R.T.Sakthidaran

Popularity: 3% [?]

Popularity: 2% [?]

Recently, I received the following information from a friend. I think it will be useful for youngsters who are on move frequently. If there is an error please do not hesitate to correct.

Just SMS (normal tariff) your PNR number of Indian Railways on this mobile number 9773300000 and instantaneously you will get your ticket’s current status along with all other journey related details.

Some usefulToll Free Numbers in India:

Airlines
Indian Airlines – (1800 180 1407)
Jet Airways – (1800 22 5522)
Spice Jet – (1800 180 3333)
Air India – (1800 22 7722)
Kingfisher – (1800 180 0101)

Automobiles
Mahindra Scorpio – (1800 22 6006)
Maruti – (1800 111 515)
Tata Motors – (1800 22 5552)
Windshield Experts – (1800 11 3636)

Banks
ABN AMRO – (1800 11 2224)
Canara Bank – (1800 44 6000)
Citibank – (1800 44 2265)
Corporation Bank – (1800 443 555)
Development Credit Bank – (1800 22 5769)
HDFC Bank – (1800 227 227)
ICICI Bank – (1800 333 499)
ICICI Bank NRI – (1800 22 4848)
IDBI Bank – (1800 11 6999)
Indian Bank – (1800 425 1400)
ING Vysya – (1800 44 9900)
Kotak Mahindra Bank – (1800 22 6022)
Lord Krishna Bank – (1800 11 2300)
Punjab National Bank – (1800 122 222)
State Bank of India – (1800 44 1955)
Syndicate Bank – (1800 44 6655)

Computers/IT
Adrenalin – (1800 444 445)
AMD – (1800 425 6664)
Apple Computers – (1800 444 683)
Canon – (1800 333 366)
Cisco Systems – (1800 221 777)
Compaq – HP – (1800 444 999)
Data One Broadband – (1800 424 1800)
Dell – (1800 444 026)
Epson – (1800 44 0011)
eSys – (3970 0011)
Genesis Tally Academy – (1800 444 888)
HCL – (1800 180 8080)
IBM – (1800 443 333)
Lexmark – (1800 22 4477)
Marshal’s Point – (1800 33 4488)
Microsoft – (1800 111 100)
Microsoft Virus Update – (1901 333 334)
Seagate – (1800 180 1104)
Symantec – (1800 44 5533)
TVS Electronics – (1800 444 566)
WeP Peripherals – (1800 44 6446)
Wipro – (1800 333 312)
Xerox – (1800 180 1225)
Zenith – (1800 222 004)

Couriers/Packers & Movers
ABT Courier – (1800 44 8585)
AFL Wizz – (1800 22 9696)
Agarwal Packers & Movers – (1800 11 4321)
Associated Packers P Ltd – (1800 21 4560)
DHL – (1800 111 345)
FedEx – (1800 22 6161)
Goel Packers & Movers – (1800 11 3456)
UPS – (1800 22 7171)

Healthcare
Best on Health – (1800 11 8899)
Dr Batras – (1800 11 6767)
GlaxoSmithKline – (1800 22 8797)
Johnson & Johnson – (1800 22 8111)
Kaya Skin Clinic – (1800 22 5292)
LifeCell – (1800 44 5323)
Manmar Technologies – (1800 33 4420)
Pfizer – (1800 442 442)
Roche Accu-Chek – (1800 11 4546)
Rudraksha – (1800 21 4708)
Varilux Lenses – (1800 44 8383)
VLCC – (1800 33 1262)

Home Appliances
Aiwa/Sony – (1800 11 1188)
Anchor Switches – (1800 22 7979)
Blue Star – (1800 22 2200)
Bose Audio – (1800 11 2673)
Bru Coffee Vending Machines – (1800 44 7171)
Daikin Air Conditioners – (1800 444 222)
DishTV – (1800 12 3474)
Faber Chimneys – (1800 21 4595)
Godrej – (1800 22 5511)
Grundfos Pumps – (1800 33 4555)
LG – (1901 180 9999)
Philips – (1800 22 4422)
Samsung – (1800 113 444)
Sanyo – (1800 11 0101)
Voltas – (1800 33 4546)

Hotel Reservations
GRT Grand – (1800 44 5500)
InterContinental Hotels Group – (1800 111 000
Marriott – (1800 22 0044)
Sarovar Park Plaza – (1800 111 222)
Taj Holidays – (1800 111 825)

Insurance
AMP Sanmar – (1800 44 2200)
Aviva – (1800 33 2244)
Bajaj Allianz – (1800 22 5858)
Chola MS General Insurance – (1800 44 5544)
HDFC Standard Life – (1800 227 227)
LIC – (1800 33 4433)
Max New York Life – (1800 33 5577)
Royal Sundaram – (1800 33 8899)
SBI Life Insurance – (1800 22 9090)

