Jaipur revisited

_

Technically we never entered Jaipur. The best we did was sitting at a cafeteria on the walls of Nahargarh Fort and eating evening snacks while enjoying a breathtaking view of the Pink City. I cannot recount anything better that happened on my recent term break which by the way was extra-ordinarily packed with fun.

Driving some 300 miles in a day, chatting with an old friend all the way, feeling like a child running around an old majestic fort, relaxing and hurrying intermittently - these things don't happen together often. Even going crazy in a traffic jam at midnight for some two hours was somehow fitting. What a day that was !!!

the darkness that's within

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I bought my pet bottle of coke and tried to cover the lighted area of mess as quickly as possible. It was a relief to enter the darkness. Darkness is cool. It is where I am with myself. It is where nobody knows about anything.

Some say darkness is bad. I feel otherwise. How can darkness be bad if it reduces everything to such simplicity as nothingness? When it is not dark, we witness the complex. Then to comfort ourselves we try to simplify what we witness. That is life.

Autobiography: Entry 0

My grandpa was compounder to the village doctor. My dad retired as an Assistant Engineer. I was a Manager at 25. The growth is exponential and as it is with every exponential pattern, the secret lies not at t = T but at t = o.

Around 15 Km from Patna is the village Khagaul. My dad was the eldest of eleven children from a poor family in this village. The situation obviously meant that he had to work right from a young age. Something remarkable must have happened. Dad was clear that education is important to the future of our family. I am not sure from where he got this vision of his because there was nobody around educated enough to guide him. It took some effort to convince my grandpa who himself was burdened with a dependent family of thirteen. To cut a long story short, my father worked and studied at the same time and finished a diploma in engineering. How he did it would make an inspiring biography. It was a big deal at that time. He received an immediate offer from Bihar Government for the post of Junior Engineer at PWD.

There was no looking back after that. Each of his siblings got progressively educated. It is not a surprise that the average qualification in my generation is a graduate. The more I think about it the more I tend to believe that the destiny of our family was written in one single moment. That moment was coincidently on the first day of a cold November, 70 years ago, when the first child was born to a poor family.

Happy B'day Dad :)

RDB Rocks

Strange but this pre-independence revolutionary dialogue, as depicted in Rang De Basanti, still holds ground :)

...मैं जानता हूँ आप चाहते हैं मेरी शादी हो लेकिन मेरी दुल्हन तो आज़ादी है॥

A comment on achievements

_

You don't realize what you have achieved until you look into the eyes of the person, who believed that you can do it, and see in those eyes the real joy and pride of being correct. In my case there are a handful of such eyes and I believe that that is a greater achievement.

sometimes, not always :)

_

जिसे भी देखिये वो अपने आप में गुम है

जुबां मिली है मगर हमज़ुबां नहीं मिलता

I am what I am ...

_
I am an intelligent geek to my high school friends. I am an agreeble batchmate to my under grad pals. I am a smart resource at office. I am a dumb anti-social anomaly in my family. Among my PG group, I am the big old guy who lives in his own world. To my oldest of friends back from school days, I am the guy 'who did that and ben there.'

It's amusing but I tend to behave in different groups differently. All of us do. Isn't it strange that we live so many lives in one. Isn't it stranger that we allow ourselves to be so.

What if ?

_
We sleep because we think we need to sleep. We eat when we feel hungry. We smile on a joke. We care when we feel like caring. We think we do what we do is because we want to do it. How wrong we are.

Life weaves a neat web of needs around us. We feed life to keep this web intact. It grows.

I sleep today because I have to wake up early morning tomorrow to attend classes to do well in my class to get a good job to repay my loans and to earn a living at par with my status to spend on lavish flat rent and expensive friday night parties and a flamboyant lifestyle suited for an MBA.

What if I decide not to wake up early tomorrow?

PS: This blog has no connection with any living or dead person and certainly not me.

Aliver !

_

Add colours to your life !

That was one of the most remarkable advice I received in one of the mock interviews. I went on to question that remark - 'But Sir, is my resume so colourless? What about traveling as an interest? The guy smiled. He told me that I better consider how others perceive me in this regard.

True. I do not consider others in my grand plan of life. To some extent I live in a cocoon. The world is too complicated for me. Yet it feels correct to add more colours. But how? Would a wild escapade do? Or a whimsical act? Or something not ever expected from me?

