Happy Independence Day

15th August 1947 - India's tryst with destiny. 60 years ago, Pt. Nehru made an historical speech (text, video, YouTube) and time has come to take a stock of achievements and gaps.

This year instead of sending regular Independence day wishes, I sent the following email to a few people ...

Hi,

As we turn 60 tomorrow, I thought that instead of sending regular wishes and cards, I will ask a few questions.

I am sending this to a select few in my list. I am hoping that some of us will actually take time off our busy lives and ponder on things that have largely been ignored.

Ok here are the three questions, the ones I want us to think on.

Three questions
1. What is India to you? Are you proud to call yourself Indian?
2. What does independence mean to you?
3. If you could change one thing about India, what would it be?

Taking a lead, I thought about each of them and here are my honest answers.

1.
India to me is more than a country. India is my identity. India defines me. I am as Indian as anyone can get. I am crazy about cricket. I am insecure. I am boastful and like to show off. I am hungry for appreciation. I think about society twice before I do things. I crib. I can find everything wrong with the system. I can talk but when it comes down to action, I take the back seat.

I am proud of our achievements. Humble they may seem compared to rest of the world but none the less they are achievements. They are what we have done in past. They are what we have not done in past. They are precedents and they are the benchmarks. Time has come to now actually raise those benchmarks.

2.
To me, independence is about borders, boundaries and constraints. Freedom is about looking beyond these imaginary lines and aspiring to explore things beyond them. It is about thinking, trying, fighting and in few cases, actually achieving. Personally I would say I am still not free. I am still bound by constraints. I think twice before I take any step – big or small. There are many a stones that are still unturned. There are many a frontiers yet to be conquered. There are many a lives yet to be lived.

3.
If I could change one thing, I would change the literacy rate from 50 odd percent to 100 percent. In my view, illiteracy is mother of all evil. Conquer it and rest of the demons shall be conquered. Easier said than done.

Please see if you can share your thoughts with me.

Warm Regards,
Saurabh Garg

I got a few responses and with their permission, I shall post them here over a few days. If someone is reading this and has an opinion, please share. Email me at septemberthe22nd@gmail.com.

15th August over the years
15th August 2006
15th August 2005
15th August 2004

Independence Day Wallpaper

McDonald's - Am Loving It ... or Not .. ?

Yesterday, I wanted to order for some food. I recently saw an advert from McD that said they have started home delivery. So I thought may be its time I tried the service.

Please note that I called on a Tuesday night at 10:30 PM.

I dialed helpline number (66000666 - very easy to remember - +1 point). After a couple of rings, instead of an actual human voice, an IVR responded that if I wanted to place order I should press 1 and if I wanted to talk to customer service I should press 2. I will give this -5 points. If this is a delivery number, I should not be interrupted before placing my order. I should not be pressing any stupid keys or "talk" to IVRs.

Anyways, I press 1 and after about 4 rings an operator picks up and this is how conversation flowed ...

Operator: Hi, are you calling in for the first time? (No greetings, Thank Yous etc) (-1)

Me: Yes I am calling in for the first time.

Operator: May I have your mobile number please? (Yes he used "please" this time)

Me: It is 99*** ***37. (I had to repeat this 3 times) (-1)

Operator: Oh, I see that you are calling in for the firs time (Wow !) (-1)

Me: Yes, I told you that I am calling in for the first time.

Operator: Are you registered with us under any other number?

Me: Huh? I never registered anywhere.

Operator: I mean did you call us earlier from any other number. (-5)

Me: I AM CALLING IN FOR THE FIRST TIME (I got rude)

Operator: I will put you on hold. (He did not ask for my permission) (-1)

I was on hold for about a minute. Another operator picked up

Operator 2: Hi, Thanks for calling McD. Can I know your mobile number? (Yes, he said Thanks)

Me: I have given it already but it is 99*** ***37.

Operator 2: Are you calling for the first time? (-2)

Me: Yes I am.

Operator 2: Please hold on. (Again I wasn't asked if they can put me on hold) (-2)

And the call dropped. I was disconnected. Had it been my company, I would have called back the customer after a call drop.

I was hungry and I wanted to have McD food. And I tried calling again.

