नेकी कर। दरिया में डाल। थोड़े समय बाद swag ले।
So proud of you, @[100001934831980:2048:Rupam Das].
So proud of you, @[100001934831980:2048:Rupam Das].
A guy called Meow-Ludo Disco Gamma Meow-Meow took an electronic train ticket, extracted the NFC chip from it, and implanted it under his skin.
You, or an AI engine, could never come up with such a story, no matter how hard you tried. Real life will forever be stranger than fiction.
I for one, would love to do away with the trouble of fishing out my wallet every time I travelled or purchased something. Provided I could turn off the damn thing at will, to prevent tracking and misuse.
You, or an AI engine, could never come up with such a story, no matter how hard you tried. Real life will forever be stranger than fiction.
I for one, would love to do away with the trouble of fishing out my wallet every time I travelled or purchased something. Provided I could turn off the damn thing at will, to prevent tracking and misuse.
Me, when life gets too chaotic...
कौन हैं यह journalists? कहाँ से आते हैं यह लोग?
क्यों बनाते हैं दूसरों कि मौत का तमाशा?
क्यों बनाते हैं दूसरों कि मौत का तमाशा?
@[619236733:2048:Manas Fuloria], in case you ever need to justify all the air purifiers in your office :-)
All others, please continue worrying. The air pollution we are living with continues to damage our brains, bodies and economies.
Maybe, now that the link between air pollution and economic growth is becoming rather obvious, someone will actually do something about it. Because which government cares about people any more?
All others, please continue worrying. The air pollution we are living with continues to damage our brains, bodies and economies.
Maybe, now that the link between air pollution and economic growth is becoming rather obvious, someone will actually do something about it. Because which government cares about people any more?
A life lived well and an inspiration to many. Cheerful and spunky till the end.
@[100001174040844:2048:Rahul Pal], do you remember introducing me to Hawking's work?
@[100001174040844:2048:Rahul Pal], do you remember introducing me to Hawking's work?
The products and the concept are both very beautiful. The world needs to move to sustainable, meaningful design like this.
इस देश की जनता सो रही है
और किसान जाग रहे हैं
वैश्वीकरण और पूंजीवाद ने विश्व भर के छोटे किसानों को क्या दिया है?
और किसान जाग रहे हैं
वैश्वीकरण और पूंजीवाद ने विश्व भर के छोटे किसानों को क्या दिया है?
The Use Me team did a fantastic job today at the Farm Fest. Such lovely wares and a delightful workshop.
Enjoy the beauty of this flower. But don't ask me for the name. I'm neither a botanist nor a gardener.
Peace and nature at Farm Fest
Little mowglis, yo!
And yet, every day I hear someone say "vaccines are bad" or "mainstream medicine is evil".
Anamika Agarwal, you were saying something about our website this afternoon 😀
Nilay: China has a better government than India.
Me (surprised): How so?
Him: We have democracy so people elect some stupid people who do nothing while food keeps rotting away in godowns and people are hungry and sick. While in China people have food and proper education.
I suppose the younger generation is running out of patience about basic governance rather rapidly.
Me (surprised): How so?
Him: We have democracy so people elect some stupid people who do nothing while food keeps rotting away in godowns and people are hungry and sick. While in China people have food and proper education.
I suppose the younger generation is running out of patience about basic governance rather rapidly.
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/mumbai-income-tax-department-unearth-tds-scam-worth-rs-3-200-crore-1182010-2018-03-05
This! Every individual and organisation having to collect tax on behalf of the government is the grossest stupidity imaginable. Of course people will run away with tax money they collected for the government. But what is vastly more prevalent, is people being ignorant about TDS laws and procedures, and screwing up when making payments. You have to (a) know when to deduct tax and (b) know how to submit that tax to the government.
I can have a consultant help me file my year end taxes. But I can't have a consultant sitting next to me, guiding me, every time I pay someone for something. That is simply ridiculous.
