Dangal: review

Watched a movie after a long long time. Many things made this movie mandatory to watch. Its a sports based movie. I am a big fan of this genre. I have, infact, searched all the list of such movies made across the world and have seen atleast 80% of them. Back then, I used to wonder, why no sports based movies are made in India. But, then came "Chak De" and later few more to follow.

Another reasons to watch the movie, were the ratings given by Times of India review ( 4.5) and huge income made by the movie (155 crores) in just 4 days. Every other person, ended up recommending me this movie. 

But, one of the most significant reasons that pushed me to book the ticket was an attempt to try out the offer given on ICICI credit card of one free ticket for one ticket bought using the card. Apparently, it doesn't work. Every time you try to avail this offer, it says " You just missed it. Try again at 3.00, or 7.00, or ----". So, it was a mistake to get a credit card just to get those free tickets. Luckily, an ad about movie floating on my facebook helped me get me a discount of ~ Rs.150. So, some benefit.

So, finally I gave in, and watched this movie yesterday evening. I must say a commendable attempt in making this movie. Its visible, how much efforts have been taken to make this movie. It also makes me wonder, how Aamir Khan ends up making movies on odd stories, but still manages to be the center point aka hero of the movie. 

To talk in more details, I loved the first half of the movie. It seems like a genuine story. A person, failing to fulfil his dream, tries to follow it again using different route, making girls enter the Dangal. The efforts taken makes it feel realistic. The characters of young Geeta and Babita  played by two girls are awesome. It presents their journey to Akhada in a comical way. The song during their practice session is just phenomenal. The making of Geeta and Babita into wrestlers, that makes the major part of first half is really wonderful and worth watching.

In the second half though, the story kind of become an Indian movie. Quite a lot of cinematic liberty seem to have been taken. The story seem to have been exaggerated a bit to portray better sides of Mahavir Phogat over others. Putting some words in the Australian wrestlers mouth also seemed unnecessary. The story of the coach might partly be true. Having myself played Badminton and seen the altogether different work culture of two coaches, makes me believe it. The real wrestling action has been shot in a most authentic way. While watching those bouts, it felt like we are watching some real wrestling match. Somewhere, I felt, the movie ended up with concentrating  on Mahavir Phogat's attention on Geeta only. It kind became a two character story. Babita is completely sidelined. While there were worries and discussion shownabout Geets's matches, Babita's matches were never discussed, although she also won a silver in the same tournament. How did the coach treated Babita, and how did she responded to that treatment (while strongly believing in her father unlike Geeta). Nothing about it.

Ofcourse Aamir has done everything to fit in the character. But somehow, I could not unsee him while watching Mahavir Phogat. In every screen, I found him Aamir Khan only. Incontrast, when I saw "Chak De", I found Kabir Khan there, and not Shahrukh Khan. But that is my perspective.

So, over all recommendation. It is a worth watching movie. Must see and must shown movie. I don't agree with 4.5 star rating of Times though, I will give 3 - 3.5 stars to the movie.Watch it for the love of sports and upliftment it might bring to the situation of Women in India.

Bye bye Rio, Next stop -Tokyo

Surprisingly, 15 days got over very fast. I was recently getting excited about the Olympic games starting in Rio, and today, the games are over. I must tell you, the two weeks of Olympic games, is one of the most exciting time, which I really look forward too.

video courtesy: GAGALOVER347

This time India couldn't do that well as seen in last few Olympic outings including London, Beijing. But at times, we nearly missed the medal. Most prominently to remember are the missed bronze medals by Abhinav Bindra, Saniya & Bopaana and Dipa Karmakar. They really missed it at the last hurdle. Feels bad for them. Abhinav wanted to finish his career with a medal, which didn't happen. Dipa took so much efforts, even learned the difficult, nearly death level Produnova. Saniya and Boppanna, however did not look that effective in their efforts to clinch the medal. 

