The Quest for Veracity

Of Monday Blues ...

2011-12-04T23:07:00.000-08:00

A little bit of inspiration is definitely needed on a Monday morning to start off the week. Isn’t it? Perhaps the following excerpts from the poem "कोशिश करने वालों की"- हरिवंशराय बच्चन ( Harivansh Rai Bachchan) might cheer you up.

असफलता एक चुनौती है, इसे स्वीकार करो,
क्या कमी रह गई, देखो और सुधार करो।
जब तक न सफल हो, नींद चैन को त्यागो तुम,
संघर्ष का मैदान छोड़ कर मत भागो तुम।
कुछ किये बिना ही जय जय कार नहीं होती,
कोशिश करने वालों की कभी हार नहीं होती।

On a very different note, how do you account for the “Kolaveri Di” epidemic? Is it the catchy lyrics or the tune. Or is it just because of the singer Dhanush being Rajnikant's son-in-law? Perhaps it needs a closer look and study. Coincidentally, I had picked up this book “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference” - Malcolm Gladwell the other day. The writer had tried to convince that "Ideas and products and messages and behaviors spread like viruses do" with examples. I have completed reading the first few pages of the book and hoping to find some more clue to the Kolaveri phenomenon when I finish it.

PS:

2011 is on the verge of completion. However, it has not stopped consuming legends after legends. Dev Anand being the latest to say good-bye. May his soul RIP.

Of the end of two contrasting legacies

2011-10-17T00:55:00.000-07:00

Dennis Ritchie's death did not make a big news as that of Steve Jobs's. This is a perfect example of how our thoughts and beliefs are strongly governed by what we see or what we are made to see. We cannot compare these two geniuses as they were like apple and orange. Unlike Jobs, who was a college dropout, Ritchie was Ph.D, a Harvard University grad with degrees in Physics and Applied Mathematics. And instead of the gleaming Silicon Valley, he worked at AT&T Bell Laboratories. And Dennis developed "C" programming language without which I doubt there would be any android, iPhone, iMac, smart phones and all these beautifully crafted devices. Ritchie never sought/had the public's eye but his contributions and legacy in the computer world played a key role - including that of Apple's success. Contrastingly, Jobs was never an engineer. He democratize technology, bringing it out from the realms of geeks and engineers and programmers to common people in the form of iPod, iPhone, iMac and iPad. While Ritchie would have liked a quiet exit like that of a "C" program that would execute quickly without much flair printing "Goodbye World!" on the console, on the other hand, Jobs would have preferred a crisp, clear goodbye message that would pop up with a soft touch. RIP.

PS:- So, whenever you see an iPhone or an iMac, please remember that Dennis Ritchie is the other man standing with Steve Jobs residing in these devices.

(500) days of Summer

2011-09-06T10:53:00.000-07:00

(500) days of Summer is for all those out there who have given their heart to the loved ones only to find out later that their soul is also gone along with. The narrator rightly said that it is not a love story but a story about love. So guys, next time when you give your heart make sure you keep your soul. And don't forget that there are plenty of other fish in the sea.

*************************************
On a helping note, never thought that removing some dust from the radiator inside the laptop could fix the problem of overheating leading to shutting down. Google has come to my rescue once again. Thanks a ton!!

Of Chanakya's Chant

2011-08-10T09:44:00.000-07:00

Ashwin Sanghi has this knack of getting the best out of Chanakya's much acclaimed qualities. Chanakya was a shrewd, cunning, calculating, wily and sharp brahmin who had architect the rise of the Mauryan Emperor Chandragupta. He spins these qualities in two parallel threads in the novel. One thread runs in the present day and the second thread runs 2300 years back.There are quite a number of quotes in apt quantities which make the novel a wonderful food for thoughts. Definitely, a powerful read.

PS:- I won't be surprise if someday "Chanakya's Chant" is made into a movie. I was wondering whether the present day writers write novels thinking of movies in mind. Perhaps. Chanakya definitely would.

2011-07-03T04:49:00.000-07:00

Why is it that many beautiful things lost its charm when we grew up? A very simple explanation can be that we tend to lose our innocence with time. We tend to miss those simple pleasures due to the influence of our experience and unnecessary thinking leading to missing the real ingredients in life.

***************

"Delhi Belly" definitely caught the audience unaware with the very first scene of the movie. The makers claim that the movie has something indian-ness about it. Maybe they were talking about the showing of butt and uttering $#### every alternate scenes. I loved and enjoyed "Pyar ka Punchnama" much more which is quite near to the reality.

Stanley Ka Dabba

2011-05-15T03:42:00.000-07:00

"Stanley Ka Dabba" takes you to your school days when life was all about homework, teachers, friends, pranks and of course, the lunch box. Amol Gupte (the director ), this time gets his due credit and shows that you can hit success without the casting of superstars ( like Aamir Khan ) and with a low budget. You will appreciate the way he has portrait the characters especially the teachers. You can relate them to your childhood teachers - the khadoos Hindi teacher (played by Amol himself), the science teacher always limiting herself to the curriculum, and then there is this beautiful English teacher (Divya Dutta) who encourage the students for every good work. Haven't we met all these teachers when we were in our schools ? Without complexity, the story revolves around the lunch boxes (dabba) bought to the school by the students. The climax can catch you unaware, so be ready.It is indeed a refreshing watch.And make sure you go with an empty stomach !!

"Life bahut simple hai. Gol- Gol mat Bol"

2011-05-09T09:31:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just wanted to live in the story never wanting to return to the world you belong to. "Big Fish" is one such story where you wanted to believe more in the fantasy than the reality. A seamless display of storytelling from Tim Burton about the protagonist "Edward Bloom" who keeps telling the story of his life time and again in a way that he can only narrate.

"Have you ever heard a joke so many times you've forgotten why it's funny? And then you hear it again and suddenly it's new. You remember why you loved it in the first place. "

2011-02-22T08:57:00.000-08:00

No wonder why India falters in every Olympics. The 34th National Games is currently going on in Jharkhand. Sportsmen from all over the country are competing in 36 different disciplines of sports and yet there are no news in the air about them. Its quite ironic that people keep track of the New Zealand v/s Kenya 's World cup result but not many are aware that Richa Sharma has just bagged 11 Gold medals in swimming. Or for that matter, a tiny north-eastern state of Manipur is currently in the 2nd position just below the Services. I bet these athletes put the same hard-work if not more as that of our esteemed cricketers. Yet, they struggle to get attention even after hauling Gold medals after another. Is the worth of these medals lesser than that of the 'six' that the cricketers hit? I doubt.

Currently reading "The White Tiger - Aravind Adiga". I loved the way the book is being written - raw and sharp.

Of the end of 2010

2010-12-31T10:21:00.000-08:00

Ten years from today , I remember looking at the dark sky above on the same winter night - eve of a new year. It was the start of 2001. It has been a very long journey since then. Sometimes you don't make path, you happen to follow it. Back then, I didn't knew what I wanted to become. And even today, I don't. Never even in my wildest of dreams, I would have thought that I would be writing a computer program on the eve of another new year. But then, stranger things have happened in these years. Of all the things that happened, I took pride in having made not many friends but few chosen ones with whom I can share everything. Ten years is indeed a long period. Things get changed from the way you look to things you want. Let us welcome 2011 as a year to cherish and fulfill all those dreams and things that you have always desired. I wish you a very happy new year.

Of the unused umbrella

2010-12-01T09:06:00.000-08:00

Four monsoons have passed since it was picked from the supermarket. Whenever the old man predicted rain, it never did. It did rain when it wasn't expected. Thus, remained unused, unscathed. Will this monsoon be of any different? Or is it just that some things are meant to be remain virgin? He sighed.

PS:-
Inspired from Short, Fast and Deadly to write this prose in 420 characters.

Of Tribute to Irom Sharmila Chanu

2010-11-03T11:40:00.000-07:00

Forced fed by a pipe through the nose,
fighting and still strong - is the human spirit.
Is a decade long struggle not enough?
Yet, we still call it a 'Democracy'.

PS:-
Its been 10 years since she is on a fast demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA. She has spent most of her time in jail, being force-fed by a pipe inserted through her nose. It is really sad that there are no answers to her questions even after a decade. Apart from a seasonal burst of interest from the media, nothing really is happening. I fear it would just lead to a tragic end.

Sabko maloom hai main sharabi nahin ...

2010-10-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

Just few days back I saw this advertisement in the newspaper about a concert "Shamee Ghazal" by Pankaj Udhas. I asked my brother if he would like to accompany me but he said he would prefer staying at home watching the CWG. So, I booked a single ticket since I don' t want to invite anyone who would not really appreciate spending an evening listening to Ghazals. I was just thinking what it would be like attending a Ghazal concert alone.
Well, the whole experience was good. It all started with "Dil Dhadakne ka sabab yaad aaya ...". It was followed by "Deewaron se milkar accha lagta hai ". When he started "Sabko maloom hai mein sharabi nahin ..", the audience just couldn't stop applauding. Then he explained that a "Nazm" is usually an urdu poem which describes a full story. He followed that with a nazm - "Dukh sukh tha sabka ek" which describes the story of the changing times -the past, the present and the future. Then "Jeeye to Jeeye kaise .." stole the limelight. This was followed by numbers like "Yaadon ka ek Jhonka", "Thodi thodi peeya karo..", "Patti patti Gulab - la pila de sakhiyaan". With time running out, he started the marathon of his famous numbers starting with "Chandi jaisa ..", "Chitthi aayi hai .." which brought him to the limelight again, "Kisi se koi pyaar na karen", "Ahista ..", "Zamaana kharaab hai ..." , "Ae Ga-me zindagi". And finally it ended with my favorite "Ghungroo toot gaye...". And at the end of the program, I found my lost interest and Ghazals found some space in my Ipod :)

PS:-
It was glad to see Pankaj Udhas in flesh and blood. But the six musicians (flute, violin, mandolin, tabla, dholak and keyboard) accompanying him were equally good.

Dabangg-ed

2010-09-11T07:05:00.000-07:00

Got "Dabangged" yesterday. First day First show. Its a pure masala movie for which the Bollowood is known for. You don't have to engrossed in it nor at the characters. Power packed action scenes with powerful dialogues. From the very first scene, you would love the rendezvous with Inspector Chulbul A.K.A Robinhood Pandey. A treat to watch for Saman's fans. Sajid-Wajid has also done a good job with the music. The songs are indeed hummable. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is slowly becoming one of my favourite with every song he sings. And the icing on the cake is definitely the item number "munni badnaam ... Zandubaam .."

/******************/
Well, the whole controversies regarding the CWG's theme song is due to the fact that it costs Rs 5 crores. I would have liked A R Rahman to do the job for free for the sake of the nation. It would have been a nice gesture and an example for the others. BTW, I would have liked a song in the lines of "Mile sur mera tumhara ..". Then nobody would have complained. Below is the YouTube link for the song. Its not that bad but the problem is with the price involved.

Of 63rd aniversary of our Independence

2010-08-17T11:15:00.000-07:00

Have you read this year's PM's Independence speech ? or for that matter how was the 63rd anniversary of Independence ? Anything different from last year's ? For me it was more or less the same. Last year it was a Saturday and this year a Sunday. Now, coming to the speech, the PM talks about many challenges the country is facing today. He cited about the conflicts in J & K, the north-eastern states , about Naxalites , strong relationship with Pakistan, food and social security, need to strengthen the education system , the inflation etc. But, the truth is that most of these issues are not new and 63 years is a long period. I think the same speech can be re-used for the years to come. But then we have to admit that India has come through a long way. It has made strides in many fields including corruption. Promises are many and in hope we live. Just iterating the following lines from the movie Shawshank Redemption "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies."

PS:
I am really looking forward to next year's Independence day. Not because I wanted to see whether the PM fulfills his promises but it will be a Monday resulting to a long weekend.

Of Despicable me

2010-08-08T07:15:00.000-07:00

This year has been great for 3D-animation movies. The first one to have made the surprise was "How to train your Dragon[link]", then came the much awaited Toy Story-3[link] and finally Despicable me[link] joined the party. The one thing I liked about these movies is that they are not made only for children but for all ages.

