tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53626852824770004342024-03-28T10:20:52.128+05:30Me, Myself and The Ever Changing WorldThougts penned down from the sweet and bitter experiences of day to day life, a try to provide an insight into what's all happening in the world around us...a few lines from one amongst you...Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-83392250077732073422016-04-23T15:36:00.001+05:302016-04-23T15:36:17.003+05:30What Happened on board Amritsar Howrah Mail (13006) and How I Uncovered the Pantry Car Scam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On April 15, 2016 I was returning to Howrah from Amritsar after a great trip to Himachal Pradesh. On board 13006 Amritsar Howrah Mail, it was time for morning tea. I do not prefer tea when I am travelling for reasons best known to me. However my family would not miss out on it.<br />
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The pantry car guys with "Meals on Wheels" labelled on their shirt were marketing their tea and breakfast. My dad called out to one of them and asked for 4 cups of tea. The man handed over 4 cups which contained the watery milk and each contained a tea bag. So these were the tea bag dipped tea.<br />
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"How much?", my dad asked.<br />
"40 rupees", pat came the reply.<br />
My dad handed him over the money. The pantry car staff was about to walk away to his next customer.<br />
"Biscuits?", I asked. Because I suddenly remembered that tea with biscuits cost us 10/- when we boarded the train from Howrah to Kalka (Howrah-Kalka Mail).<br />
"No biscuits", the guy replied.<br />
"Then it should cost 7/-. With biscuit it is 10/-", I enquired.<br />
He had a sense of nervousness on his face and he blabbered, "We are selling stuff at the price we are told. If you have any questions, ask our manager." and he hurried away.<br />
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You can download the price list from: http://www.indianrail.gov.in/CateringCharge.html<br />
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I told my dad that I would speak to the Pantry Car Manager and walked towards the pantry car. We were in B1 and pantry car was just the coach before. I approached the food packing desk and asked - "I want to speak to the pantry car manager" as my eye searched for him among the many present there.<br />
One of them replied, "He is not here, he has gone for an inspection".<br />
"I will wait", I replied and stood there as the rest continued their work.<br />
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A couple of minutes there, my dad came searching for me. I told him, "I am waiting for the manager".<br />
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Soon a person there told me point to a man who was sitting there right from the moment I had come, "He is the manager, speak to him".<br />
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"What is the price of the tea?", I asked the manager.<br />
"10 rupees sir", he replied.<br />
"Can you please show me the rate chart, I want to check the price of tea", I replied.<br />
"What happened sir?", he asked me sensing trouble.<br />
"We are being charged 10/- for a cup of tea when the actual price is 7/-. And if you are taking 10/- you should be providing biscuits", I charged.<br />
"Sir, we had given them 10/- for tea and biscuit but we did not get the biscuit so we are charging 10/- for a cup of tea", he replied.<br />
"Is that the rule, can you show me the rule book?", I asked him.<br />
"Sir, how many cups you had taken, tell me, I will return the rest", he pleaded almost.<br />
"What about the entire coach? All of them were charged 10/-. What about the entire train? All of them were charged 10/-", I asked him.<br />
"Sir what to do", he had no answer.<br />
"Okay, let me see if I can complain", I told him.<br />
He had no answer. So both of us came back.<br />
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Returning to my seat, I remembered recent news reports about Railways Ministry being very proactive with complaints that were sent through Twitter. I wanted to tweet instantly. See, when the man on the top is proactive, the citizens get enough encouragement to stand up and voice out his opinion.<br />
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I tweeted - "<a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link js-nav" data-mentioned-user-id="2602959463" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/RailMinIndia" style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #1f98c7; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">@RailMinIndia</a><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link js-nav" data-mentioned-user-id="141208596" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/sureshpprabhu" style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #1f98c7; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">@sureshpprabhu</a><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> travelng on 13006 Amritsar hwh mail.We are being charged 10/- instead of 7/- for a cup of tea."
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<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">After about an hour, Ministry of Railway Official Twitter handle replied to me, "</span><a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link js-nav" data-mentioned-user-id="18329694" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/samratroyc" style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #1f98c7; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">@samratroyc</a><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Matter forwarded to the concerned official </span><a class="twitter-atreply pretty-link js-nav" data-mentioned-user-id="705277941874208768" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/IRCATERING" style="background: rgb(245, 248, 250); color: #1f98c7; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">@IRCATERING</a><span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was happy. A citizen's complaint was taken seriously and was forwarded to the concerned department for necessary action, in this case the Indian Railways Catering.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I kept waiting to see what happens. The pantry car staff walked passed selling the tea at the same rate as before, 10/-</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">An hour later, we asked for tea again and this time handed him 7/- for a cup of tea. The pantry car guy, counted it and asked for 3 rupees more. I told him, "tea cost 7/- and your manager agreed to it. Ask him". </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">He was visibly angry. He muttered, "no more tea in this coach" and went away towards the pantry car without proceeding further into the coach.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I kept waiting for a reply from @IRCatering handle but no reply came till today.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Time for lunch - I ordered for a standard veg casserole. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is what a standard veg casserole contains according to Indian Railways.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is what I got. They had asked me if I would prefer rice instead of roti, and I had agreed for rice.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">According to Indian Railways, the pantry car should be charging 50/- for a standard veg thali. See the clip from the chart below:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is how much I was charged.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I waited and waited for the Catering Department to initiate action or at least reply back to my tweet. But till today that has not happened. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #292f33; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have come back and lodged an online complaint with the Ministry of Railways. I have also filed an RTI and I am waiting for the response.</span><br />
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Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com255tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-64425064063193152092015-09-06T02:01:00.000+05:302015-09-06T02:05:36.185+05:30Potol Kosha (Parwal Kasha) Recipe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is for Maa. There are certain dishes that are best
prepared by your mom. I mean it when I say this, nobody in this world can match
her when it comes to Potol Kosha. </div>
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Well – first things first, the inspiration behind this dish
is Maa but the recipe is not hers. I say this because although I tried to
recollect the awesome flavours that this dish always have whenever she cooks
it, I could not match hers but it turned out to be wonderful. Cooking a good
recipe of Potol (or Parwal) seems to be in my genes (Joking)</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Ingredients</h3>
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Potol (parwal) – 8 pcs</div>
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Oil – 4 tbsp</div>
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Ginger garlic paste – 1 tsp</div>
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Cumin seeds – 1 tsp</div>
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Bay Leaf – 1 pc</div>
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Onion – 1 pc sliced</div>
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Tomato – 1 pc sliced</div>
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Turmeric powder – 1 tsp</div>
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Cumin powder – ½ tsp</div>
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Coriander powder – 1 tsp</div>
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Chilli powder – ¾ tsp</div>
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Sugar – 1 tsp</div>
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Salt – to taste</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Method</h3>
<div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Cut the parwals in round shape</li>
<li>In a kadhai, once it is hot pour in 3 tbsp of oil and fry the parwals till they are half cooked. To understand this, you will find the edges are brown and the inside has started to get colored.</li>
<li>Take them out and keep aside. There will still be some oil on the kadhai. Add the remaining oil to it and put the bay leaf, cumin seeds to it</li>
<li>When these start spluttering, pour in the onions. Put salt to taste and fry</li>
<li>Put ginger garlic paste and fry until the raw flavour is gone</li>
<li>Now pour in the tomatoes and spices – turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder and red chilli powder.</li>
<li>Mix well and let it cook on medium flame for a few minutes until the raw flavour of the tomato is gone and it appears mushy.</li>
<li>Now pour the fried parwals and mix well. Add sugar.</li>
<li>Add water. Bring it to a boil and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes.</li>
<li>Add garam masala, mix well. Put off the heat. Serve hot.</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
Relish this beautiful dish with rice! </div>
</div>
Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com0Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India20.2960587 85.82453980000002520.0577817 85.50181630000003 20.5343357 86.14726330000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-67259258442280179342015-09-06T01:53:00.000+05:302015-09-06T01:53:15.588+05:30Double Chilli Chicken ( Teekha Chicken) Recipe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Once Thursday comes to a close, I generally start thinking
on what to do on Friday night. If there are friends to tag along, I preferably go
to a restaurant. But this week was different. With no one available it was time
to think of cooking something for my Friday dinner.</div>
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I switched to YouTube and then stopped at what read as “Double
Chilli Chicken”. The chef was Sanjay Thummu or Vahchef.</div>
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The beauty of this dish lies in two things. But before
counting the two let me tell you that this dish has nothing to do with the
Indo-Chinese recipe that we generally know about. Ok now, firstly – a lot of
red chillies go into it, which means the dish is hot! Secondly, this is one
recipe that uses just two spices. So here it goes!!!</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Ingredients</h3>
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Chicken – 400 grams with bones</div>
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Onion – 1 big chopped</div>
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Dried red chillies – 8 pcs</div>
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Dried chilli seeds – 1 tbsp</div>
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Oil – 2 tbsp</div>
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Red chilli powder – 3 tsp</div>
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Coriander powder – 1 tsp</div>
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Salt – to taste</div>
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Lemon – 1 tsp</div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Method</h3>
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Wash and pat dry the chicken.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">In a pan, put in the oil</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Once hot, put the dried chilli seeds and dried
red chillies and cook for some time</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Once the red chillies start getting burnt and changes
color, put in the onion</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Put salt to taste</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">When the onion starts changing color, put red
chilli powder and coriander powder</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Immediately pour in the chicken</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Reduce the heat and cover the pan</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Let it cook for 20 minutes with occasional stirring</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">If you wish to have gravy, pour in some water
and let it simmer for 5 minutes</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Apply a dash of lemon</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">Serve hot with rice or roti</span></li>
</ol>
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This dish is best enjoyed when it is dry. However, if you
wish to have gravy you can always do it. Do try out this super hot dish!!!</div>
</div>
Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com0Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India20.2960587 85.824539800000025-9.0121053000000018 44.515945800000026 49.6042227 127.13313380000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-77072145374129008752015-08-30T10:25:00.001+05:302015-08-30T10:31:13.627+05:30Chilli Chicken<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Chilli chicken needs no introduction. An Indo-Chinese delight that is very common in every restaurant. The inspiration behind this dish is my dida (grand mother from Maa's side). When I was in school, a visit to her ensured that chilli chicken would be on the menu. She, I can guarantee prepares the best fried rice and chilli chicken.<br />
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With this recipe, I dare not match her skills in the kitchen. This is my first try at chilli chicken and I was bit apprehensive about the end result. I was pleasantly surprised at how good it came out. Of course, it was no where near to her's! :)<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Ingredients:</h3>
<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Chicken - 400 grams boneless and cut in small pieces</li>
<li>Oil - 5 tbsp</li>
<li>Onions - 2 nos medium size sliced</li>
<li>Ginger garlic paste - 2 tsp</li>
<li>Garlic cloves - 6-7 pcs</li>
<li>Chilli powder - 1 tsp</li>
<li>Capsicum - 1 no. small and cut in cubes</li>
<li>Egg - 1 no.</li>
<li>Corn flour - 3 tbsp</li>
<li>Soy sauce - 3 tbsp</li>
<li>Chilli sauce - 3 tbsp</li>
<li>Tomato sauce - 3 tbsp</li>
<li>Green chillies - 4 nos sliced</li>
<li>Salt to taste (Remember soy sauce contains salt, so be careful)</li>
</ol>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Preparation:</h3>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Marinading and Frying the Chicken</h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Wash and pat dry the chicken.</li>
<li>In a large enough bowl, add egg, corn flour, ginger garlic paste, half of the soy sauce, half of the chilli sauce and mix well.</li>
<li>Allow the marinade to sit for around 45 minutes to 1 hour.</li>
<li>In a wok, add 4 tbsp of oil.</li>
<li>Once the oil is hot, add the chicken pieces and fry them till golden brown. You may fry the chicken in batches. Take care to ensure that the chicken pieces are fried on all sides.</li>
<li>Take the fried chicken pieces out and keep aside.</li>
</ol>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
Preparing the sauce</h4>
<div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>In a wok, put in 1 tbsp of oil.</li>
<li>Once hot, add the garlic cloves.</li>
<li>Once the garlic cloves begin to get brown, add onions and capsicum. Saute till they start to lose color.</li>
<li>Put in the sliced green chillies and saute for a few seconds</li>
<li>Now put in red chilli powder, remaining portions of chilli sauce, tomato sauce and soy sauce. </li>
<li>Add water and bring to a boil. Add salt to taste. It is always recommended to taste the sauce before adding salt because as mentioned earlier, soy sauce contains salt.</li>
<li>Add the fried chicken pieces. Mix so that the the chicken pieces are nicely coated with the sauce.</li>
<li>Cook to bring the chilli chicken to the desired consistency. </li>
<li>Serve hot with noodles or fried rice.</li>
</ol>
<div>
Do share if you liked the recipe!!!</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com0Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India20.2960587 85.82453980000002520.0577817 85.50181630000003 20.5343357 86.14726330000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-90723324191352667542015-08-30T09:47:00.000+05:302015-08-30T09:47:23.952+05:30Potol Dorma (Stuffed Parwal)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
During those 10 months that I was in Hyderabad, Kolkata House was a weekend regular. The cheap eatery from Kondapur prepared awesome dishes without hurting our pockets. And Potol Dorma always featured on our take away.<br />
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This is one dish where you really need to get your hands dirty. And it is worth it! Well the stuffing is everything and you can make the stuffing both veg and non-veg. For non-veg you can use fish and chicken. In this recipe I have kept it pretty simple and have used just the seeds of parwal and grated coconut. Grated coconut delivers a flavor that makes this dish stand out.<br />
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Now let us check the recipe.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Ingredients:</h2>
<br />
Potol (parwal) : 4 nos.<br />
Oil: 3 tbsp<br />
Garam masala: 1 tsp<br />
<h3>
For stuffing:</h3>
Grated coconut: 3 tbsp<br />
Onions: 1 piece sliced<br />
Green chillies: 1 pc chopped<br />
Ginger garlic paste: 1 tbsp<br />
Cumin powder: 1/2 tsp<br />
Coriander powder: 1/2 tsp<br />
Turmeric powder: 1/2 tsp<br />
Chilli powder: 1/2 tsp<br />
Tomato puree: 1/2 cup<br />
Salt to taste<br />
Sugar : 1tsp<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Preparation:</h3>
<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Wash the parwals and cut off the edges. Cut along the edges and take out the seeds using a spoon. Be careful so that it does not break. Keep the seeds aside, we would use them for the stuffing.</li>
<li>Take 2 tbsp in a kadhai and once the oil is hot put in the cut parwals and let it fry. Take the parwals out and keep aside allowing them to cool.</li>
<li>Now put in 1 tbsp in the kadhai. Once the oil is hot put in the sliced onions and let it fry till the onions are brown. </li>
<li>Put in the chopped green chillies and saute. </li>
<li>Put salt and mix.</li>
<li>Put in the seeds of parwals and fry it. Take care to not burn them.</li>
<li>Saute the ginger garlic paste in it until the raw flavor is gone.</li>
<li>Put in the tomato puree and the spices mentioned under stuffing.</li>
<li>Put 1 tsp of sugar in it.</li>
<li>Saute till oil separates out. Then put in the grated coconut and let it cook for around 2-3 minutes.</li>
<li>Take 80% of the stuffing out and allow it to cool. The remaining will be used for the gravy</li>
<li>Once the stuffing has cooled down, take the parwals and put the stuffing in it. You may tie the parwals after this, I preferred to let them be as is.</li>
<li>Now pour in some water in the stuffing that is in the kadhai and bring it to a boil. </li>
<li>Put the stuffed parwals in it and let it simmer for around 5 minutes.</li>
<li>Put garam masala and put off the heat.</li>
<li>Serve hot along with phulka or rice.</li>
</ol>
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Is there a better way to make this dish? Do share your comments below.<br />
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Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com2Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India20.2960587 85.82453980000002520.0577817 85.50181630000003 20.5343357 86.14726330000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-82700483486521362162015-08-23T13:44:00.002+05:302015-08-23T13:50:55.497+05:30Chingri Maccher Malaikari (Prawn Malaikari)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sundays are when we prefer to
relax and eat out. For me it's the one day when I try out new recipes. Now I
have been planning to make the authentic and delicious Chingri Maccher
Malaikari since a long time. But one thing stood between me and this dish. The
coconut milk which is the most important ingredient after the chingri or
prawns. I don't have the means to extract milk from the coconut. Someone told
me of the readily available coconut milk powder but I did not get it in the
local shops. A trip to Big Bazar at Patia, Bhubaneswar and there it was. The
prized ingredient sitting on the rack proudly. I grabbed a couple of sachets of
the Maggi Coconut Milk Powder and I was ready to prepare my first Chingri
Malaikari.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I woke up very early on
Sunday morning at about 8 AM. Come on for bachelors that's pretty early when
the day is Sunday. I got the prawns and was back home. A cup of coffee and I
was ready to prepare for the dish. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It is always recommended to
get king prawns or golda chingri as we call it in Bengali. Also if you can
extract milk from coconut there is nothing better than that. As for me it was big sized
prawns and coconut milk powder. I have detailed the process below:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span></h2>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Chingri or prawns 300 grams<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Coconut milk 1 cup or coconut
milk powder 3 tsp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mustard Oil 2 tbsp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Onions 1 large cut<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cumin seeds 1 tsp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Green chilli 1 pc slit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ghee 1 tsp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Garam Masala 1 tsp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Spice Mix</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ginger garlic paste 1tsp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Turmeric powder 1tsp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Red chilli powder 1tsp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Coriander powder 1 tsp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cumin powder 1 tsp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tomato ketchup 1 tbsp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sugar 1 tsp<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Salt to taste<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<h2 style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Method:</span></h2>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Preparing the spice mix</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mix all the ingredients
mentioned under Spice Mix with 1 tbsp water and keep aside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Preparing Coconut Milk</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mix coconut powder with a cup of hot
water and keep aside.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Pour
the oil on the kadhai and let it get hot</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Put the
cumin seeds and once they start spluttering put in the onions. Let it fry for a
couple of minutes</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now pour
in the masala mix that we had prepared earlier</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Let it
fry for few minutes and then put in the prawns. Mix well and let it cook until
the oil comes out</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Once
the oil starts floating, put in the coconut milk and bring it to a boil</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now put
the flame in simmer and let it cook for 5-7 minutes</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Put off
the flame. Put in ghee and garam masala</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Serve
hot with plain rice or basmati rice</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hope you enjoy the dish. If your style of preparation is different from the one I shared, do share!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com2Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, India20.2960587 85.82453980000002520.0577817 85.50181630000003 20.5343357 86.14726330000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-31985126005811428502015-08-16T23:11:00.001+05:302015-08-16T23:11:49.191+05:30From an Erratic Blogger<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It has been more than 15 months since I blogged. It has been a bit erratic, I agree. Every time I decided to be a regular blogger, things held me back. Or it has been like a couple of posts and then I was gone.<br />
<br />
So what's next! I have tried reading novels and story books and I felt tired of reading through hundreds of pages. I always prefer reading something that is shorter than 2000 words.<br />
<br />
Over the past couple of months, I have tried subscribing to RSS feeds and I regularly read the ones that interest me.<br />
<br />
So this short piece is a try to come back to the blogosphere. Oh yes, I am in search of interested bloggers. So if you feel you are one of them, please please please let me know.</div>
Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-57985976073421071182014-04-19T13:23:00.000+05:302014-04-19T13:23:33.351+05:30Whom Shall the Aam Aadmi Vote<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"><span lang="EN-US">Disclaimer: The views
mentioned in this article are purely that of the author. Any resemblance to
reality is purely co-incidental and rightly meant to be so.</span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_GoBack"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The past few months have been an
extraordinary one. Every generation has witnessed uprising. Be it our
grandfather who witnessed the war against the British Empire or our parents who
witnessed the Jai Prakash Narayan Movement, our generation is slowly witnessing
what I would call the Swaraj movement.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In Lok Sabha elections 2014, India has got
two options. Firstly, vote for what many people thinks as “experienced ones”.
Here we have two political outfits, two substitutes rather, the Congress that
seems to have lost its touch with the people of the country and the BJP which
has turned into a one-man political outfit under Narendra Modi. The second
option is the Aam Aadmi Party.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Let’s analyse each of these three outfits
in the next three stanzas.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The Indian National Congress – the Grand
Old Party of India has lost its touch with the common people and there is a
widespread anger and grunt against the leaders of the party. However, every
time the Congress seemed to go down it came back harder, thanks to its pseudo secular
agenda. Rahul Gandhi, who is leading the party, is learning fast from his
mistakes. While we would have preferred him to be more proactive, he did on
occasions leap out of nowhere and given his bits on issues. Before you could
comprehend what happened, what the prince of the Gandhi family said, he was
nowhere to be seen. He spoke of empowerment of women, civil rights, corruption
in a couple of lines but looking back at the past 10 years of his being an MP,
the two things that I would always remember are: firstly, speaking of tearing
up the legislation that wanted to protect criminal law makers in the
Parliament; and secondly, profusely sweating in an interview with Arnab Goswami
on Times Now. Rahul Gandhi would surely make a good leader one day but for 2014
it seems his chances are bleak…err, the Congress’s chances are bleak!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The BJP – a party that has its backbone
supported by the RSS seems to have regained lost ground and not only so, it
gained more than what it ever had! Ask any people what made this happen – they
will all point to one man, its PM candidate Mr Narendra Modi. Modi has a
strange habit of organizing big rallies that is packed with people from more
than one state who travel by hired trains and buses meant for the same purpose.
