Motorcycle Diaries Follow-up.
In Kerala, pillion riders are exempted from the helmet rule…

Photo contributed by T. Sajeev Menon, Baroda

In Chennai, starting today, motorcycle riders are required by law to wear helmets. This law has provoked a lot of debate and I feel sharing a page from my motorcycle diary would benefit my friends.

10 May 2000
It was the annual performance review season, and that morning I was supposed to meet my boss with the appraisal form. On reaching office I realized that I had forgotten the form at home and decided to rush back and get it. I knew I was pushing the limits of my old KB100 but I did not want to be late – not on performance appraisal day.

The next thing I remember, I am in a hospital, drifting in and out of consciousness. I remember a doctor by my side; asking me my name and the panic rising, as my mind was blank.

I recovered from the shock after a few hours, but I still have no recollection about how the accident happened; from my memory, the event was thankfully blacked out. Based on what my friends could gather from the people who carried me to the hospital, I was driving at a very high speed, lost control, hit the lane divider, got thrown off the bike and landed on my face.

What I know for sure is that the impact loosened the bonding of the cranial plates in my skull (in simpler terms, I cracked my skull), and I was bedridden for two months.

I also know, without my helmet, I would have been dead.

So, to quote my favourite trucker,

Rule or no rule, Wear a helmet
OK TATA, Sound Horn

Babu Kuriakose, Chennai

Avoidance
Frequent places where smoking is not permitted. Avoid friends, situations, foods and beverages associated with smoking.

Substitution
Chewing gum (to provide the oral satisfaction cigarettes give) or playing with pencil or paper clip (to keep hands busy) may provide a good, temporary substitute for old habits.

Slow weaning
Gradually cut down the number of cigarettes per day and reduce the number of inhalations per cigarette.

Cold turkey
Swift withdrawal is a very effective method.

Relaxation techniques
Deep breathing and other centering exercises help combat anxiety-related urges to smoke.

Quit kits
Books, motivational tapes, videos and other guides to stop smoking are an independent, structured approach.

Self reward
Treat yourself every time you resist the temptation to smoke to reinforce the benefits of giving up.

Group support
Support from non-smokers and ex-smokers is useful.

Love
Fall in love with somebody who really hates smoking.

Search
Google

General Knowledge
Wikipedia
“Largest reference website on the Internet, the content is free and written collaboratively by people from all around the world.”

Science
How Stuff Works
“Credible, unbiased, and easy-to-understand explanations of how the world actually works.”

Maps and Flags
World Atlas
“Helping parents, students, teachers and travellers worldwide”

Stock Images
Corbis
“The place where you can find everything you need to tell your stories with impact that goes beyond words”

Your Photos
Flickr
“The best way to store, search, sort and share your photos”
Picasa
“Find, organise and share your photos”

Your Movies
You Tube
“Broadcast Yourself”

Movies
Rotten Tomatoes
“To discover the critical reaction on movies from the top print and online critics”
The Internet Movie Database
“Earth’s Biggest Movie Database”

Games
Shock Wave
“Collection of best casual games, short films, and animations on the web”

Puzzles
Number Logic
“The web’s premier site for Sudoku puzzles”

Humour
BorowitzReport
“Winner Of The First-Ever National Press Club Award For Humor”
The Onion
“News and views that readers can’t get anywhere else!”

Shopping
E-Bay
“Lowest prices on India’s online marketplace”

Health
Web MD
“Credible health information and tools for managing your health”

Engineering fundas
Engineering Toolbox
“Resources, Tools and Info for Engineering & Design of Technical Applications!”
E-funda
“Concise and reliable information to meet the daily reference needs of Engineers”

Currency Conversion
XE
“World’s Favorite Currency FX Site”

Productivity tools
Life Hacker
“Simple and totally life-altering tips and tricks for managing your information and time.”

Travel
IRCTC
“Online rail ticket booking”
Seatguru
“Most up-to-date and complete guide to information on aircrafts and airplane seats on the internet.

Blogging
Blogger
“Helping people have their own voice on the web and organizing the world’s information from the personal perspective”
Wordpress
“The largest self-hosted blogging tool in the world”

Online Community
My Space
“An online community that lets you meet your friends’ friends”
Orkut
“An online meeting place where people can socialize, make new acquaintances and find others who share their interests”

L&T Recruitment Poster featuring our cryogenic valve.