourish for several years, and then nab them. Never mind the irreparable damage they have done.

partha

Shame of india ... again

2010-08-07T08:51:00.002+05:30

This time it is a HUGE scandal concerning the Commonwealth Games, to be held shortly in India. The swindlers' list includes top politicians, bureaucrats and sportsmen. We are making a shameless donkey of ourselves in the international arena. When we learn to behave more respectably ?

partha

Vive le progres....

2010-08-05T20:35:00.005+05:30

Let us keep parents happy. Send them a tweet, or an email greeting. Dont have to waste your time calling them up or visiting them or holding their hands while they fumble around, all alone.

We are all very busy, aren't we ? We have so many more important things to do, don't we ?

partha

PS Mr Subhani, the cartoonist who drew this cartoon lives close to my place, in the same neighbourhood. Congrats, and well said, Mr. Subhani.

Why ?

2010-08-02T21:48:00.000+05:30

Why don’t people stop and smell the roses ?

Why don’t people applaud a singing bird ?

Why don’t people appreciate a good job done ?

Why don’t people stop grumbling that this life is so terrible ?

Added by Partha .......

Why don't people answer mails ?

Why don't people read and respond to blogs by well-intentioned people ?

The journey

2010-08-02T21:47:00.001+05:30

It is the journey that counts,
Not the destination

How well you travelled in life, means more than
How far you travelled

Life is not the grave at the end of the journey
It is the flowers and thorns along the way

You can choose to reach the grave faster
or, you can stop and smell the flowers along the way

The question is not how far you went
But how well you travelled

Magic of modern medicine

2010-07-30T19:39:00.002+05:30

Got my left eye operated for a cataract. The whole operation was over in twenty minutes. No injections, no bleeding, no pain. I was talking all the time with the doctor as he was operating my eye and scooping out the cataract. Unbelievable. And all that was done in a hospital close to home. I remember the day when my dad got operated thirty years ago. And he had to wear a spects which looked like a crushed binocular. I am typing this blog within two hours after the surgery.

Hats off to the progress,

partha

How to comment on my blogs......

2010-07-22T19:26:00.000+05:30

It is always a pleasure to notice the number of people who care to read my blogs, and also leave comments. Unfortunately, I am not able to decide on accepting or rejecting your comments, unless I know who you are. The notice for moderation I get from blogspot, does not give me your mail ID, so I cant actually check back with you.

Please remember to send me a separate mail with your comments and your mail ID too. Also identify yourself, tell me something about yourself, wher you are located, and what do you do in real life when you are not blogging. You see, I give all these details and much more in my websites which you can access from my blog pages.

Many thanks, and keep the comments flowing (along with your details).

partha

drpartha AT gmail DOT com

Not all fathers are so lucky .....

2010-07-12T10:22:00.000+05:30

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and
four-year-old grandson.. The old man's hands trembled, his
eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered

The family ate together at the table. But the elderly
grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating
difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he
grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. 'We
must do something about father,' said the son. 'I've had enough
of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There,
Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed
dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was
served in a wooden bowl.

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he
had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the
couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork
or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing
with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, 'What
are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded, 'Oh, I am
making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I
grow up. ' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless.
Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word
was spoken, both knew what must be done.

That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and

gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his
days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason,
neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork
was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

NOT ALL FATHERS OR GRANDFATHERS ARE SO LUCKY

**********

Father's day ? So what ?

2010-06-20T20:06:00.001+05:30

"Father--a man who keeps pictures in his wallet where his money used to be. "

I know what it means to be a lonely and broke father.

partha

The long road ...

2010-05-20T21:04:00.002+05:30

Some choose the long road,
some take a short cut.

Some run the marathon,
some watch sunsets.

Some swim in the ocean,
some wade the bath tub.

Some make history,
the others become soap bubbles.

(Partha -- May 2010)

Born again !

2010-05-08T19:17:00.001+05:30

Google restored my drpartha AT gmail DOT com account ! Please use this mail ID for contacting me.