The story revolves around a despicable Gru who wanted to become the super Villain of all time. He wanted to outdo another villain named Vector (who had just stolen the Pyramid of Giza) by stealing the Moon. He adopts three cute orphan girls - Margo, Edith and Agnes in order to achieve his goal. Then, its all about how the girls changed Gru's heart and life.
Gru's character is quite interesting - his long nose being notable. But I must say its the 3 girls that stole the show. They are cute and lovable.

Gru: Someday, I'm going to go to the moon.
Gru's Mom: I'm afraid you're too late, Gru. NASA is no longer sending up the monkeys.

PS:- Its a movie that will make you laugh and most importantly it will help you to come out of the dream world if you happen to have engrossed with Inception. :)

Common Wealth Gains?

2010-08-02T09:40:00.000-07:00

Just 61 days are left for the XIX Commonwealth Games, Delhi. But, instead of hearing how the atheletes are preparing and their prospects of winning medals, new allegations about corruption, leaky stadiums, incomplete infrastructure, budget overflow and other shits are making news. So, its no surprising that the poor are getting alienated - being evicted in the name of making the Capital clean. The games is being used as another medium to fill the already filled pockets of the few chosen elites. I fear this event may just turned out to do more bad than good to this country.

PS:-
"Desh Mera - from Indian Ocean - Peepli live". A song describing India - the lyrics of this song is quite fascinating. You can take it either way.

Dreams don't make sense

2010-07-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

An event that is a beginning; a first part or stage of subsequent events; origin; beginning; germination; prelude; cause; birth; outset; initiation;kickoff - that's INCEPTION for you and everyone is talking about this movie. Even after watching and reading every possible reviews and story about the movie, I still have some unanswered queries. Dreams don't make sense and the confusing ones are the best.And it takes a man of such calibre as Christopher Nolan to do it.

PS: I am going to see it again.

Of Jabulani Zakumi Bafana Bafana Waka Waka

2010-07-13T10:08:00.000-07:00

And like all good things come to an end, the FIFA World Cup 2010 also ended with Spain being crowned the champion much to my dismay (being an ardent Netherlands supporter). But I must admit that the better team deservedly won. Many would not approve the Oranje team's approach in the final but taking into consideration what was at stake, its quite understandable. Moreover, its a man's game.The logic was simple - do not allow Spain to play their natural game. The Oranje nearly succeeded in their approach of brute force and tackles. Had Arjen Robben succeded in putting the ball into the net of a sitter, the result would have been different. But it was Iniesta who provided Spain the crucial lead with only 4 minutes left in the extra time added. It was the goal that sealed Spain fate as the Eighth country to have lifted the cup ever.

Well, this WC would be remebered for many things. First of all, Paul the Octopus for rightly predicting the winners. In the process, he has made fans all around the world but, at the same time, there are foes who have been suggesting many interesting octopus recipe.Secondly, Shakira for "Waka- Waka". And who can forget the ever popular Maradona for his comments and gestures on the field. And there was the Paraguayan model Larissa Riquelme's promise which she finally fulfilled. Moreover, its a victory for South Africa, who proved wrong to those who had earlier doubted its ability to host the Football WC.

Btw, I forgot to mention the Vuvuzela which become synonymous to celebrations of joy. And of course, the world now got familiar with "Jabulani - the ball", "Zakumi - the Mascot" and "Bafana Bafana - the boys" will have to wait for another four year for Brazil.

2010-07-08T10:37:00.000-07:00

Some events in life does not happen again.Like attending your langotia yaar's wedding ceremony - priceless!!

Its time for Africa - 2010 Football World Cup

2010-07-04T12:21:00.000-07:00

The 2010 FIFA football world cup is in its final stage with only 4 teams left. What wonders me is the effect of this world cup on this Cricket frenzy country. Almost everyone seems to have engulfed in it. And the advantage of being an Indian is that you have the options of 32 teams to support for. And when your favourite team loses, you can always change for another team. If I were to pick two teams among those who have already been knocked out, that would be Japan and Ghana. The way they have carried themselves in this tournament has been amazing. Relying simply in their strengths with a strong belief that they can do it. With the whole Asia behind Japan and the whole of Africa supporting Ghana, it has been tremendous.
Sports can bring changes and believe me, it can do wonders. For instance, take the example of Manipur which is constantly in the news for the 2 months long blockade affecting every facets of life. But due to the World Cup fever , it is reported that the rate of crimes and conflicts have been reduced drastically in this troubled state.And coming to the question of who will lift the cup, I would say it would be either the Germans or the Dutch.

Of honesty

2010-06-11T11:23:00.000-07:00

Applied for 5 days leave. And gave the reason as "Attending a friend's marriage." This irked my boss. I could have easily given the reason as "Attending a cousin's marriage." That would have sounded more appropriate but I never thought it that way. Sometimes honesty does not pay yet I prefer to be honest.

So, so you think you can tell Heaven from Hell,
blue skies from pain .....
Pink Floyd on this rainy day -

Of some random thoughts and the 3-iron

2010-05-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

My old Maths teacher used to say that the worst thing in life is the regret of something not done when you knew how to do it. Like finding out after the exam that you have left a question whose answer you knew pretty well. Like finding out that your deeds have not been what your heart says.

Btw, I have been watching some strange movies lately. One of them is the Korean movie :3-iron directed by Kim Ki duk. It revolves around a guy who breaks into empty houses whose owners have gone for vacation. He would stay in the house for few days. At the same time he would repay the cost of his stay by washing clothes , mending electronic gadgets, watering the garden etc.The movie does not have many dialogues but just gestures.You will find yourself asking a lot of questions - and realised that the director has succeded in portraying what he wanted without actually making a fuss!!

Of fishes in the troubled waters - Manipur

2010-05-08T06:24:00.000-07:00

Manipur is the troubled waters in which fishes die in large numbers. Every now and then, conflicts and tension eats the very core of every socio-economic aspects. Until now, it was the valley (the plain areas including Imphal) where most of the burnings had happened. This time, the fire has spread in the hills too. Whatever the reason be, its the people who are suffering. The ongoing economic blockade of NH-39 - the lifeline of Manipur, has led to the shortage of essential commodities in the state leading to hiked in their prices. Petrol is being sold at Rs 150/litre in black market. Hospitals and medical services have also been hit due unavailability of drugs and oxygen.
The whole point is that its the people who are suffering. Its a fact that the centre has not being giving enough attention to the North-Eastern states that they deserved. So, its not surprising when someone like Mr Chidambaram sitting in New Delhi makes statements and decisions which led to unnecessary tensions in these regions. The truth is that the centre lacks the knowledge on the sensitivity and the ground realities on the issues that they are addressing. One such example is the recent massacre of 76 CRPF jawans in Dantewada. How can the incidents of 18 th June, 2001 can be forgotten when thousands of protesters up rise against the "GOI - NSCN(IM) " cease fire extension to Manipur. Mistakes cannot be made again and again at the costs of human lives.
North-Eastern states are already behind in the race with the rest of the country. We cannot afford to spend our energy and time in fighting among ourselves. When we are outside our states , we are being recognised as one. Nobody bothers to ask you if you are from Manipur or Nagaland or Arunachal. We are being seen as one - the North-East.

Cocooned

2010-05-03T23:14:00.000-07:00

'COMFORT' zones can be dangerous. The very thought of moving out of it can make you crippled.They say you don't have to do different things but do differently. But then again, the greatest deeds are done when explored.Life becomes exciting when the wind blows from the opposite end. Otherwise, you are cocooned.

How to train your Dragon

2010-04-24T22:57:00.000-07:00

The title of the movie might be boring but I bet you will love it. "Avatar" raised the standard of 3D movies manifold, but this movie belongs to a category of its own. Wonderful storyline nicely paced sequences make the movie truly refreshing. Although, the target audiences are the children but the adults won't mind watching it. I won't reveal the plot here. And if you are looking for a break from your tiring routine, this is it. Enjoy the ride.
Btw, the movie ends with these lines -

"This is Berk. It snows nine months out of the year, and hails the other three. What little food grows here is tough and tasteless. The people that grow here, even more so. The only upsides are the pets. While other places have ponies, or parrots... we have dragons. "

Of Roald Dahl and the short stories

2010-04-22T10:21:00.000-07:00

I had this wrong notion that Roald Dahl wrote only for the children until I picked " The Collected Short stories" from the Landmark few weeks ago. He is too good to be predictable. Thats the pecularity of his stories. Moreover, the stories are based on simple themes and human facets. Each story is written with finnesse that makes the reader think hours after reading it. Pinch of dark humour with the sharp endings makes Roald Dahl's stories addictive.

PS:-
I was wondering what made Shashi Tharoor to poke his nose in theIPL mud. A person with his qualifications and caliber could have proved much worthy if he would have concentrated on many issues that the nation is facing rather than supporting for an IPL team for Kerela. Anyway, I believe its a lesson for all the politicians to make their priorities right.

2010-04-15T09:54:00.000-07:00

Your ego hurts when a tender looking damsel with a non-gear bike whizzes past your 5 geared 180 CC beast. And it further adds fire that it happened on the road that you have been riding for the past three and a half years. Changed to the top gear so that he could give that killer smile when he would pass her.It all ended with a fine of Rs 100 for speeding and jumping the traffic signal!

For all those who love the Indian Ocean. Here is their Radio Channel[link].

Of an IPL evening

2010-04-09T11:52:00.000-07:00

Nearly 40,000 people gathered for the 3rd IPL edition league match between the CSK (Chennai Super Kings) and the Mumbai Indians that happened last Tuesday in Chennai . On that account, I took a break from the office for the evening and went straight to the stadium. It was a typical Chennai evening - hot and humid, but there was no lack of enthusiasm in the crowd.
Although CSK won the match comprehensively, there were few things that I noticed.

1) Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has a huge fan following all over the country. Every time he was in the act, the crowd goes wild. Its truly unbelievable how this man carried the expectation of millions for more than 2 decades. Though majority of the crowd was supporting the home team, but in their hearts of heart, they were cheering this man. It was the hot weather and not the opponent that got him out. And there was this guy who had painted his body with the India flag and with the name of his idol. People say he use to go to every match that Tendulkar plays. Luckily, I manage to click this one. I have heard of mad fans. I have seen one.

2. " Bollinger Bollinger?" - the crowd cheering for an Australian bowler. Truly, he is Chennai's adopted son. Hayden and Hussey too had their share of cheers.

3. The Cheerleaders dancing on some Tamil numbers throughout the match. Poor girls. Many a times they wondered what the song was all about. In the end they had stopped caring if their movements were in sync with the music.

4. And I was cheering for the CSK religiously. I have embraced this place. Haven't I ?

PS:-
Its time the media especially the news channels needs to prioritised things. This whole Shoaib-Ayesha-Sania crap have been utilising most of the bandwidth. I sometimes wonder how they can keep telecasting about the menu of the wedding, what Sania would wear on her wedding and all other craps amidst the unfortunate Maoist massacre incident. And even watching an IPL match on Set Max is a pain. Its like watching little cricket in between the advertisements.

the harder the life the sweeter the song

2010-03-27T12:40:00.000-07:00

Indeed, Crazy Heart is one of those movies which you can keep thinking over after hours of watching it.There are people who in the flow of life tend to have missed many essential things that he/she should have done.Only to recognize the mistake in the very end of their lives.But then its never too late to rectify those mistakes.
Talking about the movie,there were glimpses of "The Wrestler". And about the performance of Jeff Bridges in the movie, he played the character with a true crazy heart.But I would say he was lucky to have been nominated for Oscar in the year with not too many serious contenders. "The Weary kind" truly deserves the Oscar for the original song. The lyrics is simply irresistible.

Lyrics | Ryan Bingham - The Weary Kind lyrics

2010-03-21T13:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we suffer only to protect the invisible esteem. A software engineer spends the weekend over a silly bug as if he is solving the world's hunger problem. As if the world would come to an end if he didn't. And he writes the so called complex codes for those foreign clients for whom he is just another cheap labour.Such is one of life's many complications. Sometimes you can relate it to like watching "Pulp Fiction". We don't have to justify everything that we do.

