Maruti Suzuki suffers a snag, vows to recall 100,000 cars forecasting worse

Maruti Suzuki, subsidiary of Japan's globally celebrated Suzuki Motor Corp., and also leading carmaker of India, suffered a major ignominy when it had to acknowledge publicly that it is on the verge of recalling 100,000 cars in India and abroad on account of potential fuel leakage problems. There is almost no doubt that this is the first time when such a giant automobile maker is going through such a bad phase. As per the latest reports, close to 50,000 of the popular A Star hatchbacks have been recalled since November, from India and from export markets including Europe, Australia and North Africa. This has also been corroborated by company spokesman Puneep Dhawan.

It is worthwhile to mention that Maruti Suzuki makes about one of every two cars sold in India and with the A Star, it is transforming India into a small car production hub for export. However, there are other aspects as well. The recall comes in the shadow of Toyota Motor Corp.'s worldwide recall of 8.5 million vehicles in order to fix acceleration and braking problems in more than a few models. But none of them is in India. Keep in mind that A-Star is branded as the Alto in Europe, where it is also retailed as the Pixo by Nissan. It is known as the Celerio in non-European markets.

Now the question lies regarding the origin of this crisis. In accordance with the company, automobiles manufactured between November 2008 and August 2009 consist of a flawed fuel pump gasket and O-ring, which can leak as soon as the fuel tank is topped. On the word of Mr. Puneep Dhawan, company spokesman, the hitch was found out during an internal check and there is a relief too, no customers have complained up to now.

The news had an instant impact on the company's shares on the Bombay Stock Exchange and it did suffer a jolt.

Why is Indian education system on the wane?

“Access to the Vedas is the greatest privilege this century may claim over all previous centuries.” ---- J. Robert Oppenheimer ('Father of the Atomic Bomb'1904-1967)

“What we shall find in Modern Physics is an exemplification, an encouragement and a refinement of old Hindu wisdom." Julius R. Oppenheimer -- (1904-1967),

“Indian philosophers’ subtleties make most of the great European philosophers look like schoolboys.” ---- T.S. Eliot

The quotations of these two noble laureates have been used at the outset to prove the India that was once upon a time. India, at that time, was not only known for acumen, efficiency but also for innovation (that got depicted at times through science, philosophy and also literature). On the contrary, the present India stands for steady degradation, where the education system emphasizes text- book based knowledge more. What is most striking, Indian technological sector, especially the engineering colleges do also abide by the same principle. Indian engineering colleges still evaluate students' skills based on their ability to repeat the text- book knowledge in the exams, rather than on their aptitude to think 'out-of-box.' Even though this is a painful realization, it is cruel and true.

But never assume this as any mere speculation. Even premier Indian educationalists have started to acknowledge the same and one of them is certainly Dr. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Head of Electrical Engineering Department at IIT Chennai. As per him, "Education system is one cog in the wheel, which affects students to a certain level" and all these proves his bitter experiences in a few words.

Nevertheless, Dr. Jhunjhunwala is not alone, he is joined by none other than Professor K Gopinath, Computer Science & Automation (CSA), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. In accordance with Professor Gopinath, India's education system shoots down the spirit of creation or simply innovation among students by not enabling them to exemplify their skills at university level.

Who is most blameworthy then? Is it the Indian education system or the Indian society in general? What do you think?

Is Google trying to avert crisis through enhancing Internet speed?

Is Google too in a fix? Well, this scribe is not sure of any such eventuality but seeing the hurriedness of Google Inc. or its vigor to increase speed of Internet connections in the realm of U.S., this question comes to the brain only. So let’s put the question straightly. Is everything fine for Google? If we look at its revenues, there can’t be any reason to get skeptical but there is also an aphorism – It’s only the wearer knows where the shoes pinches. Has Google worn such a shoe? Or are the coming days getting tough for Google? Perhaps the second question is more relevant.

Maybe you have gone through this issue already. If not, let me say again. The globally acclaimed search giant is prepared to take a provisional step toward fixing one of its longest-held gripes: the speed of Internet connections in the U.S. Whatever may be the formal announcement, it seems Google Inc. is leaving no stone unturned to do the same.

