Monday, December 31, 2007

JAB WE MET

I enjoyed this refreshing romantic movie. Shahid & Kareena gelled well with characters & looked good as pair. It was ironical that they split just before this movie was released. Imtiaz ali again impressed me after his debut directorial venture – Socha Na Tha.

Recently, Moser Baer announced “Jab We Met” contest where couples need to send details of their first meeting.

Here’s my version:

I and my six friends (3 boy, 3 gals) hang out together in college and outside. We call ourselves “Seven Wonders” :-). My nature is something between being extrovert & introvert. I am very comfortable with friends but take time to open up with strangers. But , in all, I really enjoy company of seven wonders (including myself :-) ).

We see the movies and freak out together on weekends. A month before, we decided to watch “Jab We Met”. Little did I knew that it is going to change my life forever. Watching Kareena was a revelation . Her happy-go-lucky & gregarious nature, instincts based decisions not only changed my perceptions towards Kareena’s acting but also towards Sunaina (my “seven wonders” group mate). It turned a critic into a fan. More so it made me think, we were different but we could click together. Her chirpy talks, peppy manners, vivacious nature could spice up my subtle, predictable life. After the show, I went to her & said ,“Tumhe pata hain na ki tum unique piece ho!”. She spontaneously replied with a big grin “Bilkulllllll!!!”.

It was the first meeting between 'changed' me & Sunaina.

Since then, Our relationship has grown by leaps & bounds. Yesterday, I proposed her and She accepted it :-).

Thanks a LOT “Jab We Met” team!

P.S: The above story is imaginary . All characters are fictitious. Any resemblance to real life characters is purely coincidental.

Friday, October 12, 2007

My Grandpa

Today, it has been a year since my grandpa bid farewell to the world. It's an emotional moment because I continue to miss him. This post is an attempt to blog down my memoirs and the qualities I admired of him.

I have observed that grandfather- grandchildren relationships are always special. The closeness and rapport that children share with grandparents is almost equal and comparable to that they share with parents. This has been my observation at least.

When I was young, I was in awe of him. So, at start, the relationship had more of a respect quotient than love. He wanted all of us to have good education and hence used to always ask about our studies. Over the period of years, the talks became much casual. Sometimes he used to talk candidly about his struggle.Grandpa's mother died when he was very young. He used to speak with great respect about his father's devotion in bringing up the children. Then, he toiled hard to get a law degree. He used to walk and not take horse cart ride to save 2 annas. Sometimes, he even used to skip the meals to save money.

After hearing about his struggles, my respect for him increased multi-fold. We had casual and funny conversations as well. I still remember that once he had heard me singing hindi song "Kya aada kya jalve tere paro..." and then whenever he used to see me, he used to tease me in loud voice "oh paro!". I used to be so embarrassed that I used to avoid coming in front of him for days together . Those were the days of innocence!

when I was in X standard, he used to take extra care so that I could concentrate more on studies. He saw that I didn't have watch and in midst of that year brought me a cool Titan watch. It was a PLEASANT surprise for me. The watch continued to be my prized possesion for years and when I lost it,I sulked badly.

I got good marks in XII standard. I missed the merit list rank just by 2 marks and was topper in city.He was so proud of my performance! :-)

One of my most memorable moments was to see my grandpa (age 82 years) and my grand mom (age 75 years) do impromptu dance on stage in front of hundreds of people. They were so happy to see my marriage and enjoying a lot. This is what I call unadulterated happiness!

But, after 2-3 months, he was diagnosed to have serious disease. And then there were frequent hospital visits and on 12 October, 2006 he passed away.

I had privilege to see grandpa from closed quarters . He had amazing qualities. Some of them are:

1) Dedication:
if somebody asked me , which is the one thing that grandpa could not live without? I would say - His law practise. Such was his dedication that he was revered and respected by his peers as well as opponents. He used to wake up at 5:30 AM (almost daily)to write notes. He used to fight a case as if it was his personal case. Also, he fought many poor people's cases at minimal or at no cost.

In hospital, due to his disease, He used to go in trans. Subconsciously, He used to plead for cases and used to speak for hours as if he was in court. Such was an impact of his practise on him.

2) Satisfaction:
Starting from scratch, grandpa progressed step by step. To bring up and educate 7 children was a tough task. This meant that he and grandma had to give sacrifices daily so as to provide good platform to children. They did a very commendable job for all my uncles (4 of them) are well educated and well to do. But, in spite of all this sacrifices, he was a satisfied man.

