Impressions

Back again :)

2009-10-25T11:18:00.000-07:00

So I am writing after a long long time
I have been thinking of writing down for the past two months I suppose.. .and I have a long list of things in my mind to write about.. let’s see if I remember all that and am able to write it down

** Added later : All three blog posts are not about the topics on which i wanted to write so my list is still pending and will be completed in November ; I have promised it to myself

Open Book is not cheating

2009-10-25T11:17:00.000-07:00

The thought of writing this blog came to my mind while I was writing my last exam today ;
There were discussions going on in class while examination was going on and the school teacher shouted back : “Cheating ke liye kitaabein de to di hai, aur kya chiaye ”(You have books ; what else do you need to cheat)
And I wanted to write on this topic at that very moment ; which is this that open book examination is not cheating ;
People have this tendency to smirk and reply back “oh Its an open book exam “ and what is the benefit of examination if you are provided with books ; and I completely fail to understand why people still live in the world where examination equals memory power ;
Examination is to examine whether you posses the knowledge or the right skill ; and whether you have understood the subject by heart ; so in life whenever you encounter any such thing ; how will you react ; and to the best of my knowledge I think books only help us in proving that yes we know it right ;
Critics of Open book forget that in practical life you are provided with best of all the resources you wish to access;
What is required is a thorough understanding of subject ; concept ; logical flow and the correct aptitude towards the subject and not how well we are able to memorize the words in book and produce it back ;
There is nothing wrong with referring to a book and mind you after giving four exams I can bet in saying that you cannot afford to study the book for the first time in exam ; you can only take advantage of an open book examination if you have thoroughly gone through the book ; know what is the flow of thoughts and contents by your own index not by the book’s .
Teachers who set the paper are not fools. They realize the difference and hence the paper;
Yes you are a bit more relaxed ; less pressurized as you know the book is with you ; and your creativity while writing long essays goes for a toss as you always think that the book has better answers :P

My first semseter again :)

2009-10-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

So Semester ends and I am a happy happy soul today.

It’s such a relief when you realize that your exams are done and you enjoy some break ;

Today while coming back from my exam centre I thought of writing down my entire first semester experience which has been amazingly wonderful till now.

Studying after a long time has been fun and hectic. Although my close friends would not agree on the fun part because they know how much I bug them just before the exam night when I know nothing and panic bug settles inside.

So studying again after a sabbatical of exact two years has been associated with a lot of enthusiasm ; brimming excitement to meet new people ; and then I almost overflow with joy at times realizing that after the end of this course I would be awarded with an MS degree ;

Practically I don’t have much expectations from this degree as such or what this degree does to my CV but had I not been doing this course I would have crossed two more years of my life ; value adding nothing to my life so I am more than happy adding something to my life ;

First Day:

So I have missed the most fun part of my course which is that my classes are held at India Habitat Centre, Lodi road J Ye YE

Well I started writing about IHC and it seems it is material for a separate blog post which you can find here.

So I reached the place with slight nervousness ; enthusiasm brimming to meet new people and the joy of starting something new in my life; First day was just a inaugural session and my joy doubled when I realized the constitution of my class;

I think that is with any post graduation course ; my batch has people varying from different backgrounds : software engineers to civil engineers ; engineers to academia ; top class executives to one year experienced ; from Army colonels to Writers ; from Chartered Accountants to speakers;

The batch is rich in content; in experience and most of all in people :)

It becomes a lively session during the classes when there are discussions going around; people interpret things according to their experience and ask questions;

So overall I am enjoying the course; loving visiting IHC ; relishing food at Eatopia ; and basking in the glory that I am doing MS :P except that examinations get too hectic ; Have to give 4 exams in two days and at those precise moments of despair and panic I wonder why on earth did I join this course ;

IHC My new Love :)

2009-10-25T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Place is just Awesome and whenever I visit the place I fall in love with the place again and again , all over :)

It’s so damn calm; serene ; soothing and gives you such a nice feel ;

This blog is about IHC : the place which I am visiting too often these days :)

As I enter there are colorful fountains on both the sides which are operated in the evening only; there are tall long trees giving a peaceful aura which make you love the place;

The place is an architectural marvel ; even in months of July when you pass the centre of IHC a cool breeze welcomes you ; and you feel so refreshed ;

IHC is one of the reasons that I long to attend my classes apart from the fact that I enjoy half of my sessions and sleep through half of them :P

There is a nice amphitheatre just in front of my building ; the one where Rang De Basanti was shot and on weekends (just the precise time when I have my classes )there are plays and play rehearsals going on;SO sometimes in the evening claas the background music of play flows into our years and I get excited to get down and have a look;

Another attraction is Eatopia : the food court where we lunch and gossip and share information about each other ;

There is a lotus pond with big red fish inside just outside the Stein Auditorium;

You can sit quietly on one of stairs ; or anywhere in the compound and silently do anything ; observe people ; write some stuff ; paint ; do poetry ; chat with friends or just sit silently with your counterpart ; or may be do nothing ;

There is American Diners on the other side where the elite are either entering into marital bliss or getting engaged and you can be a mute spectator to the pretty females walking around clad in designer lehengas and sarees

There are exhibitions going around ; art photography ; everything

Life becomes so relaxed and at leisure when you enter IHC ; Life outside is running at a different pace ; at a pace where everyone is running blindly and does not have time for himself lest for anything else and as I enter IHC time seems to stop for me

I want to just sit there; be a part of the building and stand still; be a silent observer to everything.

I wonder.....

2009-05-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

I wonder whether my present will serve as some inputs to my tomorrow...
I wonder whether my today will contribute in my purpose for life...
I wonder whether I am wasting time and may be i will have to begin agresh again....
I wonder for how long will it go...
I wonder for how long will I be able to hold on....
Life seems drab... and a questionmark....

There are times when life is hectic...You just hop along the life's path.....

You just immerse yourself in the work... keep going the way life expects you to....
There are times when you don't think before doing and don't relate things to the purpose of your life... Just keep on doing stuff.. because you are expected to...
You associate your daily routine to be your life's objectives and keep on doing the chores without thinking.....

And suddenly in a moment of loneliness you reflect upon life's course and at that moment precisely panic sets in.

Sometimes I realize that I am running away from things in my life by just being busy and by giving excuses to being busy in work so that I dont have time alone and I dont have to face myself alone....

Loneliness is scary and gets scarier when you are realize that the things which you are doing are not related to your purpose in life or at Worst you dont know what is the purpose in life...

I have met and heard my other freinds speaking so....
And I conclude that we all pass this phase in life... and One day we all will read these pages of my blog as some memories... reflect upon these times and feel mature ; proud and satisfied :)

**Well these are some lineswhich I just felt like writing.... this blog is not edited... You might find some thought process missing... The are just random thoughts...

ऐसे ही...

2009-04-26T00:49:00.000-07:00

तुझसे नाराज़ नहीं ज़िन्दगी, हैरान हूँ मैं
ओ हैरान हूँ मैं....
तेरे मासूम सवालों से परेशान हूँ मैं
ओ परेशान हूँ मैं....

जीने के लिए सोचा ही न था, दर्द संभालने होंगे
मुस्कुराऊँ तो, मुस्कुराने के क़र्ज़ उतारने होंगे
मुस्कुराऊँ कभी तो लगता है....
जैसे होंतोंं पे क़र्ज़ रखा है
तुझसे ...

आज अगर भर ई है, बूँदें बरस जायेंगी
कल क्या पता इनके लिए आखें तरस जाएँगी
जाने कहाँ गम कहाँ खोया
एक आंसू छुपके रखा था
तुझसे ...

