Leaf's departure is because of Wind's pursuit. Or because Tree didn't ask her to stay !

I would like to share with you a very romantic Chinese article about leaf, tree & wind. The article is in Cantonese. And for all the readers a direct broken English translation is present to the rescue. It's a very long read. I really love the verse "Leaf departure is because of Wind pursuit. Or because Tree didn't ask her to stay". If you fall for somebody don't pretend that it didn't matter. Love is something that t you can’t afford to have mind games. Quickly tell your love, you love him/her so much.

Tree

People call me "Tree".

I had dated 5 girls when I was in Pre-U. There is one girl who I love a lot but never dared to go after. She didn't have a pretty face, good figure or an outstanding charm. She was just a very ordinary girl. I liked her. I really liked her. I liked her innocence, her frankness, her intelligence and her fragility. Reason for not going after her was that I felt somebody so ordinary like her was not a good match for me. I was also afraid that after we were together all the feelings would vanish. I was also afraid other's gossip would hurt her.

I felt that if she were my girl, she'd be mine ultimately & I didn't have to give up everything just for her. The last reason, made her accompanying me for 3 years. She watched me chase other girls, and I have made her heart cry for 3 years. She was a good actor, and me a demanding director. When I kissed my second girlfriend, she bumped into us. She was embarrassed but smiled & said, "Go on!" before running off.

The next day, her eyes were swollen like a walnut. I did not want to know what caused her to cry. Later that day, I returned from soccer training to get something & watched her cry in the classroom for an hour or so. My fourth girlfriend did not like her.

There was once when both of them quarreled. I know that based on her character she is not the type that will start the quarrel. However, I still sided my girlfriend. I shouted at her & ignored her feelings and walked off with my girlfriend. The next day, she was laughing & joking with me like nothing happened. I know she was hurt but she did not know deep down inside I was hurt too.

When I broke up with my fifth girlfriend, I asked her out. Later that day, I told her I had something to tell her. I told her about my break up.

Coincidentally, she has something to tell me too, about her getting together. I knew who the person was. His pursuit for her had been the talk of the School. I did not show her my heartache, just smiles & best wishes. Once I reached home, I could not breathe. Tears rolled & I broke down. How many times have I seen her cry for the man who did not acknowledge her presence?

During graduation, I read a SMS in my hp. It said, "Leaf's departure is because of Wind's pursuit. Or because Tree didn't ask her to stay"

Leaf

People call me “Leaf”.

During the 3 years of Pre-U, I was on very close terms with a guy as buddy kind. However, when he had his first girlfriend, I learnt a feeling I never should have learnt - Jealousy. Sourness to the extreme limit. They were only together for 2 months. When they broke up, I hid my happiness. But after a month, he got together with another girl.

I liked him & I know he liked me. But why won't he pursue me? Since he loves me why didn't he make the first move? Whenever he had a new girlfriend, my heart would hurt. After some time, I began to suspect that this was one-sided love. If he didn't like me, why did he treat me so well? It's beyond what you will normally do for a friend. I know his likes, his habits. But his feelings towards me I can never figure out. You can't expect me a girl, to ask him. Despite that, I still wanted to be by his side. Care for him, accompany him, and love him. Hoping that one day, he will come to love me. Because of this, I waited for him. Sometimes, I wondered if I should continue waiting. The pain, the dilemma accompanied me for 3 years.

At the end of my 3rd year, a junior pursued me. He pursued me every day. He's like the cool & gentle wind, trying to blow off a leaf from a tree.

In the end, I realized that I wanted to give this wind a small footing in my heart. I know the wind will bring the leaf to a better land. Finally, leaf left the tree, but the tree only smiled & didn't ask me to stay.

Leaf's departure is because of Wind's pursuit. Or cause Tree didn't ask her to stay.

Wind

Because I like a girl called leaf. Because she's so dependent on tree, so I have to be a gust wind. A wind that will blow her away. When I first met her, it was 1 month after I was transferred to this new school. I saw a petite person looking at my seniors & me playing soccer. During ECA time, she always sat there. Be it alone or with her friends, looking at him. When he talked with girls, there was jealousy in her eyes. When he looked at her, there was a smile in her eyes. Looking at her became my habit.

One day, she didn't appear. I felt something missing. I can't explain the feeling except it's a kind of uneasiness. The senior was also not there as well. I went to their classroom, hid outside and saw my senior scolding her. Tears were in her eyes while he left. The next day, I saw her at her usual place, looking at him. I walked over and smiled to her. Took out a note & gave to her. She was surprised. She looked at me, smiled & accepted the note.

The next day, she appeared & passed me a note and left. It read, "Leaf's heart is too heavy and wind couldn't blow her away."

