Products & Service Reviews

Wedding Dresses

2012-02-19T08:03:00.000-08:00

Men and women in different stages of live play different roles. This is universally true. So, in different stages of life, playing different roles; there are some special occasions. Marriage is one such special occasion for both men and women. But for women there are more to follow like becoming mother or when they become the mother of the bride. All these special occasions merit special dresses traditionally. However they should be up-to-date with trendy fashion. Here I recommend a online store www.milanoo.com; where you can always look for wedding dresses. They are trendy and of latest fashion. Their products stands apart in crowd. You can buy from the same site cheap maternity wedding dresses. They are of best quality and price. You can choose from their wide range of collections. On their site with the display of dresses , price tag is attached and you will get further discount when you buy online. So with the mother of the bride dresses; they are really amazing ! They have collections to match every taste and budget. Milanoo.com sells all the dresses of highest quality at the most competitive price. They offer a 7-day policy for return, in case you are not satisfied with your purchase. They have excellent customer care with 7X24 hour service. Just visit their site.

Thomas Cook or Thomas Crook!

2011-12-22T09:24:00.000-08:00

Thomas Cook

Leicester Station; from where Thomas Cook started his jouney to travel business.>>

We all know Don Bradman, the legendary cricketer or Alfred Hitchcock , the all time great film maker; both are associated with Australia. So is Thomas Cook, the pioneer in global travel trade; but least known. Thomas Cook at the age of 10 started as a gardener with a wage of six pence per week;later he became priest. It was his priestly mission to curb alcoholic consumption prompted him to join Temperance Society. He organized meetings and led anti-liquor processions. His endeavor to arrange Temperance campaigners travel with in Australia for campaigns; finally landed him to form first travel company 'Thomas Cook'. Later his son John Mason Cook joined the business and the new company was named 'Thomas Cook & Son'.

Why this preamble! In fact no body could ever tarnish the image of Don Bradman or Alfred Hitchcock. But Thomas Cook seems to be not that fortunate! Now the age old organization branched out all over the world. So, they have a branch in our industrial hub Durgapur, West Bengal, India as well. A recent report suggests their callous customer handling. Most unbecoming of an organization of Thomas Cook's repute.Some Mr. Adhikary contacted Thomas Cook's Durgapur branch and asked them to arrange his tour to Lakshadwip Inland with his own itinerary. He was assured that program would be set and would cost Rs 78000/- per head. Agreeing to that when he contacted them, to his utter surprise, they declared the rate has been revised and now it would cost him Rs 97000/- per head! With a made-up mind, it was difficult for him to renege; so he paid a cheque of Rs 150000/- as advance and was assured the rest would collected from him after finalization.

But more surprise awaited him in the store! Ms Madhumita from Thomas Cooks' Durgapur branch called up over phone and surmised him stating that they cannot arrange the itinerary as the charges shot-up further and they can’t take up the deal with the advance amount! Imagine the degree of embarrassment; that too ; imbibed by world famous tour operator like Thomas Cook!

Now obviously the question emerges; has Thomas Cook turned to be Thomas Crook!

Skype automatic call recorder

2011-11-20T20:37:00.000-08:00

Do you use Skype, free and cheapest service provider of internet telephony? There is good news for you; Skype has launched another service to their users. Riviera for Skype, it records all your Skype calls and converts them to MP3 file automatically. Just gauge the importance of this facility; your important meeting, deals or any conversation audio or video can be recorded or documented!

To learn more just click here: Riviera with Skype .

ITC and corporate responsibility !!

2011-08-13T23:57:00.000-07:00

Corporate responsibilities are minimum in India; so their liabilities! Giants like Uni Liver, Hind Lever here or the indigenous house of Birlas, Ambanis or Ruias do hardly anything to protect the consumer's interest. They enjoyed the monopoly in post independence scenario at aegis of Nehruvian government and ideology of mixed economy. The protectionism only helped them to garner maximum profits at the cost Indian consumers. Only recently we the Indian consumers are becoming bit quality conscious and consumer rights. That too they are still limited within the urban educated class. But judiciary remaining it its age old attitude; reigning errant business house is still a far cry! Very few are exceptional, to my opinion house of TATA s are so.

