My constituency is Bangalore South. Here, according to me, competition is hot between

• Congress – Krishna Byre Gowda: http://www.krishnabyregowda.in Krishna’s was a very low key campaign.. Trying to be very professional.. But unfortunately too soft for an Indian election.. The congress brand and clean image could work the trick for him..

• BJP – Ananth: http://ananth.org/ Ananth’s campaign was very loud.. Lot of hoopla on the roads and literal spamming using SMS and emails too..

• Independent – Captain Gopinath: http://votecaptaingopi.com/ The very popular Captain Gopi is however the toast of the corporate world.. But the general public would want to vote for a party.. He would probably just split the vote..

May the deserving candidate win..

Some useful information:

For karnataka state:

• Search for your name in the electoral list : http://stg1.kar.nic.in/searchfinalroll_2009/Search.aspx
• List of candidates : http://stg1.kar.nic.in/GE2009Affidavits/

Krishna Byre Gowda’s website gives useful information about IDs accepted:

1. Passport.
2. Driving license.
3. Income Tax Identity (PAN) Card.
4. Service identity card issued to its employees by the state/central government Public sector undertaking, local bodies or public limited companies with photographs.
5. Passbooks issued by Public Sector Banks/Post Office and Kisan Passbooks with photograph.
6. Property document such as pattas, registered deeds etc with photographs.
7. SC/ST/OBC certificate issued by competent authority with photograph (issued upto 28-2-2009).
8. Pension document such as ex-servicemen’s Pension Book/Pension Payment Order ,ex-servicemen’s Widow/Dependent Certificates,Old Age Pension Order, Widow Pension Order with photograph.
9. Freedom Fighter Identity Card with photograph.
10. Arms License (issued upto 28-2-2009).
11. Certificate of Physically Handicapped with photographs issued by the component Authority(issued upto 28-2-2009).
12. Job card issued under NREGA with photograph (issued upto 28-2-2009).
13. Health Insurance Scheme Smart Card with photograph (issued on or before  28-2-2009),
14. Student Identity card issued with photograph issued by the Recognized Educational institution(issued on or before 1-9-2008).
15. Ration Cards with photographs, issued upto 28-2-2009.
16. Ex-Servicemen CSD canteen card with photograph.
17. Sandhya Suraksh Scheme card with photograph issued upto 28-2-2009.
18. The service identity card with photographs issued by the local bodies like Municipal Corporation, CMC TMC, Village Panchayat etc.
19. Senior Ctitizen Card bearing photographs of the holder of the card, issued by the government department.
20. Computer generated temporary ration cards, in original, issued by the Food and Civil Supplies Department containing the relation to head the family.

Any of the above mentioned documents that is available only to the head of the family may be used for identifying the other members of the family provided all the other members come together and are identified by the head of the family.

For this year’s event, I’m currently not able to exact link of Fireflies Music Festival 2008.. However, found some info on www.couchsurfing.com via samasmedialab.net.. Thanks for that buddy !

The Fest:
Fireflies Festival of Music begins at 6 p.m. on 23rd Feb and will go on till 6 a.m. on Sunday.

* The fest is ‘inspired by the World Sacred Music Festival, held annually at the mystical city of Fes, in Morocco’.
* The stage is set around the base of a massive banyan-tree. A beautiful amphitheatre overlooks the stage and a lake where beautiful people are sprawled on their colorful mattresses, right under the stars, completely enchanted by the melodious sounds coming out of the banyan tree.
* The sound from the Jamo speakers and colorful lights give the 2000-strong audience a celestial psychedelic effect. It’s a night where culture meets nature, east meets west, passion meets fusion.
* The festival covers a wide range of musical genres: Baul, Qawwali, Hindustani/ Carnatic Fusion, Jazz, Folk, Sacred/ Mystical Music.

[See my fireflies music festival 2007's review for more details of the different genres on show]

Location:
Fireflies, Dinnepalya Village, Kaggalipura Post, Off Kanakarapura Road (approx. 20 kms), Bangalore: 560082

A Brief about the location:
Fireflies is about 80 acres of nature where organic farming is applied. There is a variety of trees. There are about 5 dogs on the ground but only Gaali (meaning Wind in Kannada) entertains the guest. He is a 3 yr old Labrador, a treat for dog-lovers and bitches!

