The Story

Nokia and Microsoft- A strategy review

2012-01-06T12:45:00.001+05:30

Though there is a certain sense of gloom surrounding the marriage between the two giants, Microsoft and Nokia, there are several reasons to believe that this marriage will work. Yes, Lumia hasn't had the success many would have wished for, but slowly the Windows Phone is gaining traction and prominence, and come Windows 8, the market climate would change dramatically, and Nokia will be the biggest gainer.

Windows, like Apple has been gradually creating an ecosystem that can support a wide variety of personal and professional requirements. In this regard, given that Windows has far greater market penetration than Apple, thanks to Windows and Office, it is bound to succeed as long as it makes good products. And is Windows Phone a good product? There is nobody who is saying otherwise. Kinect, again is a good product and Microsoft has done a good job in pitching xBox as home entertainment center. Soon, I am sure they would bring these services to emerging markets as well. Windows 8, from the look and feel appears to be a good device. The best thing about it will be that it will be used in the next generation of tablets, which would mean you can run some of the common software including MS Office in your tablets. That would be in fact the first real and formidable challenge to iPads and I am sure Apple must have been working on making sure that future iPads come installed with Macintosh like OSes that actually provides the power of a PC that Windows 8 would promise.

In this entire gamut, Windows Phones will play a very critical job of making this Windows ecosystem mobile. And being a very good product, backed by the power of Windows, xBox and MS Office combined it is very feasible that it will be conveniently picked both for professional and personal uses. Adding to that Nokia being a very competent hardware manufacturer, and a very trusted brand specially in emerging markets, the entire Microsoft+Nokia offering becomes a very good deal.

There are many who are a Sell on Nokia stocks. But if I was in their place, I would have held my stocks, and also rather dared to buy some more.

Nokia Lumia- A marriage of Nokia and Microsoft

Cooperative Capitalism is the Key

2011-10-29T23:12:00.003+05:30

I wrote this post at my other blog Mamchintan way back in 2007. Though I should share it. You can find the original post here. mamchintan.blogspot.com.

Indian Retail Sector is going through a great revolution with the entry of big companies like Reliance and Wal-Mart in the Indian market. The coming up of large superstores is changing the way the nation has been shopping. Specially in the basic grocery category,(FMCG) these superstores are providing international quality products at very affordable prices. Whether it be Vishal Megamart in my small city, Dhanbad, or the Big Bazaar or Subhiksha( or Reliance Fresh, the newest entrant) in Delhi, they are giving the kirana shops a run for their money. By giving healthy and attractive services and offers to the Indian consumers, these retail chains have changed the way the nation shops.

There is a rising discontent among the sabjiwalas, the hawkers, and the kirana shop owners, even the garment shopkeepers, as their sales are rapidly dwindling down as buyers find it more lucrative to buy things from the megamarts, that provide a much better range and almost the same price(at some instances, at even lesser prices).

As a large population of the country is employed in the disorganized retail sector, it becomes immensely important that the competitivity of this group of people increases so that they can pounce back strongly into the competition.

The Communists, in my view must have found a solution to the problem. Ban all these big companies( Specially Wal-Mart) from entering into India. Wipe out any competition, even when these companies have greatly improved the quality of retail sector.

The problem with the communists is that, they only find or else create problems, but don’t have the solution. The know only to erase other’s lines, rather than drawing their own. They will never talk about increasing competitivity of the sabjiwalas and hawkers! They will only talk about removing the competition.

The basic difference between Capitalism and Communism is, Capitalism talks about enhancing competition, while Communism talks about removing it. Capitalism believes in taking challenges, while Communism believes in escaping them. That’s the reason Capitalism finds support from the winners, while Communism is an ideology of a bunch of losers.

The previous solution was the solution of a looser, while now let me give a winning solution. A positive solution, that talks about increasing the competitivity, of the disorganized retail sector.

The solution is simple. Cooperatively Organize. Get bigger. The basic idea is “United We Stand, Divided we fall.”

The first step towards Cooperative Organization is, Get together. All the sabjiwalas, the kirana shop owners, hawkers, garment sellers of a specific locality should get together. Sit together and plan out.

The first step is to stop competing from one another and get together and cooperate.
The Big Bazaars and Vishal megamarts are a common and a serious threat and the small shops and sellers need to come together to compete against the enemy.
Form an organization of their own, say Dhanbad SuperShop, or AapkaKirana, or TheVegetableMarket(Specialized vegetable shop)
The bigger the Better. The more local the better too. So need to strike a balance between Big and local.

The second step is to do business together.

