A feel of life after after-life.

I was just reading through one of my friend's blog and realized its been pretty long since I wrote one. And also wondered has there been any good actions in the past to even write about??? Oh...Not good...but bad anyways!

Good or bad...Part of life. One can not ignore the bad days after all.

3rd June 09
I enter home after a very tiring day with no work. As usual i see my mom on the dining chair and dad on the sofa, but something different i noticed in thier face. They were smiling at me with an expectation 'guess what's up??'. I then noticed someone's leg hanging from the deewan behind the screen. I went closer and lo 'Mere Uncle' was in all smiles. I touch his feet (a normal gesture in our culture when we meet someone elderly after a long time) and immediately question him 'Uncle, what's wrong with your health, you have put down drastically!!!'. I turn to my mum and order, 'Mum, let's prepare nice thick Dal, some chicken, and nice Aloo ka Bharta, Rice, Kheer for him for dinner'. I day dreamed at night expecting Uncle to just bloat out within 8 hrs of time with the food. And I confirmed with Uncle if he was fine with the menu. He only smiled and said 'Meri beti jo khilayegi, khalunga'. But little did I know that he had diabetes which means he can not have Rice, Aloo ka bharta and kheer. and little did I know he had a huge ulcer in his stomach that he can not have anything spicy. and little did I know he is a veggie man. with all the shock at a time from my mum who had already prepared the dinner (plain boiled vegetables with soup, and chapati), I just could not breathe easy. My throat choked, I just then got up and walked away to my room. And guess what, he was in steroids for a year and had gradually reduced the intake. I took a deep breathe and freshend up soon to resume our general chit-chats. Me and my mum keenly listening to his stories of pain forgot even to see the clock. It ticked 11 and dad ordered 'chalo chalo, lets eat'. I wash the plates and keep it on the table and mum busy heating the food and dad was just waiting for the food. I asked uncle to come to the table and only realized he had a huge syringe injected into his stomach. An unimaginable scene!!! That's the way he took medicine generally and regularly. He was anyway told by a guruji that he would be 100% fine by October. And so we all were in smiles hoping its only some more dark days in his life. He joined us and soon we were filling our tank. Uncle was very sorry that coz of him we had to eat such light weight food. And to that I reply 'once in a while, eating this food is tastier than the normal masala and tadka wala food, so don't u pity for nothing'. I then bid good night to all three of them as they had soon started discussing on some Sanskrit topics which were all bouncers for me.

4th June 09
I wake up and clean up myself lil bit and then take my cup of coffee and sit with the paper ( a routine work) and then clean up my bird's cage and feed them with bajra. Uncle had to leave today to Pondycherry. After all he had come to take REST for a month or so. He leaves for his small trip and we all resume with our routine works.

6th June 09
I wake up and clean up myself lil bit and then take my cup of coffee and sit with the paper ( a routine work) and then clean up my bird's cage and feed them with bajra.
I know its the same sentence but then thats what i do every morning. I am eating my breakfast and mum in the kitchen and dad doing pooja. Just then dad received a call in his mobile from 'B...' (names not be disclosed for personal reasons). I pass it on to dad. The conversation though i did not hear the other side, I at least made it out.

Dad: 'Hello, han B...'
B... : ' 'A is no more'
Dad: 'what???'
He stands up with trembling hands. me and mum are shocked that dad 'What???' had a very panicking tone.
Dad:"when? and Why did he do that'
Me and mum now understood that A (My uncle) has ended his life.
B... confirmed the news and dad hung up the phone.

Dad and mum were terribly upset and angry, scolding my uncle for his action. He did not even think of his 2 daughters. He abruptly ended his life. Dad was in a heavy shock and me and mum were trembling with fear (fear of voidness, fear of having lost someone dear). I controlled my tears, not showing parents that I was upset too. I start to office and on the way tears dint stop to show up. I was in tears and me trembling even while on the way. All the past memories got re winded and seemed as if I was again ordering him to have chicken, the thick dal, aloo ka bharta and kheer.

He had a tough time with his wife and also with self. He was sick for a very long time and while he did not have any courage to wait until October for his good health, he abruptly ended it. I only could search his photo in the Google and saw a CV of his lying on the net. and trust me the CV was as long as a seminar paper...! I wish I could give the link here...but...!

I only wish he rests in peace at least after his after-life. I wish his daughters have the courage to face the world. And I wish his wife stays happier ever.

And I wish he could support the 6 PhD grads under him and the 3 M.A students. I wish he could complete the researches he has left incomplete...I wish he could just be back on earth and live another innings...I wish I just could cook Aloo ka bharta, Chicken and Kheer fro him... I wish I never wished...but I do wish...!!!

