Talking Town

Shadow

2010-10-05T08:43:00.000-07:00

"I dont want you to help me. I want to be independent". Dhiresh looked up quizzically while I was talking to Dad. Later he asked me if everything was alright. I replied "Yes, just that I want to handle everything on my own". It didnt turn out that way.
Dad did come to Pune to help me find a house.
Ever since he came to know about my shifting, he was on the net searching for places for me. He was a man on a mission.
"These are brokers A,B,C.....in places 1,2,3 with rent X,Y,Z...", he explained.There is a running joke in our house that if there is any problem just log on to Papa.com. So while I had wanted to go about settling down by myself, I was relieved that he had planned out everything.
We'd assumed that it would not be difficult since there were flats available in the localities I was looking at.
However, over 100kms of driving and failed attempts later, we were exhausted. Dad, though, insisted that we keep looking. I put my arms up and refused. I had not anticipated that it would take so much effort and was keen to call it quits. In frustration I called up mom and said- Its not working finding a house with Dad. I knew it was a bad idea. There are localities which are good but the houses are terribly old. Other places rent is high. To add to that some societies attach the stigma of "Bachelor not allowed".
Dad and me were at a stalemate. We usually are. For simple reasons that we are identical in our nature.. So it is often that even while discussing issues we usually end up in heated discussions.
Dad was keen to finalise on a place before he left. I was keen, well, to just sit on the pavement and for a while do nothing.
My mobile rang for the umpteenth time. Even before I saw the number I knew it had to be a broker. It was and he was calling from the other end of the town in Yerwada with a fully furnished flat at a brilliant rent. My legs were screaming but for the first time in the day I smiled. We did check out the place and it was fitting. I loved it. I took it. It was the last place we could have managed to look at for it was already late evening by then. Ironically, we had come to the same locality in the morning to find that a house was already taken up. The one I got was better furnished and at the same rent. We were meant to come back to see this place, I said to Dad.

I remember a time when I was small. At that time, our definition of a family vehicle was the Bajaj Chetak. I had an orange candy in my hand as I stood near the steering while Dad drove and mom sat pillion. In that small space I had my whole world around me. Dad was the center of my world and mom my best friend. I had only to demand and my wish was fulfilled.

As I grew up, I sought my own space and my demands became limited or should I say less defined. Like now when I needed Dad's help but did not want it. I know I can forever say in the times to come that I will manage everything on my own. In his own secret way, my father will keep a watch out for me.

He held my hand and walked ahead as I learned my first steps. Now, I walk ahead-strong and confident. Dad is still there though, walking as my shadow. I only need to turn around to see him.

So, yes, we did find the ideal place.
I think we make a great team.

Thought Spindle

2010-06-29T08:25:00.001-07:00

Stuff of acclaimed poetry
Thoughts of a celebrated story
Little understood, yet,
Widely quoted and spoken

Once, it keeps your soul awaken
Twice, it leaves your heart broken

Plays a broker
To bring together
Yearning hearts
Of new born believers

Desired when deprived
Question it and divides
Short is the life of
A living that thrives
On what the other opines

Keep it or leave it
Don’t deny that
You need it
Lonely you come
Lonely you go
In between though
A companion you must know

Two faced coin

2010-06-02T12:50:00.000-07:00

It may be the late hour, but I feel like penning down, a thought buzzing in my head for sometime.

It is in the nature of friendship to seek advice. More so as we grow up and increasingly draw influence from our peer group. I have sought advice from friends in troubled times. They always worked. I found them to be honest and true.

When it comes to me giving advice, I have always used one and only thumb rule- not involving emotions, not mine and certainly not of the person concerned. Being cold. For it always makes me think clearly.

However, when faced in an identical situation, I hesitate to use my own advice.

Yes, it is well known that advice when given for free is never welcome.

With people you are close to, though, it is different. The person has come seeking a viewpoint. It has been well thought. I have answered what I find most suitable. I also believe it is sure to work.

Over many instances, it has proven to work.

Logically, then, I consider myself a rational person with a sound approach to problem solving. I'd expect people to rely on me.

But, do I rely on myself?

Let me explain with an example. A friend was having trouble mending ways with a collegemate after he'd behaved rudely,rather, pathetically. He was expected to apologise profusely to revive their friendship. I opined that he should do whatever was expected of him, even belittle himself somewhat, if need be. Be friend again at the end of the day. You ensure that.
It worked.

In a similar situation, few weeks later and equally at fault, my reasoning floundered. I decided to choose my ego over apology. Fortunately, events unfolded undramatically and normalcy was restored.

It brings me to think if all the while when other people's suggestions worked for me, were they willing to use it themselves? Did it work because they too advised with an unemotional point of view?

Am the creator and destroyer of my own thoughts. Created for others, destroyed for self. In a sordid way, it makes me a feel a hypocrite.

Perhaps Ralph Emerson felt the same way when he said- Go put your creed into your deed.

Love Sex Paisa aur Dhoka(LSPD)

2010-04-28T03:22:00.000-07:00

IPL was finally replaced on the front cover of Indian newspapers! You'd wish it was by some scientist who'd won us laurels abroad or the more possibility of some obscure Swami turning sex guru. The new box office hit is a bureaucrat who's name was unheard of until she indulged in LSPD. Madhuri Gupta has gone the way where no Indian civil servant has tread before - treason. All for a bit of love, more of sex, lots of money and tonnes of dhoka.

Yes,she may have been disgusted with a B grade job of translating urdu newspapers at the fag end of her career.
Yes,the Indian Foreign Service had promised her a brilliant career.
Yes,none of that had come true.
No,that does not justify any of the dastardly acts she has committed.

Indian Foreign Service or for that matter any foreign service is battered with cases of diplomats indulging in romanticism with locals. It is an accepted norm. One IFS aspirant in his interview was asked his motivation to join IFS. The prompt, proper but unconvincing reply- I want to represent India abroad. To which he was told in no uncertain words that it was in fact the lure of it being a wine and women service.

Madhuri Gupta is a weak woman. Her first name belies her.
So she may have been tempted for L and S. But, why P and D?.

A weak character.
In the strongest of service.

May my nation pray.

Philanthropists: The Sultans of Change

2010-04-23T02:47:00.000-07:00

My father used to say, “You can spend a lot of time making money. The tough time comes when you have to give it away properly.” How to give something back, that’s the tough part in life:

Lee Iacocca

If you have read Fountainhead, you might remember Peter Keating, the ambitious but corrupt architect, asking his mentor,Guy Francon, if he felt contentment at the end of his career. Francon replies in the negative which leaves Keating disillusioned for Francon had everything that he aspired for- fame, money, power..but not contentment.

While Ayn Rand dealt with contentment from the perspective of how much a man really strives to do what he wants and not what people want of him, my view on contentment is more on how we have managed to influence the people around us, the people who need us- four billion of the six billion people on this earth who are deprived of the material comforts that you and me enjoy and take for granted.

I dont know where my discussion with a friend started but eventually we were talking about why it is necessary to build yourself first, professionally and personally, before you try and change the world. Who would listen to us if we stood up and started talking about women's rights, child abuse..blah blah.If Bill Gates makes even a statement on any social issue in passing, people all over the world start discussing it- in the papers, newsrooms, magazines..everywhere.

The gist being that you can have more influence on changing the world being a philanthropist than a social worker. Quite obviously, the two are different roles and cannot exist without the other. Philanthropists have the finances and vision while social workers have the passion and resources. However, philanthropy, has a power that social work does not have- Dictating the change. Money talks, even in the noblest of causes.

For example, name three prominent philantrhopists and you'd rattle of Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Henry Ford.

Name three prominent social workers known all over the world...try going beyond Mother Teressa!

That's also to say that philanthropists get more publicity than social workers. But, I'd rather not dwell on the morality of it.

