Life.... It Goes On !!

2007-07-15T04:56:00.000+05:30

kyon karni hai khwahish
kisi ka naam le kar
jo khud pe hain yakin
to chalo khud ko akela kar!

khwahish jo kisi aur ke
balboote pe bani ho,
toot jaye woh to

kyon aankhon mein nami ho?

Raah mein milne wale to musafir hain,
Kuch pal humsafar ban jaate hain,
Jo badalti hain manzilein to,
Raah mein akela chod jaate hain.

Raahgiron ko apni manzil na batao,
jo bani hai kuch yaadein,
ho sake to unhe bhool jao!!

yaadein jo banti hain
sahara kisi ka pa kar
toot-ta hai sahara to
nikalti hain aankhon se beh kar

to rakhna hai kyon khud ko
mohtaaj kisi ka bana kar
karni hai bandagi kisi ki
to sirf bharosa karo khud par!

tab bhi bikhrengi khwahishein,
aur tootenge armaan,
jo dekhoge peeche to milenge
apne hi kadmon ke nishan!

bharosa jo tum ko
fir se dilayenge,
kisi toote dil ki daastan
na fir se douhrayenge!

bharosa tootega nai,
khud pe mazboot hoga
khwahishon ke tootne pe hi,
nai khwaishon ke janam ka josh hoga !

This is in repsonse to DreamCatcher's comment to previous post :-)

khwahish

2007-07-10T02:12:00.000+05:30

ekant mein ho
sirf 'aks' ka saath
na uljhan, na vifalta
sirf khushi ki ho baat !

tanhayee mein sirf
baat apni chale,
na ho koi apna
jiski dil ummeed kare !

vichalit na kare
jab sannaatte ka shor
andhere ka na ho darr
roshni kheenche nai apni aur !!

na rosh ho kisi ka
na uljhan ka ho aalam,
na mile hum kisi se
bhoolein saare ghum, hum !!

na yaad sataye kisi ki
saath muskuraane ko na ho humdum,
hum soche na kisi ko
na soch mein kisi ki ho hum !!

jab beet jaaye manzar,
jab bhool jayein yaadein
to jiyein zindagi ko
jyon, hua ho naya janam !!

'क्यों'

2007-06-26T20:39:00.000+05:30

ऊँचे आसमान में
घने बादलों के बीच,
उड़ी चल जाती कहीं
सोचती हूँ अखियाँ मींच!

'क्यों' उड़ता है मन
भरे बादलों के जैसे,
सच्चाई-नुमा पहाड़ी से टकरा
'क्यों' बेहता है पानी फिर आँखों से?

'क्यों' कोई ख्वाब
आँखों में आता है
आख़िर कैसे कोई चेहरा
दिल में समाता है ?

फिर 'क्यों' नम्म होती हैं
किसी की याद में आँखें,
दिल बार बार रो कर
'क्यों' ज़ार ज़ार हो जाता है ?

चाहतों के दाएरे में बाँध कर
'क्यों' इंसान समझ अपनी खोता है
वास्तविकता समझ कर भी 'क्यों'
परिस्तित्यों के हाथों मजबूर होता है ?

फिर भी, दर्द से झूझ कर
दर्द से ही शक्ति पा,
'क्यों',
दर्द भारी यादें संजोता है
दर्द से ही रिश्ता बनाता है

'kyon'

2007-06-13T07:53:00.000+05:30

oonche aasmaan mein
ghane badlon ke beech,
udi chal jati kahin
sochti hun akhiyan meench!

'kyon' udta hai man
bhare badlon ke jaise,
sachayi-numa pahadi se takra
'kyon' behta hai pani fir aankhon se?

'kyon' koi khwab
aankhon mein aata hai,
aakhir kaise koi chehra
dil mein samata hai ?

fir 'kyon' nam hoti hain
kisi ki yaad mein aankhein,
dil baar baar ro kar
'kyon' zaar zaar hota hai ?

chahton ke dayere mein bandh kar
'kyon' insaan samajh apni khota hai,
vastavikta samajh kar bhi 'kyon'
paristhityon ke haathon majboor hota hai ?

dard se jhoojh kar
dard se hi shakti pa,
fir bhi 'kyon',
dard bhari yaadein sanjota hai?
dard se hi rishta banata hai?

For a 'Soldier'

2007-06-04T15:25:00.000+05:30

I am old and I am free,
wondering little, how I get this liberty !
I enjoy freedom and the bliss of life,
not knowing enough, how you strive!

Still I complain, regret and fret,
for what I have not got,
and what I should get!

I learn to move on never looking back
little or not concerned,
How I will pay thy debts !

Debts what I said
is Duty for you,
But selfish as I am
who can’t even smile back at you !

For the countless sacrifices
you continue to make,
I had not dared to put it in words
and try to elaborate !

For all that you do
Is beyond my comprehension,
The selfless spirit
sacrificing life without apprehension!

The real feeling of brotherhood
and team spirit you have,
For us in this free world
is mere tableau to have!

In toughest moments
you continue to fight,
That ‘unseen enemy’
unannounced, as he strikes!

The challenges of ‘Mother Nature’
continue to inspire,
However valiant be the effort,
but you are seldom admired!

Till a day comes
when you lay your life,
In protecting your mother land
leaving everything behind!

I continue to cry for me and mine
never ever thinking that
Your motherland was equally mine.

Salute you ‘soldier’
for the supreme sacrifice you made
When I was busy making money
unabated by the thoughts of struggle you faced!

Inspired by a Soldier ....... 'Aks'

'इंतेज़ार'

2007-05-10T15:11:00.000+05:30

क्यों पास आ कर भी
थी इतनी दूरी,
क्यों दूर रेह कर
नई लगती कोई मजबूरी.

मिलने को, करने को है इतनी बातें
क्यों मिल नई पाए हम
क्यों हैं अब मुझ को शिकायतें!

बातें शब्दों में जो लिख पाती हूँ
होठों से जाने क्यों कह नही पाती हूँ
दूरियों में मिलता इक अजीब सुकून हैं
मगर इंतेज़ार ख़तम करने का भी इक जुनून है

ना ख़तम होने वाला ये सिलसिला है
मुझे ज़िंदगी पैर फिर भी भरोसा है
मिलना है फिर तुम से इक दिन मुझ को,
मगर नया इंतज़ार अभी करना है मुझ को...

दौर-ए-इंतेज़ार शायद
कभी ख़तम नई होगा,
मिल कर तुम से
फिर एक बार बिछड़ना होगा.

हँसती हूँ मुस्कुराती हूँ
जब ये सोचती हूँ
इस दौर के भी गुज़र जाने का
'इंतेज़ार' किए जाती हूँ ......

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

kyon paas aa kar bhi
thi itni duuri,
kyon dur reh kar
nai lagti koi majboori.

milne ko, karne ko hai itni baatein
kyon mil nai paye hum,
kyon hain ab mujh ko shikayatein.

baatein shabdon mein jo likh pati hun,
hothon se jane kyon keh nahi pati hun.
duriyon mein milta ik ajeeb sukoon hain,
magar intezaar khattam karne ka bhi ik junoon hai.

na khattam hone wala ye silsila hai
mujhe zindagi par fir bhi bharosa hai
milna hai fir tum se ik din mujh ko,
magar naya intezaar abhi karna hai mujh ko...

daur-e-intezaar shayad
kabhi khattam nai hoga,
mil kar tum se
fir ek baar bichadna hoga.

hansti hun, muskurati hun
jab ye sochti hun,
is daur ke bhi guzar jaane ka
'intezaar' kiye jati hun......

Dedicated to best buddy Shomita whom I cud not meet when she was in India ....

'Jeet'

2007-04-25T17:28:00.000+05:30

vichlit mann
uttejit armaan,
kayi dishayein
magar rasta, na koi darmiyan!

soch hai bekabu
ajeeb sa hai ye jadoo,
kehne ko hai bahut
magar alfaaz, koi kaise doo?

kabhi pal mein tha jamghat
kabhi pal mein tanhayee,
kahin thi pal mein khushiyan
aur kahin achanak aankh bhar aayi !

dosti ka ya shayad
doston se
milan ka tha jadoo,
akele jo hue hain
to khoya hai
khud pe hi kaboo!

bharosa tha khud pe jo
hai abhi dagmagaya
akele mein jo aks ne
chehra aks ko dikhaya!

kyon umadti hai aas
ki ho koi paas,
kyon hota hai abhaas
tanhayion ka khaas?

kyon bikharte hain ehsaas
magar fir se jagta hai vishwas
na ho jo koi, to bhi
jeetna hai mujh ko, mujhi se, fir se aaj !

Bhaav - Shabdon se pare

2007-03-12T17:49:00.000+05:30

Jin bhavo ko tumne
Apni panktiyon mein kaha hai,
Un bhavo ko maine
kayi baar jiya hai !

who lamha jo tum ne jiya hai,
un khushi ke palon ko
dil mein kayam maine kiya hai !

tumhare sawalon mein dam hai
magar shayad meri soch pe
bharosa tumhein kam hai!

Jati hun jahan pati hun wahan
Wahi khushi wahi waadiyaan.
Dil jhoomta hai jis mein
Tanha ho kar bhi sab se,
Un waadiyon ke beech
Mit jaati hain tanhaiyaan!

Us hariyaali ke beech
Paton par padi os mein
Bas hoti hai arzoo ki lapetoon
Poora aakaash apne aagosh mein.

Ik took dekhti hun
Kabhi kshitij ke pare tak ki waadiyan
Kabhi ho jati hun madhosh dekh kar
Na khattam hone wala raat ka wo aasmaan

Kahin lagta hai choo kar aaoon
Oonche oothte wo pahad,
Kabhi lagta hai jaaoon
Us bhavya saagar ke paar.

