Posts

Going with the Flow ?!?

I was recently reading about Kiran Gandhi , who ran the London Marathon.. not only for a cause, but also for a purpose... something very few of us manage to achieve. Like she puts it, she was facing an otherwise simple decision... whether to run the marathon when she was menstruating.. or to defer her plan of running to the marathon for one more year despite training for it all year long.... and she finally decided to go with the flow. I doubt if even 1% of women would have the courage to do what she did... though associating this act just with courage would also be incorrect. Despite being a totally natural process, menstruation seems to be one of the most taboo issues of today's society, atleast in India.... and it takes an act like this to bring people to atleast start talking about it, even if the discussions are only limited to the social media. I am a woman, and I menstruate... No one can understand what happens during the process, and it cannot be explained eit

Happy Independence Day

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Independence       noun in·de·pen·dence \ˌin-də-ˈpen-dən(t)s\ : freedom from outside control or support : the state of being independent Each of us have a different expectation from our country, and hence, our definition of Independence differs basis our circumstances and experiences. While a large chunk of the Indian population was striving for Independence from Britishers in 1947 (what eventually become the Indian Independence Day), a substantial group of people were striving for a corruption free nation in 2011-12. Though we are all born in the country, our choice of what we associate with the country's Independence varies. While my neighbour who has witnessed the freedom struggle against the British will cherish the sheer independence to do as she pleases, the current generation will cherish the independence to say as they please (something most of us take for granted nowadays).  All I am trying to say is our symbol for Independence provided by the nation being free fr

Time to Change

The recent speech given by Shashi Tharoor at Oxford is simply brilliant... not just because of the courage of putting it across, in interspersed with humour in the Queen's own country, but also for the various points he touched upon, but also the spontaneity with which he connected what he knew, with what the other participants said... even something as trivial as the wifi password was used to make a point. Having said that, it is also strange that even after 60 years of independence, we never miss a chance to blame the British for our current situation. What Tharoor did was oratory.  But if that's our excuse for things not working even now, I think we need to think again. Consider Japan, a nation which was partly wiped out around the same time we got our independence, which has managed to literally rise from the ashes, and done a brilliant job of it too.... Indians have got used to making excuses... first it was the invaders... then the britishers... now our own politi

Fate in the hands of Faith

All of us like to keep faith... in something... in anything... Infact, if there is a single defining phenomenon in the country, it is that we all are patient about almost everything (from putting up to with the antics of corrupt politicians to keeping up with the delay in the repair of roads), and keep faith... As Aamir Khan says in the famous movie, we'd like to believe that All izzz Well ! But I've noticed that we try to obejectify ( I don't think there is any such word, but I can't seem to find an appropriate word which shares the same intent !) our Faith.... As of result of this, a small twig of Tulsi to a Banyan tree end up becoming a place of worship. What starts out with someone keeping flowers, leads on to someone lighting a lamp... and one fine day, the pavement gets cemented, and the area becomes a place of worship, with an idol installed. Ultimately what was actually a pavement/walkway and effectively public property, gets obstructed, with no possible

Curb the Urge

Have you wondered why men tend to urinate on the road...  It doesn't matter which road it is... whether it is adjoining a house, a school or a hospital... but it just looks like they can't hold back when they have the urge.... they just have to unzip and get it done with... And don't live under the illusion that it is a particular section of the society which indulges in this.... Men of all shapes and sizes, sects and races... everyone... and some don't even bother looking for a lone spot.... Have they never wondered for women control their urges ? What would one say if they saw women also squatting on the side of the road !!!! And anyway, if control was the issue, it is time to introduce men to their childhood companions... read diapers :D So the next time you spot someone lightening them self by the road side, just hand him a diaper and ask him to wear one till he reaches home !! 

