Television endowed him vision

(A god's favorite child, blind by birth, underprivileged & poor not only happened to win a million hearts but also his own vision. This post is not about his victory. It's about how his true spirits of survival and his outlook towards life impelled me to look at my own life with a positive perspective.)

I must admit I am, quite a consumer of John Baird's invention- The Television. He would surely be having a broad smile on his face whenever he stooped from the heavens above and found me glued to the screen. On the other hand, he would hide his face, when he found my parents complaining about the sameJ.

I m not a daily soaps or reality television buff. However, this post is dedicated to the spirited blind young man who participated in a reality television called Idea Star Singer, which, thanks to my parents, I happened to casually snoop every evening after my days work. He eventually got eliminated from the show but did win lots of love and most importantly his eye sight.

"ISS<Space>Shibu"

I went to the message mode of my mobile and typed the same and sent it to number which was being displayed on the screen. A voluntary act, yet for a person who has always loathed the 'Reality' shows, it was so very unlikely. It was the first time I had seen Shibu perform and I must say with even his disability, he did an astounding job. Prior to this, the show did have other participants who had similar disability. Their performance, of course left you with a heavy heart, and a lament to the almighty for why he had been so unfair to them. Not to mention, the channel also used the same as mileage, as it never shied from showing these tearjerkers as teasers. I don't really blame them; as this strategy of theirs has not only increased the TRPs but has also helped these participants win some great opportunities. The sms voting by me was not actually to save him from elimination…it was rather more of a tribute to him.

Shibu set him selves apart from others by always inducing his own grace to each of his performance. A brightly lit smile on his face never made him look like a son of a lesser god. In fact, he always seemed to be enjoying himself and never did he let the audience have pity on him. When judges scrutinized his performance, it really surprised me when i saw him accept his mistakes so open heartedly along with some blazing smiles….something even the most prudent of participants took with stooped shoulders and heads. The audiences felt rejoiced and electrified by seeing him laugh his heart out at the jokes and leg pulling done by judges. He was never sorry for his state, and neither did he make anyone feel sorry! What a sport! What a human being! Truly inspirational! A real treat to watch!

I realized how often, many of us wail, lament and complain for not having a role model or a proper guide when we needed the most. I wondered what inspired this boy, who has lost his father, who hails from a very ordinary and humble background to carry on? Whatever it may be it must be something really strong!

One evening, when i was back from work, my mother proclaimed cheerfully "Shibu got eyesight". She was as happy as if her own blind son was bestowed with the marvel of "sight". It was really heartwarming but at the same time I felt somber for having missed his interview. I later learnt that a philanthropist doctor watched him perform on TV and had volunteered to treat him free of cost. However, only one of his eyes could be repaired as the other one was irreparable. A few days later, while being eliminated, Shibu was emotional "Without seeing my audience, I sang so many songs….i had a wish to sing a few more songs while I watched them watch me….. "

I patiently waited for video of Shibu's interview on YouTube. In his interview, Shibu expressed his happiness for his new life and how his life has changed. Ranjini, the hostess, made him identify some colors….which he identified with some difficulty. "When I was blind, I had a judgment of things around….But now everything is new and it's scary". After watching it, I realized how a Malayalam saying, often said by my father, holds true which could be roughly translated as "Paucity could only be understood when experienced"

John Baird now has one more reason to smile, for it was his invention that ushered Shibu to the new world of light!

A Bachelors party

(This is one of such posts that almost went to the back burner…and then, I somehow revived it for emotional reasons J ...I started writing it as a "travelogue" and ended up with a "memoire". You may feel that this is a bunch of uselessness...But all I tried to put in is an account of some very good times and some warm memories I had with the people, I care the most)

The prologue

A string of Hindi profanities croaked from the other end of the line. It was just as I thought. With shrewd placement of words I got the most accurate and anticipated response and I had my animated laugh as ever. On the other end of line, was my friend who would soon be a husband, with butterflies in his stomach and hell nervous about the fresh step he was going take in his life. This time it was him who planned the outing….an exodus from our daily lives. With Good Friday in a month and half to go, as ever the process of planning a rendezvous to spend the extended weekend together was supposed to be on high spirits. As always someone amongst us had to take the initiative, this time it was him.

