Saturday, October 12, 2013

Unsocial Networks

Courtesy - Effbomb
Taking turn on the bed, searching for the elusive sleep, I picked up the mobile and reached for my ex-girlfriend (presently my wife). As I dialed her number, I was presented with a pleasant female voice, much sweeter than my sweetheart's although mechanical, stating it wouldn't be possible to connect to my beloved as she was on a different mobile network!

Since marriage, we never gave a thought to being on the same mobile network to reduce call cost. It wasn't necessary, after all one doesn't talk much post marriage and in fact, the focus is on how to avoid conversions.

I called the customer care and expressed my frustration at not being able to connect to someone on a different network. The 20-something, I imagined, with image of Pamela Anderson in mind, executive, with an aura of dumbness, was patiently reading me the same paragraph from their trouble-shooting guide, albeit with change of tone, traversing from unconcerned to bored to irritated.

Sir, it is the new policy of Supreme Mobile, she explained, to stop all off-net calls, incoming as well as outgoing, keeping the interest of customers in mind. Interest of the customers, I baffled, but how? I mean, what interest are you talking about? Sir, even though technically feasible, off-net calls cost more to the company compared to the on-net calls. With profits margins improving, the company would be in a position to reduce on-net call rates further and offer exciting games completely free! Hence, it was done in the best interest of the customers, she added exuberantly. In fact, given that our network is the biggest one in the nation, one should not be complaining about not being able to call one particular number, she added. We've got 750 mn users, sir, which gives you 750 mn numbers to call. Isn't that exciting! Why would one even think of calling someone on a different network? Besides, you can always invite your family and friends to switch to Supreme Mobile and enjoy the low call rates and amazing games. Inviting your friends to Supreme Mobile is as easy as sending an SMS! Just type...

It was unbearable by now and I had to disconnect abruptly, without the polity of thanking her. Dumbstruck, I wondered whether my judgment of the world was impaired due to overdose of homeopathic candies last week or the business community of the nation was under terrorist attack by biological weapons which left them incapable of sane thinking resulting in such policies.

You must be wondering where on earth this Supreme Mobile operates, why no action is initiated against its monopolistic policies, how can it be called a communication firm when its chief function is to limit communication. Certainly, there should be wide-spread condemnation of such policies in the media and people would leave such a mobile network. Well, that is not reality. In fact, people are pouring in day in and day out to get a subscription of Supreme Mobile because it gives you free games to play and you can call an astonishing 750 mn numbers. Damn those who are not on Supreme Mobile. They would eventually be forced to sign in because they too can't communicate with those 750 mn individuals. Soon, you would have none but Supreme Mobile as the only mobile company left in the nation.

Now, it isn't a made up story, it's reality, it's happening now and probably you are reading this shit on such a monopolistic platform. It may not be your voice calls that are being limited, but you don't share your thoughts just through you voice, you type text, you click photos as well. Do you realize that!

Cares who, we just fucking love Supreme Mobile and its policies. Monopolistic, huh...

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Durga Puja 2013 - Bangla Cultural Programs In Bangalore

Courtesy - Sayamindu Dasgupta
Durga Puja 2013 and here is another attempt to compile a list (sorted by location) of Bengali cultural programs happening across Bangalore. I will keep this post updating as and when more information becomes available.

Please comment if you know about other programs with details of program, location, date, and time.



Pandal Locations: For address of pandal locations, please see Durgotsav 2012 post. I have updated some of the addresses. If you know the changed location/address or if the event is not happening, please comment.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013 - Panchami
  1. Commercial Street - Bengali Association
    (a) Ananda Mela and Children’s talent Show - 1900 hours.
  2. Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Anandomela - 1900 hours
    (b) Karaoke - Rishi - 2100 hours

