Kerala’s own quota: mix of merit and social justice

Kerala’s own quota: mix of merit and social justice
Still better.

DA-IICT

From google earth.

Over 300 Indian students to get EU scholarships : HindustanTimes.com

Over 300 Indian students to get EU scholarships : HindustanTimes.com

US gonna face strong challenges now.

Great job or a good career?- The Economic Times

Great job or a good career?- The Economic Times
decent read.

For how long...

RSS drifts from Organiser

And the game continues. When will these people stand up to what they say? I have heard of such politicians once served this country. But not anymore. Now a word is uttered only to deny it later... to enjoy this dual exposure... say-create ruckus - deny chain. Time to show some integrity chaps. You give India a bad name...

More on RFID Basics

FAQ on RFID and RFID privacy

RFID Privacy and Security

Both these links are from RSA Security. A very respected group in this field.

Why Dilbert loves the Internet

He is one of my favorite cartoon characters. Though, I've never been in a full time work environment but still, somehow I can associate well with Dilbert. Adams humor, in a way is not just limited to life in a cubicle but extends beyond that. In every walk of life, I find people equally inept, stubborn and pathetically foolish. Sometimes, it makes me feel I'm turning into a misanthrope.

For now, read this interview with adams.

Not for others. Plz ignore

Software Solutions - EPC and RFID

Get RFID Smart
This Management Primer web course provides an overview of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) to executives in the retail and manufacturing industries.

Video of Sun's Dallas RFID Test Center
Sun's RFID Test Center can be the first step in your journey towards a successful RFID deployment. See how Sun's state-of-the-art Dallas RFID Test Center can help your company meet its specific RFID needs for compliance and beyond.

Stay strong, stay inspired - How to protest, effectively

Stay strong, stay inspired

The article really contains essential tips on how to protest. Didn't know Vhagat could do anything more than writing stuff like 5.someone.

Here is an excerpt:

1. Keep a visual -- This is vital in today's multimedia world. Newspapers need to be colourful to compete with television, and a television is not a television without a visual. Gandhi kept a visual -- salt march (everyone remembers the scooping of salt), burning British made clothes, operating the charkha and more. Placards are boring. Do something else -- a huge bonfire, human chains -- be creative, make it easier for NDTV. They will come, I promise.

2. Emotions more than Reason -- Whenever activists talk to the media, always keep emotions in the forefront. Brooding anger, tears, banging fists is far more interesting than statistics on caste based demographics. Tell people what you think about the issue -- you are on the editorial page. Tell people what you feel about the issue -- you are on the front page.

3. Intentions more than Action -- This is a trick most used by our politicians even today. In reality, actions alone matter. However, our politicians keep saying 'our intention is to lift the backward castes', and they almost sound reasonable. Of course, the actions only divide the country and kill merit -- but they hide in the garb of purported good intentions. Protestors can do the same. They may be blocking traffic -- but harp on the intentions: 'But this is for Saraswati mata -- knowledge should decide'. (Think about it -- the politicians will be scared to take on Saraswati mata or if you mix any religious sentiment in your favour). Alongside, attack the other party's intentions -- 'they are only doing reservations for selfish political gain' (which is probably true).

4. Don't hurt yourself -- Burning yourself or even hunger strikes are very dangerous tools. There is no guarantee they will be effective. If they don't work, you will be seen as weak. Gandhi used a hunger strike rarely, and only after he had decades of experience.

5. Find a simple, interesting slogan -- Gandhi always had a simple slogan. It gives two benefits -- one it makes it easier to pass through word of mouth with minimal distortion. Secondly, it fits into the limited headline space in newspapers. In media terms, this is called 'the hook'. The reservation movement has no slogan yet. Find one. My suggestions: "No suck-up politics" OR "India on Merit only"

Delhi docs to strike work

IMA asks Delhi docs to strike work, calls for bandh on May 15
When it comes to doctors, the situation get a little tricky. On one hand, you are protesting against the callous govt. or the police or both and on the other, you have people who are also, in some way or the other, oppressed by the same bodies of law. Now who are you victimising in this whole process? Why should the govenment not hear their cries before they take such a stand?
Satyagrah - is the govt. waiting for someone to get killed? Someone to immolate himself...

The RFID Hacking Underground
They can steal your smartcard, lift your passport, jack your car, even clone the chip in your arm. And you won't feel a thing. 5 tales from the RFID-hacking underground.

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feels weird while posting this link. This is related to my field of research during my RI. And I had my exams of the SP course (security protocols) today which I messed up very badly. Don't know what I'll do during the RI.

Students cry out: No reservation please

Students cry out: No reservation please
Finally, people have come out together in huge numbers and most importantly, accross India. We were expecting the same thing on 17th April. It didn't materialze, though.
On a very selfish note, I would say that we couldn't have gone out now as our exams start tomorrow onwards. (and I'm bloggin when I should have been reading. Anyways...)

