I too fall prey to a perfectly predictable yet irrational behaviour during my short stays — the urge to watch television news non-stop, whenever I am in the room. And that is how I got involved in this rather curious turn of events, from a hotel room in Lucknow.

In flipping through the channels, my eyes and mind caught attention of a loud, free-for-all discussion on Star News where a group of saffron clad “gurus” were trying to scream over an equally loud bunch of grey and light-blue clad gentlemen. Hooked in with such a mesmerising scene, I settled down to watch the proceedings.

It soon emerged that the motley group consisted of a bunch of spiritual babas and some rationalists pitted on a timeless argument of miracles, superstition, science, and atheism. Just when I was missing some finger food to go with the experience, I realised this was a one-off, never-before discussion!

Everybody on the panel, be it a yogi, godman, baba, acharya, scientist, rationalist, journalist, know-all, psychologist, and I-don’t-know-what — were all in perfect agreement on the topic at hand: “Nirmal Baba is a fraud and fake” and that he ought to be taken to task “for fooling and looting his innocent followers”.

Yet, with that basic agreement in place, the debate continued — and I kid you not — for over an hour. The issue seemed to stem from the non-Babas refusing to stick within the purview of the script and insisting on calling all spades as spade.

To say that the proceedings was hilarious would be a major understatement. The Babas were very clear to the agenda at hand — they were there to shout at the top of their voices and make it very clear that Nirmal Baba was a “dhongi” and a cheat. While leaving no stone unturned to state that obvious fact, they wished to also use the viewership to make a point of how the rest of them — more importantly on an individual basis — were the real deal.

Much to the chagrin of the saffron-clad (and some in white too) the scientist, psychiatrist, journalist, and more so the rationalist seemed to mix issues. They just wouldn’t stick to the script and began making sweeping all-encompassing allegations that all the Babas were fake and looting the gullible.

When polite pleas of “aaj hum sab Nirmal Baba ko dhongi karaarne yahaan aaye hain, aap doosron ke baraime na bole” fell on deaf ears, the babas resorted to sharing knowledge the way they knew best: “Vigyan jhoot hain, aap jhoot hain“.

And when even after that the opposition did not simmer down, one of the Babas shouted, “aap bewakoof hain“. And when that too did not have the desired effect, the Brahmasthra of admonitions “aap bewakoof gadhe hain” was let loose.

This continued right through the hour, where each baba took the opportunity to clearly support the movement of calling Nirmal Baba a fake and a fraud — even presenting fresh evidence to that effect, while vehemently opposing any move to include any other Baba/Guru in that radar.

Just when all hell was breaking loose, the newscaster (I can’t get myself to call her a moderator) announced that the time was up and that the topic would remain inconclusive. Of course, in comparison Arnab Goswami’s Indo-Pak debate panels looked amateurish.

Not to be outdone, India Tv jumped into the fray the next day with “the largest ever panel on tv” — again a hue of saffron, white, and nondescript colours filled the screen. Different and a larger panel, to the same effect — all the god-men insisting that Nirmal baba was a cheat while they individually (and at few occasions, collectively) were God’s gift to mankind.

One of the rationalists lost the plot yet again, when he called ALL babas, gurus, and godmen fake. For good measure and to ensure people got his message, he threw in Ramdev and Ravishankar’s name too. It had more than the desired effect.

Even the host quickly backed away from this controversy that was pulling in some of the biggest brands of neo spiritualism in India into the discussion. Every baba too opposed this inclusion of the two Meta Gurus, while reiterating that they personally were the real thing, and were there to share their views on the one fake guy.

One more panelist asked Yogi Ashwini to perform a miracle right then and there – to the millions of “janatha janardhan” watching the “national television”. Yogi Ashwini instead chose to brandish some “certificates” stating he had powers, saying he had no need to demonstrate it now.

Post some further provocation — one of the other panelists showed an additional set of papers alleging that the Yogi’s certificates were fake — the Yogi announced, “main moorkhonke saamne chamatkar nahin dikhata“. On being asked “aap janatha janardhan ko moorkh keh rahe hain,” he had a final clarification for the rationalist — “main aap ko moorkh keh rahaa hoon“.

What summed up this discussion and this issue for me is the reality one of the Babas stated on the show. Loosely translated, he said, “no matter what each of us have said, and we have repeatedly proven that Nirmal Baba is a fraud, this is going to have zero impact on his followers. The followers believe him because they want to believe in him, and nothing that any of us says is going to make any impact”.

Sadly, I agree totally with this “godman”.

