tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-322854002024-03-13T22:00:20.813+05:30Well … and that’s how I feel …A few random thoughts about how I feel on what's happening around us ... especially, here in MumbaiSandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-34697567646172046272016-06-21T17:03:00.001+05:302016-06-21T17:09:24.716+05:30The Television is dead! Long Live the (new) Television!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wIy-l4ZFyzacItt98OYK3qGkIl7tQxqF4nlyit4CVO74_dxnMT59C0TM6zaFnaCtgXJAWP25QjqGB9HH4J5vuyKQ3gMq3CJd9m8HfOgkwaBSX3Po9gbd2jKyqQOmKdOXfIrG/s1600/TV-is-Dead-v2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-wIy-l4ZFyzacItt98OYK3qGkIl7tQxqF4nlyit4CVO74_dxnMT59C0TM6zaFnaCtgXJAWP25QjqGB9HH4J5vuyKQ3gMq3CJd9m8HfOgkwaBSX3Po9gbd2jKyqQOmKdOXfIrG/s400/TV-is-Dead-v2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNN" target="_blank"><br />CNN</a></b>, the 1<sup>st</sup> round-the-clock
news channel was launched on 1st June 1980 – and thereafter, for over a year, 24-hour
Television primarily meant NEWS.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">But all that changed at 1 minute past
midnight on 1st August, 1981. <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTV" target="_blank">MTV</a></b>, the world's 1st 24-hour music video channel
launched itself in the US; and Television, as we knew it, has never been the
same again!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The reason this is significant is because
it kicked off a need for a huge amount of short 3-5 minute videos – unlike the 15-30
minute news, sports or other type of programming content that was being
produced.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Originally, creation of Content was almost
the exclusive domain of the large Film Production Studios and the large TV Networks
like <b>ABC</b>, <b>CBS</b>, <b>NBC </b>and <b>Fox</b>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">As technology became more affordable, more
companies jumped in and soon a host of other channels sprung up.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">In fact, we (the consumers of Content) have
ourselves become Content creators! See the latest report from Ooyala, entitled,
<span id="goog_702166161"></span>'<b><a href="http://go.ooyala.com/rs/447-EQK-225/images/Ooyala-State-Of-The-Media-Industry-2016.pdf" target="_blank">State of the Media Industry 2016</a></b>'<span id="goog_702166162"></span>, which, appropriately, has <i><b>"Everyone is a
producer now"</b></i> as the tag line to the report.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The first Music Video aired on MTV was
"<i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_Killed_the_Radio_Star" target="_blank">Video Killed the Radio Star</a></i>". It was prophetic in a way and foretold
what we know now. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">However, Videos didn't really "kill"
the Radio Star, as in that song, not in the literal sense at least - but it DID
replace radio, as our primary means of 'consuming' content for many, many
years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">And just when we thought that we've seen
and done all that there is (to see and do), along comes the Internet and
disrupts everything again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Television for many just meant a TV set
connected to an overhead Antenna. The Antenna got replaced by the Cable Set Top
Box. And now we have a host of options like Direct-To-Home Dish, Internet-based
TV via Chromecast and Apple TV as well as access through dedicated players like
X-Box, PS-4 and Wii. Videos are now appearing everywhere and in every format. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">We can access Content on our LCD/LED/Plasma
TV sets, PCs, Laptops, Handheld devices, Tablets and even smart phones. We can
receive this via cable, over Wi-Fi or over the air.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><i>"The web continues to look more like a
super-sized TV channel lineup"</i></b> as Ooyala puts it. And setting up one’s own
video channel has also got simpler. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">See this article "<b><a href="https://aprilbroadcast.wordpress.com/2016/06/07/a-do-it-yourself-broadcast-style-tv-channel/" target="_blank">A Do-it-Yourself Broadcast Style “TV” Channel</a></b>" on how easy it is now to set up your own "Television"
channel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">What</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> we
watch, <b>where</b> we watch, <b>how</b> we watch, <b>when</b> we watch and… <b>on
what</b> we watch, has become a complex combination of content, delivery
mechanisms, technologies, systems, hardware and apps/software! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Even the modes of subscription to watch
such content are wide ranging: from annual subscription plans, to monthly
plans, one-time fees, or even a pay-per-view. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Many are prompted to think that the Internet has "killed" the Television. Sure, Television is no longer what it was.<br />
<br />
But that's because the manner in which we 'consume' content has changed dramatically!<br />
<br />
Now, we want to watch: <b>whoever</b>, <b>whatever</b>, <b>whenever</b>, <b>wherever </b>and <b>however</b>.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Consequently, the definition of what we
call Television, has also changed, equally dramatically! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Today, the (new) "Television" is:
the Television Set, the Tablet, the Smartphone, the Laptop and... in fact,
anything that can "show us" a video!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">The Television is dead. Long Live the (new)
Television!</span></b></div>
</div>
Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-53873919254334945732014-03-18T21:59:00.000+05:302014-03-18T21:59:42.956+05:30Fallen From Grace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This year’s general election in India is going to be a landmark one.<br />
<br />
One that will change the course of Indian politics forever. It’s also
going to be one of the most hotly-followed, eagerly-anticipated and
keenly-analyzed (microscopically dissected, I dare say) elections for
some time to come.<br />
<br />
<em>First, the disclaimer! I am not an ‘expert’ on political affairs,
I may not even be counted amongst the amateurs! But yes, I do have an
opinion and that’s just what this is.</em><br />
<br />
The reasons for all of this hype in these elections …are just two.
Well, it was just one reason, till a few months back – for quite a
while, the talk was only all about BJP’s <strong>Narendra Modi</strong> and the Gujarat success model (or failure model, depending on which side of the fence you were). Then in late 2013 along came <strong>Arvind Kejriwal</strong> who decided to dump (or vice versa) Anna Hazare’s style of activism and throw his own Gandhi topi into the fray.<br />
<br />
I have deliberately left out <strong>Rahul Gandhi</strong> from this
because I believe that he is a non-starter and secondly the
anti-incumbency mood is likely to give him, and the degenerated Congress
party, <strong>a sound thrashing</strong> at the polls.<br />
<br />
Rightly so!<br />
<br />
They have been ruling for the last 2 decades and whatever little
progress we have made is definitely DESPITE the government. To add to
it, he has been around as an MP for the past 10 years and to the best of
my knowledge has done nothing noteworthy, considering the fact that he
could have done so much more being so close to the seat of power..<br />
<br />
Hey, his mother practically runs the country single-handedly and during this period, if he <strong>really wanted</strong>,
he could have done much more. (Sure, he could have also abused his
position like how Sanjay Gandhi did during Indira Gandhi’s reign. But
for what its worth, Sanjay Gandhi at least stood for something, even
though he was wrong on many counts!).<br />
<br />
But let’s not digress.<br />
<br />
This election is about Modi and Kejriwal and the aspirations of the common man (noticed how I consciously avoided the phrase <strong>‘aam aadmi’</strong>
??) Nowadays if you use the phrase ‘aam aadmi’ you get instantly
branded with people having preconceived notions about your ‘type’. It’s
ironical, because till now people used to do that only to those who were
with the RSS or the Shiv Sena!!<br />
<br />
But let me not take away credit where it is due. <strong>Kejriwal has done this country a great service</strong>
– he has shown how the common man can rise up and shake the
establishment. His victory in the Delhi elections is a modern-day
version of the classic David and Goliath story – though both he and
Sheila Dikshit are equally diminutive! His victory raised the hopes of
the country. <strong><em>“Yes, things CAN change!”</em></strong> was/is the general feeling running through everyone’s veins.<br />
<br />
Then he did two things which, in my perspective, were the worst he
could have done. I’ll name them first and later elaborate each.<br />
<br />
<strong>First</strong>, he formed the Government with the support of the Congress.<br />
<strong>Second</strong>, he stepped down as Chief Minister.<br />
<br />
Let me tell you why I believe that these two actions are the most damaging things he could have done.<br />
<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Mistake No. 1 – forming the government with the support of the Congress.</strong></span><br />
When Kejriwal campaigned in Delhi, his pitch was consistent – Delhi
was being governed badly. Three terms of Congress at the helm had ruined
the City-State region. From mismanagement of funds to sycophancy to
corruption, every act of omission and commission was blamed on the
sitting Congress government.<br />
<br />
The people of Delhi saw a ray of hope in him, booted out the Congress and voted for the <strong>Aam Aadmi Party</strong>
(AAP) with fervour. Unfortunately, AAP couldn’t get enough of a
majority to form the government all on their own. They were staring at
the possibility of either sitting it out or forming the government with
the support of either the Congress, whom they had bashed so
terrifyingly, or the BJP whom they weren’t really cosy with.<br />
<br />
Kejriwal, in true ‘aam aadmi’ style, again looked to ‘his people’ and asked them what to do? India saw it’s first-ever <strong>SMS Text Message Referendum</strong>!
Apparently, the people of Delhi asked him to form the government even
if it meant doing it with the support of one of the other two parties.
In this case, Congress or BJP.<br />
<br />
Kejriwal says his party sent the same letters, of seeking support on
predetermined lines, to the Congress and the BJP. He says that while the
BJP didn’t respond favourably, the Congress, it appears, was okay with
supporting him as the CM.<br />
<br />
This strikes me as being extremely odd! The one party, who was bashed
so viciously by AAP during the campaign, was actually willing to help
it to form the government! I’ve heard of political scenarios making for
strange bedfellows, <strong>but this one takes the cake!</strong><br />
<br />
At this point, I don’t want to get into <strong>conspiracy theories</strong> about how <strong>the AAP is a surreptitious ‘front’ for the Congress</strong>…
neither do I want to get into the alleged funding of the AAP by foreign
nationals with vested-interests. I’ll just leave all that to the
politicians and they can continue to sling mud at each other.<br />
<br />
Coming back to why I think this move was not just a mistake – but a BIG mistake – damaging his credibility.<br />
<br />
I believe that Kejriwal has let down the people of Delhi. Badly. <strong>They believed in the dream he showed them.</strong> They reposed their faith and confidence in him and gave him a good number of seats. They looked to him to improve their lives.<br />
<br />
I don’t think any voter of the AAP ever dreamt that Kejriwal would <em>‘sleep with the enemy’</em>.
