Endless Pursuit

Moving home..

2010-04-15T17:13:00.000+05:30

Okay guys! this is it. this is where it ends. I am shifting base to a newer, better and hopefully more regular blog space. This will effectively be my last blog here.

I will come back again to visit and maybe to write since your first home remains your first home. Have begun work on the new one, will share the address as soon as it hits some state of readiness and doesn't resemble an accident :)

Cheers!

the whole picture

2009-12-16T10:59:00.001+05:30

"'The only people who see the whole picture,' he murmured, 'are the ones who step out of the frame.'"
— Salman Rushdie in The Ground Beneath Her Feet

A questioning truth - Does every country need a martyr?

2009-11-10T10:11:00.003+05:30

Reading the editorial in yesterday's edition of The Times of India, I came across an interesting article that talked about the effects of a prolonged war with no end in sight on the minds and health of the soldiers of the US Army. The random train of thought on a Monday morning then led me to think what started the war (s) and how it was positioned as a war for truth, for the prevalence of democracy and righteousness. And how after almost a decade, it is nothing more than a string of locally won 'street fights' and a chain of lost battles! The very WAR is no where in discussion because it wasn't from the very start.

So what is it that started the war really? Was it just the greed of the US Capitalists as was positioned in the media across the world? Maybe. But I am certain that a lot more is being forcibly brushed under the carpet, unknowingly in full view of the world. The war (like most other wars) was started to give credence to the 'idea of war' and 'the notion of martyrdom', of a nation and its people.

How different is this war from the one waged by the "non state elements" against India? To be precise, how different is the idea of one from the other. One talks about giving the right to the Afghani people to decide and live in peace and yet after almost a decade, those very people are the ones who have suffered the most in the mindless bargain. The war on India has been positioned as all about giving the people of Kashmir their identity. And it is ironical that this battle at some level is being waged by a country that bears the albatross of a completely tattered social fabric around its neck!! Shouldn't the responsibility of that country be towards its citizens, those who toil on its very land?

This is what convinces me that it was never about the war itself but about the fanciful idea, an idea permeated with self created notions of power, responsibility and fame. Yet an idea riddled with the pain of continued failure and an indefinite loss of life. This is what convinces me that it was nothing but the notion of martyrdom that has become the governing rule of many modern day societies. The fancied idea of dying for a supreme cause.

And in this, how different is the institution of Army of any country? Taking India for example, the Army invites young fit people to join the honor of dying for their country! Really!! Any person with some decent sense of basic marketing principles will scoff at this approach which starts with the highest fear that any human faces, that of death. How is that you expect to find the best people when you are promising them death? Is it to say that a soldier who goes into the battle field but comes out alive is any less than the one who has perished to the enemy's bullet? Is it to say that the bravery of the one who has lived is not as much as the one who has laid his life? Shouldn't joining the army be all about serving the nation and not necessarily have to die for it? Shouldn't the premise of any recruiter be to promise the pride of service? How is the idea of a martyr greater than that of a loyal servant? But then maybe it is.

This is where the notion of martyrdom comes in. It is this notion of martyrdom that is causing an irreversible increase in the number of people taking to the gun. Maybe those on the right side of the fence need to reverse their tactics and hiring policies since the belief system of those on the other side seems far more superior and convincing than ours. The very notion of being a martyr for no body's cause (this is not really a battle for themselves, or for their people) is so heightened in each of them that this has come to form the very idea of a country's existence. Historians have argued over the years that Pakistan (politicians alone) will never want to find a solution to Kashmir because this very problem forms the basis of their existence. I will refrain from taking such an extreme view point but most certainly, am convinced that the one meeting ground for our neighbor and Uncle Sam is the urge to play policeman in absolutely unrelated circumstances from their daily life and to push millions from their country every year into a dark alley of war, nah martyrdom!

So finally, does every country need a martyr? Maybe. Afterall, isn't one man's martyr another man's terrorist? It is a questioning reality, repackaged as a believable truth!

Battle for Survival

2009-06-03T18:08:00.002+05:30

A senior BJP leader after the election results was quoted as below in Outlook, June 1 issue,

" If there had been more terror attacks post 26/11, BJP would surely have benefited. But since the terrorists have gone to Pakistan to fight for their survival, BJP had to suffer in the results."

What the ****!!!!
Who needs terrorists when we have leaders like him walking free in our country? He should be the one booked under the NSA!!

Disgusting!!

Confused Identity...

2009-05-26T13:31:00.002+05:30

To add to the woeful summer, the technology team in my office has gone ahead and changed my IDs. I now have three IDs on the mail system and half of those mails intended purely for purposes of my reading, have not been finding way to my Inbox at all!!!

It's frustrating as this has led to unknowingly pushing deadlines (which I hate) and most of the work not happening!!! Grrrrrr...

And like all things corporate, it will be a while before this is fixed!!!

The Battle of Vices

2009-05-20T13:06:00.002+05:30

Came across a very interesting reading on the choice between Luxury and Premium products on Seth's Blog.
I love " Luxury goods are organised waste". How true!
Click here to read more....

Spoilt for Choice...

2009-05-20T12:28:00.002+05:30

That's the mode Congress seems to be in. After winning 206 seats in the Parliament elections and notching up their best performance in abut 25 years, the party is enjoying the spoils, the riches and everything that comes with the victory.

The not-so-long-ago-foe BSP goes ahead and declares unconditional 'outside' support to the UPA coalition and the good weather friends Amar Singh couldn't be left behind. All through this, another 'long time' ally and now 'hurt' ex Railway minister Laloo Yadav secretly wonders what to do with his 4 MPs!!! By the end of the day, he too goes ahead and announces support for the victor :)

Such is the landscape of Indian politics. What a difference 20 odd seats can make!!

But the one good thing that came of these elections is that the 'Dalit and the Maratha Express' have been halted in their tracks and prevented from reaching Delhi atleast for the next 5 years. (relieved sigh)...So while Mr Singh enjoys the chaos and Rahul Gandhi leaves the country guessing about his next move, the others (read BJP, Left) can cool their heels in the opposition tables of the Parliament Central Hall. After all 5 years is not that long a wait :)

Move on Man!!

2009-05-19T16:03:00.002+05:30

Sometimes I wish that someone would drill sensibility and sensitivity into our modern day ad wallahs!! They simply go overboard and have no clue as to what really clicks with their target audience. And when someone says that nowadays the purpose of an ad film is not to drive sales but to win awards, I couldn't agree more!! After all, how many of us knew the agencies responsible for the memorable Cadbury or Fevicol or Liril ads way back in the 1990s??

But the most recent ad for Fastrack watches beats the very purpose of its existence!! Again, what was it?? It is most certainly not a great draw as far as the brand is concerned. Nor does it make it to the gallery of classics!! It is downright...pathetic and tacky and sexist!! Now I have said on this platform several times that I am not a feminist but I do believe that everyone deserves some respect (even in anonymity). This ad breaks all such rules of decency. Broadly, it tells the story of this guy who gets close to a girl and then runs away when she begins to "get close"!! Closes with 'Move on Man'!! Really!! What are we saying here? Have we begun to propagate lack of commitment as a way of life? Is that what the brand actually stands for? It' just pathetic and sad that the makers of the ad and the bosses of the brand chose this line of communication. As someone who belongs to Gen Y and works on a daily basis with them, I know this is not what clicks with this generation. If the brand is looking at those 2% people who thrive on broken relationships and adopted cultures and who the brand managers perceive to be true representatives of their product or brand, I only have them to pity for their folly!! This generation is not easily smitten by the grandeur and false promises.They look for substance and move on if the promises you make are not met with.
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The dialogue from Pay it Forward:

Trev: You don't care.
Eugene: Yes I do. I will always care about you.
Trev: Yeah. You are my teacher. They pay you to.

Poignant. Beautiful.
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Kolkata Knight Riders won finally albeit without Mr Khan to cheer them on!! And on the way to the victory podium, made it just a little tougher for Chennai to reach the semis to where they were cruising. But all in all, a good match. Wonder what the Fake IPL Player has to say to that!!

Let the finger talk...

2009-05-08T13:09:00.002+05:30

It is almost the end of the week and what a week it has been!!!

Delhi went to polls and after days of endless messages and random calls from Vijay Goel and Ajay Maken (the BJP and the Congress candidates from New Delhi) my phone breathes easy today!! And yes, I voted..and let my finger do the talking. But (un)fortunately, the finger was not the same as the Bachchans!! Actually, I am now wondering if it had been, would I have done the finger show in front of my parents..nah!! I would have gotten a good kick smack in the middle. I guess good values don't come easy after all. Hope the Bachchans are listening!! Anyhow, back to the elections..Delhi saw a voter turnout of 50%, much higher than the city that reeks of political and social hypocrisy (atleast on this front)!

In other election related news, I happened to see a debate between Raninder Singh and Harsimrat Kaur (the Congress and Akali candidates from Bathinda). One, the son of Amarinder Singh and the other the daughter in law of Prakash Singh Badal. And the debate yielded much surprise. I atleast expected Raninder to be a good orator, if not a great politician. And he disappointed on just about every front, including this. The lady on the other hand might belong to one of the most corrupt families of Punjab but she surely came out unscathed in this battle of wits and words. She chose her words carefully (or not so much coz such is the politics of Punjab) and literally tore her opponent to pieces all the while in convent school English! Man, she was impressive. Maybe the man was just being a gentle-man (pun intended) and that wouldn't be surprising given his political lineage. But he soon needs to smell the coffee coz the lady for sure is in no mood for kindness. Anyhow, all we can do is wait till the 16th and see which of the political horses crossed the finishing line victorious.

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Work wise, it has been a greeeat great week. The much awaited good news finally came along, and I had my Miss India moment (literally) :)

And now, I am all geared up for the next innings..just wish I would get a month long holiday ;)

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Made the most of the election day and finally watched The Kite Runner and it left me asking for more tissues. Ok, not really but it is a sensitive film made from the heart and it shows. In every frame and in every shot. Hassan is adorable (the child actor) and specially the scenes where he says "for you a thousand times over" and the one scene in which Amir throws tomatoes at Hassan (in a display of helplessness and anger against his inaction), his eyes say so much more than he could otherwise. I don't know if the kids are established actors but Hassan surely does a great job in the film!! He is adorable and your heart goes out to him everytime he appears on screen, whether as a faithful play mate for Amir or as his dutiful servant during Amir's birthday or as his "confidante" during the scene where he is accused of stealing Amir's watch.

Amazing film.I am sure you have watched it but just in case you haven't, go get it. It's not a dampener.

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The one reason I can watch We are Marshall again and again is the Chak de like moment when he says that "The funerals end today". Everytime it leaves me wondering if all of us sometimes in our lives need those two minute speeches that can change the course of our lives and stay with us much after the moment has passed.

And then I think if I ever got mine. And then my mind veers towards those people who hold places of distinction in my life and a couple of incidents stand out. But none more than the recent session with Ankur where he gave me a very important lesson that I am sure will stay with me atleast for the entire duration of my professional life. Yes, I did have my eureka moment :)

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And how could the week end without the staple dose of IPL!!! Many matches and many 'DLF Maximums'. And the dismal performance of Kolkata Knight Riders continues. It breaks my heart every time they let the ball fall from between their butter fingers!! Clearly not their tournament.

Anyhow, amidst the many matches what stood out was the match between CSK and KxiP last night. Well Hayden has never been a favorite but his sixes set the place on fire. And Dhoni with his cheeky smile enjoyed every minute he was out there. Not to say the Prince of Patiala (courtesy Fake IPL player) did not join the party but it just wasn't enough!! In the end CSK made their way to the top of the points table with a hard fought win. But the icing on the cake was the presentation ceremony. Rameez Raja called on "the loser" and while I was still wondering if it was a slip of tongue and about the standard of English among the new breed commentators, in walked Yuvraj Singh! Well it was my 'citi moment of success'.

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A great week. All ready for the weekend!

On an aside...

2009-05-01T12:41:00.002+05:30

I loved it that Shah Rukh voted and as did Aamir. The Bachchan khandaan was out in well coordinated clothes flaunting their middle finger :)

Strange choice of the finger. I would always prefer to have the election mark on my index finger!! The only choice actually :)

A no-show of hypocrites

2009-05-01T12:07:00.004+05:30

It is a classic case of "Barking dogs seldom bite"...i could have euphenized it but it was deliberate not to!!
After all, didn't the whole country and specially Mumbai cry hoarse about the Government apathy in the aftermath of 26/11?? And just about 5 months later, given a chance to correct their past mistakes (we choose the government after all), the very same people chose the comfort of their homes. I guess it must have a pretty hard choice between the heat and future of the country. But a choice well made!!

Just 43% voting and that too when the temperatures hovered not above 37 degrees. What in God's name can be the excuse? Well atleast, the government's think tank got it right and the decision to post pone the elections to April-May seem to have paid off. The ploy to avoid the public anger was well thought out and will get them what they had wished for...the public didn't show up!

The next time there is a threat to the national security, those who didn't vote shall have no moral authority to raise a finger at teh government coz they didn't bother to get the stain on their finger on the day it mattered. I am beginning to convince myself that the government apathy is well deserved after all!!

Meeting of Minds (or not)

2009-03-27T18:05:00.001+05:30

Having worked in a Corporate setup for over 18 months, the one thing I have seen in abundance are meetings! They meet so that they can decide what to meet for!!
So, today when I read the following post, I couldn't suppress a smile. It's so true and seems straight from the heart of someone who's been made a victim of such calls of no-action time and again.
Read on, pure pleasure guaranteed.
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/03/getting-serious-about-your-meeting-problem.html

Take Two!

2009-03-27T14:05:00.003+05:30

The title of the post is a reflection of several thoughts, a follow up on a friends post, a late night chat about second chances in life and some such banter!! So the flow of the post might not be necessarily restrained. At this point, I don't even know what it is going to be about. Let's see.

Life isn't always fair. We always wish for a retake, some way that we could go back and make it better. "I wish..." The omnipresent need for a "Take Two".
So, here it is.

Over the last few days, much has gripped our attention and the national media. Much has slipped away and much that we have let slip. Intentionally. In my previous post, I said that the nation is suffering from a cricket-elections fever. It's only got worse over the last few days. But what I find strangely amusing is how as a society we have a knack of closing doors (literally and metaphorically) at just the right time (or not so..). So, the IPL is happening is South Africa and while the stake holders slug it out, we are only concerned with our morning cuppa and a reassurance that we will get the staple 1600 and 2000 hrs telecast for around 50 days staring April 18. Second life actually. Not too bad, huh!!

And then we have the Laloos (with the funniest version of I-am-not-concerned-what-you-think-of-me English) and the Mulayams (of the many criminal cases) and the Paswans (mmm...not too sure what he is about though except a failed ex Railway Minister) coming together and forming an alliance or as they say, a 'front within a front'!! Really?? I don't get it. Wonder if you do. But this long ceased to be the hot favorite in gossip circles in the political capital of the country and we are back to "Singh is King" talks. So let's move on. We can wait till after the polls to see whether they stick with the UPA. What's for lunch by the way??

And the there is the world of make believe, of new aspirations and broken dreams. Bollywood (someone please help with a new name). This week Neil Nitin Mukesh is back as a wildlife photographer in Aa Dekhen Zaraa after making a rather promising debut in Johnny Gaddar as a conman. In this movie, too, his role is not very different. He graduates from being just a photographer to something like a conman with his 'magical futuristic' camera. It is really about how the camera changes his life by predicting the future not so subtly. And then it all goes wrong. Life gives him a second chance but then takes it away. It is, after all, the master's call! Don't know how the movie will fare but maybe it's worth the wait. Damn!! I need coffee!

And then there is the "poet politician" with the loose tongue and an inactive mind. He apparently went to London School of Economics. Inactive mind still. He seems hypnotised either by the legacy he has not been able to fathom and his supposed derived yet non existent burden of expectations or by the political line of the party he endorses which he doesn't really believe in but has no other choice but to moot. In either case, he went overboard. And I am sure he realises it. Else, he wouldn't go about denying the speech as his. He is still taking baby steps in the bad bad world (he is all of 29 after all) and am sure has seen that he can't get away with murder (or even the talk of it) on the political front. His own party, whose blue eyed poster boy he was till a few days back and a perfect answer to the other Gandhi scion, has as much as distanced itself from his comments and in principle from him. The poor little lamb seems lost without knowing the way out. "They told me, it's a jungle out there but I chose not to believe them." I just hope that the perceived butcher is not the one whose beheading we watch as a spectacle.