Mobile Phones
BenQ – (1800 22 08 08)
Bird CellPhones – (1800 11 7700)
Motorola MotoAssist – (1800 11 1211)
Nokia – (3030 3838)
Sony Ericsson – (3901 1111)

Railways
Indian Railway General Enquiry 131
Indian Railway Central Enquiry 131
Indian Railway Reservation 131
Indian Railway Railway Reservation Enquiry 1345,1335,1330
Indian Railway Centralised Railway Enquiry 1330/1/2/3/4/ 5/6/7/8/9

Teleshopping
Asian Sky Shop – (1800 22 1800)
Jaipan Teleshoppe – (1800 11 5225)
Tele Brands – (1800 11 8000)
VMI Teleshopping – (1800 447 777)
WWS Teleshopping – (1800 220 777)

Travel
Club Mahindra Holidays – (1800 33 4539)
Cox & Kings – (1800 22 1235)
God TV Tours – (1800 442 777)
Kerala Tourism – (1800 444 747)
Kumarakom Lake Resort – (1800 44 5030
Raj Travels & Tours – (1800 22 9900)
Sita Tours – (1800 111 911)
SOTC Tours – (1800 22 3344)

Jai Hind

Popularity: 2% [?]

On 12^th December 2011, Member (Education), (Tamil Nadu) State Planning Commission and former Vice-Chancellor of Anna University at Madurai (certainly he would not have said this in Bangalore or Chennai) said that IT companies had destroyed the Indian scientific culture and during the last 15 years research in the fields of engineering and technology had been greatly affected, especially in the manufacturing sector.

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Dr. Ramalinga Raju

 

He further said that the amount of research being carried out in the country was very low. In the engineering field, there had been very little contribution in terms of papers submitted to refereed journals. “It is not only that we lack in quantity but the quality is also bad; plagiarism is also on the rise; people who are in the academic world do not have the internal urge to do proper quality research. Sustainable development is possible only when there is good quality of research culture. During the last 15 years, we have not increased our research output,” he said.

He pointed out that “we still have 200 million people who go to bed without having a square meal, 70 per cent of the population does not have proper sanitation facilities and half of the population does not have drinking water facilities.”

There were a lot of social issues which needed to be addressed to make India a superpower. There should be a greater amount of seriousness in pursuing research and if it was lacking then scholars should get out of research, he said. There were 40 lakh students doing engineering courses and there was a need for 86,000 Ph. D. scholars to teach in colleges. But we have only 10,000; we need 1.20 lakh M. Tech. graduates to teach but we have only 20,000. “We, as a nation, spend only 0.9 per cent of the GDP towards research and development. There are a lot of social problems and people who are engaged in technical research should address these issues and do research,”  he said.

Certainly, it brings cheer in those who could not improve quality, compete in market and want to make big bug with the help of politicians. I have worked in industry for 29 years and 9 years in education so I am competent to answer his allegation.

1. First of all, we do not see a single sentence showing how IT  companies destroyed Indian scientific culture especially in the manufacturing  sector.

2. He has also not put a single line what wonderful contribution our manufacturing sector is doing.

3. What is Indian scientific culture that is to be destroyed? Can you make public all the PhD thesis on the INTERNET? Right now, it is CONFIDENTIAL!

4. In fact, he gives a long list of woes in research culture which is nothing to do with IT.

5. How many PhD’s have been allowed to take up socially relevant projects?

He could have explained his ideas to solve the problem. Instead, the Member (Education), Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission delivered the speech like a politician throwing the rotten egg on “IT Industry”. If some one finds even a single idea or point in his above speech to improve Indian research culture, please bring it to my notice. I will publish.

How can we be such hypocrites? His book earned and earning even today huge royalty due to IT education. Those who speak against IT have their children working in MNC software companies or migrated to USA working in Microsoft, Google, HP etc. None of us refused to admit our children in core branches or pushed them in higher studies. What have we done to improve our education? How many engineers can do error analysis? How many of them understand the importance of “dimensional tolerances”? We all know the reasons for our failure yet all of us want to fish in this troubled waters.

So, go on Member (Education) blame IT, we understand how important and attractive it is for every one. Carry on your campaign every where, IT industry is not going to say, “You too Brutus”.

Hai Bhagavan! Kuch to sharam karo!

Jai Hind

NB: I have not mentioned the name of the Member as I am against his “hate campaign”, “illogical conclusion” or “idea” and not against the individual.

Popularity: 7% [?]

On 13 December 2011, Deputy Attorney General Cole (USA) announced that the Department of Justice has recovered more than $5.6 billion (₹3 lakh crore) in fraud proceeds in 2011 – the largest amount for any single year in the history of the department. All told, the Department of Justice has amassed $15 billion (₹8 lakh crore) in total fraud recoveries since 2009.

