Mumbai >> Actionable to be executed

First of all rather than starting the blame game and arriving in conclusions punish the guilty. The guilty that I am pointing is the local people who are involved. I strongly believe this kind of explosion and plan wouldn't have got executed without local support. From the sea route to the hoteliers and the hands behind it. 

And how did the terrorists were able to bring in large consignments of explosives. There  we have the government hands. The second most important thing to be tamed is the Corruption. We can minimise it ,but cant eradicate it rapidly. My advise to all those who are under the corruption umbrella is to think before you do corruption. Especially the customs officers and the excise people. Check the containers and related stuff and allow those if they are not gonna harm the innocent people. Else you will be held answerable.  

The third and most important thing is the creation of a central agency, a federal agency. Which coordinates with state,central and RAW. The agency should act as the Interpol within India. Data sharing and coordinated efforts can bring terrorists down. 

The recent resignations wont help in tackling the issue. Rather than that if the person holding the portfolio can take the responsibility on him and do more stricter actions. Instead of resignation, there should be a powerful system which ensures >> NO MORE ATTACKS>>

The rules and laws has to be rewritten so as to take preventive measures. 

Since Mr Babu has raised the concerns on what common man can do >>Here are some of my answers

Awareness >>

Awareness of what ? Terrorism. This sounds funny. But you could be the ambassador to spread awareness . Now what you should spread ? The aftermath of terrorism and with good examples which nullifies the very own cause of Terrorism. But before that check whether you have a devil within. Ask yourself what will you do, in these scenarios. 

Donot blame an entire community or religion for terrorism. And donot propagate a community or religion as the root cause for terrorism. Because there are good people too , like you. Even after being a secularist , these good people could be pressurised by people all around. 

Democracy>>

Use this sword very responsibily. Because you can decide on who will handle this better. Most of the people dont do this. Mainly because they dont have time on other days. 

Social Networking>>

Social Networking is another area .Understand other people surronding you and from other cultures and regions. Even within India we have differences within.  But the real beauty remains in the unity amid these differences. We have to make it much more stronger. 

Speak Out >>

Most of the time we people of India dont express our views. This is mainly because of our very own character of not to intervene in others affairs , even if it is your close friend. I would say speak out where ever there is  dispute/disagreement and sort the issues.

Suppress/eliminate the enemies within >>

Main militant outfits which are operating in Northern part of India has to be given a blow the same way SriLanka is advancing. 

Really miss u all , my fellow NCSTians

Dear all,

It can be called as the first official marriage of an NCSTian. My friend Amit Doshi, whom I met along with his mate Pankaj Maholkar. Both from Maharastra. I was amazed by the computing skill of Mr Doshi.And we always shared views and had so many discussions during the Projects. He never made a tussle with any of us. Always has a smiling face. 

The New Year Celebrations at NCST>> And Guess who is in red t-shirt. The video from golden archives.

I expressed this to all my batch mates and Amit become known as a super coder. He cracked MGPTs with ease and a smile in his face. Tomorrow is his marriage. 

Unfortunately I am not able to attend it, since I am far away from our India. My friends are attending the marriage with full throttle fun. They have already reached by this time. But me still here. I always liked to have a get together/ reunion and really pushed for that. But fortunately/unfortunately , it didnt happened. This was a moment I was waiting for. Before that I was send overseas. My dear friends Prashant, Karthikay, Neev tech people and Akhils , Mukesh, Siemens guys etc etc all would have reached at his home now itself. Really I will miss this golden moment, as I always enjoyed meeting friends after long gap. 

The Canteen Queueing in the morning. Most of the people will be still sleepy. And if there is a Aloo porotta , then all will be present there some how. :)

Remembering u all and the fun we had at NCST. 

Thomas M Sebastian.

Why no blogging

After a long gap I am back to blogger. What caused this delay was the topics coming in my mind seemed to be sensitive. With the communal and regional clashes happening across the country, I thought of bloging the matter. Now people are getting more and more aggressive while seeing a hot topic.

I think blogging on the Chandrayaan will be much better than any other topics.

Becoming Responsible >> Environmental Responsibility

Who is responsible for destruction of our environment? Global warming is a major factor which caused environment to come down on it knees. Unscheduled rains, the extreme climates are results of global warming.

