Joie de vivre

Valentines Day, 2012

2012-02-14T11:28:00.000-08:00

Love is an amorphous and unsettling feeling
it vaporizes off even before it settles in!
up up and away it goes like kites without any strings......

- By Me!

Slithering soul

2012-02-13T20:43:00.000-08:00

Slithering soul
notwithstanding storms and cold
inches forward courageously

- by me

.............................

2012-02-13T00:05:00.000-08:00

.......................

A nice thought by one of my favourite Marathi writers Va Pu Kale! This quote is part of Vapurza - a compilation of his thoughts on varied topics.

Remainder of a busy day!

2012-02-08T22:41:00.000-08:00

These are words that hijacked my mind while reading Sea of Poppies a novel by Amitav Ghosh yesterday night!

In the closed room marked by silence,

the stark lights fail to pierce footloose imagination

and my thoughts continue to float on the Sea of Poppies.

Distant yet magnificent is the lure of possibilities,

cunningly hoodwinking another day into another night

without slipping in the monotony imposed by time.........

...By me!

English just KICKED THE BUCKET! 3

2012-01-19T21:13:00.000-08:00

Ok so here goes another one – this one made Shakespeare turn in his grave

The victim- the word " Familiar"

Which means- adjective. intimate - acquainted - conversant – close

One of my friends commits this carnal sin over and over again.

Familiar has nothing to do with “being family oriented”

The other day while returning home in the bus Ms. D said – “My husband is a very familiar person and takes good care of our family.”

I had my ROFL moment of the day and started giggling…

My sweet friend didn’t understand what was the joke in her husband looking after their family.

I explained her the meaning of what she had just said and we both started giggling together.

I hope I come across more such funny ‘FAMILIAR’ gaffes!

:-)

कारवां

2012-01-13T01:48:00.000-08:00

इतने सालों बाद,

एक मायूस श्याम को

कारवां आज फिर निकला है

तुम्हारे ख्यालों का मेरे दिल से

आज फिर क़यामत होगी

यादें तूफ़ान बनकर कहर ढायेंगी

सुखी आँखें आज फिर पानी बरसाएंगी

दर्द का कारवां निकला तो है

लेकिन कोई नहीं जनता

यह रुकेगा कहाँ!

- By Me

जूनून

2012-01-13T01:27:00.000-08:00

यह तुम्हारे जीत का जश्न है!

या मेरे हारने का अफ़सोस

एक जूनून बनकर

जो मेरे लहू में दौड़ता रहता है!

वह आखिर है क्या बला?

जो रोज़ याद दिलाती है!

यह तो सिर्फ मिल का पत्थर

मंजिल तो अभी और भी आगे है!

- By Me!

Incidentally this is also my first post in Hindi!

Gentleman in a Tuxedo

2012-01-10T23:22:00.000-08:00

Meet Vithoba aka Vithu Maau aka Bagad Billa, the kitten who wasnot bigger than a small sparrow when rescued by my uncle- Sanjeev Joshi.

He was named Vithoba because he was found on the auspicious occasion ofEkadashi!

Stray dogs had killed his mother and brother. Little Vithu who was barely afew days old was roaming aimlessly along the road, when my uncle brought him home. He could have become an easy prey to dogs, crows, eagles and other tomcats had he been left on the road to die.

Initially, Vithu was so small that he could easily fit in my uncle's pocket. He did not have fur and looked as though he had got some kind of skin disease.

Nevertheless, due to the tender care and attention of my uncle, aunt and little brother Vithu Maau has grown into a beautiful tom cat.

He now has a lovely fur in smoky black colour with dark black waveson his back. He has got shiny golden eyes which look like molten metal from afoundry ( Spare my metaphors- working with manufacturing conglomerates for 4years have "engineerized" my thinking :-) It is fun to watch howVithu Maau keeps himself and others entertained around the house.

Over 8 months now with Joshi family, Vithu Maau looks like asophisticated Gentleman in a Tuxedo.

This act of kindness is worth taking a note of!

श्तृप्रेम

2012-01-08T22:27:00.000-08:00

मला प्राणी आवडत असले तरी उंदीर हा माझा आवडता प्राणी नाही. किंबहुना मी प्राणी मित्र असले तरीही उंदरांची मला जरा भीतीच वाटते. अहो जरा म्हणजे घरी उंदीर मामा शिरले कि मी सोप्या वरून पाय खाली ठेवत नाही...माझा घरातली  त्यांची  vaccation होइस तोवर मीच आश्रीतासारखी राहते. रात्री एकवेळ चोराची किव्वा भूता खेताची वाटणार नाही इतकी भीती मला या बिन बुलाये मेहमानांची ची वाटते. एकदा लहानपणी  पायावरून उंदीर गेल्या पासून भयाचा रुपांतर भीतीत म्हणजेच फोबिया मध्ये झाले.

पण परवा मात्र मी माझ्या या शत्रूची चक्क चक्क मदत केली. अहो नुसत्या शत्रू ची नाही तर त्याचा आख्या कुटुंबाची मदत केली. नेहमी प्रमाणे सदाशिव पेठेत कामा करिता गेलेले असताना मला एका वाण्यचा दुकाना बाहेर एक वेगळाच खेळ दिसला. गळ्यात एक छोटीशी घंटा बांधलेले एक गोंडस काळे-पांढरे  मांजर इकडून तिकडून उड्या मारत खेळत होतं. त्याचा तो लहान मुलांसारखा निरागस खेळ पाहिला माझी पावलं जग्यचा जागी थांबली. मनात आले फोटो काढूयात म्हणून कॅमेरा बाहेर काढला पण फोटो घायचे धाडस झाले नाही. कारण मला गोंडस वाटणारे मांजर एका जुन्या उंदरांच्या  पिंजऱ्याशी खेळत होतं. पिंजर्यात ज्याला आपण मौस म्हणतो त्या जातीचे ६ छोटे छोटे उंदीर होते. मांजर सारख लांब जायचं मग पळत येऊन पिंजर्यावर झप्तयचं. सगळे उंदीर जीव मुठीत घेऊन एका कोपर्यात सरकून बसले होते. मांजर सारखं येऊन त्यांना नखं मारायचं. आता मला तो सारा खेळ गोड न वाटता भयाण वाटू लागला.

आपल्या मरणाला आपल्या इतक्या जवळ पाहून त्या येव्धुषा उंदरांना कसे वाटले असेल हे माझा मनात आले. शेवटी प्रत्येकाला आपला जीव प्रिया असतो मग तो छोटासा उंदीर असो किव्वा विचार करू शकणारा माणूस असो. आपण इतक्या वेळ त्या मांजराचा हा क्रूर खेळ एन्जोय करत होतो हि गोष्ट माझा मनाला टोचायला लागली. एक क्षणभर विचार करून मी त्या मांजराला तिकडून पळवून लावले. मला खूप वाटत होतं कि आपण त्या दुकानदाराला सांगूयात कि त्या उंदरांना कुठे तरी दूर सोडून द्या. त्या मांजराला ते खायला देऊ नका. पण मुळातच दुकानदाराला त्रासदायक आणि उपद्रव ठरलेल्या प्राण्यांची मदत त्याने केली असती का? मी काहीचः न बोलता तिथून काढता पाय घेतला.

जाताना एकदा परत वळून पाहिलं - खात्री केली कि मला गोंडस वाटणारा आणि उंदरांसाठी भक्षक ठरणारं मांजर परत तर आलं नाही न. मांजर कुठेच नवतं. पण ते परत येणार हे नक्की होतं. उंदीर मात्र तसेच भेदरलेल्या अवस्थेत एका कोपर्यात बसून होते. त्याच रस्त्यावरून अर्ध्या तासाने परत जाताना मी पिंजर्या कडे पाहणे टाळले. कुठेतरी अपयाश्ची अणि गिल्ट ची  भावना होती आणि भीती हि. दुकानदाराने जर ते उंदीर स्वताहून मांजराला खायला दिले असतील तर.....मी माझा मार्ग पकडला.

माझा मनाच्या पिंजर्याच्या एका कोपर्यात मात्र कुठले तरी विचार दाटत होते.

After a lot of motivation from Bongs -I have finally mustered up the courage to write in Marathi - my mother tongue and this is my maiden attempt at it. I hope I will do better with every new post. This one is dedicated to one of the best Marathi Bloggers Ever - Bongs! :-)

P.S. By the way it is also part of my "achievable" New Year Resolutions 2012 to pen my expressions in different languages.

Carcasses

2012-01-04T21:48:00.001-08:00

Carcasses of dead dreams of love lay gathering dust

In the obsolete corner of your mind where you put them to rust

Once in while they come to life but to survive ignoring them is must

- By Me

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T11:19:00.000-08:00

The New year skies celebrate shimmery night

Stars and fireworks both sparkle and alight

Oblivious to all, rejoicing in the mirth of moonlight are dancing fire-flies

- By Me

i-Meme!

2011-12-19T22:05:00.000-08:00

i am: stronger than I thought.
i think: Everyone deserves to live life on their own terms
i know: I am blessed with a rock solid will power and a well developed emotional immune system
i want: to plant a few more trees in my garden and get myself a pet
i have: the best parents and brother in this world
i wish: life was not such a difficult task master after all
i hate: the fickle emotion of love and being underestimated
i miss: …………………..
i fear: being judged wrongly
i feel: the pain and happiness of others
i hear: voices from the days gone by!
i smell: success in a work well done
i crave: direly to be liked, respected and accepted by all.
i search: to find the raison d’être of my life
i wonder: what would life be if I erased 2005-2009?
i regret: falling in love
i love: to hate love
i ache: for the loss that stole away my smile
i care: for my valuable people
…i always: loved you…you never believed me
i am not: the person someone portrayed me to be
i believe: in God, Karma, Hardwork and reasons to hate love
i dance: to relive myself of stress…it is my favorite stress buster
i sing: to myself…with my i-pod blaring Sandip Khare and Salil Kulkarni in my ears
i cry: not for everything but for a deserving cause
i don’t always: claim to be right and perfect, especially when I know I am wrong
i fight: very hard to prove my worth every single day in every single role that I play
i write: about my observations, experiences and a lot of technical stuff being the managing editor of two technical in-house magazines…
i win: not just when my work is appreciated but I feel rewarded when I get an opportunity to do more.
i lose: gracefully
i never: really got over someone.
i confuse: smooth talk with goodness
i listen: to my head and no longer to my heart
i can usually be found: working, writing, editing and reading
i am scared: of people who are scheming and heartless…they just CANNOT be trusted
i need: The French book Fleurs du mal by Charles Baudelaire. It is a composition of his best French poems.
i am happy about: the fact that life meets a full circle

Wander Lusting!

2011-10-31T04:07:00.000-07:00

I have packed my back-pack
With dreams and something more
It is time to embrace the world
And bid good bye to all….

Hop on the tube, sail with a ship
Or take a flight to some place beautiful and exotic
See what the other countries offer
And join in their jollification

How I wish to be ubiquitous
Travelling to distant lands to explore
Cultures, languages, heritage and places
That I have never seen before

My heart races to mystical lands
Dancing and rejoicing to the folklore
Fills me with an innate feeling so warm
With excitement and adventure galore

As I awake from my dreams of wander lusting
I decide it is finally high time
To end my apprehensions, widen the horizons
And make the world my rightful playground

So,

I have packed my back-pack
With dreams and something more
It is time to embrace the world
And bid good bye to all…

- By Me!

Colorful Butterfly!

2011-10-11T22:41:00.000-07:00

Date: Undated
Time: 03:00pm
Venue: Some Picnic SPot

Different moods of a Black Butterfly!!

2011-10-11T22:33:00.000-07:00

Date: 5th October, 2011
Time: 01:12 pm
Venue: Office Garden, Pune

Funny Shadows!

2011-10-11T22:30:00.000-07:00

Date: Undated
Time: 06:00pm
Venue: Some Ghat in Maharashtra

Kafka's dream!

2011-10-11T21:46:00.000-07:00

I dream of you Kafka,
I dream about your writings,
But I fear our story will have a Kafkaesque ending

- By Me!

Smiles

2011-10-11T21:45:00.002-07:00

Smiling faces
Stamped with happiness
Not an iota of sadness in sight

- By Me!

Memories

2011-10-11T21:45:00.001-07:00

A pull and a tug at my heart
Goodbyes in fading – whispering voices
Saline tears roll on the memories you left back...

- By Me!

Freedom

2011-10-11T21:44:00.001-07:00

Free-spirited Girl interrupted
With cloistered rigid thoughts
Yet smothered freedom fails to give up

- By Me!

Sunday Sunshine!

2011-10-11T03:28:00.000-07:00

Brutal sunshine
Filling my sleepy Sunday room
Vaporizing my lazy mornings into noon

- By me!

Beautiful!

2011-10-11T03:26:00.000-07:00

Butterflies are beautiful
Sweetness and much more
How does it matter if dead or alive?- By me!

Tribute to Jhumroo Singham!!

2011-08-24T22:11:00.000-07:00

You will be missed dear Jhumroo Singham!!

In your short life you have managed to touch our hearts and spread happiness in our lives!! We cherish the time spent with you as it brought joy to us!!

Even God couldn't resist the temptation of having you around him!!

For all your playful antics, heart-melting cuteness, vibrance, love and affection...we will miss you!!

May your soul rest in peace!!

Life’s big lesson in a Small scoop!! 9

2011-07-23T00:07:00.000-07:00

For US…the not so perfect people

“Bridget Jones, I like you just the way you are” , these words by Mark Darcy make the “imperfect to the boot” Bridget fall in love with him. (Book/Film adaptation: Bridget Jones Diary) But hold on, when it comes to social acceptance not everyone is as lucky as Bridget!!

