MIT's OpenCourseWare has one more course in its wings.
Updated today Introduction to Software Engineering in Java.
Anyone willing to take a JAVA primer should consider it.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Firefox 3 is out !
Many of you would already know this but if
you don't, get it from here.
Most of the add-ons including Firebug,
Add block etc. have released their
compatible versions as well but you
will have to find them manually over
the net, Firefox isn't yet able to find them.
As far as look and feel goes, yes it looks better.
1. Back/Forward buttons are easier to locate
with the mouse. Seems like a good usage of
Fritt's law.
2. Address bar auto completion searches on
page titles as well. This particular change,
I am not sure, if it actually helps anyone.
Personally, I have got used to the auto-completion
based on URL only, so this particular feature
is more of a nuisance.
If two urls have similar beginnings,
for e.g. finance.google.com/
and finance.google.com/
then depending on which one has been
used more frequently recently, will
come on top.
3. For bookmarking a page simply click the star
in the address bar.
4. A search box at the bottom right of the download
box. Plus some virus scanning is done after every download.
5. Free Download Manager has updated itself
for FF3 compatibility.
6. If you are closing FF3 with multiple tabs open,
now the default action is to save the tabs and quit.
7. Remember password dialogue box doesn't block
loading of the page.
8. Refresh, cancel and goto button are very very
sleek.
PS: It's currently quite unstable and keeps crashing often,
but has the ability to restore your previous tabs even after
crashing.
you don't, get it from here.
Most of the add-ons including Firebug,
Add block etc. have released their
compatible versions as well but you
will have to find them manually over
the net, Firefox isn't yet able to find them.
As far as look and feel goes, yes it looks better.
1. Back/Forward buttons are easier to locate
with the mouse. Seems like a good usage of
Fritt's law.
2. Address bar auto completion searches on
page titles as well. This particular change,
I am not sure, if it actually helps anyone.
Personally, I have got used to the auto-completion
based on URL only, so this particular feature
is more of a nuisance.
If two urls have similar beginnings,
for e.g. finance.google.com/
and finance.google.com/
then depending on which one has been
used more frequently recently, will
come on top.
3. For bookmarking a page simply click the star
in the address bar.
4. A search box at the bottom right of the download
box. Plus some virus scanning is done after every download.
5. Free Download Manager has updated itself
for FF3 compatibility.
6. If you are closing FF3 with multiple tabs open,
now the default action is to save the tabs and quit.
7. Remember password dialogue box doesn't block
loading of the page.
8. Refresh, cancel and goto button are very very
sleek.
PS: It's currently quite unstable and keeps crashing often,
but has the ability to restore your previous tabs even after
crashing.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Mentor Graphics' shares soar
All the shareholders of Mentor Graphics
( including the employees) are laughing
all the way to the bank as its share prices
have soared in anticipation of acquisition
by Cadence at $16 per share as against yesterday's
close of $12.33. Prices rose by as much as 27%
today. Though there is some anxiety amongst
the employees of both the companies as both
of them have competing products in many
market segments. But even if Cadence completes
the acquisition, consolidation of products is
going to take a long long time since most of their
customers have a complicated and delicate
tool flow set up and they are rather reluctant
to any kind of change.
A chat with MG employees highlights the
concern that they feel like they are in a
lose-lose situation. If the deal goes through,
some of them will obviously be laid off. If
it doesn't, Mentor's business will be impacted
since customers will always be reluctant
to buy Mentor's products due to their
uncertain future.
Some of the competing products of Cadence and Mentor :
Emulation : Veloce(Mentor) Palladium(Cadence)
Verilog Simulation : ModelSim(Mentor) NcVerilog(Cadence)
( including the employees) are laughing
all the way to the bank as its share prices
have soared in anticipation of acquisition
by Cadence at $16 per share as against yesterday's
close of $12.33. Prices rose by as much as 27%
today. Though there is some anxiety amongst
the employees of both the companies as both
of them have competing products in many
market segments. But even if Cadence completes
the acquisition, consolidation of products is
going to take a long long time since most of their
customers have a complicated and delicate
tool flow set up and they are rather reluctant
to any kind of change.
