sukhi_area

European Crisis: Simplified

2012-02-10T08:27:00.000-08:00

We have all been hearing of European crisis; news channels across the globe and all print media of the world have been covering the developments continuously on a quotidian basis. Economists and the who-s-who of the world have been making their reservations and suggesting methodologies to tide over the scene. Thinkers who had paeans been written when the formation of European bloc took place are now hiding for cover. Amongst all the chaos that is going on, none (read close to few) have bothered to provide a layman’s dissection of the problem and list out the learnings’ for future of mankind based on the events that have unfolded. This editorial we attach the crisis in a not-so-sophisticated manner.
Cut your coat according to your cloth: The glaring ratio which was most followed was the disgustingly high debt / GDP ratio. For Greece it was as high as 144% in 2010 (it has been more than 100% plus since 2005). Imagine surviving on debt only for many years with little growth in income. Managing debt is an important area which needs soul searching whether it for oneself or for the company we work for or the nation we live in.
Do not place all your eggs in the same basket: Greece as a country has no set of industries other than tourism. Being an island nation, they could have developed an expertise in manufacturing ships or they could have built a robust agricultural model as has been done by Israel (a country with the problem of limited land as Greece) or something else. Concentration on only one area (read no diversification) is also another area of concern. The same thing applies to all readers with regards to their individual investments and future planning’s.
Sar utha ke jiyo: Besides the global ratios and figures, one thing which missed the sidelines is the rampant evasion of taxes and fudging of figures. Some behemoth consultants of the country had been paid millions to keep figures under wrap. What is the fun in hiding figures when all would be re-discovered after some time?
History repeats itself, therefore lets’ learn from history: We stopped learning from many such similar episodes which had happened in the past. The most glaring and recent one was that which happened in Argentina in 1990; increased external borrowing, flight of dollars from the country and swelling public debt. Probably that was the exact scenario in which Greece caught itself!
Lets practically do some bit of soul searching and if we do everything the Indian way as has been practiced by our previous generation, the country would be long devoid of such crisises and problems.

The Lankan sojourn

2011-12-22T18:29:00.000-08:00

Yes, it indeed wasa fantastic trip to the island nation. Few things notably came out namely

a. There was a distinct Indian presence: tyres, commercial vehicles, mobile phone companies, hotels, fast food joints, energy drinks etal. As I joked the other day, even the ocean is Indian.

b. The city of Colombo has recently come out of unrest. hey seem to have done so well in building the city economically and infrastructure-wise; clearly indicates teh sense of pride which each citizen must have taken in building the city. I am sure if this continues, this city would be on the global map much before a decade from now.

c. The cleanliness of not only the city lanes and sublanes but that of the country sie also attracts one.

d. Another thing Indians ought to learn is the sense of security that pervades in the city; we checked huge showrooms of Samsung, Nokia open just with a lock on a glass door at 1 AM. I cant imagine the same in India even 20 years from now.

I am planning to post a thanks letter to the Presient & Ambassador.

New innings for Sambhav

2011-09-04T06:21:00.000-07:00

Its been a week since Sambhav debuted at school. Am still surprised; have I actually become a father of a school going kid.

Another thanks!

2011-01-15T22:41:00.000-08:00

Amidst the regular chores of the day, we tend to take many things for granted. It is not that we do not know the importance of these things / happenings but the pace that we live with seldom leaves us moments to pause and ponder about these things

1. One would have heard many a spiritual and wellness gurus speaking of feeling and controlling the breath. This is THE most important miracle with the touch of the almighty. It goes on to prove that every instant the common mortal is connected with the un-explainable. It proves every milli secon that one is alive and is complicating the already existing chaos on earth

2. All our further senses like sight, smell, taste et al; we all seem normal. We follow after the mundane objects (read material things) and have the habit of passing gory comments on things which do not like or detest. Just imagine the plight of a blind / deaf / dumb / handicapped who is also alive like us but is unable to feel the same like us

We cannot give others beyond a particular point. All that we can do is to thank God for our present state of affairs and for creating all the wonderful moments, beings and things around us.

Alls Sambhav

2010-12-28T10:21:00.000-08:00

The kid is back with a bang. He is in a vocabulary digesting spree. He picks up every word that is new and catches up with eager evertime as if that would be the last word. I will have to fend out ways to keep up to his eagerness. Unfortunately due to the constraints of my job, I am unable to be with him for a descent time. I hope he will excuse me for this.

Thanks Indian Railways

2010-12-20T19:58:00.000-08:00

I do not remember getting up the wee hours of the morning in recent past. It was courtsey Indian Railways that I had to. Just imagine getting up at 4 only to realise that the train is running 1.5 hrs late. Anyways I am happy that it I up early.