Reason to Celebrate

What happens when you have been really waiting for something... and it finally happens.... yipee !!! but... hold it... this is not entirely what I wanted... only part of it.... so does that make my joy incomplete ? or is it still a reason to celebrate ??? Maybe the flaw is in the part where I was looking for a reason to celebrate.... actually, this life should be reason enough :)

From Manpower to Wo-manpower

I recently read this article by Gloria Steinem called If Men Could Menstruate. Though I don't entirely agree with all that she says, the nerve she has touched upon is very relevant. We (and it is true for both the East & the West) belong to a male dominated society, where most terms and things, from "mankind" to "manliness" get their term from the male counterpart. Language, unknowingly has a tendency of creating a bias in our minds. Even more ironic is the way the Modi supporters have lashed out at Kavita Krishnan for her showing why she disagrees with the #Selfiewithdaughter movement. Though I don't agree entirely with what she says (yes, again !!), the essence of what she says is spot on...  There are innumerable people, from Sunitha Krishnan  to Malala Yousafzai , who have nearly lost their lives on multiple occasions, fighting for women rights.... but the root cause of the problem is closer home than we realize...  The treatment is the fu

Mind Out of Control

Have you ever encountered someone with a neurological condition in your daily life... It makes me wonder how anyone can cope with something like this... physical disability is one thing.. but mental imbalance due to things beyond your control is scary... My workplace had one such person who is a Schizophrenic, who was recently fired... I have not worked with him ever in close quarters, so I can't say what the "output" of all his work was... but to think that one would suddenly be deemed useless is very scary.. As if to reinforce the emotion, I happened watch Still Alice , an movie nominated for Oscars, for which Julianne Moore, the protagonist, went to win the award for the Best performance for 2014.  It is scary to think that one can slowly (or is it too quickly) lose memories, thoughts, speech and eventually control over our own life... I wouldn't wish a neurological disease on even my worst enemy, leave alone a friend.  But are we doing enough... 

Making a Name

We glide through life.... not realizing what is zooming past....  We want to make a name, but don't realize what we are loosing in the process... In the hope of making a name, we loose the people who would actually remember our name... One lives in the hope of becoming a memory. ~ Antonio Porchia 

Black & White

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There was a time when I believed a person is either Black or White... with no Grey.... Good or Bad, with no ambiguity in that thought... But over time, and space... .and the few years that have gone bad... my theory has now evolved... to maybe conveniently accommodate the grey's.... a person is both black and white... we just chose to be a certain way in a certain environment...  PS: For those who still haven't encountered Escher till date, the above is one of his many hand drawn masterpiece sketches.... This one is aptly titled Day and Night

Arbid Thoughts

we Plan, we Do, we Conquer.. Plan......Do... Conquer... But when this flow of events occur one too many times, I begin to worry.. Call me a pessimist... call it paranoia... But it keeps nagging me, till there is atleast one quirk in the track... like a hiccup once in a while... to know that it will eventually fall in line..

One Fine Day !

It is a curious thing, the death of a loved one.  We all know that our time in this world is limited, and that eventually all of us will end up underneath some sheet, never to wake up. And yet it is always a surprise when it happens to someone we know. It is like walking up the stairs to your bedroom in the dark, and thinking there is one more stair than there is. Your foot falls down, through the air, and there is a sickly moment of dark surprise as you try and readjust the way you thought of things. ~ Lemony Snicket,  Horseradish It is funny how we want to plan everything in life... and yet, no thought is given to the one definite eventuality. I don't mean that we should live in the fear of dying. But maybe we'd enjoy what we have in hand more if we are cognizant of the fact that this is all going to end some day.

Fire in the Mountain.. Run.. Run.. Run..

Zillions of thoughts flying around.. creating the spark needed.. milestones, many, in every direction... several unheeded.... I run, with the hope catch it all And touch whatever I can before my breath runs out Gasping for air, I stop to find... I have missed more than I have found.. And then I sit and wonder if it was all worth it.. and then when my final breath is drawn it comes to me, I nail it... It wasn't to catch or just touch It was all mine to feel.. but I kept running in all sides thinking what is important is the turning wheel !!