ज़िन्दगी तेरे गम ने हमें रिश्ते नए समझाये
मिले जो हमें धुप मैं मिले छाँव के ठंडे साए

White Waters.........

2009-04-22T05:24:00.000-07:00

Friend : Rafting – ke liye chalegi ?

Self : Hmm… wow Rafting… company..kaun kaun jaa raha hai

F : Team ke log hain… personal banega…chalna ho to btaa diyo….

S : Hmm sochti hun… shayad mushkil hoga…

This was the exact conversation between me and a friend through whom I could go for rafting. It was group of 36 people out of whom I barely knew 7 of us. And it took a lot of convincing and coercing amongst all of us to actually make this trip happen.

Before I start my drooling over the trip-fun let me give you slight details as to what exactly we did.

We went to haridwar via train ; Hired our own bus towards byasi ; we had our tents there ; we begin rafting from this place till rishikesh and returned back to byasi via bus again. Had bonfire in the night. Rock-climbing and Rappelling, the next morning. Water splashing till afternoon. Lunch at rishikesh and back to haridwar and then to delhi.

The trip was fun. Awesome!

Amazingly thrilling and wonderful.

The best experience I could ever have.

One of the best weekends spent.

The place was amazingly serene and calm. The water in river-ganga did some magic to me. I anyway love water and was thrilled with the idea of water surrounding me throughout. Right from The moment I entered Byasi where our tents were I was mesmerized by the serene calm water flowing just where I was staying. I was overwhelmed with the clean green water flowing in front of my eyes. The feeling cannot be expressed in terms of words. The experience is just beyond expression of words.

The scene is so vividly etched in my memory. It is difficult to describe the exhilaration that my heartfelt at the scene present.

When the actual rafting began my heart pounded with excitement and with each wave splashing at us, my heart leaped with joy. As the raft would go down and I would see the wave coming at us, I literally trembled with sheer excitement.

We would come down the raft and float in water and feel weightless; enjoy the sun; enjoy the water and have the fun of floating.

And the most adventurous part of the rafting trip was cliff jumping in the end. So there was this 25-30 ft high cliff and we had to jump off the cliff and hit the river on sole discretion of gravity. This part is actually beyond description of words. The Brief moment when I was mustering courage to jump off was probably the only moment in my life mixed with excitement ; fear and courage as well.

The moment I led myself lose in the river; my brain screamed as to what I had done and this is the end. For the two seconds in which I dived into water I felt exhilarated and extremely joyous at the mere sight that I am all surrounded with water and I am inside the river.

Those few moments cut from the outside world and where you could actually relate yourself to the sheer excitement of the moment will always remain memorable.

Ahh ! I have already started missing them.

Another experience was the time in Night. The star studded sky with more than half moon ; no other source of light ; huge mountains that seemed like two infinite caves to me(sounds scary and funny both ) ; sound of river splashing against the rocks ; tides slowly increasing the river level ; the water in river flashing against the moonlight ; and wet cool sand below your feet ; the dampness and coolness in the air and I enjoyed this panorama of nature while I was lying down on the wet sand just beneath the star-studded sky.

Memorable.

The next day with friends in the river was equally fun. Splashing water at each other --to be precise the victim was me: all of them splashed and pushed me in the river and revengefully I splashed the sand because that seemed to be the only defense weapon available that time.

This trip was amazing and awesome for many reasons.

Nature – its beauty;
Water – its magic;
Rafting – the experience;
cliff jumping – the thrill;
Friends – their company;
Trip— The Adventure;
All this gives Life -- A new perspective.

The Privileged Few:

2009-04-22T03:45:00.000-07:00

This thought came to my mind while I was returning from Delhi to Noida. Most of the thoughts either come to me while I am reading something or travelling; may be because when you are travelling you are in your most blank state of mind and things come and strike you. The simple blank reality just hits you on your face.

So Bright Lazy Reluctant Monday Morning and I have to go to Noida from my home.

Usually when you wake up, your mind is terse from the upcoming tensions in the day; you are thinking about office ; There are so many topics for us to crib about :promotions ; biases ; recession ; traffic ; money management ; Savings ; Future ;Career ; and all sorts keep on revolving in your mind and they somehow usually come to me on Monday mornings. I do not know about others but this is the way it is for me. Travelling from Delhi to Noida is a 1.25 hour drive and it gives me ample amount of time to think about my life; its course and where I am heading next. I know it is a bad way to begin your week but this is the truth.

Sometimes while rushing out of my home; I also happen to glance at the newspaper and sometimes (do remember it’s only sometimes) thinking about how politicians manipulate everything to their advantage and benefit.
About Communalism.
About religion wars.
About Country Economy .
About Inflation.
About Crime. ( Don’t be terrified. I do this thinking sometimes).

And when my thinking has almost reached to the level where panic can set inside me ; we cross ISBT.

And we cross these beggars (must be some 200 in number) lined up with their rags thinking of arranging their daily diet. And I am slapped with the stark reality of life. I feel ashamed at the contrast.

Here we are who have some fixed amount of money to reach us and there they are who don’t even know if they will have their diet today or not. I observe them and try to think as to what would have happened in their life that they are in this state. There are so many of them; some waking up ; some still wrapped up in their old torn dirty blankets (in hot summer mornings as well). Hair Shabby. Some of them don’t seem to even make an attempt to wake up and find , arrange for a meal.

And I wonder at the contrast in my life and their life.

And I wonder at the political scenario where politicians are fighting for religion ; religious structure demolishment .

They force me to think what religion these beggars have and how important is religion to them and how would it make any difference if they belonged to any specific religion.

All of this forces me to think who the privileged is or the un-privileged few?
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Missing-Musings

2009-04-22T02:37:00.000-07:00

I miss you Delhi. I miss the roads, the paths and the familiar ways,
I miss my friends; those hot summer afternoons and those long days.
I miss my family .I miss the familiar corners of my home,
And then I want to shrink and be alone.
I miss the travel although it was hectic,
At least then the contents of my life were eclectic.
I do have friends here; love the way I can spend my time in hobbies,
But amidst all of them I am suddenly filled with nostalgia and memories.
I have moved out; will continue to move away …
But the way to Delhi: my home would remain the most familiar way.

Love you Delhi

About Life....The busy life....

2009-04-22T02:34:00.000-07:00

Looong break.

Ah well not exactly a break but I could not get a break to write this.
So lot of activities have been keeping me pre-occupied: The office Activities ; some personal work going along ; then there was this rishikesh trip ; then a trip with family to Madhya Pradesh and then as soon as I returned I had 2 back to back presentations in office and then there is this upcoming Dance competition in office which has been keeping me hugely busy. Also there was this college best friend wedding to attend.

But I have promised myself that I will be regular in writing blog from now on ; also keeping in touch with old friends and family members as well… Also for long I have not been reading books so avidly as I used to and I promised this as well. I would paint. I would chat and gossip with old friends. May be meet a few of them.
Lets see If I can keep up these promises I made to myself.

And why do you think that I have suddenly jotted down this list of promises: I have been getting busier and busier in work schedule and in my own life and in the process I Have un-knowingly ignored people who mattered to me a lot and who still matter to me but I just do not remember calling them.

Life does go on becoming like that. Is it just with me or is it that everyone tends to follow the same pattern or is it the way people “move-on” in life. When I think of the last option, it does leave me alone with a lot of sadness around me and then I want to shrink in my own core. And I want to give a sincere try to feel and reason otherwise so the list of promises. I have also set-up calendar reminders for the same.
:)

Let’s see if I am able to reason out with myself.
And If you are one of those who have been victim of my un-intentional ignorance; friends I still love you and miss you and would soon catch up with you again. I have not moved on from you guys.