I was also going in the same direction, until I accidentally read an article in news daily. The article is presented by a woman who explains the response she got from public spaces such as railway stations. The article really had a great impact on me, even till this moment as I pen down this blog. The article describes a conversation between her and a bystander. The situation is like this. While the author was waiting for the local trains in one of the railway stations at Mumbai, she saw the person spitting on the platform and people throwing wastes. The platform was cleaned just before his deed by the employees. She requested him no to do this again. He got angry and started arguing on why he should care about her. She replied why you can’t do this at some other place. He retaliated "I will do this where I wish to". She replied "Please care about the surroundings or other people, keep the area clean". Stranger told her "It is the staffs’ duty to clean the platform, so let them do the work". She told him "What is the necessity to do this, just after the cleaning was done? You should have done this at the waste disposal area, waste bin.” He told "It’s not your business". She finally convinced him saying how can he avoid this. She told him that he can do this in the area it is meant for. He can carry the waste till he spots a waste disposal area. It was a wonderful article.

We all want a clean world, but at the same time throws all the waste in the roadside or into lakes and seas. We all reply in the same manner. What ever points/conversation has being shown is a typical you or me. This made me think. Then onwards I changed very much. I put the wrappers of toffees or others if there are no waste disposal systems available. Then I will dump those in the nearby area. Like wise if government can do installing waste bin within a small distance in railway stations and other public areas, then the pictures of plastics/bags even slippers floating in platforms can be made history.

As Rang De Basanti shows , be the person of the third kind. Be responsible and bring in change. I don’t believe in the saying; you alone cannot change these millions of people and mind set. If you can change others can also change. Because both are human beings.

Meeting a Genius

The incident occurs when I was on my way back to Mumbai from Bangalore [BIAL]. I came across the genius , who is the steering force of IT industry. The brain that created so much opportunities and so much developments across the country. He is none other than Mr Narayana Murthy. He seemed to be a highly energetic person, with swifting through the all new Bangalore International Airport Limited. As clock ticked away more and more people noticed and recognised him. From childs to business men, all covered him to get a glimpse or to have a chit chat with him.

The person who took the Infosys to the world , dressed as simple as us . His talked so gently . I was baffled on whether to meet him or not. He disappeared in between. So I started a hunting operation .Then I traced him sitting at a corner and reading news paper. Then I thought leave it I am not gonna meet him , let him read. And I started walking. Later when I turn around to check were is he , he was walking towards me. Within seconds , he was just in front of me. Then I didnt missed the chance. Shake hands with him, talked.I was really thrilled. Also queried him on whether we can take a snap. He denied stating "actually we cant". I hope this was becuase we have crossed the security check in area. It was a wonderfull experience , an experience that I will remember always.

Later I found him along with other person,as if he is being interviewed. He is a real example on how an ordinary can become extraordinary and to make others extraordinary.

Khuda Ke liye >> Review

This film from Pakistan is a classic. Pictured very well keeping in sync with all the cotemplatory events and relations.

Trailer >>
The trailers shown on media were very catchy. The photography was of a good quality. They also marketed the film very well with the nominations that have been obtained.

Initial impression >>
The films trailers and the promos in media made a very positive impression. The news channels welcomed the film with much hype. Also the desire to see a movie from Pakistan was also there. The artists of the film commented most of the times that this film is accepted by the People of Pakistan. The film was run successfully across Pakistan.

The Movie >>
I am neither a critic nor a great analyst. But as a person who likes really good movies , I would like to add some spice.
First of all, I was taken by surprise. I was not expecting such a technically HI-FI movie . Whether it is the music , or narration , or photography all were mixed in perfect combination. The photography is key point which has to be given the credits.

The film digs into the life’s of Natives of Pakistan and those living outside Pakistan [Non - resident], US. Their interest in coming back to Pakistan as a Pakistani.
At the same time movie also features a modern Pakistan family. Their generosity is pictured very well. The concerns of family members. Then slowly moves to the life of people of Pakistan.

Slowly it shows the way in which the youth are misguided by priests of Mosques with misguided preaching’s. The script writer also shows how the innocent youth is dragged into sins and terrorism. The peoples affected by him.

On the other part shows how innocent peoples are taken away by US under wrong information. Here also the will power of woman is trying hard to get them back.


