Helping Hands

Always believed one need not help others only with monetary funds. Feel it is equally same sponsoring food for less privileged children or spending quality time with them. Being courteous is also of good help to our fellow living beings - moving inside the bus where ever possible instead of standing in the way blocking others to get in to a crowded bus, giving our seat to who are less able to stand if we can, saving water so that it may help some other who has less access make the possibility to get it, etc.

Recently seen an incident which inspired me to write this blog. I went to a temple, and outside the main deity worship place, an old man was serving small bits of paper to every one who were coming out. This need not require any money, but felt it is of great help. Most of us would need this at that time to have the sacred ash and kumkum to share it with our loved ones.

There is nothing like small help or big help, help is a help. Thanks to the man who have reinstated me with this thought, and I'll also be helpful where ever possible and in which ever small way.

Dravid Retires...

Rahul Dravid hanged up his boots today from International cricket. A selfless player who gave everything for the team's needs, and showed utmost commitment. He will be an inspiration for every one irrespective of their chosen fields, definitely a one for me.

Will like to see Rahul still serving Indian cricket either as an administrator or coaching young talents.

Fast Track

My flight to London got cancelled, so the airways booked a ticket for me in the next available flight in business class. On board, the crew gave business class passengers fast track invitation for the security check in London.


After landing in London, business class passengers were first let off. Everyone since they had (including me) fast track invitation went to the fast track counter. At the time we went, crowd was reasonably less at the security check. There were about 20 people in the regular queue, and since all the business class passengers took fast track counter, there would be about 30 - 40 people in the fast track queue.


After observation, found out there were only 3 dedicated counters for fast track but over 10 counters available for the regular queue. Those who were present already in the regular queue, and those who came after us and joined the regular queue, all completed their security check, and our queue was moving very slowly. I just looked around, everyone's reactions in the fast track queue were visibly frustrated.


Another incident, back in India, went to temple with Janaki and my father. It was heavily crowded that day, so we thought of taking the special entrance queue. Then my father told free dharshan queue is moving quicker today than the special entrance queue. Also in free dharshan, it would be a moving queue since people would be rushed to move immediately by the representatives, but in the special entrance queue since people have paid, they might stand in for an extra minute (common human tendency). So we followed the free entrance queue, and to my surprise, we had dharshan reasonably quicker in the free entrance queue as it moved very quickly.


Fast track will be helpful at many times, but realised fast track is not always fast track.

New Year 2012

The day was 1 Jan, 2012. I told it will be crowded, so we shall go to the temple the next day. But Janaki wanted to go on the auspicious new year day only. So planned to go to temple, and lunch at restaurant.

After reaching the temple only came to know this would be the plan for most of the people. As expected, packed crowd there. After dharshan, went to a restaurant that we've never tried before.

There was a decent crowd, not over crowded. We managed to get seats, and patiently waited for 10 mins.  No one came to clear the table or to attend, then I called one of the server and asked her to clean the table. She took off the plates and left, but did not clean. I was expecting she will come back to clean the table, and take the order. She did not turn up, so after some wait, I called another server who was passing by to take the order.

She took the order, but did not note it down. On the way, she had taken order from couple of other customers as well, but not noting down again. I thought she must have tremendous mental power to remember this if all the items ordered are delivered correctly. We were just chatting and waiting for the items. It was quite some time now, no signs of anything coming up. 

Then came the moment of the day which I have never seen in any of the restaurants till now. One of the server had one dish, and she was not sure which table to serve this to, and she was querying in each and every table whether they had ordered the dish. I was laughing seeing this, not sure if out of frustration.

Then we decided no point waiting here any more, we just got off from the table and left the restaurant. At least an event packed day.

When did you last do anything for the first time?

When did you last do anything for the first time?

Anything that is new gives us energy and enthusiasm like wearing a new dress, hearing a new song, visiting a new place and the list goes on.

Similarly if we can always have an answer to this question (at least not lesser than 6 months old), life could be so refreshing. It could be learning a new skill, reading a new quality book or any activity that helps to bring a holistic change.

Sachin 50

After a long time, writing a blog today. Again it is on cricket only...I wanted not to write a blog on cricket as my next blog, but I could'nt resist as today a new height has been set in the history of cricket.

