a rushabhgandhi blog!

10 Illegal Baby Names

2011-12-27T09:57:00.000+05:30

Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 (Sweden)

No, we didn't fall asleep on the keyboard. That is an actual name a Swedishcouple tried to inflict on their son back in 1996. Apparently the name ispronounced 'Albin' (we're not sure how), and the parents chose it as a protestagainst Sweden's admittedly strict naming laws. Tax authorities must give theirblessing to both first and surnames before they can be used.

worlds without number

2011-12-19T11:45:00.001+05:30

"hundreds of open flowers

all come from the one branch.

look,

all their colors

appear in my garden.

i open the chattering gate,

and in the wind

i see

the spring sunlight.

already it has reached

worlds without number."

-Osho on Sekiso poem

"The quality of Zen poetry that has always to beremembered is that it is pictorial. Don't try to understand, try to see it.

Only Zen is different in every way. This poetry is not to beunderstood. It is not a question of intellect, it is a question of feeling, ofcreating with visualization, in your silence with closed eyes, the whole worldthat he is talking about: the flowers, you have to see them; the colors, youhave to see them.

And when you see the colors and the flowers and thechattering gate -- as you open it, it crackles -- and the sunrays enteringthrough the gate reaching to the flowers, you may smell the fragrance, you mayeven pluck a few flowers.

This is a very existential way of expression."

75th Birthday

2011-12-13T10:15:00.002+05:30

It was my baa's ( dadi, grandma) birthday on 12th December. I thought to make the 75th birthday a little interesting by having a family gathering at my place at night. Arranged for a cake, a simple Vanilla as she likes, called up uncle and called up aunty.

My dadaji happened to steal the show when he took out of his pocket - A DIAMOND STUDDED - GOLD PENDANT (read from Tanishq) for her.

It was a CUTE moment. Very Cute!

For baa, her birthday was not important, she loves to see her sons, daughter and their families together that makes her happy and smile on her face.

I knew that.

I wanted to see that smile again.

It was a good happy evening.

me.

2011-12-03T23:45:00.001+05:30

It always the choice you make.
Its hard for me.
I am afraid of me.
I am unsure of me.
Its not me.
It can be me.
It might become me.

But its a choice I make to me.

I want aliens in India

2011-12-01T14:31:00.001+05:30

You and I are a minority in this farmer country.
Accept that.

I want aliens to come to India.
Let them make us the majority and they play the intelligent minority

That's when we, the useless will understand what is happening !

Foreign Direct Investment and Call for Bharat Bandh

2011-12-01T12:04:00.001+05:30

Huge men in open jeeps with sticks, orange flags and spitting red on the roads, around 15-20 of them near Malhar Point rolling the shutters down of every shop in the vicinity.

Why?
Call for Bharat Bandh!

Ok, I agree Foreign Direct Investment in Retail is an issue which needs to be discussed and not just politically also seeing that the "Kirana'' stores and many others will close down which are in big numbers across the country.

You are trying to show your protest, your voice by closing down the shops..

Do that!

But educate people on why the shutdown, the protest is necessary.

Why is it necessary to oppose FDI in Retail? (read What's FDI in retail!)

Huge men with sticks and jeeps who forcibly make everyone close down their shops is definitely not the way.

It is harmful for the country with 70 percent illiterates, 20 percent educated illiterates and 10 percent who want to party thinking its a holiday!

If you want to know what the whole issue about FDI in Retail and the protest,

1. The Two Sides

2. Is it a threat?

3. Starbucks Coffee - You might crave for the amazing coffee which you drink and go back in an AC car to your AC bedroom but the country where water is not available! you got to think!

4. Why is it said it is necessary? ( unfortunately, forgets to mention about people who are not educated and dont even know how to write their names which makes 70 % of India.

Understand what you are protesting.

RePost

2011-12-01T08:33:00.001+05:30

I was searching for a blog I had written sometime back, stumbled on to this one by Anand. It was perfect and very helpful at that time.
Sharing again,

I am what you dream to be.!

My Sister's Keeper

2011-11-29T10:25:00.001+05:30

This movie will leave you speechless, maybe you will cry and smile at the same time, maybe you will lose your natural powerful instincts of judging and selecting between the right and the wrongs.

I don't want to review this movie because I can't, maybe someone who knows how to put in the emotions in words can. I am just going to share one or two moments from the many which I simply loved.

2. Elder sister who has a continuous cancer treatments going on looses all her hair because of the Chemo therapy. She refuses to go out of the house as she thinks she looks ugly and people always keep staring at her.
Her mom gets angry and forces her to come out of the house and be in sunshine and take small walks. She is continuously disagrees because she is not looking beautiful.
Her mom says, 'thats it' and goes to the other room and comes back bald headed and says now we both look alike. Lets go out for a walk now!

-think this, more.. watch this.. and trust me you will have tears in your eyes thinking about your own mother and the small sacrifices she keeps doing for us everyday! Every day!!

1. A couple has two children. A son and a daughter. Daughter is diagnosed with Leukemia at a very early age. They needed bone-marrow to make her survive, though it wont have been permanent. Doctor suggests to give birth to a new baby as the parents and brother's bone-marrows dont match. They give birth to a genetically engineered baby.

At the age of five she gives blood to her elder sister for the first time and by nine she gives bone marrow for the first time. Everything is good till she is 11 when she is supposed to give one of her kidneys to her ailing sister.

She goes to the lawyer, one of the best lawyers of the state and files a petition against her parents for using her body parts for her sister and to stop that, medical emancipation it is called. She doesnt want to do it because she will have to take care of herself for whole life and she cannot play soccer or dance or adventure sports.

- think this, a girl of 11 years files a petition to not give her kidney or any other body parts to her elder sister who might die against her parents!

running like a dog

2011-11-29T01:21:00.001+05:30

The dogs at night keep chasing the car, keep running after it with all its power and strength, barking and increasing the pace with the car, but as soon as the car halts or stops they dont know what to do next.
They're suddenly clueless!

Isnt like the life something similar to this situation which we usually call it as a 'boring sunday?'

empowered female! are you?

2011-11-23T21:48:00.001+05:30

In a very interesting conversation about women empowerment in the two different societies.

Talking about empowerment in a slum,
there was a woman who earned the living for the house but still her husband used to sexually abuse her, harass her and hurt her physically. She said she cannot leave him because at the end of the day he is her husband and she has to earn a living for her kids to get a good future for them.
You might say she needs to be strong, she needs to understand her rights, she needs to be empowered.
You are not wrong. You might not be completely true too.

Talking about empowerment in one of the most elite families of the city,
there was a woman who is a wife to billionaire and has lots of property on her name. On asking her to give away one of her properties for some good work she couldn't give an answer to it. She said she will have to ask her husband. The property is in her name. She is educated and sensible enough to take her decisions herself just like her husband, but her decisions are not independent. She is dependent for taking decisions of her own wealth.
You might say its a family decision or various other things. But even after being educated and aware enough to take her decisions she is not independent.

Are the females of these elite sections of society, need to empowered?
I think yes.

- This is out of a conversation from last week, the lady who brought around this question works for empowerment of more than 2500 women.
Empowering not just economically, but with values!

Interesting Schooling

2011-11-22T20:46:00.001+05:30

Children who have dropped out from government schools or are not going to schools at all come to this beautiful place spread on 39 acres of green cover, with more than 50,000 trees already planted and a lake with a vision of making this place self- sustainable.
It is the Xavier Centre For Migrant Workers, Waghodiya, Vadodara.

Along with the amazing 20 minute walk one of the spaces which captured my attention was the design of classroom. 150 children studying together under the same roof without any 'shor - gul' and most important without any partitions between two black boards.
They don't teach according to the age group, they teach according to the caliber. One of the reasons which I felt for not having partition was to make 14year old study alphabets with a 8 year old along with his friend of his age sitting next to him.
No inferiority complex and learning becomes fun!

It was also amazing to see girls learning Karate moves. Trust me, some of them had deadly moves! ;) (kidding)

Also the school promotes the NIOS model of education of Central Government which I personally recommend and believe to be one of the best education system in comparison with the current schooling.

Personally, I love and would prefer this form of schooling for children.

Mexican Rice! ;)

2011-11-22T20:41:00.001+05:30

While we had amazing delicious food at Seva Cafe, Ahmedabad there was a group of Mexican volunteers who played music. Don't know a word of it, but it was cheerful and lighted up smiles on so many faces there!

Coincidentally, we had Mexican rice on the menu for that day! ;)

Rumi Quotes

2011-11-17T14:11:00.001+05:30

the ones which made me think or with Rumi,

I might say- the ones which I came across...

- “Theminute I heard my first love story,

I started looking for you, notknowing
how blind thatwas.
Lovers don't finallymeet somewhere.
They're in each otherall along.”

-“When I am with you, we stay up allnight.

When you're not here, I can't go tosleep.
Praise God for thosetwo insomnias!
And the differencebetween them.”

- “The wound is the place wherethe Light enters you.”

-“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing

and rightdoing there is a field.
I'll meet youthere.

When the soul liesdown in that grass
the world is too fullto talk about.”

-“Forget safety.
Live where you fearto live.
Destroy yourreputation.
Be notorious.”

-“Lovers don't finally meet somewhere.They're in each other all along.”

-“Where there is ruin, there is hopefor a treasure.”

-“silence is the language of god,
all else is poortranslation.”

-“Start a huge, foolish project, likeNoah…it makes absolutely no difference what people think of you.”

-“Everything in the universe is withinyou. Ask all from yourself.”

-“Be like melting snow -- wash yourselfof yourself.”

-“When someone beats a rug,
the blows are notagainst the rug,
but against the dustin it.”

-“Wherever you are, and whatever youdo, be in love.”

-“When you feel a peaceful joy, that'swhen you are near truth.”

-“Raise your words, not voice. It israin that grows flowers, not thunder.”

Price Tag

2011-11-05T10:44:00.002+05:30

Such beautiful lyrics!
You have to read it and view the video too if you like..

lyrics

Seems likeeverybody's got a price

I wonderhow they sleep at night

When thesale comes first

And thetruth comes second

Just stop,for a minute and

Smile

Why iseverybody so serious?

Acting sodamn mysterious

You gotyour shades on your eyes

And yourheels so high

That youcan't even have a good time

Everybodylook to their left

Everybodylook to their right

Can youfeel that (yeah)

We'repaying with love tonight

It's notabout the money, money, money

We don'tneed your money, money, money

We justwanna make the world dance

Forgetabout the price tag

Ain'tabout the (uh) cha-ching cha-ching

Aint aboutthe (yeah) ba-bling ba-bling

Wanna makethe world dance

Forgetabout the price tag

(Okay)

We need totake it back in time

When musicmade us all unite

And itwasn't low blows and video hoes

Am I theonly one gettin'... tired?

Why iseverybody so obsessed?

Moneycan't buy us happiness

Can we allslow down and enjoy right now

Guaranteewe'll be feeling alright

Everybodylook to their left (to their left!)

Everybodylook to their right (to their right!)

Can youfeel that (yeah!)

We'repaying with love tonight

It's notabout the money, money, money

We don'tneed your money, money, money

We justwanna make the world dance

Forgetabout the price tag

Ain'tabout the (uh) cha-ching cha-ching

Wanna makethe world dance

Forgetabout the price tag

Yeah yeah

Well, keepthe price tag

And takethe cash back

Just giveme six strings and a half step

And youcan keep the cars

Leave methe garage

And all I..

