Virtual Border Security Force (Tech Watch)

Those who don't want to live in paranoid border state; they should spend some amount of time trolling http://www.blueservo.net/. Thousands of people around the world volunteering to patrol the 2000 km long stretch border between Texas and Mexico via the web. They can monitor live feeds from hidden cameras installed near these borders. If these virtual police officers or virtual border guard find anything suspicious, they send a message to the sheriff's office via web.

"By having extra pairs of eyes; and if it helps to prevent crime by our mere presence then that is a very great thing." says TBSC executive director Don Reay.

Jesus Era Shroud !

Jerusalem: For the first time, a team of archaeologists and scientists says it has found burial shroud from the time of Jesus' tomb in Jerusalem. The cemetery called the Field of Blood, where Judas Iscariot is believed to have killed himself. The shroud found near the city of Jerusalem; but it is totally different from Turin Shroud (Turin Shroud is a centuries old linen cloth that bears the image of a crucified man; people believe to be the Jesus). Per proven case; body of a man wrapped in shroud was a Jewish priest or member of high social class family, who died of leprosy.

Nobel laureate Mother Teresa - No rest in peace !

Foreign Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said "Mother Teresa was an Indian citizen and she is resting in her own country, her own land (per PRESS release). The question for returning her remains does not arise at all". He was replying to Albanian governments demand for the return of the remains of Mother Teresa.

Mother Theresa was "Saint of the Gutters" for her work among the poor.

Mother Teresa once said: "By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world."

If the church declares her to be a saint would that be enough to go to Heaven?
No, but she did good things in her life; so she is eligible to be there !

She must be watching these events from heaven !

Nobel Prize for Obama

Child’s first birthday is celebrated before he is born! This is what happened for Barrack Obama!

He deserves the Nobel Prize for peace on following reason

(1) He chaired UN Security council for Nuclear Disarmament (first time in history by a US President)
(2) Reducing troops in Iraq
(3) Remediation in Middle East process
(4) Soft and careful approach against Iran
(5) Abandoning missile defense (Russia’s biggest concern)
(6) North Korea approach.
(7) Concentrating on domestic issues
(8) Concentrating on Afghanistan to tackle terrorism
(9) Introducing additional monitoring measures on Pakistan funding
(10) Introducing new measures to tackle financial market

Noble Prize is a great recognition for him.
It is an inspired choice. He gave a sense of hope to people around the world.

Congratulations Mr. President!

Twittering "Indian" Minister

Cattle class! Next time I will definitely feel when I travel in economy; atleast I will feel that I am from COW loving country!

By the way what did he speak?

Did he say economy class as cattle class? Did he say politicians are holy cows?
He was more polite; he replied to one of the questions as “absolutely, in cattle class out of solidarity with all our holy cows”.

Is our political party and its leaders are humorless, that something we do not have to prove.

How may people visit Twitter? May be 10 to 20% of Indian public?

He is not sitting in UN Building, New York. He is in India; a billion people, who believe in certain culture, depend on “desi” economy. He is MOS for foreign affairs. He cannot speak or write like that.

Traditional words I would like to repeat here; “It is not his mistake”.

ReadyMade Onam

Yesterday was auspicious day for any Keralite. People celebrate Onam with gaiety and fervor.

Morning we woke up and my wife had already bought few ready made packets of flowers for pookalam; onam celebrations are marked by intricate flower carpets called Pookalam.

Special poojas and prayers conducted. All members of family were waiting for highpoint; the Onasadya.

I asked my wife; hows the preparation going on; she replied with beautiful smile “everything will be ready in few minutes”. My mom was busy chanting prayers. I looked at my mom; where is her one leg gone; actually she is standing on leg and praying for all our familys deergayasu (long life). Actually I was not sure whether Lord Shiva was really impressed!

On time; enormous lunch called Onasadya was ready but some of the items were made with ready-mades.

One of my friends called me and said “hey…there is a new restaurant has come up in south Mumbai. Are you joining for a dinner with us for Onam Celebrations”; I said “I will try to make it”

A readymade Onam this time! I believe going forward all malayalees (Keralites) will depend on readymade foods.

It was a great Onasadya but Maveli Landed with mask and sanitizer due to Swine Flu scare!

Happy onam!

Shah Rukh Khan - Detention at Newark - USA

Our great Abdul Kalam frisked; but he did not utter a single word, It happened in Indian soil. It is against the Airline Security protocols that they should not frisk high dignitaries. (It was a sad event happened in Indian soil – That is because of our spineless government at Center).

