The Pursuit of Happiness

I am often called PJ by some of my very "Good Friends". It’s OK for me, coz, Initial of my Name and some of the very adorable mishappenings of my life almost resemble this title.

In some of my previous postings on my blog, I didn’t cope up with the above honour. I came to know this coz, after reading them, one of my very Good Friends called me up, complained and scolded me because she missed some expected humors from my post. I was deliberately reminded that what ever happens, what ever I do, and how much I am screwed, I must not miss “the Fun”, “the Ecstasy” and “the Humour” of being Piyush – What an sweet Irony…..!!!

I think I don’t deserve a better compliment than this one. I can make a few people smile, feel happy, from the expression of my thoughts and views of my life. This reminded me of my old college days, when we used to yell out every time we get screwed -

“Zindagi #@!* hai, fir bhi ghamand hai, kyonki ………..”

Ok ok ok ….. fill that yourself, I am not doing that, coz it’s a public place.

Phew…..

I have to try and work hard to keep pace with my reputation. Oh God ! Life is terrible…… no not really.…...Actually,

Life’s Best Always..…!!

Result of General Election 2009 – Bihar Fail

I know it’s a shocking news for everyone, but it’s the fact. Though the performance of Bihar was excellent, and as an approximation we can say that Bihar gets 8/10, but end result – Bihar Fail. The best part of the General Election 2009 in Bihar was that the Candidates backed with violence and corruptions were pushed back. The Parties who used to blackmail Central for profitable ministries and favorable decisions, were pushed back. One of the two major alliances came up with higher majorities giving Support – On – Sale a considerable rest. It’s not that I am supporting UPA or NDA but the fact that some opportunist Parties like RJD and LJP always blackmailed these Alliances for better ministry. And in General Election 2009 people of India denied this form of politics.

The worst form of it, no one from Bihar is going to get a major Portfolio in Central Ministry. So, no new expectations for renovation of Bihar can be expected from the Central. It’s a fact that Bihar has never been anytime favorites of Central. Therefore, the path of development without the support of Central is going to be tough for us. But lets hope for the better, we still have a very good government in Bihar, which is striving hard for the betterment of the people. I hope Bihar performs again in the next Parliamentary Election.

You say it best, when you say nothing at all

Sometimes it happens that when we call our dear and near ones (be it a family member or friend or someone called Nobody), we talk the usual things but we are unable to speak out our heart. One of my colleagues once introduced me this song which complete one's missing words that sometimes we wish to listen from her/him.

You say it best, when you say nothing at all
****************************************
It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word, you can light up the dark

Try as I may, I can never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing

(Chorus)
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never
leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me where
ever I fall
You say it best, when you say nothing at all

All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd

Try as they may, they can never define
What's been said between your heart and mine

The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never
leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me where
ever I fall
You say it best, when you say nothing at all

- Piyush

Bihar Again.....!!

An article from Times of India, Patna Edition, dated: 17th April 2009.

" PATNA: Bihar has earned the distinction of becoming the first state in the country to install Voters' Information Kiosks. Designed on the pattern of ATMs, voters can get information pertaining to their booth number, serial number in voters' lists etc. by keying in the name of the constituency they belong to, their name or other details......In case of similar names, voters would also have to enter their father's name. Apart from individual information, details can also be gathered about family members. "
The complete article can be read at Times of India.

After reading this, I found myself Lucky enough to be associated with the two projects of EC. First one was online Elector search application, about that I wrote in my previous blog. While the second one is honored by a very prominent News Agency of India, Times of India, Patna Edition.

The Best of Bihar is still left. It’s just a new beginning.....!!

General Election – 2009 .................. EPIC's EPIC

My views and Overviews

Nowadays India is celebrating one of its biggest festivals called Election. General Election 2009 will be held in April-May 09. While I was appointed by company to work with the Election Office I came to get myself familiar with working of Election IT Deptt. in Bihar (in the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Bihar, Patna.). I closely got myself familiar with the working of the IT Department and the pros and cons of outsourcing of some works to the private firms.

