परीक्षा कि घड़ी

कहीं पर मैंने पढा था !

वह पथ क्या पथिक कुशलता क्या
जब पथ पर बिखरे शूल ना हो !

वह नाविक कि धैर्य परीक्षा क्या
जब धाराये प्रतिकूल ना हो !

कितने सही ढंग से कहा गया है।

अगर सब कुछ ठीक ठाक हो तो
कोई भी काम आसान होता है।
मगर जब दुर्भर परिस्थितियोमे भी जो
काम किया जाये वह श्लाघनिय योग्य
होता है।

हर दिन मनुष्य जीवन एक परीक्षा
से गुजरता है॥ वह सब जीत के आगे
बढ़ना ही मनुष्य का कर्तव्य है ।

Me and Mouth Shut: :

I am a regular visitor to the portal called "mouthshut.com".

Here we discuss about products, quality, new launches, film reviews, comments, debates...

Before deciding on buying a new product / service, visiting a hill station, buying airticket, or watching new movie, it is better to read the reviews on Mouthshut ; hereinafter referred to as the "MS".

In MS community, there are some star writers who have long list of trusted circle.. a la followers .. i.e. whatever a * writer scribbles it gets applause and very good shabbashis etc... But yes, there are some very good writers also in the list. whom I do like very much.

Yet, there are some MS members, as it is alleged in MS and writing on the wall and so much of mud slinging about the copying, the review contents from some other sites etc... and the war goes on between the writer and other members.. it is just sometimes funny being there.. and read their comments....

MS in itself is a good forum to express our views and opinions about anything and everything.. and we have the right of expression.

The name Mouth Shut suits and tells it all and sundry..

... Q Please ...

Well, today early morning when I started from Bangalore to Pune, while standing in a 'Q' near the King Fisher - check in counter, I was thinking about the importance of 'Q'...

If there were no 'Que's in this world what would have been the scene.

Now a days, every where we see the Q... Whether it is for your Kids Nursery admission, a Rail ticket, a Plane ticket, for boarding the bus, train or whatever. Even for collecting Water also we need to stand in Q. For knowing the SB a/c or Current A/c or Bank credit card balance you will be put in Que over telephone.. and your waiting No. is... XXX, Some times it is irritating.. When the que gets longer and longer and no movement is observed.... Yet we have to compromise with the situation and continue to stand and wait.

Suppose you happen to be a frequent flyer on the Air Deccan, and call their customer care no.. at times you are put in 'Q' for hours together before they come online.

When I was in the European countries, I observed the importance they give for 'Q',

I was shopping in Disney Land, Paris, I chose some articles and handed over to the billing desk and asked her to wait as I had to pick some more .. after some minutes, I saw a long 'Que' near the Billing desk, and the lady at the counter was waiting for me to come back with all my pick ups and finish the billing before she can proceed for next shopper.!!!! amazing, I felt sorry for that and apologised to others, who were just smiling ... if it were in India...

Ohh.. the other day, we were in a 'Q' to enter for the Special Darshan at Sri Chamundi Temple in Mysore, all were having the special tickets to enter through the Direct channel. All of a sudden a lady (an aunty) came from nowhere and opened the barricade and tried to enter with her bandwagon of kids, when objected, she said ; they were waiting for so long under the sun.. and she thought there is no 'Q' and as if we were just standing... yet she managed to sneak through the barricade and enter the temple before any one of us who were waiting for so long in the Q.

During my high school days I use to jump 'Q', while buying film ticket. What we used to do :

-- Simply walk over the 'Que' (like spiderman!!) with the help of metal cages.. and land exactly infront of the counter.

When I grew up, I more often end up jumping the Q on the roads, trying to race ahead of other vehicles.

Bottomline: 'Q' is the best capsule for all traffic chaos, mismanagement, indiscipline and everybody should obey Q system wherever possible.

Ashwini Rai.. (Not less than Aishwarya Rai...!!!)

This young, talented, smart, bold and beautiful little girl from a small town called Belgaum in Northern part of Karnataka.

