Google out of China

I have been following the "Google-China" news item for some time now.The move has been analyzed on a lot of web sites. When you read through all that you get the idea that it is indeed a noble gesture. Someone is finally standing up against the big bad bully.

This opinion is especially highlighted in all western media. But I read an intresting comment to one of these news items purportedly by a Chinese origin person. He/she claims that Chinese/Asians need censorship and need to be told what to do and what NOT to do. According to the reader's rationale, China is what it is today because of its communist ideology and government who decides what each and everyone can do or read. I do not necessarily agree with the comment which includes all of Asia but the reader pointed out to Indonesia as an example. Indonesia is a democracy struggling to develop into a developing nation. Whereas China a non democracy is well on its way to being a developed country. Thinking in that fashion, it makes sense.

The other side of this issue is whether it is Google or the US government who is responsible for having Google move out. If it is then Google for all its rhetoric is just a pawn in the game of politics. Time and time again the US government have meddled into the affairs of other countries mostly with disastrous consequences to all concerned. Hopefully this does not turn out into one of those.

The other reason could be that Google with all its popularity in the rest of the world could not penetrate the Chinese consumer where Baidu still reigns. This could be a face saving measure to not let it be public that even Google can fail.

I sincerely hope is is neither of the above two and that Google is standing up for what is right. The issue should not be about governance or politics or business. It should be about one's right to information and ability to choose. It should be about individual freedom.

Back In Bangalore

Return to India has been blogged to death. I always wondered whether I would do it. The answer to it is yes. It is amazing the changes that my country has gone through.

I spent my formative 25 years or so here. Among various places in India, but always pretty much in the south. Bangalore used to be a known lace to me. Whitefield, a place far away where the Sai Baba had decided to build an Ashram for his devotees. Never did I imagine living close to the ashram. And coming back after a long time, that is exactly where I end up.

It has been almost 3 months since I got back here. Some good experiences and mostly bad sum it up till now. It is amazing that I have to relearn a lot of things, which was something that I never expected to do coming back.

A few noteworthy(some amusing) things

1) I had gone to a place to order dinner. I told the waiter I would like it "to go". He looks at me as if I am speaking greek. I repeat the same and he still looks clueless. I fall back on the ever dependable sign language and he goes---"Oh parecelaaaaa...sheri saar" ( meaning that I should have asked for parcel. And saar is showered upon you constantly. Even at work :(
2) If someone tells you they will come, even though they are making a business transaction, only expect them to turn up at least half an hour after the appointment time.
3) There would be a perfectly nice and walkable sidewalk aka footpath. But people still will walk only on the road.
4) You do not yield or help anyone while in traffic. If you do you are considered a loser.
5) Roads are not made for travel in the inner areas. They are for parking to visit the nearby businesses.

The only thing that gives me hope are that things are changing. People are following traffic signals for the most part. Some amount of civis sense is being shown by a percntage of the population. We still have a long way to go and we are already one quarter down the path. We will become a fully developed country at some point, but I doubt if it will be by 2020.

Goodbye

This is my last week in the USA. I leave this Sunday after spending a decade. The major phases of my life happened here. Getting married, my son being born, an excellent career among a lot of other things.

Looking back on the time I spent here brings me happiness and glad that I did make this move 10 years back.

The amount of junk that we acquire over time still amazes me. I have been throwing out bag after bag of stuff which at some point I thought I needed. I am sure the trash company is going to start charging me extra seeing the number of trash bags in the driveway.

A little sad but it helps that the family has already made the move. The anticipation of joining them helps me not dwell too much on the final move. Arpan loves it back in India and that certainly helps me in believing this will work out.

To a new beginning in Bangalore :-)

Sushi

I have never been a big fan of sushi. When friends would gush about how good a sushi place is, I would be thinking "what can be so good about eating raw fish wrapped with rice and other stuff".

Turns out I was very ignorant.

Like any kind of food sushi is an acquired taste. It takes a few trials before you develop the taste for it. Once you do have it, sushi and sashimi are very enjoyable. Thanks to my consulting life, I do not have to worry about where I eat my dinner and am able to try out different things.

I remember the first few years in the US, I would never eat cheeseburgers because I had it in my mind I do not like them. It took Arpan to show me how much I would enjoy them when he made me buy them at an apple farm where they did not have anything else to eat other than grilled burgers.

Tonight we tried out a new sushi place here in Pheonix and turned out to be the best sushi I had in a while. Now that I am full, I can hardly type.

Good night!!! and off to another busy day at work tomorrow!!!!!

Grand Canyon

I never got around to visit this amazing place in all my years in the USA. Not sure why, but it never happened. This client work gave me the opportunity to spend a weekend there and I have to say it is an amazing place.

Sitting on the rim, watching the sun rise or set, with quietness around you is the most wonderful feeling you can have.

For those who have not been, I highly recommend the experience. I would also recommend staying at the lodge in the village and just taking the time to explore at your own pace.

For all those amateur photographers out there, it is a virtual paradise of images. If you have a few days, Sedona (few hrs to the south) is another picture perfect place.

I cannot wait to go back and hike the trail down to the river.

Choices

Why do you always have to make choices?

Any time you want to do something or find something - you have to select. For a person who finds it hard to make the smallest decision, this is absolutely tiring.
Go to a restaurant - You need to figure out what to eat. But even before you get there, you need to figure out where to go.

This rant started because I need to make a choice of my next project. I have 2 to choose from, both have their pros and cons.

Darn - Here goes my weekend over endless analysis and come Monday - I still will not have a decision. :(

Lonely

I always wanted to have a few days alone away from family. I even had a whole slew of things planned out for me to do. No interference from wife or kid. Unfortunately my wish has been granted true and I am finding out that the thoughts I had are not making me happy.

I have been alone for a month now and pretty much have done nothing that I had planned for. I just want them to be back so that my self enforced bachelor hood is over.

PS : I know two weeks after they are back I will start making "my alone" plans.