A chat with MG employees highlights the
concern that they feel like they are in a
lose-lose situation. If the deal goes through,
some of them will obviously be laid off. If
it doesn't, Mentor's business will be impacted
since customers will always be reluctant
to buy Mentor's products due to their
uncertain future.
Some of the competing products of Cadence and Mentor :
Emulation : Veloce(Mentor) Palladium(Cadence)
Verilog Simulation : ModelSim(Mentor) NcVerilog(Cadence)
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
IP 83.32.58.85 Banned : from accessing fundooquotes
On 12th June, someone from the IP 83.32.58.85
tried to break into fundooquotes.com.
It sent 2500 visits to login.php consuming 224.33 MB
of my precious bandwidth.
Banned !
A long time ago there was an attack too. Which took the
advantage of the fact that pligg is an open source CMS,
and hence it added a huge number of users, and then
comments on their behalf selling cheap pharmacy(read Viagra).
Even then, I had to make some changes and blacklist a lot of IPs.
Here is that blacklist.
This blacklist should be used by anyone, basing their sites on pligg.
tried to break into fundooquotes.com.
It sent 2500 visits to login.php consuming 224.33 MB
of my precious bandwidth.
Banned !
A long time ago there was an attack too. Which took the
advantage of the fact that pligg is an open source CMS,
and hence it added a huge number of users, and then
comments on their behalf selling cheap pharmacy(read Viagra).
Even then, I had to make some changes and blacklist a lot of IPs.
Here is that blacklist.
This blacklist should be used by anyone, basing their sites on pligg.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Bollywood Blog Wave
So, RGV is the latest to join the Bollywood Blog bandwagon.
I hadn't had enough motivation to check Aamir's and Amitabh's
blogs, but RGV was too difficult to resist.
And I wasn't disappointed too. RGV talks about film making,
and that's what I want to read. I checked Amitabh's blog
as well afterwards, and he documents every little detail.
For e.g., boarded the flight, flight landed, went to Mehboob
studio. Good. Me not interested though.
Aamir's blog had something about Sachin and IPL. Couldn't
enthuse me enough, so had to skip it.
As far as RSS feeds are concerned, RGV's blog rules.
The only way I am ever going to read a blog is through
RSS feeds. For me they are synonymous with each other.
RGV's feeds provide the full content of the post.
Amitabh's feeds are very very short. Just one or two lines.
And Aamir's blog doesn't even have a RSS feed, so I have
created one using page2rss. All the links are available below.
According to Google Reader, as of now, 412 people
are subscribed to Amitabh's blog and 57 to RGV's.
Aamir's blog doesn't have an RSS feed, and only
now, have I created one, so 0 till now.
BTW Suchitra Krishnamoorthi blogs too, not
on a personal blog, but on a blog with multiple authors
including Deepak Chopra.
It is here. And no doubt her posts are more interesting
than any other author out there.
RGV : Blog RSS feed
Amitabh : Blog RSS feed
Aamir : Blog Feed
I hadn't had enough motivation to check Aamir's and Amitabh's
blogs, but RGV was too difficult to resist.
And I wasn't disappointed too. RGV talks about film making,
and that's what I want to read. I checked Amitabh's blog
as well afterwards, and he documents every little detail.
For e.g., boarded the flight, flight landed, went to Mehboob
studio. Good. Me not interested though.
Aamir's blog had something about Sachin and IPL. Couldn't
enthuse me enough, so had to skip it.
As far as RSS feeds are concerned, RGV's blog rules.
The only way I am ever going to read a blog is through
RSS feeds. For me they are synonymous with each other.
RGV's feeds provide the full content of the post.
Amitabh's feeds are very very short. Just one or two lines.
And Aamir's blog doesn't even have a RSS feed, so I have
created one using page2rss. All the links are available below.
According to Google Reader, as of now, 412 people
are subscribed to Amitabh's blog and 57 to RGV's.
Aamir's blog doesn't have an RSS feed, and only
now, have I created one, so 0 till now.
BTW Suchitra Krishnamoorthi blogs too, not
on a personal blog, but on a blog with multiple authors
including Deepak Chopra.
It is here. And no doubt her posts are more interesting
than any other author out there.
