BMS Syllabus

Had a look at the BMS syllabus from the prospectus booklets bought by my daughter for her college admissions - a look at the subjects and i am zapped - there are about 36 subjects to be covered in six semesters - subjects as varied as Business Law, Managerial Economics, Operations Research, Environmental Management, Strategic Management, Retail Management, Logistics & Supply Chain management, Business Ethics & CSR, Co-operatives & Rural Markets and Entrepreneurship and Management of Small and Medium Enterprises among others. The usual culprits such as finance, cost management, accounts, quantitative methods are all there as well - This looks like an absolutely fabulous course - a crunching tough one too. There are project works and Electives in the last two semesters. Looks like a winner to me, not sure how corporates treat this for employment purposes.

Two Brothers

Two Brothers is a visually stunning adventure-drama directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud. Set in French Indochina in the 1920s, the movie tells the story of two tiger cubs — Kuma(l) and Sangha — who are torn apart by human greed and circumstance, only to be reunited later in life under tragic conditions. The film blends elements of wildlife documentary with human drama, making it both a family-friendly feature and a poignant reflection on mankind’s relationship with nature.

The film begins in the lush jungles of Cambodia, where two tiger cubs live safely with their parents. Their idyllic world is disrupted when hunters, led by Aidan McRory (Guy Pearce), capture the cubs during an expedition.

The brothers are separated: One becomes part of a circus, subjected to mistreatment and forced to perform for audiences. The other ends up in the hands of royalty, domesticated briefly before being caged as a fighting tiger. Years later, the two are brought together in an arena to fight each other for human amusement. However, instead of battling, they recognize each other and rekindle their bond, defying human expectations. The climax is both touching and triumphant, as the brothers manage to return to the wild, symbolizing resilience, freedom, and the enduring strength of kinship.

At its heart, the film is a meditation on family bonds, not just between the two tiger brothers but also reflecting on the idea of loyalty and kinship that transcends species. The movie starkly portrays human exploitation of wildlife — through hunting, circuses, and colonial amusement — while also offering moments of compassion and redemption. The struggle of the cubs mirrors the broader struggle of wildlife to survive against human interference. Their eventual escape becomes a metaphor for liberation.

Guy Pearce (Aidan McRory): Portrays a conflicted character — a hunter who profits from the destruction of nature but eventually grows in compassion. Pearce delivers a subtle performance, balancing opportunism with guilt. Freddie Highmore: As the young boy who briefly bonds with one of the cubs, Highmore adds innocence and emotional weight, reinforcing the connection between children and animals. 

Jean-Claude Dreyfus: As the ruthless governor, he personifies greed and human arrogance.Despite the capable human cast, the real stars are the tigers themselves. Their natural presence, captured with patience and respect by Annaud, forms the emotional backbone of the story.

Jean-Jacques Annaud, with cinematographer Jean-Marie Dreujou, crafts a film that often feels like a moving wildlife documentary. The Cambodian landscapes — dense jungles, ancient temples, and rural villages — are shot with breathtaking beauty. The use of real tigers lends authenticity, though it also limits some of the action sequences. The director’s style emphasizes patience and natural observation. Long shots of the tigers playing, learning, and interacting feel intimate and genuine, drawing viewers into their world.

The decision to film with live tigers results in moments of extraordinary natural behavior, rare in feature films. The reunion of the brothers is deeply moving, resonating with both children and adults. The film captures the lushness of Southeast Asia and highlights the cultural backdrop of colonial Indochina.

Two Brothers (2004) is a touching, beautifully filmed ode to nature and family. While it may lack the narrative complexity of stronger dramas, its emotional sincerity and breathtaking visuals make it a worthwhile watch, especially for families, animal enthusiasts, and admirers of Jean-Jacques Annaud’s unique storytelling style.

It is less a conventional movie and more an immersive experience — an invitation to witness the world through the eyes of two tiger brothers, whose innocence and strength challenge humanity’s exploitation of wildlife.

