Mind over matter: and an important matter I must say :)

Mathematically the volume of a cylinder equals the (area of the base multiplied by height and formulated as πr2h. But there is more to the height and the radius I must say. Hold on….

Varieties are overwhelming. Small, large and extra large. Red, blue and fluorescent orange. Oh! There is the electric blue one too! Fiber, plastic or aluminum. Impressionably branded with ‘Shree balaji Industries’ and trademarked ISI or an urgently improvised version from the roadside tin ‘dubba’. All, but to serve the same purpose. Moksha ! The freshness of the after use…..Ahhhhh!

Hail the Great Indian Lota.

Mere payare devi-o aur sajjan-o. Kripaya apne facial expressions per control rakhiye. Apne nak ko vikrit na kijiye. Yeh topic of my discussion is vishesh enough for us; the nagarik of the Indian republic.

US, Paris, Singapore, UK ya Timbuktu! Africa ka ghana jungle ya our very own NH5. When pressure gets created, that you will give your right hand for a lota. Suppose ki pressure gets created. Well, very much normal na. And does pPressure does not have a sense of timing ? And does it actually care for our convenience? No! Pressure can pressurize us anywhere, while at Madam Tussaud’s or while ferrying around the statue of Liberty, while you are on Eiffel or shopping in the malls in Singapore. Things can start to pressurize after a budget meal or after an full plate Andhra thali. While in office, at home or while in your 5 star hotel.

Now think about this; wouldn’t then the simple lota feature with topmost priority in your wish list of the hour? Wouldn’t the simple cylindrical container seem more dear than the India winning the Fifa world cup or the Cricket World Cup?

Albath! I bet. As an Indian the completeness of our downloading episode lies in the fresh feeling that is ensured only by a lota, our lota being the sole means to achieve that fresh feeling.
My fellow countrymen. Watch your backs. Rise and shine. We know that we all hate the tissue. Tissue mein who baat kahan hai yaar? It is now time that we stand up united and proud. Let us demand our access to the lota. Everywhere across the globe. It is time that like the Chinese chopsticks, the lota needs to be made a global product. Each and every toilet must be glorified with mandatory Great Indian Lota. I mean to say every place of downloading must be ‘sammanith’ with the lotas’ all important presence every 6th person is an Indian. We are a global brand name today.

We Indians travel to every nook and corner of the globe. We are a species distinct. Why be ashamed? Didn’t Gandhi use it? Or Shah Rukh Khan…or Kiran Bedi or Mandira Bedi !!! Sachin, Dravid or Sourav? Is it so difficult for your imagination to picture Lalooji, Nitish Kumar or Dr. Manmohan Singh taking dignified and determined morning steps towards the loo with the great Indian Lota in hand?

The lota is our symbol of Indianness. A strive for freshness inherited from our forefathers.
Hail the great Indian Lota !

This column is dedicated to put forward the expression and opinions of the sea of Indians traveling abroad and landing up in the waterless loos for the first time. If anyone finds the article is written with a bad taste or is derogatory, please use tissues.

A big thanks to Dinesh for editing my poor hindi here :)

Monkey business

Sucking up to win the support of your boss dates back to our furry ancestors – monkeys . I read about this ‘sucking’ fact on livescience.com. Interesting and funny indeed!

Well, they don’t grab a coffee for their CEO of course! But monkeys prick dead skin and bugs from the fur of higher ranking monkeys. They do this in exchange of support and backing in future fights.

Primates like monkeys live in societies and often individuals come to blows and lock horns with one another. They do so over food and access to mates. As well, they want to climb the ladder to alpha hood. When witnessing a fight between two group- mates, a 3rd party must choose which contestant to back. This choice is partially decided by past grooming received from each other; with frequently groomers receiving more frequent support from those served.

In all, groom your boss for support and favors without shame. This is such a genetically inherited trait among us! Hee he heeh! So next time you meet your boss at the cafeteria, do be aware of your invisible tail.

Impressions. notions and our judgments.

O earthen vessel, strengthen us. With an eye of compassion may we regard each other"

You and I, we think that we can know each other. We think we know others around us and the situations that we face every moment. And, we think that by knowing others, we are able to read them.

Unconsciously, every moment we are judging; judging things, judging situations and judging people. True. What we perceive is what we judge and our perceptions are more often correct and so are our judgments of situations.

But you and I, too often we land up judging people - our parents, our friends, superiors at workplace, our juniors, the waiter at the restaurant, the ticket collector and so on... My point here is that - these judgments on people build up grained notions in our mind; like "he is good", "he is bad" , "he is suave", "he is clumsy", "he is weak"...

But dear, people are not things. We have emotions, we have a mind and minds by default are a constant state of change. Situations and things are different from people. Isn’t it? So should we judge people? Please understand that things are made to be used and people to be loved; relationships to be nurtured. Unfortunately, today we use and abuse our loved ones and love things instead! We build walls around us. We divorce people and flock out of relationships. But do we ever divorce money? No.

