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Surreal Nirvana Feedback/ Suggestion/ Contact Form

THANK YOU!!!

Thank You for your valuable inputs. Your feedback and support is important and is truly treasured. Feel free to keep providing us with your feedback as and when you feel necessary.

Click Here to continue browsing on Surreal Nirvana.

Manish Ahuja 

THANK YOU!!!

Advertise with Surreal Nirvana

Dear Reader,

You can choose to advertise with Surreal Nirvana and choose between various flexible options viz. Banners, blog posts, Text Ads etc. Because we believe in complete focus individually to every advertiser needs in order to customize the content and cater to specific needs, we'd request you to kindly contact us by clicking here. We'd appreciate if you could help us by providing us with the basic idea of your advertising need(s) (type: banner, text ad; duration: one day, week, month etc) which would help us serve you better.

Thanks & Best Regards,

Manish Ahuja

Advertise with Surreal Nirvana

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) explained

Recently a post titled 'A few tweaks made at Surreal Nirvana ' managed to provide me with valuable first hand feedback from the readers. Quite a few readers have started using the Save/Share; Google search features which were introduced in the same post. However, an ironical case in point was observed wherein a substantial number of readers didn't know how to use an extremely helpful feature i.e. RSS. I choose to call this situation ironical because RSS is an abbreviation which when expanded stands for 'Really Simple Syndication'. 

The only conclusion which I could arrive to was probably because readers don't know how this function works, they find it too technical and difficult to adapt to. This is clearly not the case. Hence, the objective of this post for me is to try and explain how easily can some one subscribe to and learn to use and reap the benefits of RSS. I hope by the end of this post every reader would agree to the fact that RSS indeed means 'Really Simple Syndication'.

However, before starting I'd like to inform the reader that herein I've mentioned using Google Reader, but there are several options available to users like Omea Reader ; Awasu Reader ; FeedDemon etc. It doesn't matter which reader a user uses because the procedure to subscribe to a particular RSS Feed remains the same. I personally use Google Reader because of its clean layout, its easy to use and I don't have to log in to a new website since my Gmail window is open all the time.

Step-by-Step procedure to subscribe to 'Surreal Nirvana' RSS Feeds using Google Reader

• If you choose to use Google Reader as your preferred RSS Reader, please make sure you're logged on to your google account before you proceed.
  

• While on Surreal Nirvana, you can click on the hyperlink as shown in the picture below from any page/ post of the blog.
  

• Clicking on the link will take you to a new page which will allow you to choose amongst many available RSS Readers. As mentioned earlier, for the ease of explanation, I'd be using Google Reader. You need to click on Google as circled in the picture below. 
  

• Now you'd have two choices between Google Homepage and Google Reader, choose Google Reader 
  

• And you're DONE. You will now be taken to your very own Google Reader account wherein you can browse, add and manage any further subscriptions which you'd want to add to your reader.
  

• For your further visits you may choose to log in to Google Reader by visiting or just be using the Google Reader shortcut available in your gmail inbox as shown in the picture below.
  

• For your convenience I'd like to share links of a few RSS Feeds which I've subscribed to
• Economist RSS Feeds (multiple options available)
• Official Google Blog 
• Official Gmail Blog 
  

As mentioned before the procedure was described I hope the readers would now use their RSS Feed Readers with just as much ease as they surf the net. I'd request you to please consider passing on this post to all your contacts in case you feel it could be of any help to them. Your feedback is important as it allows me to help you understand how to use all the resources of the blog in the most optimum manner. Hence I hope to read what you think of the post(s)/ feature(s)/ blog in general. If there's something you'd like to know more about and you think I can help, please feel free to mention the same.

Manish :)

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) explained

A few tweaks made at Surreal Nirvana

I just wanted my readers to be aware of a few changes that have been made here at Surreal Nirvana. The main purpose of making these changes is to add value to readers' experience. For example the Labels column in the right column has been moved below other features. I realized that although labels are important but the sheer number and variety might cause hindrance while browsing and accordingly the necessity of this change was felt. Some of the other changes which might require some introduction as described below:

• Google Search: Users can now use Surreal Nirvana to search the web using Google. A user can type in his/her query in the search box available on the top right column of the blog and the search results would open in a new page. In this manner the user can continue surfing on Surreal Nirvana without having to find the page again and at the same time ca perform search on the web using Google without having to open a new tab/ browser window. For your benefit a small picture of the Share/ Save button is shown below.

