Make First Aid Easy!

Customized Band Aid With kids at home you do have to keep an assortment of shapes and sizes of band aid at home. More often than not, I use it for the placebo effect; a strip plaster round the superficial cut on the finger works better than any medicine, cuddling or kisses. The Long and Short Plaster does away with the need of stocking up assorted sizes and works like a tape dispenser. Cut out the right size and use it. Designers: Miyeon Kim & Hoyoung Lee Courtesy: YANKO DESIGNS

26/11 - Should we just remember or LEARN!

Its the anniversary of a very unfortunate event in Mumbai and all media - print, electronic & outdoor et al. Many are en-cashing the opportunity while many are on the streets paying homage to the unfortunate lives.   Have been hearing across radio today - We will NOT Forget. Mumbai will NOT Forget. That's a debate here - should we just remember or LEARN?   Personally speaking I think its time learn from mistakes & not JUST remember what happened a year back. We have learnt - hence we have posted police outside all hot spots like restaurants, Hotels, monuments, fortified (Really) our bays, water boundaries etc etc but is that enough. Do we really think - they will attack the same spots, via the same route???? I sincerely doubt. Its a constant vigil issue and more to do with alertness and not PANIC - what we are doing is waiting to press the panic button.   Just recap - what happened on that fateful day. They came, they killed, disrupted life, panic, threatened & got killed. Do we all remember seeing these round dome like things at important locations, junctions across city? They were installed with huge budgets & fanfare. The monies spent on these were our money - tax payers money. They were supposed to keep an eye on the suspicious movements. I remember seeing one at Gate of India myself - LONG before this happened. Now answer these few questions:    A. Was it worth the money when the very purpose was defeated - BADLY Defeated. B. When the very purpose was to vigil - why was it not functional - did anyone paid any heed after having spent our hard earned money? C. Why the police force had to rely on CCTV footage by private parties - what happened to CST CCTV? D. Metal detector gates installed at stations - do they work. NO - they are just installed & beep with every passer by - guards are used to it by now. Why?   Hence the crux of the matter is - we remember what happened and try correcting when the damage is done. 1. CCTV & frisking started at stations after the July railway attack. 2. Vigil at hotels & multiplexes after 93 blasts 3. Tightening of water front securities after 26/11 4. Forming NSG after 26/11 5. Vehicle checking after surat blasts   Now mull over these: 1. Try & think of other passage they can take. 2. What avtar they can take? 3. Other weak spot to attack? 4. Modes of travel?   Have you ever thought - ambulances can be the safest to travel, hence hospitals be the weak spots (Again), medical attendants can be the avtar & road be the passage.   Ambulances are free to break the signal, take wrong entry, go uninterrupted, straight to hospitals. As per my limited knowledge, they don't have any code of conduct for operating.   - Are they scrutinized before they are pressed into action?  - every other political wannabe first gifts an ambulance for public use. Most of them you see are sponsored by these parties. - they go unchecked at signals, road blocks etc.   My suggestion (if it reaches right people) is to have GPS compulsory for all Ambulances, let them have smart radio chip that can detect the authenticity of these vehicles remotely. Have one governing body to monitor the no of ambulances pressed in service etc.   It gives me chills whenever I am thinking of the next possible mode. And no when I am talking all this - it is for INDIA & not only Mumbai. Other cities are as important to INDIA as mumbai.   My point expressed, now lets debate & I invite your viewpoints.   Jai Hind!   Naveen Jalan Mumbai +91 98204 15646

Double Crossing Tap

I wonder why no one thought of this before; what the Cycle-Basin is proposing here is very simple. Depending upon what you use the tap water for, you decide whether the gray water can be recycled or not, and then accordingly use the bottom tap to drain out the water into a bucket or let it go down the drain…literally. If you're cleaning up some veggies, then naturally you can recycle that water for watering your plants. Get the drift? Designers: Jie Hu, Hanwu Lin, Ran An, YuanFeng & Xianjing Zhang Courtesy: Yanko Designs