LLPs allowed for statutory auditors

Ministry of Corporate Affairs has clarified vide circular no. 30/2011 dated 26th May 2011 that LLPs of chartered accountants will be allowed to act as statutory auditors of companies as per the companies act, 1956. In the Act, there was a bar on body corporates to take up this function and since the LLP was defined as a body corporate under the LLP Act, this became sort of hindrance to the appointment of LLPs of chartered accountants as statutory auditors. MCA has relaxed this for the limited purpose of being appointed as an auditor.

Band Baaja Baarat

Saw the movie "Band Baaja Baarat" on TV yesterday - some content there in the movie, rustic Delhi lingo is used very well - good impression by Ranvir Kapoor - the boy shows some promise but Anushka Sharma hams so much it becomes irritating. Good for one time watch.

new information technology rules

New Information technology rules under section 79 of the information technology act seeks to regulate readers comments and feedback on social networking sites such as linkedin, facebook, google, etc. For more news go to economic times story here

interest on savings bank accounts

Interest rate on savings bank accounts increased from 3.5% to 4% w.e.f. 3rd May 2011 - as per RBI circular here

mobile banking transactions

Mobile banking transactions limit increased from Rs.1000/- to Rs.5000/- without the need for end to end encryption - for details check this RBI site

44 kms week ending 8th may 2011

completed 44 kms for the week ending 8th may 2011 including a 22.5 kms on saturday at the aarey forest followed up with a recovery run of 10 kms on sunday at marine drive. Two earlier runs of 4kms & 7.5 kms on wednesday and thursday. aarey forest run was a staggering one in extreme humidity and heat which had me roasted almost. marine drive was also extremely humid even as early as 5.30 in the morning, possibly to due the arabian sea.

Corbett National park, Jaipur, Agra & mathura

Completed a hectic 10 day visit to the corbett national park followed by a two day tour to jaipur, agra & mathura in a volvo bus. The corbett visit was of course different from the others in that i had gone to take part in a half marathon being held there for the first time. We had a jungle safari on the previous day to the half marathon and it was a memorable experience. We spotted numerous deers, monkeys, a herd of elephants, peacocks etc. but failed to spot any tiger for which the corbett is famous for. Nevertheless it was a fruitful visit.

In jaipur, we saw the Aimer palace, jaipur haat, jantar mantar, hawa mahal from outside and shopped at the jaipur haat - jaipur is a majestic city steeped in history - every second building seems to be a monument - plenty of delights there.

Stayed overnight at a hotel in Jaipur and started next day early morning at 4.30 a.m. to agra - Almost all of us in the bus slept off immediately after the bus got off from jaipur and got up around 6.00 to 6.30 a.m. to witness what - large scale squatting by U.P. Bhaiyyas right in the middle of their field. U.P. was dirty and filthy to the core. Enroute we first went to Fatehpur Sikri and then followed by Agra Fort and then the majestic Taj mahal. All these places were steeped in history - so interesting from that point of view. Took our time at the Taj - it was bloody hot at these places - but Taj being a wonder of the world - was totally magnificient.

Last stop was the famous Krishna temple of Mathura - the birthplace of lord Krishna - what bloody security there - probably worse than at airports - three people frisking you at unknown places - and rifle toting security men at every nook and corner - it did not look like a temple visit at all. But the idol was magnificient.
Mathura was absolutely filthy place as was Agra - had the famous Mathura lassi at one and only one decent place - Brijwasi.

dynamic warm-ups from runners world

dynamic warm ups from Runners World

Corbett Park Half Marathon - Roar of the Tiger

Corbett Park Half marathon lived upto its image of a scenic route, skirting the forest all along the way with some parts being tough with gentle undulations and tough hills as well. It was definitely not an easy route with the start itself on a trail path for 300 metres before it hits the main road when it immediately hits a climber and a steep descent. Mental notes made – to navigate this killer hill on the last leg, the route thereafter petered into a steady straight path with the forests on both sides. The race started at 6.00 a.m. by which time it was already bright and clear. I had mentioned to Rahul Varghese that perhaps we should have started at 5.30 a.m., but then the distance of the route from the respective resorts where people were staying and being the first event of its kind, the timing was perfect.


