Category: Personal

  • Twenty Eleven: The year that gone by!

    Its again that same time of the year when you get damn busy wishing everyone a happy new year and thinking of doing things that you would like to do in your new year. I say, lets stop and take a look back at what are the things that you had done this year which you originally thought you wouldn’t or didn’t think at all at first place?

    Working with Accenture

    I had always wanted to do this, but it never happened. I appeared 5 interviews in a span of two years but all those went without any feedback. Once I was selected, but I rejected the offer because of the thin pay check they offered. But finally it happened, and it happened to me in late May of 2011.

    Going out of India

    Every mother dreams of her kid going out of India some day. That’s the real story everywhere in India. Every time she tells me about it, I would rub that off and say, nay I really don’t wanna work out of India. Which is true, but a short trip is always welcome.

    Capitol, Washington D.C
    Capitol, Washington D.C

    I did not even dream of going out of India when I was looking at 2011. By god’s grace, I got an opportunity to go finally and for the first time in my life. United States of Amrika… err… America. I happen to spend a luxurious two months in the state of Delaware, Wilmington city for a major client. I absolutely loved the time I spent there. Also went sight seeing in cities of Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Atlantic City, Wilmington itself. I missed seeing NY though, but will surely make it next time 🙂

    No new Mobile Phones

    Yes, it does sound funny but people who know me would certainly be surprised. I did not buy a single new phone in the year 2011. Yes I did buy a refurbished camera less Blackberry, but that is a very old (2007) version and only bought because it had one important function missing. The camera. And I dont count that as new at all. I did not desire to buy it, I was rather forced to.

    Back to back IndiBlogger meets

    I am big fan of IndiBlogger meets and this year, there were two scheduled back to back in Mumbai. Two days, two IndiBlogger meets were a first in IndiBlogger’s history too. The MasterChef India & Dove Spa IndiBlogger meets.

    My first Apple

    Not even in my wildest imaginations did I think of buying an Apple. No, not the fruit, but the gadget. iPad. The tablet that revived the concept of tablets, and the most mobile computer ever was in my hands this year. The surprise does not stop there, I also went ahead and bought an iPod Touch and iPod Shuffle. Three Apple products, definitely desirable, never imagined them in my hands. Viola!

    Winning a contest

    I had some investments reaping some benefits. I won a bike! I am kind of those who won’t win in a lottery. But I did, this time around. A Bajaj CT100. I took cash instead, as it was on the offer. But still, winning always brings in happiness.

    Loving Matheran

    Matheran was a place I visited first some 8 years ago and did not like at all because of the red soil there. I had breathing problems instantly. But that changed this year, especially when I went during winters. I went Matheran twice in 3 weeks and that speaks something, does not it?

    Rann of Kutch

    After having missed going to Kutch this Diwali, I thought I am not going to make it this year. It is one place I wanted to go for so much for very long. But it happened in December this year. I missed planning it during diwali and was sad that I could not do it, but still managed to pull it though by December which was not something I expected.

    Kutch, Gujarat, India
    Kutch, Gujarat, India

    Discotheque

    For the first time in my life, I had been to a Discotheque. Yes, unbelievable but true. I had never been to a discotheque till I went as part of my office party to the High Lounge, Sahara Star (erstwhile Centaur) in Andheri.

    Toppled from the Top

    On IndiBlogger, I was on top of the list of IndiHeroes (most active) member for more than two years, but very recently I was toppled by Pramod (My Musings) & Arti (My Yatra Dairy). I was more than happy that it happened, as it shows many others share the same passion I have and that if ever I be busy with my personal priorities, forum is well guarded.

    I am sure after reading this, many who know me would be surprised. Others too, may be. And hey, don’t ask me what I planned to do this year and it happened/didn’t happen because I barely remember it. Sometimes, it is better to keep things simple. 🙂

  • THE GREAT RANN OF KUTCH

    I have finally completed my travel post on Kutch and it is now live on my blog. Do check it out!