Yes all Ineed are keys and guitars

And guesswhat, in 30 seconds I'm leaving to Mars

Yes weleaving across these undefeatable odds

It's likethis man, you can't put a price on the life

We do thisfor the love so we fight and sacrifice everynight

So weain't gon' stumble and fall never

Waiting tosee, a sign of defeat uh uh

So we gonkeep everyone moving their feet

So bringback the beat and everybody sing

It's notabout...

It's notabout the money, money, money

We don'tneed your money, money, money

We justwanna make the world dance

Forgetabout the price tag

Ain'tabout the (uh) cha-ching cha-ching

Aint aboutthe (yeah) ba-bling ba-bling

Wanna makethe world dance

Forgetabout the price tag

It's notabout the money, money, money

We don'tneed your money, money, money

We justwanna make the world dance

Forgetabout the price tag

Ain'tabout the (fire!) cha-ching cha-ching

Aint aboutthe (woo!) ba-bling ba-bling

Wanna makethe world dance

Forgetabout the price tag

Yeah, yeah

Oo-oooh

Forgetabout the price tag, yeah.

-Thank you Richa for sharing! :)

Chhath Pooja

2011-11-01T20:17:00.001+05:30

Thanks to Rahul he showed me Bihar today. Fortunately dint have to travel much as Bihar came to Vasad.

Chhath Pooja, done specially by Biharis its a prayer to sun god, Suryaji to thank him for everything that he has given to live and sustain ourselves on earth. They keep fast for three days and come twice at the river bed for the rituals, that is today evening and tomorrow morning!

Interesting things which I noticed at the ritual was

-the offering which was made to sun god is carried by males and not females.

-there was an unusually large number of under 5 years of age - children there. Maybe some kind of community population drive.

- 99 percent of the females had lipsticks done in a way that you can see only lipstick on the face and nothing else.

- Biharis dont talk with other Biharis whom they dont know.

- More than 90 percent of the people probably dint know why they were doing it. Including the panditji of the temple.

- Commerce comes in everywhere. Chana chor garam, ice cream, cold coco, wafers, bhajiyas, coca cola could be seen there to create their share of garbage.

- Bidis and edible tobacco products had the largest consumption.

- VNM Tv and Divya Bhaskar photographers could be seen there.

- Fashion was defined differently here.

Know more about Chhath pooja from wikipedia!

High On Design II

2011-10-23T11:26:00.000+05:30

Websites if they dont solve the purpose of its existence, however good they are - not useful is like having no website.
Specially with cause-based websites- They have to be strong enough to
-capture once attention
-give a complete understanding of the work
-sensitize them to engage in the work

WarChild: This website has a strong message to pass on, specially as it is dealing with internationally war hit children.
It carries every statistic details, problems and most important the solutions where you can also engage yourself.

I like the way it is done.

link to the website of WarChild: http://www.warchild.org.uk/

enjoy and get inspired!

High on design - I

2011-10-21T14:27:00.000+05:30

I have always been in love with web designs. I never know how you can make one of these but yes loved them completely. The designs, color combination, navigation, interface, ideas.
One of them which I came across today!

Sparksonline - It is an event management company and after looking at their website, I am sure they are definitely class experts in their field too.

You going to love almost everything on this, but specially dont miss this one
- their company tab ( scroll the mouse on the faces on the top-banner).

While posting this I felt like sharing more websites with such inspiring designs which I come across.
This might help me make an archive instead of just seeing and forgetting it later!

link to the website of sparksonline: http://www.sparksonline.com

enjoy and get inspired!

Right Time- Right Place- Right Now

2011-10-03T00:39:00.002+05:30

Right things fall in right place when the time is right!
I think I am going to start believing this after watching Peaceful Warrior today!
This movie was the only one left in my laptop which I hadn't seen and it was there from almost 8 months now. Never even had a glimpse of it, I wonder now.
But today when I am thinking different things and was looking for an answer and opened up this file and saw the movie, it was striking back with an answer for almost every question I had.
Empowering! :)
The movie is not something extra-ordinary but yes for me it was on a right time!

I will leave you with a few dialogues which I tweeted along while watching the movie.

-They dont want you find your own answers. They want you to believe theirs. #PeacefulWarrior
-Everyone is afraid of what's inside. Inside oneself. #PeacefulWarrior
-Mr.A - You know you are out of your mind. Mr. B-Yes, It takes hell of a lifetime to do that! #PeacefulWarrior
-the people who are the hardest to love are the ones you need the most! #PeacefulWarrior
-There is never "nothing" going on! #PeacefulWarrior
-There is no better, you will never be better- the same way you will never be less than anybody else. #PeacefulWarrior
-The journey is what brings happiness not the destination! #PeacefulWarrior

Evolution of Chaniya Choli in my life!

2011-09-27T11:48:00.000+05:30

After 10th Standard

1. 8 months of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering (scored highest in Engineering Drawing in 1st semester. 2nd semester never happened! )

2. High School with Commerce ( show off - only student allowed to come after the first period, only student to wear sport shoes, only student who made the accounts teacher leave the school by playing cricket in the classroom)

3. Graduation in Marketing ( show off - University Topper in subjects of Marketing)

4. Diploma in Film Making ( Made two movies and that was it)

5. Post Graduation in Journalism ( show off- did a mind- boggling internship with Vadodara Municipal Corporation)

Current Interest: Fashion Designing

( show off - designed 5 Chaniya - Cholis for Navratri and sketched an exclusive BCA Chaniya- Choli)

p.s. with point 3 initiated a movement ( Yuva Unstoppable) for social change with underprivileged children.
p.p.s. between point 3 and point 5 opened an Event Management Company " Kicks Entertainment" in partnership with Sid Raval and Pran Thaker! ( show off- managed events for Riya's Birthday Party (jungle theme), Nirav's DJ Party at Hotel Sunshine and also Du Pont, Mitsubishi, AC Nielsen )

p.p.p.s with point 3 worked in night shifts at Sterling Hoffman ( Canadian Recruitment Company). To make it easy- A Call Center!

Merc it is!

2011-09-26T10:27:00.000+05:30

So yes, yesterday night (read 10.30pm) while waiting for further directions I was waiting in my car for the call and a family came in Merc. They parked the car and started walking - I noticed that they forgot to turn off the lights in the car. I was about to say, " they got a merc but still need to learn on turning off the lights, why do they get such cars to drive, they should learn ..... "
Even before I could complete the statement there was a loud "Beep"with two yellow lights blinking and everything went dark and I stopped speaking too.

I realised it was Merc!

Girl Power!

2011-09-23T12:12:00.001+05:30

At Maharana Pratap Prathmik Shala, Fatehgunj, Baroda ( picture courtesy: Rahul Parikh)

With the last visit at the municipal school at Fatehgunj, finally I reach to a conclusion that the girls in all the different government schools have always been more participative, interactive and initiative takers.
Their dreams need to be taken out of the kitchen and housework.
If its necessary let the boys handle the kitchens!

BBC says average person has read less than 33 of these

2011-09-20T10:11:00.000+05:30

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 1984 - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D’Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller (been recommended this over and OVER and I don't know why I haven't read it yet.)
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Grahame
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collinsx
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones’s Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight’s Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Inferno - Dante
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte’s Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

jugaad

2011-09-19T12:15:00.001+05:30

I had to upload a few pictures which were supposed to be less than 300kbs.
Not so friendly with photoshop/corel utilities, I was not exactly getting it how to reduce the size of the pictures which were almost more than 1.5mbs.

Sandeep gave the easy way !

Upload the picture on facebook and download it! ;)

reading

2011-09-18T22:25:00.002+05:30

I am going to start reading "The Summons" by John Grisham. It has been a long time away from books.
Thank you Ashwini for this gift and next is Krupa's birthday gift which still needs to be read completely.

Meanwhile, I will leave you to read this I'd rather not be Anna. There is something in this lady which impresses me or attracts me to what her viewpoints are.

Also, I have been seeing some interesting blog templates- a new look probably! :)

Getting it Back!

2011-09-18T12:58:00.000+05:30

Today morning when I went for "Chaai and Roses" with my friends...

One of the security guards told me - "Khush Raho.. Jungle mein jaakar raho, ussey zyaada Khushi Kahin Nahin"

In the afternoon- I made it a point that I am there!

Yes, I am getting my life back!! :)

"Why Do People "Awaken" But Fail to Achieve the Goal of Enlightenment?"

2011-09-13T12:43:00.001+05:30

It is because you are a jackass.

Courtesy: Dhamma rocks.

not to get fucked up!

2011-09-13T12:12:00.001+05:30

Sandwiched between doing what is ideally right and going with the flow has been pissing me off from quite some time now. In an attempt of doing the way like someone else does and wants to get it done, I am somehow missing out my natural style which somehow is then later on breaking back on me.

Also, people- they dont irritate me anymore but because they fake themselves it does affect me. I will be vocal about it- not or may hurt: but they will know it!

I have to be me.

If I don't, it's the me who is going to be fucked up!

(will definitely try to keep the language restraint alive)

So -Yup!

the incomplete

2011-09-12T09:48:00.000+05:30

Don’t know what’s wrong?
Life simply seems to be too long
Everyone around is happy
But still a corner of my heart is empty
There’s a drift in my core
It’s something about I am unsure
Like a thud of a stone is a stagnant lake
Deeper I quake
The lava in me is going dim
As the music dies so does my Vim
There’s something about which I don’t know
Maybe to the outer world I don’t want to show
The lonely me inside is sitting
For something I don’t know
Today I am weeping
Raindrops wont lesser my tears
The silence in me, this crowd will never hear
To the world outside I am,
The happiest person today
Because nobody has the time to see the unseen
I feel incomplete from hub
It simply feels very rum
Maybe a part of me wants to get complete

- lines from a poetry by Bineka.

the lost dreamer

2011-09-09T10:41:00.001+05:30

Dreams always had a very strong influence on me. As a kid I used to be dreaming of darkness, of the ghosts, of fright and horror. I dont dream about it now but still afraid.
Then there was a very destructive phase when I use to dream of strategies, dream of saving the country through war, battles and blood. I think that was the effect of the history books they taught in the school. Sometimes those strategies made me fear too.
I wrote about the Mumbai train blasts strategy just the way it was in my dream. I could see myself seeing the news telecast of the blasts sitting in a hotel opposite to Taj in Mumbai. I even wrote about it as it was fresh in my head. (post one- post two)
With college came a period of ideas- ideas to change the world, change the things around me and so many of them I really executed and they were just perfect. Along with that came the exams in College- I was revising the topics and chapters in my dreams, sometimes even those things which I have not read. I was surprised by the way brain works during those days.

I still dream, dreams have always been very strong and have influenced me. Somehow from a few months this dreams have changed to a period of no sensibilities. It is over work or thinking in the same direction continuously is creating this issue, maybe. It is because of being at one place and following a routine, maybe. It is because of not meeting or conversing with people as much as I used to, maybe.

What do I dream now?
I sleep because I want to sleep, but I dream.
I dream of working, I dream of creating reports and sending it to HQ, I dream of deadlines, I dream of paying of the over-due rents, I dream of.........

The difference, the gap has become so thin. The reality is now like the tides in the sea trying to reach the untouched sun-dry sands on the shore and taking my dreams with it.

This leads to almost not sleeping - I dont remember the last time I slept.
I want to sleep.
I want to be away from all this and sleep.

I want to sleep and dream the dreams the way I used to dream.

when you say Thank You!

