Suggest to Indian Armed Forces

What our armed forces lack – Remote Controlled Toys for Survelliance

Seizure at Taj Hotel in Bombay – What lesson did we learn?
The terrorist attack was one of the dark days for India. The ease in which these fellas started going around showed our preparedness to handle such situation. Did any security management team take care of the situation? It also showed how disorganized we are as a nation.

While the whole incident thrown open many uncomfortable questions, the key question here is – what are we doing to better our response or our capability?

So, here is my reflection on how we should do the counter attack.

I think we have serious lapse in our surveillance. I simple words, we didn’t have the capability to know what’s happening inside the seized hotel. Did we use any high-tech gadgets. Do we have any?

Suggestion to Indian Army

While the world is making use of drones, and miniature snooping devices, we’re still far from creating our remote warfare team. It’s time we do some serious research to create robotic like machines to do reconnaissance, attack and snoop on enemy position.

Imagine if we had a fleet of remote controlled vehicles, who can do various task such as 1) surveillance ( using camera and night vision lenses 2) Attack using some kind of nerve gas or open tear gas. In that case we could have saved attest few more lives

What can these remote vehicles do for army

  1. Capture live images and transmit it to the monitoring team
  2. Deploy or drop small charges, tear gas 
  3. Go to a sealed door and paste explosives like RDX to open it
    ( with a remote controlled arm)
  4. Use night vision lenses to capture the moments in the dark  
  5. Terrorize the attackers with fake sirens or calls
  6. Deploy sensors to detect movement 
  7. Change shape like the Transponder movie. Change the vehicle into ball all of camera and roll 🙂
  8. Carry first aid kit or water
  9. Have fire power to shoot at villains
  10. Small robots which can climb walls and fix cameras for monitoring. 
  11. Shoot teaser guns
  12. Mimic some fake noises ( dog, cat)

Why is India Lacking Behind – How to Built this Capability
Either we don’t have such stuffs, or they are secretive about it. And here’s another plan. Our army should sponsor events where public can display remote cars, vehicles. I know for sure, that there are many young boys who has the capability to make such stuff. Probably they are waiting for chance to show their talent.

Indian Army Sponsored Robotic Wars
Make use of a forum to attract young fellas keen in building remote vehicles

It’s time India adds a robotic division to it’s platoon! Next time something like this happens, let’s use such machines to go to the foxhole. Also, there should be a central monitoring team to take control of any such terrorist attack.

I read somewhere in a newspaper that Indian army is spending big budget on research and development of such toys. But, as usual Indian armed forces are too secretive like some UFO project.

I don’t understand why these guys can’t share the stuffs which are coming out. Anyways, we know that China are good copycats and they do a good job at it. Once any product is out, these fellas can easily replicate it. Sometimes, they make far better duplicate at lesser cost.

So, here’s my suggestion to Indian Army General and the top brass

1) Pls share the developments on your blog ( if you have one)
2) Involve private hands in the development of such robots
3) Fund research labs or give incentives to private firms to develop surveillance robots

Average Cakes for Average People

Cake Gallery in a Bakery

Another Xmas, and similar sights are abound in Trivandrum. I sit in my house playing Jim Reeves tracks from YouTube, thinking of how the same track I payed on a gramophone record.

Outside, thee’s a general humbug of Xmas, end of one year. First thing you notice in any bakeries in Trivandrum are the lines of cakes. The sights are pretty same, cakes looks copied from last years design. Every cake looks like a copycat, nothing original!

Plain Vanilla 
Going by what Seth Godin’s punch line, it’s average products for average people.Or rather, average cake for average people.

So, why are the bakers sticking to the factory kind of production. Just some icing, some flowers and you have the cake. Only difference I saw this time came from a venture called ‘Square One Talent in Trivandrum’.

This place had a cake sale, and display of various other items like (bed spreads, paper quiled greeting cards,  traditional snacks, at a church hall in Vellayambalam. One thing I liked was the assorted array of cakes, and pastries. Also they had kappa biryani, which we bought from them. The ladies and gentlemen managing these stalls happily provided assistance and had wonderful enthusiasm in them. I hardly see such proactive sales people in Trivandrum. Well, they are the trend setters.

