Who Am I - Mentor

 I'm an IT nerd and storyteller, always eager to connect with people and share my life journey with others, hoping it might enrich someone’s life along the way. My passions are many—science, technology, culture, food, movies, travel—maybe a bit too many, but at the core of it all, I just love connecting with people. I feel blessed that I can finally live a lot of what I dreamed of as a young adult, now in the middle of life’s journey.

I was shaped by two powerful countries: India, the largest democracy, where I was born, and the U.S., the strongest democracy, where I now live. It’s been a unique experience, moving from an Asian Indian country to one where I am neither Asian nor Indian. This journey has given me not only countless places and unforgettable experiences but, most importantly, incredible people who’ve shared pieces of their worlds with me.

I often think of myself as a river who is mid-life still far from the sea. Flowing forward and collecting the richness of every new mind I meet. Like a river absorbing each tributary and earlier during it's nascent year been absorbed into a bigger river, I’m shaped by every relationship, each meeting of minds. These connections add depth, color, and richness to my life. Just as rivers morph with each new source they encounter, I, too, grow through every interaction, every moment of shared understanding.

And yet, though I’m maturing, I am far from the sea—still flowing, still absorbing, still evolving. I hope that each new connection will bring a fresh hue, a unique insight, and perhaps even a deeper purpose - mutually. A symbiotic enrichment - growth towards something more enriching.

So, will you be one of those minds? Let’s share, connect, and see where this journey flows.

Who Am I _ Original

Who am I? It's a tough one to answer, but in a sentence, I like this quirky take - I am Asian Indian in this immigrated country, USA, where I am neither. Yet, I love this land—it has shaped me in ways that make me who I am today. Professionally, I am a lifelong learner. Though now in my 50s, I sometimes wonder, professionally being in software - Did I sign up for too much?

By nature, I am inquisitive and seek new adventures, among them, getting to know people. I love cultures knowing a few languages and living in different countries and that too in multiple places in both of them has been a blessing in disguise. At heart, I am still a vagabond,  (or as we say in Bengali, a "Jajabor"). Recently, however, my constant wandering/wanderlust has been paused due to family obligations. Yet, I foresee changes on the horizon - soon! Food, travel, books, documentaries, music, and movies are close to my heart. I enjoy staying active through walks, gym, table tennis, or yoga. Meditation keeps me grounded, and lately, I’ve been diving into theology, particularly Buddhism and the Bhagavad Gita. Professionally, I’m an IT nerd, though I sometimes wish I had a more outdoorsy job.

My childhood in India was fun. Originally from the Nawabi Lucknow region, I consider myself culturally Bengali (Bong) as I grew up in Calcutta. I grew up in a traditional family, interspersed every few years with some traditional marriage in UP or Bihar or long summers up there and then back to Calcutta. The 80s and 90s South Calcutta's bourgeois middle-class life - with a heavy Marxist undercurrent, shaped my formative years. Durga Puja, movies (Satyajit Ray/Nandan), music (traditional and Bollywood), and studies (School/Science/College Street) all played a part in my upbringing. This was followed by idyllic Goa, Goa became my intellectual awakening, where I spent over half a decade, earned my first master's degree, and began my career. This was followed by my second Masters in Syracuse and as I frame it - where I was reborn into this other democracy. The largest democracy, India suplemented by the strongest Democracy, the USA. A place where everything is polar opposite to Socalistic/non-individualistic/traditionalistic India.  As I would say the two countries are separated by a common democracy.

For the Psychologically inclined, I am an ENTJ Type.

Relationship-wise, I am divorced but happily co-parenting a kid who always challenges and reminds me why the few pounds between her ears, is the most intriguing and esoteric substance known to humans. The icing on the cake, she is at the best age for a parent. Old enough to show her future maturity but soon in a jiffy shows that she is still an adorable child.

Is Equality Just a Mental Figment When the Power Law is the Only Law in Nature?

Was my fundamental belief in equality misguided? Did my upbringing in the bourgeois, Marxist undercurrents of West Bengal lead me entirely astray?

For years, the ideological air I breathed suggested that equality was the ultimate goal, a moral baseline for humanity. But as I look at the world now, I have to ask: Is the staggering inequality we see around us actually a natural, unavoidable outcome of how human society—and even nature itself—functions?

Perhaps the systemic victim mentality we see in modern culture is simply a stubborn denial of these basic, harsh principles.

If you observe the universe, equality does not exist. Nature operates on the Power Law—the Pareto Principle, the 80/20 rule, the phenomenon where a tiny minority commands the vast majority of resources, impact, or excellence. Should we then view capitalism not as a corrupt human invention, but as the truest reflection of the natural order? A system where success is purely achieved through individual excellence, merit, and ruthless adaptation? After all, evolutionary biology tells us a cold truth: nature values efficiency and survival over human happiness.

