Google India Transparency Report
The Google Transparency Report shows that from January to June 2011, Google India received requests to remove 358 items of which 255 items were identified as criticisms of government.
October 25, 2011 No Comments
Babajob.com: LinkedIn for the poor in India
I recently came across Babajob.com an online and mobile service that helps the semi-skilled and unskilled workers in India find jobs. The organization was started in 2007 by Sean Blagsvedt, an American citizen who moved to India to work at Microsoft Research's Bengaluru Center. You can read more about the organization here http://www.vccircle.com/500/news/babajob-now-%E2%80%98poor-man%E2%80%99s-linkedin%E2%80%99-crosses-six-lakh-job-listings
October 25, 2011 No Comments
Guided by Inner Vision…
So, I don't know what was about this weekend, but I ended up watching documentaries and films about rock climbing. Yesterday, I watched two documentaries that had a great impact on me, "Farther than the Eye Can See" and "Blindsight". The first documentary chronicles the remarkable quest of Erik Weihenmayer, who became blind at the age 13, to climb the The Everest, highest peak in the world. The second one shows him leading a group of blind teenagers on an expedition to climb one of the peaks in the Himalayas. The fact that despite becoming blind, Erik not only continued to climb mountains but have successfully climbed the seven highest peaks in the seven continents, is quite remarkable. This made me think, that sometimes having sight is probably not enough, because although we can see the physical world around us, we are not able to see our own inner vision. To me it seemed that Erik is guided by his inner vision which is probably much more powerful than the physical world our eyes can see. Just like he can't experience what we can see, similarly we will never be able to experience what he can feel while climbing those mountains without an eyesight. The second documentary "Blindsight" is equally precious because it not only shows the young teenagers getting ready to climb the mountains, but the fact that they enjoyed every single minute of it. And despite failing health they wanted to continue to ascend. It was quite heartening to see how their teacher, Sabriye, the blond German lady who started the school for blind Tibetan children in Tibet is concerned about the children, as if they are their own. And when one child fell sick, she decided to abort the expedition because according to her there is no triumph in reaching the highest peak, if we can't take care of the weakest. All I can say is that these films are a must watch, because it's not only about reaching the highest peak, but it shows the importance of trust and team work. Better still, these films celebrate the human spirit, which is guided by inner vision….
August 7, 2011 1 Comment
Stillness of the snow…..
It's one of those days. Life is still and silent. Sitting in the kitchen with a cup of tea I look outside from the window in the backyard. It's white and quiet. The green vines lending color to the grey fence. The ground covered with snow create an illusion of being amidst the clouds unless I look out the windows facing the front. The asphalt streets washed with last night's rain and flanked by steel grey cars, tell a different story. Which view should I believe in? The one that I look out in my backyard or the one that lies in front. The view in the backyard – the clinging vines, the grey fence, the tall dark green trees and the fluffy snow all remind me something of my past. In some form or the other they have been my friends and enemies. What I really miss in this scene is the koohoo bird, the kids playing in the garden. All that will change as the winter comes to an end and the flowers bloom bringing the spring. As the spring approaches this white-grey scene will be dotted with colorful escapes. But until then I must learn to respect the stillness of the snow which gives me an illusion of living among the clouds ready to transport me in a fantasy world.
February 5, 2011 3 Comments
Ushering the New Year with a smile :)
First day of the year is always filled with anticipation, hope and resolutions. It's a time of the year when we review the year that we leave behind. We think about what we did right and what we did wrong. We count our triumphs and lows. While we rejoice over our good times, we make resolutions to not repeat the lows. We hope that the coming year will bring more happiness and we will have more occasions to smile.
While we want the sun to smile at us and the moon to sing romantic songs…..we all know that this won't be true…there are times when sun will hide behind the clouds and the moon will be eclipsed….during those times it is only our inner strength can keep us positive….so what we can really change in the coming year is our own inner self….because it is our smiling self that can lead to inner happiness that lasts forever….
Here's wishing you all a very Happy New Year….and if you are making new year resolutions…remember to add more smiles and laughter…there is nothing more attractive to good times than a positive attitude…so let's welcome the coming year with hope and anticipation that we can smile through it all….and off course triumphs will follow our lead…..