Kabhi udti hun badlon mein
To machalta hai mann
Kabhi sunti hun koi kilkari
To khil utha hain mann.

Kabhi koi kaato (squirrel)
Mujhe hansati hai
Nanhe pairon se daba kar
Jab mungfali wo khati hai

Kisi koyal ka kookna
Kisi bache ka chehkna
Kisi kabootar ki gutar goon
Kaise sab main yahan kahoon

Milta hai jo sakoon
In ehsason ko jee kar
Hota hai wohi jo milta hai
Kisi bache ko man chahi cheez pa kar

Chehre ki raunak vyakhyaan se pare hoti hai
Jo dekhti hai aankhein ya samajhta hai dil
Aisi sundarta to sach mein 'shabdon se pare' hoti hai.

Search !

2007-02-27T11:36:00.000+05:30

A screeching sound, as if
Something’s broken
Loads of silence, but
The peace is stolen.

Moments, full of love
And friendship that I cherish.
Loneliness engulfs and
My faith is blemished.

Cant help the tears
Flow down my cheeks,
Reminiscence of past
As my mind speaks.

I wonder if something’s really amiss
Or just that I fail to feel the bliss.
Even at home my heart’s away,
Wonder where it is gone or if
Someone’s taken it away.

Have been waiting for long
To find the place where I belong,
Have been wandering a lot
To find that right spot.

One moment makes me feel
I have grown smart,
The next comes shattering and
Tears the faith apart.

Sadly, but again its just another phase
I am undergoing a transition phase.
Life will have new avenues
But till I meet them,I will suffer the blues.

'Response'

2007-02-13T12:07:00.000+05:30

Today I wish 'again' to sit alone,
and ponder over the questions you have thrown.

I love to listen and I have heard,
but there are questions 'Unanswered'.

Quest has followed from the soul,
I try answering ,
but end up creating a bigger 'hole'.

You have suggested, and countered
but there is so much,
that I have not deciphered.

There are questions so big in size,
I simply wonder,
how to take these all in my stride.

I try to answer some
but the chain follows,
the whirlpool of thoughts again swallows.

I love to hear 'again'
and appreciate the smile...
but now I wonder how hollow is my pride.

So much so, that now I sit alone
I wonder if I am good enough
to answer your question on my own.

Way you see life and self contemplate,
My words for you,
I feel is a waste.

You know so much
by virtue of how you have lived
I wonder what answers can I give.

You have lived and loved thoroughly
countered the toughest moments bravely.

You have the will,
You will have your way,
Just decide and Live your day.

For you, there will be no stopping
Let these question not do the hopping.
If ever you hop, just think for while
and when you are done start again with a smile.

'Men' of your character are very few,
Dont waste your moments
Simply 'Do', what ever you can do.

Do not fear the wavering mind,
for thats what stops us
and creates the bind.

Live in the moment
so true happiness you shall find.
If you believe that 'Life' has been good
then be good to 'Life' and simply unwind.

Unwind you and the world will be yours
There will be no more 'questions' unanswered.
Continue believing in the 'BEAUTY' around,
Hear the magical music that surrounds.
See the Life as always you do,
There is absolutely nothing that you cant 'Do'.

You will LIVE and You will conquer,
The thoughts of the lonely moments
will be the 'RIGHT' answers.
Coz' thats when the soul speaks the truth,
undettered by mind, it shows you the way
Like it should !!

Response to a friend, someone who could inspire me with his words, thoughts so much that I could not talk further and help writting this for him. A personality brutally honest; confident yet down to earth; commanding yet loving; a teacher, a guide but a thorough learner; an awesome orator and even better listener; an inspirer, motivator ... such is the soul I had been talking for hours together. The intense discussion led to honest confessions I made in these lines.

'Jiya'

2007-02-08T10:13:00.000+05:30

Woh hansta chehra,
Nanhi si woh chhavi
Chhotte chhotte kadam
Kaise dekhun main abhi.

Dur tujh se khud ko
Kiya maine hai khud,
Sach hai magar
Tu yaad aati hai bahut.

Aaj bhi jab udaasi hai aati
Teri ek tasveer mujhe hai hansati
Yaad karte hi tujhe ruh hai khil jati,
Kaise kahun kitni teri yaad hai satati.

Teri ek kilkari,
Woh masti mein ghumana,
Badi ho gayi hogi
Magar mujhe yaad hai woh zamana.

Kaash ki ek pal fir se
Tujhe mil paaoon,
Dur chahe hai jitna
Tujhe palkon pe baithaoon.

Hansun tere sang
Karun shararat madmati,
Kaash ki who guzre pal
Main waapis lauta pati…..

Being back 2 Bangalore !!

2007-02-03T11:11:00.000+05:30

Two years or may be more !! They say time flies and I look back to find indeed it has flown so fast. Its just two years when I was part of this city. Time when I was completely settled here. When word Kormangala seemed like my home just like it does to any IT personnel who does not belong to this city (because most North Indians tend to live here or at BTM ... and I still do not know the full form of BTM). Time when longingness for Delhi was so profound that seeing a vehicle bearing Delhi or Chandigarh number would make me happy. When going on long-long walks with friends in the middle of night or may be wee hours of morning on ring road or vast stretch of Marathahalli was routine affair. Planning a weekend to outskirts of Bangalore was an activity much yearned for that made me look forward to completion of weekdays.There was something that took me away from this part of the world to Chennai, to US and back to Chandigarh to Noida and then finally to Pune. Going home after an onsite travel was fun but leaving Bangalore was never planned. Infact when I left Bangalore I never thought that I was leaving it for good. But I left, leaving so many friends, memories behind.

Here I am today, back to the same world which has changed so much. Just like how I left this place, I had never planned to come back here till this tuesday evening when suddenly I was informed that I had an opportunity of going to Bangalore. I was excited and may be scared too. I knew I wanted so much to come here but I dreaded the refreshing of past memories which would come alive. I dreaded so much missing all my dear friends with whom I have lived my best times here. All has changed but there is still something that I am liking so much.

Even despite working late hours (read 2 am in the morning) I have been able to go to places like Girinagar, Vijaynagar and touch upon the heart of Bangalore, places where natives of Bangalore are (there are many more like those but I had stayed in these two places). The early morning hustle bustle, the mad traffic, dangerous BMTC, KSRTC buses and not forget autorockshaw walas, upcoming malls and associated crowds talking Kannada which I still cannot understand. It sounds so much of my own. The feel of recognising the old lanes and streets and where is what enthralls me to the core. Nodoubt there are loads of changes too. For instance, I could not travel from airport to Electronic city via Domlur, inner ring road, Kormangala and instead came from Marathahalli , Sarjapur and finally Silkroute. It was indeed my victory to reach EC in record 1 hour and 15 minutes from airport which otherwise takes 2 hours in peak office hours. The places called Marathahalli which was once known for its factory outlets has become a second Kormangala. I was longing to see a patch of vast fields on the outer ring road with no buildings but to no use. It has become yet another dense patch of the concrete jungle. With concrete jungle I mean the city of Bangalore which was so much known for its beauty and weather. The life here meant peace and security in beautiful environment. Two years back when I asked one of my friends, who hailed from Bangalore, a wish that he would want granted from God he immediately said that he wanted Bangalore to be made the place that it was 5 years back. Ask me the same question today and I know I want the same wish granted for Bangalore and Chandigarh which are fast moving on the lines of Bangalore and I do not know what next. But change has to happen sometimes for good and sometimes not so much to our liking and as we always say...Life goes on and it will go on !!

I have been busy with work and did not get even few minutes to catch up with few friends who are here and are equally excited about my visit. Visiting this city is unlike those sole travels that I like so much. Being here means being in company of friends, the gangs who can have fun anywhere and everywhere. With whom the life is fun where ever and when ever. I wish to catch upon atleast some of them till tomorrow evening when I fly back to Pune.... not knowing when to return to this beautiful city, Bangalore !!

I want to break free !!

2007-01-29T12:53:00.000+05:30

Here is the article I take as if it is written for me. This has all expressions about my tendencies, some answers which I give to others who never happen to understand why I am talking what I wam talking. Aptly said, "I want to break free". This is true that even if I am in company of one or many I tend to go quiet, all by myself enjoying the beauty of place I am visiting. Does it sound selfish? Yes, I think I turn selfish when I want to laud the beauty of my surroundingd and please me with my own thoughts with what I am witnessing... yes, a philosphical nut that even I am.

This is yet another piece of writting which I appreciate to the core. I mention the mantras here but all who are interested in reading the entire article can check the link : http://specials.rediff.com/getahead/2005/aug/24sld.htm

My vacation, my rules!
The most common reason for a lot of solo travellers is that it can be very liberating -- right from the initial planning process to the actual trip, logistics, places to visit: The entire experience. YOU decide where you want to go, when, for how long, how much money to spend, what to spend on, who to speak to, what to see when you get to the destination -- everything. Every last detail of the trip is customised to your whims and fancies. You do not have to entertain interests of your friends, partners, children -- whoever is traveling with you.
Mind you, listening to others is not a bad thing at all. But then again, it's nice to have things completely your way every once in a while. All in all travelling alone is an amazingly selfish, self-centred, and all-indulging source of entertainment. But there is another reason too.
Your own kaleidoscope
Travelling alone will offer you a completely different perspective of the place, the journey, the people you meet, the things you do. And if you are a philosophical nut like me, then on life and on yourself as well. You are not distracted by the opinions, whining, gossiping, jokes, and comments of fellow travellers.
Travel light, travel fast
Just as a light backpack will allow you to get to the top of a mountain faster, travelling alone will allow you to cover more ground. You make pit-stops only for yourself. You stop only when you are tired. You spend time only at places that interest you -- the examples are endless.
Does it get lonely?
Yes and no.
Travelling alone to faraway destinations is no different from travelling to places in your hometown that you are not familiar with. You ask for directions in advance, avoid travelling at night, have all your senses on full alert, and do not talk to shady characters in shady places.