Movie also features the will power of woman . The attempts made to escape from the culprits and failures. The strong will power of her finally gets paid off. She fights against the evils of the society and convinces the people .

The fight between the good and evil in a court at Pakistan. This also shows that the Pakistan has a good judicial system.

Altogether the film was very much interesting. The back ground score is another part which we will appreciate. You have a perfect in sync background score .
The main point that should be considered is that the film is pictured with hard core Hindi and Urdu. Also seems like the movie is too lengthy as they pictures emotions very well.

I would suggest this movie as one of the best ever produced. The quality of film is very good. Satisfaction guaranteed.

HEAD SLAPPING - MUMBAIS GAME

" Head Slapping " what a game. This is a real time killer. This game can be seen in most of the local trains . The participants are from 6 year old to 60 year old. The game is deadly, since it can harm the audience also.

Played between the friends mainly. While person C will speak to person A. Another person B will slap on person As head. But most of the time person A ignores this, since train is crowded. He neglects this initialy thinking something due to thickly packed train and heavy rush. As time flies by, the slap gets harder and generates the anger within the person A. As person A doubts person B , the person C starts it. In between there are chances of game between B and C also. Thus Head slapping will try out all permutations and combinations . Funny part is this one has no end till they step down. Some people are so much found of this game that they like to continue.

One instance was were 2 to 3 mid-aged men started slapping a colleague. The victim initially ignored it and continued his conversation. As the beats got painful he looked all around. As the beats started, he started throwing bad words. Again after a short break, game continued.This time also he was not aware of who is slapping him. He started firing a passenger and eventually resulted in a bout. His friends, finally informed him on their participation . That too after the innocent passenger who got trapped left the train.

Its really Funny as well as Dangerous.

The Lost World Lost Culture

Our culture is getting deteriorated day by day. The reason >> We . We are the persons who should be held responsible for that. Any way we have lost our faith in politicians to a great extend. Still there are good politicians who are being hunted down by the Darker side. So what could be an effective way to keep our cultures binded ?

Why we are repeatedly stating that our culture is getting erased ? It this because we try to avoid using our mothertounge ? Or is it because we being frequent travellers ? Who all are the prime accused in this culture destruction ?

Personally, I would say the main reason as the great exodus from one city to other, one state to other, one country to other, one continent to other. And this phenomena has resulted in advantages and disadvantages.This phenomena is reflected in our so called "Western culture ". This phenomena can be seen in Mumbai, Bangalore and all the metros/main hot spots.
Why we have to compromise our culture ? Mainly because we want to help others.Also we want others to love us , not to hate us. So the language part will become slowly slowly coming to a level where the minimal words are used. Language usage has been brought down to one that will be digestible , easily understandable etc

Where is the communal harmony? Where is the Jai-Hind slogan ? Is this because of cross culture ?

The most important factor in this emerging nation is the stiff competition we are facing. To catch up, we also compromise our culture/ language etc.

I also do believe that in principle of person ,home ,village , city, state , country ,continent ,world. This basic idea shows that we as a person arent taking much interest and effort to keep our culture upright.

Awaiting your response and valuable against and supporting "points"

The unnecessary Day

But is this day a marketic strategy? Now if you look at this day, some 20-25years ago, there was no valentines attached to it. Some 10-15 yrs ago we got introduced to it. Some got benefited from this. Mainly the sales of flowers, cards and chocos climbed on this particular day as years surged ahead.
This days will make sense in countries where there are restrictions in marraige and relationships. This situation doesnot prevail in India. For us, we are living in a democratic country and robust economy.Spending hefty amount during this day to please your lover/mate is ridiculous.If its a true love, why should we give away all the love in cash in a single day.
Do we need a similar day to wish Bday and other occasions.

रेव्लुशन्स - UPCOMING REVOLUTIONS

We have gone through industrial revolution , IT revolution . Now who is going to be the next bidder. Well this time I suspect >> Nature.

Nature is slowly unleashing the beast within.This tremendous effect will cause humans to reconsider their policies and relation with nature.Nature will decide how the world should be moulded. It is natures call to keep the balance.With more and more focus on the green zones, the technologies which aid in achieving this feet also emerge.

