VOLT: 40 miles and counting…

...

Without any second thought we can say today that we are witnessing the Electrifying transition phase in Auto industry which has the potential of becoming the game changer for the Industry in many aspects. Lets not go in those aspect right now, but think of the future of the transportation. Why still drive a car which is using almost the similar technology used by our great great grand parents? While we always see technologies are getting older in the matter of months not even years, why Auto industry is still injecting gasoline in the cylinder to cover those miles. Well here is your answer… VOLT.
Volt is not only the answer from GM of the decade old question ‘who killed the electric car?’ but also the answer to those who believed GM is just a dead elephant. Well in many sense equipped with many ground breaking technologies Volt is not only going to be the face of the GM future but also going to be the benchmark for the auto industry. Without any doubt in coming years there will be four wheelers coming into the market which is going to be more sophisticated and more advance than current Volt, but for sure this vehicle has the full potential to become the spearhead of that new era of automobile.
Well, I do accept when I became the part of HEV team working for Volt and other products and started learning about this car, I had many questions and doubts. I was skeptical about the technology, I was skeptical about its acceptance in the market, I was skeptical about its practicality and I also doubted its status as an Electric vehicle. Well I spent some more time and not all my doubts got clear but also became the fan of its technology. I feel privileged to work with the team who are involved in the development of this product. In US when I took a test ride of this car on MPG (Milford Proving Ground), my appreciation for this car only increased by many folds.
This car holds the key for the future status of survived GM but again its just the beginning. Currently working for some other future products from GM which are supposed to be launched around 2014, I have no doubt over what would the car of future will look like. But lets talk Volt here.
There are several queries about Volt which keep circulating among many car enthusiasts. There is no prize money for answering these question, so I am answering them in the shortest possible way first and later will discuss in some what detail. Here we go…
Is Volt an Electric car?... Yes
Is Volt is only an Electric car?... No
Is it better than current Electric cars from other manufacturers, e.g. Nissan leaf etc.?... Yes
Is it an answer to current environmental concerns?... Yes and No
Will it be successful?... Good potential
Is it just some other ground breaking technology than Electric drive?... Yes
I will answer them in more detail as I will keep moving ahead in this blog.

There are many things which are interesting about this extraordinary car, but let me try to bring some of interesting facts along with the slides provided by GM website.


Yes… It is an Electrical vehicle. For first 40miles (around 64km) it runs on electricity ONLY. So if you are daily commutation limits in this range you actually burn zero gallon gasoline.
Initial claim was for 60 miles (almost 100km), which I still believe should be the range of the vehicle. You may call me greedy but I would have loved to see that range from this vehicle. Also the initial concept look of Volt was very aggressive, like Camaro but they had to smoothen the sharp angels may be considering aerodynamic aspect.


You run out of charge in the long drive. Off course you would not like to spend hours to charge your battery to make it run again. No problem, you have onboard conventional IC engine which can run your vehicle as well as charge the battery as vehicle keeps moving. So in other way its better than just an electric car which may need hours to run again once it got discharge. You may think of it as an Hybrid but again it only uses electricity till 40miles. No Gas. It gives extended range using IC engine and that’s why called EREV (Extended Range Electric Vehicle).


I can say this because I have felt it in person. I can bet over if you can say vehicle is on or off. There are several other features including the styling of the vehicle which make you feel you are in some sort of technical advanced car and being a technical person, it feels great.



Well quite honestly saying before reading this even I was not very sure of all these mentioned features. But sounds cool. Isn’t? well, considering current driving style we might not need or use some of these feature but again its future. You like it or hate it but these applications are gonna be stay and will not only limited to Volt but also will extend to other vehicles.



Now here is for the end users, which certainly not going to be here. There initial plan is to launch it in US and also in China. In Europe they are launching this technology under Opel brand. Out of these I like Bose Audio the most. I had experienced it in Cadillac STS and it was mind blowing. Warranty for battery and drivetrain for 8 years is really class apart. Well I can’t comment on lease price but believe it is very competitive.


Well its for the guys in the US. But I will advise if get a chance take a test drive of this vehicle, and if you find it awesome which I believe you will then don’t forget to appreciate the automotive engineers involved in its development:)



Well it’s a new promising technology in Auto industry which promises a lot and I believe is capable of delivering most of it. There are many issues which may not be answered right now until Volt come on the road and spend some time. Some of them would like, is it really environment friendly? At very first glance it seems it is as it has the capacity to eliminate green house gas significantly but again it carries almost 200kg Li ion battery which does not go very well with environment. Disposing and recycling would be an issue in coming years. Just an million vehicle sold would mean 200million Kg of Li ion battery and will keep increasing with years to come… well lets see.


But one thing for sure, it’s a new car with some new technologies never before. It might have taken much more time than expected to come in the market but better late than never. Also, may be GM has learned after burning its hand. It still got criticized for killing its Electric vehicle, just imagine if they would have pursued those EV after 20 years how much different and developed electric vehicle we would be seeing. They would be far ahead than Toyota or any other manufacturer for that matter which claim to be number one in Hybrid and Electric vehicle market. Well its never too late and in couple of months we would be seeing this car on the road moving forward smoothly with its driver to the future...

These all snap shots are from GM site.

Goa: Sun, Sand, Sea and Solace

Welcome Back… Long time

It was a four day visit to so called Rome of the East… Goa, and I am putting my experiences here, after more than a week coming back from the trip. It was a long vacation, considering average Indian corporate holidays and I had so many wonderful memories of this vacation. I may not be able to write it in one go, so I will keep updating this post till it finishes or I will post it separately in a different blog. Since I was busy in many, mostly personal works, I could not be regular on writing… there are so many things which I wanted to blog (Delhi and home trips, friends wedding, kind of small get together with friends, some long/small travel etc) but I think may be I will write them later or I may skip (depends)… anyway first let me concentrate on this post. Hope I would be able to finish it before my third proposed US trip.


Date: 13th March, 2010
Time: 3:30 PM


Prelude

Let’s start with an adage… Long journey begins with small steps.
But in this case it began with a question… what are you doing this weekend?

By that time I didn’t have any idea that Tuesday is a holiday (Karnataka new year festival, Ugadi), so by taking holiday on Monday I will have complete four day long vacation. I am surprised how could I miss this considering most of the time I spend in my office watching time and seeing company holiday calendar, which is pinned in my cubical before the start of new year. So this was an opportunity to make my holiday large and I am not in a big favor of sitting idle at my flat for four days.
Considering professional journey is giving me money but at the same time has put so many constraints that there are so many items in my bucket list which has become pending for quite a long time. I choose to finish one of them… GOA.
Well, we friends had thought it years back to make a road trip to Goa, but considering so many desired thing happened in everyone’s life that this desire just went undone. Some possible reasons I could think of… engagement or commitment with girlfriend(s) (apart from one guy this is singular), work pressure, project deadlines, family trips or preferring spending hardly earned holiday by just spending it by sitting idle in 2BHK rented flat. Reasons are not excuses but they can be justifications. Even I had some reasons but now thought not let any reason to be responsible for my inability to go for Goa trip, any more. And I didn’t only think… I did.


Do I look like a guy with a Plan???

