a raging thought...

zindagi ki is kashmakash main, na tum haare na hum

zinda hoon kyunki, ab tak hua nahi hain kum

tujh pe bharosa ae zindagi

kyunki na lagi hain na lagegi, kisi se itni dillagi

Bus kuch lamhe hain woh, joh simat kar phir na laote

Kash inmain kuch aur he labz likhe hote,

par hum bhi thay nadan us waqt

jab in lamhon ne diya tha dastak,

par ehsaas hain humain kya tha woh ek lamha 

jisse na maana tha humne tab apna,

issi rah par jab hum thay

aaye thay woh humse milne,

aur humne muskurakar kaha

shayad yeh tumhe nahi hain pata,

hum jee sakte hain tumhare bina

na koi gham hain na hogi shikwa,

Bus kuch lamhe hain woh, joh simat kar phir na laote

Kash inmain kuch aur he labz likhe hote

zindagi ki is kashmakash main na tum haare na hum

zinda hoon kyunki, ab tak hua na kum

tujh pe bharosa ae zindagi

kyunki na lagi hain, na lagegi, kisi se itni dillagi

Apologies Bollywood!

An ex flame once told me "if movies too were realistic what is left in life to enjoy?". The realistic me, that I was, just laughed her off. Today, almost 12 years later when I sat down to watch a particular Bollywood movie for the second time (rarest of rare occassions), I just couldn't help but think about that statement, again.

Bollywood to many has been and will always be a source for living. But for me, from a typical south indian family, it had always been a waste of money. "Whats there to watch guys & girls running around the bush?", my mom would ask. Well, if logical was the answer desired then you know who won the arguement! In a country that cannot stop Hero worshipping, starting from Guru Dutt, Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Sunil Dutt to the latest of the lott like SRK, Amir, Salman, Hrithik, Sanjay Dutt and the latest choco boy Ranbir Kapoor each one of them have lived a life which the viewers would want to, both on screen & off it as well. Bollywood like Hrithik said (in the movie I watched before writing this) is like a "Nashaa" but my fingers would immediately reach out to type how Katrina retorts by calling "Nasha" a very negative word, its just something which you cannot stay away from. The reason being "it brings hope" and hope always brings happiness.

One of the movies that I have always made fun of, has been "Hum Aapke Hain Kaun". I would always say (in my mind of course, to avoid getting beaten up by the fans of this movie which incidentally also happens to be almost equal to the population of this mighty country) "Why do I care?". My "sincere" doubt (making sure it wasn't funny) to the fans would be "What if Tuffy wasn't there?". Well if Tuffy wasn't there then the film wouldn't have given a message that all closed doors are not locked.

In an age of uncertainties, Hope is one thing we always cling on to. A slightest of hope and it makes our day! Remember the Govinda movies? An old me would have scorned at the sight of Yellow shirts, red trousers, Black jacket, blue shoes and white glasses. But thinking about it now, imagine the smile & laughter that it would have and still spreads. Bollywood has taught to smile no matter what. You might be in the shi***st of condition but you become a hero only if you make the people around you smile. Yeah, so you might have goofed up on a presentation but 'What the heck! who doesn't bungle, lets cheer on and move in life'. But Bollywood also teaches us to make sure we be serious as well. After all every movie gets serious towards the end, even comdey movies have a serious ending! Each day in life has to be lived in Bollywood style, enjoy it. But when it is time to sign out make sure that the day was worth living.

Its the load that we carry, that defines our activities. Let it go, says Bollywood. Our day starts with the most optimistic blue skies, just like the scene in which the hero manages to catch a sneak peak of the Heroin's beauty. The mid day has to the be as beautiful as the ordeals of wooing the lady in question, towards the evening it has to lead to something dramatic, only to smilingly bid the work and ordeals good bye at evening alike the end of the movie. Bollywood shows that!

Times flies and so does life. That is what the title of the movie, I just watched, intended to convey "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara".

Bollywood taught!

R.I.P. Jimmy

I had planned to write a blog on my experience in Kerala and had almost given it a shape while sitting at the airport lounge waiting for departure, however unfortunately it didn't find it's final lines and here I am sitting writing on a totally different context.

There are times when you just take living beings for granted and more often than not its these living beings that make you feel secured.

There are times when you just over look some living beings when they look at you with twinkle of desire in their eyes.

There are times when unspoken words translated into actions, still don't get the desired reaction from you.

Today as I sit to write this, I have lost my canine back home in Kerala with whom I really didn't spend a worthy time to feel I should miss him as he left abode after almost 10 years of company. But as soon as the news reached me, it wasn't the shock but a hollowness that scared me. It was because of him that there was a sense of security in the house. There was a feeling of someone out there who was guarding you irrespective of the time or weather. Someone who always welcomed you with a friendly bark each time you returned home, what I called as the welcome bark.

All this would be missed.

R.I.P. Jimmy!

3 weeks in Gods Own Country.

So it has been a while since I have posted something on my BLOG. It has been 20 days since I have landed in Gods Own Country. The experience so far has been like a fresh new day, new with each instance. So what experiences am I talking about here?

1) Practice the language before you reach a new place. Learn a few important words. And even after you have done then learn to see people laughing at you for your pronunciations! And just in case you haven't learnt any words then invoke the blessings from The Gods of Dumb Charades. I've been doing just that.

2) "When in Rome Be Like The Romans Are" So it's time for lungi /mundu. The natives still wouldn't accept you completely obviously because you are out of place. Confidence matters but with the fear of what would go faster, the Mundu or your IZZZAT, tell me where is the scope to have confidence and walk!

