Vikram Roy's Blog, page 9
March 18, 2014
300: Rise of an Empire (2014) : A Review
Yesterday evening I went to Inox J.P. Nagar, Central Mall, Bangalore to watch 300: Rise of an Empire. I wanted to experience the show in theater. Finally my dream fulfilled quite accidentally. Yesterday 17th of March, it was Holi festival in India. As usual, I left my office at 7:00 P.M. at the evening and reached to the movie hall just before five minutes of the show.
300 : Rise of an Empire is a strong sequel of 300, based on the Persian-Greco war. While legendary Spartan King Leonidas and his 300 soldiers into battle against the invading Persian army during the Battle of Thermopylae. According to legend, their valor and sacrifice inspired all of Greece to unite against the Persian foe, leading to the origins of democracy.
300: Rise of an Empire : A Review
Rise of an Empire, is circulated on two major characters, Artemisia I of of Caria and Themistocles of Athens. The film shows Artemisia, a Greek country girl was captured and suffer ravish torture by Greek navy. Anyways she managed to escape and found by a noble Persian warrior. She learned how to fight in battlefield, and proved her generosity as a Persian woman navy commander. She wanted a revenge against her past hellish life experience with the Greek army. She led at the naval battle of Artemisium and the naval battle of Salamis.
During the battle of Salamis, she died fighting one and one against Themistocles.
300 : Rise of an Empire : Review
On the other side Themistocles of Athens, who is a politician and visionary to build united Greeks. Queen Gorgo was leading Sparta after her husband King Leonidas’s glorious death at the Battle of Thermopylae. Nobel by birth, Themistocles managed to convince Queen Gorgo to continue the battle against Xerxes I of Persia, who declared himself the God king. At the naval Battle of Salamis, Themistocles with his leadership ability, united the Greeks. Followed by his command and the Greeks managed to defeat the Persians.
The graphic-novel art was highly extraordinary. Slow motion, 3D effects, navy battle scenes at the middle of the sea, and the legendary history emerged new heights as well as in the history of the motion picture. I am not gonna rate the film based on its story and characters development, as I think 300: Rise of an Empire (2014) is a highly creative work.
Always love,
Vikram
Filed under: Drama, Editorial, Fiction & Fantasy, Films
February 22, 2014
Lose, but do not loose yourself in sales!
There are so many real life lessons, stories to believe unbelievable. Those are the stories people remember that printed on the papers. Like, a hero does regular thing in irregular way. Hope all of you got the point, what I am trying to say.
It is very simple. Suppose you want to get noticed then you have to do something that people do not able to do. As example, in sales for a XYZ company, suppose a guy is selling the maximum number of SKUs get noticed by the top management easily. They become icons who are taking risks to gain.
Risk is there if you are fighting against your will. Do not fight yourself. Learn to express yourself open and clear. I learned many things in my marketing career. Marketing is an art, involved in copywriting and designing that produce best brands. A new product becomes popular only by creative ideas. There is no particular formula to get result for similar brands, you have to learn mix up all ideas in your own way.
Build yourself like Batman
Scientific formula by following some regular repetitive tasks is not good for a long term sustainable product, as well as for the company. It produces less results. From my past experience in a telematics company, based out of Bangalore, I found it was horrible, the top management were pushing the sales team to an extreme level. It was a mental harassment and torture. Do you thing that produce good result for that company? What happens, they remain in the shadows, mostly depending on the existing clients. No progress for the last three years.
In product based market, keep updating the technology is very important. No company can sale a single product for lifetime. Even the product is really good. Standing in the cloud and lightning like a thunder does not happen in the business world.
Also a suggestion to all sales professionals is, do not become frustrated suppose you are not able to produce expected result. You should first learn the defects in the product. Then it will be easy to face your customers.
Filed under: Advertising, Biography, Business And Commerce, Editorial, Education, Marketing
February 14, 2014
Guest Post: The Cat – A Flash Fiction by Colette Ni Reamonn Ioannidou
It arrived when Lechka fell ill; it came and sat on her bed. Her face cracked like the surface of an iced lake splitting apart with the first rays of sunlight after a long winter as she laughed wryly and said,
“It’s time.”
