The society that is!!

The Rohtak women, and many others, have shown immense courage despite the subtle and subliminal messaging that girls internalize as they grow up - of somehow feeling ashamed and guilty when men abuse and violate them. I'm sure many girls were told to be conservative as they grow up so that they don't attract unwanted male attention. They were also taught to avoid conversations with men to the possible extent. All this did not help as most girls even at a very young age endure many boys and men fondling them - dressing in a way isn't the reason for abuse. What with an infant getting abused! It all lies with the mindset of the man who is at fault. It sure does not foster pride and love for those girls. They do not feel comfortable in it or about it.

So, speaking up as the Rohtak girls did should be part of the narrative of raising girls - not advocating vigilantism and beating up men or raising women to think of men as their adversaries here. Nor is that a solution to the problem, although the symbolism of the Rohtak girls' actions sends a strong and timely message.

The media will highlight these heroines once in a while, but abuse happens every day. The solution is therefore telling our girls and boys every day how beautiful, precious and inviolable their bodies are. It is not an easy task to make girls feel comfortable in the society at large. Our girls must be told their bodies are for them to be proud and happy about, and cannot be touched or commented upon by anyone without their consent.

The solution is therefore to raise our girls and boys more fairly and equitably. So they do not stand by just watching the next time anyone is subjected to harassment and step up every time to help that girl or woman who is in need. So they applaud the one who raised his or her voice at her treatment. Let's take back India from men who terrorize women without punishment.

-DC

Courtesy: Devyani Khobragade - Blog @ NDTV

Saying "Good Bye" is tough

Has it ever occurred to you that, saying a "Good Bye" is a tough thing to do? 

There are times when you most certainly feel so. After having a good time with your family, friends, or relatives, when you think about leaving them, your mind goes that crazy of not having to leave and wish for the moment to just stay on. Weddings, birthdays, picnics, parties, all bring in fun-filled moments that leaves an ever lasting impact on most occasions. The contentment and merriness would only raise after all the excitement of being together and we can't just let go of our beloved because deep inside we don't want to depart or more so want their company to last a little longer. So saying a good bye then would seem so hard. 

I always wonder how a "Bye" can be "Good"! How is it good when you are hugging your loved ones and whisper "Good Bye". Is it a good situation when your heart beats faster, continuously asking you to do something to stop that person and hold them with you! Is it really good at that instance? May be it is right to say that, Bye is not Good for you, but you want it to be Good for the one leaving you for days or for months or may be for years..!

Our little heart is too big to have spaces for people who come into our life to make us smile, cry and live! And it is too small to handle these situations of separations. They say nothing is permanent in life - not our faith, not our destiny and not our people. But we can never stop people coming into our life just because they are going to leave us someday. Rather let them come, live every moment of your life with them and fill their life with happiness.

Facing separation requires guts and stability in our mind. It makes us feel the vacuum. It hurts us, beats us and kills our heart! Everyone is going to face it someday, with a heavy heart and teary eyes. That day may have already gone or it will come in future. I am not sure how perfectly we would handle these situations. But all I can say is...

Though saying "Good Bye" will add blessings, just don't forget to say "See you again"!

- DC

Oops!! Smart Phones aren't smart after-all!!

Looking down at our phones isn't just making us bump into one another, it's also exerting a damaging amount of weight onto the back of heads and necks, says scientists.

How much weight exactly? Twenty seven kilograms is the most recent estimate according to a study published in the journal Surgical Technology International.

That's about the same weight as four full-size bowling balls or - to use a more relevant comparison - 200 iPhones. All piled up on the back of your head.

Dr Kenneth Hansraj, the spinal and orthopaedic surgeon behind the study, says it's become increasingly common for patients suffering from back and neck pain to report hours spent hunched over smartphones and tablets.

"You can call it an epidemic. Wherever you go, just look around: People are heads down into their phones, especially teenagers," Hansraj told NBC news.

