We are quite happy a lot of times in life. Reasons could be umpteen. Now think about this. Is the happiness to be considered real and genuine only when you feel like sharing it with someone? And then you actually go on and share the happiness. Or else, does the happiness wither away? Just dries off the moment you stop thinking about it?
Should happiness be shared? Is it only then that it is real?
Would appreciate your thoughts on this seemingly tricky question. Please do comment...
September 15, 2008
September 11, 2008
9/11...
... about 3,000 people belonging to over 90 nationalities died on this day in 2001.
A lot has changed since then, there have been several more attempts to hurt peace globally. Many have succeeded. The divide in this great race of humanity is clearly visible. What were once probably seen as reasons to be proud of, have become reasons to worry about. Religion is arguably the worst hit. Wealth related instabilities follow closely.
Since the inauspicious day of 2001, the damage done to the credibility of a particular community is extremely disappointing too. A lot has been generalised, unecessarily. A lot of books, movies and videos have been created to try and iron out the differences between the communities. Hope they have the desired impact.
The world is getting smaller, but the proximity increasingly means easier ways of getting struck.
The world is getting smarter and intelligent, yet the intelligence is to destroy not create.
The world has more languages than ever before, yet they are not used to communicate and share more than before but to create ruckus.
The world has more wealth than any time before, yet more are left poorer than wealthier.
A lot of us in this world have no clue as to where we are headed and what should be done with what we have, yet few others among us are spending a fortune to try and understand how all this might have started!
Sitting somewhere up there with a cup of coffee and few Parle-G biscuits, GOD surely must be smiling seeing all this...
A lot has changed since then, there have been several more attempts to hurt peace globally. Many have succeeded. The divide in this great race of humanity is clearly visible. What were once probably seen as reasons to be proud of, have become reasons to worry about. Religion is arguably the worst hit. Wealth related instabilities follow closely.
Since the inauspicious day of 2001, the damage done to the credibility of a particular community is extremely disappointing too. A lot has been generalised, unecessarily. A lot of books, movies and videos have been created to try and iron out the differences between the communities. Hope they have the desired impact.
The world is getting smaller, but the proximity increasingly means easier ways of getting struck.
The world is getting smarter and intelligent, yet the intelligence is to destroy not create.
The world has more languages than ever before, yet they are not used to communicate and share more than before but to create ruckus.
The world has more wealth than any time before, yet more are left poorer than wealthier.
A lot of us in this world have no clue as to where we are headed and what should be done with what we have, yet few others among us are spending a fortune to try and understand how all this might have started!
Sitting somewhere up there with a cup of coffee and few Parle-G biscuits, GOD surely must be smiling seeing all this...
September 10, 2008
I want to listen to silence
In this exciting world, everything is extremely dynamic. Time, climate, people, situations, relationships, events and so many other things are so variable. I guess that is what makes the entire 'game' exciting at the first place. Take relationships for instance. Think of a person whom you liked the most 10 years back. The person with whom you spent a lot of your time with. Are they still the same today? In my case, the 10 years also is a long period. The people might still be around, but the depth of relationship has diluted significantly. And more importantly, for no 'fault' of either of us (fault in quotes because I do not think it's a fault in any case). Likewise, some relationships has gained a lot of value over the same period. I 'just knew' someone 6 years back. Now, a day does not pass without talking to him.
How interesting! At some points, I was disappointed about the dilution of few relationships. Now, I look back and simply smile at myself thinking how childish I was. But perhaps, I will again feel odd when one of my exisiting 'strong tie' weakens.
I had written a piece a long time back - What's the BIG picture? I have come to understand the same concept so much better today than when I wrote it. I can appreciate the same thoughts in a much better manner. Strange but true.
Relationships are only a case in point. There are so many 'noises' around. I am simply reacting most of the time. Probably every moment that I'm awake, I'm reacting to situations and events around - consciously or sub-consciously.
I want to stop reacting. I want to close my ears from the noise deafening my mind. I want to talk at least 50% less than usual. Every single day. I want to sense the only constancy within and around me, and that's me. Once I feel the constancy in me, I will see and feel the same steadiness in everything around me.
I want to listen to silence...