Being a First Time VOTER

I wake up in the morning only realizing that I am pretty late. It was 8.00 am and the night before mama papa and me planned to move early around 7.00 am to our polling booth which was 10Kms away. Followed the normal routine and then at 9.00 am started in bike. It was already burning hot. Summer in Chennai is a challenge, I tell you. I hopped up the bike and dad and me zoomed off. It was a different feeling when we passed through the roads which we regularly haunted 5 years back. The only song that was in mind 'Yeh galiyan yeh chaubara...'. I see so many things changed almost upside down. The place which had just 1 or 2 flats when we moved in has become an eerie world. It was crowded. The least thing that could happen to us was traffic jam!!!. But trust me, even at that time there was no frustration. I saw a dead body being carried away by few people. But I saw no one weeping even. I felt lil sad of the demise in some poor man's oops...women's family. In an instant a question came to my mind and I was very curious...I just wished if some one could answer me. I asked papa, 'dad, do u think that old man voted??? or did he not have the luck of doing so before his last breath'. Dad said 'Please don't ask it so loud, else you could also not vote and go up... :P'. Hahaha...:D It was fun. There is no stopping me and dad when we have to pull someone's leg or just pull each others for that matter or in the least expected situation our own. :) We squeeze in between cars and buses and reach our home. Oh...Home! Yes, our own but is rented as we stay near by Papa's office. We meet the people there, have water and wait for mum to reach. She had to travel by bus as the bike could not carry 3. She calls and says 'I am at the booth. Where are you both?'. We were like 'Oh...my God, let's rush.'. Are you wondering why did we have to rush that too morning when the polling was to go on until 5.00 pm? Oh well that was just an excitement!!! After all I was to be the first time voter though it's been ages I was 18!!! Never mind...It happens only in India. Me and mum rush to the Ladies' Queue. I heared someone say 'dekho dekho...Minu didi ayee hai (see see...Minu has come)'. I wondered who could that be. I turned around and saw one of my x-neighbor uncle. Then saw his son who was a just born baby when I had last seen him. Lil did he know who Minu didi is...but I was like 'annn...annnnnnn..hmmm....mama...that unlce'...Oops his name did not strike my head!!! It was embarrassing...But some how mum managed it well... :P Dad's queue was much longer than the one we were in. Me and mum went in, saw approximately 10 members to assist you. There were 4 people with a list. We had to confirm if our name was in the list. By that time another lady called me. I went and she after checking my name in the list gave me some kind of slip. I really had any interest seeing it. I still wonder what that slip was. I went to the next person. He almost poured the ink on my nail. It spread all over my index finger nail. The next lady then took the slip from my hand which the first lady (not the US first lady...:P; but the lady among the election officers). I goto a table which was covered by cardboard sheets around three sides. One side wide open for you to fit in and select the button you wanna press. Let me tell you that the moment I saw so many symbols on the machine I really wondered, What is India doing with so many political parties and yet is just a developing country??? I was bound struck with the number of parties and for just a moment I was just looking at the symbols as to which looked beautiful than the others...:P The lady outside shouted...'Madam please make it fast'....and then I just pressed one and came out...with the feeling of having being an Indian for so long and having done a great job. Looked as if I was for the first time sounded responsible. Looked like I had just grown up...

Thanks to Tata Tea, the group that really took so much effort to wake up the youngsters. Though I was awake I did not have the Voter ID card for 5 years having been eligible to vote, neither were we getting the list updated with our names. It was for the first time and I am still in the notion of the THE DAY... :) Guys I am not sure what politicians really do for us or don't do...but its only we who can decide their fate...

Now that our good people have elected the man finally, I really wish

GOOD LUCK - INDIA... :)

A Forward that makes a human brain work Backward

Sounds wiered??? It should!!! Else it's not worth reading...

We all receive Forwards with 'An officer has received 2 million dollars after sending it(the forward). Robert lost more than 2..1 millions for not sending and breaking this chain letter. Please send 20 copies and see what happens in 4 days.This chain letter comes from ... !! You will definitely receive some good news in 48 hours!!!!'. And many of you forward too; especially when you receive such mails during this recession time or when you desperately need some Good Luck to work asap.

Does anyone even realize it's a mail created by someone and not any God or a Fortune teller ('Giver' for that matter). I am sure and you too should agree too that a bunch of our youth in our country believe this blind folded just coz many of them are really desperate to earn money. And does anyone wonder who ever has so much money to shed for these mails??? If a person was as rich as distributing money then he would better buy himself an Island or a country... ;)
But trust me...I too believed it once (years ago) and did wonder why this fortune did not work. For a matter of fact I even wondered 'Do I I have such bad luck that even a manual form of buying Good lucks does not work!!!' My fella keeps telling me 'You are Self-Criticizer'. And I did agree to that at some point in time. But not any more; I mean am not my own criticizer. Hats off to my fella. :)

It's the time to wake up. At least guys of the age group 18-40, wake up yaar...It is not worth spending time forwarding such mails which at any cost anyway will not bring u even a penny. I wonder how many of us even trust our capability completely...It's the time to really use our brain and not sentiments. Be clear in what you want and what you want to perceive. God has given us brains to think...let us really THINK before we act.

Let us not forward mails that will give us money (???) but let us forward mails that will give us self-confidence.
Let us not forward mails that will make us emotionally weak but let us forward mails that will show what an unconditional love is
Let us not forward mails that will make us believe in superstitions and unproved omens but let us forward mails that will illuminate our thinking and knowledge.
Let us do some act that will bring our troubled nation to stability and joy.
Let us hold hands and pledge today that 'WE THE YOUTH CAN NOT BE CHEATED OR TAKEN FOR GRANTED'.
Let us just fight this recession and terrorism.
Let us not accept and compromise to our rights taken away or let us not just MOVE ON.
Let us MOVE ON with a motive to eradicate the man created mis happenings.

LIVE and LET LIVE (The age Old proverb!!!)

Nostradamus sees saffron!

An article that was forwarded to me. Now who is going to believe what is upto you. Ironically I see the article consisting all the past (wrt today's date) and noit the future predictions except that BJP might come to rule. I wonder and hope that, what he has predicted for the future turns out to be true...AMEN!!!