Standards .
The need for a unified code will arise. Almost all countries will sign in the document.Soon there will be standardising organizations and benchmarks all set to make the world green. Unified code will be aimed at bringing technologies from across the world. These technoilogies will benefit from the globalisation.

Technologies.
With more more green centric projects comes into picture, technologies also emerges across the sectors.For decades to come this boom will last for ever. As the effort, will be to stabilize the nature.The more the technologies emerge and evolve, the more companies and competition we can expect. This will result in cost effective techniques and technologies. As the IT revolution, green revolution starts in a slow pace, but will soon catch the rythm.

Disasters.
Even the US will bow down to Nature.With Global Warming steadily rising, the climate variations occur fast.Disasters can be averted if the right thing is implemented in right time. Gobal warming is gearing up as cancer.

Goverments Role.
Countries and governing bodies will encourage green technologies .This inturn will give way to a better usuage of energy and resources. Goverment mulls green revolution accross its owned subsidaries and power centers. Governments also try to bring up a new wave of recognition in this sector.With great tariffs and greater tax cuts, companies can expect a better investment in this sector.

Investment
Investment could be primarily coming through VCs. It can be also initiated by government.It will be easy for those who are in the medical/agro sector to reap high profits from this.But the challenge they have to face is to diversify and prosper. Like the way IT companies expanded their domain into Finance, insurance, telecom; the green companies have to diversify. They have to create industry specific standards and industry friendly design, without costing much effort.Green technologies could bring down the cost of infrastructure, manpower etc . This could be through a better design.


In the coming couple of years the waves of green revolution will sweap across the world.Also visible will be the huge investments pumped into the economy to make this revolution commericially a big success.

MEGA MERGER

Microsoft bid for Yahoo

As Google enjoys the supreme dominance in the online advertising area and the wide range of internet products, a competition is necessary. Google which dominates the market with lots of products is holding the monopoly. So if the Giant merger/ Giant eat out takes place there will be more beneficiaries and reduced charges. Microsoft being a world leader in the software market can bring down Google if the bid is accepted. A bid supposed to be 44bn$. Microsoft’s bid has been shaped, such that other companies have to rethink or even dream a figure near to this to compete. After the merger you can see a stiff competition between Microsoft and Google in online advertising arena. Google, which is not willing to give up the dominance as they are trying to delay the deal, as media reported, seems to be totally panicked by Microsoft’s Mega move. Microsoft is so keen to swallow Yahoo so as to bring in more revenues and to chase its foe. If Yahoos stakeholders accept the deal, you can experience the competition between the Giants. MSN and YAHOO being the toppers in mail and portal segment can threaten Google’s existence. With Microsoft’s innovation and Yahoos expertise in the area, they will cripple Google’s wings slowly. Google’s online advertising stronghold will be broken down by a fortified Microsoft-Yahoo. Microsoft which is under close watch of the regulators on antitrust has made the deal in right time. Because as the elections getting closer, it will take enough time to set a team to look over the Mega Merger. Google is doing its level best to foil it. With the internet engines going to feel the heat of competition, the corporate and other business units can also make use of the deal. Post merger can result in increased R&D and other related activities.


The major challenges of the deal will be to keep the identity of Yahoo, whether it will enjoy its present environment, or has to get packed as Microsoft package. , the dominance in internet arena, major R&D. Overall make the stakeholders happy. Microsoft's long strategy of entering into the online advertising space, which generates huge revenue, will take shape as this comes through. Bill gates once quoted that Google’s marketing technique and free products strategy are very effective and attractive. He might have forecasted this merger during that time also

If Google opt to bid for Yahoo,then there are chances of regulations as the move will be considered as a strict monopoly.

Whether this merger will generate smiles or will start endless tussles and decrees?
Let us wait and see



Courtesy: Hindustan Times, Google News, NewYorkTimes.