Anyway I concluded if I went on keep planning for it, it will just never happen. So like the Joker of Dark Knight, who doesn’t believe in planning and as he said in movie ‘I am a guy who just do things’, I decided to just do it. To hell with planning and I booked my round trip bus ticket to Goa on Tuesday afternoon, just like that. This was the only plan I had done for this trip. I tried to book my ticket by train to make it cheaper, but money saving line is not in my palm.
After booking my ticket, I put my long weekend vacation plan on my Facebook status, so in case if someone would like to join or give some suggestions or comments for the trip or on the trip. But I knew I am going alone and as expected I just got comments. Sankalp said he will catch me there and Juhi also guessed it, but I knew if Sankalp would keep his even ten percent words (even ten here is very much optimistic side) then he would be the next Bill Gates. He is like Saif of the first scene from movie Salam Namaste… if he says he is at your door, means he is still in bed. Oh O… My Goa trip…

I had some discussion with my colleagues in the company about the places to visit in Goa and related stuffs like lodging fooding there. Manmeet suggestion to rent a scooter at Panjee was the only advice I followed and it was highly useful and made my trip memorable and easy. Thursday night I bought Outlook travelers book for Goa and also got one Road map of it at 50 percent discount. I decided to keep my luggage as simple as possible so planned to pack my bag just half an hour before my departure (not advisable at all).

Friday it was fun day at office as we went to Bangalore International Auto Show in afternoon and I came to my flat directly from there. I withdraw 1500/- from ATM before leaving for Goa. As I promised my self, I took 4 T-shirt, 2 shorts, towel, tooth paste, tooth brush, sunscreen, my camera, torch, Swiss-knife and two useless photo IDs in my $44 Swiss-gear bag and left my flat in my 5 year old jeans, T-shirt and sleeper. And yes, I also took my travel book, diary and pen with me. I was almost two and half hour before the bus departure time but thinking of Bangalore’s traffic, specially on weekend evening, I said a short silent prayer to catch the bus. Well, my prayer got answered and I reached before the departure of the bus.

My journey to Goa has just began. I was thrilled just by thinking I am going alone first time in any long vacation. Bus was cold and those smart guys didn’t provided any blanket. I had to spent my night in bus sitting with both my hand either folded over my chest or keeping them between my legs. Once I given the thought of Sati’s innovative Idea related to fight cold while our Singhgadh bike trip, but felt that awkward in bus. So I will say it was a literally cold start of my trip…


Solitary Rider

My bus reached Panaji next day afternoon. Realizing it was the last stop, I stepped down the bus without asking anyone. I was hungry, tired, exhausted and its damn hot out there, but here I am in Goa now I am excited. The feeling was different, I am at a totally new but famous place and I am Alone. But there was something which was giving me confidence: My gender, Money and English. After some time I found Hindi is even more handy at this palce otherwise I was under influence that this place is under umbrella of Thakrey’s manus who see Hindi speaking as some virus.
I bought mountain dew and I don’t know why, but I took a bus to some unknown place just saying that I have to go from where ferry goes. After some interaction with locals inside bus I got down at a place where ferry was coming. My first impression of Goan people was very good. They treat you as a guest and really eager to help you in the best way possible. Most of them also understand and speak Hindi and English. Well, after coming down from bus I realized I am in some kind of trance or hangover of the journey and decided to relax for a while. I went into a road side restaurant bar and ordered fanta where everyone else was chilling with beer. I opened my Goa road map and tried to figure out where am I? after some attempt I decided to take the help of restaurant guy and asked him from where can I get the rented bike. Only in Goa, I found even drinking guy can be sober and can behave like a normal person. They suggested me to go back to Panaji bus-stand and I can rent bike there near post-office.

So here is Tip1: After reaching some new place, take some time to adjust and settle your mind, relax for a while, sit and eat something, don’t do anything but just look and get familiar with the place. After finding yourself relaxed, make plan and execute them.

Now till now I was out of my trans and took a bus back to Panaji bus-stand and I was back to square one after an hour roaming in Panaji. Near bus-stand I roamed for some time to get a better deal for scooter and after some time I took a brand new looking Honda Activa from the very first guy I talked and bargained. 300/- per day. Always carry some useless photo ID with you, these guys may ask you to deposit one Photo ID to them. Also, there are many ATMs available nearby, so you can get some cash near bus-stand for the journey.

Tip2: Prefer to take scooter over bike, as scooter has extra storage space, which can be really handy specially when you are alone. Also, don’t forget to take helmet with the scoter/bike and before paying check all the major functionality like headlight, indicator, horn etc.

I liked my Activa, Shiny black, just 6000km clocked and very smooth engine sound. I withdraw 2500/- from ICICI ATM, filled the fuel tank, asked one guy the direction for Calangute beach and here I am on my way (around 1pm).
Woooow… what a feeling!!! I am driving in Goa. I don’t know what was really exciting me, driving myself after long and even that is Activa, which I had never driven (I just learned, to start Activa you need to press the brake and then push start button) or Goa?
Well, lets finalize on… Driving in Goa.
Roads are nice and traffic is smooth. Again here comes a tip.
Tip3: At least for first day or initial 10-15km, drive very carefully and slow. You have a new vehicle and roads and traffic behavior is completely unknown to you. Even to know your vehicle response some time is required.
I didn’t face any difficulty finding my way to Calangute as road side sign boards are very well placed and at regular distance. It was pretty hot out there and I was in my jeans, but Activa is a fun vehicle to ride.

On my way, I had given lift to a kid who was returning from work and heading towards Calangute. His name is Hussain and it has worked very well till now. After asking him if he knows some place to put on near Calangute, he guided me at Calangute to find a cheap room. There was no vacancy there and we came to Baga beach. After exploring some place with the help of Hussain and his classmate Prathmesh (both std 7 student, Prathmesh is one month older but looks several year younger to Hussain), they manage to get me a room 700/- per day. I am liking this stay as it is just beside the beach and whole beach is visible from my stay. Just after finalizing the room I changed to shorts and these two kids has taken me to Baga beach too for a small walk. Its around 4pm and a bit hot but beach has plenty of tourist, mostly foreigners. Just after reaching at beach we got some warm thrilling welcome from two Labradors. I hate dogs. Well, I should say they scare the shit out of me. I find Baga an amazing beach. Fine sand, clean beach, clear water, nice waves and less cloths… I returned from beach within half an hour to take some rest and these two kids have promised me to come at 7pm to take me to beach walk.

I came back to my room, got fresh and started writing in my diary. In the loo after finishing I realized there is no soap and neither did I bring it along. After thinking some time for alternative idea, I used tooth paste to wash my hand. I know most of you have never used it, but it really works. I concluded you may also use shaving cream for this ;) (boys only). But I didn’t bring that too, so I didn’t have alternative. Almost everything which foams, can be used as soap…I concluded.
Tip4: Always carry at least one paper soap.

Its hot here and people are very warm. They are easy to talk and cooperative. Till now I have started to have good feeling about this place and this trip. I have seen many foreigners semi nude in two piece cloths. Don’t take me wrong but its very unlike India. I too had decided to use minimum cloths and chill out at beaches for coming days. So till now I have rented a scooter, drive till Baga without any problem, got a nice room at beach and socialize with some local boys. So it’s a good start of the vacation.
I have decided to eat something and relax for a while before I prepare myself for the evening beach walk.
I will keep updating my diary and will share my experiences on regular basis… till then, Take Care :)


Date: 14th March, 2010
Time: 1:15 AM


Just coming from the night club, Da Baga Club. I would not have spent more than 15min there when I realized I am caught at wrong place. There were very friendly girls dancing around on the floor. So much friendly, that you could have bring home at some reasonable price after some bargain. That’s why I just left the place after seeing the ambience even after paying 300/- for the entry. I didn’t like that place even a bit.