In the video on youtube, Severn Suzuki the 12 yr old girl "who silenced the world for five minutes", talks of a poor boy in her locality who said- "I want to be rich. Rich so that I can give a home and food to eat to all the poor kids in the world" He realised he would have to be rich to make that change.

People who build careers and strive to make money are often scoffed at.

Dont. For one reason, that it his choice and effort.

Second, at the end of the day, if either of you chooses to make the world a better place-you would be the one talking, he would be the one dictating.

Some people I remember...

2010-03-24T02:42:00.000-07:00

I was reading a disucssion on the Nature vs Nurture debate in Freakonomics. "Nature" supporters say that our lives are determined by factors existent at birth, like our race, parents IQ,background, community etc. Nurture supporters say that our lives are moulded by our parents in the way they bring us up.
A third category which rejects both these viewpoints says that our personality depends not on where we born or who brings us up, rather it is dependent on the people we grow up with, more specifically, our peer group.
This third category is at first glance blasphemous. But, as I started rewinding and trying to understand what factors influenced my moulding, it was my experience with people in my life..my peer group. For every facet there might not be just one person but more who would have influenced me. I am not taking names so you can guess which facet is yours.

Be happy. Stay Happy. Laugh Happy
A friend who I have always seen with a big smile on his face..and I mean it's a big smile with glint in his eyes. Be it while talking with his friends, parents or girlfriend(by this inclusion have ruled out 90% of my friends :) )..perpetually happy. If I could replace a smiley, it would be with his grinning like a pig face.

Stay Cool. Nothing is alarming.
Be it exams, games or girlfriend..let your mind be cool. Dont lose your head.

Dont say yes when you want to say no.
Be clear with what you expect of friends. Even if it it gets them riled with your "rules" and what not! They will cuss on your face but secretly accept your space and in time respect it.

Slow and steady wins the race.
If not today, I will win tomorrow. My work will remain in progress till then.

Whats on your mind is on your tongue.
Speak your mind..and respect the other when he/she does. It means they trust you. Value it.

Talk stupid. Act stupid. Its okay at times.
At your emotional worst, let go to a person close to you. It helps. It often becomes a beautiful memory.

Nothing is serious. If it is, just maa chudaa.
With a wave of your hand and the bful cuss word on your lips, walk out of any situation. I am the king of my life. Even if it takes a bit of going "green" to reassure yourself that at times.

Be Balanced.
Whatever be the situation, always see both sides of the coin.

Sorry is not a sorry word.
If it makes things better, dont hesitate to say sorry. At times, that is all people need to hear from you. Say it , move on.

Show emotions to friends.
Keep saying it. At times, friends more than girl/boyfriend need to hear you say "I love you". And no its not gay to say that.

Write and tell "I love you"
Its special. Its forever. Do it often.

Help a friend.
Have the faith of your friends that they can call you and seek your help whenever and about whatever.

Ambition-Never let it die
Do the right things in life at the right time and you are guaranteed success. But, remain humble.

Married!

2010-03-16T02:44:00.001-07:00

Blogging after ages.

So, what compelled me to start blogging again?. The need to express. As Airtel says, "Express Yourself".

College ended in Dec. I thought I had a six month break before joining with Exxon/Michelin in July.

Six months I did have but it hasnt exactly been a break.

I interned for a month with Thermax in February. While applying to Thermax, I was keen to work in their upcoming solar energy department. They denied saying it was in the research and development stage and so were reluctant to expose it to interns. However, I was told, that I would get exciting work in the "Innovation" department in the most successful product of Thermax, the S and M Boiler . How far behind times this dept was became evident when their understanding of innovation was making databases on MS Excel. Admittedly, I was not familiar with MS Excel( and it still finds way on my CV "Proficient in MS Office 2007" ), so whatever I was doing was a learning experience. A week into my intern, I had done all the learning there was to do. I quit Thermax.

A family friend once changed his job three times in two years..he finally ended up joining the company he'd quit the first time. Of course, he joined at a better post and salary. For a person whose world started and ended with defence forces, changing jobs..that too so frequently, seemed anathema.

However, now that I am myself working, I can understand the reason behind his changes.

At the time of joining an organization, work seems challenging, simply because its new and untried. A good job is able to sustain that challenging nature. A bad job isnt.

That's the difference between organizations that give careers and the ones that give jobs.

The former are good coys and the latter bad.

I couldnt quite understand why the interviewers would ask questions like- Do you like challenges? Where do you see yourself five years from now? How have you dealt with a difficult situation?...HR questions. I'd answered them diligently.

In retrospection, I believe that for the interviewers the answers mattered immensely. For, while the technical rounds indicate the aptitude for work, the HR rounds indicate the "longevity" of your stay with the company.

For a good org, if you answer saying yes, I love challenges, not just saying, but it also being indicated through your co curriculars, you appeal to them. Its a good match.

However, to a bad org, inspite of saying they have challenging work, they search for that nature only to determine if you dont have it. For they dont have the work to offer to suit your expectations. Instead, they select meidocres. Average expectation- easy to fulfill, employee stays, company profits.

If you consider yourself competitive and yet get rejected, dont lose heart. A job interview is like an arrange marriage. The interviewers of bad coys just found you too beautiful and succesful to marry. You are good as a girl friend but not as a wife. But then, they are not looking for flings...just someone to settle down with. Keep looking beautiful and your prince charming(a good coy) will find you soon.

Its not philosophy that I am throwing around but from my experience. I got rejected by coys, the numer of which I dont care to even mention now, partly out of embarassment and partly coz its inconsequential. Three months and so many heartaches..but I kept my faith..I am just too "beautiful" for these suckers, let my prince charming come.

It did come, in the form of Exxon Mobil..in fact if you follow Fortune 500, it's the King Charming.

Michelin Tires, loaded with gifts and hotel stays also extended an offer for marriage.

Whom will I marry?..

Not answering that yet, but married I will be and by accepting one I will be rejecting the other. Sadist I may sound, but "rejecting" a company, when I'd been at the receiving end, will be very sweet.

Best of luck to you if are looking to get married and also if you already are.

Cheers.

Visapur Trek

2009-07-20T21:57:00.001-07:00

Blogging after a long time. Me and Gads had been planning to go for a trek ever since the summer vacations began. The best time to go is once the rains have come because the weather becomes cool and the landscape turns into a majestic shade of green. With the monsoons playing truant this year our wait extended into july..but the wait was worth it!

We boarded the 8am local at Pune Station for Malvali. Malvali is a station just short of Lonavla. We reached after an hour and asked round for directions to the Lohagad-Visapur trail. We took an auto to the base of the fort. Our plan was to trek to both Lohagad and the Visapur forts but a local warned that the Visapur trail was not advisable as it wound up through dense jungle and getting lost was a possibility. We started walking our way up and after an hour we could see the entire town and even beyond it below us. A train was crossing the plain below and it looked so small- like drawing a straight line on a blank piece of paper. After the initial delight of taking in the views ,walking on the cobbled road got irritating and at times tiring. The cobbled path ended at a tri section. Now, the last thing we'd wanted was choosing a path. The left one we could see was winding away to another hill.The remaining two, however, went straight up. On a hunch, we took the middle one. At this time we also met up two other guys who are going to Loahagad and like us were also lost. We introduced ourselves and paused to breathe and eat a little. Half an hour later, we reached the point where the trail bifurcated to Lohagad and Visapur. To our right was Lohagad, barely a 15 min walk away. We mistook it and took the left for Visapur assuming we were going to Lohagad. We walked for almost two hours without gaining altitude and this had us really worried..more so because the trail was now very narrow, slushy and in the thick cover of the forest. Our persistence was rewarded when we reached a point from where we could see a ridge of the fort. The way..the marked out way, however stopped dead. The only way up was to climb up a small stream. Though the water was in most places ankle deep..it was the danger of slipping on the rocks that was worrying. We climbed cautiously and it helped that some good old advice on the trekking websites came in handy..always check the footholds and handholds before you put your weight on them coz I found support on a big rock but felt it shaking loosely. A little careless and it would have tumbled down and Gads ...might just have been rolled flat. We reached the top finally by 12....contented. The visibililty was barely 10m so didnt look around much. The wind was howling and I regretted not getting a wind cheater. We ate our lunch , started back and reached down by 3.

