Sand and Time

Grains of sand
Units of Land
They belong to sea
They belong to me

Like time they work
Every whim each quirk
As tightly you try to hold
They disappear from every fold

What's lost that you see
You repent you flee
You try again the same trick
This time the sand is as quick

Are your eyes open now?
To reap later, here you sow.
Are your eyes open yet?
Time's your master so tells this sand
Whom you just met.

- Had originally published this on FB in Jan-2016

A year of Science Fiction

I have been intending to write this post for a while.

For the past year, I am getting fascinated by the world of science fiction.

As with many of our generation, TV was the first channel that introduced science fiction to me. I remember seeing Star Trek TV series and Johnny Sokko and Giant Robot in late 80s.

But books, they open new wonderful worlds for the readers. In the past year or so, I have read some phenomenal science fiction books.

Some of these being:
1. Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton
2. Micro by Michael Crichton
3. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin

I also saw the movies Andromeda Strain, Jurassic World, Jurassic Park (second viewing) and Interstellar in the last year or so.

Science fiction is a mesmerizing genre. The imagination of the author or the movie-maker astonishes me as much as the story fascinates me.

Michael Crichton stands out with his out of the world thinking and imagination. Andromeda Strain is a novel written in 1969. The story is as thrilling today as it would have been four and a half decades ago. For me, alien would be like the one in the movie Alien or Independence Day. But Crichton delves into physics to give you a micro-alien which is like grass. Immune to the most powerful of storms or man made weapons.

My latest reading - Cixin Liu's The Three-Body Problem was a totally different experience. A story spanning over 4 decades, the protagonist mixing real life with that of a virtual reality base game. And the universe sending threatening messages through cosmic microwave background. The story is fantastic. The philosophy of planet that an extra-terrestrial race progressing rapidly due to the fragility of its planets existence is amazing.

The book is being adapted into a Chinese movie as well. I await the movie eagerly!

I am also looking forward to complete the trilogy - Dark Forest and Death's End.
I hope they stand up to the expectations set by the first book.

I leave you with the trailer of the movie Andromeda Strain. Remember it was early 70s when the movie was made.

Dangal - Stunning, brilliant and soul-stirring!

"The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war." - Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf.

The trailer made sure that we view Dangal in the first week of release itself. Haanikarak bapu and his dhaakad chhoriyaan tell a story so stunning, that you are moved!

The story begins with one Mahavir Singh Phogat from a village in Haryana, who is one of many Indian sportsmen who has accepted defeat at the hands of family responsibility and reality of sportsperson's future. Despite being skilled and dedicated, he accepts a life where he does a 9 to 6 job. He hopes that his yet to be born son will get him and India a gold medal in wrestling. His hopes are dashed when he has 4 daughters in a row.

A physical fight between his daughters and a village boy opens his eyes. He becomes their wrestling coach. He changes their lifestyle, kills their dreams of normal life, kills their childhood, by imposing rigorous discipline on them. A loving and quiet father transforms into a possessed and fiery tyrant.

SPOILER ALERT! 

The girls see the light when one of their friend tells how girls are mistreated as a burden and the responsibility shirked off at first possible opportunity like child marriage. That transforms the girls too.

Rest, as they say, is history. The story speaks about the tension, the sacrifice and the dedication that champions are made of.

To overcome odds, Mahavir keeps increasing the stakes, like making his girls wrestle with male wrestlers. Like taking on entire society by training his girls.

I am reminded of the chapter "10,000 hours rule" from Malcolm Gladwell's book Outliers. An outlier these girls are, their father only creates those 10,000 hours for them.

The movie never lets you off the intense vise-like grip of the wrestlers in the movie. The father, played by Aamir Khan, Geeta Phogat, played by Fatima Sana Shaikh and Babita Phogat, played by Sanya Malhotra, are brilliant. So are those playing side roles of Sakshi Tanwar as mother, Girish Kulkarni (as the jealous and bureaucratic coach) and their first cousin (I don't know his name).

And don't forget, the kids who played Geeta and Babita. They are mesmerizing.

