Last week, while I was in LA, my boss asked me if I could go to Nassau, Bahamas to handle a deployment. Who in the face of this planet would say no, I needed a visa though. Fortunately, a week later the visa came through and its now time to fly to the islands. Have an early 6 AM flight. Couldn't sleep all night, was held up with some work or the other. Its 3.15 now, I'll shower and leave in an hour and sleep on the plane.
Bahamas as every one knows is famous for the white sandy beaches, superb nightclubs and not to mention the ever beautiful caribbean women. However it is also known to have the largest concentration of west Indian flamingos. Though am going on work, I'll manage to squeeze some time to hop around the islands.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Monday, March 13, 2006
Bangalore Traffic
Some hilarious quotes about the traffic situation in the garden city
Q: What is the most common disease in Bangalore?
A: RSI - Repetitive Stress Injury. No, not because of computers, but because of honking horns!
Q: Is the problem really that bad?
A: Just wait near a road hump. Most drivers honk the horn - hoping that the hump will go away.
Q: What is the most common psychological problem among Bangaloreans?
A: Owners of big cars are confused. They are not sure if they have bought the car or the road.
When the rest of the world's drivers see danger ahead, they press the clutch pedal, press the brake. A Bangalorean steps on the accelerator and then honks the horn.
Q: What is the surest indication that traffic sense of Bangaloreans is pathetic.
A: There is a board, which says "Red Means Stop"! (Honest! Denizens of Bangalore, go to Anil Kumble Circle and look up, there IS such a board.
Q: What is the second such indication?
A: Boards have started appearing which say something like "Go only when green".
Q: How does a Bangalorean park a car in a no parking zone?
A: Turn the hazard lights on, leave a hapless passenger inside and walk out.
Q: What are traffic lights in Bangalore meant for?
A: To be followed if there is a policeman nearby.
Q: There is a joke that the shortest measurable interval of time is the time between the traffic light turning green and someone behind you honking the horn. Why does this not apply to Bangalore?
A: Because you cannot measure negative time. The honks would have started even before
the light turned green. If they ever stopped at all, that is.
Typical of the directions you get in this city:
Q: How far is it from here?
A: Five minutes by walk, half an hour by car.
Q: What is the most common disease in Bangalore?
A: RSI - Repetitive Stress Injury. No, not because of computers, but because of honking horns!
Q: Is the problem really that bad?
A: Just wait near a road hump. Most drivers honk the horn - hoping that the hump will go away.
Q: What is the most common psychological problem among Bangaloreans?
A: Owners of big cars are confused. They are not sure if they have bought the car or the road.
When the rest of the world's drivers see danger ahead, they press the clutch pedal, press the brake. A Bangalorean steps on the accelerator and then honks the horn.
Q: What is the surest indication that traffic sense of Bangaloreans is pathetic.
A: There is a board, which says "Red Means Stop"! (Honest! Denizens of Bangalore, go to Anil Kumble Circle and look up, there IS such a board.
Q: What is the second such indication?
A: Boards have started appearing which say something like "Go only when green".
Q: How does a Bangalorean park a car in a no parking zone?
A: Turn the hazard lights on, leave a hapless passenger inside and walk out.
Q: What are traffic lights in Bangalore meant for?
A: To be followed if there is a policeman nearby.
Q: There is a joke that the shortest measurable interval of time is the time between the traffic light turning green and someone behind you honking the horn. Why does this not apply to Bangalore?
A: Because you cannot measure negative time. The honks would have started even before
the light turned green. If they ever stopped at all, that is.
Typical of the directions you get in this city:
Q: How far is it from here?
A: Five minutes by walk, half an hour by car.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
India's resilience to terrorism
The recent 'calm' after the varanasi blasts have clearly sent a messsage to the terrorists that whatever be ther motive, communal harmony will not be disturbed. Inspite of the BJP accusing the government, backlashing, calling a bundh etc , people in the holy city are back to normalcy and are not disturbed to pay visits to almighty.
On the other hand, what has been done to bring those terrorists to the courts ? Whoever carried out the Delhi blasts were classified as belonging to a certain group 'LeT' and thats it. The same happened with IISc shootings. People are resilient, yes but not bringing the terrorists to justice shows that people dont really value their lives. Is it the fact that there are a billion people out there that we are not concerned if 20 or 30 of us were killed ? In Isreal a bomb blasts and results in 2 deaths, rockets will be fired all over gaza. Its a different matter that firing rockets has not resolved the problem but it clearly sends a message that Isreal values its citizens.
The real reason or the urge to kill innocent civilians is not understood by me. Be it political, monetary or religious, the fact that common people who are no way concerned with any of these apsects are killed hurts. If killing is the mandate of terrorists, there are a handful of politicians out there.
On the other hand, what has been done to bring those terrorists to the courts ? Whoever carried out the Delhi blasts were classified as belonging to a certain group 'LeT' and thats it. The same happened with IISc shootings. People are resilient, yes but not bringing the terrorists to justice shows that people dont really value their lives. Is it the fact that there are a billion people out there that we are not concerned if 20 or 30 of us were killed ? In Isreal a bomb blasts and results in 2 deaths, rockets will be fired all over gaza. Its a different matter that firing rockets has not resolved the problem but it clearly sends a message that Isreal values its citizens.
The real reason or the urge to kill innocent civilians is not understood by me. Be it political, monetary or religious, the fact that common people who are no way concerned with any of these apsects are killed hurts. If killing is the mandate of terrorists, there are a handful of politicians out there.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)