Shot in the arm for women empowerment

2009-05-27T10:29:00.000-07:00

The government in the recent sixth pay commission announced two major decisions aimed towards women empowerment in the goverment jobs- the first was the extension of the maternity leave from the present three months to sixth months and secondly two years "child care" leave which can be availed any time till the child attains the age of 18 yrs. It allows the flexibility to break the two yr leave into any number of periods. Both the maternity and child care leave are fully paid. So effectively, a woman after giving birth can take a break of two and half years and be on the pay roll as well enjoy no loss of seniority.
These steps have, as expected, attracted its share of criticism. People are arguing the necessity of the two year "child care" leave as the maternity leave has till now sufficed. It is feared that it is a cosmetic move aimed at attracting women into the hugely unattractive government services ( sample this - in the private sector the only leave is maternity leave and that too only for 90 days) and also it was a poll gimmick. It is also feared that it will be misused. There is also the grudge that it is fully paid without any loss of seniority. Lastly , it is felt that men also deserve "child care" leave if they are considered equal in the responsibility of looking after the child. Is the role of a father only limited towards financing the education and well being of the child?.A case in point is the group "Fathers 4 justice" who are fighting for equal rights with mothers in England (http://www.fathers-4-justice.org/f4j/).
The arguments have their legitimate amount of concern. However, I believe that in principle the decision is correct. The major responsibility in the early years of a child, especially in the highly gender concious Indian society, lies with the mother. Hence, she must not be faced with the quandary of choosing between her job and her child. This move aims at allowing her to do both and with due dedication and and attention. The time span of two years, though long in duration, is needed as by then the child can start attending pre school and be given in the care of a day baby sitter.
The fear of it being misused is also well placed. It is sure to happen, but then, any rule that is implemented, particularly in govt services, is exploited. Also the misuse is not gender specific, both being equal to the crime. So that should not stop the govt from implementing policies . In fact for a change, the govt has set a precedent for the private sector to follow. This welfare measure must, however, come with a rider, that if found illegitimate, will attract sever punishment in the form of loss of seniority and pay. It will act as a deterrence. Also, it must not allow two women colleagues in the same department to request for child care leave at the same time. There must be a system in place to ensure that the void is filled and work progresses smoothly. Imagine being told to come back after two years for moving your file in a sarkari daftar as the madam has gone to take her of her child. It sounds impossible, but in our system, such anomalies, with passage of time gain acceptance and eventually find salvage value in the form of sitcoms like " Office Office".
Lastly, how do you placate the male ego?. The issue here is a very sensitive one and involves gender and parental rights. Herein, comes the objection to the part that the leave can be broken up into parts till the child attains the age of 18. During the first years after birth, the child , admittedly, needs the mother "biologically". Thereafter the child is nurtured "emotionally" in equal measure by both the parents. A father can look after the needs of his child to prepare for his 12 th class examinations as much as the mother. The law looks at it differently..to the extent of even overlooking this obvious argument. The solution lies in amending the law to state that -
1) If both parents are working in the govt sector then they may as a single entity avail the "child care" leave. It would be at the discretion of the concerned couple to decide who and when will take leave.
or
2)If the leave must be availed by the mother only it must be done in continuation of the materniry leave, that is, the first two and half years of her child. This must also come with a certain loss of seniority and reduction in pay to ensure no loss is incurred to the organization and the replacement duly filled.

As I said, the decision is good in principle and intent but it will need many modifications before it can be implemented. Not surprisingly, it is still pending before the parliament. It remains to be seen when and how it gets implemented because another women empowerment bill- The Representation of Women Act is pending for the past three years.

Closure

2009-05-11T11:22:00.000-07:00

Third yrs going to end in a couple of days.

It will be that time when I will pack all my stuff into two boxes. Two boxes..thats all that defines my life. Say goodbye to my room that was the juke box in the wing..the pub on the booze nights..theatre for so many movies..and ya at times a study room..just this piece of 12 ft X 10ft space. Goodbye to the balcony , perched on which Pachva and me whiled away our time listening to "You have got to hide your love away" to more recently "Desecration Smile". To the time we 15 guys toiled day and night through winter and summer..to shadowfax. To the enumber of FIFA matches with Akva..which I almost always lost. To this room where I curled up one day feeling miserable and lonely. To the time when I couldnt get enough of listening to "Everybody hurts".

To the time when I started writing a diary after six years ..to give myself a voice that I dont want anyone else to hear. To when I bared my feelings for someone..somewhere..sometime. To when I heard a friend's problems and felt scared and lucky both. To the walk to Cnot at 12 in the night for that last puff listening to Chandel's rendition of Madhushala. To that impromptu dash to Nutan at 2 in the morn..we just had to go there. To the raw feeling of failure of my biggest endeavor. To the two awesome days in Del with Gads and that amazing chocolate shake in a bylane in Khan Market. To the high time with Bora and Deb when a week back I couldnt imagine wanting to speak with him. To the catching up on the latest gossip with Axle and a bet that I am sure to win.

To all those..

Its closure.

Of broken specks, unshaved beard, biting shoes and changing roads

2009-03-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

Am home...after a long time. Some things were bound to change. A little later on that. The day started with a resolve to do purposeful things these seven days at home. Purposeful meant anything other than lying in bed the whole day. The first task was to open a bank account. Yup, it sounds stupid and it is that I dont have a pass book, a licence (either car or kinee), a passport or PAN card. While I could get round the licence part courtesy the Army dependency card ( not entirely but the discounts on the fines were very generous), at the age of 21 the realization to have a document stating that I am indeed Abhimanyu Shirwalkar residing in so and so place in India was desperately needed. And the starting point was a pass book. That done, I decided to head for the much due shopping- am a person with limited necessities but buying Lee in Pilani is still a stuff people talk about doing in their 25th yr reunion. It was at this point that my left shoe started biting exruciatingly. I had surpassed the limit where I could bear it. The result being the 50 yrd walk to the parking lot took an eternity with me doing an amazing mimicry of Gregory House..albeit without a walking stick. It then dawned on me that perhaps Hugh Laurie does indeed were a tight fitting shoe on the "crippled leg" ...if Shilpa Shetty can rue not being able to shave for a role...his scarifice seems trivial..though it begs the question that are they really good actors if they get so close to their roles?..Should ask Amir someday. After strapping on the helmet , legs firmly in place and back straight ( I drive a scooty...know it sucks but well am a perfectionist too..I get as close to the real thing as possible..haha), I realised that I hadnt withdrawn money inspite of having been to the bank. I sat contemplating in the parking lot for a good five minutes with my typical habit of right forefinger on the right cheek to help arrive at the answer to the paradox of walking all the way back in those murderous shoes or drive to an ATM on a nearby road. I followed the law of nature and chose the path of least resistance. Now whoever numbskull arrived at this genius of the path of least resistance conveniently forgot to tell the world that it is also the one with the most difficulties..like potholes..you dont see them till you stumble upon them. The ATM on East Street was jam packed..not an inch to even park the vehicle. So I decided to go to the one on the adjacent street and turned round. It is at this point that the change I referred to at the beginning befell me. The direction of the roads had changed ! I can accept any amount of change in beloved Pune but roads changing directions is just not done. I have driven on them more than any where else ( Pilani ensured that) so when I go straight on the one way street in front of Kayani I want it to go straight. I shouldnt have to look at the direction of the incoming traffic. It is my most natural instinct. The direction of the traffic had been REVERSED. In that moment I felt betrayed and defeated. Here you are driving people out of the state to preserve the roots of the people but you betray and offend them - by changing the direction of a road. Imagine the plight of race horses if one fine day they wake up to being told to race in the opposite direction. It would be revolting. So who wins, one smart ass may question, the one who comes last?.
But am a man with a lot of courage and spirit. I chose to overcome the personal offence on my identity and turned for the alternative road. It was then that I neared total collapse. The cheap bastards had reversed the direction there TOO. Is this all people had been upto ..pointing at a road at a map and pulling draws to see if it deserved being reversed.
Abhimanyu in Mahabharat couldnt find his way out of the chakravuyh. The modern incarnation was stuck in a chakrayuh running against him in the opposite direction. But I didnt need to fall back on recorded tutorials from my mother's womb to be victorious. I parked in the nearest spot vacant and took to walking. Damn these buggers ... I will not bow down to their whims and fancies and follow the flow. I shall walk. Humming the words from the Chumbawamba song ..I get knocked down but I get up again.
It was a slight matter that my feet were screaming...Physical attyaachaar.
I had won.