He then proudly advertises his “karnama” in Gujarat citing reports and figures
where the reports are generated by his team and the figures from his own
imagination. It’s very easy to spot, so whenever Modi speaks on a rally, he
does not allow TV cameras to cover the event – all the broadcast that you see
are fed by BJP’s camera. He does not dare to take questions from people, lest
he be found fumbling with truth and desperate to run away like he did when he
was questioned on hard to ignore facts in media, once by Karan Thapar and
another time by NDTV. He also cancelled his interview in Facebook when he got
to know that questions would not be scripted by his team but rather than the
people. So do we want a PM who will go to Washington and tell “Each Indian on
average earns 50000/- because of my 56 inch chest“? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">If you are ignoring the Congress for the
right reasons, voting the BJP would mean voting for the wrong reasons!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">AAP is a fresh air amongst all these chaos.
The media has tagged it as ‘chaotic’. Isn’t there chaos when we meet after a
long period of separation? The media has tagged AAP as ‘anarchic’. Are the
lives of the citizens not in total anarchy? Believe me, there is chaos and
anarchy in AAP and for the right reasons. After about three decades a certain
section of India has found hope in AAP. Every AAP member gets a tag of “leader,
AAP” on news debates. Bingo! That is what AAP has set out to do. The idea of
Swaraj means you are a leader and will tell the Government what you want rather
than being burdened with the decision of the Government. A certain section
feels AAP is “inexperienced”. The experienced always tries the same set of
solution for the problems that have been plaguing the country since ages. The
inexperienced will always take innovative ways. Yes, it might require time,
they might make mistakes, but then do we really prosper without making any? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">2014 is no such ordinary election year. You
need to do decide which way you will swing! A leader who lacks maturity, a
leader who bluffs if given an opportunity and run away from questions or a
leader who says, “If we are in Government, you will rule”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Let India decide. Hope that we will make
the best choice for ourselves with our eyes wide open.</span></div>
</div>
Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-63845419648285612252013-09-14T15:47:00.000+05:302013-09-14T15:47:09.341+05:30Standing up For Women in India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
The recent judgement of the Delhi court in connection with the December 16, 2012 gang rape case has sent a wave of happiness throughout the country. And why not? The manner in which the crime was committed and the whole of Delhi descended on the streets demanding death for the criminals of this heinous crime – it was nothing sort of victory for the Indian society that is sandwiched between the political class and corrupt bureaucrats. However, while the major section of the society wants death, there is a section that feels that strict punishment is necessary and death is not the option.
<p>Now let me question the media since we the Indians are more influenced by it. Why is the media more concerned with rape cases in major cities like Delhi and Mumbai? Why not with the ghastly crimes committed in towns and villages? Is it something to do with TRPs? Why did the Indian society not rise and stand up for the victim in Kamduni in West Bengal? Why not against honour killings in Haryana and UP?
<p>More important however, will a death penalty help in curbing crime against women? No, never. Let us get at the very root of this problem. Most rape cases throw up the fact that perpetrators of such crime have a background where education does not carry its value. In most household, the husband would beat up her wife in front of their little kids when she refuses to part away with her hard earned money to fulfil his crave for a pouch of liquor. The little kid will grow up having little respect for women.
<p>In many families, the parents-in-law and husband would maltreat the newly wedded woman for the greed of more dowry. Come on, what are we up to? We treat women unfairly at our home and society and expect them to be treated fairly and be safe in the unknown world...
<p>Remember the adage – charity begins at home! Even today in many middle class household the boy child is given new things to play with while the girl child gets the older things. So what does the boy learn as he grows up? Equality among the genders is another important factor here. Do we treat girls equal to the boys at home? If no, it’s high time to realize that we ensure that the girl’s safety lies in how we treat them in front of the boys.
<p>If our repeated posts on Facebook or Twitter expressing grief and horror on such incidents are real to even some extent, shall we dare to protest against the wife being harassed by her husband adjacent to our home? Or shall we just turn a blind eye justifying our act since it was their personal matter?
<p>Concluding this short post, I would like see an India where justice is delivered to victims of rape cases in a short span of pre-determined time interval and special courts be established for the same. Let us, the so called educated society of India, be a bit brave and not a mere coward playing into the hands of evil force.
<p>Last but not the least; <b>let us be the winds of change in how we look at a woman. Let each one of us pledge that while we are around nobody should dare to stare upon the dignity of women around us.</b>
Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com2Indira Nagar, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh 500032, India17.4398928 78.35364379999998617.4323183 78.343558799999983 17.4474673 78.36372879999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-79658633061862137992013-08-14T12:46:00.000+05:302013-08-14T14:07:36.696+05:30India After 66 Years<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
<P>Another 15th August for India. Another Independence Day for Indians. 66 years ago on this very day, the world realized that India is no more under the British dominance. 66 years ago the whole country celebrated with fervor the happiness of being free.
<P>But today, after 66 years my mind asks whether we are really independent? Yes, we the Indians are no more ruled by the establishment of a foreign country. Another thought quickly rushes in – we are being ruled by elected representatives where the citizens are heard for a couple of months; and that too only before the elections. The elected representatives use their power for the rest of their term to choke our voices and to fill up their pockets. A part of me says – “that’s the main problem. Politics have destroyed the country”. Everybody around me says, “Politics is cheap and dirty. It has destroyed the very dream that Netaji Subhas Bose and Bhagat Singh had fought for.”
<P>Hang on! While you keep blaming the political class for all the evil that India has seen, I vehemently ask you – “How are you different?” While your mind tries to quickly search for reasons for its own defense, I will tell you how much your actions have affected India.
<P>So, let me start with the place where young minds reside in India. Facebook and Twitter. Already doing the rounds are cover photo and profile pic updates of Indian Flag, etc. As soon as the clock strikes 00:00, the only status update will consist of “Happy Independence Day”, “East or West – India is the best”. In Twitter, the trending topics would be “India”, “Independence Day”. Is it not the similar way in which our political parties react just before elections? They promise of what is to come if they are elected. They never like discussions on what they did for the last five years. Same it is for you. For the last 364 days your status updates had only shown IPL updates, SRK’s upcoming movies, the new gadget that you had bought, maximum shares and likes for photo-shopped pics of deformed babies and Sai Baba. You felt that these would help you get blessings from your deities and help the so called malnourished baby since you were sure that Facebook would donate 1$ for your like. And you call yourself “The Educated Indian class?” You are no different from the political class. You will never read posts that speak of how the political class has suppressed certain facts, leave out sharing them. You will care to read raunchy jokes and share them but will never care to share the Government’s apathy towards de-classification of Netaji files. Indians will feel proud to say that Netaji is their son and yet continue reading cheap books of Chetan Bhagat and JK Rowling rather than the ones by Anuj Dhar and Ramchandra Guha. And you feel you are being patriotic.
<P>Now let me tell you about what you mostly do to make things done in India. Bribe! Oh look you are so disappointed. Your mind will protest that it’s not your fault. If you don’t bribe, your work remains undone. You will point out that to get your things done by the Government officials, whom you label as “non-sense, lazy and kaam-chor” are to be blamed for the same. So I have to assume you are nothing more than a dumb. You will, with sad eyes opine – “that’s the way it has been all these years”. You know that the Government has made enough avenues for you to seek and get your work done. You realize that a little bit of pain will make some changes but you, the common man will never care but will sweetly adjust. You will never stop and realize that this so called adjustment is harming the future of this country. You say – “Who cares? I might have to suffer for standing up.” And then you want the political class to be sensitive and do what is right. While you raise one finger at them, realize that the other three points at you. If you want change, be the change! A hint for you – RTI, Consumer Forum and Directorate of Public Grievances.
<P>You are sad that political class has used minority class to increase their vote bank. The Indian media has coined a new word – Vote bank politics. Huh! Why should they not use them when the educated citizens will only marry their kids off within their caste? Why shouldn’t they when you refuse to protest when your mom/dad wants you to sacrifice your love since he/she is from the other caste. You have been selfish all along and no doubt the elected representative will reflect your mentality.
<P>You feel paying taxes is your only duty. In that case please pay your taxes and don’t claim deductions. You call yourself an patriotic Indian! Yes, why not, on Independence Day you make sure that you spend more time going out for movies, shopping in malls and eating out in restaurants. But you will never for even 10 minutes think what the country needs and what you can do for the country. You will not spend a couple of minutes holding up your heads high and saluting the National Flag. Yes, you would rather do it in Facebook. Hypocrisy at its height!
<P>It is an individual that makes a difference to the society. One such name in the present days is Arvind Kejriwal. He and his team knows well that complaining does not help in India and hence they have taken up the broom to sweep all the dirt that presently exists within the Indian political class. While many have been generous to this promise of change, most of you feel that power corrupts and hence you continue doing what you do best – complain. That’s what most of you do best in India – complain!
<P>Dear countrymen, all is not lost. There is still time to mend. On this Independence Day let us pledge that we will follow Rabindranath Tagore’s words – “<I><b>Jodi tor daak shune keu na ashe, tobe ekla cholo re</I></b>” [If nobody responds to your call, go alone]. You as an individual can achieve a lot for the country if you desire. The country needs you, will you stand up? Only time will tell.
<P><B>Wish you a very Happy Independence Day! Jai Hind! Vande Mataram!
Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com4India20.593684 78.962880000000041-8.5815185000000014 37.654286000000042 49.7688865 120.27147400000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-14646616624588570872012-09-24T14:18:00.000+05:302012-11-07T19:32:41.431+05:30Chak De Barfi, To Hell with the Oscars !!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
When Barfi first released, there was a hue and cry everywhere. Thanks to the superb casting and their brilliant performance, Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra received kudos from every quarter – be it the filmmakers, the actors in the industry and even the audience who seemed to have come of age recently.
