New Year 2005
- St.Xavier's College Ahmedabad
Joy of new year dampened by the tsunami tragedy. Chilly winter, Mid night mass, countdown and cheering, cake and wine, long queue for midnight phone calls, joy of new formed friendships
New Year 2006
- College Hostel, Palakkad
Not much of a celebration. In the middle of the night, there was a short circuit somewhere and we all had to run out of the hostel. Adding some spark to the new year!
New Year 2007
- Home, Cherpulasseri
A small small neighbourhood celebration. Few games, little music, cake, food, togetherness, loads of love
New Year 2008
- Campus, Hyderabad
Winter chill, love, Hyderabadi food, long walks in the night, cold winds, a card(which a shredded later on in a moment of madness), VC rocks, friends, bonfire, freedom,
New Year 2009
- Apartment, Delhi
New Year party on a chilly winter night, big bonfires, music, dancing, meeting people, real good food, nice roommie, a tinge of loneliness
New Year 2010
- Hostel, Calicut
New year party in room, two of my all time best friends and rommies, @Ojins with Indu, back to room, stock of real nice food, booze, music, fun, pictures, pointless talk, more booze, food, friendship,
New Year 2011
- Bangalore
????
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Reflections on the New Year Eve
Boredom
Sense of loss
Nonsense
Books
Love
Sorrow
fun
Passion
Hope
I was trying to put together words that define the passing year in my life. There were good moments, there were bad ones. There was sorrow, of parting, of losing, of having to move on. Things that leave a bad taste.
I've moved into a new place - my 'hole in the wall' that I've begun to love. I got to read a whole lot of good books and enjoy all those lazy evenings in the solitude of my room reading some nice book. Started loving this city and the life that it offered.
I've travelled to at least some of the places that I've always wanted to see. There was an Udupi - kollur trip that was really pleasant and enjoyable. Then there was this mudumalai-masinagudi-ootty trip which was thrilling and relaxing. Then there are a whole lot of places that I've wanted to visit, but never got to :(
Then there is this endless waiting. Waiting for things to happen. Waiting for things that never happen, waiting for people who never turn up....
There is a pain when people go away, when you leave places, when movies end, when you reach the last page of a beloved book, when love fades away, when your favorite shop closes down, when a journey ends, when you give up things... the same feeling comes up when a year ends. A year that has brought in a whole gamut of emotions ranging from agony to Ecstasy, pain to joy, hollowness to fulfillment is slowing making it's exit.
And then there is hope. Hope that the coming year is going to bring something nice, something memorable. Hope that builds up during the beginning and then goes on diminishing as the days progress, something like the waxing and waning of the moon. Nevertheless, in the beginning, there is Hope...
Sense of loss
Nonsense
Books
Love
Sorrow
fun
Passion
Hope
I was trying to put together words that define the passing year in my life. There were good moments, there were bad ones. There was sorrow, of parting, of losing, of having to move on. Things that leave a bad taste.
I've moved into a new place - my 'hole in the wall' that I've begun to love. I got to read a whole lot of good books and enjoy all those lazy evenings in the solitude of my room reading some nice book. Started loving this city and the life that it offered.
I've travelled to at least some of the places that I've always wanted to see. There was an Udupi - kollur trip that was really pleasant and enjoyable. Then there was this mudumalai-masinagudi-ootty trip which was thrilling and relaxing. Then there are a whole lot of places that I've wanted to visit, but never got to :(
Then there is this endless waiting. Waiting for things to happen. Waiting for things that never happen, waiting for people who never turn up....
There is a pain when people go away, when you leave places, when movies end, when you reach the last page of a beloved book, when love fades away, when your favorite shop closes down, when a journey ends, when you give up things... the same feeling comes up when a year ends. A year that has brought in a whole gamut of emotions ranging from agony to Ecstasy, pain to joy, hollowness to fulfillment is slowing making it's exit.
And then there is hope. Hope that the coming year is going to bring something nice, something memorable. Hope that builds up during the beginning and then goes on diminishing as the days progress, something like the waxing and waning of the moon. Nevertheless, in the beginning, there is Hope...
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Happy Ano Sir?
"Happy alle sir?" (You are happy. rt?)
That was the first question Shan used to asked us every morning. It was a rhetoric, not expecting a serious answer. we used to take that in a light vein and answer "yes sir". There was a genuine friendship amognst us and we had time and space to share our joys and sorrows with eachother.
