First cut - My Airtel App

 Airtel has recently launched new version of their app on various OS named as “My Airtel App”. As Airtel is the leading telecom service provider to highest number of mobile subscribers in India and have retained this position for almost a decade , it make sense to use this platform to grab maximum share of eyeballs by marking presence on the HOME SCREEN of consumer's smartphone .

To get a real time Hand's ON Experience, I decided to download the app on my android based smartphone. I had no difficulty in finding the app in Google Play store and the installation was seamless and quick too. Once Installed the app start with a quick tour of recently added features like “Airtel Surprise “, “I want to " and then ask to enter phone number to verify and load user details . Features of this app can be summaries as below: 

• Currently it's compatible on Android Based OS but IOS and Window based version would be launched pretty soon.

• It can be used to monitor Airtel Mobile Post/Pre -paid Connection, Airtel DTH, Airtel Landline, Airtel Broadband, Airtel Wallet (Coming Soon).

• Airtel Surprise  - It works as if we recharge our connection via app then Airtel gives various complementary offers in form of Cash back, Extra Data , Full Talk time , Discount Vouchers  of various Store/E-commerce website equivalent to value of recharge which can be checked by shaking the phone .

• ‘I Want to’ feature – It’s a smart reminder service in built in app which shows Notifications to remind about bill due date or recharge when validity is about to expire or balance is low. Applicable for all Airtel services to avoid disruption of services. Also remind when data pack is about to expire or if usage is going beyond pack size.

• All Tariff Plan, Recharge Vouchers, Data packs, Data plan for Broadband, Movies/Channel/Games for DTH can be explored on the app and favorite one  can be selected instantaneously. 

• 100% secure recharge & payment transactions with PCIDSS Certification giving freedom to select preferred payment option among any of the debit/credit card or net banking with ease of mind.

• Remembers Card details for faster future transaction and also mostly used recharge denominations too.

• Filling of complaints or sharing of a feedback became instant to 24*7 customer care with a click/tab of finger.

• Paid/Unpaid Bills for last 6 months can be viewed on app and even recharge history is click away.

·         Accessing Wynk or One Touch Internet or Airtel Live is possible over app.
·         And Above all, Airtel doesn't charge Data for using this app.
First-hand experience is going well and looking for try few more days before handing out final ratings as the expectations are high and I have already logged in my DTH connection and broadband on this app. Hope AIRTEL keep on improvising the same and add more features including applying of new connection , availing MNP and connectivity with SMART TV soon .App can be downloaded by visiting following link http://www.airtel.in/myairtel.

Lets's begin a new League

Since the day  I saw the youtube video featuring Kapil Dev ,  First thought came to my mind as it must be a promotion video of one of the many brand he endorse . Really He has maintained his Stature not only in cricketing community but has emerged as a stronger brand in himself which goes beyond the usual career path of retired sportsperson as of being coach of a team or running cricket academies or a cricket commentator and expert reviewer for Sports/News Channels  .Although he do a bit of all these activity but his area of interest goes way beyond this including running and supporting NGO's , Being brand ambassador for other sports like "Paraolympic Committee of India " , encouraging youth to join Indian Army , playing golf with best ranking players and corporate honchos and numerous  other long list of activities.

But this time, he seems to be in another mood, creating suspense and generating curiosity among his fans/followers to make their best guess on what this " Ek Nayi league " can be all about and dropped a hint in form of a line repeated in 4-5 teasers posted on internet and various social media channels which says " Dil sa kheloge tho pakka haroge " which means you are surely going to lose if you play by your heart. There is also a contest going on at http://www.eknayileague.com/ where user wins INR 1 lakh if they identify about this event correctly. I would like to share the idea's I have posted and keeping my fingers crossed till 7th may when the result would be declared: 