3) Learn to cook and eat. Unfortunately I am in a land of non vegetarian food lovers and me being an eggetarian struggle to find some good food. Funnier is when you DARE to EAT some North Indian dish and then spend time in the loo. :P It isn't as funny as one might feel on reading. I was MIGHTY PLEASED when I visited a 4 Star with an ambience which could give some of our Mumbai restaurants a run for their money. MULTI CUISINE RESTAURANT, they declared on their Tariff Card and I promised the Manager I would come back soon. The next time I visited the area I made it a point to visit the MULTI CUISINE RESTAURANT. "Paneer Kitne Din se nahin khaaya." my heart shouted!

Waiter: "Sir would you like to have some dish in Paneer for the main course?"

WTF???????????????

Me: "Ah well yeah. Get me a dish of Paneer Butter Masala along with a dish of Appam."

I waited patiently with a wish to have Paneer after 3 weeks! *Slurp*

The wait was't worth, the Paneer Butter Masala completely drowned my desire to come back to this MULTI CUISINE RESTAURANT. So from there I head to my meeting. All of a sudden there is some "hul-chal"

KAHAN?

Stomach dear had an immediate Mood Change due to the food at the MULTI CUISINE RESTAURANT. :( The rest? The lesser said the better!

4) Get ready for an overdose of the local actors on television. Movies, TV Advertisements, Hoardings, you will see them everywhere. If that wasn't less you would see them in the most funniest of poses and clothes!

5) Be ready to meet some visitors who might give you creeps. They are in plenty here. Thankfully the one's that I am scared of, haven't REALLY made their presence felt.

Is it all that bad?

1) The Peace here cannot be bought by any amount of urbanisation. All that we miss in a city like Mumbai is some peace which is in abundance here. :D A day full of working from home and then a walk with an elder to the local temple, the knowledge that you get while talking to them, the fields that you pass by, the local houses from where the kids come out running to see a person whom they haven't seen previously and all the customs and traditions which we as city dwellers can never experience. They still, also, use the traditional methods of cooking with the dried up wood what we call as the "Choolaah"

2) The smile and the warmth of the people whom you might not know and yet they would stand and explain to you, how they are related and then their favourite statements "How would you remember us? The last you had seen was when you were 6 years old!" What memory!!!!!! :-o

3) The weather during evening times is absolutely awesome! I have been experiencing breeze which we "could probably" experience only during Winters in city.

4) The sanctity of the holy places would have to be seen to be believed. The precision with which people follow each of these practices shows the power of beliefs! At many of the temples, including the local one,that I have visited the people still don't cross the path if they see the priest coming. The temples still haven't been commercialised. I have been completely bowled over by a group of 3 kids who used to come ever evening, until their schools started, to recite Bhajans. I doubt if this could be ever seen in the city.

5) Everything over here is so planned and organised in their own little way. We as city dwellers never get time from our usual schedule to have lunch on time, to have tea on time or probably to reach home for dinner on time. But here day in- day out,their schedules never go wrong. Breakfast is sharp at 7 (not for me though), another tea session by 11, followed by lunch at 1pm, Snacks at 4 and finally dinner by 10 pm. They plan for their day-to-day activity in advance. Like for eg. cut the wood and store well in advance before rains for cooking purposes. And to add to it they live a HAPPY (content) LIFE. Makes me wonder, what is it that I am searching for in life?

Each day that gets me a new experience, good or bad, has only reinforced my decision of having taken up a rural internship for my Summers.

So its finally an end for a new Beginning!

I reached college way earlier than the prescribed time by my group for discussing a Viva we are supposed to attend in two hours from now. As usual the discussions would take place an hour before the Viva!

On my way, I was receiving mails regarding a certain picture in which a friend of mine tagged the entire class. She wrote "to all my MMS DIV B friends...i love u way too much...and il always cherish these memories...the BESTEST...class...and the bestest and loveliest pple i have ever met!...mwaaahhh......HUGS***" With the first academic year coming to an end in the next few days everyone seems to be on an emotional high, except one (atleast openly.)

The last one year has seen ups and downs, most of them evident and as ugly as they are evident! Unfortunate! A class which began on good terms, should have had atleast the unity to end it on good terms.

Me on my front am happy that I am doing good with everyone. Touchwood! (Honestly speaking, quiet unusual of me!) I love the entire class and am enjoying my rapport which I had over the last one year. I hit off on a good note with Mandar, Nikhil and Abhilekh.

Over the year, I developed a great rapport with Pen, Manalee and Daxa. People whom I would never forget in my life. As I moved ahead my friendship grew with the Gang of Dudes (Pahwa,Rohit,Gaurav,Farzad,Rahul & Nautanki Pratik) excellent guys with whom I share the last row in class room. The fun and frolic during lecture, in between lectures and after lectures would not have been as fun, if they weren't around. Infact on days when they wouldn't be around, the class would look as gloomy and silent as a graveyard! Moving on still further into the year I found friends like Divyesh, Advait, Vijeyta, Disha and Pooja. I have been sharing an excellent conversation with the first and the last, over the last few weeks. While Divyesh has been busy enlightening me with the various facts of hospitality industry (its immensely interesting to listen to someone as passionate as him) Pooja has been entertaining with her unbeatable PJ's. I have been lucky to be a part of the so called "you & I rock-60-comment" conversation on Facebook with her, filled with utter nonsense and I'm proud of it because I feel that was a tough fight, I gave her. That's going to be remembered life long!

The year also introduced me to friends like Tarang Vasa (incidentally my FIRST FRIEND in college, offered me a mint on Day 1) with whom my day starts with "Namo Jinanam". I am sure that would be for the rest of my life.