Sita, Dhuba grass and Vishnu

2010-10-29T11:03:00.000-07:00

Durbha or Dhuba grass has an important place in Hindu worship. The grass finds the highest position on a deity’s body i.e. the head. This grass belongs to the Poaceae family and botanically known as cynodon dactylon. It is the most sacred plant after Tulsi in India.
Since it has most of the body part like a creeper grass on the ground, it symbolizes humility; all living beings tend to walk on the same. This is one of the first reasons why it is placed on a deity’s head during worship. Humility as a virtue is an integral part of Hinduism.
A story also does the round that while Sita was asked to go through agni-pareeksha for the second time, she asked Mother Earth to engulf her. She being her daughter, an earthquake took place where she was standing. She stood with hands folded till the earth engulfed her. Lord Ram in grief hurried to the spot in vain. All he could muster to get hold was some of her hair. The Lord in deep anguish threw them on the side earth and was in despair. The hair fell on the earth and became Dhuba grass and spread its roots to a larger place. The grass thus stands as a memoir of the many talked about characteristic aspects of Sita i.e. humility, virtue, dedication, patience and love.
In another story we have the great king Ambarish waiting to complete his fast by taking a meal. At that instant, Durvasa saint came in mentioning that he would have food with the king after performing his bath. To this the king obliged and waited. However since the auspicious time of breaking the fast was passing over, he symbolically broke it by taking few drops of water. The sage got angry with him for the same. He was about to give a curse when the king, a devout Vaishnavite prayed to Vishnu to save him from the curse that was going to come. The lord sent his Sudarshan Chakra to slit the sage. The sage pleaded with Lord Vishnu but the lord said that it was not under his control as once the chakra was left free, it would complete its job of slitting the destined person. Durvasa pleaded mercy owing to the grounds not being that serious. Upon this, the Lord said that considering the meagerness of the crime, the slit body of the saint would become grass; however it would find place in the hair / head of the lord.
At some places it is mentioned that this grass represents the entire Universe. The universe as per Hindus is governed by the trio of Brahma, Vishnu & Shiva. Brahma is told to reside in the root, Vishnu in the middle and Shiva at the top. Thus worshipping the grass symbolizes worshipping the eternity. Besides worship on festive occasion, this grass also finds it unique position in the funeral rites of Hindus too.
Today this grass has found its way into the medicinal world as a cure to dispigmented skin, burning (being haemostatic), and wounds externally and as a cure for bleeding control in cases of piles, menorrhagia etc. and being an anti-toxin internally. Not surprisingly this grass finds mention in the writings of Sushruta and Charaka.
Next time we come across this grass, let’s pause and dwell about its importance.

Its paper time

2010-10-23T21:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterevening I had 2 of my papers published. This has some way given vent to my writing spirit. These are not the typically reasearched ones with data analysis and number crunching. But nevertheless I beleive that research is a research with or without numbers. Any qualitative topic cannot have a figure attached to it and I beleive there is a necessity for such papers.
I have a sense of contentment now and a growing hunger now. I am somehow become an addict. I hope to maintain the same. Any collaborators are welcome!

The tale of two epics : Devdutt Pattanaik

2010-09-25T21:44:00.000-07:00

The tale of two epics : Devdutt Pattanaik

East vs. West

2010-09-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

http://www.ted.com/talks/devdutt_pattanaik.html

Mother for 3 generations....

2010-08-02T19:22:00.000-07:00

It is but obvious to have a mother for one generation. The meaning of the word “mother” as we are all made to believe is one who cares for the growth of her close one(s). I have been lucky to have a mother who has done the same for 3 generations.
The working lady that she was (now she has taken voluntary retirement) was instrumental in lending a helping hand to my father in elevating the financial levels of my father’s family. She has touched upon their lives as if they were all her kids and related through her birth. Now that I am working, I am really surprised how one can be so saintly with regards to money. Despite earning, she used to ask my father for the slightest of the expenditure as if she was not self-reliant. God only knows how my father’s family would have been if it had not been for an earning daughter-in-law in the family.
And as they say I happened. Then it was only me and my sister for this lady. She became a mother and that is the most that I know about her. She became the most doting lady around and gave the best of the tips sometimes normally and sometimes sternly. Whatever I am today has been due to the hard work that she has undergone behind the scenes. While my father was the external chiseller, there was this lady for both of us supporting both of us in our respective endeavors.
We all yearn for a government job but here is a person who quits the same to be with her grand-child with the sole interest of inculcating our family values in him. I am told by my father that she has started routing her pension payments to the savings account of my kid. Aware of her husband’s habit of spending money in social service, it is her instruction to my father not to touch any of her earnings lest she find it difficult to route money to my son’s a`ccount. It is not just about money as we grown learning one thing that money and material things are all transitory and hence should not be given more importance than growth of the soul (read mind). The pains that she takes physically now as if my son were her another kid. I am not sure whether it is because of me or the kid but I see her maintaining the motherly continuity; now that my kid is her entire universe (thats what she has made me understand).
Indebted that myself and my father are to this lady, I hope that all ladies of our generation also stand up to our projected women of idle ladies. I do not know of others but yes I am lucky to be the kid of a mother for three generations.

