TCS in deal with Hawaiian Airlines
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is betting big on the aviation sector. The company on Monday signed a multi-year contract with Hawaiian Airlines to provide information technology, business process outsourcing and infrastructure services, including maintaining personal computers and servers. The deal will be executed from TCS’ development centre in Chennai, which has over 200 people working specifically for the aviation and hospitality sector.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Forget low cost! Pay more, Infosys tells US clients
Infosys will charge new customers between 3 and 4 percent more and will seek to negotiate a 2 percent increase in rates on existing contracts.
rising attrition, employees moving overseas and taking up foreign job offers has proved a major deterrent. The only way to get out of the ‘falling earning’ trap is now to increase the price globally for the software exports.
An expensive contract to the foreign clients means that the ‘low cost advantage’ that the Indian IT firms had so long been associated with will cease to exist.
India is no longer going to be ‘low cost destination’. It also implies increased pressure to raise standards and improve quality to match higher prices and global competition.
Read the whole thing here
Infosys will charge new customers between 3 and 4 percent more and will seek to negotiate a 2 percent increase in rates on existing contracts.
rising attrition, employees moving overseas and taking up foreign job offers has proved a major deterrent. The only way to get out of the ‘falling earning’ trap is now to increase the price globally for the software exports.
An expensive contract to the foreign clients means that the ‘low cost advantage’ that the Indian IT firms had so long been associated with will cease to exist.
India is no longer going to be ‘low cost destination’. It also implies increased pressure to raise standards and improve quality to match higher prices and global competition.
Read the whole thing here
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
India's fearless 'untouchable' paper
Recently I came across this heart warming story of a sixty-something Dalit from Dumka in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand who has published a newspaper every week without fail for the past 21 years, highlighting discrimination against the poor and local corruption.
Mr Rajak's four-page, handwritten Hindi-news Din Dalit is photocopied 100 times and sold to subscribers or pasted onto Dumka's main traffic lights, bus stands and roads.
Din Dalit is not just another small town news sheet - the newspaper is registered with India's Registrar of Newspapers.
Read the whole Story here
Recently I came across this heart warming story of a sixty-something Dalit from Dumka in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand who has published a newspaper every week without fail for the past 21 years, highlighting discrimination against the poor and local corruption.
Mr Rajak's four-page, handwritten Hindi-news Din Dalit is photocopied 100 times and sold to subscribers or pasted onto Dumka's main traffic lights, bus stands and roads.
Din Dalit is not just another small town news sheet - the newspaper is registered with India's Registrar of Newspapers.
Read the whole Story here
How to be happy
Key points to try would be:
1. Do what you like
2. Eat good food
3. Talk to someone you care
4. Share
5. Think of win-win
Do what you like: Develop a hobby if you have one. If you don’t have, have one. It is one of the best things to keep your mind relaxed and a relaxed mind does make you happy and keep the worries aside.
The hobby can be anything –solitary or a group activity. It can be a usual hobby like painting, reading, sports etc.
Eat good food: It does make a difference. I try and eat healthy food mixed with food to spoil myself occasionally!
Talk to someone you care: One of the best things to make you happy can be to get things out of your chest. You can talk to a friend or even email.
Share: Share something. Share Knowledge. Share a thought. Share a smile.
Think of win-win: Loosing can often make you unhappy. Something that can help is to always think of a win win scenario in personal or professional life. It would certainly earn you a good night sleep.
Key points to try would be:
1. Do what you like
2. Eat good food
3. Talk to someone you care
4. Share
5. Think of win-win
Do what you like: Develop a hobby if you have one. If you don’t have, have one. It is one of the best things to keep your mind relaxed and a relaxed mind does make you happy and keep the worries aside.
The hobby can be anything –solitary or a group activity. It can be a usual hobby like painting, reading, sports etc.
Eat good food: It does make a difference. I try and eat healthy food mixed with food to spoil myself occasionally!
Talk to someone you care: One of the best things to make you happy can be to get things out of your chest. You can talk to a friend or even email.
Share: Share something. Share Knowledge. Share a thought. Share a smile.
Think of win-win: Loosing can often make you unhappy. Something that can help is to always think of a win win scenario in personal or professional life. It would certainly earn you a good night sleep.
Ipswich UK housebreak
You would think that being a developed country; housebreaks would be less in the UK. Contrary to the belief, in 5 years, I have heard more examples of house being broken into in UK, than 15 year’s stay in Pune, India.