Travelling solo in India is fairly safe. Barring a few states and areas, people in smaller towns and villages are extremely warm and welcoming. On a personal note, I have found I tend to talk to locals and other tourists on buses, trains, dhabas, and tourist offices more frequently when I am travelling alone than if I am with companions. This allows me to catch the pulse of a place, learn of shortcuts, places to visit and stay, get tip-offs on good restaurants, where to catch shopping deals -- things no amount of research can offer.

Thus, an action-packed schedule and the company of a good book ensures that loneliness never creeps into any of my trips.
10 mantras for travelling alone
i. Plan, plan, plan.
ii. New to travelling alone? Start with destinations closer to home: for example weekend getaways.
iii. Always leave detailed information of your destination and mode of transport with family/friends -- these are invaluable in the event of an emergency.
iv. Book tickets in advance -- they arrive confirmed and often cheaper.
v. When planning your destination, keep a lookout for other places close to your destination.
If for any reason you do not like the place you reach or are done with it sooner than you think, the weather is bad, no hotels are available -- anything -- you should have a backup option.
vi. When planning your trip, ensure you are travelling in the right season; extreme weather can add nuisance value to your trip.
On the other hand try to travel at the very start or the very end of the tourist season. You may find fewer tourists at the location and competitive prices for food and accommodation.
vii. Packing right is critical. Define your necessities carefully and only carry what you need -- keep the hairdryer at home.
viii. Avoid travelling or arriving at a destination at night, unless you absolutely have to or are certain of the safety of the journey.
ix. Always trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable about a place, hotel, person, guide, you need to find a crafty way to exit the situation.
x. Be sensitive to local cultures.
Do not litter, avoid plastic bags -- leave no traces of your visit.
Good luck and happy travelling!!

Who am I ?

2007-01-24T09:55:00.000+05:30

Its been two years ever since I completed my basic course of 'Art of Living'. There are vivid memories of what we did as a group and individually. There were lessons taught, lessons learnt, many argumentative discussions, much I could not take down my throat that easily and of course some refreshing breathing exercises, that this course is so much known for. Even thought two years have lapsed there is one question that was asked on Day 1 of this course which still throngs my mind repeatedly. 'Who am I ?'.

Having come from an engineering college where one takes umpteen interviews for joining umpteen clubs in the first year, where preparing for campus placements is like a religious activity in 3rd year answering this question becomes a religious activity for one and all. Its more like a tact which everyone tries to play around with to impress the jury, the seniors, the elders. There are hoards of learning institutes offering trainings on how to crack the interviews no matter whether its for admission to MBA, IAS or just any company placement.

As such this is no new question to me or to anyone. After all, we grow up introducing ourselves. We grow up calling our self by the name given to us by our parents. We introduce ourselves wrt to our school and the standard; college, the branch and year of degree and then finally with the designation and the company we work for. No doubt its the call of the moment and we have to respect it but I wonder how many of us can actually identify with our own self.

This question came back to me this morning from an advertisement which read

"Your company represent what you are,
Your home represent who you are".

Quite a statement I must say !! Does whatever is there on my mind necessarily have to be displayed to reflect who I am? Is it how it really is ? No doubt display is a reflection of my thoughtful ideas of how I want to or how I live my life. But I certainly do not change my home and its interiors that frequently as much I evolve as a person with new thoughts and ideas to improvise upon who I currently am and who I want to be.

I looked back just two years and thought how I answered this question then and what I am today. I am no longer confused in my approach to answer this question but I still look for an answer which justifies me more than others. I look for an answer which impress me more than it impress others. I still feel that I need to find that connect within me which I can go back to whenever I feel by being on my side; when there is no confusion, when there is no insecurity, when there is no expectation. I look for those words which identify me than being mere adjectives. I want to identify myself in actions than words. I want to live away from the definitions which eludes from the real self of mine for the sake of impressing upon others.

Answering 'Who am I' is an eternal quest which continues to live with me with a hope that I will live the answer throughout my life than find it and junk it for good !!

Was that a hoax

2007-01-19T14:28:00.000+05:30

Check out the attached blog article.. The photographs are amazing.... but the sight of sand like beach on the water is more perplexing... how can that happen ..... It indeed sounds so weird but its true ...

The hoaxslayer newsletter article in January 07 edition on "Floating Volcanic Stones and New Island in the South Pacific" validates that it is indeed true

http://yacht-maiken.blogspot.com/2006/08/stone-sea-and-volcano.html

Least to say the photographs are absolutely amazing on the blog.. and thats what made me stop and check the details to that depth :)

Straight from the heart

2007-01-06T13:51:00.000+05:30

Guess this is the most confusing time. There is so much to do but I do not understand what to pursue. There are numerous paths to follow but no single direction defined. I am absolutely comfortable in this new zone but unending confusion prevails owing to uncertainty. With no specific direction on deliverables and expectations its hard to follow the heart. Mind is wavering like never before. Competition is there on the determined mind but fear to lose surfaces repeatedly.

Need someone who can hear the cries of this soul but not underestimate the determination; someone who is willing to understand the zeal beneath the debris of shattered heart. Someone who can just sit and listen... not care but assure that he / she is around and will always be !!
Need a friend... to say the least !!

'vaartalaap'... akele mein 'aks' se

2006-12-15T20:27:00.000+05:30

akele koi geet naya gungunati hun
kabhi akele hi khud pe muskurati hun,

chali jaati hun apni dhun mein
raasta naya apna banati hun,
dost milte hain raahon par kayi
dosti apni main nibhati hun,... magar fir bhi
akele hun, akele hi aage jana chahti hun....

aaj kiya hai khud ko akela
aaj fir se aage chale jaati hun
peeche na lautne ka apna swapna
aaj fir se main khud ko dohrati hun....

akele gungunati hun
kabhi akele khud pe hi muskurati hun
ginti hun timtimate woh taare
jaane kis ginti pe pahunchna chahti hun.

rasta nahi maloom tha kabhi
aage main fir bhi chale jati hun,
kabhi darti hun, kabhi seham jati hun
to fir kabhi khud pe hi muskurati hun.

muskurati hun un lamhon par
jo kabhi hansa gaye, kabhi rula gaye
magar dekhti hun peeche
to khud ko khush numa main pati hun...

kabhi sochti hun itna
ki koi kavita main keh jati hun,
aage jana hai mera dhyaye..
main aage chali jati hun !!

OK !!
Its 4 years and I have decided to quit !! I have quit... NO, I am not running away and I am not absconding too. I am doing what should be done within limits of sanity.
I am free for next 17 days now and I have some plans ... and as always I dread my plans may be shattered... plan to visit Agra, Jaipur ( which is almost over), Amritsar, Bilaspur and if possible Simla on Christmas. I jot these down to remind me how much planning I do and how much successful I am.
I want to walk alone and if I find no company I will simply carry on.

From an Army personnel's diary of thoughts

2006-12-11T13:38:00.000+05:30

My idea of appending someone's thoughts on my blog is to remind 'Me' in future how selfish we get for achieving / acquiring what we want. How easily we forget those unselfish warriors / defence personnel who actually do not think twice when it comes to sacrificing life for motherland. Many / mostly would argue here (as this has happened to me in past with an IIM C student) that life in Defence is yet another lucrative job option and that may be true but still how many of us really wanna live it that way; indeed not many. Easier said than done but not many of us are really willing to live an unselfish life.... we all want to live a life of luxuries, no doubt we work hard for that, but not many think for others before oneself.....
We make mistake whose penalty is paid by others. We go on strikes to demand our claims or raise voice against injustice but remain mum when the injustice is done to someone who does not belong to us or we feel that way.... Again, this is LIFE.... and once again I reiterate to me.... Come what may, Life goes on !!

*********************************************************************
Thoughts from Nitin

I am sending it to you all not to be sympathetic. Its every day mail...we keep reading it. But I am sending it across because this officer ( who is referred in mail) I have served with, not in too distant past. And the officer who has sent me this mail was my senior in NDA. I am sending it across as my regards to my 'big' brother in arm...I am sending it across bcos I am getting emotional...I am sending it across not bcos he didn't get recognition but bcos it doesnt affect you and me...I am sending it across bcos our sympathies lie somewhere else...I am sending it across bcos its not going to make any difference, I am sending it across bcos we the good people will only do as much as we can do without disturbing our comfort zone, ...bcos military cannot go on strike,...bcos men in uniform are in Services to die!
"Here dead lie we, because we did not chose to shame the land from which we sprung. Life, to be sure, is nothing much to lose, but young men think it is, and we were YOUNG".

And sorry for disturbing the peace!

You did not disturb the peace Nitin but gave some insight into what we are missing in life. Thanks !
*****************************************************************
Another Entry from Deepak as shared by Nitin

(Please spare me for this here without prior consent)

Military salute being given to the body of Major Manish Pitambare, who was shot dead at Anantnag, and was cremated with full military honours at Thane on Wednesday

On Tuesday a news swept across all the news channels 'Sanjay Datt relieved by the court'. 'Sirf Munna Not a bhai' '13 saal ka vanvaas khatam' 'alhough found guilty for possession of armory, Sanjay can breath sigh of relief as all the TADA charges against him are withdrawn'

And then many experts like Salman khan saying 'He is a good person. We knew he will come out clean' Mr. Big B 'Datt family and our family have relations for years he's a good kid. He is like elder brother to abhishek'. His sister priya Datt 'we can sleep well tonight…it's a great relief'

In other news, Parliament was mad at Indian team for performing bad; Greg chapel said something …..; Bomb scare in gorakhpoor express; and Shah Rukh Khan replaces Big B in KBC and Sonia asked PM to consider reducing petroleum prices (I wonder who's the PM …anyways that is not the topic so leave it…) But most of the emphasis was given on Sanjay Datt's "phoenix like" comeback from the ashes of terrorist charges.