What would make me more colourful, more alive?

there is some good in suspense ;)

_

दायरे इनकार के, इकरार की सरगोशियाँ ।
ये अगर टूटें कभी तो फासला रह जाएगा ।

Ne...phew :)

_

There is something about my nephew. I can't believe how my life has transformed since he was born. I remember his existance was an instant life-support for me at that time. I was going through the lowest phase of my life. The good omen didn't cease there and then. I can feel the turned tides everyday.

Its as if he is looking straight into my eyes and telling me - chachu, don't worry ! I won't let anyone mess up with you.

The buffer that is MBA

_

There is close link between MBA and buffers. In fact this link is probably the most significant reason why an MBA is suited for middle management and not entrepreneurship. A buffer is backup. When a person receives an MBA degree, he also receives a degree of freedom. The freedom is that of choice. He / she can now choose from multiple options of job profiles and salary packages. It is the same reason why b-school grads are found to hop from one job to another in search of an ideal role. Hence a post-graduation from a good b-school it is a state of minimized risk.

One can argue that under given circumstances of reduced risk in one aspect of life, an MBA would rationally go for a riskier job profile i.e. own business. However, this is not how the real world works. Out there, individuals are pushed to the brink and it is at the edge that they learn. Those who are pushed far, fall. Those who turn the tides around are the ones we see as successful entrepreneurs. The rough figure given is 1 out of 10 in India.

Earning is not easy in a competitive market-place. It would be foolishness to assume that studying theories in class on how markets work will give us even a tiny glimpse of reality. The two key take-aways I see from MBA is the confident self and an enhanced short-term memory developed in slogging for exams after exams. This is apart from the buffer that MBA actually creates.

आराम करो आराम करो

_
आराम ज़िन्दगी की कुंजी, इस से ना तपेदिक होता है
आराम सुधा की एक बूँद तन का दुबलापन खोता है
आराम शब्द में राम छिपा जो भव बंधन को खोता है
आराम शब्द का ज्ञाता तो विरला ही योगी होता है
इस लिए तुम्हे समझाता हूँ मेरे अनुभव से काम करो
ये जीवन यौवन क्षणभंगुर आराम करो आराम करो

--

गोपाल प्रसाद व्यास

'Sir. How did I fare in my mid term exams?'

_

Just when I was tending to achieve pareto suboptimal (a state from where improvement is impossible .. or something like it :) in my BGS paper the idea clicked. What would different course teachers respond to a single question say 'How did I fare in my mid term exams?' And the answers were so amusing that I laughed in the middle of paper.

Question

'Sir. How did I fare in my mid term exams?'

Answers

Business,Govt & Society: Let's see what Milton Friedman has to say about this.

Quantitative Methods: The answer to your question is a joint probability distribution of two discrete random variables which looks like Poisson. In short you are screwed.

Financial Accounting: Your marks are so bad, you better write it off as bad debt.

Managing Organizations: You marks are telling me that your pooled dependency with fellow students is very low.

Micro Eco: Its a diminishing marginal quantity since your first test. You better avoid inki pinki ponki on objective questions.

Managerial Communications: Boy !! There was no mid term exam in my course.

the dilemma of non-participant

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In any given class, there are approximately 20% students who participate. Among these Ps, half are active in all the classes (call them APs) while the rest half change with the interest of subject. The rest 80% of the class comprise of active non-participants (ANPs) in the sense that they choose not to participate.

Two questions arise. How does it matter and to whom? Some basic thoughts would say that the group misses on the contribution of an ANP and the ANP loses vital opportunities of putting forward his / her thoughts in a structured way. These, however, are concerns that come later and are related to individual or the group he /she belongs to. The more important concern is how to use the potential of an ANP in the best possible way. In a class, it may be a trivial matter but in corporates, it is essential to strive to bring the best of ALL employees .