PS: Shaved my beard and done with the Langada Tyagi look.
Gotten my specks repaired.

The Great Indian Laughter Show

2009-03-10T09:46:00.000-07:00

I was reading an article in Outlook(March 9) on the state of the judiciary in India. Here are some stats quoted in the article-

If 5 minutes are given to every pending case it would take the following no of yrs for the following High Courts to resolve them

Allahbad - 60

Madras- 32

Bombay- 27

....... The total for all the high courts is a staggering 297 years.

It will take three centuries to clear all the cases in our courts. Assuming of course that one does get down to clearing them.

If that should worry our lawyers, then they are showing no signs of it - they work for only 213 days in a year at an average of 5 hours a day...this system hasnt changed since pre independence.

They are of course bettered only by our eminent Members of Parliament who averaged 46 working days in the 14th Lok Sabha, a third of the MPs never even participated in a debate in the Parliament.

Considering that our country is faced with a constant threat to its national security and battling the worst economic crisis since the second world war, it seems as if only a miracle can save the common man.

The point is that two of the three legs on which the functioning of the country is based, the judiciary and legislative, are crumbling.

It has almost become a joke with non performance becoming acceptable day by day.

The strike called by the lawyers in the Madras HC reeked of their high handedness and the assumption of them being above the law. The core issue of a controversial remark by a lawyer sparked of violent protests with their demands changing to removal of police officers and supporting the cause of the LTTE. It ultimately ended up in a political tangle.

Take the forthcoming elections- while in the US contestants debate over issues concerning the interests of the people and talk about policies and the people they will involve to implement, in India issues are second priority...it is all about forging alliances..and that too not on ideological lines but convenience. The voter is reduced to a non entity.

It is time that the common man, suppressed for so long, voices his protest. By voting intellingently. A silver lining was the appeal by a senior Muslim cleric in Deoband requesting voters to vote not on religious lines but in the interests of the country as a whole for India is after a secular country. We need more people, more leaders like him who can rise above petty politics to guide people in the right direction.

Dasvidanya..

2009-02-22T23:45:00.000-08:00

At the sunset of my college life..batch snaps..the time that says- " All right, your times up here. Take good pics ..make way for the younger ones". In first year, when I saw my seniors in their batch snaps, I thought it dreadful...its like counting days till on your deathbed( of course much less terrifying).

Oddly enough, I dont feel dreadful or terrified. Rather than looking back in retrospection, I am looking forward to tomorrow. I believe that my days ahead can be as enjoyable as those in college.

I dont feel sentimental. If anything, click pics..smile ..laugh..move on.

2009-02-17T11:16:00.000-08:00

Posting after a long time. My " reflections" on some of the current issues today.

1. UP elections: Mukthar Ansari with 24 cases ranging from extortion to rape, currently lodged in a jail, gets a ticket to fight from Varanasi. His equally illustrious brother was granted bail a few months ago to fight from another constituency. They have been undefeated in the past three elections. Two questions - How can the ruling govt overrule a Supreme Court verdict to have their politicians released from jails to fight elections? How have they managed to remain undefeated?

The answer to the latter only seems that the elections are manipulated- voters been forced to vote for BSP. Time for election observers to shift from J & K to UP.

2.Pakistan admits to 26/11- Big deal..and a big thank you to USA from the Indian people. We have given up hope on our govt to fight terrorism. Perhaps, if Obama could spare some time to contest for the Indian elections, we may elect him...what our leaders couldnt achieve in three months(not for lack of options but rather wont)..this man did in a single phone call..we dont mind paying for your international phone calls Mr Obama..just keep them ringing for the Pakis.

3.Taliban takes over control of Swat area " Switzerland of Pakistan" in NWFP, Pakistan- Some good news finally. The hornets nest stirred by Zardaris statement of Taliban taking over control of thier territories now seems to be true. Pakistan is indeed a victim of terrorism but the enemy it is fighting is itself. Much like the Americans who breeded Saddam and Taliban, only to fight them a decade later, Pakistan is realising that terrorism is a two sided coin. Unfortunately, while USA and Pakistan have a common enemy in Taliban, India is alone in its fight against Pakistan's state sponsored terrorism. So while the former is not vanquished, it is foolhardy for India to expect USA to place great emphasis on 26/11. We must reach out to other countries and once garnered enough diplomatic clout, launch an offensive on Pakistan. The Pakistanis have always raised the war cry when the heat is on it forcing India to go on the defensive. It would be interesting to see how the world reacts when India threatens to go for a war unless it gets positive and concrete results in Pakistan's FIA investigation on 26/11. Played the role of responsible elder brother for too long..time to switch roles to the complainig and spoilt younger bro.

4.Top ten mistakes made by Indian doctors(India Today Feb 16 issue)- The most common gaffe - leaving things ..tools..towels.. in the patient. Nice article..though slightly frightening..puts medical care in India in a very sorry state.

5.Many urban Indians turning to Buddhism( the most high profile being Priyanka Gandhi)-

Political parties plz take notice. Babri and Godhra maybe history if the trend continues.

In a way, this symbolizes that we are ready for a change...and Buddhism is the most non controverisal change.

6.Jade Goody decision to film her death on television draws flak- Give the woman a break..she is addicted to reality TV...racist remarks ..wedding..death bed..seems life has come a full circle for Ms Goody (her name belies her) on the small screen.

7.Knowledge Comission invites ideas from the country's youth for India's

development-

http://www.knowledgecommission.gov.in/contests

Top MNCs have successfully exploited the internet to invite ideas from the youth by organizing online competitions on various topics- Microsofts Imagine Cup...Mc Kinseys e4si..Nat Geos Habitat Competition. The model is successful as students get a platform to showcase their talent and the companies benefit by giving shape to the ideas.

Congo to Sam Pitrodia for tapping into this "modus operandi". Publicising it on community websites is perhaps the best way of spreading awareness.

Survival of the Darest

2008-12-01T11:33:00.000-08:00

Mumbai 26/11 was an awakening...to the fact that India is losing it's war on terror. A government is meant for the welfare of its people. It is supposed to make it's citizens secure. It is them that respond to the terror attacks.

Not anymore.

26/11 is not really different from any other terror attack. It caught us off guard like always. We lost our fellow countrymen as always. We vowed not to "bow down to terror" as always.

What has changed is the mood among the populace. Before we could console by saying that the spirit was resilient and that we would fight out the terrorists.

We are scared today. Not knowing where the next bullet comes from. Patriotism has no place when you have a gun stuck at your throat. The fear is so naked..and we are feeling it.