What was he thinking when he ‘agreed’ to accept the Congress party’s
‘support’? Those were the guys he had wanted to boot out, right? <strong>Congress was the ‘bad guy’ and he was the ‘good guy’!</strong><br />
<br />
In my opinion, once he realized that he did not have the majority to
form the government on his own, he should have done one of the two
things:<br />
a) Humbly folded his hands and sat it out in the opposition, or<br />
b) Sought support of the BJP – not because they were/are better, but
since his entire poll campaign and mandate was on the basis of booting
OUT the corrupt Congress.<br />
<br />
<strong>But joining hands with the Congress was a complete ‘no-no’</strong> and in my opinion this was the first big mistake he made.<br />
<br />
If Kejriwal and his team were so damn sure that Sheila Dikshit and
the Congress were so corrupt, didn’t he stop and think what message he
would be sending out to the people who elected him? Didn’t his advisers
and seniors (<em>where are they?</em>) tell him that this was NOT to be done?<br />
<br />
It’s also surprising that someone like Kejriwal had gone to the
extent of swearing on his children that he would not take the support of
the Congress – and that’s not enough.. having done that, he went back
on it!<br />
<br />
I’m sure he knew exactly what he was doing when he finally accepted
the responsibility and formed the Government. And then we witnessed high
drama for 48 days before Kejriwal committed, in my opinion, the next
big blunder.<br />
<br />
<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Mistake No. 2 – stepping down as Chief Minister.</strong> </span><br />
Having (reluctantly?) accepted the responsibility, he took a few key
steps in following up on his promises to the people of Delhi. But that
didn’t last long. A lot of noise was being made about the Delhi police
not being in the control of the State Government and therefore his
government was really ineffective and toothless to do anything
substantial.<br />
<br />
What I find hard to believe is that having been in the government for 7 years and based in Delhi for all of that time, <strong>didn’t Kejriwal know the administrative set up?</strong>
Didn’t he know that Delhi, being the national capital would have
overlapping security by the sheer presence of the Ministry of Defence
establishments and Central ministries?<br />
<br />
Did he mention this during his campaign? That the City-State police
is not really under the control of the State government and therefore
his government would really not be so effective.<br />
<br />
The refusal of the passing of the Lokpal bill is being stated as the
critical turning point that made him quit – unless I have got it wrong!
While I agree on the importance of the Lokpal bill – it seemed like
Kejriwal was ‘daring’ the Congress to pull the rug from beneath his
feet.<br />
<br />
Ok – granted that the Police was not really under the CM’s control.
And that the Congress was looking for an excuse to pull the plug … but
there was so much more that he could have done! <strong>What about education, schooling, water, sanitation, transport, health, sports…</strong> If he was smart (hey, this is my opinion), he could have maintained a low-profile and gone about quietly making a change.<br />
<br />
He could have fixed so many small, small things that really would
have really benefited the common man in Delhi – and I understand that <strong>they were even beginning to see a change in the attitude of the government officials</strong>. All he needed to do was <strong>stick around</strong> in power – probably, his mere presence would have made all the difference!<br />
<br />
And the people would have really appreciated it. They were really,
really hoping that their vote will be put to good use and that their
decision of electing Kejriwal and then ‘supporting’ him to be the CM,
even if it was with the help of the Congress, would be the right
decision. During the campaign he did come off as being ‘genuinely’
concerned about the well being of the people.<br />
<br />
It’s really sad that they may have to wait a few months and hope that
he comes to power again – this time with a better majority. <strong>But what is the assurance that that will happen?</strong>
Assuming that DOES happen, given his maverick track-record… what is the
assurance that he will not pull another ‘stunt’ and sit outside his own
office on a <em>dharna</em> – instead of going about making the much-needed changes in the lives of the people?<br />
<br />
Personally, I believe that he has betrayed the trust of the people of
Delhi – though some may still continue to swear by him. His rise gave
every principled individual a ray of hope that they could also enter the
deep, dark world of politics and clean it up (the ‘broom’ as the party
symbol was pretty clever!)<br />
<br />
Frankly, I’m disappointed too! <strong>Disappointed that he had a golden chance to make a difference – and chose NOT to!</strong>
Maybe he has larger political ambitions and aspirations – or maybe he
just doesn’t know how to govern – or maybe he has poor advisers (lame
excuse!).<br />
<br />
In any case, he has fallen from grace.<br />
<br />
<em>Well … and that’s how I feel …</em></div>
Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-62963676997368123572013-10-05T14:16:00.002+05:302013-10-05T14:16:51.078+05:30Is MERC going to really allow Consumers a choice - a REAL CHOICE??<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="yiv2973539685yqt5171455384" id="yiv2973539685yqtfd71702" style="text-align: left;">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_18699">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28070">This post is excerpted (is there a word like that?) from my latest submission to the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) of which I am an Authorised Consumer Representative for a few Cases pertaining to electricity distribution in the State of Maharashtra.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28070">The issue in the present case is the <b>CHOICE of electricity supplier</b>, in the event that two distribution licensees are present in an area. This situation exists in the Mumbai suburbs where Reliance Infrastructure and Tata Power both have a license to distribute electricity.</span></span></span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28070"><br /></span></span></span></b>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>MERC has severely restricted the choice</b> that consumers can exercise. Both companies have elaborate setups, expensive advocates, humungous resources and are/have been throwing loads of paper-work and contentions at each other and at MERC ...and also at us, Consumer Representatives.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 115%;">There have been numerous hearings in the matter and what I wrote to them, was more of an Appeal than a formal submission. An appeal to give us back our right to chose the electricity supplier of our choice - and to remove the unnatural (and illegal!) constraints that had been created. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28070">Here are the excerpts...</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>(For those interested in the Chronology of events, a very brief <b>Background </b>is given at the end of the excerpt)</i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28070"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 110%;">==========</span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28070"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 110%;"> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_18615" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span></span></span></span></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_18616">The Case is governed by the <u>ruling of the Supreme Court</u> allowing
Consumers (please note, there is no reference/definition of the word,
Customer) to have the liberty of choosing their electricity supplier if
two distribution licensees exist in the same area. <u>The Commission cannot
lose sight of this guiding Order, while deciding this Case.</u> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_18616">The basic
issue is that of CONSUMER CHOICE in a competitive scenario. </span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_18616"></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_18616">The Supreme
Court has clearly laid down not only a Strategic matter, but also, to
some extent, given some general principles for Executive action. The
Commission must not OVERSTEP (as it has done in the past, according to
none other than the Supreme Court itself!) and distort the Order and its
dilute its efficacy. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_18616">All other issues like laying
cables, cross subsidy, regulatory asset charge, consumer mix, etc.,
need to be dealt with while keeping the end objective in mind. <u>The
Commission MUST not be guided (or driven!) by Licensees and their own
constraints!</u></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_18691">I have read the numerous submissions made by both parties and the
on-going charges and counter-charges and submissions and rejoinders and
responses - this can go on ad infinitum <i>(or should I say ad nauseum!)</i>
They are just seeking to further complicate the matter and delay the
decision-making. </span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_18694"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_18693"> </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_18694"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_18693">Both parties, RInfra and TPC
are repeatedly referring to the Supreme Court order - but using
selective phrases/passages/paras out of context to suit themselves.
