The Rozabal Line - A review

I happen to be a real bookaholic, but due to increased work pressure over the last few weeks I was unable to get myself to read any new book (although I have quite a few waiting to be read).

Finally, yesterday, decided to get down to reading and finish the backlog, so that I do not feel guilty when purchasing a new one :).

So, checked out my cabinet to find what all novels were not read (am really into fiction), and decided to start with The Rozabal Line. And, after having finished reading it, I am happy that I started with it. Following is my excuse of a book review (I have never done this, although we do discuss books and give our comments, but a book review - never)!

The book actually starts from where The DaVinci Code left. It builds upon the legend of Jesus Christ, and works on the lines that Jesus survived his crusification, travelled to Kashmir in India, and died there - and that his bloodline still survives. Parallel to this runs the story of a fictional spin off of the LeT, an unholy allaince between the 13 and the Crux Decussata Permuta, and the Illumanati which opposes the Church for their own selfish reasons, and ofcourse, the great Feminism.

The book is well paced, and flows smoothly from one age to the other - gripping the reader and taking him for a ride in the myraid world of conspiracies, controvercies, secret, and intregue - till you are ready to beileve in anything. the author then slams the killer punch, and makes you reorganize your perceptions and beliefs.

In short, a must read book. I would give it a 4 out of 5.

Will be back with more reviews. Do give your comments on this review - as this is the first time I am writing one. Till then,

This is Hashir, signing off

Over and out

Thankyou Mr Varun Gandhi

Well, the latest scion of the famed Nehru-Gandhi family strikes, and how. By shouting that we muslims have dangerous sounding names, that if you see us at night you will get afraid, that he will cut our hands if we (supposedly) strike on our Hindu countrymen, and by suggesting that any muslim who wears a beard looks like Osama.

Thank you Mr Varun Gandhi for expressing your views in the open, and for bringing to light that all the rheotheric of the Sangh pariwar/BJP about Hindu Muslim unity, and about treating muslims as Indians is just that - mere rheotheric.

He made fun of the names we have, he made fun of the appearence we keep, and openly threatened my community members. And why? Just because we are the minority here? Just because it has become fashionable to bash up the minorities for some votes. Or just because it so happens that the so called Jihadis and I share the same religion, and so I deserve to be bashed up in my own country.

What proved to be the icing of the cake was when he said that his cousin sister (a girl aged 7 or 8 years) commented on the appearence of another party's candidate and said that he was Osama bin Laaden. Well mister Gandhi, let me remind you that India is a demotric country and we all have the fundamental right to keep any appearence we desire as long as it is within certain limits. And, I know of no laws which prohibit anyone from keeping a beard.

The little girl may have made an innocent comment, since the images of the Al-Qaida chief are shown so much in the news. But now was the time to instill a sense of tolerence in the lady. It should have been explained to her that just because two people have the same appearence does not mean that they both have the same character, just because some religious fanatics wage a war in the name of religion does not make all followers of that religion bad or terrorists.

But no. Instead of doing something that was good, and right - this man chooses to do something that shows the world how "Indian" he truly is. Being a true Indian does not mean singing the national anthem or Vande Matram, nor do you become a true Indian by shouting "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" the loudest.

A true Indian is one who can practice and preach the concept of tolerance and acceptance - of different cultures, religions, and thoughts. These quaities make our country great. Sadly, the netas do not realize this.

Shame on you Mr. Varun Gandhi, and thanks for showing your true face so early in your political career.

This is a very shocked and pissed Hashir (who also happens to be a Muslim), signing off,

Over and out

Disclaimer - This post is written assuming that the video of speech shown on CNN are correct. If proved otherwise, the author would like to retract from his views about Mr. Varun Gandhi

A bad day in office

As I sit here, reminiscing the day that has gone by and trying to determine what went wrong, all I can say is that this was one of the worst days in my professional life. I have seen bad days, and I believe that I will see some more (hopefully a small number) in future, but this comes right at the top because of the timing.

Well, it so happened that we were going through the "GO LIVE" phase of the project I am working on. All had gone well, and the just a couple of reports had to be tested before getting the green signal and having all "Well Done" and "Good Work" mails to start pouring in. But, this was not to be.... as in true Bollywood style and following Murphy's Law, the second last report to be tested - failed.

This report was developed by, hold your breath, your's truly. Since I was not a part of the team that was in office, so I was blissfully unaware of this, and remained in my ignorant heaven till Monday afternoon, when I reached office - only to have all volleys turned at me.

What saved me from getting lynched was that the onus was on the functional guy to test the report after it was developed, and thankfully I had a mail from him saying that all was fine. What happened was this - this report calls 4 other programs, and the fourth one failed because I did not pass one mandatory parameter.