ITC the tobacco giant, originally branched out from British Tobacco; is one such company is still with colonial attitude. They were here as Indian subsidiary of BAT to make only profits selling their tobacco products and other business. Now having formed full fledged Indian company ITC they have entered into many fields, like agro, finance and hospitality. They already frustrated thousands of small investors with their ITC Classic going to dock. However one plus point to their credit , they returned the depositor's money honestly. In Indian scenario even that is great! The same happened with the other agro business, ITC Agro, frustrating their investors with their horrible mismanagement they sold the company to Conagra. Till now it appears they are doing well in their hospitality business and playing best with their primary business tobacco products.

However here too their corporate responsibility to their customers are non existent. The business in this sector is easy to run with addict customers. The pricing is a factor as and when government impose fresh tax. They are master in it , every time their established products are taxed further , they come out with new and encourage their customers to switch over.

A small segment of their customers are buyers of their age old Capstan Smoking Tobacco,for rolling their cigarettes or smoking through pipes. Come June every year , this tobacco pouch is vanished from retailers stocks. In Kolkata, where ITC has its head quarter, right on their nose they are sold at a premium. The attempts to draw company's notice fail to address the problem. The rolling papers for the same tobacco under the same brand name are always sold at a price more than double than its MRP! Ask any retailers; they cite their helplessness as they too buy at a higher price form the wholesalers! The tobacco, is smuggled out to Bangladesh in connivance with the company officials , some allege. What is evident the corporate responsibilities are the least important to this tobacco leviathan. And of course the Government machinery in our ' MERA BHARAT MAHAN' is defunct as ever!!

ONE BEDROOM FLAT... AN INDIAN SOFTWARE ENGINEER'S LIFE...- A Bitter Reality

2011-04-27T00:20:00.000-07:00

Few years ago I received copy of this letter from one of my friend; who sent it to apprise me how the reality is for those who dream to sail foreign countries to earn more!

It was an eye opener for me; now let me share it with you.............

As the dream of most parents I had acquired a degree in Software
Engineer and joined a company based in USA, the land of braves and
opportunity. When I arrived in the USA, it was as if a dream had come
true.

Here at last I was in the place where I want to be. I decided I would
be staying in this country for about Five years in which time I would
have earned enough money to settle down in India.

My father was a government employee and after his retirement, the only
asset he could acquire was a decent one bedroom flat.

I wanted to do some thing more than him. I started feeling homesick and
lonely as the time passed. I used to call home and speak to my parents
every week using cheap international phone cards. Two years passed, two
years of Burgers at McDonald's and pizzas and discos and 2 years
watching the foreign exchange rate getting happy whenever the Rupee
value went down.

Finally I decided to get married. Told my parents that I have only 10
days of holidays and everything must be done within these 10 days. I
got my ticket booked in the cheapest flight. Was jubilant and was
actually enjoying hopping for gifts for all my friends back home. If I
miss anyone then there will be talks.

After reaching home I spent home one week going through all the
photographs of girls and as the time was getting shorter I was forced
to select one candidate.

In-laws told me, to my surprise, that I would have to get married in
2-3 days, as I will not get anymore holidays. After the marriage, it
was time to return to USA, after giving some money to my parents and
telling the neighbors to look after them, we returned to USA.

My wife enjoyed this country for about two months and then she started
feeling lonely. The frequency of calling India increased to twice in a
week sometimes 3 times a week. Our savings started diminishing. After
two more years we started to have kids. Two lovely kids, a boy and a
girl, were gifted to us by the almighty. Every time I spoke to my
parents, they asked me to come to India so that they can see their
grand-children.

Every year I decide to go to India. But part work part monetary
conditions prevented it. Years went by and visiting India was a distant
dream. Then suddenly one day I got a message that my parents were
seriously sick. I tried but I couldn't get any holidays and thus could
not go to India. The next message I got was my parents had passed away
and as there was no one to do the last rights the society members had
done whatever they could. I was depressed. My parents had passed away
without seeing their grand children.

After couple more years passed away, much to my children's dislike and
my wife's joy we returned to India to settle down. I started to look
for a suitable property, but to my dismay my savings were short and the
property prices had gone up during all these years. I had to return to
the USA.

