chennai cricket

I am going to watch the first test match between India Vs South Africa - live at chennai cheupak stadium. Do check out for my detailed update by week end about my experience. Thanks to - Radio One 94.3 contest.

Some chennai events

1. What to say... heavy rains lashed Tamil Nadu. Tuticorin recorded the heaviest rain in the past 25 years. Chennai's quota was for couple of days. What to say...
I like the effect the climate change :)

2. AIADMK lawyer joined DMK. He quit Jaya for not getting re-nomination for rajya sabha. But i would say, this could be a dangerous move for Jaya due to Jothi's possession of litigation secrets. DMK's vengence mind is highly popular for those who follow TN politics. Look what is happening with Vijaykant's farm land....

3. Times of India is going to launched chennai edition as a morning daily sometime in april. Heavy door to door marketing for subscription is being witnessed.

F1 - Sepang

Lovely race in Sepang. Sad to see the mechanical issue with Massa's car and without that Ferrari would have had a best possible race.

F1 - Australia

Australia F1 - Turned out to be a miserable race indeed. So many accidents – the one involving Timo Glock was really bad. Felt very happy to note that his health was in tact.

Ferradi, Force India, Red Bull had a dismal week end. Rosberg had a great finish. I somehow liked the way Heikki Kovalainen drove.

By the way, I liked the new Honda commercial showing all their product range (shown during the race).

Coffee Break

Investor: Sir… You are following market for a long period. Tell me what's happening…

Stock Pandit: US is in recession, bcoz of which some loans of banks have gone bad. So., US market is very weak. All the other markets sneeze when US get cold. That's why.

Investor: hmmm… good time to buy now? The market has come down quite a bit.

Stock Pandit: Not really. Actually, it is quite complex. Interest rates are cut that's why commodities are going up and currencies are dropping. Hence, profitability would be affected. Huge panic in stock market, no one wants to buy stocks… kind of untouchable L;

Investor: So, u mean to say, whatever we do, we will end up in loss, huh? LLL

Titbits

Some titbits:

1. Saw the chilling lahore attack gate crash video in the news channels today and feeling little disturbed.

2. Newyorker Spitzer - Resigned after exposed from a sex scandal. He was a successful state attorney general for 8 years before becoming mayor. Very foolish act of money transaction for his background.

3. What more goodies would come out Ben Bernanke? I am little sceptical about interest rate cuts after mar 18 fed meeting.

F1 - 2008 Series

Formula 1 - Series 2008

2008 Season of Formula One on the way and it is going to be a magic march. I am very curious to see how the teams would perform on the field without any new scams :)

I feel, Hamilton would break the rookie shackles and emerge as a champion. I do not expect Kimi to let the fans down in 2008. He has to demonstrate the "finish it" attitude atleast this year... after all he has the best car to achieve it !!!

Alonso is coming to 2008 season with Hamilton baggage and it is to be seen how he gets out of it. Not expecting much from force india team atleast in the first 6-8 races.

Malaysian Election Results

Malaysian Election Results

National Front of Malaysia is ruling the country for the last 40 years and only once they lost two thirds of majority so far.

It looks like they are all set to scramble for the majority this time. Ethnic tamils and chinese casted their vote against the national front in a big way and the ruling party lost 4-5 states to opposition.

I personally feel, this kind of dramatic results could not be achieved alone by rebels and instead even the malais themselves must have voted against the government. One hindraf leader won the election from Jail... No mean feet at all.

Eye Opening Results !!! The government should learn from the outcome and do something really material to the people atleast hereafter.

Chennai Port Trust

Chennai Port Trust - in Chaos

Chennai port trust is struggling to handle the load of import and export. One can see a long queue near Marina stretch.

Looks like around 10 ships moved out to other ports to download the good instead of waiting to be cleared by chennai port.

Wait period can go anywhere between 8 to 15 days.

Who will rectify this situation?

Coffee Break

Discussion between Vegetable vendor & Naughty Rahul

Vendor: Amma... Vegetables?

Naughty Rahul: Innikku Venanga...

Vendor: Nalla, super-ana Keerai irukku thambi.. ammava kelu...