How interesting! At some points, I was disappointed about the dilution of few relationships. Now, I look back and simply smile at myself thinking how childish I was. But perhaps, I will again feel odd when one of my exisiting 'strong tie' weakens.
I had written a piece a long time back - What's the BIG picture? I have come to understand the same concept so much better today than when I wrote it. I can appreciate the same thoughts in a much better manner. Strange but true.
Relationships are only a case in point. There are so many 'noises' around. I am simply reacting most of the time. Probably every moment that I'm awake, I'm reacting to situations and events around - consciously or sub-consciously.
I want to stop reacting. I want to close my ears from the noise deafening my mind. I want to talk at least 50% less than usual. Every single day. I want to sense the only constancy within and around me, and that's me. Once I feel the constancy in me, I will see and feel the same steadiness in everything around me.
I want to listen to silence...
September 9, 2008
Some of Dilbert's one liners!
1. I say no to alcohol, it just doesn't listen.
2. Marriage is one of the chief causes of divorce.
3. Work is fine if it doesn't take too much of your time.
4. When everything comes in your way, you're in the wrong lane.
5. The light at the end of the tunnel may be an incoming train.
6. Born free, taxed to death.
7. Everyone has a photographic memory, some just don't have film.
8. Smile, it makes people wonder what you are thinking.
9. It's not hard to meet expenses, they are everywhere.
10. I love being a writer... what I can't stand is the paperwork.
11. A printer consists of 3 main parts: the case, the jammed paper tray and the blinking red light.
12. The guy who invented the first wheel was an idiot. The guy who invented the other three, he was the genius.
13. The trouble with being punctual is that no one is there to appreciate it.
14. In a country of free speech, why are there phone bills?
15. Beat the 5 O'clock rush, leave work at noon!
16. If you can't convince them, confuse them.
17. It's not the fall that kills you. It's the sudden stop at the end.
18. I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.
19. Hot glass looks same as cold glass - Cunino's Law of Burnt Fingers
20. Someday is not a day of the week
21. Whenever I find the key to success, someone changes the lock.
22. To Err is human, to forgive is not a Company policy.
23. The road to success.... is always under construction.
24. Alcohol doesn't solve any problems, but if you think again, neither does Milk.
25. In order to get a Loan, you first need to prove that you don't need it.
26. All the desirable things in life are either illegal, expensive, fattening or married to someone else.
Source: A forwarded mail...
2. Marriage is one of the chief causes of divorce.
3. Work is fine if it doesn't take too much of your time.
4. When everything comes in your way, you're in the wrong lane.
5. The light at the end of the tunnel may be an incoming train.
6. Born free, taxed to death.
7. Everyone has a photographic memory, some just don't have film.
8. Smile, it makes people wonder what you are thinking.
9. It's not hard to meet expenses, they are everywhere.
10. I love being a writer... what I can't stand is the paperwork.
11. A printer consists of 3 main parts: the case, the jammed paper tray and the blinking red light.
12. The guy who invented the first wheel was an idiot. The guy who invented the other three, he was the genius.
13. The trouble with being punctual is that no one is there to appreciate it.
14. In a country of free speech, why are there phone bills?
15. Beat the 5 O'clock rush, leave work at noon!
16. If you can't convince them, confuse them.
17. It's not the fall that kills you. It's the sudden stop at the end.
18. I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.
19. Hot glass looks same as cold glass - Cunino's Law of Burnt Fingers
20. Someday is not a day of the week
21. Whenever I find the key to success, someone changes the lock.
22. To Err is human, to forgive is not a Company policy.
23. The road to success.... is always under construction.
24. Alcohol doesn't solve any problems, but if you think again, neither does Milk.
25. In order to get a Loan, you first need to prove that you don't need it.
26. All the desirable things in life are either illegal, expensive, fattening or married to someone else.
Source: A forwarded mail...
September 4, 2008
Reminiscing the Dharamshala trip
My internet connection has been acting quite funny all these days. Not that I had great thoughts to share, wanted to still update on my trip to Dharamshala. To be frank, personally it really does not matter much where I am going as long as I am with people I want to be with. Like the 2 friends (Lakshmi and Romesh) I went with. It was always supposed to be a great trip and it indeed was.
