Empathize Before Heavens Abandon Us

God gave us a beautiful paradise called Earth

Man turned it into a graveyard through his greed and ego

He invented a dreadful game called war

Just an excuse to exercise his power and dominance

Guilt, conscience & morals are nowhere to be found

Man can sleep with no remorse, laugh and live with no sense of justice

Germany, Japan, Sri Lanka, Syria... How many times history has to repeat itself?

Poor universe doesn’t understand that humans will never learn!

We, humans, have lost our empathy, compassion & kindness

We blame God for our sins

We never asked him before creating boundaries, before polluting nature, before using war missiles, before lynching humans like animals, before butchering innocent children.

And we say God hasn't stopped it? Maybe even He has lost all hope in mankind.

10 Dramas For Single Ladies To Binge On Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s day is that time of the year when people go crazy about relationship and stuff. Everywhere it’s about love and rainbows. And for single women, it is just another day of the week. This article is for all the single women out there who decided to celebrate valentine’s day with Netflix and popcorn.

If you are planning to binge-watch your favourite shows, here are some of my recommendations. This time, let’s do it little different with Asian dramas. Kdramas are soothing and refreshing with all the cute oppas and unnis. As most Kdramas focus on romantic story-line, you may have decided to stay away from them this Valentine’s day but you don’t have to. I’ve hand-picked some of the non-romantic yet cool dramas to binge watch - A perfect way to celebrate your single life!

Witch’s Court

A crazy woman lawyer fighting crimes in a savage way with the help of her colleague. If you are up for some crime fighting in a crazy way, then you will not be disappointed. And, you will fall in love with the female protagonist.

Eulachacha Waikiki

If you are looking for good laugh and simple story line then this show may be the one. I think they have released only 4 episodes but so far it is good and fun to watch. No fancy settings or extraordinarily good looking guys like other kdramas but promises good laugh.

Age of youth

This is one of the under-rated Kdramas in the recent times. This story revolves around the life of women in their early and mid 20s. It is all about friendship, love, drama and co-existence. Though there is romance, the main theme is friendship among these women so it’s worth a try.

Age of youth season 2 is over and we are expecting season 3.

Avenger’s social club

Do you want to see some badass ahjummas taking revenge on bad people? It is refreshing and funny to see how middle aged aunties from different walks of life come together and have their revenge.

   

Tunnel & Voice

Both are crime thrillers, fighting psychopaths and solving murder mysteries. They are like the Korean version of Criminal Minds. Tunnel includes fantasy in its story-line that keeps you hooked. If you are looking for some serious crime-solving drama, try these two.  

Death Note

How can we not include a Japanese series in Asian drama list? Death note is a Japanese series based on the Manga (Japanese comics) and anime (Japanese animated series) so if you haven’t watched the anime then you will enjoy Death Note. It is about a student who receives a note that can kill people. Intriguing? Then check this out.

Liar game

My vote is for Liar game Japanese version which is close to the original series and much more serious. The Korean version is not scary enough but looks very lavish so you can pick either one. The story is about a young naive girl who was forced to participate in a game that involves cheating and manipulation. It takes you to a different world of Asian drama.

Bad Guys

Bad guys was originally released in 2014 and the remake (Bad guys: city of evil) was released in 2017. Both have similar story line but 2014 bad guys is bad-ass and more serious. Good looking oppas but no romance so perfect for our kind of valentine’s day binging.

Reply 1988

I’m saving the best for last. If you are a kdrama fan, then Reply 1988 is a must-see in your list. The story-line, screenplay and characters are so perfect and well designed. The entire show is relatable as it revolves around human relationships – friendship, love, family, career, and childhood memories. 

  

My Binge Choice - Ask Us Anything

 I’m going to binge on Ask Us Anything aka Knowing Bros. It is a reality show and not a drama. Though, I don’t watch reality shows, this one is funny. I’ve been seeing some snippets on YouTube and they seem hilarious so I’ve decided to laugh till it hurts.

You can try dramanice, dramafever or kissasian for these Asian dramas online.

There you go! Enjoy your valentine’s day with hot oppas, cool ahjummas, ahjussis, unnis and dongsaengs. 