I met her first when I had been to the Northern Part of our state last month to attend a marriage of my cousin brother. Evening refreshments we had in Mr. Raibagi's place, which was quite homely and calm.. In the melee the second of the three daughters, this Ashwini came back from college. I vouch and rate her to be smart, intelligent and full of enthu. This little girl has so many dreams in her eyes and her attitude says, yes she will make them come true and she will prove to be a successful human being;

She came to Bangalore for some work and I had a chance to meet and speak to her once again and it is her will power and stubborn nature that she got the work done offcourse with little logistic support from me.

Only wishes and best wishes come to my mind whenever I happen to think about this little girl.

May God bless her in all her endevours...

The Paris Panorama..

I was on a Business visit to Europe recently covering Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, UK and Ireland. In between we had a Weekend which our European counterparts usually enjoy with their family and friends, and hesitate to accommodate/ entertain us, so, I decided to spend the weekend, (Saturday and Sunday) in Paris.

Friday, 27/4/07, I was in the Netherlands near the Luckgestel for a product demo and then retired at my Hotel room.

Next day 28/4, Saturday, early morning, at 5.35, I took a country side train which was like our Shatabdi exp. which took me to Antewerpen bordering Belgium, where within 7 mins I had to change to a connecting Train to Brussels, the capital city of Belgium.

I arrived in Brussels- Midi ( The central station of Brussels as it is called ) on time at 7/25am.

From here the real fun started: I had chosen the Fastest Train Thalys over the Flight from Brussels to Paris. Tickets were booked just 2 days in advance for just Euro 98


My Thalys Train was at 8/42 am, I went to the Counter in the basement and collected the boarding Card and was guided to the Platform. The train is so attractive to look at with a dolphin shape nose. She (the train) has an in House Bar, Restaurant. And a Top speed of 340 Kms. Per hour. We covered a distance of 336 kms (210 miles) from Brussels to Paris Du-Nord (the Central part of the city) within 1 hr. 25 mins.

(The same distance of Bangalore to Chennai is covered by Shatabdi in 4 hr. 45 mins.)

The main advantage of this train to Paris is, It takes you to the Central Part of the City avoiding 2 extra hrs. from the International Airport to the City.

I went to the Hotel it was just near the Gare – Du Nord station, Hotel Paris De-Rocroy. (though I took a taxi which was very expensive at 12 euros, and that was the only time I used taxi in Paris.!!!)

Most of the Hotels in this central area follow a check in rule of either 1 pm or 12 noon, offcourse the luggage can be kept in the cloak room before check in or after check-out.

The hotel was good, carpeted, Clean, well maintained and furnished rooms, with heating arrangements, a shower closette, hair dryer, etc. (What extra I can expect for a 85 euro per day room!!!)

I started the sight seeing trip, and I asked guidance from the hotel receptionist, a french, She was very helpful, handed me a city map, which has Metro, Bus, RER routes, and the list of Sight seeing spots.
I took a brief walk for lunch at an Indian Restaurant, Bangalore Palace, the owner, is a Bangalore guy, who again guided me to the nearest metro station:

Paris has more than 22 sectors on the underground metro and so many stations, covering entire central city and outskirts/ suburbs. In addition they have city busses /Sight seeing specials which are much better than Volvos.

Metro ride from Grands Baulevards to Trocadero (The Eiffel station) was very nice and I was amused to see the Paris metro system, their punctuality, cleanliness. Every where we can see the sign posts to guide us to the correct platform / counters or the Exits.

Eiffel Tower : I can’t find words to describe this huge tower built by an Engineer nick named as the “Magician of Iron”, Er. Gustave Eiffel, It is told that this tower measures 300 mtrs. height, has around 1650 steps to reach the summit (top) level, was built in 1889 within 2 years. The Tower Weighs: 7,000 tonnes, 2.5 Millions of Rivets. It requires 35 tonnes of paint every 7 years.

Surprisingly, On the banks of the River Siene and down below the Iron Tower, there were some teens and young girls mostly French with “ Free Hugs” (a la- Jaadu ki Jhappi in Munna bhai MBBS!!!) placard in hands… wanting to hug all men around !!!! (Offcourse I did not try any..!!!)

This place is also called as a Lovers’ paradise,

We look anywhere and every where, on the lawns, on the Siene river bank, young couples locked in arms and more often lips locked for a long breathless kiss (I think that is called a French Kiss..!!!). We can observe the latest fashion in ladies attire here, or more so in the entire city of Paris.