The extra pressures is created by weight of the human head and the angle of the neck and spine. The average head weighs around 5kg and this weight increases massively as people hunch over: a sixty degree bend adds an extra 22kg of strain.

"These stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration, and possible surgeries," writes Hansraj.


What texting does to your neck. (Image credit: Surgical Technology International)

Hansraj's advice is simple: be aware of your movements. You don't necessarily have to bring your gadgets up to eye-level to use them, but don't crane over them all the time.

Similarly, try exercises such as touching your ears to your shoulders or pushing your head against your hands, to bring some flexibility and strength back to your neck.

As computing becomes a mobile activity for more and more of us (and that includes slouching on the sofa with a tablet) neck difficulties seem set to join 'texting thumb' in the technology 'hall of pain'. Bring on those brain implants instead.

Courtesy - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/science/Texting-neck-Using-smartphone-can-be-damaging-to-your-back-expert-claims/articleshow/45323923.cms

MODIfication - The change we all hoped for!!

Rarely has any world leader come full circle the way Modi has. Denied a U.S. visa for nearly a decade for his handling of religious riots that broke out in the state he then led, Modi recently fled into New York to an overwhelming reception - as an immensely popular leader and a sought-after strategic partner. 

There has been a notably huge void in the whole democratic system - the element of trust that had eroded particularly in recent years as negligence both at the Centre and state level, had caused a loss of public confidence at a time when the expectations of the people were soaring. Modi with his enthusiastic and careful approach is essentially calling for a revival of the trust between the government, business, society and other institutions. This is the most critical element in restoring faith in the minds of people. A ray of hope and revival of sorts is so vital in building the economy. Hope the PM lives up to his words of bringing a better future. Hope for a better INDIA!

Almost as soon as Narendra Modi became prime minister of India, words spread around rapidly about the increasing level of apprehension on true India. Of course the growth of Gujarat had people believe in the man and led him to the throne. One would not quarrel much of what has recently been unleashed by the PM - Make-in-India campaign, a lion's step, as quoted by the PM himself. The driving of this project and restoring India's place in global manufacturing comes as a highlight. Sought to inject a new optimism among businesses and improve the economy through streamlining of sectors across the country, this campaign promises much. To succeed, the PM must bring about fundamental changes in the economy and steer a stable course in a country prone to conflicts.

Big Vision. A Better India. All it takes is a Change. Hopefully the man - Modi is the change. Let's be hopeful.

- DC

Market Sees the Ciaz!!!

Maruti Suzuki, the household name in the Indian domestic Auto market normally lets people associate the  brand with affordable & Value-For-Money cars. And of course in the market driven by Fuel economy, Maruti is by far the best claiming the Numero-Uno position in the car market ever since its launch.With models ranging from the Vintage 800 (made to order) to the Grand Vitara, it has a portfolio of 13 and counting. The compact sedan segment, however has proved to be a tough nut to crack for Maruti - response to the SX4 wasn't that great. Let alone the premium segment.

Honda City was dominant in its own term in this segment till 2012. Hyundai rightly answered with the New Verna which took the market by storm with its fluidic design and performance. Lack of a diesel variant was seen as Honda's downfall and Hyundai enjoyed an almost monopoly until Honda came back with meeting the demands of the market. Honda now sells close to 8000 units of the City. But then it was just the beginning of what was to follow. Maruti with its ever so responsive R&D and Marketing has launched the Ciaz - the head turner in this year's Auto Expo. And guess what - the car has already made 3000 bookings in 3 days and is believed to threaten the share of City and Verna.

The new Ciaz is better-equipped and built on an all-new platform, unlike the SX4 whose styling looked quite dated. Compared the City or Verna, the Ciaz's design is safe, and yet attractive. The front fascia comprises of a fairly large hood and a 4-slit chrome grille that literally stares at you. Also, the large projector head-lamps don't fail to grab your attention. The 16-inch alloys, which come only on the top-end Z+ variant, add to the appeal. Wheelbase of 2650mm is substantially more than that of its rivals. That's not all, the sedan also gets a ground clearance of 170 mm, which is, again, more than that of its rivals. As far as its rear is concerned, it is hard to miss the striking similarity with the Honda City!