It is the need of the hour that the organization, places orders together. This will give the organization a stand in the market, and the organization will get a better bargaining power, thus getting garments, vegetables, fruits at a much lower price.
If possible make large alliances between such cooperative organization, and in some cases even with the retail chains, specifically so that products can be bought directly from the producers
The lesser the brokers the better. That’s at least my idea of a more efficient economy. I personally hate brokers.
Insist the government to help in formation of such organizations, through investments, and providing proper channels for doing business.
Formation of a separate Ministry for the Disorganized Sector for management of this sector.
The basic idea is that every company needs a CEO. The more resourceful the leadership the better. Companies like Reliance have a strong national leadership due to which they can get the best deals any where.
The government can provide such a form of national leadership to the cooperative organizations and bring them equal to the super retail chains. Else form super organizations through organizations alliances between a large number of local organizations, with one leader, and supported by a group of properly qualified managers. Or else though the market forces there will be the coming up of companies that will provide management facilities to the organizations.

The basic mantra of distribution of income is: “ income in proportion to the investment”

The investment is made monthly, or quarterly, by the different sellers in accordance to their capabilities and ownership and their preferred area of investment is defined.
Products are bought with the total money collected for the specific areas by the management after talks with the different sellers.
The income of the organization is distributed amongst the different members in accordance to their investment in the specific area.
Any member has the right to leave the organization after the end of one business cycle( one month, one quarter)
Enhancement of the shopping experience also is a part of the budget of the organization. So Air Conditioning of shops, or availability of refrigeration facilities, or weekly days of discounts, or attractive offers to buyers and most important publicity, all are a part of the budget.

In my view the coming up of the big super stores is a great boon in disguise for the disorganized sector. If people cooperatively do business then not just the disorganized retail sector, but in fact the entire disorganized sector can be organized and revolutionized. This may just be the beginning. Once the idea of cooperative economy trickles down to the farmers, cooperative farming will change the way the villages do business. It will change the fortunes of Indian farmers. If this invasion, the invasion of globalization is taken positively then this may change the way the whole of Indian does business.

Cooperative economy is the key for Indian economy. It is the way for swadeshi jaagaran.

Updates

2011-10-29T22:55:00.000+05:30

I finally bought a car. It's a beige colored Honda City. It's fun to drive, very good handling that makes driving around easy, has very good stereo, and has awesome power which is very convenient for town as well as highway. I have been rather lazy and not taken pics of my new car but it resembles exactly this one from the official Honda poster.

I have also been reading some Zen books and found the book "The Effortless Life" by Leo Babauta to be quite impacting. It let me ask many fundamental questions of inherent needs and invented needs and the need to strip down the baggage of needs and create more space for consciousness and life. You can get the book from this link.

http://zenhabits.net/effortless/

As a change in myself I find myself to be dropping the unresolved question of "What I want to be? An academic, an artist, a business, a politician?". Instead of finding an answer to this question I now believe it's better to say, "I would not confine my talents and passions by defining myself as somebody, and would do and be whatever my heart tells me to be at that time." Such a perspective helps a person like me who wants and is passionate about many things at once. I want to write books, two books for that matter, one a love story and other an academic thesis. I also want to record songs, and work in that direction as well. I also want to prepare myself for an academic life ahead. In this time I have made some headway. I am gradually working and composing new songs. I have been gradually compiling my different ideas for the thesis, and I am always been for a look out for the next breakthrough in my love story writing. All the works that I currently want to do involve intense creativity, and creativity requires space. I am creating that space for myself. Also I have found that along with creativity we require connections with people who can help us and collaborate with us in our creative process. Connecting with others, and working together provides not only great creative inputs but also the necessary drive that creative people often need. I am trying to connect with as many creative people as possible, to be driven, scintillated and let my fire keep burning.

As for my perspectives of my own life, I feel comfortable and confident more than ever, with greater optimism about future that any passionate person always needs.

Best Selling Cars worldwide

2011-09-05T22:23:00.000+05:30

1. United States- Toyota Camry

2. China- Buick Excelle(Chevrolet Optra)

3. Japan- Toyota Prius & Honda Fit(Jazz)

4. Germany- Volkswagen Golf/Jetta

5. France- Renault Clio

6. United Kingdom- Ford Fiesta

7. Brazil- Volkswagen Gol

8. Italy- Opel Astra

9. India- Maruti Alto

10. Canada- Hyundai Elantra

11- Russia- Lada Priora/Lada Kalina

12. Spain- Seat Ibiza

13. Australia- Mazda3/Holden Commodore

Other good performing cars internationally:
Chevrolet Cruze

Toyota Corolla

Ford Focus

Honda Civic

PS- Source http://bestsellingcarsblog.com. The best selling cars for each country till now in the year 2011 have been chosen. There may be other best selling international cars that do not feature in the list as they do not top in sales in either of the countries. Kindly do provide with updates and suggestions.