"It's not that leaf’s heart is too heavy. It’s because leaf never wanted to leave the tree." I replied her note with this statement and slowly she started to talk to me & accepted my presents & phone calls. I knew that the person she loved was not me. But I had this perseverance that one day I will make her like me. Within 4 months, I had declared my love for her no less than 20 times. Every time, she would divert away from the topic. But I never gave up. Although I knew, she would try to divert but I still bore a small ray of hope. Hoping that she will agree to be my girlfriend. I didn't hear any reply from her over the phone. I asked, "What are you doing? How come you didn't want to reply?" She said, "I'm nodding my head". "Ah?" I couldn't believe my ears. "I'm nodding my head" She replied loudly. I hung up the phone, quickly changed and took a taxi and rushed to her place & pressed her doorbell. As soon as she opened the door, I hugged her tightly.

Leaf’s departure is because of Wind’s pursuit. Or because Tree didn't ask her to stay...

PS: This story was forwarded as an email and its actual source is unknown.

"Quarter Life Crisis"

It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start realizing that there are many things about yourself that you didn't know and may not like. You start feeling insecure and wonder where you will be in a year or two, but then get scared because you barely know where you are now.

You start realizing that people are selfish and that, maybe, those friends that you thought you were so close to aren't exactly the greatest people you have ever met, and the people you have lost touch with are some of the most important ones. What you don't recognize is that they are realizing that too, and aren't really cold, catty, mean or insincere, but that they are as confused as you.

You look at your job... and it is not even close to what you thought you would be doing, or maybe you are looking for a job and realizing that you are going to have to start from the bottom and that scares the hell out of you.

Your opinions have gotten stronger. You see what others are doing and find yourself judging more than usual because suddenly you realize that you have certain boundaries in your life and are constantly adding things to your list of what is acceptable and what isn't. One minute, you are secure and then at the next moment, insecure.

You laugh and cry with the greatest force of your life. You feel alone and scared and confused. Suddenly, change is the enemy and you try and cling on to the past with dear life, but soon realize that the past is drifting further and further away, and there is nothing to do but stay where you are and move forward.

You get your heart broken and wonder how someone you loved could do such a damage to you. You lie in your bed and wonder why you can't meet anyone decent enough that you want to get to know better. Or maybe you love someone but love someone else too and cannot figure out why you're doing this because you know that you aren't a bad person. You want to settle down for good because now all of a sudden that becomes top priority. Getting wasted and acting like an idiot starts to look pathetic. You begin to think a companion for life is better than a hundred in the shack and for once you would not mind standing tall for that special someone which otherwise you had never thought of until now.

You go through the same emotions and questions over and over, and talk with your friends about the same topics because you cannot seem to make a decision. You worry about loans, money, the future and making a life for yourself... and while winning the race would be great, right now you'd just like to be a contender!

 

We are in our best of times and our worst of times, trying as hard as we can to figure this whole thing out.

 

We call it the "Quarter-life Crisis."

People are really mean

People are really mean out here. And by that I mean LITERALLY.

They have a work with you and you are God to them. And that work is done, you are no more than a piece of flesh. It is really a mean and selfish world out here. I might be exaggerating just because I got to experience it, out of many experiences, but this is a fact for most of the times.

I just don’t know what do people get by being so rude, mean and selfish in life. I just don’t understand the hell of it. And I am bloody pissed off.

May be see you later when I am in a good mood.

Happy Independence Day !!!

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high

Where knowledge is free

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments

By narrow domestic walls

Where words come out from the depth of truth

Where tireless striving stretches its arm towards perfection

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way

Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit

Where the mind is led forward by thee

Into ever-widening thought and action

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.

-          Rabindranath Tagore

Freedom at the stroke of midnight was not something that was achieved by fluke 62 years ago. It was a well pre-planned and life straining effort. The effort of thousands of people, planning of the master minds, at the stake of lives of several innocent fellows, bills actions and movements of varied individuals and aspirations, without saying a word against anyone, on the path of Satyagraha and led by a thin man who barely had any clothes on his body drove us to the path of Freedom. We as young citizens can just imagine (probably can’t even do that) what freedom could mean and that too only on days like 26^th January and 15^th August. The next day arises and the same old story continues.

But it probably took much MUCH more than what we have read, thought or imagined by ourselves or for that matter any movie or book might have illustrated. It took their entire life. It is probably the costliest thing we are bearing while taking a breath in an independent India. Woh kehte hai na, hume viraasat mein mili hai Aazaadi. But do we truly respect this independence? I don’t think so. I am not here to debate on this topic. Only grave concern is we just don’t know what is the true spirit of freedom. Probably every aspect of today’s modern life is governed by this independence even if we have no (even the slightest) clue of it. There are still ill practices all throughout India in some corner or the other. There are still many things in this nation which seeks our attention. Corruption, child labor, bribes, dowry, child marriage and probably many more which we are not even aware of. Right? We (and I mean a literal WE; as in united) need to do something in this path to stand true to be called as an Indian. Just by writing our nationality as Indian in our resumes and by boasting of being an Indian when India-Pak match is going on, only makes us an Indian and not a true Indian. A thing done is worth more than thousand things said. I would die happily if I do one thing in my entire life before I die that would please me and my nation in some or the other way. And then imagine, if all of us have similar goals like this what would 1.15 billion junta of India would be able to do. We need a RDB scheme in some aspects of today’s modern world to make India grow better. And then I would be proud to say that I love my country.