Other Activities:
* tarrot reading!
* Get introduced Indian Handloom fabrics
* A Walk in the woods

Food and Beverages:
* Food will be arranged on the venue.
* Only water will be available
* bring your own beverages

Things to Bring:
* mattresses and pillows
* mosquito repellants.

Tickets:
Last year, we got it at the venue itself and if i remember correctly it was priced around 100-200, don’t remember exactly..

Disclaimer:
I haven’t found the direct source of this news. Kindly confirm from other sources or look-back for updates (if any). Course, do let me know, if you find it yourself..

With events ranging from Rock Shows, Fashion Show, Choreography, Pro-nite Performances to Debates, Jam, Quiz, Art events, Dramatics, Street Play, Music and Games, Unmaad this year will be 72 hours of non stop action and fun that promises you the experience of a lifetime. With a host of new workshops, new events, online games and the ‘War of the Corporates’, Unmaad 2008 is all set to be a roller coaster ride for everyone.

check out http://www.unmaad.com for more details on the events

The Pro-Nite shows (Music Concerts) this year:

1. Feb 1st – Rock show featuring Motherjane and Zero – Time 7 pm

They are among the most popular rock acts in the country. This being a rock show, there will be no separate enclosures or categories, nor there any seating provided. The ticket prize is Rs 100 and gates will open at 6.30 in the evening.

To buy online http://www.iticket.in/CinemaResult.asp?MovieList=715&TransDate=2/1/2008

2. Feb 2nd – Unity concert featuring Strings and Mrigya – Time 7 pm

We are proud to be host to this unique concept called the Unity concert, of which this is the 3rd edition. Strings is one of the most popular bands to emerge out of Pakistan and their shows are known to be simply mind blowing. Mrigya, with their incredible blend of classical and modern instruments, is one of the most well known fusion bands in India and have numerous international concerts to their credit.

For this show there will be 2 categories priced and Rs 100 and 200 respectively. The Rs. 200 section will be further divided into 2 categories, seating and standing. The seated section will be mostly reserved for Profs and sponsors.

To buy online http://www.iticket.in/CinemaResult.asp?MovieList=716&TransDate=2/2/2008

All ticket enquiries can be routed to Ankit Baveja ( 9986507020) and Shekhar Gupta: 9243444363.

First stop: Hidesign, 1st Floor, Garuda Mall
There were 4-5 Jackets and I found exactly what I wanted, great styling, exact color, thick leather.. But alas! Rs. 9000 (Hidesign, does it go on sale anytime ?)

Next stop: Shopper’s Stop, Garuda Mall
Surprise, Surprise.. We were sent to the 2nd floor by a salesman in the ground floor.. When we reached there, we were shown few denim jackets.. I spelt it out again, “L-E-A-T-H-E-R” jacket.. Then, he came out with it, they didn’t have any..

Next: Lifestyle, Richmond Road
We were sure, they would have good ones there, suspected that the price would be out of the budget, but you never know.. Surprise again, just one brand and one jacket to show for the “grand” Lifestyle. I was very disappointed..

Next: Bangalore Central Mall, Near Mayo Hall, Residency Road
Took the slow escalator towards the third floor. Just two brands, pathetic design and material is not the word..

Next: Brown Shop, Commercial Street
The guy showed us three basic designs. It cost around 3k. Had elastic at the bottom and not very well-designed. He over-heard us telling that and pulled out an in-fashion leather jacket. The ones with metal rivets that you see the road romeos wear. Not exactly what I wanted..

Next: <Forgot the name>, Commercial Street
He had a good collection of jackets in the top store-room. But alas, nothing in brown.. Sold out, I guess.. Price: Rs. 4k

Next: Thunderbird (exclusive leather store)
#118, 1st Floor, Commercial Street (Opposite Westside) Ph. 080-255979971, 080-41472673
As we entered the store on the 1st floor, I saw a lot of jackets in the corner of the store. Ding ding ding, Jackpot !!
We had hit the mother-ship, found quite a good collection of well-crafted jackets. Found the jacket we wanted.. a bit thin though. Price: Rs. 4500 (after 10% discount). Good choice of jackets and good service !!