The IVR picked up after two rings. I was promptly asked to press 1 or 2 and again after 4 rings an operator picked up.

Operator 3: Hi, Is this your first call to McD?

Me: Yes, I am calling in for the first time. My number is 99*** ***37. Can I place my order please?

Operator 3: Sir, which is the nearest McD to your house?

Me: The one in Bandra.

Operator 3: Do you mean the one in Khar?

Me: Yes the one in Khar.

Operator 3: Sir, please hold (again, no request) (-5)

Surprisingly, the operator forgot to press the HOLD button on his console and I could listen to the conversation in the background.

Operator 3: Oye tereko Santacruz malooom hai? (Do you know Santacruz well?)

Another Guy: Haan, haan maloom hai. (Yes yes, I know)

Operator 3: Delivery karega? (Would you deliver?)

Another Guy: Dekh ley (I dunno...)

I could not believe what I heard. (-20 points for this one)

Operator 3: Thank you for holding sir. The delivery would take an hour to reach. (No sorry, no regrets, just plain facts)

Me: One hour? But the outlet is 10 mins walk from my place.

Operator 3: Sir, there are lots of orders pending for delivery.

Me: Ok, should I walk down to the McD and have my food?

Operator 3: But sir the outlet would be closed in another 5 minutes. (He was being helpful and he asked me not to go to a McD !)

Me: So should I order from somewhere else?

Operator 3: Yes sir.

Me: Ok, Thanks.

And I disconnected.

After calling them twice, I could not place my order and I was actually redirected towards another food outlet. It's about time McD got the training correct for the staff. They should take a cue from Domino's Pizza. Apart from fast processing, understanding agents, ordering is actually fun at Domino's.

Also if on a Tuesday night all their delivery men are occupied, they should ramp up. A customer knocking on doors and going away without paying is a sin for any organization.

Swades - We The People

I have been told by zillions of people to watch Swades - We The Poeple. Directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar, the Lagaan fame, Swades talks about one man's journey back to his country.

SRK is in the lead role and I have been told that Swades is SRK's best performance till date. I still havent seen the movie, someone can still gift me a DVD :) [UPDATE @ 23 Aug 07: Bought and saw Swades.]

Here is an awesome song from the movie ... !

Title: Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: A.R.Rahman

Ye Jo Des Hai Tera, Swades Hai Tera, Tujhe Hai Pukaara ...
Ye Woh Bandhan Hai Jo Kabhi Toot Nahin Sakta

Ye Jo Des Hai Tera, Swades Hai Tera, Tujhe Hai Pukaara ...
Ye Woh Bandhan Hai Jo Kabhi Toot Nahin Sakta

Mitti Ki Jo Khushboo, Tu Kaise Bhoolaayega
Tu Chaahe Kahin Jaaye, Tu Laut Ke Aayega
Nayi Nayi Raahon Mein, Dabi Dabi Aahon Mein
Khoye Khoye Dilse Tere, Koyi Ye Kahega
Ye Jo Des Hai Tera, Swades Hai Tera, Tujhe Hai Pukaara
Ye Woh Bandhan Hai Jo Kabhi Toot Nahin Sakta

Tujhse Zindagi, Hai Ye Keh Rahi
Sab Toh Paa Liya, Ab Hai Kya Kami
Yun Toh Saare Sukh Hai Barse
Par Door Tu Hai Apne Gharse
Aa Laut Chal Tu Ab Diwaane
Jahaan Koyi Toh Tujhe Apna Maane
Awaaz De Tujhe Bulaane, Wahi Des

Ye Jo Des Hai Tera, Swades Hai Tera, Tujhe Hai Pukaara
Ye Woh Bandhan Hai Jo Kabhi Toot Nahin Sakta

Ye Pal Hai Wahi, Jis Mein Hai Chhupi
Koyi Ek Sadi, Saari Zindagi
Tu Na Poochh Raaste Mein Kaahe
Aaye Hain Is Tarha Do Raahein
Tu Hi Toh Hai Raah Jo Sujhaaye
Tu Hi Toh Hai Ab Jo Ye Bataaye
Chaahe Toh Kis Disha Mein Jaaye Wahi Des
Ye Jo Des Hai Tera, Swades Hai Tera, Tujhe Hai Pukaara
Ye Woh Bandhan Hai Jo Kabhi Toot Nahin Sakta

Quite a few lessons and one of the best patriotic songs of all times in my humble opinion.