How could I miss a great opportunity to have a dig at him? So very conveniently I proclaimed, "Let's do it. After all, it would be your Bachelors party….The last wild thing we would do together!!!" The response to it was as I mentioned above….EXHILARATING!!! A string of Slangs followed reassurances that things won't be as bad as I try to project. The wilderness within us wouldn't be tamed by marriage.

The Flash Back

"We all will continue to do what we did…..We would hang out with each other….Our families would be an extension of our circle of trust….".These were the vows we took during our college days. We did have a few instances where this vow was broken but still it is an unsaid rule amongst us. A rule which each one is aware is not practical. That, things would change….as it is the part and parcel of life. A bitter truth we all don't like to face, an opinion on which we wouldn't like to grow up. But why should we? It's been almost half a decade since we passed out and even today the bond between us is growing stronger. This can be commemorated by the fact that each one of us is a SPOC (Single Point of Contact) of everyone else. My buddies who are in Pune, still meet every week with the same zeal as ever….Guys like me who are not in the city…try to make it up and meet them at least once every month…Guys who are located outside India, call at least twice a month…And then there is a an occasional string of mail chains…..Archives of which I read and laugh when I feel bored of life J .Not to forget about the endless online chats we have. We still are in touch on a day to day basis…May be its not a big deal…but I have never seen anything like this anywhere else…We are us, when we are together. There is no professionalism and no p's and q's amongst us. We boastfully called us The Devils-THE AJMERA DEVILS….As Ajmera was our adobe during our college days. We spent a good deal of time there and are very emotionally attached to this little locality in Pimpri, Pune. We are 8 buddies who were always together at the halls of ivy. And even today we call us THE AJMERA DEVILS!! J

The Sprout

There had been a spurn of marriage announcements. 3 of my friends were getting married in the span of 15 days. It was being speculated from a year that many of us would get hooked up soon. So like sages seeking desolation, like flame burning on the last drop of oil, we yearned for egression. As always we looked for an opportunity to reprise ourselves to our past.

"There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,

There is rapture on the lonely shore,

There is society, where none intrudes,

By the deep sea, and music in its roar:

I love not people the less, but Nature more."

The lines above are something that I happen to read somewhere….but it has been exactly something that we all have always embraced whenever we decided on a rendezvous with natural beauty. Little was known about "Dapoli" when Alpesh suggested about it and little did we know that we were going to have one of the most soothing and relaxing moments of recent times. The date was April 10^th, a Good Friday. So finally, me & Alpesh set out with Rohith and Sumeet (the soon to be grooms) to celebrate their "Bachelors Party". As usual, I made it late to Sumeet's house at early wee hours of Friday. Soon Alpesh was in, and it became obvious that we would be going to sleep late with our usual chit-chats. But then, I observed a change in the whole process…My dear friend Sumeet wanted to retire soon as he was expecting a call early in the morning, 4'o clock to be precise…..Well, no prizes to guess, it was to be from his fiancée…But then a guy like him….waking up so early to attend a call…..It was simply an amazing and refreshing change….oh yes! He is an early riser but he was never up by 4. All I could say was "Apne baap ke liye bhi aisa nahi karega…J" .

There was no expectations on how the trip would turn out….The one prior to this to Harihareshwar had turned out be dissatisfactory as we planned the whole thing in and for a day. We started late by afternoon and by the time we reached our resort; it was late in the night. It took a lot of efforts to spot our resort "The Sagar Hill Resort". The place was so remote and dark that we hardly realized that it was actually a beach resort. That it housed itself on a hill and faced the sea…..hence the name "Sagar Hill".