In short, the movie is brilliant. Take your kids for sure, for they need to know what perseverance is. In Sanskrit, तपश्चर्या !

Baba Rancho's words in 3 Idiots resonate , "Don't worry about success, just ensure excellence!"

Do see this song.... This, the real Mahavir Singh Phogat, the Haanikarak Bapu transformed and revolutionized our nation by training his daughters and inspiring thousand more Geeta and Babitas!

Its a true story of Geeta Phogat and Babita Phogat.

4G to 5G Buzzword Compliant Passage

This report in The Guardian reports how NIC of UK is distressed about lack of 4G reach in UK.

It will be interesting to see how follow up is done and depth is improved.

Perhaps something country like India can observe and emulate.

The most amusing part of the Guardian report is the use of the phrase, "buzzword compliant".

Any new technology comes with its own set of buzzwords and adjectives and their combinations.

M S Dhoni - An Untold Story is a wonderfully told story of Mahi!

Sometimes a simple linear story line is the best way to tell a story. Simple stories are best told in simple ways.

M S Dhoni - An Untold Story is such a simple tale. Neeraj Pandey has created a great movie on one of the greatest sportsperson of India. Great, not because he was talented. That he is. But great because he had the strength to choose cricket despite the pressures of having a normal life. Great, because he aspired to achieve something beyond what he could have settled for.

This is also a story of India, an India that has been waiting to display its talent and grit. Its determination. 

The story begins with Mahi being discovered by the school sports coach. Mahi's family, as with millions of Indian families, is trying to provide the best education possible to him. Theirs is a simple hope, that Mahi grows up to be someone who is able to reach beyond where his father could. Even when Mahi pushes his luck by taking risks in examinations, he ensures that his family is taken in confidence and the trust is shown to grow stronger.

He has his share of supporters in the school coach, the local sports shop owner, his friends and so on. 

His stint at Railways is fascinating. The initial hope and the later feeling of being trapped is something that is shown well.

While there is not too much of exploration of his thought process, there are hints given. I find it perfectly understandable that a 3 hour movie cannot delve into every little detail. And Indian cinema viewers would like to know as much about M.S. in these three hours as possible. 

A couple of scenes are very poignant. I did feel these scenes gave an insight into what the cold-blooded thinker M.S. is made of.

And yes, there are some lovely light moments that make you chuckle if not laugh.

All in all, the film is a great biopic. One that should be seen with our next generation. One that tells us how much sweat, blood and thought goes in achieving success.

This movie belongs to Sushant Singh Rajput. He has put everything to make this look good. And it does look very good! 

We all know Mahendra Singh Dhoni very well. I bought a new TV in 2007 and MSD won the T20 World Cup for us. These stories are common in India. We are proud of him for giving us unexpected victories and we also criticize him for prolonging victory at times or dropping veterans at times. India has a special place in its heart for MSD. We remember him for leading India to two World Cup victories!

To create his character and to make people relive all those moments is a monumental task. Sushant Singh Rajput has delivered his performance flawlessly. The famous helicopter shot is an example. Even good cricketers cannot play that... Sushant does play it beautifully. 

And as earlier, Neeraj Pandey's direction gets full marks. To create any sports scene in movies is not easy. To create so many of them deserves credit! Anupam Kher, Bhumika, Kumud Mishra and others are good in supporting roles.

One more observation, this movie reminds me of Forrest Gump for its use of computer graphics to insert the actor's face in real clips from history! Well Done!

Go watch the movie in the nearest cinema hall with your family!

Katyar Kaljat Ghusli - Music & Magic Interwoven

Katyar Kaljat Ghusli is the movie you need to watch to get a taste, a flavour, an initiation into the richness of Marathi Theater. This movie, rich in music, that it inherited from the 40 year old play, complimented by some brilliant acting, dialogues and direction is an absolute treat to watch.

Back in early 90s, my father had bought a cassette which had compilation of Pandit Vasantrao Deshpande's songs who had played Khan Saaheb's role in the original play. I loved the songs but then I had only heard Khan Saaheb's versions but that ensured I headed to the cinema hall to see this movie.