For most of us, it may be evident that Nirmal Baba is a fraud, a parody of a psychic even. One look at some of his interactions with his followers makes it clear who the joke is on. People are asked if they ate a dhokla, or wear a triangular bathroom chappal, or asked to eat a gol gappa as a remedy for some of their most serious issues.

If this is proof for genuine sixth sense, I clearly am in the wrong profession. The joke is clearly one-sided though, as the Baba who mandates a minimum of 10% commission on his followers’ earnings is laughing all the way to his bank.

As the anonymous quote (attributed to Joseph Dunninger in the magic circles) goes, “for the believers no explanation is necessary, and for the non-believers no explanation is enough”.

The only way to explain this phenomena of people insisting on falling prey and giving away their life’s earnings to these fraud godmen is to think that we humans have an innate need to be gullible. If that is indeed true, we can’t really blame the fake Babas anymore — for they are only serving the people’s need, the need to be fooled.

Visualisation helps you see through the task at hand, before it happens, as if it happened — making the actual task a  second coming of sorts. The world of coaching, both sports and executive employs this tactic in various ways, and so will we to our best advantage.

The secret of visualisation is in closing ones eyes, and seeing in the minds eye (visualising) with full attention the series of actions or motions that one will be going through in a while.

Many a top stage performers and magicians have shared how they take a moment just before they take stage to close their eyes, concentrate, and see in their minds eye their entire act — right from the moment they walk on stage, fast-forwarded through the whole show, right up to the end where they *see* them getting the standing ovation & accolades.

Start with the concentration technique (A Quick Way to Relax and Focus) shared with you some months back, and as soon as you have taken the three deep breaths and are in the state of deep relaxation, you continue right through to the visualisation technique.

Start slowly, in full detail, and as you progress through the exercise, speeden up the tasks, watching the pictures rush through in front of your eyes — like watching a video/movie running in fast-forward mode. Live through all the details, as your fast-forward them, till you reach the desired end.

Now emerge out of your visualisation technique prepared to excel at the task at hand. This technique is similar to the shadow-boxing techniques employed by the boxers, and is very powerful. Try it. It takes not more than 2-3 minutes to run through and complete, but leaves you energised, powerful, and raring to accomplish the task at hand easily.

With every New Year comes new hopes, new opportunities, and new beginnings. May 2012 conspire to give life to your dreams and aspirations -- to make it your best year yet.

Building on the work initiated via my Book Signs — Deriving People Types by the Books One Reads, I take a look into what the new year 2012 holds for you — based on the books you read.

Unlike other esoteric, psychic sciences, Book-Signs is solely dependent on your interest in the literary world and your reading habits. A good way to understand your self is to see what is your favourite genre of books, and align that with the most read books in the immediate last six months.

In addition to the forecasts, we have the lucky numbers, colours, and book-sign stones. Also introduced is the Book-Shelf Vaastu — a must-have, must-read book that will work wonders for your well being this year. If nothing else, display it prominently on your mantle or book-shelf and see the difference it brings to the quality of your life.

We also offer you the Book-Signs equivalent of the Karmic Drink/Food. Whenever it is that you are bogged down by what is happening around or need a peaceful revitalising break, get yourself the rejuvenating Book-Sign Iced Karma and experience the wonders it do to you — both spiritually and physically.

Look down the list to identify the genre of books most read by you — and read what the year holds in store for you:

The best part about Book-Signs is that it evolves with the ever changing you. For instance, a change in your interest topics, or a change in the types of books you read recently, influences your person type, and also has a bearing on what your future holds for you. In other words, you can change your future by changing your reading habits! Give that a thought.

Here’s wishing you a Happy New Year 2012!

Arts and Photography

This year will see you make time to follow your artistic pursuit with more vigour and dedication. A break from the normal in March if taken, will see a more focused you in the remaining three quarters of the year. A longstanding personal aim will be achieved too. Planning has always been done, but this is the time for the doing.

Favourable Numbers: 1, 7
Lucky Colour: Yellow
Book-Sign Stone: Blue Zircon
Book-Shelf Vaastu: The Snow Leopard — Peter Matthiessen
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Panettone Gelato Cake

Biographies & Memoirs

An incident that you encounter – in person or a book – will create an impact like none before. Life will change as you know it, with a far important goal taking shape in your mind. Success is a long journey away, but the year will serve to set you right on the path to achieving the goal. Challenges is what excite you, and this year is gonna be full of them.

Favourable Numbers: 2, 4
Lucky Colour: Black
Book-Sign Stone: White Opal
Book-Shelf Vaastu: My Family and Other Animals — Gerald Durrell
Book-Sign Iced Karma: White Chocolate Ice Cream\

Business & Investing

An exciting year weighing on your prudent decisions with many people dependent on your guidance. If knowledge and experience is what you vie for, this year promises much of that. Your personal goals will be easily achieved, so it is important to set the right goals and ambitions to make this a year to reckon.