While they get to present their views ably supported by professional
advocates, <u>the hapless consumer has to depend upon people like us</u> (who
are not available to devote themselves full-time to this activity). </span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_18695"> </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_18695">As a result, if a Consumer</span><span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_18696"><em><b><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 110%;">’</span></b></em>s
point is not put across forcefully (or even put across at all!) it is
likely to be overlooked by the Commission who is drowned in the barrage
of submissions made by both parties. <b>It is therefore the prime duty and
responsibility of the Commission to err on the side of the Consumer and
not otherwise.</b></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28073">It is likely that the parties are further going to divide Consumers
into various groups and then advocate the benefits that one group is
receiving (or likely to receive) and pit that against the dis-benefits
accruing to another group.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28073">This artificial distinction has NOT been
made out anywhere in the Law (the EA2003) or by the Supreme Court (which
has upheld the principles in the preamble of the Act). When I request
the Commission to uphold Consumer choice - it is WITHOUT bias to any
group. Sometimes things need to be left to themselves and within the
given constraints, equilibrium will be found. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28073">Yes,
there WILL be heartache and heartburn, but a Regulator needs to know
when to step aside and let market forces drive the situation. Give
companies a constraint - and see how innovative they can get! </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28073">The
Reliance Group and the Tata Group have been at the forefront of
innovation in many products and services and the Commission should back
down and not try to </span><span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 110%;">’protect</span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28076"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28075" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 110%;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28074">’ one or the other.<u> It should leave the two of them to fight for the winning the Consumer!</u></span></span></span><em><b><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 110%;"></span></b></em></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_18697">The Order
in Case 151 itself, severely restricted consumer choice and subsequent
tariff Orders <u>further complicated the calculations and is confusing
Consumers</u>. This Order has the potential to undo all the confusion and
restore Consumer choice (for ALL Consumers, across various </span><span><span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 110%;">’groups</span></span></span><span><span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 110%;"><span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 110%;">’ as selectively and artificially defined by the two parties) </span></span></span></span>devoid
of the various ifs and buts that constrain it. </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>The Commission <b>MUST
restore the right</b> to choice of selecting electricity supplier. The
methodology was already laid down in the earlier Interim Order and the
scope of that should have been further widened - but it has been instead
narrowed subsequently.</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br clear="none" /><span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span> The Commission must seriously ask itself....</span></span></span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Does the Consumer REALLY have a choice? </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>The SAME choice that an Act of Parliament
has granted it? </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>The SAME choice that the Supreme Court reaffirmed in its Order? </span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>Or is the Commission again going to </span><span><span lang="EN-US" style="letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 110%;">’</span></span><span>overstep</span><span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 110%;">’ itself - only to be censured later - at the cost of lakhs of consumers losing their right?? </span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 110%;"> The matter is in your hands.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 110%;"><br clear="none" /></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 110%;">==========</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 110%;"><br clear="none" /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28070"><b>Background</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28070">In
2004, MERC has incorrectly passed an Order disallowing Tata Power from
supplying electricity to consumers because its license precluded it from
doing so. Reliance continued to enjoy a monopoly and the rates kept
going through the roof. Tata Power eventually won the case in the
Supreme Court, in 2008, which upheld its legitimate claim that it did
indeed have such a license and censured both the MERC and the Appellate
Tribunal for Electricity for overstepping their jurisdiction. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28070"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28070">The Supreme Court in its
Order, clearly stated that the electricity consumer MUST have a choice
and a right to exercise that choice - upholding the Electricity Act 2003
and its preamble.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28070"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28070">Subsequently,
in 2009, MERC finally came out with a methodology of effecting this
switch/change and consumers were happy that they finally had a
choice!Reliance consumers promptly started switching over to Tata Power,
whose tariff rates were lower.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28070">...and
then things went downhill thereafter. Reliance played spoilt-sport and
complained to MERC that Tata was indulging in cherry-picking of only
higher end consumers. Tata could not prove(!) that it wasn't proactively
doing the cherry-picking, but yes, it was true that the higher
consumption consumers, obviously, stood to benefit the most! And so MERC
put a constraint on the switch/change and said that only those with
consumption BELOW 300 units per month could switch/change!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28070"><br /></span></span></span>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_1_1380946084917_28070">Thereafter, a series<span style="font-family: inherit;"> of hearings, spanning months, and a few tariff orders later, the equation seemed to now become skewed in Reliance</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; letter-spacing: 0.2pt; line-height: 115%;">’s
favour and MERC called for more hearings and this has been going on
now. For those inclined to have details - please refer Case 151 of 2011
(Order passed) and now Case 85 of 2013 (present case, hearings still going on).</span></span></span></div>
</div>
Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-23603990271019177042013-06-21T18:19:00.001+05:302013-06-21T18:20:10.983+05:30APTEL stays MERC Order on CSS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">The Appellate Tribunal has stayed (for now) the MERC Order on Cross Subsidy </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">Surcharge being levied by RINFRA.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">The Order was passed today (21st June, 2013) and is available online, here: </span><a href="http://aptel.gov.in/Dailyorder.html" style="background-color: white; color: #9136ad; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none;">http://aptel.gov.in/Dailyorder.html</a><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">In my opinion, this is an important Order even if simply from the perspective </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">that ANY element of tariff CANNOT be levied without it being clearly discussed </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">with the public/consumers.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">Also the Commission needs to give SPEAKING ORDERS explaining their reasoning and </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">the rationale behind it.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">This is only an Interim Stay on collection of CSS and the status quo to be </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">restored as what it was before the MERC Order. Merits of the case will be argued </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">in the 1st week of August.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">A few excerpts of the Order are given below for your reference...</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">"The R-Infra on 07.1.2013 filed a petition before the State Commission in case </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">No.3 of 2013 i.e. the present proceedings, seeking for determination of Cross </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">Subsidy Surcharge for Open Access consumers. In this petition, only the other </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">distribution licensees and the Government of Maharashtra alone were impleaded as </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">a party and only they were heard. In fact, on 7.2.2013 the Government </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">of Maharashtra had sent a letter to the State Commission to de-link the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">trajectory for reduction in Cross Subsidy Surcharge from the determination of </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">Cross Subsidy Surcharge." </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">"When the prayer was made by the R-Infra in Case No.3 of 2013 seeking for the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">determination of Cross Subsidy Surcharge, the State Commission did not choose to </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">issue notice to the consumers with reference to the said issue. On the other </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">hand after hearing the distribution licensees and the Government, the State </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">Commission has passed the impugned order dated 10.5.2013 revising the Cross </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">Subsidy Surcharge applicable to changeover consumers by increasing the Cross </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">Subsidy Surcharge to a great extent without hearing them." </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">"We are unable to understand as to why the State Commission had hurriedly passed </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">the impugned order with reference to this issue which is admittedly pending </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">before the State Commission in MYT proceedings as well as in Appeal No.178 of </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">2011 before this Tribunal. No reasons have been given in the impugned order </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">with regard to the urgency."</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">"It is also noticed that the State Commission has decided to determine Cross </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">Subsidy in the present proceedings after getting the view of the Government of </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">Maharashtra without hearing the parties who are likely to be affected due to the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">high increase in the Cross Subsidy Surcharge."</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">"We find that there is prima-facie merit in this contention. That apart, the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">balance of convenience also in our view lies in favour of the Appellants." </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">"If the impugned order, with reference to the increase in Cross Subsidy </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">Surcharge is not stayed pending adjudication of the present Appeals, the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">Appellants will have to pay Surcharge which is increased to 1000% and </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">400% respectively and this would cause grave prejudice to the consumers once </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">such increase of Cross Subsidy Surcharge has been collected from the changeover </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 13px;">consumers."</span><br />
