Back to blogging

So it’s been over two years since I posted anything on my blog. No I have not been busy or anything even remotely close, it’s just that I have been lazy. Just thought of breaking this prolonged period of laziness and writing something which probably no one will read. But what the heck, at least, I’m writing.

A lot has happened since 2011 when I last wrote. Aly who came into our lives in April 2011 is growing up at the rate of knots, and both Dimple and I are running out of ideas to keep her occupied so that she doesn’t go back to her favorite task of ransacking cupboards and kitchen shelves! Kids are very ingenious, they always find ways to reach places where their natural height and reach doesn’t allow them to. Something interesting lying on the kitchen shelf, no problem, we’ll just get the center table stool and climb onto it to reach whatever it is that drew her attention in the first place. Be it raw onions, ginger, garlic, or the bottle of cooking oil, which by the way she’s already spilled once.

Papa’s wallet or mom’s dressing cupboard are fair game as well! Every evening she has to empty out my wallet and see what goodies lie therein. Though it’s just the regular cards and some cash. But her favorite target is Dimple’s office notebook which she loves scribbling onto, now that a scolding happens if she targets the walls.

On a different note, Dad passed last April five days after Aly turned one. Though death is inevitable, one never thinks it could happen to your loved ones. Not a day goes by that I don’t miss him. More so because Aly is so much like him, her mannerisms, smile, the way she chews whatever little food she eats, the way she walks, and more than anything else her arms are miniature a replica of dads’. Thank God for this, just hope that she has also inherited the wisdom of her grandfather, because her father is still trying to find some of his own!

Airtel Woes

Not a day goes by that I don’t have to call up Airtel for one service or the other, be it broadband, digital TV, or for my wife’s mobile phone (I thankfully left Airtel six months ago.) The latest issue is that I need to recharge my TV account but can’t log into the site. It isn’t necessary for Airtel simply believes in expanding its footprint while existing service are plagued by problems.

In all the years I have been an Airtel customer, I have never understood the logic behind asking the customers for their name, phone number, billing address, alternate contact number or e-mail before answering any customer query. Their 121 executives simply refuse to proceed until the caller confirms each of the above. I do not understand how anyone can harm me by calling up Airtel pretending to be me. Even if I give the benefit of doubt to Airtel and accept that misuse is possible, how do they ensure that the person who’s calling is really Manu Khanna, and not an imposter who has my personal details. The details they ask for is information that can be easily ascertained.

The point that I am trying to make here is why have processes that don’t solve their intended purpose? Might as cut to the chase and answer what the caller wants to know.

Ramdev Against Black Money: Taught a Lesson

Last two days have been really entertaining, getting to see Ramdev’s ass kicked was real fun. The highlight was his claim about being like Mahatma Gandhi, this despite having tried to hide from the Police in a ladies salwar suite. I don’t remember any story of Gandhi doing even anything remotely similar.Ramdev deserves what he got, he tried to double-cross the Govt during his so-called fight against corruption and black money.. First he took permission for a Yoga camp, but started a hunger strike. Then after committing to announce the closure of his protest on the evening of June 4th, he backed off. Now after getting kicked, he’s claiming that Govt. wants to kill hum. This is hilarious!

Actually the peopleof India are to blame. He is a Yoga teacher, but we have made him God. Before pointing fingers at opthers, he should first explain where did he get the property and assets worth over Rs.2000 crores.

Up ahead: Commonwealth woes Start now

As part of the preparations for the Commonwealth Games, Delhi Traffic Police will begin blocking one lane of several carriageways across the city to test a traffic plan that will be in force during the Commonwealth Games in October. The restrictions will be in place for all 24 hours of the day and are likely to stay in force till and during the Games.
Doesn’t the Delhi Traffic Police know that the traffic in Delhi is as it is chockablock, that it now plans to further congest it? While this plan may help ease commuting for the Game participants, what about the public?
My office is in Gurgaon, and I drive down the 45 KM from NOIDA in about 90 minutes (if I leave office before 5:30 PM). Unfortunately, a good portion of the carriageways where these restrictions will apply fall within the route I take to office. So my travel time is bound to increase substantially. Don’t even want to think b how much!
Why isn’t the media talking about this and what about the already suffering public that is about to be hit with yet more suffering?
If someone doesn’t create a noise about this soon enough, countless motorists such as I are doomed. Especially, if you take into account how impassible Delhi roads become just after 30-minutes of rain, imagine what will happen when the monsoon hits us with full force.

Read more.

Are we a Gutless Nation?

How many more of such stories shall we have to read before the Government will finally get the courage to let loose the army on these maoists/Marxists? How many more innocents will have to die on the very first train- journey of their lives. How many more citizens is the Government willing to sacrifice before declaring an all-out war on the naxalites?
This isn’t the first time something like this has happened, and unfortunately, this isn’t the last. The response too will be the same. The news channels will talk about this for 2-3 days, political parties will do mudslinging, and ultimately we will move till there is another bomb blast or aircraft accident.
Don’t know about you, but I am convinced that we Indians lack the courage to correct mistakes, and go after the people who perpetrate such attacks. I say Indians and not the Government, because it is us who don’t vote and allow such chickens to come to power.