Traffic in the dream city

Namma Bengaluru - Yes, a dream city !!! Its a very special place with lovely climatic conditions and topology. Needless to say, when there is more publicity, development of infrastructure, more educational facilities and job opportunities and various other indirect factors, there is migration of population and hence the weight on the road, and traffic is caused.

Of late , the silicon city has witnessed tremendous development and growth. The effect is quite visible. Earlier in Bengaluru, I never have seen such a wild and congested traffic. Every possible roads are congested. In nut shell, it is quite logical to say that there has been very less development that took place in roadways, traffic system etc compared to the development that took place in other sectors like industries , establishment of various research & software design centre, aerospace, telecommunication, defense organizations etc.

But is this the only cause for traffic? Of Course not. People should understand that all the major cities in the country or say major metros all over the world face similar problems. Blaming the city and the police would do no good. There are many other reasons too. Most importantly, the citizens of Bengaluru. I don't think we can count the number of people disobeying the traffic rules every minute. There is no strict lane maintainance in the city. I must mention - Auto and cab drivers are first among them.


Time is Not far away when the people of Bangalore will have to face all sorts of traffic problem. One must follow the traffic signals not just for your own safety, but for everyone's convenience too.

One more incidence worth mentioning in this context. Recently, I was stuck in traffic near Lalbagh. The traffic was moving one foot every 5 minutes!!! But I must say, i dint get bored at all. Thanks to BBMP for beautiful paintings on the walls. It took me a lot of time to reach the next signal. I was happy I would clear the next "GREEN" signal but for my bad luck, an auto driver trying to change the lane hit a car in front of me ! Ufff.. There was a big chaos. It was a horrible experience that day. The car and the auto drivers fighting in the middle of the road, many people unnecessarily involving in the argument, all vehicles behind them honking continuously, and finally, there comes the traffic police. It was really good to have him there. The traffic got cleared in just 5 minutes.

All these unnecessarily increase the existing traffic congestion. These things I feel, can really help decrease the congestion -
1. Most important, Lane maintainance.
2. Traffic rules must be obeyed no matter what.
3. Don't ever avoid a "ONE WAY" sign.
4. Do not park your vehicles in "NO PARKING" zone or in places which would reduce the lane width for the other vehicles.

With the coming of Namma Metro a lot of these issues must be solved. Citizens should make use of public transport when ever possible. It’s the best way to avoid being in pollution and in turn we can help to reduce pollution.

I must mention this. Just recently, I was stuck in a traffic signal near RajBhavan for about 15 minutes. All the lanes had "RED" signal and I was wondering why, when I just saw a few minister cars pass by. The cars just crossed the signal in a minute when the rest of the public have been waiting still for 15 minutes !

IS IT JUSTIFIABLE ?

Why can't the same thing be done to the ambulance instead ??? It might save a life!

I hope the government takes necessary actions to evaluate the development of Bangalore city and the steps required to take to meet the growing demands of the population. Moreover, to make the Bangalore city redefined and reshaped to face the challenge of new emerging hi-tech metro city of India :-) I hope I see the day when we can say road rage is obsolete word in this city traffic. I hope my dream and every one’s dream of turning our Beautiful Bengaluru into an ultra modern world Class City for its inhabitants will come true very soon.

Stop worrying... Start living.. !!!!

Of course, all of us worry about different things in life.. May be about something small or something really big.. Do you worry that you worry about being too worried??? If u worry so much about future, what about the present?

Worries are usually about - what's gonna happen in the future. Why should you think so much about future when our lives are so uncertain. Who knows what's gonna happen tomorrow !!! Future is definitely not in our control. But , the present is.. What we have to do is - Live in the MOMENT. Have fun. Take everything easy.. Every problem will have a solution and everything happens for good. We just must have patience and not let go our confidence. Maybe you need to learn to be comfortable with risk.

Many of the worries we have may be related to past. Like a heartbreak, or injuries, it haunts us and we want to do everything in our power from preventing it from happening again. But what's the use of brooding over what has already happened. We just need to get the past off our head and live to the fullest in the present.