Today , I dont believe we can win the war on terror. We simply dont have the balls to do it.We have settled into that comfort zone where we such incidents are part and parcel of our lives. It's like a bad wound we have learnt to live with. What we think of as a symptom is really a disease.

Our leaders are like old people..given to fate. It is the common man who suffers. But he cannot live with this wound. Its gonna kill him, his friends or someone random person whom he saw on the train everyday. If not today..tomorrow..at some point its gonna affect everybody.

We will wait for that day. The glory that we foresee for 2020 will not exist. The damage will extend beyond emotional ones to those of a state as a whole. Countries will sympathise but wont help. By failing to globalize the Kashmire issue we will ultimately end up in isolation-economically and politically.

India used to be a soft state. Today, it is timid.

No one likes hard measures but we need them all the same. Our leaders know best what these hard measures are. Identifying the problem never helped..finding the goddamn solution did.

Isolating and weakning the Paksitan economy. Putting international pressure on thier government. Threatening a nuclear war. Call back all embassy officials. Request friendly states to do the same. Demand not request for the men behind these attacks. If the Americans could smoke out Saddam for attacks he was not even party to..what stops us from getting the Dawoods in Karachis and Lahores?

The low point of a democracy is when the people lose faith in it. We are not far from that point. The only way to salvage our pride and lives is to simply fight back. The Congress or BJP..whoever does it..doesnt matter. History will not remember them by their party loyalties but as individual who emerged from their shadow of politicians to become leaders.

Gen Patton said to a soldier who said he would love to become a martyr

" You god damn bastard ..you cant win a war by dying for your country..you win a war by making the other god damn bastard die for his country"

Elections@BITS

2008-09-07T08:08:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: The post is not biased by the influence of any party/group. It is intended solely for expressing my views and not ridicule either the candidates or the people associated with them.

Background: For the benefit of non BITSians. The student elections for President of Student Council was embroiled in a lot of controversy. It was also a first of many sorts. Rachit Chadra, perhaps the most decorated student on campus contested much against conventional norms. The nomination of the second candidate, Nitesh Kumar Singh was withdrawn two days before elections in ambiguous circumstances by the watchdog ,Electon Commission. No explanations were given to the students and decisions were taken hastily by the EC without accepting an appeal by Nitesh.It was alleged that this was done to ensure the victory of Rachit Chandra keeping in mind his credentials.The BITSian junta felt disillusioned at being imposed a candidated upon it and doubted the credibility of the Election procedures. To voice this ,it voted in majority for NONE thus calling for re elections.

First off, it is undeniable that the controversy surrounding the elections has created excitement quite unparalled in the past three years. With rumors flying thick and fast, there was always something to fodder wing gossips. Opinions often swelled into emotional outbursts.

On Rachits campaign-
Pros
1. Obviously, his exposure and knowledge would have contributed immensely to widening the ambitions of the SU.
2. His manifesto points, though not populist like Nitesh's, were spot on. The extension in timings of the SAC would have gone a big way in promoting sport on campus. The ISO accredition was a novel idea and inspite of the difficulties in getting, it must be sougt to propel OASIS into getting bigger sponsorships and consequently better organization. Discount on Laptops is quite common in other colleges..BITSians needed someone to take the trouble of starting it here.
3. He recovered well from his Audi Debate disaster to give an emotional speech in SAC, quoting Obama for making a "positive difference".
Cons
1. His performance in the Audi Debate was disappointing. He needs to do something about his throat..makes you think hes gonna cough every time he speaks.
2.His campaign managers never quite manged to recover from the Audi Deabte debacle. Far from influencing people with his manifesto points and ambitions for BITS, they said HE DESERVED to win. They failed to realise that credentials can only go so far as to make people listen to you. Beyond that it is your ability to convince them of your candidature.
3. On the eve of the elections, Gtalk status messages were swarming with people voicing their support for NONE. Again his campaign team blundered in asking people to vote because BITS needed a president for its upcoming cultural and sports fest. It took away all attention from Rachit himself and made him appear desperate and sensing defeat. Not a message you wanna give voters, however bleak the circumstances.
4. Lastly, his blog ,post elections was the nadir of his campaign. Instead of walking away gracefully, his cries and complaints about the decision of the junta, made him appear vulnerable and removed from reality. He failed to realise that it was victory for NONE(and the rights of the junta) and not really a defeat for him.

Nitesh
Pros
1. His experience of two years in the Student Union made him a good and informed candidate.
2.He did not buckle under the credentials of Rachit and used whatever opportunities came to his benefit.
3.He reached out to the voters, gave excellent interviews....in short everything right.

Cons
1. His campaign team comprised of people who had contacts but not the sense to influence them. They faulted time and again by anti campaigning. The campaigning and charachter assasination charges during the ban period, though not proved, were true and reflected poorly on Nitesh.
2. His manifesto points were aimed more at getting vote banks than the actual benefit of BITSians. Regional night and all are good for entertainment but his horizons as a prez candidate should have been much wider.
3. His vote banks were confined in pockets and he ignored Meera Bhavan inmates, which might have spelt disaster had he been allowed to contest.

My Take on the Trust Vote Market

2008-07-23T01:22:00.000-07:00

To Congress or not to congress?

2008-07-18T03:01:00.000-07:00

Elections now seem imminent. With our ministers being sold like fish in the market, it seems Indian politics has reached nadir. Now, I have the power to vote. The power, often disparaged, to choose my country's leaders.
Whom to vote for..Congress or BJP..or I can also decide like this

Why Congress?

The Nuclear Deal. It may not seem so valuable now but the dramatic rise in oil prices makes it necessary for India to brace alternate energy sources. The best alternative is nuclear fuel. We have with us the abilty to dictate terms on the 123 agreement thanks to our booming economy. Never before were we at such an advantageous position for getting nuclear fuel. Admittedly the problems with the IAEA need to be ironed out but it's a risk we must take.
It was expected that this deal would stir a hornet's nest. It has brought the govt on the brink of a collapse. So, kudos to the congress for standing by the deal. They may have vested interests in this deal but at the end of the day, they stood by it,which is in the best interests of the country.
It will be very difficult for any other party to see through the deal.

BJPs trump card is Hindutva. I am for regional politics but certainly not religional politics.

Why not congress?

First and foremost- reservation. The congress brought in the reservation solely to swell it's vote banks. What it did not realise is that the previously dormant youth will now cast it's vote..to seek revenge. If not the law..I as the youth of the country will seek to end the govt that got it in the first place.
Second-inflation. Congress took over the reins from the BJP at a time when everything was going great..Incredible India was not just a publicity campaign but a reflection of the state of affairs in the country. Four years later..congress has all but made a mess of the economy. Inflation has climbed from 4% to just under 12%. This with a Prime Minister who brought Liberaliztion,Privatization and Globalization(LPG) in the early 90s and a capable Finance Minister in Chidambran, only shows the soup the govt has created with the resources available to it.
Third-Shibu Soren may become a minister. This perhaps will put the icing on the cake of tainted politicians becoming ministers.
Fourth-The Gandhis have historically created blunders in foreign relations..Nehru trusted the Chinese in late 50s..we got back stabbed....he accepted a plebiscite in Kashmir that was Paks moot point in the UN for many years..Indira retreated 10kms from Lahore in 71 and returned 90,000 Pakistani POWs..Rajiv sent our troops to Sri Lanka in 87 to fight for a cause that was not theirs..we lost thousands there.
With the possibility of Rahul Gandhi becoming PM sometime soon..I would not like the congress to be in power. The congress needs to go beyond Gandhis to appeal to the common man.

My final vote..not the congress.

Patience..wazza????