<P>Then came the big news – Barfi is India’s official entry to the Oscars. Again, there were debates as to if Barfi was the best choice. And then came the bigger revelation – Barfi is influenced. Some pointed out Barfi is copied. Well, the words ‘influenced’ and ‘copied’ have two different meaning which we the public of India don’t know or care to know! Videos were uploaded on the net which showed some sequences that were almost same as that of previous English classics.
<P>Media as always dubbed the movie and had their special analysts ready to explain as to how unfit the movie was for the Oscars and also questioned the jury for the selection. However amidst all these, does it really matter? Does Oscar matter to India? Does it really matter if Barfi gets an Oscars?
<P>Oscar-nothing but an American film award ceremony with one foreign language film award category. And why is there such a hue and cry over this category? Just because it has the tag ‘America’ in it? Or do we feel that it is a ‘certificate’ which means this film is the best?
<P>We should remember that American movie taste buds differ widely with that of the Indian ones. If America is proud of the Oscars, we the Indians should be proud of IIFA or National Awards. There is massive lobbying for the films in Oscars and it is almost impossible for an Indian film to lobby hard for that single pie of the award.
<P>Now, one may argue that Slumdog Millionaire did it. Please remember, that Slumdog Millionaire was a British movie shot in India. Even the actors are of Indian origin. AR Rahman and Resul’s award are heart-warming however. Because, they are our own. Again, I and most of us would agree that AR Rahman had produced better music during the Roza days. However, did the American jury accommodate that? No. Because the jury is more into ‘Ho Ho Ho’ from the Jai Ho. It is in that Ho that they find music. Another classic example is Lagaan. Aamir Khan’s classic acting went for a toss at the awards though back home it received so many awards. Why the failure at Oscars? Well, when Lagaan was made it was an intention to entertain the Indian audience and do the best business. The Indian film going audience love the song and dance features in the movies. The film was more than two and half hours. When the same film got selected and went to the Oscars, the jury wanted the movie cut to accommodate the prescribed duration. With so many song and dance features in the movie, the team might have found it difficult to adhere to the duration constraints. Moreover, the jury was not a fan of these song and dance features. And with so many cuts in the movie, the relevance was lost or the jury failed to notice that. Lagaan failed to clear the last hurdle.
<P>If you put it in a nutshell, it’s not a very good idea to make a film catering to Indian filmy audience and then expect it to win an award at the Oscars. If you want a movie to win an Oscar, you will have to forget the Indian element in it; which I suppose most Indian filmmakers would never do. So why give more attention to the Oscars or at least link Indian films and compare them to American ones. Be proud of IIFA. And I am sure we can even have a ‘Best English Movie’ category amongst the categories present and then make the American and British filmmakers have a run for their money.
<P><B>Be proud of Indianism. Be proud of movies like Barfi. Chak De!</B>
Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-14189140290651469172012-09-10T23:34:00.002+05:302012-09-10T23:49:40.624+05:30Do We Really Care?<B>N.B. –<B> The write-up may seem to be a bit dis-organized. Please bear with it, since I was going through a series of emotions while writing.
<P>
Last Sunday I had gone to Nandankanan Zoo. It always feels good to be in the midst of nature(really with animals in the cage???). However, I never thought that I would be in for a surprise and a realisation. I had just made the entry and there was a bear (one species of the bear actually, I don’t remember which) roaming in the limited space that it was offered by the authorities at the zoo. As always there were hordes of people (as you would expect on a Sunday) clicking away photos and making animated gestures; little kids with glittering surprise in their eyes.
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And then I spotted the villain of the day. There were two guys, one with the camera in his hand and the other with a stone. Yeah, you read it correct, a stone in his hand. He threw it at the bear. It missed. I was damn angry! I kept quite as I felt that it would do no good to get into an altercation since the stone was already thrown. But, then he picked up another stone and was aiming it when my voice called out – “Kya bhaiya, patthar kynu phenk rahe ho?” [Bro, why are you throwing stones (at the bear)].
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But I was late. The stone was out of his hand. It missed the bear again since he was startled with what his ears heard. The other guy with the camera lost his focus and it was win win situation for me (their evil motives just failed).
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I patted my back for a short while when the villain’s voice rose – “Aap ko kya taklif ho raha hai?”[So what’s your problem]. He spoke with a Punjabi accent.
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I had female friends with me and one of them called out to me, “Chharo na, cholo” [Leave them, let’s go].
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The guy then called out – “Kya bhai, koi jaani dushmani nikal rahe ho kya?” [Are you trying to take revenge for any past enmity].
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I reiterated saying, “Aap patthar knyu phenk rahe ho, aisa nahi karna chahiye”. [Why are throwing stones, you shouldn’t do it]
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He replied back, “Aap malik ho k<P>
ya yahan ka, jo itna bol rahe ho?” [Are you the owner of the zoo; that you are speaking so much.
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By this time all the visitors (to the zoo) was looking at the two warring individuals. None of them spoke. They were more interested in the conversation and though each of them knew that I was protesting against something unfair, no body took my side. Sorry, I am not asking for them to take my side, but to make that stupid guy understand that he was at fault. Do we really care? Or are we a race afraid to protest against some wrong-doing? Or are we a race slow to react to situations?
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I didn’t know what to say, I just told them – “Yahan pe ruko, main malik ko bula deta hoon, phir phenkna unke samne patthar”.[Wait here, I am calling the ‘owner’, you can then throw any number of stones]
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I looked back at my friends. They seemed worried. Their faces were already pale after witnessing what just happened! I signalled them to come away.
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Five minutes after that incident, I came face to face with them again and one of the guys warned me, “Chalo, baad mein tumko dekhta hoon.” [I will see you later]
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Beleive me, the whole three hours or so that I was there, I was worried. About myself, about the safety of the three friends. I would not have been afraid if I would have the support of the people who witnessed the whole incident. But, my mind, my heart knew that even if they did something to me (I was pretty sure that they would not be able to do anything, since during my secondary schooling I had heard of a saying – “Empty vessels sound much”), there would not be anyone to stand by me and fight back.
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And behind not coming forward to help me, there’s a stronger reason perhaps like – “We don’t know him, so why the hell get involved in all these”!
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Rabindranath Tagore very aptly wrote in ‘Post Master’ – “Who belongs to whom in this world... No one belongs to anyone”.
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Such is state of the citizens of India. We don’t care if it does not concern us...
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<B> Disclaimer : <B> The incident narrated above is true. However, the write-up does not intend to malign any race.
Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-86499690154393061562012-09-09T21:30:00.003+05:302016-01-31T23:59:07.600+05:30Infosys Mysore Training Experience In A Nutshell<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The four days of induction was pretty boring with sleepy eyes all around. Though the HR anchors tried their very best to keep us attentive, some of us managed to get past the firewall for a quick nap. Then started the Generics. C, Java, RDBMS kept us busy for more than a month.<br />
With tests every week, life was both fun and of tension. Imagine a situation where you have clicked on the submit button for evaluation and Dev Square takes its own sweet time to calculate and show your score as either 64% (1 less than passing marks) or 75% . Those were really tense moments and Infosys training is more or less associated with the name Dev Square. Even for hands on exams, Dev Square crawled to find logical errors. May be there was a single error in your code and Dev Square proudly showed 56 errors; that almost took out your soul from you. But also my happiness knew no bounds when Dev Square failed to point a single mistake, which meant I scored full marks. I gave a sly smile and told Dev Square – “better luck next time” and then with a sense of relief left the exam hall.
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I was put into Intermediate because I had 2 marks less than 75% in the first module (75% in each module is required for getting into Fast Track). No, I was not sad! When you come to such an wonderful campus you don’t desire to leave it so early. I was more than happy to be in Intermediate. Intermediate was more of fun and classes got over earlier. Teachers were less strict and unless you have any re-tests Intermediate is a time where you can have all the fun in the campus.
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I was assigned to Dot Net stream. Schedules were same, however, life was difficult. There were loads of assignments, without which it would be impossible to score in hands on. But now Dev Square was missing. For hands on exam, we had manual evaluation where the faculty used to test your code and adherence to QP. I clearly remember that in C# hands on though I had my program running fine and giving the perfect output, half of the total marks was deducted. Reason – I deviated from the QP! Perception (or MCQ) was pretty easy if you had studied the slides properly. Unlike the generics where some good concept was required to answer the questions, in stream the questions were pretty straight forward.
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Those six months were undoubtedly the best part of my life. Mysore DC will always remain in my heart, not as the place where I started my professional life but as a place which stood up and showed the world what dedication, hard work and perseverance can do!
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Also read the following blogs on Infosys Mysore Training<br />
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<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/09/infosys-mysore-training-experience-day.html" target="_blank">Infosys Mysore Training Experience – Day Zero</a><br />
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<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/09/10-things-to-do-at-infosys-mysore.html" target="_blank">10 Things To Do At Infosys Mysore</a><br />
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<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/08/infosys-mysore-food-part-1_4416.html" target="_blank">Infosys Mysore Food - Part 1</a><br />
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<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/08/infosys-mysore-food-part-2.html" target="_blank">Infosys Mysore Food - Part 2</a><br />
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Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com101tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-89270379510680460962012-09-09T21:27:00.003+05:302016-02-01T00:00:45.250+05:30Infosys Mysore Training Experience – Day Zero <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Disclaimer </b>: The views expressed in this article are solely that of mine. Infosys or its subsidiaries are in no way a part of the views expressed here.
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Can I ever forget the day? 18th December, 2011.
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With two huge bags, one held in hand and another on my shoulders...reached the gates just before nine in the morning. There were not many trainees, so didn’t face any inconvenience and stepped into the campus. Yes, the place that is known as a five-star jail. My eyes glittered as it saw the campus.
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After bag checks and joining formalities, we were taken to our respective rooms. Block 84, Room – 004 (do let me know if you have checked in this very room) .In spite of repeated attempts, the door wouldn’t unlock. The security saw and approached me. He made me realize that I was trying to unlock the wrong room.
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In the ecstasy of the moment, I used my key to unlock the door of Room – 014. I was a bit embarrassed. He smiled, as if it was normal!
The next half an hour was spent in discovering the room. Neat and clean room, neatly arranged bed, air conditioners; wait wait wait, I can’t describe it. Just one word – fabulous!!!
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The rest of the day was spent in discovering the campus. I had only one expression on that day – wow! I got confused with the roads leading to and from my block. And this confusion continued for a week...
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I retired to bed early since the next morning would be my first official day at Infosys.