Favourable Numbers: 1, 6
Lucky Colour: Green
Book-Sign Stone: Quartz
Book-Shelf Vaastu: The Art of Choosing — Sheena Iyengar
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Green Tea Ice Cream

Children’s Books

Life’s been exciting all-around and  happiness will continue to rule your existence. It is important to let go of any inhibition that may still be curtailing your enjoyment of what must be. The more you give this year will magnify your returns in the coming years. Among all the joy, remember to do what must be done, and well in time.

Favourable Numbers: 1, 2
Lucky Colour: Gold
Book-Sign Stone: Pearl
Book-Shelf Vaastu: Where the Wild Things Are — Maurice Sendak
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Hawaiian Sundae

Comics & Graphic Novels

Simplicity is what has fascinated you, and this year you will find new ways to make that which is complex quite simple. Hold on to the child’s eye and mind for that is what pushes far away and ahead of those around you. A workshop or conference comes your way this year and will shape much of what you do in the coming years.

Favourable Numbers: 3, 8
Lucky Colour: Pink
Book-Sign Stone: Yellow Topaz
Book-Shelf Vaastu: Peaceful Warrior — Dan Millman
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Vanilla and Cinnamon Risotto Gelato

Computers & Technology

A year to do something different and out of the ordinary — for you. This is the year of surprises and you will manage to do just that by mid-year. Life as you have believed will change – initially without your control, then because that is how you want it to be. Many decisions to be taken, and the most important ones will prove to be right.

Favourable Numbers: 3, 6
Lucky Colour: Violet
Book-Sign Stone: Pink Sapphire
Book-Shelf Vaastu: Autobiography of a Yogi — Paramahansa  Yogananda
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Vanilla and Caramel Swirl Ice Cream Pie

Cookbooks, Food & Wine

What is that you have been waiting for? That deep-rooted want and hope is bearing fruit this year, just when you have almost forgotten it. A pleasant surprise of sorts, and a well deserved one. A moment to be celebrated in the best way you know — with scrumptious food and wine. Enjoy savouring the fruits of life.

Favourable Numbers: 5, 4
Lucky Colour: Gray
Book-Sign Stone:  Albite Moonstone
Book-Shelf Vaastu: Kitchen Confidential — Anthony Bourdain
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Coffee, Rum, and Walnut Ice Cream

Crafts, Hobbies & Home

That pet project has been waiting to be picked, dusted and completed for a while now. It is not that it had been intentionally put on hold, but it did take a backseat owing to the three factors — you are well aware. Well, things will suddenly fall in place, and you will find that one ingredient that you have been waiting for to make this project meaningfully complete.

Favourable Numbers: 7, 5
Lucky Colour: Brown
Book-Sign Stone: Andalusite
Book-Shelf Vaastu: Celebrations of Curious Characters — Ricky Jay
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Chocolate Sundae

Education & Reference

You have been talking of change for a while now, and here comes a perfect opportunity to make that change. Take the offer with open arms and pursue the path you have always wanted to — bring that difference to the life of those that so badly need it. Things will definitely not be easy, but they will be the most fulfilling. What more can one ask for?

Favourable Numbers: 7, 2
Lucky Colour: Blue
Book-Sign Stone: Turquoise
Book-Shelf Vaastu: Changing Places — David Lodge
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Bellini Sorbetto

Health, Fitness & Dieting

Another year to continue the efforts to scale the peaks of endurance. Unless you overcome the recent challenges that have limited you, this will prove to be a forgettable year. The difference between making this just-another-year and the year-to-talk-about, will be in your hands (and legs). You, as well as all else, know this the best.

Favourable Numbers: 8, 3
Lucky Colour: Green
Book-Sign Stone: Jade
Book-Shelf Vaastu: Che Guevara: A Revolutionary Life — Jon Lee Anderson
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Chocolate Brownie and Raspberry Ice Cream Sandwich

History

Personal goals have been set and ambitions are in place, but there have been hurdles one too many. Will this year do the difference it should? The answer is within you and not outside. Get the papers in order, and stick to the chart of action, and there will be no stopping you. Deep inside, you know what really needs to be done — now is the time for it.