It ensures the dagger of music is drawn deep into your mind. What a terrific movie this is that I am fumbling for words in this post. The music is still playing in my head.

It starts with this brilliant Ganpati bhakti geet, "Sur Niragas Ho" by Shankar Mahadevan.

The movie tells a tale of 2 maestros competing for the position of the Kingdom's top singer and the King's Dagger. Both are almost equal but there is only one winner. The competition turns sour with rising ambition of one of them and then the drama unfolds.

The story is set in the 19th century in the pre-Independence era. The King, Queen and the Darbaar are excellent with the debates, the discussions and a prevalent sense of upholding justice. The acting is of the highest caliber here. 

In this star-studded affair, Sachin Pilgaonkar stands out as Khan Saaheb - a fantastic singer who deserves accolades for his singing but a vain and arrogant man. His performance is something I have never seen before from any actor. He deserves every award that can be given for acting. And don't dilute it by categorizing acting - hero, support, villain... - his performance is the best performance that can be!

Shankar Mahadevan as Panditji is stellar and so is the director-actor Subodh Bhave as Sadashiv. 

I have special praise for the supporting cast - Amruta Khanvilkar as Zareena, Mrunmayi Deshpande as Uma, Pushkar Shrotri as Kaviraj, Sakshi Tanwar as Khansaaheb's wife and the King and the Queen.

Subodh Bhave, the director-actor of this movie, makes me immensely proud. He has been a key contributor to the decade old rise of the Marathi art - cinema, theater or TV. I look up to him for more such artistic creations. I am sure he and his team will not disappoint us.

Before you leave this page.... don't miss to hear these 2 versions of the immortal song "Ghei Chhand Makarand." As a child I had only heard Khan Saaheb's version. For the first time in the movie did I hear Panditji's version (which is the first in this youtube video). As the song completes, I had goosebumps, a tear in my eye and my throat choked. Such is the power of great singing. And great singing is all that this movie is about.

I urge you to go to the nearest cinema hall to enjoy the movie in its fullest. 

Killa Movie Review in Marathi.

वादळी समुद्र ज्याच्या लाटा आपल्याला क्षणात आत आत ओढत नेतो.

साधा खळखळणारा समुद्र ज्यात तुमचे ध्यान लागते…

शांत असा समुद्र जो तुम्हाला विचार करायला लावतो, आयुष्याबद्दल, मृत्युबद्दल. माणसाचं जगणं हे या समुद्रासमोर किती नगण्य आहे ह्याची प्रचीती त्या समुद्रसमोर बसलो कि येते.

आणि पाउस, समुद्राच्या जोडीला, मुसळधार, अगदी छातीत धडकी बसेल असा पाउस.

मनाचा आणि हृदयाचा किल्ला जिंकणे किती सोपे किंवा किती कठीण असते हे मी काय सांगू तुम्हाला? आपल्या आपल्या किल्ल्याचे योद्धे हि आपणच आणि रक्षक हि आपणच.

अशा या असंख्य पैलू सांभाळणारा आणि अतिशय सुंदर कथा सांगणारा हा नवीन सिनेमा किल्ला.

चिन्मय काळे आणि त्याची आई पुण्याहून गुहागरला बदली होऊन येतात. चिन्मयला ते सगळ आधी नकोसं वाटतं. हळू हळू तो मित्र बनवतो. ते गाव, तिथला किल्ला, समुद्र त्याला जवळचं वाटायला लागतं. त्यात त्याची साथ देतात ते त्याचे नवे मित्र - बंड्या, ओंड्या, उम्या आणि युवराज. काय मैफिल जमवली आहे इथे या चौघांनी!

पण हे सगळं मी इथे काय सांगू?

अप्रतीम अशी कोकणची पार्श्वभूमी, तिथला हिरवागार परिसर, समुद्राचे वेगवेगळे अवतार… सगळं एकदम मनमोहक आहे. मराठी सिनेमा हा एक वेगळे उच्चासन गाठतो आहे. वळू , नटरंग, देउळ, काकस्पर्ष असे कित्येक सिनेमे गेल्या काही वर्षात आले. किल्ला या यादीत अगदी पुढे बसेल.