Of course, it doesn't seem as easy as i'm saying. But, trust me, U can make it easy..
Certain things I feel will make you relaxed and divert your mind from worries -

Firstly, Just don't think too much. Of course you need to think before you act, but don't think too much. Just take the first step and go for it.

Secondly,Spend time with yourself. I find this saying very true- "An idle mind is a devil's workshop". Take up activities to keep busy.Anything that preoccupies you and precludes worrying will be good for you, as long as you don't become addicted to it for that very purpose.

Thirdly,Spend time with friends and family. Whatever you worried about, they could help you out and make you stop thinking about it.

Fourthly and most importantly, Move on. Sure, you could always do more, like anticipating every possible outcome and taking every possible step to prevent each unwanted outcome from happening, but you'll spend your life preventing bad things from happening rather than enjoying the good things that have already happened. And you won't even be able to stop all bad things from happening, anyway!

Every time you think “someday” or “when I have time I will,” stop. Ask yourself, “Why not now?” Think about this sentence, “I always wanted to, but never did.” Start doing the things you always planned to do. Choose your life every morning.

A poster in my room says - After every sad day, comes a glad day.. So, Keep smiling.. !!!
I find this quote really nice.

Past is history, future is mystery but "today" is a gift. That is why it is called "present".

STOP WORRYING AND START LIVING !!!

One thing I just Luv to do :)

About 5 years back, Vinni, maddy, shreyu , sham, deepu, ashi and kuku had been to Sunny's house for the pastry preparation demo from his mom. I missed it as I had to attend my practical exam :( From then, Vinni and shreyu started off preparing pastries and experimenting on us.. lolll!!! I was least interested to learn the procedure.. I would just enjoy the pastries what they made. Maximum I would do was just help them with small small things.. I was never used to even entering the kitchen.

One fine day, I finally made up my mind to try it out all by myself. I'd watched these guys prepare pastry quite a couple of times. I called up Vinni and confirmed the procedure. And I finally started off to prepare my first pastry, the day before my brother's b'day. Wanted to give him a surprise. Believe me it needs hell lot of patience to do it all by yourself!!!I had a tough time that day!!! My first black forest pastry took me about 6 hours.. ufff.. !!! It was not bad at all.. :) It gave me little confidence and from then, not only pastries but i started cooking every dish possible.. !!! It was quite hard to believe myself.. And preparing pastry kind of became my hobby and it was soooooo much in demand that few of my frnz were suggesting me not to look for a technical job after engineering but start a small home-made pastry shop.. hehheee..

One sad thing is that, its been about 10 months since i prepared a pastry. And I really curse my professional life for this :( Cuz pastry takes almost half my day and on weekends, I'm so busy with family and friends that I'm not finding time for it. Have to do something about it.


These are very few of the pastries I've made :) and Vinni will kill me if i don't mention - "The pastry which was made for sham had Vinni's efforts more than mine" .. loll... !!!

Preparing pastry is quite simple.. But needs hell lot of patience :)

PASTRY RECEIPE:

Ingredients:

7eggs,

500g powdered sugar,

160g maida flour,

Vanilla essence,

Strawberry essence for strawberry pastry/pineapple essence for pineapple pastry/chocolate essence for chocolate pastry,

Strawberry fruit for strawberry pastry/pineapple fruit for pineapple pastry/40g cocoa powder and 40g drinking chocolate for chocolate pastry

2 packets fresh cream

How to prepare:

1. Break 7 eggs into a big vessel (atleast 4 liters capacity) without separating white and the yolk.

2. Add one spoon of vanilla essence and one spoon of Strawberry essence for strawberry pastry/pineapple essence for pineapple pastry/chocolate essence for chocolate pastry.

3. Add 250g of finely powdered sugar.

4. Beat the above mixture using an electric beater for 30-40 mins, until the mixture becomes thick (manual beater takes more than 2 hrs!). Keep the mixture covered.

5. Take 160g sieved maida flour in a bowl. [For chocolate/black forest pastry, add 160g of sieved maida + 40g cocoa powder+ 40g drinking chocolate]. Add maida mixture (ONE spoon at a time) to the beaten egg mixture and mix it really well in ONE DIRECTION ONLY, without forming lumps. (This requires lotttt of patience and it takes atleast an hour!)