Best Selling cars in India in August 2011

2011-09-05T21:28:00.000+05:30

1. Maruti Alto

2. Maruti Wagon R

3. Hyundai i10

4. Maruti Dzire

5. Maruti Swift

6. Tata Indica

7. Maruti Omni

8. Maruti Ritz

9. Hyundai Santro

10. Mahindra Bolero

11. Honda City

12. Maruti Eeco

13. Hyundai i20

14. Ford Figo

15. Tata Indigo/Manza

16. Chevrolet Beat

17. Mahindra Scorpio

18. Toyota Innova

19. Hyundai Verna

20. Volkswagen Vento

21. Toyota Liva

22. Toyota Etios

23. Volkswagen Polo

24. Mahindra Xylo

25. Chevrolet Tavera

source: team-bhp.com

Concept Album- Hero

2011-09-05T13:22:00.000+05:30

Finally I have settled down to a concept album, that I am very excited about working on. "Hero". It has both, the invigorating power of "My Generation" and the wider reach for Indian audiences. I have also shortlisted a few songs for the same. I plan not to stack up my album with too many songs, like I did in my previous attempts. This time I shall keep it lean to just 8 songs. Hindi, is the language though currently I have included one English song as well. Right now I composed yet another good English song, so that is also there in the list. Once these deliberations are over, and I am totally convinced about the quality and aptness of my songs for the album, I shall go ahead with the composition. Hopefully I will not take too much of time this time as I have learn many important lessons from my previous music recordings and compositions.

Can the New Ford Fiesta be saved in India?

2011-09-04T12:48:00.000+05:30

I had never been excited about a car more than the launch of the New Ford Fiesta. The car had a certain excitement that was enough to create a good cult like following of its own. But then came the pricing and it became clear that the car was on its way to be a flop. There is a very simple reason for the Ford Fiesta debacle- that you don't charge 9lack plus for a car than doesn't feel as big as the price. Yes, from the outside the car is big enough to belong to the C premium segment, but the same can't be said about the car's interiors which are certainly cramped for a rear passenger and feel a class lower.

Ford's marketing whizkids must have gone bonkers when they envisioned positioning Ford Fiesta as a premium offering even in the premium C segment. What were they thinking, that marketing(which by the way has been very poor) shall make people not see the many not so premium attributes of the car? Let's not forget that internationally Ford Fiesta is the entry level offering of Ford, and its winning stroke is the fact that it provides a good value for money for its buyers with good performance, nice looks and very good fuel efficiency. The Ford whizkids thought they can fool India buyers and sell the same car as a Premium offering, that has nothing to do with value for money. Brilliant Plan!!!

Comparing Fiesta to Honda City or Vento, even Verna, the reality hits hard on your face. The car has the smallest engine, smallest rear space and the smallest boot space compared to others. Yes, Fiesta is a good car, with the best driving experience, very good refinement, class leading fuel efficiency(though at the cost of engine performance) and is good to look at. But there is no way that I shall pay Rs 9.1 lacks for Fiesta's base model when presently the equivalent Honda City model S-MT costs Rs 8.30 lacks(on road) and Vento Highline prices almost sub 8.5 lacks(after discount) as well. Even Hyundai Verna's similarly spec model, with no discounts comes at around Rs 8.3 lacks(on road) gives things like Fog Lamps, Parking Sensors and more(with only one air bag though), along with a premium wooden interior finish that makes Ford Fiesta's interiors look like some cheap plastic.

Fiesta is a solid car, but it should be priced correctly, and that should be done soon. Otherwise it will become the next Ford Fusion and shall mean that some poor corporate executives killed yet another great car from Ford. That will be really really sad.

What will be a fair price for Ford Fiesta? I think pricing the base version of the car at around 7.5-7.75 lacks ex showroom shall be a better idea for Ford, as it shall regain the tag that has made Fiesta an international success- that Fiesta is a Value for Money car with great mileage and drive. The interiors are not horrible, they are OK, and the fair price for such a case is around 50000 to 75000 lower than the present price. If Verna and Fiesta are priced head to head, I think the two cars can give good competition to each other and the rest. And Fiesta really need a different marketing strategy, better ads, more aggressive campaigns. And somebody from Ford, please please contact me if you want good ideas, I had even made a jingle for Fiesta when once I wanted to buy it. :p :)