Favourable Numbers: 3, 9
Lucky Colour: Violet
Book-Sign Stone: Ruby
Book-Shelf Vaastu: Churchill, Hitler, and the Unnecessary War — Patrick Buchanan
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Mandarin Popsicles

Humour & Entertainment

Was it a book or a play? Whatever it was that you will finally put pen to paper this year. A lot many things need to change and fall in place for you to be able to get round to your dream project, and they will — for you have waited enough. A mini-opportunity comes your way in the next two months, and when it does ensure you don’t let it pass: Turn your dream into reality.

Favourable Numbers: 2, 1
Lucky Colour: Blue
Book-Sign Stone: Labradorite
Book-Shelf Vaastu: Fifth Business — Robert Davies
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Apple and Pear Sorbet

Literature & Fiction

You are the only one that needs to put the books down for a bit, and enjoy the life that is outside. Travel beckons, albeit a tad unexpected. The uncertainty will quickly pass over and let the enjoyment and sense of adventure rule the roost. This is a new beginning, one that you will talk about as a turning point — in the new way you are going to embrace living.

Favourable Numbers: 6, 5
Lucky Colour: Green
Book-Sign Stone: Rhodonite
Book-Shelf Vaastu: The World According to Garp — John Irving
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Chocolate Affogato

Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

Time was always of essence, and it will continue to be a challenge to make time. You will fare better than before and be able make the time that is needed to fulfill the adventurer in you — taking on that personal trip or activity that has been on the wish list for a while now. A contented year it will prove to be with success both at work and play.

Favourable Numbers: 9, 4
Lucky Colour: Grayish Blue
Book-Sign Stone: Green Tourmaline
Book-Shelf Vaastu: Death in the Wrong Room — Anthony Gilbert
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Lemon Delicious Ice Cream

Parenting & Relationships

Every day is more amazing than the last and brings new successes. You have learnt to enjoy the challenges that come your way as a way to understand life better, and to win greater joys. There are nagging doubts if you are doing things right, worries about taking the wrong decisions, but you will soon learn that there is only one way to do things — and that is the correct way.

Favourable Numbers: 1, 3
Lucky Colour: Pink
Book-Sign Stone: Red Coral
Book-Shelf Vaastu: My Left Foot — Christy Brown
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Oatmeal and Cinnamon Ice Cream

Politics & Social Sciences

You begin the year fully charged up with a campaign you have supported wholeheartedly, only to be disillusioned with the way it is run by the second quarter. The cause is not wrong but the means do not justify the ends. It is time to rebook at the issue at hand, and devise new effective ways to ensure justice to the affected. You will rise to the challenge like fish to water.

Favourable Numbers: 8, 1
Lucky Colour: Yellow
Book-Sign Stone: Amethyst
Book-Shelf Vaastu: Down and Out in Paris and London — George Orwell
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Chocolate and Hazelnut Semifreddo

Professional & Technical

You are not one to be unprepared to changes, yet this one catches you unawares. Your resolve and determination see you back where you belong — at the top of things, within a couple of months, gaining you much well-deserved accolades from your peers. You have always prided yourself on rising to every expectation or challenge, and you live up to that ideal again.

Favourable Numbers: 3, 5
Lucky Colour: White
Book-Sign Stone: Hiddenite
Book-Shelf Vaastu: Visions — Michio Kaku
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Sour Cream Ice Cream

Puzzles & Games

Like it or not, you have been rather comfortable living within your strengths. A new development changes all that, and forces you to reach in to your reserves and work your very best, to reassume your place among the innovators. It takes adversity to force you to change and emerge out of your comfort zone, but it is to your credit that you surpass all expectations.

Favourable Numbers: 8, 6
Lucky Colour: Green
Book-Sign Stone: Lapis Lazuli
Book-Shelf Vaastu: The Code Book — Simon Singh
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Fresh Fig Gelato

Religion & Spirituality

A close friend suffers a turmoil that drains most of your wit and energy away. It takes your best doing to set things right, and more than you have to handle the emotional backlash. It is your spiritual connection that keeps you going and builds your strength manifold to empower you to see the whole challenge through. You will learn a new way to look at life.

Favourable Numbers: 2, 6
Lucky Colour: Red
Book-Sign Stone: Aventurine
Book-Shelf Vaastu: The Greatest Show on Earth — Richard Dawkins
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Tiramisu Gelato

Romance

You have set your sights on what you wish from this year. You also know what needs to be done to get there. There are two hurdles in the path, one smaller than the other. An unexpected support turns things your way and changes the larger of the hurdles in your favour. Put your worries aside and enjoy life to the fullest — for things will turn out just fine.