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<b>Do not forget to read the following blogs on Infosys Mysore Training</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/09/10-things-to-do-at-infosys-mysore.html" target="_blank">10 Things To Do At Infosys Mysore</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/09/infosys-mysore-training-experience-in.html" target="_blank">Infosys Mysore Training Experience In A Nutshell</a><br />
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<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/08/infosys-mysore-food-part-1_4416.html" target="_blank">Infosys, Mysore - Food (Part 1)</a><br />
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<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/08/infosys-mysore-food-part-2.html" target="_blank">Infosys, Mysore - Food (Part 2)</a><br />
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Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-61219057161175000242012-09-02T23:10:00.001+05:302016-02-01T00:01:45.919+05:3010 Things To Do At Infosys Mysore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Your best days as an employee of Infosys would be spent at Infosys, Mysore. As a trainee there, you get opportunities to let your hair down and have fun besides the rigor of the training that promises to keep you busy most of the time. Here I have listed 10 things that you should not miss while being at Infosys Mysore.
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1. <b>Multiplex</b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrqVE4XovxcgRVLrC0WHUlhggjTdMpUePI8pS8gJpsCfWvECwyH0F3emtslh0Xv41BzYP7354xvQaOa0byrzGrLnLe9czv5kQJU5XpvIyrH1SIxJMWrW4nh0bFZbjGEVW5ZGkYduDu36T/s1600/multiplex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWrqVE4XovxcgRVLrC0WHUlhggjTdMpUePI8pS8gJpsCfWvECwyH0F3emtslh0Xv41BzYP7354xvQaOa0byrzGrLnLe9czv5kQJU5XpvIyrH1SIxJMWrW4nh0bFZbjGEVW5ZGkYduDu36T/s320/multiplex.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
Being here in Mysore for training, one thing that should top your agenda is movies on weekends. Normally there are 2 movies that get screened ever weekend with three screenings per day; and at times the queues are really long.
The ambiance is awesome and with the sound and picture quality that can compete with the best in India, missing out on weekend movies is rather a sin! I had to stand for about 2 hours in the sun to get a pass for Don-2. Did I scare you? Standing in the queue for long hours with friends and with the security keeping an eye on whether you are in the queue, the day really gets fulfilling. So on any weekend (in case you do not have an exam on Monday and wish to study for it) get up late and make sure to be at the Multiplex with your friends!
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2. <b>Domino's</b>
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Biting on the pizza while having a great chat and leg-pulling session with friends is something that no one would ever miss out on! Watch cricket with friends over pizzas ordered over.
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3.<b> Multiplex Food Court</b>
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So you want to be amidst all the hustle and bustle of the campus. Head towards the Multiplex Food Zone or MFC. With employees and trainees around, it seems like any other college canteen at its best. Oops, sorry! Infosys food courts are way better than college canteens, but here I was comparing the ambience. Any time of the day, in particular after six in the evening, the place starts to weave its magic around you…
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4. <b>Late Night Gossips Outside Hostel Buildings</b>
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Well, this is something that anyways you would not miss out on, even if I asked you to. Late night gossips with friends in the smoking zones of the hostels or outside the hostel buildings with a cool breeze around imagine the wonderfulness of the night. It’s another way to have a gala time when your clothes are busy getting washed and dried in the laundry.
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5. <b>Birthday Celebrations</b>
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Now for this you need to be a bit lucky. A birthday party in food courts (particularly Oasis) at twelve in the night is another experience you should not miss out on. Be there with cake and candles and have your camera ready to capture moments of the night.
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6. <b>Cycling</b>
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With more than 5000 cycles in the campus parked in every nook and corner, getting cycles for a quick ride during the class hours might prove to be a challenge. However, as the day comes to a close getting hold of one becomes easier. So with friends in tow, ride the cycles and have a tour of the whole campus. Experience the beauty of the campus and fall in love with it.
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7. <b>Bowling</b>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNvuO2mI33dF5OLgAHi_nBuxl0kJBroodAOKr5MIx1Isr6RbxuM0KhFixcjexDFrbGbUGedxN8wQ2btwfkPrzKXjaCcrNk0sv4Gmvk3GhgVulWDcKXU03dzUxhymnGjpsZGVScmGxusT-/s1600/bowling-alley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNvuO2mI33dF5OLgAHi_nBuxl0kJBroodAOKr5MIx1Isr6RbxuM0KhFixcjexDFrbGbUGedxN8wQ2btwfkPrzKXjaCcrNk0sv4Gmvk3GhgVulWDcKXU03dzUxhymnGjpsZGVScmGxusT-/s320/bowling-alley.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Bowling at the ECC with friends or even alone is fun. Don’t miss out on it…
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8. <b>Your Room</b>
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When you are in training, getting a few hours of sleep at night and then running for class when you get up next day becomes the order of the day. With the 5-star facilities provided in the room, I would suggest to give some time to your own self and spend some time with your room and the facilities that come bundled with it.
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9. <b>Eat Your Heart Out</b>
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With so many food courts and numerous offerings to choose from, ‘eating to live’ and ‘eating to enjoy’ should be clubbed during your stay in the campus. Remember, wherever you get posted post training (except Mysore DC), food won’t be anywhere near to it. So eat your heart out!
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10. <b>Fountain Near GEC – 2</b>
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Don’t forget to experience the awesomeness of the musical fountain on weekends in the evening between six and eight. I am sure you will love it…
Do share your experience with me on this post. Enjoy Infosys, Mysore!
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<b>Do not miss out on the other blogs of Infosys Mysore Training</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/09/infosys-mysore-training-experience-day.html" target="_blank">Infosys Mysore Training Experience – Day Zero</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/09/infosys-mysore-training-experience-in.html" target="_blank">Infosys Mysore Training Experience In A Nutshell</a><br />
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<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/08/infosys-mysore-food-part-1_4416.html" target="_blank">Infosys, Mysore - Food (Part 1)</a><br />
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<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/08/infosys-mysore-food-part-2.html" target="_blank">Infosys, Mysore - Food (Part 2)</a><br />
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Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-80859145033732084072012-08-22T23:55:00.000+05:302012-08-22T23:55:57.030+05:30A Friend Named Rohit Mishra...“I never liked Shah Rukh Khan until I saw the movie Mohabbatein”.
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The year 2007. I entered college, placed my baggage, read the book ‘Five Point Someone’. With room-mates Tanmoy and Abhisek Kumar Nirala (Nirala, more preferably), our combination was pretty out of the place. While the two felt it was comfortable to communicate in Hindi, I could not speak the language but very well understood it. Anyways, this article is not about Tanmoy or Nirala (I will write about them later).
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This article is dedicated to a guy from Motihari in Bihar. Rohit Kumar Mishra. Ask anybody in college (specially our immediate seniors and juniors) and they will tell you about Baba. That is how his friends called him. But I never called him Baba, because I never understood what qualified him for the name. Yea, I did ask our friends the reason but I was never satisfied with the reason. Our friendship dates back to the very first days of college and we struck an immediate chord. He called me Dada (yes, that’s how Bengalis are called everywhere).
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He had a Sony Ericsson mobile with songs from the nineties. There were about half a dozen songs in there that became my favourites. In the first year, we had the English Communication class. He knew little of English in the beginning and he was asked to speak on any topic by our English teacher, Leena Ma’am. He stood up, went forward and proclaimed to the class of forty-five students, “My best friend is Dada”. I was taken aback, pleasantly. What followed was a roar of laughter and a warning from the teacher to refrain from using the word ‘Dada’ and use ‘Samrat’ instead.
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He is a man of truth and highly daring. I can bet that nobody (who know him) can deny this. At least this is what I liked most about the guy. Later in the first year, something happened! We used to pull his legs with the name of this girl and then one day he revealed that he was in love with her. I am not going to take her name here. I don’t know if he ever made his feelings known to her or not; later he confided in me and said, “Main use kabhi pyaar nahi kiya, tu log mujhe karwa diya” [I never loved her but you guys instilled it in me]. :) :) :) Well, that’s how things happen in college!
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He used to frequently stand up against the bad food that was provided in the Hostel. He was the most daring of the lot and for his bravery he was awarded – he was expelled from the hostel. That’s how the management at DRIEMS is!!! Autocratic! However, he always maintained that Hostel was the best place for him (with the comfort that it offered) and he made it back to the hostel (as my room-mate). He ran from pillar to post and the victory was his. His never-say-die attitude is something that gave him the victory.
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Even Leena Ma’am once said, “Rohit, I know you can’t speak the language fairly but you are the only boy that gives his 100% when asked to speak”. Yes, I can guarantee he is now well-versed in the language.
Bhojpuri babu, that’s how I would prefer to call him (though I never called him by that name); for he was proud of the Bhojpuri language and culture! Every step of his life from the way he talks to the way he dances show him as our very own Bhojpuri Superstar.
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I should be doing a grave injustice to this post if I forget to mention the special relationship that he forged with my room-mate Nirala whom he used to call ‘sharu-bhai’. The reason being Nirala was in love with a girl and both their ‘princesses-in-dream’ were more or less sisters. That is the logic both had to offer. :) :) :) Rohit used to constantly tease Nirala and Nirala used to hit him with whatever he used to get in front of his hands. And Rohit used to shout and ask for forgiveness only to repeat the same thing the very next day. What would I do then? I would laugh rolling on the floor, ROFL! Even the other roomies Dibyendu and Prakash (he was our extended room-mate) would laugh and laugh until Nirala would stop hitting the poor fellow. :) :) :)
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How can I ever forget the University strike experience? We had all gathered to postpone the semester exams and then thanks to the ruckus created by some students, the police chased us with batons in their hands. Dibyendu successfully got through to a shop that was pulling down the shutters fearing trouble. Nirala, opened his chappal from his feet, took them in his hands and ran for his life. He was nowhere to be seen in seconds. And then there was poor Rohit. He tried to run hard but could not! I caught his hand and pulled him, shouting “Abe, jaldi chal, bhaag bhaag” [Run, faster].
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During semester exams it seemed that Rohit loved books and studies and they seemed to be an inseparable part of his life. And whenever the semester got postponed (which is more of a norm if you are studying at BPUT), he used to pack his books, open his laptop and we would all have a screening of the movie ‘Mohabbatein’ together. This was more of a trademark for this guy. It was after watching this movie that he became a huge fan of SRK. The only guy who had the complete collection of Ramayana and Mahabharata (downloaded from YouTube). That is how he is!
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He is one guy who discovered the word ‘coalfield’, the meaning of which if you know is good, else let’s forget it !!!