The river of life

2010-07-18T18:47:00.000-07:00

This was an impressive article for Speaking Tree; thought of permanently etching it on my blogspace...

Two young girls, Laukika and Samatha, set off on an adventure. Both of them had completed their formal education and before venturing into their respective samsaric enterprises, they thought of taking a break to contemplate life. And thus was born this hedonistic idea of journeying down the river.

Laukika was so overwhelmed with the river’s speed, energy and her own enthusiasm that she said to her friend: “I’m going to jump into the river, Samantha and be carried along with its great energies. Meet you later.” So saying, she took the plunge, without waiting for her friend to respond.

Laukika enjoyed the initial adventure. At times the river frightened her, its strong current sweeping her along. But she dismissed her fears as she was taken up by the full flow of the river. The current carried her afar, and she could now no longer see the shore. Laukika was euphoric and wanted more of the adventure. Forever engrossed in steadying herself from the speed of her journey, she managed mere fleeting glimpses of the beauty around her.

Now, the waves got bigger, the waters deeper, the river widened, the gushing became so forceful that she was thrown about, knocked about on the rocks all over, water and sand filled her nostrils and mouth, she was being bruised... by the gravel and creatures in the river. The girl panicked. She had had enough; she wanted to come ashore. “Help me to the shore, someone”, she cried, but no one heard her. Those who did hear her couldn’t do much, as they were not in a position to help her.

Meanwhile, Samatha had set out on foot. “I choose to walk down the river bank instead. I might be able to enjoy the vistas better this way”, she had thought to herself before embarking on her journey.

Many years passed. The two friends met again. They hugged each other, happy to meet once again. They shared their experiences.

Laukika admitted she did have her share of fun, but the journey had tired her out. Moreover, she felt vacant inside. There was so much she wanted to do, she said, but the sheer speed of her journey didn’t permit her to take those liberties.

Samatha spoke: “I too thought for long after you left me, Laukika. I was tempted to follow you. The river looked enticing. But then, there was no hurry, either. I chose to walk down instead. I got to experience and enjoy the scenic offerings around the river. I marvelled at the sunrise and sunsets that were so different each day. The open blue sky was so re-assuring, as were the stars at night. I played with the countless birds and butterflies that filled the forest. I stopped to smell the forest and waited with bated breath for the kingfisher to dive into the waters for a quick meal, and the seagulls that flew over my head. I was tempted many times to plunge myself into the racing river – but would spend only a little time in the waters before drying myself on the warm rocks on the banks, read a book and resume my journey.

The local people who collected firewood and fruits from the forest would invite me to their humble homes. I would play with their children and share with them simple tips on improving their health before bidding them goodbye. It has been an amazing journey.”

The friends sat in silence, mulling over the choices they’d made and the experiences they’d been through.

wah TAJ!

2010-05-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

I had my first experience with TAJ Group of Hotels recently. It was courtsey our first bi-annual branchhead's meeting at Kolkata. The stay was for 2 days only. But given a chance I would always make it to the same hotel again and again. Few points to ponder

a) How can the staff be so perfect? One would hear a fresh tone during the wake-up alarm even in the wee hours of the morning. The coffee would smell of the freshest brew as if they also are expert beverage makers.

b) It is very difficult to maintain a good thing. But these people have been able to manage the great image for the past few decades I am told.

c) Hospitality simply emnates from each word that the staff speaks. The smile, the measured humility and the eagerness to check out the comfort of the customer simply makes them different. Sadly I belong to an industry which also requires being hospitable but atleast I have never found an equal quantum of smile, leave aside the other mentioned parameters in any of the branches that I have visited

d) At the end of the day one can but have only fond memoirs of the hotel

Awaiting to be part of the group some day...

few random food4thoughts and questions....

2010-05-13T09:39:00.000-07:00

Some thoughts just penned down randomly...

a) Either be a leaf or a pebble if you cannot be a tree or a hill; only the later two can make rain and no one else

b) Cant we have people just thanking Him atleast once everyday

c) When was the last time you learned a new thing ?

d) Has any action today helped anyother living creature; human being or otherwise

e) If every single earning individual were to donate a single rupee at a time, no wonder a huge coffer would be generated in India

f) Cant we all simply stop comparing; ourselves with others and others between themselves

Can we have a countdown ?