PS:-
"No woman no cry" - Bob Marley. Hey buddy don't cry for you can't forget the past and the future is bright.

the Oscar

2010-03-10T10:22:00.000-08:00

"Avatar" and "Inglourious Basterds" were the only two movies that I had seen among the winners of this year's Oscar [link]. Avatar bagged 3 awards for the art direction, cinematography and visual effects. I would say the justice has been done. Until I watched the "Hurt Locker", I cannot comment on the 6 awards that it won. But the most deserving of the awards was that of Christoph Waltz for his "Jew Hunter" in "Inglourious Basterds". Only Quentine Tarantino can create such an unforgettable image out of a "milk drinking " character. Kathryn Bigelow's win for the best direction marks the entry and acceptance of women in yet another men dominated field. I am also looking forward to "Up" and the "Crazy heart".

PS:
Few crashes and bugs in the software can make the life of a Software Engineer miserable. Its a pity that happiness is dependent on bugs.

The Turning Brain

2010-02-25T08:18:00.000-08:00

"How many of you have seen a train ? Not in TV or newspaper, but in real." Well, many of you would be wondering what a stupid question that it is to ask in a country which boast of having the world's 2nd largest railroad network. This question was asked by my Hindi teacher years ago when I was in a primary class. He was just trying to explain the importance of railway in the economy of our country. And there were not many hands up in a class of some 40 students.

If you throw the very same question today, you would still find almost the same number of hands. The truth is that still there is no rail connectivity to Imphal. Every time the Rail Budget is announced, it gives hope which diminishes with the passing time. Proposals and plans are made, but hardly without any execution. Agree that the geographical structure does not allow an easy development but then how long the people of this state has to wait for that sound of a running train.

Manipur is a state with a population of only 2 million. Though, insurgency is the main factor which hinders any progress, but with a well connected rail and road network, many problems in the state can be solved. Emergence of small scale industries is a possibility which might create employments and who knows, it would just become a trend. Success and good work is infectious.
Though, it sounds like a fairy tale and a nice dream, but we need to do something to restore peace in the state. And its the Government who has to provide the initiative. No country can progress by leaving any state behind.

PS:-
The post was not intended to be preachy. And on a laughing note, from the Movie Zombieland:-

Little Rock: Who's Bill Murray?
Tallahassee: ...I've never hit a kid before... I mean, that's like asking who Gandhi is.
Little Rock: Who's Gandhi?

2010-02-16T10:36:00.000-08:00

Memories cannot be erased .When we want to forget, we over-write it and when we want to remember we re-write it.

2010-02-06T08:14:00.000-08:00

When you see your future in flesh and blood, you can't help but laugh. Many a times we see it but just ignored. Some years down the line, you would be doing the same thing that your "Boss" is doing now. Isn't this ironic? You would be doing something you don't always appreciate.But you can always prefer to do it your own way. BTW, I remember this beautiful quote, I wrote to someone wishing for good luck years ago. "Successful people don't do different things, they do things differently".

And you don't have to understand the language to appreciate good music. That's how I felt listening to this song "Pherari mon" from Antaheen.

The Catcher in the Rye

2010-01-30T11:40:00.000-08:00

JD Salinger would have never liked the homage being paid to him after his death [link]. He would have simply called everyone a "Phony" in his own way. "The Catcher in the Rye", happened to be the first novel that I ever read and thus got acquainted to Holden Caulfield since then.

To the Holden Caulfield in each one of us.
Too Much Joy, from the album "Cereal Killers"

2010-01-23T21:38:00.000-08:00

Amidst ruins, miseries and cries, "miracles" like this[link] can only bring a vision of hope to this saddened country. Not always the human spirit is being challenged like this.

No Pakistani player being picked for this year's IPL ? If I remember, they are reigning champ of the Pyjama[Twenty20] Cricket. Not very fairly treated I would say. Cricket should have left alone. Ugly things do happen which could have been easily avoided.

PS:
You have to say "no" sometimes just because saying a "yes" every time becomes a weak trait. People tend to take you for granted and end up doing things without credit.

Of the city that I knew so much

2010-01-16T03:59:00.000-08:00

Picked the following books from the Landmark yesterday :-
2 States - Chetan Bhagat,Twilight - Stephenie Meyer and Pirates Latitudes - Michael Crichton.

Being a holiday, with nothing much to do, decided to finish the first one at a go. After reading "2 States", felt like the books sounds much nearer than I thought of. May be the reason being that a part of the book talks a lot about the life of an outsider trying to adjust himself to Chennai. Also it talks a lot about the language, the people, the auto-rickshaw drivers, what the Tamilians think of an outsider, their rich culture, their conservative nature, their thirst for knowledge. And I reckon, it has happened to me, isn't it? Moreover, it talks about the places I knew. The names of the restaurants, the Marina beach,Nungambakkam,Anna Salai, Mylapore etc.

All through these years I have been through all these. Now, I felt like I am part of this city.

PS:-
The mention of two things in the book made me nostalgic:-
1) about NITs catching up fast with the IITs (though sarcastically). Suddenly I recalled all those college friends.
2) The Sangeetha Residency, Mylapore. Yes, it was the very same place my company had arranged for my accommodation when I came to Chennai for the very first time. And that was 3 and a half years back.

Of Avatar

2010-01-08T21:21:00.000-08:00

Woke up early just to find myself in the very same place, the same room. Watching "Avatar" had such an impact that I was hoping to wake up in Pandora. It was some experience. Its not only the 3D artistry but also the content of the movie that moves you. Avatar is not like the "Matrix" which you need to watch again and again just to understand it (no red, blue pills here:)).Also, its not like the "LOTR" and the "Harry Potter" series with a lot of sub-plots and characters. Go and get a ticket !
There were good liners in the movie and if I were to pick one, that would be this. Jake says just before he tames the Toruk.
"Sometimes your whole life boils down to one insane move. The way I had it figured, Toruk is the baddest cat in the sky. Nothing attacks him. So why would he ever look up? But that was just a theory"

PS:-
Beauty is transient. Time and age brings everything to the same level. And yes,I just realised this seeing this girl of my school days after a gap of 10 years.

Good-bye 2009

2009-12-31T09:50:00.000-08:00

Felt good to see smiles again on these faces hoping for good things in the coming year. As if trying to forget every bad things that have happened in this year. Its been a tiring year with little ups and many downs in this beautiful valley.The challenges are numerous with little or no hope of improvement to the current situation.

In a nutshell, 2009 has been a happening year for me. It gave me the opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful places in the world - Europe. Had been to the place where Santa Claus belongs. On the other side, I missed my sister's wedding. Still felt bad about it. Its been a year when I parted with most of my friends in Chennai - Some left to pursue their dreams and some due to the recession.On a bright spot, this year taught me about taking responsibilities and saving money for future. All through the year, I have been working more than 10 hrs a day. Friends say - I have become workaholic but then it has been rewarding -my works has been appreciated but without any hike in pay (thanks to the recession again). At the same period, I have gained a lot of weight. I am no longer considered lean. Been to Goa for a re-union with college friends.Got acquainted with the six strings.Watched a lot of movies - many good ones. It all ended with a brief stay at home with my family - a perfect ending to the year. But then again, one of my best friends lost his father and one broke up with his GF.

With the echoes of Crackers and Carols all around, may 2010 be the year which will bring some change to this place. Let's hope for a peaceful and prosperous year ahead. Adieu 2009 !

PS:-
Today's headline on a local newspaper in Manipur says that around 444 people had died this year due to injury caused by bullets. It clearly shows the intensity of the situation in this state with a population of merely 2 million.

2009-12-25T15:39:00.000-08:00

One of my best friends lost his father on a wintery night following a high blood pressure stroke. A really sad thing to happen on a Christmas eve.

Of Democracy - my toe

2009-12-14T10:45:00.000-08:00

Just 11 days of KCR's fast resulted to the talks for creation of another "state" ? How about the 10 years of Irom Sharmila's fast for the demand of withdrawal of (Armed Forces Special Power Act) AFSPA from Manipur[link]. And they say this is Democracy.

Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,

Pretending he just doesn't see?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,

The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Like A Rolling Stone

2009-12-11T09:41:00.000-08:00

"She eloped with the other guy". All he could remember was all those numerous favors that he has done . He did whatever she had asked for. Sometimes he was "used" as an entertainer, sometimes as an escort. He helped her in finding a new job. Many warned him - "beware of the beautiful ones especially with the blue eyes". He felt embarrassed and discarded. And above all cheated and being "used". I remember him saying "I will wait for my time".

And the day has come, he called yesterday and without uttering any words, he started humming the following lines from the song "Like a rolling stones - Bob Dylan" :-

"How does it feel
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone ?"

I just smiled.

For those who are still waiting for their time:-

2009-12-01T10:00:00.000-08:00

Grew up with the “six strings” in his hands
Misty eyes looking for endless joy of being admired
Sometimes the “latest numbers” from the chart
And very often a number from Kishore assortment
Yet he followed ……

PS:-

Felt good to find an old friend of mine in a Rock Band<link> . I wish him all the very best. Not many people follow their heart to do things.

When the mouse bell the CAT

2009-11-29T09:33:00.000-08:00

The mouse has finally replaced the pen and paper, CAT goes computerised. But it was really surprising to see the kind of confusions and pain it has given to those numerous aspirants [link] who could not write the exam on the D-day. Luckily, I wrote(read clicked) the exam but not without enduring those woes. At the first place, there was a lot of confusion going around at the test centre. Unnecessary checks were performed. The students were not even allowed to carry anything with them in the test centre. Even purse,keys and watches were not allowed. The routine checked-in process for boarding a flight seemed less tedious. In addition to that,the exam did not not start at the correct time as mentioned in the admit card. Going digital is a good move but then there should have been proper preparation from the organiser. It was well below the IIMs' standard that they boast of. Lets hope it is not repeated for the other days of the exam. Lets see how the organisers manage things before they could teach lessons in management.

2009-11-25T10:38:00.000-08:00

23:30 says the watch. Spent the whole day looking for the bug. Went to the nearby dhaba just to find that it has just closed minutes before. Shut down the machine to go home , then it happened that you have lost your bike key ......Nothing seems to be working the way I wanted. Very little can be done in such times. The best way is to let things happen and wait for your time.

PS:
Just felt like humming this song by Kishore Kumar:-
"Tum bin jawoon kahaan..... ki duniyaan mein aake, kuch na phir chaaha kabhi.... tumko chaahke ...."

Goonja sa hai koi Iktara

2009-11-16T11:55:00.000-08:00

Have been listening to this song for the past few days from the movie "Wake up Sid". Actually trying to understand its lyrics. The singer Kavita Seth has a very refreshing voice which makes the song really flowing.

Orey manva tu to bavra hai
Tu hi jaane tu kya sochta hai
Tu hi jaane tu kya sochta hai bavre
Kyun dikhaye sapne tu sote jaagte

Jo barse sapne boond boond
Nainon ko moond moond
(Nainon ko moond moond)
Jo barse sapne boond boond
Nainon ko moond moond
Kaise main chaloon, dekh na sakoon
Anjaane raastein

Gunjasa hai koi iktara iktara, gunjasa hai koi iktara
Gunjasa hai koi iktara iktara, gunjasa hai koi iktara
Dheeme bole koi iktara iktara, dheeme bole koi iktara
Gunjasa hai koi iktara iktara, gunjasa hai koi iktara

Sun rahi hoon sudh budh khoke koi main kahani
Poori kahani hai kya kise hai pata
Main to kisiki hoke yeh bhi na jaani
Ruth hai ye do pal ki ya rehgi sada
(kise hai pata… kise hai pata)

Jo barse sapne boond boond
Nainon ko moond moond
(Nainon ko moond moond)
Jo barse sapne boond boond
Nainon ko moond moond
Kaise main chaloon, dekh na sakoon
Anjaane raastein

PS:-

Using my basic Hindi,would like to put my understanding to the meaning of this song and what it wanted to convey:-

"Mann" or the human mind is uncontrollable. It tries to stray to unknown places and paths. It shows distant dreams by making the eyes closed (moond - moond). How am I going to follow the way with the eyes closed? As if listening to a story unconciously, without really following it. As if I belong to someone without knowing if the moment is just for two seconds or for ever. "Iktara" would be "Ek Tara" i.e "One string" instrument which is humming or being played very slowly distantly which tries to say something which is not very clear. Only the "mind" can undertand what it wanted to say.