It actually gets better. According to our man, he was only trying to "safeguard the interests of and instill confidence in the community which feels it is under seige in its own country" and then in the following statement goes on to say that "There is no question of saying anything against any community. India is the home to all faiths and beliefs and I respect this,"...ahem!! Little contradictory, don't you think. Is this a country of Hindus or is this a country where Hindus live just like Muslims and the Sikhs and the Jains and the Buddhists. Whose interests is he trying to safeguard. The Sikhs who were relentlessly killed in 1984 because of some 'environmental' issues or the Muslims who have lived in this country in doubt since 1947 or the Christians who were raped and their places of worship destroyed? Or just the Hindus who have apparently faced wrath time and again!! It just reinforces my belief that he went out in a state of daze and blurted some nonsense which he is now regretting!! (Atleast I hope he is..)

And all talk of legacy is better in the closet. I really do think that he secretly wishes he could be where Rahul and Priyanka are today. Whether or not he is the rightful heir to the family name and political legacy or not is not a discussion we should even start right now. Rahul hasn't done much to prove himself and Varun just started on the wrong foot. And I am certain he thinks that he'd be better off with the Congress. But he has no choice but to live with the choices his mother made some time back since he can never really go back to 'the seat of secularism' atleast till she is around. I don't know if this is his second chance that he has blown away or will he still get another one. For his sake, I hope this is not and that he swings to the music of 'Take Two' in the years ahead! An early dinner would be great. Salad maybe!

So, in what has now become a daily fare so much so that it doesn't escape the clutches of mundane, I was slightly amused but more surprised at the fast veering conversation with my friend. He was deeply upset about some mention of "hero worship" one of our friends had made in the regard of the person (poet politician after all) above. He couldn't understand how someone who we have known for over 10 years could be so insensitive or simply speaking, alienated from sane thinking. And all my efforts of convincing him that this talk should hardly matter to him was obviously not paid heed to :). And just as I was talking to him, it occured to me that I had become so passive to what happens around me. Some years ago, I would have been a crusader of change after reading the absolutely irresponsible comments from Mr Gandhi but not any more. I have convinced myself that this is all talk and nothing beyond and that this talk doesn't meet the sensibilities of an educated yound man (Gandhi or not) who espouses to be an Indian. I have convinced myself that this is a gimmick to gain those elusive votes from the people who still believe that religion can get them three meals a day. I have given in to apathy and that is my doom. Or it could very soon be. And just then, I realised that this, maybe, is my second chance - my Take Two- and maybe I should wake up and smell the coffee. Maybe I shouldn't wait till my 'saviours" turn up against me. Maybe it's time I did something.

...but just then... a lemon cheese cake with whipped cream!
It's delicious.

Damn!!

Light at the end of the tunnel

2009-03-24T16:42:00.002+05:30

She heard a faint voice. She looked around. In the dark that surrounded her, she couldn't see anything. She couldn't figure out what it was. But she was sure that something was there. Something that kept watch, noticed her every move and heard her every breath. Thinking of this, she shuddered. And then, she thought of the day she had seen him for the first time. The droopy eyes that longed to smile called out to her. She didn't know him but he seemed like someone she would like to know.
And then just like that, they became friends. She saw in him a reliable friend, someone who would listen to her endlessly. But inside she had this lurking fear that there was a side she hadn't seen. A side which with every passing day she grew desperate to see. A side which she needed to see. A side which scared her for a reason unknown to her.
And today, in the dark that surrounded her, it all came rushing back to her. All she could see was that side. With every passing moment.
And then she wondered why she hadn't seen it before.

The rising fever

2009-03-24T13:57:00.002+05:30

..and while we are at it, the two main events coming up in the days ahead have gripped the nation (they have literally) even if the main reason is that the existence of one is spelling doom for the other (and when the other happens to be the IPL, what really do you expect)!!

Anyhow, with the elections poised for the month of April (Well into May) and the IPL (which now, as is common knowledge, will not be held in India but on the foreign shores of England or South Africa), prepare yourself for an insightful discussion on your next dinner (or drinks) out with friends, unless of course you are fine with being labelled as ignorant!! So, gone is the hype around Obama (and from what I read even the "US Americans" are getting enough of him..they are tired of the continuous lecturing apparently, am I surprised) and even the supposed recession or slow down seems like staple fare now. What is being served hot is the new version of the spicy IPL and the Great Indian tamasha (that is obviously an NDTV pick up) with a perfect garnishing of Indian politics.

Now, while I am not much of a patriot, I am sad that the IPL is not happening in India (not that I understand my silly point from the off drive, but still). I do have a lurking fear that the fizz just seems to have died out of the pot boiler. Let's just accept it, it will never be so much fun again. So no matter how much Mr Lalit Modi tries to fake a smile putting up a picture of all's well, we do know that the public thinks it's not. Well largely atleast. And just like that, we have the other Mr Modi shouting from his rooftop of how this is a national shame. Ahem. Now if my memory serves me right, that is not really an area the latter should pride himself in. After all, Godhra happened right under his nose (and anyone who knows me, knows that this has a fair degree of euphemism).

And what completely breaks my heart is that Mr Khan (who else) will most likely not travel to South Africa or England as much as he would have had to Delhi or Mohali or Chennai to cheer his team. Now, that is something I will dearly miss. Now from all of this, what we can't even pretend to ignore is the 'high possibility' of a political angle to this. Now is there one? I would be very surprised if there wasn't!!

And lastly the elections. The much debated candidate lists are out. I am not too sure who is contesting from my area but whoever it is, it fails to excite me to cast my second vote (the first was during the last Assembly elections). And I really want to ask, what is it that they were thinking while they announced the candidature. Why in God's name can't we be involved in the election process from the stage of selecting the candidates!! It is so frustrating having to choose between one devil and another.

And the politics (what else) of it all is blinding. The allies being broken. New ones being made. And then broken again only to be remade. It's a crazy world out there. And in the midst of it all, I break into a cold sweat thinking that Mayawaiti could be my next Prime Minister. Oh God!!

This is not the world I lived for. Even if this is a dream, this is not what I dreamt of.

(On an aside, read this amazing piece of writing on Faraz' blog today..it's beautiful. And while I don't follow Urdu, it's been a language I have always wanted to learn and while I am nowhere close to it yet, writings like these do serve to strengthen my resolve :))

Dreams

2009-03-24T13:45:00.003+05:30

The thing with beauty is that it often deceives
The thing with hunger is that it often leads
The thing with dreams is that they often come true
The beauty of the hunger to dream is that there is no beauty at all
Or is it?

Happy 25!!

2009-03-24T13:24:00.003+05:30

Have been 25 for over 2 weeks now but just didn't get the time to write this much intended post anytime sooner..it was a very special day and deserved a special post!! So, here goes..

March 7, 2009 at 11:30 PM: Damn!! turning 25 in less than half hour. That familiar yet unknown sinking feeling..Damn!!!

March 8, 2009 at 0002 AM: Surprise!!! A singing clown with flowers and cake to wish me!! Aha..not so bad after all..

And so began the day. The day when I completed 25 years on this planet and stepped into a year where, if left to my parents, I will surely get married :)
Cut the cake (btw, the surprise was frm Mansukh the Mann) and with the blown out candles went to sleep after attending calls from the few 'best' friends (and for those who didn't call, you wait up..)
Next morning..rushed plans. Movie, lunch, dinner, shopping??? Finally went for a not-so-birthday movie..watched it with Mansukh and Blob after the yummiest Chocolate shake in the world (this post is intended to serve just one purpose, act as a record of the wonderful day I spent when I read it 10 years down the line so excuse the minutest details). And then followed it with an amazing amazing amazing lunch with two pf my favorite people (so Miss Mann, if you are reading this, don't burn your eyes out :))
Back home after a few social visits on the way. And then its down to the 'moolah'!! "Many happy returns of the day" in the truest sense.

And the gains from the day, well aplenty (some which can't be mentioned for public reading...hahaha)

But really a day well spent, and spent not working or sulking at home!! Turning 25 doesn't pinch anymore.
Hope the rest of the year is just as great!!

Thank You all for making the day (and all the others) so special.

And yes, thanks a lot for all the many birthday wishes in mail, facebook, orkut or any other media you used (Except for the two clowns who wrote me virtual msgs when a call could have been made..I hope you get the point guys :) !!)

Friends on Flickr

2009-03-20T14:22:00.002+05:30

I am not a follower of flickr..primaril;y coz it showcases the one thing I want to be good at but am not..yum photography!! (ok not yum really but you do get the point)

But when you have age old friends putting up the pics of the world through their eyes, you are bound to give it a second look..as for me, i have given them a second, third and many more looks :) (what are friends for after all...)

So, here are the links to my favorites from the leagues of Anne Geddes and Christopher Burkett (hehe, i said i was a good friend..)

faraz @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/farazmeansgreat/page1/ - the food pics are really nice
adeep @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/adeepc/page1/

Good work guys, you have a fan!

Just like that..

2009-03-20T14:20:00.001+05:30

Looking away does not show me a new land
It also takes away what I have and what can be mine!

hmmm...

Out of hibernation...

2009-03-20T13:59:00.004+05:30

heard from a really old friend today (via mail and a strange Google Calendar invitation, what else!!) and was sooo happy.
Actually heard from two of them, Faraz and Sandy, and both being the people they are brought a big smile on my face for absolutely different reasons.
Now Sandy is on ship and somehere close to Australia (or so his mail states) and his mail was a follow up to an apology mail for missing out on my birthday!! And also about what gifts he should get me from phoren land!! hahaha...so u see, happy for two reasons..gifts and gifts from a friend of over 15 years...

Next up, Faraz Khalid (Faraz means High...that's his fav line seemingly). Saw his blog after months and loved the pics..and he made me smile coz it's Faraz!! He is just endearing in a very strange way. And apparently he discovered the 'real me' in these pages (confused look).. So, happy yet again for hearing from a friend of the same 15 years..on and off!! And seeing him back in action reminded me that I hadn't put up a post in over 3 weeks, so I followed him out of Hibernation :)

more in the following post, this one is just for two of my favorite people!!
Thanks guys :)

In love we believe...

2009-02-26T15:05:00.002+05:30

Watched Patch Adams last night. Out of everything else that I loved, the thing that stayed with me most was an expression of love, done in the most 'lovely' manner.

It's a poem by Pablo Neruda and it goes as below...

I don't love you as if you were the salt-rose, topaz

or arrow of carnations that propagate fire:

I love you as certain dark things are loved,

secretly, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that doesn't bloom and carries

hidden within itself the light of those flowers,

and thanks to your love, darkly in my body

lives the dense fragrance that rises from the earth.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where,

I love you simply, without problems or pride:

I love you in this way because I don't know any other way of loving

but this, in which there is no I or you,

so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand,

so intimate that when I fall asleep it is your eyes that close.

Since I am a sucker for mushy romantic nothings, it made me shed a few silent tears but am not kidding when I say that you will cry too when you watch the movie. Specially the end.

To choose between....

2009-02-26T14:56:00.002+05:30

...."a tower" and a "workaholic"!!

Now that is what two of my friends and blog mates seem to tag me!! Thank you Aishwarya and Tanu for including me in the treasured list.

And if I were to choose between the two, I think it would be a rather difficult job. While I will shout to the world that I am not a workaholic, I secretly know the truth and lying to myself is an art I still haven't mastered. So, I bow in thy honor, Tanu.

As for the Tower, like I told Aish, an adjective wouldn't hurt. (For the uninitiated, this has much to do with the 'demographics' in my case and is not intentionally metaphorical). But I love it since I made the cut out of the millions she knows from this world and outer space. So, thank u..muah!!

So, out of a list of Miss Smarty Pants, Goody Two Shoes, Shopaholics and much more, I guess I am the 'Towering Workaholic'!! Not bad.

In case any of you has any more adjectives or tags that you want to attach with my name, feel free!! We live in a democracy, after all.

(BTW, I know Mansukh has certain fondness for 'Tyrant' when it comes to me ;))

Thank you guys, once more

It's you who sets me free

2009-02-17T00:14:00.000+05:30

I often ask myself
Who is it that I really am
The face that stares back
Is familiar, but is it really me

I often ask myself
If I really know
Who is it that hides beneath
Who is it that scrapes the surface sometimes

I often ask myself
And then I hear
A faint, very faint voice
That says “You are me”

I often ask myself
What that means
Who could it be
Who dwells within me

I often ask myself
If I heard that before
If I know the face that smiles
Back every time I peep

And then I hear it again
That voice
That look
That says “Here I am”

“Look no further
For it’s me
Look at me
Just look at me”

I turn back to see
It’s you
You, who have been within
You, who have always given

You are what makes me who I am
You are what tells me it’s not a sham
You are what makes me smile at the thought of love
You are what tells me it’s not just a thought

And then I know
Just like that
It’s you
It’s always been

From deep within, you have held me
Close so that I don’t fall apart
From deep within myself
You have given me what I could never ask

I look back at myself
To see that glint in ‘your’ eye
That tells me it’s you
Telling me you knew

I talk again
And I hear
That faint whisper that says
Nothing but echoes what I want to hear

You are me
I am you
I am who
You always knew

You knew when I didn’t
You knew what it meant
Love was never easy
But you made it

With you within
I know why they say
It’s not everyday
You find someone

Who knows you as you are
As you would want to be
Who knows when you smile
And why you cry

And now with every smile
I know it’s you
That makes me shed that tear
To tell me to value a smile

And with every sob
I know it’s you
Telling me not to forget
What pain can do

With every tear and every smile
I know it’s you
And without that
I don’t know what I would do

I am thankful
To every look and
And every echo that says
“You are me”

The fear of Valentines

2009-02-11T21:33:00.004+05:30

Strolling into Costa Coffee, I came across a horrific sight. A heart shaped pink cheese cake!!!
And then I saw that the 'season of love' had claimed three victims right there, right then. Just like that. Like a secret wand came out and filled the air with love (which is blind obviously) and made these people leave whatever meaningful work they were doing and order that cake!! Just like that.

I am certain it is the grey hear too many on my head that got this reaction from me (quite similar to what my mother would react like when we went shopping a couple of years back, shucks it was decades). Or may be not!!

I am just sick of seeing people going the overtly commercial way to celebrate love. And mind you, I am not a cynic. I mean even logically speaking, would you really want to tear into someone's heart of all things!! Not me. Whatever happened to the simple 'I love you' or those silly nothings like burning a CD of their favorite songs, making a presenttaion or a video with yoir pics or even the staid chocolates and perfumes routine!! Or am I just too old as these are dated. I am still in love with the idea of being in love. And meaning it too.

I would still vouch for these. So, while I wait for that someone to sweep me off my feet, I wouldn't mind some luxury chocolates delivered by a 'singing clown'!!

Mansukh Mann, got you some business!!

Anyway, happy valentines to all (this generation I tell you...whatever look)

Weepy Wednesday

2009-02-11T21:15:00.003+05:30

It's something about the middle of the week. the once favorite day has invariably become a drag. From wow to weepy...quite a transition, I say!!

So after working endlessly on a submission (yes, the same one as yesterday) I am literally dead. And as I dig into the thought of something to divert my mind, right on my laptop screen pops up an image of yummmmy chocolate. And then...anyone who knows me knws about 'the pwer of chocolate'. So automatically, it qualifies for the picture of the day.
Not again the best picture but it did wonders for me. So, here goes,

Deeper and deeper I sink
Into the mystery of those eyes
Not for what you said
It is a mystery
Ah a mystery to me
A mystery I like
Deeper and deeper I sink
Into the mystery of those eyes

Picture of the Day

2009-02-10T21:46:00.005+05:30

Sitting in my office today working on a rather boring submission, i thought that I should add a little colour to my blog. And what better way than some pictures.

So, going forward every day, I shall have a 'picture of the day' post..pick up random pictures and then jot down the first thoughts that come to my mind. No reason why. Just to break the monotony.And the best the very tired and overworked brain of mine could come up with at this time.

So here goes, today's 'pick':

The mask behind which we hide.
I wear this so that you know not who I am.
I am scared. I am scarred.
I smile to you while I cry inside.

...end of a long day at work. Time to go home. Good Night.

Photograph courtesy - Source: www.kodak.com, Photographer: Stefan Nielsen

Celebrity Collage...

2009-02-10T21:33:00.004+05:30

..on a not so free Tuesday evening sweeping aside the piles of work, I decided to test a link that showed me pictures of celebrities who looked like me.
What you see in the post below is a result of that endeavor...

I am just thinking..I am secretly quite happy with what I see here. So, I am convinced I don't need nose jobs or chin jobs or cheek jobs or anything is is Miss Alba looks like me ;p

PS: when I did the same 'experiment' with two different pictures, the results were startlingly different. One of them even said I looked like Serena Williams!! (I am not quite amused you see).

Needless to say, I chose to put up the best collage :)

But then, that's human nature. After all, we are like this only...

More experiments with other pics to follow soon..so watch this space at your own risk!!