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Memories are forever, putting them in words is as difficult as holding to water in your fist…
Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-35462518687030346622012-08-19T01:16:00.000+05:302012-08-19T01:18:54.993+05:30'Don Bosco'
I had already got the call to attend the interview but I was in the washroom giving final touches to myself. I was the only one left! The man in charge of sending us in one by one for the interview called 'Samrat Roy Chowdhuri'.
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I got up and proceeded. In the mid-way I was confronted with a well-dressed man. He was in his early sixties, smart and confident. I knew at that very moment that it was the HR and he was going to interview me.
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"Are you Samrat Chowdhuri from Don Bosco Bandel?", he asked me.
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"Yes", I replied.
<P>"Please come in", he said and guided me to the room where I was to be interviewed.
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I went in and took my chair after his permission.
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He started, "So you are from Don Bosco?".
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I could see the gleam in his eyes and understood that he was happy to interview some one from Don Bosco.
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"I have seen many Don Bosco students and you know what, they have scaled heights in life", he continued.
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These very words increased my confidence. I was now sure that the job was mine and nobody could snatch it away from me.
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The interview continued. It was a pretty informal one and he even asked me about my Principal and Vice-Principal at school.
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Cut back to school when I used to stand in the Assembly and Father would tell us, "The name Don Bosco matters a lot. Whenever you say that you are from Don Bosco, the whole perspective changes". Most of us then had laughed his words off!
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But on that very day, after my name was announced with the ones that got selected, these very words rang in my ears and it sent a shiver down my spine (it did the same now as I am writing).
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Just wanted to share this experience with you all, especially with my Fathers, teachers, friends back at Don Bosco and other Bosconians. Cheers to DON BOSCO !!!
Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-46310632961687232142012-08-17T09:57:00.001+05:302016-02-01T00:05:44.165+05:30Infosys, Mysore - Food (Part 2)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
…Continued from <a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/08/infosys-mysore-food-part-1_4416.html">Part 1</a>
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<b>Amoeba </b>– Situated near Block 84 and Block 90, Amoeba is the food court thronged by the male trainees mostly. It is in the midst of Boys’ Hostels and a popular food court. It’s more crowded during breakfast and dinner time, and you might not get anything if you hope to be there for dinner after 8:45 PM. The food court is mainly managed by Dilli Darbar and other kiosks include Juice Junction, Dosa Delight, MDP, American Sweet Corn (mini-kiosk). I never had a big inclination for this food court except the Chicken dry and Chicken Kebab whichare really good. The idli and aloo paratha during breakfast are good too.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPEPqrvpAjmIU2NLdVb4yfOuCG1NM2na0R9aHCq7hIcYvYgdU-gr_1zCxEX2RRSn7IhQd143W10CKlA4EHuABLF0Hl91xAfSXl3HNyThICkuDcMVjxMgmrWxKtgNzbby-FXBj9NA-IMTM/s1600/Amoeba.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPEPqrvpAjmIU2NLdVb4yfOuCG1NM2na0R9aHCq7hIcYvYgdU-gr_1zCxEX2RRSn7IhQd143W10CKlA4EHuABLF0Hl91xAfSXl3HNyThICkuDcMVjxMgmrWxKtgNzbby-FXBj9NA-IMTM/s320/Amoeba.JPG" width="259" /></a></div>
<b>Maitri </b>– This food court is in between the girls hostels and it is one food court where you get to see long queues at 7:30 PM itself (the official time for start of dinner). I loved the chicken hyderabadi and chicken fry that was served. Also included is a Juice Junction, Aroma Bakery and a soda-lime kiosk. The soda-lime is simply superb. Try out!
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There’s a Tandoori Nights held every Friday. To enjoy the Tandoori Night delights you need to be pretty early in order to avoid the queue which at times is really annoying. Priced within 80 bucks, the tandooris are a delight. Also available are the Paneer Tikkas which are mouth-watering. So if you are a vegetarian and want a change for your taste buds be there!<div>
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<b>Vista </b>– This food court is where all your pizzas get delivered from. Most of the time it remains empty and you can always go there to enjoy a pizza with your friends!
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<b>Magna </b>– The most crowded food court when it comes to lunch on any working day. Situated in B2 of GEC-2 it is served by two vendors – Pathankot and Madhuram. Pathankot is relatively North Indian and Madhuram specializes in South Indian servings. I personally enjoyed the breakfast that Madhuram offered and Pathankot servings never delighted me. However, you might try out the Chicken Biryani there, it’s good (but no where near to Oasis or Arena). There’s Aroma Bakery, MDP, Dosa Delight, Juice Junction, Dilli Darbar. Dilli Darbar is a small kiosk, however it attracts large number of trainees and it is very famous to those hailing from North India, particularly Chandigarh, Haryana and Delhi. The queue at most kiosks are long and frustrating at most times.
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<b>ILI Food Zone</b> – Situated behind the Infosys Leadership Institute (ILI) this is one food court where you get Pav Bhaji, it’s quite a craze and if you really want to have one, be there by five in the evening. I also liked the Idli and Upma that it offered during breakfast. Not a fan of this food court, otherwise!
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<b>Arena </b>– Another food court that gets crowded during lunch time! Whenever I hear the name of Arena, only one thing comes to my mind, the Chicken Biryani(it's a two-floor food court and you will find chicken biryani being served on the first floor). It is the best in the campus, so you should never miss out on the biriyani served here! I once had a Thali here, but didn’t like it. It also offers north indian and south indian meals. Juice Junction is a good kiosk and you get to buy fruits from here.
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<b>Floatel (Floating Restaurant)</b> – Situated behind the Information Centre, this is the one and only place where you get lunch and dinner Buffet at the price of 210 bucks. If you want to treat your friends you can consider this place; however always know the menu for the day before you book. Again, you need to book only when you have more than ten accompanying you, else just inform them! Both veg and non-veg items are available here, however I never liked the veg here. The chicken and mutton preparations are good, however the fish items are awful and I would never suggest you to go there and waste your money and energy for the same! Sweet items are great. Let me warn you, don’t expect heavenly food there, you will be disappointed. Not much to tingle your taste buds, but a good place to have fun and food once in a while!
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That’s all from my food experience at Mysore! Do reply and let me know if you liked my write-up and tips. Do share your experience on the food there at the heavenly campus of Infy Mysore.
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Happy gorging !
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<span style="background-color: #fcf8f4; color: #3e4320; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">Also read the following blogs on Infosys Mysore Training</span><br style="background-color: #fcf8f4; color: #3e4320; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" /><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/09/infosys-mysore-training-experience-day.html" style="background-color: #fcf8f4; color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" target="_blank">Infosys Mysore Training Experience – Day Zero</a></div>
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<br style="background-color: #fcf8f4;" /><a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/09/10-things-to-do-at-infosys-mysore.html" style="background-color: #fcf8f4; color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" target="_blank">10 Things To Do At Infosys Mysore</a><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/09/infosys-mysore-training-experience-in.html" target="_blank">Infosys Mysore Training Experience In A Nutshell</a><br style="background-color: #fcf8f4; color: #3e4320; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/08/infosys-mysore-food-part-1_4416.html" style="background-color: #fcf8f4;" target="_blank">Infosys Mysore Food - Part 1</a></div>
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Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-4214694301665345692012-08-16T14:58:00.004+05:302016-02-01T00:07:45.088+05:30Infosys, Mysore - Food (Part 1)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The most beautiful campus among all at Infosys has 9 food courts and tell you what; you will get the best of everything that you can possibly think of at any company canteen. So let’s take a brief look at each of these Food Courts and let me tell you about what you should not miss at the heavenly campus of Infosys, Mysore.
Let me take you from Gate 2 (the entrance).<br />
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<b>Fiesta </b>– The two-floor Food Court is a favourite hang out zone for both the trainees and employees. The ground floor mainly deals with South Indian and North Indian meals. I was no fan of the servings. But if you are veg, you might try out the meals. Some of my friends liked it. It has a juice junction and it is the only place in the campus where you get sugar cane juice. Try out and I am sure you will love it.
I was more impressed with the first floor servings that had kiosks that include Dominos, Polar Bear, Khasta Khanna, and Idlys. Dominos Pizza is a rage for whoever goes there and don’t forget to tell them that you want your order from Infosys Menu. Khasta Khanna, one of my favourite, provides good Chinese combos which include Chowmien, Chilly Chicken, Chicken Manchurian, Fried Rice, among many others. Polar Bear is more of an ice cream parlour and you should never miss the ‘Death By Chocolate’ ice-cream. It’s the best in the campus and costs less than 140 bucks. Idlys are more about idlis, vadas, sambar, dosas; priced low and tastes good.<br />
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<b>Multiplex Food Zone (also known as MFC)</b> – This food court is operational 24X7 to cater to the hunger of employees working late night and also to trainees who prefer studying late at night fearing failure in tests. Dilli Darbar is one vendor that is quite famous and the food is good too. Long queues after movies on Saturday and Sunday night shows are normal. In the evenings, try out Panipuris, Samosa Chats and Dahi Bhallas here. They are good. This is another favourite hang out zones for the folks and you will always find it filled with guys chit-chatting away. Baskin and Robbins is an ice cream kiosk which one should never miss out on. Having ice creams with friends and chatting away, sure you don’t want to miss it. You can also have cakes and samosas from Aroma bakery. If it’s your friend’s birthday and you want to have a cake cutting ceremony, don’t forget to order for a cake here. The other kiosks include Dosa Delight, Juice Junction. You will also find an American Sweet Corn mini-kiosk here.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaK49kR7qyw5fN6MUOAlZhzSYy6-lXq-qtuun33U38p1-_6dc5EOf8y_kicx-JH84q9ImCMJfgFIGxEcnluJmCb8nOeD7ftx3RW-bbpwQlPFq-NgeQRMQJrfWkzCFzBjqb7tV0sAwMs13/s1600/oasis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPaK49kR7qyw5fN6MUOAlZhzSYy6-lXq-qtuun33U38p1-_6dc5EOf8y_kicx-JH84q9ImCMJfgFIGxEcnluJmCb8nOeD7ftx3RW-bbpwQlPFq-NgeQRMQJrfWkzCFzBjqb7tV0sAwMs13/s320/oasis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Oasis </b>(near block 79) – Situated in the midst of Boys’ and Girls’ hostels, this ranks No.1 in my list. The simple reason is it’s more of a Bengali food court. So if you are a Bengali, missing Kolkata or home-made foods, make it your den.
