Madhumitha @ Maya

A women's guide to types of men.

2012-01-29T01:41:00.000+05:30

Before I start I must say this is totally my take and I might be absolutely wrong. Any resemblance to real life characters is unwarranted and not intentional. So sit back relax and enjoy the post with least reservation what so ever. This post is very biased towards women, I m sorry guys! But you can read it and beat me up any time! (I don't mean it :P)

The cucumber: A women must love this guy. I mean who doesn't love a man who can smile even when a girl smashes his car right into a tree? But the sad part is these men are far and few in-between. There is a problem though. Since he are mr. cool they will never understand why we become angry. The poor soul will be left clueless. The ability to understand a woman's anger is a vital skill. The poor soul lacks it. If you don't really get angry often he is the one!

The winner: Behind every successful man is a woman or so they say. The fact is if a man is into a woman during the process of attaining success. If there was a woman in his life he would have chosen to be with her over his ambition. So its nice isn't it the big pool, swanky car and so on. But at what cost. Not all but most successful people who have not faced failure are the ones who set standards and live by the same. They have constant appraisals for themself. The only thing that matters is their success. Sadly the woman in his life is also set in par with his success. She is also measured and weighed. Its a trade off you must make my dear women- audi vs success driven scum.

The street-smart: You must love this one. He knows how to make you smile. He doesn't have too many fancy degrees following his name but he can make a lot more sense than a Ph.D. He knows how the world works and can make it work for you. He is just perfect if you don't want your partner to be that news reader types. He might have no clue about the trend in food inflation but he will know where to get best carrots at best price in the city. If you wanna smile all your life with no concern about details of the issue he is your type.

The moron: Sometimes if a donkey is well dressed it might pass off to be a horse till is starts to run. Listen hard girls! This one is a donkey! He is so full of himself. The difference between the winner n moron is that the winner has actually done something so he has the rights to be so. But this guy presumes that he is a hot shot somebody. The fact can be in the opposite extreme. He is a complete and total moron. Please stay clear of this one.

The water pots: Some say that men are strong and must not cry. I am so against them. To cry is but human, but there are few men who are so damaged. They are really caring and nice but the sad part is that they are emotionally very needy. They cry too often and you might need a lot of tissue. Still way better than the moron though. Take your call on this one.

The Mr. Perfect: If all the stars align in the right spot for you then you might meet this one. Smart, charming, caring and funny.. oops i missed HOT!. . . I know this sounds like price charming. But such people exist (what can I do I still believe in fairy tales ;)..) . This is a really rare breed and if you feel that you can handle him without developing an inferiority complex go ahead and ride towards the sunset.

The clueless cherry: Some men are just such darlings, but they are pretty clueless. They are full of if, buts and what ifs. They have their own ecosystem and everything that they see gets sucked into it and is see thorough their pink glasses. They aren't gay just because they like pink, mind you. They are nice at heart and generally smart too. But they see the world from their narrow view. So get used to it else life will be tough. They are worth the pain though, as sweet ans sour as cherry.

The party maniac: He is the loudest and the most visible person in any party. He knows everybody who is an anybody and is one hell of a dancer. Oh yeah he can drink till he drops too. He is the most out going person on the face of this earth. The question is are you ready to handle this attention seeking atom bomb? Think! If so, "Where is the party tonight?"

I think that i am done with the types. There are so many more unsaid but well understood. I have always felt that God gave women extra sensory perception. They can see beyond what is obvious. This is both good and bad. At times the perception might have been a meat trick by your brain. Whatever it might be, follow your heart for it never lies. I classified men for the heck of it. All my life I have met wonderful men in form of my father, friends, family, work, classmates, teacher and well wishers. Many of them cant be categorized ever.

The Man behind the headlines...

2012-01-21T17:35:00.000+05:30

On a Saturday morning, I had to push myself off the bed. The first thing I saw was my phone, it was very unkind to me. The mean phone showed a horrible 9am. I gathered my thoughts and got ready to tend to my very hungry stomach. I walked like a drone with my mickey mouse cup to have breakfast. It was nice to see a happy smiling face of my friend. I had breakfast with her. We noticed that everyone in the cafeteria were all dressed in formal n readily heading someplace. Then it hit us! There was a guest lecture at 9.15am. I wanted to go. I had a tough week and slept too much. I chose not to go and hence continued to sip my tea.

I have always felt that in all moments in my life when I take wrong decisions there is this inner alarm bell. It keeps ringing so loud till I take notice of it. It was life this tedious fire drill every-time I took a wrong decision. I felt it that day too. It was 9.30am I was on my bed wondering what was bothering me. My friend came in out of the blue and asked me to join her immediately for the guest lecture. I was in my night clothes with olive oil on my face. I just blinked. She just said "Chalo Chalo". Within 15 minutes I was running towards the auditorium in high heels. The inside alarm stopped the moment I stepped into the auditorium. I was late, very late. We were ushered into the hall and granted first row seats. (trust me its not a privilege, its punishment). Then there I saw this man, in blue jeans, sport shoes, thick framed Ray Ban glasses and white shirt (it was cool that he didn't tuck it in). It was none but the one and only Dr. Bhaskar Das (President, Times of India Group).

What a persona! Every word he said went right into my mind like an arrow from Arjunas bow. Suddenly the first row didn't feel like a punishment. I felt like this really crazy fan waving at her favorite rockstar. I have heard that to become a leader you need a flair, it must be in you. Well, I though it was crap. But he had this aura, I took him serious and he didn't have to wear a suit to make himself look important. It was not only the speech which made me surrender with at-most attention. Once his speech was up, he didn't sit on the dais with all the other important people. He walked right down to sit in the front row. Unlike the impressionable other people who we see regularly, he actually wanted to listen to the next speaker. He sank into the red cushion chair and stretched his legs. One would have passed him off as a fun loving careless student if not for his gray hair.

There were 2 other speakers after him. They were all fabulous in their own way. But it was Dr. Das who redefined marketing as we know it. He called himself as Philip Das and Bhaskar Kotler. I loved the level of comfort that he had with himself. I am at times amazed at the level of self consciousness we all have. That too as we grow up in the social ladder we have more eyes looking at us. Impression matters!.. But not for Dr. Das. He was clear about what he wanted to say and how to say it. He was simply in love with what he was(he seemed so). There are only 2 kinds of people in this world, the ones who keep looking at others to see their reflection and the other group who stand tall and show the world who they are. I mean who comes to talk about marketing unbound in blue jeans and white Ts to a B school? He did and I liked him better than all the other people I have ever listened to.He said that he knew that newspaper will be replaced by other online medium of news and called it as evolution. Most people stand up to defend their business. But he was not in a state of denial, I loved his "So what if that happens attitude?"

There are many guest lectures in which I felt there was a value addition. But only in few that I can actually connect with the speaker. This was one such a person. When you have high trust on a person everything uttered will enter the head and heart unboundly. I never used to read the news paper. I felt it was disturbing. Post taking up a MBA course I tried really hard to focus my energy towards such typical MBA activity. I started with "The Economic Times". I felt that the headlines were all berserk. But after I saw the man behind the headlines, I understood it was self expression. He made the paper stand out from the clutter of jargon filled business papers which intimidate me. He stood tall confident and smart in that blue jean and white shirt in the pool of the ominous black suits. Try to be yourself and success will make you the man/woman behind the headlines!

The sad demise of a Shopaholic

2011-12-31T11:04:00.000+05:30

As my feet touched the earth below, getting off the Pajero all I though off in that moment was "SHOPPING". It was like a sport. Every other day, surrounded by oceans of new clothes, shoes, toys, books and what not. Pure bliss to feel soft silk scarf, inhale the sweet smell of perfume in The Body Shop and to turn the pages of a new book. The possibilities were endless. I was in love. Love with the idea of shopping. The moment I was in a mall, all my worries disappeared. I remember drooling over a piece of jewelry or longing for that beautiful black stilettos.

But all that was in the past. Now shopping seems more of a mundane task to be done. It seems as bothersome as getting up in a Sunday morning during exam. From being a compulsive shopper to a person who thinks that is a necessity, it has been a great transition. When I turn around and look at the past, I wonder, want was it that made me happy then that is lost now.

I remember those days in Sea view compound in Dammam, after shopping for hours together the bliss one gets. Words won't suffice to say how lovely one feels to try out new clothes or to hug a new teddy bear. Some where down the line, I out grew all this but how? That is something that i have been pondering since Oct 2011.

I hit upon the all so obvious answer yesterday. The most evident things are the most well hidden; the mind thinks that answers to complex question must essentially be complex. The greatest truth is always simple. I sank into my heart, did some investigation. I followed it day and night inspected how if felt when it saw hoarding of new year sales. It no longer wanted to shop till it dropped. Some thing happened. Something that I never imagined. When I saw add for sale in shoppers stop, I was thinking about their marketing strategy and pricing. That was my moment of enlightenment under my table lamp (Sadly I can't find a Bodhi tree in Mumbai). I was indifferent now. I didn't feel that knee jerking reaction that compulsive feeling to head out and shop. Rather I began to search for the less obvious: sale? Why so? The answers that popped out were astounding it involved little of everything from accounts to operations to marketing (sorry, nothing in HR, odd though I must say). Even post shopping I missed that high I used to feel (May be its time to shift to boozing from shopping ;) ). Post shopping I was wondering why there were many women cleaning staff (here HR came to play, at last!.. Huff). While i was gobbling down morsels of the veg pulav I had got my enlightenment two.

Shopping had lost its shine. It could no longer be the problem to all my problems in life. My mother must be proud to know her daughter has given up this lust for material things. Mother knows best, her love was to get absorbed in the smell in incense sticks in a temple. Well I haven't reached that point yet, but I have lost that love for shopping. This must be a loss to lifestyle and long list of other shops.

I realized that curling up with a good book or chatting with nice friends or cooking up a spicy conversation with my mother gave more happiness than even a new Gucci purse can ever give (post seeing the price I decided the same :P ).

All this is great but why did it happen. Well for starters, for the first time in my life I am looking and the bill and paying from my purse (Dad's money but I do have a monthly budget). This brings in a sense of responsibility. I began to think many times before i take something to the billing counter. At last a sense of responsibility. May be I have grown up (God lord! Thank you). Even my sister was shocked to see my new found hatred for shopping. I guess a funeral is necessary to ensure that the shopaholic in me may R.I.P. for rest of eternity.

Heart wants what the mind cannot get.,.

2011-12-30T13:10:00.000+05:30

Since I have not been doing much lately I began to ponder, why we all chase after something always. As humans we tend to long for what we do not have. I used to think that it is a disease from with few suffer (including me), however recent findings indicate otherwise. Why is it difficult to follow certain rules and norms? Why is it that we love and long for certain things so much and after attaining it, suddenly it seems less desire worthy (spare me I am seriously suffering dearth of words). So what is this battle between your brain and heart.

Some might think that this post is utterly mindless and yet others might be smiling and nodding their pretty heads in approval. But the fact is evident and up the face. Haven't we all wondered why we rationally choose a better love life or career option yet look back at the past with a deep sigh. Do we actually miss it? Rationally speaking we made a better choice didn't we? Yet our heart is never at peace always longing for past pleasure or prospects of future joy.

All this is something all of us face day today in our life, sadly we have learnt to live with it. Some brave people have tried to fight it as well, but then what happened to them is another story. Most of them knelt down in front of the all powerful dichotomy and accepted defeat and of the successful lot most of them are saints. Is life long enough for simple people like us to put up a fight?

When we were young we wanted to grow up wear fancy clothes like mom (men can read it as dad) and be all busy. Now that we have grown up we gently glide our fingers over the album in which we were all so small and happy. Every one of us wish we had a time machine to get back, back to the moment when a small butterfly could make us happy and feel like God.

If its not loathing about the past its dreaming about the future. When we were children we wanted to be so many things, sadly most people who are reading this are just another engineer or an MBA grad (no offense but both seems far less jazzy in contrast to something as fun as astronaut or pop singer or dancer .. the list is endless). So, what happened as we grew older? Even now at early and mid 20's there are people with dreams, dreams of becoming a writer, a dancer, a singer, a photographer. What pulls us back? Most common reply, "Please be real, I have a family to support and singing is not really a career. It's just my passion." We all shun away from something we love. But why? Where is all the dream and courage we had as a 5 year old?

Life makes us all cowards as we grow up in the name of making us sensitized to the fact of life. Cross your heart and say haven't there been moments in which you have really cursed yourself for being too rational? So what am I getting at here? Shall we quit all rationality and just follow our heart. Well that doesn't work either. Trust me! I have tried it. Then what can we do? It's like as is heart is the sky and brain is the earth, they never met. May be in the horizon but as you walk towards it, it draws father away from you.

So what can we do? Shall we take a toss every time there is a dichotomy between the heart and the brain? Well that too doesn't work. We need to understand why the heart wants something in the first place. There are few logical reasons:

Everybody have it, so why not me? (This is your worst enemy kill such desire. I mean why do you want to be a everybody ;) )
My loved one said that if would be ideal for me. (Who knows you better than yourself. Dig deep and find out if you love it yourself or just because your loved one asked you to love it. Love inspired from an external source doesn't last.)
I love this because... endless logical reasons (Your is serious trouble, go get an scan and ensure that you have a heart. Come on love doesn't have too many reasons. If it did, one your cooking it up or two your just love with it cause it satisfies your egoistic brain.)
I really don't know but I totally want to do this. ( Now you are talking. Just do it. Don't think, trust me. You wont repent if you do something you love but cannot explain why.)

The heart has pride and brain has ego. Pride hurts and ego kills. So it is a tight rope walk. Listen to you heart, use it to draw up you visions. Live your life and make other smile on the way. Don't plan too much, dont be too nostalgic or dreamy either. Some people strike the right cord without being saints. I am working my way towards the same. It is tough but its worth trying. . . Right?

The case of Mistaken Identity

2011-11-15T14:57:00.000+05:30

All my life I have been an outsider. The person who is not from around here. I was born in Mayiladuthurai, a beautiful temple town. But most of my life was spent in Chennai. Sounds normal doesn't it? But my identity is commonly mistaken. Here goes my tale, where I am always wrongly understood.

When I was doing My first standard I went to Saudi Arabia. The first time flying experience is something I will never forget. In Saudi Arabian I was the unwanted and looked down upon Indian. Within the Indian community in that country I was a Madrasi. I have always been marveled at the term Madarasi. All people who belong to the 4 south Indian states are MADRASI for others above those 4 states. I was fooled to the point in which I assumed that it was a state and not a city(I was only 8 years old and my grades in geography were never great).

When I came back to India, the story didn't end. I had impeccable English flowing off my lips and not so good Tamil. Thus again I was again an outcast. Some though I was just an NRI. The so called rich kid who was so lost in India(I was not rich but I must accept that I was indeed lost).

It took some time before I could adapt to the local language and its lingo. Then came a new confusion. My name! Madhumitha is just too much of a Bengali name. That is what people said. I mean, common, do I look Bengali?

Next sassy mistake: "All vegetarians are Brahmins!" My God! Where did this come from? Only after coming to India did I know that a thing called caste existed. To justify my origins I said "I am a Pillai". Then the confusion became more complex. Suddenly I became a Malayali. Pillai is a caste name shared by a group of people in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

It took time but I did get an identity and I felt at home. When I went back to my native for vacations I was the girl from Chennai again an outcast in the city in which I was born. Irony, isn't it? I ended up where I started and there I had lost my identity.

Then post my UG, I am in Mumbai. Here again I am donning the role of Madrasi. Every day is a challenge trying to learn and understand a language I had once despised. But I can see a vast improvement in the same. When I go back home for vacations I am sadly a Mumbaikar.

This is truly maddening. It leads me to wonder who I am. I would prefer to be the girl from Chennai. I think that my identity has been the most mistaken one in the history of time. In a way, I am proud. I to belong so many places, castes and assume many identities. I am happy to be this girl from from Mayiladuthurai who grew up in Saudi Arabia and Chennai, then went to Bombay. I am also happy to be from Kerala, West Bengal, Mumbai and Tamil Nadu(Madras) all at once. My life is a lovely paradox. I love being what I am.

The five people you meet in heaven by Mitch Albom

2011-10-31T16:34:00.000+05:30

So what actually happens after we die? I bet that most of you out there would have pondered about this atleast once. Well most of us are satisfied with the imagination of floating in clouds. But don't you think that there must be more significance to death than just floating around clouds with a harp in white clothes?!?

Well Albom surely thinks that there is more to it. The previous book of his was rather very moving. I expected the same out of this book. I was shocked, pleasantly. This book is a beautiful journey which is neither to dramatic for the emotionally shy and nor to dry for those with feelings.

This is a story of Eddie a 83 year old man who works in an amusement park as a maintenance guy. He dies in an attempt to save a little girl from an accident. After his death he meets 5 people. These people have in someway or another affected his life.

I have always believed that lives are interwoven into a beautiful net. Ever action one performs will have a profound effect on others, even the unborn. This story reflects this theme and in a way explains the purpose of heaven.

Heaven is not a to place to chill out. But it is a process of understanding ones life. There are many things one doesn't understand in course of the life on earth. This lack of understanding causes emotional stress and at times might lead the person to take wrong decisions. After death Eddie gets to meet 5 people who are also were very much a part of his life. These people revel parts of his life he never knew.

I suggest that everyone must have a read. Its small yet convincing. Not a sentimental tale, I promise! It is a nice journey through life of "Eddie Maintenance". In someways it makes one ponder about one's own life.

E Book link:

http://e-buks.weebly.com/uploads/6/4/3/3/6433110/the_five_people_you_meet_in_heaven.pdf

I wish i were a BOY!

2011-10-30T13:15:00.001+05:30

For long I have always started writing on this topic but stopped mid way and shoved it under the carpet. But I feel the urge to write about it today. To be a girl in India is a perfect example of oxymoron. It is said that our nation respects women and worships them. The sad fact is that none of it is true. I am not here to accuse all the good men out there with no concern over them what so ever. At the same time I want to shed light over the under belly of this glorification of status of women in India.

Recently there are many articles about liberation of women in Middle east. Well, lets face an honest question: Are women in middle east the ONLY ones who are suppressed? Cross your heart and tell the truth. How many women here can say that they enjoy equal rights at home and society. Most women don't feel safe when they travel alone even in day. Though women are economically liberated it all comes with a cost.

Whether we acknowledge it or not, prejudice does exist and we have learnt to live with it. Being the tolerant Indian woman, I have become numb to this phenomenon. To take up a personal example, I wanted to do an MBA. My parents were kind enough to allow me to pursue the same. But not without clauses. I personally would have loved it if I worked for 2 years then pursued my education. Well that would be too late for my wedding wouldn't it? Or so they believe.

I have always believed that wedding is a union of hearts and is done to seek a life long companion. Sadly we Indians view weddings as a joint venture. There are multiple rules and laws to be followed in a wedding. Sometimes I wonder if I need the same.

Sorry to digress from the topic. This is bound to happen when one speaks from the heart and stops ones mind. The point I tried to prove is that despite of hailing from a well educated family, I have my own set of restrictions because I am a GIRL. Were I a boy the whole game plan would have been different.

In many a ways I feel that I am forced by the society to behave in a certain way. It gives immense pressure, makes me angry and depressed. I am the lucky few who has access to higher education and certain level of equality. There are many girls out there who are not even sent to school.

Eve was made from the rib of Adam, because she was to protect his heart. Well, its the eve race which needs a lot of protection now. There is a sequence of hurdles to be faced by a girl child:

Birth by itself is an uncertainty as female infanticide still prevails.
When they are born they are thought of as a burden by the parents themself.
Most women are denied access to education. Society looks down upon women and fools her to think low of herself.
Beyond all this when a woman grows up the social ladder she faces people who say all women are bad drivers, people who say that she got to where she is by using her charm and what not.

The list is hurtful and endless but vaguely familiar. I might have laid heavy accusation, but these are issues we must look into. Men are not bad. It is the purview of the society. It must change for the good of mankind. I used to (still at times still do) secretly wish "What if I were a BOY!"

Bonded

2011-10-27T21:59:00.000+05:30

People grow but refuse to grow out of certain habits. One such a odd habit of the Gen X(For the non-marketing guys that's people born in the period 1965-1977) is clinging to feelings of devotion to one's parent. I have always pitted this generation. They are stuck between two polar generations.

Gen Xer's generally have a lot of stress and confusion in regard to their list of do's and don't. The baby boomers(Birth year 1946-1964) were more traditional and had well defined rules. They expected devotion from their children. The Gen X fulfilled this expectation of the previous generation and grew up with the same belief system as the baby boomers. But there is a twist in the tale. There came the sense of "Individualism" and with it the Gen X people's belief system was shattered by the one and only Gen Y (Birth year 1977-1994).

Gen X was sadly caught in-between and unwilling to change. You cannot teach an old dog new tricks. They feel that their children are lack morals. This cause lot of friction. But deep within I think that they envy Gen Y. They did one thing which Gen X always longed for. Freedom from ideals during early age.

Each subsequent generation has its own share of differences with the previous one. I pray that Gen X give up their ego and join Gen Y in their bindass life style. They are still faithfully serving the Baby Boomers. I think that the Gen X people must stand up for what they want and live it with no regrets; as life is too short for regrets.

God's Debris

2011-10-24T12:35:00.000+05:30

Where shall I begin and where shall I end. I must first thank Rajesh for suggesting this book. It was truly mind blowing. For those who have been in Vineeth Swaroop's class: "This book is like 132 page one on one discussion with VS himself about God and what not!" I have always been a fan of Scott Adams cartoon "Dilbert". This is Scott at his best.

I do not know how to comment on this book for I feel belittled in front of it. I would suggest that all of you must read it. But it comes with a warning, do brush up on your knowledge in probability, astronomy, history and everything else. This book is no joy ride but take you into another state of consciousness.

I am a person who is never felt short of words. There are two things that made me feel so this month: Questions by the one and only VS in accounts class and when i am currently trying to describe this book. One might wonder why on earth did I begin a book review when I am certainly out of words to describe how the book is. To tell the truth this book is something to be experienced. I will not spoil your fun by bombarding your mind my petty interpretations of this book.So, throw away any inhibition and dive into this book for an experience you will never forget.

Enjoy!

http://nowscape.com/godsdebris.pdf

Career, my first love!

2011-10-19T01:18:00.000+05:30

"Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life."

- Confucius

We all have dreams, of what we must become in the future. When we were young, most of us wanted to be doctors or teachers and well, even rock stars. But as we grow our ambitions also change. When we dig deep and think the main reason for this shift, most probably the reason would be influence. As we grow we take to people and things based on the social circle we belong to.

When we seriously analyse this issue it has 2 facets:

Herd mentality
Living up to dad’s dream

Let us look into both the causes. The reasons are very common and often spoke of but rarely has anyone applied thought into it. Herd mentality is inevitable side effect of being a Social Animal. When there is a crowd in a restaurant we tend to assume that the food they offer is delicious. But the reason might as well be poor operations in the restaurant. We believe that if there are many people following something then it must be good. Well this is not always true in most cases. The same follow the crowd idea is followed in education as well. As human beings we tend to compare ourself with others and use our peers as anchors to measure our growth. In this process of running behind the crowd we lose happiness. All we dream of is being ahead, the sad fact is that the race is on a circular track and all those who are competing are just going around in circles.

Career decision is as important and at times more important than deciding on whom to wed. For in marriage we have an option of divorce but not in a career. So quit the herd mentality, go into a process of self-discovery. One must dig deep within oneself to find true love; this love will take the one who finds to great heights. The advantage of taking a profession one truly loves is, the outcome of any work will be immaterial the whole process by itself will be enchanting and satisfying. This is where intrinsic rewards come in. A man who is bad at a job he loves will be happier than a man who is the best at the job he hates.

The next big problem is making a bold career choice is influence of parents. India is a country that is strongly rooted in its family system. Children are connected to their parents irrespective of whether they are 5 or 50. This has a bad side. Parents pray and push their children to become something they are not. All children are gifted, not all can or should become lawyers, doctors and engineers. Based on one’s liking and skills profession must be chosen. Children must not try to live the life of their parents dream. We have only one life and we must follow our dream and chase it tirelessly.

Now having realized two main draw backs we have forgotten a main issue. So do all of us know what exactly our dream job is? Well sadly most of us do not have a clue of what we want. But that is ok we can learn. It’s never too late to start.

So for all those who feel that they are not happy with their career choices or those young minds’ who are pondering on what I want to be when I grow up all that I have for you are these 3 golden steps to well, I wouldn’t say success but HAPPINESS(This is a guarantee).