Also found some interesting and innovative friends, a tag which none other than Chinmay THE Sakhale can deserve. Chinmay's idea of Buffalo Dress would, Inshallah, come true one day and Inshallah, may he himself play a big role in it! Sanchetti, really enjoyed all our conversations regarding Chattisgarh! We shall plan a trip one day, Inshallah! Btw the other thing I cannot forget you would be for,"White White Face dekhe...dil yeh sasura...." :D Hahaha!

Rujuta's timing of jokes can hardly be matched by anyone except Hrishi! Okkaayy Hrishi! :D I remember Rujuta standing beside me, waiting for some transfer of files on her Pen drive and apna very own "Sam www.160by2.com" picked up a chocolate and asked "kiska chocolate hain yeh?" Rujuta's reply as instant as "0.5 of a second" was "Cadbury ka" and I was roaring with Laughter for the timing of the reply! Sam's reaction was also worth seeing!

Hrishi's timings and mimicry exploits have to be seen to be believed! His antics would always be a part of the most memorable moments of MMS-B. The tri-kone Abhishekh, Ritesh and Pednekar were the ones who used to light up the mood in the last benches. While Pednekar would be with me for the next year too, Abhishekh (this guy is an information database and is fantastic to talk to! Will miss that buddy!) and Ritesh would be sorely missed. Ritesh simply for the fact that he is like the News Feed on Facebook! But on a serious note that guy inspires me as well, as mentioned in one of my earlier posts.

Amongst the other members in the class are Satish, Ashish and Gazala. Must mention that they really were excellent people to go on a trip with! Will forever remember the masti during the Alibaugh trip! Satish apna challenge next sem main continue karenge! We will now play for the ultimate, who attended college THE LEAST in the two years! Apne upar reality television banega, hum kya karte hain jab hum college nahi jaate! 24 hours camera around us, tracing our lives! Hahaha! Phunsukh I love you! Nimyaaa, apna very own desi version of Harry Potter is awesome to be with! Dude, I simply envy the way you sit around for all lectures w/o fail.

There were some silent people who nevertheless haven't gone unnoticed, like Mrinalini, Noor, Mangesh, Bhairav, Abhay, Aakash, Chetan Navare,Hasaan, Sayeed and Sanjeev Kumar. Never had an opportunity to interact much with them but yet they made the class what it is. Thanks to each one of you!

I was never once interested to sit on the first bench but that wouldn't mean that I dislike the first benchers. Reshma, Shahinda, Pooja and Purnima (Mahila Mandal) tried their best to make a boring audience (from prof's view) an informative and questioning class! For classmates like Shimoni and Shweta, it was interesting to see their presentation. Must admit they were among the most interesting I have seen, Niche Marketing being one amongst them. Andrew, buddy you would be remembered for that dance clip posted on Facebook more than your Financial knowledge. No offence but people generally remember others for something extraordinary done and I feel that your dance was way, way, way, way extraordinary than you financial acumen, which is without a doubt fantastic in itself! Keep those dancing shoes on mate! Dr.Kanika, it was fantastic to know you. I still remember you were the only one who took me in her group during the first I.T. presentation and I thank you for that! :D Irfan, mere bhai! The amount of efforts and planning you do behind your work is really inspiring. I hope someday if I get 1/10th of it, I would really be some person then! :D

Finally as I draw to the last lot of classmates they are the ones with whom I had the time of my life, MY FIRST INDUSTRIAL VISIT" Pramod, Pooja Surve, Nikhil Patkar, Sushant Sonawane and Snehalata. Fantastic trip because of the show stopper,a.k.a Nikhil Patkar! Thank you people!

Life is definitely such, people do take some place in your life, in a good or bad way but there would always be some or the other memory which would make you smile one day and that is FOR SURE!

Now to the person who despises all of this, Anukool! For you Anukool "I love you Darling. But life has to move on, so from now on I will search for a new darling to replace you."

Finally the last is always reserved for the best,isn't it? So lets move to the TOPPERS! M&G! (Sounds cool like D&G huh?) M, that exasperation on your face ,when once during the lecture, the guys passed your slippers to the other end of the class would never be forgotten. G, the "noise" in the class would be missed! The energy that you brought about would definitely be a big add on for the H.R. class. Cute naaaaa????? (Stop nodding your head for once, I can see you doing that! :P ) Wonder where you get all that from? Keep topping in life ladies! I'm sure we would never see anyone like the two of you, ever!

I WILL MISS EACH ONE OF YOU! (minus my ex-darling Anukool, no more flying kisses to you)

Random Thoughts...

Confidence comes from Action and not Words!

Finally found it!

Yeah I finally found one of my poems which I had written long back. It was selected by the website where I had posted it (poetry.com)for some worldwide competition and they wanted to publish it in their coffee book. But for some weird reasons I didnt give them a green signal. Today after long I felt like reading it and after a bit of a struggle found it online. Really glad I could find it as I have lost my original book where I used to pen my thoughts.

"WHEN...."

"When the heart beats wild and loud,
When vision sees it all around,
When days are meant to wonder and dream,
When words are less to describe it may seem!
When un encountered days seem dark and gloomy,
When time tests your patience with pain and agony,
When this pain you are ready to bear for life,
When for the person you are ready to strive!
When company is all that you long,
When time together is treasured all along,
When every second is ruled by the thoughts,
When every word and action means a lot!
When pain you are ready to take and joy share,
When for someone you are always there!
When this is how in life you feel,
When this is how before life you kneel,
This is the time you never know happens how,
This is the time when you fall in love!"