A quick Google search suggests that India might be the only country with this abomination. Why do we keep doing this to our citizens? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_Deducted_at_Source
Advance tax on salaries is a worldwide phenomena. But in India they should seriously consider having the bank do the collection and deposit.
This! Every individual and organisation having to collect tax on behalf of the government is the grossest stupidity imaginable. Of course people will run away with tax money they collected for the government. But what is vastly more prevalent, is people being ignorant about TDS laws and procedures, and screwing up when making payments. You have to (a) know when to deduct tax and (b) know how to submit that tax to the government.
I can have a consultant help me file my year end taxes. But I can't have a consultant sitting next to me, guiding me, every time I pay someone for something. That is simply ridiculous.
A quick Google search suggests that India might be the only country with this abomination. Why do we keep doing this to our citizens? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tax_Deducted_at_Source
Advance tax on salaries is a worldwide phenomena. But in India they should seriously consider having the bank do the collection and deposit.
'Tis the season for tax saving investments
निलय और गुरु Goldy.
It is official - you can legally harass anyone for anything in this country now.
The US used to be notorious for being a litigious society. India is already worse. Your sensitivity and right to be offended trump my desire for self expression and self determination.
The US used to be notorious for being a litigious society. India is already worse. Your sensitivity and right to be offended trump my desire for self expression and self determination.
Happy Holi
https://techcrunch.com/2018/02/28/amazon-prime-music-india/
Amazon Prime Music is in India.
And there was much rejoicing!
Amazon Prime Music is in India.
And there was much rejoicing!
An AVSM VSM, who is now a professor at Stanford and invented MIMO. Very interesting.
America has hope.
@[648017223:2048:Monika Agarwal], she speaks just like you.
Or did you copy her mannerism and accent 😂
Or did you copy her mannerism and accent 😂
Tabasco is a state in Mexico. Si Racha is a city in Thailand.
Wikipedia is a treasure trove of trivia.
Wikipedia is a treasure trove of trivia.
Stopped at a traffic light on Janpath today. A mallu man started crossing the road, with a bevy of schoolboys behind him. With the efficiency of a seasoned PE teacher, he kept one eye each on both sides of traffic, while also keeping every child within his sight, guiding them with hand signals.
Soon the queue of young boys covered the length of the pedestrian crossing. The lights turned green, and all hell broke loose. The drivers honked and shouted at them. I stood frozen, but the other lane threatened to drive over the kids. The teacher rushed up to stand in front of that lane, obstructing traffic so the children in front could pass safely. Meanwhile, on the other side of the road, traffic had crossed the signal and was menacing the kids. Eventually the traffic broke through, and the kids were split into three groups - one each on either side of the road, and the teacher and a handful more stuck on the median.
At that moment, I was ashamed to be an Indian. These young kids had travelled the length of the country to come see the glory of our Republic - India Gate. And this is how we treated them?
Soon the queue of young boys covered the length of the pedestrian crossing. The lights turned green, and all hell broke loose. The drivers honked and shouted at them. I stood frozen, but the other lane threatened to drive over the kids. The teacher rushed up to stand in front of that lane, obstructing traffic so the children in front could pass safely. Meanwhile, on the other side of the road, traffic had crossed the signal and was menacing the kids. Eventually the traffic broke through, and the kids were split into three groups - one each on either side of the road, and the teacher and a handful more stuck on the median.
At that moment, I was ashamed to be an Indian. These young kids had travelled the length of the country to come see the glory of our Republic - India Gate. And this is how we treated them?
While a majority of railways officials are upstanding citizens, the corrupt will stoop to any levels to make a fast buck. अब क्या क्या monitor करें zonal level से? And these few bring the whole Railways a bad name.
When I told Nilay about the Italian concept of pending coffee, he was this delighted.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caff%C3%A8_sospeso
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caff%C3%A8_sospeso
Loved this impromptu trip - the lack of a camera hurt more than the lack of clothes 😂
California ♥️
YES. YES. YES.