The yellow eyes gleamed as she spoke to it using her own language that we didn’t understand. She had come from the high mountains one dark day as a fierce wind snarled around the houses like a beast seeking meat. We thought she was a refugee, for there were others who had come escaping the war.
Life improved with her coming; we began to look on her as a blessing. She never spoke our tongue, but we understood each other. We reckoned she had suffered greatly in the war and did not wish to speak about it. She had the power to heal, and soon, people from other villages came to visit her. This brought prosperity. Yet we knew as much about Lechka the day she fell ill, as we did to start with.
The Cat, Photographed by Vikram Roy © Copyright 2014
I liked cats but that cat would not let me touch him. He hissed if I tried.
“Don’t go near him, child.” Lechka said, “He’s a tool of the Devil.”
She had used my language for the first time.
“He has come for my soul.” She wept, and told me why. When she escaped captivity from soldiers who were brutally using her, she had found us by sheer chance having no idea where she was. The generosity shown her in a village so obviously struck by poverty had overwhelmed her.
“Such kindness; how was I to repay it? I made a pact…”
I told her gently that love is the greatest richness anyone can share and that, as she had learned, we were a people who valued love above wealth. She had done what she thought was the right thing – to make us rich. We still shared our riches; it was our way, and I was not prepared to let her sacrifice on our behalf enrich the damned of hell.
I sat by Lechka and prayed to my bothers in heaven. As I prayed the cat became agitated. I knew the substances capable of undoing evil, but to obliterate a pact, I needed more. It was Michael, my namesake, who came. His light filled the room, it blinded the cat. A ray from his finger roasted it. He lifted Lechka in his arms and the power of his wings chilled me as he rose with her. I shouted my thanks.
Our village is called Place of The Guardians. We made our own pact with the angels long ago to foster goodness, and they always come when we call them. I wish Lechka had spoken earlier, learned why all the boys were given the names of angels. She could have asked for a miracle instead of a pact with evil that almost ended in the loss of her soul.
About Colette Ni Reamonn Ioannidou:
“Life is all go, isn’t it?”
Colette is an Irish woman who has lived most of her life in Cyprus.
Her first ‘published’ work was four short stories about Cyprus that were broadcast by the BBC World Service.
When her husband died aged 34, she had two young children, a son and a daughter to bring up. She worked, at times, doing three jobs and when she could, she wrote. The good thing about that was that she could do it from home and be there for the children.
She did articles/features for local newspapers and the Cyprus Airline Magazine. She was offered a job doing practically everything on (English language) radio (which she absolutely loved) at the Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation. From there she was offered a spot reading TV news, doing interviews etc. Working at the CyBC gave her a lot of news skills plus she learned how to work on video scripts, which was a very useful thing.
She contribute to an art and culture quarterly here in Cyprus called In Focus. Last year she produced a comedy based on Cyprus’ current financial problems at a local theatre. She has just completed the script for another. She had two books of short stories on Amazon, TO DIE OR NOT TO DIE and TO LIVE OR NOT TO LIVE.
She is currently working on a novel based in Ireland about a group of young women. Her editor Miriam Pirolo, come back in Berlin, has agreed to edit it for her.
Filed under: Biography, Books, Editorial, Fiction & Fantasy, Philosophy
February 6, 2014
Syria: Refugees and Rebels, a look at the human face of the war in Syria : A Review
Asmaa, she had been freed from a
regime prison. The Free Syria Army made a prisoner swap
to gain her freedom. She was in prison for 13 months. She
told how she was tortured as they tried to make her
say the names of those she was working with. She is the
fiancee of Abdul Razzaq Tlass, the first grade officer from the Syrian army. Photograph by Russell Chapman © Copyright 2013
After, he gives a brief of history on the origins of the war in Syria, what began as revolution and has descended into a civil war along with the reasons why. It is interesting to see, in a nutshell, a summary of what is to be honest, an often confusing situation to outside viewers.