To wind it up

2011-08-27T22:05:00.000+05:30

A lot has been said over the last 12 days about different people. I think even I might have passed comments that might hurt sentiments of some people. I would like to convey that all that I said were said in good humor. I may have been critical about the leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh, but I would like to state this very clearly, that I have tremendous respect for him as a person. I am also a person who is interested in academia, and Dr. Manmohan Singh Ji is nothing less than an idol for all students of the nation. He has been one of the most extraordinary students of the nation ever born, who rose to the highest position of the country by virtue of his commitment to high values of academia. I am happy that it was during his leadership that our country steered through the great crisis of global recession, and I am sure that history will judge him in a positive light. I might have said a few uncivic rhetoric against Sri. Rahul Gandhi, that I would apologize about. I do believe that reliance on dynastic politics is an insult to the aspirations and capabilities of Indian democracy, yet people belonging to political families have every right to join politics. In the end of the day even Ashoka or Akbar were sons of kings themselves. Sri. Rahul Gandhi has seen a lot of tragedies at a very young age, and the tag of being a prince has come to him at a cost. I believe that he wants only the best of India, and is passionate about his nation, and can give a good representation to the aspirations of people. We should all treat him with respect, as in the end all of us want the same, "the good of India and its people." I might have also called Smt. Sonia Gandhi as an Italian. I apologize for such statement, as in the end such statement are very periochial in nature and insult not only Soniaji, but also all those thousands of citizens who have proudly embraced Indian citizenship and have worked hard for her betterment. I can't cite more better example that Mother Teresa herself. Soniaji has been a sensible politician whom everybody looks upto. I only think that she must have handled the corruption in her own government better. I understand that there are political compulsions, but the aspirations of Indian People and their money should not be compromised and sacrificed for politics. I also apologize for any other hurtful statement that I might have said against anyone. I am myself only a learner, and have learnt a lot in the past few days about public dialogue and would show a greater maturity hence forth. Though I have made every attempt to keep my statements objective but there is a scope of improvement in myself, that I keep continuously keep working on.

Regards,
Prateek Raj

प्रिय अन्नाजी

2011-08-26T11:25:00.000+05:30

प्रिय अन्नाजी,

बनारस की बात है. विश्वकर्मा मन्दिर की एक तीर्थ यात्रा में मन्दिर के एक पंदितजी ने आए हुए भक्तों से कहा, कि हमारा राष्ट्र भारत वर्ष हजारों वर्षो से नेताओं और राजाओं की राजनीति से नहीं, भारत वर्ष के संतों के तप बल के कारण ही एक दीप की भाँती सम्पूर्ण विश्व को प्रज्वाल्लित करता आया है. विश्व में भारत वर्ष ही एस राष्ट्र है जिसने सदैव धर्म व जाति से उठ कर, समाज के सभी संतों को पूर्ण सम्मान दिया है. यह बात ही वह गूढ है जिस कारण भारतीय संस्कृति में आज भी इतनी शक्ति है.

मैने अपने जीवन में अब तक किसी संत को नहीं देखा था. धीरे धीरे यह विश्वास भी उठ सा चला था कि इस युग में मुल्यों का पुनः कोइ स्थान हो पायेगा तथा त्याग, विश्वास व ईमानदारी, ऐसे शब्दों का हमारे समाज में कोइ मोल रह पायेगा. शायद अब अच्छी बातें सिर्फ प्रेमचन्द जी के उपन्यासों को ही शोभा देने लगीं थी. किन्तु जब मैने अपने से ५० वर्ष वृद्ध एक व्यक्ति को मेरे राष्ट्र के लिए, तथा मेरी पीढी के लिए इस जोश कि साथ संग्राम करते देखा तो मन बडा आह्र्लादित हो गया. यह देख कर कि शासन सत्य कि आंधी के सामने झुक ही जाती है, यह विश्वास फिर जाग उठा कि अन्ततः सत्य की ही जीत होती है. जैसाकि गान्धीजी के हि एक भक्त Martin Luther King ने भी कहा है, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice".

आपके इस महान तप के लिए मैं आपका कोटि कोटि अभिनन्दन करता हूँ.

मैं जनलोकपाल विधेयक क पूर्ण समर्थक नहीं हूँ. किन्तु आज राष्ट्र में हो रहा जनप्रिय संग्राम बहुत विशेष है. यह किसी सरकार या सत्ता के विरुद्ध संग्राम नहीं, यह संग्राम तो मूल्यों के हेतु है. इस राष्ट्र में आज मूल्यों की बहुत आवश्यकता है, क्योंकि भ्रष्टाचार ने सिर्फ बडे अफ्सरों को ही नहीं, हम सब को भी दूषित कर दिया है. आपसे विनती है की आप अपना अनशन तोडें, क्योंकि आपका जीवन बहुमूल्य है. हुमें आपके मार्गदर्शन की बहुत अवश्यकता है.