Peace.

“Loneliness is about the scariest thing there is.”

2009-03-10T02:47:00.000-07:00

“It's so lonely when you don't even know yourself.”

Long period of silence …. And now I feel like writing again…. So there has been too much of activity or may be inactivity in my life in this year… and past two months have taught me so much about life; responsibilities; courage; expectations; world behavior; politics around you ; and stuff like that ; The heavy words of life which we normally used in essays and could hear in abundance from our elders/parents could be experiences thyself. No NO…this is not a depressing blog or documentary on responsibilities for that matter but just a reflection of my thought process which I have undergone.

In general I have always felt that the time after colleges is the time in a person’s life when everyone feels lonely at a point of time. Especially moving out of your home to another place makes you realize the loneliness ; Past 4 weeks , I felt so bugged up with work and stuff going in my life that sometimes I just felt like closing my eyes to everything; become deaf; dumb; blind and just close myself from the outside world.

Things just seem dull, drab and boring. Life seemed to have stopped. Not that I am being a dull person with no activity around me; have been watching all latest movie flicks; listening to good music and also continue to have fun from my dance classes and meeting up people around me but still everything seemed to fall in a dull routine; and at the end of the day you fell lonelier than ever.

SO I work hard in day; get tired and go home to sleep but contrary to normal eco-system rules; my mind runs inversely proportional to the physical stamina of my body. Meaning which the more tired I am in the day the more I get prone to insomnia in the night. And I lie all wide awake with my eyes wide open and my mind running in all directions with the speed of light.

But curiously, I have spoken to some more friends of mine and they have shared the same sentiments about loneliness. That life becomes dead after some time and you have to start living it all over again and it is just a phase of life which will pass away sooner or later.

But the important thing during the entire stretch is not forgetting to live the moment which you have and always being on a lookout for ways to live life. SO despite the fact that I have felt lonelier and cut-off from world (because of several reasons); have had my first rendezvous with independent loneliness, I have learnt to maximize every fun opportunity I have got. And the bonus point is this that you always come out being more mature and stronger than the person you were.

So this blog is not for cribbing about loneliness but to tell my friends that you are not alone there in your spree of loneliness. 

“Pray that your loneliness may spur you into finding something to live for, great enough to die for.”

A Date with Rock...

2009-01-26T10:12:00.001-08:00

This Wednesday was my date with turquoise cottage.

So here I towed with a friend of mine who is a huge TC fan; and whenever I used to refer to TC she was just gaga over the place; And I used to wonder what is so special about this bar; To me all bars and pubs are the same: Dark and dingy with people jostling for space; huge noise and overcrowded places with smoke flowing around.

But still I went to this place just to have a feel of what is different.
So I enter and find my way upstairs to a semi-lit room with tables neatly arranged on one side(Found it quite unlike many bars and pubs where you are served on couches) .The décor gives a feeling as if you are sitting in some 80’s bar. Old guitars and pickle cans arranged on top. Entire furnishing being wooden. An old bike lying in the corner with stools beside to enjoy the place. I forgot to have a picture clicked there 

It is spacious, has Easier access to the bar, and bigger dance-floor, and with elegant civilized crowd inside. And the best part of it: it’s Music. Its music is unlike the metallic loud music in other bars but nice rock music which penetrates you and makes you feel lighter. The music is not which you enjoy if you have a good mood but it is the music which makes your mood great.
I was not a rock music fan before it but TC made me love it.

I am not into drinking but I certainly like the place for its ambience and music. The people seemed nice; non-interfering rather non-bothering. You come; enjoy the music and shake a leg at the melodious hip-hop rock playing; have something nice (the cuisine is oriental)and then leave all Ye Ye.

I want to come again TC.

January 2009

2009-01-24T11:15:00.000-08:00

Life teaches you so many lessons in one go…
And probably the time which life chooses to teach you hard lessons is the time of transitions in your life.

I have been a part of huge transitions in my life; sometimes actively involved and sometimes passively dragged. And it is not just my own life. Am seeing people around me; of my age;… who have been undergoing similar phases in their lives.
And I realize this is the most crucial and important part of our lives when we learn to take decisions. We are suppose to take decisions which will affect our entire lives: our entire course of career; and probably our future.

With few incidents happening with people around me; I have learnt many lessons….
Probably I cannot list out all of them but the most important thing I realized was this that you should not be so dependent on anyone that if the person leaves you cannot stand on your own. It hurts. It still hurts to realize this conclusion and that you should not be relying on the most reliable person of my life. Isn’t it ironical?

Another lesson which still pinches my heart is this that circumstances can play such an important role in your life. They can be so powerful. They are still very powerful. They can ruin and change anyone’s life. You have to bend against them. They are superior.

The things which your are afraid of your entire life ; there is not a remote chance that you won’t face it; you will have to face it sooner or later. You should not or you cannot try doing it. There is nothing in this world which you should not be scared of.

And that the people whom you think are your friends may or may not be your friends. They may be your friends but totally incapable of handling your situation and that does not make them a lesser friend. And then you have to learn to maintain you trust in them and still move on with your life Alone….
And that whatsoever may come; you should always keep doors open for new friends to move in and take responsibility of your lives.

We are just small pieces of puzzle in his BIG jigsaw................

2008-12-18T10:36:00.000-08:00

So back to some serious blogging after a long spell of light blogging…

It begins like this …. There are so many transitions going in your life… so much to account for …so much for being responsible… so much for being in Twenties….

SO how has Life changed for you after you turned twenty…? Might not have changed much for many of US but I am sure there is still a considerable bunch of people who will agree to what I say.

Some of us have actually experienced a lot… Some of us have actually seen a lot… Life has been an ugly roller coaster ride for some of us… It might have been a beautiful one as well…for some….

It is at this time of my life when I reflect upon the incidents and happenings in the past one and a half year …. I realize how different life was …. And how different life is …NOW…
I feel we were much happier when we were in college… when our future was still indecisive… there was nothing to worry about…

WE are supposed to get a direction to our lives once we settle with our jobs… but ironically things just reverse…. Your life just becomes more difficult… you feel more directionless… you should have some plan and goal in your life (How the hell are you supposed to have when you thought that your job will decide your goal)…

You should not waste any time in your life after that because those years are crucial to your careers… And the additional burden for the female gender… Where the parents think it is their duty to kick the daughters out after 2 years of work experience… (Oops for the wrong tone of the language… But it is true)

I think the entire problem begins when you start thinking or to put it correct “Expecting from life”. Till the point we left our life to our destiny with the best possible opportunity God bestowed on us .. We were happy in whatever we got but the moment we start taking control of our lives … things go haywire… then we enjoyed things…

Because we with our limited thinking can only think of few possible scenarios in life which we think will make our life successful… But God has bigger plans for everyone… We fit in his big schemes without even realizing …

If we did not decide for our life till now; who are we to decide what is good or what is bad for us… who are we to judge about our life’s happiness.

We are just small pieces of puzzle in his BIG jigsaw.

And he has plans for all of us. And I am sure…that although some of us are not happy with the turn of things in their lives but some years down the line … they will have a different opinion.
Best Wishes to all of us!!

I watch them daily…

2008-12-18T09:54:00.000-08:00

They come in bunch.. they are running individually as well… some are rushing with their faces contorted in the distant memory of their course syllabi… few are just as merry and gay as if it’s just another day…

Some are accompanied with frenzied friends who are revising every part of syllabi with some paper or notebook in hand… few see it as chance to bungle with the uniform…

They look so cute and decent with double braids … bright red ribbons in them … red check uniform…. Blue sweaters….

