I don’t want to write this post . We went through this in the past ( Here and Here)

I don’t think I can do this again.

Cry, beloved Mumbai !

This madness will never end.

The Times of India has done it again. Having long abandoned any pretense of journalistic integrity, here is the latest rubbish from our favorite go – to desi paper.

Under the cringe inducing headline “ Study links lesbianism to career” ,   the TOI quotes a dubious study from un-named NGOs in Chandigarh that : ( I am not making this shit up – this is a direct quote!)

A study by two NGOs to understand the nature of lesbian behaviour in the city has found that most women take to this alternative sexuality while staying in hostels of educational institutions or working at call centres and marketing companies

Apart from personal choice, the reasons for these women’s (sic) turning lesbian were found to be an abusive childhood or being widowed or divorced.

There is zero mention of genetic predisposition and makes the whole issue of homosexuality sound like a lifestyle choice as opposed to a congenital orientation.

This sounds like it was dictated by the far right – defense of marriage act types in the US …

Anyways, I matched their “checklist” against my personal history and:

- Stayed at hostel of educational institution : Check

- Working at call centers or marketing companies : Check

- Abusive childhood : No

- Widowed or Divorced : No

Does this mean there is a 50 % chance I am going to play for the other team ? But, but …I love Bruce Willis ..so that can’t be true? Can it ? Can it?

Who writes this crap?

Dr.Susan Xiao -Ping “Su” was arrested last week at her home in Pleasanton, California bringing one chapter in the entire sordid Tri Valley University scam to a close. UD had covered this earlier here.

From the Pleasanton patch newspaper:

Susan Xiao-Ping Su, 41, of Pleasanton, founder of Tri-Valley University, was arrested Monday after being indicted by a federal grand jury on 33 counts relating to student visa fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, alien harboring and making false statements, among other violations   ( link)

If you visit the Tri Valley University website, it displays a final message from Dr.Su:

The final message from Ms. Su as TVU’s President is an ENCOURAGEMENT to you all to MOVE ON! Let me give the closure by reminding and ensuring you all that: after the darkest moment is the dawn— a new day with the sun rising and shining!

In His Service and Grace!

I paraphrase an old saying  “Religion: The last refuge of scoundrels!”

As for the students, an ICE spokesperson told India – West that several of the students have been placed in deportation proceedings.

Kice confirmed that several former TVU students have been placed in deportation proceedings, but could not confirm the exact number by press time  (link)

The Boulder Court office where the so -called University operated is now closed. Presumably, it will be seized by the government and auctioned off.

I passed by the other day and took a photograph to show you all. Its closed up and abandoned. A gentleman from the neighboring unit was smoking outside and as I took the photograph he gave me a wry smile.

A desi guy proposes to his girlfriend in San Fran (via @supremus). One of the more original ones we’ve seen in a while. If anything, the trends of flash mobs seems to be inspired by traditional song and dance sequences from Bollywood movies, so desis popping “the question” in this manner shouldn’t come as a surprise. Thoughts?

What is the black patch on the leather skin of either side of the Mrdidangam.

Paint? No.

From wikipedia -

“The bass aperture is known as the “thoppi” or “eda bhaaga” and the smaller aperture is known as the “valanthalai” or “bala bhaaga”. The smaller membrane, when struck, produces higher pitched sounds with a metallic timbre. The wider aperture produces lower pitched sounds. The goat skin covering the smaller aperture is anointed in the center with a black disk made of rice flour, ferric oxide powder and starch. This black tuning paste is known as the “sAtham” or “karanai” and gives the mridangam its distinct metallic timbre.” Link

Fascinating little entry.

Interesting video below via a friend’s Facebook update.