आपका,

प्रतीक

My Final Word on C Segment cars

2011-08-25T12:43:00.000+05:30

Ford Fiesta-

Great under the skin.
Poor quality rear(in and out) + Premium price = Deal Breaker
Make the deal if you want absolutely the best driver's car in the segment.

Hyundai Verna-

The car with no deal breakers, unless you like driving at 140km/hr.
The car which is great value for money, but has better engineered cars in segment.

Honda City-

The alpha petrol male. Good at all Fronts. Just needs a minor facelift to refresh the fabulous brand. And of course, needs a diesel engine.

Volkswagen Vento-

Solid Engineering+Diesel Engine+Classy Looks(Interiors and Exteriors)= Good Deal.
Petrol engine has a low fuel economy, spoiling the party.

Final

Honda City- If Petrol, its Honda City
Volkswagen Vento- Great engineering, good style(in and out)
Hyundai Verna- Loads of goodies + Great style(in and out), decent engineering
Ford Fiesta- Fabulous engineering, Fabulous Front, Deal breaking Rear, Too much money for that plastic

The New Ford Fiesta- Test Drive and Review

2011-08-14T13:41:00.000+05:30

I drove the new Ford Fiesta today. Their showroom in Kolkata, Ganges Ford, provided me with a silver diesel Fiesta for test drive.

To begin with the car's handling is amazing. Driving the car is as smooth as anything can get, and the quietness of the car deserves a special mention. At times given the almost zero noise and no vibration (that too for a diesel car!), it was hard to believe that the engine was really in power. Cutting swift and sharp turns was a piece of cake, and that is like a boon in a crowded city like Kolkata. The car hits bulls eye when it comes to drive experience.

Drive experience- ☆☆☆☆☆

The looks of the car are pretty ambiguous. It is breathtaking from many views, and has a commanding stance that most American cars have. Sadly though the rear of the car is a huge let down and the front also looks stout from some views specially the top. I was a bit disappointed by the car's appearance as I was expecting to be completely sold over by Fiesta's looks. It is still a terrific looking car, but it will find some nay sayers. It’s evident that Ford engineers have goofed up the design when converting the Fiesta hatchback into a sedan. It doesn’t look as pricey as it should from some angles specially the boot. From many angles though it looks like a Porsche!

Looks- ☆☆☆ and a half

Car's interiors speak one think- THIS IS A DRIVER'S CAR. The front space is huge and the dashboard has a cockpit like feeling that makes the car even more fun. Rear seat space is fine, but not large. Rear is where all the problems of Fiesta lie. The rear cabin's finish does not justify the price of a car which is the most expensive in its class. Ford could have done more detailing in this department, as the car, as much as it is amazing for the one who drives, is very lackluster for somebody who is being driven.

Interiors - ☆☆☆

Fiesta's mileage is said to be class leading, and it is nicely engineered. The car has smooth mechanisms, and sounds a nice thud when its door is close. In terms of engineering and mileage, the car is as good as the best and it provides a feeling of reliability and quality.

Engineering- ☆☆☆☆ and a half

On the whole

The hit-the-road type of people and small families will love Fiesta. It is made to make you feel young. It is meant for the self driven, and gives you a confidence on the road that other cars don’t. The car’s handling, the quietness, the solid built and the style all added make it a premium driver’s car. Fiesta is the best in its class from the front but the worst from the back. A family with rear passengers would find the car to be much overpriced with poor levels of detailing.

Who should buy? If you are a bachelor or a young couple looking for a stylish, solid and fun driving car with good fuel economy and are liberal on the budget.

Who shouldn’t buy? Families who want more up market feel and luxury at the back of their Sedan. Vento(for Diesel) and Honda City(for Petrol) are better options for such families, as these cars are more balanced than Fiesta as an overall package. Their engines also provide better performance than Fiesta and they come a tad cheaper. Those who want the most out of their money should go for Verna that not only offers many more features at a lesser price but also looks shockingly stylish, has the most powerful engines, has very premium interiors and has a service network that will make the rest in the fray envious.

On the whole- ☆☆☆ as a passenger and ☆☆☆☆ and a half as a driver.

Ford Fiesta- ☆☆☆☆

Us and Society

2011-07-27T16:50:00.000+05:30

A note that I wrote probably in March or April, 2010.