    Deep in the darkness of long night,
    Is when travelling at speed of light,
    I am going long away,
    To a different state of my own mind,

    Heavenly place may be waiting for me,
    To show its lovely palace of sand,
    Dunes I will miss and so will be the heat,
    B’coz its winter with blanket of mist,

    Its crystalline white mist I want,
    From you the natural wonder land,
    By each inch am closer to you,
    I am eager more to snap a shot!

    Black buck or a wild ass,
    Natural assets & your lemon green grass,
    Plucking peacock dancing in the hay,
    What a beautiful beauty you amass,

    Is gold and sandy so color to eyes,
    Mid night moon will soon quell its ties,
    A bright day and chilling sun light,
    My surroundings become just as bright,

    Wow, is what I feel to say,
    When I think of you and feel gay,
    Oh my dear wonder of nature,
    Don’t wanna wait to come your way,

    Isnt it true that I lust for your sand..

    Hey beauty just thinking of you,
    Ghoosebums spiraling my adrenaline up,
    Into my chest, to my right arm,
    No wonder that you are the great Rann..

    Rann of Kutch
    Rann of Kutch
    Swans in Kutch
    Swans in Kutch

  • The law of the land

    A short poem on the recent outbreak seeking screening of information on social network, ruining the rights to crib on internet!

    The law of the land is made up of junk,
    Only to serve the ministry’s punk,

    Why no speech and no right to write,
    It’s darkening the future bright,

    Broadband is a revolution,
    Cunningness is a crime,

    Empower your children,
    Not getting away and shine,

    It is the new age my old friend,
    Learn the better things of time,

    Wild and crazy chimes,
    Not everybody will mind,

    Stop this nonsense,
    To hold feelings back is crime,

    Do not bring in new rules,
    Don’t waste our time,

    Do you want banners and we march?
    To the nearest popular garden,

    Stretch of green pastures,
    Disturbed by our voice?

    Don’t make us be rude,
    This ain’t the time,

    When growth and finance,
    Is on everybody’s mind,

    Work on the inflation,
    For which you are flat in your face,

    There are better things to do,
    Better don’t be late…

  • Bless me – Earth!

    A changing nature getting warm,
    With heat, earth warns,
    Dont abuse me, enough,
    Dont greed for me, enough,

    Depleating is my strength,
    Can i not breathe and replish?
    Each day my burden goes up,
    Did u not touch a 7 billion?

    Deep in the space,
    I am alone, lonely,
    Care for me,
    Get this thing deep in your mind,

    Each day i bleed,
    Each day sky holes up,
    For you still need me,
    Cant you find someone like me, again,

    I bless you, oh saint,
    Dont whine if i cant take it,
    Limitless and shameless,
    Care for your future,

    You ruin my shade,
    I feel for you,
    You wont be left with food,
    What will you answer your baby?

    Eat, am loving it!
    Sleep, am at rest,
    But dont itch me,
    It pains,

    Humble plea,
    As much i need you,
    Never will i betray,
    Love me, you are my children,

    ps: earth is asking u to be humble, pay heed to it.

  • Cute boy Black Brew

    Eyes are tender, cold and blue,
    That’s my boy, you Black Brew,
    Crushing a stone, unlike you,
    Let’s go, wear your shoe.

    Walk by the road, don’t you bark,
    Catch your bone, that of a lark,
    I tame you, bright and dark,
    For each day, you lead me to park.

    Why don’t you, run around,
    Ever since the day, you were browned,
    Break down, the bone of a lark,
    Let’s head to the south of town.

    You know it, you assure me,
    Of how a pack is undone,
    The moment you see a better half,
    Wag your tail and start long run,

    No baby, do not go there,
    It may not be from fresh air,
    With another breed, no affair,
    Shun you, the little teddy bear,

    Head for your hut now,
    Start your little cute bow-bow,
    I am listening, I know it how,
    Enough of your chow-chow.

