Interesting debate (which hasn't ended by the way)

Following is the debate between me and some people in a particular news flash of rediff.com. I really indulged in these "practically no meaning and addabaaj" types of debate afterall a long time, thanks to the ample of free time b4 joining my new job, and the fact that I am Bengali(born debaters )... thought to store it. The debate raised over my reaction to the news by rediff, depicting a letter by former army chief and kargil war hero, General N.C.Vij to the PM Manmohan singh raising concerns over the alleged misappropriate compensation of armed forces in the latest Pay commission report.The news link is below and the posts are below it

http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/apr/27letter.htm

Posts--
Shame UPA govt.
by saurabh roy on Apr 28, 2008 12:09 AM | Hide replies

A govt which has no control over rising costs, has done nothing significant for the infrastructural growth of the nation, rather closed or curbed the steps taken by previous govt., has now lost control over its bureaucrats too. Th proof is this biased pay commission report which fails to recognize the profession which often requires the highest sacrifice of life , that is the life itself. Our honorable govt. is busy with other issues of vote bank and caste based politics, its ministers are busy licking asses of a particular clan. They don't give a damn to the poor jawans who are bravely guarding the frontiers of this country, without any proper motivation from the govt side.The sane people of this nation should wake up and overthrow this government in next elections

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RE:Shame UPA govt.
by Loan Shark on Apr 28, 2008 12:17 AM | Hide message
Dude, the govt. cannot make everyone happy ... even govt. dept. and employees want more ... whether it is BJP/NDA or UPA, you have to undertsand the limitations that they have. Higher salaries mean more recovery from taxes or deficit financing or less money for developmental projects.

These guys were expecting more money for themselves, but the govt. has not given what they were expecting. UPA govt. is being fair.

RE:Shame UPA govt.
by Magnum Opus on Apr 28, 2008 12:27 AM
You obviously have any exposure to the defence forces. As a soldier wit 28 years of service (and three gallantry awards) let me assure you that we are not merely 'expecting' more money. If you think soldiers can be equated with 'everyone' then all the best!

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RE:Shame UPA govt.
by Loan Shark on Apr 28, 2008 12:35 AM | Hide message
First, thanks for your great service to our nation. I mean it.

Yes, soldiers are like anyone else. They (soldiers) have chosen to be in military, there is no forcible draft in India. No one put a gun to their head to join the military. They have chosen to fight for their motherland for which they deserve our gratitude. But, when you are in it just for the money, you are like everyone else.

Similarly, police officers put their life on line. Is there contribution less than that of soldiers? Now, teachers are also building this nation. Aren't they? so is their contribution any less? how about engineers and doctors? the list is long.

RE:Shame UPA govt.
by rushil noronha on Apr 28, 2008 12:46 AM
The UPA government is being fair?????try telling that to a jawan who risks his life everyday (so that you have enough time and peace of mind to sit and write nonsense here)for a partly Rs7000 a month.And even after that if you feel that the 6th pay commision is justified, perhaps you should consider hanging yourself because clearly, you lack all shame requiste in a human being.

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RE:Shame UPA govt.
by Loan Shark on Apr 28, 2008 12:51 AM
LOL .. you haven't seen those queues of people lining up in front of army recruitment offices everyday ... if pay in army were lower than what people can conveniently make otherwise, those lines would be missing.

7,000 is not a small amount when most of your living expenses are borne by the govt. If the soldiers are in the army for money, they are in the wrong place. They better stay away and work in farm or factories ... but then most like the cushy army lifestyle.

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RE:Shame UPA govt.
by Loan Shark on Apr 28, 2008 12:18 AM
costs are rising all over the world ... In India salaries are rising too. People are reposting salary increases of 20-30% every year in India, so why complain when inflation is at 7%

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RE:Shame UPA govt.
by saurabh roy on Apr 28, 2008 12:36 AM
Dude, the prise are rising all over the world but in case u haven't noticed hoarding is creating artificial price as well, (it was in news recently)and also there is something known as subsidy, and before u start crying foul over taxes or deficit financing or less money for developmental projects, lemme tell you, national security is of supreme importance and no compromise should be made on that account, especially in a country like ours which has so hostile neighborhood. What if a massive insurgency operation is launched in kashmir valley rt now, do u expect the jawans to fight with this level of motivation. Things like tax, burden on Reserve bank etc do not pacify the person who goes out on a job without knowing that he would return home or not, I don't see anything wrong if they expected more from the govt. Justify ur tax and capital crap to a jawan posted in siachin where the temperature goes as horrible as -40 degrees

