The Complete Sherlock Holmes on DVD: A Review

I have grown up much like others in my generation reading the adventures of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective, Sherlock Holmes and his inseparable companion Dr James Watson.
The quality of mystery, intrigue, and drama in all the fifty-six short stories and 4 novels sets them part from any other detective series. The only other writer worthy of that distinction being the acclaimed Agatha Christie and her sweet and amazingly intelligent Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. Other than the remarkable and tightly woven narratives, the secret behind their exceptional success is the instant chord that they strike with the reader. So much so that when Sir Arthur decided to kill Sherlock in The Final Problem, there was such public furor that he was compelled to bring him to life in The Return of Sherlock Holmes (also a part of this series).

Between the period 1878 to the present, when Sherlock made his first appearance and rose to become a household name, several adaptations have been attempted in the form of both plays and cinema. The Guinness World Records has consistently listed him as the "most portrayed movie character" with over 70 actors playing the part in over 200 films. Basil Rathbone starred as Sherlock Holmes, alongside Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson, in fourteen films (two for 20th Century Fox and a dozen for Universal Pictures) from 1939-1946.

However, Jeremy Brett is generally considered the definitive Holmes of recent times, having played the role in four series of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, created by John Hawkesworth for Britain's Granada Television, from 1984 though to 1994, as well as depicting Holmes on stage. Dr. Watson was played by David Burke and Edward Hardwicke in the series. This original series is scantily available in India, although you can order it from Amazon for a price that is slightly high but well worth every penny. I have always been proud to own the collection and it remains one of my most prized possessions.

It is generally known that an adaptation of a famous writing does little justice to the written plot. Viewers tend to form an image of characters in their mind and when you actually see the characters and incidents on screen, there is a sense of missing link. Having said that, the portrayal of Sherlock by Jeremy is so nearly identical to the original that die-hard fans of the detective are left pleasantly surprised. He has brought out to perfection the different moods that Sir Aurthur’s sleuth was known for. The excitement and passion for detection, addiction to opium, moodiness, long bouts of silence, straight talk often translating as rudeness and loneliness are remarkably depicted. Although, Edward Hardwicke, hailed as the true Watson, was intrinsically more involved with the series due to David taking early leave from playing the character after the first few episodes, he too leaves a daunting impression with his unique addition of a comical dimension to the role. Some stories have been twisted from their original narratives to suit the compulsions of drama but it only adds more punch to the tales.

It comes as a set of 12 DVDs and shall easily leave you occupied for a great deal of time. I would strongly recommend it to even those who have never had a chance to read the stories. If you have a passion and liking for detection and suspense, this is where your money belongs.

A Rendezvous with Linux Ubuntu

Back in the year 2000 when I got my first Windows machine, it was a default choice and the only one that I had heard of and could scantily understand. And although, Windows 98 looked horrible and was nowhere near what you would call visually appealing, I would still spend hours playing with the computer. Most of us who are hooked on to computers since that long have never ever contemplated our boxes without the familiar Microsoft sound that welcomes the user upon booting and the desktop icons along with Bliss, the default desktop image.

Yes, this is the Windows world! No matter how many times the computer crashes, no matter how difficult it is to reinstall the OS along with the drivers, and no matter how awfully long it takes to boot itself up to a working state, Windows is still the software that regulates our tech-savvy lives. It’s a love-hate relationship we cannot do without.

About a few months ago, I happened to lay my hands on a monthly issue of the extremely popular magazine on open-source software Linux. One of the titles on the cover page went something like “tired of driver Issues in XP, go Ubuntu”. Now I am not one of those technically-advanced geeks who are fascinated by technology, coding, and tons of technical jargon about the hip-hop gadgets around. I am just a regular guy who uses computer for some fun (don’t get me wrong). But those words hit me. Yes, I am tired of Windows! Let’s face it. Apart from the infamous driver issues and countless installation pains, once you get the system right, I have to keep updating the OS with regular security updates (don’t even get me started on the Windows Validation trap), install Office suite, anti-virus, anti-spyware, music and video players, and tons of other apps just to get started. So out of pure curiosity, I read through the entire article that boasted of an alternative to Windows called Ubuntu 8.04 (based on the extremely powerful Linux kernel) that could not just perform everything that windows did but even outshine it in some of the departments.

The article aroused such curiosity in me about trying this Ubuntu thingy, that I spend the next couple of weeks browsing the Web researching about it. This was about a couple of months ago. Today I have only Ubuntu 8.04 on my modest and somewhat ancient Pentium III serving me dollops of unadulterated fun and a browsing experience that I have never known.


