Lost World

Just came across this pic posted by a friend in Facebook.

How is Inflation calculated in India?

I had to prepare an assignment on how inflation is measured in India. So, I did some basic study online and thought about sharing the details.

In India, inflation is calculated based on the Wholesale Price Index (WPI). WPI measures changes in price of a representative basket of wholesale goods. The purpose of WPI is to monitor price movements that reflect supply and demand in industry, manufacturing and construction. This helps in analysing macroeconomic and micro-economic conditions.

India is one of the few countries that are using WPI to calculate inflation. Most of the developed countries use CPI or Consumer Price Index. There is a on-going debate on whether India should move from WPI to CPI-IW to calculate inflation.

The WPI data is published every week with a two week lag. As per widely discussed news reports, our inflation rate for Aug, 11 stands at 9.78%. So, how is this calculated.

Basically, by 9.78%, we mean the annual rate of year-on-year inflation rate based on WPI. Inflation rates are regularly updated at http://statisticsofindia.com/tatasoi/.

The WPI data is available at http://eaindustry.nic.in/.

So, the formula for calculation of the inflation from WPI is (WPI, Aug 2011 – WPI Aug, 2010) * WPI Aug, 2010 *100%

(154.9-141.1)*141.1*100 gives us 9.78%.

While drafting this post, I was looking at how to add mathematical equations in WordPress posts. However, it will some time to understand.

u Rocked! iBow

Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

A modern day Edison. No person had a greater impact on human life through technology. He revolutionized the way products should be designed. He was one of the best business minds at the same time.

The embedded video is of the speech he made in 2005 at Stanford University. I especially liked his first story – connecting the dots where he said that had he not dropped out to attend a calligraphy class at college, the personal computers would have never had fonts. He is right that we should do what our heart desires and listen to our inner voice. If we continue, the dots will someday connect. Thank you, Steve Jobs. iInspired.

Inflection Point in quality of Bengali Movies

Suddenly there is a remarkable inflection in the quality of Bengali movies being developed. Now, its not just that one Rituparno or Anjan Duta movie that aims to be different once in a while. I can name atleast 7-8 recent movies that have not just been watchable but entertaining and left me thinking.. The quality of the story, acting, music everything has remarkably improved. Its clear, that the talent was always there, what was lacking was realization market for GOOD commercial movies exist. As expected, people are filling halls and appreciating the good work all around. Its good that the change is not just in politics.

Android ebook Readers

Suddenly I have taken to reading books, novels that is! I have installed a app called FBreader from Android Marketplace and now using my phone to read whatever I can get hold of! I just finished the The Mysterious Affair At Styles by Agatha Christie and now started her other novel The Secret Adversary. The first one happens to be Christie’s first published novel and introduces Hercule Poirot and the next one introduces the duo of Tommy and Tuppence.

There is also a Kindle app for Android. I guess it is the most popular of the android ebook reader apps. I have installed it and I like the look and feel of the app which seems to have a lot of more functionality than the basic FBreader. I have not tried it out much though. I plan to continue my reading and may buy a few titles from Amazon.com for the Kindle app.

I have to say I am enjoying reading. FBreader allows increasing the font size to a level it cannot put much strain on the eyes. The problem is finding a good source of free ebooks. The titles available for free are mostly classics. But I have got the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and few works of Edgar Allan Poe for free and its waiting in queue after I finish The Secret Adversary. Its fantastic to be able to read these masterpieces of detective novels while waiting at meetings and elsewhere.

Finally Android!

I finally got myself an android phone,could not resist any more. I bought the Samsung Galaxy Fit phone which is basically a budget android device.

The WordPress application for Android can be downloaded from the Market and is pretty easy to setup. There is only one minor setting that needs to be enabled in the blog settings and you are ready to post from your mobile.
I installed quite a few handy apps fo the mobile.

I found the Dolphin browser muh easier to use than the native browser. The other apps I instaled included a To Do List app, VLC Remote, Mobo Player, Wordfeud, a dictionary, Evernote, FBreader, Expense Manager, Google Skymap, Goggles, etc.

This post was made from my phone using the WordPress app.

Lets Go! In an Alto!

I just checked today that I have just about crossed 2,500 Kms in my Maruti Alto. And, it has been a good experience.

At the time of purchase, I had worried that I may feel bored of the car after a few months. I worried that I may start feeling that I should have got something better for some more money! This is usually the feeling I have everytime after a few months of purchasing a expensive mobile phone.

Fortunately, the Alto experience has been not like mobile phone purchases. I am enjoying the drive! And beginning to feel that it was the right car to buy considering its my first car and the car that I learnt driving on finally!

Sometimes, there is the feeling that the car really lacks power when the AC is turned on! When driving in congested traffic, there is hardly any difference! But when the road ahead is free and there is a chance to push the pedal, the car hardly responds with the AC on. This is understandable with the Alto though. Guess, this is not the case with the K10 version which gets the bigger engine.

Hope to continue enjoying the car and the drives!

Booked a Maruti Alto LXI

After deliberating over choices for quite some time, I decided to go for the entry level but “tried and tested’ Maruti Alto LXI as my first car. The car will be delivered early next year and I am looking forward to my beige Alto.

I had the Ford Figo in mind. But, I ultimately went with the Alto for the value for money it gives. Although, it is a entry level car, the Alto is a no-nonsense car and not Nanoish. I never considered the Alto K10 seriously as to me, it hardly makes sense for going for the K10 at the price it is available. For a few bucks more, the new look WagonR and Estillo as well as the A Star are knocking for well deserved attention. Although, I had my eyes and heart fixed on the Figo, but it lost out because of the “not so great” reviews from the few people owners I talked with. Also, I have to mention visits to the Maruti and Ford dealerships played a part. The Maruti sales people were super-attentive while the Ford guys just took me as a passer-by.

I have plans to accessorize it up a bit with a music system, fog lamps, security system, body graphics and front power windows. Looking forward to the experience.. let’s go!