ह्या चित्रपटाचं दिग्दर्शन जितकं कौतुकास्पद आहे तितकच कौतुक ह्यातल्या कलाकारांचं आहे.
अमृता सुभाष ने साकारलेली चिन्मय ची आई अविस्मरणीय आहे. चिन्मय, त्याच्या एकट्या पडलेल्या मुलाची भूमिका सुंदर रंगवतो. आणि त्याचे मित्र - बंड्या, ओंड्या, उम्या आणि युवराज - चिन्मयच्या शब्दात "एकदम भारी!"

आणि हा सिनेमा हॉल मध्ये बघा. टी व्ही वर यायची वाट बघू नका.

किल्लाचे ट्रेलर

Killa - A movie that wins the fort of your heart.

Roaring stormy sea with waves that will consume you - body and mind.

Business as usual sea sending in uniform waves just enough to let you concentrate yet not let you get hypnotized in its rhythmic work ethic.

Quiet and calm sea that makes you ponder... about life and death... about the infinitesimal chance a man has if the sea decides to consume you.

Rains, incessant and merciless, by the stormy sea to compliment the sea's fear with intimidation.

All by the massive fortresses. Fortresses by the sea, in the sea, in the protagonist's mind, in his mother's heart.

Killa, the new Marathi film, breaks new ground in telling a fantastic story. The story tells us how a young Chinmay Kale tries to win battles with himself. The result is brilliant and mesmerizing.

The story begins with Chinmay's mother, who has recently been widowed, getting transferred from Pune to Guhagar, a village. Chinmay is angry and upset. Loss of father coupled with, what he considers, being ostracized, is too much for him to bear. He struggles. He then discovers new school, new friends - Bandya, Ondya, Yuvraj and Umesh. He discovers.

The movie hypnotizes you with stunning visuals of the beautiful coastal region of Konkan. The verdant canopies that cover the roads, the fort by the sea, the sea itself create a fantastic canvas where this lovely piece of art is executed. The background music perfectly pulls you in the story.

And the actors light up the canvas extremely delicately. Amruta Subhash as the young widow, fighting her battles and trying to handle a growing son, gives a riveting, sombre and understated performance. The young Archit Deodhar in Chinmay's role gives a riveting performance. He is quiet, mature beyond years, trying to cope up with the fears and shadows of past and present. He reminds you of no one else for he creates his own character. His friends are fantastic and very important to the movie, especially Parth Bhalerao as mischievous Bandya and Gaurish Gawade as the egotistical Yuvraj.

For me, there is a poignant scene between Chinmay and a fisherman that stands out.

The direction by Avinash Arun is just perfect to bring these elements alive in Killa. The name is a metaphor to the moats from the minds that get conquered.

This is a movie you should see on the big screen near your home. Go and drown yourself in the beautiful Guhagar.

Here is its trailer...

On Gender Gap

A hard hitting article on how stereotyping is causing harm to the world of computing and, by extension, every area of our life.

Losing half the workforce.

In India, we fight the moral battles against female foeticide and dowry.

The long term impact of both, the basic problems and slightly advanced ones like the pointed in the article lead to one thing - irreparable harm to society.

Idea for Better Life - Recharging Ground Water

I live in Mumbai, India. That part of the world which gets heavy to very heavy rains. Where flooding is a norm from June till late August each year. This TIFR page states that the annual cumulative rainfall of about 70 inches or 1800 mm.

Now the paradox of my city is that every year, despite this phenomenal natural gift of pure rainwater, the water supply from the MCGM dwindles after February. People face water shortages, each year, the supply is cut by 10% first, then 20% and so on. One of the example is this report on dependence of rainfall in catchment areas, scarcity of which means water supply cuts.

Now, think about other places, which are not naturally endowed with such monsoon. Aurangabad, an industrial town only about 375 kms from Mumbai, where I studied engineering, faces acute water crisis every year. And this one problem leads to several other crises such industries facing power supply cuts, power plants being shut down, rise in water-borne diseases like dengue, diarrhoea, etc.

These water shortages get acute year over year. Each year the reservoirs, lakes tend to dry earlier than last year. This is an empirical observation. I leave it to the experts to prove me wrong.

