Unmaad 2008 – the cultural fest of IIM-Bangalore

IIM Bangalore will present its annual cultural festival Unmaad on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of February 2008 . With over 100 corporate organizations & 500 colleges invited to participate, this time the events are bigger and better.

With events ranging from Rock Shows, Fashion Show, Choreography, Pro-nite Performances to Debates, Jam, Quiz, Art events, Dramatics, Street Play, Music and Games, Unmaad this year will be 72 hours of non stop action and fun that promises you the experience of a lifetime. With a host of new workshops, new events, online games and the ‘War of the Corporates’, Unmaad 2008 is all set to be a roller coaster ride for everyone.

check out http://www.unmaad.com for more details on the events

The Pro-Nite shows (Music Concerts) this year:

1. Feb 1st – Rock show featuring Motherjane and Zero – Time 7 pm

They are among the most popular rock acts in the country. This being a rock show, there will be no separate enclosures or categories, nor there any seating provided. The ticket prize is Rs 100 and gates will open at 6.30 in the evening.

To buy online http://www.iticket.in/CinemaResult.asp?MovieList=715&TransDate=2/1/2008

2. Feb 2nd – Unity concert featuring Strings and Mrigya – Time 7 pm

We are proud to be host to this unique concept called the Unity concert, of which this is the 3rd edition. Strings is one of the most popular bands to emerge out of Pakistan and their shows are known to be simply mind blowing. Mrigya, with their incredible blend of classical and modern instruments, is one of the most well known fusion bands in India and have numerous international concerts to their credit.

For this show there will be 2 categories priced and Rs 100 and 200 respectively. The Rs. 200 section will be further divided into 2 categories, seating and standing. The seated section will be mostly reserved for Profs and sponsors.

To buy online http://www.iticket.in/CinemaResult.asp?MovieList=716&TransDate=2/2/2008

All ticket enquiries can be routed to Ankit Baveja ( 9986507020) and Shekhar Gupta: 9243444363.

Hero Honda Hunk – First impressions.

This week, a few fellow bikers and I underwent a “Safe Riding Workshop” (post coming up soon) – conducted by a few chaps from Hero Honda. This gave a few of the chance to sample some Hero Honda bikes which we hadn’t till then – for various reasons.

Some of them also lead to some funny comments. Like one biker pal saying “I was just waiting for someone to buy the Hunk so I can pass some comments on it!”. Yup, a silly name like the “Hunk” would inevitably lead people to get smart!

But, that is the name, and that is what the “Hunk” owner – male or female – would have to live with.

All is not lost however – the bike looks pretty good, on its own – though not as modern as say the Pulsars, or as Racy as the RTR, it does hold its own ground -which’s somewhere in between modern and racy. Thankfully, it certainly is not styled extremely like the Xtreme! It has got nice sculpted body panels to go with the fuel tank. These help one grip the tank easily – giving for much better control over the bike. What I loved was nice tough to the Speedo – by giving it a red background. Slick.

Most people who rode the bike were rather pleased with the handling – and yes, Hero Honda has got it spot on.  The ergonomics is pretty much on the ball – while I’ve often felt the CBZ to be smaller than my P180, this one didnt seem smaller – and the seat to foot peg to handlebar positioning was just right.  As was the knee recesses. You’d grip the fuel tank just so – and the result was amazing flickability.

The Hunk also did not feel so much underpowered compared to the P180 I’d just ridden – which meant it was a good one in performance – although I did not drag it too much. But a longer ride should convince me on the performance aspect – but it’s gear changes are spot-on and go thru with a convincing air – except for the first to second – which is rather hard – and involves a good deal of effort.

Is it the best in the 150cc segment? Not sure – but it sure as hell is good – and just maybe something I might consider – if buying a 150cc bike.

Leather jackets in bangalore

I wanted to buy a leather jacket. So I went around bangalore’s usual shopping haunts. I was looking specifically for a tan brown leather jacket with a chinese collar (the short collar). Budget: Max. Rs.5k (it better be worth it)..