I was staying in Ipswich, Suffolk with a colleague. Both of use used to work same hours. Someone must have kept a watch and our house was broken into from the back door. Camera, Cash, Phone, Video, Wrist watches a bit of Jewellery – was gracefully stolen. The thief must have taken most of the stuff in our travel bag which had strollers. As that was missing as well.
A local friend of mine warned me to be watchful as the thieves do return after a month. His logic was simple. There are things that you can not live without. So typically in a month, you would have new stock. This time they know your house better as well.
I still thank this friend of mine. I had kept my valuables with someone else who definitely had someone at home.
Apx. After a month, the house was broken in again. This time they could not find anything. The thieves took their frustration on my leather bags etc. which were torn apart. There are many people I know who were mugged (one was beaten badly for a laptop), many whose houses have been broken into. So do take out content insurance. Do check what community you leave in.
-- Updated -- Latest update is even after having a number lock on my bike, it has been stolen. Thinking whether to inform police or not, as not sure they have time to deal with these people.
You would think that being a developed country; housebreaks would be less in the UK. Contrary to the belief, in 5 years, I have heard more examples of house being broken into in UK, than 15 year’s stay in Pune, India.
I was staying in Ipswich, Suffolk with a colleague. Both of use used to work same hours. Someone must have kept a watch and our house was broken into from the back door. Camera, Cash, Phone, Video, Wrist watches a bit of Jewellery – was gracefully stolen. The thief must have taken most of the stuff in our travel bag which had strollers. As that was missing as well.
A local friend of mine warned me to be watchful as the thieves do return after a month. His logic was simple. There are things that you can not live without. So typically in a month, you would have new stock. This time they know your house better as well.
I still thank this friend of mine. I had kept my valuables with someone else who definitely had someone at home.
Apx. After a month, the house was broken in again. This time they could not find anything. The thieves took their frustration on my leather bags etc. which were torn apart. There are many people I know who were mugged (one was beaten badly for a laptop), many whose houses have been broken into. So do take out content insurance. Do check what community you leave in.
-- Updated -- Latest update is even after having a number lock on my bike, it has been stolen. Thinking whether to inform police or not, as not sure they have time to deal with these people.
Roman Holiday Pickpockets Encounter
Before going to Rome, I had researched extensively on the web and it was evident that its famous rather infamous for pickpockets. My first encounter was on day 2 while taking a hop-on-hop-off bus from Roma Termini (central Rome station).
I was in a queue waiting to board the bus when two dirty looking women approached person in front of me. One woman was standing about a meter from him asking for money. At the same time second woman had a pad (torn part of a carton) in her hand. She held that hand very close to the person’s tummy pretending to be begging for money. While at the same time, her other hand was trying to open his waist wallet!
As soon as I realised the trick I warned the gentleman and spoke to the women in raised voice. They stepped back with an angry look.
Beware in Rome. Do read on the Internet on other problems people have faced. Use your common sense, don’t go alone in night. Walk in the opposite direction of traffic – so that you can see who is approaching you on a bike.
Before going to Rome, I had researched extensively on the web and it was evident that its famous rather infamous for pickpockets. My first encounter was on day 2 while taking a hop-on-hop-off bus from Roma Termini (central Rome station).
I was in a queue waiting to board the bus when two dirty looking women approached person in front of me. One woman was standing about a meter from him asking for money. At the same time second woman had a pad (torn part of a carton) in her hand. She held that hand very close to the person’s tummy pretending to be begging for money. While at the same time, her other hand was trying to open his waist wallet!
As soon as I realised the trick I warned the gentleman and spoke to the women in raised voice. They stepped back with an angry look.
Beware in Rome. Do read on the Internet on other problems people have faced. Use your common sense, don’t go alone in night. Walk in the opposite direction of traffic – so that you can see who is approaching you on a bike.
If you Fall ill abroad
Venice - What a place to fall ill! However this is what can happen to anyone.
It was our first day in Venice. We were staying in a villa in Treviso which is about 30 minutes by train from Venice. It also has a airport where many no-frill airlines fly in.
We went around Venice with our 3 year old daughter for the whole day. On our way back from Venice to Treviso in the night, we realised that she felt very hot. This is what happens with children – they are running around all the time and sometimes you don’t realise that they actually are unwell.