It has intrigued me frequently as to why an organization designs itself to push only the APs who are any way ready to take initiatives. My experience says that they would anyway find ways to contribute. The real goldmine is the majority who sit on their desk and wait to be told what to be done. Pushing them into active participation would be more productive according to me.

and then i laughed

_

As I entered the campus, I felt big. Why today? I have no idea but I felt big. I just moved through the green surroundings towards Admin Block. Suddenly there came an urge to explore the Insti. I walked to a remote corner from where I could see the series of pillars supporting a ceiling which was covered with creepers. At that moment I realized that the grey structure was sending strange cold vibes. It made me feel lonely. Deserted. I started looking for someone. Anyone. Computer Centre was nearby. There must be a few people down there. I took the stairs. As I entered, a cute looking girl looked at me and gave a smile. Whoa! That never happened to me before. Well, not never but the timing here was immaculate. Suddenly I started feeling a lot better. Girls should smile. I came out. It was raining in sunshine. I walked out into the rain. It was one of those mild drizzles that leave me with goosebumps. I love rain. It rains everyday in Bangalore. I love Bangalore. Suddenly I realized the chain of thoughts from feeling big to lonely to exuberent. I laughed. I laughed like a child and it started raining harder. I was wet and life was as beautiful as ever.

thirteen days on wheel

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Delhi > Jaipur > Udaipur > Ahmedabad > Mumbai > Davangere > Bangalore

It all started on 8th of June. I began my long drive from Delhi to Bangalore on dear Walle (my little zen estilo). A total of 2000 miles was to be covered in 13 days. I remember different people reacting differently to this supposedly crazy idea but the one I found most amusing was what Sabiha said :) "PK drive kar ke Bangalore jaa rahaa hai". Both of us laughed on that comment but that seems to be a different era.

There is so much to tell about this journey and so much to share from my experience that one blog is insufficient. However I would recount one - the last one. At the closing stage of this journey, I was crossing Chitradurga, some 130 miles from Bangalore. I realized that there is an ancient fort at the top of the city. I drove my car, walked my way and found myself at the top of this fort. The view was simply surreal. On one side I could see the ruins of palatial complex. On the other side, there was this huge farm of windmills visible for miles. It was as if with a 180 degree turn, I could move from 500 BC to 2500 AD.

That was the last of memories that I collected before entering the realms of a city that has found itself a place even in English dictionary.

जो बीत गई सो बात गई

_
जीवन में मधु का प्याला था
तुमने तन मन दे डाला था
वो टूट गया तो टूट गया
मदिरालय का आँगन देखो
कितने प्याले हिल जाते हैं
गिर मिटटी में मिल जाते हैं
जो गिरते हैं कब उठते हैं
पर बोलो टूटे प्यालों पर
कब मदिरालय पछताता है

-बच्चन

A tribute to Master

"To Sachin, the man we all want to be"
- Andrew Symonds wrote on an aussie t-shirt he autographed specially for Sachin.
"Tuzhe pata hai tune kiska catch chhoda hai?"
- Wasim Akram to Abdul Razzaq when the latter dropped Sachin's catch in 2003 WC.
"We did not lose to a team called India...we lost to a man called Sachin."
- Mark Taylor, during the test match in Chennai (1997)
He can play that leg glance with a walking stick also.
- Waqar Younis
'I Will See God When I Die But Till Then I Will See Sachin'
- A banner in Sharjah
To get his wicket better not prepare. Atleast u wont regret if he hits you for boundaries.
- Allan Donald
On a train from Shimla to Delhi, there was a halt in one of the stations. The train stopped by for few minutes as usual. Sachin was nearing century, batting on 98. The passengers, railway officials, everyone on the train waited for Sachin to complete the century. This Genius can stop time in India!!
- Peter Rebouck - Aussie journalist
"I have seen god, he bats at no.4 for India"
- Mathew Hayden
"He has been in form longer than some of our guys have been alive"

- Daniel Vettori

A journey to remember :)

12 days. 1500 miles. Me and my car. A whole list of places to visit en route. Sounds travelfreakish :)

Right now Sid is driving the car and we are heading towards Ahmedabad. That would complete the first leg of this odyssey.

We were at Monsoon Palace yesterday and pampered ourselves with chocolale brownies. Actually it was much more than brownies - in front of us was the royal palace; on the left was an engrossing view of Udaipur; on the right the sun was dying behind a blue range of mountains. Of the four I can't decide which was keeping us more occupied.

Today's morning was spend appreciating the intricate marble work @ Ranakpur Jain Temple. It's 90 km from Udaipur through a tortuous but smooth road mostly into hills. The temple is a wonder in itself. Pillars after pillars are carved with deftness - 1440 in all. Domes have radial symmetry - each with a different design so complex that Sid caught me looking at them with mouth agape.