Fully support the government on this. Screw you, big tobacco.
Umm, screw you small tobacco too - being poor isn't an excuse to grow and process tendupatta, farmers. Grow something else.
Time for the government to also fully divest from ITC. https://m.economictimes.com/news/economy/finance/government-raises-rs-6700-crore-from-2-stake-sale-in-itc/articleshow/57028730.cms
And finally, if ethical mutual funds in India could get their act together, private citizens could also divest from this crap. https://www.valueresearchonline.com/story/h2_storyView.asp?str=32965
The tobacco lawyers say sugar is dangerous too. Sugar packaging has had nutritional information for over a decade now. But yeah, maybe it is time to list all the diseases sugar causes, on the packaging.
Fully support the government on this. Screw you, big tobacco.
Umm, screw you small tobacco too - being poor isn't an excuse to grow and process tendupatta, farmers. Grow something else.
Time for the government to also fully divest from ITC. https://m.economictimes.com/news/economy/finance/government-raises-rs-6700-crore-from-2-stake-sale-in-itc/articleshow/57028730.cms
And finally, if ethical mutual funds in India could get their act together, private citizens could also divest from this crap. https://www.valueresearchonline.com/story/h2_storyView.asp?str=32965
The tobacco lawyers say sugar is dangerous too. Sugar packaging has had nutritional information for over a decade now. But yeah, maybe it is time to list all the diseases sugar causes, on the packaging.
If you look to the east, you will see a distinct red smudge in the sky. That's your moon.
We've driven to Ghata in a vain attempt to leave the city lights behind. Will probably head to Mangar once the traffic settles a bit. Join us?
We've driven to Ghata in a vain attempt to leave the city lights behind. Will probably head to Mangar once the traffic settles a bit. Join us?
Took me more than an hour to convince the kids to travel all the way to Delhi with me. But they loved every minute of the Mother's Blossoms reunion. They made me feel so proud of my old school.
Met Fateh Singh Sir and Nitin Khullar after a lifetime. 🤩
Met Fateh Singh Sir and Nitin Khullar after a lifetime. 🤩
Kavin: Your phone is listening to everything all the time.
Me: Yes
Kavin: That's bad. Tell it not to.
Me: Actually, Google Now only runs when I'm driving.
Kavin: Even then it's bad.
When an eight year old can intrinsically understand privacy, why can't Google, Facebook and UIDAI?
Me: Yes
Kavin: That's bad. Tell it not to.
Me: Actually, Google Now only runs when I'm driving.
Kavin: Even then it's bad.
When an eight year old can intrinsically understand privacy, why can't Google, Facebook and UIDAI?
Kavin: I don't know why, in cricket, players are names after fruits. One is Amla, one is Kiwi. But they're good players.
My phone's SIM card has died. I am no longer reachable on calls till this is fixed. WhatsApp etc will only work when I'm at home or work.
Damn Airtel.
Damn Airtel.
Kavin is over the moon. His hero won an award. Padmashri Arvind Gupta.
Watch! What joy.
Watch! What joy.
Dressed to kill (children)
यह देश है वीर जवानों का
(दो दिन बाद यही गाना सुनाई देगा देश के हर कोने में)
(दो दिन बाद यही गाना सुनाई देगा देश के हर कोने में)
Heating my clothes on the room radiator before wearing them, when it's only 11°C.
Not a winter person.
Not a winter person.
A beggar just knocked on my car door. My mind was elsewhere, so I absentmindedly turned towards him and nodded in greeting.
He got scared and ran away.
Now I feel bad.
(I'm in the passenger seat, so it's ok to be lost in my thoughts).
He got scared and ran away.
Now I feel bad.
(I'm in the passenger seat, so it's ok to be lost in my thoughts).
