tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25409616943445588312024-03-12T17:45:38.696-07:00Mac's Blah-Blah!!This is a place where I just want to do some blah-blah...and it could be just about anything. Once in a while though, you might find something intelligent...so head on and get a taste of my blah-blah...cheers!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540961694344558831.post-6193494126180346022008-08-06T10:40:00.000-07:002008-08-06T10:59:04.098-07:00From The Land Of A Billion Sparks...<span style="font-weight: bold;">I usually do not prefer stacking others' words in my 'blah-blah' corner. But for once, I decided to shut-up and listen. I don't say the following is brilliant as a piece of grand and worded literature. But yes, what the words strike since they are true. Kudos to Mr. Bhagat for putting it out so straight and simply.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;">---***----<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Keep the Spark Alive</span><br /></div> <span style="font-style: italic;">Inaugu</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ral Speech for the new batch at the Symbiosis BBA program, Pune 23rd June, 2008</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">By Chetan Bhagat</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpNnSfHQPLWxbLOjOkB0j6Xaw5DQqA_ikVdOQsWaQrrEMujX_SVd60Okkb7GWB9sFWVYbD-NRHtTq-QMSEF1qP0ZxZGo57asvZryjCVlR910hprpWPAnz4Sqb93kCjYLIIICIlSxj4Ig/s1600-h/book7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpNnSfHQPLWxbLOjOkB0j6Xaw5DQqA_ikVdOQsWaQrrEMujX_SVd60Okkb7GWB9sFWVYbD-NRHtTq-QMSEF1qP0ZxZGo57asvZryjCVlR910hprpWPAnz4Sqb93kCjYLIIICIlSxj4Ig/s400/book7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231463260174573906" border="0" /></a>Good Morning everyone and thank you for giving me this chance to speak to you. This day is about you. You, who have come to this college, leaving the comfort of your homes (or in some cases discomfort), to become something in your life. I am sure you are excited. There are few days in human life when one is truly elated. The first day in college is one of them. When you were getting ready today, you felt a tingling in your stomach. What would the auditorium be like, what would the teachers be like, who are my new classmates - there is so much to be curious about. I call this excitement, the spark within you that makes you feel truly alive today. Today I am going to talk about keeping the spark shining. Or to put it another way, how to be happy most, if not all the time.<br /><br />Where do these sparks start? I think we are born with them. My 3-year old twin boys have a million sparks. A little Spiderman toy can make them jump on the bed. They get thrills from creaky swings in the park. A story from daddy gets them excited. They do a daily countdown for birthday party – several months in advance – just for the day they will cut their own birthday cake.<br /><br />I see students like you, and I still see some sparks. But when I see older people, the spark is difficult to find. That means as we age, the spark fades. People whose spark has faded too much are dull, dejected, aimless and bitter. Remember Kareena in the first half of Jab We Met vs the second half? That is what happens when the spark is lost. So how to save the spark?<br /><br />Imagine the spark to be a lamp's flame. The first aspect is nurturing - to give your spark the fuel, continuously. The second is to guard against storms.<br /><br />To nurture, always have goals. It is human nature to strive, improve and achieve full potential. In fact, that is success. It is what is possible for you. It isn't any external measure - a certain cost to company pay package, a particular car or house.<br /><br />Most of us are from middle class families. To us, having material landmarks is success and rightly so. When you have grown up where money constraints force everyday choices, financial freedom is a big achievement. But it isn't the purpose of life. If that was the case, Mr. Ambani would not show up for work. Shah Rukh Khan would stay at home and not dance anymore. Steve Jobs won't be working hard to make a better iPhone, as he sold Pixar for billions of dollars already. Why do they do it? What makes them come to work everyday? They do it because it makes them happy. They do it because it makes them feel alive. Just getting better from current levels feels good. If you study hard, you can improve your rank. If you make an effort to interact with people, you will do better in interviews. If you practice, your cricket will get better. You may also know that you cannot become Tendulkar, yet. But you can get to the next level. Striving for that next level is important.<br /><br />Nature designed with a random set of genes and circumstances in which we were born. To be happy, we have to accept it and make the most of nature's design. Are you? Goals will help you do that.<br /><br />I must add, don't just have career or academic goals. Set goals to give you a balanced, successful life. I use the word balanced before successful. Balanced means ensuring your health, relationships, mental peace are all in good order.<br /><br />There is no point of getting a promotion on the day of your breakup. There is no fun in driving a car if your back hurts. Shopping is not enjoyable if your mind is full of tensions.<br /><br />You must have read some quotes - Life is a tough race, it is a marathon or whatever. No, from what I have seen so far, life is one of those races in nursery school, where you have to run with a marble in a spoon kept in your mouth. If the marble falls, there is no point coming first. Same with life, where health and relationships are the marble. Your striving is only worth it if there is harmony in your life. Else, you may achieve the success, but this spark, this feeling of being excited and alive, will start to die.<br /><br />One last thing about nurturing the spark - don't take life seriously. One of my yoga teachers used to make students laugh during classes. One student asked him if these jokes would take away something from the yoga practice. The teacher said - don't be serious, be sincere. This quote has defined my work ever since. Whether its my writing, my job, my relationships or any of my goals. I get thousands of opinions on my writing everyday. There is heaps of praise, there is intense criticism. If I take it all seriously, how will I write? Or rather, how will I live? Life is not to be taken seriously, as we are really temporary here. We are like a pre-paid card with limited validity. If we are lucky, we may last another 50 years. And 50 years is just 2,500 weekends. Do we really need to get so worked up? It's ok, bunk a few classes, goof up a few interviews, fall in love. We are people, not programmed devices.