4cm
Posted by Sam in F1, Life Mantra, MyFav on October 14th, 2009
Ayrton Senna
Speachless..
Pat Symonds, Executive Director of Engineering (Ayrton’s first race engineer with Toleman in 1984):
“Dallas was what I would call an ‘old-fashioned’ North American street circuit, delineated with concrete blocks. It was a very tricky circuit, and bumpy enough to make even Monaco look smooth: the drivers literally had to fight their cars all the way round as they skipped and jumped from bump to bump. I remember during the race, Ayrton hit the wall, and then later retired because of the damage. When he eventually made it back to the pits, he didn’t seem to understand how he could have hit the wall. It seemed to come as a complete shock to him that he had hit the wall, and his immediate reaction was “I know I didn’t make a mistake – the wall must have moved.” Remember, we were talking about a twenty tonne concrete block here, but he was so insistent that he persuaded me to walk round the circuit and take a look. When I did so, the wall had indeed moved – somebody had clearly clipped the previous block and in doing so, displaced the next one by only about 4cm. Instead of the transition from block to block being smooth, a 4cm difference had caught the rear wheel, broken it and punctured the tyre. That was when it really came home to me, the precision to which he was driving, and made me think he was a bit special… And remember this was a guy in his first season of F1, straight out of F3…”
little Manhattan…une mémoire
Posted by Sam in Life Mantra, MyFav on December 1st, 2008
[December : The Day]
…
Hands Held High
The Song speaks much more than what I thought when I first heard it.
Do Give A Thought…
—
Hands Held High
by Linkin Park
Turn my mic up louder,
I got to say something
Lightweights step it aside,
when we come in
Feel it in your chest,
the syllables get pumpin.
People on the street,
they panic and start running.
Words on loose leaf
sheet complete coming.
I jump on my mind,
I summon the rhyme of dumping.
Feeling the blind,
I promise to let the sun in.
Sick of the dark ways,
we march to the drumming.
Jump when they tell us
they want to see jumping.
Fuck that, I want to
see some fists pumping.
Risk something.
Take back what’s yours
Say something that you know
they might attack you for
cause I’m sick of being treated
like I have before.
Like it’s stupid standing for
what I’m standing for.
Like this war is really just
a different brand of war.
Like a dozen catered rich
and an abandoned poor.
Like they understand you
in the back of the jet,
When you can’t put gas in your tank.
These fuckers are laughing their way
to the bank and cashing their check
asking you to have compassion and to have some respect
For a leader so nervous
in an obvious ways
Stuttering and mumbling
for nightly news to replay
and the rest of the world
watching at the end of the day
in the living room laughing
like what did he say
Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen
In my living room watching,
But I am not laughing.
‘Cause when it gets tense,
I know what might happen.
The world is cold,
The bold men take action.
Have to react,
Or getting blown into fractions.
10 years old is something to see,
Another kid my age drugged under a jeep,
Taken and bound and found later under a tree,
I wonder if he thought the next one could be me.
Do you see
The soldiers they’re out today+.
They brush the dust from bulletproof vests away.
It’s ironic.
At times like this you pray,
But a bomb blew the mosque up yesterday.
There’s bombs in the buses, bikes, roads,
inside your market,your shops, your clothes,
My dad, he’s got a lot of fear I know
but enough pride inside not to let that show.
My brother had a book he would hold with pride
A little red cover with a broken spine.
In the back he hand wrote a quote inside,
“when the rich wage war, it’s the poor who die“.
And meanwhile, the leader just talks away
Stuttering and mumbling
for nightly news to replay
and the rest of the world
watching at the end of the day
both scared and angry
like what did he say
Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen.
With Hands Held High
into a sky so blue
the ocean opens up
to swallow you.
With Hands Held High
into a sky so blue
the ocean opens up
to swallow you.
With Hands Held High
into a sky so blue
the ocean opens up
to swallow you.
With Hands Held High
into a sky so blue
the ocean opens up
to swallow you.
With Hands Held High
into a sky so blue
the ocean opens up
to swallow you.
With Hands Held High
into a sky so blue
the ocean opens up
to swallow you.
—
I think, sometimes, I am more mystique than I think I am! 
Nano – The Wonder Car
623 cc 2 cylinder Bosch
4 speed synhromesh transmission
580 kg kerb weight
On.. no no no.. this is not a Bullet or Royale Enfield..
its 4 door small wonder… The People’s car.
