ignored

Mirror mirror on the wall, would I rather be them all?

2009-05-15T12:35:00.000-07:00

I consider myself one of the luckiest beings alive, cause I have taken the path less traveled by. Well, I didn’t exactly take the path, but I was born into it. Less traveled by because not many have the opportunity to complete secondary education and further more get a chance to go to college, that to abroad. I was born into my family and hence I can afford it, if not where would I be right now?

I could have been into a remote village in India, where I would learn my alphabet under a tree under the scorching sun or leaking roof. I would start working as a laborer at the age of 13. I would eventually start getting involved with alcohol, gambling and crime by the time I was 18 and then probably be in jail, or drunk in some corner with no-one who I could call my own, or killed in a brawl. The system is such that only the weakest and the strongest survive, the rest are left to fight it out and die. Women in villages are the ones who show their children glimpses of hope and of a future. The men are drunk and abusive. The few good men are checked and stopped at every step. They are usually the ones who get up after every beating they take just because they care for someone other than themselves. To be frank I have lived in the roomful of mirrors. I saw only me and my life revolved around me. I have finally realized that joy is something I can only get if I gave joy to others. Seeing a small kid run up to you calling to join her in her game of stone throwing and catching and giggling every time I failed and faltered gave not only them a reason to laugh and smile but for me to laugh and smile at myself. At first it seemed as if they were mocking me. Telling me that I had a good life so why the hell should be here, but later it became quite clear that my presence gave them hope that they could be like me. They could help their own community and makes others feel joy, I don’t know how I did that but apparently I did. This one daily wage laborer working on the site with me told me he was helping build this school so his brother could have a better life than what he had had. This other woman said to be that she was working here because doesn’t want to feel helpless anymore, when her kids ask her questions she didn’t have an answer to, her kids would get a chance to find their own answers.

Now, moving on to more developed countries. I could have been born into poor minority community living in the projects, in the US, where I lived for gang pride and honor. Where as a kid I would be taught to hustle and use weapons to kill. I would be taught that we rob the rich and kill them so that we can survive. I would be told that I had no future working a legit job, which is very true. Racial discrimination was prevalent for a very very long time. But today I might have a fair chance at living a normal life instead of hustling or killing or extorting for pride. But then again this is an extreme case. I could have also been born a middle class child who had to live his own life the minute I turned 16 and begin to support myself and branch away from my family who couldn’t afford me any more. I would slowly lose respect for humans and transform into a druggie who stole from relatives and friends and smoked up their money.

I am brown and I always will be. Why should I try to be someone else when I am not?
Why should I try to sympathize with those who I don’t even know? Why should I feel pity or jealousy? Why should I live in fear of someone? Why should I live my life for someone else? I should learn best how to be me and the way I can help those who are less fortunate not by felling pity or sympathizing, but by empathizing and reaching out and seeing through their eyes. How ever hard the system tries to reduce me to a wooden puppet, I will resist. How ever hard society tries to mould me into a being socially acceptable, I will resist. I will only facilitate my growth as me. I have lived in a roomful of mirrors, and so far I have only feared me. Breaking the mirror will destroy the image and my fear and open up a pathway into a more colorful world!

formal farewell speech

2009-04-06T08:37:00.000-07:00

I stand today for the last time before you as a student and the head-boy of the Hyderabad Public School with a message of leave-taking and farewell, and to share a few thoughts with you, my fellow eagles. It is said "Parting is such sweet sorrow." For me the sweet part is joining New York University, and the sorrow - the good-byes to you all, and our principal, my teachers, the service staff, and of course, leaving this august institution.

Before I bid you all good-bye, and share a few thoughts about our school and express my gratitude, I would like to quote from a song by Nickelback…

“My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day’s a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned
Leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less travelled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

Going against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts cause there's no second try
So live it like you're never living twice
Don't take the free ride in your whole life …”

I look at our school, as a great school, with a wonderful history, magnificent traditions, proud of its past, and with a very bright future. Our school teaches us to mutually trust and respect each other, achieve individual aspirations and getting on in life with social compassion and helping others.

Thank you HPS for showing us the difference between the easy way and the right way,

Thank you for appreciating us for who we are,

Thank you teachers for being more a friend than just a conventional teacher,

Thank you for teaching us to respect every person and the positions they hold,

Thank you for teaching us how to live our own lives instead of telling us how to live our lives,

Thank you for teaching us to rejoice simple joys and great triumphs with the same zest and zeal,

Thank you for letting us draw our own lines of freedom and teaching us to stand up for our actions and beliefs,

Thank you for giving us our space and freedom,

Thank you for teaching us the value for discipline,

Thank you for fostering our transition from boys to men,

Thank you for being our family,

Thank you for giving us umpteen opportunities to discover ourselves,

Thank you for teaching us humility in success, courage in failure,

Thank you for making every moment in this palace an ever-lasting memory,

Thank you for teaching us how to lead and be lead,

Thank you for helping us be somebody rather than anybody.

I thank you for the many opportunities given to me to be of service as the head-boy. I immensely benefitted from my role and duties and trust that in my work you found some things worthwhile. I will strive to over-come the shortcomings as has been instilled in all of us by our school.

Once again thank you HPS… and let me end with these beautiful lines written by Tom Petty…

“You and I will meet again,
when we're least expecting it,
One day in some far off place,
I will recognize your face,
I won't say goodbye my friend,
for you and I will meet again.”

2009-01-02T01:24:00.000-08:00

I couldn't figure out what I should title this post because it will never do justice to what I feel. 2008 saw me make and break a lot of things and the things that broke not only broke but shattered and the things that were made well... only a few remained joined. I have only weakly grown strong over the last year. I made a choice which is seemingly impossible to keep. Time and again everyone was right but there was something which didn't let me give it up. It’s almost time for me to say good bye now. A few more weeks and today will be history, everything so far will be a memory and everything I did will be a mistake I shouldn't have committed. I let the unsaid remain as it is and I let the un-did remain as well. I bottled up and now there is no space to accommodate. I intend on restarting something which had started 17 years ago and something that happened 17 months ago... but is it really that easy? I think not. If it were we'd all be jolly and merry, but for me I have always derived pleasure from grief. But I can't anymore. Let this be an official apology for all those who I have hurt during my existence and also a notice to all those whom I love that... I love you. It’s not the constant meeting or talking or what ever it might be that makes one special it’s just that when they say they love you and mean it. I believe I am two and I always have been. And those who have loved the both of me I thank you and promise to love you too. Power and respect are two things one can never achieve but can only earn and all those who might have thought it can be earned are under a delusion. 2009 promises to be just like any other year but I promise to make the best of it. Days, weeks and months will fly by just like last year and it’s those bugs on the windshield and those memories in the drivers and back seat that I shall remember forever. Punish those at fault and punish those for not having been at fault for it is them who are ignorant. Die a death where no one remembers the cause but remembers the events that lead up to our final live breath.

A journey back home.

2008-10-27T10:05:00.000-07:00

My trips to Kolkata are like coming home after a tiring day at school. It’s the only place on earth I can just relax in all its true essence. Late mornings, lazy afternoons, eventful evenings and colourful nights which go on till the wee hours are all trademark Kolkata. Four events that stood out were “pan-dal hopping”, dandiya nights, the home of my uncles and aunts when they just began to learn the formal alphabet, and lastly but most importantly the city of ‘cal’.

It was my first ever pan-dal hopping experience. Pandal is pronounced as “Pan” as in the cooking utensil and “Dal” as in the dal in sandal. It basically is a time for wannabes to go bird watch and the rest just go to prove to their neighbours that they have a fancier car/scooter and dress up in their flashiest best. The only reason for this festival is to give West Bengal a much needed break from the bandhs.The only reason I went was because I needed a reason to while away time and also to watch the bird-watchers.