• Share/ Save: The purpose of this feature is to enable the reader to share a particular post of hi/s her interest with others just by a click of a button. You may choose to save the link on various internet communities, add the post on your Facebook profile (the blog post will appear in the posted items section of your facebook profile), bookmark the particular page in your browser or you may just choose to send the post via your email address to one or maybe to your entire contact list. You may use this feature by clicking on the Share/Save button at the end of every post. For your benefit a small picture of the Share/ Save button is shown below.

• RSS Feeds: For those users who're not aware of an extremely helpful function on the web called RSS/ RSS Feeds, here's a small introduction. Users who understand how RSS works may continue reading from the next paragraph. RSS is a family of Web feed formats used to publish frequently updated works—such as blog entries, news headlines, audio, and video—in a standardized format. An RSS document (which is called a "feed", "web feed", or "channel") includes full or summarized text, plus metadata such as publishing dates and authorship. Web feeds benefit publishers by letting them syndicate content automatically. They benefit readers who want to subscribe to timely updates from favored websites or to aggregate feeds from many sites into one place. RSS feeds can be read using software called an "RSS reader", "feed reader", or "aggregator", which can be web-based or desktop-based. The user subscribes to a feed by entering the feed's URI into the reader or by clicking an RSS icon in a browser that initiates the subscription process. The RSS reader checks the user's subscribed feeds regularly for new work, downloads any updates that it finds, and provides a user interface to monitor and read the feeds. In simple words RSS helps a user to get automatic updates by just adding the URI of the desired blog/website in their feed reader. There're many feed reader options available. I personally use Google Reader. Feel free to ask in case of any further queries/ doubts.

Surreal Nirvana readers can locate RSS Feed Subscription link on the right column of the blog. Just click on the same to activate your subscription and you'll start receiving the updates on your reader. For your benefit a small picture of the RSS Feed/ Subscription button is shown below.

• Surreal Nirvana on Facebook: Today almost everybody is on Facebook. Surreal Nirvana has a network which tries to bring all the readers together through an unique application on Facebook. Through this network readers can interact with each other, post comments etc. Please make sure you join the network on facebook as it also enables you to get updates related to the blog directly on your profile. To join the Facebook network, please locate the button on the right column of the blog. For your benefit a small picture of the Facebook network button is shown below.

I hope the readers find one/ all these features helpful. I'll try to keep adding more features like these which will enhance your browsing experience, make it easier, fun and worthwhile. Request you to please provide me with your valuable feedback which helps me understand the pulse and needs of my readers.

Thanks & Best Regards,

Manish :)

A few tweaks made at Surreal Nirvana

YOU can help save Mumbai from the next terrorist attck. Continue reading to know more

The recent attacks in Mumbai has left everyone shell shocked and agitated. At the same time there's also a sense of fear and helplessness which is being felt by public at large due to the inept behavior of the politicians. Reactions observed at various levels (announcing military rule, abandon paying taxes, etc) are sending a clear message to the government that we've had enough and we don't wish to see even a single Mumbaikar or Indian being hurt with a pin without a reason, leave alone people at large losing lives due to another terrorist attack. It's just disgusting to watch when a city/ town all over our country keeps getting attacked almost every month. Bomb blasts are being treated as if they are just firecrackers by heavily protected, power hungry, greed driven clan of insensitive, irreverent, incapable and irrational twits.

Although this incident has clearly displayed the valor of the police (the rather infamous team who are otherwise written about with huge proportions of snide remarks, portrayed and looked upon with disgust), the armed forces, various other teams who faced the rodents of the society in the eye and willingly chose to  fight for their country. These brave souls weren't supporters/ followers of any political party; nor were they making speeches about their state, minority or religion. They were INDIANS fighting to save lives of people they don't know, people they might never see or meet in their lives (if they managed to keep themselves alive in the time of crisis). I must not forget to mention the efforts put in and the acts of bravery of various unsung heroes (hotel staff who made security of guests a priority over their own lives, general public who were trapped in the hotels at the time of terror) who were fighting with time and circumstances. Simultaneously, it also gave us Mumbaikars yet another reason which we didn't really opt for to display our never ending spirit. It's quite evident that all of us are quite bored and aren't as proud as we were earlier to display our spirit because every body feels that the term has probably lost it's meaning or is being taken for granted after being used, reused and also abused after every horrifying incident which haunts the city. To summarize the truest emotion every person walking on the street feels that the country is being taken for a ride. Just because we've the spirit doesn't give others a reason to exploit the same at their whims and fancies. 