As mentioned elsewhere, shopping, collection of Souvenirs in and around Eiffel is costly affair. Still we can find some Indian hawkers with the souvenirs in hands all around the tower and on the bank of Siene, who, if you happen to speak in Hindi, can offer at a bargained and comparatively less price, than the shops.

Then a brief stroll around the Palais de chaillot, and Arc de triompe etoile followed by Opera and some shopping in Galeries Lafayette Haussmann and the day came to and end.

Next day, Sunday, 29/04. I checked out the Hotel, after the complimentary breakfast in the Coffee shoppe, left the luggage in the Cloak Room. Studied the metro map, Took the metro from Gare-du-Nord for the best connection for Disney land, reached Disney land well within 1 hr. 20 mins., with one change of connecting metro (RER) at Gare-du Lyon station. It is very convenient mode of transport in Paris.

Disneyland-Paris is spread across into two parks, each park if enjoyed with family or friends can take one full day. I asked ticket for both the parks, The lady at the ticketing counter asked me when I wanted to go back from the park, I said I have 4 hours to spend here. She insisted to go for only one ticket… i.e. One park, adding that, I could n’t cover even one park in 4 hrs. Well, I settled for 1 park for 46 Euros.!!!.

The Adventure Island, Rides, collection of souvenirs, glass articles, imitation jewellary etc. are very nice, I can agree, yes, 4 hours are nothing there… and if you are alone you cannot really enjoy the Disney. (Or Paris I can add !!!.)

I had to take a flight from Paris to East Midlands in the UK, in the late evening.

Came back to hotel by the Metro again, collected my baggage ( Now some extraaas from Paris…!!!) took a walk to the Nord station, and the RER metro service to the Charles-de-Gaulle International Airport. (at 8.10 Euros. Not so expensive) It takes 40 mins. For this Fast Metro train to reach the Airport, which again is completely on the out skirts of the Paris City. This train stops at both the terminals 1 and 2. Then we can take the Airport’s internal transport tram service to reach our departure / arrival launges. CDG is one of the busiest and biggest Airports in Europe, connecting to almost all the major Business / Tourist destinations around the Globe.

We need to be careful with our belongings in the Metro, and Non EU visitors should always carry Passport during Sight Seeing also.

Onething for sure; During these two days in Paris, I did not feel like taking rest ; always wanted to be on the streets, to enjoy the beauty of the city.

This dazzling Paris has something unique, which attracts tourists to venture out again and again.

I left Paris with an appreciation of the sheer effort that goes into keeping life always beautiful. So beautiful that you don’t want to go home. You just want to be out on the streets. Like someone said, life is played out as a very public drama in Paris –
Gaze and be gazed at !
Comments and Feed back on this review are welcome;
_ Pramod Joshi, Bangalore.
******************
This review by me can be viewed online at : http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Paris-125137-1.html

Indian Airlines needs a Re-look. ... (A second try)

Well, Earlier I have commented adversely on so many occasions regarding Indian Airlines service, in Mouth Shut and elsewhere.

I thought I need to give a re-look at it under the situation I have recently come across. Saturday, 10/3, early Morning I had to rush to Bhubaneswar from Bangalore on some urgent work. There is no direct flt. on this sector by any of the Premier airlines. (Either it is via Hyderabad or Chennai. ) I tried Indian then, who fly from Bangalore -Bhubaneswar with a brief stoppover at Chennai.
Well, the check-in, boarding was through and we were on time. ( I should agree Indian have got a previliged slot for take-off and landing and Parking etc. over other Private airlines) The Aircraft was an age old Boeing, and the aged and yet caring hostess’s were struggling to close the Over head cabin. Too much of Noise during the flight. Still the take offs and landings all the four were smooth. We landed in Bhubaneswar just 15 minutes behind STA.

On Sunday, 11/3, I booked my return ticket for the same day, by Indian again, since the direct flight was over booked, I opted for the connecting flt. via Mumbai. (I.e. Bhubaneswar-Mumbai- Bangalore) at much better fare than the direct. Flt. was scheduled for dep. at 2.15 pm and arrival in Mumbai at 4.15pm and the Mumbai Bangalore flt. was at 5.30 pm. I had a Through Check-in and collected both the boarding Passes. Bhubaneswar -Mumbai flt. was delayed due to the late arrival of aircraft. We took off at 3.20pm, and I was anticipating the missing of my connecting flt.