Food For thought:
1. Have you been force-fed with the idea that you are borderline fat and you may cross it soon if you don’t spring into an “exercise action” right away?

2. Or you are probably just a liposuction, silicone implants, a nose job, a tummy tuck, a face lift, a hair weave, a teeth alignment, a dental veneer pasting- practically an entire body plastic surgery away from the Miss Universe title

3. Or unnecessary attention has been garnered by the fact that you earn probably far lesser than the fancy six figure salaries raked in by your contemporaries

4. Or maybe you have become a magnet for attracting public humiliation by eating your fill instead of nibbling at small tit-bits of food to display health conscious lady like appearance

5. Or you have to be dressed immaculately in a designer piece and something from the road is a carnal fashion crime.

6. Or defamed as the messiest person to walk this earth and that a porcupine cage is cleaner than your cupboard.

7. Or accused of suffering from practical dementia and questioned on the existence of your IQ because you prefer to read books instead of watching cricket

Most of us lesser perfect people might have been put into such a “spot” at some or the other point in time by people who are blessed with perfectness.

In my opinion, the most uncomfortable experience comes from the fact that others are not as comfortable as you are with yourself.

Peer Pressure to “CONFORM”A non-conformist (I choose to use this phrase than imperfect) is a person who stands by his own choices and lives life on his own terms not swayed or restricted by the “accepted norms” of social behavior.

We practically spend more than half of our lives judging others while the remaining we spend fretting on our imperfectness. Sometimes this self induced doubt of one’s own comfort forces him/her to be the person he/she unwillingly while other times non-conformists often ends up in depression. However, some imperfections like addictions, bad company and bad habits need to be changed for sure!!!

A few tips how to combat Imperfectness:

1. Ignorance is Bliss - This is the only way one can come to peace with one self. Just ignore the people who keeping seeing only whats bad in you and keep forgetting your good points.

2. First of all, we should stop comparing ourselves with the way others are and try to seek our own identity before complaining about what we lack.

3. Everyone has small special gifts of talent which one must explore before thinking there is no space for us to EXIST on this earth

4. The best part is find like minded people/forums who care less about how socially viable you are and value your true self – JUST THE WAY YOU ARE!!

Just be yourself….It’s fun!!!

Evening by the Lake!!

2011-05-25T22:03:00.000-07:00

Date: 22nd May, 2011
Time: 06:00pm
Venue: Venna Lake, Mahabaleshwar

My shade of Blue!

2011-05-25T22:02:00.000-07:00

Date: 22nd May, 2011
Time: 03:05 pm
Venue: Mapro Garden, Mahabaleshwar

Nature's Own Design

2011-05-25T21:57:00.000-07:00

Date: 22nd May, 2011
Time: 02:12 pm
Venue: Mapro Garden, Mahabaleshwar

The Universal Language

2011-05-05T04:36:00.000-07:00

Torn is a man from man by blinding walls barring concord
Distinguished by borders, distorted by races
Discriminated by the color of skin, religion and language

When terrorism strikes, the then dormant humanity awakens
The dead are treated only as “dead”, casualties claimed sadly by grave fanaticism
They are statistics - grieved over as a loss of the world and not just a nation

Why do we need terror to unite us, to remind us that we are all at par after all?
Why do we wait for the extremists to make us realize our collective force and strength?
Why is our united power consequential to the pent-up anger post terror attacks?

Why can’t our children be brought up with the dreams of a safe and united world?
All the countries together - the rich, the able, the developed, the developing, the pawn and the player
Recognizing and restoring just one common dialect – replacing the universal language of pain with peace forever

By Me!

You Know You Grew Up in India in the 90s When…

2011-04-23T03:21:00.001-07:00

You Know You Grew Up in India in the 90s When…
1) You know the words to ‘In-pin-safety-pin’ and ‘akkad-bakkad’ by heart
2) Cricket is almost a religion for you, and you idolize at least one of Rahul Dravid/Sachin Tendulkar/Saurav Ganguly
3) You have read at least some Chacha Chaudhary or Tinkle comics
4) You’ve watched Shaktimaan on TV at least once in your life. And you can immediately recognize the character when you see him.
5) You watched corny dubbed versions of Small Wonder, Silver Spoon, and I Dream of Jeanie
7) A visit to Pizza Hut used to mean a special treat
8) You have seen Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun at least 5 times each
9) You still remember the theme song of Hum Paanch. (Hum Paanch, Pam Pam Pam Paanch!)
10) You have played hours upon hour of running and catching, chor-police, lagori, saankli, ‘Doctor, doctor, help us!’, ‘Lock and key’
11) Dog ‘in’ the bone was your favorite co-ed game.
12) You collected trump cards of wrestlers, cricketers, and airplanes, and did not quite understand why your younger siblings were obsessed with Pokemon and the other Japanese trends that followed.
13) Your summer vacations were often synonymous with visiting your grandparents or cousins
14) Bole mere lips, I love uncle Chips!
15) You know the song ‘Made in India’ by Alisha Chinai
16) You have seen many many many episodes of ‘Antakshari’ on Zee TV and know the only thing constant in the show is Annu Kapoor.
17) You were the coolest thing in class if you had a computer in your house while it was still the 90s.
18) You couldn’t wait to start 4th standard so you could start writing with PENS instead of with pencils!
19) You often used terms and phrases like ‘two-say’, ‘same to you, back to you, with no returns’, and ‘shame shame, puppy shame, all the donkeys know your name.’
20) You most probably saw Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge at the cinema at least once. You also fantasized about singing songs in mustard fields as in the movie.
21) You have said ‘haw’ or ‘yuck’ when you saw people kissing in English movies. (nowadays kids are used to it!)
22) Titanic was your FIRST favourite english movie.
23) You thought seeing English movies and speaking English made you the coolest thing ever.
24) You remember the Gujarat earthquake very clearly and could possibly tell everyone EXACTLY what you were doing when the earthquake occurred (yes, this happened in 2001, January 26, 2001, to be exact — but this group is about the things that Indian kids that GREW UP in the 90s remember and identify with).
25) Barbies for girls, and GI Joes for boys were the ultimate status symbols. You just wanted more more more and more. And how can I forget Hot Wheels, for both boys and girls?
26) You thought ‘imported’ clothes were definitely way better than ‘made in India’ clothes (never mind that a lot of clothes brought from overseas by NRI relatives were actually made in India, before ‘Made in China’ started appearing on EVERY existing thing)
27) "Jungle Jungle Baat Chali Hai Pata Chala Hai! Chaddi Pehen Ke Phool Khila Hai Phool Khila Hai!" You watched "The Jungle Book" every Sunday morning at 9.a.m" and just loved mowgli, bhalu and bagheera. A few years later, you watched Disney Hour, which had cartoons like Aladdin, Gummy Bears, Tail Spin, Uncle Scrooge!
28) At some point or other, cool was your favourite, and therefore, most overused word.
29) You loved licking off the cream from the centre of Bourbon biscuits.
30) There were no Nike, Reebok, Adidas, Puma- Bata and Liberty was the way to go for your sports shoes.
31) You have probably consumed more Frooti in your lifetime than there is oil in Iraq.
32) You bought packets of potato chips for the specific purpose of collecting Tazos. And you had Tazos depicting everyone from Confucius to Daffy Duck to Daffy Duck dressed as Confucius.
33) For the longest time, the Maruti 800, the Premier Padmini, THE Fiat, and THE Ambassador were the only cars you saw on the road, and the Contessa was cool because it was bigger.
34) You would literally jump up in excitement if you ever chanced upon an imported car (Oh my gosh, is that really a MERCEDES?)!
35) You used to Fuzen gum. You also chewed Big (big) Babool and/or Boom Boom Boomer chewing gum. They were bright pink and disgusting tasting, but you loved them for the temporary tattoos.
36) Talking of temporary tattoos, you sometimes had contests with your classmates about who had more tattoos on their arm, leg, knee, hand, forehead, wherever.
37) You thought Mario and Contra were the coolest things ever invented, especially if you were a boy.
38) You knew that having the latest Hero or Atlas bicycle would make you the coolest kid on the block.
39) You can imitate Sushmita Sen’s winning gasp to perfection
40) You have, at some point of time, worn GAP clothes (real or fake) like SRK in KKHH.
46) Seemingly senseless acronyms like SRK, DDLJ, DTPH, KKHH actually make sense to you..
47) You have at some point debated who was more beautiful- Aishwarya or Sushmita.
48) You would watch WWF keenly every evening/afternoon and loved Bret Hart "Hitman"! really thought Undertaker had seven lives and he made an “actual” appearance in the Akshay Kumar- starrer Khiladiyon ka Khiladi.
49) You remember the Nirma girl.
50) You remember the ‘doodh doodh piyo glass full doodh’ ad and also the ‘laal kaala peela, gulabi hara neela classic hai badia bristles wala’ and 'roz khao ande' ads.
51) You grew up reading, if you read at all, some or all of Nancy Drews, Enid Blyton books, Hardy Boys, Babysitters Club, Animorphs, Goosebumps, Sweet Valley series, Judy Blumes, and Tintin, or Archie comics. Because naturally, reading foreign authors made you much cooler than reading Tinkle.
52) Towards the late 90s (1998-99) at least some of us started our Harry Potter obsessions!
53) You absolutely HAD to go to Essel World if you were with cousins! “Essel World mein rahoonga main, ghar nahin nahin jaaonga main!”
54) You watched the Bournvita Quiz contest on TV pretty religiously. The smarter ones amongst you actually took part in it and had your entire school and your entire extended families watch you on it!
55) Maggi 2 Minute Noodles = ultimate snack (and tiffin, lunch, dinner)!
56) If you grew up in the early 90s, you recall the nation’s obsession with Mahabharata on TV
57) In the later 90s, you religiously followed Hip Hip Hooray on Zee. Maybe Just Mohabbat on Sony too
58) You remember parzan dastur sayin "JALEBI!!!!" in the Dhara Ad
59) You eagerly awaited Friendship Day, so you could give friendship bands to all your friends, and get bands from them in return. Then, of course, those with the most bands loved to show them off.
60) Backstreet Boys' "Quit Playing Games" was one of the first english songs that you LOVED!
61) Andaz Apna Apna is and most probably will always be your favourite comedy flick!! "Aila Jhakaas!!!"
62) This list made you smile.

Miss that age, it was sooo awesome!

And I could relate to each n every one of them actually.. fortunate to do so.. 

Life is Like That! 1

2011-04-21T23:31:00.000-07:00

Last month was very eventful but I am mentioning two small yet consequential incidents that we could all learn a lesson or two from.

Lady at Saras Baug :
The other day, I was strolling in Saras baug with “A”. After having a long tiring day at work, the best way to unwind is to go to a soothing quiet place and just jabber away about sweet nothings. But evening time is also hunger time. So, as usual I had a feast in the garden while “A” kept a strict commitment with his diet. I had pink cotton candy and juicy cucumbers. One cannot leave Saras Baug without eating Mataki Bhel…So we hunted for a lady who would offer us Mataki Bhel custom-made to suit my requirements (Without farsan or shev and only with natural ingredients). She handed over my special Bhel to me and took a 20 Rs. Note from us which is the usual price of one Bhel. As we were walking away from her stall, she called me back and honestly returned 5 Rs. Since there was no farsan or Shev she did not prefer to charge us for the whole amount. I was touched by her honesty. For the last 2 years I have always asked my Bhel in the same fashion from several vendors in Pune city. But she was the only one who felt the need to charge us for the value that she offered. The 5 Rs that she returned voluntarily would have meant a lot to her considering the fact that she made ends meet by selling Bhel. I was amazed that such honest people still existed in this world.

Man at the Club:
We were planning for yet another evening outing and we decided to camp at “A’s” favorite club in town. We had been planning to go there for several days but had to postpone due to some pressing work or the other. So “A” was happy and so was I that we had finally made it to the club. We were seated on one of the sofas in the porch and were observing people around us. I am not used to such places so I was keenly absorbing the ambience of the club. I spotted an old man with a bunch of ladies. The man who might be in his early 70’s was clicking his fingers cacophonously and loudly to call the waiter. I was alarmed at such harsh display of authority. Even “A” disapproved the old man’s capitalistic gestures of calling the person. Even the waiter looked embarrassed and humiliated. I hope someone does offer the old man a few good words of wisdom and etiquette…or perhaps a simple lesson in humanity….

Flying Without Wings!

2011-04-21T23:27:00.000-07:00

26/11 and Beyond!!

2010-11-26T00:27:00.000-08:00

Today is 26/11. Two years back, this day time stood still!! We should remember all the heroes who sacrificed their lives for our safety! A salute to all the martyrs of the Terror attack! ! Attached is a photo of the Staircase at Taj which I took on 11th Nov, 2010. Taj stands tall and beautiful - completely unfazed by the terror attack!! As if amplifying the thought loud and clear - that "WE INDIANS" are not ready to be bulldozed by Terrorism! And together we will emerge even stronger every time!! This is the beauty of our Matrabhoomi!!!

About Me ????

2010-11-24T22:07:00.000-08:00

Trust me I have been struggling very hard for the last few months to compile the about me section of my blog, my facebook and my twitter accounts.

Every time I have scribed something, I have deleted it – thanks to “Not so satisfactorily” me.

I never had to struggle so much talking about myself than I have now! Everything seems like a distant figment of imagination! Leaving the pertinent question still very much unanswered and open for contemplation.

WHO AM I? DO I KNOW ME COMPLETELY?

In my odyssey years, I was addicted to participating in personality contests at intercollegiate level.

Often, one common question would be asked:

Describe yourself in one word.

My by-hearted answer used to be pronto :

VERSATILE – Coz I could dance, act, host shows, write good scripts, compile poems and manage events

Two days back someone out of the blue asked me the same question:

Describe yourself in one word.

