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Ten Things That We Will/Won’t Miss In 2012

2012-01-13T15:44:00.008+05:30

Looking back, 2011 was surely a year full of wax and wane, creating history that will be studied by our future generation. As we come to an end to the first month of 2012, lets ponder over a few events and muse over personalities that/whom we will and will not be missing in this Year of the Dragon

First let’s cover the events that left a deep impact on us and will always be remembered with a scar.

People who we wish never reappear:

Apart from Voldemort, we will certainly not be missing the departure of Col.Muammar Gaddafi and the terrorist that shook the US of A, Osama Bin Laden.

History was made when protests led to the resignations of the Tunisian and Egyptian presidents, and when UN-sanctioned Nato air strikes helped Libyan rebels overthrow Muammar Gaddafi’s brutal dictatorship. Gaddafi’s capture and death on Oct 20^th at his hometown Sirte, Libya, at the hands of the rebels closed a long and dark chapter in the country’s history.

Another black chapter came to an end in the early morning hours of May 2, 2011. A nearly decade-long search for the world's most wanted terrorist came to an end - Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden was killed in a US operation in Pakistan in May in a mansion outside the capital of Islamabad.

Events we wish never happened:

2011 was also known as the year of disasters. With historic floods, droughts, and tornadoes, this year has broken the record for the number of billion-dollar calamities. 8.9 magnitude earthquake struck Japan on March 11, 2011 triggering tsunami alert along Japan’s Pacific Coast and to at least 20 countries. This largest tsunami catastrophe was the worst history of earthquake in Japan but what’s creating more global concern is the possibility of the leaking radiation to the air following the explosion of two nuclear plants in Fukushima, Japan. From January 1-31, earthquakes hit Argentina, Chile, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Tonga. By the following month that was from February 4-21, earthquakes struck Burma, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Sulawesi, Fiji and New Zealand.

As if nature’s fury wasn’t enough to wound us all, Anders Behring Breivik, shot 69 people, in a summer camp in Oslo, Norway. He said his actions were ‘atrocious but necessary’. In Nov, the court-appointed experts ruled him criminally insane.

Now let’s talk about those events & people that we will be missing for years to come.

People who we wish were immortal:

As some say, 2011 was a year when music died. Shammi ji and Dev Anand were the charmers of 60’s and 70’s. Bollywood can boast of songs that were composed, sung and picturized on these two heroes even today. We also lost the Ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh to the after-world. The singer struggled with a brain haemorrhage for 17 days before he breathed his last on October 10. He mesmerised music lovers for over four decades with his soul stirring numbers.

The music world lost a few more of its gems with Amy Winehouse, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi (one of the greatest legends of Indian classical music and the oldest living exponent of the Kirana Gharana), the soulful voice of Ustad Sultan Khan and the legendary singer-composer and the most iconic figures from Assam, Bhupen Hazarika.

On the other side of the world, millions mourned the death of Apple’s visionary Steve Jobs. One of the greatest CEOs of his generation, Steve Jobs died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 56. His death gave us a chance to reflect upon what a great corporate leader can do to the world of technology.

Events we wish could be frozen in time:

Without doubt almost every Indian will never forget this year as Dhoni and his team bought back the World cup to India after 28 years. Co-hosted by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, the World Cup eclipsed every other event between the 19^th of February and the 2^nd of April this year. The fact that India won the Cup on home soil was the perfect icing on the cake. The whole nation was euphoric and Indians from all over the globe were on the streets celebrating joyously.

One massive event happened on April 29^th - the British Royal Wedding between Prince William and Catherine Middleton. After months of top-secret planning, the invitations were mailed, the details finalized, and the big day arrived. For estimated 2.4 billion people watching the royal wedding, it was definitely the wedding of the year, probably even the decade!

Apart from these a few more events on a positive note include Anna Hazare’s rise to bring corruption to an end with his Lokpal campaign, F1 Indian Grand Prix Race coming to India, Sachin breaking another record to score 15000 runs in Test cricket, the world’s cheapest tablet PC Akash launched in India and a medical breakthrough with All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) creating a new drug called Naringin, for treating Alzheimer`s disease.

Blind with eyes open

2011-11-29T12:24:00.000+05:30

You tune out when they need you the most
Can't you see the fragile hands?
Can't you see the pain behind the frame?

Too busy to underpin, you let them take support of peglegs
Have you forgotten the time when he gushed you on your first step?
Have you forgotten the days when he was the gladdest dad watching you crawl and run?

Keeping them happy in a swish house full of likewise geezerhoods,
Is similar to providing freedom to a bird in cage.
All they ask for is some time worthwhile, not seeing you turn guile
So open those eyes, wake up and foster those dry leaves.

What's with the staring?

2011-10-06T21:51:00.000+05:30

Have you ever tried to dress differently in a crowd? Be it going in shorts for a movie in chinchwad, wearing a singlet top at laxmi road or even a summer dress at MG road? I bet you'll get more stares than Rajni and Shahrukh together! Esp from the fairer sex. And I am not talking about revealing clothes or way out of the ordinary - just simple attires but a little non-desi. I sometimes avoid them but nowadays can't help but stare back at them and sometimes even ask "Is something wrong?"

It's one thing to check-out what's in and who's wearing what but these arn't those. These are more like "How can you wear this?" or "which country did you buy THAT from?" It really bugs me and I even tried to ask my friends if they get the same kinda gaze and yes, they do too! It's disappointing that this happens more often in India than any other country. Have we not heard the term 'Minding your business'?

So if any one of you fall under the lot of 'gazers' please enlighten me on why do you stare so much or you truly not aware that you are gapping at a girl awkwardly? Wonder what Lady Gaga thinks about this!

Paranoid about Android?

2011-07-15T15:55:00.000+05:30

We all keep hearing about Android and Android phones, but what exactly are they? Well, quite simply, Android is a mobile operating system, based on Linux kernel and developed by Android Inc., in 2005 that was purchased by Google. They all have a nice touch screen interface like the iPhone. But there are other features that distinguish it from the rest of the lot. One is that Google built Android as an open architecture – that means anybody can develop applications (“apps”) and enhancements for your phone – making it infinitely customizable. Other touch screen phones may allow you to add apps but might not give you the flexibility to change the core interface; don’t like the way your phone handles text messages? You can download a different text messaging application. While the most phones can only run one app at a time, the Android is a proper multi-tasking mobile OS that can run multiple apps like the Google Maps, media player and browser at the same time without any hiccups. Android Market is the online app store run by Google, though apps can also be downloaded from third-party sites. Developers write primarily in the Java language, controlling the device via Google-developed Java libraries. No wonder Android is world’s best-selling Smartphone platform. The operating system (OS) is also used on net books, tablets, Google TV, and other devices.
The release of version 1.0 was in September 2008 and there have been a number of updates since its original release. These updates to the base operating system typically fix bugs and add new features. Generally, each version is developed under a code name based on a dessert item. The code names are in alphabetical order (Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, and the future version, Ice Cream Sandwich).