If you are the eldest among the siblings, you would exactly know how BMWs, GMs, Fiat must have felt on the Day 1 of 74th Geneva Auto Expo this year! There was elegant RR, Monstrous Hummer, stunning Lamborghini,beautiful Porsche but the crowd was happy to wonder around this cute kid from India…
The Nano… People’s Car, Indian’s shaan!
I wonder, was that a sweet dream? Has some one woken me up even before the start of a fairy tale? An Indian Tale!!!
I definitely was not waiting for the keys of Nano. I wasn’t waiting for Nano so I can take my family to outing! I was, and still I am waiting for Nano because I feel extremely proud of this rebellious kid … rather I felt… Not any more.
Since Tata has unveiled Nano at Delhi Auto Expo, it has been in news for all sorts of news; the hotest topic being the price tag. The 1 Lac Car has already won hearts on millions of Indians and most of them are already making mental note that someday soon, I will be driving behind those wheels.
Then, at Geneva Motor Show, automakers all over the world wondered how Mr. Ratan Tata managed to keep this little kiddie within “The People’s” reach. They marvelled upon the Supply Chain Model, Tata has put futured. They compared Mr.Tata with Ford. Now they are waiting for this Indian revolution in the automobile industry. They are waiting for the little wonder to roll out of its hometown… Singur……@#%@@%^##$@
No! No!… Correction here.. is it Singur? or Patnagar? or Pune? oh wait.. did i hear somewhere its Sri Lanka? Whats going on? hey anyone listening??? Whats their Problem? why is everyone shouting about 400 odd acre of land?
I wonder, why the state, once capital of commerce for India, is not happy to let Mr. Tata in? It, at the first look, seems to me the perfect choice to start the engine of a rusted train rolling, which has not seen any industrial growth since many years.
Tatas are not coming alone, they are bringing in the whole bunch of suppliers who has tuned themselves in to roll out Nano with the awesome price tag. I wonder why Ms. Banarjee is so reluctant to give land to this Legendary man! I wonder, why Ms. Medha Patkar rush every time to protest when she hears the word “displaced”. I wonder why the protestant can not understand the simple equation.. Industrialization = Job Opportunities = Growth = prosperity = Vote Bank (I have no doubt so ever that the first word every politician has learnt is “vote” )
Yeh! yeh! i know, Ms. Banarjee would not have got any political mileage if the plant would have started without any agitation. But, still, I dont see her getting it even now!
I wondered why is there so much resistance when the young generation of Bengal is looking eagerly for the windows of opportunities the _People’s_ Car is going to open for them. The elder one’s looking for a guaranteed pay.
But then came the reactions from the displaced. Few wanted more compensation. Few were worried about their future as they don’t know anything other than farming! Yeh! They definitely got a point! Why does Tata really want a land fertile enough to sow seeds n grow crops?
Why to waste such a fertile land for the industrial purpose when I have barren land?
But then, Do I have water to run the plant in those areas? What about the road conditions and transportation facilities? Maharashtra Government has invited Tata’s to set up the plant near Pune! But Mr. CM, from where are you going to supply power? Are we going to see more hot days and dark nights? I hope the Nanos rolling out of Pune will manage to survive the FEW pot-HOLEs remaining on the National Highways!
Does Bengal or Maharashtra have the infrastructure to even invite Mr. Tata?
Or are they waiting for the guest to cook his own food and willing to eat whatever is remaining?
The issue is not about farmers in Singur, neither about the singur plant. The issue is about the willingness… willingness to dream about prosperity.
If you cant even dream, how will you motivate yourself to take a step towards achieving those?
Today, there is bandh, nishedh for farmers because they are forced to sell their land at higher prices! But, no one is willing to help the farmers who are suffering due to lack of water, poor seeds, lower selling prices, inadequate facilities.
You want Tata’s to return the land, but what infrastructure are you providing in case the plant is set at remote location?
Give barren land, build canals, build roads, improve transportation, provide essential facilities. I dont think, any industrialiest would mind that!
Channelize your efforts for betterment through co-operation!
BUT NO! WE WANT BANDH! (And media want some sensetional news! )
The whole world is watching the drama, and probabaly laughing at us!
When a small baby chew its thumb innocently, people smile at it.. when the grown up boy do the same.. people will still smile at him as well.. but this time laughter is different! They laugh not at the boy but at his parents as well. The parents are supposed to teach manners to the boy! Are we listening?