Anyway, the point is, we realised that she needs to be taken to the GP immediately. I quickly ran to a nearby Pharmacy which is just outside the Venice central station and bought Paracetamol. I had to explain to him that I need it for a child, the pharmacist did speak a bit of English.
Before leaving, I also asked him the Italian version for ‘child is having fever’ as I knew I would need it – ‘Bambino’ means child and ‘Febrile’ means temperature.
Gave the correct dose to her and decided to board the train to Treviso and then take her to GP.
My habit of carrying local hospital details, copy of insurance certificate and other contact numbers proved handy. On my way to Treviso, I tried to ring my villa owner (where I was staying) but for some reason my UK mobile would not work.
Asked a fellow passenger whether I could use his mobile because of ‘Bambino Febrile’.
He did help and I phoned my villa owner (who is a very nice person) to request him to meet us at the train station or the hospital – as I anticipated language problems. He said he would come there in half an hour.
After reaching Treviso, took a cab straight to hospital. It was a good hospital. With broken English the receptionist asked what the problem is and took all the details. Again learning ‘Bambino Febrile’ proved useful. Had to wait for half an hour for our turn to see the GP who suggested to keep taking paracetamol and return if she does not improve in a day or two. Meanwhile, my B&B owner also reached there and having him understand Italian proved useful.
So cancelled our hotel bookings in Rome (did not get a refund as it was not 48 hours notice), which was our next destination. Extended stay in the villa, cancelled Eurostar ticket from Treviso to Rome. Phoned insurance company in the UK and took the claim reference number. In short, a very bad day.
Next 24 hours did not change the situation as we had to give Paracetamol every 6 hours to keep the fever down. Meanwhile she had stopped eating and started complaining of throat pain. Next day evening took her again to the hospital to be seen by a paediatrician. She was a very helpful doctor and spoke English reasonably well. As suspected it was tonsillitis and as per her it was ‘tomato red’ and needed to start antibiotic immediately. Got the prescription for amoxicillin. Being Sunday, most pharmacies were closed. Again my villa owner was very helpful. He drove us to a 24 hour pharmacy in the city centre and got the medication sorted.
In the UK, if the medication needs mixing correct amount of water then typically the pharmacist does it for you.
In this case, it was left for us to do and leaflet was in Italian only. Again double checked with the pharmacist what I need to do.
With the root cause clearly known, she was back to normal in few hours with continued course of antibiotic for the prescribed days.
We left for Rome after a day. Had to redo all things – book hotel, Book Eurostar.
In case you are wondering, the insurance company did not pay any of this - claiming they needed a letter from the Italian GP which states ‘the child was not well enough to travel’. I had suspected this and asked for the letter from the GP and was politely told we don’t have a policy of giving such letters.
Anyway, point is to take care while travelling and in case things do go wrong , use your common sense and be prepared to handle it with some homework about the new place.
In the PIR (Post Implementation Review) of the trip, children’s Paracetamol is now on the packing list!
Swiss Zermatt Embarrassment
It was Easter weekend in 1998. I was travelling in Swiss with couple of friends and we were staying in a beautiful Youth Hostel (YHA). We were planning to go to Klein Matterhorn by the cable car. (It’s a famous peak near Zermatt).
There is a local office in Zermatt which shows the latest snow status on top of the peak. There are a few live cameras which make the latest pictures available at the base office. Depending on the conditions they advice you whether to go or not. Unfortunately for us the whether turned bad with very less visibility so the cable car was not running. Being the last day in Zermatt we were quite disappointed and started cursing the weather in an Indian language – Hindi. We naively had assumed that no one understood what we were talking.
Suddenly a Swiss gentleman stopped and asked in fluent Hindi – Aap kounse shahar se aye hai? (Which city have you come from?). Our first reaction was complete silence. Then as we spoke more we realised the secret of his fluent Hindi.
His dad was a resident of Hrishikesh (a famous retreat for meditation etc. in the Himalayas) and this gentlemen had stayed there with his father for a few years as a kid.
Appearances can be deceptive.
It was Easter weekend in 1998. I was travelling in Swiss with couple of friends and we were staying in a beautiful Youth Hostel (YHA). We were planning to go to Klein Matterhorn by the cable car. (It’s a famous peak near Zermatt).
