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.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
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
Monday, March 9, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
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."
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.
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.
Monday, February 2, 2009
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.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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
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
Friday, January 16, 2009
Autobiography: Entry 5
_
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.
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.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Some stories are untold...
Strange but life had given me enough hints that this would happen. I had a narrow escape a day before. The car (with its prime number) had proved itself more than lucky at times. The year has been one of the worst years of my life. Yet I decide to take my car on a 500 Km long journey without any highway experience and making a start in dense fog. That this would happen was an inevitability...
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
A comment on tears
Tears, unlike smiles, take some efforts to come out because they don't reside in the eyes. They belong to the heart and only someone or some emotion close to your heart is capable of pushing them through.
400 miles on a bike
I have done some of the wierdest things along with bhaiya but this one would be right at the top. We covered the stretch of Ahmednagar - Aurangabad - Daulatabad - Ellora - Aurangabad - Ajanta - Ahmednagar on a Bajaj Pulsar in some three days. The wierd thing was that we were going to cover some of the most famous World Heritage sites but forgot to bring a camera. The above polaroid photograph, taken in front of Ellora Caves is our only souvenir apart from those irreversible changes in the neuronal synapses that we call memory of a lifetime.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
mood swings...
Written on 15/05/2007
Sad Prashant
Somewhen last august, I completed 24 revolutions around that big hydrogen ball that they call the Sun. It was not exactly me. I was riding on a giant lump of mass called Earth. People around me were happy. They celebrated it telling me that its my birthday. I was amused. 24 revolutions is a long period. Why would anyone celebrate an uneventful life on a boring lump? May be they are happy because it all means they are closer to THE ESCAPE.
Happy Prashant
Somewhen last august, I completed 24 revolutions around that big hydrogen ball that they call the Sun. It was not exactly me. I was riding on a giant lump of mass called Earth. People around me were happy. They celebrated it telling me that its my birthday. I was amused. If they celebrate a revolution, why not a rotation? That would inadvertantly bring celebrations everyday. I think that should be their approach. Enjoy everyday, every minute. The other option is to be a bored yet amused moron like me.
Sad Prashant
Somewhen last august, I completed 24 revolutions around that big hydrogen ball that they call the Sun. It was not exactly me. I was riding on a giant lump of mass called Earth. People around me were happy. They celebrated it telling me that its my birthday. I was amused. 24 revolutions is a long period. Why would anyone celebrate an uneventful life on a boring lump? May be they are happy because it all means they are closer to THE ESCAPE.
Happy Prashant
Somewhen last august, I completed 24 revolutions around that big hydrogen ball that they call the Sun. It was not exactly me. I was riding on a giant lump of mass called Earth. People around me were happy. They celebrated it telling me that its my birthday. I was amused. If they celebrate a revolution, why not a rotation? That would inadvertantly bring celebrations everyday. I think that should be their approach. Enjoy everyday, every minute. The other option is to be a bored yet amused moron like me.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Reunions...alas !!
_
Reunions are an uncomfortable affair. The very fact that there are so many strangers to cope with at the same time, helps a little. There are familiar faces who have grown unfamiliar. There are 'close buddies at school' with whom you are in touch all these years through orkut. Then there are those people who know you while YOU have no clue that you shared a classroom with them.
I have attended several of them but I must recount the one that I consider the mother of all reunions. It was Pratap's birthday and he invited me to Sumit's place in Amar Colony. The other person I was expecting there was Pranay. It was a surprise. There were many more and I couldn't believe my eyes I was looking at people with whom I spent 10 years and that also 10 years ago.
There were Navin, Shashank, Jha, Priya, Pranay, Pratap, Sumit and myself - 8 out of 35 students of Class 10 Section C, St. Michael's, Patna batch of 1998 in that small room together almost after 10 years. Whatever we did that night, it was meant to be unforgettable anyway.
Reunions are an uncomfortable affair. The very fact that there are so many strangers to cope with at the same time, helps a little. There are familiar faces who have grown unfamiliar. There are 'close buddies at school' with whom you are in touch all these years through orkut. Then there are those people who know you while YOU have no clue that you shared a classroom with them.
I have attended several of them but I must recount the one that I consider the mother of all reunions. It was Pratap's birthday and he invited me to Sumit's place in Amar Colony. The other person I was expecting there was Pranay. It was a surprise. There were many more and I couldn't believe my eyes I was looking at people with whom I spent 10 years and that also 10 years ago.
There were Navin, Shashank, Jha, Priya, Pranay, Pratap, Sumit and myself - 8 out of 35 students of Class 10 Section C, St. Michael's, Patna batch of 1998 in that small room together almost after 10 years. Whatever we did that night, it was meant to be unforgettable anyway.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
A face without...
I am looking intently at my nephew. He is enjoying his afternoon sleep. Never have I seen a face so serene. This is what John Galt must look like - a face without pain or fear or guilt.
I can smell him. Have you ever smelt a new born baby? Babies not only look cute and make adorable noises but also smell sweet. I really can't describe it exactly but it certainly hints towards the freshness of life and the warmth of those months spent comfortably in the womb.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Spheres of life
In one of those 'intellectual' talks with Vaibhav, we discussed about the spheres of life - professional, social and personal. The professional sphere includes everything related to work. The social sphere includes friends & family and the personal sphere involves the most important person in our life - ourselves. These three are like pillars and one has to make sure each is strong enough to keep the life in balance.
He said that when people have an urge to leave everything or to go for a long break, it is one of these spheres which is in jeopardy. I couldn't agree more. I was having trouble in personal life and the only idea that would come to my mind was to spend a month at a secluded hill station.
It is a better idea to draw strength from other spheres in such a case. In my case, the social sphere contributed on its own in terms of my newly born nephew. Not all are as fortunate as I am. In fact the recession has pushed many a people out of colour in the professional sphere. Their best choices are to spend time with friends and family. Others who can afford, the idea of a timely break for introspection is not such a bad one.
He said that when people have an urge to leave everything or to go for a long break, it is one of these spheres which is in jeopardy. I couldn't agree more. I was having trouble in personal life and the only idea that would come to my mind was to spend a month at a secluded hill station.
It is a better idea to draw strength from other spheres in such a case. In my case, the social sphere contributed on its own in terms of my newly born nephew. Not all are as fortunate as I am. In fact the recession has pushed many a people out of colour in the professional sphere. Their best choices are to spend time with friends and family. Others who can afford, the idea of a timely break for introspection is not such a bad one.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Life goes on...
"D ppl who'r d farthest 4om u, cm close, n d 1z closest 2u go far.......u lrn 2 live life as if it wz lk b4" - Saint Arpu
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
2nd December
Today the first son of the first child of the first child of my grandma is born. He is truly special. So many eyes awaited his arrival for so long that it would be impossible for him to live a normal family member kind of life.
My grandma would have been a happy soul. She died few months ago. I still remember "terahvi", the 13th day of ritual after the day she died. We were 78 of us, approximately 60% of the ever lasting legacy of my grandma spread into 4 generations. It took some effort to bring us in a single photo frame.
I was one of her favourite, being the younger son of her eldest child. It would have been an envious yet happiest moment to be replaced in her eyes by my own first nephew.
My grandma would have been a happy soul. She died few months ago. I still remember "terahvi", the 13th day of ritual after the day she died. We were 78 of us, approximately 60% of the ever lasting legacy of my grandma spread into 4 generations. It took some effort to bring us in a single photo frame.
I was one of her favourite, being the younger son of her eldest child. It would have been an envious yet happiest moment to be replaced in her eyes by my own first nephew.
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