The Architecture of Growth: Freud, Jung, and Pink Floyd

This tension between comfort and survival translates directly into human psychology and how we raise the next generation. Consider the ideological divide between Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. Freud argued that an overprotective mother’s love, while nurturing, ultimately fails a child when they face the brutal realities of real life. Jung, on the other hand, heavily emphasized the vital role of the father—the figure meant to break the child away from the safety of the maternal nest and push them toward independence, responsibility, and the harsh outer world.

This psychological dynamic resonates deeply with the haunting narrative of Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb. The song is a masterful critique of emotional detachment—a warning against being sedated by safety and coddled away from pain.

As an older father I once met profoundly put it: You cannot be friends with your parents. There must be a boundary, a friction, a force that pushes you out of the comfort zone.

This brings up an uncomfortable, politically incorrect question: Is a child's ultimate failure in the real world largely due to the smothering influence of maternal overprotection?

It’s an observation as old as time. The eldest son, who often receives the most concentrated, unconditional maternal love, frequently turns out the most flimsy, fragile, and unequipped for hardship. Conversely, look at the eldest daughter. She often faces an inherent, psychological conflict with her mother. This friction creates a crucible; it gives her a raw adversity that drives her to fight, to prove herself, and to build an unshakeable resilience.

The point is clear: Adversity and inequality are the true prerequisites for advancement. Without them, the human spirit is lulled into a state of being "comfortably numb." This is precisely the reason why hungry, driven immigrants so often outperform native-born citizens who have been softened by generations of absolute security.

The Necessity of the Edge: Imposter Syndrome and Dangerous Living

When you understand that nature demands friction, your relationship with your own insecurities changes. Take Imposter Syndrome, for example.

Conventionally, modern psychology tells us that Imposter Syndrome is a mental affliction we need to cure or soothe. But I see it differently. You have to constantly work into Imposter Syndrome. That persistent, biting feeling that you aren’t good enough, that you don't belong in the room, is actually an internal barometer telling you that you are operating at your absolute limit. It is proof that you have stepped out of safety.

If you push this concept even further, you arrive at a dangerous but vital truth, especially for boys and men: Living on the edge of discomfort—and embracing a life that borders on the dangerous—is counterintuitively the path to a genuinely happier, fulfilled life. Men and boys are being systematically starved of the friction they need to grow. When you strip away risk, when you pathologize competition, and when you replace the Power Law with an artificial mandate of absolute equality, you emasculate the driving force of progress. Happiness does not come from the absence of struggle; it comes from the mastery of it.

To live safely is to atrophy. To step into the arena of the Power Law, to face the imposter within, and to court the danger of failure—that is where the figment of equality dies, and where true individual excellence begins.

Do you think our obsession with absolute equality is making us fragile? Are we coaching the necessary adversity out of the next generation? Let’s debate in the comments below.

Meaning of Some Famous Indian Lyrics

Chhaap Tilak Sab Chheeni

Abida Parveen and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, appeared on the Pakistani musical variety show Coke Studio. See Link only to hear 

Amir Khursu  - Wikipedia Link - 

 - https://www.ravimagazine.com/chaapp-tilak-sab-cheeni-hazrat-amir-khursus-timeless-masterpiece/

Thoughts on Young Boys

I'm reflecting on the challenges faced by young adults today. Having experienced my own struggles growing up, I can empathize. These challenges arise from major societal changes over the past 30 to 40 years as well as psychological differences between boys and girls. For many boys and men, expressing emotions can be complicated. Additionally, as job markets evolve to require higher education, girls often outperform boys academically. For example, more boys are diagnosed with ADHD compared to girls, and research suggests that girls’ prefrontal cortexes tend to develop about two years earlier, contributing to higher emotional intelligence. All these play huge role in academic success for girls compared to boys.

Over the past three to four decades, there have been significant changes in our work environment, yet many boys and men have not been adequately trained or made aware of these shifts. The patriarchal society that emerged after the agricultural age, which was running for the last 10,000 years has been transformed drastically in the blink of an eye and many people—both men and women—may not recognize these changes.

Incidentally, as a middle-aged man who has moved past the struggles of youth, I find this issue endearing. As I have a daughter I reflect on the challenges my daughter will face. I believe she will likely thrive in today’s society, especially in the U.S., where career opportunities for girl children abound. However, success doesn’t necessarily equate to happiness, particularly when it comes to finding a partner and building a family. For many women, these aspects of life often hold deeper significance than they do for men. So in a way, though career-wise females flourish, they might not do in other perspectives of life. This certainly can impact and is impacting current and future society. 

