PS1 coach in Pallavan - A journey to remember!

PS1 - Canteen + Passengers coach

When you book tickets in Pallavan Express, specifically tell them not to book in PS1 coach unless you are desperate to travel. I know this is not possible online; but even if it is about losing reservation charges, try to re-book and get a different coach.

Last weekend, I happened to travel in this coach. One half of the coach is pantry and rest is for passengers (60 numbers). Slowly, we were able to constantly feel the oily smell and kind of mild heat. In-spite of the keeping the windows open, the smell or heat continued to be there. After crossing half-way distance, one of my co-passenger asked the railway staff to keep the main doors of the coach open for which they objected saying that someone might trip and fall if kept open. But without keeping the door open, we were not going to get relief and so after lot of argument, shouting and fighting with the pantry staff and TTE, the door was kept open and one staff stood to alert people to take care of the open door when they pass through. Once the door was kept open, it made huge difference.

The bloody TTE says we have to write a complaint about this coach to the authorities. But isn't this a common sense? Why someone would wait for a complaint to take action? Which idiot railway authority approved this kind of having pantry and passengers in the same coach? If some fire accident happen in the pantry, it will put the entire life of the passengers in that coach at risk.

Assuming Rs. 100 per ticket, railways gets Rs. 6000 for the 60 seats in that coach. Why railways have to stoop to beggars - pushing every nook & corner to be converted to seats and make money? The staff who came and argued, but then gave in to our argument said that this is how the system is, since 1983 ! Only when railway authorities travel, they would know the real problem. But then, they have every thing free and so why would they chose a second class; they will comfortably travel in Ac coach. The common man seem to be the idiot.

மேல் அதிகாரிகளுக்கு complaint எழுத சொல்றாங்க - I doubt whether it is a human or a கழுதை or பண்ணி or சொறி நாய் sitting as authority, unmindful of the ill-effect of this.

Switching from Suburban trains to MRTS

For almost two years, I was comfortably taking the Suburban Train First Class for my (earlier) office iSOFT, located near Palmgrove hotel. But shifting to new office in LB Road, Adyar posed only one problem - commuting. I just couldn't bring myself to think about driving by bike all the way. I hate to use my car for 2 reasons - it is criminal to use it for single man purpose and if there is a public transport facility, that should be availed. Of course, I don't include crowded buses as mode of public transport - they are just not ideal to travel with laptop and backpacks that too in peak hours.

I went by bike the first day. Instead of taking the known devil of Guindy route from Nanganallur, I tried to act smart by taking the Velachery route. I mentally prepared not to get agitated all the way and sure, there were lot of triggering points. The 5 minute wait at SRP Tools junction and 10 minute wait to take right towards Tiruvanmiyur from Tidel side almost got me. While coming back, I decided to take Guindy route, but got stuck near Raj Bhavan for 5-10 minutes. I decided it is not going to work and so took the MRTS option the next day.

From my place, it is just a 4 Km neat straight road to Velachery station. The new road would connect with the Mount station and then to GST as per the plan in few years time. It is quite a free road (at least now). I took the train and got down at Kasturba Nagar station (12 minutes journey) and from there, it was 10 minute walk to the office. I came back the same way and didn't feel any strain or stress. I took a season ticket - quarterly pass up to Beach. So excluding my bike ride up to the station, parking and reaching the platform, it is only 30 minutes to reach office from the time I board the train.

One biggest advantage is that MRTS are neither crowded nor permit foot-board traveling unlike suburban trains. The little drawback is the frequency in the non-peak hours; have to track the latest timing and reach the station. Otherwise, spend up wasting 20 or 30 minutes in those big stations.

Samsung Mobile - My experience

I was a staunch Nokia user, but when my one month old Nokia 3110C got pick-pocketed, I had to chose Samsung M200 because it was the only mobile available in that price range with similar features. Just four months into use, I found it restarting often without any specific sequence. I took it to service centre where they replaced the software but again the same problem kept occurring. I took it the second time and told him to either rectify or replace as it was within warranty period of one year.

I was told that there is indeed a mother board fault and so, they will get it replaced - either with a new mother board or set. I was asking for a set as replacing MB is going to be same as new one. Luckily, they didn't have any M200 in stock and so they offered C3212 Dual SIM model as replacement. I was asked to bring the old mobile with the box and accessories to the Samsung office at Radhakrishnan Salai and was given the new one. The unfortunate part is that the warranty start date of the new mobile is same as the previous one (it takes the date of old mobile purchase date).