Seeking the Goal

All of us, or atleast most of us, have an ambition. For some it is a physical goal, for some a career related goal, and for a philosophical one. Whatever the goal might be, till be make an effort to advance in the direction, it is futile to just hope for fulfillment.Besides what is the point of a goal if one doesn't try to seek it. After all, the fun is in the chase :) If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place. ~ Nora Roberts

Rage of this Age

The levels of aggression and anger that most people are walking around with nowadays is almost scary. I often wonder if I will get beaten incase I accidentally scratch someones car. People now don't have time for words and explanations... they only want an end result... even if the end result is just ending someone's life..  One of the related aspects is also that people have stopped giving it another thought, when they wish to start taking the law into their hands... maybe if there was a fear of punishment, or someone holding them responsible, the incidence might reduce... Such policing  is needed, because our moral compasses are Dead ! We don't think twice before abusing someone.. one mistake by anyone, and we wish to give it back, one way or another... It's just sad how things are shaping up... for all of us.. In all of us !!!

Life

From being mortals to lesser mortals to becoming photographs on the wall... Life just ticks along... and we just realize how time takes us along with it..

A Void

Staring at the blank page for hours I know not what to write Trying to string words together in my head Alas, i don't know what to say This void.. has filled me... and left nothing else inside...

Random thoughts

Have you ever  Stared at vacant spaces and wondered what your purpose in life is... Looked at the innumerable faces and hoped that you'll find some more friends to be with... Smiled at strangers endlessly hoping life will smile back at you... Some would call me to be an eternal optimist... But isn't this the reason we are here ?

Corporate Governance ?!?

Was recently reading an article in the Guardian by William Dalrymple, on how East India Company efficiently moved from being a trading company in Bengal, to one with the largest armies of its times... how a Corporate managed to establish governance.... It is interesting to note that this is a problem being faced by all times. Like he puts it very aptly... "Corporate influence, with its fatal mix of power, money and unaccountability, is particularly potent and dangerous in frail states where corporations are insufficiently or ineffectually regulated, and where the purchasing power of a large company can outbid or overwhelm an underfunded government." As we move towards privatization in all sectors, not because corporates can contribute more, but because the public systems and departments have become very inefficient, it is interesting to note that we are increasing the control of private firms in the working of basic facilities. Though there are many governing bodies,

Sar Uthaa Ke Jiyo

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Interestingly, in a short span of 2 weeks, I've encountered 2 ads which I really liked... Incidentally, both are promotions from Insurance companies (I guess it's that time of the year when Insurance companies peak their ad time).. The first one is from HDFC Life - Apno ko Apne Dum pe Jeena Sikhao, from Leo Burnett... the ad is spot on, because it aptly communicates the need for Life Insurance.... almost like LIC's punchline Zindagi ke saath bhi, Zindagi ke baad bhi, except in a very soft and subtle way...  The second one is from Birla Sunlife - Khud Ko Kar Buland, from Taproot Communication... the ad, through the relationship between a father and his autistic son, touches on the need for insurance, not just for yourself, but those dependent on you.. Both communications have been brilliantly crafted, and leave you with a warm feeling, and an after thought... and the understanding about the necessity of such policies. However, ironically, both these ads h

The Delhi Race

The run up to the Delhi Elections is on...  For the first time, we have 2 highly qualified individuals running for the post of Chief Minister... both with their set of deeds and misdeeds... No matter who wins, I hope they use their intelligence and administrative experience to good use, for the benefit of the capital. And finally, ( in continuation to the previous post ) someone raises their voice , and the court acts :)

Delhi Governance

Suddenly Delhi Municipal Corporation and Police are abuzz with activity. After all THE President of United States of America is coming to town... w hich is why, all of a sudden, all pavements are being painted, all roads are being cleaned, bushes are being trimmed and garbage removed. I guess what meets the eye, is what one remembers in these visits. But what is their explanation for the State to suddenly find funds to rent around 15000 CCTV cameras (some with face recognition as well), which have already been posted in various locations around the city. Clearly, it was a security issue for Mr Obama... However, all the requests from citizens who have been asking the authorities to ramp up security in Delhi seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. It took the Asiad Games for improved roads, the Commonwealth Games for improved sports infrastructure... and looks like we needed a US President's visit to improve security. I hope his visit to Agra will give the local authorities a reaso