Change

"Three veg and one non-veg Chicago Hot Dogs." we ordered as we decided to stuff ourselves before boarding the plane on 6th of February 2010 for a one night two day trip to Kerala to attend a marriage. An electronics Engineer, a Mechanical Engineer, one failed Engineer and a Finance Fanatic were all excited to attend the wedding of one of their close friends' sister. "Yuck!" exclaimed the Finance guy as he took the first bite of his hot dog. The taste had really not impressed him. Instantly he moved to the next outlet serving ice cream to rectify the bad taste left behind by the hot dog.

As we moved towards the security check it was so different than what it was last year when I had travelled in an airplane.  The security had increased multi fold. The 26/11 attacks had brought the impetuous once again on the security and whatever possible loopholes existed were minimized. The change however was too much to be neglected which actually made me feel more scared. It meant that there were more efforts being made by the extremists to push their point by harming the innocent. I tried to appease myself by putting forth the thought that more security means lesser possibility of anything bad happening but somewhere in my heart it said that if these guys are putting so much efforts it also means that other side wouldn't fall shy of trying something more. I wasn't able to adapt to change even though it was for my own good.

As the flight descended the scenic beauty of Gods Own Country mesmerized me. I was happy to be in my mother state (I call Maharashtra my home state as I was born here). The thought did cross my mind to bow down and kiss the land but felt it would be too much for my friends who as it is feel my actions are nothing less than "A Nautanki". Once again I resisted change.

The journey was told to us would be a short one, however to our surprise it took us an hour to reach Le Meridien Kochi. Hungry as a famine hit person, we headed straight to the restaurant. Thankfully the Buffet was still on. The hotel was running on 100% occupancy owing to the marriage. As we settled with our lunch word arrived that, the 4 of us had to share a room. At the first place I was a bit skeptical but realized that this time I have to try out how it is to adjust and adapt to the changed circumstances. What caught my attention was that we had to cross the backwaters on a boat to reach our tower.

The change which I had to adapt wasn't too difficult. The beds even though were small it wasn't small enough for two. ☺ It would have been LUXURY for one and IT WAS COMFORTABLE for two!  Spring beds are never too late for any age and soon enough we were testing its durability. Thankfully it adapted to the change in the weight it had to carry. Finally we gave up and decided to rest out backs. Phew! We got ready for the evening where in another new tradition awaited.

Sangeet which is a never heard tradition in South of India, especially in Kerala was nothing short of a full on Concert! Sivamani performed and the crowd only wanted more. "Jugalbandi" between a 'Percussionist', a 'Violinist', a 'Chenda' artist and a 'Thavil' player was an icing on the cake which actually got the audience to their feet.  The audience had accepted the change in tradition. We slipped into the night with bated breath thinking what would happen the next day.

Day Two was welcomed with a fantastic and heavy breakfast. Good Morning easily transforms into Great Morning if the breakfast is good. Happy Hearts, the four of us moved towards the Convention Centre to witness the Wedding Ceremony. As we discussed about the marriage traditions across our country we realized that slowly and steadily the hall was getting empty. Even before we knew the depleting number was because the marriage ritual was kept short and sweet.  The rush had now moved to the lunch area. The noisy crowd was now substituted with some good light music being played by the live orchestra. Suddenly the crowd in the hall, which should have been lining up to wish the newlywed, was lined up to eat food. In native style it was typical "Naadan (pronounced as naa-done) Food" served on the Banana Leaf. Another change from the usual style that we see in Mumbai ☺ but a pleasant one as well.Happy Hearts once again, we left the dining area and seated ourselves at the entrance. It was 'Bidayi' time.

Emotions were running high. The Bride was being led to the car by her father and her brother followed by her mother. The scene ran in my head when I had first seen her as a child, running around the house. She was notorious as a kid and pampered. Her wish was her father's command and yet she wasn't a spoilt kid. Everything came to me in a flash of a second and disappeared in another flash. Suddenly the reality was right there in front of me. The little kid was now a grown up woman who was being led to a new life. Her perfect smile was now replaced by tears running down her cheeks. She stood in front of the car and hugged her father. Her mother cried but remained strong. She looked around for her best friend and called her near but she couldn't gather the courage. She managed to move a few steps further and stopped. The bride sensing that she was running against time took her steps towards her friend. She hugged her and hugged her tight! She cried! I cried!

My thoughts at this time moved to the new life that she would be starting to live. A changed life, surrounded by new people, new relationships, new traditions & Customs. And pretty soon she is going to accept this change. Soon she would be the lady of the house and no more the kid who used to run around the house in a playful mood. She would be changing to a completely new life.

As my senses began to understand the gravity of this change that the bride would accept, I thought about all the changes that I accepted on my journey to Kerala and said to myself that nothing that we do, could match up to the change that women adapt and adjust to on getting married. I thought, once,twice, before accepting or rejecting change and thought about it a bit too much at times. That moment opened my eyes, hopefully for the rest of my life.

Happy Heart, now Heavy, moved to the hotel room to prepare for return journey. As we boarded the bus the back-benchers (the four of us) decided to keep the window open in the AC bus. The wind brushed past me, thankfully the typical smell with it had not changed! :)


Sent from BlackBerry® on Airtel

Obituary

Its the first time that I sit and write an obituary. Its the first time that I should write an obituary.

The loss itself is so big that I can never put it in words. Its a void which can (i guess) filled by none. I still remember the first time I saw you and immediately at that moment I said to myself,"this is it. what I have been searching for, I have finally found" It wasn't easy but still decided to take up the challenge and woo you & ultimately the day did come when I could hold you in my hands!