After I had smoked that joint, I could see it for the first time. The society. The herds in which human society walks; everybody running in circles, everybody playing a scripted role; it gives me a very funny feeling. Somebody plays the role of a leader, somebody of a poet, the businessman, the common man, the lover, those criminals, that police, those high peaks of elite and those many people living out at the fringes. And everybody knows they are living in a soup of utter madness, and maybe some even hope to change the strange picture they are part of. But they can’t. Like a picture in the frame can’t paint itself, one has to be out of the picture, to see it, to sketch it and paint it.
One more thing funny about men and women alike is, how sharp they are? Engineering those high pillars of reasons, and those aching walls of oases of calm, for themselves. And that gives them the ego, the quality of seeing themselves as the centers of the storm. Ego gives them a sense of achievement. They cherish their egos like a trophy, the only trophy that they can get in the stream of human society. Bubbles.
We can’t have this ego, when we come out and see for ourselves, that it all was a creation of our own? That how the bullying of those rascals, and the rising to those great hills of sand, didn’t matter. It will all be a picture that one would see, all the bright and the dark spots that were sprinkled, to make this picture, a four dimensional picture, a drama in a given space at a given time. You’ll be the God, seeing the static universe in space and time. That’s who God is. Our world is made of these pillars that cannot move. God is that guy who roams the whole hall of universe, putting developing frames on the pillars. And when you run thorough the whole gallery through time, you’ll see somebody’s movie. And when you run the whole gallery through space, you’ll see the whole picture.
Once in the system we are these moving frames trapped in space-time. We have to be still both in space and time, like a dot, to put the system at rest, to be out of the system, and change it.

E3 summit- There's so much going on in gaming world

2011-06-07T12:36:00.000+05:30

XBox with its Kinect, PS3 with the Move and Vita and then Wii with all its awesome gaming titles and much anticipated new console, have lately made the console wars all more interesting and confusing.

Kinect is indeed an amazing technology, with that wow factor to it. I played it at a local store and could not help but appreciate. But hard core games have understandable reservations with Kinect. Its gaming titles are mostly for the casual games. Dance Central and Kinect Sports are some of its good offerings. At the E3 summit Microsoft does seem to be throwing its weight on the gizmo, trying to integrate it with mainstream games. But how much success will it get, in its pitch for a controller free world, that is an open question.

PS3 Move is a more traditional product. It may not have full body tracking like Kinect, but it is way more accurate as a gaming device. If you love Wii, then the chances are that you'll love Move more, but then where are the games? Its gaming catalog is lack luster at this moment. It will be interesting how Sony improves its motion gaming offerings. PSP Vita, their star revealition appears to have been a hit. The device is good and the lineup offerings look good as well.

Nintendo Wii is a legendary device. What Kinect and Move are doing now, Wii did long back. Though being a lot older, its hardware lacks the technology of the newer kids, but its gaming catalog in terms of motion gaming is phenomenal. Now they are working on their next console which will hopefully take Wii to a whole new level. But which level, that needs to be seen.

Where does it go from here?

2011-06-03T12:48:00.000+05:30

I finally find peace. It's like I'm out in the open ocean again, not trapped, not fighting a terrible storm. Yeah, storms come and go, that's how life of sailors is made, and that's why so many hurry to reach a shore, to reach a deadly silence. I want peace that is alive, not the one that is dead and silent. The unknown will always be intriguing.

So now, even though I didn't reach where I intended to, but wherever I have reached, it can be better than anything I have ever reached before or wished I had reached. There are a host of opportunities in the waiting for me. First of all, back home, with so much to save, I can finally have my own studio, record my own songs, collaborate with wonderful artists of the city and live my dream, finally, of a life filled with music and wanderlust. So many songs are trying to burst out of me, it will be great to finally get a studio.

Secondly, I am excited about my novel. I never had so much time, energy and maturity to work on my novel. But being dedicated to it, it has grown all by itself, into a much wonderful version of what I had begun in the first place. Everything has changed, the name as well... but the essence remains the same. It marries my two novel ideas... "Angel Says Hi" and the recurrent idea of Montmartre together... I'm calling it "and Love shall find You... "

And then there's my third baby, Montmartre Pro Bono. There's so much that I can give to the city and the region around. Montmartre Pro Bono shall provide consulting services to non profit and social enterprises for very nominal prices or free. I've got to learn so much in the last one year after IIT. Over here at this new job I'm getting to learn a lot more

Not many get such opportunities to pursue things with such passion. I'm lucky in that regard, and for that I owe, with great gratitude, a lot to this existence!

Cars and Car Brands in India

2011-05-17T21:51:00.000+05:30

A layman's perspective.