As Deputy Attorney General Cole said:

“Our message could not be clearer – we will aggressively investigate and prosecute those who seek to defraud the American people. Those who commit fraud will be held to account. And the America taxpayer will continue to see a high rate of return on its investment in the Department of the Justice.”

Don’t you think it is a big achievement of the Obama’s government?

Jai Hind

Popularity: 5% [?]

This was the question, I raised in my earlier post “An Alternative to Existing Political System”. Already at least two villages Kasangadu and Saranthangi in Tamil Nadu have successfully solved this problem. Now, one more initiative is coming from Maharashtra. Read the following news:

Mumbai 227 draws up plan for civic poll candidates

Mumbai227 to use stringent screening process for civic polls

The experiment is on. Are we ready in Tamil Nadu? I think the state is not ready. In Maharashtra law and order is far better. Tamil Nadu is rampant with money and muscle power. Police and Judiciary is still at the mercy of corrupt and criminal politicians at places like Madurai. For the time being, we need “Amma” to clean the system and release the public from the clutches of dirty politicians.

What do you think?

Jai Hind

Popularity: 6% [?]

I enjoyed his Ghajals in 80′s when I was on tour to Delhi. His Ghajals touched my heart. Even today, I forget myself when I listen to him. Listen this song. The most cherished song by me is “Ma Sunao Mujhe Wo Kahani,” sung by Siza Roy in Jagjit Singh’s Album CRY.

On 10^th October 2011, this Ghajal maestro Jagjit Singh left this world. May his soul rest in peace.

Jai Hind

Popularity: 4% [?]

Yesterday, a few students came to me in my office. They informed that they would appear for an interview to be conducted by Indian Navy next week. Therefore, they needed Semester Grade Sheets. They are final year students in 7^th Semester (2008-12 batch). They belonged to Anna University of Technology Tiruchirappalli, Tiruchirappalli. So far, they have received only the 1^st and 2^nd Semester Grade Sheets. They needed 3^rd to 6^th Semester Grade Sheets also for verification by recruiting authorities. They apprehend that they will be rejected  in the absence of  grade sheets. No exception would be given to them since all the students from other Universities like AUTThirunelveli, AUTCoimbatore, AUTChennai and numerous Deemed Universities have the Grade/Mark Sheets already.

These students told me that they are representing the entire final year students (around 600). They requested the college to take measures to get the certificates with in 5 days. I told them that the college had been writing and sending staff to AUTT regularly for the last 4 semesters to get the grade sheets but in vain. Now also, I assured that we will send a letter to concerned authorities immediately.

Finally, they asked me whether they would get the Grade Sheets in time. I said the chances are extremely poor. In a government university where every employee has been recruited by taking huge bribe, there is hardly any chance that these employees would perform. Naturally, they would be busy “to get back” their investment in an uncertain world. The university authorities never care to reply. Affiliated colleges are also afraid of reprimands and rarely complain. At best, they plead for their mercy.

I suggested that the students and parents write to university. The response from AUTT will be positive since they form a large number and huge “electorate”. In response, the students said they can not write to AUTT since that may attract the wrath of the authorities and affect their future! I said you are students, the future, your voice will be heard. No, the repetitive answer was “fear”. “Our future”  is living in fear! We are yet to achieve “freedom from fear”.

The problem remains. We have written to AUTT to issue the grade sheets for 3^rd to 6^th Semester for 2004-2012 batch. Will you help our students by writing to AUTT? I invite students, parents, alumni and others who are interested in improving the governance of the universities to copy and paste the following content and send to Controller of Examination and Vice-Chancellor:

Dear Sir,

We understand that Anna University of Tiruchirappalli has not released the Grade/Mark Sheets for 2004-12 batch students of BE and B.Tech from 3^rd semester onwards though they are presently in final year that is in 7^th semester. You may very well understand that industry has started recruiting students from the 7^th semester itself. Under such situation, it is important that they posses the previous semesters Grades Sheets readily for verification during recruitment process.

We request on behalf of those affected students that AUTT release the Grade Sheets immediately there by helping students in placement in industries. What ever may be your problem, kindly give top priority to this.

Expecting the University to serve the student better for ever.

Yours truly

—

Jai Hind

Popularity: 10% [?]

Today, Jan Lok Pal Bill will be debated in a short time and at the end, the bill will be voted. If the majority votes in favor, JLP bill would become a law. Rahul Gandhi has suddenly become alert and “read” a long prepared speech. He, like most of the corrupt politicians is more concerned about democracy than anti-corruption.

• Why?
• Can we not have democracy free from corruption?
• Should we not create laws and regulations to eliminate corruption from the democratic society?
• What is the use of democracy if it can not protect “we the people of India” from the corrupt and criminal “politicians, parliamentarians, ministers, government officials, judiciary, police and business persons”.

