Today while searching for images using Yahoo's search, I noticed that most of the results found are from flickr. Flickr is a photo sharing site own by yahoo just like Picasa by google.

Here is a preview of the result when I searched for Jantar Mantar. (a monument situated in New Delhi, India) I am surprised to see that 15 out of 18 images on the first page are from flickr and only 3 are from other sites.



Then I decided to do it again, but this time I searched for Lotus Temple. And here is the result.



This time again 15 out of 18 are from flickr. I know yahoo owns this but that doesn't means that the world end there. I don't know whether this is b'coz of their too liking for flickr or inability to search elsewhere.
I am not saying that the results found were not good. They are good but better if there are variety to look from.

Reddit it !!

Recently I got to know this site Reddit , found quite interesting and here I am sharing a piece with you.



Reddit is a kind of infomation sharing site. Reddit members share all kinds of news, article, blog, video, picture, jokes...from round the world. The whole idea is very simple. People post the links of the news they like and others rate it with their comments. The comments posted here are very precocious, civilized and not cheap like you see on the you tube. Honestly I liked the comments more than reading the news itself. And you can spent hours reading that.

What I also liked about this site is it's simplicity. All the features are arranged in an proper place, and quite easy to understand. You can also even subscribe to the kind of news you want. So when you have nothing to do, log on to this site and read some of the excellent comments of the earth.

Image Tagging

For all those who are not familier with the term Image tagging, it is a mechanism of associating tags with the pictures, which help when we google images. Let us take an example.

It's a simple picture of a car. We can attach tags like "blue, blue car, future car" and like that to this image. Search engines also take into consideration these tags while searching. So higher the relevant tags, better is the result.

On August 31, 2006 Google launched the "Google Image Labeler". It's a type of game that requires the users to label the images shown to them.

Luis von Ahn of Carnegie Mellon University developed this kind of ESP Game (game that uses the computational power of humans to perform a task that computers cannot yet do).
The rules for the game is very simple.

* Google pairs you with a randomly selected online partner. Then you and your partner both shown with a same set of images.

* You come up with as many labels you can and your partner will do the same. When both of you come up with the same label you will be awarded points according to the specificness of the image.
Eg if there is a photo of blue car, the label "blue car" will fetch you more points than the label "car" or "blue".

* You will be given 2 min. of time and can also pass the image if nothing comes to your mind.

At the end you will be awarded with your points and can also see your partner's suggested tags for each image. Your score will keep on adding if you play with same id. Google also displays the top pairs for the day. There is no reward for them but a satisfaction of doing something better for image searching.

I spend around 10 min daily on this lovely concept. It's a good timepass and sometimes improve your thinking ability.

Delhi Metro ( दिल्ली मेट्रो )

Today Metro has become an indispensable part of everybody life. Started on December 24, 2002 with only 6 stations, now has a total network length of 68 km, with 62 stations on 3 separate lines. People are reaching their destinations much quickly and easily. I myself enrolled in my college which is very far from my residence because of this only. It saves around 3 hours of my travelling time daily. Mr E. Sreedharan, the Managing Director of the Metro, was declared "Indian of the Year for 2007" by CNN-IBN news channel. And the govt. is keep extending his retirement because of his egregious work.


Now waiting for the rackety and timetableless buses and fatiguing journey is not part of my life. Thanks to Delhi Metro (DMRC) from lots of smiling faces.
:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :):) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

You can enjoy the full Metro's photo gallery on their official site.

79% - not bad

Finally the wait is over and today morning comes my 2nd semester result. Actually I was awoken by my friend's call and after that I was in no position to sleep again. And to add to my anxiousness the college site was not loading. Again after some time I got a call from my friend and this time the suspence was over. He broke the news to me and automatically I start jumping over my entire place.

Here is my result and I guess you should figure it out which one is it.



It's a big relief, after waiting for almost 3 months, but not for long coz my next exam is scheduled for semptember.
Earlier I thought it ruined my Sunday morning but actually made my day.

£165 to get stolen scooter back

England - Today I came upon a jaw dropping news, said a teenager girl has to pay a sinewy amount of £165 to get her stolen scooter back.

Faye Bradley’s scooter was found abandoned about 200 yards from her home and was towed all the way to the other side of the city by the police. She was charged with £105, and guess what after being unable to afford the same she has had another £60 bill added to the amount – £12 a day for storage.

I wonder what was police thinking..... if thinking, when they was towing away the vehicle without even informing the girl. I pray this may never happen to somebody and specially students like me or her, who have to manage with their little pocket money.
I also hope she come up with the solution really soon.