This can not go on… let’s dream…
lets dream of that India, which has learnt not to chew its thumb.. because it hurts!
Let this be the Nano reason for the change which is left undue since long…
little Manhattan
Posted by Sam in Life Mantra, MyFav, MyreVIEW on June 8th, 2008
[November, Last week]
Yes! Yes! Yes!!! He did it…finally….. he has asked it in the gentle way…and she has agreed! Was it the best moment of his life?.. Not the best,but yes, was one of the most cherishable one…… he was happy .. those things which usually used to irritate him a lot seemed to be funny… he was in good mood.. almost touching cloud nine.. he has already started planning for the day or should I say ‘a date’?.
The next few days, he was in the dream world. Constantly thinking about her, building the scene around, tryin to figure out what he gonna say,. Lookin in the mirror, chkin on himself.. at the same time.. thinkin how she will be lookin like now?… oh! She always looks wonderful! Like an angel.. He hasn’t seen her for long…
He missed her a lot… not that he was aware of that.. why was it so complicated? Why was not he aware of his feelin’s? Where did he meet her? He remembers it clearly… it wasn’t a good memory… but neither a bad one… he got a few punch on his chest a few on his face…. But they dint hurt.. rather he was ready to take those punches everyday…
Where did he meet her?.. it was his first day at karate class. He was assigned a partner for a practice… oh…she was lookin really beautiful in those white karate costumes. She always looks wonderful… like an angel!
The days were passin by quickly.. he was waiting for the day… he was getting ready for the day… tryin out various combinations of clothes.. tryin out various hairstyles.. he wanted to look the best…
Where was he?.. he was in dream world.. he wasn’t aware what’s his friends upto.. he wasn’t aware what’s happening around him…
It’s been long since he has seen her… why? Why had his father been transferred to this city… he used to ask.. but not now…now he is happy….
But howz he gonna take it?.. he never had a proper conversation wid her… always bowled out on duck whenever he had chance to talk to her… always missed the straight ones… he would rather face brett lee or akhtar.. but NO!!!… he is goin to be a boy this time….but what does that mean actually???
He couldn’t sleep that Friday night… was nervous… excited as well.. he tried to sleep.. tried to remove all thoughts off his mind… but no use… he couldn’t stop thinkin …. Or dreamin??? Well he doesn’t remember when he finally fell asleep..
[December first week, The Morning]
Buzzzzzz!!!…
Hello bloggerians…
Posted by admin in Uncategorized on February 20th, 2008
Hello dudes and dudets,
This is my first post on this addresss… well so whats special?.. nothin yaar.. this is just a reminder to me tht i started scribblin here on this very day…why?.. well ask those who knw me… they will definitely tell u how pathetic my memory is..
Neways.. thts it for the time being..Happy Reading!
and btw.. keep visiting this place for new WP themes… 
Letter to AMN
Posted by Sam in Life Mantra on December 17th, 2007
[Read the Article titled ‘This life is reserved for L&T’ on page 5 of DNA Money of Thursday, November 15, 2007, before reading the post. I have tried to replicate the important paragraphs of the article to make the post comprehensive to readers. Moreover the statements made here are purely my point of view. Those who agree and even those who don’t are welcome to share their views. ]
—
To:AMN
Dear Sir,
This is with reference to your interview in DNA Money, November 15th, 2007 Edition. I had few doubts and it is said that, in L&T, emphasis is given whoever wants to learn new things. So the letter, seeking some help from you!
Let’s start with what I have understood! You talked about China’s fixed exchange rate.
|
L&T’s five units are put up for sale because of the appreciating rupee and Chinese competition. Now, if China believes in competition and if they float their currency I am very confident that I can fight back. The moment their currency hava is over, there would be any number of people who’ll say India is a far better destination. They want to come here rather than China. Or, at least, have one leg here and one leg there. But India cannot fight Chinese competition. |
Yes! I agree China is having advantage over us (read Indian Companies) due to its fixed currency rates!
The way China controls the exchange rate; they certainly have advantage over us.
But it applies to all the Indian Companies… even the IT companies, isn’t it?
|
…Can they do what L&T can? Can they build India’s defence, build ships, missile launchers, nuclear plants, satellites or radars? No… |
You talked about Indian IT firms not contributing to India’s growth. Yes, they definitely don’t have the capacity to build defense systems; they can’t build bridges, power plants. But why should they? They are not into that business line. L&T sold its cement production unit. Does this mean L&T consider cement to be not so important for infrastructure growth? According to me, Money wasn’t the problem, as the business was earning them profit.