Let us be proud of our country, let’s show respect in its success. Let’s keep our head high in glory for its developments. Let’s be boastful about its metros in Kolkata and Delhi, the backwaters and nature in Kerala, the IT hub in Bangalore, the BSEs and NSEs in Mumbai, the infrastructure in Andhra, the strong government in Gujarat, the tactics is J&K, the legislature in Chandigarh, the scenic beauty in Himachal,  Assam and Kashmir and about all other states and UTs which form our motherland. Lets stand united against every evil pointing to us and make India grow long, strong and prosperous.

A grande salaam to all those who devoted their lives so that today we can breathe free air. What a cost they have paid for liberating us.

I would like to quote few lines here:

A brief candle; both ends burning

An endless mile; a bus wheel turning

A friend to share the lonesome times

A handshake and a sip of wine

So say it loud and let it ring

We are all a part of everything

The future, present and the past

Fly on proud bird

You are free at last.

JAI HIND

5 Reasons not to Panic about Swine Flu

The world has learnt a lot about swine flu - much more than was known about previous pandemics, and much more rapidly. And technology allows instant sharing across the globe. Based on worldwide experience documented by scientists, here are 5 solid reasons why you should not panic:

1 Low Fatality: Out of over 2 lakh cases worldwide, the number of deaths is just short of 1,900, or, less than 1%. WHO says many countries are no longer recording confirmed cases. Actual number of cases might run into many more, which would bring down the number of people dying of swine flu to much lower than 1%. Many of the deaths are also due to underlying conditions or complications. In short, swine flu is not a killer disease like TB (death rate 3.5%) or respiratory diseases (death rate 11%). There is more likelihood of death in a traffic accident (1.8%) or a fire (1.4%) than by catching swine flu

2 Moderate Symptoms: Fear of suffering is next only to fear of death. Swine flu causes aches, fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose and in some cases vomiting. All this will make you (and your family) pretty miserable if you do get infected. But it's no different from having a severe case of common flu or cold. And, the symptoms can be reduced by taking (under doctor's guidance!) suitable painkillers and analgesics. Compare this to the suffering caused by diseases like malaria or cancer or by a stroke

3 Short Duration: The illness lasts up to a week in most cases. In some cases it may be shorter. It won't haunt you for a month or two like jaundice or typhoid. For this week you will suffer some isolation, but mainly you will be resting throughout, and having lots of fluids. No injections, no drips, no constant testing. Tamiflu is there, but studies show it only reduces the duration by one to two days

4 Complete Recovery: After the fever goes away on its own, you will feel weak for a few days — then back to normal. There are no lingering effects, no scars, no slow road to recovery. No future complication — in fact, you would have strengthened your immunity to the flu. You can start interacting with others within 24 hours

5 Panic Creates Problems: If you panic, rush around, crowd hospitals at the slightest sneeze, you might end up increasing the chances of actually getting swine flu. Besides, you will be unnecessarily choking the stretched medical system. Swine flu is a disease, not the end of the world. Treat it with respect and deal with it

 

 

Source - http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Private-hospitals-reluctant-to-join-battle-against-H1N1/articleshow/4884102.cms?curpg=2

 

Get Going ....

Too many times we stand aside and let lean waters slip away,

What we have put off till tomorrow has now become today,

So don’t you sit upon the shore line and say you are satisfied,

Chose to change the rapids and dare to dance the tide!

Gone like a Black Hole

It all began good with a big bang,
With rain, bush, wood and a gang

We came into existence as great friends,
Travelling on a road which had no ends

For me, you became a huge domain,
Everything meaningful, and a good game

In my orbit, you were the captain star,
With no one around far away and far

Exemplifying team ups, friendship and good spirit,
We stood ultimately true on it

Then an asteroid struck you,
And I just could not protect you

You were gone as if you did not even exist,
May be you were angry that you were ditched

I tried to console and hold back on you,
But you were no longer seen in the darker hue

Now I just cry, rotate and revolve,
So that, misunderstandings I could solve

One loss of hope and lightning struck,
Blinded me with lack of luck

Could not revert back the loss of you,
My existence is now all more blue

I keep on orbiting still with hope,
Just assure me there is still a bit of hope

You always reflected my entire soul,
But now you are gone like a black hole.

Being Departed

My mood today: Extremely sad, depressed and lonely. Feeling very bad and very low for all the obvious reasons.

And when I am in this deep shit, you guys bring back smile to me. It will be 3 years now that we have known each other. And inspite of regular ups and downs in our lives, relations, our friendship has sneaked the peak of so called glory and reached new heights every time.

I got the first blow of it when I was about to leave all of you and head towards Bangalore. It was only me who knew what I was actually going through at that moment. The only feeling of partying ways was something more than suicidal for me. I am a bad digestor of all this stuff. It was like I was being betrayed by the very time. But they say, distance makes us grow fonder. Bangalore was an ultimate lesson of life for me. After 5 prosperous months in Infosys Mysore campus with all the necessities being spoon fed right from friends, Bangalore gave me the necessary setback to understand myself and my life more closely and seriously. I was all alone there which enabled me to think on various aspect deeply and ethically. It is like, when you near death you never lie, you never hate, you only love. And I was in the same trauma of life. Then I knew what friendship meant. Then I knew what family meant. Then I knew what true love meant. When I had nothing with me, I began to treasure everything with utmost care. It was like realizing the value of light when you have just turned blind.

