BUGLE

So the first decade of new millennium has passed. We are going to step into a new decade. Still the memory of stepping into new millennium is fresh. Don’t you remember the millennium bug? All the institutions including defense, banking or any other using web network were frightened that they would lose the data as the computer would read the 1 st Jan of 2001 as 1 st Jan of 1901. I remember the 31 st Dec of 1999; till late hours we have been taking the print outs of all the accounts. The software industry as a whole had their hay days selling their millennium bugs cleansing software. However nothing happened anywhere in this planet. Nobody reported being charged by millennium bug in their system.  The hue and cry was forgotten soon. Except the share price of IT sector sore higher. They made huge profits. The last decade saw 9/11, Iraq war and global recession. In fact throughout decade headlines were struck by hot and chill news. Terrorism tops the list and a new term like finan...

With ‘Raj’ ended and British colonial ‘Sahib’s packed up for their mother land. Most of them when back to their ‘home’; first oddity they faced, lack of service from soft-footed domestic servants. Ruling for 200 years in their oriental colonies,  they became so used to these ‘Khidmatgars’ or domestic helps; back home without them , for many life became painful experiences. There were many having never seen their ‘Home’ or Great Britain could never imagine a life without domestic helps. On the bank of Ganges or Hoogly  river there were many jute mills owned by mostly Scottish ‘Sahibs’; still some of their old English style Bungalows stand within the those old mill compounds, although mostly in dilapidated condition but they still show their elegance. It is surprising, how the ‘Memsahib’s could maintain them! How many domestic helps, Malis (gardeners) , ‘Khidmadgars’  were engaged for their upkeep! One of my friends after leaving Air Force joined as a Security Officer in o...

It is only possible in India. The all time record of session adjournments have been broken in this winter session of our parliament. Our leaders ( read opposition) have made it possible to put full stop of session activities for 23 days in the term of 24 days  winter session of parliament. Perhaps we should seek a place in Guinness Book of Records for such wise parliamentarian saga! The fund wasted for session less parliament is around Rs 146 Crores. This includes the allowances paid to our revered members of Parliament and all other expenses made to run full parliamentary session. Apart from wastage of public fund what has been more disgraced is parliamentary democracy. 

Next time when you go to shop with plush shopping mall, take care you are not cheated........... Products & Service Reviews: HOMETOWN-- The Shopping Mall at Rajarhat, Kolkata : "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

( This is concluding part of same article PART - I) In 1857, the history changed its course as India’s first war of independence altered the fate of British East India Company. The Crown took over the charge directly after English soldiers with their native army could defeat the rebellion. This was a jolt for the Crown. However, peoples of Nepalese origin in British army the“Gurkha” played a formidable role for British to suppress the Indian uprising or war of independence that British termed skillfully as ‘Sepoy Mutiny’. The expert English officers in British army could recognize the excellent valor of ‘Gurkhas’ in war- field. There after, ‘Gurkha’ soldiers became indispensable for British Army. They are so even now. Last war British used them was Falkland war against Argentina in recent past. Now with monarchy gone and became a part of Nepal’s history. The present Maoist government is keeping close tie with their Chinese godfathers. Taking clue from Chinese aggressive policy, th...

Parvez Iqbal Siddique; a correspondent in north India, wrote back in 2005 an article citing the boiling Nepalese’s sentiment for ‘Maha Nepal’. The new Maoist government in Nepal is all the way supporting the demand for ‘Maha Nepal’ that should chunk out a good portion of Indian territory covering the area between Nepal’s border and the Tista valley in east and up to Kangra ( Sutlej river) in west. However, this news grossly escaped the notice of Indian politicians and policy makers keep afar the Indian citizens. No furor rose anywhere in this issue.  Many articles are published since past two decades in various Nepalese newspapers and magazines in this issue. In support of this claim, the promulgators of ‘Maha Nepal’ are citing history.  They claim the ancient Nepal was far bigger than what it is now, though that goes without any historical evidence. During the regime of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, in 1744 Nepalese army went on war for re-integration of its lost territory. Th...