Open Source Software (OSS) is a term coined to denote a community or network of programmers who volunteer to work on projects. Thanks to this revolution that started sometime in the early 60s, largely with the introduction of the Internet, today we have scores of apps delivering goods as efficiently as their closed-source counterparts. Some of the most popular being the HTTP Apache Server, the Internet Protocol, and Mozilla Firefox but the most successful of such ventures has to be the Linux operating system, an operating system similar to Unix.

As I said, the world of computers is clearly dominated by Microsoft and although I have huge respect for the multi-billion dollar company and its esteemed ex-CEO Bill (after all, he is solely responsible for bringing computers and technology to the world), over the years Microsoft has been diseased by the same plague that spreads with monopoly, the I-don’t-care syndrome. For long, users have been complaining about the unstable platform, loose security holes, issues of hardware compatibility, long release cycles, and worst of all, ever increasing costs of software. Yet, even today, Windows Vista, the latest offering remains the same old wine in a new bottle.

All this while, Linux has been slowly spreading its wings by improving its kernel with every subsequent release. For the benefit of the unaware, Linux comes with various distributions or flavors such as Red Hat, Suse, Mandriva (formerly MandrakeSoft), Ubuntu and several others. Basically what happens is that different groups of individuals, high school students, engineers, and programmers take the fundamental Linux source-code and transform it into their own packages also called distributions. Linux has for some years now dominated the Enterprise Server market but its foray into the desktop section is recent and some distributions such as Ubuntu and Suse have been consistently receiving rave reviews. Ubuntu 8.04 LTS code named Hardy Haron assumes special significance due to its resemblance to its big brother Windows. Linux, they said is all about executing commands through the command line and hence unsuitable and un-usable for non-techies but the recent Ubuntu distributions have changed that so much so that this latest release has been touted as Linux for Human Beings.

While the idea of building a Windows machine has the potential of unnerving even the most seasoned professional, a less technical user like myself was done installing Ubuntu right from the scratch in just under 50 minutes. With built-in applications like Open Office 2.4, Firefox 3 as the default browser, music and video players, and amazing out of the box support for all hardware (It may sound freaky but I didn’t even have to configure my internet connection), I did not need to install anything extra.

Apart from the ease of installation, the speed at which the system performed was also much improved, although I am sure that with faster processors of today, it will literally fly.


The biggest edge that Ubuntu or any other Linux distribution has is greater security. Windows is a vulnerable OS prone to all kinds of virus, spyware, and malware attacks largely due to its popularity but mostly due to its loosely built architecture and design. So a sound antivirus application is more of a compulsion rather than a choice on Windows. Contrary to this, the concept of virus on Linux is virtually unknown. Not that there aren’t any viruses for Linux but its design is so fool proof that you will have to be ridiculously stupid to infect your machine with any of it. I say this because for any virus to invade a Linux machine, it will have to first download itself to the system, then gain root access, and finally install itself. Only the root user has those kind of privileges and so as a root user, all you need to be sure of is the applications that you download and install on your system.

Is it any wonder then that Dell Inc, the largest computer manufacturer has decided to pack the Ubuntu punch in its latest laptop offerings? Check out http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/linux_3x?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Did I miss something? Well! Save the best for the last, goes the saying and in case you are wondering what this Ubuntu hoot is all about, guess what! It’s absolutely FREE. You do not shell out a single penny for enjoying the wonders of a great operating system that is so efficient and complete. True, it may not be perfect (and so isn’t any software in the world), but it is on the right track and with periodic releases every six months, it promises to bring even more joy to the computing fraternity.

If you are even half as tempted to try Ubuntu as I was not long ago, get to the Ubuntu website at www.ubuntu.com and download or order your copy. It should be easy. Once you have the CD, you can get a glimpse of the complete OS by booting from the CD itself without modifying anything on your current system. I recommend this check to ensure that your hardware is compatible and working with Ubuntu. If you like it, go ahead and install it in a dual-boot mode.

Initially, as your secondary operating system, you will love it. However, as you move on, you will get so addicted to it that I won’t be surprised if it becomes not just your primary but the only operating system.

A Case for Self-Regulation

There seems to be a great deal of talk these days on the growing importance of leading healthy and disciplined lives. Every newspaper, T.V channel, magazine, devotes at least a weekly/monthly feature on the same. As a result, a walk down the park and you will find both youngsters and elderly performing yoga in groups, having a loud laughter session or simply taking a quite stroll. It is heartening to note, thanks to the Swami Ramdev revolution in part and the growing health awareness among the masses that we are beginning to retrace our steps to the age-old remedies of good health and peace. These are welcome signs and indicative of the fact that we want to live healthy and happy.