Control Me to Control You

Was recently reading an Article on how tears know no gender... however society has always tried to associate tears as a sign of weakness....  I remember mentioning this in an earlier post , and somehow, the thought evokes the exact same emotions...  I am all for privacy of emotions and especially tears. But that doesn't deny anyone the right to shed a tear.. whether in memory, or in heartbreak... On a different, yet somehow related note, assuming all household face the same music, every house takes a certain effort from all members... expecting one person to manage the show is not only difficult, it is unfair... Having said that, each person has their own way of pitching in, which needn't necessary the way you'd want/like it... Also, more often than not, household chores are on a higher priority for women as compared to men.. so while men seek control elsewhere,  women seek control in household issues... I am not sure who is the controller, and who is being controll

Accountability

Being responsible for someone is tough, but taking responsibility for someone is, i think, tougher... No wonder so many of us think a million times before taking the leap of starting a family....  But it seems to be a natural step, a kind of progression of life... from being accountable to someone, to being accountable for someone.... one must complete the circle.... And what does it imply if one begins to look forward to it ?

Job Well Done ?

All of us work... some on our own free will, and some for the corporate world, and a lucky few who manage to achieve both... While I am pondering how to best do the work at hand, I often wonder about the choice to be made... whether to the best I can do with the one opportunity I have to prove myself, or to do a good job leaving some space and energy for other things lined up... Some might argue that every job should be done with an attempt to achieve perfection, and only then do we come close to achieving something worthwhile.... at the risk of sounding lackadaisical, putting your heart and soul into everything at hand is very exhausting....  So I am always left wondering where to give in my 100%... but the balance will get nothing at all....  So much for work - life balance !!!

Responsibility

All of us like to feel that we are responsible beings.... responsible about our family, friends... responsible about the work we do.... there are almost infinite facets.... And each, has a unique sense of satisfaction, almost irreplaceable... But what happens when you've bitten more than you can chew... how does one face the consequences.... when you feel you are duty bound and responsible, but all you want to actually do is run away from the scene....  Is this just a moment of weakness or your gut suddenly giving you signs ???

Healthcare in India

Someone very rightly once said "Health is Wealth". We may be rich or poor, young or old... what makes are life better is a life free of any illnesses. And keeping our body & its wellness intact seems to be becoming an expensive affair... n ot just in India, but globally. People running this business are faced with the problem of deciding between making the business break even v/s doing what the hospital is there for, that is take care of its patients in the best, most efficient way (the two needn't be mutually exclusive though). Since building even a decent hospital/medical care setup takes loads of money, it is but natural for the people taking the initiative to look out to banks.... However, private equities wanting to put in money (and expecting 25 - 30 % returns in exchange) is a dangerous proposition to my mind... Whether it is Max group, Fortis or any of the other ones, one can easily note the trend in their billing...  excessive tests, unnecessary scans

Dependence - Independence

In the hope of helping them, we take their independence away... With the wish of making them feel safer, we hold their hand all the way... Little to we realize that we are actually stifling them... Not letting them do what they want, the way they want... Though the article in HT i read yesterday, by Namita Bhandare talks about the other end of the spectrum, the emotions are the same...

The Child Inside

I bounce around enjoying my time Jumping over fences, kicking stones... I don't care what people think, infact it doesn't even occur to me to bother thinking... Then suddenly, I grow up.. and I feel I realize the stares all around... I realize that girls are not supposed to jump fences & kick stones I am not sure it is good to be aware.. or if it is better to not care... 'cause the society seems to penalize you either way..

Age

Age is a funny thing... It makes us wiser, but gives us lesser opportunities to apply the wisdom... It makes us  more experienced, but rarely provides for people (willing to hear ;))to share this experience with...

Anger

Anger is a funny thing makes you do what you shouldn't makes you wish that you hadn't done it anyway and still doesn't give you the satisfaction of what you wanted

Action.... Reaction...

Watching Haider told a very hard hitting fact loud and clear.. That as a nation, we might think that all the violence is justified... that keeping in mind the bigger picture, it is all for the better... But for those stuck in the middle... the ones actually affected.. they'll always have a different tale to tell.... whether is it Punjab , Kashmir , Assam ...... What we often overlook, is that every action has an equal and opposite reaction... so for such widespread action, there will be a similar mass reaction... waiting to happen somewhere.....

