Reflections

On the 10th of April, in 7 days time, the Great Indian Election Season starts wherein each adult Indian is supposed to excercise his or her vote, and choose a party into power. To some of us, it is a vital day; to some of us, it is a duty, to some of us, it is a task, to some of us, it is unimportant... and to some of us, like me, it is a day to regret, to cry in desolation at the absence of a good choice. 2014... 23 years since I reached 18, the grand and exciting age that grants me the right to vote, that grants me a single lifetime Share Certificate in India, Inc; that grants me the ability of impact the direction of the nation and that grants me an admittedly small and infinitesimal but vital power over my own future and destiny. And yet, despite this share, this power, this influence... I have felt disoriented and aloof from this entire excercise, remaining aloof and divorced from this entire tamasha. For, look as hard as I might, I could not spot a single person...

Elections 2014... and Narendra Modi. These are the "Modi" elections... everywhere you look, you will find Mr Modi. Nothing wrong with that - problem is, in this Modism, the real issues lie buried somewhere - buried and forgotten. Let me enumerate these issues in the form of Questions, in short and simple words. This is not a long blog-post; I am just asking a few questions. If you want my vote, please answer these questions, straight and simple. Else, I am clear: I will not cast my vote for the BJP. Mr Modi, sir, my vote may not mean much to you, but it means a lot to me. I am a nobody in the 1.27 Billion, but to me, I am a somebody, a thinking individual... How will you ensure that infrastructure projects' implementation will start after your rising to the pole position? How will you ensure implementation of all Government projects, departments and works? Will you give Autonomy to the CBI? Will you allow Raghuram Rajan and the RBI a free hand to reign in Inflati...

I went into this Indiblogger without any expectations... I was in Andheri on a sales call, and was due at a friend's place for dinner - giving me a few hours in between; which meant I could register for the meet, which was in the evening. To cut a long story short, it was a very enjoyable event - both for me as a professional as well as for me as an individual. The event in question was the launch of the short movie RealFM - to be aired on MTV on the 23rd of March {Sunday}. THE MOVIE The movie is a power-packed punch by Anurag Basu - a Brand Promotion with a difference (More about this is the 2nd section below). It is a moving, heart-warming rollicking ride of emotions - all fun emotions; no tragedy here. Anurag has created a fast-moving and rapid-paced movie out of a relatively drab and in fact downright serious subject. In the process, he has also made it into a fun, touching, heart-warming movie that is genuinely hilarious in places, and packed with the entire range of ...

ATM – The Automatic Teller Machine is now the most frequently accessed portal or method for Urban Indians for a large majority of their banking tasks; especially the withdrawal of cash. Banks are supposed to provide Cash and other services from their ATMs for their customers; In addition, and equally, perhaps more important – they are also supposed to provide adequate security at their ATMs. It is, after all, situated at a location outside the bank {where there usually is security}, and are at times located in lonely places as well.  1)  ATM Attacks 2)  Nature of risks at ATMs The need for security is underscored by recent happenings, with a couple of attacks on customers in ATMs. You might state what it is only a couple of attacks; the critical point that is missed in stating that is that these are the first attacks in ATMs; how long before it dawns on the criminal classes that ATMs are easy pickings – after all, all you really have to do is ensure that you...

{A Covert-One Series Novel written by Kyle Mills This is the latest in the Covert-One series, featuring Jon Smith and Randi Russell. .} THE PLOT What happens when all information goes online, the large majority of an individual's information is on the internet, or on connected computer systems? What happens when you get one device that can combine the power of your most advanced computing device, your cell-phone as well as other electronic devices  - all that have been invented - into one powerful device? This is precisely the concept of the latest in the Covert-One series of novels. This device - called The Merge - has a military version as well, For the assessment of this device suitability to US Military requirement, Lt Col Jon Smith is called in, who gets taken in by its effectivity and power almost immediately.  As each subsequent test of the device - including rigorous field testing - gives superlative results, the US Armed Forces move forward with its ad...

There is a new party on the Horizon - The AAP. In just 48 days of Governance, the people of India are picking on their mistakes - just 48 days - unmindful of the fact that both the BJP and the UPA have had chances to rule India, and have committed massive errors - errors which the people of India have conveniently forgotten. I have been seeing questions being asked of the AAP; why isnt anyone asking these questions to both the UPA and the BJP? The below occurred in their tenures; neither can escape answering these :  1) A special group was set up to study the defence structures in India, Its recommendations lie unheeded - and all this while, our defence preparedness continues to suffer, Why? 2) During Kargil, emergency supplies were needed; for ex, the Swiss company supplying Bofors had to be de-blacklisted on an emergency basis. Other examples abound. This caused the then Chief of Army Staff to comment, : "We will fight with what we have". What are our politicians ...

The only good histories are those that have been written by the persons themselves who commanded in the affairs whereof they write; rest is hearsay - Michel Eyquem Montaigne, {from the Preface of the current book} This is the second book by General V P Malik - and it is as good as the first; and in some ways, far more reader friendly. While the first - Kargil - was a deep and involved analysis of the Kargil War, this is one comprises a set of real-life incidences from his Army Experience; incidences which are known in almost every educated household in India. This takes up half of the book; the second half is a short, and to-the-point analysis of Military Diplomacy. Again, in this part as well, the author has delved into his personal experience, which gives the reader the entire story from the horse's mouth, so to speak.  THE FIRST PART This part will be the interesting part for those readers who are not too interested in Military Diplomacy or Foreign Policy. This p...