IMAGES OF LIFE

Sand & Sea

2011-12-18T23:58:00.002+05:30

For a hydrophilous like me, it is difficult to say a no for a trip to Goa. What is difficult though is finding a nice secluded beach admist the maddening December rush for Goa. But over the last couple of years, i have found a perfect getaway... far from the rush of the buzzling north Goa beaches, lies a recluse stretch of near pristine white sand and salty water. A place where clock ticks slow while waves brush ashore, it is an ideal break from the daily routine. For it's not without a reason, that it is said -

The cure of anything is the saltwater - sweat, tears or the sea

Hope - an antidote to eternal bliss

2011-11-15T22:48:00.002+05:30

Life is nothing but a Colosseum where mere mortals are given an improbable hope of achieving immortality. Only with the sadistic intention to make the battle seem less lopsided. Fools that we are, we fall for the bait. But then again, isn't this a classic case of "Ignorance is bliss"; what else do you expect? Truth is too bitter to swallow and hope is the only sweetener. Oh yeah, i did forget prayer which keeps one is oblivion.

But for how long can one be stupid? Supposedly infinitely. Well at least that seems to be the master plan.

Look not above, there is no answer there;
Pray not, for no one listens to your prayer;
Near is as near to God as any Far,
And Here is just the same deceit as There.

Is there a way out? Not that I have found one or am likely to find. But then for those who have it in them to endure the pain of fighting an already lost battle just for the sake of giving it a fight rather than dying timidly. Salute, for even the undertaker will be ashamed for once.

Ducks in a row

2011-06-27T00:06:00.002+05:30

The problem with getting all your ducks in a row, a line is that they are bloody difficult to fetch especially if you are not a materialistic simpleton who would be satisfied with a good job, house, car etc...
If only... ignorance was bliss!!! Actually it is, if you are irrevocably retarded to have any inkling of the truth and your curiosity levels ain't very high. Curiosity kills... literally and sometimes slowly!!!

Back to the ducks... and getting them in a line, I have had serious trouble in figuring out their positions. That sometimes makes me wonder if it's actually worth an effort to get them rest alone in a line. For goals can be deceptive, an unaimed arrow never misses!!!

Adieu 2010

2010-12-29T00:37:00.001+05:30

Ever felt the sadness in that parting moment when you suddenly realize that you are at the (b)end of the road. You don't want to leave but have to. It's time to depart even though there is no certain place to go. You wish if you could make time stop, even if only for a while. You want to capture that moment in its entirety but the fear of losing it grips you completely. Its then, when it dawns upon you that the same river cannot be entered twice and certain roads are oneway!!!
But a little ahead is another bend, awaiting another journey...

Adieu 2010, you were special for reasons more than one. 2011, for a new start on old habits!!!

Why Ayodhya is important?

2010-09-25T23:00:00.004+05:30

Arguably, the most anticipated verdict ever to be delivered in India's judicial history got delayed due to an unprecedented stand taken by the apex court. To transgress its proclaimed logical process and defer the verdict is a risky move. But it only accentuates the importance of the verdict, testimonial to the anxiety among the judiciary, politicians and masses alike. And why not, for who can forget the aftermath of Babri demolition and the 92 riots?

But 2010 provides a wonderful opportunity for the people of this country to redeem themselves. India stands at the edge of vindicating itself from incessant accusations of communal disharmony, fanaticism and bigotry, if only India can show the maturity and tolerance in accepting the non biased verdict of the Supreme Court. I am optimistic that whatever be the verdict, this generation has capability to accept and adher to it. This might well be the defining moment in India's history for it might reinstate her belief in herself.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Let the truth prevail, but not at the cost of innocent lives ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Life beyond life...

2010-08-09T00:00:00.000+05:30

The search for life beyond life seems to be eternal. There hasn't been a single morning that i haven't yearned for that freedom. And NO, i don't hate my current life. But there is something missing.... it is not money, status or friends. It is something beyond the tangible. Perhaps, it is more to do with not being able to travel as much as i wish. Something that itches me more than anything else. This year has been particularly disappointing with travel plans... no monsoon treks, no long tours and no backpacking trips. But then it's difficult to get all the ducks in the line. I have even started to wonder if they can ever be lined up ;)

Catharsis is the need of the hour and there is no better way than to wander in the search of white clouds...

~~ A prayer for the wild at heart kept in cages ~~

Reader

2010-04-28T23:24:00.003+05:30

For too long i have been guilty of not nurturing my inherent interest in reading. Probably, it's bcos of the lack of time and a long list of varied interests, perhaps both. However, I managed to rejuvenate this lost interest of mine by reading two short nice novels over the last week.

The Great Indian Novel - by a certain Shashi Controversy Tharoor ensconces on my desk; but it's not very tempting... any suggestions???

PS: If you are wondering whats with the blog title, i just love that movie...

Beyond the obvious

2010-03-04T22:58:00.001+05:30

Somewhere beneath the unacceptable fanaticism maligning every present day religion, somewhere hidden amidst the extremism originating from the (mis)interpretation of every faith, lies that eternal mystic bliss experienced only through pure divine sensation of the absolute. That something which unfortunately only a few could experience; but the ones who did, couldn't limit it to themselves. What they left behind is the soothing sound and heart touching lyrics of Sufi music, the unfathomable secrets of the Vedas, the thought provoking yet simple rhetorical stories of Zen.

Here is one of my fav sufi kalam ->
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And here is one of my fav zen stories ->

An old Zen story tells of a pilgrim who mounted his horse and crossed formidable mountains and swift rivers seeking a famous wise man in order to ask him how to find true enlightenment. After months of searching, the pilgrim located the teacher in a cave.

The Master listened to the question and said nothing. The seeker waited. Finally, after hours of silence, the Master looked at the steed on which the pilgrim had arrived, and asked the pilgrim why he was not looking for a horse instead of enlightenment.

The pilgrim responded that obviously he already had a horse. The Master smiled, and retreated into his cave. Very indicative! The Master said, ”Why don’t you search for a horse? Why do you bother about Buddhahood?”

And the man said, ”What nonsense are you talking about? The horse is already with me. I have got the horse!Why should I seek it?”

And the Master didn’t say anything – he simply smiled and retreated into his cave. Finished! He had given the answer.

You are a Buddha. You cannot search for it. That is the great declaration of all the great religions – that you are gods and goddesses in disguise, incognito.

You have forgotten your own identity, you don’t know who you are. Hence all seeking. And sometimes you start seeking that which you are already. Then it is impossible to find... then frustration.

Don’t start seeking, just start looking at what is the case. Looking into the reality as it is, is enough. That is the meaning of Zen people when they say ”Be herenow” – look into reality.

Nothing is missing, all is already here. Listening to it, please avoid creating an ideal; otherwise your ideal will mislead you.

~ ~ ~ For Peace, Nirvana and Bliss!!! ~ ~ ~

Mumbai and it's Shores

2010-02-07T22:44:00.009+05:30

I love clicking the sea... there is something about it which is very blissful.There is nothing so desperately monotonous as the sea; yet it is not boring. A few random pics of mumbai's sea-face. They happen to be my favorite strolling places as well...

This one is taken from a moving car when passing bandra reclamation.

This one is taken from my mobile cam; a panoramic view of chowpatty

This pic is taken from my canon ixus; sunset @ Gateway of India

all at sea ...
my thoughts and me

neither captive

... nor free

~ ~ ~ ~

Mumbai Marathon 2010

2010-01-31T19:55:00.001+05:30

Running is the closest i come to meditating. The Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon 2010 renewed my love for running which until was overpowered by my lethargic-ness. The target is completing half-marathon next year!!!

To each his own way, it is through diversity that unity is achieved, and through duality the ultimate truth of non-duality.

Courage

2010-01-15T01:10:00.000+05:30

You are not courageous when you don't stand for your own rights. You are not courageous when you don't defend your own children. You are not courageous if you sit like a dumb when every one else around you is constantly harassing you. You are not courageous when you don't kill those who are hell bound to kill you.

You are nothing but a coward when you choose to be oblivious even if your very own are hunted and ruthlessly stabbed in some fucking island where there are more kangaroos than men; You are a coward when a particular neighbor of yours, since more than half a decade is standing on your last nerve and yet you don't kick his ass. You are a coward when a communist neighbor of yours sets his eyes on your land and you choose not to react.

There is no false in saying that India is craven; too afraid of political fallout to maintain a principled stand. Unfortunately, we live in a country that boasts too much and does too little. Super power my foot!!!

It's not as it looks like ...

2010-01-02T19:32:00.001+05:30

Ever felt that few things in life are overrated/overhyped and vice versa;
Overrated:-
~ Success
~ Love
~ New year Parties
~ McDonald's Burger, CCD's Coffee and Domino's Pizza.
~ Experience

Underrated:-
~ Loneliness
~ Platonic relationships.
~ Monsoon/Rains

It's that time of the year

2010-01-01T10:04:00.000+05:30

It's that time of the year again:-

~ To bid farewell and retrospect a little on the year gone by.

~ To cherish the memories it has left behind.

~ To make new year resolutions.

~ To welcome the new year with hands spread wide.

Here's wishing all a very happy new yr!!!

~ ~ ~ For Peace, Tranquility and Health!!! ~ ~ ~

One Fine Sunday

2009-12-25T12:04:00.001+05:30

I left home on 13th Dec completely exhausted from incessant work, weekend recruitment drives, ill-timed cricket matches and social engagements. All i had with me was the to-fro railway tickets. I had booked the return tickets from Delhi and that yielded one of my best days. Not bcos i could visit Taj Mahal, but bcos i could roam around delhi enjoying the company of some1 who seemed like a long lost best-friend i was meeting again. To start a day @ 8.30 am on a lazy Sunday obviously drew raised eyebrows; but in the end, i could only wish that I had a few more hrs with me. Its difficult to explain how a normal tourist exercise of roaming in a new city became so special. There are very few times when you experience something surreal; all one should do is "live the moment". Bcos life is defined in such moments. On a fine sunday morning in delhi,I lived life!!

On a Rainy weekend

2009-10-06T00:36:00.000+05:30

With travel plans going awry for the long weekend, there were only a few options i had... to clear the backlog of pending work (reading, studies and some stuff) or watch movies and hang out with friends. No brownies for guessing the correct option!!! So here's the list of movies i could manage:-
1. Inglorious Bastards
2. Wakeup Sid
3. Girl with the pearl earring
4. Notting hill ( i dunno why they keep on showing it again n again ) :P

I so wanted to watch 500 days of summer... but that will have to wait till the next weeknd.

Any one reading this and a earlier few posts on this page can easily assume me to be a movie freak, but i m so not. Infact, watching movies is hardly on my list. That makes me realize, i end up doing more things off the list than on it.

Oh just in case, you are wondering why did i title the post "On a Rainy weekend"... i did manage to get drenched in the rains. For i thought it was gonna be the last rain of the season and if god turns the tap on, one must bathe... only if i had known he wasn't gonna turn if off.

Images of life..

2009-09-25T23:24:00.000+05:30

Just bcos pictures speak a thousand words and I am lazy, instead of writing a blog about what has kept me busy in last couple of months i thought of posting a collage...

Moviez

2009-07-12T00:30:00.001+05:30

Friday nite usually means watching a late night movie @ home. No, i am so not talking about the latest blockbuster. I have a different taste when it comes to movies (and everything else). There are a few really good ones that i have watched over the last couple of months or so. Below is the list:-

Before Sunrise
Freedom Writers
Reader
Revolutionary Road
The Lake House
Sweet November
Before Sunset

Get Set Wet

2009-06-23T00:02:00.001+05:30

This time of the year and it still isn't raining in Mumbai, quite unusual. But yesterday's drizzle seems to have brought some respite from the relentless heat. Even the Wimbledon has started. I have fond memories of watching the tournament in my good old days sipping along hot tomato soup. Monsoon also means treks and a few unexpected ( but very much loved) holidays. Its my best season of the year. So wish u all a very wet monsoon...