Surfing through the channels, one news on BBC startled me, it read, Hizbul Mujahidin's Most wanted terrorist 'Sohel Faisal' killed in Anantnag, India. Indian Major leading the operation lost his life in the process. Four others are injured.

It was past midnight, I started visiting the Indian channels, the ones who are 'Sabse TEZ', but Sanjubaba was still ruling. They were telling How Sanjubaba pleaded to the court saying 'I am the sole bread earner for my family' 'I have a daughter who is studying in US who will look after her'. And then they showed how sanjubaba was not wearing his lucky blue shirt while he was hearing the verdict. Also how he went to every temple and prayed for last some months. A suspect in Mumbai bomb blasts, convicted under armory act…..was being made into a hero.

Sure Sanjubaba has a daughter; sure sanjubaba did not do any terrorist thing as in bombing some place or hijacking an airplane etc. Possessing an AK47 is considered too elementary in terrorist community and also one who possesses an AK47 has a right to possess a pistol so that again is not such a big crime; Sure sanjubaba went to all the temples; Sure he did a lot of gandhigiri but then….., people… please read on…….

Major Manish H Pitambare got the information from his sources about the terrorists' whereabouts. Wasting no time he attacked the camp killed the Hisbul mujahidin's suprimo and in the process lost his life….. To the bullets fired from an AK47……

He has a wife and a daughter (just like sanjubaba), age …..18 months.

Major Manish never said 'I have a daughter' …before he took the decision to attack the terrorist hide out in the darkest of nights?

He never thought about having a family and he being the bread earner

No news channel covered this since they were too busy hyping a former drug addict, an actor in real and reel life, a suspect who's linked to bomb blasts which killed hundreds. Their aim was to show how he defied the TADA charges and they were so successful that his conviction in possession of armory had no meaning. They also concluded that his parents in heaven must be happy and proud of him……

Parents of Major Pitambare are still on this earth and they have to live rest of their lives without their beloved son. His daughter won't ever see her papa again.

Definition of a Star has changed Major… it really has. So sanjubaba always has a gun in every one of his movies then in real life if he has an AK47 then what's the big deal we are used to see him with some ammunition without it he's just a 49yr old hero so he did it for us…..so that we feel normal;

Even if one of the bullets from one of such AK47's took a Real Star's life …….

but sir bole toh ….. tension nahi leneka. Aapun ko thoda bura laga. Apun pure din aapke baarein mein socha. Sach bataun kya aapun dukhi matlab ki senty ho gaya isliye ye likha.
Baaki sanjubaba…..bole toh… congrats…aapko salmaan bhai ne kya certificate diya hai …ekdum raaapchik… kal jab unka case (haan woich hiran ki shikar wala) aaye toh aap bhi aisaich bolna unke baarein mein. Abhi aaj paper mein aaya ki woh parliament mein 'lagey raho munnabhai' dikhane wale ….us din dekhna bhai…… pure parliament mein sab saarein sansad honge. koi walk out nahi karega par bhai uska koi gurantee nahi hai kya pata …..agar hamare sansad indian cricket team ke selection pe lad padein?...... Kya bhaai point hain naa ? AAre haan apun ko yaad aaya ….woh sansad pe hamla karnewala koi afzal tha ….use abhi fasi hui …ya nahi hui …..jaane do apun ko kya…… kuch log marein ….. sansad ko bachatein hue …but bhai unki daughters toh india mein hich sikhti hain naa aapke jaise amerika mein nahi toh tension nahi leneka………
Sorry major, wo kya hai naa logon ko shudh hindi samztich nahi aajkal bole toh logon ka hriday parivartan hone ke liye aisahich likhna padta hai. But major….. ab ye kaise hoga aaapun ko nahi pata log boley saala lagey raho dekhke puri janta ab change hoegi koi rastein mein nahi thukega ….. koi zhut nahi bolega koi kisi ko pareshaan nahi karega desh mein gandhigiri aayegi…. par major apun ko doubt hai….. pata hain kyon ?
….. rang de basanti aayi thi tab bhi log aisehich kuch toh bolein they…

Finally Sir, to my generation there is no greater hero than one who laid his life in the name of this great nation. Hence Sir, I salute you. You are the real Star, Vande mataram !!
Thanks Deepak ! Thats quite an insight into how journalism is operating in our country...

chhod de ..

2006-08-18T21:59:00.000+05:30

e mere dost
meri baaton pe jana chod de
mana nahi jo tune sach ab tak
mujh se woh sach manvana chod de

jo dekha hai tune
woh adhoora sach tha
jo kaha hai maine
woh sirf ek tathya tha ..

lafzon ke is khel mein
tu mujh ko samjhana chod de.
kaha nahi jo ab tak tune khud se
woh mujh se kehalwana chod de.

ye bas ek uljhan hai
meri baaton mein kuch kam dam hai
jo sachi hain baatein teri to
meri baaton ko apnana chod de.

shabdon mein mere
mujh ko na tatol,
baaton ki gehrayi ka
kya hai aakhir mol
baatein reh jati hain
yaadein ban kar
in baaton ke sang
tu mera saath nibhana chod de.

apne dil ki sunta hai
apne dil ki hi sun,
aaj fir se mujhe akela kar e 'aks'
aaj fir se mujhe mere shabdon ke saath 'chod de'..

Visit to Gurudwara

2006-08-12T09:00:00.000+05:30

Start of the day with...

sarve santu sukhinaah,
Sarve bhavantu niramaya,
sarve bhadrani pashyantu
maa kashchid dukh bhaag bhavet

ok this came from radio that I play quite often on my office laptop. Sweet little thing that a friend of mine shared with me which allows me to refrain from keeping music albums on my official laptop. Though this was only for a small stint but it was a perfect start of the day before I got back to usual business of heading to office to face bug and debug those and pay back with interest the penalty for taking an unannounced day off...

But again 'Thank God Its Friday' and there is more to come...Apart from regular orkutting and chit chat on gtalk with close buddies I encountered this special incident (special for me atleast) where in a close friend of mine (boy) described his plight by saying, Akshay mere saath kal bahut bura hua, main kisi ko munh dikhane layek nahi raha... I could not resist laughing and this statement came when I was on phone talking to a customer ... I was awestruck as to how to handle the situation, to laugh, to be mesmerised, to respond on phone, to be indifferent... In short it was fun moments as always with PNG...Man, you rock !!
Day closed earlier than usual at 4 pm and we headed in Pontiac G6 towards Indy, not to mention my mostly accessed favorite destination, to drop frns at airport. Why did I go when I do not even drive ?

I went to Gurudwara, yes the most serene place I ever find when I want time by myself in the company of many people.

I guess this was the best part of the day with me indulging in some 'Seva' and then eating besan ke ladoo n chai n pakoras. And keeping up with the standard of food made available in Grudwaras the enthusiasm of the sevadars working there was laudable. Especially, the old lady who convened the entire show was amazing. An authoritative old Punjabi lady, she was an epitome of love, hard work, sincere gracious woman who ensured that all went well for the evening. Youngsters indeed were having fun answering her back on her yelling.

Then began the evening programme of kirtan followed by 'langar'. It was indeed fun to be with so many people from same cultural background performing rituals that I saw while growing up. I realised I lived another day in my own company doing what I felt like doing though with an exception of thought which was shared during the discourse. But then that's how life is when you are in community. You may not accept all ideas but for once you listen to those which turn out quite disturbing. I personally hated the fact that one line of thought / belief was condemned to prove other right / better. As I have started seeing life there is nothing absolutely right or wrong. Its just a matter of relativity given a situation and no situation can be described perfect. I love to respect opinions but if only they are not prejudiced with self vested interests. Again this sentence is pretty much relative and can be understood in different ways. And this is all I kept thinking on my drive back to Columbus when I finally decided to steer the Pontiac G6... Yes I drove this car today and nevertheless to mention it was a sheer pleasure :)

Loved these lines
Don't gain the world and lose your soul,
wisdom is better than silver or gold.
Bob Marley

Toofaaaan

2006-08-10T23:41:00.000+05:30

chand lamhon pehle
maine yun socha,
mausam yahan ka bhi kaash
hota bangalore jaisa..

par ye to dilli ke jaisi
baarish hai aayi,
kale badlon mein kaisi
bijli hai chamkayi.

kaisa ye toofaan hai,
kala woh aasmaan hai
kya gadgahat hai,
kya shor hai is waqt..

suhana sa dikhta ye mausam
kroor hai itna,
nahi ja sakti hun baahar
chahoon main jitna.

tez hawa ke jhonko
ne mujh ko sehmaya,
pedon ke saayen saaye,
hilte darwazon ne dil ko dehlaya.

shaant tha ye mausam
aur shant hi ye mann
baahar ho rahe is shor se
sehma hai mann ka ye chitwan..

sehmi hun lekin
dari to nahi hun,
dekh kar nazara
maze kar rahi hun..
jee rahi hun ye pal, mausam ke sang
office se bunk maar ghar mein laptop ke sang:)

Even This Will Pass Away

2006-08-02T23:38:00.000+05:30

Once in Persia reigned a king,
Who upon a signet ring,
Carved a maxim strange and wise,
When held before his eyes,
Gave him counsel at a glance,
Fit for every change and chance:
Solemn words, and these were they:
“EVEN THIS WILL PASS AWAY.”

Trains of camel through the sand
Brought him gems from Samarcand;
Fleets of galleys over the seas
Brought him pearls to rival these,
But he counted little gain,
Treasures of the mine or main;
“What is wealth?” the king would say,
“EVEN THIS WILL PASS AWAY.”