The Article:
Michel de Nostre-Dame, better known as Nostradamus (1503-1566), was a famous French astrologer whose predictions, which included the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, have proved infallibly accurate.

Last month, unpublished manuscripts of Nostradamus have been discovered (and authenticated) in an old trunk in the French city of Lyon.

Curiously, there are two full pages, which deal at length with India, particularly with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the forthcoming elections.We are giving here the first words in Latin, the language which he used,
along with a rough translation in English.“Politicus Bharatus Janatus Indicus veni grandus est para Indus
cognisant Indica tum est… ” The BJP will represent the aspirations of the Hindus,
the overwhelming majority of India.

He goes on to explain who are the Hindus: “Indus terrum nostrum grandus homo manus onum unus familium planetum est. Indicus pax pacis terra est ferrum tempus…” They will be the most tolerant people, even in the Age of Iron, because they will still accept that God may manifest Himself at different times under different names, using different scriptures. Hence all persecuted people throughout the ages, will always found refuge in India, where they will practice their religion in peace.

Then Nostradamus makes his first prediction: “Indus cursum est trahisum nostrum est… Politicum Bharatus Indicus trahisum est…”
But the curse of the Hindus will always be disunity and they will betray each other to the enemy again and again. One day, some of the highest bearers of the BJP party will not even say hello to each other.

Next, another prophecy: “Politicus Bharatus Janatus Indicus tri pillarus est, Vajpayum, Advanum et Murlum Joshum Kashmirum drapus levus. Vajpayum maladum est…” The BJP will have three pillars: AB Vajpayee, LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi. As eventually, Vajpayee will no longer have an active life, Advani will become the leader. MM Joshi, who hoisted the Indian flag in Srinagar, will be his number two.

He goes on: Narendrum Modum supremus chefum, ironus manus est et economicum grandum est…” Narendra Modi in between will raise himself as a national figure, not only because he is an iron man, but also because he has made of his state a model of economic efficiency.Then comes another forecast, which Nostradamus may have got wrong: “Duo millenum novo, Jesus Christum postum, Advanum racontum narrates
est Joshum grandus princeps est et Modum dux ducis rector est, sixtum legatus est…”
In 2009 AD, Advani will announce that if his party is elected, MM Joshi will be made External Affairs Minister and Narendra Modi, Home Minister. Then the party will gain an extra 50 seats.

Nostradamus is not done. It goes on: “Politicus Bharatus Janatus Indicus prnonuncio Ramum templum et Christanium consto est et gurum defendoest, kashmirum macto est…” The BJP will also make it known that it will build the Ram Mandir, protect temples,stop conversions and keep Kashmir for India.

Michel has also some forecast about foreign policy: Chinum pugna est, Tibetum sanctum est, proctectiorum, amen ; pakistanus attakum est et ereptor latrunculus iugolo, caido.

The BJP will reaffirm its commitment to eastern states (he probably meant Arunachal Pradesh), stand-up to China’s bullying, and support Tibet to counteract Beijing which is propping-up Maoist Nepal. It will swiftly punish Pakistan next time it attacks India by proxy.

However, added Senor Nostradamus: “Politicus Bharatus Janatus Indicus comes, comitus amicus desertus est congressus victis .” The allies of the BJP will be deserting the boat as they think (the Congress) will win. But if the BJP stands true to the aspirations of its Hindu voters, it can come on its own at the Center.

Why? “Independantum Blancum copium est; necessarus changum indianus cumum facus est”… As India has heavily borrowed from the White Man (British?) at Independence, it will become necessary to “Indianise” the nation so that it may manifest again its true unique soul.

What is it? “Lex legis mutation, presidentum auctorita dato est, confuto desisto lex legis…” Introduce a common civil code, repeal false laws (article 370?), reform the Judiciary, change to a Parliamentary system, which will give true powers to the President who can nominate a Prime Minister from the majority.

Nostradamus goes on to explain why these changes are important: “Congressus niveus domina regnus, Indicus forcus inmicus est. Maurus, Christianus presentum est.” Under the reign of the White lady (Sonia Gandhi?) forces inimical to India have crept in. Madrasas have sprung up everywhere and so have churches that are converting by the thousands, Hindus gurus are jailed and mocked at… As for the foreign diplomatic corps, Nostradamus has this prediction: “Fransiscus ambassadorus, Jeromus Bonnafus, negatum Indus massacrum Sabartinum et supportus Maurus genocidus et accusum Politicum Bharatus Indicus ”.

French ambassador Jerome Bonnafont will deny the burning of the Hindus in the Sabarmati Express and accuse the BJP of being fascists.

Finally, Nostradamus’ ultimate prophecy: “Aurobindus Ghosus Matre Indica realisum est, Indianum Agus ancientus mortum non est...” Under the BJP’s leadership, Indians will worship again their country as Mother India and Sri Aurobindo’s words will echo: “India of the ages is not dead nor has She spoken Her last creative word. And that which She must seek now to awake, is not an anglicized oriental people, doomed to repeat the cycle of the Occident’s success and failure, but still the ancient immemorial Shakti recovering Her deepest self ”.

Continued after stage 1,2,3...So read that first

And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part.