Dandiya nights. Something similar to Himesh’s tandoori nights in his latest blockbuster flop Karzzzz….. It was a culture shock for my “bhabhi” who doesn’t live in India anymore and me as well, we being NCR’s (Non Calcutta Residents). There is no difference between ethnic traditional clothes and almost nude nowadays. I would like to tell everyone that wearing a bindi on the head does not make one traditional. ‘Talli ho gayi” is what the garba-goers groove to and the dandiya sticks are meant to be kept in the back pocket and occasionally swirl them in the air poking fellow groovers. This is the time when all those who aren’t allowed to go pubbing/clubbing come out in full force and large hideous numbers. We were welcomed by drunkards at the entrance and then saw more sophisticated drunkards dislocating all their joints possible, some of which I didn’t even know existed. We then dared to go back for another dandiya night the next night. We encountered overenthusiastic people and puny, short tempered and the most in-effective bouncers there. God have mercy on their souls. Amen.

Home sweet home. My aunt and uncle took me to their childhood home. I was more concerned, shocked and taken aback. The building the size of a bungalow with more than 20 families stuffed in. Mind you all the families are financially stable and from the upper middle class. The room is of the size of a kitchen, and there is grime everywhere. Leaking walls and decaying pillars. Pan-filled courtyards and colour televisions in every room. It was like one big family living in the times of pre-independence. Sadness, grief and empathy filled our hearts to see everyone so happy even though there was only one bathroom they all shared. Inbuilt shops and coconut water vendors lined the streets which were filled with human faeces everywhere. But the only thing that they were living on was hope. It also made me feel a sense of pride as my family worked and earned their way out of there. An “I”opening experience.

And finally the city of “cal” itself. Gloomy mornings with people getting up at 8, bathing at 9, going to work at 10, government employees come home not before 7 and those working in private companies pretend to work till as late as 9 or 10 earliest, gallivant till dinner time while rubbing their exposed bellies and squatting very revealingly. Dangling wires from the times of the British to recently pan stained and peed on sidewalks epitomize Calcutta. Unnecessarily over-crowded streets and phuchka stalls at every street bend. Sultry weather all throughout the year and sweaty people too involved with themselves just make we want to come back to “cal” every year.

Head Boy Speech

2008-08-09T00:47:00.000-07:00

I remember the very first time I walked into school in the fifth
grade, anxious and apprehensive. I wasn't even an eaglet then. My
wings had been tied up so tight that they required a burst of energy
to break free. I was made to recite a poem; I did so nervously, in
front of my entire class filled with strangers - strangers who would
eventually be an integral part of my transition from a child to a
confident boy to what I am today.

I remember the very first time I represented the school in an
interschool competition; it was in the 6th grade. The pride I felt was
indescribable. Since then being a representative the Hyderabad public
school has been a part of my identity, be it the IPSC tennis
tournaments, the interschool quizzes- national and international or
representing India at the Global Young Leaders Conference, attended by representatives of more than a hundred nations, on two separate
occasions over the last two years.

It took me a journey around half the globe to find something to live
by, I chose to live my curiosity, to answer my own unanswered
questions and be the un-be-able. I say this because today we – the
entire hps prefectorial board are about to wear the mantle of a
leader. Leadership is epitomized when we are the change we wish to see in others. Leadership is also about having a vision and realizing the
same, today we are being given the opportunity of realizing our
vision.

I have created an email id. This is for all
students, parents and teachers for their suggestions. All inputs
received will be discussed within the prefectorial board and then
appropriate steps will be taken. I will be putting forth my own
suggestions in the morning assemblies. The prefectorial board and I
will serve as the link between all concerned. During our tenure we
promise to put in our best efforts of realizing our collective vision
of being amongst the best educational institutions of India.
Today I feel truly honored for the opportunity given to me to serve
as the student representative of more than three thousand students,
each with vast talent and immense potential.

I would like to express my gratitude towards my brother who was also a fellow eagle, parents, family, teachers, the support staff, my friends
and HPS for helping me in spreading my wings to attain greater
heights.

I would like to end by quoting last year's head girl, Kavyashri
Cherala, (quote unquote) "We recognize that we need a spirit of
victory, a spirit that will carry us to our rightful place under the
sun, a spirit which will recognize that we, as inheritors of a proud
tradition, are entitled to a rightful place on this planet. If that
indomitable spirit was to arise and we work as a team, nothing can
hold us from achieving our rightful destiny."
On behalf of the Prefectorial Board, I promise that we shall embody
this spirit and ensure that we conduct ourselves in a manner befitting
the responsibilities we are being entrusted with.

"Sitaaron se aage, jahaan, aur bhi hain; abhi ishq ke imtehaan, aur
bhi hain;
Tu shaheen hain, parvaaz hai kaam teraa; tere saamne aasmaan aur bhi hain."

In parting, "aap humaare aakash na baandho."

As so brilliantly put by our national hero, Swami Vivekananda, "ARISE. AWAKE AND STOP NOT TILL OUR GOAL IS REACHED".

... o.o ...

2008-04-04T21:43:00.000-07:00

11th grades done. one of the roller coasteric year of my life. left and rejoined school. made great friends lost them all. made one friend who made it all worthwhile. got back all my old friends. things are good now. this year saw a lot of ups and downs and what made it special was that i was responsible for all my actions and decisions and i don't regret a single one i made. this year i not only turned 16 but i turned into an adult. i realised that life's all about choice and doing the right thing, but i realised thats not always the case. being right all the time is not what makes life better its making the choices and standing by and and not regretting it. taking risks is what life's all about and not regretting anything you do is the living the fab life. people thought i rejoined school for selfish reasons, well yes i agree i did. i wanted a better social, personal and over all a better life and i do things only to me cos after all i am answerable only to my self and no one else. take things in your stride, don't wait for things to happen, make then happen.

this year started off on an all time high. things couldn't seem to get better. well they surely didn't get better. things declined and then when i was down life seemed not worth living. i went into depression and was a total mess in October and September and i lost faith in humanity it self. i was devastated. things got better when i was away from all this after a -new year- -_- i was off to Calcutta then for my sisters wedding and thing were peaking again. i had the time of my life there. got back had a shaky SAT exam cos of a few things that had just happened. and I'm very glad that someone stood by me and i didn't have to lone it out. things again went up hill from there, and only seemed to get better. now i sit here content and satisfied and loved. god has their own way of rewarding you for things you've done and sometimes he forgets but he always makes up for it.

this year can be summed up as eventful. made the most amazing friends. meet the most interesting and open minded and most off all i set my priorities right. people on my scale of importance are all set right and each of them know how much they mean to me. despite everything I've gone through those few moments i spent with them, those little talks, those little gestures is all what matters.

the start of the year saw me confused and in culture shock in a corporate college, i quickly got back only to see my self in an unknown place I'd spent half my life in. i didn't know anyone there nor did anyone know me. some people made it so much easier for me. little talks we would have, the walks we would take together. everything seems to just build up a complete trust on them and that very trust is what i cherish and will do anything to keep. words can prove fatal and i experienced it as well. the true meaning of being an adult is what i finally understood from someone and i am very thankful. farewell and reunion saw me being plummeted on the social strata and others seeing my true self. life's great so are those who make it....