The ambitious cracking of MGPTs

MGPT or Machine Graded Programming Tests are test conducted by CDAC [Formerly NCST], India. CDAC branches are spread across the country which enabled India to spearhead IT revolution and are pioneers in developing various indigenous products. NCST- National Centre for Software Technology branches which were merged with CDAC to make it a single entity CDAC. NCSTs were well known for carrying out world class research & Development activities. NCST introduced online testing product called PARIKSHAK to test the aspirants of its courses. These PARIKSHAKS are programmed with test cases and corresponding results. It has high level intelligence to run the program, to check the syntax, check the program code and to check test case conditions, finally giving verdict on your program. PARIKSHAK has “no mercy” policy. You have time limits, you have to stick to the syntax, and you have to really get all test cases cleared. A violation of this will result in knocking out of test. And for getting through the tests you always have to get all the test case cleared. Either yes or no is the only output you can expect. For instance, consider PARIKSHAK is verifying the output of 10 test cases, and it got 9 test cases cleared, then also you could get answer NO. You can expect a YES only when you are through all the 10 test cases. There were lots and lots of instances of merely missing the last test case. MGPTs are conducted to test your skills in JAVA.
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I being an FPGDST aspirant of 2006 got my first MGPT cleared from CDAC Electronics city campus, Bangalore and the second from CDAC, Khargar, Mumbai. Though lucky to be one among the very few, to crack two MGPTs which is a major criteria, I also faced tough times and missed chances due to a single NO, or even no YES. I want to share on what I have learned from my past experience of 5 attempts out of which 2 was fruitful.
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To Crack an MGPT a cool mind and focus is necessary.

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MGPT has two main parts

1. To get the logic and to convert the logic into program codes in paper

2. To convert the rough code on paper to a working program .

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So initial part that is, the logic has a great impact on the overall performance of program. The stronger you make the logic, the stronger your code will be. While developing logic.
1. The test cases which are given as examples will help you a lot. This might help you in deciding the range. They act as clues.
2. Also check for extreme conditions, this could be the important one which you will miss out of 10 test cases.
3. Always think of alternate logics, and choose the best one to get coded first.
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The rough program which is an exact conversion of logic.
The importance at this level, is to identify,
1. What is to be tested first, which you are not sure of?
For e.g.: if you are not sure of whether a string to string addition is possible through "str1 + str2" go for it and verify.
If this isn’t working check alternative ways, like char array conversion addition, substring addition, appending.
eg2. It can be on, how to take input read as word, line then parse it.

2. Secondly identify the areas which you think may fail during practical.
for e.g.: Suppose you are aware that this area may go wrong, note it down initially and check during practical the step by step results using print command.
Always put an alternative version to tackle this noted problems.

3. Also categorize your rough program into sections, like getting input, converting them; checking of conditions, solution part, output section.

4. Check whether there are chances of for an overflow in your loops. This happens mainly in while loop.
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Now you are ready to go to labs. Here what you have to do?
1. First of all, a cool mind and attitude, at the same time should be a focused.
2. Secondly minimum typing errors, which will cost you heavily. Typing speed has less importance than the accuracy.
3. If the program is having an output as must in certain conditions, try out printing those outputs first. This will show you which test cases are applicable for that conditions. Also this will show you how many are left with other test cases. Follow these only if you are sure one output is mandatory.
4. Also most of us forget to note down the input/output specifications, which is of extreme importance. The main area to focus is the output.
5. Then check out for those which you were not sure of, like string to string addition initially. This will reduce your time cost. Otherwise you keep on writing the program as of from paper, after which you recognize this idea is not working. Also to check this you have to put so much print commands. So to bring down the costs, try this.
6. Then keep on coding.
7. Submit your program. If the PARIKSHAK Is coming up with No’s throughout, check firstly the sector/piece of code you have noted down as viable to failure. Then check the other parts. This only works when you are sure, the initial sectors before this steps are all correct. Or better way is to command a section/sector fully and check. This will help you to trace the error incase of exceptions, infinite loops. Rather than going step by step and printing those, this method will bring down the time factor at the same time is effective.
8. Then after checking the program and making it foolproof, submit it.
9. Still "NO" s. Don’t worry here is what the solution is >> Wrong LOGIC. So logic is a main factor. If you had made alternate logic. Comment the old logic/ don’t remove and apply the new one. And check which one among the alternatives are giving you more "YES"/all "YES". Apply the efficient logic and modify it incase you are merely missing the chances.
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Please note that, this won’t work for everyone. But I advise you to try this out. This method will help you, to bring down the time and effort factor. This method will surely change the way you code the program.

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The Experiences of 13 Takeoff and Landings

Under Construction