Dollar Droops!

Times are indeed bad.  I saw this on the Reuters when I was outside my office. Dollar "droops"? Sigh - the effect is being felt even more deeply  :)

 

Visit to Nepal

I was in Nepal last week for an important meeting that I had to attend with some important Government officials.  I love going to Katmandu & I like the people, the pace etc. It is slow paced, peaceful (to an outsider) and despite numerous problems they are facing, they don't complain as most other people in other countries are wont to do.  (There are numerous power cuts, long queues for Petrol etc.). I did not hear anyone complain against the government or make any other adverse kind of remarks.

Notwithstanding the beauty of its surroundings, I saw these 2 aircrafts - of all the places, in the airport.  Imagine the effect it has on ones confidence when you see these kind of aircrafts just off the runway.   Though this did not bother me too much, a couple of passengers near me got a bit worked up :)

Something that does not do wonders for the Tourism Industry there :)

 

All said & done, it was an effective trip & as usual I enjoyed it. Allen - my colleague in Nepal, took us (we had 3 friends from Intel there as well) to a great place for dinner.  We experienced some of the songs & dances of Nepal there. 

Weather was great - I believe it was around 10-12 degrees Celsius.

Here is another view of Kathmandu just as we took off from the airport.

Out of circulation for a few weeks

 

I have been out of circulation for a few weeks. Work obviously took a lot of time.

Of course, it is not fair to blame "lack of time" - after all if it is interesting enough, one does find time.  I have been in a lot of meetings, travel, and a bit of introspection - of what to do going forward in life.  I am curious to understand if people really spend so much time thinking of these things..

Will be updating my blog with some thoughts/ and recommit myself to keep it running smoothly :)

 

Singapore Terminal 3

 

Despite traveling quite a bit, today was the first day I came into the New Terminal in Singapore and needless to say, I was truly impressed. Well planned, great facilities (Movie etc. is a great idea). Just curious about WHO selected the carpets!

 

 

Technorati Tags: Singapore,Airport

Goals! By Brian Tracy

 

Click here for the link

Over the last 3 weeks, I must have spoken to at least 6 people to whom I recommended reading this book- Goals- by Brian Tracy.   To me, this was one book that changed my way of doing things, and made me sit down to write down my goals.  It has made a tremendous change to me, and I thought that it would help other people as well to do this.  Many of them, I know are trying to buy this book and some had also planned/ or ordered this on Amazon. 

So imagine my pleasant surprise when I saw the above link which actually gives this book as a free e-Book.  I am putting this in my blog because this should be a "must read" book for any executive who wants to make a difference.  And if you are reading this, do take the trouble to download it. You will NOT be disappointed.

Note: Of course, it is effective only when you are leaning a bit towards getting a feeling that things are getting out of hand :)

Happy Reading.

Technorati Tags: Goals,Brian Tracy

Fitness First

 

It is 1 week since I decided to move to the new Gym- Fitness First. The 2 days I went there has impressed me quite a bit. The earlier gym I went to, was ok- but not as good. This is much better-newer equipment, better view and of course much better facilities. 

Looking at achieving some clear goals over the next 3 months - reduce weight (70 kg to 65 kg, Build some muscles (yeah, at this age), and stamina to run longer distances.  Will update when I achieve my first goal of the weight reduction :)

From the Gita

 

This is by far one of the best prayers ever.  So intense, that I tend to read this every time I feel frustrated [which has been quite a few times recently :) ] 

Why do you worry ? Why are you scared ?
Whatever happened, it happened for good.
What is happening, is also happening for good.
Whatever will happen, that too will be for good.
What have you lost for which you weep?
What did you bring with you, which you have lost?
What did you produce, which has perished?
You did not bring anything when you were born.
Whatever you have, you have received from Him.
Whatever you will give, you will give to Him.
You came empty handed and you will go the same way.
Don't be remorseful about the past , nor worry about the future. The present is before you .
What is yours today was someone else's yesterday and It would be someone else's the day after. You may think all of yours is for you to keep. This is the main cause of the sorrow.
Change is the nature of life. Remove the thought "Mine and yours" and "Little and big" from your mind. Then everything is yours and you belong to everyone.
Then what are you? surrender yourself to the higher power, the only source of your strength.
He who realizes this will be free from fear, worry and emotion.