Few weeks prior to leaving for Bangalore, Vaidya was to leave for Hyderabad. And I remember crying the hell out of me just while seeing him going. I do not remember I have ever cried for a guy and that too so much and that too in front of almost 100 people. But this is something I just cannot handle at all. That parting memory is still fresh in my mind as probably a lesson God wanted me to learn so that I can be more considerate.

Days passed, and I got myself transferred to Pune to live my dream life, and yes I did. Thanks to God. Rahul used to wake me up every morning and I felt so lovely about his gentle way of doing that. coz I remember how I was treated while being waked up every morning back at home. He left for UK and it was going to be almost for a year. He had a dampened heart though he tried to hide, but life goes on (these are the 3 words I hate the most in my life ... I fu**kingggggg hate it). He left from office itself and I could not go back to my cubicle. I was still unable to understand and digest the fact that I won’t be seeing him again, atleast for 10 months.

Shree remained neutral on all this, I never knew why. May be it did not matter him that much, or maybe he did not want to reveal it to us. We all made a great team. It was like partners in every crime.

But we had to depart every single time we were united. Days rolled on and I decided to leave Infosys and shift to Mumbai. I knew for myself, what this decision meant for me. I was about to leave what I chose with my heart 2 years back and rather go for a path which my brain wanted me to go for. Believe me, never agree to your brain if your heart has an equally strong decision for you. You will seldom be happy that way. I left Infy, Pune, friends, colleagues and most importantly I probably left my life there to chase the real life here.

Just want to tell you guys, missing you like hell. If I could do anything to be with you all again, believe me, I would go any far to do that. Love you loads. :-(

From Infosys to Politics - Nandan Nilekani

From an INFOSCION to a POLITICION - Nandan's Chronicles

Continuing my tryst with capturing the life and times of Nandan Nilekani in his new avatar as a Cabinet Minister, here is what he had penned after his first day in the Parliament. The last entry stopped when the House was just about to begin. Let’s see what happened thereafter….

The House was in pin drop silence. I was brimming with anticipation and excitement!!!! Manmohan had informed me that my introduction was one of the important points of the agenda. I hoped that I will be able to make my speech properly. After so many interviews and conferences, I was nervous today!!!! After the Speaker indicated that the proceedings of the House could begin, Manmohan formally introduced me to the entire House. He mentioned that as the head of the Unique Identification Authority of India, I was responsible to ensure that each and every Indian had a digital smart card as a proof of his existence.

Manmohan spoke about why I was selected and also some references to the various projects executed by me in Infosys were mentioned. The House listened with rapt attention. I was asked to say a few words and I did exactly the same!!! I thanked the Government of India for having given me this opportunity and I assured the House that I would strive to successfully deliver this project. The Speaker then formally inducted me into the House and before the proceedings could move any forward, there was a small commotion on the other side of the hall.

It was Minister of Textiles who had a comment to make before the next point on the agenda. He made a request that I should be attired in a more austere way instead of a flashy suit. It did not go well with the image of a minister who should live to serve the common man and should be less ostentatious in his habits. I stood up to reply. I offered my apologies to the Honorable Minister and assured that I shall be in a more acceptable dress next time. I felt that he was right. We also used to have corporate dress code in Infosys. So it's here as well!!!!

I sat down and felt somebody nudging me. I turned around and to my surprise; it was the former Indian skipper and one of my favorite batsman Mohd. Azharuddin. I remembered that he had recently won the elections. I smiled at him and mentioned to him that I used to like his game very much, shaking his hand. No Rolex, I noticed. Azhar told me that he would “fix” me an appointment with an Italian designer who had designed his dapper Kurta suit. An Italian designer in Milan doing Kurtas!!!!! I made a note of this and reminded myself to give this example to Friedman for his next book,” The World Markets are flattened”.

Since there was no doubt about the “Fixational” capacities of Azhar, I told him to give me the details and I would consider. The proceedings of the House went on with numerous bills being debated and passed as I sat as a passive audience waiting for my project’s turn to come up. After the lunch break, it was the moment for me!!!!

MY PROJECT”S FIRST REVIEW CAME UP FOR PRESENTATION.

I was at sea. My laptop did not have any reserve power. I went to Manmohan and apprised him of the situation. I was sweating. He calmly replied that this would not be a cause of concern. I was flummoxed!!!! The Speaker asked me to explain to the House on what were my plans for the Unique Identity Project. I replied that I have a plan prepared for 30-60-90-120 days’ milestones and I have presentation to make for which I need a power socket, a projector and a screen. I had no idea what was going to happen after this.