RGV : Blog RSS feed
Amitabh : Blog RSS feed
Aamir : Blog Feed
Sunday, June 15, 2008
novel movie difference
Almost every movie based on a novel is lambasted by
the readers for not being able to live up to the latter.
I guess I know why.
Reading a novel allows one to visualize the characters
and incidents in their own way. Actually one does never
visualize any character in full detail, or may visualize
incrementally as the story moves on. Especially the
face of the character is rarely visualized by anyone.
And then, all of a sudden, there is a real human
face on the screen, with all its limitations,
claiming to personify a character. Kind of jolts
the reader.
In other words, a reader has a rather abstract view
of the characters and surroundings, which for some
reason makes him/her feel good. But the moment
someone tries to concretize it, reader is repelled
since it doesn't match his mental image.
the readers for not being able to live up to the latter.
I guess I know why.
Reading a novel allows one to visualize the characters
and incidents in their own way. Actually one does never
visualize any character in full detail, or may visualize
incrementally as the story moves on. Especially the
face of the character is rarely visualized by anyone.
And then, all of a sudden, there is a real human
face on the screen, with all its limitations,
claiming to personify a character. Kind of jolts
the reader.
In other words, a reader has a rather abstract view
of the characters and surroundings, which for some
reason makes him/her feel good. But the moment
someone tries to concretize it, reader is repelled
since it doesn't match his mental image.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur - part II
Shots of Devi Temple, a Rajasthani folk singer
singing one of the most melodious songs I ever heard.
Little Miss Sunshine
In the movie, there is a mention of a huge and
famous book by Proust. The original is named :
À la recherche du temps perdu, that's in French.
It has twice been translated in English.
First : Remembrance of Things Past)
Second : In Search of Lost Time
Apparently the copyright has expired for the
first one, so it's available for free download
now.
from here : http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/p/proust/marcel/
famous book by Proust. The original is named :
À la recherche du temps perdu, that's in French.
It has twice been translated in English.
First : Remembrance of Things Past)
Second : In Search of Lost Time
Apparently the copyright has expired for the
first one, so it's available for free download
now.
from here : http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/p/proust/marcel/
A YouTube partner made a copyright claim on one of your videos
I had uploaded this video once on youtube.
It contains an audio track from Crazy Frog.
Apparently Universal Music Group has
a copyright on that particular soundtrack, so
today I recieved this mail from Youtube :
So, the video will continue to be there, but
UMG will be able to monetize it. Fair enough !
It contains an audio track from Crazy Frog.
Apparently Universal Music Group has
a copyright on that particular soundtrack, so
today I recieved this mail from Youtube :
YouTube | Broadcast Yourself™
Dear YouTube Member:
UMG has claimed some or all audio content in your video Mentor Graphics Noida Goa Jan-2007 TBX. This claim was made as part of the YouTube Content Identification program.
Your video is still live because UMG has authorized the use of this content on YouTube. As long as UMG has a claim on your video, they will receive public statistics about your video, such as number of views. Viewers may also see advertising on your video's page.
Claim Details:
| Copyright owner: | UMG |
| Content claimed: | Some or all of the audio content |
| Policy: | Allow this content to remain on YouTube.
Applies to these locations: Everywhere |
UMG claimed this content as a part of the YouTube Content Identification program. YouTube allows partners to review YouTube videos for content to which they own the rights. Partners may use our automated video / audio matching system to identify their content, or they may manually review videos.
If you believe that this claim was made in error, or that you are otherwise authorized to use the content at issue, you can dispute this claim with UMG and view other options in the Video ID Matches section of your YouTube account. Please note that YouTube does not mediate copyright disputes between YouTube owners. Learn more about video identification disputes.
Sincerely,
The YouTube Content Identification Team
Copyright © 2008 YouTube, Inc.
So, the video will continue to be there, but
UMG will be able to monetize it. Fair enough !
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Search Engine for Quotes
Here is a customized search engine, which searches only for quotes.
Since its url is difficult to remember, I have embedded it in a
blog : quotesearch.blogspot.com.
It searches for your keywords only in selected pages
of selected sites, for e.g. all the memorable quotes
pages of imdb, all the story pages of fundooquotes etc.