Mid the pleasures of his court
At the zenith of their sport,
When the palms of all his guests
Burned with clapping at his jests,
Seated midst the figs and wine,
Said the king, “Ah, friends of mine.
Pleasure comes but not to stay,
“EVEN THIS WILL PASS AWAY.”

Woman, fairest ever seen
Was the bride he crowned as queen,
Pillowed on the marriage-bed
Whispering to his soul, he said,
“Though no monarch ever pressed
Fairer bosom to his breast,
Mortal flesh is only clay!
“EVEN THIS WILL PASS AWAY.”

Fighting on the furious field,
Once a javelin pierced his shield,
Soldiers with a loud lament
Bore him bleeding to his tortured side,
“Pain is hard to bear;” he cried.
“But with patience, day by day,
EVEN THIS WILL PASS AWAY.”

Towering in a public square
Forty cubits in this air,
And the king disguised, unknown,
Gazed upon his sculptured name.
And he pondered, “What is fame?”
“Fame is but a slow decay!
“EVEN THIS WILL PASS AWAY.”

Struck with palsy, sore and old,
Waiting at the gates of gold,
Said he with his dying breath
“Life is done, but what is Death?”
Then as answer to the king
Fell a sunbeam on his ring;
Showing by a heavenly ray.
EVEN THIS WILL PASS AWAY.”

—Theodore Tilton

Another Copy paste but some essential in life to remind that nothing remains as such forever. Remember one friends signature at bottom of his email... "Win as if you are used to winning, lose as if you are enjoying it" and it is so true that wins and losses are going to appear one after another in life. No one has lived winning everything and noone has lived to loose all the time. There is always a gain in whatever we do and there is always a loss too. Its just how we want to happily accept our own actions. But more important is to keep trying, keep striving to win to be a better person and give meaning to this life... One Life

kya khoya kya paya..

2006-07-27T07:32:00.001+05:30

na jane kya mila kuch kho kar
na jane kya mila kuch pa kar,
jo paya hi nahi tha kabhi,
na jane kya mila aaj use luta kar.

baat do karte hasrat thi ye humhari
na jane kya paya hum ne aaj
apni baat un par luta kar.

samajh kar bhi hum naadan hi rahe
keh nahi paye woh baat jo
'dil' din raat hum se kahe

alfaaz chand aaye zubaan pe
keh na paye jab hue wo saamne
chale gaye hain woh
to ab sochte hain hum,
kya paya aakhir hum ne....
fir se unka didaar pa kar

isi kash-m-kash mein jhoojhte hain
zindagi mein nai raah koi dhoondhte hain
sochte hain jee lenge unki chahat mein
fir poochte hain khud se, e 'aks',
aakhir kya paya tumne unko chah kar

aadaab
'aks'

This moment and here after !!

2006-07-02T01:35:00.000+05:30

I keep wondering how to best put my thoughts across. Sometimes these come out in form of poetry, sometime as chat with friends, sometimes these die a premature death in my mind itself. Everytime I promise myself that I will write these down but am never able to. Reason ? May be coz I never think the same way with same intensity the moment a moment passes. May be thats what happens with all... But this moment is really different for me as the thoughts are intense enough to push me to writting what I feel this moment. It sounds like I wanna share this with myself ...

Its been over a year and half ever since I last met this close friend of mine 'Neetu'. She has been around but we both know how much has the world, her world and mine too changed over this time... and if there is something that has not changed between us two it is that understanding which always existed silently... There have been differences in thoughts, opinions towards life, self and our actions but still something has remained in place... guess thats what is called as friendship... there are no expectations, there are no rights and wrongs in friendship.... friends may be away physically but there is something unsaid which binds them that time and distance cannot influence... They are just 'Friends'...
On top of this meet is coupled an idea of seeing Formula 1 at Indy, the ongoing fever of world cup, and a trip to Chicago. In short its gonna be sleepless long weekend as I foresee starting the moment we set out to Indy downtown tonight.. Its ought to be fun filled hectic time to be remembered forever... A journey to meet some more college time friends, a get together of its own sorts... woo am excited to meet Sarika, Neetu, Kanish, Teji, Varun n Gaurav over a small span of 2 days... and yes nostalgia waits to end this all :)

Here I am !!

2006-06-04T09:19:00.000+05:30

Thanks to all for the comments and posts which kept pouring all the while when I was missing from here ... So 'Here I am' ..

Life has been even more colorful during this phase when I abstained from writting. There were shades in all colors, bright and dull too, joyous moments and tearsome too but then thats how we defined life.. Nothing predictable and still so much fun. Have been going places, had reunions with family n friends after long long time.. the most euphoric moment i must mention has been my brother's wedding... which I lived to the fullest.. not a single stone left unturned to rejoice , feel hppy and make everyone happy on the occasion..
Am watching bro's wedding DVD and overwhelmed with the memories of what happened and how it went and I just feel like pouring my happiness in words here.
Will be back with some pics and description soon ...

If

2006-01-12T08:09:00.000+05:30

-Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And—which is more—you'll be a Man, my son!

khoj

2005-12-26T10:38:00.000+05:30

khoya hai maine jo
karna hai hasil woh,

hausle past hain
dikhe nai disha mujh ko.

khud ko bhulaya jo maine
to bhula jahan aaj mujh ko

pa kar sab kuch aakhir
khoya hai maine khud ko.

astitva ki khoj
fir se karni hai mujh ko,

jo khoya tha maine
woh pana hai fir se mujh ko.

jo ruthi hai khushiyan
lautana hai khud ko unko

bas is baar khushiyon ka naya matlab
samjhana hai ab mujhe khud ko.

Badalte chehre

2005-12-17T04:58:00.000+05:30

ik kona hai dil ka
jise sab se chhupana chahti hun,

kaaran nahi maloom fir bhi
us mein tumhein basana chahti hun.

ho nahi tum wahan
jahan maine tumhein basaya tha,

jane kyon us kone ko
apne aansuon se sajana chahti hun.

dhoondh rahin hun aaj fir se
bebasi mein, is ghutan mein,

ye baat koi samjhega nahi
na hi kisi ko batana chahti hun....

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

paas rehna hai mushkil ,
dur woh jane nai dete.

batiyayein agar hum to kehte hain,
waqt zaya kyon karte ho,
na kahein kuch to poochte hain
chup kyon baithe ho.....

dil mein umange kayi jaga kar
shararat aankhon se woh kehte hain,
paas aane ka jhansa de kar
dur se hi alwida keh chal dete hain.

paemana ishq ka pila kar
jaan humari woh loot lete hain,
jab ho jate hain hum bekabu
to dur hum se woh khud ko kar lete hain.

dur khade reh kar
shararton ka asar woh dekha karte hain,
hum jaante hain ye ada hain unki
pyar mein pyar se sazayein woh dete hain.

Pittsburgh

2005-12-01T06:35:00.000+05:30

Sitting on the recliner, more precisely an old man's chair in my friend's words, I feel like thinking nothing but going a week back when a journey began. A bus journey through Greyhound bus to Pittsburgh. Believe me, in US you got to see US through these too. These may not be that comfortable as our Volvo drives from Bangalore to Mumbai but they indeed reflect true self of US. There is not much difference to see, same people, same gossips of bus or may be just a bit of difference in skin color and this is it. Amidst this chit chat started a night drive in one of those Bangalore type local buses.

Night journey has always enchanted me for more than one reason but one of those is the breath taking view of big cities lit like stars of yellow color laid on earth especially when viewed from top of hills. Ohio looked essentially the same and the arrival at Pittsburgh was marked by a sight of rivers also as soon as we came out of a tunnel. The city was snow clad and it was easy to guess the outside temperature from air conditioned bus.

It continued to snow for more than an hour after we reached my friends place from where we headed towards Sri Venkateswaraya temple. Survived an accident on way when our car slipped on 'Black Ice'. That was close actually !! To be more adventurous me and my friends actually decided to walk in that snow clad city. The chilled air seemed to cut through the face skin (the only exposed body part) and we literally decided to stay back at Indian restaurant before returning home. As though this was not enough I decided to run that evening... And ran for around 7 minutes when Prathanna and Sanjoy had left for home. That was indeed thrilling :) I have to accept that I am thoroughly enjoying winters here after three long years at Bangalore and Chennai during November and December. Atleast I have always known these months as months of absolute cold temperatures.

To begin with second day we guys kept talking till late night 1 30 am about work as it was get together for us three after a long long time. It was around 2 am that we realised that we had our plans set for Thanksgiving shopping next morning and needed to leave home at 4 am .. huh!! Yes, we did that. We guys left by cab and did our shopping only to be stranded at 6 am finding no means of transport. This is true. US is bad in public transport but not having been able to find a yellow taxi that this place is so famous for I was a little taken aback. Actually, this was the most frustrating part of the whole journey. It was only at the end of 3 hours long wait that we reached home somehow. By this point of time it was almost decided that we might not be able to make it NewYork as by no chance it was possible to get back to office by Monday and one day was not sufficient for the craziest city of the world. We were all set with our plans to Washington DC that suddenly I decided to take the call to flyback to Indianapolis howsoever on Monday.

This was all about stay at Pittsburgh where we just made a small stopover before proceeding towards NEWYORK...

Pittsburg.. New York

2005-11-24T22:57:00.000+05:30

Here I am !!
After first trip in Greyhound buses of US ; from Columbus to Pittsburg...Journey of 6 hours with two breaks.. was that tiring... naaaaa......Somehow travelling in US is always fun... Its snowing heavily here @ Pittsburg since morning and temperature is sub zero.. This is a beautiful place with nice landscapes. Intend to go to Sri Venkateswaraya temple and then head towards New York: already excited at the thought of it... but this time a full review of visit to come up here unlike previous visit..

Happy Alone !!