When Rahul announced the Corbett Park half marathon dates, I think around early to mid-February, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to get away with the family on a holiday as well as get to do a half marathon in a world renowned natural forest. Late april seemed perfect with the weather still holding good. In order to reach Corbett, one had to first come to New Delhi and then take a train or a car to Ramnagar which was the nearest rail head. There are two trains from old Delhi railway station to Ramnagar, one leaving at 1630 hours and another one late at night. We took the 1630 hours train which arrived at Ramnagar station at about 2030 hours. In the train itself, I came across and met fellow runners from Delhi and Ahmedabad. Percy and Vijay respectively from these two cities were equally enthusiastic about running in Corbett. The resort Jaagar – the Village Resort was about 15 minutes away from the Ramnagar station.

Jaagar is a quaint little resort with individual cottages for each guest. Each cottage had a thatched roof and all the amenities to keep the guests comfortable and rested. The food was like home made, very delicious, so carbo loading was done with gusto. They had about 8 cottages, so the quality of service was excellent.

We were up the very next morning at 4.00 a.m. (well runners never crib about early mornings, hanh!) to do a jungle safari visit where we saw every animal in the forest but the tiger. We saw the tiger pug marks, heard the roar of a tiger which was closing in on a sambar deer, saw the carcass of an animal – the handiwork of a tiger, but the magnificient royal Bengal tiger was elusive to us.

Well, we visited the Expo organized by Rahul at the Mapple Resorts which was unlike any other expo visited by me. There were about 4 stalls, all running related - forest honey, saloman trail running shoes, suunto & R&L stall. The goodie bag was a paper bag with all the stuff in it being running related – there was no masala powders or noodles pack in it!! They had WWF coasters, health magazines, discount coupons for saloman trail running shoes and other stuff. There was a complimentary t-shirt as well.

Nikhil Shah & Divyesh Shah had already checked in before me and there was Priya who was doing 10K and a couple of other friends who had planned a Corbett trip.

Cars were arranged to take us to the starting point, which was near the Mapple Resorts. The route was an out and back route with the first/last 300 metres in a trail route with mud and stones and then straight road all the way to 10kms and from 10 to 10.5 kms also being a dirt road. Water stations were kept at 2.5, 5 & 7.5 kms respectively. Met up with Nikhil, Divyesh, Sujit all from Pune and Suneela from Bombay at the start point. There was a lone Kenyan in the race and it was certain that he was going to bag the first prize.

The race started exactly at 6.00 a.m. and had to be careful for the first 300 metres in view of my delicate ankle. Having negotiated that comfortably, ran into a steep climb immediately on hitting the tar road and then a steep descent as well, which was described in the first paragraph. Thereafter the route was a flat one with tall trees on both sides. Nikhil and Sujit went by, but I was like holding back the pace in order to gauge the course upto the half way mark. After 4 kms there was again gentle undulations – the sun came out somewhere around the 6 kms mark. Just after 7.5 kms, the Kenyan came by expectedly followed by two Indians much later. At the 7.5 kms station, I had a honey water drink which was very good – kept me strong upto the halfway mark. At 10 kms, there was rough patch of 500 metres on both sides which was like up and down with lots of stones – a muddy path which needed to be navigated carefully.