So, if your mobile is giving some problem in the first year, insist on getting it replaced and don't easily accept the "software re-installation" solution. Why should a software problem occur in the first year of purchase and who knows it that would solve? We, as layman wouldn't know and have to rely on them. Why not insist to give a bug free product.

In my case, I was curious to know why they offered C3212 as replacement. I was told that they will try to give a new model whose price is same as the problematic mobile (and ignore if the difference is Rs. 100 or so).

Grammar Guru - A must read for anyone who wants to write better English

The article that appears in 'Times of India' every Monday gives useful insight into understanding the English grammar. It is written by Dr.Saraswati in simple manner that anyone could follow. Last week, I read on the usage of the definite article 'the' and I felt myself bad on not having understood 'the' completely.

I don't know if this article is read by the people who require it most - the English students' and those in industry who interact with external customers. Importantly, if these are taught in schools and colleges by the English teachers' in the form of weekly activity, it will enrich the student and make teachers' also to learn more.

In India, we don't teach the essentials or the practical application of a theorem. Exams are for the sole purpose to score high marks and proudly display certificates.

Street Dog Puppies

A week back, a stray dog delivered 8 puppies (octuplets?) and was using the the decommissioned ironing vehicle (lying opposite our apartment) as its abode. It used to growl when we go near to check. But once we started to feed her food (as the mother looked very skinny), the growling stopped. It realized that we will not harm its family !

It started raining the next day and so one morning, we found the mother and puppies have moved into our car park (which is just near the apartment main gate and the flats are inside) and sitting comfortably below one of the cars. Whenever that car was taken out, it will move to the adjacent car. The advantage is that there will be always one car in the parking lot. But one of the new born died possibly due to the rain. But the other 7 were doing okay.

Now, the mother dog has become very friendly and almost started expecting food and knows who gives at what time - it even follows us up to our flat entrance. Anyway, we all feed something from our meal everyday for the sake of puppies.

Some pictures

இயற்கையுடன் இரண்டு நாட்கள் - Short & sweet vacation at Yercaud

After much planning and without any last minute surprises, I, with my wife and kid went for a vacation at Yercaud. The resort was Lake Forest Hotel, an affliate of Mahindra Resorts, located at the centre of Yercaud. We had a very good break and felt living with nature in all aspects.

இயற்கையுடன் இருந்தால் எவ்வளவு நன்றாக இருக்கும் என்பதை, இந்த மாதரி இடங்களுக்கு சென்று அனுபவித்தால் தான் உணரமுடியும் என்பது இன்றைய வாழ்க்கையின் நிலை ஆகிவிட்டது.

We realized the important role, the resort's location and accommodation plays to enrich the stay. If we had taken normal rooms in other hotels, I don't think I would have ever
enjoyed as much as I had enjoyed in the LFH resort

For an elaborate detail on the trip - Read at
Short & Sweet vacation to Yercaud

Highway Toll - Taking a toll in purse

What seem to be a good, beautiful, smooth ride in our highways turns out to be heart-burning when it comes to toll amount that is charged. Recently for my trip to Yercaud (Chennai - Krishnagiri - Salem - Yercaud route), I paid Rs. 242 each way thus Rs. 484 in total plus Rs. 15 for climbing the Yercaud mountain way. Rs. 500 spent for toll alone.

The perplexing aspect is the amount that is levied - it purely seem to be whims and fancies of the toll agency. There were totally 6 toll booths. The amount collected goes like this - Rs. 30, 25, 35, 45, 60, 47. The last one 47 is the most bizarre of all - they can very well charge 50

These highways are supposed to be built like this with the tax payers money as part of basic amenities. Now, we are given a picture as though these are built at very high expenditure and thus collect money from people

TOLLS are nothing, but just HIGHWAY ROBBERS

Fuel price hike won't affect consumers: Deora

For these kind of donkeys and 'useless citizens' of India, everything is free. Only when an individual earns by doing some work and pay from that earning, he / she will realise the pinch of price hike and coping with the same.

See, how unabashedly, this nonsense fellow has made comment that Rs. 35 hike should spread out as Rs. 1 per day for family that consumes 1 LPG and so it is not at all a hike!!

Fuel price hike won't affect consumers: Deora

Wearing shorts to Temples

Wonder why guys who come to worship wearing shorts as though they treat it as a picnic spot. One might ask - What's in a dress? Then we can have exemption for everything. Why can't they just stick to tradition at least to th temples - by coming in dhoti or full pant? These guys think they were born and brought up in US.