I now know how it feels to die and come back to life.

partha

A lovely Irish poem

2010-04-05T06:13:00.002+05:30

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Not only do they have lovely ladies in Ireland, they also write lovely poems like this.

partha

Freedom Day

2010-03-31T08:58:00.001+05:30

Read this page ::

http://documentfreedom.org/

Enjoy freedom. Stop being a slave.

partha

Why I reject certain email attachments

2010-03-31T08:39:00.003+05:30

I am always disgusted and angry at people who use non-standard, closed, and proprietary formats for the attachments they send me. I have always been quietly deleting their mails along with the attachments. I discovered recently that I am not the only one to do this, and I am not being impolite or harsh or unreasonable.

Here is evidence in support of my campaign to rid the world of such pests::
http://www.fsf.org/news/why-im-rejecting-your-email-attachment

So, stay away from non-standard, closed, and proprietary formats, if you want me to read your mails fully.

partha

A plane on the rooftop

2010-03-06T11:38:00.002+05:30

Two days ago, a plane landed on the rooftop of a house nearby. Thank GOD, it missed the school which was just next door. In Hyderabad, it does not "rain cats and dogs", it rains planes.

partha

The Police, and the emergency services did a brilliant job, and took exceptionally fast action. Thank you.

Why should anyone care, anyway ?

2010-02-27T20:12:00.001+05:30

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007.
The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45
minutes. During that time approximately two thousand people
went through the station, most of them on their way to work.
After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician
playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and
then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar: a
woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping,
continued to walk.

6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him,
then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him
along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist
again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to
walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated
by several other children.. Every parent, without exception,
forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people
stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but
continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a
total of $32.

1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one
noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the
greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most
intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million
dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in
Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the
metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a
social experiment about perception, taste and people's
priorities . The questions raised: in a commonplace environment
at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to
appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be
this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of
the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest
music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments
ever made..... how many other things are we missing?

Global warming and stuff like that...does anyone care ?

2010-02-27T20:06:00.003+05:30

A week ago I put up some stuff about what we, as individuals, can do to save our planet from the impending holocaust. I made announcements in this same blog. No one seemed to take notice. Then i mailed to some people, all of them are very well-placed, highly educated and responsible people whom I know personally. No one, save a young lady, cared to call back. This is what, we all, as individuals, care for our planet. Never mind that single crusader who is crying out loud and hoarse. Why is it that people dont have time to answer mail, and at least give a small wink to a well-meaning individual ?

partha

Composting, vermiculture and organic farming

2010-02-23T16:32:00.003+05:30

My new website for my organic farming and composting and vermiculture related activities is at :
http://drgarden.zxq.net/

Take a look.

partha

When mission meets passion

2010-02-14T11:55:00.001+05:30

A new webiste for setting up people on the path to an eco-friendly life style is coming up soon. Watch this space. Also watch my tweet on twitter.

partha

***************

My library

2010-01-30T19:36:00.003+05:30

This is the place
Here are my friends
This is where I want to live
This is where I wish to die

(From : Dying in my library -- a mad man's rambles)

What I dont want, and what I want .....

2009-12-02T08:44:00.002+05:30

I don't want to be rich.
I don't want to be famous.
I don't want to be powerful.
I want to be useful,
to the poor, the weak, the hungry, the ignorant, the lonely.
So, help me GOD !

partha

How they steal and make money

2009-11-19T13:14:00.001+05:30

The theft (a first information report):::

http://www.withinwindows.com/2009/11/06/microsoft-lifts-gpl-code-uses-in-microsoft-store-tool/

Saluting a blessing

2009-11-11T08:28:00.004+05:30

Saluting a blessing

She walks with me, when life takes me uphill or pushes me downhill
She smiles at me when I yell at her or fight with her
She picked me up and kissed me, when the world threw me like a piece of used toilet paper
She knows without my telling her, when I am hungry
She knows how I feel when I am broke
She is the best thing which happened to me

Thank you, and Happy Birthday Prema !

partha

Follow me.... on twitter

2009-10-04T11:18:00.001+05:30

You can now follow me on Twitter, at::

http://twitter.com/profpartha

partha

Walking into history

2009-10-04T11:10:00.004+05:30

It was a memorable week at Krakow, Poland for me and Prema. It was like walking back in history to a country whose people have suffered the worst of atrocities. We saw the real face of culture and hospitality. We covered most of this city, with my host Prof. Krzystof Cetnarowicz. We enjoyed the best of vegetarian food. We rode a tethered helium balloon (for the first time in my life).

partha

The Princess and the Queen

2009-09-29T10:19:00.004+05:30

The Princess and the Queen

12 Sept. 2009, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany

My little "Princess of Bowenpally" has grown up to become a German Queen now. Have a look:::

India wedding fotos (made by Raju)
in
India1

India wedding fotos (made by Aishu)

India2

German wedding fotos (made by Priya)

in
Germany

One more farce on us Indians

2009-08-07T16:01:00.001+05:30

Kasab, the terrorist who gunned down so many in broad daylight in Mumbai, and was caught redhanded by our brave policemen, has confessed his guilt in an open court. This should normally lead to his execution in any country which has an iota of self-pride in it. We are still far from all that.