Udaipur leaves me mesmerized. All I can say that there wouldn't have been a better place to begin with.

An evening at Laltibba

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Writing a blog on my mobile at 7000 ft above sea level with a stunningly colourful view of himalayas in the background and bun-butter-tea in front of me. Can life be any better? Unfortunately yes :( and thats cos I am missing good company ...

That's not fair

It's 11.30 at night. Kolkata Knight Riders need 6 of 6 balls. Can they do it? I'll bite them if they don't. Even the most anti-KKR fan wouldn't have the heart to see them go down thrice in three games - all of them close like hairline. A blogger has aptly remarked - with KKR the match is not over until its over.

These last few days of IPL were not good for weak hearts. One match after another has found me on the edge of my couch biting my nails at frantic pace. Unfortunately KKR has been not mostly but everytime at the receiving end.

It's 4 of 3 balls now. Anybody watching this game wouldn't believe that this team has already 185 runs on board. It must be those excrutiatingly painful losses in last couple of games that is blinding them.

3 of 2 balls now...

Chit-chat

_X: paaaaani chala gaya

me: hmmm

X: tere ghar ke pas wale swimming pool mein raat mein jan suvidhayen hain??

me: jan suvidhayen matlab?

X: nahane aur dhone ke liye

me: nahane ka hoga

dhona kya hai?

X: M S dhoni ko!!!!!!

me: dhona dhone dhoni !!!

X: ya sanskrit lessons online!!!!

me: ouuuu

tabhi wo dhobi ki tarah khelta hai :)

Age old wisdom

Received fresh from dad today :) thought I should jot it down...

काक् चेष्ठा, बको: ध्यानम्, श्वान निद्रा तथैव च: ।
अल्पहारी, गृह-त्यागी, विद्यार्थी पंचम लक्षणम् ॥

438

In a game where numbers mean everything and nothing, this one figure stands apart as a reminder to everyone that nothing is impossible. This number is the mantra that generates hope and audacity even to the most down-trodden.

Perspective

मैं क्या हूँ, सब कुछ तो हूँ।मैं क्या हूँ, कुछ भी तो नही।

My top ten: Romantic Comedies

1. There Is Something About Mary
Diaz is stunningly desirable and there is a crowd vying for her including our hero Ben.

2. 50 First Dates
The cutest one. Adam is in love and has to remind Drew everyday how much he loves her.

3. When Harry Met Sally
A total commoner Billy and a charming Meg play acquaintance that gradually grows into love. I can't stop laughing when Meg slaps Billy for being a total jerk.

4. Notting Hill
A superstar from Beverly Hills befriends a bookstore owner who lives in Notting Hill. I love the dialogue Julia says ... "I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her."

5. Clueless
Alicia is at her best. This movie is supposed to have created the biggest fashion trend in the US.

6. My Big Fat Greek wedding
A situational comedy with punches so often that I remember falling off the chair laughing.

7. You've Got Mail
The first one to capture chat-n-date culture. Meg is adorable and Tom Hanks looks as serious as possible in a romantic comedy.

8. Love Actually
Several lives entwined and all seeking love. This movie is a class apart.

9. Serendipity
This would have some bias cos I think Kate Beckinsale is the most beautiful woman in Hollywood. The movie is good.

10. America's Sweethearts
Strange but I found Julia much more beautiful than in Pretty Woman. Here she plays sidekick to CJ who is a star and she is in love with CJ's ex-husband.

Life is a waste anyway :)

me: i was gettin pholosophicalwhat do u think

suppose somethin bad happens to u that u think u dont deserve

?

how wud u respond

X: ya

I'd ask GOd y me

me: he he

and then

X: thn wht

nothin I guess

may-b gt all phylosph lk u

me: how long wil u blame god

1 day

2 day

a week

a month

X: tru

thn?

me: well after u get over it

u will start realizing that those days were the days u actually wasted

:)

X: vr perfectly rt

I hv felt it2

at times

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

chalo no more time waste

At the wrong end of business cycle

I hate hearing about social responsibility! Whatever happened to unbridled greed, the conspicuous consumption of wealth, and the get-ahead-by-any-means credo?? Don't tell me it's all over! I didn't get to participate! They can't change the game before I am old enough to play! It's not fair!