The Romance

"Kuch hosh nahi rehta, kuch dhyaan nahi rehta,

Insaan mohabbat mein, insaan nahi rehta….."

Above are lines from a Hindi movie that describes the mood that evening…..The longing of the young love was sensed soon by me and Alpesh…..as our lover boys started looking for corners where they could find reliable mobile networks and also for some privacy to have their daily dose of romance…the one powered by the technology….the Telephonic Romance!!!!!. I had already witness enough magic! These were the two guys, I could hardly fathom being romantic…..Both had always felt dizzy by the very thought of same! The very guys who despised and loathed the small talks between any couples were shamelessly involved in babblesJ. Love was in the air, I completely agreed with my friend, a co-devil Satish….who reported the same to me few weeks back before leaving to USJ.

The Teaser

Post dinner, guided by the moon above, we left our resort into the dark steep road outside the resort, only then we realized in the moon light that our resort had a hill on it backdrop. Somebody suggested about climbing it in the night....was it me? Everyone had the same opinion. I would not have been surprised if we had decided to climb it, as that exactly been our idea of being wild. Somehow the whole idea got diverted as Alpesh found one strange mammoth boulder of a rock leaning away from the road. He promised to climb it before leaving the place. Yes, it's not partying late night or booze that excited us but these kinds of activities that would set our spirits high. We slept late but earlier than usual. Not to forget, one of our lover boys was expecting a call early in the morning.

The Kickoff

Our day started early when Alpesh found a seducer of Sumeet, lying on a hammock and involved in telephonic coochie-coo with his would be wife. God bless the inventors of mobile phone…Thanks to that, I had the opportunity to watch the sun rise, a rarest of the rare event of my lifeJ. The sound of the waves allured us, and one by one we followed it. Rohith was reluctant to come but couldn't wait once three of us were out on the beach. Ahead of us lay the Herne beach.
The sea goddess looked like a newly-wed bride with the red rising sun decorated liked the Vermilion on her forehead. The wind was blowing in with all the zeal. The sea, the sun and the wind pumped in a new energy in us. Suddenly we forgot about our broken sleep and the energy drainage caused due to the tiresome journey of the previous day. We strolled on the beach and were spellbound by what we were witnessing. Moments like these leave you awestruck in respect to the greatest artist, the almighty, for his grandeur in his art. The moment was so captivating that it would bring out the romantic side of the most frigid hearts. So it happened, one of the lover boys drew some heart shapes on the beach with his and his sweethearts name in it! We took snaps of that Kodak moment.

Moments later we were involved in the all kinds of plays.


Frog race, running race and then later catch practice with a ball that was thrown to us by our driver. After having our breakfast, we had some nap. By noon, we took our cab and left for Dapoli beach. It was cleaner than we expected. We were off to have a duel with the waves. I, Alpesh and Sumeet had previous experience of toiling in the waves at Goa and Harihareshwar unlike Rohith. We made it a point to train him the same. Slowly and steadily we started venturing into sea until we were neck deep. We had learned the art of enjoying the waves in Goa by observing the foreigners. Within minutes, we were at least 100 meters into the sea waiting for each high tide and jumping along with it. It was a wonderful feeling. There were all kinds of tides. The smooth ones would just give you slight nudge, the medium ones, would jerk you and the strong ones, at least 7 feet's high would drench you over and would knock you out. Even while we were having a duel with the sea, we were involved in our future plans and all the usual ribaldrous talks that men are involved in.

We spent 2 hours in the waves and then decided to fly in the air. I don't know the exact term by which it is known. A balloon to which you are entwined is tied to a jeep and as the jeep is driven, you fly in the air. What a spine-tingling experience it was! I experienced the real meaning of a thriller when I was flying in the air. Felt like the emperor of the world. I screamed, as people below looked up. Wow! What an experience. Flamboyance of Sumeet, Alpesh and mine didn't allow us to be contented by just once so we experienced the same twice. I recommend this hair raising experience to everyone!