So Before you start wondering on whom I am pondering so much… here is the clue….
As I stand waiting for the car in the morning; I see these kids going to the school… and I notice their face expressions … their hands… their walk ….
It is not supposed to be a full blown post …. But just few observations of these kids. I think they are having their exams these days and observing them while they are rushing for their exams is enriching :)

And reminds me of my own school days….
I miss school so much :(

I may not be a lady.....

2008-12-14T04:42:00.000-08:00

Apt to the reason for this blog...Impressions... Here is a tribute to the woman ... around all of us....
These are the lyrics of a song.... by Lisa Stansfield.. "All Woman"

He's home again from another day
She smiles at him as hewalks through the door
She wonders if it will be Okay
It's hard for her when he doesn't respond
He says babe you look a mess
You look dowdy in that dress
It's just not like it used to be

Then she says:
"I may not be a lady
But I'm All Woman
From Monday to Sunday
I workharder than you know
I'm no classy lady
But I'm All Woman
And this woman needs a little
love to make her strong
You're not the only one"

She stands there and lets the tears flow
The tears that she's been holding back so long
She wonders where did all the loving go
The love they used to share when they were strong

She says:"Yes I look a mess
But I don't love you any less
I thought you always thought enough of me
I may not be a lady
But I'm All Woman
From Monday to Sunday I work my fingers to the bone
I'm no classy lady
But I'm All Woman
And this woman needs a little love to make her strong
You're not the only one"

He holds her and hangs his head in shame
He doesn't see her like he used to do
He's too wrapped up in working for his pay
He hasn't seen the pain he's put her through

Attention that he paid
Just vanished in the haze
He remembers how it used to be

When he used to say:
"You'll always be a lady'Cause You're All Woman
From Monday to Sunday
I love you much more than you know
You're a classy lady'Cause You're All Woman
This woman needs a loving man to keep her warm"
You're not the only one
You're not the only one

...so how cum I reminded of this suddenly... Well apart from the dedication to all women... this blog is also dedicated to a very dear friend of mine ... who sent this song to me... AM not in a mood to elaborate on the occasion when I got this song but anyhow... Thanks for that day :)...You know who you are :)

9 Dec 2008

2008-12-13T05:59:00.000-08:00

"Count your life by smiles not tears, count your age by friends not years. "

And that is the reason probably that despite getting a year older again this year; I was overjoyed at my birthday.
Because Birthday is that occasion when you get pampered; loved and felt special; courtesy your dear friends J

This year too my friends kept up the tradition by making the day ultimate special for me. Calls wont’ stop after 12 till 2 in the night. And I was scolded by some of my friends coz whenever they called their call was always on waiting L Sorry dearies… I dint intend to put you on hold.
Messages were streaming and scraps were overflowing. And the special part was the ISD calls. This was the first time when two of my best friends were out of India and they called to wish well in time.

And yes as customary there were few friends who wanted to show that they don’t remember my birthday ; still they were messaging as if its just any other normal day; they even called and talked about everything in the world but just dint wish me. They had their own surprises to keep which they dutifully blown in few hrs J

Although I was not my usual chirpy self with my birthday here and none of my close friends in town. Every single friend of mine with whom I have always spent my birthday: whether exams or no-exams we always met to celebrate my birthday; was out of town. And I was feeling hell sad and missing my friends terribly.
But then you say Friends are Miracle and they did everything possible to make me feel that they are with me J

They called; texted; wrote testimonials; sent flowers; gifts ; and sent their wishes J
And the surprises were awaiting me in office with the customary flowers and cake…. You do it for all you office friends and then when they do it for you … you appear to be surprised and Oh my God I am so happy… you guys are so lovely :P

Anyhow\ ; This birthday was lovely and special and this blog is specially dedicated to those friends who did so much for me J

Love you all!!

There's a miracle called friendship
That dwells within the heart
And you don't know how it happens
Or how it gets its start...
But happiness it brings you
Always a special lift
And you realise that friendship Is God's most precious gift!

The Nip in the Air.... My Lovely winters :)

2008-12-13T04:03:00.000-08:00

Cool breeze…loads of warm clothing… slight nip in the sir… foggy misty mornings… a cup of impetuous coffee...clear blue sky…. Fresh green dewed leaves… chilling atmosphere… ummm a perfect winter morning…the wait to get into your rajai(seems to be heavenly abode) as soon as you get home.
I just love Delhi for its winters.

Delhi …coveted by others as a city of extreme climate… has just amazing winter mornings.
Although the chill gets unbearable at times … but you can brave it well with loads of amazing winter clothing.

Delhi winters are special for me and I have some real cherish able memories for these mornings.
Getting up reluctantly after hearing papa scream for n times. With hurried gestures(papa); laziness engulfed(me) :P papa used to scream in out for me to brush my teeth ; dress up with all the haggling of wearing the scarf; so that we(yes we :) ) can catch our school bus at the correct time; he would make me run with my school bag in his hand ;and then when he finally managed to push me inside the bus he would thrust a rolled parantha in my hand which I would reluctantly finish as I reached school ...The idea of throwing it out of the window never came to my mind then :(
That was long back in 1992 and when I see the school going kids outside I am reminded of those mornings ; each scene vividly etched in my memory :)
Ahh!! Winters make me so nostalgic.

School ended and I was in college; the situation changed to some extent except for the fact that this time I used to be equally tense as there was no school bus but a public transport bus which never waited for me and I had to run and catch. :(
I would stuff myself with extra clothing ; mufflers ; jackets and I used to look like a bloated Pankhri :) and then run for the bus.
The glass panes on the buses, which are otherwise intact, were sure to break in the winters, and the killing cold would come and fill my lungs with ice.

And now While I am working I just see people around and feel such a longing for being in their place. Now I don’t have to bear the cold coz I sit in an air-conditioned office which insulates me from the real weather :(
Ahh...I can go on writing about the winters like that.....
I would end my nostalgia by quoting an article by Santosh Desai(TOI): I did not wanted to reproduce them in my own words :

Can any idea of heaven improve upon the thought of lying snug in bed on a winter morning inside a quilt with a hot cup of tea? There is no feeling as complete or as secure and certainly none where we can savour every passing moment so cloudlessly, almost.
Nothing is sweeter than the gradual browned warmth that seeps into us as we enter icy-limbed into the quilt, and get slowly cooked in our own natural body heat. The clammy separateness of our limbs dissolves into the warm fullness of belonging. The quilt re-circulates our own heat made of cotton, there is nothing intrinsically heat producing about the quilt; all the warmth created is our own. The quilt suspends the warmth in time and we bask in it.

As I write the blog chill breeze comes and sends a shiver through the smoggy evening.
Winter: season of wrapped-up lovelies and mapped-out picnics. And Yes chapped lips are part of the package
:)
I love you Delhi for providing such an amazing climate
:)

A Walk to Remember .....

2008-11-15T05:27:00.000-08:00

Being together will test everything that they believe in. Most of all, it will test the power of love and faith to transform a life into something worth living.

