Please join the Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&gid=313719393935

A group created at promoting reduced usage of news consumption through the Paper media. Now is the time to switch and move.

FAQs below:

How will it help? This group is just a medium to promote the idea. The idea that we CAN stop reading the physical newspaper. It is possible to change a habit that we had put on since our school days. The real change comes when we stop subscribing to physical Newspapers. When a lot of us do that and switch to online media, the change will force the Newspaper agencies to stop delivering news through that medium. That is when we will have far less number of trees to be cut down. Eventually we can be in a position where the rate of cutting down trees will be lesser than their growth and plantation. We can regain a greener and cleaner world. Newspapers are just the first step, but a big one at that.

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This is in response to an article by Sagarika Ghose

First of, after reading all goodie goodie stuff about this movie, I am glad to read a different opinion. However, I find it to be a one-way analysis of the movie. I think Sagarika Ghose has got it incorrect. The movie doesn’t say “Don’t Study”, it says “Do what you love to”. If she thinks a movie, however powerful it is, can make India a nation of idiots, her entire career as a journalist understanding India has gone for a toss.

Many of us have not been part of those “elite schools – the IITs,IIMs, AIIMS, NIFTs, Design, Mass media and Architecture schools”, and have seen first hand, how rote learning in our regular engineering, science or arts colleges diminish our ability to learn the subject, whereas creativity and innovation go for a bounce.

We have seen the effects of complying to what teachers say as god’s word and textbooks as religious scriptures. They suppressed our ability to question and stand on our own. Remember the hysteria of writing the incorrect year for a historical event because our faulty text book said so. We did that to get marks, we killed factual truth to obtain success.

Those elite schools I mentioned above are certainly better off then the rest of the system, but if 3 idiots is a reflection on our larger education system, it has certainly struck a point. After all in a democracy, “masses are always right”.

Of course Rancho is a super human, but that is what most Indian movies are about “escapism”, and we love escapism, so that we can get back to the grind of our daily reality refueled with more determination.

The bigger message of the movie was “Purse excellence, Success will follow”. It doesn’t say pressure is bad, but one that leads to student suicide is certainly not worth it, wherever it comes from. Student suicide rates are way too high in India. Though this is also a problem in East Asia (South Korea and Japan especially).

Our target should be to develop as a nation, coz once we reduce poverty and inequity, population is under control and in harmony with nature, we will be able to say “Alll izzz well”

I am a proud gujarati, who occasionally feels ashamed when reminded of what happened in 2002. As a resident of Ahmedabad during those horrible days, I am fully “authorised” to speak my mind and thoughts on it.

This website, www.gujaratriots.com, represents the “state of denial” of many of my folks in Gujarat. This website looks to be created with the agenda of “rewriting the history” probably funded by well-wishers of the “honourable CM”. I certainly admire him for his non-corrupt, pro-development leadership style, which some like Nandy see as a dangerous trend. Everyone knows the truth about what the CM did in 2002

I have a clear message to owners of this website: “Have some shame……….Don’t deny what the murderers did. Every single resident of gujarat knows the truth. Whom are you trying to fool? There is absolutely no difference between the Pakistanis, who are in a continuous state of denial of their own terrorist activities and you. Do a little service to humanity by bringing the actual “real truth” instead of the truth that you are trying to create through this website. Atleast fear God and Karma, if you believe in it.”

I somehow have a disbelief in a migration theory that we all have our ancestors hailing from Africa. I believe that human beings have evolved simultaneously on various parts of earth from similar ancestors. I am no Gene Scientist or an Anthropologist, but based on my current level of knowledge and logic, I am strongly convinced that what I said above has a chance to be true.

However, being a man of science, I am going to give a shot to the genome project, a 5-year long research study by National Geographic and IBM, started in 2005. The study is based on the hypothesis that Africa is the motherland of all human beings. It will trace migrations of our ancestors thousands of years ago, based on our DNA samples and computer databases.

I plan to participate in the genome study and trail my ancestory to Africa and will have no surprises, if at the end of 5 years, this study reveals something different than the African motherland theory.

This post is rather late, but I want to begin by thanking all the donors, who helped me raise almost Rs. 28,000 for donating it to a charity Child Aid Foundation in Vijaywada, Andhra Pradesh. Special thanks to an anonymous donor, who contributed 1/3rd of that amount raised.

Now about the marathon. This is the first time I ever took part in a Marathon, ofcourse, it was the 21 Km half-marathon. Full Marathon is still 2 years away.

After running half-marathon (21 Kms) in Mumbai Marathon, I am reminded of my earlier experience of being a part of the long distance Skating Rallies as a school kid. Endurance is the key in such events.

The route started from VT Station thorough Marine Drive, Chowpatty, Pedar road, Haji Ali sea face, we took a u–turn below Worli flyover and came back on the same route.