Stage 4: Justice

Deepika packs her stuff and the day arrives when she has to leave her darling buddies and get on to life with struggles and growing up with many to come. It was raining heavily and the climate just did not fit right. Its the time when the three muskateers generally sat in the steps in the entance of the hostel and had garam garam cutlets and samosas and CHAI. She knew she is gonna miss those late night CHAIs and the late night Noodles. She also knew that meeting friends will be a dream and will not be able to dine every night together, can not hang out in the garden, can not come late into the hostel, can not sit and crib about college management and the gossips!!!. All seemed to stand-still. She knew not what life has for her. She hugs them and promises a life long understanding and friendship. She then boards her taxi and waves all good-bye with tears rolling down her cheeks uncontrollably.

A flash back of hostel life memories crosses her mind when the taxi zooms off. There was a time when she lived with 3 other roomies. All fine until the end of the 1st sem. All were like a family. But the time came when this family looked rubbish and people in the family even more rubbish. But there was one girl who stayed pretty close to Deepika. She was suffering from a major health issue. Everything in the room seemed be in chaos. The so called family members not coopertaing and there is this gal who is almost bed ridden. All run to the hospital in college's ambulance. It was all settled in few days. She recovered slowly. She was one brilliant girl anyone would have ever seen. A gal with so much pain managed to fight her life and even scored well in her exams. The hostel system demanded shifts from one block to another almost every semester. This time this best buddy of Deepika had to stay with her momma in the hostel for her health issues. She did manage a room but with lot of struggle with the management.

It was all fine until they were to move to another block in the beginning of another year. It was good...looked modern. Yes it was good, wasn't like the normal hostels that generally people complain about. Facilities provided were good, food, coffee, tea, snacks, everything was at its best. But yes they did pay a whooping amount for that. Deepika joined few other batch girls as she could not join her best pal. Soon the time came when the new roomies bothered her hell. It was not coz Deepika wasnot adjustive, but coz there was a huge misunderstanding between the 2 batches. And Deepika was with the other batch(not her's). She had to stand by her buddies and things worsen for her in her room. Her roomies got very mean not becoz they dislike her but as she was from the rival group. Well...Girls talk and Girls Fights are just unpredictable. AGREED!!! but its all the more fun and a memorable moment of your hostel life... :) It was then the time of pre-final sem where Deepika knew she had to boost her marks away from 6 and odd CGPA. She worked hard, many notes and studying when ever possible. Not bunking even the most boring class and neither missing any poor lectures. She just wanted to get to 7 and odd. She was placed by then by an MNC. Generally all studs in the semester following their placement, never bothered. But it was different for Deepika. The exams soon came and went very smooth for Deepika. She excelled in her action. The Oath that she had again taken, she fulfilled it. She was a winner for herself. The 3 years passed through her mind and then she realized it had passed her life too.

Final semester:
She and few other friends went to visit their new world, their company. Oh..Not their's but then they dreamed to be part of it sooner or later. They entered the gate, Security man stops them and asks 'Yes???'. They explain and had to make some entries and soon they were inside the world. The sofa is too soft, they all bump into it. They turn their heads around and see many trophies. They look around and round and they are interrupted with a 'Hello Guys, Welcome'. All tensed spring up the sofa and say 'Good morning Mam'. She takes them inside the office and they look around and find the world of IT very different. People all well dressed, all busy keying in something into the system and some guys staring at them as if they were aliens...! Life took a turn that day for Deepika.

Stage 1 & 2 to be read first for flow of the story.

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.
And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth.

Stage 3: A Soldier

A soldier in her own way! Fighting all the evil spirits that had taken control of her. She just slipped the border line! Oh well...Border as in, she just managed to pass in her board exam. I am sure some gentleman would have considered this poor gal and let her pass!!! wondering which subject??? Which one could it be, if not Maths!!! Life gave an other U-turn. Now she can not be an engineer, neither a doctor nor an architect and neither a designer. Oh yes!!! today's date you should surely say 'Why not Software studies?' but at the time of her distress Computer was not really the bread winner. But she with her papa's influence did get admitted for her graduation to a pretty famous college in the city.

She gets into the admission room. She is embarrassed when an officer declares "What kind of marks and how could you get an admission call???'. She is ridiculed. Deepika wanted to show the world that she is not unintelligent but she is careless coz of so many disturbances and mis happening during her XIIth. She was once told by one of her school mate(in the same college now) that 'Hey you here? So?? Doing your studies STILL?'. All her school mates come to know that she has managed an admission with so less marks. One of her classmate comments 'What will she do studying. Anyway she is gonna cook and feed her children'. She then took an Oath! 'I am heading for a change, a change that will prove my worth, the change that will prove that I am not a burden for the society and not an unwanted freek'. The will power brought her great success. Deepika is again the laadli but now for her teachers and her HOD. She is considered a intelligent and a hard working girl. She proved her worth. She fought her evil spirits out and this time the enemies were shot down with not much terrors. Even if she cried for any exam that she has not performed well, her teachers were so confident of her performance and wonder what??? she did score good marks. She is the then the heart throb for her teachers and HOD. She is lil weak in 2-3 subjects but she would visit her teacher's home and learn more. She is thirsty for knowledge alone. Marks came there own way. Hey wait!!! do not take in to consideration that she is the topper or something. She just managed decent marks to get herself to a distinctive level and is anyway knowledgeable.