That was quiet sometime back and today we all have moved into distant places and bigger offices where nobody asks (or even cares) if you are happy. Here we meet daily, greet eachother, discuss stuff related to work, and go back home.One fine morning, we were shocked to hear the announcement from the management that one of our managers passed away due to 'health issues'. Much later, we learnt that this man, with a 4 year daughter, who is very much attached to him, has taken his own life. He had a great job, a 6 digit salary, own house in bangalaore, a new car - everything matrial that one can wish for. Why then did he do this? None of us had any clue. Just the other day he had talked with us, took a smoking break with some others and was his usual cheerful self. What was it that plagued him so much to drive him to such a drastic step? we will never know!
We, who spend hours in discussions and meetings called project reviews, team meeting and many other such stuff, do not know a thing about the folks sitting around the same table. Why does it happen? Why is it that we do not have the time or need to know about others, understand the people who work with us? What happened to the good old days when people really cared?
When the management realised something's wrong, they decided to conduct a stress management program. They gor the trainer whose biodata reads "She is a Master/Teacher of Reiki, Pranic Healing, Magnified Healing, Acupressure, Aroma therapy, Yoga, Meditation, Hypnosis, Melchizedek Method of hologram healing, Feng Shui, Tai chi and NLP. Using all the above sciences she has healed over 1,000 people." These are the people who get paid (real huge amounts) to listen to the worries and problems of other people and then give some kind of advice. Something our grandmas and auties used to do all the time, without getting(or expecting to get) paid ofcourse.
I don't know about others, but for me, all I need to manage stress is someone to ask me the good old question, "happy alle sir?". And, would actually wait for an answer.
That was the first question Shan used to asked us every morning. It was a rhetoric, not expecting a serious answer. we used to take that in a light vein and answer "yes sir". There was a genuine friendship amognst us and we had time and space to share our joys and sorrows with eachother.
That was quiet sometime back and today we all have moved into distant places and bigger offices where nobody asks (or even cares) if you are happy. Here we meet daily, greet eachother, discuss stuff related to work, and go back home.One fine morning, we were shocked to hear the announcement from the management that one of our managers passed away due to 'health issues'. Much later, we learnt that this man, with a 4 year daughter, who is very much attached to him, has taken his own life. He had a great job, a 6 digit salary, own house in bangalaore, a new car - everything matrial that one can wish for. Why then did he do this? None of us had any clue. Just the other day he had talked with us, took a smoking break with some others and was his usual cheerful self. What was it that plagued him so much to drive him to such a drastic step? we will never know!
We, who spend hours in discussions and meetings called project reviews, team meeting and many other such stuff, do not know a thing about the folks sitting around the same table. Why does it happen? Why is it that we do not have the time or need to know about others, understand the people who work with us? What happened to the good old days when people really cared?
When the management realised something's wrong, they decided to conduct a stress management program. They gor the trainer whose biodata reads "She is a Master/Teacher of Reiki, Pranic Healing, Magnified Healing, Acupressure, Aroma therapy, Yoga, Meditation, Hypnosis, Melchizedek Method of hologram healing, Feng Shui, Tai chi and NLP. Using all the above sciences she has healed over 1,000 people." These are the people who get paid (real huge amounts) to listen to the worries and problems of other people and then give some kind of advice. Something our grandmas and auties used to do all the time, without getting(or expecting to get) paid ofcourse.
I don't know about others, but for me, all I need to manage stress is someone to ask me the good old question, "happy alle sir?". And, would actually wait for an answer.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Are We Safe?
Just the day before we were all reading the verdict of the Prathibha murder case. The newspapers were full of articles regarding how this shocking incident changed the whole approach to providing a secure work and travel atmosphere to women employees. Many It companies changed their policies, many rules and regulations were established regarding this. Today, after all these, how women-friendly are our cities?
This very shocking and humiliating experience happened to a girl I know. She is working in one of those bing Indian multinationals in Bangalore. One day she left office at 8 p.m. and was walking home. It was not a very isolated or remote area, there were lot of people around. As she walked, a man who was stading at the roadside moved closer, took a sip of water from a bottle in his hand and spat the whole thing on to her face. She was shocked, scared and humiliated beyond words. As the man laughed out aloud, people around made a half-hearted effort to catch this guy. He threatened them with the bottle in his hand and ran away.She walked home with tears of hurt and humiliation streaming down her face.
We are not speaking about remote villages where women still remain inside the four walls of the house. This is Bangalore, and we are speaking about a professionally qualified girl who would probabaly have a fat pay cheque. Does education and high paid jobs really make things easier for girls?