The next couple of minutes were a complete jolt for me. I was completely in a tizzy. Let me just summarize what happened. A Joint Cabinet Secretary Committee was set up to judge the feasibility of my request. The Under Secretaries for the Ministries of Power, IT and Broadcasting will prepare a Viability Report after scrutinizing National Security threats to my request. This was because the power socket comes under Power, laptop comes under IT and projector comes under Broadcasting. I have also been told to reconsider my timelines of 30-60-90 days and start thinking in terms of years. Probably, they are right. I did not have the foresight in this matter.

The summary of the issue is that I need to come up with a more inclusive, democratic, comprehensive long term plan for this project to be executed over the next five years. I have also been given a presentation slot 3 months from now (by which the issues related to the power cord etc will also be resolved). I am filled with mixed reactions. I was planning for a quick resolution; the management wants a strategic solution. I come out of the House and text Murthy.

“You won’t believe it but these guys work just like us. I am on a NATIONAL BENCH for the next three months!!!!!!!!”

PS: This story was forwarded to me via email. Its actual source is unknown.

Laid back life ....

I have always been wondering why do people rush all the time? Why do they always need to be in hurry? Why do they always have to look tensed. And now, when I am in Mumbai, it is truly justified. Even if you are not in hurry, the pace around you makes you one amongst them.

I have always been a lazy kind of person and having said that I hate hurries. I would rather leave home early to catch a train than leaving in hurry at the last minute to run for it. But everything has changed after coming to Mumbai. Now, I am one of those kinds. You won’t work unless you are on fire. And same is my case to an extent. And I hate being like that. But it is probably the Mumbai spirit of ‘keep walking’ even if you don’t want to.

I was tired of the very feeling and had to break to survive. And then GOA happened to me. Yes, it ‘happened’ to me. Just four of us, and we had the time of our lives. It wasn’t the first time I was visiting Goa, but it was never such a boon for us. I think Goa is synonymous to ‘laid back life’. No one has to do anything with your business. Just go there, with a can in one hand and keep on chilling. The literal feeling of ‘get chilled’ was discovered in Goa.

Far away from home, no setbacks, no jhanjhat, no phone calls, no work, no tension, it was like complete peace of mind and hence the body. I just wonder if Goa could be so pacifying to our souls, how great would be chanting in Himalayas? And hence, I have made a plan of visiting Himalayas in next 2 years or so (I am not that long term planner, but I am mostly unsure about my plans, so such a huge time frame to be safe :-)) … I want to experience life over there. With no one to sit on your head and shout to have your dinner on time, or to pay the bills, or to give your vehicle for servicing, or your manager frequently bothering you to complete the work. Its total recall from all these things. Just you and the beautiful yet sometimes scary nature.

I want to live life the laid back way. With no bothering, no follow ups, no to do lists, nothing. Get up whenever I want, do whatever I want to do or for a reason, do nothing. God bless Goa for making me realize that life rests not in concrete but nature, that life is not taking but giving, that life is more than running from life itself, life is more to be happy than to be sad. Life is more in smiling than in frowning. Life is more to love than to hate. And life is more to enjoy than to crib otherwise.

I would conclude with a saying that I love the most, which also appears as a marquee at the bottom most part of my blog-page, which is truly a short snap of what life should really REALLY be:

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways – with a glass of wine in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming”.

Breath of life ....

Venue: Training Room 4, Mumbai 4, My Office.

Purpose: To hear some stuff on 'Professional Effectiveness'

Duration: 16 Hrs

Friends, after this introduction, what do you think this is going to be? Won't it be boring? Isn't it something we usually try and succeed to avoid in our lives? Yes, at least I think the same. Why to take an effort, break the jinx and be a part of something just for filling our calendars and probably gain nothing (may be something which we will surely avoid using)? Right?

I thought let's give a chance for the only matter of fact that I believe, being in different places at different times will give me something to feed my blog. And that it is. I got more than something not only for my blog, but for my learning and life too.

Being a big fan of cinemas, the very first block of ice was broken for me when I learned that my trainer is a film director; a handsome man with a charming personality – his name is Pratish Nair from Crossroads Training Solutions. I was ready to give it a risk. Things went on pretty smoothly with sessions on various activities like team building, leadership, some profound information on keen subjects, debates, dance, singing and it was worth an experience.

I find a deep curiosity in people. If someone is smiling, I have always wondered how can he be smiling all the time. If someone is so beautiful, how can she be so awesomely beautiful. and my curiosity was pleasured by every passing hour as I came to know something about each individual there.

I found Pratish was more than awesome, for I learnt probably the simplest of all the qualities – to keep smiling no matter what, which I find as the most complex thing to imbibe in myself. He managed it superbly, blending his aura with people's experience there giving an overall output of zeal and breath of life.