Technorati Tags: Gita

Economic Times/ Other Times of India publications - as is

 

Click here for the link

I was just browsing the net and came across an online version of the Economic Times and the Times Of India - which is an exact replica of the newspaper.  I believe it has been online for some time, but I was obviously not aware.  This, if being actively used by the Indians overseas (and possibly India) opens up a great opportunity for the newspapers to share their news with the Indian overseas.  Great way of adding value to the brand. If and when I go back- I will have Times of India & Economic Times right on top of what I will sign up for.

 

More investments in India - Time to go back to India?

 

Click here for details

India continue to boom with more and more investments coming in from various sources.  I have been actively considering a move to India for professional reasons - but after the trip in December, the family element has made it even more compelling.   I believe, after 12 years in Singapore, it is indeed time to go back.  Getting a job may not that easy anymore ;-). Anyway, time to start planning a move in the next 12-18 months at the latest.

All said and done, 12 years in Singapore which has been my longest stint ever in one city (I have spent my whole life moving from city to city- when my dad was in the Indian Air Force), is not easy.  Too many roots here - so may just move to India and keep all else as status quo here in Singapore.   Let us see how it all plays out.

My favorite Dilbert :)

 

I found this very funny and I laughed for a long time. Next time someone says, their work is "fine" I am bound to think of these lines.

Technorati Tags: Dilbert,Humour

Alexandra Hospital, Singapore

I was at Alexandra Hospital earlier last week to take Puji, our helper, to get her hand stitched after she cut her finger. Unfortunately for her, she also cut her tendon partially for which she had to go & get it stitched up. For the first time since we came to Singapore, I went to Alexandra Hospital.  Located across town (we stay in the east and this is in the West).

I must say I was very impressed with the Hospital.  Starting with the Emergency ward & the doctors, all were helpful & went that extra step to make us, and I am sure, the other patients, comfortable.

What impressed me was the "spare glasses" (photo on top).  I thought it was a very kind gesture, considering the possibility, that many people may rush to the Emergency Ward and may have forgotten to take their glasses along.   Indira was curious if people actually use & leave those glasses back.   I suspect, yes.  

The No Smoking was another nice touch - unlike the stern "No Smoking" warnings that most of us are used to.

Good customer service.

Not that I want to go back there (after all it is a hospital), but I did come back with some good impressions - which I did not get when I visited some of the "private" hospitals here in Singapore .

Technorati Tags: Alexandra Hospital,Singapore

HCL MiLeap - HCL News Release

http://www.hclinfosystems.in/news97.html

Pricing for Low Cost Notebooks is touching new lows :) This is a great sign and HCL as usual has taken the lead in addressing this market opportunity. 

Price is obviously the selling point here.  When this price point hits new users- they are bound to be enticed. But that is just part of the story.  These users - if they are newbies in the computer world, are bound to be a "bit disappointed" (sic!) at the lack of features that these first generation notebooks come with.  

That could have a bigger impact in the longer run & the companies coming out with the Ultra Low Cost PC's risk hitting a bump by turning off a number of new users who may be buying a "PC" for the first time.   I wonder if anyone (Gartner/ others?) are thinking about doing a customer survey to track the user satisfaction. 

Chinese Blogger beaten to death!

I guess we have a lot to be thankful for. 

A Chinese blogger has been beaten to death by Government authorities for the crime of attempting to record a protest on his mobile phone.

When Wei was present at some sort of confrontation or protest by local villages against municipal authorities when more than 50 municipal inspectors turned on him, attacking him for five minutes.

According to CNN, the killing has sparked outrage in China, “with thousands expressing outrage in Chinese Internet chat rooms, often the only outlet for public criticism of the government.”

