General Updates

The dead still run their household

2008-06-04T20:59:00.000-07:00

The dead still run their household

In the first week of November, many Sikhs and their sympathisers place candle in their window sill and whisper a silent prayer in memory of more than 4,000 Sikh men, women and children killed in 1984 Sikh genocide. It is a candle light vigil to mourn the death so that the victim may be sufficiently detached and righteous to break the cycle of birth and death and return to the Almighty.

On a fateful November 1, 1984, large mobs from suburbs of Delhi and bordering villages of Uttar Pradesh carried iron rods, machetes, knives, clubs, staves, and combustible material such as gallons of kerosene to exterminate the Sikhs. Their shops and houses were ransacked and burned. The death toll in Delhi alone was 2,733, of Sikhs who were burned alive, knifed or clubbed to death.

The wily culprits insidiously used the voters' lists to identify Sikh houses and their business premises. Also mobsters swarmed into Sikh neighborhoods, arbitrarily killing any Sikh men they could lay their hand on. To prevent Sikhs from taking refuge in gurdwaras, most of Delhi's gurdwaras were effectively roadblocked in the early hours of the violence. The expedient means of setting houses ablaze was used to get at Sikh families who had taken refuge on the roofs of their homes. Some families were burnt alive. The armed mobs stopped buses and trains and other modes of transport, in and around Delhi, pulled out Sikh passengers to lynch or douse with kerosene to burn them alive. The massacre of Sikhs was being carried out with macabre ferocity and surprising impunity.

These unfortunate Sikhs, had been denied the readings of holy Psalm of Peace from Sukhmani Sahib composed by the fifth Guru Arjan Devji, to console the dying person. Many of them died before they could know. On the day of their cremation, the fear of mob attack could not make the ceremonial death ritual complete. Not all the victims were taken to the Gurdwara or home where hymns (Shabads) from the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Scriptures are recited by the congregation, which induce feeling of consolation and courage. Also Kirtan were performed rarely by ragis or their relatives of the deceased who were nearly frozen sitting near the corpses.

One of the hapless victims of Sikh genocide was a family in Rajinder Nagar. A mob stormed into house and eliminated all the members of the family. Ever since the house is deserted and haunted by the former residents. Ravi Shankar, journalist and known political cartoonist, says, "The neighbours hear the phone ringing, the TV playing, the taps running and noises of children at play, though the place has been bare and deserted ever since." It was a close-knit family, who enjoyed living together with their children cavorting in the balcony while the elders occupied themselves running the household chores. Neighbours still remember them as a generous and lively family. Probably they chose to remain the same way after their death.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=37393aad-1d51-4ef0-9914-1682d2372f19

The Mobile Store customer care is a BIG DRAG

2007-12-19T03:42:00.001-08:00

I had purchased a Motorola V3i mobile phone on Sunday, Dec 16th, from the following outlet:

The Mobile Store
Shop No. 17, District Center,
Plot No.7(A),DDA Building,
Janak Puri,Delhi – 110058. Tel. No. 64585811

However inspite of the Lucky Locket Scheme running as per the websiteof Motorola (http://direct.motorola.com/hellomoto/in/termsandconditions.asp)which was valid till 23.59 hours of Dec 16th, 2007 they did notprovide me any scratch card or a locket. Today when I called them upafter coming to know of the scheme they simply refused to provide mewith any locket to scratch and talked to me in a very rude manner.

The invoice number for the stated transaction is:Delh/01060/00001/7366 dated Dec 16, 2007

I hope The Mobile Store customer care would do something about it. However I know customer care in India s**ks big time and I would never hear back from them. GOSH!!!!

Cheating ka guru Travelguru

2007-12-14T23:03:00.000-08:00

Cheating ka guru-Travelguru

Booking Id: TGU0000024695

I would want others to stay away from travelguru as I have had a really bad experience. I had booked a hotel through travelguru for Dec 22-Dec 25 in Sarovar Portico, Manali. Due to some unforseen circumstances, I had to cancel my booking on 15th Dec. As per the booking voucher, I was supposed to get refund - deduction of one nights room and taxes. However, I was shocked to see the cancellation voucher which I recieved which mentions that the refund amount is zero. So, travelguru has very cleverly cancelled my booking and refunded me zero amount.

Incase you want to book over the telephone, your call would be connected instantly to a customer care executive. God forbid if you want to cancel your booking over the telephone. You would be lucky if your call gets connected in 45 minutes and you get to talk to a customer care executive. All you hear is a executive coming on the line every 10 minutes saying that the systems are running a bit slow.

Overall a very bad experience.

Moving On...

2006-07-19T05:19:00.000-07:00

Hence forth would be available on:
http://myspace.com/jassisardar

Miserable 3 months in Japan

2006-05-24T00:05:00.000-07:00

After a Long time...Normal with me. Once I start I keep on doing it and then suddenly one fine day, stop it..Anyways....

Oh gosh, what a miserable 3 months they were in Japan. Had no access to orkut, nothing...No
net access except to www.google.com. Had to create a group for each friend and used google groups in a good way. For details, get in touch with me. ;)

Fortunately we had access to excite and being the (un)intelligent surd that I am, I managed
to find access to a parameter in excite which we can manipulate to open websites through
excite. The only problemo was we could open only sites that did not have any dynamic
content. But atleast we had something..

Would really not like to comment here why it was miserable even in the office with my and
Vasu's constant fights with him...Let it be a blot. The good thing was there were no
complaints from Fujitsu on my performance. Infact they had a good word about Vasu's and mine performance. It was real easy. We were the only ones who would leave the office by 6 in the
evening but still managed to complete our job and get good review on our performance.
Probably the thing that clicked was our presentation to Fujitsu which the managers gave to
NTT DoCoMo with the only change being to translate it to Japanese from English. That
particular presentation was liked by the higher-ups in NTT and that did the trick for us.

This lucky presentation even made Furjitsu think that I had good Symbian knowledge. What a
joke!!!

Just to boost my ego here is a copy-paste of the email from the Sr. Manager.. ;)
-------->
Dear Vasudev,
>> How are you?
>> I heard you had already joined another organization in Mumbai area.
>> Now we are in a fix. Today we got a call from Muso-san's boss saying that> they wanted to take you and Jaspreet for long term assignment. In this

>> Please respond for everything.
>> Hope every thing is fine otherwise.

