Happy New Year

A new year...

a new start...

begin afresh...

chart a new route...

explore new boundaries...

be happy...

learn from mistakes...

and finally...

be yourself!!

Happy new year!!

Solitude.......

Now, the pic below can make you think of a lot of things, and frankly I really don't know what. But, allow me to guide you through what I saw and thought.

Loose slippers, open balcony, half-filled wine glass, a wine bottle, a telephone kept of the hook.... the entire scene makes me yearn for a long weekend where I am totally in touch with myself. And this new year, I might actually that. Loads of running around to do. Quite a few races to be run.... guess it's time to take a rest.. for there's lots to be done.

Let me know what the pics makes you think about...

And then there were stars...........

Do you ever recall the days when as a kid you'd hate to get up for school, hate the exams, hate evrything in this world which came in your way of having fun?? When you were noted all around for being a brat?? Sample this now, what if you were the parent? How would you react? Will you look into the matter or simply subject your kid to the pressures of the rat race.

Much has been said about how in today's competitive world children are suffering, but very little has been done. Take a look around. The next door kid rushes off to tennis practice at 6:00 am, school from 8:30, tutorial classes from 4:30 and finally home at 9:00 pm. The trial doesn't stop here.... there are assignments to be done, projects to be made, exams to be prepared for (you need top marks!!) weeks in advance if not months. In the process, I personally a kid loses out the very essence of childhood fun. Having been part of this rat race for years now, goen through more or less a similar regime, I can safely vouch for its side effects.... I dunno in the process the basic skills, or may be the one which are really special in the kid might be getting lost. Not many are bold enough to withstand expectations and other pressures and still make a life out of what they love and can do best!! And what's more... sometimes the parents are so ignorant of the problems that can plague their children that they fail to look into some genuine problems that the kid might be suffering from attributing the dismal performance on soemthing else.

Aamir Khan in his directorial debut upholds this very problem.... He artfully weaves it around a typical aspiring middle-class family of today. Ishaan, was never good at school. He couldn't understand a word... he was pathetic at his lessons... couldn't clear papers... yet he was imaginative... an artist!! But then, ebing an artist doesn't count does it?? So, given his dismal performance at school he was sent away to boarding school in the hope that he'd be discipline d into performing. It was there, while shrinking into the world of a recluse, that he was meets Nikumbh and then the world slowly turns around.... and Ishaan turns out slowly to be a brilliant boy....

The entire journey leaves you smiling, fuming and at times tearful... for when rational and ata distance from the situation we all do understand the right and wrong of the situation. Along the way we come across papa NandKishore, mum Maya, big bro Yohann and friend Rajan, all lending that essential flavour to the plot making it a story that you'll remember, understand and indentify with at one go.

Darsheel Safary as Ishaan makes a mark that cannot be ignored. Splendid is the word for him. Tisca Chopra (Maya), Vipin Sharma (Nandkishore), Sachet Engineer (Yohann) and Tanay Chheda (Rajan) provide a strong support becoming key elements in the movie and assuming their own importance. And finally, Aamir Khan plays the part of Nikumbh sir, who with his intense charater portrayal sets out to set things right for Ishaan. Another wonderful performance from this perfectionist!!

Taare zameen par... questions everything about the education system. And quite rightfully so... After all, if I imagine starts to be on the ground why is it wrong??? That's my imagination and that is how I like to sketch it.... what's wrong with it???

Or is the title pointing it out to you, that if not handled carefully, we'd lose our kids to soemthing unknown.. and the result would be similar to one fine day waking up to a ground full off stars for they've fallen!!!

Kids are like stars in the sky... please guide them but let them be kids!!!

Pink Flloyd said it right years ago in the song Another brick in the Wall!!

In the end I ask you youngsters who are gonna be parents in the future, have you understood exactly where parenting, depsite the best intentions, is going wrong???

Christmas at work.....

Ah well.. now for the past few days there has been quite some planning going on, what with Christmas approaching and people going on a long extended weekend. So, there we were a bunch of enthusiasts who simply needed an excuse to sing along... got together to put up a few carols.

After much efforts, V. came up with three: "Angels", "Jingle Bells rock" and "Feliz Navidad". And thus started the efforts of the troupe to get the carols together, most of them hearing it for the first time. Work, deadlines and other personal stuff kept cropping up. Yet amidst all that we managed to pull together our act!! Finally, we performed with Santa Claus distributing gifts. All in all a fine time... nah!! a good time!! A few pics to share with you all!! :)

Cheerio!!!

That Thing called Love

Have you ever thought about falling in Love during the rains? At least the rainy season. When the mind races over different matters as you are stuck in a rain induced traffic jam.... and your mind actually wanders freely into zone you had hitherto not visited.. at least for some time.

It was in one such monsoon that Mayank Sahai, met a lady who seemed to fit the bill of his idea of the perfect woman, though he had got engaged to another lady a few weeks back. He went after her even though she was married and finally realised his folly when his contact with the lady was destroying her once strong now fragile relationship with her husband.. to be finally irreparably damaged. Then there are Mayank's colleagues, who have their own set of problems and equations to deal with. Anil and his equations with his wife, which take a turn for the better only after a drastic incident. Vishal's infidelities catch up with him just when he had turned new leaf and decided to be loyal to his wife. Tina the receptionist has a dark secret to hide...... And they all have the Mumbai monsoon to deluge them in their emotions. How the monsoon takes along these characters along with it to reach their true self is what makes the reader to stick around till the last page. Every one has a past that mould one into what they are today.... sometimes...... more than they would ever acknowledge.

