Summer Begins in Kolkata

 I had my first beer of this summer yesterday- signifying that Summer is here. Normally, I don't drink beer, but it was hot, so I gave in. For some reason, Kingfisher Premium is not easy to find, so I tried Carlsberg light instead. It was Ok, though not as good as the KF.

Officially, it's my last summer here, as I will move back to Pune soon. Nevertheless, almost every city in India gets hot, maybe not so early as Kolkata does. Delhi, Pune, even Bangalore are hot in April. The coastal cities are hot throughout, so a bit hooter in April-June until rains begin and bring relief.

I am still planning on stuff to do post my move, and ideas are welcome. Will not work full time-that's the only decision I have made so far. 

If fate tempts me, I may teach here and there, part time, or not, if it doesn't. Golf and meeting friends will continue..

Sixth Convocation of JIS University

 I have attended a lot of Convocations. This was maybe the 20th of my life. But memorable, in many ways. The First in Kolkata. On 21st February, 2026. 

Debasmita Das and Shrabani Saha Choudhury,  

Backstage, from my vantage point

Below- With Bratati Bhattacharya, Director of the Business School.

and the folks from the Exam Branch, including Karanjyot Kaur and Sunita Samanta, who are friends as well.. they did all the back-end work in preparing the certificates, diplomas, medals  etc.

Songs Picturised on Sanjeev Kumar

 There have been some great songs picturised on him, just like they were On Rajesh Khanna or Dev Anand or Sanjeev Kumar. 

Shaadi ke liye razamand kar li, maine ek ladki pasand kar li

O manchali kahaan chali

Tere bina zindagi se koi shikwa nahi

Is mod se jaate hain

Tum aa gaye ho, noor aa gaya hai

Dil dhoondhta hai phir wahi fursat ke raat din

Jadugar tere naina

Meri bheegi bheegi si

Hawa ke saath saath ghata ke sang sang

Khilona jaan kar tum to..

The Curious Case of the Dog Robot

 Some controversy erupted after the AI summit, where it is alleged that Galgotia University passed off a robot they had bought from a Chinese company as their own invention- if reports are to be believed. No idea if that is true.

But that shows how you can try and pass off another's work as your own. In academia, it's called plagiarism. In music too, I suppose. We have discovered for instance, that one of Usha Uthup's famous numbers was copied from One Way Ticket to the Moon.. I think it was Hari Om Hari.. 

So what, you may ask. So nothing. This world consists of people of all kinds, and sometimes, an inspiration will strike you, without your knowing where it came from. Whether that's a crime or not, I have no idea. Let the law take its own course, as they say.. if there is a complaint and a legal case.

Meeting IK Gautam

 Met IK Gautam, classmate from IIMB, on a visit to Kolkata from his place, Alwar. He runs a farm there, and mostly lives on the farmhouse too. His friend was with him, and Dash and I made the rest of the quartet. A long conversation on many things under the Sun, our kids included, was a part of this outing. At Tollygunge Club.

IKG on the left, his friend on the right. Dash and I, centre.

Global food Favourites

 Pho in Vietnam

Cheeseburger, and Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich in the U.S.

A simple vegetarian meal in Sri Lanka. Also their prawns, in any form.

Greek food- Moussaka is my favourite, both veg. and non veg.

Italian- Lasagna, Spaghetti with Meat Balls

Thai- Tom Yum Soup, Thai Red Curry, Green Curry

Burmese Khao Suey

Korean- Grilled Meat, with sauces. Barbecue Nation style. Kimchi.

French- Can't pronounce the names, but Seafood is good, and Crepes of various types. A soup with seafood called Bouillabaisse (I think!).

Also, in general, Pizza, and Chinese food from India. (never been to China)

British- they have switched to Indian food now, so...

Presidents and Paupers

 There is an old joke attributed to a Tamil actor.. that going to an engineering college makes you an engineer, but going to Presidency College does not make you a President.

On the same lines,

-studying Sociology does not make you social

- nor does studying Psychology make you a psycho

- or studying Commerce does not make you commercial

-nor does studying Arts make you an artist.

One can go on.. what about Management? Think of a good one? Or will you be a dog in the manger?