2010-04-25T05:57:00.000-07:00

Temeperatures have been soaring across the country. In my own state of Orissa, the change has been pathetic. We had few countable places like Titlagarh, Jharsuguda, Talcher, Angul, Belpahar, Sambalpur et al which have a historic record having high temperatures in the summers. But this time the story has been bad throughout. There has been media coverage on the same but no one is suggesting any action (leave alone doing something)
I sincerely beleive that we are all to blame. We grumble of narrow roads, we love travelling by the biggest four wheeler possible, we are lazy enough even for maintaining a lawn (leave aside a kitchen garden or a papaya tree)....where would these all culminate ? Simple in higher temperature. Mark my words; I have carefully not mentioned anything about industrialisation because in that case tree felling is natural.
I am told in Bhubaneswar alone 2250 trees have been felled in the past 3 years. The capital being just one of the many cities of the state, can I suggest a target of 50000 trees for the entire state in the whole year. The effect of these would come after 4-5 years but it is bound to come. In our rspective families, we would be having atleast a dozen of anniversaries; can we resolve to plant a tree (and maintaining it for atleast 2 more years) besides the normal cake-cutting ceremonies.
I urge all my readers one and all to go ahead, search the nearest vacant space in and around their dwelling and plant a sappling. As the ad of Patek Ohillip goes, "You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely look after it for the next generation". lets do it for some cooler years ahead and more important for our next generation. I am going ahead with the countdown from tomorrow, anyone interested may please let me know.

Hiatus....

2010-04-11T18:20:00.000-07:00

My kid is back from his maternal uncle's place. The moment he saw me after a couple of months, he sprang up to me. I was all along besides him throughout the journey from the station. I was just recollecting the achievements of Watson & Crick. There really exists a DNA with a particular structure and this only is the connect between generations. Owing to this only this kid of not even a year old was able to recognise me. We adults have tendency of forgetting people/faces even when most of us have public dealing as part of their jobs.
Thank God for being there and thanking him once again for creating DNA

just a THANKS!

2010-02-11T07:39:00.001-08:00

Ask anyone who is employed, he / she has great chances of telling you that he / she is not happy with his / her job / work. I would also partially agree to it because of the limitations in pursuing my personal interests while doing my daily chores. But I was analysing few jobs which are very thankless (people seldom thank them). They are as follows

a) Traffic police (wo)man: Me thinks the last time one stood away from everyone else and that too at a stretch for few hours would have been when one was at school and was penalised / punished for not doing homework or for playing pranks. Hats off to these people who make it to the same place everyday doing the same monotonous thing of standing and may be waving hands at non-traffic light points. Just imagine the chaos which would have occured otherwise.

b) Enquiry counter at Railways: Just force yourself to repeat the same set of lines every few minutes and I am sure one would get bored repeating some common lines or even say favourite lines/lyrics. I really pity the patience of these people across the caged counter who repeat the same train number and timing may be to atleast 20people in a minute.

c) Waiters at hotel: Why just the waiter even the floor manager or the lobby guys (gals) who stand at length just to make your fooding in their restaurant on new years/christmas a memorable one. Imagine like you, they also have their respective spouses, kids and in a single word a family.

We are so engrossed in our daily work and so self centred that we seldom have time for noticing this so called petty things. To all the readers of my blog: Please note to say a BIG Thanks when you enjoy any of these services.

O Lord ! Save me !! I am addicted

2009-12-25T03:55:00.000-08:00

I never knew that I would ever get addicted to aparticular thing. Dont you worry with crossed foreheads; I am not at all talking marijuana or anything narcotic; anyways I would'nt have disclosed such things in the public domain otherwise.

The latest addiction in my life is my kid Sambhav. The day starts with a togetherness of an hour; both glossing through 3 newspapers. Sometimes it is preceeded by a small walk across the milieu of the house or a spray of water on the newly planted flower trees/bushes. Needless to say an early morning post getting childish blabbering relaxes me for any sort of mental pressure / agony for the day. There we share lot many sounds between both of us. He is at his highest excitement level. Possibly because he understands that this fella will be off for a long day; I dont know whether that is the reason or the reason that he has his breakfast in the wee hours of the morning makes him so. Whatever the reason may be; it would be known to him but I will always beleive that he misses me and thats why he shows up by expressing his excitement.

Throughout the day I just take his updates. His mom would always mention his pranks in meticulous details; touchwood I would have loved to be with him while he snapped the set-top box / pulled the referigerator cord / pulled and turned around the dining chair / attempted breaking my favourite case but alas...kambhakt job.

Offlate I have observed that the addiction has started creeping me a bit too far. I leave no minute outside office and in between. I have purposely missed calling upon some of my friends who have come from outside to visit their home town. I politely ask them to drop at my place. That does not mean that I keep him cuddled up at home; I do visit places but only with him (ofcourse I have to give company to his mom in the process). My socialising quotient if I can call it has reduced to almost zero. People familiar to me can vouche that I was never that type earlier.

I seldom miss any oppurtunity nowadays to be without him.

Am I doing anything wrong ??

A new beginning for Sambhav

2009-10-30T08:05:00.000-07:00

Its one of the first red-letter day for Sambhav. He has been allowed by his doc to start solid food. It seems that he has become a man. I have to now think for spice up his pallette.

A new beginning of life

2009-10-12T06:08:00.000-07:00

Sambhav....the newest entrant in our lives has already got his share of welcomings by all the family members. Infact he has brought a fresh sense of life to all our lives. The message that I am trying to give is that it has been long since a new entrant came to our family. It is but obvious that he would have gt it anyways.

However the pleasing things that followed was his physical imitating of all my activities. However I am not that pleased. I am awaiting to see him grow as an individual. In the words of Rudyard Kipling, "...you are a man, my son."; afterall that is more important (I believe). Physical looks are not important. Neither APJ is handsome and nor was GBS.

He has already traced his origins. He has been to Ninigan, the village in which his granfather grew. All the 3 generations have visited the said village atleast a half a dozen times.

Its impeccable to see the little one growing. The tooth-less smile, the unpredicted expressions on his face which change every now and then, the smooth/soft kiddish skin and the horrendous cries that he resounds sometimes at night has got along with me and everyone else in the family.

An article worth keeping pasted permanenetly on blogspot

2009-01-20T03:35:00.000-08:00

THE SPEAKING TREE
A Letter From A Father To His Little Son

Rajesh Mani

Dear Pranav,
It’s been 20 months since you set foot in the world. When i held you for the first time in my arms at the hospital, your tiny hands were twitching and your eyes were shut tight. Your clenched fist reminded me of a science lesson that said to get an idea about the size of your heart, you should clench your fist. I could imagine the little heart throbbing inside you. The eternal miracle of birth. When it was my turn to witness it, i cried.
Before i married your mother, i used to debate one question endlessly with my friend. Which is, “Is it really worth bringing another life into this world?” Especially when terror has become an ugly leitmotif in the canvas of our lives?
When i switched on the TV that Wednesday night, the question of whether i was right in bringing you into this world haunted me again.
This is my attempt at an answer. Call it catharsis.
I feel there are two ways to raise you. One is to wean you on cynicism. Where you’ll erect a sky-high wall in your mind and live your life pouring scorn on everything you see. Which is one way of insulating yourself from fear... A kind of indifferent machismo.
The other way is to prepare you to live in this world. I can’t imagine the world for you, son. But i can certainly show you the way to live in an uncertain world. Make a pact with yourself. Understand the following early on.
Life is precious. And equally fragile. So every day is a gift. Get up early once in a while just to watch the sun rise. Stare at it intently and burn it in your memory. Be aware of every passing second. Look around you. There’s a thin stalk of plant finding its place under the sun in a crevice on the wall of our apartment.
Appreciate mother’s cooking. Praise it to heavens... Make it a habit to eat together as a family. No, make it a rule. Fall in love with books. Words will transport you to worlds far away. It will also keep you informed and prepared.
Follow your heart. The mind can waver but the heart seldom does. Respect your conscience. It’s like a post-it note from God.
When you grow up, seek a job you love. As you enter the world of careers and cocktails, you’ll get sucked into a vortex called rat race. Don’t be overwhelmed. We’re all human. But have the courage to step out of it. Nothing will be lost. Some illusions will shatter. Good riddance.
Money. It’s important. But it has its place. Don’t make the mistake of putting it right on top.
Find your love. Hold it dearly. Be a good husband. A patient father. Give your children space to make their mistakes. But hold them when they fall.
Speak up when you have to. Like this occasion. Whether we like it or not, we’re living in a democracy. Sure it has its pitfalls. But don’t forget the positives too. The real fight in a democracy is between remembering and forgetting. Go and vote. It’s your chance to give shape to the kind of society you want to live in.
Be alert. But try not to live in a state of fear.
It you were to get caught in a situation similar to what happened and should we lose you, then you will have left us with enough lovely memories for the remaining years. That will only happen if you start living every day like it is the last day of your life. Though it can never compensate your loss, at least we’ll find strength in your love for life.
Don’t have regrets. They defeat the very purpose of life.
Immersed as i am in work most of the time, this letter is also a wake-up call for me.
Love, Dad

Why does Sukhi believe that musicians are next to God

2008-11-15T07:45:00.001-08:00

Off late there has been too much of travelling by road. With some of the branches nearby, I steer through the places myself. Courtsey this, I have grown a penchant to music (to be specific something audio); some thing in the background reduces the boredom to some extent. In the process not less than a dozen CDs have entered through my Sony Car system; saving me an incremental bit of musical (note,lyrics, timbre & pitch ) knowledge everytime. With constant jarring (oops sorry this is not the right word) in my ears, I have made a couple of keen observations. I hope the readers would also agree to this

a) With the little bit of classical knowledge that I know and with a couple of good listening sessions of few Ustads through, I can make forth this point clearly that it is all about time. As per Indian musical system, all the ragas are hard-core mathematics in nature. If analysed properly, one can find out that permutations & combinations are used in plenty. Frequency modulations is the key distinct factor distinguishing some closely similar ragas. The variations in pitches and timbres may be drawn closer to I am sure a couple of theorms and equations.
"Time controller", if at all there was any phrase like this, would be used only for God. I am sure all would agree to this. He is the ultimate controller of time; what is going to happen to whom and when, only He can say.

b) I do not know how often one visits a temple (or any other place of worship for that matter) or any place of religious importance. The frequency would vary depending on the individual's occupation, nature and inclination towards godship (if I am allowed to used the term). But each visit provides a comfort; a soothing factor which come as an addendum to each visit. Similar is the reason for mortals when they are inclined towards music.

c) Blessed are those who repeatedly chant the God's name or participate in any such service owing devotion to some idol / God. A regular visit / participation in a relegious discourse keeps one bay from some (if not all) negations that creeps on regularly to one's mind. Similar if one develops a taste for or simpler still compulsively spends some time pondering over some part of a classical rendering, one would enjoy utter tranquility during the period. This is also bound to affect our senses.