No more fraud auto fares: Thanks to ex-Infy techies

By siliconindia news bureau Bangalore: In a city like Bangalore several commuters depend on the autorickshaws to travel from one place to another, but not always do they get to pay the correct fare as sometimes they are demanded extra money by the drivers. Now with a technology developed by four former Infosys engineers - Sudarshan H.S., Pavaman Athani, Sairam Rajamani and Rahul R.S., a commuter can verify the fares demanded by the drivers with an automatic SMS telling what they should be paying for the distance travelled. Using this service called 'Latlong' people can text message the area from which they start their journey with their destination, to receive an instant message on the fare they must pay, reports Deccan Chronicle. "Latlong provides information on the approximate autorickshaw fare and the distance in kilometers. This allows the user to check the exact distance travelled and confirm if the meter reading is accurate. The service has been a hit. We have received nearly 50,000 SMSes so far," says Sudarshan, CEO of Onze, the firm which has come out with the concept. So successful has been the service that the Onze is now looking at launching Latlong in other cities as well. "We will be launching the service in Chennai soon," says Sudarshan. For using this service the commuters need to send their message to 9008890088.

Amazing Innovation....everybody with a mobile would like to have one

For some odd reason, Apple has decided to keep the charging cord for the iPhone pretty short. When you compare it to the Nokia or Motorola chargers, the wire is a teeny-tiny tad! Not that long wires are a help, but either ways, you never are going to be happy with wire lengths! The solution lies in cool accessories like this MI-O Cell Phone Cradle. Keep the phone close enough to the socket and wrap the charger wire, neatly around the expandable wings! Happy Happy Wires! How does it work? Position device between electrical outlet and handset charger. Insert charger cable into small opening on either side of platform to securely hold handset in place. Coil charger cable around expandable wings on device base. Designer: Cagnina Design (courtesy Yanko Design Web)

Mind Blowing Music System!

Tanker Thats all Rolly Posted: 03 Nov 2009 12:55 AM PST On the lines of the pet Rolly by Sony is the Mint Tank Music Player. It's the sorts that follows you around, obeys your commands and doesn't complain if you ignore it. Features include USB connectivity, Bluetooth, WiFi, 2 High Output Speakers, Remote Control and endless track system to follow you around. When two tanks are within the same vicinity, they kind of communicate with each other and playback music with 3-D sound effects. Quite an awesome pet! Designers: mintselect @ mintpass

English is Difficult Language

English can be fun Spotted in a toilet of a London office: TOILET OUT OF ORDER. PLEASE USE FLOOR BELOW. In a London Laundromat: AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES: PLEASE REMOVE ALL YOUR CLOTHES WHEN THE LIGHT GOES OUT Outside a London second-hand shop: WE EXCHANGE ANYTHING – BICYCLES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC. WHY NOT BRING YOUR WIFE ALONG AND GET A WONDERFUL BARGAIN? Spotted in a safari park: ELEPHANTS PLEASE STAY IN YOUR CAR Seen during a London conference: FOR ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN AND DOESN'T KNOW IT, THERE IS A DAY CARE ON THE 1ST FLOOR Notice in a field: THE FARMER ALLOWS WALKERS TO CROSS THE FIELD FOR FREE, BUT THE BULL CHARGES On a repair shop door: WE CAN REPAIR ANYTHING (PLEASE KNOCK HARD ON THE DOOR, THE BELL DOESN'T WORK) People in other countries sometimes go out of their way to communicate with their English-speaking tourists. Here is a list of signs seen around the world : At a Budapest zoo: PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS. IF YOU HAVE ANY SUITABLE FOOD, GIVE IT TO THE GUARD ON DUTY. Doctors clinic, Rome : SPECIALIST IN WOMEN AND OTHER DISEASES. Hotel, Acapulco : THE MANAGER HAS PERSONALLY PASSED ALL THE WATER SERVED HERE. In a Nairobi restaurant: CUSTOMERS WHO FIND OUR WAITRESSES RUDE SHOULD WAIT AND SEE THE MANAGER. In a City restaurant: OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, AND WEEKENDS TOO. In a Calcutta Coffee House: PEOPLE DISCARDING CIGARETTE STUBS IN CUPS WILL BE SERVED COFFEE IN ASH TRAYS Enjoy!!!!!