Diving a bit more into details

• In the 1970s, two-thirds of college graduates were men. That trend has flipped today. Today 2/3 of graduating students will be female. 
• Many manual jobs have diminished or been outsourced—jobs that societal norms traditionally encouraged men to pursue have diminished a lot outsourced outside of developed nations. 
• While women’s rights movements have made significant strides toward equality, particularly in developed nations and parts of the developing world, these changes have not always benefited men. Today, women in their thirties often earn about $1,000 more than men. As most jobs now require less manual labor, women’s participation in various fields, including those traditionally dominated by men, has increased dramatically. There are now more female fighter pilots than male teachers, in elemantry and over 70% of new entrants in higher education are women. Most departments have equal or more females than men in Colleges.
• While women’s rights are openly advocated for, men often struggle to voice their own needs. Many men find it challenging to seek support, and due to the long-standing prevalence of patriarchal norms and feminism, many women may not fully recognize or accept this reality. It’s important to acknowledge that both genders face unique challenges and that advocating for men's rights is a crucial part of fostering a more equitable society.
• Although circumstances have evolved, many women’s desire for hypergamy—seeking partners of equal or higher status—remains challenging to fulfill in today’s landscape. Particularly in their early thirties, many women find themselves outpacing men in terms of career success and stability, making it increasingly difficult to find partners who meet their expectations. 
• Neurodivergence is more prevalent among men than women, with studies suggesting that men exhibit a wider range of neurodivergent traits. As a result, conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and ADHD are more commonly diagnosed in men. Unfortunately, today’s work environments are often not accommodating for neurodivergent individuals, making it particularly challenging for many men to find or maintain stable careers.

These factors contribute to frustration on both sides. Men have been conditioned to support others but may struggle to mature emotionally or educationally. Entering today’s job market is challenging, as most positions require specialization—gone are the days when a high school diploma could guarantee a stable job and lifelong career. Today's environment requires constant learning and multiple career changes. As women outperform men academically, and as females can adapt much better in career change - both emotionally as well as having long-term support structure, they are much better positioned to flourish in the new brain vs brawn economy. Added to it most females seek partners who are equally or more successful, leaving many men feeling overlooked in the dating landscape called Hypergamy. Hypergamy could be accommodated in earlier societies where most men did better than females. In future societies where females will be more successful than men this mindset of females, at least for the majority, also needs drastic change. 

In current society by the age of 30, females are earning 1K more than men, and already 2/3 of graduates are female. Thus many females are overlooking the majority of men. This has contributed to the rise of groups like Men Going Their Own Way and the incel community, where some men feel alienated from dating and societal structures, retreating instead into gaming and other screen addictions. Consequently, more than five million prime-age men, aged 18-55, are currently out of work and not seeking work. These men disengaged from social systems, relying on support systems like disability benefits many of them have addictions. Today in 1950s America - female participation in the labor force has increased from less than 20% to almost 70%. Men's participation has gone from 90% to 70%. See the Brooking Paper from Alan Kreuger from Princeton Study on it

Regarding resources on this issue:

• CBS Sunday Short Article: 
• Richard Reeves on Challenges Facing Boys

To help them:

Motivation:

•  Jordan Peterson:
• Scott Galloway Check section 23:18 for content that resonates with boys. [Link]

Psychological Support:

   Dr. K - Offers extensive one-on-one and group therapy for boys and their parents. He provides a wealth of videos and trained counselors as part of his community outreach and thiis one if for parents. [Link]

Harbinger of Future Economy - India

 How International Travel and Airports has changed in last two decades

I first took flight in 2002 and then travel was dominated by US and European. Today the Asian are really picking up and busiest Airports will be dominated by Asian. Tokyo yesteryear's only contender is not in the top.

Such a big change - I still remember all flights on-route to home used to go via European Airports and they all looked so Regal. Now the same European and even US Airports look so old and Jaded with Shiny Edifices that have sprung up in Asia.

Did I forget DALLAS (DFW) became 2nd most busiest with Pandemic - Mauke pe Chauka

But as Travel /Airport is harbinger to economical winds of change - it a clear re-passing of mantle of economic might back to Asian Countries. The "US and European had few centuries of hegemony and it is coming back to old hands" - said by someone else.

All reactions:

1Som Mukherjee

Resource for Electric Cars

Some Good YouTube Channels for Electric Cars – general educational as well Car  Reviews

• ·      Transport Evolved - YouTube Video – Mainly US Based
• ·      Fully Charged Show – Mainly UK Based
• ·      E for Electric – Mainly UK Based

All Elctric (BEVs - Hybrid) and PHEV (Full Electric) in US

https://evadoption.com/ev-models/

 

What to look if you want to buy your next EV - YouTube Video
Why Electric Car is cheaper to own in long term – YouTube Video- 
A Good Set of Video for a Beginner from Gas (ICE) to Electric - YouTube Video

Which new car will get Federal Rebates and how much - YouTube Video 

Federal and Tax Incentives for EV - https://blinkcharging.com/drivers/residential-incentives/