Acceptance and appreciation, were not in shortage when you were around. I looked at the world in a different colour through you. You shaded me at times when it was unbearable. Silently, being with you boosted my confidence. There were innumerable times when you protected me from prospective injuries and I failed a couple of times when I had to. But trust me when I say, when you were hurt, so were I.

This time too I failed. Failed, miserably! I didn't have my attention on you and the moment came which could have been avioided, but if only for my forgetfulness. I cannot say I left you behind or you left, both of them mean the same pain, which can never be erased.

I will miss you my darling!

Polaroid Sunglasses (February 2008- January 2010)

Lal Salaam!

I read last night about the loss of Jyoti Basu, undoubtedly who along with Vajpayee is among the last “good breed” of leaders we have left in our country. Unfortunately I couldn’t catch up with the news as tired body pushed me to sleep. However as I woke up today morning I couldn’t stop myself from watching the news, so much so that I decided against going for the first lecture. (anywhich ways watching and learning about Jyoti Basu was much better than Virus, no comparison actually!)
I caught up with news and thankfully NDTV was running a re-telecast of their special show on Jyoti Basu with all top leaders and thinkers joining in to share their thoughts. Pranab Mukherjee, Buddhadeb, Sitaram Yechury, N Ram, Tarun Das and Amartya Sen shared their views on the leader whom they unanimously called “the greatest” in the post independence era!

The program began with visuals of how Bimon Roy came out and announced the sad news. Choked he was and so was everyone else after having heard the news. Wailing people and shouts of Lal Salaam echoed around, as news persons gathered each and every visual that they could. They would have succeeded to make a news with just a simple one liner about the loss. That was the power of the leader which brought me to think about what exactly would you define a leader as, what are the characteristics?

Jyoti Basu was a Leader to everyone. He was a man of Principles who always weighed the Principles set by his comrades above his own preferences. That’s why he didn’t become the Prime Minister when he was invited him to, as his party decided against it. His thoughts though communist were never against the development of the region where he came from. The charisma that he had, would just not be confined to his people but also to his critics and media. In the words of Pranab Mukherjee,”He would definitely have been a good Prime Minister.” In the words of the media,”He was a man who complemented them for our efforts.” That is the reason why today we sit and notice the loss of this great man, who went on to become the longest serving Chief Minister of any state in India. At a time when we find it difficult to have a mandate for a single term, here was a guy who led his state for 2 decades! He was truly a Regional Leader of National stature.

What was also noteworthy was his ability to understand when to exit. Just yesterday, we had a senior person from the industry who came for a lecture and told us that as important it is to venture into something, one should also know when to exit. Abhimanyu in Mahabharta is a fine example of someone who knew only to enter but not to exit. Thankfully Jyoti Basu was no Abhimanyu. He quit from his post and handed over the reins to Budhhadeb in a perfectly timed move which gave him good enough time to prove himself before the elections. This helped him come back to power.

The equations have however changed since then and the Communists are falling into the deep gorge from where revival would only be termed as a miracle. Could Jyoti Basu’s exit give them that miracle? Could they ride on the wave of emotions after his demise to improve their standing in general public. Even if they do, I don’t see that running for long for Jyoti Basu’s leadership has taught the masses in Bengal to think what is right and reject what is wrong in their own ways. That’s the reason we saw unrest in Singur to initiatives led by the same Government whom they had voted to power 7 times in a row.

Jyoti Basu’s death reminded me of an update I had read recently on Facebook,which said "after your death you leave behind your children and what google says about you." Well in case of Jyoti Basu Google might fall short of words because that’s the level of reach that he had with his masses which can never be summed up by anyone. That’s a True Leader!

We will miss you Jyoti Basu for they don’t make them like you, anymore!

R.I.P. Jyoti Basu. Lal Salaam!

What goes around, INDEED comes around!

Many asked why I had not updated my blog as yet, well this one is for them!

College started a week after the New Year and the first day was supposed to be a good one, all because it had only one lecture! According to seniors feedbacks the prof was witty and had sharp one liners. However the taxing part for me was, is and would be, is that there are a handful of subject related to finance! Gosh I should go to "Raaz Pichle Janam Ka" to try and understand why this phobia with numbers! Anyways had that in mind since last few days, duh, not to go to "Raaz...." but the fact that there are so many subjects of Finance in this semester. It has been running constantly in my mind. However, one of the Finance lecture has been made optional for the Marketing guys and vice versa. So today, Saturday, gives me a chance to come home by 4/4:30 because of the optional lecture Finance lecture.

As I got into home today, there was a bit of an excitement to sit with my laptop and the newly installed Wi-Fi at home. However with a few project presentations coming up in the week ahead I wasn't too sure if this was a welcome back home feeling! Besides the fact that I also have 3 lectures tomorrow right from 8:30 in the morning to 6:30 in the evening and of the 3, two are Finance. Mom's handmade sumptuous lunch was too heavy and the hunger only complimented to it. So off went into my stomach, Pulav and Raita and before it would have been difficult for me to get up and walk by myself, I decided to get up from the dining table.

Coming back to my room after a hard days work is indeed one of the best part and so is the bathroom! :D I relaxed on my bed and picked up the little Lenovo and settled to check my mails. I fell asleep and I didn't just realise when!

All that I remember from the dreams is that I was enjoying them and didn't want to wake myself! However the 3 lectures and more over the 2 Finance lectures in it didnt make that feeling the most desired and I got up to realise it was 6:41! WTF! I am late to college and the lecture which I dread the most starts in 2 hours and how would I reach college now? I wondered how come mom missed out on waking me and that terrible feeling only got worse! So I picked up my phone and called mom and (like every other woman) she answered the call only by the second last ring! "Amma I have college, why didn't you wake me!"