Let us not forget that “democracy” is for “we the people of India” and not vice versa.

If Congress, BJP and all other parties who believe that democracy is at stake today then it is because of the rampant corruption. If these parties want to “save democracy” the only way out is pass JLP bill with an overwhelming majority. To ensure safe passing of the bill, all the parties must issue “whip” to their MPs that they should vote in favor of of the bill. Have the parties done? If not why?

The Prime Minister is pleading that he is Mr Clean. He wants corruption free society. He is from Indian National Congress. Has he asked his party President to issue a “whip” in favor of the LJP Bill? Katkari, the President of BJP said BJP supported, supporting and would support Anna Ji in favor of LJP. Has he issued a “whip” in favor of the LJP Bill? If the political parties are honest then they must issue a “whip” in favor of the LJP Bill.

Listen the debate, prepare a  “Black List” of MPs who speak against LJP bill irrespective of their political affiliation. These MPs should not have any political future. They should never be voted in the election. Even, their affiliated parties should be black listed unless the party removes these MPs from their primary membership.

Come on, let us prepare the black list. Listen the debate and send the following details as comment:

1. Name of MP,
2. Party affiliation,
3. Gist of his speech against JLP bill.

Jago Re, “we the people of India” are responsible for today’s situation. If you still remain quite, your and your children’s future is at stake.

Jai Hind

Popularity: 20% [?]

In recent days, the PM, HM, FM and many others from the ruling coalition of India are concerned about the democracy, parliament, and the parliamentarians.

The erstwhile parliamentarians were clear about their position in the society. They thought that they were the servants of the people. When they made mistake and some one pointed out that, they apologized in public for committing such mistakes. Some of them accepted moral responsibility and resigned their posts for mistakes committed in their ministries.

The present day parliamentarians are selfish, greedy and totally corrupt. They do not accept their mistakes even when pointed out by appropriate agencies. These parliamentarians feel that it is their right to do what ever they want since they have been elected by people. They even defend their corrupt practices. They forget that they were elected to serve the country and “we the people” for 5 years. Instead, they feel it is their right to do any thing that are illegal, immoral and unethical acts to satisfy themselves and their family members. When such acts have significant bad impact on “we the people”, social activists, yoga gurus and media point out in public so that the mistakes are corrected. The parliamentarians today are offended when such exposure occur. They say it is against democracy. According to parliamentarians, democracy gives the right to them to rule the country the way they want. With majority consent, they can enact any law even if it is against “we the people”.

The above concept of democracy has created billionaire parliamentarians in a few terms. Business, judiciary and police have joined with them and richly benefited themselves at the cost of “we the people”. Due to intense contradictions created in this environment, 2G, 3G, CWG scams have been exposed forcing the parliamentarians to be jailed under sever strictures from Supreme Court.

The dirty politicians once elected use their position and power to amaze huge wealth with the help of bureaucrats and government servants. They subsequently use this wealth in subsequent election to win the elections. Thus, once elected a criminal, poor and crooked politician is able to retain his seat in assemblies for very long time and for generations!!!

The way parliamentarians handled the Anna Hazare and Swamy Ram Dev’s public protest against Lok Pal and Anti-corruption issues makes it clear that in democracy there are “gangs of dictators” and no people representatives. Politicians are peoples representatives only from the date of election till the day they take oath of office. After that, most of them become “gang of dictators”.

Is it democracy? If it is democracy then it is inadequate. We need to do some thing. Anticipating such situation Lok Pal was proposed in the parliament several decades back in vain. The accumulating corruption and atrocities prompted people like Anna Hazare to propose “Jan Lok Pal” in December 2010.

Anna Hazare’s Jan Lok Pal movement was cunningly thwarted by the ruling gangs by forming a committee. Later, the ruling coalition decided to frame their own Lok Pal and pass the bill saying it is the parliament that makes laws not people on the street!

The current Anna Hazare’s fast from August 16 is to oppose that bill which does not include PM and other important dignitaries. A democratic fasting was denied permission and AH was jailed. BUT, the people through the country particularly youth, the school and college students came out in large number in support of AH and Jan Lok Dal. They are shouting “Vande Maataram” with full enthusiasm. This has frightened the gangs and they have released AH and permitted him to fast for 15 days! It is not going to be that easy. 120 crore people will find it tough to fight against their own creation a “gang of demons”. It may require a lot of sacrifice. Are we ready? It is a painful question.

 I support Anna Hazare for his demand for “Jan Lok Pal”. I will spread the news. I know you would like to make your own contribution in this historic movement. Then, send the link, forward it to others and more than that add your comment on this post with out failing. Your comments indicate your commitment and involvement in the cause.

Jai Hind

Popularity: 7% [?]