As You Blog It

Truth of Life

2012-01-04T01:35:00.000-08:00

Yearning for a gentle touch, a tight embrace, some generous phrases
A mundane, meaningless, muddied life, I lived through
But only when death embraced me, I earned plenty praises
Corpse, as I lay, immune to people and words that I never knew!

Happiness

2011-10-16T08:10:00.000-07:00

Treaded along the vast, dreary desert
Trekked on the steep, craggy mountain
Sailed through the illimitable, calm ocean
Breathed the fresh, pure air
But you seemed to be nowhere!

Then I closed my eyes
As I let my mind open
I saw those images rush past
The beauty seems to be everywhere
But you seemed to be nowhere!

Enchanted and entralled by my life
Success being declared as my synonym
They question me on the path to reach you
But you are still elusive and evading away
Am in pursuit of you, one who is close, yet far away!

Roots

2011-09-21T00:32:00.000-07:00

As he moves to a new place, new locale
He adopts, adapts, loudly lauds and gloats
About his own place, its people, he laments and loathes
Unaware that inherent traits will forever prevail

He cleverly camouflages his roots, his origin
But never does he become a part of the new herd
For them, he is an intruder, a wander bird,
An immigrant, svelte yet committed to sin

Feeling

2011-05-10T02:04:00.000-07:00

So complicated, a definition
So complex, an emotion
So colorful, its inception
So corrosive, a deception
An experience transiting from fonder to wonder to ponder!

Dazzle, Droop & Die

2011-03-29T09:09:00.000-07:00

Am I the flower?
The flower that bloomed, but never devoured
Am I the fruit?
The fruit that was plucked, but never savored

Now that I have wilted, I shall fall down
Now that I have rotten, I shall be thrown
The fragrance spread, shall never be talked about
The essence extracted, shall never be hashed out

Soon, I shall amalgamate with earth
With ripened skin and withered petals, I wait for my next birth!

Essence of a Woman

2011-03-07T20:35:00.000-08:00

Mother, daughter, sister, wife…the multiple attires that she adorn
With patience and perseverance, the virtues with which she is born
Her elegance and poise captures any man’s attention
That’s the essence of a woman, God’s masterful creation!

Happy Woman's Day!

Children Chronicles

2011-01-07T00:47:00.000-08:00

Nowadays, my 3rd old nephew refuses to talk to me on phone. All my efforts to lure him went in vain. I tried the old trick - With due permission from his parents, I posed (read as voiced) myself has his classmate (read girl). He was super excited and spoke to me for solid 15 mins. When I called him back again (as his aunt), he answered the call and said "Mema, X baby had called me". Boys will remain boys!

During Christmas, my nephew’s teacher asked him what should Santa gift him for Christmas and why. He answered "I want a laptop so that I can work and make money to buy tickets for Achan". His father didn’t have enough leave so had to shorten his stay at native. He had told his son that if he didn’t work, he will have no money to buy tickets. Real love and realization are the key virtues of children!

At last, my nephew did get his dream laptop from Santa Claus. I told him "My laptop doesn’t work anymore. Can I lend yours?" He said "No, you ask Santa to gift you a new one". I said "Santa didn’t gift me anything, I don’t why". He said "You are bad boy. If you behave well, Santa will you gift you". Children are genuine and gullible at the same time!

My nephew had spent few months of his life with his maternal grandparents at their home. Once he was driving down with his parents to Kerala, his excitement had no bounds. His father took a different route this time to avoid traffic and got lost midway. So he asked a passerby for the way to Bhavani. My nephew thought his parents are going to meet Bhavani and not his grandparents. He cried and kept saying “I want to meet Ammomma and Appoppa and not Bhavani”. Children are the storehouse of affection and attachment!

As Wordsworth has expressed it before "The child is indeed the father of man!"

New Year Plans

2010-12-27T20:51:00.000-08:00

Some hearts to be broken
Some words to be spoken
Some paths to be laid
Some promises to be made
Some wishes to be fulfilled
Life to be lively and fun filled
And I wait for the New Year
With mind steady, sound and clear!

Emotions

2010-12-07T00:18:00.001-08:00

I am an owl enjoying the night
I am the cuckoo crooning in the sunlight
I am the peacock dancing in the rain
I am the hen picking up the grain
I am the vulture waiting for the prey
I am the turkey drawn into a gory fray
I am the duck paddling in the lake
I am the ostrich of a sturdy make
I am the crow drooling in the dirt
I am the pigeon engaged in fractious flirt
I have all the colors, even grey and white
Docile yet dodgy, strong yet very light!

2010-11-25T07:38:00.000-08:00

Slyness is written on his face
For he showers you with umpteen praise
His actions will leave you in total maze
For he is from the unreliable race!

Don’t ever ask me who is he?
For he can be seen in AnyboDy!

Shades Of Love

2010-10-28T07:43:00.000-07:00

Love, thy has many names
When a guy is besotted with a girl, you are called infatuation
When a mother showers her attention on her child, you are called affection
When two strangers care for each other, you are called friendship
When a soldier dies for the country, you are called patriotism
When an artist shows his creative prowess, you are called the muse
When a person likes his job, you are called dedication
When there is a mark left on the platform, you are called lust
Love, you have many facets
Which one suits you the best?

Binding Laws!

2010-10-13T03:52:00.001-07:00

When I was born, I started to cry
I followed the laws of birth!

When I turned one, I started to walk
I followed the laws of growth!

When I turned three, I started school
I followed the laws of learning!

When I turned twenty one, I started working
I followed the laws of earning!

All the while, I led a life of discipline
I followed the laws of society!

Appeasing others, not at peace with myself
I gained no friends, just avoided animosity!

I wonder
Was the rule not meant to broken?
Was the extreme obedience worth it?
For I have lost the real me!

Irish July & Singaporean August

2010-09-07T04:21:00.000-07:00

I had a chance to trot from the west to the east or rather north to south of the northern hemisphere in a quick span of time which left me completely tickled as well as throttled. It was a rare opportunity to spend July in Ireland and August in Singapore, the only common factor in both these trips was that I was neck deep with work. However the variegated experiences in both these countries, the good ones and the not so good ones, were enriching and elevating. It helped me evolve as a person with more maturity and poise.

Dublin matches a lot with India especially in terms of the freedom struggle that it had to endure. The Irish flag resembles with Indian one, horizontal stripes are replaced by vertical stripes minus Ashok Chakra. The city is well maintained and well connected by Luas tram services and buses, people quite warm and friendly, the only turnoff being the cost factor. Cathedrals, museums, parks are the major tourist attractions like any other European counterparts.

City is famous for its literary heavyweights – James Joyce, Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, W B Yeats… can find books at very cheap prices. Another must to do is to taste Guinness and Baileys! Luckily, I visited Dublin at the right time of the year, around July – August when the sun never sets before 10pm.

I thoroughly enjoyed the short stint during July in Ireland but was extremely let down with my long stay during August in Singapore. May be it’s because Dublin and Singapore are on the extremes as far as the climate and citizens are concerned. Heading straight from Dublin to Singapore was not a good idea at all - from severe chills to humidity that kills! It took nearly a week to adjust to the tropical climate and the stinking odor of the oil used to prepare food. While in Dublin, one get to see most of the fellow travelers quite engrossed in books, in Singapore, they were quite engaged with the high end phones, laptops and other gadgets. As for working environment, I prefer Dublin to Singapore, for Dubliners know exactly how to separate out play and pleasure!

Singapore has mixed population – Chinese, Malays and Indians, settled in well defined regions. Since each section represents the different cultures of its inhabitants, it’s good to travel to places like Chinatown, Little India, Paya Lebar and experience the diversity! The various parts of the country are well connected by MRT as well as buses. It just takes a week to cover the entire country!

Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Jurong Bird Park is worth one time visit. River cruise at night is quite invigorating – cool chilly breeze, illuminated elevated buildings, magnificent marvelous Merlion statue! The man made island Sentaso is a huge tourist attraction.

Now as I enjoy the Indian September, I recollect these beautiful lines brilliantly penned by Robert Frost

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

How true! The cities abroad are good in their own way but home is where my heart is and it is known by the name India!

Homage

2010-07-13T01:36:00.001-07:00

There! She lays lifeless and dead
As numbness gradually grows from toe to head
Her countenance still holds the charm
Expressions of less turmoil and absolute calm!

She was born with a golden spoon in her mouth
Prosperity favored her throughout her growth
Lived like as a princess, died like a queen
Born lucky, does that mean?

She lived her life on her own term
Standing by her decisions, tall and firm
In others lives, never did she interfere
Whenever they needed her, she was there!

She had her favorites, one or two
Yet she showered love on others too
Still can sense her smell and hear her sound
Running through me in vale profound!

For, I saw this world because she bore my mother
“I will miss you deeply”, my loving grandmother!

Politically Correct!

2010-06-21T22:15:00.000-07:00

Raajneeti could be hailed as the casting coup of 2010, the best character actors (Naseeruddin Shah, Nana Patekar, Manoj Bajpai)sharing the screen space with the younger brigade (Ajay Devgan, Arjun Rampal, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif).

The movie is a modern take on Mahabharata – belligerent brothers (cousins), illegitimate offspring, shrewd manipulator caught in a war called "politics". The ultimate winner has an ulterior motive which forms the twist in the tale.

As far as actors are concerned – Shah is wasted, Patekar at his usual best, Bajpai stands out, Devgan sails smoothly, Rampal shows improvement, Kapoor steals the show, Kaif comes up with new expressions but that doesn’t guarantee her a National Award! Prakash Jha has captured the mode and mood of elections substantially well.

In short, Rajneeti rocks. What’s your opinion on this decent take on a dirty game?

A Pack of Lies by Urmila Deshpande

2010-06-16T21:24:00.000-07:00

Latest book that has joined my shelf is "A Pack of Lies by Urmila Deshpande". The book has nearly 300 odd pages which should have ideally taken max of 3 days to complete but instead took nearly 3 weeks. The question is, why so? The answer is simple – A Pack of Lies is nothing but a bundle of balderdash!

The book is written in first person and highlights a journey of a girl who yearns for her mother’s attention. She wins it eventually when she becomes heavy with a fatherless child.

There is an overdose of sex, smoke and booze, and if coming of age is all about these activities, I rather not grow up! There is not a single instance in the book that caught my attention.

Ms Deshpande, truth is bitter, no wonder you came up with a pack of lies! I would be lying if I suggest A Pack of Lies as a good read to other fellow readers.

Do you want to enjoy true lies?

Books by Anita Nair

2010-05-28T01:45:00.000-07:00

A lady traveling in "Ladies coupe" from Bangalore to Kanyakumari, gets to hear about the lives of her co-passengers. Their "Lessons in forgetting" cognizes her real purpose of life to such an extent that she does not shy away from trying "Satyr of the subway"!

Well, that’s Anita Nair! Her stories are complex and contemporary centered around women of all ages, concentrating hard on the trials and tribulations they encounter during the span of their lives.

After reading her novels, various thoughts clog my mind:-Are most women nymphomaniac? Do they always want to be desired and drooled over? Do they feel lonely and lifeless even in their marriage? Or are these just the fits of imagination of the author?

Any thoughts?

Words

2010-05-17T01:26:00.000-07:00

Words can express love in a new fashion
Can silence give the same passion?

Words can create a huge furor
Can unspoken words make similar roar?

Words can sound demeaning
Can silence convey a different meaning?

Words can lead to extreme adversity
Can unspoken words allure with its brevity?

Words can be at times, comforting and healing
Can silence handle situations with equal feeling?

Words when best spoken or unspoken
Are the human race’s virtuous token!

Ou(s)t of Contention!

2010-05-12T02:03:00.000-07:00

The chosen, finest fifteen
Is all set to come back
As the weakest, ever seen
Low in attitude and in knack

Little did they fathom short ball
Would ruin their world cup hope
For instead of tackling it and standing tall
Played meek and weak, unable to cope

Batting was attributed as their forte
Little did the batsmen play and portray
At many times, even after winning the toss
Bowling first was what their captain chose

Not winning a single match in the super eight
Captain is left with no more excuses or no one to blame
For the team hardly gave a sturdy, spirited fight
Once upon the time, they were the champions of the game!