Of "pakhal bhaat" and abracadabra

2008-04-14T11:11:00.000-07:00

Reason 1: After a long time, its been back to Oriya basic food i.e. Pakhal Bhaat. For non-understandables, its basically wet rice and is primarily a Oriya cuisine revered and preferred particularly in the hot days of the year. I adore it so much that I can have it just like that with a dash of cold water and few grams of curd. For all foodies who have not tasted it till yet, can give me a buzz regarding the same. I can suggest the best possible combinations with regards to the side-food that can go along with it and all possible permutations with just the rice to give it the best palatable touch. Its not that today was the first day I had it but as I just mentioned it was with the best possible permutations and combinations. Whats more with a like-minded people around gulping down makes it all the more glorious and today it was glorious.

Reason 2: I really have no whim when was the last time I had been to a magic show. I would mention few notables with regard to the show amongst them namely
§ It’s a mirage / hallucination but it’s an art which we must acknowledge that comes with years of practice and is a science since it is all based on proven scientific formulae. Even a seemingly above-average educated person (if I can call myself) got not a single clue on any of the tricks that were being shown by the magician Mr. O P Sharma despite knowing very well that all was a passé; just a trick of the hand
§ In this world of Cartoon network and all sorts of gizmos, its good that atleast some children got an iota of an idea to the various possibilities of science and were able to see some bit of abracadabra which they typically see in television / movies
It was special in another respect too namely its been ages when I had been to a shabby hall / auditorium and today it was amidst smelly air, huge rotary fans of Bentick’s ages and a crowd with which I had never sat

Mohapatra calling....

2007-10-20T04:21:00.000-07:00

It was just another phone call that we often exchange. But this time when pepped up with the question of whats new...pop came the reply that he was quitting. As professionals we are all ups for newer and better oppurtunities. But take my word this busgger had been my companion. I knew always whome to fall upon for a query redressal be it official or personal linked through the officvial strings. I have no shame in mentioning this in the public mode that it was because of this person I find myself today where I am. It took some time to digest the news but as you all know we have become seasoned professionals. However I do say that it would be a great miss for me. I am suddenly at 2 roads. This was the person who brought me to this organisation. What should I do now; quit for other ventures or continue. I have to take a call soon. I have to think swiftly and petty fast. With each passibg day, there are ample changes that are being cooked up in the organisation. So when !! Hey bhagwan mera number kab ayega !! Adieu Aroop !!

har fikr ko dhuen mein udata chala gaya......

2007-10-17T03:56:00.000-07:00

14th Sep. was like any other day in my life. But henceforth it will go in the history of Sukhi as a red letter day. Because this day I dcided to go ahead in quitting fags & booze. Its not that I decide not to go ahead with the same but I will definitely try to avoid them conciousy. Earlier it was so that I used to go for it with every possible minute or situation. Its not that Mallaya's pockets would be affected but I am sure it would affect my pockets to a large extent. But the decision was nothing to do with finance or money because by the Almighty's blessings I am at a comfortable position now but yes I decided it in the longer interest of the family and closed ones. Offlate I am seeing that work pressure has augmented and some days I get pissed off. These intakes were seen as a offway for these tensions but I am sure it was affecting me internally. Since at this juncture of life, family takes priority, I am sure this will go a long way in bringing a new sense of living.

A Mall in the Capitol

2007-09-16T04:39:00.000-07:00

Chhattisgarhis were taken aback upon hearing the opening of a descent life size mall in their premises. Needless to say the locale was Raipur and it came with a BIG BANG; INOX + Big Bazaar under one roof. The not so populated Mahasamund road was suddenly flocked by one and all. So much so that Muncipality had to place a car & bike lifting crane permanently. Typically as Raipurites would know the road was used by bachelors and family at times only for visiting the famous lineage of dhabas. However come this mall, we had every body vying for stepping into the largest market complex of the state (as of now: who knows the future; we hear somebringing something bigger than the same). I have frequented the mall countless number of times, shelled out few thousands on movies, dresses, pens, banana shakes, ice-creams, toys already. However I go there for my penchant for observing people. You have distinctive notobles which glare you the moment you enter there which was not there earlier. Raipur was the typically trading city with no outing or night life. Typical observations

a) There is a breed of people whom you never saw amidst the public in Raipur; gorgeous damsels (should I use babes) with a tinge of metro-conciousness, the IAS breed and some elite personalities of the city (read class business men who use palmtops and drive the latest models of Honda & Ford only)

b) The mall owners have to be complimented for using elevators (the only on in the state as of now). Every visit allows me to view atleast a hunderd new people trying it for the first time. Infact they are also not to be blamed for their knaveness; this was a capital with no touch of modernity in terms of facilities of the metros and other A class cities

c) Thankfully seeing the shift in crowds, the existing cinema halls of the town wuold think of improving their quality of offering and services. I had few harrowing experience in some theatres once saving my hand (narrowly I must say) from the wrath of a policeman and few times some parts of movies as a deaf (sound systems conking off for hours in halls, eh ever heard such a thing at other places? I seriously doubt!)

d) Atleast you have some space in the city which is neat and clean (even though it is just few lac sq. ft.). It has brought in a sense of civic-ness amidst the populace. I hope it stays; no seriously as I am well versed with the pathetic civic sense of the public of Raipur

e) Mind you the concept of mall is not new to India but the case of Raipur is different. Malls at Pune are flocked by Puneites, Kolkata by Kolkatans but Raipur's mall is flocked by people dran from all other important towns of the state

f) We being with private sector organisations, thought that the exorbiant prices of designer dresses, costly filmi tickets, no free parking would detest many (the city being driven by Marwaris and SIndhis who wish to have everything free). But no! Brands are flocking in day-in and out and the crowd is burguening with each passing day.

Signing off with the hope that another mall soon blesses this suddenly affluent city of Raipur.

2007-07-10T00:27:00.000-07:00

Mail / Super fast musings

Has been one of the most harrowing days of my life. I had just heard earlier of trains being late sometimes for few days together but had never experienced it myself. No today I sit stranded with the train taking an unknown route. I have no idea as to when will it dock Howrah. Imagine my face in front of my colleagues as to what they would be thinking but again why should I worry. It was not at all my fault. Rather they should all pity me that I went through such a trauma. Well, its nothing in my mind now. What a state I am going through now. Touch wood its wonderful but apprehensive about my health. I pray that my inner parts cope and understand my plight.
I was thinking of the relations with some of my colleagues, which has been strained due to some mis-happenings in the recent past. Now one thing is decided that I will go back to my normal state. I was a chatterbox and an energy box full of vibe and energy imbibing others to be so. I am sure that I can and I will regain the earlier state that I was into. Let God be with me.

New feeling...

2007-06-23T10:00:00.000-07:00

Well it was business as usual for me but that was not so for my wife. I saw her for the first time in the new avtaar of reading. I never knew that she could be so serious while reading. Well she better get going with her studies for her forth coming exam tomorrow. I suddenly found myself to be a bit mature person with a proper family....what do I sense....asm i getting settled ?? Huh..

T Time

2007-06-19T07:29:00.000-07:00

It has been a harrowing day today....not because of it being a physically tiring or mentally draining day (as I have seen much more pathetic days) but because of the BIG gloom.....no no no not inside my or anything to do with my moood but inside me due to the umpteen number of tea cups guzzled. I will never forget this harrowing day; neither will I ever pardon the person who initiated the idea of making Rajnandgaon a branch location. I hope it subsides with time.
Refer to the previous blog....I told you marriage is the best thing that can happen to a person; me missing my other half

Long long time....

2007-06-12T07:16:00.000-07:00

Long long time there lived a happy-go-lucky bachelor who alsmost had the entire world at his foot; as if he were the only homo-sapien on this globe and thus he had the rules set for himself and for others. Be it the time frames for each of his physical activity or be it maintainance of relationships with "internal as well as external" customers.
Now this creature no longer has the freedom of the world but this is for sure that his normal idiosyncracies has gone for a toss and he has developed a fresh set. Its now no more, "...we also go home" but, ".....we only go home" and when you use the word home, it symbolises the massive reduction in the degrees of freedom
But frankly speaking nothing seems to have changed thanks to the understanding companion. Its still the same habits that rule besides new permissions to new arenas courtsey the family tag attached to the individual name. Now its no more a house of four walls but a home. Trust me this goes as a lesson for all forthcoming to-be-married that marriage is the best thing that can happen to a person. Its been all fine as of now and I am confident that this shall go on. No doubt that brought about a cultural shift in the life of me but I am happy that this happened to me.

Scrapping after a long long time. I expect to continue with the same habit with augmented frequency. Lets see if I can make it a quotidian affair.