>> Take care.
>> Thanks and regards
> S V Prasad
> Sr. Director - Technical
-------------
Oh btw, to be honest Moti did click a photo of mine in the office (Didn't anyone tell him its illegal to do that ;) ) about what I am good at. I am gonna let you guys have a look at it.

Kya Khoya kya paaya

2006-01-01T21:18:00.000-08:00

Crudely translated the subject would mean 'What was lost, what I gained?'

So, lets for a moment travel back in 2005 and see for myself how did it fare for me...

Ended up spending the first day of 2005 in Nagapattnam thanks to Prashant. Came back I guess after spending a couple of days there.

Left Mindteck in March-end and joined up Mars on 1st day of the FY 2005-06. Now leaving Mars and probably for good going to Delhi in a couple of days.

Got to spend a few months in Chicago. Also went over to Louisiana for a fortnight. Yupu thats almost it in my boring life. Boy it was mast working alongwith FEMA, US Military et al doww at FEMA Command Centre in Baton Rouge.

Was in a personal mess around Oct but thanks to the Big Man Upstairs, he helped me come out of it. Looking back I now realise how close was I to making a big sh** out of my life but again thanks bhagwan.

Met Harmeet, Gagan, Sumeer Aunty, Amandeep, his wife (sorry again dont rememebr her name) and a couple of other blokes in Chicago. Mentioned about them in previous posts too.

Got to visit lots of Gurudwaras - Hazoor Saheb, Nanak Jheera, Gurudwaras in Hyderabad, Gurudwaras in Chicago, Wisonsin and got to have darshan of Harmandar Saheb once again. May Waheguru always have his blessings on me.

Got a bit richer over past one year but not as much as I would have liked. :)

Lots of people I knew got married in 2005. Lots of others I know are taking the plunge in 2006. Probably I might also walk down that path in 2006.

Spent new years eve with Batra and family, Rahul and Anuj by playing flash for 3-4 hours at night. Batra owes me 60 paise from flash. :) Lets hope he repays me unlike his bro, Kunal. :)

Thats it. Wishing everyone I know or may come to know of a very happy and exciting 2006.

Time to head North

2005-12-15T00:59:00.000-08:00

I guess it was 5th November 2002 when I stepped out of Delhi to join Wipro Tech in Bangalore. Oh boy, its been 3+ years and it seems like for eternity that I was out of Delhi. I did try a couple of time to come back but somehow or the other nothing ever materialised.

Now because of a personal mess I am into and urge to get back I finally managed to pull off an interview (actually 3 rounds of tech.).

I put in my papers here on Nov 30th expecting to be out of this prison by this year end but alas someone did not like me to be relieved so easily and hence create un-necessary problems. After numerous rounds of arguments, I am going on 6th Jan. I say so because ir-respective of whether these guys create some more last minute problems or not, I am simply gonna go. I can't wait to get back to Delhi. Its been really cold there with temperature hovering around 3 degress Celcius.

Oh, btw someone else is just going within a few days of him putting in his papers just because he is someone x and I cant go. When I put this across to the HR, she sternly said that since I dont know when he put in his papers so I should not be making un-necessary comments. I could argue with her that would they have allowed him to go for his marriage and take leave during the notice period. Surely naa. What does she think me to be ? I just stayed quiet because there is no purpose in getting into another round of arguments but I would surely give these guys a piece of my mind.

Chalo lets leave this aside, something strange also happened at home front. Manu Singh sent a strange 'a few things' mail which I did not expect him to be sending. He is a senti but a real helpful boy and luckily for a change Anuj Baba also used his mind and things did not get out of control.

As for home @ Delhi, tilings have been done in the house and mom said that the house looks beautiful now. Gosh I cant wait for another day here in Hyderabad and just doing a countdown.

Amitabh would be joining here on 8th, the same day I join NPIL. Lets wish him the best of luck. Rasti would have gone through his HR @ FSS yesterday and I am waiting for him to let us know as to what has he been offered.

Chalo, bye bye for now. Lets all hope that I get a smooth exit from here!!

Katrina-Part I (How I finally reach Louisiana)

2005-09-22T14:01:00.000-07:00

Its Friday, the 2nd of Sept, the Labor Day Weeknd is coming up and I have made my pilaans to go to Denver and meet up with friends I made when I was there last year.

Reach the office and there I see a mail from Deepi asking me if I am interested to go down to Louisiana with them to help in Katrina relief efforts as part of a United Sikhs mission.

Oh gosh, I do say yes to her but not sure how do I catch up with them. They would be driving from Dallas. Deepi tells me to reach St. Louis where they could pick me up from.

So, I book myself on a flight to St. Louis and have to get my Denver tickets cancelled. Delta charged me 100$ for cancellation and no refund either. :(

I have to tell Mike that I may be gone for a couple of days. He is a rea nice fella who thanks me for going there and assures me to not to be worried about when I get back. (Sure its a whole lot different story as to when I actually get back) So back to story..

Mike sends out an email to the whole office and even fwds it to the CEO that Jaspreet from IDC is going to Louisiana. Now everyone and anyone in the office knows my pilaans.

Vicky comes in the evening to take me to Midway Airport. Being a friday and that too start of a long weekend, I-290 is jam packed. I start to get a little touchy as to whether I would catch my flight or not. We encounter numerous red lights at intersections and also encounter a RR crossing and alas I miss my flight. :( I can see it leaving the tarmac but nothing can be done now.

So, I call up Deepi and inform them about my flight miss and ask them what to do. I am screwed now. When I go to office on Tuesday, what am I gonna tell them ? Should I tell them lies and make up some stories ? Should I tell them the truth and be mocked at ? Deepi tells me to search for a flight for Jackson, MS which could reach there by 11 am on Saturday. I come back to the hotel, book my ticket for a return trip from Jackson and Vicky leaves for the Gurudwara Saheb. But whats this he has my bag, I run behind them but they are gone. I have to call him up again and again and finally he picks up his phone and comes back to the hotel to give back my bag. Nice of him.