After India's embassy in the US intervened; Shah Rukh Khan was released; actor said he felt angry and humiliated. He went on saying he was questioned because of his name and his religion.

The news was widely reported in India media.
Why to make issue when there is no issue at all!
It is good for him to down play this event.

There was no single incident of terrorism in US Land after 9/11. We guys should learn good lessons from US Home Land Security rather than accusing them.

Americas kissed the pig and world pissed on Americas!

After the first death in Pune, India; we saw a panic grip on entire Mumbai. Panic was because of contagiousness nature, sudden outbreak of the disease and its actual mortality.

There was madness in the city. Rush for mask and sanitizer.

I went to medical store and asked for mask. He showed me 2-3 different variety of masks and asked me to wear it to make sure that it suits me. I paused and teriffied; and told myself "hey boy if i would have been a pig; i would have kissed your mouth for this negligence. (He was not sure that H1N1 Virus spread through our mouth/nostril/eyes).

Americas kissed the pig and world pissed on Americas!

'virginity test' and India Brides

There was a state-run mass marriage last month; it was impressive.

Most of them were from poor/tribal families.
This test happened in MP.

Most of the guys were cheerful to see a "virgin girl"; that too tested and certified by the state. (as written in one of the internet news website). Shameful to see this write up ! Many women complained that the exercise was shameful and humiliating.

It is really sad when poor women had to undergo such tests to prove their chastity to avail government financial support.

where our human rights activists are? In Palestine or in Kashmir or elsewhere?

You decide !

William Shakespeare named UK's greatest national treasure

Britain's greatest national treasure was officially revealed to be...William Shakespeare !

Shakespeare written and produced many of his known work between 1589 and 1613. He died in 1616. William Shakespeare-known for his plays like 'Romeo and Juliet', 'Hamlet'. His poems, sonnets and plays are highly popular and are constantly studied today.

Wow !

It took 394 years for Brits to declare a treasure of this kind !

Lohithadas Died

Ambazhathil Karanakuran Lohithadas died following a massive heart attack. He was 54.

One day he said; we "malayalees" have a specialty; we people love and respect artist/individual after his or her death.

He started his career in the literary field as a short story writer. Later he turned to films as a scriptwriter. He scripted the award-winning screenplay for Thaniyavarthanam. This first work was recognised and brought him Kerala State Film Award for Best Story.

The stories and scripts written by him will be enough for future generations to understand the genius of Lohithadas.

MJ Dies at 50 !

Namaste ! Mein hindusthan aa raha hun !

This was the advertisement I watched in MTV in 1996. I was there in Rs.1500 gallery; I watched his spectacular stage show when he performed in Mumbai in 1996.

He died pauper though he earned millions. His music was inspirational since the time I started to listen (may be since 1980). He leaves a legacy of changing the music world as he passed away.

TV channels around the world showed this tragic news. MJs 'star' on the Walk of Fame, in Hollywood Blvd, LA, was transformed into a makeshift shrine to the late pop icon.

His music will hit in the market and could be no.1 again in music charts.

Thanks to MJ. Thanks for his great music. Thanks for his great show memories. Across the globe; millions will miss him.

Azhikode called Achuthandan a dog

I remember the day; when 85-year-old leader reacted to Major Unnikrishnan death by saying that “had it not been Major Unnikrishnan’s home, not even a dog would have glanced at it”. Major Unnikrishnan was killed durng commando operations at the Taj on 26/11.

Now; he accused a literary critic; by saying he described him as a dog that defecates in its cage.

There was outrage nationwide and, finally, an apology from 85-year-old leader itself.

When this dog theory will stop?

Kamala Suraya

I always fall in quandary; when I think about someone of old age who had done craziest thing. The same thought came into my mind about Kamala Das in 1999. Why she did this at this age?

She had written many poems and short stories in Malayalam as well as in English. Her book in English "summer in Calcutta" gave her a good start and name in 1965.

Indian readers responded to her greediness for love, guiltless frankness with regards to her sexual matters.

Her words and speeches always influenced me, and it always made me to travel to my past childhood vacation days spent in my fathers and mothers ancestral house; especially about Sarpa Kavu (Naga Temple), Rice Field and Aal Maram (Banyan Tree or Ficus Benghalensis or Indian Fig Tree). The place influenced me whenever I visited my fathers ancestral house.

She replaced Krishna by Allah; she embraced Islam at the age of 65 in 1999 and afterwards she was known as Kamala Suraya. She had won prestigious awards for her literary contribution including Kent Awards for her English writings.

Her words about Krishna saying “I am converting Krishna into Allah……In Guruvayur now Krishna will not be there; Krishna will be with me”; this infuriated many conservative Hindus.