January 1, 2011 4 Comments
“Inside Job”: Truth laid bare
Yesterday I went to watch "Inside Job" by Charles Ferguson and came away impressed. The documentary makes a very good attempt to explain the reasons behind the financial crisis of 2008 and it certainly isn't a very pretty picture. The film begins with stunning pictures of Iceland simultaneously revealing how the small country went from one of the prettiest places on the planet to one plagued by the financial transactions that led to its downfall. After that much of the documentary is a visual montage of aerial shots of Manhattan peppered with interviews and graphic explanations of the financial products that were responsible for the crisis. However, the strength of the film lies not in its visuals but the way the story unfolds. Ferguson does a good job of explaining why the crisis happened and how it probably could have been prevented. He takes a jab at all those in government, academia and financial institutions who still seem to be unfazed by it. The film asks tough questions and lays out the truth. But will we ever see any real solutions emerge or will we have to make do with the patchwork?
October 24, 2010 2 Comments
Gender Gap in Mobile phone ownership
This recent report by Cherie Blair Foundation points out that there are almost 300 million fewer female than males own a mobile phone in low and middle income countries. The report also cites some interesting case studies about how mobile phones are improving social, educational and economic opportunities for women in these countries.
In addition, nine out of ten women reported feeling safer due to their mobile phones. I also found this from my research on mobile phones and youth. In the survey that I conducted with young people in Mumbai and Kanpur, almost 90% females and 81% males reported that they acquired cell phones for safety. While almost all young people (100%) in Mumbai reported that they acquired cell phones for safety purposes, in comparison only 71% in Kanpur said so. The gender gap in Kanpur was quite prominent, where almost 80% females as compared to 62% of the males reported that they acquired cell phones for safety. In addition, during my qualitative interviews, the females in both cities reported that they find it easier to go for classes/ work in the evenings because of mobile phones. Because when they stay out late they can call up their parents and inform them of their whereabouts.
The findings from Women and Mobile report from the Cherie Blair Foundation and my research show that cell phones are acquired, perceived and used as devices for safety. The fact that women can move about freely and independently and avail of educational opportunities can certainly lead to women's empowerment.
October 18, 2010 3 Comments
Mobile Americans
The recent Pew Survey reports that almost 85% of the Americans own a mobile phone and within the 18-29 age group almost 96% own them. I guess it is not surprising that whether you are at a metro station waiting for a train or crossing the road, you find that people are engaged with their mobile phones. It would be interesting to know, if the increase in mobile phone ownership is also leading to the increase in location based applications such as Foursquare.com and Places in Facebook?
October 18, 2010 No Comments
My dissertation: Mobile phone usage among youth in India: A case study
I haven't blogged in a while. Since my last post, it's just been crazy. Starting a new job and moving to another city has been time consuming. However, amidst all the craziness, I forgot to update on my blog that my dissertation was published online. Here is the link http://drum.lib.umd.edu/handle/1903/10255. Actually I didn't really think someone would read a dissertation until I realized that my dissertation has been downloaded 479 times as of today. Last week on Monday, the count was 326, so almost 150 downloads in a week. It's really exciting to see that so many people find my dissertation useful.
Note: If you happen to read my dissertation then let me know your comments 
October 4, 2010 6 Comments
I will continue…………
Winter has given way to spring and it's fun to be outdoors soaking in the fresh air and watching the sprouting flowers blushing under the gentle rays of the sun. The sun-kissed trees and the shimmering blue lake cast a beautiful spell and it's a delight to wake up in the arms of morning sun. No wonder I look forward to my early morning runs, despite the unpredictable weather which turns warm, cold, windy or rainy every other day. Although I absolutely love the warm weather, there is a certain charm, a hint of mischief, and a challenge in this changing season. And each day I await for a new surprise 
As I woke up the other day, I tore myself out of my bed excited to go for my morning run. It was a little cloudy and slightly chilly but I stepped out. The icy wind cut through me and hands felt numb but I continued running, for returning to a heated home did not sound like a welcoming option. As I completed my run, it started drizzling a bit and I was glad I was done. Just as I was exiting the lake path, I saw a girl enter to begin her run. I called out to her and said, "It's raining". She said, "Yeah". I looked at her questioningly. She looked at me and said, "I will continue" and off she went running into rain.
That made me think……."When you are a strong force of wind, what's a little rain, you can carry the cloud away."
April 29, 2010 2 Comments