10 life lessons to live peacefully

If you look at misery as a learning tool, you will have the wisdom to handle life with ease. One may not necessarily go through misery to learn about life. Take the easy route - learn from others’ experiences. Here are some that may help you live peacefully:

1. Take control of your life. Own your mistakes and take pride in your decisions. Don't let others live your life.

2. It may seem like they got your back but the truth is you're alone from the time you were born. You have to live alone, fight alone and die alone. People just come and go in your life.

3. Always remember 99 % of the time, your mother is right.

4. Nobody can save you. You have to fight your own battles.

5. Have your own roof if you want to live with dignity.

6. Life teaches one thing over and over again. Never put your life on hold for others.

7. Having no company is always better than bad company.

8. Do not wait for your knight in shining armour. You are your own saviour.

9. Every good deed is counted, no matter how trivial it is.

10. Sometimes talking your mind with no filters on is the best way. After all you are being yourself and there is nothing wrong about it.

Smartphone may replace Wintel PC in the coming years

In the recent times, there are various speculations about the future of personal computers and evolution of smartphones to replace PCs in the long run. Smartphones are on the rise due to portability, easy access and affordability but on the enterprise front, it is still used as a supporting device for performing simple tasks such drafting e-mails, connecting to peers or surfing the web. Over time, experts believe that smartphones may take over Wintel PC in the work place due to their dynamic tech facilities.

Wintel PCs – Technology That Changed The Enterprise Segment

Wintel is the term for personal computers that run on Microsoft Windows operating system and Intel microprocessors. Microsoft built the operating system and Intel built the chips which together formed the foundation of personal computers. For decades, these two companies worked side by side and managed to fulfill the vision of putting a windows computer on every desk and in every home. Intel’s influence in the tech world runs for decades and it still rules the tech market across the world. About 99% of computer servers in the world use Intel chips and it is pretty much the only option for availing decent chip.  There is no other competitor for intel; even digital companies like Google, Amazon use intel chips.

In enterprise segment Wintel dominated the market for over 2 decades with tech innovations. However, with the advancement of smartphones, the influence of Intel has diminished. Tech giants are looking at other options for their business. In a recent press conference, Microsoft announced its plan to work with ARM chips. The two companies have decided to walk their separate ways. This doesn’t mean the end of Wintel as the device will still continue to work but there will not be upgrades or new Wintel models coming up.

Smartphones – A Game-changer

Smartphones are your handheld PCs that can help to perform simple tasks like responding to e-mails, scheduling meetings etc. However, smartphones have evolved over the years and are gearing up to replace the traditional PCs at workplace. Smartphone giants like Apple and Samsung create their own chips and devices, dominating the mobile phone industry.

These days, smartphones have better specifications that PCs such as 2.5 GHz octo-core processors, 4 GB RAM and expandable memory. With large screen tablets and advanced smartphone features, people abandon traditional PCs for their everyday work. Many have increasingly comfortable using smartphones with bigger screen to work on anything from viewing a spreadsheet to writing a full report on Word. The modern day smartphones have become the primary gateway for internet and media usage due to the rise of cloud computing.

Smartphone makers have developed suites to replace personal computers with smartphones. Recent launch of Samsung DeX running with Android, Windows Continuum and Remix Singularity using Android are some of the examples that bring the possibility of transforming smartphones into PCs.

New versions of smartphones are designed to run productive and creative applications along with the ability to scale and adapt to any screen size. They can be attached to tablets, laptops, TV, Monitors and other consoles even using Bluetooth.

Android open source project paved the way for smartphones to scale up the demand of running on ARM processors which are expected to be a competition to Intel processors. Cloud computing, web apps and streaming services of smartphones are invaluable as they reduced the dependency of PCs for work related projects.

 The Real Question: Are We There Yet?

Though smartphones are at the summit of innovation, are they good enough to replace PCs in the enterprise sector? The answer is no. People are still reluctant to change to smartphones due the comfort of using PCs for complex tasks than the capability of the device. They are not used to perform heavy work on a small screen and thus convenience overtook technology.

Also, Microsoft released an update on Windows OS which has made a positive change in the enterprise sector. Companies have updated to Windows 10 which brought a better PC sales and expected to grow in 2018. According to a survey conducted by Gartner in the USA, United Kingdom, China, India and Germany, it is reported that the business PC shipments will return to growth by the end of 2017 and PC market is set to grow 0.8% in 2018.

Also, the smartphones that are capable of transforming into PCs have technical glitches like only one screen can be operated at a time, lag in heavy application run, lack of creative apps etc. Due to these factors and the development of PC operating systems, it is likely that the personal computers like Wintel may not disappear from the enterprise world.