" the journey has an end but what makes the end worthwhile are those who stay with you throughout till the end and make it to the finish by your side."
sometimes we live our lives for others and gain immense joy from it. I'm dedicating my life to those who are going to make it to the end with me, and those whom i have not yet met and the friendships i have not yet made. life has meaning adn is best defined by those in it.

what makes us an "i" and not one of them

2008-01-10T08:51:00.000-08:00

not every movie you see moves you so deeply that it makes you want to do something, it makes you feel so angry that it makes you question. rang de basanti (rdb) and taare zameen par (tzp) are two such movies which touch someone at a very personal level as it is about something that we can relate to in our daily lives.
RDB is a movie about how a group of college goers lose their friend in an aircraft accident which was caused as a result of the negligence of the government. the government in order to make money buys cheap parts for the aircraft and eventually endangering the lives of pilots. instead of disregarding the accident as evening dinner time news they decide to do something like those freedom fighters they play the part of in a movie they are doing for a Britisher whose grand dad was posted in India as a general during their reign here. these college goers are reminded of their true identity and who exactly they are by a non-Indian. they plan on doing away with the corrupt minister of defense and later confess that its them and their reason for the killing which eventually causes a sensation across the country. and as a result made India think about their future and about what they have sacrificed to get freedom from the Britishers only to be slaves of corruption.
TZP is a movie about specially abled children. its about those who seem abnormal but are gifted in fields other than what we call normal. the way they look at the world is what makes them special and some of our finest genius' were specially gifted as in they were abnormal and saw things differently from what we the normal people saw. the child is 8 or 9 and suffers from dyslexia and he is tormented by his parents, friends and teachers as he is differently abled and is not very interested in studying. he is punished and sent away to boarding school where he meets his true friend in the form of the substitute art teacher, he understands the boy. the boys talent is art and with the help of the art teacher he overcomes every difficulty, he even does well in his regular subjects like math and English. the movie shows how ignorant parents are of their children and claim to "take care" of them, when they don't even realize that every child is special and have their own goal in mind. now a days scoring the highest in every exam is the apparently the only thing on every parents mind. they fail to realize that every kid is an individual and not a horse race who is trained to race. just because we live in a competitive world doesn't mean that we stop being ourselves. being ourself and being accepted by all is what children need and deserve.
every child is special and should be known for who he is and not for what he can become or what he should be, the moment we accepted this fact of life we are better humans and have understood the basis of human existence. go against what is wrong and be who you are is what these two movies convey to us. learn from everything but its ones own personal choice one makes that decides their future. don't settle for anything less than an answer and don't be someone you are not

new renewal 2008

2008-01-06T11:55:00.000-08:00

this year has a lot in store for me as well as the world. let me start on an unselfish note with what the world had to gain from 2008 Olympics in china, presidential elections in the united states and well as for me i am going to finish my 11th grade go to Europe visit Calcutta quite often and probably have something in store for me in the 12th grade. i will turn 17 this year much after most of my friends though. 17 a major milestone in my life, looking back at what i have achieved so far in my life, played every possible sport, realised that the American education system is far more superior than that any where else in the world, i also have a hazy but distinct picture of what i will be doing 5-6 years from now, but the one thing that highlights my life is the gylc experience. the friends i made there are the most valued, and the bonds created almost unbreakable.
changing my mind and deciding to drop the idea of studying in india was very tough but eventually should be rewarding for me. i re-joined my school last year and apparently disappointed many and unknowingly made a huge impact on the others. from being a peevish "homely" and dumb boy to a more mature outgoing and i guess more attached to a few people atleast, person. this year i look forward to a lot of things, and apparently i might just hit it off with some one and finally connect with someone. being sleep deprived only to think about someone is crazy and i don't believe in love at first sight, its more of love at getting to know each other sight, but why do i care i am not in love. all i can think about is all those people who i kept in touch with and renewed my friendship with, kept me sane.
when things click its makes a sound and when people click you see a spark, leaving them is going to be really tough. every moment spent with them is a memory i shall cherish for ever, those random discussions, fun times and some times down right serious matters are locked away in my happy part of the brain. reading shantaram during my board exams really pushed me through them and eventually got me so motivated that i took to deep analysis of people and situation and not look at things superficially. the moment i came back to school i wrote my exams quite absurd in a regular students book to schooling. i did it and did it pretty well. everyone seemed to like me and things seemed fine but life isn't that simple is it?
school is all broken up now, fragmented because of petty issues and fights. the reunion work in school was an experience which surely brought me to where i am with others. more of building than reclaiming of my position in others minds. new year was spent with few but true friends. i appreciated their gesture on my birthday, which was quite a surprise because usually no one ever remembers my birthday and its just a very mundane occasion with a meal with family and no gifts or presents or cake or any thing. late night talks, parties, loafing have become quite regular but hopefully not permanent, well atleast the loafing part.
i cant imagine how i managed to pull through all these years without any one of them, even if they don't think so all those people with whom i have interacted with and have made me what i am today i am thankful to them. rekindled acquaintances, new friendships and everlasting bonds is what last year was all about for me well the last three months of last year to be precise the other nine months went in my non-existence. i only hope and pray that over time these people who truly mean a lot to me don't fade out of my life and i don't fade out of theirs. they mean a lot to me although i am not sure what i mean to them, but on a very selfish note, my wants and needs combine and end here in a brilliant spectacle which for me is that apparently unbreakable bond. my only prayer this year is that nothing spoils it for me.

Sigh...

2007-11-13T11:52:00.000-08:00

these past few months have been the toughest of my life and only to add to the situation are the never growing wants, needs and "favors" of people. there is a limit to which ii can with stand and the limit is nearing. i am being told to do stuff and only remembered when needed and wanted never just for the heck of it. i am being advised on certain people and rightly so, because some people care. but some of them carry on personal feuds with people into my life. i have been so busy helping others that i don't even remember the last time i did something for me. i don't celebrate my birthday and infact i don't celebrate anything. i have become so lifeless and mundane and every time i try to get life into me, BANG its all back to square one.
a few care and a few care for the heck of it. some people are so bothered with the solution they forget the problem, so of them are just too bothered with what can, should, or would happen. i try forgetting about life once in a while or i try dreaming, day dreaming, not the one in which you fall asleep in the day but think about what ought to be for you and is not in your complete awareness. all my actions are always connected to some apparent "plan" of mine which i still fail to understand. can't people just be nice to others? or is there always a hidden motive behind it all? i feel helpless at times as no one 'dare' do anything for me. i don't know why. am i that hopeless, terrible and worthless a person that i don't deserve anything? well i am beginning to think likewise. they say its just one bad apple that spoils the lot, well, then there is just one good apple which rejuvenates the lot as well. and i still long for that one good apple in my basket. i know who she is, but ...

i wonder when, i wonder who, i wonder why, i wonder why i wonder.

its plain wrong to wonder or hope for today, sad but true...

~life~

2007-10-05T07:28:00.001-07:00

Life to me means a body with some unnatural power governing it. No?? Well I think otherwise too. If it were likewise, we are no different from cars and machines. We all come with a purpose, unknown at first and unachievable when known. Life is more than studying and friends. You have the Parties don't you! Life like a spirit balance needs to be balanced. Study all you want, get that degree u wanted. Party all you want, get that girl you had an eye on. Life is a gift, rip open the wrapping and enjoy the moment or preserve the wrapping and rip it open at a later happier day. That sucks doesn't it? Why do we always have to wait, cant things happen quick? The only time we know where we are at is when we are at the fork of a road. A challenge in life is like a re-claimer and re-insurer. It tells you exactly who you are and what you are. Everyday we get up, and when we get up with something in mind to be done our life has a meaning, a meaningless awakening (pun intended). Live every day like it’s your last. Do all that you wanted to do as fast as possible. Every day is like a stroke of paint on a master piece, make it the best you can.

Ok I know I am not god, but I do know I surely do want to meet him, GOD- my idol!!

2007-09-29T04:13:00.000-07:00

When do we feel important? When do we feel happy or satisfied? Why is it so? Just the other day this girl walks up to me and says that she needs my help to understand a certain concept in commerce. That was a proud moment for me, I didn’t feel pride, and I felt proud. I knew nothing about what she had asked me, but I was willing to explain it to her after I had understood it myself. When someone believes in you and trusts you, you feel elated and elevated. We crave for this very trust all our life.