We take things seriously when something as big as rape or murder happen. The newspapers get a sensational news item and they run the story for days together. Nobody really cares for things like these. Many girls put up with things like these - wilful acts of humiliation. For newspapers, policmen and spectators these are 'minor incidents'.
Why is it that in this country some bastard could do this and then walk away just like that? Why do we always lead our complacent lives believing things like that happen to someone else?
This very shocking and humiliating experience happened to a girl I know. She is working in one of those bing Indian multinationals in Bangalore. One day she left office at 8 p.m. and was walking home. It was not a very isolated or remote area, there were lot of people around. As she walked, a man who was stading at the roadside moved closer, took a sip of water from a bottle in his hand and spat the whole thing on to her face. She was shocked, scared and humiliated beyond words. As the man laughed out aloud, people around made a half-hearted effort to catch this guy. He threatened them with the bottle in his hand and ran away.She walked home with tears of hurt and humiliation streaming down her face.
We are not speaking about remote villages where women still remain inside the four walls of the house. This is Bangalore, and we are speaking about a professionally qualified girl who would probabaly have a fat pay cheque. Does education and high paid jobs really make things easier for girls?
We take things seriously when something as big as rape or murder happen. The newspapers get a sensational news item and they run the story for days together. Nobody really cares for things like these. Many girls put up with things like these - wilful acts of humiliation. For newspapers, policmen and spectators these are 'minor incidents'.
Why is it that in this country some bastard could do this and then walk away just like that? Why do we always lead our complacent lives believing things like that happen to someone else?
All in a Day's Work
location: my workstation
Time 10 a.m.
Hp: good morning ma'm
Me: Good morning. Why are u late?
HP: Ma'm my mom's not well. She is admitted in a hospital.
Me: oh really? What happened? How's she now?
Hp: She had a fall. She had an operation yesterday. her leg is bandaged. Now she will have to be in the hospital for a month or so.
Me: Is it? Then who is at the hospital?
Hp: I'll have to go. There is nobody else.
Me: That's fine. You can leave. Do you want some cash or anything?
Hp: No thanks. I guess I can manage.
Me: ok then. take care.
Location: Boss' cabin
Time: 10.30 a.m.
Me: Good morning sir
Boss: Good morning
Me: Sir did you know about Hp's Mom?
Boss: Yes I did. That was so unfortunate. What would be the effect of all this?
Me: He will have to remain in the hospital. I have already told him he can leave.
Boss: What I meant was how would this affect our projects?
Me: I can't ask him to work in this this kind of a situation.
Boss: May be he can take the laptop to the hospital and work from there.
Me: !!!!
Time 10 a.m.
Hp: good morning ma'm
Me: Good morning. Why are u late?
HP: Ma'm my mom's not well. She is admitted in a hospital.
Me: oh really? What happened? How's she now?
Hp: She had a fall. She had an operation yesterday. her leg is bandaged. Now she will have to be in the hospital for a month or so.
Me: Is it? Then who is at the hospital?
Hp: I'll have to go. There is nobody else.
Me: That's fine. You can leave. Do you want some cash or anything?
Hp: No thanks. I guess I can manage.
Me: ok then. take care.
Location: Boss' cabin
Time: 10.30 a.m.
Me: Good morning sir
Boss: Good morning
Me: Sir did you know about Hp's Mom?
Boss: Yes I did. That was so unfortunate. What would be the effect of all this?
Me: He will have to remain in the hospital. I have already told him he can leave.
Boss: What I meant was how would this affect our projects?
Me: I can't ask him to work in this this kind of a situation.
Boss: May be he can take the laptop to the hospital and work from there.
Me: !!!!
Friday, June 25, 2010
On Turning 25
Turning 25 is a kind of turning point in your life (They say that at the time of your class X board exam also, but believe me, that doesn’t turn anything). At 25 you are supposed to be grown up, mature, free and all that. Well the way I walked into the turning point is a bit amusing so I thought I’d share it with you.
Two weeks back:
On a daily basis, I get up early in the morning and frantically search for that huge wrinkle which was supposed to turn up when you are 25. At least Nilufer said she got a big wrinkle on her face when she turned 25.
One week back:
The much dreaded wrinkle has not yet appeared. Was planning to do some shopping in honor of the birthday but my mommy dearest gifted me dress etc which saved a trip to the mall. She has a way of pampering me and thankfully turning 25 has not brought about any change to it.