Happy quote searching.
Since its url is difficult to remember, I have embedded it in a
blog : quotesearch.blogspot.com.
It searches for your keywords only in selected pages
of selected sites, for e.g. all the memorable quotes
pages of imdb, all the story pages of fundooquotes etc.
Happy quote searching.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
The famous ICICI phishing mail
Another phishing mail :
------------------------------
Delivered-To: --my email here--
Received: by 10.110.93.18 with SMTP id q18cs110422tib;
Mon, 9 Jun 2008 10:02:20 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by 10.114.255.1 with SMTP id c1mr3611945wai.143.1213030939284;
Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:02:19 -0700 (PDT)
Return-Path:
Received: from cenpec2.cenpec.org.br (cenpec2-dedicado.locaweb.com.br [200.234.199.81])
by mx.google.com with ESMTP id i39si33570803wxd.22.2008.06.09.10.02.18;
Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:02:19 -0700 (PDT)
Received-SPF: pass (google.com: domain of apache@cenpec.org.br designates 200.234.199.81 as permitted sender) client-ip=200.234.199.81;
Authentication-Results: mx.google.com; spf=pass (google.com: domain of apache@cenpec.org.br designates 200.234.199.81 as permitted sender) smtp.mail=apache@cenpec.org.br
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:02:19 -0700 (PDT)
Message-Id: <484d621b.2787460a.0f31.6bc0SMTPIN_ADDED@mx.google.com>
Received: by cenpec2.cenpec.org.br (Postfix, from userid 48)
id 77EB193647; Mon, 9 Jun 2008 14:19:21 -0300 (BRT)
To: --my email here--
Subject: Update Your Records
From: ICICI Bank
Reply-To:
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/html
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Message-Id: <20080609171921.77EB193647@cenpec2.cenpec.org.br>
Date: Mon, 9 Jun 2008 14:19:21 -0300 (BRT)
xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word"
xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40 " xmlns:(null)0="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
ICICI Online Banking Mail Box Notification
name="country-region"/>
name="place"/>
align=left>
------------------------------
Delivered-To: --my email here--
Received: by 10.110.93.18 with SMTP id q18cs110422tib;
Mon, 9 Jun 2008 10:02:20 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by 10.114.255.1 with SMTP id c1mr3611945wai.143.1213030939284;
Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:02:19 -0700 (PDT)
Return-Path:
Received: from cenpec2.cenpec.org.br (cenpec2-dedicado.locaweb.com.br [200.234.199.81])
by mx.google.com with ESMTP id i39si33570803wxd.22.2008.06.09.10.02.18;
Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:02:19 -0700 (PDT)
Received-SPF: pass (google.com: domain of apache@cenpec.org.br designates 200.234.199.81 as permitted sender) client-ip=200.234.199.81;
Authentication-Results: mx.google.com; spf=pass (google.com: domain of apache@cenpec.org.br designates 200.234.199.81 as permitted sender) smtp.mail=apache@cenpec.org.br
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:02:19 -0700 (PDT)
Message-Id: <484d621b.2787460a.0f31.6bc0SMTPIN_ADDED@mx.google.com>
Received: by cenpec2.cenpec.org.br (Postfix, from userid 48)
id 77EB193647; Mon, 9 Jun 2008 14:19:21 -0300 (BRT)
To: --my email here--
Subject: Update Your Records
From: ICICI Bank
Reply-To:
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/html
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Message-Id: <20080609171921.77EB193647@cenpec2.cenpec.org.br>
Date: Mon, 9 Jun 2008 14:19:21 -0300 (BRT)
xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word"
xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40 " xmlns:(null)0="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
name="country-region"/>
name="place"/>
align=left>
style='font-size:12pt ;font-family:Tahoma;'>Security Alert
style='font-size:12pt ;font-family:Tahoma;color:#003399'>
ICICI Bank has been
receiving complaints from our customers of unauthorized access of the NetBanking
accounts. As a result we have started reviewing our
NetBanking Accounts periodically and temporarily restrict access of those
accounts which we think are vulnerable.It has come to our attention that your
account
information needs to be updated as part of our continuing commitment to protect
your account in this year 2008 and to reduce the instance of fraud on our
website.