Maruti Suzuki- This is a name that commands respect for its value for money, reliability and convenience. It is one of the oldest car manufacturers in India known to have produced classic cars like 800, Alto and Wagon R. It has the largest range of car offerings and sells the most cars in the country. It leads both the small car and the entry sedan segments in India and is a formidable challenger in the mid sedan segment with SX4. It recently entered the premium sedan segment in India with Maruti Kizashi.

Hyundai- The South Korean company, just like its electronic cousins Samsung and LG has done extremely well in India. It is a home name today with its super hit classic offering Santro. The brand commands value for money and reliability and with ever increasing service and dealer networks it is perceived as one of the most hassle free brands to buy. It has super hit models like i10, Santro and i20, while has recently reentered the mid sedan segment with Hyundai Verna Fluidic which is catching all the good attention. After Maruti, no other brand holds a similar mass appeal amongst consumers.

Tata- Tata is one of the best known Indian brands in the world. Many people outside India know it for the Nano. Also it recently acquired the Iconic brands Jaguar and Land Rover adding further value to its appeal. Nano was hit by few roadblocks after release but it seems to have got its grip back and has begun to perform well according to the expectations. The all time best model from Tata is Indica, which is one of the most commonly used commercial vehicles. Similar is the case of Indica's sedan extension, Indigo. Then we have Tata Safari which holds a certain respect in the SUV segments for its styling. We know Tata better for its trucks. Most of the Indian Trucks are from Tata. The brand has phenomenal a presence in the commercial vehicle segment, and for this reason the car has to work extra hard to get acceptance from private car buyers. Indica and Indigo have become like India's taxi. Moreover its cars have similar designs which makes it difficult for customers to differentiate. It must work on its designs and bring some diversity. Maruti for example has 6 or 7 different cars in the same small car segment!

Ford- Ford has had a long presence in India. People had known it specially for its Ford Icon that did reasonably well in the sedan segment, but nobody took it seriously all this time. But post the recession drama in automobile industry, the company has risen worldwide and surprisingly in India like a phoenix. Ford Figo launched just a few years ago is one of the best selling cars in India. The way Ford has emerged as a major brand amongst the mass customers is phenomenal. It is probably the only car brand with a premium that has penetrated so well in the Indian market. Maruti or Hyundai cannot command the same premium as a Ford. It has recently announced a used car business, and is taking India operations very seriously. Soon it is to launch its global blockbuster Ford Fiesta in India competing in the mid sedan segment. It has also repositioned its old Ford Fiesta in the entry sedan segment. It seems like Ford is making all the right moves and soon will be a household brand just the way it is in its home country.

Chevrolet- If only Chevrolet could do a Ford! Alas, one time biggest and most respected global car maker is still struggling with an eroded brand image. It happens. The biggest often have to take the biggest beating. Chevrolet has never done very good in India. None of its cars have clicked well, be it Optra, Aveo or even the premium ones. Its ace car, Chevrolet Spark, a remodeling of acquired Daewoo Matiz which was once one of the most popular cars in India is doing good but not great when compared to Figo. Chevrolet needs a great car for its fortunes and image to change. It also has Beat which again is doing good but not great. The failures of Chevrolet haven't done great service to the brand. People still. consider it as a foreign American brand in distress. And they have tried every marketing gimmick to call themselves Indian. We need India centric cars, not ads that call Chevy as Indian. As I said, if only Chevrolet could do a Ford!

Volkswagen- The European brand is known for performance, sturdiness and reliability. I am sure the Volks folks must be really happy seeing how the brand has grown so well in the country. The company's biggest success is Vento which has changed the very dynamics of the sedan segment. Its smaller car Polo, which is a premium hatchback is also doing well and the company's newest offering Passat has also got good response. The brand has definitely created considerable presence in Indian market, specially in the A tier cities in a very less time.

Toyota- They have been here, with Innova, Corolla and premium offerings. Innova is recognized best by people as a tourist car. It has done very well in that segment. But Toyota's serious entry to India comes with Toyota Etios, both sedan and hatchback versions that are expected to do very well and have received great reviews. The company being Japanese commands great respect, and will hopefully do well in India.

Honda- Honda is best known for its Honda City. Then there's Honda Civic.... and these cars have been the aspirational cars of most of the Indian middle class. So Honda is a great aspirational brand for the masses. It is known to be overpriced but of superior quality and convenience. With their newest expected car Brio, Honda is expected to enter the small car segment(Jazz was a car of nowhere land!). It will be interesting to see how Honda positions itself in the market, and the how customers accept it.

