Dark(Semi) Encounters of the first Kind - December 9,2012

Everybody was crying around saying power problem. What the heck I thought. One of the lucky guys to live in area where there was only two hours power cut. It is often said that we realize a thing’s value only in the absence of it. I did come to the realization of it. Our family decided to move from the comforts of Nanganallur to Tambaram. That’s where my encounters of the first kind started.

It was a bright evening in Tambaram. Suddenly something happened in the switch board and the lights went dull. I was trying to understand the situation. My omniscient dad told me we are experiencing low voltage. What?? The words sounded alien to me. Utilizing a 3 phase connection coupled with inverter I have never experienced low voltage. I have never heard the sound of a fan running at close to death speed with tube lights trying to flicker giving the night club experience. I became a communist suddenly cursing everyone from electricity board to the current, previous and history of governments who have ruled TamilNadu. After bashing everyone silently and expressing my freedom of speech to level possible [You can't write on facebook these days], I went onto rest on my bed.

I was continuously praying that low voltage would go and fans would be running at normal speed. After sometime I was wishing that I would sleep of my tiredness. Mosquitoes were doing their bit of share in keeping me awake so that I could enjoy this experience. Coupled with all the factors I was feeling a unique night of sleeplessness. Imagine you have a whole night for thinking. One could think of a lot, even solutions to the power problem in TamilNadu.  All I could think of was a blog post and the biting mosquitoes.

The constant whirring of fan made sure that I should utilize my creative talent and not sleep lazily on bed. Thanks to it a blog post is now ready for the world to have a look.

Watching videos the better way

Everybody likes to play nice cool videos on their computer. Be it any format such as flash, avi or mpeg etc. As for windows windows media player comes installed by default. As such it cannot play all types of files ignoring its poor sound management and video management capabilities . It needs codec to play different file formats. Codecs rule the world but it might be so confusing to find which codec to install for which file. Though there are some codec packs like klite codec pack and combined community codec pack which allow to play all sorts of files. But why do we want to get struck  with a dumb player like WMP ? Should not we try some other alternatives? We need some player which plays whatever file we throw at it. Can we spend a few bucks for it? why should we when there is a free alternative for it [Free not open source] I am talking about the KMPlayer which I am using for quite sometime. I found it randomly while browsing for media players. I do like to test newly released soft wares. I just love to test products and one such gem I found is "KMPlayer"

Features:
Plays almost any format of file except real media for which you need to install real alternative lite.No need to install the real player itself for such a task
It has excellent sound clarity and picture resolution
There are around tons of plugins to customize

Pros:
Plays file of any format
Totally customizable

Cons:
Features might be confusing for some
It is  resource hungry eats up your ram while playing  HD videos

       I strongly recommend you to use KMPlayer . Though VLC and GOMPlayer do a fairly good job KMplayer tops it all. My Rating for  KMPlayer would be 4.8/5 .

 

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Just for the information the movie being played is Shutter Island and it was a very good one

Cleopatra

I am back with another review . But this time it is going to be about a movie “Cleopatra” .

Link for the Plot

          I was stupefied . Really amazed at the magnum opus. What an wonderful picture of the period of Kings. In One Scene where Cleopatra comes to visit Rome , magnificence at its best. Marc Antony says to Cleopatra in the movie “ I can never forget the day when you came to Rome” . The viewers will also cry out the same. The modern movies with all the graphics are nothing compared to that scene. 

           It has a good storyline and wonderful acting by the actors. All along the story it shows Cleopatra trying to build an Alexandrian Era The motto “ We all united under heaven” .(One Rule) Elizabeth Taylor rocks as Cleopatra . I was particularly interested in the lessons it taught to the viewers

Lesson 1: Do not have love as you master . As it can blind you

   (Both Julius Caesar and Marc Antony die due to it )

Lesson 2: Never go back in your way . Else, you will lose your honor

   (Marc Antony runs way from the war to face insults)

Lesson 3: The victor is not the powerful one but the intelligent one

(Augustus Caesar is not a powerful ruler but intelligent ruler)

Lesson 4: Situation defines the strategy or There is no fix all solution

(Marc Antony follows the land fighting style in water to lose the battle )

The Kite Runner

          The name would have struck some bells. It was the famous book written by khaled Hosseini. I recently read the book and was totally captivated by it. The story begins with  1970s Afghanistan ,western America from an Afghan view and Afghanistan during the Taliban rule.