My wife refused to come back with me and my children refused to stay in
India. My 2 children and I returned to USA after promising my wife

I would be back for good after two years. Time passed by, my daughter
decided to get married to an American and my son was happy living in
USA. I decided that had enough and wound-up every thing and returned to
India. I had just enough money to buy a decent 02 bedroom flat in a
well-developed locality.

Now I am 60 years old and the only time I go out of the flat is for the
routine visit to the nearby temple. My faithful wife has also left me
and gone to the holy abode.

Sometimes I wondered was it worth all this? My father, even after
staying in India, had a house to his name and I too have the same
nothing more. I lost my parents and children for just ONE EXTRA
BEDROOM.

Looking out from the window I see a lot of children dancing. This
damned cable TV has spoiled our new generation and these children are
losing their values and culture because of it. I get occasional cards
from my children asking I am alright. Well at least they remember me.

Now perhaps after I die it will be the neighbors again who will be
performing my last rights, God Bless them. But the question still
remains

'was all this worth it?'

K.C,Das Vs K.C.Dass

2011-03-27T07:28:00.001-07:00

There is a latest surprise! How we gullible consumers are misled by brand names and confused by those who are out to extract more by practically cheating us has come up in news reports. K.C.Das is known all over for the specialty in making sweet meats; specially 'Rassugulla'. They are the pioneer in this field. Way back in 1971 I remember, in Bangalore or Banglluru there was one of their shop. We as Bengalees were proud to find the shop in the most posh area of the city and its popularity for their canned 'Rossogullas' ( a variety of sweet meat , originated in Bengal 150 years ago). There were others to make and sale the same stuffs but none matched their taste and popularity.

Not too long past a shopping mall came up in the northern part of Kolkata; at Shyambazar bore the same name with slight difference. K.C.Dass; the neon glows attracted the customers with the goodwill and reputations of K.C.Das the 'Rassugulla” maker. It is reported the sales men there always assured the inquisitive customers that they are from the same K.C.Das hub.

As the reports suggests, that K..K.C.Das the owner of the trade mark sued the K.C.Dass and got the verdict in favor of them. Now the garment seller K.C.Das has to change the logo. But what about their misdoings to misguide the customers so long? Anyway law took it's own course. But there should be proper law to book such fakers and penalize them.

THE ONLOOKER: CHITTARANJAN IN 50s PT.........2

2011-03-25T20:44:00.000-07:00

THE ONLOOKER: CHITTARANJAN IN 50s PT.........2

The life at the small industrial railway town Chittaranjan ...............

Bengal Hyundai, Sevice Center at Manicktala and Bazaz Allianze

2011-03-23T22:42:00.000-07:00

Hyundai; makes good cars. When I made up my mind to buy a car since it’s more a necessity now than luxury; given to the city’s poor transport condition and my advanced age. Now with globalization came the hordes of car makers and they all claim to make the best. I turned to web reviews and found most of the buyers of Hyundai were satisfied at least with the car and its durability. So my choice was Hyundai. I went to Kolkata's renowned Hyundai car dealer, Bengal Hyundai at their Park Street show room. They were cooperative and seemed to offer the best price ( although I did not compare with any other), I bought the smallest model SANTRO. The car was good , driving offered a pleasant experience, it's cooling system is excellent. Being small maneuvering was easy and quite befitting in city's congested traffic condition.

But the problem cropped with the free servicing; the Bengal Hyundai's sales persons recommended Bazaz Allianz for car insurer; I agreed. But with two dents ,When I took the car for serve cum repairing to their Tiljola Service Station; they said two dents of the car must have taken place on two occasions; so only one can of them can be covered with insurance coverage! I failed to justify such logic, first of all two dents created on one or two occasions (accidents); how should that matter! So far settling insurance claim is concerned; since the insurance covers the whole body of the car. Such limitations was never told or explained by anyone to us at the time of selling insurance! Anyway I had to give in to their suggestive direction; as there was barely any scope to defend my claims. When I took the car for servicing , no insurance official was present. Some one at the service Center took my statement and insisted on his version to state for settling the claim! I helplessly agreed , simply to avoid the embarrassment. Anyway I vowed not to insure my car anymore with Bazaz Allianze.