I could have told you so much about this book... might have revealed the story. But then, I want you to undertake this journey on your own. Go ahead get the book NOW!!

About the Author:

Tuhin A Sinha has studied at Loyola School, Jamshedpur, Hindu College, Delhi and National Institute of Advertising, New Delhi.
Tuhin is a scriptwriter based in Mumbai. A tele-film called Phir se, premiered on Saharaone last year and based on a Story, conceived and written by Tuhin, won the RAPA award for the Best tele-film, 2005. Tuhin co-scripted Pyar Ki Kashti Mein on Star One. The show, a first of its kind, was shot exclusively on a cruise. That apart, Tuhin has scripted episodic screenplays of several other dailies across channels.
Apart from TV, Tuhin is presently working on two movie scripts for directors, Onir and Subhash Sehgal respectively. He can be contacted at thatthingcalledlove@gmail.com

The Author section is courtesy Tuhin Sinha's site www.tuhin.in

Happy Reading!!

Can't live without..............

Alrighty now, this one is long due. I was tagged by Ashu on this one, and I'm sure she's gonna be like.. "phew!! finally the brat does it!!" :P

So here goes:

Three things I can't live without: Air (the correct mix), water and food!! :P

ok... i know that was bad.... hmmm..... let's see....

1. Talking: Surprised?? Don't be!! I love to talk... I can like go yap yap and yap.. all the time else I'd be so quiet, you wouldn't notice me!! And yes, I believe I can talk about anything under the Sun. I know I think a little too much of myself, but then a fellow is allowed that much of a liberty now isn't it??
2. Listening: Yes..... talking alone does you no good, you need to listen. And it applies not only to what has been said, but more to what was left unsaid. In the few summers that I've been on my own, this is themost important thing I learnt. You've to listen!! No, shortcuts! It helps one in understanding many a things and also makes you one of those on whom friends rely on for some advice, some solace, someone they can turn to when they need to talk, be listened to, and nothing else!! No matter, how long your relationship has been, listening forms a key part to it!! And to understand a woman... well... simply listen to her!! She says more with her eyes than her lips!! :)
3. Being myself: I can't help that... I can't pretend.. unless I need to. I'm a bundle of contractions - wild, passionate, leisurely, lazy, pleasure loving, crazy, sober, calm, stupid, brainy, weird, unpredictable, a hidden funny bone, romantic..... there are so many things.. and I'm everything in a single day!! May be there is more to me than I care to know or reflect upon!!

Honestly, there are many things which would have made it to this category, the most important all not mentioned for that's my Achilles Heel and the rest... well.. they all are important because of the "Heel" :)

Quote:

"True love endures, if it does not, then it was never true."

This is a principle which I believe every idividual should keep in mind. In a time when we all have a propensity to fall for someone, this one line should be there at the back of the mind.
For the future is never clear until it's the present!!

Just for kicks!!

Well... I was working on some other post, just happened to try out something just for kicks and well... it left me quite amused... now this is astro stuff and I'm a cuspian.. didn't know which one to go for, so here I am posting both of them!! :)

So which one am I??? lol...

Celebrating work!!!

Ummm.... not really!!
It's Saturday midnight, and here I am at work supposedly providing production support. But as far as I can see, there isn't much to do.... Thoroughly bored.. royally bugged... blogged... tried orkut, read loads of blogs... am fed up of that entire show now... dunno, what else I can do now.. except wait till the stipulated hours and then finally drop off!!
Jeez.. that means another 4 hours to go!!!!
Damn......
Let's tune in to the music on my phone... maybe that would help a bit....
till then cheerio!!

But, who’ll forgive me??

This is story came about for the same reason as that of the last one. So, thanks again to PS!! :)

I knew this would change everything but as I stood there transfixed, I felt helpless. I could foresee how the future is going to be laid out now. But I had no option but to follow the general’s orders. I fired…...

BANG……

Reload……

BANG……

I would never be forgiven for this. How can I be?? I’m firing on my fellow countrymen, that too when I know they are innocent. Am such a lowlife that I cannot even object to this inhumanity?? All I need to do is turn the gun at the general and he’ll be no more.

“Fire at will…”

Ah!! Now may be I can…. but what next? I’ll be tried, sentenced to death for treason. What would become of my family? But, what of that young boy I just shot down, hardly 21. I hope he wasn’t the only son or the sole bread-winner of his family. Oh god!! Why doesn’t my finger stop firing the gun? Am I not committing treason by firing on these people? May the Lord have mercy!! I can’t do this anymore…. What if I end this now?? What if turn the gun on me? Yes, that would mean one gun less firing on them. Why is has the firing stopped? Where are the people?? Is it all over??

It’s over…. I must seek penance for this act. But, who’ll forgive me??

---------------------------------------

This is a fictitious account of a soldier's conscience under General Dyer when the troop was ordered to open fire at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar on April 13, 1919, an incident condemned to this day.

The Night.........

Having taken my cue from PS on this one, I had to write a short story which had to start with the phrase: "I knew this would change everything but as I stood there transfixed, I felt helpless."

---------------------------------------------------------------------

I knew this would change everything but as I stood there transfixed, I felt helpless. If helpless is the word that I seek. Now before I throw you of the deep end and launch into further narration allow me to take you back in time a while.

The current circumstances had one of my closest pals standing surrounded by an entire gang of angry youngsters. But then there was apt reason for all that. This young gentleman was being hauled over the coals, because of our tiff….. I was his protector... the devil’s advocate… he had slaughtered many an image to further his own interests. I had overlooked most of it, for though I knew it to be a part of him… had sensed it rather, never seen him to do that. May be he was clever enough to make sure his closest aide never gave up on him…. But then tables turn.