• Federal Tax Credit - many like Tesla are going to loose from Jan 1, 2023
• Austin has Credit for installing Level 2 Residential Charging
• 2nd hand Electric Car Rebate - From Jan 1, 2023 get $4000 Incentive if you buy Car < 25K

 

Cars from 2010 - More matured by now

• Nissan Leaf
• BMW i3
• Chevy Volt (Electric+Gas - Discontined from 2018 to Chevy Bolt)

Never Cars after 2016

• Kia Niro EV (Review after 3 years / 30 K miles - YouTube Video) - I personally wanted to replace Nissan Leaf with this one
• Hyundai Kona - (Youtube Review)
• Hyundai Ionic - (Youtube Review)
• Chevy Bolt  YouTube Video

 Election 2020 News Comments

Post Election 

Jan 2021

The Friday Massacre and After Effects

Great Article from Conservatives Bastion of why Wednesday for Trump's Legacy

Funny Take in Hindi about the Massacre

Why Trump did what he did and what will be do in last few days will be pardon himself - BBC Hindi's take after Wednesday Massacre

VP Mike Pence's affect after his renouncing Trump - 

Mike Pence Has Nowhere to Go
The vice president has no obvious place in GOP electoral politics.

Coronavirus new Variants and It's after effects

Dec 2020

WashingtonPost - Most presidents build libraries to burnish their legacies. Trump is constructing an alternate universe

Idea - How he still did not accept defeat after his first rally after election night or accept Covid's impact.  His concern is to see mobilize his voter base for Georgia Re-Election which will determine control of Senate.

 How Trump has trumped the Exit and other Analsysis

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/11/04/politics/donald-trump-2020-election-polling/index.html

Trump's overperformance of his poll numbers almost everywhere -- not to mention the likelihood that Republicans maintain control of the Senate and gain seats in the House (although fall short of winning the majority) -- are simply not explainable by the available polling data going into the election. They're just not.

And this isn't the first time we've seen this happen. In 2016, most polling -- not to mention the professional handicapping types -- suggested that Hillary Clinton was on her way to a comfortable, if not crushing, victory. That obviously didn't happen.

EarthX - 2019 Thoughts

EarthX Firm Festival-2019

Sunday Movie - Shorts

Union Town - Talk about underpriviledges communities are imapcted by enviromenatl issues more than higher incomes societies. With China's stopping of dumping of US waste it becomes even more relevant of additional stress this dumping could have.
Short Documentary talking about the Issue You Tube Documentary
The Movie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b61W_g_w28Y [ As just releases you can not stream them]

Tree-line -TreeLine Watch Full Movie - 40 min long - Very Introspective one a great juxtaposing of Logical mind of Scientist with Zen/Buddhist thoughts on trees of Japanese. For the scientist Bristlecone pine is a great way to see how organism can withstand effect of climate change, especially relevant to trees as they cannot move unlike Animals. This species has oldest living life form with living trees which are over 5000 years old. This is nicely supplemented with philosophical element of how Japanese look into trees and it's influence and the rational for conservancy for them. Also talks about TreeSkiing put again explaining the same process via a Zen vs Western world.

Chasing Monsters - A Visual Delight of storm chasers and what propels them to head to disaster when everyone runs away from them. It encapsulated it whole when at the end the storm chaser after capturing a great shot or cloud and cone says "this is the reason why we come out here". See the link to official video  [ As just releases you can not stream them]

Full Details of Film Festival- https://earthx.org/film/#film-festival-2019

AFC Championship Game Thoughts - Seeing God last time or Seeing his Usurper

In the Pre-Game, everyone said the offense of KC and Maloney would crush the NE. In addition, LII winner and last year’s runner-up, the team have won 8 AFC championship winner. The team that defeated Kansas Chief in the regular season were still called the underdog. However, Tom Brady showed why he is called the best QB or even best Football player ever. And why he with Belichick is considered the best combination ever maybe in any sports. AFC championship win, with so many things going against them, tells it all and after LII Overtime win - see SI coverage - as they saw "Brady does it again against all odds".
(On the side note - will never know why KC went for the field goal at 3rd down and 10 yards and not tried for covering the 10)

What is will the historical perspective of this AFC win especially with Super Bowl a repeat with LA RAMS and Groff? We all know that Patriots are the best team of the Superbowl era and Tom Brady is the best Quarter Back of Superbowl era (I think they got this epithet after Superbowl LII). Though he has great players under Edelman Androweski and the new running black Hogan. This year might be seeing the greatest paradigm change in how Football is been played. I think we saw that in AFC Championship and will see that been played out in the Super Bowl.