PIL against the Statue in the middle of the Ocean

PIL against the Statue in the middle of the Ocean

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Making Life Simpler...

Cakes Ret’ To Eat
I’m not sure exactly when bakeries started including those plastic knives but it’s genius. Tho the first time I saw one, my first thought was a hair comb. My second thought was why not include plates and forks to make it a complete package? Looks like designer Junk-Suk Choi was thinking the same thing.
The Cake Sharer is a disposable plate/cake serving utensil and fork. It comes in flat sheets pre-scored and cut. All you do is fold, tear, and eat.
Designer: Jung-Suk Choi

Innovations for Mankind...

Poll Position
Waiting for a public bus in any town can be not only mind numbingly boring but a very uncomfortable experience. In bigger cities, sharing a bus bench/bed with a passed out drunkard is not uncommon. For those not even lucky enough to share these precious moments in life and have to stand and wait for our environmentally responsible public transportation, I present the “Duv-tal” public transportation insta-squat seating system by Catherine Pena. If you forget to bring some reading materials don’t fret, this fold-down seat not only lets you cop a squat but also validates in the form of this inspiring message printed on the surface “You are a role model. You are actively improving the environment by riding the bus.” Warm fuzzies all around.
Designer: Catherine Pena

Devil & the Duck!!!

Nice email. Could help but share - read on! -----------------   There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm...   He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck.   Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved! In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his Sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.   After lunch the next day Grandma said, 'Sally, let's wash the dishes'   But Sally said, 'Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen.'   Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?'   So Johnny did the dishes.   Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, 'I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper.'Sally just smiled and said, 'well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help?   She whispered again, 'Remember the duck?' So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.   After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's; he finally couldn't stand it any longer.   He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.   Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, 'Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.'       Thought for the day and every day thereafter:   Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... And the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)...whatever it is...You need to know that: God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing.   He has seen your whole life... He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven. He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you.   The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness; He not only forgives you, but He forgets.   It is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved.   Go ahead and make the difference in someone's life today.   Share this with a friend and always remember:   God is at the window!     When Jesus died on the cross; He was thinking of you!

We need to Accept...(Interesting story that i received on email)

"Bob," he said to me, "I've got something for you." He held out a packet. I opened it; inside were a pair of old shoes. "Mine," he said, "they don't fit me, but they're your size, you can have them!"

His name was Lawrence. He had been an alcoholic. I had first seen him as a watchman at an orphanage, a good man but addicted to the bottle. I had helped him kick the habit, seen him get married to pretty Sushma and lent a hand in setting up their house for them with little things here and there.

I looked at the shoes he gave me. My first impulse was to return them. They were old and worn out, then I looked at him and smiled. I pulled out my shoes and put on the faded pair.

"Thank you," I said.

"Thanks," he said.

"Thanks?" I asked.

"Yes," he said, "I was afraid you wouldn't take them. You know you give me so many things, but this I wanted you to have."

That day I learned the meaning of accepting. I realised we are all so good at giving, but how good are we at accepting things? I wore those shoes everyday till they fell apart. I used to see him look at my feet and knew he felt good. It made him feel okay with all he had to accept because of his need.

Some time later a young lad named John started working for me. He lived in a transit camp with his mother and brothers. He was honest, good, but his job required him to dress well. He wore old torn shirts and frayed trousers. "John," I told him one day, "I've got some good shirts I don't use, can I pass them on to you?" He nodded albeit a little worried. I brought him three of my hardly used designer shirts.

John did not turn up for work the next day, though I found a parcel lying at my home when I returned.

"Someone named John returned it," said my maid, "said his mother was furious you thought he was so poor. Told him to stop working for you."