One winter evening he introduced me to someone… over a few meetings and conversation that someone became the special one for me. The vindictive nature of his bared its fangs… he hurt me… he hurt her… and then I found out he had hurt many other… this fellow who, I claimed to be my friend had done something despicable… Till, a few days when he crossed all barriers of civil behaviour. Shocked to the core, matter had to be taken in hand before they engulfed everyone around me into doom.

And so there stood the one who had failed to value the ones most loyal to him. He was doomed, while I stood helpless, may be by choice, for I cannot stop anyone from launching into him. They say, sometimes it is necessary to amputate your digits if they tend to threaten you existence. I say, is it really necessary, couldn’t that be done in another manner... some other way?? This night, won’t leave us the same again…. The dark shroud engulfs us, as we get sucked into a pit from which no one escapes unscathed… everything seems to be losing itself into the darkness of….. the night!!

--------------- The End ------------------

FMORT

FMORT.. Five minutes of random thoughts...

Well i dunno what I'm gonna type out here. honestly i dunno... ummm... lets see... I'm in a foul mood... yup.. absolutely snappy... kinda depressed may be.... nah!! nothing wrong with my work.. nothing on the personal front too... everything nice and OK.. hale and hearty... and what the hell is this entire thing all about....

Anywyz, the past few days while my girl has been away attending some wedding, i kept getting messages from here, which really made me wish badly enough that I was right there beside here, lending a hand at the wedding. poor girl.. she has to work so hard on a normal day thanks to her professional obligation.. and now this wedding business has simply left her with no time to rest.... crap!!!! but then, i guess that's life, for she seemed happy and that's what matters at the end of the day!!!

Now, coming away from it... lemme see.... wot else.. oh yeah, got my guitar repaired... damn the neck is bent beyond repair... they've raised the bridge somewhat so it'd work for a year more i suppose and then I'd have to get a new baby!!!

Ah.. I love this one man.... my first guitar bought it in September 2005, I think it was on 6th. I still remember when i sang "Dil Kya Kare", "O Sanam", "Can't help falling in love with you" and other such stuff to her with this guitar as my companion.... god... the way she still croons about those moments!!! :D And end of this month I might actually get the chance to play it for her all over again...

Oh btw, the other day I saw on TV about this fine on jaywalkers in Delhi.. mighty good thing that they've done.. I totally agree with it.. and it should levied in other cities too... at times seriously they end being a real nuisance.. but then I blame the civic authorities too.. there are points when one simply has to cross from that end... i mean that's where you should logically cross over.. and yet... there isn't a way that you can do so...... I mean, what were they thinking!!!!

Ah!! the 5 minutes are now up................

So that was five minutes of random thoughts..........

I don't tag anyone, for now I realise that I have let you people in on some real secrets.... ahem!! :D

So, people take it up at your own risk.. and yeah please do be honest!!!!

Hey that's mine!!!!!

Hmmm...... Well.... The reason for such a weird title would be explained in the next few lines so don't raise an eyebrow.

Copyright or creative rights to something which you've created painstakingly or through a moment of brilliance is of absolute necessity. Oft, we post on this world wide web, work or write up which are entirely our own. How would you feel if someone ripped it off you and passed it off as his/her own?? Totally miffed... umm... livid?? Well, I for one would be ready to rip that person's head off!!

Now, this is exactly the tragedy faced by a fellow blogger Cuckoo. Please read her latest post : Copyright ? Plagiarism ? What is that ?

One such plagiarised poem is this one: Bas Aur nahi.

Now, posted in May, in comes Mr. smarty pants Nishant Paul with this one: Bas Aur nahi.

Read compare and then let me know what you think.

This is simply outrageous!!!!!

Oh, btw, in response to Cuckoo's poem bas aur nahi... I had a reply too.. and now going through it again I realised, it really is good.. :D... so publishing it here for your read... do go through it...

filhaal rehne do un mulakato ab,

ke dil ke zakhm aaj bhi na bhare hai,

roz aankhen band to hoti hai ab,

par neend ke kadam unme nahi bhatakte hai,

parchhai se kyu na jaane darte hai ab,

khauff to shaayad ab zindagi se bhi hai......

kuch waqt ke saaye mein rehne do....

rehne do un mulaqato ko ab.... filhaal!!

Translation:

The meetings.. let them be for now,

For the wounds of the heart are yet to heal....

The eyes do close e'ry night,

But sleep seldom does wander in there,

Even the shadows give a scare now,

When fear becomes of Life too...

Now let me heal in the shadows of time...

Please, let the meetings be... for time being!!!

The no. is 6724

Now in case if you are wondering, what the number is about.... well.. that was my bib number when I ran for AIDS Charity at the Pune International Marathon.

2nd Dec, a rather cold morning I groggily woke up at 6:00 am after a night of partying to gear myself for the marathon. Had registered myself for the run the moment we had recieved word about it at work. Full of gusto, I woke up one of my colleagues who was in a rather inebriated state to back home last night. Called up a few others and we met Yerwada. From there on it was a chilly ride to Jangli Maharaj Road. The gathering point for us was in front of the MacDonald's there. So there we were, the entire team all ready to start off.... 8:30 am.... we start....

After jogging for a little more than 500 mts, I realised that I need to walk...simply cannot run the entire 4.5 kms... and so started a saga of walk and run.... and that's how we all reached the finishing line. Nothing much to write here really, except may be the cause.