What does “building India” mean? Does in only include infrastructure growth and building defense systems? IT has no role in it? So why is there so much fuss about IT around? Can YOU function properly without IT help? Why governments are trying to go online? Or Government is misguided by IT industry?
|
…The government has already diluted it by including outsourcing. This is how they have taken Infosys, Wipro and TCS in the RuR (Raksha Udyog Ratna)…. |
Isn’t the IT industry bringing foreign money in the country? Doesn’t it help India to grow financially? Though Indian firms were doing business internationally, it was the IT industry which threw open the doors to international business in true sense!
But, I guess, you are against international business, Right? You are more interested into building India!
|
…Why should I put my talent in building America… |
Then why L&T is expanding its operations in the Gulf countries, or does it have allergy with developed countries only? Or does it fear of the competition it will face there? When asked about listing abroad, you said
|
“you don’t get the price for the brand value of L&T. Very few know about us in the US. They’ll compare us with GE and Bechtel and say we are a small company. Companies like Infosys went there purely because of labour arbitrage.” |
Yes, Infosys gets advantage of labour arbitrage, so do you! Indian labour is much cheaper than available in those countries. (Even you (read L&T HR) agree that L&T is not known for paying well to its employees. ). Infosys, despite the tremendous competition they faced their, survived. I agree they may not have the technology. So do you. Except few manufacturing process, L&T has to depend on process licensors and other design consultant for designs. Am I wrong here? Please correct me!
Moreover, even after giving low cost solutions, IT co’es earn 26% PAT, as compared to your 7-8%, they pay more than you do. Doesn’t it mean they want to share their profit? Hope even L&T think so. (Though I can’t see that happening)
Now comes the part which surprised me the most!
This is not the era where people stick to one job. Situation is far different now! This is an era where job switching is common. Youngsters now are smarter and more cautious about there career. How can you expect people to leave the opportunities where they find better growth?
|
…There are more than 75,000 engineers working on design in India for foreign companies. They are the brains, and there are 150,000 other engineers working in the IT industry who are non computer science engineers… |
You are talking about so many people working in MNCs. But are there enough opportunities for them in Indian companies? How many Indian companies are in core design jobs? Even L&T is way behind when it comes to Design jobs.
It’s not only the company; it’s also the work profile that matters. The person (read IITians) should feel that his education is appreciated here, isn’t it? So how can you expect all the top talent to remain in your company when you are handing over a work to him, which a Diploma student can finish off effectively?
You have devoted your life to L&T. Why? Because you enjoyed working here; you enjoyed sweating out for this company. It applies to everyone, isn’t it? The person gives maximum efforts when he enjoys his work! And everyone has his area of interests. So how can you expect every mechanical/ civil engineer to be interested in this work? How can you expect him to work as efficiently as others when he is not at all enjoying his work?
|
… when I took over we lost 8,500 engineers to the IT industry. And by the time I was thinking whether to enter IT or not I lost another 800. So I decided to defend L&T, so that when my other engineers want to join other IT industries, they can seek a transfer as long as they work in core L&T for three years…. |
How do you keep them happy in LTIL when they know that there are limited growth opportunities as you yourself stated earlier that you don’t want to increase your IT business? What is the guarantee that they will stay in LTIL?
You once said you want to create true L&Tites. But with the current policies in place, I guess, you are only creating prisoners! Isn’t it obvious that the employee will remain here if he likes L&T and his work? Aren’t you creating a negative feeling in his mind at the start of his career with L&T? Did you ever enquire why so many of them are leaving L&T? Did you find out the reasons?
Yes! Money is one of the reasons. And why should not it be? I agree L&T builds India, so they can’t charge government much. But does government consider L&T employees different? NO! He has to give same amount of tax. He does not get any concessions! Life is same for everyone outside!
I just want to say one last thing here – Money isn’t the only reason why people change the jobs! Think about it! Because, with the current policies employed, the situation is not different from last few years!
A Young Indian
—
(Click here to view the TIME NOW video footage of IT industries reaction on AMNs Article!)