Its almost 1 am in the morning. Flight for Jackson is 5.30 am from O'haire. I manage to get a couple of hours of sleep and get ready to leave. Upon reaching the airport another drama unfolds. The flight has been delayed and I would have missed my connection flight from Houston so these guys book me on another flight with a stopover at Atlanta which would reach Jackson at around 1 pm. Now I have to inform Deepi about this since those guys are expecting me at Jackson by 11 am. I leave a couple of voice-mails on Deepi's phone. Boy she would surely be pi**ed off since I have called her up almost 10 times since yesterday. I am finally able to get across to her from Atlanta and she sounded irritated.

Finally I reach Jackson and call them up. Another small drama, Jackson has 2 airports and these guys first went to the other airport. I meet up with them and am off to Baton Rouge in their chevy.

Another drama now ( no end to them ??), we are running out of gas and Jackson has already ran out of. A couple of stations which had gad had huge lines extending upto 2-3 miles. We keep on driving in the opposite direction and finaly able to fill up our tanks from a station which was almost 70 miles north of Jackson. With our tanks full we head off to Baton Rouge and reach there at around 8 pm on Saturday. Boy what a really LONG it has been.

We put up at Sumir Aunty's house which has been made as a basecamp for United Sikhs. I meet up with her, her hubby, her daughter Vinny, son-in-law Steve, Talwinder, Gurvinder and Hardyal Singh. There were a couple of people more in her house. She's really nice lady. She had almost 15 people in her house but she managed to get each one of them a place to sleep.

For Sunday, we decide to go around the city to look for shelters and places where-in we could volunteer. In-between Deepi lets me know that they wont be able to drop me back to Jackson because of gas shortage. So here I am in Baton Rouge with a flight to catch on Monday from Jackson which is atleast 3 hours drive from here and no conveyance. I however tell Hardyal Singh that I can stay there lonegr and we decide to postpone my schedule and talk to airlines people the next day. Finally having been awake almost the whole day (make that almost 30 hours) with some seista in between I finally drop dead.

Lots more to come in subsequent parts. Bye for now.

1984 Anti Sikh Carnage

2005-09-01T14:09:00.000-07:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Sikh_Riots

I was around 5 years at that time. All I remember of the time is standing on the roof of the house in Hari Nagar and seeing flames at a distance which I faintly remember were of buses from the Depot being burned. I was real scared.

I realised it much later what exactly happened during the 84 Carnage. It would be a mockery to call it riots since it was a mayhem with thousands of Sikh in Delhi and around the country being killled mercilessly. Cut to pieces, burned alived by tying tyres in their neck, rape of the females and what not.

This is again in the news with Nanavati Commission report being tabled in the Parliament. I wonder why did Manmohan Singh let Jagdish Tytler into his cabinet. Almost anyone and everyone knows that Tytler, HKL Bhagat, Sajjan Kumar, et al had blood of innocent Sikhs on their hands. What was more disgusting was to read today about sikh supporters coming out in support of Tytler and saying he is so peaceloving and would never harm a person. Not sure how much they were paid but they showed money can buy anything.

Personally, I have never been able to forget that and the fact that Congress was behind the massacre. Have heard that 'Time is the best healer' but somehow I can never make myself forget that dark period.

Somehow whenever I hear of that period, my eyes get numb for a moment. A couple of news clips I remember:

1. A newly married Sikh couple had their 1st wedding anniversary the day Mrs Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards. The lady had prepared kheer for her husband who scolded her for celebrating the anniversary when the PM has been assassinated. The lady says in a matter of hours, some goondas barged and killed her husband. The tumbler of kheer was lying intact her husband's body.

2. Justic Phoolka who had been representing these people saying 'Most of us who had scooters in 1984 now have swanky cars, but life for them it has degressed'.

3. All you have to do is to visit Tilak Vihar, one of the settlement colonies and you would come across people who lost their husbands, sons or family members or sometimes the entire family. You can see the look of helplessness on their faces. I wonder where is the DSGPC which is so cash rich ? Why does it not do anything for them ? We have failed them. That is too bad.

A link to go thorugh may be:
http://info.indiatimes.com/1984/

Some excerpts from the above link

1. http://info.indiatimes.com/1984/18.html
Block 32 of Trilokpuri was then a colony of poor Sikhs. About 320 people were massacred in the confines of a small gully about 300-400 yards long. There were houses on either side and the street was littered with bodies. Dark are the images that haunt Bedi. "It was concentrated in a very, very small area. There was nothing on the street but body parts, hair, clothes … People were shrieking … And there was an all-pervading stink of decaying flesh. We were literally walking on our toes to avoid stepping on some body."

"There was a polio-inflicted woman who was sitting stunned at the doorway of a house. She was beyond tears, beyond any feelings. She had sat there for a one and a half day. Just watching. Watching the senseless and gruesome killing. Mercifully, she was spared."

2. http://info.indiatimes.com/1984/21.htm
We decided to return to Chandigarh immediately after the riots, travelling in the cockpit of an Indian Airlines plane.

3. http://info.indiatimes.com/1984/18.html
"In 1947, they took refuge across the border. But 20 years ago, which border could they cross? Where could they hide? We had become outcasts in our own country," exclaims Shyama.

Many Sikh families cut off their sons' hair to shield them

"We somehow managed to escape and hid in a Hindu household for five days. My younger brother was not so lucky. All his belongings were burnt along with his turban. He spent a night at the Nigambodh Ghat (a cremation ground) amongst burning bodies," recalls Singh.

"But our community does not know how to give up. Hume mitti me mila diya tha aur hum phir se sona ban kar dikha diye hai (we were razed to the ground, but we have fought back). We are the strength of this nation and will always be," says Shyama with much pride and satisfaction.

4. http://info.indiatimes.com/1984/15.html
It's all about what you chose to build. When a community starts building up a defence mechanism it automatically creates known and unknown enemies. But when it arms itself with a positive attitude and rebuilds itself from and beyond the debris, it creates a space for itself. A bigger and better space than ever existed. That is the Sikh community then. Not a ghetto that an injured minority huddles into usually, but a robust part of the mainstream again.

This lesson was learnt by not only an individual, but an entire community together. Each Sikh has contributed to this positive attitude. And that is why they are winning, not whining.

5. http://info.indiatimes.com/1984/16.html
"My favorite subject was history and I studied till 10th grade after which I had to quit studying due to financial pressures at home. I really wanted to study further, but I couldn't. Today if my father was living, I would have been still studying," says Gurpal.