Thursday, October 10, 2013 - Shashti
  1. Commercial Street - Bengali Association
    (a) Aagomoni – Stotrya , Songs and Dances - 1930 hours.
    (b) Melodious Songs rendered by ’Bhavna Dutta & Troupe’ from Kolkata - 2030 hours.
  2. Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Bengali Songs by Lopamudra Mitra - 2000 hours
  3. J P Nagar - Utsav
    (a) Bajlo Chutir Ghonta - Kids performance - 1900 hours
    (b) Vandana - Musical program - 1945 hours
  4. Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association
    (a) Udbodhoni Sangeet by Aditya Vittal - 1830 hours
    (b) Dancing Little Champs - 1930 hours
    (c) Rocking Gen-Y by PBCA Junior - 1945 hours
    (d) Songs by Indrani Sen - 2030 hours
  5. Rajarajeshwari Nagar - Aikatan
    (a) Anandomela – 1930 hours
    (b) Dandia – 2100 hours
  6. Sarjapura Road - SORRBA Durga Puja
    (a) Songs by Srikanto Acharya - Evening
  7. BTM - Bengalis in Bangalore
    (a) Fusion Band performance by "Anonymous" - 2030 hours
  8. J P Nagar - South Bangalore Cultural Association
    (a) "Janani Eseche Dware" - Musical programme by SBCA members - 2030 hours
  9. Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja
    (a) Variety Entertainment - Youth from Jayamahal - 2015 hours
  10. Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Dance and poetry - 1900 hours
    (b) Drama - 2100 hours

Friday, October 11, 2013 - Saptami
  1. Commercial Street - Bengali Association(a) Dance Program by The Children of Aswini Charitable Trust - 1930 hours.
    (b) Classical Dance Programme By Meghna & troupe - 2000 hours.
    (c) Musical night by Snigdha & Troupe - 2030 hours.
  2. Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Bengali Dance Program from Swati and Troupe - 1930 hours
    (b) Navaratri Special – Garba and Dandiya - 2100 hours
  3. J P Nagar - Utsav
    (a) Sur-e Taal-e Adday - Evening
    (b) Badal Sarkar-er Anoboddo Ranganatto - "Solution X" Directed by Amitabha Bakshi
  4. Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association
    (a) Abritir Anginay - Bratati - 1830 hours
    (b) Songs by Srikanto Acharya - 2030 hours
  5. Munnekolala - Bangla Cultural Association
    (a) Songs by Ms Tanushree
  6. Rajarajeshwari Nagar - Aikatan
    (a) Mixed bag – Song & instrumental – 1930 hours
    (b) Amader Duniya Sopnopuri - Dance Ensemble – 2000 hours
    (c) Chetonate Nazrul – Song, Dance & Recitation  – 2045 hours
  7. RT Nagar - R.T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti
    (a) Songs by Lopamudra Mitra - 1945 hours
  8. Sarjapura Road - SORRBA Durga Puja
    (a) Songs by Anindya Bose (Shohor band) - Evening
  9. BTM - Bengalis in Bangalore
    (a) Dance Drama based on Rabindranath Tagore's Samanno Khoti - 1900 hours
    (b) Bangla Band performance by "Tathasthu" - 2000 hours
  10. J P Nagar - South Bangalore Cultural Association
    (a) Magic Show - 1900 hours
    (b) GARBA Dance by SBCA members - 1940 hours
    (c) Odissi Dance - 2000 hours
  11. Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja
    (a) Songs & Dance - Sure-O-Chhondey Graam Bangla by Nakshtra Group - 1930 hours
    (b) Bangla songs over ages - Sekal Theke Ekaal by Bhavna Dutta - 2030 hours
    (c) Muktaangan - 2230 hours
  12. Kanakapura Road - KARBA
    (a) Rock concert - Evening.
  13. Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Sarathi Choir - 1900 hours
    (b) Gunjan - 2115 hours