The Chinese Government has moved swiftly to detain those involved, arresting 24 municipal inspectors whilst investigating more than 100 others in relation to the incident. Notably (for China) the story was published by the official state news service Xinhua, in what is believed to be an attempt to head off dissent over the mater by demonstrating that the Chinese Government does not condone those involved in the beating.

Project Shiksha - Terrific results!

I read this article earlier today and I thought this was one of more the most impactful work Microsoft has done in India ( I know there are a lot more such initiatives which have been done by MS). 200,000 teachers in India trained - who have in turn trained 10 Million- those are BIG numbers.  

I was recently reading a book called "The Elephant & the Dragon" by Robyn Meredith.  Well researched, it had a lot of information on what China & India are doing and how they have reached the tipping point & are poised to become the powers of tomorrow.  What also stuck me was the way China was moving faster and faster than India- because of its Communist Government and their implementation of policies.  India on the other hand struggles at different levels because of its politics & internal issues. 

Coming back to the original point - What struck me in this article - was the comment from the Free Software Foundation, who apparently compared this to a Cigarette manufacturer handing out free samples of cigarettes.  It got me thinking on what exactly does this Agency do and what have they done that makes the MS effort like that of a cigarette company.  Education - cigarettes- the connection misses me- but then, maybe I am just slow :)

I searched the net and came to their site. I looked for some idea on what they have given/ what they have - after all it is the "FREE software foundation".. and this is what I saw.   So the gist of the list of "free software" they have listed includes all of 23 software (this includes utilities & libraries).  To me this reeks of a anti-Microsoft tirade as opposed to objecting to something that genuinely requires help.

This is the ailment that affects India. Some people forget a good cause and the results that it drove.  I am sure Microsoft, notwithstanding, its positioning by the Linux players, has done more good than what many company together have achieved.   I don't say this because I work in Microsoft, but I genuinely believe this company has done a LOT to change the lot of the people in India - and the other parts of the world.

Give due credit where it is due.  Comments like are upsetting because it reflects the lack of depth in many organizations who hide behind the "freedom of speech" to just condemn any good.  All without really doing much for the people who need it the most.   

http://www.gnu.org.in/fsdirectory

 

Microsoft has trained 200,000 teachers in India on the use of computers, ahead of its original target to train 80,000 teachers in the country during the five-year period ending December this year, it said.

The company introduced the program, called project Shiksha, in 2003 with the objective of raising the computer literacy of Indian teachers and students in government-run schools. The 200,000 teachers trained so far have in turn trained about 10 million students, a spokeswoman for Microsoft India said on Monday.

The moves by Microsoft to offer free or subsidized software in India have however come in for criticism from the Free Software Foundation, which compared Microsoft's philanthropy to that of a cigarette manufacturer handing out free samples of cigarettes to students.

The communist-run state of Kerala in south India is actively promoting open-source software in schools, but most other states and the federal government are beneficiaries of Microsoft's programs.

Microsoft works with state governments to help teachers use its technology in school administrations and also to include it in their curriculum and teaching methods, she said. While the state governments provide the classrooms, Microsoft provides the hardware and software, and a team of trainers for the teachers.

Although the company has reached its training target, it's not stopping the program yet. It did not say how many more teachers and students it plans to cover under the program, though.

The company has introduced low-cost, starter editions of its Vista operating system, as well as local language versions of its Office suite to target both the academic and e-governance markets.

Technorati Tags: India Free Software Project,Microsoft,Project Shiksha

NComputing - $75 "PC's" based on Virtualization Technology

http://venturebeat.com/2008/01/13/ncomputing-raises-28m-to-spread-cheap-computers-to-poor/

Yet another "Ultra Low Cost" Solution for the emerging market segments & for Education solutions .  Unlike the other PC's like OLPC, CMPC etc, which are based on their individual architecture, this is based on a Client Model and designed on Virtualization.    This is a hot new area, and a terrific solution to bringing down the cost of ownership. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consider these price points -

1. US$75 for the cost of a device

2. Resellers will make 10%

3. Cost of the machine is around $11.

My take?

