Thursday, May 31, 2007

Yahoo has done it again!

For those Yahoo fans who still don't know, the new Yahoo! Mail Beta comes with in-built messanger so there's no need to install the messanger on your computer, you can use it any where. Truely, Yahoo is awesome!!!

The funny part is, when you are chatting with someone on the messanger window, there is little message that appears near the text box where we type the message when the other person is typing. This message includes some funny messages in between such as:

While talking to my friend Avadh I saw these:

Avadh should really learn to type with more than two fingers...

The word of Avadh is about to be delivered...

Avadh is typing AND chewing gum...

Avadh is in the zone, prepare for an AHA moment...

AVADH IS TYPING! AVADH IS TYPING!


And while talking to Deepa I saw this hilarious one:

1000 monkeys have just landed on Deepa's keyboard...

And then while chatting with Darshana, it had funniest ones!!

Darshana is about to drop knowledge...

Darshana is hammering out a wicked comeback...

Brace yourself for another ingenious dispatch from Darshana...


I am sure there are many more funny ones other than these.

Way to go, Yahoo!

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Smiles

What is it about a smile that makes us happy? That's what I have been wondering... I've been watching the shows of Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007 recently and when I see the smiles on the faces of the contestants and the judges (one of them oooh-so-hot! yep I'm talking about Shekhar) and the ooooh-so-handsome host Aditya ;) it just makes me smile. Specially if it's some friendly or pleasant face. What is it about a smile that spreads that pleasing feeling? Over the weekend, I saw a baby (probably less than a year old) with his mom and while I was looking at him and smiling, he smiled back. It was amazing to see even they can reconize and return a smile. :)

Reminds me of a little passage I read on smile once:


A smile costs nothing, but gives a lot.

It enriches those who receive it without making poorer those who give it.

A smile takes only a moment, but the memory of it can last forever.

No one is so rich, or so mighty, that they can get a long without a smile.

And no one is so poor that they cannot be made richer by a smile.

A smile creates happiness in the home, fosters goodwill in business and is the counter sign of friendship.

A smile brings rest to the weary, cheer to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad and is nature's best cure for trouble.

Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed, or stolen for it is of no value to anyone until it is given away.

Some people are too tired to give a smile so give them one of yours as no one needs a smile so much as he who has no more of his own to give.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Two Articles

Yesterday, I was browsing archives of Gujarat Samachar to find some article, and while searching for it I came across a couple of other articles that really made me think.

The first one was about a 17-yr old 12th standard student and another 22-yr old young man getting heart attacks in Vadodara. I was appalled to read this article. It might be the pressure from parents and/or family that might have lead to the stress that the 12-standard kid felt but at the same time I couldn't help thinking what might be the diet of these youngsters. The new Indian generation has adopted a lot of Western traits and life styles but are they aware of it all? Are they aware of how these new fancy living styles and eating habits might be causing a lot more problems for them health wise and socially? Smoking, drinking, eating out, eating junk foods, no exercise or workouts and many other things could have been responsible for this type of case. Partial knowledge about anything is dangerous. Those kids don't realize that these life styles have caused so many problems for people living in the Western world - child obesity, adult obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, lung cancers and all. At the end of the article, there was a quote by one of the doctors, which said "in coming next ten years, among the there heart patients and diabetic patients Indians and specially Gujaratis will be in leading numbers". I know a lot of it could be genetic also but the current life style also matters a lot. I wish the new generation gets more awareness about all these from their convenient interaction with the rest of the world.