After he was diagnosed with disease , I used to bring & read out poems to him to keep him entertained. He used to listen to them keenly and used to discuss & smile at me (just to make me happy) even when his hearing and other senses had gone weak.2 days before his death, Seeing that everyone was sitting glum faced in front of him seeing his health, He forced everyone to bring sweets from market, eat them and smile at him.To see the death approaching and still put a smile on face. This is bravery & satisfaction at its best!

3)Financial Planning:
In spite of limited resources, my grandpa (grandma especially) had a penchant for saving & that helped him in his old age.

& many many more....

Thursday, August 09, 2007

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

Yaaron dosti badi hi haseen hai
ye na ho toh kya fir
bolo ye zindagi hai
koi to ho raazdaar
begaraz tera ho yaar...............

So apt words for the only relationship that we have choice of. We have a choice of choosing our friends are and isn't that bliss? Be it school or college, tuitions or sports, profession or trips - They are one of the most important factors of our gratifying memories.So much so that if one goes down the memory lane, emotions vent out through eyes automatically.

Teri har ek buraee pe dante woh dost
Gham ki ho dhoop to saaya bane tera woh dost
Nache bhi woh teri khushi me
Yaaron...

It's such a comfort feeling to have someone with whom you can share everything;who sees your acts, listens to your talks without prejudice;whose companionship brings you solace and joy; who is your soulmate in truest sense of words.

Tanman kare tujhpe fida mehboob woh
Palkon pe jo rakhe tujhe mehboob woh
Jiski wafaa tere liye ho
Yaaron, mohabbat hi to bandagi hai
Ye na ho to kya phir bolo yeh zindagi hai
Koi to dilbar ho yaar
Jisko tujhse ho pyar
Koi to dilbar ho yaar

Best relationships are the ones which have strong base of friendship.Friendship brings you closer, narrows down the communication gap, and most often elevates you to a level where you realize - 'Giving' makes you more happy than 'Getting'

BLESSED are those who have a TRUE friend!

Thursday, June 28, 2007

My tryst with poetry

Since childhood, when I used to read poems in school curriculum, I used to think that writing poems must be a 'cool' thing. I was always in awe of poets who could pen their thoughts in poetic & concise manner.

When I was in VII standard, my school decided to launch a school magazine and invited poems/articles for it. I belonged to green house; hence thought of writing a poem on it. I thought one needs to be logical while writing poems. Have rhymed words at the end of sentence, create the sentences that are in context of the subject by maintaining the order of rhymed words and the poem is complete :-). So simple, isn't it?

I built the list of words that rhyme to green. Words like clean, mean, dean, lean, queen, hygiene, scene, etc. made it to the list. This was just for first verse. On the similar lines, I created different lists for different verses. Now that I have you all already mesmerized by this logic ;-) , I don't want to rewrite the poem here. Copyrights problems, you see ;-)...he he

I was completely smitten off by poetry bug at that time. So, I and my partner-in-crime(I am seeing your faces nodding in affirmation) Vaibhav wrote this creative piece to inspire athletes for Olympics (in Hindi):

Doodh Roti khayenge
Dhast poost ho jayenge
Lambi daud lagayenge
Olympics me medal jeet ke layenge

No wonder, India returned empty-handed :-)

Now that I have grown older, have become more sane and matured; I have realize that poetry is not my cup of tea (so you can heave a sigh of relief). But, I am still astounded by the poetic works and continue to read poems and attend programmes whenever I get time. Internet and email forwards are also one of the primary sources of my poems database.

I especially like ones that are sprinkled with humor or carry philosophical message. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Robert Frost, and Sandeep Khare are some of my favorite poets. And here is one of my favorite poems - I hope that you would like it too - :

If
By Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Me(a)dia

"Aishwarya - Abhishek were spotted together in a party", "Aishwarya (or Rakhi Sawant or Sanjay Dutt) visited ABC temple and performed XYZ puja", "Liz Hurley is going to wear pink saree at the wedding", "Rosa and Soha commute through Rickshaw", "Dhoni planning to have a hair-cut", "Sachin's son played school-level football match" and multitudes like these...

Open any newspaper or surf through 24X7 news channels, you will find such news adorning front pages or coming under "BREAKING NEWS" section. Is India (one of the largest country in terms of land and population) so uneventful that "Page 3 events" come through as headlines? Wasn't (at least) front page meant for meaningful news/events that affect the country and common people? Wasn't "BREAKING NEWS" tag meant for substantive important news that has occurred in recent past?