Complexities of work and home take a toll on the families and relationships. Most of us live in nuclear ones and hence have a hard time balancing the time out evenly between demanding pressures at both ends. As such, it becomes imperative that we involve ourselves in some therapeutic practices that help in releasing some of the anxieties that modern lifestyle brings with it. Yoga is one such activity and so are other forms of exercises. However, there is more to it.

Our ancestors lived happier and contended lives even though they did not have access to all the resources that we have today. One sincere thought and you would know why! They followed strict rules with regard to their daily activites, ate simple food, walked a lot, depended largely on natural resources for everyday needs, and most importantly the division of work in families was such that allowed everyone ample time for themselves as well as for each other.

To imitate exactly what the past generations followed might not be possible or even practical to some extent in these times. However, I am sure you will agree that there are certain basic practices that each one of us, regardless of age, gender, religion etc. can follow to de-stress ourselves. These are not difficult to follow and, with little time management, fit within our daily chores. So get going for your own sake.

1. Practice meditation: This should be the first activity of the day and practiced everyday without fail. Choose any form that helps you focus on the Supreme. There is ample information around and you will need to pick one that works best for you over a period of time. Start with a convenient duration and then increase it to levels where you feel completely detached from the outside world (it’s possible, believe me!)
2. Draw up a timetable/list of activities: My wife often accuses me of forgetfulness and regrettably, it is one of those areas where I cannot defend myself successfully. Most of us remain unorganized despite the fact that there are tons of activities that demand our attention during the day or week. Draw up a list of such activities and check them off as you accomplish them. No more wild accusations!
3. Long walks: It is a divine pleasure to be able to walk in the wild, hear the birds chirping, smell the scent in the air, and most importantly admire the gift of nature in its flora and fauna. . Although, mornings are the best time to engage in it, choose any time of the day.
4. Turn off the news: If you are one of those who cannot start their day without a dig at the newspaper, you have company in millions. Consider replacing it with an inspirational or spiritual book for some days. As it is, news these days is more sensationalism than reality and usually fills us with remorse or sadness, one way or the other.
5. Get musical: It is said that music is the soul of life. We all enjoy it in one form or the other but often in the middle of our mindless routines, fail to appreciate its true power. Several researchers have concluded that music can not only divert your mind off tension and anxiety but also cure common problems associated with fatigue and exhaustion.
6. Sleep well: As per a recent study, we are getting more stress prone due to our tendencies to stay awake till late hours. Combine this with our crazy work schedules and you have a perfect recipe for a troublesome life. Discipline your sleeping patterns and cut unnecessary tasks from your schedule, if you have to, to get at least 8 hours of peaceful sleep.
7. Volunteer for social activities: When you engage yourself in the service of the needy and underprivileged, not only do you get a great sense of satisfaction but are also able to put your own problems in perspective. In spare times, do not hesitate to associate yourself with such activities individually or in a group.
8. Spend time with your family: You have heard this from everyone. It is a well known fact that those who spent more time with their family and close friends lead happier lives and are also more productive at work. Ensure that you provision for adequate time to stay connected to your loved ones.
9. Introspect: Although relationships help a great deal in making us aware of our shortcomings and strengths alike, do endeavor to spend some time alone as well. Visiting a quite park, museum, or library helps us get in touch with our inner selves.
10. Count your blessings: We are all fortunate or achievers in some way or the other. Rather than focusing on the negativity of life or things you could not achieve, focus instead on your successes. People who focus on positive energy experience a greater sense of well being and happiness.

Getting Real with Technical Writing

Ever since India woke up to an upsurge in Information Technology about a decade and a half ago, and subsequently became a hub of software exports to the whole world, millions of computer and engineering graduates have carved out great careers for themselves, bundling out software solutions day in and day out. However, in the early days, a software development company was happy to engage the services of engineers who could not just write several lines of code and test it but also create supporting documentation, interact with the client, and in extreme cases, even sell the software they created. Times have changed. These days, an integrated software solution, is the result of not just a lone stressed out engineer but the handiwork of programmers, testers, sales force, technical support staff, and host of other functions. But my interest in this write up is primarily a function that has grown with the industry, created great careers, managed a fair share of fortune in the IT goldmine (some highest paid professionals in the industry are technical writers, and yet remains elusive; Technical Writing!