Facts about Android:
1. Android was devised way back in 2003 by Andy Rubin and Rich Miner only to sell it to Google for $50 million. Google put the concept in cold storage until 2007 when it announced plans to launch the Android mobile platform. Today Rubin is the director of mobile platforms and Miner the group manager, both at Google.
2. The Android operating system consists of 12 million lines of code including 3 million lines of XML, 2.8 million lines of C, 2.1 million lines of Java, and 1.75 million lines of C++!
3. The first publicly available application was the Snake game.
4. The first mobile phone to run on the Android operating system was the HTC Dream G1 released on 22 October 2008.
5. The first malware for the Android OS was the SMS-Trojan, which was called Trojan-SMS.AndroidOS.FakePlayer.apk that would run up your text messaging bill.
6. A recent survey revealed that the majority of Android users are men. Actually, the majority of all Smartphone users are men, but in the case of iPhone the difference is slight, 57% are men. With Android 73% are men. So now you know which one to gift to your spouse. ;)
7. An important point to note about Android is that concerning of music and video. It does not have the official media to desktop syncing client.

How to choose an Android Phone?

Some of the best selling Android phones in India per thinkdigit.com are Samsung Galaxy S II, HTC Incredible S, Google Nexus S, LG Optimus 2x and Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc. As you might know it’s raining Android phones in the market. Moot on the following factors before you buy one:
a. Processor - Welcome to the 1GHz and dual core processor age, bringing lightning fast performance to many new Android Smartphones. Dual core Smartphones are increasing, but a lot of smartphone buyers may find adequate power by sticking with 1GHz.
b. Data Storage – Most can go up to 32GB of external memory with a Micro SD card, but do not forget the internal memory especially those of you who run a lot of applications or multi task at a high rate.
c. Display - Decide between a multi-touch display, a traditional physical QWERTY keyboard, or a hybrid; this will greatly narrow down your search.
d. Battery Life - For those that are using their device for work or other situations where a long lasting battery is key, this will be a major consideration when comparing devices.
e. Price - Last but the most important factor is how much of your pocket do you want to burn to possess the gizmo? Or as the ad says, what did YOU do to get your android phone?

Nostalgic

2011-04-14T06:35:00.000+05:30

There was a time not long ago
When there lived an angel
Never knew her charm, nor her magic spells
Sari clad, oh she used to mingle

She worked through day and night
Seldom glancing into her wishing well
Trying to please folks around
With lotsa lines about

Then came a time
When the stress took its toll
But then she realized
It was too late to fight the blow

Slowly her light started to fade
To make her glow forever in fame
Wishing her presence in good and bad times
Amma we miss you every single second!

WHO IS PACKING YOUR PARACHUTE?

2011-04-04T03:47:00.003+05:30

A stone-age hunter tracked a set of paw prints through the grass
lands. He eventually came upon the largest and most ferocious
looking saber-toothed tiger he had ever seen. The animal was
recently killed and a small man stood beside it.

Amazed, he asked: "Did you kill that?"

"Yes."

"How could a little guy like you put down a huge beast like that?"

"I killed it with my club," the man replied.

"Wow!" the astonished hunter exclaimed. "How big is your club?"

The man thought for a moment. "I guess there are about 30 of us."

We may not be hunting saber-toothed tiger, but we all need some help
to get through this life. We need people who are ready to assist.
People who will encourage, teach, challenge, support and watch out
for us. One of the best metaphors I know for such people comes from
Charlie Plumb, a public speaker and retired naval officer.

After Plumb graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, he flew jets in
Vietnam. He was shot down by a surface-to-air missile after 75
combat missions. He ejected and parachuted into the jungle. The
Vietcong captured him and held him prisoner for six years in North
Vietnam. Today, Plumb lectures on lessons learned from that
experience.

He likes to tell the story of a day when he and his wife were
sitting in a restaurant and a man at another table approached them.
"You're Plumb!" the man said. "You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from
the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!"

"How in the world did you know that?" asked the former pilot.

"I packed your parachute!" he said. Plumb gasped in surprise. The
man pumped his hand and continued, "I guess it worked!"

Plumb assured him it did. "If your chute hadn't worked, I wouldn't
be here today."

The pilot couldn't sleep that night, thinking about the stranger. He
wondered how many times he might have seen him on the ship and not
spoken because he was a fighter pilot and the man who packed his
chute was "just a sailor." He thought of the many hours the sailor
had spent on a long wooden table in the bowels of the carrier,
carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute,
holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn't know.

When Plumb lectures, he often asks his audience, "Who's packing your
parachute?" He is asking: who is watching out for you? Can you
identify the people who have packed your parachute over the years
and those who are packing it today?

I think of a music teacher who taught me that it was not enough for
me to learn the instrument. I must also have fun with it. Ever
since, music has been a source of supreme joy for me.

I think of a school teacher who, after listening to a reading of a
short story I performed before the class, described the impact of
that story on him. That day I fell in love with story-telling and
understood the important role stories can play in a person's life.

I think of a young woman who believed in me and instilled within me
a life-long belief in myself.

I can think of many people who have packed my parachute. In their
own way, each helped me land a little more safely. Some have been
true teachers for me, some have been compassionate healers, and some
have put me in touch with deep, spiritual values. They influenced me
more than they ever knew.

Who is packing your parachute? And just as important, whose
parachutes are you packing? Who looks up to you? Who may depend on
you for courage or encouragement? For understanding or guidance?

To those who have packed my parachute over the years, I am indebted.

For those who are packing it yet today, I give thanks.

And to those whose parachutes I am packing, I promise to do my best.

-- Steve Goodier

Bhigwan – Birder’s Paradise

2011-01-12T16:49:00.003+05:30

In order to see birds it is necessary to become part of the silence - Robert Lynd

There are many places in and around Pune for a birder’s delight but for a vivid birdwatcher, Bhigwan is a solace. It’s a catchment area of the mighty Ujani Dam, a small town on the Pune-Solapur highway (NH-9), about 100 kms from Pune.

How to reach Bhigwan?

1. Public Transport –

ST buses bound for Solapur and onwards from Pune and also Solapur/Chennai bound fast trains stop at Bhigwan.
a. Duration – 3.5 hrs for bus, 2 hrs for train

b. No need to drive, cost effective

c. One will have to manage exploring the vast area on their own, which can be a turbulent task. To watch the Flamingos, one has to reach Bhigwan before sunrise, public transport schedules may not be suitable for this.

2. Personal Vehicle –

Cars [Bikes are also suitable for the more adventurous bunch ;)]
a. Duration – 2 hrs

b. Time flexibility, can explore many birding spots, can carry photography equipments, food and other luggage, best option if you want to watch the Flamingos at sunrise.

c. Roads aren’t car friendly and even though you can explore a lot of birding spots, you may have to park cars at the closest point and walk. This is not the case if you go on a bike.

3. Things To Carry –
Breakfast and lunch, water, cameras, laptops to transfer images (if reqd), binoculars, cap and an extra paper bag to dump waste. Please do not litter.

4. Route -
Head towards the NH-9 then follow the route Pune > Hadapsar > Loni > Kedagaon > Patas > Kurkumbh > Ravangaon > Bhigwan. Once you reach Bhigwan, take a left towards Diksal before the river bridge. Take right from Diksal and travel by road which heads to Bhilarwadi Sugar plant. This road cuts through the backwaters and is very tapered, wide enough for just one vehicle to pass.

As soon as you start driving towards the lake, with water bodies on both sides, you immediately start to spot migratory water birds in large numbers -- ducks, terns, twany eagles, cotton pigmy goose, lesser whistling teal, ruff, clamorous warblers, marsh harriers, comb ducks, ruddy shelducks, common kestrels, Eurasian wigeons, gadwalls and shovellers. It’s advisable to walk this patch of the road as birds are very sensitive to the engine sounds. It also saves your car the scratches from the thorny bushes on both the sides. You also start to see a lot many egrets, rollers, bee-eaters, kingfishers, drongos, coppersmith babblers, crow pheasants, gray hornbills which are not that camera shy.

