hamaaraa kyaa hai

A beautiful gazal...

hamaaraa kyaa hai

hamaaraa kyaa hai ke ham to chiraaG-e-shab kii tarah
agar jale bhii to bas itanii raushanii hogii
ke jaise tund andhero.n kii raah me.n juganuu
zaraa sii der ko chamake chamak ke kho jaaye 

phir is ke baad kisii ko na kuchh sujhaa_ii de
na shab kaTe na suraaG-e-sahar dikhaa_ii de

hamaaraa kyaa hai ke ham to pas-e-Gubaar-e-safar
agar chale bhii to bas itanii raah tay hogii
ke tez havaaon kii zad main, maa_il naqsh-e-qadam
zaraa sii der ko ubhare ubhar ke mit jaaye
phir us ke baad na raastaa na rah_guzar mile
hadd-e-nigaah talak dasht-e-bekinar mile

hamaarii simt na dekho ke ko_ii der mein ham
qabiilaa-e-dil-o-jaan judaa hone vaale hain
base basaaye huye shahar apanii aankhon ke
misal-e-khaanaa-e-viiraan ujadane vaale hain
havaa kaa shor yehi hai to dekhataiy rehanaa
hamaarii umar ke Khaimein ukhadane vaale hain

Mohsin Naqvi

A back....with vengence????

Its been quite sometime me staying away from my blog...guess this is the longest hiatus i have taken from my blog...for all those who think am done and gone...nayy...am back...

Shifting of office premises...and then a sudden shift in residence has kept me on my toes and away from my blog. Thanks to all of u who missed me...

I hope i don't take a break for long now...i have loads of homework though...reading through ur blogs for the past one month. ;)

A Movie, A Book and A Restaurant

Movie: Dev

My views: Dev is a beautifully made film. None but the evergreen king of Bollywood could carry it off so well. Ably supported by Om Puri. The film rests totally on the able and sturdy shoulders of these two wonderful actors, both of whom surprise u with each performance.

Set against the backdrop of communal violence, political gains and the diverse personalities in the police force, Dev gets off to a slow start, giving u brief inputs to each character of the main plot. AB is Dev Pratap Singh, Joint Police Commissioner who has firm faith in the constitution of the country, and nothing can come between his duty and protecting the nation. Fardeen Khan as a to-be lawyer, turns towards the jihadi's after his Dad succumbs to an unsuspecting Police Bullet. He thinks AB's at fault, after he suspects the 'minority' community to be involved in Jihadi activities. Fardeen makes an attempt on AB and wife, Dr Bharati (Rati Agnihotri). There is Kareena, whose Fardeen's childhood-sweetheart (obviously), watching the whole world of violence and anger around her, and has to face the wrath one day, when her family is wiped off in a riot.

The movie revolves completely around AB and Om Puri, where they both discuss the political scene and the changes that need to be done. That's the most interesting part.

Dialogues by Nihlani and kafi Azmi are good. Aadesh Shrivastava's tunes and Zubin Balaporia's background score are in perfect tune with the movie. Sharmistha Roy's excellent production design and execution. Kareena has done a ok job as far as reciting the song goes. She better stick to acting.

Overall, a good movie. a must watch. AB fans are going to fall for him all over again. Credits go to the entire cast for giving a commendable performance.


A Book: The third twin

This suspense thriller from Ken Follet, is a good read. Its got all that tension that goes with a Ken Follet novel.

Dr. Jeannie Ferrami, is a young professor at Jones Falls University (JFU) who is investigating the balance of nature versus nurture in criminality. She's such a genius that she has come up with a search engine, which can fit into a floppy and is multi-os compliant...wow wow woww to her. Anyways, searching through the databases, which her ultra smart search engine, find 3 people with the same DNA. Alaw student at JFU has an identical twin (raised separately) who is a convicted rapist. She is not overjoyed, however, when that man is arrested for raping her best friend. Surely Mr. Perfect couldn't be guilty--enter the evil masterminds, three Nixon-era comrades who have been toiling for decades to make America safe for racial purity. It's bad enough that one of the conspirators is Dr. Ferrami's boss, but another is eyeing the Oval Office. The Prof. catching their secrets, sends shivers down the spine. A good read, a true Ken Follet thriller.

A Restaurant: Bombay Post

The posh new eating joint of Bangalore, Bombay Post, is a good place. Surely Bangalore is coming of age as far as good eating joints are concerned.

A typical North Indian cuisine, a little high price, but enough quantity to fill ur tummy. Taaza ganne ka raas along with Palak starter, have u rolling for the rest of the serving. A good place, neat ambience and splendid old hindi music to accompany u.

So now, u know why my blogging is so irregular off late ;)

Fast forward or Flash backwards

Bangalore touted as the most happening place, if i may say, is in bad shape. The rain last Monday, gave us the perfect picture of the wonderful drainage system that the city has. Death of a youth who stepped into the drain, was heart breaking.

I always read about the bad roads in town. The roads i drive on, aren't the perfect kinds, not many potholes and that kept me happy. After driving through Bannergatta Road over the weekend, i felt i was transported to a place which is worse than a village road. And to think of it, This road leads to the premier management Institute, has some hazar MNC companies along the road. Where are the authorities who are to lay the road?

I was told that one of the Software Giants whose office is housed on this road, offered to lay the road. Wonderful Gesture. But they were asked to pay a bribe (hold ur breath) of Rs. 10 crore...isn't this being real real greedy?

After that humpy bumpy ride, i thanked my stars for having safely lived through the trauma of that dirty patch of road. Back at work, first thing in the morning i read is this big piece on Bangalore and Big jobs.

So much for generating hype!!!

Compliment

Today i got the most "Wackaw" of the compliments.

Someone compared me to a cutlet...yeah a cutlet...saying u are always sizzling with enthusiasm, hence the comparison to cutlet...and he hoped that his daughter turns to be like me..

My my...did it make my day?

Have a wackaw weekend ;)

Hows life?

A regular question, which gets regular answers

Just as it was y'day
Going on
Absolutely no Change
Good
Tugging along
Wahi haadi wahi khaal (direct translation "Same bones same skin")
Bass guzar rahi hai (kyoun train ya car nahi kai kya?)


Answers are dependent on the creative genius of the person at that point of time.

When you don't know what to ask the person, either in person or on chat or through a mail, this question pops up. Answers come with smile, whine, twitch of the nose, the shoulders dropping, sighing, grinning. Innumerable emotions and answers to a small question which was asked sometimes with true concern and most of the time to just pull the conversation along.

Isn't human being a strange creature?

India and Development

SciDev net is a good website, talking about issues like Open Access and other technological developments. I found this piece interesting. "India's new challenge on technology policy"

Creativity

"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing,taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, learning from them and above all having fun... ! ! ! "

Isn't it an amazing way to define creativity???

Rocking weekend

This weekend was once again Team Building session from office. Being in the enabling division of any company is good and bad. On one hand you get high visibility and on the other you will have to sacrifice for being famous (:-P). So there went my weekend with this team building, just that I had to be a team player and a co-ordinate too...Some dual role.

Saturday was the regular corporate games, cricket with a difference(first ball to be bowled with the opposite hand and such controlling rules), difference was quite much, we played in the rain...must say it was amazing fun. After an hours refreshing break, we started off on a treasure hunt, in places not thought off...with a candle, torches and mobiles in hand, we went around hunting for treasure. Hindrances were snakes, darkness, electric poles which were waiting to give someone a tight hug. An hour of this dark adventure, and what best way to relax...the dance floor. While most of them enjoyed the dance floor, lesser known mortals like me hit the bed just when the clock heralded the new day.

Sunday, wake up at 6 a.m is like a far off dream, but that turned into a reality y'day. The entire group of 35 ready and raring to go. We went rappelling. A small hillock, 80 ft high. The minute I saw the ropes dangling I wanted to run away from there. But as we sat there nibbling at our sand wiches and watching the instructor do it, it didn't look like a tuff task altogether (just look and thought here). After about 45 minutes, I decided to try this daring stunt. The harness tied around, all set, I go to the end of the cliff.....a there I go freezzeee...I just could not move, I heard my people cheering and asking me to move on, but my limbs just don't take the signal. At one point I feel, I am going to fall with a thud, just then I pulled myself up and came back...Breathed the fresh air told myself buck up and then got onto the rope and before I realized I was there down with my friends....the 5-6 mins of pulling myself down was something which I will never forget.

With another adventure story tucked under my cap, got back to the resort and then after a good breakfast and a equally excellent lunch, came back home to break my sleeping record, I slept for 14 hours at a stretch...Could not believe myself, but I did it.

Here again to face a crazy week :)

Keh Do Samander Say Ki Hum os Kay Moti Hain
Dariya Ki Tarah Tumsay Milnay Nahin Aayengay

Confusions confusion...That's seem to be the trend these days.

The entire nation is not sure if they did the right thing by voting for a party, which has a legacy of some big names (for right and wrong reasons), and right now being headed by a foreigner. Everyone is skeptic about having a foreigner as a Prime Minister.

This is the talk of town, or do we say universe? Every office, nook and corner of the country is abuzz with election postmortem. How could this happen. A few interesting pieces which I came across.