Being married to it for some years now, I have delightfully observed it prosper. Though writing, with its different branches, has been well-known and respected since ages, the emergence of technical writers or technical communicators as some call it, is relatively new. I have always pondered about how technical writing or simply writing may have evolved through ages. The other day at the breakfast table with some of my esteemed colleagues (all technical writers), I accidentally triggered a similar discussion. In my usual boring and sometimes apparently contentious style, I leaped on every opportunity to suggest that we are writers first and technical afterwards. Hence, limiting our understanding only to the technology driven products, we were rendering extreme injustice to our own talents and skills. As writers, shouldn’t we aim at understanding everything under the sun that can be written about and then read? Aren’t we increasing our value and respect in this manner? As is customary to such discussions, I was confronted with several arguments debating the nuances of the trade.

Sadly, as it turns out, our vision appears shortsighted. The word technical has been taken so seriously or perhaps hyped that whenever we talk about a technical writer, it is assumed to be someone writing a user guide, install guide, white paper or something related, almost always for a software application (of course with very few notable exceptions). Note that elsewhere in US and Europe; writers cater to industries so diverse as health and medical care, manufacturing, education or academia, financial services, and insurance, among many others. That trend is yet to catch up here. If you can bring the same amount of versatility to your writing as is prevalent among these industries, you have carved a niche for yourself as a successful writer who is never short of opportunities and understandably money.

Ironically, it will be some years before technical writing comes to be recognized as a full-time and well-defined profession. Although almost every IT company (including big shots like Infosys, TCS, Wipro, and Microsoft) employs full time technical writers and comes out with open advertisements inviting them, it still isn’t a primary profession of choice. The roots of this dilemma are numerous; unlike the west where Universities have full time courses in technical writing (U.S by the way is the largest employer of technical writers employing over a lakh of them), Indian institutions of higher education have shied away from recognizing it as a highly sought after skill. The result is career wise confused technical writers who accidentally get into this profession by virtue of a degree in English (most of the cases) or an Engineering or Computers degree.

Another disconcerting aspect is the mindset. The managements (with a few exceptions) do not consider the job of writing documentation worthy of their respect. The standard argument being “Who needs a document?” Or “Anyone can do it! What’s the big deal?” However, fact is otherwise. I have had the opportunity to work directly with customers during one of my earlier assignments. The company I was working for did not supply a user manual for a new product that was launched in the market (why this happened is another story) and I remember several irate customers getting to the phone immediately on receiving their product and screaming “why didn’t your damn company bother to throw a decent $20 user manual for a $1000 product”. In the upcoming version, the company had to create a friendly user documentation to salvage the lost reputation. Also, users are genuinely concerned about the errors (such as grammatical and spelling mistakes) in documentation. A carelessly written manual immediately tells the reader that the product he has spent his hard-earned money on was improvised by a bunch of dawdlers in their spare time. This is often true; for the first impression— which is made by the documentation—is the best. Numerous other examples substantiate the need for efficient user manuals. The efficiency and acceptance of technical products lies in the amount of attention to details that has gone into their manufacture. Bad documentation is the shortest and the surest route to disrepute.

According to the figures furnished by the Society for Technical Communication (STC) there are roughly 1500+ technical writers in India. Almost every organization is waking up to the fact that documentation is an integral part of their products since it helps users understand and use an otherwise complex product.

All said and done, writing of this nature is here to stay and it is time efforts were made to project it as a truly viable, long term and profitable profession. I can bet my money on the fact that almost everyone, who accidentally got into technical writing some few years back have come to regard it as the most enjoyable, stable and rewarding experience.

The trick is to be well informed, well read and being flexible in learning new concepts, tools, and technologies.

The AXE Effect

You will be forgiven for thinking that this write-up is about tips and tricks on catching the attention of some blue-eyed beauty. Although, it is indeed about catching attention, the subject is far more serious and relevant. During the past few weeks, the complete stretch of trees along the road leading to my workplace has been systematically wiped out, supposedly to widen the roads.

It reminds me of a news story in the local newspapers some years ago, where the regulars at Sukhna (a spectacular man made lake in Chandigarh, my home town) vehemently opposed the cutting of branches of the oldest tree along the walking track. One of the many valid arguments put forth, being that generations had grown with it and that cutting it portrayed a complete indifference of the administration towards the sentiments of the community. Chandigarh Administration was quick to apologize. How sad then, that despite the massive scale of destruction over here (virtually the entire green belt along the road has been eliminated), no one even bothered to blink an eye. In the age of 24-hour news channels, where even the most irrelevant and ridiculous stories make their way into the news bulletins, this bare act just wasn’t sensational enough for a full blown coverage?

Not long ago, we were reminded that we have only a few years to save the earth from the disasters of global warming. Today, when climatic conditions are undergoing a rapid change globally and more and more nations are talking about conserving forests, here we are, witness to several trees cut mercilessly without any remorse or second thought.