So here they are:

1. Find out what you truly love.

2. Acquire all that it takes to pursue that dream.

3. Finally, enjoy running behind your true love, relish each success and failure.

For all those who need help in this process of self-discovery here are a few suggested readings:

“To Build the Life You Want, Create the Work You Love”: by Marsha Sinetar

“Discover Your Passion : An Intuitive Search to Find Your Purpose in Life” Gail A. Cassidy

“Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Though the Secrets of Personality Type” by Paul Tieger and Barbara Barron

“The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success” by Nicholas Lore

“What Colour is your Parachute?” by Richard N. Bolles

“I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was: How to Discover What You Really want” Barbara Sher

“I Don’t Know What I Want, But I Know It’s Not This”: by Julie Jansen

“Do What You Love, The Money Will Follow: Discovering Your Right Livelihood” by Marsha Sinatra

“How to Find the Work You Love” by Laurence G. Boldt

For One More Day

2011-09-09T00:07:00.000+05:30

There are few books that touch your heart, and they become a part of you for ever. I want to surrender to the author for handling this subject so beautifully. For the mis-fortunate who have not read the book yet here's a briefing:

This is a story of a man named Chick @ Charles Benetto is man who is like most others. He was always embarrassed of the woman who loved him the most: Mom. He chose to be dad's son. We all make decisions but, the repercussions that they have on us will unfold only with time. Sadly, Chick's decision was to end his life. He took that decision because he was a former baseball player who's career had a downward graph, he lost money in his business, hated his job, separated from his wife and was unwanted by his daughter even on her wedding day.

He tries to kill himself but ends up meeting his mother at some point between life and death. His mother passed away 8 years before his suicide attempt. But he got to spend a day with his mother where he learnt things. Things like why she never told that; she worked as a maid to pay up his college fee, why his parents divorced, why Posey(his mother) never remarried and so many other unsaid things.

He finally got to say to his mother that she was indeed a very good mother to him and his sister. This is one of the most well written and soulful books i have read in the recent past. After "Thousand splendid suns" this is a book which made me cry.

I never cried for Chick or for Posey. But for Madhu and Shanthi. There were so many instances in my life when I did almost the same mistakes that Chick did: "I did not stand up for mom". There are moments when I pushed her away, demeaned her as less ambitious and said things that I should have not. But despite all that she way always there for me and still is my greatest inspiration. My dad would ask " Are you mom's child or dad's?" Frankly I still do not know. My mom would say "Children are not to choose." So I never did. The book brought me to tears for the sins I had done unknowingly and the moments I have lost(which I should have spend with my mother).

My mother is a very strong and beautiful woman. My family is lucky to have her. Sometimes I wonder what I would be without her. I have spent most of my life with her. It feels odd that I choose to move away from the person I love the most. I m wondering if it was a wrong decision. May be may be not. All that I know is, I love her a lot and that she will stand by me even if the sky's falling. My mother does not read my blog. But I secretly hope that she reads this post.

This book made me realize so many things. I generally do not write any personal opinions out loud. Well everything has a start. I would suggest this book for all those who are not shy of discovering the sentiments within them. As for the rest I suggest that you can pass this one for now.

Stop judging, start living

2011-07-30T14:46:00.000+05:30

I cannot find a word short of “miracle” to describe what one month of yoga has done to me. Like every other person in 20’s, I too believed that yoga is for the old and jobless. I was more interested in the intellectual part of spirituality. I was shying away from experiencing peace within me. But I left all inhibitions and threw away my preconceived notions. At most times all of us have opinions about everything even before we know what it is. It took a lot of convincing and acceptance to throw my notions about yoga.

My very first session of yoga was 2 fort nights ago. It felt divine. I am a huge fan of discourses by Osho. I have read a lot of his work. Every time there was an emphasis on experience of God through yoga and meditation. I never took it seriously. It was always the intellectual side that fascinated me the most. I can still remember as if it is all happening now in the present how it felt to stretch every muscle of my body. The sad part is most of my muscles were inflexible and unused. I loved the peace and relaxation that Savaasan gave me. I felt that all the strain due to stretching was removed and my entire body felt rejuvenated.

The best part was saved for the last: meditation. I have heard of effects of meditation and satsang on one’s mind and body. The only time I had experienced it was in the meditation hall in Isha foundation (Coimbatore). The first time I meditated I had tears in my eyes. Not tears of anguish or frustration but because I surrendered to the ethereal without any resistance what so ever.

Even though I get up late most mornings I try to find at least 15 minutes to meditate. It makes me feel like a freshly grown grass in the monsoon. I hope that this new found peace grows and makes me stronger. I am not advertising yoga. All that I want to say is, please do not judge things beforehand. Give things the benefit of doubt. Go try things that you always thought was uncool or not your type. Keep expanding your horizon and you will find new hobbies, passion and touchwood even new love. So stop judging and start living.

Mumbai n me!

2011-06-19T15:53:00.000+05:30

After months of preparation and planning, I am in Mumbai at last. It all still feels like a dream. I still feel that I am going to get back home in some time. The only thing I could see from the aircraft were buildings and more buildings. This city is full of people, rich poor ugly beautiful old and young. The roads are always full of vehicles.

The life line of this city seems to be the railways! The whole city is divided into east and west by the railway.The rains are so nice! It comes went it desires. Everyone has an umbrella of various size color and pattern. The population here is just too dense. I don't remember seeing any individual houses. But Mumbai has its own spirit! Hope that I fall in love with it soon.

Why I love Chennai

2011-06-11T00:04:00.000+05:30

I have been to about a dozen cities in the world. Chennai has always been close to my heart in multiple levels. I enjoy travelling to new places but noting is as beautiful as Chennai. It has a certain vibration and positive feeling to it. Trust me I am not being biased in any sense. There is a list of reasons which made me fall in love compulsively with the city.

First thing anyone would suggest tourist to visit in Chennai are the beaches. They are the prima donna of this virgin land. Kissable blue skies, endless limits of water which rubs ones feet and tonnes of shining sands. Pure heaven.
There are so many temples in the city, in all possible shapes and sizes.
The sweet sound of Tamil. The language has various forms and is very lovely. Personally I am not that good in the language. But people who can indeed speak it well are gifted and on the top of my admire list.
Chennai is known for its heat. But it never kills anyone. I makes one shed liters of water. When there is a mild breeze we can feel the presence of God.(I mean it)
The winter rains are the most beautiful. After the rain the roads will look so clean and pristine, trees so green and fresh. Makes even the most boring and old thing looks like it has regained its lost beauty and youth.
Dew filled mornings are worth dying for. Some times fog in the December morning makes us forget all possible worries and when the fog lifts so does our hopes.
Ah how can I forget this Food! This city has so many food joints for rich and poor, old and young like wise. I am a vegetarian yet this city has lot to offer on its platter.
We can hangout in so many places in the city. But warning! Your imagination is your limit. Just follow your heart and drive to where ever you want. Chennai will give you something to do.
I just love the Chennai's life line-its trains. It has its own bad face but a day without it would freeze life of many in the city.
Movies! They are an integral part of life in Chennai. Let it be an outing with friends or a nice romantic time with spouse, always include movies on the itinerary.
I cannot think of a time when there are no political flags adorning the city streets. It has become a part and parcel of Chennai. The city decorates herself with such color and lights during meetings by some lame politician.
It always gives hopes and new opportunities.
You can be any one in this city and still feel comfortable with it.

A week from now I wont be in this city. All I can say is that my heart belongs to this city. I love each and every street and lane. So many memories attached to this city both good and bad. All of them I shall treasure. There is one thing I must do before I leave Chennai. I want to take pictures of all the places I have been to and love in this beautiful city. I will be tough to kiss Chennai good bye. I am going to absorb all that this heaven on earth has to offer for me. Love you Chennai <3 <3 <3 :-*

Book review: Immortals of Meluha - Amish Tripathi

2011-05-29T11:56:00.000+05:30

This book was plain brilliance. A beautiful combination of fact and fiction. A low bow for Amish. The way the book is written is just too good. We all loved Dan Brown just because he was able to mix truth and fiction in the right proportions. Amish has the same talent. His imagination of what could have happened is so vivid and drawing. I was hooked to the book.

The story starts where Shiva is a tribal leader in Tibet. His tribe is constantly in war with neighboring tribe. The kingdom of Meluha sends a proposition to Shiva. They are ready to accept Shiva and his tribe into their well planned dynasty. This seemed as a good deal for Shiva. So he along with his people went to Meluha. Meluhans were Suryavanshis and there opponents were Chandravanshis. The Nagas were group of people who were deformed yet strong. They have evil intentions.

They were astounded by the planning and perfection of the city. Even the bricks were made to size. There was uniformity in way of construction. They had everything from plumbing to underground sewage. Shiva and his tribe were taken care of. They were retained in separate building meant for immigrants. This was to ensure that they were decontaminated before entering the city. Due to the medicine administered Shiva got a blue throat. Thus he became Neelakanth.

Legend in Meluha says "when evil reaches epic proportions, when all seems lost, when it appears that your enemies have triumphed, a hero will emerge". The whole kingdom worshiped Shiva. The neelakanth will complete the work left incomplete by Lord Ram. He meets Sati the princess of Meluha and falls for her. He finds out that she is a Virkama(people who have committed sin in the previous birth) hence he cannot marry her.

But laws are flexible for Neelakanth. He makes the law for vikramas as invalid. The people in Meluha are immortals as they take the Somras(divine drink) which is prepared in mount Mandar. Shiva is given a tour of the whole kingdom. There are few terrorist attacks and he faces all of them with wit and bravery. Sati is a strong warrior herself.

There are some characters worth mentioning. Sati the princess of Meluha is a strong and respectable woman. She falls for Shiva but did not approach him because she was a vikrama. She was amazed by his dancing skill. She wed Shiva in a week long ceremony. The chief scientist in Mount Mandar. He is responsible for making the Somras. He looses his life in a terrorist attack by the Nagas.

He was like a brother for Shiva. This makes him declare war against the Chandravanshis as they thought that the Nagas and Chandravanshis were into it together. They waged war unde Shiva and general Parvateshva. Parvateshva was the godfather for Sati and he was a true Suryavanshi and a follower of Lord Ram. Suryavanshis won war with the help of Vikramas.

But it is not the end. Shiva sees the emperor of the Chandravashis and the people, hey didn't seem evil at all. There was bad management and poor living conditions but nothing to call them as pure evil. The gets guidance from a priest as he feel that he has committed a sin. He understands that he is not the destroyer of evil but they
person who is to define what is evil.

The book ends abruptly as Shiva leaves the temple and sees Sati outside waiting for him. They see a Naga waiting there. There ends the book.

All in all it was a nice book. Waiting to read the 2 sequels:

Book 2: "The Secret of the Nagas"Book 3: "The Oath of the Vayuputras"

Haunted surely haunted me

2011-05-25T23:20:00.000+05:30

I hope that no one saw that terrible hindi movie Haunted. I first thought that I must not write about it. But couldn't resist it. The basic plot is that a piano teacher is i love with his student. Tries to attain her but at the end he gets killed by her. He haunts her as a ghost. She commits suicide to liberate herself from him but he traps even her soul. The whole idea seems so gross. A hero from todays time goes back to the past to fix the problem.

There were so many glitches in the story. First the story was painfully long. They must have stopped it with them reaching the mosque. It got annoying after a point. I was more irritated than scared. The movie was on 3D but the effects were bad. Some scenes were scary and gave me the chills. Others were little annoying. The movie would have been better without 3D.

I got up towards the end and walked away. The movie was like mental torture. I hope that I learnt my lesson hard. No more ghost movies. I just don't want to clog my mind with non sense that hurts my heart and mind. If anyone is planning to see it my advise: "Please don't even think of it. You can throw away the money instead."

Love song for Osho

2011-05-25T23:04:00.000+05:30

This was a book which was in some was very special. I would not say that this book rendered my life and was ground shaking but it gave me a glimpse of what life is for a sanyasin. I used to have a crazy idea that I can become a saint(when i was young not now though). I was amazed when I used to hear about austerity that the Indian monks upheld to become one with God. My idea about God has been very dynamic. I my young age I used to think that God did not exist. But then slowly I became a run in the mill devotee. As I grew up I got exposed to books and discourses by many enlightened people. I got to know that there are many ways to reach God. He's within us. All we have to do is connect with the divine in us.

This book gave me a glimpse of how a life a sanyasin would be. "Ma Devika Anand" wrote this book very modestly. I wonder how a woman from England ends up in India and forever in love with Osho. I have read books by him. I wish he lived longer so that I could have felt his presence.

I cannot understand and assimilate how a woman can leave her love, life, profession and family all for the search of the divine. That is some childhood fancy of mine that I never voiced out in fear that I might be seen as a rebel in the family. I am in a way jealous of her courage and how she chose love for divine over love for mortals. I can never do that. I want to be a good daughter, better wife and the best mother. I want to fill my heart. People are busy through their life filling their mind, heart and pocket. Some chose to fill their life with love for the divine.

The book by itself has nothing much mentioned in it. Just important events in her life. Most people would shun away such a life. But I am in love with that idea. May be my heart is always used to desire for things that I wont anyway do. I lack that courage to choose love for God over love for mortal. I am at peace with my decision. God's love is infinite. He loves me whether or not I reciprocate it- selfless and divine. Osho says "Death is fiction". Soul always lingers. As an educated person I am not able to believe this but I wont say something does not exist just because I do not know it.

This book is journey of a woman in search of God. She does find God within herself. I loved the book for its simple narrative and sheer determination of the woman. Osho says that "Energy flows downwards". I am happy to be down. Even now I type that he says and not as said. That shows the effect that the book had on me. This book is not for all. It s only for those who want to liberate them self from the miserable life they are in. Osho says " Even the mundane is mediation". I am going to take up a practice I love and make it my meditation. I love to write. But I used to do that from my head. Every time I used to be worried about the alignment and spellings. Not anymore. This is my first post where I have tried to listen to my heart and shut down my brain. Sorry if there is not much description about the book. All I can say is that I loved the book but I would not recommend it for the people who take to new ideas and are not firm about them.

I always wanted to disconnect from life go away from this all for just a week in every year. Most friends think its not possible for a gregarious person like me. I don't like noise but I enjoy music. I am a bad dancer but I can sway my body to tunes I love. I would love to go on a rejuvenating meditative holiday. I will do it when time comes. Osho says that we all are travelling horizontally in time but when we feel the divine time becomes vertical. In easier English it means that time gets frozen when we connect with God. Once we connect with God there is no turning back. Hope I find the God within me.

Eat, Pray, Love!

2011-05-18T21:32:00.000+05:30

I have no words to express how much I loved this book. I is just beautiful. I had fallen in love with the idea of living in Rome for at least a few months when I was a teenager. Recently I am into reading a lot of spiritual books in hope that I become as still as the mountains and as clear as rain water. Here Elizabeth(the writer) narrates her life story. How she had a bad divorce and hence to recuperate she travels to 3 most beautiful countries in the world: Italy, India and Indonesia. I don't know if it is just coincidence but all the 3 countries have I in it. She chooses to live 4 months in each country.

I love the way that the book has been split up into 108 chapters. The prelude is called as 109th bead(very very nice). She mentions the importance of the chanting beads. Why they have 108 beads. Rosary came from the Indian monks. The last bead is used to denote the end of 108 beads. She gave each country 36 beads adding up to 108. I am so much in love with the book and the tyle of writing. She knows everything from science behind Phantom limb to Kundalina Sakthi. But she is not bragging anywhere. She very humble especially in the way she writes. Its like listening to the story of a friend right off her lips. She has imposed celibacy

Secretly I wish that I could get to live in those 3 countries just like her. I love the do nothing but what your heart says vacations. That is truly possible only when one is alone. No planning no pre booking and planned tours. Just making new friends and roaming aimlessly. Nothing I do must have anything useful what so ever. Wow! dream come true. I am going to tell all that I loved in the tale told in each country.

ITALY

Ah! I have dreamed of vacationing in Italy. I have heard about the serious problems in the country like corruption, lack of respect for women, people might get mugged and what not. But my love for it grew in multifolds due to this book. There are so many things Liz(short for Elizabeth) could have done in Italy but she choose to learn Italian. Again it is something I wanted to do. I always wanted to learn Italian and Spanish. I really don't know why. She wanted to learn Italian because she thinks that it makes her feel romantic and sexy. Well might be true. There is so much description about food. I am all gaga about Italian food. Anything with cheese count me in. She eats gelatio, pizza, pasta and tiramisu (Its pure heaven! In Italy in must be like encounter with God himself). She goes to Italian classes during the day and just roams the city with no purpose what so ever.

My favorite chapter is the one in which she goes to Naples(birthplace of pizza) just to eat pizza(Isn't that obvious?). The way she describes food make you earn for some nice Italian food. Naples is not all high class. I has a lot of ruffians. She calls spade a spade no over romanticism of anything. She breaks the glossy image of Venice.

She made me long to be in Italy to learn Italian, to eat my heart out, to go see all fountains, and everything else.

INDIA

India is always see as this beautiful land filled with mystics and snake charmers. This seems to be the evergreen western view. She went to an Ashram in India. She learned about mediation and found God within herself. She had to struggle a lot to clear all the wounds of her divorce.

She found new friends and new peace within her. Ever since I went to Esha in Coimbatore I wanted to go on a spiritual retreat. Just to disconnect from all the fuss and noise and feel like a new person.Hope I get to do it some time soon. I am not describing mush here because its better understood when read.

INDONESIA

This whole journey started because there was a medicine man she had met during her last official visit. He predicted that she would be back to Bali and would learn medicine from him. She does so many things here. Meeting people, partying, learning wonder of non conventional medicine, understanding the grid of life in Bali.

She makes friendship with a healer. She helped the woman buy a house. She found love. She learned to balance between the pleasure she experienced in Italy and peace she found in India. This gave her courage to lose her heart once again.

It was like a fairy tale ending. A very well written book. I recommend it to everyone who feeling that something is a miss and life is confusing to read the book.

Stereotypes

2011-05-15T16:38:00.002+05:30

There are few words I hate so much, one such a word is "Stereotypes". Its fine to generalize and make assumptions on things and working methodologies but not about people. Its tough being a girl in India. The society forces so many rules on people. If we want to maintain a good image then we better follow the herd. This is such an emotional stress. Our heart desires for one thing and longs for it but the society calls it wrong. Mind you none of those desires might be legal but out of the society norms. The following are the top in the list of stereotypes that annoy me the most. I know that most people share that same emotions with me. So lets start :)

Most people in Tamil Nadu think that Engineering is a must have degree. Throw a stone at some one and he/she is most probable an engineer. Other courses have taken a back seat and is looked down upon, sparing medicine. This is a myth. Engineering is not for all. Most people as crazy enough to pay upto 10-15 lakhs as donation alone. Fee after that. Sounds lame to me. The ROI is really bad. The funniest part is some seats are left untaken each year yet people pay for the best colleges. I can promise that a student from Loyola or Ethiraj has more skill and exposure than most other run in the mill engineers. Grow up guys. Don't stuff your dreams into life of your children.
A good child(read as girl child) must know how to run a house by the time her teen ends. Who brought this rule anyway? The society must start seeing men and women as peers and equals. If a boy is a very good cook and wants to become a chef just let him follow his heart. If a girl thinks that she wants to fly planes then let her become a pilot. Let ability and not gender decide ones profession.There are many banks that give loans for education. I think the students must keep faith in their faith and follow their dream. Girls are not meant to do only girl things and boys for the boy things. There can be a reversal of roles if the person involved desires.
Another thing is how people judge others. Gregarious or people who act so score more points. These merry making people might mostly be fare weather friends. But no one bothers to look within. Within the noise that a person makes or does not make. This is more stupid than love at first sight. I mean stop judging people with how the speak. Most people out there are liars. Just cause the say "Vanga" (Come) to guests does not mean they are happy with their arrival. People wear masks and hide behind pleasantries People get up and smell the roses and the cow shit too...
People who score the most are those who give up. I agree give and take is a part of live. I would love to help my friends and family but not by constantly torturing myself. We all love to get things. Cross your heart people. Accept it. We all love to get things and give things to people who we love. Should one always sacrifices ones desire to make others happy. This sounds lame to me. I am not saying be all selfish. Just that respect yourself. Give time and attention for ones own love desire and hobby. That makes us happy. Happy us by itself is a gift to others. Trust me start loving yourself and others. Self indulgence is not wrong.
Business is a big no no in may south India societies. I dunno what it is. Worst case the person might end up broke. So what. We can learn the risk taking ability from the Americans. So what if the business flops we can figure out something. Better to have owned an company and lost than to have been a sad employee through ones life. If we cannot encourage lets not pull them down. Let them soar high in the skies. I personally think that those people who discourage the modern day entrepreneurs are secretively jealous.
Last but not the least judging a person by the way he spends. Spending not always proportional to earning capacity. People who flaunt their wealth are assumed to be rich. But they might be under heavy debt.
Oh yeah I forgot love marriage! Oh my god its a holy sin :P Never ever get married to the right person for you. They love to see and talk about dysfunctional weddings and that comes only through arranged weddings.

There are so many issues we all face in our day today life. The most successful people today are those who broke the stereotypes. Who dared to walk on un treaded paths and did things that others thought as unholy. So go break those stereotypes.

Beware of Robin Cook

2011-05-14T15:40:00.000+05:30

I am a very vivid dreamer. I sleep about 6 to 8 hours a day and have dreams that are crystal clear when I get up. That is good and bad. Good because I get to laugh at my minds imagination which at times defy logic. Bad because it hurts me emotionally at times. Then there are dreams and places which show up too often. I have often wondered if its only me or most people suffer like me.

I read up on some articles and found out that, most people do not remember their dreams and there are a few like me who do remember most of it. This is no boring post about why dreams come and so on. It is a post about 2 of my most funniest dreams. Considering the people, place and plot of the dream. Here begins your journey into my dream space. There are 2 stories. One really old I have put them up in the best way I can. So, here it goes:

Dream 1:

This is a dream that get quite too often. This is kind of weird. There is this tortuous road with greenery on both sides. I am in a car with my family. We drive peacefully. But there are spots where the road climbs steep like a roller coaster almost straight up. The height is nearly equal to that of a building with 4 floors. The angle can be take as near 75 from the ground. I m serious, its no joke. Up we go in the car. I m generally in the rear seat. Then down we fall. I can actually feel that I am falling. Some times I wake up in fear.

Other times we land down safely and continue our journey. In the latter case we go to this beautiful villa. Which is made up of gray stone and climbers covering the entrance. I have the key to the house. We all get in and the rest is unclear. I can remember the bush that have blood red roses in the lawn. I cannot remember any other house in the vicinity. This dream has occurred 5 times. Once I got up mid way.

Once it developed. We actually had neighbors. I went to visit them with cake. Just to find a dead man in cold blood. I run out screaming. Totally disturbing!

Dream 2:

You must all be wondering why I titled this post as "Beware of Robin Cook". I am hoping that most of you have read his books namely "Abduction" and "Invasion". If you have not, shame on you. Better run to the nearest book store and buy them and read them too. Both books are great works of imagination and perfect blend of fact and fiction. All hail Robin Cook! Well I had a dream about a week or so back. I was like a full featured movie. I remembered it well then. Hope I can gather the pieces honestly and to the best of my cerebral ability.

Its so complicated and thrilling, that when developed can become a new fictional best seller. Here it goes. It all starts when a group of marine biologists dive into an volcanic sea bed. I happen to be one of them(please don't laugh). The water is so very cold hence hostile to life itself. We dive deep in a submarine. The water in the sea bed where volcanic activity seems happening is warm and hospitable. There are many tiny and shiny life forms. Others go out in diving suits and collect samples. There are there little shinny, glowing red animals. I wont forget them. We get back to dry land and started to process the samples. I never got into the water. I was in the sub.

The following day our research leader fell seriously ill. I remember that he died. Then the people who collected the samples took long leave. I knew something was wrong. I told a friend of mine. I just remember that it was a guy with glasses. Looked more like my cousin Bharani. But seriously I have no clue who this friend was. So with this friend (whom we are going to call as friend) a private investigation was started. I suddenly noticed that most people in my research lab were behaving like they were hypnotized. Always so secretive and behaving like members of an esoteric club.

I was a pure veggi never touched food in the lab cafeteria(even in my dream I had food priorities;)). I found that all these weird people were dancing to a common tune it was like as if they lost all sense of reason and blindly followed someone. The number of brainless goons increased both in the lab and in general public.

They seemed to infect more people through the food they eat. That was favorite of most people: Chicken (I know my dreams are weird). Their motive is to better the human society by making us war hatter, environmentally friendly and more human. All nice but they decided to do this by removing the bad weeds. Kill the bad and kill free will of the rest. I found this with my friend. We started to go away from these freaks. We go to see some sane scientist guy who happens to be in a flat which looks lot like my school from the outside. We speak to him for some time. Just to realize that he is already a part of them.