There is a local office in Zermatt which shows the latest snow status on top of the peak. There are a few live cameras which make the latest pictures available at the base office. Depending on the conditions they advice you whether to go or not. Unfortunately for us the whether turned bad with very less visibility so the cable car was not running. Being the last day in Zermatt we were quite disappointed and started cursing the weather in an Indian language – Hindi. We naively had assumed that no one understood what we were talking.
Suddenly a Swiss gentleman stopped and asked in fluent Hindi – Aap kounse shahar se aye hai? (Which city have you come from?). Our first reaction was complete silence. Then as we spoke more we realised the secret of his fluent Hindi.
His dad was a resident of Hrishikesh (a famous retreat for meditation etc. in the Himalayas) and this gentlemen had stayed there with his father for a few years as a kid.
Appearances can be deceptive.
Learn something new
Have you been feeling generally boring having achieved a few things in life – a good job, good family life, good home. Try learning something new – may be computers, gardening, swimming, a new sport, painting – there are loads of things that you can try. My motto has been to try and learn new things and to improve on certain things that I know – It does make me happy.
In last few years, I improved my badminton skills, learned to swim, learned HTML and how to make a website
Have you been feeling generally boring having achieved a few things in life – a good job, good family life, good home. Try learning something new – may be computers, gardening, swimming, a new sport, painting – there are loads of things that you can try. My motto has been to try and learn new things and to improve on certain things that I know – It does make me happy.
In last few years, I improved my badminton skills, learned to swim, learned HTML and how to make a website
Does money make one happy?
I remember reading interview of one of the UK lotto winner (few million pounds). This lady works as a cleaner in a local office. When asked whether the win made her happy, her answer was ‘I was happy before, so I’m happy now’. She said she wish money could bring her mum back who died couple of years back.
In my opinion, there are three categories of people with different reaction to money.
Those who we were struggling to make both ends meet. Basic needs were not being met – food and shelter. Money will certainly make them happy to a large extent.
Those who have their all needs met but some desires that they can not afford. In this case, if the person was happy before, he will continue to be happy and vice versa.
Those who already have excess money and got more. In this case as well, if the person was happy before, he will continue to be happy and vice versa.
I remember reading interview of one of the UK lotto winner (few million pounds). This lady works as a cleaner in a local office. When asked whether the win made her happy, her answer was ‘I was happy before, so I’m happy now’. She said she wish money could bring her mum back who died couple of years back.
In my opinion, there are three categories of people with different reaction to money.
Those who we were struggling to make both ends meet. Basic needs were not being met – food and shelter. Money will certainly make them happy to a large extent.
Those who have their all needs met but some desires that they can not afford. In this case, if the person was happy before, he will continue to be happy and vice versa.
Those who already have excess money and got more. In this case as well, if the person was happy before, he will continue to be happy and vice versa.
10 Tips to make your wife Happy
This is what I think my wife wants me to do to make her happy (I hope same would work for other couples as well):
1. Buy a surprise gift
2. Buy a surprise gift
3. Buy a surprise gift
4. Buy a surprise gift
5. Buy a surprise gift
6. Take children to bed
7. Cook dinner for all
8. Remember anniversaries and birthdays
9. Remember what she said we would be doing two months from now
10. Offer to take care of children for one whole day while she goes out for a day trip outside the town
Try one of these today and if it helped, don’t forget to let me know.
This is what I think my wife wants me to do to make her happy (I hope same would work for other couples as well):
1. Buy a surprise gift
2. Buy a surprise gift
3. Buy a surprise gift
4. Buy a surprise gift
5. Buy a surprise gift
6. Take children to bed
7. Cook dinner for all
8. Remember anniversaries and birthdays
9. Remember what she said we would be doing two months from now
10. Offer to take care of children for one whole day while she goes out for a day trip outside the town
Try one of these today and if it helped, don’t forget to let me know.
Tuesday, October 07, 2003
How I improved my Badminton Skills
I have been playing badminton for couple of years once a week. Since I started playing there is a lot that I have learnt which has improved my game to some extent. I do not believe in playing just for the sake of it. If I play, I want to play with better players and improve my game.
Here are few tips that have helped me:
1. Change your shoes – I used to play with sport shoes with a bit thich sole. Also it did not have the ‘grip’ on the court so I had to be careful while running around. Invest in shoes meant for playing sports like Badminton/Squash. They have a sole with better grip on the ground
2. Invest in a good racquet – Very important aspect. I had a very old racquet that used to weigh a kilo (not really, but heavy). Bought a new one – Yonex costing 15 pounds. Good for beginners. No more pain in the shoulder after an hour of play.