Amma : Oh you got college ah? (with a hint of sarcasm)

I was worried now, is it that me being an MBA student at MET, all a part of the DREAM itself? Huh? I just shook myself and in the meanwhile I heard a laughing voice open & enter my room. It was mom and I really couldn't understand why she felt like laughing at a situation which demanded actions immediately and she repeated the same question, "Oh you got college ah?" (with that typical mallu accent)to which I replied with a hint of irritation, "How many ever times you ask me this question my answer wouldn't change." She still couldn't control her laughter and now this was REALLY irritating me!I rolled up the curtains and that sadness which you see around in the morning hours as the sun comes out, was all around, outside my window! My mom slowly controlled her laughter and told me, "Idiot its 6:45 in the evening and you seemed to have got into a real deep sleep!" I have no words to describe how I felt but it instantly took me to a day which must be easily 13 years back if not more when my younger brother Vineet got up in a similar fashion and I actually increased his tension by nodding in agreement and said that he was late for school and the poor fellow started brushing his teeth at 6:45 in the evening! It was the same feeling which he had got 13 years back which I had today!

Indeed, what goes around comes around!

यादृच्छिक THOUGHTS!

Troubles and Opportunities are TWO sides of the same coin!

Revelation!

As promised my last post in this blog regarding my class. This post would have the names of the people whom I have included in earlier posts.

Mr. Champion : Anukool Revoo(also the guy doing masti in my september blog post)
Rani Lakshmi Bai : Pooja Puri
Mr. Fumble : Pratik Ravjiani
Mr. Tumble : Farzad Behruzi
Mr. Humpty : Rohit Ahaley
Mr. Hand of God : Gaurav Bhagat
Mr. Showman : Rahul Singh
Kaccha Limbu : Mousokhi Saha (also the girl whose slippers were passed in my sept blog post)
Certain Group of Three : Irfan, Sarfaraz and Hasan
Topper in Class : Mandar Narkar a.k.a. BABA
Certain Pair of guys Jumping in Air : Divyesh & Sarfaraz
Earnest Helping Guy : Abhishekh Samant
Jugaad Guy : Nikhil Kalgutkar a.k.a. DAYA

& Last but not the LEAST

Mr. Charming : Ritesh "THE" Vaidya

Inspiring Character!

Ok, so this should be the penultimate blog on my class and felt that the apt way of writing this (consider special) post should be by writing who inspires me in this class of 2011.

Thought a lot about it, thought even when I have a viva coming up in less than 48 hours, another viva in less than 10 days, another Viva cum Book Checking (yeah believe what you read!) in less than 2 weeks and when I suck in each of these I sat down to think who is the most inspirational character in the class.

The first day came back to my mind, all those who came ahead and introduced themselves to me, the following days when the trend continued and thereafter when the cricket began, followed by the masti! So who's inspirational? The class would be the most diplomatic answer but diplomacy isn't the word in this post.

Lets for the moment call him Mr.X. I really don't recollect when did I actually start talking to Mr.X but the guy is quiet different than most. What is outstanding is his quality to be cool and calm even at trying times! He is funniest when it comes to jokes and infectious when it comes to laughter. Even when he is irritating, I am sure the opposite sex find him adorable! Arrghhh that's a quality which not many can have, take my word! (My jokes got branded and became famous as "Vipin's" all thanks to my ex. but yet she roared with laughter and I loved that!) He is suave with his words and actions and rarely leaves anyone unhappy with their conversation. He makes the person very comfortable to converse with his own style of making you feel important with his rapt attention. He gels well within any group (even if he has his own) and hops from one place to another in no time, before the lecture starts you would see him at one place and immediately the next moment he might vanish!

With what it looks, he seems to be a pretty organised fella but yet doubts himself sometimes. Infact this "sometimes" syndrome makes him stop most of the times even if he's confident about something to answer in class. Somehow he still manages to get his work done because he very well knows his weaknesses and plays well to his strengths. He likes taking responsibilities and initiatives but sometimes lacks the fire to give that extra push! However I am sure with time he will learn this as well and then no one would be able to stop him from achieving some/many great things in his lifetime. His quality, to be not just with his grades but also make the presence of the fun, felt in his life puts him in a different league. He never fails to learn from his opportunities and fights with all that he has, to survive.

Unfortunately his boyish looks and his "keeda" makes people take him lightly even when he knows to switch modes. Infact to put his qualities in a few words is his "ability to balance" I am sure it's this ability of his that will take him a long way.

All the best Mr. Charming, I am sure you'd keep inspiring me forever!

Gladiators in College!

An interest flowed in, off lately, regarding the blog and everyone wanted to know who the nick names were. I wouldn't know that, neither would I name, or else how would the "guessing" factor remain?

As days passed since the first time I stepped in PG I've been trying hard, not to allow my lazy past to set its foot into my education life, once again. Alas, I see the signs of it already with self delayed projects and assignments. If other colleges give pressure situation to their students, I wouldn't want to be left behind and so the self induced pressure."Whatever" said my life, to my so called rationale thought!

So to keep up the good work of self induced pressure, I watched a movie last night. GLADIATORS! Yeah so many years after its release and having broken quiet a few of the Box Office records, I finally managed to watch it.