Opportunity for Home Bakers – Make a difference
If you dare to stand out with unique creation, then you’ve a big opportunity knocking on your door. Here’s a call to homemakers, single ladies, working women, or lasses… why don’t you take this as an opportunity to learn baking and bake outstanding Xmas for 2014.

Apart from making Xmas cake, there’s a chance for you to make wedding cakes, hen party, break up cakes, bra cakes, etc….

Are you ready to stand out? How old are you?

Baking as a Business

It’s 2013, Christmas. I’m back on my home turf (Trivandrum). All around, the sights and sounds are bit familiar. Most houses have stars outside, few people have Christmas tree and some have crib. Outside, there’s an air of glee.

All bakeries in my locality, ( Jayram bakery, Cookies and bites) are lined with cakes and more cakes. But the disappointing factor is the kind of cakes sold in these bakeries.in all most all popular bakeries in Trivandum.

I wonder why they only follow one or design template. Either it’s the usual plum cake or Black Forest cake. All these cakes lack novelty. Just a usual replica from a factory! SAD.

Baking Opportunity for Women in Trivandrum Kerala!

Why don’t you seize this opportunity? Here’s my suggestion:

  • Prepare for a plan for 2014, starting from today
  • Learn traditional recipe and other variation
  • Prepare cake mix well in advance ( rum and nuts)
  • Bake Christmas cake with raisins, nuts and fruits
  • Try different design ( Search Google for images)
  •  Package it different themes, designs
  • Also, package cookies in containers

 Ideal Business Ideas for Women

Just imagine you can make more than 30k during Christmas. No joke. How you can make yourself different and attract customers?

1) Cake should be special ( no ordinary taste or mix)
2) Bake different cakes ( Rich plum, Chocolate, Icing, etc)
3) Promote through online channels ( Facebook or blog)
4) Package the cake differently
( Not just in plastic containers, but make unique Xmas packs)

Xmas Wishes to All Budding Small Business Owners!

P.S: Mail or call me iff you need my inputs on any of these. I’ll glad to give my thoughts and I could also source packaging material from Bangalore.

You can also directly procure cake baking containers, liners, boxes from Bakers Nest, Bangalore. (wholesale Shop at Chickpet, Bangalore)

Start a Swimming Academy in Kerala

I’m just back after my Calcutta trip. During the train journey from Calcutta to Bangalore, in Howrah Yesvantpur super fast train, I met this army guy from Kerala. And during the long conversation with him, he was telling about his his future plan to construct a 25 mtr swimming pool in his hometown. As a professional swimming coach, he is looking forward to take voluntary retirement from army and start something of his own.

As of now, one of his friend has agreed to join together in his venture. They are not scouting for a investor for supporting this venture.

So, what’s the small business plan here. Build a swimming pool. Only hitch is the investment. I think it would take around 20 to 45 lakhs to create a build a full fledged 25 meter swimming pool.

Additional monetizing through swimming pool:

  • Open the pool to public ( Certain hours of the day)
  • Specific time for ladies
  • Water based aerobic classes for ladies
  • Summer coaching camp for school kids
  • Attractive short-term packages for NRI’s
  • Body slimming packages 

In addition, you can start:

  1. A spa along with this facility
  2. Probably train a girls water aerobics 
  3. Shop selling swim wear, accessories, goggles, air bed, etc ( you can source from Decathlon shop)
  4. Additional shop selling tender coconut, juice, and healthy drinks
  5. ( after a swim people are terribly hungry) 

What you require to start:

  • Coaching knowledge on swimming, training, etc
  • Investor 
  • Proper infrastructure and safety measures

 And if you need further inspiration, read this well written post about a swimming facility in Pala, Kerala. Thoppan’s Swimming Academy, at Pala in Kottayam district, Kerala is a perfect example to emulate.

 

Meet a Stranger in Bangalore!