I believe that one of the reasons responsible for such water shortages is the drying ground water level. And the reason for receding ground level is that we have cut the connection between the water falling from the sky and that of the ground. How, you ask?

My dear friends, with a very amicable set of chemicals such as concrete and asphalt, we have waterproofed our grounds, forever. And waterproof surfaces do not leak. We all know leakages. It is horrible when our roofs leak. But the really horrible thing is that our grounds no longer leak. The rains fall, we have tea and pakodas in the lovely balconies, and the water flows away in the sewers.

I have a small incremental idea to improve this situation. And it is inexpensive one for sure. Here it is:

1. All apartment complexes have separate pipes to allow water to flow away.
2. These pipes are taken to the ground level and then discharged into sewers.
3. Instead, during monsoons, connect these pipes to another set of pipes that go at least 15-20 feet deep below the ground level.
4. During monsoons connect the terrace pipes to these new pipes and divert rainwater from terraces of  buildings into the soil under the top concrete layer.

Something I have tried to depict in this slide here:

Ground is a large single reservoir. I believe this will reduce the load and dependence on the rainfall in catchment areas. This is similar to rain-water harvesting with a small change that we recharge the ground water.

I invite comments if this idea is correct. We need to reconnect the natural cycle of events, only then can we live in harmony with nature.

I invite all readers to comment. Thanks!

Ultimate sacrifice -Did Mumbai deserve it?

Why did the man lay down his life? What must have been his thoughts when he knew end was near? It wasn't sudden, that I am sure.  The man remained there with his team.

He probably stayed back to allow someone else live and see another day. The fireman who died knew the end was coming.

But as a city did we deserve his ultimate sacrifice. He did not because that was the only way someone else could live. He did not die because there was nothing else possible. He did not die because his city, his country had tried its best possible yet nature's fury was so fierce that fateful day that nothing else could have happened. No!

The man opted for his dangerous job because he thought all this is something his city, his nation would do.

He died because this city, we all, shortchanged him. Totally, completely,  absolutely.

The Mumbai city, famous for the Mumbai spirit, contributed by giving the permission to the building, not inspecting it from time to time, cheering by allowing sale of space there.

The spirited folks occupying the offices contributed by displaying exemplary foresight in letting things be, fire extinguishers be damned.

And who inspects a 20+ storeyed building when you can just sign off clearances on the ground floor over cup of tea.

If there is something called soul in us all, just feel sorry for the man who died for us. He died in vain for nothing is going to change here. We will continue to live with our famous Mumbai spirit.

Just remember that one day there will be an equally spirited someone refusing to die for you.

Facebook's Missed Call ads and my post from stone-age

The race to capture the value at bottom of the pyramid brings to us a unique offering from Facebook. For the low-end phones (read as not smartphones), which are still carried by almost two-thirds of Indian subscribers, Facebook is bringing in missed-call ads.

This has the potential to be a game changer. While this article does not speak whether they plan to use internet / data here, I believe the real potential will be tapped if the program is run irrespective of data availability. Despite impressive mobile network reach, countries like India have some time before data is pervasively available.

So there is nothing to boast about here, yet let me point to one of my posts from few years ago where I had discussed on the missed-call innovation. You can read it here - The very interesting "Missed Call".

I had described a few use cases there. The whole concept of missed call is on the basis of what I called "inter personal communication protocol (IPCP)". That is the knowledge of what is to be done is known only to the 2 parties exchanging the missed call - The idea of IPCP is the users decide the meaning of the missed call.

Facebook (and I am sure others will follow soon) are tapping this IPCP with some enhancements. Lets see where this innovation goes.

On 5G Mobile Communication

One of the best articles I have read on the evolution here on. Especially the info graphic is excellent,

http://thenextweb.com/mobile/2014/06/25/5g-uk-beyond-know-far/5/

India's competitiveness in broadband

Very interesting infographic here on broadband from http://www.netindex.com/download/allcountries/

This site ranks India 134th on world index of broadband speeds. We are way way behind in when compared globally. While the rank is one thing, our speeds are abysmally low.