However, we landed in Mumbai at 5.35pm, as we were about to disembark ,an announcement was made, as " Passengers travelling to Bangalore are requested to contact the Ground staff immediately" I contacted a Lady Ground staff who told me the bangalore flt. IC 107 was waiting for me, and I need to rush to the aircraft immediately; I insisted about my checked in Baggage, then she asked me to identify, she took me to the otherside of the airplane where the baggages were about to be offloaded. It took at least 10 - 12 mins. for the baggages to be offloaded and I showed her my Through-check-in Baggage, by that time she might have contacted atleast 4 times with the other aircraft ground staff, and finally she gave up, saying Sir they are closing the doors.... I looked at the watch. it was 5.50 pm. ( a pretty 20 mins. delay). I said ok, let them go.. (For one passenger they need not wait for so long... there may be some other passengers in that flt. who may in turn miss their connecting flt. from Bangalore. )

Then she called a Gypsy Van, arranged for my ferrying to the arrival launge. (By this time all the passengers and busses have left) and asked me to contact the IA Duty manager on the 2nd Floor, (Departure launge -1A ) to be accomodated on the next flight.

I went to the Duty Manager, and before giving any narration, he said : Yes Mr. Joshi, Sorry for the inconvinience, your connecting flt. was delayed by 15 mins waiting for you, but we could not delay it further, and asked me whether I would be comfortable taking the next flt. IC-609 at 8/30 pm. I agreed. He was so polite and kind enough and requested me to go to Counter no-12 (Check-in) and collect the New Boarding Pass. Then he arranged to issue a Snack coupen to be used at the Refreshment counter, and they also offered the IA Lounge for relaxing till 7/30 or so. I was worried about my checked in baggage, he took care of that concern and instructed the cargo staff to load it on IC 609.

I thought missing a connecting flt.... and such a royal treatment ... They have become professionals and they handle so many such cases daily... They are really good in crisis management.

I think we should give IA a try and feel the difference....!!!!!

The Cauvery Issue

I am still unable to decide about my views and opinion about the whole issue surrounding the sharing of Cauvery Water amongst... the 4 stake holders.. ( namely: Karnataka, TN, Pondy and Kerala)..

The situation resembles something like... you have a cake weighing 1 pound.. and to be distributed among 4 members. Each one wants his share of cake. as per each one's demand the cake itself should have been more than 2 and half pounds. !!!!

My father used to tell me one story; Once upon a time when the head of the family was about to die, he called both of his sons and as per his will he wanted to distribute his life time achivement (valuable items.) 1. A Blanket, 2. A cow and 3. A Mango Tree.

Unable to distribute equally without partiality, he authorised his elder son to take care of his younger brother and share the property...!!! the Lad agreed. When the father died, the elder bro called the younger and said : Look I have decided on the sharing of the property,...

The modalities worked were:

1. You use the Blanket during day time, and I will use during nights.

2. The front portion of the cow belongs to you and the rear I keep.

3. The roots and and stem portion of the tree belong to you I will keep the top portion...

and the younger lad... agreed...

How the story ends.. I will pen later... may be tomorrow.

Whenever I think about Cauvery verdict this story comes to my mind.

Valentine's day Special

Today morning while driving to my office I heard an interview on FM Radio:
The anchor was asking the guest as to how he felt about the Valentines day, today.

The Guest replied: Valentines day is "Nirudyogi gala Divasa" or
"Berojgaaronka Din" .... i.e. day for the unemployed.

the debate continued thus:

How true... I felt... In a city like Bangalore where life is so fast and day is so hectic, most of the times we fail to meet the deadlines... yet....,

the Boy:
Standing in the bus-stand / park/ or some other place waiting for (his) girl... He thinks and believes so.!!!!!! ... SMS ing the whole day... offering red rose, some complimentaries etc. and grand treat in a posh / standard restura at his cost.

End of the day after the purse is empty he returns home ... keeps on thinking... whether she loves me loves me not.... and looking at the ceiling ... restless.. sleepless nite....!!!!!!!!!!!!

& the Girl:
not standing in the bus stand/park or whatever, making the boys to wait and not replying to the SMS.. rather forwarding the same SMS to some other boys...