6. http://info.indiatimes.com/1984/11.html
MENTION the 1984 anti-Sikh riots to these women and an air of silence envelopes them. They live in isolated worlds of poverty and tragedy, but are inextricably joined by one event - their husbands were massacred in that burst of violence 20 years ago.

7. http://info.indiatimes.com/1984/3.html
BLOCK number 32 of Trilokpuri till the riots was a mix of lower class Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims. But the riots changed the colony overnight. Block number 32 is now a colony of just Hindus and Muslims.

8. http://info.indiatimes.com/1984/17.html
TYRES were put around them till their waist and lit with petrol. They were the best means as it is impossible to take one's body out of burning tyres.

In nearby Kanpur the situation was worse. Hundreds of Sardars were pulled out from the narrow lanes of Gumti area and set to fire in front of their shrieking women and yelling kids.
Two thousand Sikhs were butchered in three days. "When a mighty tree falls, the earth is bound to shake" - came the famous explanation from Rajiv Gandhi.

9. http://info.indiatimes.com/1984/1.html
When schools reopened, it was a strange sight. Quite a few of my friends seemed different. Boys who had studied and played with us with colourful turbans had chopped off their hair to escape death.

10. http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=75904
Women, children and a handful of wounded Sikhs, hiding under dead bodies since Thursday night, were rescued by reporters around 6.30 pm on Friday 6. They were emotionless. They had no tears left to shed.

A three-year-old girl, stepping over the bodies of her father, three brothers and countless others lying in the street, clung helplessly to a reporter, pleading for help. ‘‘Please take me home,’’ she said.

A Sikh youth, his slashed stomach patched up with a turban, crawled out from under the dead bodies and collapsed in the arms of the reporters.

More Nostalgia - Gurudwara Sahebs (List keeps on inreasing)

2005-08-19T02:10:00.000-07:00

Okkie so as per continuing the tradition of nostalgia, this time lets focus on the Gurudwaras I have I visted or atleast remeber to have visited. Go down the list for the latest addition :-

1. Gurudwara Singh Sabha @ C-Block, Hari Nagar - Hari Nagar, Yeah that where I spent 13-14 years growing up.

2. Hemkunt Saheb - I faintly remember going to Hemkunt Saheb with lots of my relatives. I still remember the dangerous ride over a pithoo I had while climbing the steep heights.

3. Darbar Saheb, Golden Temple - Thanks to Aunty, Uncle I had a chance to visit the Golden Temple. Also visited 5-6 Gurudwaras in the vicinity of Amritsar. That was long time back. Another visit is due but kya karoo I am stuck in Hyderabad. :(

4. Bangla Saheb - Thats where I used to go when I was very young with my dad on Sunday mornings. I miss that. :(

5. Rakab Ganj and Sees Ganj - Went there last time in April 05.

6. Gurudwara Singh Sabha @ Vikas Puri - Coincidence or what this is also in C-Block. Used to go almost regularly when I was in Delhi. Now only can go there when I visit Delhi. Gosh I wanna desperately get back to Delhi.

7. Gurudwara @ Aundh - Stayed at Pune for almost 2 years and was almost regular in going to this Gurudwara situated in Aundh gaon.

8. Gurudwara @ Khirkee - While in Pune, thanks to shiv had a chance to go to this Gurudwara on sundays.

9. Guru Nanank Darbar @ Camp - Thanks to the Granthi saheb of Aundh Gurduwara, got a chance to visit this magnificant Gurdwara situated at Camp, Pune. Went there on 1st Sept while we were celebrating the 1st 400 year aniversary of the Guru Granth Saheb.

10. Gurudwara @ Chennai - While in Chennai for a day, got to know of this Gurudwara near the Old Apollo theatre and went there.

11. Gurudwara @ Denver - Yeah since you can find surds and alus everywhere so I managed to locate this Gurudwara in Denver, Colorado while I was in the US. Used to spend my weekends at the Denver Gurudwara. The Bhaijees at the Gurudwara are really helpful. Lets hope I get a chance to meet them again.

12. Gurudwara @ New Mexico - Went there for a weekend while I was in Denver. New Mexio is the base for sikhnet. Met lots of "gorey" Sikhs.

13. Ulsoor Gurduwara - Shive took me to this Gurudwara when we joined Wipro in Bangalore in 2002. With a strnage twist I was again back in Bangloor in Sept 04. Having my office @ Residency Road helped me to visit the Gurudwara regularly.

14. Hazoor Saheb - Courtesy some singhs @ Bangalore, got a chance to visit one of the 5 takhts in April 05 during holla mohalla.

15. Gurudwara @ Secundarabad Station - Courtesy Kamal Preet, get a chance to go to this Gurudwara every Sunday.

16. Becoz of Gagan being late by a full hour we did not have time to go to Secundarabad, so I get a chance to have a darshan of Gurudwara @ Ameerpet. Good so this list has 1 more addition. Lets hope this lits goes on increasing with blessing from the Akal Purakh.

17. Gurudwara @ Kolkotta. A twist in the story took me to the Gurudwara @ Kolkotta near PG Hospital.

18. Gurudwara @ Island Lake. BTW there are 3 gurudwara sahebs in chicago. Hope to have darshan of all three. For now went to the one at Island Lake. Infact spent the entire weekend there. Was lots of fun.
For more pics, please visit : Island Lake Gurudwara

19. Gurudwara @ Palatine, Chicago. Thanks to Amandeep VeerJee I also get to have a darshan of the Palatine Gurudwara here in Chicago. For more pics, please visit: Palatine Gurudwara

20. Gurudwara @ Downtown Milwaukee - We had to drop babajee from Island Lake Gurudwara. So with blessing of Akal Purakh Waheguru, I manage to get darshan of another Gurudwara Saheb.

Aprt from these, I have been to lotsa other Gurudwaras like Nanak Pio @ Delhi and so on.

Lets hope this list continues to grow and I continue to visit new Gurudwaras. Also lets hope Waheguru continues to help me find someone who takes me to Gurudwaras since I am bekaar (without a car)..

People I have met in Illinois

2005-08-06T20:06:00.000-07:00

Time once again to thank people who have been helping ever since I reached Illinois.