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain

PS: I hope Roger doesn't win the 15 title. That would be so unfair to Sampras.

Just thought of adding a few pics i took on the first day it rained in mumbai.

VOTE - 09

2009-04-16T00:51:00.000+05:30

Starting tomorrow, India goes to poll. And i can't stop but ponder about how will this election make a difference? It brings me to conclusion that we are living in a failed democracy where elections are fought on no relevant issues but caste and religion. Almost all parties have criminals as their candidates. There are countless regional parties thereby making it absolutely clear that none of the parties are going to cross magic mark on their own. The fractured verdict seems inevitable. In spite of all these depressing facts, it is absolutely necessary to vote. Not because its our right, but more because its our duty. For years we have only talked about rights, easily forgetting our duties. This is sole reason for the failure of Indian Democracy.
However, Indian democracy is the largest in the world. No where else in the world, can election arrangements be facilitated so efficiently to cater such a wide, diverse population to allow a county go to poll.For this, the election commission needs to be complimented. But its real worth is realized only when we cast our vote. So its imperative to cast vote for this election to be a real success.

When on break...

2009-03-08T10:37:00.000+05:30

Not many would be lucky to get a 2 weeks off (break) every year. While i have managed to do that as i have now changed jobs twice in last year and a half. So i decided to make good use of the break by traveling to a couple of places:-
1) Gujarat - Jamnagar, Dwarka
2) Goa - Shiroda, Vagator, Colva

Goa, i have been there earlier a couple of times but hadn't been there recently. Now i plan to visit it frequently bcos Goa is really beautiful in monsoon.
There are a couple of travel plans this year:-
1) Igatpuri (Vipassana)
2) Chandratal
3) Bhandardara
...

I am not sure if any of these would be completed, but i m sure gonna try my best to get most of them covered. Its difficult to get off's these days, so its surely not going to be easy. :) :)

Transition...

2009-02-16T11:15:00.000+05:30

The last couple of weeks...near about a month has seen unprecedented happenings personally. So much has happened in this short duration of time. To start with, lost my grandpa, the old man lived a youth's life. The irony of life is that death isn't celebrated but rather mourned. In midst all this, i resigned from my present job to take up a new offer which hopefully should be more satisfying professionally. My stay in Lehman Bros (now Nomura) was eventful. I got to be a part of history when Lehman went bankrupt though i have ummmpteen times told folks that i haven't got anything to do with it. What was really funny was that i never really found it difficult to leave the present organization and accept the new offer unlike what happened while i was in Infosys. I have got 2 weeks off before i join the new work place. Already have a packed schedule with travel plans to Gujarat and Goa in the coming week. Lets c how it goes...
Looking forward for an exciting 09...

2009-01-17T11:41:00.000+05:30

I have always felt that people judge too fast and on the basis of materialistic (mis)conceptions. Or else why would a doc think i am a drunkard? To his defense, he isn't the first person to think so. Many others have been mistaken and surprised to find that i don't indulge in drinking. Here is the transcript of what happened recently when i went to donate blood:-

Doc: Are you taking any medicines, antibiotics?
Me: Nope
Doc: Have you suffered from any disease lately?
Me: None
Doc: Did you have alcohol yesterday?
Me: I don't drink
Doc: What? Why are you lying? (can't explain the look on his face)
Me: I seriously don't ...

I understand this phenomenon (i can call it phenomenon bcos it keeps on repeating) has something to do with how i look, but why make a judgment so fast and so early?
In reality, i don't give a damn about what others think if i drink, smoke or what not, but it just shows that people make a decision about you even before you have talked/interacted with them. I always try and avoid being judgmental before i have known the person well enough, it does help when you don't take your notions/conceptions and have a blank slate(mind).

Anyways, this was just another anecdote in the book of life... but the really funny part is that the list of people whom i have managed to surprise is growing... :)

IYA2009 - The Universe is yours to discover

2009-01-08T21:01:00.000+05:30

International Year of Astronomy 2009

2009 is officially the International Year of Astronomy. Commemorating 400 years of Galileo pointing his telescope for the first time towards the moon and Jupiter. It also marks 40th anniversary of the first landing on moon. The International Year of Astronomy 2009 (IYA2009) is an exciting global celebration of astronomy and its contributions to society and culture. Lots of events, lectures, workshops, trainings have been planned and co-ordinated all over the world. With over 140 countries participating in this global event, I am sure it would reach out and inspire many.

More info : - http://www.astronomy2009.org/
India's specific information:- http://www.astronomy2009.org/organisation/nodes/national/view/IN/

Looking forward to interesting events @ Nehru Planetarium and IPS(Indian Planetary Society).

From my end, expect more blogs on astronomy.

G'Bye 2008

2008-12-28T15:34:00.000+05:30

Its that time of the year when you kinda look back and recollect all that has happened. Some good memories, some pretty interesting moments,a few missed opportunities would all sum up to describe 2008.
Its been an eventful year - So much has happened and so much has changed.
2008 did provide few moments that shall always remain imprinted in the memory forever. I really shall cherish them whenever i take a walk down the memory lane.
The last few days, a week to be precise has been absolutely amazing, almost making me feel its back to good old days... perhaps it is. Only time will tell though...
But i am looking forward to the new year for a new start on old habits.

For a better, safer and prosperous year ahead...
May the most u expect be the least u get!!!

Just a few things...

2008-12-17T20:13:00.000+05:30

What hell of a lot can belief do, was to be understood and realized from India's record chase.
It reminds me of a quote:-

Believe that life is beautiful and that belief will help you create the fact

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There have been other realizations also...
I hate when people change overnight. Suddenly, the equation changes.
I can be indifferent to that but it sometimes does leave a ? unanswered.

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Also that
even a wanderer... gets lost sometimes!!!

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That's too much wisdom to be learned in a week's time... :)

Life becomes so much easier
when you accept the fact
that nothing you have
is really yours.

Not even the ones you love

... for they are like the waves
that break gently upon the shore
soaking your feet in their cool embrace
as you walk along the sand
alone.

deja vu... yeah i have realized this earlier also... :)

**********************************************************************************

PS: These are just random thoughts... not at all reflecting melancholy.
Upeksha has helped... :)

Upekṣā

2008-12-12T22:00:00.000+05:30

i absolutely adore this word. Upekkha (Upeksa) is actually a Pali word which means equanimity. Here is what it means:-

In Buddhist perspective, the state of Upekkhā is a profound state of Insight (Vipassanā) or Wisdom (Paññā) which supports Right Mindfulness (Sammā Sati). It is the state of Equanimity of non-attachment to the agreebles or the pleasant stimuli and non-aversion towards the disagreebles or the unpleasant stimuli. Non-attachment is not an abandonment of what we like. It is the non-grasping or non-clinging upon the pleasant objects while perceiving, acquiring, possessing or experiencing them. Attachment will arouse either greed which defiles the human consciousness. Likewise, aversion will evoke hatred which sullies the consciousness. Attachment or aversion is the cause of suffering or anguish. Non-grasping upon agreeable or pleasant objects destroys greed. Non-grasping upon disagreables or unpleasant objects annihilates hatred. Therefore, grasping has to be abandoned to terminate suffering. Upekkhā arising from wisdom of insight eliminates grasping upon the five aggregates as This is I; This is Mine; This belongs to me. Annihilation of grasping purifies the consciousness.

Now to read this is one thing and practicing it completely different. But what it should yield in the end is the logical conclusion of the eternal debate on who is the master? The mind or you.
If you can practice this art, you are the Master, the Zen.

For peace and love... indifference is the only path.

Stop Tolerating!!!

2008-12-02T00:47:00.000+05:30

We have no one else to blame but ourselves for what has happened last weekend. This wasn't the first and surely wont be the last unless we act. The reason i say its only us to be blamed is because we keep tolerating. We keep tolerating Pakistan, we keep tolerating Islamic extremist, we keep tolerating the same set of politicians who divide us on basis of religion. Its not that we aren't aware of all this, we all are aware that we face a serious threat from Bangladeshi immigrants. We are totally aware of the kinda of extremist ideology being propagated and followed by SIMI. We are also absolutely aware of those politicians who support and endorse them. Yet we choose to remain silent. We are too lazy to act. Why do we need to elect those divisive forces into government year after year? Why cant all of us cast our vote to bring about a change. Why is it so difficult to put INDIA before the religion, language, caste etc.
There is a lot of frustration among the people this time around, its good to see that. But we need to channel it rightly. There are protests against the politicians, but who elects them? You know they are inefficient, so stop electing them.
How many more deaths shall make us realize that we need to unite and fight? How many more soldiers will have to die for us to understand that this war is to be fought by us also? How many more elections need to be contested before we choose the courageous one to lead?
I hope that this tragic event that unfolded last weekend shall awaken us not temporarily but permanently. We need to act, and act fast to save INDIA. We owe that to whose brave soldiers who died fighting so that you and me can again have an opportunity to wake up. Lets make use of it!!!

Headed north in the quest of White Cloud

2008-11-21T02:12:00.000+05:30

Got 5 more hours before i board a train to Jammu. Thats the only thing planned about this trip and it kinda makes it really beautiful and interesting. Its not like the many trips of before, this one is special, not only bcos of the destination (Dharamshala and McLeodGanj) but also bcos of the purpose. Its more of a back packing trip rather than a planned outing with friends. The quest for White Cloud begins...

Kudos to ISRO

2008-11-13T20:39:00.000+05:30

Of all scientific achievements of India, most important and major ones would have ISRO associated with it. Not always is ISRO given its due recognition and much deserved appreciation. For an organization that works with limited budget, not a great deal of support from government and very low tolerance for failures, the success that they have achieved is phenomenal. From the early days of aryabhatta to complex IRS and INSAT satellites, from using soviet and French rockets for launching our satellites to launching 10 satellites (sort of a record) using indigenously made PSLV has been an amazing journey of ups and downs. More importantly, more ups then downs though.
As a school kid visiting nehru planetarium, it was always fascinating to listen about ISRO's new missions and undertakings. I had heard about chandrayaan long back and though there are always critics who would question the intent behind reaching moon 4 decades after US, its a great achievement considering the odds against which they work. Also chandrayaan achieves a lot more than what any moon orbiting spacecraft has done before. Its not just reaching moon, its more about understanding the not so known aspects of moon.
The scientist and the technicians deserve a lot more credit, appreciation and support (monitory as well) than what they are currently getting. This mission we all believe and hope is only the beginning of yet another glorious chapter in the book of Indian Space Endeavors.

Happy Diwali

2008-10-27T09:44:00.000+05:30

My early memories of Diwali is of getting up really early in the morning and bursting crackers. Childhood memories of all those pranks that we carried out (to burst bombs in the houses of those who wouldn't allow us to play cricket) brings about a laugh when we friends catch up. Not to forget the sweets in abundance stocked @ home. But over a period of time, the craze for crackers vanished, sweets though are eternal. Diwali also means shopping, though i m not much of a shopping freak and when i want to buy something, i don't wait till Diwali. Diwali means meeting a lot of ppl whom you wouldn't happen to meet otherwise. But what it also means is spending quality time with family and friends.
Here's wishing all a very happy diwali and hoping that the eternal light shall always shine upon you just as the sun on earth.