Olympics - Day 14

Today, when going through the olympics news I halted at the name Usian Bolt, and really got impressed with what he is done.
The world’s fastest man (that's what he's called nowadays) stashed away his third Olympic gold medal when he smashed the world record to win the men’s 4x100 metres relay final on Friday. He teamed up with Nesta Carter, Michael Frater and Asafa Powell and finish the race in 37.10 sec, 0.30 earlier than the Carl Lewis and his American teammates back in 1993. He is playing the role of Michael Phelps for Jamaica winning 3 golds.

“You can’t explain the feeling that you are feeling at the greatest Olympics ever…it’s won-der-ful,” Bolt told reporters.

Michael Phelps back at home, now it's him stealing the show. These Olympics surely witnessing greats of the greats.


India's Vijendra kumar had to settled with the bronze after he lost to Emilio Correa Bayeaux 5-8 in the semis. Although he do not win gold, but still makes every Indian proud by showing what he is made of. He held his nerves not letting his inexperience in Olympics come his way. Now India's medal tally goes to 3 which include one gold and two bronze.

Olympics - Day 13

Tommorrow will be a important day for India as his new boxing hero Vijendra Kumar steps in the semifinal ring. He already booked his bronze spot, now only he has to change the color to silver and if he can manage to do that then gold is no longer ahead. Earlier he beat the Carlos Gongora in the quarterfinals to enter in the semis.
I hope he can manage to maintain the smile on the Indian faces brought earlier by the performances of Akhil kumar (bronze) and Abhinav Bindra (gold).

Now the Olympics almost reached his final stage, China holds the no 1 spot with 46 gold, trailing behind US with 29. But Overall in the medal tally US leads with 95 medals. I guess something to cheer about for Americans.

Olympics - Second for India

Today, India won its second medal(bronze) in wrestling. This time it's Sushil Kumar who made his country proud. He beat Leonid Spiridonov of Kazakhstan in men’s 66kg freestyle wrestling event. Kumar became the first Indian to win a wrestling medal at the Olympics since 1952. It's a cheerful day for Indians after Akhil kumar fails to sweep a medal. Back in India different State Govts. and organizations have announced cash reward for his achievement. In a cricket crazy country like India Wrestling has never given its justified position in society, though has a lot of potential and skill. Now I hope situation may change and Govt starts to look, and also invests in this sport.

I congratulate him on behalf of billions of people of India. And hope he win gold next time.

Olympics - India eyes Gold

Nothing is happening unusual after the departure of Michael Phelps. I quite used to his record breaking marathon every next day. He should participated in some more events and help USA to win the race against China. But nevertheless he done his job quite eventfully and made his country proud.

So as I am saying there is nothing special to tell, but there something that might cheers the Indians. India's new Boxing sensations Vijender Kumar and Jitender Kumar are still holding the India's hope for another medal, but sadly Akhil Kumar is out of the competition losing to a young, inexperienced Moldovan opponent. Both these players have their matches tommorrow morning. Let's hope they bring laurels for their country and help India to achieve it's first Boxing medal in Olympics.
There is also a setback for Indian fans, Anju Bobby George failed to qualify for her event.

It's seems that Olympics is between China and USA. Both fighting for the pride for highest gold getter. China is maintaining its lead with 43 gold, US is catching up with 26 and Great Britain with 16 golds.

Olympics - Day 9

The day seems incomplete without the name of Michael Phelps. The 23 year old swimming legend won his 8th gold medal in the Men's 4 x 100m Medley Relay on Sunday morning. He made the word impossible i-m-possible. This is Phelps' 14th career Olympic gold, five more than any other athlete in Olympic history. He also surpassed the record set by Mark Spitz in Munich 1972 for the most gold medals won at a single Olympic Games. The US team of Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen, Phelps and Jason Lezak finished in a world record time of 3:29.34. Today is the last day for swimming, and one can't ask for better finish.

“The first thing I’d like to do to my mum is just hug her", said Phelps. I am sure this day must be celebrated as the "Phelps Day" from now on.

The 22 year Spanish star Rafael Nadal won his first gold in the Olympics today afternoon. He is now certain to take world no.1 spot in WTA rankings. Today also ended the long 237 weeks dominance over tennis of Roger Federer. The second-seeded Spaniard claimed the top prize in the Olympics by defeating 12th-seeded Chilean Fernando Gonzalez, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3. Nadal has lost just once in his past 39 matches.
"Not in my best dreams can I have imagined this," Nadal said after being crowned the Olympic champion.

Williams sisters clinched the gold in Women's doubles beating Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual of Spain 6-2, 6-0.

Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland defeated Swedish veterans Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-3 in the final to win the gold medal in the Men's Doubles at the Olympic Green Tennis Center on Saturday, August 16.
This must a little relief for Federer after crashing out of Singles. He has to enjoy the no. 2 spot from now on after Nadal's win, but let's see for how long.

My wishes to all the players who are winning and also who are not.
Till the 9th day, China dominance still pesists, leading with 35 gold. United States and Great Britain enjoy 2nd and 3rd positions with 19 and 11 golds respectively.

Independence Day

First of all I wish all Indians Happy Independence Day.
15th Aug,1947 India got it's independence from long British rule. India changed and have come very far from then. Today this day celebrated as Independence Day all over the country like it had been since 61 years. In the morning I watched Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing the nation from the New Delhi's Red Fort, telling about India's prosperity, problems and their solutions on TV. Later in the day I do nothing except lazing around. In the evening I went to my cousin's place to flew some kites. There's been a tradition in India to fly kites on this day. Initially there were not many kites in the sky, it felt we are the only one remembered the day. But it doesn't take a while to fill the entire sky with kites. We flew from our terraces ..... kites ofcourse. The atmosphere is just great kites in sky, music in sky and infact some rain also. But that rain doesn't kill our spirits. Around at the time of 7 we ran out of our kites, so we decided to call the day off.


This been a great evening for me and I am sure to all my fellow Indians.

Once again I wish Happy Independence Day
" Jai Hind" .

Olmpics - Day 7

Indian boxer Akhil Kumar gave the country the best Independence Day gift by stunning world champion Sergey Vodapoyanov of Russia to enter in the quarterfinals of the men's 54 kg category at the Olympics on Day 7. The interesting thing is that after the fourth round, the boxers were locked 9-9, but the judges gave the bout to Akhil for landing more punches than the Russian. It seems India's Independence Day proved lucky for this Indian. This has generated some hope for India's next Olympic medal. Way to go Akhil ......



I should start calling him a Sailfish due to his recent activities. On Friday morning he won his sixth gold medal with his sixth world record, this time in the 200-meter individual medley. He is now only one gold away from levelling Mark Spitz’s record. I must say this guy knows how to swim and how to remain in the headlines. My best wishes for him for the two upcoming races.

On the day end China leading with 26 golds, trailing behind USA and germany with 14 and 8 gold respectively.

Olympics - Day 5,6

Swimming sensation Michael Phelps bagged 2 more golds on Wednesday, bringing his gold count to five. He breaks the record for the highest number of gold medals won in Olympic history by an athlete. He's is running for 3 more, and if he does that, he breaks another world record. He advanced in the 100 butterfly preliminaries to stay on track to win his sixth gold medal.
He rested today, giving a golden opportunities to other swimmers to win something. The whole world's eyes will be on him when he will arrive in the water cube on Friday. Let's pray that this 23 year old remain unbeatable on Friday.



Thursday been a shocking day for tennis fans. Roger federer and Williams sisters crashed out of quarter finals, and opened the gates of success for others. Federer lost to American James Blake, a player he had beaten eight times in a row.“I’d lost to him eight, nine, 10, 50 times, I don’t know how many, but I had the feeling it could be my day today when Roger played a poor first game” blake said after victory.

Serena Williams became the second victim when she lost to Russian fifth seed Elena Dementieva 3-6 6-4 6-3. Then home favourite Li Na stole the show, out-hitting double Olympic champion Venus Williams in a sensational 7-5 7-5 victory.



Another twist in the tale, Swedish wrestler Ara Abrahamian throws down his bronze medal after his bid for gold was ended after a decision called as 'Politics' by Swedish coach.

Abrahamian took the bronze from around his neck during the medal ceremony, stepped from the podium and dropped it in the middle of the wrestling mat then walked off.
“I don’t care about this medal. I wanted gold,” he said. I think he shouldn't had done this. If had any issues with the decision, then he should have brought the matter properly and not like that. He should be happy that he even got a medal.

Well in the end, it's China again who is stealing the show with 22 golds, behind him is United States with 10 golds. It seems that it been a change in the 3rd place Germany outscored South Korea with 7 golds leaving Korea on 4th with 6 gold.

Olympics - Michael Phelps Day 4

Tuesday can be called as the "Swimming Day" for USA.
The swimming sensation that is Michael Phelps steered through the 200 metres freestyle to win his third successive gold medal on Tuesday morning of the Beijing Olympics. He joined the elite group of Mark Spitz and Carl Lewis of nine career golds. His words after winning -- "That's great. I just wanted to be out on my own which I had done by the 100m mark, that was my goal,"
He has to play two more finals on Wednesday, let's hope for another miracle.

