2013 was Rock 'n' Roll!

I rarely write about my personal life in my blog and at this point I feel like sharing a few things.
After a tedious long year, I now recall, all the joys/odds and the ups/downs of 2013. It was an experience for itself. It all started with a bang on the new year's eve at our friend's place where we had an amazing time. Then, came running my best friend Pinku's wedding in February and there I see her getting married to the love of her life. I am so happy for the duo :-D Then started the rat race in her professional life of getting a transfer to the US when her husband flew right after their wedding. After a lot of efforts, she finally got the transfer and left to Boston in July! Though no one wanted her to get the transfer as much as I did, it still felt like I was missing something big in life. We both have spent more than 20 years together growing up, laughing and crying together, always having a shoulder for each other. I agree with you that there is Skype and Whatsapp! But it is nothing in comparison with the physical presence of a person.

Since then, I have no company for shopping, eating, laughing and dancing. I celebrated my birthday in July without her, like for the first time since we know each other. And so did she celebrate her's in August. The year seemed very long and boring since she had gone until I got busy with my wedding preparations. Yes! I got married to my childhood friend Sachin in November 2013 <3   Life is busy from then onward and now, I miss both my best friend and my little sister Anu (Both Sachin and I live with my in-laws).
After a long year, here we are in the new year, of which half of the first month is already over with so many new things happening around, in both personal and social life. By the way friends, I joined Yoga class and am having fruits for breakfast. Looking forward for some adventure and long trips this year.
Happy new year all!!

P.S: Some photos from 2013:

Jan 1st 2013 

Pinku's Bachelorette followed by her wedding :)

From our portfolios: March (left) and at the airport when Pinku was leaving: July (right)

My wedding: November

See you in the next post! :-D

Bangalore heights - No vertical limit

This is my seventh post since April 18th 2012, the day I started this blog. I really do not know why it took such a long time for this post.
Right now, every day's travel inside the city of Bangalore has induced me to write this piece. Those friends who have been seeing this metropolitan from the past 20 years might agree with what I am saying.

It is never good for a city to grow vertically instead of growing by area. Here, vertically' means the city loading up with tall buildings.The number of skyscrapers emerging today makes any common man debate. People who have been in Bangalore for years now, can see a phenomenal change in the past 10-15 years.The growing population, increasing number of vehicles, malls, theaters, apartments, IT sectors etc honestly terrifies me (Please don't judge me). Of course! You might call, all of these changes as 'Development'. But what it actually is, is quite subjective isn't it?

Let me give you some facts:

• There are around 40 skyscrapers in the city today, keeping 70 meter (21 floors) high building as the minimum.
• 50 more buildings are under construction where 153 meter (46 floors) building is the tallest.
• 10 more are approved but are on hold for various reasons. 
• One of the projects that is approved is estimated to be 660 meter (156 floors) high. Good Lord!

Now, all one needs to think about is whether what is happening currently, is a positive or a negative change. Firstly, let us find out the reasons for this high-rise boom.

Bangalore has always been a welcome city for outsiders and she never says NO to anybody who wants to settle here. That is how me and you have landed up here right! Reason why the silicon valley has drew people from across the nation is the job opportunities and economic growth of the city. There is a 47% increase in population from 2001 - 2011, the highest compared to other metros. Growing demand for accommodation has given a boom to real estate in the city. Space crunch in all the areas has given way to vertical development of buildings. Hence, the increase in IT spaces, huge apartments, malls, commercial complexes etc.

Threats we foresee:

Starting with water; Cauvery being the main source, it definitely cannot provide water only for Bangalore when 4 states depend on it. Even after the Govt. of Karnataka announcing that the builders should find their own source of water and not depend on the corporation for it, I am sure they will twist and tweak the rule, give bribe and some how manage to still construct the building unlawfully. Water problem is followed by electricity problem, increase in the number of vehicles, pollution, accidents, health hazards and a total rise in temperature due to cutting down of trees. Reports say that the glass facades in the high-rise buildings reflect heat and hence cause the temperature to increase by 2-3°C in the city. Phew!! At last the other crises we could face after considering so many elements are fire accidents, crime, terrorism etc.