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

2009-02-10T20:02:00.001+05:30

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Oye Lucky, By Chance

2009-02-03T13:47:00.005+05:30

The cynics might kill me for the proclamation but I do think that Indian cinema has finally come of age!! And this I am not saying because I had a dream wherein the Gods of cinema came avisiting and threatened me with my life if I didn't say this. I am saying this because the last few movies that I have seen, some of those have been really good. On one hand we had Oye Lucky, Lucky Oye and now we have Luck by Chance (yeah yeah we also had Rab Ne...and I loved it...but still..). Movies that are redefining the stretch of Indian movie makers. Movies that are gripping and are actually making it seem more like an editors' and the directors' world than the six pack actors or the petite actresses. Okay, if not so drastic, atleast a world where they can co-exist!! So, we have the little known Neeraj Pandey as the star of the Screen Award and not the smashing Hrithik Roshan or the homely Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Quite a change, wouldn't you agree?

Anyhow, coming to the point that actually led me to make this one. I saw Luck By Chance over the weekend. And oh-my-God!!! What a movie. It was great and I think, as far as I'm concerned, it puts Farhan Akhtar leagues ahead of the other actors (barring Shah Rukh ofcourse :D) . That guy talks through his eyes...no over the top dialogues, no rona dhona, no slapstick. He is the actual 'hero' of a modern thinking woman!! And Konkona, as always is a treat to watch. Again, no rona dhona, no skimpy outfits shouting look-at-me. Just restrained performances through and through!!

The movie on the whole was a great treat. Everyone from 'rolly' polly Rishi Kapoor to the cool, breezy and 'minty' Juhi Chawla to the sexy siren like Dimple Kapadia and the dancing diva Isha, everyone captures your attention when in the frame. Even the loud Rishi Kapoor character does not look tacky. It seems so-made-for-the-character.

Some scenes (and characters) that really stood out for me are below:

The car scene with Hrithik Roshan. It beautifully highlights the starkness of the two worlds and the bleak attempt of the star within to remain in touch with the outside world. Beautiful. Oscar winning, no less :)
The scene with KK and Farhan on the terrace. The effortlessness of the relationship between the two. It is so beautiful, simple and yet true. It might not give the less romantic their share of goose pimples but it's beautiful in it's own sense.
Rishi Kapoor is lovable as the santa claus like producer who sheds some very believable tears when the 'new-generation' makes him run around for elusive dates. Uncle Rishi is back to his Bobby days!
Dimple aunty is her magnificent self. She looks like a wretchedly beautiful evil mother of a Bollywood wannabe. And as Rishi Kapoor sums it aptly, "Crocodile in chiffon sari"...that by the way is my favorite line in the movie
The scene where Farhan cries after a fight with his friend. Man, what a relief!! Real men do cry. I most definitely intend to use this scene for future reference ;p
Farhan has so truly proved he is the 'thinking woman's actor'. He is not only their actor but their newest crush and the rising star...no beefcake looks, no stupid cheeky smiles, no greek God looks that put him in another world. Nothing else but the achievable smartness of the guy next door. That's Farhan for you. (If I were filling slam books today, he would all over them...hehe)
Isha Sharwani - now that woman dances like a dream. I am one of the few fortunate ones to have seen her dance in real life but in the movie, she is the effortless diva...atleast when it comes to her dancing. And she looks like a 'rose' in that romantic ballad...actually wait..she is supposed to be one there....true!
The scene with Dimple, Isha and Farhan at the breakfast table where Isha is at the receiving end for having 'puffy eyes' after her nightly encounter (secret rendezvous) with Farhan..and he quietly pulls up his shades. That is the new age Indian comedy and we don't need Govinda for screen space here.
The look on Hrithik's face at Kareena's party when he sees the rising star hogging the limelight. That apparent insecurity. The lurking fear. Beautiful. I'm just surprised he doesn't do more films. With those eyes, who needs him to talk??
The scene where Konkana wins the refrigerator after the slogan that Farhan wrote for her. And it's empty while she stares into it. So meaningful. It just doesn't get better.
Shah Rukh Khan..who needs an explanation here. In the one scene that he is there..he does a good job. Ok, i am partial but so what!!
'You live in a cake'. I think the second most favorite line in the movie. Quite my style of humor..no silly jokes, no loud masala explanations.

And I think the best part of the movie is that it is as much Konkana's as Farhan's. No special sisterly love for the brother. It's balanced treatment is what sets it apart. Actually, I do secretly think, Konkana got the better part of the deal. But who's complaining??!!!

I am not!!

...and now that I am back

2009-01-30T16:57:00.004+05:30

...there are many things which I have been meaning to write about but haven't, actually couldn't, because of the very rotten amount of work that has been shoved onto my plate!! Ok well not really, but what the heck!!
So, this post is about all that I have wanted to say for over 2 weeks and couldn't.

To start with, Sanjay Dutt. Now I know this debate has seen its end but I still feel it necessary to contribute my 2 cents worth to its cause. He has to be insane for a couple of reasons. Why would he really agree to contest on a Samajwadi Party ticket. I agree it's a democracy and not that I really have some long lost affection with the Congress but still, not the Samajwadi Party. And then he addresses his first press conference and takes a line against his party. what a flip when he says he will contest even if Mr Vajpayee does. His party, btw, says he will not in that case. And then he goes and opens his big mouth in national media and says that married women should not keep their parents' name!!! That is so ridiculous. Who really is he to get into the moral policing act and decide for us what our identity should be. Nowhere does our law or even our heritage and culture say that a woman has to change her name after her marriage. It is her will and should always be. So, Mr Dutt, watch that blabber. It might cost you much more than you think. And now specially since you will end up representing millions of people.

When we are on Sanjay, how can his better half (or not) be too far behind!! Manyata goes on national television and says things which no well brought up and educated woman would say on national TV. Using phrases like 'shit things' helps no body's cause Manyata, nee 'Mrs Dutt'. The family of your adopted name would never utter such words on such a medium. But I guess that's the difference. You don't adopt everything by just adopting a name. Neither do you leave it. BTW Sanjay, your wife thinks you have 'loser friends'. Atleast that's what she said on TV!!! Pathetic,

Barack Obama: Now now. What a let down!! From his emotional election night speech to an over rehearsed inauguration day speech. Mr Obama, we are getting to see that you are fallible too. While I am sure the election night speech had been rehearsed as well, it was still emotional, straight from the heart like. This time, not many of those millions who turned up to watch you make history shed a tear. Probably too many words or too much force. Either way, killed it.

Inauguration Day: The Obama daughters are so adorable and such a sight. While Malia is contained and responsible and endears you with a disarming smile, Sasha is hard to put in place. She jumps around and straight into your heart. And Mrs Obama is definitely the most 'loving' wife amongst all others in her company. The way she looked at Barack when he made the infamous flip in the oath, showed that he was first 'her husband' and then the President!! Atleast for her. And that's what counts.

Michelle's wardrobe: Elegant and really really smart!! That's what she is. And that dress at the Inauguration Ball was so amazing. On a side note Jill Biden is really pretty and looked ravishing in her red gown at the Ball. (Joe Biden is a 'funny' man. Period)

Mangalore pub attack: I have no words for this dastardly act. It's sic. Why attack women when men are there too!!! Why attack anyone???

So that's it. I still have another post coming on an amazing movie I saw some days back and I think, I know, that I owe it a post atleast. And no, it's not Slumdog Millionaire though that's good too. (And I think all the protests around it are just stupid and silly. We need to appreciate the cinematic effort and not say that we are not a country of slums alone. Actually, Danny Boyle never said that. He said that you have slums and you have the wealth. But I think i will make this movie about the slum. The wealth, maybe next time!!!)

...finally. And i am glad I am back!!

xxxx

2009-01-30T16:50:00.002+05:30

Between what I want to be and what I should be, which one is it?

You want me to be yours

I want to be free

You want me to remain within the glass ceiling

I want to touch the sky

You promise me a world which I can see

But I want it too

You want me to be you

Or maybe not

But I want to be just me

And that alone

What you want is what it should be

What I want is what i want it to be

Now which one is it??

....and I am not letting you decide

Me v/s Me

2009-01-23T11:26:00.001+05:30

..am I a little too Cosmopolitan?? Far removed from the realities of life. Consumed by the gloss. Taken in by the shimmer. Turning a blind eye to the grime.
I used to enjoy it once upon a time. And now I don't have the time!!

Is this the real me or am I trying to be what you would like me to be?

I wonder...

SE7EN Days...

2009-01-19T19:24:00.002+05:30

Ok..a rather pathetic attempt at being cheeky. All I wanted to say was that it's been 7 days and I haven't had one post to my credit!! Darn.

It's just that I am too lazy to even start and just can't seem to shake it off!! It's the worry of a few pending things I guess. Whatever. I just don't feel like writing so am going to bid a short goodbye to the 'rosy' world..

(I hope I can be back at writing soon...hope hope)

...rukavat ke liye khed hai

2009-01-12T16:56:00.003+05:30

Finally after two days and three nights I can breathe easy. I was worried sick when a rather unexpected HTML error threatened to take away this rather dear blog away..forever!! It so happened that just as I clicked "OK" on the final post before slipping into the blissful weekend, there it popped up it's ugly face...some random HTML error which would not even give me a chance to surround myself in the pink abode. So, there I was virtually stranded before the weekend!! Went home and checked again and again and again and again till I finally gave up and thought that I was never going to really see it again. But then thank God for Sandy (not the one mentioned in a post below, the other one)..he proved to be my knight in shining armour and "AHOY!!" here I am...

Missed you so much over the rather eventful weekend..will fill in more . So, here I go.

After formally kick starting the weekend with the great great ALDO that puts me a few notches higher than most others (I am not being bitchy, just the rather scandalous heel that I am talking about here) followed by a yum Chinese meal that capped Friday. By Saturday, I had almost forced myself to get out of the sombre mood (because of the blog mishap, sheesh low attention span I tell you) and got ready for some moments of critical reasoning. This followed some great shopping which included a very very nice pair of jeans (I am not getting into more details here but I will just share that coupled with the ALDO, they make me look taaaallll). And then there was Mango!! What what!! I have never really been a big fan of the brand but then I just entered the shop lured by the word SALE (true to practically every woman on the face of this earth) written a font size bigger than me. And there hidden away not so discreetly were two of the most amazing jackets I have ever seen or owned. They were OMG heavenly. But that's where I let my sensibilities get the better of me and stopped. Not too bad. There's always a next time. So on we went looking at more ALDO and Nine West (which btw, had the most horrendous shoes I had seen in a long time). Nothing. Most other shops had more Chandni Chowk stuff than the whole of Chandni Chowk put together. So, there ended the euphoria. But we dragged our feet a little longer. The silver lining was that, surprisingly, the place was devoid of screeching aunties, pot bellied uncles and completely out of control kids who know not the purpose of anything in life running diagonally across the entire length of the mall with their mothers trying rather hard to catch up with the little masters!!

And oh!! I couldn't not mention the stupid ugly man who almost forced me to break my vow of not losing my cool over the two days. It goes that as he stuffed his face with a kathi role, he couldn't help signalling to us in a not so covert manner about how "yum it was", if you get the drift. So wanted to stuff that role up his ***. He almost spoiled it..just almost.
So overall the weekend wasn't that bad after all.

And now that I am back, I will be writing much much more just coz I missed this so much. But for now, I am just soaking up the sun.

Love..

AHOY!!

2009-01-12T16:49:00.002+05:30

And I couldn't resist anymore. The lure, the pull was too much for me. I tried to look away but he pulled me closer and closer every time. At last I just shrugged and gave in.. rather meekly at that. I might regret it later but there's nothing much that I can do to undo it now. I have literally swallowed the forbidden fruit. I don't know what to do!! And now that I have set foot on this perilous path, I am sure that this is a one way journey!! There is no looking back.

Finally, I must give in to the fact that yes I did it. I must just let myself believe that I went ahead and let myself be driven to his sensuous leathery feel. And his mind boggling scent too. My oh my!!! Do I love my new ALDO or not!!

Now what did you think..it's just a shoe my dear that I am talking about here!! Don't let your imagination run wild. Tame!!!

Axe-ing the myth!!

2009-01-08T19:09:00.003+05:30

A latest study proves that Axe actually works. "Sort of".

Here are the details:
A study conducted in UK shows that men who used a branded perfumed deo are more liked by women. The catch is that these women have never really met the men!! How you may ask...here's how. The men were asked not to bathe for 2 days and then a group of men was given a perfumed deodorant to spray and another was given a non-perfumed one. Then the team made videos of each of these men. And based on these videos, the women expressed their preference!!
(I am still a little unclear how but whatever...)

The explanation to this could be that the men who used the perfumed deodorant were high on self confidence as compared to those who used the non perfumed deodorant. This is the reason why the women favored the first group over the second!!
?????
Anyway, to read more of this article, click here http://adage.com/article?article_id=133621

PS: Well one thing that sure stands out from this is that men will continue to spend their lives spraying on a rather stupid deodorant trying to impress the women while the fairer sex will focus on more important issues like confidence while looking for that perfect partner (and the money, the cars, the killer smile, a great sense of humor, drop dead gorgeous looks, an adjusting nature will always be an added advantage :). Did I say I was not going to be demanding this year!!!)

random ramblings or not

2009-01-08T13:20:00.008+05:30

"Conversations with God"
"Communion with God"
"I'm ok. You're ok"

"Life is not about discovering. It is about creating."

Don't be judgemental!!
You are God. You can be what you choose to be.
Have a dream (long term - islands, wealth, health, cars etc). Goals are not always necessary. Dreams give you perspective.
Be positive. Don't focus on removing the clutter. Focus on making it clean.

NO-THING and NOTHING

2009-01-07T19:42:00.003+05:30

I think I am miserably going to fail at my resolve of writing atleast one post every day. It's the middle of the week and I have nothing to say or do. I mean technically, I have a lot to do else I wouldn't be at work at 11 PM!!! (Actually I think this is the cause of all concern as far as I am concerned).
I wanted to write about something nice. But no, people would just not let that be. I have a rather horrible website to work on (and that has been continuing for 3 and a half months now. That by the way is no reflection of my competence, just the indecisiveness of the other team who can't decide which font color goes well with what background color. That, actually is another story for another post.) And to top the mundane work, I am famished. I have had the Costas of the world and refused to be fed another synthetic morsel. I have munched on Good Day Choco chip cookies since the afternoon (and they are really not all that bad) so much that I am feeling sick now.

And to say that this is just the middle of the week. I dread to think what the rest of it would be like!!!

Ok..back to work now.

BTW: In my time of nothingness, i came upon a rather interesting question. Is NO-THING different from NOTHING??

It's Tag Time of the year

2009-01-06T21:22:00.003+05:30

Got this tag today and decided to break my rules at never responding to tags and entertain myself this time.

So here goes.

1. What is your occupation?
I would like to believe it is Communications Consultant with AMEX but what the others would have me believe is 'to bother them with details till the last breath'. I shall go with that too :)

2. What color are your socks right now?
Black

3. What are you listening to right now ?
With or Without You :)

4. What was the last thing that you ate ?
Yum yum yum...BROWNIE...gobbled it up against relishing it. I don't think it was the hunger but the greed.

5. Can you drive a stick shift?
No!!!

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
My boss's wife advising her about some great places for dinner. I do take my job rather seriously.

7. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Yes.

8. How old are you today?
24 years 10 months

9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
Don't have a favorite. I can tell you I hate WWF though.

10. What are your favorite drinks?
Orange juice. Followed by plain drinking water. And then Coconut water.

11. Have you ever dyed your hair?
Yes.

12. Favorite food?
Dal rice. (And I know Mansukh Mann will have a few things to say about this :))

13. What is the last movie you watched?
To Sir, With Love. Planning to watch Kite Runner rather soon.

14. Favorite day of the year?
None in particular really. But I do like March 8 (which is my birthday), December 30 (the excitement of December 31 is too great) and think December 25 (it's something to do with Christmas)

15. How do you vent anger?
Depends on who it is that I am venting it on. Mostly I yell. Or I just simply pretend that the cause of the anger has just been swallowed up by the earth and is so not worth my attention!!

16. What was your favorite toy as a child?
Child????

17. What is your favorite season?
Winter. I love the idea of hot milk and all the parathas.

18. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?
Always.

19. When was the last time you cried?
Can't recall. Can tell you when I made someone cry though (evil evil)

20. What is on the floor of your closet?
Shoes. And my closet is mostly really clean.

21. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to?
None. My long standing friends are not very active on the virtual medium.

22. What did you do last night?
Slept.

23. What are you most afraid of?
Fire. Cooking too :)

24. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburger?
Cheese I guess.

25. Favorite dog breed?
Golden retrievers and Labradors. And I hate all the small ones.

26. Favorite day of the week?
Wednesday. Don't ask me why!!

27. How many states have you lived in?
Three. Delhi, Maharashtra (Pune) and Karnataka (Bangalore, though Bangalore was only 3 months still)

28. Diamonds or pearls?
Diamonds. Big ones. (guilty pleasures)

29. What is your wish for this new year?
I want to be able to exercise regularly. For a more detailed wish list, hop down a few posts.