I know that the responsibility of the correct development was on me, and I take all blame for this, specially because due to this we lost all ground we had gained during the development, and we also were not praised for a job well done - all because of me and the bl**dy missing parameter.

So, I tried to maintain a sober and serious face throughout the day - which surprised my team mates as they are used to seeing a happy and funny me - but then tough times need tough measures.

So ended my day - which was filled with a lit of shouting, and questions being raised on the way I work (My lead even said that I need to come out of the "second year" mentality.) When I asked him what that was, he said that second year students of engineering behave as if the whole world is theirs - and I need to get a bit serious.

Well, to tell you the truth, will think along these lines. Need to do some introspection. Till then

This is Hashir, signing off,

Over and out

I want to vote

Well, to tell you the truth, I did not believe in voting - simply because I thought that the processs of elections is only to choose who will rob us for the next 5 years. But, lately, I have had a bit of a transformation, and now I want to cast my vote.

The change is in part due to the "jagore" campaign, and also because I finally got my voter's ID card made. And now, I find that I can not cast my vote, because I will not be in my city when the election is held there - I will be in Hyderabad - where I am not registered as a voter.

Makes me think, a lot of us are away from home, and some are also abroad. Shouldn't there be a mechanism for us to cast our vote irrespective of where we are. Maybe we can have an online poll, where you can login using your Voter ID number, and also a security question whose answer is difficult to guess, and then cast our vote on the date of election at home.

Don't really know if there is any option for people away from their home to cast their votes. If anyone knows of anything, please do tell me.

Before signing out, I would like you people to check out the video of "Shutup and Vote", the anthem of the jagore campaign.

This is Hashir, signing off.... (and hoping that everyone who has the chance to vote, does so).

Over and out

A Quick update

I have won the "Blog of the day award" for 12th March, 09. Here is the link to the announcement - http://blogofthedayawards.blogspot.com/2009/03/doodle-chronicles.html.

Thankyou guys,

Hashir

Thankyou for touching my life

On the occasion of Women's day, just wanted to reach out and thank all women who have changed my life. 

The following deserve a special mention - 

1. My Mom - for giving birth to me (ofcourse), and for teaching me that it is stupid to blindly follow the world, and for understanding when I actually did that. Love you mom!!
   
2. My Elder Sister - for accepting nothing but the very best from me.
3. My Younger Sister, Halima - For accepting me for who I am, for ignoring the innumerable times I put her secondary, and for still loving me always, blindly
4. My cousin sister, and my bachcha, Faiza - For treating me as the most important person of her life, for being disappointed whenever I was away on her birthday, and for always accepting my feeble promises for being there the next time.
5. My Aachi - for being the wiff of fresh air in our "serious" household, for always guiding me and emploring me to grow up (I won't - ever), and being the only person in my home to have not scolded me (I am working on that)
6. My dearest Bhanji, Anzalna, for making me realize what I am missing by being away from home. Forgive me kid
7. My dearest friend and sister, Ridhi - for always believeing in me and caring for me as if you are my mom, while you are actually younger (Yeah yeah, by a month only. So what, I still am the elder one here (wicked grin))
8. My friend's, and my sister, Rosy - for bringing me back on earth
9. For my best friend, Sanju - for being a true lioness and always threatening to kill me. Believe me Kid, you never will be able to.

These are some of the women who have touched and changed my life. To others whom I have not mentioned, forgive me, for I do have a bad case of forgetfullness. And please, don't ever stop touching my life and making it better

This is Hashir, wishing all a very happy Women's day

Over and out

Some great news

Hi guys,

Well, I have some great news. At around midnight, I became a proud uncle as my sister gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. (Makes me ask, what the hell am I doing in Hyderabad when I should be in Lucknow with my family - celebrating).

As per the latest news I have, both my sis and her daughter are doing fine, although the young one was in the incubator when I last heard. Will be getting more updates in the morning.

My dearest bhanji will have to wait a few more days to meet her mamu, but I believe that I am more eager to be by her side right now. 

Will try to upload some pics once I get hold of them....

Need your blessings and good wishes for the newest addition to my family.

This is Hashir, signing off(and jumping with joy)

Over and out

Financial (Un)stability

Well, seems like I am neck deep in financial trouble. Being a 20 something techie with little or no financial obligations, I fell into this mess of EMIs, credit cards, and personal loans [:(]. All was under control till the Satyam fiasco did not happen, but now for the last two months am in an economic crunch.

The reason is that though we are getting our salary on time, the payments of other components like the variable pay and the shift allowance is still on hole. And, for me, this means that every month I am getting Rs around 7500 less than what I was expecting.

This surely has affected me a lot, and no matter how much I stop myself from spending lavishly, I still have to meet the payments of the various EMIs and rent etc.

So, right now, am facing the heat, and am trying to find a way out. Lets see where this leads me to. Meanwhile,

This is Hashir, signing off

Over and out