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RE:RE:Shame UPA govt.
by Loan Shark on Apr 28, 2008 12:43 AM | Hide message
LOL ... national security will not improve just because soldiers are being paid more. The soldiers will still to their best of abilities at the current pay levels .... if the soldiers are in the army for the money and perks, then they are in the wrong place.

already, Indian army officers and jawans get a lot of perks ... like tax free purchases, orderlies for their kitchen and yard work, flexible working hours ... all this with no real schedules or deadlines to meet.

don't be under the impression that national security is under threat because jawans/officers will not give their best because they are under paid.

This message has been reported for abuse. The moderator's final decision is awaited.

RE:Shame UPA govt.
by saurabh roy on Apr 28, 2008 12:52 AM
You don't get it, do you?? Its not merely about getting paid or money or perks,human life is beyond any compensation...its about motivation, the report has given an impression as if that we don't respect the work done by them, and consider them non important. A soldier risk his life not only because he has a flare or the profession but because he thinks that he command respect in the nation for the job he is doing. The report has taken away tht impression from them, and the recent downfall in the army intake as well as rising VRS application only highlight the disappointment and de-motivation for the forces

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RE:RE:Shame UPA govt.
by Loan Shark on Apr 28, 2008 12:57 AM
there is risk in every job ... you work in electricity department on power grids, there is risk to life. you work as cop, there is risk to life. you work as a vigilance officer in govt., there is risk to life. you work as forest ranger, there is risk to life. you go out to work in your car or mobike, there is risk to life.

rising VRS application is because the govt. is liberal on the VRS payout and these officers think that they can move to private sector, as administrative officers, security incharge or something else and make more money ... these people are looking for way out so they can make more money ... not because they are disappointed with the system.

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RE:Shame UPA govt.
by saurabh roy on Apr 28, 2008 01:08 AM
What u say would look good in a school debate, but kindly be logical, our concern is not the reason for the current downward scenario in terms of affinity and attraction in armed forces, but its about its consequences. Say that "risk is everywhere" (so we don't give u a damn) thing to a army officer, what if he says "ok Mr I leave this job for better private offers, its bad ethicaly , but my life and I need money"?? who will guard the frontiers then, offcourse ppl will still join army, and make long queues, (owing to our mighty unemployed population )but that would be compromised and substandard personnel, who is here just becoz he has nowhere else to go

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An evening in wonderland......'Sanjha safar'

It was the evening of 6'th November 2007 when we three friends were returning from the much hyped and important event of our b-school, the national summit 07.It was blah blah blah...and blah. For more details contact the other saurabh....saurabh kapoor the student body president. I am not writing about it , its about something much much more enticing and enchanting then that.
The phrase, 'blessing in disguise' came into life for us when we failed to find an auto rickshaw to back home and were too properly dressed to board a bus(suit shuit and all). Oh by we, I mean me , santosh and girdhari by the way.
I called for a walk to India gate nearby and three of us settled for that, santy bit reluctantly though. Little did we knew that we were up for a very pleasant surprise. In the lush green lawns of India gate a awesome experience was waiting for us. It was the 4th International Conference on Federalism being held in the capital, the five-day parallel 'Sanjha Safar'. It seemed that we have entered a different land , a dreamland, a land where a diverse and culturally rich nation was exhibiting all its colors under the sky. The event was hosting delicacies from various nook and corner of India, art and artifacts from places as interior as bastar of chattisgarh, uttranchal, karnatka etc. Every footstep was a harbinger of a enthralling experience. Various stalls from different states exhibiting their native crafts. Food stalls where one could savor everything famous in India. To name a few, parathas from parathe wali gali, chicken from karim's of jama masjid, sondesh from streets of bengal, jhangora ki kheer & mandua ki roti from the hills of uttranchal, what else a food junkie like me asks for.
As if this was not enough, there was musical and dance performance at practically every step, honestly it was hard to decide where to stop. The odisi nitya by kids of orissa, the astounding folk song performance by kids of rajasthan, the awesome folk dance by teenagers from Gujarat, the baul gaan from bengal and not to forget the fakir who was just loitering around everywhere singing praise for allah-o-akbar.
We three then decided to board a ride in the giant wheel, honestly I was bit nervous, but it also proved to be a extension of the mood of the evening. On the top of it I could see the national capital, the giant India gate and below my feet was the conglomeration of art, culture and history. It felt as if the fair was saluting the epitome of national pride, India Gate, reaching out to the world and shouting the best way it could saying that India is not merely a land of snake charmers and beggars, it is the land of strength, of art, of culture, of people with hearts, a nation which was, is and will be a paradigm of civilization.
The mood after we came out can neatly be summed in words of my friends. Santosh said,"abe sapne sa lag raha hai be" and Girdhari lal commented, "If national summits are meant to end like this I am ready to pay for the summit and tolerate it once more "