Wavering thoughts

the mindless banter the conscious avoidance the constant look out  wondering what you are upto it feels strange to be so aware of senses beyond my own of a fluttering in my heart and a pace quite unkown I was dangerously close to take the deep plunge to try and please you oh my dear ego !

India under Colonialism

All of us have different views about the British influence on Indian culture.. whether it has done us good.. bad... made us more civilized... English... But whatever one might think, I don't think any of it is worthwhile, at the expense of our Independence.... Different people have come up with different perspectives to the issue, but Shashi Tharoor seems to have nailed the emotion... Below is what he said at a debate in UK on  Indian subcontinent benefited more than it lost from the experience of British colonialism . ------ Last week, on the very day that Scotland was deciding its future, six of us gathered in London to debate the past.  To commemorate the 400th anniversary of the British presence in India -- King James I's envoy, Sir Thomas Roe, arrived at the court of Emperor Jehangir in 1614 -- the Indo-British heritage Trust held a debate, in the chamber of the UK Supreme Court, on the motion "This House believes that the Indian subcontinent benefited mo

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Why do they always teach us that it's easy and evil to do what we want and that we need discipline to restrain ourselves? It's the hardest thing in the world--to do what we want. And it takes the greatest kind of courage. I mean, what we really want. ~ Ayn Rand

Home coming

Home coming is a funny feeling.. We get used to where we are, that where we were seems new again.... never the less, every thing has a memory attached... some sweet, some bitter, and some bittersweet... Can't say I don't miss where I've come from.... but then, I've realized that I miss this too.... No matter how much suffering you went through, you never wanted to let go of those memories. ~ Haruki Murakami

My Mother

Dear Mom, I know that you wish the best for me... and you want everything to be perfect.... You keep taking care of me, whether I tell you or I don't... I understand that you want to protect me from all evil, and want the very best for me always..... But the only way I'll learn is if I make my mistakes.... What may not seem perfect to you, maybe okay for me.... and that's how I start to define my own perfect :) So please bear with me, and my impertinence, when at times, I act like I know what I'm doing.... I may not always do what you want me to, but what you say always stays with me.... So cheer up... because there is only one you.... Love you !! PS: If these are sentiments echoed by others and not just me, I guess its a "Mom"thing :) :D

I believe in You

I may not believe in what you believe... But i believe in you... And to me, that is more important that having to believe in your belief...

Zindagi

Read this recently... struck a chord... मिली थी ज़िन्दगी किसी के काम आने के लिए .. पर वक़्त बीत रहा है कागज़ के टुकड़े कमाने के लिए !!! 

That thought....

What happens when you think that it is all okay... But somewhere, somehow you don't feel it... That there is something brewing in your head, telling you about it... But you just ignore the signs.. We just stop, hoping the moment will pass by... But then realize that it wasn't just a moment !

Gandhi

Gandhi is one of the most critically acclaimed figures of India... I say critically acclaimed because there are almost as many critiques to his ideology as there are followers.... So when he opens the window to his mind and explains his thought process, one can only read with curiosity and intent. I won't say I am a fan or a blind follower of all that this man did... But I can safely admit that I admire some of the things he achieved... And as much as we might criticize him for being over - cordial with Britishers in the initial years, to the final agreement (or should it be called disagreement) over the partition of India, one can't but admire his will power and stubbornness, to achieve what he had set out to do. But the singular thing I'd give most credit to Gandhi ji (or rather The Gandhi) is that he managed to bring the nation together, in a way nobody else could manage, and by doing, what most would have labelled as cowardly action.... Satyagraha. In today

Words

It is amazing how we have an urge to say things... followed by the satisfaction of finally having said it...  followed, more often, by the feeling of regret that one could have avoided saying it in the first place... Words are very tricky... to say something is as risky as not saying it... since once said, it just can't be taken back.... maybe swallowing words in your head is a better option !