    Dedicated to my future dog (if any)*
    *Conditions Apply 😉

  • A whole new flight

    At the mid night, under the moon light,
    I am waiting for the clear sun to shine,
    Everyone is sleeping, without disturbing,
    I am embarking on a whole new flight,

    Into a new world of unknown,
    With a paltry sum to beckon,
    Clinching it tight I am waiting all night,
    To see the clear sun shine,

    A change in me will ever be,
    Constant as will ever honey bee,
    Across all oceans my life glee,
    I don’t wanna hold on every penny,

    Pushing is too much, pulling is a pain,
    All my efforts are torn in vain,
    I pulled my ear to make it clear,
    What to me the world was saying,

    I wanna fly, real high,
    Into a new world of light,
    Just waiting for the clear sun shine,
    I am going on a whole new flight.

  • Astro Garden: An cosmic solution

    Have you ever heard of an Astro Garden?

    I was a bit surprised when I read about Astro Garden in the local news paper. How much is the level of beliefs that people have? From gems to stones, metals to flowers and worshiping god on particular days, and trees. If it was anything else, I would have discounted it but when I read through the article, it felt interesting.

    Kalyan is soon to get a 1400 meter plot near KDMC office which host an Astro Garden. An Astro Garden is a garden with trees that are placed in a horoscopic layout with each tree placed in the place of planet. Two and one fourth stars make one zodiac sign and there are 27 stars for which there are 25 plants. It is known to all of us that people who believe in astrology often get into chantiing or buy precious gems/stones in combination with the metal of ornament (gold, silver, copper) to get rid of doshas (weakness) or bad phase in their horoscopes.

    Horoscope Star Map
    Horoscope Star Map – image credits

    Now they can take the trees (read saplings) that stand for their stars as well. Though the newpaper said that Saplings will also be given if someone wanted to plant the trees near their homes/buildings or society, I think even if a small amount of money is charged for each sapling, like a Rs. 5 or Rs. 10 which can go towards donating these trees to those who can’t afford it makes sense. Some times monitory value adds a bit of importance than things that come free. It should also help to keep the project viable in case of lack of funds.

    Brain child of Mayor of Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corp. (KDMC), Vaijayanti Gujar, inspiration of an Astro Garden came from a similar garden she saw in Malgoon, Goa. Apart from being an interesting concept for religious, it also encourages tree plantations. The garden will be designed by Uday Kumar Padhye, president of Cosmic Ecological Trust (CET). CET has been active in Dombivali – Kalyan region for a while and I am trying to get more information on their activities.

    I came across this news article in DNA Mumbai edition (Dombivali/Kalyan edition dated 12/11/2011) by Naveeta Singh. 


  • Sun has risen from the west

    Sun for a change,
    Rising from the west,
    I think I am mad,
    I wanna test,

    I jumped up from bed,
    Looked into the west,
    I left for the shore,
    Through my inner door,

    I am seeing from far,
    Guided by the evening star,
    Makes me even more mad,
    I am getting eager more,

    I realized,
    It is the sunset,
    Immortal dreams,
    It is still a change,

    My life has changed,
    All the problems glore,
    Disappear,
    As the sun sets,

    And the twinkling stars,
    Call me close,
    To sit up above the world,
    And watch stars on earth,

    For I have risen,
    The Real Sun…

    Inspired by the night life and those who work in shifts.. And it includes me 😛

    I feel this the best poem I have ever written about my own self. From being a laughing stock, an easy prey and an idiot to what I am today, I have come a long way and I still have a very long way to go. This poem depicts the change in me that has happened in the last 8 years. For all those who have been part of my journey, I wanna thank you all for making this happen.

  • Left over pages turn into 1.5 lakh books!

    Costly Reality: A Full-scale book in Mumbai costs anywhere between Rs. 15 to Rs. 70 depending over the quality/brand etc.