Washington post, talks about The Upset in India. The editorial praises the Vajpayee government for their bold steps towards testing nuclear bombs, improving relationship with Pakistan and other nations. Describing the Gandhian hold over the country, they editor goes on to say the US-India relationship will suffer becoz of the new government.

The Gaurdian carries a interesting write by Ms. Arundhati Roy(remember her???), she says, Let us hope the darkness has passed . Ms Roy is surely not a supporter of the Left parties, she lashes the left parties for their overtly (but ineffectively) critical reforms, which has lead to their debacle. But as we celebrate, she also points out that the Cong and BJP don't have major differences over every major issue the country is facing. To quote her "We know the legacy of the Congress led us to the horror of the BJP. Still, we celebrate because surely a darkness has passed."

Our very own The Hindu, analyzes The meaning of the Verdict of 2004. The editor says "Without losing their head in any way, refusing to be fooled by grandiose slogans, keeping their eye on issues that matter ? above all, livelihood and national unity ? more than 350 million of them who turned out to vote have produced a big upset." They say that this is the first election after 1977 when the entire prediction have gone for a toss. Shows that the electorate is getting matured over the day (or do we say irresponsible?).

At one end of the globe people have given their verdict, not very far from us, condemnable activity has taken place in Iraq. Do we point this out to the drudgery of modern technology? Impact of this is very nicely discused in this blog

Is the future going to be good or bad, only time will tell.

Amidst all this I am also facing quite some confusions. 3 close friends are getting married all through the weekend, One in bangalore, one in chennai and one in Mysore. Each of them as special as special can be. How dI i attend all of them? Bangalore is no problem since its on Friday, but what about my dear city and Amma's city? A no will be the worst thinI i can do to them on their special day. Oh God, rasta dikha please!!!!

Eitherways, have a good weekend fella's, feels nice to make a long post after long :)

A excellent piece....

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry,
Two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One of these days is Yesterday,
With all its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains.
Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control.
All the money in the world cannot bring back Yesterday.
We cannot undo a single act we performed;
We cannot erase a single word we said.
Yesterday is gone forever.

The other day we should not worry about is Tomorrow,
With all its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise and its poor performance;
Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.
Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise.
Until it does, we have no stake in Tomorrow, for it is yet to be born.

This leaves only one day, Today.
Any person can fight the battle of just one day.
It is when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities Yesterday and Tomorrow that we break down.

It is not the experience of Today that drives a person mad,
it is the remorse or bitterness of something which happened Yesterday
and the dread of what Tomorrow may bring.

Let us, therefore, Live but one day at a time

Whoa!! blogger has a new look...neat...its a good try by blogger to get me to blogging everyday. Lets see how successful they would be ;)

BTW> if u guys have any liking towards ebooks, please write to me

Muchas Gracias

This morning, Radio City played the evergreen, ever-wonderful, ever-romantic, song from Silsila..."Yeh kahan aagaye hum, yunhi saath saath chalte...". The weather cloudy, the light breeze and the song just blended so well giving it the perfect start to the cloudy morning....from then on, am completely hooked on to songs from that movie.

I am going to be cribbing if I say, its criminal to be working on such a lovely day. Why don't corporate's have summer vacation? As a kid I hated vacations, becoz I had no where to go, and now I long for vacations...what contradiction in life...anyways Life is beautiful :))

The below quote was sent as a Quote of the day from someone in wipro, reached me after going all over the world ;)

Usually when people are sad and angry over something, they don't do anything. They just cry over their condition. Holding on to anger, resentment and hurt only gives you tense muscles, a headache and a sore jaw from clenching your teeth. Forgiveness gives you back the laughter and the lightness in your life.

Malcolm X (1925 - 1965), Malcolm X Speaks, 1965

If people never did silly things, nothing intelligent would ever get done.
- Ludwig Wittgenstein

There is something absolutely marvellous in this ghazal.
Read on

justjoo-e-sehr mai'n rehta hoo'n
fikr e ilm o hunar mai'n rehta hoo'n

tum samajhtey ho ghar mai'n rehta hoo'n
mai'n ki diwaar o dar mai'n rehta hoo'n

ba'd marney k sub hi rehtey hai'n
mai'n tao zinda qabar mai'n rehta hoo'n

naam letey huey bhi darta hoo'n
mai'n ik aisey shehr mai'n rehta hoo'n

apney bacchey ko bhaij kar school
mai'n hama waqt fikar mai'n rehta hoo'n

teri aa'nkho'n mai'n kuch tao hey warna
kiun mai'n inkey asar mai'n rehta hoo'n

hoo'n mai'n taara kisi ki aa'nkho'n ka
aur kisi ki nazar mai'n rehta hoo'n

mod deta hoo'n rukh hawaao'n key
khud hamesha bha'nwar mai'n rehta hoo'n

ho mulaqaat kis tarah tum se
mai'n tao aksar safar mai'n rehta hoo'n

jitna bacchta hoo'n khud numaai se
wutna ziyada khabar mai'n rehta hoo'n

mujh se asrar poochtey kya ho
kya bataoo'n kidhar mai'n rehta hoo'n

Some snoring quotes! (Dont snore away reading them :P)

Snoring--anyone know a cure?
Malcolm S. Forbes

There ain't no way to find out why a snorer can't hear himself snore.
MARK TWAIN

Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone.
ANTHONY BURGESS

Sleep is when all the unsorted stuff comes flying out as from a dustbin upset in a high wind.
WILLIAM GOLDING

On his side of the bed Mr. Judson began to conduct a full-scale orchestra, and every instrument had sat out in the rain.
MRS. PATRICK CAMPBELL

He slept more than any other President, whether by day or night. Nero fiddled, but Coolidge snored.
H. L. MENCKEN

There's only one cure for snoring: insomnia.
ANONYMOUS

Father's snoring grows to soundincreasingly like a vacuum cleanerin heat.
MARGARET HALSEY

My husband's snoring is not always so bad. Sometimes it drowns out the noise of passing trains.
ANONYMOUS

There is no such thing as silence.
JOHN CAGE

All men whilst they are awake are in one common world, but each of them, when he is asleep, is in a world of his own.
PLUTARCH

I never sleep comfortably except when I am at a sermon or when I pray to God.
RABELAIS

Come, cuddle your head on my shoulder,
Dear, Your head like the golden-rod,
And we will go sailing away from here
To the beautiful land of Nod.
ELLA WHEELER WILCOX

Even where sleep is concerned, too much is a bad thing.
HOMER

His sleep was a sensuous gluttony of oblivion.
P.D. JAMES

Weariness
Can snore against the flint when resty sloth
Finds the down pillow hard.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Soft closer of our eyes!
Low murmur of our lullabies.
JOHN KEATS

To all, to each, a fair goodnight,And pleasing dreams, and slumbers light.
SIR WALTER SCOTT

A Text...
The sleep of a laboring man is sweet.
-Ecclesiastes 5:12

After 007, who services were availed by Her Majesty, now its the turn of Mr. Peter Parker to do some magic..

Calling Peter Parker
The California State Highway Patrol wants researchers to develop a "spider gun" that would quickly extrude a web, which could serve as an ad hoc safety net for stopping suicidal jumpers on the Golden Gate bridge.

Happy Weekend!!!

Going through a lull period these days, as far as "creative thinking" goes. Work as always is hectic, and the most to suffer is my reading and blogging, something which is of equal interest to me. And to add to it like a icing on the cake is my laziness...makes me think, Do I need a break? Away from the machine world? In the mountains, under the trees beside a stream....?????

Today is World book day...here's a toast to all the book lovers...:)

Yahooooooo.....i got my first name as my email id on Gmail :)

It was a whrilwind weekend, but one thing remains....my laziness :)

Laziness has taken over me.....big time...though there are quite a few things i want to write...but ...some time later maybe.

Have a good weekend and be good!!!!!

Whats life without surprises, and most of the times, the surprises are such...U jump with a "eeeeegggggggggaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrdddddddddddd"..Similar thing happened y'day with me. At about 8 a.m, I got a sms from my service provider which said "Dear Customer...Many Many Happy Returns of the day". I had to pinch myself, check and recheck and re-re-check the calendar to see what date was it and how did I forget my b'day....a most unlike phenomenon. Laughed it off saying...galti se mistake hogai hai...Episode forgotten.

At 10 a.m, the mobile rings, number not displayed...Withheld it says...me worried whether its from the underworld...aab meine kya kiya...picked the call and the recorded voice which said "Happy Birthday dear customer"..Press 1 to hear the message again, 2 for blah blah...aab enough was enough.

Called customer service, told them, appreciated service, but why don't you do that on the right day? Surprise again, Ma'am, says the lady at the other end, ur b'day is listed today, Happy Birthday....(a silent eeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrr...went out again). Told her thank u but no thanks, my b'day is in Dec. Please change...and the case came to rest.

Phew!...so much for surprises and value add services.