Some trivia (you may or may not know):

Hidesign, a premium leather product brand from India has made clear its ambitions to become one of the top brands in the world. A strong competitive position in the domestic market, coupled with a global presence in retail stores like the House of Fraser, Selfridges, and John Lewis. Hidesign could boast of celebrity clients like Nelson Mandela and Steven Spielberg.. “Too cool or what !!” [Source: www.icmrindia.org]

Lifestyle is part of the Landmark Group, a Dubai-based retail chain. With over 30 years’ experience in retailing, the Group has become the foremost retailer in the Gulf. Positioned as a trendy, youthful and vibrant brand that offers customers a wide variety of merchandise at exceptional value for money, Lifestyle began operations in 1998 with its first store in Chennai in 1999 and now has 12 Lifestyle stores, 5 Home Centres and 1 Babyshop store across Chennai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Gurgaon, Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. [Source: www.lifestylestores.com]

If you know of other stores in bangalore, do add a comment.

PGSEM (@ IIM-B) & Cisco take immense pleasure & pride in soliciting your august presense at Convergenz-08, a forum for interaction between Industry, Academia & Alumni. It is on this day, in the environs of IIM Bangalore, that some of the best minds from the Industry would discuss on challenges of the day.

Theme: Innovation & Product Management

Date: Sunday, 13th Jan, 2008

Events:

1. Business Quiz (Starts: 1 PM)

• Open to all folks of the hi-tech companies from Bangalore
• Organized by Prof. Rajeev Gowda (of Karnataka Quiz Association)
• Prize Money worth Rs. 40K to be won
• Over 100 teams to participate

2. Panel Discussion (Starts: 6: 30 PM)

Topic – ‘Building an Innovation Ecosystem in India’

Panelists:

• Mr. Vinod Deshmukh, CTO, Mindtree
• Prof. Sadagopan, Director, IIIT
• Mr. Rajeev Mehtani, MD, NXP Semiconductors

Other potential panelists:

• Mr. Vineet Nayar, CEO, HCL Technologies
• Mr. Bobby Mitra, MD, Texas Instruments
• Mr. K.B. Chandrashekhar, CEO, Jamcracker

3. Case Analyses (Starts 1:30 PM)

• Participation open to IIM-B students
• Business Challenges faced by the hi-tech industry in India on product management
• Analysis by students who handle technology and business with equal poise
• Judged by industry experts and the eminent academia in IIM-B

[slideshare id=224951&doc=iimbs-pgsem-presents-convergenz-08-1200075153711937-4&w=425]

[Slides above: Convergenz 08 Invite]

What is PGSEM all about ?

• Executive general management education program offered by IIM-B
• Developed in close partnership with Software and IT industry
• Customized for mid-career professionals in the Software and Information Technology industry

For the patient souls, few videos about PGSEM:

Added attractions of the festival, apart from over a million books on show, are the cultural programmes that happen everyday – ranging from children’s dance programmes to carnatic jugalbandis.

The added sweetener for Book lover is the hefty discounts offered on all titles – including the latest releases – I bought Dev Anand’s autobiography at a neat 140 Rupee Discount!

There over 300 stalls in the book fair – with a sizeable representation of all classes and languages of books. I had gone there with my family – and there was something for everyone. My parents were rather delighted to find the range of Kannada books and magazines on display – and they bought quite a few, with discounts ranging from 10 to 20%.

There was a stall with Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings displayed – and with reproductions available for sale as well – at reasonable prices – starting from as low as 50 Rupees!

There was this gorgeous paiting – printed on Canvas, which I thought would fit right onto my wall, but at 4,000 Rupees was slightly beyond my means – so I bought a paper reproduction of the same! (Unfortunately no web link seems available!)

There are also various book publishers – Tata McGraw Hill, Prentice Hall India, Navkarnataka, Cambridge University Press, and many more!

For the spiritually minded, there are various stalls from publishers and spiritual organisations alike – Ramana Maharshi Ashram, ISCKON, etc., – although notable absentees were Art of Living Foundation.

Exclusive stalls on Islam, Gandhiji, on rare books etc., were among the niche stalls

Kannada Language book, littérateurs profiles are available in a wide range – stalls from Navakarnataka, Sahitya Parishad and the like display the best of Kannada literature available – so if you want to discover Kannada literature, head straight to the Book Festival.