- This may be the beginning of the model for the Virtualization technology moving into the Low End of the pyramid. 

- This will entail more and more opportunities as the business model evolves.  

How will this end?

- Any  new technology  needs the ecosystem to develop. At these costs, forget about having an organization selling these products.  This will need to be in the domain of partners who will drive this.

- Solutions need to evolve for this - and this demands new licensing to sell the software.

- Many software vendors are beginning to explore this model - but it also affects their current revenue stream in a big way.  It will therefore take some time before they fall in line & put their maximum effort. 

In my view, this is a good evolution - and, it is just that.  It will take a few more iterations, as the entire ecosystem evolves & till then, these are good test studies/ cases. 

Technorati Tags: NComputing

Mindmaps

 

This is a mindmap that Ryna made earlier last year. Was just cleaning my computer when chanced upon this mindmap.  Mindmaps are a great way of capturing notes & remembering them. I will update these mindmaps for books I read.

Part of my 2008 goals is to get certified by the Buzan Institute as a certied Buzan Trainer. Let us see how that goes amongst all the things that I have identified as go-do's for this year.

Technorati Tags: Mindmaps,Buzan

Bhagavada Gita – One of the best lessons to learn

 

In today's otherwise busy world, here is something that I read, that brought a level of perspective rarely achieved.

 

Why do you worry ? Why are you scared ?
Whatever happened, it happened for good.
What is happening, is also happening for good.
Whatever will happen, that too will be for good.
What have you lost for which you weep?
What did you bring with you, which you have lost?
What did you produce, which has perished?
You did not bring anything when you were born.
Whatever you have, you have received from Him.
Whatever you will give, you will give to Him.
You came empty handed and you will go the same way.
Don't be remorseful about the past , nor worry about the future. The present is before you .
What is yours today was someone else's yesterday and It would be someone else's the day after. You may think all of yours is for you to keep. This is the main cause of the sorrow.
Change is the nature of life. Remove the thought "Mine and yours" and "Little and big" from your mind. Then everything is yours and you belong to everyone.
Then what are you? surrender yourself to the higher power, the only source of your strength.
He who realizes this will be free from fear, worry and emotion.

Questions around Double Amputee running against world class able-bodies athletes

Questions around Double Amputee running against world class able-bodies athletes

I was amazed while reading this article earlier today. Amazed at this person who has the gumption and the drive to achieve what is otherwise an impossible task for many - let alone run- many don't attempt to walk if they lose both their legs. Amazed at the sheer hypocrisy of the people who complain about "unfairness". I cant get over the fact that many of the best known sportspeople in the baseball games build their muscles by pumping themselves with harmones - and go on to smash records- and you have people jumping over themselves to wish them well. In that crowd, one man who has taken on his own nemesis & managed to reach a stage where he can at least stand together with the world's best- needs to be acknowledged & respected. I respect him for what he has done! Way to Go.

Global Growth & changes

Interesting article in the Wall Street Journal. India growing at 9.4% and on the same article, indicates US logging its slowest expansion in 5 years! Times have really changed. I remember a joke that circulated in the internet in the early 2000's where we viewed a world where the US folks would undergo what Indian underwent to get a visa to the US(Wait in the road to get into the US Consulate etc.). Though, I never believed it possible, I am beginning to think that it is a possiblity :) Read another article where it said there would be a requirement of around 100K foreigners to work in India.

Way to go India.

Someone do something about the Road and Traffic!!!! I was in Bangalore for a day and almost missed my flight because of being stuck in the traffic for 3 hours!!! No infrastructure = no growth!

Away & Back

Interesting article that I saw in the Economic Times. The limits to which the Governments go today to attract companies. There was a time when you had Governments who would go out of the way to woo Foreign Investments. Now it is investment from Indian companies itself - anything to be part of the Indian Growth Engine - IT :)