Analysis time

This is that time of the year where we analyse ourselves. The year that went bye, the joy it brought, the good and the bad part of it. About what was wrong which could have been right, and what went so great that helped us progress. About nething and everything that the year gave us.

Whether any of the new year resolutions last year did make it through, or it was just a piece of paper with unfulfilled dreams at the end of the year. Things you want to make happen in the 2009, or the one little change you want to bring in you.

As for me, I don’t make any resolutions as such. New year’s day is just another day for me. We just want reasons to enjoy and it’s just one of that. I don’t believe in long term planning. It’s never worked with me (I do admire people who can make it work though). But still I carry a rough draft of all the things that I’ll be pursuing in coming time. They are just skeletons, not concrete plans. And they need not be penned down.

Last year was pretty satisfactory. A bad end due to terror tale, but otherwise the year went well. On personal front also it was good. Got to learn a lot of things. About handling events, talking to successful people, actively working in college, good amount of social work, working as a group and so much more.

I feel if you ever want to make New Year plans, always assume your current life till now as “A big zero”. And now start planning. Coz you know you have to ensure that you are actually improving with the coming year. All that ever has been till now is just a benchmark for accessing how well you do next year. Take it as a zero state. I believe I have shifted from last year’s zero in some fields, and hope to better it this time around.

As for things that can happen with me in the next year, the answer is ‘I don’t know’. Decision making has always been hard for me. With such large amount of job cuts in US, I may have to rethink before spending a fortune for getting a university seat. Thinking the other way, I might be missing a glorious opportunity for quality studies and better job prospect if I don’t go. So it still might go either way.

As far as campus placements, I may or may not appear for them. Not thought about it. Even if I do apply, there is every chance that companies don’t find me worthy for the job. With every company cutting intakes, they may need fewer people. People who might have been slogging for a top 3 finish in the class.

So basically I don’t know what’s in store for the future. But I do know for sure, whatever path I choose, I have to never look back, never regret anything, and just be at my best for anything I choose.

On the year that fled bye,
-- I wished that Terrorist hadn't attacking our beautiful city.
--I wish John terry din't slip off
--I wish Timo Glock din't slow down
--I wish Ganguly had scored a century in his last test

Adios. May all of you have a very bright new year ahead!!!!!

An Idea Can.....

Luxembourg…..

A small country in western Europe, I doubt very few might have even heard of it. It’s strangely the richest country in the world w.r.t. per capita income(I know many people will open Google and search for richest country). What made it so rich, great history, no. Then what, good land, great scenery, any European country has it. Large amount of money from tourism( why not Singapore then, small country so many tourists).

I didn’t believe when I was told that just a well executed Idea makes an country the richest in the world. But now I do. Now, coming back to it, what was the Idea? Luxembourg government decided to use banking sector as a source of income for the country. For non EU(European union ) countries, the money deposited in the banks is tax free. And your account is not operated by name, but is operated by a secret code number and your signature. None of your identity is disclosed except for European people and for locals, tax is directly deducted from their account, account data going to respective governments. But for others, don’t worry, hide in as much money you can and no-one will ever know.

It’s great place to hide money for people saving from heavy taxes, to hide money obtained through corruption. Or money that’s just supposed to be hidden. Many terrorist accounts are assumed to be operated here. Every major world bank has an office here, and most operate accounts through codes. You forget your code and money is gone. Luxembourg offshore banks number around 220 today and their balance sheets total in excess of EUR 600 billion - which makes the country Europe’s second largest banking giant after the UK.

Some of you might have heard that 6 months ago there was a news that Luxembourg government is ready to give the details of Indians investing in these banks, but it didn’t go any further. Many of the politicians are believed to have secretly deposited their money. That’s why the government is not acting upon it.

The Indian angle looks ugly, but their country has prospered a lot due to this. Such huge investments have led to great economy and the people living a very high standard of living. An Idea well executed is all it takes.

Las Vegas

A little known city in the state of Nevada, USA. One of the poorest state in the country. Lack of proper transportation routes, barren lands all over, no great history, no state of the art facilities like other American cities. Infact there wasn’t even a city here around 150 years ago. It was just a transit place for long distant tourists.

The city people believed money is never gonna come their way. USA may get richer, but Vegas, still poorer. Here too, it was just an idea which changed the map, the image and economy of the city. Yes, we all know the Idea. The Las Vegas Casino.

The casino city is so different a city today. Looks like any other top American cities. The rates of rooms at weekends are 4 times the rate on Monday. Almost every big hotel here has a casino. People will always keep trying on their luck, and this city will always make money from them. Who was to say, the barren lands of Nevada would one day become one of the busiest economic centre of the states. The entire state has benefited in terms of good transport, good roads due to this city.

Moral: Don’t say we have nothing, because people have made so much out of nothing.

Watching “What happens in Vegas” reminded me of this story. Nice Movie.