Food and Movies

2008-10-13T00:17:00.000+05:30

The last month has been quite eventful. The decrease in work only meant more free time and flexible work timings.
I have kinda watched many movies of late, listing them below:-

1. A lot like love (really good)
2. P.S: I love you
3. Notebook
4. Just Friends
5. Definitely. May be
6. The freedom writers (amazing movie)
7. Four weddings and a funeral
8. X FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE (scully and mulder rock)
9. Rock on
10. Juno (i liked it)

Food habits have remain unchanged i.e The Sunday night dinner ritual continues :)
Just tried this Rocking Roe desert @ 5 spice and it was wonderful.
Mission Impossible still continues to elude me... :)

Bloody Monday - 15th Sept

2008-10-06T22:26:00.000+05:30

Never in my wildest dreams, i had imagined that i shall be privileged (being sarc) to be a part of such an historical happening. None, not even the harshest critics of Lehman Brothers would have imagined that it would get bankrupt.
The instant reaction was that of shock and disbelief. Its too big to fall.. but i guess nothing is big enough to beat market speculations and destiny. It didn't quite get in until people started talking about interviews and stuff. It was an awesome Monday ;), awesome in terms of the experience(actually awestruck). Think, how many times does it happen that you go to work beating Monday blues only to learn that your organization has filed for bankruptcy. People whom i hadn't even talked since ages, called to check upon. I dunno if that was out of curiosity or instant rush of feelings :)
Whatever it might be, i have answered a lot of questions in the last 3 weeks and yet the eternal answer still eludes all of us. But now with NOMURA taking over the Lehman India operations, things should eventually get more clearer.

Lessons Learned:- Expect the Unexpected!!!

And the award goes to ...

2008-09-24T21:54:00.000+05:30

Prem Sagar Ganesh Utsav Mandal.
Yes, we have won the GOLD category (1st Prize) in the Green Ganpati awards for eco-friendly celebrations of ganesh utsav. The awards are presented by Times of India in association with the MPCB (Maharashtra Pollution Control Board). The award comes as a pleasant surprise to all of us and is the best thing we could have asked for going into the 25th year.

Going Green

2008-08-30T18:19:00.000+05:30

It is approximately 3.9 Billion years since life first began on Earth, more damage has been done to this planet in the last 50 years than in all time preceding it. In that sense our civilization has been unique, for its impact has been on global scale destroying the viabilities of eco-system from pole to pole. Undermining this global assault are life-styles that demand more from environment than environment can sustain.
Fortunately Nature has the capabilities to heal most of the injustice that we perpetrate on it, but have we crossed our limits???

Considering it as our moral responsibility, we are taking our first step towards GOING GREEN - by bringing a 'COMPLETELY ECO FRIENDLY IDOL'. The idol is made with only paper pulp and doesnt contain any kind of materials which are harmful to the environment. The idol is free from PoP(plaster of Paris) and other chemicals and hence doesnt pollute the water when immersed.
With this initiative, we are getting rid of the guilt of harming the nature. And without it, it surely feels lighter... :)

We urge others to do the same and help save our planet.
Our motto about conservation is:-

A true conservationist is someone who believes that the world is not a gift
given by his forefathers but borrowed from his children.

Count Down Begins...

2008-08-21T21:35:00.000+05:30

After months of waiting, within a fortnight Bombay shall get ready to welcome its most loved and adored guest -> Ganapati. The preparations have gathered pace. The mandaps are getting ready. Its 24/7 for the artists for the next 15 odd days. Many of the large idols have already left the workshops to reach the various destinations.
Mumbai celebrates no festival with such pomp and enthusiasm as it does for Ganesh Utsav. The best part of this festival is that it is equally celebrated by all sections of the society not withstanding the economic divide or the communal one. In fact it epitomizes the very fabric of communal harmony which right now is the need of the hour elsewhere in the country (J&k). In such times when bombs are being blasted at will, the only way to fightback these extremist forces is to show complete solidarity and communal harmony. This very spirit that Mumbai proudly boasts off has gained utmost importance. More than the spirituality, the essence of communal harmony is to be preserved and spread through this festival.

PS: Not to forget, Lalbaug cha Raja celebrates 75 yrs.

X FILES I want to believe

2008-07-23T22:49:00.001+05:30

After 9 years of waiting, finally the wait shall be over this weekend when Mulder and Scully come back in action. Though 'X Files I want to believe' isn't based on the traditional track of ET and Aliens,it is expected to be more of a thriller rather than a sequel to the last episode or the previous movie.
Nonetheless, it promises to be an absolute watch with Mulder and Scully coming back perhaps for one last time. For years, they have treated us not just with their unique extraordinary unconventional ways of solving (attempting to solve) the "X Files" but also with a logic and belief that goes unparalleled just as their on screen chemistry does. The quest for truth and wanting to believe the so called unexplained phenomenon isn't just for the cult following but a way of life and thinking.

On listening to the eternal soundtrack, i get nostalgic about the days when i use to watch it rigorously without missing any episodes. The tag lines have become like bible quotes.
So just waiting to watch it on the large screen but it seems the wait is gonna be longer. I can't explain how much excited i was for watching it and i certainly can't explain how frustrated and disgusting i feel to realize that it doesn't release in India on July 25. Made a few frantic calls today morning to couple of theaters only to listen to weird answers from operators who didn't have a clue what I was asking about. Now for the time being, my only hope is downloading it from NET or LAN.
Anyways THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE again!!!

Life after coffee... bcos i dont believe in life before coffee

2008-06-20T23:20:00.000+05:30

There is only one drug that i consume and its coffee.
And No, i ain't addicted to it neither do i face any withdrawal symptoms if i don't consume it.
But i do love to have it everyday...

Caffeine is a bitter crystalline xanthine alkaloid that acts as a psychoactive stimulant drug.
I know, there have been a lot of articles pointing out the side effects of caffeine. But then i don't read them.

Five reasons i luv coffee:-
1) Its for the nocturnal creatures like me.
2) The aroma of coffee alone can stimulate you...
3) A lot can happen over a coffee -Some of the best conversations have happened over a coffee.
4) It helps me stay awake though i must admit i have kinda become immune to it now.
5) Its damn easy to make.

The best time to have coffee is:-
1) Hot coffee in the morning.
2) Hot coffee when its raining... :)
3) Cold coffee ... late in the night.

Best places to have coffee:-
1) Barista
2) Filter coffee @ any of the restaurants in matunga
3) Infy campus - Bangalore.
4) Cafe Mocha
5) Coffee Station

10 Reasons I love the Rains

2008-06-06T23:11:00.000+05:30

Ten reasons i love the rains:-

It takes me more close to nature.
I have very fond memories of my childhood, playing in rains... making boats n riding them in the water. More recent memories of playing cricket n football.
Wimbledon happens during this time of the year, i was an avid watcher of Wimbledon in those days.
Its the best time to trek and travel.
Waterfalls... some memorable moments to cherish in the quest to find one or in the middle of it.
Isnt it fun to have hot tomato soup and some munching to do during rains???
It brings a little bit of fun in otherwise mundane routine.
Have you ever been to a beach in Monsoon... or done swimming when raining? I just love dng that.
Its so not the perfect weather to work.
I love to walk in the rain bcos no one can see my crying -- Charlie Chaplin.

Torch of Shame

2008-04-21T02:05:00.000+05:30

A few days ago, Delhi was turned into an fortress. The reason being the relay of the Olympic torch.Many famous personalities ran and a few backed out. It was humbling to see Baichan Bhutia backing out to stand out in solidarity with the Tibetans. But sad to see the others wanting their moment of fame. Aamir Khan said he will run with a prayer in heart for the Tibetans (what an hypocrite).
But what was most disappointing was the approach of the Indian Government. India very shamefully succumbed to the Chinese pressure and cracked down heavily on the protesting Tibetans. The protest by the Tibetans have been peaceful from the very start. Tenzin tsundue has always said that "We have Dalai Lama in heart & Gandhi in mind." That statement itself is very heartening. To protest and fight in this manner requires exemplary courage. Its easier to fight the violent war than to sustain the non-violent struggle. One needs to acknowledge the Tibetans for this.
We see so much of violence in the name of religion, land and what not. Be it Kashmir or Srilanka, the story and method to achieve ones objective have been the same. The result no different and very much disappointing. Many die and more loose the hope to live.
But here is a community which is fighting for true just cause in the right manner. Gandhiji said Satyagraha is never passive. It should always be aggressive. Being aggressive doesn't mean being violent. This is exactly what the Tibetans are doing, they are being aggressive in their non-violent approach to voice their concerns.
I understand how important the Olympics is for the Tibetans. It gives them the perfect platform to show the world the atrocities committed by China. Its important to make China realize what it faces beyond its safe boundaries where it cracks down on everything democratic.

Boycott the Olympics.

Fight the Dragon part 2

2008-03-21T23:10:00.000+05:30

My anguish has accumulated so much, that i need to rant it out. So here it goes:-
A lot has happened in Tibet and elsewhere over the last week. Tibetans from all over the world have protested wherever possible in solidarity for what happened in Lhasa.
India has been like a silent spectator apart from one statement from the MEA saying that it is concerned about the innocent Tibetans. When China called HH the Dalai Lama a lier, India choose not to react. When China asked India to be tough on those protesting, she obliged. What is India trying to do??? Win China's heart? Come on, You gotta realize China has no heart. Or you are doing it in hope that China would recognize Arunachal Pradesh as a part of India. Or bcos India is expecting Chinese support for a permanent seat in UN Veto Council( India had openly supported China's claim for the same). None of this is going to happen.
I read a recent interview of Samdhong Rinpoche, who as prime minister heads the administration of the Tibetan Diaspora. Here is a extract from the same:-

" I asked you about India's position on the issue. Many people think Tibetan refugees should keep quiet and silently go on living here. When you raise the political pitch on Indian soil, it creates tension in the region.

I have never heard such a comment from anyone here. I and His Holiness Dalai Lama have made it clear several times that if India thinks that Tibet issue is a hindrance or an irritant for the normalisation of Sino-Indian relations, India must sacrifice the Tibet issue and ask His Holiness to shift somewhere else.
Let Tibetan refugees migrate to West or send them back to Tibet. In such case, can you guarantee that Sino-India relations will be perfectly okay? If that is so, then we are ready to obey. We are ready to go away from India.
In India, we are refugees, in London or in Washington, we will be refugees. It will make no difference to us because we are not living on our own soil. We can be refugees anywhere.
But, I don't think any Indian leader is thinking in this direction. If they are thinking in this direction, they should not have any hesitation in telling us. His Holiness and the Tibetan leadership never wants to cause any inconvenience to the Indian people or to the Indian government.
Secondly think about this: Unless you solve the Tibet issue how you will resolve your border issue? How will you grow your relationship with China? All these things will have to be thought out keeping in mind a long term solution and strategies. Therefore, many Indians think that free Tibet is India's real defence. This is not a hypocrite thinking."

He makes a very valid point. How bluntly China claims Tawang as a part of its territory. We have already gifted the beautiful Aksai Chin to China. Let not Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh) suffer the same fate.

Tibet is important to India and the World. Politically, Culturally, Spiritually and also Morally.
I wish I lived in a Strong India who could take the Dragon, head on.

Fight the Dragon

2008-03-14T20:10:00.000+05:30

Just as I write, reports of violence and unrest in Tibet has flashed across the electronic media. Thats quite rare, first to get news on Tibet and second that of violence. But if any one has been following the struggle of the people of Tibet to live peacefully in their own homeland, this news would be very concerning. You can't blame them for protesting. To be driven out of your own homeland and not allowed to return can be very infuriating. Its been 49 years since they were thrown out. They have tried everything possible to find a solution to this problem, even giving up their demand of complete independence to settle for autonomy. But the Dragon didn't budge. In fact HH (His Holiness) the Dalai Lama has even tried talking with the Chinese Leaders meanwhile asking his supporters to maintain calm and not be violent. Imagine how much unrest and anger must have accumulated in the minds and hearts of the Tibetan people that they have transgressed their most important spiritual leader and the very basic principle of their religion of compassion. They are the last sect of people with whom you would associate violence. From finding answers to life and in quest to attain tranquility and spiritual heights, the monks are now fighting another battle perhaps more difficult. They are on the forefront facing brutal torture to fight for justice and to save their culture knowing deep inside that they will be outnumbered and overpowered. Yet they choose to suffer to save this beautiful piece of land and the rich culture from the flares of the evil Dragon. With no guns or any kind of weapons in their arsenal, they only carry courage and zeal to fight injustice. The future is bleak and the dragon too powerful. Yet I believe that justice will prevail as the grit of the people of Tibet is too strong.