30. New year resolution?
To let people live....(Mansukh will swear by this)

Of those who made a mark

2009-01-06T13:15:00.005+05:30

In almost 25 years since I came on this planet, I have met a lot of people. In school, college, during Post graduation in Pune, work and outside of these places. But when I look back, there are a few people that I think have actually had a big hand in shaping me as the person that I am today, professionally and personally. So I decided to write down this post about those few who have made a mark for life.
I don't know how many would be there in this finally but I do know that I am excluding some people from this list (mom, dad, mansukh, cousins and other relatives and blob) for reasons of bias.

So here goes:

Fr. J A Carvalho: He was my Principal in school. For those 13 years that I was there, he went from being a terror to actually being a great friend and guide. In my junior classes, I was like really really scared of him and would run in the opposite direction when I saw him. However, as I came to senior school, I saw a very different side of him. He started treating us more like equals and not children. He would come and sit with us. We could talk to him about anything. He would pull a leg and was always ready with a joke or two. He knew almost all students by their name and their parents too. In my case, my mom would change her decision about me if it clashed with his because she was sooo sure that he would make the best decisions for both me and my sister. We have stolen innumerable After 8s from his office and he would just give a knowing smile each time. He has counseled me on many a personal issue, which of course I didnot understand then but when I look back today, I do. He was the one who forcibly sent me on stage and actually got that dread out of me. I haven't met him in the last 6-7 years but he has stayed with me forever and I am certain he always will.
Ma'am Jacob: My English teacher in many a class. Not only did she make me love this subject, she made me admire her too. Never one to mince her words, she taught me (quite unknowingly) how never to take s*** lying down. She taught me how never to be a doormat. She would never mince her words and called a spade a spade, even in front of the Principal. I picked this up from her.
Sandy: Now now. I have known the boy for over 16 years now. We never were the best of friends in school but I have seen his journey from being a reckless nut to the School Headboy to his Merchant Navy days and now a very loving husband-to-be (Gauri, you are really damn lucky). And through all this, he has been a very very dear friend. I know I can just call him up anytime and he will be there. He can bring a smile to my face in the most dreadful situations with his heartfelt mails that he writes from different corners of the world and with his very very few gifts that he has got for me after all his travels. He probably is the only guy who gives some pretty amazing marriage pep talk (to me atleast)!!Don't think I will ever say this to him on his face coz I am extremely concerned about his ego touching the sky but still sandy boy, you deserve every bit of what I wrote.
Garima Sharma: Met her during college. The one reason I absolutely adore the girl is her attitude and her general love for mankind (and animal kind too). She has shared many a missed bus with me in college and many a gol gappa too. She is just so forgiving and loving that I would love to pick this trait of hers (I don't think I ever can, but still). And most of all she is damn chilled out. She will surely teach you a thing or two about life in her own charming manner. And the best thing is, she will cap it with a smile. I haven't been in touch with her in a very long time but again, she is someone I don't think I can ever forget (also because her birthday is one day before mine)
Sukrit Singh: Probably the most unlikely name in this list. But, he absolutely deserves to be here. He was the CEO of the company I worked in for a very brief period. And why he gets a mention here is....I have never seen the CEO walk upto an intern and introduce himself as the official chef and take his role very seriously at that. He will talk to an office boy just like he will talk to a Senior Manager. Well, he didn't teach me a lot about office ethics but yes, he did teach me a lot about work, creativity and what not. And most importantly, he taught me never to let work become bigger than any person (I am yet to completely follow this advice but still...)

Well, these are the people who have in many ways decided the course of my life. I respect them all and I think I will always continue to do so. And here, today, I want to thank them for introducing me to myself. I am sure I will never forget many a lesson that you have taught me, unknowingly most of the times.

Thanks a lot in every possible way.

Rewind January 2008 into 2010

2009-01-05T20:37:00.003+05:30

About a year ago, I had written these posts about how tiring my new year had been (2008 that is) because of the unending calls and messages and just what New Year resolutions I should make. Reading through them today I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of nostalgia. I still remember (vaguely, of course) sitting in my office and writing those posts. Am back doing the same thing at the same place today :)

But what stood out was that as I looked back at the new year's eve this time, my phone was pleasantly quite. Now, I am sure that not everyone I know read my posts. So I was a bit surprised and spent a better half of the day thinking "WHY". And then out of some dark corner, peeped the half shy answer. I juts haven't been in touch with sooooo many people in the year gone by that I am sure half of them will be jumping out of surprise and vague recollection when they find my name on their contact lists in a few months, going, "Oh my god!! There was a Ruchi I knew too!!". And that's when I decided. I am going to be far more socially active in the coming 360 days than I have been in the last. And oh!! hide that smirk off your face. It's got nothing to do with getting more New Year wishes which I delete as soon as I get them. I will make a conscious effort in 'reaching out' to those I have known. I will wish them all on their birthdays. I will call them up on times away from work too. I am sure 2010 will be a different story!! So, that is one closed book dusted and ready to be read again.

And as for the other, the pink book that I had announced I will make last year (which never saw the light of day), I will finally work on it. And what better way than to start with this blog. It is afterall, my pink book with all the goods, the bads, the uglys. With the pains, the triumphs, the falls and the rises. It will also soon have a big bright yellow flower that will make it just oh-so-puuurfect!! But till then, this is it.

So, I do believe that this year has started on a rather promising note. It has been great thus far and I am sure, I will have much to write in my 'new pink book :)'

PS: If the colour hurts your eye, haha, let me share it hurts mine too :). But still, this is for keeps.

Love.

To Sir, with Love

2009-01-05T19:55:00.007+05:30

I finally watched the movie. And it was a tad disappointing. I mean I had cried when I had read that book and was certain the movie would be just as great.

It was great alright. But pales in comparison to the book. For those amongst us who think celluloid can never do justice to the words immortalized on yellowing pages, I would disagree (LOTR is a masterpiece as much in motion as in words). So, when we have Sidney Poitier, the expectations are bound to be high. And there lies the trap!!

However, to be fair to Mr Clavell (Director and Producer), it was definitely far better than most other movies from that period (1967). The scenes were not choppy and it didn't stretch into years. If you ask any child fed on razor fine editing of the movies in late 1990s and 21st century, you are opening a Pandora's Box there. But compared to that time, it was great. Crisp. To the Point and yet not choppy. Poitier was great and looked rather handsome compared to other boys (who looked nothing less than cartoons in front of our man). The women were great. But what was absolutely a treat was Lulu. The song, the skirts and the hair. Mind blowing.

Actually, as an after thought, it wasn't that bad after all if you remove the glitz of what the movies in later years have fed us. It was grounded, real, resonant of those times and in many a way path breaking. A black teacher in an all white school. The new grounds of student - teacher relationship. The accidental inspirational leadership. The anguish on Thackeray's face when the girls burn a sanitary napkin in his class and his subsequent loss of composure. Thackeray's handling of questions on black women dancing naked and his composure. His unstated resolve to upstage racial scorn and discrimination. Amazing.

But what absolutely stood out for me was the title track. But before that, a quick capture of else worked wonders for the movie, a few dialogues that I loved.

A fellow teacher, to Thackeray: Ah, so you're the new lamb for the slaughter - or should I say, black sheep?
Denham: You was wrong about Potts.
Thackeray: Yes ... from his point of view, at his age ... I was.
Denham: The girls was right about the gossip, and all.
Thackeray: From their point of view.
Denham: Well, what other point is there, eh?
Thackeray: You're going to have to figure that one out for yourself, Denham.

And now for Lulu and those oh-so-magical words:

Those schoolgirl days,
of telling tales and biting nails are gone,
But in my mind,
I know they will still live on and on,
But how do you thank someone,
who has taken you from crayons to perfume?

It isn't easy, but I'll try,
If you wanted the sky I would write across the sky in letters,
That would soar a thousand feet high,
To Sir, with Love

The time has come,
For closing books and long last looks must end,
And as I leave,
I know that I am leaving my best friend,
A friend who taught me right from wrong,
And weak from strong,
That's a lot to learn,
What, what can I give you in return?

If you wanted the moon I would try to make a start,
But I, would rather you let me give my heart,
To Sir, with Love

And just for this moment I let my prejudices die and be taken over by the beauty of her voice. Do I recommend this movie. You bet. I do!! It is a masterpiece. Okay, not really in the LOTR league for it's cinematic excellence but for the sheer beauty of the thought that envelopes the entire movie. So overlook your disappointments (As I did) and enjoy the movie.

In one word, amazing. Watch it.

2009 - Of wishes and many more

2009-01-05T16:57:00.002+05:30

This new year I decided not be overtly demanding. No no don't celebrate just yet. I will still continue to be my mean bitchy self, will still ask you Ms Mann to clear the room and the almirah, will still hound Blob to eat less and proper, will always continue to hound Sandeep to work, and will still write 166 mails in a day (all official).
But what I will most certainly not do this year is be demanding - literally - in terms of my demands. I will tone it down just a wee bit.
So here goes my dream list for 2009:

A big branded bag in brown animal hyde
A smashing red overcoat
One really sexy pair of really really high heel boots in black
One really sexy pair of boots in white (notice the difference in heels)
Pink sunglasses (no questions please)
Growing my hair really long (atleast till below my waist)
Getting down to exercising every single day
Eating healthier
Blogging regularly
Sleep less on holidays
To read many more books
To buy atleast 20 DVDs/VCDs of hindi and english classics
Watching atleast 25 good movies this year
To meet many more friends
Going to Big Chill atleast 4 times this year (that is not too much for a fan but knowing myself...it's just fine)
Finally getting my marksheets from Symbi
LEARN TO COOK - that is a real big deal

I am sure I will add many more to this list as I go along. But for now, this is it 9I said I wasn't going to be very demanding :))

edits from an old year..

2009-01-02T23:55:00.002+05:30

...in 'edition' to the last post, since my sister reminded me, I also remmber Vikas Dahiya (not really my memory as much as hers, but what the heck!!)

And Happy New Year all :)

Time to now take out the pink notebook again.

2008..goodbye forever

2008-12-31T17:23:00.004+05:30

Finally!! It the last day of the year and what a day at that!!

While I read people's plan for the new year's eve, I can't help but rue at lack of any plans for my evening ahead. But that is not the reason I am happy this year is over. I mean when I look back at the last 365 days, I don't have any one thing that I will associate with this year 10 years down the line - nothing!! This year seems to have gone by in a state of sleep walking with nothing to shake me out of my slumber.

So I decided to note the random few things that have made this year special in many ways.

Mansukh Mann deserves a very special mention in this category. Not so much for the 'no trouble period' that I had with her (coz that was virtually non existent) but for the many movies that she made me sit through (mostly against my will), the many sandwiches and parathas she fed me, the one time that we both went to Big Chill (amazing) and her endless counseling days (no prizes for guessing who counsels)!!
Blob coz he has just been adorable and for making me get up every working day at 6:30. But more so because he has very patiently listened to my rambling (he basically didn't have a choice!!)
Malvika Varma for making endless trips to India so that I (nee we) don't forget what she looks like...ever and for all those endless rounds of laughter between her and Mansukh on each visit and also for her dollops of 'humor' on g talk!!
And now that I have mentioned two devils, I might as well mention the third one. Neha Varma who, above all, has been a constant fixture of all the future plans (whether or not she has been involved in making them), including those that involve notorious kids ;)
Massi's retirement. Yeah that was an event in itself and I absolutely loved it.
Blogging!! While I still haven't achieved the eutopian target of one post every day, I have considerably improved from last year. So am sure 2009 is going to be a rocking year in those terms.
Rab ne bana di jodi - Surinder Sahni. Period.

So that is all for what this year held for me. I do hope that 2009 is more eventful and far more rocking than this one proved to be. And for all those stepping out tonight, have a great year end and an even greater start to 2009. Be safe.

God bless!!

Memories of a Childhood

2008-12-24T13:52:00.004+05:30

Every time I heard Jagjit Singh sing,

"Yeh daulat bhi lelo

Yeh shaurat bhi lelo

Bhale cheen lo mujhse meri jawani

magar mujhko lauta do

bachpan ka saawan

woh kaagaz ki kashti

woh baarish ka paani"

I would lose myself to the music, to his silky voice. All these years.But never to the thought. It just never occurred. Until today...

Now that I hear the song over and over again, I would do anything to be taken back to those days. Well, I didn't really have many a kaagaz ki kashti to mark my childhood, but I did have many a coloured clip with matching rubber bands and absolutely fairy like dresses (what everyone insists on calling frocks). I did have careless abandon (well not really but i'd like to believe I did and I am sure it adds more sentiment to this post). I did have days of endless hide and seek after grilling homework sessions and days of 'stepu'. Yeah yeah that was a game we played!! I did have a childhood of endless Christmas parties (okay not really endless) and Teacher's Day and Children's Day celebrations. Not that it was all pleasant. I also had dictations (this was a weekly affair with dad taking his role very seriously). I did have days when I was beaten black and blue for getting a 65 in Maths (I guess the only reason my mom spared me to live another day was so that she could beat me harder the next time). I did have a few horrible-which-I-would-like-to-forget PTA meetings.

I did have a childhood that I would die to have back. Yes, with all the beatings and bad marks and everything.

I am listing below some things that I distinctly remember from 'the good old days'.

I remember each day when we would get up to go to school (most of them).
I remember each of my class sections (for the record, KG C, I A, 2 D, 3 A, 4 D, 5 B, 6 A, 7 A, 8 A, 9 D, 10 D, 11B, 12 C...hehe).
I remember the names of all my class teachers (Pooja Bhambri, Ma'am Anama, Ma'am Mohan, Jyoti Sausan, Ma'am Nandini, Ma'am Anju, Ma'am Deepshikha, Ritu Puri, Seema Sharma, Ritu Puri, Sir Prince, Dinesh, Ma'am George)
I remember Tina Younis was my first best friend in school.
I remember that I could not spell banana (always wrote an extra nana at the end) and running (with a single n) in KG.
I remember I had cried when I got a 9/10 in a dictation in KG :)
I remember almost all my classmates, some of who were very nice to me, others who were not so nice and some who were plain scared (evil) .
I remember each time my mom beat me when I didn't get a top 3 rank in class (yeah they did that).
I remember the first time I made a single plat to school and what Ma'am Deehikhs had said.
I remember the 'many' times I was made the Class Monitor
I remember each time I was made the Cupboard Incharge (now that was no mean feat. Only the trusted one got the keys to the teacher's cupboard where she kept everything from test papers to attendance registers. In those days, these things meant more than a treasure)
I do remember that Megha Kumar had joined our school in Class 4 and she became my partner.
I remember Tanya Mathews joined us in Class 5 and her mom took my notes (Her mom later became my Biology teacher but never returned the favor...damn!!)
I remember each time my sister (brat) would gobble up her up chocolates and sweets and then have mine too (which, by the way, were carefully kept away after having a small bite so that they could be relished for a longer time...but of course that was never to be with that brat around).
I remember each of the houses we stayed in...GK, Saket, Gulmohar Park and every time we moved
I remember Shekhar Ganguly, who was my partner in Class 7 and I remember how much I had troubled him. He also had run across half the school one day to hand me the umbrella I had forgotten when my mom had come to pick me early from school. He was the sweetest boy I knew in school.
I remember Tanav Chopra, Puneet Sharma, Rahul Anand and there is a reason I mention them together
I remember almost all Christmas parties in school
I remember Marsala aunty and that she made amazing Plum cake for Christmas
I do remember that Sandy was shorter than me till Class 9
I do remember also that he was my partner in Class 8 and that I slapped him hard once :)
I remember that Ma'am Bhat was my Biology and Chemistry teacher in Class 7 and well..
My English teachers..Ma'am S Kumar, Ma'am Deepshikha, Ritu Puri, Monica, Dilara, Ma'am Susan Jacob (my favourite), Ritu Puri, Susan Jacob, Ma'am George
I remember the stupid crushes
I remember the even more stupid 'pairs'
I remember Faraz and how he could never stand still, even during the National Anthem
I remember the morning assembly and the school prayers (We had three different ones)
I remember 'On Life's venture' and even have it on my laptop now..
I remember Chakshu Biala was my house captain I don't know how many times. I also remember the only guy who gave him competition was Abheek Nangia
I remember Bharath Nangia was among my favourite juniors
I remember all Agnel Darpan meetings
I remember that most of my sister's friends confused me for her
I remember my sister would give the illiest grin everytime she saw me in school
I remember the Fsarewell we gave to our seniors and the titles we made
I remember the Farewell we got and 'Miss Agnel'
I remember 'Mrutti'
I remember Father (and I miss him too)

I remember to never forget. I remember!!

All I can say right now is, "Those were the days my friend, We'd thought they'd never end"!! But end they did. If only, if only I could have them back..