Naughty Rahul: Enakku Chips than pidikkum. Naan adha thaan saapiduven. Enakku vegetables venam... Bye...

Vendor: !!!

CB Series Triumph

Folks...

It gives immense pleasure to be on top over world champs.

Confidence boosting CB Series triumph - without Ganguly & Dravid; With Sreesanth & Irfan Pathan :)

Good show indeed by Indian cricket team. Hats Off !!!

Stock market outlook - March 2008

Stock market is under tremendous pressure, fear, pessimism, caution etc... People are not simply jumping to go and invest in equities...

So Sensex is likely to test low levels like 14700 over next two months.

Farmer loan write-off

Congress goverment in India decided to write-off loans worth 60,000 Crores or 15billion USD. Farmers are delighted. Banks are scratching their heads as of now to figure out how to handle their cash flows over years to adjust this move.

My point of view is something different. I dont think farmers commit suicide due to loans owed to banks instead they are forced to commit suicide due to local goondas or thugs or private lenders. Private lenders lend money at high interest rates and they hire people to recover money by "all kind of methods".

People generally borrow money from friends, relatives or private lenders more than banks. I honestly feel this waiver would benefit rich farmers more than the real poor, affected farmer.

Anyway, government cannot do anything for people who borrow money in others ways !!!

Budget

True. Budget as per book definition is a statement of account by government.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz is the best description of 2008-08 Budget of Indian Finance Minister. (His 7th Budget)

Tribute to Tamil Writer Sujatha

Tribute to Tamil Writer Sujatha

Sujatha (Mr Rangarajan) passed away yesterday. He was a great writer and wrote novels, fiction, short stories, sci-fi and above all simple Q & As to educate people on science.

I still remember reading his science fiction Jeno so curiously in the petti kadai itself before even start walking back to home !!!

His ganesh - vasanth fiction never failed to enthuse.
Or his Srirangam stories which always makes us so nostalgic or takes us in time machine back to our younger days.

Who can forget his best love story Pirivom - Santhippom?

His contribution is priceless and he would always fondly remembered by tamil readers across the universe.

Coffee Break

Discussion between Amma & Naughty Rahul

Amma: Hey... Rahul..... Innikku home work enna?

Naughty Rahul: Amma, Maths & EVS

Amma: Ok Let us start doing it....

Comment afer doing Maths for some time

Amma: Dei... unakku enna Addition mandayile yera mattengirathu? nnu Oru Kuttu

Naughty Rahul: Amma...ennadhu idhu... Idhey mathiri addition varaley-nnu solli enga miss-um idhey edathule kuttinanga @#$%

Amma: !!!

Coffee Break - 2

Discussion between Amma & Naughty Rahul

Amma: Hey... Rahul..... Dont push me too much. Ummachi unnai parthundrukku.

Naughty Rahul: Amma, ummachi engey irukku?

Amma: Vaanathila irukku

Naughty Rahul: Ummachikku eppadi vaanathiley irundhu nammaley pakkum? Edavadu binocular irukka?

Amma: Aamam. Ummachikku ellam theriyum

Naughty Rahul: Eppadi theriyum? Adhan, window, door ellam close-a irukkey !!! Amma, summa sollathey

Amma: Appadi illey. Ummachikku ellam pakka mudiyum

Naughty Rahul: Appo, ummachiya ingey vara sollu. Ennoda vandhu velayada sollu !!!

Amma: Ayyo, thirumbi prahaladan kadhaya... enna vittudu !!!

Coffee Break

I am introducing a new section called Coffee break in my blog. Post under this label would have some discussion between section of people (imagined ofcourse) commenting on current affairs or something creative !!! Do let me know your feedback pls...

Two movie buffs are discussing:

Movie Buff 1: Machi, anjathey padam pathacha?

Movie Buff 2: Illemma. After seeing, prasanna's make up in sun tv's thirai vimarsanam and director's show in IsaiAruvi channel, i was scared to go.

Movie Buff 1: U r missing something. It is a different movie, dont miss it.