Plot

             In the 70's in Afghanistan, the Pushtun boy Amir and the Hazara boy Hassan, who is his loyal friend and son of their Hazara servant Ali, are raised together in Amir's father house, playing and kitting on the streets of a peaceful Kabul. Amir feels that his wise and good father Baba blames him for the death of his mother in the delivery, and also that his father loves and prefers Hassan to him. In return, Amir feels a great respect for his father's best friend Rahim Khan, who supports his intention to become a writer. After Amir winning a competition of kitting, Hassan runs to bring a kite to Amir, but he is beaten and raped by the brutal Assef in an empty street to protect Amir's kite; the coward Amir witness the assault but does not help the loyal Hassan. On the day after his birthday party, Amir hides his new watch in Hassam's bed to frame the boy as a thief and force his father to fire Ali, releasing his conscience from recalling his cowardice and betrayal. In 1979, the Russians invade Afghanistan and Baba and Amir escape to Pakistan. In 1988, they have a simple life in Fremont, California, when Amir graduates in a public college for the pride and joy of Baba. Later Amir meets his countrywoman Soraya and they get married. In 2000, after the death of Baba, Amir is a famous novelist and receives a phone call from the terminal Rahim Khan, who discloses secrets about his family, forcing Amir to return to Peshawar, in Pakistan, in a journey of redemption

Characters :    

         Everything in the story is portrayed through the eyes of Amir who plays the protagonist. All through the drama he repents for the childhood sin he had committed.  Khaled has displayed an array of emotions expressing the sentiment. Its just whenever has committed an sin first time they want to distance themselves from it as far as possible. Yet there is always an undercurrent flowing in their heart. Amir’s emotions largely reflect this part and during the part where he is crying for redemption you largely sympathize him.

           The ever smiling Hasan who can forgive whatever Amir has done. He potrays the essence of friendship and brotherhood. Hasan is always a good friend throughout the drama though Amir has betrayed him. Khaled has potrayed him as the guardian of good angel.There is always a villain to make the hero strong and powerful. Moreover the hero is fighting for redemption. The villainous part is played by Assef who becomes the face of Taliban in this book and from childhood displays cruelty as part of nature

           Towering above all this is Baba (Amir’s father). He is the one fighting for justice As in one particular point Amir asks the question to himself referring to Baba “Why does it always have to be him ?”. Though his character is facing some morality issues later in the story he  and his friend Rahim Khan would have captured a place in your heart .

         History:

          Afghanistan is not the land of terrorists. It was made and more miserable by the frequent wars . Its that we welcome whenever change comes(Obama used the word Change to sit on the throne of President). It was that when Taliban came to free the Afghans out of misery caused by Russians they welcomed them with open Hands. But as in old Tamil Proverb which says

When we tried to dig a well there came a demon

         Taliban was a demon in all aspects

Real Life Implications

         The characters involved are more evident in each one of our lives might be some though not to the dramatization levels in the book. Considering me as an example

• There are many of my trusted friends who forgive me whenever i make mistakes and accept them as part of life .    (Hasan)
• There is always an relative who over praises me whatever I have done even a small thing (Rahim Khan)
• I have lived long in my dad’s shadow who has protected me and assisted me . He was always there whenever i needed him (Baba)

       Throughout the book Khaled has played a soft tune which engrosses you in its melody. Khaled has really played with emotions in this book.

The GiveAway

                   The only place the book faces a lag is the part where Amir takes back Hasan’s child to America. During this part you know the outcome but the outcome is 25 pages away. It just moves on a slow pace here to give the much needed happy ending you need.

