Pune to Solapur - The September 4, 2011 Update

I was back on the road, despite wondering if it was worth it, doing Hyderabad and Pune in my Santro. The journey to Pune from Hyderabad was last Sunday, August 29, 2011, which was eventless - no traffic jams, no heavy traffic and I sailed through all the bottlenecks on the road pretty smoothly. The road was as good as it an get in the rains - Hyderabad to Solapur was in five hours - started at 530 am and reached Solapur by 1030 at a steady clip. No major bumps, and at 80 kmph, a very smooth ride.

I broke journey at Nisarg, a new restaurant that comes up 15 kms after crossing Solapur, on the right side of the road. He has some hot tiffins that include idli, vada, sabudana kichdi, sabudana vada, a heavy plate of puri and bhaji which is a solid meal in itself, shira and some other stuff which he makes well. The service is good and fast, there is ample parking, a loo as well and is generally among the better ones I found in these parts. The other joint is Athithi which is very clean though the service and range is rather limited and this comes near Tembhurni. Solapur to Pune took me 5 and a half hours or let's say five because I travelled right across Pune. I was at Hadapsar at 4 p.m. which is good going on this road.

The whole week it rained madly in Pune, so bad that I feared the roads would get washed away. The sky was as dark as anything I had seen, the rain incessant as it can only rain in the western ghats. So when I was planning to head back from Pune to Hyderabad I was really apprehensive. I checked out all alternative routes and the best seemed to be the Saswad-Jejuri-Nira-Lonand- Phaltan-Pandharpur-Mohol-Solapur. But after much debating I decided to stick to the highway.

Started off at 545 am which was maybe half an hour later than I would have liked. But it was a Sunday morning and thankfully the heavy traffic was missing. But the rain slowed me down considerably for the first hour or more. The toll road just outside Pune is a good way to get off on a long journey and those 30 kms were a breeze and an indicator of how wonderful life can get once the four laning gets done. The next part is when the four laning has begun but only one side of the road is usable - so you keep shifting from one stretch of the road to another after every few kilometres. These roads are in good condition, wide, and have enough space and those few kilometres can be done swiftly, though one needs to be careful at the diversions. But comfortable. After that stretch is when the road narrows up and you can get held up in jams. I held my breath for bad roads, traffic jams but went through comfortably again. The first railway crossing was open, free, no jam. The narrow bridge that comes someplace after Bhigwan was empty and I just sailed past. The narrow roads were empty. The last railway crossing on the other site of Tembhurni was open and there were no traffic pile ups there as well. I was at Solapur by 1030 a.m. which is as good as it can get on a rainy day, on a road that is under construction.

The road from Solapur to Omerga is decent and one can do a pretty good pace here. The Karnataka roads are wide but the rains have taken a toll and there are a few potholes which slow down the pace. The Andhra Pradesh road which was in brilliant condition also has suffered a bit with the rains and has some potholes but nothing that is bad. It is all very very motorable, no bad stretches that warrant a second think. If one gets past the narrow roads between Bhigwan and Tembhurni, one is pretty assured of making it in 9.5 to 10 hours doing a decent speed of 70-80 kmph. If there are two factors that helped I would say one was the Sunday morning which probably accounted for lesser heavy traffic and the early start which allows one an easy getaway from the town.

Anyone who is thinking of a road trip on this route and is worried about it can be assured that it is mostly in good condition and perfectly motorable. I have sen some comments on team bhp and to answer a few (1) the distance of 550 kms can be done by a solo driver easily especially if one has done it before (a good night's sleep and an early start should do) (2) it is not really the death trap that it is made out to be if one drives sensibly and does not drive at high speeds, overtake blindly, driver is properly rested etc which I think are bigger causes of accidents than anything especially since the road conditions do not allow for excessive speeding. There are enough joints to stop by for a tea and a bite and it is pretty comfortable. I do it alone, and never had a problem. If there is one thing I would advise it would be to drive during the day because the roads in the Maharasthra section are narrow and winding, many parts are under construction, and there are a few sharp curves one needs to watch out for. If night driving is a must, be sure that there are two drivers at least and take it slow and careful. Happy driving!