The journey was NOT tiring as I expected, but instead my legs were giving up, especially in the second half. At times, I feared a muscle pull or similar injuries. I managed by slowing down or simply walking small stretches in between.

Some moments captured in my mind:

1) Passing the start line, along with thousands of other half-marathoners.

2) Taking a turn from Pizzeria Circle onto Marine Drive, with Kingfisher cheerleaders pumping up the spirits.

3) The sight of the leaders of the race I participated were already returning back (had completed 16 kms from start), when I had just cleared Chowpatty (8 –Kms from the start),

4) The Western Naval Command had its own Band playing live for us, near Haji Ali Juice Centre, provided us a feeling that we were a part of the Republic Day Parade.

5) A group of around 30 leading runners in the full marathon (42 Kms) passed by our side, when we reached half-distance, even though they started an hour late. They were led by a range of stout security men on bullet motorcycles and open jeeps.

6) Residents of Pedar Road (Annie Besant Road) coming out in full force to support the runners. Children were excited to see so many people running.

7) Peddar Road was the most difficult part to run, due to its hilly structure.

Residents shelled out Banners written with “Never, never, never give up”, “Run Mumbai Run” & other inspiring thoughts.

9) While on track, the two languages I heard the most were: English & Gujarati (Yes, Gujjus are becoming sporty too)

A Photographic Essay Follows:

Thousands gather in the dark. Spirits are high. Start time 6:45 A.M.

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One of the bravest movies of “redefining bollywood” era, Black Friday, is a one more must watch documentary-styled drama after Kabul Express. One should watch it for the event it reflects, which reminds us of the grim days Mother India saw, difficult to imagine in the now fast moving Post-Godhra India. The intentions of its makers to display the truth bypasses media coverage of such events. The movie is an educational tool for the 1993 Bombay blasts as they come alive for our generation, which was then too young to understand the events of those time and relate it to the current context, but who saw it all repeat in Gujarat riots, 9/11, and the series of bomb blasts in Mumbai and elsewhere. (The world never seems to learn from its past mistakes.)

Based on a book by the same name, which documents the investigation and proceeding in tremendous detail and authored by an Indian Muslim Hussain Zaidi, the movie helps bollywood enter a new stream, which uses multiple strong actors (kay kay menon, aditya srivastava, pavan malhotra of nukkad fame) rather than stars, which was the case with Kabul Express.

From any normal viewer’s eye, every actor has performed great. Cinematography has been fabulous with great background music from Indian Ocean. An interesting addition in the movie were real life footages of important political personalities of that time giving out statements on national TV. The footage of demolition of Babri-Masjid was embedded in a striking manner in the movie. Though the movie is about catching and punishing the “Muslim Terrorists”, many parts of the movie sufficiently show the “Hindu Fundamentalists” as the cause of the problems. Surprising, how the Sangh Parivar tolerated this, but banned Parzania in Gujarat (there’s no official ban though!!)

The movie sounds realistic, except for one discussion scene between the cop(kay kay menon) and terrorist(aditya srivastava), where the jihad is once again justified by the terrorist, and the good Indain cop claims Allah to be on the side of good, even though he was not a muslim. Police is not a super-hero as it gets tired while chasing the bad guys, it uses abusive methods to interrogate, work in 24×7 schedules after the blasts and show a tendency to be complacent. All this reflect the reality.

The element of drama or humour is scarce in the movie, foul words used whereever necessary, and blood-litted bodies describe the moments of pain. The scenes of blast have been made in an exemplary method, using sounds that tremble your senses and visuals that melt your heart.

Bravo!! Censor Board, for letting this movie go through. Though released two years after its completion, the movie has already won prizes at International Film Festivals abroad in the mean time and is already receiving a lot of critical acclaim in India. Watch it to save India from this madness once again. Fundamentalists and Terrorists are a curse for every religion and this movie reminds us that we still have work to do even if we have 10% GDP growth.

This time, though, India is taking over Britain. Be it softpower of Shilpa Shetty or Chicken Curry or Corporate wins like Tata over Tetley and Corus. The two countries share a love-story that contains both affection and enmity on a variety of issues.

The already well-established South Asian Diaspora led by Gujaratis and Punjabis is a highly visibil force in UK. BBC is flanked by a good number of journalists and anchors of Indian Origin. Indias reach many part of Americas and Europe via London. There is just so much activity between the two countries, that it compels me to say that Britain’s Soft Colonisation by India might lead to a day, when Britain becomes the crown in India’s Global Soft Crown.

One can only therefore, conclude that the Raj seems to be Re-established and that too the other way round.

Yes, I am running the Mumbai Marathon this Sunday, 21st Jan, 2007 for the first time and I am not only testing my endurance, but also running for a cause, which many of us believe in: Child Education. I am running the half-marathon (21 Kms) and it is going to be real tough.

