Exhibition of 50 patented inventions

While reading today's news bits, I was in for a surprise. The first ever exhibition on patented inventions is being held in the city of Ahmedabad. The exhibition named as “Promoting Innovative Cluster – TECH TRANSFER 2010" is organized by Skyquest Tech Group, a Global Technology Aggregator & Accelerator working in the areas of Life Sciences and Green Technologies.

Interestingly, the exhibition is a first of its kind patent showcase that has been organised in the country, where patent holders (sellers) and companies (potential buyers) will come face-to-face on the same platform to discuss, negotiate and strike a deal.

I so want to attend the exhibition, if my google alerts could have captured this event on time. I need to revise my google alert strategy to include keywords for capturing events like these.

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DVD on Rent - Home Entertainment Redefined

While driving down to office yesterday, my mind, vacillating between the impressions of Scarlett Johansonn and the regressions of recession, took notice of a huge hoarding. The hoarding, put up just in front of Convergys building, displayed the release of Nolan's blockbuster "The Dark Knight" on DVD. The DVDs were available for sale at BigHome Video, and for rent on BigFlix.

Suddenly, my mind reacted, as it sensed a golden opportunity of having the illegal DVD-Rip of Heath Ledger's masterpiece on my Laptop. However, some how the impression of BigFlix remained and I decided to research about BigFlix on reaching office.

After I was done with my daily log-in rituals in office, I decided to research "Bigflix" on the web. I logged onto their website. A 10 minute pursuing made me aware of what business is BigFlix into. BigFlix, an ADA group of company, is one of India's largest DVD Rental Chain, with over 18K+ movie and television titles, and franchisee in 10 Indian cities.

I was aware of the "DVD on Rent" culture prevalent in United States, but the same culture spreading its root in India took me aback. Moreover, the whole thought of freedom from locating torrents and then patiently downloading movies, incited an interest in me of subscribing to a DVD rental company, to satisfy my obsession with movies. So, I decided to research the DVD Rental market to ascertain the DVD rental company I will be subscribing to.

Following points may represent salient features of my research:

• Major Players: The major players in the DVD rental space in Delhi NCR would be BigFlix, Seventymm, Moviemart and CatchFlix.

• USPs: The USPs of almost all the players is their huge inventory, online cataloging, searching and ordering features, and free home delivery and picking facility of the DVDs.

• Key Differentiators: According to me, the key differentiators are inventory and pricing.

I tried establishing the domination of the inventory by searching for two main types of titles. Firstly, I searched for DVDs of Oscar winning titles and then for DVDs of relatively lesser known Hindi titles. The result, BigFlix and Seventymm provided the best online inventory results.

As far as pricing is concerned, I found BigFlix providing more flexible and cheaper plans as compared to others, especially when compared to Seventymm.

• Discounts and Schemes: During the course of my research, I realized that most of the major players come up with discounts and schemes regularly.

At present, BigFlix is providing upto 50 % discount on subscription fees of various subscription plans thereof. Moreover, Seventymm also has a Christmas offer running, which provides upto 40 % discount on all its plans.

• Other Differentiators: Shipping flexibility, and Rental policy.

Finally, I decided to subscribe to BigFlix, my decision driven by the following factors:

1. Reliance on the ADA brand name
2. Better flexibility of subscription plans
3. BigFlix store located in the neighborhood

I am expecting my first lot of rented DVD's (“Jane tu ya Jane Naa” and “Goodfellas”) to be delivered to me on Saturday. Looking forward to watching both the titles on the weekend.

Adios!

The Year of the Mozart from Madras

2008 has truly been a year of Rahman (and if I may add here, in total contrast, 2008 has not been a year for Ratan Tata). For Rahman, the year started with the intimate music of Jodhaa-Akbar, and ended with the indulging music of Gajini. And mind you, Rahman had no less success throughout the year, with music for movies, such as Yuvvraaj and Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, a huge hit. Clearly, Rahman has replenished the ink of his seal on Bollywood, and no wonder, has compelled all directors to sing to the tunes of “No body can dance in front of me salla.”

