...shoOOonya...

I had thought that the magic of the information age was that it allowed us to know more, but lately I have realized the magic of the information age is that it allows us to know less. It provides us with external cognitive servants — silicon memory systems, collaborative online filters, consumer preference algorithms and networked knowledge. We can burden these digital and electronic servants and liberate ourselves from the 'human' tasks of rememebering and some day ... even thinking.

This year will be my third Diwali away from Home. 2005 Diwali - I was mid-air over international seas between Mumbai and Switzerland 2006 Diwali - I was in Geneva, Switzerland . Yes we had a Diwali Function under the aegis of the Indian Association of , but nothing beats Diwali celebrations with family 2007 Diwali - Well, right now I am in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on a short 3 month business stint. And by all coincidences, the 3 months had to envelope Diwali within its folds. Although, I am not completely alone this year (I got married in April and my wife has accompanied me to KL) BUT still ... I am not in Mumbai .. not in India ... Away from the country where the festivities are in the air. Celebrating Diwali in Mumbai and with family is quite different. The entire atmosphere is charged with lights, music, smiles all around, crowds in all shopping places, meeting so many relatives, calling up friends whom we have not talked for several months just to say Happy diwali, sending the ...