I will give all the Maths and Chemistry exams again. I am ready to be paired opposite the stupidest guy around. Or anything else it would take. Just oh just give me back that time!!

Happy Happy Birthday

2008-12-24T12:41:00.003+05:30

So finally, the last birthday of the year in the family!! The 'little one' turns 21 and it is time to celebrate...yay!!

So Miss Varma, a little something for you...

Just another day, or is it
Just another one, or is she
Just another time
But we know it is not!

Just another one, or is she
She is not, she is not
It is her we celebrate
Not the day

She is not, she is not
You are not
It is you we celebrate
Not the day

Go on share the joy
Pass the love that you hold
Smile on those who
Know not what it is

Celebrate each moment
Make merry each day
Celebrate yourself
Hold the doubts at bay

Twenty One years ago
What came to us
We didn't know
It would mean so much

It is not just another day
It is not just another year
It is a moment
That will stay forever

It is not just another someone
It is not just another you

So darling, wish you a great birthday and a super turning 21!! Have a blast with all the food (pun intended) and gifts and everything else. And may the year ahead bring you lots of happiness, success and a lot many good movies which you can watch.

Happy birthday again.

Lots of love..
from all of us

Order Order!!!

2008-12-19T21:48:00.002+05:30

Finally!!! There are some voices that say we have been wrong all through. There are some that say we did get carried away. And then there are some which say that absolutely nothing is wrong!!

Finally, all these voices have been heard. And it has been ruled that the Indian media must maintain 'order order'. The court ruling today which suggests that the Indian media were fairly off the mark while covering the Mumbai attacks seems vindicating for many of us. For me at least they do. And I am not a cynic. I am not against the power of the media. For a one-time wannabe journalist, I am most certainly not any of the above. But yes, I do believe in self regulation. And if that is not forthcoming, well then, let's go and regulate them. I do believe that families and little children need not be shown the horrendous image of a blood laced face or body. I do believe that we can be spared the blame and counter blame, specially when the attack on our sovereignty is still on.

So, while the debate continues about what is right and wrong, I think it is time we take an unbiased stand and decide on what we need v/s what we want. Sensationalism is a want. Information is a need. Nee, balanced information is a need. And I do hope that with today's ruling, it becomes more effective. I do hope that after this, there is 'some semblance of sense' in how we project ourselves and our country.

The choice is clear; between blood thirsty hounds or responsible journalists.

Rabba Rabba..

2008-12-19T21:40:00.003+05:30

And Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is a super hit!!!

Well, this news lays the foundation of a perfect weekend ahead for a Shah Rukh fan like me. It is not like this is a result of the trials or tribulations of the man we call Baadshah, but it nothing short of that if you ask a loyalist :)

The King Khan is smiling as are Yash Raj films (all the way to the bank). The audience are smiling a great deal as the film has lifted a veil of broodiness from the society which had descended post the 26/11 attacks. So while Mr Khan, you talk of eating gol gappas in love or making every common man's story a love story to remember, a little fan waves her hand out to you shyly, secretly smiling at your success :)

BTW, I should kill myself. I still haven't seen the movie (yeah yeah). But I will, this weekend for sure. Like I said, this is just the start to a perfect weekend :)

Is there something called Perfection

2008-12-18T20:26:00.005+05:30

The race to perfection has no finish line.

Had this one very interesting discussion with Ankur (my dearest boss!!!) about whether perfection is attainable. In fact, whether perfection as an idea truly exists!!
Got us thinking.

Ankur: I don't think there is anything called perfection.
Me: I think there is. And it is a concept that exists in the absolute sense. And of course, it is ever evolving.
Well that formed the basis of a discussion that carried well beyond 2 hours. Fruitful utilization of a working day :)
So, like I said above, according to me, perfection is much more than just an idea. It is a pursuit. It is an ever evolving process, which is just as personal to someone as his/her likes or dislikes. Your idea of perfection need not resonate with mine. Your quest need not overlap mine. These can exist as parallel and also, in rare situations, converge. But this does not dilute the fact that perfection exists.

As an individual, I will always desire to learn more. I will continue to evolve. But in my current situation, given my limitations, I can desire to achieve perfection. And work well towards it. Now my idea of perfection may be above or below yours but that doesn't make it inferior or non existent. The want to be perfect is what drives humans to get better of themselves, to push the limits and challenge the boundaries. This urge to be the best that one can be is second nature to those who actually have made a mark in their lives. Because they don't rest on their laurels and know that they can give more to the situation, they achieve more. And this drive is mostly driven by the sub conscious.

So, while the discussion did not yield much in terms of a conclusion, I am convinced that my quest for perfection will not be in vain. And I know how to get to the finish line.

With nothing to say....

2008-12-18T19:42:00.002+05:30

Another day has gone by
Not a very pleasant one at that
Some truths from the past caught up
Some talk of future lay undiscovered

The past should exactly be that
It becomes much too hard to bear
When it leaps into my present
Aiming at being witness to my future

It rings no bell
It doesn't sound familiar
But it leaves me with a sinking feeling
A feeling that deepens with every word they say

A hidden guilt
Not quite something I deserve
Not quite something I asked for
Not something that I want

Some truths from the past
Was it really that
Or was it a misconceived perception
That has fed your thoughts of what was

I keep the good times
You choose the bad ones
We had both, aplenty
We could have had more

I don't know who is to blame
For what is not
I am not looking away
But it could just be you

Every thought of the future
Left us smiling
Every talk of the past
Now brings a tear

Don't know if this was meant to be
Or Not
We left each other
With nothing to say....

On the Floor

2008-12-17T21:27:00.001+05:30

One of the recent good radio spots I came across was for NITCO tiles...

It's quite a simple philosophy actually. This one really off-the-tune guy is singing Oh Carol and intersperses each sentence with 'on the floor'. Very simple. Critics might even argue that it follows a been-there-done-that approach. But what the heck!! It sure catches your attention. I am sure this will do some good to the brand, much more than the idea of using random models posing seductively 'on the floor' :)

Good job!!

Play to the gallery Miss Mann

2008-12-17T12:40:00.006+05:30

June 30, 1987 is not a day I am likely to forget in a hurry. It changed the course of my life. I was only about 3 years old to actually grasp the magnitude of what happened but now, it has begun to sink in. All these years (21 and a half) have passed by, shrouded either in ignorance or denial. But now, finally, I am beginning to accept that 'The Miss Mann' is an active and 'loud' part of my life. It's more like I have to. PHEW!!

Like every other 3 year old, I was a bundle of excitement (mmmm...maybe), apprehension (at the attention slipping away from me) and wonder (at my mom's changing appearance). I faintly recall my mom explaining to me what the fuss was all about and trying to infuse excitement about the impending arrival of a younger sibling. I don't know how I reacted then but looking at the years gone by, I would want to hit myself hard for having jumped with joy if I did :)

Anyhow, the day arrived. Like any lazy morning, I went about my day with nonchalance. And then... unknown to me, my life changed forever. I was taken to the hospital to see what the newest member of our family looked like. Well I hate to admit, but she was a beautiful chubby child (chubby is euphenised). And then began the story...

She was brought home in a special car and kept in an AC room (wow!!) while I am certain I must have been made to sweat it out (pun intended). The next few years saw a repeat of the above. Neha Varma (now who doesn't know her, my real sister Part 2) and I fought endlessly over who will play with Miss Mann. We went to the same school, where to much of my joy, most teachers knew her as my sister (grin grin). Then came the horrendous days. I think both of us fell just short of throwing each other out of the house...I don't know if all siblings go through this phase but we certainly did. Each of us would have a mini celebration when the other was away. I am sure she must have jumped the day I passed out of school. Clearly, we were never the best of friends. Anyhow, the days passed, the months did and finally the years.

And then finally, the ice broke. To cut the very long 21 years short, we finally share happily one room in the house, while she decides what bedsheets go up and the matching curtains, I take up the responsibility of keeping it clean [not quite my favorite job, but since she won't do it, I have to :)]. Finally, people don't know her just as my sister but as Mansukh Mann and/or Miss Mann (these people are few but they do great amount of good to her ego and some even know me as her sister and this could largely be attributed to be the reason behind her health). We (read SHE) make plans about movies (what else when she is involved), about our future and about food. She proposes and disposes plans for my wedding on an hourly basis. We love to constructively deconstruct people behind their backs. We even tend to play advocate for the other when mother dear makes unappetising food. We still pull each other's hair out while sharing clothes (mine mostly because she is too lazy to buy her own). And amidst all this nonsense, she occassionally surprises me with talk of wisdom.

And then it dawns upon me. Finally, I know that it is time for me to pass the mantle of being Miss Mann. Atleast I can't stake lone claim to it anymore. All I want to tell her is that I have loved this title more than anything. I have loved it every time when someone has called me Miss Mann either out of respect, envy or love. The name will continue to be a reflection of you but since you have done a fairly decent job with yourself, I am sure you will add color and vibrance to this tag as well. It brings with it immense amount of glamour (you will see), love and hatred in equal measure from the 'lesser few', responsibility (i would love to tell you that you have some really big shoes to fill :)) and lots of fun.

So play to the gallery Miss Mann and enjoy every moment of it.

And do get well soon!!!

PM says "I am Sorry"...

2008-12-12T02:34:00.005+05:30

This day has to be historic!! The Parliament did not witness ugly scenes between the ruling party and the Opposition. Almost all who spoke, spoke in unison. Spoke against terror. And spoke against a certain not-so-friendly-neighbour. And I think, spoke for the common man. Just this one time maybe, but I am not letting my optimism subside.

While the PM can not say "Sorry" and shirk off what happened at Mumbai, what is really unique is that he said Sorry on national television. He accepted his mistakes and those of his government in safeguarding the country and its people, standing at the holiest ground of Indian democracy. He truly hailed the spirit of democracy.

But what really makes this day even more special is that the Opposition did not do a fist beating act during the session and extended full support to the government in combating terror and terrorism. This is a landmark day for India, not yet there as America getting Obama as a president but getting there. I am no fan of Indian politicians but when Mr Advani said, "We will support the government in all efforts to safeguard the country and its people.", I think he meant it. When Rahul Gandhi spoke about moving out of the 'laal batti' syndrome of security in India, it reeked of sincerity at some level. I might not have witnessed the greatness of my country through the walk in space but today I am indeed very very proud of what I saw. There is a faint hope that this country has a future, how bright I don't know. But I wish to. Finally, the last few weeks of cynicism and negativity seem to be ending. This is important for us and the society. We need to express our opinion but in ways that would invite some action, and not 'lipstick-powder' comments. We cannot allow to channelise our opinion, our action and our efforts in a negative way such that it rips apart the bare thread of democracy that this country stands on. The base that allows me to write what I want to, to say what I feel. The tool that lets me voice my anger, my anguish at the failure of my leaders to safeguard the lives of my brothers and sisters, and all this on a very public platform of the national television.

I am still clueless about what steps to take in the days ahead but I surely am a more aware citizen of this country. And I do hope that others like me take inspiration from late Major Unnikrishnan's father when he said after his son's death that 'he is not against the system. He strongly believes in the power of the system and knows that this country and its people will not let his son's sacrifice be forgotten.'

I am sure that I will not!!

Some semblance of sense

2008-12-10T18:52:00.003+05:30

Finally, the election resluts are out! And they have been surprisingly pleasant.
Out of the five states that saw the results of their vote come out on Monday, December 8, what matters most to me is Delhi. Yes, Mizoram, Chattisgarh, Rajasthan and MP are equally important important in the national sense but Delhi is what affects me directly. So in many ways I am happy that Congress won in Delhi and we have Sheila aunty back as our CM (prospective CM). And considering this is the first time I voted and that too for the winning candidate, I am doubly pleased with the result.
Anyhow, what stands out with these results is that largely people have voted for development and honest governance. Take Delhi for instance. Sheila aunty has actually done considerable work on her vision of making Delhi a world class city (yes yes she has made some very insensitive comments at inappropriate times but she has accepted her mistakes). We have a highly improved transport system (I shall leave BRT out of this discussion and focus solely on the modes of transport), a far cleaner city thanks to CNG, more transparent and accountable education system in the city. In the run up to the elections, BJP ran a campaign that showed no vision, no plan for the city if they were voted to power. They singularly concentrated their campaign to highlight the 'failures' of the Congress government and since they had lost the 1998 elections to onions, this time they decided to turn the tables on Congress with tomatoes!! Thankfully, people saw the larger development and voted for a clean leader who is willing to admit her mistakes and doesn't seem to take her position for granted.
So, all in all, I am very happy that my sister will not be leaving the city, which she would have done had mr. V K Malhotra become the CM. And I am even happier that my city will have a government that acts on its promises(this could be a double edged sword..)
Sheila aunty ki jai ho :)

Is Baar Nahin!!!

2008-12-10T16:50:00.003+05:30

We have reading reports of public angst against the politicians and the system after the Mumbai attacks. Nothing sums this up better than Prasoon Joshi, who has penned a poem titled 'Is Baar Nahin', which if transalted in English means 'Not this time'. I don't think it could have captured the essence and the mood of the entire country better than it did.
It says that not another time, will we pretend to be okay when we are not. Not another time will we tell someone to look away. This time we will let the pain reside so that we are constantly reminded.

Absolutely beautiful. Read on..

Is baar jab woh choti si bachchi mere paas apni kharonch le kar aayegi
Main usey phoo phoo kar nahin behlaoonga
Panapney doonga uski tees ko
Is baar nahin
Is baar jab main chehron par dard likha dekhoonga
Nahin gaoonga geet peeda bhula dene wale
Dard ko risney doonga,utarney doonga andar gehrey
Is baar nahin

Is baar main na marham lagaoonga
Na hi uthaoonga rui ke phahey
Aur na hi kahoonga ki tum aankein band karlo,gardan udhar kar lo main dawa lagata hoon
Dekhney doonga sabko hum sabko khuley nangey ghaav
Is baar nahin
Is baar jab uljhaney dekhoonga,chatpatahat dekhoonga
Nahin daudoonga uljhee door lapetney
Uljhaney doonga jab tak ulajh sake
Is baar nahin

Is baar karm ka hawala de kar nahin uthaoonga auzaar
Nahin karoonga phir se ek nayee shuruaat
Nahin banoonga misaal ek karmyogi ki
Nahin aaney doonga zindagi ko aasani se patri par
Utarney doonga usey keechad main,tedhey medhey raston pe
Nahin sookhney doonga deewaron par laga khoon
Halka nahin padney doonga uska rang
Is baar nahin banney doonga usey itna laachaar
Ki paan ki peek aur khoon ka fark hi khatm ho jaye
Is baar nahin

Is baar ghawon ko dekhna hai
Gaur se
Thoda lambe waqt tak
Kuch faisley
Aur uskey baad hausley
Kahin toh shuruat karni hi hogi
Is baar yahi tay kiya hai
... Prasoon Joshi

The English Translation:

This time when that little girl comes to me with her bruises,
I will not blow gently at her wound, nor distract her,
I will let her pain grow.
Not this time.
This time when I see pain on faces
I will not sing the song that eases pain
I will let the pain seep in, deep.
Not this time.

This time I won't apply any balm
Nor will I ask you to shut your eyes and turn your head
While I gingerly apply medicine
I will let everyone see the open, naked wounds
Not this time.
This time when I see difficulty, uneasiness
I will not run to solve the problems
I will let them become complicated
Not this time.

This time I won't pick up my tools as a matter of duty
I will not make a new beginning
Nor will I stand as an example of one dedicated to my job
I will not let life easily return to normalcy
I will let it descend into muck, on the twisting paths
I will not let the blood on the walls dry out
Nor will I let its colour fade away
This time I won't let it become so helpless
That you can't tell blood from paan-spit
Not this time.

This time the wounds need to be watched
Carefully
For a long time
Some decisions are needed
And then some brave moves to be made
We have to begin somewhere
This time this is what I have resolved

I might not have been able to do full justice to the poet's thought in the translation but I think he has done justice. He has done justice to all those of us who get ready every morning to go to work no matter what. No matter how much we are hurt, we look away and wipe our tears. We will not pretend to be strong. In effect, we will not let our strength become our weakness in the eyes of those who sit in their chambers wearing the cloak of our leaders. We will not.

Content Courtesy : Prasoon Joshi and rediff

the voice at large

2008-12-02T15:01:00.001+05:30

Some links that I have come across over the last few days highlighting vaious aspects of the Mumbai attacks:

http://smallchange.in/
http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=mDyTPnj4LVg

Will add more as they come along...

The Great Indian Tamasha

2008-12-01T14:21:00.003+05:30

The video of Barkha Dutt talking to a family member of one of the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks is supposed to make you cry or atleast suppress a sob. The lady in question goes on asking rather edgy questions to the family member and when they finally break down or are close to tears, she 'understandably' places a consoling hand on their back in a way that says 'I so understand what you are going through'..
Well Ms Dutt, let me give you an eye opener...You don't. You don't understand what they are going through. None of us, who watched the entire tragic episode glued to our television sets for those 3 days, will ever understand what the victims' families are going through. Simply because we can't.

