Online Identity: A Risky Business

Although websites such as Facebook and MySpace experienced exponential growth during the middle of the first decade of the 21st century, some users remain oblivious to the fact that the information they post online can come back to haunt them. First, employers can monitor employees who maintain a blog, photo diary, or website. Employers can look for controversial employee opinions, sensitive information disclosures, or wildly inappropriate conduct. For example, a North Carolina newspaper fired one of its features writers after she created a blog on which she anonymously wrote about the idiosyncrasies of her job and coworkers.

The second unintended use of information from social networking websites is employers who check on prospective employees. A June 11, 2006 New York Times article reported that many companies recruiting on college campuses use search engines and social networking websites such as MySpace, Xanga, and Facebook to conduct background checks. Although the use of MySpace or Google to scrutinize a student’s background is somewhat unsettling to many undergraduates, the Times noted that the utilization of Facebook is especially shocking to students who believe that Facebook is limited to current students and recent alumni.

Corporate recruiters and prospective employers are not the only people interested in college students’ lives. The third unintended use of social networking websites is college administrators who monitor the Internet—especially Facebook—for student misconduct. For example, a college in Boston’s Back Bay expelled its student Government Association President for joining a Facebook group highly critical of a campus police sergeant. In addition, fifteen students at a state university in North Carolina faced charges in court for underage drinking because of photos that appeared on Facebook.

Although more users of websites such as Facebook are becoming aware of the potential pitfalls of online identities, many regular users still fail to take three basic security precautions. First, only make your information available to a specific list of individuals whom you approve. Second, regularly search for potentially harmful information about yourself that may have been posted by mistake or by a disgruntled former associate. Third, never post blatantly offensive material under your name or on your page as, despite the best precautions, this material will likely make its way to the wider world. By taking these simple steps, members of the digital world can realize the many benefits of e-community without experiencing some of the damaging unintended consequences

Water V2.0

As the Monsoon is getting delayed, the water problem is again raising in India.In some cities people are still fighting for even drops of water. This is not the first time we are facing such scenario, it is a pathetic story of every other year. here I tried to find out why? Because in summer when there is scarcity of water everyone thinks twice before wasting a drop of water but as soon as monsoon arrives we forget the tragic past months and start wasting water again. Here the pity is we waste most when we can conserve best. Water recharging systems are good solutions for water conservation. Inspite of several discount schemes by Govt. (like 5% off on Property tax for the first year) the recharging systems are not popular among the masses because of the initial costs involved in setting up the system.

Here I thought of a simple process - effective and much cheaper than water recharging systems. I am naming this as Water V2.0 as we will be using the used water again in this method. What I propose is to simply install a switch in bathroom which can toggle between the two water outlets. The water outlets will eventually open in with and without soap water storage tanks respectively. That’s it. The setup is complete. The major change what we are doing here is instead of letting the used water go into drainage we are storing that in tanks. The Diagram below will help you visualize the concept.



Now after this small installation all you need to do is just toggle the switch while bathing. Once when you start pouring water on yourself and second before you start applying soap while bathing so that we can store with and without soap water separately.

The soap water can be used for:
• Flushing toilets.
• First wash of the floors/vehicles.

Without soap water can be used for:
• Watering the plants
• Final wash of floor/vehicles.

By now you must be thinking –How much effective will this whole system be? Let me put some numbers on the chart to measure that. The below table is avg. water requirement on an adult for the routine activities.




This gives an estimate of around 24,041 liters of yearly water requirement per person. Let’s say we will use only without soap water again. Still we have 5425 liters of water to reuse which can fulfill our total need of watering plants, washing vehicles, washing floors and flushing toilets and still leave us with 400 liters of reusable water. Let me remind you here till now we have only used without soap water, we still have 5425 liters of soap water, which can be filtered and used for above purposes.

Around 30% of water required yearly can be saved this way and can be used when it is actually needed. So what say guys, I am for sure going to have this in my home. Even planning to file a patent for this ;)

Water Droplets

Its raining over here in Pune and I am playing clicking game in the rain. Trying to capture the beauty of water droplets on leaves.

Markets moves or Analysts drive

Buy Satyam MktPrz: 77 Target: 100 - JP Morgan
Buy Zee News MktPrz: 45 Target: 66 - Sharekhan
Sell Ambuja Cement MktPrz: 98 Target: 86 - Angel Broking

Such flashing tips can be easily seen on any business channel. In fact on screens TV channels have reserved permanent slots for them. Daily Brokers will flood your mobile inbox by sms and mails of trading calls. Are these tips actually worthy and trustful?

