Monday, June 23, 2008
The Indian Companies Act, 1956
This weeks legal act is: The Indian Companies Act, 1956
Download link: http://rapidshare.com/files/124621852/THE_COMPANIES_ACT__1956.doc
If you require any particular legal act, please put a comment and I will try and get it here. Thank You.
Vusi Mahlasela
This week's Music Artist is: Vusi Sidney Mahlasela Ka Zwane
Vusi Mahlasela was born in 1965 in Pretoria and is a Sotho South African singer-songwriter.His music is generally described as "African folk". His work was an inspiration to many in the anti-apartheid movement. His themes include the struggle for freedom, and forgiveness and reconciliation with enemies. Vusi can also be heard performing on Warren Haynes' Live at Bonnaroo release during the song "Soulshine", and the Dave Matthews Band song, "Everyday", from the album of the same name as well as a live version of the song with him which appears on the album The Best of What's Around Vol. 1. Vusi was also one of the performers at the Live 8 concerts.Vusi played a very mellow pre-lunch solo set to an appreciative audience (those capable of functioning at that hour) at the 2004 Falls Festival that was concluded with a superb performance of 'Red Song' in The Big Top, before joining Xavier Rudd on the main Valley Stage to a raptuous reception.
His album The Voice includes the popular track "Weeping", recorded with Josh Groban and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Vusi joined Mambazo for their October-November UK tour in 2004, and will join them again for their 2007 UK tour, again from October to November 2007 [1].
He and other South African musicians took part in the 2002 documentary Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony where they recalled the days of Apartheid.
In June 2007, Mahlasela spoke of apartheid and performed "Thula Mama" at the TED Conference.
On 7 July 2007 Mahlasela performed at the South African leg of Live Earth.
His most recent album, Guiding Star, as Naledi Ya Tsela (the name under which it is released in South Africa) won him the 2007 SAMA for Best Male Artist.
GoAir Go - You Need a Revamp
In India we have several airlines running on low costs which are called budget airlines. Out of these one is GoAir through which I recently travelled. This was the first time I was travelling through it. It was not my first pick but had no choice either, had to reach Mumbai any how that day. It was the first flight to Mumbai from Delhi and probably it works as an advantage but I feel that they are unable to grasp such opportunities. I was checking a few flights on the net and was surprised to see some good time slots available with GoAir on many sectors.
The main question here is why do these airlines such as GoAir, Deccan Air, Spice Jet, IndiGo call themselves budget airlines? The fare is almost the same of the other premium domestic airlines such as Jet Airways, Kingfisher and Indian. Most of them even use the same aircraft, AirBus A320/A321 & Boeing 737-800/747-400. All these budget airlines have good fleet as well. Each airline has to pay almost the same passenger tax. Then why is there any difference?
There is no doubt that if we book our tickets well in advance there is a chance of getting it cheaper, but the ones who book their tickets late pay almost more than that of the premium airlines. Whatever is the case, there will always be late booking and some people will always give priority to better time slots and will not mind paying some extra money. Instead of putting this extra money into their own pockets they should try and concentrate by providing better service and good amenities. There has to be a vision, they should focus on the long term goals instead of short term profits.
I was coming from Gwalior and had to catch a flight for Mumbai. I asked my friend to book a ticket for me since I had no access to net. Moreover my cell phone had less network coverage so could not connect to GPRS. After Harshal booked my tickets, MakeyMyTrip very prompt in their service quickly messaged me my PNR on my cell phone. At around 12:10am I reached the Indira Gandhi International Airport - Domestic Terminal, Delhi. I thought the GoAir office at the airport would be closed since there are no flights for the next few hours but to my surprise it was open. I got my ticket printed and went inside the terminal. I had my flight at around 05:05am in the morning so had 5 hours to spare. I thought I will take rest at the airport itself. The airport facilities at Delhi are pathetic, hope GMR would soon make it as per the International standards. Passengers were sleeping on the chairs, I had to ask a gentleman to remove his legs from the chair and oblige me by allowing to seat.