We started our trip by flying to Delhi. From there we were off to Agra by road to see the magnificent Taj Mahal. The monument, with all the hype and expectations that I had in my mind, still turned out to be simply brilliant. I cannot forget the first view of Taj for the rest of my life. I have not seen the other wonders of the world, but in absolute sense there is no list possible without the Taj being included in it.
Delhi to Taj and back was a good 8 hours by road. I love road travels. The fun quotient in a lot of my trips, including this one, has been augmented by the road travels. We had an evening train to catch for Pathankot in Punjab, the connecting place for Dharamshala. During the day we roamed around Delhi. Went to see Qutubminar, India Gate, Lotus Temple, etc. I have said this before in one my earlier posts. I am a huge fan of Delhi roads and infrastructure. Love the place...
Delhi to Pathankot is a 10-hours journey by train. We spent most of this time catching up on sleep. We reached Pathankot at about 7.30am. A 3-hours road journey took us to Dharamshala. Dharamshala is a small-time town near Kangra valley in Himachal Pradesh. We stayed at the Club Mahindra resort there. Romi is a member of their resorts. The only eligibility that he has for being my friend.. hehehehe (Romi, are you reading this?)
There is a lot to talk about the place and trip. A lot of ‘highlights’ is our intra-group happenings. But it is good if it remains within our group! I will list down a few things worth mentioning.
The good ones...
Dhabas: All through the trip, we relished authentic dhaba food. Amazing food at places that looks shabby. Amazing paranthas and tandoor chicken - yummmmyyy. Delicious, not very oily, reasonable and authentic food at most places we chose to have our food.
Lakes and water falls: One thing that characterizes Himachal is the clear water lakes and waterfalls all across. It is amazing. The look, feel and touch.
Greenery: For someone going from Mumbai, any place can boast of more greenery. Still, this place has to be one of the ‘greenest’ I have seen. One of the best phases of the trip was our trip from Dharamshala to Jyot, the highest reachable peak of the valley. The journey was amazing. Between clouds, lovely climate and lush green valleys... Jannat!
People: Good people at most places including babes!
The not so good ones…
Hotel: The location of the hotel, the views from there, the facilities and the staff – all were negatives. Food was ok. Loved the gajar halwa a lot. Yummy again...
As I said earlier, the trip was lovely for I was with great friends. For those who know about our group, me and Romi had huge arguments twice during the trip. As usual. Something that has been a feature of the way we are for the last 6 years.
Love you guys... Missed the other 3 musketeers of the group.
We started our trip by flying to Delhi. From there we were off to Agra by road to see the magnificent Taj Mahal. The monument, with all the hype and expectations that I had in my mind, still turned out to be simply brilliant. I cannot forget the first view of Taj for the rest of my life. I have not seen the other wonders of the world, but in absolute sense there is no list possible without the Taj being included in it.
Delhi to Taj and back was a good 8 hours by road. I love road travels. The fun quotient in a lot of my trips, including this one, has been augmented by the road travels. We had an evening train to catch for Pathankot in Punjab, the connecting place for Dharamshala. During the day we roamed around Delhi. Went to see Qutubminar, India Gate, Lotus Temple, etc. I have said this before in one my earlier posts. I am a huge fan of Delhi roads and infrastructure. Love the place...
Delhi to Pathankot is a 10-hours journey by train. We spent most of this time catching up on sleep. We reached Pathankot at about 7.30am. A 3-hours road journey took us to Dharamshala. Dharamshala is a small-time town near Kangra valley in Himachal Pradesh. We stayed at the Club Mahindra resort there. Romi is a member of their resorts. The only eligibility that he has for being my friend.. hehehehe (Romi, are you reading this?)
There is a lot to talk about the place and trip. A lot of ‘highlights’ is our intra-group happenings. But it is good if it remains within our group! I will list down a few things worth mentioning.
The good ones...
Dhabas: All through the trip, we relished authentic dhaba food. Amazing food at places that looks shabby. Amazing paranthas and tandoor chicken - yummmmyyy. Delicious, not very oily, reasonable and authentic food at most places we chose to have our food.