After travelling for about 4 kms, you reach the end of the bridge, where fishermen have set up a small roadside village. From here, one can hire a small fishing boat to take a closer look at the ducks, sea gulls flying over your head and eagles catching its preys. Exotic species such as flamingo grace this place with their presence between the months of Dec – Mar. The boat ride to see them up close costs about 150-200 per head. One can sit there for hours watching them fly, hunt, sleep and dodge partners lovingly.

Words cannot completely express the glee of visiting this place and one can just hope and pray that awareness and government’s proposal to turn this place into a bird sanctuary will enhance the Bharatpur of Maharashtra!

On my way!

The flamboyance of flamingos...

© All the photos are copyrighted to Arthi Audiseshan

This article was printed in the Dec'10 issue of Pune City Digest magazine.

Power Walking – Take it up a Notch

2010-10-20T11:24:00.004+05:30

Have you always dreamt of becoming fitter, getting those flat tummy muscles and bursting with energy, but bored of the everyday exercise routines? Want to learn something new to lose weight? Then read on, as all you require for what I am about to tell you are your own two feet and a good pair of shoes.

    Power walking, also known as speed walking, is nothing but rapid walking with one foot always on the ground accompanied by vigorous swinging of the arms. Hundreds of doctors recommend it and research studies can’t stop lauding its benefits. Experts in the field of sports and fitness have described walking as "the nearest activity to perfect exercise". You may wonder how something so simple can be so significant, but as you begin to learn more and more about your body and the benefits of power walking you will realize that it is true; the action of walking may be simple but the results for your health and daily living are far reaching.

    While most of us are familiar with the benefits of jogging, power walking comes as boon to those who want to take it easy on the joints. This is because when you power walk, you hit the ground with less than half the force when you jog. Now this doesn’t mean you pick your shoes and start speed walking. This aerobic activity comes with a little practice. Its recommended you start with regular walking speed and work on your pace on a daily basis. Once you hit an average of 7-9 km/hr and a regime of 4-6 power walks a week 20-30 minutes a day, that’s when you can call yourself a pro.

    Power walking not only burns calories but it also builds your upper body muscles, strengthening and firming them. It is the most natural and fundamental of all human conscious movements; it can be done by anyone and anywhere. There is no age limit, its free it and can be done anytime during the day. To get the maximum benefits, make sure you get a good pair of walking shoes. You will want to invest in some really good ones. Walking shoes that are not too heavy, are roomy, and have some give. When you bend the shoe, it should give easily at the ball of the foot, and when it is on your foot, make sure there is a thumb’s width of space from the front of the shoe to your big toe. Shoes that are too tight or firm will make it hard for you to walk comfortably for very long. As for the attire, any comfortable clothing would do. You do not need to invest in special clothes or equipment to power walk effectively.

    Atul Jagdale, a freelance personal trainer rightly quotes, “Walking is the most natural thing to do – at your own pace and time. Power walking works as an icing on the cake since its very effective for weight loss. To top it you don’t spend much.”

A few tips to keep in mind when you start power walking:

1.       Avoid busy streets. Look for a garden or a race course close by for this process. If you are using a treadmill, try to picture exotic locations like a beach or vast grasslands. This will keep your mind relaxed and boost you to complete your daily rounds.

2.       Take short quick steps than long strides. It’s surprising how much farther you can go this way.

3.       Swing your arms and close your fists in a relaxed way. This way you’d walk faster. Make sure your elbow is bend to 90 degrees.

4.       Keep your posture right. Stick that tummy in and tighten your butt.

5.       Breathe naturally. As you walk, take deep, rhythmic breaths, to get the maximum amount of oxygen through your system. Walk fast enough that your breathing is increased yet you are not out of breath.

6.       Take short breaks if you go breathless. Adding intervals is the fastest way to get fitter.

7.       To get that speed, try to think you are running late and don’t care a hoot about the onlookers.

8.       Last but not least, make your walk fun. Belt a Mp3 player along to keep yourself in rhythm. If you can find a partner to hook up with, nothing like it!

So take that speedy stroll to 'switch off' and stay healthy!

This article was printed in the Oct issue of Pune City Digest Magazine

Toast

2010-10-13T13:03:00.003+05:30

                Love is really funny. A cute smart girl & a handsome witty guy worked in the same office for 2 years. Both sort of liked each other, apparently visible from the smiles exchanged while crossing each others cubicles. The guy would throw a few flirtatious filmy compliments on chats. He would secretly send her an anonymous bouquet of flowers & a cute teddy bear on her birthday. She knew it somewhere that it was him, but never had the courage to ask. Time went by. Some months later the girl had to go for an international trip. Casually she told him that she did not have a nice jacket for the trip. Knowing that his brand new jacket was oversize for her, he still offered it like a hero and she too accepted it with a smile.

             Who knew that a jacket & the time spent away from each other would bring them closer.
With every ticking second of the many international calls, their hearts started to beat in unison. They knew right then that they wanted to spend their life with each other.

              This is the story of Arthi & Glenn.
              To Love, To Laughter, To Happiness Ever After!
              To Arthi & Glenn. Here's wishing you guys a lifetime of happiness!

                                                                                                       ~Prashant Joshi

A Humble Spirit

2010-10-01T13:08:00.004+05:30

In his own eyes, Mike was the most popular guy around. "A lot of women are gonna be totally miserable when I marry," he boasted to his date.

"Really?" she said. "And just how many women are you intending to marry?" (Maybe you new that guy.)

But I like the story of a young woman who wanted to go to college. Her heart sank, however, when she read the question on the admission form that asked, "Are you a leader?" Being both honest and conscientious, she wrote, "No," and returned the application, expecting the worst.

To her surprise, she received this letter from the college: "Dear applicant: A study of the admission forms reveals that this year our school will enroll 1,452 new leaders. We would like to accept you because we feel it is imperative that they have at least one follower."

Sometimes a little bit of humble pie goes well with a rich meal. Actually, what passes for conceit in many people is often just a plea for attention. A poor sense of self may cause one to want to be the prominent star in every constellation. Humility, on the other hand, does not require that one shine less brightly than others, simply that all be given opportunity to shine.

That great 19th Century African American educator Booker T. Washington exemplified the power of a simple and modest spirit. A story is told of a day when Washington, then a professor at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, happened to pass the mansion of a wealthy woman as he walked to work. The woman did not recognize him and called out, "Hey you! Come here! I need some wood chopped!" She was a product of her southern post-Civil War culture and simply perceived him as a black man who was there to do her bidding.
Without a word, Dr. Washington peeled off his jacket, picked up the ax and went to work. He not only cut a large pile of wood, he also carried the firewood into the house and arranged it neatly by the fireplace.

He had scarcely left when a servant said to the woman, "I guess you didn't recognize him, ma'am, but that was Professor Washington!" Embarrassed and ashamed, the woman hurried over to Tuskegee Institute to apologize. The great educator respectfully replied: "There's no need to apologize, madam. I'm delighted to do favors for my friends."

The professor may have taught one of his greatest lessons that day. It was a lesson about astronomy: he taught that every star can shine without one out-shining all the others. It was a lesson about peace: he taught how self-interest must often be set aside for the good of the whole. And it was a lesson about spirituality: he taught about the power of a meek and humble spirit in a world where aggression is too-often confused with strength.