As we reached back to our resort, Rohith expressed his strong desire to enjoy the waves again. So again, we enjoyed the wave. After some time, we realized that I was not able to make it for the recent birthday celebration of one amongst us. It seemed that my thunder kicks were missingJ! We decided to celebrate it again. The other three of us stripped the belated-birthday boy off his clothes and left him in the sea. There he was birth nude in the sea, concealed by the waves. As he pleaded for mercy we all had our devilish laugh.

The day after

Next day we woke up early for a boat ride into the sea, to watch the dolphins. The sea goddess avowed her actual majesty with full vigor. The waves here were towering and jolted the little ark. We cruised laboriously and finally at one point the motor of boat was silenced. 100 meters from us we found a family of dolphin swimming along. To be frank, it was the sea that excited us more than the dolphins. I must admit, whoever goes to Dapoli should go for Dolphin ride.

The Climax
Finally, it was time to bid adieu. But we had one little task to accomplish. Alpesh wanted to climb the rock that had a strange shape and size and stood outside our resort. I reminded him about his promise to vanquish the same. So, he climbed it, with a bit of effort. I invited trouble, when I myself decided to climb too. With reasonable help and efforts I manage to climb. After reaching on top, I decided to take a leak. So did I. This is when Satan in Sumeet & Rohith rose. They decided to pelt stone at us. Everything was filmed by Rohith. As camera was rolling, we decided to descend. Alpesh positioned himself well and leaped to land safely. Frankly speaking, it sure was a dangerous exercise. Alpesh managed it because he is fairly better built than me. It was at this moment that I cursed myself the most for not having taken care of myself. For being ill disciplined and out of shapeJ. I found myself trapped and was most certain to hit the uneven rocky terrains below rather than land on the road. So I decided to climb down with the help of my friends. They guided me by giving me instructions on where I should position my leg. Just when I thought I was through I heard Alpesh screaming "Don't take off your leg, there is nothing below". And there I was literally cliff hanging with no support. A sense of panic prevailed. Alpesh quickly went down to the uneven rocky terrains, a good 4 feet below to catch me. He literally caught me with Sumeet's support. The moment I landed, there was a burst of laughter. This icing on the cake would have turned disastrous but we lived up with the moment. When I went back to our cab, the cabbie gave a sympathetic lookJ.
Finally, some mid way, we heard Sumeet unconsciously screaming his would-be's name for no reason. We all gave him a puzzled look and burst into laughter…..He was thoroughly embarrassed and gave us some irrational explanation for the same…for which we again laughed of hearts out! J

The Epilogue

We would still have such outings and plans but may be it won't be so spontaneous and coincidental ones. It would surely be more planned and much more domesticated. Till now everyone had to assemble at the said time now may be we will have enquire about everyone's availability. Gone are the days when we have a frog race, when we fearlessly venture into the sea. Profanities and indelicacies would be minimized. I know it's a part of growing upJ. My friends got married and strangely I don't feel like a bachelor anymore J

Book Review:The White Tiger-By Aravind Adiga

I was, and still am an average reader. Once, when this habit of mine was waning, it was my friend, Sumeet who acted as a patron. Today, if I may call myself a bibliomaniac of some sort, he has a good deal of credit for the same. So, when he recommends me a book about which I had never heard, I would definitely read it. The fact that it won Man Booker Prize last year added to the luster. So over a week, I read this book while travelling to and from my office.

The story of the novel is presented as a series of letters written to Chinese Premier, Wen Jiabao by the male protagonist, Balram Halwai, about his life. Balram is a fugitive on the run, who went on to become an Entrepreneur in the blue chip city of Bangalore. This is something that is revealed from the beginning of the story. Balram has a very ordinary rustic beginning from the banks of Ganges. With limited opportunities, he turns out to be smartest kid among the lot. He is given a nick name 'White Tiger' by the official who comes for inspection at his school. But circumstances forces him to discontinue his studies and starts working in a tea shop. Hence forth, starts his real education...from the experiences of life. Later, he works as a chauffeur to a landlord's Son and daughter in law, who take him to Delhi along with them.