Haas Ke Gham Sehe Le Magar Gam Ko Mukadaar Na Bana
Dil Ko Har Haal Mein Dil Rahene De Pathaar Na Bana

Khawaab Toh Khawaab Tutega Toh Dil Tutega
Jhoote Khawaabon Se Koi Zakhm Toh Dil Par Na Bana

Ek Mein Hoon Joh Wafa Karke Bhi Badnaam Hua
Ek Woh Hain Ke Sitam Karke Sitam_gar Na Bana

Aaj Muh MoRh Liya Usne Toh Ehasaas Hua
Dil Yeh Kaheta Raha Har Ek Ko Dilbar Na Bana

"I cried for shoes, till I saw a man feet-less".

This is by no doubt a quote which tears ur heart. A mention of this brings in a smile, which is very enigmatic and takes u to those moments of life when things were bad and u just smiled and waded through it. The subtle notions of life which are to be lived with.

If you are wondering what making me speak so much of funda's. Here is the background to this sojourn of mine.
Our company has a Voluntary Club, which is a recreation club, which works for doing some good work for the society. As part of its activity, a collection drive was organized at office, where employees contributed, things of daily use, which are useless to them now. Collection done, the big question of what do we do with 6 huge cartoons filled with useful stuff. After a lot of deliberation, a Blind School was suggested. A few of us visited this place y'day and gave away he stuff. What we saw was something which did dealt us with a blow. Not as in eye-opener to the sufferings of the world. The surprises were more of the girth and determination of people who take u the task of giving people life, giving their life to the battered souls. Sri Rakum School for the Blind, is run by Mr. Rakum, who shelters 175 (present count) underprivileged boys and girls, both sighted and visually impaired. Free food, clothing, shelter is provided to them, all this possible only though donations. No major publicity campaigns to donate. Everyday Mr. Rakum puts a white board, which spells the needs of the inmates.

Students here are trained at karate, Yoga, music, arts, crafts, computers, languages. I felt there are more privileged than us, for they have company of loved ones who will go any length to prove their needs, all with a smile. They may not be self-sufficient as far as materials are concerned, but they sure use all the resources they have to fulfill their needs.

Someone once said "Eyes don't see what the mind does not know" this was proved y'day. The place where this school is located is the road on which I go everyday, and not one day I bothered to stop and enquire. In the future, I hope to spend sometime with these special kids, whom God may have deprived of sight, but has sure blessed them with special strengths which possibly u and me can never think of.

A good start to this Good Friday weekend, I just cannot stop propagating this Blind School, and I have resolved to be a helpful part to this good initiative started 5 and half years back by Mr. Reagan.

Happy weekend fellas.

Change is in the air....

Music and Life

Music has been an integral part of our life. Music of every kind, popular, instrumental, classical always hits a chord in our daily life. sometimes when u hear a particular song, we immediately identify our selves with the character whose mimicing it on scene.

Among the many songs, Hemant Kumar's music in Khamoshi was amazing, which has haunting numbers, "Woh shaam kuch ajeeb thi...", is an unmatched composition. All Raj kappor movies had great numbers, the rain song, "Pyar hua ikrar hua" can put to shame all the rain songs of the modern days, where the emphasis is more on the wardrobe. the ever green Kishore, Rafi, Mukesh, Lata, Asha numbers take us into a world of its own. Dont we smile when songs of the yesteryear are played? An era where we didn't exist.

Moving to movies of our times, "Phela Nasha.." from Joi jeeta wahi sikandar", was an amazing song. The Sharukh Khan starrer "Chand tare tood laoo...sari duniya par mein chaoon...Bass itna sa khab hao" from Yes Boss. In short it summed up that whatever high our dreams our, that's all we yearn for. There are many such songs etched in memory, but this one kinda stands out for its simple meaning.

Off late, the quality of lyrics has graduated from the khatia, choli days to some good numbers. "Dil Deewana..." from Pardes, "Kaisi hai yeh rut..." from Dil Chata hai, bring out the pain, agony, excitement very well...and we smile to ourselves, saying How true. Amongst the latest is this number from Woh..."Upar wale yeh toh bata..." I find this song very simple but very strong in its meaning. Dont we all think that the creator has a small grudge against us?

I can go on and on with my Ode to the Bollywood music industry...I think I should do that once...a list of my fav songs...

Arz kiya hai....kisne pata nahi...magar mulaheza farmaiye...

samajh sake na log siyane
ishq ka rutba ishq hi janay

duniya bhulaadi ishq nay
apni mana li ishq nay
dil wale jal geye shauq se
jab aag lagayi ishq nay
jis ko diya dil jaan bhi usi ko do
jal kai kahen parwane
ishq ka rutba ishq hi janay

qissa poorana ishq ka
dushman zamana ishq ka
jis ko laga majnoo bana
ulta nishana ishq ka
jitay bhi jhele dukh shikwa kabhi na kare
chup hi rahen deewany
ishq ka rutba ishq hi janay

Why is that we immediately retaliate when someone one pokes fun at us?

I have been running an errand for a friend whose happily tucked away in Europe. He has problems with his credit card company, and I am his PRO here dealing with those people, who for a change are kewl people, who give a ear to the problem. Unlike many of the rest, who just refuse to talk to u with courtesy.

Our mode of operation is like this: He sends me details via mail, I call the bank, and write back to this guy with the details. One such mail, I took the pain of writing the entire transcript, clearly stating what is required from him. My dear friend writes back saying...I didn't understand anything. I was zapped, I wrote it again with clear instructions and small details. to which the reply I got is..." Its not u ... its the basic matter of the sexes.... which man has understood what a women has said !!!"...if at all this guy had made the statement in front of me, he would have got such a kick, which he would remember all life...

After all the natak I do with the bank, this is what I get to hear....Well i guess we bear everything with friends. All in the game ;)

What can make u as bright as a Lilly on a silly day?
A short conversation filled with news that can last a lifetime from a real old pal....the voice which reminds u of the carefree days of college...the life which had absolutely no tension (except for the exam tension) worth mention...bringing back memory of the sublime pleasures of life which consisted of bunking classes, creating ruckus in the class room, bugging the teachers, worrying friends, hooting,booing, cheering....

I experienced all this for a perfect timing of 7 minutes 10 seconds....but the memory of this talk will last a life time :)

Many of us (sorry no percentages used here) would have started blogging just becoz one of our close buddies started blogging, or we just liked the concept, or we wanted to be different from the rest of the world, or just becoz everyone was doing it, a few of us did it, right...well I could be wrong as well. I will not be surprised if you tell me that these thoughts didn't cross my mind at all when I started my blog. I for sure, started my blog becoz Maltesh (an ex-blogger) did it, and he ensured that I was a member of blogland within a week of his having ventured here. Ofcourse I also triggered this reaction among the bunch of people I know, and got two people to successfully blog :)

A Blog Survey on Expectations of Privacy and Accountability has been published on MIT Technology Review. The survey was conducted between January 14th and January 21st, 2004. During that time, 486 respondents answered questions about their blogging practices and their expectations of privacy and accountability for the entries they publish online. Results are quite interesting.
Question like identity of the blogger, kind of blogging people indulge in. Is it personal rambling, political talk, business talk etc etc. Do people take permission from people they blog about form the body of the survey.

Reading through this, made me realise that, there are so many facets to blogging. Typically when something catches my fancy, I make a mental note to blog, and 80 out of 100 times I do it, unless laziness takes over me and I just defer the job to a later date. At the end of the day, something which is of interest goes in or just some rambling go on the blog. Not bothering at all that someone may ask me questions like, what do u blog...boy this is something quite serious to think, do u feel so?

The fee cut at IIM has drawn too much of response from the general public. There are many who whole heartedly welcome the drastic cut, while many disagree to the fee cut. Disparity will continue either which way.

Interestingly, this whole debate has brought us (atleast me), the kind of people who aren't so accustomed to the managerial reading to read a lot about the role and interests of the B-School Don. The Editorial of Star of Mysore, a local newspaper of Mysore, spoke of the ways our B-School Dons.

Mr. N.R.Narayana Murthy was quizzed on the elitism of the faculty of IIM's. He was told that the IIM readers and professors produced little or nothing of note. Most of their research papers were esoteric and had little or no use to the public. Worse, although we pay their salaries, neither the public nor the Press had access to it. Mr. Murthy, of course, denies the charge.

Going further, the editor, introduces the readers to a particular Don of B-Schools of the US of A. Ofcourse, all bench marks are done only with Uncle Sam's kids. After all they are the people with the attitude of "been there done that" right? Let me introduce you to this interesting personality, a professor of management, who has indulged in, surveys which are to a great extent uplifting, not just enlightning ur knowledge but also your mood. As you read through the kind of work this simple man has done, it will surely lighten ur spirit, make u smile and nod your head in agreement. Becoz, am sure, at some point of time even you would have been just like his subjects of study. [Don't worry he does not do any study on Gorilla's...;-)]

Prof. Trinkaus, 87, is a professor emeritus at the Zicklin School of Business in New York City. He takes enormous pride in producing work that is simple and interesting, and which the common man can relate to. his studies explain the mysteries of Human-Behaviour? What percentage of car drivers come almost - but not completely - to a stop at a traffic sign? What percentage of commuters carry brief cases equipped with locks? What is the average waiting time in a doctor's clinic?