Remember, how we treat Mohd. Afzal, who gunned many outside our Indian Parliament. This was an attack on the democratic republic of india. Usually a crime like this would be considered high treason, and would see the execution of the culprit. Several years later, Afzal is still treated as our honoured guest, at the expense of the honest and innocent Indian taxpayer (me included). Maybe Kasab will become the room-mate of Afzal and laugh at our system from behind the bars. Forget the tears and anger of those who lost their near and dear ones, in these ghastly crimes.

Our tiny neighbour SriLanka has done much better than us.

partha

The Germans are coming !

2009-08-07T15:45:00.000+05:30

The Germans are coming !

This time they will be welcomed with flowers and fanfare. This event marks the union of German culture with Indian wisdom. Prayathna's marriage to Stephan Kowitz is just a few days off -- 6th Sept., to be precise.

Watch this space.

partha

Living after death

2009-07-11T22:31:00.004+05:30

Death is an inevitable part of life. But you can live after your death.

I am a member of MOHAN Foundation (Multiple Organ HArvesting Network). This is an Indian, voluntary, and not-for-profit organisation, which promotes organ transplants from cadavers. Their website is ::

http://www.mohanfoundation.org/survey.asp

Maybe you should also pledge your body, for organ transplants after your death.

I have also pledged my eyes to the eye bank of India. This is their website ::

http://www.ebai.org/html/index.htm

What gift can we give to a blind person, more precious than eye sight ?

Learn about organ donations by visiting the above sites. Or ask me, if you need any more info.

Pass on this message to as many people as you can.

partha

.

Beware of incompetent and irresponsible bankers

2009-06-26T14:43:00.004+05:30

Beware of AXIS Bank

Illegal, irresponsible, fraudulent actions by the bank, can put you in serious trouble unless you protest promptly and take adequate precautions.

Read the full story at:

http://drpartha.googlepages.com/axisbeware.htm

Save yourself from serious problems. Stay away from unscrupulous bankers.

Inform and alert all your friends (and enemies).

partha

Come September

2009-06-13T10:09:00.002+05:30

My daughter, Prayathna, will be getting married on 6th
Sept. 2009 at Hyderabad. Please
reserve this date, and please attend the function and
bless the couple.

A formal invitiation will follow soon (pls. let me know,
if you dont receive it within a reasinable time). This
is an advance invitation, for you to make travel
arrangmenets etc.

With best regards,

partha & prema

Peace on earth

2009-05-20T12:39:00.005+05:30

Today, we saw the picture of the dead Velupillai Prabhakaran, the person who led peace loving Tamilians (like me) to a 30 year inferno of terror and death. Like all such terrorists, his own life ended with bullets showered on him (just the way he did to so many others). His meaningless struggle not only ruined the lives of so many people, it brought down the economy and peace of a serene and peaceful nation called Sri Lanka. He orchestrated the gruesome murder of the Prime Minister of a neighbouring country (mine). Terrorism, guns, and bombs are not solutions for problems. Sri lanka has finally put an end to the cancer called terrorism. Sri Lanka is perhaps the first nation in the world to end terrorism such decisively.

Congrats, to the Government, and the people of Sri lanka. May all other countries who suffer terrorism, be as successful as Sri Lanka.

Amen

partha

One more farce on the nation

2009-05-19T08:00:00.003+05:30

Our country has recently gone through the marathon called general elections. Yet another mega farce on the nation. the same old bunch of crooks and hypocrites come back to the Parliament. Same old scandals, mudslinging, and nation-swindling will go on for another five years. We will continue to be a "developing" third-world country for another five years.

GOD save this country.

partha

The first step

2009-05-09T19:54:00.000+05:30

First entry. More to follow soon.

partha