Thanksgiving Day, the spirit of celebrating this day with families, lots of food , foot ball and sharing their stories reminds me of the memories of my most cherished festival "Sankranthi" or "Pongal". As I think about it, there are many commons with both of these celebrations.
Sankranthi is celebrated as farming season comes to an end (January 14) and its time for farmers to celebrate their harvest. Its the same with thanksgiving which was originally celebrated after the first harvest by the pilgrims after gruelling winter season. Both may not be celebrated these days for the same reason, but having family together keeps the spirit alive.
As an outsider , I cannot talk about how thansgiving being celebreated other than the fact that it brings together whole family, over good food and football. Sankranthi reminds my best memories of celebrating it together with family with very good food. Trying to burn calories after a very, very heavy lunch by playing cards, carroms, or other board games and making fun of each other (it doesnt matter whether its my dad or my nephew). Before my belly makes space for some air from heavy food, replenishing this with snacks, and other delicacies all day long is the best part of it.
For all the memories, I would like to say a BIG Thank You to my parents on this day for all the things they had provided. As I start my journey as a married man, will hope to continue to keep this spirit alive with my dear wife.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Is this the solution?
Here are the two new news about reservations for jobs in India.
1) Supreme court of India has ruled saying that Reservations should not apply to the people belonging to SC/ST families whose average salary is more than 250000 rupees for year.
2) Meeting between government and private companies about having certain % of jobs to the people belonging to certain castes.
For the first part, now minsiters in the central government and other political parties wants to have a constitutional ammendment to override supreme court's decision and make everyone belonging to SC/ST community to have reservations irrespective of their income. Also they want to come up with a law to have reservations as mandatory in firms owned by private sector.
Is this how one wants to help backward communities to have a better life? Are we providing solution to the problem or are we just masking the problem and providing jobs to the people who doesnot deserve those? India had reservations from 1950 but if we still have the same issues doesn't it mean that this didnot address the problem. Isn't 56 years long enough to realise that we are not addressing root cause of this problem?
Being a citizen of India, every one should have equal oppurtunity but should not depend on which caste they belong to. I agree that government should take care of people who are poor and need some help. But it doesn't mean that they need to have reservations for the jobs. It doesnt mean they needed to be provided with jobs for which they are not qualified for. Instead of having some reservations, better solution for this would be to provide facilites for them to have good education. Provide good education at a lower cost or free of cost. Provide them with additional tutoring help so that they can compete with people who have access to better facilities. Provide scholarships to people who cannot afford cost but need to make sure they are qualified for higher education.
I am looking forward for a day in India where we dont need to fill in information regarding my caste on the job application whether its in Public or Private Sector.
1) Supreme court of India has ruled saying that Reservations should not apply to the people belonging to SC/ST families whose average salary is more than 250000 rupees for year.
2) Meeting between government and private companies about having certain % of jobs to the people belonging to certain castes.
For the first part, now minsiters in the central government and other political parties wants to have a constitutional ammendment to override supreme court's decision and make everyone belonging to SC/ST community to have reservations irrespective of their income. Also they want to come up with a law to have reservations as mandatory in firms owned by private sector.
Is this how one wants to help backward communities to have a better life? Are we providing solution to the problem or are we just masking the problem and providing jobs to the people who doesnot deserve those? India had reservations from 1950 but if we still have the same issues doesn't it mean that this didnot address the problem. Isn't 56 years long enough to realise that we are not addressing root cause of this problem?
Being a citizen of India, every one should have equal oppurtunity but should not depend on which caste they belong to. I agree that government should take care of people who are poor and need some help. But it doesn't mean that they need to have reservations for the jobs. It doesnt mean they needed to be provided with jobs for which they are not qualified for. Instead of having some reservations, better solution for this would be to provide facilites for them to have good education. Provide good education at a lower cost or free of cost. Provide them with additional tutoring help so that they can compete with people who have access to better facilities. Provide scholarships to people who cannot afford cost but need to make sure they are qualified for higher education.
I am looking forward for a day in India where we dont need to fill in information regarding my caste on the job application whether its in Public or Private Sector.
Fellow Bloggers Tag
This is for one of my fellow bloggers who wants me to blog more frequently.
10 Favorites:
Favorite Season: Early Winter when its cold but still see some sunlight on the day.
Favorite Sport: College Football, College Basketball, NFL, Cricket, Tennis.
Favorite Time: Around 5:30 PM When I step out of my office.
Favorite Month: Before and after summer. (March, April, September)
Favorite Actor: Aamir Khan, Paresh Rawal
Favorite Actress: Sridevi, Sonali Bendre (Not for acting).