I saw a guy yesterday at a Narasimhar Temple (at Moovarasampet near Nanganallur). This temple is most revered and supposed to be centuries old. The 'Pavithrotsavam' was underway and none of the typical elders in the temple management seem to be bothered about stressing some dress code. Hmm ..If a girl would have worn a shorts and entered the temple, they will think that it is abacharam and raise a big issue. Dress code should be uniform and strict like how it is done in Guruvayurappan style temples.

Wearing Shorts has become a de-facto in our current life-style - at office outings, beaches, picnics; but I think we should have some line drawn between partying and temple visit.

Kareena Kapoor Strip-tease & Sony Vaio

If the advertisement had just said that Sony Vaio is available in different flavours or colours, that would be sufficient. I don't need Kareena Kapoor doing a strip-tease to make me buy that product. No IDIOT buys a laptop (or for that matter, electronic gadgets like these) because it is endorsed by a popular personality.

It is still a wonder why advertising agencies (and the companies) believe that star endorsement is still a selling point for these kind of products? Why waste huge amount of money on a person (for doing cat walking and displaying the product) when people buy that product out of respect and performance of the brand?

Is there a Financial clause by which money spent on advertising can be shown as an 'Expense' (or 'loss') and claimed deduction from paying tax? Not sure.

People don't remember who endorsed Sony Vaio 10 years from now. They will still look towards 'SONY' for its legacy, usability, pricing and features.

'Live Traffic' gadget in blog

This gadget at least helps us to know who has been visiting our blog and what they have been reading. Whether the writing or article makes sense or not, we can feel happy that someone in this world is dropping and reading our jottings.

GMail ID - Dots insignificant

Ever realised GMail treats your mail ID with or without dots as the same? Know this so that you don't delete some mails thinking as spam!

My ID doesn't have a dot. I have sometimes wondered how mails sent to the same ID as mine (with a dot in the middle) land in my inbox. I ignored couple of times as spam, but the third time got me curious to check. Back of the mind, I thought GMail had a bug :-) which I can write to them about and get it fixed.

But I when I carefully looked at the mail header part (sent to my ID with dot), I saw a small snippet "(Yes, this is you.) Learn more. When I clicked that 'Learn more', it took me to a page and explained why it is so

Gmail doesn't recognize dots as characters within usernames, you can add or remove the dots from a Gmail address without changing the actual destination address; they'll all go to your inbox, and only yours
homerjsimpson@gmail.com = hom.er.j.sim.ps.on@gmail.com
homerjsimpson@gmail.com = HOMERJSIMPSON@gmail.com
homerjsimpson@gmail.com = Homer.J.Simpson@gmail.com

PS: Having a dot to show clarity in your mail ID is of least significance for the mail server!

Argos.Co.Uk - Sand at a Price

I was searching a suitable play item in Argos for my 1.6 year old daughter. Few of my colleagues are there at UK and I thought I will ask them to get.

I discovered an Interesting "Toy"
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3650574/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7CToys+and+games%7C14417629.htm

Sand for a price? whatever they term it - refined and safe to play with, no bacteria and properly filtered, blah, blah. Still, I just cannot imagine how still sand is packaged and marketed ! Or did I get it completely wrong?

I think our local politicians would be delighted to introduce this as a play item in India - anyway, all sand quarries are under some politicians control - legally or illegally, though the latter is the usual norm.

"தாய் மண்ணே வணக்கம்" என்று சொல்லி கொள்ளை அடிப்போம்

FIFA 2010 - Observation on the QFs

Brazil showed excellent defense in the first half in their QF against Holland. But they could not even maintain even 50% of that in the second half. Frustration was growing evident in the Brazil camp as they kept losing the plot.

Germany, in their QF against Argentina showed excellent defense throughout the match. They also scored a very early goal like Brazil, but they didn't allow their defense to get weaken and kept attacking.

Pele and Maradona were (and are) at war of words. Two greats throwing brickbats in childish manner (Pele was throwing more). Both their countries are out.

Hotel Palmgrove - No more a place for middle class

The food prices are way too above for a middle class to think about affording. Having such a large group of Hotels (and real estate), the hotel can offer a competitive price on food menu. Till 3 years back, South Indian meal used to be Rs.55 inclusive of service tax. It has been jumping slowly ever since and now it is R.98 (with service tax). The quality & quantity remains same with zero improvement and there are no other change to ambiance as well (in order to justify).