Finally at 03:05am sharp the baggage screening counter for GoAir opened exactly from two hours before the departure of the flight, I got my luggage screened and checked in with my luggage. The approach of the customer representative for GoAir was quite sluggish. There were no greeting exchanges at all, as if these people do not care about their passengers. I found their uniform also quite bizarre, everyone was wearing a T-shirt and a trouser even the cabin crew were wearing the same outfits with different colours. They should have been a little professional in their outlook.
Everything at the airport was reasonably alright; it is under refurbishment so it will not be appropriate to censure anyone. Flight was on time and soon we started boarding after I was through the security check. The first thing that came to my mind after I entered the aircraft was that it is going to be a difficult flight. The seats were cramped up and I hardly had any leg room. People with height more than 5’10” will definitely suffer a lot. The Air hostesses & the Flying Stewards were looking like sales person selling food items on the aircraft. Though the interiors were quite neat and clean but still it didn’t give the impression of being a comfortable aircraft. The flight reached on time in Mumbai but to collect my baggage, I had to wait for almost 20 minutes.
Overall the experience was quite bad; being just a budget airline does not help fetch more passengers. Ultimately it is the service that counts, people will fly with only those airlines which serves everyone and gives them the feel of flying. That is why airlines like Kingfisher and Jet Airways are ruling the skies. GoAir strictly need a revamp if they wish to survive in this industry. I also know that the work of a critic is easy; they risk very little, yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves’ to the critics’ judgment. But I ain’t no critic because I am not a frequent flier and thus have no rights in criticizing but after some 25 odd flights across India, I can certainly bestow my feedback. Hope GoAir will listen and will make some serious changes.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Fun Mail - Punjab Mail

Today I witnessed one of the most amazing and memorable day of my life. Train journey from Gwalior to New Delhi was a fun filled experience. It was the day when I appeared for the GD/PI for IITTM, it turned out to be more of a hectic day as I had nothing to eat the whole day which made me a little drained moreover I was a little nervous throughout as I was at an important junction of my life and was appearing for an interview at an unknown place. But this is not what I am here to explain; it is my journey from Gwalior to Delhi which turned out to be one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life and as they say that “unplanned journeys sometimes bring the most beautiful things to life”, it did the same wonders with me.
Wednesday, 18th of June came up with a little nervousness and anxiety about what would happen in the GD/PI. As the day was summing up, the nervousness was fading away with joy and bliss. The day so far went hectic but was good. I was supposed to visit Palace of Gwalior & the Gwalior Fort the same day in the evening, but I came to know from my chauffer Shailendra that since it was a Wednesday the Gwalior Palace is closed for maintenance. The same night I was also supposed to go to Indore and catch a flight for Mumbai the next morning as I needed to be there in Mumbai to give Birthday surprise to Ipshita. But Shailendra had some other plans; he told me that instead of going to Indore back I should go to New Delhi and then board a flight for Mumbai from there as he feels it was more convenient which later turned out to be true. Going to Indore in the night by bus through jungle on a “road less road” would have been a horrifying experience.
Evening at around 4:00pm after I finished my GDPI, I went to the hotel to check out and to my surprise the Hotel Central Park charged me extra (half day’s tariff) for a day as the check out timing was 12:00 noon. When I asked them why this was so? Their answer was quite vague and they themselves didn’t know.. Later they told me it is because I was checking out a day prior as I had already booked the room for two days and the hotel is overbooked. I was unable to find any connection, but then didn’t argue as I had to travel back and check out as I was supposed to catch a train for Delhi.
After checking out from the hotel, Shailendra took me to the railway station. He told me that I should wait outside and in the meanwhile he can get the railway ticket. And again to my shock and surprise, he got me a general ticket for New Delhi. He told me that “sir, Jugad ke bina yaha kuch nahi chalta hai” which means “aaj meri watt lagni thi”. I very innocently asked him whether I would be able to reach Delhi or not, to that he replied “don’t worry sir, mujburi ka dusra naam hi Gandhiji hai”. I was just staring at his face and didn’t know what to say or how to react. I didn’t even get time to change the formal attire which I was wearing for my GDPI. Everyone was giving me an ephemeral look at the railway station that why was I in formals here.