Roomy cabin and  the beige-black interiors with wooden garnish and chrome do offer some premium appeal. The top end variant gets a SmartPlay infotainment system with a large touchscreen (which is a definite miss in Verna). The boot space is a generous 510-litres, which is same as the Honda City but more than the Hyundai Verna.

The 1.3-litre diesel variant, carried over from the Ertiga mated to a 5 speed gearbox puts out 89bhp along with a healthy 200Nm of torque. The upgraded 1.4-litre K-Series petrol motor has 91bhp on tap and 130Nm of torque. Maruti will offer two transmission options on this one, a 4-speed automatic and a 5-speed manual. Both of these engines claim class-leading fuel efficiency figures - especially the diesel motor, which is higher than that of the Honda City. When it comes to the ride, I heard that the cabin is constantly buzzin and a bit bouncy on uneven terrain at high-speeds though the HIghway ride seem to be comfortable. And finally to the thing that determines the verdict - Maruti has come up with an aggressive price that range from Rs. 7 - 11 lakhs. Well!! thats an instant hit in our market anytime and answers the 1000 bookings per day in 3 days of its launch.

Ciaz would turn out to be milestone for the company and we can expect a blockbuster this festive season for Maruti.

- DC

Courtesy - Auto Car, NDTV, TeamBHP :)

The Happy Life!!

I recently came across a quote that read, "It's not our abilities that show us who we truly are; it's our choices". True to the core. You can't change the situation you face, the only thing you can change is how you choose to deal with it. And that's where self conscience takes front and makes you do what you want to. Whenever your heart and mind lock in conflict, just do what you consider right, rather than desirable. You will never live to regret it. 

Focus on what you wish to tell yourself;  it helps you transcend the self and connect to yourself. Learn to forgive others and more importantly, yourself. Neither blame nor pity anyone. We all make mistakes; what is important is not to repeat them. Carve space and time for people close to you - relatives and friends. These are the people who stand by us in good and bad times, those who sustain and cherish our very souls. Do not waste time on parasitic relationships or spending too much time at work. As they say, there is always time for each and everything in life. Be clear about it. Play while you play. Work while you work.  

Life and love are nothing but a stringing together of moments. It is in the smallest things that we find our most beautiful and sometimes most catastrophic moments. Never ignore the small for the larger picture. Take time to appreciate and be grateful for the many little blessings you are surrounded by. It will go a long way in reducing that killer stress and making you a happy person. 

You can never be everything to everyone, so choose your priorities carefully rather than spreading yourself out too thin. This will help you lead a satisfying, happy life.

- DC

BUCKET LIST!!!

People always dream about things that they want to do in life and I’m no exception. Though it may seem premature, I have a few things on mind which I keep thinking about; of doing it in the near future. Here are the ones which are on priority.

- to turn into a Business Analyst

- to help my dad set up a Business

- to send my parents on a Euro Trip

- to marry the Girl of my dreams

- to build my own House

- to go Sky Diving

“Business Analyst”:

Call it destiny that I got into Mobis India Ltd.  Since my childhood, I was keen to work in Auto-mobile Industry and my interest in management and operations did help my cause. It was a fortune moment when i joined MIN after my masters. Adapting to the new environment wasn't difficult; what with the likes of my peers being so friendly. Healthy learning over a couple of years and with the guidance from all around, I was able to contribute to the company's cost saving for which I was recognized with the "Proud Mobisian Award", which I take pride in. Literally. Leveraging this start, I would like to put in my best efforts to get a deep understanding of dealer sales and operations so as to turn into a business analyst soon. I only hope I’ll earn it with time.          