Without re-visiting the memories of yester-years, the answer that I gave was so direct dilse that it left me surprised to a certain extent.

I said :

REBELLIOUS – Coz I am at war with myself!!

It’s strange how age and experience changes one and ones outlook!

I have learnt the most about myself and my chemistry with others only in the last 3 years of my life. These years have been very formative and constructive. They have practically driven me to the brink of a strong metamorphosis. – the changed person I am now.

I owe a lot of ME to these years.

A few years back I could easily compile an articulate and elaborate description of me– because I thought all those long sentences and fancy adjectives were me! But trust me they weren't.

Now I think there is still a lot of room left to re-explore myself and my depths. To challenge myself, to innovate and to grow!!

And, someday I will know myself well! I will be able to describe myself in the About me section – just the way I am and just the way I wanted it to be!

Moon from the eye of a 5 Mega Pixel camera!

2010-10-18T05:20:00.000-07:00

Date: Kojagiri Night
Time: 20:10 pm
Venue: Kojagiri Night in Saras Baug, Pune

Moon from the eye of a 5 Mega Pixel camera!

Mountains!

2010-09-28T05:20:00.000-07:00

Date: 24 September , 2010
Time: 13:56 pm
Venue: Trip to Sajjangad

Mountains!

God's Own Door!

2010-09-27T05:13:00.000-07:00

Date: 24 September , 2010
Time: 13:56 pm
Venue: Trip to Sajjangad

God's Own Door!

THANK YOU!

2010-09-06T06:16:00.000-07:00

This is a poem dedicated to all who have helped me to hold myself together in my “Not so good days”.

I just want to say a big
THANK YOU

For standing strong - through the arid desert of my testing times
When life was not calling my name
And with every breath – my beaten soul was drifting far away

For infusing life blood
When every ounce of energy had drained
In a longing that was never to be mine

For wiping my weary eyes
When the harmful sandstorms of blames
Brought tears to their dreamlessness

For keeping hope afloat
When every promise drowned in dismay
Killing me for innumerable times

For keeping the candle burning
When the sadness seemed to last for eternity
Even on long dark star-less nights

For bringing back my lost smile
When the meaning of happiness had altered
And I had forgotten the cheerier side of life

For helping me believe in myself
When for days I quit to be me
Because I was afraid of non-conformity

For making my days special
When I waited for all the occasions
Worthlessly for someone to come back

For talking to me tirelessly
When pain didn’t accord me sweet sleep of peace
And tore my dreams into a thousand splinters

For helping me regain the spring in my step
When I couldn’t stand on my own feet
Defeated and desolated by myself

For tracing back my extinct worth
When I was rendered worthless
Good for nothing by the one who was closest of all

For being my support system
When I needed someone to understand and appreciate me
And not judge me by my short-comings

For understanding my failure
When everyone pointed fingers
And did not bother to be considerate

For helping me recover
When I could not get over the mirage of my loss
And kept wandering in search of a respite

Really, thank you for this and everything else
But more importantly……

For Welcoming me back with open arms,
When I thought I had nowhere to go
And it took a while for me to realize that I had finally come back home….

- By Me!

Breaking Through!

2010-08-28T07:32:00.000-07:00

The Problem

Old eagle Frank flies with
drooped wings and withered might
Even the gentle touch of zephyr resonates
Sending ripples of pain throughout his body
He vens direly for his once zaftig body
Now a bundle of old bones and feathers
It is time to kowtow to the ruthless time
For he is at the fag end of forty erstwhile years

His claws no longer swiftly grip the fish from the pond
His failing eyesight cannot trace a frail snake or rat from a pinnacle
His carefree sky-bound high- altitude endeavours
Are now limited to a low flight for survival
Trapped in the squelching chains of old age
Tired of being hungry and sick
He decides he had enough of this ruthless mockery of life
And accedes to dive to his own death to put an end to this dismay

Survival of the fittest

He plunges from a cliff, his wings folded
Disconsolate about his wunderkind achievements
Just then he sees on the top of a tree
His old friend Raphael, looking young and happy
Relishing a fish fresh from a pond
There he sits with all his youthful charm
Out Frank stretches his wings and forces himself
To fly to his youthful friend perhaps too older than him

Asks he to the young looking eagle
How do you look so strong and juvenile?
Smiled Raphael, said my friend we are eagles after all
We live our lives in the same patterns for years
Hunting and surviving – exhausting our resources and means
And after completion of forty years, we get our youth back
You will have to toil hard, bear the pain for 90 long days – change everything that you are
And out shall come a new you – young and smart

Ideas for Action: Breaking Through

So Frank toiled hard for the next 90 days
He went to a remote place far up in the hills
He pulled out one claw a day and his feathers with his beak
Blood oozed out of his wounded body
He then allowed his new toes and plumage to grow back
Then he hit his beak on the rocks
Allowed it to break off and bore silently all its pain
Out grew a new beak in a matter of few days

Now, Frank is no longer an old eagle
Who grew tired of his old body and was plunging to his death
We are no eagles, we have no second lives
Yet like them, if we try really hard
We can break out of our old bad habits – and be a new person
It is not inscrutable – to work hard and break free from our comfort confines
To bring in new patterns of positive behaviour and conquer our erroneous zones
After all, it is all about making a decision and putting it into action

On a didactic note like Frank we can rejuvenate our existing lives
We can shed our apprehensions, prejudices and off beam behaviour
We can kill our habits that seek no congruence with the good human beings that we are
We can try to adjust and don a renewed “US” to survive
The world doesn’t see us the way we are, it sees us the way it wants to
So let go of your old behavioural patterns and embrace new progressive changes
Always remember it is never too late and difficult – Nothing is ever impossible
Because, even impossible says I M Possible

- By Me!

Happy Independence Day!!

2010-08-15T00:07:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day to All!!

This is a salute to all the people who sacrificied their lives so that we could breathe freely in Independent India today!! We should realise that with rights come inherent duties!! And we must shoulder our responsilibilites - and not write them off as someone elses problem!!

Magic Days!

2010-08-13T19:33:00.000-07:00

My Hostel dayzzzz - A true unity in diversity!!

When one stays away from home, he finds family in friends! And that's exactly what happened with me at my hostel! I miss my hostel and my hostel group! Its just been a month that I left them but I am missing them already! The two and half years that I spent with them were magic times!

All my girl pals - Aaji, Amruta, Pradnya, Shweta, Nikki, Nikita, Suprita, Supriya, Yogu and Pranita

I miss :
My bed by the window : Where the world looked different outside
Watching all the chick-flicks together!
Our official hostel Maskot " Masakali" cat who was always behind Pradnya's love birds.
Bed bugs here, there - everywhere
Sleepless nights due to bed bug havoc in Summers
Going out on Gandharva Bridge for Night walks
Having extra chilled kulfi on winter nights
Visiting temples with pals before their exams, interviews and engagements
Shopping with Girls at Tulsi Baug
Dancing on Mobile songs on weekend nights
Singing songs together - especially sad Gazals
Pajama parties
Group Study
Celebrating each others Birthday by cutting a cake at Midnight!
Looking after eachother when any one was sick
Listening to all my friends chattering about boy-friends
Consoling girls after boy friend tiffs
Cooking together - great Bhels, Pavbhajis and Pulavs
Just dressing up on weekends to have fun
Going to the same restaurants for Sundays when the girls didn't have their dabba
Taking Aajji on her medical check-ups
Dancing at the Dandiya-rass in the building
Taking each others bikes outside
Sundari our sweet dog
Guarding and planning for girls coming in late in the night
Eating non-veg food without telling Aaji
Having long sessions of horror stories late in the nights and then getting frightened even to go to the loo!
Sharing a nice warm cup of tea and coffee!
Attending my friends weddings and engagements!
Going on late night walks to Naturals!!
To pounce on all the khau that used to come from our homes!
We even had a break-up party!! : )
Having loads and loads of Maggie!
Not stepping down the bed when a rat used to enter the premises!
Applying all the tricks and acrobatic stunts to put on the TV - after Aaji had shut it off! And succeeding with teamwork!

The best part was we all came from different cities with different backgrounds! But we always brought the best of the worlds together! Everyone stayed together as a family without fighting with each other! We never interrupted - we always added value to each others lives! This was the place which gave me a lot of practical tutorials in valuable lessons of life - few of which were sharing, adjusting and just being there when one needed support the most!!

My hostel friends brought a lot of happiness to my life! I will always remember this time!

How I miss you girls! I miss our good ol' days!

My 200th Post!! Beautiful Lotus!

2010-08-11T07:42:00.000-07:00

Date: 7th August, 2010
Time: 12:45 pm
Venue: Out bound Team Building Training, Girivan, Pune

“We live only to discover beauty. All else is a form of waiting.”
- Kahlil Gibran

@ Home in Pune!!

2010-07-17T00:46:00.000-07:00

The other day, I was waiting at the bus stop for my bus early in the morning. It was pouring cats and dogs and like everyone else I was trying to combat the rain with the artillery of just one feeble umbrella. I saw a narrow stream of water by the road-side carrying a small sapling with the flow. I was observing the sapling which was now slowly strumming ahead with the current bearing the heavy pitter-patter of the gushing rain.

And, then suddenly I had a tiny EUREKA moment of my own - I realised that the sapling belonged somewhere else but it had been uprooted due to the pressure of heavy incessant outpour and was forced to shift from its place. It was now going to re-hold roots where it was going to find conducive conditions - a new place with ample water and sunshine to grow. A place which it can make its home. Yes a Home!

A few years back, I had also been uprooted from my Matrubhoomi(Mumbai) like the sapling due to certain reasons that are no longer valid. But staying back was a conscious decision. I did not find the reason to leave strong enough. I had always liked my Karmabhoomi (Pune). A city which gave me my career, my friends and my self worth. A city that I can rightly claim after 3 and half years of forgetting the names of the bridges and confusing them for each other - that I now know in and out of : ).

Pune has rightly acclimatised me to its pulse, pace, places, people and persona. When once I was lonely and lost it gave me a close knit social-circle of friends, family and extended family. Whats exciting is the fact that I have a home of my own here now. And it has only made things easier and better for me!

I owe a lot to Pune - Pune gave me a lot of things - one among it is a brand new life when I felt everything had ended and now it has blessed me with a home to call my own!! I love you Pune - Not by CIRCUMSTANCES but by CHOICE!!!

I like!

2010-06-29T07:41:00.000-07:00

I clicked this photo @ the Rangoli festival @ Chendani Koliwada - Diwali, 2009

This is a sentiment that is close to my heart.

Kolkata!

2010-06-29T06:35:00.000-07:00

I get to travel a lot because of my job profile. But this trip was different.

The plane is taking a longer time to land. It is going around in circles. Our captain has announced turbulence due to lightening. I am seeing scared faces around me. Our plane is 4th to land in a sequence and we have to kill time mid-air before the rest of them land. As the plane starts to descend, we loose sight of the foggy amorphous clouds. I peek from my little enclosed window on the wings to stare at the strange city we are descending on – Small houses, A Long River, Small Water Bodies, Huge Green Playgrounds. I smile! After 6 long hours of flight, starting from the West, touching base in the South and then finally flying to the East. Yes Finally. I disembark saying - Hello Kolkata!

Every bit of the city reeks with a flavor of culture, art and literature. It is the 150th Year of Tagore’s Birth. Every monument that you see is a testimony to the Colonial times. The architecture is so beautiful and stunning that it is as if the time has stood still. Some of the relics of revolution and freedom struggle still stand strong. The breeze on the banks of Ganges slowly hums in your ears and plays with the loose strands of your hair. One stands on the Banks of the calmly streaming Ganges and wonders how beautiful the river looks on the backdrop of the setting sun- as if the sun has burst into several shards of sparkling pieces that now afloat on the river. The Howrah stands tall and looks misty on a cold rainy evening. As if challenging the existence of new bridge.

Small canopies float on the steadily drifting water, carrying people from one shore to the other. The quintessential Boat men clad in their Dhotis and red Gamchas push the boat off the jetty with a rover and embark on a pleasant journey. The water is pale blue, similar to the color of the skies. You start wondering if at a distant point - the Ganges meets the sky mixing the hues of clouds in the river. In the night time the lights are aglow in the whole city making it look even more resplendent.

Transportation here is easy and cheap. I used to wonder where all the Ambassador cars went from India. I have my answer now! All the yellow taxis in Kolkata are yellow Ambassadors. I had heard about trams but never seen them as they were discarded in Mumbai long before my birth in 1983. I was both amazed and amused with a child like alacrity when I saw trams carrying people around. Reminded me of sequences from Full house shot in Florida. Like Ahmedabad you find the green and yellow CNG auto rickshaws. Then there are also human rickshaws but as an outsider you don’t opt for those. You can easily make out the dialect as it is very similar to Hindi and Marathi pronunciations. Just a lot of “O’S” are added. Like SONDESH and RASHOGULLAS. Beautiful Bengali sarees and cotton kurtis are the things to shop for.

Here the Policemen are clad in White uniforms. Traffic seems to be congested due to narrow roads but the air around is fresh. Several small man-made ponds catch your eye. It reminds me fairly of my own city Thane. The staple food here being pond fish and rice, they are reared in these ponds. The puchkas are very much “like“ panipuris but still very “different” from them. The nightlife is not much active here. But the food joints are superb especially the China Town. You should also try biriyanis, mustard fish preparations, ellesh, prawns and other fish curries. One cannot really claim to have visited Kolkata if he doesn’t have the exquisite sweet preparations like all types of Sondesh, Phirni, Abhar Khabo, Mishti Dohi etc. Nothing tastes better than a Cha in small earthen pots on a rainy evening.