We run as fast as we can... And there ends my dream. So what do you thing? Enough masala to make a SiFi?

For the ignorant(those who don't read Robin Cooks book) this story is a perfect blend of Abduction and Invasion. I told this story to my friend Karthik Anand and my sister. Both of them think I've lost my nuts. Might be so but I loved that dream, more on its way!

Driftwood Summer

2011-05-14T09:30:00.000+05:30

There are books which I can connect to and other that I can breath. Well, Driftwood Summer belongs to the latter. It is a beautiful tale of how at times we try to run away from our mistakes to make them disappear, while all it needed was courage to accept the mistake to make it vanish. All of us have dark unsaid secrets and have done things in the past which haunt us till date. This book helped me understand that only way to overcome a heart ache or a mistake is to face it upfront.

I liked the way that the chapters were named after that two lead characters: Maisy and Riley. It brought in two perspectives of the same story. I have a younger sister and I know the relationship that exists between sisters. There is lots of love, also ego and pride. At times there happens to be battles too. Here the two sisters fall for the same guy Mack. He happened to be Riley's(First child) best friend who used to come to Driftwood over the summer. Maisy(Middle child) being miss beautiful stole Mack's heart. At least when they were young. Both Riley and Maisy made bad choices. Rileys choice gave her a son(Braydon) due to which she had to quit college. Maisy's mistake made her run away from home and start a new life in California as an Interior designer.

Then there's Adalee who is the last child. She is also given good deal of importance. She is smart(only in things she likes). She had a bad choice of boy friend(Chad). He happened to cheat on her and she learnt that life is not all party.

Ah! How can I forget Kitsy. One character I loved. The mother of the 3 sister. A very strong woman who wants to do everything and has an opinion on everything as well. She kind of reminded me of my own grandmother. I loved the pace of the book calm as life is not a page turning urgency.

Their lifes departed. But they came in together again to save the bookstore run by Riley. This book was more like real life fairy tale. Together save the bookstore and learn the truth about life. Riley finally admits to Mack her love for him. She confesses to all the name of Braydon's father. She rediscovers the courage that she had as a teenager.

As for Maisy she was done with stealing others men. She was always behind men who never were and will be hers. She learns that truth is the only way to erase the past agony. She gives up her crush on Mack as she knows that he always loves Riley. She came back home and found that she belonged there. She learned to love her life and got her best friend Lucy back.

Well as for Adalee she got to know that there is no use waiting for a guy who doesn't love you. Life is not always a party.Finally college education does not show how good or bad you are.

This book has so many other characters. I loved them all. They all helped me realize that its ok to mess up things as long as we learn to fix it up. Thanks Viji for lending this book and thanks Priya for the suggestion. There are some books in which I wont forget the characters, their stories and the way it touched my soul. Driftwood summer is in my heart in the list of books I love. Some times the most simplest books steal your heart. That is just what Driftwood Summer did to me.!

P.S. : I recommend that if anyone feels a little lost or have phantoms of past deeds or lacking sense of belonging please read this book.

Things that I learnt in College

2011-04-22T20:02:00.004+05:30

I studied biology in my 12th with hopes of becoming a bio technologist somewhere down the line i don't know what happened but I took I.T. in SJCE. No one really expected that I would do that. Frankly I myself didn't expect that from me. When I sat in front of that computer screen for counseling in Anna University it just hit me. It might sound stupid or lame or just too romantic a decision for many. I lefts C.S.E. and took I.T.(Most people think that C.S.E. is better. God knows why!). Even the guy who was to allot the seat to me seemed quite confused. I don't know why i left Bio Tech in S.V.C.E. and took I.T. in SJCE. I think I will never understand. I tend to follow my heart that way I never regret cause I did something I love. I am rational at most time except when it come to main things in life like my career, my friends and where I study just follow my heart.

I do not know if I remember all that I learnt in the course. But college taught me a lot on life and acceptance. It made me more mature and ready to handle things better. Not that I am like perfect now but I am surely better than what I was on 5 Sept 2007. I can still remember my first day in college. I didnt like it. I felt really very alone in this herd of people so lost. Everyone from an engineering college will understand by what i mean being lost. Huge buildings scattered thought acres of land thousands of people in college we tend to miss that cozy feeling that school gives us.There are some things that i college taught me:

Do not judge people with their looks. Most people are all dolled up and look so confident and smart. Trust me they are mostly lifes best losers.
No one likes being alone. Most people need company just to go to the rest room. I still don't know why. I enjoy my personal space and being alone as much I enjoy being with friends. People who are found with a flock of people are not only popular but also scared of being alone.
I have never had that one best friend from first year down to now. Even my parents have asked why my list of best friends gets edited now and then. Frankly I don't know. I guess that people change with time, so did I and my friends. There is no such thing as best friends forever.
No one eats alone. I have at times not that I enjoy it. But I know people who would rather skip food than eat lone(mostly girls).. Weird!
Looking good is all that matters to most people. It matters to me too. But not to the extent that I out between periods to the rest room to comb my hair, wash my face and redo all the make up. I just found out that people who are the most conscious about their looks are those who deep down are not confident about their it.
I came to know this whole new concept of relationships and how complicated they are. We gossip most time about who is with whom especially about the perfect couples and the not so perfect. I never can understand how people change their partners so fast without regret and have the courage to face them every day. I initially stayed away from such people. But I soon found out that their type out numbered mine. But then it dawned to me. Why must I care about someone elses relationship and whom they are with now, before or will be in the future. I learnt to like and respect people for what they are. Relationship of any type is their preference. In a way I started to admire their courage to follow their heart(if they followed it).
I learnt that all that is said is not true. At most times people lie in anger, jealousy or just for the mere fun of spreading a rumor. They lie a lot. I used to be stupid enough to make judgments based on others words. Well I now know that I am no one to judge.
It's ok when your teacher does not like you(there are some staff who would love to kill me!). I am not perfect. I am the way I am. There are some people who bend and mend to get into good books of teachers. Well I too tried, but I found out that more I act the more unhappy I am. I am happy only when I am myself. I dont really care anymore if my teachers think that I am the devils embodiment.
I learnt that dont judge people by their looks. Some people never used to talk to me. I used to think that they are snobbish and they thought the same about me. Well I found out that most of them in that list are wonderful people.
Dont judge people with their names. I heard a few names loved it and thought they were really handsome but truth is bitter.
I learnt to appreciate beauty and leave the ugly to fix and heal itself if it can.
I used to think crying in public is a big no no. Well all that broke in college. I have cried around 6 time to what I can count. Mostly lame stuff. Crying removes my pain. I need not act strong in front of others.
I dreamt of this beautiful class with lovely class mates. Well my story was half true. The classes were good. There were so many instance when I felt like murdering some people. Then I learnt that I need not like everybody and everybody need not like me.
I found out that most.. nah! all people are selfish. I was not selfish in the beginning but joined the crowd soon. Now I think that there is nothing wrong in being selfish with people we hardly just know. We can be selfless to the people we love.
I danced for the first time in front of so many people in my life in college. I never used to try things I am bad at. But I tried a lot like singing, dancing and organizing. I am still bad at all of that but I am happy that I had the guts to try.
I lost the fear of exams. There were too many to worry about.
I understood that people don't die if they skip a meal(hope that mom does not read this one)
I learnt that helping people whom you hate a lot in exam or in some sense makes you happier.
I learnt that I am not beautiful on the outside(i really was never on the hot girls list or even near it) but learnt that it's ok if I am not Ms. Hot and Sensational.
I met so many kind and loveable people. If there is one person I must mention then its Mithuna. A person whom I will never forget. I have never met someone with so much patience. She has always been there for me ever since 2nd yr. I wish we were sisters or something.
I got so many friends. Listing few names would be unfair.
I learnt to take local buses and trains.
I learnt to bowl better and watch movie(thanks to Mithuna).
I learnt that I need not always excel in my studies.
I learnt to goof up.
I learnt to play pranks.
I had some of the best sleep overs and trips of my life.
I loved the group study.
I loved the last min filpping of pages.
I learnt to sleep in middle of the class with so mush noise flat on the desk.
I learnt to forgive and accept people for what they are.
I learnt to how to copy without getting caught.

The list is endless. I dont remember even 50% of the subject names I studied but I remember 100% of each face and characters I met in college. I tried my best not to use names. Sorry Mithuna without your name mentioned somewhere I couldn't write. College is about to end. Everyone grumbled but i am happy and grateful. I know every wall, bench and plant in college. I loved 4 years there. I had bad and good times. Whatever may it be, it contributed to whatever I am today. Well it's all fate(in the good sense) that we all had to be in the same college in the same time. I still don't know why I took I.T. over bio tech. But I do not regret any thing. I just want to thank the Almighty for everything. I hope that my P.G. shapes me into a better human being. Touchwood!

Turbulence

2011-02-07T23:25:00.000+05:30

Somethings get locked up,
We keep them so secure,
They exist with u like saucer with a cup,
We often forget where it went.

But it never leaves,
It always stays, and lurks,
Even when it passes through sieves,
We sow it in our mind.

The more you push,
The closer it comes,
The more you avoid,
The more you cannot forget!

We think we threw in,
But back it comes,
In all its might and glory,
To induce the grim in us.

There is a secret to it,
There is a trick,
It is hard,
But it will click.

We cannot push it away,
Then why not accept,
And feel like ship in a quay,
Away from the turbulent seas.

For it is all in the mind to decide,
What it wants,
For what you want beside,
Is what you will get.

Stop Thinking! Start Being!

2011-02-02T11:41:00.000+05:30

For long I have wondered at nature’s miracle. How the actually cope with all this is a wonder, absolute miracle. Just imagine a life perennially on a median with sparse or no nourishment and exposed to the most harsh weather. Yet they live to the fullest. As I exclaimed: Just pure MAGIC.

I think you got a grip of what I am talking about. None other that the humble plants on the road side and medians. They may be cut, slaughtered, refused of love and what not yet they give only love in return. I have always imagined a parallel universe where plants and animals rule over man. What goes around comes around.

We have ruled this planet for a long time and made a big mess of it. We are rather selfish when compared to the other animals and more benevolent plants. They keep giving so must love despite the cruelties we do to them.

If we wonder why all this a superficial answer would be man is just too smart. He is the fittest and he will survive. But is that true? Dig in deeper and the answer would be EGO. Might sound absurd at first but it is very true. Man has always assumed that he is the best in the whole of the world. Now he is slowly conquering the universe or so he thinks.

The universe is kind on us. Despite our acts of disrespect and spitefulness all it keeps giving is care and love. A joke I read few years ago is something I won’t ever forget. Few years down in the future man has become highly evolved and reached the pinnacle of technological development. At that time a scientist goes to God and challenges him that he is at par with God and can do anything that God can. God said “Create a new life form.” The scientist grinned and took sand in his hand to create new life. God smiled and said “Well I made the sand too!”

That joke made me feel humble and realize the presence of God. God not in sense of human form as in place of worship, but as an unfathomable power from above. We take the love from above for granted and give back nothing but hate

It is high time we realize our follies and return love back to God. Why send rockets to space to see where else we can live when the people back on earth have not even a roof to live under. Science is good but gone far too greedy. Lets be simple lets learn to love all that is on earth. From virus to whale love them all, for all of them participate in the huge cycle of life. All beings but man live naturally and love God the way God loves them. It is but man who has gone awry. But we can change if we want to. For God will forgive and forget. We might be smart and be able to do many things but the more we move away from the being the more we invite destruction. So stop thinking! Start Being!

Audition

2010-12-10T20:16:00.000+05:30

I wish the hands of the clock would move faster. Time freezes when we wait for some thing we have longed for. That period is the most cruel in life. The uncertainty will kill you. Life gave me some nourishment but never a royal full course meal.I am already 26 too old to be in this career. I have to keep ensuring that I look pretty, I am in shape and my time is to come. I have to keep hoping that the wrinkles near my hair line are not caught in the camera lens. All that starving and hours of tedious work outs. All in faith that one day i could be the leading lady in the big screen.

I am different or so i believe. I have had small breaks but must make it big before i become history. Ma told that i m over ambitious and that girls from small towns don't make it big. She told girls who walk the ramp will not get married.But my heart lies elsewhere I have a dream. I have put more than my heart and soul. I didn't believe that such happy smiling women had sad tales behind their success. I was naive at 18. Actor felt more like me than Radha (aka Medhana) the doctor. Well not everything is got easy. Then what is the fun of it. If some thing is not worth your tear, dream, sweat and blood then it is not great at all.

I am in a room full of women who seem far to young to be showing their cleavage is not very re assuring. This industry is know for its COMPROMISES. So let it be. But the older you grow the chance of a break decreases exponentially this is the golden unsaid but universally understood rule. All these girls so young so desperate. They are my rivals but i do empathize for them as well. I know it is complex. Life is a constant struggle not with the elements outside but among the forces within.

Well the battle stopped momentarily as the secretary called out my name. I was up next. I patted on my straight brown hair. It was one thing which is always so calm and settled. A sharp contrast to my present state of mind. I took a deep breath and went in. Well I've got nothing to lose so might as will give it my best shot. Walked in with my fingers crossed and with murmured prayers to Lord Ganesha. I hate heels it kills my feet but it is a necessary attribute when your only 5'5. Walked in with as much as courage I could muster.

Neither is this my first audition nor is defeat a new thing. Colonel Pickering said "It is always the first time that hurts." in My fair lady. But we all know that uncertainty kindles fear and I am facing it now. I knocked softly on the glass door then got in. It was a beautiful office. I get inside and took a seat. Opposite to me was this really handsome man. He was the associate director for the movie. Now I was unconsciously loosing my confidence. I don't want to get embarrassed in front of him.

He looked into my profile and we had a little chat. He got my number and spoke positively. He scheduled a screen test that evening. It was more of an acquaintance and less of an audition. All said and done I gave a firm handshake and left. I gave my contact numbers and profile with the secretary and left the building. This was the first time I felt comfortable in an audition and happy after it even without knowing the result. I wanted to call my mother so I took my phone. There was a text message.

"All the best for your auditions. You have good talent prove it!

-Rahul Metha(Hopefully your future director)"

All that happened next is left to your pigment of imagination. We get the best things we least expect it. So dare to audition.

Transparent

2010-06-10T17:20:00.001+05:30

All that does not make sense,
Not any more now that I know,
All that hours of prattle,
In the most insane parties,
Pretending like I care for all,
Showing love to people,
Who least deserve it.

Why this mask?
Why so much strain?
I kept asking myself.
The answer was evident,
But too rigid to pack,
Within this small pate of mine,
Brain knew what the heart dreaded.

We are all scared of being alone.
If there is no one for me to love
The world ceases to exists.
Even worse if a love is lost,
For the love transforms,
Into this one kind of an fetish phantom.
The kind which acts as a horrid gate keeper.

I came to know love more divine,
This love so pure so unerring,
More ambrosial than the love of God.
Mother may love thee,
But it is divided and ephemeral,
Then what adulation is pristine?
The love for self.

For years we have been taught to love others,
We have even imbibed the love for entity,
But we have forgotten the immutable.
As long as my soul is alive my body serves it.
Then why not adore the myself.
Who can love you better than yourself?
For one who dislikes thyself abhors others.

Thinking about it liberates me.
I need not act like I care.
I need not go to places which I dread.
I can follow my soul and feed it.
No more pleasantries.
For I am born to please myself,
But no at the cost of others.

This gospel transformed me.
Calmed the tides with in me.
I derive joy form within.
Help me forget the past,
And Break free from the strings,
I am becoming transparent!
Totally see through...

The witch of portobello

2010-05-26T13:22:00.000+05:30

Paulo Coelho strike magic yet again. I m not an ardent fan of Paulo Coelho. However he has fascinated me a lot. I have read his other works namely "The Alchemist" and "The Fifth Mountain"."The Witch of Portobello" is a fiction work by Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho. It is about a woman born in Transylvania to a Romani mother(a gypsy), who is orphaned and later adopted by a wealthy Lebanese couple.

The whole story does not move with the words of the writer himself but what people associated with Athena the lead protagonist thought about her. The whole story is a collection,clearly and chronologically placed of views and tales by others about Athena.

Athena's real name is Sherine Khalil. She chose the name Athena by herself. This book not only deals with her life. She had everything in her life yet she wanted more. From her childhood she had a spiritual incline. Due to internal conflicts her family fled to London.There too they flourished. She got into a good college. She had a great boy friend. But all this was not enough. She quit studies to get married and have a child called Viterol . Even after all this she feels blank spaces. She pursued dance and calligraphy to feel God or the Mother herself.

The book not only describes Athena's journey from a have it all lucky orphan to a devil worshiper. The story starts with her death and ends with a tangy twist. This book was highly engaging. A total must read for all those who like Athena perpetually keep asking "Who am I? What is Life? Who is God?" The book also deals with the worship of Goddesses. Thousands of years ago the worship of women Gods prevailed. Then there was a paradigm shift to male dominated religion. Athena wanted more. Her life is a tale to tell.

Of all the people who contributed Athena's tale my favorite was Herot(the journalist and Athena's admirer). He was very honest in his own way. His presence and innocence charmed the tale.

This book is a must read. Even if you don't like philosophy and don't like being told facts and ways to contemplate life I think you must give this book a shot. Worth the effort of reading 300+ paged book. Utter pleasure delivered in this book. Trust me.

Love with words.

2010-05-24T20:36:00.000+05:30

I am a person who is not really sure of what I really love.I know what I want but not what I want. Often what we love and want are the same. But at times it's not that easy. We all want a luxurious life. We run behind money or fame or love. All this is external lust which is more greed and less love. There is no end to such wants.I would never call it love and degrade the word as such.

Don't think I m heartless and lack love and have only wants. Like all I love my family and friends. Beyond that I had a love for music. But the honey moon ended. I don't feel that passion or drive it used to feed into me before. Every time I moved my fingers over the veena I felt like God himself guided my petty fingers. I m not very spiritual too but music made my soul calm down.Suddenly voices in me are too loud for the veena to handle. As humans we think as long as we breath even in our dreams we think. I m a loud thinker. When I am happy my mind is peaceful. Else it's like a highway of thought. Not all useful thoughts some vain some useless some disturbing some just frivolous. Suddenly I think I have lost concentration.

Music was not my first love. Books changed me as a human. It was my private portal to various places and nursery for thought. Good books sculpted me and bad ones taught me to be more adaptive. But last few months I neglected my one true love. I found it again. I feel so rejuvenated. Everyone has something they love. Books make me feel safe they are my best friends my hide out in this at times cruel world. I m happy to be back in the arms of one thing I love the most. Good book is a great companion. I have a dream. A lofty one. I want to become a writer. For now I m still the child under caress of good books. I want motherhood. I want to be the one who gives life to such wonders. I m happy I found my love again. I hope I never go away for it. I hope I'll mature enough to write a book. I wonder if I every will. But I can always read and I will enjoy that gift of reading them.

Let down

2010-03-13T21:10:00.000+05:30

With her eyes on the road,
Heart racing faster than ever,
Hands holding her bag ever so tightly,
And her heart to a delusive verity.

A wheel of thoughts in her head,
Even in all that perplexity,
She looked like an angel,
What put her to dismay?

Beauty is brawn free someone said,
Sad she was to uphold the adage,
All is fair in love and war!
But love was not fare to her?

She stood there waiting perpetually,
Her heart hoped he would keep his avowal,
But her brain mattered to differ,
Heart still hoping and brain still cursing.

Ill love you forever he said,
Ill be there for you he vowed,
Come away with me he begged,
But all to be testified that moment.

Neither did he come,
Nor tell a reason or rhyme,
She stood there staring,
Staring at the space he did not fill!

Inward Happiness

2010-02-14T11:50:00.000+05:30

Religious discourses have fascinated me. Since my know-how in Hindu mythology is very limited I have never understood the discourse fully. I was arranging my CD collection today that is where I found a discourse of Jakki Vasudev on DVD. The whole content lasted for about one hour. The first half an hour pulled my entire attention.
He spoke about happiness and our search to it.

The moment we are born as a human being a problem arises. Suppose we were animals then food and reproduction would have been the only two ultimate goals. It is very less complicated when compared to the goals of an average human. Then again if a man is under starvation and in terribly impoverished then food will be the only need. But when the basic needs of a man are fulfilled then arises the problem.

No one has ever defined happiness. It is a very relative term. God gave us the 5 sense as a gift but it has become a curse. We can feel a small ant moving on our skin but we cannot feel the liters of blood moving in the body. We can hear the softest of whisper but not the loud clamor from within. We can see so many things but we have turned blind when it comes to looking inwards. Thus the 5 senses are focused outwards. But with good practice we can make them look inwards.

We are in a quest. We are trying to stuff our brain, heart, pocket incessantly. And in all this fuss we forget to be happy. After all for that only we are struggling so much aren't we? Our wish and desire keeps growing with that so does our misery.

Well does this mean that I must leave my life and become an ascetic is a common question. The answer for this is no. We need not drop our goal but we must drop our opinion about them. I must have a dream but the notion that achieving it alone will yield me happiness is wrong. Enjoy the course of actions involved. Make every moment special. Life is short there is not much time to be wasted by being sad. So cheer up. Enjoy every moment. If you are alive then you have a special divine purpose to fulfill. Life is a journey so enjoy the trip till you reach the destination. To do that look inwards. For the world keeps changing but you are immutable.

Tamil Padam

2010-02-12T13:32:00.000+05:30

Despite of several warning from my near and dear about the nature of the film i did go and see it. I did not have great expectations about the movie. But it was a decent movie. It is for those with a light heart and enjoy watching zero logic movies. By zero logic i do not mean the movies in which the protagonist hits a battalion of people which contains people who arr 10 times as strong as him. I mean the jokes and their placement. The whole movie was a spoof of the past Tamil movies. Everyone from Rajinikanth to the new leaves life Nakul were targeted.

The first half was a laughing riot.My favorite was the tetra pack kalli pal. I was happy that i came for the movie in the first half but smile started to fade soon in the second half. It actually became a little irritating. It was a good movie but could have been much better.

It is strictly for people who can laugh and slap stick comedy and don't have high expectations from the movie. It is surely worth a watch.I am very happy that Tamil cinema has progressed to the stage where it laughs at itself and sees its own flaws.

Skin care

2010-02-10T22:03:00.000+05:30

God is very impartial to his children. He gave us all a perfectly fit body. It is up to us to pamper it. We take strain to pamper it. If our house is regularly painted, cleaned, dusted and so on then why not skin. We have only one skin so let us indulge.

Some might argue stating that looks does matter. But skin care extends beyond that. A person with good health will evidently have glowing skin. It is never too late to start taking measures. Most of us know what to do but are just too lazy to do it. If clear skin can give you a better look and that extra edge then why not invest time for it?

I have tried to put up an almost comprehensive skin care list try following most if not all that suit you. I too am a lethargic person but I do not let my laziness get the better of me when it comes to my skin. So give it a shot!

*Eat good portions of diverse vegetables.

*Supplement oily food with fruits or some thing healthy.

*Drink lots of water.

*Eat nuts like almonds and walnuts which will add to the skin texture.

*Take butter or cheese in limited portions.

* wash face with diluted or mild herbal wash regularly.

*Use moisturizer in the winter.

*Lips and soles of feet are sensitive they need extra care.

*Use sunscreen with SPF-30 or above when having a day out.

*Apply generous amount of olive oil to skin at least once a week before shower.

*Use cleanser and toner.

*If you do not want to use cosmetic toner and cleanser use milk to wash your face then wash it with a mixture of curd and lime to cleanse the skin completely.

*Use basin flower with honey and milk to make a paste and leave it on your skin for 20 minutes then wash. This will remove rough patches.

*Next time you eat oranges don't discard the peels. Collect it , dry it thoroughly and power it. This can be added with basin flour and used in previous mixture.

*Exfoliating – Scrub off dead surface cells a few times a week to keep pores open and skin looking fresh.

*A paste made from one teaspoon each of sandalwood powder and turmeric mixed with milk, is very good. A paste of nutmeg and water is also beneficial.

*Half a cup of Aloe Vera pulp can be taken internally (Do not take internally if pregnant) or applied externally to the skin. Dosage: Twice a day.

*A paste of fresh fenugreek leaves, applied and washed off with warm water before going to bed prevents pimples.

*Grind five almonds and mix with 1 teaspoon of fresh cream and a few drops of lemon juice. Apply this paste to the face and neck. Leave on for about fifteen minutes to remove pigmentation.

*Use grated cucumber in a face pack.

*Buttermilk dabbed on skin for 15 minutes will soak up oil from your skin without drying it.

*Make a paste of red sandal wood and apply it on the face every day for glowing skin.