2005-11-21T20:44:00.000+05:30

The moments associated with change are most difficult to handle for me especially when the change is visible. There is no denying the fact that Life is all about change but sometimes you get so used to for living in one part of world with someone that it becomes part of your life. The whole set up becomes your life. For sometime, thats how you define your life. But one fine day a change comes; either from your within or from outside world and moves the entire setup. Sometimes you challenge the whole reality of your being and shake the whole set up or this change is forced upon you by n number of circumstances.

Much aptly stated in Who Moved My Cheese, my Cheese has been moved. A roomie has walked out and another walked in after vacation. I am not dependent on either of them but I like them both personally. Only change that is going to come is in the intererpersonal distance. I dread people moving away from me. I know they are right there but there is someting within my that tells me that I am loosing them. I know things would be fine from tomorrow but these transition moments that I am spending by myself are difficult.

This happens only for some people though... may be the ones that I spend day in and day out with..... The funniest part is that I am ok if I move out.. What a realisation!! I have moved out so many times, never looked back, never gone back... then what am I dreading!! Why am I scared? Nobody ever promised me to be there for me for life long. I never bothered when I moved on then what is hitting me... I dont think there is a meaning to it. I just got a chance after 9 months to be on my own, the way I had come here.... All Alone!!

Happy Alone !!

'Realizations'

2005-11-16T13:26:00.000+05:30

Its a dark night after tornado passed this place few hours back. Everything around is so silent, so numb including my own self. And once again this heart, this mind is going back to same place that it belongs to, to my home, to my people. There are questions thronging my end but I am turning deaf ears to them. I have come to realize certain things in past couple of days which has made me stop questioning. "I have realized that humans are just humans in all parts of world." Everywhere they respect & fear nature equally. There is nothing like superstition, its the way you look at it. I was shocked to have been refused beer bottle at 'Walmart' on Sunday but the reason for the same was even more shocking. I
was informed that 'Indiana' state has a 'Law' which prohibits the sale of Liquor on Sunday: "For religious reason". For a while I questioned myself, why back home in India we question the sanctity of religious days, festivals. Why Indians are turning away from their beliefs? Why we cannot celebrate our traditions and be confident about those? Why do we call them outdated practices? For another instance, every home out here had pumpkins, ghosts, and so many other tricks displayed at time of Halloween. It was celebrated as festival and I am not sure if anyone ever questioned it as a superstition here. Remarkable fact is that Americans had gone to the extent of displaying pumpkin shape, color in the office cubicle.
All I could think of at end of these two instances was that there is no difference in humans, their thoughts and beliefs. Its the same customs and practices at the bottom level. The values are imbibed in kids in the same way as they are done in India, Mothers here love their kids like any other Mom in the world, she has same concerns for her kids and this is true all over. No doubt there is more freedom but here too they don't mind giving you a piece of advice:
"Dear, this is a mean world and you have to protect yourself. I am a Mom and I always tell my kids to be careful and so am I telling you." For me the distance
between East and West ceased at this moment. All I could of think of was a word 'Mother', whose meaning was same all over the world. All the questions, perceptions of West developed from movies, articles, friends words were put to rest.

In the end I just discovered silence and peace within me which invoked more respect for who I am and for place that I belong to. Difficult to handle this as this realization sets a strong feeling of longingness too :(

and hence the poem 'faasla'

'Faasla'

2005-11-16T13:25:00.000+05:30

ye majbooriyan,
chahi anchahi duriyan,
baithe hain tanha
soche ki, kaash mit jayein ye duriyan

woh hain dil ke kareeb
magar aankhon se bahut dur,
nikle the ghar se hum ik din
chahton ka leke dil mein saroor.

sab jaan kar samajh kar
khud ko kiya tha un se dur,
aaj dur hue hai itna
ki ho gaye hain majboor.

duriyan badhti rahi,
in majbooriyon ke darmiyan
na kar sake hum hausla
na lauta sake khud ko woh aashiyan

chah kar bhi kadam
na wapis laut paye hain
dur aagaye hain hum itna
ki dhoondhle lagte wo saye hain.

tamannayein ab bhi magar
dil mein kuch baaki hain.
tamanaon-majburiyon mein
ik hod si jagi hai.
jeetega kaun is mein
ye dekhna abhi baki hai.

nai mumkin asaani se
is haar jeet ka faisla,
aakhir hona hai is se tey
khattam hoga kaise-kab ka ye 'fasla' !!

2005-10-21T06:32:00.000+05:30

Pittsburg....

Spiritual Thoughts......

2005-10-16T00:38:00.000+05:30

[Daily Sutra] At least do this

This could be a step for you: to reach the point where you even don't feel
anything bad about anybody at all. But if you happen to feel [bad], if you
want to say [something], just say it -- and just drop it.

[Daily Sutra] Criticism from the Throat

Without being critical, the intellect cannot progress. But that criticism
should not come from the heart; it can come from the throat.

[Daily Sutra] Constructive Criticism

If criticism comes from the heart, mixed with feelings, that's where the
bitterness is. That makes you feel bitter and spreads poison around you.
But if the criticism is just from the throat, not from the heart, then it
helps one to go ahead -- it becomes constructive.

[Daily Sutra] Losing Innocence

Your judgement is an impression in your mind. You don't want to be judged,
but you judge others. But whatever you do, if you judge, that same
reflects back into yourself, and the innocence is lost. The main purpose,
the main thing of why you should not judge [is] because your innocence
will be lost.

Some of the thoughts I like the most. Some which make me look at things around me beautifully. Some, which I appreciate because they are worth appreciating. Not my words but from Gurudev. Jai Gurudev !!

'Sardiyon ki Dhoop'

2005-10-13T20:02:00.000+05:30

socha man mein maine aaj
kyon dekhe hai sooraj chup ke mujh ko,

kya bebasi thi woh meri ya sooraj ki
ki dekh nai paye hum ek dooje ko.

kali si us ghata ne
barbas hi roka tha us kiran ko,

chamak thi magar us kiran mein itni
ki rok nai payi main ye sochne ko.

haan shuruat hai ye yahan sardi ki
nahi dikhegi pehli kiran thode din abhi....

maloom na tha meri soch ki gehrayi itni hogi...
ki yahan aate hi milegi meri soch se teri soch bhi.

jo tumne do saal pehle kaha tha,
woh maine aaj subah hi saha tha...

kudrat ke khel bhi hai kitne niraale
dur hi kyon na baithe hon,
magar sochte hain ek hi baat hum dilwale .....

Wrote these lines after reading the following lines from my friend, Neetu... The fact is that it was sheer coincidence. The lines I have written actually happened to me this morning and I came to office to find these lines in my inbox. Well, this has been a great start for the day and I need to do much more than pampering my favourite time pass in busy office hours....

Badlon se jhaanke, kabhi aankh micholi khele dhoop,
Halki si sardi mein, chehare par hai khele dhoop
Sahra jaaye tan man ko, ujjali ujjali, roshan dhoop
Ek nazuk si kali, usko phool banati dhoop,
Shabnam ke patton par padi oas, usko bhi pighlati dhoop
Raat ka Ghana andhera, pehali kiran se hatati dhoop
Man karta hai ki aaj bas baithi rahoon aise hi dhoop mein
Kabhi baal sukhati, kabhi santara khati,
Jaane phir kab nikale aise dhoop

2005-09-29T07:25:00.000+05:30

Sunrise and Couple ..

kuch bhi ....

2005-09-29T04:11:00.000+05:30

woh hanste hai sab ke sang itna
ki humein lagta hai ki hum hi ne
unhein sataya bahut tha,

na rulayenge ab kabhi hum unko
ki unhone kabhi humein hansaya bahut tha ...

2005-09-28T07:37:00.000+05:30

Thanks for this pic Suhail ...

2005-09-27T07:26:00.000+05:30

Sunsets

2005-09-26T07:24:00.000+05:30

Taj Mahal

One Week @ new home

2005-09-26T06:25:00.000+05:30

I had spent most part of my life at same place and had always dreamt to go around the world, visiting places, seeing life. Yes, I was blessed with these three years back. Not to mention but I had visited whole lot of places in India in two years that today when I sit back I realise that I always used to have my bags packed. Hence when I moved to US seven months back, least I expected myself to do was to move. Destiny would not have it so, I had to sign new lease for new apartment, thus I had to again pack my bags but for fewer miles.
Its been one week ever since I moved in here. This duplex is awesome; with whole lot of space and yet being cozy; with backyard, which is totally green. Looking back at the spirits with which my roomie and one friend has put efforts at furnishing this apartment, I realise how important it has been to make this apartment a sweet home. Feel like living here.

And yes I went to Bloomington finally beside heavy downpour and enjoyed photography. The fact is that the photos in this article has been clicked by myself including my own pic!! It was an amazing ride amidst heavy rain to this place to just buy a dish antenna. Its become important to get connected with world again. Lack of internet connection, cable TV makes life dead. Seems like its been so many days ever since we heard about the world around...

One more weekend over and its the time to welcome yet another week of work @ Columbus. Wish the ratio of weekdays to weekend were swapped !!

Salaam Namaste

2005-09-25T11:37:00.000+05:30

Nice movie; good time pass too... Donot remember after how long have I watched new Bollywood release. Probably after 'Paheli' this is the one. I must admit that this is something I have taken from US, watching movies.. There have been times when I visited Indy every weekend to watch new hindi movies as there is no theatre in my town that hosts one. May be, this limitation of not being able to find many movies and choice being limited to select few that too once in week has increased my yearning for movies while staying here. This is the reason that I have missed all those like Dus, Sarkar not because of choice but they were never hosted here.
Pretty late here and time to hit the bed, hoping that new day will bring new adventures... may be a visit to Bloomington or may be just troubleshooting some production issues and generating new reports from the week gone by. Huh!! Why am I thinking of week that has not begun yet? Well may be because I have loads to do and I am running short of time with given responsibilities... Shabba Khair !