Cell Phone Etiquette

I have not yet seen any formal lessons in cell phone etiquette yet but I am sure there are some developed already. If there can be an etiquette for how to write on Facebook (which is followed diligently by many) cell phone etiquette could be praticed. Let me then add my two pence to this topic, one that could soon become a billion dollar training opportunity. Most of them are what-not-to-do's with a few to-do's added in to make it sound authentic.

1) Don't get up and walk off when the cell phone rings when in the middle of a conversation...makes the others feel completely stupid

2) Don't completely ignore the fact that there are many people around you and start hollering at the top of your voice...they have a reputation to protect and may disappear from your company

3) Don't show off your importance and the importance of your business deals by yelling in the middle of a restaurant or in a party...those people who are puking are not doing it because of bad food

4) Don't lie that you are somewhere else when you are in a theatre and 400 other people can hear you...there could be a law to arrest people like you soon

5) Don't act like you are actually making love to the cell phone and keep a respectable distance from it...get a life, a real partner, and let the poor cell phone go

6) Don't keep switching the phone from mouth to ear as if you are on a primitive walkie talkie because these phones are capable of doing both taking and hearing from one place...it looks really stupid and not like what you think is your Bond impression

7) Don't sit in a meeting and keep sms ing all the time or just admiring your phone because it is really irritating to the others and everyone knows you are not so busy anyway...some countries have passed a law that such phones can be thrown out of the window

8) Don't keep loud ring tones that frighten little children, cause temporary deafness or cause heart attacks in old people...get a hearing aid instead

9) Don't use ring tones of babies crying, people in orgasms, dogs yelping and so on which could be in bad taste...it's best to keep your private fantasies private else you could get arrested on suspicion

10) Don't use cell phones to scratch, fondle and other such stuff because they are meant for other uses...go see a doctor

11) Don't use the cell phone to show off your extremely bad language, your accent by shouting loudly in the middle of a party. During these times, please go away and save the others from puking

12) Don't keep looking at your cell phone like it is going to explode any moment...get a life, read Dale Carnegie's book on getting friends

13) Don't put on an I-am-s0-important tone soon as you get a business call and go giving gaalis in a posh manner to all and sundry while at the table with many others....everyone knows, these times go away please

14) Don't show off your perversions by taking off on the poor tele marketers and showing them your mastery over English and over the business of loans etc

15) Don't behave like your telephone conversation is the most important and that no one else is allowed to speak..it's a free country, if you can, so can anyone else

16) Don't pick up phones of your friends and check out all the features including their sms'es and calls made and received...it is personal yousee...and also you could find some information you cannot digest such as most of the calls and smses coming from your partner

17) As for spouses and partners who insist on checking their partner's phones and smses, they should be told that it is an invasion of privacy and abuse... should be added to the IPC at the earliest as a cognisable crime under domestic violence or infringement of privacy...the number of people who are being harassed by cell phone abuse is just not funny

18) Don't use your cell phone on the road or in other unsafe places if you cannot stop yourself from getting too involved because you could get run over.. spare the one who is on the other end of the line

19) Don't use the phone on the bike, in the car if you have no head phones because one can make out by the way you are driving that you are talking on a cell phone...you normally drive like someone who is a cross between a drunk and a retard

20) Don't pick up every single call even if you don't know who is calling...it is not necessary nor is it a rule...again get a life pal

21) Keep the cell phone in silent in movies, concerts, meetings, when meeting new people

22) Do switch off your phone in air planes when asked to instead of telling the poor air hostesses that you know that the waves don't interfere with the plane communication...we know you are smart and savvy but please don't also show that you are extremely donkey like

23) Don't keep looking at your phone every two moments...get a life

24) Don't play music on your cell phone loudly in public places to entertain yourself...others maybe looking for a bit of peace and may not really want to listen to your awful taste in music...get some headphones

25) Don't keep calling people up without warning and thrusting the phone to the others to speak...they may not really want to speak to your best friends, wife, girlfriend etc

These are some that I could think of. It does appear that it has much more scope than this. 'Use while driving' is one whole chapter, 'use and consequences when lying publicly', 'abuse cases' are separate and need serious consideration, 'psychologically addicted cases', 'compulsive show offs', 'compulsive rule breakers'...well there is enough here for a book. I somehow get the feeling that I missed some of the most important ones...like switching it off when on a television interview, while receiving state awards, while making love etc.

