Monday, November 4, 2013

Winning an argument

There was time when I could win any argument. Any. Argument.

A few months ago, an arrogant guy and I had an argument that went like this:

Guy: Ragging must be made illegal. The recent deaths should be an alarm for us to set this right.
Me: Laws will not curb ragging. We should change things at the ground level. The only way to fix the ragging deaths is to put a fine on the parents of the kids who die.
Guy: What nonsense! How will that help?
Me: Have you read War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy?
Guy: No. Why?
Me: You will understand what I mean when you do.
I gave him a condescending look and walked away the winner.


A few months later, this discussion happened with an all-knowing lady.

Lady: Obama's victory is a victory for all black men.
Me: Every second, there is a black man dying somewhere.
Lady: What's your point?
Me: Only when black men stop dying can we declare success for anti-racism
Lady: Dude, that doesn't make any sense.
Me: Have you read Leo Tolstoy's War & Peace?
Lady: Yes I have
Me: Oh. Ok, do you remember Chapter 14?
Lady: Not really. I'll have to read it again.
Me: Go read that chapter. You'll understand what I mean.
The same condescending look followed by a smirk and I walked away from her.


This has gone on like this for many years till this discussion with my good friend Amarjeet Biswa happened today:

Amarjeet: Corruption will be completely rooted out if this new Bill is passed.
Me: No chance that a Bill will stop corruption
Amarjeet: Oh yeah? Do you have a better solution? If you don't, stop objecting to the Bill.
Me: The only way to fix corruption at the grass-root level is Guns.
Amarjeet: Guns?
Me: Yeah. Everyone should be given guns. If someone asks you for a bribe, we can just shoot him. Complaining and taking him to court will take ages.
Amarjeet: That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.
Me: Have you read Leo Tolstoy's War & Peace?
Amarjeet: Yes I have.
Me: Do you remember Chapter 14?
Amarjeet: Not really, but wait.
As I looked on stunned, Amarjeet pulled his Amazon Kindle out of the bag.


And that is why I hate these stupid e-book readers. I don't win any arguments anymore.
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Sunday, October 20, 2013

A letter -Chitthi- Wrote in 2nd class

Dear Ladki,
Lady's finger is my favorite vegetable and my recent learning from Gulmohar English language book tells me that you are also a lady.  How spicy? I like spicy but the rest of the girls in class are all about being sweet. I like them too. But I like you more - not more than Cricket though.
I see you because I like seeing you. I even see you when no one else is seeing you. I see you at School in the morning prayer assembly. People close their eyes and pray to God. I do that at my home itself - I pray for you to stand right beside me in the prayer assembly queue so that I see you while rest of the school pray. Your school dress is my favorite dress too. You look best in your school dress. Would you meet me someday near my house, one evening in your school dress? Please.
I followed you one day when you went out of the class, asking the teacher, 'May I go to toilet?'. I did the same and followed you until the end. But I am not sure why do you not go to the same toilet I go to. It breaks my heart. I think you shall explain me someday. How about coming Children's day? 
I like your mummy too. She cooks well. I tasted it one day when I secretly skipped P.T Period and browsed your bag. Will you share your tiffin with me? I'll give you a chocolate - one every Monday. My dad gives me two every Sunday and I can give you one. I like your dad too. I overheard you one day while you were explaining Madhuri how your dad gives you pocket money and all. I think we can share that as well. You can buy me an ice-cream. I will kiss you for that. The way they do it in movies.
I like writing. I write well, no? I will write you many letters like this. You can read it while sleeping and keep my letters below your pillow. Will you write me one too? If you do, please make sure that you do not make a grammatical mistakes. I don't like grammatical errors.
See you (in tomorrow's morning assembly).
Yours grammatically,
Ladka
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Friday, September 13, 2013

Poli-tricks

“Na thakenge, na rukenge, aur na jhukenge (We will not get tired, we will not stop and we will not bend),” says Narendra Modi in the latest advertisement followed by blowing of a conch shell.

Politicians are opportunists. They are characterized by a quest of power and desire to manipulate the majority. In the Great Indian Context, the most talked about politician, by the day is Mr. Modi!

As the people of Gujarat cast their vote there stands a dilemma in the mind of Mr. Narendra Modi. He knows, the time is right. And that his party stands in a dilemma today. They and everyone of us knows the Congress vote percentage would fall in 2014, thanks to 2G,CWG and RahulG .The BJP realizes that its chances lie in providing an alternative. And Modi knows that within the infighting, he would emerge the PM candidate. But in this very set-up hovers his dilemma.


To quote from a Hindustan Times column by Harinder Baweja “ Modi’s appeal was born out of anti-Muslim rhetoric that followed the 2002 riots. The ‘every action has a reaction’ justification of the mad violence that gripped Gujarat helped Modi in 2002 and even in the 2007 election.”

I do not wish to enter the debate over his role in the 2002 riots. I was an eight year old back then. One could of course read about it and so I did, but you cannot judge such events by what you read. For the writer, has a judgment of his own, which might trickle down to you.