So far so good, read this:

What is the usual response of people in a lift when asked 'is this car going up' or 'is this car going down'? What is the percentage of people who wear their caps inverted, with the beak at the back? What is the percentage of people who use 'absolutely' or 'exactly' instead of using the far simpler 'yes' when asked a question? Studied violations of hadicapped parking space at a shopping mall to determine the ratio of expensive to inexpensive vehicles in improper parking spaces. (The result suggested that parking violations are more a function of prevailing cultural norms than of automobile purchase prices.) A Study was also conducted to see the trends of people "Wearing Baseball-Type Caps", 'Drop-In Chapel Attendance", Color Preference in Sport Shoes, Changing Multiple-Choice Test Answers

Prof. Trinkaus has produced 87 such papers so far, each a page or two long. If you think this is a crazy don, then ur wrong. When quizzed on why he undertakes such study, he said.

"First, to make people smile, especially folks in the ivory tower, who tend to be serious about everything all the time. Second, to send a signal to fresh PhDs that all academic research doesn't have to appear to be formidable and overpowering. Third, to provide information about people's behaviour that probably translates into what they do in the workplace."

It did make interesting reading(to me atleast) and also provoked me to read more about Prof TrinKaus. the ever relaible google led me to a few pages, which made me build this post for today. Read more about him at http://www.improb.com/airchives/paperair/volume9/v9i3/trinkaus0.html

All I would say is, each one his desire. Guess each and every individual have their core area of study, but what underlines the point is that, when so much of money is taken from the tax payer, there must be someway he will also have to benefit from it. A strategy can be made from these haigly acclaimed professors, who would for sure know all kinds of management...

There is some magic which creates in seconds the moment u start listening to Jagjit Singh. Each one of his track is a gem by itself. I am sure not many would disagree on this. The soft music, the easy lyrics....Its a state of mind which has to be felt rather than told.

As part of my job, i get to read loads of newspapers and news items every morning, and when something interesting strikes me i make a mental note to have that up on blog. But that never happens 9 out of 10 times, since it skips my mind or my attention gets diverted. This morning i read this edit from Financial Express, An open letter to the PM. Am sure u will enjoy reading it.

On a lighter note, I took this test and see the results

My inner child is ten years old!

The adult world is pretty irrelevant to me. Whether I'm off on my bicycle (or pony) exploring, lost in a good book, or giggling with my best friend, I live in a world apart, one full of adventure and wonder and other stuff adults don't understand.

How Old is Your Inner Child?
brought to you by Quizilla

Have a good weekend!

For whatever reasons I thought I was in total control of my bad temper. I was telling myself great, long gone are the day when a silly simple thing would flare my temper, I congratulated myself for having become a good, matured(???) adult. But the party didn't last long, all the fancy trips that I took myself were a waste or to say short-lived. I thought I was a very adjusting person, but nah....from Monday I have been letting out my ire in each and everyone who is trying to make things difficult for me. I am a person who has not imbibed "impossible" or "cannot be done" word or attitude in my fabric of life.

I am reminded of the line from Alchemist, which says, when u set to achieve something the whole world conspires against U. Thankfully the temper flaring has remained to the confines to my work place, the rest of the world does not seem to face it. To make things easy, I am lying low these days, silence prevails when I reach home (for once), and ofcourse my best friends, my books, give me great company. Thanks to all the various book fairs I keep visiting on and off.

Oh yes, in all this confusion, I remembered that I have another blog, my foodie corner, have updated after half a year...give me ur inputs :)

While surfing over the net, i came across India Together and read this poem. Its got a strong message, but its a well written one. This one is called Kathamanabi - "Her" Voice Written by, Mallika Sengupta, who has written numerous poems in Bengali. This series is called 'Kathamanabi' which translates to "Her Voice". In this series she has chosen to narrate the stories from the lives of eight women beginning with Ganga, Draupadi and Kshana and ending with Shah Bano and Medha.

Kathamanabi
Poetess Mallika Sengupta in "her voice".
Translated by Vaijayanti Gupta
I am "her" voice, recounting her tales,
from the vedic age to the 21st century.
The fire that has remained stifled in the ashes of history, smothered by time and age,
I am that woman - I speak of her.
I read tears, I write fire,
I live in infamy and consume its ashes.
I endure violence, and still breathe fire.
I live as long as this fire burns within me.

It is rather hard to endure the scorching heat of the flame that my words kindle. You do not like to hear a woman speak strong words….
You meet me very often;
After the initial exchanges, when you have known me better,
You are taken aback. 'How strange', you say, 'the traditional bindi adorns your face, your hair is braided casually, you look like any other woman. I expected you to be different…'
Tell me, to voice "her" protests, do I need
To dress in a different attire, shut my natural cravings to be affectionate or to be in love?
I want to rebel, despite being in love.
Along with my loveliness and charm, I want you to see the fire that burns within me.

O man, my equal partner in life,
If you are to ask how I would like to be treated- 'As an equal'.
The same answer that Porus gave king Alexander, 'treat me as befits a king'.

You have loved me, worshipped me, but never treated me like a human, as an equal.
Of course I will protest, should I not?
O earth, water, wind, fire and life (people)
Of India, I offer my humble prayers to you.
Let me speak of us, your women,
Trampled all through history, cornered and defeated.
Listen to my tales.

I was in Kshana's screams
When her tongue was cut and she was silenced,
Because her intellect outshone yours.
I was born as Kunti then, Kalpana Chawla now, the same story repeated.
I was Roop Kanwar in this century, and Sita in the vedic ages.
The cries of Anarkali are buried deep within me.
My clothes were torn off my body when I lived as Draupadi in Hastinapura.
My rape and humiliation still continues in the alleys of the metros in India.
I have walked along the banks of the ancient Saraswati and was born as Medha's spirit, in this age, to love and battle for a river.

I live in them, those that have borne this nation in their wombs, but are not the true guardians of those whom they bear.
I am the helplessness of the women Panchayat leaders, puppets of your political
schemes.
I exist in the women who kill their baby girls in their wombs, the blood of
infanticide staining their hands and souls.
In all mute, deaf, and disabled women,
Burdens of this society, I am alive in them.

Born of this earth, your daughter,
Full of emotions and sentiments and love
I salute you mother India,
I begin my story, the story of your women.

Ramana asked me "Does ur heart beat faster sometimes?" and I replied "My heart beat has never been slow"...this wasn't a personification of myself. I have realised off late that there has to be excitement else I am as good as a dead person.

Moving onto some good things in life...Main Hoon na Audio is surely rocking...After the lovely "Kal ho na ho" magic, the magic trio King Khan-Javed Akhtar-Sonu nigam have come up with a beauty in the title track of Main Hoon na. Anu Mallik has done a wonderful job as always. The song is mesmerising, and not to mention I have been hooked onto it from the past week or so. Its soothing, and easy on the ears. No high pitch, no heavy beats. Infact the entire album has a oldist touch to it. A very recommended listen.

Agar koi problem ho toh...Main hoon na...!!!!

Many Many Happy Returns of the day to the F1 freak

Happy Holi to the rest of the junta!

Something which came on the mail...makes interesting reading...wonder why i dont make such mistakes?

anyways read on

"Genius? Nothing! Sticking to it is the genius! ... I've failed my way to success."

--Thomas Edison

Sit down. Pour yourself a Coke, have a chocolate chip cookie--whatever you like. Then, grab a yellow sticky note and write this down:

MISTAKES ARE GOOD

You may have heard this before, but I bet you still hate the idea of screwing up and embarrassing yourself in front of everybody. This is understandable. We aren't very nice to people who make mistakes. Unless you somehow manage not to do anything ever again, you will mess up,somehow, somewhere. I promise. If you have the right frame of mind, though, that mistake could turn out to be one of the most valuable, most important, most memorable, or most delicious accidents in history. It's happened before--too many times for me to describe without giving you severe eyestrain. There's a great little book on the topic called Mistakes that Worked , by Charlotte Foltz Jones. It's written for kids, but it's the sort of thing that's a fun read even for adults. I've picked my favorite mistakes from history, science, and folklore. Some are familiar. We already know, for instance, that Christopher Columbus meant to sail to Asia, not America. We may never have pondered other mistakes, however. Where would Jack be ifhis mother hadn't tossed his magic beans out the window? Not up the beanstalk getting golden eggs from the giant's goose, that's for
sure.And where would Cinderella be had she not dropped her glass slipper? Cleaning the fireplace, that's where. (By the way, did you know that the original Cinderella story had her wearing a fur shoe? A French writer made a mistake when he wrote the story down in 1697, confusing two homonyms--vair, an Old French word for fur, and verre, which is French for glass. But it was a good mistake, making for much more romantic story, and much better fashion.)
And now for the rest...Coca-Cola, chocolate chip cookies, and yellow sticky notes Did you wonder why I invited you to have a snack at the beginning of this story? It was because both Coca-Cola and chocolate chip cookies were mistakes--or at least unexpected delights. And yellow sticky notes were the result of a failure. Here's what happened.