In contrast, some players just gave a big surprise by actually winning the medal. While every one was thinking about Vinesh Phogat making a mark, Sakshi Malik suddenly gave a great news of winning a medal. Although, it was heart wrenching to see, how Vinesh  went into pain while playing her quarter final bout. I can not even imagine myself in that position, the way her leg got all twisted and crushed under Chinese wrestlers weight. On similar line, everyone was expecting a sure medal from Saina. Nobody, though, knew that she is going through a severe injury, which actually needed a surgery. It is really difficult to digest a fact that she reached till pre quarters with the help of killer pains. But she had started in London, had to be taken ahead in this round of Olympic games. Last time, she brought Bronze mdeal for India. This time, another player managed to convert that Bronze into Silver. P.V. Sindhu, the youngest Indian to win a medal, really made all the Indians start loving Badminton in a span of few days. Her match against the World No.2 chinese player is one of the best matches I have seen. She was almost perfect in that games. By the time she reached Semi final, her confidence was evidently grown. It was apparent, the Japanese opponent was not match for her. The finals though was different. The way I look at it, I may be totally wrong here, Sindhu lacked a bit of attack in her  game. Marin was just too good that day. 

All in all, one silver and one bronze is what we could earn this time.

There were many failures, which left us disappointed. Biggest one is Dipika Kumari led archery team. Can you believe it, she is a world record holder. I followed her game in London olympics and again this time. But, I never felt confident about her performance. She is not consistent for some reasons. Ofcourse, I have watched her play on few events only, so my view might be totally wrong also. But, at a bigger stage, she some how fails to deliver. There was a huge expectation from our Men's Hockey team. But they could live up to their expectation. Surprisingly, Argentina, a team India defeated in their league matches, won the Gold. The last and biggest disappointment came on the last day of the games, when Yogeshwar Dutt lost in his first round of match itself. Actually, he is really good in his game. I have seen him developing and growing since his bronze medal win in London. His exit in the first round itself was shocking.

This was India at Rio. It wasn't as expected considering we sent the biggest contingent till date to Olympics games, but, we came to know about emerging talents, which are surely going to make a mark in coming days.

Amul - India's official sponsor of Olympic Team

Since the time Olympic games have started, I have been looking to share this commercial. Amul is the official sponsor for Indian Olympic team. There is an amazing advertisement appearing on TV, where some of the games being played in Olympic games are constructed from milk itself. It begins with the lighting of Olympic torch and from there it goes on constructing visuals out of milk representing different games including gymanstic, swimming, volleyball etc. The ad is beautiful and surely makes you spend 30 seconds worth watching it. Surprisingly, the ad is available on the official youtube channel of Amul India. So, I had to search a lot to find it on net. Finally I found a link by Afaqs, which I am embedding here, though, the quality is not so good.

 There is another good quality of the same advertisement available on net. I could not embed this video because of permissions. But, You may visit the following link for better quality version of the same.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqq1w4WRWjg

Rio Olympic games: Heartbreaking Day 3 for India

 I think, yesterday i.e. Day 3 of Rio Olympic games, probably could be one of the heart breaking days for India, in its entire Olympic journey. Yesterday, Indians missed opportunities at shortest possible intervals.And even these missed opportunities took place with in a close interval of time. For me, it was more of a shock after shock. Believe me, I never felt so bad after watching any sport event. Not even, when India lost in Cricket world cup finals!

First jolt came in form of Bindra near miss at the Bronze medal. It was really bad that he missed his career's last opportunity to get a medal on the last shot of the career. And it wasn't bad. He scored perfect, but still lost it. The intensity of this loss is evident from his pledge to never try shooting in life time ever after, even as a hobby. He has offered to sell his rifle. This is difficult to digest. Well, even after his loss, he looked calm with any effect on his body langauage.

The other shock we receive with a matter of minutes was the loss of Indian Men's hockey match against Germany. I was so much disturbed when the German hit that 2nd goal with only 3 seconds left for the hooter. It all happened in front of my eyes. I was so praying that Indians will tackle the ball out to the safe zone. They tackled it once, when there were 11 seconds left, but the germans returned and their player hit a shot from a long distance, with only 3 seconds remaining. I was so hoping that it will not reach the goal post, but was worried in mind for the other consequence. Unfortunately, that consequence came to reality. Even I lost cool and was disturbed. I don't how all our players must be going through after that goal. I am just worried, that this goal shouldn't effect their confidence. They still have a good chance to move ahead.

All the other events, where Indians participated, doesn't really need a mention. Laxmi Manzi just managed not to loose in straight sets in Archary. Swimmers just managed, not be the last one among all the competitors. All other shooters managed to get a ranking going in the double digit. 

So, one more disappointing day for India.

Today, we have a chance in Rowing (skull) and again in archary.

Lets see, if Indians make a mark today.