The Immortals Of Meluha by Amish

2010-04-28T23:21:00.000-07:00

The current trend is that people who have graduated from prestigious institutions like IIT, IIM etc to flaunt their creativity. The latest to join this bandwagon is Amish, surprisingly, his work can be termed as fresh and fascinating!

He just published the first part of his trilogy series called the “The Immortals of Meluha” – distinctive fictional take on the Hindu mythology about Lord Shiva. In the book, Shiva is not a Lord but a leader, whose valor and vision make him the Mahadev, the God of Gods!

The book starts with Shiva, a tribal leader from Kailash in Tibet, along with his folks, immigrates to land of Meluha, a perfect empire created centuries back by Lord Ram. The peaceful existence of Meluhans, the Suryavamshis are in jeopardy due to the freedom- loving, law-breaking, corrupt Chandravamshis. To make the matters worse, Chandravamshis have joined hands with Nagas, ominous race known for their exemplary martial skills, to overpower the Meluhans. The onus lies on Shiva, the “Neelakanth” to protect the Meluhans and whether he will succeed, forms the rest of the story.

The writer deserves kudos for doing an extensive, intensive research on Lord Shiva. The flow of the book is quite mellifluous, the most striking being the way the writer interpreted “OM”.

Like any work of art, this book has some loopholes too, the primary ones being some dragging war and marriage sequences. Even the ending is quite abrupt but can be overlooked!

Verdict – Quite enjoyed the book, in fact waiting for the next part which would be hopefully out next year!

Video preview to enthuse you!

When a Chicken cursed a Chick!

2010-04-19T22:53:00.000-07:00

It all started last year. She was way too thrilled to meet her long lost friends but destiny had other plans. The day she landed, her mom was laid up with "Chikun"gunya. She knew that it was her turn to look after her mother. Her plans to meet her friends had gone awry.

By the end of the trip, she learnt a lot about herself, a kind of introspection and enlightenment! As she boarded the bus back to her place of job, she promised herself to be a more dutiful, dependable daughter.

In her place of work, she was assigned a new project, a work to be completed offshore, but one day, out of the blue she was asked to apply for visa. She did, but fate played spoilsport again! The week when she was supposed to travel, she was diagnosed with "Chicken" Pox. She needed somebody to take care of her, so she headed home to be with her parents. All through the journey, she was thinking of the hard work that had gone haywire, a classic example of God proposes, human supposes, God disposes!

She reached home and was taken straight to what is known as the isolation room. She was given strict instructions not to strain herself in any manner –not to surf, read books etc. Other excruciating instructions were not to have bath, cut nails, comb hair etc till the pox recedes.

Imagine her plight! Blisters all over her body, quite itchy but not allowed to scratch. On top of that, the blebs were wrapped up with Neem and Haldi paste. She had to withstand the pungent odor of the pus and the paste. She was quite hungry but the thought of having food with dirty fingers made her feel sicker. Any noise downstairs enthuse her and she yearned to be a part of the conversations but not allowed to move out of the room. She always enjoyed loneliness but all of a sudden she craved for company, somebody to share her anguish and annoyance. She made animated communications with ceiling and pedestal fans (Yep, two fans to beat the heat!). In her good days, she enjoyed wakefulness and when she needed good rest, she was denied, for humidity and blisters played dirty. Weird dreams traumatized and tormented her. For two weeks, the regime of being dirty and dingy continued.

One fine day, she was allowed to take bath with only water and no soap. She felt like a new born baby having its first bath. Three days later, she was allowed to take bath again, this time around, Haldi and Besan powders were provided. This bath also took her out of isolation. She was quite elated being back with her folks, discussing and dining with them. Her doctor advised her not to use any cosmetics (which included soap and shampoo too) for another two months. Diet restrictions would continue for the same amount of time.

The disease taught her a lot about life – One need to keep improving one’s inner beauty, for the external one can be tarnished quite easily. In the hour of the need, one gets to know the people who one can really rely on.

Now, she is back to work, quite astonished as well as annoyed to see the number of mails that have bombarded her inbox. On top of that, she has again moved to a new project, challenging one once again!

She has decided to take life as it comes, no point in wailing about the past and vexing about the future. There is always a "Chicken" that can ruin the current flow of reality.

A Different Take on a Romantic Tale!

2010-03-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

Vinnai Thaandi Varuvaayaa – a love story about a boy chasing a girl, a girl chasing a boy and with a climax that the audience might not expect or accept!

Karthik (Silambarasan), 22 year old tamil boy, mechanical engineer, aspiring film director falls in love in the very sight with Jessie (Trisha), 23 year old malayalee girl, program analyst with Polaris and his neighbor. He stalks her, proposes to her and at a later stage she does reciprocate his love. Will they live happily ever after? That forms the different and distinct finale of the movie!

Silambarasan, unlike his previous large than life outings, has come up with finesse, flawless performance. Gautham Menon has indeed underplayed him, like the way he had done with his previous heroes. Trisha equally match Silambarasan with her restrained act, her chic sarees, salwars, western attires add to her confused, conservative character. Nobody could have acted the role of Karthik and Jessie the way Silambarasan and Trishan have portrayed, they share a visible, vivacious chemistry! Of the other support actors, the character of Ganesh, enacted by one of the producers, truly stands out.

The music and the background score – Maestro A R Rahman has done it again! Aaromale haunts you, for it plays throughout the movie! How could one do such wonders with Malayalam lyrics?

The flow being a little slow being the major flaw, but isn’t it made for audiences who love romantic tracks and have plenty of time at disposal?

I wonder and ponder - Is there anything called TRUE love?

Remorse, Regret & Repent

2010-03-20T07:54:00.000-07:00

Why do I fret?
Why do I regret?
Some things are not meant to be
As they are pre decided by Thee!

When my life takes dreadful turn,
It’s your presence that I really yearn
To let you go was the biggest mistake
I wish I never did make!

Why am I still on a blinded grope?
Why am I driven by futile hope?
You are always there for me
But not the way I wanted it to be!

PS:I scored a century with this blog!

Will Miss You!

2010-03-10T21:16:00.000-08:00

Many thoughts clog my mind... irrecoverable loss, inexplicable fear … may be a temporary phase leading to a better, bigger, brighter moments! Change is inevitable, the only variable that remains constant (isn’t it an oxymoron?).. This time I have no choice, can’t flee, and need to tag along.

I will miss him very much, for the past two years, he has been an integral part of my life. Its time to leave him and move on with no hopes of ever coming back! I will lose my address for a while, very soon will know my new coordinates.

Our parting wasn’t decided by me, but by huge set of bigwigs for whom all that matters was revenue
The walls, the corners, the spacious cubicles - its time for me to bid adieu and explore the new avenue!

Never noticed that an inanimate object could make a profound impact in my life!

Adios till we meet again!

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

2010-03-04T20:40:00.000-08:00

I have been reading couple of books recently, thanks to the book club that I am a part of! The one book that really caught my attention is “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” by “Mark Haddon”.

The story revolves around an autistic boy, Christopher who decides to investigate the death of the dog in his neighborhood and in this process unravels a lot about himself and his family. Though he is quite detached and doesn’t understand human emotions, he is a genius when it comes to Mathematics. He tries to handle the situations quite logically and programmatically.

The chapter numbers in this book are prime numbers, unique concept to illustrate the mathematical inclination of the main character. The book also brings out the reasoning power and inquisitiveness in a child marvelously. The author’s deep insight of autism is clearly visible for the entire book is written in first person.

Some of the quotes that was quite impressive

I like dogs. You always know what a dog is thinking. It has four moods. Happy, sad, cross and concentrating. Also, dogs are faithful and they do not tell lies because they cannot talk.

Prime numbers are what is left when you have taken all the patterns away. I think prime numbers are like life. They are very logical but you could never work out the rules, even if you spent all your time thinking about them.

I think people believe in heaven because they don't like the idea of dying, because they want to carry on living and they don't like the idea that other people will move into their house and put their things into the rubbish.

A quite delightful read and must say, it revived and relived the moments of child within me!

The Call Worth Answering!

2010-03-01T00:11:00.000-08:00

Karthik Calling Karthik – a thriller which doesn’t really send chills down the spine! Overall, it’s a well crafted movie with decent performances from the lead cast. The music and soundtrack really stands out, must say, Shankar Ehsaan Loy proved yet again that they are here to stay (for a very long innings!)

The movie revolves around Karthik(Farhan Akhtar), in spite being a IIM topper and diligent worker, is a loser in his personal and professional life. One night he receives a call from Karthik and his life no longer remains the same. He undergoes a transition from an introvert to an extrovert, gets promoted, and wins the heart of his colleague, Shonali (Deepika Padukone) who all the while was ignoring him pre metamorphosis! Now, the man behind his makeover remains the suspense of the movie!

What to say about Farhan? A multi faceted personality with eagles’ eyes picking up the character that suits his style! Deepika, looks gorgeous, her tresses and dresses make up for her acting skills! Farhan and Deepika share a reasonably good on screen chemistry!

The most important lesson learnt – If you are planning to change your landline phone, never go for the Chinese ones! Verdict – It’s worth one time watch, a tailor made movie made for the classes and not for the masses!

Did you pick up the phone? If so, did you enjoy the call?

From Sin To Asin

2010-02-22T07:27:00.000-08:00

Astrologer studied my “jhatakam” (horoscope) with profound attention. At once, he gestured “She is going through testing times. God seems to be quite unhappy with her. She needs to make few visits to temples to get things back to normalcy.” This caused a huge concern and commotion in my aunt’s mind, she made a frantic call to my mom and said “Its time for pilgrimage. Call her up and summon her as soon as possible.”

And that was it! Last Thursday, I packed my bag and made a short trip to appease and make peace with deities at Guruvayur, Palani and ancestral home.

Day 1
---------
I reached home early morning on Friday and within an hour’s time, I was on my way to Guruvayur. Newspaper reported of a huge crowd swarming in to get “darshan” of "Lord Guruvayurappan" (avatar of Krishna), but Friday seemed to be my fortunate day or should I say, Lord was indeed in a generous mood/mode. Apart from a decent "darshan" of Lord, got an invite to have “prasada ootu” (sumptuous feast at temple) which was quite lingering and lip smacking!

At any time, on any day, the atmosphere in Guruvayur is serene and silent, amidst vast turnout the temple, the sanctum are maintained well, clear and clean, adding more luster and sheen. We called it shots, by evening we were back in Palakkad, discussing and deciding to meet at wee hours, the next day.

Day 2
---------
Now that we had pleased Lord Vishnu (The Preserver in Hindu mythology), it was time for Lord Shiva (The Destroyer) to shower his blessings. We started our journey to Palani at about 6am, a temple which had "Lord Murugan" (son of Shiva and Parvathy) as the main deity. Having a cuppa tea in the empty stomach, we were pretty hungry on arrival at Palani. We headed towards “New Tirupur Hotel” (supposed to be the best in the town), but there are no words to express the nauseating experiences we had there w.r.t lavatories and food. It’s high time for my fellow Tamilians to work on their personal and environmental hygiene (no offense meant whatsoever!)

While mom and I decided to climb all the way up, dad and aunt chose to use the rope way, their ill health shattering their hopes to do it the hard way! It took us solid 15 minutes to ascend the hill while dad and aunt reached in less than 5 minutes. Money speaks a lot in Palani, we indeed had a special “darshan”, a kind of direct rendezvous with the Lord. Throngs of “pujaris” were conducting “pujas” and distributing “prasadams” to the special set of devotees! It made me wonder how Lord was taking in and tolerating all the corruptions that were unfolding in front of his divine eyes! What were scarce at Palani were found in abundance at Guruvayur – sacrosanctity, serenity, decorum and discipline!

On our way back we decided to surprise my uncle by visiting him, but he wasn’t surprised at all because we had informed him about our visit while having lunch at Pollachi. His wife prepared some scrumptious “gobi bhajji” (a delicacy made of cauliflower) for snacks and must say it was the best food that I had on that day! We reached Palakkad at about 7pm dog-tired.