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Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-61464786808031570942012-05-27T19:48:00.000+05:302012-05-27T19:48:01.866+05:30The Times…they are a changing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In the ’70s, when I used to wake up, the first thing I did was turn on the radio.</div>
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In the ’80s, the first thing I did was turn on my Cassette Tape Deck.</div>
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In the early ’90s, the first thing was my CD player.</div>
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In the early ’00s, FM Radio was my first choice.</div>
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Today, the first thing I turn on is… my Wifi Router!</div>
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Well, what next??</div>
</div>Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-6164135744035321782011-09-18T21:10:00.001+05:302011-09-18T21:10:41.646+05:30Interesting Sights – Part 2: Amsterdam<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some interesting sights I came across on my recent visit to Amsterdam. Do let me know which one you liked the most! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enjoy…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Si_LFIxFDsg/TnYJp_OAAGI/AAAAAAAAAKM/y4zot43E09U/s1600-h/GreatLegs%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="GreatLegs" border="0" height="211" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c5Is5EvReks/TnYJq5-5GFI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/FOuy_c0HSTE/GreatLegs_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="GreatLegs" width="375" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some fashionable legs & some not so fashionable,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and the latter have buried their heads in the sand ..oops, floor!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-syxFlPsTZaU/TnYJsooENgI/AAAAAAAAAKU/k5RcIsyoIqk/s1600-h/Ace%252526Dik%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Ace&Dik" border="0" height="321" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AwNcM2JlcL0/TnYJtuOOgyI/AAAAAAAAAKY/kcB_Z5iy1gI/Ace%252526Dik_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Ace&Dik" width="331" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Service(d)" like an Ace!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-28uFFxIga9s/TnYJxtMADwI/AAAAAAAAAKc/ZHtg_kHV6ns/s1600-h/CoffeShop%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="CoffeShop" border="0" height="241" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oKLh9iACKZk/TnYJz3lVTSI/AAAAAAAAAKg/H0Ul7EW-iQE/CoffeShop_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="CoffeShop" width="306" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's at the 'other' side, you idiot! Can't you read the board?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iJru-rHdwaA/TnYJ2kCX_dI/AAAAAAAAAKk/5UjR3kT8dlA/s1600-h/Chutimas%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Chutimas" border="0" height="442" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ExM4l_GIcwc/TnYJ30MpfaI/AAAAAAAAAKo/62Br0u73VMQ/Chutimas_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Chutimas" width="358" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Okay ...this one needs no comment!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IcawBfK-PfU/TnYJ58RaFUI/AAAAAAAAAKs/9A7GI8S2WmU/s1600-h/DocFeelGood%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DocFeelGood" border="0" height="374" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eOdln1fXvDs/TnYJ71EJvrI/AAAAAAAAAKw/q_AfLH2LD84/DocFeelGood_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DocFeelGood" width="348" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Doctor "feels" good! Yeah, right! Shouldn't it be the Patients who feel good?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2Y3r9agGIJk/TnYJ-JLgV8I/AAAAAAAAAK0/b1XflcWFvJQ/s1600-h/DrFish%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DrFish" border="0" height="283" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AaNjwiG1EJw/TnYJ_KMLVFI/AAAAAAAAAK4/LNVTJ1PomMA/DrFish_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DrFish" width="360" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Original, Dr. Fish is going to do something fishy...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HJ9yV6SyVHM/TnYKAUP7PLI/AAAAAAAAAK8/smSGRWbhSdA/s1600-h/FullSpeed%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="FullSpeed" border="0" height="278" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3VzL0om71E0/TnYKBIMpu5I/AAAAAAAAALA/Lh-Ql71AQ_o/FullSpeed_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="FullSpeed" width="371" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just GO..it doesn’t matter where..even if it is, to hell!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fosoEoC2c7Q/TnYKQLU9a4I/AAAAAAAAALE/l6KpeyFpneQ/s1600-h/HotelJupiter%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HotelJupiter" border="0" height="240" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ednjnv_Emc4/TnYKQw3pFuI/AAAAAAAAALI/DdgB1QEuahQ/HotelJupiter_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="HotelJupiter" width="356" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hehe...and these are the kind of people we were hanging out with!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8bSqVWX2D2E/TnYKSYKcICI/AAAAAAAAANk/aD14mkCPwS4/s1600-h/Kwekkeboom%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Kwekkeboom" border="0" height="291" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EBhwLGiYjic/TnYKVKM830I/AAAAAAAAALU/zA_7LVrmakw/Kwekkeboom_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kwekkeboom" width="374" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Quickie ....BOOM! Yeah, man. Explosive stuff!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QjwlRIYhl9k/TnYKXcRrJII/AAAAAAAAALY/q5E57YVa0Ic/s1600-h/MadeByMe%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="MadeByMe" border="0" height="262" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VJfQLm1A7TM/TnYKYOtJVBI/AAAAAAAAALc/FVPvQFybxBU/MadeByMe_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="MadeByMe" width="380" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Me? Who, me? Yes, you! Couldn't be!...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8kiFaKtC75o/TnYKZ2cyCpI/AAAAAAAAALg/J2vOPP9XQJQ/s1600-h/MannekenPis%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="MannekenPis" border="0" height="234" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nJH_mQb4T7k/TnYKcRQ107I/AAAAAAAAALk/_-sRtZIPQpw/MannekenPis_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="MannekenPis" width="416" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">These chips are fried in ... Manneken's what? Ugh!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OkeYLgHj0jw/TnYKeCJ0NjI/AAAAAAAAALo/TsZUniLwJIg/s1600-h/Moments4wine%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Moments4wine" border="0" height="280" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YMjP0bZyA9E/TnYKe4WmDZI/AAAAAAAAALs/lMophQhM33A/Moments4wine_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Moments4wine" width="356" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Just a few moments, so you gotta gulp it down! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And to think this is place where you are supposed to do "wine tasting"!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zirjwzpvbtY/TnYKgRT4jRI/AAAAAAAAALw/Ia0WjONGQOk/s1600-h/MrEggy%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="MrEggy" border="0" height="263" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KByE2neViH4/TnYKhBybK7I/AAAAAAAAAL0/lJk-V8Jvmfg/MrEggy_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="MrEggy" width="339" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Yuck! We're gonna eat the Vanilla ice cream that's already IN his tummy!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YNvW3XVlEnQ/TnYKiz2EvsI/AAAAAAAAAL4/leUt8nbSUWo/s1600-h/PakRest%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="PakRest" border="0" height="199" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wp-zoQw_IwA/TnYKkK1RdmI/AAAAAAAAAL8/2eShRnLLwhI/PakRest_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="PakRest" width="346" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">'World Famous' ... in Holland!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-r05Hf9M1Cuo/TnYKpEreUzI/AAAAAAAAAMA/q3I6R-OMW-w/s1600-h/PersTailoring%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="PersTailoring" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UROZDnkmBM0/TnYKreBPMAI/AAAAAAAAAME/vv2kcaXbsNE/PersTailoring_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="PersTailoring" width="397" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We're the SOCIETY shop, but we do PERSONAL tailoring..</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H6E8c5Ce5M0/TnYKt_BuCvI/AAAAAAAAAMI/JKxCa9XAUPA/s1600-h/Pipo%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pipo" border="0" height="341" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mIF7Vja8rOc/TnYKv5V_JyI/AAAAAAAAAMM/XoeY-XCBMX0/Pipo_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pipo" width="381" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">SurPRICE! If you wait long enough you can "take it out in a special way..." Huh, what?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NzmP9m1lEB4/TnYK2wBk7CI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/zGSCd24N3bk/s1600-h/SayedBros%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="SayedBros" border="0" height="260" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eswqNg28H84/TnYK4HfmhtI/AAAAAAAAAMU/loC7XxWw6Qc/SayedBros_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SayedBros" width="388" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We are doing all 'telephone activities' - seriously, nothing phony!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JXmnckK6yMk/TnYK6ZQdZAI/AAAAAAAAAMY/QKJ5pT6sJfs/s1600-h/SilentMassage%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="SilentMassage" border="0" height="233" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KQ8S0QAMcm4/TnYK7oALc3I/AAAAAAAAAMc/eKWCKykfflk/SilentMassage_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SilentMassage" width="388" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Open 7 days a week, eh? 11-11. Then why is the shutter down? Shhh....!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q8SiYSSMJcQ/TnYK9mu7hbI/AAAAAAAAAMg/a5Xxl9aaPDw/s1600-h/SimonLoos%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="SimonLoos" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2rrZIdKq4FA/TnYK-hqpSRI/AAAAAAAAAMk/ltKyBIqdktc/SimonLoos_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SimonLoos" width="314" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Err...what's inside?</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jUxNrbmBens/TnYLAHgzVYI/AAAAAAAAAMo/rw-GCvnry8w/s1600-h/SissyBoy%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="SissyBoy" border="0" height="295" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xSzOnz19Q3k/TnYLBLJSTXI/AAAAAAAAAMs/zuN2pT60Z30/SissyBoy_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SissyBoy" width="375" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All ye who enter here are ...Sissy Boys!