The issue that was in air for some months got strengthened when in the blog post on Feb. 10, Google product managers Minnie Ingersoll and James Kelly presented the company's plan to render as many as 500,000 people in a small number of venues with fiber-optic Internet connections capable of one gigabit per second (Gbps). This is in excess of 100 times faster than the typical U.S. broadband connection speed these days. The project is not only too buoyant but exceedingly expensive also and if we rely on analysts, costs could run north of $1 billion to install and maintain the new network.

How do you find the same? You may concur that Google Inc. can do anything but there must be some specific reason behind such a desperate approach. Isn’t it?

Read this recent annunciation of Google Inc. "We want to see what developers and users can do with ultra-high speeds, whether it's creating new bandwidth-intensive 'killer apps' and services, or other uses we can't yet imagine." Do you find any agony or an aggression? Offence is surely the best defence; without doubt Google is playing the same strategy.

RIM brings forth modernized Internet browser, to exist and expand

Research In Motion Ltd refuses to bow down to any and in order to be ahead of all raging contenders, it has brought to the fore a modernized version of Internet browser for its devices. Well, the first and foremost intention is always the same; it is to attract non-business customers to a larger extent.

Speaking on this accomplishment, Mike Lazaridis, Co-Chief Executive Officer and inventor of the BlackBerry (RIM is maker of the BlackBerry phone) stated with vigor, the new offer can expand the market opportunity for the BlackBerry platform to a greater extent. Lazaridis played the important role in displaying the new WebKit browser at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

How do you define this initiative then? Is Research In Motion too desperate to attain the height of success? Well, even though nothing is confirmed yet, it seems so. It is to be noted that in the month of October Research In Motion (RIM) became instrumental in launching renovated variant of the Storm -- a larger-screen BlackBerry for easier browsing. The main idea was to retort to assorted reviews of the first edition and competition from Apple Inc.’s iPhone and Motorola Inc.’s Droid. Well, some experts have already made it clear that RIM needs to ameliorate its browsers in order to allure clientele in a market spilling over with contending devices.

It ought to be mentioned that RIM’s competitors have brought better browsers to the market thus far and in order to exist in the rapidly changing market and also to attain success it is high time for RIM to do something.

Research In Motion happens to be a prominent designer, manufacturer and vendor of innovative wireless solutions in the realm of international market of mobile communications. RIM, by means of developing integrated hardware, software and services that strengthen the saga of multiple wireless network standards, brings forth a solid foundation for consistent and coherent approach to time-sensitive information like email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications.

Samsung firm to proffer reasonable smartphones to arrest new consumers

Even though coming days, as stated by copious numbers of studies, are going to be tough for the global business scenario, Samsung, globally acclaimed multinational conglomerate, seems to be confident and the company, thanks to the changing reality, shall focus on smartphones more than ever before. It has also been found that the same is going to be the crux of Samsung's mobile strategy in 2010 and the company will leave no stone unturned to distinguish itself through proffering more reasonable options. You may be wondering of the source. All these have come out from Hankil Yoon’s chin-wagging with press and media at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Keep in mind that Hankil Yoon is Vice President – Samsung (Product Planning).

What makes the Samsung bigwig talk in this way? On the word of Yoon, a new section of clientele in quest of light and easy-featured phones has come to the fore. It’s not easy to convince them even though diversification of OS offerings can do the magic. What did Yoon confirm more? As stated by Hankil Yoon, Samsung did not finish up launching any Android phones at MWC this year, but the platform has the ability to have rapid footing in 2010. Windows 7 and the Linux-based LiMo are also "on the horizon."

However experts are giving emphasis to Bada to a great extent and as per a large number of them, it can become Samsung’s most formidable weapon in the coming days. What is Bada then? Bada is basically a Samsung-only platform that is based on Samsung's feature-phone OS and is adding many APIs for third party developers to generate well-off applications.

It is worthwhile to mention that Samsung, only on Sunday, brought to the fore its first Bada-based phone, the Wave S8500. Wave S8500 has been found as a slim, touchscreen phone and consists of a Samsung-made 1-GHz processor, a "Super AMOLED" screen and 720p high-def video capabilities.

Proper education helps people to thwart heart diseases

How can heart diseases be thwarted? There are, if truth be told, lots of ways across the globe but if you are in quest of success stories only, you shall have to focus on Wilkes-Barre General Hospital situated in the US state of Pennsylvania. Now the question is why should we? Well, the one and only answer is that they have got the success. How? If we take into consideration views of Dr. Mark Bernardi, DO, Medical Director of The Heart and Vascular Institute at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, the prognosis from the doctors is well and effective and with the passing of each year, the rate of success in increasing by leaps and bounds.