As Indians, traditionally we greet each other with a namaste gesture. As an employee of an MNC, we greet each other with a Hi or a Hello. Ever thought why we do so? Where did the tradition of namaste originate?

Allow me a moment please.

When you look at a person, immediately and unknowingly your mind will say.. Oh! she is beautiful, she is good, she is ugly, she is young, she is old etc. If the person is known, your mind will say...He is looking good today! or... Oh! he is in a bad mood today... He is so jovial today!

All this will occur in your mind in the split of a second. Impressions. Notions. Judgments. If you try to judge a person with his speech and behavior, your mind will form hundred other judgments in the same moment. As to, whether you like him, or dislike him, love him or hate him. Thus at first thought itself we try to peek into one's mind, body and emotions.

A namaste or a hello is a greeting. A greeting to the seed of life that existed in the person. And that is what I wanted to explain here. A seed of life, a light of dignified living exists in each one of us. A namaste is therefore my positive energy of respect to another being. It is not a judgment, not a reading. It is not a conflict, nor a compromise. Unfortunately, we never pay heed to these simple things.

You and I are not constant. No human being is constant. Today, I may be someone you don’t like. Today the waiter serving you at breakfast table may not be impressive. But hold on before you make your judgments on me and the waiter. I may be in great colors tomorrow and in the exact mood to make your day. The same waiter may serve you a great breakfast to refresh you day and instantiate the ongoing! But if you think that you have already read me in and out, and if you have already made an impression of me based on one certain day in the past, then you will miss the way I could have made your day today! Isn’t it?

Once you get into that trap my dear friend, you are in a loop.

A person might not be of your culture, that’s okay; likes and dislikes; that’s okay too... But don’t forget to address a person as a human being in the first place. Love your parents the way they should be loved. Respect your friends for the dignity they have shown you. Treat your colleagues with the responsibility they deserve. From everything that you consider bad, don't shy away if the 'bad' is a human being. We carry a lot of each other as we move on.

You are good; you don’t have to judge people.

"Without love in the heart, life is like a sapless tree in a barren desert"

I liked a recent article I read on this topic and I decided to write my own views on the same. Hope it make sense.

An ode to her quiver full of stories

Her agile self was always around before I would start to tie my shoe lace on the mornings of every school exams I ever wrote. Her sweet supportive smile was always there when I would try my hand at the bicycle. Her stories were always there to inspire my evenings with the awe of the human heart. She is the sole reason behind me liking paneer so much.

I missed all those today when I attended her last rites. A white garland and and a box of her favourite sweets was all I could carry for her today; things her mortal self would never ever touch anymore. My dad and mom's eyes were watery and I could only solace them with a silent supportive smile; a smiled she had taught me.

She was there when mom gave my birth. But fate would not grant a moment when I could be there, beside her, when she withdrew herself into her sunset last week. Even today, I could not shed a tear for her lest my parents break down seeing me.

To whatever else that is left of my sweetest aunt, and to the best impromptu storyteller who gifted me those perfect moments of childhood; here is my ode to her quiver full of stories.

I miss her, my 'Nontu' as I called her, my sweet aunt.

Kothapalli, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh

A remote tiny village. Seldom would you find anything special about this place. But hold on. Because, here came a certain C. Krishna Mohan and it was here that he pledged to make a difference.

I dedicate this column to his world of simplicity which has helped women discover the alphabet. Rao's model 'Akshara Mahila' first implemented in Kothapalli has now evolved into ' Akshara Bharathi' and covers 11,98,000 illeterates of AP. This model has been selected by UNESCO as one of the world's top 9 most effective literary models.

The idea of this literary program for women originated around 2000. Rao identified 15 non literates and devised a 3 month plan. Educated members of Self Help Groups worked as literally volunteers. In absense of them, services of neighbourhood literates were sought. Volunteers were trained with simple teaching techniques and methods. The model multiplied itself symbiotically as newly educated members encouraged more folks to join the program. Soon teaching and learning became an exciting oppurtunity for the district.

The model has graduated slowly since then and now stands up as a literary and livelyhood enhancement program which linked and reinforced each other.

Therein lies the success of Akshara Makhila. Rao was invited for a presentation of his model at the global UNESCO conference in NY last month. UNESCO has selected his model as a worldwide programme to be implemented for good.

Saluting the simpleness of idea and his persuation to implement it in reality.


For more info on Akshara Mahila ...
http://www.westgodavari.org/adultedu/aksmali.htm
http://www.globalliteracy.gov/akshara.html

MicroChips for Dinner

Radiocontrolled robots. Their microchips working away with a whir and flashes of light. One robot races to the table to take orders and the other races to the second table to deliver plates of steaming food.

Welcome to the world of Robo-waiters. A new dinner in suburban Hong Kong shopping mall.

