Reflections

What I have always thought to be the inherent bias in the west - and especially the US and the UK is finally confirmed in my mind and out in the open. Not that it is a surprise: most of us already suspected it. But some sensitivity from them was expected, given that their citizens perished as well. But no... the west has proven its total inability to rise above its own jaundiced, prejudiced and selfish world-views by this display of crass insensitivity. Thank you is all that comes to mind: for coming out into the open with what certainly seems to be bias. The media reports have left me speechless with rage... media reflects the views of its people; and the media reports speak for themselves!  As the firstpost notes : " The words we deploy reflect our latent  biases, and on occasions media megaphones lose their perspective, particularly when they operate on alien turf. Sometimes, it’s just a case of echoing the official political line of their home countries. The same Muj...

http://business-standard.com/india/news/shankar-sharma-american-idolatry-inus-legal-system/491834/ http://www.business-standard.com/491726/ In a 2-part series, the author has - very convincingly to me - ripped apart the Rajat Gupta case, and proven how he was victimised. The Author is the Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of First Global. The Author makes a simple point and proves it: Rajat Gupta was an outsider. After reading it, and recalling Rajat Gupta behaviour throughout the case, (he submitted himself to the authorities, trusting the US Justice System which started the entire affair, his overall approach etc) I am convinced... excerpts are given below...  " Of the many things I don’t like about this Rajat Gupta affair, one is the Indian media’s sickeningly fawning portrayal of the American justice system as one that “doesn’t spare the rich and powerful, unlike ours where the well-connected get away”, and “how justice is dispensed speedily in the US”, and so ...

The latest in the Covert-One Series If the series copyright holders are not careful, the Covert One series franchise will be altered beyond all recognition... wish they were more careful towards the aspects of characterisation. The characters are common with the original series in only the name; rest all - their habits, personalities have changed beyond all recognition in this latest version of the series. For an ardent fan of the series, this is a little disappointing, to say the least. One looks forward to a Covert One novel for its unique combination of bio-hazard threats, combined with the tough but human Smith, the equally tough but hard-nosed Howell,  and the rebel Randi. All are missing in this novel. Sure, the names are there; but that is all. In a nutshell, that is my opinion of this novel.  This Novel differs from the series in almost every way; the series usually has a world hot-spot at its epicenter, with the action being based largely outsi...

We the shameless by The Underage Optimist : Chetan Bhagat's blog-The Times Of India : 'via Blog this' "But more important than venting about the two-faced nature of some organisations or blaming Gadkari and a few other politicians is understanding why all political parties back their corrupt members despite massive allegations and enough circumstantial evidence. The answer lies in the way Indians think. While it is easy to blame politicians, the fact remains that our politicians are not ethical because we aren't ethical. The simple, bitter truth is that the electorate just doesn't care much about financial impropriety. Sure, we bicker, moan and fuss about politicians looting us. However, it is not that high up in the hierarchy of wrongs a politician could commit. A moderate amount of corruption is almost expected and accepted. It is only when graft is done in an obvious, large-scale and arrogant manner that Indians get somewhat upset — and th...

For the first time in the several years experience of reviewing books, I find myself at a total blank wall... I just do not have an idea on how to start. This is a book that has stunned me beyond comprehension with its plot, attention to detail and writing skills. In short, this is not a book to be missed if you are above 25, and if you have corporate working experience - or any working experience. But more of that in the analysis part... The Characters Vikram Bahl: I, Me, Myself...  Tanuja: Undefinable Krishna Menon: A man with a task, and the commitment to carry it to the logical end Nikhil: Commpliant... but to whom or what is the question Anand: Achievement / Target * 100. Period. Sure, he is clean... but he also knows when not to look... Harshita: Sincere, Committed, Honest... but is this enough? Zinaida: The Mystery Raymond: Blunt, Straightforward Karan: Digger extra-ordinaire Indrani: Busy... Too Busy... Way Too Busy... until too la...

The wesbsite says " Wechat: The New Way To Connect - Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone; Chat any way you want, Voice Video and Text for free! Connect with friends across platforms ". Cant describe it better myself. WeChat is the latest in the line of mobile internet messengers; but it comes with a whole list of differentiators that mark it out as different. In the modern hypercompetitive market, it is critical that any product have significant differentiating features, which WeChat is simply loaded with. First off, it is available for : Android Symbian iOS Windows The download is fast, and the launch is pretty straightforward and easy. You have the option of synchronising with Facebook as well as with your mobile phone contacts. The chat experience is fast, and trouble free. However, I use a 3G connection, so don't know how well it works on a 2.5G or a 2G network. The part I liked best is its simple interface. You dont require any held of any kind whatsoever in ei...

This is the first Ken Follett that I have picked up, and I must say that it was a great choice. The author has considerable skill in putting together a great story, and keeping you glued to the pages... Winter of the world is the second novel in the century trilogy, and covers the period from 1933 to 1945. It follows the Spanish civil war, onto the Second World War and its intrigues, political background and developments. It is this storyline, somewhat along historical fiction lines, that attracted me to the novel in the first place. No regrets, since the novel is well worth the money. And importantly, it has little links with the previous novel, which means you can read it as a standalone as well! The Characters:   ( Way too many to put 'em all here, sorry!!!!! But I'll touch on the ones who impressed me the most ) Think I am exaggerating? Well, FYKI I am not exaggerating. There are at least 92 characters. Yup. All of 92.  Daisy Peshkov: Gutsy, ...