-- Calvin

(Contributed by Manish Kumar)

Partyyyyyyyy !!!

_

Me: Ho gayaa.
Friend: Wow ! Great !! Ausm !!!
Me: Yeah.
Friend: Party ??
Me: Anytime yaar.
Friend: When?
Me: Jab tu bole...
Friend: Time bataa.
Me: Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Friend: Saturday?
Me: Nai yaar Saturday तो I am with family.
Friend: Sunday?
Me: :( so sorry yaa already hav plans for Sunday.
Friend: To kab dega party?
Me: Anytime yaar. Jab tu bole....

Help me makeover!

So there is this guy who was always into studies and now he is working in US doing I dont know what. Has to be something boring cos anything a bookworm would do is boring. Just then I realize that I was also a bookworm once. Let me correct the statement. For many of my acquaintances, I 'am' a bookworm. It's like once a bookworm, always a bookworm. And bookworms are boring. Even if they are trekking in Amazon with the hottest playboy model, they must be doing it in the dullest possible way !!! At least that's what everyone thinks !

Now I notice all those comments I get from my distant family members on my focus and concentration when all I am doin is just watching my favourite genie (aadhi adhoori jadooi aasmaani taaqat ;) i jus luv him) on cartoon network.

Man ! I need an image makeover and this mba stuffz hardly gonna help :(

definition of success

_
To laugh often and much;
to win respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty;
to find the best in others;
to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived.

That is to have succeeded.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Was it a nightmare?

Kush is shouting in my ears. I wake up. Where am I ? Oh ! This is the Rotherham flat where we are living for past one month. But what's the din about? Kush is looking horrified. Someone has stabbed Saurabh to death last night. Apparently there is a serial killer on loose in the small town. Now I panic.

Kush suggests we leave the town immediately. More shoutings. I collect my pajama and yellow t shirt and run down the stairs. Surprisingly the same car is waiting for us that Kush drives in India. It has a driver also. But what is it doing in the middle of UK? No time to wonder. We all get inside - Kush, Kunwar and me. We ask the driver to take us somewhere outside the town. Again noisy discussion starts. Who is this serial killer? Why Saurabh?

Suddenly the driver stops the car. He removes his cap. Now his face is visible. He is Bobby Deol ! He looks at us and gives that typical mocking smile of his which says what a bunch of fools we are. Now we realize. He is the serial killer ! He slowly takes out his gun and starts fitting silencer on it. The last thing I remember is that there is a question mark on each of our faces. There would have been bullets had I completed my dream.

Was it a nightmare? Not exactly.

(R) for Recommended

Two evenings. Two friend circles. Two places. One word - Awesome.

I suspect things went too well this weekend. Choki Dhani was an amazing outing on Saturday and GK 2 was surprisingly wonderful on Sunday. What was common apart from the awesome experience? Two things. Firstly I was with friends. Secondly all of us were expecting pretty less from our excursion besides the fact that we were in good company.

Both Choki Dhani (Jaipur) and Diva (GK2) are now (R).

Provide, provide!

_
No memory of having starred
Atones for later disregard,
Or keeps the end from being hard.

Better to go down dignified
With boughten friendship at your side
Than none at all. Provide, provide!
--
Robert Frost

The most entertaining religion?

It was during that long conversation when Bibi asked me if I was born with a choice, which religion I would choose. I said, why, of course Hinduism. She asked me why and the answer was something I had realized a few seconds ago.

If I were to choose a religion, I would choose the most entertaining one, which would keep me occupied in case I want to be. Hinduism scores maximum on both these parameters. The number and variety of festivals and rituals in Hinduism are far more fun than others. Then those long travels just to see a stone that vaguely resembles one of the thoughts of one of the gods. I remember figuring out why we are calling a tetrahadron as Shivling at Kedarnath. Even when I first visited Vaishnodevi, I totally missed the Pinds and as we came out of the cave, I was asking Ma what we were supposed to look at. She was furious and decided to take me for a second round.

Anyways, I love the amount of travel that comes with the Hinduism package and so it is my first choice.

Because I choose to.

Agent Smith: Why, Mr. Anderson, why? Why, why do you do it? Why, why get up? Why keep fighting?