Anyways, as soon as we entered in, we had to literally run to platform no. 2 where Jhelum express was stationed for a minute. Shailendra was very kind to hold my strolley and to sprint to catch the train. Unfortunately we could not get the seat as people there already surrounded the ticket checker (a TC or TT what they call him) to get their general ticket confirmed with a place in any of the boogies. I didn’t know that there was any such system in place. I only knew the age old system of railway reservation and booking, this is because probably I don’t travel much by trains. Soon after Jhelum Express passed there was another train Mangalore Jammu Tavi Express on the same platform. This time we decided whatever happends we will get hold of the TC first than anyone else does, so that I can confirm a place in the train. But what a parody, we could not locate a single TC there in the train moreover there was only one AC3 compartment. We had to literally run from the first boogie till the last but no luck. Then comes another train (don’t remember the name) after an hour or so. This time unfortunately I missed shailendra in the crowd. He was running frantically towards the TC that he detected in the train and I could not match his speed cause this time I was carrying the strolley. He got hold of the TC and was about to confirm a place for me in the train but he could not locate me anywhere in the crowd. So we had to let go this train as well. Now the only hope remained the Shatabdi and the Taj express which were about to come and which has been already booked, some people on the platform where also in the race to get a seat. I thought I should drop the idea of going to Delhi and instead stick to my earlier plans of going to Indore and then board a flight for Mumbai the next day. But as they say “Jako Rakhe Saiyan, Maar Sake Na Koi” that means “If God wants to save somebody, then nobody can kill him”, the ray of hope “Punjab mails” arrives at platform no. 2 and finally the TC was kind enough to allot a place in AC3 compartment after taking the remaining sum for the ticket from me.
Shailendra till the last moment came inside to drop me and help me with my luggage. The moment I entered the train there was noises of shouting and screaming, I wondered what happened there. Later on I came to know that there was a boy, a beggar, tried to steal something from the train and was caught in the process. Anyways, the place where I was about to be seated had been occupied by three people. They were very modest to greet me and even I was happy to see finally a vacant seat for me. Out of this trio one was Dr. U.S. Arora, professor of Physics in JNU (Jawaharlal Nehru University); one was Dr. Sudhir Kaicker, professor of Computer Science in JNU; and Suresh Jagtap, an Indian Army fellow. Later joined by Ritu Bharadwaj (as rechristened as the “lady with a wish to conquer” by Dr. U.S. Arora), dep. Manager SME in State Bank of India and me. We started our light conversation by discussing about mobile phones. It was soon enough that I discovered that I am in front of intellectuals with wealth of knowledge and information.
Arora Uncleji (don’t mind me when I do not entitle the name with Dr. or a Prof. as it looks very formal) spearheaded the conversations and soon everybody started laughing. Believe me, if he would not have introduced himself, probably nobody would have even come to know that he is a professor in a university. I had never encountered any such experiences with my professors in my college life. His talks would captivate you and keep you in a different world, the world with no sorrows. For a moment I forgot everything and got involved with the conversation. We discussed how some people in other countries miss such interactions. That is the essence of life in India, we like to share happy moments and even sorrows no matter if we do not know each other.
Sudhir Uncleji is an avid backpacker. He has travelled where very few have gone. Hearing to his experiences was like sharing treasure of knowledge. Ritu and I were so involved in the conversation that we wanted to know more and more about the places in India. The preeminent was to hear to his hitchhiking tour while he was in the US and how people there helped him, it was very touching. He enlightened that where ever we go to rove, we will always encounter good people who are always ready to help and I certainly do agree to it. To me he is a genius and yet so simple, hats off to him.
Ritu is like a “bindas girl” with bubbly nature who will mix with everyone and has fearless attitude. Fearless because being a girl and do hitchhiking in India, visiting off beat places is something which is really unbelievable. I was amazed to hear her experiences and her visits to the North Eastern states of India. Even Arora uncleji could not resist commenting on her boldness. The best part was to know her age and to know about her twins, none of us guessed her age correctly and were really astonished to know her real age. That left Ritu with smile all over her face while she finally boarded off the train at Agra.
