Yesterday I got tickets by chance to see the first cricket match of IPL 2011 season in the stadium. The match was between CSK (my home team) and KKR team. I had taken my son for the first IPL season but then he was not old enough to understood much and so didn’t enjoy. Now he is 7 Years old, plays Cricket in the street and so was super excited to be there in the Chepauk Stadium. For me it meant being away from the comfort of home – AC, TV & Snacks. Anyways, the atmosphere was electrifying in the stadium and I was so happy that CSK won the match.
Inviting me to do a Keynote for a workshop beginning on April first, I thought it was an April Fool’s joke. But it turned out Anna University new Department (Information Science and Technology) Professor Dr. S. Sendhilkumar was for real on this. And so yesterday I was honoured to be the Chief Guest for their Mobile Application Development two day Workshop on Mobile and asked to deliver the keynote. The inauguration event was graced by Dr.S.Shanmugavel (Registrar Anna Unviersity) & Dr.G.V.Uma (HOD Dept of IST, Anna University).
In my keynote address I talked around two main ideas:
The first was how during last decade innovation in Mobile Phones technology happened in Fareast (Japan & South Korea), but now United States is back in the driving seat with iPhone & Android. In India we are being known around the world for second largest user base (~600 Million Mobile subscribers) and for our Government’s bungling on how they handled 2G Spectrum allocation. As the Morgan Stanley reported pointed out in 2009, in last two years 5 trends have converged in the mobile world and they are 3G, Social Media, Video, VoIP & SmartPhones. If Netscape was the inflection point for Internet, then iPhone has become to be known as the inflection point (disruptive technology) for Mobile Internet. Before iPhone an average Cell Phone was being used 70% for Voice, now over 50% of usage in an iPhone is Apps & Data.
The second was about Mobile Apps (Mobility software), the potential and importance of it. A simple game from Rovio (Finland) “Angry Birds” has been downloaded over 47 Million in first 15 Months and the company with ~50 Employees is valued at several hundreds of million dollars. If we thought that is out of this world, look at this – a recent game “Tiny Wings” written by a single developer (Andreas Illiger) is the top grossing game in Apple App Store in February 2011. So conventional wisdom of Software Industry and big corporates don’t hold the key to innovation in Mobile Apps. It can be any person with meagre programming skills and a brilliant idea. So students in an academia environment like Anna University are well poised to become the next “Rovio” if they start thinking beyond their books and scores. Good Luck to all the students attending the Mobile Workshop.
This year, Chennai Sangamam 2011 was slightly a reduced affair and happened at select parks only which didn’t include my area park. Today evening after seeing the agenda online, I decided to go Nageswara Park, Mylapore. Took my son and went around 7PM in my electric scooter.
First program was "Dasavatharam", a Dance Drama by Sri.Zakir Hussain and group. For each avataram, select scenes were taken and were done nicely. For Ramayan it was the scene were Ravanan tries to break the bow but couldn’t even lift it, whereas Lord Rama broke the bow easily. Next were performance by Murasu Kalaikkuzhu. This included Tamil Nadu Folk arts like Naagu Naiyaandi, Karagam by Kalaimaamani Tamilselvi, Jaanbaavaa Silambaatam,Thangavel Chendai (popular in Kerala and border districts), Poikkaal Kuthirai and Oyilattam (Oyil means Azhagu or Beauty).
For me it was good entertainment for 3 hours. What I enjoy in Chennai Sangamam is watching the programs in the outdoor along with hundreds of people, the crowd is what makes it fun!
The first time I donated blood was in college days and then only once or twice after that, so I was a little tense. But the good Samaritans & volunteers from Lions Club helped each of the donor(s) to be at ease and the whole process was nothing more than having two injections (shots). The first injection was to check the hemoglobin level and the second was to collect the blood, all got over in 10 minutes. The camp doctor first checked the blood pressure, weight, enquired whether we had breakfast and then only authorized the donation. After donating I felt good about myself – emotionally and physically.
I am making this post to request & encourage each one of you reading this to donate blood whenever you get a chance and safe a life. It is so easy!
The TiECon 2010 conference that happened on 24th November 2010 was a success due to great voluntary effort by all the organizers (incl. myself) involved. TiE Chennai chapter had organized a Celebration dinner for all the organizers today. Venue was Hotel Accord Metropolitan, G.N.Chetty Road, Chennai. It was a nice occasion where we all shared on what went right and what could be improved in next year conference. My thanks to all other organizers, charter members and board of TiEChennai for having me as part of the team.