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jR5AG_lmPGI/TnYLJ6eaA0I/AAAAAAAAAMw/X3kTx9PLdhA/s1600-h/SmallTalk%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="SmallTalk" border="0" height="294" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KUJ3sqLHoEU/TnYLUbmdcSI/AAAAAAAAAM0/dLiOIRVv_dw/SmallTalk_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="SmallTalk" width="389" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Look at those people doing "small talk"...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BMWE-yg8h4o/TnYMI0Q9EWI/AAAAAAAAANA/dlPCnG-MXs0/s1600-h/StillClosing%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="StillClosing" border="0" height="235" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ktNfYzW8Ip4/TnYMJpriaiI/AAAAAAAAANE/8LYFO8xmpPI/StillClosing_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="StillClosing" width="368" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, the count down is over ...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HN150J8fAEQ/TnYML81lp1I/AAAAAAAAANI/o105C1J9zog/s1600-h/Topkoks%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Topkoks" border="0" height="392" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1Ck3gn5WhOc/TnYMMxpPv7I/AAAAAAAAANM/4B_GmZ5aEBw/Topkoks_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Topkoks" width="350" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Enter the Jackpot and you can be a Top...!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3umSNuAFbP4/TnYMOUowmiI/AAAAAAAAANQ/f9m-RKBmtwM/s1600-h/WaxingCo%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="WaxingCo" border="0" height="437" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-av-k6UIHH-E/TnYMPdnX1MI/AAAAAAAAANU/pGFt4_kjOFg/WaxingCo_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="WaxingCo" width="353" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">They'll "polish" you off! No wait, these are Dutch!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E7eJoHaLXkQ/TnYMQ-mde-I/AAAAAAAAANY/L-7ccwDQHo4/s1600-h/Wildschut%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Wildschut" border="0" height="285" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yDpbahGu4x0/TnYMUfwkSwI/AAAAAAAAANc/ToMbL0UU6Wg/Wildschut_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Wildschut" width="355" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">WILD...WHAT??? An this is not even inside the infamous Red Light Area...!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, which ones did you like the most? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stay tuned for more such “Interesting Sights” from around the world.</span> </div>
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Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-55708889555114352852011-09-01T14:15:00.000+05:302011-09-18T18:19:34.888+05:30Interesting Sights – Part 1: Beijing<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I saw a few interesting ‘sights’ on my latest trip to China. I guess these qualify to go up on Engrish.com too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0QvwOd4SnWo/Tl9FT-3zhPI/AAAAAAAAAJU/GO00Mg10LgE/s1600-h/CHN-Beauty-Golf%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="CHN-Beauty-Golf" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-de64Zw0kNqI/Tl9FUjUFVBI/AAAAAAAAAJY/aH61h5ENSOY/CHN-Beauty-Golf_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="CHN-Beauty-Golf" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, what do we have here…Beauty Hair Nails Massage and… Golf!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v2qqOfF8zyc/Tl9FV0nMhNI/AAAAAAAAAJc/g8btZqmoCQk/s1600-h/CHN-dewars%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="CHN-dewars" border="0" height="229" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DgGRLMl6Z7M/Tl9FWXhPFwI/AAAAAAAAAJg/U4kBf2gTPPA/CHN-dewars_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="CHN-dewars" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Didn’t know Dewar’s sold Scotch WHISK in China!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IBOvcS7IM5M/Tl9FXU2JaQI/AAAAAAAAAJk/LR1Xy_u03M8/s1600-h/CHN-forkiss%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="CHN-forkiss" border="0" height="350" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0DkVc91ODB0/Tl9FYMJW4nI/AAAAAAAAAJo/1VTrDEYmgDs/CHN-forkiss_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="CHN-forkiss" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hello! This, I presume, precedes the FOR(e)PLAY…!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XfXmABSSiSg/Tl9FZCEbmEI/AAAAAAAAAJs/tKVy7x2k3dY/s1600-h/CHN-fuxingmen%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="CHN-fuxingmen" border="0" height="322" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yfleib9amkQ/Tl9FZ9byz9I/AAAAAAAAAJw/5SEMvDwkvJo/CHN-fuxingmen_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="CHN-fuxingmen" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Err…just what is it that people do on this street??</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DE4a7rvk4zs/Tl9FbB_4ybI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/NGAbjXnk9Z0/s1600-h/CHN-here-toilets%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="CHN-here-toilets" border="0" height="314" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JKl-V7oUpoI/Tl9Fbw6n50I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/09cP2bsIF3E/CHN-here-toilets_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="CHN-here-toilets" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">OK, THAT’S where we are .. above the Recycle Bin and before the Toilets!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F-SHPOV5gTc/Tl9Fc_e8QJI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/b1bwUjqYr1U/s1600-h/CHN-toilet%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="CHN-toilet" border="0" height="263" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jLm46Qsu2gw/Tl9Fda_KNtI/AAAAAAAAAKA/aSxiM3rDRaM/CHN-toilet_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="CHN-toilet" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">TOILET? TO-LET? …TOO LATE!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Stay tuned for more such ‘Interesting Sights’…</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I used MS WindowsLive Write to prepare this post and it was fun doing it. Just hope that it turns out right!</span></div>
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Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-48514162545239650122011-04-03T21:26:00.000+05:302011-04-03T21:26:45.715+05:30NEWS: Users oppose RInfra surcharge<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="copy" id="post_48266622"> I made a detailed presentation at MERC's Public Hearing at Rangsharda Hall, Bandra, Mumbai yesterday (2nd April, 2011).<br />
<br />
The following news item appeared in today's HT.<br />
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<b>Users oppose Rinfra surcharge </b><br />
<i>Dharmendra Jore, Hindustan Times <br />
Mumbai, April 03, 2011 </i><br />
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City consumers have opposed Reliance Infrastructure’s demand that consumers who have moved to Tata Power Company (TPC) to avail of low-cost power pay the cross subsidy surcharge. <br />
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RInfra wants the surcharge to provide relief to its low-end consumers. The company has the highest number of domestic (below poverty line) consumers who are subsidised by high-end consumers. But, as one lakh high-end consumers have shifted to TPC, RInfra’s subsidy ratio has taken a big hit, which may result in low-end users paying more. <br />
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Consumer representatives, presenting their side at a hearing on Saturday on RInfra’s tariff revision petition, blamed RInfra for the crisis. They said consumers who shifted to Tata because of its low tariff should not be forced to pay more for RInfra’s fault. <br />
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“RInfra’s spiralling power purchase costs impacted suburban power bills. RInfra had not been prudent in securing long-term inexpensive power,” said MERC-authorised consumer representative Sandeep Ohri, at the hearing conducted by the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC). <br />
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Ohri said the company had not categorically shown how it would meet the requirement for its 28 lakh consumers from April, 1, 2011, because TPC has completely stopped supplying power. <br />
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The Mumbai airport complex that switched to TPC long ago, opposed the cross subsidy surcharge. “We have paid all charges to RInfra before migrating.” The airport is saving more than Rs 10 lakh per month by availing TPC power. <br />
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To this, RInfra representative said the company’s requirement had gone down because of the migration of one lakh consumers to TPC and hence it would not hike bills. <br />
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RInfra has not sought any hike for 2010-11. Tariff petitions for the current year are yet to be filed. But, the company demanded the cross subsidy surcharge. <br />
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Ohri, who made a detailed presentation, also questioned RInfra’s business model. “We have seen Rinfra doing all the wrong things. <br />
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Indiscriminate expenses, baseless growth rates, non-transparent functioning, inconsistent statements, unnecessary legal proceedings and a monopolistic attitude are to be blamed for the misery of consumers,” he said. <br />
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Some representatives spoke in favour of RInfra. They said the company should be allowed to recover cross subsidy surcharge to discharge its social obligation of providing cheap power to the poor. <br />
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<a href="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Users-oppose-RInfra-surcharge/Article1-680707.aspx">http://www.hindustantimes.com/Users-oppose-RInfra-surcharge/Article1-680707.aspx</a> <br />
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</div></div>Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-60254543780387405092011-03-11T22:11:00.001+05:302011-03-11T22:11:31.410+05:30Hollywood Brothers!This post is a result of a Twitter post by Kamla (@Kamla) regarding the contribution of brothers in the progress of Hollywood. She had named a few sets of 'brothers' who had made their mark. I added a few and then curiosity got me into thinking whether we had covered them all - or were the a few more out there.<br /><br />So I did some 'research' ... Ok, I 'googled' a lot ...and came up with many articles and news items, but none that had listed ALL of them. After knocking off the duplicate entries, here's a list that emerged.<br /><br />Disclaimer: This is NOT a comprehensive list, by any stretch of imagination.<br /><br />These are in no particular order of importance, familiarity or (personal) preference. Also, a few of them have played important roles - but, off screen. Do feel free to comment and add a few more.<br /><br />The Wilson Brothers: Luke, Owen & Andrew<br />The Affleck Brothers: Ben & Casey<br />The Stallone Brothers: Sylvester & Frank <br />The Coen Brothers: Joel & Ethan<br />The Wahlberg Brothers: Donnie & Mark<br />The Wachowski Brothers: Larry & Andy<br />The Baldwin Brothers: Alec, Daniel, Billy & Stephen<br />The Marx Brothers: Groucho, Harpo, Chico, Zeppo & Gummo<br />The Farrelly Brothers: Bobby & Peter<br />The Dillon Brothers: Matt & Kevin<br />The Fiennes Brothers: Ralph & Joseph<br />The Penn Brothers: Sean & Chris<br />The Quaid Brothers: Denis & Randy<br />The Bateman Brothers: Jason & Justin<br />The Culkin Brothers: Macaulay, Kieran & Rory<br />The Phoenix Brothers: River & Joaquin<br />The Barrymore Brothers: Lionel & John<br /><br />These guys had a famous Hollywood actor-father too!<br />The Estevez Brothers: Charlie (Carlos) Sheen & Emilio<br />The Bridges Brothers: Jeff & Beau<br /><br />I was tempted to include the Brother-Sister combos, but left that for another day. Maybe one if you could do that! <br /><br />More from Kamla here: http://www.kamlashow.com<br /><br />Ok, Kamla, I kept my word :)<br /><br /> (Posted using BlogPress from my iPad)<br />Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-75427444030281505622010-12-26T10:43:00.001+05:302010-12-26T10:43:10.207+05:30Is Indian Politics no place for the well educated?