Favorite Ice Cream: Any flavor with less chocolate and no fruit.
Favorite Food: Any food with well-cooked meat, Desert.
Favorite Drink: Beer, Water.
Favorite Place: Sweet Home
9 Currents:
Current Feeling: Is Michigan going to win over OSU?
Current O/S: Windows XP
Current Windows Open: NFL Fantasy Football
Current Drink: Gatorade (Just got out of gym).
Current Time: 7:07 p.m
Current Mobile(s) Used: Samsung.
Current Show on TV: Michigan Vs Ohio State University. Last 2:00 minutes.
Current Thought: Why does OSU guys call themselves "The" Ohio State University.
Current Cloths: GYM wear.
8 Firsts:
First Nickname: Some thing on my hair which I dont wanna share.
First Kiss: Best Moment in my life which I want to keep it for myself.
First Crush: In Engineering.
First Computer: Assembled one which has every brand in it.
First Vehicle I drove: Kinetic Honda
First Job: Cafateria in University of Kentucky (My Best Job)
First Movie I watched: Only Remember Disco Dancer (Mithun Da).
First Pet: Not much liking for them.
First Shave: Dont Remember the date but do remember the cuts I had on my face.
7 Lasts:
Last Chai (Tea) : at 5 pm.
Last Movie: Bommarillu (Telugu with Siddarth from Rang de Basanti as Hero).
Last Time I Drove: Back from office friday evening.
Last Time Shaved: Every day of the week except the weekends so got to be Friday.
Last Web Site Visited: www.Espn.com
Last Software Installed: VPN access for my client.
Last Pill I Had:Nothing Recently.
6 Have You Evers:
Have You Ever Broken the Law: Only in driving. Got a ticket once for speeding.
Have You Ever Been Drunk: Dumb Question. Whats fun in drinking without getting drunk.
Have You Ever Climbed a Tree: Very Few. Embarassed by my Mom for that.
Have You Ever Kissed Someone You Didn't Know: No.
Have You Ever Been in the Middle/Close to Gunfire or Bomb Blast: Nope but was close to the riots happened in '93
Have You Ever Broken Anyone’s Heart: Nope.
5 Things:
Things You Can Hear Right Now: Ohio State's Victory against Michigan on TV.
Things on Your Computer Table: Book "The World is Flat" and Baron's GMAT.
Things on Your Bed: All the things needed for a nice cozy sleep..
Things You Ate Today: Puri and Chole for lunch. Waiting on Sambar for Dinner.
Things in Mind: My Wife's Thesis.
4 Places You Have Been Today:
Gym.
All rooms in My home.
3 People You Can Tell Anything To:
My Wife.
My Parents (Like to share good things in my life. After all the struggles they had in life till now just want to see them happy)
My best friend.
2 Choices:
Black or White: White.. better than black on my dark complexion.
Hot or Cold: Hot food...cold beer.
1 Thing You Want To Do Before You Die:
Explore all parts of India. See how amazing my country is with so many different Languages, Cultures, Religions and Food. Learn History about India.
I liked this tag. This made me think on some of the questions. Will sure try to blog more frequently.
10 Favorites:
Favorite Season: Early Winter when its cold but still see some sunlight on the day.
Favorite Sport: College Football, College Basketball, NFL, Cricket, Tennis.
Favorite Time: Around 5:30 PM When I step out of my office.
Favorite Month: Before and after summer. (March, April, September)
Favorite Actor: Aamir Khan, Paresh Rawal
Favorite Actress: Sridevi, Sonali Bendre (Not for acting).
Favorite Ice Cream: Any flavor with less chocolate and no fruit.
Favorite Food: Any food with well-cooked meat, Desert.
Favorite Drink: Beer, Water.
Favorite Place: Sweet Home
9 Currents:
Current Feeling: Is Michigan going to win over OSU?
Current O/S: Windows XP
Current Windows Open: NFL Fantasy Football
Current Drink: Gatorade (Just got out of gym).
Current Time: 7:07 p.m
Current Mobile(s) Used: Samsung.
Current Show on TV: Michigan Vs Ohio State University. Last 2:00 minutes.
Current Thought: Why does OSU guys call themselves "The" Ohio State University.
Current Cloths: GYM wear.
8 Firsts:
First Nickname: Some thing on my hair which I dont wanna share.
First Kiss: Best Moment in my life which I want to keep it for myself.
First Crush: In Engineering.
First Computer: Assembled one which has every brand in it.
First Vehicle I drove: Kinetic Honda
First Job: Cafateria in University of Kentucky (My Best Job)
First Movie I watched: Only Remember Disco Dancer (Mithun Da).
First Pet: Not much liking for them.
