Category: Interesting

10K Run 2010

29 Nov
Raju Alluri 0 Comment Entertainment, Hyderabad, Interesting, Work

This year, I am back at 10K run (I am down sick last year and 2008 is good). Spurthi started the preparations by inviting her friends. That made me start my planning at work. For the first time, we at NetEnrich wanted to do it as a formal corporate run (we always have participants in individual capacity). Within the last couple of days left for the corporate run registrations, we got decent number of participants signed up at work.

We collected our kits on Friday and distributed to participants at work. On the day of the run, Spurthi and myself started at about 6.15am and reached the start point by 6.45am. Parking was bit of a challenge, because most parking space is already taken. Finally managed to squeeze in my car near Prasad’s.

Our team members started assembling by 7.30. We unveiled our banner and started for the run by 8.15am. We did a short stretch of banner walk/run and then started running at our own pace. I could run for about 2-3km and I did a quick paced walk rest of the distance. I could cover the 8km in an hour and 10 minutes. It took me another 15 minutes to cover the two km beyond the corporate run’s end point. Our team members quickly met once again and then disbanded to their respective destinations.

This year’s run didn’t have that many fun activities throughout the stretch. However, special mention is due for Glucon-D, for their endless supply of their Isotonik energy drinks. I really liked their efforts and planning: well spaced throughout the 10km. Kingfisher water came in handy too. I also like the efforts of traffic police for ensuring well cordoned running stretch.

Once Spurthi and her friends are done with their run, we headed home munching breakfast.

Hyd10K-2010

Traffic Deadlocks

26 Aug
Raju Alluri 0 Comment Hyderabad, Interesting, Misc

Wedensday evening is another traffic nightmare in the city. It took me more than an hour to reach home from work. In fact, I parked my car in an empty parking lot a couple of blocks away from home and walked home. By doing so, I might have saved at least another 30 minutes.

Cashless Mediclaim

13 Jul
Raju Alluri 0 Comment Economy, Interesting

Slowly, the cashless mediclaim facility seems to be heading for an exit from the market. Late last week, the insurers started backing out from cashless facility in major metros. Now, there is a further blow on insured -  a 10.3% service tax. This tax is going to have a chain effect. First, the newly introduced tax will make the insurers exit out of the cashless mediclaim sooner than later (or they may considerably increase the premiums for cashless claims). It will eventually reduce the patronage of corporate and high quality hospitals. Reason: even if one may get eventual reimbursement, the person might not have cash flow to pay upfront. Also, people will be burdened with the cash balance requirements even with predictable hospitalizations: say, child birth and elective surgery.

This whole change will be an additional burden on employees and senior citizens.

Test Drive – Mahindra Xylo

21 Dec
Raju Alluri 2 Comments Interesting

I test drove Mahindra Xylo over the weekend. Let me give the ugly details first:

  • Car’s interiors (plastics) are really cheap.
  • Luggage space is not up to the mark. Okay, but not good enough.
  • Looks are not good.
  • No Airbags
  • Gear shift is not smooth (even on the test vehicle that has 7.7K km on that). Clutch needs to be really floored.

Now let me enumerate the positives:

  • Pickup is nice even in city traffic conditions
  • Good turning radius. Smooth U turn at a decent 25KMPH (right in front of KBR park, at LV Prasad Eye Institute)
  • Seating space is really good. Outscores Toyota Innova. Especially the third row
  • Features are better (except for the lack of airbags)
  • Rate is good, after the end-of-the year offers.

I would have taken this vehicle if they could deliver it before the end of the month. However, there is no stock for the specific model/color (the one with ABS) I am looking for. So I am backing out.

Smart Speedbumps

22 Oct
Raju Alluri 0 Comment Interesting

I love the idea of these retractable speed bumps. If your vehicle is slow enough, it flattens under the weight of the vehicle. If the vehicle is too fast, then it continues to be a speed bump.

My thoughts: If the weight of the vehicle is low (think about a two wheeler) then I am not sure if the bump flattens as expected at the stipulated speed.