Do you believe you’re fighting for something, for more than your survival? Can you tell me what it is, do you even know? Is it freedom or truth, perhaps peace - could it be for love?

Illusions, Mr. Anderson, vagaries of perception. Temporary constructs of a feeble human intellect trying desperately to justify an existence that is without meaning or purpose. And all of them as artificial as the Matrix itself. Although, only a human mind could invent something as insipid as love.

You must be able to see it, Mr. Anderson, you must know it by now! You can’t win, it’s pointless to keep fighting! Why, Mr. Anderson, why, why do you persist?

Neo: Because I choose to.

Press On !!

Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race

- J. Calvin Coolidge, 30th President of the United States of America

My Top 10: Favourite Treks

Love for trek is one attribute which I associate with trustworthiness. An ardent trekker with a penchant for nature can only be truthful and beautiful from within.


1. Khajjiar to Chamba
I can never forget climbing down the hill, crossing that wooden bridge and then having my lunch beside the flowing river with Bhaiya. This is just half the story :)

2. McLeodganj to Triund
This one is difficult (9 Km uphill) but the contrast of green and white at the top makes it worth the effort.

3. Mukteshwar Trek
This one is memorable because of the M Team we made. Standing at the protruding rock on Chali ki Jaali was awesome.

4. Dalhaousie to Lakkadmandi
Part of National Trekking Expedition, this one was one of my first long treks in Himalayas.

5. Summer Hill to Chadwick Falls
Not many people know about this waterfall in Shimla. Its secluded and natural to the core.

6. Hanuman Chatti to Yamunotri Glacier
One of the most difficult treks. It is not long (7 Km) but the path is rocky and elevated.

7. Kedarnath Trek
Long (14 Km) but simple. The morning view of surrounding hills at Kedarnath is breath-taking.

8. Pavagarh Trek
Ropeway to the top is available but still trek is preferred. This one is near Baroda and reminds me of our bunch at Ahmedabad.

9. Periyar Night Petrol
Manish and Vikash will share this memory with me. Its one of the few wierd things we did in our Kerala trip.

10. Daulatabad Fort Trek
Bhaiya still wont forgive me since we had to abort our trek to the top of this fort cos I developed pressure. It is near Aurangabad and has a terrific defense system.

Triund Trail: A Perfect Weekend

Take a 10 PM train from Delhi to Pathankot on Friday. There are at least 5 of them. Pathankot is overnight journey and you will be there before 9 AM on Saturday. Take a bus from Pathankot to McLeodganj which is a 4 hour drive. You will reach there before 12 Noon. Check into one of the HPTDC hotels. Fresh up and go for Pema Thang Restaurant nearby or better order something in your room. Try some Tibbetan delicacies for lunch. Plan how you would like to spend the rest of day. Ideally you would like to visit the famous Dalai Lama's Monestry which is hardly 5 minutes away. Other places to explore are Bhagsu Waterfall and a trek to St John's Church.

Sleep comfortably because the next day is going to be very hectic. You will have to start as early as 8 AM on Sunday. Take a cab to Dharamkot which is 4 Km from hotel. The long trek starts. Carry 2 bottles of water per person, two chocolates and some food. Triund Ridge is visible from here. It is 10 Km uphill. The first rest would come at Ganu Temple after an hour. Trekking further to Mid Way Cafe will take another one and half hour. Further up is a difficult patch but you will forget everything once you reach the summit. It is a green patch with ice-capped mountain in front. Pleasent breeze and warm sun will make you feel sleepy. Have some food and lie around for a couple of hours. You will realize how good life can be.



Come down fast without break and you will reach McLeodganj before 5 PM. Eat around. Try Italian this time. Now you must start thinking about packing up. Take a bus for Chakki Bank. The last one starts at 7. You will reach the station before 10. A train takes you back to Delhi (you need to reserve a week in advance for both up and down) and you will reach home in time to start for another wonderful day at office :)

Budget for trip = 1000 (A/C train fare) + 200 (bus) + 500 (hotel) + local transport (300) + food (500) = 2500 per person.

About love

_
Love is about liking and knowing - liking each other, knowing each other, knowing the fact that two people like each other and liking the idea that there is still so much more to know.

