Rising Sun

Alas the weekend comes to an end, perhaps the loneliest one I have had in years though I can’t say it was boring. And the reason for that is a thriller novel which I started on Friday eve and finished by Sunday night. The weekend was spent with Michael Crichton’s ‘Rising Sun’. On a scale of 10 I would rate the book as 7.
A nice fast moving suspense story that doesn’t bore you at any point of time and holds your attention all through. It starts with a rape and murder at a high profile party and since I was reading Michael Crichton for the first time, I expected it to be another of those Sidney Sheldon type sex, crime and glamour thrillers but it turned out to be more than that. It revolves around the impact of Japan on the American industry and economy. The author is of the view that the America has been screwed up by Japan and the economy is going down.
The hi-fi video and imaging techniques described in the book are simply amazing. Infact technology is one of the most important pillars holding the suspense of the story. The terms and lingo of photography and video recordings were really exciting and intellectual.
The cover of the book aptly shows the basic themes of the book: a murder and Japan. It seems the book is like a warning note to the American people to get back on their feet and get going or else they’ll be left far behind the Japanese. The author doesn’t criticize the Japan but instead wants the American people to learn from them.

The book was written about 15 years back, and hence, only at one or two places talks about the effect of other Asians apart from Japan. Had the book been set in today’s times I am sure the novelist would have been more worried about how the manufacturing and services are being outsourced to India and China. The book discusses a critical question about whether the strategically important industries be controlled by the Government in spite of losses or to leave it to the dynamics of the free market. Another controversial issue brought up is that of racism. The writer shares the views of the comedian Russel Peters that we Asians and Africans have scared the shit out of the Americans with this racism issue and the Americans are frightened to see anybody in a racist way. Its we Asians who actually are the most racist lot now.
Over all an interesting read with some value additions in terms of technology, economics and politics.

Bengaloorued

I am back in the Silicon Valley of India after a gap of more than two years for my summer internship @Wipro. Though I have been to all the major IT hubs of India but still Bangalore leads the pack by a long way. This isn't my 1st visit to the Silicon Valley of India, though all the previous trips were on weekends so I hadn't seen the hustle-bustle of the office goers.

I am staying at IIM Bangalore for the 1st one month. And somehow I can't stop comparing the campus with heaven. Though I haven't visited the latter, but still I believe it can't be much better than this campus. The weather, the lush green trees, the aesthetic architecture, decently luxurious hostels and the high speed internet connection in the room (an important criteria once you experience the net at IIT D) make the place an unbelievable. Very few areas within the city can give you the luxury of enjoying the chirping of birds because just as you step outside the campus you feel as if you have steeped into a warzone. Its soo peaceful ,quiet and clean along with with all the facilities. It gives the feeling of 'real' b-school life which was somewhat missing from my life in the last one year.

But the same utopian experience doesn't hold true for the city in general. A 4 km distance between my residence and office takes me anywhere between 40 to 60 minutes. The roads are jammed any time of the day and if it starts to rain, that 4km distance will appear longer than the distance to moon because no matter what you do, the traffic won't move an inch. Its a curse to own a sedan in this city. Its difficult to imagine what will be the condition of this once beautiful city in the years to come. More so because there are hardly any steps being taken. I wish the least the Govt can do is to write the source-destination on the buses in English. That will help people like me to sometimes avoid an auto and take a bus. Imagine the plight of a person who can't afford auto everytime and doesn't know Kannada. This fanaticism for the local language will give even the French a run for their money.