It should be remembered that among the populace in the vicinity of hospital or medical institution the rate of heart dieses were high. The concerned doctors or medical practitioners from Wilkes-Barre General Hospital started educating the people of the perilous causes of heart disease and how to avert the same. In their own words, the public is getting better at making the choices for a heart-healthy lifestyle and for recognizing the risks of heart disease and the symptoms of heart attacks. As stated by Dr. Bernardi, all these endeavors have led to fewer heart attacks each year and what is more striking, the number of survivors have increased even among patients having heart attacks. Isn’t this quite great? There is no doubt in this.

Dr. Bernardi has no qualms in stating public awareness continues to get better to a large extent. Take for instance the views of Alfred S. Casale, Associate Chief Medical Officer, Geisinger Health System, NE, and Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Pearsall Heart Hospital, Geisinger Wyoming Valley. As per him, the consciousness has been such even if the concerned prey fails to recognize the attack, one his loved ones become successful to identify the same pernicious development.

Nevertheless, the rate of smoking in the vicinity is still high and this bitter truth continues to perturb the doctors. This, they have stated, is an alarming trend although some successes in stopping smoking in younger persons, in particular females, have been found.

What can we conclude then? Proper education and consciousness helps people to get rid of heart diseases. Do you have any other view? Perhaps not!

"My Name Is Khan" – too slapdash

There have been lots of diatribes from right-wing Hindu conservatives against the screening of 'My Name Is Khan" in India; the film, especially its content, has been termed as the brainchild of pro-Pakistan elements in the realm of the nation. All these led to a curiosity among commoners and in the Indian metropolises copious numbers of Shahrukh Khan aficionados were found to rush to the theaters in close proximity to have a view. What has been the end result then? Before getting into the same it ought to be said had the conservatives perceived the film, there wouldn’t have been any such fuss. The film is not only too mediocre but fails to exhibit the basic thought also.

What went wrong then? Till now the majority of viewers have not been able to discern the real subject of the movie. What is it about? Is it a protest against terming Muslims as terrorists across the globe in general or is it a love story in an uncanny ambiance? It’s too confusing, if truth be told.

One can find all sorts of contentious subjects ranging from racial biases, aftermath of 9/11, war on terror and many other closet issues along with a love affair between Khan (Shahrukh Khan), a man afflicted with a type of autism and a single mother (Kajol). The main protagonist Khan (Shahrukh Khan) moves to US, falls in love and marries the heroine (even if we become able to assign such importance to her).

Their life changes after 9/11 incident in US and Khan gets vulnerable to racial attacks and also dressing downs and he sets off on the lookout for President Obama believing that, if he meets him, all will be fine. But the confusion starts from here. What’s after that and where does it go from there? There is no precise answer and we get confounded.

This is the crux of the film and perhaps director Karan Johar wanted to convey the same message. Let the audience remain befuddled! What’s the success then? Well, I have failed to get any even if the film is on a large scale and beautifully shot. Words like jihad, 9/11 and al Qaeda were used too frequently but still now none knows the necessity of bringing those to the fore. Surely those are without context. The film is undoubtedly too shoddy. Can I use the word slapdash?

Mercedes-Benz to seize Indians with its all-new flagship sedan

Long before others we made a forecast – Indian fiscal scenario, quite unaffected in spite of worldwide brunt of recession (causing envy among its western counterparts), is changing for betterment steadily. It has been proved and by none save for Mercedes-Benz. The globally acclaimed German manufacturer of luxury automobiles has brought to the fore its all-new flagship sedan, the ‘S350 L’ and the ‘S350 CDI L BlueEFFICIENCY’ in India and all these indicate competition in the higher end luxury car segment in Indian soil is rising once again.

However, it is to be noted that S-Class, with in excess of 53% of market share, is the market leader in the Indian scenario and thanks to the latest approach of its parent company, the brand, from this time forth, will go together with a horde of features all aimed at mollycoddling its esteemed clientele with high levels of comfort and safety.

What are the novel distinctive traits then? There is the presence of climatised seats together with a massage function for the rear seats are customary in conjunction with an Advance Parking Guidance system, ATTENTION ASSIST, LED Light Package and a first for the 2010 S-Class, SPLITVIEW technology. This makes it easier for both driver and front passenger to view different functions on the same screen in unison.