Day 3
---------
A day when I tracked down my ancestors, being a Malayalee, I inherently inherit maternal surname! We reached “Nallukettu” (ancestral home) at Kuttanur (nearly 10 to 15 kms from Palakkad town) by 10.30 am. We were welcomed by an old grannie (still not able to figure out how she is related to me) who remembered my mom and aunt. Though it was extremely hot outside, the Nallukettu was quite cool and chilly, must say, craftsmen during those times had immaculate skills! We prayed to our “Kulla Daivam” – "Amma Bhagavathy" and "Lord Ayyappa"! I also got to meet the oldest member of my family – a dignified, distinguished grandpa. Talking to him was indeed an eye opener for me!

Overall it was an enriching and exhilarating experience to trace my roots, a feeling similarly shared by Alex Haley!

Three day pilgrimage did cleanse my soul and spirit, so isn’t it time to get back to my sinful, sinister ways again?

Repaired Almost Something!

2010-02-17T21:04:00.000-08:00

Sena se panga lena was not my intention, still I saw My Name Is Khan on the very first week of its release. Karan Johar, the director of this flick had stated in an interview that this could be the last movie of Shahrukh Khan and Kajol together, a good marketing strategy to keep the cash registers ringing!

It’s a believable story of an autistic guy Rizwan Khan played by Shahrukh, making a long journey to meet the president of USA just to win back Mandira played by Kajol, his wife, or the only true love of his life!

Here we don’t get to see Shahrukh doing his uber cool roles, in short, he really acts, not overreacts! Kajol gives him ample company. After starring in more than half a dozen movies together, the chemistry shared between Shahrukh and Kajol is still pleasurable and laudable.

Film tends to drag in the middle, which could have been edited, shortening the length by at least 15 to 20 minutes.

Verdict - Karan! "I am X(does it matter anyway?). I am not your fan, but I enjoyed this movie”. Its time for you to sing “I did overcome”, for you got over your fixation for the letter “K” and your style of making opulent, larger than life movies!

Till I get to hear your opinion, I shall soak myself in Noor E Khuda!

Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright

2010-02-11T01:19:00.000-08:00

“Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night.”
Lots of us have grown up learning and listening to this poem by William Blake. But the heartrending fact is there are only 1411 tigers left in India.

Do you want the next generation to witness one of the most grandiose animals?
Do you want them to hail tigers as extinct species?
Do you want them to realize and recognize tigers from writers like Crichton?
Will they be able to enjoy the fun and pun in the form Hobbes until they haven’t seen one?

Lend your voice
Make some noise
Wake up and fight for a cause
Not to regret later for a loss!

Like you, tigers have the rights to live
So its time not to take its life, but to give
The issue of its extinction should be dealt
Contribute and make your presence felt!

Visit Save Tigers for more details. Wont you?

Have You Ever?

2010-02-05T01:17:00.000-08:00

Today, I am supposed to be headier by a year, but thoughts completely seem to soak up my mind.

Have you ever got into a situation where you feel you are in midst of problems and then you come across people having much bigger ones?

Have you ever felt that in most cases, smiles cover up deep distresses?

Have you ever found it tough to demarcate between the good and the bad?

Have you ever seen a passion of yesterday turning as a pleasure for today and as a pain for tomorrow?

Have you ever been in a scenario where your action appeased a set of audience while it wholly displeased the other set?

Have you ever experienced, though you are shrouded by your friends you feel lonesome inside?

Have you ever thought that wealth could solve all your worries but it proved to be otherwise?

Can you help me out in seeking the scintillating stars enshrouded by the murkier clouds?

When Aal is Not Well!

2010-01-27T03:36:00.000-08:00

What happens when a leading director casts a leading actor and actress in his next movie? The expectation soars! To cut it short, 3 idiots has a decent start, a dreary middle and a drag ending!

The characters are over the top especially that of Rancho and Virus. Mr Irani as Virus is at his petulant best, a typical case of a great talent in a miscast! Ms Kapoor doesn’t have much role, in fact couldn’t make out why she was there – to add glamour quotient? Mr Khan as Rancho does well but his character does have shades from his previous flicks like DCH, RDB etc. Its time for the entire “Khan”dan to move on and make way for the “Kapoor” clan!

I was let down by the movie and its director Mr Hirani who had come up with some outstanding works in the past! Why Mr Bhagat made such a hue and cry, the movie is just “inspired” by “Five Point Someone”! May be Mr Hirani will ensure that Mr Bhagat is duly credited next time while filming “2 States”!

Mr Hirani, all I can say is “Aal is not well that does not end well!” Waiting for more Munnabhai type series from you! In fact, the audience is the 4th idiot for making the movie a roaring success.

Do you disagree?

A Small Snippet from my Daily Diary!

2010-01-19T00:54:00.000-08:00

I have never waited for anybody in my life like the way I waited for him today. I made a few frantic calls which were unanswered. I don’t understand why people sometimes utilize their “mobile” phones like their landline counterparts, defeating the purpose of being available all the time!

I asked few of his friends whether he would turn up, they said “Not quite sure, he had stayed back late in the office yesterday.” I had to meet him today else I would have to live in the mercy of others! By noon, a silhouette near my cubicle signaled his arrival. My joy grew no bounds!

I turned back and said “Dude, I have been quite paralyzed since yesterday night. I have been waiting for you!”

He said “Lady! Don’t you trust me so much? I am not going to run away with it. Here is your purse. In fact I saw it lying near your office phone and ensured that it is safely returned!”

An Ode to a Special She

2010-01-11T22:51:00.000-08:00

She is always preoccupied
Never knew what kept her so busy!

She appears strict and stern
Never knew that her countenance had compassion concealed!

She speaks so less
Never knew her silence spoke so much!

I got a chance to play her part for a week
I gave up ... lost ... went weak

I realize... She is indeed hard to replace
For she is an epitome of grit, guts and grace!

Now, can you guess the Special She?
If you can, you will agree with me!

2009

2009-12-15T03:13:00.000-08:00

A little bit of grin, a little bit of whine
That sums up my take on the year 2009

A cherished dream made it through
As perseverance and patience got its due

Fate almost tied me down
But I managed to evade the drown

Few relations busted and lost the track
As distance added more ruptures and cracks

As year goes... A new one commences
Marking memories and moments as references!

A Brief Preview of Quarterly Review

2009-11-30T21:48:00.000-08:00

Every industry has a process to review the employees, based on which they are promoted or demoted, given pay hikes or the pink slips. Software industry in a way is no exception to this process. Each IT company has their own set of objectives / yardsticks to measure an employee’s performance. Appraisal or the Quarterly Review is a forum where you get to say/hear the "white" lies.

The process commences with the employees doing self appraisal or review. An elaborate explanation should be provided for each of the rating against the pre defined objectives. That’s indeed a marvelous, mind-boggling task! This is the time when the employee gets to say the white lies while rating his/her performance. Now here is the twist - Can a person deliver "beyond expectations"? If that’s the case, then why is he/she still in the same organization doing the same work for the last few years?

My friend recently commented that in today’s scenario, getting a work completed on time is itself a case of delivering beyond expectations. She finds that the new comers are more interested in working on their looks that kills than on programming skills!

Lesson no 1 – Doing the task on time with minimum bugs are at times considered delivering beyond expectations! Now you may ask, what are "minimum bugs"? Sorry, I can’t help you with that for I have been clueless and confused about it from a very long time!

Once the employee has done with his/her self review, it’s the time for the manager to step in and do his/her part of assessing the subordinates. Human beings have an acute acumen to remember and retrieve bad incidents and they conveniently forget the good ones!

Lesson no 2 – Be pleasant and at peace with your superior especially when the appraisal time is round the corner!

The third step to the appraisal process is the review meeting. The employee and his/her superior sit together and have a discussion on the ratings. This is one of the most time consuming step. If the employee is quite vocal and vociferous, he/she can actually have the ratings revised but it’s indeed one of a case! This is the time when the employee gets to hear the white lies – "You are indeed too good but there is still a scope for improvement!"

Lesson no 3 – If you are bad at convincing, better accept the lies.

The last step is the normalization stage, can be also termed as the bidding process. Here, all managers reporting to the same superior sit with the HR and grade the employees reporting to them. One of my friends recently expressed her concern on how people stoop to a very low level to promote his/her candidate. Though everyone knew that her candidate was the right pick, they brought in the low attendance (due to some personal emergency) as a factor to veto his candidature!

The end of the appraisal cycle, the employees are given a hike based on his/her performance - the good ones get a decent one while the bad ones are not at all ignored! In short, people who work really hard gets awarded with more work while others hardly work and still gets paid for no work!

Which path would you choose – the ideal one or the idle one?

2012 – A disastrous attempt on not so distant disaster!

2009-11-15T19:51:00.000-08:00

It’s the first time in my life when I got to see a movie on the very first day of its release. The movie is all about the end of the world, and that too on 12-21-12 as prognosticated by an INDIAN astrophysicist (time for little Garv and Taliyan) Poor guy! Though his prediction turned out to be true, he and his family weren’t saved from the gobbling, gurgling waves of Tsunami!

The film depicts how in spite of the ark being built by Chinese workers, only the Richie Richs of the world, the ones who could afford to buy a ticket worth one billion Euro, got a chance to escape. Anyway, a heartrending speech by American scientist Adrian Helmsley, quoting the lines from the book written by Jackson Curtis convinces the G8 leaders to open the gates of the ark for more people. A melodrama! (What more can we expect from the makers of The Independence Day)

Now, who is Jackson Curtis? Well, he is the hero portraying a zero in life! His book didn’t have much takers, he is separated from his wife who is currently staying with her new surgeon boy friend and her kids with Jackson.

Jackson comes to know about the catastrophe and the film focuses on how he tries to save the lives of his kids, wife and her boyfriend! The movie ends in a happy note – US’s last president’s daughter gets a boyfriend in form of Helmsley (Mr. ex-President! Good that you chose to stay back, you were all the while the sole reason for your daughter being single!), Jackson and his wife reunites (Calamities can reduce divorce rates!) and the ark moves to Africa, to be precise to Cape of Good Hope!

Now, the most interesting part or the lessons learnt – Don’t press the panic button, now that you know that the world will end by 2012. If you have a fat bank balance, a Chinese visa, sound swimming skills and pilot certificate, you would be one among the lucky ones to make it to 0001!

Jokes apart, what’s the one thing that you would have regretted not doing before the end of the world? I would really like to know!

Big, Fat, Finicky Indian Wedding!

2009-11-11T01:19:00.000-08:00

The marriage season is back … having a couple of marriages to attend early next year. Marriage is a virtuous institution but I fail to understand why people spend so much of time, energy and money for a lavish ceremony. May be it’s because marriage happens only once in a lifetime!

But is it worth all the efforts and endeavors? People just pour in for all the ceremonies (engagement,wedding,reception), criticizing the food being served, circulating comments about the couple, comparing the ceremonies with ones that they recently attended! Biggest irony is that the bride and the groom have no idea about the people who had shared the dais with them when being clicked!

What if the marriage doesn’t survive? Recently I came to know about a divorcee (father of two grown up children) deciding to walk down the aisle again. He is surely a man of real grit and gumption! May be he had learnt from his past mistakes and will try hard not to repeat them again. This time around he is having a grand marriage followed by a grandeur reception!

My colleague had mentioned how she and her partner decided to have a civil ceremony with just two of them and few random witnesses. Her idea about marriage was that one should get married when one feels like. When, where and how should be left to the individuals who have decided to enter the sacred union of body and soul!

What’s your take on marriage and the ceremonies associated with it?

Anthem for Bangaloreans - Who let the dogs out?

2009-11-03T21:08:00.000-08:00

When my sister was new to Bangalore, a decade back, I had asked her “How is Bangalore?” She replied “Bangalore is beautiful. Here, there is a plethora of two things!” Curiously I asked “What’s that?” She said “Software Engineers and Stray Dogs!”

The same situation prevails today. The dog described better as Man’s Best Friend or the Most Faithful Species in the Earth has become a menace. Every lane in Bangalore, stray dogs are in profusion. Looks like they are settling scores with their fellow populace (read Software Engineers)! Attacks by dogs have become the order of the day. Lots of cases are reported daily but seems like nothing is being done about it.

PETA or rather Ms M Gandhi considers it as a criminal offence if the stray dogs are killed, but is it worth keeping them when they can hurt and harm other inhabitants as well? In an era, where doctors recommend Euthanasia for a terminally ill patient, its time to realize and recognize that by killing a stray dog we are indeed palliating its contemptible life!