I think that will cover it all. Don’t go all cosmetic. Chemicals wont give a solution. At times they make things worse. Give the above list a shot and see the novae life in your skin.Also check out the following link:

http://www.webindia123.com/women/Beauty/Skin/skintip.htm

Affluent beggar

2010-02-06T20:52:00.000+05:30

Today morning was like another holiday beginning. I was just flipping the news paper when obscure news caught my attention. Police in Chandigarh had arrested an "Affluent beggar."

That beggar was found to be having a mobile phone, television, DVD player and other electronic items were confiscated. He has taken a guesthouse for which he was paying a rental of rs6000 a moth and was there for a period of 2 months. On enquiry he stated that it was the cash proceeding from those who took pity on him and gave as alms. Not plausible right. Hence he was arrested.

There are two was to look at this. My mother's point of view was that why can he not spend the money so after-all it is his and it was peoples free will to give. It was a nice soft view. It was like human right to living and his prerogative to spend his.

My view differed. I felt that arresting him was right how he can be fed and live happily without equivalent work. Worse what if his money was ill earned. This scenario is what we have seen as jokes in movies.

This topic has thrown light into the dark. The life of people we see every day but not understand. What ever may be the story behind the man: he is surly enigmatic and newspaper material.

Vitality

2010-02-03T23:40:00.000+05:30

Quit weeping and wailing,
Make the melancholy stop,
Listen up to my words!
Life is a runnel,
The fittest move on,
Some silt might be left behind.
Even if the water wants it to stay,
The silt will part,
There is no glue that binds.
The water too shall go away,
It too might disappear,
But as long as it drifts,
It is gleeful and spreads joy.
When water is do why not you?
Smile when in trouble,
Time and people once gone,
Become silt,
They enrich the earth,
And mirth the gleaner.
But when you are the flowing river,
Symbolize fortitude and vivant,
For life is benevolence,
And to live it is an art.

Enlighted

2010-01-31T15:52:00.002+05:30

That fine day,
The way you made me feel,
Will linger in my mind,
For posterity.

Those sharp rises,
All in glory,
And those sudden falls,
With all that grace.

The way every note landed,
The way you reared them home,
Made me feel that may be,
You were the Shepard and raga the lamb.

Neither to feeble to push aside,
Nor too loud to subdue.
With flawless tone,
You won my heart.

Every time you said Kanna,
I could feel His presence,
Heard that song millions of time before,
But first time I felt the essence.

Some say music makes us forget,
They are liars I say,
For I may forget my name,
But not the song you sang!

Every time you said 'Kannanai Kandayo'
I wanted to nod,
Not that I have seen Him before,
Not until you manifested him in the song.

Utter happiness is what I felt,
If that is divinity,
Then God I have seen,
Not with my eyes but through your song.

Ring a bell?

2010-01-31T15:35:00.000+05:30

"We love our bread,

We love our butter,

But most of all,

We love each other."

Did those lines ring a bell or stir a thought? If those didn’t try the next one:

I love you,
You love me,
We’re a happy family,
with a great big hug,
and a kiss from me to you,
Won’t you say you love,
me TOO!

Did this one clear the mind block? If you’re still clueless then you might have not been one of those kids who enjoyed seeing those cute cartoons like Madeline (former poem) or Barney and friends (The latter poem). Recently I took time to sit and see these shows. I felt rather silly but it was very engaging and fun. It was a trip down the memory lane.

Our generation has had the best of the entertainment. Let it be' Little red riding hood' or 'Snow white' we saw it through cartoons and cherished all of it. My favorite was 'Scooby Doo'. I never used to miss a show. That title sequence is something that ill never forget.

Scooby-Dooby-Doo, Where Are You?
We got some work to do now.
Scooby-Dooby-Doo, Where Are You?
We need some help from you now.

Come on Scooby-Doo, I see you... pretending you got a sliver
But you're not fooling me, cause I can see, the way you shake and shiver.

You know we got a mystery to solve,
So Scooby Doo be ready for your act. [Scooby Doo] Uh-uh Uh-uh
Don't hold back!
And Scooby Doo if you come through
you're going to have yourself a Scooby snack!
That's a fact!

Scooby-Dooby-Doo, here Are You.
You're ready and you're willing.
If we can count on you Scooby Doo,
I know you'll catch that villain.

I had utter fascination for the dog. Cartoons then were so cute and lovable. Sadly thought nowadays the cartoons are about fighting and killing. Why bother kids with such things. Childhood is the only time in our life that we get to be care free and naive. That has been deprived from the life of children today. I don't want to name few cartoon not because I care for them but that I don't want to skip the other bad ones. All these cartons leave a mark on a child's head. If we want nice and upright individuals in the future then I think that we must divert little bit more attention towards what cartoons must be seen by our children. We cannot make the producers stop making bad cartoons. But we can indeed teach our child right from wrong.

Thread bear

2010-01-28T21:40:00.000+05:30

The closer I get,
The farther you tread.
Don't stray too far,
I fear you will bear the thread.

Meant to be so close,
To have symbolized harmony.
But God went deaf to my words,
His benevolence must prevent antagony.

I try so hard to make it work,
I try to be the apple of you eye.
The harder I try the more in wane,
Word we has long gone by.

I looked up to you,
You are still up there.
Then what went askew,
What made our relationship thread bear?

Get out of my sight!

2010-01-26T20:55:00.001+05:30

Don’t tell me what to do,
Don’t hold me too tight,
For I can do it,
I can fight.

Don’t teach me to talk,
Don’t shout out when I go awry,
For I can do it,
I can fight.

Don't laugh at my stammer,
Don't mock my dance,
For I can do it,
I can fight.

Don't stand up against my foe,
Don't take me for a ride,
For I can do it,
I can fight.

Don't buy me candy,
Don't take me out,
For I can do it,
I can fight.

Don't point every folly,
Don't make my plans,
For I can do it,
I can fight.

Don't even come near,
Don't think we'll become dear,
For it won't happen,
Just get out of my sight.

Skin should be in?

2010-01-26T15:27:00.000+05:30

Dress codes are omnipresent in today's life. It has been imposed into us by our workplace or educational intuitions or places of worship alike. Modest dressing is highly necessary. But are we not crossing the border and breaching into others personal life by telling them what to wear.

Some many say lack of such checks will ruin culture. Culture is a safe word like God. So what is culture? Culture might mean several things but for now it means only one thing make sure everyone is depressed in all sense and block individuality. We want creative, happy and energetic individuals as only they add to the good of the society. People are old enough to know how to behave and what to wear. If they dont then they will be the ones who will face the consequences.

We do not need narrow minded people to steal our identity. We need wise people to enrich our consciences. We need someone to teach us to tell right from wrong. With this value we must be the one to decide what to wear. For an India the west seems to dress provocatively. For the west the Indian clothes like dhothi or saree might be quite odd. So even the term modest is relative. It varies from person to person.

When none of the parameter are same in this context then why frame rules? Why bond people in their sense of expression? True some control is needed but I think that slowly but surely it can be cultivated. There is no use forcing people as soon they will learn to hate it. More often these so called dress codes are new ways to target and control women.

Let us all act like big tall individuals. We are all grown up and responsible people. When I can choose who should lead my country why cannot I choose what to wear?

Lost one thing found another

2010-01-23T20:41:00.000+05:30

Yesterday taught me two important things. The first thing is wear jean to places you can because they contain pockets. Ill discuss about the second later. I am generally a very careful person not to the point that I make check lists and double check or so but to a point that I keep a metal track of things which are important(the trivial things are mostly forgotten both a boon and a curse). Sadly I lost my bike’s key yesterday. This has never happened to me. I have been regularly using the two wheeler as my mode of transport. The area where I parked was laid with sand hence there was no hope of finding the lost key.

I had bid goodbye to my friends and put my hands into my bag to hunt for the key but no success. If I had dug into a mineral rich ground so much I could have touched the minerals with my bear hands. I was searching over and over again but no luck. I was very disappointed. So I thought that I must go check it in class. When I went there two girls were still there clarifying doubts with the sir. I got in and searched thoroughly. The other two looked puzzled at my odd activity and they inquired. Then taking sympathy on me they both offered to help. One girl went to the watchman to get a torch light while the other helped me to continue the search in my class. They we all came down and searched the area fully without leaving a spot still no luck .I was more frustrated than scared. Then I called my mother and informed her about the mishap. She got frustrated. Generally she is a person who keeps her cool but she was about to finish work and rest that is when I asked her to come with a spare key. I tried not to give her extra pain but I was left with no choice. Reluctantly she said that she would start immediately. I will take a good 20 minutes from my home to reach in the mean time we searched again this time the watchman also joined us. He was on old man but age was kind to him. He kept cursing the school for bad management and poor hygiene. He was relating this incident to a similar one some time ago. I was plaintively saying “Yes!” and “True!” with occasional nodding of my head. My mind was not here at all. After half an hour of search nothing all efforts went futile. I thanked my classmates and asked them to leave as it was getting late.

In all this I was planning for a movie with my brother Bharani. I was waiting for my mother and hence I could not hold back such a comic e vent from him. I had lost my favorite earring and my two wheeler key on the same day. But it all seemed like an adventure to me. I still remember what I said to my brother “I am happy I can write a post about it in my blog.” These are the exact words that I had uttered. Wouldn’t life be a drag if not for such small mishaps? Life will get boring if “All is well always”. We need minor pitfalls just to learn that we too can get up and move on.

People who I didn’t not even know came forward to help me. Even a kid who was around 10 came to help me. He joined his mother also into the force. This world is full of nice people it’s only during times like this that we realize it. One sir stayed back for me. I m taking this as a chance to tell a heartfelt thanks to all who came forward to help me. “Thank you” for without all of you I would have been in a state of panic. I might have lost a key but I found that God is in all of us and he comes to help you when you are in trouble. The second thing I had learnt is that Avatar is still running house full shows on weekends.(SOB!)

Super singer junior 2

2010-01-21T19:29:00.000+05:30

     Life has become bizarre with the advent of new technology and how it interacts with us. Reality shows which originated in the west are the rage in India now. There are many annoying shows in that list like emotional hatyachar(utv bindass) or Manada Mayil aada(Kalainar tv) or Raki ki swayamvar(NDTV Imagine) splits villa (Mtv) it is endless. However one show with is very close to my heart is Airtel super singer junior. I have followed this show from when I had first commenced.
     This show is any like any other singing contest where the contestants are either selected or rejected. Rather it learning process they grow as singers and bloom as people. Music can bring in sea of change in you and if the best in it can train amateurs for free and you also get fame it is God sent isn't it? Balamurali Krishna, Sudaragunathan, Nithyashree, Aruna Sriram so on and so forth. The every joy of singing in front of such titans is worth more than the value of the final award. The finalists get attention, which they can turn into a successful career.
     As in regard to this season I must mention the panel of judges. Chitra, Mano and Malgudi Shuba are both proficient singers and nice people. Chitra is my dream singer and for many other singing in front of them must be a dream come true.
     Another special mention must be given to Ananth Vaithiyanathan the voice expert. His passion towards music and commitment towards his job is highly evident. Not all will get opportunity to be sculpted by such a man. He knows how to shape your voice and make you give the best that you can. The voice of various contestants has showed marked improvement after his efforts.

     The whole show is lovable and its motive is lovable. On a whole the contestants have more to get than to lose. They might have to spend a few sleepless nights to cope up and move ahead in the competition and to actually take part in it. Mostly the shooting is during the nights in the weekend. It becomes a problem when kids are the contestants. That is but a minor problem considering a life time worth experience they get. If you too are a fan continue seeing it. If not at least give it a shot. It is worth it.

Legalization of whoring

2010-01-20T14:47:00.000+05:30

The fact that "The Hindu" has a supplement called 'metro plus' is well known. It has a column called gender plus which appears every Tuesday. This week prominent women in NGO and other self help groups had voiced their view on this topic. This particular topic had erupted as a squabble between me and my friend Mithuna. She said that it is immoral and must stay criminalized.

But I differed in my point of view. I think that it must be legalized. That way we can adopt new policies to save the unwilling and protect the willing in that trade. Some witty might argue that no one enters the trade on choice. It is highly valid and true. But there are some who don't mind continuing. Those who want to quit must be give vocational training hence equipping them to self sustain them self and lead a peaceful life. The only thing that the government does for now is provide condoms and shelter for a few in the trade. This again does no save the women it this trade for their plight. It is like as if the government is saying do what you want but don't spread HIV. How much more insensitive can they get?

Then again some might ask how legalization will help. We all know how fair our legal system is. It is tough for women to clamor for basic rights when they are termed as illegal. When we make their occupation as legal the policy makers and field workers can collaborate and work together in order to frame new laws to protect the sex workers. According to a survey the whores are more often assaulted by the law enforcement agents than their clients. How shocking and repelling isn’t it? This is a very sensitive issue and hence must be handled diligently.

The main point why I am sticking up for the idea of legalization is that trafficking and child abuse is high. Many children and teenagers are abducted and forced into this trade. This is a very gruesome story. Many horrid men escape the law form a rape case stating that he was invited by the woman to do so. This again is a very complex case.

Legalization will give the affected women a right to fight for them self at a tribunal. If we do not even recognize them as valid and good citizens what can we do to help. This is why most NGO and women welfare associations are pushing hard on this topic. In order to save thousands in this trade and save them this is the only go. This vocation has existed from time memorable sadly the state of people involved in it has worsened. We are the only species who pay to under go sexual intercourse. This is not only because we invented money. The problem has its roots far deep within our mind frame. That is not for me to comment on. But we must work towards saving the prostitutes. If legalization will do it the good go ahead with it.

The dragon

2010-01-19T22:33:00.000+05:30

Tara a pretty girl with walnut coloured hair and light brown eyes. Her skin had this beautiful bronze tint that all of us long for. Her hair had these beautiful mild curls they were waves actually. There persisted a gleam in her eye which was a gift from her grandmother. Her mother and father had their own leather firm. It was big money and less family time. Tara got all she needed and more materially but not on an emotional scale her needs were never met. Hanna was her nanny. Hanna was Tara's world. She saw the world through her eyes.

Every word uttered by Hanna was stored in Tara's mind. They both had a bond not explained by words. Hanna was too old to be Tara's mother and too close to be a care taker. They both loved each other. TaraTara in her house. She was a widow and childless. Not that she felt so because Tara filled the void. spoke certain Hindi words her mother didn't even know existed. All credits to Hanna. She was proficient in Hindi. Kabir was her favorite writer. All his gohaes (Poems in a verses) were embossed in her mind. Hanna was an art lover too. Together they shared a special bond. Hanna stayed with

It was early in the morning. Tara's parents were out of station. Hanna got ready and went on with the chores. It was a tedious day. That day had a phenomenal solar eclipse coming. She had to wake up Tara and feed her and ensure that she does not eat at that time. Hanna believed in the general faith in India. Generally most people don't eat during an eclipse and attribute it to bad digestion.

She woke Tara at 8 it was 2 hours earlier then her usual. She did fuss but the soft kiss placed on her fore head by Hanna worked like maya. She was all clean and dolled up by 9. Hanna gave her milk. Tara way toying with the bottle and never drank. She was still sleepy. She fuzzed and cried for being woken up so early.

Tara:” Why did u wake me up so early nana!"

Hanna:” Today is the solar eclipse day sweet heart we must eat before it starts."

Tara: “So what nana? What is elispps?"

Hanna smiled with warmth it radiated and filled the hall. She loved it when Tara asked questions. She believed that it is the mark of a smart child.

Hanna:” It is an event like sun rise."

Tara had tiredness and mild spite in her eyes. "Then why did you wake me up early?"

Hanna:” Eclipse is not like the sunrise. It’s a magical event. It is when the moon comes between the earth and the sun. The sky will look beautiful."

Tara:” What?"

Hanna bites her tongue. Eclipse is too much to handle for a 2 year old. How thoughtless! Then she told the Chinese myth:

"See beti there is a big mean daemon he will swallow the sun. So we must stay pray and stay fast to save the sun."

Tara:” Eat the sun? Is he so big nana?"

"Yes beti.So eat fast, you can be strong and pray and fast to save the sun."

"Ok nana."

Tara didn’t say another word she finished her meal fast the she and Hanna did their prayers. In-spite of being a Christian by birth she was a devotee of lord Shiva she found peace in his shrine. After the prayer they both went into the hall to see the solar eclipse on television live.

Soon Tara's mother Neetha came home. She had bought cream cake for Tara and hence fed it but TaraTara but didn't have time to show it. Money was more important for now. She Had accumulated a kind of jealously over the understanding between Tara and Hanna. She deserved all the attention that Hanna got. But Tara was evidently and naturally closer to Hanna. All this bundled up the stimulant was when Hanna said" Neetha ji don’t feed her now!" refused and ran behind Hanna. Neetha was infuriated. She loved

That ripped the last thread. Neetha's fury ebbed and soared. It came out as words:” Keep quite Hanna don’t teach me how to grow my child."

There was a moment of silence. That seemed like a decade as the discomfort grew. It was broken by the voice of Tara. "Mummy it’s over. Daemons went!"

Neetha saw the TV screen. She saw the news about the eclipse. She knew it but had forgotten that it was that day morning. She wanted to slap herself and beg for sorry. But Hanna was too matured to take all this into her head. She took the cake in one hand and a towels in the other.

"Wash up Neetha ji. Then you both can have cake together." Neetha's eyes were filled with gratitude. That moment their eyes meet. They felt that their souls were tied together.

Kid are naive?

2010-01-19T00:03:00.000+05:30

Kids now a days are very smart and witty. They must know how everything works. From a simple rubber band to the computer they must know it all. "What is this ?" and "What is that?" both these questions keep going on and on with out any end. One such question was asked by my niece to my aunt.

"Paati kalyanam na enna?"(Grandmother what does wedding mean?).Too big a question for a 3 year old Yazhini. She was all dolled up and brought to a function where all were conversing about a forth coming wedding hence came up the questions. If tiny tots ask how children are born we can stick with the stork story. But what about the meaning for wedding? Well my aunt was wise enough to edit it and weave it into a fairy tale like story.

This is all right. Another smart kind is Laya. Both pretty and smart. She is so full of questions eachl of them totally meaningful and coherennt with the previous. I was amazed and enquired further.

Then her mother told me that she is always full of questions. Most of which is too much for the kid to handle or is too rhetorical to be answered. Laya was told by her mother that modest dressing is very important. In spite of being ardent lovers of Indian film music their parents don't watch too must television for her sake. During their vacation they came to India from the U.S. It happened to be Pongal time hence the idiot box was incessantly on. The songs made in present date are quite bad not something you will feel comfortable seeing with kids or elders alike. Sensuous is alright but most songs are disgusting and loathsome. Laya said"Mom you said that showing the belly button is wrong but they are doing it." What she said is true. Sadly her mother was dumbstruck but had to say something convincing.

Kids today are not exactly naive. It is very tough for the parents to raise children in such a state of conglomerated cultures, individuals and ideas. Kids are attacked on all side by the good and the bad alike. It is up to the parents to impart the mental maturity into kids. Its an uphill task but an important one. Kids are not toys to play around with. They are individuals who are forming views on the society. So lets join hands with them and walk with them to the sunlight. Ensure that it is them who is holding your hand at their will and not the other way. Let them be. They will learn just the way you did may be earlier. So what? We are happy when kids can say rhymes faster then we could say "ma". Then lets cherish this too.

Bird's eye view of banglore

2010-01-17T22:57:00.000+05:30

IS LIFE REALLY SO COMPLEX?

2010-01-17T21:04:00.002+05:30

Generally till date every post on my blog was construed in my mind and written according to what I have seen felt and believe. However this post is special. This is the brain child of my friend SHIVA. Thanks for the post and keep writing(Soon in your own blog shed out laziness). Here it is:

Life :complex or simple? This is a highly cliched question But never have we arrived at a non ambiguous and ubiquitous answer.  What does the term complex refer to in this pretext? It has got a two intriguing, retrograde yet co-existing parameters. They can be termed as real part and imaginary part. What does life have to do with complexity? It too has two genera real and imaginary part. Then again what actually does real mean? Well, let’s put it this way "what life has for us”. The fact and actual gravity of life fall into this category. Under imaginary we can group" what we want life to be". This is a state of apathy for the practical mind and total acclivity towards things like passion and dream for a visionary. So what category does your life fall under according to your perception and views on life? Complex or simple!

Frankly you must admit one thing this is a topic which has mass on both ends of the balance. Each end has its own moral ground. Lets face it haven’t we all come to this cross road in life? Think about it with our own angle. I cannot live your life nor the vice versa hence opinions differ. Who knows we might as well have another category as well.

 To be short and simple in what I believe”If u think life s complex make it simple by just thinking SIMPLE!” Confusing? Just put if effort you will understand what I mean. This is not complex like the meaning hidden with in the Vedanta but simple like a nursery rhyme. You have to play along to follow.

If you think that life is so simple then make it complex with your "IMMAGINATION OR INNOVATION!" Finally it’s your life and its you who is going to shape it.

Remember the shape is always your choice..!

P.S: All the best Shiva

Warriors

2010-01-14T11:02:00.002+05:30

Rigid disciple is the thumb rule,
They march with measured steps,
There is no time to fool,
They tread carefully even through insteps.

Save for the future is their motto,
Team work is their modus operandi,
Their effort deserves a bravo,
Their nature as pacific as a birdie.

But don't let that fool you,
They are belligerent when at need,
If the sting then pain's on the menu,
All is well if you don't heed.

Lifting things 10 times more them self,
Nature's superman is none but him,
What is in it for thyself?
Learn how to work without boredom.

We call them ant,
Quiet insignificant name,
For critters who can do what we cant,
Hence the pride they must acclaim!

Cleanse your self!

2010-01-13T22:18:00.002+05:30

Today was Bhogi. It is observed one day before pongal. It is to dispose old things and rejuvenate yourself. This was brought in to ensure that people do clean their house atleast once in a year. The festival is celebrated in honor of lord Indra(deity for rain and cloud) . The whole house will look like it was just washed and pressed. All so clean and pristine. Irrespective of the class people do their best to make their house the best. All this is well and good but there is a deeper sense to the festival other than hygiene.

According to the sastras house also refers to the body. In that case Bhogi is a festival to cleanse your body and soul as well. As you throw out the old also throw out the bad feelings of remorse hatred and any negative nature in you. It symbolises some kind of spiritual clensing.

The body is a house so clean it up. Not only in literal sense but also in metaphorical sense. Quit smoking and drinking(at least reduce). Go do some exercise. All this is to spruce up your body. If interested try some new skin care product a new face mask or something and make yourself feel nice.

As for the soul part its not a one day process its a tedious plan. Try things like yoga or music or dance. All this reforms the inner soul and shapes it. Make sure that whatever you do you must stick to it. Read books on philosophy on life or religion of your choice. All religions tell the same-" Path to happiness."

Think about it. What did you do this Bhogi. Don't burn just the waste burn with it the old decaying parts of you which is of no good. Bid adieu to burdens and worries and say hello to good health and an enlightened mind. Need not wait till next Bhogi to do it. Try it now!

P.S:Happy Pongal!

Dream!

2010-01-12T22:19:00.004+05:30

We all have dreams. We had it ever since we were young. Some frightening some nice. A child might have dreams of bunnies and chocolate. Dreams are a mirror of what or mind feels, fears, desires and loves. As we mature and age so do our dreams. Bunnies are not cute anymore are they.

I recently read in a book which said that all dreams are some kind of a mental forecast. The mind sees and apprehends more than what the eye can see. It is believe that all mammals actually dream. All mammals have similar sleep cycle(REM and deep sleep). Since time immemorial man has tried to interpret what dreams have to tell. Following are explanations for a common few:

ACCIDENTS:
* Some kind of a warning.
* Reflection of anxiety.

AIRPLANES:
* Anxious feeling toward impending journey.
* Represents achievement.

BABIES:
* If you want one then ifs a reflection of desire.
* If you don't want it then it is an outcome of fear.

BEING CHASED:
* Hints plausible competition.
* Inner insecurities.

BIRDS:
* Caged bird means that you feel trapped.
* Flying high then it indicates high hopes.

DEATH:
* Good news: Its not a premonitory.
* Mostly fear of dying.

DROWNING:
* Feeling of being overpowered.

FALLING:
* It occurs before REM indicates new love or lost control(all the same;))

FIRE:
* Worry.
* Concern that something is going out of control.

FLYING:
* Creativity, overcome past agony.

FOOD AND DRINK:
* People on diet get dreams on forbidden fruits.
* Desire for food.

JOURNEY:
* Might indicate a spiritual journey.

LOST:
* Insecurity.

PREGNANCY:
* Wish fulfillment or whatever you feel about it.
* Optimism potential.

SNAKES:
* Sexual desire.(Snakes are sex symbols)
* Phobia about snakes.

TEETH:
* Dream of teeth falling indicates insecurity.