I am sure most of you are well versed with the above information but how we act upon it is one thing which is debatable. I will leave it to you to ponder upon these issues for the night. See you soon with my next post.  

Mere fantasy it is!! ???

   It has been long since I updated my blog. Not that I did not have the time, but did not find a good topic to write about. In fact, I actually wrote so many posts in these days, but did not post any of them as I felt it was not worth publishing. Now I finally write this bit, hoping that it makes some sense at least for a few people.

   Each one of us always think, "I am proud to be an Indian". Of course, we need to be proud about the ancient India, the geographical area it has been spread across, Indian heritage, Biodiversity...  ...Have to mention about India's glorious culture, along with the Architecture, Art, Literature and Sports. We are also producing the maximum number of scientists and other professionals in the field of Science and Technology.

   This is the place where you find 'unity in diversity'. No doubt, India's population is our strength. But, unfortunately it is also our weakness. With over 1.22 billion people across 3.28 million square kilometers, it is so difficult to educate people about so many issues or make them aware about some social responsibilities. When I say social responsibilities, they are really not big things what I am talking about but the minuscule things which each citizen of India is accountable and responsible for, in his/her everyday life. We all know that things like keeping your environment clean, following the traffic rules are the most basic things we can do. These small things are more of a 'common sense' than a rocket science. But, why don't people follow such simple things!



Few things we can take into consideration are:

• Do not litter or spit in public places
• Follow traffic rules
• Do not waste water and electricity
• Do not destroy plants and trees
• Do not write or carve on rocks and trees
• Keep all tourist places clean 
• Do not harm wild animals
• Grow trees
• Do car pooling
• Try to use public transport at least once a week 

   I know that most of us are definitely aware of the above mentioned factors. But, how many of us really follow these things is a debatable question. Most of the people are always ignorant of some facts. First of all, let us see who all might follow these basic things and who might not. Can we say the literates follow and not the illiterates? India's adult literacy percentage is around 74% as of 2011 reports, and do you think they can follow the basic rules and regulations pertaining to saving our environment and our future? According to me, if the 74% of the population are abide with all these things, then India today, would definitely be a much better place to live in. 

   Wait, wait, wait.. Before we jump into conclusions, haven't we heard that "Literates are those who can just read and write. But, educated are those who know, what to read and write". So, should we say that educated people of India are responsible for building a better India (Let us consider all matriculates to be educated here). Does the basic formal education teach us the DOs and DON'Ts of nature and environment? But again, Albert Einstein says "The only thing interfering with my learning is my education".

   So, it is neither literacy nor education that proves to be better than each other, but here, it is the individual who is liable for his/her stupidity or supremacy. I agree that social messages won't be showered through rains to everyone and there should be someone who takes up the responsibility to educate people, make them aware of what is right and what is not.

   I was discussing the same with two of my friends about how to go about and spread the awareness amongst people and if we do so, how many people will actually take some initiatives. One of my friend told that it should be done in a grass root level and hence the children should be educated first. Volunteers should go to schools and educate them about the importance of growing trees, water conservation and natural resources. Hygiene and keeping our environment clean are the other aspects which have to be focused. I agree that today's children are our future and they are also responsible enough to listen and understand, what is being told to them. If that is one measure we can take, what are the others?

   My other friend gave an example of an incident that had happened a few years back. "There was a group of tourists who were feeding meat to the crocodiles in a national park. A forest officer tried to stop them from doing so, when the drunk tourists mercilessly beat him to death". He says when this the case, who would want to give any kind of advice to anyone! Albeit, this is not the case everywhere with everyone, we need to think of measures to reach maximum number of people.

   The government produced a few Public Service Announcements (PSA) a few months back on TV. But not all private TV channels aired them. When Government has 'power', it should make PSAs compulsory in all the private and government channels, Radios and Newspapers. Other than that, we as individual citizens of India, should take pledge to first follow these basic practices in our day-to-day lives and then spread the cause among people around us to constitute a greater country.

P.S: Individuals can reach people and increase awareness among them in various methods. It can be through word of mouth, by working in an NGO or even by conducting random workshops and seminars in schools and colleges.