The people in Kolkata are as sweet as their delicacies. They love to show you around the city. The Maa Kali temple, Victoria House,Museum, Howrah Bridge and New Bridge etc as very beautiful places. A tour in the buggi makes the ride even more thrilling. Kolkata has a massive football following and you can see the city is clearly geared for the current football season. There are large expansive grounds where young “Ronaldinos" are enjoying their football in rains.

My work here is done…The plane is leaving Kolkata ground. I wave away to this very Celestial City in my own country. I will cherish you in my thoughts Kolkata – I promise as I take off for home!!

I would like to quote few lines from Tagore’s Gitanjali that spell out my KOLKATA EXPERIENCE the best!!

I have had my invitation to this world's festival, and thus my life has been blessed. My eyes have seen and my ears have heard.

It was my part at this feast to play upon my instrument, and I have done all I could.

Now, I ask, has the time come at last when I may go in and see thy face and offer thee my silent salutation?
- Rabindranath Tagore

Tribute!!

2010-06-12T03:11:00.000-07:00

Limaye Kaku!

For the last few days I was seeing Manu all alone of the road. Manu is this cute little black dog in my lane!! If he was down, it was implied that Limaye kaku had to be sitting at her patent seat of the steps of the verandah of her Wada. About one and half year back, I chanced upon Manu and was playing with him. That is when a very soft hearted and sweet lady came forward to claim his ownership. Spotting our common interest in dogs, we started chattering about why “Manu” was such an adorable dog.

We used to meet every day in the evening when I used to return from my office. She used to stop me and we would engage in silly banter about everything under the sun. She had told me how lonely she had become after her husband passed away a few months back and that Manu was like her own son. She spoke about all the Marathi soaps, the new cotton sarees she got from the nearest shop and told me strange yet interesting stories of the tenants she had. I would sit there beside her for hours and patiently listen to everything whatever she had to talk. She used to laugh a lot. It used to amaze me- her jest for living and the way she was determined to get over her adversity!!

She always invited me to have dinner with her and to see her home. I never went. I just kept postponing it as I was always in a hurry to rush back and fix a meal or study. I regret it now! She had introduced me to her children. On a Diwali Day I had introduced my Dad to her. She was a very nice lady. She always called me and spoke to me whenever I used to walk with my headphones in my ears completely unaware about everything around me. She was atleast 30 years older to me. But I liked her and she liked me. Our bonding had been mutual.

So when I switched job and didn’t take the same lane, I missed meeting her and talking to her. The other day I was looking for her. But I only spotted a lonely Manu all by himself on the street. It was a while that I had seen her. I decided to check on her. So I asked the Chemist who knew her well. He said she passed away about 2 months back. I was sad and shell- shocked. He said she had got hurt in her leg and being a diabetes patient she got gangrene- slipped into Coma and passed away. I remember her telling me that she had hurt her leg. But I never knew that it would claim her life in future.

The whole point is – I would have liked to know her better. I didn't even know what her first name was. But indeed she was a very charming lady who was acclimatizing herself to her lonely life. But with a very brave smile on her face.

There are some people who are not connected to you- They are not your relatives, they are not your friends- they are just people whom you meet! But they touch your lives. More importantly they give a tug to your heart!! Limaye Kaku was a very special lady. I have been on an amazing journey since the last 2 years and have met all kinds of people. Limaye Kaku was someone I will never forget!! For all the love and happiness she brought to people around her- May her soul rest in peace!!! You will be missed, Limaye Kaku!!

Innovation!!

2010-05-29T03:43:00.000-07:00

Cast away on the wings of dreams and detritus

Fly afar to a place not beaten, a place completely new

And between this journey – to a destination novel and back

Give a thought to- what was gained and what was lost

Two trodden steps towards your regular mundane thoughts

Revert with three callous de-tours on en-riching creativity

And there you land, back to where you started

The flight of your musing shattered even before it took off

Guarded in the rich isolated ivory tower

Locked away is the jaded prisoner of innovation

Who awaits there silently to be set free

By the bravura of your out-of-box imagination

- By Me!

Impact of Creativity and Innovation Workshop - 22nd May, 2010

Memorabilia

2010-05-16T06:49:00.000-07:00

I stand in front of the mirror
Look at me,
Not a hint of who I was years ago
Smile, should I or just shrug the idea of change

Am here but am not
somewhere in your thoughts always lost
A lot of "Why" raise a personal hell
And then I remember the sweetness of your smell

However hard have I tired
to forget you and our footfalls
I will never love anyone ever again......
Coz I can't think of getting over your pain......

I cacoon myself from the world outside
Bracing my soul tightly inside
Like a candle dwindling in the aggressive wind
I put up a fight for my "me" to survive

Every heart beat cries your name..
I am suppose to hate you ain't I?
In the exact same way you hate me..
But look, how miserably I fail every time

You failed to forgive and I fail to forget
Living in today but not letting go of yesterday!!
Love is a strange word
And so is all the memorabilia attached with it

By Me!

Venue: Lakadi Pool, Pune
7 Pm
23rd May, 2010

Survivors!

2010-04-12T01:01:00.000-07:00

Its wonderful.....how humans react when jolted in a sudden adverse spot. I think there is something that directs 200% energy to their mind and the will to survive takes over like a rapid action force!! The end result is hardcore surviors - who are better equipped to face the future!!

Obeservation : Someone I know - Making everything out of nothing

Anthropology By Dan Rhodes

2010-03-27T01:09:00.000-07:00

My “Timoleon Vietta” experience made Dan Rhodes win hands down when I was selecting My choice among the hundreds on Books in the Literature Category of British Library Pune. As the name suggests the book is all about people and their behavior.

The book is a compilation of several short stories in fact shortest stories I have ever come across. Each story is woven meticulously in not more than 25 lines. Every story speaks volumes about complex human relations in minimal description. The author looks at each story from a third person point of view! You are left mesmerised by each experience!

Absolutely reader friendly, great Book!

Not So Mundane Conversations! 3

2010-02-21T22:38:00.000-08:00

When I annouced on my google Buzz about my New flat in Pune, "NOW AM OFFCIALY A PUNEKAR" I got the following replies from My friends!! This is really really interesting Stuff! Enjoy!!

Saurabh Bongale - अभिनंदन Feb 15

Ketaki Joshi - DANKE :) Feb 15

deepti sane - hey congrats.......PUNEKAR !!Feb 15

Ketaki Joshi - thnks di! howz u babes ? Feb 16

Niyant Lohakare - congrates. V happy to hear dis g8 news.Party time.Feb 16

Milind Naphade - Party!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats :-DFeb 16

Aakash Gupte - Lateshtt news > Ketaki's trying hard on her nasal tone!!

Aani tine ek painter pan bolavlay > jo puneri patya paint karun deil!! :))Feb 17

Aakash Gupte - pahili paati > AAMHI JOSHI ASLO, TARI AMHI KOBRA NAHI.....AANI
JATIYAVADA LA AMCHA AAJIBAT PATHIMBA NAHI.Feb 17

Aakash Gupte - Ketaki Joshi - DANKE :)15 Feb :O aaila germann!Feb

Saurabh Bongale - lolllaaa.... fattyang pati hai....
दुसरी पाटी >> आम्ही मुंबईचे पुणेकर आहोत. किमान शब्दात कमाल अपमान करणे आम्हास शक्य नाही. बोलण्यापेक्षा कृतीवर आम्ही जास्त भर देतो. सरळ कानफाड फोडण्यात येईल.Feb 18

Milind Naphade - lolamm Feb 18

Aakash Gupte - hahaha!!Feb 18

Prathamesh Bhamburkar - aaga ho kite vela... saangnar?Feb 18

Aakash Gupte - aaja bhai, ketaki chya gharchya patya design karaychya aahet!Feb 18

Prathamesh Bhamburkar - bas bas....
full sadashivpethi khass puneri patya..Feb 18

Saurabh Bongale - तिसरी पाटी >> हि खानावळ नाही, घर आहे... जेवणाचे पैसे स्विकारले जाणार नाहीत...Feb 18

Prathamesh Bhamburkar - lol....
4) AAmhi electricity cha bill bharto, bell wajvu nahi...Feb 18

Aakash Gupte - waah saurabh > tu tar maze mess chi paise vachavless!! aani aplya barobar guest pan astat!! kay prof.?Feb 18

Prathamesh Bhamburkar - bas ka bhai...
ata kadki janar.....Feb 18

Saurabh Bongale - aare mag kay... hakkane jaycha... bharpur kha kha khaycha...Feb 18

Prathamesh Bhamburkar - hmm ghar aaplach ahe...

ketaki kahi aplyala hakalnar nahi te changli guni mulgi ahe..
lolFeb 18

Aakash Gupte - apan tya flat chya khalli pan- thela lau! aani parking madhe carrom club!Feb 18

Prathamesh Bhamburkar - lol...

ketaki's carrom club..Feb 18

Saurabh Bongale - ५) हे घर आहे मंदिर नाही, तरी चपला बाहेरच काढुन प्रवेशावे...Feb 18

Aakash Gupte - 6) nighte-weli apan jya coach-a-war basla hota, tya warchya acchadanachya churghalya mitvun jaava!

- Hukumavarun!Feb 18

Prathamesh Bhamburkar - 7) Krupaya aat yenacha aadhi parvangi kadahavi..
aakash aathavtay ka?Feb 18

Aakash Gupte - aarey ho na
aarey banglyachya baher dara war pati > parvangi shivay aat yeu naye.....chya mari > fataka-war chadhun >jor joraat haaqa marun > parvangi ghyaychi system asavi! kimman baher aatla phone number tari dyaycha. "Hello saheb, mi aat yeu ka?"Feb 18

Prathamesh Bhamburkar - nahi re yeud sabhyapana nasto karaicha...
saral ek dagad fekun khidki che kaach todun mag parvangi kadahaiche...
mag aapan aat nahi jaicha re tech baher yeil...Feb 18

Saurabh Bongale - hahahaahahaa.... aare pan ghusaycha bindass... tikde konachi parvanagi ghyaychi he thodich mention kela asta? sangaycha yenarya janarya konala tari vicharun ghuslo... :P Feb 18

Prathamesh Bhamburkar - are hoo ke he lakshatach ala nahi...
lai bhari..Feb 18

Prathamesh Bhamburkar - barazala sangitlas nahitar ugach tod-phod zali asti...
lol...Feb 18

Saurabh Bongale - युक्तिपेक्षा शक्ति श्रेष्ठFeb 18

Saurabh Bongale - chukla chukla...Feb 18

Aakash Gupte - aarey kautukachi goshta mhanje > te ghar kuthe bhugaon chya javal hota....aani te pan tekadavarchya rastyawar! tyachya aslya parvangi sathi ugach salyane swatahla badvun ghetla asta. chonga sala Feb 18

Saurabh Bongale - chonga............ haaaaaaaaaahahahahahaha kay bhari shivi aahe...Feb 18

Prathamesh Bhamburkar - abe he shivi nahi...Feb 18

Saurabh Bongale - loll... padavi aahe ka???Feb 18

Prathamesh Bhamburkar - hmmm.Feb 18

Prathamesh Bhamburkar - he padvi fakta bavlat, shamlu.....etc lokannach bahal keli jate...Feb 18

Saurabh Bongale - :O lolzzz.... jaoode... aapla patya rangvaycha udyog maage padla hya nadat... chala patapata patya rangava...Feb 18

Aakash Gupte - my zoo-zoo baghat baslelo!! aata jau dya na ghari, ata vajle ki bara!Feb 18

43 more commentsAakash Gupte - 8. Ho, Tumchi Sakhar sampli asnaar na! Amchya kade sugar free chya golya aahet. 8.50 rs la ek goli, krupaya sutte paise dene!Feb 18

Saurabh Bongale - lolzzzzFeb 18

Saurabh Bongale - ९) पाट्या वाचायला आवडत नसतील किंवा वाचून कंटाळला असाल, तर बाजूच्या खोलीत जाऊन फळ्यावर काय लिहलय ते वाचा.Feb 18

Gairrrrrrrrrrr! My View!

2010-02-21T21:34:00.000-08:00

I am actually under cover these days. Hiding away in some secret place...Absconding from where I belong..A few people are searching for me to take my case left and right...

Well well don't be afraid it just that my buddies are searching for me. After all I have sinned.....after listening to a emotion laded dilse speech of mine about watching marathi cinema and feeling proud of it...we had all settled down to watch Gair at City Pride Satara on a lazy afternoon a few days back. Little did I know that we were going to be exposed to continuous torture for 2 hours 30 minutes.

If you have too much of a black money and want convert it to white. I have got a hit formula. Try getting the best of stars from regional industry, take a roughly matured plot, put in lots of money on sets, clothes, songs etc and then make and distribute a film as dumb as Gair!

Trust me, If I am to re-write Chetan Bhagat's Three Mistakes of my life- GAIR would definitely qualify to be one of the mistakes. I truly regret myself and coaxing 5 other people along with me to pay for this mindless endeavour!

The film opens at two homicides and then shifts on to an award ceremony where our hero Sandip Kulkarni of Dombivli Fast Fame tries to copy Saif ALi Khan in his mannerisms, looks & styles and fails miserabaly.

Ila Bhate & Amruta Khanwilkar present a fairly good performance!! Others are all new-bies! The songs seem to jabardasti added in the film!! And it is better to see for yourself all the faltoo choreography that has gone in it! Infact me and my groupies got up and clapped when a song and dance sequence shot on Sandip and Amruta got over! It was our sarcastic way of registering criticism!! Come on Amruta you can do better than this! And where is the feisty Sandip that we saw in Dombivli Fast???

The story does not evolve and by the end of the film You are either looking at your watch for it to end or are cursing your stars for choosing such a " Below Average" film to splurge your hard earned money on!!

Can some one tell me why is the promotional hoarding still put on a hill in Katraj ??? The film is long gone!! It reminds me of my folly everytime I pass that area!!