The point is to show solidarity towards AIDS victim, to display a willingness to help them, to raise funds for their treatment and most important of all to make sure people know how to keep such stuff in check.

What is AIDS??

AIDS - Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome, is caused by the HIV (Human Immuno Virus). The virus attacks no particular part of the body rather the it attacks the Immune System, breaking it down and leaving the patient susceptible to any disease. You may be HIV +ve, but that doesn't mean you have AIDS. It means you are prone to AIDS now.

A few facts about AIDS:

1. It doesn't spread by touching. So don't treat AIDS victims as outcasts.
2. It can spread even through a spuriated syringe or blade... anything that can come in contact with the blood. So, keep a check on that.
3. It can happen to anyone. So, be alert.... just the way you need to wear warm clothings in winter so not to leave yourself susceptible to the effects of winter...

There are loads but offhand that's all I can say.

How it spreads?

1. Through spuriated objects, like a needle at the chemists, or the blade at the barber's.
2. During pregnancy... from mom to child.
3. Unprotected/irresponsible sexual intercourse.

How to control it?

1. Please ensure the hygiene factor of any object like needle or blades which could have been used by someone else and thus be spuriated by their blood.
2. Guys USE condoms. Whether you agree or not, but that's how most sexually transmitted diseases can be prevented. Not to mention it keeps unwanted pregnancy at bay and helps in family planning. Contraceptive pills or morning after pills are not the solution for they are known to have certain side effects on the lady in the long run. Btw, even they have expiration dates so please take care to ensure the quality before you use one.
3. Be responsible towards your partner. Stay true and honest..... this helps in taking precautions as deemed fit.
   

Stay safe... stay happy... stay healthy...

Please do check out the following links and share your knowledge:

1. AIDS on wiki.
2. Hopkins-HIV Guide.
3. International AIDS Society

For more information about the marathon check out their official website: Pune International Marathon

And now some pics from Sunday:

Before starting........

At starting point.......

At the finishing line........

Taggity Tag!!

Picked this one up from Mann.....

1. Name one person who made you laugh last night?
Isha, by doing something really kiddish... can't remember what but does manage to be a kid when around me!!

2. What were you doing at 0800?
Sleeping… and probably snoozing the alarm!!

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Talking to Isha....

4. What happened to you in 2006?
Nothing remarkable..... but met a great girl called Isha.

5. What was the last thing you said out loud?
OUCH!!!! Coz, someone had pinched me really hard!!

6. How many beverages did you have today?Coffee in the morning and a glass of water a few minutes back.

7. What color is your hairbrush?
Don't have one.. but my comb is coloured white!!

8. What was the last thing you paid for?
An egg sandwhich today evening.

9. Where were you last night?
At work and then home.

10. What color is your front door?
Yellow.

11. Where do you keep your change?
In my wallet…

12. What’s the weather like today?
Pleasant… past sunset now and the cold breeze has started to blow....

13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor?
Dark Chocolate of Ti-Amo. Mecroche comes close...........

14. What excites you?
Ummm… I would tell but then I’d have to kill you. (Sorry, mann.. had to take this from you!!)

15. Do you want to cut your hair?
Unless I have no option!!

16. Are you over the age of 25?
No. I wish I was.... can't tell you why though!! :D

17. Do you talk a lot?
Ummm.... at times yes.. it depends!!

18. Do you watch the O.C.?
No. Am not much into the idoit box, least of all the soaps!!

19. Do you know anyone named Steven?
No… Who's he?

20. Do you make up your own words?
Haven't made any note of such activity till date!!!

21. Are you a jealous person?
Ummm..... I don't think so!!

22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A’.
Now that's tough..... I mean can't name a single one outright now.... but then.. lemme think.... Ananya!!

23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’.
Can't recall anyone as such with 'K'

24. Who’s the first person on your received call list?
Isha.

25. What does the last text message you received say?
"Pyramid n sphinx need 2 be seen n experienced - specially at night - spectacular, its difficult 2 describe - we r now on way 2 alexandria". can't tell u who sent me that.....

26. Do you chew on your straw?
No… if ever i use one that is!!

27. Do you have curly hair?
No… never!!

28. Where’s the next place you’re going to?
Mumbai.

29. Who’s the rudest person in your life?
Yet to qualify someone for that category!!!

30. What was the last thing you ate?
Vada-sambar.

31. Will you get married in the future?
Yes as soon as someone agrees!! ;)

32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks?
Jhankaar beats… that was a few nights ago... love to watch it again and again!!! :D

33. Is there anyone you like right now?
Yes.

34. When was the last time you did the dishes?
Last night.... I'm on my own!!

35. Are you currently depressed?
Yes… I’m dying to get my code working but the stupid query gets a timeout…

36. Did you cry today?
No...

37. Why did you answer and post this?
Cause I felt like it... why do you wanna know?

38. Tag few people who would do this survey.
Oh anyone game enough... if you feel like it.. go ahead!!!

Like some other person!!

We forfeit three-fourths of ourselves in order to be like other people. - Arthur Schopenhauer

Came across this quote a few days back, and it somehow got me thinking. How often is it that just to be acceptable we end up changing things about us? You know, just so that you would be part of the in crowd.... a tendency predominantly found among adolescents and young college-goers. But then come to think of it isn't it what everyone is? I mean, if I'm to look back at myself say 7 years ago, then I'd say I've changed. Now, change is constant can't deny that one. But when does the change make us turn into someone else and drive further away from who we really are. I'm a bit fuzzy on this on and would like your inputs regarding it.