It is a lesson we are still learning.

-- Steve Goodier

White River Rafting on River Kundalika

2010-09-07T11:56:00.019+05:30

Bungee jumping, paragliding and river rafting were on my bucket list for a very long time now. So when my brother referenced to the river rafting website, I immediately shot an email to my friends list looking for participation. There were no second thoughts on their minds too as 7 of us planned this adventure trip within a day’s time. Although most of us had just heard about white river rafting, planning the trip was quite easy. The travel company’s website was quite informative and helped us make booking on time and provided us with many tips.

First let me give you a heads up about the place. Kundalika is a small river flowing from the Hills of Sahyadri to the Arabian Sea. The river is fed by the excess water from Tata Power's Mulshi Dam Project on to a series of hydroelectric projects and dams, where the water is released in the morning typically at 6 am, the rapids thus generated are used for rafting.
We started off from Chandani chowk at 0600 hrs and reached the spot by 0800 hrs. Since there aren’t many dhabas or eateries open in the wee hours, its recommended to carry your own breakfast. Make sure you don’t stuff yourself before the rafting session. We parked our vehicles at the base camp and hired a 6-seater up to the river about 10kms far, that cost us 500 bucks. We were briefed by our guide Ganesh, who told us the dos and don’ts.

And then and then we took our positions and did what Ganesh said -
"Farward paddle!"
"Fast farwards!"
"GET DOWN!"
"HOLD OON!"

The rafting session lasted for 2 odd hours – we gushed through level 2 and 3 rapids and was quite an adrenaline rush. We were screaming and getting wet as our raft hit the rapids. Not to mention the splash water fights with other rafters. We were allowed to dive in and swim for the last 2 3 kms, which was a highlight of the activity. It was worth every rupee spent [Rs. 1250 to be exact ;)]
Then we changed to dry clothes and had the option to munch some snacks at the local thelas, but we opted to find some place on the way back. Luckily we spotted a joint called Orchard Resort, which was recently inaugurated. We all relished a sumptuous lunch buffet for Rs. 149 and headed back to Pune around 1500 hrs.

How to reach there:

Pune – Chandani Chowk – Pirangut – Paud – Mulshi – Tamhini Ghat – Vile Phata (Diversion), 79 kms – Just ahead of this diversion, look for a very small hotel (dhaba) called Deepsayadri – continue ahead, take a right turn (lookout for this turn which slopes downwards, just after the railings) - continue ahead till you see a bridge. Turn left just before the bridge. You will see unfinished / under construction structure and river Kundalika flowing behind it. This is your Rafting Start Point which is Saje village.

Few leads before you plan a trip:

- Rate `700 on weekdays and `1250 on weekends
- Kids below 14 yrs of age aren’t allowed to raft.
- Swimming skills & Previous experience - No need to worry there
- Best quality life jackets and helmets will be provided

Things to carry – change of clothes, towel, floaters, drinking water, plastic bag to carry wet clothes, avoid wearing any accessories and try to carry ready to eat food.

If you decide on an overnight trip you can stay either at the Durshet Forest Lodge or the Empower Camp at Sutarwadi and club rafting along with other activities like bird watching, rappelling, rock climbing, kayaking (only in monsoon), night walks in the forest, barbecues and campfires.

A lot more info at http://www.kundalikarafting.in

More pics @ - http://picasaweb.google.com/arthiaudi/WhiteRiverRaftingAtRiverKundalika?authkey=Gv1sRgCKXRzOLP47r6wgE#

This article was printed in the Oct issue of Pune City Digest Magazine

How much of Facebook?

2010-08-23T12:55:00.002+05:30

When I was asked to write a snippet on any random topic, the first thing that came to my mind was the current hot topic of social networking and Facebook. I thought this is a good opportunity to pen down my views on the subject since I am on the site almost the whole day!

Wiki defines Social Network as a social structure made up of individuals (or organizations) called "nodes," which are tied (connected) by one or more specific types of interdependency, such as friendship, kinship, common interest, financial exchange, dislike, sexual relationships, or relationships of beliefs, knowledge or prestige. Social is the key word here. For generations we learn and teach our kids that we humans are social animals. And in order to survive in today’s stressful lives, we strive to keep that point in mind and revive it time and again. The site’s popularity is clearly visible. I can’t stop myself from logging onto Facebook every morning before I even check my mails. Be it sharing the numerous funny videos posted by my friends or writing on friends walls the day doesn’t start without a funny tag line ;)
I remember during the initial days of Facebook, how excited most of us were to find long lost school friends, sharing loads of pictures and videos, virtual poking each other, throwing virtual pillows and of course, planting seeds in your Farmville! Right from games to super cool applications, many of the users have built a great credibility and gained customers for their various business. Its main USP, however, is that it serves as a dating site. Facebook has been the reason for many solitary souls’ smiles!
Albeit its gaining popularity and number of users, as for any invention, there are the disadvantages too. Major ones being, if you are in cognizant, strangers added as your friends can gain access to personal information, risk your safety and can lead to negative and unpleasant scenarios. You may not even be able to verify your “friend’s” credentials and it might be a false account for all we know.

Facebook may not be all that good or bad. It’s up to us, the users, to decide what kind of information to share. Share with a sense of responsibility and don’t let the cyberpunks trespass what’s personal to you.

Book Review - Train to Pakistan

2010-08-08T15:01:00.010+05:30

Train to Pakistan - by Khushwant Singh published in 1956 - Fiction
Although I have read a lot of books since I was 10, this is my first book review. Thanks to Rahul who inspired (read as forced) me into this one ;)
Train to Pakistan is a book based on the partition of India Pakistan right after India's independence. It takes us to the summer of 1947 to Mano Majra, a tiny village in Punjab. The partition means almost nothing to the local villagers and all is well between the sikh farmers and muslim tenants of the village until the local money lender Ram Lal is murdered. Jugga and the England returned social activist become the prey of Punjab police. The heavy drama shifts drastically when an east-bound train makes an unplanned stop at Mano Majra, coaches full of corpses. The flabbergasted villagers have not yet accepted the truth when reality slaps them once again when Sutlej floods from neighboring village. Action paces on as the magistrate, Jugga, Iqbal (the social activist) and village heads try to tackle the revolting violence. Also, the attitude of local police and niggling government officials is very nicely portrayed. The end however leaves a lot of open threads. Once I was about 4 - 5 pages away from the end, I was keen to know how will he end the series of misfortunes in the village. Frankly I was a bit disappointed since I was expecting something out of Mr. Iqbal as well. But to sum it up, Mr. Singh's eye to detail makes it a total page turner. Train to Pakistan gets a "Must Read" tag.

Between holding a hand and chaining a soul

2010-08-03T17:21:00.006+05:30

After a while you learn the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love doesn mean learning and
company doesn mean security,
And you begin to learn that kisses aren contracts
and presents aren promises,
And you begin to accept your defeat with your head
up and you eyes open, with the grace of an adult,
not the grief of a child,
And you learn to build all you roads on today
because tomorrow ground is too uncertain for
plans.
After a while you learn that even sunshine burns if
you get too much.
So you plant your own garden and decorate your own
soul, instead of waiting for someone else to bring you
flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure...
That you really are strong,
And you really do have worth.

Veronica A. Shoffstall

oNe DaY..........i WIlL bE THeRe...