    Something that began as an Award winning Idea from an inter college contest will now end up benefiting more than 15,000 underprivileged children. Its my esitmate considering a child is given atleast 10 books and not as the news paper said which was 1,50,000 students for 1,50,000 books. Around 2,500 students from various colleges have made over 1, 50,000 notebooks by using the leftover pages from books collected as part of the eco binding project.

    Mumbai University now will be distributing them to underprivileged students in Maharashtra, for Free!
    (Source Idea: DNA Newspaper, Daily, June 4, 2011, front page, bottom | Edited to breif)

    I wanted to blog about this. Why not? Not because I want to blog about what I find in news papers, but this is a good deed. If we can all start a movement like this in many cities, I think we will be hitting a double whammy.

    By doing this, we can start a culture of better utilization of paper and there by, saving more trees from being cut down.

    Second, it will be greatfully helpful for the underprivileged and give them an opportunity to learn and be less bothered about the cost of education. Even though the Government Schools provide education with very very low to no fees at all, underprivileged families have to spend on the note books, text books etc. This may help them at least save little money and less worry about this cost.

    If any one is interested in collaborating, please do let me know.

    Post dedicated to the World Environment Day.

    World Environment Day - 5th June
    World Environment Day – 5th June

  • What does real beauty mean to you?

    It was a much needed break for me to blog about something that I appreciate everyday! Beauty.

    Beauty is what? A simple answer to that question is: Everything you feel beautiful is beauty. As oft quoted in conversations, “beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder”. Its all how we feel..

    During my college, one day I was with a few of my classmates, savoring a hot “vada pav at the tapri” breakfast and saw a couple walking hand in hand. The boy was really handsome, but girl was not so. That’s when I remembered the quote “Agar dil laga gadhi se, toh pari kya cheez hai” (If heart is struck to a donkey, even an angel is nothing)” 😛

    dil laga gadhi se, toh pari kya cheez hai
    Its funny, but shows out why only looks does not matter!

    We were also taught by two professors who were married to each other, both of them from opposite ends of India, he is a dark dude and she is the snow white.

    I am a firm believer of the inner beauty and my friends can vouch for that. It’s a feeling that you can see on the skin and beneath it in humans and animals (or should I include fur for animals? :P) and ever so awesome nature.

    There are so many real beauties out there, in the form of a mother, as a wife, as a friend, a role model, a sister, a lover, every relation and emotion we share with many women is so beautiful. My father and mother worked together too hard to bring me and my sister up from total financial breakdown, which speaks volumes of their beautiful relationship with my family.

    Real Beauty is you, Within you and around you!
    Real Beauty is you, Within you and around you!

    Dove and Yahoo! brings you all a wonderful platform called as the Real Beauty. It’s one place where I invite every women (yes, including the one who called me being a sexist) on this world to come and share their feelings on this wonderful platform. Those who joined in already have posted so many meaningful blog posts had have sought expert opinions, got inspired with the Women who brought in change in today’s society, soon to be launched Expert Chat et al.

    And yes, am making sure my mom and sister too are participating and so will be many (girl)friends of mine 😉

    To all those who believe in the inner beauty, here is a small poem. It’s the poem I wrote for my mom, who has been so beautiful to me


    In my heart, I can see,
    How much lovely you have been,
    I miss your care, and that lovely stare,
    To me, how beautiful you have been,

    You understand me,
    You speak my mind,
    You know everything,
    And still you be kind,

    You feel for the poor,
    You care,
    You feed them with love,
    Happy that you could share,

    See those smiles, so beautiful,
    Of the kids on the streets you met,
    Times you spent with me on beach,
    Watching the amazing sunset,

    When the rain makes a mess on the streets,
    The mighty Sun creates a Rainbow,
    Running from a city to another,
    To your supernatural force, I take a big bow,

    Among the moon and the sun,
    The birds and flowers and hue,
    I now know what is real beauty,
    It is you mom, and what’s within you.