I was night staying at a friend’s place and Each time the day I asked her about our plans for the evening, she said we would watch “A walk to remember “ ,so we start watching at around 9, And the moment the movie starts I get a sense of déjà vu ..umm actually I recalled that I have read this novel though I could not figure out the novel’s name. As the story progressed I became more and more enticed to concept of selfless love and the faith about faith got stronger J

A walk to remember is a tale of young but everlasting love which sends across the value and importance of faith so subtly. It is touching, riveting and simply amazing. More words can spoil the feeling which I have for it. It is one of those movies for which I have simply no words to describe yet, I want to express the feeling which I have.
In the original novel by Nicholas Sparks the ending is ambiguous and open ended but the movie clearly ends on a sad note. Although you desperately pined for a happier end knowing well that couldn’t have been possible. It is bittersweet but spiritual.

The story poignantly explores the innocence of first love, selflessly tied around your love where you want to hold onto whatever remnants you get. It is simply moving and declares love to be eternally powerful.
So I actually got bleary-eyed with fairy tale dreams in my eyes after watching this amazing movie.

I read this novel long back, I really don’t remember when and what was the name of the novel L but whenever somebody referred to Eric Segal’s Love Story ; I always reminded of some parts of this novel which were similar in the context that both the female protagonists had leukemia. Though I struggled hard that time to recall this novel but as fate had it I could only remember when I got a chance to watch its movie adaptation.
I do not want to blabber more on this movie; but would rather drop some conversations and my fav lines from the movie.
The plot :
Each spring in the little port town of Beaufort, North Carolina, when the wind smells of pine and salt and the sea, Landon Carter remembers his senior year at Beaufort High and Jamie Sullivan, the girl who changed his life.
Jamie was the last person Landon was likely to fall for. Serious and conservative, she was as far from cool as she could possibly be, and didn’t care. Landon hung with the in-crowd -- an aimless, moody, reckless guy who breezed through school on looks and bravado. He had no plans, no future and no faith in himself.

Against his own expectations, Landon finds himself falling in love with this outwardly plain girl who possesses a passion for life he never imagined possible. But it isn’t easy. For reasons of her own, Jamie does everything she can to run away from romance until it becomes impossible to deny.
Jamie has a small wish list. She wanted to witness Halley’s Comet. This is the most touching part of the story when he makes her a giant telescope right in her yard so that she can complete it.
He was able to complete her wish list before she died of cancer.

Conversations :
Jamie: You know what I figured out today?

Landon: What?

Jamie: Maybe God has a bigger plan for me than I had for myself. Like this journey never ends. Like you were sent to me because I'm sick. To help me through all this. You're my angel.
********************
Landon: Jamie has faith in me. She makes me want to be different, better.
********************
Landon: All I know is... you're beautiful.
********************
Jamie: How can you see places like this... and have moments like this and not believe?

Landon: You're lucky to be so sure.

Jamie: It's like the wind. I can't... see it, but I feel it.
********************
Landon: Our love is like the wind... I can’t see it, but I sure can feel it.
********************
Landon: I'm sorry she never got her miracle.

Reverend Sullivan: She did. It was you.
********************
Landon: Can you find this star, right here?

Jamie: Sure. So why am I looking for this star?

Landon: Because I had it named for you. See? It's official. It's from the International Star Registry.

Jamie: This is wonderful...
********************
Jamie: Ya know, I was getting along with everything fine. I accepted it, and then you happened! I do not need a reason to be angry with God.
********************

Landon: "Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited. It is never rude or selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful."

Diwali at Home :)

2008-10-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

While lighting Diyas outside my home today; I noticed the local neighborhood children lightning crackers with so much zeal and enthusiasm that I could not help remembering my own childhood Diwali. Diwali then meant excitement; new clothes; mithai ; guests coming to visit you and you going to visit family friends ;

Diwali meant an almost week holiday from school and participating in pre-Diwali shopping with Mom-Dad; to decide what is to be gifted ; to religiously gift wrap the dry fruits and mithai’s ; five consecutive days of Rangoli; thinking of design and colors and all the cracker stuff.

I clearly remember when I eagerly used to wait for Diwali Pooja (where we used to sit in our best of clothes) to get over so that papa will lead us outside to try our hands at crackers. Crackers used to give a kind of excitement and thrill. I clearly remember the feeling of fear and excitement when papa used to hand over the cracker to me; there was a kind of promotion when we were allowed only fuljhadis ; then chakkar ; and then finally the bombs and Ladis ; till then we used to watch papa lighting the bomb in awe ;
Crackers charm went away after 1998 when I participated in a street play to “say no to crackers” to avoid child labor. Our group ran from one corner of Delhi to other to stage the street play and I ran around my entire household holding banners and stickers that I won’t burn crackers. From then onwards life became busier and I got more involved in studies to think about Diwali holidays and ways to spend it. Rangoli tradition continued and it still continues.

Diwali for me is no more exciting and thrilling as it used to be; In fact I feel it more as an opportunity to unwind and relax with my family. I have developed this notion that festivals become all the more important in your life once you get into job because may be that is the only quality time which you spend with you family; At times I feel nostalgic about the old time which I spent with my family as a kid and now I am unable to do so because my life; my work ; my career doesn’t permit me to do so .

Anyhow ; I kind of feel envious at seeing those kids because they remind me of my own gala time but there are newer dimensions to Diwali now; like I have my own social network of people to take care of ; I just love lighting the Diyas and candles ; just enjoy the Rangoli at leisure and of course in the night I can write lengthy blogs and yes NO crackers J
0ver all I feel reunited; refreshed and rejuvenated by festivals in my life and I essentially feel the necessity of such lavish holidays to spend quality time with my family

Nine Yards in Office :)

2008-10-25T12:54:00.000-07:00

Yippieeeeeee….I am writing again and that too , not in a somber mood but nice and peppy one…So after consecutive journal posts ; there is some excitement in my life ; People close to me know what kind of thrill my life is undergoing through :P

For the past few weeks ; my life has been a roller-coaster ride where I have experienced myself on the “crest” and just a few days back I have been thrown and hit hard by my life. Anyhow; that’s not what I wanted to write on ; In fact I am really feeling great to have found some time myself for devoting to my dear blog J

So this blog is dedicated to the “sari day “which we celebrated in office as a part of Diwali celebrations. I have always been extremely enthusiastic at the mention of this word “sari “ ; The thought and now the reality that I actually wore it to Office fills me with “thrill” ; It’s not that I have not adorned a sari before but just that it was the first time when I wore it to office ;

It all began with a discussion with one of my colleagues ; who suggested to wear something ethnic for Diwali and I started crying : “sari please” ; my friends who know my enthusiasm for it had already pumped me enough that I was determined to send a mail across to all the ladies J so the mail came but who cares for the mail . So, Me and one my another enthusiastic colleague got up and knocked the gates of the girl gang of our floor …got a few supportive yes…few “dekhenge” and “what are you saying?” “what ? me saree ? no way ….”; few shrieks ; few wows…….. And then I had to give my favourite dhamki that I am getting 2 extra ones and in case someone doesn’t turn up in the dictated attire ; she will have to wear the one which I will be carrying extra.

Sari despite being the most ethnic; traditional and the most “Indian “dress is worn by so less of us. And when it comes to wearing a sari; you really think twice or may be thrice and then after all that thinking maybe you decide not to wear it at all: P . So when it was my turn to wear nine yards to office; I was excited, thrilled and a little conscious (can’t help it). There was an unknown fear…not that how will I manage it; I have worn it many times before and I know how to carry it and manage myself and the sari but since it was “the” office the jitters were normal J

But yes I wore it to office ; got complements (I think you usually get when you wear something different) ; got curious glances and surprised looks from people and at that instance I really couldn’t control laughing . The next obvious part was the photo session which we religiously did. And now the day is over I am pondering over the calendar to find another suitable day when I can switch to nine yards again J

Does Religion Give you the license to KILL

2008-10-05T09:31:00.000-07:00

“Murder does not have a religion…even when it claims a religious excuse….”
Each time I read or hear about it; it sends shivers down my spine.
What the woman had to face, “just because” she worshipped another God. She was a god’s servant who thought of dedicating her entire life to God’s service by deciding to remain in Church. And the protectors of another religion gang raped her in full public view.