Favourable Numbers: 7, 9
Lucky Colour: Light Blue
Book-Sign Stone: Hessonite
Book-Shelf Vaastu: Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang — Mordecai Richler
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Coconut, Banana, and Date Ice Cream

Science & Math

There is always an explanation to the way things work, unless you find one that truly cannot be explained. Welcome to another way of looking at the world, learning that it is indeed okay — and perfect at times — not to have an explanation. This is the year where you learn that “I Don’t Know” is a valid and correct answer to some questions.

Favourable Numbers: 9, 8
Lucky Colour: White
Book-Sign Stone: Chalcedony – Agate
Book-Shelf Vaastu: The Glass Bead Game — Hermann Hesse
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Milk Chocolate and Pecan Ice Cream

Science Fiction & Fantasy

The world is changing, much faster than we envisaged — much of that which was science fiction is now a part of our daily lives. This year will see that trend continue, but you already know that fact. It will be surprising only because you will personally have a role to play or come into contact with two new-age gadgets that smudge the line between fantasy and the mundane.

Favourable Numbers: 6, 5
Lucky Colour: Red
Book-Sign Stone: Amaldine
Book-Shelf Vaastu: The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket — Edgar Allan Poe
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Candied Macademia Nut Ice Cream

Self-Help

Every few years our belief systems get a rehash. This is that year for you. A theory or practice that you held very dear will come into question, and you will learn to look at it with new light. This interesting experience in a world driven by unlearning and relearning, will leave you energised with a fresh perspective to help people more than before – and more effectively.

Favourable Numbers: 1, 4
Lucky Colour: Yellow
Book-Sign Stone: Spessartine Garnet
Book-Shelf Vaastu: This Book Will Change Your Life — Benrik
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Cherry Sorbetto

Sports & Outdoors

You have meant to meet this person — a personal idol of sorts, but an actionable opportunity did not arise till now. Grasping a half-chance you will make the best of the moment and make an inspiring memory to be talked of for years hence. The inspiration and advice gained from the meeting will further your personal goals and contribute to making you better.

Favourable Numbers: 8, 2
Lucky Colour: Brown
Book-Sign Stone: Yellow Zircon
Book-Shelf Vaastu: Outliers — Malcolm Gladwell
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Amaretti Semifreddo

Travel

One of your planned trips will not materialise, yet it is more than compensated with a trip not planned for. The travel-addict in you is kept busy through the year, ending up doing more trips than most around. This year will bring you a moment that will change your perspective to things, and help learn and enjoy the world in more ways than one.

Favourable Numbers: 2, 3
Lucky Colour: Green
Book-Sign Stone: Kunzite
Book-Shelf Vaastu: He Who Whispers — John Dickson Carr
Book-Sign Iced Karma: Hokey Pokey

A perfect time as any will ever be to look back at 2011 — to look at its brightest moments and take lessons from its dimmest, to give a thought to the saddest, relive the happiest and smile at the most memorable.

There are many schools of thought that speak of not looking back at the past, and only to look in the present and to the future. While they are grounded in their own realities, taking a moment to do a informal SWOT of how the year that passeth has been, is a wonderful way to look ahead for new answers and solutions — to prepare best to optimise the new year that comes.

In a small effort to nudge you to carry out this exercise for your own benefit, I offer an incentive in the form of a contest: Visit Yet Another New Year Contest for more details on how you can win the acclaimed “Thinking Kit” for yourself. Hurry! The contest ends on 7th January.

Here’s wishing you a great 2012.

The year 2011 held many promises too, fueled a lot many aspirations and dreams. Some were fulfilled, some not. There are those that found 2011 to be the year that held many special things, and there are those that feel it brought along much despair.

Clearly, like every year, this year too brought along a mixed bag of feelings: some will choose to remember it, some will not. We have our reasons — mostly grounded in our own realities and contexts.

As we look to the new year 2012 with new hopes and new aspirations, as we keenly look to new beginnings to realise our long cherished dreams — I ask you to look back at the year that was.

Look back at the year that was in all earnestness and identify that one moment that makes 2011 unforgettable for you. Tell me that one moment — happy, ecstatic, joyous, sad, beautiful, unfortunate, heartbreaking, amazing, magical — that etches 2011 permanently in your memories for a lifetime.

Just type in your answer as a comment in this post so that the judges will have a single point of reference and I can ensure a fair contest. May the best reasons win.

The best 10 reasons we receive — inspiring, touching, meaningful — will be rewarded with my acclaimed ‘The Thinking Kit,’ an interesting way to understand how your mind works.

Here’s wishing that 2012 brings you all that you truly wish for and proves by far your best year till date.

Note: Contest ends at 12PM IST of 7th January 2012. Send in your entries before that.