Innkeeper Ruth Wakefield was baking Butter Drop Do cookies one day in the 1930s using a recipe that dated back to colonial times. She cut up a Nestlé chocolate bar and put the chunks in the batter, expecting them to melt.
Wakefield thought she'd be pulling chocolate-flavored cookies out of the oven. Instead, what she got were butter cookies studded with gooey chocolate chips. Her mistake became one of the most favorite cookies of all time.

Coca-Cola was the result of another delicious accident. In 1886 a pharmacist named John Pemberton cooked up a medicinal syrup in a large brass kettle slung over an open fire, stirring it with an oar. When he was done, he
figured he had created a fine tonic for people who were tired, nervous, or plagued with sore teeth. Coke didn't make it as medicine, and wasn't even an instant success as a beverage. In the first year, Pemberton spent $73.96 promoting his new product but managed to sell only $50 worth. Today people guzzle 1 billion drinks a day from the Coca-Cola company (they make more than Coke), which is quite encouraging for us everyday screw-ups.

Yellow sticky notes, officially known as Post-it Notes, got their start in 1968 when a 3M researcher tried to improve adhesive tape. What he got was a semi sticky adhesive--not exactly what you want out of tape. Even so, he knew he had something cool--he just didn't know what to do with it. Four years later, another 3M scientist was getting frustrated. This scientist was a member of his church choir, and he kept dropping the bookmarks stuck in his hymnal. What he needed was something that would stick without being too sticky--something just like that weak glue his colleague had accidentally created. In 1980 the Post-it Note became an official product and a huge hit.

This brings to mind a powerful quote by scientist Louis Pasteur, "Where observation is concerned, chance favors only the prepared mind," and another, by writer James Joyce, "Mistakes are the portals for discovery." What they mean is that you should look carefully--and study your errors. You may find things you were never looking for, things that could change the world, or at the very least, taste really good.

The ways of people just does not stop suprising me, or do i say jumping off my seat. I called a certain well known university liason office at 2:30 p.m (IST) and asked for a certain person, the converstaion went like this:

Me: Can i talk to Mr. S?
Other Voice: Sorry Ma'am he is not longer employed with us.
Me: Can i talk to someone else.
Other Voice: Ma'am all are off for lunch
Me: When would they be back?
Other Voice: Call after 5 or 5:30, they should be back by then?
[I had to hold the speaker with both my hands, I wasn't prepared for this reply....imagine a lunch break which goes on till 5:30 p.m?]
Me: What? So long?
Other Voice: Yes [bangs the phone]

Well....what do u have to say to this?

Hello People, howdy? If all of u have been wondering if i have joined the bandwagon of bloggers who stopped, nope, not yet. I still have a long way to go before i say Bye to Blogging. Here i am...:)

Have been away at the Capital for a Conference, which was fantastic, more details as i get time....

Meanwhile a Big hello to all of u and Happy 29th Feb 2004, wonder if i would be blogging till 29th Feb 2008...Some food for though eh?

Check this out!

Uncanny physics of comic book superheroes

Its review time on Images of Life....

For all those die-hard foodies at Bangalore, check out this restaurant on Outer Ring Road near Martathalli, its called Malgudi, and the minute you enter into the compound of this restaurant, ur taken into the magical creative land of RK Narayan. Yes like the traditional South Indian house, the portico has a wonderful swing, to which ur attracted like iron to a magnet. The magnificent door leads u to the inner hall which is again a replica of Swami's house. The walls are adorned with caricatures of Swami and his family (Courtesy RK Lakshman), and ofcourse showcasing the tanjavore paintings and the like.

Coming to the most important aspect of the place...the food...its yumm....a good combination of veg and non-veg. you can try a variety of starters. Try the kokom sherbet, made of a special variety of fruit from South Canara, its refreshing, or the Tender coconut concoction with a difference....they are amazing. The main course, has a wide variety of all south Indian palate. The curryleaf rice along with kotu is a good choice, or the neer dosa with spicy prawn curry is a heavenly delight. For a person like me who eats bland food, its quite spicy, but it does tickle the taste buds. The veg thali is quite filling with the various interesting accompaniments.

For those who hate south Indian food they can try "Dhaba" which right atop this south Indian restaurant. The review of this some other time :)

P.S: Spelling mistakes maybe over looked please.

After a long long time, the weekend was a quite a happening one and it started from the weekend eve itself. Watched "The Lord of the Rings - Return of the King" special screening on Friday night...what better way than this to start the weekend. The theatre was booked by one of a vendors, thus a few of us got passes for this special show. Though there was nothing special about it. The MC there was pathetic, who goofed at every step. He called the movie Lord of the King - Return of the Rings, not just this, he didnot even get the name of the vendor right. Me wonders if they paid him any money for his pathetic service. Here's my views of the movie.

The final film of Peter Jackson’s exemplary fantasy saga is an enthralling, near overwhelming experience. For patient followers of the three films, there is almost too much to absorb here in one sitting. For what has been a complete impossible task, Jackson has brought to life these made-belief character and they sure do drive a chill down ur spine. Nothing seems make belief here, you actually tend to belive that these mammoths and all those creatures may exist somewhere in this world. You are caught breathless with the wonderful scenic beauty of New Zealand. The artistic effects of the movie are just out of the world. I did feel sad that here comes an end to the trilogy, no more waiting for what would happen next, ofcourse u would know it most if u have had read the book.
But watching it makes it all the more different.

Coming to the story line:
The Return of the King starts out with the wizard Gandalf as he rides to Minas Tirith, capital of Gondor (with Pippin in hand), to seek it's leader. Meanwhile, Aragorn and King Theoden march triumphantly into battle against the forces of Mordor along with Legolas, Gimli and Merry. The reunited six members of the Fellowship, joined by Eoywn, Eomer and Faramir, face off in a final war against the Dark Lord Sauron's forces.

In the dark depths of the tower of Cirith Ungol, Frodo has been captured by Orcs after the climactic battle against the spider Shelob, leaving Sam with the Ring. Gollum has slinked away, and Sam must brave through Mordor to fulfil his master's duties. But when Frodo escapes, both of the hobbits enter Mordor to finally finish the dreadful deed of having the evil One Ring destroyed.

Gandalf (Ian McKellen) is confident that eventually the good men and women will triumph but he also knows he must buy time for Frodo to toss the Ring into the lava at Mount Doom and destroy its effectiveness, and save humanity The White Wizard really gets into the thick of battle in this one, and does not fail to capture the heart of his fans.


Aragorn finally gets to show off some of his heritage, and Viggo Mortensen acts it marvelously. Also coming into their own are Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan. Merry and Pippin, the hobbits truly get their chance to shine in this film, and show true courage and spirit. And then there's Elijah Wood's Frodo, Sean Astin's Samwise, and Andy Serkis' Smeagol. The enslavement and downfall of Smeagol is wonderfully enacted by Andy in the first few minutes of the film, and just like before, his Gollum is cruel in all the right ways. Elijah wood has done a great job, you sure go through his trails and errors of being able to destroy the ring. The exhaustion is very much natural on his face.

But the hobbit who takes the whole show by storm is Samwise. He goes through the hardship, pain and heart wrenching trails with Frodo. Living through each turbulent moment as Smeagol tries to get him out of his way. He is just awesome.

The magic comes to an end and it is just sheer magic, which you would want to live through again and again.

As i drove back home, i could picture the entire movie again and again. And for quite a large part of the night i was tempted to start reading the book all over again just to relive the moments again. Call me a crazy LOTR fan, well i am :)

We are having Sports Competitions happening at our company, and i a absolutely good for nothing sports(wo)man was pulled in to play Ladies doubles & Mixed doubles Badminton. These were slated for the weekend. God Bless my partners, who were as supportive as they can be. I can hit shots and manage to play, but the basic problem with me is my serivce...and that itself is the life of the game. Thanks to my partners we reached the second round and then lost at the quarters. Not a bad show after all. The after effect of the entire day are swollen arms and muscle ache. This is what happens when u play once in a way. The best team won and it was a treat to watch them playing. It was more like game of Tennis rather than Badminton.

Sunday was when Bryan Adam was to entertain Bangalore. After the whole thought of Do we or Do we not go? We ended up at the place at 6:30 p.m. To be welcomed by a sea of humanity. After initial performances by Assma and Dragonfly (a Boston based rock group), both the groups were booed whole heatedly by the mad crowd gathered to watch Bryan, who ultimately made an entry at 9:20 p.m. with the song "Here I am"...i need not tell u how the crowd reacted, u have to see it to belive it. My first visit to rock show and it shall remain a memorable one.

The weekend just zipped and gave way to another hectic week.

Blog posting have been refrained for Friday, am amazed how I am letting my blog suffer, though there is so much to write...as anyone else in this world, am short of time, or is it the simplest excuse I can come up with?

While I brood over this, a comical fact....Happy weekend fellas.

Gentlemen, I have been riding trains daily for the last two years, and the service on your line seems to be getting worse every day. I am tired of standing in the aisle all the time on a 14-mile trip. I think the transportation system is worse than that enjoyed by people 2,000 years ago.
Yours truly, A Commuter

Dear Sir, We received your letter with reference to the shortcomings of our service and believe you are somewhat confused in your history. The only mode of transportation 2,000 years ago was by foot.
Sincerely, The Railroad

Gentlemen, I am in receipt of your letter, and I think you are the ones who are confused in your history. If you will refer to the Bible, Book of David, 9th Chapter, you will find that Balaam rode to town on his ass. That, gentlemen, is something I have not been able to do on your train in the last two years.
Yours truly, The Commuter

What do u do when u get such mails? Actually try and do it? check ur impulse

UNBELIEVABLE ! BUT TRUE !!!