The festive season in Bengal starts around this time of the year. lt starts with 'Durga Puja', as 'Nava Ratri' elsewhere. Kolkata being capital of West Bengal , the celebration is most ostensible and decorative here. The four days of celebration invites people from all over the states and beyond. The spirit runs so high that it stalls the movements of Metro ( the city as well as its underground railway system). There is distinct difference of the Kolkata's temperament in comparison with other metros across the country. Say , in Mumbai the 'Ganesh Puja' is celebrated with equal zeal and spirit. But sooner the celebration is over people are back to track. You find the city is in the same usual mood full of activities. But Kolkata stands apart. After the 'Durga Puja' at least for a week the city as well as Kolkatans suffer from hang-over. This is evident every where. The roads are more or less empty., traffic congestion is missing. People are not runnin...

  Often I remember the speech of our Ex President Mr. K R Narayanan; he delivered on the Republican Day on 26 th January 2000, in the advent of new millennium.  I may not recollect it precisely from my memory here it is what I remember “……………….. the fast track of globalization is impeding the pedestrians to cross the roads……………….”; and he predicted the civil war as one of result for this.  Well he earned the then ruling party’s wrath for such speech as offending them.  However, after a decade we find his prediction was right and his forecast is unfortunately correct to the hilt.   The recent outbreaks of insurgency in the backward districts of most of the states in our country stand in evidence of that. After more than sixty years of independence, many pockets of our country remain where they were in 20s! Metal roads, electricity, basic amenities like availability of safe drinking water or minimum medical facilities, educations are far cry. In most of ...

If you are one who leads healthy life with healthy preferences for entertainment then you go ahead with this article. You must be crazy to watch your favorite sports , music or theatrical events. What bother you are the tickets in the event or more so with the seating preference! For any popular sporting events like football, basketball, tennis or any other game, any popular concerts or theater in America; you need not to worry either for tickets or for the seats. It is just a click away.  Ticketamerica.com, the licensed ticket broker offers the most popular event tickets with your choice of seats. They are reliable and extremely customer friendly. Just log into their site and get details.

Life has its own ups and downs; that's the rule. Look at history, what went up, came down at a point of time. You can say that too 'tryst with destiny'. But it happens so that at times you are depressed, frustrated and feel that life has become meaningless! Though deep within you never like to believe it. Well there should be one to remind you that you are precious to many even when you are losing the battle.  Here is the 'MANTRA', read it every day, it will help you to make life meaningful: You may not realize it,   but it's 100% true.   1. There are at least two people in  this world  that you would die for.   2. At least 15 people in this world   love you in some way.   3.. The only reason anyone would ever  hate you  is because they want to  be  just like you.  4. A smile from you  can bring happiness to anyone,  even if they don't   like you.  5.  Every night,  SOM...

A store that sells husbands has just opened in New York City, where a woman may go to choose a husband. Among the instructions at the entrance is a description of how the store operates: You may visit the store ONLY ONCE ! There are six floors and the attributes of the men increase as the shopper ascends the flights. There is, however, a catch. You may choose any man from a particular floor, or you may choose to go up a floor, but you cannot go back down except to exit the building! So, a woman goes to the Husband Store to find a husband. On the first floor the sign on the door reads: Floor 1 - These men have jobs and love the Lord. The second floor sign reads: Floor 2 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, and love kids. The third floor sign reads: Floor 3 - These men have jobs, love the Lord, love kids, and are extremely good looking. 'Wow,' she thinks, but feels compelled to keep going. She goes to the fourth floor and sign reads: Floor 4 - These men...

BUGLE: Live humbly, there are great people around us : "- Sent using Google Toolbar" If you think the 'ego' is the greatest enemy within you and wanted to get rid of it; then just read the story. In fact this is not a story, it is a fact.

With the market going high and hing; most of the ordinary investors are investing in stocks and mutual fund's units that they consider promising. But unfortunately they are wrong. For the past (30) thirty years I have been observing the Indian market;the trend here , only then the small investors invest when market goes high and subsequently they lose as market falls. They believe, initially that the market is falling for corrections; as most of their popular TV channels advocate. But to their utter dismay , the market keep falling without any sigh of revival. Most of the small investors , with fear, divest and fill the pockets of the operators. Those who take the gullible investors for ride, even in these days of Globalization. So, I urge not fall pray in the hands of operators. Small investors should divest and keep the liquidity intact. When the market falls or crashes they should pick up only the blue chips.