Another article was about three women commiting suicide by burning themselves because of problems with in-laws. First thing I had to check was I was browsing this article in correct century. Gujarat Samachar doesn't even have newspapers before year 1998 in their archives but the headline of this news took me aback. In this age? Women are still so backward in my state that they can't get up and do something about their own lives to make them better? I mean don't they have any guts? Just last week I was reading the poetry titled "ChaaraN Kanyaa" by Zaverchand Meghani. It's about a 14-yr old girl who chases after a lion because the lion tried to attack her calf and eventually she drives him off. And then reading this made me think, how powerful a woman can be. And if they come together, they can do even better but here I read something totally opposite - three of them killed themselves together. What a sorry case! It's a shame to even read something like this. There are so many programs out there to help battered and abused women and still the word is not getting out there. I know this because I've heard of stories from my sister in India, who works for such an organization that helps women all over the state of Gujarat to help make their lives better. The volunteers and employees go to villages and town to spread the awareness but I guess more efforts need to be put in to spread this message. *sigh*

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Mauli’s big day

MEAL TO REMEMBER: Mauli Dave

Over the weekend, Bappi Lahiri invited his favourite Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007 contestant Mauli Dave (from Gujarat) to his house.

Bappida had Neetu Kapoor, Rakesh Roshan, Jitendra, Randhir Kapoor over for dinner.

Neetu mentioned that she had started watching the Zee show after she heard the song Maiyya Maiyya being rendered by Mauli.

Bappida, being the man with the big heart was suddenly very excited since Mauli belongs to his gharana.

So he called her and asked her if she could join them for dinner. An overwhelmed Mauli went over to Bappida’s house and had dinner with the people she had only so far ‘heard’ about.

Source: http://www.mid-day.com/hitlist/2007/may/157404.htm

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Khamotkha Brekher - Phone call to directory services

This is hilarious piece of comedy. A person makes phone call to directory service to look for phone number for his friend Khamotkha Brekher. :D

Click to listen to the clip

Friday, May 11, 2007

Yahoo! Rocks!!!!

This is fantastic - Yahoo! Mail Beta version now has the messanger packaged with it so there's no need to install the messanger on any workstation we are working on. Yippppieeee! Yahoo gets better every day. Awesome folks you guys are at Yahoo! A BIG Thank You to Yahoo!

dum dee dee doo daa... yipppieeeeeee!! :D

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Facts & Info about Mauli Dave

I've been getting many requests for info about Mauli so here goes (information comes from various sources):

  • She is 19 years old.
  • She is daughter of Hemant and Dipti Dave, sister of Omkar Dave, and granddaughter of Mahendra & Sumati Dave and Shankar Dave.
  • She is studying in 2nd year of college at University of Houston with 'Graphic Communications' as major.
  • She has done 'Rangapravesham' in Kuchipudi classical dancing in the year 1999 at Ahmedabad. Mauli learned Bharatnatyam from her mother Dipti Dave.
  • She was finalist in 'Boogie Woogie, Chalo America'. dance competition organized by Sony TV in the year 2003.
  • She choreographs Indian Classical dances and teaches with her mom Dipti Dave.
  • She is very tall; her height is 5'11", Beautiful, with passion for Singing, Dancing, Acting.
  • She sings live during 'Arangetram' of Dipti's students.
  • In August, 2006, during participation in NRI Antakshari organized by Annu Kapoor, Mauli's singing talent was much appreciated by all the visiting members from Mumbai. Annu Kapoor expressed that she has lots of potential and deserves better platform.
  • She wants to become playback singer and desires to have her music video album.
  • In January 2007, Mauli won Miss Teen India Texas at India's 58th Republic Day on Janurary 28th 2007 at Stafford Centre, Houston, TX.
  • Mauli, with her brother Omkar had her first Bhajan album (CD) titled "Prabhu Tare Pagathiye" released in September 2006. The bhajans are in Gujarati and have been comoposed by Omkar. The music arrangement is also by Omkar. Mauli, Omkar and Hemant have provided vocal. The recording was done in June, 2006 at studio Mrudang, Ahmedabad.

    Currently, Mauli is in Mumbai busy with Sa Re Ga Ma Pa program recordings.



    Mauli turned 20 on June 3rd, 2007. Happy Birthday Mauli! Wishing you all the success and happiness. May God bless you.