First stop: Hidesign, 1st Floor, Garuda Mall
There were 4-5 Jackets and I found exactly what I wanted, great styling, exact color, thick leather.. But alas! Rs. 9000 (Hidesign, does it go on sale anytime ?)

Next stop: Shopper’s Stop, Garuda Mall
Surprise, Surprise.. We were sent to the 2nd floor by a salesman in the ground floor.. When we reached there, we were shown few denim jackets.. I spelt it out again, “L-E-A-T-H-E-R” jacket.. Then, he came out with it, they didn’t have any..

Next: Lifestyle, Richmond Road
We were sure, they would have good ones there, suspected that the price would be out of the budget, but you never know.. Surprise again, just one brand and one jacket to show for the “grand” Lifestyle. I was very disappointed..

Next: Bangalore Central Mall, Near Mayo Hall, Residency Road
Took the slow escalator towards the third floor. Just two brands, pathetic design and material is not the word..

Cooler waiting the US consulates

If you have been on a visit to the US Consulate for a Visa, or are you going to it for one – you have no doubt heard about – or seen first hand – the long wait it entails in the hot sun.

It also means you cannot carry most things you want to – a shoulder bag containing all your documents and other stuff neatly, a cell phone etc.,

Now, it seems that the US Govt has finally woken up to this hardship and is doing something to address it.

They’re calling it – surprise, surprise – the Stars and Stripes Lounge.

For a list of Amenities and facilities there, I quote (link) :

* A comfortable air-conditioned waiting room protected from the weather.
* A Café Coffee Day counter which offers you a cup of tea or coffee and a sandwich at no extra charge.
* Free storage area for your baggage and items that cannot be taken inside the Consulate.
* Free use of changing rooms.
* Free use of clean restroom facilities.
* Free return coach transfers between the Lounge and the U.S. Consulate. Coaches leave the lounge every 30 minutes.
* Privacy and safety: The Lounge is protected by security staff, with access restricted only to visa applicants and accompanying persons
* Snack Bar for refreshments and light meal priced most reasonably

So if you wanna talk to your sweetie, or loved ones, you can do that and leave your cellphone in the storage area.

Entry charge is 200Rs/- per person – including food and drink coupon, but considering that I once had to shell out the same just for the darned security person to gimme back my cellphone, I think its worth it!

(I havent yet had a chance to review the arrangements, but it seemed worthy enough of publishing)

IIM-B’s PGSEM Community presents Convergenz 08, Theme: Innovation & Product Management

Greetings !

PGSEM (@ IIM-B) & Cisco take immense pleasure & pride in soliciting your august presense at Convergenz-08, a forum for interaction between Industry, Academia & Alumni. It is on this day, in the environs of IIM Bangalore, that some of the best minds from the Industry would discuss on challenges of the day.

Date: Sunday, 13th Jan, 2008

Events:

1. Business Quiz (Starts: 1 PM)

• Open to all folks of the hi-tech companies from Bangalore
• Organized by Prof. Rajeev Gowda (of Karnataka Quiz Association)
• Prize Money worth Rs. 40K to be won
• Over 100 teams to participate

2. Panel Discussion (Starts: 6: 30 PM)

Topic – ‘Building an Innovation Ecosystem in India’

Panelists:

• Mr. Vinod Deshmukh, CTO, Mindtree
• Prof. Sadagopan, Director, IIIT
• Mr. Rajeev Mehtani, MD, NXP Semiconductors

Other potential panelists:

• Mr. Vineet Nayar, CEO, HCL Technologies
• Mr. Bobby Mitra, MD, Texas Instruments
• Mr. K.B. Chandrashekhar, CEO, Jamcracker

3. Case Analyses (Starts 1:30 PM)

• Participation open to IIM-B students
• Business Challenges faced by the hi-tech industry in India on product management
• Analysis by students who handle technology and business with equal poise
• Judged by industry experts and the eminent academia in IIM-B

Honda Airwave

Rumors are rife in the auto world about Honda bringing the Jazz to India. If my experience with the Airwave is any indication, then the Jazz doesnt look a promising prospect.

The Airwave is a station wagon model based on the Jazz platform – and its ordinary at best, boring at worst.