Of the sea,the sun, the sand and old friends

2009-11-12T12:36:00.000-08:00

It all started with **Goa's visit to India. And what do you expect when you have the sea, the sand, the sun and above all,the old friends meeting at a place? Something really special. Yes the last weekend was much more than special. Greeted with **Goa's parent's hospitality, had wonderful fish fries and curries, enjoyed Hariharan's Ghazal concert and above all, we all met, talked endlessly, pulled one another's leg and rekindled our memories. It seemed no one has changed except for the few Kgs of weight that everyone (less Holdy) have put in. It seems as if many things have happened in those two days.

*********
PS:- We all went to Goa to meet **Goa.

2009-11-03T10:09:00.000-08:00

500 crores just went off in the fumes? Who is responsible for this btw? Human error or just plin negligence? Still it is burning and nothing could be done except to wait and watch until everything is over. The IOC would be at loss but then its just a company and the loss would be partly recovered from the Insurance company. But what about the enormous black smokes that has been emitting for the past few days. What about the aftermath health hazards ?

PS:
Aladin is terrible. Please refrain from watching the same, its is difficult to digest, instead plan for a nice dinner at a nearby restaurant.
****

Of Magic ... not again

2009-10-27T01:23:00.001-07:00

Why is it that people always expect magic again and again. The same thing happened to Bilbo Baggins of the Shire in "Hobbit". He helped the dwarves on one occasion, it then becomes his responsibily to do so thereafter. Once you help someone you are expected to do the same again and again. That is what you called raising your own standards. Is this the same as "cutting your own legs?". Maybe or may not be.

Well, coming to the point of cutting your own legs, Manipur has outdone many such things. How can you expect the students from this state to compete with the other students in the country when the schools are forced to close for more than a month. What would be its adverse affect?

PS:

Had an off day at office yesterday due to failure in a link connecting the customer's site. Sometimes an unplanned holiday is relished with utmost joy. I remember those numerous occasion when the school has to be closed for those many reasons (read strikes and Bandhs). We were children then.

Blowing in the wind

2009-09-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, 'n' how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before they're forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many years can a mountain exist
Before it's washed to the sea?
Yes, 'n' how many years can some people exist
Before they're allowed to be free?
Yes, 'n' how many times can a man turn his head,
Pretending he just doesn't see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, 'n' how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, 'n' how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind,
The answer is blowin' in the wind.

Ps:- Love this song by Bob Dylan.Wonderful lyrics. This song can be relate
to the endless sufferings and cries of the people that echoes all over my
birth-place "Manipur".
How many such incidents will it take for the Govt. to put a halt.
The answer is of course blowing in the wind.

BLOWING IN THE WIN...

Of this and that

2009-09-08T04:23:00.001-07:00

Would like to list few movies that I saw recently :-

1. Inglourious Basterds : The misspelling in the title is the Quentin Tarantino's way of saying things in his own way. Based on the World War II, its again another movie depicting plots to assassinate Hitler. And this time surprisingly the plan is executed with success. Brad Pitt is the only thing that I could remember after watching the movie.Still watchable.

2. Grave of the Fireflies: A really touching Japanese movie based on the story of two siblings - Setsuko and Seita during the World War II. The movie depicts the pain and ordeals faced by the people during that period. But the most touching being the relationship between the two siblings. One of the best anti-war movie ever made I would say.

3. Children of Heaven: Another touching movie on the two children- brother Ali and sister Zahra. Its an Iranian movie which depicts the tender relationship between the siblings when Ali accidentally lost Zahra's sneakers. Then follows the hardship and adventures to cope up the loss which includes sharing Ali's shoe together. Hiding from their parents about the loss and finally Ali participating in a race so that he can win a pair of shoes for Zahra. One of the best CHildren movie ever seen.

PS:
Down with flu(hope its the common flu), so took off from office for the first time in this calender year. I don't want any of my colleague grinning with suspicion whenever I sneeze. The thing is that too much information is sometimes dangerous. I googled "swine flu symptoms" and clicked the first page hit. It listed the all those symptoms that I am suffering from. So I just closed the page and start listening to my favourite play list.

Of Manipur : the killing field of the East

2009-08-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

This article was published in yesterday's Hindu edition. As a manipuri, I can very clearly understand what the article wanted to convey. Its very common that some serious thing happening in this eastern part of the country does go unnoticed.When the whole media is busy gathering on the Swine flu victims toll, there is this state where unconditional curfew has been imposed for more than two weeks hitting the very normalcy of the people.
SRK's detention at the Newark airport occupied the front page for few days in all major news channels and news paper. When the multiplexes and public places were halt down for a day in Mumbai due to fear of the Swine flu spread, it gathered news. But what about this eastern state being forced to shut down everything for more than 3 weeks. No one seems to bother what is happening in this tiny state. The news channels would rather telecast some cheap reality shows just for the TRPs they generate. This is not new to the manipuris and the people there. . What should the people of manipur do to gain the attention of the Government and the media?? This time its the killing of a "suspect" in a pharmacy and the death of a pregnant woman during the chase (this is what the police claims).Ask a child studying in a 5th standard, he would convincingly tell you the truth without blinking an eye. This kind of incident is not new. Its only that a local photographer happen to capture the incident in his lens.Otherwise it would go as another incident and go off as usual.
But the demand is not new. The people are protesting against the AFSPA(Armed Forces special Power Act)that is being imposed in the valley. There has been countless incidents of killing innocents in cold blood by the so called security forces. It is really heartening to find that the numbers of civilians that is being killed in the past 10 years outnumbered the underground activist and the security personnel. And this is a plain fact.
Every now and then the violence in the state erupts for one reason or another. And the Government knew that it will subside by applying plain brute force such as curfew and firing tear gases and the lathi charges. This is the cycle that is happening.
And in the midst of these, its the whole young generation that is suffering. The schools are being shut down. How can you expect them to compete with the rest of the country when the students are not allowed to study in freedom. Its a problem will surely grow out of proportion if remain unaddressed. And its the Central Government in whose hands the future of this state lies.

PS:-
People says its like a lottery in Manipur. Everyday people get killed . They say you are alive because you are lucky.

3 yrs completed in Chennai

2009-08-16T11:12:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I never thought I would be staying this long in Chennai. When I moved in , I thought I would hardly stay for a year. But then things are unpredictable and they just happen and its been 3 years of stay here in Chennai.
**************************************************************
Watched the movie "Into the wild". Its altogether a different movie. Its based on a real life story of Christopher McCandless. Its about leaving everything behind and going to the nature's arm. Some quotes are really touching especially this one "I read somewhere... how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong... but to feel strong. " Still thinking if it is really possible to leave everything behind and trying to live in the wild on your own. But then another quote "The core of mans' spirit comes from new experiences" just leave me wondering.
***************************************************************

PS:-
Its not that it happened the first time, its just that it happened to Shah Rukh Khan. It just happen that the Immigrant Officer didn't knew Shah Rukh Khan. It just happen that his name is Khan.

Of Love these (and those) days

2009-08-07T22:30:00.000-07:00

I have not been watching any new Bollywood movies recently, the last one being (Bachna ae Haseenon). Yesterday watched "Love Aaj Kal" without (carrying) any expectations.

I don't know how to chew on this movie "Love Aaj Kal". Literally it means "Love these days".But the movie tried to portray "Love those days" too. So an apt title should have been "Love aaj aur Kal". News says it has broken all the records these year surpassing "Ghajini". Sometimes, you don't have to try too hard to get a hit.

And about the actors, Saif has done well. But we have seen him in similar avatars earlier (in Hum-Tum) playing a care free lad (read khula shaand). Then his role as the young sardar who is very serious in love too fits quite well. About Deepika, some people say she is good at keeping mum. As soon as she utters, all the charms fumes out. Her voice is not that ear friendly but anyways I'm always a fan of hers. And there was this lady Harleen Kaur. Just came to know that she is not an Indian but a Brazillian model Giselle Monteiro. She was here and there, but nowhere in the movie :)

And about the songs in the movie, I don't remember any :). Maybe I need to listen them again and again to appreciate it. So on a whole, its a movie you can still watch.

******************************************************
PS:
Once you do a magic, you are expected to do it everytime. Sometimes expectations become a burden.

"All that is gold does not glitter"

2009-07-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

Started reading "The LOTR" again. This time its the Strider whose character inspires me. Although Frodo and Gandalf have been my favourite but the Strider a.k.a Aragorn has the guts in him. He is the one who went to the mountain of death and convinced those who have abondoned. Neither does he panic in the times of peril. It was he who challenged the indominable army of Orcs at the Black Gate to divert the attention of Sauron so that Frodo and Sam can reach the mountain of doom to melt the One Ring.

Rightly, Gandalf had wriiten about him the following lines :-

"All that is gold does not glitter,
not all those who wander are lost;
the old that is strong does not wither,
deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
a light from the shadows shall spring;
renewed shall be blade that was broken,
the crownless again shall be king.”

-JRR Tolkien, LOTR

PS:
Some people are just like Aragorn. They remain quite and show their true qualities at difficult times. Lets hope that Michael Schumacher will hit the F1 track again like a champion. All the very best.

Down the memory lane

2009-07-11T21:42:00.000-07:00

I was just trying to remember few names of my childhood friends.Vicky,his brother Nicky,Milan,Sana,Rakesh,Rishikesh,Akham,Mayashang.I can vividly remember each one of them with their faces.I grew up in the State Govt. Quarters located in the outskirts of Imphal city on a foot-hill. The houses were arranged in rows facing one another with narrow lanes between them. All the houses were of same design and of the same size. The Quarters were meant for the State Govt. employees who were posted in the city from remote places. When I look back I feel very lucky to have grown up in a place where people from diverse background meet. One of our next door neighbour was a Muslim and the other was a Christian.At that very young age the only difference I could make between the Eid and the Christmas was that on Eid we were invited by uncle Abdul and on the Christmas by uncle James. And on the Hindu festival - like the Holi or the Durga pooja, we were the host. There was never a religion or cast barrier.

And the other thing that I can proudly say about my childhood locality is that it made me harder in various aspects. Our playgrounds include the vast paddy fields in the front and the dense jungle in the back. I remember a game called "Fire - Fire" - in which the teams were divided into two and then both the teams hide in their respective areas. Then, whenever you saw someone from the other team, you have to shout "Fire" with the guy's name. Then that guy was supposed to be dead. The team with last guy standing was the winner. I don't know if today's children are still playing those games.

Then we use to play various sports depending on the TV telecasts. Sometimes the cricket fever and sometimes the Foot-ball fever. There was never a day when you were short of friends. I still remember my first Man-of-the-match award :).
And how can I forget those fights that happens on a regular basis. I had a fight with almost everyone of them. But then within a week we were use to be friends again.

And I use to go to school in a bicycle. How can I forget those moments when I learnt riding without using my hands. It was a indeed a gr8 achievment. I can still feel riding under the blue sky. I can still feel the fresh air blowing from the east. Sometimes the wind in in your side and sometimes against you.

I don't know where are those friends. Its been a long long time that I have heard anything from them. They must be busy with their daily routine like me. I hope to meet them again.

Some things become traits and it very necessary to keep them intact.

Cheers,
Tiken

Jaane kya baat hai

2009-07-05T12:00:00.000-07:00

Some songs are highly infectious. Its one of the numbers from Lata Mageshkar from the movie Sunny. The lyrics is amazing and the music touching.Its one of those songs that you can listen over and over again.It goes like this:

Jaane Kya Baat Hai, Jaane Kya Baat Hai
Neend Nahin Aati Badi Lambi Raat Hai

Saari Saari Raat Mujhe Isne Jagaya
Jaise Koi Sapna Jaise Koi Saaya
Koi Nahin Lagta Hai Koi Mere Saath Hai
Neend Nahin Aati Badi Lambi Raat Hai...

