How to Make IRCTC Online Tatkal Reservation Faster ?

I was thinking about the below changes to the current procedure might reduce process time by 50 % or more.

Step 1. Load Money into IRCTC account(like Airtel Money).
   This would cut down the money transaction time. No more 'Money Gone No Ticket','Session Out'    etc situations.

Step 2. Submit you application form before Tatkal hours.

•     Every account can submit maximum of 2 forms.
•     A single form may contain 3 train preferences along with Class choices.
•     Also with choices like 
• a. Book only if Confirm
• b. Book only if Confirm or RAC
• c. Book only if Confirm or RAC or WL below 30
•     This would cut down the login authentication time.

So load money,submit your application sit back and Pray. :)

Feel free to comment

Who should vote in India ?

For good governance in India, along with good candidates contesting, we also need better voters.
So I think if a law is made that only people holding 10+2 degree can vote,then it will make a significant difference !!!
Its a debatable Idea, but think about the consequences.
Politicians can no longer fool voters or buy voters.
On the other hand voters will demand report card of politicians from their tenure on chair.

How to connect to IBM DB2 Database in QTP

This Blog is for Newbie trying to connect to IBM DB2 database for database testing using QTP.
Connecting to IBM DB2 in QTP is a 2 Step Process.
Step 1 : Get IBM DB2 ODBC Driver
Step 2 : Write the Code (Get Connection String to be exact).

Let me elaborate the process in detail.

STEP 1 : Get IBM DB2 ODBC Driver.
Unlike Java where drivers are available for free, here IBM drivers are licensed. I don’t know why they did it that way. Follow the below procedure.
Check whether IBM DB2 ODBC Driver is installed on your system.
Go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Data Sources (ODBC)
Go to Drivers Tab > Check whether you have IBM DB2 ODBC DRIVER

• If you don’t have it then there are two costly ways to do it. Buy IBM DB2 ODBC DRIVER from IBM, if you are self user / if you are working in a company then ask you Project Managers to get it installed from Maintenance Team.
• Install  IBM DB2 Client software . This is also a licensed software .
• Source : http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.ws...wg21418043

 After successful installation of one of  above two entities , restart your machine , recheck for the driver.

• Make sure your user account have ‘Read & Execute’ permissions to C:\Program Files\IBM\SQLLIB  to this folder.
• Try navigating to this folder you’ll understand. If you do not have access privileges contact your system Administrator and get Full Control of this and its subfolders.

STEP 2 : Write the Code (Get Connection String to be exact)
    Here I have used ADODB connection object. A common way to connect various types of databases.
    CODE :
*********************************************************************************************
query = "select * from SCHEMA_NAME.TABLE_NAME WHERE COLUMN NAME= 'some unique value' "
ConnectnString  = "Driver={IBM DB2 ODBC DRIVER};Database=databaseName;Hostname=serverAddress;Port=portNumber; Protocol=TCPIP;Uid=userName;Pwd=passWord;"
'ConnectnString  = "Driver={ IBM DB2 ODBC DRIVER - DB2COPY1};Database=databaseName;Hostname=serverAddress;Port=portNumber; Protocol=TCPIP;Uid=userName;Pwd=passWord;"
Set connectionOBJ = CreateObject("ADODB.Connection")
Set recordSetOBJ = CreateObject("ADODB.recordset")
connectionOBJ.ConnectionString = ConnectnString
connectionOBJ.Open
Set recordSetOBJ = connectionOBJ.Execute(query,,adExecuteNoRecords)
msgbox recordSetOBJ.Fields("COLUMN_NAME")
*********************************************************************************************
I have commented Driver={ IBM DB2 ODBC DRIVER - DB2COPY1}  use this connection String if Driver={IBM DB2 ODBC DRIVER} fails

You might encounter the below Errors :
Error#1 : Specified DRIVER could not be loaded due to System Error 5

It means you don’t have access privileges to C:\Program Files\IBM\SQLLIB  folder or its subfolders. Get the access from System Administrator.

Error#2 : Catastrophic Failure at connectionOBJ.Open
 
This is a weird error and to fix this you need to exit QTP and delete [or rename] the file :
C:\Program Files\HP\QuickTest Professional\bin\ QtPro.exe.local
Then restart your system.
The above file is of no use unless you are working with LoadRunner. And somehow this conflicts with the driver.

That is it. Feel free to comment 

Why Dual Sim? Why not Super Sim?

What if TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India)  issues a Super Sim which allows us  to connect to     any cellular service provider , anytime  anywhere !

Every mobile has an option to Manually search available operator network  in our locality

Settings --> Phone --> Network --> Operator Selection : Manual

 But we are not allowed to connect to a Network other than that of our sim.

 e.g.  if you have Docomo sim in your mobile then you cannot connect to Airtel network

 What if we are given access to connect !

 Let me put the features of Super Sim that differ from ordinary Sim,

 so that you can visualize it more clearly :

Ø  It can connect to any Operator Network.

o    Manually search and select a network which has the strongest signal strength at  your locality.