Movie Buff 2: Appadiya... TV-la rendu pattu vaikaran. Adha Partha, padam ennamo full-a tasmac-la kadaila edutha mathiri irukku.

Movie Buff 1: Poda... Summa olarathey. Ippadi than Billa pathiyim over-a comment adichey. Padam enna hit theriyuma...

Movie Buff 2: Oho... Appo try panren... Bye for now...

Are we Taliban?

Growing intolerance in India is creating some kind of discomfort in me.

Raj Thackery episode, Jodhaa Akhar banning episodes, some West bengal ministers comment on Marwaris, Valentine Day's culture campaign suggest that we - Indians are promoting atleast some 30-40% of talibanism in our culture !!! Sad indeed :(

Actress Shreya

I met actress shreya in Chennai city center on Feb 19th. She stepped out of her innova and wanted to catch lift to go INOX to watch Jodhaa Akbar.

She came with her family and smiling all over. People were bit confused how to react.

I was also waiting for the elevator. I somehow felt that she wanted to be recognised so i exchanged pleasentries with her when we went up using the elevator. She acknowledged with cheerful smile.

She was cool, looked smart but simple, around 5ft 2inch types and wearing light blue jean and white round neck t-shirt.

Jodhaa Akbar - Movie Review

Jodhaa Akbar - Movie Review

I thought it is going to be a historical portrayal of Akbar before the release. But it turned out to be more of love story which starts after the marriage of Jodhaa with Akbar.

The movie has got everything - Political moves, war, hatred, jealous, love of religions, love story between the lead pair and family bonding and kitchen cabinet sabotage, plans etc...

The acting is top notch by Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya, Ila Arun. The sets are class apart. Scripting is fairly good and covering all sort of angles. Clothes and Jewellery are outstanding. Photography is mind blowing.

Salute to A R Rahman for the great music score. I felt that first ten minutes of music was bit loud bit it toned down when the movie settles down. I didnt like the music at two points due to familiarity - One place similar to Bombay movie and the
other with Boopalam raaga when Hrithik gets well.

Another salute to Ashutosh for making this movie. I now realise what a grand movie means. Mr Shankar (south indian director of Sivaji, Mudalvan) should see this movie to understand how money can be spent to make the movie look lavish.

On Raj Thackery's Outburst

Raj Thackery's outburst

Raj created a havoc with his mumbai for mumbaikers comment a week ago.

My reaction is as follows:

1. Every Indian citizen has got right to live where ever he chooses in any part of India. But inciting violence is highly deplorable.

2. But the government of India is equally responsible in createing industrial belts across the India so that huge migrations can be little better managed.

3. I am taking Tamil Nadu and karnataka as example as I am very familiar with both these states. If one take example of Tamil Nadu, most of job opportunities are available around Chennai and some fraction of it in Coimbatore.

4. There is not much of job opportunities outside Bangalore too.

5. So, people from all over India migrated to Chennai to make a living. I can see plenty of north Indians in Chennai compared to what I saw in 1995 or so. North East females have taken over all hi-fi restaurents over last 2-3 years.

6. There is nothing wrong in movement of people. But in-action of Government is making all state equal is disturbing.

7. To me, the way UP, Bihar or North East being ignored for so many years is really disturbing than migration.

Titbits

1. Two songs from Billa (vethalai, my name is billa ) are beamed only in Isaiaruvi channel and not in any other channel. Donno the logic. But all remix songs are looks so bad after the engeyum eppothum supermix !!!

2. Have you listened to Nakka Mooka song from Kadhalil Vizhunthen movie? I listened to female version song in FM radio while driving.... I thought i had enough of Kuthu songs but this song & kutti pisase song from kaalai are ear shattering...

3. I managed to saw Mudhal Mazhai song from Bheema on Sun Music this week. Trisha wears Black Coat / Suit costume in this song - it suits her like "T".

4. Stock market Comment - US, China, Japan and India's stock market authorities decided to make ECG report mandatory for investors along with other requirements like Bank A/c, Demat A/c, PAN Card etc as the markets are turning real volatile in 2008 ...