Olympic games 2016

 One big sports event is about to begin in less than 48 hrs. Yes, we all are eagerly waiting for the Olympics 2016 to watch some sports other than Cricket or for that matter, Football. Olympics and Asian games have always  been a part of inspiration for us as kids to take up non-familier games and enjoy the excitement and thrill of those games. Out of such events only, I took up the game of Badminton and  practised hard to play at higher level. 

This time, the host for the games is Rio de Jenerio, Brazil, where all the sportsmen will gather and try their metal. This place has always been, kind of intriguing for me. My first encounter with this country was in connection of a song. Way back, when English was still a difficult to understand, kind of language for us, there was one song, we were very well verse with. It was "Brazil". The song has only one word in it "Brazil", and rest of it was all music. That is how, we came across this amazing country named "Brazil".

Somewhere down the line, we heard about Brazil Carnival, that we tried knowing from all possible sources available.

But, the best connection of this country came in the form of Football World Cups, where starting with  Pele, we went on becoming fan of all the players including Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, coming from this soil.

With this event of Olympics, taking place at Rio, we are inching more closer to this country from South America.

But, even before going to the venue, lots of issues cropped up in our teams. Mostly the issues related to Doping. This issue with Narsinh Yadav doping case, has really brought up the dirty political background, which our players have to get through, to make a mark and win laurels for the country. It is a very sad state. Some players apparently are struggling to get financial assistance, even though they have qualified for their respective competitions. Probably, such things are part and parcel of sports events.

Though, the inauguration of the event is still awaited, few pre-qualifying rounds of matches have already started. To be specific, Women's football matches are going on. No event involving India as such are going on as yet. As the event will begin in 2 days, our players will have chance to make their dream come true. If you want to follow Olympics  you can probably check this page:

http://www.nbcolympics.com/full-schedule 

Just to end, if you have ever given ear to the music during the prize ceremony in Olympics, there is one music piece, which always get to hear. It is one of the most awesome, soothing sound, you might have ever heard. I am talking about the music piece of "Chariots of Fire". This music piece is a part of the movie by the same name, which again is based on the real life events of a couple of sthletes who represented Great Britain in 1924 Olympics held in Paris.

The movie is also fantastic and the music piece by the famous "Vangelis", is still one of the most heard music piece in the world. It makes sense to keep it as a back ground music during the prize ceremony, because of its close association with the games.

If you wish to hear it, follow this link:

https://archive.org/details/ChariotsOfFire

Infact, I request you to hear it at least once. I bet, you won't be able to stop listening it again and again. You can also download the audio file from the link.

Yahoo! No more

 If you started using Internet during late 90's or early 2000, then probably, your first email address had a domain name of Yahoo.Back then, gmail did not exist, at least, I was unaware of it. There is a competition between Google and Yahoo search engines. I had friends who used to advocate Yahoo search engine like anything over Google. I was a newbee, so, my acquaintance with internet started with friends suggestions, and that is how I landed with my first email address, opened on Yahoo. Then, Yahoo started spreading its wings. And we started getting into confusions. Whether, our address is yahoo.co.in or yahoo.com? If someone didn't receive a mail, then probably it was because it was sent to something@yahoo.com instead of something@yahoo.co.in. God only knows, whether there was any such issue or not. \

In those days, only easier way to access internet was through Netcafe. I had a friend running netcafe back then. There was a scheme started by Yahoo for netcafe people. Number of yahoo email accounts opened from their netcafe would help them earn them some extra money from yahoo.  I don't know, if this was correct or not. But my friend made us sit and open such email accounts from his netcafe. The deal for us was, if we open such accounts, then he will make arrangement to play the combined mode of "Need for Speed " game. I remember creating lot of email addresses. It got saturated and then we started making random logins. I probably made of a series of addresses with names like hut1@yahoo.co.in; hut2@yahoo.co.in .... upto ........hut250@yahoo.co.in.

Apparently, it did not work. My friend did not get any money for opening these many email addresses. But, we got to play NFS for free for over a month.

Another interesting memory of yahoo, is about yahoo chat. It felt really fascinating, that just sitting at one computer, we can instantly chat with anybody anywhere around the world. I remember my first experience of chatting. Apparently, I was online (I did not know), and one of my friends dropped a chat sitting somewhere in Chicago. The chat window popped up, and I pretty much got scared, thinking, something went wrong, and closed the browser window, shut down computer and was wondering what did just happen!!