Next time for the second servicing I thought why not to try Bengal Hyundai's other Servicing Center at Manicktala, Kolkata. This service center is near to my residence as well. I rang them up at about 3.30 pm on a Sunday , keeping in my mind they are open 24X7 fro 365 days. But their land line numbers rang , none picked them up. There was one cellular number I tried that. Someone talked, I explained my position and informed him I am sending my car with an hour or two. I sent my car there but at around 5 pm , my son rang me up ,he was in front of the closed Service Center at Manicktala, Kolkata. I rang to the same mobile number, it was switched off!

Latter I thanked God for not sending the car there as I read this review about them >.............

December 11, 2009

Very bad experience with Maniktala (Bagmari) service center, they even change good parts of car with old and bad ones, and damage the cars. People handle the cars just badly.
If you give your car to fix some problem, they will fix and charge you, acceptable, but will gift you with some other new problems in your car.
The car washer is their person to garage the car, so you can think off........ really felt bad. HYUNDAI definately makes good cars, but service so dissapointing..sad on this

Indian Prime Minister

2011-01-23T07:55:00.000-08:00

I feel proud to post this; the resume of our Prime Minister Dr Manmohon Singh. I think no country ever had a Prime Minister with such resume:

Can Anyone Beat This Resume..........

RESUME

EDUCATION /Qualification :

1950 : Stood first in BA (Hons), Economics, Punjab University,
Chandigarh,
1952 : Stood first in MA (Economics), Punjab University, Chandigarh,

1954 : Wright's Prize for distinguished performance at St John's
College,Cambridge,
1955 and 1957 : Wrenbury scholar, University of Cambridge,
1957 : DPhil (Oxford), DLitt (Honoris Causa); PhD thesis on India's
export
competitiveness

OCCUPATION /Teaching Experience :

Professor (Senior lecturer, Economics, 1957-59;
Reader, Economics,
1959-63;
Professor, Economics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, 1963-65; Professor,

International Trade, Delhi School of Economics,University of Delhi,
1969-71; Honorary professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University,New Delhi,
1976 and Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi,1996 and Civil
Servant

Working Experience/ POSITIONS :

1971-72: Economic advisor, ministry of foreign trade
1972-76: Chief economic advisor, ministry of finance
1976-80: Director, Reserve Bank of India; Director, Industrial
Development Bank of India;
Alternate governor for India, Board of governors, Asian Development
Bank;
Alternate governor for India, Board of governors, IBRD
November 1976 - April 1980: Secretary, ministry of finance (Department
of economic affairs);
Member, finance, Atomic Energy Commission; Member,finance, Space
Commission
April 1980 - September 15, 1982: Member-secretary, Planning Commission
1980-83: Chairman, India Committee of the Indo-Japan joint study
committee
September 16, 1982 - January 14, 1985: Governor, Reserve Bank of India.

1982-85: Alternate Governor for India, Board of governors, International
Monetary Fund

1983-84: Member, economic advisory council to the Prime Minister

1985: President, Indian Economic Association

January 15, 1985 - July 31, 1987: Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission

August 1, 1987 - November 10, 1990: Secretary-general and commissioner,
south commission, Geneva

December 10, 1990 - March 14, 1991: Advisor to the Prime Minister on
economic affairs

March 15, 1991 - June 20, 1991: Chairman, UGC

June 21, 1991 - May 15, 1996: Union finance minister

October 1991: Elected to Rajya Sabha from Assam on Congress ticket

June 1995: Re-elected to Rajya Sabha

1996 onwards: Member, Consultative Committee for the ministry of finance

August 1, 1996 - December 4, 1997: Chairman, Parliamentary standing
committee on commerce

March 21, 1998 onwards: Leader of the Opposition, Rajya Sabha

June 5, 1998 onwards: Member, committee on finance

August 13, 1998 onwards: Member, committee on
rules

Aug 1998-2001: Member, committee of privileges 2000 onwards: Member,
executive committee, Indian parliamentary group

June 2001: Re-elected to Rajya Sabha

Aug 2001 onwards: Member, general purposes committee

BOOKS :

India's Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth -Clarendon

Press, Oxford University, 1964; also published a large number of
articles in various economic journals.