“Why don't grads from our top notch edu instt get into Politics? Asks @ShashiTharoor in his article in The Week. Now there's a thought.”<br /><br />This tweet of mine was re-tweeted by Shashi Tharoor and led to a huge response from about 30-40 people, in less than 10 hours!<br /><br />The responses ran across the entire spectrum of thoughts. From expressing disgust at the framework and structure of Indian Politics, to the desire to participate in the process, but being unable to do so - albeit, because of the structure!<br /><br />It seems there are a large number of educated youth out there who are genuinely interested in good Governance (Nation building, actually)! <br /><br />They are intimidated by the fact that entering Politics means giving up their present (and, probably lucrative) career, being presented with an uncertain future, sucking up to the 'powers-that-be', dealing with hoodlums, thugs and goondas, being labelled (and themselves, becoming) corrupt and all the negativity surrounding Politicians today.<br /><br />This makes it a complete No-No for 'aspiring' youngsters. As a result, we are losing out on benefiting from a wealth of ideas that can change the way we live!<br /><br />This is unacceptable. <br /><br />To change this, we must understand that the first step is to get rid of the 'chalta hai' attitude. We must be aware of this problem and acknowledge that the solutions are available, do-able, but would take time and a persistent approach.<br /><br />First, grass-root level education is where we need to start. Ensuring that a solid, ethical foundation is built is getting a good headstart. We do not really need very highly educated post-graduates and double-graduates only, for this job.<br /><br />Second, the political framework needs to be able to allow new people (read: people with no 'family' connections) to be given a reasonably level playing field to enter into the fray. A simple barometer to measure this is the success that such people have had - so if there are a few examples, this, should suffice!<br /><br />Third, we should have a strong judiciary to ensure that if there are any transgressions, these are actioned upon quickly and firmly - impartially, at least to the extent possible. The judiciary needs to be strengthened at the grass-root level. The common man seeks justice at the Sessions Court level, he cannot wait for his matter to reach the Supreme Court and then be granted justice! He wouldn't survive that long!<br /><br />Finally, while we go about doing this, we must make a start. We must ensure that the youth start getting involved. There HAS to be a sense of ownership and involvement - even if it is on a smaller scale. But the youth HAVE to be involved in Governance. <br /><br />We seem to have forgotten what history teaches. Every country goes through a major change (revolution, would be a wrong word here) only when a majority of the youth have been involved. It is THEY who need the change, ask for it and go about getting it. Let me make one thing clear - when I say 'youth', I really mean those who are in their 20s and 30s!! Not like what some of our politicians would like us to believe - a 'young' politician according to them is below the age of 50!!!<br /><br />I have noticed that it is the urban youth who are more disconnected than the rural youth. It is these boys and girls in the cities who believe that they can let the 'dirty work' be left to 'others'! Well, they should realize that if they do not take active part in governance, it will be sone other (probably, uneducated, sycophant) who will be making the Law that he/she will need to live by!!<br /><br />The need of the hour is action - on the ground level. We have enough of arm-chair philosophers, activists, bloggers, tweeters and the like! <br /><br />Let's go out and, if nothing else, just file at least ONE RTI or DO some good for Society. Let's make a start. I've made one, myself. You can do it too. A small one. At our level. Keeping it simple. <br /><br />In time, with our persistence, we will see the change. <br /><br />- Well ... and that's how I feel... <br />(Posted using BlogPress from my iPad)<br />Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-15587427517366153122010-12-19T23:31:00.001+05:302010-12-19T23:31:12.524+05:30Testing BlogPress for iPadI have typed this using BlogPress for iPad. Just wanted to see if it appears on Blogger and Wordpress at the same time!<br /><br /><br /><br />- Well...and that's how I feel... (Posted using BlogPress from my iPad)<br />Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-75693761478024648202010-12-17T19:36:00.000+05:302010-12-17T19:36:50.257+05:30Conflicting Proverbs and IdiomsAs a child, in School, I was quite confused about quite a few things that we were taught! I guess that came with the territory. However, there is one part that bothers me even today and that is the part about conflicting Proverbs, Idioms and oft used phrases.<br />
<br />
Since I really haven't been able to 'resolve' is, I thought I may as well pen this down (does anyone even use this phrase anymore?) for you all to see - and, if possible, help me to figure it out!<br />
<br />
Here are a few of them that really have me confused!<br />
<br />
1. We are often told to LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP, but isn't it also true that PROCRASTINATION IS THE THIEF OF TIME?<br />
<br />
2. Similarly, HASTE MAKES WASTE, but its only THE EARLY BIRD WHICH CATCHES THE WORM!<br />
<br />
3. It is true that if we stay away from something for too long it is natural that ABSENCE MAKETH THE HEART GROW FONDER, yet it is known that FAMILIARITY BREEDS CONTEMPT.<br />
<br />
4. While OPPOSITES ATTRACT, we are also taught that it is always BIRDS OF A FEATHER WHO FLOCK TOGETHER!<br />
<br />
5. VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE, yet we are told that A BIRD IN HAND IS WORTH TWO IN THE BUSH!<br />
<br />
6. TOO MANY COOKS SPOIL THE BROTH, but if at the same time, MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK!<br />
<br />
7. WHAT'S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE IS GOOD FOR THE GANDER, but ONE MAN'S MEAT IS ANOTHER MAN'S POISON!<br />
<br />
Well, these are the few that have me (still) confused - and If my School English teacher is reading this, she'd wonder how come I got 91% in the 10th!<br />
<br />
If you think of any more such conflicting ones, please feel free to comment and write in - so while we can AGREE TO DISAGREE we can still BE ON THE SAME PAGE :)<br />
<br />
Well ... and that's how I feel ...Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-36917733136979614162010-10-05T21:12:00.000+05:302010-10-05T21:12:26.978+05:30Eulogy of Sangeeta Ohri, my mother<div class="mbl notesBlogText clearfix"><div><em>This is the text of the Eulogy delivered at the Special Mass for our mother, on Fri, Oct 1 at Holy Cross Church, Kurla West, Mumbai. My elder brother, Sanjay, said this on behalf of the two of us...</em><br />
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<em></em><br />
Good Evening,<br />
<br />
On behalf of our family, we would first like to thank everyone for taking the time out to attend this mass and pay your last respects to our mother and would just like to share a few words about her.<br />
<br />
In addition to being a good mother, she was also our friend and guide with a very caring disposition and great courage. That one word "courage" was evident throughout her life because when she was born, her father had already passed away and when she was only 6 months old, her mother passed away. She was raised by her grandmother who had a positive influence on her life.<br />
<br />
During her school years, she was active in dramatics, sports and dancing. For those who remember, in Thane, she was also known as the "Galyan Sakhli" girl. Courage again surfaced when she had a love marriage with my father but against all odds, she raised us with the best of education, upbringing and values.<br />
<br />
She was a very caring person and her style of showing appreciation and care was unique. It was this care that enabled her to look after handicapped, preschool and underprivileged children for almost 40 years selflessly (all volunteer work) in the capacity of a being a principal, organizer, teacher and mentor. She often referred to the kids she worked with as "my children" and she was well-loved by their families as well.<br />
<br />
She was very humble when she received many awards for her social service and community work, including a recognition in Who's Who in the World / America / American Women (for the last 10 years) and an Award for Women's Welfare. But being a grassroots worker, she preferred to involve herself in her work quietly than seek any merit or publicity.<br />
<br />
If one were to list her accomplishments, we would be here a long while and some of it included training teachers, conducting global workshops, seminars, conferences, courses in education and rehabilitation of normal/handicapped children, as well as underprivileged persons.<br />
<br />
Some of the organizations she was associated with (and was an active member) were S.E.C. (Society for the Education of the Crippled) Day School, I.A.P.E. (Indian Association for Pre-school Education), B.C.J. General Hospital (Santa Cruz), All India Balkan-ji-Bari, Bombay Vigilance Association, O.M.E.P., Soroptomist International, YWCA, Poona Women's Council and many more.<br />
<br />
Having lived in India and the USA for many years, she was an excellent communicator (fluent in over 7 languages) and had a sense of great understanding of different cultures and always served as a role model for those who needed help in bridging the gap between East and West. She was a great cook as some of you know and it gave her great happiness to feed people. Needless to say, she was a very helpful person and if you ever needed help and turned to her, she would never refuse anyone.<br />
<br />
She wore her heart on her sleeve and if she liked anything, she shared it with everyone and if she didn't like anything and she loved you, she felt it was better to tell you things that you need to know for your own good! But she never gave up her caring spirit till the end - which again surfaced when she was at Lourdes and she was so happy at being able to make this pilgrimage that she lit a candle for each of you that she knew and also prayed for all departed souls.<br />
<br />
In the few days after she passed away, there were French, Italian and English masses offered in Lourdes at various churches by different international groups (including the Lourdes' hospitality organization that manages all the shrines at Lourdes). On October 17th, the Vatican has approved the canonization of Brother Andre to be a saint (he's the one who started the St. Joseph's Oratory in Montreal – it’s the largest cathedral in North America). On that day in Rome, during his canonization to be a Saint, the mass will be offered in memory of our mother.<br />
<br />
It's probably these silver linings that we can force ourselves to accept the reason of her departure from this world and we believe that she is in eternal healing of Our Lady of Lourdes. Maybe, God, destiny and Mom herself would not have had it any other way.<br />
<br />
May her soul rest in peace and God give us all the strength to handle this irreparable loss. Incidentally, Mom made it a point that people never went hungry when they came to meet her, so today in spirit she has ensured the same. Please join us for some light refreshments after mass.<br />
<br />
Thank you once again for all your support and God bless.</div></div>Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-3246910617972174982010-08-20T09:38:00.004+05:302010-08-22T10:10:45.800+05:30CWG 2010 - The Mess<div class="posterous_autopost">There has been enough in the media, over the past few days, about the scams and the irregularities in the arrangements and preparations for the Games.<br />
<br />
Relax. I am not going to enumerate any of those here, again. These are already being repeated, ad nauseam, in endless loops on select TV channels.<br />
<br />
The point I would like to make is that this is not the first time that we have organised a major event. While I can understand that, as individuals, we are not consistent in learning from past experiences; it is shameful that as a NATION, we lack those skills! <br />