That was the time, when Yahoo was pretty much our guide to internet. It introduced us to the world of internet.
From my point of view, the decline of Yahoo!, started somewhere, with the entry of Orkut, Facebook and Gmail. These things came with some interesting packages, which were really attractive. They had lot to offer to us. Somewhere down the Yahoo chat lost it sheen. Gmail addresses were created, FaceBook page were made. All the important emails started coming to Gmail, and recently, I was instructed to login to my Yahoo account or it will be closed. Well, I thought to login once, but couldn't remember the password. Tried a bit to recollect, but then gave up.

Today, morning, I heard the news of Verizon taking over Yahoo! for a mere 4.8 billion $. A drop from its value of 100 billion$. 

Its sad to see some big companies die down infront of you like this. I remember, writing a similar post for one such big company in camera "KODAK".

Then, there was NOKIA, which was taken over by microsoft.

And now this, Yahoo!

These names have made a mark on our mind. Now, seeing them dying in front of us is little painful. But that is how difficult and competitive, the outside world. Where do we as individual, then stand!

Madhya Pradesh Tourism Advertisements - always the best

Very recently, different states of India have started advertising about their tourism opportunities. Under the domain of Incredible India, every state is highlighting their best features and attempting to attract the tourists to visit different destinations in their respective states. Since I remember, Madhya  Pradesh started this trend very early, while all other states even don't had a faint idea on how to grow tourism industry. Not only did MP took a lead in advertising their tourism opportunities, they did it in style. Their advertisements have been the most artisitic, colorful, innovative and attention grabbing ones in the lot. It caught my attention for the first time, when they came up with this shadow based advertisement. Each one of us have at some point of the time tried making images with different hand gestures (thanks to night time power cuts in India). Such a innovative use of that concept, immediately caught my attention. I just couldn't ignore this advertisement, anytime it appeared on TV.

Next attempt was even more wonderful. Infact, I should say, more colorful. The theme here was the color. How foreigners get attracted towards the colorful Holi festival. The use of slow motion has been made in an awesome fashion.The way, people are looking at the color, which is about to hit, make you take a gasp. During this slow motion, the wonderful use of color in bringing up  different structures like Sanchi Stupa, or the image of Mahakal, actually makes you concentrate on that structure. And then sudden change to normal motion speed, makes you virtually experience, how that color might fall on you. I wonder, if a 3D version of this advertisement was ever made. It would be really awesome. 

Recently, they came up with this new advertisement, which tries to signify the handicraft legacy of the state. Similar to shadow practice advertisement , this commercial also highlights all the famous tourism spots of the state, but with the help of wooden toys. The theme of this ad is "MP mein dil hua Bachhe sa". Well, I have spent my childhood in MP, so definitely, this ad connects with me at different level. 

While the theme takes up major points, the background music, lyrics and the voice given to the songs add more flavor to the commercial. They complete the package, and make you feel to visit those fantastic places as soon as possible.

So, what are you waiting for?

Video courtesy: MP Tourism
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCl2DCj3sY2pNoHWzP9NjrMg

A terrorist called "Burhan Wani"

Recently, a terrorist "Burhan Wani" has been gunned down in Kashmir. Now, such a news should bring some relief to common man, who generally hates violence, crime and wishes a peaceful life. But instead, we are being bombarded with some more news, where the killing of this terrorist is being condemned.  There is non-stop violence in Kashmir valley since then, in which as many as 24 people have lost their lives. It includes one policeman, who was forcefully drowned. And attempts are being made to portray this person as a hero. There are articles written, where he is shown as a victim of the brutal nature of Indian army. Read through this article as an example.

http://www.thequint.com/kashmir-after-burhan-wani/2016/07/11/burhan-wani-cricket-fan-class-topper-turned-kashmiri-youth-icon-militant-or-youth-icon

Are these localized sentiments about a boy from the valley, who was a good looking heart throb and  affectionate of all. Was he really a simple normal guy, who was misjudged?