I THOUGHT THIS WAS GOING TO BE STUPID BUT WE REALLY CAN'T DO THIS.
Proof that the same side of our brain cannot do 2 different things at
once...

While sitting at your desk make clockwise circles with your right foot. While doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction.

Well I tried doing it, and I don't know if that was how it would be, but I thought the results were as predicted above...strange but true!

Someone asked me today to guide them through the good blogs around. Humm...not an easy question to answer....How do u judge which blog is "good" or bad"..

This I guess is a perennial question, answer to which are many.

Early morning tele-con

Me (as lost as always) : Hello
X : Hi Ayesha, Me X here How are u?
Me : Am doing well, how are u?
(Background process: Trying to figure why this x is sounding so cheerful, maybe becoz i am ready to blast)x: Tell me who is the contact person for Knowledge Management, you know i want to meet them and check how things are working out at your company?
Me (with a strong tinge of sarcasm in my voice) : Why do u want to know about KM? what would it help you with
X: Well, u may not know, i joined Y Company in the KM and Content Management Team
Me (voice takes a 360 degree turn): Ohh...i did not know,
X (sounding apologetic) : Oh is it? (gives me the details)

Well, this is me and my trail and errors with matching names to voices off late, Wasn't this bad, shows that age is catching up with me :(. The voice X who called this morning is very similar to one Z, who coincidently share the same name, and much to my surprise their voices also match....Uparwale, yeh kya chakar hai?

Anyways, this is just an example of me and my lost self...If anyone finds me somewhere, please let me know :(
Meanwhile read this article by JOHN BUCHANAN , till i find myself

I sometimes wonder what mood the Creator was in when he decided to make the various moods of people. the way we manipulate our moods to suit our whims and fancies is something which has been an astonishing fact for me. Forget other people, i sometimes amaze myself with my sudden turns of moods. At one minute i am sulking and the next i am as cheerful as u could think of, the vice-versa is more so prominent. The changing factors could be many, maybe a person, or someone's thoughts or some funny episode or something which was not to happen. I mean, its so very unpredictable.

Unpredictability of the human mind and action is a strange mystery, stranger than the smile of Mona Lisa. Not fretting or cribbing, this un-predictive nature, adds to the spice of life. Imagine a world where we knew whats gonna happen next, whats the fun. And human being, the most spoilt of the entire living beings, are never happy.

P.S: I am amazed at myself for coming up with this good for nothing post....tolerate please ;-)

In case u don't know...check out the quotes on Madhu's blog....gets u in the thinking and smiling (not the same order) mode.

Happiness

Happiness is a state of mind, which does not occur by itself. It is your choice to be happy or unhappy in life, or to be content with the life you have got. It is up to you how you relate yourself with the life's events and determine your joy as well as misery.

How do you feel when someone does good to you or when someone does something that hurts you? Do you start feeling the same for him or do you give it a second thought as to why you were treated so? This attitude toward life is the key to happiness. If your attitude is negative then even a good thing around you, will not bring happiness to you. You need not go anywhere in search of happiness. It is everywhere and right inside you. You can make up your mind to be happy and you will find your life more rewarding. Do not get disturbed with little obstacles and worries that come your way.


This has been submitted by my niece to her school magazine. The last sentence has me reeling from the minute I have read it. This simple line has a very strong effect on me.

RAINDROP

This leaf, so complete in itself,
Is only part of the tree.
And this tree, so complete in itself,
Is only part of the forest.
And the forest runs down from the hill to the sea,
And the sea, so complete in itself,
Rests like a raindrop
In the hand of God.

-- Ruskin Bond

The Final Test

What a match it was...from start to finish. The Aussies would never want to remember this game except as the farewell game of Steve Waugh. Waugh bhai waugh...kya khela aapne.

The final moments were really touching. The entire stadium standing up to give a amazing farewell to this man, who has made such a big mark in the cricketing world.

As for the Indians well done guys. U seem to be getting better with the days. I just hope we have a equally amazing One day competition.

Jeeto India Jeeto!!!!

We are all ships returning home
laden with life's experience,
memories of work, good times and sorrows,
each with his special cargo;
And it is our common lot
to show the marks of the voyage,
here a shattered prow, there a patched rigging,
and every hulk turned black
by the unceasing batter of the restless wave.

May we be thankful for fair weather and smooth seas,
and in times of storm have the courage
and patience that mark every good mariner;
And, overall, may we have the cheering hope of joyful meetings,
as our ship at last drops anchor
in the still water of the eternal harbor.

Max Ehrmann
American Poet

Happy New Year people......herez a interesting message, guess it would have bombarded ur mail box as well...phir bhi...yet another look

H ours of happy times with friends and family
A bundant time for relaxation
P rosperity
P lenty of love when you need it the most
Y outhful excitement at lifes simple pleasures

N ights of restful slumber (you know - dont' worry be happy)
E verything you need
W ishing you love and light

Y ears and years of good health
E njoyment and mirth
A angels to watch over you
R embrances of a happy years!

Year 2003 came with great promise, but all hopes for our family were shattered when we faced the biggest calamity, Dad left us in the very begriming of the year. A sorrow which we are still coming to terms with, a vacuum which can never be filled. As the year passed and as we have slowly realized, life has to go on.

Amidst this gloom and solitude, one thing i realized was the strength that i have with me. The strength of the wonderful people called friends, who have been there in real terms during good times and bad. Who have been that source of strength and inspiration, who have been pushing me hard to smile and to live life like Dad's brave little girl. Thanks a lot people, for making me a part of your life.

As we big good by to 2003 and 2004 becokns, here's wishing all of u a very happy new year. Have a blast on New Year DAy, and May 2004 bring in loads and loads of good wish, health, happiness, wealth and smiles.


Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Another year has just whizzed by, and along with the year so many memories, sweet-sour, happy-sad. That's how life is meant to be! At the threshold of another year, I gear myself to face the world, with renewed vigor. And as I grow a year older today, I pray that I grow equally wiser !

From the minute start it has been great, so many calls, wishes, cards, flowers...amazing, am just dumb stuck. Long forgotten friends calling is what has just taken me by surprise. Thanks a ton all of U...U made my day :)

God Bless all of U!

Updated my bloggers list, after a long time...sorry for the delay people.

A simple word or a deed by someone unknown, can make or break our mood.

This has happened with me y'day and today...seen both the faces of the coin in the span of 24 hours :)

Daily Vigilance

Just as the bald eagle must be vigilant every day to survive in this old-growth forest of giant cedar trees, we too must be vigilant every day in our old (or new) growth companies to protect assets, win new business, survive the downturn, and prepare to thrive in the eventual upturn

This is the quote on the cover page of a journal called "Executive Excellence".

"Strange are the ways of the world and stranger are the ways of men." This is one quote which always comes to my mind come what situation. Wonder who said this, its the most appropriate description of the vague behavior of human being.

Human behavior has always kindled my curiosity. And this is not a recent development, As a year old kid, I tore the first twenty pages of one of the bibles of Psychology, which my aunt has brought for herself. Maybe I was so disgusted with the way it was depicted that I just let my fury on it.

Irrational and illogical behavior gets me on my nerves. I loose my patience when people try to monopolize and get their own way with people. Its not that I let people use me as a scape goat. But my silence at times is taken for granted. Each time I decide, enough is enough, but then I forget sooner than expected, but forgive I do it very very slow.

Going through Ferzana's blog, I was dumb stuck. Though I have been following whats on with her, I have not had the strength to write to her. I just hope that she gets over this sooner than she expects it to get over.

Again, Strange are the ways of life and stranger the ways of men??

My latest Possesion:

Alto LXI, white color

An early birthday gift :)

Never realized that its 3 days since I made a post...I am letting myself get so unaware of the world around me? I don't know...Maybe its just that I am cruising along with the current without the knowledge of whats happening.

Too much for a Friday evening....cut it out. Have a good weekend and I shall catch up Monday with more brightness :-D

Neither am i superior, neither am i inferior
"I AM WHAT I AM"

This always reminds me of the song from Mother India...its such a adoreable song....and so very meaningful...

"na mai.n bhagavaan huu.N na mai.n shaitaan huu.N
duniyaa jo chaahe samajhe mai.n to inasaan huu.N"

"DREAMS visit us when we are asleep, but God is truly wise, He wakes us up each day and gives us every chance to make our DREAMS come true"

Am sure this statement would make u smile and brood upon the magic of dreams. Dreams just don't come true in a day or two, for a few it takes a life time, for some much less than that. Whats more important is to have faith in the magical world of dreams to come true.

All of us have dreams and ambitions in life. Things in life are divided (according to me) as "Must have", "Good to have" and "Nice to have". Ofcourse this list changes at our whim and fancy, becoz we are the creators of dreams and we are the ones who need to pursue it.