2008-05-22T09:48:00.000-07:00

We Indians cannot be patient..it is somehow embedded in our genes to just get over things as fast as possible.It is fine as long as this impulse is restricted to the concerned individual but it almost always gets displayed in public places..buses, theatres, admission lines,banks..just get the hell done with the work..no matter if you are cutting lines ,hurling or getting hurled at with abuses and angry stares(why dont people scream the hell out instead of cussing in their minds).
However, this practice is deep rooted that at times it is not even fruitful to take the effort of being just that-impatient.
I was sitting in the departure lounge of the Delhi airport. A female announced in halting English that boarding for the airline would start soon. This is followed by an announcement calling for people to get in the boarding line. In the interim period, one is expected to lay back and relax. Not in this part of the world. The first announcement had barely finished when an elderly gentleman got up promptly from his seat,a cabin baggage in tow and stood where the future line was to have started."Future" because the people checking the boarding passes werent even present yet. So there stands our uncle..all at please with the world. Then a lady seeing the sight of this "inspirational" man also gets up from her seat and stands behind him. Soon a mad race starts for the 3rd 4th ..by the time the announcement calling for the boarding was made,the line already numbered about 30.
It took a person about 10 minutes of standing to get his turn.
The seat is allotted so what is the point of standing first in the line. But we have to do this ...be ahead in pointless matters. I waited to see how many people had the sense to remain seated and get in the line in the end.
Three.
Me(expectedly..wat are geniuses for!)
An elderly man
A young girl of maybe 16...this young girl had an audacity about her that is common to girls who have strived for little and got everything(read as utterly spoilt). She wouldnt have dreamt of standing in such a long line. The logic of it probably didnt strike her..but at times people do things(even smart ..like this one) without realising.
Life is just.

My perfect little world

2008-04-29T11:10:00.000-07:00

We will keep in touch..words said at every parting. It is so spontaneous that at times I wonder if there is even a thought behind it. Coming to coll meant leaving all the people I knew behind me. But, I believed that I would be able to keep in touch no matter what..this is the mobile age, right?. It is effortless to pick up a phone and make a call. Gradually, though the calls decreased, giving way to mails and then scraps.
It seemed that the onus of keeping in touch was upon me. All sorts of thoughts creped into my head.
Now, I realise though, that this just a part of growing up. It isn't that people are just lazy or ignorant to keep in touch. They have moved on and it is not possible to share the same camaraderie like before. Life has created a diversion and we have go to our different ways. My effort to build a bridge every time is futile...the journey is endless and if at some point of time in the future, the paths do cross again, we could enjoy each others company till whatever time it lasts.Clinging to the past is not healthy.

My day

2008-04-25T12:16:00.000-07:00

I read one of Rohan's post about how his day had gone and thought it a nice idea.
So, here is how my day went
Getting up in the mornings is getting increasingly difficult but with a tut to give, I had to move my ass and go for SPM. Five minutes into the tut and I realised I'd made a mistake in coming at all..I could hardly make out what the questions meant. The structure of Nylon 6,6 was clogged somewhere in the back of my brain..it was in one of the amazingly boring Chem chapters in class 12th. At times I wonder if I knew more about sciences before coming to coll. Now, it is just cramming formulas one night before tests and burping them out the next morning in the vain hope of crossing that Thin Red Line..the average. Fourth semester into coll and I realise that making an A in a structured course may a remain distant dream..but hell Bs aint so bad too.
Moms cakes arrived and it has lifted my spirits like nothing else. Mom is good at making just about anything but I love her cakes the most...and with the mess food deteriorating each day..it will keep me going for the remaining three weeks before going home.
Evenings are now usually spent at the temple. As a kid I used to read a lot of books on public figures. These people questioned the world around them..particularly their faiths. I too started questioning and eventually that led to rebellion to whatever contradicted with my views. The last two years in school were particularly difficult. Without realizing I was pushing myself into seclusion. Grades were not great either. Talking at home had become nightmarish..just defending whatever I was doing.
With the second year..a sort of calming effect came over. I feel more peaceful. Happiness comes spontaneously. It is a feeling I had almost forgotten. Going to temple is something I look forward to. I am yet not sure about my views on my faith but I do know that my mind is so much more peaceful going to the temple and feeling the silence inside it. There is one particular dargah in Srinagar in Bibi Cant that I wish can go sometime in the near future. There is no other place of worship so serene..maybe because it is not religious..that is what appeals to me about Sufism.

Virgin Atlantic(Ctrl C+Ctrl V)=Kingfisher Airlines

2008-03-16T01:52:00.000-07:00

The flight from Delhi to Pune was my first in Kingfisher and the best ever.Kudos to Mallya for giving the Indian passenger his due.The portable TV is a lovely feature,making the otherwise boring flights an enjoyable journey.
I have followed Mallyas progress in the past few years..about everyone has, given the huge media coverage he gets.Everytime,I cant help but notice the similarities between him and the other(more original)king of good times-Richard Branson,owner of Virgin Atlantic,Galatic,Music...whateva.Both are entrepreneurs,Mallya started with beverages, while Branson started with his newspaper "The Student".Both eventually diversified into various other areas.However, the manner in which they did is striking.Branson believed the best way to grab peoples' attention was to do stand out.While the feats that he achieved..becoming the first to go across the pacific and then around the world in a hot air balloon..beating the record for the Blue Ribbon in sailing,they ultimately built him a unique stature..smart,daring and brilliant.Mallyas becoming the person to reach the highest altitude in a hot air balloon..his zest for riding Formual cars(much before he bought Spyker)..being projected as a partyman..beautiful models around him,served the same aim for him.The media liked it and they have become iconic public figures.
When Branson started Virgin Atlantic, he had to deal with the monopoly of the govt owned British Airways..the stringent rules..bureaucracy..red tapism and a private airline sector lacking in innovation.Virgin Atlantic fought through all this ,providing its customers a whole new flying experience...a glamorous one.Delicious food..posh leather seats..liqour..movies..the Virgin experience.Remember this was in the 80s.Little wonder that Virgin became successful to the extent that it is launching Virgin Galactic...flights into space.
Cut to India about two years back..a booming private airline industry which soon became saturated.Kingfisher wrests its way through by giving its customers the Virgin experienceEven the colour of it's logo.It became successful too and the customers are simply loving it.So I wont be surpised when one day the first Indian company will offer its flight services to outer space..it will be Kingfisher.Maybe Mallya is already thinking about it.
My professor in the entrepreneurship course last semester said-"Entrepreneuship is not just about making something really innovative.At times, it is a slight modification of an existing concept."
Mallya has done just that...even to the extent of copying Branson's french beard and long hair.Amusingly enough..physique is one area he is yet to catch up on.

Where the streets have no name....

2008-03-06T02:13:00.000-08:00

U2 songs always have a meaning attached to them.Where the streets..is my fav because of the awesome thought behind it and the amazing guitar by The Edge.Read this entry from Wiki to know why..."Where the Streets Have No Name" was conceived prior to one of the Joshua Tree recording sessions by guitarist The Edge.^[4] While recording the song as a band, however, they ran into difficulty. The song's frequent chord and time changes caused problems in playing the song correctly; the difficulty was so great that producer Brian Eno attempted to erase the track.^[4]^[5] Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. later said of the song, "It took so long to get that song right, it was difficult for us to make any sense of it. It only became a truly great song through playing live. On the record, musically, it's not half the song it is live."^[4] Originally, the third single from The Joshua Tree was meant to be the song "Red Hill Mining Town", but "Where the Streets Have No Name" was released instead.^[6]

The song is interpreted in different ways; a common interpretation of the lyrics is that it refers to the streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland, where a person's religion is evident by the street they live on. In a 1987 interview, Bono said of the song:

"Where the Streets Have No Name is more like the U2 of old than any of the other songs on the LP, because it’s a sketch - I was just trying to sketch a location, maybe a spiritual location, maybe a romantic location. I was trying to sketch a feeling. I often feel very claustrophobic in a city, a feeling of wanting to break out of that city and a feeling of wanting to go somewhere where the values of the city and the values of our society don’t hold you down. An interesting story that someone told me once is that in Belfast, by what street someone lives on you can tell not only their religion but tell how much money they’re making - literally by which side of the road they live on, because the further up the hill the more expensive the houses become. You can almost tell what the people are earning by the name of the street they live on and what side of that street they live on. That said something to me, and so I started writing about a place where the streets have no name.^[6]

He also alluded to this in a 2000 interview, saying in response to the question of what place he was referring to in the song's lyrics, "I'm not sure, really, about that. I used to think it was Belfast, you know, 'cos in Belfast you can tell somebody's religion, you know, from what street they live on. You just have to say where you're born and everybody knows if you're a Catholic or a Protestant and... I think that might have been where "Where The Streets Have No Name" started from as an idea."^[7] He said later in the same interview that the song was about "Transcendence, elevation, whatever you want to call it."^[7]

The two sides of a BITSian

2008-03-04T01:55:00.000-08:00

Being a BITSian!..is known only to a BITSian.Unlike other colleges that are situated in cities and where students interact immensely with each other..BITSians start and stop with just them.Ya,we have our fests but you dont get to see a BITSian cramming for exams on night outs,or going to classes in winters having not bathed for three days,reidies being the hangout as opposed to the hep McDs..no these and all other things are beyond the comprehension of anyone else.Tucked into a pocket six hours from the nearest city..we have evolved a culture that is unique to us.Our life is our campus and thats it..all my memories of college years will revolve around just this place.
It so strikes me that the BITSian has two sides to him..very contrasting ones The first one that is the negative, is prominently displayed in tests-cheat, cheat to all your glory!..The average BITSian views the institution of professorship as an obstacle to scoring grades..simply because he does not allow you to copy left right and center from the more sincere ones who studied since god knows when while he was indulging in fruitful activities of movie watching or LAN gaming.It seems as if cheating comes almost naturally.At times arguments center around who managed to cheat more or the more adventurous daring.In one General Biology class,I remember,a guy came in late while a test was being conducted.On taking his place and casually observing around him,he remarked to his neighbour..Damn,it is an Open Book test and I have forgotten my book.His neighbour in all seriousness replied "No need to feel bad..it is not Open Book..though you can share mine if you want to ".Reason..almost 90% of the class had their books open on the benches ,albeit under them.
The other side though less prominent is the more intriguing one.While buying books from the Coop store or signing for extras in messes or anywhere..proof of identification is rarely, if ever asked.It is so easy to fake someone else's sign and not get caught..because there is also no verification.In all my time here,I have never ever,even once, seen a BITSian do that.He will accept that he cannot afford it but never stoop low.This is the side that I take pride in.The conscience is so strong.The reason for it is simple -the culture does not allow it.Whenever people talk about organizations being successful..they usually quote figures and what not.But I believe it comes more from somewhere within everyone constituting that organization.
I dont mind if I sound boastful in saying I love my college above all and consider it the best. I have seen it in all its nakedness..the dark and the golden.But at the end of that day, if there is one place I will always come to ,is here...its foundations are rock solid and cannot be shaken.

Dr Major and Mr Hippy

2008-02-17T11:03:00.000-08:00

Time changes a man..I realised this with a certain person. Remember the weight reduction ads that show a fat "before" pic and a slim "after" pic.If only the same could be shown with a person's personality.
Now, the person in question was an Army major I used to play squash with. A typical officer-moustache,cropped hair,upright and I would say in his mid thirties.We would often chat up after game. Among other tings he would talk about his retirement plans,german classes and the usual war stories.A normal man with normal tastes.He stopped coming after a while and I forgot about him.
Then,one day while sitting in the Army Club,I happened to glance at my neighbouring table.The middle aged person I saw did not appear to belong there.Firstly, he was bald..not THE "Bald" types but ones who do it for style and give you an uneasy feeling when you meet them.Then, he was wearing earrings...bright ones.Whatever suspicion I had of him being in the Army stopped right there.So the obvious guess was that he was a guest.Next, he was wearing a Hippy shirt..70s style.Cool..this guy seemed right out of Poorab Paschim.I didnt realise that I was actually staring at him all this while..and that he was smiling back at me!.It could only mean we were acquainted..but where??.In that anxiuos moment of contemplating to return his smile..I knew it..it was that Army major.It is true that the eyes are the window to a persons soul..it was no different with him.I now smiled back but I believe it conveyed more of amazement than mere greetings.I got up and went to him thinking to myself -This is unreal!!Whatever happened to him!.I mean there is no harm in people "changing",even to the extent that he did,but having been around Army officers ever since childhood this was outright rebellious.
After the usual formalities I asked him what he was doing nowadays.I had to know that!His reply,not surprisngly heavliy accented-"Aye,am doing good.Just spend my evenings swimming in the OSHO pool.You know it's a great chillout".Pause.He was IN Osho..that wierd cult of firangs deprived of sex and peace of mind.At least that explained his outlandish outfit."Then this summer I am giving the exam for Film and Televsion Institute of India.Want to get into acting big time.Great fun and all".Talk about a career change!..this guy could script his own story.We talked for a while more and then bid goodbye.
It was an evening of surprises and he left one more while leaving..in fact,I would it was more like a shock.Leaving hand in hand with him was a pretty lass in her early twenties!!!..no it wasnt his daughter coz I knew he didnt have one.So...
I dont know if he did clear the exam for FTII or if he appeared in some or the other film.But, I do know that he had a lot of spirit.At a stage in his life when most would have preferred to lay back..he made a call to live to the fullest.The King of good times!!

Speak Out

2008-02-14T08:55:00.000-08:00

It's Valentines Day today.So my blog is going to be somewhat related to relationships and life.
The most nagging question that younsgsters face is what they choose to do in life. It is a common reply that one is not able to figure out what that one thing is that appeals to them.That "one" thing is exactly where we go wrong.I know that because I was a victim of that school of thinking too- do in life what you like most.This mindset changed when an elderly person said to me-"It is not necessary to do what you like the most.I have seen people pick up things that hardly appealed to them but over a period of time they developed a liking for it.Of course they sweat themselves out to be successful".It then brought me to think that it would be so much easier to make decisions for the moment..now.Not coz of your past nor for what may lie in your future.You like this thing,do it.Simple.
It then brings me to the more relevant(it being V Day)aspect of relationships.I have not been in a relationship so my views may sound idealistic but I belive they hold true. Like in life,there is no point in beating around the bush if you like someone..wether your feelings will be reciprocated..will it last..do we know each other enough...distance..and all that.At that very moment all these questions are irrelevant.It is so much easier to let go and speak your heart out. If things work out- great..if they dont..you would have lost if you hadn't been vocal anyway.Between any two individuals, more so for cupid struck,the most important thing is to communicate.From there on,life is just a bed of roses.

2007-12-31T12:08:00.000-08:00

Solitary reader

2007-10-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

The six hour bus drive from Pilani was over.Since me and Akshay hadnt eaten breakfast,we walked straight to Mc Donalds across the road.We looked forward to good fast food after two months,or simply put the last time we were out of Pilani.So we strolled in,dropped our bags and made it straight to the counter.It was rush hour and the place was packed with youngsters.Some had dropped into grab a bite,some just to hang out.A lone LCD was blaring away with no one paying it attention.We managed to get our orders placed and sat down.It was then that I saw this guy sitting alone in a corner sipping a cup of coffee...just a cup of coffee.No burgers,no french fries, no mcpuffs to go with it.What had more of his attention, was the morning newspaper on his table.These two thing were enough to make him oblivious to the activity around him.Now I have seen all sorts of people go to McD(and other such places),but never one like him.The whole act of a person being engrossed in a newspaper right there was enough to arouse my interest in him .So I observed him.After a while ,he got up,neatly folded the paper,put it in a duffel bag he was carrying,took out a novel and went to sit on a bench outside to read it.He was still reading it by the time we left about an hour later...still engrossed and at peace with himself.
It then struck me how utterly simple his actions were and how contented he was.A coffee was all he needed to accompany his morning paper.Some people cast curious glances at him..thinking it was sort of rebellious to read a paper in a hep place like that.They came and went..he carried on..did what he felt like.
It usually takes one to purchase something to feel the satisfaction of enjoying it.That stranger taught me it doesnt.