• Golf  tournament : As kapil dev have been actively participating and promoting golf tournament across India , maybe he decided to launch one on similar line to IPL where group of Indian/International golfer compete with each other in teams and one with the lowest score wins the title . Brands like HERO, American Express, BMW, Mercedez , Yes Bank can likely be title sponsor for the same .
• Boxing League: Another sport close to Kapil's heart and many of its players comes from place where Kapil belongs to i.e. Punjab/Haryana .So it's also a possible option with Jindal Group being it’s title sponsor . They have already been running a similar initiative in the name of “ Will of Steel “
• Talent Hunt for all-rounder: It can be one of the reality shows where kapil act as judge and select a player  who joins one of the Team in next season of IPL.
•  Housing Project:  Real – Estate Developer launching multiple housing project across India and all of them have a cricket academy in it. In past we have seen many cricketers and Bollywood celebrity associated their name with Builders and promoting them in print/electronic media as MS Dhoni doing for Amarpali group.

This post can go on and on , as my imagination keep going wild and try to apply all possible permutation – combination to find the linkage between the clues to solve the Treasure hunt . But I leave the post here and better wait & watch the unfolding on May 7, 2015 as everyone would be doing across India and would make another post after the announcement

Till time do submit your thoughts about what it can be by clicking here or visiting http://www.eknayileague.com/

Teaser -> Version 2.0 : ASUS Zenfone

Phones have become a part of our life, or say an accessory of our body which is glued to our hand 24*7.

Calendar, Diaries, Alarm Clock, To-Do list and many other household/office utilities and stationery have been replaced by one device: Mobile phone. Whether we like it or not, our way of life is now revolve around this miniature monster and shaped by it. 

I have been doing a lot of research over weeks to upgrade my feature phone consisting of QWERTY Keypad to first touchscreen enabled smartphone.  Across Social Media Channel I found various review on MNC brands and local Indian Brands with plethora of option with almost no point to differentiate or justify the price band between one handset to another. So Instead of comparing spec , I started shortlisting on basis of Actual Buyer feedback posted and was horrified to know that many 10 MP + camera was behaving worse than VGA camera , 5.5 inch Jumbo phone can't survive 3-4 hours of battery life and many such real life incidents showing the difference in company claim and Field performance . 

But while growing through ASUS Zenfone Review, I found pretty consistency over ratings and feedback for their 5 & 6 Series on Flipkart and they have already sold in millions in past year. 

So I shortlisted ASUS based on Brand Image, User experience and ease of buying online. And With them Listed to Launch Next Gen Model of Zenfone 2 over last week of April, The wait is worth due to following specialty in the device. 

1.     Ultra-Thin Design: 5.5 Inch Model with 72% Screen to Body Ratio and that too just 39.5 mm inch thickness make it look trendy, stylish and comfortable in holding with a single hand.

2.     Ultra-Fast Processor  :  4 GB RAM topped with 2.3GHz 64-bit Intel® Atom™ Z3580 processor is bound to make this device feature on top list of Fast and Furious Phone to look out for ..  No lag in video streaming, gaming and multitasking is ensured.

3.     Power to Capture: Phone are less for Talking and more for Clicking & ZenFone 2’s 13MP PixelMaster camera with f/2.0-aperture lens is going to give DSLR a run for Money and can give professional touch to our amateur picture clicking skills.

4.     Personalized User Interface: ASUS own personalized user interface give them opportunity to customize and provide apps as per real time user feedback and to improve and share update on continuous basis till the hardware supports. And Zenfone 2 would be available with  ZenMotion, SnapView, Trend Micro™ Security apps to take care of security features and enhanced experience

5.     Ultra-fast Charging: Zero to 60% under 40 minutes is the Promise of Zenfone 2 which comes with “18W BoostMaster adapter “. So no waste of time, looking around for plug points anymore.

And along with this, Customized Accessories, Option to use Dual Sim and switching calls comes handy for user like me.

I am looking forward to grab one soon and am expecting best in class product with equally good after sale services from Asus.

Do check out complete specification at : http://www.asus.com/Phones/ZenFone_2_ZE551ML/ 

A Real Start

Life teaches you many lessons, some positive, some negative, some which create a miniscule impact on life, while some change the life by 360 degree. Similar was a change in my life, life of a perfect man leading luxuriously all through but with a sudden attack of disease, this luxury converted into a depressant life. How I overcame this phase & started a new life altogether has been narrated below.