Dream is to have that pretty dress which you would have seen at the mall, dream is to own the car which someone always drove and u looked with awe. Dream is to bring the smile on ur face and onto others upon successful accomplishment of a task, dream is the content look after reaching the one goal in life.

I suddenly realized that my goals and dreams seem to be changing like the ever changing demands of a teenager. Something i have never had control of...the past...the present or the future...

I will think a trillion times before i swallow a tab...read this

Picture this:

A pigeon whose wings got clipped (God knows how), starts hoping, out of no where two dogs start fighting to get the chubby pigeon as their dinner. This was in one of the posh residential layouts and the dogs belonged to a rich fellow. I was about to park and get out, when I saw this cruel scene. To distract their attention, I started honking loudly, and the pigeon tried to hop under one of the big cars, but the dogs were hell bent on having a upper hand on it...I could not stand it longer just came away from there. Feeling lousy that i could not do anything at all for the little birdie.

So strange na? We tend to loose control over small things in life and there is absolutely nothing at all we can do.

Patthar Kaha Gaya Kabhi Sheesha Kaha Gaya
Dil Jaisi Ek Cheez Ko Kya-Kya Kaha Gaya

Sheron Mein Us Husn Ko Kya-Kya Kaha Gaya
Badal Ko Zulf, Phool Ko Chehra Kaha Gaya

Soche Toh Yeh Bhi Ek Kafaas Hi Toh Hai Jise
Teh_zeeb Ki Zubaan Mein Kamara Kaha Gaya

Ek Baat Ekhteyaar Se Bahar Jo Ki Us_se
Kis Khubsoorti Se U_se Tamaana Kaha Gaya

Hairat Unki Bazm Mein Mohbaat, Nikal 'Zaffar'
Mujhse Gunaah-E-Gair Ko Apana Kaha Gaya"

"Lyrics: Zaffar Gorukhpuri

Back after a good break...from peace to chaos.

Ramadan (check the archive) the month of mercy is coming to an end. The feeling during this entire month is totally rejuvenate. The feelings of serenity, charity, sensibility, control of sense come in abundance during this month. Not only are u restricting yourself from food, but all the evil and devilish thoughts and actions. To think of it, its practiced by every Muslim with the same fervor and gaiety. All are equal in the eyes of the Almighty. Extra prayers, extra charity, extra smile and not to mention extra food. It is a time of worship and contemplation. A time to strengthen family and community ties.

The holy month ends with celebration, on the first day of the 10th Lunar month of the Islamic calendar, the day is Called Eid-Ul-Fitr...The day when the faithful get together to pray and start the year afresh. Preparation for the festival begin right from day one of Ramadan, there is a certain delight in this festival which is absent from other occasions.

I am taking off for a week from today, will be away from blogging, hopefully the next month should see me back with rebounded and renewed energy. Till then Eid Mubarak to all of us, May Almighty bless us all and may peace prevail in this world. Ameen!

My posts for this week have been contradictory, though they came in the reverse order. Also realised that after a long time, i have made long posts....am i boring people?

New pals made

Life has been moving on a fast lane. Do I hear someone say "Whats new about it?"

Last week, I handled a complete different responsibility at work. I was nominated to take care of our Director's wife, while he attended to business. Why me? was my question, and someone said, u know the city like the back of ur palm and I chuckled so loudly, they thought I was mad. Scene here is so bad with me, I sometimes don't recognize the back lane of my house, and the entire city as the back of my palm? Anyways since the responsibility was dumped on me, I took it with a smile.

The entire exercise turned out to be more fun, I realized that I was representing the entire Indian Culture, oh boy! too much for my weak shoulders, but I am glad I carried it with ease and had the lady asking for more. Mrs. Director, a German, a marine biologist by profession, who has now turned to be a full-time mother, was a amazing lady, the wisdom in her face shone so bright I was awe-struck. After a round of about 4 hours of shopping, where she brought some exquisite sandle handicrafts, pashmina shawls, silk scrafs, chudidar's and hold ur breath a lovely green saree. She looked so elegant in the emerald green saree, that everyone at the store had to turn around to look at her. Ofcourse many on-lookers found it funny that a European wearing a saree...but believe me she looked gorgeous.

After a wonderful four hours of shopping, chatting, discussion ranging from home to studies to work to religion to ethics to cooking to what not, we came back to the hotel. As i escorted her to her room, she called me in, i was to give a gift to her on behalf of the company. Much before i could do that, she suprised me with a gift. Nothing small, a neat Swarvoski Broach. I was so surprised and touched, i stood there gaping at her. A smile and a hug made me come back to my senses....i just could not beleive it. We parted after promising to see each other at the official dinner. And ofcourse, since i took her around while on my fast, made me score more brownie points with her. The dinner not to mention was a good one, just hoped that India has won the Bangalore match and made our evening more memorable.

As i walked into the office and showed it to a few people they could not beleive what they saw. Was voted the richest lady the company. ;-)
It so happened that the next day i was again requested to take another Customer for shopping, ofcourse recommended by our Lady, this again was fun, and i didnot get a gift at the end of it.

A thouroughly enjoyable experience, and a rewarding one too.

Goodbye to another great pal

Weekend as always was hectic, possibly they are meant to be so. Apart from being hectic, this particular weekend kinda began on a sad note and that left the entire Sunday to be spent in a retrospective mood.

We finally bade farewell to our grand, good old Ambassador, our priced possession for 11 years and 6 months. From the day it came in to the day it left, each day has its own unique memory. We being a big family, this was the right car for us...and we have thoroughly freaked out with it.

Watching someone drive it out was a very tough situation and since i have been the family driver for a fairly long period, i have been more emotionally attached to the car than rest of them (I can hear them scream nooooo already...glad very few of my family reads my journal). From ferrying kids to school and college, to daily shopping and family picnics and weddings and joy rides, the car has tolerated quite a few decibels of noise from its inmates. It has been the rough and tough vehicle of the family. 10 months after Dad one of the often used vehicle by him has also bade goodbye to us....a lot of emotion attached to it.

Till date i remember the first time i single-handedly tried to opearte the car, the huge piece of metal would not budge an inch, inspite of my ranting and grumbling. It took me full 20 mins to get it out, that was when i had "just" learnt to drive a car...but being the never-say-die attitude person, i got it up and running, and not to mention was on top of the world. If i am able to drive perfectly well today, its all thanks to the dear old amby baby. It has been rightly called my "baby"...Infact i could write a whole book related to the funny and not-so-funny incidents which i have had with this car. Part of my celebrity hood at town is due to the good old car. The garage at home looks odd with the Santro in there (our latest possession), for the car does not even occupy half the space. Good bye my dear friend...stay happy

Well...all that comes has to go...lessons of detachments in abundance...

H A P P Y C H I L D R E N'S DAY



Keep the kid in u always alive!

Continuing with the Sleep talk... herez a cute one...

Why do we have only 24 hours in a day?
God please increase the number of hours....so that i can sleep longer ;-)

Q: What does being efficient and helpful mean?

A: A call at 2300 hrs asking for the telephone number of a local transport office, followed by a sms thanking a trillion (or was it a zillion?) times and another sms which followed asking for the Radio Taxi's contact number.

This isn't a joke or made to believe situation, this happened Saturday night and, it was one of "Thou shall not be disturbed night"...but then, can u say no to friends?

God bless the mobile phone technology....a equal boon and a bane...

"Let your secret sympathies and your compassion be always with the underdog in the fight - this is magnamimity; but bet on the other one - this is business."
- Mark Twain

Could not agree better with Mr. Twain, the business of life sure is very dicey.

There are many a situations in life when u re just short of words, thoughts and actions. Its not the feeling of being lost, but its the feeling of just not been the reacting quickly as you would otherwise be....the senses just seem to go off on a holiday, the logic just having ditched u, leaving u to face the music. What do u do? Smile and join the music party, dancing to the tune...or create your own music, which may be noise or soothing sound?

Last evening, i saw a couple of guys, who were reading out a letter to one of the Gorkha's. I just could not stop myself from standing there and observing these three characters, the ones who were reading were trying their best to get the voice of the writer, the one listening was the person to watch. The sea of emotions on his face, from the smile of contention to the questioning look, the nodding of the head and the yes i agree with u look. It was a fascinating view.

That's when i realise that i probably look the same when i read my mails and just cannot stop the emotions flowing on my face, possibly someone watches these changes on my face and probably smiles...just the way i did looking at these kewl dudes.

Isn't it a wonderful feeling to look up at the sky and marvel at the distance between the clouds and the earth?
The feeling of delight to touch the stars, cruise along with the clouds.....into a vacant land and find greener pastures.
Would it be a delight to just be there???!!!!

Jab Chaha Jazbaat Se Khele Jab Chaha Dil ThoRh Diya
Hum Ne Bhi Aise Logon Se Milna Julna ChoRh Diya.....

Tum Ko Kuch Ehasaas Nahin Hai, Hairat Toh Is Baat Ki Hai
Tum Ne Toh Baaton-Baaton Mein Dil Ka Chaala PhoRh Diya....