Robot Kitchen opened up in last July to cash in on the city's love affair with gadgets. The trend has claimed success. The robots used are simple but efficient. Their microchips can recognize voice patterns, take down meal orders and send them via infrared to the kitchen. They are strengthened with vedio detectors and cameras and these detect objects in the way. The robots also have a tray for carrying food to the specified tables.

Stars they are ...

Some of them are our idols; who can do no wrong - we assume. But more than often, our heros show that they have feet of clay. They cant just keep themselves to the right side of the law. The result, our mass ire and all the drama that follows....

Be it Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan or Fardeen; be it Greg Chappel, Sourav Ganguly , Lara or Shane Warne; and be it Shoaib Akhtar as the recent addition to this mundane tale. Are we supposed to frown, thaw or let the sympathy wave for them sink into our hearts ?

Shoaib's alleged flitrations with steroids was one day a grave mistake. The next day it turned out to be a mere 'human folly' ! The media will no doubt paint them red and green as per their whims - the colours switching as much and as frequently like the traffic signals on MG Road.

We invest emotionally in these heros and put them on a pedestal for their virtues. But in doing so, are we keeping our emotions above morality ?

Inspiration! Truly a class apart

In 1920 a 21 year old Southlander stood gazing at a brand-new motorcycle in an Invercargill garage. His eyes roved over the neat little V twin engine, the cast alloy primary case, the leaf sprung front fork. His hand lovingly stroked the gleaming red paint and the sparkle of the polished nickel matched that in his eyes. The proprietor was spoken to, a deal was struck, and the young man bought his motorcycle, beginning a partnership which was to last until his death in December 1978. The man was Burt Munro and the bike was an Indian Scout, destined to become the world's fastest Indian

Hold on! A 70 year old guy with daunting hurdles of heart disease, lack of cash, and a burgeoning family life making his way into the record books for biking at the topmost possible speed. That too on a 1920 model Indian bike.

Burt Munro is no story out of the fiction movies. Believe me, he is an inspiration.

I recently came across this spectacular movie: The world’s fastest Indian. Casting Antony Hopkins, I guess its one of those few movies which can raise the fighting sprit in you in no time. A simple plot based on a true story; it’s an apt tribute to Burt Munro.

A must watch I must say.

My God has a name.

Everytime he came infront of us, we stood in awe.
Everytime his willow spoke a straight drive, he scripted a masterpiece.
Everytime he walked up the 22 yards, a legend arrived.

The master is back.
Saluting my God who has a name – Sachin Tendulkar.

A visit to Paris

It has been long,I know. Sincere apologies for this delay in updating the blog. But let me reassure you that the coffee is still brewing well and sound. Just that the brewing got hectic for a while :)

So, where do I start?
With Tai’s gift ‘the magical charm’ at the airport? Or with Putti’s surprises which overwhelmed me? Well, neither I guess, coz both of these two are treasures that no words can ever appreciate in its true sense. And I would be over jealous to share these. But to those two ‘dusth atma’ (in case they happen to read this), a loving TankQ for everything.

And here goes all about Paris, from the perspectives of this nerdy bong!

‘Le liya saab kuch ? Really? Keys kahan hai…huh? ‘
Well, who else? That’s our champion! My fellow roomie Sir Pravs Bluffmaster . Ever ready and alert as usual that I may forget the visa and the papers, he kept on reminding me the smallest detail. I admit I would really have forgotten few of the major stuffs had it not been him to keep me on my toe. Thanks maite and I still remember that one chain of the red bag is defective. I am not supposed to use it. Two bags and the laptop, and they were enough to hold all ammunitions for the next two weeks.

On board AF 091
Now, this being my maiden international travel, I WAS excited. As the friendly crew greeted me on board, I erupted in a hushed ‘hurray’. Coz my seat was the front seat which meant enough leg space for my tallish structure. Ah and hello! Look at the Geo Vision on the TV!!! It showed me the landscapes below as I passed through. S-u-p-e-r !

The thing that told me that I was out of my country was the curd they served… errrrrr….ok, the yogurt to be more precise. Simple but a touch of newness to my taste buds which are used to the traditional misti doi and south Indian curd. Ummmm…and yummy! Add a few chocolates chips and mix it with the yogurt, add resins and the gently fried nuts. And heaven is on board AF 091!

The bald guy next to me was almost a fashion czar. Dressed in an elaborately printed Chinese shirt, a shining black trousers and colored glasses, he presented me with hour long lectures on the current trends in Paris and enlightened me on the extraordinary malls which are the must visits. His company was pretty lighthearted and pleasing.

A word of sympathy for those flying to the US of A. Well, 10 hours for me was long enough, and to change flight for a ‘10 more hours’ stint on the same day? U guys are crazy and weird and offffh! Anyway, have a pleasant onward journey mates, but me is too happy to tell u goodbye here in Paris. Perfectly on time and welcomed by the pleasant weather.