If you could please take 5-10 minutes out of your online experience and update
your personal records, you will not run into any future problems with our online
service.
Once you have updated your account records your online banking account service
will not be interrupted and will continue as normal.
To update your records click
the following link(s) and fill in the necessary requirements :
Personal
Account Holders -
https://infinity.icicibank.co.in/BANKAWAY?Action.RetUser.Init.001=Y&AppSignonBankId=ICI&AppType=retail&abrdPrf=N
Business Account Holders -
https://cib.icicibank.co.incorp/BANKAWAY?Action.CorpUser.Init.001=Y&AppSignonBankId=ICI&AppType=corporate
Please sign in to Online Banking after you have
verified your account to ensure your account security. It is all about your
security.
We seek your cooperation for serving you better.
Sincerely,
Benoy Dasgupta
Security Department
ICICI Bank
The Famed ICICI phishing attack
I have attached this mail with headers.
I guess this is one of those famous mails,
used for hacking ICICI customers accounts.
-----------------------------------------------
Delivered-To: --my email address here--
Received: by 10.110.93.18 with SMTP id q18cs103450tib;
Mon, 9 Jun 2008 09:01:28 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by 10.100.178.13 with SMTP id a13mr3889104anf.29.1213027286181;
Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:01:26 -0700 (PDT)
Return-Path:
Received: from corvette.speedlimithosting.com (3a.dc.5d45.static.theplanet.com [69.93.220.58])
by mx.google.com with ESMTP id c13si20539843anc.32.2008.06.09.09.01.25;
Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:01:26 -0700 (PDT)
Received-SPF: neutral (google.com: 69.93.220.58 is neither permitted nor denied by best guess record for domain of radioone@corvette.speedlimithosting.com) client-ip=69.93.220.58;
Authentication-Results: mx.google.com; spf=neutral (google.com: 69.93.220.58 is neither permitted nor denied by best guess record for domain of radioone@corvette.speedlimithosting.com) smtp.mail=radioone@corvette.speedlimithosting.com
Received: from radioone by corvette.speedlimithosting.com with local (Exim 4.68)
(envelope-from)
id 1K5joB-0007Dx-7E
for --my email address here--; Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:01:23 -0500
To: --my email address here--
Subject: Secure Your NetBanking Account
From: ICICI Bank
Reply-To:
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/html
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Message-Id:
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:01:23 -0500
X-AntiAbuse: This header was added to track abuse, please include it with any abuse report
X-AntiAbuse: Primary Hostname - corvette.speedlimithosting.com
X-AntiAbuse: Original Domain - gmail.com
X-AntiAbuse: Originator/Caller UID/GID - [32023 32002] / [47 12]
X-AntiAbuse: Sender Address Domain - corvette.speedlimithosting.com
X-Source: /usr/bin/php
X-Source-Args: /usr/bin/php /home/radioone/public_html/calendar/tasks/settings.inc.php
X-Source-Dir: radiooneindiana.com:/public_html/calendar/tasks
ICICI Online Banking Mail Box Notification
I guess this is one of those famous mails,
used for hacking ICICI customers accounts.