Ø   Every Super Sim will have a unique number which is fixed until it is destroyed.

Ø   Based on the time duration and mode of activity (GPRS, sms, calling within India or ISD etc) and tariff of the network of usage, we  will be charged.

o   TRAI will have our account and we need to recharge to this account.

Ø   There will be no concept of Roaming as long as we are confined to India.

o    Anyhow Roaming system will be lifted by TRAI soon.

 Advantages:

ü  It eliminates the need of Dual Sim or multiple sims and no Mobile number portability required.

ü We can utilize the best of all Networks! Suppose network 'x' provides cheapest 2G or 3G tariffs, and Network 'Y' has cheapest sms tariff and network 'z' has lowest call tariff .

o   You can avail the benefit of all three !!!

ü   National Security Agencies will have database of every mobile user, which can be used in actions against act of Terrorism.

ü   Now no more "out of coverage" during your Train journeys.

 Disadvantages :

·     Selecting a network each time can be irritating, but we can have an App for it which would make switching between networks super easy

 Apart from this i don't see any other disadvantage from consumer point of view.  Please criticize.

Hum DO Humare DO ... EK ko Janam do Dusre ko Godd lo

The idea is simple...
Each and every couple may have their first child but the second child must be adopted.

This should be made as a law and a body, such as Child Services of US, should be founded to make this idea work.

The Remarkable Merits of this idea are :

1. The number of unwanted babies and orphans can be exponentially reduce.

2. It can really check the population of our country.

3. It can gradually eradicate poverty, illiteracy. 

4. It can remove caste system (though some narrow minded people won't like this but Young              India needs it).

5. More importantly we can give a better life to a child.

Demerits, what could be :

1. This may turn into a business.

solution :  this cannot turn into a business if money is not involved.

The Government Body which I mentioned earlier must be the only body who regulate this adoption process, and  Government must see that no Money is involved.

2. The rate of Unwanted Babies would rather increase, with mentally sick parents dumping their babies.

solution :  with the advancement of science, I don't think a lady has any reason to give birth and then dump the baby. Probably, the only reason that could be is FEMALE child (sick people).However I think that perception of people towards female child is changing.

3. Why would a couple adopt ?

answer :  Social Responsibility. Moreover , there would be income tax rebate just like we have , if we do charity .

People with more than two kids , heavy tax should be levied on them.

People with their own two kids , some tax should be levied on them.

People with two kids and one is adopted , rebate on income tax.

We can do all sorts of things like campaigning , ads to make socially aware of this thought and benefits from it.

Just remember we are saving a LIFE and giving a better Future.

I don't see anymore demerits. If You do then please comment.

They Need Us !!!


I will follow this slogan would You?

It is sickening to see kids begging at crossroads

It is sickening to see kids begging at crossroads.

Hands that should be holding a pen/pencil are instructed to beg !!!

They(Children) don't have a choice! Nobody cares what they want.

I see mothers carry their kids and use them as a tool to gain sympathy of donors.

A painful sight to see.

Kids, who just learnt to walk are brought into this cruel Business...yes, this is a bushiness !

A Business by their guardian.

The Constitution of India in the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy prohibits

child labour below the age of 14 years in any factory or mine or engaged in any other hazardous employment (Article 24).

So does this not come under Child Labour Act ?

Why aren't their guardians punished ?

Now lets dig deep and think what could be the reason. Lets do a role play.

Beggar :               MONEY . We don't have enough money to provide them with education.

Responsible Citizen :

                             The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act of 2009: The law                       mandates free and compulsory education to all children aged 6 to 14 years. This legislation also mandated that 25 percent of seats in every private school must be allocated for children from disadvantaged groups and physically challenged children.So you just need to allow them that's it.

Beggar :              What about Food ? We need money for food too.Does government provide free food         too ?

Citizen :                Hmmm....(Only during natural disaster.People having  BPL card or ration card get food at very low cost, but government doesn't provide free food.They just cannot because if they do then 'To Whom exactly ?' , 'How much ?' 'For How Long ?'...with this economy it is just not possible to feed millions.)

Why don't you work? I have seen many beggars who are fit to work but still they beg . You people made a business out of it.You are just lazy people and seeking the easiest way to earn money. Feed your family for yourself.

Beggar :               I agree sir there are few people who made beggary a business. But they are just a fraction of the millions.Most are physically handicapped, cant work . we beg and make our children to beg too,So that we can survive.

Citizen :               What kind of survival is that ? Why do you need to survive with such a life . That just doesn't make sense. And why to reproduce when you know to cannot give a decent life to your children ?

Beggar :              Don't talk about what has already happened. nobody can change it. moreover we hope one day our children will get us out of here.

So friends is there a solution to it ?

For our country to prosper we must eradicate poverty and illiteracy.

What could the government do to solve this deadlock ?

Jab tak garib rahenge , garibi nahi hategi.