Its Sachin's 50th test match century. What a feat to be achieved, and at what a moment to do it when India was in such a bad situation in the match. Whatever happens to the test match from now on, this fight will help India go into the next test match with confidence. Its amazing to see the passion of this man's love to cricket.

Its a lesson that if everyone can be as passionate as Sachin (even though not gifted like him) to their job, all can attain greatness one day.

Keep rocking Sachin.

India on Top :)

It is a great feeling to know my country is on top of the world in Test cricket today. India beat SL by an innings and 24 runs, and also won the test series 2-0. It is not a mean achievement, 10 years back, we can never think of winning a Test match away from India, from there to reach the no. 1 spot is something great. Thanks to each and everyone who had contributed to achieve this over the past decade.

I want to mention 2 players here, not taking away any credit from others (including greats) who are not mentioned here. Dravid and Laxman for being selfless and contributing to the team by batting at any position the team requires. Also both of them have taken so many catches (most of them good reflex catches) between them - in test cricket, taking sharp catches and converting those half chances is very much important to win.

Best of Luck Team India to hold on to this position.

Eeram (Wetness)

Watched Eeram (Tamil movie) today afternoon. It turned out to be a top movie, very different one from what I have experienced so far. It feels very good to have watched a good movie.

Everytime I see a pathetic movie, I decide to myself that I should not watch any such movie from then on at least in theatres, but unfortunately I get into movies like Masilamani (hopeless).

Win in the morning

A powerful thought I read in an article, and wanted to share here. We normally set a target to wake up at a particular time in the morning and set the alarm accordingly, but due to laziness/ aspiration to sleep a bit more time, we dont follow that. If we can set a realistic target, and stick to it, we can start with a win every morning. It is indeed encourgaing to know that a day is started with a win, and with that mental satisfaction, we can go about our tasks throughout the day with the same emotion and succeed.

I have a habbit of snoozing the alarm usually, it is indeed a tough task for me to follow this, but after this blog, I am confident that I'll start the day with a win! I'll definitely add a note whether I have achieved this in my next blog.

Dravid is back!!!

Long time since I wrote a blog, I decided to write a new one but the topic? I was thinking of what to write - many recent incidents stuck me and finally decided to write on one of my favorite player's come back to ODI side.

When Dravid was taken out of the side in 2007, I thought it was more of a ego clash from the then selection panel chief Vengsarkar. Had Dravid not quit his captaincy, would he have been thrown out in such a way? Probably not.

But I applaud the selection (kudos to the new selection committee) of Dravid into the side at this crucial moment, it was made very clear in T20 world cup that Indian youngsters are weak towards the rising ball, and they were not confident at all. Going with the same side will not help them by any means, having Sachin and Dravid back into the side will definitely help the team and now the team looks much stronger and balanced. It is time for the younger players to realise the reality and work on the bouncers so that when Sachin, Dravid, Laxman retires, they do not leave a big gap to fill upon.

Though we need to wait and watch the team's performance in the coming events, I am hoping (also confident) that Dravid does his job with class. He is a true servant of Indian cricket and the next time he goes out of the team, it should be after a better farewell.

All the Best Dravid!!!

Nano Maniac!!!

This blog is on the Nano launch by Tata. Ratan Tata has said that this is his dream come true. I will say that it has made common man's dream to become true. 1 lakh people will be selected randomly by a computer application and the cars will be allocated to them. Wow!!! I just pinched myself to realize that this is not given free of cost.

In an interview with a cobler, he has said I have saved my every penny to get this car. Surely Nano has brought a thought among everyone that he/ she can also own a car. Forget about the cons that is being talked about - it will bring chaos in the traffic, it will cause pollution - a joy that brings in people that they can afford a car now is uncomparable to any cons.

If there is pollution, traffic issues, then its the appropriate department's problem to solve it by prompt planning and putting into action the necessary rules. Rarely people are without a car in a developed nation, and hardly there is any pollution.

Thanks to the Tatas on behalf of the common man, and I am also eyeing a Nano (only after learning to drive ;)) - but after seeing the crush for it, looks like I cannot get it soon.