P.S -The fee for two day national summit-07 at le meridian was Rs 4000 per head :(

Alone in the crowd..

I think, or rather I know that I am NOT a good poet, but still I am quite daring in nature, so here I dare to write that, after all its my ROY..al Area..
Ok here is a poem(atleast I thought so) I wrote almost 4 yeas back when I was in college, my college was situated in middle of farm houses with no other significant construction around a radius of almost 2-3 kms..and a river flowing just 1 km behind it. Also there was a graveyard surprisingly clubbed with an amusement park, almost 4-5 kms away from it. The poem was written post midnight when I was trying my best to study, had a bad day, the poem gives an idea of what may have happened ..So here it goes..

Today all of a sudden I felt alone in the crowd, and instantly I asked who are my friends??
Looked there were none, thought there were many, they, yes they are my friends..
The cold breeze of morning, the sun, alone who's shining,
the cold nights of summer, the warm noons of winter, they, yes they are...
The road long, alone on which I ride,
wind blowing in the farm which looks like a tide, they, yes they are...
The rose plant in the backyard,
that river near the graveyard, they, yes they are...
the roof which which gives me seclusion,
that calm water in the pond which trembles on intrusion, they, yes they are...
Those quite midnights, that white moonlight,
the bell of the midnight hour, the twinkle of that little star, they, yes they are my friends
They, yes they are my friends.

In the train

September 29, 2007 time 10:13 pm. This marks the longest time I’ve stayed in a place since I moved out of my parental residence in 2001. My horoscopes say that I will travel a lot, and I guess they have been proven right. I am heading for my home to Raipur from Delhi, in a southbound train, I have steered ahead of Itarsi a city in central India and expect to make my home by morning. I guess none of the railways in the world would be as culturally and socially vibrant as Indian railways, it is a conglomeration of crores of lives associated with it on a regular and temporary basis. See how many events happen in it, baraats, picnic, expeditions, inter cultural interactions, love, hate, jealousy; all the manifestations of human psyche, and not to forget, those rapes, sexual encounters, dacoities, drugging etc. I have, by the grace of god managed to stay away from the later parts which I considered quite blasphemous and horribly sad.

Let us talk about me now, my coupe as expected is full of the descendent of what history calls “Dravidians”, the other half of India, yes the other half. Whole of India is suffering from this great regionalism, no doubt about that, but none of its variety parallels the intensity of great North-south divide. This divide has taken many ugly turns in past and present, but this isn’t a historian’s blog so we shall not bother ourselves with it. I am trying to jot down the experience I had over the day with them. My first interaction was in a way, which until now, I thought was a trademark of us Bengalis, the anna walked to the coupe which had its sole occupant as me and kind of charged me by saying that seat no 25 and 28 is his property. I barely managed to suppress my smile on this very familiar action and politely said, yes it’s yours and mine is 29. But the man was in mood to attack whatever the purpose may be, and he barked again that he owns seat 25 28(he sounded very much like that white character of bunty and bubbly “I own the TAJ”), to this I smilingly replied “Did I said it was mine” I guess it was my continuing politeness or the smile, the mood changed in no time, and after a initial gorilla like intimidation, the man yielded to the seemingly better human in front. He was followed by some other fellow telgus who didn’t seem to be that charged, on the contrary they were happy to find their lot in majority, and the single alien, that is, me, I seemed to be non existent. Thankfully I managed to grab a novel before leaving, so the major portion of the day was passed either dozing or reading, doing both of which I truly love. The only problem was that by the end of the day I’d a queer dumb like feeling, as if I can’t speak. Though I must say the lot didn’t outrageously neglect me, they offered me various eatables which I had to politely refuse (damn on those who drug people). But on a whole this alien was non-existent. As the evening grew and night came falling the brotherhood of “Dravidia” was joined by two females one young chick who wasn’t very attractive by BSIS (Bureau of south Indian standards) she was quite thin, but yeah smart, other being her mother. Out of curiosity I eavesdropped on their conversation to find out that the young lady was a student of electronic engineering in Bhopal and was already placed in Accenture software. Then the younger guys of the lot started conversing among with other present and believe me not because of the reason you are thinking. These people had genuine interest in each other and nothing to do with the latest additions of the group, the discussion I could guess, was pertaining to the vibrant issue of finding a decent food joint for south Indian food in Delhi (just like we Bengalis ponder over the availability of “maach” or fish in our locality), one of them made fun of north Indian joints trying to imitate them. Then the topic shifted to politics centering on Andhra Pradesh (again an uncanny similarity to bengalis). I by now had firmly believed that I am wearing an invisibility cloak and have become dumb.