The day came when she even wanted to do her higher studies. All stunned by her sudden change! Her Oath did change her. She got calls from 2-3 colleges for her higher studies. She joined the one where her dearest friend had joined before for her Under Graduate studies (which is 4 years course). So, one whole year Deepika is with her best pal. Though they had less time to meet each other for chit-chats but they just got in touch when their mood is down. Here in this college, Deepika had to excel in her studies but the pattern is different. Deepika is doomed in this deemed university. She could not excel though she worked hard. Its just that God did not bless her with so much talent and knowledge in Studies. She also tried getting back to sports. Sports after 5 years of gap had got her no where. She played like a baby playing with Saina Nehwal. She failed in all aspects of life then. It is going to be pre-final year and she took the Oath again! 'I am heading for a change, a change that will prove my worth, the change that will prove that I am not a burden for the society and not an unwanted freek'. The will power brought her again the great success. She is the 'Wanted' figure in her class soon. Not coz she is scoring marks neither coz she is good at studies; but...she had by then collected many books from college library and has successfully made herself notes on her subjects to score marks and be good at studies. She did became the most sought after even for her rivals. Rivals as in, with whom she had bad terms. She is a happy go girl then! She had lots of fun in her college with her 2 best friends and another hostel mate. She is happy, though she had lot of inner pains(of her life). She is getting stronger day by day. She saw her friend suffering from a serious disease and she had to be with her whenever possible. They were too close to be separated. They were the darlings to each other. The 3 had the best of their days in hostel life. They used to spend time in the mess (a dining area in hostel) and spend 3-4 hours just talking!!! Girls-Talk!!!

It is the semester when various big companies came for recruitments! You have a good report; you have a good company to work with! Lot of the companies came with various criteria that did not just fit Deepika in! She is doomed again for a longer stretch of her life. She had her dear friends with her to support her to fight the pain away. Her friends were placed in good companies by then; Only she is left out. She is embarrassed. She is worried about her repayment of loan that she took for her higher studies. She had tough time with no literal support from her family. She is alone in the hostel room crying day in day out. She is highly depressed. She did not get any motivation other than the news that 'Hey tomorrow xyz company is coming with the criteria that fit your resume'. She spends night preparing. But what can the poor girl do with having so less knowledge in mathematics and so less marks. All companies by default had 'Aptitude Test'. It was such a challengeable and almost an impossible task for her. One of her very goody goody friend helped to clear the test. Every friend of her believed that 'If Deepika clears her aptitude, she can easily crack the interviews'. And she did!!! She got it. She is RECRUITED!!! She is going to be with her papa-momma again. She would earn money! She would be the bread winner for her family. She is glad. She celebrated her JOB.

Stage 2 Contd.

School life does not get over just like that...So here goes...

Leaving back a lot of struggles in their life Deepika's family move ahead in life with full confidence and joys. She goes to a different school as they plan to shift to a new home. It's their own. They managed to get a home with momma's and papa's earnings and savings. It's a CBSE school and she finds it very difficult to cope up with other kids and methodology of studies. She gets embarassed when all talk in English and not the regional language. She wonders how can she then pick up the new language. It was initially difficult for her to understand the subjects. The school was very different with a different and a peculiar culture. Every Friday they had bhajan classes and every 2nd Saturday and cultural activities to participate in. She got active in various sports then. She participated in every game possible be it indoors or outdoors. She actively participated in many APSC games. And was average in studies by then. She just somehow managed to run behind teachers and get those grace marks to escape the red report card. She had total fun in the class too with her friends. Initially forming gangs and then the whole class becomes a gang. Deepika was very famous for her sports activities. Guys nad Gals played together. She had many crushes during her school days. And was also very aggressive. She had slowly turned out to be a very short tempered gal fighting her first position in the sports podium. She wanted to be in the top only in sports and not studies... ;) She traveled to and fro to school by Lady Bird. Lady on the Lady bird was always free to fly anywhere she wanted. She had to join tuitions to successfully complete her studies. She made friends wherever she went. She was more of the 'go-hit-the-floor' kind and not serious about her career or whatever crap her elders talked about.

She was just being herself. Lil did she realize when her parents will shift her to normal matriculation school her life would take a U-Turn. Papa and momma were scared if she scores bad even in higher secondary then her life would be spoiled. But they did not understand her life lied in Sports. She wanted to do big in sports especially in badminton and carom. She had to change her school. The new school proved to be a hell for her. No PT hours and generally the small ground was occupied by boys and hence girls were not allowed to play. Deepika had to spend her PT hours sitting in the library(which had no good novels even) and watching out at the ground with tears in her eyes. She succumbed all her pain. She went back home fought terribly with her papa and momma(who had by then taken VR and was back to her family).

Momma to Deepika was not an acceptable change. Deepika wondered all these years it was her papa who could stop her from doing anything; but she wondered why does momma too have to??? She wanted to be set free. Her Momma was furious at her for MISTAKES that she did. And Deepika in turn wondered 'Who is she to bother me?'. Life went on pretty much disturbed. One day when she had a terrible fight with her momma, Papa said 'Either u live in this home or momma'. Deepika was shocked at the option. She decided to move out of the home. Deepika was a spoiled girl. Her bhaiya had gone to another city for his higher studies. No one to control the situation and then Deepika walked out with her luggage. She went to school hostel which was no less than a jail. Food and people were a terrible stuff there. She had to live here for at least 4 months and then her exams would end all her pains. She managed to live in that jail.