What may be the benefit if you prefer to opt for the back seat? In that case, the car has the intrinsic competence to treat you to redesigned entertainment screens with two wireless headphones and a remote for easy use.

On the word of company officials, ‘S350 L’ will bring out a 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine generating 272 HP and 345 NM or torque whereas the oil burner is a 3.0 litre V6 rendering the driver with a total of 210 horses and a mammoth 490 NM of torque at just 1600 rpm. What are the prices then?

The aforesaid lines prove that they are meant affluent Indians only and the prices for the diesel and petrol versions of the luxury barge are Rs 80.5 lakh and Rs 82 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) respectively.

Apple’s iPad enlivens moribund scenario, admits Flurry Analytics

Certainly one single instrument or device or innovation or even approach can create a major difference between two contenders fighting neck and neck and can inflict a harsh defeat in due course. Perhaps you have got baffled by now and without making more fuss, I must reveal the name which is being discussed. Well, it’s Apple’s iPad, quite responsible to create a sensation and enliven a moribund market yet again. On the word of Flurry Analytics, acclaimed mobile analysis firm, based on number of applications available for each type of device, Google's (GOOG) Android OS was closing the gap with Apple's (AAPL) iPhone throughout the second half of 2009 but iPad has made the difference altogether.

What was the precise observation of Flurry then? As indicated by the firm, through following new application starts, it did realize a 25% month-over-month growth in new Android projects over that period and a slender loosening in the number of new iPhone apps. But the difference took place in the month of January, and Apple moved ahead. Again, as per Flurry, only in the same month of January, the number of iPhone developers adding its tracking code to new projects moved three-fold over December.

All these have come to the fore thanks to Flurry Analytics’ latest endeavor, release of its most recent edition of the "Smartphone Industry Pulse" for January 2010. We have already stated but it must be made clear yet again that the beginning of 2010 has been massive and stands for largest surge in application starts in the history of the analysis firm's tracking. Flurry initiated its journey in January with more than 1,600 new applications in contrast to fewer than 600 in the month of December.

In accordance with Flurry Analytics, the sole credit goes to Apple's iPad event in January and more are still to come.

Don’t go for shoveling; it’s dangerous

If you do live in an area vulnerable to snowstorm and are also having a weak heart, never try to opt for shoveling. The same instruction applies for middle aged people or older people, especially with a history of heart problems. If you are new to this, learn it from now that shoveling is quite dangerous and any type of carelessness or inadvertence may lead to death. Have you got the message?

Well, it may be that you are getting skeptical of the wise advice and still consider that shoveling is nothing more than any fun. I think that you should go through the websites dealing with the snowstorm that has subdued the United States, especially the capital Washington DC. The situation is not only dreadful owing to the latest wave of snowstorms that struck snow-novice areas of Maryland and Washington D.C., a number of deaths have been reported as well. Never think that all have occurred owing to sudden cardiac death but shoveling has also been playing a great role.

Where lies the problem then? If we take the views of experts into consideration, problem hails from people’s ignorance. Little they do know that a shovel full of wet snow can weigh as much as 15 to 16 pounds. For that reason if someone is shoveling snow at a rate of 12 shovelfuls per minute, he will have moved nearly a ton of snow if shoveling his driveway in only 10 minutes. There is a need of great physical strength hence. Do you have it within yourself? Are you sure?

This is highly important. If you develop acute symptoms while shoveling, you ought to stop shoveling first and sit down and rest inside.

Google Buzz pains us

Online social networking is already in vogue and as far India goes, Orkut and Facebook, certainly Twitter too, is dominating the national scenario. Latest news is that you can even come across (given that the fortune sanctions) some of the busiest Indian politicians in Twitter! All these made us optimistic of Goggle Buzz, being knowledgeable of Google’s marvels exceedingly. But with painful heart we have to acknowledge that something is missing in Google Buzz. What’s that? None knows it yet but already within a day it has annoyed a good section of worldwide people – the number is increasing steadily.

Is the wrong with Google solely? Or has the technology applied failed to deliver? This also remains unknown so far but many have already alleged Google Buzz is breaching their privacy tooth and nail and some have even stated that through merging two worlds, personal and professional, it is a new menace. Have you gone to Google Buzz? Well, I’ve and am in the first group hence. Well, you have every right to hold opposing views.