Everyday my “friends” tell me what’s bothering them and what they want, everything under this bright shiny moon, yes MOON! The moon is a symbol of peace, serenity, thoughtfulness and a sense of peace; everything we ever want. I feel no pride when someone talks to me. I feel a sense of happiness and trustfulness every time I am talked to. I have observed we talk our heart out only to those we have our faith in.

With faith from others come jealousy and hatred from few. Well jealousy isn’t going to get them anywhere. Lose the undying nature to gossip and the rapidly dying art of talking. When was the last time you actually “talked” to someone? As it struck me the other night “life is too small to live it just for someone else, and too large to live it all by yourself”

Choose smart. Be patient, and wait for the right one to come by. When the person comes, you’ll know for sure. You will never feel so sure in you life it’s her/him. When that person comes along don’t wait too long to make that priceless connection. If things are meant to be and you are sure then, Why Not!! There is never a right time to talk to someone, there is never a wrong time to pour your heart out, there is never “the” time to say the most expressive three words I *heart* you… :-P…

At the “HOTEL”

2007-09-18T04:45:00.001-07:00

Did you ever wonder why we Hyderabadi’s call all restaurants and places to dine, HOTELS?? Well that’s just the way it is. The smelliest, crummiest, most stuffy chai shop is also called a Hotel. Ok. Now we know what a Hotel is, let us discuss what people do in there. In these so called Hotels you will find that it is very similar to the Indian Parliament- claustrophobic, noisy and violent and ‘bearers’ get people food.

When one walks into a hotel, the first thing he does is sit. NO! not on a separate table, but a table with a few other “uncles” suffocating in their own stench and foul air coming out of everywhere! Once you sit down and make your butt happy, you either look at the menu or ask the waiter to tell you whets there. BAD IDEA!!! The menu is stained with old diseased food and the waiter sprays while he speaks and goes to fast. So what do you do? You shout IDLI’S and CHAI trying to make yourself audible as you are surrounded by Dosai eating, rasam ‘sapading’ pot-bellied belchers. Once you order and are all geared up to eat, the guy next to you decides to get up and leave. No, no, he doesn’t just leave, he washes his hands in the same plate he ate in which is already full of leftovers and then he drinks the water mixed with the leftovers in his plate. Ok! That’s enough. Now he just gets his mouth freshener which he so desperately needs, pays his bill, tips the guy who put up with his shit a measly two rupees and expects a salaam from him.

Now your foods here, looks good. But wait, why is it moving? The waiter picks out a cockroach kills it, throws it away and gives you a stupid looking smile and walks away. In India you really can’t sue people, because if you do, your grand children would claim the damages not you!!! You eat up quickly and drink up fast, unable to tolerate the surroundings. You ask the waiter to clear up. He then comes up to you and asks you if you want anything else and doesn’t take NO for an answer. So just to amuse him you order a second cup of chai only because it is very tough to screw a chai up and it’s the cheapest thing there.

Now you are all done. You gesture to the waiter to get the bill. He is too dumb to understand and waves back at you. Then you get out of your comfort zone and scream, “AREEE, BEARER BILL LAOJI!!” The waiter looks at you as if you just asked him to explain the theory of relativity and comes running up to you and asks whether you enjoyed your meal and whether he should get the bill. You think, “Ya right, my four legged idly and my phenol chai was the best food I have ever had” but you say, “Accha tha. Thoda bill late ji??” he then retardedly smiles at you and scurries along and gets your bill immersed in mouth refresher and toothpicks as well. You quickly pay up as you want to leave, but just then the waiter stands between you and freedom and starting scratching his palm, you think to yourself again, “god somebody give him itch guard.”, but you smack a ten rupee note in his hand because you aren’t a cheapskate like your eating neighbor. Now you are all set to go, you walk out only to be greeted by a bucket of dirty water which was used to sweep the floor of that filthy “hotel”. When you scream at the guy who threw it, he lashes back saying, “ Dekh ke chalo! Aakhein hein yaa gotiyaan??” You think enough is enough and speed walk your way out of there stopping to buy PAN on the way.

The Auto Experience

2007-09-18T04:43:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tried getting an auto in Hyderabad? Well it starts off by you asking the auto driver “Arre bhaiya chalte kya Punjagutta chaurasta?“ and the reply u get no matter how close you are to the destination is always a ten rupee hike of the actual price. Then you bargain for about five minutes and then finally convince him to put the meter and convince him that where you intend on going is really far and the meter will run faster than the imported car which just whizzed past you. Once you sit in the auto the autowala turns on his “hip” music system which plays songs as if the singer was drunk and was beaten up and forced to sing and if they didn’t they would be tortured to craziness by making them listen to Rakhi Sawant sing her latest song. Then you look at the auto wala he is either really old with a beard, lots of dandruff and a whole bunch of pan masalas stuffed into his right cheek or he is one of those young kewl Salman khan wannabe’s with their tere naam hair style and two cell phones stuffed into one pocket. Now once they start their auto you feel like you are in one of those toy dinky cars going putt-putt all they way, but the autowala feels differently, he feels liberated and free and gets the gangster feeling. He pulls up his collar opens up his first three buttons and speeds off at 20kmph into the crazy traffic cutting through cars and bikes, receiving all sorts of insults on the way and weird hand gestures. After he winds his way through traffic he drifts his auto to a side and spits red juice out of his mouth which travels in perfect projectile and lands exactly where he wants it to. I have decided to term this action as “paanthook” as it justifies the action and is true to the language we use. On ones journey to his destination he usually comes across a lazy policeman who would rather travel 100m by auto than foot, he stops the auto gets in and tells the auto wala “concham ikkade!” and makes himself comfortable in the front seat. He gets off where ever he wants to and demands a “salaam saabh” from the auto wala as well as the passenger. He then walks off, stuffing pan parag in his left cheek. Now this brings us to the end of the auto ride, but wait its not over yet, you still have to pay him. You give him a crisp note and he at first refuses to give you change but then when you just stand there looking at him he reaches for his money bag inside his shirt near his vest and removes the stinkiest collection of money, coins and notes alike. Crumpled, smelly and dripping with sweat. He gives you back the change you accept it happily and say “thank you uncle.” Even though you don’t mean it you thank him because you are a true hyderabadi…

ok so i fell... i fell in love... :-P...

2007-09-18T02:00:00.000-07:00

I stood there... staring at her and then suddenly a thumping hand lands on my back with an accompanied "OYE!!... What are you doing"? Then the other day we were talking and I went blank. Blank as in I just didn't know what to say. Has this ever happened to you? Sure it has. You get up early so you have that extra 5 minutes of getting dressed up so she notices you. You actually have a bath and not just claim to have one any more. My friend told me to shut my eyes and the first person that comes to your mind is the one you love. I think otherwise. I think when the person comes you'll know for sure whether it’s her. I was talking to one of my uncles the other day and he told me his son got married to this Russian bombshell. He won her over with his charm and confidence. He went straight up to her and got talking and in a few hours they were the best of friends.

After a lot of people have told me, I have realized that not only in matters of love but in all fields, you decide to do something you go ahead and do it. I have finally realized the sense to success is only momentary, getting a sum right, winning a point in a game of tennis, asking out a girl, getting away from that p.ed teacher, things like that. Success is so personalized now a days' we have no option but to be selfish. Couples break up at the drop of the hanky. When you find someone who just seems to click and is everything you are not you will know. You can’t have two of you in a relationship, you know what I mean. Having someone you love has such an impact that you would want to do things better. You try and out do yourself just to keep her happy, just to know that you are there for you. Motivation is what we lack and look for it everywhere. Its right there with you, but you need someone to ignite it.