2009-10-27T17:46:00.022+05:30

Listed are my current best-loved holiday destinations and few reasons why they are numbered here

1. Go Paris ;) -

Whoever is close to me, would know what this city means to me and how eagerly I am waiting to visit this place. From climbing the Eiffel Tower to discovering the artistic treasures of the Louvre I wana do it all. I often get feedback stating that its not worth the trip, its like any other Europe city, its a big-ticket etc, but I know that I surely wanna visit the place once in my life. And I am still clueless what has magnetized me to it so much.

2. Himalayas (Valley of Flowers) -

The other major trait in me is to try and get as close to the nature as possible. And visit places that can make you feel numb just by being there and doing nothing at all. Valley of Flowers in the West Himalaya is one such place. Its natural beauty is ineffable (as I've heard and seen in pictures) let alone sightings of rare birds and animals. It is also closely associated with our Hindu Mythology. I wanna go here before the dirty hands of us humans pollutes the fairyland.

3. Kerala -

Who doesn't know about God's Own Country! One of the most favored honeymoon destinations, Kerala has always charmed me since childhood, with its beautiful backwaters, mellifluent Malayalam, and the yummy delicacies.

4. Nepal -

Mainly for its natural beauty...the lakes, valleys, Himalayas, temples and coz u don need a visa ;) hehehe

5. Sri Lanka -

It's association with Ramayana and the virgin beaches makes Sri Lanka one of the most scenic holidays. Like any other island, there are a lot of activities that you can do while you are here and enjoy the wilderness too.

7. North-East India -

I always wanted to visit the north east Indian cities/states for the most rare and endangered species of animals and virgin dense forests. It is also the habitat of the maximum species of wild orchids. The tea estates, ruins of ancient kingdoms, temples, rivers, hills has tremendous ingredient for adventure and leisure holidays.

6. Switzerland

7. Maldives/Mauritius/Bali

Do I even need to state the reasons for number 6 & 7 ;)

8. Rajasthan -

I so want to visit places like Thar Desert, Jaipur, lakes of Udaipur and desert forts of Jodhpur, Bikaner & Jaisalmer. Often known as the shoppers paradise I can't wait to shop for their textiles, semi-precious stones, handicrafts and unique jewelery. Since its my close fren's native place, I am hoping to get some exclusive tips and tricks to enjoy the beauty of the largest state in India.

9. Kashmir -

I want to visit the Vaishno Devi temple and ofcourse experience heaven on Earth :)

10. Rome / Vatican City -

Who would not want to see the beautiful churches and the meet the pope :)

11. Sydney / Oz

And last but not the least Sydney -- Just for the Oprah House and the Harbor Bridge... :)

Cntrl+F1

2009-07-21T15:47:00.008+05:30

I wished for a wish,
A wish to find things,
To find people, to find emotions,
To find happiness in everything I do :)

Recently, I have misplaced and forgotten so many things, the number is not even funny. Be it my ever vanishing house keys or the book I have been waiting to return to a friend. I make sure I leave it at a place where its very obvious for me to spot it while leaving, but I wonder why I miss it. Invariably lost for words, there is something that always keeps me busy up there --> Don't ask me what it is, coz I am clueless too. Apart from this are times when I just can't find a piece of jewellery or an important doc...when I store it, I know its a safe place and I am sure to find it when reqd. But when I need it, I feel like takin a revolver and shooting myself...for doing it once again...wasting hours searching for it...in the end I land up finding something else I was looking for 3 weeks back ;p And for reasons as such, I have sooooo wished for a Ctrl+F option in life, or atleast an F1. I can already imagine the stuff I would be looking for first...days with mom, my long lost watch, true love, n so on n so forth. I wish the guys at google come up with some tool soon. I wouldn't want everyone to have it, but something's better than nothin ;)
Signing off as I try to Cntrl+F the F1 key ;)

Bewitched in Timberland

2009-05-11T22:41:00.010+05:30

Last year when PJ was talkin to Rajesh about their pending trip to a wildlife park, I jumped in as usual and said that I would be interested too. But I wasn't very sure then, if I could ever make it to one. It was more of a dream to me. This year when PJ put in all his efforts to convince everyone to chip in and make this trip a reality, I was more than happy to help him out. I used to be so excited about the trip and longed for it to get nearer. Finally the day arrived, the train journey to Katni was more of a fight with the unreserved passengers than a jaunt. NikDee's idlis, Kala's thepla and mere curd rice kept us all filled up and saved us from the junk food sold in the train.

Once we reached Katni, Mogli Resort manager had sent us a Tavera to get us to Bandhavgarh. I so wish the a/c in the jeep was more powerful. We couldn't wait to get to the resort. The heat was unbearable. Once at our terminus, I was with my ambhar sharing a neat cottage ;) cleaned up, had our déjeuner and jumped in the gypsies for our very first safari. My migraine started acting up, but I ignored it. The route and the woods mesmerized us as soon as we entered the gate. Our guide Kunwar Singh shared stories and facts about the jungle. As soon as it was 5 PM we saw B2 tigers 2 sons climb down the terrain and prey on a baby vulture. All the guides said it was a rare sight and we were more than glad to watch it hunt. What a sight! A sudden spate of joy built up in me :) I was gladdened seeing them so close the very first day. The jeeps roared back to the gate before it was 6:45 PM deadline -- all smiles :)

Once back to the resort, we dined, checked each others snaps & reposed for the day. Had to get up early for the morning safari. The alarm went off at 4:30 AM...I have never woken up so early apart for our South Indian marriages :p the morning safaris were more pleasant (sans the heat) We saw the same set of stripes today as well after a much awaited session. Meanwhile we also spotted the rest of the jungle family --> deers, elephants, langurs and different species of birds as well. The trails and the ratting calls kept us bewitched in the timber.

Safari # 3 was a bit disappointing as we couldn't get close to any panthera or the B2, who only glanced at us for a split minute. However, we were delighted (initially jealous :p) to hear that Pramika, Kala n Rahul (a wiretapping duh who shared a safari with us) saw B2 up-close n nigh. Thanks to Ram the super quick driver/guide. What an experience even looking at the pics n videos. Pure WOWY! Later, the night at the resort was fun with games and TP stuff.

Last day we checked out of 2 rooms, post safari # 4 and shifted our baggages to room 3. Last safari was uneventful ;( left for Katni after an early dinner and were dead tired by the time we boarded the tardy train. Thank god it was an a/c compartment. Journey was smooth and we kept on hogging thru out :p played a few games and reached Bombay (Kalyan) on time at 7:15 PM. Met Kala's hospitable uncle and aunt and then dined at Mahalakshmi. We nearly missed our Pune train as the coach numbers were mismatched at the platform and we had to take to the woods ;) hehe....Reached Pune before time around 12 and since there was a strike by the rickshaw drivers, family had to come to the rescue. Reached home after we reached our goal :) A trip that I'll never forget -- Adios for now.

PS: More info can be found at http://www.bandhavgarh.net/. For accommodation contact http://mogliresorts.com/

Kanavugal...

2009-03-31T17:19:00.006+05:30

Some say if you dream every night, it signifies that you havn't had a good sleep...I dream about my mom almost every night...so I don't care if I don get a good nite's sleep.
Atleast then I get to see her...be with her. I have lost count on how many times I end up brushing my teeth crying...realising it was just a dream and I have to face the truth yet another day...but I keep mum and try to hide my swollen face from my dad.