What’s the aim of Google Buzz? Is it almost like Orkut or Facebook? Well, Google Buzz is believed to list the people one follows and the people following him depending on whom he contacts the most. But this has not been the case and contrary to the popular belief, it has proved difficult to block some followers, many of whom have not been contacted for a long time. This became mostly exasperating when it appeared that there was no obvious mechanism to do so.

There have been other potent reasons of annoyances too but we don’t want to deal with those since further developments are awaited.

However, it can certainly be said, even if we don’t know whether there shall be improvements in near future, Google Buzz has pained us.

Is PayPal recklessly determined to ravage Indian economy?

What may happen if your bank or depository financial institution stops payments out of the blue? There is hardly any doubt that hell will fall upon you and leave you fuming and pertinent organizations, regardless of right or left, will leave no stone unturned to transform the gross anger into a mass struggle. Well, the situation with Indian users of PayPal is just the same but there has been no mass upsurge yet. Reason? The entire situation is baffling as PayPal, notable online payment and money-transfer service that allows you to send money via email, phone, text message or Skype, has not issued any statement thus far in this regard. What can be done then? This question is not of only you but of thousands of users as well.

Is this the fallout of any major conspiracy to inflict a heavy blow on the vigorous and mounting Indian economy? We do not want to think in this way but such theories can’t be brushed aside too for the reason that India’s relatively safer position in the previous worldwide recession astounded the western big players substantially.

What are the traditional PayPal users doing then? They can’t do anything save for criminating the online payment and money-transfer service and this is haunting them most at the moment. A number of users whose transactions have been reversed are giving vent to their frustration on online forums and message boards. It has been found that funds requested through PayPal India are being canceled officially without more ado and users are totally clueless, without a shred of doubt.

Even if you are not a PayPal user, its standard response to own clientele appears to be nothing less than farcical and this is quite certain. The rejoinder states categorically, “Your payment of xxx has been sent back to the sender of the payment. We reversed this payment because we have stopped allowing personal payments to be sent to or from India.”

“If this was a payment for a purchase of goods or services, and not a personal payment, then you may contact the buyer and have him or her resend the payment as follows: (a) click the Send Money tab, (b) select “Goods,” and (c) provide a shipping address.

“If this payment was a personal payment such as a gift, then we have requested that the sender find another payment method until we restore personal payments to and from India. We are trying to resolve this issue as quickly as possible and we’re sorry for any inconvenience.”

What conclusion can be drawn from here? It seems that the issue is not going to be resolved so soon and even if this happens, it is a temporary arrangement. Perhaps worse is still to come.

What is the Indian government doing then? Though there has been no official government retort yet, perhaps, as usual it is keeping tabs on the development. Will the Indian government be able to do anything? How can you expect it? After all, you are an Indian and hence, are an orphan.

Is RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 ideal for a commoner?

What is the first and foremost issue then? It is nothing other than whether the latest exclusive form of Blackberry Smartphone from RIM (Research In Motion) - RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 can cater the needs or simply gratify the rising aspirations of the common people. Well, the whole world and certainly experts are, in point of fact, divided over its chances of success. While one group seems to have the conviction, the other seems to be hesitant a bit yet. What can we deduce then? This is the million dollar question and what we ought to do is to check out the merits and demerits (if there is any).

The majority of experts do confirm that the sleeker design of RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 is unique and the presence of aspects like optical trackpad, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a brilliant display make the whole superstructure more elegant. It is to be noted that the Smartphone is 3G proficient and brings forth Wi-Fi with UMA support, Bluetooth, and GPS. It also gets a faster processor and updates to BlackBerry OS 5.0.

Is this all? Perhaps not since some faults have also been identified. On the word of few experts,the BlackBerry browser doesn't compare to the competition in any way. What is more, even though the handset's compact size brings about a smaller display and keyboard, but they aren't deal-breakers. Whatever it is, professionals have not shied away from praising the device extensively; they do consider that RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700 brings T-Mobile its first 3G BlackBerry and surpasses its predecessor with a sleeker design and more supremacy. Is it ideal for a commoner then? It seems so.

Research In Motion happens to be a prominent designer, manufacturer and vendor of innovative wireless solutions in the realm of international market of mobile communications. RIM, by means of developing integrated hardware, software and services that strengthen the saga of multiple wireless network standards, brings forth a solid foundation for consistent and coherent approach to time-sensitive information like email, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications.