Life is Beautiful, only when you perceive it ...

2008-06-23T20:40:00.002+05:30

Driving Forces...

Today, when I look back at my childhood, I realize the importance of those days. They always reside in the most softest corner of my heart. I don't think, I will ever be able to let that corner go open to any world. My bunch of memories might not be any different from any one of you reading this post, but I believe in the uniqueness of every moment. Every moment, in our life is special. They share different instances of the ever changing environment.
Read more, at the LJ post.

2008-04-18T01:44:00.002+05:30

Child Manages...

Yesterday, I was commuting from Juhu to Kharghar, using the local trains of Mumbai. We don't have a direct train, and hence had to change multiple trains, on the way. I was trying to keep myself engaged by reading a book. At some station or so, a lady boarded the train, and was approaching near the seat, which was pre-occupied by me.

As she was nearing, the man next to me, got up, and offered his seat to the lady. I liked the man's gesture of offering his seat to the lady; it indeed is the helpful nature of the Mumbaikars, that I get to witness quite often. An interesting thing, is that, he did it quite calmly, without even bothering me, as I was engaged in reading the book.

Also, when I got to notice that she had a kid in our arms. For a moment, I felt like offering my seat to the man, who just got up, but the next moment, I felt like reading the book. I was so selfish that I kept my wishes before everything else. But, as I was reading the book, the kid started touching it, probably the kid liked it!

I got myself engaged with playing with the kid, and offering my book to him, to cherish some time. But, some time later, the kid started taking the book into his mouth, and that is where I had to steal the book from his eyes, and keep it appropriately in my bag. As soon as, I did this, the next moment, I was reminded that I should now be offering my seat to the man (who got up); as I was no longer reading the book. I repeated the man's gesture, back to him. Good things do come back to us; what we do, is what we get - this is what probably, has happened to that man.

I feel, this is what the lord wanted me to do. He/she found his/her own way out, to get things done by me. Probably, he/she wanted the man, and the lady to have the seats, and make me realize that I shouldn't get lost in anything, at any point of time, such that I even forget the environment. After all, it is the environment that tries to bridge multiple gaps between me, and society, I'm associated with.

And yeah, as I've heard from my elders - "Bachchein toh bhagwaan ka roop hotey hain!" (Children, are lords in disguise!) - is probably true, because, it was the child who played the entire role of getting things done. The child was a good manager for sure. :) Managed everything so quietly, and calmly, that no one even got a hint, of the things happening around.

2008-04-06T06:16:00.006+05:30

Remindings...

Yesterday, I had been to the Tata NCPA's Experimental Theatre for watching a play, but I shall not write about the play, in this post; shall keep it for some other post, some other day. Here, I would like to describe an incident which just happened. After watching the play, my friend and I, had been for the dinner, and then we moved to the Victoria Terminus, to catch our train back to Kharghar.

At the terminus, while my friend was taking the tickets, I stood besides him, merely to give him a company. He was in a queue. But, as we moved towards the ticket counter, there was an old man, who seemed to be poor, was in the queue too, and was at least four men ahead of us, in the queue. He couldn't take the tickets, as he wanted to goto Thane, and was not having enough money to buy himself a ticket. He was dressed in muddy white clothes, with a similar bag or so.

My friend had noticed him, but didn't react on it. And then, the man came towards me, and asked for some money. Initially, I resisted. I felt like, not to react on him. But, instantly, I was reminded of my Uncle's words; he had once said me, "Ankit, you need to trust people!". He had said me this, because, once we were together paying a visit to the Siddhi Vinayak Temple, and he had asked me to put some money into the 'Daan Kund' over there, and I had refused to do any such act. We had a discussion over the same act of mine, for half-an-hour or so, and he had then made this statement, after which, I was speechless!

So, as soon as I got reminded of his words, I took my wallet in my hands, gave my friend some money, and asked him to take a ticket to Thane too, such that the old man could easily reach his intended place. I feel, my uncle's words, somewhere or the other were true, else it wouldn't have pinched me today. I realize that my responsibility is of doing the task, and not to be much concerned about the consequences of the same. If I be, then too, it's good. At times, I prefer to be a dumb, and act as the way, people expect me to, because, after all, at the end of the day, everyone would seem to be happy, and that, isn't a heavy cost to pay.

2008-04-03T21:25:00.004+05:30

Mixed Bag...

The day, today, has been filled with a bag mixed of emotions. It brought various colours of life, before me. At times, it made me determined to do something useful, at times, it set me back. Variations, in today's day, wouldn't have been anything less than a sine wave, toggling between two states. I feel, am one of the fortunate guys, to having seen such variations in a short span of a day. A day's time isn't short, but if we compare it with the whole lifetime, I would say, it surely is short!

I started my day, with a lot of self-determination towards my life. I had my plans set before me, I knew exactly what I was going to do. And, trust me, things did go the way, god wanted me to do. I felt, I was just lucky enough to have a nice day, before me. But, this wasn't there to last for long. Some things didn't go as expected, some at the personal level, and some at the professional one too. When things weren't that good at the personal level, it didn't bother me much. I was at my ease, and calm; kept smiling.

But, when things didn't go good at the professional front (for the day) it is at that time, when I started feeling a bit disappointed, because these things had built on top of the personal front. I started getting a feel, as if, I was lost somewhere or the other.

Somewhere in the evening, I happened to call up a friend of mine, Ms. R (she prefers to keep her name anonymous in this post). I've never spoken about her anytime at this blog of my mine. She, and I, had been together in our school, atleast till 8th Standard. It was at that time, when she had a change in her schooling. We came together after a long time, thanks to the social networking thingy on the web. I had called her up, for nothing specific, but to have a general talk on the recent happenings in life. Along the talk, she happened to get engaged in some work, at her home, and the talk was left, as is, then and there.

After that, feeling a bit lonely, I started pinging a couple of friends of mine, called up some too, but none seemed to be available at the moment. Am not complaining for them, it just wasn't my day, till then, remember! Anyways, when I was moving from my place to the restaurant, to have my dinner, I happened to receive an unexpected call, and guess what? T'was from R.

She called up back, because, she felt that I was a bit upset, for the day. I was wondering, what made her feel that, but as other friends of mine used to say, "It's not easy for Ankit, to hide what he feels!". Anyways, I probably feel that I don't have words to desrcibe what she made me feel, through out our talk, and even now. It is she, who brought back to me, the words that I used to say, to my friends, when they would feel low. The kind of cozyness, and calmness, that she brought, to me, during the talk, is worth appreciable. Brought back the comfort feeling to me. No doubt, that she likes to make people smile. I appreciate, this attitude.

It does make me feel glad to have friends besides me (not physically though! Distances don't matter, as long as relationships are close), the ones, whom I can count upon, especially at the times, when I feel low. As someone had rightly said, friends are like jewels, who'll always shine before you, especially, when you need them to shine, for you. But, I feel, they're much more than jewels. Touch wood, or stone.

2008-03-16T14:06:00.004+05:30

What am I, to her?

I've never tried to put up any post here on Blogger in regard to my interests in poetry, and some thoughts which emanated from within. But today, I shall be putting a cross-reference to a post which I've put up at my LJ.

A couple of lines can be located here.

2008-01-19T21:48:00.000+05:30

The sides...

A friend of mine used to say me quite frequently that if you can't see the brighter side of life, then try polishing the dull side. This statement was pretty strange to me, as I couldn't possibly judge which side was brighter and which duller. It possibly happens with most of us, and at many times. We find ourselves so clinched with some problem or the other that we start getting a feel that we're the only ones who face all these problems.

We probably see, or sometimes even ignore the other side of the coin. We are at times immersed within our own cubes that looking towards the sunshine at the other end is way beyond our reach. Some lips even speak about the out-of-the-box-thinking thing. Endowment of knowledge or the skill to solve problems might have been there, but ignorance of the same might deprive us, of what we have.

That's exactly where optimism brings multiple spaces for everyone. It brings with itself multiple rays of hope, and with hope, comes the will to strive for things, which probably might be beyond our reach. An attribute, so simple and so elegant, tries to polish the dull side, with it's own beauty.

And as some one had said, positive pictures come out from the negatives developed in a darkroom. So, if you find yourself lonely and in dark, understand that, life is working on a beautiful picture for you.

2008-01-19T21:41:00.000+05:30

Bucket-Fillers...

I thank my friend Veer for sharing this forward with me.

You have heard of the cup that overflowed. This is a story of a bucket that is like the cup, only larger, it is an invisible bucket. Everyone has one. It determines how we feel about ourselves, about others, and how we get along with them. Have you ever experienced a series of very favorable things which made you want to be good to people for a week? At that time, your bucket was full.

A bucket can be filled by a lot of things that happen. When a person speaks to you, recognizing you as a human being, your bucket is filled a little. Even more if he calls you by name, especially if it is the name you like to be called. If he compliments you on your dress or on a job well done, the level in your bucket goes up still higher. There must be a million ways to raise the level in another's bucket. Writing a friendly letter, remembering something that is special to him/her, knowing the names of his/her children, expressing sympathy for his/her loss, giving him/her a hand when his/her work is heavy, taking time for conversation, or, perhaps more important, listening to him/her.

When one's bucket is full of this emotional support, one can express warmth and friendliness to people. But, remember, this is a theory about a bucket and a dipper. Other people have dippers and they can get their dippers in your bucket. This, too, can be done in a million ways.

Let's say I am at a dinner and inadvertently upset a glass of thick, sticky chocolate milk that spills over the table cloth, on a lady's skirt, down onto the carpet. I am embarrassed. "Bright Eyes" across the table says, "You upset that glass of chocolate milk." I made a mistake, I know I did, and then he told me about it! He got his dipper in my bucket! Think of the times a person makes a mistake, feels terrible about it, only to have someone tell him about the known mistake ("Red pencil" mentality!)

Buckets are filled and buckets are emptied? Emptied many times because we don't really think about what we are doing. When a person's bucket is emptied, he/she is very different than when it is full. You say to a person whose bucket is empty, "That is a pretty tie you have," and he may reply in a very irritated, defensive manner.

Although there is a limit to such an analogy, there are people who seem to have holes in their buckets. When a person has a hole in his bucket, he/she irritates lots of people by trying to get his/her dipper in their buckets. This is when he/she really needs somebody to pour it in his/her bucket because he/she keeps losing.

The story of our lives is the interplay of the bucket and the dipper. Everyone has both. The unyielding secret of the bucket and the dipper is that when you fill another's bucket it does not take anything out of your own bucket. The level in our own bucket gets higher when we fill another's, and, on the other hand, when we dip into another's bucket we do not fill our own ... we lose a little.

Therefore, let us put aside our dipper and resolve to touch someone's life in order to fill their bucket.

2008-01-19T20:41:00.000+05:30

Small things...

I've listened to many people saying me, preaching me, and even convincing me that our Life is too big, and every now and then, there are many small things that happen and don't really matter, in our endless journey of life. But, I've always felt that there is some relation between these smaller things that add value to our lives.

I wanted to blog some events, expressions that were happening with me, and my life, but then, I thought why to blog it down, as they happen? So, I preferred to stay calm for sometime, and then sit down some day, and try to see whether those events, and expressions really mattered (or still matter) to me, in my journey or were they really small!?

I'm reminded of an incident that happened sometime back in November last year. I'll try to pen it down! I had to go to Kanjurmarg from Kharghar, to meet a couple of friends of mine. I started from Kharghar via a bus, and got down at Sion Station (a crowded area) such that I could catch hold of a train to Kanjurmarg. It was sometime in the evening around 6:30 PM or so.

Before the entrance of the Sion Station, there is a footpath nearby, which is covered by yellow colored iron fence (sort of a thing), such that the traffic on the road goes on smoothly, and the pedestrians could move along the footpath without much problems. So, when I had to enter the station, I had to move around the fence and then keep my feet over the footpath.

At the juncture, from where I could enter, there was a small puppy who was eating a few biscuits, that were lying before him, in the center of the footpath. As soon as I got to notice the puppy, I kept my leg away from the biscuits, such that the puppy could have them easily, and fulfill his hunger. Just after that, a girl turned up, and took those biscuits in her hand, and kept them in the corner of the footpath. It all happened within a matter of a few seconds.

It was a very small thing that she had done. She had noticed the puppy eating the biscuits, and acted in a proactive manner, and kept them apart because she might have felt that someone else might stamp either the puppy or the biscuits, in such a crowd. I felt, that there indeed is humanity on this planet. That girl's move made my day.

I was then a bit more convinced that small things do matter, in our lives. And moreover, if I look at the whole incident that had happened, it wasn't really that big, that I should have been able to remember it, even till date. I now firmly believe that these small things are part and parcels of our life. They come to us bringing with them lots of things - some bring the feel of happiness, some bring the aggression, some bring the pleasant moments, some break out the rebel, and some even bring the sense of responsibility that this girl had brought before me.

Probably, tagging the event as small, might be a 'wrong' thing, but rationality is relative, and it wouldn't matter even if I tag it as big. These are those cups of coffee, that bring love to the ones having it. After all, every drop of water - be it from any source - adds up to the ocean. Events, expressions; no matter how big or small they are, they do bring some charm to our journey of Life.

2007-09-10T17:59:00.000+05:30

Gaming With Time ...

This is something which happened to me, a couple of days back, while I was commuting my way back to home via the BEST bus. I got hold of the bus at the stop from where I usually get into it - the Vashi Bus Depot. Well, I can catch the bus at the Vashi Plaza Bus Stop as well, but then in want for a seat, I walk up to the depot.

That day, I was very tired, and I didn't get the seat, nothing to worry about, and so, I was commuting standing within the bus. Soon after sometime, wherever I was standing, the bus conductor asked me to inform a small boy seated three seats ahead of me, to keep his hands within the window of the bus. I did it and so did the boy, take his hands in.

And after a few seconds, I got a seat. Still nothing special. After a few stops from that current location, a couple - senior citizens, in fact, got into the bus, and as they approached my seat to stand besides it, I noticed them. I could offer my seat, and so did I. The old female sat onto the seat, I was seated on. And I was standing again. After sometime, yet another seat besides where I was standing got vacated, and I was able to catch hold of it. And so, I sat again.

But the older male was still standing, and this was the time when there was heavy traffic amongst the neurons within my brain, and might have ended up in numerous collisions, as well. This traffic was very fast, and turbulent enough while deciding whether I should give this seat as well, to the other half of the couple to sit and get in the comfort zone, or should I not think about him, and be seated and relish my seat. Believe me, I was thinking about the very thing, for about three to four minutes, or so.

And then, when the bus was moving along it's way, the old male wasn't able to balance himself standing alongside, and was wandering towards swinging his pale body, as the pendulum would do along the clock. I had no more thoughts then, and offered the seat to the other half. And also, by the time the older male would reach up to my seat, there was a young gentleman standing besides, who immediately jumped in, in want for the same seat. I had to stop him and inform that I was volunteering my seat to the older male.

So, I was left standing again. After a few minutes, I got yet another seat. And I was then wondering as to what an instance it's been, since, just a few minutes back, to the then present tick of the hour. As soon as, I got myself comfortably seated, it reminded me of what I had concluded earlier, at this post. And so, I spent that evening having seated on three different seats of the same bus within a span of say 30 minutes or so.

It's really good to see things happening good, when you do good, and you desperately want it, and you get it. I know the fact that it's not the case with everyone, but then I feel everyone gets what one desires only at the appropriate time, and not before it, and not after it. It's all about what-we-do, which results in what-we-get.

This is some game being played by time as our dominating opponent, and we should not be fighting against it to win, as because there can not be any result to the game. It's just about how close we are towards our win, and so, we need to do the 'good' things, to get the 'good' thing. Defining what's good is solely within our hands.

There are numerous times when we play our game with time, and every time, it's merely our compounded possibility, towards the win, that shall keep us going.

2007-07-14T23:34:00.000+05:30

Fearless Females ...

Very few females whom I personally know are bold and have the courage, and moreover are quick enough to respond to their surroundings. I've got a good circle of friends - both male and female, but female friends of mine aren't that bold and responsive by nature. Some of them indeed are a lot bold, and don't really care of their surroundings, but the rest are quite passive in nature and shy.

Today, I was at Kharghar station at around 15:40 hrs or so. I was there to catch a train to Vashi from where I had to pick my friend and we had to goto Chembur. The expected time for the train was 16:00 hrs. I was quite a bit early. As soon as I climbed up the stairs to reach at the platform; at the start we usually notice the female compartment of the train to appear, and I was, as usual, walking a bit more, and since I was early, caught hold of an empty seat, and was merely awaiting the train to appear.

In the meanwhile, I had noticed a good looking girl who was well dressed up. She seemed to be a college going girl. She was seated all alone at the other bench. Within some while, many youngsters turned up, who seemed to be a bit more of less educated, those who would enjoy a lot, and have fun everywhere. They would have been around 10-12, in number, or so. They came near the bench I was sitting, and then started those sick activities, which I would not prefer, such as shouting aloud at the station, speaking up of bad words in loud etc.

One of them, who was in yellow with brown jackets went up to that girl, and started some conversation. The reaction on the girl's face seemed to be of uneasy-ness, and she didn't seem to be comfortable with the person who was talking to her. All of a sudden, all these guys who were sitting besides me, started staring at the girl or probably at what the boy would be doing, I can't really say on it. One of these guys, soon reacted and said, "Stop staring guys, he may himself get into trouble, and shall make us a part as well". He had said it in Hindi. So, everyone followed his words.

But when the girl was watching this side, all of these guys were indeed staring at her. I felt something suspicious, and got up from my seat, and started standing besides the railway tracks. The girl's level of uneasy-ness was certainly seeming to increase, and the guy kept on teasing the girl, I believe.

I noticed the girl getting away from the place, and started moving away for a while, and then I was noticing her go up to the Police officer's desk at the station. My focus was on the girl and the police man, who after listening to her, was accompanying her back. As they had reached back, where the entire incident was happening, the guy seemed no longer to exist in the entire place. Believe me, I had looked almost everywhere, and so were the police men looking for him. But he just, I should say, vanished away.

The girl then brought the police men up to these guys, and these guys just claimed that they didn't know the other person at all. But she was insisting that they knew him, and could help locate him. So, the police men just took away a few cellphones and their wallets, such that they could speak out the truth, and so, these guys started following the police men in order to get their belongings back.

The train soon turned up, and everyone got into the train, and soon nothing was visible at the station. But the way, the girl showed her boldness and resilience against the group of guys, and especially that guy who was in fact eve-teasing her, was simply great. One of the few girls whom I've seen who are so bold, and who respond so quickly in less time, such that she didn't even fear to go up to the police men and seek for some support. I've noticed, people usually don't go up to the police, fearing, I don't know what.

This reminded me of an year old incident. It was towards the end of my graduation, and I was travelling in the city buses of Delhi, from my college to my home. On the way, at one of the major stops, Laxmi Nagar, a guy got into the bus, and since it was a blue line bus, the guy claimed to be a member of the bus staff, and they are usually paid 10 rupees or so, whenever the bus crosses that spot. There are many and in fact many such spots in Delhi, where at major bus locations, the bus conductors usually pay some amount to some person, who is the member of the staff.

So, there was a girl standing near the second next seat from the conductor's seat. This very guy, who was the member of the staff, had touched the girl at near her hips, and said "चल, परे हट!" which means, "Just get away!". This girl seemed to be a college going girl. The girl was so quick that she instantly caught hold of the guy's hands, even before he could move a few steps, and just slapped him hard, not once, in fact thrice. (तीन चांटे कस कर मारे.)

The guy claimed to the girl that she didn't know who he was, and was showing all his powers and contacts which he could show her. The bus conductor and other people were insisting him to get down the bus, and just move away. But before he could move away, the girl said that "Who ever you are, even you don't know who I am. So, just do, whatever you want to do, and then see as to what I can do."

That was the first time in my life, where I had seen such a brave girl, at Delhi. She was so quick, bold, no fear of anything, simply anything. And today, I could see the same thing at this very girl at Kharghar. Both of these girls, showed similar traits.

These are the kind of females whom I would really admire, for not being fearful and being fearless as to no matter what the circumstances be, for being brave enough, for showing their non-acceptance of what they don't like, and simply don't like.

No matter what and who the other person is, one shouldn't be accepting whatever just comes in. One shouldn't fear of the number of people supporting the culprit, but should in fact take wise decisions. Brave females such as these are just great, and what I can do is nothing but, pay my bows to them.

[BOWS down in honour, and respect.]

2007-06-27T23:10:00.000+05:30

Making Memories ...

My Gmail status for a couple of days - now - says that, "Taking time and opportunities to make cherishable memories.", and all I could relate it to this very story, described by someone unknown to me, which is about a girl and her experience while shopping with her Mom in Wal-Mart.

She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Wal-Mart. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories were a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

Her voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in,

"Mom, let's run through the rain," she said.
"What?" Mom asked.

"Let's run through the rain!" She repeated.
"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated, "Mom, let's run through the rain."
"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.

"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm.

"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?" "Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes.

Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If God let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars.

Circumstances or people can take away my material possessions, they can take away my money, and they can take away my health. But no one can ever take away my precious memories.

So Ankit, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.

2007-06-22T00:39:00.000+05:30

Taking Up Responsibilities ...

This is an incident which I can recall from one of my books, which I had read in my school days.

Once an Indian was travelling in a train, at Japan. And there were of course many other people as well; with the Indian. As the Indian was about to take his seat, he noticed that the train's seat was a bit pierced and torn out at some places. He did nothing and while neglecting it, he just sat besides that torn seat.

All this was being noticed by a Japanese who was seated besides the Indian, and to whom the seat's poor condition was unnoticed while he was about to take one; the poor condition of the seat was unknown to him as well. But as soon as he came to know about it, he took a needle and some thread, out of his bag. Upon which the Japanese started sewing the torn part, of the seat.

The Indian who was watching the Japanese, was quite a lot astonished and amazed. Out of curiosity, he asked the Japanese, "What and why are you doing it?"

The reply which the Japanese gave was, "I'm sewing this seat which has been torn-ed out, just because it's my country's privilege and pride of honour, which takes people from places to places. If I don't do this, then it shall be a sense of shamefulness to my country. Moreover, its my responsibility that I take care of my very own nation's belongings and property as if they were mine; after all I pay the taxes, and that is my money."

The Indian was all shocked to hear this, and was wondering that if it would have been India, people would have been tearing it up more and enjoying it; they would also be commenting on the system and government, and do nothing else.

I had learnt that I need to realize my responsibilities to the fullest extent. I as a citizen of this nation, along with many others, are paying our money to the government and hence we need to take utmost care of it.

Even if I were a non-tax payer, I had to realize that someone else is doing that for me. I'm in fact indebted to him/her. I need to take up the work and do the best I can. I'll have to always remember that my nation's respect and pride is my respect, my pride and that is what I as an Indian, is proud of.

2007-06-18T22:25:00.000+05:30

Everything Happens For The Good ...

All that happens, happens for the good. I've been hearing this for a very long time, but never knew whether it was really good, and what it meant.

I was at Powai this evening at around six, at The Residence hotel, and had caught an auto-rickshaw towards Kanjurmarg station such that I could reach up to Kharghar. It was raining quite heavily.

While the auto-rickshaw was on its way towards the station, it halted for a while at a crossing, and there were two females who were desperately waiting for an auto to reach up to the station. Out of anxiety, one of them asked me, whether the auto in which I was seated was heading the same way?

I very politely said, "Yes, Indeed!".

But the auto driver, instantly denied it. I had a small tight conversation with him, and said that, "If I don't have any objection, then why are you getting bothered?" He gave no reply, and his silence showed his acceptance, though an unwilling one, for sure.

On the way, the females were thanking me, but I could hardly understand anything, as everything they spoke was in Marathi. Despite of being at Mumbai, for almost an year, I still don't understand Marathi, and that's a very bad thing for me.

Anyways, I then said them that I couldn't understand anything. So, one of them, said the same in Hindi, and I was then able to understand, as to what they intended to convey. So silly of me! And yeah, they were Marathi teachers, at some nearby school.

It didn't end there itself. At Kurla station, I caught a train for Belapur because I thought that I would catch an auto for Kharghar. But when I reached Belapur, it was raining there as well, and I was standing all alone at the midst of the auto stand, but couldn't find any unoccupied one.

Finally, a car with two Sardarji's in it, were moving besides me with a slow pace. I just happened to ask them, whether they were moving up to Kharghar, and "Yes" came the reply. They didn't mind to give me a lift.

While I was on my way, I just realized that, a couple of hours back, I had given a lift to two females, and now I'm given the same by these two guys. Woh sach hi kehtey hai bade bujurg, kar bhala toh ho bhala. I conveyed the same to them, and they were quite amazed to hear this.

And yeah, one of the Sardarji had said me that he usually doesn't give a lift to anyone, and moreover to such person who was all wet, and would make his car seats wet as well. He concluded that probably this was what was waiting for me.

It's been a very delightful experience for me, for sure. I am feeling happy, and believe me or not, but my faith in god and belief is certainly increasing. Despite of hearing the same few words many-a-times; feeling and experiencing it was different today.

It is essentially the faith in self and people around us, which is more important. I was sharing the same experience with a few of my friends out here at the campus as well, and everyone was amazed. It's very well said, that we don't get, what we want, but the good ones do turn back to us, but the fact of the matter is that it was very soon for me, today, and that's what amazes me.

And yeah, when I had reached the Kanjurmarg station, I did ask the auto driver as to why was he denying me then! He replied me that, "Kya woh tere liyeh, aisa karengi kya?" I had nothing much to say him back other than saying that, "Yaar, akele aaye the, akele chale jayengey; aur joh mil gaya, ussey hans kar bhula dengey!".

A friend of mine, Peeyush, had also added that, "Life gives us our dues, and in return we pay our dues"; very well said.

Altogether, it was a good experience, which I shall have to nourish forever. And now I have more faith and belief in god, and also on what's good. I know that it's a subjective term, but then I mean it the way I've learnt it. So, I can now very well say that, all that happens, does happen for the good!

And yes Ankit, you need to realize that whatever your elders have said, they've said you with experience, so always keep it in mind!

2007-05-23T02:35:00.000+05:30

God Pinged Me ...

Today, I've received a mail from a friend of mine, Rishi. The mail which he usually sends are mere forwards comprising of flashy images, but today, am wondering as to how did he send me such a mail which has a lot of essence in it. I thank him for doing so.

The mail is essentially a chat conversation between the 'God' and the unknown 'Me'. It starts with God having pinged me on hearing my prayers that I offer him daily and gradually starts discussing my problems and gives me motivational solutions to re-solve them.

He also says that problems are merely Purposeful Roadblocks Offering Beneficial Lessons to Enhance Mental Strength.

One should definitely read the conversation, no matter even if you are an atheist; as just because it doesn't have anything in relation to spiritualism rather comprises of meaningful thoughts which "someone" would like to share with all of us.

You can have a glance at it, at my LiveJournal.

2007-05-19T23:19:00.000+05:30

The Perfect Disguise ...

This post is again going to be on what I had observed/did at my last visit to a restaurant two days back; so for those readers who have already been bugged up by now, stop here itself ;-)

My friends and I had been to a nearby restaurant at Belapur as it was a party thrown by a friend of mine, and it was my duty to handle the servers (the waiters here). It was the same restaurant where we had been many-a-times and we appreciated the way they treated us, but the other day, it was not good.

The waiter was hardly paying any attention to us, rather I should say no attention at all. One of my friend out of agitation did shout at him, but then I tried to calm him down. And still, there was no change at all, in fact his attitude towards serving us was very wrong. Next time again, he did the very same thing, and now I got a bit frustrated and started speaking in a very rude manner but luckily, I was able to control the pitch of my voice.

After the meals, the cheque was to be paid; I took up the responsibility from my friend, though the cash were all his and not mine - remember, he was throwing the party! The very simple reason was that I was able to recall that the restaurant had a feedback form, and I asked the same waiter to get me one.

He was left with no other choice, other than to get me one. I asked his name, and wrote it down, and then simply wrote words in his appreciation, stating that "Mr. X, has served us in a very excellent manner, we certainly liked the way he has treated us - a very nice gesture, on his part." I did leave my name and email address for their reference.

I asked the waiter if he understood as to what I had written, and why? He said "Haan Ji, Samajh gaya!" I directly went up to the cashier cum manager's desk and handed over the same into his hands.

I don't know as to what and how should I have reacted in such a scenario? The only thing which I could recall off is a similar scenario wherein I was with my elder brother, and instead of saying harsh words or criticizing one, he praised the same person in front of his sub-ordinates, the person was the manager at our Delhi Showroom. My brother then immediately did the same thing, he asked the manager if he understood why he had done this? And the answer was the same, "Haan Ji, Samajh gaya!".

I could see the same sense of embarrassment and shamefulness in the waiter's eyes which I had seen in our manager's eyes. I think my brother was right the other day, he could have shouted at him in front of everybody, but then others would have had a not-so-good impression of his!

I had then replicated the same. Instead of shouting at the waiter or complaining about his service to the manager, I decided to praise him before his manager, but make him feel that he was wrong, and if he would get any appreciation from his honcho for the same, then it would time and again make him realize that these were the harsh words which I intended to say, but in "the perfect disguise".

I don't know whether I was wrong or right? But the only thing I knew was that I had to say something to the waiter, and found no better choice/option than this. I don't know as to how long will the waiter remember it, but his eyes said me that "I will!".

My friends were so irritated the other day, by his attitude, that they have decided not to pay a visit to it again, but I now have a corner there and would like to pay a visit, at the same table, just to check whether those eyes were saying the truth or were merely eyes.

I feel that I need to understand the very same fact, as not to shout or curse one for one's behaviour, rather to appreciate one, such that the sense of embarrassment would bring down the person. The essence of touching one's heart is much effective than touching one's brain!

2007-04-19T03:09:00.000+05:30

हीन्दी में ब्लोग्गिंग करने का पेह्ला अनुभव ...

सप्रेम नमसते! आज मुझे पता चला कि मैं ब्लोग्गिंग भी हीन्दी में कर सकता हूँ, बीना ज़्यादा मेह्नत कीये, और यह जानकार मुझेबहुत ख़ुशी हुयी है। इसका कारण यह है कि, मैं शायद हिंदी में जल्दी टैपीन्ग कर लेता हूँ बजाय कि इंग्लिश में। मुझे काफी अछ्छा महसूस हो रहा है.

2007-04-11T23:04:00.000+05:30

Salt or Pepper ...

Off late being at restaurants has now become a routine or a trend. Its major concern has been for having one's hunger fulfilled, but thanks to the variety of dishes that one can have, it has now become an arena for celebrations. Sometime or the other millions of people, all round the globe spend a considerable amount of time at either the coffee shops or the restaurants.

You can find one relishing food, celebrating with others, having a discussion, casual meetings, business deals and lots more being done at such places. And the best and only everlasting partnership which I've noticed is of the Salt and the Pepper.

These are two very good friends who are always together at every place. Both of them being very opposite in nature, the former acts as a flavour enhancer to your food, and the latter spices up your food. One is silent, and the other can make you violent, not really violent, but I've read somewhere that having spicy food, makes one aggressive.

What taste does life have? Is it salty or spicy? What balance are we tending to have in our lives? Can the same partnership persist in our lives as well? I just don't know.

All I know is that we can certainly nourish our life by adding a pinch of salt, we can enjoy the taste we want, if we want to see ourselves smiling, then we have to make others smile as well.
If we want others to be around us while we are upset, then we have to realize that even we have to be around them.

Its not about give or take; rather its all about having a sharing and caring attitude towards life. People do ask me as to how can they be calm at the worst of situations, and I usually say, "Take good care, everything shall be fine."

Its just that a few words which we share makes a difference to others lives, its about adding the right quantity of salt to it. You add more, you regret and if you add less, you don't enjoy the flavour you expect from life.

Moreover, we all want our lives to be fun filled, exciting, spicy and so we also want to add a pinch of pepper to it. But we tend to miss out the fact that mere excitement in our lives can not bring the kind of spiciness we desire.

A balance of both the salt and the pepper can only bridge the gap between what we want and how much we want. The more tasty you want your life to be, the more caring you have to be, and the more spicy you want your life to be, the more sharing you have to be.

2007-03-11T22:31:00.000+05:30

Life's Proceedings ...

Today's day had a great charm for me. It started up by being late for Viva-cum-Interview held at the campus, which was fine with me, I somehow managed to reach there at my turn.

And then came up an event for which I was waiting for almost two days. It all so happened that a very good friend of mine (not that very good, but yes, a good and a reliable one for sure!) had called me up a couple of days back, and asked me to be at the Rang Sharda Auditorium at Bandra.

I wasn't informed as to what was going to happen there, but as she insisted me to be there, I couldn't resist it. The day was a good one, which indeed brought in a different or rather I should say, made me think in a lateral manner for a while. It had a good crowd of around nine hundred youngsters, yes youngsters, within whom I was one of them. It was pleasant to be amongst them.

I had noticed a couple of things there. One, people worship those who create fortunes for them, I don't understand why? But they do worship them. Two, the hoard of youngsters is moving towards a scenario where-in money shall be the ultimate goal and not knowledge or anything else. Three, opportunities in today's world are plenty, and I mean it. Many more thoughts on it, but I feel, am not able to put them up, right now.

I've in fact, lost yet another opportunity in my life but if I would have grabbed it up, it would have definitely changed the way things are around me, but then I've now realized that not every opportunity knocked at your door is meant for you, and even if it is, then it has come to you quite early, and you shall only have to respond to it at the right time, and that time shall definitely come very soon.

To be very honest enough, I certainly have a few regrets in regards to opportunities that I've knowingly not grabbed up, but then I do have in mind that Life is beautiful, and its beauty is still awaiting me. The best in life is awaiting me, to grab up, and that day and time shall be mine.

And yet another reason as to why I am not feeling low is a very good one for me, for sure. As I moved away from the Auditorium in the evening, I went towards the Bandra Bus Stop and at the BEST canteen there, I grabbed a couple of wada-pavs, to satisfy my hunger.

And then, an old man, who was in torn-out clothes, very dusty and dark, his face seemed as if he was really upset with things around him, his expressions said that he was not very much satisfied about it, and he came up to me and said, "Mere liyeh ek chai le lo". I asked what? He said, "Ek chai".

Since, as I was really dejected as per the set of events throughout the day; my very first reaction was not at all good, and I really feel bad about it. But then, I just forgot my state of mind, and asked the person at the other side of the counter, to offer him whatever he had asked for. The old man grabbed up his cup of tea and I could see his happiness in his smile.

I asked him as to why was he not working for himself such that he could afford it all alone, he very honestly said, "mere liyeh koi kaam nahin hai"; "there is no work for me".

I was really upset about it as I simply couldn't do anything for him; but was somewhere or the other, glad about it that I could get him - not much - but a cup of tea, as to when he felt like having it.

I was wondering as to did he have ever any opportunities in his life? If yes, then did he not grab them or had he been on the wrong track? I don't know as to whether he could really make something good, even if he would be given with an opportunity? I just don't know anything about it!

But this is what is happening in life, I could see some millionaires today with loads of opportunities, and also those who don't have any opportunities, today in their lives.

Life is really beautiful, its just that I have to learn to keep my state of mind not to affect it from any other thing, if this would have been the case, I would have reacted it the first time, in a very good manner.

Also, I did make that very good friend of mine feel low as well, as to she was really concerned about me missing an opportunity. She remembered me, bothered to show care for me, had faith in me, and believed that I could do something good, but then I couldn't do anything for her. I am really SORRY for her, and THANKFUL as well for the care and concern.

I hope to do something good ahead, and keep up her words. I hope to learn about utilizing opportunities. I hope to learn to keep my state of mind within my mind. Alas, I hope to desperately do all that I hope and I will.

2007-03-04T02:43:00.000+05:30

Free Hugs ...

I am really refreshed and delighted now, as to after watching a video at youtube. Its about a "free hugs" campaign. I will not embed the video here but one can surely check it out at youtube.

Its a novel concept and had received a lot of response from around the world. But India lacked behind and the most important point here is not to go about saying as to why we lacked behind, but is just to say that in our daily lives, we should not stop ourselves from delivering a hug to anyone, anytime, anywhere!

Reminds me of Munna Bhai's Jaddo ki Jhappi.

A lot more on the campaign as in the history of the campaign, worldwide responses, publicity etc.. can be found here.

2007-03-01T22:56:00.000+05:30

Respect Demystified ...

Respect is something which varies from cultures to cultures, which varies from the environment I've been in and the environment in which the other has been, which is either biased or unbiased, which has got varied connotations in diverse situations.

A very small incident which was in fact not more than a few seconds to last, left an impression on me. Today, as the lecture was being conducted, one of my friend's pen had fell on to the floor. He then slightly moved his leg, towards where the pen had fallen, and then brought the pen to a place closer to his body. Following which he had bent his body, towards the pen to grab it up.

After which, he touched the pen to his forehead. As far as I know, we generally touch certain things which had fallen to our feet - but deserved respect, so in order to give it back its respect, we touch it back to our forehead.

I was shocked to see it, just because, not to bear the pain for his body, he disrespected it by touching it with his leg, and then gave it back its respect by touching it to his forehead. And then this is what I do in my daily life, I hurt someone and then say "sorry".

We respect someone for many reasons - the faith we have in one, the approach which one takes, the role which one plays and many more. But as far as I feel, we don't have the right to first disrespect anyone or say anything, and then respect it.

I need to realize that I should not be providing one with the medication, but in fact, should support one, as to avoid such a scenario. I need to understand that for giving respect, I don't have to make the other person deprive of it, and then re-enforce it back in to him/her.

I need to very well realize that respect can't be attained at the cost of disrespect; but can only be attained by giving respect.
Wake up Ankit! Wake up!

Its not your friend's fault; its his actions that wanted to convey the message to you, and yes, as far as your friend is concerned, he shall definitely realize the same, some day or the other!

2007-02-28T22:41:00.000+05:30

Preserve Words ...

This is one such incident which had found its way in the newspaper "The Times of India", I hope I am able to recall it the way it was.

One day, a man abused Buddha. Buddha listened to each and every word in silence. When the man finished, Buddha asks him "Son, If a man declines to accept a present offered to him, to whom will it belong?".

The man replied, "to the person who offered it".

Then buddha smiled and said, "I refuse to accept your abuse, please keep it for yourself".

We need to preserve our words for the good, rather than for misusing them. We need to realize the fact that every word said, and moreover the way it is said, can make a lot of difference - it can make an individual tense, it can make an individual feel upset, and even more than what I can say.

But we have to make sure that it does bring a smile on one's face, without hurting the other. We need to present others with what we feel - the other person deserves, keeping in mind that it can be meant for us as well.

We don't do things intentionally, but then it does happen, and we are not left with any other choice, other than to apologize, its good to accept our mistakes, but then we are not supposed to repeat it time and again. We need to realize that our mistakes are never repeated, in fact, they are those from whom we learn, we learn to live ahead, we learn to make our surrounding pleasant, we learn to make things beautiful, just because that our life is beautiful!

A nail once hammered on any piece of wood, can definitely hang on many things, but when the burden on the nail increases, it just falls off, and then, the wood is left all alone, alone with the pierce which the nail had offered it.

It is the same case with our life as well, we say something which hurts one, and we keep saying it, but we never realize or we can never quantify as to the amount of pain which we had offered the other person, and other person is left with it and ... I don't know what? but something is for sure!

I can recall a yet another incident from a recent bollywood movie, "Guru". There is a scenario in the movie where the actor is convicted with many crimes for violating the laws, and he doesn't utter a word, but when the final hearing is being done, he speaks up, and says, "Main toh baniyaan hoon, awaaz aaj ke liyeh bacha rakhi thi".

I know that this incident doesn't make much sense, but it does convey that we need to preserve our words, preserve it for the good, preserve it for the best, preserve it till its need is felt the utmost, and alas, preserve it till we need to preserve.

2007-02-19T21:31:00.000+05:30

Opportunity Missed ...

In the midst of life we often tend to forget many-a-times to thank people who have often shown concern for us, the people who have helped us, the people who have supported us, the people who have always stood besides us, the people who have taught us, the people who pave our way for success, the people who've caught our little finger and taught us to walk, the people who care for us and this list can never end ...

Its just a small incident which I would like to share. Today, in the evening as I was approaching from a door to the other, at our campus lobby, a faculty of mine was leading my way. She was probably thirsty and moving towards the cafeteria to have a couple of glasses full of water to quench her thirst, but for her hard luck, she was not able to find any glass which was unused!

The moment she realized that I was along the same way - she was. She expressed a moment of concern and gratitude, and left the door half opened such that I could follow up quickly and would have to put-in less pain while re-opening it.

It was my responsibility to thank her for the respect which she gave me as belonging to the same religion of humanity. And believe me, it did click my mind as well, but I don't know as to why was I not able to express her the same. I've definitely left her an off-line scrap, but I doubt as to whether it was the right way to thank her?

I believe, I have to realize the fact that my words of just saying her "thank you, ma'am" would have kept her doing the same with others, ahead in her life as well.

I've missed this opportunity for sure, but have to keep in mind as to not hesitate next time in future. Probably, thats why people say, "A smile in gratitude or a few words said make a difference!"

2007-02-09T00:53:00.000+05:30

Embarrassing Scenarios ...

Getting myself involved into various discussions, especially with people whom you hardly know, people whom you've just met, people before whom you don't want to be wrong, people before whom you are just the way you are, brings a certain aspect to my mind which describes me to just be calm at such situations.

I know its very strange to say this; but it has often happened to me. Its just that I've realized many-a-times, while I've been in a discussion and when I'm leading it, I go on and on and after some time I've realized that "No, I am wrong! and I now have to get back without any one noticing it!"

Its very difficult to be normal and stay calm at such situations, because the discussions have been crucial and I really wonder as to how could I get things back to normal such that people who have been listening or rather arguing with me, don't give me a smash at my back and say "See, we told you that you will be going wrong!"

Probably, some of the embarrassing situations which I've gone through, but its really been pleasing to be in such a scenario, as it is when I have to accept that "Yes, I was wrong" and without which I would be in a dreadful world. Embarrassing scenarios are also our best teachers, this is what I've discovered over sometime.

2007-02-03T23:08:00.000+05:30

Wonders ...

Wonders have always surrounded me every now and then. A very small wonder has taken place with me which might infact not be a wonder at all, but this is the way how I am now able to perceive myself and its quite a bit ambiguous as to what and why am I feeling so?

Had called up a very good friend of mine who was at the other end of the communicating device which was more than 500 kms. away from where I am. He was feeling good as when I called him up, just because of the fact he had remembered me an hour ago we started the conversation, (which did long for more than 70 minutes) and believe me I had no plans to talk to him, but any how my fingers touched the key pad of my friend's mobile and I managed to call him up.

Its been a very trivial one, and it was that I got to speak to many of the old friends - thanks, to the loud speakers and conference facilities - and everyone started sharing their problems which they have been facing since a very long time, at least since I've last met them. The fact was that their personal problems started flowing in and despite of being together amongst each other, no one was ever able to know what the other had been feeling and why?

It was accidentally that my call had brought every one of them very close to each other and believe me their tears started rolling out. I could hear the silence speaking aloud. I could hear what everyone was about to say even without they could have said it.

Everyone has been facing family problems - majorily of which is driven by finance - and others losing their morale. I could hardly do anything for those dealing with the finance problems, when I myself have been in to it and still in.

But yes, as far as the morale is concerned I'm now feeling a lot low and have lost myself in a larger sense. I just do not know as to what should I be doing? and more importantly even if I know, I don't know how to do it?

This state of my mind has been very rightly pointed out by my friend.

He said me, "Ankit, the problem with is you that you belong to a different class of people, the class which knows the problem, states it and immediately gets the solution", he named it saying that they belong to "the confused class of people".

He was very true and the wonder still continues that despite of me being far away from everyone, I had been able to let open-up others, let them bring out the deeper problems rather than the false smiles which we've been carrying for a long time.

I really need a "Jaddoo ki Jhappi" now, but have to stay without it!!

2007-01-24T02:42:00.000+05:30

Wanting ... but for what ??

The human mind is full of desires; we realize the value of what we do not have and we hardly tend to realize the value of what we have.

Its just the essence in life which makes us so obsessive that we are always hungry; hungry for food, hungry for wealth, hungry for happiness, hungry for love, hungry for faith, hungry for belief, hungry for glories, hungry for fame and hungry for what not?

Why do we need to request the lord (or say anyone) for what we want? Why is it that we can't just get what we want? Is it because a balance has to be maintained!

Oh gosh, balance for what?

Balance, between the truth and falsity, between the good and the evil, between faith and skepticism, between love and hate ... ??

I do believe, that yes, the balance should exist, but I doubt whether this balance shall lead us somewhere or nowhere!

We all need some faith and belief in ourselves, we all want to be what we really are, we don't want to show the world that we are the way we are; its just that we are not recognized, the way we are.

We want more - the world says give me more and yeh dil maangey more - and more. But first, it is the fact, that whatever more is given should be accepted and if not, it should at the least be acknowledged either to take us in the right direction or to take us away without which we are left hopeless and we really are in a mess as to where should we head towards and the more importantly, how?

Not knowing the way to have belief-in-myself, my Gmail Status today says that "Certain things come into our life, which we never wanted; and those which we want, never ever turn up for us."

2007-01-20T13:41:00.000+05:30

Pay or Praise ??

Every time I be to a restaurant, after having my meal, I've always wondered as to whether should I pay the person - his/her tip - who had served me?

The answer which I used to get was always 'no' as I thought that why should I pay one, as one might anyways be getting the salary. And moreover, what if the person feels bad about it, as he/she might take it as if he/she is given something in kind?

But I've now come across this short story, and I wonder as to what should I be now doing? Read on, and you'll come to know,

In the days, when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 years old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.

"How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked.
"Fifty cents," replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.

When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see he couldn't have the sundae, because he wanted enough left to leave her a tip.

Always remember those who served you!

And now, I am even more confused as to what am I supposed to do, should I remember him/her by paying or just go up to his/her's manager's desk and praise?

2007-01-19T21:06:00.000+05:30

Are Your Potatoes Heavy ??

A teacher once told each of her students to bring a clear plastic bag and a sack of potatoes to school. For every person they refuse to forgive in their life's experience, they chose a potato,wrote on it the name and date, and put it in the plastic bag. Some of their bags were quite heavy.

They were then told to carry this bag with them everywhere for one week, putting it beside their bed at night, on the car seat when driving, next to their desk at work.

The hassle of lugging this around with them made it clear what a weight they were carrying spiritually, and how they had to pay attention to it all the time to not forget and keep leaving it in embarrassing places. Naturally, the condition of the potatoes deteriorated to a nasty smelly slime. This is a great metaphor for the price we pay for keeping our pain and heavy negativity!

Too often we think of forgiveness as a gift to the other person, and it clearly is for ourselves!

2007-01-16T22:25:00.000+05:30

A Paragraph Explaining Life ...

Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS which he got due to infected blood he received during a heart surgery in 1983. From world over, he received letters from his fans, one of which conveyed: "Why does GOD have to select you for such a bad disease"?

To this Arthur Ashe replied: The world over -- 5 crore children start playing tennis, 50 lakh learn to play tennis, 5 lakh learn professional tennis, 50,000 come to the circuit, 5000 reach the grand slam, 50 reach Wimbledon, 4 to semi final, 2 to the finals, When I was holding a cup I never asked GOD "Why me?".
And today in pain I should not be asking GOD "Why me?"

Happiness keeps u Sweet, Trials keep u Strong, Sorrow keeps u Human, Failure Keeps u Humble, Success keeps u Glowing, But only God Keeps u Going.....

Keep Going ...

2007-01-16T22:15:00.000+05:30

Refusing to Accept Failure ...

Sir Edmund Hillary was the first man to climb Mount Everest. On May 29, 1953 he scaled the highest mountain then known to man-29,000 feet straight up. He was knighted for his efforts. He even made American Express card commercials because of it! However, until we read his book, High Adventure, we don't understand that Hillary had to grow into this success. You see, in 1952 he attempted to climb Mount Everest, but failed.

A few weeks later a group in England asked him to address its members. Hillary walked on stage to a thunderous applause. The audience was recognizing an attempt at greatness, but Edmund Hillary saw himself as a failure. He moved away from the microphone and walked to the edge of the platform. He made a fist and pointed at a picture of the mountain. He said in a loud voice, "Mount Everest, you beat me the first time, but I'll beat you the next time because you've grown all you are going to grow... but I'm still growing!"

2006-12-18T22:28:00.000+05:30

Writing mails ...

I have noticed a very peculiar attitude amongst people while analysing written mails. Its just that when I try to write mails following all the principles of good writing - in English - people get an instinct that I am trying to be formal with them. This has happened many-a-times, and even if I am in a very jolly mood, then it seems to them that I am in a very serious mood. It has left me with no choice at all. I really feel rediculous as to what should I be doing??

I wonder many-a-times, as whether should I stop writing by using the conventions defined, and just follow the normal cozy style of language - the creepy chat language??

Whenever I've written mails in such a fashion, it is most likely that I do get a reply from the other end, else I have to wait a lot ... Gosh!

It really ponders me whether the way one writes, ever affect what one wanted to convey or convey one's mood! And not really the style of writing, rathar the spell check and the proper grammar. Be formal in writing or jus b in4mal?

Its just that Life is beautiful and I have to understand a lot, mysteries are endless here in this life, the more it is solved, the better it is for me and others!

2006-12-12T16:39:00.000+05:30

Repeating his words ...

Yesterday, I had missed an article - the Cosmic Uplink at the ET - on "Toughness within, manifested without" which a friend of mine repeatedly reminded me throughout the day to have a glance on it, Thanks to her!!

The author, K Vijayaraghavan, has emphasized that one has to be strong enough from within one's own self, and more importantly has to be truthful and loyal as well. He has rightly pointed out that, one should never ever be so cruel and so hasty that one forgets how to forgive? Wherein forgiveness is the most beautiful way of living life! ...

... and unless we actually master the art of forgiving, we shall hardly know the way in which we are heading towards! Moreover, hatred should not be long enough to sustain within one's heart. Actually, where does it lead to ?? Nowhere, and absolutely nowhere!!

Its just that we tend to take ourselves bound by our ego and thats the most disgusting part of our life. And also, the most toughest part today is that, we dont accept our mistakes and don't seek forgiveness, maaf karnaa toh durr ki baat hai, pehle hum maafi maangna toh seekh le !!

In the third para he has - in specific - said the most perfect thing! He briefs what and how should we react to circumstances when we become big (not in size, but in popularity!) and famous - and in fact - when we become one in thousands, he says, we should also remember that we can only be one in thousands, when we are amongst them, and even after being one of them, we have to take each one of them, together along with us.

Quoting him, "talk with the crowd and keep your virtue,/ Or walk with kings — nor lose the common touch." We have to be humble and down to earth, the perfect lesson for the day!

The next para, reminds me about what my friend Sonam used to say me during college days and thats what she repeated to me while she wrote a testimonial for me. She wrote that whenever I am in any difficulty or get frustrated, then I should just say a "Oh!" ... and simply carry on ... !!

Great thoughts to keep in mind, that are gradually inspiring my mind and hope it does get!!

2006-12-11T02:45:00.000+05:30

Thinking Big ...

Discussion with Sasi Sir today has made one thing - some sort of - clear as to what is Thinking Big?

Before that I would like to correlate it with a different person, he is the COO (Administration) of Syntel India Inc. (I am unable to recall his name!). I met him while I was the Amity SIFE Team Leader and had been to Mumbai in the Mid of June, 2006.

Our team had been here to participate at the final stage (in India) i.e. at the National level, wherein we had to compete with the best B-Schools in India (such as the IIM's, NMIMS, SP Jain and many more). We had done five projects which were to serve the people of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan in having supporting them to build their basic infrastructure, create economic opportunities, improving habitation etc. Our team (to our surprise) was the team 1 in the 1st slot.

It was this person who was our judge, all this happened on 18th June in the Morning, and on 19th Evening during the closing dinner, he came up to me while I was dining, and was explaining me and my team as in where we were wrong and missed the chance by certain mistakes else we would have been representing India at the International Level.

He briefly explained me that our projects and the work which we had done was excellent but we lacked one basic instinct, and that was nothing - and in fact everything - but Thinking Big!

He said me that I had given actual facts and figures - in terms on goals - that were achievable in the near future but I could not convey my long term goals, and insisted me to get to think big, and then only, I would be able to achieve it.

But today, I had a discussion with Sasi Sir regarding my TCOM evaluation sheet and guess what this blog had let him know about the problem - not really! - that I was facing. It was good to discuss with him, as I came to know wherein I had been wrong.

But the actual mistake which I had done was that I was unable to convey what were the actual steps that I was going to take and it was - perhaps - the language that was misleading him, and he said me one thing, over and again that I had the big picture in my mind and was focusing on the smaller issues that are actually negligible. (I may not be able to forget the Nobel Prize and the Classroom example which he gave me!)

All I needed was to bridge up this gap in a very coherent manner. Thinking big not only implied that we should think big - in terms of goals, or targets etc.. - and not the smaller things as well, but to actually link up the gap as to what is to be achieved and how it is to be achieved! Think Big Ankit, Think Big ... !!

2006-12-09T01:09:00.000+05:30

The Effect ... which a smile can leave!

Yesterday, I was feeling very happy as I was about to meet my parents, and was keenly awaiting through out the day for the clock to tick to 17:30 hrs. as that was the time when the bus - here at CDAC - was about to leave. Every now and then, I was having a look at my wrist watch, and awaiting for the time to just pass on, as soon as possible - Its always tough to be away from the family.

But all off a sudden, when I reached the security desk to handover my room keys, I was in fact handed my TCOM Project Proposal Feedback Sheet and that was no less than a shock for me, as I was awarded the most unexpected feedback which did let me go down - on my morale - or I lacked patience all off a sudden, started reacting in a weird manner!

I was looking for a freely and easily available PC in the lab. such that I could log-on to Moodle and post my request for a small discussion, but twas' again, a hard luck for me, the server wasn't working functioning as desired.

It was a bunch of mixed feelings that started emanating within me and I couldn't think anything further in the right direction. I was in fact somehow glad that the time of the bus, to leave the campus had come and I got myself into the bus and just went on.

Through out my way, despite of feeling sleepy, I couldn't even have a nap just because of the effect of TCOM which made me feel, what I was actually feeling - Bad! I then thought that if such a senior person has given me a feedback, then it must mean something or the other, as their experience might be showing me what I shouldn't have done.

And then, along my way, when the bus crossed Sion and started moving towards Bandra, it got stuck in the traffic jam (not new here, but twas' new yesterday) and as I peeked out of my window, I noticed a very small girl, who might have been at the age of seven (I believe!) who was working at a shop which deals with iron rods, and her face was covered by a layer of dust, her blonde hairs were as if they were coated (or dyed) with golden dust, her small frock was filled with rust and dark patches of oil and varied greases, her hands were skinny and very dark.

She had kept herself engaged with a long thread (quite much long for her!) which was very clear from the sides (and straight) and the mess was when there was a knot and which was mixed in a random fashion which looked no less than a spider's web.

The tyres of the bus were just about to roll further as the other vehicles were clinching ahead very slowly and maintaining the turtle's pace, and the girl was still stuck with her knot and there was no one out there who could spare some time and support her to get rid-off a thing that was bugging her for ... I don't know how long?

As the bus moved ahead, my eyes were fixed at her muddy face, whose eyes were engaged to resolve the knot, but I don't know why? Why did she want to solve it? What were the circumstances that led her to be as she was yesterday? Why was she not able to attract any other person's attention towards her? Why? Why? ... ?

But all off a sudden, I could notice that she was able to grab a piece of thread and circulate it along her fingers, and then ... came the most beautiful thing which had relieved me ... Yes, twas' her smile, the smile which came after a few seconds, the smile which I could see at her face after merely moving the thread amongst her fingers, the smile which was not expected by me, as I was puzzled by questions ...

... twas' that smile which made me feel happy, yesterday, it made me feel very good, and it, in fact relieved me from the thoughts that were revolving around me! I was indeed feeling better than what I was feeling just before the bus got stuck in that traffic jam.

Then I reached Bandra to catch a local to Goregaon and that tense feeling had left my mind for a quite long and cherished the rest of the evening with parents back at home.

It was today, that the server started working as desired, and I was then able to submit my post, after discussing it with my friends.

I was wondering - as - Was that a test for my patience? or was that to teach me not to over-react to circumstances?

Yes, Indeed twas' and this is what I was supposed to learn yesterday! Life is indeed a book, teaching new lessons each day!

But what happened to the girl? I don't know! But the questions that came to my mind regarding her is an unsolved mystery and may be it shall remain to be ...

Twas' certainly the effect, the effect which TCOM couldn't have on me for long, but twas' the effect .... which a smile had left on me!

2006-12-07T01:52:00.000+05:30

With rains ... life is indeed more beautiful!

Today, while I was moving away from the campus to have the Sandwiches (they are really tasty!) which I usually have these days, - generally, after the supper - I happened to call up my friend who is at Noida these days.

While discussing certain key issues, about his decisions which he shall soon be taking, and which shall definitely bring a change to his Life, he suddenly happened to ask me "Ankit, Does the image at your orkut profile convey the happenings of the past?" and I could not resist myself and had to say "Yes, Indeed, You've got it right!"

We didn't discuss about it any further, as he knew that it would cause the clouds to rain, once again, and I sincerely Thank him for not going any further!

It reminds me about the days that have passed, - I don't feel any good to mention those days - wherein I enjoyed the Spring and then the Monsoon Festives at their best. There was no such rain, which didn't leave me the way I was!

Every drop of Water, which was poured from the sky by the Almighty was only to cover my rains - the tears rolling down from my cheeks to my lips and then the chin, and then ... (I don't know!) - and I was glad to having enjoy it.

I still remember those days, wherein my friends cared for me (they still do) and time and again asked me to get myself under the shed, but I being a bit arrogant by nature, didn't respond to them. I know they felt bad about it, but still they tried their best!

I can recall the words of my close friend, who once said to this very friend of mine, "Usse bheegney de, woh teri toh kya, kisi ki bhi nahin sunegaa! Jab bimaar padegaa tab hi ussey akal aayegi!" ... Shaayad woh akal aaj bhi nahin aayee hai!

Anywayz, I can go on, and on, and on ... But yeah, how did this stick to my mind all off a sudden??

It all happened, when I met my very very old friend Varsha at orkut, I was indeed very glad and happy to get in touch with her after a long time (not that long, but still!), and guess what?? ... the surprise to me was, even she felt the same!

We were together with each other, while we were about twelve, - yeah, I know we were just kids by then, and are still today! - and I happened to find from her profile that she too loves rains and I couldn't - once again - resist myself from updating my profile.

I am indeed passionate about rains, those rains which one loves to enjoy when one is alone, those rains which leaves one, with happiness (or sadness), those rains which makes one's heart feel much more comfortable, as ever before, ... as with rains ... life is indeed more beautiful!!

2006-12-07T01:44:00.000+05:30

Super Computing or Social Computing ??

Before I joined CDAC (formerly NCST), I used to wonder what would its punch line actually mean? I thought it would be something really high and related to rocket sciences or gene technologies where computing applications might be being built for high-end real time applications.

But since I've joined this place, read more at my LJ ...

2006-12-05T23:37:00.000+05:30

My LJ Association ...

I always wanted to learn a lot from those who have taught me something or the other, and as being a natural wanderer looking for something different, I came across a different website (or I don't know what to call it!) through Sasi Sir's web page links - http://www.livejournal.com/ - and moreover guess what its been Open Source - I believe Sasi Sir is a big fan of Open Source, there are many other reasons too.

So, finding it something new, I happened to open an account on it, and I was also shocked to see that the first and the only reply that I received was indeed Sasi Sir's - it seems that he is encouraging me to use it at my best - I shall try my best Sir!

And yeah, here is my web link towards LJ or should I call it as LiveJournal ... http://dangiankit.livejournal.com/

2006-12-05T00:41:00.001+05:30

She Speaks ...

Two days back, I somehow got to view Arundhati Roy's Video, where in she has expressed very beautiful thoughts and has expressed her views on how we should and more importantly why we should fight for our constitutional rights and also fight against wrong being done to Humanity and Mankind.

She speaks that everyday lots and lots of humans are being killed on a vast scale, just to protect one country's (America's) Fuel needs and to have a stable economic and majorily supreme America. I am not against America, but still I feel there shouldn't be one power ruling the world, if thats' the case, then it has to be only Will Power and nothing more than that!

Believe me friends, despite of your busy schedule, do take out one hour of yours and have a look at it. I can say you that, you'll appreciate it at its best! Have a dekho ....

2006-12-03T11:06:00.000+05:30

Living Beyond Life ...

I had always wondered whether to live beyond life had any relation to being spiritual or much more beyond that!??

But today, my curiosity was very beautifully handled by Kanchan - she is one such person who I've come across since two days and is one who really thinks and perceives life in a very beautiful manner (this is what I could perceive from her blog and her testimonials at Orkut).

The title at her blog "Living beyond life..................." re-ignited the spark and after reading it, I could only say that living beyond life is not only being spiritual (or in fact not even being spiritual) rather to overcome our ignorance of what we are and where we are heading for??

She has rightly put it as Living life selflessly is the key to living beyond life and is subjected to our interests and understandings towards life.

Its always up to us, So, we need to think beyond what we are thinking, in fact to live life beyond what it is today!!

2006-12-03T11:02:00.000+05:30

Have Lunch With God ...

A really beautiful one that touched me!

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with a bag of potato chips and a six-pack of root beer and started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park, just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered her some chips. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.

Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted!

They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.As twilight approached, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave; but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman, and gave her a hug.

She gave him her biggest smile ever..

When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?"

He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home. Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?" She replied! "I ate potato chips in the park with God." However, before her son responded, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime! Embrace all equally. Have lunch with God ....... all it takes is....chips!

2006-12-03T10:50:00.000+05:30

The Power of E-mails...

While I check-in my mailbox and read articles here and there, and also the various blogs which I get my hands on to these days, I come across many inspiring thoughts and one day I had decided to send such thoughts and stories to everyone who ever is in my address book, and guess what, all these mails were appreciated and cherished by everyone.

In fact, there had been person's with whom I would hardly talk, and just because of my sending mails to them, has brought back end-to-end relationships to a one-to-one!

So, I have now decided to put-up all such stories and thoughts on my blog, such that it could be read by everyone and not being restricted to merely my address book.

2006-12-03T10:46:00.000+05:30

My Writings ...

The art of expressing is the most powerful tool and asset available today. I being a bit shy, by nature, feel free and relaxed by expressing myself with a pen and a paper (and these days with a keyboard).

Adding some more, the unsual writing which I carry out, does favour me in bringing out what I actually feel or "yielding my own inner-consciousness". Emotionally, I have just pen-ed down some of my thoughts and have been put-up here at http://dangiankit.googlepages.com/ ... !!

2006-09-13T01:06:00.000+05:30

The First Step ...

Hi Friends, I have finally created a blog of my own, and shall find blogging a bit challenging as to it may be one of the most unusual things that I shall do. But I am getting a feeling thats its going to be much interesting and a good learning experience.

So, the first step has been put-up and shall go-on...!!