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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Wanna be techies-Ameerpet to America

To some the title might sound strange but that's how it is.First a small background on Ameerpet to Ameerpet
Ameerpet is a area in Hyderabad,India which is famous for software training institutes.America - I really do not need to say anything.
I recently came Hyderabad for sometime and thought of discovering Ameerpet.
The first impression that came to my mind after visiting the place was CRAZY. Indeed it is a crazy place. all around Ameerpet you will find training institutes. You name the technology and you will get it. Be it different modules of SAP or Oracle or Data warehousing,Mainframes,C etc, at least one training institute is available for you.You will be surprised to know that one street in Ameerpet is known as SAP street as it has the most concentration of SAP training institutes. This entire area is flooded with banners, posters, hoardings advertising about different institutes and the courses they offer. As the training institutes are in abundance,there is a cut throat competition for luring the students.All modes of payments are available for enrolling into any course. Installments option is there. Special discounts are offered for those who can make one shot payment of the entire course fee. Apart from this the fee can be further negotiated depending on your negotiating skills.
These training institutes have also created a market for cheap photo states, printouts and stationery You can find scores of shops offering these services. And when there are so many students visiting this place everyday how can the dhabhas and hotels be behind. They too have sprung up like mushrooms offering fast food to real meal to customised take aways.
You will find sea of people on the roads quickly making there way to training institutes.All the first time visitors predominantly comprising of peole who have come to inquired about the courses and training institutes will have a very confused look as this place is laid out in its most unorganised way. Some will have a very satisfied and happy look on their face as probaly they were successfull to find out the suitable institue for themselves.
Most of them have one dream get trained in Ameerpet and get a job in America. I really do not know how many of them are able to full fill this dream. But cretainly the experience of exploring this place was a great experience
Posted on by Abhishek Jain | 1 comment

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Akhir koi bhi cook kar sakta hai

So finally I had to start cooking on my own as well..

Frankly I thoroughly enjoyed the process! The first 'whistle' from the cooker was a lifetime experience.. First time I under-cooked then over-cooked and finally had the perfect khichidi third time around!!

It is fun :)
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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Ajab duniya ki gajab kahani

Saala jab kuch expect karo toh nahi milta.. aur jab naa karo toh bahut kuch mil jata hai..
But the problem is ki kab kya karna chahiye yeh mujhe samajh nahi aata..
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ख़ुशी

आज मैं ख़ुश हूँ |
रोज़ की तरह
आज भी ख़ुश हूँ |
एक बेटी अपने पिता की छाती पर
लात रख छत पर टांक दी गयी |
मैं ख़ुश हूँ |
एक बूढा अपने कब्र में पैर टांग
गुरुत्वाकर्षण को बुला रहा है |
मैं ख़ुश हूँ |
एक पिता अपने बच्चे की लाश धरे सोच रहा है;
“वोट देने दो कोस जाने पड़ते हैं
चिकित्सा को बाईस कोस क्यों ?”
मैं तो ख़ुश हूँ |
आज दो महा दैत्य (देश) टकरा रहे हैं
और बीच फसें कीट पतंग छटपटा रहे हैं |
मुझे क्या ?
आज एक वैज्ञानिक अपनी खोज को
किसी और के नाम पढ़ रहा है |
मैं ख़ुश हूँ |
एक बच्ची आज बिस्तर पर नग्न लेटी है
किसी अनजाने व्यापारी की प्रतीक्षा में |
मैं ख़ुश हूँ |
एक सिपाही आज अपने शत्रु को मार
आंसू बहा रहा है, सरहद को गालियाँ दे रहा है |
मैं तो ख़ुश हूँ न !
मेरी ख़ुशी में शामिल है
वह जो चौक पर मरा पड़ा है |
एक पिता जो अपनी लाश को मुखाग्नि दे रहा है |
जन्नत की वादियों पर
लहू जो गीत गाता बह रहा है |
एक मज़दूर भूखे पेट सो गया |
मैं ख़ुश हूँ |
गोरैय्या आज बही क्षितिज नहीं छू सकी |
मैं ख़ुश हूँ |
विएतनाम में फिर से चीखें गूँज रही हैं |
मैं ख़ुश हूँ |
गर्मी की तपिश में कोई देह आत्मदाह कर रहा है |
मैं ख़ुश
हूँ |
एक बुढ़िया अपने मृत्यु प्रमाण पत्र के लिए
अफसर के पांव लोट रही है |
मैं ख़ुश हूँ |
आज एक कमज़ोर अन्याय से टकरा कर
छिन्न भिन्न हो गया |
मैं फिर भी ख़ुश हूँ |
कुछ नौजवान सिगरेट के धुंए में
अपना अतीत, वर्त्तमान, भविष्य खोज रहे हैं |
मैं ख़ुश हूँ |
पृथ्वी के गाल पर आंसू
आज बाढ़ बन कितनों को रुला रहे हैं |
मैं ख़ुश हूँ |
सात साल का एक बच्चा आज बन्दूक लिए
सरहद पार उतर रहा है |
मैं ख़ुश हूँ |
एक अधेड़ उम्र की स्त्री
अपने झुर्रियों के जाल में उलझ कर चीख रही है |
मैं ख़ुश हूँ |
अमावस की रात में व्योम सोच रहा है-
“अगर मेरे तारे एक हो जाते
तो चाँद के नखरे न सहने पड़ते |”
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Thursday, October 20, 2011

conversation part 2 contd...