One day back:
I get this wonderful book “Electric Feather” as a birthday gift. Wow, people started considering me grown up enough to gift me something like that. Great! (At least a week later I finish reading that book and find out that the difference between erotic fiction and porn is 350 bucks! But that comes much later and now I’m all so happy and proud of the gift)
Later in the day. Dinner at a Chinese restaurant with a friend. I loved that seat near an aquarium.
The day:
Mails, wishes, gifts as usual.
Someone called up and said something about being grown up and I was extremely happy and pleased with myself. (In less than a week’s time, I managed to fell of a silly chair that too in plain view of half the office staff. I did look quiet childish when I tried to rock that silly chair I guess. Well that again comes much later, right now I have this grown up air all about me.)
A friend of mine gifted me a book on how to improve the leadership skills. I try hard not to take that as a hint on how well I’m managing my team. At least none of my team members gave me a book on how to manage a team.
The evening went on with the usual cake cutting, smearing the cake all over the face and other stuff like that. More of usual gifts, chocolates etc.
One week into the new year, I just can’t feel the difference. I still manage to do all the silly and stupid things I used to do before. That wrinkle hasn’t turned up yet (sigh of relief). People don’t consider me more matured or anything. More important than anything else, Life still sucks, Big time!!
Two weeks back:
On a daily basis, I get up early in the morning and frantically search for that huge wrinkle which was supposed to turn up when you are 25. At least Nilufer said she got a big wrinkle on her face when she turned 25.
One week back:
The much dreaded wrinkle has not yet appeared. Was planning to do some shopping in honor of the birthday but my mommy dearest gifted me dress etc which saved a trip to the mall. She has a way of pampering me and thankfully turning 25 has not brought about any change to it.
One day back:
I get this wonderful book “Electric Feather” as a birthday gift. Wow, people started considering me grown up enough to gift me something like that. Great! (At least a week later I finish reading that book and find out that the difference between erotic fiction and porn is 350 bucks! But that comes much later and now I’m all so happy and proud of the gift)
Later in the day. Dinner at a Chinese restaurant with a friend. I loved that seat near an aquarium.
The day:
Mails, wishes, gifts as usual.
Someone called up and said something about being grown up and I was extremely happy and pleased with myself. (In less than a week’s time, I managed to fell of a silly chair that too in plain view of half the office staff. I did look quiet childish when I tried to rock that silly chair I guess. Well that again comes much later, right now I have this grown up air all about me.)
A friend of mine gifted me a book on how to improve the leadership skills. I try hard not to take that as a hint on how well I’m managing my team. At least none of my team members gave me a book on how to manage a team.
The evening went on with the usual cake cutting, smearing the cake all over the face and other stuff like that. More of usual gifts, chocolates etc.
One week into the new year, I just can’t feel the difference. I still manage to do all the silly and stupid things I used to do before. That wrinkle hasn’t turned up yet (sigh of relief). People don’t consider me more matured or anything. More important than anything else, Life still sucks, Big time!!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Live and Let Live
I happened to visit this huge temple complex in Mangalore called Kudroli temple. This temple complex, inaugurated by Rajiv Gandhi, has the normal temple structures and additional stuff like a marriage hall, park with fountain etc. After the visiting the main shrine and offering our prayers, we entered the, park.
Now this is a park with a pool, a large number of sculptures and paintings of Gods and Goddesses. There are these really magnificent sculptures of Siva at all corners of the pool and I was told that they have this wonderful display of light and water there on special occasions.
And then there is the park with grass, a smaller pool, rocks, small trees and shrubs etc. There, they have made life-like statues of animals and have tried to recreate the natural settings in which these animals occur. Mostly these are animals with some kind of religious significance like the tiger, lion, snakes, rat, peacock, cow etc. Well, there are a few ‘secular’ ones like the crow, spotted deer, egrets etc. Then I found this very interesting item. They have kept name tags for each of these statues just like they do in a zoo. I found it pretty amusing. Had it been a live peacock or crow, it made sense; but keeping a nameplate near the cement statue of a peacock? I found it funny.
Later on I was thinking about this. I was wondering what made these people do something that looks as silly as this. This was the time when the reports on “0nly 1410 tigers left in India” were beginning to come out. Then I realized with a start that if things go on at today’s pace, this kind of cement statues will be all that we have of all these magnificent species. We will have to make parks full of statues like this replace our zoos.
It is time for us to start doing something about saving our forests and its denizens for the generations to come. If we don’t do something, that too pretty fast, these painted figures will be all that our children, and their children, will have as a proof off all the wonderful creatures that used to inhabit this earth.
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