The Airwave is a model exclusive to Japan, but based on the Jazz platform, pretty much like the City. Except, that its got a boot, a big boot.

How’s it like to drive? Well I drove it for a lil over 200kms and following are my observations.

When I started out, I feathered the loud pedal as we’d just been caught speeding (wasn’t me!) and the acceleration was generally sluggish – not all that unexpected from an automatic – importantly, it wasn’t progressive at all. But when the revs built up, i.e., I hit the loud pedal hard, the acceleration was marked, with a kick at the neck(but still not progressive).

The engine really didn’t exhibit the “smoothness” that’s apparently Honda’ strength. It was actually a pretty unrefined unit. NVH characteristics were rather bad, considering that the windows were up – and a lot of noise filtered through. A lot more than even in any small car! Getting maybe 4/10 in my book.

The dynamics of the car, would be slightly different I suppose. Being the first stationwagon I’ve driven – and fully loaded with 5 people and lots of luggage, I was careful not to upset the applecart.

It was nothing great to write home about though – having driven it among the twisties on the way to Fuji, it was okay – didn’t corner like on rails, but didn’t really give too much cause for concern either. Was generally okay (was on unassisted brakes and steering as we’d nearly run outta fuel!) .

One thing I really hated abt the car was the driver’s seating – everytime I had to get out, my legs fouled with the steering stalk – a real pain, adjustin the seat back and then forward again. The Jazz better have decent seat positioning!
And the driver’s seating was kinda okay when driving, but the “auto gear” lever did not fall to the hand well. The armrest fouled with the left arm (thank god, it was auto!). Imagine driving in an Indian city where every so often you get a thump on your elbow because you’re trying to shift gears!!

It was slated to seat 5, but, thats only if the people sitting on the 2nd row are all of slight build. Add even person of slightly heavier build and it began to get cramped – very cramped – more so than most Indian hatchbacks (Santro, Wagon R et al) Not a good thing for a stationwagon.

We didnt really test the fuel economy as it was our Japanese colleague who was managing that.

But there was one awesome feature of the car – and that is its sunroof – or a glass roof at the top. I’m not sure how safe it is, in a crash, but boy, it gives you an awesome view. The whole of the top of the car above the passenger rows would open up to a glassy roof – great thing on a ride! I wish they bring it to India too – subject to safety constraints, of course!

The looks were nothing to write home about – it was an average stationwagon, with the modern angular lights, curves. Nothing that distinguishes it from any other car. And the design of some parts – and especially the illumination provided by the headlights was nothing to write home about. The lights were absolutely useless – most Indian compacts have better lights!

Overall, its a just about okay car, that doesnt simulate ones senses, nor the brain. If the Jazz or equivalent is similar, then I’d say buy it only if you have no other choice!

Taare Zameen Par – Review (5/5)

Note: This post does not give away the movie plot, coz I recommend you see this movie.

The movie is a must watch for every mom, every dad, every teacher, every kid and everyone who has ever been a kid.. It will mostly make you cry at moments when the characters are sad or even happy.. You most probably will identify with the kid “Ishaan Awasthi” played by Darsheel Safary in the movie in some way or the other.. The kid has acted really well and will mostly win a few awards this year for this performance..

This movie breaks away from the usual singing and dancing around trees sequences of bollywood.. This movie will definitely increase the awareness of dyslexia in India.. But I suspect it will definitely change the outlook of parents towards their misunderstood (so called academically weak) kids in this unforgiving materialistic competitive world..

The music and songs for the film are just brilliant and very moving.. Especially the song “Maa” will have your tears rolling down your cheeks.. Super stuff “Ehsaan Ehsaan Loy” !! I was crying and foot-tapping while seeing the songs

Debut director & Actor Aamir Khan and all the members of the crew.. hats-off to you guys !!

Woohoo, 100000 hits for IndiaReviews..

Guess the (paintbrushed) image says it all..

Happy New Year Folks !!

Hope you succeed in finally finding the happiness you always were seeking this year..

Hmm.. 2008 New Year’s Resolution: Must post more often..