Halfway done, refreshments taken – I hit a blue patch at this point streaming away with all might from 11 kms to about 14 kms. The sun was out in full glory at this stage and the tree shade was not sufficient to provide succor to the runners. From 15 to 16 kms, it was absolutely brutal with no tree cover at all – so kept the pace steady at this stage without exerting too much. 16 kms to 18 kms were relatively better but from 18 kms onwards again it was quite tough with the sun beating down hard on the runners. At just after 19 kms there was a flutter amongst the runners, and when I turned to look at what it was all about – there was a magnificent and majestic tusker standing just near the road – it was an awesome sight. At around 19.5 kms there loomed a large and killer hill just abreast which looked like a beast, but I kept chugging on without stopping, this hill was the distance from the bottom of the aarey hill to the first tabela and the gradient was also the same, so navigated it comfortably, but then just down the hill the cramps started on the left calves, saw my daughter holding the placard.

Went into the last 300 metres for a good finish in a time of 2.10.35 hours just outside the Personal Best but entirely satisfied with the effort in April.

Got a medal and a certificate immediately on arrival.

Met up with other runners at the finish line. Nikhil finished in 1.58, Sujit in 2.02, Divyesh in 2.16 and Suneela in 2.24. Priya who had done the 10K finished comfortably in 1.03 hours in 2nd place.

The organization of the event was impeccable and in fact there were quite a few innovative things which stood out as something to be emulated.

Private Patient

A measured, atmospheric, and morally complex mystery by P.D. James in The Private Patient.

The story begins with investigative journalist Rhoda Gradwyn, who has carried a long scar on her face since childhood. She visits Cheverell Manor, an old Dorset estate converted into a private clinic run by the renowned surgeon George Chandler-Powell, to have the scar removed. Rhoda is both excited and uneasy about the operation, but she never lives to see the results. She is found dead in her bed the morning after her surgery — murdered.

Commander Adam Dalgliesh and his team, including DI Kate Miskin and DS Francis Benton-Smith, are dispatched from London to investigate. Their inquiry takes them deep into the closed world of Cheverell Manor and its eccentric household: the ambitious surgeon Chandler-Powell, his staff, the manor’s owners and servants, and the varied assortment of people with motives against Rhoda.

As the investigation unfolds, another death occurs, adding to the layers of mystery. Dalgliesh and his team must untangle not only the mechanics of the murder but also the complex webs of resentment, secrecy, and ambition that permeate the community. Meanwhile, Dalgliesh himself faces personal choices, particularly regarding his relationship with Emma Lavenham, which underscores the theme of private lives intersecting with public duties.

Rhoda’s scar is both literal and symbolic; it represents the wounds of the past that never fully heal. James explores how history, trauma, and memory shape individuals and communities. The clinic embodies privilege, status, and secrecy, while Rhoda herself — through her career as a journalist — represents a force that exposes hidden truths.

The investigation is not simply about finding a killer but about understanding human weakness, guilt, and responsibility. The novel reflects on endings, both professional and personal. Death is a constant presence, but so too are the possibilities of reconciliation and love.

Adam Dalgliesh — Cerebral, reserved, and deeply moral, he remains James’s quintessential detective. Rhoda Gradwyn — Although she dies early, she is a haunting presence throughout the novel. Her scar, her career as an exposer of secrets, and her enigmatic character drive the mystery.

George Chandler-Powell — The distinguished but arrogant surgeon who epitomizes professionalism tinged with egotism. Kate Miskin — Continues to grow as a central figure, balancing her ambition and loyalty. Francis Benton-Smith — Provides a foil to Kate, often challenging her.

James’s writing is characteristically measured, elegant, and richly descriptive. The manor house setting is almost Gothic in its resonance: a place steeped in history, isolation, and atmosphere, where the boundaries between healing and harm blur.

The pacing is deliberate — some might even call it slow — but it reflects James’s commitment to psychological depth over sensationalism. Readers are invited to ponder the inner lives of suspects and the social structures around them, rather than race through plot twists.

The Private Patient is a novel that rewards patient readers who value depth over speed, atmosphere over sensationalism. Goodreads 4/5

Picture taken from the internet not with an intention to violation of copyright.