Suresh Japtap was silent all throughout and was quietly listening to our travel stories. We got down at Agra station to get some “Pethas” which is Agra’s novelty. We also got some “Bhajiyas” in the train to eat while we continue talking. Then everybody took a nap as Delhi was nearing and in the meanwhile I was sharing my amazing experience to my friends on the phone. Finally at 12:00 I reached at Hazarat izamuddin Station, Delhi and we ended an extraordinary journey. It was an awesome experience for me as I had travelled hardly by trains and to meet such people and to listen to their experiences is like getting lessons of life which is truly priceless. The whole journey was memorable and I would relish it every time I read this blog.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Louis La Roche
This week's Music Artist is: Louis La Roche (real name: Brett Ewels)
Just 17 years of age, Louis has already made an impact in the music industry with his outstanding house tunes and is being considered as a new prospect. He has released one music album already and it has been christened as "The Peach EP". His track from the same album "Love" was floating on the net for quite some time and was also a controversy as it was considered to be a track from Thomas Bangalter. But later louis produced his album The Peach EP and provided his authenticity for the same.Here is the download link for "Love" from Louis La Roche: http://rapidshare.com/files/123650538/03_-_Love.mp3
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
This weeks legal act is: Indian Patents Act, 1970
Download link: http://rapidshare.com/files/123646523/THE_PATENTS_ACT_INDIA.doc
If you require any particular legal act, please put a comment and I will try and get it here. Thank You.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
My First Love - Music !!!
Ever since I was a small kid, I got attached to music. I don’t exactly remember how old I was when I started listening to music but I remember dancing to the tunes of “Zodiac” – A small Russian Band, Boney M & Abba. We had a huge Philips Stereo System with Gramophone Records where I used to listen to all these songs. My dad used to get all these Music Records (we also call it vinyl disc) from big cities as the place where I stay i.e. Buldana is a small & a remote town and hence we don’t get such stuff there, not at least any English Music Record. I guess he knew that I was going to be a music freak one day. Though I don’t know to play any instrument but I am deeply associated with it. Music has always been a source of inspiration, my strength & yes my weakness too.
I was so profoundly in love with music that I started collecting music cassettes & cds. Never had much interest in Hindi films songs but a few old ones and Indian classical and folks songs mesmerizes me. I was always fond of World Music and was intensely influenced by house music. There was a point in my life when I was thinking of becoming a DJ or RJ may be, to let others hear what I like. Don’t mistake me by associating me with only one kind of music, the genres I listen to will perplex you at all times. It all depends on my mood, if I m happy then I listen to house, trance or dance or hip-hop; if I am in the lovey dovey mood then I listen to some love songs, if I am alone and there is nothing much to do then I listen to some soft instrumental songs mostly Santoor, Flute or Violin; if I am angry with someone then I listen to rock, it gives me the power and energy to annihilate, just kidding! I listen to rock when I am tired and need some oomph.
Music I feel doesn't explain anything but it attaches you, it speaks what cannot be expressed or spoken and cannot either be silent; it appeases the mind and gives it rest, heal the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul. Since ages it has been a source of inspiration, a channel of communication, way to express feelings or means of living. It has always been a part of person’s life in any case for once.
Now I am so used to it that if I don’t listen to it for a day I feel restless. Whenever I am on the move, I always carry my iPod so that I can keep my senses unscathed. I cannot even imagine my life without music. It has given my life a new colour, a new meaning altogether. I will always be thankful to my parents especially my dad for passing on the music genes to me. ;) I will always cherish it throughout my life.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
10 things I wish I could do/achieve before I Die
Everyone has their own wish list that they desire to achieve or accomplish, even I have one. Some people have short life, some has mid life, or some with death-bed predicament, wishing about what they could have, should have, would have done in their life; not me. I live my life to fullest as if everyday could be my last day. Along my way, if I inspire someone to take life by the horns, then I will be able to accomplish one of my 10 goals.