<br /><br />I've told you three things - reasonable goals, balance and not taking it too seriously that will nurture the spark. However, there are four storms in life that will threaten to completely put out the flame. These must be guarded against. These are disappointment, frustration, unfairness and loneliness of purpose.<br /><br />Disappointment will come when your effort does not give you the expected return. If things don't go as planned or if you face failure. Failure is extremely difficult to handle, but those that do come out stronger. What did this failure teach me? is the question you will need to ask. You will feel miserable. You will want to quit, like I wanted to when nine publishers rejected my first book. Some IITians kill themselves over low grades – how silly is that? But that is how much failure can hurt you. But it's life. If challenges could always be overcome, they would cease to be a challenge. And remember - if you are failing at something, that means you are at your limit or potential. And that's where you want to be.<br /><br />Disappointment's cousin is frustration, the second storm. Have you ever been frustrated? It happens when things are stuck. This is especially relevant in India. >From traffic jams to getting that job you deserve, sometimes things take so long that you don't know if you chose the right goal. After books, I set the goal of writing for Bollywood, as I thought they needed writers. I am called extremely lucky, but it took me five years to get close to a release. Frustration saps excitement, and turns your initial energy into something negative, making you a bitter person. How did I deal with it? A realistic assessment of the time involved – movies take a long time to make even though they are watched quickly, seeking a certain enjoyment in the process rather than the end result – at least I was learning how to write scripts, having a side plan – I had my third book to write and even something as simple as pleasurable distractions in your life - friends, food, travel can help you overcome it. Remember, nothing is to be taken seriously. Frustration is a sign somewhere, you took it too seriously.<br /><br />Unfairness - this is hardest to deal with, but unfortunately that is how our country works. People with connections, rich dads, beautiful faces, pedigree find it easier to make it – not just in Bollywood, but everywhere. And sometimes it is just plain luck. There are so few opportunities in India, so many stars need to be aligned for you to make it happen. Merit and hard work is not always linked to achievement in the short term, but the long term correlation is high, and ultimately things do work out. But realize, there will be some people luckier than you. In fact, to have an opportunity to go to college and understand this speech in English means you are pretty damm lucky by Indian standards.. Let's be grateful for what we have and get the strength to accept what we don't. I have so much love from my readers that other writers cannot even imagine it. However, I don't get literary praise. It's ok. I don't look like Aishwarya Rai, but I have two boys who I think are more beautiful than her.. It's ok. Don't let unfairness kill your spark.<br /><br />Finally, the last point that can kill your spark is isolation. As you grow older you will realize you are unique. When you are little, all kids want Ice cream and Spiderman. As you grow older to college, you still are a lot like your friends. But ten years later and you realize you are unique. What you want, what you believe in, what makes you feel, may be different from even the people closest to you. This can create conflict as your goals may not match with others. . And you may drop some of them. Basketball captains in college invariably stop playing basketball by the time they have their second child. They give up something that meant so much to them. They do it for their family. But in doing that, the spark dies. Never, ever make that compromise. Love yourself first, and then others.<br /><br />There you go. I've told you the four thunderstorms - disappointment, frustration, unfairness and isolation. You cannot avoid them, as like the monsoon they will come into your life at regular intervals. You just need to keep the raincoat handy to not let the spark die.<br /><br />I welcome you again to the most wonderful years of your life. If someone gave me the choice to go back in time, I will surely choose college. But I also hope that ten years later as well, your eyes will shine the same way as they do today. That you will Keep the Spark alive, not only through college, but through the next 2,500 weekends. And I hope not just you, but my whole country will keep that spark alive, as we really need it now more than any moment in history. And there is something cool about saying - I come from the land of a billion sparks.<br /><br />Thank You.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540961694344558831.post-43901473893350308002008-08-01T11:40:00.000-07:002008-12-09T12:02:13.300-08:00The Experience of ‘NOT’ Meeting A Man<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0QqaLYiEhUltjyf7CCNzhh0qoxIcV3WF_qCXb31eV-2xRPvwPInyzPdl0vUEzbmzqH1qKzr6FZ0PT6_vFRmyTnKKyn_4X7JJ5NCaoHPHwiabpZ2OeFmWvZ02dP7yew-ULiG_jckYATk/s1600-h/Showing+Dr.+Kalam+The+Magazine.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0QqaLYiEhUltjyf7CCNzhh0qoxIcV3WF_qCXb31eV-2xRPvwPInyzPdl0vUEzbmzqH1qKzr6FZ0PT6_vFRmyTnKKyn_4X7JJ5NCaoHPHwiabpZ2OeFmWvZ02dP7yew-ULiG_jckYATk/s320/Showing+Dr.+Kalam+The+Magazine.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229623050854661026" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:100%;" >This is a story that I must </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">share.</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">As Editor-in-Chief of this year’s edition of my college magazine ‘Sourabh’ which has a unique theme of ‘Lives Inspiring Lives’, I had to contact many achievers and ‘big’ persons. One of them was former President of India, respected <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam</span>. The experience when I tried to contact him remains fresh in my mind. Here goes.</span><o:p></o:p></span><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;font-family:courier new;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=""> </span> </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FtDv4qMg08H8ZORAyoOfJVj5u-rznV_VH-5p_YCz-pVXv2lWp4sTY5LP_KvR7-C-NCH3_bP6vXI4OXZ8XAGUSDIykvPDUA1GIOTo8wgXYCWt2uvMVBee9fTW2AocILh8XjJYSDkfyIY/s1600-h/My+Colleagues+%26+Me+With+Dr.+Kalam.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FtDv4qMg08H8ZORAyoOfJVj5u-rznV_VH-5p_YCz-pVXv2lWp4sTY5LP_KvR7-C-NCH3_bP6vXI4OXZ8XAGUSDIykvPDUA1GIOTo8wgXYCWt2uvMVBee9fTW2AocILh8XjJYSDkfyIY/s400/My+Colleagues+%26+Me+With+Dr.+Kalam.