This father is carrying his son to a clinic, the boy has been
wounded in the leg by shrapnel. Photograph by Russell Chapman © Copyright 2013
Then we come to the pictures, there are 3 sections. The refugees, life in Aleppo, the rebels. The pictures are very personal, in great detail transmitting strong emotion. You are certainly able to get a feeling of the people. Portraits, landscapes, and war zones are set in different situations. A lot of the photos have comments explaining the context in which they were taken. Through the images you come away with a sensation of knowing something about the people.
People in Syria Photograph by Russell Chapman © Copyright 2013
This book is a strong record of a personal journey into a war zone and yet it is also surprising. There is a real human touch into the images. Russell seems to have found a connection with his subjects as he photographed them and this is what makes the book unique, it isn’t so much a record of war but rather, a record of people, of who they are, as they cope with the consequences of war.
Close to a regime position. They are checking, if it is all clear! Photograph by Russell Chapman © Copyright 2013
Thanks and always love,
Vikram
Filed under: Books, Editorial
January 30, 2014
Casino competitions: Art or Science?
Much has been said about casinos and the games they offer. There are literally hundreds and thousands of books about everything from poker to slot machines, with each one featuring their own secret techniques that will be sure to make you win big or your money back guaranteed order now!
So, yes, casinos have largely been de-mystified by these books, blogs, and gaming systems. If there’s one thing that has remained a bit of a mystery in the glitzy world of casinos until now, however, it’s the comps system.
Smart Gaming defines comps as “an abbreviation for complimentary. They are the free goods and services provided by the casino to its players. Comps can range on the low end to free drinks and free valet parking all the way up to free room, food, beverage and transportation.”
While the comps system is most deeply entrenched in land-based casinos, it has also made its way to online casinos. Even the casino arm of UK-based betting service Betfair has its own VIP Club, which can be viewed at https://casino.betfair.com/promotions/vipclub/.
The mystery lies mostly in how you get comps. Some think it’s for high-rollers only. Others think it’s strictly limited to big winners. Still others believe that just dressing nicely will entitle them to free stuff. The truth of the matter is that casinos do rely on cold, hard science to determine player comps.
Casino math professor Robert Hannum of the UNLV Center for Gaming Research delves further into the math behind casino comp policies. According to Hannum, most casinos base their policies on a player’s “earning potential”, or the value that the casino expects to win from a single player.
“Many casinos set comp policies by giving the player back a set percentage of their earning potential,” explains Hannum. “Although comp and rebate policies based on theoretical loss are the most popular, rebates on actual losses and dead chip programs are also used in some casinos. Some programs involve a mix of systems.”
So, is an exact science? Not quite. Casino exec Dom Mezzetta says that beyond the data and calculations, human judgment is still an important factor.
“While comps can be data driven and scientifically measured, I have always advised the folks in the front lines to use the numbers only when they had no reference and to use their experienced judgment, making it more of an art in many cases,” he tells Southern Gaming.
Perhaps the most important thing that players need to remember about comps, though, is that what you get is often directly proportional to what you give. It doesn’t even matter if you win or lose. As long as you give the casino a lot of action, you’re bound to get a few freebies in return.
Filed under: Advertising, Books, Business And Commerce
January 3, 2014
Webnish Instant Website Solutions : A Review
Thanks to all for your support throughout 2013. I deeply appreciate your, love and encouragement. This is my first blog post in 2014. Hope this is very useful information for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMBs), who are looking for affordable and an excellent website solution for their business. From my personal suggestion Webnish offers one of the best instant website solutions in the industry. Webnish technology platform is 100% secured cloud based application. Click on the below image to visit Webnish website.
Webnish Software LLP © Copyright 2014
A Brief About Webnish:
Webnish is based out of the Indian silicon valley, Bangalore. It is a revolutionary platform to provide instant website solutions to all SMBs in an affordable price. Founded by a team of talented and experienced IT professional from IIT Kanpur, (One of the Global Leaders in Technical Education) with over 14 years of rich experience in serving companies across India, China, USA and UK.