While you may argue that cutting a few trees here and there will make no difference, this utter lack of sensitivity in bringing down several trees is surely shameful. Imagine the precedent that it sets. Wherever there is a possible traffic hazard or a commercial building coming up, eliminate the trees. As it is, the growth of residential areas in and around the tricity has consumed thousands of acres of forests.

It is agreed that with increasing population, more and more houses need to be built, roads constructed or broadened to tackle the increased volume of traffic. Yet, I wonder if we have already exhausted all other options so as to sacrifice trees and forests (some as old as two decades)? Can’t the governments or NGOs work on an awareness program that puts actual facts before the public, apprises them of the environmental challenges, and pushes the fact that they need to quickly figure out their role in tackling the crisis. Or is it that it suits the purses of our governments very well to indiscriminately allow the mushrooming of concrete structures?

Consider this; at the rate the population is growing, even these supposedly broader roads will one day become traffic nightmares. Then what? Will the administrations reach out to breach parts of our legitimate houses or land to broaden the roads even more? Trees cannot protest and hence are easy targets but I am sure that when our lands are invaded, we would create a ruckus. Has it even occurred to the residents (who I believe should have been at the forefront, leading the protests) in the affected areas that these trees have sheltered their properties for years and provided their present and past generations shade and fresh air? For their sake, had they united themselves, the government may well have felt the need to reconsider. Sadly, we saw none of that. It has somehow become our tendency not to bother about things that do not directly affect us. As long as we are breathing air or drinking water (no matter how polluted it may be), we have other important businesses of life to attend to.

So where are the solutions? Can the governments take it upon themselves to rectify the situation? The answer is yes and no. As I pointed out earlier, something as important as environmental conservation cannot be left entirely to the policymakers. An active public participation is mandatory. Change yourself and show the way. Drive less and smart, use public transport, walk or cycle to shorter distances, consider the carpool options to work or school, and work with your friends, colleagues, or neighbors to create awareness or share information. This remains our only hope.

As for now, the damage has been done. The least that we can do now is to make up for the overwhelming loss by planting as many trees and vegetation as we can. Perhaps Mother Nature will forgive us. If not, God help us for I am reminded of a Greenpeace slogan that said "When the last tree is cut and the last fish dead, we will discover that we cannot eat money". Think about it.

Rang De Sans Color

I always take the idea of watching a bollywood movie with a pinch of salt. Only after the movie has received consistently good press, I gather up courage to put my good three hours and hard earned money at stake. No offence or disrespect meant to the film fraternity, my bad experiences far outweigh the good ones. Bollywood rarely produces good films (and I am making a distinction here between a good film and a so called hit film). However, there are exceptions to this. Some films by virtue of their highly acclaimed directors and actors and sometimes great plots are sure winners.

Aamir’s films usually generate such publicity for the great deal of caution and thinking he puts into his projects. Rang De Basanti is one such film. Great star cast, dance to the beats music, and a theme based on youth; everything points to a visual treat. But the film is anything but entertaining. A loose depiction of events coupled with an outrageous message and loose talk (maa ki aankh types) leave you in bad taste.

Looking at a group of beer guzzling unemployed men who live to eat, are always on the move, and make no effort to make a standing for them in life, one can hardly relate them to Bhagat Singh and other great revolutionaries (that the film wants us to believe). In fact, I think it is senseless to even link the cause of our great martyrs to the issue (and the manner in which it is resolved) raised in the film. We were being ruled by foreign forces then and desperately wanted them out of our country. Today, we live in a free India which gives us the undeniable right to voice our opinion, approach the courts, and make a case in public through the much vibrant media. The film undermines all this and instead preaches a theory of kill to avenge.
Aaamir’s terrible use of Hindi and Punjabi in the same dialogues looks superficial and has shades of overacting. This can easily be categorized as one of his most disappointing performances. Others, including Soha Ali Khan fail to get even noticed by virtue of their non-existent characters.

The entire three hour depiction of their pranks and finally act of revenge neither instigates a feeling of inspiration nor sympathy. All it does is make you ponder if the solution presented to potential problems is a viable one. Though, the film scores on great foot tapping music and special effects, this is hardly a consolation for an eagerly awaited movie such as this. The film raises several pertinent issues like corruption in defence deals, petty party politics, and lack of right platform for the young motivated to do something for the country. However, it goofs up on providing valid solutions. Kill if you have been wronged is definitely not one.

For its budget, hype, theme and big stars, the film could easily have inspired and entertained many. Sadly, its only credit has been polluting further the minds of our already directionless youth.