First Shave: Dont Remember the date but do remember the cuts I had on my face.
7 Lasts:
Last Chai (Tea) : at 5 pm.
Last Movie: Bommarillu (Telugu with Siddarth from Rang de Basanti as Hero).
Last Time I Drove: Back from office friday evening.
Last Time Shaved: Every day of the week except the weekends so got to be Friday.
Last Web Site Visited: www.Espn.com
Last Software Installed: VPN access for my client.
Last Pill I Had:Nothing Recently.
6 Have You Evers:
Have You Ever Broken the Law: Only in driving. Got a ticket once for speeding.
Have You Ever Been Drunk: Dumb Question. Whats fun in drinking without getting drunk.
Have You Ever Climbed a Tree: Very Few. Embarassed by my Mom for that.
Have You Ever Kissed Someone You Didn't Know: No.
Have You Ever Been in the Middle/Close to Gunfire or Bomb Blast: Nope but was close to the riots happened in '93
Have You Ever Broken Anyone’s Heart: Nope.
5 Things:
Things You Can Hear Right Now: Ohio State's Victory against Michigan on TV.
Things on Your Computer Table: Book "The World is Flat" and Baron's GMAT.
Things on Your Bed: All the things needed for a nice cozy sleep..
Things You Ate Today: Puri and Chole for lunch. Waiting on Sambar for Dinner.
Things in Mind: My Wife's Thesis.
4 Places You Have Been Today:
Gym.
All rooms in My home.
3 People You Can Tell Anything To:
My Wife.
My Parents (Like to share good things in my life. After all the struggles they had in life till now just want to see them happy)
My best friend.
2 Choices:
Black or White: White.. better than black on my dark complexion.
Hot or Cold: Hot food...cold beer.
1 Thing You Want To Do Before You Die:
Explore all parts of India. See how amazing my country is with so many different Languages, Cultures, Religions and Food. Learn History about India.
I liked this tag. This made me think on some of the questions. Will sure try to blog more frequently.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Who the hell is gonna pay for it?
As I go through the news papers from my home town Hyderabad, I come across news regarding karimnagar elections thats going to take place in december. Well this is not election time for parliament but why do we have this election? Generally elections like these happen when we the respected member is dead and as far as I remember K.Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR) is not dead. He is alive and remember him running away from a mockery of Fast until death (Which he did for one day) with some wierd reason.
So I was thinking what would be the reason, then came to know that he resigned. Why did he do that? Its because some other nut cases from Grand old congress party challenged him to re-elect from there. Well this is interesting? So Mr.KCR resigned because some cranky old fellow (M. Satyanarayana Rao) who can't keep his mouth shut and State Congress Party chief (whom I never knew existed in AP until I heard him as state congress chief) challenged KCR to re-elect by himself.
Well its sounds good to hear about it like a movie (you can watch any movie by balakrishna, chiranjeevi or NTR Jr). So to make the story short, now Mr. KCR is re-constesting the seat he was elected about 3 years back. But now comes the question I had in my subject who the hell is going to pay for this?
Is it the guys who challenged KCR or the guy who took the challenge? nah...its you (an average indian) idiot, what the hell do you think you are paying the tax for? But as I think about it leaders are trying to provide good entertainment for you, why the hell do you want to watch a movie by wasting some money for a theatre when you can pay a whole lot more of tax money from your hard work to get entertained without going out of your home through this elections. So have a good time, get some popcorn and enjoy the month long action and drama.
Well did I tell you who is contesting from Congress side, it is Mr. Jeevan reddy, member of respected assembly. So I would suggest all the people from Karimnagar to vote for Congress and get Mr. Jeevan reddy promoted to Parliament. This would be a curtain raiser for the next election where he is going to resign his assembly seat. So you can feel happy about contributing to the next big movie in A.P elections.
So dont complain or bitch about politicians doesnt think about you, they want you to be happy. They want you to have fun outside of soap dramas in T.V, idiotic movies of chiru, balakrishna. So join the fun and next time when you feel bored you go to one of those M.P or M.L.A's and you challenge them and get them to resign and have the fun again.
My popcorn is ready and looking forward for next one month with great enthusiasm and surely hope politicians of my hometowns doesnot disappoint me.
So I was thinking what would be the reason, then came to know that he resigned. Why did he do that? Its because some other nut cases from Grand old congress party challenged him to re-elect from there. Well this is interesting? So Mr.KCR resigned because some cranky old fellow (M. Satyanarayana Rao) who can't keep his mouth shut and State Congress Party chief (whom I never knew existed in AP until I heard him as state congress chief) challenged KCR to re-elect by himself.