I would like to mention a point which captured my thought while I was watching a debate related to the matter of concern. It's futile to point fingers at a particular group of ministers who're being blamed and are being held responsible for the event.  It's just merely their bad luck that they were the men who were at various positions when the incident took place. Had there been anybody else, the end result would not have been significantly different. We must also not forget that these are the same people who've not been chosen at random but have been elected democratically by us. So lets not waste our energy and time replacing one set of useless incompetent candidates with another or stop discussing over comparatively trivial areas (people roaming in Taj with film directors or some one else passing a comment which even a kid can determine inappropriate in a situation like ours).

After having witnessed the situation the way it was being covered as a sport event and after getting a bird's eye view on the situation it's not difficult to conclude that the problem is so much more deep rooted than it seems. What we need is a dynamic action plan which would be assertive, goal oriented and most importantly independent from the cobwebs of complicated proceedings because simplicity and a structured format would help create more transparencies in the system. Frivolous and mediocre assurances which we've been provided in handsome dosages after every tragic situation has resulted in  creating a structure which crumbles like house of cards with just a sneeze. Also it's evident that we citizens have to start contributing in every small way possible. I suggest we realize the gravity of the situation and ask questions, demand answers, raise our hands to create a support system and not just raise our fingers to blame, point, and/or make expressions which just denote our anger but doesn't provide any significant inputs which result in a paradigm change. Look out for avenues where you can volunteer, speak to your friends about topics of critical national importance and not just sports, movies, technology games et al. 

To make things easier I can suggest one area which is called 'EYES & EARS' which is a fresh new initiative by DNA newspaper. The objective of EYES & EARS is to develop a community which will report on crimes, suspicious happenings or related matters to a special SMS number. The information received will be dealt with appropriately through a 24x7 control room manned by DNA and the Zee group. If warranted, the information will be transmitted to the right authorities, including the police and NGOs. EYES & EARS members can maintain their anonymity. However, at your option, you can also be given credit for information that is useful to the police or the community. We welcome all Mumbaikars to become EYES & EARS. All you need to do is SMS us as 54567. Please note that by no means am I suggesting that this is the only option available. My purpose by sharing information about the program is to spread awareness and provide a bridge between the initiative and volunteers. I'd be delighted if readers can suggest other modes where active citizens can be of help in any manner possible. What's important is that we chanalize our efforts in an area which will bear fruits and not result in more problems for the society like the solutions of the past. All readers are requested to feel free and comment or provide their recommendations and help spread awareness because after having spoken enough, now is the time to act. Like it's rightly said, 'Strike when the iron is hot', I request every body to act in their own way to keep this fire burning until we have a solution to all problems which our country is facing.

JAI HIND

Manish Ahuja

YOU can help save Mumbai from the next terrorist attck. Continue reading to know more

So what is this blog all about?

Hey all,

I'm sure you must be wondering what is this blog all about. Well without complicating or diluting the whole idea, I would skip the jargon and long complicated explanations and tell you in simple words that this blog is my way to express, interact, communicate, ideate with YOU.

I plan to post information about websites, books, magazines, movies, a music album, people in general, a product, place, restaurant etc. You might wonder what's so great about all of the things which I've just mentioned. Well I'm not sure if I can communicate the core idea which motivated me and helped me conceive this blog but I'm sure I'll try my best to make your visit to this blog worthwhile. And I plan to do so from the next post itself wherein I promise you I'll introduce you to a website which can be extremely addictive, extremely helpful as a learning resource and most importnatly would result in helping you contribute to provide a meal to someone who truly desrves it. Confused? Make sure you check the next update of this blog when it happens.

Also an important point which I would want you to know. Consider this as a journal wherein I publish what I feel must be communicated across o public at large. Feel free to agree, disagree, appreciate, criticise to whatever I have to say. I can't exactly promise you the frequency at which I'll update my posts so I would suggest that you use the RSS feeds to know about the posts as and when they occur. Don't fret if you're not sure what RSS is or how does it work, I plan to post the easiest options to use a RSS feed soon.

Well that's about it from me for now. Hope you enjoy the time you spend in here. B'Bye, take care, keep smiling and God Bless!

Manish :)

So what is this blog all about?