The last few days were quite eventful for me. As one of the Charter Member of TiEChennai I volunteered to help Raghu Rajagopal who was heading the team for the software (content) for TiECon Chennai 2010. TiE is a Silicon Valley USA based Entrepreneurship fostering association boosting over 11,000 members in 13 Countries and Chennai’s chapter is one of its vibrant. I took on the task of helping to identify and co-ordinate for the Tamil panel, which was a first in TiECon Chennai. It was a panel that show-cased success stories straight from the gut of those fearless entrepreneurs from the state. The journeys covered were path-breaking, across industries, started from scratch but today enveloping across the nation. The panel was moderated by none other than Chennai’s own illustrious star Mr.Y.Gee.Mahendra (YGM).
2.15 PM to 3.15 PM
Break Out 2
“Unnaal Mudiyum Thambi”
Panel Discussion in Tamil
Moderator:
Mr. Y.Gee. Mahendra
Dramatist, Actor, Comedian
Panelists:
Mr. A. Padmasingh Isaac
Founder Chairman, Aachi Group
Dr. A. M. Arun
Chairman & MD, Vasan Healthcare Pvt Ltd.
Mr.C.K.Kumaravel, Founder & Managing Director of Naturals Unisex Salons & SPA
Mr. Y.Gee. Mahendra kick started the session by saying all the three entrepreneurs met the very basic needs of man – Mr.Isaac of Aachi takes care of stomach, Dr.Arun of Vasan Healthcare takes cares of health, Mr. Kumaravelu of Naturals Saloons satisfies everyone’s ego. Detailed coverage can be seen in this blog. My sincere thanks to all the 3 Panellists and to Mr.YGM for accepting our invitation and sharing their valuable experiences.
Rest of TiECon 2010
Lifetime achievement was awarded to Sanmar Group Chairman Mr.Shankar
Best seller author Gurucharan Das says recruit on attitude, train them on skills.That is the dharma of entrepreneurship.I act because I must
Where is money panel said in India there is an inverted pyramid of investments, less number of early funds, flush of funds for grown businesses
Ajit Balakrishnan, Founder Chairman of Rediff says that for broadband in India to reach 100-200Million penetration it should be offered at Rs.200 per month, that is the sweet spot. He adds that original content’s time has come – AOL,Yahoo! is getting their hands on it now, it is going to be big, but no one knows how big. Ajit says in a mature market like Japan Mobile Web browsing is multitude times more than Desktop, future is for Non-PC devices. I couldn’t agree with him more on all the points.
After the movie today, our friends took us to a restaurant near-by in East Coast Road by name “Kipling’s cafe”. When driving from city to Pondy, you need to take left into a small lane (L.Jey Avenue, Akkarai) opposite to Go-Carte sign post, which comes few yards away from Malgudi restaurant on the right-hand side. Near ECR-OMR link road junction, Injambakkam.
The restaurant serves delicious Italian, Chinese, Continental and Thai cuisines. Pasta and Pizza are supposed to be their speciality. On my friend’s recommendation, we had Bread with Baba Ganouj, Bruschetta, Thin-Crust Pizza, Thai Noodles. The food tasted lovely. The restaurant has a very nice ambience, earthy interiors and beautiful landscape. The food can be pricey, the service was average, so be prepared. I will certainly recommend the place for a good outing and great food.
நண்பர் ஒருவரோடு இன்று எழுதாளர் திரு.சா.கந்தசாமி அவர்களைச் சந்தித்துவிட்டு அண்ணா நூற்றாண்டு நூலகம் சென்றேன். திறந்து இரண்டு மாதங்களே ஆன இந்த நூலகம் தமிழகத்தின்/இந்தியாவின் பெருமை என்றே தோன்றுகிறது. முழுவதும் குளிர்சாதன வசதி, வாகனங்களை நிறுத்த நிறைய இடம், பல நூறு மக்கள் அமர்ந்து படிக்க பல மேஜைகள்/நாற்காலிகள், சுறுச்சுறுப்பான தனியார் காவலர்கள், நட்பான தேர்ந்த பணியாளர்கள், அழகான/அமைதியான குழந்தைகள் பகுதி என சொல்லிக் கொண்டே போகலாம். முக்கியமாக ஒவ்வொரு தளத்திலும் திறந்திருக்கும் தண்ணீர் வருகின்ற சுத்தமான உயர்தர கழிப்புறைகள். இன்னொரு சிறப்பு அம்சம் உங்கள் சொந்தப் புத்தகங்களைலும் இங்கே எடுத்துச் சென்று அமைதியான சுழலில் படிக்கலாம்.