Related Links
Swades on Wikipedia
Lyrics copied from HindiLyrix

Mumbai Pune Expressway - Trapped

On 07.07.07 a friend and me decided to drive down the Mumbai Pune Expressway. Here are the results ...



Title: Trapped
Equipment: Nokia N72
Date: 07 July 2007
Time: 7:30 PM
Place: somewhere on Mumbai Pune Expressway.

Related Links
Wikipedia on Mumbai Pune Expressway
Mumbai Pune Expressway - Trapped

Monsoon Magic - The Flight of Fantasy

I tried to get that bird over the sun, but I am hardly a pro and I was looking through my mobile phone ... :)

Title: The Flight of Fantasy
Equipment: Motorola Razr v3i
Date: 11 Jun 2007
Time: 7:30 PM
Place: Carter Road, Bandra

Related Links
The Third Eye
Monsoon Magic - The Lone Fighter

Another Shot


This one was for the wallpaper on my mobile phone. Actually this was the first one I took and then I realized that I can capture that birdy trying to destroy the sun.

I will call this The Infinity. There is no boundry to either the ocean or the sky and there you have the birdies, me, everyone trying to conquer them !

Title: The Infinity
Equipment: Motorola Razr v3i
Date: 11 Jun 2007
Time: 7:30 PM
Place: Carter Road, Bandra

Related Links
The Third Eye
Monsoon Magic - The Lone Fighter

Simpsons Vs Potter

Mid-Day had this somedays back ...
Kudos to guy who thought of this.

Moved On ...

Today was my last working day at GE Money India.

It's about time I moved on to bigger and better things and pursue other interests.

Mumbai to Pune

A friend and me suddenly decided that we need to break away from the clutter and rush Mumbai is made up of and nothing can beat a drive to Pune. We packed our bags, got speed and hit the road.

We drove down the Mumbai-Pune expressway, talked about life, people, friends, ourselves and things to come in life.

The best part about travelling, trekking is the time and emptiness it offers. You can think about yourself. You can decide the direction you want to take. You can think of excuses for lame things that you have done in life. And last but not the least, you get to see, meet, feel new places and people. You get to live a short new life!

A Mumbai-Pune highway ride is VERY highly recommended.

Few things to take care of
1. Always carry extra tyres. The road before and after the expressway is rough and uncharacteristically high number of incidents happen.
2. Food and water is not a problem. Everyone 30 odd kilometers there are "pit stops" and you get food, clean restrooms, fuel, service stations. It is still advisable to carry essentials.
3. Carry change for the toll. They are very finicky about it.

DL 5S Q 2131 Sold

Today I was told that my bike has been sold. Came as a shocker. Did not know I was so fixated with something so material.

My Biking Blog @ dl52q2131.blogspot.com comes to an end.

My biking posts about Driving through Delhi (Jan 2004), 60 kmph (Nov 2005), Biking and Music (Apr 2007), Freak Accident (Aug 2006), My dream bike (Jan 2006) still remain. Post about 8101 here and here are still there. The only thing missing is my bike. I loved it more than anything else and I will sure miss it.

Anyways its gone. Time to stop thinking about past and worrying about the future.

Plan of Action aka POA is to start meeting new people and talking! More updates on this soon.

The Man Who Sold The World

Another English song .. !

Title: Man Who Sold The World
Artist: Nirvana (I later read that this song was originally done by David Bowie)

We passed upon the stair
We spoke of was and when
Although I wasn't there
He said I was his friend
Which came as a surprise
I spoke into his eyes
I thought you died alone
A long long time ago

Oh no, not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With The Man Who Sold The World

I laughed and shook his hand
And made my way back home
I searched for form and land
For years and years I roamed
I gazed a gazeless stare
At all the millions here
I must have died alone
A long, long time ago

Who knows? Not me
We never lost control
You're face to face
With the Man who Sold the World

Comments ... NOT ALLOWED !