Crouching tiger.....hidden (lot man other things) dragon

2006-11-29T06:26:00.000-08:00

A couple of days back I was seeing this movie on AXN....off late I have been seeing too much of television; movies or otherwise....I have to get rid of it....but take m word I was seeing it for atleast the sixth time...but somehow or the other I was attracted enough to see it at a stretch non-stop without even changing the channel even during the pods....I located a couple of things....precisely that is the reason why I am blogging on the same today

a. We associate this movie with martial arts....no doubt that was but whats hidden is the romance that is depicted in the movie....julian and mubai....this is pure romance not the tpical love making or otherwise that is shown in movies to express one feeling for the other

b. More important that this movie at couple of times focusses on man philosophical issues...mubai: all things that can be touched loose their weight...one has to loose something to understand the importance of it

c. Life does not go our way.....more importantly one ought to dedicate onself to the society rather than thinking of oneself....but is it easy? i am sure people will admit that it is easier said than done

do comment if you feel that I am wrong

This shall also pass away

2006-11-16T03:30:00.000-08:00

Recently (to be specific last Sunday), the father of one of ex-colleagues died. He died of cancer. The instant I heard the same, it was horrible. Memories came back of the time spent together. Though his (my friend) exit from my present company has been almost 6 months, all the images of togetherness, parties, get-togethers, meetings, duels which I had with him came across my eyes vividly. The tone which he spoke was different. A sudden sense of pity rose inside me.
I was there at their home before the funeral rites. There was a sudden gloom as the dead body was being carried away. The dead man's kith and kin could help themselves from not crying while the corpse was being lifted away from their house to the grounds. There was wailing all around; streams of tears from the eyes of all near and dear ones; smokey milieu cortsey the burning of sacred dust as per rituals; commotion with all friends and known ones around.
The funeral went off as per rituals. That was the first for me. Everybody paid their last wishes. I was there for quiet some time even after the ritual lighting of the pyre. The atmosphere had changed a bit. There was grief but that was with a tinge of maturity; all realising that this was to happen today or tomorrow. There was a sense of fellow-ness and feeling for the other person. Me thinks the Hindu rituals are the reason for this. It is a lengthy one encompassing variuos steps and procedures which reduces the sorrow slowly but steadily; one does not realise when it has reached zero.
With the hustle and bustle of the times and the complexities in the respective jobs, we easily are able to do away with the sorrow attached with the death of a known one. Herman Hesse comes straight to one's mind; straight from Siddhartha - This shall also pass away. Who knows when my time also comes....

Weight of vaccum

2006-11-10T04:59:00.000-08:00

A sudden loneliness has engulfed me; I have no explanation for the same. All of a sudden I dont understand how it has happened. Nowadays I seem to be in loss of words while I speak to people. Though there are many people around me and really lots of them; (thanks to my job) lots of parties and get-togethers suddenly these things do interest me. I was pondering about this phenomenon for quiet some time trying to analyse the reasons for the same. This became necessary for the simple reason that I am a person who loves talking to people and make new and newer contacts still maintaining contacts with my old pal. I realised that the most probable rather closest reason would be that I have overgrown for the place and the job. This is the right time for a change. So I am on the job for job hunting. But again I am a lazy person and it would be easier said thatn done for the same.
Till any change takes in my life, I am sure for the moment that I have the unique oppurtunity to try and weigh the emptiness

holiday...musings

2006-10-30T07:00:00.000-08:00

Its been quiet some time since I last blogged....blogged...eh whats that ?? You know unknowingly we cramp in so many words and jargons that Shakespeare would really have a tough time understanding those...but as they say it is the call of the time.
the past time (since last scrap) had been a not so exciting one....last week had been full of holidays....holidays mean lots of idle time....nice slumber and passover with books....coming to books, I have to confess that there has not been much progress. No serious reading since long. I have to catch up otherwise this head is going to get scrapped with idiotory things....I hope to be in a position to comment about some writing. But why do I say so...I had been afterall going through the soft version of a novel (I dont remember the name) of Jeffery Archer on my laptop.

East or West; Mom's the best

2006-10-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

Well was in for a 1.5 days break. Infact did I tell you that off late I have a taken a few of these 1.5 datys break? This not only shows me asa doting son who cuddles up home freaquently (parents simply overjoyed at this) but also enables me to chip in no officila entitled CLs.
Diwali was just an excuse as I have none of my friends anymore in Rourkela (some like Sushant and Gitu would be caught definitely; I have concrete information about them). But the thing that I have sterted relishing is the motherly touched food; take my word, simple vegeteramian food but the mystique is simply undescribable. Hope nothing goes rot for my stomach. Theek hai, my dear mother I will bear a stomache bout or 2 for the tasty dishes.

Excited state of affairs

2006-10-20T07:19:00.000-07:00

With diwali in the air and the prospects of going home tonight, excites me. But this is not the only reason why I would think of having such a title. Had a terrific fracas with boss today. Things could not have been bad with an operational issue coming up in one of the branches of my domain. By the end of almost 10 working hours, I realised that it was only talking for atleast 8 hours a day. Was in a dilemma as to whether I do work for a bank or for a call centre ?
The tinge of partying tonight the Diwali way is also in the air. Each one is eyeing the other at office as to when will all close their official state of affairs to hurry and chill out....what the hell then I am blogging for ?..............signing off