In the beginning, there were two nations. One was a vast, mighty and magnificent empire, brilliantly organized and culturally unified, which dominated a massive swathe of the earth. The other was an undeveloped, semi-feudal realm, riven by religious factionalism and barely able to feed its illiterate, diseased and stinking masses. The first nation was India. […]
Archive for July, 2007
Quick Review: Alex Von Tunzelmann’s Indian Summer - The Secret History of the End of an Empire
Published by July 31st, 2007 in General Stuff. 2 CommentsAdhyatma Chintane - Issue #15: The Meaning of the Word “Janardhana”
Published by July 30th, 2007 in Spirituality. 0 CommentsToday we will learn the meaning of the word “Janardhana.”
“Na Jayathe Ardhayathi Cha Samsaram ithi janardhana,” meaning, one who is birthless (Na Jayathe) and who redeems the suffering of his Bhakthas (Ardhayathi Cha Samsaram). Here the sufferings refer to “Samsara.” Since he does both he is called “Janardhana.”
Feel free to offer your suggestion or correct […]
The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs.
It’s worse than lust.
Adhyatma Chintane - Issue #14: The Meaning Of The Word “Purushottama”
Published by July 23rd, 2007 in Spirituality. 4 CommentsNamaskara,
Today we will learn the meaning of the word “puruShottama.” This is actually another name for Lord naaraayaNa.
In the Bhagavad Gita, kRishNa paramatma says “dwavimou puruShou loke, xara axara eva cha,” meaning, there are two types of people (jiivas) xara (whose bodies are destroyed during praLaya) and axara (whose bodies are not destroyed during praLaya).
Here […]
Twisted Math: From XXL to M at inspirations
Published by July 18th, 2007 in General Stuff. 3 CommentsHere’s a tough math equation. Got this one from an inspirations™ (a slimming and beauty clinic for men and women) advertisement.
XXL to M
We’ll help you trim down to size. Just for Rs.2999/- 5 Kgs Weight Loss + 5 Tummy Trims + 5 Inch Loss Sessions. For details SMS SLIM to 6767.
If,
x = Cost per kg […]
Lame Marketing: An Umbrella For Your Money
Published by July 16th, 2007 in Business & Management. 2 CommentsHere’s an example for how desperate banks are to lay their hands on your money:
Open a Fixed Deposit online and get an exclusive HSBC umbrella for FREE!
Opening a Fixed Deposit this monsoon season couldn’t make more sense than this. You can now get an exclusive HSBC umbrella when you choose to open a Fixed Deposit […]
Adhyatma Chintane - Issue #13: Classification Of The Vedas
Published by July 16th, 2007 in Spirituality. 3 CommentsVeda Vyasa classified the Vedas into four divisions and preached it to four different people who were also referred to as the pravartakas. Let us know who they are:
The Rig Veda was preached to Paila.
The Yajur Veda was actually preached to two people: kRiShNa Yajur Veda to Vaishampayana and shukla Yajur Veda to Soorya.
The Saama […]
Mad Ads: Why You Shouldn’t Believe What Hrithik Roshan Says
Published by July 13th, 2007 in Technology. 0 CommentsAcer, the company that manufactures terrible laptops, dumps the monkey on you for a song, and finally screws you at the service centre, has chosen Hrithik Roshan to be their canary that sings: “Life is busy. Acer makes it easy,” in their latest ads.
It’s glaringly obvious that Hrithik Roshan has never booted up an Acer […]
Problem: What’s The Best Form Of Life Insurance To Have?
Published by July 12th, 2007 in Finance. 5 CommentsA pure term-insurance plan.
Don’t throw your hard earned money at any of these: endowment plans, money back plans, whole life plans, children plans, special plans for men, women, or whatever, and unit-linked plans. These schemes try to make a monkey out of life insurance by attempting to invest (and at times, gamble) on your behalf. […]
Embarrassment: Zapak Mail - Fast, Free, & Simple, But I Don’t Want To Be Caught Using One
Published by July 11th, 2007 in Technology. 2 CommentsA thought that occurred to me while listening to a Zapak Mail advertisement on FM:
How ridiculous would I sound if I told you that my new email address is vinayahs@zapakmail.com? And how embarrassed would you feel when sending an email to vinayahs@zapakmail.com?
I predict an early demise for Zapak Mail.
Review: The Mahindra Logan On First Glance
Published by July 9th, 2007 in General Stuff. 13 CommentsThe Mahindra Logan is about as hideous (def. so extremely ugly as to be terrifying) as cars can get. You have to see the car straight from behind to understand my horror.
My split-second reaction:
“What’s that fucking thing in front of me!”
Several seconds later, I realized that it was the Mahindra Logan - the wide-bodied car […]
Adhyatma Chintane - Issue #12: The Meaning of the Word “Shikandi”
Published by July 9th, 2007 in Spirituality. 6 CommentsNamaskara,
Today, let us learn the meaning of the word “Shikandi.”
Usually this term is thoroughly misunderstood and consequently is often used in wrong instances. It just means “a brave warrior who has tied his hair in the form of a jate/shika” (locks or plait). He was the person who was responsible for Bheeshmacharya’s death.
Feel free […]
Problem: Why Can’t I See My Latest Airtel Mobile Bill Online?
Published by July 6th, 2007 in Business & Management and Technology. 251 CommentsBecause, according to the CSE I spoke to, it takes five complete days starting from the day your bill is generated before you can view your latest bill online. Now what kind of business logic is that? We generate your bill, it then sleeps for five days, and presto it’s accessible online. Brilliant!
And as a […]
Airtel is really nuts. No one’s told them that it’s a really good idea to test a feature before rolling it out. The latest SMS from Airtel read:
“Your Airtel mobile info at ur fingertips! To know the outstanding dial *121*11# & for approx unbilled usage dial *121*12#. This info will appear on your mbl screen.”
Airtel […]
Airtel is nuts too. Their portal http://www.airtelworld.com/ is a classic example of how not to integrate two IT systems. Enter your username and password on the main page and voila, a new page pops-up asking you, yet again, for your username and password. If you’re patient enough to go behind the scenes, you’ll probably […]
A terrible way to begin the week - had an accident that involved a 3-car 1-bike sandwich on Airport Road. None of us were at fault. It’s one of those accidents that just happen. My car’s bonnet and front & rear bumpers are non-existent. Damn! A cop came along and asked a simple question: “Do […]
Adhyatma Chintane - Issue #11: The Meaning of the Word “Ashwattaamaa”
Published by July 2nd, 2007 in Spirituality. 0 CommentsNamaskara,
Today let us learn the meaning of the word “Ashwattaamaa.”
Ttaamaa means to make a noise or sound.
When he was born he made a noise like that of a Ashwa (horse). So he was called Ashwattaamaa. You should know that Ashwattaamaa achar was the son of Dronacharya.
Feel free to offer your suggestion or correct any mistake […]