Arriving at Paris.

The experiment gears on! Time to be a Parisian!
I am writing this after my 2 weeks in Paris. And I would consider this moment apt to describe my impression of this city. In a few words:

“A charm, proactive by day, enchanting and absorbing by night; and laid back on weekends to allow itself a candid reflection on its glitteringly classic history. That’s Paris in this holiday season of July August. A through cosmopolitan that is truly regarded as the most visited city in Europe.”


Concord Square with the 3500 years old obelisk in background.

The old city charm will engrossed you from the moment you enter Paris. Those stoned roads, the mandatory architecture marvels at every circle, the grand buildings, the cars side-parked on the pavements, the couples strolling round the parks and the squares, the writings on the compound walls of the railway yards…the Grand Opera house, everything has a story to tell.


The Eiffel tower at night.


A walk on the banks of Seine river.

I walked through the smallish lanes and by lanes, got lost more than once, tasted the French wine, enjoyed the language, their delicacies, cruised the river with the magical lights all over, climbed up the Eiffel, visited the Louvre, smiled back at Mona Lisa, and said cheers to the pirates at Disney, Paris. And not to forget ran across country side France at 300 kmph on the Thalys to reach Brussels in an hour’s time. A perfect brewing in Paris you see!

Everything is closed on Sunday!
There was something distinct about that Sunday morning. The Parisians love their work-life balance. And their Sundays are uniquely dedicated to family. I found every shopping mall, restaurants and offices closed. But of course, MacDonald’s was good enough to cater to this hungry soul. My hotel was near the Opera house. A little stroll around the hotel gave a vivid idea of the advantageous. The station was few steps away; the Louvre, Seine, the Orsay and the Concord square within 5 minutes walk; and the variety of restaurants of all ethnicity and background lined up in each nook and corner (but…..Grrrr…Grrrr… closed on a Sunday!). I found the Indian restaurant too. Nirvana!

Traveling from India to the Europe, we gain time. And so, there was no jet lag that I felt. Or maybe it was the sheer excitement that kept the sleep to minimum. Paris by this time of the year is superb as a tourist destination; too good a climate to enjoy, less traffic and crowds to maneuver, a very long day to roam around. The sun sets at almost 9 or 10 pm, which let me a pleasant walk down the Seine almost everyday. And lo! Everything was there besides it. Paris seemed to have grown around this river. Of course, the history substantiates this fact. The church of Notre Dame is built on an island on this river and the Paris had started growing around that place in 1 BC.

In these 2 weeks I tried a variety of food, French of course apart from Turkish, Japanese, Italian, Chinese, German, American and Belge. As planned I did shed my eggterian way and turned into a carnivore. Daanav, daitya or rakshas whatever you would call me now, this experiment was due. No regrets for the same. The French food is a sea of variety. And their desserts need a special mention.

The Eiffel tower will seem as just a mammoth iron structure if you approach it at daylight. But behold, let the dusk settle in and as the evening sky paints the riot of colors, slowly the wonder of Eiffel will gravitate you towards itself. The light sparkles at every hour will just add to the mesmerizing quotient. Take a late night boat cruise on Seine and you will know why I say Paris is absorbing. Well, a little advice here, please make sure you are onboard the river cruise with your loved one otherwise …. Statutory warning: The music, the lights on the river, the kissing couples around you and the calm waters will definitely make you feel a bit lonely. “A nation in its entirety offering the most romantic environment, ah and I was alone”
Okie.. no probs, time to carry on…

My friend, philosopher and guide.
Few people that we come across now and then are so constantly jovial and active than this guy. Meet Anand, my brother-in-law. This motivating chatterbox is an instant inspiration. And mind it; whatever he says does make sense. And he still remains the fun guru I had known earlier. Hats off to him and his GPS “Madhu”.


Anand and Bui at brussels.

I travel to meet my sweet sister and him in Brussels. The Thalys at 300 kmph was awesome. First class was itself at the comfort best and to witness the sunset across the countryside were cherished Kodak moments. Contrary to Paris, Brussels seemed a much peaceful city with a slow pace of life. Very systematic and yet casual. As Anand says; a perfect place to settle down. Well, I do agree.

The fantasy land!

I know I don’t look like a kid and I am neither expected to behave like one. But this temptation called Disney Resort Paris was too testing a proposition. So there I was in the pirates cave, on the Thunder mesa, shit scared inside that old scary house, near the skull cave, on the racing cars…and so on….

Inside Disney, Paris

Disney Park is a must visit, but do not forget to visit the Disney studios too. It’s worth it!

Disney, Paris

Some more snaps from Paris....


The Louvre, Paris


Outside the Louvre, Paris


My flight back home.