People were and are always amazing. To name a few, Gaurav was sporty with whatever came in front (how can I not start with him :P), Debashish was the guy of the session, Navin and Rupendra were like chalte firte Google. They both were so amazing with statistics, one after another and a big bang. It was like a tight slap on everyone's mouth and all were dumbstruck. Purnima was the talking lady, I think she talked even more than Pratish :-). Amazing communicator with awesome hold on her language, so was Parul. The best thing of Parul, which I liked was she was so easy with emotions. So stern and firm while talking on serious issues and so jolly while dancing. Kalpesh was the question bank. He had a question even for 'why was this training being held'. Preeti was like the girl next door, she had so much to talk about but she was hardly allowed to talk by everyone. Girls, can talk so much. They don't even need a topic and they can go for hours and hours. That always make me feel that girls can always be good orators than guys, but haven't been exemplified yet in the history. Tarak and Parag were like the cool and composed guys. Pradeep was down to earth. Suleman was another quiet guy with firm feelings just like Deepak. Darshana the French tutor and Pragya – who also had so much to talk about. And not to miss Prachi – the 1983 girl. I found her most cutest, (no hard feelings Prachi). A truly cosmopolitan – Bengali by birth and married to a Hindu. Suresh who was termed Obama was selective and Micky was the girl with a bang. She usually kept quiet, but when she opened her mouth, it was for a rock solid reason. She conveyed exactly what she wanted to. Antonete is an Anglo – Indian which itself made her charming. Sujata was a family person strongly and accurately exemplifying today's Indian women. Hats off to you lady. Rohit, I found him serious but he was according to me the most knowledgeable guy along with Navin and Rupendra. And about me, I was quiet until I was presented with a 'Section 377' tag :P

I have scratched my brain more than usual to remember the names, and please forgive me if I have missed someone, which definitely I have. Deepali was the organizer of this plethora of experience bank and thanks a tonne for that Deepali. And the big show man was Pratish. Brilliant dressing sense. The second most flattering thing about him (besides his smile) was his Spanish accent in the middle of nowhere and it was damn impressive. He is so much to take from.

I am damn sure, we all will remember him and the session for a lifetime. He is writing and script for a bollywood film titled '3D' to be directed by him. A PNC production with Ranvir Shorey, Vinay Pathak and Rajat Kapoor. I am damn sure it is going to be a great success and we all wish you all the best Pratish.

Thanks for filling us with hope, positive air, removing the junk from our brains and most importantly for helping us breathe again giving us fresh life. Thanks a lot.

And friends, we would be meeting soon.

P.S.: No offence meant and no personal grudges. These are truly friendly views and comments and please do not take them to your heart.

Fighting death

I have already wet my eyes even before writing this blog.

 

One of our colleagues in office, Alfred was told by the doctors that he will have only 5 more months to live.

 

Alfred is young at heart and soul type of person. He is young, intelligent and loved by all. He has a beautiful wife and small cute little kids. He is suffering from cancer. Initially he was told that he would be cured by the much painful chemotherapy treatment which he was undergoing. Today he went to hospital for initial discussion with the Oncologist just to discover that he has only 5 months more to live. He does not believe in it. He firmly believes that there is more to life because he just feels better.

 

Few months back, he was totally a man full of life and enthusiasm and now a sudden change of fate has drowned the hopes to depth. It is all in the hands of God, when He roars no one says anything.

 

Then too, I would pray for to the Almighty that Alfred gets more on life and wish that doctors are wrong in predicting his expiry and may he live longer to fulfill all his dreams and support his family. And I really want this magic to happen to him.

 

God bless you Alfred. May you live longer.

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ICC World Twenty20 England '09 exclusively on YAHOO! CRICKET

People in India, I admire the most - Sachin Tendulkar

“Commit all your crimes when HE is playing. Because even God is watching.”

 

I would probably commit an injustice to myself if I had not begun to this series without God. Every new and good things are to be started with the name of God is what we follow as a ritual here in India. Less of a ritual and more of a respect here. Yes, God here means Sachin Tendulkar.

 

I am not going to write in something extra-ordinary or something which is special or unknown to anyone. Because He is a kind of genre which is known by almost everyone in India, and why in India itself, over the entire world (well at least the cricket playing nations). Having completed 20 years in International Cricket, He is no doubt a legend to all of us. People’s love knows no bounds when it comes to Him, such is His aura.

 

Ever heard of Tendulkar fixed in news except the Ferrari incident? NO. And BTW Ferrari incident was something which was not His fault.

Ever heard of Tendulkar being banned or disqualified for matches due to indecent behavior? NO.

You name a negative thing and Tendulkar won’t be even besides it. Extremely clean and charismatic character, a boy with King Midas feature. He turned every moment in cricket into gold for His fans. We Indians are so sensitive about cricket, it being our religion. Even if we know at the bottom of our hearts that India is going to lose a match for sure, we have this unprecedented ray of hope shining from nowhere beneath us just because God is still on crease. He might not make India win it, but then too we have faith in His magic. Such is his caliber. Much like the ‘jadoo ka chirag’. And how many us switch off their TVs when He is no more on the ground? I do that. Personally I prefer football over cricket (50 overs), but when Sachin is batting, I can shed anything to see Him bat.

 

A short heighted man with ruffled hairstyle, extremely calm and composed body language, guided with pads and helmet and an MRF run scoring machine in His hands -  He is totally a disaster for the opponents. After 20 years of playing world class cricket, almost all the top notch bowlers know His weakness in batting and can articulate a strategy to get His wicket in the initial overs of the match. But then too, no one dare to under-look or ignore His stature. They have got to get a strategy even if He is ill or injured. He is that feared a batsmen. Extremely talented, playing almost every shot in the definition of cricket dictionary and not only playing, mastering it even, this little (I mean only the height) guy is a bazooka. If He grooves well, He is unstoppable by any force or means. The beauty of cricket and batting can be seen with His style of batting. He gives cricket that earning edge over all games. He is the sole to Indian cricket era.