    Thank you very much mom, for being the most beautiful person to me.

    These thoughts I have put together are true, and I participating in a contest at IndiBlogger, What does real beauty mean to you? If you like my post, please consider voting for me.

  • Moon O Moon

    You shine so bright,
    Giving the blind night,
    Tearing apart with the light,
    A smile just at your sight,

    In the haste you receede,
    Though we still have your need,
    As you set in the west in speed,
    On my knees I am and plead,

    Stay over, as we love to see,
    In your beauty we love to be,
    Awestruck with our eyes,
    Enjoying the cool breeze,

    Nights are dark without you,
    Miss the passion I have for you,
    I never realized, I never knew,
    Still there is one beautiful than you!

    The Moon at night
    The Moon at night

    As I was about to sleep, I could see the moon through the window and couldnt stop myself from writing this poem.

  • Is that I need a lovely spark?

    Chimes away and lights so dark,
    Is this the way I should draw the arc,
    Wandering lonely in a empty park,
    Is that I need a lovely spark?

    Trees blush as the breeze make a pass,
    Seeing the roses that are best of the mass,
    As I leave the gate that’s color of brass
    Still many memories I can amass,

    Flowers by the Path
    Flowers by the Path

    My memories keep me back at the park,
    Of what I saw in the dark,
    Of the chirping birds on their mark,
    Waiting in wings just to embark,

    Life comes to a standstill,
    The breeze makes me feels the chill,
    I want to go back and have my fill,
    Sit with a book and my quill…

    I wonder, is it my lovely spark?

    All I need is to shine and sparkle,
    Whatever is thrown at me, just buckle,
    I don’t need to behave so fickle,
    Sit calm and watch the stars twinkle…

    A small poem about how to enjoy every moment of your life, lest you miss them and only have memories… btw, its original and written by me 😛

  • Street Lights at mid-noon! Why?

    These pictures tell you the carelessness towards the saving of Electricity that we pay for, as part of our taxes every month. Why are using CFLs at our home to save energy when the BMC / Reliance Energy or the concerned authorities can waste it just like this? Yes, we do use CFLs because it saves us money. But why cant the government or government appointed agencies not save money too? After all, its coming from our pockets. Tax Payers.

    Street Light and its misuse: You can see the Sun right in the middle, denotes Mid-noon
    Street Light and its misuse: You can see the Sun right in the middle, denotes Mid-noon
    Street Light and its misuse
    Street Light and its misuse

    This has to be dealt with very very seriously. I tried calling the Reliance Energy Calling via your customer care took ages as it asked for a customer a/c number which i don’t have as I don’t stay in the area where they provide power services. Finally, I sent a mail to their email address (energy.helpdesk @ relianceada.com). Will wait now to hear from them. The Request number that I was provided by a return mail is: DWML11091353

    In the evening when I left from office at 8.30, surprisingly the Street lights were off!! This certainly was absurd to know that the whole day when sun was glowing hot, the street lights were full and working. But at night, when they are actually required to work, they were switched off!

    Update: 09 May 2011

    I am yet to get reply from them, however today too I saw the same wastage of energy. I will be observing this stretch of the road for some days to come and will keep updating this post.

    Update: 11 May 2011

    They did reply today but the request number is different from what I received in the first mail. May be the request number changed when I sent three mails in all. I don’t mind it as long as action is taken.

    Reply from Reliance Energy:

    Sub: {DSTL11000313} [REPLY2] Response to your e-mail dated 06/05/2011.

    Dear Customer,

    Warm Greetings from Reliance Energy!

    With reference to your e-mail dated 06/05/2011, kindly note that the matter has been forwarded to relevant authorities for appropriate action.

    Further necessary contact on the matter would be made by the respective authorities, as required.

    Warm regards,
    Customer Service Team
    Reliance Energy

    I hope the action is taken soon enough.