Perspectives from Paris ... Comming soon

I am in Paris, just one word for this city: Absorbing .
Anyways, I shall be blogging my experiences in Paris soon. As for the moment, me enjoying. Schedules are a bit hectic here, but I still find enough time to move around ....

So Prespectives from Paris... Comming soon :)

Bonjour Paris

Hey bright lights, big city...
Hey Eiffle...
I am comming !

I have a odd habit of never giving up!
I have a odd habit to hope for a happier tomorrow.
I have an odd habit to try and make things better. I have a hope to be understood.

Here is one of my favorite poems, something that tells me not to give up.

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream -- and not make dreams your master;
If you can think -- and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings -- nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And -- which is more -- you'll be a Man, my son!

a poem by Rudyard Kipling

July 17th 2006.

Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return. — Leonardo da Vinci

I don’t have better phrases than this one to describe myself today, because yes, I had tasted a flight of a kind, the flight of friendships beyond protocols. And yes, I now find myself back on the humble earth, eyes still looking upwards turned to the skies of totherness, for there I had been and it is there that I long to return....

A wait longer than the last time… strangeness, excuses, resistance, arrogance and sheer ignorance. A world of difference now termed as possessiveness. Right? Or just materialism? Somewhere inbetween I have missed to learn a step.

I am myself. I am like me. Then why shold I be like or behave like him or them ? I am the same old guy I was that day, then why do I need to be someone else today ?

I prayed that we could have done beyond that and better.
No sympathies or egos today, just a little thoughtfulness and willingness could have coloured the magic that allows thing to work out. Strange but true. Yet, impossible....?

A tribute to the unputdownable

I would not post an article here to condemn the terrorists, nor to update the numbers and statistics. Nor I want to use tearful words of sympathy for the victims or words to remind humanity.

All I shall show is a respectful salute to the sprit of that city.
All I have here is a snapshot of the day after.

Isn't this enough to speak out a thousand words for themselves ?







Saalam Mumbai !

PS: The photos posted here are downloaded from online sources.

Playful saturday !

Simple things in life never need concentration or planning. All it needs is just a little of our time. And ofcourse, a simple attitude that can still keep us young at heart. Just sit back and enjoy these snaps taken a few days back. These were a herd of elephants ( the small ones) in a super playful mood along with their mother... Gosh ! They seemed to act just we do !


The kid with mom out for a walk.

This kid was a loner I guess....He kept on wlaking here and there alone.

This was the most playful one. It kept dancing with its head going all over the place !

And then came the scolding from the mom..."Guys! Whats up?"

These two kids were the most friendly...they always kept together and cared for each other. Just the way mom had told them to ... maybe.

Now this was a little naughty one. It came up to me and noticed the mud in that place? It started throwing mud at me...Was it angry on me or as it just asking me to play with them ?

And those two special ones always were always together...I loved them the most.

An interesting conversation..

Recently, I came across an interesting situation.
A friendly auto rickshaw driver turned around and asked me a question. Simple one it seemed at first but explaining him was not so easy man! The auto was stuck near the Dairy circle flyover and the slow moving traffic gave him ample time to initiate a conversation.
“Boss, are u call centre worker?” Figuring out that I am not a localite, he used his best English laced with the Kannad accent.
“Na. I am in software….” Visibly I noticed that he could not differentiate between the call centre and software. I waited for his next obvious query.
“Wohi ek hi hua na bhai? Ya phir tum raat ko kaam nahin karte isi liye software bola?”
Definitely interesting; so should I go ahead to enlighten this auto rickshaw driver from the IT city? I thought for a moment, looked at the traffic and decided to go ahead…
“Dekho bhai, call centre and software alag hai.”
“Kaise?” the instant question showed his interest now
To us it might seem such a trifle thing. Call center is call center… a BPO. Software is well… hmmm…Software. What else? Aren’t they different? Of course they are. But how do I explain the difference to him. I searched for an example.

“Have you ever reserved railway tickets? “
“Yes, I have. I am from Hubli and I take my wife to her father’s house every month.” He proudly declared.
“Well, good. So you must have seen the computer there at the counter. Right? And the printed ticket that you get?”
“Yes…”
“Perfect”, I was getting somewhere I guessed.” So that is software. Jo tumhara ticket machine main print karta hai”
“Ah….” He still seemed confused. But now he could picture something at least ”Toh Call centre kya hai?”
“Well…” , I need more examples…more….more…”Call centre is different. Suppose ki aap ne tickets le liya. But train late hai….” God! Can’t I get a better example than call centres and trains? Still, I went on.
“Toh tum station phone karke time pata kaar satke ho na?”
“Yes”
“Now take call centre as something similar”
“Matlab, telephone operator?”
“Naaah!” well, wrong choice of example I suppose.
Then I got it. A perfect example for him to understand - his vehicle insurance.
“Ok, forget telephone operator. You have a done a insurance for your auto?”
“Yes…Who toh karna hi padta hai bhai”
“Right, now think ki agar you need to claim insurance after accident. What will you do?”
“What? I have to call the insurance agent, right?” He was a good listener I saw.
“Ya… and so you will call the agent. And what will he do? He will give you a report number and all, hai na?”
“Haan..”
“And then, who log tumhara claim process karenge”
“Ya!”
“Well, this office where all these things happen is called a call centre”
He did not answer very noddingly. But I saw he was still thinking. I wanted to continue this and get his enlightened idea now. But we had now reached Hanumanthnagar and it was time for me to get down. Simple things, but so difficult to explain. Hmmm… We have so much thought in our minds. So much we think that we understand. Yet…

I paid him and walked off.