The story is a depiction of India, through the eyes of an inopportune man from the village. It shows the contrastingly different lives of the rich and poor in cities and villages. The life of the poor is termed as 'Darkness' and that of the rich as 'Lightness'. It talks about the socio-economic differences among the classes, the Caste system of our country and corruption of legal and political system. The plight of the poor and social injustice inflicted on them is something that is far from our urban life. The story opens in quite an impressive and griping manner and that holds the key and compels you to finish the book, even though occasionally, I found few parts of it a little boring.

There are few marvelously written witty, hilarious and unexampled moments which do make your journey through Balram's life smooth and refreshing. The scene where Balram is particularly annoyed with himself for being concupiscent by seeing his masters wife, Pinky Madam, in skimpy cloths is the one of most hilarious I have read in recent times. I even made my co-travelers read the same and there sure was a burst of laughter. Again, a scene where Balram, the driver assumes the place of a philosopher to his tipsy master and preaches him about life is witty. What makes it particularly wacky is that Balram compares the same situation with that of the Geeta where lord Krishna, the charioteer enlightens his passenger Arjuna.

Having said about the light moments, the novel also highlights and depicts some social issues like castism, racism and communal divide that exist in our country. Through the thoughts of various characters, the author has successfully showcased us how a typical India thinks and behaves with all these prejudices. Also, the nexus between politics and corruption has been revivified.

The scene where the narrator tries to corroborate why Indians are the best servants in the world is subjective and makes sit back and think. 'Rooster Coop' a term coined to prove the same needs to be understood only by reading.

I must admit, after reading this novel all my concept of "India Shining" has been shattered. Also, I must say I was completely under darkness about the life of people in so-called "Darkness". When I read about the pathetic situations and living conditions described about people in "darkness", I felt this story was set somewhere in early sixties. But I later was shocked to know that even today we have landlords who tax people for the use of Road and river.

Having said all this, still I wouldn't rate this novel as the best I have read. I believe if this book can get this much attention then all the other books that I have always admired has not got its share of glory. Highlight of the book is the grip that it holds from the beginning. You are curious to know about how Balram succeeds in life. But also, there are points when Balram is shown as an eccentric person, who talks to himself and also pictures a crime in his mind. Those are points where I felt the story reading became tedium.

I would suggest everyone to read this book when they have some time to kill, like while travelling. It relatively a small book and doesn't require much efforts and pain. Moreover, since you will find most of it captivating, it would give you a good company.

One good advice from my side, THE LAST WORD OF THE BOOK DESCRIBES WHERE AND WHAT BALRAM HAS LANDED INTO SO DON'T TURN TO LAST PAGE UNTILL YOU HAVE REALLY MADE IT TILL THERE J

PS: I understand that I don't have any right to make any comments on such a highly celebrated and talented writer. I'm not a professional critic. All the points mentioned here is just my personal opinion on the book.

Appease your taste buds with Delicious Veg Biryani & Khichadi

Since quite some time, I had been thinking of posting something that is of different genre from my previous ones. Last month, my parents left to our home town for a couple of days and I had cook food for myself. I did some goggling to find some good recipes and relied on it completely. For my good luck it turned out great! Following is the recipe of Veg-Biryani & Rice and Moong Dal Khichadi.