Saturday, October 12, 2013 - Ashtami
  1. Commercial Street - Bengali Association
    (a) Songs by Lopamudra Mitra - 1930 hours.
    (b) Aaroti Nritya & Competition
  2. Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Songs by 
    Anindya Bose with Sahar Band - 2000 hours
  3. J P Nagar - Utsav
    (a) Bandishe Band - Evening
    (b) HORIKHELA - dance drama based on a poem by Tagore - 1945 hours
  4. Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association
    (a) Dance by PBCA Next Gen - 1945 hours
    (b) Rockers Eve - Sparkplugs - 2000 hours
    (c) Bolly/Tolly Wood - Tanushree & Atanu - 2030 hours
  5. Munnekolala - Bangla Cultural Association
    (a) Songs by Ratna Mitra, Sampriti Dutta, Mousumi Pal, and Bhaskar Choudhuri
  6. Rajarajeshwari Nagar - Aikatan
    (a) Mixed bag – Song & instrumental – 1930 hours
    (b) Honeymoon – Drama – 2000 hours
  7. RT Nagar - R.T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti
    (a) Songs by Somlata Acharya - 1930 hours
  8. BTM - Bengalis in Bangalore
    (a) Sankha Competetion and Dhunuchi Nach - 1830 hours
    (b) Band performance by "Friends of BinB" - 2030 hours
  9. J P Nagar - South Bangalore Cultural Association
    (a) "Brishti Bheja Jeebon O Nari" Programme by SBCA Kids - 1930 hours
    (b) Musical programme by young artists - 2015 hours
    (c) Instrumental programme by RAINBOW - 2030 hours
  10. Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja
    (a) Contemporary Dance by Natya Group 1930 hours
    (b) Harmony on Keyboard by Sutapa Das - 2000 hours
    (c) Gotipua dance from Odisha by Brahmagiri Group - 2030 hours
    (d) Muktaangan - 2230 hours
  11. Kanakapura Road - KARBA
    (a) Baul songs - Morning.
    (c) Melodious evening by Kolkata artists - Evening.
  12. Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Kohal - 1900 hours
    (b) Songs by Srikanta Acharya - 2000 hours

Sunday, October 13, 2013 - Nabami
  1. Commercial Street - Bengali Association
    (a) Collage -3 - A portrait of life through drama, Music and Dance, glimpses of life & works commemorating 150 years of Swami Vivekananda and Sri D.L.Roy.
  2. Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Musical Evening by Divya Raghavan - 2000 hours
  3. J P Nagar - Utsav
    (a) Songs by Lopamudra Mitra - 1930 hours.
  4. Marathalli - Poorva Bangalore Cultural Association
    (a) Bollywood Masti - Asit - 1830 hours
    (b) Rock band Prithibi - 2030 hours
  5. Munnekolala - Bangla Cultural Association
    (a) Hi Spirits Band - Manjunath and Party
  6. Rajarajeshwari Nagar - Aikatan
    (a) Mixed bag – Song & recitation – 1930 hours
    (b) Chandalika – Dance Drama – 2000 hours
    (c) Disco Express – A musical journey – 2045 hours  
  7. RT Nagar - R.T. Nagar Sarbajanin Durga Puja Samiti
    (a) Songs by Aurko band & Zubeen Garg
  8. Sarjapura Road - SORRBA Durga Puja
    (a) Songs by Subhamita Banerjee - Evening
  9. BTM - Bengalis in Bangalore
    (a) Kids Drama - 1830 hours
    (b) Special attraction - "Tollywood Through ages" - 1930 hours
  10. J P Nagar - South Bangalore Cultural Association
    (a) Musical programme by young artists - 1930 hours
    (b) Recitation - 2000 hours
    (c) Musical Nite by Ashirvaad Musical Event Management Group - 2015 hours
  11. Jayamahal - Jayamahal Sarbajanin Durga Puja
    (a) Variety Entertainment - Air Force Band - 1930 hours
  12. Kanakapura Road - KARBA
    (a) Melodious evening by Zee Saregama artists - Evening.
  13. Koramangala - Sarathi Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Jhankar Beats - 1900 hours
    (b) Songs by Somlata Acharya - 2000 hours

Monday, October 14, 2013 - Dashami
  1. Indira Nagar - Socio-Cultural Association
    (a) Musical Nite by playback singer Monali Thakur - 2000 hours

Saturday, November 2, 2013 - Kali Puja




Of note, a creature know as Tathagata Maiti has been instrumental in inspiring and in the making of this list.

Hangover

A cold and cloudy evening, by the side of a blue pool, along the shallow stony stream. Rain had just past by, probably an hour past or probably more, probably several uncounted hours had passed, who keeps track of them here afterall. Rain had just past by, the feel of it still in the air, filling the streams with more noise. A streak of grayish smoke rising through the tinder, making way for logs, somewhere in the background, a couple yards away. That feeling of warmth in dry clothes after being drenched by the relentless evening shower, after being soaked in the chilliness of the blue, silent pool. Someone in the foreground combing her wet hairs, minuscule sprinklets of water vanishing in the mist.