Disparity???

This is about my opinion on the disparity in pay across the jobs in India. I read advertisements in UK like learn bus driving, and you could earn upto 500 pounds per week, a plumber charges 120 pounds for an hour's work, whatever the occupation may be everyone leads a good life (atleast in earnings), and most importantly all are treated at par. Noone sees and act differently for a barber, street sweeper or a doctor.

But in India, there is a complete U turn on this, a bus driver or a plumber or a security person (unless otherwise working in a big organization) does not get the salary not even close to a doctor, MBA grad or an engineer's pay. Life is not at par in India, there are many cafe coffee days, pizza huts, IMAX/ INOX cinemas and others, but not all can afford that. Its not that they work less hard, their work is if not more it is as difficult as other high pay jobs. They do undergo tremendous stress in their workplace, why should they get salary with complete disparity compared to others? Why should they not afford to go to a quality restaurant or a world class theatre?

When I joined my organization, in the first day induction programme, a HR person told minimum salary in this company is 5000 Rs per month (this is almost 5 years back), so even when he/ she is a house keeping person, facilities, security person, it would not be less than 5000 Rs. I dream our government also comes up with a plan something like this...during election times, politicians offer so many freebies, spend so much money in unnecessary things, if they can save all this, and make all public sector companies profitable (its very much possible as Lallu showed the way), they can definitely bring a rule for minimum salary which is above or at decent level (for both public and private sectors). This will bring more energy among our people, and this can also lead to a more peaceful, crimeless India.

Courtesy

Couple of weeks back..I was travelling in the tube as usual to goto office..Two other people also boarded the train along with me, one was less able to stand among them.. It was bit crowded in the train, and I think none noticed this person as noone offered him a seat. After the train started moving, a girl (would not be more than 12 years of age), sitting 4-5 seats away from where we are standing came to this person and asked 'Do you want to sit?', for which the person who was less able to stand politely refused, and asked the girl to be seated. That was a happy moment for me to see a small kid behave in such a courteous manner.

We learn lessons any where and at any time, it need not come from a scholar, it can come from a kid also. I always try to be courteous, but some times due to my habbit of thinking too many (both necessary and unnecessary) things, I forget what is happening around me and behave a bit odd - I remember once in a similar train journey, I did not leave way for the passengers to get out and was blocking their way.

Being couteous is a very good habbit, when I expect others to be courteous to me, I should also reciprocate the same and I'll work for it. At the same time, it is best to avoid/ keep distance of people who we know are non courteous.

Oscar Rahman :)

Feb 22nd - AR Rahman got 2 oscar awards for his work in a movie 'Slumdog Millionaire'.

I have already seen this film, I liked the film when I saw first. What makes this film very different to achieve so many milestones? Truth is apart from being very real, the reach of this movie.

There has been a debate that there are even better movies than this one made in Indian cinema, ARR has scored even better music than this before, this is being reaching heights only because this is a British film, even I think sometimes the same. But immediately, then next questions comes in my mind, yes this has gathered attention because of a British director, if it can get attention to the truly deserving people, what is wrong in that?

We are thinking AR Rahman has composed better music before, this might be because we are now used to this master piece. I read in one of my friend's orkut status, West is experiencing for the first time what we have been doing for so long. Thats the way to sum it up.

Congrats ARR, and let this be just the start of a long journey. And also thanks to have brought the sense of proudness among the Indians to make every one tell my fellow country men have won an oscar.

Hi!!!

Hi!!! - This is the most used subject heading in an email - atleast for me. But this blog is not regarding the selection of subjects in an email. Lol..

This blog is my thought on a statement/ saying I came across recently. In this world, all who we do not know are our un-introduced friends...I went to a restaurant alone last week, there I met one person whom I have seen in my office, but I never have interacted with him. He was sitting near me, then he told, 'Hi, inga dhaan unga veedu irukka??' (Hi, ur house is in this area only is it?)...then I said Yes...and we started conversing like his name, his project, where he is from, which place he is working at offshore...within no time we know each other now or to whom I can say Hi/How are you/Bye whenever I see him...