We often hear of printing problems of EPIC (Electoral Photo Identity Card) popularly known as Election I-Card. The difference in photo, Age, Relative name are very common. Though ECI (Election Commission of India) is very rich in IT and manpower they outsource the development of softwares related with EPIC Generation and Photo Roll generation. Instead of developing common software they have handed over the development to SLA’s (State Level Agencies) of the concerned states. The database structure, Input and the output formats of the ECI is predefined all over the country but it is being individually developed in every state. Thus resulting in waste of lots of money and Time. If the ECI IT development Team had handled the development of the required software, the monitoring of software development could had been much easier. The software thus produced can be trusted for better result.

As for news, our company developed a web based software for searching Electors details. At presently it is being used in Patna DM Office as help line software. Same can also be accessed from the official website of Patna, Muzaffarpur, Munger and Khagaria.

The printing errors cannot be entirely blamed on Election Office, as it is outsourced to different Agencies (Field Units) in Districts, but the responsibility remains with the Election Department. The Field Unit members arrange photography and print EPIC. The unskilled employees make remarkable mistakes which we can see in the form of EPIC. Instead of hiring private Firms for the aforesaid job, the Govt. of the concerned state must take this job into their hand and carry out the job more proficiently.

Since an EPIC is a nationally acclaimed Photo Identity Card, it must be managed more carefully than it is being now. For this govt. can form a corporation just as they formed other corporations. Thus, instead of going at war level, for EPIC generation along with photography and corrections, just before the elections, can be omitted. Govt. is also working hard to develop a Single Identification Number to each of its citizens, this corporation can provide help in this endeavor. This can be summed up as killing two birds with a single stone. But the decision of forming such type of department resides with the Govt. Development and maintenance will surely create some more employment options. But India is busy in celebrating a festival. We hope till next election, the Govt. of India will look into this matter and take some positive steps. Till then think rigorously and be positive to cast your vote.

On Valentine's Day

I wrote this Poem exactly 10 years ago. When we were in our teenage, we use to see This World with different perspective than we do now. Today when I re-read this Poem, the old memories flashed through my eyes. The bitter sweet experience of fear and ecstasy…….those days were just awesome.

Life’s Best Always

On Valentine’s Day

-*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*-

Through this card,

On the day of Valentine’s.

I wish you, Oh! Dear,

All heart full wishes of Mine.

Neither You know me,

Nor I adore You higher,

Yet very talks of,

Your Beauty & Grace

made me your Admirer.

Through this small Gesture,

That I have send.

I wanna know,

Can I be your Friend..?

The pleasant thoughts of You

Have captivated my Dreams,

And you are the only person,

To save me from this shore less stream.

-*---*---*---*---*---*---*---*-

Happy Valentine's Day

- Piyush

Paint it Yellow...!!!

Today, i.e. on 31st January 2009, we Indians are celebrating Basant Panchami. Basant Panchami has a specific meaning, Basant means Spring, whereas Panchami means the fifth day of the spring. It falls on Panchami - on the Waxing Moon.

The day of Basant Panchami is dedicated to Goddess Sarasvati. Sarasvati is the goddess of learning who bequeaths the greatest wealth to humanity, the wealth of knowledge. Hindu mythology depicts Maa Sarasvati as a pristine lady bedecked with white attire, white flowers and white pearls, sitting on a white lotus, which blooms in a wide stretch of water. The Goddess also holds Veena, a string-instrument, like Sitar, for playing music. The prayer of Sarasvati finally concludes as, "Oh Mother Sarasvati remove the darkness (ignorance) of my mind and bless me with the eternal Knowledge."

The festival is celebrated with full vivacity and festivity to mark the end of the winters. It is one of the first festivals of the Year and is celebrated all over India. Color of the year 2009 is Mimosa (or the Yellow Color). The yellow color has great significance, people wear yellow clothes, offer yellow flowers in worship and put a yellow, turmeric tilak on their forehead.

Happy Saraswati Puja and Basant Panchami to EveryOne.