3. Get proper shorts and T shirt and socks
4. Have a drink handy – carry a water bottle with you
Now that the gear is sorted, lets look at the game tips – I mainly play doubles.
1. Serve low – as close as possible to the net
2. Think when you serve – no same position serve. Look at opponent’s position
3. Don’t try quick winners – Work yourself into the rally. If you want to hit the winner, it should be a winner. I call this Kevin’s principle #1. I play with a colleague Kevin who plays far better than me so always a joy to play with.
When you are in trouble, hit the shuttle high at the back lobby. It will give you time to recover. – Kevin’s principle #2
Come back to the base location at the center. Don’t play a shot and keep admiring it. If it is returned, you are dead – Kevin’s principle #3
4. Don’t run – take steps.
5. Try changing grip on your racquet. Not too tight, you should be able to change the grip for a backhand shot (take thumb on the back of shot to give the punch) – It did help me
More tips will follow as I learn more
I have been playing badminton for couple of years once a week. Since I started playing there is a lot that I have learnt which has improved my game to some extent. I do not believe in playing just for the sake of it. If I play, I want to play with better players and improve my game.
Here are few tips that have helped me:
1. Change your shoes – I used to play with sport shoes with a bit thich sole. Also it did not have the ‘grip’ on the court so I had to be careful while running around. Invest in shoes meant for playing sports like Badminton/Squash. They have a sole with better grip on the ground
2. Invest in a good racquet – Very important aspect. I had a very old racquet that used to weigh a kilo (not really, but heavy). Bought a new one – Yonex costing 15 pounds. Good for beginners. No more pain in the shoulder after an hour of play.
3. Get proper shorts and T shirt and socks
4. Have a drink handy – carry a water bottle with you
Now that the gear is sorted, lets look at the game tips – I mainly play doubles.
1. Serve low – as close as possible to the net
2. Think when you serve – no same position serve. Look at opponent’s position
3. Don’t try quick winners – Work yourself into the rally. If you want to hit the winner, it should be a winner. I call this Kevin’s principle #1. I play with a colleague Kevin who plays far better than me so always a joy to play with.
When you are in trouble, hit the shuttle high at the back lobby. It will give you time to recover. – Kevin’s principle #2
Come back to the base location at the center. Don’t play a shot and keep admiring it. If it is returned, you are dead – Kevin’s principle #3
4. Don’t run – take steps.
5. Try changing grip on your racquet. Not too tight, you should be able to change the grip for a backhand shot (take thumb on the back of shot to give the punch) – It did help me
More tips will follow as I learn more
Quitting my tea & coffee habit
I have been trying to quit my coffee drinking habit for a while.
Why? Well, answer is my lifestyle.
Being a computer professional, most of time is spent in front of the PC.
Less exercise, eating somewhat junk food, not drinking enough water. Without realising, sometimes I have more Tea and Coffee to keep my mind alert. I have seen my acidity go up after a few days.
So have been trying some other things to achieve similar result:
1. Trying to get away from PC for 5 minutes every one hour
2. Get up from the chair and move around – again at least once a hour
3. Do gentle stretching exercises to keep the muscles moving
4. Getting fitter – play badminton twice a week
5. Drink plenty of water – at least 10 glasses a day
Still not completely successful in kicking the habit (not that I want to get rid of it completely). However shall keep you posted on how I’m doing with my other measures.
I have been trying to quit my coffee drinking habit for a while.
Why? Well, answer is my lifestyle.
Being a computer professional, most of time is spent in front of the PC.
Less exercise, eating somewhat junk food, not drinking enough water. Without realising, sometimes I have more Tea and Coffee to keep my mind alert. I have seen my acidity go up after a few days.
So have been trying some other things to achieve similar result:
1. Trying to get away from PC for 5 minutes every one hour
2. Get up from the chair and move around – again at least once a hour
3. Do gentle stretching exercises to keep the muscles moving
4. Getting fitter – play badminton twice a week
5. Drink plenty of water – at least 10 glasses a day
Still not completely successful in kicking the habit (not that I want to get rid of it completely). However shall keep you posted on how I’m doing with my other measures.
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