Thought For the Day - Action Is All that There Is, Just Do It

Many times we get caught in the dilemma about not doing certain things that we really like to do but we stop ourselves form doing it because people may not approve of them. (Or we do things that we do not like because people approve of them). Since people's reactions matter more than our own liking or disliking what we are doing, we end up doing or not doing things, and that itself can make us feel out of integrity with ourselves. It is the thought, of what others may think, what their reaction will be, and how it affects us, that makes us do things against our nature, or against our liking. This in turn could be a big drain on our energy and saps us completely.

We are better off doing the action, irrespective of what people feel and not worrying so much about it. There is a certain way to how action flows that opens up doors and provides solutions. All we need to do is do, get on with the action, and let things flow. Most importantly during this process we must keep our overactive thinking brain in neutral i.e. not expect too many things, analyse too many things, second guess too many things. Just pick the act you wish to do, do it, and keep your neutrality. Things work out best in this manner. All else is your illusion. And that includes what others are thinking, sating and reacting. There is a finality to your act which closes out certain things and opens up others.

On the other hand too much analyses, thought, etc in such situations can stop all action. It can make you do things against your nature. It can just sap you. When it comes to any such dilemma, where it is what you like to do versus other people's approval, I'd say go ahead and do it. Thinking can only take you shut doors. Action can open doors.

The only thing is that one must act on things one wants to do (and not act on things one does not). This conviction of the self is good enough for you. All else be damned. It makes things happen, keeps you happy, keeps people with you who like to see you happy with you and distances people who like to see you unhappy from you. Perfect situation. So next time, don't think so much, just do it. And stick to it. The others can sort themselves out. You have done it already and are feeling good about it! That is living, that is growing.

Why Anna Can't Fight Our Battles Always

I'd like to see the Anna Hazare movement and the events over the past six months in perspective. What he has done is get everyone involved in a public protest against all-pervasive corruption, along with him. He has insisted that a Bill be passed that could make the lines of accountability clear which could be a better option to the one we have now. After all, this system has been in place for long and it is only getting worse going by the scale and magnitude of the scams that are being exposed every other day. Now says Anna, give us a Bill with teeth. The government stalled, shrugged, looked away, intimidated and finally agreed in principle to look into it. That is where we stand. The public of India can feel that it has achieved victory but it is only a small battle that was conceded. The war everyone knows is a long drawn affair.

Firstly, nothing may happen finally. Debates are always long drawn. Too many view points were put forth even as the old man lay on a fast unto death program, even when he had a gun to the government's head. Now with time available, the issue can go all over the place. That is the first hurdle. When and in what form will the Bill be finally passed? The content of the Bill.

Then comes the issue of how effective the Bill can be actually. How will the people use it? How will the actual mechanism of the Bill be made that people can use it well? How can it be used to make a fair, transparent, accountable and clean society? How will the people be educated? It will finally have to be a tool that can be used and effectively. That is the second issue - the implementation.

For both these to happen it is only the people who must take inspiration individually and collectively. At an individual level people must decide that they will now proactively cleanse the system, starting with themselves. They will not tolerate, they will question, they will not participate in anything that is detrimental to this cause. This cannot be done alone, hence the power of communities and groups is important. It is time that societies and groups are formed to keep this thought alive, to convey the true meaning of what this movement is about, what one can do, and how one can contribute. Only when the people at large get more involved in the actual process will there be change because then the power of the individual and the collective can be leveraged to greater common good - be it in protesting, in voicing opinions, in bringing issues to the notice of the representatives and in getting things done.