Aka X : But me to bhai nahi hoo...:P
Me : Ajkal log social network profile to banate hai but social hona pasand nahi karte. Only one question ? Why are you on social network?
Aka X :nhi social or prsnl m ajkl ek bhut thin line reh gyi hain  me use cross krna pasnd nhi karti
Ok lets start something interesting...
Aka X : HMM.. whats interesing and what to do start??
Me : replace me on your place and you on my place and lets talk
Aka X : Na ise rehne dete hai...n wo blog pr jo poem thi wo achi thi..
Me: na na muje dekhna hai how you talk with a girl if you were boy
Aka X : wid a grl???? ok lets c start..
Me :Yes..
but me start nahi karunga ku ki me ladki hoo or  ladki kabhi age hoke bat nahi karti :p
Aka X: nhi maine to kiya tha :P:P frnd request bejhi ...pic per cmnt bhi kiya..
Me : exception are avialable
Aka X : Thanku :d
Me : Now back to point and start conversation..
Aka X:  ok
    hi Aka ...actuly tis is so funny
Me : Yes, I know but dont break we will taste just 5 minutes and will find all answers...what a boy or girl think about each other when they start conversation first time...
Aka x : to y tis is wid me only...
Me : Sari ramayan upar hai why only with you...
Aka X : acha :D
Me : Daat ku nikal rahe ho abhishek
Aka x : aise hi ek jock yaad agya :P
Me :  oh, tum kisi joke se kam ho kya
or Ladke reply karne me itna time nahi lagate..so be fast
Aka X :  oh tumhe kaise pata...mujhe kab sun liya tumne ??
Me : Sunna kya hai jagat jahir hai...
Aka X :  (main apne ek frnd s bhi chat kar rahi hu)
oh mere jagat main to tumne aj hi entr kiya fir jagat jahir kaise..
Me : acha mene tumhare bare me suna hai and added you in my list..
Aka X : acha vaise kya suna hai mere bare me...
Me: Yhi ki tum fb par ladkiya dundh rahe ho...LOL
ku apna time barbad kar rahe ho dude..
Aka X : Are fb to free time me use karte ho time barabd kaisa?
Me : acha but tum to pure din online milte ho jab bhi me online ati hoo.
 or kuch kam dham nahi hai kya tumhe...
Aka X : ha mera office wi fi h to on rakhta hu sare mail ac
Me : acha...aisa kaunsa office hai tumhara..
or office me fb use karte ho ya kam karte ho
Aka X : ajkal sare offices aise hi hote h...e1 houses..dont u know tis??
online hone ka matlab ye to nhi ki use karta hu
Me : ohh...I dont know it b4 thanx tumne bata diya aaj
Aka X :  welcome dear..
Me : acha or kitni ladkiyo ko bewkoof bana chuke ho aisi baate kar karke..
Aka X : tum ban gai kya ..
Me : acha ...tumhe kya lagta hai..
or tum itna bak bak kyu karte ho...office me bhi itna hi bolte honge..
Aka X: main bewkuf nhi banata bt ab tum ban gyi ho shayad tbhi tumhare mind m aayi bat..or rahi office ki bat to vaha mind bolta hai...
Me :  oh mind..acha vo hai kya tumhare pas ...
Aka X: acha c ye 5 min se jyada ho gaya hai ab...
Me : yes, break it now...
so I think now you realized that ek ladke ke pas kya kuch hota hai..bolne, puchne or kehne ko...
Aka X : Bahutt...kuch..

to be continued.........


Posted on by Abhishek Jain | 2 comments

conversation and funny fight Part 1

A  funny conversation held between me and  Aka X ( female)  before two days ago. Aka X added me in her friend list by recommendation of one of my friend...one more thing Aka X and me belongs from same religion :

Aka X :  Hello
Me      : So lets intro first. I dont know abt you..
Aka X :   Vaise apne meri sarin info friend request accept karne se pehale dekh hi li hogi...I guess
Me : hehe LOL :D
Aka X : to fir ?? :(
Me : Ok back to tp ..tell me about your family background?
Aka X : Explained in 3 and 4 lines...
Me : Anything else which you want to tell me about your family...
Aka X : y humesha me hi kyun..me apna family background bata chuki hoo..now ur turn to say something abt u...
Me : I started to tell abt me...
Aka X :  (Beech me tokte huve) acha...waise ye sab kyun pucha or bataya ja raha h...mujhse shadi karne ka irada h kya :P
Me : Aisa mene kaha to nahi ki mera irada you se shadi karne ka hai ..
Aka X : Aaj tak fb par kisi ne mujse  family background nahi pucha...tum kaho to bio data or kundali bhijwau kya ??? 
Me : yahi to problem hai .. 
  • ladki ko bf ke bare me pucho to..use lagta hai ..ladka line mar raha ha
  • family ke bare me pucho to shadi ki soch raha hai.
  • padhai ke bare me pucho to lagta hai jealous ho raha hai..
      
    Aka x : or....
    Me : or kuch normal ya funny bat karo to...ladki ko lagta hai banda serious nahi hai...
    Aka x : or...
    Me : Ek no. ka luccha hai...fb par pakata hai..blah..blah...
    AKa X: or...
    Me: or kya mera sar or mera kan..
    Aka X : :D :D :D :D
    or tumhara muh jo bhi bhut chalta h :P
    :P
    Me: Use chalna hi chahiye...bhagwan ne muh diya hi do kam ke liye hai..
    1. Khane ke liye
    2. Bolne ke liye
    Aka X : acha..:P
    Me : Yes, Right to speech LOL
    Aka X : actuly...mujhe itni jaldi logo s opn hone ki adat nhi h...isliye..itni jaldi details dena kisi ko apne bare m ajeeb lagta h
    Me: To mene tumhe open hone ko kab kaha :D ?? par..muje to.. muje detail dena kuch jyada acha lagta hai..me apna biodata sath lekar chalta hoo :D :D
    Aka X: haan vo to samaj gai...
    ME :raste me har jagah jo bhi milta haiuse de deta hoo....
           le bhai...I am single Teri behan, sis, or beti kya milegi ready to mingle ...:D oh my god zukerberg sucks invented  facebook where people never face  books :D

    to be continued ....