Now a days, The print and tv media is completely smitten off by "commercial" interests. To move ahead in media war, they encroach private space of celebrities and publish juicy gossips. The very next day they take interview of the concerned celebrity and we are told that the previous news item was nothing but a mindless rumour. Ahem! Then, why was it published at first place? Media elevates some people to superstardom and then pull them down to 'zero' status all in matter of few days.If we browse through the archives, we will surely come across hundreds of contradictory items. The media coverage given to our cricket team pre and post world cup is one of the glaring examples of the media hypocrisy.

With regards to the news channels , I seriously think there should be reduction in the number and the transmission hours. Most of them run out of novel news and then take resort of 'SICK' news like 'Brother marries sister in spite of social pressure' (Eeeks!) just to run the channel 24 x 7. It's time that news channel' management do serious introspection.

Thankfully, everything is not bad. The media participation in Jessica Lal, Priyadarshini Matoo, tehelka et al. cases has been commendable. Media aroused public interest and participation in these cases. The "India Poised" campaign from Times Of India has also impressed me a lot. The Barkha Dutts, Pranav Roys of news fraternity provide good dose of meaningful news and healthy debates.

Balanced, unbiased, free media is important for democracy. I sincerely hope that media recuperates and reach new heights. Also, it's time that we give correct signal to the media by not increasing TRPs or clicks to mindless news items.

Thursday, March 08, 2007

Sinhagad Trek

Background:

When somebody proposes an idea of going to trek that too on Sunday morning (read dawn) @ 5:30 AM, You are bound to have zillion frown lines.And if you have slept at 4:30 AM, your answer right away would be "Forget It!". BUT I still managed to say 'Yes' and I am quite surprised at myself :-).

Preparation:

P called up and woke me @ 5 AM ...$#$#$@@# ;-)...Got ready in 15 mins, munched few bourbon biscuits ( yup @ 5:30. Bliss! Try it.),put on the shoes and was all set to go.

Journey:

When you zoom through uncrowded silent roads , feel the breeze that run across your face, get a chance to watch lunar eclipse and its transitions, are involved in animated conversations and cracking jokes; "Was journey enjoyable?" becomes a redundant question.

We stopped in between to purchase 'Lays' and biscuits. So in the end, we nullified all the 'health' benefits of the trek by consuming the junk food :-)

Trek (Start) :

We parked the car on the side of road and started off to reach the base (paytha) of Sinhagad.Our calculations went wrong and we ended up walking too much even before the start of actual trek.
When we were about to reach the base, N took a lift (thankfully) and then brought the car to the base.

Trek (Actual) :

We started off at around 6:15 am. The terrain is not very tough but is reasonably long.

There were hordes of people (to my surprise) climbing up the terrain with us. What was more surprising was the fact that majority crowd consisted of aged people and children.

It is amazing to see the zeal with children do the things. There spirit is infectious.

I expected the trek to be physically stimulating, but it turned out to be mentally stimulating too.
People around were discussing on politics (kalmadi-isms, pawar-isms, etc.), film reviews, actors, cricket, business,family matters, friends, absolutely any topic under the sun(literally!).

It was fun to hear people's views.

We had almost reached the top when N had dehydration; hence we rested for a brief time and then I and N started descending back.

Trek (End) :

The return path was much easier. Also, we had curd, lime juice (yummy) on our way down. We were still hungry hence went to a restaurant and had 'poha'.

I observed that rates are not written anywhere; be it restaurant or parking. You come to know you are exorbitantly charged only after you consume the things and at that time you can't revert back.

A great business gimmick I must say! (though it works only in tourist spots as people are in picnic mood)

Others came after having 'bhajji' and curd at sinhagad top ( I missed those :-( ).

It was time to return back.

After Trek Effects :

Slept for 5 hours on Sunday afternoon :-).

On Monday, friends and relatives cracked jokes on us, pulled our leg courtesy rave party news :-)

All in all, a very enjoyable and happening trek.

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

It's Valentine's Day when....