Western Media miles away from this epicenter of human rights violation has chosen to highlight the sufferings and Indian Media which is the nearest will shy away. India, who is home for many many Tibetans will choose to remain silent. I guess it would be too much to expect from her to support the Tibetans or even criticize the vast human rights violations taking place in Lhasa. For here is a country, which doesn't even speak firmly and boldly when its own territorial integrity is endangered from the Dragon.
Fight the aggressive dragon for it is the real enemy and not the rodent on the west.

Kindly support the Tibetan cause:- http://www.friendsoftibet.org/

India poised .... but never took off.

2008-02-22T23:37:00.000+05:30

Sometimes upon deep thought, you ponder the pro's and con's of democracy. For the power of one has been personified in the sense not to be known of. It took one Gandhi to get freedom to India. It took just a Dhirubhai Ambani to create the equity cult in India. One Narendra Modi managed to clean up the administration in Gujarat to make it more efficient and growth-oriented showing the best of governance. It shows the Power of One. But it takes one Raj Thackeray to destroy the very fabric of Mumbai. It perhaps shows the in-activeness or passivity of the Indian public. We are so much absorbed in our own life that we no longer care what is happening on the bigger picture. Remember 'Even silence at times is a crime.'
The democracy that we so proudly boast of is nothing but an replica of India Shining or India Poised campaign. The fact is India was poised but never took off. The reason has been bad governance. There is a severe dearth of Strong Leadership. Here we have a Prime Minister who has great education qualifications but no leadership virtues, some one who is too soft to lead. We have a President who has done nothing other than visiting a couple of places and enjoying the perks of the post. So often you come across articles reading the abysmal demands of the president with the department in concern spending lakhs of hard earned rupees to meet them. Be it the renovation of roads leading to Shirdi before the President's visit or arranging a convoy for the president's husband to visit Nagpur. Its absolutely shameful to have such an individual as the First Citizen of the India. It was always going to be difficult to fill in Dr. Kalam's shoes. But this lady has not even made any concrete effort.
Then we have the so called NGO's who are nothing more than a liability to the society in disguise. Why don't we find Teesta Setalvad fighting for the execution of Afzal Guru if she is so concerned about bringing justice to the society? why don't we find Megha Patkar going on a hunger strike to demand relocation of Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir??? All these people are hypocrites of the biggest order.
The future is just as bleak if not more than the illusion of a super power India. We dream too often and too big but act just as little. And in 'We', I address you and me who are distinctly apathetic.

End of an era..

2008-02-09T10:03:00.000+05:30

I should have blogged when i was in bangalore itself to strike the rod when it was hot. But nevertheless, i can still revive those feelings experienced during my last few days @ Infosys, Bangalore.
On 29th July 06, when i reached Bangalore for my training @ Infosys, I had never imagined i would be spending 1.5 yrs there. My only thought then was to somehow reach Pune and i was quite optimistic about it during my entire training period. It was only after the posting allocations, that i realized i was gonna spend some more time here. But never did the place bore me to my thresholds or in other words, it was much better than my imagination. Infact the stay @ Bangalore has been one of my best experiences so far. Quitting Infy was really a tough choice. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it was one of my most difficult decisions. But the most astonishing part is that it was made instantly (some Blink effect i guess). The reason it was difficult was b'cos Infy was much like my second home. The routine was so much a part of my life that it was kinda weird to think i wouldn't be following it the next day. An honest confession is that i still miss that today but i always knew i was gonna miss infy not withstanding where i join next. I honestly feel that there is a possibility to work in Infy somewhere down the line. There are so many things that made the Infy experience so worthwhile, be it the friends i made there, the colleagues(my project team n other members) and the work environment or the campus and the ambiance. Last but not the least ofcourse my roommates and the time spent with them.. the late night parties @ home, the tennis/cricket matches, the outings that we had and the ones we had planned.
The most sad part of all has been to come in terms with the fact that there are very slim chances of our paths crossing again. And here ends yet another chapter of life.

Vintage Sunday

2008-01-07T09:26:00.000+05:30

There was one striking difference in my live styles in bangalore and bombay.
Sundays @ Bangalore would usually mean 2 hrs of tennis in the morning and lots of sleep and movies.
Sundays in B'bay have always been very busy and full of action:
1) Getting up late
2) Playing Cricket - (3-4 hrs)
3) Late Lunch
4) Hanging out in the evening with friends
5) Dinner with friends.

For years, this has been my routine for Sunday. This is what i couldn't manage in Bangalore. Now after coming back from Bangalore, i couldn't have asked for a better day than yesterday. All that i was missing in Bangalore and what i had been doing here since years was repeated.

Played match against Suman Nagar:
Not the best of the starts i would say. Bowled a pathetic over and hence lost the match. But its never easy making a comeback against suman nagar. Batting was pretty good and stuck form right from the start and hence won the second match eventually drawing the series 1-1.
I am just wondering what would had happened if we had played the 3rd one. Fitness has decreased by leaps and bounds.

In the evening, we hanged out @ Carter Rd and followed up with dinner and an overnight stay @ friends place.
All i can say to summarize is "Good Times are Back again"

The Year that was

2007-12-26T19:30:00.000+05:30

2007 flew by....
But not without leaving some special memories behind.It was the first complete year that i spent without my family. On that terms, it was tought at times but i enjoyed it. Personally speaking,I met new ppl, made new friends... some friendships that i tend to take it forward in life.The last couple of months have been really good.Staying @ 0-40, it was an awesome experience.The late night parties and to witness the madness after all get tipsy was unforgettable. From the early morning cricket/tennis to the evening/night movies (which by no means i would have watched if i were to watch it alone), the journey has been amazing and so has been the company to enjoy it.
I haven't travelled as much i wanted to, but did visit Kerala and had 2 decent treks - Lohagad and Kellaveribetta. Not to forget half a dozen visits to home.

Yesterday was X'mas. I celebrated it by watching "Welcome" with roomies and then by with red wine. I guess i have celebrated the last 2 X'mas in bangalore, the prior being on an industrial visit from college.

One thing that i have done in 2007 which i always wanted to do was to play tennis seriously. Staying in B'bay, its difficult to play tennis unless you join an academy. Here @ Bangalore, courtesy to the courts available in my colony and the awesome court @ Infy, i could play this sport. Playing it under the lights is an wonderful experience.

Health wise, another yr goes by without even getting sick for a day.(Touch wood). Is it just the silence before the storm??? i hope not...

Professionally, i would have loved to do more challenging work but some good work did happen in between. Always wanted to learn J2ee but just didn't put an effort.

New year brings in a new beginning professionally. I expect it to be more challenging and hope it is that way.
As for the New Yr Resolution:
1) Learn New Technologies -- Python in particular.
2) Travel -- North India
3) Reduce weight -- as much as possible. :)
4) Stop being selfish and do some charity

Wish you all a very happy new year.

Pledge your eyes today

2007-11-27T18:40:00.000+05:30

Finally @Last, I have pledged to donate my eyes years after i had decided to do it. But it doesn't end here. I was attending this presentation by Dr. Himanshu Matalia from Narayana Nethralaya and the statistics he provided was shocking. Out of 50 million blind people in the world, India is home to 10 million. That accounts to a staggering 20%. Out of these 10 million blind people in India, 2 million can be operated upon with Cornea Transplant. Sadly the number of eye donors in India is only 20,000. Can you imagine it? Out of a country of 100 million people, only 20,000 donate eyes. I mean what is the use of those eyes once you are dead. I am surely going to convince my dear n near ones for eye donation. I hope im successful with it.
And here is a start to it:
" Please donate your eyes to bring colors to some one else's life. "

Trip back home.

2007-11-16T19:05:00.000+05:30

I am back from hibernation only bcos there is nothing much to do and i just thought lets scrabble a few words. I am just back from B'bay, had been there for diwali. It was a short trip and could hardly do much. Still enjoyed a lot being home and meeting friends and relatives. The start to the trip wasn't dat good with my spicejet flight SG529 getting delayed a couple of times. The worst was when i reached airport and was told to wait outside for a few minutes as there was no space inside the airport. Where on earth will such a thing happen?? What followed was a tiring 2.5 hr wait in the line for security check. By the time i reached home (mumbai), was fealing as if i was back from a long grueling trek. Not to forget the heat wave that greets you on landing in Mumbai. :)
Next couple of days went really fast n good. Met relatives and cousins, spent some quality time with friends and family. Played cricket and that reminded me of all those good times. Met a few ppl whom i had missed out on the last couple of times. So in short, it was quite a good trip. Slowly and steadily my desire to return to B'bay in growing. Not that i dont enjoy in bangalore, infact i do. But B'bay is something different. How much ever good i feel staying in bangalore, on reaching B'bay n spending time there... it makes me wish to relocate back home.

Ganesh Utsav 07

2007-09-23T02:08:00.001+05:30

Einstein's theory of Relativity can be best explained to any one in my area in terms of Ganesh Chaturthi. We wait for a year for this day to come and then the next 5 days fly seeming just 5 hrs.
Mumbai celebrates no festival with such zeal and pomp as it celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi. The city shines more than what it shines in Diwali. Every lane will have a pandal organizing events, leave alone the idols that are brought home. You feel the festive spirit when you are out. For sure, its the best time of the year.
I am posting during the fag end of the festival. Just havent been able to sit for enough time on the computer. This year's celebrations @ Prem Sagar will forever remain in the memory. The reasons for the above are many.
1) To start with, the Idol itself was the largest we have ever got. No, its not just the size, but also the work on it. The eyes were absolutely awesome.
2) Staying in Bangalore and not able to take full part in the preparation was really frustrating. But thanks to all those out here (sandesh, umesh, vipul, kavan) i use to get regular updates. The level of frustration and desperation to be in Mumbai was @ its peak a week before ganesh chaturthi.
3) Budget passed all expectations and guesses. By the grace of god, all went well in financial terms.
4) All events and programs went well.

To be able to spend time with friends has made my stay again a very memorable one. It surely does feel sad to go back and more so because the future is too uncertain to commit anything. I just hope and pray that next yr around, I am here for Ganesh Utsav 08.

Lohagad Conquered!!!

2007-08-14T09:31:00.000+05:30

Lohagad or the iron fort proved much of a resistance and i can only imagine how tought it must have been during those times. I say resistance bcos i had first laid eyes on it years back and conquered it only last sunday. It is truely a magnificient fort. Well fortified, standing majestically on what is probably the tallest peak among the mountains nearby. Even after more than a 2000 years, the fort stands intact.
It took us (Tayab, sampi, butt, jess, skirti n me) a little more than 3 hrs of trek from malavli to reach ontop lohagad. The view is awesome, the wind blowing is very strong and the fog curtails visibility. It is at such a huge height that it gives a very panaromic view of the pashma lake and the mountain ranges.
I couldnt visit the vinzhu kata (scorption sting point) as my friends didnt allow me saying it was very dangerous. The view from there is breathtaking. Thats the reason, i am gonna go lohagad again sometime. Hopefully within a yr.
This treak was a good way to start my Bombay vacation, as it brought back memories of those days when we would just backpag and leave for a hike whenever we got the chance to do so. I really miss those days :(

Link to the photo album :- http://picasaweb.google.com/nandish.valia/Lohagad

As Time Goes by...