It has been a while since the information about Symbian Belle was leaked; in fact the software itself was found leaked in late August 2011, a week before Symbian Anna upgrade was officially available to the N8. Ever since, I have been waiting with bated breath – make that rushed impatience – the official release of Symbian Belle for the N8.

Since late October, the unending curiosity had made me run the Check for Updates in the “Device Manager” every single day. By end of November, the had given way to an impatient urge to check for updates at least two times a day, and if that was not enough, also check via SW Update tool at least once — just for good measure!

It is in this context (perennially Google-ing for news updates about Belle for N8) that I came across this article: Belle for N8 appears on Navifirm! As you can see it was not at all difficult to convince myself that this was indeed the official version. Reading through the article I easily believed that I could follow the “easy” instructions therein to flash my N8 with Belle. Finally!

In trying out the flashing process, I made a couple of rookie mistakes, hit more than a couple of roadblocks, scared myself that I have bricked my phone, gave up on the update, found one important troubleshooting tip, did this a couple of times, before finally finding out that the N8 was now working on Symbian Belle.

The 20MB of free space on my N8 C: Drive along with a Polish interface was my first realisation that the so-called official version was a T-Mobile version that I would need to rerun the process again. And I did. With ease this time.

The N8 is running the beautiful Belle now with more that 130MB of free space on the device C: drive! Clearly if this was a usability test, I would have professed high learnability on flashing a mobile OS.

If you are in the same situation as I was, and cannot wait any longer to update your N8 to Belle, here is a set of steps that may make life a tad easier.

Note: I do not aim to provide you with a tutorial here, but just a laundry list of the things you have to do to flash your N8 with Belle upgrade – AT YOUR OWN RISK of bricking your phone – to get this right and working. Then again, if a non-techie like me could do it, I would think most would be able to do this provided one follows the steps so diligently explained in these tutorials referred herein.

First Step: Download a set of files and software:

• Download Navifirm+ and Phoenix Service Software using the links provided in the article How To: Get Symbian Belle on the Nokia N8
• Download Symbian Belle files using Navifirm or via the direct link provided at the end of the article Belle for N8 appears on Navifirm!
• Download Symbian Belle UDA file with all the extra clutter removed making it 70MB instead of the 200MB from this post here: Comment 332600: Nokia N8 Symbian Belle v111.030.0607 appears on Navifirm (You will need to replace the original UDA file with this one as explained there by Deaconclgi)

Second Step: Read these tutorials, and understand them. Then follow these tutorials to the hilt:

• Understand (and try out) the different steps involved by reading the easy to follow tutorial - How To: Get Symbian Belle on the Nokia N8
• Follow the same above steps using the screenshot-based tutorial which will also help you solve the troublesome error message that one encounters at the end of the process: Tutorial: Step-by-Step guide to upgrade Nokia N8 to Symbian Belle
• Remember to replace the UDA file with the modded one as mentioned in  Comment 332600: Nokia N8 Symbian Belle v111.030.0607 appears on Navifirm BEFORE you run the steps.

Third Step: Start using and enjoying your N8

• To be frank, the main difference is in the home screens and the interactions and features therein.
• Else most of the power of Belle is already on your N8 if you were running Anna PR 2.0
• That having been said, Belle is faster, smoother, and feels very powerful

Final Note of Caution: It turns out that the “official version” may indeed not be the official one, and clearly not the final release version. All indications are that the OTA update may be arriving to the N8 in a couple of weeks. In other words, it may just be worth the wait rather than running the modded upgrade.

I decided to take a tongue-in-cheek look at it, continuing my recent thought of looking for “Birth Books” — an act where I try to find out if a person’s birthday could have a connection to a random book that I have assigned to each day of the year.

Do read the nice article written up by Jayanthi Madhukar of the  Bangalore Mirror  including my perspectives along with that of a clinical psychologist Dr Veena Chakravarthy to explain ‘What book type are you?‘

Meanwhile, I am sharing with you my original thoughts as I penned them on what I like to call Book-Signs: Deriving Person Types from the Books one Reads.

Imagine walking to an astrologer, fortune teller, or a psychic and being asked: Which of the following is your favourite or most read genre in books?Your personality reading is based on the genre of books that forms the majority of your readings.

So which one is it?

Autobiographies: You firmly believe that history repeats itself. Even if not, history presents the best life lessons. You aim to lead an exemplary life emulating the high-morals of your heroes, and avoiding their mistakes.

Encyclopaedias: You were a quiz-whiz at school and a budding quizmaster at college. Given a chance you’d have made that a career, but today are proud to be the ‘know-it-all’ in your social circle.