2011-09-08T22:43:00.000+05:30

Saahil - Thank you so much for coming back...

Monisha - mention not!

Rosesh - You dont say mention not when someone says thank you, right mom?

Maya - Yes, you say You're Welcome when someone says thank you and you say mention not when..

Umm .. wait.. ideally you never use mention not...

It is so vernacularly middle class... ;)

kcab! :D

2011-09-05T12:43:00.001+05:30

Finally here it is. My oh-so-rare mood to scribble something! It’s not the lack of matter or the lack of activity, it’s more an issue of keeping up. And of choice!

When there are so many things to mention, confusion arises as to what is important and what is not. And that confusion prevails long enough to kill the mood.

Life it seems has become something of the sort too. Nothing that has happened over the last two months is unimportant and yet for any of it to become a post here, dreary confusion has played the spoil sport.

(words are of Ashwini - feelings are the same and when I say I am back... I say it to my blog! ) :D

2011-09-05T12:18:00.001+05:30

I had hidden the comment section on the blog more than a year before.
No reasons...

Showing it again! : )

and yes!
I love this new interface of blogger. Easy to use, simple and speedy! :)

thank you blogger!

airplanes

2011-09-04T13:41:00.002+05:30

Can we pretend that airplanes
In the night sky
Are like shooting stars?
I could really use a wish right now
Wish right now
Wish right now

Ya, I could use a dream or a genie or a wish
To go back to a place much simpler than this
'Cause after all the partyin' and smashin' and crashin'
And all the glitz and the glam and the fashion
And all the pandemonium and all the madness
There comes a time where you fade to the blackness
And when you starin' at that phone in your lap
And you hopin' but them people never call you back
But that's just how the story unfolds
You get another hand soon after you fold
And when your plans unravel in the sand
What would you wish for if you had one chance?
So airplane, airplane, sorry I'm late
I'm on my way so don't close that gate
If I don't make that then I'll switch my flight
And I'll be right back at it by the end of the night

Ya, ya, somebody take me back to the days
Befo' this was a job, befo' I got paid
Befo' it ever mattered what I had in my bank
Ya, back when I was tryin' to get a tip at Subway
And back when I was rappin' for the hell of it
But nowadays we rappin' to stay relevant
I'm guessin' that if we can make some wishes outta' airplanes
Then maybe oh maybe I'll go back to the days
Befo' the politics that we call the rap game
And back when ain't nobody listen to my mixtape
And back befo' I tried to cover up my slang
But this is fo' the hater, what's up Bobby Ray?
So can I get a wish
To end the politics
And get back to the music
That started this shit?
So here I stand and then again I say
I'm hopin' we can make some wishes outta' airplanes

cars!

2011-08-17T17:37:00.000+05:30

When you enter into the car collection arena of the maharaja, you would find Rolls Royce more than any other brands. The pictures arent that great, but yeah managed to click a few. The plan was not even to upload them because with cars I feel the feel when you are standing next to the driving seat (because you arent allowed to open the doors) you can never get in the pictures.

This are on a public demand. Enjoy! :)

Udaipur, briefly!

2011-08-16T10:52:00.000+05:30

I have had always waited to go to Rajasthan, There was a plan- when I have a good camera I will be in Rajasthan as the first place. Thanks to amazing pictures which I used to see by Vinaybhai, Isha and many other photographers.
Camera hasnt arrived yet, but Udaipur happened.

At Shiv-Nivas Palace, life is Royal! You feel like someone has stopped the time and they take us back into the history, in the rule of Mewar.

There are more than 10 palaces only in Udaipur and this one is more than 2kms. The most interesting part you get an opportunity of living in the history and not just see it, click pictures come back.

Honored to be a three day guest of Maharaja Arvind Singh Mewar of Udaipur!
amazing property, fantastic hospitality, sexy cars, precious stone with interesting gang of rockstars!

Royal Memories! :D :)

what does love mean to you?

2011-08-16T00:48:00.002+05:30

Sitting around the table at one of the Maharaja's properties in Udaipur,
Amitabh asked, "What does love mean to you?"
Everyone was sharing their views, their definitions, their belief in it.

What Pavan said seemed to be very near to the real truth we live in.
He said, " When you want something, desire something and you get that from a person exactly the way you wanted or desired for it, when you get it more than your expectation you develop a liking, a positive interest, your happiness increases multi-fold and you start loving that person because it satisfies your expectations.
When you get something what you need more than your expectations it leads to an increased happiness quotient and love for that human being."

(Pavan Jain is the Vice President of Rajasthan Operations of Yuva Unstoppable)

Whats love for you? Ask yourself, not to tell it to someone...ask for yourself! :)

a changemaker!

2011-08-12T15:18:00.000+05:30

A Change making force by

a newness of thinking, the ability to dare and to look the odds into the eye.

A change maker can be a political activist, a theatre director, a peacenik, a labourer, a human rights activist, a sportsman, a painter, a lawyer, a bunch of activists or even a group or collective that gives birth to an idea whose time has come or which is far ahead of times.

But change maker has to be active in change and not some passive theoretical change that is chained by academics.

He/she has to take part....

"Un se kehene gaye the Faiz, jaa sadqa kiye

Ankahi hi reh gayi vo baat, sab batoon ke baad"

(as read by P. Mukherjee)

Busy

2011-08-11T10:22:00.000+05:30

I want to write..

I am so missing it out here..

Tonight most probably!

Ask yourself

2011-07-26T10:54:00.000+05:30

How many times can eat Tiger biscuits in a day?
How many times can you eat ' Khaman-Dhokla' in a week?
How many times can you listen to educational and academic tips in a week?
How many prayers of different religions you can sing ?
Will you eat sweets every other day if there is a birthday of someone in the neighborhood?
Do you listen to the study related advices given to you?
Do you ask yourself, whether you listened to your teachers in school or not?
Do you ask yourself, whether you remember playing pranks with your teachers or not?
Do you ask yourself, why are you trying to change everything around you when you cant change your own self?
Do you ask yourself, why do you do what you are doing?

Then why do you think or expect the kids less than even half of your age,
to do what you like
to think the way you think
to celebrate festivals which even you dint celebrate at their age
to take a decision of right and wrong
to decide between good and bad
to fit the definition of a 'perfect' kid

This comes as a strong reflection from the conversations with people who ask for donating biscuits, lunch and dinners, worn out clothes because they want to celebrate their birthdays and feel good.
Believe me, there are organizations which provide ample facilities, care, protection and a good life to the kids in the children homes, orphanages and remand homes.
Just because they dont celebrate the birthdays or festivals the way you do doesnt mean they are loosing out something.
One never does something because he thinks that he would have fun doing it, he does things only in which he gets fun to do.

No Vehicle Driver

2011-07-20T00:58:00.000+05:30

The power of happiness is supreme.

Any changes of reductions in its available capacity in life can make me take turns in my life which I have never even thought off. Interesting aspect of happiness, happy and no worry living is in connection with the people around, people close to the heart. If there is any change in them your life is surely have its effects.

One very important point of life that I realized in the past few weeks is never let the power of happiness be given to a few people who you think to be the best people to take care off. Because then you start having a different quotient with them.

You believe that they are going to be the same and supportive as they have always been for the whole life which is not the same always.

They change and when they change you are suddenly into a state where you cannot understand how and what to react in that state you might do something which you have to regret very highly.

The learning for me, the inside of me was to never give the Power of Attorney rights to a few people.

The people who you think drive your happiness, do drive your happiness but only when their drive is smooth and already in motion, not by stopping their vehicle to push your vehicle.

Exactly which leads me to start pushing others vehicles which have stopped and not having a vehicle of my own!

(written on Jan 23, 2011, evening)

random

2011-07-07T01:55:00.000+05:30

Sleep is just not coming. Eyes are very heavy but still they are not closing down.
Brains have gone overboard and keeping active more than necessary.
The mornings have become forgetful. Trying hard to remember if there is something I got to in the morning tomorrow, almost after an hour n half, get up from the sleep and remember,
Yes, a meeting!
Days and nights are passing by, months are to count, they come and go!
What happening, sometimes I wonder,
Is this really what I am making it happen?
Is this what I want to make it happen?

Still want to write, but the fingers are already paining of texting and typing.
When I almost decide to sleep, I remember,
Oh! I have to do an email.
Let me get back to work!

Jared's instant action

2011-07-01T20:03:00.000+05:30

Right from school to college we have played the game of truth or dare a hundred times. Since the time I had come across the amazing Smile Deck, I have been playing it with my friends and groups who come to interact at the workshop. Jared came down to the workshop few days back, when we were leaving we shuffled the cards. It was first time for Jared so before seeing the card, he was like whatever comes from this I got to do it right?
I said Yes, sort of!
This is what he picked up.

Next thing he did was started searching his bag and was talking to himself saying there should be atleast something in this bag which is mine! ;)
And he did find something and gave it.
He gave his Discount District Card to me, something that I had been hearing about from a last few days.

And then it was my turn......

Emergency Ward

2011-06-30T01:32:00.001+05:30

Sourabh messaged me, " Leave".

I had to reach the hospital in 15 minutes.

I reached the hospital but couldnt find the exact location in such a huge campus. I called up Sourabh for directions to the Emergency Ward. I reached there parked the car and met him, he said we had to go to the 3rd floor. I saw people climbing the stairs, but I had seen a lift. I preferred waiting for it. I was like who uses staircases when you got a lift. Me and Nirav entered the lift and came out of immediately. We just couldnt take the smell, the strong smell of blood and the typically strong smell of the hospitals.

We went by stairs.

Ward after ward searching for him. Almost everyone in the male ward where top naked because of the heat and the dampness in the air. Some people were moaning in their sleep out of pain.

Finally we saw him.

He was wearing a navy blue "Bangkok" typo tshirt and a grey trackpant with black strips. He looked as if he hadnt taken a bath since a month or more. He looked much thinner than before. I was wondering if he was trying to compete with me. He dint smile like before. He was silent. He was strongly controlled, controlled from within. Fans were rotating just for the heck of it.

There was no water, just a bucket full and thats it.

He was still not having much expressions, just a faint smile, you can hardly notice that before it is gone.

We moved all the blue-brown files from his table opened the box and gave a knife in his hand and said

"Happy Birthday, Manish"

P.S.: After cutting the cake, we cleaned our hands with the cotton gauges as there were no towels or even a piece of cloth anywhere.

If someone asks me who is your first friend you have memories of, the name would be Manish. Things are very different now, but deep in my heart I still love him and respect him a lot.

By the way, Manish is Dr. Manish Jawarkar. He is on a night shift from last 2 months, lives in a small room in the hospital premises itself. To become a doctor, takes so much from you. So Much!

From today, I would say... I respect him more! I love you brother.

You might love to read about the school days

Boy of 21 and a National Leader.

2011-06-17T23:43:00.000+05:30

He was a young boy living in Kashi. The whole town was talking about a big leader's lecture. Everyone was praising him and lot of them showed faith in him. He was not able to meet him so he tried to get the contact details and wrote a letter to him with the questions he had. To his surprise he got a reply from that big national leader asking him to come to meet him as his questions couldnt be answered in brief.

He reached the place where the national leader was supposedly living. Someone came and inquired if he was the guest who had come from Kashi. He was amused and thought there must be someone else who was going to come from his town because he couldnt digest that a national leader of the country could possibly be waiting for him.

