VOTE for your Superstar

Amitabh Bachchan was the 'SUPERSTAR of the millenium' !

Rajanikanth's name is ALWAYS preceded with 'SUPERSTAR' !

Aamir Khan, the 'PERFECTIONIST', has always been called the best actor !

Shahrukh Khan is popularly called 'BADSHAH' of Bollywood !

Akshay Kumar is now being called the 'Hit Machine' !

Show your loyalty and love for your favourite superstar by casting your e-ballot on the right of this blog. Remember, you can vote only once (from each computer), so get going !

Gmat and CAT are unfair

The question that I was faced with recently is - Why do CAT or GMAT test the ability of an aspiring management student in the ares of geometry, algebra, etc. ?

How can top notch educational institutions accept such a biased test that obviously tilts the balance in favour of the engineering students as opposed to those from commerce. A large number of applicants aspiring to get into prestigious institutions have to encounter either a GMAT or CAT test. The two broad categories in both these tests are Maths and English. Most of the commerce graduates would not have been in touch with Maths for several years which affect their chances of scoring a higher grade than those from the engineering stream.

It is no wonder then that the number of applicants finally making it thru to these institutions are from engineering. Although one would think that the natural higher education for a commerce grad.is an MBA and that of an engineering grad.is a masters in tech, science or something on those lines.

It is also very disappointing that none of the educational institutions have a problem with such an unfair system. Although, I it was nice to see India Today point out this in one of their recent issues.

In today's competitive world institutions must provide a level playing field to everyone and then make a judgement about the most deserving of the lot.

....and the Oscar goes to TZP !

Wouldn't that be a dream come true. Taare Zameen Par is one of the finest movies to have been made. It is probably the only movie which made the audience thank the producer/director. It surely is the most deserving nomination from India for the Oscars.

Aamir Khan has done a commendable job as a director while Darsheel gave the performance of a lifetime in his first film itself. For the few who have not yet seen the film, it is a moving tale of how a dyslexic child overcomes his shortcomings with the help of a teacher. I am quite certain that a large percentage of viewers of the film had tears in their eyes. It is a must watch for everyone, especially for a parent and especially in today's times. One could find some interesting information on the movie's official website - http://www.taarezameenpar.com/

I would also strongly recommend everyone to go buy a DVD of the movie, the presentation of which is also a treat and very unlike the packaging of any other DVD. One does expect this only from Aamir Khan. He is not called 'the perfectionist' for nothing.

All the best Aamir. You have a Billion behind TZP !

US Visa

Waiting in line outside the US consulate for my turn to get in, I smiled to myself and wondered how things were the last time I was here.........waiting patiently for my turn to come with a bated breath when the visa officer signalled me to approach the window, I had cold yet sweating palms and at the end of the 30 second interview when I was informed about being granted my visa, I felt as if I had won a gold in the olympics (not that I really know how that felt but I'm sure it would be a similar feeling).

Anyways...here I was again at the consulate. I was fortunate enough to have received the US visa on a few occasions which enabled my several trips to the United States over the last 7 years. This time round I was much more confident and had absolutely no doubt in my mind of being granted the visa and so I was.

During my 'visits' to the consulate in Chennai, one frequently asked question always gets answered - is it luck ? Although I would like to believe that sure, luck might be an added element, merit is the underlining factor. However I am proved wrong time and again. It might be just my perception and there would be well documented guidelines with the officers, but I can say without doubt that the mood of the officer and one's luck play a major role. Those 20 or 30 seconds can make a huge difference to one's life.

I must end this on a lighter note. A guy recently was talking to another and was asked about whether he went to America. "I went to America day before last year !" shot back the reply.

Whats Cooking ??

I've got to admit.....I would probably walkaway with Gold in the 'don't know how to cook' category.

For some reason, I never quite involved myself in the kitchen. My mom's a terrific cook and now, fortunately, so is my wife. As long as I got that sumptuous meal it never quite mattered what went on behind the scenes.

However, all of a sudden I decided to put a rest to all that today. I told my wife that I would be the chef today and she can 'help' me a little if she wanted. I went into the kitchen menacingly and took complete charge, all charged up. I was pleasantly surprised to see that I actually was curious about everything and wanted to know why this and why that. My wife brought me some veggies and basically guided me thru the entire time. Although she gave me instructions all the time about what goes in and in what proportion I was standing there all the time and....cooking. I had made, with the help of my wife, one of the finest 'Paneer Takatak' and 'Fried Rice' for dinner.

While we sat down for dinner my wife thanked me for the effort and admitted about me being the finest vegetable chopper in the world. Now thats a start....ain't it. I loved my first step in this direction. Not that I want to switch my job but when not busy from my work I would love to throw up a dish or two without my professional 'help' as well.

Fannie and Freddie to be taken over by the US Govt.

A historical developement in the United States today. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two of the largest Govt.backed conpanies whose porfolio included about 50% of the US housing market, was going to be taken over by the US Govt.

As we all know the entire financial mess that we had to witness over the last year or so had its roots in the US housing market. Just to give a very brief history of the problem in simple terms - People kept buying properties more so as investments to see the values rise in the short term and then make a killing by selling the properties. This was being fecilitated by poor banking procudures whereby several banks would pass loans to undeserving applicants with imperfect credit history. However, as the value of the purchased properties were rising so astronomically the banks were sure that even if the applicants defaulted on the loan they would be able to sell the mortgaged property and still make a profit. The banks made millions of such deals. They then bundled up several such loans, few of which were to the deserving and few subprime (not deserving) and sold them to bigger banks and financial institutions across the world.

The bubble burst all of a sudden when the US economy showed signs of slowing down. Fresh purchase of property was not as strong as it had been. This back fired on one and all involved in the system. Lack of buying led to property prices declining thereby resulting in defaults by those who couldn't afford the loss on their property and couldn't afford to repay the banks as well. The banks in turn were left to deal with their losses and the biggest chunk of such a loss was being borne by the bigger banks and financial institutions. It was a ripple effect.

Once bitten, twice shy goes the saying. Over the last year banks have obviously been over cautious in sactioning new loans due to which several deserving applicants have also been denied loans for new houses. Needless to say, the housing market collapsed and property prices have plunged.

The scenario has changed in view of this turmoil. There is a good portion of people who are waiting to buy their new properties but hoping for a further decline in prices to make that purchase. Interest rates are at their lowest level in years. The time is ripe for a rebound. All the market needs is a trigger. AND THAT TRIGGER IS HERE !

STABILITY in home prices is what everyone fears. With Fannie and Freddie's the US Govt.has sent a signal that they will not let the US Housing industry collapse any further. Mortgages will be offered at lower rates than before and investments will be protected. I see the US Housing industry stabilize from hereon. It is inappropriate to assume that prices would see an immediate rise and everything would be back on track by tomorrow morning's coffee. The housing problem is a huge problem and will take time to come back on its feet. However this is the bottom.

Hopefully, we would see new purchases commencing, which would result in new constructions in a few quarters. There would be job creation as the US housing industry was a big source of jobs in America. The added jobs would generate more spending which would rub off on other industries and the economy as a whole would be in a much better shape.

I give the US treasury secretary Paulson a two thumbs up for a very proactive role in dealing with an issue of such magnitude.