The Mystical Rajasthan

King-size forts and palaces, vast deserts, lakes and gardens, wildlife, pilgrimage, and a vibrant and colorful culture; Nothing else describes Rajasthan better. Of course, it is much more than that. Every year, between October to March, Rajasthan plays host to tourists from all over the world. I too had my opportunity when shortly after my marriage, my wife and I decided to discover the desert land. Both of us share a fascination for hills and therefore all our previous sojourns took us there (more on those travel experiences some other time). This time, it had to be different.

The 10 hour long journey between Chandigarh (a neatly planned city in Northern India and place I grew up in) and Jaipur (the capital city of Rajasthan) is tiring, to say the least. And since we travelled through the night, lack of sleep made it even more painful. I am the kind who cannot sleep in buses or trains no matter how comfortable or luxurious they may be.

Day 1
Upon reaching our hotel in Jaipur, we retired to our comfortable rooms. Hotel Maurya Palace is right in the heart of the city and next to the famous Raj Mandir theatre. With its Rajasthani decor, neat and clean rooms, nice food (although I do not understand why most of the hotels in Rajasthan hesitate in including the local cuisine in their menus), hospitable, and polite staff, the hotel exceeds in terms of expectations.

After lunch, with our transportation arranged, we set out to explore the city. Pink City as it is popularly called (In 1876, Jaipur colored itself pink to welcome Prince Albert and Queen Elizabeth II and thus the name) is bustling with activity for most part of the year. The place is a hub of typical Pajasthani dresses, bandhani sarees being the most sought after and then kurtas and pyjamas with fine embroidery, handicrafts, rajasthani shoes (those peculiar ones with a bend you will find only in Rajathan), and God only knows what else. Our first stop was the famous Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind). Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, its spectacular design enabled the ladies of the royal household to view the city, its bazaars and processions without being watched by the city folk. A five story structure built entirely of red and pink stone, it is known as Hawa Mahal because cool air constantly circulates through the 953 small casements or windows even in the hottest months when temperature exceeds 45 degrees. You can feel the air breezing through these windows if you try to cover them with your hands.

Next, we drove to the Jantar Mantar. Built between 1728 to 1734 by Maharaj Jai Singh, it is an observatory lined up with various instruments to view the position and movement of the heavenly bodies. Different instruments perform host of different functions like predicting the length and heaviness of the monsoon for the local area, longitude and latitude of the celestial bodies etc. Although, I had immense trouble in understanding the scientific logics behind the instruments (being the geek that I am), the sheer scale of ideas, readings and calculations undertaken left me humbled. We were told that since we started late, there was only one other place that we could visit before winding up for the day and this was Jal Mahal. Jal Mahal is a picturesque fort right in the middle of the Man Sagar lake. Built in 1799 A.D by Sawai Pratap Singh, it was majorly used for the king’s parties. During winters, thousands of migratory birds flock the lake. Although the view is quite scenic with the Amber Fort on the hills in the background, the maintenance of the lake and the palace leave much to be desired. You cannot venture near the lake as the water stinks and the palace itself presents a sorry picture with the plasters coming off its walls.

Finished with our excursion, we returned to our hotel. With ample time at our disposal and sleep elusive (we had a fair share of it during the first half the day, we decided to watch Rang De Basanti (a hindi movie) at Raj Mandir. Just in case you are wondering what’s so special about it, consider wall to wall carpeting, cushioned seats, colorful lighting, Rajasthani paintings and carvings on the walls and a thin sheet of curtain that goes up and comes down before and after the show in a movie theatre. All this combined makes a simple movie show, an out of the world experience. Although I thought the movie was crap, the magical experience inside the hall compensated more than enough for the lost time and money.

Day 2
We headed straight to the City Palace. An amazing blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture, City palace is a huge walled structure encompassing within it series of courtyards, beautiful gardens and mahals (palaces). These palaces give enough evidence of the rich and luxurious life its inhabitants led once. Paintings, floral decorations, mirror walls and ceilings in the traditional style adorn the palace. Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum has an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamelware and 15th century weapons. The paintings include miniatures of Rajasthani, Persian and Mughal schools. A section of museum also contains dresses and costumes of the former Maharajas and Maharanis of Jaipur. Out of the City Palace completely awestruck, I had more of it coming. Situated on the hills just 11 kms. from Jaipur is the Amber fort. Primarily a military establishment at one time, the fort was built by Raja Man Singh, army commander of Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1600 AD, continued by Raja Jai Singh and then completed to its present form by Sawai Jai Singh in the eighteenth century. Although, it resembles the City Palace in many respects with its series of buildings, pavilions, and courtyards, its noteworthy architectural marvels are the 'Diwan-E-Khas', the 'Sheesh Mahal' and the 'Jai Mandir' with exquisite mirror work, the 'Diwan-E-Aam', the 'Sukh Niwas', the Shila Mata Temple, Kali temple and the well laid out garden known as the 'Kesar Kyari'.