-----------------------------------------------
Delivered-To: --my email address here--
Received: by 10.110.93.18 with SMTP id q18cs103450tib;
Mon, 9 Jun 2008 09:01:28 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by 10.100.178.13 with SMTP id a13mr3889104anf.29.1213027286181;
Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:01:26 -0700 (PDT)
Return-Path:
Received: from corvette.speedlimithosting.com (3a.dc.5d45.static.theplanet.com [69.93.220.58])
by mx.google.com with ESMTP id c13si20539843anc.32.2008.06.09.09.01.25;
Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:01:26 -0700 (PDT)
Received-SPF: neutral (google.com: 69.93.220.58 is neither permitted nor denied by best guess record for domain of radioone@corvette.speedlimithosting.com) client-ip=69.93.220.58;
Authentication-Results: mx.google.com; spf=neutral (google.com: 69.93.220.58 is neither permitted nor denied by best guess record for domain of radioone@corvette.speedlimithosting.com) smtp.mail=radioone@corvette.speedlimithosting.com
Received: from radioone by corvette.speedlimithosting.com with local (Exim 4.68)
(envelope-from
id 1K5joB-0007Dx-7E
for --my email address here--; Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:01:23 -0500
To: --my email address here--
Subject: Secure Your NetBanking Account
From: ICICI Bank
Reply-To:
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/html
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Message-Id:
Date: Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:01:23 -0500
X-AntiAbuse: This header was added to track abuse, please include it with any abuse report
X-AntiAbuse: Primary Hostname - corvette.speedlimithosting.com
X-AntiAbuse: Original Domain - gmail.com
X-AntiAbuse: Originator/Caller UID/GID - [32023 32002] / [47 12]
X-AntiAbuse: Sender Address Domain - corvette.speedlimithosting.com
X-Source: /usr/bin/php
X-Source-Args: /usr/bin/php /home/radioone/public_html/calendar/tasks/settings.inc.php
X-Source-Dir: radiooneindiana.com:/public_html/calendar/tasks
Security Alert
ICICI Bank has been
receiving complaints from our customers of unauthorized access of the NetBanking
accounts. As a result we have started reviewing our
NetBanking Accounts periodically and temporarily restrict access of those
accounts which we think are vulnerable.It has come to our attention that your
account
information needs to be updated as part of our continuing commitment to protect
your account in this year 2008 and to reduce the instance of fraud on our
website.
If you could please take 5-10 minutes out of your online experience and update
your personal records, you will not run into any future problems with our online
service.
Once you have updated your account records your online banking account service
will not be interrupted and will continue as normal.
To update your records click
the following link(s) and fill in the necessary requirements :
Personal
Account Holders -
https://infinity.icicibank.co.in/BANKAWAY?Action.RetUser.Init.001=Y&AppSignonBankId=ICI&AppType=retail&abrdPrf=N
Business Account Holders -
https://cib.icicibank.co.incorp/BANKAWAY?Action.CorpUser.Init.001=Y&AppSignonBankId=ICI&AppType=corporate
Please sign in to Online Banking after you have
verified your account to ensure your account security. It is all about your
security.
We seek your cooperation for serving you better.
Sincerely,
Benoy Dasgupta
Security Department
ICICI Bank
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Maruti Suzuki Car Dealers in Noida
ROHAN MOTORS LIMITED
C-11,Sector-1,Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201301
Tel: 0120-2543613, 2543609
Note : Very close to the above mentioned showroom
is Maruti True value Showroom, that is Second hand
Maruti cars, by Rohan Motors.
VIPUL MOTORS LTD
COMMERCIAL BUILDING P-6, OCEAN COMPLEX,,
Sector-18,
Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201301
Tel: 0120-2517780-83
C-11,Sector-1,Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201301
Tel: 0120-2543613, 2543609
Note : Very close to the above mentioned showroom
is Maruti True value Showroom, that is Second hand
Maruti cars, by Rohan Motors.
VIPUL MOTORS LTD
COMMERCIAL BUILDING P-6, OCEAN COMPLEX,,
Sector-18,
Noida, Uttar Pradesh, 201301
Tel: 0120-2517780-83
An Excerpt from The Argumentative Indian
There is in fact, another factor that influences this interpretational bias. There is and old
dichotomy in the way in which Western and non-western ideas and scholarship are currently
comprehended, with a tendency to attribute a predominant role to religiosity in interpreting
the works of non-Western intellectuals who had secular interests along with strong religious
beliefs. It is, for example, not assumed that, say, Isaac Newton's scientific work must be
understood in primarily Christian terms ( even though he did have Christian beliefs), nor presumed
that his contributions to worldly knowledge must somehow be interpreted in the light
of his deep interest in mysticism ( important as mystical speculations evidently were to
Newton himself and even perhaps for some of the motivation for his efforts).