He had a perception of a very great national leader in his mind which he was carrying from Kashi. A person who was not easily available, with lots of security guards and dozens of servants at his service. The person who came to invite him took him to the house of the leader and pointed him towards the leader. He was shocked. He couldnt believe that how come a person who is a great national leader and who inspired his whole town be sitting in just a dhoti. Another thing which shocked him the most was he was sitting on the floor and cutting vegetables. He couldnt believe his eyes. He was still in a state of dilemma and shock to understand that person sitting in front of him. The great national leader who was cutting vegetables understood his shock and dilemma and looked at him.

Instead of explaining or removing his confusion the leader said that he could understand his confusion. The leader said in the most simplistic way the young guy had ever heard,

" I have another knife too. Come and help me cutting these vegetables."

The young guy was astonished to see this simplicity and now he understood what was so great about this national leader that not only his town but thewhole country was crazy about this half naked leader.

From that day on, he joined the movement led by this national leader without looking back for the freedom of his country.

The young guy was Vinayak Narhari Bhave.

Lovingly known as Vinoba Bhave.

son, dad and much more..

2011-06-16T23:40:00.001+05:30

He stole from his own house. He felt guilty about it. He was ashamed but also wanted to confess. Confessions are never that easy. He was afraid too. So he wrote a letter. He confessed in his letter and put it under the pillow where his dad was sleeping. He dint try to run away from the situation. He sat there, waiting for his dad to wake up.

When his dad woke up, he saw the letter and then his eyes moved towards him. He was afraid, very afraid but thought facing the situation is better than running from it.
His dad again read the letter, the letter which had his confession about the theft.
He saw a drop of tear coming out of his dads eyes.
After that something beautiful happened which he had not thought off, his dad tore the letter and went back to sleep.

That was his first lesson of non-violence.

Colors of Labour

2011-06-13T01:01:00.001+05:30

"what goes around comes around"

I knew this but what I dint know was that this cycle of going around and coming back was this fast.

Yesterday night, with fantastic help from Jared, I was able to create an event for National Child Labour Protection Society to initiate there World Day Against Child Labour by International Labour Organization.

The idea was to shift from the traditional methods of awareness like street plays and puppet shows to a creative public participatory event where Child Labour Awareness can be created and made reach to more people.

Painting the Streets, I have believed to be one of the best ways of conveying your message.

When you start think good for something everything else falls in right place.
Prayag, in a matter of a day made an amazing poster to invite people to participate.
Jared brought in Harsha and team, Yuva Unstoppable volunteers came into live action on the street with paint brushes with the artists.
Crowd gathered up, volunteers welcomed them with smiles and tied them child labour bands.
Some unknown person walked to us and gave us some 100 mineral water packets for all the volunteers.

At around 2am, a person came to the place where we were painting with a jug and a few glasses. He was a chai waala from a nearby place and served us all with 'hot chaai' at midnight.
Even the cops who were patrolling there helped us with managing the traffic.

With the efforts, teamwork and random acts of kindness, we created a beautiful painting with a strong message for everyone who would pass from that road,

STOP CHILD LABOUR!

on environment

2011-06-05T20:51:00.000+05:30

'How can we be so arrogant?
The planet is, was and always will be stronger than us.
We cant destroy it; if we overstep the mark, the planet will simply erase us from its surface and carry on existing.

Why don't we start talking about not letting the planet destroy us?'

buddha

2011-05-31T10:02:00.000+05:30

“What you are is what you have been. What you’ll be is what you do now."

telecom to masscom

2011-05-23T22:12:00.001+05:30

From the time he remembers after his schooling, the days which he remembered very well, the days when the prankster in him lived a full life, he was on his way to become an engineer. Yes, an electronics and telecommunication engineer is what he would have been today, which dint happen ofcourse.

As a student of engineering, he did put hard efforts to live alone in the hostel and study to make a career. He was trying to make a career when he dint even understand the meaning of that word. He was a prankster big time but still managed to top the subject of engineering drawing.

from the books of engineering- 1st semester

He sincerely doesnt know now and maybe wont be able to do it if someone asks him to...but back then he did it.

He just uploaded a video of an Integrated Circuit which he made for a college project, which are available in direct kits which one has to assemble and do wiring and soldering.

(the person above who was going to become an engineer, then did his commerce with majors in marketing, after which he became an agent of societal change with more than 20,000 people working with him, launched an event management company for exclusive corporate events for companies like Mitsubishi, Du Pont, Nielsen. Later he became a traveller, non-technical photographer, a writer and on his way to become a journalist. He is currently a co-author for a children's story book which is going to be published with 50,000 copies in its first edition)

in school days

2011-05-22T16:08:00.001+05:30

In my junior school right from 1st grade we had to wear a tie with the shirt as a part of the uniform. I never knew how to tie the knot. I never learnt and even today, I dont know how to do it.
There was one of my very good friend Manish from my class who used to tie it for me. When the new academic session started on the first day of every year he did it and I never opened it.
I did schooling in Basil till 10th Grade and till then every year Manish use to tie it. Manish is now a doctor and I am grateful to god to have a wonderful friend like him because it wasnt just the tie but even academics and almost everything that he used to help me out with.

The last time he did in 10th Grade, I kept both of them intact. Till date they are the same way.

They were in my wardrobe and now today when we are shifting to our new house I got them while packing my stuff. I took it along and put it in my bag but before doing that I thought of clicking a picture of it which is down here....

about the school:
Basil hold a very close place in my heart and the most precious memories come everytime I think of it. I wrote something about the school last year,
If you got facebook School Nostalgia , you can read it!

online

2011-05-21T18:19:00.000+05:30

the wind are blowing at the top speed assigned to them...music of the trees is rock wild.....electricity failure comes up..whoa!... I'm still online....for the first time ever without electricity....thank you.....tata photon+.... :P ;) :D

Hmmm...

2011-05-18T23:21:00.001+05:30

It feels so good to have great people around.
Till now I thought I am a pampered adult kid of my parents only
but recently I am finding so many people keeping me that way! :)

l u c k y and b l e s s e d! :)

selections

2011-04-27T21:16:00.000+05:30

You like a few people to be around you always. You think you are close to them. They, yes they are close to you also. But you dont like them to be with someone else. You try to stop them from doing that, but they wont because they are comfortable with both the sides. Now you tell them to stop it. Do not argue. Because they have already made their decisions. The selection auditions are over already. It you who has to decide what you want to do.
You!

whatever!

2011-04-27T21:10:00.000+05:30

Sometimes so many things come together and you want to write it all but you end up not writing a word.
Similar conditions.

I read this somewhere long back and find it true.

You know there are times when you think nothing around you is going right and mostly its because of the people around you who make you feel negative, bad, not right, wrong and to change as you are not the way you should be.

Stop.
Then and there.

You are not wrong, you are not negative, you are right and the way you have been always. Its with the other person who wants you to adapt the situations they are comfortable in. They want you to be in that some particular way so that they dont have to make any changes in life.
Yes! Thats how it is.

So next time, when you feel such, dont change yourself, analyse and change the people around you or just ignore it and be your way.

P.S.: It is different to be arrogant, show attitude and being indifferent.

my front and back!

2011-04-11T12:21:00.000+05:30

Today morning, Yes again after a while it was an early morning! 10am, I was out of the house.

While driving, I saw a car, A BMW coming out of a house with huge doors and 4 men in dark grey safari suits running with it and immediately two black scorpios zooming and they jumped inside the car. One in front of the sedan and one on the back. Car was good, lot of people have it but those 4 people who run and the two scorpios in front and back.....

the kid in me said...

I also want that 2 Scorpios and 4 men!

Dhoni Way!

2011-04-05T19:40:00.001+05:30

(this post has not been written by me. I am just sharing it.)

We keep learning lessons. Lessons from Japan, Lessons from Chetan Bhagat etc.. We are easily able to understand as they have happened recently and are fresh with us. Sharing a few lessons from MS Dhoni as it would be easy to relate as everyone was a part of every moment.

The Indian captain did many things right to help us lift that cup. Psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty tells you what you can learn from him.

Special thanks to Amitabh for sending this article and Uttambhai for sharing it.

While you're basking in the glory of India's world cup victory, you may as well take some tips from M S Dhoni on how to stay on top of your game. Psychiatrist Dr Harish Shetty decodes the mantras that have made our captain among the greatest of all times.

Let criticism inspire you
During the presentation ceremony of the 20-20 World Cup, Dhoni looked at Ravi Shashtri and, with a genuine smile, said, "I remember you called us underdogs and so we have won the cup for you". Here is a man who does not collapse under the weight of a comment from an important cricketer but works forward with gusto, logic and a renewed determination. When important people undermine or underestimate you, get in touch with your feelings of fear, dread, anger or sadness and convert these into greater resolve. As a kid, Sachin Tendulkar too would not rest till he had defeated his friends in a table tennis match after a loss at his old residence Sahitya Sahawas.

Move on

When India loses, Dhoni often publicly accepts the team's shortfalls but does not dwell on them for long. During one loss, he said, "This match is over, let's plan for the next". Unlike captains of yesteryears, who would brood, ruminate and introspect too much, our reigning captain has mastered the art of leaving things behind. Fear and disappointment are not allowed to percolate his mind. Just focus on newer frontiers with a fresh pair of eyes and a refreshed mood. Do not be the victim of excessive critical appraisal from yourself or others. It may paralyse you.

Us, not I

On the day of victory, the World Cup was in every player's hands, except Dhoni's. A couple of years ago, Dhoni asked Anil Kumble to take the cup after a victory in a test series. His genuine affection for his team is visible and the bonding is strong. He has praise for all but neither did he mince words when Gambhir failed to make his 100 due to a bad shot. He is genuine, even blunt. He has publicly made statements such as, "Our middle order should perform" or "Sreeshanth should behave".

Stay cool

Dhoni is cool during tense moments. No sledging, or rash words. It would be interesting to learn more about his self-talk. It probably involves thoughts such as 'Calm down', 'Focus now' or "Let me try something new'. The feeling of dread and fear is allowed to pass. He probably observes these emotions come and go on his mind screen. This thought process is visible on his face that remains childlike many a time during a crisis. So, when the chips are down, just observe your feelings as they come. If you find yourself fretting or yelling, you have been hijacked emotionally and will lose friends and battles. If not, creative responses will emerge.

Keep at it

MSD teased Ravi Shashtri by saying, "If we had lost, many questions — why Sreeshanth, why did I bat before Yuvraj — would have been asked". His getting into the middle of a battle shows he loves challenges and does not bother with incessant advice from exgreats. Like Anil Kumble, who shared at his retirement that he ignored all criticism during his lean period and persisted, our captain also practices 'dogged perseveration with risk-taking'. The Dhoni mantra is clear — persevere while down, take risks and obey your instincts.

Gratitude

Lastly but importantly, Dhoni feels and expresses his gratitude openly. After the win, he said, "I chose to come before and Gary backed me". Thanking 'Gary and Paddy', and others significant to his performance as well as that of the team, comes naturally to him. Gratitude is a part of his personality

Money Flow of Donations

2011-03-26T14:39:00.002+05:30

The big corporate houses give out hundreds and thousands of crores as a donations every year to the underprivileged.
Why not distribute those thousands of crores amongst the employees of their own company?

"Money flow of Donations" Model 1

This is the typical Corporate Social Responsibility model which majority of the companies follow. I want you read through the below idea and give your critical feedback on which should be followed, is more helpful. Dont take the convenience into consideration.