Today I went to the beach several times. At 6:00PM I went down to my flat and walked to Baga beach. After spending almost an hour I came back to my scooter and had a short drive to Aropa. After returning I found Prathamesh and he took me to Calangute beach at around 8pm. Beach looked pretty different at night but it was still crowded. We returned from that place in a while and headed to Anjuna beach. In between Hussain younger brother Raja also joined the ride. It is a long ride from Baga and at night could not have a proper glimpse of the beach. Also, remember its not a safe ride at night to Anjuna, as there are roads which are deserted at night and those surroundings are not very friendly either (as per those local kids). We went back to Tito’s and had chocolate shake there. After that we went to the beach and had our dinner with all kind of fun going around. This was my first ever dinner on beach. There was a kid who was doing some acrobats with fire and walking on rope, happened to be Prathamesh’s friend. There were fireworks, there was DJ and it was Goa. I had a wonderful time there in those cool sea breeze. After dinner I dropped those two kids their home, Parked my scooter at my stay and took a walk to the beach.
Its almost midnight and I was sitting alone in dark very close to the waves on dry sand. Some singer was singing classical pop at some distant restaurant and couples were dancing there holding each other. Waves were modulating their roaring sound in sync with wind speed…partial clouded sky with randomly visible stars… few glowing lights of boats in the sea… fireworks illuminating sky with cracking sounds, now and then… there were so many things to fill the vacancy of those moments.
I was not feeling peace, neither getting depress, neither feeling happiness nor being sad. May be for some reason I guess even I was not very much enjoying those moments… but kind of liking it and felt like sitting there for longer and even just to sleep on the cool sand in the dark listening waves and seeing stars with breeze coming from sea blowing all over me…
What is the difference between those times at my flat and this moment, when I am alone at both place. Well if you just minus sea and related stuffs, I don’t have a living company at both places. I don’t know how and why but there are times when you get your wishes even you don’t ask for.
After spending almost an hour at beach alone, when I suddenly turned back to see around, I realized… I was not alone. Almost 10 meters behind me at an angle of 20degree from vertical in anticlockwise direction there was a couple in the coziest possible position. Trust me, I didn’t wish for it after seeing the shooting star… but here it was. Anyway after 10min I got up, patted my butt and legs to remove sand and kept going towards my room. Before hitting my bed, I took my scooter and had a short ride in the sleeping town, went to above mentioned club and came back from there in 15min.


Saturday Trance

Oh yes… one thing I forgot to mention worth mentioning. I visited Saturday night shopping fair while coming back from Anjuna. That place was over crowded and was occupied by almost 98% foreigners and in my country first time I felt like if I am a migrant here. It was fuller than its capacity but there were beauties all over the place, every inch of it, except the inch where I was standing. Someone had said, beauty lies in the eyes of beholder. In that case this very moment I was the owner of most beautiful eyes in the world. Even heaven could get the services of these charming beauties in this recession time, if they are having tough time to hire full time Apsara. Apart from shops and seductions there was a Live performance of trans music going on by some foreigner group. It was one of the best live performance I have ever witnessed. The music was indeed capable of sending you in different state of mind. With music, the act of rotating and balancing several crystal balls all over their body by one of group member while doing yoga, was just terrific. Hats off to their performance. I didn’t recognize the instrument they were playing apart from flute but that was a treat to eyes, ears and soul. Terrific.
Now I am about to sleep in a while and planning to have a morning walk on beach early morning (IF, I get up), will try to visit Calangute, Baga and Anjuna and also bath in the sea.
Good night all. Sweet dreams. May peace prevail.

P.S. I bought one soap and with my swiss knife I cut a small piece from it for hand wash purpose. Now I can save some of my toothpaste.



Date: 14th March, 2010
Time: 7:30 PM

I am just coming from the beach (Baga).
I went there at 12:30 and returning at 7:30. One beach, one day. Anyway as I thought I would take morning walk on the beach, could not happen. I was so lazy to get up in the morning at finally woke up at12:00. Just brushed my teeth, took my sling bag with a towel and undergarment and went to the beach. To avail the luxury of sun-bed, I ordered one Budweiser and occupied one of the closest sun-bed to the sea. Well, slowly but steadily I removed all my cloths but one. After using my sun-screen lotion I lied there for couple of hour enjoying my drink with club veg sandwich.
I never saw so much of flesh show in my entire life. I got up after some time and went straight to the sea. Nice beach, nice waves, nice babes, nice weather, nice…nice. I came back after taking sea bath to take another sun bath. After getting dried up I used sun screen again this time I ordered Foster. This was the second unit in my almost empty stomach and I was getting high a bit, so I decided to take a nap. I guess after sleeping for an hour, I went again to the sea and left my body on the mercy of mighty sea.
Now I am done here and thought to leave for Calangute. So I dressed up and took a walk on the beach. At the end of the beach there is a hill and I dropped my plan to go to Calangute and decided to go for a small trek. Well, that thought was well awarded and I could see a whole new picture of Baga beach and the sea and the evening and everything. Trek was not tough but considering I was alone and no one was nearby finding the path was a bit tough. Anyway I climbed through hill, trails, sand and finally found a rock to sit which was almost the highest sitting location in that vicinity and was giving amazing panoramic view. I found I was not the first to conquer that stone as there was a name ‘VINOD’ was written on that stone in white (all capital letters). Thought it must be a guy act, as there is no chance that a girl will climb this high to write her boyfriend name…only guys can be this much crazy and they are. Who knows that guy would be a gay or didn’t have any girlfriend. I can not understand the mentality of someone writing his or someone’s name at this place. Anyway, I didn’t spend much time to think this and started enjoying the sun going down and appreciating it. At very rare moments you feel as you are above sun… and this was that moment. Sun took the evening bath in the sea to cool his temper and whole sky slowly getting darker by each passing moments…everything was so scenic, pleasant and beautiful.
At around 6:30 I decided to climb down. Just that fine moment college time fun shayri came alive in my mind… “Galib chadha pahad par, kar ke c**** chode; Upar se aawaj aayi, ab utrega kaise b**** ke ***e”. I just smiled and started following the back trek. It took me another hour to reach flat as my previous path was filled with deep water now. Anyway amazing day till now.
Now I had realized what holiday and taking a break means. Sleeping on sun-bed almost naked with cool breeze from sea blowing over the body was a treat for body, mind and soul. I never felt awkward as closer to me there was a lady lying in the same quantity of cloth as of me, actually slightly even less. So you know…
Now after having bath at my flat will go to Tito’s and small ride. Even my this holiday is not over but I have started to look forward to such kind of holiday vacation. Well guys, that is a kind of place, Goa.
Come here, be here and relax.


Date: 14th March, 2010
Time: 11:45 PM

Under the influence of –OH
Guys, I am drunk and drunk too much. After so long I have drunk this much and first time ever, alone. If I recollect correctly this is third time I drunk alone… once in Pune, once in Bangalore and once here in Goa. Tonight I tried Hukka too, but could not finish as I coughed everytime I tried to take a puff from it. I think (or can I think now?) after three beer, one vodka and two tequila I am a bit high. But anyway I am going to beach now. May return late.
Good night all of you. Take care.

P.S. I did take a long ride in Goa today evening and I did all drinking at Tito’s while seeing one, sorry two beautiful girls (foreigners). I guess they noticed but as usual they ignored… (as they were beautiful ;) )


Date: 15th March, 2010
Time: 2:24 AM

Just returned from the beach. Had another large Smirnoff there. I think I am too drunk but considering I traced back my flat and writing this after changing my cloths, I think I am not at my highest level… you know what I mean here. Anyway I spent an hour at beach and then had a walk and found one restaurant open where I had my vodka watching different people around. I realized a girl sitting alone changed her sit to make her invisible from my sight, may be she thought I am staring at her… well I didn’t shift my chair to make her visible again, so I know I didn’t have any other intention and I was in control. Anyway after finishing my drink I didn’t order for next as I realized otherwise I will have to spend my night on the sand of the beach. With some effort and some luck I traced back my way to my room in the dark fortunately… and after changing my cloth and writing this (man you should look at my handwriting now) I am going to sleep. I have something in my mind but no plans for tomorrow. Lets just try to wake up as early as possible. Remaining will try later.
Anyway guys… take care and God bless. :)



Date: 15th March, 2010
Time: I guess around 1PM


I am on Calangute beach. The most crowded beach I have seen here. Again today I woke up at around 11am, after getting call from Aloke. I was still in hangover but decided to get up as I had some activity to finish. Parasailing is one of them.
I came to Calangute, as usual took free sunbed with Foster. After gulping it I guess my hangover is over. Took a bath, sunbath and sea bath, now planning to move for parasailing and say good bye to Calangute. I like Baga over Calangute as that gives you more space. That’s what we look for in vacation, isn’t? Anyway today I am carrying my diary with me to update it regularly.