The pledge to never vote for Congress was the best part of it as it directly attacks the very motive of implementing reservations. It would be interesting to see congress's reaction as this must be becoming increasingly clear to them that the move will surely backfire soon.

Rohit Singh's statement was well-balanced and clear.
But who the hell is this Arjun Dangle ? A question for Mr. Dangle -

"Do you think that all the general class students study in ACs and only the so
called backward class people live in villages and in places that lack proper
living facilities"?

Take a break man and get your view right.
Reservations as a measure for social justice is like asking for ice-cream when you are thristy. Mr. Dangle and all others -

No amount of ice-cream will quench your thirst. So it is better you concentrate
on finding water. And let those who pay for the ice-cream, the students with
calibre to pass these exams, enjoy it too.

(and nobody is saying that calibre is defined by your caste. When God didn't distinguish in giving brains to people who the hell are you to try doing so? )

No job quotas on private firms

Government not to impose job quotas on private firms
Is it due to the todays protest march or due to industries reaction when PM mentioned that for the first time in front of CII.
Anyways... it some good news

Medical students hold rally against quota policy

Good show guys. Keep it up.
------------------------
Today, I received a call from some one who wants to guide us about how to go about protesting against the bill. Now we have already taken out a protest march from our place to the collector's office. That itself didn't find enough people with that will to oppose the bill.

Deserve then Desire

People simply want someone else to do this for them, while they put that EXTRA time in squeezing through the 50% of whats left in open. Aaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh...

Quota stir to hit the streets today

Hope things turn out in a big way. There has been a huge difference in the way people came out against it in 90s and now. Cyber space provided a vent to their feelings this time while back then in 90s, coming on the road was the only way to remonstrate.
But, sadly, politics and the politicians don't operate through the broadband cables. They still are like a bunch of illetrate people who need to be told things more explicitely.
May be, after translating in their language, that is of protests, dharna, effigy-burning, clashes with police and similar things, the point is conveyed to them.
Waiting for the outcome of this protest.

Rags to riches: From Rs 30K to Rs 10 crore
courtsey Rediff.

Really, really impressive. a must read.

Cricket

I like Cricket. I would like to consider a good player; good enough for the team at least.
Still have some fond memories of playing cricket with my classmates.
It's not the routine job that you do that becomes a memory. Incidents that took place in place of some other routine job actually make up that special byte of storage in your head. and it is really special. Cricket brings forwards many similar incidents. We could have attended some more classes (or tutions) in place of playing cricket but who would have remembered that.

The game against 11-B (when we were in 8th), where we played in ankle-deep water. Only one boundary was scored in that match as the ground was so damp. A damp pitched was the reason why I got bowled on the very first ball. (kasam se). The two terific catches that I took. (Some of the places where I just can't be modest. I am/was good at it.) Even the senior batman came upto me before heading for pavillion.
The tournament that we took part in. I wasn't allowed to play two matches a day as my grandfather never could see me falling sick. So I just played the first and the final matches of the tournament. Scored really well in the final. Somewhere around 80+. My first (and only) Man of the Match award and also my first earning.

And there are many others... just can't sit and write about all of them.

This cricket came up as the news about World Cup 2011 has been allotted to Asia. (read here)
I really think this is unfair but in todays age, where the game is heavily controlled by money-minded capitalists and not so-called lovers-of-the-game, such things are bound to happen. Sorry for Australia and NZ.

MS and Wallop

Microsoft licenses new way to make friends
watch out Orkut (and Google) ... MS is waking up.
but when will these guys finally put up Vista? Very dismal performance MS... hope the code being written is worth all this wait.

VP Singh backs reservation in IITs, IIMs

[ Tuesday, April 25, 2006 08:35:00 pmPTI ]

"Those forces which opposed the Mandal report are now propagating it. I am happy that they are supporting it", he said while addressing a well attended gathering of All India Progressive Janata Dal (AIPJD) convention organised to demand reservation in private sector.

Reservation was not a new concept in the country and had been in existence for thousands of years, Singh, who had implemented the Mandal Commission report facing a stiff opposition particularly in the Hindi belt, when he was the Prime Minister, said.

"I kicked the football. Though I broke my leg, I scored the goal," he said recalling the resistance his government had faced over the Mandal commission report.

Scott resigns...

Saw this today:
http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/04/24/ap2693485.html

Scott McNealy was one of my favourite tech giants. did well for Sun, for a long time. Have read some Blog entries from Jonathan Schwartz. former COO and chairman and now the CEO too. Don't have the required knowledge to compare the too but still, Scott had something that made him stand in the league of Steve Jobs, Bill gates and Larry Ellison. Dont know about Jonathan.

And what is James Gosling doing these days. Guess he is mostly busy with his blog now a days. He has already done enough for a lifetime. can continue to rest therefore.