Well incase, you wish to run now, you can’t, because the registrations are over!! They say the slots are full. But dont worry, you can still be a part of it, how? Read on.

Dear Friends/Colleagues/Relatives/To-be-inlaws/Ex-Gfs,

I am running for a cause and the cause is to provide education to children in some of the most downtrodden parts of our country. Many NGOs are doing this great work. I am raising money for one such NGO Child Aid Foundation (http://www.childaidfoundation.org/ ) based in Vijaywada. I have no direct connection with them. But looking at their work profile, I thought it was ideal to donate the money to them.

All the money is donated to Child Aid Foundation VIA GiveIndia (http://www.giveindia.org/), a highly reputed NGO, ensuring accountability and transparency. Give India will ensure that all the money we donate is properly used. Infact, all the donors will get a detailed feedback as to where exactly is the money spent. We get to exactly know that on which individuals is the money spent and on providing them which services(may be it books, mid-day meals, teaching or blankets) with a detailed break-up. Thus accountability is ensured.

So, if you believe in the cause that I believe in, come forward and help me build a corpus, which can transform the lives of many in need. Sorry for writing late, but it has to be fast, before 20th Jan, 2007. ( i.e just 4 days). The amount can be anything you wish from Rs. 10 to Rs. 10,000/- . Each of the donors will get individual feedback.

To start up I am contributing Rs. 1000/- (One Thousand) in cash myself. My family members have pledged another Rs. 1000/-

There are several methods to donate:
(You will receive a receipt/confirmation in each of this cases from Give India. Donations are tax deductible in India & US)

1) For those who are in Ahmedabad or Mumbai, I can collect the Cheque favouring “Give India” or Cash from you.

2) For Donating Online, If you are based in US goto: http://www.giveworld.org/pledge.htm

Put in the following details there and follow the steps:
Name: Tapan Shah
Email: tapsboy@gmail.com
Amount($): Whatever you wish

3) For Donating Online, If you are in India, UK, Australia, Canada, NZ, UAE or anywhere else in the world goto: http://www.giveindia.org/give/pledge.jsp

Put in the following details there and follow the steps:
Amount(INR): Whatever you wish
Name: Tapan Shah
Email: tapsboy@gmail.com

Looking Forward towards your valuable contribution.

Your Truely,
Tapan

In a multi-part series, I will be trying to analyse why orkut has become a big rage in India and whether is it going to die soon??

Some history first:

Well long years back, in 1999, I had opened my first email account on hotmail, which I use till date. Web-based emails were the best thing to keep in touch with your friends round the world. ICQ was also available then, and it instantly became my key weapon to get connected. Then came yahoo messenger followed by msn. For years after 2000 to 2004-5 things were largely stable on net.

Meanwhile, Google was already becoming a force on the Internet, simply because of that one search textbox on a white background page that they had made finding information easy for most Internet users. Then they expanded into mails, and loads of other services. The company focussed on employees like most other software companies do. They kept on the entrepreneurial energy of their early days by making a policy, where employees have to give 20% of their time on some project they like. Orkut was launched as part of one such project by an Israeli with the same name. This is a version of the history, that many talk about. Whatever the history may be, reality check says the orkut has been rage in Brazil and is fast catching up in India.

So what special did orkut offer that caught the eyes of not so net-savvy generation of Indians. Why did friendster, hi5 and loads of other social networks being used in limited circles before remained there only, whereas orkut took over from the beginning of 2006?

1) Well, several web analysts have identified that a social network that may work in country X may not work in country Y. This biggest factor that contributes to this drift is the variation in user preferences that in turn depend on the overall culture of the society. Orkut somehow made it users feel safe to put their picture in the profile, along with a few more in the album (or atleast tat was the case some weeks back, recent events have changed the game).

2) Signups are based on invitation only. Additionally, they dont source your whole address book from your hotmail, yahoo or any other address book. Thus, people will put in efforts to join only if they are interested. Now, once you get to a level, where there are a lot of interested regular users of your network, more will be inclined to join it, and that is how orkut made its name here.

3) Fan list, Cool, Sexy and trusty ratings, and of course, the sleek interface is very user-friendly; google brand name gives it more boost, but fundamentally, orkut does deliver a knockout punch to all other social networks in terms of usability, even if they were more original in ideas.

4) People could communicate easily with other through the scraps. And ofcourse, people can peep into their friend’s life by reading scraps written to them by others. Most features provided on orkut are being used, except for the mailbox, which is total shit. Mail is one more option , in case you want to send a private message!

I have realized that I need to change the name of my blog to something better.

So here it is “Invent the future”, straight of my favourite quote “The easiest way to predict the future is to invent it”.

A lot of movie reviews amongst other things have been pending on this blog. Will get onto it soon!!

Any bloggers from Ahmedabad if you read this, please mail me on tapsboy@gmail.com, we can worktogether to get Ahmedabad on metroblogging