OTHER ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Adam Smith Prize, University of Cambridge, 1956

Padma Vibhushan, 1987

Euro money Award, Finance Minister of the Year, 1993;

Asia money Award, Finance Minister of the Year for Asia, 1993 and
1994

INTERNATIONAL ASSIGNMENTS :

1966 : Economic Affairs Officer

1966-69: Chief, financing for trade section,
UNCTAD

1972-74: Deputy for India in IMF Committee of Twenty on International
Monetary Reform

1977-79 : Indian delegation to Aid-India Consortium Meetings

1980-82 : Indo-Soviet joint planning group meeting

1982 : Indo-Soviet monitoring group meeting

1993 : Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting Cyprus 1993: Human
Rights World Conference, Vienna

RECREATION :

Gymkhana Club, New Delhi; Life Member, India International Centre, New
Delhi

Name: Dr Manmohan Singh

DOB: September 26, 1932

Place of Birth: Gah (West Punjab)

Father: S. Gurmukh Singh

Mother: Mrs Amrit Kaur

Married on: September 14, 1958

Wife: Mrs Gursharan Kaur

Children: Three daughters

Our Prime Minister is possibly the most qualified PM all over the world.

Pass this to every INDIAN.... and be PROUD to have such a PM. !!

Alternative Ivestment Blog

2010-12-17T08:54:00.000-08:00

The world of finance is becoming more and more complex and critical. Ordinary investors are worst hit during market meltdown and even they lose mostly during usual ups and downs of market condition. So, they should know what to look before they leap or invest. Here I am going to tell my readers about a site that offers free alternative investment education. Since it is free, do not under value it. In fact, I think it offers invaluable lessons on investments. Besides conventional investments like investing in stocks on delivery basis, there are other lucrative avenues too. In this site, you get to know about forex investment or Managed Forex. As you buy equity shares from the stock market, there is Private Placement of stocks too. You learn to recognize which one to go for and when. About Managed Futures, another speculative investment avenue is illustrated with video lessons. Just log into the site, learn the art of investments, and become investment guru.

Slot Jackpots

2010-12-14T09:07:00.000-08:00

Winning jackpot is the dream of every casino games players. Casino games are becoming popular day by day. As the past decades saw proliferation of internet connectivity and development of most advanced software, online casinos have permeated to drawing rooms. You get the fun or real money what ever you like playing casino games right sitting at your home. Choosing the right casino sites is the prime concern with the online casino games players. At the same time, they should be updated with the latest information like free rewards, signing up bonus amount of various sites. The site awesomejackpots.com helps the casino games players with latest information about jackpots.

Amongst casino games, video poker enjoys great popularity with players because of its nature. Video poker is mixture of poker skills and element of luck in slot.. Find the best available offer for video poker jackpots winning with Awesomejackpots site. You will find the sites where US player can play. They are marked to identify. Video poker players make beeline to play and win millions from online casinos these days. You may be one of them next time.

Other casino games like slots though simple and ruled by chance element or element of luck enjoys massive popularity as ever. Find out from this site the best casino sites to with slot jackpots. Just log into the site, find the games, free sign up bonus amount, read the reviews on the site and start playing when it suits. Good Luck.

Customer Care of HOME TOWN

2010-12-08T22:49:00.000-08:00

Here in this blog you find an article reviewing HOME TOWN, the shopping mall. It appears that their selling
team is over enthusiastic to meet target.However, their head office is vigilant on the activities of their branches across the country. Though local branch of Kolkata was lackadaisical in handling the complaint but under the pressure of their head office they acted in the right direction by replacing the product.

So, be prudent while shopping and in case of any problem contact respective customer care. This will help protect consumer interest and quality of the products too.

HOMETOWN-- The Shopping Mall at Rajarhat, Kolkata

2010-11-16T21:44:00.001-08:00

The emerging middle class in India is becoming consumptive day by day. Their growing income is leaving surplus funds to spend and there is no dearth of takers. Many have joined the fray in retail business as you find shopping malls, Big Bazars in metro or many big, medium, small towns. People have found shopping is more pleasure than pain. In these malls with fixed price, you don’t have to lose your energy for bargaining. They sell mostly the branded products, some sell products of their own brand. The added comforts in the air-conditioned shopping complex are new experience for Indian consumers. Specially in festive seasons the rush in these complexes spell their growing popularity. But how the services are? Let us review.