Her bhaiya was shocked when he came to knew that his laadli has moved away from home. He comes with papa to meet his laadli. Deepika's warden wouldn't have trusted him to be Deepika's brother if he had come alone. Warden was very mean. Then Deepika comes out of the jail sees her bhaiya waiting for her. She runs to him, holds him tight and cries out all her pain. Bhaiya hugs his laadli and tells her to come back home. Deepika is very adamant and she refuses. Deepika gets only 15 minutes to meet her bhaiya. She keeps looking at the watch and just prays if time never runs!!!. Bhaiya goes back home giving her sweet memories for her life to come. It was the only memorable moment for Deepika in that new school.

She managed to write her exams and run away from hostel. She was released form the jail (without the bail :P). The Lady on the Lady bird was free again. She went merrily to home with papa; and back home when she saw her momma, she did not understand what has happened in the mean time but she hugged her momma and cried her Saree wet. They had started understanding each other. Deepika started realizing what her momma actually mean to her a lot. The family was happy again. Though Deepika's bhaiya was not with them he soon joined them for a family retreat. All go to their native for Deepika's uncle's marriage. It was fun all over again.

Contd... Stage 2: (whining school-girl)

READ THE STAGE 1 FIRST


All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.
And then the whining school-boy(girl), with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school.....

Stage 2: (whining school-girl)

Seeing so much interests of the laadli of house for studies, her papa takes herto different schools for admission. They goto Deepika's brother's school, they goto other near by schools. All rejected as she was just 2 and half years old. But one school which was admitting kids in the mid of the year accepted her application. Now she did not really know which school did she actually get admitted to. Back home she declared that she is admitted in 5 schools (she thought so as she visited so many of them). Life slowly changed. A new place, a new language, new people and new rules and regulations. It was not like at home. She was allowed to construct anything and destruct anything (this is the action that she loved). Now she was bounded. She was enthusiastic about new things. She had the difficulty in the language. She learned it and learned it so well that today hardly anyone will realize that she is not a native speaker.

She was tagged at that age ' Chatter Box '. It was fun. Learning the most wiered characters (A B C D - for her it was different- remember she writing(not scribbling - mind u.. ;)) in her diaries before her school days). She then was very good at studies. She even scored 1st rank once (once for all her life). The very next exam she slipped to 8th Rank. Now u should be wondering how could she? a girl very keen in studies and very enthusiastic about going to school. Now who said it was bad??? She thought she had done much better a job. She goes back home with 8 in the report card. Her mama who then had come to pay them a visit questioned 'beta...what happened? Why 8th? last time u were 1st?'. Deepika was confused. wondered if her momma was really worried or was she happy. She then questioned her momma 'Maa...8 is bigger than 1 na? Then why are you scolding me?'. Now what could momma say? She had the heartiest laugh and explained her the ranking system. Even today she goes around and tells the world of her laadli's innocence. Deepika indeed won everyone's heart.

She had a fight with Mathematics. She found it so difficult to play with numbers. Her cousin was too good at that and so he used to guide her with the numbers. But she was just unable to understand anything. She then kept scoring soaring marks. She failed now and then in mathematics. It was very difficult for her to get a clear report card without any red marks back home. She struggled and even today she gets scared of the numbers. papa cooked and cousin lends hand. bhaiya busy with playing ball hitting against the wall and Deepika, she was being targeted at. Now, it's difficult to explain everything here. But somehow the time passed and she grew older and older. Her passion was to invite people for her B'Day. If say her b'day is today, people visit home for her cake cutting and she starts inviting them for her next b'day right from that evening. She enjoyed growing older. She was the laadli of all always. She hits her bhaiya and if bhaiya hits back she cries out 'papa bhaiya hit me!!!'. Bhaiya gets all the scoldings for the mistake that his lil sister does. He was very patient with his lil sis after she was the laadli to him also. Life went on with lil struggles and lil happiness and lil sorrows. She grows to be an adolescent.

To be Contd...

All the world's a stage

I am sure all of you have read this at least once in your life.

William Shakespeare - All the world's a stage

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.
And then the whining school-boy, with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth. And then the justice,
In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank; and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

AMEN!!!

I wanted to talk something about how a gal child grew up to be an adolescent and then a young lady and then a women and then.....it will go on...!

Stage I ( As an Infant):

A girl child was born to a very poor family in a very remote village in Eastern India. Let's name her Deepika here. It was the year beginning when she was born. She was the most charming kid for her granny, her papa, her neighbors and her brother. She looked so much like a Chinese doll with small eyes, small nose (almost invisible - like Chinese), and fair skin. She was the heart beat for many. She grew to be a year old, her brother who was then going to nursery got her a chocolate (which he got in his school for someone's B'Day - imagine a LKG kid getting the choc to home without eating), without anyone's notice he put it in his lil sweet sis' mouth. Lil did he knew that it is a dangerous act. It was only his love for his laadli. Her granny was around and so she escaped the danger. She started crawling without the knees touching on the floor much (very conscious you see.. ;)) and then slowly learned to walk with holding her mother's finger and papa's sometimes. She lived the princess' life not by outer looks but she indeed lived like the princess in her palace. She was extremely different to her brother. He was a brave kid. He played with cats and dogs while his lil sis was even scared of soap foam. She turns pink, blue and then black when she cries. She looses her breath if she cries. Her mum runs to save her life, takes her in arms and runs to the near by tub of water, puts her in and then she is relieved...She had pain crying. Imagine a child not being able to even cry. She was a year and half when her granny left her laadli.