Rahe-Rahe Kar Yeh Soch Raha Hun Kaun Hai Aisa Jaadugar
Jisaki Ek Awaaz Ne BhaRhate Toofan Ka Rukh MoRh Diya....

Kya Karna Tha Kya Kar Bhete Socha Samjha Kuch Bhi Nahin
Tum Bhi Tanhaa Ho Mujhko Bhi Tumne Tanhaa ChoRh Diya....

-- Author Unknown

It has been raining from 11:00 p.m last night, and strange enough has been a continues drizzle all along. Rains have been happening from the weekend, all of a sudden the horizon goes pitch dark at noon time. It’s a beautiful sight from my office, the city all neat and clean.

Perfect time to get cozy with ur fav movie, book and loads of stuff to eat. All that should be done is eat and sleep :)

Why is so difficult to detach urself from something (material and immaterial)?
Are we to blame it?
Is it that we create a cosy comfort zone and just dont want to take risk?

Am full of unanswerable questions...

Arz kiya hai!

"Aap Ke Dil Mein Kya Hai Bata Deejiye
Yun Na khamosh Rahekar Sazaa Deejiye

Ya To Vaada-Wafa Aap Pura Karen
Ya Ummedon Ki Shamaa Bhuja Deejiye

Aap Ko Chaah Kar Kuch Na Chaaha Kabhi
Meri Chahaat Ka Kuch To Sila Deejiye

Phool Murjha Gaye Aap Ki Chah Mein
Muskura Kar Unhe Phir Khila Deejiye"

Lyrics: Israar Ansari

---

Ajab usool hain is karobaar-e-duniya ke
kisi ka karz kisi aur ne utara hai

yeh do kinaare to dariya ke hogaye humtum
magar woh kaun hai jo teesra kinara hai

"This world is run with far too tight a rein for luck to interfere. Fortune sells her wares; she never gives them. In some form or other, we pay for her favors; or we go away empty." - Amelia Barr

This quote has been running through my head from the very second Madhu sent it on the mail....there is something very intruding in this whole quote which has just hit out at me.

(P.S. After ages i have made a double post in a day that too within the span of an hour....shows my lazy mood ;-) )

MIT's Technology Review is my latest hangout. A very infomative Site which covers all facades of Technologies

Check out their weblogs, written by Rodney Brooks, Simson Garfinkel, David Kushner and Henry Jenkins. All luminaries in their own right.

A train ride is always exciting and an eye opener. The rusting iron smell engulfing u, the chitter-chatter of people around, the hawkers with the innumerable eatables which make u go hungry every second minute, the fight for the seats, the few inquisitive faces along with many aloof travellers when a new passenger walks into the compartment. Its a total mela in there. ITs difficult to explain who are more desperate, the guys who want to get in or those who want to get off the train.

Sunday while returning from Mysore, i took the 5 p.m. Mysore-Tirupati-Chennai Express, this was the first time i was coming by this train, leaving town ahead of the schedule. The train was jam packed and i had to find way to the Ladies compartment, the picture was worse there, not a place to sit. Found an upper berth and plonked myself there and got comfy with my book. But the bunch of noisy kids who were hell bent on making the three hour stretch a messy affair. The chai wala, the vada wala, the puri guy, all of them do a thriving business. They don't mind waking the sleeping lot, to sell their wares. A small bunch of girls, playing the game of Antakshri. A few tiffs to keep the kids quite ensue within the possessive moms. It was a good ride, though i missed creating a ruckus since my friends weren't around.

I generally travel by the 6 p.m. train, which is called the "Software Engineers train". The boogies filled with this breed of all shapes and sizes. One person comes early and catches the entire boogie (literally) for some 60-70 off guys who walk in like the Maharaja's after a while. U get to hear some wonderful conversations by these characters, some discussions which could put the industry pundits to shame. Topics range from fights at home to cricket, from the nosey customers to the wonderful phoren trips. From the number of flats/houses/land one owns to the fate of the guy who has not found a match as yet. Someone once suggested that all the S/W engineers should get together and make a union, now this was received with big "Boo", the guy was not seen in that boogie for the next three four weekends.

Once out of the train, it was a lonely feeling, though there was so much of noise around, people rushing to get to the required platforms, pushing and tugging. Its a sense of contradiction, the lonely being amongst the sea of humanity. At the end of the day, guess thats the state of affairs with all.

At last i got myself a new handset

Transitioning from a Panasonic to Sony-Ericsson was not big deal and i got a good deal with both the phone.

I sure have a stunner as a handset, surely turns heads :)

Dumbo
Dodo
Duffer
Dadi Ma
Boozo
Jhansi Ki Rani
Flying Woman
Vascoda Gama's Cousin
Stone Woman
Aye (short for Hey Aye...)
Mona Lisa
Thinking Woman

And i am still called "Ayesha" most of the time :)

Suku's Kya scene hai, reminded me of my fav movies. It includes a list of all time fav's and first name that comes to my mind is "PYAR KIYE JAA".

A very cute movie which had Kishore Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Mumtaz, Mehmood, Om Prakash, Kalpana playing the lead roles, and made way before my entry in the world was decided by my parents.

Pyar Kiye Ja is a simple movie with some hilarious scenes which keep u asking for more.

A few memorable scenes :

Mehmood, a movie crazy, wanna be director, running Wah Wah production company, always in search of a heroine for his movie, finds the love of his life in the wanna-be heroine Mumtaz (as lovely as ever). Catch him explaining the bhoot scene to a petrified Om Prakash, with the required sound effects. I must have watched this movie, God knows how many times, and just cannot wait for this scene to come, a classic scene! Mehmood won the Best Comedian award for this movie that year (1966).

Shashi Kapoor is sacked from the job, in protest he pitches a tent in front of his employers house, the whole scene changes, which his so-called rich dad comes to his rescue.

Kishore Kumar who poses as the wealthy Dad of Shashi Kapoor is at his best. Each time he enters his house, he calls for his so-called son "Ashok Ashok Ashok????" and his typical huii huiii huiii...

Music was by Laxmikanth-Pyarelal, the song "Oh meri myna" by Lata-Manna Dey is still a favourite with the world.

Lots and lots of scenes, a total paisa vasool movie, which remain dew fresh to this day. Guess comedy movies always feature on the top 5 of anybody's favourite list. :)

Why did God give us Arms...for a simple hug which just charges u with unbounded, untold energy...its great to be hugged by ur loved ones. A cute little poem which i just chanced upon, gives the perfect essence of a HUG

There's something in a simple hug
That alway warms the heart;
It welcomes us back home
And makes it easier to part.
A hug's a way to share the joy
And sad times we go through,
Or just a way for friends to say
hey I like you 'cause you're you.
Hugs are meant for anyone
For whom we really care,
from your grandma to your neighbor,
Or a cuddly teddy bear.
A hug is an amazing thing -
it's just the perfect way
To show the love we're feeling
But can't find the words to say.
It's funny how a little hug
Makes everyone feel good;
In every place and language,
It's always understood.
And hugs don't need new equipment,
Special batteries or parts -
Just open up your arms
And open up your hearts.

I woke up on the 1st of October with the not soo great yahoo feeling. suddenly i decided that i am going to take off on Friday 3rd of October. While applying for leave, i noticed it has been 5 months since i took leave. Am i getting to be a workaholic...????

4 days at home sounded bliss and the much needed break. Took my own time to wake up on Thursday, after wishing the father of the nation, A Happy Birthday, i jumped on the next bus to Mysore. It was a lovely sight, all along the route, the lush green fields, the warm sunlight and loads of people. Festivities in air, a smile on the lips made the 3 hour journey a memorable one.

Mysore, after a gap of nearly 4 years was in its entire regal, royal splendor. The Palaces and monuments beautifully decorated, the well-manicured gardens with flowers of varied colors and designs, the whole city had the majestic touch, the eagerness dancing in everyone's eyes.

The four days just flew by, but i had my share of sleep and ample time to finish all the readings, just finished reading "A year by the Sea", a good one...but am still in awe of The Alchemist...

Back at work, it does sound and feel boring, but a peak outside and the rains do the magic to get back to good old mood to just enjoy each day as it comes :)

What matters most when u start writing a blog? The content, the length, the variety that u offer, would ur audience like it? After all we write for someone to read it and make a comment, right? Comment, Ah! the not so important but the vital ingredient of the blog. Don't u catch urself smiling when there are a huge number of comments on ur blog?

Not that the number of visitors matters, after all the blog is UR personal page, right?

Every time, every time this happens, what should be the post and then the length? Not that the length matters, because its more the quality of what u put in is what matters, according to me. But then lengthy posts sometimes makes it a difficult reading, and of course short and cryptic posts are good and it all depends on the writers mind on what they want to convey and if its conveyed in a short discreet way, great!

Why am i writing all this? Well, well well, i have become really lazy as far as my blog is concerned, for that matter, i am scoring a all time low on communication in life. I get bulldozed by all people when i don't mail them, and the rate is coming to a shocking low, something not expected of the "Quick Silver" me. But then, i am this is how i am these days

And if they feel that these injections at regular period will make me change, my dear friends, it may or may not...after all u know me, a rebel let loose :)