I knew that it's a motivational movie and I was completely geared up to watch and get inspired for the coming week filled with projects and presentations. Dhan Ta Dhan! The movie starts and the main protagonist is walking down the sidelines of the war field and inspecting his troops when I suddenly hear a word, "huzur" Aying! Is my mind doing instant translation of the English words? Ok maybe I just need to relax. "Huzur" again it said. I adjusted the volume, even though it was at the maximum (lowered it first and then increased it again :p ) "Shakti aur..." Now this one was too real to be my imagination, so I FF (Fast Forward re duh!) the movie and to my sweetly inspired mood I found that I would be watching the "Hindi" version of Gladiator! Thankfully they were still called Gladiators throughout the movie. :-)

The movie was still inspiring I felt and especially the scene in which players played as a team against their enemy on Chariots in their first game of death! The way they protected the team and consequently self was the perfect example of what team work is, and then striking the enemy when the right moment comes. This is the perfect recipe of success! The movie got over and I wouldn't want to sit and do any review about it, because I liked everything in it. So, I sat down to give a thought if I see GLADIATORS in any of my classmates? A class filled with people who have just passed or would have at the maximum a year back, could it have GLADIATORS? A term which still stands to valour, truthfulness and ability to perform, is that there in the kids around me?

My first thought was to analyse the groups in the class. My next thought was to understand each of them. So the ones whom I didn't know were out of the fray and so the filteration provided me with a group who have it in them to become Gladiators. Or is it? The Gang of Dudes!

Mr,Fumble the perfect team man, who is ready to do anything for his team. Someone who is exuberant and who is charged up always. I wonder at times, where does he get this bundle of energy? Loud and lavish with his emotions he is always truthful. Infact his pranks are contagious!

The next in line is Mr.Hand of God! Extremely calm and composed, he is. Rarely have I seen him talking unless required! He chooses his words and emotions for the right moment but at the same time never fails to live the moment. Fantastically gifted, Mr.HOG, I feel is the silent backbone of the group. His silence is his strength as it helps the group for some well needed opinion at times, unnerving. I think its got to do with his love for music and arts!

Now its time for Mr.Humpty! Towering personality, that's what comes first in my mind when I think about him. Soft spoken most of the times but when the moment comes he can really stick to a point, with an authoritarian voice. The best part about him is that he asks Questions and even though all his Questions might not be on target but that doesn't shy him away from asking them again! That indeed is a quality which few posses, to question and get an answer. They say Good Questions make Good Answers and Mr.Humpty surely is on his way!

While everyone in the group is silent and questioning and ennergetic there's one who seems to be always lost, Mr.Tumble. He keeps tumbling with his thoughts but believe you me, is creatively sharp! Infact his doped looks forces you to mistake his abilities and so did I! Whenever he opens his mouth, he is a laugh riot, knowingly or unknowingly! But, undoubtedly, his best point is that he doesn't stop doing, what he cannot, just because he cannot do it!

That brings me to the final Gladiator, Mr. Showman! He is always there, everywhere! That makes him sound like a Superman but I shall keep that one for a future day. Mr. Showman, is good in Networking and at the sametime is lovable! He has the knack of pulling around people (guys & girls alike) when required. He loves taking initiatives in activities where the geeky type wouldn't want to and he puts his best into it, always! Full of expressions, he never fails to emote his feelings to just anyone! Mr.Showman lives each day as it comes and always loves being there and doing that!

Together, they form a nice group (Touchwood) but have to realise their true potential as yet. I did see them collecting study material once before a test and that was indeed nice as together they are a formidable force. Their strength is their Unity. Their strength is their belief in each other. Their strength is in their truthfulness to one another. Their strength is in their desire to do things together. Their strength is, to bring together everyone in the class. Their strength is in enjoying each moment without fail, it's as if their motto! Their strength is their infectious attitude! Their strengths will continue to keep flowing in with time, INSHALLAH!

Kudos guys! Keep rocking GANG OF DUDES!!

Random Thought...

Another Random thought...

If you conquer your fear of something, you would be in love with it forever, later in life!

Phir se wahi hasssiiii!!!!!!!!! :D

"Nikhil yaar, pak raha hain aaj kal college aane ko! No one seems to be interested in college these days!" Little did I realise that just minutes after I said that to my friend (who is also known as "C.I.D. ka Daya" )I would walk into the lecture of my life, atleast MBA life.

Presentations were always known to be stress creators, especially 15 minutes before the actual. But in M.E.T. we dare to bust that MYTH! Yeah hell! Come on! Presentations could really be fun if its the way done in my class, all fun and really no one interested to listen, unless it's a certain Mr.Bond!

The class ventured into a "paper fight" as the professor sat in the front row to grade the presentation. Paper Fight after long (oops does that make me sound too old)made the class go berserk to say the least! The obvious aim of the perpetrators was Mr. Fumble, but once he left it was Mr.Champion. For a while it was also Mr.Charming who was targeted but he immediately with "chance pe dance" move, took a seat right behind the professor!!!

Back to the masti, what was surprising was this charge was being led by a lady! I have never seen that sight in my life, a lady leading the charge to do masti in a classroom! Usually ladies/ girls are supposed to be coy and "superficially" respectful to the professors, but here is a lady who was leading as fearlessly as similar to, probably, Rani Lakshmibai on the battle field. And battle field it was, the way it looked towards the end of the lecture.

It was raining paper missiles left, right, up & down for Mr. Champion who occasionally opened the book to shield himself. He looked like a street thief who was being mauled by the passerby's! So what does Mr.Champion do to save his reputation, especially in front of ahhmmmm....., he gets up and picks an empty mineral water bottle! huh? Dude! Are you in your right senses was the question each of the perpetrators asked, as they immediately stopped showering him with the paper. Mr. Champion was stunned and you could see it through his bespectacled eyes, as he sat down. That moment , that very moment as he sat down he was immediately showered with missiles once again! Yes once again!! That spontaneity of the perpetrators can never be matched! That very moment gave birth to another something, my laughter, which I wouldn't have had in a while. This time it was the same as the one, I remember, I had during engineering. It was difficult to control, to keep the sound low and even more difficult to stop. It was HEARTY!