Her life took a turn at the age of 2 when her papa moved to another city. Her mama could not accompany her. She had a job in the city and papa was not to get a high pay (remember she is from a poor family???) and so it was decided that mama will stay back while papa with Deepika and her bro will move to the new city. They come to a new city, a city of culture, city of temples, city of calm minded people. She wanted to go to school at age 2 and half as she saw her brother always going to school with so many notebooks and books. She used to take a bag, hang it on the shoulder and goto one end of the balcony making it a school and she being a teacher teaching wiered characters as A B C. She goes to the other end of the balcony to help earn money for her papa, she works in an imaginary office. she is hungry, she goes to the kitchen to find some eatables; she finds none and satisfies herself with a pinch of salt. She is energetic again. She waits for her bhaiya to come back home and then they play games, hit each other, watch TV, play wiered games (like watching an Ad and finding the same material at home - who ever brings the same material in front of the TV is the WINNER). Mama payed visit now and then and Deepika and her bhaiya wrote list of complaints against their cousin (who stayed with them for his higher studies), lists of things they want, lists of activities they do generally at home and finally bhaiya's home-works and class-works and Deepika's wiered characters written(not scribbled!!! 'for her') in the diaries. When asked what she wanted to be when she grows up, she answered 'A Mother' (she missed her mama a lot); sometimes 'A BUS - Conductor' (Conductors have so much money in their purse - you see); 'A Teacher' (She still desires to be one) and many more (depending on the mood and situation ;)) Lil did anyone know that this city will change Deepika's life and make her a strong women that she is now.

To be Contd...

Women 2.0 Summit (March 13)

Here is an opportunity for all women professionals in your organization to attend the Women2.0 Summit.

In the honour of International Women's day, siliconindia is organizing an exclusive forum for women technology professionals: Women 2.0 Summit on March 13, 2009 in Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai & Pune. At the summit you will find women from all levels of the technology industry. This is a platform for wide range of professional development and networking opportunities. One of the Summits goals is to create a forum where women in technology can be promoted as role models.

At the Summit, there would be four panel discussions on:
Ascending the Corporate Ladder
Women's Work: The Great Juggling Act
Strategic Mentoring: The Power of Many
The Women Entrepreneurs

We have lined up impressive set of speakers from Microsoft, Cisco, Intel, Amazon, Unisys, Citrix, Infosys, Texas Instruments, UST Global, Harbinger, AppLabs, FXLabs, Alcatel-Lucent, Satyam, Virtusa, Ramco, Hexaware, Zensar, Persistent Systems and many more.

This Summit is all about how women professionals can reach the next level in their professional life. They will discover how to channel your expertise and creativity into an effective leadership style that delivers results and allows them to stand out from the crowd. The Summit has been designed to enable women technology professionals to expand their network and help in professional development. They benefit from networking, connecting, learning and interacting with women at all levels in their careers, in all areas of technology.

Please note, we have very limited seats. If you would like to nominate women professionals from your organization, please send us the following details at the earliest. Passes will be given out to those who respond to this mail on first-cum-first-serve basis only.

Name
Designation
Company Name
Mobile number
City

There is no limit for number of nominations from a particular organization. We encourage you to pass on this note to all women professionals you may know of because this Summit is specially designed to help them in their professional life. Also kindly send it to your managers, HR and CEOs so that your organization also benefits.

DATE: MARCH 13, 2009 FRIDAY
TIME: 9.00 to 4.30 PM

We will notify the venue to the delegates upon confirmation.

reply-to : lakshmi@siliconindia.com

Thanks
siliconindia

An Invitation - School ReUnion

Hi buddies....

Last benchers busy eating the lunch from the bags in the line behind.

First benchers taking serious notes and hiding the mischiefs of the back benchers

Few Studs busy playing Book cricket.
Some pretty ladies gossiping
Some one staring at the girl in the building just behind the class room.
Some enjoying the PT hours of other classes through the window.
and and and...some being the center of attraction in the corridor (kneel downs and out-standing studs)

Ahhh....the days with the scotching sun above the head in the thirsty PT hours; the uncountable number of punishments; the games played; the pranks played; the curses on studies; the nick names for the teachers; the sad/happy days of results; the forming of gangs; hitting each other with chalks inbetween 2 periods; playing cricket with exam pad and ball out of papers; puncturing the enemies' cycle; njoying someone else's punishment; making craft works; some learning electronics; managing some pocket money for eating those

samosas from the bakery outside;those running behind teachers for grace marks to escape a red report card; those untold/told crushes/infactuations and so much more....hey wait...I am forgetting something, of which the BASICS were learnt at that age....COPY during Exams....!!! Whatever we learnt at that tender age....to some extent we could make use of except the Concepts of Copying which we almost use regularly... ;) That's the best lesson learnt and was taught by no one...It is, an in built talent we all have. Hey toppers...don't hesitate...even you have had... ;)

and i swear i dare forget the back bites eh!!! The only thing everyone of us did but knew and wholly understood that it was wrong... ;) and remember the unity between all, when the class was being caught by the teachers for noise??? and remember the 8 on 9 periods of continuous PT hours(A section studs during 8th std?) and remember the jealous fights between the sections??? Oh Oh oh....hell a lot eh!!! and tough competiotions between players on and off the ground; the fights between the Houses. The 2-3 days of Sports meet and the Annual Function held anually ofcourse, with lot of performances and envying on the 100% attendance holders...The APSC games where you compete with the toughest of the toughest teams struggling to be the Winner or Runner-Up...Oh yes thats when even enemies used to be friends... ;)