என் கவலை எல்லாம், இந்த நூலகத்தை இப்படியே (சுத்தமாக) பராமரிப்பார்களா என்பது தான். அதைச் செய்வார்கள் என்று எனக்கு ஒருத்துளிக்கூட நம்பிக்கையில்லை! . இவ்வளவு வசதிகள் இருப்பதால் பராமரிப்பு செலவு அதிகம் இருக்கும், அரசு கஜானாவை மட்டும் நம்புவதைவிடுத்து உறுப்பினர் அல்லாதவர்களுக்கு ஒரு பத்து ரூபாய் அனுமதி கட்டணம் வசூலிக்கலாம்.
நூலகத்தைச் சுற்றிப்பார்த்துக் கொண்டிருந்தப் போது ஒருவர் என்னிடம் வந்து தன்னை அறிமுகம் செய்து அவர் என் வலைப்பூவின் நீண்ட நாள் வாசகர் என்றும் நான் நன்றாக எழுதுகிறேன் என்றும் சொன்னார் – எனக்கு மிக ஆச்சரியம். அந்த வாசகருக்கு என் நன்றி!
நூலகத்தின் இரண்டு மாடிகள் மக்களுக்காக திறந்து இருக்கிறார்கள், மீதம் வேலைகள் நடந்துக்கொண்டு இருக்கிறது. சென்னைவாசிகள் அனைவரும் அடிக்கடிச் செல்லவேண்டிய ஒரு இடமிது.
Today I went to visit the newly opened Anna Centenary Library in Kotturpuram (Opp. Birla Planetarium), Chennai. The library is in an area of 3.75 lakh Sq. Feet and a capacity to have over 1.2 Million books and thousands of E-Books & E-Journals. It is certainly a pride for TamilNadu (even for whole of India). I found the library to be fully air-conditioned, ample car parking facility, hundreds of tables and chairs to read comfortably, professional security guards and well trained & friendly staff (a rarity in Public Libraries in India) . One of the floors has a beautiful tree in centre – it is the Children section, today I could see good number of parents with their children enjoying their favourite books here. The ground floor has a huge well-equipped conference room and mini-theatres (for showing education videos, not yet open). Above all, open for access & clean modern Rest Rooms with running water in each floor!. One advantage in this library is that you can take your own books and read it in a special section earmarked for that purpose.
My worry is that with all these expenses made on public cost, will it be maintained like this – Sadly, I am not hopeful on that front. Without depending on Government grand alone, it will be wiser to charge say Rs.10 for every visit to non-members, it will be worth every paise.
Two surprises during my visit. While I was going through the Tamil section, a gentleman walked up to me, introduced himself as a regular reader of my blog and that he finds it interesting. My thanks to that reader. Second, I noticed a reader in the Library sitting with his feet on a fine leather sofa and reading – a staff walked promptly up to him told to have his feet down and to learn on how to behave in public places.
There are many Computers with content loaded in the Children Section and few other places. I am not sure during this digital age, whether you need such a big place to store books in physical format (or) it could have been all digital with plenty of Amazon Kindle like devices everywhere (of course chained) for people to access and read any of the books they want. May be, you need to approach this in stages and that might be the plan of the librarians here.
Two floors of this multi-storey library is completed, rest of the floors work is happening. Every Citizen of Chennai should come here regularly.
Update 19/Dec/2010: Today I went to the library with my son. Being a Sunday I was expecting lot of crowd, but surprisingly though it had good number of visitors it was definitely not crowded and was very comfortable. After a long time I enjoyed some peace & quietness while reading, realized the importance of a library atmosphere for enjoying books.
An elder has to be along with the kids in the Children’s section. So while he was enjoying story books, I spent the two hours reading a nice children book on “Religions in the world” by Chris Wright from OXFORD press. The book covers the reasoning behind Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Christianity & Sikhism in a way kids can understand it.
Being a Vegetarian, I find the choice of food limited while traveling abroad, but never had a real problem. That’s because I like to try out different cuisine’s what ever vegetarian offerings they might have – whether it is just Tofu, Boiled Vegetables & rice in Japan or Tasty/Spicy Ethiopian food in USA or Rice & Boiled Vegetable from a Korean cuisine in Malaysia. My favourite has been the spicy Mexican food.