Lakes and water falls: One thing that characterizes Himachal is the clear water lakes and waterfalls all across. It is amazing. The look, feel and touch.
Greenery: For someone going from Mumbai, any place can boast of more greenery. Still, this place has to be one of the ‘greenest’ I have seen. One of the best phases of the trip was our trip from Dharamshala to Jyot, the highest reachable peak of the valley. The journey was amazing. Between clouds, lovely climate and lush green valleys... Jannat!
People: Good people at most places including babes!
The not so good ones…
Hotel: The location of the hotel, the views from there, the facilities and the staff – all were negatives. Food was ok. Loved the gajar halwa a lot. Yummy again...
As I said earlier, the trip was lovely for I was with great friends. For those who know about our group, me and Romi had huge arguments twice during the trip. As usual. Something that has been a feature of the way we are for the last 6 years.
Love you guys... Missed the other 3 musketeers of the group.
August 21, 2008
Off for a vacation... Biee!
I'm off for a week long break with couple of my closest friends to Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. Will be surely having some of the best moments of my life. Will be back with fresh thoughts... Till then, 5 questions that you might want to ponder about:
1. How much money is enough for someone to live happily?
2. If asked to choose one, would people prefer money or fame?
3. Why most educated people/couples still do not consider adoption as an option?
4. Why is the fear of stage/fear of public speaking one of the most prevalent phobias in this world?
5. Why is the grass always greener on the other side of the fence?
Happy thinking! Do post your thoughts. Chow...
1. How much money is enough for someone to live happily?
2. If asked to choose one, would people prefer money or fame?
3. Why most educated people/couples still do not consider adoption as an option?
4. Why is the fear of stage/fear of public speaking one of the most prevalent phobias in this world?
5. Why is the grass always greener on the other side of the fence?
Happy thinking! Do post your thoughts. Chow...
August 16, 2008
Action packed fortnight
After about 12 busy yet exciting days, I have finally got some time off to write. Starting next week, again I am off for a couple of visits, professional and personal.
Starting 5th of this month, I traveled to Pune, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad. 6 cities in about 7 days. I love traveling like this and enjoyed most part of these visits too. The only flip side is the toll it takes on your sleep. I am yet to catch up on the lost hours of sleep.
The new airports at Bangalore and Hyderabad are excellent, though relatively far-off from the city (both about 40kms). Hyderabad airport is amazing. It is simply huge, and since it's still new, clean and well maintained. With more than 35 departure gates, most flights manages to get an aerobridge which cuts a lot of time and is convenient. The shopping pockets within the two airports are excellent, something that Mumbai airport does not have.
Met a good friend in Bangalore. Had a good time albeit briefly. That reminds me, Bangalore traffic sucks. It is really annoying.
Met an extremely good person, who also happens to be a friend, in Delhi. As always, may GOD bless her. Some people in this world really makes me believe that despite everything, it is still a very lovely place to be in.
Back home, things were quite eventful. Celebrated our classes' prize distribution function on 15th August, as like every year. The preparations for the function takes a toll but the satisfaction that comes with a good event is gratifying. The enthusiasm of the students when they come up to receive their respective awards/prizes are amazing. One very primary reason why I love to be with them even after more than 4 years of doing the same thing. Success is a very strange thing. It can truly change people, both positively and unfortunately negatively too.
I have realized something over the last 2 years. It is very easy to fool people with displaying what you do not have. What appears on the outside is what matters in this world. To be given the status of being GODly is fairly easy here, and shockingly undeservedly. A really sad truth that I am still to come in terms with. There is a very specific reason why I am putting this down here. And there are also reasons why I will not elaborate further.
Starting 5th of this month, I traveled to Pune, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad. 6 cities in about 7 days. I love traveling like this and enjoyed most part of these visits too. The only flip side is the toll it takes on your sleep. I am yet to catch up on the lost hours of sleep.
The new airports at Bangalore and Hyderabad are excellent, though relatively far-off from the city (both about 40kms). Hyderabad airport is amazing. It is simply huge, and since it's still new, clean and well maintained. With more than 35 departure gates, most flights manages to get an aerobridge which cuts a lot of time and is convenient. The shopping pockets within the two airports are excellent, something that Mumbai airport does not have.