1. Shunty Veer Jee - Yeah he has been real helpful and I dont even know his full name. He is from Delhi and has been settled in New York for past 7-8 years. He has been the one who had been picking me up from the hotel to take me to the Island Lake Gurudwara Saheb. He is now back in NY and thats why I am stuck in the hotel this weekend :( Yaar jaldi waapis aao Chicago. I am missing your calls of "Paapey". :(

2. Harmeet n Gagan - Gagan is btw Shiv's sis. They have been real helpful and take me to their home atleast once a week. They are real helpful and never say NO for anything I ask. A real good natured couple. Thanks guys. Oh BTW, they have also been picking me up from the Island Lake Gurudwara for past 2 weekends.
Alas I got them a gift which was rejected. Another failure for me in selecting a gift. Lets hope the bed sheets I have ordered for them on amazon is to their liking.

3. Amandeep - Sorry doood I forgot your wife's name. Got in touch with them through a yahoogroup. They took me to the Palatine Gurudwara Saheb and might also take me this weekend. A real helpful and jovial guy. Thanks..

4. Taminder - He is probably leaving 3com by this month end. A real loss for 3com I guess but life has to move on. Thanks to him, I have a BoA account. Thanks..

5. Mike - My manager here. He is so experienced but seems so down to earth. Thats one thing we Indians lack a lot. Thanks..

6. Arun - Had a very short interaction since he left 3com the week I joined here in RM. Can say much.

7. Vikram n Daler Veer Jee - Met them @ Island Lake Gurudwara Saheb. Both stuck in US. Real helpful both. Thanks..

My first weekend in Chicago

2005-07-25T16:25:00.000-07:00

So here I am, already a week old in this goro ki basti. For weekend, got in touch with Satinder Singh who inturn contact Baba Daljeet Singh and finally I landed up at Gurudwara saheb on Friday evening ready to spend a weekend there.

Met up with Shunty VeerJee, Daler VeerJee and Amrit Singh Jee.

The gurduwara does not have any service on Saturday so had nothing much to do. Attended the diwan on Sunday and got to hear from Baba Daljeet Singh. He is a very soft spoken, down to earth person.

Zulfi was also here over the weekend but since I was in the Gurdwara and he ws busy roaming about in the downtown so did not get a chance to meet him in person. Just talked to him oevr the telephone.

Shiv had informed his sister about me being in Chicago. So, they decided to pick me up from the Gurudwara Saheb on sunday afternoon. Spent the entire Sunday afternoon and evening there at their house which BTW has an excellent view with a small lake running just behind their living room.

Gagan and her husband took excellent care of me. Boy they would surely be saying what a straneg creature am I with my eatign habits like eating this and not eating that. I took up their entire Sunday. But again they were excellent hosts probably much better than I may ever be. Thanks guys. Stupid me, I went to their house for the first time and forgot to get any gift alongwith me. All I could give them was a dabba of besan kain ladoo which I dont know whether they would like or not. Probably thinking of going with them sometime later say in September to a wallmart and ask them to help me buy some stuff for my imaginary cousin who is the same size as them and then gift them the same. That seems to be the only option right now.

Ate dinner at their place and then they dropped me at the hotel.

Shunty

2005-07-25T16:23:00.000-07:00

Yeah thats the name of the person who picked me up from AmeriSuites and took me to the Gurudwara. He is from Delhi and has been here in the US for past 10 years. I might buy a cell from him once he unlocks one and gives me a good deal.

He is a good natured, jovial fella. Always making others laugh. Just wanted to thank him.

Chicago

2005-07-20T13:12:00.000-07:00

Yeah thats where I am rite now. Not sure for how long though. The flight from Delhi to Chicago was very loooong especially with your plane stuck up on Detroit runway for 3 hours because of thunderstorms in Chicago.

Immigration passed off successfully and I am rite now staying in Schaumburg. Office has good number of Indians.

Lots of restructuring going on in the UMS with Arun and some more people planning to leave 3com. It would be difficult for us especially with Arun and Taminder leaving now and all their responsiblities is going to fall on our shoulders. Lets see how it goes ahead.

Have a long list of gifts for relatives to take back to India. Not sure how am I going to buy all that stuff especially we not having a car this time. Probably might go down to Denver if I get a good deal.

Chalo, bye for now.

Calcutta, Bangalore, Mysore, Hyderabad

2005-07-12T02:07:00.000-07:00

Yeah the title says it all. Between Wednesday and sunday criss-crossed 3 states. Lets start on this journo once again:

Wednesday, 6th July
A twist in the story takes me to Calcutta. I had a VISA appointment with US consulate on Thursday. Oh, BTW while waiting for flight at Hydera Aiport, I get to see a couple of firangs taking a broom, packed and sealed. Soo, probably to show off to their gora friends in the West look wht they have got from India.

Thursday, 7th July
My turn comes and there is a problem with my fotu becoz it has more reflection in one of the eyes. BTW, that was the same fotu with which I got visa last time. Soo, cant do anything else than to run off to shop opposite consulate and get a new fotu. Interview goes off fine.

Once through with the interview, I get to have a chance to have a darshan of one of the Gurudwaras in Calcutta. There are lots of Sardars in Calcutta probably more than Bangaloor. Just next to the Gurudwara Saheb was "Balwant Singh Ka dhabha". Get to have lunch there.

Back to Hyderabad Thursday night.

Friday, 8th July
Need to go to Bangaloor to finally go down to Mysore to attend Karthik's marriage. Gosh everyone around me getting married. Not sure when my turn would come. Its raining heavily but finally make up my mind and board a bus to Bangloor.

On the way get to have dinner at a Punjabi dhabha on the NH-7.

Saturday, 9th July
Its morning and I am dropped off at Majestic. Get to see Batra, Kunal and Vasu. Vasu is leaving for Canada to do his MBA. Also catch-up with Paramjit and Deepa. Got a chance to visit Ulsoor Gurudwara.
Loitered away during the evening and saw "War of the Worlds". A real strange movie coming from Tom Cruise and Steven Speilberg.