  • Mauli Dave of Texas, USA has been selected for "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa - 2007

    This article is published on Nagar.org.


    Mauli Dave of Webster, Texas, USA has been selected for "Sa Re Ga Ma Pa - 2007" Z-TV competition. This is a very popular talent search program by Z-TV network. On behalf of our USA and Global Nagar community NAGAR congratulate for her selection and convey the best wishes for her shining and victorious performance through out the competition.

    Mauli Dave is daughter of Dipti and Hemant Dave, and sister of Omkar Dave. We had published news of the release of Mauli and Omkar's first bhajan album a few months back. Click at the link below for more detail on this:
    http://www.nagar.org/community_news/2006/09/omkar_and_mauli_dave_release_t.htmlwith a more detailed report at:
    http://www.nagar.org/community_news/omkar_mauli_dave.html


    Mauli is already in India for the competition. The show will start telecast the episodes from 4th May, Friday in USA. This show will be twice a week on Friday and Saturday at 6.30 to 7.30 pm central time.

    Please watch the show and support Mauli.

    Update: Mauli Dave of USA secured her place in Bhapi-da's team by defeating one of her USA challenger
    Mauli Dave's outstanding performance last night in the first round of 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa - Challenge 2007" music competition touched the heart of all the music gurus judging her performance and the rock the audience. She secured her place in music director Bhapi-da's team by defeating one of her rival from USA.
    All the music gurus which are the judges for the competition of the show rushed to greet her on the stage after her performance and openly appreciated her outstanding performance, and blessed her for her very bright future in the industry.

    Please click the link below to see her live video, if you have not watched her live performance.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37Cr7xsOF88

    Mauli...Keep it up...May our lord Hatkesh bless you!

    NAGAR request to watch all episode of the show every weekends and support Mauli Dave.

    Please send your support to Mauli through this website.

    Source: http://www.nagar.org/community_news/2007/05/mauli_dave_of_texas_usa_has_be.html

    Sunday, May 06, 2007

    "Maiya Maiya" by Mauli Dave on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007

    So it was day before yesterday on 5/4/2007 that Mauli Dave who happens to be my second cousin made a BIG bang in front of some of the top composers of our Hindi film music in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge 2007. She was absolutely fantastic and sang the "maiya maiya" song from film Guru very beautifully. I think her singing even topped the original song, which is actually sung by three singers - Maryem Toller, Chinmayee, and Keerthi. It was great watching the expressions on the faces of the judges while she sang and their comments were very pleasing. As Swati says, what a way the judges gave her a standing ovation!

    Mauli! You've made everyone really proud. Congrats to you! All the hard work you and Hemumama & Diptimami have put shows in your performance. Way to go!!

    Watch Mauli Dave at YouTube:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37Cr7xsOF88




    Lyrics:

    aaa aaa aaa aaa aaa
    jo neel samandar hai (2)
    main ret ka saahil hoon (2)
    aaghosh mein le le, main der se pyaasi hoon

    (ek taara raat ek todi chand ki
    chaahe to chum le tu todi chand ki) (2)
    ek chaand ki kashthi mein har paar utarna hai
    tu halke halke khenaa dariyaa na chalke

    maiya maiya gulabi taaren chun le taare chun
    maiya maiya yeh jism ke dardon mein parden mein naare sunle
    maiya maiya are hey hey hey hey
    mai mai maiya are hey hey hey hey

    jab neel samunder jaage aaghosh mele karta hai
    lehraataa hai aur masti mein mehtaab ka chehra choomta hai

    au au au...
    (maiya maiya gulabi taaren chun le taare chun
    maiya maiya yeh jism ke dardon mein parden mein naare sunle) (2)

    vaalidaaaaa... ishta
    vaalida vaalida maaraa (4)
    jharmar barse jharmar barse jharmar barse mehulo (4)
    vaalidaaaaa... haan