So, tell me what do you think, when does change for the sake of change or for some superficial need take place? How does it affect the personality?

Kolkata Burning!!!

I'm not sure whether you have read about this or not, but I think it was high timne people started to look into it... at least know about it. Read this snippet from IBN-LIVE.

Nandigram Fire Spreads to Kolkata

Do let me know what you think after reading it. More will follow...........

Daakiya aaya!!! (The postman's here!!!)

For those who have been fed to quite a diet of Hindi programmes based in an era gone by... or may be languishing in some remote corner of the country... this cry of a child would be quite familiar.

There was a time when e-mails and telephones were not part and parcel of our daily existence. It was during those times (read: a few thousand yrs) that the hand written letter was what carried the words from one person to another over distant lands. There have been other modes of communication but more of that later. So this snail mail was what people used to look forward to when they had someone close staying far away from them. It was during times like these, that children used to look forward to the postman. Because that meant a letter, a smile on someone's face.... The range of emotions that a postman or may be one can say a snail mail could cause has oft been chronicled but I suppose it's full import can only be experienced. So, I was saying, this snail mail business was so important at one time. I mean, like we grew up with snail mail. I still remember exchanging letter every month with my first cousin Rima for nearly four years on the trot, till we passed out of school. After that....

After that it was the e-mail and phone calls!! That's the beautiful truth for everyone. Or is it really beautiful. Though we've learnt to accept those e-mails in lieu of the hand-written letter, does it really convey the same message? Can someone tell me why do people still their love letters and send them via mail of hand over personally, rather than an e-mail or phone call??

The reason is simple. "Elementary, my dear Watson", is how Holmes would have said. The import and feelings conveyed by the hand-written letter is way too personal. It somehow allows one to peek into the heart of the person who wrote you that letter.

Sadly enough, the snail mail is losing importance. I mean, I don't remember the last time I received one, except for the greetings cards and stuff like that... I'm talking of letters!! I don't remember the last time I sent one.

So what do you say?? Wanna write a letter.... may be to the person you go back to everyday!!

-----------

The post was in reponse to David Mcmahon's post on snail mail.

Trivia: Here is a link to the history of Indian Postal Service

Blogging in my sleep!!

Not really!! I'm st8ill awake but ready to plop down the moment I get a chance. Anywyz, it's 3:00 am now, and if you are wondering how come I'm online and blogging... let me enlighten you... I'm at work!! YUP!!! At work.... life of an IT professional!! Grrrr......

Anywyz, here I am, I really dunno what to write about if you ask me, just typing what ever is fleeting across my mind.... I dunno if it's making any sense. Now Thanks to this wonderful work timing of mine (5:30 pm - 3:30 am), Saturday night was a complete washout.... Sunday would be spent sleeping away.. and whoosh.... Monday is here!! Now how great is that??

And to top it all there is a Bloggers Lunch tomorrow... oops today afternoon at Mumbai, which I wanted to attend... but have to give it a miss... cause either I attend it and stay without sleep.... or sleep and conveniently forget about it.. coz it's not possibel for me to take it on while I'm still in Pune. Life can get so boring a times....

Anywyz, just to cheer myself up.. I'll post few pics of Kolkata, I caught the last ime I went to Kolkata... And one of my workplace at Pune early in a winter morning.... take a look!!

Kolkata Tram

Kolkata City Centre

My workplace, early morning!!

Anything for you, ma'am

Now this one is for all you people in Love out there, who have seen/been through the agonies distance can cause to two fluttering hearts. How many times. I ask you guys, have you told your lady love "Anything for you..."? And how many times have you beautiful ladies, held your breath when you heard your prince charming utter those syllables? Let me guess, every time.... You may not have believed him then and uttered a "tchah!!" the effect of which best known only to those who have heard it...... and then one fine day he does something... at quite a risk... just for you... and that's when you believe him... more than anyone else... you know that he would really do anything for you..... ANYTHING!!

That dear readers, is the magic of Love. Ah!! I see some people out there groaning inwardly!! You must be thinking "What's wrong with this guy? Amongst the scores of topic out there why does he dwell on love??". I have only one thing to say: "Love always coz there is nothing more beautiful!!".

Now drifting back to the actual topic.... "Anything for you, ma'am", is one of the sweetest stories that one could have read about a guy facing all odds just to meet his sweetheart. It is an IITians love story.. as they say on the cover, but then once you are through with it, the only thing you'd say (I hope..) is "That could have been me!!". That's the beauty of this story.

An easy flowing style of writing, and the ability to travel back and forth in time is what marks this book with a signature style. And for all those P.G.Wodehouse aficionados, this book might just make you reach for the next Jeeves you can lay your eyes upon. The travails of the the protagonist, Tejas from Delhi to Chennai, would force you to read the book at one go.... The college life, the travel.. and finally the meeting.... it is what dreams are made of.... and in line with Tejas's philosophy I'd say... "What's Life without some spice??". Yup!! You have loads of spice.... read it.... and in a way it would take back to your campus days, when all as fair in love and war!! Along with Tejas one gets to meet some very interesting characters who end playing significant parts in all the mishaps/plans, the prominent being Mr. Fate. Now that's all I'm gonna tell you... now go ahead and grab a copy...NOW!!

The author Tushar Raheja wrote this book while still in college. A 2006 graduate from IIT Delhi. For more details, check out his web page.

Dhanteras!!