Kamala Suraya alias Madhavikutty, is no more.
She left Kerala in the name of love.
She died today at the age of 75.

Her contribution to Malayalam and English literature will be remembered always.

Indian Poet for High Post in British Poetry

Arvind Krishna Mehrotra author of An Illustrated History of Indian Literature in English and professor of English at the Allahabad University; was nominated by novelist Amit Chaudhuri and Oxford lecturer of English Peter D McDonald. He is been described as a “Finest Poet in Any Language”. Mehrotra is one of three candidates in the fray for the most high profile post in British poetry.

He never considered English as a non-Indian language; it could be colonial but that doesn’t make less Indian.

a Bitter End

Today May 18th I read news about Prabhakaran’s death. (Unconfirmed Report as per news channel).

If I start to think about him; I had to recollect my 17 years back memories. I had Tamilian friend from Jaffna who was studying for BA in Cochin; I used to hear many stories about LTTE from her.

Years passed; today I am not overjoyed but feel sympathetic too not because of LTTE rebel movement has come to end but Sri Lankan Govt had a person or group to deal with for Tamil cause; that group or person is no more.

I started to think; whether our hands and consciousness were there in this bloody war which has a bitter end. The quarter century war has finally ended. I used to read many articles saying Prabhakaran was created by us to teach Sri Lankan President a lesson; for his disrespectful attitude towards India that time. He suited our needs in all possible ways. Later global politics changed; our priorities changed; our political view also changed. Sri Lankan’s are good in tactics. There was agreement between India and Sri Lanka. We sent peace keeping force to Sri Lanka; in retaliation LTTE killed our great beloved leader.

He became our enemy. We have a great patience. We waited for opportunity. We provided intelligence and logistics support. We trained them. We blocked all possible escapes routes because we know what his tactics are. Finally Sri Lankan government got him.

All Tamil people displaced; now they will settle some other parts of Sri Lanka not in their own home land.

Slumdog Star on Street

Mumbai Municipal Corporation bulldozed the home of a "Slumdog Millionaire" child star. Azhar returned from the glitz of the Academy awards to the same plastic tent near the Bandra railway station. Film won eight Oscars and made nearly 325$ million in box office; but this star still live in slums and not benefited from it.

Power of Vote !

People decided to stay indoors or planned for family get-together on voting day. Surprise; citizens do not see any value in electoral process in-spite their worst experience in last year of terrorist attacks, economic turmoil etc. There were candle light demonstration and marches but never come out to express their duty through ballot papers.

Now, main opposition in current Lokh Sabha suggested to make voting compulsory like in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Switrzerland, Costa Rica, Greece, Singapore and Uruguay. Do they mean; if it made compulsory; the entire Hindus will come out and vote for them? UPA may win; but it may not be from vote from intelligent youth or because of Rahul’s charisma; it could be because Manmohan Singh and his team’s strong commitment to make India a economic super power and also their new policy towards the poor society. NDA should come and take forward all the reforms and good governance including the good things past government had done.

We need to make electoral registration process easier; so that more people will come out and vote next time.

Racist Meeting

The UN Conference turned chaotic after Iran Presidents remarks on West of using the Jews Holocaust as a “pretext” for aggression against Palestinians.

He said United States and Europe had helped to establish Israel at the expense of Palestinians. There were Jews protest. Most Muslim delegations in Geneva stayed away from this issue or decline to comment. USA and Isreal stayed away from conference.

A UN Meeting was to eradicate racism but some experts says Iranian presidents speech would make it more difficult to deal with the ‘very real problem of racism’.

Padma Shri !

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and bowler Harbhajan Singh's absence from the Padma awards ceremony has sparked a controversy. A fan of theirs filed a Criminal case against Mahendra Singh Dhoni and bowler Harbhajan Singh for staying away from Padma Shri awards. Reason for not attending was their commitment to their commercial advertisement. Dhoni and Harbhajan were to be honoured by the award by President of India. Are there any awards for Cricket from Oscar? So that we can club these two awards and also it helps them to find some time to be there and attend the ceremony on time.

About two years back; one of our noted Malayalam writer and social activist Sukumar Azhikode refused to accept the Padma Shri saying it is against his principle and constitution (his words - constitution says everyone has equal rights) but he was happy for the India Sahitya Academy Award and other awards which he received earlier. Does he mean the other awards are as per constitution? We should include Oscar into our constitution, so that he can accept Oscar award next time. And also whenever we give awards; we will give it to all people in respective category.