What is an end?

What is an end?
Is it a long lonely evening, the middle of the silent night or the break of the dawn? Is it a futile effort that marks an end? Or is it the ‘holding on’ or giving up’ defined as the end? Is transformation an end?
Is death an end? Does it relieve the pain? Does it free the mind? Or is death an end that paves way to counterfeit and escape the scars of the day?

The glory of the storm that havocs the mind lies in the realizations that follow; in the calmness that prevail after the storm. Faith nurtures the calmness to teach the essence of acceptance. Convictions erase the persuasions of assumptions.
Nothing is forever. Noting is perfect.

If death is an end, do we realize the coming? Is it that candidness, a silence, or a fearlessness? Or just a void.

Reasoning change

What makes for an achivement? An event. An hour. A gentle push from a persistent friend. Or just timming. Good or bad. Isn't our present, continuously being hijacked by the future before we realise it ?

Change; The dictionary defines it as 'to become different or undergo alteration', 'to transform, to differ or a transition'

Imagine yourself lost among a crowd in a huge city and desperately searching for some familiar face. Your heart aching for a moment for togetherness and a hope pricking every fibre that the heart ever bonded with. Sometimes we hit upon a void. And our wanderings wary the soul. Sometimes we search for a little shell, we carry back a scar. Hey there, come on! Smile a thin script and accept the change.

Change; Uncomfortable, harsh and sometimes cruel.
Yet, an inevitable.

The comming of a storm...

On my way back from Chennai via train, I caught this on my lens near Katpadi West. Carefully watch the series of changes that took just a few moments to transform. The Gods were playing their blue hues.

Isn't this a hopeless confusion of purpose ?

Ahhh! The games and perplexities of life. Life does have a limit , right , but where ? Live for the moment, or plan for the future. Do the right thing, or do the easy thing. Help your friend, or watch your back. Give till it hurts, or give what they all deserve. Be involved, or look the other way. Be yourself, or be what you think other people want. Feast on caviar and champagne every day, or share your daily bread. Blaze your own path, or join the flock. What will you do?

So, Give up or resolve to make the difference? Well, that makes another question. Ha ha.

News of late !

When I was a kid (maybe of around 4 years or so) an amazing fact had overwhelmed me…how much ever hide and seek I tried, the newsreader on Doordarshan would always look at me from behind the television screen. Be it I standing right in front of the screen, or shifting right…left… even if I moved over to the sofa, or hid under the dinning table … she would still be looking at me! How could she actually follow me with that stare? And how could she follow me to everywhere I would move in the living room!

Well, later the kid grew up a bit and understood that she looked directly at the camera and not at me.

Today while watching news I was thinking of those childish moments… but has thing changed really? She still looks at me dammit! And today, it is not just my living room where she follows me, the modern newsreader is smarter and she is everywhere around. Note that mate…Everywhere… on the streets, in the bus, in my office, when I sit in the park, or when I eat, when I shop, when I think, when I feel, when I am on my phone, when I go to bed. Everywhere!

Spare a thought on how the NEWS has evolved to this day. News channels and news channels and even more of them and so many of them! Isn’t news today more of an entertainment industry thriving on our personal lives? And aren’t the news channels dictating our daily lives too? Isn’t it all about business now?

Breakfast news, news at nine, the power lunch, the stock news, business news, news on the glamour world, cine news, dine news, sports news and the list goes on… to be followed by more news about the rich and famous, news about the man, the lady, the son, the daughter, their uncles, aunties, their neighbor, the neighbors dog, the dogs’ biscuits, news about how the cat chased away the dog and both of them fell into the quagmire… infact whatever happens today is news to be flashed on the tv screen throughout the 24 hours.

Worldly enlightenment. Yes, for sure. But what bothers me about all news today is the fact that each every news (however happy, sad, dirty or grave) is marketing materials for these channels to out do each other. Just listen to any of these news and don’t u feel that they are up to theatrics and making mockery of us, our lives. Lets take the few news topics in these channels of late.

Ghar laute Sarkar (on Amitabh Bachaan returning home from hospital) and they dedicate a days entire live coverage to this event. How his car moved, how the panipuri wala felt about him when amitabhji’s car passed 5 kilometers from his stall, how the crow flew over the traffic signal… are these worth a live coverage?