Recipe of Veg-Biryani

Ingredients: • 1-1/2 cups Uncooked Rice • 2 pinches Saffron (dissolved in a little water) • 2 Onions (sliced) • 2 tbsp Cashew nuts (broken into pieces) • 2 tbsp Raisins • 3 Tomatoes (finely chopped) • 2 Capsicums (sliced) • 2 cups (mixed boiled vegetables i.e. chopped cauliflower, carrots, potatoes, green peas) • 1 tbsp Coriander Leaves (chopped) • A little Milk • 4 tbsp Ghee • Salt to taste

To be ground into a paste: • 6 Garlic Cloves • 25 mm piece of Ginger • 3 Cardamoms • 4 Green Chilies • 3 Cloves • 1 tbsp Poppy Seeds • 2 sticks Cinnamon • 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder • 1/2 tsp Chili Powder • 2 Onions • 6 Mint leaves

How to make Veg-Biryani: • Boil the rice in a vessel containing adequate water, cook and drain excess water. • Add the saffron liquid and salt to the cooked rice. Mix well. • Heat the ghee and add the onions. Fry until brown. • Remove the onions and in the same ghee, add the cashew nuts and raisins. • Fry for a few seconds. Remove and keep aside for garnishing. • Add the prepared paste and fry for 3 to 4 minutes. • Add the tomatoes and capsicum and fry again for 2 to 3 minutes. • Add the boiled vegetables and coriander and cook for a while. • Put 2 tablespoons of ghee at the bottom of a baking bowl. • Make layers of the rice and vegetables, beginning and ending with rice. • Sprinkle a little milk on top. • Cover and bake in a hot oven at 200 degree C for 15 to 20 minutes. • Garnish with fried onions, cashew nuts and raisins and serve hot.

 

Rice and Moong Dal Khichadi

Ingredients 2 cups basmati rice 1/2 cup moong dal 2-3 finely chopped green chilies 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste 1 finely chopped medium size tomato 2 finely chopped medium size onions 5-6 curry leaves 1/2 tsp mustard seeds 1/2 tsp cumin seeds 1/2 tsp asafetida 1/2 tsp turmeric powder 2 tsp red chilli powder 1/2 tsp garam masala powder 3-4 tbsp desi ghee 6 cups water salt to taste   Finely chopped coriander leaves for garnish

Method 1. Soak moong dal and rice for 15 minutes. 2. Heat ghee in pressure cooker 3. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds and allow spluttering. 4. Now add asafetida and curry leaves and green chilies. Then add onions. 5. Saute onions till translucent. 6. Add ginger-garlic paste and saute for 2-3 minutes. 7. Now add chopped tomatoes and saute till the tomatoes are mashed. 8. Add the powdered masalas. 9. When ghee starts leaving sides, add the soaked rice and moong dal and water. Add salt to taste and stir in half the chopped coriander. 10. Cover and pressure cook (3 whistles)   The consistency should be slightly liquidy.   Garnish with remaining coriander. Serve hot with one tsp of ghee on top.

 

 

 

Gandhi-The real commando

        A recent television squib of Idea Cellular shows a young woman being eve teased by a road side Romeo. The girl resists for which the rogue replies, "Its democracy, can do anything anywhere". The lady types "Gandhi ya Commando? Gandhi or Commando" on her mobile to conduct a poll and declares "99% logon ne kaha commando","99% people says commando". She then kicks the trouble maker and makes him taste the dust and finally says "This is democracy"

The Ad definitely demonstrates qualities like progressiveness and independence of today's women and also depicts the prominence of democracy. But, in quest to show case it, the creators of this film didn't hesitate to show Gandhian ideologies in poor light. It did annoy me in the beginning and I must admit, it took a stronger form when I heard that some protest was being made. Protest which clearly seemed like a political stunt in the wake of impending elections. I had some thought over it and realized that Gandhian thoughts are actually ridiculed by most of today's youth and to some extent he is even abhorred.

The very thought took me back to a bitsy debate that I had with my friends few years back. One of them said "Gandhi took away all the glory, when many others also fought for freedom. He played wonderful politics and walked away with all the accolades. We also had men like Bhagat Singh and Netaji who were real martyrs". Over the period of time, I paid some thought on Gandhian philosophies and realized few aspects about it. Here, thru this post, I would like to defend the ideologies of the Father of our nation as the most apt ones for pre-independence India.