Change and me

2007-09-05T10:27:00.000-07:00

If you are confused about what you want to do in life(what parents call a "job"),fancy anything new and interesting,but cant stick to it for a long time..then read on.
One thing that has stayed with me always is my everchanging career interests.As a kid I wanted to be a cricketer,knock out the middle stump of every batsman,clobber bowlers to the fence.Then,I wanted to become an Army officer.Since I was in Pune,I used to go to NDA very often.Hearing dad talk about his academy days further strengthened my resolve.This lasted till class 10th.By this time my parents made it clear that they were against my going to NDA.They wanted me to concentrate on engineering entrances.The final decision was however to be my own.The only condition was that I would have to stick to it.
I chose to appear for the entrances.Now,the ambition was to get into a good college.So,here I am today in BITS Pilani-a budding mechanical engineer.But I dont want to work in a core mechanical company.In fact I am not keen to work at all..the rat race just scares the hell out of me.Neither do I want to go for management..I find it boring.
Becoming an Indian Foreign Services seemed to be just right for me.Travel the world...all at government's expenses.That lasted for about a year(dont ask me why I ditched that thought...I just did)
So,it is doing an MS in a foreign university for the moment.Not because I want to study more,but because I want to experience the culture outside..and what better way to do so than as a student.
However I stress on "for the moment"..coz for all you know ..you may find me guarding a post along the border clad in olive greens..or working as an aeronautical engineer on an Airbus 380 or something that has not caught my fancy yet.
What comforts me though is that there are people like me out there..wandering aimlessly.That is what I find so exciting..the uncertainty of my future.I am not made to "plan" my life..so I will just flow with the stream ..have more fancys.What and where will I stop?...who cares..I will take things as they come

2007-08-31T13:08:00.000-07:00

What are words worth when mere touch can mean so much!

Prez Kalam carries on....

2007-07-25T22:20:00.001-07:00

APJ Kalam stepped down from the post of president yesterday and carried with him the goodwill of his countrymen.
One incident that gives an insight into his great soul goes thus-In 2003,his relatives visited him for a week.Throughout their stay,not even one government vehicle was deployed to them.All expenses of food and accomodation at the Rashtrapati Bhavan were borne by him personally,which amounted to Rs 350,000.That was his seven months salary(the prez gets Rs 50,000 per month).Staggering....inspiring.
But,our "elected" ministers could not stand his uprightness and so sought to have him vacate Raisina Hill.In comes Pratibha Patil,a woman with cases pending against her,to take over the mantle of presidentship.
In a country with a puppet prime minister ,we now have a puppet president.
While Mrs Patil may be the "political" president,Mr Kalam will continue to be the "peoples" president.

To start or not to start

2007-07-16T10:24:00.000-07:00

The very topic on which I am writing this blog is causing me trouble-where to start?.Now that I have done so on a convenient excuse let me delve deeper into this subject that struck me today.
We all set goals for ourselves and with people like me the goals are often many,varied and sometimes unrealistic.Diverse as they may be,they all pose one common problem-the will to start.The route is all charted out..I gotta lose five kilos this week..do three chapters today...take time out to call a friend..blah blah.You are all geared up-you have it all planned out.When the time comes to actually put in gear your plans,that devil which was till now a spectator takes control and says-Uh..not now..tomorrow should just be fine.The tomorrow follows the day after ..and so on.
End result-crash landing.
It is isnt just materialistic goals.Even things like saying you love someone-your mom,dad,bro,sis(gf's arent usually a problem) dont strike.You know you love them and they do too..but saying it..difficult.
What sets apart people who achieve their goals and the ones who dont is almost always that first step.
Procrastination-the one hurdle we see yet ignore-to our own peril

Not really so!

2007-07-13T07:56:00.001-07:00

This one I'd written three years ago, in a moment of cynicism..

It is what you do and me myself
To count the wrongs and not the rights
To feel the pain and not the joy
To say "I love you" but not really so
Tis wrong and needs to change
Days pass by and it is all the same
Coz it really is you dont wanna change

You dont see love even when it is given
Mistakes by others are seldom forgiven
But,when it came to you
Wasnt it you who said-
Let it be forgotten as I am only human

Rules are twisted and laws amended
You are right no matter what
Others are ordinary so let them be damned
It's always "I me myself"
Kindness and gratitude are not known to thyself

It is when they leave you
That friends bcome important
Expressing your love you'll never do
You are grown up now and it is kiddish to
But,when they go by
Nostalgia creeps over and regret takes over
You feel weak and see deep inside
A lonely and soul-less soul

Fading into twilight

2007-07-13T07:42:00.000-07:00

..just random thoughts crossing my mind..thought I'd pen them down

You fight the tears but not your fears
The past hurts,the future you dont want to see
Just trust me once this time
Aye there,just find out
What it is like to...
Let go of the strings that bind
And walks the fields free
To love like you really should
You can't go on like this
Now.... or forever
You thought I'd never know
Smiled when you cried inside
I saw it all and hurt just so
Coz you were letting go..

2007-07-08T09:23:00.000-07:00

The Kashmir issue has become a routine affair for the Indian household-we see it all the time-in the papers,the news,magazines...and yet we are immune to it.Our troops sacrifice their lives and civilians are killed.This is appalling but what is even more so is our indifference to it.
I do not intend this blog to be a sermon on patriotism but to narrate my chance meeting with a kid I met once.A kid who saw his father,mother and two sisters murdered by militants right in front of his eyes.His entire family wiped out in a matter of few minutes.All this at a tender age of eight.Four years later he stands before me narrating the horror without shedding a tear.Life has made him tough.But,it comes back to him in his dreams..he wakes up..terrified..frightened..shrouded in darkness..yearning for the warmth of his mother's arms.He sweats all over waiting for the night to end hoping when he wakes up in the morning that somehow ..somehow he can be with his parents again.
He now lives an orphanage with kids like him..victims of terrorism. Others have resorted to drugs to soothe their wounds..but not he.He wants to lead a respectable life..make his parents proud.He has no one to guide him..only his sense of righteousness.I feel humbled when I listen to him.
I realise that even from tragedies such as his..rise stories of courage and grit.Stories that may not make it to the front pages but continue to thrive in their own quiet yet magical way.

Our life and orkut

2007-07-06T10:19:00.000-07:00

Orkut and similar sites have changed the way we keep in touch with people.When I started using it..it was a novelty.I came in touch with all my friends with just a click of the mouse.We rejoiced in getting in touch ,spoke(rather scrapped) about what we had done in all these years and about the days gone by.Then..what?..after the initial amazement had died down..the long and detailed scraps gave way to the routine ones-"Hi".."wassup"..the lot.While I resented doing this myself...I had to give in..coz how am I supposed to reply.
What was it like before these portals came about..I remember telling one of my friends who was going to Delhi to get one of my classmate's no..and the joy I felt when we spoke after such a long time..but what if we had gotten in touch through orkut..just a few scraps..no emotions..nothing.Or the joy of receiving a letter.We have a box for letters kept in our hostel.I glance through it hoping there is a letter for me ,be it from dad or friends...and I feel so close to the person when I read it..and why not..someone's spent time writing it to me..can that personal touch be replaced?
But,some things cannot be ignored..it's a trend and it is futile to rebel against it...but with the few people who are really close to you,let such means not be the medium of expression-be it of joy or sadness!