6. Grease 10liters pressure cooker with 2 spoons of ghee and sprinkle maida flour. Make sure maida is spread properly, otherwise it will be difficult to take out the cake from cooker.

[If using microwave, grease a vessel with ghee and maida. Make sure the vessel has atleast 15cm radius and 20-25cm height]

7. Pour the mixture into the cooker. Cover the cooker with a plate (DO NOT USE cooker lid) and simmer it for 30 mins (until the edges of the cake leave the cooker sides).

[If using microwave, bake the cake for 10 mins]

8. Leave the cooker/ vessel to cool down.

9. Meanwhile boil finely chopped strawberry pieces for strawberry pastry/pineapple pieces for pineapple pastry, in 200g of water. Add 10 spoons of sugar and boil for 5 mins.[For chocolate pastry, just boil the sugar water]. Separate the fruit and water. Allow both to cool and keep it in fridge.

10. Take the fresh cream in a vessel and add 10 spoons of sugar powder. Beat in all direction for 10 mins, UNTIL IT IS SLIGHTLY THICK. [TAKE CARE WHILE BEATING AS THE CREAM MAY TURN BUTTER IF YOU BEAT IT TOO MUCH!]

11. Take out the cake from the cooker/vessel using a knife, slowly.

12. Cut the cake horizontally into two halves using a knife.And keep them seperate

13. For the lower half, sprinkle 150g of water(which was kept in the fridge)

14. Spread the cream evenly and sprinkle the fruits /chocolate pieces for chocolate pastry on it.

15. Place the upper half of cake on this.Sprinkle the remaining water on this.

16. Spread the cream evenly on top and on sides.

17. Decorate with cherries/chocolates/fruits/dry fruits. Anything can be written on the pastry with chocolate sauce.

Are we really Independent ????

63 years! Have you ever tried to find the meaning of independence? Many of us assume we attained our independence in 1947!

Are we really independent?

Well that depends. A country cannot be independent till it can freely express its opinion and act based on its national and strategic interests. Then tell me what will make you happy to call India an independent nation? First, we must be a self-sustaining nation with least dependency on foreign culture, money, power and influence. Let us start with

culture – are we not eager to shed our “ego and parampara” and embrace the Americanism for money and status symbol?

Money – isn’t our national reserve dependent on how much foreign money comes through foreign institutional investments? Let us take

power – did we not withdraw from Kashmir border on insistence of America? Did we not settle in Kargil and not cross the LOC because of what the super powers will do in United Nation? Are we not compromising with China to keep America and Pakistan in check? Well you will say this is part of diplomacy!

Influence – Whom do we influence?

So are we really independent? Let me tell you “yes” – we are independent according to the definition’s minimum benchmark. We have an independent army, our people think that we are independent and we have an independent political system.

So when will you call India an independent nation?

Well first,India must be a member of the Security Council with full veto power.

Second, her economy must not be dependent on any one else’s. The myth that outsourcing jobs may make India an economic superpower is bogus! India should make goods and services on her own and other countries should be eager to buy that!

Third, we should invest and research in alternative fuel. Like America, India is dependent on imported Petroleum and that has to go. India should move ahead and start using an alternative fuel and show the world that it is a leading super power.

Fourth, Indians do not need to leave their own country to earn some dollars or euros or yens. Indians must be proud to be in their nation contributing to mother India.


India is world famous for its diversity. Why aren't Indians trying to preserve this culture? Why are Indians constantly trying to adopt foreign culture?

Why are people constantly wanting to migrate to foreign countries to make money?

Why is there so much corruption in our government when government was made for the people, of the people and by the people?

Why is there so much of communal riots still?

That is why I say whether India is independent or not depends upon how you define independence and freedom!

VTU's new logo... :)

35/100... hahaa... wud just wait for it... :P

Dream high !!!

“When you have come to the edge of all the light you have
And step into the darkness of the unknown
Believe that one of the two will happen to you
Either you'll find something solid to stand on
Or you'll be taught how to fly!”