Such tips steer the volatility in the markets. Thousands of people trust these tips and buy and sell according to it. Tips very uses the main driving factor of sharer market i.e. rumors. For example say a run a broking company with a large customer database. I send them a tip buy share X @ Rs. 100 and sell @ Rs. 150 without any technical analysis. This message reaches millions of people in seconds thanks to information technology. Now say out of million half a million takes this call seriously. They think Research Analysts are saying to buy at this prize means this share will not fall beyond this prize and purchase the share. A lot of money has been put into the market on that share at that prize. Since information of buying and selling of every second is visible to all a sudden positive reaction comes from the market. People think yes the tip was true and the remaining people also start investing in that share and the value keep increasing.



Similar but opposite pattern took place as the share reaches the target assigned by analyst. People start selling that stock, believing that it will not grow beyond that. Heavy profit booking turns the market sentiments negative and bears come into play. As a result share value again declines from the target.
This is how brokerage firms and analysts keep on riding the waves of market sentiments and keep earning the profit irrespective of the ups and down of the market.

They are analysts not prophets so they can see the future. No share in the market is bond to follow supports and resistances, as the future moving trend will not be a mirror image of the past trend. This is the reason why half the times there tips and predictions go waste. But still it is better to follow tips as you will be in sync with the market after all they are the ultimate dictators of the financial jungle.

Work from Home

Global economy has seen a sharp decline in recent pass. Companies as a protective measure are trying to cut cost from every possible corner."Work from Home" is one such solution. Initially people may feel left out and without supervision but gradually they will feel more comfortable. This will also let them manage their personal and professional goals. Therefore it will finally result into more valued and stronger bond between employee and employer.

Work from Home policy has many benefits first and foremost important is for the company and that is reduced cost per associate work space, electricity and system. Companies will save a lot of money in each of them since expenses for one work station per month may vary from 5,000 to 20,000 in a big corporate.

It will also save time and cost to commute to Associates. Though it is said that one should mix his personal and professional life but flexi hours do this in an effective manner. For example take a case of working women who is pregnant or taking care of a new born. Absence of Flexi hour will leave them no option but to take either sabbatical, long leave or resigning from the job. Now with functional work from home they can very well manage home and work with better efficiency.

Associates will feel more valued and relaxed as they are given liberty to work according to their mood. This feeling in them also gives birth to sincerity and responsibility. Hence they will be more productive once trusted. It will also reduce the attrition rate which is also an ill increasing practice by employees now days.
Since it is giving space to professionals it is proving an effective way of reducing cost and improving performance. Hence policies like Work from home and Flexi-hour are gaining popularity in corporate houses. Definitely it has more advantages over traditional office timings.

Image credit: abcnews.com

Who are you

I know my authority and I am no one to mention,
But since you are bothering me, so I need to question,

Who are you?

When I do well, you praise me, u praise me very much,
But actually I realize there was no need of that as such,
You tried hard to amalgam in my pack, to be my friend and mate,
Suddenly you took a step back, when I run out of fate,

When everyone doubted me, everything was going wrong,
When I needed someone on my side, to hold me and feel strong,
You were there, but hiding,
When I was dying & fighting,

I fell down, was shattered and loosing the game,
My eyes were constantly searching for you, but you were nowhere in the frame,
My paranoia breaks and truth was bitter,
All that was a glittering become glimmer,

I gathered remaining strength & learn,
Bad time was fainting and also the marks of burn,
I started rising again, was stronger and doing well,
I was conscious and careful and nowhere to fail,
Suddenly you came out of blue,
I asked gain ‘who are you’

You remained silent & calm,
Welcoming me with open arm,
From where you come, I had no clue,
Still I am standing& asking ‘who are you’.

Indian Television V2.0

Suddenly I started noticing a paradigm shift in Indian silver screen. It seems whole television industry has unanimously decided to move on from usual ‘saas bahu’ serials. Just one year back if you notice Ekta Kapoor s’ serials were toping the TRP. Whether it was ‘KYUKI SAAS BHI KABHI BAHU THI’ or ‘KAHANI GHAR GHAR KI’ they had enchanted audience with their twist and turns. Well I am not sure whether people actually wanted to see those kinds of serials or where bound to do that because of the drought of the good and sensible programs.

Now every TV channel is reviving itself. In the program guide you will find completely new list of TV serials. These new serials are not only been liked by the janta but also spread social awareness. You talk about “UTARAN” (TV Serial on channel COLORS which shows the life, ambitions, problems & emotions of poors), “BALIKA VADHU” (Serial which highlights negativities of child marriage), “NA ANA IS DESH LAADO” (Serial which focuses on women empowerment).