Why I Like Webnish?
1. Last year I bought a website on ‘Go Daddy’, spent a lot of money but I found its very difficult to build beautiful website there.
2. Webnish provides easy option to transfer all data from your previous website.
3. If you have a purchased domain name, you can integrate it with your Webnish website any-time.
4. Once you log in, you have to fill some basic informations regarding your business operation.
5. You can share your social media page links, using in-built link share features.
6. You can change the logo, upload photographs and share your important business documents.
7. A pre-built enquiry form will help you to generate your business leads and collect your customer information.
8. Every data will be available at the back office in secured servers for further use and modification.
9. If you have a bad experience with your local website providers then don’t be depressed. Webnish delivers perfect SMB websites that is useful and time saving solution.
10. For all of these you don’t need any technical knowledge, once you ‘sign up’ everything is ready at Webnish back-office platform.
There are lots more good features, endless pre-built design templates, business specific website solutions, optional pre-built business specific contents (In case you don’t want to write your contents), an additional mobile website for quick access from smart phones etc.
New Year Promotional Offer:
This New Year Webnish has a special offer for you. Five lucky winners will be chosen for all new likes on Webnish Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Webnish. Limited time offer valid from now till 15th January, 2014. Winners will get a gift coupon for a free Webnish website for one year. You can gift it to somebody in case you don’t need a Website.
Please see the sample client’s Websites at: http://www.webnish.com/static/clients. Click on the image to redirect to Webnish Facebook Page.
Webnish Software LLP © Copyright 2014
You Can Follow Webnish Career & Company Updates:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/webnish
https://www.facebook.com/Webnish
Always Love,
Vikram
Filed under: Advertising, Business And Commerce, Lifestyle, Product Review, Science & Technology, Social Media
December 31, 2013
2013 in review
Dear All,
Thank you so much! This blog is all for you. We deeply appreciate your support, love and encouragement.
Happy New Year 2014
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 43,000 times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 16 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
Click here to see the complete report.
Always Love
Vikram Roy
Filed under: Reblog, Social Media
December 14, 2013
Welcome to TEOAS, An Endeavour
I like to introduce you all with TEOAS. If you love to contribute smart ideas, be a part of the sociocultural evolution, and enlighten the world, please feel free to take part in this creative mission.
About TEOAS:
Founded in India, TEOAS is one of the leader in virtual social media relation and establishing global creative connection. Started by a team of talented artists, graphic designers, writers and IT professionals with more than 35 years of rich collective experience in serving creative industries across India, France, Portugal, Canada, UK, Germany and USA.
TEOAS is a creative movement combining modern technology and eco friendly social architecture to experience passion, love, spirituality and reality. Our objective is to combine internet technology, digital art, classic fine art, and the best fiction writers. Right now our global service units are based out in India and Canada. We welcome all the countries to take part to an honest movement, share culture and open a window of free diverse source of knowledge.
About the founder:
A youth culture starved kid named Vikram Roy, sick of watching the last three decades of socio-cultural scene that is politicised by traditional broadcast, print media and major cultural organisations. Worked as an agency photographer, and started a movement of raw creative fanzines, and social events of the up-growing modern art, music and culture. He puts it all together and formed a company named, TEOAS.
Follow us:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/teaos
https://www.facebook.com/theeyeofastorm
Specialties:
Social Connection, Knowledge Sharing, Evangelism, Information Technology, Experience, Public Relation, Identity Creation
Always Love,
Vikram
Filed under: Advertising, Art, Biography, Business And Commerce, Editorial, Lifestyle, Philosophy, Social Media, Social Science
Welcome to TEOAS : A Creative Venture
I like to introduce you all with our 2014 virtual creative project. If you love to contribute smart ideas, be a part of a social cultural change, and enlighten the world. Please feel free to take part in this creative venture.