One thing we must all realise is that someone else cannot fight our battles for us always. We have to participate. We have to be aware. We have to educate and organise. Anna Hazare has only shown the way, the possibility, a glimpse of what can be done. Now, it is up to every individual to be a more responsible, proactive and committed citizen. It is time for every individual to take out that much time and sacrifice it for the sake of what this movement has started. Do not expect a 73 year old man to rescue you all the time!

It's an Ad Mad World - Reliance Net Connect

An ad that stands out above the rest these days is the one about Reliance Net Connect. The ads are based purely on grabbing your attention by putting the models in life and death situations with little time and only a Reliance Net Connect to help them. One is about a guy who is tied up in a car and a train is approaching, another about a girl who is in a car that catches fire and there is one more that I cannot remember.

The story
So there are people who get into this situation willingly, I presume its a reality show, and waiting to be killed. The first guy is tied up with some complex knot and a train is approaching. He somehow gets the laptop started (how did he get it started so quickly?) puts the Reliance Net Connect and is connected. Now this is where my problem starts. How does he know which knot is on his hand? Even if he did, I'd like to put the guy who made this ad in that situation and see how he gets out so quick.

Similarly the girl who is driving her car finds that the boot of the car has blown up. Her only option is the laptop and Reliance Net Connect. She quickly logs on even as she is driving and finds out where the nearest fire station is. The firemen put out the fire. But how about something simple like getting out of the car? What if there was traffic on the way? What if the car just blew up as she was driving? And what if the firemen were away at lunch?

The Verdict
The ads do convey the super speed of Reliance Net Connect. That much gets conveyed pretty clearly. I'd think I'd have no problem with the ads if I was Reliance since I'd have established that one USP well. I don't mind pushing the envelope here for the sake of getting the message across. However, if I were in a situation similar to that, I'd do certain things a little differently. Like opening the door to my car and getting out when it catches fire. My laptop takes an hour to even get started.

It's an Ad Mad World - Sanju, Sanju

Anyone who has seen the advertisement of a hysterical wife looking for her husband, screaming 'Sanju, Sanju' loudly and rushing into their home will know what this ad is all about. It is about the uncertainty of life - like finding your husband alive. And when there is uncertainty in life, you are expected to take life insurance!

The Story of the Killer Wife
Any number of times I watch it, this ad never fails to make me wonder if the wife (I am assuming it is the wife) is actually expecting him to be dead. Is she the killer? Her whole demeanour is that of a wife who wants her husband dead at the earliest. I mean, here is a guy who is really chilled out on a working day, reading a magazine, sleeping off happily without a care in the world. He is one of those who will live happily for a hundred years. But add the stress that this screeching, stressed out banshee piles on him needlessly, and then you have a different story. Also when she finds him alive she reacts with complete surprise - how did he survive? Survive what? The nap? I know wives could be dangerous to health, but this one is a sure killer. That guy Sanju (I hope he is Sanju) has no chance is she keeps up like this - she does not need a knife. Even I get stressed out watching the ad (and have also taken life insurance from Max!)

It is a sad tale really and touches the heart, ouch, let me rephrase it, touches you. A wife who loves her husband so much that she constantly expects to find him dead, a lazy husband who is shirking work and sleeping off at home and the only obvious solution - life insurance!

But seriously, the ad has strong recall value. A bit too dramatic. The ad has made a return after a while (is it the season for heart attacks!). But overall I generally liked the Max ads, right from the ones with Rahul Dravid and his fans who gave him tons of wonderful advise. This one does not compare with those for me, but it probably has a different agenda. I am always a bit confused with this ad though - is he unhealthy, is he expected to have a heart attack, is she always like this? Is it cheaper to get a divorce than buy life insurance in such cases?

Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Winds of Change

The quiet, soft spoken Prime Minister of India is on the verge of a hat trick of massive achievements if he gets the Jan Lok Pal Bill out with enough teeth. He was there as the Finance Minister to P.V. Narasihma Rao when India did away with the License Raj with the process of liberalisation that set the mood for a market oriented economy. He was there as the Prime Minister when the Right to Information Act was passed.
And now the Jan Lok Pal Bill.

Big achievements for someone who is seen as an ineffective Prime Minister. Mr. Singh can look back at his career with satisfaction.