Here is an article written by Sangita Jindal, the chairperson of JSW foundation. Her article express serious concern about global warming and mankind. Here it goes - Four years ago, I met Al Gore and saw his presentation on climate change. I don’t want to sound alarmist, but the scenario that emerged from our discussions was earth-shattering, to say the least. I realized with pain and anguish that the world as I know will never be the same again. The snow-capped mountains, the pine and the deodar trees reaching out to the sky, clear streams meandering through with an unhurried elegance, the twittering of birds amid a golden sunset and even a waft of fresh breeze will soon become a thing of the past and a luxury no amount of money will be able to buy. Fuelled by man’s lust for senseless and insensitive development, wastelands, floods, storms, starvation, growing sea levels and submergence of low-lying areas have all become a common occurrence. The developed world, the developing...

This explains why I forward jokes. A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them. After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble.... At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight. When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side. When he was close enough, he called out, 'Excuse me, where are we?' 'This is Heaven, sir,' the man answered.. 'Wow! Would you happen to have some wate...

Read this story............. Once upon a time, there lived a King who, despite his luxurious lifestyle, was neither happy nor content. One day the King came upon a Servant who was singing happily while he worked. This fascinated the King; why was he, the Supreme Ruler of the Land, unhappy and gloomy, while a lowly Servant had so much joy. The King asked the Servant, "Why are you so happy?" The Servant replied, "Your Majesty, I am nothing but a servant, but my family and I don't need too much - just a Roof over our heads, clthes to wear and Food to fill our tummies." The King was not satisfied with that reply. Later in the day, he sought the advice of his most trusted Advisor. After hearing the King's woes and the Servant's story, the Advisor said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the servant has not been made part of The 99 Club." "The 99 Club? And what exactly is that?" the King inquired. The Advisor replied, "Your...

In the sultry summer of Kolkata, a family event ushered as a relief to leave the city for two days. Not far, just a few hours journey from my place. A village near famous Tegor's "Santiniketan" was the venue. The journey by a over crowded train in reserved seats brought consolation. Embarking the train from a small station always puts you in humiliation as you look for your reserved seat; as always someone is found sitting so confidently to turn you confused! The blemish look that they throw on finding that you are legitimate claimant is sometime unbearable; at least I find so. This time they were girls at their teens and while reposing my seats to me the spew venom through their beautiful eyes. Little later I found their mother occupying a seat (not of her own) just in front of me. She was a nice lady and having missed her connecting train at Howrah, she resorted to this venture (adventure!) with her daughters. They were tourist from another Metro i.e Mumbai, visiting Da...

An extended auto warranty can be a confusing document for many people. Indeed, there are very few people who actually completely understand the terms and conditions -- and the requirements placed on the consumer -- associated with an extended auto warranty. In this article, the reader is provided with a general overview of the standard terms and conditions associated with an extended auto warranty. By understanding the terms, conditions and provisions of an extended auto warranty, you can determine if the added protection is right for you. Do keep in mind that when you purchase a new automobile, the manufacturer provides you with a relatively comprehensive warranty at no additional charge. As a general rule, an extended auto warranty expands the term that the manufacturer's warranty will remain in place. For example, there are warranties available that will expand the length of coverage from a standard three year term to five or even ten years. (In some instances the extended war...

Equity mutual funds perform differently in different time periods as investment styles and sectors come in and go out of favor. While screening tools readily provide performance data and make the task of identifying top mutual funds relatively easy, there is more to constructing an all-weather portfolio than screening for the top funds. This article describes methods of constructing an all-weather portfolio. Before getting into the nitty-gritty of constructing an all-weather portfolio, it helps to know how equity mutual funds are classified and how their performance is impacted by market conditions. Classification by Market Capitalization & Style Equity funds are commonly classified based on market capitalization of the companies in which they invest their assets and investment style. Market capitalization is divided into three categories: large, medium, and small. Investment style likewise is divided into three categories: value, growth, and blend. Combining both types ...

A groan grasps the peanut near the offending anthology.