Posted on by Abhishek Jain | 2 comments

Kids

Scene 1:
At the local Shiva temple today, a 4-year old came face to face with a statue of Nandi (Bull). After staring at the statue for 5 minutes, he made some courage and touched the bull on the nose. He then ran back a few steps and stood scared looking at the bull, expecting it to follow him.

After 2 mins, he again approached the bull from the side, touched it and ran away. This continued for the next 10 mins, till his mother pulled him away. Evidently he was a little too slow to realize it was a statue :)

Scene 2:
On my way back home, saw my neighbors kid on the roof of a car. As I stared at him from a distance, he got down and stood silently at the side. The following conversation ensued:

Me: Kyun chade the upar? Gir jate to?
Kid: Bhaiya wo car aapki hai?
Me: Nahi
Kid: To aap kyun poochte ho

Me: Stunned :(


Scene 3:

On the way up the stairs, one 5-year old to another, “Hey kal chutti hai na. Thank God!!!”. And to say we grown ups are frustrated :D
Posted on by Abhishek Jain | 2 comments

Monday, October 17, 2011

How to get the Facebook timeline (Awesum hack by me)

Get Facebook's New Timeline Beta Right Now


Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced a complete reconceptualization of profile pages on the popular social network with the introduction of Timeline. As Zuckerberg puts it, Timeline is the story of your life.

Gone is the single column wall of posts with the most recent updates telling '15 minutes of your story.' Instead, as the name suggests, you'll see a timeline of life events containing photos and other updates that stretches back to when you joined Facebook. Anyone viewing it can click back to any year where there are updates and see what was going on.
Facebook automatically selects the most important updates and highlights them with a blue dot. Grey dots represent hidden updates that might not be as important. Users can arrange their Timeline however they see fit by removing certain updates or highlighting others that might be important to them. The feature will begin rolling out to the public over the next few weeks, but developers can sign up for early access now. Here's how you can get it too:
1. Visit the Facebook Developer page and enable it for your account. 
 2. Click the 'Create New App' button on the top right. On the New App prompt window, give your app a display name and name space -- any name, it doesn't matter. Agree to the Platform Privacy Policy and click Continue. You will need a verified Facebook account so make sure you have either a credit card or phone number on file. 


3. After clearing the CAPTCHA verification you will then be taken to your new apps' settings screen (if Facebook doesn’t put you there automatically hit the Edit App button on the top right). Next, click on Open Graph link in the left column and define an action for your new app on the right pane. You can enter whatever you like; I wrote watch on the first field and chose video from the drop-down menu on the next one. Click "Get Started."

That's it! You may see an error telling you that something went wrong but just ignore that and head to your Facebook homepage, you should see an invitation to the new Facebook Timeline Beta (you may have to wait a few minutes). Once you are in you can take a short tour of the new timeline view or start editing your profile until you are ready to publish it.
The timeline functionality isn't compatible with the "old" Facebook, so most of your friends won't see your fancy new page just yet. Users will be migrated over the coming weeks as Facebook rolls out the update to everyone.
The new Facebook site looks gorgeous, but going beyond pure aesthetics, opening up more about your life to your social circle and potentially to the web?


 The top portion of the timeline features a configurable background picture called the Cover, and has personal information on the left along with your friends, photos, and Likes.



Posted on by Abhishek Jain | 2 comments

Sunday, October 16, 2011

मैं

हंसते-हंसते अचानक रुका !
सोचा
किसके साथ मैं क्यों हंसा !
सोचा
ये मेरी शक्ल कैसे !
सोचा
ये मेरी कलम कैसे !
सोचा
ये मेरे मित्र कौन !
सोचा
ये मेरा शरीर कैसे !
सोचा
ये मैं ज़िन्दा कैसे !
सोचा
ये मेरी आँखें कैसे !
सोचा
ये मेरा घर कैसे !
मैं तो इधर गया था
हाँ इधर !
सोचा
तो मैं उधर कैसे !!
Posted on by Abhishek Jain | 2 comments

Friday, September 23, 2011

OHH Yes, I am Single..!

                                                         

OHH Yes, I am Single..!    ..and so is my girlfriend is the debut novel of Neeti Rustagi. She co-authored the best seller writer Durjoy Datta.


About book What they Say:-  Not all love stories move linearly. Neither does this one. From a fat, ugly nerd who never had it in him to even stand close to anyone from the opposite sex to someone who gets dumped from breakfast and is in love again by brunch, this story traces the life and times of guy, who has the innate ability to fall in love...as well as to fall out of it. He is the perfect picture of the imperfect romantic. Even a fling for him is a budding short relationship for him as his endless pursuit goes on for the one who will make the stars in the sky shine a little brighter for him. Or at least make the night better. :) So who's the girl of his dreams? The seven year old crush? The first girl he ever kissed? The first girl he ever slept with? The one who never really loved him? Or the one he never intended to dump? Which one of these always has him crawling back to her every time his heart lay broken in his palms? Which one of these faces will he never be able to push out his head? It's always been easy for him to decide who he doesn't love. Will Durjoy finally be able to decide who he really loves?

 
The book is in the same manner like Durjoy writes.He had made a different fan group who love reading his books and they will definitely enjoy OHH Yes, I am Single..!    ..and so is my girlfriend .

In this book Neeti is telling Durjoy story that how he met her girl.

Read Neeti Rahtugi's Blog here .

OHH Yes, I am Single..!    ..and so is my girlfriend is a really enjoyable book and I have finished it in  a single sit. kudos to Neeti & Durjoy for their attempt.

P.S.- 1. I hope that Neeti will also write her own solo book.
2.Guys who are missing my blog posts, don't worry I will  try to write more posts very soon.
Posted on by Abhishek Jain | 2 comments

Saturday, September 17, 2011

JAN GUN PAL bill

Ladies and Gentlemen,
Introducing the Jan Gun Pal bill, which proposes that everyone gets a free gun and when they meet a corrupt person, just shoot him/her.
This is based on the following logic:
1. Jan Lok Pal bill proponents say that:
"There is corruption -> Corruption is bad -> Our laws don't stop corruption -> Anna is saying his law will stop it -> Any law is better than no law -> So who cares if the law has problems.
2. As Anna Hazare himself said, it is time to put the matter in the hands of the people. ( http://twitter.com/ndtv/statuses/104835016592334848 )
Here's a point-by-point comparison of the JAN GUN PAL bill with the other two bills:
Posted on by Abhishek Jain | 2 comments

Friday, September 16, 2011

अभी यहाँ...

अभी यहाँ
मैं बैठा हूँ
अभी यहाँ
तुम होती
अभी यहाँ
समंदर किनारे हम टहल रहे होते
और समंदर हमारी धड़कन सुन रहा होता
अभी यहाँ
ऊपर वो चाँद और तारों से सजा आकाश
हमारे संग दौड़ रहा होता
हमारा हाथ थामे
अभी यहाँ कोई नहीं होता
और मैं तुम्हारी आँखों में डूब जाता
और ये गाती गुनगुनाती ज़िन्दगी
यूं ही बीत जाती
अभी यहाँ
दुनिया ठहर जाती
सब कुछ धीरे धीरे हमारा हो जाता
ये दुनिया हमारी हो जाती
और हम एक दूसरे के हो जाते
अभी यहाँ
एक तारा टूटता
और हम एक दूसरे को मांग लेते
और वो तारा भी हमारा हो जाता
अभी यहाँ
तुम नंगे पाँव दौड़ती चली आती
और मैं तुम्हे देखता
और तुम सच्चे झूठे बहाने बना
मुझसे लिपट जाती
अभी यहाँ
मैं तुम्हे जगाता
तुम्हारी जुल्फों की लटों को सुलझाता
और तुम आँखें खोल
मुझे देखती
अभी यहाँ
मैं मर रहा होता
और तुम्हे अगले जन्म में फिर मिलने का वादा कर
मैं सुकून से तुम्हारी बाँहों में मरता
अभी यहाँ
मैं बैठा हूँ
काश यहाँ
तुम होती !
Posted on by Abhishek Jain | 2 comments

Monday, July 4, 2011

Thought about Google+

Google+ is a refreshing alternative to Facebook and it is sure that Google+ will gain a lot of users especially since Facebook has a lot of Privacy issues. Google+ is easy to use and you choose what you share with others. Interface is intuitive and it is not cluttered unlike Facebook.

You have video chat, mobile app for Android (other platforms will follow), uploading photos and managing them is easy and sharing content with friends is much more interesting then on Facebook at least to me. With Google redesigning top bar, all services will integrate and will be more accessible to use.

Facebook has big advantage with 750 million users but Google will sure make a new path with Google+. I personally am looking forward to seeing how Google+ will evolve and what kind of improvements will be added.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Big Question of Transparency- Disclosure of Answer Sheets

The passage of the Right to Information Act in 2005 promised to usher in the age of transparency in India. The new Act was expected to remove the veil of secrecy shrouding public offices. Such was the hope in any case. What has actually been achieved so far points to a different story altogether. The situation is especially bleak when it comes to the disclosure of answer-sheets by public services recruitment commissions, education councils and universities.

The universities and other agencies, who conduct examinations, oppose the move to disclose answer sheets on the ground that the entire examination system will collapse. They tried to find out ways and means in different provisions under Right to Information Act and even beyond to keep answer sheets outside the purview of the Act. On one occasion, one of India’s most prestigious universities, Delhi University, in reply to an application under Right to Information Act seeking copies of the answer sheets of an applicant, informed him that the answer sheets could not be disclosed as the same was exempted from disclosure under section 8(1) (a). Under this provision any information, which may affect the sovereignty, integrity, and security of India cannot be disclosed. It is still a mystery as to how the disclosure of the answer sheets to the applicant can affect the sovereignty and integrity of the country. How an innocuous answer sheet can cause security threat to the country is something the University did not care to explain.

The Information Commissions all across the country have also not been adopting a consistent and uniform approach on the issue of disclosing answer sheets under the Right to Information Act. Central Information Commission has adopted an approach that answer sheets of school examinations and some competitive examinations can be disclosed, but the answer sheets of university and board examinations can not be disclosed as it would result in rendering the system unworkable. This approach of the Central Information Commission was taken as a defence in a case in Calcutta High Court, when Pritam Rooj, an applicant sought copies of his answer sheets from Calcutta University.