P.S. A foreigner couple lying next to me almost necked got pissed off and shouted and scolded some Indians travelers as they were trying to take his semi nude girl’s pic candidly. They were group of almost eight but believe me I could see how scared they became… look at their face man. Well, bad deed never have enough courage to stand strong. That guy saying ‘don’t be a pervert man’, I liked. May be I am like that only but I will never try or never take pics like it. For such kind of pics I have Mr. Google. He can provide all kind of hot and steamy pics ;) …
Anyway lesson learned, don’t get caught doing bad act. Do it wisely. Even your job is done and they are not uncomfortable and embarrassed. Win-win for both. :D

Take care.



Date: 15th March, 2010
Time: It would be around 2 PM according to Sun position :)


Just came from parasailing. Nice experience. Hanging above sea and watching around. That’s what I say… bird’s eye view. Rs 300 well spent and now going to head to Anjuna. Heard that is not a place to have bath, so just going to visit that place for sight seeing and will think later… next is what?
I don’t know what is it, empty stomach beer or some kind of sea sickness, not feeling very well. That’s why just spending some time writing this before I leave for Anjuna. Now feeling a bit relaxed. Also, thinking to get one temporary tattoo. What’s say guys? Worth trying, isn’t? Well off course you all will say yes… I know you all… :P Anyway will think my way and will decide. One more day to go and I think I am all occupied with plans.
Ok guys write you all soon… till then enjoy the nature and do smile 



Date: 15th March, 2010
Time: 2:30PM, I heard from someone saying the time


I am at Anjuna. As I thought no crowd at all. No place for bath. No sea beach restaurant . No water sports. Compared to previous two beaches, we can say it deserted. But not like desert, rocky beach, unfit for bath but terrific for sight seeing and relaxing. Well not very decent memory I will carry along from this place, as slipped on the rocky beach and slipped badly with camera in my hand. I guess I broke my camera as now I am unable to take pictures.
Anyway, now thinking to move to Arambol beach after fueling my body with bruised legs and right hand. Anyway no serious damage made and I am all set to go alone. I found an amazing place to sit and write this at a restaurant with sea facing seats on a railing. Cool breeze and soaring sea under sun giving me amazing treat. Well let me enjoy this with mango shake and veg club sandwich. No alcohol please. Will get back soon with some additional news of different place. Till then take care and enjoy.

P.S. my tattoo wish is still pending but on.




Date: 15th March, 2010
Time: 3:30PM (I guess)


At Arambol beach. Amazing place, amazing view. Guys, I am sitting besides so many hot chicks in g string. Weather is hot and they are making it hotter. Well, I am going to take a dip in the sea. Later will decide anything else. It was a long ride till here but worth worth the effort.
Careful while driving here. There are so many blind corners and roads are not so crowded. So at high speeds there are chances to face some serious trouble, what you don’t want in a vacation. But drive was scenic and I enjoyed it completely.



Date: 15th March, 2010
Time: 7:08PM


Bad news…my camera is gone.
At flat I tried to start it with different battery and here comes the foul smell from the camera and smoke started to come out from its port. I guess falling on Anjuna beach, water and moister have taken its toll. Anyway long live my Samsung S500. Like a true friend and companion it has given me company and beautiful memories almost always. Weather it was birthday parties or weeding ceremony or the rough and tough terrain of Baba budangiri. What can be a better place to take its last breath than at Goa. Like a soldier’s wish of dying on Indo-Pak battle front. Anyway I wished it could last one more day, as you know you never run short for greediness. Considering I am traveling alone , I was not doing much of photo session. My next camera is going to be a shockproof waterproof one. I have removed the memory card of camera and keep it safe. Whatever comes out from a burning house or sinking sea is a bonus and in this case a broken camera.
Oh. I almost forgot to write about Arambol beach. It was a real treat there. After having bath, I did a long long walk along the beach. Nothing less than 3-4 km one way. Topless with sleepers in my hand and sling bag on my back. It was pretty nice experience and in many ways weird too. Too many foreigners involved in so many activities. Many were doing yoga. I don’t know what Aasan was that. Some guys were doing tricks with crystal balls, so some were doing juggling. At one place one guy who was looking foreigner only was kind of teaching almost 10-15 men-women doing some kind of exercise with sticks. I didn’t have a working camera with me otherwise I could have taken some pictures of it. That was different but didn’t seem tough. I had seen much better tricks with the sticks. Anyway now I was tired, so I returned to my scoter and headed back to my stay. Without much difficulty I returned back after same long but pleasant ride. Back at my stay saw wonderful sunset at Baga beach. It was terrific and enchanting. The orange ball sinking slowly in the majestic Arabian sea. First time I witnessed such a wonderful complete sunset. Watching Sun go down below the horizon with full its glory calmly was enough to calm your mind from every tiredness and anything else. Anyway after my wonderful evening I am back to my room. Had bath. Changed cloths. Writing this. And now will be heading to market, to Tito’s. I am not feeling. I am having a bad throat and coughing whenever I take deep breath. Yesterday also, while having Hukka, I was coughing with every puff. For last three days I didn’t drink water. Now, I guess will have water only in Bangalore. One more day is remaining for my vacation and tonight I will make plans for next day. Morning walk on beach is still pending and not sure of that still. Anyway, now I am heading to Tito’s. Will be back after some time. Tired but don’t want to rest. I am hungry now and now I am leaving for hunting.
Bye.
Happy Time :)



Date: 15th March, 2010
Time: 10:34PM


At my room…
My Stomach is so much full that it is hurting and I am trying to figure out a posture in which I sleep so that feel a bit relaxed. Well, I am lying on my right side with one leg folded and pillow between my neck and chest. I am even writing in this position. How come I am in this position? Blame it on my bad judgment of dinner order and my habit of not leaving any food in my plate. I ordered one pulp tomato soup, one French fries, one banana shake, one Dal fry and four Tandoori roti. Does it sound enough? Well after that since I became thirsty, I bought one Lt Tropicana orange juice and gulp it all while sitting at Baga beach after coming from dinner. So result is this. Well I believe in an hour it will get settled well inside my tummy.
Yes, I wanted to mention here that I felt like second citizen at restaurant. Waiters don’t treat you well considering you are Indian, local maal. I wont blame them as they expect good tip from white skins. They will greet them, chat with them, keep saying ‘my friend this… my friend that…’blah blah. And when you order, they will just like throw your plate on your table like saying… le sale, Kha… aur ja.
Anyway considering even today’s situation when restaurant was full and I was the only Indian sitting in there, there behavior was a bit understood but not justified. Anyway leave it. Just one more day of vacation and I want to go with a decent memory. I have put alarm in my mobile so that I will have better chance to get up tomorrow morning and have morning walk on the beach.

Phew… what a day.
Four beaches in one day. Calangute, Anjuna, Arambol and lastly Baga. It was quite sunny and hot day. And having bath at Calangute and Arambol was like a bliss. Lastly while sitting at Baga at night with full stary clear sky night was a nice experience. In the dark sea was giving you the idea that this is the end of the world and beyond it another world begins. Only visible and audible sign was the white colour of wave foam and its roaring as it keeps running towards the shore. I was not in a complete mood to sit for long at Baga as I want to get up tomorrow morning. And my wish became action when one big spider (I guess) came from sea side, running and crossed my leg and disappeared in the opposite side in the sand. Believe me I was so scared that in one second I was on my feet with Tropicana tetra pack in my hand and heading towards my room. In the state of fear your action can even surprise you. So now lying on my bed and now my stomach is a bit relaxed but still not very in sync with me. Guess another half an hour is needed. Anyway guys that’s the news for the day. For remaining let me sleep and get up again. Good Night.