            But, for me the greatest achievement of 2008 for Rahman has come in the form of Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Score for Danny Boyle's upcoming film Slumdog Millionaire. The Golden Globe nomination proves that Rahman’s music really doesn’t have any boundaries, however, in retrospect one may argue that Rahman’s music has always connected to a global audience, with successes like Elizabeth, and Bombay Dreams.

            All be it, this time it is a bit different. The music of Slumdog has startled the global audience, with critics acknowledging that the music is global with no inspiration of Bollywoodism, this despite some of the tracks being overwhelmed with Hindi rhymes. The “globalism” of Rahman’s music may be acknowledged by considering the fact that M.I.A (real name Mathangi 'Maya' Arulpragasam); a famous UK based pop singer of Indian origin has made her way out with Rahman with her UK No.1 track, the Paper Planes, included in this album.

 And mind you, those who have had a chance of listening to Slumdog’s Music, which is slated to release in India in January next year, will agree that Rahman has indeed created a masterpiece. The music has the usual “Rahman kick” with his trademark pulsating background scores mixed with superb experimentation.

This time, the experimentation performed by Rahman is captivating. Rahman has displayed brilliance by including some unusual (but common) sounds. Moreover, he has been brilliant in fusing Indian classical overtures with cool western beats. For example, the best track in the album for me “Mausam & Escape” exemplifies Rahman's fusing brilliance. The track starts with a brilliant note on the Sitar, then moves to a fusion of beats therewith, and concludes with a duet of beats and violin. 

However, after listenting to such experimentation, one may ponder that will Sumdog’s music satisfy the taste of Indian listeners? I believe, Rahman this time has created a music of global genre, and he should be rest assured that the Indian listeners are matured enough to accept and appreciate it.

Pasta from Sicily

It is amazing to heed, how Italian food has slowly crept into a typical Indian’s gastronomic life. Nowadays, you may easily find a good Italian Restaurant in your neighbourhood market. Or, you won’t be surprised on discovering two pages of the menu of a multi-cuisine restaurant filled with Fusilli, Cavatelli, Fiorentine, Lasagne, Fettuccine, and Spaghetti.

        However, not many will observe that Italian food, which looks extravagant, may be really easy to cook. Therefore, having "Italian on the table" may prove to be a really good trick up your sleeve. I will be sharing with you a simple Italian recipe – Sicilian Pasta. This is the first Pasta recipe that I learned, and you may say mastered. The USP of the recipe are easy to cook, and really low on calories (for the conscientious).

Sicilian Pasta (Veg/ Non-Veg)

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

 Key Ingredients:

• Pasta - Any type of pasta, but I prefer it with Fusilli (Unfortunately, Fusilli was out of stock, so you may see Penne in the pic)
• Olive Oil (Mind you, Olive Oil is essential for any Italian cooking)
• Chopped Garlic - 4 to 5
• Chilli Flakes - 1 Table Spoon
• 1 Small Broccoli – Finely Chopped
• Optionally, 1 cup of boiled chicken or red meat (preferrable) 
• Desi Paneer
• Salt, and Pepper and Oregano for seasoning

Follow This:

• Boil the Pasta. Make sure you rinse the Pasta properly. Note: The quality of Pasta is critical, avoid the “Bambino” pasta and locate a better quality pasta in a nearby super market store. I prefer Savorit Pastas (Rs. 70 per packet), available at Reliance Fresh Stores.
• Pour about 3 table spoon olive oil in a pan, add the chopped garlic, and chilli flakes
• Sauté till garlic changes its colour to light golden brown
• Add the Broccoli, simmer the flame and sauté the Broccoli
• Add the Pasta and Toss the Pasta for about 5 minutes
• There goes my grated paneer
• Toss the Pasta frequently, add salt to taste and add seasoning (if required) in the end

Hopefully cooking Karim's inspired "Badam Pasanda" this X'Mas at Sanyal's place. So watch out the post for the recipe.