The judgment in Pritam Rooj versus Calcutta University (AIR 2008 CAL 118) is a landmark judgment in this regard as it has rejected the contention of the university that the disclosure of the answer sheet will render the system unworkable and ordered the university to disclose the answer sheet to the applicant. The Court also rejected the approach of the Central Information Commission which allowed to disclose of the answer sheets of certain examination, but disallowed to disclose answer sheets of other examinations.

There are two important aspects on which the High Court has passed its judgment. First and foremost is the issue of disclosure of one’s own answer sheets to an applicant, and another, which is equally important, the duty of the Public Information Officer to give a reply in accordance to the Right to Information Act and to provide details of the Appellate Authority in its reply. Pritam Rooj, who was a very meritorious student, obtained only 28 marks in paper V of his final year examination of B. A. (Mathematics) Honours. As a result, he could not get admission in some higher education course. Aggrieved and not satisfied with the result, he filed an application under the Right to Information Act seeking inspection of the answer sheet and obtaining its copy. In its reply, the Public Information Officer informed him that the university “has decided not to allow inspection of the answer sheets”. In his reply, the detail of the Appellate Authority was also not provided. Pritam Rooj, instead of filing appeal/ complaint under the Right to Information Act, directly approached the High Court and filed a writ.

During the hearing of the writ petition of Pritam Rooj at Calcutta High Court, Calcutta University contended that as Pritam did not exhaust the remedy of appeal/ complaint under Right to Information Act, his writ petition is immature and cannot be entertained by the Court. The basic argument behind this was that the writ petition in any High Court cannot be filed, if there is any alternative remedy available to the applicant. Calcutta high Court held that under section 7 (8) of Right to Information Act, while rejecting the application of the applicant, Public Information Officer should communicate to the person making the request, the reasons for such rejection; the period within which an appeal against such rejection may be preferred; and, the particulars of the appellate authority. The reply of the Public Information Officer of the Calcutta University lacked on all these three counts. The communication from Public Information Officer only informed the applicant that the “it has been decided” that inspection of the answer sheets will not be allowed. In this way, the Public Information Officer has merely, communicated the decision of the university. Public Information Officer has not made any decision on disclosure or non- disclosure of the answer sheet. He also did not inform the particulars of the Appellate Authority and the period in which the appeal can be preferred by him. Court, therefore, held that the alternative remedy that would otherwise have been available to the petitioner herein is, in the present case, an illusory right. In not furnishing the particulars of the appellate authority, the Public Information Officer has acted in derogation of the command of Section 7 (8) (iii). It is not as if in every case that there is a fixed appellate forum that a person aggrieved by the manner of disposal of his request may otherwise be aware of. Section 19(1) of the said Act provides that an appeal will lie to such officer who is senior in rank in the public authority to the Public Information Officer who disposed of the request. The appellate authority would vary with each public authority and it is for such purpose that Section 7 (8) (iii) has been engrafted and assumes more significance than being a routine matter where there is a general appellate forum to receive appeals from all disposals of requests.

Furthermore the expression in the reply of the Public Information Officer, "it has been decided" betrays a general acceptance by the public authority (here, the University) of the principle that answer sheets do not fall within the definition of “information” for any request to obtain them being entertained from an examinee. Court also observed that in light of the decision of the Central Information Commission, that disallows the disclosure of answer sheets, usual process of appeal and complaint under Right to Information Act, would be an exercise in futility. Even if the decision of the Central Information Commission is not binding on the state Information Commission, the decision of the Central Information Commission can be seen to be of such persuasive value that would render the right of appeal and complaint, meaningless.

Thus, the Court allowed the appeal even without Pritam Rooj exhausting the appeal and complaint remedy available to him under Right to Information Act.

On the issue of the disclosure of the answer sheets, Calcutta University argued that the applicant is not required to know anything about the answer sheet, once he submitted it after the examination, except the marks obtained to him and in some exceptional cases, the break-up of the marks in the paper. Disclosing the answer sheet would open a floodgate of requests and lead to an unworkable situation and an undesirable lack of finality and timeliness upon the possible protests for half marks being missed out here and there. Further, the disclosure of the answer sheets, the university contended, would expose its examiners who the University ought to protect. The last substantial ground urged by the University is one under Section 8 (1) (b) of the Right to Information Act which provides that there shall be no obligation to furnish any information which has been expressly forbidden to be published by any Court of law or tribunal or the disclosure of which may constitute contempt of Court. The University argued that in the many pronouncements of the Supreme Court, there are observations that answer sheets should ordinarily not be made available to examinees and observations to the effect that examinees cannot be associated with the process of evaluation of their answer sheets.

Calcutta High Court rejected all these arguments. On the issue of floodgate of the requests, the Court observed that this argument appears to be an argument of desperation. While comparing with the right of judicial review available to all, the Court observed that only because there is a possibility of floodgate litigation, a valuable right of a citizen cannot be permitted to be taken away. This Court is bound to determine the respective rights of the parties. The Court, therefore, found no force in this argument of the University.