Ok well as I said opposites attract but when you have someone who is just exactly like you, who is so similar you wonder if she is the one? Well sure she might be the one. Don’t be close minded. Open up. You are scared of what other think of you. Screw them, they don't deserve you *unless you are really sucky then that’s totally different*. I have this classmate who goes to any extremes to gain popularity. I tell you it’s not right. People think likewise. Be yourself don't try to be who your not. Well if you do try to be someone you are not then I got two words for you "YOU STINK"

People like you for who you are not what you are... well atleast those who matter to you like you for who you are... if not then they stink as well... *peace*

Investiture Ceremony 2007

2007-09-09T11:03:00.001-07:00

At the crack of dawn, a new day began. It wasn’t an ordinary day; it was the day when individuals were invested with responsibilities. When I awoke, I realized that it just isn’t any other day, it is the most coveted and special day for three thousand students and over a hundred teachers and staff. Early in the morning at eight ‘o’ clock the school flag fluttered in all its grace and might, and flew higher than the soaring eagle.

I walked into school that day, nervous, scared, excited and proud. I was nervous and scared as I was not very sure whether I would be able to live up to what others expect of me, just the other day Nihal Kovvali wrote to me congratulating me and all the other members of the prefectorial board. He wrote about what is like to be a prefect in school, what does one expect out of each of us. I felt nervous and scared.

Once I walked into school, seeing the Shaaheen block, I felt excited and proud to be a part of a school which has a history like no other. I was now ready to face all the challenges along with my friends. Yes friends! Not fellow students and not colleagues. I had this very interesting talk with my GYLC friend on what they thought of leadership, she said, “leadership isn’t about bossing people around, it is about how one can change one’s vision and make a group look through one’s own eyes, make everyone have a single vision.” I was very impressed by what she said and urge everyone do to so, unity in vision and we shall soar where no eagle has gone before.

The investiture was very special and memorable. Seeing our seniors come back to school to receive various prizes. They talked about how the world out there is so similar to our school, and how HPS has prepared them for life, out in that world. The investiture was bang on time with the various troops lined up to greet the chief guest. Oh what a sight it was! I was standing in the 11th ISC troop, recalling those days when I was a navy cadet standing in the troop wearing that white uniform with the cap on our heads. It made us feel like soldiers. The parade inspection was next and went of beautifully to the patriotic tunes.

The investiture of prefects and captains was next. A wonderful speech by the head boy and head girl kicked things off. I was deeply touched by our head girls’ speech and made me think about my firsts’ in school. I am sure everyone was impressed by our friends who are now going to lead us through school life for a year. A proud moment for parents, to see their child being given responsibilities of the highest order. Not a dry eye in the audience.

The prize distribution followed, grand as always. Inspiring, motivating and awarding describe this event most aptly. The march-past as usual was a spectacle. Investiture is not just a day when prefects are invested and the NCC troops put up a show. It is a day when the new, meet the old, the new get to know what we are all about and this declares us, soaring eagles, to the world making a statement. “We are here and ready to make our mark.”

why dont you just read it....

2007-09-09T10:54:00.000-07:00

While talking to a friend of mine I realized that two people can’t be as similar as they are different. Confused? Well yes. So was I. When does one feel most comfortable? When does one feel that he/she can talk to and not feel scared? Speak out they say. Does it really help when you have a non-listener at the other end? Converse with people who are like you, with people who understand you. It does help. I have tired it over and over again. I am now satisfied with what I am today. Despite knowing that there are a few out there cursing me, there are a few who hate my guts, well to them I say, move on, life isn’t fair and nor are the dismissals of Sachin at 99.

There is a choice one has to make, live in the past or live for the future. The easiest to follow is live off the past making it more and more painful as the days pass. That’s what we all do. It’s not wrong, and it isn’t right either. Learn to forgive yourself, learn to forget, and learn to move on. It is not easy at all. It probably is the most difficult thing you have ever had to do, but someone has to do it for you. Might as well be you doing it for you. When was the last time you had a heart felt talk with some one, letting out all your grievances? I know the last time I had one. It was with me. To tell you the truth I have stopped trusting people as I used to before. It’s human nature. It’s not wrong.

When was the last time you sat yourself down and told your self what you are doing and ask your self whether you were doing the right thing or not?? In today’s self centered world we live in “me” time is so rare we cherish every moment we spend with our self. There are a few people out there who genuinely care about you and will do whatever it takes to help you. I have my own list of favorite people, for whom I am willing to do anything. When was the last time you thought of someone else apart from yourself. We live in a world today where we learn the alphabet as just one letter “I”. It’s good to be selfish. Have your “me” time. Love yourself. At the same time learn to care about others, when you are down and out, it is those few people, whom you care about and who care back for you, who will help you lift yourself up. If you don’t have a select few, with whom you can trust your life, start looking.

Life is like a box of sand and chocolate, every time you scoop out a chocolate you are sure to get a heap of sand as well. Tell your friends you will be there, no matter what. Let them know. Keeping you thoughts and feeling inside is like swallowing fire. Only trained professionals do it. Life is like a deserted island, it is always fun to have “someone” there with you.

success depends on opportunity and not character...

2007-08-28T13:00:00.000-07:00

Opportunity is defined as the favorable juncture of circumstances, and success, is the fulfilling of a given task. Now let us imagine success, without opportunities; without the opportunity to prove your worth, without the opportunity to even get a chance to attempt to work towards a goal. Life is meaningless without opportunities, and success thrives on these very opportunities.
I would like to share a story with you. One day, a young boy decided to buy a goat. After paying up, he later found out that the goat was dead. What would an ordinary person do? Regret buying that goat from a cheat and ask for a refund! But is that even close to what an opportunist would do to gain success? No! He would make the best of this situation, and raffle off this dead goat and payback the complaining winner. He is successful, because he has only one dissatisfied person to deal with and has collected the raffle money from those who didn’t win. This boy grew up to be a very successful businessman.
Let’s look back at what history has to say about this. Look at the great leaders who shaped our world and changed the face of this earth. Were they successful because they were the most idealistic, flawless individuals, full of character or because they grabbed opportunity by the throat and made the best of it? Cassius and Brutus are the perfect contrasting examples of what we are debating on today. Cassius was any day much more successful in all his plans only because he lived by the motto “when opportunity knocks on your door, strike.” Indian history has proved this time and again with ever changing opportunistic rulers.
During the Second World War, Hitler rose to power and fame utilizing each opportunity to his advantage and eventually he gained personal success. He was a puny and un-educated villager. He scaled great heights not because of his character, but because he was an opportunist. Strike when the iron is hot, not keep striking until you can finally dent it.
An opportunist is a person who we all love to hate. He is someone you just can’t ignore. Today the world is governed by such people and their progress is phenomenal. President Bush is an example of someone who has gained tremendous success only by making the best use of opportunities and circumstances-good or bad, which lay in front of him. Oh! How we all hate him, his character and maybe his personality as well, but we just can’t deny and ignore the fact that in these last few years he has gained success, fame and yes as some of you would very sarcastically add, popularity.
Today success means power, respect, fame and position. People who possess these traits thrive on opportunities, to be successful.
My worthy opponents would say that it is a big bad world and those with good character stand out and go on to become successful. But I would like to tell you that opportunity is the utilization of circumstances. One’s good character merely helps optimize an opportunity to gain an upper hand. It is only a tool and not the entire tool kit; it is just a step and not the ladder. Success is something which is achieved by utilizing opportunities in the best possible way. If you have character, utilize it to your advantage for maximizing on the opportunity to gain success.
I would like to conclude by saying, “you can make hay while the sun shines, but, only when there is the SUN.”

life sucks deeper than a straw...