Verdict

          An excellent engrosser which keeps you involved in the plot and makes for an emotional drama.Would I recommend it to fellow readers

For You a Thousand times over

TCS ILP & CLP

          After a long time I have decided to resume blogging. Let me start where? Yup my first job(Training). I got the call letter from TCS to report on February 16 2009. Heaven had reached earth. This is how I felt. I was to report to Ahmadabad. So as usual my dad had diligently worked on packing my things while all the time my mom was giving consistent advice and I was clumsy as usual. The day came when I had to leave. It was on Friday 13^h 2009. My huge family (relatives’ folks) came to the station for send off. Clear picture of a first timer. I caught the train and three of my friends were already in the train. We had the usual chat and train continued its slogging (it was running at tremendous speed) to reach Ahmadabad a day after. As the train started I noticed lot of our college folks were in that train. There were college friends who were already in ILP to pick us up. We reached the training center (a beautiful place) at around 11. We finally settled in around 12 am 14^th Feb or 00.00 am 15^th February (Sunday). I shared my room with Vasanth whereas I was scheduled to share with someone else. On Sunday we did some sightseeing and got ourselves accustomed to the environment.Some Pics of hostel rooms are enclosed

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          The big day. Training started. I actually did not know many of my college guys. I was actually introducing myself to them. The training was great. Though the faculty were doing their usual stuff (what else teaching?? scolding??) it was like post college for me. I made good friends (Abhash, Vallab etc.) It was totally awesome. We went even to a movie. There I got close with Mr. Arun Srinivaas (my college mate) who later became my business partner. After ILP was over I had established myself as a good programming guy who is clumsy and maverick. It was during this time I had to change my room. But this I was put with Arun and Suresh (Rajalakshmi college) Which we talked with the hostel management. Then it was fun staying in room and attending office. I really loved those days. I missed my chance of being ILP topper largely due to lack of efforts.                                                   Before CLP we had two days leave. so a group of us planned to visit Diu. We embarked on that trip covering up some palaces also during that visit. We had loads of fun during that trip. Back to CLP.

 

                 CLP –> As luck would have it I got java/J2ee as my stream. Another stroke of good fortune –> I got chennai as my base branch (30 chennai openings for 23 chennai people) since ours was a samll batch consisting of 87 people everybody came to know each one . Java was absolutely fun. This is where i learned Struts framework which i would be using later in a project . we had to design a project on sales Dept of a soft Drink Parlour Our team constituted of Aabash,Arun,Videesha,Kripa and myself . We were a huge hit(We were actually roasted in the project review. I was virtually fumbling at all the questions posted). After succesful completion of the project OOPS training was over. On one hand i was very happy that I was going back to chennai to meet my family and friends back home. On the other hand i was too sad leaving all the friends formed during the training. We promised to keep in touch and we are continuing the promise.  The training was over in a flash and it was truly a life changing experience     