2007-06-28T17:22:00.000+05:30

Its been long since i have blogged courtesy my laziness. But a lot has happened since the last time i blogged. Finally, have got some good work to do. It should keep me busy for a month or so. The best part is i have been rediscovering Java, what i mean is my luv for Java. Java has always been something where you need to be working on it to stay in touch. Unfortunately after Final yr Proj, this has been the first time i have touched java. I make a stupid analogy of learning java with swimming, as in swimming u can learn it quickly @ an early age... i feel the same is with Java. All i hope is there is more to come in the future...
Its been about 11 months in Bangalore, i have roamed abt the city. Some spots near by and some trips to a little further but beautiful places. Still there are many places yet to visit. The most amazing part about Bangalore is its weather. Last Saturday i played cricket for about 7 hrs in a day and the weather was really awesome. Its absolultey awesome in the evening with cold winds blowing. Unlike Bombay, it doesn't rain here but everyday its cloudy.
What i am really looking forward to is to visit home in August and then in September for Ganesh Utsav. Before that, a couple of trekking trips :)

Comedy of Errors

2007-03-07T21:33:00.000+05:30

Just happened to come home early today and after watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S, i was browsing the channels and this is what caught my eye: Breaking News tab read "India sponsoring Terrorism". My first reaction was there must be some printing mistake, it should be vice-versa ( we read these statements coming from different sources in the govt every other day). But then soon realized it comes from the Joint Counter Terrorism Meet. What is beyond my understanding is how on earth can you have a Counter-Terrorism Meet with the Terrorist. What would you be discussing with those whom you blame for every terrorist act in the country? I don't know the creditability of the accusations that Pakistan has made but it wouldn't be surprising if they are true. It just means our intelligence agencies are working well and finally have decided to give Pakistan a taste of its own medicine. But mostly, Pakistan is trying to clinch some ground desperately as much of it is slipping under its feet.
My point is India, under this government has failed in its diplomatic policy. That would be an understatement. It has failed badly. Be it the Nuclear Treaty with US which looks like a trap and is equivalent to sign CTBT (This Nuclear Pact doesnt have an exit clause) or PM's ridiculous statement that "Pakistan is a victim of Terrorism" just shows how much soft India has been on this issue. We surely can have much better statements and action from much better PM.

I dont frequently post my political views on the blog, this is just an exception.

Eclipse and Holi

2007-03-05T22:39:00.000+05:30

Sunday, March 4th would go down as one heck of a day. It started with a lunar eclipse. I have never been reluctant to remain awake for a celestial event. Total Lunar Eclipse after 3 yrs and not to be seen for another dozen was a good enough reason to be awake the whole night. Moreover i got company from roomies.... so it was fun.

Next morning got up @ 9 (which is early for weekends) to go n find colors which aren't as easily available in Bangalore as in Mumbai. What followed was one of the best holi celebrations i have been a part of. I say one of the best to do justice to the holi we used to play as kids in my area. Every holi, wherever i am or might be, i just can never forget those days. But this holi was special, my first away from home and i enjoyed it no less. To drag saravanan n bharat out to play holi and then to join the whole colony in crazy celebrations was great fun. The best part was the rain dance followed by the jump in the pool. Nearly 50 -60 odd people including families, couples and bachelors like us were enjoying the colorful festival. After getting exhausted, we had a potluck in the colony park with each family contributing with some special delicacy.

Photo Album

More than the Sting...

2007-03-03T23:47:00.000+05:30

Astrology as a science hasn't been proved yet and i dunno if its ever going to be. But i have my own opinion based upon my own meandering experiences. I am a scorpio by Greek and Hindu zodiac calendar. Whenever i read anything about scorpio, i feel like reading an biography. Almost all, if not all said about scorpions matches for me. Its like describing me inside out.
The reason i am posting this article is bcos i happened to read Linda Goodman (again) when i saw it with my cubicle partner in office. The reaction i got from her was "Oh, you're a Scorpio!" and what followed thereafter in our discussion was something i have now been accustomed to. Somehow ppl get scared about the sting as soon as they come to know that you are a scorpio, as if the only reason a scorpion is born is to sting. Though i do accept that the sting can be very painful but it doesn't come uncalled and without a reason.
I know the importance of scorpion traits that i have in my life. Infact i have gone to the extent of saying that my existence is only bcos i was born under the zodiac sign on scorpio, ruled by Pluto. What it means is i couldn't have handled the script of my life if i wasn't a scorpio.
On the other hand, "I have never met someone in my life who has troubled me more than myself". This is also true bcos of the pure and deep scorpio traits i have in me.
I cant and wont be able to write this post well bcos this isn't something i am very comfortable talking about. So would end here, read for your zodiac sign as well to figure out if you can associate with it this well. Here is the link

For the Love of CS

2007-02-19T16:57:00.000+05:30

From the days of our training, we have been playing CS. So much has been the craze, that we tend to call eachother by our playing names and many times dunt even remember the real names. I still remember ; (colon) asking me who is nandish? i just know u by the name scorpio...
Also one amazing fact is that we started with CS just a few days before Compre and went on from there till we were forced to stop playing (courtesy closing of labs). It used to be gr8 that after the days work, ppl would assemble in Blg 12 just for CS.

But from last couple of months, we were deprived of the joy of playing CS, so we decided to book a cyber sports arena for the complete night.... and what came thereafter was really great. About a dozen of us were present and played till 6.00 am. Here is the list of players:
1. Maxpayne
2. Circuit
3. Neil
4. Cyber Titan
5. Chicken
6. Noname
7. *
8. Illuminatus
9. Suneet
10. Torpedo
...

I think we should have this arranged once a month and just among ourselves. That would be more enjoyable...

Gods own country

2007-02-10T00:06:00.000+05:30

Its the southern most state of India and one of the most beautiful if not the most. I got a chance to visit Kerala last month 26-28 Jan 2007. From the day we started our eventful journey, we knew we were short of time. You cant cover Kerala in 3 days. I had a few places in mind and we could visit most of them. The one we couldnt visit was Adripalaya waterfalls ( if you have seen the barse megha song from guru, u have seen dat on screen). The places we visited were:

Munnar --> The most amazing and beautiful hillstation i have been to, they say it takes about 2-3 days to completely visit all the places in Munnar. The lake in between the mountains is a sight to watch... we boated there. Also the sanctuary on the top of the hill makes you feel that you are walking on clouds. No camera's film can explain those scenes.... I have imprinted them in my memory

Kovalam beach --> They say its the best beach in India and i can agree no less. The water is astonishingly clear. Kovalam beach is a swimmers paradise. Guess what i did, took a small 2ft wide and 10ft long fisherman boat and went in to deep sea, 1hr deep in the sea.... where coast looked far and all one could see was water till horizon. And then jumped in the water.... swimmed around the boat and it was the most amazing experience of my life. I sure wanna come here again...

Alleppey backwaters --> This is the commercial hub of tourism in Kerala.... but there are enuf places in kerala for true nature lovers and travellers which are better than this. But alleppey is also beautiful with the house boat on the back waters. The house boats are really cute and the whole place has cannals and back waters.... it looks really good.

Cochin / Ernakulam --> There are a few islands and beaches to visit in Cochin.... we went on some of them. Adripalaya waterfalls are quite near.... one shouldnt miss them... but we did bcos of lack of time.

One couldnt have travelled some many places in 3 days, we would travel in the night and visit the places in the day. It was tiresome but the beauty of the place would just ease everything. I am very much interested in visiting Kerala again... kanyakumari, kovalam and aadripalaya on the next trip.... but dunno when it will happen. Till then, i will njoy with memories of this trip...

Atlast Junoon live

2007-02-05T21:21:00.000+05:30

I have been a gr8 fan of junoon since my childhood days.... be it d famous tracks like Sayoone or d less known but critically acclaimed tracks like "neend ati nahin" and "Rounde naina". The list would just go on... and i know most of u havent even heard any of them.
But some of my fav ones are:
1. Talash
2. Zamane ke andaaz
3.Bheegi Yaadein
4. Khwab
5. Khudi ko kar buland

Bangalore has given me the oppurtunity to witness some real good live in concerts( Sonu nigam, Euphoria) but this one was something special. IIM-B had organised this as a part of its festival. It was Indian Ocean and Junoon (Ali Azmat). I m hoping more will come...

The new trend of RIOTS

2007-01-23T16:37:00.000+05:30

Its simply amazing that whatever city you might be in, there is always some communal flair that can be ignited with sensitive issues n many times without them, just like what bangalore witnessed a few days ago. What is incomprehensible is the rally took out in support of a dead man who isnt even related to India or its ppl apart from the fact that he belonged to a religion to which india is the 2nd largest home. Get a life and move along... this is no reason for disrupting normal life of hundreds if not thousands of others.
A lot of blame game has been played following the riots last weekend, but the cause needs to be looked into first rather than the aftermath. Be it as severe as Godhra or Bangalore, the cause needs to be addressed.
I know that all of these rallies,protests are politicised beyond limits by parties which call themself secular. I think the defination of secularism has been redefined. If India needs internal peace, it needs to understand the difference between minority appeasement policy and secularism. Now that would need a lot of open-mindedness to understand.

Who d hell is Neo sports?

2007-01-21T12:52:00.000+05:30

Weekends usually mean getting up late in the morning, but for a change we were up by 9.00 am (thats early compared to 11.00 am on sat n sundays). The reason was India vs WI in Nagpur, ganguly's comeback in oneday that too opening the batting. But had to follow the match on cricinfo.com rather than watch it on TV, the reason the telecast rights were given to some Neo Sports of Nimbus productions. Where have Sports channel like ESPN,Star Sports, Ten Sports all gone? Well, lemme guess Neo Sports must have payed some astronomical figure to get the rights!!! No points to guess that. Is the BCCI just in for money. Not many were able to watch the match as it wasnt telecasted on DD inspite of being played in India. Cricket has commerialised to much to a viewers liking.
Getting more into cricketing details, sorry to say India doesnt stand much of a chance of forget wining, but also reaching in the finals. They can put up a performance, if proper team selection happens and experimentation for once is put to an end. Hopefully we will get to watch the matches on ESPN or Star Sports rather than some stupid channels.

Food Adventures/problems

2007-01-17T22:19:00.000+05:30

When i came to bangalore in July 2006, ppl back home would tease me abt getting use to eating Sambhar and Rice. But it wasnt till Jan 2007, that i first tasted traditional south indian food. I had never imagined that i would be eating my lunch on a banana leaf having sambhar rice. Here is what i mean.

But thats only for weekdays lunch. On weekends, we have lunch @ Bobby da dhaba @ Ulsoor.
Dinner @ weekends are much delecious, either @ Gramin or Taste of Tibet. Inspite all this, there are times when i miss Mumbai for the food opp0rtunities it use to provide me... lolz. :)

The year dat was...

2007-01-05T18:54:00.000+05:30

Thx 2006, u were the Best.
Its the year that has gone by like the wind but leaving some very good memories behind. Completing college and going out in the industry, understanding that ur just a grain on the beach of sand was a gr8 experience. Getting to work in Infosys is a truely great feeling. Staying away from home in bangalore was a very different and wonderful experience. I feel such experiences enrich ur life.
I had an absolutely awesome time travelling to really beautiful places in 2006, be it Ganpatipule with friends or Coorg. Even Pondicherry was a good experience. I just wish 2007 will be @least as good as 2006 if not more.
To spend the last few days of the year with family and frnds back home was d perfect way to end d year. I had a gr8 time back home and it made me remember those good old days. The long drive to leynadri, the time spent sitting down in the night with friends made me nostalgic.
Thx a lot to all those who made this year memorable and wish u all a very happy new yr.

Destiny

2006-12-21T12:14:00.000+05:30

A year ago i was where i am today not knowing that i would be back again for a much longer duration. It was last yr this time that we had come to Infosys,Bangalore for an Industrial Visit. I remember telling Darshan " Ither kaam karna hai yaar, ither job milna chahiye". And it seems some1else heard it too. And this sometimes makes me wonder of Destiny and d script thats already written. I have no idea where i would be around this time next year but right now all that im looking forward is to visit home this weekend.