Well.... as a passing thought I thought I'd tell people about some of the stuff being done in India on account of Diwali day after tomorrow. So here goes the first day - Dhanteras....

Dhanteras

Dhanteras marks the first day of five-days-long Diwali Festival. Dhanteras Festival, also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanwantari Triodasi, falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik (October/November). In the word Dhanteras, "Dhan" stands for wealth. On Dhanteras Goddess Laxmi is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. Hence Dhan Teras holds a lot more significance for the business community.

Dhanteras Legends

A very interesting story about Dhanteras Festival says that once the sixteen year old son of King Hima. was doomed to die by a snake-bite on the fourth day of his marriage as per his horoscope. On that particular fourth day of his marriage his young wife did not allow him to sleep. She laid all the ornaments and lots of gold and silver coins in a big heap at the entrance of her husband's boudoir and lighted innumerable lamps all over the place. And she went on telling stories and singing songs.

When Yama, the god of Death arrived there in the guise of a Serpent his eyes got blinded by that dazzle of those brilliant lights and he could not enter the Prince's chamber. So he climbed on top of the heap of the ornaments and coins and sat there whole night listening to the melodious songs. In the morning he quietly went away. Thus the young wife saved her husband from the clutches of death. Since then this day of Dhanteras came to be known as the day of "Yamadeepdaan" and lamps are kept burning throughout the night in reverential adoration to Yam, the god of Death.

According to another popular legend, when the gods and demons churned the ocean for Amrit or nectar, Dhanavantri (the physician of the gods and an incarnation of Vishnu) emerged carrying a jar of the elixir on the day of Dhanteras.

Dhanteras Preparations

To mark the auspicious day, houses and business premises are renovated and decorated. Entrances are made colorful with lovely traditional motifs of Rangoli designs to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. To indicate her long-awaited arrival, small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder all over the houses. Lamps are kept burning all through the nights.

Dhanteras Traditions

On Dhanteras Hindus consider it auspicious to purchase gold or silver articles or at least one or two new utensils. It is believed that new “Dhan” or some form of precious metal is a sign of good luck. "Laxmi-Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny Diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. "Bhajans"-devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are also sung.

Dhanteras Celebrations

Dhanteras is celebrated with gusto and enthusiasm. "Lakshmi-Puja" is performed in the evenings when tiny diyas of clay are lighted to drive away the shadows of evil spirits. Bhajans ir devotional songs- in praise of Goddess Laxmi are sung and "Naivedya" of traditional sweets is offered to the Goddess. There is a peculiar custom in Maharashtra to lightly pound dry coriander seeds with jaggery and offer as Naivedya. In villages cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form the main source of their income. In south cows are offered special veneration as they are supposed to be the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and therefore they are adorned and worshiped on this day.

The festival of Dhanteras is also known by the names of Dhantrayodashi and Dhanvantari Trayodashi (Dhanwantari Trayodashi). It is the festival that marks the beginning of the diwali celebrations and therefore it is considered the first day of five days long festivities of diwali. The term 'dhanteras' consists of two factors 'dhan', which literally means wealth and 'teras', which means thirteenth. Here thirteenth is meant to indicate the day 'Trayodashi', on which dhanteras falls. Dhanvantari Trayodashi (Dhanwantari Trayodashi) is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha, of the Hindu month of Kartik, that is two days before diwali.

I hope I have been able to guide you a little into the world of Diwali - "The Festival of Lights".

First Meeting...... Or the Last!!

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely incidental and not intentional. So, treat it lightly :)

His Story

He sat there in the cafe fiddling with his mobile. A calm demeanor had enveloped but deep within there was a tempest of emotions. He couldn't believe that the day had finally arrived. A moment long awaited was finally about to engulf his senses. Will things turn out to be just the way he had imagined them to be. Will he live up to expectations? A cold sweat broke out as he walked out of the cafe. The weather was hot and humid. Should he just sit there and wait? How long would he have to wait? He was supposed to be there at 7:00 but he had arrived a good 15 minutes earlier. And that seemed to be lasting through ages. He stared at his mobile. A simple one with nothing but the basic functions that one would need! But, it had led him to his source of joy, his elixir of life. He thought of calling but what if the line on the other end was busy, what if the voice at the end said it would take a little more time. He knew the voice worked hard, very hard. At times he thought it was killing her, but then he couldn't do much about it, not when he is 2000 km away. But today he was just a few hundred meters away, and they seemed to stretch beyond the horizon. Time was passing about so slowly. He noticed his clammy hands and wiped it against his pants. He checked his reflection in a glass. He did seem alright. Not weather beaten, given the weather of this city it was natural to look that should one be using the public transport to commute. And this was his first visit to this city as a grown up. And definitely a first to this part of the city! He glanced at his watch. Still 5 more minutes to go before the BIG moment arrived.

His thoughts took a time travel back to their first conversations and marveled for the umpteenth time how things had changed between them from casual conversation to flirting and finally much beyond. From just another friend, she became his most essential reason for living, his very essence of existence. And surprisingly all this without ever meeting each other!! He couldn't believe his luck for as per him he had found his dream girl, accidentally but he had found her. And She would be walking through the parking lot in front of him any minute now. They had got on with each other like a house on fire right from their first words. A call supposed to last for just 10 minutes had gone on for more than a few hours. As this became more of a norm than an exception, they started spending virtually every moment awake with each other. Every aspect of the other person was clearly etched in the other’s mind. “Can this be real?” he often thought! Guess it was, else he wouldn’t have been standing here in a distant land just because of a girl who was the perfect woman in his eyes. He thought back to the moments when they had their tiffs and how she had fought back to claim him more ferociously than ever. The fiery little girl had everything that he had ever asked for in his prayers.