I dont mind the dreams...

Power of Google

2009-03-12T23:09:00.004+05:30

Yet another boring day...finished dining and wondering how to end the day with positive thoughts...how hard is it to do that....extremely hard for a lovely girl in a frustrated world...sorry I meant for a frustrated girl in a lovely world...after filtering through a few more matrimony proposals and facebooking, I thought about my new pass time...its called the who's doing what...I just close my eyes and try to picture each of my close friends are doing right now :p its fun...try it...whateva!!!!! Anyway I googled about google today :D and found quite a few interesting things...the first link was obviously google.com the search engine...but I also learned bout google reader...I then used it to subscribe to few of my fav sites...also read about google.org...read about how they are tryin to tackle global challenges...way to go google!!! What was more interesting was to read about google...they have around 20000 employees and their head quarters in Mountain Vie Calif is called Googleplex...As an interesting motivation technique (usually called Innovation Time Off), all Google engineers are encouraged to spend 20% of their work time (one day per week) on projects that interest them...I wish my boss allowed that...I would be researching around the tv set the whole day :p...also got to know about Google I/O...Google's largest developer event of the year, Google I/O...The next link was about google adwords...you have visit this page if you want to publicize your business...some awesome deals...then there is google sms, lang tools, igoogle, google directory the list just goes on....I thank Larry Page and Sergey Brin - the co-founders of the amazing site and wish to be born as an employee of the co in my next janam :p Jai Google Dev !!!

Emoticons... :) :D :p

2008-12-29T16:02:00.009+05:30

The visual aids to express how you feel...How I want to thank Mr. Scott Fahlman who came up with the smiley proposal back in September 1982 :)

Right from expressing how happy you feel to how frustrated you are, emoticons helps you convey more than mere words. Agreed that there is nothing to beat the power of words, but for people like me, who arn't good with sayin the 'right words at the right time', emoticons is a boon! I have unknowingly managed to by-heart most of the smiley shortcuts in Yahoo and I just love to use them with almost every statement of mine. From Hi :) to a Bye :-h from being esctasic :D to frustrated :-L You goof up, just blow a Kiss :* or a hug >:D<

Shades of yellow angling towards a happy aspect, whereas an angry or frus image pops up in shades of red.

The animated ones in Yahoo makes it even more entertaining...they just light up the conversation and gives the person on the other end of the window a very vivid image of your thoughts. After using them for so many years, I can't picture a chat conversation without them :-? so why don't you get addicted to the funtoo world of emoticons and ping me how you feel about them ;)

:-h till then

Amma...We Miss You!

2008-09-16T20:27:00.004+05:30

We try hard to run away and hide from the fact, but it's not possible. Fighting silent tears, wangling chocked up words and trying to hang on courageously fades away every night. Dad is trying hard to cope with his part, for me, for others. Bestow your love as you always did and protect us - angel of love and sacrifice. For you Paddu -
One calm, bright, sweet, sunshiny day, an angel stole out of heaven and came down to this old world, and roamed field and forest, city and hamlet. Just as the sun went down he spread his wings and said: "Now my visit is out, and I must go back to the world of light. But before I go, I must gather some mementos of my visit here."
He looked into a beautiful flower garden and said, "How lovely and fragrant these flowers are." He plucked the rarest roses and made a bouquet and said, "I see nothing more beautiful and fragrant than these; I will take them with me."
But he looked a little further and saw a bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked baby, smiling into its mother's face. And he said, "Oh, that baby's smile is prettier than this bouquet; I will take that, too."
Then he looked just beyond the cradle and there was a mother's love pouring out like a gush of river towards her daughter. And he said, "Oh, that mother's love is the most altruistic act I have seen on this earth; I will carry that, too."
With the three treasures he winged his way to the pearly gates, and lit just on the outside and said, "Before I go in, I will examine my mementos." And he looked at the flowers and they had withered. He looked at the baby's smile and it had faded. He looked at the mother's love and there it was, in all its pristine beauty.
He threw aside the withered flowers and faded smile, and winged his way through the gates and led all the hosts of heaven together and said, "Here is the only thing I found on earth that would keep its beauty all the way to heaven - it is the mother's love!"

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you

2008-09-09T15:34:00.021+05:30

Is there a reason for the imbalance

What goes on in the minds of abundance

Wondered how it feels when everything fails

Destiny of those with full of ails

Share what you have today

Coz you may need some of it tomorrow

It's a game of fate

Better late than being narrow

Sparsity of love and time

Coz there are many to part with the dime

I ensure you will cherish the days

When you find the truth of His ways

Straight from Cyberspace

2008-09-08T15:04:00.004+05:30

A woman and a man are involved in a car accident. It's a bad one. Both of their cars are totally demolished but amazingly neither of them are hurt. After they crawl out of their cars, the woman says, "So you're a man, that's interesting. I'm a woman. Wow, just look at our cars! There's nothing left but fortunately we are unhurt. This must be a sign from God that we should meet and be friends and live together in peace for the rest of our days."

The man replied, "I agree with you completely. This must be a sign from God!

The woman continued, "And look at this, here's another miracle... My car is completely demolished but this bottle of wine didn't break. Surely God wants us to drink this wine and celebrate our good fortune." Then she hands the bottle to the man. The man shakes his head in agreement, opens it and drinks half the bottle and then hands it back to the woman. The woman takes the bottle,immediately puts the cap back on, and hands it back to the man. The man asks, "Aren't you having any?" "No, I think I'll just wait for the police..."

Touched By An Angel :)

2008-09-02T11:31:00.012+05:30

Our sweet little angel has no idea what an effect she had when she landed on earth..straight into our lives..god surely sent her to heal our wounded soul..she began to mesmerize us with every move, every smile and the ever echoing giggle..no matter how horrible your day would have been, she wouldn't wana know, she wouldn't ask - all she would do is make you smile with her wink..a sanative touch and hug that'll help you forget the irksome hours spent in the cubicle. With a race against time we try to enjoy every single growing day of our Rajati (my mom nick named her that) but are always taken aback when we see her old pics and wonder when was she that tiny :)

We didn't know we would get a surprise-us-with-a-phrase package with her school admission. We would jus gape at her when she comes up with those wacky Q&A -
(Also contributing to her vocab is Pogo and the amazing world of super cartoon channels) One of the miracles I witnessed after Kavya's birth is my bro, Kittu, reaching this amazing level of patience..she can sure nachao him on her unglis :p

I hope every single family gets to witness this amazing era of seeing a child grow and realise life's so beautiful with them around. God bless all these taare zameen par :)

I would like to jot down few of her funny / surprising and weird statements (have a laugh) -

- Yanga yanga (National Anthem ka "Vidhya Himachal yamuna ganga") I'll soon upload a full version of the song
- Sit in the this
- I got fas in this
- I keeped the bag naaa
- It's she birthday

And here's some treat for ur eyez...