Now why am I repeating Enemies words over and over again??? Trust me at that point of time we only knew 3 relationships...BestFriend/Friend/Enemy.... ;) And thats how we categorized all. And remember the mis-understandings with our seniors??? and the snubs??? and the Gaalis/Thittus??? and the crushes on some??? ;)

YES...young ladies and gentle Men...I was talking about our good old school days....where we learnt our first rhyme...where we learnt the first letters....where we learnt the chatters...where we learnt the Gaalis...and being a Chinmayeet...Not to forget that we also learnt Bhajans...which we hardly remember now... ;) what fun it was to stand in the straight(like a snake???) line for the morning prayers; and what fun it was to come for the republic day and independence day celebration with boring speeches and interesting performances. And remember how we wondered about receiving chocolates even on Independence day when we knew every year it will be given only on the Republic day...

I seriously wonder if this mail would ever end.... ;) but why am i writing all these today? am i nuts??? yes I am nuts for the reason that we all the good old classies meeting up this sunday to revive the (G)olden days of our life...This sunday is the occassion or a reason for this celebration...It's N.Ashwin's Last Bachelorhood B'Day and Hemamalini's B'Day... :) We all treating with this Shock cum Surprise on their B'Day. Lets get2gether for this occassion that will mark the beginning of an other innings of our school days... ;) Lets be Children once again...Lets get mischieveous again...Lets just hit the floor and care of nothing but just fun... :)

Venue: Chinmaya Vidyalaya Main Gate
Date : 01-March -2009
Time : 4.30pm to 5.00pm


Lets Rock again.... :)

Hike and No-Hike

This is my first blog. At this point of time; I have only one point in my mind (in fact it is the same point in everyone's mind now), HIKE???

Oh well...I remember when I first joined work, I wondered what's this Appraisal interview and what's this Hike in real terms. Leave alone PF and Allowances...Frankly that swirls my mind even now... :P

Initially you rate yourself on various activities. And then THE DAY arrives. You go inside a room with your boss and your super-boss. They screw you for the work you HAVE done...(even if that has really got an applause from your client - I will come to the client stories later). you are a victim; the judge(super-boss) enjoys the assaults; the lawyer embarrasses you with irrelevant questions(why did u use x as the variable and why not y); and at the end of the session you are hanged(no points); and HR polishes the whole appraisal sessions by giving NO HIKE - BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME. Oh..Did I say all these...Sorry X-Boss. Well I really did not face all these. I have been lucky in the podium with no judge just the nice lawyer. :) but no use! still NO HIKE :( I see the curious eyes outside the room now and then wondering 'pone barah baje...What's goinon (song from Salaam Namastey)'. My experience was very much at 11.45, AM though. I look at the curious eyes and smile back at them when my boss is busy marking points 3 on 5(in people skills); 1 on 5(technical knowledge); 2 on 5 and so on...I counted all the points and I ended up with 1.9 :) oh wow...I thought!!! I was praised!!! My boss did confirm back with me 'R U HAPPY?'. I said I am! Now who did really know, what 1.9 will bring to you and what 2.3(few of my friends scored) will bring. I remember my HR also saying that 'You being a fresher and as your 1 year term gets over after 3 months; you will have another round of appraisal. Hey guys; imagine another round of appraisal!!! I really wondered 'What happens in this IT Service Industry yaar?' Anyway We kept waiting...and one day my Boss calls me and hands over a letter. The letter read ' You have been promoted as Asst. Systems Analyst' (it was Asst. Systems Analyst Trainee before) and your hike is 10.3%. Now don't ask on how much!!! I got frustrated. I wondered if there will really be another round of appraisal. I talked to HR and to haste! I was literally hanged! I was accused! I was I was I was...now what to say...! It was all over. I have no extra money for the extra shopping; no extra money for those extra coffee in the coffee day; no extra money for extra those extra gol gappes. Life came to a stand still. I wondered if I must fight for it. I was cheated. I called all my friends who had similar issue. I had a talk with them. I wanted to know how many of them are ready for the fight. I said 'Don't sign until there is a proper hike' Everyone nodded. But again to haste. I failed one more time. The appraisal brought ingratitude. It discouraged me, I was disappointed, I dint know what would I do for my loan and lot more promises that I have made to my parents and my siblings.

I dint want to leave the organization. My boss was super good, my colleagues were too considerate and helping, my team as such was just like a family. I know lot of you will wonder how can a person talk good about her office and the environment. But I will. I did not have any complaints. I enjoyed my work. I enjoyed the people there. I was having fun at my work place. But at the same time I wanted money to survive in the fast moving world. I wanted to be appreciated in the monitory terms. I wanted it!!!

Now...Today I am doing great. In a new company new environment new kind of job and new boss. I met with an accident which fractured my leg and that changed my life. I had a U-Turn! I molded my career with my own hands. I made it look perfect. I wanted to add few more advantages to my job profile. I am perfectly fine with my work now... :)

Do I sound too happy??? Oh yes!! I am! And you all too should be. Life is not to crib about recessions and inflations! Thats nature! Lets live life the way we want and not how someone else wants... :)