The price you pay there for any sundry products may be higher than what you would have paid in shops at your locality. Of course, you may argue that local shops are not that comfortable to shop with. But have you ever checked the quality? Sometime what they put on “SALE” or offer at discount may be sub-standard and of poor quality or even expired date. Here is a comment from one of the shopper I stumbled upon on Flickers.com under the picture of glamorous shopping complex “HOMETOWN” at Rajarhat, Kolkata:

‘It looks attractive, the decor inside and the escalator, lifts are excellent. But not the products. I visited the mall on 22/09/2010 and purchased some grocery for their Food Bazar; the sale was on for some products. I bought Jam branded Sera of mixed variety, later I found when the bottle opened back at home, it contained fungus. Then I noted the bottle was packed sometime in mid 2009! How dare they sell such products to gullible customers? Is a big question. There was phone number on their bill but no customer complaint's seemed welcome, as they seemed lackadaisical to redress! They inscribe on their bill " ISSE SASTA AUR ACCHA KAHIN NEHI...." . So. BEWARE OF HOMETOWN AT NEW TOWN, KOLKATA.

On my further search, I found complaints of all variety. So next time you visit these malls be careful.

Blogging, onlooker, bugule, bystander | MIRROR

2010-11-14T08:37:00.000-08:00

Blogging, onlooker, bugule, bystander | MIRROR: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

THE ONLOOKER: Biodeisel and Global warming

2010-11-12T03:41:00.000-08:00

THE ONLOOKER: Biodeisel and Global warming: "All over the world global warming and its associated affects like climate change, rise of seawater level due to melting of ice in Antarctic and Arctic continents; are matters of great concerns. Scientists predict within few decades (the opinion varies) coastal areas of many continents and subcontinents will be submerged under seawater like the mythological city Atlantis. Preserving forests with its greenery for the very cause of absorbing carbon- di -oxide and controlling industrial emission of toxic gasses along with carbon-di-oxide are the immediate steps advised by them. Most of the industrial developed countries are taking wily nilly, the measure to curb the emission. The world’s greatest polluter United States though forced others to take necessary measures to curb emission putting them under the threat of black listing for their imports; they themselves appears to be least interested to curb emission !

- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Durga Puja

2010-10-14T10:04:00.001-07:00

Down the memory lane, I do not remember when I was introduced to or encountered Devi Durga, the deity with her 'grown up' kids. However absence of her husband the Lord Shiva and her fighting posture, killing 'Mahisasurah' was bit disturbing. As her sons 'Ganesh' and ' Kartick' were seemingly strong and powerful. What came to our mind ,why she should fight whe both of her sons were present. They were supposed to be able enough to fight evil the 'Mahisasurah' and save their mother from embarrassment of knocking down the "Mahisasura' . Despite of this Goddess Durga was quite popular and welcome figure for us. In Bengali community, Goddess Durga becomes a part of our life ever since we are born. From our childhood to manhood, she remains our Goddess, bestowing her blessings for wealth, fame, beauty and power. At least they carried meaning for our generation or the older. I still remember, my mother cautioning me about the virgin young girls, as they all were Durga in human form. So anything to disturb them or any innuendo towards losing their honor would fetch the curse of Goddess Durga. That refrained us from looking at budding beauties, the way they should be looked at. Not that we lost our best opportune time, so did they ; I realized that much latter.

Being born in a lower middle class family at a small industrial town,so far my memory goes, I remember Durga Puja was an occasion for us in childhood to have the pleasure of wearing new dresses sans new shoes as they botched up blisters. The most welcome factor was we were not asked to study or take care of home-tasks during those four days of celebration. It was a great relief for us. Otherwise, the Puja hardly carried any meaning for us in true sense. As the riches in those days, as of now, took special meals, visiting various Puja pandals, offer ‘Puspaanjali’ (as they had the freedom to move around by their cars or motor cycles etc.). For us except firing the toy-pistols and making few rounds around local Puja pandals and sometime with little extra to spend, enjoying the ‘chats’ like ‘Ghugni’ or ‘Fuchka’; there was nothing more. But still we have been looking for Durga Puja for the freedom of four days throughout the year. Goddess Durga ushered to us as our liberator from daily routine life.