2007-08-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

i was born around sixteen years ago and what have i done up till now? i spent the first few years of my life not knowing anything. i lived in complete ignorance of the world. i grew up and finally made a few friends and realised that humans are the most selfish and self centered people in the world. why do i care? i moved on. until i was thirteen decisions were made for me, everything was done for me. i guess till u are thirteen you live the most carefree and blissful life. now once you are no more a child you understand the importance of friendships and love, compassion and understanding, you are willing to give more importance to others than to yourself, well at least we believe we do so. i believe so and did so. i trusted. that was the biggest mistake i have ever made. you are your own best friend. i live by that principle now. no matter how much you tell someone how much you care for them or how much you love them, people never change. i learnt it the hard way. i can't be who i am, if i want some one to like me. i can't do what i do. now what does one do when in such a juncture of life when he is going to be sixteen, the loneliest individual, without a single good friend whom he can talk to when he feels down, not a single person who he can trust with his innermost feelings without being poked fun at. it is a shame when a sixteen year old has lost all motivation in life. today as i lay in bed thinking, it struck me i don't have to be like this. in two years i wont be where i am anymore i wont have to deal with the people who don't care about me, i will leave. i will leave for a distant land, no where close to here. the land of opportunity it is called, it better live up to its name. i leave my future and life in its hands. hoping never to relive these terrible sixteen years of my life. the best thing that happened to me in these sixteen years was the gylc i attended this summer. it was like the thinnest silver lining i had ever seen. grasp it were the first thought that came to my mind. i decided that very day, people back home; they are not like me, there is a whole world out there waiting to be enjoyed and explored. DO IT!! the first thing i said to my self. tonight i have decided, decided to make the best of what i have right now, for the future which awaits me too good to be a dream. yes! too good to be a dream. leave these sixteen years of nothingness behind me and start all over again from tomorrow. from tomorrow everyday is going to be a struggle for me. i have one and a half year to make up for seventeen and a half years. each day is like an opportunity to prove the world, my so called friends and everyone who ever hurt me, that no matter what they did i shall reclaim my life. do what i want to do and be who i want to be. i cant take it any more were my last thoughts before tonight and i have to take it all now is my motto for the next one and a half year. be who you can be. dont be who you have to or must be.

the conversations of two great minds about a special someone...^_-

2007-08-06T10:41:00.000-07:00

"What do you mean I need a boarding pass?! Here is a stamp and 7 quarters. Now go, my first class seat awaits!"

hahahahahhaahahaha "what do you mean you don't have a change machine on board...... OH NO WHO SHALL ENTERTAIN ME????? the air hostess....???? well she isn't worth a stamp and 7 quarters either..... ok my final offer..... 2 quarters one cent and half a stamp take it or leave it.....

"I need some fresh air. I want out of this plane! OHHHH NOOOOO. I forgot my peanuts!"

HAHAH SOOUP..... HOT HOT...... OOHH NOOOO but I traveled business class because I OWN AIR INDIA

"Be gay!"

Where is my Cheese Dosa?

OH NO...... I love cheese dosa..... Boohoo SOUP....AAARRGGHH

I’m so bored. I think ill go swimming....OH NOOO, You mean I can’t breathe underwater???!?!?!

Hahahaha god HELP OOHH NOOOO I am drowning I can’t swim...... ooohHHH gulg... NOOOooooOoooO.. Gulg.. Gulg.... *bubbles*

I am trying my best to get better.... I am not going to school ... but I shall surely act demented and gets someone to video tape it.....

OOHH NoooooOOOOOoOOO I am demented and I can’t swim *glug glug*.... HELP HELP I am drowning...

"Whata chick!. Tell him to be Gay!"

Ok.He's at an Airport.
"Sir, you can’t go into the flight. You don’t have a boarding pass"
"But I am the owner of AIR INDiA!!! Here are some quarters, I’m sure this is triple your monthly wages!!! Now let me through, I am very prone to get sea sickness."
"Secruity!"
"What did I do?!"

He is on a plane.... and the air hostess gets him soup.... and he goes OH NO I CAN'T SWIM and then the air hostess is like don’t worry sir u don’t need to know how to swim.... and then he goes u are so funny funny.... of course I need to know how to swim..... I OWN AIR INDIA....... AIR INDIA...... and excuse me .... This soup isn’t matching up to my hotness you’re fired...... HAHAHA oh no.... the airhostess is my principal..... DAMN.......
(this doesn’t make any sense but I had immense pleasure writing it...... :-P....)

I’m so tired and bored. I think Ill get a drink....OHHH NOOOOOO. I DONT HAVE GILLS!!!

I am an amphibian god save the queen... OOHH NOOOO wait I am the queen..... OH NOOO where is my crown,..... Damn air India they stole it ..... Boohoo I am going to tell my mummy...... waaaahhhahahhaha....

places i must see before i die...

2007-07-17T02:28:00.000-07:00

Everyone has their list of things to do before they die. Some of them write it down and some of them just have a list in their head. Well i am the kind who takes these things seriously and i actually want to do this. People have list to things to do or places to see or what ever. but in my view the best thing one can do is travel. Explore the world. Not stick to their home and have a daily boring routine. Go out do something. See what a wonderful place the world is. The world just isn't about corruption, treachery and evil. We all have a certain time on this wonderful planet lets enjoy our stay to the fullest possible extent. After doing a lot of thinking and research i have come up with the list of places one must see before the die. Well at least I should see before i die, and lets hope that isn't soon. Places which define culture, food, lifestyle, diversity and lots more.

Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vatican City and Venezuela...

GYLC.... the most amazing thing that ever happened to me....

2007-06-24T01:18:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt an urge so great that makes you want to realize your true potential and look at things and situations from all the possible perspectives; an understanding so deep which seems in-explainable?

I spent twelve days at GYLC with a group of idealistic and open-minded teenagers from all over the world with different views, unique personalities and character. I realized that the common driving force for all these individuals was a passion to inspire, be inspired and to make a difference in their lives and the lives of those who surround them.

A German and a Jew sitting at the same table dining and enjoying each others company laughing at the same thing even though they look at it differently. The Japanese, Chinese and Singaporeans sit together at a restaurant, ridiculing the cost of living of Americans. An Indian and Pakistani sharing their love for cricket, good Bollywood movies and food, not caring that their countries are suppose to be at war or historically they are supposed to hate each other. No one really carries any past baggage. It’s the individual who matters, not from where they are, what they are, but who they are. Where else will you ever get a chance to participate in such an amazing cross cultural experience? 360 students from over a 100 different cities, nations and equally diverse beliefs and views, all together at the very same place doing the very same things in his or her own way.

The first day saw each of us separated from our original friend circle and put into different country groups and with different room mates. I dare not deny the fact that the first three days were painfully chilly, deadly silent and un-friendly. We all kept to ourselves, un-willing to open up fearing that we would hurt someone’s feelings or ridicule ourselves. Once we spent the initial hours in deadly silence we realized we were going to be stuck with each other for 12 seemingly long days and so decided to risk it all and open up. It was quite the contrary of what we expected; everyone was everyone’s best friend at the end of the session. We spent our time together, as we were all meant to be. In our group we had such diversity yet an understanding of the highest order; we forgave each others ignorance and helped each other in respecting and understanding the various cultures we represented.

The main highlights in Washington D.C. were the visits to the human rights commission, the peace and security simulation, the talent show and cultural exchange where we presented and gave things which symbolize our country or culture and the keynote address by Mr. Tom Donohue. The keynote address by Mr. Tom Donohue was inspiring and sharp, he taught us to do what we truly believe in and pursue our passion and dream BIG.

The main highlights in New York were visits to Times Square, China Town, the United Nations headquarters, the global summit and the farewell dinner cruise was the most beautiful ending to an amazing experience. New York is the richest, most diverse, lively and beautiful place in the world with its heart in Times Square, China town holding it together, the UN headquarters acting as its brain and the blood being the Hudson River. Looking at NYC in such a way gives it a human factor which appealed to me the most. Times Square at its peak hour and the Statue of liberty at midnight with the crescent moon above it. AWESOME!!! Is an understatement to describe any thing of such magnitude.