In contrast, when it comes to non-Western cultures, religious reductionism tends to exert
a gripping influence. For example, there is a widespread tendency to presume that none of the
general intellectual works of Buddhist scholars or of Tantric practitioners in India or China
could be 'properly understood' except in the special light of their religious beliefs and practices.
dichotomy in the way in which Western and non-western ideas and scholarship are currently
comprehended, with a tendency to attribute a predominant role to religiosity in interpreting
the works of non-Western intellectuals who had secular interests along with strong religious
beliefs. It is, for example, not assumed that, say, Isaac Newton's scientific work must be
understood in primarily Christian terms ( even though he did have Christian beliefs), nor presumed
that his contributions to worldly knowledge must somehow be interpreted in the light
of his deep interest in mysticism ( important as mystical speculations evidently were to
Newton himself and even perhaps for some of the motivation for his efforts).
In contrast, when it comes to non-Western cultures, religious reductionism tends to exert
a gripping influence. For example, there is a widespread tendency to presume that none of the
general intellectual works of Buddhist scholars or of Tantric practitioners in India or China
could be 'properly understood' except in the special light of their religious beliefs and practices.
The Argumentative Indian - partial Review - essays 1-7,16
I have read 8 out of 16 essays by Amartya Sen in
The Argumentative Indian. In fact I have skipped
a lot of content as he himself acknowledges in the
preface that a lot of material might be replicated,
since essays have been written at different times,
and not originally intended to be a book.
Most of the book is about how India and Indians
have contributed to the world much more than
their religious beliefs and practices. How,
India has had a rich democracy and an ability
to accommodate various ethnic groups since
time immemorial which has facilitated a lot of
give and take between different cultures not
only in terms of the cultural exchanges but
scientific, or rather mathematical influences as
well.
Speaking of the scientific and mathematical exchanges,
he repeatedly cites the decimal system and few
astronomical calculations by our ancient scientists.
And, as is expected of a Nobel laureate, he backs
each claim of his with some solid evidence and
debunks some popular myths about India and Indians.
He also chastises the Hindutva brigade of attempting
to isolate India from the rest of the world and thus
hindering the free flow of ideas.
All in all, old wine in new bottle, but a bottle which
is rather impressive due to the solid evidence that
he cites to cement his claims. Though I would have
been much happier if he had actually unearthed
some contribution by India to the world, which is
hitherto unknown. Decimal system, democracy, multi-ethnicity
are all well known, well established. Give me something
new, as is expected of a Nobel laureate !!
The Argumentative Indian. In fact I have skipped
a lot of content as he himself acknowledges in the
preface that a lot of material might be replicated,
since essays have been written at different times,
and not originally intended to be a book.
Most of the book is about how India and Indians
have contributed to the world much more than
their religious beliefs and practices. How,
India has had a rich democracy and an ability
to accommodate various ethnic groups since
time immemorial which has facilitated a lot of
give and take between different cultures not
only in terms of the cultural exchanges but
scientific, or rather mathematical influences as
well.
Speaking of the scientific and mathematical exchanges,
he repeatedly cites the decimal system and few
astronomical calculations by our ancient scientists.
And, as is expected of a Nobel laureate, he backs
each claim of his with some solid evidence and
debunks some popular myths about India and Indians.
He also chastises the Hindutva brigade of attempting
to isolate India from the rest of the world and thus
hindering the free flow of ideas.
All in all, old wine in new bottle, but a bottle which
is rather impressive due to the solid evidence that
he cites to cement his claims. Though I would have
been much happier if he had actually unearthed
some contribution by India to the world, which is
hitherto unknown. Decimal system, democracy, multi-ethnicity
are all well known, well established. Give me something
new, as is expected of a Nobel laureate !!
A dialogue in Sarkar Raj
Sarkar's wife: वक्त बदल रहा है. बदलते वक्त के साथ आप भी बदलना सीख लीजिये.
Sarkar : अगर हम भी बदल गए तो पता कैसे चलेगा कि वक्त बदल रहा है.
Sarkar's wife: Waqt badal raha hai. Badalte waqt ke saath aap bhi badalna seekh leejiye.
Sarkar : Agar hum bhi badal gaye to pata kaise chalega ki waqt badal raha hai.
Sarkar : अगर हम भी बदल गए तो पता कैसे चलेगा कि वक्त बदल रहा है.
Sarkar's wife: Waqt badal raha hai. Badalte waqt ke saath aap bhi badalna seekh leejiye.
Sarkar : Agar hum bhi badal gaye to pata kaise chalega ki waqt badal raha hai.