Apparently, some of the journalists and politicians all thought about him in the same fashion. Thats why they all also condemned this killing of the terrorist. Some of the tweets suggest this:

http://www.firstpost.com/politics/decoding-burhani-and-kashmir-unrest-is-really-indian-oppression-to-blame-2887028.html

But then, was he not involved in any of the terrorist activities. A list of activities are pointed out in the same article on firstpost, which if taken as it is goes like:

" In this avatar, Wani wasn't the terrorist who roamed around with a Rs 10 lakh bounty over his head, having dropped out from school at 15 and becoming a delinquent with a string of police cases against his name; he wasn't instrumental in brainwashing many local boys to take up the gun by glamorising terror through social media; he wasn't the Hizbul commander who released videos warning of attacks if colonies for Sainiks and Kashmiri Pandits were set up in the Valley; he wasn't the terrorist involved in the 2013 killing of four Rashtriya Rifles men in Buchoo Baala area in his hometown Tral; he wasn't the terrorist to warn the J&K Police of more attacks; he wasn't even the first Kashmiri militant to spring the idea of a Khilafat, an Islamic State, through a Facebook video which became wildly popular. No, Burhan Wani wasn't any of these."

These are some of the activities which were ignored while portraying him as a hero.

These things make me wonder, are these allegations on him and his involvement in terrorist activities rightly pointed out? If Indian army is so bad, why is it so bad only in Kashmir, when the army is equally posted in many other parts of the country. If he was a terrorist, then, all the people who are supporting him and creating ruckus in Kashmir are also guilty. There should not liberal point of view taken towards them, and should be treated as good as terrorists only. All the people who are trying hard to portray Indian army negatively and making this terrorist a hero, should also be prosecuted.
I feel so insecure, knowing that there are so many people around us, who are openly supporting these terrorists and we can do nothing about it. We can not be sure, when these supportive people themselves would become a terrorist themselves. I feel, government should take strong steps and curb down people's mentality of supporting a terrorist. Otherwise, people like us will loose faith, generalize and will never allow to open up to any Kashmiri. My feelings are aptly put down by Arnab Goswami in this video. It is strong feeling at the moment.

Bajaj Avenger - Feel Like God - Rat Race Advertisement

Now, here is a commercial, which pretty much defines us, who are spending every day working hard to achieve something. You are either working hard to be the employee of the month, or the employee of the year. Or may be you are trying to get those extra increments by diverting your personal and family time towards works. Or may be, in some cases, you are thriving hard to get that posh corner office with scenic outside beauty, which you probably won't even bother to check, once you shift in that office. Some or other way, every one is trying to get somewhere. And all this, most of the times, we end up being in a competition, which is hard to avoid. This race reaches a point of competitive nature, where we shut down all the other windows of mind and narrow it down, focusing on achieving the target, while defeating all the competitors. This phase of mind can be compared with the tiny mind of a rat, whose sole purpose is to reach upto the piece of cheese, before any other rat can grab it. And that starts this rat race.. 

Bajaj Avenger has always come up with some fantastic ads. This one is a new addition, trying to suggest people to free their mind out of this rat race and enjoy life. There is a lot more to do in life, then just thinking about some material gains.

It is a very beautifully made commercial, shot some where in Nevada. Interesting thing is, there is no computer graphics used in this advertisement. All the rats shown are real and infact well trained. I did not know rats can be trained to such a great extent. If I know, how, I will try it on many many rats I see around in my locality. A detailed information about, how this ad is made can be found at this link - http://www.livemint.com/Consumer/dE9Ru1ItSJFc6UbYreasmO/Bajaj-Avengerriding-away-from-the-rat-race.html

And you can watch this advertisement, here:

So, without wasting any more time (in work) get on you Bajaj Avenger, feel like God, and do things, wander around in this awesome monsoon season. 

Video Courtesy: ET Brand equity youtube channel

Independence Day: Resurgence, movie review

Watched Independence day: Resurgence last week end. It was different experience, as there were hardly 15 people in a hall with the capacity of around 300. It was also not difficult to also realize that, probably the 15 people who came to watch the movie, were in a age group, who watched the first part Independence day, way back in 1996, probably as the young generation back then. I wanted to watch a  movie, and definitely, not Udata Punjab, so, we tossed between this movie and Finding Dory. The timing of this movie kind of matched, and so we finally opted for this movie. 

 

 The movie started on a good note, introducing us once again to the futuristic world, portraying the World as one unit, with advance technologies to save us from any new alien attack. Surprisingly, I still can not find Indians in such movies. That too, when a concept of World with out Indians, is like reducing it by 1/7 ratio. Anyway, a change in here, we have Madam President this time, kind of suggesting US having Hillary Clinton as next president. The character played by Sela Wards reflects similar features as Hillary Clinton. Now, with so many disaster movies, it was little confusing. For some time we were confused that she played a role of Doctor in earlier movie. But later realized, she acted as Dr. Hall in "The Day after Tomorrow"- another disaster movie. Funny thing is, the kind of story line of the role, she played in The Day after Tomorrow, a Doctor, who stays behind to take care of her patient, was picked up in this movie. But this time, it was played by the Vivica A Fox, the character name Jasmine Dubrow-Hiller, the widow of the late Hero character played by Will Smith and mother of present movie Hero, Dylan. Back then, she was a dancer, but, here, she becomes a Hospital administrator.  I wonder, if such kind of career changes are really possible, because, I am myself thinking to have one. 