The offense is taking over Football like I have never seen. See this article in NY Times "How Offense took over N.F.L.". What this article points of why this season was so different from any other seasons

• The 1,371 touchdowns scored in the 2018 N.F.L. regular season were the most for a single season in the 99-year history of the league
• Quarterbacks threw more touchdown passes than ever
• For the first time, both teams in a regulation game scored 50 or more points. 
• Dozens of individual and team offensive records fell as players raced up and down the field, 
• The AFC Championship was one of the greatest game I ever saw - it saw 4 changer-over. 4 times.
• The offensive power could be seen when one of the best QB, was resorting to running plays. Brady taking one of longest touch-downs for him, ever.

What really happened in the last few years, which started with the Rams? After relocating from St. Louis back to Los Angeles in 2016 and posting a dismal 4–12 season in 2016, the team's fortunes changed with the hiring of 30-year old head coach Sean McVay, the youngest head coach in NFL history. Under McVay and second-year quarterback Jared Goff, who recovered from a lackluster winless rookie season to record a triple-digit passer rating, the Rams improved to an 11–5 record in 2017. Then in 2018, they won their first 8 games and finished the year with a 13–3 record, tying the Saints for the best record in the NFC, this was followed by 2017 NFC championship win against Saints. Getting a bit more details The Rams offense ranked second in the NFL in both points scored (527) and yards gained (6,738). Goff continued to improve in his third season, setting new career highs in passing yards (4,688, 4th in the NFL), passing touchdowns (32), passer rating (101.1), rushing yards (108) and rushing touchdowns (2). His top receiver was Robert Woods, who caught 86 passes for 1,219 yards and 6 touchdowns. Brandin Cooks, an off-season pickup from New England via trade, also made a big impact with 80 receptions for 1,204 yards and 5 scores. The team's #3 receiver, Cooper Kupp, suffered a season-ending injury after catching 40 passes for 566 yards in 8 games, forcing Goff to rely heavily on other targets like Gerald Everett (32 receptions) and Josh Reynolds (29). Pro Bowl running back Todd Gurley was the team's leading rusher with 1,251 yards (4th in the NFL) and 17 touchdowns, while also catching 59 passes for 580 yards and 5 more scores. His 17 rushing touchdowns led the league, while his 22 total touchdowns gave him 132 points, 5th in the NFL. Running back C. J. Anderson, who made the Rams his third different team in 2018 after signing up with them in December, also was a key aspect of the running game, finishing the season with 405 yards and leading the team in rushing in both of their playoff victories. On special teams, JoJo Natson returned 26 punts for 280 yards, while kicker Greg Zuerlein made 87.1% of his field goals, including a franchise postseason record 57-yard kick to defeat the Saints in overtime in the NFC championship game. [ Details from Wikipedia]. Though they lost to Brady it showed what the paradigm shift in Football had already started.

If Rams changed it - it certainly took on Steroids, with Kansas Chief again new coach - Andy Reid and Rookie Quarterback Patrick Mahomes - see this beautiful article on SI - The transformation that went in Kansas Chief. What Andy did was a very fluid offense which morphs’ into whatever form it needs to confront the offense. As Bruce Lee's said - "be shapeless, formless like water".

As it was put "To watch Kansas City’s offense in 2018 is to participate in a sort of shell game, striving to keep track of movements as objects are deftly rearranged in front of you. Reid’s Chiefs send someone in presnap motion more often than they don’t. And through Week 8 they’d sent three or more players in motion 15 times, more than any other team in the league. Their two most dangerous pass catchers, Hill, and tight end Travis Kelce, dart all over the formation, creating for quarterback Patrick Mahomes endless possibilities for where to go with the football". [From SI Article]. 

This where I really think Chiefs' Andy/Mahomes combination might be one of the biggest change that in AFC or even football. Though there run ended a bit earlier but then again the reason why they were pitched as the top-sided team in AFC. So I am sure we are going to see many more of Chiefs and Mahomes. And with the end in sight of Brady's and Belichick's Football lifetime, we are certainly going to see some AFC Championship or even rings under Mahomes. That is why in my understanding with his age and explosive power, he is the next God to Brady.

This makes the Championship game so much interesting. Even if, it will a repeat of last year. This year is a very different side. Patriots who had matured against quality offense the new and upgraded Chief with Mahomes, winning twice against the Chiefs awesome offense. Rams on the other side had even a better season than 2017. Jared Goff and Rams are now more matured, after their first Super Bowl with the God of Football - Brady, and Team. So will give a much tougher fight than last year.

