First Ever Formula 1 Night Race...

Today Singapore successfully hosted the first ever Formula 1 night race at their Marina Bay circuit. The Singaporians have done a good job to make the safer and entertaining. I really liked the idea of night race. Todays race showed that they are really entertaining, and FIA should consider making few more in the race calendar.

HCI LONDON: Improvements and short comings.

Today I have to go to the Indian embassy to get a sworn affidavit to obtain passport for my new born son back in India. Previously, the father has to just give a consent letter; at least that's what I remember my friends have done. OK they seem to have changed the rule. No problem; we are law abiding citizens, aren't we!

I had to reach the consulate early and stand in the queue. At least that's what my experience was in the past. Today I wasn't expecting anything better. I have read about Indian embassy outsourcing the VISA processing to private contractors. But that shouldn't change the way passport and consular service are rendered at the embassy!. Well I was surprised (truly; I mean it, really; believe me). So what are the improvements:

1. No more long queues outside the embassy. There is no VISA queue at all (at least I haven't seen one).
2. No need to stand outside till they open the counters. There is ample sitting arrangements inside the building.
3. At least some form of vending machine for food and drinks.
4. LCD display showing must see destinations in India (I don't understand why they need to show this to Indians; don't they know them already?) periodically interrupted to display the called token number and counter (Sorry guy's the facility is available only for passport services).
5. Definitely much friendlier embassy staffs (I haven't seen those perpetually pissed-off guys around).
   

OK I accept there has been some very good improvements, what are the short comings:

1. If you are going for consular services, you have to stand in yet another queue inside; in spite of having a token number.
   
2. The lack of token number display for consular services means you have no way to know when your turn will be.
3. Though the embassy staff advice people to come in order of their respective token number, it seems we Indians are addicted to forming queues and we simply ignore their advice.

My token number was 26. So I decided to sit around for while before I go and join the queue. After some time, when I am pretty sure that my turn is about to come, I went to join the queue. I was immediately told to join the back. I was told that the queue is formed as first come first serve basis and my token number has no say in my position. But I insisted following the order and took the spot which is rightfully mine. Little I know, the queue behind me has rearranged itself as per the token number within no time.

Overall this has been a very good experience compared to the past. Hope the embassy keep-up its good work and continue improving on them!!!....

The End of an Era!

Today I submitted my resignation for my job at Imperial College London. Now things are set to take up my new position as CFD HPC Engineer at McLaren Racing ltd., Woking, UK. 17th October will be my last working day.

The life at Imperial has been good overall. Though there were time when things didn't go just the way one expects them to; overall, I would say that my experience at Imperial has been satisfactory. I may have lost some for coming to UK; I had definetly gained a lot from coming to UK.

Finally after a long time!!!

This is my first blog from my N800 using maemo wordpy. I am hoping to continue my blogging this way. If this works out well, I might blog quite often; not like in the past. I haven’t been blogging well in past two years or so. After taking up this job in Imperial College London, I haven't done my blogging. Hopefully I will get enough time in my new job @ McLaren Racing ltd.