Do you want the current anthem to remain forever? I want to hear your say!

What’s Your Rashee?

2009-11-01T06:35:00.000-08:00

I am not reviewing the movie starring Ms Piggy Chops in a record breaking 12 avatars, but penning down my interpretation and investigation on the traits of various zodiac signs. These are based on my interactions with people who were/are part of my life during its various stages.

Aries: - He is modest, mellifluous and at times meddlesome!

Taurus: - He is taciturn, techie to the core, stay away from his temper!

Gemini: - He is genuine, gregarious but extremely garrulous!

Cancer: - He is open, organized, total home bird!

Leo: - He is sophisticated, scholarly and stubborn by nature!

Virgo: - He is creative, carefree and once in a while capricious!

Libra: - He is overtly motivated, mysterious, can be manipulative!

Scorpion: - He is sensible, sensitive, way too snobbish!

Sagittarius: - He is independent, positive and quite possessive!

Capricorn: - He is gleaming, gifted, certainly confused!

Aquarius: - He is unpredictable, unpretentious, awfully preoccupied!

Pisces: - He is a devoted, dreamer, perfectionist to the core!

Do you agree or disagree?

Lost

2009-10-16T02:28:00.001-07:00

My conscience is clear
Yet, whom do I fear?

Striving to be a righteous offspring
I missed out on life’s zest, zeal and zing

Love knocked at my door in various forms
But I gave in for the social customs and norms

Never have I consciously adopted unscrupulous trails
Yet, my life had less bliss and more disgruntled tales

Currently, I stand in the crossroad
Unclear, undecided on which path to board

Why Me?

2009-10-07T21:46:00.000-07:00

A beggar wails “God! Why me? Out of the many!
Today I haven’t made a penny!”

A wife worries “God! Why me? Have been his support and stability!
Yet everyday he questions about my credibility!”

A student fears “God! Why me? Have put my heart and soul!
If I fail again, things will go out of my control!”

An entrepreneur mutters “God! Why me? Have been sincere and true!
However every quarter I don’t get a proper due!”

A salaried employer moans “God! Why me? Have really sweated it out!
Still I was given an unceremonious way out!”

God listens to all cribs and smiles
He says “I am processing your files!
Try to look within you for the answer meanwhile!"

Anything For You Ma'am by Tushar Raheja

2009-09-22T21:53:00.001-07:00

Last weekend was a long one and I had actually made some brilliant plans, but Varun Dev was not in good mood and he foiled it all.

I ended up reading a book called “Anything for you ma’am” by Tushar Raheja. It was marketed as “an IITian love story”, and the strategy tricked the poor souls like me. I went ahead and purchased the book expecting it to be on the similar lines of “Five Point Someone”. Not that I am a great fan of Chetan Bhagat, but his initial work was a good read. Every author gives their best shot in the first novel and seems to take the readers for granted in the next one!

Coming back to “Anything for you ma’am”, love story is passé, too cinematic, an archetypal script for YRF Bollywood masala! “Too many cooks spoil the broth”, similarly too many happenstances in a write can take away the pleasure and the punch of a narrative.

On the positive side, I liked the few lyrics that the author had penned. For a first timer, Tushar has done a good job. Also, getting his work printed at such a young age is an astounding accomplishment too!

Now that you have couple of long weekends ahead and if the rain plays spoilt sport, you can grab a copy (100 bucks for 250 pages) and get engrossed in this tale of coincidental incidents.

Do let me know your take on this IITian “love”ly fiction!

Kochiyude Kochu Kathakal (Short anecdotes of Kochi)

2009-09-16T05:15:00.000-07:00

My sister forwarded an email from her school yahoo groups which described about how Kochi has evolved, the city where I had spent twenty years of my life. I had been to Kochi two years back and almost lost the way to my college. Four lanes, tall buildings, shopping malls, Mc Donalds, KFCs, Pizza Corners have almost conquered Kochi. One thing has not changed at all – traffic jam just before the North Bridge!

Earlier, every second Saturday we used to travel to Kochi – I can even recollect the names of the red colored private buses which used to take us there (Ambily, Ansamol) , watching movies at one of the theatres - Savitha/Saritha/Sangeetha complex / Padma / Shenoy / Sridhar, eating out at one of these restaurants - Ceylon Bake House / Dwarka / Woodlands / Bharath Tourist Home, shopping at Jayalakshmi / Seematti / Parthas, prominent areas - M G Road / Kacheripadi / Padma Junction / Marine Drive / Broadway …

During those days, girls if seen in Jeans and Skirts had to face wide stares and obscure comments. Eve teasing and pick pocketing were always on a higher scale. Can you imagine - I had given elucidations to neighbors for my late comings! The city was always ahead of its times but its inmates were always dogmatic and bigoted. May be it explains why my parents didn’t stay back in Kochi after retirement.

“Nothing is permanent but change” – Globalization should do well for the city which gave me sound education, illustrious teachers, good friends, variegated experiences of love, of camaraderie, of tiffs, of treacheries...lifelong moments to cherish and relish!

Queen of Arabian Sea, I'm coming!

Falling in to Fallen out?

2009-09-11T01:15:00.001-07:00

Love is thought to be unconditional
Only to discover that it’s ruled by conditions!

Love is believed to be blind
Does it imply to seal the eyes and move ahead?

Love is supposed to be true and pure
Is pain and ache all that it has to offer?

It takes real time and effort to fall in love
And a single moment to fall out!

The power of C

2009-09-10T04:17:00.000-07:00

A relationship nurtured with utmost care and attention is nipped before it buds and blossoms. Why?

On analyzing meticulously, the root CAUSE of any problem is expectations. If the expectations are like two sides of coin which never face each other, fall out is bound to happen. CURBing expectations can evade troubles. It requires tons of introspection and retrospection, only a determined person can reach to that stage, a step closer to saintly hood. COMPROMISE is another way to sort out issues. Relationship is comparable to clapping. It requires two hands to clap, similarly giving and taking should happen freely from both sides.

Is there are any other way to avoid altercations? If not, how far one should curb expectations and compromise?

Bad Dangerous Thriller

2009-08-21T05:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, on VH1, King of Pop “Michael Jackson” songs was played back to back, a kind of tribute to him. It took me down memory lane.

During late 80s, my uncle had got the videos of Michael Jackson, Abba, BeeGees, BoneyM etc. I remember watching them with my cousin S on good old VCR. S, who was much younger to me tried to emulate MJs’ terrific dance moves and magnificent moon walks. Those days were indeed the best days of my life!

MJ,

I have grown up listening to you. You are peerless! A prodigy! Sad but true - We realize the value and worth of a person only when he/she dies. Quoting the lyrics of your song – “All I need to say is that they don't (read nobody) really care about us (read you)!!”

You have died but you continue to live through your music and moon walk. I don’t mind watching you groove to Billie Jean over and over again!

Thanks for entertaining us. May your soul rest in peace!

Just Another Fan

Abort a Detained Flu!

2009-08-18T04:11:00.000-07:00

I fail to understand the life of a celebrity. Whatever they do, whatever they say, whatever they see, whatever they touch draw a lot of attention from media and common man alike - being discussed in newspapers, in television shows, in office cubicles, company’s board rooms!!

Mr Senior Bachchan had blogged about his Bahu Rani being bedridden with flu like symptoms. Hoards of people are dying of Swine Flu but media got a new topic to debate - Whether one Ms Rai , rather Mrs Junior Bachchan was suffering from Swine Flu? On the very next day, Mr Senior blogs and blames media for being too meddlesome and misquoting his words! Well, Mr Bachchan, why do you ever blog about your family, if you want too have a “perfect” “personal” life!

One Mr Badshah Khan was detained at an US airport for nearly two hours. Media got a new tale, a new thrill and they discussed about it with much hype and hoopla. Mr Badshah became their cynosure! They came up with an irrational, irrelevant “tit for tat” treatment for Americans when they come down to India for ill treating their favorite superstar! Mr. Badshah even quoted that his religion was one of the reasons for the extensive, extended interrogation. Well, Mr Khan, you are just another commoner and not superstar when it comes to security checks at airports! Remember, even Dr Kalam was not spared! Hope you have not forgotten to apply your tanda tanda cool “tel”!

Mr Perfectionist Khan doesn’t seem to be too perfect when it comes to blogging. Mr Perfectionist blogged about his wifey’s abortion. Media sensationalized it further by mentioning how Mr Perfectionist lost out in being a father, the third time. Well, Mr Khan, you wanted to let your fans know that you are taking a "break" from blogging but you ended up depressing them instead!

Some celebrities does not know to play their cards right - Mr Ahuja, What happened to your case? Are you guilty or being wrongly framed? Well, Mr Ahuja, its time to take lessons from some one named Ms Sawant, oops future Mrs Parujanwala!

Men are from Mars, Women from Venus

2009-07-20T03:54:00.000-07:00

Today, "Ladki Kyun" from "Hum Tum" was one of the tracks that were played in FM. Prasoon Joshi had come up with some apt and adept lyrics for this song.

I really loved the final punch lines about men, very well delivered by Rani, which goes as below:-

“Pehle pehle bawarein jaise aas paas mandrai
Phir busy hoon kehkar tumko woh tarkai
Samjha karo darling aaj bahut kaam hai
Door hua to kya dil mein tumhaara naam hai
Jiss chehre par marte hai woh boring ho jaaye
Kuch hi din mein nazrein inki idhar udhar mandrai
Sirf pyaar se zindagi nahin chalti
Tum interior decoration ka course kyun nahin karti”

Men and women are poles apart in their attitudes and actions and is a lifetime enough to know each other?

Ahem!

Revisiting the learnt lessons

2009-07-17T01:56:00.000-07:00

Incidents in the last few weeks reiterated the importance of effective and eloquent communication. The essential ingredients for a communication process are consistency and clarity. When one need to let another person know what’s there in one’s heart, its better to speak out than using any mediator. In most scenarios, the mediator misconstrues leading to unwarranted misunderstandings, commencement of a life long altercation.

Incidents brought to surface unceasing, unsolved issue termed as “Generation Gap”. My cousin had made a statement earlier “You might feel that you have been blessed with the best family, but you should remember there is a gap of one generation between them and us”. Generation gap and communication are tightly coupled, in fact communication is the only way to bridge the gap between two generations.

Incidents also brought out the value and worth of trust. A popular saying goes “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything”. Trust is like a glass, once it’s broken, no matter how many ever adhesives are used, it can not be mended.

Speak your mind, tell the truth, you may not be able to please all, but you are at peace with yourself.

Do you differ?

Yet Again ...

2009-06-23T05:35:00.000-07:00

Gosh!! I am yet again down and under
For I have committed yet another blunder
I repetitively playing a futile game
It’s my inanity, I am all to blame

I keep fretting about my miserable plight
Bawling over it day and night
The spider of thoughts entangles me
It clutches me hard and never let me free

I was never inclined to listen or to reason
Though each instance had a clandestine lesson
Now, its time to listen to my inner voice
Make the right move, the right choice

PS: For a change, this time around I am not the victim

Global Warming

2009-06-08T02:10:00.000-07:00

My friend wanted me to write on some serious topic affecting our daily to day lives. The topic chosen was Global Warming.

Here it goes:-

Scorching sun, extreme weather conditions
New diseases eruptions, perturbing extinctions
Agricultural yields varying, rise in water level
Overall, Mother Earth in a state of upheaval

Global Warming is conquering us slowly but steadily
Before the state of affairs turns dreadful and deadly
Wake up, take action and save our Mother Earth
For she has given you in excess, never in dearth

Friends! It’s time to get up and get going.

Remember,
If not Earth, Where?
If not Us, Who?
If not Now, When?

Come what “May”

2009-05-19T02:22:00.000-07:00

I have been out of blog sphere for nearly two weeks and was equally flabbergasted to see a kind of dormancy among my fellow bloggers. While Bond is solving the "Love Triangle" case, Ceedy is stuck with "Project Why". Chag is busy with "Salsa", Divya is mulling over the "Without Water" issue. Jaggu is enamored by the "Jai Ho" bandwagon, Jishnu is vexing about not being a "Dawkinian Atheist". Thankfully, Ashu & Potter are not caught in this phenomenon called “slowdown”.