P.S. It was clear sky, full of stars and sand was dry and cool. It was amazing feeling sitting at night at Baga (just minus the last moment spider event, even though I am a Spiderman Fan).



Date: 16th March, 2010
Time: 8:55AM


I made it.
Putting alarm in my mobile didn’t work as I woke up myself even before at 5:00AM, I guess around 4:15AM(surprised?).
Trust me I had dreams of sea tonight… waves, soaring, majestic ocean. I wont say I enjoyed those dreams as those dreams were making me a restless and that could be the reason for my waking up so early.
So I got up. Brushed my teeth. Its still dark outside. With some thought I get out of my room. I was wearing my red shorts, banian and sleeper.I had room keys and Rs120 in my pocket. I first went to the roof. Oops, its night and I could not see a single sign of day break. I could see all familiar stars. Only visible sign of time The great bear was down North-west (yes, I know the direction here now), so it means night is coming to an end. But its still night and no one is on the road. No sound, I was feeling nervous in going out. Anyway I stepped down the roof. Headed towards the beach after taking short walk on road in completely dark, even without knowing I am walking on road or somewhere else, where I would put my steps on. I just went on my instincts or should I say on guess.
I reached Baga beach.
Damn you Maddy…no one else, its completely dark. I could just hear the soaring sound of sea and some white foams were visible, coming and going with that sound. Above sky is full of stars. Silently I looked here and there for company. But no one.
Now I was real nervous.
Reason was only one…Dogs.
Now you get me. I just sat on sand near sea, thinking if some dog will come, I will just run into the sea for rescue. Well, that didn’t happen but barking of canines keeps coming at different moments which has kept my heart beat racing. Howling sound of these creatures making me think of wolf man. I checked the sky, there is no full moon, so chance of encountering wolverine was eliminated and I got relieved a bit.
After 15-20min I saw first human shadow in the dark and got relaxed. That guy was on walk or on a mission to increase the sea level with his contribution? I didn’t know and didn’t even try to know but getting the company of same species made me feel stronger from inside. But still I am minority on the beach. I could see still many dogs on the beach in light fighting in themselves. I wont say they were playing as this was not the time to play. Well… No harm done, but suddenly after 5 min all light went off on the beach. Now it was dark like hell and those creatures from hell were doing their part to make it feel like hell even better.
I was not able to concentrate on invisible but audible sea and was looking here are there. After spending some time for a while now I am confident (a bit) and took a very short walk towards sea and stand there for a while. Man, sand were was I sitting was cold but see here the see water is feeling so warm.. I suddenly forgot all my fear and nervousness. Now I was with sea not with dogs. I didn’t go much inside, just enough to make my feet wet with coming and going waves. Now there is a slight tiny tinch of less darkness in the east side. Means morning is at doorsteps . I removed my sleeper, took it in my hand and started my Morning Walk.
Well first I headed towards the hill at Baga. After reaching there I headed towards Calangute side. Meanwhile I saw three girls taking snaps and few more man walking on beach. Now we were in equal number with those street or should say sea beach beasts. I took a long long walk, from Baga to Calangute. I just kept walking. Now sea has started being visible slowly slowly and steadily. And sky too becoming clearer with every steps.
Believe me in the morning you should see the sea. Warm at heart and terrific view. Its water looks so blue, who thinks of going to Mauritius now? I am living my days here, right now.
Now sky has become red, but western side is still in dark. But now I can see the sea. The intensity of light is increasing and the sea is becoming more visible and more beautiful. I loved it and felt like jumping into it but I controlled my emotions and continued my walk. I saw many people now. Some are just walking, some jogging and some doing morning yoga. Well I just kept walking seeing them and ever changing the beauty of the sea. I read in my text book of Sanskrit at my school times in some shloka defining, What is beautiful? And the answer was, Every moment which feel new is beautiful. This moment sea view would be one hell of an example of this. Well after reaching Calangute I returned back to Baga. Again long way. Now Sun has become from red to orange to yellow. But still no heat is there. Surprisingly there is no humidity in the air. It was pleasant. I reached Baga after long walk.
Now my heel is aching. I could no more resist to jump into the sea. I removed my cloths, put it on sand with key and money inside my shorts pocket. All restaurants are now open and guys are cleaning and arranging sun beds. Sun is now almost become bright and white. Water is still warm and I jumped into it. I was there for quite a time. Playing with waves or should I say waves were playing with me. It was amazing fun. There were guys, men, women who were pretty deep in sea and were swimming. Well I have to learn first swimming well then I could dare or may be not. I like it here better. Well after having enough bath I dried myself in sun and put banian and shorts over my wet undergarment and took a short walk on beach and then headed back to my room. Now I had taken bath in my shower. Now thinking whether to go to Vagator or not before leaving for Panaji. A bit tired, not proper sleep and long walk could be a reason but anyway lets see.
Meanwhile I also saw people fishing at beach at some shore. I don’t know how they understand where to throw net or which wave will bring them fish. But it was working. They threw the net manually after I guess some study of waves. And lo, there are fishes, small not big ones in the net . They put them in their back side pouch and left. I guess that’s for today meal. Fresh fish, straight from the sea. What else one non-veggie want.
So here is the deal now. I am going to take rest for some time and will decide later whether to go to Vagator, then will leave for Panaji after paying the land lord here. I want to take breakfast too. I am hungry now.
Well guys that is a dream start of the day and last day of trip has given me some terrific memories and moments. I have seen the sea at almost all time. I save my comments for later, which moment it was at its best but for sure each moment it has got its own charm to attract you, to sooth you, calm you and give you the company without saying a word… just roaring.


Date: 16th March, 2010
Time: 12:54PM

Just woke up and now ready to leave this place. As you now guess I had a sound sleep and Vagator beach is just washed away in my dream of sea. Well no regret, I had enough of god times and good memories of this place till now. Now just my way back to Bangalore. But before that on my way to ATM I saw a sign board of Fort Aguada. Who knows if I make to that place. Only place apart from beaches in Goa for me. My bus is at 5:15 PM from Panaji. So still plenty of time.
Ok guys, time to say Good Bye to king of holiday spot and exotic scenery and blah blah. If some update comes, will inform you. Otherwise see you in Bangalore. Chill out All of you.
God bless all of you.
Goa Bless Goa.


Date: 16th March, 2010
Time: 2:15PM (approx)

Writing this in my way back from Aguada fort. After having coconut water this is a sitting place near a church. Very cool, calm and serene. From very first sight I decided to sit here. I might not believe in love at first sight but you know exceptions are always there .
Aguada fort is a nice place to visit if you have some spare time. from fort there is some cool views of sea. Made by Portuguese in some start of 17th century , remaining history you can read on the notice board at the fort or contact Mr Google. Thick walls, I don’t know how can someone break this kind of stuffs even if there is a war. Anyway very cool shade and considering the heat, doesn’t feel like going. I don’t know the name of tree under which I am sitting but seems like very common in north India. My guess is Ber. Shame on me, as my father is related to Forest department and here I am not recognizing a common tree. Well, now I guess I have to leave for Panaji. Should be another 10-15km of drive. So still have time to reach but less time to visit any other place. Quite a fulfilling experience and nice holiday. The stay was quite amazing, also I should thank Mr Mathew or Manual (owner of the lodge) for providing a nice stay, which I got by chance. I am confused with the name he told me at the time of departure. The stay was quite reasonable. Rs 700 for twin bedroom, which I took individually. I would definitely recommend it to all of you guys. Contact me if you are visiting Goa next. Don’t feel like leaving this place but I have my bus at 5:15PM, so do I have any other choice.
Anyway guys it was fun being here and nice writing this too (first time ever ), for my memory or may be for your reference, if you guys find it of some use or just for time pass sake.
I would acknowledge Aloke, who has given me this diary just two days before I left for Goa. It was quite useful and handy. Now my this holiday has come to an end but now I am thinking for next one. After all that is what you learn from sea, waves keep coming back to the shore for a momentary break continuously. So here is the deal, I am going to have my time and whenever feel my mind is filled and I am gonna come back to Goa or some other place… some holiday… for myself… for my life.
I got a single life and I am gonna make it large… real large.