5. Query to South India - any one able to see NDTV Imagine or any other recently launched new channels in Dish TV or set top boxes... ?

Saw some movies this week

Managed to see two movies this week.

1. Polladhavan - Nice tamil movie starring Dhanush. I liked this movie because of its narration more than story. Great comedy track, most of us would have come across similar people in our life as portrayed in comedy track like dhanush or karuna. Super time pass. Dhanush is improving a lot. Looking forward for his next movie with beautiful Nayan.

2. Seven Samurai (Classic) - Watched in DVD. I had seen other Akira Kurosawa's movies like bad sleeps well, roshamon etc. But this movie is outstanding for the story telling method. Almost 3 hours but worth it. The way the villagers goes out and hires samurais, and the settling down of samurais in village and preparation for bandit's attack etc... Wow !!!

Chinese New year wishes

Happy Chinese / Lunar New Year folks!!!

February 2008 - Market outlook

Sensex would move in a range between 17000 to 21000 levels in Feb. FIIs have pressed significant sale in Indian stocks in the month of Jan 08 and hence I feel that they would continue to supply the stocks at higher levels. ACC (Rs.768) and India Cement (Rs. 205) are good investment at current levels.

Indian Budget (7th by Finance Minister Mr. P Chidambaram) would provide indication future trend.

As for as US markets concerned, i think, most of the bad news are out and bad news could take a breather in Feb 08.

Good Bye Shaun Pollock

You are truly great Polly !!! Envious fitness, amazing bowling ability, maintained damn good economy of rate in bowling, all-rounder angle, good captain etc et etc... it can go on and on and on...

Looking forward that he would continue his good job as bowling coach in future !!!

Trust BCCI has seen how Pollock was given send-off and learn to do good things so that they can replicate it for Dravid or Ganguly or even Sachin in future !!!

Microsoft bids for Yahoo

Microsoft made a big take over yahoo for 44.6billion USD on friday.

Yahoo was struggling, they couldnt compete with Google in the last 2-3 years and they will be happy to hand it over to MS for 31$ which is around 60% more than the current stock price.

As for as MS concerned, i feel they missed the bus against google, happily slept over in a bus stand for 2 years and suddenly they woke up a-la Rip Van Winkle style to take over Yahoo. Its simply too late. Their talk of "monopoly" is stupid to say the least.

Haikoo

My first attempt of haikoo (in tamil):

Kashtapattu Minnanjal Arattayil
Sikkiya pen
Hello Uncle endral

Symonds - Bhajji episode

Finally, it has come to an end. Times Now visuals and reporting was too good on this topic. Ponting reacted today saying aussies are upset that Bhajji got away !!!

My opinion is simple, if aussie players can get away from sledging for so many years, why cant Bhajji? I seriously believe, that they are upset that some one is giving it back to them. Andrew Nel of South Africa should be careful when he plays australia in future as he would become the next natural target.

India's Republic Day...

We just celebrated our republic day on Jan 26th and this day marks the adoption of constituition of India. Some thoughts on this event...

I am happy that India is growing at 9% and we have forex reserves of 300 billion USD, we are indispensable market force for consumer products etc etc etc...

What scares me is the following in India:

Corruption - Corruption is something which we are used to. Very negligible people would have got their birth cirtificates, driver license or Passport without indulging in corruption. It has become part of system. Corruption also covers cases like kidney racket, fake stamp paper etc... Basically, these are failures of system and people exploit to make extra money.

Lawlessness - I know every place is crowded but it doesnt mean that lawlessness can start with simple signal jumping, lane violation to land scam, tax avoidance. The number of example are countless and people are happiply ignoring the basics of integrity, honesty everyday and they go scotfree.

Judiciary - The number of cases waiting to be resolved and the last i read (if my memory is correct) is somewhere around 3.5crore cases all over India. No fear of punishment exists in India for people who have plenty of money as they can go on appealing and prolong the case for 10 years or so.

I am bored with arguments like enough of tax, i dont get benefit for the tax i am paying, politicians are swindling the money etc... When will we make a new beginning and create a platform which will take us to the next level?