The movie was over all fine in the first half, where lots of new things were getting introduced, with many romantic tracks running, some past year issues between the heroes, the head quarter on Moon and Mars and what not. There is a big use of computer graphic simulations, which at times looks really interesting. Unfortunately, we have kind of visited most of these type of graphics in many movies by now. 

The second half is pretty much disappointing. Here, the movie, fall back on the same story line, shown 20 years back. In fact, it is very much predictable. We kind of just got through the second half to make it put of the hall. I had so many questions in mind after the movie ended. But, unlike earlier cases, I don't want to know the answer to those questions. They are just questions.

What kind of President is this, who only work in the movie is to deliver some senseless commands to attack. It really never occur, that the president is going through some thought process, before taking the decision.

Why is it always kind of queen centered story, where every thing relies on killing the queen. Does the said queen never think of any action plans, in case it gets killed.

There are many more questions, but really, they don't need any answer.

The movie hints at going for one more sequel, but I am not sure, anybody would really want to watch that part.

Off late, such disaste movies are themselves becoming disaster. We now need some really new concept to get hitched to such kind of movies. The days of attracting people with awesome computer graphic simulations is over. The story lines have also digged to all the known possible depths. Can some body taken us on some really new ride?

The Hero - A bollywood story - Google advertisement

We rarely come across such advertisements. I posted about an advertisement by Google, which was really touching, talking about two childhood friends, now separated by country borders. How Google helps them to come together was the theme back then. 

I came to know about that advertisement, because it appeared on TV back then. Otherwise, Google really doesn't need advertisements.

Recently, they came up with another advertisement. This time it did not appear on TV, atleast I did not see it. But, thanks to What app, I came across it. This time the theme is Bollywood dreams. A beautiful story, where the son tries to fulfill the dreams of his father of working in Bollywood movies. It is a really fantastic advertisement. I do not how Google manages to do it, but once again, we have been treated with an ad, very close to our own experiences. You need to watch it here, as it doesn't appear on TV.

Video courtesy: Google India

Prime Minister's Interview

 I started getting messages on Facebook and Whataspp related to the exclusive interview given by our Prime Minister to Times Now. I had no clue about it before, but then came to know of its re telecast at 9.00 p.m. At the same time, I also received the full written version of the interview, which I tried reading for some time. When I started watching it at 9.00 p.m., since initial part was all read by me, and as it was full of formalities, where Arnab and the Prime Minister were thanking and wishing each other ( kind of again and again) for many different  reasons. Contrary to what I read from different messages about awesome interview, I found the start little sluggish. May be because, we are used to see Arnab speaking in such  a polite and normal way to anybody and also because we always hear Prime Minister giving speeches and not giving interviews. So, I thought, its just another boring interview and I switched the channel, started watching some dumb movie. During one of the breaks in the movie, I for no reason switched back to the interview. At this moment, the interview probably had taken a grip with some serious discussion on. Arnab was asking questions on any subject and the Prime Minister was answering in complete detail. I was really surprised to realize the depth of knowledge, our Prime Minister had on all the issues. For example, he was talking about the improvisation of farmer's situation. When he was talking about the steps taken for their improvement, the kind of detailing he went into to support his actions, were amazing.For the first time, I felt like, yes, for the first time probably (in my life time), we have a Prime minister, who has views ! and they are worth listening and also getting motivated. I watched complete interview there after, and felt it was worth spent one hour fifteen minutes. I guess, even Arnab did good job.He touched upon all the issues and even tried going in details. Infact the Prime minister himself went in so many details, that Arnab don't had to do much work there. After watching it completely, even I found it really fantastic and worth sharing. Do watch this interview, as  it helps us creating better picture of present situation of our country.

Video Courtesy: DataTeam News

( The quality of video isn't that good, but what is important here is what the Prime minister talked about.)

"Brexit" is happening!!

 As I am writing this post, Brexit is all set to happen. 