From my side, May started off very slowly but without prior notice the work started piling up. I started reading three books but was not able to complete them. I tried following IPL, but that too came to an abrupt end. I tried watching a movie and till date hasn’t finished watching it. On the whole, I have been leading a mind-numbing life.

January, you gave me lot of hopes and aspirations
Thirty one days of enthrallment and exhilarations!

February, you made me mature and wise
I grew old and was it not paying a heavy price?

March, you changed the course of my meaningless strife
You unveiled the missing link in my mundane life.

April, you taught me the power of patience
Success comes after years of toil and sound resistance!

May, you haven’t been quite nice to me
For I am no longer what I used to be

June .. December, I will relive and revive those lost days in May
By being productive and purposeful come what May

How has May treated you till now?

2009-04-27T03:15:00.000-07:00

If I were to be reborn
I want to be Jason Bourne

Truly the fabulous fictional character
Is the most charismatic, most sought after

Amnesia coerced him to search for his Identity
But it didn’t dither him from gaining Supremacy

Giving his foes tough times and ultimate Ultimatum
Discovers and discerns his son to sustain the Legacy

Emerges victorious even in brilliant and bizarre Betrayal
Hunted and hounded, still not bounded by any Sanction

To track down his Nemesis, opted for Deception
What’s his next mission, his next Objective?

If I were to be reborn
I want to be Jason Bourne

Out Of Hibernation

2009-04-22T02:13:00.000-07:00

I have been dormant for a while. Last day my friend asked me “Looks like you have stopped blogging”. I gave the usual exculpation of “having no time”. He reminded me of my golden statement “There is time for everything, all you need to do is to manage it well”. My response – sheepish and speechless.

Anyway, the updates from my side:-

- Have been blogging in the social blog co-authored by Ashutosh and Anushree. It’s more of serious blog with plenty of matters and hardly any dope. Do have a look.

- I had travelled home for Vishu (Kerala’s New Year). Didn’t receive much Kainettam this time, my wish to become Richie Rich on Vishu foiled and fizzled out.

- Awards always eluded me, but how long they could resist? Recently received an award for being a Star performer for the last quarter. Hard work always pays off in the end.

Signing off with some photos of Vishu to view and revel :-)

Also, do update me about what you have been upto.

Rapid Fire!!!

2009-03-30T10:30:00.000-07:00

Over dinner, was trying to come up with single word for words that generally came across my mind.

It goes as below

Job – Comfort (gets you into comfort zone)
Money – Crazy (can drive you crazy)
Society – Change (needs change)
Country – Citizens (is build by its citizens)
Hobbies – Choice (are alternate choices)
Life – Creation (is all about creation)
Death – Certain (is certain)
Nature – Cajole (always cajoles its children)
God – Controller (is supreme controller)
Fight – Cause (for a cause)
Friendship – Care (is about care)
Love – Convenience (isn’t it all about convenience?)
Marriage – Compatibility (survives if the persons involved are compatible)
Parents – Compassion (synonymous to compassion)

What comes across your mind? Do get back to me.

He...

2009-03-18T05:20:00.000-07:00

He creeps in and creeps out
Reminds me of the battles to be fought

He is there when I am feeling quite low
Or when I am involved in a perpetual row

He guides me through righteous path when I fail
Boosts up my confidence and my morale

He tackles issues immaculately well
He knows the roads to heaven and hell

I feel his presence everywhere, every time
For he is positive, jocund and sublime

He has grown up and matured with me
A voice that I hear but cannot feel and see

Itz Friday!!!

2009-03-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

today, the day we all wait for. It plays up the end of a week and a commencement of a new week, new hopes, new aspirations…

Though this week didn’t offer me anything different and drastic, it had been quite exhaustive and hectic. The project that I was a part of is going live today and I need to be awake and alive till wee hours of the day. Work will still be the key focus over the weekend, but need to give some time to unwind and rejuvenate to prepare myself for the moody Monday. It’s just round the corner and can feel the blues already. With Monday comes the wait for the next Friday.

On a lighter note, quoting Mr Farhan Akhtar
“Remember this about Fridays – no matter what you do, where you are, how hard you try, where you go, what you think; no matter who you ask and who argues with you; no matter what anyone says, how much time elapses, how many governments come and go, Friday will always come after Thursday and before Saturday.”

For me, Friday stands up for freedom, friends and freaking out. What’s your take on Friday? Do write in.

Tagged!!

2009-03-01T09:04:00.000-08:00

I was tagged by Ashu to write about

facts, of course about me..

Here it goes:-

1-> I am lead by my heart most of the times.

2-> Adore my family. Have dedicated my life to them.

3-> Was left hander by birth, coerced to change to right hand. (Wished my grandpa hadn’t wasted his energy on me!!)

4-> Firm believer that “Everybody is good but circumstances can be tricky and dodgy and people might end up appearing evil and bad.”

5-> Firm believer that “What goes up must come down.” (Law of nature follows a sine curve)

6-> Firm believer that “Everything happens for the good.”

7-> Wanted to be a space scientist and settle in U.S.S.R. (An unfulfilled wish!!)

8-> Wanted to retire at age of 30 and get into social service. (Recession came in between!!)

9-> An ardent Paulo Coelho fan. I have read most of his works. (He is my philosopher, my guide!!)

10-> Love music and musicians. (A talent that is inherent and inherited!!)

11-> Die hard romantic and waiting for a knight in shining armor to sweep me off my feet. (Pyaar manga hai tumhi se!!)

12-> A recurring nightmare that I get is of not clearing my B-Tech, though it has been 8 years since I have graduated. (There are others too for company!!)

13-> Stopped eating meat from 2002. (Chicks and lambs are loitering around feeling safe and secure!!)

14-> Love spicy dishes. (Sweets are a big No No). Can survive on just H20.

15-> Used to be interested in numismatology and philately.

16-> Hate sycophants, male chauvinists, infidels.

17-> Enjoy coding more than people management. (CG is my idol!!)

18-> Suffer from Insomania. (Enamored by the magic and mystic power of NET!!)

19 -> Suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder called Cleaning. (Dusting, mopping, washing are my stress busters!!)

20-> Ophidiphobic. (Didn't even watch Anaconda!!)

21-> Love spending time with children. (Indeed messengers of God!!)

22-> Can never be idle. (Indeed my mind becomes devil’s workshop when idle!!)

23-> Am amiable, amicable, accommodating. (Like to make friends and goes out of my way to keep in touch with them!!)

24-> Learnt to control my temper. (A big achievement, a Herculean task though!!)

25-> Passionate and proud about even the smallest things that I do/achieve. (Always try to give anything and everything my best shot!!)

Bond, Ceedy, Chirag, Jaggu, PAN, Potter, Thoda Sa – I am passing on the baton to you guys.

Key to Success

2009-02-25T02:33:00.000-08:00

Today’s thought for the day read as below:

Formula for success – Rise early, Work hard, Strike oil.

These are just some pearls of wisdom by some wise man. In the present scenario, people who are successful fall under two categories –
i) the ones who chased dreams and chose to be daring and different.
ii) the ones who worked on their inherent talents and harnessed them completely.

Resul Pookutty falls into the former while A R Rahman falls under the latter.

Last week, in the middle of the night, I was woken up by a SMS from a friend which worded like this: -

"Check this link http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7895708.stm
Can you recognize this face?”

Curiosity killed my sleep. Visited the link, and was startled to see the photo of my friend G. He has been interviewed along with the likes of Pookutty and other sound technicians. I had mentioned about G in my blog under the title “Chasing Dreams”. Way to go my friend. You are doing it perfectly right. If Pookutty has done it, so can you!!!

In “Dark Knight”, Joker mentions “If you’re good at something, never do it for free”. A perfectly articulated, thought provoking statement. Similar to what S brothers from my native have done with their lives – worked on their strengths, sharpened them further and made their passion, their line of work.

More information available on this link http://www.hindu.com/mp/2007/01/29/stories/2007012900330200.htm

Is there any formula for success? May be, for it varies from person to person. Do divulge your views on how to unlock the key to success.

Two Gals And A Guy

2009-02-18T00:02:00.000-08:00

This V’day, they decided to travel a bit far
To meet their zahir, their twinkling star
He is the new man in their lives
Against any odds, their love for him survives

He welcomed them with a killer smile
They fell for his elan and distinctive style
Hugs, kisses and unbound love were showered
An unrequited affection, care budded and flowered

He is the apple in their eyes at a very tender age
They promised to be with him at each and every stage
He is lucky, there are two vying for his attention
He knows them as his doting mother and his sole maternal aunt

A Citizen’s Journal - A menace called Autorickshaws

2009-02-11T09:24:00.000-08:00

Just reached home. Completely drained, both my cell battery and my brain. Traffic in Bangalore moves slowly even after 9pm. I decided to hire a rick.

The moment I got into the rick, the driver said “1.5”. I obliged. Though we speak about woman empowerment and equivalent statuses for men and women, the bitter truth is that cities like Bangalore are never safe for women, especially after 9pm.

He had already decided to take me for a ride (Bangalore Darshan in short). I could read his mind and I said “Go through Residency - Hosur road”. He took me through Kasturba Road instead.

It really upset me and I literally squalled at him. Soon, he changed his demeanor. He started acting quite naive as if he had just arrived in Bangalore. On reaching Vittal Mallaya Road, he said “Guide me how to go now”. I guided him through the routes that I am aware of.

On reaching my house, I paid him 1.5 times the meter charges. I expected him to give back the change which he didn’t. That’s when I said “Arre yaar, chaar rupiye se main tea/coffee kareed sakti hoom. Tum log change kyun nahin carry karte? Petrol aur diesel ka daam kam ho gaya, phir bhi tum log humhain lootna bandh nahin kiya?”. He gave in, gave me the change and sped with his three-wheeler.

I wonder, with increase in petrol/diesel prices, the bus/auto/cab far increases but why not vice versa?

What do you have to say?

Raaz about Raaz

2009-02-08T23:03:00.001-08:00

8th February 2008, P, H, M & I got together at my home. As usual, at the nth hour, we made up our mind to go for a movie. The plan was to watch Dev D, the latest offering from Anurag Kashyap. It didn’t work out as tickets were not available, so we nailed down Raaz 2 starring Emraan Hashmi, Adhyayan Suman and Kangna Ranaut as the next best bet. The film was quite engrossing and hence we weren’t let down in shelling out our hard earned money on it during the recession time.

During the interval time, we hashed out on Raaz 1 starring Dino Moreo and Bipasha Basu. It’s when I realized that 7 years back on the same day ie 8th February 2002, D, R & I had watched Raaz 1.

There is something about Raaz series and the way it’s trussed with my life. Raaz, The Mystery Continues to haunt me ...

Can anyone unravel the Raaz for me?

Same Day, Another Year

2009-02-04T01:39:00.000-08:00

An extra candle adorned the cake
And I move a step closer to the grave

The cake asked “How the years have been?”
I answered remorsefully “I am no longer in my teens”

“New phase in my life, new problems to be dealt”
The candle said “Glow bright and brilliant until you melt”

“Grey strands and wrinkles tells my age”
The knife stated “People look up to you, so sharpen your image”

They emphasized “Be open to the challenges and learning that time will teach”
“As a new stage in your life, is about to unleash!!!”

Why Should Boys Have All The Fun?

2009-01-28T02:52:00.000-08:00

Plot
Adventures of Three Musketeers in Thiruvanthapuram and Kanyakumari,
24th – 26th January 2009
*ing
A (Athos) working in Mysore
B, that’s me (Porthos) working in Bangalore
T (Aramis) doing PhD in Thiruvanthapuram
Supported by
P, doing engineering in Thiruvanthapuram
V chechi & H ettan, working in Thiruvanthapuram
G1 & G2, nephew & niece studying in Thiruvanthapuram

Planning
Christmas day, Palakkad – A, B along with P visited T. A and B disclosed about their London escapades to their younger cousins T and P. Out of the blue, they devised a plan to make a trip to Thiruvanthapuram since V chechi, her family, P and T were now based there.

The room was filled with sudden exhilaration and elation. The conversation took place as below.

T said “Thiruvanthapuram is a beautiful city. Why don’t you guys (A and B) come over? We can have some memorable time together.”