But one thing was noteworthy, right from the first interaction I had with them. That they all acted and reacted in a same manner any Indian would have. This raises questions in my mind that does that great divide of culture really exists or it is just a figment of our imaginations. Do we feed the divide or the divide is feeding some of us, is that the people who are different or it is just the language. Many more questions stung me at once and most of them remained unanswered. I prefer to leave that question to you. Enlighten me…

Thanks for your patient reading….

Tinu….

P.S - The pic is an old photograph of me irritating my mallu friend on our journey back to Delhi from IIM-A, I mentioned about it in my first post

My nights at call center

This was long due. First I needed to write, second I needed to remember these people, my roommates during my stay at LBSIM.
Just for the background, this was for the first time I was totally on my own, away from my home, choosing the best people to live with, no relatives, no cousins, just me, all by myself, and this is how it turned out to be. (clockwise)Me, santosh aka sandwa aka mishra aka neo, amit sindhu aka rambo, Adesh aka addy aka terminator, and siddharth aka bajrangi(he goes by many names, and they all are censored). In case u are wondering over those fancy names they all were assumed during our brief stint with counterstrike, a multiplayer game, which bonded us together and gave these people a break from there deeply committed lives. Carrying on to the legacy of 55-A Ber sarai New Delhi we had a conglomeration of 5 people, 4 with active romantic life and I was the single not ready to mingle one. It was a 3 bhk flat, special mention to sid's room, or 'the room' as I call, in that dark romm many records were broken , many msgs passed upstairs and below to Billu Rani, beginnings and farewells of relationships ahem ahem....bas itna hi...

So what are the perils of having 4 lover boys around you???, they are hardly available and you are mostly alone. Its not that they did it purposefully but gals now a days are demanding, you have to be at there beck and call even if you had just seen them 2 hours ago in college, our dear mini jatt was an exception, his lady was available round the clock over our head, oh I mean the flat upstairs. So we kinda had a 6'th roomie in her(whom we never allowed to pay). The days at 55-a were quite dull, coz there wasn't any sunlight, and we were busy in classes mostly. But the night were quite happening place to be. Three call center executives sid, santy and ady, one on duty boyfriend and me a ardent gamer who just had a lappy to himself. So you can imagine how boring it use to get at times, especially in holidays wen I was the only one left alone, though santy use to be there but our non vegan alcoholic interests never matched.

But then bamm!!, everything changed in a flash, we had a new companion thanks to few residents of another nest munirka, we had COUNTER STRIKE, finally the boyfriends realized the importance of boys and friends. Gals naturally were unhappy but hell who cares, I had my boyz back. To add to it we had paras who made up for santy who wasn't very proficient with the game of terrorists and there bombs. Studies till midnight and then CS from midnight till early morning, oh I love the way we did it, me and paras in one room, sid in his room, ady and amit in one. The whole night use to go swearing, cursing, laughing at opposite team, and offcourse the post game analysis. Anyone whose kill count scored half century or century use to get a gun salute or what we said 'salaami', Oh now I know how sachin feels when he scores a ton. I tried CS many times again, but it was never the same again. It wasn't the game actually, it was the company I really enjoyed, the game was just a podium which brought us together. We guys had our share of differences but they always exist, inspite of all that the room had some common interests, food, gals, games and offcourse me.. :) I was the eldest member of the clan and at times the bridge between team A and B(guys very well understand what I mean). Many people say that we guys never went out together like many people did, for them just one answer, we guyz had gals to go out with, unlike you...