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The most important aspect of this situation is to DOCUMENT and LEARN from this entire experience.<br />
<br />
These learnings must be made SHARED with the public, not from a perspective of sensationalising the scam, but from a perspective of ensuring that we have documented each mistake made, just so that we do not make it again. <br />
<br />
Also, in order to ensure that we do not end up in such a situation again (or at least minimise such instances), we MUST PUNISH those who have found to have WILLFULLY committed such excesses.<br />
<br />
Sending a strong message to all those who try to repeat this - that something like this will NOT be tolerated and will be dealt with severely.<br />
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Well, and that's how I feel.... <br />
<div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://sandeepohri.posterous.com/cwg-2010-the-mess">Well... and that's how I feel...!!!</a> </div></div>Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-28998786655402213612010-08-02T08:54:00.002+05:302010-08-04T09:34:52.898+05:30Simple Solutions for Kashmir<div class="posterous_autopost">While everyone has a variety of reasons for the situation in Kashmir - and will swear by those. There are very few offering practical solutions.<br />
<br />
I'm sure they DO know what are the possible options, but the prospect of implementing them seems daunting.<br />
<br />
Well, like most others, I also have a 'solution' to easing the situation in the beautiful valley (I haven't been there yet!) <br />
<br />
1. Get all the Politicians out of there - actually this is true for most 'troubled' areas :) <br />
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2. Get the Special Forces only to protect/guard the Border (ok, L.O.C.) <br />
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3. Equip the local Police with state-of-the-art Technology & Tools to protect the common people.<br />
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4. Promote industry - with a vengeance.<br />
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5. Set up Educational institutions - Primary to University.<br />
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Do this for 5 years and I can guarantee you this situation will 'dissolve'.<br />
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Feedback? <br />
<div style="font-size: 10px;"><br />
</div><div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://sandeepohri.posterous.com/simple-solutions-for-kashmir">Well... and that's how I feel...!!!</a> </div></div>Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-87271684820494497192010-08-01T20:59:00.000+05:302010-08-01T20:59:44.254+05:30Non-English Number plates - allowed?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGafQugZBwv-7iQjpJcGbVVFvGjJiiGiazqdvoWSHVH6n4pmppeLVkPPMjvcPo_AUKfWX0IMkd_MVS1q3KLYgf_RyGEvfG69jEUKTJRsrEB9JMREt6bO99ObHF_ie3eWb3QOpX/s1600/IMG00313-20100404-1418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGafQugZBwv-7iQjpJcGbVVFvGjJiiGiazqdvoWSHVH6n4pmppeLVkPPMjvcPo_AUKfWX0IMkd_MVS1q3KLYgf_RyGEvfG69jEUKTJRsrEB9JMREt6bO99ObHF_ie3eWb3QOpX/s320/IMG00313-20100404-1418.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I'm sure the RTO act does not permit License Number plates in any other language, other than in English. I recall reading a newspaper article where an RTO official had mentioned that they 'could not find' any such violation.<br />
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Well, here's one!Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-79276931693608463112010-07-07T22:27:00.001+05:302010-07-07T22:27:33.192+05:30From heat wave to flash floods<div class='posterous_autopost'>We seem to be having extreme weather across the country. First there was an extreme bout of heat wave - with temperatures reaching 51 degrees C! <p /> And here we are, less than 2 weeks later and we have news of the same cities & their neighbourhood area being submerged by flood waters! <p /> The worst part of the situation is that the people have NO CLUE of what the weather is going to be like! We're still a country that's so dependent on the monsoon and yet we cannot get our weather forecast right! <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://sandeepohri.posterous.com/from-heat-wave-to-flash-floods">Well... and that's how I feel...!!!</a> </p> </div>Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-1321031998018759572010-03-27T10:36:00.035+05:302010-03-27T19:22:50.415+05:30India's T20 World Cup Team<div class="posterous_autopost">India's Twenty20 world Cup probables list has been announced. Check this list:<br />
<ul><li>MS Dhoni - Jharkhand</li>
<li>Virender Sehwag - Delhi</li>
<li>Gautam Gambhir - Delhi</li>
<li>Suresh Raina - UP (?)</li>
<li>Praveen Kumar - UP</li>
<li>Ashish Nehra - UP</li>
<li>Piyush Chawla - UP </li>
<li>Harbhajan Singh - Punjab </li>
<li>Yuvraj Singh - Chandigarh</li>
<li>Yusf Pathan -Gujarat</li>
<li>Ravindra Jadeja - Gujarat</li>
<li>Zaheer Khan - Maharashtra</li>
<li>Rohit Sharma - Maharashtra </li>
<li>R Vinay Kumar - Karnataka</li>
<li>Dinesh Karthik - Tamil Nadu</li>
</ul>Has anyone noticed how there are so many players from North India? <br />
I don't want to take away any credit from those selected, even though some of them are 'injured' and their inclusion is really questionable. Not that I'm bigoted or racist, but I recall there used to be a time when players from West Zone and South Zone were almost dominating the India cricket scene.<br />
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If the logic for selection is recent performance, it can be inferred that teams from the North should have won all the Domestic cricket events - but is that so?<br />
<br />
Check the winners of the past 12 months...<br />
<a href="http://www.cricinfo.com/deodhartrophy2008-09/content/story/395662.html">West Zone beat East Zone in Deodhar Trophy</a><br />
<a href="http://www.cricinfo.com/indiandomestic2008/content/story/394793.html">TN beat Bengal in Ranji Trophy Final</a><br />
<a href="http://www.cricinfo.com/iranicup2009/content/story/428383.html">Rest of India beat Mumbai in Irani Cup</a><br />
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But I guess these Selector chaps know more about cricket than I do - so I should just shut up and do my own thing, eh?<br />
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</div><div class="posterous_autopost">BTW, I've decided to make my posts shorter, so I can do this more often :)<br />
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<i>Well ... and that's how I feel ... </i><br />
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<div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://sandeepohri.posterous.com/indias-t20-world-cup-team">Well ... and that's how I feel ...</a> </div></div>Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-32125228214712253332010-03-20T14:33:00.000+05:302010-03-20T14:33:46.135+05:30Hindi Proverbs and their English Equivalents<div id="identi-interface" identi-down="false" identi-offset-left="596" identi-offset-top="18" style="display: none; left: 50px; opacity: 1; position: absolute; top: 99px;"><div id="identi-top-pannel"><img height="60" id="identi-logo" 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</tbody></table></div>This effort is a result of a discussion, my family had on the breakfast table. My daughter kept swinging her leg, which kept banging into mine and then I turned around and said .. "<i>Sau sonaar ki, ek lohaar ki.</i>"<br />
<br />
This started off a discussion of what it meant and whether there was an equivalent of this, in English. Which led me into a hunt for more English equivalents of Hindi Proverbs. I've taken the liberty of spelling out all Hindi words in English. I hope you get it right the first time .. or at least, the second!<br />
<br />
Disclaimer: I'm no expert on either Hindi or English, so if you notice errors, please go right ahead and point them out!<br />
<br />
I searched the Internet to find lists of Hindi proverbs and English proverbs and then sat down and tried to correlate them. The following list is what I came up with. As I said, I'm no expert - but I'm happy with the effort. Hope you enjoy reading this.<i></i><br />
<ul><li><i>Khatte angoor</i> - Sour grapes (also, literally)</li>
<li><i>Bandar kya jaane adrak ka swad</i> - Casting pearls before swine<i> </i></li>
<li><i>Dal mein kaala </i>- More to it than meets the eye<i> </i></li>
<li><i>Naach na jaane, aagan tedha</i> – A poor worker blames his tools</li>
<li><i>Jale par namak chidakna</i> - Rubbing salt on one’s wound (almost, literal) <i> </i></li>
<li><i>Door ke dhol suhavane lagte hain</i> – The grass seems greener on the other side <i> </i></li>
<li><i>Aage kuan peeche khaee</i> – Between the devil and the deep sea <i> </i></li>
<li><i>Garajne wale badal baraste nahin hain</i> – Barking dogs seldom bite <i> </i></li>
<li><i>Jitnee lambi chadar ho utna hee pair failana chahiye</i> – Cut your dress according to your cloth <i> </i></li>
<li><i>Ab pachatae kya jab chidiya chug gayi khet</i> – No use crying over spilt milk <i> </i></li>
<li><i>Anth bhala to sab bhala</i> – All’s well that ends well (almost, literal) <i> </i></li>
<li><i>Taali ek haath se nahin bajti </i>– It takes two to quarrel <i> </i></li>
<li><i>Jahan chaah wahaan raha</i> – Where there’s a will, there’s a way (almost, literal) <i> </i></li>
<li><i>Doodh ka jala chaas bhi phook-phook kar peeta hai</i> – Once bitten twice shy <i> </i></li>
<li><i>Jaisa desh, vaisa bhes</i> – In Rome do as the Romans do <i> </i></li>
<li><i>Ek myaan mein do talawaren nahi samaati</i> – No man can serve two masters <i> </i></li>
<li><i>Khotta chana baje ghana</i> - Empty vessels make more noise </li>
</ul>By the way, I never did find the equivalent of "<i>Sau sonaar ki, ek lohaar ki</i>"!!<br />
<br />
Feedback? ...Bouquets? Brickbats? Well, bring 'em on :)Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-57771583710676800382010-02-28T22:05:00.000+05:302010-02-28T22:05:33.392+05:30A Few Good Men (& Women)<div id="identi-interface" identi-down="false" identi-offset-left="595" identi-offset-top="21" style="display: none; opacity: 1; position: absolute;"><div id="identi-top-pannel"><img height="60" id="identi-logo" 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</tbody></table><div id="identi-interface-message"></div></div>I've always been a great fan of Music of the 1980s - let me clarify - ENGLISH music of the 80s. However, I also do like some numbers from the 70s and 60s as well.<br />
<br />
For some (unknown, to me) reason, the music of this era is called <b>RETRO</b>. Retro as in <i>Retrospective </i>or <i>Retrograde</i>, is something I still haven't figured out!<br />
<br />
I'm definitely not an expert or an authority on music of that era. Neither was I really 'into' the music scene when in school.<br />
<br />
It's just that as I passed through those <i>"Wonder Years"</i> (great serial, by the way), each song got 'associated' (like a hyperlink or metatag) with some incident of my life. Most of them, I cherish, but I do also have a lot of forgettable ones, too. Nevertheless, the hyperlinks were established and the songs brought back memories - good, or otherwise, with equal propensity.<br />
<br />
In those days, we just had Audio Tapes (I see a lot of young readers going, <i>"Dude, you're O.L.D."</i>) - and we used to run those select few tapes back and forth so many times, that the sequence got cast in stone too!<br />
<br />
Till date, if I hear <i>"Don't Stop Till You Get Enough"</i> by Michael Jackson, I expect the next song to be <i>"Stomp"</i> by The Brothers Johnson, followed by <i>"And The Beat Goes On"</i> by The Whispers!<br />
<br />
Well, now we have CDs, DVDs, Pen Drives, iPoDs and a host of other equipment to hear songs from. All is not lost for us 'oldies' - as a lot of the old songs (<i>Retro!</i>) are finding their way back! I've managed to 'find' quite a few of my fav numbers on the Internet.<br />
<br />
Life had done a full circle (or so I would like to believe). Then again, it has a way of being surprisingly and refreshingly topsy-turvy.<br />
<br />
Just as I 'subjected' my kids to my choice of music - it's now their turn. They've grown up and have turned the tables on me. I am now exposed to a host of new music.<br />