Maoists have taken the responsibility for the killing of RSS chief Swami Lakshmanand…but meanwhile the VHP and RSS activists dutifully killed people as if Lord Rama had come and told them in their dreams that this should be done.
They burnt houses of people from another religion (Lord had told them that by doing this they are protecting the “Hindutva”), they made children orphans (it was their duty to do so to get rid of their bad “Karmas”); they raped women and snatched away their modesty because according to them the women who worship another God do not deserve to remain dignified.

So After 40 days of violence and terror in Kandhamal district of Gujarat the VHP must have sought justice. After killing people and raping women they can go to God with heads high that they protected their religion. They must have avenged the death of their beloved leader (By the way he was killed by Maoists);

No matter who killed him but the politicians had to play vote bank politics; they had to become the "protector"; the "messiah" of religion. They had to ingrain in youth the communal hatred. They had to motivate and encourage youth to go on streets and play terror. It was the moral duty of our ministers to teach our youth to kill people and take revenge from innocent. According to them,It is supposed to be patriotic to burn houses. It is supposed to be religious to rape women from other caste.
And Kudos to the youth of India
-- who are blindfolded by the politician’s motivational speeches against other communities…
-- who do not have their own sense of right or wrong…
--who are literate but not “educated”…
--who just need an excuse to terrorize people…
--who are waiting for an opportunity to vandalize homes ; burn villages and people ; kill innocent and have ‘pleasure’ in the name of religion

I am really sorry to have written such a satirical post but only I know how I controlled myself to use civilized language. I feel terribly sad for what all is happening in the name of God; The people who propagate this…don’t they know... what grief are they giving to the community …what permanent scars are they leaving in the minds of young children. Do you expect them to be submissive and not take revenge??
The people who come down on streets for vandalize and LOOT …who gives them the license to do all this…

They seek justice for killing of a man but who will provide justice to the hundred innocents whom they have killed and tortured. It is easy to be powerful and do things but it is terribly painful to be on the other side and face brutality…see your loved ones get killed for no fault of theirs. They are doing it in the name of religion but I am sure God will never forgive them for this.

61 years of independence have really made us "progressive and advanced" in our views...Wat do you say

Pursuit of "Happiness"

2008-09-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

After 2 whole hectic weeks; I have finally found time for myself. Not that I am spared some time but I have realized that you really don’t feel tired if you are pursuing your hobby.

So this topic came about during a Chit-Chat with a friend on Gtalk .We were discussing our alternative job profiles had our company not bestowed us with our precious ones. Interesting profiles came up during the conversation : umm like health-food chef ; gym instructor ; movie reviewer ; travel writing ; newspaper researcher ; kindergarten teacher ; marbles collector ; digital artist ; Driver! :P ;….sound sophisticated…no that’s not mine.…that’s my friends’ list… we made a good time by discussing these profiles and had great fun..
On a serious note...Returning on my way home…I tried to figure out “my” alternative life…Delhi Traffic snarls and soon I forgot about it; when just a few days back another friend of mine raised the same topic.. “To be or not to be”

Almost every one of us is kind of settled with our jobs; you pass out from your college with dreams in your eyes; looking forward to the excitement and joy of new life; and you start earning; following a monotonous routine to prove your potential every now and then. It’s a rat race there. It’s cut-throat. And in the pursuit of “happiness” you get deviated from your real pursuit of happiness.
Almost all of us had faced this “We will see it later” syndrome. Every one of us had a distinct hobby or liking towards certain things in our life.

“Somebody wanted to paint” ; we will do it later…first let get our bread earning ; “Somebody wanted to learn to dance ; somebody wanted to travel ; somebody wanted to write ; somebody wanted to go to war ; somebody wanted to try agriculture ; I wanted to be a radio jockey L” and we all postponed the things ; the “Hobbies” in pursuit of a real job. Now we have the real job other cycle of life has begun and your hobbies have again taken a backseat.
Well, I am not exactly critical of our jobs or our routine as such but just wondered how many of us are really experiencing the “joy” in our lives?

We do everything to be happy ; we take up jobs so that we can have good money and live a happy contented life…but we really never find time to enjoy our “happy contented “ life.
As children we become happy when we get to do the thing which we like to do…but with time we kill our hobbies; our likings… because they don’t gel well with the social norms. We want to be called sane and we safely take-up the more tried and tested professions…live a mechanical life…because we want to be happy. But who is defining our happiness. If you are following the social norms to be happy then are you following your pursuit of happiness??
Seeking happiness by killing the desires in you to be happy… Such an irony!!
How many of us are actually happy with our professions? How many of us are actually living the life which we wanted to live? Well there are a fortunate few…
For the general lot…In the quest to be happy the real purpose has been killed.

Before you get sad and serious let me iterate though my alternative life....Umm...i wanted to be writer for few days....want to do a course in interior decor; a course in history/sociology ; a course in event mgmnt; want to plan some weddings; want to host some big shows ; want to air my voice on radio in nights ; want to do a course in mass comm and be a part of handling the production of news telecasts ; also want to read news on Tv some day ; ummm......want to join army/ navy / air force for some time ...want to fly a plane...want to be a great counsellor...an expert at giving advice..Thats it :)

This is my wishlist..which i hope to complete in near future...:)

Fake or fair???

2008-09-21T03:29:00.000-07:00

I don’t know why this topic draws me so much….I forget about it and then decide I won’t think about it again…I Have had many arguments about this from people of varied circles…and each time I have decided that I won’t think or write about it..But here I am once again on the same issue…May be its because Delhi is recovering from the shock of the Saturday blasts and Delhi police claim to have killed two ‘suspected militants’ and the newspapers are splashed with news on this …journals and articles here and there on every page; almost under every section …Even I thought of venting out my thoughts on the issue...

Delhi’s heart was blasted last Saturday and I have been hearing mixed reactions from people on who actually is responsible for it…what should be done about it… Role of our govt. in fighting out them…
Good that we have reached a certain level in our investigations and come to know about who the actual perpetrators are …but reading the newspaper and watching television reports ; there is speculation that this might be just another fake encounter. Well it might be and it might not be. I don’t have to say anything against this encounter but I was actually wondering today about the fake encounters which have taken place in J&K …which continue to take place wherever terrorism reaches its peak and police is under pressure to crack down the cases. People are harassed and humiliated just because they belong to some faith. People are questioned and suspected. Instances on this can be the Hyderabad blasts ; Ahmadabad blasts ; Orissa killings.

Yes, it’s perfectly fine to find out the truth and question suspects and in the trail we might question someone by mistake. But making some innocent pay for someone else who committed the crime and hiding your own incapability of finding the real culprit is not justified. Is it??
Is it fair to blame the entire faith and held a community responsible for a wrong being done. Imagine yourself in US at time of 9/11; you could have easily been the target of public humiliation because you were of Asian origin. Is it justified? No naa. But we play the same blame game here. Don’t us. It’s a pity that we lose our sense of judgment and pick an easy target to ease the pressure on us.