Christ or Krishna

I DONT KNOW THE ACURACY BUT IT'S WORTH A THOUGHT

Clues to Vedic origin of Christianity CHRISTMAS IS KRISHNA MAAS 1. Christmas or X-mas is nothing but continuation of Hindu tradition in a different form. Christmas literally means Krishna-Maas or month of Krishna. 2. The X in X-mas or 'Dec' in December refers to number 10. Because if we calculate as per Hindu Calendar which starts in March, December is the10th month. As per English calendar, December is 12th month and hence number 10 in X or Dec does not make any sense. December is root of Dashambar meaning tenth part of sky meaning tenth month of the year. 3. Bell, Book and Candle – the major symbols of Christmas are nothing but reminiscent of Hindu temple where bell is a must, book refers to holy book and candle is equivalent of Deepak or light of Yajna. Bell is derived from Sanskrit word "Bal" meaning strength. Bell is used in temples to provide strength to prayers. 4. 25th December is neither first day of the year, nor 25th December the date of Christ's birth nor midnight the time of his birth, as admitted by Christian scholars themselves. Then why is Christmas celebrated on 25th December? Because this was time of another famous festival Saturnalia festival which was part of traditions before Christianity was forced upon. "The Plain Truth about Christmas" was published by a staunch Christian Organization named Worldwide Church of God. It admitted to these theories and appealed to Christians to stop following non-Christian traditions of Christmas. 5. The idols of Mother Mary with baby Christ are no different from those of Yashoda with Krishna. To an unbiased observer, there is no difference in Janamashtmi idols and Christmas depictions of Mother and Child. Even the story has surprising similarities. Jesus was gifted to Mary by God. And Krishna too was gifted by fate to Yashoda! THE VATICAN PAPACY 1. Christianity is derived from Sanskrit term "Krishna Neeti" implying the way of life expounded by Kirishna. 2. Pope derives from "PaapaH" meaning remover of or absolver from Sin. 3. Vatican derives from "Vatika" which means a hermitage. In Vedic tradition, sages used to live in hermitages. 4. Etruscan Museum of Vatican displays several Shivalingas with cobra raising its hood over Shiva's head. 5. Priest and Abbot derive from "Purohit" and "Bhat" respectively, both signifying Vedic priests. 6. Deity, devotee, divinity are all derivatives or equivalents of Sanskrit words such as diva, devata and devaniti. 7. Pontiff is a corruption of the Sanskrit term 'puntah'. 8. The Pope was the Shankaracharya for the European region of world Hinudom until his seat was pounced upon and was forced to turn Christian by emperor Constantine, around 312 AD 9. Saint obviously is offshoot of 'Sant'. Apostle is Sanskrit 'Aap-Sthal' signifying one who proceeds from place to place (for preaching). 10. Several scholars, like H Spencer Lewis, have talked about hidden and secret records in Vatican. If there is indeed anything genuine about Jesus Christ, why it is being hidden? 11. Papacy originated around 4 AD while Jesus is supposed to have lived around 1 AD. If Jesus-time records are hidden in the Vatican, what was its role before 4 AD? Is it that these records are not being made public because they will expose that Christ was a myth and the roots of Christianity lie in Vedic institutions? CHRISTIAN TRADITIONS 1. There are no records of Jesus founding Christianity as Jesus was a fictitious personality. The credit for spread of Christianity goes to St Paul and then to armed campaigns of Constantine emperor. 2. Bible is a hodgepodge of the Old Testament, the New Testament versions written by several persons like Matthew, Mark, Luke and John at different places and different times, the Apocryphs and even angry correspondence. The original Bible is nowhere to be found (it does not exist in first place). What we have is haphazard translation from language to language at will by the translators or their mentors to suit their own convenience, convictions or predilections, from Aramaic to Greek, Greek to Latin, and thence into French, German, English etc. The word Aramaic is derived from 'Arya' in Sanskrit. 3. The introduction to the Holy Bible printed by Cambridge University Press admits that Latin translations of the Old Testament were too many to be all good. None were from original Hebrew but from Greek versions which were not clear. The Latin version derived from it was all "muddy". Some believed that Lucian and Nesychius made false additions to Old Testament which were excluded by St Hirome and St Chrysostome. All this points to a confession of Christian hanky-panky confusion. Who knows who introduced new matter or changed previous ones? 4. Still we find several Vedic names in Bible like Krishna as Christ, Hari as Henri and Harry, Keshava as Jehova, Hari-Kul-Ish a Hercules, Ganesh as Janus etc. 5. Chapter 3 of Exodus states that the angel told Moses to remove the shoes from the feet because he was standing on Holy ground. This proves that Vedic tradition of removing shoes in temples was prevalent. And God said to Moses, "I am that..I am that". This is nothing but "Aham Tat Sat" 6. Baptism is derivative of Sanskrit phrase "Baspit Sma" meaning "We have sprinkles holy water". Young Jesus was baptized by John, the Baptist. Thus John was a professional Brahmin. Adapted from: 1. World Vedic Heritage Vol 1,2 – PN Oak 2. Christianity is Krishna Neeti – PN Oak (Publisher: Hindi Sahitya Sadan, N Delhi, India Ph: +9111233553624, +911123617134)