Societe Generale & Jerome Kerviel

Societe Generale (SocGen) revealed a shocking news last week that they had lost 4.9billion Euros due to illicit positions.

I worked for financial services industry for quite some time. I, myself was a stock trader taking care of proprietory trading (taking stock market positions on behalf of company). This episode puzzled me a lot and I started reading materials relating to this episode. My friends also suggested some links.

The accused trader's name is Jerome Kerviel and he is police / judicial custody and enquiry being carried out.

I personally believe that managers to whom Keriviel reported should be sacked first and the entire system of audit should come second in sacking. Third should be finance department who kept on releasing money as margin.

Bcoz, every manager should know what is the trading position and where it is heading.... trading strategy should be discussed with full team periodically and the same to be implemented. Audit team should know the trading entries which are entered in computer syste and afterall every trade should have got reflected in some account and back to back settlement should have also got tallied with exchanges for exchange trades and third party brokers for off-market trades.

Finance team should have atleast escalated the money requirements as apparantly Keriviel's trading positions ran above 50billion euros.

I feel, Jerome Keriviels would be created due to system failures rather than his fantasy to make money. Nick Leeson also exploited the system failures some 12 years back for Bearings Bank.

Chiranjeevi's fans attack Rajasekar

Chiranjeevi announced his intentions to float a political party some time back.

Extracted from Rediff today:

When newsmen asked him if he would join Chiranjeevi's political party, Rajasekhar replied, "I will not join his party. Chiru has no political experience."

Angered by the remarks, Chiranjeevi's fans rushed to the Bhimavaram railway station and tried to locate Rajasekhar's family who were leaving by the Narsapur Express. Later, past midnight, they made another unsuccessful attempt when the train arrived at Guntur.

When the train arrived at Secunderabad railway station in the early hours of Monday, Chiranjeevi's fans gathered there. On learning that Rajasekhar's family left for their home in a car, they got into four cars and chased them upto Punjagutta, where they attacked the actor's car
***********************************************************************************

Insane indeed !!! Probably, Rajasekar has become victim of their violent movie culture, gang attack, one man hero against society etc started showing on their normal life. or whether it is lawlessness when some crime is done by a gang, no one gets punished in India !!!

Saarang 2008 - rock show - IIT Madras

Good rock show. Lapped up by teens easily. IIT facilities are good. It turned out to be a excellent rock show.

Firebrands started the show around 7:30pm and it turned out to be a good performance. But some thing in the sound was lacking... i thought it was the singer's voice.

Prestorika took the stage by 9:20pm and they started the full blast as if what we had was not enough. Damn good performance and sound effect improved atleast by some 8-10 times when compared to Firebrands.

My gut feeling was Prestorika used some pre programmed loop in addition to 3 guitar and one drummer's music and bcoz of it the sound was indeed turned out to be super sonic. I Enjoyed real sound blast after a long time !!!

Australian grand slam 2008

Lovely tournament this year indeed. Nadal, gasquet, Henin gone. Federer is seriously challenged this time and is likely to lose in Semis against Djokovic. Tsonga and maria sharapova played like as if they are possessed (by our own women god - mariamma)all through.

How will Federer and Nadal talking to themselves over dinner before leaving australia... my imagination goes like this...
"Yaar ivanga, engenthu varanga, edukku ippadi velayadaranga, nammalai gali pannuvanga pola, okkanthu, room pottu strategy discuss pannalama !!!"

IPL Auction

BCCI does it again. They almost collected 6000 crores by selling team franchisee to biggies like UB, Mukesh Ambani, India Cement, GMR, Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta etc... We need to wait and see how it helps young cricketers to perform, how the tournament is conducted etc... But, cricket gets excellent push as again !!!

Jodhaa Akbar Music

Jodhaa akbar music is out finally !!! What a composition from our beloved A R Rahman... Mindblowing indeed. This music CD is a must buy for for real, un-biased, music lovers. Chuck the pre-conveived notions... go for it...

Stock market global crash Jan 08

What a crash.... Historical... Never before crash witnessed so far...People call it meltdown, mayhem...