Kavya Karthikeyan babbling away to glory

Nuts for Sports

2008-07-20T13:47:00.003+05:30

For the past few months, I have been trying really hard to catch up with a lot of things...be it long lost friends, movies, lota sleep, blogs, and chiefly sports. I'm not sure if I can give credit to my guy friends that made me develop so much interest in sports these days, but they would surely play a major role. Be it PJ and Gokul discussing some premier league match with complicated european player names (god knows from where they get such rarified names) or rajesh and zuber the sunday F1 races on *%$# tracks; I just wonder which part of a guy's body helps them recollect 10 decades of score cards and epic match details. I tried - but trust me gals, its not as easy as keeping an eye on those designer discount sales. But I'm not giving up. I'll try to keep up with them as much as I can and see how far I reach. If my life partner decides to lend me a helping hand - will surely make a huge differnece (what's bigger than huge?)
In fact i just finished watching the Wimbeldon '08 Womens finals (Venus Williams vs Serena Williams) - woa watta match - loved every point, but what I'm really waiting to catch up is the Nadal - Federer finals, heard it's an epic match that went on for about 5 odd hours. Will surely post on that once I get to see it. Let me know when the DVD is out. Will also try to catch the F1 race this evening, till then keep going nuts on sports u guys.

Tagged - A-Z!

2008-04-07T00:08:00.026+05:30

Tagged by Vinod.....for some crap called self-realization :p (god knows wat that means)

A-Available:

Depends who's asking the question ;)

B-Best friend(s):

Check my previous post ;)

C-Cake or Pie:

Pie....preferebly apple...
I don't mind choco cake too...

D-Drink of choice:

Non-Alchoholic - Orange juice (my skin needs some vit c')
Alchoholic - Vodka (have you eva tried the vodka martini ~ u shud ~ jus perfect)

E-Essential thing used every day:

Gulp, Ping, Tring, Yummy, Wrooom and Clothes ;)

F-Favorite color:

BLACK!

G-Gummy bears or worms:

Gummy Bears...Can't stand the thot of eating worms or anything related to it...

H-Hometown:

Ooty...hang on...guess it's chennai...pick da one u want... :p

I-Indulgence:

TV and Games....be it movies, series or just a bricks game on my lappy...I can even forget the season

J-January or February?

February. U knw why ;)

K- Kids and names?

Woa...the thot of having my own kids scares me....frget the names...

L-Life is incomplete without:

Obvi food and water....other than that friends and music...

M-Marriage date:

07th Nov 1974 ;)

N-Number of siblings:

One Big B. Don't we just HATE each other :p

O-Oranges or apples:

Isn't that obvious from my prev responses... :)

P-Phobias:

Losin loved ones.. :(

Q-Quote:

"This too shall pass" (גזי)
'Everything happens for good'

R-Reason to smile:

An old friend's visit and surprises...

S-Season:

Winter...anytime ;)

T-Tag two people:

Rajesh - You need some inspiration to write more... ;)
Rajeev - I'm sure he's just playin tennis this weekend too...so some activity for u Mr. Mankar ;)
Can I tag more ppl? plsss
Niks - Have you written post marriage? Guess not...
Rohanoid - I would just love to read the wacky answers he'll come up with ;)
PJ - Miku's out of town ;)
Raj & VJ - You guys should start off....why not with this one... :)

U-Unknown fact about me:

I hate liars and I just hate to lie....(guess if thats a lie) :p
And I also talk in my sleep sometimes and I dream every single nite...

V-Vegetable(s) you do not like:

Hmmm....I guess I would only hate it if's prepared awfully...

W-Worst habit:

Not clear bout anything and everything...very shilly-shally mind...

X-rays you have had:

Leg, back and head...

Y-Your favourite food:

Indian...esp Punjabi & apart frm that Mexican

Z-Zodiac:

Virgo! [Can't you make that out by just how neat my blog-spot is ;)]

"There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is a miracle" - Albert Einstein

Ally pal...

2008-03-31T15:17:00.016+05:30

Don't you think it's been really long since I've written about something nice, fresh or new? I hear a lot of yea's....so I was just wondering what should I write about today...something pleasant and nice...
What better than friends...all time, through out seasons they are the best thing that can happen to anyone...so lets just randomly talk about them...we always hear about them bein there beside you during tough times, helpin u...blah bahl ablh...but whats typical is how you categorise them...lets see...
So there is this 1st slot with just a few good friends...always share everything with them > go out with them > shop with them > eat with them an all that...not let anyone else in between their close knit interweave > very few can keep this bond goin strong > good luck to them...
The next is the one who has many best friends...they really don't know who is the closest of the lot > if there are any...tend to share everything with everyone and call each one of them their true best langotiya yaar ;p
And now make way for the general lot...I'm sure most of us will be able to relate to this one...so you have cracked up groups...some from college > few from PG > some from your first job > and then again the mixed category of common friends > and the stags whom you meet once in a while to just keep in touch ;) You have your preferences among these and ofcourse your favorites...
Now we have a major nuptial clause here...which makes a major variation...if you are single you have the whole damn world to your own self and to decide...but if u ain't you need to keep your better half well informed and upto date on your group activites...or simply get her/him into your own gang...less work for you ;)

So which one do you fit in? and which one do you want to fit in? Keep integrating...

"Ah, how good it feels...the hand of an old friend" - Mary Englebright

Poème

2007-12-28T16:28:00.001+05:30

I’m just not me
Coz of the queer queer world
I’m just not me
Can you help me change?

I wish I could blur it out
But I know its goanna fade
I hope it’s a prank
By the one we were made

Long nights feel so still
Days rush to reach there too
Yet another day yet another cloud
I wish it pours all night long

So many stars and brightening lights
Yet so murky around me I feel
Where’s the tang I used to smell
‘Give it to me back’
I wanna YELL!!!

Still Thinking…………………….
Still Lost………………………….
Don’t know where to find the good old cast

Ordinary People...

2007-11-02T14:59:00.001+05:30

When you walk on the road, you pass by so many people. Some look purposeful, well-dressed, confident, well-maintained. But the majority appear so normal, wear poor-fitting clothes, unfashionable shoes, have too much fat or very little, nothing exceptional about them, nothing attractive.

But yet someone somewhere keenly waits for this unimpossing man to come home every evening.
Someone's entire world turns around the power of this feeble-looking woman.
Someone's very purpose in life hinges on this slapdash youngster cutting through traffic.
Someone knows only the warmth of these aged arms each time their world begins to collapse.
Someone will count days, hours, minutes, and weep like a kid when this pock-marked face fades off from a long-distance train.

Someone will back down, crack up, and never be themselves again if this one person disappears from the face of the universe.

There are no ordinary people.

Drive carefully.

Right Said Friend...

Funny!

2007-09-25T11:56:00.002+05:30

My bro captured this on our recent visit to the local zoo...
Golden Question:
Did they hire the editor of the Oxford/Chambers Thesaurus to write signboards at the Katraj zoo?

Greener Grass Hopper

2007-09-25T11:04:00.001+05:30

Have you ever wondered that most of the time we are seldom happy with what we have...Its not because we dont want to be, but just coz we dont realise how much worse life can get and the current situation could have been heavenly if we were in those conditions. Be it a 'single-ready-to-mingle' girl waiting to find love, a chap wanting to get out of a marriage, an NRI who is really sad after a visit to his country or an engineer who is waiting to go on site, each one of us have dreams and desires in life. And its extremely subjective. And if we dont seem to achieve it within the expected time frame we lose hope and tend to be unhappy. The best possible way to get out of this is to talk it out to your friends...Never gulp it all down as that gets you more into depression...Talk and you feel much lighter and suddenly seem to start seeing things crystal clear.
So now I have made up my mind that whatever life gives me I'm ready to accept it - provided it gives me a friend beside me always. And when I rewind a bit I gather that it does it all for good. You might not see the results there and then but it sure will bring out the best for you. So neva lose hope and hang on...

"If you really wish to sing...you can never run out of songs..."