My Verdict- One Star for this half-baked, full bakwas film!! This one is for you Amruta!

English just KICKED THE BUCKET! 2

2010-02-21T05:34:00.000-08:00

On public demand I am updating yet another carnal sin committed by us while speaking English!

Keep your ears open especially for this one as it completely changes the complete meaning of the sentence!

The victim- the word " De-Stressing"
Which means removing the stress or unwinding the stress!!

While some people pronounce it as dis-stressing which means great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering; affliction; trouble or a state of extreme necessity or misfortune!

Its high time that we correct this mistake! It can land us in a Major Soup! Say for example you tell your Boss," If it was not for your distressing( You actually want to say de-stressing) Company the picnic wouldn't have been fun at all".

Just imagine your wrong pronouncing or writing of the word de-stress can prove to be a matter of great distress for you!! hehehe

My advice don't commit this gaffe at all costs!!

Not My day!! 20th Feb, 2010

2010-02-20T06:01:00.000-08:00

I wish this day would get deleted out of My life!

It will hurt forever from now on!!

Valentines Day!!!

2010-02-14T05:06:00.000-08:00

................................!!

HB!!

2010-02-13T05:10:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to u!!!
..................................................

My Day!! 14th Jan, 2010

2010-01-14T05:13:00.000-08:00

Today was my day!! Yeah yeah! After a long-time My day finally arrived!!

1) I got to host a full-fledged corporate function for 6 hours in front of 60 International dignitaries from about 20 countries!! The script was also scripted by me!! I don't know I think Hosting shows in my poison of choice!! I love it!! Its like a new improved Ketaki takes over when it comes to Public Speaking!! Thanks to my superiors who trusted me with this responsibility! And thank you God for providing me this Amazing opportunity within the first 15 days of my joining! And yeas,also for my clean fumble-free performance! It was highly appreciated! : )

2)A Speech script that I wrote for some one got selected!! yipppeee!

3) I bagged the first trophy in office for dance @ the Bollywood Dance Nite!!

Am soo happy Diary, I can't explain!!! I hope I can get many such opportunities!!!

New Year Party! 2010

2010-01-03T04:22:00.000-08:00

New Year Party of 2009!
Last New Year me and Amruta made Bhel for all our hostel mates.And all of us pounced on it as if we had been hungry for years all together. It was a very sombre, quiet and full filling kind of a new year celebration. All of the chutkus and Aaji in my hostel enjoyed a lot!

Platinum New Year Party @ Bhamburkar's Place! 31st Dec, 2009 - 1st Jan, 2010

Key Highlights-
This years New year party was Platinum rated! I really thank Professor, Aaditi, Mihir, Aakash, Deepti, Milya and Sheetal for the rocking party that we had at Professor's place! Can't forget how we all gyrated to bollywood songs and all the fun that we had! The party was especially rocking because of the great food and drink arrangements! ; )

Can't believe Aakash and Prathamesh had to make their way to Tulsi Baug(probably for the first and last time in their lives) to buy all the cutlery and glasses! I have to mention the special pains that they took while selecting the measurement glass! : )

The party was also responsible for according nicks that will not be forgotten ever!!
Like Rocket Sane!! and Jet Apte!!!

Thanks Milya for dropping me home in freezing cold!! And yeah if it was not for you I would not have reached on time for my "first day" @ my "new office".

Ok and a special thanks to me for controlling my yawns or atleast hiding them from my new colleagues for a whole 8.30 hours !!! Ghosh I was exhausted from the party!!

And how can I forget the guest appearance that Bongs made for the party in principle if not in person!!

2010 has begun with the most smashing party ever! Hope this year rocks for all of us!!

New Year Time!!!

2009-12-30T11:29:00.000-08:00

2009 has literally flown past! Its the end of December already and we are on the onset of 2010!!

Its New Year time once again...and I am left with a lot of mixed feelings- New years leave me both excited and scared.

New year is more like an annual stock taking!! Time to measure the Profit and Loss accounts and settle the discrepancies in the balancesheet!!!

Definitely there is happiness of a fresh beginning and anxiety about but more importanttly there is a lot of positive anticipation from the comming year!

2010, I have a lot of expectations from you dear, Don't let me down......!

Return to Innocence!

2009-12-29T10:21:00.000-08:00

Children..aren't they the sweetest things!! No matter what state of mind you are in - they always manage to bring back a smile to your face!! Just try doing this!! Have you ever seen children lined up parallel to the railway line..happily waving back to the ignorant passengers of the passing trains!! For once - let go of all inhibitions of how people will judge you and wave back at them....with a simple smile if not over the top alacrity. And see the magic!! Their moon like faces brighten up with this momentary happiness of receiving a positive response to their mirthful anticipation. They keep waving back at you, till your train speeds away farther than their vision can capture!! I am not able to word the way this feels...its a pleasant feeling to make them happy in the most simplest form...like there is a complete different meaning to life other than the infinite materialistic ones we keep chasing about!!!

Tags!

2009-12-26T07:46:00.000-08:00

I came across this very interesting tag on Anand's Blog! So filled in the details! Bongs, Aakya and Deeps you too fill in the details! It will be a fun-read!

1.Where is your cell phone?
Meticulously put on the Mobile Stand! See it 2 Believe it!

2.Your hair?
Used to be ruffled and gave an "out of the bed look"! Strangely they are completely manageable now! : )

3.Your mother?
The only person who loves me unconditionally!

4.Your father?
My Pillar of Strength!

5.Your favorite food?
Anything made by Mom as I hardly get homemade food made by her! I have to eat what I cook usvally!! : )

6.Your dream last night?
I don't dream anymore! Dreams just make people more impractical.

7.Your favorite drink?
H2O Neat on the rocks!!! What were u thinking???? ; )

8.Your goal?
To prove myself!!

9.What room are you in?
Definitely the one which has a lot of sunshine and ventilation! Any Guesses which one???

10.Your hobby?
Blogging!!!! I love it!

11.Your fear?
Being Judged wrongly!

12.Where do you want to be in 6 years?
hmmmmmmm! Now lets c how that one works!

13.Where were you last night?
Chatting away with friends @ Home - the best place on earth

14.Something that you aren’t?
Perfect!!!

15.Muffins?
Yes I am all "Gimme" for them - If they are made of Sugar Free!
On an after-thought its such a sweet name for a cat or even your object of affection!!!hahahaha

16.Wish list item?
A flat of my own and a car!

17.Where did you grow up?
Hogwarts

18.Last thing you did?
Just made some Chapattis!

19.What are you wearing?
Blue Tee and a pair of old Jeans!

20.Your TV?
Is sitting in the warehouse of some shop gathering dust!! As I Don't Have one yet!

21.Your pets?
Don't have any right now! Aishwarya and Sundari are two strays who are very cute and friendly dogs!

22.Friends?
My Lifeline!! They keep me on the move!!!

23.Your life?
A Roller-coaster ride!
Plain till 2007 - Bumpy after that!

24.Your mood?
On a H3
Holiday Happy High!!!! : )

25.Missing someone?
..................................!!!!!!!

26.Vehicle?
Kinetic ZX!

27.Something you’re not wearing?
My Specs!

28.Your favorite store?
Wills Lifestyle!

29.When was the last time you laughed?
Today afternoon while watching 3-idiots @ R-MALL, Mulund! Had a blast!

30.Last time you cried?
Don't want to remember as Tears only make you more and more weak! But yes it was a worthless effort for a person who did not care!

31.Your best friend?
My Lil Bro! Bhauama!

32.One place that you go to over and over?
Parvati, Pune. I am gripped with a dejavoo feeling every time!

33.One person who emails me regularly?
Bongs!

34.Favorite place to eat?
La Dolche Vita, Pune!

I like!!!

2009-12-19T10:25:00.000-08:00

Fireflies in the Garden

Here come real stars to fill the upper skies,
And here on earth come emulating flies,
That though they never equal stars in size,
(And they were never really stars at heart)
Achieve at times a very star-like start.
Only, of course, they can't sustain the part.

- By Robert Frost

Bicycle Riding in Pune!

2009-12-15T22:15:00.000-08:00

A few days back, I tried picking back one of my ardent hobbies which I had abandoned in My Odyssey years- Cycling! Since Aakash and YD were going on a long bike ride! I tagged along with them. I borrowed YD's cousin's ladies bicycle and on a chilly December Tuesday evening we were all jet set to hit the rough roads. So we decided our route which was going to be down from Sadashiv Peth-FC Road-E-square flyover-University road. I had only practised a little the previous evening on Karve road and was a bit apprehensive about the evening traffic on all these jam-packed bottle necked roads. Anyways it was my first time and I decided to take the risk. Of course I was finding it difficult to keep pace with these guys as they were very fast and experienced. I had to pedal my way faster to keep up with them. The seat of my bicycle was very low and I was finding it problematic to pull the cycle on upward slopes. Infact I had to get down on Garware Bridge! But some how I managed to ride down all the way ahead of E-square but then my legs which were not used to all this exercise gave up. So I turned back and returned mid-way! But though exhausting it was an exhilarating experience. And a quiet fulfilling one @ that. I think I need to go on more such bike rides which will make me used to ridding. The most difficult part was facing hell while driving thru full traffic at 6 pm. I wish we could go on a plain green pollution free road someday, probably on the outskirts of the city. Aakash had a bike problem so he turned back mid-way while I guess YD was the only person to reach the decided spot. Albeit a bit taxing, it was too good an experience! I think one must keep giving a shot at such different strokes to keep up the excitement in our mundane life!! Thanks Aakash and YD! Can't wait for the next round of Bicycle riding!

Life's Big Lesson in a Small Scoop! 10

2009-12-15T09:31:00.000-08:00

I am updating this section after a loooooooong gap! It was not that lessons weren't learnt in this span! Infact there were many! Its just that not all of them were drafted here!

Abb padh likh kar kiska bhala hua hai?????

I have a habit (You can call it a bad one) of uttering hackneyed dialogues and making fun of the highly cliched sentiments that our Hindi Cinema evokes @ times - rather ignorantly. One of my favourite one is to babel fish in a typical auntie like monotonous style, " Abb padh likh kar kiska bhala hua hai ?"(Read:Who has benefited out of Education anyways?).

Yesterday I had my Eureka Moment! As me and my hostel mates gathered for our regular late night "girl talks". And our regular bhanksss about films began. I began to utter the same dialogue. And I stopped mid-way. Rather my rational brain forced me to press the STOP button immediately.

"Padh Likh kar Kiska Bhala hua hai ?" My brain re-read, scanned and comprehended the dialogue. The answer came pronto: Mera aur Sabka. This was even more applicable in terms of women. I gulped my curiosity @ that moment and let it lie low for later contemplation. After everyone descended to their slumber the internal ratification began. I am 26 years old. Am independent!(yeah I can finally say that) Inspite of a crash I have landed to the safety of my own feet. Bruised but certainly not broken! And a major portion of the terra-firma beneath my trembling feet(apart from my loved ones) has been provided by no one else but my education.

There are girls in my hostel who have practically come from remote villages in Maharashtra. Some of them can hardly afford a metro-lifestyle. They prefer to walk their way around instead of spending Rs. 3 everyday on the "comfort" of overcrowded PMT Buses. They want to educate themselves and the world around them. They are taking pains of working part time and educating themselves because they understand that in a society that is ruled by the influence of ever-altering political, social and economical scenarios, it is education that will be their backbone.

Education today has stood firmly with many ladies who have absolutely no support in this world. With education comes financial Independence and it further reckons freedom to take individual decisions responsibility.

Just imagine the spate of us Indian women if we were born in an earlier time frame where situation was not conducive for women education. The vicious circle of poverty - early marriage - illiteracy - dependency - destitution would have continued. The anti-women literacy antagonists would have ruled the world and our atrocities as a second sex would have multiplied. Or for that matter even if we were born in a third world country that was not pro-women education and liberation, each day would have been so difficult to live.

I think we Indian women should really be grateful to the doyens of women education like Anandi Bai Joshi, Mahatma Phule & Maharshi Karve etc. It is only because of the relentless efforts of these people that many Indian women are Educated, Independent and Earning a living for themselves today!

What has education provided me??? The answer is simple! EMPOWERMENT- to stare the world in the eye, keep pace with it and challenge it!!!!

I got my answer!
I will never repeat that dialogue again!
I swear!
: )

English just KICKED THE BUCKET! 1

2009-12-10T21:39:00.000-08:00

English dies a sad death everyday..And very brutally @ that!
And guess what, we kill it~
Here is one instance how..

The victim- the word " Functional"

According to Merriam Websters dictionary:
Main Entry: func·tion·al
Pronunciation: \ˈfəŋ(k)-shnəl, -shən-əl\
Function: adjective
performing or able to perform a regular function
—func·tion·al·ly \-ē\ adverb ctional psychosis>—compare organic 1b

I have atleast heard 25 people at isolated instances using the world wrongly, in a totally different parlance colloquially!

They say- This dress is casual but I prefer functional dresses for special occasions.
or
This is a functional clutch- for everyday purposes I have another one.

1.e. the word functional is surmised as "related to function or special occasion"
when actually it means a regular function(activity).

It is high time that we correct this gross culpable linguistic gaffe immediately!

Yeah!

2009-12-10T21:31:00.000-08:00

It rains in the land of creativity and the ensuing " Thinker's drought" ends....

Sleepless in Shaniwar Peth!!!

2009-10-16T11:41:00.000-07:00

What among the following factors contribute the most to you turning into an insomaniac due to sleepless nights ?

1. Bed Bugs
2. Painful Breakup
3. Coffee
4. Nostalgic dreams
5. Exams
6. Work Load

My Observation:
All of them are equal partners in the crime....Just not in that order..hehehehehe

I like!