At the end, I would like to share a story narrated by Mr. Gary Weaver a cross-cultural specialist, on his view of the present scenario of the world. There was a frog community living in an old well. One day a frog from the ocean migrated to this well and said, “My Ocean is much bigger than your well.” The leader to the well frog community unaware of what the ocean was, said, “NO!! You are wrong. There is nothing bigger than MY well.” Saying this, the well frogs killed the ocean frog only because he didn’t agree with them and had a different opinion. Only, if the well frogs and ocean frog were willing to understand each other, they would have had the best of both worlds.

HAITI RULES….

The Hyderabad Culture (language, dress and food)

2007-05-26T08:17:00.000-07:00

Hyderabad has been the meeting place of many different cultures and traditions. Historically, Hyderabad has been the city where the distinct cultural and linguistic traditions of North India and South India meet. The Muslim culture of Hyderabad has fused with south Indian traditions of the region.
Hyderabad is a unique cosmopolitan city and home to people practicing Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism. Hyderabadis have developed their own distinctive culture, which is a mixture of the centuries old Islamic Culture and the Hindu traditions of the Telugu people.
Telugu and Urdu are the principal languages spoken in Hyderabad. Telugu being the official language of Andhra Pradesh and the second largest language in India after Hindi is widely spoken here. Hyderabad has always had one of the largest Urdu speaking populations in India and the famous Osmania University there was the first Urdu medium university in India. Deccani, a dialect of Urdu and Hindi, is spoken and understood there. Both Urdu and Telugu have linguistically impacted on each other in this region. A large percentage of the population is also well versed in English.
Women of all cultures and faith communities in Hyderabad typically wear the traditional Indian dress, the sari, and increasingly the Salwar Qamis. As a sign of public modesty, a large percentage of Muslim women in the city wear either the burqa or the hijab. The traditional Hyderabadi garb for females is the Khara Dupatta and the Salwar Qamis and Sherwani for males. This is one of the visible cultural attributes of Hyderabad.
Hyderabadi cuisine is a blend of heavy Mughal influences, traditional Andhra and Telangana cuisine. A number of restaurants have come up that serve a variety of cuisines. All the major hotels in city host one or more restaurants that are popular among city folk.
Some of the famous dishes include Hyderabadi Biryani, Baygan ka Bhurta, Khubani ka Mitha, Pheni a sweet delicacy eaten during the festival of Diwali and during Ramzan, and Double ka Mitha, as well as Haleem traditionally eaten by Muslims during the holy month of Ramzan. As many Hyderabadis travel to the Middle East in search for employment, the Haleem is gaining recognition in these regions.
An Indian Mithai shop, G. Pulla Reddy, is famous for its pure ghee sweets. Karachi Bakery, Nampally, is popular for making biscuits including the local Osmania biscuits. A family residing in Azeez bagh palace in the old part of the city is famous for the preparation of Badaam Ki jaali (Almond lattice confection). Other renowned joints include 'chat bhandars' like Gokul Chat near Sultan Bazar and Narsing Chat near MG Road, Ram singh Chat Bhandar in Begum Bazaar are famous for their North Indian chat, which is liberally doused with spices and yogurt. Restaurant chains in the city which include The Taj Mahal, Kamat are popular.

A funny short-story written by ME .... when i was 10yrs old...

2007-05-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

One hour and thirty minutes

There was once an Afghani based Chinese terrorist group by the name of Al-Ching-Azar. They wanted to show their discontent with the Indian Government as they refused to pay the members a measly sum of Rs.72/- and a life time supply of chocolates! The base of Al-Ching-Azar was in Fishilipatnam a small village in India.

Unhappy with the Government’s disregard to their very reasonably atrocious demands, they began to cry and whine like a bunch of grown up babies and began fighting like a hound of yahoos. After a while they went scrambling to their leader and began complaining with candies in their hands and thumbs in their mouths. But unlike the group of yahoos the leader was grown up, mature in thought and action, able to sort out the troubles of his group, and then he decided that they would hijack a plane and crash it into the Cadbury factory at six ‘o’ six in the evening of sixth June in the year of 2006 (06:06pm 06/06/06). That day they had decided to strike terror in the hearts of those people in flight 666 of Biryani Airways. It was supposed to go from Hyderabad to Mumbai.

One day, when he had put all his members to sleep at about two in the afternoon by singing a lullaby to them, as it was their afternoon nap time, there was a police officer right outside their headquarters. The government had come to know of their hiding place. He was thumping on the glass door, which eventually broke on the third thump. On seeing a figure of a man he drew his pepper spray and sprayed like never before, only to find that he was the spirit of the founder of Al-Ching-Azar. Scared out of his loose pants he ran for his life shooting as if he had seen a ghost (which he did in fact!). The Al-Ching-Azar members were saved by the spirit of their true leader.

The very next day Al-Ching-Azar traveled by bullock cart to Hyderabad from Fishilipatnam. They set up camp in a National Park which was actually a slum, with all their hi-fi gadgets and other stuff. Everyday they would go to a travel agent to find out flight timings and also learnt how to make weapons and bombs from him. They finally found out where the Cadbury factory was and how they were going to go about the hijack and where they would crash land. They were all set, just when the travel agent who was a secret agent for the government of Lolo Land arrived on the scene. The dictator of Lolo Land was out to take revenge against the Prime Minister of India because he didn’t send all the people of India to his country (that’s very down to earth!). When the Prime Minster refused to agree, they became sworn enemies since that day. The dictator of Lolo Land swore to take revenge and decided to destroy all Lolo Landians in India of whom the Prime Minster was one. The Prime Minster and the dictator of Lolo Land were friends from previous life and the dictator of Lolo Land had saved the life of the Prime Minster in the previous life, so he was asking him for a favor. And, now when he refused, he made a plan to kill the Prime Minster.

They were ready to do it; they prayed to all their 938 gods and taking blessings from the nature Gods, they were ready with their boarding passes. But, they had to overcome their first obstacle which was the security check. They cleared that with ease with the help of that travel agent (he threatened to blow up the airport) and they had to cry and whine, which they were really good at, when they took away their guns. They said that they were only toys and wanted them back or else they would throw a tantrum and sulk (well that is surely an amazing sight to watch grown men throw a tantrum and sulk!). Well the next obstacle was their final one -boarding the plane. They all were scared of heights, all except their leader and the travel agent. So they now decided that they were just going to sit tight and mum and let their leader and the travel agent do all the work. Well with all that sorted out and now finally on the plane and with major adjustments to their plans, they were all set to hijack the plane and crash land it in the Cadbury chocolate factory.

Once they were on the flight they were served sweets and chocolates, which made them really sleepy, while the air hostess sung lullabies to them. But their leader braved the lullabies and stayed awake! The passengers didn’t suspect a thing; they never could imagine a bunch of yahoos hijacking a plane. Just when every one thought that they were safe and sound and were happily listening to Jollywood music, the leader made a move and killed all the air hostesses and the travel agent made the stewards one with their maker. Waking up all his members they made a move towards the cockpit. This frightened all the passengers and they began to rush to the restroom to release their tension. This crowded up the entrance of the cockpit and they made their way to the pilots – it was a lot harder than they had expected and they fought their way to glory and victory.

Now all the passengers sitting in their seats remembered their 672 gods and began to pray for their neighbor’s life. Somehow the passengers got to know that they loved chocolates and fell asleep very fast on hearing lullabies, so one of them threw chocolates at them like bananas at monkeys, and sang them a song. All this didn’t affect the leader and the travel agent and he carried out his task with finesse. They broke the cockpit door and killed one of the pilots and asked the other pilot to go to the Cadbury factory otherwise he would kill him. But the pilot laughed at them and holding his gun he stood up. He towered above the leader at 7 feet 8 inches and told them in a very polite way that the flight is not going to go anywhere but Mumbai, this made the leader very excited and he took the pilots autograph for his daughter, who was a fan of tall pilots and finally agreed to do what ever the pilot commanded him to do.

