The Renaissance...

Has been ages since i've watched it for anything more than a few minutes. But today was different. Something attracted me towards this "Eternally Boring Game" of Cricket so much, that I sat before the TV for almost 2 hours (big time...)!!!

Yeah! never been a fan of this sport. My opinion - like someone has said long back, "11 Lazy lads aside, 6 twigs, and everything else talking in between is a bat and a ball". For long, I've heard only a selected few names on TV associated with the Indian Cricket Team. This was another big reason for me to ignore it. A handful of names can't rule a game! But it did seem like times are bound to change. It is no more necessary that Sachin R Tendulkar, or Rahul S Dravid or the likes are the only anchorages of the team. There were these two "Relatively inexperienced" lads, who took on a pretty hard chase. Inexperienced they might be, but never did they behave immature. Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli proved, that it is time for selectors to revisit their preferences. The calm with which these two boys played really amazed me. I'd never seen a chase of 300+ being run down with so much of calm. Of course, one possible reason being that i've not watched a proper game for ages now... Nevertheless, these boys did play wonderfully, and kept me glued to the Idiot's Box till everyting was over... The game these two lads played today... it was the best one I've seen in a long time. And Gautam certainly has learnt the ways of a Gentleman. Way to go boy. Admire your act. :) And an applaud for Virat too... for the wonderful game.

And then, like alwayz, every time I saw the Lankans drop catches, or misfield, I'd crib the lost opportunities.  And my bro even asked me if I'll ever in my life support the Indian Team.But that's me... Sorry! I'll never ever be excited if India wins a match... until the game's over. Kudos boys! It's the Renaissance of Indian Cricket. But let it not be a Crusade against the other Sports and Games. We're already shameful of most others.

In and Out

Isn't it amazing... that some people move in and out of your life is such a short time... but still manage to leave a lasting impression in you! They come in as acquaintances... and then, before they leave, so much has changed... Like most (though not all...) of the people who have managed to leave a lasting footprint in the sands of my own life, it was another "Her". I myself wonder, why so much that I've learned in all my life (apart from whatever scholastic) has been from muliebrity. 

I got acquainted to her just about 2 years ago...and little had I then imagined that she'd influence my life so much. For a fairly long time, we were only "Acquaintances", but to be honest, I had never got acquainted to her  until as long. And then, came a day, when we were left to ourselves in a crowd. It was only then, as I can remember, did I accept her as a Friend. We were no more unacquainted acquaintances, but this though, wasn't "just like that". Soon, I believe I had proven she could believe me too... and now, within a short span, we were "Good Friends"... and times still changed. The two had vested upon the other, our trust, and this friendship was going to last. But then, one fine(?) day, I, having always been the more "Stupid" of the two, brought out an argument out of thin air, and strained one of those "invaluable" relationships of life. Things were mended over a short time, but that's when I'd really realized what this lady meant to me. Ever since, I've told her every little decision of my life... expecting her to correct me (I told you I was the more "Stupid" of the two... :P ), and so has she done. And then, a day came, when we could not talk to one another like we always did. I'm now left to myself at times, when I've to take decisions. And the only way I've been able to work them out properly... is by putting myself in her shoes, and pondering over. Or otherwise, remembering every bit of those countless hours of "Gyan" she gave me whilst telling me where I was wrong in my actions.

I really don't know why I wanted to mention "Her" here. It is probably because of all that has been happening off late with me, and my decisions. More importantly, because I've missed this lady, when I wanted her "Gyan" the most... Or, maybe because of the everlasting impression she has made in my life in such a short span.

Like Anon says,

"Life's a Motel, and there are those who come in to stay.

But it is those who go out, that show others the way."

Total Recall...

xx/02/2000.

It was the last Birthday celebrated in School, atleast for my memories. In fact, i'm bad at remembering people's birthdays... but not everyone's though. I do remember some. Of course, it was a different story then. There were so many others who would remember more birthdays than i can ever in my life. Well, it certainly was something special for me. For all good things in life, there are somethings that will always be remembered. On this occasion, it was the aura all around. The air was a tangy Orange, and so were the birthday chocolates...

xx/08/2006.

It was the last month i would go to work by bus regularly. 'cos I had already purchased a bike with my first 3 earnings. I acutally got down at the wrong stop... of course, with a totally different purpose. It was a moonlit night at the bus-stop., and the least expected things happen in such circumstances. (No it was still around 8PM, and lots of people in the bus-stop too... so, don't let your imaginations run wild :P ) For once, a needle shimmered a silvery white on my own birthday. and I dared to miss my bus just to enjoy the moment, knowing it will be a loooong while before i get my next one...

21/11/2009.

Yes! Those prying eyes caught sight of the Needle in a haystack yet again. After 9 years, 8 months, and a few (i don't tell how many..) days, the colors in the air were precisely the same.. a tangy orange, and a shimmering white, blending into one another. Might even make people wonder if they were the same colors, but for eyes that can catch the needle it can also tell a lot more of it... :)

Another day that will be in the list of "Eternally Remembered"...

And btw, Anon's already caught me... something may soon be expected... depending on Anon's mood though...
Atleast, mine's a goddamn good one today... :D

secret no more...