Or think of the bomb blast episode in Vanarasi, the incidents in Varodhara, the Rajkumar episode in Karnataka (the same video footage being played over and over again) … I don’t say that these are not worthy news. But what irritates me is the style of coverage and making a mountain from a mole… I strongly feel and believe that if riots flare up or if mobs go on rampage, TV channels are just adding fuel to the situation by adding glory to these miscreants and covering the incidents with utmost importance. If antisocialist and political powerhouses want these to be covered, then the media is just adding to their mileage. If the receding neckline of a tennis star makes news more than her game does, if page 3 incidents assume more importance than the unfed mother and her malnourished child, its a shame. A pity.

Does anyone really care? Think once again before you turn on the news channel the next time. Do you really have your privacy before them? Aren’t they manipulating your life? Should we allow them to do so? Justice to a woman who is wronged, if brought to light in gentle and courteous manner is worthy news for the betterment of society. A peace message if spread to motivate humanity is commendable. An inspiration if spread to help the poor, a light spread to hold hands of underprivileged children is a cause worthy of high esteem. But the news of late ??? Naaaa ....

Well, whats up mate…whats news?

Pensées

Consciously or unconsciously. I still go back to that fond memories of the day when we walked together on the beach. That was surely a great morning!

You meet some people any given day who fill you with pleasure and joy of life. You feel comfortable and agreeable with them. Their energies are radiating, they just merge with yours, and you feel pleased, content and calm. This whole process does occur on a subconscious level of mind, where you feel the vibrations but you don't really notice consciously.

Are most of the conscious acts of our daily life well thought, planned or improvised ? Are they approved by our self-knowledge, experience and current state of mind ?

They seem to be unconscious acts of daily life, hidden under an opaque glass of memory bank, which is like a fixed deposit that you cannot access constantly; because they are programmed in past very carefully. Many of these acts by unconscious part of mind are automatic; happen without much effort on our part. When they are pleasing we enjoy them. When they are not pleasing we are altered and their strong impact is noticed through images & reflections. Some reflections leave deep impression on our conscious mind and suddenly we feel it on our physical body. We smile. We cry. We live.

The root cause of these programmed acts is our past experiences and a wish to be happy. The acts in reality are like throwing stones on a silent, quiet, placid lake of mind. Waves created by such turbulence are shapes of our emotions that are activated by such acts.

In order to live in this world, you are bound to meet people from all walks of life. Each person you interact with, from the closest to a strangest, has his/her own history. And some of them leave lasting footprints in your heart. They see you from their eyes and experiences. They view you through colors of their own, not yours.

Hey there, wish you a happy and joyous married life ahead... Cheers!

The Pillow Fight !

Time : 1 o clock on the saturday night

P: Hey u fool , slept so fast ?
L: Whom do u call a fool ?
What else can a sane man do when there is no power in the night ?

P: And who the hell said that one HAS to sleep when there is no power at night ?
L: You father in law

P:You fool, when did u meet my father in law ? And that too before I did ....
L: Will u stop questioning ?

P:Will u stop sleeping ?
L: Let me sleep na ... I have a back pain too !

P: That means we can have a pillow fight !!!
L: Noooo, no no


BHUUP! Dhup! DHUUP ! DHAP!! And the pillow fight starts with L fighting back hard. He grabs the fatter pillow and hit back P.
BHUUP! BHUUP ! DHUP!

And suddenly the power is back. Lights on.
P gets up on and onto a better position and goes fulltus WWF style attack !

Now the climax....
DHUP! DHAP!@#!!%
Power goes off again.... the next sound .... oouchhhhhh! Ahhhh ...

L: P, u have hit me at the wrong place !!!

Careless whispers

Its true ki sometimes, time goes bad. They are regulars. Well, crap happens! And Shit too!

But strangely, it is then that we pick up those little gems to move along…. just as I did this time. Without ifs and buts. A faith. A conviction. A faith to be cheerful and a conviction to wait for it.

This time, it might take a longer time to win back things. Maybe years … 2, 3…5 lets say. But somewhere the faith tells me I would definitely get back there.. The conviction tells I will definitely win it all back. Again…Coz I never meant any harm, and there was no ego. Ever. All I did was to care. I just cared. Come what may. I will wait. Coz I still care.

So what, let the stars and the planets fight over my cusps and eclipses. Let them draw whatever shit astrological charts they can, My faith and conviction is stronger.

Well, I guess I am writing crap too… never mind.

Kashmakash ko chhor de tu, rukh hawa ka mod de tu
Khaali pe maana hai tera, ho sake to tod de tu
Kashmakash ko chhor de tu, rukh hawa ka mod de tu
Khaali pe maana hai tera, ho sake to tod de tu
Ek nayi mehfil sajaale beech ka parda uthaale ... ha ha ha. right !