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229621754385723954" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">(In picture [L-R] Harshal, Myself,Dr.Kalam, Shahid & Kulkarni Ma'am)</span><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; text-align: left;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This happened sometime in late February, I think. I was talking on phone with one of his assistants, Mr. Sharma. I explained to him the magazine, the idea behind it and requested him to coordinate a meeting with Dr. Kalam. He heard me out and then asked, ‘When are you exams?’ That was odd. Now what had my exams got to do with my requesting an appointment with Dr. Kalam. Well, I said they are in May-June and enquired why did it matter? Inside, I was wondering humorously whether he’d ask my marks next to qualify for meeting Dr. Kalam (after all, Dr. Kalam is a very intelligent man and so maybe, he met only top scorers). Well, Mr. Sharma then clarified that Dr. Kalam had given strict orders that students’ minds should not be diverted during the exam season of February and March, especially in the keenness of meeting him. Wow! That was a great thought. I was speechless for a second. Then next question followed was ‘Are you going to come to </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:city><st1:place><span style="">Delhi</span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> only to meet Dr. Kalam?’ and I answered in affirmative. He probed further saying. ‘You have nothing else to do here? Meeting someone or some other work in </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><st1:city><st1:place><span style="">Delhi</span></st1:place></st1:city></span><span style="font-size:100%;">?’ I said ‘no’. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; text-align: left;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:100%;">That’s when a bouncer came when Mr. Sharma asked if I would like Dr. Kalam to visit me. ‘What?’ I yiked. For a moment, I was too dazed to think of anything. ‘Dr. Kalam?...Visit me?...I mean how?...I mean...’ I just couldn’t talk. Perhaps, Mr. Sharma had been through this before, and I guess he was smiling on the other side. He then lucidly explained, ‘Dr. Kalam doesn’t like students spending money to just come and see him. He wouldn’t mind meeting if you were here for some work or meeting your relatives or something like that. He would prefer to meet you when he is in your city. And surely he would. Will that do? Can you wait for him? He will meet you.’ That was it. I was floored. I just didn’t know what to answer. Imagine such a big personality coming to meet me. The very thought was so alluring. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; text-align: left;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Indeed, if this was the humbleness of Dr. Kalam that was reflected in his assistant, Mr. Sharma, then what must be Dr. Kalam in person? The thought that his modest persona must have passed on to all his people was so difficult to contemplate, but yet so remarkable and true. It inspired me. In all my endeavors to meet so many people this particular one remains as the experience of ‘NOT’ meeting a man. That is the iconic Dr. Kalam for you who even inspires without meeting in flesh and bone. <o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:100%;">---***---<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><o:p style="font-family: courier new;"></o:p><span style="font-family:courier new;">P.S. Of course, the next time he was in Pune, he did meet me (and some of my colleagues too), true to the last word as promised. And then what is the experience of meeting this man? Though clichéd as it may sound, it’s a memory for a lifetime. Simply awe-inspiring, isn’t it?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540961694344558831.post-88985533417775963152007-11-28T07:33:00.000-08:002008-12-09T12:02:13.937-08:00Ha! Ha! I just couldn't stop laffin...<span style="font-weight: bold;">Ha! Ha! Ha!</span><br /><br />Here is a dash of creativity. Maybe those hundreds of slimming centers and gyms could use this for advertising themselves. Taste this and see if it makes you rollick with laughter. I, for once, can't stop lafffin...<span style="font-style: italic;">hahahaha!!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWaQx-QzFyx59wVW0bHGOYll9a2jmu_ml6T9uTA0NvFkg9ihamndod_kQkkITPH_-fWFMfrFxBhJnUh0AdL2mtwVMTOLLUjCTQYOJVLDPzGe6nOojWhx6Zsp4oiV_9rKWSHbpYAtTVQw/s1600-h/OSO_magic.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWaQx-QzFyx59wVW0bHGOYll9a2jmu_ml6T9uTA0NvFkg9ihamndod_kQkkITPH_-fWFMfrFxBhJnUh0AdL2mtwVMTOLLUjCTQYOJVLDPzGe6nOojWhx6Zsp4oiV_9rKWSHbpYAtTVQw/s400/OSO_magic.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137928391237048162" border="0" /></a> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">AFTER ----------------- BEFORE</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">BTW, I MUST PUT THIS LINE HERE: (</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >courtesy:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> my dost - Akshay)</span><br /></span></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >"They really resemble a lot. One has six pack and one has six packed in one pack."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Super cool na? Thanks Aks :-)<br /><br /></span>I dunno how many times I'll have to edit this post. Here's another caption from another friend (again real cool. Sorry McD's! This one's against you!!!). Here it is:<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">"</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">McDonald's : Turning people from chickna to chubby"</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;">Thanks Salil :-)</span></span><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Here's more (now this is getting way too funny...haha!). Keep laffin...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">"</span></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">SRK: Tum chubby kaise bane?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Fat Guy: French fries khao..khud jaan jaao."</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">"Turn your 'luggage' into 'package' - Talwalkar's gym"</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Salil ka fir se shukriya! </span><br /><br /><br />Well, now here's the source. Actually, this is the Ad I saw today in the Mid-Day, Mumbai....What a rip-off!!! I said simply 'wow' and could stop rolling on the floor.<br />And it's from there that I created the above.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The ORIGINAL ad...</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKqw8Xj9h3cOIGJgqQ21sBMqHOi1abenEEAcX3E-74F1P9gltUQDz5rCxuJpQyMih_R4Gr6r_2CY7mYBnVC0InAFNspHsn3zHgiK0T7t7ggeVNfev9Q2xvXoCvh6P528C52xfwHzSaak/s1600-h/OMSHANTIOM.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKqw8Xj9h3cOIGJgqQ21sBMqHOi1abenEEAcX3E-74F1P9gltUQDz5rCxuJpQyMih_R4Gr6r_2CY7mYBnVC0InAFNspHsn3zHgiK0T7t7ggeVNfev9Q2xvXoCvh6P528C52xfwHzSaak/s400/OMSHANTIOM.