Happiness

All of us have different milestones & benchmarks in life... Some want to climb the Everest, some wish to start work of their own... but what if your only wish is to be happy... and that is all you aspire for... does it mean that one has settled for less... that they are less ambitious... or is it simply and endless ladder, since one is never happy.. and we always want better...

Give and Get

I am born.... I will die... This is the only reality.... Whatever I give or get in between, is likely to get rotated/recycled amongst people I know....  Do I "value" everything I get... No... But do I treasure it all... Yes... Atleast I try to... As a result, I accept whatever I get, whomsoever it might be, in my circle of life, who might be giving it to me.... and the same goes to what I give... I don't think twice... Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, While loving someone deeply gives you courage.   ~ Lao Tzu

Guilt

The feeling that seems to be hounding my life the most is guilt... The guilt of not doing something I should have... the guilt of not spending time with friends, parents.... oneself... I guess the source of all happiness is to be free of guilt... No guilt... no nagging thought at the back of my mind... calm and peace.... But more often than not, guilt is a reflection of our own conscience...  which sometimes we tend to ignore for too long... It is the confession, not the priest, that gives us absolution. ~ Oscar Wilde

Quotas

India is a huge country, with varying tastes, traditions and beliefs. From the start, we interact with multiple thoughts and ideas be it faith, festivals or biases. But when these differences turn out to be beneficial for some, and not so for others... when these differences get documented in the constitution as quotas, financials aids, that's the start of the problem. Some might say that these quotas are justified.... If I am from a Brahmin family, where the last many generations are educated (even if it was the Vedas earlier, and English education now), the odds that I would get a fair education as against someone whose last few generations have been fighting for survival.... True... But there is no end to this... with all the differences we have as a society, we will alsways be able to identify some "difference" which will benefit us.... It is important that the government, instead of focusing on such quotas, should try and provide facilities for all.. Providi

Anger

There are always moments when you loose your cool... When for atleast a split second, you want to shout...  make the other person realize how annoyed you are... But is it really worth it ? Afterall, some wise man has rightly said... For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Circle of Life

I am a believer of the ripple effect... Everything we do, has an effect, and the ripple continues... and somewhere it moves a full circle, and what goes around, comes around.... But at the same time, if I am looking to start over, there is no better time than today... since the present will continuously keep becoming the past, and the baggage will only increase with time... Like Oscar Wilde wisely said,  The only difference between the saint and the sinner Is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.

On the Way

While driving, besides following all traffic rules (yaah, that's part of the job !), we rely on the view in front and the rear view mirror to manoeuvre through all the traffic, to reach our destination... sometimes reaching the wrong place, and sometimes slightly late... However, in trying to focus on the rear view for too much, we end up losing sight of what is coming our way... Likewise, not paying any attention to the past, might come and hit you at some point in time.... So it's important to be cognizant of both views, and have a clear destination :)

3 As

There are 3 things needed to achieve anything... Aspiration , Ability & Approach... Most of us seem to concentrate on 2 out of these 3 requirements, leading to partial success, or even failure... Though aspiration is important, it has to be supported by your ability, or atleast someone able enough should be supporting you. The same goes for approach... There is no benchmark for these things I guess... and no tried and tested proportion either...

Year of Change

With the run up to the General Elections in India, it is amazing to see how policies (across states) are being pushed, and decisions are being made. It almost makes you wonder why they were sitting on all of it for the last 4.5 years when they were agreeable to the change in the first place.  Be it the Lokayukta Bill, or the Environmental clearances to 70 odd projects... The running government (please read ruining government ) is making amends in their style, as if the box has suddenly been open, and all decisions will be made overnight. The Aam Aadmi party is attempting to make the phenomenon in Delhi nation wide, and they just might succeed in some pockets... Eitherways, this will be an year of change..  All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

2013.. The Good, the Bad.. the Ugly...