Issued in Public interest...

A pleasant evening. The airport lobby.
Me waiting. The flight had been delayed by an hour. Usual and expected Air Deccan stuff I guess.

She walked into the lobby area pulling her luggage along. For a moment she looked around for a free chair. None were available. Well, no one to offer a seat to a young lady!!! Strange! Reluctantly, she moved on to a corner near the glass telephone booth. She was carrying two baggages, a trolley suitcase and a huge bag. Pulling out her cell phone, she dialed a number and began talking to someone. The talk seemed lifeless. After a few minutes she hung up. But waiting alone can be a bit of a pain I guess. She kept playing with the phone. The usual thing that young people do; checking the cell phone every other minute…

The announcement was made. Finally!
Air Deccan passengers traveling to Bangalore on DN636 are requested to proceed for boarding.
Thus started the craziness of low cost airline passengers. Who the hell could actually make them understand that there are 180 passengers and 180 seats too? Who the hell could make them understand that the seats are numbered and each passenger get a unique seat? But everyone HAS to rush… a mad rush towards gate number 2A!!!
And so it happened… predictable.
She rushed too. With all her bag and baggage. Cell phone and bag in one hand and the trolley in the other. Next what everyone heard was a loud thud…. Dhup!

Well, now I would like to give you all a little more glimpse of the ‘correct’ and ‘true’ ’1024 bit’ picture. Our young lady in question was stout, fat (with the caps FAT) and round. To beat that, she wore the most misfitting dress you could imagine. Tight red slacks with a tight purple short kurta. And to beat that even further, she had rushed towards the gate. Need some more serving of the scene on your plate? Well, a 100 kg (or more) heavy material was flat on the airport lobby…WITH ME BELOW IT!!!!! Poor me had been standing quietly near the pillar waiting for the initial rush to board first. Suddenly, I had felt a heavy pull near my ankle. It was her trolley. And the world seemed to turn upside down. The mad rush was momentarily told ‘statue’ but slowly they all stared laughing at the scene. And the laugh grew louder until a few pair of hands came to lift the lady and the poor me… THEY WERE GIGGLING STUPIDLY TOO.

Wasn’t funny mate!
I recommend VLCC; Obesity is definitely a disease, treat it.
Make such falls at least a little more romantic ( if not humiliating) for victims like me, please. Issued in public interest.

I know I am not that light either. But, I dare not try to cross the century mark.

Chef de Bachelor !

Shit !!!
I just forgot the stove was on… and I forgot that I was cooking! And I forgot that the aloo matar would get burned if the stove were not turned off!!! Does it end here? Nopeeeee….I forgot that the basin will get clogged if you throw the waste straight into it. I forgot that the pipe below the basin will start leaking if I try my stunts with it and I forgot that if the pipe starts leaking, the whole kitchen would be flooded with dirty water!!!!

Shit !!! And all the time what was I doing??? Watching Lola Kutty on V. My newfound time pass; the idiot box.

So there I was. An early return from office, a pleasant evening watching TV, full enthu to cook dinner myself and …. burned food, clogged basin and an almost 'to be' flooded kitchen ….
Well, we bachelors do try our hand at cooking … well. sometime :-)

And thanks to fellow bachelor Pravas for ordering some food from a restaurant ... He understands !!! He he he

Illusions

Illusions; towing away from never to nowhere. Some moments an unsteady yard, some moments an unwilling retreat. Drooped shoulders, vexed spirit. Everything may, but destiny leads me through each crossroads – the hazy ones still prevailing to pinch nerves with soul deep aspirations.

Aspirations bear expectations. Crush the myth, the foe, the felony; the insatiate bacons the new dawn with renewed vigor. Instinct waits for the moment.

Hope persists – against itself. For it has a reason.

Ek nasha hai tu zindagi

I had written this a long time back, so thought this would be good as a first post on my blog. Enjoy reading.

Ek nasha hai tu zindagi.
Hazaron aarman,
ehsaason ki saikdo dhadkan,
aur kabhi muskurahaton ka ankahi daastaan :
isi ka naam hai zindagi.

Aaj ekbaar hans diye ,
toh ek pal main sare duriyon ko bhool gaye,
kabhi koi yaar mile ,
to dil main simat gaye ;
saath saath chalna,
dosti nibhana,
isi ka naam hai zindagi.

Roshni ki naam hai zindagi.
Suraj ki paheli kirano main sune hai
- ek aahat, ek nayi shuruwat ka vaada ;
bas umeedein jo hai , to chal diye,
saari parchhaion ke saath
is samay ke saath …
shaam dhalne tak…

phir ? phir andheron main chirag jalana
khamoshi main aawaz dhoondna
ek intezar hai yeh zindagi

purab se pashchim tak,
har din ek safar.

Isi ka naam hai zindagi,
Ek nasha hai tu zindagi.