WATER:
* Depends on what you feel about water. It could indicate drowning or fear of it or symbolize a struggle.

All that I have stated before and out of intense scientific research. True or not true I do not know but we indeed search for meanings of things we dream about. All the times the questions are rhetorical. We feel that things in actual present were experienced in the past or that we have seen it in our dream before. All of us have such strange experiences. Whether you acknowledge it or not it is a part of our life and we must learn to enjoy it.

Here is one fancy idea. We keep diary's for so many things why not one for dreams. Write all your dreams in it and call it your dream journal. Try it! Just for the fun of it.

Best friends

2010-01-11T19:59:00.006+05:30

Raju a nice handsome man ,thought there are many traits in him to mention first thing that hits your mind is that he is a mega fan of the Tamil super star Rajinikanth. He was doing final year B.com in a college which you can never locate on a map because it was too conspicuous to be on maps. But he never did mind anyway no one else would have admitted him into their institution anyway. There is another thing which he loved so dearly: it was his friends Santhosh and Deepak. Together they made an awesome trio. Virtually the hero's of the college or so they claimed. They did every thing possible to get into everyone's bad books.

They and accomplished the impossible on that day they had managed to get tickets to Thalaivar's movie on first day but God forbid not the first show. Sadly their exams came in the way for the first show. Not that they would care its just that due to Deepak's folly they ended up with night show tickets. Too late for Raju. But he was too excited to admonish. It was the long awaited movie Padayappa. The theater also was to conspicuous to be listed.

The movie was a ball for the trio there was dance howling clapping and what not. There was total frenzy in the movie hall. With immense joy of having seen the movie they all left from the theater. They were home bound. They had an exam on accountancy next day. It was a left over from first year. It was not cleared to maintain nostalgia is what they would say.

All three sat on Raju's father's old bullet. It was not a bike but rather just rudiments of it. Police in Chennai are highly duty conscious. They were vigil and on the look out for the drunk and drive in order to prevent accidents on road and mishaps in they family budget. They were caught in the way.

Police:"Are you all drunk? Where to? Why 3 of you? No not good!"

Santhosh:"No sir not drunk went for movie sir."

Deepak:"Yes sir please let us go sir we have exam in the morning."

Police:"Ha ha exam and movie! I don't think you will pass. Triples is an offense so pay and go!"

Raju""Please excuse us sir no bus at this time. We don't have money sir."

Police:"No no else court case only!"

The police man's face brightened on seeing a lorry. Everyone who is anyone know that lorry yields more. The boys seized the opportunity they got on to the bike and started to move slowly. They police way ahead and became aware that they were trying to escape he tried to note their number but it was too dark.

Police:"Hey come back here!"

Deepak:"Get lost looser!"

Santhosh was on a high that they managed to escape and wanted to established their victory hence he spat on the police officer. Not that it was aimed and all he cannot even hit a dog at 200 mts distance even with a football. His bad day the saliva from his mouth was projected in such a way that it hit the police office in some point in its trajectory.

The police grew wild. He left the lorry driver Scott free and took his TVS 50 and went on hot pursuit of the trio. Raju was riding he was breaking up a sweat he didn't know what to do. Raju's house came first but the police was too close on their tails to commit any folly. If their rigid parents come to know this mishap then grounded for life. Deepak cane up with a plan. They stopped in a friends house and there Raju and Deepak got down. They took their friend's bike and left in the other path. It was Santhosh that the police wanted to he was on Raju's bike all alone to fend for himself.

They didn't not ditch their friend its save that atleast other 2 are out to save Santhosh if he gets caught. They bid brief good byes and departed. Police was hot on trail. He was gaining it was amazing considering that his two wheeler too was just a bunch of nuts metal and 2 thread bear rubbers. Santhos didn't know what to do fuel was less he could not keep riding all night. Soon day break would come. He stopped and hid the bike in the bushes. He sat in a bush. The police also stopped there because he could find no trace of the Kinetic Honda. He started to see for any marks and found tyre Marks he started to beat on the bush with his lathi. Santhosh swayed in order to escape from being detected. But wrong bush. It was full of thorns. Each one went into his skin nice and smooth like knife into butter.

Santhosh was in agony he could not shout out his pain the police was frustrated and left. When the coast was clear Santhosh came out. Checked the damage and went home.

The next day Deepak came to Santhosh(who was heavily covered in bandaid) and Raju who were waiting for him after the exam. They never had a chance to speak about the incident. Again they had performed well enough to maintain that nostalgia excuse. Santhosh was going to begin his agonising tale when Raju cut him short and said "All this is common for the daring. I've got tickets for thalaivars movie. Want to see it again?"

An unanimous"Yes!"

Vettaikaran

2010-01-10T20:22:00.003+05:30

One huge mistake I made today was seeing Vettaikaran starring none other than Dr.Vijay as the leading protagonist. It was pure mental torture. It was one mistake that I must learn from. The last Dr.Vijay's(Pun and humiliation intended) movie which I saw was Adhi. Must have stopped with it there.

The movie on a whole was stereotypical. As usual here too the hero comes from a hamlet and was a simpleton. Due to circumstances he get pivoted against the villain's son who is a bastard. He has great ambitions to become a police but sets it aside to fight the villain. The whole bunch of goons are actually hilarious. He overcomes the whole gang functioning all alone except for a buch of hopeless friends.

There is another hilarious character is Devaraj again a stereotype. A great and upright police officer who losses his family and carrier due to the wrong doers. I was dumbstruck at how dry the creative industry has become.

The funniest part was played by Vijay himself. There are 2 characters played by him. What a stark difference between both(I am seriously mocking). Both Ravi and police Ravi irritate you and make you wanna kill the dialogue writer and story writer if there was any.

I like Anushka very much and as I suspected she has no job in the movie. She is used only for the songs. And for the villain to abduct her. Another plot which can be guessed even by a kid.

I actually feel sad for the villain Vedhanayagam. He gave one day tour to Ravi(Vijay) just so that all his property must be burnt. Not good character description. Though I must not complain as if the other character were nicely described. There was a lot of blood shed but mercy from our side will ever be extended because the director failed to show it to us.

I don't know what else to say but beware. Even the songs are a drag and boring. If Vijay continues this he can kiss his carrier good bye. I don't know even why i am writing a review. May be its a warning to awaken people and save them from the pain I had to endure. I have my fingers crossed. All the best Vijay keep faith in self and try something new. Rajinikath has established himself cause of his uniqueness.(AVar vazhi thani vazhi!). Its time ou make your own! Its for your own good and that of the public. Take a chance work hard outcome will be beautiful trust me! This is to all those who were associated with the movie.

WARNING: DON'T SEE THE MOVIE!

Passion

2010-01-09T19:29:00.003+05:30

A friend of mine had attended an interview. The HR person asked him what his passion was. He said that he was a philatelomaniac(a stamp collector). It sounds so fancy and nice but this is not a happy ending story. It so happened that the interviewer was a stamp collector too. What an twist in the tale for my friend. Sadly his collection of stamps was not as extensive as the inquirer. He was flabbergasted when he was questioned on his so called passion. Hes was interrogated about stamps of countries he never knew existed. He was tongue tied. He was rejected. The argument was placed that he who is not complete in his passion; what else would he be complete in?

The question was fair in a second persons point of view. But i truly feel sorry for my buddy. It would have all gone smooth if not for the mishap that the interrogator himself shared a common passion. Sad ending I must tell. But this has shed light on another issue. Most of us claim to love something but are quiet clueless about it.

Let us ask our-self "What is my hobby?"; most of us will have answers to the question but how true are we to it? Take me for instance my passion is writing but I am not adept at it. I am still am amateur.

First we all must understand what passion means. "strong feeling or desire; love; ardor towards something or someone." The above stated is an hand picked meaning from the dictionary which just tells what passion is to a lay man. But it is not all that simple to explain.

Most people in India are crazy over cricket. I can be considered as a passion. There are people who can say in which match when and where Sachin Tendulkar made his first century. They would know it like the back of their hand. This can be added to the list of passion because there are people who would skip reading for a semester exam to watch a test cricket. there are people who know the name of the ex coach of the New Zealand team better that that of their nephew's name. So on the list is endless.

I am not criticizing all. There are a blessed few who take their hobby seriously and devote heart and soul to it. Hat off to all of them. But again another question popped up. "Is a passion mandatory?" Well honestly speaking no it is not necessary it like having a dog. It is your wish but if you own one then it give both joy and responsibility. Nothing in life comes easy. Especially mastery over a passion that does not yield money in any form. Any passion promises to deliver happiness of having spent quality time with something you so truly love.

One article I had read stated that people who have a hobby do not drink or smoke as much as those who don't have a passion. So get busy find something you love and cannot live without. I found mine(Writing).

Less lights!

2010-01-08T22:10:00.003+05:30

I had recently gone to God's own country. We traveled widely in the time we had. A thing any person who goes to Kerala during Christmas cannot fail to notice are the beautifully decorated houses. Irrespective of the religion people pitch in to make their street look dazzling. All houses are strewed with pretty stars and glistening serial lights which run through the surface area of the house. one thing struck me like the first drops of a sunned but welcome shower. There was a colossal building in majestic white. It was a residence or so I believe. It was decorated with some kind of bizarre laser. Trust me it was a sheer pleasure to the eyes.

At first I was behaving like a child who saw a big bag of candy. However it took my uncle's perspective to clear my mind. He was telling how poor the distribution of power in Kerala was especially to the remote sites.

If this is not enough nearly 2 kms of the road was bordered by tube lights. It was due to a political party. It is understood that the source of power was illegal. It goes unsaid that the people bear the brunt of all this vanity. This exists thought out India.

This is not an isolated case. Any person in Chennai inevitably must have visited its shopping headquarters T-Nagar. Most shops there too are light with lines parallel serial lights which are present at an interval of ever 20 - 30 cms(I am not exaggerating).

All of us are familiar with the hideous power cuts which made life of the hoi polloi even more loathsome during last summer. One might say little indulgence is not bad and appearances do matter. All that is true and accepted but at what cost. Why buy MAC lipstick when you cannot afford food? Same is the logic here too. Ants save for the rain why not the so called superior humans. We must learn that valuable lesson from such tiny creatures. The outcome is in a gigantic scale.

If you are not much concerned about the future then I have a selfish reason too. The death valley in the U.S.A. is the darkest. It lacks light. The sky seen from there will be a spectacle. Due to too much light on earth's surface at night we cannot enjoy an equivalent spectacle in-spite of being blessed with the same. Hence reduce unnecessary lights for that beautiful light show hosted by the angels in heaven. Lets all take an oath to spend electricity wisely. For a better future and for daily view of the astral pomp and panoply!

God a concept?

2010-01-07T23:29:00.003+05:30

I have often pondered about my conversion for atheist to a fairly strong theist. I remember that not so long ago my thoughts on God had proclivity towards atheism. But there has slowly but surely a change. From a person who used to say "There is no God!" to a person who says "God is ubiquitous!" is quiet surprising when I think about it. I don't believe in idols in spite of being a Hindu. I believe in pantheism. It makes a lot of sense and brings order to all chaos in life.

One might think why I am writing about my faith and point of view. It was just to project my stand before we seeing the bone of contention.

Recently, my results for the previous semester had come. I had got 87.4%. It was not the best but good considering the frugal effort which went into it. A miracle in human terms if I were to be honest. When I informed my mark to my cousin I was graciously congratulated. I thanked him and attributed it to God. The response I got was that "God is a great concept! Its your hard work." Being a theist I relented and praised God. Our conversion ended there but the old atheist in me started to question the postulate or presupposition on which the existence of God can be established. My mind was turbulent. I was conflicting with myself. I did arrive at an answer which my heart loved and mind accepted.

God is not a supernatural power in the heaven. It is a fancy name for our conscience. Every good in this world has been identified solely due to existence of the bad and vice-versa. Hence both at least exist together if not in placid state. In us too there exists an oxymoron. The God and the devil. Both are placed on a scale and balanced which ever weighs more rules you. Hence I was able to convince myself that God is not just a concept but a fact. You don't have mathematical gibberish to prove what I said. But there is a way to experience it. Just notice the way you react to various things and determine who is ruling you presently. This way we can ensure that God persists longer and lingers within us instead of the devil. Again some might feel that God and luck are the same all but a pitiable excuse for the weak and the mellow minded. Think what they may but what I said is factual. Let go all your inhibitions and give it a shot. Realize the presence of God not only in you but in all. This will lead to harmony. Hence the purpose of all good natured religion have been fulfilled.God a concept? May be but it is one concept which lite my life and gave me a better perspective and transformed me. God resides in all who believe in the CONCEPT!

Isha foundation

2010-01-03T10:49:00.004+05:30

I had recently gone to Isha foundation in Coimbatore. It was founded by Sadhuguru Jakki Vasudev. I have read few of his works and seen many of his orations;indeed I was captivated. He was no God man promising people sure place in heaven. Instead he was like a tree for people who tended to be climbers instead of trees them-self. In course of time he taught the climbers to morph into trees.

Since I had an adulation for the person and his methods I have long wanted to go see the foundation.It was on 29-12-2009 that I actually got the opportunity to go.The road to Velliangiri hills from Coimbatore was picturesque.We went to a temple devoted to Lord Shiva before we went to Isha.The temple had very lucid and intricate sculptures. It was built by the king Karikala Cholan. It was a sight for sore eyes(I had just been to temples in Kerala which were not this spectacular).

When we parked our car and got out we heard strange noises of people shouting. If I heard it else where I would have called the firemen and police. On further investigation I came to know that the sound originated from a program that was being conducted in adjacent building. It was some healing method is what people told me. The whole idea didn't appeal me. Actually it turned me off.

It made me ponder if the base of my faith on this so called cult(It is not a cult) is justifiable or not. Well to answer it I must experience it. We were given instructions on how to behave(Rule 1 please don't spoil the peace and serenity). There was a trinity containing 3 faces of God we all kept silent and meditated. Meditation is not my strong point.I didn't know what else to do so I closed my eyes and thought about the Shiva lingam.

When I opened my eyes I noticed that my party had advanced leaving me behind. Then all the women in our family went to the Thertha Kunda. It is like a mild artificial falls where in the middle was a huge Lingam. People must resort to ablution then dress in orange robes provided by them then take a dip. For the less experimental(like me) you can just cleanse legs and arms then dip only legs in the water. The place did not amaze me much.May be my self image of the place was at an acme where reality could never keep up. Not impressed yet!

Finally we all were ushered into the meditation hall.It had a huge Shiva Lingam.There were small domes engraved into the wall which served as caves to meditate. The building was dome shaped. We were the last to enter(as usual) hence could not find an empty dome(I really wanted one). We resorted to sit on plain floor there was plenty of room there. For solid 15 minutes I meditated. I do not know what that term means even now. All I did was think about a Shiva Linga on top or a lush green mountain and a lamp lit next to it. I didn't know that I had so much concentration. Without my own knowledge or will i felt tears roll down my cheek.It felt sweet because never have I cried due to internal peace. We cry when we are too angry,sad, happy,helpless or frustrated. We forget that peace is also a state. I felt a wave through my spine. The whole experience was paranormal. There was nil sound except for the reverberating sound produced by reflection the inevitable coughing by the sick. The whole 15 minutes are very precious to me. It made me see and feel the God with in. I could follow my every breath carefully.My music sir said that breath follows the word "Seetha". I used to plaintively nod but I actually realized the gravity of what he told.

When 15 minuets were up all of us felt refreshed all of us were silent. After 5 minutes it was my uncle who broke the silence.He pointed towards the golden Shiva Linga. It was on the backdrop of the mountain. It was a spectacle.

After so much of divinity we decided to get in touch with life again hence we all had scrumptious cakes and kulfi. I still have the earthen pot as a token of memory. However I know Ill never forget the way I felt.

P.S.:There is a free meeting on 6th in Madipakkam, Chennai from 6-7.30. Check the link for further details.
http://www.ishafoundation.org/component/option,com_program/program_id,2846/task,details/

Vedanthangal

2009-12-25T21:44:00.003+05:30

Guess what I am on my way to Cochin via Trichy Pollachi and Guruvayur. My family is know for its ill planned but by chance a pleasant and well executed trips.We started form Chennai today morning at 10.My father was insistent that we must visit the bird sanctuary on the way.

On the way to Vedanthangal we went to a temple.It was by chance that we actually went there.It was Srinivasa Perumal temple. The main deity's name was quoted previously.However the Ganesha there was the piece de resistance. The Ganesh idol was called as Vara Sidhi Nava Graha Vinayagar.It was love at first sight. There are certain temples you feel close to very soon.This was one such a temple. I do not know if it was God's will or just plain luck that we went there but every second that I had spent there made me feel His divine power.

The Vinayagar had all the Navagrahas in various parts of its body and narasimhan at its back. The presence of Lord Shiva and Srinivasa was to symbolize that they are at par and their deities in peace and co-existence.The idol was large and well made.The hero of the show was the priest.He was a old but strong man who had mastered English Tamil and Sanskrit(These are the one that I have acknowledged).He spoke on humanity and love for God.We had our spiritual moment then paid of the Anna Dhanam(donation of food) then left with a new rejuvenated heart.

Then we went to the bird Sanctuary.It was a beautiful place.Just imagine thousands of birds coming from palaces like Russia to Vedanthangal to escape the harsh winter.It was a beautiful scene.It was a sight of sour eyes.I will put up all photos on my blog as soon as I get back to home.

The prime a Donna was the small monkeys.They were really cute and witty.I abhor all animal.Its actually mutual fear that iv sensed.Never have i felt real love for animals.Beyond all that even for a non animal lover and a second timer to the sanctuary the place was great.Its an awesome picnic spot.Next time I go it will be for a nice family lunch with nature and the breeze.

The next place we went to was Otaikudi.Its my paternal grandmother's native.It is a small hamlet on the banks of the Cauvery.It brought back may nostalgic memories for the old and new experience for the new. The place as such was nice except for the road.It was a nigthmare.The roads were not laid it had newly strewn mud which was wet and slushy due to heavy down pours.It was too much for a Santro to handle.I got to meet certain relatives and merry making. Then we left to UchiPillayar kovil.

Anyone who has gone there will tell you about the beauty of the Deity and the panoramic view.It is some thing you get to relish only after hard work.There are hundreds of steep steps to climb before seeing God.I am no great athlete.Personally speaking I am suffering from mild acrophobia(I think so).The worst thing was not the climb but the crowd.I am claustrophobic(I certainly have this. I have mortal fear for tight lifts,caves and anything in closed spaces.).The crowd was too much but worth all the pain was the glimpse of the Lord Ganesh himself.He looked divinely majestic.He was thickly coated with sandal paste and adorned with jewels.We went in at 7.45.It was a close call because the temple doors close at 8.Again a close call.

Now I am back home after a good dinner just forcing myself to keep awake till 12 to wish my dear sister a happy birthday.I got her a gift too! But it's a surprise.Ill post about it soon. Sadly I must wake up at 5 tomorrow in order to leave for Polachi.Let us see what Pollachi has in store for me.So far so good.I hope it gets better.
P.S:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEERTHANA!

Skipping Christmas!

2009-12-20T11:15:00.002+05:30

I am an ardent reader. I am not author specific of type specific. Any decent author would do.Lately when I had gone to the library I took a book called "Skipping Christmas" by John Grisham. I was impressed because the ides seemed great. Plus this novel has been featured as a movie hence all this motivated me to give that book a shot.

As a book its actually a drag.First 150 pages of the 227 page novel shows the odds the lead couple have to face due to skipping Christmas. I must have know about it before though. I have read "The broker" and "The juror" by the same writer. Both the books were engaging but not exactly gripping. The writer has his own pace of story telling which takes some time to adapt to in each novel irrespective of the fact that you are reading nth novel of his. This is no revolution but the idea sounds great.

Ask any kid what does Christmas means to you he or she would say :"Food, clothes, Decorations and of course Santa himself with the gifts!"All is well with merry making.It is the hideous aftermath that most people dread.The infinitely long bills for things which had no value as an experience of material worth.All the haul and stress in planning.Not to mention the flab that accumulates after the festive due to excess eating.What is all this is skipped and what if we go on a cruise a pleasure cruise. This is the hitch of the movie.

Anyone getting influenced? If you have not started spending this season think about it.Its nice.I don't say skip God just skip all this show of wealth.Go to church and pray but let Christmas end there then transport yourself to an exotic location.For the ones who are doing this "Bon voyage!"

The idea sounds great to me.I am a Hindu.Hence no Christmas anyway.But I did fancy skipping Pongal.How delightful it must be.May be next year I must do that and spent the cash on a family trip to the Andaman. But this might need a lot of persuasion.Wish me luck!

Julie and Julia

2009-12-15T20:10:00.004+05:30

I had recently seen the 'Julie and Julia' movie.I must say it was a treasure.If you ask people what they liked it they movie then without hesitation most of them will say food. I do second that thought. However food credits are second on my list.

The first thing which struck me was the beautiful relationships which existed it the movie.All relationships in that movie are worth mentioning.How ever by stereotype I too will place the love between the 2 lead couples on top.The next favorite is the relationship between Julie and her mother.That person never appears in the movie but it has been skillfully developed.It is not easy making yourself feel and look important when you siblings are signing off deals in billions of dollars and you having only a small yet secure government job.

The actual transformation in Julia from a person who cannot even make boiled eggs to becoming artful enough to write a cook book on french cooking is very noteworthy.She has this never die spirit.She did not yield into the pressures of the publishers and cut short her book instead pursued it with more passion.Imagine re writing the whole thing.Especially in a world where copy paste does not exist!The very thought is terrifying.But passion drives her through.My favorite scene is when Julia cuts onions at home as a practice.It is cute and also shows her passion.

Julie was like an advanced version of Julia.She too had a modest life and an desire to do something new.One thing they both shared was adulation for food.Another nice thing was the portrayal of Julie's husband.Any man will encourage his wife but will get temperamental when her passion overtakes her love for him.

And yes the food it was all too beautiful.As a blogger I know who precious all comments from readers are.So I could relate to Julie and adore Julia.Please catch the movie.Its yummie trust me!

Urban turban

2009-12-12T12:04:00.006+05:30

I had recently gone to a stage play by Evam group. I had intended to see their Five point someone but could not find time to do so.I was immensely delighted that at last I was going to their play.I have heard my friends sing their parise hence they had aroused my curiosity.The play was in Alliance Franchise in Nugabakkam.I liked the was the auditorium was.It had wooden steps to sit on.It gave a nice theater feeling.

Frankly speaking I had expected a play.Urban turban was a stand up comedy.I didn't make a face at first but not for too long.Karthik is indeed the hero of the troupe.He has this effortless delivery methodology.I m not conservative at the same time not broadminded enough to listen to someone talking about things like men's rest rooms or urinating or sex.But Karthik did make me listen.With a light hearted and jovial sense.It was hilarious i must say.His part was at the start and at the end.Clever placing I must say.Karthik! You not have an ardent fan.

After Karthik was Shannon McDonnell(Born in Canada, lived in the USA, and now in India). She had a flair in narrating.One main flaw was that she was too stereotypical in her point of view.She also had that air 'Yuck India is so in the past!' attitude.Her narration was painfully long too.May be it must have been made shorter.

After that one new person cane on stage.I am sorry to say that i cant even remember his name.It was a soulful attempt but seriously he made me sleepy.Nothing more to talk about him.That is the part of the play when I repented paying rs 150.

Sunil Vishnu is the director of the play.He was on stage only for some time but stole the audience completely.All in all it was a nice experience.It has induced me to try another play.

PS:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYrCQSi3Ta4

2 states

2009-11-30T23:38:00.002+05:30

Most people in India are familiar with this(2 states) book by Chetan Bhagat. It is not one of those mushy love stories. Its more like a portal into the mind of the author. At first i thought of it as a joy ride but soon i learned that it is not so. It is a bumpy ride.But I must appreciate the author for his honesty let it be about his pre marital sex(with all respect only appreciating him) or about his sudden mild drift in choice of bride(the dolly part). But Chetan has done one mistake we all to he has a larger than life self image. I do not blame him any person who graduated from blue blooded institutions like IIT and IIM generally does. They consider it to be their birth right sorry degree right. Its not wrong its only the Chetan Bagath is too loud about it. The worst part of the book is the obvious racialism. Being a Tamilian it hurts. Not only Punjab's even Tamil's look good, are rich and are fun loving.

Sadly this again is a stereo typical north Indian view of the south. The most hurting comment was about the skin color of the Tamilians. For God's sake does he not think beyond skin sex and a plush investment banker job. I must credit him for his utter frankness especially when he speaks about his first day at job and such tender topics. All the I have to say that Mr.Bagath has found his formula to success simple yet human story sprinkled with a bit of romance and sex.This might be this real story but he could have been more poetic about it.I felt like i was reading right out of his diary. I had great expectations but all shattered.