I would rather quote these lines from a piece of journal as they are:
“There is no doubt that the governments and people of this land need to combat terrorism , and to track down and punish those who randomly take innocent lives .But in this battle we must not sacrifice our convictions , of democracy , law , justice and humanity . We must not profile people because of their faith. We must not incarcerate people without evidence and torture them to extract spurious proof .If we do , our jails may overflow with men we dub to be terrorists , but the terrorists would still triumph , victorious in their battle of enabling fear and hate to extinguish our sense of goodness and fairness. “

It’s a topic for open debate and I might not be entirely updated on the issue ; people might have seen different aspects of the same issue and they might be harboring different views on this but the bottom line remains the same : Be justified in whatever you do. In being unable to find the real culprit don't just grab anyone by the collar.Don’t take lives or ruin somebody’s life by plain introspection. No innocent should pay the price otherwise there is no difference between us and them.This is even what they do.

Black Saturday...September the 13th...

2008-09-14T00:45:00.000-07:00

Looking at the morning newspapers today drowns me in immense feeling of despair and helplessness ……The photographs in the newspaper repetitively remind me that the probability of me being there is even…Even I could have been there… I am not fearful of death that “O My God I would have died “ ….but have extreme empathy for those who have died or have been injured or have lost someone… after all they are my fellow beings…youngsters like me …who just thought of spending the evening ; strolling in Connaught place or shopping in Karol Bagh or GK –M block market..

Connaught place—umm the heart of New Delhi…With skyscraper buildings and head offices for majority of corporations….a metro station which connects to two more metro lines…and beautiful park constructed over it….ample grass(grass is no more green today; it has turned red!)…open air theatre which holds live concerts sometimes…nice water fountains to add beauty to the place…Central park is the pride of any delhite…
My college being close to this place …We have taken umpteenth rounds to this place….any chance to bunk classes…”chal yaar CP chalte hain “…and from CP we would either head towards Janpath—the famous market for street smart people…. Or to Palika—the underground air-conditioned market for all pirated and genuine computer and electronics related stuff…we would munch at nirula’s; Mc donalds; keventer’s; …or any place in CP (CP houses almost all brands and non-brands as well) …and we would simply lie around in Central park…The fact that these areas which you visit ( without giving a second thought) are so vulnerable against a group of people who believe in certain ideologies…makes me wonder what will happen in near future…

Although I am sure that we will fight it together…the show will go on… Men who want to plant fear in us will not be able to succeed…it’s not that people will stop visiting these places…I am sure things will return to normalcy soon… but there are few of us who have paid the cost for this… I terribly feel sad for them … I really wonder what this senseless killing of people means to them…what purpose they achieve by creating terror amongst fellow human beings…
In fact I really question their humane attitude…what right do they reserve to take somebody’s life….if they could not contribute to a person’s living, what right do they have to end it…I mean it’s simply irrational and unthinkable…If you cannot give life then you cannot take it…Would they come forward to adopt the orphans whose parents have given the sacrifice for their “cause”.

I simply don’t understand the fact that if they have questions and objections with the government why the hell they don’t fight with the govt. …why the price has to be paid by some 8 year old boy who will live with this trauma for entire life?
All this sounds heavy naa…. It is …for we have become so habitual of living in this constant terror that it is no more a shock to read about blasts and killings…we have grown a thick skin which does not allow the sensitivities of a human being to permeate through…
Let peace be bestowed upon those who have been at the unfortunate end of this incident…

Rocked ON!!

2008-09-06T09:33:00.000-07:00

Rock on!!
Fresh and AWESOME!! Are the two words to define this movie…
Star cast : Fresh faces… Farhaan ;Arjun ; Purab ; Luke ; Prachi ….
Theme : Follow your dreams..Live for your passion
Umm…my feelings after this movie are inexpressible… A nice movie about 4 friends who venture to fulfill their dreams but fall out due to some misunderstanding… the movie is so well directed with such a wonderful screenplay… the contrast which is portrayed just keeps up with the temp of the theme… all the characters with a substantial role to play..And Yes girls not being used as props! But have a significant role to play…
I was just floored by Farhaan’s multitalented stints…his expression while singing are amazing…they are so intense…and convey the feeling of his character so nicely… umm u can say that i have a flinching crush on him (Ooooops...did someone read it ;))
Purab or the Killer drama is too gud with his timings...he looks cute ..young madhavan looks...
and Arjun rampal is tooooo gud in the last song "tum ho toh".....he sings it with so much intensity yaar...I was just dumbstruck...Prachi desai as sakshi...fits perfectly as the high class elite touch-me-not wife....so sophisticated ..yet so elegant...and Debbie was just perfect in her role....my role model!!
Amazing music...live and fresh from the heart... anyone can humm...and almost everyone can relate.... :)
I am listening to songs for enitre day today...
A must watch….

Orissa... :(

2008-08-31T02:49:00.000-07:00

Woke to a wonderful Sunday morning….while lying in the bed I just picked the mobile to see the time..11:11...Wow……That’s a perfect Sunday morning anyone could ever think of…You jealous..I bet you are…but Laziness got the better of me…I just turned the other side to find the newspaper at the pillow…One look at the front page and I was ashamed of my selfish attitude…Here I am enjoying my day...Waking lazily to see the morning sun…and there are people being burnt alive…families striving to survive…
Shocked!! How conveniently we decide what to think and what not to think …
On the front page of the newspaper was a picture showing a guarded Baptist church and fire burning around it… I was really disturbed to see the current situation in Koraput district of Orissa where people have ran for their lives to take shelter in a forest…because the mobs (VHP “Leaders” to be precise… ) have torched the entire village (where Christians lived)..To “protest” against the murder of their local leader “swami Laxmananand” The “angry” mobs burnt down an orphanage…a lady was burnt alive…it was not enough to avenge the revenge so they burnt the churches..Villages…burnt a 35 yr old man (handicapped) in front of his helpless family members…
What revenge they are taking...Fuelling fire; revenge, angst, hatred in people’s hearts for each other on the basis of community…Does being a Hindu or being a Christian or being a Muslim make you a better person than the other...… Do these communities teach better lessons than the common universal laws of humanity...or they do but self proclaimed guards of the religion (be it VHP or SIMI or any other organization) conveniently use the laws of their religions to fuel their thirst for power …
I apologize if I hurt someone’s religious sentiments but I am sure no religion teaches you to kill or burn people for your own personal interest or for that matter “For the so-called common welfare of the religion”
God is benevolent…he forgives…he wants us to love each other and live peacefully….and what a mockery...These communal leaders do to “please” God
Ha…What an irony…These 50 yr old men ….these “pure” messengers of God brainwash thousand of youth in the garb of religious sentiments.. For being in office for “5 yrs”
For their political career of 20-30 yrs… (I am sure they will be killed before that...Courtesy the hatred which they have planted in people…)…they divide people on the basis of community…they destroy so many lives leaving so many orphans…so many children permanently reveling under the shock of seeing their own parents being brutally murdered in front of their own eyes(can you even imagine that!!!)…Their fault: they belong to a different “minority” community…
These political leaders will die in another 20-30 yrs…they won’t live for long…but the perpetual harm they have done to country’s harmony will last generations and centuries…
I am not a christian..not a christian supporter or not even a Hindu protester...but above all this I feel I am a human being...I can't kill a fellow human ...

How can their conscience let them sleep after seeing the crying children and torched bodies…..
I feel terribly sorry at the ongoing state of affairs in the country … Not even god can help this country and the people…

Disclaimer : All the views in the article are just an immediate vengeance at the current situation in orissa.... unintentional at hutring someones' relgious sentiments....

read it some where....was Impressed...:)

2008-08-31T02:05:00.000-07:00

A wispy old man was sitting in a bus holding a bunch of fresh flowers. Across the aisle was a young girl whose eyes came back again and again to the man’s flowers. The time came for the old man to get off. Impulsively he thrust the flowers into the girl’s lap “ I can see you love those flowers, and I think my wife would like for you to have them, I‘ll tell her I gave them to you.”
The girl accepted the flowers, watched the old man get off the bus and walk through the gate of a small cemetery….