Some of my dreams are altruistic, some are self-centered, some are tiny & some are huge. Some will probably change the world, some will just change you but they are my goals & my dreams. I am never content with my efforts; it has always been my endeavour to perform better with each & every attempt I make towards accomplishing my dreams. There are certain things I would want to do or achieve before I die. I consider it a part of the fundamental "Me" that I desire to do, things both immense and diminutive, to work towards the divine sense while I enjoy the material, and to laugh at the insignificant, while I chase things of global as well as domestic importance.
This is just a medium for me to enlighten some basic issues that needs to be addressed, while people strive only on big things & a larger than life image and what they miss out in their day to day life. They should understand that it is not this big thing in life that matters; it is the small thing that needs to be cherished and how important it is to spread happiness with the ones we are close with.
So here is the list (not in preferential order):
- To live up to my parents expectation
- To see Geoscape entering into Fortune 500 list
- Get a girl who is as good as me and plus as terrible as I am
- To become a Billionaire
- To see all my closest friends become successful “human beings” & yes rich also
- Meet Daft Punk, Bob Sinclar, Chemical Brothers & Fatboy Slim
- Go on an unlimited shopping spree for which I don’t have to pay
- Pursuing my career in Cricket
- Travel whole world and savor diverse cuisines & food on this planet
- Inspire at least someone to live an uncomplicated life
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Bogmalo Beach Resort
Verdict Criterion:* - Ewww, Pathetic, Highly Not Recommended
** - Not too Good, Not too Bad Either: You can take a Risk
*** - Fair, I might come again
**** - Good, Par with International Standards, Recommended to others
***** - WOW! Excellent, First on my List, Highly Recommended
Bogmalo Beach Resort, Bogmalo, Goa
Hotel Star Rating: 5 Star
Overall Verdict: ****
Pros:
• Comparatively better priced than the others in the same category
• Only Four level structure in Goa which is right on the beach, Excellent view of sea and beach from Hotel Rooms
• Exceptional Food
• Very close to the Airport & highly accessible
Cons:
• Poor Service
• A-la-carte Menu is a little too short, Should have added some more stuff, very few food items available round the clock
• Security is a concern as anyone can get in the private area reserved only for the hotel guests.
Bogmalo Beach Resort is one of the finest hotels in Goa and one of the oldest one as well. The resort is located right on the beach and thus guests have an exceptional view of the sea and the beach from the hotel rooms. The rooms on the 4th floor have best of the views. The hotel is very well managed and as soon as you enter you are traditionally welcomed and a welcome drink is also offered and bell boy escorts you to the room. Food quality is very admirable with scrumptious food on the menu; if they can extend their menu a little probably there will not be anything left to complain. There is ample car parking space for the guests and very well looked after as well. All in all this is a wonderful resort and a must see if you wish to see Goa.
Location: *****
It is located very close to the Dabolim Airport. Marmagao Harbour and Vasco are adjoining, while Panjim and Margao are also located at almost equal distance. Its main advantage is being very close to the beach. It is easily accessible and almost every taxi fellow knows the resort.
Hotel Ambiance: ***
Lobby is wide and huge with a view of sea with good interiors though there is still scope for improvements. The front desk is not attractive at all. There is a need of good lighting arrangement in the lobby and rest is okay.
Hotel Amenities & Facilities: ****
The resort is equipped with a Business Centre, travel desk, lockers, health center, swimming pool, etc. An Ayurvedic spa is what is missing.
Room & Suites: ***Rooms are good and big but the interiors need some refurbishment. An LCD TV was required instead of the old 21’ television along with a dish television connection. Centralized AC does not cold the room properly (probably the AC outlet is too small for the room). High Speed Internet DSL access was also present but the access rates were quite high, Wi-Fi would have been a good option instead of a DSL line. All the rooms come with a gallery which has brilliant view of the sea. There are fire exit safety guidelines behind the door and the equipments are par with International standards. All Basic stuff like Tea/Coffee maker with one time refill, door tags, notepad, letter pad, envelopes, laundry bags and shoe cleaner are present. Bathroom is good and it has a WC and a bath tub which is reasonably fine and hair drier is an addition.
Food: ****
Food quality is excellent and almost everything is great. Menu needs to be extended a bit that is where it is lacking.