In Chennai I find the choice of good restaurants serving non-South Indian food very limited. For example, I could never find a good Mexican Burrito offering in Chennai. But finding other Indian state cuisines is not so difficult, provided you ask the correct people, get references and then go. If you want authentic food from that state, better avoid the 5-Star hotels, I find them to have a great ability to successfully make all food taste the same – bland and boring.
When it comes to good Gujarati or Rajasthani food in Chennai, I have known for years and liked Manshuk Restaurant in T.Nagar. But my Yoga master Mr.Gautham (who is a Rajasthani) has been recommending many other good places in Sowcarpet & Broadway area. Being a South Chennai (T.Nagar) person I have rarely ventured into those area and completely at loss there.
We have been planning to go for lunch in one of those places and today was the day we finally did it. From my office in T.Nagar we took an Auto-Rickshaw and went to Broadway, the ride costing us a mini-fortune of Rs.120 (each way). The restaurant he took me was the well-known in the area, Sri Gujarati Mandalin Prakasam Street in Broadway (I guessed the place was run by some Gujarati local association). The restaurant was small, but the minute I entered I know the food should be lovely – as there was about 15 people in front of us waiting for their turn on a normal working day at 2PM for Lunch. The food should be authentic “Gujarati” too, as many Gujarati’s too who stayed in the rooms above were eating in the same place. They are open only for Lunch & Dinner. The menu is just of one choice during Lunch, what we were served was unlimited Rotis (Indian Bread), 3-4 subjis (Gravy Side-dishes) which are constantly refilled, Sambar, Rasam, White Rice & Curd. On the side were offerings like garnished green chillies, Aam Ras (Sweetened Mango Pulp tasting heavenly) and Gujariti speciality Shrikand (which I learned is made from Curd & Sugar). The whole meal costing about Rs.80 per person and was worth multiple times of that. The place was clean and service was prompt & quick. I will recommend the place for a good Gujarati pure vegetarian meal.
I noticed in the US Consulate (Chennai) FaceBook page they are showing in Consulate Library as part of their Saturday Matinee the movie “Abyss” by Titanic & Avatar fame “James Cameron”. I was not sure whether it will be worth the effort to go for it – there may be too much crowd and long waiting (as the show is free for all), painful security restrictions at the consulate gates. In the end it was all easy. I went in about 45 minutes before the show, spent the time in their well-furnished library reading books, then went to the auditorium 10 minutes and movie started early. Security was smooth – you should ensure you carry a valid Government ID with Photo, any cell phones you can deposit in the gate and collect back (I didn’t take that risk, left my cell phone at home), no parking available near-by so leave your vehicle behind and go by Auto-rickshaw or Bus.
As far as the movie “Abyss”, it was taken in 1989 before Titanic. It was happenings inside an underwater Oil rig several hundred feet below sea level on a mission to check out a nuclear submarine that crashed. The highlight of the movie is the deep underwater scenes all brilliantly taken by Cameron. A diver going more than 16,000 feet underwater in a wet suit breathing liquid and encounter with Aliens who save the entire team – both of which are beyond what we may believe, but nevertheless nicely told. I didn’t know about this movie and I would have missed it, had it not been for the special show by the US Consulate today, thanks to them.
In YouTube now, I saw these videos on the “Making of Abyss”. This shows the tremendous effort the film crew made in shooting this film, with hiring an abandoned Nuclear Power plant!
The content of this site are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer's view in anyway. In addition, my thoughts and opinions often change, and as a weblog is intended to provide a semi-permanent point in time snapshot you should not consider out of date posts to reflect my current thoughts and opinions.
.jpg "Dr.G.V.Uma (HOD Dept of IST, Anna University), T.N.C.Venkata Rangan, Dr.S.Shanmugavel (Registrar Anna Unviersity)")
.jpg "T.N.C.Venkata Rangan delivering the keynote address for Mobile Workshop in Anna University on 1April2011")
.jpg "Seen Prof. Dr. S. Sendhilkumar and T.N.C.Venkata Rangan")
_1.jpg "Dr.S.Shanmugavel (Registrar Anna Unviersity, Chennai) presenting a flower bouqet to T.N.C.Venkata Rangan")
_1.jpg "Zakir Hussain Dasavatharam (7)")
_3.jpg "Anna Centenary Library Chennai (2)")
_1.jpg "Anna Centenary Library Chennai (3)")
_1.jpg "Anna Centenary Library Chennai (4)")