Bottomline:Best part of the novel is the price its only 95rs so you don't have to repent paying for such a bad book!

P.S.:READ THE BOOK IN YOUR OWN RISK!

Wet

2009-11-14T22:14:00.003+05:30

Rains are(were) something i (used to)dread. I do not detest the rain. Actually i have admired the immense force of nature or god as you would like to call it. But for a girl in salwar(Managing the dhupata is no easy task mind you) after her examination with hall ticket,cash,text book and her mobile phone to tend to, drenching in this heavenly blessing is not a good option.

Just imagine dirty water encompassing your feet as if it was your pet cat curling and settling in close proximity to you. Pointlessly holding an umbrella hoping that it will save me and my precious contents from rain.Wading through water surpassing utter disgust for the mucky water.This is not easy task i must warn you.The bad part is that all water form an umbrella collectively falling on you and streaming its way into your clothes. Worst part is yet to come.It is the tediously long journey in the college bus sitting next to similarly dampened amigos. Hair as wet and sticky as that of a puppy out from its tub after its dip in water. Neither could i shift our thoughts from this lingering disgusting feeling nor could i catch up on my sleep. My stomach was growling for food.

At-last after reaching home the first thing i did was a nice hot shower. That shower changed my perspective. Warm mother made food made me feel as if i was in heaven. I took a nice book sat by the window with hot chocolate milk and read my book with a divine ambiance. For the first time i found that without the sound of fans to fill our ears with a hum i could hear even a mosquito. Sparing the mosquito bite it was all great.

The best part was saved for the end. I m no impassionante walker. But that day the walk in military road near chennai airport was very magical. Rains had lead way to new life. Plants were growing every where. I thought that rains had ruined my day. Not at all! Every thing in nature has a beautiful side to it. We must get close to nature to see it. Fall in love with nature especially the rain so get WET!

Bon ami

2009-11-10T13:50:00.002+05:30

Writing is one thing that gives me a high,my mood setter.How ever i had been abstaining from it on account of work.But that is no excuse.When we are in love with something we must pursue it.This idea might be banal but it is an inevitable stage in every one's life.After long this is the poet in me who woke from hibernation.Definitely not a magnum opus but surely brought this awry traveler back to her track.

Your thought gives me a smile,

Fixed as if for posterity but only for a while.

This is the gift of our kinship,

The word WE might dip,

But your memories will acutely linger,

Posting joy amid anger.

For you are my Ami,

Always a treasure you will be.

Must Read story!

2009-07-05T22:57:00.000+05:30

Mountain Story - An interesting short story

"A son and his father were walking on the mountains.
Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
Curious, he yells: "Who are you?"
He receives the answer: "Who are you?"
And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!"
The voice answers: "I admire you!"
Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"
He receives the answer: "Coward!"
He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"
The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention."
Again the man screams: "You are a champion!"
The voice answers: "You are a champion!"
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE.
It gives you back everything you say or do.
Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart.
If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence.
This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life;
Life will give you back everything you have given to it."

YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE. IT'S A REFLECTION OF YOU!"

My favorite line....

2009-06-26T11:12:00.003+05:30

என் இரவுக்கு மட்டும் இரு நிலவுகள் ஒன்று வானில்.. மற்றொன்று போனில்..
This is a poetic line by my friend Karthik Anand...I liked it very much...It did take me tonnes of time to read it(Considering the fact that i am bad in Tamil)...but every second worth it...hey next time don't write only about your girlfriend;)...keep up the good work
For more see:
http://tamizhaninthalaivan.blogspot.com/2009/02/blog-post.html

Mother this is for you

2009-06-12T10:10:00.000+05:30

MOTHERS DAY POEM

(read it as a son/daughter tells his/her mom)

Before I was myself you made me, me
With love and patience, discipline and tears,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Allowing me to sail upon my sea,
Though well within the headlands of your fears.
Before I was myself you made me, me

With dreams enough of what I was to be
And hopes that would be sculpted by the years,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Relinquishing your powers gradually
To let me shape myself among my peers.
Before I was myself you made me, me,

And being good and wise, you gracefully
As dancers when the last sweet cadence nears
Bit by bit stepped back to set me free.

For love inspires learning naturally:
The mind assents to what the heart reveres.
And so it was through love you made me, me
By slowly stepping back to set me free.

Life is like ....

2009-05-17T20:37:00.006+05:30

Radha a very cheerful 17 year old girl. She had it all: good family, nice friends, good dancer and most importantly miss. Intelligent. She was always on the top of the list a school. People at times wouldn't know what to be jealous of at times: her straight A grade school life or her mellow and charming smile. She was not the kind of girl who you can call as definitely hot or a show stealer or a prime-a-Donna but her subtle beauty can make any guys heart leap towards her and any woman envy the innocence in her eye. Yet there was something that covered all her beauty today. Something had gone haywire that day.

It was the day of 12Th standard results.Radha had just seen her results.A disastrous 79%.For the past one year she had worked so hard on it. She was heart broken. Even in school she was one among the top 3 from her kinder garden onwards. Even in her tenth grade she scored a beautiful 93.6% that too in C.B.S.E. But what had happened to Ms. Successful? Why such a sudden downfall?

Her brain was all too dull to think. Some of you might think why all this fuss about. But it is always the heart of the sufferer which can understand and apprehend the intensity of undergoes. Her parents where real gems they were very supportive. Yet her mind was running wild. She needed some peace of mind so she went to her terrace.

It was around 5 in the evening there where some people constructing a new tank. The process was being supervised by a contractor. Radha was first annoyed by their presence. Then she was lightly entertained. She got close and looked at their work. Her mind went back to brooding. There was a tear drop in the corner of her eye. She was fighting to hold it back. "I am too old to cry!" is what her mind said but her heart wanted a down-pour. What a conflicting situation.

She heard a bold yet unnerving "Hi!” She turned to see that it was the contractor. His name was Abishek. He was a good friend of Radha's father. Radha put up the best smile possible. It was a fake but it was the best that she could do and said "Hi uncle!"

"Congratulation for your marks Radha."

"It is not much uncle nothing to celebrate. Actually bad enough to moan."

"I don't think so. I think that it is God sent."

"GOD SENT? Oh! You need not go to take so much pain to make my feel better."

"No I m serious. If you had got above 90% you would have become an engineer or a doctor. Which anyone can do. So boring! But you have something which all doesn’t have."

"What is it?"

"Your voice Radha.I heard you sing in a kacheri last year. It was like an angel singing from heaven. I mean it."

"Thank you!” Said Radha. Music was her first love. She can’t even remember since when she started to learn.

"I will get you an application to the music college. I think that it is where you belong. I know that your parents will oblige. I m not forcing you. I m only suggesting."

"But why is my mark a blessing?"

"If you had got GREAD marks instead of GOOD then you would have not even thought of this. Right?"

Radha never thought of music as a career option. But it was not a bad idea. She smile from her heart after long and said "Yes."

"Do you want to know the secret of life?"

"Oh yes indeed..." said Radha with her nasal tone.

"Life is life WET CEMENT. You must mix essential amount of cement, sand and water. Then you must work with it before it gets too late since it dries too quickly. The final and most important point is this. Once you’re done with making your cement you must leave back an impression of your foot print just like how we must make a mark in life. All clear? No more tears.” Saying so Abishek wiped Radha’s tears. She smiled.

"Sir!" said one worker. Off went Abishek after mumbling some excuses. Radha saw her hero go who taught her that life is like WET CEMENT.

Nice way to brag and make buy...

2009-05-10T19:27:00.001+05:30

Read the content of the above photographs properly.

Success...Enjoy it

2009-05-07T18:09:00.004+05:30

We all know that success in not some kind of a permanent event.It is rather very volatile.These are the words of a real winner.......

When you come to me,

You make me fell ecstasy,
I believe that I am the best,
You give me unmeasured joy.
You make old forgotten friends say we,
You make me feel that all is right A to Z,
You can make my home as cozy as a nest,
You made me feel like a truant boy.
Some people say not to take you to the head,
Well how can I not?
You have sunken into me,
Quiet deep and good.
This overdose of happiness; i feel like a newly wed,
Oops I hope I don't get caught,
Why don't other let things be?
Please let me rake in this mood.
For I have succeeded today,
Where people said "Victory?No way!",
So let me soak up the victory,
Before all of it becomes history,
As I am warned that all this is temporary,
So why cry and go all awry?
Success may not be here to stay,
But let my enjoy it all the way.

Good song Nice lyrics

2009-05-07T17:54:00.001+05:30

Movie Name: Pavithra (1994)
Singer: Unni Krishnan
Music Director: Rahman AR
Year: 1994
Actors: Ajith, Radhika

Uyirum neeyae udalum neeyae unarvum neeyae thaayae than
udalil sumandhu uyiril kalandhu uruvam tharuvaay neeyae
un kannil vazhiyum oru thuli poadhum kadalum urugum thaayae
un kaaladi mattum tharuvaay thaayae sorggam endbadhu poyyae

(uyirum)

vinnaip padaiththaan mannaip padaiththaan
kaatrum mazhaiyum oliyum padaiththaan
boomikku adhanaal nimmadhi illai
saami thaviththaan thaayaip padaiththaan

(uyirum)

Worth a read

2009-04-25T13:31:00.000+05:30

> A TRUE
> STORY
>
>
>
> Spend some
> time to read this! Really touching!
>
> I was walking
> around in a Big Bazar store making shopping,
>
>
> when I saw a
> Cashier talking to a boy couldn't have been more than
> 5
> or 6 years old.
>
> The Cashier
> said, 'I'm sorry, but you don't have enough
> money to
> buy
> this doll.
>
> Then the little boy turned to me and asked:
> ''Aunty, are you sure
>
>
>
> I don't
> have enough
> money?''
>
> I counted his
> cash and replied:
> ''You know that you don't
> have
> enough
> money to buy
>
>
>
> the dolll, my dear.'' The little boy
> was still
> holding the doll in his
>
>
> hand. Finally,
>
> I walked
> toward him and I asked him who he wished to give this doll
> to.
>
> 'It's the doll that my sister loved
> most and wanted so much .
>
> Iwanted to Gift her for her BIRTHDAY. I have to
> give the doll to my mommy so
>
>
>
> that she can
> give it to my sister when she goes there.'
>
> His eyes were
> so sad while saying this.. 'My Sister has gone to be
> with God.
>
> Daddy says that Mommy is going to see God very
> soon too, so
>
>
>
> I thought that she
> could take the doll with her to give it to my
> sister.
>
> '' My heart nearly stopped. The little
> boy looked up at me and
>
> aid: 'I told daddy to tell mommy not to go
> yet. I need her to wait until
>
>
>
> I come back
> from the mall.'
>
> Then he showed me a very nice photo
> of
> him where he
> was laughing.
>
> He then told
> me 'I want mommy to take my picture with her so my
> sister
>
> won't forget me.' 'I love my mommy
> and I wish she doesn't have
> to leave
> me,
>
> but daddy says that she has to go to be with my
> little sister.
>
>
>
> ' Then he looked again at the doll with sad
> eyes, very quietly.
>
> I quickly reached for my wallet and said to the
> boy. 'Suppose we check
> again,
>
> just in case you do have enough money for the
> doll?'' 'OK' he
>
>
> said,
>
> I hope I do have enough.' I added some of
> my money to his with out him
> seeing
> and
>
> we started to count it. There was enough for
> the doll and even some
> spare money.
>
> The little
> boy said: 'Thank you God for giving me enough
> money!
>
>
>
> ' Then he looked at me and added, 'I
> asked last night before
>
> I went to sleep for God to make sure I had
> enough money to buy this doll,
>
> so that mommy
> could give It to my sister. He
> heard
> me!'' 'I
> also
> wanted to have
>
> enough money
> to buy a white rose for my mommy, but I didn't dare to
> ask
>
> God for too much. But He gave me enough to buy
> the doll and a white rose.
>
> My mommy
> loves white roses.'
>
>
>
> I finished my shopping in a totally different
> state from when I started.
>
> I
> couldn't get the little boy out of my mind.. Then I
> remembered a local
> news
>
> paper article two days ago, which mentioned a
> drunk man in a truck, who
>
>
>
> hit a car occupied by a young woman and a
> little girl. The little girl
> died right
> away,
>
> and the mother was left in a critical state.
> The family had to decide whether
>
> to pull the
> plug on
> the life-sustaining machine, because the young woman
> would
>
>
>
> not be able to recover from the coma. Was this
> the family of the little boy?
>
> Two days
> after this encounter with the little boy, I read in the
> newspaper that
>
> the young
> woman had passed away.. I couldn't
> stop
> myself as I bought a
> bunch
>
> of white roses and I went to the funeral home
> where the body of the young
>
> woman was
> exposed for people to see and make last wishes before her
> burial.
>
> She was there, in her coffin, holding a
> beautiful white rose in her
>
>
> hand with
> the
>
> photo of the little boy and the doll placed
> over her chest..
>
> I left the place, teary-eyed, feeling that my
> life had been changed for ever.
>
> The love that
> the little boy had for his mother and his sister is
> still,
>
>
>
> to this day, hard to imagine... And in a
> fraction of a second,
>
> a drunk driver had taken all this away from
> him.
>
> PLEASE DO NOT DRINK & DRIVE.

The case of the missing Phone

2009-03-22T11:03:00.006+05:30

It was a normal Monday. As usual I got up late. There is something intensely special about the sleep in the Monday morning. I have had the pleasure of enjoying it every time. My mother was never too strict about my punctuality she believed in joy not discipline. I am fortunate man. My wife too enjoys sleep so she doesn't push me down the bed early in the morning. So I am a happy man who has enjoyed Monday morning sleep till my fascinating forty years of age.

However I must warn you this Monday morning sleep does have its side effects. Like delayed office work, getting caught in traffic (most people are late like me).Despite its sour end it is the best. Ask any soul who has been bitten by the sleep bug and is an eternal friend of the sand man. I must go to my office at 8.30 today. So I got up at 7 after the infernal sound made by the alarm in my phone. It was on snooze from 6 or so I thought. I sluggishly took to my daily morning duties in the bathroom. This is the task of the days which charges me. I came out of the shower to see my wife still sleeping like a child on the bed. She was just a ripple under the quilt. Her physique was very tender but very charming. I was forced to shift me gaze from my wife towards the mirror. My physique was a stark contrast to that of my wife I was on the bulky side. "Not that fat honey" is what Renu would say but I know that it is just to console me. The clock in my room showed 7.35. It was an antique clock gifted by my dear friend for my last year birthday. Oh how I wish I could freeze time. With a big sigh I set my hair and walked downstairs and strapping my favorite tissot watch to my hands. It was 7.40 in that beautiful deep blue dial. I went into the kitchen to make my toast and prepare fresh juice. I gobbled down my breakfast and came near the door and took the car keys. I felt some thing was missing. I couldn't find what it was my laptop was near the door. It is generally where I leave it.

Then the fact hit me hard on the head. "My phone" oh my god it is missing. I hurriedly ran towards the land line to make a call to my phone but it was on silent. I had spent 15 minutes in searching it. The time became 8.15.i am going to be late. This was one of those moments in which I cursed my self for being a late riser. I was worried. It was no just a phone it was blackberry. It had information of all my appointments. To tell the fact it was the only thing on earth which knew my plan of the day. I was frustrated. I had called my phone 6 times all ready. I became frustrated and sat on my favorite sofa. It helps my think. I had my phone last night. So it must be in my home somewhere. Well that is a consoling fact. I wanted to try calling my phone one last time. My lucky number is 7.So let me test my luck what if I didn't leave it in silent. It’s a desperate try but I must do something. I pressed the call button. I could feel some thing shaking. I got up instantly. I thought that it might be an insect. I couldn't see it so I sat again. I felt that vibration again. At that moment an idea struck me. I was speaking to my friend Christopher yesterday night on the sofa. I put my hands into the sofa I tried searching to the best of my ability. But I couldn't find it. I tried the other side. "Bingo!" I found my phone. I held it tight and took it out. One of the springs seemed to like my phone. It scratched me. I think that I didn't like me taking my phone back. I was bleeding mildly but I was happy to have my phone back. I put a band aid on my finger and went near the door. My phone vibrated again. It was my partner, "Hey where are you? Please don't tell me that you are not out of bed yet. You know that it is an important meeting..."
"Hey Rohit!Chill.See you at 15!"
"Well that is nice to hear.The meeting is at 9.It has been postponed so drive safe! see you."
"See you!"

Music and life!

2009-02-18T22:49:00.004+05:30

I am a very passionate veena player. Even the basic chords when played by maestros like Gayathri or Rajesh Vaithiyar can make my heart leap. For the sake of this instrument I started to learn vocal. At first I was very reluctant because I have always believed that I am not a good singer. But in some period of time music made me confident. It slowly is making me into a new person. I was more short tempered and ill mannered before. I think that music has tamed me so artistically yet so accurately. I found how to maintain the tempo in my life when I learned the Thalam. I also taught me the art of time management-“What to be done when within what time interval”. The shruthi taught me to take things from the inside. When something is external it is too artificial and hurts your heart. But when the thought (in life) and sound (in music) is form the inside it can make you feel divine.
In order to play any instrument you must be a decent singer. Similar in order to be a successful person in life we must first be a complete human .In every aspect of it I can see music in par with "The guru of life!” Even to listen to certain to certain songs we need basic qualification (in sense of music knowledge).I thought that music was for the Grey haired people. Not so! Not any more. It is the easiest way we can connect with the god in us. So give music a chance! If you want to live your life to the fullest go learn music....

My article in Hindu!

2009-02-06T13:31:00.000+05:30

http://www.go-nxg.com/?p=3734#comment-8172

TO MY CHILD

2009-02-03T22:53:00.003+05:30

A nice poem which I had read:

Just for this morning, I am going to

smile when I see your face and laugh

when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning, I will let you

choose what you want to wear,

and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning, I am going to step

over the laundry and pick you up and take you to

the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the

dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put

that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug

the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with

you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell

once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and

whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one

if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry

about what you are going to be when you grow up, or

second guess every decision I have made where you are

concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you

help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you

trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us

to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can

have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in

my arms and tell you a story about how you were

born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you

splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you

stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle

beside you for hours, and miss my favourite TV shows.

Just for this evening when I run my

finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be

grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.

I will think about the mothers and

fathers who are searching for their missing children, the

mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's

graves instead of their bedrooms. The mothers

and fathers who are in hospital rooms

watching their children suffer senselessly and screaming

inside that little body

And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold

you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then,

that I will thank God for you, and ask him for

nothing, except one more day..............

Photos from the foor top(Eldams road)

2009-02-03T21:13:00.004+05:30

Home sweet home!

2009-02-03T12:47:00.002+05:30

"Anu!Anu!" called out a voice.That irritated voice dawned from a graceful woman of 30-Shantha."Where are you Anu?"this time the voice sounded more concerned than irritated.The deep brown eyes of Shantha grew intense.It was searching in all possible directions for Anuradha.The tension clouded in Shantha's eyes cleared only when her eyes grazed the small frame of Anuradha on her bed.Anuradha a bright and smart 8 year old child.You cannot say if it was her hazelnut eyes or the dimple on her cheek or her beautiful wavy hair which danced on her shoulders which stole your heart.In a whole she was an embodiment of innocence.That is something that you cannot see in children now-a-days.

"What are you still doing Anu?It is time we must go!Don't you..."Shantha's voice muffled when she saw trails of water running from Anu's eyes."What happen my baby?"Anu's eyes were bloated due to tears, her voice was stuck sore and all dry."I don't wanna go..."

Anuradha and her mother Shantha were living in Columbo,Sri Lanka.They were Tamil speaking.Not the best place in the world for them to be as of now.Anu's father Amaralingam was doing business in Chennai for the past 2 years.It is going well.Shantha did not want to leave her homeland.The soil in which she was seeded;the place she called home.But all this at what cost?Is life a cost to pay for her love towards her country?May be her life but Anu's?No not fair! So Shantha decided to leave her land.Flee it,run away from it like disloyal sailor of a ship.She had crossed the state in which she had to choose between being a brave captain of the ship or a scum like disloyal sailor.If being like the sailor could save the life of Anu then it what she must do."I am a mother first!"is what Shantha said regularly.

It was last week's incident which made Shantha decide to flee Sri Lanka.Not were far from her home a bombing occurred to be precise 3 blocks away.It was outside Anu's school."Thank God Anu was late to school.If not imagine!"These are the words that was uttered by the chaotic mother.She cannot take it anymore."I wanna come Amar I ..I have lost too much in life.I have only you and Anu left!"These simple panic stricken words made Amar arrange for visa and tickets to India.

All said and done.Shantha was leaving today night."Why baby?What happened to my sweet heart?"Compassion rained in Shatha's eye."I don't wanna go mother."
"Oh my baby! Not that I wanna go,but it is not safe here.Plus daddy wants us with him.How long will he be away from us."

Anu didn't utter a word.She stared blank into space beyond her mother.

"Plus our relatives are also not here. So ...."

"Mummy I don't want to leave Suggums and Rachel here all alone!It is not safe for them too!"

Shantha put up the best smile that she could and hugged Anu. Suggums was their cat and Rachel was their fish.She didn't know if to feel happy for the humane nature of the present generation or fell sorry for the brute like fight in her nation.Her eyes had tears but her lips had a smile of hope.

Must Read

2009-01-28T23:27:00.002+05:30

LIFE ..... IN FOUR PHOTOGRAPHS.......!!! ...... SIMPLY AWESOME

First Pic:
Break of Dawn -- New lease of life, embarking upon a New Voyage......
A Child Flying Kite -- Young Blood, Aspiring to Fly High with Enormous Zest n Zeal...Coz U Know, Sky is The Limit.......
A Small Tree -- Need to Nurture.......
Two Birds Hovering Above -- There r People Around to Take Ample Care of You, You r Actually Carefree.......

Second Pic

Daylight -- You r Almost Halfway Through in This Voyage Called Life.....
Couple -- You Have a Better half of Yours to Lean Upon n Speak Your Heart Out to......
Grown-up Tree -- You Have Been Nurtured Profusely to Stand Tall n Rigidly in The Storms That May, Otherwise, Let U Down........ .
A Small Tree -- You, Together With Your Better half, Have Given a New Lease of Life to Another Breaking Dawn (Your Child).........
One Bird Hovering Above -- There r Comparatively Less People around You to Take Care of You, Unlike during Your Wonder Childhood Years.......

Third Pic

Fall of Dusk -- Twilight is setting Upon, Life Has Come a Full Circle....
An Old Man -- It's a Race Against Time Now On, It's The Beginning of The End of The Voyage......
Ageing Tree -- Signifies The Above Two Things, Second One Being The Personification of This........
Grown Tree -- Your Kids Have Grown Up; It's High Time You Start Supporting Them With Tender Care Rather Than Clashes..........
One Bird -- Self Explanatory, I Guess???
Grave -- In Course of The Voyage You Have Lost Loved Ones n You Also Start to Anticipate Your Ultimate Fate n Destiny..........

Fourth Pic

Nightfall -- Voyage is Over, Darkness is Looming Over, High Time to Say Good Bye.....
Starry Sky -- There's Still Happiness Around, Thanks to The Aesthetic Memories Left by You n The Good Work Done Too..... .
Grown-up Tree -- Your Kids r Walking in Your Shoes now, It's For Them to Follow Your Footsteps Drawing Inspiration From Your Exemplary Life..
Grave With Two Crosses -- You r United with Your Soul mates n RIPS........

That's Life So Enjoy to the Fullest
Life isn't about how to survive the storm, But how to enjoy the RAIN.

Power of poverty!

2009-01-26T19:16:00.002+05:30

There are were few people who are happy with what they have.A persons heart always desires for more let it be love or money.Not even the sky is the limit!from small age we are just not content with what we have.I was forced to think that it was the law of nature till I meet this remarkable magic man!

It was just an ordinary day.I had gone to the central railway station and was coming back to Guindy in an electric train.I am very indifferent to my surroundings or so it will seem to others.I am generally a keen observer of things around me especially the things related to the sense of humanity.There was a beggar in the train he was very old.He was methodically asking alms form all.Generally I am the kind of person who doesn't support begging of any form.I personally think that begging of any form is wrong.Hence I decided to avoid him.He came to a seat near me.A middle aged lady couldn't hold back her tongue.She asked"Why do you beg?You can try to work."That man smiled.Then with a sparkle in his eye he said,"Why must I work?All that we need in this life is food.People who have wishes to attain anything beyond that only suffer under the name of a so called job.I don't desire to follow the crowd.By nature god made fruits for the sake of man but the selfish man made all the edible crops as a money making product instead of a resource freely available to all.Things like food water and air must be free for all.If not it will lead to decay of mankind!I think that I am more lucky that you.I don't have to worry about the falling market or the cash I had left at home or even a home."Saying this he moved on.The lady took a 5 rs coin and gave it to him.It seem as if she was bound by a spell.