2009-10-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

Where the mind is without fear and the head held high; Where knowledge is free; Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls; Where words come out from the depth of truth; Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection; Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit; Where the mind is led forward by Thee into ever-widening thought and action; Into that heaven of freedom,my Father, let my country awake.

.......Rabindranath Tagore

हिम्मत करने वालों की हार नहीं होती।

2009-10-16T10:44:00.000-07:00

Indeed a very beautiful poem that I came across Today by late Mr. Harivansha Rai Bacchan. The last para holds a very special place in my heart!! It inspires......

लहरों से डरकर नौका पार नहीं होती
हिम्मत करने वालों की हार नहीं होती।

नन्ही चींटी जब दाना लेकर चलती है,
चढ़ती दीवारों पर सौ बार फिसलती है,
मन का विश्वास रगों में साहस भरता है,
चढ़कर गिरना,गिरकर चढ़ना न अखरता है,
आखिर उसकी मेहनत बेकार नहीं होती ,
कोशिश करने वालों की हार नहीं होती।

डुबकियां सिंधु में गोताखोर लगाता है,
जा-जाकर खाली हाथ लौट आता है,
मिलते न सहेज के मोती पानी में,
बहता दूना उत्साह इसी हैरानी में,
मुठ्ठी उसकी खाली हर बार नहीं होती,
हिम्मत करने वालों की हार नहीं होती।

असफलता एक चुनौती है स्वीकार करो,
क्या कमी रह गयी,देखो और सुधार करो,
जब तक न सफल हो नींद चैन को त्यागो तुम,
संघर्षों का मैदान छोड़ मत भागो तुम,
कुछ किये बिना ही जय-जयकार नहीं होती,
हिम्मत करने वालों की हार नहीं होती।

-------- Harivansh Rai Bachchan

Not So Mundane Dialogues! 2

2009-10-05T05:38:00.000-07:00

Sheer CREATIVE NONSENSE DIATRIBE as discussed by baba bongs and me
on Sep 26 on gmail chat!

Me: hehehe
ani gf wagre
kon navi britneyla bye kelas ka?
ata kon gathliyes

Saurabh: britney kon...???

Me: britney bongale

Saurabh: hehe britney spears.... ticha marathi madhe surname... britney bhalerao asel
lolzzz
:D

Me: hahaha. BRITNEY SAURABH BONGALE

Saurabh: lol

Me: HEHEHEHE

Saurabh: britney bongale... porancha naav... britania bongale
lolzzz
aareeeeeeeeeeeee
:O
:-s
lol

Me: HAHAHA
awadla
naav mala

Saurabh: :D

mag loka mala british bongale pan mhantil

Me: hahaha
masta ahe
tu kalwaycha mulga
california la
gelas
naav kadhlas
british bongale

Saurabh: lolzzz
to ek dialog aahe mahitiye ka...
anand bombay to goa jake don bann gaya
tasach...
kalva ka koli kali jake british bongs bann gaya
Sent at 1:47 PM on Saturday

Me: hehehhe

mastach

Saurabh: :D

Me: hahaha
apan picture banvoo tujhawer

Saurabh: ha...
ekdam...
aare megh...
story dokyat aali pan...
kalvyachya khadi var ek choti hodi
tya hodid ek nakhva...
typical koli costume madhe...
to me...
mag kalva khadi madhe tufaan yenar... 26 julya cha paoos...

Me: hahahaha
ho
ani tu beshusddha

Saurabh: ti hodi samudrat janar

Me: paadtos

Saurabh: me behosh

Saurabh: nantar hosh madhe yenar tevha samor swatantrada devi cha putla
statue of liberty

Me: hahahah ?? Wah kya Doka hai tumhara dost.

Saurabh: :)
mala samajnar nahi...
me valhat valhat US madhe entry karnar...
mag tikde mala pirates milnar...
aani te hamla karnar... pan

Me: Mag Kahani Mai twist......tula immigration wale pakadtil

Saurabh: nahi nahi....
aik tar story

Me: kay

Saurabh: me marathi manus... aapan warrior...
me tya pirates cha mitha jahaj... budavnar...
majya chotya hodi tun me tyanchyavar jaala taknar...
tya jahajat mala hostage milnar
llolzzz
hahaha

Me: bara sang...bolo bolo tell tell

Saurabh: tila pirates chya tavditun me vachavnar...

Me: ho

Saurabh: ti immegration sagla handle karel... green card milnar mala lagech

Me: ani mag bush kaka

Sauarbh: ticha naav britney thevu

Me: tujha shall wa shrifal satkar karnar
pan towar

Saurabh: ho...

Me: aliens hamala karnar

Sauarbh: aani mag kolyachi lungi aani laal topi jaoon tya jaagi suit boot aani hat yenar

Me: ho
pan aliens cha kay

Sauarbh: ha aanu tyanna pan...
te kasa honar...
ki maja satkar mhanun te mala cali cha ek lake bakshis denar
me tikde panyat ek palm beach type motha hotel bandhanar
maja swatacha 5 * cruse asnar
tikde panyatun armagaddon sarkha koni tari ailen yenar
pan majhi heroin ji aahe na...
tichyakade super natural powers asnar...
mermaid sarkhi ti masa hou shakel...
mag tichya mdatine me tya alien la haravnar....
aani asha prakare me aani majhi heroin jagala vachavnar....
aani mag sagli kade aanandi aanand
happy ending mhanun bongs britney chi family.... lovelyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
movi hittt hai bhaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy
house fulll
wht say...

Me: arrey wah
mastach
spielberg la vikuyat ka story

Sauarbh: aani mag.... achanak... punha ek jordar tufaan yenar...
me punha kuthe tari vahat janar...
mag saglyanche dole ughadnar....
aani kalvyachya khadi madhlya chotyashya hodit... tyach kolyanchya dress madhe me asnar...
:)
wah wah...
subhan allah.... excellent story baap....
Me: arrey wah
mastach
tussi gr8 ho

Saurabh: :D
blog lihi hyacha...
hahaha...

Me: haha
tahamb hi akkhi
story blog wer takte

Sauarbh: ha taak...
:)
Saurabh: tu pahili audience hya movi chi.. first critic...

Me: Sure.....

My AHA Moment!!!

2009-10-05T05:26:00.000-07:00

The Ultimate Dilemma:

A few days back I was facing a deadly internal battle. A slew of open-ended questions were circulating round and round in my brains--- both cortex and amicdala J
Should I or should I not?
Will I be able to recreate the magic?
Will I be able to pull this off?
Will I be able to live upto the expectations of people who have entrusted me with this responsibility?
What if I cannot make it?
It has been eons since I felt the fire in my face?
Should I take my chances or just chicken out?
It has been 6 years since I last held the MIC in my hands?

After all, it was an opportunity in itself to become a Master of the Ceremony at an Official Function.

So I said yes……..

A little bit of background:

These exact kind of questions gripped my mind back in July 2001. I was selected for our College K.J. Somaiya Arts and Commerce’s Cultural Forum- Literary Department after appearing for the written test and 3 Interviews with the CF Panel, Vice-principal and Principal.

I was given the job of hosting the inauguration function. I had never done this before. It was a maiden attempt.

I remember the first time I went on stage I was gripped by a jumbled feeling. There was happiness of facing the challenge and there were butterflies of a lot of “ifs” and “buts” hovering in my stomach. I remember standing there looking the audience in their eye with a smile. Assuring myself that I can do it and then beginning to host the function.

But I somehow knew that I was cut for stage. So I took up the challenge head-on. And after that for 3 consecutive years I hosted more than 10 programmes in front of a crowd over 700 people.

Present Day Situation: Continued

I said yes but there were a lot of things that needed to be contemplated. It was different to host a programme in front of 700 cherubic youngsters who looked forward for all the fun and hosting a show in front on your employers and guests was a different ball game all together.

I was going to host a full-fledged corporate function which was going to be graced by national and international dignitaries and an audience of a whopping 200 people. And I had less than 2 days to prepare. There was heavy performance pressure and I didn’t want to blow my chances at this opportunity.

OMG!!!!!!

I saw my quote calendar- It read “ There would be nothing to be frightened of if you refuse to be afraid”

And I assured to myself- What the heck – I can’t keep on brooding – I need to start practicing the one lettered Golden rule “PREPARE”
So then began a tedious phase of scripting, rehearsing and re-rehearsing AGAIN!

Thanks to all my friends who patiently gave me a keen ear, their precious time and genuine feedback & helped me in practicing the act!!!

And then the D-day arrived:

There I was all dressed up appropriately very much looking my part….hoping that I would speak my part fluently as well.

Familiar Feeling:

Do you know the feeling when you suddenly find something you lost years ago. And you find it in exact intact position. That’s what I felt! Once I went on the stage, faced my fears, coaxed myself in giving my 200% I could sense the positive energy that filled me.

Revelation: I found out that no matter how the circumstances change for an individual, his/her innate positive talents and traits never completely vanish. They remain, waiting to be re-explored!

Of course I went with the flow and did put up my fumble-free, confident, expressive best performance! More than the abundant appreciation I received from my peers I think what was best was that it gave a facelift to my sagging self-worth.
The feeling: Absolute Sense of Achievement in its Simplest Form.

I remember my personality Coach Ritika Ramtri Mam telling us: “You cannot grow until you challenge yourself” back in May this year.
I know she was right. I experienced it. I guess it works wonders!

Finding @-NIL!

2009-10-05T05:10:00.000-07:00

Last weekend when I was home, my mom made me clean some of my old books and papers! It was a different feeling rummaging through my old homework in pink ball pen, doodles, receipts of library for over-due books, speeches, scripts of my dramas, small poems, tit-bits about sweet nothings, messages written to friends during lectures, study time-tables which were never followed, sheets full of paper games like love percentage, x and o, bricks etc. It was fun going through all the memories of my pre-graduate years. On one of the sheets I found a Phone Number with Anil M written beside it. Hmm Anil Mukundan! My College Buddy! Anil was one year senior to me! I had been trying to find Anil on the Social Networking sites but couldn’t. I was super-elated to find his number. I just prayed that it would be still in a working condition.

Circa 2001 -2003
I, Anil and Rupesh were inseparable pals in our college days. We shared a great wavelength. We participated in dance, dramas and all the social activities together. We hung out at each others houses after college and went for movies etc. I was in first year, Anil was in second year and Rupesh was in third year. Anil though very tall and heavy would give any lean dancer a run for his money. He danced with high voltage energy levels. Anil used to call me his little guinea pig. As he studied Psychology he needed constant bakras to haul up and take to his HOD as subjects. I always became his bakri. I used to go with him as a subject in our college as well as Mumbai University, Kalina Campus for his Masters Degree. All his Psycho- Friends (read those who studied MA in Psychology) became my pals. We both had a very bad habit of breaking into long sporadic laughing spurts. He was my DAD in our serious college drama and we broke into giggles at nothing and would not stop soon. So much so that our Director had a tough time controlling us. One afternoon we both sat on a bench on Vidyavihar station and started talking in weird noises ( read in a voice that resembled the noise that comes when a record player gets stuck)so much so drawing the attention and curiosity of the by-standers. Anil had a vast female following and we even betted if he would become the rose king of the year!! We always addressed each other as Kaminey and Kamini!! All three of us used to go and sit at Nariman Point and talk about where we wanted to take our lives! Anil always wanted to go Mollywood to try his luck. But now he is a HR professional. I guess that still gives him a scope to try his acting skills. Hahaha. Except for Rupesh, I think none of us got what we wanted!!! But I guess it’s all a part of the game!! hehehe

Hurriedly I dialed his number and guess what it rang!!! Anil picked up and after doing a lot of TP I told him who I was. It had been 6 long years and life had changed its tracks. I could sense the happiness in his voice. He told me how even he had tried to get in touch with me. We jabbered for almost an hour about his shifting of house, his career with Citi Bank, his fiancé, his x-girlfriends, his family, myself etc. It was absolutely gr8 to get in touch with you @Nil- Hope we never loose touch now!!!!

It is so kewl to find a old friend again by a strange stroke of luck!!! : )

The Haunted Heart!

2009-10-05T04:44:00.000-07:00

Time is trying hard…Fading your worthless memories
Trying to heal my wounds perhaps…

But how will it delete the sorrow
That’s etched painfully on my heart?

For years it shall remain constant and depositing
Like a self-inflicted burden on the soul

Bringing to life with every moment of truth
The ghosts of yesterday from the Graves of our past………

-By Me

Emotional Baggage!

2009-09-07T06:39:00.000-07:00

Dust away the magnificence of your lost love
And the remainder shall take you by surprise
It will take some time before you decide
Was it really worth what it claimed after all?
Chunk by chunk, piece by piece depleting your life
Snap, brood and the fragility becomes even more conspicuous

There lies among other chaotic paraphernalia
Almost mortal inter-dependence
Broken shards of trust
Foot-trampled self-worth
Dead weeds of lust
Charred remains of loneliness

Among all that command their existence,
Lies the absolute absence of belongingness
All this unwanted excess baggage
Created, Circulated & Carried
for a painstakingly long distance
by the emotional fool called YOU

By Me!

My First Best Friend- Jacky!

2009-09-07T06:17:00.000-07:00

Friendship Sonnet

When to the session of sweet silent thought
I summon up remembrance of things past,
I sigh the lack of many a thing I sought,
And with old woes new wail my dear time's waste:
Then can I drown an eye, unused to flow,
For precious friends hid in death¹s dateless night,
And weep afresh love's long since cancelled woe,
And moan the expense of many a vanish¹d sight:
Then can I grieve at grievances foregone,
And heavily from woe to woe tell o'er
The sad account of fore-bemoaned moan,
Which I new pay as if not paid before.
But if the while I think on thee, dear friend,
All losses are restored and sorrows end.

by William Shakespeare

Circa 1988

The other day I was at home in Thane, my brother took me near the burial grounds where my very first best friend - Jacky was laid to rest. Can’t believe it has been 8 long years since he passed away. Every memory of his is fresh in my mind. Just 6 months after my Grandma passed away, Jacky left for heavenly abode on 21st Jan, 2002. I and my brother both have always missed him and have never treated him as gone because he just went away physically. We have always felt his presence in our rough times and in our happiness. It is practice that we follow my brother and I, we seek his blessings along with god because we know he is watching us. I have constantly addressed Jacky as a Him and not it. It is a deliberate attempt because Jacky was more like a Human than animal. And because the bond that we shared was that of two great friends.