One question which i cant answer from my friends is... How come you guys dont know that the US economy going into recession 3 weeks back... & what changed your view in 3 weeks.... difficult to answer.

The point is markets melted when someone started selling, herd mentality created panic in everyone's minds, people ran to sell stocks... I dont think, people are selling in profits, they are selling what ever they can to avoid payment crises...

We will see better time for indian stocks from 15000 levels of sensex for 2008. If you are an investor, go ahead and buy nifty stocks with 6 month holding view. You are unlikely to lose money.

Sri Lanka trip photo link - revised

Folks...

Revised path of my srilankan tour photos...

http://www.flickr.com/gp/50378337@N00/p5mUi0

Stock market - update - Jan 17

"I feel that some of the stock prices shows irrational exuberance so I predict correction in Sensex from 20500 levels to 19000 to 19300 levels for Jan 08. If at all the bull rally continues, it will have resistance at 20800 levels for Jan 08." - I have written this as part of outlook for Jan 08.

As expected and predicted, market came down and recovered from today's low of 19650 levels to 19900 levels as of now.

I strongly feel, de-coupling with global market would happen shortly when the earnings comes out in full swing from today onwards to Jan 26th or so. Buy on declines and keep an eye on markets until budget. Volatile days are ahead.

Chennai Book Fair - 2008

Went to Chennai Book Fair on Jan 13, Sunday. Book fair has really become big this year than compared to any previous years, i felt. So huge, close to 400 shops. Faithful, huge crowd thronged the place at Poonamalle High Road.

Observation # 1 - Too many tamil books than English (i should even say 75:25)... Cant figure out why so much of change... Is it bcoz of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's influence? or Tamil Appeasement? ...

Obsevation # 2 - Sighted books on Che Guevara everywhere !!! Dont think, one will find so many books even in Cuba on him :)

Observation # 3 - Vairamuthu's works, Character building books are in demand. Saw some new books on "hindu beliefs".

Chennai Sangamam

I happened to visit Chennai Sangamam programs on saturday. I first went to Nageswara Rao park, Mylapore - I didnt like the ambience, no place to sit, sound was too loud, found it difficult to even stand and watch the program from under one huge tree.

Got fed up and went to Natesan park - T Nagar. Lovely set up. Road was blocked after 7:30pm and performances were exciting. Bommallatam was class apart. Enjoyed a lot. Some senior DMK members were also participating including Kanimozhi.

Request Chennaites not to miss it but choose the neighbourhood location carefully. Good and interesting effort indeed by organisers!!!

Cricket & Umpiring

In my opinion, cricket is at cross-roads once again after the strong match fixing controversy. Why?

a. If umpires keep referring decisions to 3rd umpire, then what is the big responsibility while standing in the middle of the ground?

b. Let us assume, young umpires (in early 30s) can be recruited, then, how will they control hard headed people like Ponting or Smith.. for example?

c. What is match referee doing is something i am not clear at all. What did he do when 2007 World Cup played in twilight? What did he do when England Vs Pakistan match fight happened?

d. It is agreed that Umpires are human and they would make errors. What is the tolerance limit per match or per innings?

e. How can ICC manage billions of arm chair umpires who watch TV replay and keep commenting? How to ensure fairness between viewers and umpires... obviously, viewers today are far better placed when compared to umpires on the field.

f. Proper use of technology or whistle blowing from match referee or third umpire needs to be explored and some time based decisions would augur well for the future of cricket.

For the interim period, Head butt sounds like an good idea to resolve issues :)

Travel tips for Sri Lanka

Travel tips for Sri Lanka

1. Sri Lanka is a humid country.

2. The food is mostly non-vegetarian. It is seldom served hot for eating.

3. Rice and bread are staple food.

4. Exchange Forex or TC in banks. Countryside Hotels offer unfriendly rate for exchange.

5. Sinhalese smile a lot. They have customer service mentality.

6. Females look good and wear western wear comfortably. They wear tight dress and children tend to wear jeans, mini skirt and adults wear skirt mostly.