What May Come In 5-Years’ Time?

The smartphones are undeniably a part of our work culture as people tend to use Google services for e-mail, hangout sessions and other applications for swift communication like messenger and Whatsapp applications. Now that the smartphone makers know the pros and cons of transforming smartphones to PCs, it is only a matter of time that we bid good bye to Wintel PCs and welcome much user friendly and affordable smartphones on our desks at workplace.

A Tribute to Nature

A simple rain can makes us feel special as if it has come down just to make us happy. Even the smell of earth can bring happiness and inspire us to write a poem like this one. 

சில்லென வீசும் குளிற்காற்று

சிந்தையை மயக்கும் மண் வாசனை

சிலிர்க்கும் இசையாய் மழைத்துளிகள் 

கார்காலம்- இயற்கையின் அன்பளிப்பு

ஆயிரம் கண்கள்போதாது அதிகாலை விடியலை காண 

அமிர்தமே என்றாலும் அவன் தூய்மைக்கு ஈடாகாது

அண்டத்தையே அழகுற செய்யும் எங்கள் 

நட்சத்திர நாயகன் ஞாயிறின் பொற்காலம் - கோடை 

புல்வெளி மேல் படுத்துறங்கும் - அய்யனின் 

புண்ணிய பூமியை அலங்கரிக்கும்; பின் 

பூவுலகையே தன் போர்வைக்குள் கவர்ந்திடும் 

இந்த வெண்ணிற, மார்கழி பனிக்காலம் 

போதாது போதாது பருவங்களின் அணிவகுப்பு 

தீராது தீராது  இயற்கை அன்னையின் பேரன்பு 

A rainy evening can be pleasant with a cup of coffee and soothing music. Even the coldest winter night can turn into a romantic evening when spent with a special someone. Life is a treasure only if we know how to live it! And cheers to mother nature for creating heaven on earth through her magical seasons. 

10 Reasons Why You Should Love Chocolate?

I am a chocolate addict; anything made of cocoa automatically gets included in my favourites’ list. When I started to gain weight, I had to cut down chocolates and everything made of cocoa+sugar. Since then, I always feel guilty while eating chocolates, pastries or coffee. The guilt of interrupting my weight loss schedule and the fear of possible diabetic future kept me in check.

Sometimes, I hate that part of me that says no to chocolates! Recently, I had a yummy bar of chocolate that made me realize why we should cherish our choco-love and not feel guilty about it. Here, I present 10 solid reasons why you should not be ashamed of the chocolate lover inside you!

1. Chocolates bring happiness

The tryptophan (amino acid) found in chocolate makes the brain produce a chemical substance called serotonin, responsible for the happy feeling. Eating chocolates can lighten up your mood and bring happiness. This is one inexpensive way to deal with your depression, mood swings and sometimes, your angry boss too.

2. Sharing chocolates create a stronger bond

No chocolate lover would like to share their chocolates with others and if they do, then you are one lucky friend. (It’s like Sheldon Cooper letting others have his spot.) Also, getting a gift for your choco-addict friend is simple; buy a box full of chocolates and that is the best gift you can ever give them. Phew!

3. Dark chocolates, a sinful passion

Dark chocolates are available for all the weight watchers who can’t sleep without taking a bite. A decent dark chocolate should have at least 65% cocoa or more; anything less than this level wouldn’t have any health benefits.  The strong aroma of cocoa and the bitter-sweet taste of the melting chocolate can be exotic – perfect for people with acquired taste.

4. You become a kid again

If you are a genuine chocolate lover, you wouldn’t mind licking the melted chocolate off the wrapper. That’s called true love, just like a kid; pure and unconditional.

What more do you need?

5. 1/3^rd of world’s population will back you

I remember reading years back that almost one third of world’s population prefer chocolate flavour when it comes to ice cream. So, you are not alone in this sinful ecstasy.

6. Your best companion

When you feel down or alone, try enjoying every small bite of your chocolate – You’ll forget about the boring Saturday night at home. It fills the missing link, the feeling only a chocolate lover can understand.

7. Do it your way

There are1000 ways to taste this brown bundle of joy - sip it (hot chocolate), lick it or even bite it; it will still taste the same and serve you blissful moments. Pick a chocolate variety and see if it exist; you will find it. Did you know there are chocolates made out of green tea?