Dhakdhak Kabhi Se Jiya Dol Raha Hai
Ghungat Abhise Mera Khol Raha Hai
Door Abhi To Piya Ki Mulaqat Hai
Neend Nahin Aati Badi Lambi Raat Hai...

Jab Jab Dekhoon Maein Yeh Chand Sitare
Aaisa Lagta Hai Mujhe Laaj Ke Mare
Jaise Koi Doli Koi Baraat Hai
Neend Nahin Aati Badi Lambi Raat Hai...

that 1 bit

2009-06-27T04:32:00.000-07:00

That "1" bit spoilt my day.Rascal!!
Sometimes a bit is more dangerous than the whole pool of memory. Hey ! this is not a technical blog. I just want to bring the point that sometimes we just neglect things of less priority. But then in order to make the whole system work, everyone is needed. Thats how things work.

PS: MJ is dead. Although I did not grow up with his music, I felt bad for the man he was. He was an inspiration to many. This is evident from the fact that when someone dances, its always a compliment to say that he danced like MJ.Goodbye "Moonwalker",your "Thriller" will always inpire the human race.

Getting Seriously Serious

2009-06-18T10:10:00.000-07:00

3 yrs completed in the Software industry!! I don't know if its a moment to celebrate or to worry that I have spent 3 years on a Software Company that does not help much neither to the country's economy nor for the benefit of my people. Charity begins at home. Over these 3 years I have had a good life(at least financially). It has also gave me the opportunity to behave like a responsible son and a brother. But the real question is if I m doing enough?? Many a times have I pondered about helping others. That actually would mean start helping the people of Manipur, only then I should consider on a Global scale. But then the real question is how do I help? The truth is I don't have even the time to help my own younger brother, then how am I going to help the mass? These are the questions that keeps creeping into my mind. But only Rookies complain. And I knew I will find a way !! Thats what keeping me going......

PS:-
I am fearing if Dhoni actually lost his Midas touch!! Sometimes, arrogance is a bad thing. An unorthodox idea can be a boomerang! That's what happenned by promoting Ravindra Jadeja.

PPS:-
I was wondering if what made Shiney Ahuja so frustrated that he went for a maid!! :) I got some answer seeing his wife on the TV :(

Of Swimming and the catching up with the time

2009-05-03T01:02:00.000-07:00

This is my third attempt. My tryst with swimming is rather a very old story.When I was in college, I tried to learn swimming not only once but twice. I was pretty confident that I would learn it in a week but then it was not to be so. I failed miserably.I m the worst swimmer you will ever see and I honestly admit the fact. But with a hope that I would definitely learn this time, I joined the swimming class again. And its never too late to learn and we have to stand-up everytime we fell.:)

On a different note, my friend C.K.S got admitted to a reputed B-school. I must say, he is among those rare breeds of people with immense confidence and guts. I believe he wouldsucceed in the field he has chosen. All the very best buddy but I would surely miss a friend in Chennai. Thats how time flew. I have never thought that I would ever be surviving a 3rd consecutive summer here. But then this is how things happens.

PS:
IPL is in full swing.. I was wondering how did they manage to get the interest of the local people to watch the matches. Maybe the organizers promise free drinks for every fake cheers :)
BTW, what I liked most about watching IPL matches on the TV are the Vodafone adds. The characters called ZOOZOOS are getting popular day by day. Hats off to their creativity... Vodafone is planning to launch 30 different adds :) And they don't have to pay a hefty amount to some actors or cricketers for the promotion.

Fundas from the heated brain

2009-04-17T07:10:00.000-07:00

After every bad things there comes good things and it is expected that the cycle would continue. But sometimes the sequence can be something like this- bad -bad -bad - bad - bad ........ once in a while -GOOD- bad- bad -bad - very bad- ..................... and so on.
But then we have to learn to be happy and to face the odds.It is always darkest before the dawn. And we have to have the patience for the sunrise. Although the night might have seem to be longer, sunrise is inevitable - no one can stop.

Enough of these fundas - some good newz : My friend D.S finally cracked the final frontier for his MBA. For him the sun has arise and I hope he would become a good manager someday:)

PS: The Chennai heat is killing. And thnks to not having an AC in my apartments, I m spending most of my time in the office to avoid the heat.BTW, I m also doing my work :)

Of busy schedules and Luck by Chance

2009-03-30T06:52:00.000-07:00

Ups and Downs - lows and highs - Thats what people called it "Life".
The past few weeks have been very busy- thanks to our Indian style of working.
But sometimes I enjoyed being grilled to the maximum.

Watch "Luck by Chance " the other day.
Luck can "only" pave your way to success in Bollywood if you happen to belong from the outside world or you have to accept your faith no matter how small things come to your way. Is this what the movie wants to portray ? God knows! Well, it was not a bad movie but it was also not of my taste. But I m very sure that Farhan Akhtar is giving a tough competition
to the top heroes in the Hindi Film Industry. Thats a bad news for them :)

BTW, its been almost 2 weeks that TAta has launched "Nano".. But I have not yet got a
real glimpse of it.. Maybe in the coming weeks, We could see many "nanos" hitting the road.

Bye bye .. Bye bye

2009-03-19T14:47:00.000-07:00

All beautiful things come to an end and tomorrow is the last day of my stay here in Finland. Don't know when I ll be back again. But with a belief that I ll return again to see this wonderful place I am saying goodbye. Today, we had a glimpse of the spring season arriving. Soft sun-rays with clear sky accompanied with mild wind. What asight it would be in the coming few weeks. But then, I ll not be here to see the spring. We have been a part of a cold winter season and now we are going to be a part of the summer Chennai heat. Lets see how my body tolerates this change. It has been a great stay here. Lots of fun and excitement. I would always cherish my first abroad trip!!

Kittos again

Ready to get roasted!

2009-03-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

"Well many people don't get the previlege to experience what it felt like being taken out from a freezer to a pre-heated oven." - Thats what my friend Angad said when I told him that I m going back to Chennai. But the truth is that I m going to get roasted.
Only rookies complain.But I m going to miss this place- the snow, the people, the food and the climate. Its surprising that sometimes time flew like anything. Two months just passed in a jiffy.But I m going to remember the time I have spent here. Don't know when I 'll come here again but I m sure I ll come back someday :) to see the spring and summer. To see the leaves on the trees. To see the lakes and the fishes...
-Kittos (Thanks)

PS: Yesterday, went to a Sports bar to watch a football match between Liverpool and Man-U.

Final score read 4-1.. Liverpool win comprehensively.. Felt bad to see the fans of Man-U.. But they were still singing-"There is only one United..."

Cruising along the Baltic sea

2009-03-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

Helsinki -Stockholm

---------------------------

And yes ,the awaited day came - the cruise trip to Stockholm. We four of us boarded the ship from Helsinki harbour at around 4:30 pm. The ship was a big one - a seven storeyed. I have never been to a ship before so was quite excited. As soon as we entered, we were greeted and the way to our cabin was shown. It was small but very well planned. It had spaces for 4 beds, a small toilet cum bathroom. What else would you you ask for?

After exploring the ship for sometime, we went to the deck. It was damn cold, the wind makes it more chilly.Then the ship started moving cutting the frozen sea. And thus the maiden journey in the Baltic sea began. Inside the ship, a lot of things were there. A shopping arena, a pub, Casino, playing kiosks,dancing floor - these were enough to make you busy for the night. I must say, its a great place to eat and dine. Ofcourse, to drink -thanks to the tax free liquors. Anyway, it didn't matter much to me b'coz I had only juices. We make ourselves busy by seeing people and playing some games. I lost some 5 euros that night. After having the dinner, we returned to the cabin and slept.

Stockholm city:- We reached Stockholm at around 9:30 am swedish time. There is a difference of 1hr with the Finnish time. Stockholm is a city built in an island which is opened to the Baltic sea. After walking for some 15 minutes from the harbour, we were inside the city. We had to board the ship for our return journey to Helsinki at 4:15 pm. Thus the sight seeing began. We walked across a narrow lane which seems like old medieval city which depicts very much the old European style. As we went far, the buildings started resembling the new architecture and suddenly we were in the city centre. We roam around the city for some 6 hrs . In between, we had our regular coffee breaks and lunch. We visited some important places around. The Royal palace being one.

The return journey:

Everything was same except that it was a bit crowded than the day before.

The Jackpot: This time we decided we would play the games and we were ready to spend 20 euros on it. I always believe that I am going to win. After betting for a long time, we lost most of our money. Then, we decided we would go for a final bet. Then things changed and we started hitting Jackpots. Thus, when the day ended, we had accumulated some 140 euros(all in coins) from the 50 euros that we had invested. So you never knew when your luck will change. But you should have the guts to bet even when you lose. Thats gambling :). Then we went to the dance floor and danced till 3:30 in the morning.After having a brief sleep, we were in Helsinki.

On the whole, it was a great trip. Every moment of it I enjoyed....

Ps: http://www.vikingline.fi/

things that disturb this world

2009-03-03T10:31:00.000-08:00

Its really an ugly incident. Sri Lankan team being attacked by terrorists in Pakistan. Even cricket is not spared.

PS: watched Motorcycle Diaries ; felt good after watching. Its like celebrating the human spirit without boundaries.

Movies and the beetroot experience

2009-03-01T09:08:00.000-08:00

With not many things to do during the weekends, I did what I do best- Watching movies. The last two weekends, I watched the following movies- Taken, Australia, Bolt,Valkyrie, The Reader. Some non-english movies- Revanche(Austrian),Il y a longtemps que je t'aime (German).
Watched Lord of the Rings -The Fellowship of the Ring again.
****************************************************************
Sometimes things can turn out unexpectly. Last night, I reckon that the only vegetable which we had was beetroot. Being very lazy to go out and buy something in the cold weather, I decided to stick with the beetroot. I thought of trying something new with it. Googled and found out - Beetroot sambhar. We still have some sambhar masala left. I have never cooked Beetroot before.
The recipe:-
After boiling the dal and beetroot separately, I heated oil in a frying pan and added mustard seed, sambhar masala, curry leaf powder. Then I peeled the beetroot and cut it into cubes and fried it with the dal in the pan for some time. Then I poured water and cooked with open lid until the beetroot was soft enough.
When it was ready, it looked like all beetroot :) I was wondering how it would taste. But luckily it turn out to be good. Thus, it was a nice experience with beetroot.
****************************************************************************
PS:-
I was thinking what to buy from here . Everything seems costly. I was hoping atleast the Nokia phones would be cheap but it was not.

I have changed the look of the blog. Sometimes change is necessary!

the Oscar goes to.....

2009-02-23T12:18:00.000-08:00

Slumdog Millionaire- this time it was predicted and the prediction was right. Sometimes, you don't have to do much but need that speck of luck to be there on the top. Danny Boyle proved that you can win Oscar without the big shots from the Hollywood. What he did was to cast someone whom the world does not knew before.But then you have to have the talent like Danny Boyle has!!

Well, I would have proposed Freida Pinto before she would have become famous. Now, no chance!! I doubt even she had ever thought of being a part of an Oscar winning team. Its a wonderful world... Jai ho!