To you...Corbett!!

2008-08-24T13:45:00.000-07:00

For Long I have been waiting for a peaceful night like this..to think about Corbett...a wonderful trip.. :)
Anticipated to be one of my worst trips....the vacation was a wonderful holiday for me.....
For me..the best part about corbett..was Water ...water is actually life to me..in every sense...
U can feel all beautiful things when you are surrounded with water..You can dream endless....
You can gaze endlessly at the splashing waves...one giant one covering the other...water has no boundaries...water has no shape...it teaches you so many lessons for your life...
water has gravity...it pulls you....water welcomes everyone with open arms..Water is just amazing.......River is just mesmerising.....Rain is just wonderful...
Rain just drenches you in its true spirit....it simply engulfs you with the feeling of water for ages...
Clouds...corbett had one of the amazing cloud formations I have ever observed...
Lying in one of the sleeping chairs in the rain...i had the opportunity to witness clouds fighting under the vast expanse of sky....
Another wonderful moment was the open jeep safari...the wind got me completely....the greenery refreshed the eyes and soul with a freshness long seeked.....

I have missed telling how beautiful the deer were....we cudnt spot a single tiger but still the safari was awesome......I have missed the Rafting experiences... :) yes i rafted as well......I have missed telling how wonderful the view of River kosi was...but....I can go on writing about my experience with nature for nay length of time...so better let this night remain serene and calm...let me put down the pen...
:)
One last thing....Do Visit corbett..... :)

Dedicated to our dear parents!!

2008-08-24T13:13:00.000-07:00

Everyone is fighting amongst relations;
amongst himself; amongst tensions....
This world will end somewhere...But these tensions nowhere...
When the white beard was black...concern for relations none lack...
people cared for each odr...wife,a sister, a brother...
concern was so high..people dint even care to die..
But now everybody has grown...people only come to mourn..
How does it matter? ..if u die...if u live...
u r only cared for taking ;none cares to give...
Parents lose touch from their child...
..The children..just care a mild.......
it makes me wonder.....is this a relation??
full of insult and humiliation.....
an atmosphere of isloation....
an environ of tension....
dont u thnk ...we r losing the touch with our own soul...
a lonely fish in the golden bowl!!!!

Orkut...

2008-07-13T00:27:00.000-07:00

Hey I am suddenly feeling very happy today….new energy….really don’t know how long it lasts…but as of now I am happy and rejoicing at the feeling……..No specific reasons for my happiness…

Was just visiting my Orkut account when I saw the number of scraps…18000….boy…what I have been doing :P….An instant thought “Delete all of them “….so by the time I was deleting them; Somehow I felt very nostalgic covering the journey of last 3 yrs though Orkut… I read old scraps from old friends….net friends..Strangers…school friends…initial excitement of finding old friends so suddenly…shared turmoil of college exams…sessionals…pracs…vivas…file completion… old school memories…nick names…college fests… discussion of daily college woes… crushes..placements…bday wishes…congratulatory messages…cat exam woes…best wishes from loved ones….and by joe…I suddenly felt happy….I went on deleting the scraps….reading them…wondering where are these people now…many of them have left orkut..deleted their orkut accounts...

Although I don’t use Orkut so frequently now…but I have kind of become attached to it…It was an integral part of my college life…and will always remain…..

Rain Rain come a lil more close...:)

2008-07-12T09:47:00.000-07:00

Tipper….Tupper…..Tipper….Tupper…. It used to rain in a similar manner when we were kids….but rain had a different meaning then…sun still shines with all its fury…but playing in sun was never a problem then….winters still bring that chill…but we always ventured out to brave the cold (with all the winter clothing available in the wardrobe :P )

Weather hasn’t changed…it is still the same…trees and parks around us haven’t changed…The roads haven’t changed,…it’s We who have changed…we have busied ourselves in our own world that we have lost time to figure out things already existing…..we sit in an enclosed environ that shields us off the real atmosphere…it shuts down the outside world to us…Breathing an artificial air…we become oblivious to the fresh air that Mother Nature has for us…
Must be wondering why I am suddenly so nostalgic about nature…

Actually… It’s raining outside….and it’s been a long time since I took a relaxed breath and looked outside my room….life is so hectic sometimes…you feel suffocated ; trapped…
Looking outside today…makes me feel so fresh and energetic…

The last 4-5 months have completely drained me out of all my mental sensations…..
I used to be a person who used to rejoice at changes…but I had actually stopped responding to changing weather…..OHH gosh!! I feel I have lost so much in last few months…
Anyways thanks to an office trip…I could still connect with nature…we went to Kasauli and I enjoyed myself thoroughly…Thanks to a fortunate off the track incident...I was outdoors trekking when it was raining…I just loved the experience… J

Getting away from nature would be the worst things in this world…
I just hope that there will be more life in my life… J and that life will be more lively as life passes on…

Woman....

2008-07-03T06:44:00.000-07:00

Have been thinking of starting again for long but could gather the will to hold the quill just this time….

So Back at writing after 6 long years….have only written for survival in these 6 yrs (to pass my exam papers J) .It dint took me long to figure out the title of this blogpost…coz the will to write came from Impressions only.
Without blabbering more on this “impressions” I would rather shoot the post directly…
To B frank I have been very much impressed by a few people around me and just thought of telling others about their courage ; their patience ; their selflessness…I mean looking at those people I really wonder at my own life..And think “God; I have so much to learn”
The thought that People can still be so great and humble at the same time; fills me with immense thirst for knowing their heart..How can they manage to be so great!!
Recently I got to know of a woman who is a manager; she has a year old daughter; got married love…managing her work and household…put in some family complications ;she is bearing the cost of her brother-in-laws kids’ education; her own household ; her own kid and her own demands… …yet she is so down to earth…sensitive and caring …she epitomizes what a woman should be…
Managing a baby with your work is altogether so demanding …..plus it becomes all the way more tough if you have to manage the finances on your own…
This particular instance makes me think about my own life…about the responsibilities which I will be supposed to shoulder as a woman…
I am in mood of venting out all what I have in my mind today only…
I know of a couple of women whose mothers- in- law…those shashi kala…bindu types…or the class of those as shown in “K” serials…they are endearing their married life with so much patience and care…working…earning…and still not happy but still caring and loving…
For the sake of what??.............For the love which drew them to marriage…or the love for their kids…responsibility towards their own parents…whom they can’t tell that they are unhappy…and that their decisions were wrong…
Fully realizing that they will be in this grind forever…their in laws are not good and not keeping well ..still they care for them..fend them like their kids…

Two days back…she told me she had won herself a travel stay at some holiday resort…she plans to take her mother-in-law with them…MIL is suffering; she is bed ridden…Can’t Do her daily chores on her own…Has got such a caring and sweet daughter-in-law….yet she is always nagging ; complaining and suspicious…and still the daughter-in-law is willing to take her to the resort..to care for her..to love her…Where on earth do these women get so big loving hearts…
Hold on…I am not against MILs as such….but just look at the greatness of a woman’s heart…
This is why a woman is a woman…hats OFF to women like them..
It’s so tough to be caring and selfless…so patient and sensitive… adjusting and yet be firm in achieving what you want…Be empathetic…
It’s so easy to be selfish and mean…be demanding and stubborn…But this is not what a woman is for…