Use of airboats in Gujrat

Airboats of this size or slightly bigger are seen at the Evaerglades in Florida over the gr8 marshes, primarily used for recreation and environmental management of the area... In India we use it to save people during the floods

source: timesofindia.com, travellerspoint.com

Qana Bombings

With Israel continuing air strikes, and bombings in Southern Lebanon, hundreds of innocent families are caught in the crossfire. More than 30 children have been killed in the Qana bombing. Hezbollah always uses the civilian shield, and so Israel has no choice but to bomb the areas with Hezbollah concentration. Israel says that it had given prior warnings to all civilians to leave the area, and it says it has proof that the Hezbollah had been firing the rockets from these areas. If the roads are shelled and the gas stations bombed, where will the people get the fuel from to flee? What about the poor people? Where will they go? Die in their basements, or die on the road while fleeing their home?

The extent of destruction is such that international community has started exerting pressure on Israel to think twice on its next steps in its conflict against the Hezbollah. Long lasting peace can come to the Middle East only by solving the Palestinian issue, which has not moved an inch is the last six years.

Today Israel has stopped air raid on Southern Lebanon for 48 hours...It needs to be seen where the road takes the conflict. US Sec of State Condoleezza Rice was asked not to come to Beirut by the Lebanese president if she does not have a plan for unconditional cease fire. Now Condi is burning mid night oil to reach to a compromise of some nature to end the bloody conflict.

Also spoke to Bhatta (Sudip) after a long time. Kudos to people like him who are still studying and doing gr8 in the academic world. Sudip is doing his PhD in Material Science in South Dakota.

July 29 - Saturday..Summer @ its peak

July 29 - Saturday

NJ is becoming as hot and humid as India. Totally horrible day. Today I had gone to Philly to get some luggage for Kamal. Also saw the movie "Corporate". Nice movie. The director very aptly presents the nexus between the politicians, corporate world, bollywood, NGOs, and the media. All these and how each entity exploit the other for its its own benefits.

Sa Re Ga Ma Li'll Champs

Superb program bringing out the best from the kids who sing well...i was watching the program, and was astounded by the performance by the 10 yr old kids (like Gurpreet)....kudos to all of them and to the whole Sa Re Ga Ma team. Alka Yagnik is like a teacher on the show.

July 27

At last got my laptop problem solved. it was this small software that had got corrupted. today evening i saw the movie 'Syriana'. The print was clear but the volume was totally disappointing. The one part took my heart was the TATA bus in the movie, apart form the charismatic cast. Jiyo Tata bus Jiyo!!

Next --> To Peru...

Our cafe lady in the office is from Peru, and was excited when i told her about Machu-Pichu. Planning to save and go to Peru next yr around June 24. She said it is the festival time when the Peruvians pay homage to the sun god. Lets see if i can plan out a 4-5 day trip. seems that the country is cheaper than India in terms of standard of living.

Another literally screwed up day at office...dont know why the Map Ntk drive is not working from my laptop. I have to follow up with the IEEE helpdesk, but the dont think they'll be of any use.
One of my colleagues in office is buying a home in India. He got a good deal. Property prices seems to have sky rocketed in India, and so has the rent. Buying a property seems to be a good investment, but with hand-to-mouth salary, i guess i'll have to cut down on the life style that i lead to atleast pay the minimum downpayment and take a bank loan.

Boneyard:

No one ever said the military was the most efficient employer of machines and personnel, but "The Boneyard" gives hope that some material is being recycled (even if it is just a ship being sunk in deep water for target practice). Starting from Aeroplanes, ships, composite fibre rockets and planes to nuclear waste, the "Boneyard" is the burial. Check it out in the History Channel.

Munshi and the cell phones in India

Well today I saw some emotional exchanges between old friends from college over Munshi's existence.
By the way, saw the movie: Fanna. Interesting plot I would say. I'm still wondering where is Munshi? My guess is he has lost his cell phone, and now he doesn't know whom to call, or he might be in a secret DRDO project. Good for him. I just spoke to shibu da and PPD. I called up Anup Das, but I guess he thought it was a crank call from US, and so he is not picking up the phone. Man...Indian cell phone freaks me out...we still do not have the option of voicemail so that people can leave a message. I guess we do not want people to leave us important messages. we have FM radios on cell phones but no voice mail feature...huh!!!

Looks like Israel is making the crap out of Lebanon. It is interesting to note that there are still US citizens who are in Lebanon, and want to be there against the shelling from the south. Sometimes I feel the mid-east crisis is in a recursive mode, and the mullahs are all happy with their oil economy. It is a tit for tat game out there between the Arabs and the Jews, both competing to display their wrath. Hope this ends soon.

Allah mehfooz rakkhey sabko.

My first day of blogging...

The first splash of rain

The first splash of rain the dry soil back to life
and the aroma in the air makes our mortal souls dance.
The green grass in the meadows dance in the fresh air,
and the hummingbird returns home to see the chicks
take their first bath while still in their nests
The children run around the paddy fields
jumping in the mud and teasing each other
as Bholu, the washerman's dog looks upon confused all drenched in rain.
And suddenly the clouds embark, and children shout hooray
and farmer's weary eyes looks contended
for the young paddy will get the much needed water.
When I stand with my face towards the black sky
the golden streak of light from the setting sun hits my eye
the drops of water splashes on my face,
and I feel the freshness of the natural cologne
My mind and body sets into the rhythm of the rain
as I enjoy the first splash of rain.

-Bikram