Sarkar Raj
Not too many sequels are known for living
up to their originals, except Lage Raho Munna Bhai,
but still...
Amitabh has done well.
Abishek is average.
Aishwarya has done better than Abhishek,
but not quite as good as Amitabh. Her
close ups are exemplary.
There is quite an overdose of the background
music plus many a times Amitabh takes epochal
pauses between his dialogues which remind me of
Atal Bihari Vajpayee's last days as prime minister.
7/10.
I don't know why am I saying this,
but it's better than Om Shanti Om.
up to their originals, except Lage Raho Munna Bhai,
but still...
Amitabh has done well.
Abishek is average.
Aishwarya has done better than Abhishek,
but not quite as good as Amitabh. Her
close ups are exemplary.
There is quite an overdose of the background
music plus many a times Amitabh takes epochal
pauses between his dialogues which remind me of
Atal Bihari Vajpayee's last days as prime minister.
7/10.
I don't know why am I saying this,
but it's better than Om Shanti Om.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Monday, June 02, 2008
IPL final
Though Rajasthan Royals have won the IPL final,
and though they were expected to win it quite easily,
the fact is throughout the match they seemed the
underdogs.
Those big bags under Warne's eyes loudly proclaimed
that he hadn't slept well, when he came for the toss.
Then Chennai under Dhoni kept their cool and played
slightly beyond their potential to reach 162.
Chennai team gave the impression that they had peaked
at the right time. And, they had indeed. Just that Yusuf
had other ideas.
And, when Rajasthan came out to bat, they were 44-3,
not long after their chase began. Akmal was injured at
least thrice during the match,Kaif once and Greame
Smith didn't even play due to injury. All of which made
Rajasthan's journey difficult. And when Yusuf was having
a hell of a time playing a confident Murali, it seemed that
all was over for Rajasthan. But, thanks to some loose deliveries
by Murali, and Pathan's ability to control his nerves,
his confidence was back with two consecutive sixes off him.
What might go unnoticed though is Kaif's innings. He made
only 12, but what he did was he made runs in Murali's over,
which would have most likely not been made by anyone else.
And had that last over by Murali been a tight one, game
would have been very different.
All in all, the final was between two of the best captains
of the tournament, no one would be able to contest that
claim.
and though they were expected to win it quite easily,
the fact is throughout the match they seemed the
underdogs.
Those big bags under Warne's eyes loudly proclaimed
that he hadn't slept well, when he came for the toss.
Then Chennai under Dhoni kept their cool and played
slightly beyond their potential to reach 162.
Chennai team gave the impression that they had peaked
at the right time. And, they had indeed. Just that Yusuf
had other ideas.
And, when Rajasthan came out to bat, they were 44-3,
not long after their chase began. Akmal was injured at
least thrice during the match,Kaif once and Greame
Smith didn't even play due to injury. All of which made
Rajasthan's journey difficult. And when Yusuf was having
a hell of a time playing a confident Murali, it seemed that
all was over for Rajasthan. But, thanks to some loose deliveries
by Murali, and Pathan's ability to control his nerves,
his confidence was back with two consecutive sixes off him.
What might go unnoticed though is Kaif's innings. He made
only 12, but what he did was he made runs in Murali's over,
which would have most likely not been made by anyone else.
And had that last over by Murali been a tight one, game
would have been very different.
All in all, the final was between two of the best captains
of the tournament, no one would be able to contest that
claim.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Some computer hardware shops in Noida
Opposite Atta Market :
Narsingh computers : 0120-2547283,2591683,4248621
Sri Ganesh Computer : 0120-4246110,9312048861
Narsingh computers : 0120-2547283,2591683,4248621
Sri Ganesh Computer : 0120-4246110,9312048861
IIT Student commits suicide before convocation
IIT girl commits suicide hours before convocation
Expressindia.com - New Delhi,India
Kanpur, May 31: Upset over poor academic record, a girl student of Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself ...
See all stories on this topic
IIT-K confers degrees on 994 students
Economic Times - Gurgaon,Haryana,India
31 May, 2008, 1545 hrs IST, PTI KANPUR: The Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur today conferred degrees on 994 students of various courses during the ...
See all stories on this topic
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