The day, mentioned here, can be matched only to an engineering lecture which I can never forget in my life and "yours truly" was "THE PERPETRATOR" then! In one of the drawing lectures, the seniormost professors at K. J. Somaiya was teaching us, as the attendance (the love of my life for which I attended lecs in Somaiya, if I did) sheet was moving around the classroom. I happily put my name in the sheet for the first time,which others were signing for the 5th time! (But I do have the record of not missing my name on even a single sheet!) As the sheet completed its duties and responsibilities it was happily kept on the first bench by a studious geek, under his PENCIL BOX! I asked for it, on the pretext of checking my attendance. The girl ahead, gave me a stare which was self explanatory, "Dude, are you really serious?" it said. Nevertheless she realised it was better to pass me the sheet as that would keep me occupied in the otherwise not so enterprising lecture. As I scrolled through the sheet I don't know how and why that "keeda", as they say, just wouldn't let me sit idle! I picked up the pen and immediately added another name to the sheet; "Digen Verma" If people remember, this was an Ad by Frooti in which they created this fictional character "Digen Verma" and started shouting,"Digen Verma ko bhi Frooti pasand hain!" to create the wave! Yes, it was that Digen Verma whom I had got into my classroom and the laughter in the class and mine too is something which I can still not forget! It was the same yesterday as well and I have no doubts when I say this, that it's "one of the memorable laughter's".

All thanks to my classmates!

Phir se Wahi Hasssiiii!!!!!

Back to the Game!

So its college life and what a way to live. Every alternate day it’s the game of Cricket which brings together around 12 bright young minds to play on the college grounds under the sweltering heat! What gain would it have, nobody knows and nobody cares as long as we play and enjoy!

It’s amazing to see how much power the game has in getting the guys on to the field and a certain girl on to the sidelines. Feel bad sometimes that we cannot take her in the game even as a “Kachha Limbu”.

It’s also heartening to see some of the guys playing to impress on their passing (girl) classmates. His friends wouldn’t want to be left behind and join in to appreciate the so called shot, even if the poor guy is fielding. After all that's what friends are for, "pehle maar ne ka, phir marva ne ka!" :))

The game also managed to pull a certain group of three who generally don’t mix in with the class and what a player one of them is! His shots clear the ground by miles! Immense power and timing something on the lines of an "in form Dhoni". Sweet timing and immense power which gets maximum results most of the times! It also produces the sweet sound when it comes right from the middle of the bat.

The game also pulled in the topper of the class. The sad soul is called by that name ever since he scored above others in a certain class test. He has almost vowed never to repeat that performance of his but he just cant get his vow right! Infact I guess coming to play was a blessing in disguise for him, as he could remove the mask of studiousness from his face with some princely shots and an excellent catch! His shorts are perfect cricketing ones, unlike most of the others. The problem with him is that he underestimates himself a lot and should do things, he fears, more frequently to get rid of them. His passion is his strength, if only he believes in it as much as I do in his ability.

The game is played in utmost spirit of sportsmanship and is played to enjoy equally. There was a point during todays match when the bowler himself declared a ball as wide, this inspite his team mates protesting. Camaraderie is at its best when some wickets fall, like a certain pair of guys jump in the air and give hi-fives! It’s serious fun like they say.

Fumble and tumble are the entertainers! Fumble a certain able-well-built guy is a weak player. So weak that the guys sometimes jokingly act to have selected the girl ahead of him! Tumble on the other hand, tumbles all over the place whenever he manages to connect the ball to the bat, like the way he keeps tumbling with his thoughts! They are nothing short of the entertainment which cheerleaders provide to T20, not in the sense of their sensual appeal but purely in terms of their entertainment. Infact in todays match they were sorely missed. Nevertheless both the matches played today went down till the last ball. It was the exceptional efforts of the batsman in the first match and the bowler in the second which won their respective teams.

The game has a charm which can never leave a true Indian, irrespective of their age. That’s the reason I went ahead to play it even though I had never ventured on to a cricket ground ever since I was 14 years old!

If I look at it from the perspective of a management student, there are still a lot of loopholes in the whole way the team plays. Encouragement from team mates isn’t consistent. It helps a lot to hear your team mates clap for you and the whole team shouting your name in support. There is an adrenaline rush which comes and helps you to make a productive contribution. But nevertheless they still are a great company to be with, the Cricketing group!

Sadly the studies are going to take prominence over this game and the whole fun of playing it. I am sure, when I pass out this would be one of those memories which I would treasure FOREVER and EVER!

Bus ek wajah...

Har khushi main kuch kum hain,
Har lamha, yeh aankhen num hain,
Har khushi hain baygaani kal se,
Har lamha tham gaya ho jaise,
Bus ek wajah se,
jisne badal di is zindagi ki har rah,
Bus ek wajah,
jisne mitta di sari chah,

Aaj phir woh sham ayi jab hum mile,
Aaj phir woh sham aayi jab hum bhoole saare shikwe aur gillay.
Par is rah main ab humain aur chalna hain,
Is rah main humain aur joonhjhna hain.
Bus us ek wajah ke liye jisse humain ek khwaab sa dekha hain,
Bus us ek wajah k liye jisse Khudda ne bhi kabhi nahi roka hain!

Random Thoughts Once Again

Just thought to post/share another random thought which came whilst making a project. Here it goes...

"Life always lets you have an option, that’s the best part about life, but how to make use of that option depends on how best you could make use of that opportunity.
One of the ironies of life is that if you don’t make the best use of the option it always makes you pay for it."