After the dreadful tsunami some years ago I heard how our proud Prime Minister refused aid from other countries and I thought of John and the shirts, and the pair of old shoes Lawrence gave me. I thought of the poor devastated people hit by the awful waves who had lost home and family, livelihood and even the will to live. I saw pictures of them running behind trucks arms outstretched begging for food, and I could only scream inside at the silly pride of my country and countrymen.

I saw John the other day, pathetically thin, wearing a shirt worse than what he wore those days. He was crossing the road with a wife by his side and a kid on his arm. They all looked gaunt and half starved. The baby was crying..

Sometimes we need to learn to take..!

- courtesy Bobs' Banter

Problem & Solution

Difference between Focusing on Problems and Focusing on Solutions:
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Example-1
When NASA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens wouldn't work at zero gravity (ink won't flow down to the writing surface). To solve this problem, it took them one decade and $12 million. They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, underwater, in practically any surface including crystal and in a temperature range from below freezing to over 100 C.
And what did the Russians do ?? They used a pencil.

Example-2
One of the most memorable case studies on Japanese management was the case of the empty soapbox, which happened in one of Japan's biggest cosmetics companies. The company received a complaint that a consumer had bought a soapbox that was empty. Immediately the authorities isolated the problem to the assembly line, which transported all the packaged boxes of soap to theDelivery department. For some reason, one soapbox went through the assembly line empty.

Management asked its engineers to solve the problem. Post-haste, the engineers worked hard to devise an X-ray machine with high-resolution monitors manned by two people to watch all the soapboxes that passed through the line to make sure they were not empty. No doubt, they worked hard and they worked fast but they spent a whoopee amount to do so.

But when a rank-and-file employee in a small company was posed with the same problem, he did not get into complications of X-rays, etc., but instead came out with another solution. He bought a strong industrial electric fan and pointed it at the assembly line. He switched the fan on, and as each soapbox passed the fan, it simply blew the empty boxes out of the line.

Moral :
Always look for simple solutions. Devise the simplest possible solution that solves the problems

Roadside...

There was a Time when I used to pass by Station (Mumbai Local Railways) daily en-route my office. The railway track is the great divide in Mumbai between the 2 sides of city - East & West. More like a flea market, I would encounter same faces, same vendors, same chaos and same everything spread across the tracks & few in dangerous proximity to the tracks.

Among all the hustle bustle of busy life, what always got my attention were vendors of all types - fruits, vegetables, beauty products, old books, pesticides et-al. Then there were roadside saloons (we fondly call them Italian for reasons known to people), Speciality product vendors, dentists (yes that's right), ojha's (those who claim to have miraculous powers to heal) & Hakeems' (those jadi-booty doctors).

Among these were a family of 5 (Father, Mother & 3 Kids) always selling the seasonal fruits with same zest. Looking at them always gave me reasons to live & with all the enthusiasm in whatever condition - Good, Bad or Worse (for them atleast).

I will think - Life always throws 2 choices - be happy or be sad. So, if I were to be in their shoes, it is on me whether to be happy & make the most of my situation (as this family) or crib and make life living hell. I always wondered what life meant to them and always got answer in their smile, so genuine. Its meaningful if we love to live and vice versa. I would make sure that I am doing my bit by buying stuff they sold. Loved the genuine-never-complaining smile on their face.
One day, on my way to office, I see unexplained chaos & deafening silence (for some) at once. From a distance all I can see an engine at halt in the middle of the crossing and crowd gathered around it. Closure look & curious enquiries reveal that one little girl has come under the cowcatcher (a cage-like attachment in front of the engine) of the engine. My mind wandered for a moment – delving into what may be the worst nightmare. After much of labour, people the body was pulled out, without much of visible injuries. I prayed.

Someone shouted for Ambulance, perhaps there was a ray of hope. I tried to take account of the situation and figure out if this is one of the familiar faces. Shell shocked – It was indeed the body of that little girl from the family. By the time ambulance arrived, the soul had departed for the heavenly abode, leaving the meaningless body behind. Police intervention, panchnama, statement recording, eye witnesses etc.