Manipur - burning yet again

2009-02-21T12:44:00.000-08:00

Manipur is burning yet again and this year the flame has reached a little early unexpectedly. This time around its the killing of Kasom Khullen SDO Dr Th Kishan, Driver Rajen Sharma and Revenue Mondal Token. Curfew has been imposed in the Imphal city for the past 2 days. Being a manipuri, I always keep a track of the happenings through the internet or from my family. Having been grown up in the place, I still feel I am a part of everything that is happening there. Human life has lost its value. The everyday headlines are filled with the news of killings and ugly incidents. I don't know the people who were murdered but from the various sources that I heard and read, I came to learn that SDO Dr. Th. Kishan was gem of a person. He had a vast knowledge and understanding of the things related to the development of Manipur. The letters from various people who knew him personally made me realised the fact that he was no ordinary soul. He had the quality to visualise and to lead. Its a loss to the society. Such people are needed for our Manipur. Such people can bring Manipur to the right direction. But I fear things are not going to change. When will we realise that what it takes to make the person like Kishan was. When will we start giving value to human life? But then again, we must not go to an extent that the things that follow should not be against the growth of the state. Already we have lost many precious lives. I do not know if there is any solution to the problem. But strikes and curfew is not the solution. It will affect every facet of the soceity - productivity, economy and the worst Education. We have been through it and we all knew what loss it is for a student in the midst of untimely Bandhs, stikes and curfew. Let us try to build the society- a soceity that Kishan would have dream of. Let us try and produce numerous "Kishans". Can we?

PS:-

Sometimes things can be in a very relative terms. When you are used to the temperature of minus 10-15, a minus 2 degree Celsius is a warm weather.

To kill a Mockingbird -A tribute

2009-02-20T11:00:00.000-08:00

I have read the book twice and seen the movie multiple times. I just liked it. Although I felt the book is better(maybe because I read it first then saw the movie) but the depiction of the same in the movie is not bad either. Throughout the book, I made some pictures or rather my imaginations about the characters mainly Scout(Mary Bardhem), Jem(Philip Alford) and Atticus Finch(Gregory Peck). The way it has been written and so touching at times about the daughter-father relationship. Harper Lee explore this through the eyes of Scout, the little girl of six. The kind of relationship that Scout has with his brother Jem is also nicely depicted.
Although the book was published in 1960 and it deals with very sensitive issues of rape and racial inequality, the context still hold true even in the present world.

"shoot all the blue jays I wanted - if I could hit 'em; but to remember it was a sin to kill a mockingbird. Well, I reckon because mockingbirds don't do anything but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat people's gardens, don't nest in the corncrib, they don't do one thing but just sing their hearts out for us. "

Gran Torino

2009-02-14T13:19:00.000-08:00

It has been almost a week I have seen the movie but the movie has certainly made some mark in my memory.I will not review the movie in bits and pieces. You can find numerous of those with a click of the mouse. The best thing about the movie is Clint Eastwood's presence. At 78, this guy is still rocking. The skill he uses in his movies in my opinion is called penetrating the viewer's mind. He tries to sort out what the audience would love to see. Even when the story is plain as a clear soup, he still manages to keep things interesting. The movie has some good one liners which is not uncommon in Clint's movies. There are certain points in the movie which he tries to depict. One is the changes that happen during one's tenure. The cultural and the generation gap. Another point is that you always get the chance to be good again. Some people are not really bad at heart but just that they are rough or have become hard due to some past incidents.

Although the movie didnt get the nomination for the Oscar, but its running quite well all over the globe. I would have surely liked to see alongside the Slumdog Millionaire.

So tenderly your story is
nothing more than what you see
or what you've done or will become
standing strong do you belong
in your skin; just wondering

gentle now the tender breeze blows
whispers through my Gran Torino
whistling another tired song

engine humms and bitter dreams grow
heart locked in a Gran Torino
it beats a lonely rhythm all night long
it beats a lonely rhythm all night long
it beats a lonely rhythm all night long

2009-02-08T09:30:00.000-08:00

I met three guys early morning today at the sub-way near the railway station. They were drunk. One thing I like about the people here is that they don't do ugly things after getting drunk. Maybe because they are not used to doing bad things. They behaved normally. One of the guys told me that the Finns become socially active only after having a beer! i.e (they tend to become open ). The other asked me "Why the fcuk you left India for this fu**king country?". He had heard about India and he wanted to visit sometime. Mostly they knew about Goa and they have a good image for the place. I just smiled for I have many reasons.

PS:-

Not all men who drink are poets. Some of us drink because we aren't poets. - just happen to saw this quote in front of a bar while wandering in the new city. Give a thought.

2009-02-02T11:18:00.000-08:00

As I walk today across the snowy lane on my way to board the bus for office, I somehow felt like I am going to school. With all those preparations- bag-pack with books, sweater, woollen gloves,shoes and ofcourse the tiffin box. Isn't this strange? Back to schooldays!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nadal has done it again! Raw strength has again beaten sublime beauty. Anyway good for Tennis.
Just logged in to listen some Manipuri songs -E-pao Radio . Pushparani's songs getting sweeter and sweeter with every drop in mercury. Strange!

And then the sun came

2009-01-31T09:22:00.000-08:00

After hiding from us for few days, the sun finally come up. And that means a clear sky accompanied with a drop in mercury. Visited Helsinki and a place called Suomenlinna.

PS- I was just wondering how much the authority and the People trust each other in Finland. I don't know if this is due to their low population or due to their origin. But India do have a rich origin!! I could not stop appreciating the place. Btw, I would not be able to watch the Australian Open Final bcoz the Cable operator here in my room does not provide any Sport channel which telecast the Australian open(Only some skiing competition ). I hope the final would turn out to be another epic. Good luck Roger and Good luck Rafael.

Fin fin Finland

2009-01-27T09:46:00.000-08:00

Don't know how it happened but things just happen sometimes. You cannot just plan. And here I m in Finland. I am starting to like this place. The people here and its freezing environment. The cost of living is high here. I am planning to write in detail about my stay here in Helsinki. About my experience and other stuffs.
Btw, I was wondering about my daily expenses. I need to stop converting the euro to rupee. Just enjoy my stay here.
Kiitos -Thanks in Finnish
PS:-
Was jst wondering what would it be if "Slumdog Millionaire" happen to be directed by some Indian Directors and not by Danny Boyle! geeeeeee...
Even though the ending was a fairy tale the castings and the plot were perfect. I loved the part in the movie in which Jamal and Salim fell down from the train when Jamal exclaimed "Is this heaven?"
Salim - "You're not dead Jamal. "
Jamal - "What is it? Some hotel?"

2009-01-04T22:48:00.000-08:00

Its 11:16 am in the morning and that too a Monday morning and no Monday blues?No pending assignments in hand. Opened my office mail-box and no new mail!!Phew!...the reason being I'm on bench for the 1st time in my two and a half yrs of experience in the industry.
Checked my personal mails,scraps and all the blogs that I follow... Happened to go through the google news - entertainment section. Interesting headlines:-

Ash bitten by a ~~beech~~ leech
Deepika can easily digest the breakup
Kareena in confession mode!
Rakhi-Mandira without make-up
Lalu to feature in animation film
==============================================

PS:- Either you have lots of work or you don't have any. Loved this quote from Memento:
“I have to believe in a world outside my own mind. I have to believe that my actions still have meaning, even if I can’t remember them. I have to believe that when my eyes are closed, the world’s still there. Do I believe the world’s still there? Is it still out there?… Yeah. We all need mirrors to remind ourselves who we are. I’m no different.”

New Year's Resolution:-

2008-12-30T02:24:00.000-08:00

1. Exercise and keep my body in shape.
- Do exercise ~~everyday~~ 3 days a week.
Swimming session should be the best option.
- Eat Less and eat healthy. I will eat chicken only ~~3 times a month~~ 4 times a month. (It does not include treats and parties :))
- Watch less movies.
2. Learn something new this year. It should be the Guitar.
3. Enjoy my work.
- good relationship with my seniors.
- convey my opinion clearly.
- Learn something new again (Linux Kernel looks interesting).
4. Curb expenses and save money. With the Global financial meltdown, its not wise
to spend money on useless things (it would include few random trips, unnecessary kindness/charity, curb clothing expenses).

PS:-
Watched Rab ne bana di jodi some time back. I couldn't digest how the heroine couldn't recognize Shah Rukh Khan without a mustache when everyone sitting in the Theater knew it was Shah Rukh Khan. May be she was a dumb Punjabi Kudi(no offense meant here). :)

Merry Christmas

2008-12-22T20:58:00.000-08:00

Let us ask Santa Clause to give us the gift of love and peace. The whole year has been filled with hatred and ill incidents- the Economic crisis, terrorists activities and so on.

Let us hope that this Christmas would bring an end to these. Let us join our hands to make this world more beautiful to live in. Let us worry about the Global warming and the Poverty. Why are we quarreling about land when one day there will be no clean air to breath in.

Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money......

Shoe is mightier than the Sword

2008-12-17T21:26:00.000-08:00

Next time Mr. Bush shows up for a press conference, he will make sure that no journalist wears a shoe (Courtesy: MUNTADER AL-ZAIDI). Doesn't it takes lot of guts to actually throw your shoe to a President and that too to a US President? He missed the target by a whisker.Mr Bush should be happy that he got only a pair of shoes in return to the war and deaths in Iraq.I m taking no-one's side but treating a President with such disrespect is not just a right way to show your protest.But the Guy is receiving lots of attention and his pair of shoes just worth millions. I m not sure if Shoe industry would benefit from this incident but cyberspace is surely flooded with shoe games.

To Do's

2008-12-15T23:24:00.000-08:00

If I m known that I have only 3 months to live, the following would be my
To Do's List :-

1. Holiday with my family. Its one of my dreams to take my parents for a World tour.
If this may not be possible due to many constraints, I would love to take them to few places
in India atleast.
2. Friends and Relatives. I would definitely meet my Langotia yaars from schools and College.
These people have a great role in making the person who I am today.
3. Music. I would create a long playlists of my fav. songs in my Ipod. It would consists of
old Hindi melodies mostly that of Kishore Kumar numbers.Ghazals and few English numbers would also find its place. I ll also fulfill my long cherished wish of learning to play Guitar.
Although 3 months is a short time to learn Guitar, I would definitely learn to play few of my fav
songs.
4. Thank those people who have influenced me over the years. Teachers, friends and Others.
5. Food. The list would not be complete without good food. I would like to taste every possible
cuisine available before I die.
6. Love.No description needed. :)) time to disclose those crushes.
7. Level score with few people.There are very few people in this world with whom I would like
to level score.
8. A stage performance in front of a big crowd.
9. Try smoking and Drinking. I never understand why people smoke or get drunk.

PS:- This post is truly inspired from the movie Dasvidaniyan.

tid-bits

2008-11-20T11:29:00.000-08:00

The past few weeks have been busy. Pretending to be preparing for my exams but hardly reading anything. But watched some good movies recently- that is what I do best. "Scent of a woman" - starring Al Pacino as Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade - a blind, retired army man - is simply just awesome. He always rocks. A must watch movie. He truly deserves the Oscar for the performance.

Letters from Iwo Jima- A Japanese war movie - directed by Clint Eastwood. It depicts the war in Iwo Jima between the USA and the Imperial Japan during World War -II. Its a touching movie like all good war movies. I love the way it portrays the war scene in those time. What the Japanese soldiers thought of the American soldiers. How a simple baker end up becoming a soldier in the name of serving the country. Again a remarkable movie.

Seven Samurai- Again a Japanese movie. But a very old movie made in 1954. Its about a village who hires Seven Samurai warriors to protect themselves from the bandits. I really appreciate the way the movie has been made. With limited resource and technique, it has manage to produce a masterpiece in its own merits. Although the movie is long enough to bore anyone but still manages to hold you to watch it. This movie no doubt would have been an inspiration for many other movies. Even there is a slight resemblance with the plot of Sholay. Who knows Ramesh Sippy might have inspired from it. Our Bollywood directors are good at being inspired from foreign movies...

Fashion - The movie is about the Fashion world. How an ambitious small town girl reach the pinnacle of success and what she has to go though to achieve it.
These days there is a wave blowing in Hindi cinema - may be we should name it the Gay wave. Every second movie has a gay angle (read Dostana). Just an observation.

PS:- Its been long time I m reading - The Silmarillion.

For my friend who is different

2008-10-31T01:46:00.000-07:00

He told me he is going to quit his job. He cited the reason that he would prepare for the IAS exam. It needs lot of character to make such decisions in life. He was earning good with his present job working for an MNC. But then, he was not happy. He says he will not be satisfied with this job in the long run. The very next day, he put his papers (resignation letter). All the very best my dear friend for you have taken a road which many only dreams to do.