The new era of Indian television does not only focus on awakening conscience but also provides pure entertainment. The increased popularity of reality shows (to name a few BIG BOSS & SARKAR KI DUNIYA) and competitions (talent (DANCE INDIA DANCE, INDIAN IDOL, VOICE OF INDIA, COMEDY CHAMPIONS are few such serials) is well noticed. These programs not only entertain you but also become launch pad for untapped young Indian talent.

It seems family drama, suspense & violence is losing grip and reality, Humor, social subjects and completely new story line is the new mantra of success in this constantly changing and still evolving Indian television industry

Ads aided victory

From the first day when ad campaigns of Congress and BJP aired, I was able to sense simplicity & positivity in Congress ads. Why am I writing today about this is because my thoughts got supported by the masses says the survey conducted by IMRB. It conducted a survey between four ads Congs-“jai Ho”, “kadam” and BJPs’-“Bhay Ho”, “Dishayein”. Congress ads were liked more by 74% of the target audience while the BJP ads were liked by 54% (TOI, 21 May). They say it’s the ‘AAM ADMI’ approach of congress which created the magic; I say there is something in addition to this. The biggest disadvantage of BJPs campaigning what I saw was their keen desire to put down the current Gov. they kept on focusing on what this government has not done instead of showing what they can do. They kept on focusing Manmohan Singh as week minister and congress as indecisive government. I don’t want to comment on the ground realities but one thing what they left unseen was- they were filling their ads with an essence of abhorrence and negativity. On top it they used pure and typical HINDI for their ads, which is a good thing, but the irony is that maximum people doesn’t feel comfortable to connect themselves to the purest form of Hindi, which is disgusting but truth.

On the other side ads of Congress created hope of better tomorrow, secular nation and women empowerment. They focused on keeping their ads simple still direct touching to AAM ADMIs heart. This election result is perfect example of how much ads can influence ones decision. I am not giving complete credit of congress victory to their ad campaigns but still they played a vital role.

Either Vote or shut up

As the assembly elections are on the roll you would have encountered n number of articles on the importance of voting and usual ignored them considering it unwanted “GYAN” from constitutional pundits. I wonder sometimes if you all know the importance of voting then why the avg. voting figure never crossed 50%. We are very good in pointing out the negligence from our local MP. We all like to whine about the political instability in India. We all like crib about the fact that max. ticket getters are from criminal background. We all are good in one more thing and that is to blame “SYSTEM” for all this.

Have you ever thought what this System is? Who created it? And where were you when all this happened? Who stopped you from raising your voices against it?

I know that this is not the first time you are asked to find answers of these questions. I know one more thing about you, you know what - that this will not change anything. This election or any election of coming centaury -because it’s imbibed in your nature just to express intangible concerns about each and every happening of this world but not to step out of your comfort zone to do something about it. What all you want is to be untouched, unanswerable and at same time to expect that whatever wrong is happening to others should not happen to you, all other entities of this world should function properly.

Here I am neither complaining of your idiosyncratic behavior nor requesting you to vote and solve all you problems. Everybody here is fed up of your neverending complaints. What I am trying to say is ---JUST SHUTUP. If you don’t have time to even cast a vote then you don’t have Wright to complain. Live the life whatever is offered to you by the selected one and die. It is your destiny, either change it or accept it.

Unforgettable Chennai

Finally, After so many unsuccessful trials I got transferred to Pune. From starting I wanted to be in Pune as most of my friends were there and because of one more personal reason :) (yes u are getting it right).

But when my RM finally told me about my transfer, instead of instant happiness I was filled with mixed feelings of joy and fear. Fear of loosing everything at mattered to me for past 2 years. I found that really strange. I mean one thing for which you were craving for last 2 years and when you got it then you should be the happiest man on earth, but this was not my case. What was stopping me from celebrating my transfer was the bond which I developed with Chennai and the people over there. I lived peak 2 years of my youth & career in Chennai. I learned and met a lot of amazing people. Let me tell you about few of the interesting ones in chronological order whom I will never forget. First I met VC (Venkatesh Chandrashekar my RM, as he was the person who dragged me in this dept. ). He is a youth symbol who is about to touch his fifties (sounds oxymoron but true). He is passionate about building schools (visit www.schoolsforindia.org ) and a cycling freak. He has even organized International Cycle Race twice in Chennai.