Business for Dad:

               Kids more often than not term their dad as their role models and I have always seen my dad as one. I have witnessed him go through tough times in his career and eventually succeed with excellence. It is his passion and commitment that inspires me the most and I would as well like to grow up like him for my son to look up to me. Through all these years, I hardly remember him spending leisure time. His favorite past time would always be working on something or the other and not rest a while. He is about to get his retirement come July. So in all likelihood he would not want to be idle at home. And there is always my childhood interest of turning an entrepreneur; so why not try it out! I would want to help my dad establish a business - an apparel outlet probably, where we can design our own apparel range with suggestions from friends and colleagues who’d volunteer. So in a few months, I wish I could help my dad into this set up and there is always this pride of owning a business.

“Euro Trip”:

While in Sweden (doing my MS), I had the opportunity of witnessing the scenic beauties of Europe which has a multitude of countries, diverse mix of cultures & traditions and regional & ethnic communities. A trip to Frankfurt, Helsinki, Florence, Rome, and Venice made me savour its architectural excellence, years of preserved history, fashion and design that the place very much symbolizes.  The collage below would best suffice the fun I had.

And, I’m looking forward to gift this wonderful experience to my parents. A Euro trip so they could get themselves off on a holiday, sans all stress that one would go through at their age. Just to let them enjoy time together after all these years of constantly looking after me and my brother. I think it is an opportune moment for me to show them my love once more, and since I’m in a position to afford it, it would only be wise to gift them a week of their own life back to them. Plans are on for spring.

“Dream wedding”:

During the course of this, I would like to get married to the girl of my dreams. I think it is just the right time for me to get settled with a family of my own. Just like all guys do, I too dream of a girl. I believe I would get to meet her soon and when I do, I won’t hesitate to confess my love. It comes in handy being friends with a lot of couples, I have learnt a lot about relationships and that there are bound to be difference of opinions. But then, I firmly believe that I will be able to make it through since relationships aren’t just about what couples have in common but how they make it through, even with disparity.

So I just hope to meet my girl and get married. And with marriage comes a moral obligation of having kids and since I myself love kids, I would love to have a couple of them, a girl & a boy ideally. Raising children are always fun and it is the greatest feel a father and mother could get. I know how happy a mom & dad could get just cherishing the moment of watching their kids grow up & I wish I experience that soon. 

“Duplex”:

I have never felt the need for luxury all my life since I was fortunate enough to have been brought up without being given too much than what I actually needed. So it has never occurred to me to desire for things that I don’t need. But I think there are times when desires and needs change. I have been living with my parents since my birth and I had been comfortable all along but once I’m married, I feel the need of moving to a house of my own, of course with my parents to feel more responsible and also, to be able to give my kids the comfort level that I had while staying with my parents.

So I have started planning and probably in another couple of years, I’ll get started with my dream project of my “Duplex”. However, it is quite a challenge, with the current boom on realty taking land prices to staggering heights. But then, with every challenge comes an opportunity and I’m pretty confident of making it count. “Home. Sweet Home”

“Sky Diving”:

As children, we always had our insights about superheroes - Superman, Batman and so on. We wished we had those super human abilities - to fly, to fight and to be charismatic. We were so intrigued to those characters that at times we even tried  to imitate them resulting in a fracture or a bruise. But having grown to know those were just fictions, we can now only have a grin in our face thinking those unfulfilled dream; the very dreams which we could only fancy fantasizing. But still, fantasies do come alive.

One can’t oversee the classic from film maker Christopher Nolan - The Batman Series. It is a series with much logical sense which rationalizes the acts of a batman and doesn't defy the laws of physics even at a single frame. So I've been wondering if I would be able to make the flight of a batman. Not possible in real life unless there is something similar on its line - Sky Diving. At least I would be able to get a bird’s eye view and find myself afloat in the sky. Scary though!

The major obstacle of achieving anything is “not believing” in it. And they say,

“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it.