Latter in late 60s or early 70s when we joined colleges, the ‘Puja’ lost its further significance, as we lost the faith in Goddess Durga. It became a matter of celebration like any carnivals elsewhere. The new dresses, to mark the occasion, those of us could afford used to buy but never wore. As some of us could not afford them. So uniform dress code could only be maintained when we were together, wearing usual dresses. Later when some of us got married early, they used to wear new dresses while accompanying their wife, in a ritualistic manner to mark the occasion.

Gone are those days, and perhaps those fellow feelings now. Is there anyone to remember those old days?

Had a Party last night?

2010-07-22T09:58:00.001-07:00

Occasions offering family or friend’s get-together always used to be welcome events to me earlier but not so any more these days. I remember any occasion like marriage, thread-ceremony or any social party thrown for insignificant issues were awaited affairs for the D day. I used to get thrilled with the idea of meeting those whom I met years ago. It was matters of pleasure to find them again. No one bothered to ask what others are doing or how they are keeping. Just we were alive and had a chance to meet, that was enough. Meeting means going down the memory lanes, remembering some incidents or days we enjoyed or suffered together. The pains we felt at the time of parting was visible in eyes. Gone are those days!! I know not how many would share my view but now-a-days I feel lonesome in most of the get-togethers; may be this curse is prevailing in metros like Kolkata, Mumbai or Delhi. Where people seek business in pleasure and tend to remain in their own lobby for social or material considerations. So; to me; any program hosted by others first met with contemplation ‘how to avoid it’. When I can’t avoid, and then just give in; that’s it. A lower-middle class man like me usually can’t afford to maintain a car. But soul seeks the comforts of what you don’t have! It’s true to me. The journey to venue by public transport poses the first hindrance. Followed by the tension ‘how to get back!’. Though hiring a car sounds too expensive; many a time that is the only option I have. With hired car and its driver, you are never comfortable till you are back and have settled the bill. So, considering all these the whole episode of get-together turns most of the time ‘ a ride on merry go-round’. Where you are tempted for the ride, but when the ride starts you pray for early finish. Feel relieved when you come out of the gondola. Keep watching other’s face with forcing a smile on my own is only socialization I do. Hello. How are you, are few words I exchange, keeping a sharp vigil when the next batch is called for the dinner. Reminding my wife to remain alert is another deal I undertake. Dining is another exercise I bear, listening to others either bragging for their son or daughter’s astronomical achievements. Other popular topic on dining tables is discussing diabetes or high-cholesterol, hypertension et el. I watch the person lamenting of high sugar level and swallowing number of ‘Rossugullas’! Or the man next to me (may be; one of my far related relative) mentioning about high cholesterol, blaming the caterer for not serving 4^th time the mutton delicacies!

Cap it all, it is always, over delayed when parting time arrives. No one has anything to feel about except showing how they are feeling about!

So, where is the fun, joy or the pleasure of getting together! Gone everything what remains a gathering for nothing!

At last I could talk to my Father !!

2010-07-10T06:55:00.000-07:00

His face was as fresh as it used to be on any other morning after shave. Only difference it was dry not wet as usually face looks after shaving. The eyes were closed, the lips bore faint smile; as if he was enjoying a dream during his sleep. A close look would reveal; no, it was not freshly shaved countenance; the tiny gray hairs shoot out all over the face; as they look in the evening; long after you shave in the morning. Why the shaving is so important! Well no one ever remembers seeing him unshaved even if when he used to be sick for long time. That was he; my father; lying on the stretcher mounted on a vehicle that carries dead. This was his last journey on wheels. He preferred bicycle and was very fond of paddling up and down to the Railway factory where he worked for more than 35 years. I felt he would have been happy, could I arrange a cycle rickshaw for his last ride. In a city like Kolkata, you know it was difficult to arrange or in that matter it would been very difficult to convince a rikshaw-pullar to carry a dead man.

Most part of his life he spent in that small industrial railway town, Chittaranjan; never he preferred to stay elsewhere. Even after retirement he declined to leave the town as he could stay with one of his son who served there. That he did but fate dragged him to die elsewhere, in Kolkata. May be he considered where he lived, made a living was not place to die. So people remember him as one who lived full life; never died.