The last week of December always leaves me with a nostalgic feeling... Between looking back at the year gone by... and what the coming year might hold.... So  here's some of the stuff the year brought by... Movie of the year: Jolly LLB & Table No 21 Both movies from lesser known directors.. and none of the cliched A league stars.... but both Jolly LLB & Table No 21 proved that if you've got the right story, and directors & actors to pull it through, the audience will shower praise... I think such cinema is the biggest boon multiplexes have given us. Most hyped book of the year : The Oath of the Vayuputras I understand the emergence of this cult of authors who have taken to writing plots intermingled with ancient history/mythology... I guess the trend was started by Dan Brown internationally, and successfully encashed by Amish Tripathi & Ashwin Sanghi amongst other....  But with this book, Amish stretched the concept (which sounded like a nice one in t

Delhi Elections

AAP has taken the Delhi political scene by storm. Its an affirmation, not just that everyone is fed up of the corrupt ways of the stereotypical political leaders.. its also proof that when someone suggests a change, the common man (literally) has the courage to extend support and stand by the change... No one thought Aam Aadmi Party would come so close to getting majority in the state elections , within one year of their formation... I was recently watching an interview by Barkha Dutt, where she was questioning Kejriwal about the way forward.  There is no doubting the motive or honesty of Arvind Kejriwal , or the genuine intent in representing the issues faced by the common man. Now that they have achieved a milestone, they need to put in some serious thought into how they plan to achieve what they have so successfully started.... a movement by the people, for the people... Its time to convert their idealism into more tangible, practical solutions... else what has risen so

Dil Aakhir Tu Kyu Rota Hai..

Seem to be in this mode of enjoying shayari..  What better way than this... Jab jab dard ka baadal chhaya Jab gham ka saya lehraaya Jab aansoo palkon tak aaya Jab yeh tanha dil ghabraaya Hum ne dil ko yeh samjhaya Dil aakhir tu kyun rota hai? Duniya mein yun hi hota hai Yeh jo gehre sannate hain Waqt ne sabko hi baante hain Thoda gham hai sabka qissa Thodi dhoop hai sabka hissa Aankh teri bekaar hi nam hai Har pal ek naya mausam hai Kyun tu aise pal khota hai Dil aakhir tu kyun rota hai Credits: Lines written by Javed Akhtar for Farhan Akhtar in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

Talaash

Recently read these lines...  Apne gham ki numaish na kar, apne naseeb ki aazmaish na kar... jo tera hai tere paas khud aaega, har roz usse paane ki khwaish na kar... Chuu le tu aasmaan, zameen ki talaash na kar.. jee le tu zindagi, khushi ki talaash na kar.. Taqdeer badal jaegi apne aap he aey dost.. muskurana seekh le, wajah ki talaash na kar... So true....

Vote.. Please !

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In today's world, we seem to take our freedom, our democracy for granted... Maybe it's because our generation hasn't fought for it.....  or maybe, we haven't seen the other side...  That's why, Polling day has just become another Holiday,when most of us just unwind, and don't bother to Cast the Vote.. the reason why we have been given a day off in the first place.... The other worrying part is the total ignorance on the part of the voter, as to what is happening all around us... We are ever-ready to crib about the corrupt politicians, misbehaving cops and pathetic civic amenities, but won't open our ears to be aware about what is happening, or lift a finger to vote... This combined ignorance and laziness will cost us our freedom someday. Please Vote !!! It is one of the few chances we get as citizens to express our opinion !

Fresh Blood

Just whiling away time on the internet, I came across this website Friends2Support , which allows you to list yourself as a blood donor, and also look for one. In today's world of PE's, it makes me feel nice, and reinforces my faith in new ventures... when entrepreneurs take the plunge and not just generate revenue, but manage to touch the needs of our society.. Do go the website & signup....

Stranger Help !

In the middle of hustling bustling traffic, my car broke down. Not only did the cop not create a scene, he pushed it to a bylane, with the help of few strangers.. The surprises the day threw up didn't end there... 4 - 5 drivers waiting around helped restart the car when I  opened the bonnet to look for the possible fault... and finally an inquisitive student just came by, and literally plugged the problem... Don't have enough words to thank them all... Didn't know any of them, but am sure to remember how they helped me yesterday !  So the next time I am on the road, and I find someone in need of some help, I'll stop for sure... Because I am a firm believer.... What goes around, comes around..