Than I met Sridhar (Sridhar Lakshmanan), an IIM-A graduate whom you can call a mini encyclopedia. We became good friends because of some common hobbies (nature exploration and photography). By looking at him I always get energized to follow my own dreams. He was doing well in his job but wanted to pursue his hobby as carrier and so he is doing now. He started his own company www.ecologin.org and is one of the coolest person I have ever met. One of many lessons which I learned from him is “if you want to be an entrepreneur then just be one, without indulging yourself in calculating profit”. I know this may not seem right piece of advice of some but its true. He is like my elder brother now, just wanted to thanks him for everything. Get married soon and don’t forget to invite me.

Now enough about instigating personalities, Its time for me to introduce you to “EBALE INDORIES” (meaning freaky Indories) my group. It includes Gautam, Noor, Siddhu and me. As clear by name we all are from Indore. Apart from that we share few more common traits like we are bonded labors of the same company and bonded by each others company . We have done tons of masti together, spent all weekends together, countless photo shoots at each and every corner of Chennai, created envy between chefs of 5 star hotels by our gastronomic activities, tried to give run for food to Salman and Hritik by hours of workouts in Gym (though no result yet ). I never realized how fast time is flying in their company. I will miss them most.

But as Aditi (friend of mine) use to say – Good Bye is only to give you the opportunity to re-unite.

So Hoping to see these guys soon and re-live the memories.

Till then take care and N-joy.

Celebrity Social Responsibility

As Unckle Benn says Great power comes with great responsibilities. In a country like India where cinema is closely associated with peoples’ life and has greater impact on their minds, I think responsibilities of cine stars increases a lot and I don’t think our cine stars realize this fact.

For example when Health minister pointed out Shahrukh for smoking in public, he had not given the kind of response that was expected from him. Minister was right as many of his fans followed him smoking stylishly. I know as an individual he was allowed to smoke at that time (smoking is banned now at public places) but he should have realized the impact of message what he was sending indirectly to his fans.

If you are an unknown face in crowd than u are free to follow your heart but if you are a public figure than u should start listening to your mind also. As Your each action will be an example for others to follow.

Personally speaking still I am unable to see the kind of movement required by celebs for improving our social ecosystem. They have the fan following, they have media following, they have connections in Gov. and they have money. I cant see any obstacle, if they really want to do something for society then it won’t be a thorny way.

The main problem is most of the Celebs are doing social services just to stay in limelight and get there due piece of media attention.

Tree plantation at Tsunami rehabilitation center

Tuesday morning, as I opened my mailbox I saw a mail with the subject: GO GREEN. Because of my natural curiosity I opened it, it was a call for people to help in planting trees in a near by community center. As a Satyam foundation and SocialBond Volunteer I and my friends reached there. It was only 10 minutes walk away from office. First thing we saw was a huge gate saying “Annai fathima child welfare centre”.

As we entered we saw lots of energetic children running here and there and looking enthusiastically towards us.

We were around 10 peoples from our company. First we spotted the suitable places all around the campus for plantation and then we selected the plants according to the place. We divided ourselves in 3 teams to speed up the work. Finally we started the digging. I was clearly able to see more quickness and enthu in children from most of us.

They were helping us in digging, watering the plants and then safeguarding them by making a brick boundary around them. My team Noor, Aditi and me we planted 4 trees of gulmohar and a rose plant. After finishing the task we tried to interact with children and came to know about there routine and life. Head master over there told us that even in the absence of good teachers and resources children are doing really well. 1 boy over came 2nd in Tamil Nadu state board exam. This reminded me of the saying “where there is a will there is a way”. I noticed an old age home inside the campus but didn’t notice any movement in there.

May be I will visit that place again and find out more about it. Ok leave it for now and let me tell you further. We finished our plantation and gathered in the corridor for group photo and distributing chocolates to kids.

When we were leaving the two kids who were in our group were shouting “chalo ok bye”. We replied, waved and moved on ….

Earth Hour-2009

Earth Hour is an annual international event created by the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature/World Wildlife Fund), held on the last Saturday of March, that asks households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights and electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on climate change. It was pioneered by WWF Australia and the Sydney Morning Herald in 2007,[1] and achieved worldwide participation in 2008.






An estimated 50 to 100 million people around the world switched off their lights for Earth Hour in 2008, and global landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Rome’s Colosseum, the Coke billboard in Times Square and Jumeirah Hotel in Dubai, darkened for one hour. In 2009, millions of people from all walks of life will join together for Earth Hour and show the world that it’s possible to take action on global warming.

Join the Earth Hour 2009, turn off your lights at 8.30pm Saturday 28 March and sign-up at earthhour.org.