 

I wonder what would happen to matches after Tendulkar retires. I know, I am being a lot more sentimental as there are many guys like MSD, YS, RS, ZK, etc. But Sachin is Sachin. No one can blend the taste of cricket so beautifully as done by the God. No controversies, no counter verbal acts. He makes every other person respect Him just with the help of his bat.

 

To coin in a great incident over here, sometime last year, during Challenger’s trophy, in some practice match, Sreesanth was bowling to Sachin. After 3 balls from him which Sachin could not play, he got air off his head. So he walked towards Tendulkar after the 3^rd ball and patted His butt in arrogance. To this, very obviously Sachin did not utter even a word. On the 4^th ball He hit him for a huge six like a slap on a face, approached him and said, ‘Don’t ever come near to me’. After this, Sreesanth got embedded on his mind for ever that he messed up with the wrong guy. He makes others respect him just with his bat. No words, no gestures, no dialogs, no complaints, it is just His bat and one tight slap on the bowler’s face.

 

How can we forget about Sharjah Cup 1998. He tormented the Aussie attack and Warne commented that he dreamt of Tendulkar every night hitting him huge over the ropes. Sachin is extremely polite as a person. He is dreadly only when he bats. He is unstoppable. And better not to mess with Him. He is a kind of player to hit you big by calling for it. It’s not a gamble my friend. Its serious business.

 

There are plenty of occasions when Sachin has scored a century and India has lost the matches. Infact, according to the statistics more than half of the time India has lost the matches while Sachin scoring a ton. And there are plenty of occasions when he wasn’t in a good form to the delight of the opponents. And then I would say

 

“Form is temporary, but class is permanent.”

 

BBC once quoted on Him, “Beneath the helmet, under that unruly curly hair, inside the cranium, there is something we don't know, something beyond scientific measure. Something that allows him to soar, to roam a territory of sport that, forget us, even those who are gifted enough to play alongside him cannot even fathom. When he goes out to bat, people switch on their TV sets and switch off their lives”

 

Glenn McGrath on Sachin, “The joy he brings to the millions of his countrymen, the grace with which he handles all the adulation and the expectations and his innate humility - all make for a one-in-a-billion individual”

Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sachin, “India me aap Prime Minister ko ek Baar Katghare me khada kar sakte ho.. Par Sachin Tendulkar par Ungli tak nahi utha Sakte..”

And this one is the best: Matthew Hayden on Sachin, “I HAVE SEEN GOD, HE BATS AT NO.4 FOR INDIA”

With almost every record to his name, countless fans, boundless runs, great achievements, success at his doorstep, the only thing I dream about is that, India should win this world cup with Sachin playing in it. Even Sachin has commented desires on the same; He has never won a world cup for India. This would be the best possible end to and awesome era of cricket and the highest mark on his career.

 

We wish you all the best and we all love you Sachin.

Puppet !!

Ever ended up with piles of things at the same time? It is indeed a deadlier feeling. No, I am not talking about loads of work or chores to do. I am talking about responsibilities.

Having a job shifted to Mumbai compelled me to go for looking a home which I can call my own. And believe me buying an apartment is the hardest and the most complex thing in the world next to rocket science.

After roaming places and tasting all the dust and sweat, you finally get an apartment. But then it pinches your pocket. Because, when you decide a budget for something, it always fall short of about 8-10%. You decide to buy a car and fix your budget up to 4 lacs. But unfortunately you like a car which is priced at around 5 lacs. Same is with buying an apartment. So you plan up all the investments, look for all the FDs and funds and somehow adjust feeling the punch in your own self. Once you are into that tension (here, being into a tension means virtually being out of tension), you are pushed for getting married for being over an age of 27-28 yrs. Then another herculean task arises in front of you. And mind that, you are working hard in offices till late hours. So even that is not a cooler life as you would think of.

This race of life is just so that you probably think, that once you are done with these major things in life, you can live your age hood much peacefully. But in most of the cases, this is not the case. Because, human needs are unlimited. You grow, your salary grows, so does your needs. And the vicious circle of matrix called life continues.

Then once you get married, life changes drastically. And I am not going to highlight that part here, as there can ne n number of situations and protocols for n number of people. Hence, the wheel of life goes on and on till it gets worn out.

And then probably, when you are old enough to run or get up without support you just think about the race of life, just to find that life always wins in all the scenarios. And you were just a mere puppet which life used to play along.

Money has no memory..... Experience has....

You will never know what the total cost of your education was, but for a lifetime you will recall and relive the memories of schools and colleges. Few years from now, you will forget the amount you paid to settle the hospitalization bill, but will ever cherish having saved your mother's life or the life you get to live with the just born. You won't remember the cost of your honeymoon, but to the last breath remember the experiences of the bliss of togetherness. Money has no memory.  Experience has…..