Cleanliness: ****
The rooms and lobby are kept clean almost all the times. Housekeeping team does good work, every time I had come from out, I had seen my room clean, tidy and everything was very well placed.
Service: **
Service in the Garden Restaurant and in the restaurant is bad. You have to literally scream your lungs out to call a waiter. Room service also takes a little longer to respond. Overall the service was bad. Business center sometimes is closed without any notification and nobody has any clue where the attendant goes.
Value for Money: ****
It’s worth the price you are paying. Do not ask for car rentals at the hotel desk. They are highly overcharged. All in all this is a wonderful place to enjoy your honeymoon or holidays. I surely can recommend it to everyone.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
No Pain, No Gain
Ever wondered why we feel highly ecstatic when we accomplish our dreams? It is because we feel we have achieved a milestone for success that we had set for our self. It is a feeling of recognition of our efforts and satisfaction that the hard work has finally paved. But mind you, success never comes easy it comes with loads of pain, sacrifices and with the patience being tested at every step, it is a test of one’s character in real sense.India had thrived for decades; it still does, on a system of benefaction, the cannibalistic politics business nexus. Monopoly controls were the lock, licenses were the key and corporate India was in the pocket of policymakers. Dhirubhai barged into that league, playing exactly by the established, shadowy rules of the game. The corporate skullduggery in black and white has paid a heavy price. Competition beat him down by destroying his stock, his investors' stock and Reliance's credibility as a fund-raiser. Dhirubhai then ran an operation that bought Reliance shares for weeks, drove prices sky-high and bankrupted more than one broker. Finally his tussle with Businessman Nusli Wadia, politician V.P.Singh and journalist Ramnath Goenka caused him serious stroke which paralyzed half of his body but still never lost his way. Such was his journey, though I have just given a glimpse of it. Today, Reliance is India's third-largest group after Tata and A.V. Birla and this was all because of a person’s dream, allegiance and sacrifices.
So if you are chasing your dreams then please understand that troubles are bound to come, there would be loads of hitches in your way and you will fall down many times but the real essence of life is to get up every time you fall down, clear the hurdles and believe in your own self and your dreams. Do not ever quit or fear of losing, because as they say “Darr ke aage Jeet hai” and the way you unravel your difficulties will only enhance your strength of character and this will put you ahead in the game of life.
Without The Rains, There Would Be No Rainbow

A prodigy has come to pass, blessing of prosperity, comfort, joy and all sorts of nice things. A rainy day is especially a day for friends, not acquaintances. A loving sun and the vivid green of the happy hills: the emerald stretches of the shimmering plains; the twilight valleys in the purpled dusk or glorified in the first great splendor of the dawn; the mountain peaks in their new white cowls of mist, have you seen these things now since God has laid them laughing from the magic of the rain? What is it about the rain-washed flowers that so stirs the sentiments of the human heart? Is it that their perfume is richer and their colors are more radiant as the new-born sun smiles upon them?
Rainy season is like paradise epoch for trekkers. It is the time when enthusiast people like you and me start wandering beautiful mountains. There is nothing in the world that is more beautiful, more scenic, and more tranquil than going on for a trek in rainy seasons. An experience which is truly incredible!
There is no better time to go on for trek then in rains, so folks who have never been to any trek and would want to experience it, just pack your rucksack with few clothes and tie your shoes, this is the right time. There are some amazing places near you and you hardly have heard about it. Sahyaadri mountain range is by far the best place to visit in rainy season. It has all the natural attraction that puts the magic in your life & is blessed with misty & rugged mountains, remote hiking trails, wilderness, stunning waterfalls that will mesmerize you.
The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other with drops of rains pouring from heaven is the best way to appreciate Sahyaadri’s beauty and pristine environments. By spending time on tracks and trails, you can use all your senses to absorb the extraordinary beauty and spending time in these serene mountains will rejuvenate you to the core. “If you don't scale the mountain, you can't view the plain” – So a weekend break from busy routine is what you people require to experience and see by yourself what is it to go on for a trek and feel the rains.