I was 5 years old at that time- badly wanted to visit the loo and was tugging my Mom ( my nemesis of that time- my younger bro was still a lot smaller than the whopping 6ft 1inches he is now and only a few days old in this world ) to take me to the nearest place where I could relive myself..my grandparents house. My grandfather saw me approaching his house from his favorite swing in the balcony and waved at me excitedly to come up and said there was a surprise for me. I ran upstairs only to be baffled by the BOW WOW sounds coming from behind the door. As the door opened, I was thrilled to see this beautiful 5-6 month year old pup with killer looks, golden & white fur and eyes that spelt the color and warmth of golden- red embers.

Not that I was head-over heels in love with him in my first meeting. In fact we started off on a terrible note. He was a tad bit hostile towards me and was restrained with a chain around his neck. But I remember clearly I wanted to stay with him. I remember I was staring at him for a long time..and was reluctant to leave my newfound object of curiosity. I had clearly never seen a dog as beautiful as him and I still maintain my stance till this day. Being a cross breed, his mom hailing from a rich Alsatian family and his father a stray( Sounds like filmy love story) he had qualities that encompassed the best of both worlds. When it came to naming him….he was called JACKIE, a very common name for Dogs back in 1988(I knew atleast 2 other Jackie’s of those times). Everyday after school I used to go to my grandparents place, to find him barking hysterically at me as if not liking my presence at all.( He absolutely hated sharing my grandparent’s attention with me). Then slowly because of my interest in him and partly because of the delicious biscuits I gave him we became best of mates. I even remember emulating him by drinking milk like him from a plate. We were very close, because we both were growing up together. I remember at many times I shared with him my teenage sorrows with him and he staring in a distance out of the grill like a keen listener and even licking my face when I would cry. Even at a tender age I knew this was a bond that would last a lifetime.

Jacky and I loved to go on long walks together. I remember I could man him from a very early age and we would go together to run errands. In fact, I felt proud when I was along with him. People-kids-aunties used to stop on the road to admire his beauty. Jacky used to love kids- kids of all ages, when let loose in the park he would play with them but never bite anyone. I was the only one whom he had bitten 3 times. Entirely my fault, I agree because of my naughtiness I had pulled his whiskers or tail and had landed in trouble. But there was something about him, this aggressive friend of mine used to feel guilty for biting me. He used to lie low and refrain from food (even if it was his favorite non-veg) for 2-3 days and would come back wagging his tail to me with a look that said “ I AM SORRY. Now please forgive me and let’s have some delicious biscuits…..I am very hungry). I clearly remember his steel round biscuit box where his special biscuits lay. We would immediately burry the hatchet and be the best of pals that we were.

Once when I was about 9 years old and Jacky about 4, my grandma was giving me food in the kitchen when we heard a “Bachao Bhacao” sound coming from the Bedroom. We were surprised to hear a male voice as we were the only ones in the house at that time. We rushed to see what was wrong and saw Jacky pouncing on a man with a hammer in his hand near the main Shelf. We quickly assessed what had happened and called for help. The guy admitted that he was the building painter and had wandered in thru the balcony with an intention of robbing the house. He did not know that this home had a dog. And boy a ferocious one at that! I sometimes wonder what would have happened to us, if Jacky wasn’t there for our rescue that day. Jacky had all the human qualities an animal would ever have. Not only was he very loyal he was very possessive about his things. Though a very friendly dog Jacky hated strangers coming to my grandpa’s house and touching our stuff. He hated the cable guy even worse and tore his shirt once for touching our tv. Whenever our uncle used to hang us by our legs upside down playfully, Jacky would jump on him till the time we were let go. He absolutely adored us! Whenever we went on an outdoor picnic in my uncle’s car or bus he used to always sit beside me and put his head out of the window and peek outside. He loved feeling the breeze on his face. Whenever alerted “Ketaki has come” he used to go to the door and wait for me to arrive. He was a highly alert dog and hated staying alone at home. I remember my angry young friend had once torn all the newspapers in anguish because he was left alone.

Jacky was a very energetic dog and loved playing with rubber bushings from my Uncle’s cars rather than red rubber balls. He loved hunting Mice and helped my uncle in tracing them. Jacky used to kill the mice but he never ate them. Taking Jacky to a vet was an experience in itself. He would put up a tantrum or two during his vet visits and had to be muzzled. My brave friend used to cry at the sight of his vet and the big syringe of his vaccination. He would then be angry on us for taking him there and would lie low for a day before barking his way back to his ebullient original self. We would love to give him baths. But trust me he hated it. I still have the smell of his wet fur polished with clean and clear shampoo lingering in my nose. He used to look so vulnerable and dangerous both at the same time with his wet fur. Finally when he was all dry he used to look amazing and clean. I and my grandma used to take out the lice from his body (Which he would have imported form his stray frinds) and he would allow us to do that only on his terms. We had to show him the lice before putting them away. He used to smell it first and then allow us to throw it. Even if he had to puke, he was so considerate that he would go and do it only in the Balcony to spare my grandma the horror of cleaning it in the house. Jacky used to them go down and eat some grass to help him feel better.

Jacky was a typical male. He atleast had 5 girlfriends in our locality but his favorite was a black and white female stray. If Jacky went missing for more than a couple of hours we knew where to find him. J Infact many times I used to play with him, I used to give him a gender bender by getting him all dolled up by applying talcum powder, a small bindi on his forehead (Which this intelligent friend of mine used to remove with his paw) and he used to look so cute with it and a duppata draped around his head. I used to tie ribbons around his neck and tail and trust me he hated it. It is as if he always knew all this was meant for sissy dogs and he was a MAN. When indulged in fights he would bravely fight for his women and scorn at other fellows by gritting his molars and making fierce growling sounds. He used to get hurt but he never used to give up.

We practically grew up together- he saw me through my KG Years, Primary, secondary, high school and college days. My grandpa called me oneday to tell Jacky was very sick and old and he had gone down but was unable to climb up the stairs. Even my uncle and grandpa tried getting him up but could not. I was apprehensive of hurting him but slowly I picked him up and he climbed the stairs on his hind legs and waited in intervals. I was surprised how at ease he felt with me and was ready to come up with me because he felt I could be trusted.

Jacky passed away a few days after that. I was not with him at that time. I was away in college. This is something that I will regret all my life. My brother called me to tell me the fatal news. I was very disturbed. I had lost my soul mate. We had spent nearly 15 years of precious time together. He had been there for me in my every joy and sorrow. And now he was gone. But before going he instilled me with something very precious. He taught me to be compassionate for his kind. I learnt to love all animals. He was the one who increased my affinity towards animals. I came to know that animals are selfless-beings who love you back with unconditional love only because of him.

Jacky is the very reason behind my interest in helping out those who don’t have a voice!

Jacky is woven integrally in my childhood and adolescence memory. He was my first best friend….and he will always be remembered and his presence will always be cherished.

Jacky, I miss you direly dear……..

Circa Mid 1990's

Naive!

2009-09-07T05:56:00.000-07:00

Sweet, shy, coy smiles are deceptive
And so is the sound of intelligent silence
They will take your numbness for granted
For they will drill a hole in your scattered heart
And out shall ooze pangs of profound pain

Releasing anguish; much better in than out
There! Out gushes the mellifluous restrain
And rancorous words become swords of defense
Pugnacious sanctity goes to doldrums
Much guarded assertiveness transforms into a sin
Lack of peace breaks loose its maddening havoc….

And you stand all alone & cornered.
Far away from what according to them is “acceptable”
And the world fiercely stares at you
And laughs vociferously in your face
“This one!” they cruelly point out…..
“Must pay the price for being too Naïve all his life”

- By Me!

Heartfelt!

2009-08-16T06:48:00.000-07:00

The following song keeps on playing back to back in my MP3 player continuously these days. I love this song for some strange reason.It has been penned down by Kavi Grace and sung by Lata Mangeshkar. Its the flavour of the month for me. At times the kind of music one chooses determines the mood of the listener or rather elevates it. All I know is this song pulls some chords in my heart!! Call it some strange Music Therapy.......

Bhay ithle sampat nahi..." (kavi grace)
भय इथले संपत नाही...मज तुझी आठवण येते...
मी संध्याकाळी गातो...तू मला शिकविली गीते...
हे झरे चंद्र सजणांचे, ही धरती भगवी माया
झाडांशी निजलो आपण, झाडांत पुन्हा उगवाया
त्या वेळी नाजूक भोळ्या, वारयाला हसवून पळती
क्षितीजांचे तोरण घेऊन, दारावर आली भरती
तो बोल मंद हळवासा आयुष्य स्पर्शुनी गेला
सीतेच्या वनवासातील जणू राघव शेला
देऊळ पलिकडे तरीही, तुज ओंजळ फुटला खांब
थरथरत्या बुबूळापाशी, मी उरला सुरला थेंब
संध्येतील कमल फ़ुलासम, मी नटलो श्रृंगाराने
देहाच्या भवती रिंगण, घालती निळाईत राने
स्त्रोत्रात इंद्रिये अवघी, गुणगुणती दु:ख्ख कुणाचे
हे सरता संपत नाही, चांदणे तुझ्या स्मरणाचे
ते धुके अवेळी होते, की परतायची घाई
मेंदुतून ढळली माझ्या, निष्पर्ण तरुंची राई

My Birthday Cakes!!!

2009-08-15T02:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks a ton everyone for all your love and my favourite chocolate cakes!! : )

His Home!

2009-08-03T08:16:00.000-07:00

Date: 25th July, 2009
Time: 6:45 pm
Venue: Balgandharva Rangamandir Campus, Pune

Home, the spot of earth supremely blest, A dearer, sweeter spot than all the rest”
- Robert Montgomery

The Door to Happiness!

2009-08-03T08:06:00.000-07:00

Date: 29th July, 2009
Time: 6:45 pm
Venue: Ram Mandir,Tulsi Baug, Pune

When one door closes...keep yourself in senses......somewhere a new one opens up.......

Let The Celebrations Begin............

2009-08-03T07:03:00.000-07:00

Date: 29th July, 2009
Time: 5:40 pm
Venue: Tulsi Baug, Pune

Decking up the Gods.....Here the Tulsi Baug Ganpati Bappa getting ready for the hordes of crowds that come all over India to visit Him.....

Date: 29th July, 2009
Time: 6:05 pm
Venue: Tulsi Baug, Pune

Beautiful Gauris......

Date: 29th July, 2009
Time: 6:15 pm
Venue: Tulsi Baug, Pune

Lamps...Lights..Colors and Brightness....

Date: 31st July, 2009
Time: 5:45 pm
Venue: Narayan Peth, Pune

Charriot of the God.........

Date: 3rd August, 2009
Time: 6:00 pm
Venue: Omkareshwar Mandir, Pune

Girl Band Practising Dhol- Tashe For festivities.
This photo was taken by me after doing a lot of catastrophic stunts by jumping on a Parafit of the building against the temple and by the bridge. I guess the end result speaks volumes for itself...

I love!

2009-07-25T23:48:00.000-07:00

I grabbed this book on compilations of poems by Vikram Seth called "All you who sleep tonight" from the British Library, Pune. This is the title poem and one of my favourite poems ever. Whenever I read this poem it reminds me of the ordeal of people like me who stay far from their homes and on their own.

All You who Sleep Tonight

All you who sleep tonight
Far from the ones you love,
No hand to left or right
And emptiness above -

Know that you aren't alone
The whole world shares your tears,
Some for two nights or one,
And some for all their years.

- By Vikram Seth

Sepia Tone!

2009-07-25T22:51:00.000-07:00

We see the world in the colors of our convenience

No, not by an ethereal chance, more so by a deliberate choice……….

When we are happy, it seems to be all white and bright

And when sadness creeps in, it turns out to be black and dark

Nothing lasts forever, neither time nor situations

Yet we crave for it to be dazzling when in gloom

And spend half of our lives fearing the shadows when it is sunny

While we live and emote in a mechanical world where our perceptions

Are ruled ruthlessly by the despotism of the colors Black and White,

We miss out on the real intangible color of life...

An altering mosaic painted with the hue of bliss and melancholy,

……Cast in a two toned shade of an esoteric sepia grey!!!

........By Me!

The Mutant Jaswanda........

2009-07-19T08:19:00.000-07:00

Date: 19th July, 2009
Time: 12:45 pm
Venue: Shrinagri Campus,Talegaon

This was a huge Jaswanda flower....much bigger than the ones that we normally get...

Divorced!

2009-07-19T08:14:00.000-07:00

Date: 19th July, 2009
Time: 12:45 pm
Venue: Shrinagri Campus,Talegaon

So Near yet So Far.........

Color Me Red!

2009-07-19T08:11:00.000-07:00

Date: 19th July, 2009
Time: 11:54 am
Venue: Shrinagri Campus,Talegaon

The brightest of them all.....

Bouganvellieas!

2009-07-19T08:05:00.001-07:00

Date: 19th July, 2009
Time: 11:45 am
Venue: Shrinagri Campus,Talegaon

The beauty of Bouganvellieas.........

God of small beings!

2009-07-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

Date: 19th July, 2009
Time: 10:45 am
Venue: Shrinagri Campus,Talegaon

The resting place of an abandoned God........