Learn to respect highest recognition awards given by highest office in the country. What is the point in having name and prominence; if you do not know how to respect people and awards isn’t it?

Language - Identity!

I saw one of my forwarded email or write-ups saying “an Englishmen speak only English; a Frenchmen speak only French; but we Indian have no language to say “this is our language by birth”

My friend; the truth is this country is a home for all of us "no matter what we do; what we speak; what we worship".

Our nation; per 1991 census recognizes 22 languages under that 1,576 classified "mother tongues" which lists 415 living “Languages of India" (with different linguistic accent). Still we are Indians not known outside as Bihari’s or Gujarati’s or whatsoever! Our culture binds us together under a great nation "India". Amazing, right? It is not an easy job!


I have traveled 54 destinations in US and traveled in UK & Europe too in my last 6 years of career; one day I asked one of my friends (happened to be a customer) at coffee shop in Detroit; "your nation’s language is Spanish; do you speak Spanish?" - He said "no I don't but I speak Italian because my family comes from Italy; they migrated long time back about 40 years back"

Our message is love & tolerance; no matter in what form we pass on and what language we speak -and- last not least we do not have to say "we migrated from other country; we are here in this country since 5000 - 8000 years".

I enjoy reading these types of emails and write ups; a moment to explode myself with laughter!

Millionaire from Slum

Slumdog Millionaire !

A.R.Rehman’s song and music in this is not even matching against his other music’s average quality.

Resul Pookutty’s acceptance speech echoes my ears "History is been handed-over to me…….my country and my civilization…” Were these words required or was it necessary?

Slumdog Millionaire won Oscar award for the best film.
There were better movies than Slumdog Millionaire; isn’t’ it?

Why we beg too much for international recognition? First of all it is not an Indian film; it is one hundred percent British film which is made up of Indian cast, British technical crews (up to 85%) and Indian technical crews (up to 15%). If a Hindi film is produced and shot with American Casts will it be considered as an American film?

As an Indian I am happy that these two individuals from India were able to get Oscar awards; absolutely on the basis that it is just like any other prestigious awards.

Fitna

Fitna - the movie. .

The short movie excerpts from religious texts of Islam religion; which projected in hatred and in wrong way. Film describes the creeping tyranny of islamization and radicalization.

Dutch MP; Geert Wilders made this film and he was invited by Independence Party in UK to show his film in the House of Lords. He was denied entry to UK and was sent back from Heathrow airport in Feb2008. Dutch MP is under trail for inciting hatred in his own country.

Port of Entry - India (a reality)

Location: Trivandrum Immigration Center (Trivandrum Airport)
Cast: A Dubai Based Hotel Bar Owner Mr.A (Indian) -and- Egypt Immigrant holding British passport Mr.B -and- few security staff and travelers

Story - Mr.A & Mr.B traveling in emirates flight from Dubai to Trivandrum. They abused and misbehaved with fellow passengers. Women were targeted. Flight landed in Trivandrum International Airport. At the immigration counter they had received preference to get immigration clearance first. Other fellow passengers who traveled in same flight objected for this special treatment. Security staff came into picture. Mr.A & Mr.B had assaulted security officer and brought him down on the floor. Immigrations counter operations was disrupted. Alerted local police station; police appeared in the scene. Immigration cleared and police took them to nearest police station. Police questioned them; after few minutes lawyer came. Police released them with minor charges. Intelligence Bureau questioned state police/govt for this negligence. Enquiry started.

My mistake; this is not a story. This is a real thing happened this week in India (Trivandrum - Port of Entry).

If it would have been in any other countyy (lets say an Indian in place of Mr.A & Mr.B) like in USA, or UK or Any Gulf Country or Europe or Canada or Russia.

Will he be alive to get immigration clearance in first place for hitting security staff and for disrupting immigrations work or will he be in the destination country to enjoy his business or pleasure trip?

Government must understand one thing; if you are strong, then India is strong; if India is strong then Indians are strong ! We are not idiots. A shame for India and for Indians!

By the way; Why gods own country needs all these security and immigration process; isn’t it? After all Kerala is owned and looked after by gods! Nothing to worry!

Indiscriminate Human Atrocity

Israel action in Gaza is a real indiscriminate human atrocity.

World body cannot just sit tight lipped. UN watch dogs are just mere spectators even after 21 days of this kind of cruelty. Diplomatic pressure is not enough.

Horrific and collective punishment will affect innocent lives. Children’s are buried under fire power of Israelites. Israel is not above UN; they have complete right to defend their country that doesn't mean they can unleash cruelty on innocent people.

This world will not forget this disproportional action of Israel.
This is unjustified.