Bangalore Blues

Ah!! What an awesome week this was !! It all started last sunday when i was pulled out from my typical languid couch-potato- like state ( my comfort zone :P ) at home and thrown (literally!!) into the mandatory summer-project groove . So , i took a bus from Mumbai to Bangalore ( a not-so-bad duration of 15 hrs ) and landed at IISc . For the unitiated , IISc ( Indian Institute of Science ) is a 100 year old premier research and science education situated on a 440-acre lush green campus in Bangalore . I was allotted a room not in a hostel but a Guest house and without a doubt , the Guest House is amazing like the pic will tell you . Besides the Guest house , the mess here is amazing . Never knew ( esp. After 3 yrs of Hostel food in VNIT ) that mess food could atleast match the satisfaction of Home-food .

After 5 days of hard work in the project ( which btw is super-exciting but super-tough too ) , i finally got a chance to chill out outside the campus today . Whoa ! The city impressed me to no limits. If i were to make a list of the fantastic things i found in this city it would be :

1. The Buses .... pretty good . Either equal to or better than BEST of Mumbai .
2. The Malls .... amazing . Definitely better than Mumbai .
3. The Chicks in the Malls and in the surroundings...the best these eyes have ever seen :D
4.The Rock n Metal Culture ....it runs in the blood of the youth of B'Lore for sure . I walked into a McD which was full of families and the usual Bachha party and the music being played to everyone's enjoyment was “ System of a Down “ etc. Where else my friends can you see such unabashed public appreciation for Metal Music ??
Went to a shop on Brigade Road ( recommended on Facebook ) .The shop had a bloody collection of shirts , posters , caps and wat not of every frickin metal band that has ever existed . Even the rarest of the Black Metal Band T-shirts were available all under one roof . I have checked out Metal T-Shirt Shops everywhere Mumbai , Madras , Nagpur , Delhi and even Himachal but abs. No match for this place !!
THIS IS THE METAL CAPITAL OF INDIA ( undoubtedly !)
5.The Pubs ...almost one springing out in every corner of the city . Heavy Metal Pubs inviting you to pitchers of beer or be it the usual Hard Rock Cafe , Sports Pub , Guzzler's Inn etc.
6.Etc. Etc. Etc . :P

This was my 1st week in B'Lore and it was mind-blowing to say the least . Have 8 more weeks to go . Lots of work surely , Lots of fun too hopefully !!
Ah... i am tired . After a day of pigging on pizza from Pizza Hut ( after 18 months :P ), Juices , Shakes from various parlors , 'Cookie Man ' Australian Cookies and Ice-cream , McD's etc.etc. And lastly writing this painfully long blogpost , I finally decide to call it a day .

POLY-TICKS !!!

Polyticks , a neologism derived from Politics, n: [Poly "many" + ticks "blood-sucking parasites"]

Politics, it seems to me, for years, or all too long, has been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong. ~Richard Armour
It is the election season everywhere and here too in VNIT , the student council elections are scheduled for next week ( Considering our College’s notorious reputation for impunctuality , i wouldn’t be surprised if it is held 3-4 months later :P ). I , for one am really AMUSED by the scenario this year , primarily because my batchmates are the candidates in question and secondly , believe it or not a record number of 38 guys are fighting it out for just 10 ‘coveted’ posts of the VNIT Student Council .

The last statement would have definitely cracked you up ...in the sense . You are left wondering , either there are just too many guys who wish to stand up and make a difference to the college and it’s functioning or there are just far-too many attention-hungry , thoroughly-confused souls who wish to just add some zing to their not-so-happening college lives by this medium .

Here are a few famous quotes which rush to my mind whenever i think about the elections in VNIT and politics in general .

1. The general attitude of a VNIT student voter :

“ Hell, I never vote for anybody, I always vote against. “

2. My attitude as a VNIT student voter :

“ I'd like to vote for the best man, but he's not even a candidate. “

3. On receiving a mail cum manifesto of a candidate for the Acad. Sec stating categorically “ I do not want your vote , I would like to earn it “

“ In order to become the master, the politician poses as the servant. “

4. My predicted reaction at 7.30 PM on the 13th of April 2009 when the results are finally announced :

“ When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President; I'm beginning to believe it.”

5. When posed with the question as to why , WHY IN GOD’S NAME would 38 guys from a single batch of students fight pointlessly for 10 posts , WHY again ??

“ There are far too many men in politics and not enough elsewhere.”

6. In general :

" During a campaign the air is full of speeches - and vice versa. "

In reference to Points 5 and 6 and after listening to many speeches in person by the various candidates as to how they would like to fight for the changes they had envisioned for a better VNIT , I wonder how these ‘CANDIDATES’ are suddenly infused with this newfound passion of reforming VNIT. Why couldn’t they take these issues ( which supposedly are so close to their heart )up individually at various times throughout the year . Why all of you and all of a sudden NOW ??

Note : the author wishes to convey his views which may or may not be POLITICALLY CORRECT and apologises to anybody offended ( subject to if any of the candidates ever read it i.e. ):P

All Burnt .....

I write this post after seeing yet another film based on one of the greatest crimes man has been involved in : The HOLOCAUST ! The film in this case is ' The Boy in Striped Pyjamas ' . While the viewer may almost give up on the movie realising the entire film just reiterates what has been shown time and again before , the portrayal of the entire phenomenon of the Holocaust and its widespread impact on an innocent 8-yr old's mind is touching . But the reason the movie is truly wonderful is the unexpected ' TRAGEDY ' which unfolds at the end and takes the viewer completely by surprise . Do watch it folks ... and lemme know how you find it !

Other Holocaust-films I have watched and recommend strongly are :\
1. Schindler's List
2. The Pianist
3. Sophie's Choice
4. Sophie Scholl – Die letzten Tage (or Sophie Scholl – The Final Days )
5. and most recently The Reader