P was equally excited. She said “I would like to have food at Maurya. I am just waiting for an occasion to make a maiden visit there.”

B said “A, if you are fine, why don’t we visit them on January? We have a long weekend starting on the 24th.”

A said “That’s great. I am for the game, but need acquiescence from my Mom.”

When B conveyed to her Dad about the Girls (cousins) Days Out plan, he smiled, lifting the famous line from Mahabharata, he said “Shoot arrows instead of words!”

That reminded B about a conversation that she had with G, one of her closest associate. She had some plans to visit him in Mumbai which got foiled, thanks to Mr Kasab and team.

He said “B, is there something that you wanted to do 10 years back and didn’t do it?”

She thought for sometime and said “Yes, aplenty.”

He said “Don’t repeat it again. If you plan for something, execute it at once. Its way better than not even essaying it and repenting later, say 10 years down the line.”

In order to start the New Year on a promising note, B resolved not to have the plans go astray, went ahead and booked tickets for the arrival & return trips. She knew that 16 hr trip via bus is going to be too fatiguing, and train is the best option. To get train tickets in such a short notice was merely out of the question.

from left G1, V chechi, T, G2, B and A

Execution
January 23rd
A boarded a bus from Mysore to Bangalore, together with B left for Bommanhalli at about 6.15pm. To live up to the India Stretchable Timings construct, the bus started 1 hour after the scheduled departure time of 7pm.

A’s mom was not quite pleased with the decision of travelling by bus and she conveyed her displeasure at the nth hour. It didn’t dampen the spirits of A and B because they knew fun and frolic awaits them at Thiruvanthapuram.

Because of the last minute booking, A and B didn’t get seats next to each other. Girly sentiments do sometimes soften a guy’s heart. And it did. The guy henceforth called X who was sitting next to B agreed to exchange his seat with that of A.

At about 10pm, the bus stopped at Krishnagiri for dinner and loo visits. At A2B outlet, A and B gobbled ghee dosas followed by hot cup of dainty, aromatic coffee. Since A insisted that she needs to brush before she boards the bus, B gave in, in spite of the continuous honking by the bus driver. The look that the driver and co-passengers gave when A and B finally got on, can not be scripted in few lines.

At about 7 am, B woke up. She was comforted by the fact that the bus would reach its destination in 2 to 3 hours time. At about 8.30 when the bus stopped at Tirunelveli, X made her realize that the bus was 2 hours behind the normal schedule. She received a call from H’ettan asking her about her current co-ordinates. Meanwhile, A was woken up by a call from her home.

B continuously bugged X asking him about the time when the bus would actually arrive at Thiruvanthapuram. The bus finally reached the terminus at about 1 pm, 24th January.

A and B were dog-tired, but in hearts of heart they acknowledged the fact that they just had 2.5 days and it needs to be utilized to its zenith.

When B and X parted ways, he did ask her “Is it the first time you both are travelling to Thiruvanthapuram?” B said “Nope. We have been here before but this time its gonna be different.” Using this medium, B wants to convey “I don’t know who you are, what you do. Thank you for your remarkable tolerance and patience.”

January 24th
To be continued ...

Wise Versa?

2009-01-21T09:45:00.000-08:00

The other day, my friend told me “B, you are not slim but thin.” All this while, I cogitated that slim and thin were synonyms, but her words proved otherwise.

Similarly, do you invite your friends for your marriage or for your wedding?

Watching a cinema in a movie hall or is it watching a movie in a cinema hall?

Whether an innocent man is naive or naive one innocent?

Also, some idioms/proverbs contradict each other. Take the following cases

Unity is strength or do too many cooks spoil the broth?

Slow and steady wins the race, but early bird catches the worm.

Actions speak louder than words, remember the pen is mightier than the sword.

Ignorance is bliss since little knowledge is a dangerous thing/empty vessels make the most noise, but something is always better than nothing.

Have you encountered such ridiculous riddles in words or in wisdom? If yes, write in.

Creativity At Its Best

2009-01-19T03:33:00.000-08:00

I came across some incredible ads during recent times. Perfectly articulated, with hardly any ornamentation, this ad of Maggi truly stands out.

I would call this as a cleverly crafted, creative ad.

This animated ad of Mentos really caught my eyes, the Evolution theory tweaked and twisted.

Creativity is not just limited to ad world, even headlines are sometimes catchy, perfectly striking the chord with the vast, variegated readers. I am able to recollect couple of them like

Raju ban gaya conman – which described the ignominious fall of Mr Ramalinga Raju

An apple a day didn’t keep the doctor away – which reported Apple’s Steve Jobs suffering from hormonal imbalance

Is there something that struck you in a similar fashion and can be termed as "Creativity at its best"?

Slumdog Millionaire – A Bollywood story dealt by a Hollywood crew

2009-01-15T05:44:00.000-08:00

American colleague of mine went gaga over Slumdog Millionaire, so I decided to watch it as well. Golden Globes win paved as yet another reason not to miss out on the movie.

It’s a normal rag to riches story where in the lead character Jamal played by Dev Patel participates in Kaun Banega Crorepati for the sole reason to get back his lost love, Lathika played by Freida Pinto.

The story commences with Jamal being in police custody where he is subjected to different tortures in order to figure out how a “Slumdog” like him is able to answer all the questions. Jamal colligates each question to instances in his life much to the surprise of the police played by Irfan Khan and Saurabh Shukla. Police releases him so that he can return to the show for the final question. Anil Kapoor plays Prem Kumar, the KBC host who tries to misguide Jamal in the end but Jamal triumphs. He gets Lathika back who all the while was pursuing the show.

The movie is based on a book Q and A by Vikas Swarup. It has indeed captured the life in Mumbai slums substantially well. All the lead characters have given their best shot. The sound track “Jai Ho” is quite catchy and will stay here for some more time.

Mr Amitabh Bachchan has recently slammed the movie saying that it depicted India in a poor light. Well, Mr Bachchan, slums do exist in India and it’s a ground reality. We do expect celebrities like you to come forth and lend a hand on noble causes instead of walking hand in hand with cretins like Mr Amar Singh.

Summing up, I give a thumbs up for this movie and its worth watching one time. The heroine is seen in yellow attire every time she meets the hero. Do reason it out and let me know as well.

Thirakkatha – A Lackluster Katha

2009-01-12T08:18:00.000-08:00

I had been to Kerala on a long vacation and decided to catch up on some path breaking movies of 2008. One such movie which had lots of hoopla around it was Thirakkatha. It’s based on a true story of a yesteryear actress, late Srividya and an acting legend, our own Kamal Hassan. Story has been penned and directed by Renjith, known for his brilliant and aesthetic narration.

Priyamani dons the role of the actress Malavika, once a reigning box office queen, now a disgraced soul, whose current whereabouts are unknown. Anoop Menon plays a struggling actor Ajayachandran, now a reigning superstar, who had a romantic liaison with Malavika which ended in a brief nuptial.

A promising, new director Akbar played by Prithviraj is in search for an appealing and original plot for his next movie. The expectations from him are quite high since his debut movie was received stupendously by the audience and critics alike. He decides to make the love story between Malavika and Ajayachandran as the plot of his upcoming movie. As Akbar searches for Malavika, the love story between her and Ajayachandran unfolds as flashback. The meeting of these three characters forms the climax.

Overall, the story lacked depth and the characters not well etched. The climax too, was filmy and overdrawn. The national award winning actress Priyamani failed to impress. May be it’s her character which just failed to click. Anoop Menon was total miscast as Ajayachandran. His dialogue delivery reminded one of superstar Suresh Gopi during his “Commissioner” days. Prithviraj, though had a brief role, did complete justice as Akbar. His potential needs to be harnessed so that he can reach the leagues of Lalettan and Mamooka.

If you have plenty of time at your disposal or are insomniac, watch it.

Wishes

2009-01-08T19:23:00.000-08:00

In this era of infidelity, indifference and commitment is just passé, they showed the world what love and care is all about. Cafe did get its branding right, for they met at a cafe and the initial spark happened over a coffee. The spark continues to glow brighter with each passing day. Their journey called togetherness has entered the fifth year today and that’s something that needs to be lauded.

Wishing C (D) and B (V) many more years of togetherness and may their ride continue to be zealous and zestful.

I have known him for nearly a decade now. He had taught me what friendship and loyalty is all about. Today, he is joining the elite club called thirty.

Wishing A a great day and a fantastic year ahead.

The Wait Was Worth It

2009-01-07T23:20:00.000-08:00

She had been a good singer in her heydays. Currently, her certificates and mementos lay in a corner of a dusted room in her ancestral home. Irony is that her children have never heard her singing. They are not aware whether she has ever sung lullabies for them. They had to literally wait 3 decades to hear her sing and the long wait was indeed worth it!!!

Presenting a sample clip of this talented person to whom I am proudly associated as her youngest daughter.

http://music.cooltoad.com/music/song.php?id=402318

Trivia about an Anonymous Blogger

2009-01-05T04:12:00.000-08:00

I have been blogging anonymously and thought of breaking the practice this year. It's better to make myself visible to others and the way to do it is to answer the questions that are regularly shot at people when met for the very first time.

It goes like this:-

Name: B.R.K
Age: Nearly 3 decades in Mother Earth
Hail From: God's own country
Favorite Color: The color of Tranquility
Favorite Cuisine: A true AQUArian, I love fish especially when they are fried
Favorite Quote: To Err is Human, to Forgive and Forget is Superhuman (my take on Alexander Pope’s quote)
Mostly Seen In: Kurti and Jeans, No makeup, Minimal jewelry
Prized Possessions: Dad, Mom, Sis, Bil & New
Interests: Activities that end with ING like Blogging, Reading, Travelling etc
Detest: The words starting with N as N denotes Negativity. Eg:- N for No, Nope, Never, None, Nothing, Nobody, Nonsense .. also, N for Nemesis
Future Plans: ----------------------
Bizzare Fact: Left hander by birth turned right hander by force

I hope I haven’t missed out anything here. If not sufficient, feel free to ask.

If

2008-12-31T10:23:00.000-08:00

If I was a gardener,
I would have cleared the weeds of envy and egocentricity

If I was an artist,
I would have wiped out the colors of rues and miseries

If I was a firefighter,
I would have never extinguished a spark called hope

If I was a mason,
I would have laid the bricks of education, empowerment and enrichment

If I was a teacher,
I would have never taught the words synonymous to corruption

If I was a writer,
I would have effaced terrorism from my readers’ minds

If I was a politician,
I would have strived to build a Utopia in my country

Alas, I am just another programmer
Designing her software called Life to match the entire IF conditions

50, Not Out

2008-12-16T09:29:00.000-08:00

It took nearly a year to get my half century(50th blog), I have a make of a good test player (Are the selectors listening???) Well, what should I put down on paper? May be about some random thoughts that have crossed my mind while I write these lines.

I was quite elated when India won the match yesterday. Somewhere, I had this sixth sense that India is going to win the first test match, and indeed we did. Kudos to Sehwag for he laid a solid foundation. “Well begun is indeed half done!!!” Little master gave a perfect finale, hence proving that “All’s well that ends well!!!”.

I have completed reading the following books - Almost Single by Advaita Kala, Manual Of The Warrior Of Light and Like A Flowing River by Paulo Coelho. I just got carried away by the synopsis of Almost Single. Its just another potboiler which can make a perfect Bollywood script for the multiplex audiences. Not because I am bigoted about Mr Coelho, the latter books were quite inspirational and can be termed as must read.

Most of my friends feel that I have only poignant tales to convey through my verses. I am a very optimistic person but my compositions prove me otherwise. It calls for some retrospection, introspection and correction and what a perfect way to start them as the New Year is round the corner.

It’s time to go back and figure out how the year 2008 has been. It’s been a kind of mixed bag, with moments of grief and glee going hand in hand. Recent untoward incidents at the security and economic levels reinstated the fact that “Nothing is permanent in this world apart from Death!!!”

I am looking forward for the Xmas holidays to spend some quality time with my kith and kin. There are some plans for a school reunion, but not sure whether it could ever work out. Anyway, keeping my fingers crossed.