To Life :)…
Maddy


All is Well, Even if end is not so well :)

P.S. How come everything should be so smooth. I just came back to Panaji and went to bike rental shop. After saying that I will return it in an hour back as my bus is at 5:15PM and there is still time remaining to return the Activa. He refused and said he wont do it. As once it came to shop its over. Well I tried to convince him but he started making fun of it in front of other guys. That was not funny and I got annoyed. He called another fat goon looking guys. He offered him half of a orange and he was his side. After some discussion and argument things got heated up. He threw his orange pieces and came over me. Anyway after listening to his abusive languages and seeing his attitude, I decided to back off. It was kind of cowardice but I think the easy way to call it an end.
Well now sitting in restaurant waiting for bus to come and take me to Bangalore. At last I got some motivation to return as Goa was attracting me not to go. Oh, I forgot to collect my ID card from those assholes. Anyway after finishing my Mountain Dew I am going back in that war zone. My ID, not of my interest and of use, is stuck there. But I will get it back as it belongs to me. Period. So guys, enough of this town. Now I need break from my break. Back to work. Back to Banaglore.
Adios.

By the way while returning, I had cold coffee at Tito’s. it was wonderful and I just had water first time in Goa. Feeling relaxed and cool. Cool man, chill out. Good-Bad things happens. No worries. It’s the only good experiences and the lesson of bad things that am gonna to treasure in my memory.

Life is Beautiful.
Cheers!!!

Koi Mil Gaya :)

.

2.55 AM (Saturday late night or can say Sunday early morning)

My cell phone woke up by another cell phone thousand of miles away. So now it decided to wake me up for the company. That was the time I didn’t like my set ring tone and just tried to find it on my bed with closed eyes.
Oh god, its Sankalp and its almost 3 in the morning… what this guy is up to… did Vodka kicked in so late? Even the Batman must be feeling dizzy in Gotham. I just killed the sound of ring and put the cell over my bedtime read.
It rang second time, oh… Not again. I should have kept this Samsung piece silent before going to bed.
Damn you Sankalp… cant you imagine I am in the same time zone.
Ok… now I am sure he is full high over Vodka or may be JD. So now its my turn to make myself prepare before picking the cell to listen… I love you Bhai… Mujhe tum sab ki bahoooot yaad aa rahi hai. Rest you can guess …. Anyway I picked the cell. Till now I was sure night is over for me.
……………………………………….
Hello…

Bhai, H@#$& mil gayi.
(He is not drunk)

Kaun H@#$&?

Abe wahi jo college main mili thi. Genesis main.

Kya baat kar raha hai… kab? Kahan? Kaise?
(Fuck you Sankalp… asshole if you get her then why are you saying me this auspicious time, just go and talk to her, may be this time you can manage to have some good conversation with her better than that Medical Canteen talk)

Abe maine uska bloga padha hai. Uski pic bhi hai. Are you online? I am sending you the link. Check it.

(are you kidding, I am online? Its 3am man.) YES. I can check it. But Alok is on my laptop right now watching Two and Half Man, I guess I will get my laptop in 10-15 min.

Sale jaldi check kar. Abhi dekh.

Ok. Ok. I am opening my Gtalk.
……………………………………………………

By this time even I became excited to see her pic, as it was more than 7 years since I have been listening to this H@#$& crap from this guy whenever he gets high. I have also seen one pic of him at Aligadh beach writing her name with stick in sand (correct me if I am wrong).

Well, here Alok was watching this two and half man like chain smoker. I guess he had seen more than ten episodes one after other and his count was still on. No worry, I asked him that I might need the laptop for a while and he agreed. And now I was sitting on my laptop and looking for one of the biggest crush (Crash) of his majesty Mr. Sankalp. First I opened her blog… Jesus, is this girl do anything but to write blog… hundreds of blogs.

(Anyone interested in her blog, contact Sankalp, Nitya or me seperately)

From videos to songs, from dialogues to some crippy technical stuffs. Book review was also there. And she was looking pretty Ok in her pic (not that fantabulous kind. Sorry Sankalp). Ok means may be I had a lot of expectations considering her physical appearance after listening about her infinite number of times. Well there was another picture of her eating some gross looking meal with her friend in pink and white t shirt. I liked her better, may be because I have affinity towards those specks. Eventually I learned her name is A@&#%. Well, I felt comfortable that Sankalp and I have different favorite. H@#$& for him, and I like A@&#% better. Remember similar case of that super hot Amrita and her un-named not so hot Sister.

Well, now its time to explore so many things about her and after loosing my sleep, I was on for it.

This event suddenly remind me the very first year of my engineering college. Time was almost same. Sankalp and I were chatting useless stuffs and here comes Buntu, coming from his room, eyes full red (may be he was not able to sleep but was in bed), looking a bit lost and serious, very unlike Buntu. I still remember his first line, Maddy… mujhe lagta hai mujhe Pyaar ho gaya hai. Man, can you imagine it? It was so amusing but we (Sankalp and I) manage to maintain our serious and concerned look. It was like we just won a lottery and Buntu is the prize money.
“Who is She?”
“Bhatiya… Sangita Bhatiya” (James bond kind of introduction)

Believe me, we were as sure of this name as was Buntu. But to encourage the conversation and take your poor friend in confidence such kind of dumb question is required. Friends can be (sorry no can be, they are) the best sucker when it comes some emotional situation. They will kill your rational you very easily. And we love them for screwing it up. Anyway, that whole night we spent making plans, convincing him, encouraging him for what we might never had dared, teasing him and off course supporting him that we will always stand by his side. Rest is the history which most of us already know. But I truly admit, Buntu is real cute. (most of girls will definitely agree with me at this point, well some guys too.)

So, now here is this night. History repeats itself with slightly change in characters. After listening from Sankalp, “H@#$& mil gayi” I was sure where this night is heading. Only difference was that time I had a company of Sankalp and today I am alone. Well, my wish granted and Sanklap got Nitya and I on a conference call after several effort. Before that I had several short-long discussion about her, her blogs, her pics,…with him. So here we are…
Sankalp from Mumbai, I from Bangalore and Nitya from Florida we three talking on a conference call about H@#$& from Pune. Can there be any better example of globalization? I am on for a bet.

We talked for almost an hour. Memories of good old times when we used to talk for whole night over any damn thing were back. We talked about this arduous task that Sankalp has found her information. We motivated him as we did with Buntu. We talked, laughed, made some serious comments and laughed again. Wow, it was real fun. I loved every bit of it. Meanwhile, we also talked about the current situations on our personal fronts. I played safe and Nitya did the best while making any comments over these issues. When we had enough of our long lost fun talk and Sankalp was done with two pegs of JD, we decided to call it off. Meanwhile I am damn sure I must have screwed up Bipin and Alok sleep. Sorry guys, but I was really excited.
I was totally out of my sleep and off course I had to go morning dance class, so decided to remain awake.