History has it, that before the emergence of the phenomenon called "Gandhi", Indian independence struggle was largely isolated to cities like Calcutta and Bombay. Gandhi foresaw the importance of reaching out to the common men and enlightening them about the same. He travelled the length and breadth of the country and reached out to people and hence became a house old name. The very idea of independence became a talk of every common man in India be it a shoemaker or a zameendar. It was the first real cause that brought not only the budhi jeevees or the intellect but also the common men of the whole country together.

Gandhi had an unexampled approach. He was a messenger of non-violence. As any other youth of today, I believed once that we had a prolonged history of Independence struggle mainly because our leader were liberal.I felt the ideologies of Bhagat Singh and Netaji were more cognate. I was a huge fan of Bhagat Singh and admired him to extent that i had his potrait in my room.I couldn't accept that our forefathers appreciated silent protests and non-violence as struggle for independence. It was difficult for me to fathom that they allowed a pack of a million English men to control this country.

But with more thought and understanding, I realized that, Gandhi was a man with vision. He envisioned that a bloody revolution might unite us against the Colonials but at the same time greed and power would later turn us against each other. We have Afghanistan for an example, a nation crumbled it bloody pasts. It was the greed for power and control of warlords that ripped the country apart. Gandhi realized that the same would happen in India and chose the path of non-violence. Also, He believed in slowly preparing the country for independence. Like for instance, after the Chora-Chori massacre he proclaimed that the country was not prepared for independence and called off the 'Non-corporation' movement. Today, when we debate in the name of religion, caste, creed and ethinicity I wonder whether we are yet deserving the independence that we enjoy.

Gandhi became the face of Independence struggle. Post independence, over the time, his glory walked hand in hand with his defamation. Ironically, he became the face of the very political party he represented which for the sake of electoral vote bank politics plays with emotions of religious minorities. Naturally, indirectly attacking Gandhi became the agenda of the equally formidable opposition party, which eventually plays with the emotions of religious majority. Tarnishing Gandhi's image has become their lethal weapon.

Many youth today hail Netaji for his courage. I too believe that he was the true son of our Mother land. But how many of us have really thought that he formed the Indian National Army with Japanese assistance. Japan, an ally to Hitler's Germany in the world war. Hitler whose mere mention makes a modern German feel insulted!

'Mahatma' dont mean god. And so, he did commit few mistakes in life. But still we should be thankfull to god and be proud that India produced a visionary like Gandhi, who had the vision of a Republic called India

Blogging on Valentines Day!

On this day....i post the information of one of my favourite romantic songs by The Colonial Cousin's. Its called 'Lady'. Please find the same below 'My view about this day' section. Watch the song online (sorry!, i couldnt get the video to embedd it here, tried a lot) ...it gives you a warm feeling about married life....Also a link to download the song is provided...
Its marriage season in my group, with three of my best friend getting ready to get hooked up! I dedicate this to them! As one of these three friends, advises to other "Abe, thoda romantic bann" (Dude, try to be romantic)...i profuse this message to them...
PS: Dont ask me when i'm marrying, i maintain, i m practicing celebacy :-)

My view about this day

I am not a fan of Valentines day...Not because its western....i like everything thats good to offer even if its from west...and no! i m not a religous extremist...I believe that we dont need a special day for our loved ones! Thats the predujice of west...You meet your mother once a year and call it 'Mothers Day'. You only all your relatives on 'Thanks giving day'....We Indians are much more emotional and i feel proud about it!

Above all, as my wise father says, "Valentines day is a Propaganda of the foriegn multinationals like Archies and Hallmark to sell cards in India". Some may ask, "whats wrong in doing business?". I would say "Not with our emotions...."

Watch video of the song 'Lady' online @ MSN Video

Download the song 'Lady'!

Lyrics of Lady!