Coorg

2006-12-13T17:02:00.000+05:30

Its rightly said "You will leave Coorg but Coorg will never leave you". The place makes you feel in total symphony with nature. The natural beauty of Coorg is what appeals to you... the curvy roads to the hills around and the waterfalls...Abby and Erpu are delight to watch. Infact the Abby falls, which we happened to visit under the fading light was really a beautiful sight. The way to Erpu falls and the chilling water of its in sheer force was a great experience. It gets cold in the night and the sky above provides a breathtaking panorama.

We also visited the Nomdraling Monastery and the majestic Golden temple with the huge statue of Buddha in the Lotus pose. The silence of the speaking mind makes you feel on a different level there.
Some places in between roads like the brigde with water flowing beneath and mist all around was just splendid. For more snaps click here.
I am happy with the travelling that im doing and hope that more comes along. The next place im visiting is HOME. Cant wait to reach there...

In the Line of Fire

2006-11-21T15:45:00.000+05:30

I was walking by a road side bookstall near Forum Mall and happened to eye catch the photo of Perverz Musharraf on the cover of his autobiography - In the Line of Fire. I thought it would be an interesting book to read, some how this man's persona has some fire. So i got it and started with it the same night. I didnt wanna read the whole of it, just wanted to go thru some chapters which i thought would be interesting. I wasnt interested in his childhood nor was i interested in Economics of Pakistan. What i wanted to read was his take on Kashmir and Kargil. And i found that he has written utter crap in a very sellable way. He accusses India of invading Pakistan and starting the Kargil War. He then adds to it by saying that Indians were unsuccessful in their operation and suffered huge losses. He applauds his army for fighting bravely and causing huge casualties to India. Another stupid and equally annoying story of his (his lying skills and imagination needs to be observed) in his own words :

"India raised the level of some of its achievements to mythical proportions. A hilarious example of this was the announcement of India's highest award for gallantry, given to a soldier poshtumously,because he had died in the line of duty. Later they found that the man was very much alive."
He is here refering to Capt. Vikram Batra who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra.

This are the words of a guilty army chief who has to resort to the extreme power of his imagination and cold blooded lie to cover up his blunder and defeat.

Dream Home

2006-11-15T16:42:00.000+05:30

Wouldnt this be your dream house if the colony had swimming pool,basketball and tennis courts...

My First Digi Cam

2006-11-15T16:30:00.000+05:30

Photography is something which i always wanted to take up seriously. I like maintaining Photo Albums bcos i feel photos capture and help you relive those golden moments. Now this would be made easy, no more developing and scanning. I just bought Canon Ixus - 60 :-
6 Mp with 3x optical zoom
Will upload some snaps soon...

Home Sweet Home

2006-09-30T01:05:00.000+05:30

It just feels great to be back home, to sleep in your room, to get back to your area, to hangout with friends, to meet the same old people who know you since more than decade. For a moment you think nothing has changed. Only after a thought, u realise that this is just for a couple of days. You realise that you live in a different world now, not any less fascinating but still not the same.
But then there are days like today, truely amazing. Spending quality time with friends is best thing. Sitting at worli seaface (which has become so common for us) after a long time, was great.
Having dinner and having the tradition revived @ CCD with ourgrp.doc is the best of all.
I just hope d next time, all 6 of us are there. I really hope we can have these CCD sessions of ours more often like we use to have earlier.
Now that its sure that im gonna be in bangalore for @least another 10 months, all that i look forward to on going back to bangalore is shifting and setting up a new home. Its great fun setting up a new home right from scrach with your own earned money. Though not easy, its really a good feeling.
Bangalore is really a nice place to live if you for once, forget abt the traffic scenario( though u just cant forget it). Settling there also means travelling south india, i have already started with it by visiting chennai and pondicherry. Pondicherry is a nice and peaceful place. Chennai is 2 hot.
The plan is to visit Ooti and Kodai next month (last time i visited them was 8 yrs back).

All that i can say is thx a lot to all of u who made this visit a memorable one. Hope 2 cya soon...

From Infy

2006-08-20T19:23:00.000+05:30

Hello ppl. Back to blogging after a forced short
break. Right now, blogging from infy. fortunately they havent blocked blogger.com. What im totally amazed abt is bangalore's climate. Especially if you are coming from mumbai (for that matter, most of the places in india), u will love bangalore's climate. I havent had a drop of sweat here, even in d afternoon sun playing cricket or basketball in the evening. Evening breeze is d best. Bangalore also seems much cleaner than mumbai. Its only for d frnds and family that i have in mumbai, i miss mumbai. Otherwise bangalore is not bad. (kidding, mumbai rules)
I am really eager to be back home this weekend for ganesh utsav. A BIG THANKS 2 all of u there for all d help.
Infosys is gr8 but bangalore is quite expensive and especially when company doesnt provide much help. Not 2 many free facilities available. Not even travel.
Language can be a problem in bangalore and it is. I have already many experiences, explaining ppl for 10 minutes for getting d work done. Hindi is almost non-existent. The languages they speak will take me another life to learn.

Banglore it is

2006-07-09T01:06:00.000+05:30

Oops life just took a toss. Everything is going fine on a otherwise perfect Thursday July 6th. But a mail changed it all...it was from Infosys saying i was selected and now will have to go to Banglore for training and posting. Leaving mumbai is really sad and scary to settle somewhere else, especially for some1 like me who has got such a life. I cant really explain what life, but its difficult change 2 say the least. Cant really imagine life without going down in the night to meet up friends everyday. I must confess, more than the excitement of getting into Infosys is the sadness in having to leave mumbai. neways more later...signing off.

A week in office

2006-06-30T13:38:00.000+05:30

Its a week in office. The 1st day was so different but now slowly im getting used to it. I know blogging from office is the cause for many to loose their jobs, but im just doing that and I DO NOT HATE MY JOB.
Its completely different, especially after a gr8 20 days vacation (really enjoyed a lot). Its a whole new world out there and there is so much to learn. All days go the same now... leave for office @ around 8 and try to come back before 7. But yesterday was amazing, i felt as if nothing much has changed ( i know its an illusion and it was just one such day). There wasnt much work to do in the office. Tandon came over to meet in btw office timings, we did tp for abt 20 odd min. Then went home, talked with so many ppl on d phone. For a moment, i just thought i hadnt left college @all.
Neways before it actually becomes the reason for me losing the job, bye!!!

Ganpatipule Again

2006-06-15T22:45:00.000+05:30

I managed to visit G'pule again, this time with college frnds. Beach has changed, not that clean as it was d last time. But still quite clean. Its gr8 fun when there are 13 ppl in d grp. We had a blast there. Hardly slept there, the 1st night we slept @ 4.30 odd. I am really sceptical abt such a trip happening next time. The last day was really amazing, the waterfall and the fort. The last day was all abt fitting in, like packing 13 ppl in a sumo and 2 ppl sleeping in RAC birth. In short, it was another memorable experience. Here are some snaps.

Back

2006-06-07T09:17:00.000+05:30

Its done. No more studying and no more of trauma that one goes thru when engg exams are on. But its all worth when u realise that there will be no more of college and life takes a big turn. Dunno where its heading? But perhaps thats the beauty.
Now got some 20 odd days before work starts. There is so much to do and so little time. But thats always the case and its better than other way round. Was talking with friends who gave gone thru this phase and all they had to say was "live life bigtime for next 20 days, u will never find time d same again.

“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination”

Have hardly slept since yesterday. Its weird, when exams were on, i would feel sleepy all the more. Now, i have forgotten what sleep is.

Back n going...

2006-04-22T13:15:00.000+05:30

Havent posted from a month or more, not that there was nothing to post, but didnt know what to?
LOTS happening, vivas start on24th and project viva is on 6th. Thats gonna be quite a thing.
Last board exams of Be start on 17th.
College has come 2 an end. No more lectures and no more fun also. Phew!!! what a last sem!!! Cant believe its come to have come 2 an end, i dunt like to grow up...
cant imagine life without college ??? will miss all

A Monsoon treat

2006-03-12T00:04:00.000+05:30

Unexpected showers gave Mumbai a treat. It was just amazing getting wet in the rains standing at the seaface opposite to college. Words cant describe the feeling and how beautiful it all was. The rain, cold wind and the rainbow...it was a beautiful evening. Here are some snaps.

2006-03-06T20:30:00.000+05:30

Havent posted since a long time, a LOT has been happening. College has been real fun since last couple of weeks. Sports, tie n saree day n now ensemble coming up. Project is on standstill. Time just flies by... here are some moments captured in time frame.

Matheran again

2006-02-14T21:22:00.001+05:30

I am losing the count of my visits to matheran, but all have been really gr8. This was no different. 10 of us had planned to go to matheran last weekend.

We reached matheran on saturday evening and were there till monday afternoon. Usually matheran trip means trekking to me. This time, didnt trek much apart from walking all the way to Neral station from Hotel. We did go to the lake pt and the view from there was gr8. Apart from that, most of the time we played TT n Pool and were in Swimming Pool.

Saturday we reached there @ abt 4.30 and checked in Anand Ritz. We were actually just waiting for dinner to be served as we had skipped morning lunch. Dinner was really good. Then came the best part, after a little of tt we all sat thru the nite and talked. We went to sleep @ 3.30 only to be awaken by sakaria half an hr later and were kept awake by him till 5.30 odd. Cant mention on blog what all happened in that 1 hr. It was total riot.

Next morning, we had breakfast and some of us decided to have a swim. Some were forcefully pushed in. Then after morning lunch, we went to lake pt. One gets nice view from there. We walked back to the market from there and played Pool. Anuj almost got zee and me into a fight with some sardar. He makes it OBVIOUS. Then had dinner that nite and we all were damn tired so slept early.

Next morning we thought we would leave early but then none were actually ready to leave. Played TT and Pool in the morning with breakfast. It was really gr8 fun playing TT with tandon. We left at around 1.30 pm from hotel and walked all the way down to neral station with just 1 halt in between. The total trek should be around 10 kms. Took a train and reached home, ending a gr8 outing.

Waiting for monsoon, want a repeat of last yr.... July 3 2005.

Random snaps

2006-02-07T22:32:00.000+05:30

Here are some random snaps from last couple of weeks.
This snap is of twin day. It was fun to be dressing like some1. Jess was all excited abt it and we did manage to look identical. Enjoying the last days of college!!

This pic was taken from my cell @ bandstand on sunday evening. Sunsets are really beautiful @ beaches or seaface. Though none as beautiful as
what i had seen @ ganpatipule.

Essel World

2006-01-05T23:33:00.000+05:30

Last yr this time around, we had been to water kingdom ( 6 of us). We had decided to take the Passport-Next thinking we would easily be utilising it. i.e making 2 trips within a yr. Somehow, it never happened. So decided to go to essel world today, before the pass expires on 8 Jan. So 11 of us (butt, sampi, tayabi, sakaria, kubal, hardik, zeeshan, chintan, jess, skirti and me) met @ Gorai.
The 1st half before lunch was gr8. Aqua was amazing. Only a few had the guts to take a ride of THUNDER. Hats off to skirti for that. I was constantly telling her keep the eyes open. See the view and she did open her eyes for once. Rainbow was tp, but the way tayabi was laughing was really funny. Then came the worst and most irritating, frustrating ride, crazy cup(le). It spinned my head off. There was nothing in the ride other than going round n round. By the end of it, all were pretty hungry ( well, sakaria was always hungry). So had lunch and that made us damn sleepy and lazy. Somehow we went to Artic circle and things changed thereafter. I had never thought it would be so gr8. Jabal had told me earlier that it was amazing. But it was a truely gr8 experience ice skating. Had a few falls, but it was worth it. In the end, skated quite well. It reminded me of my school days when i used to skate a lot. The temperature here was freezing and i was wearing a sleeveless Tshirt. Hardik, Zeeshan and I took another round making it 1hr of ice skating. In the 2nd round, the temperature was 0 celcius. I dunno how i managed to survive that with just the sleeveless Tshirt. But the 2nd round was amazing, almost flawless skating. Others had decided to play bowling.
We left the park @ 7 , had dinner in borivali and reached home all tired @ 10pm ending another amazing outing. Good start to the new yr.