Well its sounds good to hear about it like a movie (you can watch any movie by balakrishna, chiranjeevi or NTR Jr). So to make the story short, now Mr. KCR is re-constesting the seat he was elected about 3 years back. But now comes the question I had in my subject who the hell is going to pay for this?
Is it the guys who challenged KCR or the guy who took the challenge? nah...its you (an average indian) idiot, what the hell do you think you are paying the tax for? But as I think about it leaders are trying to provide good entertainment for you, why the hell do you want to watch a movie by wasting some money for a theatre when you can pay a whole lot more of tax money from your hard work to get entertained without going out of your home through this elections. So have a good time, get some popcorn and enjoy the month long action and drama.
Well did I tell you who is contesting from Congress side, it is Mr. Jeevan reddy, member of respected assembly. So I would suggest all the people from Karimnagar to vote for Congress and get Mr. Jeevan reddy promoted to Parliament. This would be a curtain raiser for the next election where he is going to resign his assembly seat. So you can feel happy about contributing to the next big movie in A.P elections.
So dont complain or bitch about politicians doesnt think about you, they want you to be happy. They want you to have fun outside of soap dramas in T.V, idiotic movies of chiru, balakrishna. So join the fun and next time when you feel bored you go to one of those M.P or M.L.A's and you challenge them and get them to resign and have the fun again.
My popcorn is ready and looking forward for next one month with great enthusiasm and surely hope politicians of my hometowns doesnot disappoint me.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Just Like that
In the building where my office is located (5 th floor), there is an corporate office space for United States Postal Service in 6 th floor. That is the top floor and USPS is the only one located in there. This building also hosts different private companies in other floors. As we all use the same elevator I was observing the group of people going into the elevator. Most of the people going into the different floors are majority of white people and very few african americans. But its just the opposite for 6 th floor.
As I newly moved to north carolina, I had some work with car registration and license for which I had been to the county and state government offices. When I see the people around, it appears that there is a equal percentage of both african americans and whites. But why dont we see the same distribution in private sector? As a consultant in different industries I had observed that private sector is predominantly white.
I am not judging based on these facts that there is a discrimination in private sector against african americans or a favouritsm towards african americans in government sector. I just think what could be the reason behind this? If the african americans are able to handle public sector can't they be able to do that in private sector too or is it the government trying to be politically correct and trying to prove that they are taking care of minority and providing jobs to the people who are not qualified? or is it the african american people apply mostly for the government jobs or is it in the private sector when they have finalists does they prefer based upon the color? I have no idea what would be the exact reason, just wanted to lay out my thoughts.
As a person who came in as a immigrant here, I never observed any discrimination based upon my color until now and hope not to see that. When I was interviewed, I wasn't considered for some jobs because of my visa status for which I cannot blame them because if thats happening in my country I would expect the same with local being provided the job before looking for some one coming form a different country.
After seeing the world here in US, I hope I had become tolerant to all colors, religion, nationality, and sexual orientation. Hopefully will carry on doing the same stuff even if I go back to India eventhough there are lot more divisions in indian society which I would think will reduce after a generation or two.
As I newly moved to north carolina, I had some work with car registration and license for which I had been to the county and state government offices. When I see the people around, it appears that there is a equal percentage of both african americans and whites. But why dont we see the same distribution in private sector? As a consultant in different industries I had observed that private sector is predominantly white.
I am not judging based on these facts that there is a discrimination in private sector against african americans or a favouritsm towards african americans in government sector. I just think what could be the reason behind this? If the african americans are able to handle public sector can't they be able to do that in private sector too or is it the government trying to be politically correct and trying to prove that they are taking care of minority and providing jobs to the people who are not qualified? or is it the african american people apply mostly for the government jobs or is it in the private sector when they have finalists does they prefer based upon the color? I have no idea what would be the exact reason, just wanted to lay out my thoughts.
As a person who came in as a immigrant here, I never observed any discrimination based upon my color until now and hope not to see that. When I was interviewed, I wasn't considered for some jobs because of my visa status for which I cannot blame them because if thats happening in my country I would expect the same with local being provided the job before looking for some one coming form a different country.
After seeing the world here in US, I hope I had become tolerant to all colors, religion, nationality, and sexual orientation. Hopefully will carry on doing the same stuff even if I go back to India eventhough there are lot more divisions in indian society which I would think will reduce after a generation or two.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
lage raho munnabhai
When I was planning of this movie, I thought this is a simple extension of the dumb comedy. The only reason for going to this movie is to enjoy without thinking about it. But after the 2:30 hours of the movie, I can say one thing this is the one of the best hindi movies in a long time. Its been a while that bollywood had come up with two best movies in a year. I would say Rang De Basanti and Lage Raho were great. Both were on similar themes, try to compare the ideologies of the our freedom fighters fought and the situation in current india. One was using revolutionary background of bagat singh and the other is using mahatma's satyagraha.