There were other rooms or flats, but there was difference, at mine u never wear all is well mask, u say what you feel, you do what you feel, u love, u like, u dislike, but u never hate, u never cheat, u never talk behind, u never blaim, u always remember, u wish, u swear together loud, so loud that at 1 am your land ki lady at your doorstep, u pray for each other, u fight for each other, u party with each other but never part from each other. Guys I miss you, and addy and amit, yaar ab tum logo ki baari mumbai aane ki, baaki 2 to mil liye....

Thanks for your patient reading

Roy a.k.a Hitler

Dreams Unfulfilled- part 1

Yesterday I came across a T-Shirt quote it read , "I am from where you dream to be.......IIT-Delhi". It took me a moment to realize what it was, an act of arrogance or a mark of pride associated with IIT-D, a slap on the face of non IITians or a great attention seeking promotional trick. Whatever it was , it gave me a mixed feeling, on one side trumpets were bellowing in my head singing a song of triumph of this great institute or any such institute across the globe, whereas on the other side a sad violin was vocalizing the words I didn't wanted to hear.
I had always dreamed of being associated with a institute which resides in the dream and fancies of scores of people, but it was not meant to be, not that I had been in very bad institutes , be it my college , be it my B-school. I am proud to be a part of them, but still we must admit that these are not the type of institutes of which people dream of. CSIT had a beautiful ambiance good infrastructure, LBSIM is among top 20, very tough to get in and out as well, but still it does not figures out in the dream list. I think I will have to live up with this pinch throughout my life, as it is quite unlikely that I going to study again after LBSIM, untill and unless I decide for PH.d.
Not everyone dream, not many chase them, and only few bravehearts achieve them, I wish I do it too...but there is one dream I am almost sure I will never be able to fulfill.. Keep reading Roy...al area area for that unfulfilled desire..

Tharki... :(

This is something about gender bias, and if you are expecting something highly academical or philosophical in here then go away cause I am very angry, and not in a mood to write something goody goody and yes I will be using a lot of hindi coz it is the essence of topic. I would exercise my full control over this blog to vent off my anger for few ASSHOLES (got a glimpse kitna gali bakne wala hoon)..
A lot has been talked about biasness towards a particular gender, but yaha hum baat kar rahe hai purusho par badhte torture ki. This torture to men is surprisingly, by men only..Aahh screw it, I am referring to few of our faculty in LBSIM who have a tendency to favor chicks.. Hum gadhe ke bachhe chahe jitna bhi bole , jub bhi bole, galat hai, then who is right...??? Madam is always right..Kaun madam?? arre koi female teacher nahi, woh jo humare saath baithi hai , woh jo hamare saath padhti hai woh..baap re baap kitne saare kapde pehne hai madam ne..aur ye madam sir ko dekhte hi jhuk kyu jaati hai?? Madam kya sharam bech kar fees bhar di MBA ki??
It could have been tolerable if there was only one tharki around..but yaha to puri fauj khari hai...LBS ppl knows who was the original tharki , but doston kuch aur bhi hai naye buddhe khusat..
Have you heard the maxim boss is always right , now add to it, if he has a beautiful secretary even she is also always right.I mean this is limit, looking at there face (and other parts..ahem..) their gradings are changed, ekdum B- se A++ , hum kya dikhaye?? (Kadua)..
Beware if you are planning to cross question the MADAM in a presentation , if you do, tharki tumhe us cross pe chada dega.."NO YOU ARE WRONG, THE WHOLE QUESTION IS WRONG" would be his words..But guys if you are getting senti over his thrashing then look at whats going on Mr. Tharki's mind..actually he is saying"You are right or wrong , who cares untill and unless you are a MALE" So tension nahi lene ka...aur tharki ki to $$%$&$%^*@#$%&;*@#*?>:@#$%&##....and the swearing continues...