Sweets from different Portion of India

After hearing a co-worker that she had Gajjak - See link after her father got them from Karachi I thought I will research it a bit more at our end about how these sweets have become popular across. I always intrugued how sweets from certian part of India have become so popular around. I never heard people enjoying traidtionally North Indian sweets like kaju barfi or Rassa malai become so populuar everywhere. But born and brought in Calcutta and originally from North India where all the sweets origin from and my father always a connoseur of good sweet , a true brahman. I always felt I grew with a deep understanding of sweets of India. But I really feel the best done work on that certainly is done by Raghav Khanna using his articles especially in Hindi language but the Raja, Rasoi Aur Anya Kahaniyaan in Netflix is an excellent introduction to even me when I thought I was good enough Indiophile. 

So this time because my travels took me to different portions of India got these sweets so thought of researching a bit more of them and as I interacted with people and tried to answer their question, learned a bit more came to know more about the sweets. 

From Northern part of India

Mungfali Gajak - A white teel only - never a काला तिल (sesame seeds) sugar jaggery and peanut dessert. But interesting is other gajak see this link where a north Indian foodies describes the other gajjak and similar sweets like Rewdi and Laccha.
History - Origin from Chambal Valley in MP where you get both good sugarcane गणना and Sesame seeds (तिल). Gajjak is especially helpful during the dry heat and cold of harsh Chambal valley. Thus the most famous Gajak are from Morena Gajjak - See link. Again a misconception of people from Kanpur who feel Gajjak is from Kanpur area as Kanpur is the first big city close to Chambal valley. 

Aamir Khan does it Again - Reinvents yet entertains.... Creates a Main Stream Bollywood Blockbuster even though an off-beat movie

So after a long time went to see a premier. Actually a premier even before it was shown in India.!!!. And once more just like Dhoom 3 but more like Rang De Basanti, watching PK reminded all of us, why we like Aamir Khan. Not only he entertains, be brings forth some serious social questions. He creates a main Stream bollywood blockbuster, with all the drama, masala, emotional scene. Even though it has that tinch of an off-beat movie. But yesterday it reminded me, again, like so many Bollywood go-ers, why we always look forward to an Aamir Kahn movie. Be it Sarfarosh, Lagaan, Rang De Basanti, 3 idiots or Dhoom3.  Be amazed how this guy can produces these big budget, main stream Bollywood movies which have more to them than just Bollywood Masala.

Aamir Khan has always tried to re-invent himself. In the lands of Bollywood where there is set format , typecasting, ruled by types of Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan. Where people just follow which gets the next big blockbuster. Aamir khan and to some degree Hritik are the few in between who have tried to elevate Bollywood movie to more thoughtful, meaningful, better Cinema. Especially taking into consideration Aamir Khan was a product of the 1980s, the crappiest era of Bollywood. But it was Sarfarosh, which I think he first ventured into his try where he was still Megastar to try to make movies that are not pot-boiler. The drama of that movie highlighted the flawed characters unlike the Rama like always pure heros and Ravan like Villians. On one side was Gulfam Hassan (Nasseruddin Shah's) deep resentment after partition and him cliding with Pakistan juxtaposed with the Muslim police-officer  Inspector Saleem who even same was still an upright who still had trust in his country and would be a traitor to his community than his land.

The year that was 2012, esp. "Back to Future" Gifts

We got two surprise in our lives and as it happens it came all the way from 2012. As it happen, we relish especially years in our lives especially years on. When you see with lenses of past.


Two cars to our Vintage cars (sort of). Both our old silver love finally got retired. For both of us our first true car. And for both of us first-time independence from using local transport for years at stretch.

And we replaced cars that are way of future of automobile. The first true electric car for masses. maybe in 40 years history will tell, that was the time when humanity moved from the dirty fossil fuel to cleaner oil. And then we could say, we were amond the first to get on movement. And with us surely will be Uma, who might know her all lives with us in the car of future. And still in Early 2018 with selling over 300,000 it still the highest selling Electric car yet and we have the original machine, shipped all the way from Japan with some that got efected by the Japan earthquake of 2011. See article 

And then Volt a correctly designed intermediate vehicle which bridges the gap from Piston/Engine to Battery powered.


But these two real people's cars unlike Tesla came from the vision of two great future thinkers in Robert Lutz then Vice-Chairman and in GM https://cleantechnica.com/2016/08/19/bob-lutz-says-chevy-volt-car-hes-proud/ and Toyota's

Punjab di Shaan

Growing up in India in 70's and 80's we were enamored by Punjabi community. At that time though having a population of less than 10% constituted around 30-40 % of wealth of India. But with the emergence of new economy from mid 90s which I am part of there is quite an absence of this community. Dominated by southern indian dominance. How come a rich and extremely abobting community missed out on it.