And the Indian media has made a grand tamasha of this tragedy, giving our politicians suitable company. When will we ever understand that the media's role is not just to sensationalise. It is in fact, not to sensationalise at all. It is to inform, to educate. It is to share. And those ingredients are masterfully missing from what we are fed day after day after day. While hundreds died in Mumbai at the hands of those heartless men, the media showed restraint for the first few hours. But soon, it was back to business. The business of higher TRPs, more revenue etc. And sadly, the business of tragedy. Over the years, our politicians had mastered this art, visiting the homes and families of the martyred. The very same people, who had faced flak for being honest and doing their duty (as in the case of Hemant Karkare) or had lived in obscurity till that day; the same people whose families had lived in conditions not deserving the honest servants of the motherland. These politicians visited the families at their time of grief promising huge financial rewards to the dead in honour of their service to the country. But like all promises, these too were broken. Most of the times, the rewards did not reach the families simply because they were never meant to. They were meant to win the public votes and in most cases, they did.

The after days of any terror attack witness a surge in advertisements and hoardings that carry pictures of these martyrs, nee soldiers ( I will just call them soldiers from here on and not add to the sycophancy of the politicians and the media who choose to serve their vested interests. These men lived and died as soldiers and they will be just as happy if we call them that and spare the hypocrisy) with the logos of various political parties. What point are we exactly trying to make here? The soldiers who died did not die for a BJP or a Congress or a BSP or a Maharashtra or Punjab or Tamil Nadu. They died for India. They died for us. They died so that these people could shamelessly mock over their deaths by playing such dirty games of politics and business.

As an Indian, I am shamed when a Narendra Modi goes to Mr Karkare's funeral and offers Rs 1 Crore to his family. I am shamed and I am angry. He has no business to be there, he and his brothers from the BJP who criticized Mr. Karkare while he was alive. He was termed a traitor!! And all this for just doing his job!! He has no business to demean the sacrifice that the man and his family has made. He has no business to take away the grief from his family and turn it into a public spectacle. Mr. Modi had no business to go to Trident or the Taj with his commandos tagging along. If he was so concerned about the victims, why did he not stay at home and ever think of giving up his security cover so that these commandos can do a more worthwhile job of serving the country rather than serving the corrupt politico.

The tamasha had Mr. Advani playing his role to perfection. At first, the gentleman called the PM to 'discuss' the attack (sic) and then suggested that they should go to Mumbai together. But as I understand, haste got the better of Mr Advani and he 'rushed' to Mumbai, understandably to win more brownie points.

But what beats them all is what follows. Ms. Dutt chooses to host a talk show over the tragedy and invite several celebrity guests. During the show, one of the guests (a celebrated talk show host herself) goes on to say that 'If you go up a high rise in Mumbai and look down at the slums below, you will actually see Pakistani flags flying high!!!'. This absolutely irresponsible comment got an agitated member of the audience to yell into the camera that the enemy we need to fight is nowhere else but the lady in question and many others like her. The ever so dignified lady just let her veil of sophistication slip for a nano second before she regained composure after the verbal attack on her. And the channel actually aired it...evidently to build on TRPs!!! The same channel that caused a revolution in the way Indian news and Indian journalists were perceived by the others not too long ago. Sad as it is, the mighty have fallen and with them they have taken the dignity that this noble profession deserves. Alas, Mr. Roy you could not save yourself from the evil forces you once despised!

I am so sickened by what I have seen over the last few days that I know this will alter the course of my life in many ways. I have never been more thankful to be alive and to have those I love around me. I don't know in how many ways this would have affected those who lost their loved ones to this ghastly act. I have asked myself time and again over the last few days, are we really so helpless that we can't even try to get up when someone hits us hard in the gut? Have we really lost the motivation, the drive? Have we after all, become a part of the crowd? Have we surrendered ourselves to a fate of being mute spectators to the Great Indian Tamasha??

I am longing to hear that voice within that says no. I am longing to hear any voice that doesn't reek of lies and hypocrisy.

P.S: And also, Ms Dutt, we didn't understand when you gallantly went ahead during your coverage of the Kargil war and announced your location , which resulted in the killing of some soldiers. We didn't understand why you would do that...is the race for publicity and fame so blinding after all??

Happy Birthday Moshe..

2008-12-01T13:57:00.003+05:30

For a two year old, the one gift that he surely didn't want was the news of his parents' death. And blame it on fate if you must, that is exactly what he got!!

The Mumbai massacre (no less) has many unforgettable images, which the media is shamelessly pasting around as the 'faces of tragedy'. But for me, what has stood out more than any other is the image of an inconsolable Moshe Holtzberg, crying aloud for his parents' touch as he turns 2 on November 27.

Absolutely heartbreaking. The sight renders you feeling numb, weak and helpless.

Yet another time we live to tell the tale

2008-11-28T16:22:00.010+05:30

This is not the first time and surely not the last! What we are seeing in Mumbai has virtually sent around a wave of helplessness across the entire country, much more than any previous bomb attacks could have done. In a way, this situation is unprecedented. This is for the first time, at least in recent history, that there have been hostages in any such terror attack. But in many more ways, this attack bears an uncanny resemblance to what has been happening over the last 15 years in India.
Let's face it, terror has become a way of life with us. It just doesn't bother us the way it used to, and more importantly, the way it should!! Every story of a bomb attack is followed by 'Oh-no-not-again' like statements and then soon forgotten about as we get back to the push and pull of our life. There is some blame game played by the authorities for some days but as the story fades away from Page 1 of the newspapers, so it does from our consciousness. And this is where the problem lies!!
Every terror attack whether it happens in local trains or in crowded marketplaces or on the citadel of Indian democracy, is preceded by public callousness and inadvertently followed by indifference.
Before every attack, the public goes about their lives as though we live in a completely immune world with no sense of responsibility towards the society at large. This includes giving our houses on rent to people without verification, not reporting suspicious movements to the police for the fear of legal hassles, not looking around hard enough to notice the subtle hints that the prospective culprits provide and turning a blind eye to the not-so-subtle ones. All as long as we are not affected directly. Reading today's newspapers, I came across a report where a Taj Hotel employee witnessed some suspicious movement near the Gateway of India, where the terrorists responsible for Mumbai attacks came from, just a few minutes before the carnage started. Looking at their huge back packs and general demeanour, he even stopped and asked them who they were. In reply, they said that they were students. The employee was not satisfied with the response but let it go. (Atleast he bothered to ask) The fate of those killed might have been very different if he had not let them go but reported the matter to the local police which is present in the area in large numbers. I am not blaming the gentleman for lack of action, atleast he bothered to ask them who they were while most of us would have just ignored them as long as we were safe. I am just pointing at the larger public consciousness or the lack of thereof. While he lived to tell the tale, many were not as lucky. It is a mere if-but situation, but had the gentleman alerted the police, many many lives could have been saved.

What happens after every attack is even more heart breaking. For a few hours/days after the attack, we find it occupying the place of prominence in all conversation circles. But soon it dies a natural death. With it, also dies the thought for those who have been impacted for life through the attacks, either through physical injury that will leave its scars for a long time or through the loss of dear ones or loss of property etc. Here, is when we also become indifferent to what happens around us. We refuse to learn from our mistakes and will never do till we are affected directly. We never raise fingers at laxity of the authorities when the time is right. We do it only when something has gone miserably wrong. We do it only when the next attack happens (and again for a few days only). At that time, we should infact be asking ourselves if we could have done something to stop the killings, the attacks.
It is always easy to blame the government machinery for not being able to provide security to its citizens. But what we need to understand are a few things:

We can't have a billion member strong police and security forces to match the country's population. We can't have a security personnel attached with every citizen. We need to be more aware of our responsibilities as citizens. We need to stop looking around for someone else to pin the blame on and need to start looking at ourselves to shoulder it.
Criminals will not stop being criminals. We need to stop being passive. We need to stop being indifferent. We can't pretend that we are back on our two feet when a deadly blow has been dealt to our backbone. Else, sooner than later, this pretence will cost us very dear. Let us not show them that we are not scared therefore we will let them be. Let us instead show them that we are not scared therefore, we will hunt them down and flush them out of our system. We will not let them maim us. Not this time. Not anytime again.
We need to understand that terrorism is not a thing of the past. Uptil now, we have been victimised by external forces. In the future, that is not an area which should bother us much since we will be faced with enough difficulty from within our borders. And this will prove to be a far graver challenge because this time we just can't dust our hands of the responsibility that we have by passing the buck to another country. It is the country of those very people who will cause terror and will kill their brothers and sisters in the country. This is a problem that needs more a pro-active approach rather than a reactive one. We need to know how to suppress the problem before it raises its ugly head. We need to identify the problems that will cause another 26/11. We should learn from our mistakes what we didn't learn at the time of Kashmir. Regionalism needs an active approach. It has torn our country and it will only become worse if it is not nipped now. And at that time, let us not look amazed.

Today, I would like to make another point. We really need to make people realise what is right and what merely is their perception of it. In a time that an attack of such magnitude has injured the city, not just for the present but for many days and many months to come, we have surprisingly not seen Mr. Raj Thackrey, the biggest advocate of the 'Mumbaikars cause'. While he sits in the safe confines of his house, hundreds are dying. And in an effort to save to them, we have the national army commandos going out there and risking their lives to save those who are trapped but more importantly, to salvage the reputation of the city. Those commandos who have not thought about even once if they belong to Maharashtra or Bihar or Punjab or Karnataka!! I would really like to ask Mr. Thackrey if we should now leave it to the Mumbaikars alone to handle the mess and also clean it up!!!

When I set out to write this post, I didn't know myself that I had so much to say. But then like I said above, this attack is unprecedented in some ways. For once our politicians are not gunning for each other and are focussing on finding a solution to this menace. But then, we don't know for how long this show of maturity will last.

Just like we don't know if we will live another time to tell the tale....

Condemnation of relativity

2008-09-30T18:31:00.005+05:30

Have we condemned ourselves to live in a relative world? Everything in its every state is 'not-as-bad-as-the-other-one' or 'better-than-most'. Whether it is a Mc Donald' burger or a cheap print on a piece of synthetic or a horrific case of mass murder or an individual himself or the economy or anything else!! We seem to enjoying ourselves with the burden of an unnecessary comparison all the time.
There was a bomb blast that killed 5. Oh no!! But thank god it wasn't as bad as the last one that killed 20.
Sakshi scored an 87% in her board exams. That's nice but Lavanaya scored 93%.
Indian economy is growing at 8% every year. Damn!! The Chinese beat us at that too.
Virendra Sehwag made 300 runs in his last test against Australia. But he is still behind Sachin's record of 39 test centuries (I hope that's the correct number).
I fail to understand the logic. Is an achievement not good enough in itself? Is an act of wrong doing more rightful if it harms lesser number of people?
Now, the critics might argue that comparisons push you to perform better, raise the standard and achieve more in life. Maybe, but that is a comparison that one should make to himself. My take on the matter is completely different though. The comparisons, for most, are severely limiting because the limits of another can't be the reflection of your caliber. We should be able to judge how good we have been and how much better we can get, without or without having someone else's performance as a benchmark.
I earn a million dollars and I don't care about the guy who earns 10 million or the one who earns 100 dollars!! I am happy earning my million. But I am not yet complacent because I know I can earn more. And I will, no matter if nobody else does or everybody does.
I am not fair and I will make dark beautiful, with or without a story of a black swan to guide me.

Alexander never conquered the world by comparing himself to any other ruler or kingdom. He knew what he could and wanted to achieve and set out to do just that. And we need to do just that. After all, for how long do we want someone's failure to be a measure of our success? Or vice versa.

The Objectivity of Selfishness

2008-09-05T18:01:00.011+05:30

"I need no warrant for being, and no word of sanction upon my being. I am the warrant and the sanction."

- Ayn Rand

This is a statement that makes me think after the sessions over the last two days and it really does. I have never known that selfishness could perhaps be a virtue.

And this made me look up the meaning of selfish in the dictionary. It says, 'Concerned chiefly or only with oneself'...

And now I think that if it is actually what the definition says, it is MAYBE, not a bad thing. Afterall, be a judge yourself and say, which part of the statement exudes negativity? None actually...so what makes it bad? What would make it bad is when you do the above at the cost of someone else, overstepping someone's interests for your own such that it leads to their downfall.

Stop. Pause. Think.

Spare a minute and you will realise that there is, probably, no greater service than service to self. Because an unhappy soul is not the agent of happiness to the outside world. He can not be.

This thought actually compelled me to read Ayn Rand's Virtue of Selfishness...

Maybe, yet another selfish pursuit to the need for an introspective today!!!

The darkness of the KNIGHT

2008-08-18T21:19:00.004+05:30

....And to make the most of the uneventful weekend, I watched The Dark Knight!!
And this is absolutely, most certainly, the most amazing performance ever by anyone...it looked like the film was about the character out of a playing cards deck and not about Batman!!
All in all, I loved it absolutely...

More to follow..

The kiss and the Miss...not so happening

2008-08-04T19:11:00.007+05:30

I am no under cover journalist. And I am not likely to spill any beans on Ms Sherawat.
And I most definitely am wondering to myself as I write this, if the lady is actually worth occupying this space on "my blog"!!
What the heck!
This Saturday, I watched Ugly aur Pagli. Yes, the same movie which has the very unlikely pairing of Mallika Sherawat and Ranvir Shorey. What would a 'thinking actor' be doing with a woman whose claim to fame was 17 onsecreen kisses in her debut movie!! But I am sure, the 'thinking actor' did give this situation considerable thought :)
Afterall, he shares screen space with Mallika Sherawat, who as much as you and I hate her or love her, we just can't ignore her. And the lady sure knows how to get the curiosity levels sky high about her movies, her wardrobe or the lack of it or her co stars and also the steamy scenes with her co stars.
Anyhow, my take on the movie...

The 99 slaps line worked wonders..got everyone thinking
The movie was lukewarm compared to the 'sizzling' Pyaar ke side effects. Now the reasons may be varied. Maybe, PKSE wasn't so much of a Mallika movie. It gave equal footing to both Rahul and Mallika. Rahul, of course, played the perfect restraining act and maybe that took away a little from Ms Sherawat's over-the-top performance, which made it bearable and to some extent endearing. UAP, on the contrary, is out and out Mallika's playground. While Ranvir, thankfully, is not a mere prop but still he has precious littleto do in the movie. So, it's Ms Sherawat all the way. And, honestly, that gets alittle too much!!
The 1 promised kiss was so completely lost in all the drama of 99 slaps (which beyond 23, I stopped counting )
PNC has always made better movies. This was just not upto the mark.

And as for the leading lady of the movie, I mean I do like the woman for her honesty. But she could really work upon her crying. It just has to look beyond glycerine and half a choke.

Rest, it was okay.Time pass. Paisa vasool...hmmm..I would say so.

But then, just dont go with sky high expectations of seeing the Ugly getting slappred 99 times by the beauty and then the magic of the one kiss. U just won't find it.

Not here atleast.

The discoveries of a Monday morning

2008-08-04T18:54:00.004+05:30

It is not really a discovery in a way. But it is not even inconsequential. It matters a lot!!

Atleast to me it does. And I have decided, this is how it is going to be..

No more mindless chase, no charade, nothing. It matters to me. It is important. Period!!

This rather uneventful Monday morning gave me two very important 'discoveries':

I hate Maths and I hate it more than I ever did in school. And I wonder why Aryabhatta wanted to be a famous man? And I wonder why we invented all the logarithms and the twenty different kinds of numbers. Yes, the simple 1, 2, 3, 4.... have atleast 20 different names to them. I wonder why...
And chocolate is the puuuurrrfect solution to alll miseries in life..rich, dark, tempting, melted and mmmmm....(serve at room temperature. Do yourself a favor, don't eat it cold)

a vacuum of journalistic dignity

2008-08-01T16:24:00.005+05:30

Just a couple of days back, we had a young man of Indian origin die under "mysterious circumstances" in Maldives. Over the last 3 days, all that I have seen or heard in media is about that young man..and some of it extremely disturbing. I don't think anyone who heard the news could have been spared the heartbreak. I don't think there is an exception to those who think how difficult it must be for the family. But what deems an exception is how the media has gone about in a circus like ritual for the TRPs.
In the bargain, what they talked and showed on national television was a mini biography and had some very disturbing content. All the channels and newspapers alike, carried end to end information about the young man starting last year when he was suddenly catapulted to fame after winning a reality show. They went ahead and even talked about his singing ability (or the lack thereof) and discussed openly what the judges of the shows he had participated in had to say about him, some good and some not-so-good!!
The point here is, that is extremely important for the masses to know about a 'story' in detail and the media must cover all ends in this pursuit. But what they must remember is that the dead deserve some dignity. So go ahead and talk about the man, his school, his family, his singing, his shows, his friends but do spare the negatives. Don't just lampoon about trying to create a sensation by calling every sentence a 'Breaking News'. It is, after all, a dead man we are talking about who really can't defend himself in any manner. Let's not go about showing a disfigured face of the dead man on national television. The content is viewed even by children and the elderly and this is purely against journalistic ethics.
The Arushi murder case was a similar story of going overboard to get ahead in the race for TRPs. No channel/newspaper spared the family in the days after the murder, when the family needed the time most to remember the loved one they had lost. It is appalling how the police could character assassinate a 12 year old girl who was no more. But what was worse was how the media jumped at this carrot being dangled in front of them and made it worse. This is where some restraint should have been exercised to spare the family those embarrassing moments.
When I studied journalism, I always though that the talk of self regulation by the media was purely meant for the books. Now,as an outsider, I couldn't agree more on how important it is to know not just what will get you the eyeballs, but more importantly, if it's actually worth it!!!