I have to deliver a presentation on Tamil Nadu on Tuesday in Kavin's class. What an honour! I started to put together notes, then I thought I should ask my friends for help.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10D_JZg_I7egkVfIw1jxiIsvPVTA1tMQgwy5VxyF49V4/
You have 24 hours :-)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10D_JZg_I7egkVfIw1jxiIsvPVTA1tMQgwy5VxyF49V4/
You have 24 hours :-)
Is anyone interested in going for this? I've been once and it was lovely. The whole place is yellow and merry. And as so many have said over the last 400 years - the celebration of Basant Panchami at a sufi shrine is a sight in itself.
But it's far from Gurgaon and I'd like to carpool.
But it's far from Gurgaon and I'd like to carpool.
So low 😐
A fun morning at Sultanpur
This is a big deal for us. All three of the thin clients that we stock with Amazon are in their bestseller list. They're ahead of both the Mac Mini and the NUC in popularity.
Products 1-5 do not run Windows. Product 6 is barebones and comes with no OS. How times have changed in the desktop computing world.
Products 1-5 do not run Windows. Product 6 is barebones and comes with no OS. How times have changed in the desktop computing world.
A beautiful winter morning
I am surprised that journalists are unable to differentiate between outbound and inbound pilgrimages. And domestic and international inbound pilgrims.
Subsidising outbound pilgrimages is a patently bad idea. Haj subsidy is gone, others should go to. Let folks crowdfund their own trips.
Underfunded inbound pilgrimages are nothing but disasters waiting to happen. Anyway we Indians get crushed to death wherever we go - railway footbridges being the most recent example. Not a season goes by without a stampede at a temple or festival. When millions upon millions descend upon Kashi, to take a dip at one place at one time, there isn't much that the local administration can do other than spend gobs of money and prepare for this congregation.
Deadly stampedes make the headlines. But hygiene, transport, medical facilities, security, guidance, food and drink, fire safety, and a zillion other things are required when a bunch of folks troop in and troop out like they do in pilgrimages.
These are Indian citizens traveling to a part of India. What are you going to do to stop them? Impose 144? But they're not gathering to create a menace. They're gathering with the purest of intentions (my atheist ass insists they are misguided, but that is besides the point here).
When Indian pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia, SA dictates all kinds of terms. Earlier Indians used to travel by ship. That was changed to flights only. Now ships are going to be allowed again (which is why the subsidy is going). They can treat foreigners the way they want. They can even throttle entry.
If Indians were only visiting temples like Tirumala, and donating gobs of money, then the temple could be told to spend on the pilgrims. But we seem to show up at all kinds of nature spots - the confluence of rivers, a hill, a cave with an ice stalagmite. You can't just start charging everyone ₹1,000 to show up within a 10 mile radius of sangam. Look at them - some of them are stark naked, many of them are half naked.
It's gonna cost crores of rupees to just clean up after them. If you don't want the administration to pay for that, do tell, who else will?
Subsidising outbound pilgrimages is a patently bad idea. Haj subsidy is gone, others should go to. Let folks crowdfund their own trips.
Underfunded inbound pilgrimages are nothing but disasters waiting to happen. Anyway we Indians get crushed to death wherever we go - railway footbridges being the most recent example. Not a season goes by without a stampede at a temple or festival. When millions upon millions descend upon Kashi, to take a dip at one place at one time, there isn't much that the local administration can do other than spend gobs of money and prepare for this congregation.
Deadly stampedes make the headlines. But hygiene, transport, medical facilities, security, guidance, food and drink, fire safety, and a zillion other things are required when a bunch of folks troop in and troop out like they do in pilgrimages.
These are Indian citizens traveling to a part of India. What are you going to do to stop them? Impose 144? But they're not gathering to create a menace. They're gathering with the purest of intentions (my atheist ass insists they are misguided, but that is besides the point here).
