Thursday, January 29, 2009

High hopes !!


To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.” Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States.

America has a history of their President's first inaugural speech . George Washington said he was not up to the job but will do his best. Abraham Lincoln was sworn in by the person , who passed the law which upheld slavery and deemed black person inferior. Barack Obama's inauguration was a completely different story. It was the first time that so many people watched and listned to his inaugral speech , beacuse he has charmed the people from Washington to Delhi .

The message of Obama's speech was light. He highlighted that America is in crisis , is at war , the economy has failed . He said each day further the task will be much harder , but he promised a bold and a swift action to revive the economy. But nothing will happen easily and quickly. His speech indicated that tough decisions need to be taken , there was a hint that America should set aside thier way of living beyond the means.

The speech addressed domestic concerns and evoked memories of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. Obama spoke to the international community as well. With plans in place to close Guantanamo Bay immediately and begin to withdraw troops from Iraq, Obama is seeking to remake America's image overseas, which had taken a dive under the Bush Administration. I believe that many Africans will be expressing optimism that Obama's presidency would mark a significant improvement in U.S. policies towards Africa. Well the speech of Mr. President Obama is exactly a tremendous message of change and hope.

But the party is over , before he could get a feel of the job American firms announced at least 65,000 job cuts on January 26th alone. I guess Mr Obama has to tackle two wars, a recession and the unexpected optimism shown by the American people.

Friday, January 9, 2009

What I have been listening to lately !!

It's said music is in the air, music is all around us; the world is full of it, and you simply take as much as you require. Well music does really gives a pleasure which human nature cannot do without. Here are some of songs which are my favorite and surely these songs give me some sort of spirit which never dies !!

1. Nickel back - Far away : A very beautiful song , the lyrics are damn good it's more of a heart felt and emotional song .

2. Backstreet Boys - I Just Want You To Know : One of the classic song of Backstreet Boys , pleasant to listen and easy to sing along , song has a great beat sound and the harmonies are impeccable.

3. U2 - Walk On : I have been a U2 fan for long now , and this song is one of the reasons for it .
Wonderful song with meaningful lyric. "walk on" is always my favorite song. The meaning behind the lyric makes me feel great.

4. U2 - With or without you : Another one from U2 , simply awesome song !!

5. Phil collins- In the air tonight : Beautiful song and extraordinary, because of its drum sound in particular initially almost nothing happens in it , you don't hear for about two minutes...then there's that great doo-dom doo-dom doo-dom comes in, and the drums come in half way through the song.

6. Hillary Duff - Come Clean : I don't particualrly like hillary duff songs , but like this song very much , I guess one of the hilary's best song.

7. Jennifer Lopez - Waiting For Tonight : Great song , good lyrics and tune

8. Eagles - Hotel California : A master piece !!

Friday, January 2, 2009

Hello 2009 !!

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." - Edith Lovejoy Pierce

I just did a quick peek at the year 2008 and here are somethings that I will remember from the previous year ....

1. India - US sign the landmark N deal
2. Obama's Victory speech .
3. Transition time for the Indian cricket , retirement of two biggest stars of Indian cricket : Saurav Gnaguly and Anil kumble
4. Indian gold medal at Olympics.
5. Global Financial crisis.
6. Chandrayaan: Moon mission
7. Mumbai attack .

Well on the personal front another year has just passed by and I was just thinking how to describe the past year... not really most beautiful year of my life but I would say it as the Most happening year of my life !!

2008 was the year when,

I quit my first job in the software industry and joined DE Shaw.

I started this blog.

I read more number of novels , that I would have read in all my previous years put together.

I bought my first laptop.

I watched the most number of TV series , that I would have watched at my four years at college.

I again was not able to crack CAT exam to get into the IIM's.

I drunk and visited more pubs and partied more than I would have ever done.

I realized the more you learn the less you know.

" A lot to remember and lot to forget was the year 2008 for me !! "