Day 3
We dedicated day 3 to pilgrimage. Some 130 Kms to the west of Jaipur is the City of Ajmer. With an eventful history and affinity to the neighbouring village of Pushkar, Ajmer is a travellers delight. Home to the Dargah of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, Ajmer is thronged by muslim pilgrims from all over the world. On way to the Durgah through several narrow lanes, you will be constantly haunted by more than friendly and persistent guides. As is true for every religious center, Ajmer Sharif is also crowded with people almost all through the year. Amidst the sufi music and qawallis, we offered Chadar, Ghilaph, and Neema which are traditional offerings for the sacred tomb (where the mortal remains of the saint are buried).
From Ajmer, we made the half hour journey up Nag Pahar to the town of Pushkar. Famous for its annual Pushkar fair during which camels from all over India are traded, raced and a beauty contest held showcasing the most gorgeous ones, Pushkar also boasts of the only Brahma Temple in India. A small town set amidst a natural and sacred lake, a dip into which promises to free you of all sins, is highly recommended. At the very least, its cool waters will invigorate a new energy in you after you have been through the hustle and bustle of the two religious townships. The temple houses a four-headed idol of Brahma and is decorated with silver coins and a silver turtle on its black and white floor. Legend has it that Lord Brahma, together with all the gods and goddesses had performed a Yagna (Religious ritual) here. After paying obeisance at the temple and performing a small puja, we headed back to the capital city with fond memories of these twin towns where both Hindus and Muslims cut across religious divides to revere their holy land.

The Rajasthani magic was only beginning to unfold on me.

To be continued…

Food for Thought

The world has already witnessed a lot of debate on whether consuming vegetables or animals is good for humans. Fitness experts, dieticians, doctors, and even religious gurus have had their take on the subject and it is only logical to conclude that unanimity on the subject will remain elusive for some time. Lately, with movie stars turning vegetarian (though, I am not sure if this is out of serious compassion for the animal kingdom or publicity), and diseases like mad cow and bird flu doing rounds, the discussion has acquired a whole new meaning.

I had been an omnivorous myself before turning vegetarian. And although, I was convinced even during those days that vegetarian food was much healthier, my taste buds would occasionally drive me to savor my favorite Chicken Tikka (a famous north indian dish). Almost everyone who has grown up on non-vegetarian foods finds it difficult to develop a taste for vegetarian food no matter how sumptuous it may be. I was no exception until I began to observe the ill effects of fleshy food on my health. Quite athletic in school, I had developed obesity when I finished college. My digestive system had become inefficient, and my otherwise quick reflexes had become painfully slacky (basically I am using kind words when my actual state was that of a couch potato). As I began to investigate, it all zeroed down to my food and eating habits. When I was one hundred percent sure of the culprit, I eliminated all kinds of meat from my food plate.

As is obvious, my reasons for switching were purely borne out of concern for my health. However, there are several others like religious affiliations, doctor’s prescription, fear of bacteria and viruses such as bird flu, or quite simply affordability. Interestingly, a few of my friends who had been hardcore meat eaters completely relinquished it once they saw the miserable conditions in which the birds were kept and subsequently butchered. This syndrome affected me too to a certain extent.

It is also my personal experience that the reasons people stick to animal foods (other than taste) is because they believe that first, it is a source of strength and second, it has variety unlike vegetarian food. Although I am sure that the first reason is nothing but a false propaganda, the second does have some substance. With more than a million species of birds and animals inhabiting the planet, one can never have enough of them.
Non-vegetarians in our country are still conservative about what they feed themselves on, whereas their counterparts in other countries eat whatever comes their way (cats, dogs, rats, snakes etc.). If you have been a visitor to China, Hongkong, or Indonesia, you would know that there is literally a recipe for each and every bird or animal. So you see you can never fall short of variety.
As for the touting about it being a health food, consider this: It has been medically proved that in flesh, we consume what our bodies were never meant to. If a comparison was drawn between the anatomy of a meat eating animal and us, there would hardly be any match. They have teeth and claws designed to rip and tear animal flesh whereas we have teeth designed for grinding, not tearing. Our jaws move up and down as well as side to side, which a flesh-eater’s jaw cannot do. Flesh-eaters also have high hydrochloric acid content in their stomachs to break down and digest flesh, while humans do not. The digestive tract of the flesh-eater is short and designed to get the flesh out of the system before it has a chance to putrefy. The digestive tract of the humans is long with many twists and bends, which produce monumental problems for the colon when flesh foods are consumed. Is it a surprise then that our body takes an exceptionally long time to digest any food containing flesh as compared to any meal containing fruits and vegetables? In the present age where even human life does not command any respect or value, any talk of sympathy or compassion towards any other living specie feels like a joke. But I have come to believe that slaughtering animals for food simply because it appeals to our gastronomical senses is simply uncivilized and an act of cruelty.