If you can do it, I shall do it!!

Here is an incident or should I say a series of magical moments which took place in two days, that changed my perception. Probably, after reading this bit, it will change your perception too, about many things. Often we hear many inspiring lines, read many inspiring books from different authors about goal, aspiration, passion and ambition. We also watch a lot of different kinds of movies which talk about dedication, achievement, hard work, focus and what not! Have you ever personally known anyone closely who have read such books or watched such movies, and seen a positive change in their own life or goals or achievements? Well this question might be a little tricky to answer and differ in opinion, person to person. 

I have known a lot of people who read volumes of such books and watched plenty of such movies, but honestly, they remain what they are, forever without changing even a bit. Inspiration and zeal does not come into our minds through self-help books or movies with social messages, according to me. I say, they might just momentarily make you feel inspired and enthusiastic. But after a few days, you might even, not remember the author of the book you read. The perseverance and purpose of achievement lies within us, uninterrupted by any kind of restrictions. The obstacles around us are built by no one, but ourselves. We circumscribe ourselves from accomplishing beautiful things in this world.

You must be wondering, what am I arriving at now? Just look at these kids.... 

We (Shristi Adventure Consultants), conducted a programme at Camp Shristi with George Joseph of Ginosko Consultants, for about 54 underprivileged kids of mixed age group. There were mobility impaired kids, uncommunicative and other lesser privileged kids with different abilities, in this group. It was a two-day programme, which happened to change all our perceptions about many things. There is definitely no better learning than the learning which comes out, from your own involvement, practically watching each step towards success and at last, experiencing the sense of fulfillment. The Spastic society of Karnataka along with Ananyaa foundation and Sita school had organized this one-week summer camp for kids, in which fortunately, we were a part of the programme for two days.

The first day, we had lined up some team activities (6 teams) for the kids, from morning to evening. I fall short of words when it comes to describing, how they participated in each activity with high spirits.The different emotions running in every child's mind were totally visible on their innocent faces. The frisky, thrilled kids stretched themselves to the maximum to perform well and be the best. No ordinary performance convinced them, but they always wanted to do things the right way. A big applause to their honesty in following every rule we set and admitting each foul they did.

Though a few elders around were allowing them to commit some fouls, these kids were not ready to take any failure as an answer. Every step was taken as a challenge and they restarted most of the activities several times until they met with success. Somehow, they didn't like the word 'Leniency' or 'Mercy'.


These kids are so adorable, extremely loving and they care for their fellow mates so much, that it is difficult for me and you to get those qualities easily. Hats off to their confidence in everything they do. They could be called perfectionists and the masters of optimism.

After all the activities for the day, each team was supposed to perform a skit in the evening, which was based on the activities of the day which they participated from morning to evening. I must tell you, all the skits were like parts of the great Pachatantram, where every skit had humor, fight, drama, great learning and finally had a message for all of us at the end. As usual, they rocked by not ignoring anyone in their team and giving equal importance to all the characters in their skits.

After they performed all the skits, we instructors and the concerned people from the respective organizations had a discussion about the next day's programme. The assistant director of the Spastic society was very keen on taking all the children for a hike the next day, but my immediate reaction for the request was a 'No'. I told them that the surrounding hills were all rocky terrains and it is really close to impossible to get the kids on the wheelchairs especially to the hilltop. However, even after my 'No', he along with two other people, geared up with his torch and set out to checkout the hill and the terrain, in the dark.

They came back deciding that we are going for the hike the next day.
I was really worried about how to go about it and how to manage with the kids on the wheelchairs.
The next day morning, we started off for the hike and looking at the kids, I was almost speechless!!  To watch each kid help the other kid to proceed by even pushing himself was amazing and courageous. Four kids handled each wheelchair kid and took them safely with full enthusiasm to the top.

Finally they reached the top!! and the ecstasy they experienced was out of the world. All the kids there had played in water, participated in different physical activities, games, art and craft, but climbing up a hill was a first time experience for all of them. The elated and satisfied look on their faces was very much visible. They had felt they had achieved something, and most of them gave a speech each on top of the hill about how they liked their summer camp. Their speech was filled with innocence, simplicity and most importantly, maturity. Truly, it had changed our thought process and had made a remarkable difference in our opinions.