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5137915471975421778" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Have a great time! Cheers!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540961694344558831.post-41009640870724713452007-09-16T00:02:00.001-07:002008-12-09T12:02:14.108-08:00HAPPY GANESHA!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuISZSq5WRgmnvKBAkOptEF2N3K7UeOCGxX3wtyV8nhTJilCkXf5geKeJ3yH1pp_RiAsWg9CeUDnTQE5erHuEgKSwctc8LancBkV6YdTO3U9CspJ9mMS7AJBah9MfhvP0J9djUKqAi9-o/s1600-h/gan+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuISZSq5WRgmnvKBAkOptEF2N3K7UeOCGxX3wtyV8nhTJilCkXf5geKeJ3yH1pp_RiAsWg9CeUDnTQE5erHuEgKSwctc8LancBkV6YdTO3U9CspJ9mMS7AJBah9MfhvP0J9djUKqAi9-o/s400/gan+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110696239269894386" border="0" /></a><br />Please Click Image To Get a Clear View And Read The Message!!!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYjt3jNr1oD5tBc-tIaR3lpFmiThI-6D8EQ3dTbuVgFswUj_4rckmDsm52Rswv8DwVm0lID-JtOx_NJUaQmNIvuKYwcD9fmIi5sBnUH-7yER2fMUL1wjIrVXegOPuqiaXWaveywaznK4/s1600-h/gan+copy.jpg"><br /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540961694344558831.post-73753141559927780502007-09-15T09:57:00.000-07:002008-12-09T12:02:14.707-08:00What Tourism Means To Me?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ67sFIk5lAtmLNiz_WCywkXvebrKAKNX1SBBFh7YpzL7swAj9gx0D6m6nezkuVtCFaMZ6ZTehL5radjPsOBTgdV689vhY1p4cwj6yAnt45ybMcVfN4o09P1wYFMAumDE_23uBstkE484/s1600-h/Aishwariya_mok_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ67sFIk5lAtmLNiz_WCywkXvebrKAKNX1SBBFh7YpzL7swAj9gx0D6m6nezkuVtCFaMZ6ZTehL5radjPsOBTgdV689vhY1p4cwj6yAnt45ybMcVfN4o09P1wYFMAumDE_23uBstkE484/s320/Aishwariya_mok_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110477500880476258" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span></span>ourism is <i style="">Aishwariya Rai</i> who through thick and thin, whether in or out of the country is always promoting herself on the world map. Tourism is a <i style="">Sania Mirza</i> cut-out standing outside the stadium in <st1:country-region><st1:place>France</st1:place></st1:country-region> asking soccer fans ‘How about visiting <st1:city><st1:place>Hyderaba</st1:place></st1:city><st1:city><st1:place>d</st1:place></st1:city> to see me play after this exciting game of soccer?’ Tourism is a <i style="">Shahrukh Khan</i> poster at <st1:place><st1:placename>Heathrow</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Airport</st1:placetype></st1:place> asking a couple ‘Heading to <st1:country-region><st1:place>Spain</st1:place></st1:country-region>? Next time try the exotic Taj Mahal in <st1:city><st1:place>Agra</st1:place></st1:city>?’ Tourism is <i style="">Manmohan Singh</i> in the <st1:country-region><st1:place>United States</st1:place></st1:country-region> declaring ‘<i style="">Salaam Namaste</i>. <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region> invites you.’ Yes, u<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-g9iklExHaYEHAAjwYRh0rpjwlUr8y1Vr-rMONYIR5MnBqAMzRn3krk6wWmHeFEDu88WuJehz_RV8laaEzu822wNb7ZDl-u4KQp1Dxx4wKVAuhsMNBhK8i6sQObutakT1qiTLt9IaHL0/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-g9iklExHaYEHAAjwYRh0rpjwlUr8y1Vr-rMONYIR5MnBqAMzRn3krk6wWmHeFEDu88WuJehz_RV8laaEzu822wNb7ZDl-u4KQp1Dxx4wKVAuhsMNBhK8i6sQObutakT1qiTLt9IaHL0/s320/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110478505902823570" border="0" /></a>ltimately we must accept a fact that we visit places when people invite us. We hardly venture into uninviting terrains. If <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region> needs people to visit it then people of <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region> must invite them to <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. It is to come out and let the world know that a rocking civilization and a world class genre of people exist here in <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region>. So it all begins with people and ends with people.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Tourism is not simply travel from one place to another. It is an experience that mesmerizes the first time and creates a longing for a second return. Tourism begins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu41gjhinf1rAbpG4_pfKswyPUUrM0rQEUXGSRXGlPgPX4GG6IpwkYMMyJEGCUeWwwXK7b98rnj9r-LWFrUtbkGkoGCE8rS5KUmikI3tBOhbmsctDiojHkk82UYF5yOe3KR5Qp-8pkqKc/s1600-h/manmohan+singh.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu41gjhinf1rAbpG4_pfKswyPUUrM0rQEUXGSRXGlPgPX4GG6IpwkYMMyJEGCUeWwwXK7b98rnj9r-LWFrUtbkGkoGCE8rS5KUmikI3tBOhbmsctDiojHkk82UYF5yOe3KR5Qp-8pkqKc/s320/manmohan+singh.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110477943262107778" border="0" /></a> at home and should be realized at various hierarchal levels. It is high time that locks between various states are broken. It is when <i style="">Harbhajan Singh</i> calls out ‘<i style="">Try Punjab – India’s Asli Tadka</i>’ or <i style="">Mohan Lal</i> exclaims ‘<i style="">Kool Bole To Kerala!’</i> States cutting ice to actually promote themselves within the country, with the inherent idea of people inviting people to their state, boosts domestic tourism. This generates new ideas and events that may become perennial attractions, not only at local, but also at national and international levels. <i style="">Kerala</i> aptly serves as the best example of this as it ceaselessly promotes itself as ‘God’s Own Country’, eventually becoming a noted tourist spot beyond the realm of the country.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOqFOAE7iL7Zv1UOcHzXEgs-Td_EUq6npBIlS69lVOU_rzKq5ineBag0hsjgChkJfmdLiJGesUukAKuPbBg17XHrXdaxxjccanIWI2ejaSVzO9CunIYlsFTkomuQCwTt3pr1uk_4WtK8/s1600-h/sania_mirza_sprite-03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOqFOAE7iL7Zv1UOcHzXEgs-Td_EUq6npBIlS69lVOU_rzKq5ineBag0hsjgChkJfmdLiJGesUukAKuPbBg17XHrXdaxxjccanIWI2ejaSVzO9CunIYlsFTkomuQCwTt3pr1uk_4WtK8/s320/sania_mirza_sprite-03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110477625434527858" border="0" /></a>At local level, within states, there should be awareness and maintenance of worth-visiting places. Encouraging local tour operators to organize schemes with tempting offers to travel to people is a need. Enhanced tourism requires impeccable service and indiscrimination. Tourist spot maintainers, thus, should be well-equipped with information, first-aid, etc. knowledgeable guides. Only then people recommend places to friends and relatives that in turn boost popularity of places. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I would visit a place if I have information and recommendation. Government at various levels must send our famous lot across the globe inviting people to our country via available mediums. Tourism, not just as another business, is beyond words extending to actions interconnected with preserving our culture, promoting it earnestly and simply keeping our standards high. </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;">If <st1:country-region><st1:place>Malaysia</st1:place></st1:country-region> is ‘truly <st1:place>Asia</st1:place>’ and <st1:country-region><st1:place>Singapore</st1:place></st1:country-region> ‘roars’ and when <st1:city><st1:place>Dubai</st1:place></st1:city> offers an opportunity to ‘shop till you drop’, they actually mean it. When <st1:country-region><st1:place>India</st1:place></st1:country-region> calls herself ‘incredible’, she has to mean it. For tourism is not just another <i style="">–ism</i>; it’s creating curiosity in things as common as <i style="">tandoor</i> and surely, tourists will be no longer <i style="">door (far).<o:p></o:p></i></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540961694344558831.post-57909552398860442602007-08-22T21:57:00.001-07:002008-12-09T12:02:15.145-08:00One Instance Of Online Social Networks Weakening Our Physical & Emotional Attachments<span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >I</span> usually do not remember birthdays. Well, not beyond my own family members at least. Also I <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtIlCJVkrKSPj7HvDyndSShjrHehr95nGDKr1iljYKGlt4mG_Uq9FST8vt3QtjuQaG2nVD8Q06f4r3ATjU49A5zp7RzWybiq3OlfKl9hxX3h06TUmJNWgv5pxUBEnhlTCgEFph1eT9Vc/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPtIlCJVkrKSPj7HvDyndSShjrHehr95nGDKr1iljYKGlt4mG_Uq9FST8vt3QtjuQaG2nVD8Q06f4r3ATjU49A5zp7RzWybiq3OlfKl9hxX3h06TUmJNWgv5pxUBEnhlTCgEFph1eT9Vc/s320/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101776900584541522" border="0" /></a>find it particularly non-interesting (read, I feel lazy!!) to note and refer my diary for birthdays. Besides, I highly detest online birthday reminder services that clog the email inbox and I also don't appreciate pesky computer desktop reminder softwares. And that's why I must say a 'thank you' to social networking sites for coming to the rescue.<br /><br />Like thousands of Indians, I am a member of Orkut.com - a social networking site and I like the 'upcoming birthdays' so conveniently stated when you log in. Even if, as is my case, you're too lazy to read the birth dates, or even are likely to forget it after reading, Orkut highlights the friend's name and birth date in bold on the b-day. And with the convenience of just clicking and scrapping a 'happy-wappy b'day 2 u!!', I instantly do it and it's as if I have done my duty. Indeed, I feel nice and it sure seems 'a great way to maintain relationships!'. Even the birthday boy or gal feels good that they've been remembered on their birthday or appreciates the fact that I've taken pain to send a greeting.<br /><br />Well, that what I felt until now. Pondering, I realized that in the first place 'real' contact with many of these friends on my Online Social Network (OSN) may not necessarily happen. Besides, many of the friends who got lost for a while and are united now due to the OSN, are people whom maybe I really wouldn't have missed even if I hadn't interacted with them ever. But then that is the good part of OSN that help you maintain AFFILIATIONS even though it may be under a cloak of 'FRIENDSHIP'. Indeed, you may not even regularly interact with the person in you social network of 100, 200 or even 1000 people, but you do wish a 'happy birthday'. Fine that is good. But that I feel is not inspired due to friendship but only due to the relative ease of communicating messages across. Otherwise would you have ever taken trouble to meet in person or even call up to wish? Not so, I feel. This is where social networks have weakened bonds.<br /><br />Though, OSNs have increased the circle of affiliations and interactions, they have not really helped in building very strong bonds in the physical and emotional sense. It's kind of mechanical. Like you s<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbppQQSkhQn6BHmeI5eL6wZ2qFLIPUePQAqjcALpwQCmFl0ckBM09MSEH5XHh-onRIWqz0_rjpZf21FHJQAWC2TqALV2S-sjZo7FfTAKSjE62Hgmlo4S9MFufMt2J0Y3pC4rnKYUNJkNk/s1600-h/images1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbppQQSkhQn6BHmeI5eL6wZ2qFLIPUePQAqjcALpwQCmFl0ckBM09MSEH5XHh-onRIWqz0_rjpZf21FHJQAWC2TqALV2S-sjZo7FfTAKSjE62Hgmlo4S9MFufMt2J0Y3pC4rnKYUNJkNk/s320/images1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101777029433560418" border="0" /></a>end greeting to all people whose birthday you see on your screen, but there really may be no feeling. It may just be an involuntary action. While business-wise, professionally, socially, this may be a good way just to remind each other that we know each other, on a physical platform, emotional bridges never get build. Even good friends and family may just be wished via a scrap. The good 'ol days of personally making a greeting or spending hours to select a gift and card in gift stores seem to be entering into oblivion. The meetings on the birthdays over dinner or a sippa hot cappuccino may be only rarely.<br /><br />While many might oppose my thought strongly, and with me also accepting that I have stated my idea in a hazy manner (indicating that I am open to debate), I am pretty confident that social networks are structures for having cartloads of people as 'friends' but very few real relationships. And in view of the trend (this being one among many) to wish each other just via a 'scrap' or simply by 'writing on the wall' will 100% result in the meltdown of the sense of being physically and emotionally attached to people. Or simply, I believe that <span style="font-weight: bold;">'Online Social Networks Are Weakening Our Physical & Emotional Attachments'. </span>Let's see, what technology develops as solution to this, if at all.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">---***---</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540961694344558831.post-79543734848250809852007-08-21T09:32:00.000-07:002008-12-09T12:02:15.314-08:00Bollywood and sports, any equations?<span style="font-size:180%;"><b><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:red;" >S</span></b></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >hahrukh Bhaiya’s <b><i>Chak De India</i> </b></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >has once again brought about union of tw</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjm5VgGBGXsli8_S0D6H9rACI67mBM1gBHoE4FDBTm777pWKbj7iPchjP1eq8mcLnE6Lch_Dj-suPYHzD-Uuy35ZyXy5wWPOW0oFtesDtCUXSIQLGcIigGV2JGa6Yz3nYvUhU2WKMB6aA/s1600-h/chak_de_india_26.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjm5VgGBGXsli8_S0D6H9rACI67mBM1gBHoE4FDBTm777pWKbj7iPchjP1eq8mcLnE6Lch_Dj-suPYHzD-Uuy35ZyXy5wWPOW0oFtesDtCUXSIQLGcIigGV2JGa6Yz3nYvUhU2WKMB6aA/s320/chak_de_india_26.