Will you be my lady ? Will you be my lover ?
Will you be the one Love, always and forever ?
Will you be the Sunlight, wake me in the Morning ?
Will you be the Starshine,touch me when I'm dreaming ?
Will you be my lady......
When your friends surround you, I'll be your Laughter
When the Party's over, I'll be there after
When you're feeling down girl, I'll be your Sorrow
When your day is over, I'll be Tomorrow
Will you be my lady......
When your eyes are smiling, I'll be the Reason
King of you Heart girl, right through all the Seasons
When your world is lonely, I'll be your Shadow
When your day is over, I'll be Tomorrow
Will you be my lady......
Sajana.... kahe nahin aaye...?
When your feeling lonely, I'll be your Shadow
When your day is over, I'll be Tomorrow Will you be my lady.....

A puerile Christmas

"Balan Bhai and family are visiting us on Christmas day!" My father announced. Uncle Balan and his family were an inseparable part of our little Malayali community of our colony back in nineteen eighties, which eventually got dispersed for job transfers and retirements. Uncle Balan and family are settled in Kerala. His son Sandeep is working in Mumbai. Families like his and mine shared their happiness, sorrows and struggles of their early family lives with each other. In early seventies, when people of my father's generations migrated out of their home towns in Kerala to cities like Bombay, a fellow Malayali was seen as a brother or equivalent to family member. Those days, people only visited their hometowns annually, during their children's summer vacations. This yearning for home was compensated by close ties with family friends. Naturally, every close family was like an extended family……Relatives with no blood relations! Such was the love and affection shared. Something of a kind that I guess is not seen in today's world. In some cases, not even between siblings. So pure and divine!

The kinship of elders advanced with same zeal into the next generation. We kids, connect to each other more like siblings. Together, we always are like a family. Together we celebrate all festivals, Deevali, Onam, Vishu and New Years. Also, we all definitely had our first friends from this very circle only. Sandeep Balan was my first friend. We used to play 'Chor-poooleece' together and hang out together as kids. We together became fans of the Malayalam movie thespian Mohan Lal. We used to debate on who is most fit to be called 'Mohan Lal'J all the time. Then in late eighties my family got transferred. We lost touch, by the time we were back to Mumbai, Balan Uncle was in Gujarat.

It was almost two decades since then. I was happy and anxious to meet them. Uncle, Aunty, Sandeep and his younger sister, Chittu did pay us a brief visit that afternoon. They had many other houses to visit, so had to make the visit really brief. Something told me that we were meeting in the evening. So it happened.

It struck to me somehow, about a possible reunion of sort. Sandeep and Chittu met all of us separately but I thought a get together of all the kids would be an even better idea. I called Swetha, Swati, Praseeda, Praveen, Nija and Niju immediately. It was only Sandeep and me who played together as kids. Others were at least 4 years junior to me. As little ones they never interacted with me. I got acquainted with them only when they were more than little kids.

By then, it was decided that Uncle Balan & family are to stay back at our house for the night. My brother was out to celebrate Christmas with his friends. Swathi had to prepare for her exams. But Rest of us met. We strolled together on the streets, had snacks like Pani Puri. Soon after, we hit the playground like we all used to as kids. Swings and Slides were occupied. It was like revisiting the childhood. I personally felt that I was taken back to my past and I was interacting with someone from nonage. I became a child again. We except the Balan's used to meet occasionally. But today with them a new ardor to dig up stories from our past was to be seen.

Finally, Niju, who is and will always remain a little girl to me, insisted on playing some game that kids normally play. Reluctantly, we agreed! Rules were recalled, and conveyed to everyone. Next hour I was one among them….involved in child play…. Something I never thought I would do in life again……For a change, it was nice to be a child….while I am still a senior youth. May be, I would only get this chance, when I play with my kids…. Still this day would definitely to be cherished and relished…. So that when next time when we meet for someone's marriage or other occasion….we have something more to laugh about!!!