2009 is just 1382400 seconds away. Before signing off, a few lines:-

The current year will be gone
As another year beckons
Its time to make amendments and corrections
To chalk out new plans and resolutions

A new year brings in new hopes
New hurdles to cross, new challenges to cope
Its time to curb all tensions and fear
To make 2009 a fruitful, peaceful and prosperous year

Fear

2008-12-14T06:18:00.000-08:00

I venture out after a long time
And I feel a chill down my spine
I see visions of brutal, barbarous warfare
Humankind yearning for peace, love and care

I leave for my workplace
With a feel of uncertainty I need to face
I see visions of idling and state of no job
Thwarted, tormented, discontented mob

I decide to take a relationship ahead
A fear of commitment creeps in my head
I see visions of kinship gone bust
Love long lost, no respect, no trust

The fear, the fright grows on me
I ceased to be what I used to be

A Citizen's Plea

2008-12-03T22:40:00.000-08:00

Nearly a dozen terrorists crossed the sea
Reached Mumbai, started their shooting spree
Police, loaded with lathis and artilleries quite old
Became mute spectators, unable to hold

The mayhem that rocked the nation
Began with a gory onslaught at the CST station
Soon Taj, Trident and Nariman House were captured
And its inmates were confined and tortured

Few others became victims of weaponry skills
NSG commandos were brought to end this impair
One militant caught and rest were killed
After sixty hours of explosions and gunfire

The media was on a competitive race
To forge ahead in their respective space
Pak had a role in this nerve wracking play
Is all that the government had to say

People across India is seeking an explanation
What government will do for its nation?
Citizens, currently in a state of shock and sorrow
Need a terror free, peaceful and secure tomorrow

Concerns of a Clueless Citizen

2008-11-29T01:43:00.000-08:00

Last 3 days have been horrendous. There are no words to describe the trauma that the financial capital had to go through. It exposed the gullibility of out security measures and the lack of concern from our so called democratic government. I salute those brave soldiers for their chivalrous act and my sincere and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

The coverage and courage of the media need to be lauded but they did go overboard sometimes by giving contradicting reports about the number of death tolls, number of terrorists etc. One news channel reported about Israel going to sever ties with India because of the way the NSG carried out its operation at Nariman House. To the government of Israel, how should it be carried out?

Another news channel carried information about “disturbed” Amitabh Bachan having to sleep with a gun under his pillow. So what? He has his best brother, his savior Mr Amar Singh. By the way, where was Mr Singh? Went into a shell or were you discussing how to politicize this entire terror tamasha?

There was long silence from our very much erudite Prime Minister, Mr Manmohan Singh and our very own home minister, Mr Shivraj Patil. What were they waiting for? Mrs Sonia Gandhi to give a green signal? Where was our “mute” President? (Oh, I forgot her name!!!). Is she aware that Mumbai is a part of this subcontinent called India?

Mr Narendra Modi, I didn’t know that life of an officer is only worth one crore!!! What about those innocent souls who were held hostage and killed by terrorists? Mr L K Advani, thanks for visiting Mumbai and blaming the intelligence. We are aware that the intelligence did not even have a clue that a mission of this intensity is being planned out in some other part of the world. Well, Mr Raj Thackeray, you must be a completely relieved person, for the terrorists had flushed out more non Indians (read non Maharashtrians).

This year, India has been a target for large number of terror attacks. But what measures have been taken for a secure future? It was appalling sight to see Mumbai policemen trying to encounter the loaded terrorists with lathis!!! 5 star hotels like Taj and Trident should be having a decent security, but how come these terrorists were able to infiltrate with arms and ammunitions without being caught? They came by boat from Karachi, but how come our Naval radar could not capture it? How are we sure that the entire terrorists behind the attacks have been killed? It’s quite possible that they dressed themselves as hostages and escaped unhurt.

What’s going to be the outcome of this episode? Is it going to be another such incident which will be forgiven, forgotten and wrapped up by so called Mumbai spirit? It’s not only Mumbai, in fact any city or town in India is vulnerable. Can a citizen like you and I move around without fear of unwarranted death?

It’s time for us to awake, arise and make India a place “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high” as indited by Rabindranath Tagore.

The Biggest Mistake Of My Life

2008-11-27T00:31:00.000-08:00

I just completed reading the book “the 3 mistakes of my life” by Chetan Bhagat only to realize that I have done the biggest blunder of my life.

The 3 mistakes of my life would be recapitulated as

1) Buying the book
2) Reading it
3) Now, reviewing it

People who have already read and appreciated the book, I salute you. People who have already read and share the same feelings as mine, I sympathize with you. People who are planning to read, my sincere advice is to stay away from it.

To the author of “Five point someone”, I am totally dejected and disappointed reading your last two books.

Mr Agnihotri, are you listening? There is a scope for yet another “Hello”!!! Mr Bhagat, I guess its time for you pen your thoughts for some scrap Bollywood movies.

Vaarnam Aayiram – No Varnam At All !!!

2008-11-24T22:38:00.000-08:00

Well, well, well. What should I write about this movie? If K3G was all about loving your parents, this is about loving your dad (in fact an overdose of it). One suggestion to Mr Gautham Vasudev Menon, the movie should have been released on Father’s Day. The director made a film of three hours to convey a vital message of "Smoking is injurious to health" [:-)]

I won't completely write off the movie because there were some moments which simply took my breath away. The director has brought out spanking new ideas of expressing love and I must say they were really eye catching and worth experimenting!!!

It's out and out Surya movie and he has done complete justice to the dual characters of father and son. Among the leading ladies, Simran is outstanding, Sameera looks stunning (she is completely covered up this time [;-)]) and Divya totally out of sync.

It’s worth one time watch. If you are hard core Surya fan, you will never complain. Still wondering why Surya got those 6 packs!!!. If you can reason out, do let me know as well.

Sat(isying)(O)urDay

2008-11-24T04:27:00.000-08:00

Weekends always have been days to be spent with my nephew, my little toddler. But this weekend he was not around, so I decided to devote these two days for friends, fun, frolic and films.

On Saturday, H, M, A & I gave lunch a miss to watch a movie at Inox, Swagath Garuda Mall, Jayanagar. Because of A's perpetual custom of being always on phone, we missed the first 5 minutes of the movie. Anyway, the movie was worth the skip over as well as the penny spent.

On the evening, the ex-lunch gang decided to meet up for dinner. I had moved out from the organization a way back while the others continue to be a part of it. Though we have been in constant touch through mails and mobile, it’s been months, rather years since I had met most of them. The decided venue and time was Ebony on the 13th Floor at Barton Center, M G Road at about 7pm. Blot from the blue was that everyone showed up on time. Time brings a lot of professionalism in people. I must say, if this get together was organized a few years back, nobody would have turned up till half past eight. We had three good hours of ingestion, conversation and discussion before parting ways at 10.30pm.

We decided to meet again when there would be an additional member in the group and that day is not too far away. 22nd November was one of the most satisfying and soul-stirring Saturday that I ever had this year.

To Sir With Love by E.R Braithwaite

2008-11-21T02:29:00.000-08:00

It’s a good read and I must say few sections really caught my attention.

“Don’t fall into the habit of bringing work home. It indicates a lack of planning, and you would eventually find yourself stuck indoors every night”.

It hit the nail on the head. I bring work home and find myself stuck indoors most of the times. I am now trying to break that shackle and explore the world outside.

The next appealing snippet is dedicated to all the populace who is or will be teacher.

“Teaching is like having a bank account. You can happily draw on it while it is well supplied with new funds; otherwise you’re in difficulties.

Every teacher should have a fund of ready information on which to draw; he should keep the fund supplied regularly by new experiences, new thoughts and discoveries, by reading and moving around among people from whom he can acquire such things.”

I need to watch the movie, provided I get the CD. Hope it does full justice to the book.

What should I do?

2008-11-19T02:59:00.000-08:00

Reclining on my chair, wondering how the day turned out to be. It was just another day when nothing exceptional happened. I had considerable concentration and hence was able to complete lots of pending activities. As I was about close for the day, I got a mail from a friend after a very long time. Felt good, in fact ecstatic. To remember someone during so called hectic schedule is indeed a great gesture. Thank you my friend.

I had used all kind of medium to keep in touch with this particular friend of mine. But the responses from the other end were not consistent and timely.

My faltered ego stops me from replying.

What should I do?

November 14th – Kuch Khatte Kuch Meete Pal

2008-11-17T02:53:00.000-08:00

My friend’ birthday falls on November 14th also known as Children’s Day or Chacha Nehru’s birthday. I have been wishing him for the past few years. I did the same thing this time too, but alas my call was never answered. He never returned me a call too. It did irk me big time. The middle class mentality of losing out some cash for returning calls is still persistent among us. Anyway I won’t give up and will continue to do the generous act of remembering and wishing friends/relatives on their birthdays and D-days. On a lighter note, I spoke to another friend of mine to remind him about our common friend’s birthday, he just said “Hey did you realize something? November 14th is exactly nine months after Valentine’s Day!!!”. I couldn’t quite suppress the famed sardonic grin.

This day, I was running down the memory lane and felt quite nostalgic. November 14th was always celebrated with lot of fervor and ebullience during my schooling days. It was the only day when students were allowed to wear dresses of their choice. It was day when students exhibited their talents and were awarded for their excellence in extra curricular activities. All of them used to wait for this Red letter day.

I called up my Chemistry teacher. I was not sure whether she will remember me as it has been more than a decade since I have caught up with her. I wasn’t a bad student, rather a very obedient, disciplined one. I dialed her number and said “Hello ma’am. I am X, do you remember me?”. She said “Of course, how are you? How is your sister doing?”. I was totally taken aback because my sister was two years senior to me. Also, she enquired whether I still have a thin frame or have I gained few pounds.

She was quite ecstatic and excited to speak to an old student. She has taken a brief hiatus from teaching to spend more time with her family. She assured me that next time if she happens to be in Bangalore, she will definitely meet me. I could feel the horripilate, for this was the best Children’s Day I ever had. Thank you Ma’am, you played one of the key roles for what I am and where I am today. The world needs more teachers like you.

In the evening, I headed for home, sweet home to make it more special for my parents - my creators, my greatest pillars of strength.

All that I want

2008-11-13T05:06:00.000-08:00

I want redemption

From monotony
From humdrum life
From being led
From norms and rules

I want freedom

To live life my way
To explore new avenues
To speak my mind
To feel free

I want to feel

The piquant, musky odor of the earth
The thirst of the fiery, devouring fire
The soothing, solacing touch of the air
The sound of the vivacious, illimitable ocean

I want to break

The vicious cycle that I am a part of
Figure out the purpose of my life
And translate them into actions

Am I asking for too much?

Chasing dreams!!!

2008-11-11T22:45:00.000-08:00

I am sitting back, sipping a coffee, gawking at my monitor and reading the lines by Paulo Coelho – “Follow your dreams, Transform your life!!!”.

These brought back fond memories of my friend who exactly did what these lines said. I had a long conversation with him some days back. He is quite happy and contented with life.

He gave up his lucrative job to pursue his interest in sound editing. Nowadays his name is seen in almost all the Bollywood films. He took the biggest risk in life and it paid off in the end.

Chasing dreams is not a bad idea at all. Thank you my friend. Your life will be indeed an eye opener for many of us.

For all the dreamers out there, just a suggestion:-
You have two simple choices: Go back to sleep and dream or wake up and chase those dreams!!!

Oops!! He does it again

2008-11-08T23:18:00.000-08:00

He calls, he messages, he mails
Takes her for numerous dates
She gets impressed with his heroic tales
Unaware that she is yet another bait

Whenever a decision has to be made
Of what is in store for him and her
He has an uncanny knack to evade
Leaving her clueless and nowhere

His acts and his dillydallies
Are well backed by relatives and allies
They need to recollect the popular say
That every dog has a day

Hey!! the gullible, innocent souls
Remember, its for your own gain
In cyberspace, he is on constant prowl
Beware and be aware before he does it again

Note: The character in this verse is purely fictional. Resemblance to any person living or dead is quite coincidental.

The ShawShank Redemption

2008-11-06T09:34:00.001-08:00

The ShawShank Redemption has been one of my favorite movies. The movie was based on a novel by Stephen King. I have been searching the novel for a while, but all my efforts proved futile. Today luck seems to have favored me. I got a link to the E-book. Thought of sharing the same with all the fellow netizens who got inspired and entertained by this critically acclaimed movie.