After gaining sense, I headed for office, praying for the departed soul & for the grieved family. All the while at office I kept thinking of the girl & the family that she left behind. It was 6.15 p.m., time for me to leave for home. I dared pass by the same flea market, but there was no other way home. Gathering courage, I reached the spot where the family use to put their stall.

I try not to look in that direction for it will still be heavy on my heart, I hear a familiar voice “5 ka 2...5 ka 2”. It was voice of the mother. I turn around to see and yes it was she. Hesitantly, I approach her and asked the unwelcomed question “how is your daughter?”

“She passed away this morning” She said.

“Are you not grieving?”

“Saab, life has to go on & we earn to eat every day. If we don’t earn for a day, we will go empty stomach” said she handing over the fruits I had just selected with the same smile that I saw always.

I was heart-broken. I took the fruits from her and left. Thinking of the hardship they go through every single day but face it with never-say-die attitude.

I am a better person today and these roadside people have taught me a lesson of life.

May they get a better life and may the soul rest in peace.

SMILE at the challenges & Life will smile at you.

Amen!

Real Life HERO amongst us

Suvendu Roy of Titan Industries shares his inspirational encounter with a rickshaw driver in Mumbai.

Last Sunday, my wife, kid and I had to travel to Andheri from Bandra. When I waved at a passing auto rickshaw, little did I expect that this ride would be any different.

As we set off, my eyes fell on a few magazines (kept in an aircraft style pouch) behind the driver's back rest. I looked in front and there was a small TV. The driver had put on the Doordarshan channel.

My wife and I looked at each other with disbelief and amusement. In front of me was a small first-aid box with cotton, dettol and some medicines. This was enough for me to realise that I was in a special vehicle. Then I looked around again, and discovered more - there was a radio, fire extinguisher, wall clock, calendar, and pictures and symbols of all faiths - from Islam and Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.

There were also pictures of the heroes of 26/11- Kamte, Salaskar, Karkare and Unnikrishnan. I realised that not only my vehicle, but also my driver was special.

I started chatting with him and the initial sense of ridicule and disbelief gradually diminished. I gathered that he had been driving an auto rickshaw for the past 8-9 years; he had lost his job when his employer's plastic company was shut down. He had two school-going children, and he drove from 8 in the morning till 10 at night. No break unless he was unwell. "Sahab, ghar mein baith ke TV dekh kar kya faida?

Do paisa income karega toh future mein kaam aayega." (Sir, what's the use of simply sitting at home and watching TV? If I earn some income, then it will be useful in the future.)

We realised that we had come across a man who represents Mumbai – the spirit of work, the spirit of travel and the spirit of excelling in life. I asked him whether he does anything else as I figured that he did not have too much spare time. He said that he goes to an old age home for women in Andheri once a week or whenever he has some extra income, where he donates tooth brushes, toothpastes, soap, hair oil, and other items of daily use.

He pointed out to a painted message below the meter that read: "25 per cent discount on metered fare for the handicapped. Free rides for blind passengers up to Rs50". He also said that his auto was mentioned on Radio Mirchi twice by the station RJs.

The Marathi press in Mumbai know about him and have written a few pieces on him and his vehicle.

My wife and I were struck with awe. The man was a HERO! A hero who deserves all our respect. I know that my son, once he grows up, will realise that we have met a genuine hero. He has put questions to me such as why should we help other people? Will try to keep this incident alive in his memory.

Our journey came to an end; 45 minutes of a lesson in humility, selflessness and of a hero worshipping Mumbai - my temporary home. We disembarked, and all I could do was to pay him a tip that would hardly cover a free ride for a blind man.

I hope, one day, you too have a chance to meet Mr Sandeep Bachhe in his
Auto rickshaw - MH-02-Z-8508

Education Finance Help for Needy...