Since the day I changed my food preferences, I have been experimenting with various combinations of fruits and vegetables and my body has never felt deprived. On the contrary, cooking has become much more fun, sans any guilt, all my tummy problems are gone, and though I can still afford to loose a few kilos here and there, the days of being a couch potato are history.

I certainly do not fancy that you will find this write-up inspiring enough to drastically alter your opinions on food, yet I sincerely hope that at the very least, it leaves you thinking.

The Flip side

Like many others, I admit to being addicted to the web. Initially when the Worldwide Web hit India and subsequently my city in India, I did not pay much heed to it. I had never been an IT enthusiast and had other pastime activities to engage in after my regular studies. Also, computers in those days (talking about the early 90s) were not easily accessible largely due to their high prices. I recall my best friend introducing me to Hotmail on his home computer. That day, I had my personal mail ID created and I still remember writing my first e-mail. What an experience it turned out to be!
Browsing in those days was expensive. Although, I loved spending more and more time on it, it turned out to be an expensive taste. Cyber cafes used to charge a whopping 40 to 60 indian rupees (depending upon the speed or how fancy the café looked) per hour and that was a considerable sum. So I had to restrict my urge to be online to once a week or ten days.

How times have changed! In the wake of communication revolution that India has witnessed in the last decade or so, I can browse from the comforts of my study room at broadband speeds and at half the cost that I talked about earlier. No wonder, the world has indeed become a smaller place.

However, the downside there is to every such phenomenon, the glory surrounding the Worldwide Web is also marred by an evil truth. Cyber crimes such as online frauds, pornography etc. have gently spread their wings. Although there are numerous illicit activities that can be performed in the disguise of a web site, blog or simply online chatting, the most offensive happens to be pornography.

The other day on the Oprah Winfrey show, the invitees were some teenage girls who had their personal websites hosting their titillating pictures and other obscene content. These girls, barely in their early 20s were stinking rich and obviously showed no signs of remorse or regret. Although when on a TV show, they could pretend that this was their need and that there is nothing wrong with it (we are not hookers, just posers being the argument), the fact is that moral values have degraded to such an extent that these girls barely out of school look for such easy means to make money and obviously attain perverted pleasure (and still not feel guilty about it).In India, this form of pornography is still unheard of but you do read about pimps involved in flesh trade show casing girls on cheap web sites or blogs to lure the prospective customers. Tons of such lewd websites act as references for our youngsters who are looking for some real information about a topic considered a taboo even today. Adding to the woes are cell phones with cameras and permission to use them in some schools and colleges. Then there are web sites selling pin hole or spy cameras (the kind that can be hidden) using which any pervert or peeping Tom would catch you in your most private moments.

The problems with tracking such crimes are that you cannot trace the identity of the individual or groups behind them. Everything is anonymous and the most you can do is track the IP address of the computer. Cyber laws are being discussed but sadly only within the confines of the news rooms when in reality, schools and colleges should be the realm of such discussions. The importance of sex education for the young can hardly be emphasized (by the way the touting about it started decades ago and still it is not a part of our standard school/college curriculum).

The Information Technology Act was passed by both the houses of Indian parliament in 2000 in recognition for a need to have cyber laws governing the use of IT and mainly to tackle cyber crimes. But success cannot be achieved unless we understand two things: One, that this is a problem which is only going to grow faster than we think (new porn sites are added daily) and second, that only we as parents, brothers, sisters, and responsible citizens can take the initiative to limit the menace, if not fully eliminate it. The key is awareness and observation. Watch your kids, spend time with them, educate them, and keep their raw mind engaged.

Let’s face it. Worldwide web is a reality whose positives far outweigh the negatives and it is here to stay. Censorship of the content on the websites, blocking them, registering the cyber cafes and punishing them if their premises are used to indulge in illegal activities are some measures that need to be undertaken in utmost sincerity.

So far, we have only concentrated on advertisements and shows on satellite television which frankly do not contain even half the objectionable content as is available on the Web.

That is the real threat and it is only getting bigger and smarter.