They got off at Mumbai airport and took a tour bus to the factory of Cadbury only to find it shut down, they had learnt that they would only get a life time supply of chocolate but no Rs.72/-. This angered the members of Al-Ching-Azar and then the travel agent who was a secret agent called up the dictator of Lolo Land and asked him what to do. He explained to him all the events of the flight which lasted an hour and thirty minutes. The dictator told them to blow up the parliament in Delhi. They agreed to do so and bought tickets from another travel agent who was a secret agent of the Indian government. They bought tickets for Vada Paw Airlines which was the only flight to Delhi from Mumbai.

They finally decided to blow up the Parliament by crashing the Vada Paw Airline into it. They hijacked the flight on which they were the only passengers on board and there was one more Olympian shooter of India. When the pilot got to know that the plane was hijacked they jumped off with 4 parachutes each as their lucky number was 4.

With no one on board they asked the Olympian shooter of India to aim at the parliament building of India but wait a minute……………………………….., he MISSED!! The Olympian shooter of India was actually a spy from the Indian government to Lolo Land who had been called back to India as soon as the Indian government discovered their plans.

They all crashed straight into the ground. Only three of them survived. The leader was no more. The Olympian shooter of India and the travel agent who was the secret agent from Lolo Land were the only ones who survived along with a goon of the Al-Ching-Azar group.

He with his fascination for chocolates ran straight into the Parliament and pointed a gun to the Prime Minister’s head and said to the ministers, “Give me chocolates or pay for it with the life of your dear Prime Minister”. The ministers thought hard for 4 minutes and 36 seconds, under pressure from the secret agent from Lolo Land who had agreed to give them a doctoral degree in politics each if they agreed to let the Prime Minister die… and finally succumbing to pressure and a shining certificate they finally decide that he could take the Prime Minister’s life because he was old and had already finished his term and the other factors.

The Prime Minister was shot wet by the Goon. The gun was a fake……………………………it was a water gun. The airport officials had replaced the real thing with a phony. The travel agent was shocked and scared he removed his shining sling shot and shot the Prime Minister in the eye and ran away. When the Prime Minister regained the vision he was really angry with his ministers for betraying him and deciding to have him killed for a stupid degree which didn’t even exist, and fired all of them. He instead he appointed the goon of Al-Ching-Azar as his deputy and successor!! He also got rid of the travel agent cum secret agent and handsomely rewarded the Olympian shooter who was actually a spy from the Indian government to Lolo Land who had been called back to India for his bravery and bad aim! They all lived happily ever after, the goon had a job and the shooter was selected for the inter village games representing the Delhi village and the Prime Minister was happy to get rid of his enemies…

This entire trip from Hyderabad to Mumbai to the parliament took one hour and thirty minutes and another one hour and thirty minutes. All it took a goon to be the second most powerful man in our country was one hour and thirty minutes and in another one hour and thirty minutes, a bunch of yahoos and goons and a cabinet of unfaithful and disloyal ministers were displaced.

The prime minister was pleased with the goon from Al-Ching-Azar for his loyalty towards his group and fellow Al-Ching-Azarians. After an hour and thirty minutes the prime minister removed a real gun from his pocket and shot the yahoo from Al-Ching-Azar in the nose and left him to breathe his gun and bullet.

Just when the Prime Minister found him self on the floor he was shot by the dictator from Lolo Land who found himself on the ground as well, breathing in the spit tobacco. A second later he was in turn darted down by the Olympian shooter who was actually a spy from the Indian government to Lolo Land. He had been called back to India and had just come back from a training session of dart throwing. All the three men were left on the floor and were cleaned up an hour and thirty minutes later………

Big Bang and life...

2007-05-26T04:45:00.000-07:00

I am sure you all have heard of the Big Bang theory. and i am also sure some of you totally agree with it and some of you don't. well for those of you do let me tell you that now i will tell you about the relationship between the Big Bang and life it self and for those of you i shall try and make you understand it and convince you at it all actually happened. well here goes...

In the beginning of time all the matter was in the form of elements, atoms or what ever you would like to call it. some of these were larger than the others and hence had a greater force of attraction. the larger particles with greater charges naturally pulled the smaller particles towards themselves and therefore became even bigger increasing the force of attraction. it eventually became so big that it began attracting it self inwards and started to rapidly condense. there was a rapid shrinkage and then eventually it shrank to the size of a tennis ball. this rapid and sudden condensation made all these particles go wild and then they eventually gained enough energy to break free and exploded from this ball like mass. just like a rocket when it takes off it gains speed and only if it has enough speed can it break through the earth's atmosphere the same way these particles gained in speed and momentum and broke through and began moving outwards from an apparent center in a curved yet outward path like a parabola. this big bang caused the universe to expand...

today the universe is expanding and we are not sure whether this expansion will continue or finally stop or start coming in and reduce in size and begin condensing. so what does the big bang have to do with life?? life like the big bang started out with a bang!! birth... and we begin growing just like the universe is growing and expanding over coming initial hurdles and hindrances. but just like the universe has a certain speed which determines whether it has the minimum force to continue expanding or start falling back in, our lives are very similar we have to decide whether we want to break free from the system and we want to be sucked in. i am sure none of oyu want to get sucked in to this huge hole and remain in it forever, you want to break free set new standards just like the expanding universe is dong each day going a little further and set new benchmarks...

take example and set new ones make your stay worthwhile and i would also like to add that everyone is moving towards and ultimate goal, call it god or whatever, anything which inhibits or stops us from doing so is evil or bad and anything which pushes us towards our final destiny is good. now you decide whether what you do is ultimately moving you to your final goal or it is preventing you from doing so...

RECLAIM YOUR LIFE...

WHY!!

2007-03-30T22:08:00.000-07:00

The most powerful and life changing word in the English language is WHY!! It's very nature, to reason and wonder empowers us and got us to where we are today...
Let's start right from the beginning, early man lived where he felt the safest. He asked himself why was he afraid of the other creatures, why should someone else decide his tomorrow. This inquisitive nature of man finally resulted in the discovery of fire, the wheel, and all other creations. Man asked questions longed for answers and finally developed into a civilized human from a wild beast.
This very nature of man to reason distinguished him from the others he was in a league of his own. This very nature of man to know why lead to the discovery of gravity. newton yearned to know the apple fell. This very simple yet complicated question changed the way we look at the world around us. Man sought himself to be superior and very true it was he saw a bird fly and asked himself why couldn't he fly. Why?? He searched and tried and worked to finding the answer which eventually led to the invention of the Aero-plane.
Every one asks but those who have a deep passion and urge to find answers and make a difference distinguishes the good from the great.
We all have our very own questions we want to know the answers to, only one who is so base to be ruled by someone who is no greater than himself will submit himself, and not speak out. He is no different from a wild animal who has to be tamed to keep mum and never to ask why.
Our very freedom was an answer to the undying questions of our forefathers. They started out peacefully, then they turned to more extreme methods to find answers and finally a nation woke up and the entire country together wanted some answers from their so called rulers.
Our constitution makers knew the importance of human reasoning, and thus included it in our constitution as our very fundamental right.They realized that in the present day dictatorship and monarchy failed understand the basic requirement for man to develop and realize his full potential.
Today the rising terrorism and corruption is a result unanswered questions adn ignorance of those in power. Unsatisfactory answers are dangerous and test one's patience.
When did you agree to be taken for granted and be fooled?? Make your presence by asking the right questions and seek for satisfactory answers from the right person. Make a difference in your own way. ASK... REASON... QUESTION... Bring your life back on track.