Sunday, 10th July
Wake up 5 in the morning to get ready to catch bus for Mysore for Karthik's D-day. Attended his marriage and got to eat at the marriage with my bare hands since those guys some-how hate spoons.
Night and journey back to Hyderabad. What a bumpy ride it was considering the fact that I was almost at the end of the bus.
Had to count my bones, hands, fingers once I dropped off at Lakdi-ka-pul.

Soo, lots of travelling and might have to do lots more.

Apart from that, 1 good friend might just shift to Hyderabad. Lets see.

Nostalgic Moments - I (Spring Dales School)

2005-06-26T23:31:00.000-07:00

Yeah thats the school I passed out from. Thanks to Springdales, I learn whatever little, tutti-futti English I can speak. The credit for this goes to Mrs. Sikand.

1988-89
Okkie so I was happy studying in this Govt school walkign distance to my house. What was better I was a studious type (yeah it seems strange but then those days I used to be!!) and usually topped the class. One day, my mamaji (Mom's bro) tell my parents about this sholarship scheme which would allow me to study in a private school free of cost with lots of goodies thrown in. I somehow manage to clear the test which had syllabus of 4th standard, got through the interview and there I was in a new school in Vth. Gosh the school was HUGE as compared to the government school.

1989-90
For 2 years, we a bunch of 20 odd students selected from all over Delhi were put in a seperate section and had to reach the level of normal students. 2 years of English and English. Yeah it ws in the Vth standard that I actually started learning a, b, c, ....
We used to get books and a pair of dress from the school. Even our lunch was free. Coool....
So, Mrs Sikand put her level best effort for us to learn English in 2 years what normal students have learnt in 6-7 years. Thats Becoz we had to rejoin the normals students in 7th grade. so, 2 years passed by I learnt some titsy-bitsy English.

1991
So, the moment finally came when we were thrown with other students. That was the 7th grade. I remember making first friends with Nitin. He was (infat still is) a motu but a good chap. I hae lost touch with him though :( Met up with Karan Bajaj, son of a Colonel. Tall dood who was as aalsi as me.

Dont remember much about the later years though apart from:
1. Cutting school to watch movie at Priya.
2. Getting in-numerable slaps from Mr Kapoor for trying to bunk sports practice and getting caught in ladies toilet (!!!).
3. My first crush, when I was in VIIIth. Her name was Nupur. Never could gather the courage to talk to her. :(
4. My dad never coming to know that our school was not a 5-day school and it was also open on Saturdays. Never infact bought a pair of white trousers. Even when I had to attend school on Saturday, I would be in my gray ready for a beating from Mr Kapoor.
5. Working in Nirulas @ Karol Bagh. Was a good experience and a BIG addition to my pocket money.

Might add more if I remember later. Well why this topic. Thats becoz I have been meeting (online usually) ppl from Spring Dales where-ever I go.

In Delhi, lots of them. Met a babe in an IIT festival. She was doing PG in Maths from IITD.

In Denver, infact met with a teacher who used to teach junior school.

In Bangloor, met up with Akshay and Vasu. Stayed with Vasu for 5-6 months. Boy he has chanegd a LOT from his school days.

In Hyderabad, met on chirkut (or orkut!!) Preet. She was in Springdales till Vth.

So there it is, Springdalians are everywhere. Tx Springdales for making me whatever I am today.

Gurudwara @ Secundarabad Railway Station

2005-06-21T02:07:00.000-07:00

Naani had told me about this Gurudwara being near to the railway station but never got a chance before to go there. The station is sooo far away from my place @ Banjara Hills. Just once before to the station when I was going to Hazoor Saheb.

Chalo, nyways tx to Gagan, Manbinder and Preet Kamal I finally get to go to the Gurudwara for the first time after I moved to Hyderabad.

One of the shaabds sung was "Koi bole Ram Ram Koi Khudaye", the very same one which made Texla TV waley bhaiji famous. Last time I was there in the Gurudwara when this shabad was sung was on Sept 1st @ Guru Nanak Darbar, Pune where Bhai Jaswinder Singh had come for 400th anniversary celebration of the Guru Granth Saheb.

Life has changed a lot since then.....

Also, the shaheedi purab of Guru Arjan Devji was celebrated on Sunday so also got to hear "Tera Kiya Meetha Laagey".

All in all a great experience. Hoping to continue going to the Gurudwara every Sunday till I am here.

Mid cap correction

2005-06-17T05:22:00.000-07:00

Mid cap correction has set in. Last week also the midcaps underperformed the market losing 1% when the Nifty was up 1%. This week has been worse. :(

Going into some losses having bought into the momentum stocks. Well knew it always that once the correction comes, these are the stocks which are going to take a big hit. Lets see what happens next week.

Office seems to be better with Arun responding. Anoop's call with him seems to have made all the difference.

Might just be able to go to the Gurudwara Saheb finally. Looking forward to it. Need to get in touch with Gagan with regards to that.

Next week that stupid communicatio skills and problem solving shitty training. 2 days of wastage. Arrey bhai its now 2 late to improve my communication skills. This should be for people who are stepping into the industry. Moreover, already had this in wipro. Cant help it though. Monday and Tuesday are going to go waste.

Just got the news its now reduced to 1 day. Gud.

Short Update...

2005-06-14T05:04:00.000-07:00

Arun finally replies. Guess Anoop's mail must have done some wonders. Tx. His reply was worth waiting for. Good detailed response. Tx dude.

Sold Off Neyevelli and TNPL. Made some decent profits. Consolidated Finvest has risen sharply over the past few days.

Not sure why but have of late invested into JCT Electronics, BSEL Infra, SBI Home Finance, Flex Engg. Huge risk. Lets see what happens.

Island Lake Gurudwara

2005-06-11T19:39:00.000-07:00

Not Liking Office

2005-06-09T23:39:00.000-07:00

Not liking the work or lack of it rite now.

More problem especially with Arun. What seems to be the problem with that dude ?

Agreed he is smart n intelligent. Anoop told us about him but he has not been replying to my mails. Lets hope he does not any issues with me. Gosh Avaya was much better. Chandra, Kevin, Chris, Suzanne always replied back.

Here I am asking for his help and he is not even replying. Seen too often its usually the Indians who create more problems once they go to the US. God know what they think of themselves..

Not sure how to tackle this. Max I can do is to send him reminders but this is testing my patience. What if Anoop comes asking for the status ? Complaining to him wont help either. Arun has been there for a long time n me just kal ka bachha types.