Sometimes, these kind of instances make me wonder, is it that you have to have a story or an ailment, for you to achieve something. Having had all the privileges in the world, what am I doing and what am I achieving? Do I even have a goal in life? Do I even know what will I be after 10 years? Very difficult to answer myself. Let me spend the night thinking of it...

I want to write...

  

Why is it so difficult to choose? Why is it so difficult to decide? 

I want to write. Yes, I want to write!!

   Ideas come into my mind everyday. 

Ideas come into my mind every minute.

   Each day seems like it is a new beginning. 

Each day seems like it is the end.

   I want to write. Yes, I want to write!!

Why is it so difficult to choose? Why is it so difficult to decide? 

   What is this yearning for? What is this longing for?

Every day, there is a new learning. Every day, a new experience.

   Why is it so difficult to choose? Why is it so difficult to decide?

Giving birth to new perceptions, different feelings gush out everyday.

   Should I blame the world? Or should I blame myself?

How do I prioritize? How do I set right my aspirations?

   I want to write. Yes, I want to write!!

Why is it so difficult to judge? Why is it so difficult to decide?

Cricket v/s Rain- The cover play - Part II

....As I was feeling cold and sick, the rain stopped and they announced that the match would start by 9 p.m. All of us felt very happy about it and continued our photo session. The 'cover-men' (men who covered and uncovered the plastic sheets) removed all the sheets on the pitch and out ground. Albeit I was wearing a thick jacket, I started feeling really cold as I was already half wet for not having a hood over my head. I need to mention about a man who showed his moves in the stadium. This man was a stranger who was sitting in the row, which was just in front of us. He was completely sloshed and was continuously dancing for the music which was played in the stadium. He was dressed in white shirt and white trousers, wearing a lot of gold ornaments in his fingers and neck (such a show off I say!!). His paunch was making him look like a droll man. When he went to a hyper mood, the guy next to him fortunately took the man away from us.

Pitter patter it started raining again, this time a little heavily. I thought, that we had to get into the wilderness to get good glimpses of the rain and nature. But what a stupendous view that was, watching rain in the floodlights. It was totally worth it!! After enjoying the view, we were a little disappointed that there was no sign of the match starting shortly. The cover-men came running with the sheets as soon as the rain started pouring again. It turned out to be a game for itself, covering and uncovering the ground. But you have to admit that those men were filled with such good spirits. They were not looking tired or were not seeming that they were whining about their job. They laughed, they shouted, they smiled and were with full of energy.

It was 9.35 by my watch. We assumed that the match was not going to happen and decided to leave. We thought we will go to some restaurant, have dinner and then go home. We walked back till the exit of the stadium in the rain itself and immediately the rain stopped. Had we jinxed it for RCB!!??
Then came a roaring noise from the crowd inside the stadium. The noise gave us a run of goose bumps and we thought the match would commence any minute now as the rain had also stopped. We ran back inside the stadium again, where our seats were gone. We had to literally fight for a new set of seats for us to sit on. We waited for any announcements but there was a sudden, pin drop silence in the stadium.

Plip plop, the rain began again. They didn't announce anything in the stadium but we called people at our homes and found out that the cut-off time was 11.20 p.m, that they would wait till that time and if the rain stopped, they would conduct a five-over match. After waiting till almost 11 p.m, we decided we'll leave again. Everyone were hungry and we thought, we should find some restaurant that would be open for 24 hrs as it was already post 11. Ten of us had gone to the stadium in 2 cars, 5 people in each car and I had to switch cars while going back. Me, Pinku, Maddy, Simha and Yash had to go together in Maddy's car. We left the stadium and started walking to the parking lot where Maddy had parked his car.

We walked at least for 1 k. m. but could not find the car. For the first time we walked through the Cubbon Park in the mid night and it was an amusing experience. Finally we found Maddy's car by around 12 a.m. and we drove towards the restaurant 'Empire' in Church street. As we had anticipated, the rain didn't stop and 'Empire' was over-flooded with plenty of RCB fans. We didn't have any space to get-in or have dinner, so we decided to hunt for restaurants nearby. Our cars were already parked and we managed to find some restaurant finally, by running around in the rain at 12.30 a.m.The person in that restaurant told us that there was nothing else but Pasta available. We agreed!!