Two different aspects from different perspectives which I have seen is what I want to share.
1. A company which makes some products has a channel where there are whole-sellers, stockists, retailers through whom the product reaches the end user.
Majority of the times when the company has tried to reach the end users directly they have marginally failed or failed completely. Spencers, Adanis, More, Reliance Fresh are classic examples of it. Not only that, but it has also lead to boycott of that company's products by the people in the channel. The reason what I feel is the emotional quotient. The Importance factor, the importance, respect and the warm welcome a customer gets at a shop of a retailer from whom he buys regularly cannot be replaced by making the customer stand in a line for paying.

2. It is always said, seen and believed that the middle class section( including upper and lower middle class) of society are always first and has the highest number of heads when it comes to helping, donating or charity. When this section of society gives they give with a lot of affection, love and personal belongingness as somewhere they have been through the similiar situations in their lives which makes a deeper impact.
If a same amount of money is given by a company and an individual, the individual would always be more impactful as a company cannot replace the emotional quotient which is involved very heavily.

Now if I put both this aspects into a social value and upliftment structure.
1. If the company those crores to his employees without any obligation of work and as simply as they would have donated it. It would create a fantastic work atmosphere which will be happiness and contentment driven.

2. Employees of a company, majority of them belong to the middle class section of the society, the class reputed for helping and doing charity. Now if the same employees get more monetary benefits they would use it to increase their standards of living and also use it for charity which they have been always doing.

"Money flow of donations" Model 2

By utilizing the money after the employees you are directly and indirectly increasing the work efficiency and the loyalty of the employees towards the company. Before it was bringing happiness to only a few now the opportunities of creating happiness are more. And have to remember that more the happiness, more the goodwill. Also the money used after the underprivileged is divided into many parts which makes it possible to reach to the basic needs instead upgrading the standards.
For e.g. If 100 rs are given to 1 beggar he would eat some restaurant food, smoke, drink and use it for leisure, but if 100 rs are given to 3 beggars they would eat some restaurant food only. You are reducing the chances of addictions too by dividing into many.

In this complete model I have removed the fame and show off factor as it is common in the behavior of the companies and individuals as it naturally exists in humans.

-This came to me when I had an early morning chat with Poonam.

I had asked her what is one thing she did in her life without a purpose. She said helping at the hospital is something she does without a purpose. Its not that she specially goes to the hospital to help, she is a student of Physiotherapy.

And this is exactly the point.

Helping where you are makes perfect sense to me.

I know both the things might not relate but thats how an idea is generated...from anything, anywhere, anytime!

her simplicity!

2011-03-26T11:52:00.000+05:30

25th March
7.30 am
Eeshita Hospital
Room No. 6

My dadi is admitted here and everything is totally silent in the room as she is sleeping. I was supposed to give the breakfast and go back home but now I have to sit here for next two hours as dadaji went home to freshen up.
It was after almost 2 months that I saw the morning sun. It looked so different, so bright, so yellow, so much of energy...But whatever I love the moon now.
As no one else was there and dadi was sleeping I started playing my favorite game on my blackberry(yes, I mentioned it) which is the latest craze I have developed.

I was talking to Poonam on text along and we were having a morning chat. She just told me that I can never be an early riser without a purpose when I told her about the 2months, sun and the moon.

The word "purpose" struck us both and I suddenly felt we do everything for a purpose. I challenged her to tell me something which she had done without a purpose. Poonam is a last year student of Physiotherapy studies and as always came with a clever answer with simplicity. She said it would helping someone in the hospital is something she does without a purpose. When I say she came out with a clever answer it doesnt mean she thought a lot and wanted to sound smart, this is how she is.
Simple.
But this simplicity provoked a thought in me about how we help or how we should help.

You help in whatever way you can to the people around you, close to you and you create small circles of happy smiling people. Instead of helping someone unknown helping the people around you. (Trust me, its not selfish if you help a person near your house and do nothing for Japan.) This is what she does always. Always in the most simplistic way, saying things which at times she doesnt mean but makes a lot of sense, never heavily ambitious, nothing out of the world, living an achievable dream, never bragging about anything.

Its important to have people like her around.

I was supposed to write about the idea(which is now the next post) that came to me while talking with her but I started writing about her instead. She has been a good friend and I am happy to have her around.

the start..

2011-03-22T10:02:00.000+05:30

after almost six months of talking, discussing, sharing and brainstorming it has started. It is not even the beginning and the project is already evolving. There are so many things to understand and re understand and I already understand that it is a continuous process. When you are open for accepting the changes which you feel are good, things start getting better around you. There are so many people who are a part of this process.
I am still not sure but I am thinking of writing about every person and first of all the project I am working on. I love writing while doing the work, it somewhere gives me more clarity and an opportunity to understand things in much better way.
i start here...

The Shepherd Boy and The Wolf

2011-03-21T01:40:00.002+05:30

John was a shepherd boy. He cared for his father's sheep. As there were many wolves prowling about waiting for a chance to kill the sheep, John had to be very watchful.

Some men were harvesting wheat in a field not far from where the flock was feeding. One day they were startled by the cry, "A wolf! a wolf!" They looked up and saw John motioning wildly to them and pointing toward the sheep.

They threw down their sickles and ran to the flock. But they found the sheep quietly grazing, and there was no wolf to be seen.

"Where is the wolf?" they asked.

"I didn't say the wolf was here,' replied John, and he laughed loud and long as he saw the look of surprise in the men's faces.

"What do you mean, you young rascal, by fooling us so?" they cried.

If they could have caught John, they would have given him a sound whipping, but he had run out of their reach.

Not many days after, these same men heard the cry, "Wolf! wolf!"

"John is trying to fool us again," they said, and went on with their work.

John called again and again, and seemed in so much trouble that the kind-hearted men left their work and hurried toward the sheep pasture.

When they came to the pasture, they knew that John had been playing another trick on them. They looked for him, but could not find him. He had hidden in some bushes where he could look on and enjoy their surprise and anger. At last they went back to their work.

One day wolves did come. John was very much frightened. He ran to the men for help. They only laughed at him. "Oh, you have fooled us twice," they said. "You shall not have another chance."

"But the wolves are surely there," cried John. "They are killing the sheep. Do come and help!" The men kept on with their work and did not even look at John.

Before he could find anyone who would believe him, many of the sheep had been killed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sometimes we know things so very well that we forget it till something happens.
Something on the same lines happened like the story.
The lesson is learnt now.
Thank you S.

credits: http://www.rickwalton.com/folktale/50fabl04.htm

Okay. Let's begin again.

2011-03-14T21:36:00.001+05:30

wow! it all changed so fast...
I thought it is going to take a lot of time.

When you have done something from all your heart it hurts, it definitely hurts but then the same heart still tells you to care and care more because what you did was not with an expectation of a return.
It was from heart for a heart! :)

Also with so many good people around they just don't let me be the devil by talking and caring continuously and some people with guts, dare to show videos which still makes me laugh.

It the simple realization which I made myself, why to prove something which you haven't done?
I know it. No one else needs to know that.

You keep doing what you were always doing!

Four words which Neha wrote on her status few days back made all the difference..

Okay. Lets begin again! :)

simple.easy.

to do or not to do....

2011-03-11T15:28:00.000+05:30

Not a good heart-brain phase...mood swings are the highest...realising nothing is permanent...specially with the relationships...humans are the worst examples of trust and best too..some people trying hard to keep me smiling...I am trying too...I am hurt...the wounds are deep...doing my best to stop myself from giving any retaliation...people around want me to practice forgiveness...Even I want too..But I am angry..I want to destroy a few things... I feel it will bring contentment... I have a feeling of being a cold blooded murderer...I said a lot of truth...everything went wrong because of it...

Still there is a lot of goodness around...living with them...will be leaving behind things and people..no I am not leaving.. I will be there when needed.. they are leaving me...Ok! I still will be there...Damn this goodness! Its not letting me be the Devil!

I know this doesnt go with the template..so what? Not going to be deceptive.. I am going to change what I write because that would be deceptive...No...I would change the template instead...

extremes

2011-03-09T19:51:00.000+05:30

My emotional levels have always been on any one far end.

I would love a person to such an extent that I would loose even my own self for the goodness or happiness of that person and if I hate I would loose myself for the destruction of existence of that person.

I am never on neutral stand and when I am it means that person simply doesnt exist for me.

I am having both right now and I want to finish one side soon.

I am on the extreme!

pause...

2011-03-09T19:40:00.000+05:30

there is a pause of thoughts.... there is a pause in reading... there is a pause of emotions.... there is a pause of thoughts... there is a pause of feelings... there is a pause to revenge... there is a pause from work... there is a pause from change... there is a pause for attachments... there is a pause in relationships... there is a pause for some people...

and there is a pause to writing...

pause...

the real connect!

2011-03-03T18:22:00.000+05:30

date: 15th August 2011

One could hear "Vande Mataram", "I love my India" and National Anthem happening at almost every crossroads. People came out on roads today. Patriotism could be seen on their faces, love for the country could be felt by seeing in their eyes. The country got united in the real sense.

People are now meeting each other to talk and have fun, they have starting smiling, showing teeth to their friends, poking each other and get crazy. People are getting up early and sleeping early, parents are happy to have breakfast with their kids. No one wears shades at midnight when they feel they said something cool.

The surveys say health quotient in youth is getting better. Love problems have started getting solved faster. Less people are getting killed because of road accidents. Everyone sleeps early now. No one laughs like crazy when no one is around. The human connect is increasing more face to face. People prefer to listen to each others voices and express their emotions.

There are more Blackberrys, more iPhones and even more phones providing gtalk, msn, yahoo messengers using people now. Internet use has increased drastically.
Connections are no more with network providers they just got more lively!

Thank You TRAI for doing 100sms/day.
You just helped connecting people in a better and the right way.

information: Why only 100 SMS/day ?

silence of mumtaz

2011-03-02T12:55:00.001+05:30

She went to Agra to see Taj Mahal.
She was happy to see the beautiful memory of love created by a lover for his beloved.

He knew this was coming right from the time he knew she is visiting Taj Mahal.

She: What will you make for me?
He : A Better India!
Hows that?
She: But that will not have my name in it. This is "Mumtaz" Mahal so something of that kind.
He: You want that our kid sends me to prison?
You want me to cut fingers of a lot of people?
She: No! No! You will ofcourse make something in a good way sweetheart!
He: Don't worry. He made it after she died. I will also make something in your name after you die.
She: ..........
(silence)

They dint talk for next one week.

music

2011-03-01T00:40:00.001+05:30

Listoon: Indian Ocean: Chand

some strong lyrics:

Neend tooti chand ki jo

Aankhon bhare aab the

Andhere gehen mein doobe

Chandni ke khwaab the

Khwaab dekhe khwaabon mein hi

Khwaabon mein woh choor tha

Us jahan mein is jahan ke

Haalon se woh door tha

Woh hava mein andhiyon ki

Asliyat se door tha

Bulbulon mein bulbula tha

Gol-gol daur tha...

Its the post effect from the Indian Ocean Concert!

Back to Bhutan-Vadodara!

2011-02-24T18:21:00.001+05:30

Bhutan has never left me since the time I have been there. Its not just the mountains, trees, weather which takes me back there, its the people of Bhutan. All of them whom I met have been so loving, humble, caring and helpful.

In India if we meet more than a few people of this kind in a single day, we feel something is wrong. We are so much adapted to dishonesty, fear, uncaring and other bad things that if someone does good to us we see them with doubt and feel that person has some hidden intentions for doing that.