When asked by Sankalp, what is this coincidence that I got her information after almost 7 years. I may say, it’s a real life, not a story of K2H2, where SRK finds Kajole after 7-8 years and manages to get her in his life. Well, if she is still single, take your chance. But before that just make your mind clear that is that all you want or its just some subjective physical attractiveness or some weird attitude that you like about her and you may like it for a long run. If you have the answers of all what and why, then you know what to do without any doubt…but yes, its always better to try for next item in wish list than writing Shayri and poems in your message status for the lost one. And, yes this girl has Rocky Balboa as the fev movie. And the punch line of this movie is, its not over till its over. So move to your next wish list item, and don’t throw the towel till you believe you have done all that should have been done. And play honest, no blame game. I know, you already practice it, but for the sake of saying, saying.
If you wanna something, go get it. Period.
You know from where this line has come. You like it too, isn’t?

So it was one hell of a night. I enjoyed and will remember every bit of it. I was not very sure, I will write a blog on it. But you know, its Sunday, and after playing badminton, I have nothing to do and as usual didn’t get any phone call (I guess my cell is just for credit card company use not for friends) so why not write it on my blog. Since from tomorrow onward I would be a bit busy with some new short term project for some short period of time, so next blog may take some time.

Just for information sharing from my side:
Santa-Banta are dead. But Chantu-Buntu are doing fine. and I got dart board for my leisure time. And last I might be in Mumbai for my year’s last holiday.

Anyways folks, hope you all having good times in your kitty. Must be busy with official and non official activities. But if you think you have any suggestion for Mr. Sankalp over this issue, feel free to contact him. After all why are friends for? ;)

Cheers.


P.S. I tried to keep some names under cover, but I guess you may guess.

Opel: Deal or No Deal

　

It was never the first choice for GM to sell off its European hand Opel to Fiat or Magna or to anyone for that matter. Last few months GM has witnessed its one of the worst crisis ever which has not only almost claimed its existence but also in this period it made GM sold its iconic brand Hummer and Saab to almost unknown companies for the price of peanuts. When the economic hurricane has subsidized a bit, till then GM has lost its crown which was intact for more than three quarter of the century and became certainly a leaner if not a meaner organization.

GM sold its one European brand Saab to a tiny company Koenigsegg, a Luxury sports car manufacturer who has the presence in the Top 10 list of world’s fastest cars.
Well, another European unit Opel accounts for significant GM Share in EU market. If GM would have sold its share in Opel, definitely it would have been almost whipped from EU, not so pleasant situation for the automaker.


No doubt it was not the move which has been received warmly by everyone but with this decision GM has faced lots of criticism not from the industry but also from the government of Germany and Russia. But again, its business, where ethics always throws towel whenever it faces profit and greed heads on. This whole deal took a long time while seeing many ups and downs. Now even after GM declared not to sell Opel, condition of Opel has not become any clearer, in fact became a bit uncertain. Where Magna plan was not in the favor of laying off workers more than 2600 and without shutting down any of its plant, GM doesn’t make any such kind of promise. No doubt Magna was also German’s choice for this reason. So very obviously after turning its back from the deal GM management has been told to return the bridge loan of 1.5 billion Euro till the end of this month. Hopefully GM may manage to return it since it is now become Government Motors and it has the support of the US treasury, if they justify their move. Meanwhile Russian Prime Minister Mr Putin didn’t say much about the situation but his disappointment was pretty evident from his statement that he has learned his lesson from this deal. One can only hope that the economical relation between Cold war rivals is going to be unaffected with this U-turn. GM CEO Henderson already made an apologizing statement but sure it’s not going to sooth their temper any sooner.

　
Well, these all were the situations considering the bidder side in the Opel deal, Magna and Sperbank. Now lets see GM’s stand. Only future will say this step was good or bad but one thing for sure in this economic turmoil situation GM was not in the drivers seat while making the deal. GM has already sold its muscular Hummer to a Chinese heavy machinery company for some $200m odd value, which was even less than half of expected value. Surely GM has to improve its fuel economic image and while Hummer was not a profiting hand, it has to go. Another was Saab which was hardly ever profitable since it has been acquired by GM. So its deal also didn’t hurt much to GM. But Opel story is completely different. Opel captures a significant percentage of European market share and has some very good model in its kitty. Also, build on the Volt platform Ampera is supposed to launch in coming year as an Electric vehicle. Here was one of the major concerns for GM with this deal, loosing its grip over its intellectual property which not only accounts for numerous patents and technologies but also they overlap significantly with GM’s core technology these days. No wonder GM management was not able to digest this and also they were not finding any suitable way out of this issue.

After the elimination of Fiat from the bidding, it was taking way too long for Magna to close the deal and meanwhile economy and Auto sector has started to see the light in the tunnel. Cash for clunkers, stimulus packages, and massive cost cuttings have shown some positive signs and almost all Auto manufacturers and major Auto markets data saw north after long time. Ford has already posted its long awaited billion dollar quarterly profit followed by Toyota, performing way better than wall street prediction of losses. GM was also not left behind in riding the wave of change as it has reported after long the growth in the sell percentage of its car in North America whereas it continues breaking all self made previous records in China, world’s latest largest Auto market.

Seeing these positive signs GM has changed its mind to sell Opel. Off course it has shattered the dream of Magna to enter the auto sector as OEM. But well again, win for some is the loss for some.

Now as GM has retained Opel, this is the easy part. Now hard part comes which is to restructure the company and making it profitable unit. After breaking the trust of the government and the employee, it’s not going to be an easy task for the management. No doubt GM has put its veteran Bob Lutz to come up with a plan. Also, the most successful GM employee in current time Nick Reilly, president of GMIO is going to handle GM European operation replacing Carl Forster from the Opel top position who is supposedly moving to manage Jaguar Land Rover owned by Nano famed Tata Motors. Well this addition and subtraction at top slot in not a Herculean task for the company but the company will have acid test when it will come to manage at lower level considering workers layoff and huge cost cutting is inevitable with chances of some plant closure. In addition to this workers and government are already unhappy. But considering the success story of Nick Reilly its going to be interesting to see how they make their plan viable.

Well the outcome of the whole drama may get clear after some time but lets just hope for a while it will come positive for the former world Auto champion. The whole Opel case may turn around as sweet for some or sour for some but for sure its going to be a hell of a case study in Auto Sector.

Ideal Idle Weekend :)

Another Weekend…
If weekend meant to be lazy and lying on your bed whole day and not getting up then it is going to be the perfect weekend.

After Nitya flying away from Bangalore (actually india) all weekends are no more different. Today too, I woke up after mid day.
After seeing movie (name itself is censored) last night on my laptop when I slept, I got call from Juhi at Sardar-Time. We could hardly talk for ten minutes may be cause I was tired or I had a pretty bad throat. But I lost my sleep after our talk. No...No... No, it was not a romantic talk but I guess these days I am having very delicate and fragile sleep (another drawback of highly overrated professional life). Once it was broken, it was gone with the wind out of my open window.

12:15 AM
After trying almost half an hour to sleep, I open my laptop and started a movie Killshot from my huge collection of movies. Believe me it was not a kind of movie you would like to watch at 1:00 am or may be anytime. But I finished it without taking any break.

1:45 AM
Still Awake…
Lets see Friends, Just a couple of days back I downloaded the first season of it.
After seeing first 7 episodes, I decided to give my Friends a break.
Meanwhile I got two SMS of Sankalp. I think he was drunk.

Wow… Another movie 'A walk to remember', which I kept on downloading is done with downloading.

5:00 AM
Its almost 5:00 in the morning. I decided to wait till 5:45 and then go for morning walk or jogging. I walked outside my bedroom, went to the balcony, felt the freshness of morning breeze and came back in my bed. After seeing half an hour of the movie, I don’t know it was the effect of fresh cool-calm air or my tired eyes, I switched the light off and slept...(Yes, I rarely put off light while sleeping)…till 12:30.


Lots of things happening these days even if my life is pretty much stagnant.