Friends,

If you have come across any bright students coming from poor financial Background who have finished their 10th standard this year(April 2009) and Scored more than 80%, please ask them to contact the NGO-Prerana (supported By Infy foundation).The NGO is conducting a written test on 14th June and those who clear the test will be eligible for financial help for their Further studies.

Please ask the students to contact the people mentioned below to get the Form #580,

shubhakar,44th cross,1st ‘A’ main road,jayanagar 7th block, Bangalore-

mob no- 9900906338(saraswati)

Mr.shivkumar(9986630301)-he sits at hanumanthnagar office

Ms.Bindu(9964534667)-she sits at yeshwantpur office

Even if you don't know anyone, please pass on this info, some one might be in need of this help desperately.

Civic Sense / non-sense

Mumbai: 11 June 2009

Most of us travel daily - either between office & home or leisure travel with family but we travel & move outdoors. It will be a rare occurring that we do not notice people littering on road / footpaths / public places. These are bunch of people who truly believe in what we see at all public places - "This is your property, please keep it safe & clean". Since this is our property, we will do what we feel like AND why have the municipal corporations hired these cleanliness guys to keep the place clean? - I wonder!!!

And to my amazement, most of these are educated (at least the ones I encounter) bunch who I prefer to call - educated illiterates! Imagine a scene - you are driving with a swanky car in front of you. You admire the car & (may) curse your fate for the small car you can afford. Suddenly - tissue paper flies in front followed by empty bottle and occasional door opening to facilitate spitting & thud! you are out of your dream sequence.

ACT II Scene II
You are enjoying the serenity of the lush garden in your locality, colony or building & you come across a pile of garbage dumped by your friendly neighbourhood, after all they are cleanliness freak & don’t want their homes to be dirty.

Now, what do YOU do under the given situations?

a. Curse them & continue to do whatever you are doing.
b. Curse them & make sure you raise the issue of cleanliness in the next society meeting
c. Interrupt / encounter them & make them realise their fault

Am sure most of us will pick (a) while wish to pick (c). That’s the nucleus of the whole problem. We wish to do a lot for the society, building, and country but hesitate to take the action. Until sometime back - I would also fall under (a) category but now I & my wife have pledged to take (c). We make sure to do our bit by interrupting & making people realise their fault. If it’s a car owner, a NASTY LOOK is all it takes.

Trust me, I feel much better & proud to be able to help (although miniscule) keep the surrounding clean. It all starts with self and only possible when every one of us do our bit and NOT curse other for their inability.

If we have Civic Sense, raise the voice & stop the civic non-sense.

Be Safe!

Naveen Jalan

PS: This is my observation & pledge. Readers are welcome to share their experience / comments.

Keep the faith...

Mumbai, 30th May 2009

Today i sit to write my first blog ever and try to figure out how it is accepted by you all my friends. What to write & what to talk about. But one thing i already can say that i will soon be trying to write some readable stuff.

To Start with, I recently went to a nearby "Raddiwala" & bought some age old comic books primarily meant for my 3 yr+ kid - Geetanjali, as she is at such an age where the foundation has to be laid for her life to be meaningful. Thinking this, i bought some "Amar Chitra Katha", Tinkle etc. and to make her understand i need to understand the contents first. The first book that I picked up was "Tales as told by Ramkrishna Paramhansa". Reading the stories took me to my childhood where i learnt that nothing is greater than turst in yourself & your deeds. You (who are now atleast 30 yrs+) will instantly recall the story of a poor woman (a divotee of lord Krishna) who would tell her son that Krishna is his elder brother & would help him at all times. And the little boy with faith in her mothers words, would call for Krishna everytime he needed help and Lord would come to his help, would play with him and do stuff boys of his age would do.

Then there is a story of a milkmaid who would walk over the river just chanting "Hari...Hari" whereas the reputed saint of the village would drown.

All these stories in todays world seem so important that in my opinion should share this with their kids. Greater is achieved with confidence in self and the almighty. Faith in yourself takes you places and the supreme hepls those who help themselves.

Keep the faith!
Amen...
Naveen Jalan