Decline of them

1. The Glitz side took over. As I read in Kulwant Sing about difference of the true Punjabis and after Partition completed devastated but now Nove-Riche Punjabi's of Delhi wanted to show-off thier wealth
2. The Khalistan movement of 80s and divisive sect that brought the schism between the Hindus (2011 Cnesus 38% and Sikhs 51%). Listening to the Hindu Punjabi in Goa University of how it brought difference between how Sikh did not associate themselves as Hindus. Got aggravated by Indira Gandhi's 1984 and then Beant Singh's/Punjab Police Anti-Khalistan movement in 80s and early 90s It was quite different than in the Indendence and espeically during Partition where the Sikhs were the Shields of the Hindus.
3. Religion which came out blood attaction to valor and militarism. Much different than two other Missionary sects like mahanaya Budhism or Jews where education and development of mins is ecouraged more

More Fun awaits you after your International Travel. More Fun that only happens when you return back home in USI

Thoughts After Mark Talked About His Issues When He Came Back to the USA International travel can be exhilarating, but there’s always a unique brand of *fun* that awaits when you return to the US. It’s a reality that most travelers don’t fully prepare for, despite the excitement of coming home. Mark, a close friend of mine, shared his experience of excessive questioning, intrusive screenings, and feeling like a suspect after a relaxing beach vacation in Cancun. His stories echoed many of my own, especially the frustrations of being treated as a potential threat when you only want to get home. For me, it was even more personal. When I traveled with my daughter and family, I felt the sting of unnecessary scrutiny. The journey was stressful enough as it was, and the extra hoops we had to jump through at US immigration felt like a step too far. Still, after the grueling process, you can’t help but laugh about it in hindsight.

Nimantran to Kolkatta. A very different way of invitation.. From maybe a very different Person also.... And even weirder from mouth of not even a person.....

Saw this short Video on Kolkata. And as quintessential Kolkatan, it is not the story but how it is presented.
See the Video here for

Commonfloor Uncommon Cities: Kolkata Nimantran

What is so special, it is being presented through eyes of an inanimate objects that epitomizes Calcutta. And when it is presented through the voices the object whose only aim is to fulfill our wishes, It seems the best Nimantran (invitation) ever. What makes it so special is that a nostalgic tings that intertwines the facts about most important to do of Kolkata.

But what is most interesting is that it comes from a brick mortar website selling a house/apartment. And that what makes it so interesting. Of how the two conflicting goal come together to bring such a beautiful synergy. Of how pure capitalism, where a website that is trying to sell some floor space is selling a culture. At it's bare, it is selling a city by hitting the nostalgic string. But that is where the creativity comes in.

And this so interesting which always enchants me. Of so many good art has always been produced when a basic intent is to project something more materialistic. Be it Medici Family and Renaissance, which not only produced great art but re-ignited or started the modern Scientific thinking. some other example would certainly be Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri of Mughal which was in a sense a self-propaganda at a really large scale.

Which leads to important thought. Which is, is art just manifestation of a more selfish goal. Starting from the first art in caves in France, where hand prints and painting of animals where signs of the booties to today's art museum like Perot Museum to Getty where one is perpetuating oneself long after one is dead.

But more importantly in this is except Michelangelo and few others, doesn't art in some sense makes the artisan, like people of Taj Mahal or even the creative artist of this Ad take back stage or soon sort of obliterate him. And Art gets connected with the man with money.

So the question is, is Art the flowering of human creativity or self-flaunting of a really rich person or now a corporation (remember as per law corporation is another individual).

Great Cricket Test Match-South Africa vs. India-Eden Gardens-1996

As they say test match is the great game. And when it is a true test it shows why still, to any avid cricket spectator will always put it above any other forms of cricket.

There were many great test matches. But the one I will cherish will be the 2 ^nd test in 1996 between South Africa vs. India t in Eden Gardens. A game that will always be remembered for the ephemeral cricketer, Mohd. Azharuddin. He was player like very few. A true believer in destiny. It did not matter what were the circumstances. If he believed it was his day, he will play as if it was his last. His wrist work was legendary. I am sure the wristiest player I have ever seen. And if one was looking for a good example of his true class and also his character than this would be the game.

I still remember where I was. I had permanently started staying at our new house. And with its little or no infrastructure, the only means I could follow the game was via radio. With the game being played in Eden Gardens, all of Calcutta was as excited as if it was the second Durga Puja in a month. The game was played from Nov 27-dec 1. But the most important reason I will always cherish the game was as I mentally saw the game, in RADIO. I say it as I always felt when you are listening to radio, with your imagination doing the seeing; it elevates game to almost ephemeral proportions.