Long ago, I'd heard this quote "Secrets are things which someone tells everyone not to tell anyone". but i don't believe it. Anon has opinions on this too...
I've always been very fond of keeping secrets. both mine, as well as others'. Some of them have been hidden for as long as a decade. There was one such that i thought can always be confided as long as it is in something personal, say my wardrobe or cell phone... or anything else like it. But sometimes, unexpected events reveal such secrets to the most unexpected of people. One such event happened yesterday, when it fell into someone's hands. the secret had once already revealed itself to him through one friend who betrayed. But that was a long time ago... past and gone and forgotten... not for me though. And now happens this event, which refreshes such memories. The one who knew it because of this betrayal... and possibly had even forgotten it all... now knows it as though i've confessed it to him!!! oh my! Both of us know each other as much and have faith in us that it will be a secret between us.
But still... today... there is a fear... somewhere deep inside... can secrets never stay secrets only to those who know them? Just hope that it does not end up like the Secret quote.

Is it In(dian)herent?

It was at the tip of the Indian Peninsula. I was at this place they call Kanyakumari, where I landed during an undestined trip. And then, there were these two other tourist guyz, with an English daily in their hand, and seeming so overwhelmed about something. I was busy looking at this Sadhu who was writing what people call destiny;) through my camera lens...

when I heard the reason. One of them spoke out that an Indian had won a Nobel Prize. I thought it was finally time to kiss at the feet of my motherland. But the fact was a little hard to digest for me.

"In all the 109 years since its institution, only one "Indian", Sir Chandrashekar Venkata Raman, has been worthy enough to receive it. Now, all of a sudden, another Indian!?! Wait. Let me look into this in more detail." So, I got hold of the newspaper from these guys. And when I saw the title reading Dr. Ramakrishnan Venkataraman (that's another Venkataraman.) indeed gave me an Indianized feeling. But it also made it all clear. "Indian born scientist wins Chemistry Nobel". Okay. That's it... another Prof Khorana in the list...

Well... not to complain of the "Indian Born" who won the prestigious reward for their intellect. But why do we take anything that is "Manufactured In India, Made elsewhere" as "Indian"? Are we unable to realize the fact that the very people that we call "Indians" have already given it up long ago? I certainly agree to the reason that this country is still not able to provide the best of facilities for research, for all possible reasons. But as long as such Intellectuals do not ask for, how is it that they expect things to fall into place? And unless they decide firm on staying back, how is it that they would ask for?

Coming back to the Indian Layman's "Manufactured in India..." problem... Is it that we are still not able to understand, that the prestige of winning has still not come to our country? What is the reason for the rejoicing some other country's success? We want every child in this country of a billion and more, only to be God damn Software Engineers! or a few rich or talented ones, Doctors. Being anything else is a taboo here, unless it's absolutely difficult to score high in the Pre-Uni courses. Unfortunately, even the number of people in international committees on Pure sciences representing India has been less than a handful. When is it that we will stop enforcing professions, and let people decide their own way of life, like that Sadhu... who's apparently doing it. When is it, that we will celebrate another Nobel laureate from our own country??? When will this ambition of Stockholm be fulfilled?

Oh and yes, speaking of ambitious dreams, I did complete a part of my other ambition... happened to visit Kanyakumari, and southern Kerala over a week... well... almost. Do visit...

वाह रे Network, वाह रे mobile...

overheard an argument about better networks, saw a lady blocking the market way,
found a friend too busy, and even the real use of cell-phones... it was apparently to talk only to girlfriends/boyfriends!!

too many things about mobiles and networks today...
and when anon came to know of it, this is what it all ended with...

क्या idea है सरजी आपका, जो कहा आपने "walk while you talk"
पर लागे है सब कुछ बकवास , if you don't watch while you walk.
देखा जो मैंने आज किसी को "walking-talking" करते हुए,
न जाने क्यों चल रहे थे वो रास्ता रोके, धक्के खाते हुए।

बातें हो जब इतनी सारी तो पैसे क्यों बरबाद करें?
second के हिसाब से चलके क्यों ना अपना bill भरें?
चाहिए अगर फिर भी आपको, selected लोगों से बातें करना,
चिंता की कोई बात नही, zoozoo जो साथ मे है ना!

सोचें अगर आप cartoon और कुत्ता बनाते नहीं आप का कारोबार,
dial कीजिये toll free Bharti को, शायद call उठा ले कोई at least एक बार।
इसी लिए तो कहते हैं government undertaking सबसे बेहतर है,
Ad मे तो यही कहते हैं... की "हिन्दुस्तान बोल रहा है"!

Network जो भी हो, इरादे तो नही बदलती है,
जिन्हें देख न सके, उनसे बातें तो हो जाती है।
जो भी हो, मिला है जो offer उसका सही इस्तेमाल करो,
girlfriend, boyfriend ही नही, कभी दूसरे दोस्तों को भी याद करो!

Over... But Out!?!?

A long time since i've really felt like doing some activity here. But this stuff...! i should be mentioning it here... for it has been something so very dear to me...

It all began formally in 2005, when the big-guns gave a go ahead. By Nov 2008, it had reached it's culmination... Ever since, it's been something so fascinating... something that's redefinened, in short, ourselves. and then, sometime by April this year, a small snag developed somewhere and brought in problems. Things were still alive until last week. Everything was still somehow under control. Some minor activities had already been stopped, but the important talk still continued. Last week, just past the mid of night, for some unknown reason, everything stopped. There was no response. It was game over for a long standing relationship. so to say., mission control could no more communicate with the spacecraft. It was all Over!!! But so goes a saying: "well begun is half done."., and here... it went to more than just the beginning... It was far more than the beginning, a journey, that was not intended to end so soon... (Read a journey that should have not ended!)

But again, all good things come to an end... And this was such a beautiful thing... Built on the faith of so many! As it all terminates, it opens up newer avenues... leaving for us, its share of lessons... to be incorporated into the future...

No Regrets! the job is done... and this will stay in memories for ever...