For others, it is one place where you get practically everything. It’s a one stop place for all your stomach-needs. It is a two floor Food Court and in the ground floor you can have meals, veg, non-veg combos (both North Indian and South Indian). Don’t miss the Chicken Biriyani here! Other kiosks include Café Coffee Day, Aroma Bakery. There used to be a sugar cane juice centre here but it’s no more functional now. There’s a Convenio Store also where you get everything (food) from breads to biscuits, Cadburys to ice creams. So, if you have a girl friend, beware (joking)!!!
Moving on to the first floor; there’s a kiosk that provide only combos and it gets crowded after 8:30 in the evening. It attracts large crowd because the food is not spicy. There’s a Juice Junction where you can have fruit salads, sandwiches, juices, milkshakes with ice-creams. There’s Fusion Bistro that you will admire if you are a fan of Chinese Food. Try out the Chicken 65 here, at times the preparation is just awesome.
This is the perfect place where you can celebrate your friends’ birthdays at the dead of night!!!
Channa Bhatura is available on both the floors.
That’s all for now. Join me in the second part for more on food at the Mysore campus.
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<span style="background-color: #fcf8f4; color: #3e4320; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;"><b><u>Also read the following blogs on Infosys Mysore Training</u></b></span><br style="background-color: #fcf8f4; color: #3e4320; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" /><br />
<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/09/infosys-mysore-training-experience-day.html" style="background-color: #fcf8f4; color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" target="_blank">Infosys Mysore Training Experience – Day Zero</a><br style="background-color: #fcf8f4; color: #3e4320; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" /><br />
<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/09/10-things-to-do-at-infosys-mysore.html" style="background-color: #fcf8f4;" target="_blank">10 Things To Do At Infosys Mysore</a><br /><br />
<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/09/infosys-mysore-training-experience-in.html" target="_blank">Infosys Mysore Training Experience In A Nutshell</a><br style="background-color: #fcf8f4; color: #3e4320; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;" /><br />
<a href="http://samratroyc.blogspot.in/2012/08/infosys-mysore-food-part-1_4416.html" style="background-color: #fcf8f4;" target="_blank">Infosys Mysore Food - Part 1</a><br />
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Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-1601896999327390422011-07-22T14:35:00.001+05:302011-07-22T14:58:53.941+05:30Bribe – The Indian Way to Do Things FasterFor my pre-joining requisites, I submitted my passport application form along with the correct and valid documents in the Kolkata RPO. As expected, the form was sent to the DIB Office within a week maintaining the norms. I always knew about the corrupt officials waiting there for me.<br /><br />Whatever be it, I went there and waited for my enquiry. I was provided with a IPP number and I was guided to a man in the next room.<br />He looked at me, enquired about my details and asked me to sit down. He briefed me about the various documents that I was required to show him, though I had already submitted them along with my application form.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2 days later:<br /></span><br />My dad had already instructed me to keep some close to thousand bucks so that I can make the corrupt official more corrupt and I agreed to it.<br />I reached there. He asked me for my IP number and this is the conversation that followed :<br /><br />Man : Did your file reach us ?<br />Me: Yes...here is my IP number, you may also check the register.<br />He checked it and opened the large trunk and after 10 minutes of searching, he found it<br />Man: Hmmm!!! (in a very low voice)So did you bring the kharcha-pani ?<br />Me: (just to shock him a bit and in a relatively loud voice) how much should I pay you?<br />Man: Say slow, you wanna kill me?<br />Me: Ok<br />Man: Come here<br />I followed him out of the room (the room consisted of men and a woman who were equally corrupt)and he led me to a corner where there was nobody<br />Me: Hoe much?<br />Man: How much can you give me?<br />Me: 300 bucks<br />Man: I have to pass your form across three tables...so 300 bucks wont do...<br />Me: Ok 500 bucks<br />Man: What will happen with 500?<br />Me: Last quote....600...I don’t have more<br />Man: Ok...that will do<br />I handed him over the money. He didn’t count it, just put it in his pocket.<br />Me: When shall I have my work done?<br />Man: I will do my part in 2-3 days, and then you come and ask in the despatch dept.<br />Me: Okay, but since you have taken up my case, I will enquire you<br />Man: But, its not entirely in my hands.<br /><br />I came back home, satisfied and guilty of having making a corrupt official more corrupt. First time, I had bribed someone and I didn’t like it.<br /><br />Even though I had the original documents with me and necessary proofs, why do I need to shell out the money?<br /><br />Why is it, that the general public (which includes me) don’t say anything to such malpractices?<br /><br />Is it because they are used to all such malice?<br /><br />Or, is it they don’t have the guts to stand up and face corruption, fearing their files may gather dust?<br /><br />There are so many questions that I suppose no one can answer<br />And then, we just blame the Government for not taking actions on black money, etc. If we can’t, we don’t have the right to blame anybody...Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-21419812571724851382011-05-14T00:35:00.001+05:302011-05-14T00:39:58.459+05:30Bidding Goodbye - Farewell 2011<span style="font-weight:bold;">Date: 11th May, 2011<br />Time: 12:15 pm<br />Place: Auditorium, DRIEMS<br />Purpose: Farewell 2011-05-14<br />Dress Code : Jeans, Formal Shirt and Red Tie</span><br /><br />We just entered the auditorium and we were given a grand traditional welcome with flowers and tika by Subhashree and Tejaswini. We took our our seats and almost immediately, there were snaps here and there. We ran from our seats to pose for the last of the snaps here and there and hugged and greeted our friends for one of the last times.<br /><br />The program started with a welcome speech by Anisha. Janhavi and Dibyalok took the program till the end from there on. There was the ramp show, rapid fire round and paper dance that made those last moments really wonderful. The conceptualisation was great and hosting the show was fabulously done by those 10-15 guys and gals who overcame all difficulties to bid us good-bye. <br /><br />The lunch was great. The chicken biriyani was the best that I ever had in Odissa. <br />The DJ was rocking and it was then that gals started sobbing and finally tears rolled down their cheeks. There was music, there was weird dances and there were sobbing, crying and emotional hugging everywhere on the stage. It was the last time when the entire branch was together and there were apologies for past fights. There was so much emotion in the air, posing for snaps continued amid this crying and hugging and describing the moment is very tough. <br />Even after the DJ got over, we didn’t stop. It was as if it was the very last time before we take the train back home. <br /><br />A big thank you to Divyalok and group, Janhavi, Anisha, Tashi, Subhasree and others who made the last moment so wonderful and ever-cherishing. Miss you all so much.Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-39125672927554675162011-01-21T22:34:00.000+05:302013-08-14T13:05:27.802+05:30Infoscion – Dream Achieved, Mission AccomplishedWell, the D-Day is gone and the greatest thing is that my Dream Company has shown enough interest in me while recruiting me. <br /><br />As the final results got declared, celebrations started amongst the achievers, the new Infosysions – but I checked the list again and again to confirm what I heard. Yes, I was through. Neither did I cry nor did I raise my arms to show my excitement. I took out the two mobiles from my pocket, dialled my mom from one and dad from another and gave them the good news. My mom confirmed and re-confirmed from me what I told them. My dad, seemed unperturbed (even when I could hear his colleagues excited and congratulating him for the success), congratulated me and asked me keep on attending interviews!!!!! <br /><br />I next called my grand-ma (from mother’s side) and when after receiving my call she did recognise me she was elated with joy. I could hear her crying and there was nothing I could tell to make her stop but “don’t cry, I am coming”.<br />Next, the HR Head from Infosys called us in the Conference Hall, showered us with the tag “INFOSYSIONS” and asked us to improve on our communications. <br />Posing for photographs was next on the cards. The Achievers of the Day did it with fun and gaiety with V-signs. <br /><br />With Maa Meera Alfassa’s blessings I am an Infosysion. A big thank you to my school Don Bosco School, Bandel for it was the name Don Bosco that impressed the HR and Rev. Fr. V.T. Jose for they have brought changes to me that made me a better person. Thanks to Sushanta Parida, my senior, and Mr. Subhrakanta Panda, my teacher in college who kept on encouraging me to go for activities outside regular studies. <br />Last, but the most important of all, thanks to my parents, my sister, my grand ma for their non-conditional support, and their encouragement. But, no thanks, because a mere thank you would demean them. So, I take it back.<br /><br />Bye...Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-89433444027447251672011-01-10T12:30:00.000+05:302011-01-10T12:33:26.413+05:30Gangulyless KKR, Gangulyless IPL-IVThe auctions are over. As always, iconic players have been bought and sold as if some sort of business was underway to create teams of ‘Flesh Trade’. But, controversies are part of Indian life and IPL-IV is no exception. Ganguly and Lara unsold. Though Lara’s case didn’t raise eyebrows, nation-wide debate continues over Dada’s going ‘unsold’. <br />While Kolkatans and most Ganguly fans cry foul and burnt effigies of SRK on streets, there rises a question as whether all this is because – it is going to be a Gangulyless KKR or Gangulyless IPL-IV.<br />The swords are out for SRK. Reasons are quite a few. Ganguly was the best player from KKR’s side and was the 3rd highest run-getter in IPL-III. He’s the most lovable boy from Kolkata to which KKR belongs. <br />But why did the other franchises (Kochi, Sahara) turn him down too when they had lot of finance left in needed experience? Why did the names of Laxman, Dravid, Uthappa, and a few others attract the franchise owners more when they were nowhere close to Ganguly’s performance in the previous edition of IPL? Was it because Ganguly didn’t play a single International Match in the previous year? Or was it because he didn’t get along with foreign coaches at times? Was it because he had a larger base price? Or was it because he wanted to do things the way he thought would give better results? Or was he a victim to a conspiracy that wanted his era to end completely?<br />The questions keep coming and going and answers that contradict one-another.<br />But somehow down the line people feel that he should have been given a better farewell from the world of cricket. All this is bound to make Ganguly a laughing stock.<br />KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan’s comment (to quote “No IPL team possible in Kolkata without Dada”) after the auctions added fuel to the fiery anger of the people back in Bengal.<br />All this said and done, it’s quite clear now that we may not see our beloved Dada in action, but his career will always inspire those who choose cricket as career. <br />Salaam Dada !!!Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-53011218465557850692011-01-04T03:14:00.000+05:302011-01-04T03:16:49.384+05:30Will I Get There?The 7th Semester is slowly drawing to a close with just one exam left. Normally, on all other occasions my mind would have been carefree and I would have waited for the exams to end. But this time, it’s not going to be the same. The reason is simple – I am about to finish my graduation and what worries me the most is the prospect of a job in a Dream Company.<br />Recently there has been a splurge in job offers made all over India by leading IT companies in reputed technical institutions. 