In the later days of my travels in Bhutan I came to know why the people of Bhutan are so amazing. Its because its a tradition passed on from their ancestors and its in the genes now to be good, caring, helpful and loving to everyone they come across.

Its a painting, a story called Thuenpa Puen Zhi (Four Harmonious Friends). In Bhutan, the story gives a national identity for people to live in harmony with nature, for people to co-operate with each other even with cultural differences, and for families to work together. A conservation ethic has arisen based on it that also influences Bhutan’s national policies.

The story is a familiar Tibetan motif derived from the Jataka tales of Buddha’s former lives

In terms of a symbol understanding of this beautiful allegory: The elephant represents our body, the monkey represents the restless mind, the rabbit represents emotions, and the bird is the soul. Here is the story adapted from Buddhist Channel:

Once in a forest in Varanasi, four animals: An elephant, a rabbit, a monkey, and a partridge disputed about the ownership of a tree where all of them had fed. The elephant claimed, “Well, this is my tree because I saw it first.”

To this the monkey replied: “Now, elephant do you see any fruits on this tree?”

The elephant agreed that the tree was without any fruit.

The monkey continued: “That’s because I had been feeding on the fruits of the tree long before you ever saw it.”

Next the rabbit spoke up: “I fed on the leaves of this tree when it was just a small sapling before the monkey ate its fruit and way before the elephant ever saw it.”

Finally the partridge who had been watching the argument, came forward and asserted: “The tree belongs to me because the tree wouldn’t have grown if I hadn’t spit it out as a seed. I helped plant the seed that grew into this huge tree before the rabbit fed on it, or the monkey ate its fruit, or the elephant saw it.”

The elephant, monkey, and rabbit, conceded that the partridge was the first to know the tree. So all of bowed to the partridge and regarded it as their elder brother.

The four animals became friends and decided to share the tree together in peaceful harmony, enjoying the beauty of the tree’s fragrance, the nourishment of its fruits, and the bounty of its shade. They worked together to obtain fruits: The fruits on the ground and on the lowest branches, the partridge and rabbit found by working together. The monkey climbed the tree and dropped the fruits for everyone to share but only the elephant could reach the highest branches with his trunk. The four animals worked co-operatively and with their combined strength, each one benefited and no one went hungry.

Other animals in the forest often saw them together with the partridge on top of the rabbit who was held up by the monkey who rode on top of the elephant. Since then, they were called “The Four Harmonious Brothers.” The four animals were looked upon as an example of peace, harmony, co-operation, interdependence and friendship.

I dont know this is going to be possible for India, but for a city called Vadodara, I am definitely going to try it!
I know they exist, I can feel their presence the Four Friends, they are in Vadodara too! :)

Lets rewrite a story of the city called Vadodara....

SMS Classes! :)

2011-02-23T15:55:00.000+05:30

Recently Mukesh has learnt to do text messages. I am guessing with the number of text messages he is sending to me and other friends at Handmade Hope, he is already liking it. Mukesh hasnt studied much and surely not much of English. So there is an issue of spellings in the text messages. I do understand what he meant by the message but it is not the way it should be.

We started a simple exercise a few days back and seems like it is working.

Whenever he sends me a text message, for example

Mukesh: BHIAYA GOODAMONIG

(corrected: Bhaiya Good Morning)

We can ofcourse understand what it meant, but if he has to start conversing with others to its my responsibility to make it look good.

So here is what we have started, we have decided to do maximum conversation for anything related to Handmade Hope on text messages. When I receive the message, I do the correction and send it back to him with the answer, for example

Rushabh: Do we have 81 notebooks, we have got an order! :)

Mukesh: 81 HAA.... BHIAYA BUK CHHE

Rushabh: Bhaiya, 81 Books Che!

Mukesh: OK...GOT IT!

Rushabh: Saras

Mukesh: BHAIYA, BIJU KAI, YES OR NO (the spelling changed)

Rushabh: No! :)

Mukesh: OK... BYE!

Simple, but effective!

We would start with sentences in English soon.

About Mukesh: Mukesh has spent more than 14 years of his life in Boys Observation Home where I used to go to teach, play and spend time. He is now working with one of our projects Handmade Hope. At the age of 19 he is the chief production manager at Handmade looking after the total paper bags production and he has trained more than 25 people to make the same. He is the main bread earner of his family of six.

Guaranteed

2011-02-22T01:26:00.000+05:30

On bended knee is no way to be free
lifting up an empty cup I ask silently
that all my destinations will accept the one that's me
so I can breath

Circles they grow and they swallow people whole
half their lives they say goodnight to wive's they'll never know
got a mind full of questions and a teacher in my soul
so it goes...

Don't come closer or I'll have to go
Holding me like gravity are places that pull
If ever there was someone to keep me at home
It would be you...

Everyone I come across in cages they bought
they think of me and my wandering
but I'm never what they thought
got my indignation but I'm pure in all my thoughts
I'm alive...

Wind in my hair, I feel part of everywhere
underneath my being is a road that disappeared
late at night I hear the trees
they're singing with the dead
overhead...

Leave it to me as I find a way to be
consider me a satelite for ever orbiting
I knew all the rules but the rules did not know me
guaranteed...

The Power of One!

2011-02-21T02:48:00.001+05:30

She wanted to become a doctor. With her merits she got admission in one of the best colleges of the city. She was happy as she could now pursue what she wanted to do.

She went to the college in her best outfit, the best she was comfortable with her. A perfect pair of Levis' jeans and tee. Entering the class she realised there is something wrong with her. Everyone was staring her.

In a class of people with a same dream suddenly made her feel the odd one. The Dean saw her and shouted, " You cannot wear this. It is against the rules!"

She was totally confused. "Yes! If you want to be a doctor from this college you will have to traditional Indian wear, a salwar kameez." he said.

She rejected the idea then and there!

The simplest question which should have struck all the hundreds of people sitting there struck to her, "What difference does clothes make from me being a doctor? The treatment I would give once I study from here is what will matter!"

She was standing alone. With no one on her side, she was afraid but then she stood strong.

She stood with her perspective which she believed is right.

Standing alone was hard.

She explained to her Dean and the faculties but no one was ready to listen to her.

She stood strong to what she believed.

She dint go to the college for next SIX months.

After that the Dean called her up, the reason she still dint know about and met him.

She joined the college again, went there in the traditional Indian wear. She told to the Dean that she wasnt wearing it because she is accepting what he and the faculties believe is a rule but just for respecting him and it wont be a daily thing.

The unusual happened. There was a board meeting called with all the faculties and management. The only agenda was one girl who is not wearing the traditional form of outfit which a student in their college had to wear.

After a lot of talks and brainstorming, the Dean came out and told to the girl, " I dont know what made you stand so strong but we believe what you said has nothing wrong and you can wear decent outfits not necessarily a salwar kameez.

It can be western too."

A rush of happiness and self confidence, with her head held high she told her batchmates who now were not only happy but also had respect for her.

The same mates who considered her to be foolish to fight over such a small thing now believed though small she was a person who stood for something that was right!

She along with her other friends went to college the next day wearing her favorite jeans and tee!

A small act, a small step and a leap of faith by a girl

we know as Palak Jalan.

Thats what I call, The Power of One! :)

folk media!

2011-02-19T20:12:00.002+05:30

Theatre is a strong impact media. It makes you think. Almost after an year of the performance my college class it was the junior batch at college performing today. I would say I loved it. Students with no formal training just a self exploration workshop of 3-4 weeks performed. I don't know performances but two things which according to me are really very hard. One delivering a humorous dialogue and actually make people laugh and the other would be to deliver emotions and importantly make that emotions reach to the audience.

Witnessed today with beautiful performance with emotional quotient of Devashree and Naman and Jinith on the humor quotient. Remembered the performances by Kalpeshbhai, Priyanka, Himadri and Kushan from last year.

Folk media! Yes.. there is definitely something in it!

(from the archives of March 2009)

There are few things in life which I don't like.

Acting.

I never liked it. I always thought I am not a person of theatres nor I can play someone which I am not.

Theatre workshop of my masters course in media culture made it mandatory for me Act. If not for myself or anyone else for heavy weight 30 marks which it carried.

I tried out every possible way to slip out to get in some other thing but nothing worked.

No Options left.

A small role (to the extent that Megha's dint even know that I was in the play) had to be played.

So many rehearsals I did. I am really thankful for the patience my team had and to bear all my "natakpanti".

We performed at 4 different places and believe it wasnt that bad too! :)

I realised that I am liking it. I was getting better. I was trying to understand the audience taste and also change my dialogues accordingly ( ideally which is not right) and dhire dhire I started loving it and now I am open to try out more of it.

I guess everything what we believe we cant or dont want to do should be given a try.

If we dont like it even after trying it, its a different issue but a try can help you in opening up new avenues for yourself!

I just opened one for myself! :)

Society

2011-02-13T23:56:00.001+05:30

We have a greed with which we have agreed
And you think you have to want more than you need
Until you have it all you won't be free

Society, you're a crazy breed

When you want more than you have
You think you need...
And when you think more than you want
Your thoughts begin to bleed
I think I need to find a bigger place
Because when you have more than you think
You need more space

Society, you're a crazy breed
Society, crazy indeed

There's those thinking, more-or-less, less is more
But if less is more, how you keeping score?
Means for every point you make, your level drops
Kinda like you're starting from the top
You can't do that...

Society, you're a crazy breed

(few words of the song, Society: Eddie Vedder)

Life is Simple!

2011-02-13T13:16:00.000+05:30

Academics, love-life, hygiene, image, popularity, impression on elders, rapport with teachers, statement of purpose, short-term goals of life, Long term goals of life, keeping parents content, denying distant relatives a reason to pick on you, phone bills, random friend's birthday present contribution share, boyfriend/girlfriend trouble, heart-aches, deadlines, interviews, books to read, things to do, movies to watch, etc etc.. There are so much stuff that an average young adult is responsible for.

Every single time when I think that I have gained expertise in one aspect, other ones start falling apart. Managing ones’ life effectively is more difficult than probably managing a multi-national company! Just that a lot is on stake in case of the so called 'managers', but all of us do manage by, don't we?

Thinking about how one can change their life into something better is probably the world's favorite way of passing time. What we fail to realize is that, at some point of time, we have to loosen the strain on improvement and care about making the best of what we have. Cribbing about life doesn't make it better, it only creates negativity which is very difficult to get rid of.

There has to be a simpler way of living. More richer, more fulfilling..

Appreciate; yourself, others, their efforts.. Understand; what the universe is trying to tell you.. Realize; that it's never too late to make a fresh start. Try; to like the choices available to you.. and choose, the one choice that makes me most happy.

Easy to talk and difficult to walk?

I am going to try. There is everything to gain.

When you read this and you think somewhere it is the same with you, check this LINK !

Credits: Shatabdi and Alok ! :)

the only thing

2011-02-12T22:07:00.000+05:30

the only factor of human nature which should remain under control totally is

e m o t i o n !

If I can control my emotions, 90 percent of the work would be done for me!!

speaking of emotions

2011-02-09T22:53:00.000+05:30

A businessman came and sat next to me. I figured out he was a businessman as he was on one call after the other probably talking with his clients or debtors.

I was listening to the conversations. They weren't soft and meaningful conversations. They were to the point, a bit rude, arrogant and with no emotions.

I know everyone wonders how can a business talk be with emotions?

It has to be direct.