BBC forecast a lead for exit by 52% Vs 48% to remain in the European Union. It indicate that people of Britain have chosen to exit the European Union. What started back in 1973, considering the consequences of World War II, where there was a need for all the countries to come together to avoid any more World War like situation, has started getting cracks, it seems. Britain was always a leader in deciding the directions for European Union. But with this decision made by Britishers, is going to give new direction to the future. Although, the decision is out, but its execution is not going to happen any sooner. As per the Lisbon treaty, an article 50 need to be triggered, if a country wish to leave the Union. There is a clause though, that the said country can not join back the Union, unless all the other countries of the Union are ready to accept it back. So, the exit process will take time anywhere between 2 to 5 years.

The immediate effect of the result is seen. Our own share market has tumbled down by nearly 1000 points already. The portfolio is looking all red. The currency valuations have changed. It has a direct impact on both the Euro as well as Pound. These are just the immediate effects seen. What lies in the future is still unknown for the major part of the world. Apparently, the people of Britain have voted emotionally, some calling June 23 as an Independence Day. The experts all over the world including those from Britain were all suggesting to stay with the Union, to avoid the financial crisis, which definitely comes with this package of Brexit. But, people found the need to curb the uncontrollable immigration, which is spoiling the balance of their day to day life. Only time will tell, whether this decision will yield positive results or trigger another volatile situation. I personally feel, England has always lead by taking very unexpected and strange looking decisions, but in the end they prove it correct. 

Photo courtesy: http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/issues/march-4th-2016/why-catholics-cant-agree-on-brexit/

Pepperfry.com - Happy furniture to you

Pepperfry has come up with a new set of ads recently. Each one of them has a kind of different tagline. But each of these ads point in the direction where they are suggesting to take services from Pepperfry.com to avoid inconvenience caused while getting furniture done at home and by ourselves. So, three different scenarios have been painted. Among the three, I really liked and enjoyed the ad which concentrates on the allowing a noiseless family conversation. The way this ad is taken, doesn't give a clue till the end. A mother and son are having a conversation, where the words are not real words, but different type of noises. Then, at one point, we realize, their words are getting masked behind the noise created during home made furniture attempt. The ad is wonderfully taken and really makes  you smile at the end. The title of the ad is also apt,  Issued in the interest of Family conversation.

There are two other ads with title of Don't compromise and Stop Suffering, where others problems, which come up with home made furniture attempts are highlighted. These two ads are also interesting, but, I feel the first ad takes the cake here. What do you think?

Don't compromise


Stop Suffering



Video courtesy: https://www.youtube.com/user/Pepperfrytv

Are you still young?

Through Whatsapp, I came across this very interesting site, which kind of checks your promptness, attentiveness and presence of mind. Well the title of the message was

Are you still young?

All that you have to do is click on numbers in a sequential manner arranged in 5X5 square box. This game is called 1to50.

So, there is a 5X5 square box which contains numbers from 1 to 25. You have to click them in sequential manner. Once a number is clicked, it is replaced by a number between 26-50. The minimum time you take to click all 50 numbers put you in different levels, which is kind of connected to you youngness.

The time range given are as follows:

Scoring

10-19: impossible

20-29 : Liar

30-39: You are Special

40-59:Expert

60-79: Normal

80-99: You are getting old

More than 100 sec: You are old

Now this marking system is a part of the game started on Whatsapp. Original site does not suggest any such thing. I consider it to be partly, a memory test for a reason. First of all, you get to see the first 25 numbers and memorize them before you can start the game. So, if you are good with remembering thing, you can really save lot of time in clicking first 25 numbers. May be, after that, it is real test of your promptness and attentiveness.

It is really interesting and fun to play this through. I scored 65, on my mobile and 57 on the desktop. So, all in all I am close to Normal.

What do you think you are :

Try it here:

http://zzzscore.com/1to50/en/

Leave your scores in the comment section.

OLX Mundi Dance - Attention grabbing ad

People at OLX always come up with some very weird idea to grab attention of people. The ad may not make much sense, but, it does the task very well - of imbibing their product in people's mind. Till recently, OLX was a new thing around the corner. Slowly, it started making its mark with some catchy phrases like "OLX pe bech dal". In all this time, one thing very common with OLX was their ad concept. It always have been little "Hat ke", often weird, but good enough to convey their message.