Sony Erricsson 550i (walkman)

2006-01-04T00:41:00.000+05:30

Atlast, Mitsibushi M330 is gone. I used it for more than a yr. Was worth it. Much relief of many ppl who were more annoyed with mitsibushi than i was, its finally replaced with Sony Erricsson 550i rightly called the walkman.

Features:
Radio
Music Player
Inbuilt memory of 256 Mb
Camera with 4x zoom and flash light
The sound and volume is beyond compare with any other cell available in the market.

I only hope that the battery life is long, bcos my usage is such that battery never stands for one complete day.

Kubal's Bday

2005-12-29T22:55:00.000+05:30

Well i guess it all started with 29th Dec 2002. If i am not wrong, it was the first time that we had planned to celebrate a bday in ourgrp by suprising him. Thereafter, the tradition hasnt stopped. I still remember the planning done behind it and how i had got the cake and we had kept it in Jyoti Mam's lab. It was Kubals bday then and he had absolutely no idea what we had planned. Same was the case today, its always gr8 fun to suprise ppl and especially kubal. He didnt expected any of this. This time the credit goes to Aki and Kubal's sis. To catch him sleeping and completely unaware was gr8 fun. The best part abt suprising ppl is the reactions u get to watch, like geo's reaction @ 12 (the 1st time, i still got the snap) or ankit saying "what are u doing here?" or kubal trying to evade the cam or his words when we suprised him the 1st time(cant write on the blog).
here are some snaps of yesterday.

Good Bye 2005

2005-12-28T09:11:00.000+05:30

I dont have words to describe how this year has been. Its been outstanding and very eventful. Its been like a rollercoaster ride, through ups and downs. I had some gr8 moments and a few not so great. But no regrets or complains. In the end, got to experience a lot and learn a lot. The experience has been terrific, an experience that puts to test ur endurance level and ur potential to fight what life throws at u. I learnt to be more thickskinned. I learnt to loose all but loose no faith. I learnt not to learn when its not necessary. I again realised how blessed i am in having the best of friends. I thank them all for being there. (not mentioning the names here, but they themself know who they are)
Some things have happened this year, that makes this year unforgettable. Again no words to describe it.
Travelling wise, had some gr8 short trips to matheran and revdanda, both amazing. The last trip to banglore was also good. Dunno when i will be travelling next as once college starts, its gonna be really tough with the last sem and project. Results would eventually come and...
Academically, sem6 was good, sem7 surely not so good. Still the result hasnt come to make it worst. Health was no problem in 2005(atleast not mine, but for many ppl close to me it was).
Its the time for new year resolutions. Its not that every year i take them explicitly but only when i think there is a need. This yr i feel the need, so here are some to list :

1. Still continue with the same commitment to avoid swearing.
2. Try and be punctual.
3. Try and be more organised.
4. Less junk food. (this is doubtful)

here is some gyan:

Life becomes so much easier
when you accept the fact
that nothing you have
is really yours.
Not even the ones you love
For they are like the waves
that break gently upon the shore
soaking your feet in their cool embrace
as you walk along the sand.
Alone.

In the end, wishing u all a very happy new year.

Freedom, not quite...

2005-12-19T00:53:00.000+05:30

Its a relief that exams are done. Last 1 week was a little 2 much. 3 heavy papers in a gap of 6 days. Dunt even wanna think how exams have gone? But it doesnt need any thought to say that they havent gone that well. Now thats it gone, wouldnt really wanna think abt it until results.
Life is slowly coming back to normal. Watched "Bluff Master" yesterday and had quite a time celebrating Sandesh bday. Played cricket today and it was like returning to golden days again. Leaving for banglore on tuesday. I dunno if any travelling is coming later or not? so will try and make the most of this. I got only 15 days of vacation. Vacation always used to mean travelling earlier, it would mean to plan the travel and go somewhere out of town with frnds. Havent travelled much offlate. Now a days, the trips are not more than 1-2 days.

One thing that keeps hanging on the mind is project. So vacation would be wasted on it, or invested. (cant really make out the difference many times!!).

Exams

2005-12-03T19:18:00.000+05:30

Havent posted from last couple of weeks. Exams have started and as usual the 1st paper didnt go well. Today's paper was better. Now have 10 days off before the last 3. Things will get back to normal in these 10 days. Exams end on 17th. What have i already missed studying for exams, things that i would otherwise be doing:
1) Pali and Daman trip.
2) Playing Cricket on Sunday
3) Sunday dinner

But cant help when one doesnt study much earlier. hehe...

Moon to play spoil sport

2005-11-15T14:51:00.000+05:30

Comes the month of november, and comes Leonids. But this yr, Moon seems to have decided to spoil the party. Meteor showers are a treat to watch. I vividly remember watching the 2001 Leonids. Watching a meteor shower consists of lying back, looking up at the sky . . . and waiting. I didnt had to wait much then. Still remember, how i had decided to keep a count and then realised there was no meaning as it would easily be in hundreds. This yr, its not gonna be so, courtesy Full Moon. So no show is expected this time. The Leonids are scheduled to peak on 17Nov. Its not gonna be in the rates of several hundreds per hr(as it used to be), its gonna be much much less.

Some gyan abt Leonids:
The Leonids are so named because the shower's radiant point, from where the meteors seem to fan out, is located within the constellation of Leo, the Lion. The meteors are caused by the Tempel-Tuttle comet, which sweeps through the inner solar system every 33 years.

Happy Diwali

2005-11-05T00:54:00.000+05:30

This Diwali shall never be forgotten. Some realisations too important to miss out. It was such a gr8 learning experience. That life just goes on... Sometimes i thank god for unanswered prayers!!
Exams are getting nearer day by day and its already high time to start studying. As usual, waiting for exams to get over b4 they have started. Project work also needs some serious attention.
Have got a couple of movies on comp, havent got the time to watch them yet. Its good to see indian cricket coming back to form.
Travelling is what i wanna do. There is this banglore IV (industrial visit) coming up in december. Some other plans are also being made, but lets c whether it actually works out or not. I hope it does bcos next yr round, dunno what would be the situation.
happy diwali!!! (i know its late)

October

2005-10-27T17:36:00.000+05:30

Back to blogging after a long time. This month has been hectic. Too much has happened in life in last 1 month.
Renovation of room completed @last. I still like the old room although this looks much better. I like the old one bcos it has unforgettable memories.

Submissions and Viva kept me busy the whole month. It takes a lot when u complete all journals in 4-5 days. Viva's have been quite an experience this time. Todays MC viva was the best that i have attended all my life. We were in there for abt 1 hr. Viva's get over tomorrow. Plan is to take some break.
Posting some snaps of yesterday. THX A LOT to ourgrp.doc

Eclipse and the Eclipsed

2005-10-04T20:17:00.000+05:30

4th October, Mumbai witnessed a Partial Solar Eclipse. So I landed up @ Planetarium. Watched the phenomenon, this was just a partial eclipse and not total. The one in 1999 and 1995 were much significant and better than this one. But a solar eclipse is a solar eclipse. Watching it through the lenses of Nehru Planetarium's Telescope reminds a lot and takes me back to those days of my life that i spent there. Nehru Planetarium has and will always be a special place for me. Dr.Rawal in particular. Its there that i started and developed my interest in Astronomy. I was a student of the Planetarium and attended most of its lecture series. I still remember those sunday afternoons, attending lectures of Astronomy course. Met Prabhu and SuhasNaiksatam sir and it made me feel as if i was there to attend another lecture. Those days, i used to visit planetarium @least twice a week, now its hardly once a year. The last time was, when i and Jabal had been there to watch Mars coming closest to earth( aug 2003). Its happening again this monthend but not as close. Still should be a site to watch and i plan to land up @ planetarium. Also there is lecture on Einstein's theory of relativity( both general and special) on 15 Oct and i dunt want to miss that. To conclude, it wont be wrong to say that i spend some of my best days @ planetarium and a special thx to Dr.Rawal( then director of planetarium) for that.

Geo's Bday.... a tradition maintained

2005-10-03T18:47:00.000+05:30

It all started a couple of years ago on 2nd October when we 4( Ankit, Akshay, Jabal and Me) decided to suprise George on this bday. We went to his place @ 12 and cut the cake. Stayed there overnight and had gr8 fun. Years have gone by and somehow we have been able to maintain this tradition. This year we did the same but minus Jabal. First we met @ Sion for dinner(geo's treat) and then went on to his place for overnight. Watched Man on Fire. It is by no means a comedy film, its infact a thriller but Geo and Ankit had other plans. I dunno what the hell was going on and what crap were we laughing at, but we were continously laughing. In short, had a good time together. Hope that we can continue with the same every year.

I cant , I can

2005-09-25T00:15:00.000+05:30

Things i just can't stop doing :
1. Cant stop thinking.
2. Cant stop going down in the night to hang out with sandu n vipul.
3. Cant stop analysing things.
4. Cant stop troubling myself.
5. Cant stop eating outside food.

Things i can stop doing:
1. Swearing (whatever little i do)
2. Blogging crap.
3. Sleeping late in the night.
4. Day dreaming.
5. Wasting time.

Prem Sagar Ganesh Utsav

2005-09-15T23:49:00.000+05:30

Om Ganeshaya Namh.
Prem Sagar Ganesh Utsav 2005

I dont think any of us will ever forget this years Ganesh Utsav. Simply for too many reasons, the situation that was before the Utsav, what all happened in those 5 days and yesterday @ Kavans place. If I may say so, this year's idol is the best one to have ever come. Here are some snaps:

weirdest of all

2005-08-31T00:26:00.000+05:30

ok, i dunno how to describe today. This has to be the weirdest of all days that i have lived...
Infact the latter half of the day was really weird. Got home @ around 5 from college, and was listening to music(jagjit) and was just lying on the bed. The songs(lyrics) were just amazing and was just thinking how they were relating to my life. Didnt even realise how time passed and the evening went by...
Had dinner and didnt go down unlike everyother day. Was online and just chatting with some ppl. Still listening to Jagjit, just didnt feel like stopping it. Nive signed in, and was chatting with her. She was going through the same feelings and emotions. It was as if we both were stealing words from each others mouth. The 20 min odd conversation was like none other.

dil-e-nadaan, tuje huva kya hai? akhir is dard ki dava kya hai?
humko unse wafa ki hai umeed, jo nahi jaante wafa kya hai!!

shayaad yeh waqt hamse koi chaal chal gaya
rishta wafa ka aur hi rangoaN mein dhal gaya
passko ke chandni se thi bether woh dhup hi
us mod se shuru kare phir woh zindagi
har shai jaahan haseen thi, hum tum the ajnabee.

I had watched this movie "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" earlier this vacation, where in Jim Carrey removes all the memories of Kate Winslet from his brain. Just wandering wouldnt that be gr8? No more mental trauma. Just delete that person or event from ur memory. Live a happy life there after!!!

Happenings in Life

2005-08-26T22:55:00.000+05:30

24 hrs a day is not enuf! The coming week is gonna be tough, 11 days to go for ganpati and loads of work is left to be done. But i guess it shud be done in time. Atleast i hope so. As for college, Project topic needs to be selected in a couple of days. Currently cant choose between the 2 probables:
GRID COMPUTING or WEB BASED APPLICATION. Both have their pros and cons.
Other thing happening and not coming to an end is the renovation of a part of my house. Soo want it to end fast, but seems it will take time.

Happenings in Life:
Music that i listen : Jal(aadat, yaakeen,teri yaadein), Poets of the fall(sings of life).
Jal and Junoon are 2 pak bands that i just adore. The lyrics are absolutely amazing. Base Guitarist of both the bands is just fabulous.
Reading: A brief history of time ( Stephen Hawking).
This guy is just amazing, though cant properly understand why and how he contradicted his own statement saying that black holes release nothing, not even light. Now he says, they do give out some information.
Movies watched: Mangal Pandey, Sahara.
Mangal Pandey is OK. Mediocre. Dont expect much.