I always thought mahatma's philosophy will not be viable in the current world. But this movie showed how his views can be used and how being honest and taking responibility of your actions can help you being a good human being. In daily life, we are always worried about other peoples opinion and what they think of us. May be its time we do what we wanted to do and being honest to your self and to the people around would help things get done in a right manner.
I thought of writing manythings, and so many people wrote many good things about this movie already, so dont wanna bore you all with this.
Finally, just wanna say excellent movie by director Hirwani and movies like these make people think about what a great nation we are from and how we all can be a different beings.
so long.
I always thought mahatma's philosophy will not be viable in the current world. But this movie showed how his views can be used and how being honest and taking responibility of your actions can help you being a good human being. In daily life, we are always worried about other peoples opinion and what they think of us. May be its time we do what we wanted to do and being honest to your self and to the people around would help things get done in a right manner.
I thought of writing manythings, and so many people wrote many good things about this movie already, so dont wanna bore you all with this.
Finally, just wanna say excellent movie by director Hirwani and movies like these make people think about what a great nation we are from and how we all can be a different beings.
so long.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Aug 26
Today is an important day in my life, its my birthday. It got me to think about my journey till now. Wow 27 years !! Its an excellent journey. This journey kicked off from a small village in Andhra pradesh. Initial years till second class was in a village called Polamuru in West godavari.
There are two best things which happened in my life both included relocation. First one had happened in 1985 when my parents decided to move to hyderabad to have a better life and better future to me and my brother. I would thank my parents for that. Their strong will to survive and build a decent life to us and their desire to see us away from struggles they are having had helped me for whatever I am today. I always remember the one thing which my mom used to say to me "kasti padi chaduvukondi ra maaku laaga kastalu padakandi ra (Work hard on studies and get away from struggles they are facing)". Their passion to have better education for us had driven me to go through all the pains of education :).
The next bext thing is my move to USA in 2001. I was not sure initially why I was here and what I am doing here. It was just my desire to get my master's that drove me here. More than my education here, its the experience of growing up as a person to handle struggles helped me mature as a person. There are many successes and failures of my decisions, but each experience helped me to learn many things about life. This is here where I met my life partner, with whom I am going to continue my journey for the next part.
This birthday marks an important junction in my journey. I am going to enter into an world of family life in which I would start laying foundation for our family. I will try to use the experiences that I gained from my both relocations.
Thats it for now. Got to enjoy the next part of this day with my sweet wife.
There are two best things which happened in my life both included relocation. First one had happened in 1985 when my parents decided to move to hyderabad to have a better life and better future to me and my brother. I would thank my parents for that. Their strong will to survive and build a decent life to us and their desire to see us away from struggles they are having had helped me for whatever I am today. I always remember the one thing which my mom used to say to me "kasti padi chaduvukondi ra maaku laaga kastalu padakandi ra (Work hard on studies and get away from struggles they are facing)". Their passion to have better education for us had driven me to go through all the pains of education :).
The next bext thing is my move to USA in 2001. I was not sure initially why I was here and what I am doing here. It was just my desire to get my master's that drove me here. More than my education here, its the experience of growing up as a person to handle struggles helped me mature as a person. There are many successes and failures of my decisions, but each experience helped me to learn many things about life. This is here where I met my life partner, with whom I am going to continue my journey for the next part.
This birthday marks an important junction in my journey. I am going to enter into an world of family life in which I would start laying foundation for our family. I will try to use the experiences that I gained from my both relocations.
Thats it for now. Got to enjoy the next part of this day with my sweet wife.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Hello
Hello,
Whenever I read something whether on newspaper or in a website, I have different thoughts crossing my mind and wanna share my view on a topic. I just want to document my views on a topic and see whether I would change my opinion as years go by. Some may agree or disagree with my views on the topic, but I just want to bring out my opinon on the current events happening back home in India or here in United States and any where else in the world. Any comments on my opinions are always welcome.
I hope I will keep on updating and share my thoughts.
Thanks
Raju
Whenever I read something whether on newspaper or in a website, I have different thoughts crossing my mind and wanna share my view on a topic. I just want to document my views on a topic and see whether I would change my opinion as years go by. Some may agree or disagree with my views on the topic, but I just want to bring out my opinon on the current events happening back home in India or here in United States and any where else in the world. Any comments on my opinions are always welcome.
I hope I will keep on updating and share my thoughts.
Thanks
Raju
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