If you can dream it, you can become it”

I’m dreaming it. And I believe in my dreams.

   - DC 

And here comes the "Rice Bucket Challenge"!!!

Well.. the "Ice Bucket Challenge" has gone viral.

Basically it is an activity involving dumping a bucket of ice water on one's head to promote awareness of the disease Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)  and encourage donations to research. In simple words, (actually I couldn't find any, it's a bit too technical of course) ALS  is a progressive neuro-degenerative disease that affects the nerve cells and the spinal cord. 

Apparently a good initiative. However, with the scarce supply of water these days (at least in parts of Tamilnadu and elsewhere in India), rather than wasting water (now that it has already gone viral) why not spread the "Rice Bucket Challenge".

A Hyderabad based woman, Manju Latha Kalanithi has kick started this with a motive of helping the needy. It is a practical and innovative solution to feed the poor. This initiative seeks those who are interested to cook or buy a bucketful of rice for it to be given to the poor and needy in the neighborhood. Saves water. Helps the deprived. Donation need not necessarily be a bucket of rice, it can be of kind -  medicines, clothes and so on. It is just a way of showing "we care". we don't normally do things until we are told to or get a drive to. So here it is. Take it on and be the change. 

- TSC (Team for Social Cause)

P.S. TSC (Team for Social Cause) is a group devised at MIN - Mobis India Ltd (Hyundai Motors Group) at the start of this year with an aim of lending a helping hand for the welfare of the poor. A group of employees has taken pledge to save money every month and make voluntary donations to a social cause. TSC's contributions bring a smile to those who are in need and also drive the ones who wish to support. Such is the group and the people in it. 

And the journey has only begun. :) 

Rice Bucket Challenge - http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/now-rice-bucket-challenge-goes-viral/article6345407.ece

MIN - http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/hyundai-mobis-to-expand-network-for-spare-parts-supply/article4785034.ece
https://en.mobis.co.kr/

The Uber turns Elite!!!

Hyundai unleashed the 1st Gen i20 in 2008 that left a rousing impact. Four years forward and Hyundai introduced the mid-life facelift in 2012, which did not fail to impress either. Hence, the 2nd Gen i20 really has some big shoes to fill in and yet this would be quite an understatement.

The recent unveiling of Hyundai Elite i20 in India is a clear indication from the car-maker that it's focus is to strengthen its foothold in the domestic market. Also to cease the new Volkswagen Polo or the Fiat Punto Evo from gaining a head-start. And obviously to take on Maruti's Swift head-on. Needless to say, face-lifts and new generations are the need of the hour.

The Fluidic design from Hyundai was an instant hit in India and this time around the new i-20 comes with a "Fluidic Sculpture 2.0" design philosophy that's more European-esque.  The company claims this shift in the design philosophy was to transform the car's image. The new styling certainly allows the Elite i20 to look bolder (to come across as 'bold' instead of 'youthful'). The hexagonal grille at the front is hard to miss. The sweptback head-lamps and the sleek fog-lamps on the bumper help bring the much-needed 'cheer' to the hatchback's front. The absence of daytime running LED (as in the outgoing model) is quite strange though. That said, it is really the rear where the Elite i20 scores brownie points, thanks to the 'Alfa-Romeo styled' tail-lights. And the blacked out C-pillar blends in equally well.  To be honest, it looks all the more ravishing and make heads turn.

Now, the cabin. Its nice and pleasant inside the Elite i20; the dual-tone beige and black interiors look good and so does the neatly laid out dashboard. The fit-and-finish is as good as ever. Being a Hyundai product, the presence of lots of features is a given. The 3-spoke steering wheel has a nice upmarket feel to it and comes with lots of controls mounted on it. The hatchback gets a front -centre armrest with storage, a steering-sensitive rear parking camera, and a 2-DIN audio system with 1GB storage among other features. A one-touch function is also present onboard to warn lane change intentions as an added safety measure. So, the Elite i20 looks truly 'un-compromised'.