Flirting with atleast 4-5 boys at the same time, receiving roses/ compliments / treat from all of them ... wondering and unable to decide whom to continue dating .. after the date with all of them is over... or to start again with a new guy...!!!! Goes to sleep... with full of dreams...


This is possible for the unemployed youth only ... who can afford to waste time and Papa's money.

Any comments.

Happy Velentines Day... !!!!!!!!
to all visitors.......

The Bangalore Bundh... 12/02/2007, Monday..

Well, the Karnataka Rakshana Vedike declared all Karnatak Bundh, for 8th of February, later postponed it to 12th Feb. due to the AERO INDIA show, which was on till the 11th Feb in Bangalore.

However, Since my Ex-boss's Son (Vipul from Patna) was admitted in Mahavir Jain Hospital, for a food poisoning complaint.. he was operated upon for a appendices.. on Sunday 11/2. at 4.pm. We were all present there in the hopsital.

On Monday, 12/2, I tried to pierce through the Curfew (Sec.144) and drive past few policemen standing on vigil on Mysore road (I stay in Raj Rajeswari Nagar, on Mysore Road) to visit the Hospital and speak to the doctor about the medication etc.. I was stopped and sent back by the Rapid Action Force. I tried to explain them about the situation and medical emergency, they did not buzz either. I spoke to the attendent over telephone.. and advised him of the course of queries / clarification sought during doctor's visit. Now he is fine and recovering very fast..

However, Today morning i.e. on 13/2, tuesday, I could meet him on my way to office.

the King Fisher... Flying the Good Times

I had read some reviews / comments on Mouth-shut.com about King Fisher Airlines recently,

I wanted to add something...................... !!!!!!

(Though I have travelled on number of occasions on King Fisher Airlines during the past 1 and half years.)

I took a Flight IT 208 on 7/2/07 and IT 207 on 8/2/07, from Bangalore-Delhi-Bangalore respectively. I tried to observe the proceedings carefully (Not casually as I do usually) right from Bangalore airport check in to next day arrival in Bangalore.
Everything is fine, except for the delay of 10-15 mins. each way which is common and that too is not under KF control. (ATC or the runway congestion has to be blamed for that...). In Delhi airport right from taxi arrival area the KF staff take good care for screening of the baggages, check in. They have a facility now, of mobile check in (there are some check in staff wandering outside the check in area with mobile check-in Machines, for passengers flying with cabin baggage only...
From Delhi, My flt. was at 2050 hrs. I was stuck up in traffic jam near Cannaught place at 1930, I called the KF Customer Care no. for tele-check in, which was through within a minute.
Only thing I also have brought to the notice of their managament is the repeat programmes shown on the video. The programmes are recorded for 1-1/2 hrs. and the flight from Delhi - Bangalore is of good 2 hr. 40 min. Otherwise everything is fine.... "It is really Flying the good times."

the JANPATH HOTEL experience

Well, I was in Delhi on 8th Feb.. for a business meeting.

Unfortunately, I was put in Hotel Janpath, on Janpath road, NewDelhi...

The experience... in the hotel... I wanted to share..on my blog spot....

It is my mistake, I feel, after paying Rs. 6000/- + per night, we end up in staying in a room which is worst than any standard rooms available in Paharganj area, at Rs. 400 to 500 /-. or less than that.
NOT A JOKE.
The taps were leaking,
Bad Plumbing- Cistern is fixed in such a way that if you try to flush , your fingers will touch the WC cover/ring.
... Creeking bed, Noisy Fan (Fitted during british regime it seems.)
Dead telephone,
patchy painting on the doors, exposed electric wires everywhere. I was afraid to touch the switch of the Fridge.. it was making so much noise that I could not sleep. it was surrounded by so many live wires.When I tried to contact the lobby manager / Travel desk in the morning for a Taxi, nobody was available there. The reservation / information desk was unable to help me b'coz they were already arguing with some other occupant guests for leaking taps etc.....I dont wish to write anything about the food or any other services. I thought, after Congress ministry take over, the Service and look for this hotel might have got a face lift. But no, it still remains the same. Probably we wont recommond this hotel to any of our clients / foreign delegates / friends .

I dont think We will also visit this hotel ever again, Anyway.