2005-09-25T07:22:00.000+05:30

Sunsets

'jawab'

2005-09-24T23:52:00.000+05:30

jazba jo chahiye
watan pe jaan lutane ko,
nai aata woh dil mein yun hi
likhti hun tumhein ye samjhane ko.

jaan hatheli pe rakh ke chalna
tere-mere bas ka khel nahi,
ye jazba hai woh
jiska tere-mere jazbon se koi mel nahi.

karte ho zindagi ka faisla tum 'haar' ya 'jeet' se
samjhe nahi zindagi ko shayad abhi tum theek se.

jeeta hoga tum ne khud ko
shayad khushi hai tumhein is baat ki,
haar ke dekho ek baar kisi ke liye
woh hoga naya ek ehsaas hi.

kya galat hai agar
kisi ke sajde mein sab sir jhukayein,
kaam kiye hai unhone aise to
kyon nai hum is baat ko samajh payein.

hai liyakat to kar ke dikhao
tum bhi koi aisa kaam mahaan,
maane hum tumhari baaton ko
na kahe galat tumhein ye jahan.

jo rakho tum dil mein khayal
marzi hai woh tumhare dil ki,
magar na kaho un shaheedon ko jhootha
dee jinhone tumhein ye keh pane ki khushi...

These thoughts were trigered on reading an article on blogsite which condemned the idea of paying homage to martyrs who have laid their lives in battle fields. The writer had called those soldiers 'loser' and that by dying a soldier actually risked lives of other soldiers.

2005-09-23T07:23:00.000+05:30

Rainy Evening !!

'rishtey'

2005-09-22T07:32:00.000+05:30

Kuch rishtey bante nahi
kuch hum banate nahi,

kuch bankar bigad jaate hain
jinko hum sanwaar pate nahi.

rishtey bantey hain bigadne ko
ya shayad bigad ke fir se sanwarne ko.

rishton ki ye ajeeb dastaan hai
tamam zindagi ka roop hota in se bayaan hai

rishtey nibhate hi kat jati hai ye zindagi,
zindagi kat jane par 'kat' jaatein hain ye rishtey bhi...

'Saza Pyar Ki'

2005-09-21T11:08:00.000+05:30

o humdum ye kaisi saza hai
ye to bata tere dil ki raza kya hai.

na kee tune bewaafai
magar na wafa hi nibhai.

kyon la kar choda hai us mod par
jahan dekh nai sakenge kabhi tujhe mud kar.

chahte the jo tum apni chahton ko pana
kyon us din se aaj tak haath mera thama.

kyon jaate jaate bhi dil ko dilaase dete ho
jana hi hai to akela kyon nai mujhe chod dete ho.

kyon khwabon mein aakar ab bhi satate ho
aisa kya gunah hai mera jo barbas hi rulate ho.

meri khushiyon ne tha tumko apna mana
aaj aage nikal gaye to bhool gaya tumko woh zamana.

hum yaad karenge kis ko ye na tumne jana
apna daaman chuda kar pal mein hi kiya begana.

aaj bhi saath rakhne ki baat kee hai,
fir kya khata hui mujh se jo ye 'Saza' dee hai.

fir na kabhi kisi se yun dil lagana,
jaante nahi tum ki bahut mushkil hai pyaar mein
aise 'Pyaar ki Saza' seh pana.....

2005-09-21T07:04:00.000+05:30

Sunset.... Photography from friend Suhail

"Weekly Meetings"

2005-09-21T02:23:00.001+05:30

hum kahein kaise ki
abhi manosthiti kya hai? (manosthiti = mental condition)
hum baithein hain "weekly meeting" mein
aur band apni zubaan hai.
aisa bhi kabhi hota hai ki hum chup reh payein,
par yeh jagah hai aisi ki sochte hain
kab hum apna munh khol payein.
chalega ye silsila chand ghante aur, (chand=some)
ik tarfa baaton ke silsile ka abhi to shuru hua hai daur.
wo bolenge, bolenge aur bolte chale jayenge,
hum kehna chahein bhi kuch to keh nahi payenge.
is se badttar kya hogi kisi ki dasha? (badttar=worst)
kabliyat ho bahut kuch magar soojhe nahin disha.
aise mein kagaz kalam liye hum baithe hain,
dil mein hai jo baat wo zubaan ke badle haath se hum kehte hain
koi sun le aa kar is dil ki pukaar,
nikale koi aakar humein yahan se baahar.
koi humein is asaadharan vatavaran se bachaye
samjhe humari dasha aur disha koi sujhaye....
koi aaye aur aakar humein bachaye

'Jazba - dosti ka'

2005-09-20T10:28:00.000+05:30

zindagi ki is daud main
kitne hi chehre rubaru hue,
milkar chale kuch kadam hamare
magar pal hi mein woh padchinh gum hue.
umange jo thin sang chalne ki
woh jyon ki tyon theher gayin,
ullass bhare dil main kahin
virah ki leher daud gayi.
Nigahein talaashtin hain aaj bhi un chehron ko
Dil ke dhaage mein pirona chahein un dosti ke motiyon ko.
Kadam uthte hain har pal
Manzil ki or is ummeed ke sang
Ki karvan badhaye chalo aage kyonki,
honi hain mulakatein abhi doston ki doston ke sang.

In the honour of all the wonderful friendships I have had so far.

'O Saathi chal'

2005-09-20T10:22:00.000+05:30

Kaun jaane kab kahan
Kisi anjaan chehre se mulakat ho?
Chaha anchaha woh sapna
Hakikat ban tere saath ho.
Jaana hai e pathik tujhe aage
Rasta tu apna banaye chal,
Gar kantila ho pathrila ho rasta
To zakhm kha kar bhi muskuraye chal.
Manzil hai teri aage kahin
Rukna tera dhyay nahin,
Soch karvan abhi chala hai
Roke na rasta tera guzare pal kahin.
Khwaab hain tere aasmaan se unche
Aage tu bad nikal,
Daler ho hausla kar,
Gar hona hai tujhe safal.
Safalta ki seedi badhti hai jaati
Jaise teri karya kriti,
Aage bad, use tey kar
Taki ho jaaye weh chhoti kabhi...

Rediscovering Me .....

2005-09-19T22:16:00.000+05:30

I donot know why and for whom have I been concealing myself from. Who is it that I am afraid of that it made me create two seperate blog sites. May be I was scared to say all in my heart in open to all.... My own lines ....

"kabhi darte the hum baantne se dard apna jin se
aaj woh hi aage ja us dard ki hansi udate hain "

yeah I know this is true. World shows sympathy but mostly makes fun of it at the end. Might sound offensive to all who genuinely care but the reality is always bitter ..
Anyways, the idea of this realisation is to use this space for opening up and not concealing.. and here I go posting my latest creations !!!

Past couple of days have been really creative. I have been thinking, I have been writting... It seems like I had forgotten myself completely.. It seems that I am rediscovering myself..... Life has been good... and as quoted by some one....

"I can sum up life in three words ... It goes on"

'fitrat'...

2005-09-19T09:54:00.000+05:30

pakdo na ret ko muthi mein
ki woh haath se fisal jayega,

pani anjali mein bharne ko hai
muthhi banate hi nikal jayega.

fitrat hai ye aag ki, pani ki
roko na inko behne se...

baat aayi hai jo zuban pe
roko na ise kehne se...

ki ruki agar aag to raakh haath aayegi
ruk gaya jo pani to zindagi thehar jayegi

hastiyon mein hastiyan hoti hain aisi,
fitrat hoti jinki aag ya pani jaisi...

roko na khud ko ki zindagi thaher jayegi,
jane do unko ki zindagi naye rang layegi.

rawangi hai 'fitrat' zindagi ki
ruki to maut 'hasti' ko nigal jayegi

Ganpati Bappa Morya !!

2005-09-17T12:15:00.000+05:30

There is a strong connection that has developed in past couple of years with Ganesh Chaturthi celebration ever since I went to South India where this festival is celebrated with complete fervor. Till two years back I was told that it is best to be in Mumbai to join the celebrations and indeed people throng streets with Ganesha's idol, lots of gulal (color) in their hands, dancing to the beats of drum while carrying the procession and I got to catch the glimpse of the same last year. It was equally amazing this time when I had gone to the "Hindu Temple of Kentucky" on general visit but got the chance to attend complete procession ceremony, and celebrations. I understand whatever God does, does for good as I had paid visit to the same temple the previous week too but to my dismay had found temple being closed the moment we had reached there. We had resolved that we will pay visit the coming weekend and our wait was rewarded in such beautiful way by God :)
I wish God heard prayers of one and all!!

aakhir kyon ?

2005-09-09T10:14:00.000+05:30

kabhi bhale kabhi bure chehre milte hain rahon par
kayi saath nibhate hain pal bhar
magar fir chal dete hain apni manzil ki aur
khud ke liye koi naya mukaam jod kar...

hansate hain pal bhar ko
duniya ki saari khushiyon se milate hain,
samjho jab unko aap apni duniya
to hans kar, munh mod kar chale jaate hain.

kabhi darte the hum baantne se dard apna jin se
aaj woh hi aage ja us dard ki hansi udate hain ...

kyun hum ye baat samajh kar bhi
khud ko akela kar aage nai badh paate hain ?
kyun haar rahein hain apne hi haathon
apni is zindagi ki jung ?
jab jaante hain sachai to kyun
is dil ko haathon majboor ho jate hain ?

.......