When Indian pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia, SA dictates all kinds of terms. Earlier Indians used to travel by ship. That was changed to flights only. Now ships are going to be allowed again (which is why the subsidy is going). They can treat foreigners the way they want. They can even throttle entry.
If Indians were only visiting temples like Tirumala, and donating gobs of money, then the temple could be told to spend on the pilgrims. But we seem to show up at all kinds of nature spots - the confluence of rivers, a hill, a cave with an ice stalagmite. You can't just start charging everyone ₹1,000 to show up within a 10 mile radius of sangam. Look at them - some of them are stark naked, many of them are half naked.
It's gonna cost crores of rupees to just clean up after them. If you don't want the administration to pay for that, do tell, who else will?
In India, when referring to a company in written communication, folks write M/s (for example, M/s Awesome Enterprises). M/s is used only in India, and is expanded as Messrs.
However, the correct expansion of the word is messieurs, which is the plural form of the French word monsieur.
When doing business in India, you're French 🤪
However, the correct expansion of the word is messieurs, which is the plural form of the French word monsieur.
When doing business in India, you're French 🤪
Bhaskar Deol अब यही बाकी था
Barry, the naarth sprouted someone Sivamani-esque (in a few years he'll be there). His performance is one non stop medley that shifts songs in under a minute. He's been at it for over an hour now. Full energy!
Kavin and I visit a medicine shop.
Kavin (pulling a pack out of the display): What is a condom?
Me: Kavin can we talk about that once I'm done buying this BP machine.
Kavin: Is it candy?
Me: No.
Kavin: It must be. It comes in strawberry and chocolate flavours.
Me: Can we finish up here first?
I give up on haggling, coz I've lost my upset bargaining face thanks to his questions. Once outside, I give him the usual knowledge about condoms.
Kavin (unfazed): That does not explain the flavours.
Me: Look I'm not an expert on condoms. I've never had to use them much. So I don't know.
Moral: To a kid, anything with strawberry flavouring is food. If your parent tells you otherwise, they're just trying to cheat you out of a new kind of candy.
Kavin (pulling a pack out of the display): What is a condom?
Me: Kavin can we talk about that once I'm done buying this BP machine.
Kavin: Is it candy?
Me: No.
Kavin: It must be. It comes in strawberry and chocolate flavours.
Me: Can we finish up here first?
I give up on haggling, coz I've lost my upset bargaining face thanks to his questions. Once outside, I give him the usual knowledge about condoms.
Kavin (unfazed): That does not explain the flavours.
Me: Look I'm not an expert on condoms. I've never had to use them much. So I don't know.
Moral: To a kid, anything with strawberry flavouring is food. If your parent tells you otherwise, they're just trying to cheat you out of a new kind of candy.
This is data from 2015. Not only do South Indian cities excel on most socio-economic indexes, they lead India on the pollution indices as well. Before you get too excited, my friends, let me remind you that the factors at play here are more than human.
Chennai, for example, benefits from its daily sea breeze. The breeze keeps the averages really low, but the peaks during commute hours are still as high as any other city. Bangalore is plagued by CO and ozone, almost entirely coming from traffic congestion. Even though PM2.5 levels are low, we have all heard about the persistent pollen and allergen issues in Bangalore.
A lot of people, especially those like me who once volunteered for it, have differences with Greenpeace over the methods it adopts. But this is remarkable work. Greenpeace is one of those rare NGOs that received my donation money, not just my time.
Chennai, for example, benefits from its daily sea breeze. The breeze keeps the averages really low, but the peaks during commute hours are still as high as any other city. Bangalore is plagued by CO and ozone, almost entirely coming from traffic congestion. Even though PM2.5 levels are low, we have all heard about the persistent pollen and allergen issues in Bangalore.
A lot of people, especially those like me who once volunteered for it, have differences with Greenpeace over the methods it adopts. But this is remarkable work. Greenpeace is one of those rare NGOs that received my donation money, not just my time.