For Mohd. Azharuddin he already lost his captaincy. Many were feeling it was the end of his career which was already 12 -13 years of some great cricket. It certainly seemed especially with coming of the new crowd of batting talent in Sachin, Dravid, and Ganguly & Laxman. But for his entire fan, this will be his phoenix rise, a display of what it meant to Azharuddin. And where else this rise could be besides his favorite venue, Eden Gardens. He comes to crease when all the top players were lost to certainly one of the best fast bowler of all times, Donald. Even in the dead pitches of India he ransacked the top half of Indian batting. India was 7/116 with South Africa already scored 428 in 1st Innings. Donald had already scrapped off the big shots and Azhar had to come back after being retired hurt at 3/87. Luckily Donald had to take off because of being hurt. And in this precarious situation Azhar comes to pitch. And what a game it became. Azhar massacred all the bowlers but especially the new debutant Lance Klusner. His innings was 0/95 after 14 overs, with one over where he was smashed for 4 fours. Azhar scored 106 and with him and Kumble they took India out of certainly a follow-on and innings defeat. 

But for lot of us who liked him, the 2nd innings showed why we like this enigmatic guy. 2nd Innings is very similar to 1st innings. India already has lost all the top line except Dravid with score at  4/28. Azhar joins Dravid. They score a good 60 runs, with Dravid scoring 21 in 121 balls. With his departure and with Klusner showing his mettle, Donald never played in the test again, the onus was with Azhar. But it was Azhar; he was still swash bucking as if he could push India out by his swagger. And this time it was Klusner's turn. And with Azhar gone India lost by 329 runs.

Though India still lost the game, as Klusner who was certainly one of the better fast bowlers showed his mettle in the 2nd innings when he got 8/64, . But for Azhar fans and especially people from Calcutta it was one of the greatest innings we would ever see.

You tube video of Azhar's 1st innings -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4MCwlGi-Mo

Why Nelson Mandela rings a bell in me

 Growing as Indian, just as Fareed had talked when he mentioned about Nelson, there was always a charm to the 19th century Liberal gentleman which Gandhi, Nehru and even Nelson was one. They were born to century old eastern philosophy but were enlightened by the missionary schools of the British system. And these two amalgamations produced a very powerful force in all these people. 

Where their hearts was still Eastern their outlook was Western, open, forward looking. As someone told about Mandela's spirituality, he believed in infinity. Something which is not very true, of any pure conservative eastern folks.

For us who also had a slight degree of same upbringing, but with a much more western world we were born, but certainly lived predominately in our later years, many of the thoughts and action done by them was more an anathema. To be surprised by the strength of power all these individual had. Be it Nehru’s writing his best book in Prison when the British were trying to crush their spirits and at a personal level with his wife dying. Or be it Mandela and his associates being always happy when they were tried for crime which certainly would have got all of them hanged. 

But with Nehru and Gandhi they will always remain an Anathema. They died much before I was born. And in many ways they will always appeal to me, in many ways I will never be totally be able to connect with them.

Mandela in that ways certainly is an exception. Though he is truly an Eastern 19th century Liberal gentleman, he lived in a timeframe where western forces of open markets and demise of communists is a norm. And in him I see a person who though because of his upbringing should have alighted to these current forces he did. Much like many of us, who have a very socialistic thinking but know that today's world demand embracing open market/Rageanism/Hayek for daily life. And that is where Mandela can be an interesting example of how to align the socialistic thoughts of personal upliftment in a market driven economy. Juxtaposed thoughts with divergent aims and thought processes.

one big reason to supplement my hearing of "The Documentary" by BBC on Nelson Mandela by a good Autobiography on him. Again the rational-de force which made me writes this article.

Living a Dream!!!

 Like most of us who come from the lower middle class in as they used to call 3rd World World. Where we grew up not really poor, but just an echelon below where poverty and hunger was a truth besides few days in our lives where food was a scarcity. With all these scarcity we grew up as hard working never feeling we were enlightened to anything. We had to earn and create a world where we want to be. So most of our lives we spent seeing we use every minute of our lives judiciously. This during our High School days meant, putting over 8-10 hours in study. Atleast we aimed for it. Could not do as we had to spend 1-2 hour commuting to school for studying.

And as they hard work does pay. And when I think about my life it has been kind to me. Knowing that there are millions of people who are more talented better looking and are entitled to be in my position, I feel humbled that I have what I have. Live in county which is at pinnacle of its height, coming from a culture which only recently has been started being appreciated for it greatness. Finally moved to a place which is considered by many "Time magazine article of why Texas/Dallas is what future of US will be" is the best place to stay (best city to stay after Boston). At a career level, finally able to work in Technology that not only pays well, but with most companies looking in going a big way in the online way, especially with mobile technologies’ penetration and ubituousness. But most importantly at personal level having a very loving wife, and certainly one of the best people I have ever meet and staying at a house in a nice neighborhood of correct size and location.

So looking back, when three of us grew in a 550 square foot space with years where my Dad's business was not doing good, thus financially insecurity. To a house sound-level still affects me still now, to nice work, place to work and great wife and family, I am indebted to people who have made this possible. Humbled that I am, this also carries with a duty to see that with my privilege I do not feel entitlement, but more importantly pass these virtues to others who are as entitled to better living as I am living.