On the issue of applicability of section 8 (1) (b) of the Right to Information act, the Court observed that the disclosure of answer sheets was not considered, by Supreme Court, in the light of the Right to Information Act, which is the subject-matter of the present proceedings, even if it is accepted that the Right to Information Act only elucidates on the right originally guaranteed by the Constitution. Right to Information act, as a matter of fact, guarantees and enlarges the basic and fundamental right as guaranteed under the Constitution of India, and its primary purpose is to encourage transparency and curb corruption. Further, subject to the legislation being within the bounds of constitutional propriety, the legislature may bring an enactment to undo a view expressed by Court, for notwithstanding the contemporary fading demarcations of the functions of the several organs of State, the Court may have to yield to the legislature in the business of law-making as it is the vocation of the one and the subject of scrutiny and application of the other, the Court observed.

On the issue of protecting the examiners, the Court observed that as much as an examining body may owe an obligation to its set of examiners, it owes a greater fiduciary duty to its examinees. The examinees are at the heart of a system. The examining body and the examiners are there to cater the examinees. Striking a comparison the court observed that if it is the right of a voter, for the little man to have the curriculum vitae of the candidates who seek his insignificant vote; the right of the examinee is no less to seek inspection of his answer sheet.

Court also negated the contention of the Central Information Commission that disclosure of answer sheets would render the entire system unworkable. The Court observed that by this contention, the Commission has discovered an exemption not expressly provided for in the Right to Information Act to deny information despite accepting that the words used in the said Act could not be read to be a bar to the right asserted thereunder. Court observed that the disclosure of answer sheets and for that matter, any information, cannot be denied if the disclosure is exempted under section 8 of the Right to Information Act. As a rule, the Court further observed that the information has to be supplied unless it is exempted. If the information is refused, the reason for refusal has to be found in Section 8 and nowhere else.

Pointing out the benefit of disclosing answer sheets to the examinees, Calcutta high Court also observed that a look at his [examinees] evaluated answer script can serve the wonderful purpose of pointing out his mistakes − whether or not the evaluated paper marks such mistakes − clarifying his doubts and helping him to know once and for all, what he wrote and what he did not. Disclosure of answer sheets would help him in improving his quality of answers in future and make the examination system more beneficial to the examinees. An examinee, who has written hurried answers and solved problems under examination conditions sometimes several months before he gets the mark sheet, does not really "know" his answers. His memory of what he wrote will also not be complete or accurate. He may not even have a clear recollection of what he has recorded in his answers. Alternatively, he may feel that he has written something that he actually has not. His silly mistakes, graphical or grammatical errors and oversights may not be obvious to him. With the disclosure of answer sheets to him, it would be a great help for the examinee to point out his errors and omissions that he can improve upon, while appearing in future exams. Thus, by assessing the achievement of the student through examination and then disclosing the answer sheets to him would help him in understanding the areas where he need to improve to excel in his endeavours and foster meaningful proliferation of knowledge.

Further, the court also interpreted the disclosure of answer sheet as a constitutional right of the examinee. In the words of the court “If inspection of answer scripts is denied to the examinee, the spirit of the Constitutional right to expression and information may be lost. The knowledge-builder's -the University's bid to perpetuate the draconian, elitist, one-sided right to know and judge and rule without being open to question or accountable to the examinee cannot be encouraged. For a system to foster meaningful proliferation of knowledge, it must itself be crystal clear to its core.”

In final words of the Court, “Whether it is on the anvil of the legal holy trinity of justice, equity and good conscience, or on the test of openness and transparency being inherent in human rights, or by the myriad tools of construction, or even by the Wednesbury yardstick of reasonableness, the State Public Information Officer's rejection of the writ petitioner's request to obtain his answer script cannot be sustained. The University will proceed to immediately offer inspection of the paper that the petitioner seeks.”

Thursday, May 5, 2011

I Deleted my last post after reconsideration

I deleted my last post "Running after.......a dream" because i realized that this post was dont have any sense for people like me who have lot of Dreams in life. I was demotivated after unfair treatment by my University. Last night my friend lalit pinged me on chat the some parts of our conversation is here..
Lalit :blogger bhai
aaj tera blog padha
4 saal mein pehli bar after engineering
bada frustrate hua pada hai
Me: ku kya hua
yar samaj sakta hai tu
hard time for me
Lalit :are yaar
aayega tera time bhi aayega
Me: bas tu hai na ...tu bhi na...
tu khus karta rahega sale
3 idiot k Rancho ki tarah apne dosto ko
Lalit : What you wrote on your blog, I am not agree with your post. You are demotivating readers and your friends who love to read your posts.
Me: This post was just for .....
Lalit : What just for ..??
Me : Aiwee hi yar....
Lalit : What aiwee hi..after reading your blog my mind is blank now ..thinking about you.
Me : Its just a blog post...
Lalit : What just a blog post, you are demotivating people and its wrong ...i am not agree with you and your post. Even i was demotivated after reading.
Me : Wait 2 minutes ( Reading my last post again )
You are right i realized my mistakes accepting and deleting this post now.
Lalit : I am happy now. You are not only one who is puzzled with mismanagement of Education system. We all know about it. You need to move your minds towards different side. Dont waste your time to think about future. Do something good for be happy like watch movies, videoes, join gym do something extra and be happy. Dont care about people that what are they thinking about you. Live your life with hapiness.
Me : Lalit thanking you for motivating me...
Lalit : post something good like videoes , Jokes and anything happening which have source of smile ...

Conversation end here and i deleted my last post from my blog..

I found my self lost in thoughts and lost in time. when task is failed it seems like i am "losing the race of life".At time of failure i am rapidly losing control on myself , my mind and my soul and after reconsideration of my fault i have decided to kick the darkness of light till it bleeds in daylight everytime. Hope my life will take U turn and God will bless me for success in life.....