12 pics and me

2008-08-01T15:43:00.006+05:30

This is one of the few times that I have actually followed a tag and I must admit, I loved what "I" look like and what "I" have to offer to those who know me and those who don't. And before unravelling the mystery, I would like to credit Aishwarya Rao for introducing me to this.

And now for a better understanding, here go the rules and my answers:

1. Type your answer to each of the questions below into Flickr Search.
2. Using only the first page, pick an image.
3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into fd’s mosaic maker.

1. What is your first name?

Ruchi Mann, and I liked the image of the girl’s feet..

2. What is your favorite food? Right now?

Always, dal rice…frugal but I love it!!

3. What high school did you go to?

Father Agnel School, Delhi.

4. What is your favorite color?

Black…and the picture is apt

5. Who is your celebrity crush?

Rahul Gandhi, not since long though

6. Favorite drink?

Orange Juice (and I always like it served with exactly two cubes of ice)

7. Dream vacation?

Tahiti

8. Favorite dessert?

Chocolate Chip Ice cream

9. What do you want to be when you grow up?

Happy..but this is a strange picture showing happiness but the best on the first page

10. What do you love most in life?

People around me

11. One Word to describe you.

Mine (cheeky smile)

12. Your Flickr name.

Fish out of water

The ecstasy of being Number 6!!

2008-05-19T20:01:00.004+05:30

There is nothing...absolutely nothing..that drives the flow of this blog. It is the start of another week after a not-so-exciting weekend; there is the apparent drain of Kolkata Knight Riders losing to Chennai Super Kings rather unfortunately; the not-so-subdued disappointment at a certain Mr Khan choosing to call his dog by another Mr. Khan's name and then rather shamelessly putting it on his blog for all to read, some to snigger and some to laugh; there are gory pics that remind you of the inhuman action of the Jaipur blasts and amidst all this there is the GPTW announcement of American Express as the 6th Best Employer in the country!!!!

And I am REALLY TRYING to find my sanity amidst all the unwarranted action!!

And the phone rings...more to follow later.

The Big Fat Rich Indian Wedding

2008-04-15T19:05:00.003+05:30

That goes without saying. A wedding in India, it has to be big. Sometimes we even succeed in making it fairly classy. Just sometimes.

While the love for all things Indian grows in the parts of the world that see sunlight later (!!!!), Indians are slowly moving towards sleek affairs. No more ostentation, less noise, fewer relatives (selected gathering as they call it) and the works. Essentially, we are well en route the western civilisation path. But this is true to anything but the weddings.

Weddings still have to be large, huge and any synonym that you might want to attach to it. Then whether it is Sabeer Bhatia or Bhatia uncle's youngest son's sister-in-law, the rule is as universal as it gets. So today when my best friend told me he is getting married sometime next year, I was already imagining a lavish wedding with fancy jewelry and great food and cool gifts even before he finished the sentence (and no, he is not Punjabi!!). Just for that one moment, easy gone were the inhibitions of being perceived desi (snigger).

I guess, like all Indians, weddings are an integral part of my existence too. The reds and the golds have dominated and will do so, at least for a very long time to come. The day when the geographies are forgotten. And the way Punjabi bhangra has pervaded even the south and the west, just acts as another unifying factor (the various versions are hilarious).

So while I get ready for a Gujju wedding, and decide what to wear and what to gift, may the Indian wedding become bigger!!!

???

2008-04-02T17:14:00.001+05:30

Confusion over the Queen's language:

Is it "THAT IS IT" or "THIS IS IT"!!!!

YAWN...

2008-04-02T17:08:00.003+05:30

It's the middle of the week, and I am already awaiting the end!! It's usually not me, since Wednesday, for some unknown reason, has been quite my favourite day always. But today, its absolutely unlike it..I am waiting for the day to end, more than I ever waited for the Chemistry class to end!!
I have been chewing on Mentos (the lemon flavor, mind you, not the mint) and that is about it!! Have only about two pages full of To-Dos and haven't even tick-marked one since the wretched morning...and that is it!!
Oh please oh please oh lord, i even had to force myself to write this stuff.
THAT IS IT....I badly need a break

creative justice..

2008-03-14T18:00:00.008+05:30

while most of the ads that I have seen lately, are nothing but clever imagery (and they make this apparent, which is why there is no differentiating factor among those), some are a backed with a good thought process and actually manage to make a point. Notable, is Incredible India (marked shift from the place showing ads to colour inspiring ones...but they too have overdone it and some of those like ethnic pink and mustard yellow just don't make the cut!) . Bipasha in Reebok - good move, fantastic hoardings.

A look at some of the good ones:

And then there are the Colas!! While I do maintain that God has his designs in the success of these drinks but still what I can never understand is why is there such a dearth of craetivity when it comes to their advertising! On one hand we have Ranbir and Deepika with Shahrukh in Youngistaan (both the newcomers look cold as ice together and prove once again that few off screen couples can put the screen on fire, anyway, ). The concept lacks depth. It lacks execution. It lacks the pull. What it has is a name (Youngistan, for the uninitiated) and thats it! And then we have Hrithik creating street food stalls out of thin air and giving bechara bachchas something to chew upon (that something happens to be that we dont need a reason to celebrate with Coke or something in that vein). And we have Akshay Kumar in Thums Up almost killing himself and the girl next to him due to his love (unger, passion, whatever) for a bottle of Thums Up. While I wouldn't say that this ad would encourage mass behavior but still the creative professional should simply be sacked for the rather pathetic job!! And we also have the 'bina guthali ka aam' just to spread some colour.

Cola advertising seems to digress ever so often. My dear friends, what is the brand promise? Why would Coke move away from 'little drops of joy' to junk-like street food (pun intended). If your answer is 'to appeal to the common man', then go back and get Aamir to redo the paanch series!! (please dont have him in the stupid mindless waiter in the train getup). We dont need our heroes to climb over walls and create havoc in the city traffic departmnet to drink Coke/Pepsi/Thums Up.

Really, we need a break from this. And to think, summer hasn't even started!!

of wishes and fantasies

2008-03-14T17:33:00.003+05:30

a teacher at 7
a doctor at 9
a teacher at 10 (again)
a singer at 10
a dancer at 11
a ballerina at 13
astro physics at 16
journalist at 17
media mogul at 19
'event'ful existence at 21
at 24,
events, communication, international relations, MBA, marketing, writing, blah!!!
...still figuring it out!!
I just sat thinking about what all I have ever wanted to be in my life, ranging from the staple doctor and teacher to a dancer and a ballerina (when I have 1 and a half left feet, not two, not just yet!!)Out of all of these I think a profession in astro physics was the least informed choice (actually completely compelled by the urge to take up a cool sounding profession (in hindsight, that might actually have scared off a few people). A journalist was a 'glamorous' yet "murky" choice (the single quotes signify the perception and the double quotes, the experience, the truth). Events were a digression from PR (the loved one) and actually was 'event'ful (tribute to the glorious days). And now....ahem ahem

Essentially, am back at the very crossroads where I started. Yes, a little better. I mean I have some work-ex to boast about (some of it really good). And more information on a lot many choices...nah nah, dont even begin to cheer. This overbearing information is too much to behold and has caused a major jam to the thinking prowess of yours truly!! An MBA vs a Masters vs a lot more work. Salary jumps vs. work satisfaction. Professional growth vs. personal. MAN!!!

The fear of this being the much fabled 'mid-life' crisis creeps around. But then, I am still on the right side of 25 (smirk) and not married and no kids so dont quite think thats the case. It's not been the most settled dawn for a new year in my life. Too many questions (mind you a few nagging doubts too) and too many damn people to talk (none to advise)...

Now, if only it could be a life spent watching films (good/bad/animation/romance/action or the Jodhaa Akbar category), reading, playing the piano (learning to play it first) and dancing...

like i said, its a life of wishes and fantasies!!

laziness!!

2008-03-14T16:41:00.002+05:30

Have been plain lazy to update the blog with anything!! and whenever i came online and visited others' blogs, well, caught them napping so really not much inspiration there, you see!!

But its been long and am dying to write, just don't know what to write about...well, i celebrated my birthday a few days back and felt depressed getting another year closer to being on the wrong side of 25 (sic!!!) and then spent the rest of the day doing this and that and nothing. And then i have been coming to office day after day after day, back to the same drudgery..so really not much to write about!! so really, have an absolute dearth of things of any interest even to myself..

YAWN!!

A cup full of creativity- part 2

2008-01-24T11:23:00.001+05:30

N24 channel MTV Mastercard Lycra

Levis Johnie Walker - Keep walking Jansport Hungarian Dance Academy - sexist but good History Files Harley Davidson Greenpeace Golds Gym Garnier ELLE Durex Duragres Tiles DHL De Beers Clearasil CCRJ Homeless children association California Milk Advisory

Buttero Boots Bhopal Medical Aid - read the copy Audi - lovely Aquafresh Absolut Vodka

A cup full of creativity!!

2008-01-24T10:48:00.000+05:30

Advertising.

Take a moment. What does this one word bring to your mind. Products, brands, promotions, shahrukh in numerous ads, some abstract jingle you heard while getting a haircut at the salon? Well, advertising is much more than all of these. It is, probably, the highest form of make believe. The advertisers will convince you that you look old, that your husband/boyfriend would love you just that much more if you use this cream every night for the next 30 days or wear this rather sexy pair of jeans that looks 'Oh-my-God-gorgeous' on Sushmita Sen. But what advertising does best is convincing you that you can actually look like Sushmita Sen or that model in that particular red dress in that ad (and you will pose in front of the mirror to see if you actually do even if it is hidden away from the rest of the world). And all advertisers do this obviously for the 'holier than thou' client of theirs. Now none of this should suggest that I don't like ads. I love them and I absolutely adore subtle intelligent advertising. Obviously, Govinda in some red kurta saying Thanda thanda cool cool is not my idea of an ad, but Shahrukh telling me that he has used Nokia for years is (and this has nothing to so with their screen image). It is just the intelligent use of the personality for a classic showcase of the product that convinces you to try that product that advertising aims at. It is, without doubt, the best medium to create a brand image that pervades the psyche of the consumer, if done well.

I belong to a generation that has seen some really good ads from our days in the cradle. From Lalitaji (plain, simple, direct) to Aishwarya and Aamir in Pepsi to Aamir Khan in Coke paanch series to the adorable pug in the Hutch ads to cricket in Nike on bus tops and finally to the borderless Airtel. At the same time we have been exposed to some rather horrendous gimmickry that only they would call advertising! But still, in my opinion advertising, if done properly and intelligently can serve a purpose and actually build a brand.

So yesterday, as I sat in my office working I came across this collection of ads that left me spellbound. Some of them purely because they were really clever and the others simply because they weren't ads at all! leave aside the bad ones to their own existence, I am putting up some of the ones I really liked in the following post.

And we can leave the point of least resistance, the reach and effectiveness et al for a later discussion.

dilbert at day end

2008-01-21T19:33:00.000+05:30

Self praise of a new kind

2008-01-21T19:03:00.000+05:30

Reading a few blogs here and there I noticed a largely popular trend.

Many people bask in the glory of self pity!! And make their sordid tales and sad sorry lives everybody's business!! SIC.

Mindless chatter of a Monday morning

2008-01-21T16:27:00.001+05:30

It simply amazes me! On a rather nippy (cold it was) winter morning, this bunch of women, dressed snazzily [worth a mention the attire: two of them in sleeveless tops and the other in a simple full sleeved shirt!], chirping away at the main entrance to my rather dominating office building.

Getting off the car, i grant them a half hearted look. Trying to manage the three large ( it surprises me how women carry "purses" that measure no longer than my finger span. But that's another story) bags I carry (one is for the laptop, one is for all the other things other women need to carry as well and the third for the food, which probably is the largest of them all and being a Punju it shudn't even surprise anyone) and the access card (most important in this 'high security office' which is perenially at risk) and the damn turnstiles which make more nuisance than any sense, I just about managed to stand upright on my two rather pretty feet in 4 inch heels (THAT is another story. Not that I need heels owing to my decent-ish height but it does impart a secret pleasure with men who stand at 5 ft nothing looking up at you. Whatever happened to tall dark handsome). While I bravely shoulder the burden of the universe on my dainty shoulders, I can't help but overhear their converstaion (of the three women, remember this is about them who might have gotten lost in my endless rambling about trivial pursuits of my lilfe).

Anyhow, back to the conversation..it starts with a reference to some sale at M- Block market where the women saw some really "cool" stuff with faux fur on it!! I couldn't help but recoil at the talk..It is a Monday morning. The weekend hangover is still not gone. And it is freezing at 5 degree celcius. And amidst all this, these women find the time and the will to brave the odds
(read cold) and discuss mundane things which are even beyond the trivialities, and all this in practically non existent clothes!! I am just surprised. And then....it hit me. I was actually surprised at myself for finding this conversation ridiculous. Not long ago while in college, the sales and their talks were indeed what 'bonded' practically everyone in the class, even those you try your best to ignore! And then.. I just grew up from one Monday to another. The mindlessness of their talk actually made me think. The pseudo intellectualism that pervades our society and mocks at Himesh Reshammiya and the aunties in strange clothes is completely turning a blind eye to the popular culture. Not that I like either of the two but then again, I wouldn't have baulked at these women talking about strange things in strange clothes on a maniacal Monday morning a few years back.

I just about pull myself to my room and dump the stuff. I sat back and thought over a cup of Hot Mocha from Costa about the things that this morning has offered and what lies in store. Well, am back to my weekend (and the weekend years) having moved over the maniacal Monday.

Back to Adam

2008-01-18T19:32:00.001+05:30

One of the most interesting pieces of writing (with no intent of hurting the literary sentiments of anyone) is as follows, "The best man in the world is not good enough for any woman"

Now, I am not a feminist standing up for women's rights et al. I donot think women should have a 33% reservation. I don't even think that any form of a special treatment must be reserved for the women. I don't think a man has to hold open a door for me. I don't think the world has to stand while I take my seat. And I most definitely don't expect a good looking male colleague to go out of his way to drop me home in the dead of the night. [But i must admit, I LOOOOOVE every bit of attention that is unconsciously showered upon me and others of my kind]. But loking over the trivialities, undoubtedly, this statement echoes the larger sentiment of the fairer sex; atleast the sentiment that elicits a hidden sly smirk. This might actually add to the never ending debate of the superiority of one sex over the other. I am sure we have all had our share of jokes which denounce either of the halves that maketh the society. While we wait for our beloved Knights to return, what goes in taking a dig or two.

I loved it. And the debate goes on..

Cheers to Nano

2008-01-11T21:46:00.000+05:30

Hail Ratan Tata.
Now I am no sucker for overt patriotism (don't think I need to shout out my love for the country from the rooftops). But for vision, I crave. Vision that has meaning, I survive. On vision that works, I thrive.