2005-09-09T10:06:00.000+05:30

chahe kitna bhi do tum mera saath
chahe kitna bhi chudao tum mujh se haath,

dil kare to chahe dil mein basao
ya chahe meelon dur baithe mujhe bhulao,

karo ruswa khud ko mujh se
ya do hausla mujh ko, khud se,

jab aaungi main paas
hai mujhe yeh ehsaas

ki tum nahi hoge
kahin nahi hoge,

abhi duriyon ke darmiyan
hain jitni bhi boliyan,

mit jayengi dekhna
jab dur hongi ye duriyan.

apne sansaar mein rame ho ab bhi
apne sansaar mein tum rahoge tab bhi,

main to us tinke ke saman hun,
ud kar yahan tak pahunchi hai jo...
aaj kehte ho ki wapis aa ja,
kal byah kar khud se karoge dur...

kyun aisi baatein kar ke satate ho,
jaante ho, ki nai mera basera wahan
to kyun ye raaz mujh se chhupate ho.

jana hai maine ki nai koi kisi se majboor
aakhir jana hota sab ko ik din sab se dur.

chahe kitna mujhe roliyan sunao
magar ab ye baat mujh se na chupao
chahein hum ik dooje ko jitna bhi
magar ladni hoti hai ye zindagi ki jung khud hi

2005-09-01T07:24:00.000+05:30

Evening !!

Direct Dil Se !!

2005-08-31T07:10:00.000+05:30

Yun hi beeti jaye zindagi,
kabhi mile gum kabhi aaye khushi.

hote hai jab aasmaan se oonche armaan,
takrate hai hum aur pate hai gumnaam gehraayiaan.

nazar aati hai kabhi daudti khule aasmaan ke tale,
to kabhi band deewaron mein simat si jati hai.

bikhar jati hai aksar palon mein yun hi,
milti hai fir jholiyan bhar kahin.

kabhi dhokhon se dilon ka tootna dikhlati hai,
kabhi anjane chehron mein vishwas jagati hai.

kyon zindagi itna hansati hai,
kyun zindagi itna rulati hai.

aasan nai sahaayad itna, keh pana zindagi ka saar
samjhu kitna bhi magar,uthte hain prashan kai hazaar!!!

"hai ye meherbaaniyan us kartar ki,
jo deta hai duriyan paas lata hai fir wahi."

Thanks for your valuable additions Mother!

BIG Day @ Work !!!

2005-08-30T10:14:00.000+05:30

They say that there are atleast two faces in the world which are similar. I donot know how much of this is true but I definitely know some people who think exactly the same. The fact that they donot know each other at all astonishes me further. I have seen on so many occasions that when the same situation is given they have inadvertently reacted in the same manner. Crux is that I got to hear exactly similar words for exact same situation but mouthed by one of my close friends. "You should not give the control of making you miserable in anyone else's hands." Ah!! I know I have heard it whole lot more times earlier too... Well I still agree with it completely but practicing it is not as simple as agreeing with it.

Aint it good to have such people around who motivate you, challenge your guts when life tends to become smoother than you relish. Instead of making you establish and allowing you to get into the comfort zone they challenge your spirits to be better than what you are. Not everyone thinks passionately but for some their friends are source of passion and today when I sit and think of recent debacles I understand that there has been a great involvement of some people in pushing me to limits.

I had a strong realisation today that though things had been simpler in recent past but they do not seem to remain the same in near future. With the offset of first kick off meet today I clearly understand that days ahead are much tougher than what I have experienced in last three years of job. All said and done the fact is that I am jotting it down to remind me later the criticality of task I shall be executing in coming months with entirely new responsibilities. In short it is now or never scenario for my first project execution wherein either I convince the management to execute the project till end of this year or wait till next Deepawali to go back home, huh !!

TCS wins Clifty Cup

2005-08-29T20:50:00.000+05:30

Congratulations !!

TCS won the Clifty Cup Cricket tournament this Sunday August 28th defeating Columbus XI by 7 wickets. Kudos for the team for putting in such a good performance consistently for 2 whole months. It was a treat for all TCS supporters who were present all the time throughout the tournament.

As said by captain, Samir " Amidst all Work and Home pressure we finally made it".

The finals was scheduled for Saturday but weather took its toll and match was abandoned due to fog and mist after the Colunbus XI finished batting. The prixe distribution was completed for rest of the tournament the same day itself.

But the finalist teams came back on Sunday with same energy and enthusiasm to wrap the Columbus XI on a mere score of 69. And with a good opening stand with Sivaram and Anirudh TCS was always there in the drivers seats.

The much awaited victory came in the 16 over with two stunning boundaries from Samir.

So the clifty cup is ours for next one year.

Finally a big thanks to all TCS supporters.

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Again these words are from Nitin, one of the team member as I did not go for the match on Sunday after watching it on saturday amidst mist and fog. TCSers had a nice sweet party at Ritters, an Icecream parlour to immediately celebrate the occasion. Though I had joined this party, second for the day but actually I spent my weekend talking, fighting, rejoicing at a party thrown by a colleague on buying a NISSAN Altima.... huh !! That was cool ride to Indy .... Once again ... Tere ashiq ki deewangi sar pe chadh ke bole... and ofcourse there is nothing that can beat Kajraare naina .....

2005-08-27T06:30:00.000+05:30

Ye kahan aa gaye hum ...

2005-08-26T06:35:00.000+05:30

The time has come to part ways.... Gud times donot last long...

TCS Vs KPIT Cricket Match

2005-08-25T20:24:00.000+05:30

I wonder after how long did I see a match that got so close. TCS batting first got all out in only 18 overs with just 65 runs on the score board. The bowling and fielding performance from KPIT end was fantastic. They had realised from league matches that it was necessary to stop TCS from posting a high score to sustain any chances to win as TCS had already won three out of four of those matches stamping the strength of their team on the field.

This is what a team member had to say

If you have ever wondered how the cricket matches go so exciting and so unbelievable.........Ask anybody who was there at clifty park yesterday

TCS made KPIT bite the dust in a gripping and mind blowing semi-finals.

For those who are interested in statistics TCS won the toss, elected to bat and scored 65 runs in 20 overs. Sachin contributed the lion's share of the score.

And those who thought the match was over...bite their fingers when KPIT started their batting..........Samir , our captain , led from the front and blew away
all air from KPIT's camp............And if it was not enough that Magical over from Vamshi......ripped KPIT apart.....HATS OFF for U Vamshi

Sanjeev and Amit were splendid in their performances and so were the fielders.......
And still the match went to live wire and Anirudh sealed TCS victory claiming the last wicket....

A big thanks to ALL those who supported TCS and encouraged even when the conditions looked gloomy. Thats was "the mother of all matches" and this was what people commented, when they left the field.

BE there to be in finals on saturday and make us win again.....

HAIL TCS !!!

This is true that the match was indeed a spectator's delight too. It was fun shouting and screaming once again. I wonder how this has become such inherent part of me. Fun should be loud and clear I guess :))
Kudos to the teams who had gone after rigorous day at work and still managed to provide such awesome entertainment. Am sure I got to be there when TCS plays finals against Columbus 11..

"Niagara Trip Travel"

2005-08-25T02:21:00.000+05:30

Fun filled trip that started with the adventure and was fascinating all the way long... To start with it here is just the description of travel and it may be surprising to call a simple plane journey an adventure but it indeed was...

Snippets of flight journey in US need special mention( atleast my experience)

"Flight has been delayed but you can travel by another flight which is about to depart in 15 mts." I was excited that I might reach Atlanta sooner than anticipated but to my dismay I was stranded at the airport for an hour and half. Finally, this flight actually left after my scheduled flight and I just managed to take my connecting flight. I noticed the most interesting part only then, the travel time on my tickets showed two and half hrs while it took only 70 mts on board to reach Atlanta. I think they plan the delays in the itenarary itself :P

Flight was about to land at Atlanta airport where on the last moments signal was received that there is no parking on the taxiway and my flight took off into the air, once again...
"Wow !!! two take offs in one journey" ;)...

Atlanta airport....... I only wish I could click some pictures to share what I saw..

On my return trip, the journey was no less exciting. Flight pilot gave the instruction to staff to get ready for landing when suddenly there were screams in the plane. Reason, pilot initially descended towards the left and then suddenly took a turn towards right.. Reminded me of the spinning action that air force officers are trained at, although ours was only a half spin ;) But the lady behind my seat was so tensed in these two seconds that she started weeping. To confess, I too had screamed... I boarded new aircraft and met Mamta, a Purdue university post doc student from Mumbai and it was surprising to find that she had experienced exactly the same incident on her aircraft.... I just hope I will not have such adventures in future in the AIR... Whew!!

Though air travel scared me a bit but the fact is that I have so far thorougly enjoyed all the drives, be it to Madison, Monroe Lake, Chicago, Niagara Falls from New Jersey speeding at high rate alongwith loud music on straight highways or freeways in US. It becomes all the more joyous when you are accompanied with your friends who love singing, shouting, talking, arguing, mimickering .... navigating and loosing the way, speaking right but showing wrong directions with hands, doing all those small things and fighting over them... All this and more made part of my journey in Chevy's Impala car that we had rented from New Jersey.

Travelling home from Indy to Columbus was again fun with loud music, drive in rain with my roomie who had come all the way to pick me from the airport....

Though this is not all about the visit; apart from travel there is whole lots to share about the beauty of Niagara and hectic life in New Jersey that I would soon come up with..

Welcome !!

2005-08-10T03:13:00.000+05:30

Idea of small space for thoughts

Life has been happening in past couple of years with lots to share. Though there are number of events which were captured in the photographs (lying in some folder on some machine in one of my offices) but still there has been a lack of voice/ mode of expression. This might probably be due to the distance which has sweeped in making the idea of sharing of thoughts, ideas and opinions a remote possibility.
Having freed from tense schedule the idea of jotting down these thoughts and sharing them has finally materialised with your sweet suggestion to create this blog site.

This blogsite is open to idea of sharing thoughts to make every reader's experience lively.

Cheers

2003-04-26T06:35:00.000+05:30

College Days ...