Btw,unexpectedly stumbled on the poem I have written long time back.
The Story teller

updates

2008-10-25T11:45:00.000-07:00

20 Oct, 2008-10-20
It’s raining almost everyday for the past 1 week in Chennai. It has certainly made the climate bearable from the famous Chennai heat. Rains sometimes make our heart soft and made to remember past incidents and memories. A thing from the distant corner of heart comes out. One such incident I recalled today when I was wet in Pondy Bazaar. It was a rainy season in the late 90’s. It was a year of the Football World-cup. And expectedly the whole locality was engulfed in the football fever. And it was the only game which can be played during rain. To be honest I was never a good football player. I always feel I always lack the force which can make the ball carry a long distance. It just happened that a small tournament of under 13 years was being organised. And we decided to participate in it. Our team compose of boys from my locality. So hardly with any practice we had our first league match. I remember it was raining heavily. I was wearing in a new shorts just bought for the tournament. The ground was a small one. We called it the “Super Market” ground. I don’t know if it is still there or some man-made construction has taken its place. I have many memories attached to this play ground. It was here that I hit my first century in a cricket match. It was like a second home to me. If I was not at my home then I would be here even when I am not playing.

Coming to the football match, it was against some team from other locality. They were considered the favourites for they have many good players in their team. Ours was a team made for the name sake. Only three of us including me were the main players. Some of the members didn’t even know the rules of the game properly. We were up to a difficult task. So we had a simple strategy. Do not let them score against us. Rain has made the ground wet and slippery filled with mud and water. The playing conditions help in reducing the difference in the skills of the two teams to a certain extent. So we made our mind not to make them score against us. The match was to be played for 30 minutes. It all started with a bang. They were trying to penetrate our defence. We were hardly trying to score goals. They made many attempts but could not succeed. It was a game with 7 a side. As time passed on, they came with full attack. 5 players were put forward to score gaol. They were desperate to score a goal. We were saving the goal like the Dragon in one of the Harry Potter movies trying to defend the Golden egg. It was in the 27th minute that we turn the game upside down. When they were trying to score, I signalled our Goal Keeper to pass the ball to me the next instant. Most of their players were in our half. Taking the advantage, I dribbled the ball to their half. Only one player was defending the goal. I knew if I could pass through him, we have a good chance to score. Then suddenly I did something that the guy would have never thought. Dribbling the ball quickly using both the feet. Thus I manage to pass through him. The next moment something clicked and I made an attempt for the goal. It was not a good shot in any way but it came off my feet with just the adequate force to reach the Goal. It went straight to the Keeper. When he tried to collect the balled, he slipped and fell on the ground and I saw the ball rolling though the Goal post. The whistle blew and in the next few minutes, we had won the match. Even today I cherish the moment…….Thing like this happen very rarely in our lives.

15 Oct 2008
===============
The accident:
I had always feared that turn on the GST road.There was something wrong at that point. It was the point where vehicles from the other road joins the GST road.The day had started well and I had started for office a little early so that I can complete my pending assignments.I remember I was humming a song and when I was about to take the right of the road when a car at a high speed came by and I had to adjust myself to a little left.Thats where it went wrong.A bike with a pillion was behind me and his front tyre kissed my bike's rear.I felt a jerk at that moment but I controlled and took left.The next moment what I saw was heartening.I could see the bike losing balance and rolling with the rider and the pillion atlleast two 360 degrees on the middle of the road.At that moment what I said to myself "Tiken aaj to gaya tu!". I could have started my bike and at once run away from there.But my conscience stopped me and I went to help them.Many people on the road have gathered to lend their help. The rider seems to have an injury on his right forehand. The pillion rider seems uninjured except few scratches on his right hand.No blood spilt.

The aftermath:
There is a simple rule whenever an accident happens. The one who is injured is always considered innocent.Thats how the verdict was made. People who had gathered decided that I should take them for first aid. I agreed though I do not agree that I was wrong.

What I lost:-
1.Time. I had to take leave.
2.Tension. Unnecessary tension.
3.Money. A few hundreds, I had to pay for the hospital charge.

But I thank God for nothing was serious about the injury. It was a minor dislocation in the forearm.I took him to his house with his bike.I gave few bucks for the damage to his bike(I could have said no to this).But it was me who was uninjured...

Few things in our life is out of our control and it was one such thing that happened.

14th July 08.
================
Life is strange and sweet at times.Sometimes simple things can bring the spark needed in our lives.When we were young, we dream of conquering the world. Everything seems to be achievable. When you see someone singing, you decided to become a singer. When someone dances, you wanted to become a dancer. When you watch a patriotic movie, you decide to become a soldier. Things seems to be clear and easily understandable.But you need a moment to ignite the spark. I called Satya after a long time(after a week I guess). He is a gem of a guy.Believe me. I have reasons for saying that. This guy has immense curiosity for knowing something. His curiosity keeps him going. His quality of showing interest in others make him easy to make friends wherever he goes. He started with how things went today. Then I asked him if he had listened to the songs of "Rock on". He started with "Tana na nana tana ......Meri Laundry ka ek bill". Then we sang Kiska Rasta dekhe. We sang numerous songs together.We cherished the time we spent in school. These moments have helped me today in many ways. I hope I will wake up tomorrow with a smile.

Where will you smoke buddy??

2008-09-30T09:11:00.000-07:00

The Central Govt. Notification of Banning Smoking in Public places w.e.f 2nd October in public places is a welcome step for those (passive smokers) who wants to get rid of deadly smokes. But I don't know if this would succeed. Ours is a country where no ban works.Child labour is banned,Dowry is banned,. Yet it persists.People always find their ways to break rules and law in particular. The best way to make someone do is to tell him not to do. Forbidden fruits are more tempting.
Smoking is a habit which cannot be undone overnight. Whenever my friend lights a cigarette, I used to warn him that it is not good for him, he would promptly reply saying that he knew that "Cigarette smoking is injurious to health..... lekin kya karen".

And coming to the notification, it says Smoking is banned in Public places. How do you define a public place. Everywhere is a public place. How will you keep track of it? Who will monitor??And what would be the consequence if caught smoking. A fine of Rs 200 ?? I think this law would give another opportunity to our highly corrupted officials(it includes small time policemen and guards).It would bring to the good old saying -"you can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink". Every smoker knew the evils of smoking, yet they smoke. So, ban is not a solution to reduce the nos. of smokers.

But, on a brighter side,non-smokers can atleast breath clean air in many public places. But I fear it would last only for few months.Lets wait and see ......

===================================================================

PS:-

Few Observations in the past 1 week of ban:-
-The office premises no longer allows smoking. But I could see few sneeking in the dark for a smoke.
-The space which used to be a smoking corner is now deserted.
-Chennai citizens seems to be abiding the law.
-The small time cigarette vendors near my office building seems to be worst affected by this law.

Zindagi ke safar mein Rock on

2008-09-26T08:37:00.000-07:00

These days I 'm into the songs of "Rock On".. Listening to the songs numerous times. I don't remember when was the last time I had listened to a song so religiously. I knew these are not the songs of my type, but somehow I loved the songs. With time people and their taste changes.The kind of dedication I had in my school days following Kishore Kumar's song. Thank god, I can now sing the "Pichle saat dinon mein.." confidently at least while having bath :). I still remember those days when trying to learn Kishore Kumar's song... with limited resources. Then, we don't have the internet,no ipods and of course no computer... With impromptu lyrics, we would then continue humming...filling the gaps with "as you wish " words.

PS: On a different note,I was wondering:-
- How do people manage earlier when there were no mobile phones and no internet?When there was no ipods and no DVD players?...

GB to TB

2008-09-18T21:00:00.000-07:00

"Hi ! Aka Howz life?"
"Well, good old life. Busy with the job.Morning 10am to 9pm in night."
"Thats gr8! So, how do you spend time during weekends?"
"Watching movies "
"Hey how do you store them? I mean do you still write them into a DVD like you use to do during college days? btw how much memory* do you have now??"
"Yaar jyada nahin .........bas 2 TB.**"
"oh... sudhara nahin tu.."

This killed me... this guy hasn't changed. His once hobby of collecting data has turned to an obsession. I have never heard someone talking in terms of TB for a personal storage.
I bet he would beat anyone in terms of CDs and DVDs he had written till now. You ask him anything- he has it. Ask him for any software- be it small or large, any movie - hindi, eng, old, new, any documentary, picture, TVseries- Friends,Joey even Mahabharata. He hasn't changed. He is still hungry for data. I felt he should be in some data collection company wherein he can satisfy his hunger.I ever doubt if he would ever get satisfied.

*memory- Computer memory in terms of bytes.
**TB - terabyte.
1 TB= 1000 GB(gigabyte)
1 GB= 1000 MG(megabyte)

PS: There are people who do strange things. But these things keep them going.

Rock On!!

2008-09-08T04:07:00.000-07:00

Few things I felt after watching it:-
1. The movie is not boring.
2. The songs were not of my type but I enjoyed it. Thnks to Javed Akhtar for writing differently from what he usually writes.Shankar-Ehshaan-Loy rocks as usual. Farhan Akhtar with his raw voice makes it look real.
3. The storyline is strongly a reminiscent of DCH(Dil chahta hai) and Jhankaar Beats.
4. It carries a message to follow your dreams. It is never late to do something you like most. Most of us land up doing what we dont actually enjoy doing. As an e.g I m writing lines of codes:) sitting in a cubicle.

Below is an excerpt from a song in the movie:-
Meri Laundry Ka Ek Bill,
Ek Aadhi Padi Novel…
Ta Ra Ta Ta Ta ….Ta Ra Ta Ta Ta…
Ek Ladki Ka Phone Number,
Mere Kaam Ka Ek Paper…
Ta Ra Ta Ta Ta ….Ta Ra Ta Ta Ta…
Mere Taash Se Heart Ka King,
Mera Ek Chandi Ka Ring
Pichhle Saat Dino Mein Maine Khoya
Kabhi Khud Pe Hansa Main
Aur Kabhi Khud Pe Roya
...............

'The Square Root of Three'

2008-08-21T04:49:00.000-07:00

"I’m sure that I will always be
A lonely number like root three
The three is all that’s good and right,
Why must my three keep out of sight

Beneath the vicious square root sign,
I wish instead I were a nine
For nine could thwart this evil trick,
with just some quick arithmetic

I know I’ll never see the sun, as 1.7321
Such is my reality, a sad irrationality
When hark! What is this I see,
Another square root of a three
As quietly co-waltzing by,

Together now we multiply
To form a number we prefer,
Rejoicing as an integer
We break free from our mortal bonds
With the wave of magic wands

Our square root signs become unglued
Your love for me has been renewed"
-David Feinberg

~Its a poem from the movie Harold and Kumar -Escape from Guantanamo Bay.

P.S.- irrational ideas can do wonders. You cannot have a logic or a reason behind everything you do. Sometimes its necessary to be irrational.It helps.

Where is my Cheese??