Shake Ka-la Hands

Photo by Nicola Corboy

Internet is a wonderful platform to scour ideas, share thoughts and connect. Out of it, I find blogging the most versatile platform to share my life’s story – ideas, things, places or anything that you care!

Why not Facebook? 
When I last counted, I’ve over 750 friends on Facebook. Whoa! But, numbers often lie. All the folks in my Facebook are old acquaintances or those who have drifted away, and rest are zombies like me.

Another way to meetup!
Considering the busy life we all lead, it dawned on me to use blog to tell my story, and use it to meet the right people. Concept is simple – random meets in Bangalore, enjoy sharing thoughts and understand the other.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s or Koshy’s Bangalore or Jimi’s Indira Nagar! 

The original concept of meetups is from a marketer from Europe. Whenever he travels to anew cite, he makes it a point to arrange a quick meetup with the locals. During the meetups, he shares his idea, market thoughts and start-ups plans, etc.

On the same lines, my plan is simple – If you’re looking for some spark, inspiration or business plan, or career or just bored, then take the step for a meetup in Bangalore.

Coffee Meetup in Bangalore – And why should we meet

I’m passionate about small business ideas. I’ve earlier written a small biz idea blog post. Please go through it to get traces of my passion towards small business. Moreover, there’s so much learning, sharing and flow of thoughts when two souls meet. In a typical meet, I’ll share these facets about me:

  • Few words about me. Then my passion for small business, travel or outdoor activities
  • Interest in online channels for learning or business 
  • Share about pastimes ( travel, photography, reading, music, antique collection, books, flea market exploration, etc)

Well, there’s no specific agenda for a meeting. It’s just a random meet at a cafe. All you need is a real interest to meet a stranger in Bangalore.

Who can meet me in Bangalore?

Anyone! From college kids to a busy bee professional who’s saturated with corporate life or someone who’s battling grief or just anyone who’s keen in a meetup.It could be a retired soldier or widower  or widow or a teacher or a clerk or a jobless person, or a person who was given a pink slip, or a college pass-out looking for career ideas.

If you think of giving it a try, then feel free to message, or Whatsapp, or email me. I’m available at 99.00.11.4982 or email me at bcc2charles@gmail.com. 

A bit about me…

I’m into my 40’s, married. Currently I work for an online marketing company. I’m put up at Domlur, Bangalore.

If you’re from this locality, then it’s easy for a meetup around Indira Nagar area. With hundreds of cafe’s and joints, it’s just a matter of mutual choice. If you’re from other part of the world, then Indian Coffee House at Church Street, or Koshy’s at M.G Road, etc could be a rendezvous point.

Meet me today, tomorrow, this weekend, or a month later or a year later. Let’s connect, spread ideas in an attention starved world!

Ohoy!

Charles

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

How to rekindle Local Libraries

After a voluminous gap of 15 years I took a library membership. Sree Chitra Thirunal, Grandasala at Vanchoor, Trivandrum 

During early 90’s one of my friend Mr Hari, introduced me to this library. I was attracted to this dim lit library by the good collection of English fiction books.

Years passed, my interest in Library too waned. I remember going to Trivandrum Public Library with my Dad’s card. Even that is long forgotten.

Now after a decade, I’m visiting these walls and memories. The walls inside the library appears more greyed, and on the wall hangs few picture. Even that has aged. I could only see old men reading newspapers with dedicated. And the absence of young generation shows of things to come.

After visiting this library, I feel compelled to write about this rustic place. Lack of growth, low energy and the absence of young people. Few old timers were sitting in the main hall reading news papers. But, where are the young people. Will this sustain this library? Is it not time for a revival of interest?

If I’m not wrong, similar fate awaits thousands of libraries in Kerala. What can you and me do about the decline of reading, borrowing books and increase visits to libraries. How can they compete in this Internet era, where Wikipedia has overtaken Britanica.

I feel library is just not about books, it’s should be more than that. So, what can it do in this era of mobile training, learning and reading.

I’m just waiting for ideas or comments. ..