Amazing Trip (Jinx Broken)

2005-08-15T22:09:00.000+05:30

I dunno from where to start and what to say? No poets words, No camera can truely describe the experience we had @ Revdanda. Revdanda is some 35 odd kms from Alibaug.
Skirti and I had been planning some sort of trip(trek) from months. Most of the times it just wouldnt materialize. Got very near a couple of times,but it just never happened. I am mentioning this bcos its significant to know the circumstances created before this trip. But we 6 (chintan came in last min) stuck to the plan. This trip happened bcos of U 3 girls. THX.

Now abt the trip:
We left early morning in Asiad( they arent that bad as i had thought) for Revdanda and reached there @ abt 10.15. After settling in @ skirti's granny's place, we left for the beach. The beach was quite ok, have seen better beaches (gpule and goa) but it wasnt bad @all. So got into the waters inspite of the warnings we had got. It was low tide and once i knew there wasnt much of quick sand, it was ok. We spent nearly 2 n 1/2 hrs on the beach. Then we left for a dam in sitara(a big rick). The route on the way to the Dam was thru the mountains and beaches making it really amazing. Finally we could see the Dam, which still was quite far from us. The water was overflowing from the dam and was creating a artificial waterfall. It was looking magnificent. We then set on foot for the Dam. The route was thru forest and streams which made it really gr8. First found the wrong way and reached a dead end. Then reached the Dam (waterfall) making our way thru fields n streams. Finally made it there. It was amazing. The water was coming down in gr8 force. Got wet and only the threat of darkness got us out from there, we just didnt wanna come out of the fall. Then we went to a lighthouse from there in Sitara. The view from the lighthouse was amazing. Some of us climbed on to the fort, and the view from there was breathtaking. I just cant explain. Surrounded by water and on top of the mountain, the view beneath was simply splendid. It was almost dark by the time we came down and then we started for Birla Temple. This is the best Ganesh temple that i have been to. Its completely made of marble and granite. Its huge with fountains and the ambeince cant be described in words. We were in time for the Aarti. Nothing would go wrong this day. Every place we visited would give an amazing story to tell and memories to remember forever. After spending abt 1 hr in the temple, we went to the hotel for dinner(were damn hungry as we had skipped lunch). We reached home @ around 9.30 pm. Took bath and were in the beds. But we didnt sleep till 4am. Jessy paid the price for trying to sleep early(had applied closeup and lipstick on her face), sorry for that jess. Sakaria was extra watchful not to sleep early. He survived. We had to leave next morning for Mumbai. Sakaria spent 30 min (10-10.30) for the karyakaram. It didnt take him that long even for his bath. This delayed us somewhat. But it was ok. Reached home @ 3.15 pm ending an amazing trip. But the memories will remain forever!!! More photos here

Snaps

2005-08-12T20:24:00.000+05:30

Last week was quite eventful. Technology helps capture so such. Check these snaps from last weeks happenings(all taken from mobile phones). These are from daman trip. There 's this place called Veera Da Dhaba, the ambience there is simply amazing and not to forget the food :-)

Will Discovery Crash and Burn?

2005-07-30T09:47:00.000+05:30

The million dollar question rite now is "whether Discovery will land safely?". The answer will only be available on 7th August. Nasa has launched its first manned space mission in two-and-a-half years after the ill fated Columbia crash. An earlier attempt on 13 July had to be scrubbed because of the failure of a fuel sensor; but the problem did not recur on Tuesday and the countdown proceeded without interruption.

The cause of worry this time is that some debris was spotted falling around the vehicle during its launch. Nasa has cancelled all shuttle missions indefinitely.

Another news from the astronomy world is the discovery of 10th planet orbiting the Sun. The planet (not yet named) is 1.5 times bigger than Pluto. The planet is 97 times further from Sun than Earth.

A rainy day

2005-07-28T17:00:00.000+05:30

"why does it always rain on me?" --- have u heard this song by travis. This describes my day on day before yesterday. I say this bcos that day all accidents (cant completely call it serendipity) kept on happening and things never got better. It starts with reaching college late and then attending till 1.00pm. We always wanted to get wet in the rains and go to worli seaface and never got the rite time. But this day when we already had plans to go iit, this was the best weather to get wet. We left for IIT, reached there partially wet. Nothing productive happened there but this is not it. We had the time of our life coming back from IIT. A nonstop 5 hrs walk from IIT to Ghatkopar. Getting down from IIT to Kanjunmarg, it was windy and raining continously. I still cant forget the look on hardik's face when we realised that we wouldnt reach home that day. We met couple of felllow stranders on the way and started walking towards ghatkopar. On the way made friends with Venkat who was walking all the way from Andheri. We reached ghatkopar and it was completely submerged in water. We walked for abt 2 hrs in waist and chest high water. Not to forget there was no light @ all. We walked in darkness in chest high water for 2 hrs until we reached aki's place. Stayed there for the night. Sincere thx to his family for the hospitality and help, or else i cant imagine what would have happened. We started back the next morning to reach home. Never in my life, i was so homesick before. Walked for another 3 hrs and reached home but only to realise that there is no power. The power hasnt come till yet. BEST sucks. No power means no water inspite of so much of rains. what an irony?
Sincere thx again to aki's family, venkat and all those who were concerned about me. (kept on getting sms's for a long time when cell was restored.)

Heart of a Lioness

2005-07-24T17:03:00.000+05:30

Its sunday afternoon and i was lazy sleeping. Just switched on the tv and saw this amazing footage on animal planet, atfirst i thought it would be a normal hunt where the lioness kills its prey. But I was privileged to watch this amazing documentary by Saba Douglas Hamilton.

Samburu Reserve is unashamedly red in tooth and claw - the dominion of predators, it’s a dangerous place for the vulnerable. But when a lioness has a change of heart, for one small antelope - a baby oryx - this land of predators becomes a land of miracles.
Astonishing the scientific world, a young lioness, adopts a baby oryx and mothers it with infinite tenderness for 16 days. Foregoing her most basic needs she proves both a tender and fierce protector. The Samburu people call her Kamunyak – the blessed one.
But seeing Kamunyak for the first time is nothing short of witnessing a miracle. Appearing out of nowhere, the lion and the lamb curl up side by side. Fascinated, Saba follows them for days. She’s not alone in her astonishment, gawping gazelles bark out their alarm, not quite believing their eyes.
Saba maps out what she knows of the resident Samburu lions and discovers that Kamunyak does indeed seem to be solitary. Without a pride and lacking female relatives to help her hunt or in defence, her future looks bleak. She’s also in danger from hostile lions that don’t want her around trespassing. In the two days that Saba’s been away visiting Laurence, Kamunyak’s condition has deteriorated considerably. With a shock Saba begins to realise the full significance of Kamunyak’s misplaced obsession. Both Kamunyak and the calf are starving.

But it seems help is at hand. Kamunyak’s fame has spread throughout the land and hundreds of people come to see the Miracle Lioness for themselves. Everyone’s touched by her state and the Park Warden is pressurised to intervene and feed the lioness. At night he throws her a chunk of meat. Saba keeps watch for hours, but the lioness won’t take the food.

Next day, Saba’s more hopeful. Kamunyak and the calf come down to the river to drink. It’s the first time Saba’s seen them doing something sensible. Here their fond attachment to one another confirms what Laurence Frank suggested, that trauma from losing her pride probably fuelled Kamunyak’s quirky obsession. But hidden along the river bank danger is lurking. Here predators lie in wait for unwary prey. Kamunyak’s inverted nature, but will nature now strike back.

On the 15th day, both Kamunyak and the calf are much worse for wear. Kamunyak rests in thick bush, her energy spent. For a moment she lets down her guard and the calf wanders out of sight. A shocking snarl springs both Kamunyak and Saba into action – horrified they see a massive lion has caught the calf in a killing grip. Kamunyak is desperate, but too frightened to get any closer to the male. Saba watches in horror as the calf is killed and Kamunyak reacts with all the passion and fear of a lioness who’s lost her cub. But all that’s left of the calf is the red blood that the male licks off his lips.
--
Saba and Dudu Douglas Hamilton.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

2005-07-16T11:24:00.000+05:30

How happy is the blameless vestal's lot
The world forgetting, by the world forgot
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind
Each pray'r accepted and each wish resigned.

Another amazing movie! The imagination of Charlie Kaufman is indeed quite creative. In Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a guy decides to have the memories of his ex-girlfriend erased after she's had him erased from her own memory--but midway through the procedure, he changes his mind and struggles to hang on to their experiences together. He tries to hide her in corners of his memory where they havent been together before.
In short:
When Joel Barish(Jim Carrey) finds himself irresistibly drawn to the free-spirited Clementine(Kate Winslet), he is stunned to discover that she is, in fact, his ex-girlfriend...and that both of them have undergone a process to have their memories of each other erased.
-------------------X--------------------X--------------------X-----------------------
By the numbers of movies that i have watched this vacation, if i blog the review for each of them, this blog will be only a movie blog. I havent watched so many movies in such a short span ever in my life before. Here's the list of all the movies i watched this vacation(in theatre or TV or Comp) along with ratings:
01. Bunty and Babli (**)
02. Parineeta(***^)
03. War of Worlds (*)
04. Sarkar(***)
05. Fantastic 4(***)
06. Amelie (****^)
07. Familia(***^)
08. Serendipity(****)
09. Butterfly effect(****)
10. Come along Polly(***^)
11. The Beast(***)
12. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind(****)
13. Flavours (***)
14. Where's the party yaar? (***)

the butterfly effect

2005-07-09T01:50:00.000+05:30

I dunno how many of you have watched this movie, i just completed watching it. 2 cups of cold coffee is gonna keep me awake for a long time tonite, so decided to post about this movie and the hypothesis in general. To start of, the movie is really amazing, basically bcos the concept is paranormal and much to my liking. The story is regarding a young man (Kutcher) who blacks out harmfull memories of significant events of his life. As he grows up he finds a way to remember these lost memories and a supernatural way to alter his life. A must watch movie.

Now abt the hypothesis of the chaos theory and butterfly effect:
We all have moments when we wish we could change something. Right a wrong. Correct a mistake. Gain something by altering previous events of life. what if we really could?
There is no such thing as chance, only patterns we do not understand. Life has only one great lesson. It says to you Pay Attention. Whether in Chaos or Entropy, the more you know, the cleverer and more well-informed you are…the easier it is to ride the tide of Chaos, to achieve the wanted.

the butterfly effect:
The flap of a butterfly's wings in one part of the world could ultimately cause an earthquake in other. So say the proponents of chaos theory, who use 'the butterfly effect' to describe how small and apparently insignificant incidents can set in motion a chain of events with far reaching consequences. This phenomenon, common to chaos theory, is also known as sensitive dependence on initial conditions. Just a small change in the initial conditions can drastically change the long-term behavior of a system.
Dont know whether all this is a piece of crap or the something more than that?

more snaps of the trek

2005-07-08T18:06:00.000+05:30

ok guys, finally have uploaded the rest. Check out all of them @ myphoto album

TOP DRIVE GET AWAY

2005-07-05T22:38:00.000+05:30

After the trek on sunday, now i was out for a long drive to Pali. This place,Pali is some 11o km from mumbai and some 50 odd from panvel. We took off from Sion @ 12.30 pm in my friend's(sandu n umesh) Indigo. Once u leave mumbai and reach panvel, the journey from there to Pali is just lovely along the goa road. In this climate, its just an amazing drive with mountains on both the sides of the road. You pass the karnala bird sanctuary on the way and then the river alongside the road makes it even more breathtaking. Long drives in monsoon with greenery all around is the best experience. Thx sandu n umesh. Will upload snaps of this drive tomorrow.