That precisely is the point I was pondering upon...

People spend more than half of the day working without emotions to spend a few hours with the people they are emotionally attached too.

The process flow is like:

work with no emotions ( business, offices, jobs etc.) - money earned - spent on emotions ( family, friends, special ones etc.)

If the philosophies, universe conspiring theories are taken into consideration,

How can one get one happiness in such consequences?

If someone says that it makes them happy than might be

he is living in an illusionary world of happiness which he

won't realise till he dies!

just a thought!

(photocredits: Karolyn Lowe)

dont know what and something good!

2011-02-07T23:38:00.002+05:30

Today was a good half-day at college. I laughed heartily after a long time. Thanks to the translation workshop which made me talk a lot. But as usual by the time I was leaving the college loneliness again started creeping in. I left for the Aurobindo Ashram to get some handmade papers for an interesting activity I am planning to do. After that I had something to share with my dad about his company so went there which didn’t work out to be a good idea.

I hadn’t met my dada-dadi from quite a while so thought to drop in there. I got big time scoldings from my chachi for not wishing her on her birthday and even marriage anniversary. I knew it but I just didn’t call, I don’t know the reason why I did so!

Anyway, so I met dadi and she was not exactly in the good condition I had seen her before! I had some conversations with her. I am actually worried with her deteriorating health but I know this is the cycle of life we just can’t stop. A thought crossed in me at that time. We are always surrounded by people of all age groups but still we live our life in such a way as if we are granted permanent residency on earth.

So yup.. I was going to write more but not in a mood again!! I hate text messaging services of the mobile networks to the core!!!

Yeaa... all I did was made dadi sit in my car and thought of taking her to see the different Jain temples from outside as she cannot walk and then a crazy idea ! I took her on a long drive too Sindhrot ( for non-barodians, its a place for lovers to hangout), sat on the bridge, ate boiled corn-masala, she cant eat directly as got very less teeth so i took out the corn individually and made her eat!

She said she loved it and want to go to some other place the next time! It was almost after 2 months that she went somewhere out of the house.

Only good thing that has happened to me in last 2 months other than Shweta’s attempts to make me smile!

good things-bad things

2011-02-07T23:33:00.002+05:30

We do good things. We do bad things. I did both.

I realised and accepted the both to the closest humans to me. Suddenly they forgot the GOOD ME which still exists and remembered and perceived that only the BAD ME existed which died and the reason I told them was that the BAD ME died.

I am happy. I am happy that after saying and accepting the bad, they aren’t left with any more to talk about the BAD ME!!

All left now is the lonely GOOD ME!!

Migratory Issues and Dinner

2011-01-29T21:46:00.000+05:30

I love eating Kaju Curry and Parathas at Bawarchi. Its a make shift dhaba style place, I dont know how the make the other food as from years I have been going to eat only the Kaju Curry and Parathas. Today, I had a craving for it and I had no clue that it would be so difficult to get company. The major anytime Punjabi food partners have migratedto Melbourne, Sydney and Toronto.

How to get hold of them?!

Damn Educational Careers!!

Another thing is you cannot go to Bawarchi with anyone, you need some real good person who has a real good appetite at any point of time. For the sake of the sales of some stupid Australian Telecom Company, some across the world burger food chain and the hunger to manage to Canadian Human Resource I have to Starve!!

Other big lot of people who are good candidates for the Bawarchi's delicious Kaju Curry and Parathas have for unknown reasons migrated to Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.

I am still trying to figure out why they are doing MBA's so are they!! There is also a non supportive finance weekday group which cannot be of no support on weekdays but can go crazily gayish and becomes a best wild company on weekends. Literally not a lover of Kaju Curry and Parathas.

But finally the angel guiding me towards the light, the only light and hope of LJ College of MBA being skipping his classes as he believes thats the best way to be the Masters is in the city but can join me after 10pm.

So I dont have to attempt for the person with no appetite of Kaju Curry and Parathas of Bawarchi.

With such an high amount of International and Domestic Migratory issues my Kaju Curry and Parathas are still awaited till the clock strikes 10!!!

Migration Issues created by

International

1. Stupid Australian Telecom Company: Rutvik Mahajan

2. Stupid across the world Burger food chain: Nirav Desai

3. Potential Canadian Human Resource Expert: Pranav Thaker

Domestic

1. Figuring out why MBA from Ahmedabad: Sachin Shah

2. Figuring out why MBA from Gandhinagar: Manan Bora

Non Supportive Finance Group

Headed by Harnish Shah

The Telephone Angel

Lead by Foram Aslot

The Light and Hope of LJ College

Vipin Shukla

The No Appetite for Bawarchi Human

Aanal Vithlani

Vipin Shukla just called to pick me up for Bawarchi!!

Mark Zuckerberg played a role of Filler!! :D

P.S.: A Real Time Story

Credits: Blackberry and Airtel for being the communication partner and YOU Telecom to connect me to Mark Zuck's creations!

the step...

2011-01-24T08:35:00.000+05:30

When I knew I was wrong everyone liked, loved

and encouraged the way I was

When I just took the first tiny step towards doing what is right

The whole world came down on me

Leaving me to self...

Now I know who is with me when I have taken that tiny step! :)

23!

2010-12-15T23:58:00.000+05:30

I am 23!

I had imagined this lot of times and always had worried
about of getting older but the best part is I don’t feel old at all! : )

I am becoming a happy soul, a very happy soul!

Experiences and people teach a lot but only if you take
the positive side of it. It teaches so much that I almost
don’t feel to finish up my post graduation.

The very important realization which I have made in the
past year, last few months more is its not that
No can be Perfect but instead that everyone is Perfect!

Every soul, every human, every living and non living being is fantastic.
I don’t know who made all this but I don’t wish to alter it any more.
I am happy the way everything is.

There are good things and bad things depending on individual judgement
but both are necessary as if bad things aren’t
there the so called good things will also lose their value!

I am surrounded with happiness all the sides.
It’s eternal.
I feel like God! (God is just a word)

And, and, and I have started believing in this and it makes me even happier.

Everything around us is beautiful, interesting and worth enjoying.
The moment I feel something is sad or shouldn’t be the way its
happening I make it a point to myself. I am not a permanent here.

20 plus three gone and some 20 plus 5 are remaining, thats it!
Incase it increases than that I would take care that it doesn’t increase more.

I am almost half way on this planet.
Lot of things happened, some of
them were like an end of the world but it dint and won’t even for the next few years.

This exactly gives me no reason to worry for anything and till the time
I have Roti, Kapda and an internet connection there is definitely no worry.

To everyone who inspires me to be a human being! : )

To my Dad who works so hard which has given me this life and
to Mom who has been so amazing and the most beautiful person I possess!

I am a happy kid @ 23! : )

the balance

2010-11-21T22:43:00.000+05:30

I have realised something very important. We all humans have a habit of correcting others or proving our right over others wrongs, explaining the concepts of wiser and the dumb, superior and the inferiors, more learned and less learned etc...

The point what I have understood is everyone is perfect in what they are doing and evolving in that particular field whatsoever they are working in. The reason that they are perfect in what they do is simple. If they try to be something else from what they are or they wish to be the balance gets disrupted.

For e.g., the GO VEGETARIAN campaigns are increasing across the world. I want to ask the campaign initiators is there enough Green Food for everyone in the world to eat? What if everyone will turn Vegetarian? Do you have enough food for everyone considering who are already vegetarians are starving in some parts of the world.

For the Go Vegetarian campaigns to run and fill your stomachs, you will always need NON VEGETARIANS!

Thinking out-of-the-box is the newest trend in the market and its good but if that out-of-the-box trend of yours works out you will require people in-the-box for it like Chartered Accountants, Lawyers, Investment Managers and also car drivers and house maids.

Ever wondered what will happen if those lawyers and car drivers also start thinking out-of-the-box?

Your out-of-the-box ideas will get screwed then and there!

Whatever an individual does selling fishes, doing charity-work, is a real estate agent, dealing in share market or is into stealing or kidnapping

Its Perfect...

It keeps you in the Balance!!

If any One thing, any One thing moves out from its place or thinks out-of-the-box!!

Remember, You are the one who is going to be Screwed!

Mind it!

amitabh shah, my version!

2010-10-29T01:34:00.044+05:30

It was after a very long time that Foram and I talked for hours. And it was fantastic. Because we spoke about someone for whom both of us have immense love and respect: Amitabh Shah.

People who know of him have different perspectives about him. But I have known Amitabh a lot closer or atleast differently than most.

I realised that by writing about him, I might be able to portray a side of him that not many know of, and many more people will get to know the Amitabh that I have grown to love.

There have been many instances when a lot of people haven’t been able to understand Amitabh’s way of thinking or his actions. Many think that a man driving around town in a Honda City, and yet motivating others to do good just doesn’t add up. Wanting to do social work and still not giving up the luxuries or amenities of life doesn’t seem to make sense to a lot of people. They feel that he should be grounded, use the simplest and most economical means to make a difference and not add up to expenses, etc.

All of these are individual opinions and I completely respect them for many years this has been the formula for doing something good for the society and it has always worked. So for those who have always been used to the traditional ways of working for a social cause will find it difficult to accept someone who is breaking away from conventions and still coming up with new and innovative methods to make a difference. And changes could be either big or small, but a change nonetheless.

Person with a capability of make billions and trillions and start charities, a person who can have fleets of cars at his door step, a person who can ask for something and can have that with him in a matter of few hours, a person who has been in a culture where money was never an issue and he too like any of his colleagues would have been ruling the corporate world with the amount of smartness he has.

But

Here is a man who has a self-driven decade old Honda City, a man who is as humble to make and bring and give awards of Youth Icons to people and never taking one for himself, a man who would drive me personally to any corner of the city I want to, a man who wouldn’t get angry or take a revenge if someone’s bad with him, a man who is not doing a single thing which a man with all the money he has can do.

I have always wondered-

How difficult would it be for you if, having being habituated to riding a two wheeler for the past 10 years, you were asked to ride a cycle across the city?

How hard would it be for you to live in a city with soaring temperatures of 40 degree Celsius and drive a trash car when you have been used to living in the United States for more than 12 years?

In an attempt to judge a person, we tend to do so based on our personal opinions or the way we have been conditioned to think.

If I am someone who has spent my life giving food to the poor and sitting in the hot son teaching little kids, all the while struggling with parents at home, I tend to think that in my opinion that is “sacrifice” and anything less doesn’t qualify as sacrifice.

While I may consider my act as commendable, what I don’t realise is that in my haste to judge, I forget to consider the sacrifices a person had made with respect to his capabilities or standard of living.

This is one of the very misunderstandings that I have seen a lot of people have had with Amitabh or has. It makes me feel very bad. I don’t understand why people don’t see the sacrifices he is making. A lavish life with all the comforts at his doorsteps, he is still taking the minimum of it and living with them. I don’t know him carrying or having a single thing owned by him which is especially for his comfort or just the sake of having it. He doesn’t mind carrying a lunch box when he is going to Yuva.

It is so easy to not have something and live without it, but it is definitely not easy to have something and still live without it.

I can say that because when I was experimenting to travel without my car for 2 weeks, 10^th day was becoming almost impossible for me to travel in auto and buses.

He is one person I look forward too. The way he takes care of me makes me feel I have a ‘moto bhai’ (elder brother). The time from we have known each other not a single time it has happened that we dint have a lunch or dinner together when I am in Ahmedabad. If I am staying back at night it’s his house always except if there is something crazy going on at his place (you can laugh here). He has been always ALL Ears, it maybe when we are talking our personal lives or about Yuva.