I was dumbstruck.I didn't know if it was his laziness or if he was some great saint what ever it is he gave me a new perspective on the state of emptiness and the power of poverty!

Pink....

2009-01-25T20:20:00.004+05:30

It was a blank,
I stared at the screen,
I didn't want to accept it,
Is is me or are my eye's folly?
I wish it were all a dream!
Not not me,why me?
Till this moment pink was dear to me,
Not now!I...I,
I got a slip...all in pink.
I don't deserve it!
For all that I did for them,
They throw me out like that,
Without a second thought.
Not that ill beg,
I have my dignity.
My old man always said:
"A people who lose are not losers,
Those who don't accept it are!"
I am no loser....
But..I am an addict,
I am addicted to the way I live,
Confined to my cabin,
Talking like a foreigner in mid night,
I am not mad,
I mean what I say!
Oh no!
What will I tell my princess,
Who will I face my family?
Will my love want me?
What will my princess say
When some one asks her:
"What does your dad do?"

Be who u want to be!

2009-01-16T18:35:00.004+05:30

I was traveling in a local bus from Guindy to T-nagar.I happened to overhear the conversation among the people(Not that I wanted to eavesdrop their conversation they were just 2 loud about it.)There was a young woman around 28 years of age.She had come with her daughter who I thought was around 4 or 5 years of age.She was indeed not the cutest of the lost but her face had something special in it.It attracted your eyes towards it as if like a magnet.Another lady was sitting next to them.She was a friend of the girls mother I think.

The other lady asked Kalpana n her mother(That is her name according to my knowledge or at least that is how her mother called her so.) about general things like school and so on.Kalpana kept giving sharp answer's.Then came this question."What do you want to become when you grow up?"To my surprise two unrelated almost oxymoron like answers came from Kalpana and her mother."Dancer" said Kalpana "Engineer" said her mother.What a contrast I thought.There was a moment of discomfort between them.The other woman smiled and said"A dancing engineer!"

This might be fine and a normal story.But there is more to it.The child may or may not become a dancer but her mother will not favor it in any means.Dream coming true or not but pursuing your passion is important. I wanted to become a bio-technologist my patents were ready to support me emotionally and financially.But that profession will put me in a position in which I will have to leave my country hence I lost my love for it.Even now I take my music and writing seriously.My family did help me approach a publisher.That is when I learned that there is a lot of hard work to be done before I become a writer.I am in the working phase.What ever I want to be my family had, has and will support me.But not all people are lucky.

What you become in life is another thing but parents must just let children be, be themselves!

Stars so bright...

2009-01-15T12:50:00.003+05:30

Stars are really beautiful things.This is a world know fact.But I found more profound sense to these heavenly bodies for an old man in a temple yesterday.I happened to go a temple called Vadivudai Amman in north Chennai with my family.The ambiance of the temple was very different.It seemed to be more like a beach in the front than a temple.The ground had fine sand and the wind blew my hair in all directions possible.It was a sheer delight to me senses but not to my heart.When ever I go to a temple I expect peace and solitude. So on first sight I was not at ease with that place.

We were about to enter the main part of the temple that is when the current went off.I must say it was dark at first but then the sky and lamps came to the rescue.I never knew that the sky can look so beautiful till then.It took some time for my eye to adjust to the darkness.Einstein said that there is no darkness it is just the absence of light.Well we are all so busy looking at things under light that we forgot to see those small things which give light.Let it be the star or oil lamps light in the temple or the fire flies in the air all were simply magical.I felt more closer to God.I think that God is not in the stone carved in the temples but the moments in life when you realize how small you are.The starry sky made me feel humble and small.At the moment of darkness even the fire fly seemed more superior to me and closer to the stars.

In the mist of all that darkness we walked only with the light form the oil lamps and the display of our phones.Suddenly I felt like as if I was in the past I enjoyed the silence.There was no sound of the fan or any other electronic instrument.At first the silence was deafening and heavily frightening.But slowly I learned to love it.We all carefully made way into the temple where the idol of lord Shiva was placed we silently chanted our prayers.When I opened my eyes the current came.Well the magical feeling had disappeared.But the way it made me feel will always linger in my mind as an evergreen memory one which will not die anytime soon.

So next time you want to feel the God in you just switch off the man made things next to you and go stare at the beautiful sky.It has more to say to you about life that life itself.

I wish i were in polka dots.....

2009-01-12T23:01:00.002+05:30

It was a day like any other in college.The boring old class, ever green friends, always stern staff(I've never seen them smile truly).Life as usual or so I thought.It was life as usual till my lunch break.I was eating with my 2 friends.We were going finish our lunch.At that time we saw a small girl.I think that she was around 4-5 year of age.A very pretty angel I must say.The most beautiful thing on her was her hair next to it I loved her dress,it was a pretty white dress with red polka dots.She was picture perfect and head turning.

There will be elaborate floral arrangement in front of the Christ's statue in the mess hall.Her was at first delighted and plainly glad to see the flowers.Her happiness seemed to so evident on her glowing eyes.She couldn't keep her fidgeting fingers away from the flowers.Her innocence in doing it was what I loved too dearly.At first she hesitated and then felt as if it was her own territory. She started to do the flower decor in her own way. I liked the way she sought ease in a new place and spot.As we grow old we lose this ease.We feel alienated from everything.All that we are not used to becomes so new.

I learned form my angel in polka dots today that we must do all that we like even those small lovable things which we thought that was too absurd for us to do in public.Let us cherish the child in us.Lets do what we like with a smile like my angel in polka dots.......

Advantage India

2008-12-23T11:46:00.001+05:30

A NICE MUST READ ARTICLE":

India in particular, for all its complexity, is a country that is as much an idea as it is a nation. The years of colonialism have meant that India has not evolved through a natural arc; disparate regions were brought together by the ideas, good and bad, of British administrators and Indian leaders. My first glimmer of the power of these ideas came when I was five years old.

...

Growing up in those days, it was very easy to believe in the idea of a nurturing government and public sector. A paternal, socialist state would own companies which would create wealth and the wealth would be used for the betterment of society. Why allow wealth to be created in private hands where it would probably be used for nefarious purposes? It all made perfect sense. Many Indians believed in these ideas then; few of us believe in them now.

...

This ebb and flow of ideas, and how this has shaped the changes in our economy and politics. For example, through the early days of independent India, many saw English as a language of the imperialists and did everything to marginalize the tongue. This included attempts to make the teaching of English in state schools. But once outsourcing made English the entry ticket to a global economy and higher incomes, the language rapidly became a popular aspiration, a ladder to upward mobility for both the middle class and India's poor. As a result state governments across the country are now reversing historically anti-English policies, even in places where Hindi-language nationalism was trenchant. Such is the power of changing ideas.

...

Those issues that are still in the ether: they are now widely accepted, but have yet to see results on the ground. For instance, the idea of full literacy has gained popular appeal over the last two decades, but we are still framing strategies to implement universal education and address the discontent around the state of our schools.

...

My years as an entrepreneur have especially brought home to me how much India, despite its recent tremendous growth, is straining against the challenges that hold it back. Today, we are a nation that has barely scratched its potential. Almost two decades after economic liberalization, the absence of critical reforms means that for a majority of Indians daily life continues to be a struggle Â— for the millions of marginal farmers unable to find alternatives to bare, hard livelihoods; for people living in slums for want of cheaper housing; for families cobbling together their savings to send their children to private schools because our government schools are a mess.

...

The immense challenges India faces more that two decades after reform trigger a range of emotions in me, as they do among many of my fellow citizens Â— puzzlement and frustration at the modest pace at which we are bringing about change, and sadness at the persistent inequity that is visible across India. There is a growing sense that these problems are now coming to a head Â— that our inequalities are making people angry and also limiting our ability to take advantage of the huge opportunities India has today.

The fact that India has a great opportunity before it seems more apparent when I travel Â— in people's minds across the world, India has unique promise. The country has enormous advantages in its young population and its entrepreneurs, a growing IT capability, an English-speaking workforce and a strength as a democracy. It seems poised to grow into a strong economic power.

...

Freed from the oppressive weight of the control raj, India has revealed itself to be a keen, chaotic and incredibly entrepreneurial economy. And entrepreneurship here has been as much about Tata, Reliance Industries, and Ranbaxy, with their global focus and markets, as about the small businessperson setting up her vegetable stall in a street corner, all her savings invested in her dream of achieving success. This is what is unique about the Indian growth story. A people-driven transformation of a country holds a particular power; it is irreversible. As Shankar Acharya said to me, 'You can't bottle up India's economy again. No matter the uncertainties and challenges of our growth, the Indian people are not going to cede the economic ground that they have gained back to the state.'

...

India has never been short on dreams, a century ago, Tagore talked about the kind of nation that India should awake to, free of divisions, shaking off its discontents and forever looking outward.

...

India has always had its share of Cassandras, pessimists who point to the country's deep divides, the feudal nature of our politics and our slowness in reforms to suggest that the country's success remains improbable, difficult to sustain. Time and again India has endured massive turmoil Â— the wave of bomb blasts across the country in 2008 was only the most recent of terrorist attacks. Our religious divisions have often exploded in violence. The hold of caste over our politics has allowed corrupt legislatures to amass power and distribute influence within their own families and community, and the weakness of our coalition governments drives ordinary citizens to despair.

But I still think that after a long and convoluted path, after many a stumble and wrong turn, a different kind of moments seem to be upon us. For the first time, there is a sense of hope across the country, which I believe is universal. There is a momentum for change, evident in the enthusiasm of our younger legislators, the mushrooming of civil society organizations, and activists fighting in the courts for reforms in governance and for the protection of fundamental rights. I agree with Jaideep Sahni that a majority of Indians now believe that they can leave their village behind, and there will be something better waiting for them, round the corner, in the next town, in the big city Â— perhaps even in their village should they return.

As I travelled around India, I realized that this feeling, this intense belief in the future, has not yet infiltrated our governments, and our ministers still talk about the people as masses to be taken care of, as one would tend an ailing patient, rather than as fellow citizens to empower. In our politics, we have yet to tap into our new language of hope. For this to be mirrored in our political institutions it requires us to imagine an India that rests not on the struggles of our past but on the promise and challenges of the future. It requires us to shape systems and policies that give people the ability to travel in search of work, to educate their children and to tap into economic growth, to recognize how fully India is transforming itself.

These excerpts are taken from Nandan Nilekani's Book 'Imagining India: Ideas for the New Century' published by Allen Lane (Penguin India) that hit the stands in November 2008

Nandan Nilekani

Girl!

2008-12-14T13:13:00.000+05:30

When a GIRL is quiet, Millions of things are running in her mind.

When a GIRL is not arguing,She is thinking deeply.

When a GIRL looks at u with eyes full of questions, She is wondering how long you will be around.

When a GIRL answers "I'm fine" after a few seconds, She is not at all fine.

When a GIRL stares at you, She is wondering why you are lying.

When a GIRL says I love you, She means it.

When a GIRL says "i miss you", No one in this world can miss you more than her.

Empty vessels....

2008-12-01T13:32:00.003+05:30

I have heard of the proverb "Empty vessels make more noise." I saw it for the first time in live yesterday.He was a very interesting person.I take analysis of fellow humans quiet seriously mark you!Well the analysis of this person was a fun ride trust me.

I had the opportunity to meet Mr Showoff(This is how I am going to call him in this post..to hide his identity...not that he might read it but just for the mystery intrigue and fun of it) in Aynavaram.My father is building a home there.So Mr.Showoff is our new found neighbour.I don't want to talk about the boring intro as I usually do:)...Lets skip the details and go to the comedy in it.There are 3 characters-Me,Dad,Mr.Showoff(S.O. for short). He was all husk and no grain.His nature and character did fascinate me a lot.He was a contractor for buildings by profession or so he said.He was not the annoying type.He was the funny jobless type.His English was the most fascinating thing.The word he used most often is "Back feed" which must be taken as a substitute for "Feedback".Any person proficient in English would have decided the it was the end of the language for good."I in tour for long.Pondy Trichy Salem.Busy busy.Pressure pressure!Lot of commitment sir.But confident I have sir...."so on went his annoying speech.

He was quiet jobless person but the way he spoke was very engaging.He is one person who I will not forget anytime soon.I felt that he was schizophrenic or something.But that was too much to accuse of that man.Well God created man to be different form one other each of us are unique.Let us celebrate all natures even the ones like.Mr.S.O......:)

The longest 60 minutes

2008-11-29T10:44:00.003+05:30

November 28th

5.00:
Sanjay"Go in sweety daddy will come after attending this call"

Maya smiled and went into an ice cream parlor.
"Hello! yes I had asked you to put..."

Sanjay's words were cut short by the sound of a blast.To his horror the ice cream parlor was burning!

He called the police immediately from his phone.He was terror struck
"Hello is it the police?"

5.20pm:

Sanjay felt miserable.He felt that as if his whole world was crumbling in front of his eyes.He was waiting outside an ice cream parlor or what was left of an ice cream parlor.Five minutes ago he was in his car with his daughter Maya.A pretty girl who was in the age of rainbow.That's how Maya used to say her age.A very bright 7 year old girl.She was Sanjay's friend,enemy,companion,competitor,student,teacher ... shortly his world even more aptly daddy's favorite girl.

All that was ten minutes before.Now his whole world seemed to fall.He didn't know who to blame fate of himself.He was seeing the burnt remain of the ice cream parlor.It happened before his very own eyes.He say in the corner of the street with his head sank into his palms.He was not shying away form tears but afraid to see what gruesome thing had happened to his Maya.

At this happened in 20 minutes.If he had not got that damned phone call from his banker he too would have become ashes.The firemen were fighting bravely.The fire had stopped.

5.30pm:

Sanjay gathered all his courage and went up near to the police man there and said"Sir ...my girl... my Maya...Pleases help me sir."

Vibhav was a smart inspector.He had a perfect physique.Just his smile will in store our confidence on the police force.

Vibhav-"Sir tell me your name.."

"I am Sanjay.I am a free lancer.Please help me.Please find my girl."

"Sure sir don't worry.Nothing would have happened to your child.Sanjay get a hold of yourself.Maya is here and well we all are here to help.We have found 4 people 2 staff and 2 adults no children yet.None of them are badly hurt.Maya will be safe."

"Mmmm"

Vibhav was in the police force for a long time now.His specialty was his humane approach to a problem.He was every one's friend.Vibhav had work to do.He gave a gentle pat on Sanjay's back and smiled.Sanjay couldn't even smile back.His heart hurt him.After the death of Maya's mother Sanjay's true love.He lost her in a road accident.So Maya was his responsibility so he felt.That is how all father think of their baby girls.Even when the girl can vote they teach her how to eat without spilling.Even when she can drive a car they teach her how to walk.Always dad is dad to his girl and she is always his Rainbow year girl.

5.45:
"Sanjay ..."

Sanjay saw Vibhav standing behind him.His raised so did his hopes.His eyes were searching for Maya rather involuntarily."Did you find her where is she?"

"Sanjay are you sure that Maya went in?No one is inside.The whole place is sanitized.I've even questioned one staff.He said that no small girl came in are you sure."

"Yes."

"Oh Okay fill this form.Go home Sanjay we will inform you if we find anything."

"What no I am not leaving without Maya"

"Okay fine just fill that form!"

Sanjay had full faith in Vibhav he didn't know why.He methodically filled the form and handed it over.

"Sanjay why don't you check your phone maybe Maya tried calling you or some thing."

Sanjay had no faith in that idea.He just nodded and went near his car.It started to rain.It was as if god was helping him in some was.The building was letting out smokes now.He sighed and walked to the car.Secretly he was praying for all this to be a dream.He wanted all of this to end.He opened his car with a remote.It beeped and he opened the car and got his phone from the glove compartment.

He unlocked the keypad.5 missed calls.It was from Rahul.Well he needed a moral support anyway so he called."Hello Rahul"

"Hey daddy!"

"Maya?How are you?Where are you?"

"Daddy I am with Rahul uncle.Okay baby give the phone to him."

"Happy birthday daddy!It was mine and Rahul uncle's plan to wish you at 5.30.But you didn't pick the phone"

"Oh my God I even forgot.Thank You baby.You and Rahul uncle come near the parlor now.

"Okie daddy"

Vibhav was standing next to Sanjay.He just smiled.

"Found your princess uhu?"

Sanjay nodded.
"Then I guess that I won't need this."Vibhav gave back the form written by Sanjay.
"I...I don't know how to..."
"Hey chill Sanjay all part of life.Chill.Take care of Maya.I have work.Save your thank you for some other day."

Sanjay smiled and gave a hand shake to Vibhav.He left out of the shade of the tree and into the rain like all heroes do at an happy ending.Sanjay,s cell showed the time to be 5.55.

He felt very light and happy.Happy enough to dance in the rain.

6.00:
"Daddy!"

Sanjay gave Maya a big hug and a big smile to Rahul.They all walked in the rain silently back to Rahul's home.Sanjay was thanking all his Gods.
"Thank you god!"

Oh Brother

2008-11-24T23:32:00.007+05:30

Surya just stared at the display screen in Dubai airport.His flight was delayed by an hour.He mechanically stared at his Diesel watch.It showed 12 midnight.His flight inbound to Chennai was postponed from 1a.m. to 2a.m.Well he had nothing much to do other than to start reading his novel.He was a big fan of Robin Cook.Surya moved to gate 5 and found a calm place and sat down there with his book.

He was just in his second page when he heard"Excuse me sir! are you going to Chennai?"Surya is by nature a nice person.But not at fist acquaintance you can't even get a smile form his lips till the third meeting.His physique contributed to that mystique feel.He was almost the perfect example for the phrase tall dark and handsome.He was not a beauty contest winner but in some way did have all the charms required to make any girl go gaga.Surya just nodded as a reply to the man who asked the question.Ramu was the man who asked it to him.He was a married man.He was around 35 years of age.For past 15 years he has been working in the middle east.His job was not the type that any one would envy.It was tough.He had a small job in a power plant.He was a watchman.He had no one to talk to in that sub station.It was just him his dish T.V. phone and his dog.No job in the world can be as nerve wrecking as his.It was not big money but for him it was his only source of living.He used to go to India once every two years.Other that this his life was not some thing that you can talk about.Just think past two years in the middle of no where not a soul to talk to.He was very enthusiastic to start a conversation with Surya.But all he got were a pitiable excuse for a smile and a few nods and mumbling words.Ramu was not deterred anyway.He kept speaking but it didn't even go near Surya's ear.He was too much into his own thoughts.He had recently fought with his best friend.He was not a very extrinsic person.Not the center of attraction in a gang.To tell the fact he was never a part of a gang.He was more to himself.His fight with his friend had taken a toll on him.

Ramu was the just opposite of Surya.He was Mr.Cheerful in his village he was a darling of everyone's heart.He was always the center of attraction.You can never say if it was his innocent smile or caring words or something else in him which gave you uttermost ease with him.Ramu couldn't but help noticing the frown on Surya's face."What happened pa?Why are you so disturbed? May be I can be of some help;"Surya was not interested to talk.He just smiled and said "Yes I am disturbed Mr...."
"Ramu"
"Sorry Mr.Ramu I am not good at names.I do have problems.Thank you for your concern.I am glad that at least some one is concerned."

Another love able trait of Ramu was that he knew when to shut up.And now was one such a time.He just touched Surya's hand and gave it a tight squeeze.Surya looked into Ramu's eyes.He found peace in it.

"All passengers for the flight inbound to Chennai in Gulf Air are requested to board in gate number 5"said a woman's voice followed by the same instruction in Arabic.Both Ramu and Surya got ready to board the plane.They stood in the queue and borded the plane.

I don't know if you all trust in fate,but I think that fate does exist.If not why should Surya's seat be next to Ramu?May be destiny is true.Well you must read on with me to know.

Ramu came to his seat to find Surya next to him.Both exchanged blank smiles.Ramu was not physically strong.He tried to lift his heavy bag to place it in the over head cabin.Surya was quick to help.Ramu was quick to give a heart felt THANK YOU.

The flight was ready to take off.The gates were closed.The take off instructions were given.Within half an hours time the flight way in the air thousands of meters above the surface of the earth.Ramu could never keep quiet.He started a conversation with Surya.They talked about their jobs.On hearing Ramu's job profile and the loneliness he suffered from Surya was shocked.

Ramu could see Surya's surprise in his face."Why are you so shocked?"

"How can you live all alone?"

"I am not alone."

"What?"

"Most people would go mad if they were alone.But not me"

"How Sir?You can,t please don't mistake me...you cant even keep shut for 5 minutes sir.This is not an offense just plain curiosity."

"Well I don't look at if so.When I am alone I don't think that I am alone.This does not mean that I am hallucinating or something.I am company for myself.I have all the time in the world to do all that I have ever wanted."

"Interesting please do tell me what you do."

"Well I always like being fit.So I do walking and yoga in the morning for nearly 2 hours.Then I take a shower cook and eat.Then I listen to music.I always wanted to play the guitar but no tutor will come so far.And I don't think that I can afford it anyways.So I bought an old guitar from a old friend with notations.I do self learning.Then Ill prepare things for lunch while seeing television.Then peaceful lunch with jade..my dog..no no my best friend"

"Wow interesting! do go on"

"Then a small nap.When I get up I call my home.I talk for 15 minutes with my wife and my 6 year old girl seetha.This is my favorite time of the day.After that some cleaning.The I take a stroll in the desert.At times I even get to see nomads.I have a love for language.I know Tamil English Malayalam and Arabic.Not that I am perfect at is.So I sit to learn the language through books movies.That drains most of my evening.Then at night I prepare dinner eat finally before sleep I read the Bagvath Geetha and say my prayers and then sleep."

"I am spell bound sir!"

"Oh really.I don't know what your problem in life is but never feel alone.You are your best company.Time is not what we have or get but what we make of.I enjoy what God has given me at this moment.Now I am blessed with a friend like you so I talk to my hears content.If you were not here I would have been trying to read that Arabic paper.Very challenging I must say."

"You are really great,I thought that I was all alone.I live in an apartment with my friends yet I felt like I lived in an island.But you lived in the middle of the desert but were having ball of a time."

"Mind matters the most brother...."

"True .....very true"

Their conversation was ended by the air hostess who brought food.They ate and Surya slept like a child due to Rahul's words......

Loving someone??? Express it immediately...

2008-11-21T22:56:00.000+05:30

A good article which I read:

IT'S 7TH GRADE..

I stared at the girl next to me... She was my so called "best friend"... I stared at her... Long, silky hair... And I wished she was mine... But she didn't notice me like that... I knew it... After class she walked up to me and asked me for the notes she had missed the day before... And I handed them to her... She said "thanks"... And gave me a kiss on the cheek... I wanted to tell her... I want her to know that I don't want to be "just friends"... I love her but I'm too shy to tell her... And I don't know why...

IT'S JUNIOR YEAR..

My phone rang... On the other end it was her... She was in tears... Mumbling on and on about how her love had broken her heart... She asked me to come over because she didn't want to be alone... So I did... As I sat next to her on the sofa... I stared at her soft eyes... Wishing she was mine... After 2 hours... I Drew Barrymore movie... And 3 bags of chips... She decided to go to sleep... She looked at me.. Said "thanks" and gave me a kiss on the cheek... I wanted to tell her... I want her to know... That I don't want to be "just friends"... I love her but I'm too shy to tell her... And I don't know why...

IT'S SENIOR YEAR..

The day before prom... She walked to my locker... "My date is sick" she said... He's not going to go... Well... I didn't have a date and in 7th grade... We made a promise that if neiter of us had dates... We'd go together just as "best friends"... And so we did...

IT'S PROM NIGHT..

After everything was over with... I was standing at her front door step... I stared at her ... She smiled at me... I wanted her to be mine... But she doesn't think of me like that... And I know it... Then she said "I had the best time... Thanks!"... And she gave me a kiss on the cheek... I wanted to tell her... I wanted her to know that I don't want to be "just friends"... I love her but I'm just too shy... And I don't know why...

IT'S GRADUATION DAY..

A day passed... And then a week... And then a month... Before I could blink... It was graduation day... I watched her... Perfect body... Floated like an angel up on stage to get her diploma... I wanted her to be mine... But she doesn't think of me that way... And I know it... Before everyone went home... She came to me in her smock and hat... And cried as I hugged her... Then she lifted her head from my shoulders and said "you're my best friend"... "Thanks!"... And gave me a kiss on the cheek... I wanted to tell her.. I wanted to know that I wanted to be more than "just friends"... I love her but I'm too shy... And I don't know why...

IT'S A FEW YEARS LATER..