  • Romance is in the air
  • Candle-light dinner and other romantic gestures become norm of the day
  • The demand for roses and cards grows multi-fold;Gift/Card shop owners and flower vendors are making merry and are wearing huge smiles thoughout the day
  • Political workers from few parties take on the mantle of moral policing
  • Collegians still have celebrations to depict the 'prevalence' of democracy and independence
  • Discussions about 'Westernization of Indian Culture' happen for umpteenth time
  • Men, in aniticipation of future response after giving rose, are nervous ; The closed-room individual rehearsals to propose reach the crescendo
  • Women are busy in guessing number of roses they will get ;-) and are frightened at the thought of eve-teasing/stalkers
  • Relationships that would culminate into short flings/long affairs/ marraige are born
  • Restaurants are buzzing with couples all around
  • Love should be celebrated and the celebration should continue throughout the year :-)

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Hollywood Bollywood

Recently, I have watched plethora of movies(some pretty old ones) from Hollywood and Bollywood and few have impressed me.
Here are my picks (in random order):

1. "Before Sunrise" and "Before Sunset":
I loved both: the original and sequel.
The characters played by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy seem so real.
Their no-holds-barred conversations on absolutely random topics are wonderful.
Add to it their subtle romance and 'simple' story, and you are hooked to the movie.
But the most lovable thing of these films is screenplay. Brilliant Masterpiece! See it!

2. The Terminal:
I became a big fan of Tom Hanks after seeing Forest Gump.
In this movie too,he didn't fail to enthrall me.
It's fun to watch the work of brilliant combo - Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks - again.
The movie is hilarious, light-hearted with a string of interesting characters (each having story of his own).
The things I liked about this movie - Unique story, Tom Hanks and of course Catherine Zeta Jones ;-)

3. Jerry Maguire, Vanilla Sky:
I liked Tom Cruise in these movies.

4. Guru:
A film based on Dhirubhai Ambani is bound to raise many eyebrows.
The means by which he achieved commendable success are right or wrong has always been a question of debate.
Abhishek is wonderful in this movie. In second part, he rekindles the Amitabh nostalgia.
The only hitch I feel is in the handling of character Guru. His vices, his questionable ways have not been highlighted enough and in the end he is celebrated as HERO.


These movies have amazing quotes. Here are few of those:

From "Before Sunrise"

I believe if there's any kind of God it wouldn't be in any of us, not you or me but just this little space in between. If there's any kind of magic in this world it must be in the attempt of understanding someone sharing something. I know, it's almost impossible to succeed but who cares really? The answer must be in the attempt.

You know, I have this awful paranoid thought that feminism was mostly invented by men so that they could like, fool around a little more.

Isn't everything we do in life a way to be loved a little more?


From "Before Sunset"

Memory's a wonderful thing if you don't have to deal with the past.

You can never replace anyone because everyone is made up of such beautiful specific details.

There are so many things I want to do, but I end up doing not much.

From "The Terminal"

I usually read history books. They're long and cheap and usually about men killing each other.

I've been waiting my whole life, I just don't know what the hell for.

Sometimes you land a small fish. You unhook him very carefully. You place him back in the water. You set him free so that somebody else can have the pleasure of catching him.

From "Jerry Maguire"

A positive anything is better than a negative nothing.

Don't cry at the beginning of a date. Cry at the end, like I do.

Jerry:I love you. You... you complete me. And I just...
Dorothy:Shut up, just shut up. You had me at "hello".


From "Vanilla sky"

Someday you will known what truly love is..is the sweet and the sour.And I know the sour which allows me to appreciate the sweet.

Even in my dreams, I'm an idiot who knows he's about to wake up to reality.

Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around.

What is any life without the pursuit of a dream?

Monday, January 22, 2007

We have....But.....

Read this recently..thought of sharing it.
----------------------------------------------------
From Leny Allan Paul

We have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little,drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.
We've added years to life not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We conquered outer space but not inner space.We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.
We write more, but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less.
We've learned to rush, but not to wait.
We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorces, fancier houses, and broken homes.
These are days of quicker trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember; say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe,because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember; to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember; to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember; to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

Monday, January 15, 2007

No Comments!

Blog: You give false promises, make infrequent visits ( rather annual visits), have the gift of the gab , glorify your weaknesses. Are you a politician or the one in making?

Me ( after thinking for a while):No comments!

Blog (with a huge smile): Bingo! A perfect politician-ish reply. My guess was correct.

Me (trying to act indifferent): No comments. ( again!)

Blog ( getting irritated): Why don' you speak up?

Me (with straight face): They say, "Speak only when you can improve upon your silence!".

Blog: No comments! :-)