Probably if Arun does not reply by Monday, I am going to raise a flag with Anoop. Avaya was much much better. I was just a contractor there but those guys were always ready to help a newbie. Here this guy seems to have some serious issues helping a new kid on the block.

Again lets hope Arun was extremely busy and thus did not have the time to respond back. But he could have atleast sent in a message saying he is loaded with lots of work this week.

SuDoKu

2005-06-07T04:45:00.000-07:00

Yeah that seems to be the latest craze.

Got to see one in Deccan Chronicle and I must admit I m addicted. Not much success with solving them though :( but am learning the tricks.

Check out:

1. http://www.sudoku-xls.com
2. http://www.sudoku.org.uk/

Chalo gotta go..

Share market doing fine. Hopefully this positive sentiment continues.. :)

Boring as usual Last week...

2005-06-06T00:11:00.000-07:00

Nothing much to report on any front :(

Anoop told us that the US team still is not clear with responsiblities. Soo, need to ask him will it have some impact on us or on our visit ??

Need to deposit medical bills for reimbursement. Lets hope they clear all without any nakhras.

Hey just remembered never asked about the relocation expenses. Its been 2 months. Need to get an update on that.

Came to office on Saturday. Why ??? $$##@@@
The markets were open(No tudpid not to work)...

Anythign else....Hum....Naa..

Chalo take care..

Palatine album

2005-06-03T18:26:00.000-07:00

Guru Granth Saheb @ Palatine Gurudwara.

Main Darbar Saheb on 2nd Floor (as per US)

The entrance to the Gurudwara Saheb with 2 khandas increasing the beauty of the Gate.

The Majestic Nishan Saheb.

Khanda carved on the outer walls of the Gurudwara Saheb.

Picture from the outside of the Gurudwara Saheb.

Langar Hall pictures.

Who is responsible ??

2005-05-31T03:48:00.000-07:00

Had this heated discussion on bangaloresikhs yahoogroup as to who is at fault when Sikhs go ahead and cut their hair.

One member mentioned that it is girls because of them only, do guys trim their beard. Thats a big crap. The girl has not pointed a finger at the guy so that he gets his kesh cut. I have never come across such a girl. BTW, how many girls have I ever talked with? ;)

I am of the strong opinion that the fault lies equally with the child and with the parents. Thats becoz your first contact with social values is what you parents teach you. Even before you get admission into the DPS(es), Modern School(s) of the world you get an automatic admission into the school of your parents. This is where you learn what is good and what is bad.

Another member, (BTW why did she constantly point out that she is a girl??) said something about she being a silent member and then posting something. I replied back amongst opther points that :
**she is no longer a silent member with this post**
God knows what she read into and thought that I have said she is no-one. Gosh as usual girls have little brain and make use of it even less. Had to send across a strong reply. Never got a reply after that, BTW..

So the discussion still continues but I am of the opinion that it lies at the door of parents and the child when a child goes ahead and kills his/her kesh.

Thats all...

3 TV programmes.

2005-05-31T00:18:00.000-07:00

Weekly shit kain alaawa khuch aur bhi hain for a change.

Saw this programme (again) on Nat Geo on something about Marriages in Sikh. It revolves around 3 characters. I m just writing about 1 character here..

1, Jassi (a girl) who listens to her heart and marries an auto wallah from Punjab. She was settled in Canada and saw this guy when she had come to India for a visit. Her parents dis-approve of her marriage and get her killed. Ugh!!! they were the parents.. The contract killers were told by the mom of the girl "Isnu maar deyo".. (Kill her).. 2 bad.. Just shows even though Sikhs have gone and settled in UK, Canada, US their brain is still stuck in the feudal era..

Another was a CNN Presents "Autism is a World". About this girl from US who has autism and how she overcomes it to try and lead a normal life. Programme talked about probably she was having a change of volunteers who help her communicate with other people and like others how she is afraid and nervous about changes. That simpply goes to show that autism affected are as normal as others. Given a chance they can do as well as if not better as us. Was a good programmer to watch..

Saw this movie on Zee smile yesterday "Katha". *ing Naseeruddin Shah and Farooq Shaikh. Matst movie. Naseer is a simple guy who always helps others without expecting any returns and Farooq is a chalu type who is always ready to take advantage of others. Finally Naseer gets to marry the girl of her dream played by Deepti Naval. Nice enjoyable stuff..

Got 1 week older

2005-05-27T04:59:00.000-07:00

Boring life..

Nothing much spicy to report :(

A nice babe has joined office. She's married though :(

Hooray we finally also become a cooler pati. Bought one for 4k. It has an exhaust fan as the fan. so runs pretty fast...

Something funny happened with Manu. One night when he was sleeping, a mouse decided to borrow his chaddar and sneaked in. He got up startled and ran way to his room.

Cant stop laughing whenever I think of it. Poor fella... :-)

Sold a couple of shares. Got some nice profit.

@work
Cant say what kind of an opinion does Arun have of me.. Lets hope it improves.. Might just ask Anoop next week about my performance. Like to keep getting feedback after short intervals so that I can improve.

Might join Dr. Reddys Foundation once I have a vehicle. Saw the programme on Beyond Business and liked what they are doing. Their office probably in Hitec City.

Baaki sabh prabhu ki daya hain...

Yeh hafta kaisa beeta??

2005-05-20T04:58:00.000-07:00

Another Friday has come through..

Gosh it seems life is running too fast. Feels like just yesterday when I was writing about last week. Chalo nyways about the week gone by:

We are now a fridge pati. Unfortunately the cooler still eludes us. Hopefully Manu Singh has some mercy and is ready to go shopping for a cooler. Boy last night was so hot, felt like taking out all the things from the fridge and placing myself into it. Baghwan Yaar Manu ko bolo that he should go and purchase the cooler..

The cheque from Wipro has come. Finally some money coming in for a change.

Sonu has decided to leave his job and take up another somewhere in Delhi. He is so experienced yet he does not apply for high level jobs saying his govt school background will act as a negative. Hopefully he gets some gyaan and gets a good job.

The market setiment has been good inspite of the UBS judgement. As usual I sell a stock and next day it rises 18%. :(

Work wise no major reports. Okkie for now.