It was 2002, when I was doing my B.Tech in Biotechnology, a highly pampered child of my parent, single son with all fulfilled wishes from big to small. It was my last year of biotechnology, me sitting in my library reading through those heavy books to make a mark in my career. Just then, my best friend came in & called me to refer one of the books which I was searching from past 10 days & couldn't read it. In a fit to have a glimpse of that book, I stood up with a smile, but it was just for a second, when the very next moment I found myself on the floor..No it was not a normal slip, neither somebody prompted or triggered it.All were at laugh ,even me ,but to my sudden shock ,I was unable to start ,when my friend came to my help & made me stood up. He lend me his hand & shoulder & made me walk to my hostel but it was the most painful walk I ever had ,neither could I walk in a proper manner ,nor could I take the usual steps..Both of us were shocked but just hoped that it might be some temporary muscle dislocation. 3 days passed, but I couldn't regain my normal walk, tension gripped me all over & I decided to discuss with my family & consult a doctor.

The same day my parents came over to my hostel to be with me in the moment of immense pain. Taking the appointment of the most famous surgeon, we landed at his steps the next day. With prayers in my heart ,hope in my mind ,with deep pain I reached there .But as said ,good times do not stay longer ,numerous tests were conducted ,doctor had some unknown fear & my test reports confirmed it. I had an immune suppressant attack..My mom fainted, I was in a state of deep shock & my dad sat with the doctor discussing the future course of action. It was not easy, I was in deep pain, unable to walk properly..

Medication was more painful, I became a victim of 3 injections every month worth Rs 3 lacs, surviving their after effects. Life became a hell ,somehow I managed to pass my graduation but there was big question mark on my Post Grad M.Tech ,as I was unable to regain the same power ,same senses & I actually lost my battle towards my dream of Biotech Engineer & scientist.

Somehow I managed to crack MAT ,which was the easiest considering my condition & I opted for MBA ,but this time again out of my house .

Well aware of the problems ,not at ease with the hostel guys ,I somehow took the admission & went ahead to nurture my dream. Daily comments ,laughs on my walk made things terrible initially but thanks to one of my friend ,with whom I found a perfect solace ,a companion ,who understood my very critical situation ,who decided to walk along my path ,who taught me the management basics ,who fought with me in the hospitals during my injection days..She brought a new life in me, ushered a new hope in me, & gave a confidence that I could win over my dreams & lead a normal life one day.

Those 2 years of togetherness was the best moment ,the care ,the support I got,brought about a big change in me .During the last 2 months of my MBA ,I was campus placed at a decent organization with a handsome package & yes the time had started to change. With all positive surroundings ,I was informed that I’m recovering ,the disease which had grappled me all over was slowly leaving my soul ,& in next 5 months I was back to myself. Yes, It was a big fight for almost 4 years, the most important phase of any man’s life with respect to career, family. My decision, confidence &the utmost support of my soul mate made me win over all the odds & prompted a start of new life, a new beginning once again #StartANewLife.

This post has been written for https://housing.com/ . Have a look at the lovely video attached

Haunting Memories .....

2014 hasn’t been that great year. More downs than up. There wasn’t much to write. Actually there was a lots to write but that would mean more whining. I did Encountered  a lot this year giving enough fodder to 450 gm Brain . But putting them  on my blog meant people getting frustrated reading my confusions  and cursing me for the same. " NO  :has been seem to became a adjective associated with me ..... NO for Hero honda ... No for IDEA ... No for TNS  ...No from parents  .. No for ... Ok enough ..

I guess I am currently in a state of Writer’s block but I was never a writer. I guess the steam finally ran out.

Maybe I have stopped feeling for anything and become more mechanical. But that is one thing I am sure of. I don’t feel much nowadays!

I have lots of anger and that’s lot of feelings but anger is spontaneous and mostly unnecessary. Writing about the time I am pissed with anybody or anything can make numerous posts but then I better forget it than write about it.