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101789819846167922" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >o diverse, yet equally popular, fields - films and sports. But here’s where one would li</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >ke to critically asses how well do the two gel together – like bread and butter or like milk a</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >nd lemon? Especially when we speak of mainstream Bollywood movies, this question gains importance as there are only a handful of films that have been centered on sports or have at least, a remote backdrop of sports. <i>Lagaan</i>, <i>Iqbaal</i>, <i>Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander</i> a</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >nd of course, <i>Chak De India</i> are notable amongst examples of films belonging to the genre of sports films.</span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> <o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Indeed, Bollywood doesn’t have a history of producing grand amalga</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >mations of cinema and sports. This is so even though tales of sports and sports personalities can make profound impact on mindsets of people. Of course, Bollywood tries to explain by giving twin reasons of failure at box office and the faint sounds of cash registers. Well, that is true as traditionally Indians have never seen too much beyond cricket and at best, some hockey and tennis. Also, cyc</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >ling, swimming, skating, chess, gymnastics and athletics were usually not seen in same light as the sports which require teams. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >In fact, it is fairly recent (about ten years only) that people are waking up to other western sports like football, basketball, auto racing, horse racing, ice hockey and even, bull fighting (animal lovers may flay me for calling this a sport!!). People are now growing open to understand and enjoying portrayal of ‘unconventional’ or newer sports on the silver screen. M</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >oreover, innovative marketing strategies based on regional population and/or non-promotion of movies as specifically as ‘sports movie’ in spite of central focus on sport in the film are helping people enter cinema halls without pre-conceived notions, and absorb the contents more liberally. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >But then after all, most sports tales are all about triumph and saga of struggle that went into the making of that triumph. And almost every human mind is appreciative of this.</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" > And there isn’t a better medium as yet than Bollywood to take them to the masses. Of course, in turn the cycle continues to push up the number of people who understand the values of getting into sports and appreciating as well as understanding them. And it is undeniable that Bollywood </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >has moved ahead of mere lip-service to games i.e. of showing actors playing rugby or badminton or swimming or ice-skating during brief sequences in films. As proof, besides wholesome sports-based entertainers like <i>Lagaan</i> and the other films mentioned in the beginning, <i>Tara R</i></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" ><i>um Pum</i> and <i>Apne</i> too have tried to focus on sports of F1 racing and boxing respectively. Yet-to-be released <i>Goal</i> will see John Abraham and Arshad Warsi pull up their socks on the football ground. <o:p></o:p></span><u1:p></u1:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >However, production of a memorable full fledged film akin to </span><st1:place><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Hollywood</span></st1:place></st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" > flicks like </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" ><i>Rocky</i> or <i>Karate Kid</i> is </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >still a faraway dream in Bollywood, considering there is still some fear among producers to</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" > </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >dedicate a whole movie, say to narrate the story of PT Usha or maybe, Dhyaan Chand. This is why until sports and games in general becomes a part of the national ethos; films based on any sport will be viewed as ‘distinct’, ‘different’ and ‘path-breaking’. Speaking of sports becoming a part of national ethos, one may like to pinpoint here that we really lack efficient players even though there are sufficient number of them. The reasons are many – poverty, bias, nepotism, favoritism to oth</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >er sports, no trainers, facilities and their costs, less media hype, lack of sponsors, etc. Once this changes Bollywood will rise more confidently to showcase </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >India</span></st1:place></st1:country-region></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >’s prowess in sports to the world unlik</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >e today. At the same time, Bollywood must realize that blind</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" > attempts to cash in on some mome</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >ntary trends do not pay off. Look at the fate of <i>Stumped</i> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Hattrick</span> that failed miserably.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >As con</span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >clusion, as of now, we have to be satisfied with the few, but brilliantly crafted movies like <i>Lagaan</i> and <i>Chak De India</i>. And as for the question of Bollywood and sports going together, we hope it only to </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >grow stronger in coming times. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >---***---</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><u1:p style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"></u1:p><b><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >P.S. </span></b><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" >Before you start wondering why is </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);font-family:Arial;" ><i>Bend it Like Beckham </i>not mentioned anywhere in the above piece, it surely isn’t a product from the Bollywood stable, is it? <b>:-)</b></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <u1:p></u1:p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540961694344558831.post-37695883852172879562007-08-20T12:38:00.000-07:002008-12-09T12:02:15.815-08:00It’s been long…<div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:180%;"><b style=""><i style=""><span style="font-size:16;">W</span></i></b></span>ell, it has actually been very long since I posted anything on my blog. So today I decided to take break from the treadmill of life and speak something out. And I definitely should, shouldn’t I? After all, what is ‘Mac’s blah-blah’ with out some chatter? So here goes: </p><div> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>To begin with, if you remember, I said ‘today I decided to break from the ‘treadmill of life’. I’d like to elaborate a little more on it. Why do I feel life to be a ‘treadmill’? Very simply put, it’s because I feel that there is motion, there is movement and yes, I am running, but for some reason I am stranded at a single spot. Though I am running, I am not going ahead and the views around me are not changing. So it’s like that sometimes I feel highly energetic to keep going and sometimes I am longing to stop but simply can’t. My legs keep succeeding each other, my muscles feel the strain and the sweat from my brow runs down my cheek. But I still don’t grasp what I am doing and importantly, why I am doing it? The cycle continues. Well, I don’t know what may be the outcome. Perhaps, the gains of all this running may turn out to be more surprising than I can imagine. Let’s leave it at that. For now, all I can say is that I hope for the best even though I strongly feel that I am try to win by running in a wrong race. And that’s why even what I am speaking may sound a bit confusing and mixed-up.</p><div> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>So out of the philosophical <i style="">gyaan</i>, let’s get into <i style="">abhiyaan</i> mode. <i style="">Abhiyaan</i>? It means a mission. And <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yogesh</span> is one guy, wh<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsDlEH-FcmxcAWsv0ONqauMWm-wJMvcW7kpFYqcZEemmSmrOvL7CwpLQWZ2AnvzYm8grFj5ABG-T6yD7i0rooLXXyiZ3gU4adgtqVlFRZkNQM2wujW3PVym6WyCwChvfmoDmaZ4hcSEs/s1600-h/DSC04177.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsDlEH-FcmxcAWsv0ONqauMWm-wJMvcW7kpFYqcZEemmSmrOvL7CwpLQWZ2AnvzYm8grFj5ABG-T6yD7i0rooLXXyiZ3gU4adgtqVlFRZkNQM2wujW3PVym6WyCwChvfmoDmaZ4hcSEs/s320/DSC04177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100874540840553618" border="0" /></a>o mission I’d want you to know about. What really impresses me is this lad’s nerve of not only simply thinking about and looking up to another seriously great guy, but also his ability to emulate the person in the truest sense. The ‘another great guy’ I speak of is the ‘Crocodile Hunter’, late Steve Irwin. While Steve dedicated his entire life to conservation, protection and study of the crocs, our friend Yogesh here has become a Steve for snakes in his little hamlet. Aptly so he’s known as <i style="">‘Sarpa Mitra’</i> or Friend of the Snake. I had the opportunity and pleasure to meet Yogesh on my last holiday to his village where he showed me his lovely ‘twisties’ (read, snakes. I’d like to refer to them as that <span style="font-family:Wingdings;"><span style="">J</span></span>). He told me of his activities and some fascinating tales. Well, though I am not <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span>going to post all of what he said, I’ll give you a <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span>link to my latest article in the Times of India <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span>that briefly summarizes Yogesh, his work, ideas and plans – in a nutshell, Yogesh’s mission. <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbBw5fJBVaVdxuNQX3PxCLIwCBZtu457j76x2P19c0pkZtFdyyEFsCDDmysdG8xnc-ZaX9ED6LDnnBCTo-9LeQ0dJ8HHGBMruz6P20RusfwRqFZuCOqSFODPLOsjrfqwsfO55kl3za7Q/s1600-h/DSC04232.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirbBw5fJBVaVdxuNQX3PxCLIwCBZtu457j76x2P19c0pkZtFdyyEFsCDDmysdG8xnc-ZaX9ED6LDnnBCTo-9LeQ0dJ8HHGBMruz6P20RusfwRqFZuCOqSFODPLOsjrfqwsfO55kl3za7Q/s320/DSC04232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5100875288164863138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></p><div> </div><center><a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-style: italic; font-family: arial;" href="http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDA3LzA4LzIwI0FyMDQzMDE=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom"><o:p></o:p></a><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><o:p></o:p><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=VE9JTS8yMDA3LzA4LzIwI0FyMDQzMDE=&Mode=Gif&Locale=english-skin-custom">=== CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ARTICLE ===</a><br /><br />I hope you’ll enjoy reading about him!!! I really feel we need more such men on different missions for the development of various facets in out society. To conclude, all I can say is Kudos to Yogesh, and also all those unsung heroes who are quietly working for various causes.<br /><br /><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">--> Picture 1:</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Yogesh with a rescued python </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">whose mouth had been brutally sealed, or </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">rather glued, by inserting a hot iron rod with </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">a blob of cement around it.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">--> Picture 2:</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Myself with one of Yogesh's twisties!! The one in my hand is a 'trinket', I am told.</span><br /><span style=""> </span></p> </center>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540961694344558831.post-47775115190634882742007-06-30T08:42:00.000-07:002007-06-30T09:46:52.893-07:00Say ‘SORRY’ Essel World!!!<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span></span>aturday, 23<sup>rd</sup> June, Essel World, Mumbai’s acclaimed amusement park, turned out to be a nightmare for visitors. Scores of people were stranded at exit point in the park drenched in continuous heavy showers and cold winds for over three hours. What added to woes was the endless wait in the severe conditions for a way out. Ferry service, the primary mode of transportation from the island park to Gorai and Marve creeks, had been affected. After initial one or two ferries at about </span><st1:time hour="19" minute="0"><span style="font-family:Arial;">7 p.m.</span></st1:time><span style="font-family:Arial;">, the next ferry came in as late as </span><st1:time hour="22" minute="0"><span style="font-family:Arial;">10 p.m.</span></st1:time><span style="font-family:Arial;"> Meanwhile, a single bus was brought in to move people via road. But the bus cramped in people like cattle and took almost 45-50 minutes for each round trip. A jeep did try to help visitors out. Effectively though, movement of the number of people was sluggish. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p> </o:p>Disheartening was the dismal handling of the situation by park authorities during the waiting process. A tiny shed sheltered a handful of people while others got drenched in the furious rains. Unprepared visitors from as far as </span><st1:place><span style="font-family:Arial;">Punjab</span></st1:place><span style="font-family:Arial;">, Rajasthan, </span><st1:place><i style=""><span style="font-family:Arial;">Kutch</span></i></st1:place><span style="font-family:Arial;"> and even local crowds struggled for cover. The site was particularly pitiable as parents tried to protect shivering wet tiny tots and crying infants with <i style="">dupattas</i> and thin towels. There was unrest all around and even slogans of ‘Essel World Sucks!’ went up in the air. But that did not affect the authorities much, or so it seemed. There was no attempt to transfer the people into some room or shed inside the park as the people continued getting wet in the rains idly. Fingers turned numb and white, but authorities did not make any comforting announcements or arrangements as the crowds jostled for information and some relief. People feared if they would be able to actually get out that night. There were fears of train services getting terminated due to flooding of tracks. Besides, with phone networks down there, no communication was possible. What was worse was that lower rung staff near the exit was casual and stood under protective coverage of shops inside. One-two of them even moved around with huge garden restaurant umbrellas singly for themselves which could have provided roof to many people. Finally, a ferry did come in at about </span><st1:time hour="22" minute="0"><span style="font-family:Arial;">10 p.m.</span></st1:time><span style="font-family:Arial;"> But then the rains hit harder and people scampered to catch it. Some decided it was not worth the risk to travel in ferry with lashing waves, and decided to wait for the bus. As the loaded ferry precariously navigated in the strong currents and winds, people kept fingers crossed and prayed to be out of the ordeal. The transit process continued even after that. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">While it is understandable that such situations do occur, what was expected was a better management from Essel World authorities, who could have at least helped people get under some roof rather than leaving them wet and frustrated. A visitor fumed that in lieu of high admission rates (Rs. 480 for weekends), it was a callous attitude and service. Indeed, but more than money, it is moral duty of park officials to take care of their guests. Who would bear responsibility if some infant or child, or for that matter any adult, got sick as a consequence of the incident during the incident or even after? What if there had been a major stampede of agitated visitors? Besides, knowing the approaching monsoons, why aren’t larger sheds in place and alternate arrangements ready? Why is the staff uninitiated and lax in tackling such conditions? Are these the kind of memories Essel World wants people to carry home about them? We hope not. But this time, the park authorities must accept their lapse in response and apologize to patrons with no excuses. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(This piece was rejected for publication in a major daily of Mumbai city despite best efforts. Perhaps, using newsprint to discuss whether Madhuri Dixit still retains her charm or not was more important. Maybe, the negligence on part of Essel World and the inconvenience caused to people didn't matter to them who claim to showcase 'Mumbai Talking'. Shame on them!!!)</span><br /></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2540961694344558831.post-78703467436086765592007-06-30T08:15:00.000-07:002008-12-09T12:02:17.416-08:00My Opinion On Oprah's Words<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SEfSD3rSKu6wbX2eWy3fNW6q-SkyysvPd3cvekMJHWtTJLwJZzqeIH4iSOZ362G92APip1MtGd5Hp_D-DXcoRFucZ8UR7yWpGODLm1AO1ZbVwQLaSix1Sz-onGMTpYPh4HmEHn7gTd8/s1600-h/images.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SEfSD3rSKu6wbX2eWy3fNW6q-SkyysvPd3cvekMJHWtTJLwJZzqeIH4iSOZ362G92APip1MtGd5Hp_D-DXcoRFucZ8UR7yWpGODLm1AO1ZbVwQLaSix1Sz-onGMTpYPh4HmEHn7gTd8/s320/images.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081879939290911138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">The following is a piece by Oprah posted on a community d</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">edicated to her on Orkut. </span><br /><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote>"If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away. If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay. Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior. Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache. Stop trying to change yourself for a relationship that's not meant to be. Slower is better. Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy. If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can't "be friends". A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend.<br /><br />Don't settle. If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is. Don't stay because you think "it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself a year later for staying when things are not better. The only person you can control in a relationship is you. Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women. He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you any differently? Always have your own set of friends separate from his. Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If something bothers you, speak up. Never let a man know everything. He will use it against you later. You cannot change a man's behavior. Change comes from within. Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than you are...even if he has more education or in a better job."<br /></blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" >My View </span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Sorry for playing spoilsport but though no doubt the piece is incredibly intelligent and well written, I wish to raise a finger on the practicality of its application in context of Indian women. Especially, those from rural areas. Think how many Indian women (for that matter, even women from major south-Asian and African nations) can do what Oprah says considering the rigidity of the societal pressures and even self-esteem. Most are bound to suffer quietly. It may be useful to only a few strong-headed women from big cities. Just think about it. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Apologies again for speaking against Oprah (even though I am her ardent fan) and all those who luv her. But do comment and give ur opinions...its just a logical thot...thnx!!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2