I got promoted, got appraisal. Well I wont quantify it, but I was pretty much upset (my expectations were high). But yes, I have been raised up on rank and on numbers.

I learned to play Table Tennis, just after getting the announcement of a doubles TT tournament in the company.
First things first… I bought TT Bat. I don’t wanna borrow, I prefer to own. Then I studied all the rules of TT from net and just jumped in the TT room. (is it some reason to skip my working hours in office???)
Believe me even in this very short and very early my novice TT career, my win to loss ratio is pretty good and positive. I can boast of defeating some of experienced and good players in doubles as well as in singles. I call it Beginner’s luck. (or whether they were taking me too lightly?)… Well… this so called Beginner’s luck was not so lucky on tournament day (may be till that time I was not a beginner anymore), and we (Team Prime… I named my team after the name of the Transformers movie robot Optimus Prime) got washed out in the very first round in two straight sets. I won’t describe it but I got my share of appreciation in that game. Mind you, it was a doubles…(am I trying to give excuse of my defeat?) Well…. Lets talk something else.

I have lots of vacant time these days. Lots of pending novels on my pillow side, pending outings and pending activities. Seems I am becoming a government employee in my day to day activities. Trying to improve over it but its just not happening…Well keep trying.

My Fishes are doing well. These are perhaps the only living creatures I see during my apartment time. Still I am trying to get friendly with them. But I guess they don’t believe that I am Vegetarian these days and I never liked eating Fish even when I was Non-veggie.

One more day of this weekend is remaining. I have a feeling it wont be any different from today…apart from some room cleaning.
It sounds pretty boring…Isn’t? Come on… What a better way you can spend your weekend. Its way too cool. In last less than twenty four hours I have seen five movies and seven Friends Episodes. Can you beat it?
Won’t it be better if I skip my Room cleaning activity and improve the movie count for this weekend.
Hmmmmmmmm… Sounds cooooool… isn’t?

Fall(en)ing Apart

I still dream and think that things should have been better. We would be together. There would be no heartbreaks, no setbacks, no broken eyes, no bitter fight… no breakups. But it rarely appear ‘Happily live after’ tagline so early in life. Its not a fairytale. It is the story of my friends, who were friends.

I don’t know exactly what went wrong between them, among them that they all fall apart as if it would be better if they would have never been together. But how can I forget those years (not days or weeks or months) which are still most memorable and enjoyable and complete and fulfilling time span till this day. But I feel they don’t want to look back to those memories and take a trip to those forgotten places where we used to sit together.
But yes one thing for sure we were good together. We were happy even in our adversity. We were complete even with our incompetence. We were neither studs nor smartest but whenever we walked together everyone looked on us with curious and jealous eyes……….. but now again we all are on our own. Separate from places… separate from hearts. Distances made us distant.

What made us apart is still not able to fill those gaps and still at night I (may be we) miss/wait for their call/voice (sometime). It was not an impulsive decision to accept them but it was a choice. We learned from each other. We fought with each other. We shared, we cared. We stand for each other. We cried for each other (well, not we all, but few among us :)). It is not a story of inseparable souls living together but it was the time when different souls came together to live inseparably.

One possible reason could be taking things for granted. We always pursued our dreams, we were (are) ambitious. We put our effort into it. We may/may not get what we want but did we put even part of those effort to remain attached. Thoght, it is by default. We got it, not to loose it….and today…we have lost it (most part of it), not to get it back.
Some cried, some remained silent, some acted as a mentor, some as a pillar. But we all understood and no one liked it. It happened in pairs, subgroups and groups… still happening. Bit by bit. Piece by piece. We kept loosing it. Only we could do to find some satisfactory justifications for ourselves or in the worst case we blamed. But when in lonely moments, in distant (not so distant) memories, if some tease or wish comes in unanswered eyes then you only know no justifications or blame shifting helps. They are just unsuitable temporary ways to hide or cover up your failures…(and lack of effort).

What If…(the worst and ever haunting two words).
What if they would have chosen to walk together?
What if they would have found a way to overcome their differences?
What if they would have put a little extra effort?
What if we all would be together?
What if we would have been never meet?
There could be infinite parallel events possible and we cant predict the butterfly effect of these ‘What ifs’ precisely. But one thing for sure, I wont be writing this (at 2:10AM).

What is making us part?
Can it act like a filler for those vacancies? Can it replace it? Could it replace it?
If not, are we trying to put those fallen part together? Am I playing my part?

I believe we all will be going to places in coming years. But everyone will be there separately and when we wont find our loved ones with us, there is a chance that we may not miss them. But if we miss them, we will miss them bad… very bad. (or may be we would lose our capacity to recognize its intensity by then, I don’t know which would be worse).

P.S. I still wish things should have been better and still hope whatever pieces we have left, those stay together, forever.

Conversation with a Parasite

Parasite: I need your blood. I need it for my survival.

Human: Why do you suck life out of us?

Parasite: Because we can’t live without it.

Human: But it is not yours.

Parasite: But life is mine, I have to protect it.

Human: Why don’t you use other means to survive?

Parasite: We have not given choice.

Human: Why don’t you learn?

Parasite: We can’t. you are saying this because you have been given the capability. We are not born with hands and legs. We don’t have muscle and bones which will allow us to work. You have been blessed with all the means which will make you the leader in the race. Its your responsibility to create and we will consume it. If we are not surviving then its you who has to blame. Because we have been just given a mouth. We can’t produce. We can only eat.

Human: Yes. we have been given hands, legs, muscle, bones everything. But all were useless since I born. I had legs but I could not walk. I had hands, but I could not hold and pick. I had muscle and bones but I could not work. I had mouth, which could only suck the milk from my creator.

Parasite: So it qualifies you to become like us.

Human: Why so hurry. My survival was the only goal of my creator as they believed that I will become their torch bearer. They made my hands strong so that I would be able to support them when they need. They made my legs strong so that I will never lag behind in the race. They made my shoulders strong so that I could bear my responsibilities with ease. They had given me their wisdom so that I can improve over them. They believed in my capacity and will to give back for their favor as a support mentally, physically, spiritually. It was their turn, now its mine. It is symbiosis. I have obligation towards my creator and every single living and non-living entity around who were involved in the making of me. To recognize their effort is one, to give back is second. If I am not paying back to my creators, my supporters, my society that is the only situation I will become like you, a parasite.

Parasite: Its so easy for you to say cause you have been given gifts.

Human: Yes. I have been given this. But I had put my share of effort to develop and protect it. There are efforts made to make me like what I appear today, by different people at different stages including me. If I give it to you free it will be dishonor to my creators, my supporters and to me. I won’t live my life under any guilt. I don’t choose it.

Parasite: What you would have done, if you were at my place? Commit suicide?

Human: I would have done suicide by the moment I would have considered myself incompetent to feed myself my own. Since the moment I became capable to think, I knew I will put my every part and effort to find my way. I won’t demand anything for which I can’t give anything in return. At your place I would have spent my whole life to learn, to create, to produce, to earn and to pass it to my successors. So that one day finally my coming generations would be self sufficient and a truly welcomed part in the society. I would have been exchange my service to different species to learn their skills. I would have done everything to protect my self respect, my self esteem.

Parasite: World is made up of all kind of creatures. I play my part. So what is wrong in it?

Human: You can always choose to remain in whatever conditions you are in. You can always remain in your adversity life long and will always find excellent satisfactory reason to justify yourself. But there will be only one reason to change it. Desire to grow and evolved from your current status. Evolution. This is the only word world accepts. Who manages to evolved, learned to grow, survive. Nature adopted them, otherwise they are found in history books. You are dependent on me. If I go, you won’t last. Why to choose to live such an unsure, unsecured and un-respectful life. At the place give it some good reason. Add some value to it. Give your life to make it meaningful and then I will not only give you my blood but give you my life to feed you, to protect you… This is Human.