Fiat- Their's is a tragic story. They have been here is India for one of the longest times and yet they never got the breakthrough. Its sad for a company that makes such beautiful cars. They once sold Fiat Uno, then came with Fiat Palio. Both these cars were rated good, even sold good in the beginning, but then came the company's poor service. And that ruined the Italian major's reputation forever. Currently the company offers two of the most beautiful and best built cars, Punto and Linea, to Indian customers, but thanks to the tag "Fiat" nobody's buying them. I am sure the company is working extra hard to improve the prospects and that is evident very much in their website. But from here for Fiat is a long and tough journey. They are perceived like a restaurant with great food but bad service.

Mahindra- In the rugged car segment they rule, but otherwise they are not even a serious competition. Yes, Mahindra sells Bolero and Scorpio and Xylo, but that's pretty much it. In the mainstream they have no presence. There is Verito, their acquired car from Renault, but no body is taking this car seriously. It will need great efforts for the company to be noticed seriously in the urban market. There is a big barrier for Mahindra to cross.

Nissan- I don't think they are interested in India very much. They introduced the car Micra, posted its ads and then disappeared. It is still pretty much an invisible brand. I have heard they are considering bringing Sunny in the market. That will do some good.

Skoda- The Czech car brand has two known solid offerings in the name of Fabia and Laura. These cars don't look the best, but are known to be made of solid engineering. Both of these cars are doing good, but there is nothing great going. It isn't catching the Indian eyeballs like its parent brand Volkswagen.

Renault- They shouldn't have done that collaboration with Mahindra. It didn't do much good for the otherwise exotic brand image of the company. They would now need some awesome car offering to make it a French aspirational brand in India.

Mitsubishi- Why are they even selling cars in India? It is a good brand conglomerate otherwise, but they are like a lame duck automobile company in India. It is a shame specially after the fact that Lancer once used to be one of the cool cars on Indian roads. From there to here... that's a shame.

BMW, Mercedes, Audi- The other brands don't compare! These are the dream cars of all Indians.

Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Bentley, Buggati, Alfa Romeo, Rolls Royace.... Lets not even talk about these!

Old Poem I wrote! :) Jee Le.

2011-05-16T21:58:00.000+05:30

Ye bawaron ki zindagi phir mile naa mile...

Jee le.

Ye asfar nila, jhilmilate taare, phir mile na mile...

Jee le.

Yahan,

Sone ki kabr paane ki loot lagi hai.

Chamkili laashon ki bheed saji hai.

Sadiyon se duniya ka yahi falsafa dekha hai.

Bejaan buton me shayad hi kabhi chingari jali hai.

Ye muskarati zindagi phir mile na mile.

Jee le.

Ye khula samandar phir mile na mile.

Ik baar jee le.

Humsafar mere, apna sahil chhoo le.

Jee le, aab-i-hayat pee le.

25 Best Selling Cars of India

2011-05-14T21:23:00.000+05:30

Note: An updated list is for the month of August'11 is available here. http://prateekraj.blogspot.com/2011/09/best-selling-cars-in-india-in-august.html

1) Maruti Alto(industry leader with a wide margin)

2) Hyundai i10

3) Maruti Wagon R
4) Maruti Dezire(largest selling entry mid sized car)

5) Maruti Swift

6) Tata Nano(cheapest car in Indian roads)

7) Hyundai Santro

8) Hyundai i20(largest selling premium hatchback)

9) Maruti Omni

10) Mahindra Bolero(largest selling SUV)

11) Ford Figo

12) Maruti Eeco

13) Tata Indigo

14) Maruti Ritz

15) Toyota Etios

16) Tata Indica

17) Mahindra Scorpio

18) Chevrolet Spark

19) Volkswagen Polo

20) Toyota Innova

21) Volkswagen Vento

22) Maruti 800

23) Chevrolet Beat

24) Maruti Estilo

25) Mahindra Xylo

Other Important Players

Honda City(19th in February'11)(Ruler of premium mid size segment recently toppled by Vento)

Maruti SX4(22nd in February'11)(competes Vento, City)

Maruti A-Star(20th in February'11)

Cars to Watch for

Ford Fiesta(To be launched)(competes City, Vento, SX4)

Hyundai Verna(Launched in mid-May)(competes Vento, City, SX4, Fiesta)

Tata Manza(Launched recently)(competes Dezire, Etios)

Ford Fiesta Classic(competes Dezire, Etios, Manza)

Honda Brio(Honda's entry in the small car segment)

Toyota Altis Liva(Toyota's entry in small car segment)

Maruti Cervo(Maruti takes on Tata Nano)

source: www.team-bhp.com
For April'11