And here is Amitabh which is not known by everyone. When at his place he is busy cracking jokes all the time, Gautambhai (house manager) and Maharaj bossing around him always (this are the craziest conversations to listen!) even demanding him to change his shirt if they don’t think it’s a proper colour he should wear, his amazing dadi whom he handles so tactfully with all the love in him for her, his love for watching movies on Zee Cinema and Star Gold or the South Indian Hindi dubbed movies, always getting up 15 minutes before going anywhere and then making me run as I can never be on time. Even Aunty is amazing at his place as she makes me dine to my tummy full every time.

The point I want to make is how many people would dedicate or give their life for a social revolution if you have a fleet of cars in your garage, if your family is running a multi-million business house, if you can buy a new phone every two months, if you can have all the riches and get everything you ask for and still don’t take any of it and sacrifice it for the leap of faith?

When I try to put myself in his shoes I realise how difficult it is to stay so simple and humble, to be so kind and affectionate to every human being even with all the money in the world and still not using it the way it could be otherwise.

It is necessary to know he is motivating and encouraging the people to be the change but along with it he is also learning and exploring and most importantly,

He is also HUMAN!

Not My World!

2010-10-24T22:06:00.000+05:30

I took an auto-rickshaw to go to my Uncle's place for dinner with my brother.
I realized that the rickshaw was very old and the meter too almost not working.
Then I saw the man who was driving the auto.
He was a man almost of the age of my dadaji, old with hardships,
wrinkled skin, shivering hands and almost trembling body!
Tears rolled out of my eyes, I dint know what to do.
I was helplessly watching him drive.
So many things I was asking from life just a few minutes back.
a Vaio, an ipod, shopping and more shopping. Everything just vanished.

I simply couldnt do anything. Damit all i could and did was gave extra bucks than the meter said.
I am still crying.

(as narrated by foram aslot a few minutes back on phone)

some minutes before that:
I decided to give myself a treat as no one was at home.
I drove to Green Apron and made a take away of delicious Chinese food and soft drinks!
I came back home and put everything in Mum's not so used precious dishes, music and poured the drink(pepsi) in the glass as if pouring whisky with ice. It was when I was enjoying this so called dinner with myself she called up and narrated the incident to me.

I felt so weird and tears came out of my eyes too.
I felt so helpless. I am still feeling helpless.
DAMN!!!!!

I am again saying it and my views are really getting stronger on this idea. Let it go hell with changing the world, just change 10 things you see around you with your stupid naked eyes and still ignore it because you are on a move to change the world. Bullshit... Nothing would change Ever if you are changing the world!

I couldnt finish my dinner.
foram said the only good thing happened was he made me remember my Late. dadaji whom i miss so much.

the reason you help

2010-09-27T01:17:00.000+05:30

I want to bring a change!

I want to make a difference!

The question is did you ask the person does he want a change? Does he want to be different? Does he want to be like you?

Don’t tell just the goods that so called “our” literate world have when you are trying to help someone. Tell all the bad too.

They are equally necessary!

Tell them you fight with your parents, you gossip about your best friend, you spoil the environment by using cars and air-conditioners, you are the consumer of plastic which reaches their slums.

Tell them you are helping because you have

destroyed and damaged something already!

Tell your reason to help!

P.S.: Don't Tell You Want To Change The World!

with the world!

2010-09-23T23:20:00.001+05:30

The idea to train and empower the volunteers of Yuva through various trainings and workshops took a bigger form in my mind which I shared with Amitabh yesterday. Two things which I have understood in this 5 years is a lot of youth wants to do something for their country where this “something” is not taking a physical form and is remaining just in their brains and second, youth wants to keep their family happy and comfortable. I thought why not to club them both.

The needs of the society, job security and the passion to work for the country, clubbing all of it together can help us go to the next level. It is necessary to understand and be sure of the people from we are taking our inspirations, especially now when we know they weren’t completely successful we should not repeat their mistakes.

No offence and the questioning to the passion for their work towards the country are impossible. But if we look back Bhagatsingh’s idea of freedom wasn’t successful, Gandhiji’s idea of supporting the partition of India lead to devastating results which the country is facing even today, Jawaharlal Nehru who said “Dams are the temples of modern India” regretted it in the later years of life, Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs which the students are still studying is not the correct system for organizational needs is what Maslow himself researched on but died before publishing it.

Also it is very necessary to understand that the need of this century is different. We had some fantastic people during our freedom struggle from who we take inspiration and take a leap ahead but they did went wrong somewhere which they regretted in the later years of life. To whatever extent inspirational a person is when he is directly influencing the country he doesn’t have a scope of regretting any action he has taken as it leaves behind issues which the coming generations may not be able to solve.

The damage is already been done we can’t repeat them. We have to find solutions which are compatible with current scenarios.

An Oasis in Mahatma Gandhi’s age might have been availability of water and shade of tree in middle of the desert but an oasis in Rushabh Gandhi’s age has to be with water, air-conditioned rooms with shower facilities with laptop and internet connectivity.

image courtesy: blackjack0919

Maan, Samman, Pratishta!

2010-09-15T01:03:00.001+05:30

From centuries we have been crazy after these three things. In this week I am again going to encounter this three very closely again. I care for my swabhimaan but the rest it doesn’t really matter to me and if they do I haven’t got a good experience about the same.

It used to be very important to me sometime back when I was trying to make something out of myself. Seeing, meeting, exploring and working with a lot of people made me realise everyone is in the race of making something out of themselves.

Some of them don’t know what they are heading towards and some know it very well where they want to be and also are successful in that.

The race for gaining ‘maan’, ‘samman’ and ‘pratishta’ is a contest which takes place in the societal system of humans, created by humans. This contest for showing something has got so deep rooted into us that every action we take has a connection with it and if there isn’t then we make it a point that it does get connected and becomes a part of that contest.

In every small and big action of our life this are three things we are craving for and it does not exclude even the saints who claim to have left everything behind.

In this pursuit created by the systematic society we have totally lost ourselves, lost the soul we were supposed to live for and also die for. Our developments has human beings, our growth in terms of helping others has simply gone to drains.

There isn’t one action of ours or the response in which we don’t try to exhibit these features. If the world can remove these three things from the society what would it be like? I won't console myself saying someday it will change because I know it is not going to change, all I can do is bring that little change in me as that’s the only way I can complete a sentence without an “IF”.

My New Experiments of in the City

2010-09-13T19:51:00.000+05:30

"The Needs are the mother of Inventions"

- Ajay Devgn said in some movie I don’t remember.

Someone else said it before him too, I don’t remember him either.

I decided on a few things:

1. 1. Not to use my car for any reason except if I have to drop mom or dadi somewhere!

2. 2. Not to use any of the two wheelers to reach at any place in any conditions.

3. 3. To use auto rickshaws (sharing wallahs or private) or the public transport buses.

4. 4. To go in vehicles of friends if they are willing to drop me somewhere, wherever.

5. 5. To walk, walk between two destinations and possibly everywhere.

I decided to this experiment two weeks back and I am following till today, don’t know till when. But the experience has been amazing.

So many people to meet, so many people to listen to, so many random smiles to give to anonymous people, so many people to thank to....

Its good a try if you want to do it too... Recommended! :)

Thank you Dad for giving me this opportunity! ;)

And Thank You Salimbhai, Dharmendrabhai, Yogeshbhai, Virajbhai, Usmanbhai, Yakubbhai, Rajeshbhai, Chimanbhai, Rohitbhai, Gokulbhai, Roshanbhai and 3 others whose names I have forgotten.

And also Thank You to Pranav, Bitu, Shweta, Sheel, Kushan and Jignasha!

And My Legs which have been taking me places.....

the indian railways

2010-08-27T19:09:00.000+05:30

I have always believed to bring this nation together everyone will have to come on a same platform to make it a better place. It may be the neighbourhood or the country. There is one place where this nation gets united, comes together forgetting differences of the age old legacies.

The Indian Railways

Punjabis laughing and enjoying the songs of the Muslim singers, Gujarati vendor selling Bananas to Sindhi women, co passengers smiling at others, Muslim man helping Hindu women to take out the luggage or manage the middle berths to sleep, Jain boy helping a Punjabi granny to fill up a bottle of water from the station and so much more keeps on happening.

Suddenly the religions, the castes, the inequalities fade out and the humanity zoom in.

Everyone is a human with a soul connect.

The connect of God, the connect of the universe.

Railways have always been one amazing platform for portraying the unity in

diversity and the concepts of “Vasudaiva Kutumbakam” on the wheels.

Nayan

2010-08-24T20:19:00.001+05:30

Introducing Nayan..a 6 year old photographer..true to his name, he has beautiful insight. He learned photography from me in just 15 minutes :)

This picture has been captured by a 1st grade kid "Nayan" ( in Gujarati it means Eyes). He took just 15 minutes to figure out the camera though handling it for the first time and went around clicking pictures. Madhu was clicking him when Nayan saw him and started clicking Madhu too!
It was worth a moment! :)

Dedicating this to people who have inspired me for photography!

photo credits: madhu and nayan

children are not your children!

2010-08-21T10:17:00.000+05:30

Your children are not your children. They are sons and daughters of life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you. And though they are with you, they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls. For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but strive not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
-Kahlil Gibran

shared by Yash Solanki.

Measuring the Change! Stop it....

2010-08-11T20:45:00.002+05:30

Who on earth did invent a scale?
Who are we to measure simply anything?
Why does everyone need a scalable structure?
That too which can grow BIG?
Why do you want to make everything a business
when you want to be responsible for the change in society?
Can’t everything just flow, the way nature flows?
There is no need of a dam on every river isn’t it?

There is some stupid thing called God still on the top to keep a check of everything... If he is not interested in measuring what is happening in his own universe, you and I simply don’t have to bother about how much change has been happening because of your department, company or organization.

We have ego or identity issues so two companies will not come together even when they know it that if they will work together they are going to bring the change, the change which is required not the one which we write in the poster with Gandhi’s signature.

I met someone today who happens to be a person with a profile of one the big listed companies of India. First of all he talks about sustainability and large scale structure in a single sentence which make me understand the confusion his soul has! He gets even more confused when I tell him; I am working without any monetary incentives. Then he talks about the profit, our benefits, perks etc which are generated through the projects we do. Then he talks about profits again. Then there should be plans, cost ratio and then the graph of where you want to reach, how you will reach without any support etc.
The last thing which shoots blood into my brains is if you are able to make a change how you will measure it. Why should I measure it when the change is already done?
This is something like I bought a new Levis shirt which I love to wear it again and again and now I should think why I love to wear it again and again?

Arey bhai, if I know all of this why do I need you?
Simple logic hai... I just want you to give a push to a car whose petrol is not reaching up to the spark plug. Once the car starts it will run on its own. You and I don’t even need to bother about it.

Same is with every organization you are trying to create for social change. Work for a change and then forget it what you changed, start working on something else.
Why do you need to measure and rethink over it again and again and strategize and re-strategize?

One thing to tell you all,
Stop measuring and calculating the Change you create!
If you’re successful change more, if you fail then also change more…

It isn’t necessary everyone can make an Italian Pasta, try making an Indian Pizza instead!

sometimes..

2010-08-07T14:41:00.001+05:30

sometimes, i dont understand how to react...
this is one of those moments...

both the information shared are of national importance...