Rita Hayworth And The ShawShank Redemption

It’s really worth reading!!!

Unforgivable Sin!!!

2008-11-06T01:53:00.000-08:00

Khaled Hosseini in his book "The Kite Runner" mentions theft as the most unforgivable sin. He perfectly penned it as below:-

"When you kill a man, you steal a life. When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to fairness. There is no act more wretched than stealing."

Back with a Bang

2008-10-30T05:03:00.000-07:00

Just back from a lovely but exhaustive vacation – What did I actually do??

Catching up with my relatives (bringing smiles onto their faces), playing with my nephew (being a kid all over again!!!), spending hours talking to my family about my current state of affairs (of heart ???), gobbling some lip smacking dishes (committing 1 of the 7 sins), catching one’s breath after a very long time.

Moments that I experienced last few days are indeed priceless and will be cherished forever. I feel completely rejuvenated and refreshed. I am now Back with a Bang!!!

Irony called Fate!!!

2008-10-20T04:45:00.000-07:00

This incident might raise a chuckle or two … Has it ever occurred in your life when a person who has rejected you comes back to you after few years? How can a person considered to be mismatch for him/her becomes Ms/Mr Perfect to be called his/her better half??

Anyway, as saying goes “Life never gives you second chances!!!” Is he/she worthy for the rule to be broken?

I need your take on this irony called Fate!!!

Hell BRAKE Lose

2008-10-06T23:42:00.000-07:00

Through a jam packed road
The vehicle staggered with upmost speed
Though the brakes were screeching and shrieking
It was not functional at the hour of need

Soon it turned to be

An evening of action packed drama
An evening of extreme helpless state
An evening of trembles and shivers
An evening when we resigned to fate

An evening of complete pandemonium
An evening when hell did BRAKE lose
An evening that one will never forget
An evening when death had plenty to choose

But destiny had other plans
And we survived the calamitous mishap

Paulo Coelho - A Philosopher & A Guide

2008-09-16T08:40:00.000-07:00

I have been reading a lot of books by Paulo Coelho nowadays: - Eleven minutes, Veronika decides to die, Fifth mountain and Brida. Some thoughts that I found interesting in these works:-

Sometimes you get no second chance and that it’s best to accept the gifts the world offers you.
[Eleven Minutes]

The strongest love is the love that can demonstrate its fragility.
[Eleven Minutes]

The great problem with poisoning by bitterness was that the passions - hatred, love, despair, enthusiasm, curiosity - also ceased to manifest themselves. After a while, the embittered person felt no desire at all. They lacked the will either to live or to die, that was the problem.
[Veronika Decides To Die]

What we hold now the name is the one which was given by our parents when we born. We need to find out our own name dealing with the circumstances we live in. Using the light we received, the knowledge we accumulated and situations we face we have to find out our name. In another words, our names should reflect our goals.
[Fifth Mountain]

When we put off the harvest, the fruit rots,
But when we put off our problems, they keep on growing.
[Fifth Mountain]

Life is about making mistakes. Cells went on reproducing themselves in exactly the same way for millions of years until one of them made a mistake, and introduced change into that endless cycle of repetition.
[Brida]

An Ode to a Friend

2008-09-09T04:47:00.000-07:00

The music that you play
The smile that you display
The trait that you portray
And into my life you did foray

Remember, the day when we first met
Foundation for a sound friendship was set
We kept losing touch and losing contact
But fate continued to play his generous act

Friend, I see in you my philosopher, my guide
Whenever I need you, you are by my side
To my fantasies and my dreams, you have all the ears
I can open up with you on my happiness and fears

You have been a true friend and continue that way
My life would be vacuous if you ever went away!!!

Envy

2008-09-02T05:21:00.000-07:00

When the wrong triumphs the right,
When nothing seems to suffice.
A feeling grows on like a parasite,
It’s envy ... an evil in disguise.

This devil is of perennial kind,
And the victim becomes quite fazed.
As righteous paths are left behind,
And perfidious means are embraced.

When the success it yields starts to fade,
And the pleasures it generate soon jade,
The victim gets heavily paid
For its hard to clear the follies those have been made.

Tried v/s Tired

2008-08-31T23:17:00.000-07:00

Slight changes in the position of alphabets in the words “Tried and Tired”, make a lot of difference in the sentences constructed using them. A spider taught Robert Bruce to “If at first you don't succeed, try try again”. Had the spider given up by saying “I am tired”, Robert Bruce would have never won the battle against the English.

My activities during the last few weeks reiterated the importance of Tried over Tired. “3 Ps – Patience, Perseverance and Persistence” are the major keys to success. If you continue to persevere with lots of patience and persist what you have learnt in the entire process, you will succeed in your life, no matter what obstacles obscure your path.

Thought provoking lines from Paulo Coelho

2008-08-28T22:44:00.000-07:00

That which is funny about man

By Paulo Coelho

A disciple asked Hejasi:
- I want to know what is the most funny thing about human beings.

Hejasi said:

- That they always think crooked: they’re in a hurry to grow, then lament their lost childhood, and soon loose the money they need to keep their health.

- They are so anxious about the future, that they neglect the present, and thus live in neither the present nor the future.

- They live as if they were never going to die, and die as if they had never lived.

Decision

2008-08-08T06:29:00.000-07:00

What more can I say,
It has always been one way
Now, I have decided to stay away,
And consider others that come my way.

I have given him countless chances,
Waited for long for those passionate glances
Days just passed by,
Never did I get a suitable reply.

I have been waiting all this while,
For a relationship that was so futile
Soon I made up my mind,
To move on and not to bind.

What more can I say,
I never knew it will end up this way!!!

London Dreams

2008-07-31T03:15:00.000-07:00

27th July - Day 1
----------------------
27th July was the day when I boarded the flight to London from Bangalore. Prognosticating that the security check would be exacting and exasperatingly difficult, I took a cab at 1.30 am in the morning for a 6.45 am flight. This is the first time I was visiting the new airport. All the processes got over in less than an hour. Sitting all alone, I whiled away my time by reading "Veronika decides to die". But soon, exhaustion took over me. I ended up sleeping till 6am. It's at this time when I heard a voice calling me from behind. It happened to be that of my long lost friend. He was boarding the same flight, though his destination was USA.

All through the 10 hour journey we did a lot of catching up. We also tried interviewing each other. It was quite interesting and gratifying. To give my mouth some rest, I saw a calamitous movie called "Laga chunari mein daag". It really put my mind to test!!! One of the steward onboard seemed quite impressive. Eventually we managed to break the ice with him.

We reached London by 12.15pm GMT. I discovered that the roaming was not activated on my cell (Airtel sucks big time!!!). Luckily I could make a call to my cousin informing her about my arrival using my friend's phone. He & I took a couple of snaps together. He bid adieu and he rushed to catch his next flight to US. I followed the crowd and managed to get all the formalities done very quickly.

[My friend & I @ Heathrow Airport]

Then, came the long wait. I could neither find my cousin nor the cab driver. I tried to ring her up but the calls were not going through. Later I met an Indian guy (airport staff) and took his mobile and gave her a ring. She was already in the airport by then looking out for me. Due to miscommunication between her and the cab driver, we had to wait another 1 hour for him. The cab driver happened to be an Indian too. He had been in London for the past 50 years. He seemed to be very enterprising guy.

We reached the hotel at about 4.30 pm GMT. Took a quick shower and left for some sight seeing - St Paul’s Cathedral, London Bridge. Bought an Oyster card (common card for trams, tubes and buses)to travel around London. Felt really good being a part of the Sunday mass at St Paul’s Cathedral. London Bridge reminded me of the old rhyme recited at school (London Bridge is falling down :-)). Night was spent at my cousin's house at East Croydon. Fatigue soon conquered me as Day 1 made a slow but steady exit.

[St Pauls Cathedral]

28th July - Day2
--------------------
The day I need to go to the new office located at Snow Hill. At 7.30 am, I called up a colleague over here, enquiring about the office's location. I should have apologized for waking him up but I didn’t do that. May be my Indian mentality of taking every(thing/one) for granted refrained me from doing so. I reached office at about 8.30am. I was the first one to arrive. Soon, others arrived. I learnt from them that in UK office, people have an option to work from home. Hence, I got to meet only few of my colleagues.

During the lunch time, my colleagues took me out for lunch. The topic of discussion was kids. This is when one of my colleagues asked me "Do you have kids?". My instant answer was "I am not married". Ghosh, I thought and I continued with a smirk on my face "I don't have kids either" ;)

My cousin joined me in the evening and we decided to explore the Tower Bridge. We roamed around. Mr. Sunny gave us company till 10pm. Poor chap, being summer, he needs to do overtime everyday!!! We had Subs for dinner and decided to call it a day. We parted and proceeded to our own destinations. Jetlagged that I was, I got up at 2am. I forced myself to sleep for further few hours.

[London Bridge]

29th July - Day3
----------------------
The day, when I met another long lost friend. He was my ex-colleague and neighbor. I just mailed him and he happened to work near my office. We decided to meet after office hours at Oxford Circus tube station. We met at around 7pm and walked down the streets of Oxford Circus and Bond Street. These are the major shopping centers in London. The places were crowded, clustered and cramped. I realized - Everywhere, the women are the same, shopping binge seems to be in their blood ;)

To avoid the crowd, we decided to do some sight seeing and catching up. So we took a tube to Waterloo and walked down to London Eye. We saw Big Ben and IMax. My cousin was supposed to join us, but she could not as she was loaded with work. In the park, it was amazing to see people playing guitar/singing/tap dancing for their living. The tap dance was prodigious. People were enjoying his steps but they were stingy when it came to payment ;). At last, an Indian family made the first move. Generosity was overflowing as each member in the family paid the tap dancer. I felt a little proud at that moment.

My friend asked me "Hey, why don't you pay that guy". I replied "If I do, I need to dance next week as I am on a stringent budget. I won’t be able to draw the crowd the way this guy could." Mr. Sunny was in a hurry that day. Guess, he got a call from his house. So my friend and I decided to part. I reached my hotel around 10.20pm. I was not feeling sleepy, so I switched on the TV. Nothing interesting was being aired. Instead I watched "Kismat Konnection" in my laptop. It was a good movie because it did put me into sleep ;)

30th July - Day4
----------------------
My cousin & I decided to visit Buckingham Palace after office hours. Infact, Queen sent us an invite, so didnt want to let her down. Around 7.15pm we reached the palace. In the park, people were strolling, slackening (and what not ;)) after a very hectic day. Unfortunately we didn't carry the invite and were not allowed inside. We tried hard to gate crash, but luck was not gracious enough. Took a couple of snaps and decided to explore Queensway(the place where I am put up).

[Gate Crashers]

Queensway is indeed a good place for shopping. You name it, they have it. Since, we were not ready with the list of things to purchase, we decided not to explore further. Soon, we retired for the day. On the lighter note, this day I had a chance to chat with my friend in India. He asked me "How is London? Hot or cold?". I replied "It's hot". He asked "Why?". I answered "I am here. I am too hot to handle". His instant repartee was "Are you the reason behind Global Warming?"

Much Ado About Nothing!!!

2008-07-23T07:12:00.000-07:00

Apart from the great Indian political tamasha, another news that caught public attention was the scuffle between 2 of the greatest Bollywood stars. I wonder what is there to be written so much about them. Its just some gimmicks played to be in the spotlight. I was surfing was the net and was really surprised, rather shocked to see the number of responses from the net users supporting their favorite Khan.

All I have to say to netizens is

“It’s a mere waste to figure out
Who is wrong and who is right,
Because they love, they fight,
Just to be in the limelight”

Slumber

2008-07-16T05:32:00.000-07:00

The stars have conquered the night
The moon shines with all its might
Crickets at its rattling best
Bats on its nocturnal zest

The bed says its time to repose
The pillow says its time to draw close
The clock says a new day is about to break
And still you are wide awake???

The system gives a droopy look
TV says take me off the hook
A friend wants to be in my dream
And still I continued with this theme

Soon, signaling with the battle of my eyes
The deep slumber beckoned me

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

2008-07-14T00:06:00.000-07:00

In your daily life, you run into
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Hard to judge what they are upto
For they are neither normal nor crazy!!!