His prayers were answered. His search was over; there she was calmly walking towards him across the empty parking lot looking radiant, a shy smile playing across her lips, her eyes twinkling (or were they really shining bright??), her beautiful mane falling over face. She tosses her head to one side and finally stops in front of him. He was rooted to the spot. He shook her hands to confirm that he was not dreaming. And as they walked back to the coffee shop, he pinched himself to be assured once more that he had finally met her. The heart was really set alight to hover miles over the earth into a different world of its own.

********

Her Story

She couldn't believe that after months of talking she was finally going to meet the very guy who had swept her off her feet, without ever setting his eyes on her. The very thought that in a few minutes he would be staring straight into her eyes was making her knees go weak. Will he be as subtle as he had always portrayed himself to be? Will be the guy she had imagined him to be over the past few months? A dozen questions chased each other across her head. He had called a few minutes back. He was here. She wanted to rush out immediately and meet him, but something kept her rooted to her seat. This seemed to be so unreal. It still felt like as if they’d come to know each other a few days back, yet it had been many a months since that day. The butterflies in her stomach had gone into an overdrive. She got up, checked into a mirror, was she looking alright. It had been a long day at work, and she just hoped that the fatigue didn’t show. But would he really care about that? After all, this fellow simply knew how to cool her down after the most horrendous of days. And his voice…….. She simply loved his voice. Somehow it had the ability to keep her on her toes, and at times soothe her when she had frayed nerves. Would he be just like that in person? She checked the time, 5 more minutes to go before she met him. She started walking towards the meeting spot.

Her mind went back to the first time she had called him up on a cold winter night. Right from the very beginning it was like he knew everything that there could be about him. Did he fit into her idea of the perfect guy?? She was surprised that she was asking herself this question. And the first thing that she fell in love with him was his voice. It was just the way she had always thought a guy should be having. And the way he modulated to allow the maximum impact of his words. Very early on she realized he could play with words and twist things to his advantage. A fighter to the core, she loved losing to him. It was perhaps a silent submission from her end, but then neither of them realized it till they had gone far ahead into a relationship which was perhaps the sweetest that could ever be. She couldn't forget all those times when she had gone extremely disturbing phases and how the fear of losing him had gripped her a few times. Yet he had never gone, he had stayed around, assured her of that soothing her frayed nerves and made sure she was alright. He was always patient with her. And the way he knew her made her think he was some sort of a magician. Yet, it was he who called her a Black Magic Woman, for according to him; she had cast her magic on him, and didn’t want to break free of it. Yet, she felt, he too is guilty of the same. Else, how could a fiercely independent girl be so much in awe of a guy she had never met? After months of planning to chalk a free schedule thanks to their busy schedules, they were meeting today. Looks like her search might be over.

And then she saw him, standing with a lost expression on his face, staring straight at her. He was the splitting image of what she had imagined him to be…. tall, dark and ordinary looking fellow, nothing special about him except perhaps his voice and his intellect. As she walked towards him, he stared at her as if she was a dream. Was this really the first time they were meeting? It sure did feel awesome, but definitely not the first time. Yet, the realization had to kick in. And it did, when he shook her hands. The very sense of his gentle touch sent a shiver down her spine. It was him. Finally, the fellow who had made her smile at the most stupidest of things was there in front of her eyes. And when he said “Hello”, the same voice that had mesmerized her all these day threw her into a tizzy and she felt like saying a hundred things. Yet all that she managed to say was, “So, finally our first meeting.”

********

And Then…

And then their story flew into the deep abyss of the night, to be shared and known only by those two souls. Moment which would leave them longing for each other more than ever would perhaps never be known by anyone, but then some things are to be experienced and not shared.

And Now

But then some love stories were never meant to be. The needle pierced her soul one day and tormented her beyond imagination. Unable to take in the pain she sought to break away, but then he was not a man to give up. A tumultuous period followed during which they came together and then apart, until one day the the thread snapped. Ironically their first meeting was their last, and perhaps the moment of their greatest avowal of love that they could be capable of. They still love each other but then the phones never ring now. She lives with a remembrance of a sweet love... and he with the hope of her return. Will things work out in the end? We'll never know, until they script their story again.

Love never dies...... circumstances do

P.S. Well this one is to tell you all that this story was written about 3 months back. So don't fret and link me to it. However I'll continue a little for the sake of a happy ending!!

Currently

They patched up... Yes!! They did... the phone rang... she returned... He had set free what he loved the most and she came back.. stronger than before. Life seems smooth and the future beautiful. The regular shades of uncertainty will remain... but then love truimphed and ruled their hearts!! And they are now happily enojying the onset of the Indian winter.

Love honestly..... and you shall not be deprived of it.

Check them and out!!

Well, I just thought I might let you about these post I've put up!! Check them and out and let me know what you think....

A Strike & Early at work !!

Cheerio!!!

Early to work!!

"Perfect formal attire!!", that's what a youngster thought while checking himself out in the elevator. He was on his way to work. He steps out, walks through the open glass door and then enters he secured area of his work. The same white tiles, light, wall. A yellow and blue board separating the employees and thus creating open cubicles. There is an openness about the atmosphere and yet there was something about it which doesn't lift the spirit!! It wasn't like this in the old one now!! Anyways, some things have got to be dealt with. It was then something struck him. The entire office was nearly empty save for a few souls who could be seen scattered here and there. Did he turn up on a Saturday or Sunday by mistake?? Usually when he comes in the office is abuzz with activity. What's wrong then today?? He checks his watch for the date. Yup!! It was Monday. Then what? It was then that he notices the time. It was 9:00 a.m.!! Turning up at work so early was not a requirement for him before today. You see till date he had to come in at 2:00 and then leave after 10:00. That had changed his lifestyle a great deal. And now he has to turn up this early, for a week.