2008-08-09T23:19:00.000-07:00

Many a times, things does not turned out as you would have expected. You suddenly felt deserted and tired. You start asking questions that you don't deserve to be in the situation you are in. As I was wondering why things are not happening the way it should have been, I found the book "Who moved my Cheese " written by Dr. Spencer Johnson. There are lot of fundas which we can apply in our lives. Things do change and with change comes some sweet and bitter things. Sometimes we hate the change b'coz we fear to come out of the comfort zones we are living in. We should seek for the new Cheese and it is always good to come out of something bad as soon as possible. We should learn to move on with the old Cheese .Yup!! I m ready to look for the new Cheese yet again coz I knew how it would taste.
I have again started reading "LOTR"- it has always inspired me. Whenever I thought of the journey that Frodo took up, I always felt like I' m with him like the ever ready fatty Sam, Pippin and Merry. This particular lines always gives me hope and light-

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet,
And whither then? I cannot say.
-JRR Tolkien

Joker has the edge but Batman prevails

2008-07-29T10:08:00.000-07:00

The Dark Knight
Ever since I was a kid ,I love and hate Batman for different reasons. Unlike other super-heroes, he is like you and me,a normal guy. He is rich and has lots of gadgets.He always tries to improve his weapons.I hate him only because he is vulnerable and weak at times.He has numerous limitations.
I am not going to reveal the plot of the movie(for those who are yet to see) but it deserves to be praised and discussed on the various points. Christian Bale played the character of Batman and Bruce Wayne with perfection. The character who had stolen the limelight is Heath Ledger playing the role of the psycho Joker.I'm sure whenever we talk about Batman,Heath Ledger would be remembered for his performance in the movie.I haven't seen Jack Nicholson as Joker, but I bet Ledger had won this time.When he says "Why so serious?" with a knife in his hand, he looks so real.The way he explains how he got the scar and all,its simply awesome(no other words).
His style of convincing is again unique.He simply enjoys the role and the dialogue delivery.He simply made the audience glued to the screen everytime he delivers them. Although he is no more, he has made the Joker's character immortal.The other characters too played their part well but it was the Joker's movie all in all.
The visual effects and stunts are one of the strengths in the movie. You expect from a Batman movie.The scene in which Batman crashes his car and then finally turning it to a bike was awesome. The chase scene in whichhe manage to capture Joker is worth watching multiple times.
The movie also depics the love interest and the various limitations of Batman.Some viewers would complain about the complexity in the plot but you need to be a keen listener.
Quotes with proper timing can do wonders to a movie. You can hear claps everytime a good quote is delivered.The movie ends with Gordon explaining his son why the Batman is running although he has not done anything wrong
"Because he's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now...and so we'll hunt him, because he can take it. Because he's not a hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector...a dark knight. "

We were boys then.....

2008-07-26T22:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, one of my old school friend called me and asked "Bhai! can you tell me the tune of opening line of the song Deewana leke aaya hai.. dil ka tarana". I sang the song for him over the phone. He said he was trying to get the sur for quite long time and finally decided to ring me up. He said thanks and kept the phone. This thing killed me.

Years back when we were in school, we decided we would become music composers. We would write songs, compose and sing by our own. I remember we even wrote few songs and made the tunes. We even decided to name the Company - taking the starting and ending letters of our names. Those were dreams that remain untouched and unchased. There were no boundaries or height to our ambitions. Our minds and thoughts were uncorrupted. We thought, we could run miles without being tired. We were boys then.

One day we would be doing the things we have dreamt of. We would gather again and sing over Kishore Kumar's song(We religiously followed). We would re-discover the Kishore Kumar in ourselves. And we would be boys again :)

From "Raat kali ek khwaab mein aayi" to "Ek ajnabi haseena se..", we would traverse to "Hum bewafa Hargiz na the.." then "Kora kagaz.." then "Ye dil na hota bechaara........."

my turn

2008-07-23T10:03:00.000-07:00

Many things to ponder
Decisions to be taken
Some in my hands
Others for the Almighty Lord
The beacon still shines
Only the distance is what matters
Two hands to grab and
two limbs to chase
eyes wide open but sleepy
tired from the pursuit for happiness
I ll come up
may be I m waiting for my turn
I m there, I guess
just for another turn

Hiding in the hills of Kodai

2008-07-15T09:53:00.000-07:00

A much deserved break from the daily routine of coding and sipping coffee cups - off to Kodaikanal. We (seven in together) were to attend a wedding ceremony of one of my colleagues in a place called Theni in southern part of Tamil Nadu. We took this opportunity to visit Kodaikanal which is just a 2 hrs journey from Theni. We started from Chennai on Friday night in Nagercoil express at 11 pm. Reached Kodai-Road Junction at 9:30 am the next morning. Then we set off to Kodai on a Toyota Qualis- thanks Ela for the timely arrangement. Then in the next hour, we were already in the hilly curvy roads. It was very much alike to the very familiar Dimapur - Imphal road. The road went on and on. Dense forest on the other side and deep gorges on the other. It reminded me of those numerous journey from Guwahati - Imphal during college days. We pass through the water falls on the way. We had hot masala tea with Mirchi bajji and dekhte hi dekhte we were in Kodai. Chilling winds and foggy weather is a typical evening in Kodai. Here weather can change in a jiffy as in most of the Hill stations. We managed to get our self in a hotel on the Seven Road Junction. We took some rest, had a nice bath with hot water (a luxury you never had in Chennai, even in winter :( ). Then we went for a walk around the lake - the Bryant park. Then we visited Coaker's walk - a view point wherein you can enjoy the scenic beauty around Kodai. Then came night and I enjoy sleeping under the warm , thick blankets(its been long time since I faced a winter).
The next morning started with a crystal clear weather. Sun came out brightly as if welcoming the visitors. I decided to go for a walk - It took me around 45 minutes to complete a round of the lake.It would have been around 6-7 kms in distance. But I enjoyed it, although my feet started responding after the long walk. Then I was back to my room. After a heavy breakfast, we all started again for sight seeing around Kodai. We manage to get a Guide. We visited a very old church. Then we had the upper Lake view. The lake looked like a diamond necklace from this point. Then we were in the pine forest. And one thing- if you happen to come here in Kodai, never miss to taste the fresh carrots and home made chocolates.Then we move to Guna caves(we just passed through). Then we cross through the Golf Course. Then we had numerous view points. The Green valley view(aka suicide point), then the Pillar rocks. The Guide showed me the Lyril soap ad point- although it was just a rock in this time of the year. Finally we ended with a Jamun tree (some 500 yrs old they say). There we had the taste of a local fruit(very similar to Litchi) and thus the sight seeing ended. Then after a sumptuous lunch, we had a nice little nap in the hotel. Then all of a sudden it stared raining heavily as if it was saying don't go away.But then every good thing has an ending and we all headed for Theni ...

http://picasaweb.google.co.in/tiken.h/KodaikanalTrip

The Epic final: Nadal tames Federer

2008-07-08T10:47:00.000-07:00

The match between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the Wimbledon's final was special in its own genre. Many believe that it was the greatest match ever played in the history of Tennis Grand slams. Nothing could stop Nadal from becoming a Champion. Even the Rain God was on the other side.
It was a competition between Federer's genius and Nadal's muscle power. Beating your opponent in his own hunting ground is never easy. But Nadal has done that and he deserves it. In no way Federer look out of his form. Every now and then he consistently displays his midas touch. Federer is a born genius. Its amazing to see how he carries himself. He is one of the most loved sportsperson in the world. He hardly shows his emotions. It would be interesting to see how Federer goes from here. He still looks strong. I believe he would come up strongly from here. But then Nadal has raised his standard. It is not Federer who is degrading but Nadal who has raised himself to his opponent's level. It was the confidence in himself that Nadal relies on. Last year Nadal was on the other side. He was the one who was defeated.But this time he is the King and Federer is on the other side. Flushing Meadows is waiting for them for another epic clash.It would be interesting to see how Federer tries to regain his supremacy and Nadal will be there flexing his muscle.

A Dangerous Experience - Riding with sleepy eyes

2008-06-28T11:11:00.000-07:00

Well, you would laugh out aloud if you hear about someone who slept while riding a bike. You dont actually sleep, just had a nap for few seconds while riding your bike. I was feeling sleepy due to the hot sun and I thought of halting. Then I thought I would be able to control myself since my destination was only 2 kms away. Then suddenly I found my left hand holding the clutch tightly and the right one accelerating making a strange sound on the middle of the road. I was dozed off for few seconds. Luckily there was no other vehicles coming the other way. Anything could have happened. I could have fallen or hit by some vehicle. But I was lucky.So next time whenever you feel sleepy, just stop riding the bike for few seconds. Those few seconds can save your life. Drop in to a coffee shop or for a cold-drink then carry on with the ride. Life is precious. Isn't it?

The Lives of Others - Sarkar Raj

2008-06-22T11:40:00.000-07:00

This weekend I watched two movies - one a very good German movie"The Lives of others" and the other a not so good Hindi movie "Sarkar Raj". It won't be fair to compare the two movies since they fall into two different categories.

"The Lives of Others" is an academy Award winning movie for the best foreign movie 2007. It depics the era around 1984 in East Germany wherein a person can be spied based on political powers for personal gains by higher officials. It display the era when the freedom of expression were suppressed. But then there are good people like Georg Dreyman who have always fought against injustice, who had expressed their ideas through writings and press. The movie also depics the human quality to help others when they knew they can. Gerd Wiesler risks his job and life to save Dreyman and his wife. Although he could not save Dreyman's wife ,he decided to remain anonymous for the deeds. I love the ending of the movie when Wiesler saw the advertisement of a book written by Dreyman. He read the acknowledgement "To HGW XX/7, with gratitude ". He decided to buy the book and, when asked if he wants it gift wrapped, he responds quietly "No, it's for me..."

"Sarkar Raj" - A movie by RGV(Ram Gopal Verma). Being a gr8 fan of The Godfather series I decided to watch the movie. I wanted to see how well they have copied. But then the movie is not a real copy of the Godfather although we can see some chunks here and there being taken from the original. The movie is watchable only because we dont get to see good hindi movies in the recent past (Aamir's Taare zameen per was the last movie I enjoyed). The Bachchans have put their efforts to make this movie. The old Bachchan and his son have delivered with intriguing dialogues deliveries but the new member (Aishwarya Bachchan) look pale and helpless as if she was seaching for a role in the role. The movie would have been much better if RGV would have mad the storyline much simpler. The ending could have been made a layer above the final twist...but then it was a far better ending than that of the Race...

2 yrs

2008-06-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

Just realised that I had completed 2 yrs working in the software industry. With the blink of an eye time had passed. These two years has shown me many things -good and bad. I have met many people with different qualities. From workoholics to dreamers. Some born genious and some hard-workers. I have met people who dares and do. Who dreams and executes.I have made wonderful friends here.I have worked with helpful and generous colleagues.
At the same time I have seen the dark side of the industry.Here, only hardwork doesn't pay. Sometimes people smiles when they don't actually mean.There have been days when I had worked more than 15 hrs a day and there have been days when I dont have anything to do. I have seen people working day and night just to meet the project deadlines........ I m enjoying the ride...lets see how far I can go.

Is my opinion being counted???

2008-06-18T11:40:00.000-07:00

My opinion is being counted?.. it was one of the questions asked in an Employee survey. Well, the question of your opinion being counted comes only when you are allowed or given the oportunity to express your opinion. So the primary question should be if I am being involed in decision making. There is no doubt that if you are involved then there is no way your opinion would be ignored unless its not relevant or vague.........

On the other side

2008-06-12T09:46:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you suddenly find yourself on the other side.You suddenly feel helpless and worried. Started thinking many things...May be I have to accept that it is jst one of those days. May be I ll have the advantage soon. Waiting for something to click!!..soon I ll be on the other side.

A rendezvous with Euphoria

2008-06-07T23:25:00.000-07:00

Euphoria came to Chennai for a public performance after 3 yrs and I was there.It all started when I happen to get 4 free passes (thanks to my company) the day before. Honestly saying, I m not a great fan of Euphoria. Since, I was not occupied with any other work, I decided to go for the show.I was accompanied by few of my office colleagues. The show was scheduled to start at 7 pm but we reached there much earlier since we were not familiar with the venue.
The show started at around 7:45 pm . Palash Sen aka Polly is a man with immense ability to charm the audience. He made the audience to sing with him.He sang the numbers ranging from his new album "Mehfuz" to his first album "Dhoom". Almost all the time he kept the audience on their feet...He also sang few English numbers and few Hindi songs (Dil se, Salaame ishk meri jaan etc). All through the show, Polly was never down... hats off to his endless energy.
When he sang the song "Dhoom pichak Dhoom", I went back to my schooldays when I was in 8th standard. I could see myself singing with few frens beating the desks and singing aloud "Dhoom pichak dhoom". Then he sang "tum" ...he mesmerised the audience with the song. Well, all in all it was a nice experience.
My voice is not clear due to those screamings yesterday..I hope it would take few days to become normal to be able to sing "Maeri..........."