About TEOAS:
Founded in India, TEAOS is one of the leader in virtual social media relation and establishing global creative connection. Started by a team of talented artists, graphic designers, writers and IT professionals with more than 35 years of rich collective experience in serving creative industries across India, France, Portugal, Canada, UK, Germany and USA.
TEAOS is a creative movement combining modern technology and eco friendly social architecture to experience passion, love, spirituality and reality. Our objective is to combine internet technology, digital art, classic fine art, and the best fiction writers. Right now our global service units are based out in India and Canada. We welcome all the countries to take part to an honest movement, share culture and open a window of free diverse source of knowledge.
Welcome to TEOAS © Copyright 2013
About the founder:
A youth culture starved kid named Vikram Roy, sick of watching the last three decades of socio-cultural scene that is politicised by traditional broadcast, print media and major cultural organisations. Worked as an agency photographer, and started a movement of raw creative fanzines, and social events of the up-growing modern art, music and culture. He puts it all together and formed a company named, TEOAS.
Follow us:
http://www.linkedin.com/company/teaos
https://www.facebook.com/theeyeofastorm
Specialties:
Social Connection, Knowledge Sharing, Evangelism, Information Technology, Experience, Public Relation, Identity Creation
Always Love,
Vikram
Filed under: Advertising, Art, Biography, Business And Commerce, Editorial, Lifestyle, Philosophy, Social Media, Social Science
December 7, 2013
How Far We Can Rely on Broadcast and Print Media?
Do you still trust anymore on radio, television, magazines and newspapers? Once upon a time it was print and broadcast media designed the blueprint of modern revolutionary society. These, one way communication systems ruling more than a century, created many wonders; also betrays human ethics for many times. We lost identical local cultures and adopt artificial closed door events due to mediocre false media environment.
Entertainment goes under control by few decision makers. Media politics worked like drugs; easy to get addicted and causing an unproductive society. Media delivers endless ideas but it doesn’t tells, how to apply? Even being educated, people don’t know what is good for the society. People knowing new things daily basis and do believe the facts. This disability is one of the boneless disease spreading on air. People have no guts to turn televised ideas into reality. Time proved once again that technology people develop for good causes being misused after some time. And this time it is about the control of the knowledge.
The only way to change this poisons environment is by standing against the one way media. The one way media that designed to create a dumb society. Here audience do not share their opinion and lost themselves from day to day. Be careful you are not becoming a victim of such mass media. People, based out of their daily available society should learn how to respect their own tradition (e.g. food, dress, language, culture, occupation etc.). So, media taught to think beyond but doesn’t teach how to cross the line of experience.
Walk on Liberal Thinking, Don’t Trust on Media without Investigating the Fact. Painting by Vikram Roy © Copyright 2013
A research study is saying most of the Television viewer’s feels the luckiest because they think that they are one of the few lucky viewers of that particular show. They also feel like great achiever in taste of picking a show. The researchers also saying even the neighbour is watching the same show but feels superior at the same time of his selection. The social scientists discover the truth that how media is harmful for the society and create superior complexity and increase distance between the friends, relatives or neighbours. The pseudo media environment based on newspaper, magazine and television creating celebrity controlled society, is causing several damage into the society as well as effecting our personal relations. Obviously, the topic is good for a long run debate but media people are practicing an ugly experiment.
Don’t become a couch potato, just because you lost your ideas by getting media addicted. One way media left no choice than watching television or reading newspapers. Why not check the outdoor world! Several electronic and social groups are available to listen to our ideas and give chance to speak out our mind. I, become used to with two way communication media (e.g. Local cultural groups, social workers, meet bloggers, watch online videos, comment, like and dislike etc.) Broadcast and print media is poisoning the society by dominating one way communication system. I believe, educated youth don’t rely on the one way media. The day has come when we should value our own ideas rather than asking others by false quality assurance.
Filed under: Biography, Editorial, Education, Lifestyle, Philosophy, Science & Technology, Social Media, Social Science