As the import of such an activity in the long run sunk in, he couldn't help but grumble. Turning up at different times of the day on a regular rotation basis would affect him a lot. He knew it. His sleep would be the one which be most affected. But what should he do now get rid of such a work time?? Absolutely disgusted he begins another mundane day at work!!

Any suggestions??

It ain't easy honey!!

Recently (about 1 week ago) I was having this conversation with a friend of mine who happens to be a chartered accountant, that software guys have it all easy. And there I was righteously defending the honour of an entire tribe out there. In the process, I chalked out a number of hazards, dunno if I ended up with a few outrageous ones in the process or not. But honestly, I was too miffed to think straight. I simply leaned on my ability to bluff and well.... he bought my story. What happened after that later, till then here's a snippet from that conversation:

CA: "I mean all that you guys do is in front of that computer and punch away something on the keyboard. An absolutely relaxing job I'd say."

Me (absolutely caught unaware on this one): "Huh!!! What makes you think so?"

CA: "Aw c'mon!! I mean what do you apart from sitting in front of that computer and chatting. Play TT?? That's it!! Quite a fun life!!"

Me (really wanted him to work on my project that minute): "Not really, you have a wrong impression. Our work stations might be stationary, but it's not esy work on soemthig absolutely conceptual. You never get to see what's happening after you've written that piece of code. And let's not talk of all the benefits and professional hazards."

CA: "Benefits??"

Me: "Yeah! Not for us though. It's for all you people out there. You talk on the phone, you book your tickets, the salary that you see on the screen at the ATM counter, the Orkut that you swear by, the e-mail that helps you connect... they all are due to some software techie slogging it out in front of a computer on a diet of a few packets of chips, burgers and coffee."

CA: "And hazards??"

Me: "Ah well..... all those hours typing causes the wrists to damage. The angle they bend after is all too unnatural. The starin on the eyes. The serious inactivity and bad diet causes all sorts of diseases in the long run for them. Obesity, Heart problems, chronic back problems, bowel problems, spondilitis, depression, stress induced damages.... these are just to name a few. I'm sure there are more. They do pay a handsome salary, but then that would hardly compensate for the loss of health causing a 25 yr old to resemble a 35 year old. Which is why, you'd see many youngsters givinh up the life of a coder before long."

CA: "Then why are you still in?"

Me: "For am qualified to do nothing else!! Sad but true....."

CA: "Hmmm.... all that glitters is not gold!! I guess it's so true."

There I had won another sympathiser. Believe me, it was not as easy it seems in this converstion, for it was longer than this and quite a argumentative one. But then I don't remember much of it now!!

The moot point is this got me thinking. The picture for the world outside is that we software guys have it real easy. Whereas this job isn't really that hunky-dory. It's as good as any other job out there. And frankly, a telecom engineer does much better with time than a software engineer. At times I really feel terming this entire lot, especially the ones in the service sector of Software as "White-Collared Labours". Tell me what do you think?

Asche bochhor abar hobe (It'll happen again next year!!)

In case you did not get it, this a line spoken out loud by jsut about every other Bengali breathing now (infants and toddlers excluded!!). Wondering why?? You see starting th 17th of October this year Bengalis the world over celebrated Durga Puja. Five days of worshipping the goddess and loads of celebration. The flavor of puja remains the same everywhere it is celebrated. And the hub of it all is Kolkata. For the third year in a row I spent the puja away from Kolkata. This year it was in Pune. Now, there are many die hard bongs who would claim that puja in Pune cannot match up to Kolkata. I agree but partially. The decoration and glamour is missing. But what is in plenty is the attitude that one sees.

The idol at Khadki Kalibari, Pune (2006)

Sample this: it 2:00 am, different team of youngsters gather at prominent puja location. Guitars, Pepsi, smokes and water in tow..... the plan is to rock the place. How? Well... simple... sing!! Oh yes!! Singing on till it was 5:00 am. And trudging back, for one has to turn up again early the next day. Sleep is meant for daytime, if you cannot find anything to do..... but then, for youngsters this is the perfgect time to do anything with full permission. At no other time of the year can you flirt with such ease with any girl you fancy. It seems that all the beautiful ladies start coming out of the wood work..... and that's when we guys realise why they say Bengali girls are the most beautiful.

It is during the same time period that Navratri is celebrated, culminating on the 4th day of the Puja. The navratri brings in 9 days of dance, music and Devi worship. The tenth day is Dussera, the day it is believe that Lord Ram defeated the evil Ravan to claim his lady Sita. It is also the last to Durga Puja, the day being noted as Vijaya Dashami. It is marked with the immersion of the Goddess idol in the river and later the burning of an huge effigy of Ravan.

And now it's all over....... People should be tired after all the dance, the pandal-hopping (going around to catch a glipmse of all the idols in town), gourmet pleasures. But then, who has ever been tired after having a good time??

Not me!! How about you??

The moments that one lives through during these few days remain forever etched in the mind. And it is to relive these moments again... the call of "Aschhe bochhor abar hobe exists!!"

On this note, "Shubho Bijoya" and "Happy Dussera" to everyone!! :)