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A victim of “Pig Butchering” scam, an Indian American family succumbs to tragedy

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This week I got a WhatsApp message in a university alumni group about a GoFundMe page created by Aruna, a batchmate that talked about her husband’s suicide after he fell victim of a cryptocurrency scam. In the GoFundMe page, Aruna went on to explain  how her husband was an  “unfortunate victim of a cryptocurrency scam where he was skillfully manipulated into parting with our entire life savings. Through the shameless, methodical and savvy deception of these heartless cyber criminals, they utilized a “pig butchering” scheme and managed to convince him to pull every single penny out of our life savings, including all of our retirement funds. There is nothing left in our accounts, except debt and loans to pay.”   Video viewpoint by Author, Mohan Aruna’s family is the story of a typical middle-class American dream. She migrated to the US with her husband after her masters in India. They then spent the past couple of decades pursuing the American dream – seeking a Green Card and nat
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ViewPoint - Have there been any jobs actually lost to AI?

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 The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the job market has been a topic of significant debate and concern, with many questioning whether AI is actually leading to job losses. While the narrative often focuses on the potential for widespread unemployment, the reality is more nuanced. I asked this query in  Reddit's Futurology subeddit  last week and got nearly 200 responses that were polarized in two camps  The numbers are heavily under reported #vs Do you honestly believe that most companies would openly admit they are replacing people with AI?  Publicly traded companies would in fact be bragging about this. A summary of the top anecdotal Responses include: Individual IT Developers My team uses chatgpt extensively. **Mostly for code** but all kinds of other stuff too. We’re hiring less people. We have a hiring freeze right now, and 8 people just got let go. My department is shrinking. Yet, productivity is up…hmm, wonder how that’s possible…? Me + ChatGPT replaces like 3 o
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Indian techies and Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement

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 The FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement has garnered considerable attention worldwide, and its principles are finding enthusiastic followers among Indian techies. The movement, which emphasizes frugality, saving, and smart investments to achieve early retirement, resonates strongly with India's tech-savvy professionals who are known for their meticulous planning and goal-oriented mindset. Video: Mohan's viewpoint FIRE and retirement for Indian Techies   Indian techies, often starting their careers in their early 20s, benefit from relatively high salaries in the technology sector. With significant exposure to global financial planning trends through their work and the internet, they are well-positioned to adopt FIRE principles. The typical pathway for these professionals involves stringent budgeting, substantial savings, and investing in diverse portfolios that include mutual funds, stocks, real estate, and increasingly, cryptocurrency. One of the critical f
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T20 World Cup 2024: India vs Pakistan match ticket to cost upto Rs 8.4 lakh

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There is a tremendous excitement over the start of the 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA. The 20-team tournament gets underway in Dallas on Saturday (Sunday morning in India), with a match between USA and Canada, but one of the marquee games in this tournament is the India vs Pakistan contest in New York on 9 June. The tickets, however are not cheap.  The Nassau County International Stadium in New York is all set to host the T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan, and is expected to be a full-house affair. The price of the ticket, starts at $995 and goes up to $10,000 US dollars (around 8.3 lakh in Indian rupees). According to the ICC’s official website, a total of six hospitality packages are made available at the venue in New York. These are —Premium Club Lounges, Diamond Club, Cabanas, Pavilion Club, Boundary Club and Corner Club. However, for the India vs Pakistan contest, all that’s available are just three of these packages. The Diamond Club is the “Jewel” of the
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Here's the essay ChatGPT wrote for the Pune youth who mowed down two techies with his Porsche while drunk

The  Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) went easy on the kid who killed two techies, granted him bail and simply asked him to write an essay . So, I asked ChatGpt to do  his homework with this prompt (sic!): "I accidentally killed 2 people with my expensive car. Write an essay on perils of drunk driving" The response came back in a few seconds. Case Closed? (sic!) Drunk driving remains one of the most severe threats to public safety on our roads today. Despite extensive public awareness campaigns, strict legal penalties, and ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies, the problem persists, often with tragic consequences. The case of accidentally killing two individuals while driving under the influence underscores the profound and irreversible impact that such negligence can have on multiple lives. This essay explores the perils of drunk driving, examining its causes, effects, and the critical need for more effective prevention measures. Causes of Drunk Driving Several factors co
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Indian techies are fascinated by the Rs 1-Crore package. Look beyond debate - Why & Who draws 1Cr?

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The IT sector in India has been a cornerstone of the country's economic growth, with major hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune housing numerous multinational corporations and innovative start-ups. Professionals in these regions benefit from a dynamic ecosystem that fosters talent and provides ample opportunities for career advancement. Companies like Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Wipro, and newer tech giants like Flipkart and Paytm are known for offering lucrative packages to retain top talent. Indian Techies are generally well compensated, yet the topic of salaries are front and center in most conversations. By all means 20-30-40 lakhs is still a huge amount in a country where a percentage of population is below poverty line. Yet there are days when lurking in tech forums, I come across boasts or humble-brags about "1 crore" packages that generate animate discussions.  Typically, these high earners with packages of 10 million rupees are seasoned profes
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A unique book giveaway - Sharing the joy of reading, giving away one book a day for a month

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In a world often dominated by screens and digital content, the tangible pleasure of holding a book in hand remains unmatched. Book giveaways, a simple yet profound act, serve as a beacon of light in promoting literacy, fostering community, and spreading the love of reading. Thinking along these lines prompted Vijay, a teen Biblophile from Bengaluru to announce a month long book giveaway for students and young readers in India.  Vijay has enjoyed reading and reviewing books for as long as he can remember. During the pandemic and lockdowns, he decided to take his love for printed books online by sharing book reviews on his niche YouTube Book Review channel that has over 690 subscribers.  During the 30-day Book Giveaway in May, Vijay is offering to buy books worth Rs 500 for deserving students and readers every day. Announcing the giveaway, Vijay says  "I want to share the joy of reading this summer and I am planning a giveaway using award money won from different competitions.&quo
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