I plan to write about a topic and then just think about it till I finally lose interest in writing it. Some untold stories, some incomplete incidents remain in my computer waiting to be completed.

I don’t think I will be completing them anytime soon. Maybe never! The moment is gone and so are the memories.

Terminating with my Old Favourite Song Beautifully Narrated by Dev Anand ..........

 " Ma Zindagi Ka saath nibhata chala gaya , 

   Har fikr ko dhua ma udaata chala gaya ! 

                   Gum aur khushi ma fark na mahasus ho jaya ..............................

                                 Ma dil ko us mukam pa lata chala gaya !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! "

( Taken from a old write - up i wrote same time last year .... finally posting ) 

Two poles of Mind

Many time we don't need someone to argue ... its our own mind which takes poles apart to start the discussion

there is a topic which is currently peeps up every time i am alone or aloof  which is " what to do next " . i am at a place where i am at age of 26 after a hell of qualification which people term is necessary enough to climb whichever ladder i want to ...still don;t able to set my priorities straight .

so the discussion begin with if i want peace of mind or i want material pleasure  ??? first stand  .. lets go back to home town to live back with papa . mummy with nephew - niece , with sisters and all other for whom i care .. may be back i can't please them with monetary gifts but i can be with them in small events .. sadness and happiness making all of them to part of my memory , cherish the pleasure to be with them becaz if i realize after 5-10 yr this point and then there will no-one who can have same bonding with me as they have in present ... may be then jodhpur will became same as what delhi is for me today ..........

But the counter points comes - hey monu  there are 15- 17 of your cousin who are there with family but see their living standard .. they are almost at same place where u left 4 yrs back .. there family seems unaffected by their presence ..they had become a part of the furniture out there . Also My Family had Expectation ... i want to buy them stuff which they missed to bring life to three of us ... my nephew and niece sees me as uncle who will bring loads of gift  .. they take me as ideal who is fighting against all odd , leaving far away from family and always made all the right decision .. and back home i will not able to provide the extra things which i always wanted for myself ....my parents made my life better then their own ... now its my duty to pass this leagcy to future chaps ..

And now its not about me .. its about us ...i known she has all good intentions ...she will be a good housewife ..but the fears of in-law make her scared of jodhpur ... I truly understand her point as making it with my mother is a big gamble and in case things don;t make up well , life of all will be hell .. somewhat what we encountered in last trip ...

Truly speaking , till time i was alone in delhi .. all pain - problems i tried to absorbed on my own ...Not transferring that to my family ... knowing that they are already dealing with many back there ... but now i am scared i want to give comfort to her and doesn't known the definition of Ideal Husband .. may be nobody trained or explained what is called a good husband is .. i am still like her old friend who can resolve her difficulty but now to fixer my role has become planner .. her life planner and that makes things scared what if my decision went wrong ?? .


Hope like always ... my mind comes up with a solution by gods grace just before the time i am about to  break .. i known i believed this for 26 year and this going to be continue ..thats why people call me Smart ... and i knw who is behind this smartness .... My gods blessing . 

CERC _ Proposed Benchmark Tariff for Solar project 2014-15

CERC has recently published their proposed Tariff and Cost estimation for Renewable Energy Project for FYI 2014-15 . It is worthwhile to note that :

Proposed Price of Solar PV Plant – Rs. 5.87 cr/ MW

Proposed Solar PV Tariff without AD – Rs. 6.86/unit

Proposed Solar PV Tariff with AD – Rs. 6.19 /Unit 

This is significantly lower than last year Estimation and the biggest drop is seen in the Solar Modules Price which is considered as INR 3.2 Crore / MW which is below average price as agreed by majority of the Bigger IPP Players when compared to their recent purchases .

There going to be strong objection to benchmark adopted for calculation and the final outcome would set tone for upcoming solar tender worth 3000 -4000 MW this year .

Complete PDF is Available on below mention link and last date of submission of comments/feedback was 18th march 2015 .

Link : http://www.cercind.gov.in/2014/draft_reg/Public%20NoticeFY2015-2016.pdf