Since the Elite i20's wheelbase is the longest in its segment, there is little doubt that the rear row gets quite a decent amount of legroom and headroom. The seats are firm and comfortable, with good under-thigh support. Then there are also the AC vents in the rear row. Simply put, you will be comfortably riding in the Elite i20's rear row. As far as the boot space is concerned, it has shrunk a bit, as compared to the outgoing model, but is still good enough to fit in baggage for a couple of days trip.

Coming to the driving dynamics, Hyundai has turned smart to improve the Elite i20's by adding a bit more zing to the petrol engine and refinement to the diesel. 

The 1.4-litre U2 diesel engine delivers 89bhp of power and an impressive peak torque worth 220Nm. Also, it doesn't make much noise, even at high speeds, and the cabin is really quiet. In terms of transmission, the 6-speed gearbox (only in Diesel variant) is quick and responsive and is perfect for highway driving. 

The 1.2-litre petrol engine has been tweaked to offer more low and mid-range power. It produces 82bhp and 115Nm of torque and comes mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Expect the petrol model to get an automatic transmission pretty soon. The fuel efficiency figures are impressive too; Hyundai claims that the petrol engine offers 18.5Km/l, while the diesel promises 22Km/l.

In terms of suspension, the one on the Elite i20 is softer than that on the outgoing model. With a ground clearance of 170mm, driving on poorly-built roads wouldn't be a challenge anymore. The steering is precise around corners and the car handles well at high-speeds. Overall, the new i20's ride and handling certainly feels more confident.

The crux of the matter is that the Elite i20, with it's improved driving dynamics, added features, more space and new styling, will easily fill in the big shoes of its predecessor. With a price tag of Rs. 4.89 lakh for the base petrol and Rs. 7.67 lakh for the top-end diesel, the Elite i20 looks a bit pricey , but that didn't deter many in the past and we doubt it will affect the new-generation model's prospects either.

- DC

Courtesy: Autocar, Team BHP, Wikipedia, Kun Trial :)

Yes, Yuvraj is to blame...

Yuvraj is to blame for giving an entire generation of Indians the winning feeling reserved for champions of the cricketing world

We shared the jokes, we mouthed the expletives, we published the memes. We vented our ire in all ways we could,some of us even breaching the boundaries of ethics in doing so. We went over the case and passed the verdict. We pronounced the offender guilty.

Yes, Yuvraj Singh is to blame. For hitting an English bowler out of the park six times in as many deliveries, and instilling a belief in the minds of India's cricket fanatics that one of us could destroy an English bowling attack on foreign soil.

Yuvraj is to blame for pulling of an unprecedented heist at the sanctum of world cricket that left the cricketing universe gaping in awe, and evoked a feeling of unbounded pride in the heart of each and every fan of Indian cricket, for we had beaten those who ruled us for centuries.

Yuvraj is to blame for arduously carrying a billion dreams to fruition and giving this country something its incumbent youth had never seen the country possess, the Cricket World Cup.

Yuvraj is to blame for mesmerizing cricket fans of this country with such clean hitting that each and every time a bowler was in his delivery stride, somewhere deep within we expected the bowl to sail into the stands. Every darned time.

And Yuvraj is now also to blame for exhibiting the mortal side of a man who we had long believed to be Superman. Yuvraj is to blame for persevering through cancer to perform for fans who manifest their love by hurling stones at his house. Yuvraj is to blame for opening our eyes to the bleak reality that he is a mere human.

Those who have truly embraced cricket will know that this display of irreverence was blasphemy of the highest degree. For every stone that was pelted, let a thousand apologies be uttered. Let us show the king where he truly lives in our hearts. Sorry Yuvi.

Courtesy - Bhaskar Bhowmik @ cricinfo
http://www.espncricinfo.com/thestands/content/story/735753.html