<br />
This post is about some of the current ones, doing the rounds - in my house at least - which I really like. My current 'playlist' (see, I'm beginning to get the lingo right too!) consists of:<br />
<ul><li>Kelly Clarkson (<i>Already Gone</i>) </li>
<li>Jay Z feat. Alicia Keys (<i>Empire State of Mind</i>)</li>
<li>Lady Gaga (<i>Poker Face, </i><i>Just Dance, Paparazzi, Eh Eh Nothing Else I Can Do</i>)</li>
<li>David Guetta (<i>When Love Takes Over, Delirious</i>) </li>
<li>Black Eyed Peas (<i>Boom Boom Pow, I Gotta Feeling</i>) </li>
<li>Akon (<i>Right Now, Beautiful</i>)</li>
<li>Ne Yo (<i>Miss Independent</i>) </li>
<li>Lady Antebellum (<i>Need You Now</i>) </li>
<li>Kate Perry (<i>Hot n Cold</i>) </li>
<li>Lilly Allen (<i>F*ck You</i>) *gasp*</li>
<li>Agnes (<i>Release Me</i>)</li>
<li>Flo rida (<i>Sugar</i>) </li>
</ul>'Nuff said - as the rappers say. This kind of list is a far cry from the kind of music I was accustomed to!<br />
<br />
However, now I have a whole <b>new </b>set of hyperlinks and metatags being created - with lovely memories being associated with these numbers (however, ridiculous they may sound after a few years). Whenever I'm traveling and I hear these numbers, my thoughts go back to these memories.<br />
<br />
And so the circle of life starts all over again ... listening to these Few Good Men (& Women) ...<br />
<br />
<i>Well ... and that's how I feel ... </i>Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-64645836487933803342010-02-27T16:06:00.003+05:302010-02-27T23:16:34.655+05:30Karthik Calling Karthik - My View<div class="posterous_autopost"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9i2PQrv8AyU2qBM7tKL4R9Hh3XTM-qnZ8vUN8Mux7G-JeYe_iL50adrXoXf5xIratV4vIxi73yt6pIwLBXtJ_9_7AG-UC4BmFkkwdr4V2590jek4eu6WOCuY7OsQI7m3i2Q4/s1600-h/Karthik-Calling-Karthik-2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9i2PQrv8AyU2qBM7tKL4R9Hh3XTM-qnZ8vUN8Mux7G-JeYe_iL50adrXoXf5xIratV4vIxi73yt6pIwLBXtJ_9_7AG-UC4BmFkkwdr4V2590jek4eu6WOCuY7OsQI7m3i2Q4/s320/Karthik-Calling-Karthik-2010.jpg" /></a></div>Just saw KCK today and I haven't even reached home, but here I am writing about it! <br />
<br />
This is one of the few movies that I've seen so close to its release ..2nd day, 1st show! Quite surprised at my own eagerness to watch it. But that's how I am. I go by instinct, on such things.<br />
<br />
For instance, I haven't yet seen <b>3 Idiots</b> or <b>Avatar</b> - but didn't miss <b>Luck By Chance</b> & <b>Love Aaj Kal</b> (any coincidence they had Farhan & Deepika?) <br />
<br />
Coming to KCK, I don't want to reveal the storyline (no spoilers, here!) - but its a nicely done movie. It has its fair share of laughs, thrills and meaningless (avoidable) moments.<br />
<br />
My kudos to the Director, who actually got the audience to clap in the last shot - I was truly amazed! <br />
<br />
The movie could have done away with about 10 minutes, making it crisper, but I don't know whose responsibility that is - the Editor's or the Director's.<br />
<br />
I was really impressed with the acting. <br />
<br />
Farhan is very, very believable in the role. His angst in certain scenes, esp when he breaks down and cries when on the phone, is truly classic. <br />
<br />
Deepika - well, what can I say - this girl is growing on me. She caught my fancy in <b>Love Aaj Kal</b> and has done it again here. However, she's again cast as an independent minded woman - and is convincing. Her earnestness comes across genuinely. <br />
<br />
I quite liked the music by Shankar Ehsan Loy. In particular, the music that plays while the opening titles appear, is particularly catchy. Incidentally, the titles are done quite innovatively, too! <br />
<br />
Don't expect a love story (though it has its moments). Don't expect a laugh riot - its not a light movie, by any standards. Don't expect an outright thriller - even though there are more than a few times which will make you jump! <br />
<br />
I don't think its worth a second watch, but I'd enjoy watching the DVD - and would definitely buy the Audio CD. <br />
<br />
All in all, an enjoyable fare - as we say, 'paisa vasool'. <br />
<br />
Twitter: sandeepohri <br />
Email: <a href="mailto:sandeep.ohri@ymail.com">sandeep.ohri@ymail.com</a> <br />
Blog: <a href="http://snohri.blogspot.com/">http://snohri.blogspot.com/</a> <br />
Group: <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bijlee">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bijlee</a> <br />
<br />
Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone <br />
<div style="font-size: 10px;"><a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://sandeepohri.posterous.com/karthik-calling-karthik-my-view">sandeepohri's posterous</a> </div></div>Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-81098927166186040882010-02-06T18:10:00.001+05:302010-02-06T18:10:28.817+05:30TEST from Mobile
<div class='posterous_autopost'>This is a test blogpost via Posterous :) <br />With warm regards, <br />Sandeep <p /> Twitter: sandeepohri <br />Email: <a href="mailto:sandeep.ohri@ymail.com">sandeep.ohri@ymail.com</a> <br />Blog: <a href="http://snohri.blogspot.com">http://snohri.blogspot.com</a> <br />Group: <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bijlee">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bijlee</a> <p /> Sent on my BlackBerry® from Vodafone <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://sandeepohri.posterous.com/test-from-mobile-8">sandeepohri's posterous</a> </p> </div> Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-81179768003713224302009-11-29T19:28:00.000+05:302009-11-29T19:28:35.563+05:30BIJLEE posts will now appear only on BIJLEEPOWERI've contemplated doing this for a long time - and its about time I find the time (and follow the discipline) of doing this.<br />
<br />
All BIJLEE (electricity) related posts would appear on the BIJLEEPOWER blog (<a href="http://bijleepower.blogspot.com/">http://bijleepower.blogspot.com</a>)<br />
<br />
Wanted to keep this blog, more or less, of a personal one in nature.Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-31700349584482155512009-10-26T19:16:00.000+05:302009-10-26T19:16:12.591+05:30Calculate savings of switchover to TATAAfter much work, anguish and deliberations, MERC had issued an Interim Order in the matter of switchover to TATA. I am happy to inform you that we have successfully had the first case of a switchover. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">An existing RINFRA consumer has been duly moved to TATA - using RINFRA's network and TATA's Meter!</span><br />
<br />
Now, before everyone decides to do the same, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">first check whether it makes economic sense</span> to switch to TATA. To help you, I have prepared a detailed Excel sheet for <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Single Phase, Residential consumers</span> (LT-I) Tariff showing the exact calculations and savings of moving from RINFRA to TATA. <br />
<br />
Here are some of the results of the calculations in the PRESENT scenario.<br />
<br />
For <span style="font-weight: bold;">1,500 units</span> per month:<br />
Existing RINFRA Bill = Rs. 13,391 Switchover TATA Bill = Rs. 9,212<br />
Monthly Savings = Rs. 4,179 Annual Savings = <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rs. 50,147</span><br />
<br />
For <span style="font-weight: bold;">1,000 units</span> per month:<br />
Existing RINFRA Bill = Rs. 8,309 Switchover TATA Bill = Rs. 5,828<br />
Monthly Savings = Rs. 2,482 Annual Savings = <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rs. 29,780</span><br />
<br />
For <span style="font-weight: bold;">800 units</span> per month:<br />
Existing RINFRA Bill = Rs. 6,277 Switchover TATA Bill = Rs. 4,474<br />
Monthly Savings = Rs. 1,803 Annual Savings = <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rs. 21,634</span><br />
<br />
For <span style="font-weight: bold;">500 units</span> per month:<br />
Existing RINFRA Bill = Rs. 3,172 Switchover TATA Bill = Rs. 2,387<br />
Monthly Savings = Rs. 784 Annual Savings = <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rs. 9,413<br />
<br />
</span>For <span style="font-weight: bold;">350 units</span> per month:<br />
Existing RINFRA Bill = Rs. 1,857 Switchover TATA Bill = Rs. 1,490<br />
Monthly Savings = Rs. 368 Annual Savings = <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rs. 4,412</span><br />
<br />
For <span style="font-weight: bold;">200 units </span>per month:<br />
Existing RINFRA Bill = Rs. 879 Switchover TATA Bill = Rs. 760<br />
Monthly Savings = Rs. 119 Annual Savings = <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rs. 1,427</span><br />
<br />
For <span style="font-weight: bold;">100 units </span>per month:<br />
Existing RINFRA Bill = Rs. 316 Switchover TATA Bill = Rs. 307<br />
Monthly Savings = Rs. 9 Annual Savings = <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rs. 108</span><br />
<br />
It seems clear from the above, that only those <span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">consumers who have a higher monthly consumption would benefit more by switching</span> to TATA from RINFRA. <br />
<br />
However, the decision to DO-THE-SWITCH must be an informed, long-term decision and not a short-term knee jerk reaction. The attached file covers the PRESENT scenario as well <span style="text-decoration: underline;">a few other known possible scenarios</span> that may happen in the next one year. For instance:<br />
<br />
a) Due to approvals from earlier MERC and ATE Orders, <span style="text-decoration: underline;">RINFRA already has an 'uncovered gap' of Rs. 1,079 crores</span>! Suppose they get an approval to charge this in next year's Tariff - what would be the impact?<br />
<br />
b) MERC has stayed the RINFRA June 2009 Tariff Order, but <span style="text-decoration: underline;">suppose the stay order is lifted</span>?<br />
<br />
c) RINFRA has gone to High Court and asked for a stay on the limit of Fuel Adjustment Charge (FAC) of 67 paise. <span style="text-decoration: underline;">They are asking for 113 paise/unit.</span> Suppose they succeed?<br />
<br />
d) In this Interim Order, MERC has allowed RINFRA to collect Wheeling charges, despite our protests that we have already paid for these. In case, it is ruled that <span style="text-decoration: underline;">we do not have to pay RINFRA Wheeling charges, then the NEW switchover bills will be even more lower.</span><br />
<br />
e) If the consumer uses a TATA meter instead of a RINFRA Meter, it is possible that consumption recording itself is lower!<br />
<br />
The attached Excel file also shows how much would be the difference in case the above scenarios start playing out.<br />
<br />
Do feel free to circulate this to all concerned and please send me feedback - especially if there are any errors (this is so complicated, even though I've tried my best, there may still be some mistakes!)<br />
<br />
This Excel file is also available on the BIJLEE Group in the Files section here: <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bijlee/files/_RINFRA_SWITCHOVER/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bijlee/files/_RINFRA_SWITCHOVER/</a><br />
<br />
I will request MERC to prepare such types of Calculators and host them on their websites.<br />
<br />
Trust this has been of help to you :)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bijlee" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"></a>Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32285400.post-50673388514212682082009-10-10T00:49:00.000+05:302009-10-10T00:49:04.026+05:30Rediff ArticleSometimes you get lucky and people get to know about your struggle.<br />
<br />
Rediff put this up<br />
<br />
<a href="http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/oct/09/slide-show-1-meet-the-man-who-took-on-reliance-energy.htm">http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/oct/09/slide-show-1-meet-the-man-who-took-on-reliance-energy.htm</a><br />
<br />
Feedback is most welcome :)<br />
<br />
More at the BIJLEE Yahoo Group Site here:<br />
<a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bijlee">http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bijlee</a>Sandeephttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01913911954191656789noreply@blogger.com2