One data point that is not given is the penetration level. The answer will be no different. Our country is still grappling in providing electricity supply to all, so broadband is definitely a distant objective in the list of priorities.

As has been argued in several papers, the rise of internet as an important tool, especially for small and medium level businesses. While there continues to be a debate on whether their is a direct correlation between broadband penetration and GDP, I do not think there is any doubt on the importance of broadband per se.

In fact, for countries like India, broadband should be given priority right after electricity. 

Let's hope the new Government ushers in a broadband revolution as well :)

Its early days, but signs are all positive http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/10-priorities-for-the-modi-government-114051900872_1.html

Real cost of corruption - One aspect.

There are several news articles speaking of road accidents in India. It is indeed a big problem. The latest report that Indian cars failed crash tests is making news. May be Indian government will mandate these tests as well. Wonderful so far.

There is also an extended discussion on stricter enforcement of laws, clampdown on drunk driving and so on. All this is good. But have we thought of the genesys of rash driving? I am sure majority of these same drunk, careless, arrogant, out-of-control drivers have a valid driving licence. Where does that licence come from? How is it given? Here is a quick process summary of obtaining a driving licence.

Option 1)
A. Go to local RTO office.
B. Appear and pass the learner's licence test where your knowledge of rules are tested.
C. Learn the vehicle and appear for driving test.
D. Get a licence.

OR 

Option 2)
Till some years ago, go to one of the many thousands of driving school with your address and identity proof.
(Even today, after the computerised learner's licence test, do the above.)

Naturally, majority people take option 2. It is convenient. The test is a breeze. A few feet ahead, a few feet in reverse, voila you have a licence. You feel happy! Happiness is good for health...but perhaps not in this case.

HAS ANYONE THOUGHT OF THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS?

How would you like to learn that the doctor treating someone near to you was a quack and responsible for deteriorating health of the patient? Is this not similar albeit in a different context?

Read this article from The New York Times on the FDA worry on Indian Pharma. The article says India exports about 40 percent of over-the-counter & generic medicines in the US. And what does India do about ensuring that the quality served to this largest consumer base is good and as per, if not better than, the standards? Make no mistake, we are not a banana republic. We have drug regulatory body called CDSCO, but as an industry have Indian Pharma companies tried to enforce those regulations in spirit? Or are we the happy driver with the freshly issued driving license? We will drive until we run over someone by the pavement?

And our regulatory body will continue to look away as long as the authorities that be keep saying this is the industry that brings in USD 15 Billion (INR 90000 Crores) a year. This looking away implies economic profit to those benefiting from it and penalizing companies that are voluntarily ensuring compliance to the FDA standards.

But the heavy cost that India pays as the damage to its image is something that cannot be measured easily - the factors to be measured are the penalties, lossof market share, loss of licenses. These are to the corporation, also to be added are the costs of additional scrutiny, loss of jobs, increase in social issues in those areas due to these issues, decrease in confidence on Indian industry as a whole. That is the real cost of corruption.

Le Carre's Smiley and the other trilogy.

The reading this year comprised mainly of fiction books. Couple of trilogies and a few other novels.

This year I completed the Karla Trilogy from John Le Carre after reading the Honourable Schoolboy and Smiley's People. While Honourable Schoolboy was a good book, I thought Smiley's People was fantastic.
As fantastic as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Indeed the best book I have read in years.

I loved the insanity in the cunning that Smiley and Karla create against each other. I loved the fact that Smiley acknowledges that he and Karla are no more than each other's alter ago. Most of it, I loved the climax. Never expected it to be so stunning. Never was it so predictable either.

John Le Carre sits in an overlap of fiction thriller writer who imagines a lot about the espionage world and a literary master who knows the people about whom he writes. What a treat!

The other trilogy was the very readable Shiva Trilogy. I enjoyed Immortals of Meluha, the first part very much. The other two were alright. What impressed me was the amazing imagination shown by the debutante author Amish.Writing sure is a difficult art, writing with so much imagination on a topic which is so well known to Indians, is much more difficult. Amish stands out. And I hope we get to see movies made from his books. And I hope that the movie has good production values....