Mystery Novels: Life is all about having fun and living it to the fullest. You believe you are the adventurous type, and often think back fondly to those two treks you did a decade back.

Conspiracy Theories: You seldom believe anything unless you have proven it to yourself. In most cases this is achieved by reading at least 3 books on the topic, even if they offer the same perspective.

Non-Fiction: You take life a tad too seriously. There is more than enough things to learn and talk about the real world, to make time for the make-believe. You have also signed your support for most online petitions.

Chetan Bhagat: You live life per your wants, whims and fancies. What others think or say does not hold water, unless that matches what you want. After all, you know better than all else.

Self-Help: This is not the first of these books you have read, nor is it the last. Reading these is a journey of sorts, and an end-all in itself. The knowledge is used to play agony aunt, to guide and advice anybody you cross paths with.

PG Wodehouse: Language is sacrosanct, good reading makes a man, and there is nothing rummier than the colonial times. You are mostly (over)dressed for the occasion, and your text messages would make Wren & Martin proud.

Fantasy: You have experienced at least one paranormal occurrence and believe there is more to life than science can explain today. Despite this belief, you will trust an event only if you witness it yourself.

Romantic: The make believe fascinates you, and that describes your image of the ideal romance. Emotions tend to get the better of you more than usual, yet you can be the strongest when you put your mind to it.

Hope you enjoyed this. At least in this case you can easily change your personality type by changing your reading habits. Give that a thought.

The next project is to write up the 2012 Predictions for these and more Book-Signs, a la Bejan Daruwala or Linda Goodman

The key takeaway of the conference though was the ability to meet and spend time in the company of the itinerant street magicians of India. Their magic is far beyond any that adorn the biggest of stages, and yet they have to struggle to make a living given the current circumstances where roads and streets are way too clogged to allow a street performer.

This opportunity set off a new project for me to try and document and present the Indian Magic from the perspective of these wonderful performers – who have since generations dedicated their lives to preserving what is clearly a part of the ancient culture of a magical land called India.

The first stage of my new dream project was to get my friend and accomplished artist Umesh Shebe sketch these itinerant street magicians in their regular set-up – mystifying hundreds of people with their craft. Thanks to the Magic Academy and another friend Magician Raj Kumar of Delhi, the first kid-step of the project is now complete, and we look to moving with godspeed unto the next levels with a single aim to complete this project – that in a small way may contribute to correct a historical wrong done to these traditional Indian magicians by the magic community.

More on this as I can update you. Meanwhile, here (May 2008) and here (December 2005)  are two articles I had penned in the context of my earlier interactions with these wonder-wizards of India.

As we emerged from the elevator and walked to the front door, Ajay (name changed) confided in me, that he knew that smoking was not good for him, that he had been meaning to give it up, and had tried various options to quit smoking.

And it was then that it happened.

You should understand that my being a corporate speaker on topics of Persuasion, Influence, and Human Behaviour has a certain effect on the people around me: they begin developing specific expectations. This gets further accentuated when they witness my mind-reading acts: they want to tell me their thoughts, troubles, and problems, hoping for a magical or hypnotic solution to their ails.

The cab had arrived, and I was about to get into the car. This was when Ajay asked me, “Can you help me Nakul? Can you help me quit smoking?”

I have been in this exact situation many times, and each experience has taught me new things and new perspectives. I was trained in methods of Hypnosis and Silva Mind Control about 15 years back, and since then have honed my skills not only via various techniques of hypnosis, but also insights into the human psyche via my work on and off the stage.

“Well, if you say you want to quit smoking, and you already know that this is bad for you, you have covered most of the journey already Ajay,” said I. “It is very easy for you to quit smoking. Don’t smoke your next cigarette. Walk back, take the elevator down, and go back into the hall.”

That did not find logic with Ajay. “No, Nakul. I have come here to smoke. My mind is made. So I have to smoke now,” said he.

Not one to give up easily, when help has been sought, I asked, “How many cigarettes do you have in that box?” “One,” said Ajay, showing it. Off I took it from his hands, pushed it into my left fist, and with a finesse that would have done a prestidigitator proud, opened the hand to show that it had vanished! *POOF!*

The magic trick did not impress Ajay, who asked to see my other hand. Not letting my disappointment show (and mentally making a note to get back to practicing some of my old sleight of hand) I brought the cigarette out of my suit pocket, and tore it into little pieces with no intention of performing a magical restoration.

Putting the small, now-unsmokable pieces of what was an expensive cigarette back into its box, I handed it back to him saying, “Now you can head back, for you have no cigarette to smoke.” Our man clearly was of very strong mind and will, one of those that would not back down despite the odds. “I will go and buy a new one, for I have to smoke,” said he.