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Bengalooroo...

hmm..bangalore...in 2 words,  food and pubs.i know it for a fact that everybody here is sick of my "i dont like bangalore" song, and i am sure all of us will be so much happier if only i could go back to North !!*sigh* granted, that this place does have its good points too, and has accepted me with open arms, still, i cant help but miss home :( if asked to list out my anti-blr points, my top grudge is that this place has a serious dearth of party places, if u dont consider all the pubs dotting the streets.if u want to go out, and do some headbanging on good ol' rock numbers and come back. sounds fine for a week, but after that, someone like me really starts to miss the rocking bollywood and punjabi numbers, to which i could sing along and sway with abandon!
my second grudge is fm radio :( being the radio aficionado that i am(rather... was), it was a cultural shock for me to listen to Radio Mirchi in kannada (sakath hot magath..it's hot)!!all the stations i listened to rarely in jaipur form my main listening now, be it radio city or big fm. only fever is the same as before.. good 40 mins of non stop music :) hmm..ok, there is a new station here 91.9 fm, radio indigo does play international music , and is my favorite station for now.. so i guess i have actually nothing to complain about ;)

but i do so miss my Rajsathani  frens!! my bus/auto/pg/sec 10/jaipur circles.. endless fun :( ok, granted that i do have chits  frens also now, plus my Jaipur's frens whom i have met up with here, plus my Community  frens *grin*. Moreover, my Jaipur's frens are here   now mostly, and lot of drifted apart for higher studies .. so now instead of one phone call to talk to a whole group, i have to place so many calls(  )... in a way, it was good that i came when i did!!
in conclusion, i still vehemently "dont like bangalore" for all the reasons listed above, and no matter what all reasons are given to the contrary, i wont change my views!!
Posted on by Abhishek Jain | 2 comments

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Anwesha's bday !! 2/1/2011

Hello everyone ,
                        As i promised in last post i will be going to post about Anwesha's birthday celebration. Ok after new year night wakeup early in the morning on the date 1/1/11. Calling to anwesha's father ...jingle bell...jinge bell(caller tune)
Abhi bhaiya :Hello..who is speaking?
Me: Happy birthday to you Anwehsa .
He: dude anwesha have her  bday on next day. you are wishing in advance dont forget wishing my daughter next day. and make ur presence next day before 2pm. And will take lunch and dinner with us.
Me: Oh its ok. but my cellphone reminding me from last night for bday of anwesha and sorry i am unable to come for lunch.
He: dont make me fool  and dont try to reject my offer. Otw its against ur di's respect.I dont know anything you will be comming finally and no more exquses.
Me:Ohk i will try . But not giving commitment.
So made call to meenaxi di (Hey madhvi di is inviting me on anwesha's party for lunch and dinner. what to do? ).
Meenaxi di : you should to go. They are not others.
Me: But is it ok to be close very early .? what do u think? She is your friend and i am your brother.
she: whatever dont think so much go and enjoy. This is a good chance for you to meet people of bengalooroo. go go and enjoy.
Me: ok. Thanx.
Made call to dady . what to do ? should go for lunch or not?
dady: go.
so finally next day wake up 9'O clock . The phone is ringing . Rise up...rise up dont fall down again..(my cellphone ringtone).
Me: Hello who is speaking. Abhi tak soye ho kya.
she: Me madhvi . Me:yeah hello madhvi ( thinking like some one calling from job consultancy) .
she: i am madhvi di . uthja abhi. And come before 12'O Clock i need some help for managing party.
Me: ok . i will.
so finally took bath and purchased a present for Anwesha from "Mom & me" mall.
Now time is 1:30pm and finally in Anwesha's home sweet home. Di offered luch with tikkad(bazra+jo+chana=One type OF Rajasthani chapati) , dal and carrot halwa which was yummy and become more delicious due to their affection and love for me .
So now bhaiya asked me to download some theme and dancing music from internet for bday party .I did. And now di gave me a task that suggest some ideas for games for kids and for adults. I suggested musical race, truth and dare, exchanging game, baloon dance, bolly, spoon race etc etc. So finally started to decorate roof by baloons and ribbons after 1Hr roof is completely ready for bday celebration.
party started with kids games and some Rajasthani snacks samosa , kachori, waffers , chocos. After 8pm we decided for cake celebration. Anwesha did it with knife and now she is completed 6yr of her life. we all wished her with claps and bday theme  music. Anwesha offered cake (black forest ) pieces to eveyone. after celebration we offered dinner with dominos pizza and colddrinks. after dinner everyone started dancing on partymix music  which is downloaded by me ( call me, rise up, saturday night etc.)with baloon dance steps. The whole atmosphere become completely ryhtmic. finally party ends with ice cream and cold drinks. Return gifts are given to kids by madhvi di. In the end susmita di sung a song for kids. Everthing was well managed and everyone praising for this celebration. Party was awesome . Finally di packed some snakcs for me and bhaiya dropped me at my destination. Gave thanx to bhaiya for inviting me and make a part of this lovely family which was unexpectable for me in present. On that day i undestood that how social life have a importance in our life. Have to write lot of from bengalooro...but now i want to take bath.  thanx for appreciating me for my blog post...more experiments underway, the results will be displayed as and when concluded... abhi phir se fun time , so plenty of opportunity to experiment :D
tab tak, stupid  ABHI signing off...
cheers:
Abhi
Posted on by Abhishek Jain | 3 comments