The backseat post

As the shadows moved ahead, Benedict really wanted to step out of the car. But as he thought of the next steps, he could not forget a ceramic figurine in the backseat of his car.

What should he do now?

Tom Clancy - Books and Movies

Tom Clancy, the blockbuster novelist, died a couple of days ago.

I have read quite a few of his books, enjoyed some, but got bored by most. However, when the same book is recreated on the big cinema screen, the results were thoroughly enjoyable.

I have loved every movie that was based on Clancy's book. Patriot Games, The Hunt for Red October, Sum of All Fears.... all of them.

I often thought that Clancy wrote with a focus on cinematic adaptation. There are also several PC games based on his books, I am sure they are a big hit in the world of gaming.

I think what is special about Clancy's books are the immense technical detailing in the plot. Unlike say Forsyth or Le Carre, Clancy gave details about the machines, guns, computer networks, algorithms and everything around that. This possibly was a great script for any movie.

I think we will all miss Clancy either for his books or for the movies or for the games. Rest in Peace.

Book Review - The Hounourable Schoolboy

Another densely written novel from John Le Carre, another treat to read and another heart wrenching story of a vocation made glamorous by the likes of James Bond, Ethan Hunt and others.

The schoolboy Jerry does go miles to create ruffles and surprise negations of the higher plots and he does takes thick in the jungles of far east. This book is once again a trademark John Le Carre, where the machinations of the powers that are are displayed shamelessly and quite caustically.

Smiley has returned as the head of intelligence. His task cut out to create a bridge with the Cousins or the CIA. His old fashioned investigators Connie and Di Salis find a clue in far east. Smiley decides to lure out a Karla operative out of China.

Much like he got out Haydon, there is a definite similarity here. The only difference is Jerry is far too audacious to toe the line like say a Guillam or a Esterhase for that matter. The story wades through various locations, takes us places with opium traders, rogue pilots and others.

Folks who have read Tinker Tailor, will find this reading equally demanding and worth while. And oh what a brilliant movie this would make.

As someone who loves Forsyth, for I started with his masterpieces early in my teens, the climax is far too often heartbreaking in the case Le Carre. I will still accept his writings and continue to read them for that's what makes the man different from others.

Now on to Smiley's People! Need to finish that before the movie is out.

End of Telegraph Services in India

India today announced a full-stop to telegraph services. I saw this news one TV today morning. There was a sense of deja-vu when I saw it.

7 years ago, Western Union announced closure of their telegraph services. I was in the US back in 2006, I heard this when returning home on NPR in the Marketplace. Kai Ryssdal announced it in his typical style.

Coming to telegraph service, its a technology which correctly needs to be put to rest. Most of the country is having mobile and telephone access. And that effectively has substituted for the need of telegraph.

As with any technology, to discontinue old and unviable service is the correct course of action. Simply speaking it frees up resources for better uses. I am sure Western Union and Indian Posts and Telecom company will use its resources elsewhere where there is actual need.

That said, as probably the last generation who has used telegrams, I will remember the large Central Telegraph Office building in every town and city. It is behind New Shriniketan Colony in Aurangabad.
Telegrams were the fastest mode of communication until the ubiquitous spread of telephones (mobile or landlines) started in late 90s.

If anything taught us the the value of words, it was literally the telegram. Especially in country like ours where people were conservative and had to use the last paisa when sending telegrams.

Our art, be it cinema or  literature, they all had telegrams as an important part till sometime ago.

I recall a particularly humorous description of the sound of telegraph equipment (the Morse Code key) by P. L. Deshpande (पु लं ) in his legendary short story "Maazhe Poushtik Jeevan". As in Pu La's words,we will miss the "Kada-kat Kada-kat" (तार यंत्राचा कड-कट कड-कट असा आवाज ). If you can understand a little Marathi, don't miss out on this story recitation. It has those amazing jokes about how a letter mis-replaced here and there in telegram led to confusion.

At the end, we simply cannot forget the word "telegraph" because it will continue to appear in the very famous names of AT&T and NTT.

So long Telegrams!