Swaying Grass!!

2009-07-19T07:54:00.000-07:00

Time: 10:45 am
Venue: Shrinagri Campus,Talegaon
Date: 19th July, 2009

Luv, Luv kari pata.........

The beauty of small white grass flowers.........

Plush: Fresh shades of green!

2009-07-19T07:52:00.001-07:00

Date: 19th July, 2009
Time: 10:45 am
Venue: Shrinagri Campus,Talegaon

A color so vibrant....and so full of life

The Silence of the Gong!

2009-07-19T07:47:00.000-07:00

Date: 19th July, 2009
Time: 10:45 am
Venue: Shrinagri Campus,Talegaon

The Gong awaiting the call of time!

Mesmerised!

2009-07-19T07:43:00.000-07:00

Date: 19th July, 2009
Time: 10:45 am
Venue: Shrinagri Campus,Talegaon

Mesmerised: Curious Sun-rays peeping in through a tree!

The Forbidden fruit!

2009-07-19T07:39:00.000-07:00

Date: 19th July, 2009
Time: 10:50 am
Venue: Shrinagri Campus,Talegaon

This was a strange looking fruit but was compelling enough to increase my curiosity!

The Afterlife!

2009-07-19T07:32:00.000-07:00

Date: 19th July, 2009
Time: 10:45 am
Venue: Shrinagri Campus,Talegaon

Beautiful: In full bloom or without

Back To College!

2009-07-15T06:50:00.000-07:00

I am back to college after a sabatical of 3 looooong years(I completed my My Masters degree in 2006) and its definitely exciting to be a student again expecially of a reputed Institution like Symbiosis. Am looking forward for all the fun activities that await me. Of course that means a curb on my lovely liesure filled evenings, regular reading books will now be replaced with study materials, visists to friends and family will reduce drastically. I will have to practically juggle my personal, proffessional and educational life. But thats ok. Am ready to take this added responsibility head on!!!.....Am Soooooo Excited!!!!

: )

Is the Reason to Die Good Enough?

2009-07-15T06:08:00.000-07:00

The other day I was browsing thru some of my old School Photographs. Its been 10 long years since I left School. And I spotted a friend. She was a very talented singer and was so intelligent that the school expected her to bag a rank in the merit list. This however did not happen. We met again in XI when we studied at Karnavat Coaching Classes. This girl who was so talented, plunged to her death from her terrace just because she couldn't fare well in her CA Entrance when we were in our First Year B. Com. I am sure it was an impulsive decision. How can someone just give away their life for one trivial bad experience. What I learnt much later was many people are driven to the point of no return and take such random decisions every single day. This is one of My Poems in an effort to change the mind of at least One such person who is on the verge of self-destruction. Because even though life may not please us always but it is a precious gift. No pain or person is deserving enough to sacrifice ones life for. The poem is in 5 parts. Each part symbolizes a different thought process!

This one is dedicated to you my Late Friend! So Long.......

Is the Reason to Die Good Enough?

His Story: Failure
His grades topped him in the high school
And the burden of expectations grew
manifold on him after that…
His marks became the object of his family’s pride
His parent’s beaming ego went on a complete joy ride
But due to his negligence his grades plummeted
And when he flunked his engineering entrance
With dashed hope and the pain of failure being unbearable
He could not meet them but more importantly himself in the eye
And he felt it was a reason good enough for him to die
One morning without anybody’s notice
He plunged to his death from his family home
His home- the place where once his presence
was celebrated was now cast under a pall of gloom
His parents who were left less shocked and more ashamed
Will regret the pressure they put on him all their life
But what was the use to contemplate their actions now
Its better that they swallow their grief and heave a sigh!
For their doomed peer pressure
Spelt a reason good enough for him to die

Her Story: Heart Break
She had everything that could set the ball rolling…
Beauty, intelligence, confidence, education and all
She have had always so many people around her
Waiting to be-friend her for her kindness and charm
Her down to earth sweet demeanor left impressed one and all
She was a different person until she met him in that fall
He floored her with his compassion and swooned her with the beauty of his tall claims
He showed her pink dreams of love and laced them with golden promises of marriage
She drooled over her knight in shining armour
Thought he was the one to bail her out when she was a damsel in distress
Little did she know that he was the guy who would leave her happy heart in a wreck
And walk off to be a prince of someone new, to be with somebody else..
And this was a reason potent enough for her to die
She cried incessantly for she thought nothing worth living was left anymore
She wondered what a fool she was to believe someone
Who could easily breach her trust and forget her instantly like she never existed atall
Then she decided she was too innocent to survive in this cunning world
She sang of Juliet and drank a venomous drink to forever cease her pain
Her prince is happy with his life now….has his new princess in his tow
Her pain and suffering is dead and so is she!
For her ripped to shreds broken heart
accorded her a reason good enough to die

The aftermath

For Him: Coward
He is dead now…He will not return
He will have no opportunity to undo what’s done
He will not see the smile of his loved ones
He will not be a reason to be their pride
No…not any longer
He could have given his life a reprimanding of sort
He could have fared better the next time
Now there is no next time
No…Not any longer
His parents hide their tear-dried face
For every time someone stares at them
They say, these are the people who gave birth to a coward
Who cracked up for one fickle failure which was under his control
When he could have easily given himself another chance…but is it possible now
No…Not any longer

For Her: Futile
She is asleep, her slumber is beyond the recall of time
And she wont get up even if her prince comes by
What was it that she derived out of this reckless abandon of life
A proof of how true her love was or an evidence of sheer cowardice
She couldn’t bear living without someone
Someone whom she never understood that she was better off without
Why give up something as precious as ones life
For someone who doesn’t care even an ounce for it otherwise
If she had wallowed her pain and healed her heart
And lived to see a beautiful day……..
Her life wouldn’t have been a tragedy
but a story of will and strength..
She gave her life for him…
For someone who thought nothing more of it but “Futile”

The Thought: Escapism
Both He and She sought solace in the arms of death
When they could have done so much more…
Instead of turning a deaf ear to the call of life…
They thought these reasons were good enough to die
Because for them
Giving up was much easier than hanging on…………….

Life's Big Lesson in a Small Scoop! 9

2009-07-10T07:35:00.000-07:00

Elephant the Management Guru!

Date: 5th July, 2009
Time: 7:45 pm
Venue: Gokhale Road Naupada,Thane

Are you perplexed with the Tittle? Are you taxing your brains thinking about the connection between this Mammoth and Management? Allow me to explain.
I had always heard that Elephants are very intelligent animals. But have you ever seen an Elephant practising Management? This Elephant seems to have all the qualities of a Management Guru. I will tell you why!! : )
Foreword: It collected coins and notes on the tip of his trunk and would give it up to the Mahout only when a substantial amount was collected to avoid taking pains by raising his trunk consecutively again and again. This shows that the Elephant was a Smart Worker and not just a Hard Worker. But it got swayed when it saw someone giving him Bananas. He lost his focus, gave whatever coins he collected to the Mahout and continued to binge on the Bananas. One Man just pretended to give him something to eat but never gave it to the Elephant. The Elephant however gave all the coins to the Mahout.

Now what are the lessons that we learn from this Elephant.
1. Keep some cards in your hands, do not divulge all. You rule the roost till the time you are the sole party to whats IMPORTANT.
2. Be a smart worker and not just a hard worker. Gone are the days to slog. It is time to be proactive and plan strategic moves. Foresight, initiative, innovation, interpersonal skills and Plan B are the new found key words.
3. It is good to focus on something and treat it as significant but if a fruitful(literally in this case : ) opportunity comes along you may switch your streams to be part of the High Tide.
4. There are people who show us Gajjar( banana in this case hehe) but that might just be a facade and you might end up loosing out on what you had in your hands in the first place.
5. Every situation is different and it is necessary to contemplate the pros and cons of every action and act accordingly. One way of reacting might not necessarily fit the bill for all the circumstances. Your thought process needs to be fluid.

Isn't it weird but wonderful how people, places, animals and our surroundings have a lesson or two to teach. We just need to observe them closely and decode the hidden meanings and apply them in the due course of our lives.

New York! My View!

2009-07-05T11:22:00.001-07:00

Owing to the sheer scarcity of films due to the distributors strike over the last 2 months and due to a pressing urge to relieve our stressed sensory nerves (Translate: fu@#$d up brains) by indulging into some mindless melodrama, we forced ourselves to make a not so difficult choice (Read : Obvious) of choosing New York over Paying Guest. So on a relaxed lazy Sunday afternoon we (Me and my groupies) took our seats at E-square, Pune. Some what groggy eyed(due to the heavy lunch) and somewhat due to the dim lighting conditions along with the comfort(Aahhhh read AC, completely non-existent in my hostel). We were just stepping in the Cinema hall when we all got the same message from our dear friend Shreyans. Let me quote him in his very own sms vocab,”John is d terrorist n he dies along with Katrina.neil mukesh beign fbi undr cover agent. Neil tks care of john n katrina’s child in d end…NJOY D MUVIE NEWYORK” Yeah Shreyans thanks for being so pro-active to disclose the story to us already. What fools were we to spend our hard earned 150 bucks on Tickets we would have might as well heard the whole story for free from you. (Warning: Please stay put wherever you are coz we are going to tug you by your lapels and are going to take back every ounce of our hard-earned money. And yeah thanks once again for killing the suspense)
After a lot of cursing and swearing. We finally settled down to watch the movie. So the credits started rolling and we saw the most beautiful views of the sky scrappers in New York. As the film advanced you spot the gullible Omar targeted by the FBI under the pretext of a hoax terrorism charge. FBI’s game is to make Omar work as a under cover agent to breach the fool-proof plan of John Abraham who allegedly runs a terrorist sleeper cell in New-York. Then there is a 45 mins flash back of “ sweet as candy” good ol’ days. Where one spots the regular ingredients of Yash Raj banner – there is a lot of dosti And pyar, ishq aur mohabbat on the campus of the New York State University. Omar, Maya and Sameer played perfectly well by Niel, Katrina and John are college mates and are enjoying the crisp & beautiful years of University life. Then there is a love triangle thrown in. No prizes for guessing who's the object of admiration.NO! its not John we are past his Dostana days already. And boy we prefer it that way ; )

Ok. SO Omar successfully plants himself in the family with an underlying agenda only to prove the FBI otherwise. We are soon made to believe that Sameer is leading a very straight-laced life until a sudden and well executed twist reveals he is actually undertaking terrorist activities(Thanks to the forsaken SMS we were not surprised atall). So Omar plays accomplice even though has to shoot one of the traitors to prove his loyalty. FBI Agent Roshan played to the hilt by Irfan Khan has some interesting sequences in the film.

Katrina looks like the quintessential baby doll. Whats worth noticing apart from her beauty is the level of improvement that her language and expression shows. There are many close-ups in the films and very emotionally charged scenes but Ms. Kaif performs fairly good than her other films( See Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya to understand the progression in her acting skills by leaps and bounds : )It was also very cute to see her play mommy dearest. Omar continuously undergoes a battle for his purpose behind deceiving his friends. Especially after Sameer tells him about how he was imprisoned post the 9/11 on no strong proof for his involvement in the terrorist activity. The atrocities hat are rendered on these suspects are extremely grotesque and are completely heart-wrenching. This forms a background and gives the raison d’tre for Sameer’s inclination towards such hard arm tactics. At that moment the audience starts sympathizing with Sameer. Then there is an alternate track of Zilgae who Maya is trying to help legally and emotionally as a human rights activist. We also see him killing an NYPD officer because he practically molests Maya in an attempt to search her. Omar together with Maya try to get a commitment from the FBI for Sameer's imprisonment instead of killing him as he is planning to give up his mission. But as the end unfolds we find Sameer is going to Blow up the FBI building. Only after a long emotional diatribe we see the FBI killing both Sameer and Maya. And Omar looking after their son and forgiving Agent Roshan.

Flop Side:-

Niel and Katrina have different looks when they are in University and 7 years after. But our John seems to be looking the same.

Why does John put the Bombs outside the building? Doesn’t he know the windows are see through and people are watching him planting the bombs!! huh..

There is no indication that this is a suicide mission, then why is John on the top of the building with the remote that he actually intends to blow up?? Duh…

The musical score doesn't have much to add except for the latest radio chart buster”Junoon” ans "Mere Sang"

Flip side:

New-york is shot extremely well. And the landscape blooms beautifully in the cinematography.

The screenplay is good and fringes on the border of acceptable and believable.

The plot is tight and too the point and does not get over verbose and saggy

The best part is the film ends in 2 hours

I will definitely recommend it to be watched at least once. It's a good Masala Movie trying to highlight issues of grave importance like terrorism and human rights on the backdrop of the 9/11 tragedy and its aftermath!!

Notso Mundane Conversations! 1

2009-07-05T01:29:00.000-07:00

A few days back Milind N and Me had an enlightening or you can say lightening conversation on the serious issue of Swine Flu. Read it below.

Milind Naphade's SMS: Do you know the symptoms of Swine Flu plz tell me? I think I have got it.

My Reply: Yeah there are 3 Symptoms
1. You start hating pork for some strange reason
2. You start falling in love with the lil piggie "babe" from Babe in the City. And you get this non-curbable fetish to watch the movie again and again.
3. You start SMSing your friends frantically to know the symptoms of swine flu

Dost I think you are infected.

Milind Naphade's SMS: LOL.

I Like!

2009-06-29T07:05:00.000-07:00

Saurabh's Status on Gtalk reads the following

Tough Times Never Last....But Tough People Do...So Will I!

Way to Go!

The Happiness!

2009-06-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

I appreciate good things like

I never did before

And the smallest act of the kindness

In my heart is restored

The earlier you realise the better

Because forgiving is easier

forgetting is very difficult

-By Me!