Update: Another Book Festival is on at Palace Grounds, off Mekhri Circle. 2 & 4 wheeler parking is widely available, and hassle free. Open on weekends till 9pm from about 11 in the morning

I am sure everybody in Bangalore has been to the Corner House ice cream parlours and also had the very famous mouth-watering DBC (Death By Chocolate). But few know about this hidden dessert parlour called Painted Platters in Koramangala, Bangalore.

Here, each plate used to serve the desserts is spray painted with chocolate paint and comes decorated with witty messages like “You can never make a crab walk straight” (on our plates), “My reality check has bounced,” “If there’s a will, I want to be in it,” etc.. Hence the name, Painted Platters.

Painted Platters was founded by Joe Manavalan of Oberoi Hotels. Joe’s passion for food and desserts (especially the presentation of it) is palpable from the article on Hindu:

Style, the visual appeal of food, is important because it is the first impression. To be a good stylist, you’ve to know your food well. It is like architecture, where the architect has to know the materials well. “The right side of a plate (like the right hand page of a book/newspaper) is the high visibility one. So, put the main or most colourful item there. I also use odd numbers regarding food articles on a plate or chairs for a table, number of colours in the food, interior décor of restaurants and whereever there is mix and match.”

[Image above: the very unique menu printed on cds]

The must try desserts here are Mississipi Mudpie (a favorite of mine), Champagne & Berry Mousse, Cherry & White Wine Mousse, Dark & White Chocolate Sushi, Apple Pie and Mango Mousse.. Its also priced quite reasonably at around Rs. 100, which make them a must try, if you are around Koramangala.

[Image above: champagne and berry mousse]

I found the ambiance to be just right too, with very good light music playing in the background. But all this only adds to the very yummy desserts (see the photos, but obviously you need to taste them and find the melting in your mouth to really appreciate them)

[Image above: new york baked cheese cake]

Address: 1st B Main Road, 7th Block, Koramangala, Bangalore (near Adyar Ananda Bhavan and opposite The legend)

FYI, there is another Painted Platters at Jayanagar too. I’ve heard that the first one at Indiranagar is closed now.

For more info: good detailed articles on Hindu and Hindu Business Line.

[Image above: First Aid symbol]

Following up on the CPR training earlier, we attended a first aid training conducted by the good doctors (got to really thank them to take some time out on a sunday for us) at NIGHTINGALES LIFESAVING SERVICES (NLS) *.

One would have the question: Why do you need to learn First Aid ?

From NLS material:

Many lives are endangered and subject to needless agony due to lack of timely and correct initial treatment. This is primarily due to lack of awareness about correct techniques of First Aid and its benefits and the non- availability of trained people.

In many emergency situations due to accidents on the road, in homes and workplaces, rendering immediate First Aid will help prevent further damage and promote recovery. Delay in timely First Aid leads to greater complications, longer duration of treatment and often loss of life or damage to body parts in addition to greater expense.

There is, hence, a great need for increasing the awareness among people about the need for and correct measures in providing First Aid.

What I felt about the training:

• helped me to understand the very vital need for first aid in some life threatening situations and how it could help to promote recovery and relieve pain in other normal situations.
• taught me a step-by-step approach towards providing first aid.
• to name a few situations we were trained to handle: bleeding & shock, burns, electrical injuries, fractures, bites/stings, asphyxia, poisoning etc..
• trains one in using the first aid kit (available in automobiles and offices) effectively.
• debunks (exposes) first aid myths and faulty home made medical solutions.
• gives confidence in handling emergency situations and avoid panic.

Please REMEMBER: first aid is only initial assistance/treatment, further treatment by a doctor is a must.

* For training please contact :

Dr Asma
Project coordinator
NIGHTINGALES LIFESAVING SERVICES
(a project of Nightingales Medical Trust in memory of Shri.Harish C Mahindra)
337,2nd Cross, 1st Block, R.T.Nagar, Bangalore – 560032
Ph: 23548444/555/666/777 Fax: 23548999
E-mail: nhhs@bgl.vsnl.net.in

[Image above: The poster outside William Penn, Koramangala]

Not much to say really… This ad poster just reminds me of my college notebooks
let me know if you felt the same..