7. The food looks Indian but it does not have indian taste.

8. Fish and Chicken related food available through out the country. Pickle concept not practiced in Sri Lankan hotels.

9. Strict vegetarians have to adjust to rice, dhal and some kind of salad when they travel outside Colombo. Colombo has got Anjappar, Amaravati and couple of vegetarian restaurant in a neighbourhood called Bampalapitiya.

10. Liquor is sold in neighbourhood shops in Sri Lanka for a moderate price. Hence, no need to stock the liquor.

11. Train services connect the entire country. Trains also have a one observation compartment with transparant glasses.

12. Sri Lankan people wake up early and goes to bed early say 6:30am to 7:30pm. Tourist need to plan their work accordingly.

13. Laksala is a good souvenir shop of Sri Lanka.

14. I didnt explore the night life in Colombo hence could not comment.

15. Carry and Keep your passport ready to show during security check-ups.

16. Pre-paid SIM Card buying in Sri Lanka requires Local ID proof !!!

17. Sri Lanka follows patriarch system. Dowry system is prevalent for arranged marriages. But majority of marriages happening out of love life.

18. Hundreds of people travel out of Colombo to Kandy, Anuradhapura, Galle (pronounced as goal) regions on weekends. Hence, plan your appointments accordingly.

19. Internet facility is available only in major cities.

20. Textile shooping is recommended in Sri Lanka for price sensitive tourists.

Vodafone - Elevator - TV Commercial Lyrics

I fell in love with Vodafone - Elevator - TV Commercial. Here is the lyrics:
The commercial can be seen in Vodafone website.

Blue skies
in open air
there's a place
for us somewhere
take me away
somewhere far away
beyond the sun
take me away
somewhere far away

Sri Lanka trip - thanksgiving

On Yasith - Our Reluctant Guide

Yasith named as our co-ordinator for our official project. Also, he ended up co-ordinating the entire branch trip. He is very quiet, humorous and always smiling. He is very knowledgeable about landscape, culture, places, history and geography. He was very proud of his country and was forthcoming and explaining a lot throughout the trip. We enjoyed his companionship very well.

On Sarath - Our Mr Discipline

Sarath was the driver and responsible for steering us. He is well mannered. He drove comfortably without violating any signal or taking on rash driving. He wore seat belt through out the tour, locked the doors before moving the vehicle and never got upset when he had to circle back. He kept his eye on us when we walked through the streets of Kandy. He ate very little food as if a person on diet and hence got a nick name from me as Mr Discipline

Photo: From Left: Yasith, Self (Vijay), Sarath

Indian Cricket - 2nd Test at Sydney

What a test match... The twists and turns can match only movie script !!!

BCCI should initiate proceedings formally / professionally to relieve Harbhajan from 3 test ban instead of withdrawing from the tour. That would be the long term solution rather than short term headline making emotional withdrawl.

Happy Birthday

Many more returns of the day Dear A R Rahman...

Movie Lyric which i loved most in recent past

Song of Hope in the recent tamil movie Katrathu Tamizh:

Mudhal Murai Vaazha Pidikuthey
Mudhal Murai velicham pirakkuthey
Mudhal murai murindha kilai ondru pookuthey
Mudhal murai kadavu thirkuthey
Mudhal murai kattru varukuthey
Mudhal murai kanavu palikuthey

Translation to English

First time, i feel like living
First time, i can see light
First time, flower blossoms from broken branch
First time, door has opened
Firs time, i can feel the fresh air
First time, i can feel the dreams are coming true

Market Outlook - Jan 08

I predicted that Dow would top out around 14000 levels in December and it had topped out around 13800 and it is back to 13000 levels yesterday.

I also predicted that DLF, IVRCL for upward rally for Dec 07 which materialised. My other prediction of Reliance and Amararaja have not materialised.

Jan 08 would be a tough month and bulls would find it hard to take it beyond 21k levels. Dec 07 was extremely strong due to strong all round rally in stocks and the buyers were mainly Insurance companies than MF or FII put together.

I feel that some of the stock prices shows irrational exuberance so I predict correction in Sensex from 20500 levels to 19000 to 19300 levels for Jan 08. If at all the bull rally continues, it will have resistance at 20800 levels for Jan 08.