USA Natalie Coughlin won his second medal, this time gold in 100m backstroke, eliminating doubts of many. This is just the trailer from the entire Natalie's film. She has to go a long way from here.



The day also witnessed 3 victories for Williams sisters. They won their singles and doubles paired as a team. Serena beat Samantha Stosur of Australia 6-2, 6-0, and Venus beat Benesova 6-1, 6-4. In doubles the duo beat Iveta Benesova and Nicole Vaidisova of the Czech Republic 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. Both sisters are storming towards Saturday's singles final. The stakes are high for sisters to clash at the finals. It would be a another match to look forward to. But whoever wins medal goes to USA's never ending kitty.

Till the day end China is leading with 13 golds. USA, South korea trailing behind with 7 and 5 golds resp.

Olympics - Day 3

The swimming record is at stakes, thanks to Michael Phelps. He come one step closer to break Mark Spitz’s record of seven gold medals in a single games by winning 2 golds today.“I just went out—I don’t want to say I cruised it—but I just swam it,” Phelps said. “I just wanted to get into the finals, and that’s all I did. It doesn’t matter until the finals.”



Today is also a very happy moment for India. Abhinav Bindra won the gold medal in the 10-meter air rifle, giving India its first medal of the Olympics. It's been 28 years since India had won the gold medal. I am sure it's just the beginning for India, and has to go a long way ahead.
There is also a sad news for India, Sania Mirza retired with a wrist injury against Czech Iveta Benesova in the first round of the Olympic tennis event. But she may still try and play doubles with Sunitha Rao.

On the days end, China is still leading with 9 golds, trailing behind South Korea with 4 and USA with 3 golds respectively.

Keep checking the blog for more updates...

Olympics - Day 2

Today Beijing Olympic entered in its third day. As the time is passing , the excitement is getting bigger and bigger. China is still leading with 8 golds, it seems that US is pushed towards south by South korea. S Korea ranks 2nd with 3 golds and US ranks 3rd with 2.

I don't know what Chinese govt. prepare for their athlete's breakfast, but one things sure, whatever it is, its working for them.

As these countries fight with each other for the first place, India is still waiting for it's first gold or even a bronze might work. India's Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi has kept India's medal hopes by put asiding their differences. I hope they shine again this time and bring home something.
Keep checking for more updates ...

Czech shines :)

Today, 09 Aug, is the first day of Beijing Olympics.
Czech Republic shooter Katerina Emmons had won the first gold medal of the Beijing Olympics by winning the 10metre air rifle competition. Czech shooter washed away China's dream of winning the first gold medal. Lioubov Galkina of Russia won the silver and Snjezana Pejcic of Croatia won the bronze.

On the first day, China is leading with 2 gold while US stands second with 1 gold.
India had not opened his account after some disappointing stuff from their eminent athletes. But mine hopes are still there for India and hope they show the world their talent.

Here are some of the pics from opening ceremony, hope you enjoy !!

China blazed the world's stage on Friday, celebrating the first time role as Olympics host with a marvelous display of colorful performances on one hand and breath taking stunts on the other. The ceremony held in very very high security fearing the earlier controversies about the Tibet.

Around 91,000 people, along with US President George W. Bush attended the ceremony in the National stadium known as Bird's Nest(for its crisscross framework that includes 45,000 tons of steel). 10,500 athletes from 205 countries are expected to compete in 302 events in 28 sports, just one event more than was on the schedule of the 2004 games.

The event started with a stuning diaplay of fireworks followed by the song "Friends have come from afar, how happy we are", sang by 2,008 performers. Then there was the parade of athletes of 205 nations. Rathore was the Indian flag bearer, well applauded by Indian Congressmen Sonia Gandhi. Taiji performance, painting scroll performance, movable-type printing performance kept everybody on their toes.

First day was smoothly passed without any problems, now let's see what lie ahead in the upcoming days.

The Dark Knight

Recently I saw the latest Batman movie Dark Knight and I must say the movie is worth to my Rs120 movie ticket.

Earlier I had a pretty bad impression about the movie. I thought it is just another superhero who likes to wear tight costumes and romances sexy ladies.
My friends literally drag me to the movie theatre and bet if I hadn’t like the movie they pay for me. I thought this a sure shot win-win. But fortunately I lost the bet and saved my friend's pocket money.

The Batman, I don’t know his name my apologies for that, was OK.
But I liked that Joker guy. I never saw this species of villain in my life.
I liked the dialogue of joker “ Why So Serious “ and loved the way he said it.



Honestly I enjoyed all the acting of his. But in the end they didn’t showed him dead, so eagerly waiting for him in the 3rd part.
Overall thumbs up to all the Batman team and 10 out of 10.