8. Gift to mankind

Chocolate is one of the best inventions, man has ever made. Mayans gave so much to mankind but this is their finest masterpiece. Though chocolates are available for over 4000 years, it is still young and exotic in our hearts.

9. The coolest thing to do

Having chocolates will make you 10X times cooler!

Chocolates can calm your mind and bring a sense of happiness, thereby making you a cool head all the time.

10. C’mon! They are chocolates

You don’t really need a reason to eat chocolates coz they are CHOCOLATES, the little brown heart breakers.

Dear Chocolate,

I don’t need a reason to love you

If it requires, let the reason be Love!

Never feel guilty about something you love, as far as it’s not illegal. Have some pride in your passion and let yourself know that chocolates will only make you happier. Next time you see that big dusky bar of happiness, do not think twice; have a bite and relish the fact that you are a chocolate lover.

Autofare - never fair!

Only a Chennaite can digest the autofare hikes and live to tell the tale. One of the non understandable phenomena during my childhood days is the 'meter' that is seen in the auto rickshaws. Atleast back in those days they turn on the meter for namesake and I stare at the lights and its fast moving digits but kids nowadays might not even know that a meter exist in autos.

Years back these meters were ruled out by people as it runs faster than an Olympic athlete. But these lightening speed meter charges can never stand a chance with the amount quoted by the autowalas. Being a continuous victim of these high auto fare inflation, I try to take other means of public transportation like buses and share autos. Bad luck catches me all the time with commutation as there aren't any direct buses or share auto facility in my locality so most of the time, I solely depend on autos.

My recent encounter was yesterday when I tried to take an auto from express avenue, royapettah to Aminjikarai after which I thought of taking a 5 mins walk to home as I can save up to 50 bucks (Yes! you heard it right.. 50 bucks for half a kilometre extra. Reason: My house is located in the interior by only 2 streets). The 1st person asked me 230 rupees for 5.4 kms exact. Since I am brought up in Chennai, I didn't end up in a heart attack but was completely stuck with no words and walked far away. After 6 tries and 5 minutes of bargaining, I successfully got into an auto for 130 bucks. Oh wait! the worse is yet to come...

130 rupess for 5.4kms and the auto driver said 'Idhu nyayamana rate ma' which means it's a reasonable price. Seriously??? The literal translation for the word  'Nyayam' is 'Justice' and its too hard to digest. Here I did a fast calculation with his help of course. 1 litre petrol is 75 rupees and will give mileage of 24kms as he mentioned. He justified his charge by adding oil cost and return fare since he won't get any other customer for ride back home ( it was 8pm only). Including to and fro distance it will be 12 kms charging 37.5 rupees + oil+ driver charge + traffic = approximately 80 rupees and with usual dialogue 'meterku mela 10 rooba' (extra 10 rupees above meter charges), I would give 90 rupees but ended up giving 130 bucks and yet he called 'REASONABLE PRICE'. The word 'reasonable' is surely overrated.

Here is the map for the distance I travelled. Source: google maps.

Well what can I say? This is the story of every Chennaite who doesn't own a vehicle.

Preventive measures:
Few tips I can provide for effective bargaining: Do's and Dont's

1. Always always bargain for autofare in Chennai.
2. Even if you don't know Tamil, try using words like 'anna', 'illa' etc. Eg. Anna tnagar, Anna ambattur and if he says 100 rupees then say 'illa 70' , 'illa  80' etc.
3. Avoid wearing sun glasses. Trust me the rate will fall down up to 50% if you remove your sunglasses.
4. Men wearing tie, women wearing silk sarees and jewels should possess expert skills of negotiation.
5. Do not expose your urgency till your deal is fixed.
6. Don't be ashamed of leaving even 5 or 6 autos. Try, try till you get the right one.
7. While raining, act fast and get an auto while its still drizzling because heavy rains cause heavy charges.
8. A new auto service has been started in Chennai where they have meter facility and will provide you with bill also. Try such auto services.

Even after going through all this, we still like our autowalas. why? if you don't know the place, just give them the address and they will help you find the address and will make sure you reach the right place safely. Most of all you get autos at any time, anywhere but at their own fixed charge.
 Hope one day some miracle happens in Chennai so that all autos run with meters on and charging actual 'reasonable price'

Good luck for your next auto journey ;)