...gotta go home now!! write again tomorrow. Buh bye

Sign Off

2008-01-11T21:42:00.000+05:30

Too much of nothing

2008-01-11T21:20:00.000+05:30

A new day. A new idea. A great feeling, "Its gonna be a good day".
A confident stroll to the office. A gentle smile at the on lookers.
A few heads turn (much too noticeably)
Man!! No doubt I look good today.
Log in. Nothing. Initial euphoria.
A cup of coffee at Costa.
Some networking. A lot of it
This and that.
Pretty Woman. Dream. Lunch. Vanilla Sky. Nightmare.
A chocolate brownie at Costa.
Some more networking.
Number 23. Interesting.
The wait for the call.
Some more this and that.
Blog.
Friends Season 8.
Time to go home. Log off.
Man!! What a day!!

memories in a pink cover

2008-01-08T18:21:00.000+05:30

We are already 9 days into the year. A lil late it might be but what the heck! One question that has followed me around is what is my new year resolution? "None"
Not that I am a stranger to New Year resolutions. Long back (that makes me feel rather old) while in school, we made (or were asked to make) resolutions annualy. But not any more. Its maybe because I can't follow them lor maybe because I just dont see the point or just that its just another day. But ok...I have tried secretly. Just can't think of something really worthwhile to call it my new year resolution!
I mean I am not into alcohol or smoking or drugs! Men, i see no particular reason to avoid consciously. Dont need to lose weight. Dont have a troubled home scene that I need to sort. Have always had "that someone special" so dont need to look for it. Work wise, am fine. Broadly, am quite settled and happy.
So this time when I was pretty much made to announce my New Year Resolution, I had to think really hard. And I am still at it..
I just think, in this year I want to make the most of what comes by. Can't just take the good and leave the bad. But what I do intend to do is make a picture book of happy memories. Gather them up and fill my cup of joy. I wont leave the bad. Will just make the most of the good that comes along.
No extra doses of compromise and promises. Just a happy ending that will be mine for the taking. And I already see the picture book.
I want one with the bright pink cover and yellow flowers...

of new year wishes

2008-01-02T18:43:00.000+05:30

it's come and gone!
January 1, 2008 stands crossed out in the calendar. 2008 is already a day old, with 365 more to go!!
And I am still recovering from the barrage of new year messages...not that i am extremely popular (i'd be pleasantly surprised if someone told me i was), just that the mobile has made things a tad easier for everyone when you can just write a common message and forward it mindlessly to everyone on your phonebook list. Messages from all the friends you just forgot with time (and thought they forgot you), from all the ones you wanted to forget, from people you never knew existed, from people you never wanted to exist, the relatives (never mattered anyway, unless they spot you on the road with a guy), the neighborhood barber (ok..i didnt get one from him), old school teachers and ofcourse the service providers!! It's been a tiring last two days.

PHEW..

And oh!! before i forget, wish you a happy new year (i might not know you but still..its all in good will)

In peace till the next one

a friend forever...

2007-12-31T01:36:00.000+05:30

it could have been a lot more
it could have cost a lot more but am glad it hasn't

i found a friend, long after i knew him
am glad he was there and has been
patient, with all the answers,
many unasked questions
and unvoiced opinions
lurking in the shadows
waiting in the wings with an assurance

i didnt know i'd find him
i wasnt looking
it just took some time
a long time
and a few questions
it's never been hard
but also never been done
it just took its time

he heard, he said
he explained and i listened
he had his questions and his concerns
but again...

i just thank u, like always
what is and what could have been is not for us to say
but i know i have in you a friend forever
thanks for being the light behind my shadow

it could have been a lot more but am glad it isn't
it could have cost a lot more

Intrsopection - Dec 31, 2007

2007-12-31T01:15:00.000+05:30

Am a drifter on a stream
Gazing at the world go by…
opening my eyes to contradiction…
expecting the delights…accepting the harshness…o
vercoming the blues…
celebrating the highs…
defeating the lows…
rising above the negatives…
inspired by the positives…
making friends for life…
not fearing the deep…
delving into the unknown at every step…
living the NOW…
learning along the way

That’s who I think I am!!

Flowing with the tide
But making choices, that matter…
coffee chocolate chip over vanilla…
tandoori chicken over dal makhni…
sushi over Manchurian…
chocolates over…anything…
sweet over spicy (perfumes!!!)…
FRIENDS over Most exciting Police videos…
classic over retro…
dusky over fair…
brain over brawn…
walking over running…
working over sitting idle…
silence over noise...
stability over surprises…
optimism over cynicism…
love over fame…
power over money…
candlelight over neon lights…
beaches over mountains…
outdoors over indoors…
boat rides over fast cars

That’s who I think I am!!

Loving life the way it is

I think that’s who I am
That is who I am…
At least for now!!!

Weilding the gun, yet again

2007-12-27T20:04:00.000+05:30

Yet another killing. A few rumblings. A few pointed fingers. Some raised voices. A slight tremor in international politics. But at the end, its life back to normal. So what if Benazir Bhutto was shot dead today (alongwith many of her supporters). So what if many of those who died were innocent and had people waiting back home for them.
It's life, and it goes on. This is not an overtly cynical look at things, atleast am trying not to be. This is how things have been. This is how things will be, seemingly yet again, for the time to come.
A people's leader (who has represented the people of her country twice) meets this fate at a pre election rally. An election that is supposed to bring back democracy to a country facing military dictatorship for over 10 years. What is surprising is the callousness of the authorities of that country in dealing with the situation (or similar situations on previous occassions). The reaction that this killing has evoked from the local leaders is worth a mention. Calling the deceased "an inheritor of a tarnished legacy", the authorities in a way, justify the mishap. This was a justification of the killing of the daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who established the leading opposition party and was one of the most democratically inclined leaders of Pak, and whose legacy she inherited!! Furthermore, after today's incident increased security to the country's premier is only further proof of the dirty politics being played. The man who single handedly was responsible for the Kargil war with India (that not only spoiled the diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan but also brought the country face to face with a severe financial crunch) has led the country for ten years now. And today, was given increased protection when he is no stranger to the dirty galleries of politics.
The man who has led Pakistan as a military leader has, time and again, fed the same regular gibberish about his unfaltering attempts to curb terrorism, throw the fundamentalists out of his country, shed tears on national television about the impending doom of their politics, made fake promises on the international political platforms regarding development in his countrty can only be an ace at this murky game. He is the same man who suspended the constitution an darrested 1000s of political opponents, in the name of countering political and civil threats by the extremists. He is the man who signed a power sharing deal with Benazir before her return and then promised her full protection. He is the man who turned back on the deal as soon as she set foot on the land of Pakistan. He is the man who has bred the terrorists and terrorism out of his womb over the 8 years of his rule. He is the man who has misled all on several occassions in the garb of "elections", which have made a mockery of the democratic system in the country. He has pawned leaders who take the throne. He is afterall the man who will make yet another appearance on national television with a rather sorry face (and probably a few tears for the effect) even after the killing of one of his main political (or not!!) opponents. He is the man who will very soon thwart the other opponents raising voice against injustice. He is still the man who gets extra security.
What is surprising is not the man or his chameleon like behavior. What is surprising is that people still see a leader in him. This is just a metaphor for he is not alone from his tribe of sic men (and women) who lead into a gloomy tomorrow. He is just one of those many who will say a few condolences on every such incident, whether it is his opponent, enemy or just another innocent bystander facing the barrel. And he is the man (and those like him) who will not mean a single word of what comes out from his mouth. And yet, he is the man who is and will be our leader. And the gun will be wielded again. And this is not surprising.
What is surprising is that we will too just turn our face away. Surely, this incident will be discussed for a few days. Surely, Ms. Bhutto has made her place in history books (unfortunate manner). Surely, there are those who will miss her. There are those who will think about her children and know what it is like.
But then...life will go on. (And I am no exception). It is afterall, just another loss of human life. And it is not beyond a few rumblings, some pointed fingers, some accusations, some raised voices and a slight tremor.
And i am not overly cynical!!

{ i really truly hope i am wrong just this time around}

Happiness

2007-12-11T20:26:00.000+05:30

Those times and those friends...

Glow of an apple at a petrol station!!

2007-12-11T14:43:00.000+05:30

Just this morning, on my way to office the cabby decides to stop for a gas fill!! Exasperated, i look around. Facing the Delhi chill and smoke in your face, i stand..looking around.
Then i finally rest my eyes on a billboard. It's for a cold cream..which makes sense taking account of Delhi winter. But then it's at a petrol pump!!! Actually thats what caught my attention, the odd placement.
But again, how much sense does it make to have a billboard for a cold cream , in which the image of a pink blushed lady is rather oddly stretched (very poor creatives and the company should actually sack their creative/ad agency for the shoddy work) at a gas station...even if we consider all the influencing factors:
a) how many women actually drive (substantial number in delhi)
b) How much time will each direct/indirect buyer have at the petrol station in the morning rush (which is when most people get the petrol filled)
c) What is an apple actually doing on that image - its a colourless fruit that the hoarding projects and actually just pushes me away from buying it
d) Can we never move away from stereotyping our products
e) Can our placement/positioning ever be rationale based rather than emotion driven (here the overriding emotion of looking beautiful with soft skin)
f) Will the reason oriented approach actually work? Will I ever purchase a product which gives me the technical benefits of a product? Probably.

This takes me back to my classes where our professors cried hoarse over correct placement and positioning. Looking at this ad today just made me realise that either they were living in a utopian world or this particular company is ful of jokers. For a low end product like the one in question, why would you spend so much on a hoarding also when it doesnt break away from the clutter. Wouldn't you rather understand who your consumers are and hit them in a more concentrated manner? And then we cry over big international giants with deep pockets hurting our small local companies.

My dear fellow countrymen, those deep pockets also seem well supported by great thinking brains. They hardly make mistakes and when they do, they are rather quick at rectifying them. An Olay, for instance, knows their target is not a college girl so they wont go after a Priety Zinta/Kareena Kapoor as a brand ambassador. They are looking at the thinking woman, who is what she is and flaunts it to the hilt. So Sushmita is the best choice they can have. This kind of positioning goes beyond the staple!! You will never see Sushmita with a lifeless apple and some hurriedly written copy smiling at you from a stupidly positioned billboard...and you dont need management gurus to explain that to you.

Well, it's hardly more than common sense!!

So while the Olay and the Clarins of the world fight for a little shelf space, the desi brands will just have to take a back seat, specially with this kind of monstrous goofups doing the rounds!!

Wake up or give up!!

image source: cavincare.com

what could have been...

2007-12-11T13:21:00.000+05:30

Its a tale of what could have been
Its not a story
Its never was a fairytale
It's what I believed could have been
It's what I believed was

Months spent on something that seemed like everything
Truly madly deeply (its cliched but still..)
Months spent on what actually was nothing
It's time to move over the fallacy
The fallacy of weekends

Come over, take a peek
It's not convenient as you think it is
Could have, should have, would have...if only I had known
What was left to be said
It has been convenient for you

Too many questions
Too many make believes
Supposed answers
Not always has an answer been the solution
Vague!!

What was never yours
Cannot leave you uncomfortably numb
Was made to believe otherwise all this time
I wonder when
Am not sure attachments can damage your system
Anyhow, It's over now

There is no looking back
No more confusion
No more tears
No more weekend lies or forced truths
It's finally over now

It was precious
But its over now
Its a new beginning
Its a new journey, with a new goal
its a clear day
and its not a weekend!!

Make that two please....

2007-09-27T18:05:00.000+05:30

A rainy afternoon
Slightly misty
Its grey outside
Something different, it's a new look
Finally, Delhi sees rain

The sprint to Cafe Turtle
The pink umbrella, flying away
The soaked skirt
The wet jute chappals
Each tells a story

The full market galleries
The strange look of the passers by
The lost expression
The I-dont-care attitude
Each is a story

The couples
The hitched and the not so hitched
The waiters
The few who wait
Each has a story

The aroma of coffee
The smell of cake
It lingers
The table is laid
There might be a story

The variety in the menu
The decision
The call to order
It's simple like always
Doubt the story

The look around
The talks, laughs and giggles
The self absorbed
The silent few
Where is the story

The Expectation
The wait
The growing uneasiness
The look around
The doubt
Forget the story

Get the cheque please
The settlement of dismay
The uneasy will to move on
The payment
There is no story

Gather the bag
The skirt is still soaked
The umbrella just about there
The wet chappals drag involuntarily
Get ready to leave

The next occupant
The look away
A half gaze
The familiar voice
"A Cappuccino"

The surprise
The turn around
The smile
"Make that two please"
The ecstasy

This is the story

A rainy afternoon
Slightly misty
I see the rainbow

What you think is what you get

2007-09-21T17:40:00.000+05:30

It is as simple as it gets.
This is somethin which I had heard umpteen number of times before. Just one of those things, just another philosophy, just some more jargon about life...it is, but for someone else. To me it is only a sentence, one of those many that we hear everyday and night, one of those that my mom, ur mom, my dad, ur dad and everybody else has told me and you, again and again.

Until today...

It's true. Somtimes a person can completely change how you think. Sometimes, a day can make a difference in what shape your life takes.

Just another Friday morning. Between Sholay and "One black coffee please", just passing away time. A casual discussion over promised gifts and books leads to larger lessons of life. "What you think is what you get"...I dont agree!!! But just initially. She talks and it makes sense.

And then, I could relate to it. Think of not spoiling of your favourite white shirt and your best friend will spill coffee on it. Think of not meeting with an accident, well.... Think of not having enough money, and you will soon need to ask.

It's true. The difference lies in thinking positively. You don't need to change the truths of life, maybe you can't. But the catch is in accepting those truths but not make them your boundary lines, not living your life to those confines, not creating barriers. Just say, I need to take care of my white shirt, I need to drive carefully, I need to make this money.

Just add optimism to your statements, your thoughts, your life.

Afterall, what you think is what you get.

Inspiration: www.thesecret.tv

All in the name of Love

2007-09-20T17:15:00.000+05:30

It's much more than seeing the world through rose tinted glasses
It's much deeper than the calm tranquil waters
It's much steeper than just a bend in the road
It is the talk of a lifetime
It is all in the name of love

The pits are not to stay
The doubts will also fade away
The mystery will clear
The happiness seems near
It is all in the name of love

There will be surprises
There will be tears
There will be days when only night seems near
Bear it, for there is light soon after
It is all in the name of love

Someone who sinks into your skin
Someone who lives your reality
Someone who is the light behind your shadow
Someone who smiles through your joys
All in the name of love

Playing by the rules

2007-09-20T16:36:00.000+05:30

I have often wondered
about the complexity of life
the complexity that surrounds us
the complexity that we cannot overcome
and mostly, the complexity that is thrust upon us

The people who bring us into this world
The people who teach us the basis of life
The people who make us think
The people who are the truth
The people who thrust the complexity unto us

I have a lot more to see in life
There is a long way I have to travel
There is much I have to achieve
Many whom I have to conquer
I know there will be a price to pay

But the price will not be too big
It will not weigh me down
I assure you
I assure myself
I will simplify the complexity

Donot thrust it upon me
For you will not succeed
I have my sorrows
I have my joys to live for
I shall have my success to celebrate

Donot thrust upon me your judgement of right and wrong
Donot thrust upon me your idea of a perfect world
Donot thrust upon me your identification of good and bad
Donot thrust upon me your world
I will create my own Utopia

For, I donot believe in playing by the rules

Not just strangers

2007-09-19T16:46:00.000+05:30

Its a strange somebody I see
through the smoked glass of my conscience
Its a vague sound I hear
amidst the patter of rain

There is a knock on the door
Someone wants to come in
Escaping the rain, the world outside
I hesitate

Looking around is no respite
It's a cover of darkness
A faint light gleams somewhere distant
The knock again

Reluctant steps inch closer to the door
A faint whisper, "Please let me in"
The creeping uncertainty
Yet again, "Please let me in"

A sceptical look out of the half opened door
It's a face I know
"Please come in"
I didn't say that..I didn't mean to
I must have wanted to

He strides in
And a little while later...

A cup of coffee and general pleasantaries
Fear long gone
A bit of the scepticism remains
Talk of this and that

Yet another cup of coffee
A journey to the 'has been'
A notion of the future
A talk of what is and will be

It's not dark anymore
It's getting better
And I am not alone, anymore
He is not a stranger

Green to Grey

2007-09-18T19:55:00.000+05:30

The journey of many months ends in a day..in that moment when you take the final step
My journey of many unanswered questions, many unsolved mysteries...it all ended last week.

No, am not looking behind
But its hard not to

I miss it still

I miss the mindlessness of our activities
I miss the confusion and the mayhem

I miss the stillness of change
I miss the deadlines
I miss the chaos

I miss the roadsigns that lead nowhere

I miss the blown out candles

And

I miss the lunches

I miss the stairway to heaven

I miss the rings of fire

I miss the unspoken tales

I miss the whispers of gossip

I miss the giggles

I miss the love in the air

I miss the family

I miss the dark and lovely greens
I miss it all

Now, there are no greens
We live in a world of blue and grey
There is no stillness, but activity blinds you
There are no friends, but the crowd surrounds you
There is no mindlessness, but its hard to take direction...

There is a lot that was left behind
But I need to move on
Now, this is where I have to be
This is where the tomorrow is

But i miss it still

However, I shall thrive

...The green world shall survive!!!

No Full stops

2007-09-18T19:39:00.001+05:30

it is, often, a strange twist of fate that brings you face to face with the harsh reality that they call life
What you do not expect is thrown your way and all you can do is either duck or face it
Either ways, it is there to stay
It forms an impermeable cyst around you, shutting out all external winds of stagnation

This is the initiation into a winding journey

There is a lot to discover...within you
There are answers you must seek...from yourself
There are reasons you must know
There is oblivion you must overcome

This is th initiation into a winding journey

There is much to do
There are, after all, no full stops