2007-08-27T11:09:00.001+05:30

Hey people...'ssup...I just came to know few days back that the number 112 can be used to dial in during acute emergencies...Interesting pointers to note:
- Can be dialled even when the keypad is locked
- Even if nil home network, uses the best next network to get the call thru
- Reaches the closest control room from where you should possibly get some help

psst: Stop confirming my facts by dialling in rite away...just get the number sunk into ur memory and get back to work...TTYL

A quote that changes each day....increases visitors to ur bay ;)

2007-08-01T13:00:00.001+05:30

Can we ever think like them?

2007-07-01T16:20:00.004+05:30

THE WAY CHILDREN SEE THINGS!

Have you ever wondered what goes on in a child's mind...Even a mother cannot predict it...Here are few examples (read, experienced and heard) of what they actually think about certain things in life. And as someone rightly said a child can ask questions that a wise man cannot answer....

Enjoy the post.... :)

Nudity

I was driving with my three young children one warm summer eveningwhen a Woman in the convertible ahead of us stood up and waved. Shewas stark naked! As I was reeling from the shock, I heard my5-year-old shout from the back seat, "Mom! That lady isn't wearing aseat belt!
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HONESTY

My son Zachary, 4, came screaming out of the bathroom to tell me he'ddropped his toothbrush in the toilet. So I fished it out and threw itin the garbage. Zachary stood there thinking for a moment, then ran tomy bathroom and came out with my toothbrush. He held it up and saidwith a charming little smile, "We better throw this one out too then,'cause it fell in the toilet a few days ago.
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OPINIONS

On the first day of school, a first-grader handed his teacher a Notefrom his mother.. The note read, "The opinions expressed by this childare not necessarily those of his parents."
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KETCHUP

A woman was trying hard to get the ketchup to come out of the jar.During her struggle the phone rang so she asked her 4-year-olddaughter to answer the phone. "It's the minister, Mommy," the childsaid to her mother. Then she added, "Mommy can't come to the phone totalk to you right now. She's hitting the bottle."
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MORE NUDITY!
A little boy got lost at the YMCA and found himself in the women'slocker room. When he was spotted, the room burst into shrieks, withladies grabbing towels and running for cover. The little boy watchedin amazement and then asked, "What's the matter haven't you ever seena little boy before?"
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ELDERLY

While working for an organization that delivers lunches to elderlyshut-ins, I used to take my 4-year-old daughter on my after noonrounds.The various appliances of old age, particularly the canes, walkers andwheelchairs, unfailingly intrigued her. One day I found her staring ata pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced myself for theinevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, "Thetooth fairy will never believe this!"
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DRESS-UP

A little girl was watching her parents dress for a party. When she sawher dad donning his tuxedo, she warned, "Daddy, you shouldn't wearthat suit." "And why not, darling?" "You know that it always gives youa headache the next morning."
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DEATH I love this one!!

While walking along the sidewalk in front of his church, our ministerheard the intoning of a prayer that nearly made his collar wilt.Apparently, his 5-year-old son and his playmates had found a dead robin.Feeling that proper burial should be performed, they had secured asmall box and cotton batting, then dug a hole and made ready for thedisposal of the deceased. The minister's son was chosen to say theappropriate prayers and with sonorous dignity intoned his version ofwhat he thought his Father always said: "Glory be unto the Faaaather,and unto the Sonnn ... And into the hole he gooooes."
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SCHOOL

A little girl had just finished her first week of school. "I'm justwasting my time," she said to her mother. "I can't read, I can't writeand they won't let me talk!"
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BIBLE

A little boy opened the big family bible. He was fascinated as hefingered through the old pages. Suddenly, something fell out of theBible. He picked up the object and looked at it. What he saw was anold leaf that had been pressed in between the pages. "Mama, look whatI found", the boy called out." What have you got there, dear?" Withastonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, "I think it'sAdam's underwear!"

My Tattoos...

2007-05-03T12:00:00.002+05:30

Absurd Ends!!!

2007-04-23T18:54:00.001+05:30

I keep him informed, make sure nothin goes wrong, nothin tht'll piss him off, try to cheer him up wen it's really tht hard time of the day, keep plannin surprises for him, be punctual ALL da time, lie ALL da time at home, cook for him, ditch frens MOST of da time, try not to be too close to other guys, shop FOR him ( not with him), give him all my time.....................do I still deserve to be taken for granted ALL da time???? Is pure guileless my fault???? I'm not sure how he feels or does he even agreee to this but I think I (as a result of readin a lotta of psycological books on guys) try to look at everthin from a guys point of view. This does reduce a lotta fights between us but i'm sure he fails to understand the effort tht goes behind all this. Mehek*, his ex, neva even treated him like this. Oh am I framin tht sentence the other way!!!! He neva even treated Mehek this way. She has soooooooo much of attitude man and is such a jerk. Jerk to da core. Flashy, short skirts, big money and gifts is all tht she can think of. But he still went back to her. His attitude toto changes when it comes to dealin with such typical girley attitude. I frankly fail to understand this behaviour of guys.I think such guys NEED such bit**y treatment. They ask for it. And they deserve it. Comparitively I prefer guys who are stright forward and express what they really need from a relationship. You can atleast carry on with your life man....not get stuck with the other kind I talked about. There are also the really cute and honest types as well [although I sometimes feel there ain't such a category in guys ;)] Anyway...all said and done, I am actually quite enjoying my solitary status and although I'm not sure how long I can enjoy this and boast about it but I sure would not mind having someone who treats me right and loves me :D

:?

2007-01-29T15:23:00.001+05:30

Why does god ever want us to get close to someone when he knows that they can't have the same relationship for long??? May be he thinks that better to take these humans thru it rather than them not experiencing it at all. I understand that happening once; but y does he have to do it again and again? Why does he make you go thru such painful phases in life; phases which even force you to make wrong decisions in life? Is it to test our immune towards depression? ***l***t! Cant wait to get outta such a phase man!!! I know it'll pass by but each day seems to drag on like decades.......................................................................................

Let everyone go to hell!!! Me Too!!!!

amma...

2007-01-15T13:00:00.002+05:30

Have you ever realised a world without moms...u cant and can ever will coz there will be no world without her...there is not a soul who has not uttered the word mom and there is not comparitive feeling to that...

She is a godess whom you can speak to your heart out and she will forgive the grossest of mistakes...she will go thru hell and still make sure you get what you want...still feel that may be she could have done more for you...

But you may not exactly feel the same for her...coz there is no comparision to the feelin a mom has for her kids...

Even when the kids leave her deserted in her old age (when she needs them da most) she doesnt blame them...instead believes that they may have some dire problems bcoz of which he/she has taken that decision...in short she cannot even think of holding them gulity
But what happens when she leaves us forever...a child attached to his/her mom doesnt even want to think of such a situation in a normally led life...

But there comes a phase in life where few ill fated souls have to go thru this...and thats the time you actually realise how important she is in your life...you start recollectin the fun filled days with her...days wen she played with u...scolded u...loved u...beat u...hugged u...laughed at ur stupid jokes...cried with u..for u...protected u...shouldered u...supported u...carried u...shored u...sheltered u...da list goes on...an so do da memories...

I think more than the child, its the spouse who goes thru more pain and trauma durin this phase...coz he is the one who has been with her more than anyone else...

God Bless all those souls who go thru this and may Lord give them enough strength to withstand the ordeal!!!