[At the end, I want to thank all my friends who inspired me to write this letter Gud Work Guys ]
I have a Workstation on my Desk…
To: MyBoss,
Thanx! I got a Workstation on my Desk……
Yours faithfully,
sam.
—————————————————————————————
Well, you will say that what’s new if I have a Workstation on My Desk?…Most of the IT guys have it!
Beware…. don’t tell me that i have not told you this…..
(Thanx to iStockphoto.com for the clip art and my brain for the amazing idea 
)
So…….
L&T: Day One – Lunch & Tea
The day started with I missing the bus bcuz i woke up late (Gosh……how will I manage to wake so early everyday?…)!
I couldn’t believe I’ll be late on the very First day! But thank god…. it was exact 8.30am when i reached gate 5…so I was on time…but was it really necessary?
all the GET (Graduate Engg Trainees) were gathered in the auditorium…. everyone filled with the excitement!
We were asked to fill a form except 3 we have already filled!
We did it happily not knowing whats ahead…..
Then came the First Tea Break!
We had some snacks n tea…n again occupied our seats…..
The document verification started at around 9.30am and went till 12 noon….
What we were supposed to do during the time? – seat on ur place.. and do TP!
Everyone was hungry by the time verification ended!
So we had Lunch Break!
The lunch was gud (all those who had been eating in mess will agree wid me )
Hoping the process will finish by 3 o clock.. we again occupied our seats…
this time the excitement was all gone..and the atmosphere was as gud as college auditorium.. just before any function.Everyone was chitchatting and cracking jokes as we do in college…with no limits literally!
Then came a big blow that faded all our hopes… we were asked to fill 3 more forms and an Icard…
I was literally bored of writing my name and address again and again….
Why does a firm require the same info so many times?????
All done…forms submitted and we were told to wait till we get our I cards back…
This was the Second Official Tea Break!
we waited…
we waited…
we waited…
and
we waited!
So bored of waiting, we ourself declared our Third but Unofficial Tea break!
I got the feeling that i have beaten my own time record… of sitting in an auditorium…. I dont think I have spent so much time in coll auditorium…even after summing up all 4 yrs!…
We have been there for almost 8 hours!
Finally the day ended with a relief – we got all those docs done!
and A geat news…that…
We have a Holiday tomorrow!
So this was our first day at L&T : A Lunch & Tea Day!
I will say… L&T has kept its promise…..
(P.S. This was our first test – A test of patience….;)… but i nJoyed it a lot!
Do you know?
welll I never liked Enrique much…but this new (The Ping Pong) song – Do you Know? from Album Insomniac is really good… Just listen to it once
(Lyrics)
Do you know Do you know?
Do you know what it feels like loving someone that’s in a rush to throw you away?
Do you know what it feels like to be the last one to know the lock on the door has changed?
If birds flying south is a sign of changes
At least you can predict this every year
Love, you never know the minute it ends suddenly
I can’t get it to speak
Maybe if I knew all the things it took to save us
I could fix the pain that bleeds inside of me
Look in your eyes to see something about me
I’m standing on the edge and I don’t know what else to give.
Do you know what it feels like loving someone that’s in a rush to throw you away?
Do you know what it feels like to be the last one to know the lock on the door has changed?
How can I love you?
How can I love you?
How can I love you?
How can I love you?
If you just don’t talk to me, babe.
I flow through my act
There’s a question: Is she needed?
And decide all the man I can ever be.
Looking at the last 3 years like I did
I could never see us ending like this.
(Do you know?)
Seeing your face no more on my pillow
Is a scene that’s never ever happened to me.
(Do you know?)
But after this episode I don’t see
You could never tell the next thing life could be
Do you know what it feels like loving someone that’s in a rush to throw you away?
Do you know what it feels like to be the last one to know the lock on the door has changed?
Do you know what it feels like loving someone that’s in a rush to throw you away?
Do you know what it feels like to be the last one to know the lock on the door has changed?
(Do you know?)
(Do you know?)
(Do you know?)
(Do you know?)
Do you know what it feels like loving someone that’s in a rush to throw you away?
Do you know what it feels like to be the last one to know the lock on the door has changed?
Do you know what it feels like loving someone that’s in a rush to throw you away?
(Do you know how it feels?)
Do you know what it feels like to be the last one to know the lock on the door has changed?
(Do you know how it feels?)
(Do you know? Do you know? Do you know? Do you?)
(Do you know? Do you know? Do you know? Do you?)
Who xratched me…