90% students from all that appeared were offered a job while there is yet one to visit my college. If I look at the trends of the past few years, then I shouldn’t be optimistic at all since the Placement Department failed miserably. <br />Thinking that this year, it won’t be any different, I registered my profile in leading JOB PORTALS like naukri.com, monster.com, timesjobs.com. There were a host of companies that claimed to be the leading ones. On googling their name it was found that they don’t even carry a website to their name. At last, I came across one that looked a bit promising and not fake. I submitted my resume and on the very next day a phone interview was called for. Initially, a bit taken aback, I replied to their couple-of-questions and was selected. Next I was to appear for an online written test. I sent them a DD of 350\- and appeared for the test. Though I cleared in C and Communicative English, I missed out on the C++ test. I mailed them and as expected I was not selected.<br />But, there was a sweet surprise that was yet to come. I heard that Infosys is to go for an on-campus drive in my college. Sweet and taken aback, I started my preparations. There’s so much to do but exams are a curse to my preparations.<br />Day and night I am thinking about Infosys. I can see everything before my eyes – the written exam, the HR interview, my getting selected, seeing my name on the white paper... <br />What is going to happen? Will I make it? Or will I fail to crack it? 19th January, 2011 – will it be the best moment of my life? Or will it be another dark day, which I would want to forget?<br />Only time will answer to these questions. Till then... keeping my fingers crossed!!!Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5362685282477000434.post-25945327947763006762010-09-18T23:53:00.003+05:302010-09-23T10:54:05.168+05:30A LETTER FROM A GIRL TO JRD TATA IN 1974 (Worth a read..)It was probably the April of 1974. Bangalore was getting warm and gulmohars were blooming at the IISc campus. I was the only girl in my postgraduate department and was staying at the ladies' hostel. Other girls were pursuing research in different departments of Science. I was looking forward to going abroad to complete a doctorate in computer science. I had been offered scholarships from Universities in the US... I had not thought of taking up a job in India. <br /><br />One day, while on the way to my hostel from our lecture-hall complex, I saw an advertisement on the notice board. It was a standard job-requirement notice from the famous automobile company Telco (now Tata Motors)... It stated that the company required young, bright engineers, hardworking and with an excellent academic background, etc. <br /><br /> <br /><br />At the bottom was a small line: 'Lady Candidates need not apply.' I read it and was very upset. For the first time in my life I was up against gender discrimination. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Though I was not keen on taking up the job, I saw it as a challenge. I had done extremely well in academics, better than most of my male peers... Little did I know then that in real life academic excellence is not enough to be successful? <br /><br /> <br /><br />After reading the notice I went fuming to my room. I decided to inform the topmost person in Telco's management about the injustice the company was perpetrating. I got a postcard and started to write, but there was a problem: I did not know who headed Telco <br /><br /> <br /><br />I thought it must be one of the Tatas. I knew JRD Tata was the head of the Tata Group; I had seen his pictures in newspapers (actually, Sumant Moolgaokar was the company's chairman then) I took the card, addressed it to JRD and started writing. To this day I remember clearly what I wrote. 'The great Tatas have always been pioneers. They are the people who started the basic infrastructure industries in India, such as iron and steel, chemicals, textiles and locomotives they have cared for higher education in India since 1900 and they were responsible for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science. Fortunately, I study there. But I am surprised how a company such as Telco is discriminating on the basis of gender.' <br /><br /> <br /><br />I posted the letter and forgot about it. Less than 10 days later, I received a telegram stating that I had to appear for an interview at Telco's Pune facility at the company's expense. I was taken aback by the telegram. My hostel mate told me I should use the opportunity to go to Pune free of cost and buy them the famous Pune saris for cheap! I collected Rs30 each from everyone who wanted a sari when I look back, I feel like laughing at the reasons for my going, but back then they seemed good enough to make the trip. <br /><br /> <br /><br />It was my first visit to Pune and I immediately fell in love with the city. <br /><br /> <br /><br />To this day it remains dear to me. I feel as much at home in Pune as I do in Hubli, my hometown. The place changed my life in so many ways. As directed, I went to Telco's Pimpri office for the interview. <br /><br /> <br /><br />There were six people on the panel and I realized then that this was serious business. <br /><br /> <br /><br />'This is the girl who wrote to JRD,' I heard somebody whisper as soon as I entered the room. By then I knew for sure that I would not get the job. The realization abolished all fear from my mind, so I was rather cool while the interview was being conducted. <br /><br /> <br /><br />Even before the interview started, I reckoned the panel was biased, so I told them, rather impolitely, 'I hope this is only a technical interview.' <br /><br /> <br /><br />They were taken aback by my rudeness, and even today I am ashamed about my attitude. <span> </span><span>The panel asked me technical questions and I answered all of them. </span><br /><br /> <br /><br />Then an elderly gentleman with an affectionate voice told me, 'Do you know why we said lady candidates need not apply? The reason is that we have never employed any ladies on the shop floor. This is not a co-ed college; this is a factory. When it comes to academics, you are a first ranker throughout. We appreciate that, but people like you should work in research laboratories. <br /><br /> <br /><br />I was a young girl from small-town Hubli. My world had been a limited place. <br /><br /> <br /><br />I did not know the ways of large corporate houses and their difficulties, so I answered, 'But you must start somewhere, otherwise no woman will ever be able to work in your factories.' <br /><br /> <br /><br />Finally, after a long interview, I was told I had been successful. So this was what the future had in store for me. Never had I thought I would take up a job in Pune. I met a shy young man from Karnataka there, we became good friends and we got married. <br /><br /> <br /><br />It was only after joining Telco that I realized who JRD was: the uncrowned king of Indian industry. Now I was scared, but I did not get to meet him till I was transferred to Bombay. One day I had to show some reports to Mr Moolgaokar, our chairman, who we all knew as SM. I was in his office on the first floor of Bombay House (the Tata headquarters) when, suddenly JRD walked in. That was the first time I saw 'appro JRD'. Appro means 'our' in Gujarati. This was the affectionate term by which people at Bombay House called him. <span>I was feeling very nervous, remembering my postcard episode. SM introduced me nicely, 'Jeh (that's what his close associates called him), this young woman is an engineer and that too a postgraduate. <br /><br /> <br /><br />She is the first woman to work on the Telco shop floor.' JRD looked at me. I was praying he would not ask me any questions about my interview (or the postcard that preceded it). <br /> <br /><br />Thankfully, he didn't. Instead, he remarked. 'It is nice that girls are getting into engineering in our country. By the way, what is your name?' <br /> <br /><br />'When I joined Telco I was Sudha Kulkarni, Sir,' I replied. 'Now I am Sudha Murthy.' He smiled and kindly smile and started a discussion with SM. As for me, I almost ran out of the room. <br /> <br /><br />After that I used to see JRD on and off. He was the Tata Group chairman and I was merely an engineer. There was nothing that we had in common. I was in awe of him. <br /> <br /><br />One day I was waiting for Murthy, my husband, to pick me up after office hours. To my surprise I saw JRD standing next to me. I did not know how to react. Yet again I started worrying about that postcard. Looking back, I realize JRD had forgotten about it. It must have been a small incident for him, but not so for me. <br /> <br /><br />'Young lady, why are you here?' he asked. 'Office time is over.' I said, 'Sir, I'm waiting for my husband to come and pick me up.' JRD said, 'It is getting dark and there's no one in the corridor. <br /> <br /><br />I'll wait with you till your husband comes.' <br /> <br /><br />I was quite used to waiting for Murthy, but having JRD waiting alongside made me extremely uncomfortable. <br /> <br /><br />I was nervous. Out of the corner of my eye I looked at him. He wore a simple white pant and shirt. He was old, yet his face was glowing. There wasn't any air of superiority about him. I was thinking, 'Look at this person. He is a chairman, a well-respected man in our country and he is waiting for the sake of an ordinary employee.' <br /> <br /><br />Then I saw Murthy and I rushed out. JRD called and said, 'Young lady, tell your husband never to make his wife wait again.' In 1982 I had to resign from my job at Telco. I was reluctant to go, but I really did not have a choice. I was coming down the steps of Bombay House after wrapping up my final settlement when I saw JRD coming up. He was absorbed in thought. I wanted to say goodbye to him, so I stopped. He saw me and paused. <br /> <br /><br />Gently, he said, 'So what are you doing, Mrs. Kulkarni?' (That was the way he always addressed me.) 'Sir, I am leaving Telco.' <br /> <br /><br />'Where are you going?' he asked. 'Pune, Sir. My husband is starting a company called Infosys and I'm shifting to Pune.' <br /> <br /><br />'Oh! And what will you do when you are successful.' <br /> <br /><br />'Sir, I don't know whether we will be successful.' 'Never start with diffidence,' he advised me </span><span>'Always start with confidence. When you are successful you must give back to society. Society gives us so much; we must reciprocate. Wish you all the best.' </span><span><br /> <br /><br />Then JRD continued walking up the stairs. I stood there for what seemed like a millennium. That was the last time I saw him alive. <br /> <br /><br />Many years later I met Ratan Tata in the same Bombay House, occupying the chair JRD once did. I told him of my many sweet memories of working with Telco. Later, he wrote to me, 'It was nice hearing about Jeh from you. The sad part is that he's not alive to see you today.' <br /> <br /><br />I consider JRD a great man because, despite being an extremely busy person, he valued one postcard written by a young girl seeking justice. He must have received thousands of letters everyday. He could have thrown mine away, but he didn't do that. He respected the intentions of that unknown girl, who had neither influence nor money, and gave her an opportunity in his company. He did not merely give her a job; he changed her life and mindset forever. <br /> <br /><br />Close to 50 per cent of the students in today's engineering colleges are girls. And there are women on the shop floor in many industry segments. I see these changes and I think of JRD. If at all time stops and asks me what I want from life, I would say I wish JRD were alive today to see how the company we started has grown. He would have enjoyed it wholeheartedly.<br /> <br /><br />My love and respect for the House of Tata remains undiminished by the passage of time. I always looked up to JRD. I saw him as a role model for his simplicity, his generosity, his kindness and the care he took of his employees. Those blue eyes always reminded me of the sky; they had the same vastness and magnificence. </span><span> </span><span>(Sudha Murthy is a widely published writer and chairperson of the Infosys Foundation involved in a number of social development initiatives. Infosys chairman Narayana Murthy is her husband.) <br /> <br /><br />Article sourced from: Lasting Legacies (Tata Review- Special Commemorative Issue 2004), brought out by the house of Tatas to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of JRD Tata on July 29, 2004 .</span>Samrathttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11045135033808810419noreply@blogger.com3