2 of my batch-mates getting married. Deepak and Pandu. Pandu would surely get huge amount of dahej considering hes a s/w professional and in Delhi. Good luck dosto..

Talked to Rasti after a looong time..

Thats all dudes... Some shitty team celebration type in a few minutes. Starts early and finishes soon.

Chalo c u guys next week...

Another Week has passed by...

2005-05-13T03:45:00.000-07:00

Friday late afternoon. Half the office is empty. No work to do toh socha blob yahan blog hi kar liya jaaey.

Soo, le me think kya huan iss haftey ??

Infact khuch bhi nahin.

Stock market has been gud especially the midcap segment. Soo, thats one gud thing to report.

Project going at tortoise's speed. Same opinion about Arun. Seems a bit weird. Thats the first impression. Lets c if it changes..

Financially on a sticky wicket. Wipro ney bhi abhi tak PF release nahin kiya.

Pulkit it seems has BP. Would undergo some tests this weekend to find out why she fainted in school.

Lets hope a new week brings happiness and joy. Another week gone by with more time @ Cafe Coffee Day. Life here is a lot more boring than in Bangloor.

Chalo.. bye for now.. this weekend need to get fridge and a cooler.

My World Last Week

2005-05-09T01:59:00.000-07:00

Huh.. Lets think kya kya huan with me last week...............

Project has started albeit at a very gradual speed. Rite now could be called at a tortoise's speed. Lets c how it progresses. Kinna feel Arun is somewht weird, he doesn't seem 2 like my jokes. I just wish I am able 2 build a good rapport with him since I need tons of info from him..

Shiv is going to London next weekend. So my tries of getting a northie here fail :(

Batra's d-day is 2 b re-scheduled. Some dooba huan taara stuff. Taarey toh aasman mein hotey hain yeh dubtey kaisey hain fir ??

My pocket got picked. Lost 800/- at the time when I am going through a financial crunch. :(

Realized 1 day during Japji Saheb that I have not been doing Keertan Sohela since a long time. Previously in Bangloor I wd do Sohela @ Gurudwara but here in Hyderabad since I m not going to Gurudwara, I need to do it every night before going to sleep. Have started doing it...

Saw some news capsule about an old age home @ Delhi where people have simply dumped their old parents. Gosh!! felt very bad about it. Probably would volunteer for some old age home here in Hyderabad.

Spending 2 much timeof late at Cafe Coffee Day. Khuch nahin hota.....

Nothing spicy stuff. :( Chalo bye for now...

The Week that was..

2005-05-02T01:35:00.000-07:00

1st time so little bit of more bak bak abt the hole (err.. whole) month.

Joined 3 com @ Hyderabad. Some recent developments on personal front also. Letz keep it a secret 4 now. :)

Back into telcom shit. Into same SIP stuff. Letz c for how long can these people withstand me.

Something very interesting happend on 2nd April. Again a secret :) Letz hope it goes on well. BTW me a novice in tht deptt so still learning the tips n tricks...

Put in some UMS stuff. Till now 2 ppl. Sampath n me. Not much knowledge here abt wht UMS is all about. Been a month n i m still blank. Wish my manager does not read this. Sampath seems 2 b intelligent, quiet fella, doesnt do 2 much bakwaas like me. Need to learn a lot from him.

Financial situation very bad. Almost broke. 2 many expenses coming up right now as well as in near future. May need 2 take my katora to couple of my friends.

Asked Anoop a couple of times directly as well as indirectly about project plans. He has indicated that we would need 2 go onsite. Lets hope this time I m not as much a spendthrift like I was when I went to Denver. That time 1 big attachi was full of gifts n presents for every chunnu, punnu, bimla, tony, pappu, et al.

Rasti has finally got a go-ahead 2 shift to Gurgaon. Gud for him. Njoy dost. A good natured fella who as I said is as duffar as me.

Bandar did not get through PGSM. Always hated this choice of his. But surprising that he did not get through. He is an ISB material. Would be getting married in Sep. or Oct this year. dost shaadi pey zaroor bulaana

Spent a lot of time this month @ Cafe Coffee Day. Near 2 office and gud timepass with gud crowd. :)

Hope 2 catch u guys later.

General Info abt wht has happened in my less than miserable life

2005-05-02T01:17:00.000-07:00

Hey all..

Finally caught by the blog bug. Seems every chunnu, pappu, tony doing this so y not me?

Okkie. lets start from when i passed out of BIT..

Campus recruitment @ wipro but those guys delay our joining for more than a year. Worked at Trinity for more than a year. found 2 gud friends:

Lalit Manroy -> 2 shareef for this world. Helpful n honest.
Ravinder Bedi -> Reminds u of yokozuna from WWF days. Another helpful sole (err. soul)

Wipro wakes up and calls us wretched ppl one fine day in oct 2002. Stuck up with them for almost 2 years. Travelled Bangalore -> Pune -> Chennai -> Denver -> Pune
Yeah travelled a lot courtesy wipro. Found another set of gud friends:

Prashant Batra -> bandar. Honest atleast thatz how he acts. Kutta becoz of him I will also tell future in-laws no dowry. There goes my gaddi, ac, fridge, etc. Saaley bandar. Its all becoz of u that mujhey bhi shareef banna padega n mein bhi dahej nahin loonga.
Shiv Gill -> Moody but nice fella. Doesnt like if u make 2 much fun of him though.
Rast Zee -> As stupid as me. Thatz how our frequencies matched. We both dont leave a chance 2 make fun of others.
Amitabh Deepak -> Super intelli. Was nice getting help from him for 2 years. Honest fella.

Suddenly 1 fine day realised work @ wipro wasnt tht gud plus hated the pune centre. So left wipro 2 join peoplesoft. Finally into a product dev. company. Shucks Larry Ellison did not want me 2 b there for long so he bought over Peoplesoft n me back on the streets of Bangloor. Finally Mindteck had mercy on me n pulled me from the streets. Waited there for 3 months but did not like how the new project started after a looooong delay. So again back on t streets.

Got an offer from 3com and thtz where I m 2day @ Hyderabad. Lets c for how long. :)

enough of this buk buk from me. Would now try 2 b regular n crap something once a week abt my boring life. Sorry for any n all the intentional grammatical mishtakes.