Later, after Deepak went and spoke to the garcon, he agreed to serve us soup and Veg. Biriyani along with the Pasta. We didn't order any fancy food, nor any kind of drink. Just for the Biriyani, Pasta and Soup, our cheque came up to Rs. 5000!!!! :(  This was the big surprise of the day for all of us!!!!  The cheque at the restaurant turned out to be more expensive than the ticket price for the match. :( The sad part was the soup wasn't even tasting good and we had to waste most of it. Not at all worth it!! At the end, we left from there and reached our homes by around 1.30 a.m.

So this is the story of the "Cover play" - Covering and uncovering the ground!!!!

Cricket v/s Rain- The cover play - Part I

My best friend Pinku aka Poornima called me a few days ago and asked me if I could go with her to the (Indian Premier League) IPL cricket match which was happening in Bangalore on the 25th of April 2012 at 8 p.m. I, who didn't even know who were playing whom, agreed to go with her with full excitement. On the 24th, dad told that, the match was between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

25th Wednesday, I was so not feeling well (had severe cold n throat pain) but still took tablets and was looking forward for the match, and to visit the stadium for the first time with Pinku. Thinking that I need to save all my energy to shout and jump in the evening, I called my boss and called the day off to work. Woke up from my bed in a dizzy state and took a shower. As soon as I took a shower I felt really better and thought I can go for work. By calling my boss again, informed that I would be going to work. Leaving my house at around 10.15, reached office by 11.15 with all the traffic and sweat due to the hot and sunny weather. It was so sunny that day, that I was frequently feeling I was going blind looking outside the window.

Me and Pinku waving the RCB flags

It was 12.30 p.m and my condition was getting worse. I started feeling really cold and sick, as the weather also was becoming cloudy and starting to drizzle. My friend Deepak was supposed to come and pick me up by 5.15 p.m and till then I slept off as I was feeling very tired and kind of slogged. I had second thoughts about going to the match that day as I had to leave for a camp the next day. But Pinku and Deepak were compelling me to go with them and I agreed. At around 5.35 p.m, Deepak picked me up and we left for the stadium. It was pouring all through the way and ironically some bollywood song was playing in the radio "Paani re Paani".

We were 10 people in our group who decided to go to the stadium together. Each one of us had a strong hope that the match will go on, in spite of the rain. By the time we reached the stadium in the middle of all the Bangalore - IPL traffic, they had announced that the match might get delayed and start by 9 p.m. We somehow managed to get a parking space for our car near the central library inside Cubbon park. We had to all the way walk from the central library to the Chinnaswamy stadium Gate-9. I had worn a thick jacket which was keeping me warm, but it didn't have a hood for my head. We walked in the rain till gate-9 where 4 of our friends were waiting including Pinku.

Pinku was super-excited as she was going to the stadium for the first time. She had also bought an RCB jersey on the footpath near the stadium and flaunting it. She was wearing the jersey on top of the already worn kurti with white pajama (the white pajama didn't remain completely white after that). We showed our 330 rupees ticket and they let us (Me, Pinku, Deepak, Maddy, Neha, Chinmayi, Simha, Yash, Praveen and Sneha) in, after all the security checking. Bangalore never runs away for rains and storms!! The whole stadium was filled and every RCB fan was shouting on top his/her voice. There were announcements happening now and then about when the match might start. Finally they announced that they were going to do a pitch test.

All the CSK and RCB players rushed into the ground when the whole stadium was flooded with blood-red RCB flags. Though there were a few CSK fans and their flags, they were in an ignorable number. The pitch and the surrounding out-ground of the ground was covered with plastic sheets to be protected from the rain. There were around minimum 50 men who took care of the plastic sheet and at least 4-6 vehicles, which absorbed the water, which fell on top of the sheets. All of us especially me, Pinku and Neha were posing for different pictures after which I was tired and started feeling really cold.....