The most amazing thing about love is that it grows stature wise, not taking giant steps but through little moments of joy. A minor incident recalled, a small altercation resolved, an unusual yet reasonable demand fulfilled, a peculiar characteristic observed, a serious discussion on future - all exclusive to a couple, adds to the beauty.

Robin Williams once said- "Love is a gift. If you have received it, try and appreciate it. If not, don't worry. Someone is still wrapping it for you."

My top 10: Animations

1. Cars
A racing car named Lighning Mcqueen learns the most important lessons of life elsewhere from the track and realizes that there's a lot more to racing than just winning.

2. Kung-Fu Panda
A fat slob of a Panda starts believing in himself and becomes the greatest Dragon Warrior of the land.

3. Shark Tale
Lenny, the sweet shark, is vegetarian and can't confess this to his father.

4. Wall-E
A waste collecting machine (Wall-E) falls in love with a flying vegetation finder (Eve) and follows her to create the most adorable love story ever set in hyperspace.

5. Finding Nemo
Nemo, the clown fish, is gone and his father has the entire ocean to look for him. The problem is how to proceed?

6. Lion King
Simba, the cub to be king, thinks his father died because of him and leaves his 'to be kingdom' in ruins. He returns in time to save the day.

7. Shrek 1
Shrek, the ogre, saves Princess Fiona so that he may spend his life peacefully in his swamp. He ends up adding another of his kind there.

8. Monsters,Inc.
Monsters Incorporated works because chidren are scared of monsters. It takes a crackling smile of a baby to make them realize that true potential lies elsewhere.

9. Ratatouille
Remi, the rat, is an excellent cook and he knows it. The problem is that the world is not ready to accept it.

10. Ice Age 1
A mammoth decides to save a baby boy and return it to his father. There are conspiracies to tackle and an ice age to confront.

Anything but the best

It's funny thing about life. If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you very often get it - Somerset Maugham.

About me...

Hear the eternal procrastinator.

I am an optimistic person with a big fat greek nose. I am considered human only because textbooks say troglodytes no longer exist (at least not in sub-urban India). I procrastinate. If I were to compete with a pregnant hippopotamus on who is more lazy, I would let her win. This also shows my generosity to the fairer sex. I am still figuring out how to communicate with women. So if you are a girl and I am still talking to you, there's a fair chance that I might have stopped considering you one :O

On a lighter note, I have an IQ of 145 and an attitude of a self proclaimed roman emperor (I might remind you of King Julien). It is a miracle that I have a handful of friends whom I wouldn't trade for my next seven hundred lives. I was gifted with a huge loving family - not that I deserve it. And now I have a nephew - the most adorable, kissable, lovable piece of life. And I am his best Chachu - has to be cos I am the only one ;)

I believe that life is beautiful. Beauty is in the eye of beholder. I hold life beautiful and that is the essence of my happiness.

ग़ालिब कहते हैं...

ज़िन्दगी तेरी हर बात पे समझौता करूँ
शौक जीने का है पर इतना तो नही

जो मुड़ के भी ना देखे एक बार को
ऐसी मगरुर तमन्नाओं का पीछा ना करो

मैं खुदा था गर होता ना कोई मुद्दा
मेरी आरजूओं ने मुझे बन्दा कर दिया

Autobiography: Entry 5

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KSA Technopak brought sophistication to my life. There were a lot of perfects about the company - a lot of travel, collegues of same age group, college mates residing in gurgaon, interesting job, the goa outbound etc. That one year passed in a whirlwind says a lot about my life at KSAT.

Tuhin and Shwetank were two gem of friends I made at office. Then there was the Auptyma Group. Suddenly I discovered new friends in my wingmates only - Vihag and Jeevs. While office work kept me on move throughout the country, there were some memorable trips with friends, the best being to Mukteshwar. Vihag got married to Ruchi in the beginning of December - our first wingmate to do so. Later that month I went on the Dalhausie trekking expedition with bhaiya and that was one hell of a trip to close the year.

It was a period of travel and came to an abrupt end when I moved from KSAT just after bhaiya got married. I miss being on the toes for another traveling assignment but that is the way life is.

Read somewhere

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हम छोड़ नही पाये आजतक
संग्रह, विग्रह, आग्रह
क्या होगा छोड़ कर
एक उपग्रह...