Let Palmgrove not quote the rising inflation as the reason. A largely or commonly consumed food certainly cannot jump from Rs. 55 to Rs.98 (an increase of Rs.43 in 3 years). It puts Palmgrove in line with some of the Mutual Fund dividend schemes except that it is in reverse.

Many of us have stopped or avoid going there for lunch as there is no value for money. To top it, the waiters expect a tip for their service - stand their scratching their head or giving a smile (or salaam) at you indicating that the job is not done.

Why the hell they charge service tax separately and encourage waiters also to receive tip?

Southern Railways Website

This is one of the most prominent yet useless website if you are looking to lodge a complaint / suggestion to the India's greatest employer.

If we type www.srailway.com, it directs us to http://southernrailway.gov.in. But there is still a link "Please use our new official website address : www.southernrailway.gov.in" !!!


There are two supposedly important links if we scroll down to the last - Public Relations & Public Grievances. Guess what is displayed (see below image)

Nanganallur to Nanganallur Via Nanganallur

Last Saturday, 26th June, I took out my car to go to Kodambakkam. I usually take the Pazhavanthangal subway to reach the GST. It had just started drizzling and then developed into a steady rain. Here is the interesting sequence of events. People who know this locality will be able to understand more easily on the routes mentioned.

1. When I reached the subway, I could see vehicles moving slowly as it was water-logged up to knee level (for half an hour's rain). One vehicle was stuck and hence it took more time to overtake by turns (as it is not a big subway in terms of width).
2. I realised that it will be worse when we come back as all 3 important subways connecting Nanganallur is prone for water-logging. Hence decided to come back via the Thillai Ganga nagar subway.
3. It was in worst state already. I could see 5-6 cars waiting in the downward slope just to see if they can wade through the water. I decided to take a U-Turn to come back home via Pazhavanthangal subway itself. Many other followed the same. We warned all incoming vehicles (from GST side) that there is no point in going forward.
4. I took the left near Trident and drove for 25 meters or so and stopped. I could see a long queue of vehicles trying to cross the subway.
5. I again took a U-Turn and decided to reach home via AM Jain College gate. I had to wait for 15 minutes, but it was better than wading through water with the fear of car getting stuck

For half an hour's rain, this is the situation. These bloody political rascals don't even bother to sort out major issues like these which puts common man in difficulty frequently.

Kannadasan - Legend ignored by Tamizh channels

இந்திய தொலைக்காட்சி வரலாற்றில் முதன் முறையாக ...
(first time in the history of Indian TV channel...)

Hope everyone knows the boredom of listening to the above cacophony on every special occasion like Vinayaka Chathirthi, Independence day, Republic day, Pongal, Deepavali. But on June 24th, the birth day of legend Kannadasan, no channel were ready to pay respect or at least showcase his works even for an hour.

I came across a program in Podigai Tamizh Channel about him and his compositions around 9 PM for an hour's time. At least this channel took some effort in honouring this great legend, at least on his Birthday.

Poor DMK and its leader - if the CM had not been busy with Tamizh conference (Tamizh is more important than Kannadasan), he would have paid his respects by placing a garland at his statue (and thus make public suffer in the heat by stopping traffic)

Semmozhiam Tamizmozhi - செம்மொழியாம் தமிழ்மொழி

While listening to the recent "Theme" song of DMK party (err ..sorry ...Tamiz Conference), I wonder why many singers chose to SHOUT rather SING? I dislike AR Rahman in this one aspect - he sometimes goes overboard and tries to render in a high-pitch (which is still okay). But he need to see if the people can render it without shouting.

The Tamiz Theme song resembles lot of Western style of singing - may be the "Shouters" grew up listening to lot of Western music and think that only if they shout, others can hear.

WHERE IS THE MELODY IN THE THEME SONG OF SEMMOZHI? செம்மொழி இல் மெல்லிசை இல்லை

May be as per AR Rahman - எல்லா கத்தலும் இறைவனுக்கே!

Google Vs Bing - Who provides the right answer?

I started 'how to' and Google came up with a list. Topping that list was 'How to get pregnant'. I was curious to see what Bing produces and it had 'how to tie a tie'.

I tried Bing in IE as well as Chrome. The same trial was done with Google in IE and Chrome. Luckily, there was no difference (as it should be).

Cuil, whereas came up with 'how to choose'.

Not sure how page ranking is applied and why Pregnancy should be something on top in Google's search !