Now I sit in the pews of the church... A church that she is getting married in now... I watched her say "I do" an drive off to her new life... Married to another man... I wanted her to be mine... But she didn't see me like that... And I knew it... But before she drove away... She came to me and said "You came!... Thanks!"... And she kissed me on the cheek... I wanted to tell her... I wantd her to know that I didn't want to be "just friends"... I love her but I'm just too shy... And I don't know why...

YEARS PASSED..

I looked down at the coffin of a girl who used to be my "best friend"... At the service they read a diary entry she had wrote in her high school years... This is what it said... "I stare at him... Wishing he was mine... But he doesn't notice me like that... And I know it... I wanted to tell him... I wanted him to know... That I don't want to be "just friends"... I love him but I'm just too shy... And I don't know why... I wish he would tell me he loved me"... I wish I did too... I thought to myself and I cried... rest in peace my Love

Nationality

2008-11-21T22:44:00.002+05:30

American Attitude

A man is taking a walk in Central park in New York. Suddenly he sees a little girl being attacked by a pit bull dog. He runs over and starts fighting with the dog. He succeeds in killing the dog and saving the girl's life.

A policeman who was watching the scene! walks over and says: "You are a hero, tomorrow you can read it in all the newspapers: "Brave New Yorker saves the life of little girl".

The man says: "But I am not a New Yorker!"

Oh then it will say in newspapers in the morning: “Brave American saves life of little girl” the policeman answers.

"But I am not an American!" - says the man.

"Oh, what are you then?"

The man says: "I am a Pakistani!"

The next day the newspapers say: "A Terrorist Kills Innocent American Dog!".

Smile when it hurts the most!

2008-11-20T12:44:00.004+05:30

I am having my university exams now.I am a II year student in B.Tech.Information Technology.Now I am having my third semester examinations.Well I am not extremely brilliant or a prodigy but I have set my own standards.I got 86.7% in my last semester and 96.25% in my plus two.It is not by luck of chance that I got both but with hard work.But sadly that sincere part of me has not been rewarded lately.By reward I don't mean recognition or a praise but here I talk of satisfying the nagging old levels and position that I have set for myself.

I have written only 4 of my 6 exams.Generally the exams give me a happy feeling of achievement.I feel that I have done justice to to position I am in and the work I have done.But sadly this time all my four papers were not up to my expectations.I am a person who does not sit thinking of my present failure for long.I do analyze it and find fault in me but after a point I let it go and think of the next task ahead of me.Better that way then crying over split milk.But 4 bad papers in a row was little more than I could handle.I promised myself not to cry.My past taught me that tears only clean you eyes that to when under moderation only.So I was fighting back my tears and kept smiling.I knew that my silence would cause tears.Hence I tried to be the all cheerful me again.I didn't want my friend Priya to get too much concerned about me.So I changed the topic to more general things.

I came home and here to I tried to conceal my disappointment.I don't like to spread negative energy because it is like a tide.It will feel distressing at first but actually it cums back to us with greater force.I tried to be silent and hold back my thoughts but no more was that possible.Tears eventually found it's way out.The bottled up fear and anxiety turned into a massive head ache.I took a pain relief and tried to sleep.But even that sleep was disturbed.

My mother woke me up because my music sir had come.I had forgotten that he was to come.I got up to get ready for the class with an unwilling heart.Actually an unwilling head.My God I can still feel the way it pounded on me.I freshened myself and went and sat for my class.My music sir is a very nice and jovial person.He asked if I was alright.I just smiled.Still fighting back my tears.Now with new worries that I cannot sing.Singing is one of those things that needs a clear mind more that a throat it need all the attention.Singing is like a truant child which demands all of his mother's attention.My pitch was not right the layam was missing.He suddenly stopped playing.He said"What happen?You are never like this.At times your sister will get distracted because of school pressure never you.What is disturbing you?What ever it is don't think of it now.Music demands full attention.It is the best meditation in life.It transports you to another world provided you pay your attention as a fare.'He was right.I decided to sing as perfectly as I could.Well the exams might have been bad but that is over I cant change it.I did not want to ruin the present as well so I smiled for his comment and began to sing.At the end of my 1.30 hr class my head ache was gone.The smile and music in me got me through a bad day!

I cant count my money!

2008-11-20T09:47:00.002+05:30

Money seems to be such an important thing in our life as a matter of fact it is.Day in and day out we handle money.We use it to buy things and get it when we sell.It rotates much faster than any planet around its access and revolves more gracefully that any other entity in phase of this earth.For the people who are taught what is 2+2 and table in mathematics at school all this might be very easy.But I have always wondered how it is for the less fortunate people.Let it be my local vegetable vendor or any other uneducated business man have always astonished me with their knowledge they are as fast as my calculator.I am proud of them.With no actual basic education they do this with practice.Iv heard that practice makes perfect well here is a perfect example.

However there is another side to this tale.What about those who didn't get the external exposure as well?I mean those petty house maids and house wife's.In a country like India men make the monetary rules of the home irrespective of how effective or ineffective he is at it.Hence many at times women are isolated form the concept of money.I've often pondered on this however tried to convince the woman in me by saying"Oh please! women are not so pathetic." Well I experienced it for the first time yesterday.

We have a maid to do the gardening in our home.She is indeed a very cheerful lady.Quiet lithe but always smiling.She generally comes for work with a friend of hers.Unfortunately her friends husband is in hospital and severely ill.So her friend took loan of 7000rs form one of her employers who is our neighbour. She was saying all this and then hesitantly came near my mother and said"If you don't mind can you count it for me?I cant count my money!"I was shocked so all that I was thinking for so many days was proved.The most pathetic fact is that all the notes were 500rs notes hence only 14 notes.She was unable to count that.How much more helpless can a person get?It seems that she was cheated 1000rs once by a lender who took advantage of her innocence.

Well at least now we know how pathetic the situation is so I think that we must do some thing to elevate it.Just teach your maid how to handle money and count it properly.She need not become a Aryabhatta but at least she must be able to count the meager wealth that she has.So lets all take this promise that we will help them out.This might take maximum an hour of your precious day but however it will be the best gift you can give to your maid.

My faith

2008-11-16T23:23:00.002+05:30

I was on the way to my home from a temple with my dad in the car. I had nothing much to do and hence was tampering the music player. My dad was silent and didn't mind my child like naughty work with the player. On the way my father saw a coconut vendor and stopped the car to get some.I decided not to get down but thinking dad would need a hand I got down to help him. I was staring without a blink at the trade center in the opposite side.Not that I like it much just that I like to do that.As the saying goes in this life full of care there is no time to stand and stare. Lucky me I had that time. Well not for long.

I heard a lady's voice call out "Sir!" Her voice transported me back to the present age.She had addressed to my father. "Yes!" said my father."Sir, I think that you are a Hindu."My dad did say anything he just nodded. Our religion was very obvious because of the kum-kum on our fore head."Sir! then you are among the unlucky!"Again my father didn't utter a word.My father is not very religious but does enjoy his daily prayer and visit to the temple. Most of all he hates others who preach their religion to be the best.Generally if any one uttered such harsh statements he would go red with rage and argue but he was calm and let her reason out."I was a Hindu.I under went untold miseries." She sounded so dramatic that she made me listen the most puzzling part was that ny dad was still listening.He has innate and developed ability to talk and win anyone to his side.But he silent.May be he has changed.No way he was waiting for the right time just like how a cheetah does before it hunts down its prey.

She went on talking"I have gone to many temples and done many poojas but no result.Then finally one day I decided to become a christian. You see Jesus came in my dreams. "My eyes were not on her but on my father I was noticing his irritation turn into a "Wait ill toss you" look.Him lips were in a straight thin line slowly it was becoming a smile.Of all reactions a smile? That to for my father.Odd I must say."Then..." said my father."Well then, I became a christian and now I am rich and happy with my family.No religion is better than mine"

My father gave a sheepish smile and said"You know what mam, I was a christian before. I had a loss in my business, my child became sick and a lot of misunderstanding in my family.Then I had a vision that Lord Shiva came and blessed me so I became a Hindu.Now i have my own home, you see my daughter is in pink of health now.All is well and good!" He said so paid the vendor and left.I went behind him like a little child.But I did turn to look at the lady she was quite puzzled.I went near my car then only did I realize that I had dropped my handkerchief there hence went back to get it.The vendor said "What your dad said is a lie i think but I do support it not because I am a Hindu but because there is only one God HOPE in form of LOVE."I smiled and left. Thought the rest of the journey I remained silent as I could. However the words uttered by the vendor kept ringing in my head.

A chat to remember

2008-11-16T23:01:00.003+05:30

Exams have drained me out but I still have 3 more to go.I thought that a break from all this will be good.So I freaked out today.I went for a movie,temple,now online.My first intention was to blog.But then I saw ma anni(Sister in law) online and decided to have a small chat.It was like no other chat.Then we started to speak about life and friends here is an extract form if.Please do excuse the abundant use of short cut and Tamil:).Viji I hope you read this,I dedicate this to ma dear anna(I know her because of you) and anni(you are too nice a person):)

viji.rajendran: i always used to be in the company of friends

madhumitha: new place w/o anna n others tuff

viji.rajendran: always surrounded by friends when am away form home

madhumitha: but its an experience

viji.rajendran: yes yes and i have started enjoying it :)

madhumitha: dats the spirit
;)

viji.rajendran: :)
vera enna Madhu
keerthu studies eppadi poradhu?

madhumitha: good

viji.rajendran: hope shes not taking too much of pressure

madhumitha: i m acting like the younger one now a days
she has lost her happiness in pursuit of marks

viji.rajendran: :( thats bad

madhumitha: but it happens at this age

viji.rajendran: i know

madhumitha: marks r the only heros we have nu thonum

viji.rajendran: i know
but its all nothing
which u will understand when u grow old :)

madhumitha: only after we leave skl will we know that what v r is Wat counts
yup
i knw it nw
dats y m not reading 4 a univ exam
lol

viji.rajendran: just keep telling her that

madhumitha: even ma mum tld dat to me

viji.rajendran: yep

madhumitha: i wud listen but ma heart wud nt

viji.rajendran: they know all this right

madhumitha: it is just a passing cloud
it will pass as well

viji.rajendran: :) exactly

madhumitha: actually i used 2 hate ma skl

viji.rajendran: hmmm

madhumitha: but after meeetin so many ppl in lyf iv leant that i was one amoung the blessed
i had undue attention 4m all
parents
staff
principal

viji.rajendran: hmmm

madhumitha: family
frnds
etc
i dont knw

viji.rajendran: u guys r blessed in the way that

madhumitha: nw i dont feel at hme i col

viji.rajendran: u guys have ur moms full attnetion

madhumitha: but wen in office ill love it
lol
yup
my skl was shit strict guz kitta elam i never used 2 talk

viji.rajendran: hmmm

madhumitha: but nw n al sum r ver dear frnds

viji.rajendran: yes

madhumitha: n others r just head ache

viji.rajendran: u know what

madhumitha: but who cares abt em
lol
wat?

viji.rajendran: when u go to cillege....u will understand that school friends r better that coll friends

madhumitha: s

viji.rajendran: cos the kind of bonding is diff when in school and colelge
madhumitha: they were more true

viji.rajendran: same way when u go to work..u will understand that work friends r diff from colelege

madhumitha: the way college frnds behave changes at tyms n it hurts
but i dont care coz the r not my life but jst a part of it
frnds will b many

viji.rajendran: ok

madhumitha: but oly few will stay in our hearts n mind ela

viji.rajendran: yes

madhumitha: i m a soul who talks 2 who all talks 2 me
lol

viji.rajendran: even i do that
i have very few close friends
and lots of good friends :)

madhumitha: but some ppl take it differently
obvious that i wnt talk to some who dont talk 2 me
so they consider me to d the girl with attitude
lol

viji.rajendran: oh okie

madhumitha: dad vera nri so they hav confirmed ;)
but as u said few close frnds who mean a lot 2 me

viji.rajendran: hahahahahhaha

madhumitha: n hav done a lot 4 me

viji.rajendran: that air arnd u
i can tell u

madhumitha: n loads of good frnds 4m whom i can expect a smile even after yrs

viji.rajendran: friends i made in school...are so true till date

madhumitha: s
wat u said is fact

viji.rajendran: they dont seem to change
with so many changs in life

madhumitha: they r always there 4 me

viji.rajendran: even i have seen my dad's friends

madhumitha: true

viji.rajendran: very few ppl who call him as dei
whenever they meet right..i can see a diff dad :)
having fun and enjoying

madhumitha: ma dads frnds n al trt me lik their own daughter at tyms
the called me n wished n all 4 ma marks
dats cute

viji.rajendran: yes

madhumitha: s

viji.rajendran: my dad's friends...who where there when he got married are so attahed to my mom too

madhumitha: the way they tell abt all the rubbish they did when the were young damn cute ela

viji.rajendran: they came for Priyas wedding and all
and they used to make so much fun
enna kala unaku evlo periya ponna?

madhumitha: cute

viji.rajendran: yes yes
they used to pull legs like anyone

madhumitha: i knw it is as if tym froze for them

viji.rajendran: yes
and they usd to cal my dad to ask abt career choices for their children
priya and me are eldest

madhumitha: oh ok

viji.rajendran: so they used to cal me and ask me to talk to their cihldren
abt career opportunity and al

madhumitha: i dnt knw them yet the make me feel at hme

viji.rajendran: there are few ppl
who never change their attitude with money

madhumitha: s few but a vry precious lot
:)

viji.rajendran: yes
to cherish life

madhumitha: money matu ella anni
they think that v change
v dont
v think that they change
they dont

viji.rajendran: yes

madhumitha: it is all just misunderstandin

viji.rajendran: the understanding is lost in between somehow

madhumitha: family needs tym

viji.rajendran: ok madhu

madhumitha: but so do old friends

viji.rajendran: anna is conveygin his regds to u

madhumitha: the joy the giv r coutless

viji.rajendran: just now he finished the call
yes defnintely

madhumitha: the way they held our hand b4 our public xam n gav that smile
the way v used 2 talk sweet rubbish ovr the fone

viji.rajendran: yes
mokkayana mokka

madhumitha: the way we fought over stupid things
shit cute

viji.rajendran: yep

madhumitha: adhu thiripi kedaikadhu

viji.rajendran: but

madhumitha: friend kuda adicha first sight

viji.rajendran: when u see them after years
u will see tht the joy is overwhelming

madhumitha: s i v even cried
oh ma god its nearly 11
dats y m blabberin
lol
generally ill do this with ma frnds

viji.rajendran: okie :)

madhumitha: today ur the prey
lol

viji.rajendran: hahahhahahahahaha
thats ok madhu
u go and sleep then
:)

madhumitha: u dont hav a choice
;)

viji.rajendran: onmce ur exam ius oover
u scrap me

madhumitha: i m ur nathanar

viji.rajendran: the time

madhumitha: i must do some torture ela

viji.rajendran: i will come on;lien
and we can do chat
:)

madhumitha: sure swtie

viji.rajendran: hahahhaha
apram naan anni kodumai seiven :)

madhumitha: no anni kodumai

viji.rajendran: hahahha
ok madhu poi thoongu

madhumitha: no one has heard of such a thing

viji.rajendran: then ur mom will scold me

madhumitha: nooo

viji.rajendran: padikara ponna pottu paduthraenu

madhumitha: daily i sleep at 1
:)
hahaha
2day leave

viji.rajendran: ok

madhumitha: ;)
ok m gonna blog
;)
bi

viji.rajendran: good nite
take care
sdo well in the exams
:)
c ya later

Monsoon times!

2008-11-02T20:16:00.003+05:30

However long it may take,
The long hours that I may stay awake,
I put all that I have at stake,
All this for the smell of success!
I will climb over all hurdles,
The strength for victory is within us.
I will not hide inside like turtles,
I will fight hard and tough,
I will blow against the storm,
Till my last breath huff and puff.
Only victory will retain the calm!
I know that it is not all over,
Even after I win,
New clouds of challenge will hover,
No worries in heart like trash in bin.
With courage I will face,
Each storm one at a time,
For to battle is this place,
I'll do it with a cheerful hymn.
For this life is to experience it all!
Both high and low,
What ever may be the fall,
Or rise make if an ally not a foe,
For there is only one life to love!

Emote our Emotions?

2008-11-02T19:55:00.002+05:30

It happens to everyone. You open a present and find a gift of so little personal interest that you wonder if you got the wrong package. The classic may be clothes presented to a preschooler; who can expect a 3 year-old to smile and say, "Thank you!" upon receiving a sweater? Somehow, we learn the rules about how to accept a gift, regardless of personal interest. Is it just a question of age? Older children are much better at politely thanking the giver than younger children. But gender seems to play a role, too. Girls are also more likely than boys to appropriately thank Aunt Margaret for that ugly sweater.
Jessica Kieras and her colleagues at the University of Oregon wondered if something beyond age and gender would predict children's reactions to bad gifts. Specifically, how able was the child to control behavior in general? Perhaps it's not about knowing the rules, or being a girl, but being able to control your behavior that allows some children to remember their manners.

Let's follow Bea, age 4, as she participates in Kieras et al.'s study. Bea is shown several toys and books and tells the experimenter which she thinks are the best, and worst, in the collection. After about 20 minutes of discussion, as Bea continues answering the experimenter's questions, she is presented with a wrapped gift. Bea opens it to find her favorite toy from the collection, and smiling says an enthusiastic, "Thank you!" New books are discussed, and when she finishes rating them Bea is presented with a second gift. Unfortunately, this time when Bea opens the box it contains what she thought was the worst toy from the collection. She tries to smile and thank the experimenter, but really, she must be thinking, what a drag. After just 20 seconds, the experimenter trades that toy for Bea's second favorite, as established during the initial part of the interview. What a relief! Bea's reactions to the best and worst gifts are videotaped for later analysis, and the experimenter remains silent and neutral after each gift presentation.
Having recorded a sample of Bea's emotional reactions to pleasant and unpleasant gifts, Kieras and her team now want to measure how well Bea can control her body, as opposed to her emotional expressions. They ask Bea to play several different games with them to measure her control. For example, Bea is asked to walk on a ribbon taped to the floor--easy and fun. Next Bea has to walk the same ribbon as slowly as she can. How much Bea can slow down her walk is a simple measure of effortful control. Bea also gets to play a very simple game with the experimenter and a pinball machine: Bea pulls the lever on the machine, and has to wait 10 seconds to see which card the experimenter holds up. A green card means Bea gets to release the ball, but a red card means to keep holding the lever. How well Bea can react to the cards, particularly to not releasing the ball to the red card is another simple measure of Bea's effortful control.

Research assistants were trained to rate the emotional displays from the videotapes of the children (68 children in all, ages 3-5 years-old) along positive affect (things like frequency and magnitude of smiles, and surprise) and negative affect scales (things like disappointment, disgust, and anger). The assistants did not know when they were rating emotional displays to the desirable or undesirable toy, and multiple ratings were done for each child and averaged together for both the positive and negative affect scales. As you might expect, desirable gifts had higher positive affect scores than negative, and undesirable gifts had higher negative affect scores. But the real question is whether the measures of effortful control were systematically related to the children's reactions to undesirable gifts: when presented with their worst option from the toy collection, were the children who showed high levels of control on the ribbon walk and pinball game able to show positive affect, to smile and say, "thank you," as custom demands? A comparison of reactions to the two gifts is the key. In particular, when Bea unwrapped her worst toy, did she smile as much as when she unwrapped her best toy? The smile following the worst toy might involve more effortful control on her part, as she has to work to show the socially acceptable reaction.
Indeed, regression analysis revealed that children with higher effortful-control scores showed smaller differences in positive affect following both toys--their reactions to both toys was more similar than children with lower effortful-control scores. Said another way, children who weren't able to slow their walk down, or wait for the experimenter's signal on the pinball game, showed larger differences in their reactions to the best and worst toys. It's important to keep in mind that each child experienced desirable and undesirable gifts, and so each child acts as her own control. Interestingly, effortful-control scores were not related to displayed negative affect, and they found no effect of gender.
But, you may be asking, what about age? This is a much less interesting result if all the 5 year-olds simply had better manners than the 3 year-olds. Age didn't matter for the emotional displays, but it did for effortful-control scores. The age of the child was not systematically related to how much more smiling occurred following the desirable versus the undesirable gift, and keep in mind that this difference is the key. However, age did predict effortful-control scores, with the older kids scoring higher. What this tells us is that effortful control is more important than chronological age for 3-5 year-olds when they are trying to control their emotional displays in keeping with social custom.
But this isn't just about thanking Aunt Margaret, as important as that is. Being able to control your emotional reactions to situations can help you adapt to new situations, regardless of individual temperament. The fact that emotional displays in young children are related to effortful control brings new insight into differences in temperament, and how parents might want to approach the particular issues they have with their own children. Effortful control may help a shy child say hello and make a friend, and help the outgoing child refrain from hugging a stranger.

The woman in me

2008-11-01T18:20:00.002+05:30

I have long pondered why god put man and woman as one species?They have nothing alike.I have been dazzled and lost by the way the the opposite gender thinks.If you are a guy please don't mistake me I m just puzzled.Long gone are the days when people say"A woman's heart can never be unveiled!"Now a days women are very loud on their thoughts.If they don't like a certain aspect of like the say it out it the blue.Worst case the can at least cry and howl.But my poor men are brought up saying"Crying is for women!""Being sentimental is weak!"

Are the above statements true.Before we implore all of the general concepts held by men let us discuss the myth"Women are weak!"I am a girl born in India.Since my birth I have been brought up in a male patriarchal society.Even in a chart in school on the topic"Family" till date has a mother cooking father reading a newspaper, son playing and daughter sweeping the floor.In India and most other nations till date women are stereo cast into certain jobs.Till present date there are men who cannot accept women in any other profession other than teaching, doctor,actor, nurse, and other forms of arts.Why are there so few women in politics,army,navy?Some of my so called protective men may say that women are too weak they are too tender "We are protecting them!"Oh please! get a life or at least let us live ours.It is all ego.I m not generalizing all them but some evil does exist in the society and we must recognise it in order to banish it.

I cannot speak for all women and what they want but I can say what I have experienced and put in my point of view.One common theory that I put up with daily is that"Women are bad drivers!"Oh my god I have only one question"Are men born with a driver's licence?"They always are of the notion that women are bad drivers .Why so?Here again its ego.Women never used to drive before they used to be dependent on men even for a shory conveyance.But now we have found our wings that has hurt their ego.The the next problem is"Women are bad invsters!"I take this myth as the height of comedy.For the lowest strata to the highest most successful men have women who give them ideas on investment.Women have an inner urge to save for the rainy day.But men however are the more"Life for today type!"I could go on and on but I would not like to hurt the good men out there.

To my observation the above stated facts are true only in certain cases but even thoses rare cases are a pain in the neck and are spoiling the remaining percentage of good men.So if you are one amoung the bad type better change if you are one of the good then help the others be more like you!

Lift Manners?

2008-10-30T19:23:00.004+05:30

I had been to city center in mylapore Chennai recently to see a movie.The show timing was at 7.10 and it got over at around 10.We decided to take the lift because our 67 year old grandmother was rather scared to take the escalator.It seemed to be an endless wait.I am a person who doesn't mind taking the stairs that waiting endlessly.But I did wait as per my mothers instructions.I did insist that I and my sister should take the stairs instead of waiting.But my mother wanted all of us to go together.At long last the lift came but alas! it was full of people.There were a bunch of rural folks who were waiting near the lift.The were like a pack of hyenas guarding the lift entrance.The did not even let people from the lift get out.It was a pitiable sight.I thought that man was evolving to be more civilised and here we are fighting to get into a lift?Are we going to die if we wait for another 5 minutes?I know money is time but I also know that manners make a man humane.

It is not where all this rubbish stops.I am a kind of observer of the man kind I love to spend time to see the different types among our own species.Well the ones I was observing were of the category 'annoying'.The whole bunch of hooligans(I don't generally use offensive words until the deserve it).The lift was on excess load.The operator asked anyone to get down.But no one was ready to all of them kept staring at each other till the operator pointed out two people.Why such insensitivity?Why such lack of etiquette?

Well that is not the end of the game.We got into the lift after a long wait.A father entered with a son and a daughter they had an enormous bag wiht toys n clothes in it form lifestyle.The next floor came the bag was in the way the dad kept daunting the son to move it.The poor boy was only around 6 years of age and lithe.The dad was a round heafty person.He didnt even move a finger,his daughter would have been squashed in all the croud he didnt bother to carry either his 2year old daughter or his bag.Even when we all got down at the basement parking the boy carried the heavybag while the dad when swinging his arms.What a dad!All this is new to me.I have a dad who run's to grab my bag in the airport with a warm hug.I was always taught how to give way since it was lady like.What has this world come to?Where is the manners?