“Sure! Your can walk out the compound, deal with the traffic, cross the road, buy your cigarette, and come all the way back, or turn around now and head back to the hall and enjoy your dinner,” said I, using all the persuasion powers I had honed over the years. As my cab began its long journey back home, I saw Ajay start his long walk across the road to get a new smoke.

Clearly, change was ready, but Ajay was not. He had a clearly stated wish: to give up smoking, but this wish was not yet a want, definitely not a need.

My mind started to fill up with all those philosophical lessons on the “Today” versus the “Tomorrow”. The significance of the “Now,” “This Moment” was never more evident – for anything else is just a different word to say “Never”.

To understand this better, we need to see what the people of the state have been going through for some time now.

Karnataka state politics has always been eventful and unique – and that is an understatement. We have seen 15 different chief ministers in 30 years and witnessed President’s Rule on five occasions. Over the last 20 years, the people have consistently elected a government that was not the same as the party in power at the Centre, plus borne the brunt of coalition governments for a number of years.

When SM Krishna declared assembly elections in early 2004, he was the first person in 20 years to complete his tenure as the CM in the state, and held hopes for a return to power. In-party politics and the opposition’s claims of non-development outside the IT-sector saw SMK ushered out of power and his colleague Dharam Singh became the CM via a coalition with JDS.  This opportunist coalition kept the BJP – which had emerged as the single largest party in the polls – out of power.

This disaster of a government quickly folded up with HD Kumaraswamy pulling the plug on Dharam Singh and forming a new government with the BJP’s support; Yeddyurappa was made the deputy CM, and assured that he would be made CM at mid-tenure.

On the day of handing over of power, HDK had the sudden realisation that the BJP was a communal party and Yeddy not a person worthy to be CM. One of the few moments in Yeddyurappa’s life that he blamed his counterpart for the unfavourable circumstances, rather than the position of the stars.

And off we went to polls again. The year was 2008. The people had seen the Congress-JDS combine rout the state of any semblance of progress, and had enough of the rampant corruption and non-development via the non-governance. Most of them had voted for the BJP in the earlier election and easily related to Yeddyurappa’s claim of being cheated of the CM post despite having been voted to it.

Holding on to their last straw of hope for good governance, the people came out to vote, and most voted BJP. They saw the BJP as their only hope from the two-party rule they had witnessed in Karnataka for a while – the Congress and the Janata Dal (in its various forms). The BJP won with a massive mandate, notably reducing the JDS to just 28 of the 224 seats.

The people had barely any time to celebrate, as Yeddyurappa soon got caught up in saving his seat. Every single day brought a new story, a new drama, a new allegation: Yeddy was not only fighting HDK and the Congress, but his own party cadre, notably the Reddys and others who wanted to bring him down. Despite all his efforts – including a Surya Namaskaara in the buff on an Amavasya night, Yeddy could only last 26 months. Yet another Chief Minister did not complete his term.

The process of selecting the new CM was disastrous to say the least, to the extent that almost half the BJP legislators boycotted the swearing in of DV Sadananda Gowda as the new CM. And since then, there is an ongoing tussle within the two groups of the BJP to see who can get the more ministerial berths and the plum posts. Word is that the Jagadish Shettar faction is pitching for two Deputy CM posts in lieu of losing out the CM seat!

Clearly, governance is the last thought on the minds of the Karnataka legislators right now. Their one-point agenda is to maximise their earnings in the short amount of time they have before they need to try getting re-elected. Perhaps they indeed understand their voters and know what would happen to them in the next elections?

The people of Karnataka are not entirely new to the situation they are in today. Yet, it is different.

Having had enough of losing out to the politics of caste, nepotism, favourism, and corruption that had come to define Karnataka, the people voted BJP hoping that they would turn out different. The promise of it being the first BJP government in South India was immense and offered great potential in development and path-breaking reforms.

And today the BJP has proved to be not any different from the other two parties that the people always had to elect; in many matters they have emerged only worse. We are now seeing a new coalition government in the State – that of the BJP and the BJP. Only time will tell how long this government will last, what with all the powers that be trying to bring it down and usurp power in every way possible.

Had the BJP high command kept an eye out on the local politics and not bowed to inflated egos and business interests, they may perhaps have consolidated into a powerful force to reckon with – not only in Karnataka, but entire South India. Instead, they have written their epitaph.

It will only take till the next assembly elections in Karnataka for the BJP to kiss the CM seat goodbye. And if the ground indications are anything to go by, they can kiss it goodbye for a long time to come.