This time again OLX has come up with this weird idea. If we look at the concept of the ad, it is actually a simple conversation between father and son in presence of rest of the family members, where the son is asking father to give some extra money to buy sports bike. Father as usual denies the request. At this point, the boys sister comes to rescue, suggesting him to sell all the old unnecessary items at home to raise money for his sports bike.

Now, to this otherwise very simple story line, one odd parameter is added, where every member in the ad is conversing with their neck wobbling on the tune of the music. That's it. 

Initially, people don't realize what is happening in the ad. So, they watch it again, and again. Over the time, people start even wobbling their neck along with the ad. And while all this is happening, the message of  OLX has just not reached, but pretty much imbibed on the people's mind.

This is one really interesting ad, where I am personally checking, who among all the members is doing the task best. According to me, the father, son and the buyer are wobbling their neck very well, whereas, the mother and daughter actually fail to do so.

What do you think about it. Check it.

 

Thunder at Essel World

One of the rides, that can make your head spin, even by mere watching it, is "Thunder"  or "Thunder Bolt" as every body around me was mentioning its name. This ride has many facets:

First of all its sitting arrangement. Its designed such that you will experience both free falling with your face down or looking up towards the sky.

Initially, you just feel that it will move like a pendulum. But then at one point, it crosses the point of maximum height and take you to the other side of the circle.

Worst part is, there is no pattern, you can recognize. At every moment, you keep wondering, whether,you are going fell down on your face and other way. 

Those two minutes may feel like an unending procession. And only relief you get is when the ride is over. 

In the end, most of the people keep wondering why the hell did I decide to go on this ride. But then there are few, who return to the ride for second round and make you feel, "Really!!"

Bullet train ride of Essel World

I had no idea, what ultimate stage of this ride takes us to. Just went in to enjoy the ride. At the most, I expected it go bit up and down with bullet speed. But, with in seconds, the ride put me up side down, literally. I just thanked myself, because I was about to keep my mobile in hand during the ride to shoot. But sane prevailed and I kept it in pocket.

What happened for next 1 minute 30 seconds, still put my head into spinning.

So, I decided to shoot the ride, once I am safely out of it.

Take a look, and if you wish to enjoy it, visit Essel World in Mumbai.

Step into Koovs.com - an awesome ad

I came across a fantastic advertisement recently. I had never heard this name before and so, I could not initially understand what exactly is happening. I guess, the concept of the ad is little different from rest of the ads of the league. Its worth watching. I was just not happy with the beginning of this ad, where the girl kind of jumps out of the window. But, probably that is the point of attracting attention of the viewer towards the ad.  Have a look at the advertisement.

You can visit Koovs.com here for online shopping.

8.7% interest rate on PPF! Are you getting that much?

The interest rate on PPF is 8.7%. Most of the times, we will just believe it. Every year some interest amount will be deposited in our account. How many of us really tried to check whether the interest amount is 8.7% of the principle or less than that?

Well, I never did this exercise before. But for some reason, I ended up checking it recently. I realized, that the interest deposited never matched the 8.7% level. Infact, for the first year, it was meager 4.3%, then it increased to somewhere around 5.8% and recently for the last year it was 6.7% of the total principle present in the PPF account. I tried many ways considering simple interest, compound interest and all the formulae, I have learn, related to interest calculations.

Nothing matched to the offered 8.7%

This got us at home thinking and we ended up googling. Somewhere down the line, we came to know one thing, which these bank people never share with us. 

Most of us end up depositing money in PPF account, just when, we are asked byour office to submit the receipts of all the investments, we have made for the year. Roughly, this time is around mid December or early January. So, it is just two months before financial year ends, that we submit our contribution towards PPF in the account. 

The ideal way for getting 8.7% PPF interest is to submit 12 equal installments, one every month between the dates 1-5 of every month. The interest is given every month based on the amount present in the account between the dates 1-5 of every month. If the investment is done way, then at the end of the year, the interest offered on the PPF account should come out to be 8.7%.

There is another option of depositing all 12 installments in the beginning of the year itself i.e. between 01-05 April. But, according to some calculation(which I have not yet tried), the interest obtained by this method is less than the interest obtained for monthly deposit of installment.

I am going to try doing it this year and see if it actually works and yields an interest upto 8.7%.

Guess, banks doesn't really share everything with us.

* Image taken from http://www.metromasti.com/top/news/Post-office-savings-PPF-and-NSC-will-get-higher-interest-rates/13143