Met a good friend in Bangalore. Had a good time albeit briefly. That reminds me, Bangalore traffic sucks. It is really annoying.
Met an extremely good person, who also happens to be a friend, in Delhi. As always, may GOD bless her. Some people in this world really makes me believe that despite everything, it is still a very lovely place to be in.
Back home, things were quite eventful. Celebrated our classes' prize distribution function on 15th August, as like every year. The preparations for the function takes a toll but the satisfaction that comes with a good event is gratifying. The enthusiasm of the students when they come up to receive their respective awards/prizes are amazing. One very primary reason why I love to be with them even after more than 4 years of doing the same thing. Success is a very strange thing. It can truly change people, both positively and unfortunately negatively too.
I have realized something over the last 2 years. It is very easy to fool people with displaying what you do not have. What appears on the outside is what matters in this world. To be given the status of being GODly is fairly easy here, and shockingly undeservedly. A really sad truth that I am still to come in terms with. There is a very specific reason why I am putting this down here. And there are also reasons why I will not elaborate further.
August 12, 2008
Take a bow Abhinav!
Abhinav Bindra has achieved an extremely remarkable feat. Feeling really, really proud indeed. Kudos to you Abhinav.
August 4, 2008
Fighting to find mindspace
Not that I do not have time, but not the way I need it to blog. I call it mindspace. Will hit the 'purple patch' of blogging soon though.
I was telling someone the other day that I can sense that I am turning into a lunatic with each day passing. More freaky, more weird than ever before! I find myself laughing more these days, and that's weird because I do not need reasons to laugh. Increasingly, I care less about what I am wearing to where. Carrying myself in a very casual way to lectures. Not really taking care of the 'niceties' and the 'formalities'. Being more volatile and 'unstructured' in the way I am living overall. Something that my parents keep complaining about. In their words, it is not 'disciplined'.
Also, I like doing things that most people believe are 'what-the-fu**' kinds. And I do not really like doing the 'in-things'. I sleep through (literally) the box-office hits in most cases and am excited about a movie that has 11 people watching it on the first day of its release.
I have stopped scolding the batches and keep mocking myself. Was actually dancing in a batch the other day! When was the last time I lost my cool? Can’t remember. And that’s not me. Can’t be. But yet that’s how it is.
I am less nervous about a lot of things. Leave it to the moment in most cases, including my presentations. Doing it more ‘extempore’ than before. The ever-excited wreck I was, am being more laid back these days. Less ‘turned on’ by things that otherwise would have excited me. Talking a lot lesser than before. Discussing a lot lesser than before. Getting out of home a lot lesser than before.
If not anything else, all the above crap might make you believe that I am starting to lose it. If still not convinced, see it to believe it!
I was telling someone the other day that I can sense that I am turning into a lunatic with each day passing. More freaky, more weird than ever before! I find myself laughing more these days, and that's weird because I do not need reasons to laugh. Increasingly, I care less about what I am wearing to where. Carrying myself in a very casual way to lectures. Not really taking care of the 'niceties' and the 'formalities'. Being more volatile and 'unstructured' in the way I am living overall. Something that my parents keep complaining about. In their words, it is not 'disciplined'.
Also, I like doing things that most people believe are 'what-the-fu**' kinds. And I do not really like doing the 'in-things'. I sleep through (literally) the box-office hits in most cases and am excited about a movie that has 11 people watching it on the first day of its release.
I have stopped scolding the batches and keep mocking myself. Was actually dancing in a batch the other day! When was the last time I lost my cool? Can’t remember. And that’s not me. Can’t be. But yet that’s how it is.
I am less nervous about a lot of things. Leave it to the moment in most cases, including my presentations. Doing it more ‘extempore’ than before. The ever-excited wreck I was, am being more laid back these days. Less ‘turned on’ by things that otherwise would have excited me. Talking a lot lesser than before. Discussing a lot lesser than before. Getting out of home a lot lesser than before.
If not anything else, all the above crap might make you believe that I am starting to lose it. If still not convinced, see it to believe it!
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