I hardly had scope to interact with him on any matter; though always yearned for. Rarely we were together for past so many years! Now as he was dead; lying just by my side all alone, the idea triggered my mind. The vehicle started rolling; the passers by scarcely took notice; I open my mouth with loud voice. Talked to my father, all at a time what I could never talk to him. He listened closing his eyes, with smiling face offering indulgence to me. My father’s last ride was so satisfying to me; at last I could talk to him!

INCREDIBLE INDIA

2010-07-08T07:04:00.000-07:00

To-day, I logged into my Orkut account as usual but bit shaken finding a scrap from one of my friend there. We are old Air Force pals, obviously we joined Air Force at our teens and our jobs kept us out of society during those formative period of life. So important it is , we realized much later. Mostly when we came out of service and joined the main steam. I remember that 'Oath' taken by us at the time of 'passing out' from our training centers that we would place the interest of nation, its people, property much above of our own , while serving on land, sea or air !!! Later when we realized for whom and whose interest we served; it was shocking.

Now the scarp I read, written by my friend goes like this .." WE LIVE IN A NATION WHERE PIZZA REACHES FASTER THAN AMBULANCE & POLICE WHERE U CAN GET CAR LOAN @ 8% BUT EDUCATION LOAN @ 12% . 76 CRPF PERSONS KILLED MERCILESSLY BUT MEDIA WAS BUSSY IN SHOWING THE WEDDING OF SANIA & SHOAB; WHERE RICE IS@ 70/-KG BUT SIM CARD IS FREE,WHERE A KRORPATI CAN BUY THE CRICKET TEAM INSTEAD DONATION TO CHARITY,WHERE EVERY BODY WANTS TO BE FAMOUS BUT NO BODY WANTS TO FOLLOW THE PATH OF FAMOUS PERSON,WHERE PEOPLE SITTING AT T STALL READ A ARTICLE ABOUT CHILD LABOUR & SAY "BACHHO SE KAM KARWANE WALO KO GOLI MAR DENI CHAHIE USKE BAD AWAJ DETE HAIN " CHOTU DO CHAI LA" AND SO ON .... INCREDIBLE INDIA

Any comment?

Don't take that you can lay your hands; they are too small!!

2010-07-04T00:11:00.000-07:00

Once a boy went to a shop with his mother. The shop keeper looked at the small cute child and showed him a bottle with sweets and said 'Dear Child..u can take the sweets...
But the child didn't take. The shop keeper was surprised.. Such a small child he is and why is he not taking the sweets from the bottle. Again he said take the sweets....

Now the mother also heard that and said.. Take the sweets dear.. Yet he didn't take... The shopkeeper seeing the child not taking the sweets... He himself took the sweets and gave to the child. The child was happy to get two hands full of sweets.

While returning home the Mother asked the child... Why didn't you take the sweets, when the shop keeper told you to take?..

Can you guess the response: Child replies... Mom! My hands are very small and if I take the sweets I can only take few.. But now you see when uncle gave with his big hands.... How many more sweets I got!

Moral:

When we take we may get little but when God gives... HE gives us more beyond our expectations. .. More than what we can hold..!!

Samsung Review - POOR CUSTOMER CARE OF SAMSUNG - Review on Samsung by abin542000 in Admanya.com

2010-06-10T08:04:00.000-07:00

Samsung Review - POOR CUSTOMER CARE OF SAMSUNG - Review on Samsung by abin542000 in Admanya.com

The travails of Gypsies « My Weblog

2010-06-03T07:36:00.000-07:00

The travails of Gypsies « My Weblog

SOCIAL SITE :Shtyle.fm

2010-06-02T07:20:00.000-07:00

Ever since internet permeated into our lives; it has added something indispensable. Not because it is source of all information or offers various services online like paying your utility bills, online shopping or booking hotels, railway, airlines or transport tickets but it's popularity owes to social sites. Orkut of Google perhaps one of the pioneers to show the way; followed by several others. Right now I am not sure how many social or chat sites offer free social networking online. Besides Orkut, Facebook another sites seems attractive to me is www.shtyle.fm.com. The site is least known or at least not as popular as those like Orkut but it has some features that are interesting. One of them you can record your songs or recitations in your own voice and upload them for others to listen. They can rate your performance. The replay is fine and internet connections of lower potentials can offer better reproduction. Besides these there are several other features are available as you usually find with any social sites. So you may find new experience of socializing with shtyle.fm.