Good times and bad times, times of prosperity and times of poverty, times when the future looked so secure and times when you didn't know from where the tomorrow will come. Life has been in one way or the other a roller-coaster ride for everyone. Beyond all that abundance and beyond all that deprivation, what remains is the memory of experiences. Sometimes the wallet was full. Sometimes even the pocket was empty. There was enough and you still had reasons to frown. There wasn't enough and you still had reasons to smile. Today, you can look back with tears of gratitude for all the times you had laughed together, and also look back with a smile at all the times you cried alone. All in all, life filled you with experiences to create a history of your own self, and you alone can remember them all.

The first time you balanced yourself on your cycle without support.
The first time she said 'yes' and it was two years since you proposed.
The first cry, the first steps, the first word, the first kiss. All of your child.
The first gift you bought for your parents and the first gift your daughter gave you.
The first award, the first public appreciation, the first stage performance
And the list is endless. Experiences……………..with timeless memory.

No denying that anything that's material cost money, but the fact remains the cost of the experience will be forgotten, but the experience never.

So, what if it's economic recession? Let it be, but let there not be a recession to the quality of your life. You can still take your parents, if not on a pilgrimage, at least to the local temple. You can still play with your children, if not on an international holiday, at least in the local park. It doesn't cost money to lie down or to take a loved one onto your lap. Nice time to train the employees, create leadership availability and be ready for the wonderful times when they arrive. Hey! Aspects like your health, knowledge development and spiritual growth are not economy dependent.

Time will pass. Economy will revive. Currency will soon be in current. And in all this, I don't want you to look back and realize you did nothing but stayed in gloom. Recession can make you lose out on money. Let it not make you lose out on experiences. If you are not happy with what you have, no matter how much more you have, you will still not be happy.

Coz money has no memory, but experience has…..

PS: This story was forwarded via email. Its actual source is unknown.

Child Labour

And we call ourselves a developing nation!

When we witness the very brutal scene of child labor and do nothing. I don’t know about others, but my one and only concern about being a socialist is being against child labor. Back in school, I always read that illiteracy is the root cause of all evils. So true. Small chaps in around almost every corner of the country are compelled to face these brutal and inhumane deeds which we are not even aware of all our lives.

They are forced to work at tea stall, garment shops, dump yards, etc, for little or no wages. And they work for as many as 10-12 hrs a day. For all the amount of time when we (IT professionals) are on bench and enjoying an online Sudoku or a nice sip of coffee in an air conditioned office, these little innocent children of God are facing the most brutal and adverse conditions of their lives.

And you know what the worst part is? No one gives a f**k about it. It has been legally banned to hire a child and to practice child labor. But who the f**k cares about rules and laws in India?

These young kids, who should probably be given at least an un-torn piece of clothing and minimal education to make them wise are rubbing their fates at work we can’t even imagine. They are molding iron in hot furnaces in extremely hazardous conditions, serving tea to utter bast**ds, cleaning cars and buses in garages and doing all the shitty work they are not supposed to do, and that without or minimal wages.

I find many forces responsible for that one child’s fate. First and foremost are their parents. When you can’t raise your child why the f**k do you give birth to them. Just because you can , doesn’t mean you should create babies and then leave them at stations and roads and ask them to beg or leave them without any clothing, shelter and food wandering all the places.

Then, why is the government in place. To make laws and to strictly follow these laws and punish those who don’t. Such is their simple job. But such a cheap character is portrayed by so called politicians now a days, that they are in-efficient to solve such ground reality harshness. What is the use of all the nuclear deals and oil allies and all the billions of dollars in projects when you can’t eradicate a small bug in the system?

Most of the problems threatening India today are due to lack of awareness. Media can go to utter bullshit things to create hype of all the unwanted and shitty facts (?) but they won’t go and create awareness of such grave scenarios like child labor or raising literacy. Why are all responsible people so f**king careless about their responsibilities? No doubt, every other Indian utters a word that ‘India ka kuch nahi ho sakta’. I somewhat agree to these workforces now. Because, a common man is helpless (?) and an extra-ordinary man is too way beyond of all these concerns.

Cricketers and film stars who drive India crazy by their style quotient have so much to their credibility to give it back to the society. But they are no humans, coz they don’t know how to give back. And so is their morale - low and tweak. Hats off to Sachin Tendular who recently announced that he will be sponsoring the education of 200 poor children. These are men of honor. I bow to such people. And believe me, whatever I can do for such concerns, I will do.

It is high time that educated and knowledgeable people like us, take the responsibility of driving our society in particular and India in general to a successful path. We just can’t rely on the government for solving all the problems faced my mankind. We just can’t completely rely on God to do all the justice. Coz He helps only those who help themselves.

Aspire a feeling of help towards other, to those who are less fortunate, to those who struggle their lives just for one meal a day, to those who are physically challenged, to those who, unfortunately, belong to the under privileged societies. For, even they are human. And the war is not (or rather should not be) against humanity.

Lets inculcate a feeling of humanity within us. Lets plan to heal the world. For then, we can at least heal one life.