Then I was just correlating with this incident to the statement I had mentioned earlier in this blog, then I thought it might be true. Yes, for that, we cannot go to a total stranger and say Hi in a road...but whenever possible, if we can make an introduction with the people we see in office, staying near to us, or to people with whom we are travelling over a long distance...It is indeed good knowing people, after all good people can give more happiness than any other material things.

New Year Resolution

I am writing this exactly one month in delay, but 2009 is still a new year.

Frankly, there is no time if we need to take a resolution seriously, but taking at only new year is just an excuse so that we can delay whatever we are doing/ not doing till that time. If that is the case, then resolution taken at new year will not last for long.

However new year gives an opportunity to take a new resolution, to take a new path and to take a new beginning. I am sure it gives immense joy if we can achieve that. But it may not be easy, I am taking me as an example, when I am going back by memory, I remember every new year I have taken a resolution, but I dont remember not even a single one which I achieved it completely, that tells how easy is to take a resolution, and how difficult it is to fulfill it.

But if you want to take a resolution, and serious about it, dont wait for the next year to come, take it on the same day that you think. There are more chances of you sticking to it if you take it at that time than you wait for any other particular time. Once I read in an article author quoting 'I wont lie and lose my self respect when found lying', that line stuck me, why to even lie for fun, I decided that day, and I would say the only resolution that I had achieved so far is this one.

Villu vs Padikadhavan

These are the 2 films which were released for pongal and with expectations. I saw Padikadhavan, I felt the film was worse, I saw Villu, then I felt the former one was better. It is a pity that still the heroes/ director/ producer think 5 fast songs and 5 fights, and few comedy scenes will make the film. It ofcourse makes the film only in quantity, and not with quality.

Hightime film makers think and make a film.

Hobbies!!!

Hobbies - I just searched in http://www.dictionary.com/ for this word and I got the below meaning.

an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation

This is at the high level. I will try to explain my point of view on hobbies in this blog (idhu verayaa appdinnu feel pannaadhinga)

As far as we know, everyone has a hobby rt? If we ask someone regarding his/ her hobby, we'll get some answer from them, but never there will be an answer that I dont have a hobby. Most common hobbies that are mentioned are reading magazines, watching tv, hearing music. I recently read in an article that these are not hobbies, and just the pass time.

It looked true to me, and really not everyone will have an hobby. Hobby is something that makes a person happy, that makes a person use his/ her valuable time effectively. One who has a good hobby will not tell he/she has lots of free time and be happy within themseves.

So what is qualified as hobbies? I do not want to go deep into it, and it has a wide range of qualifications. If it just meets the above para's quality, then that is a good hobby. Even if you dont have multiple hobbies, pick up atleast one/ two activity and try to improvise on it.

Ask this question to you whether you have a real hobby, if not think and pick up a hobby. It will be definitely inside you, just you need to search within yourself (its just a tip for a more happier life..believe me, good hobby will make you happy...atlast, we all are striving towards things that will bring happiness to us and our surroundings)

Route 300...

You would be wondering what is this route 300? There may be 300 or more routes for any task to do..but this is not about that. This is about a bus route 300 - covering Canning town station to East ham London. Here it goes..

I landed London, and before coming here I know where am I going to stay. I had booked a cab from airport, when I reached home, that was a bit far from the tube station. I was a bit concerned, then I saw a bus stopping just opposite to the house - I overjoyed - need not walk a lot while going to office and can come home during late night as well.

First day, I was waiting in the bus stop - I remember bus came in 5/10 mins. Same thing happened couple more days. Bus is supposed to come every 20 mins, one fine evening, route 300 just left before I could reach the bus stop, I somehow decided it is better to wait for the next bus. 20 mins - passed by - bus did not come. After 5 mins, 300 came, but with the message in the board - 'Sorry Not in Service'. After seeing that, I told myself 'Aahaaaa..aarambichitaaanga daa'...Coincidentally opposite side also another 300 went with the same message..Then I thought 'Sorry not in service ku edhukku daa bus a ottringa'...That is just a start of it all, from that day on I never wait for 300, and I see sorry not in service 300 atleast once in a day, and I would have a smile in my face immediately..

These days I never wait for 300, but occasionally it surprises me by running in service...but the thing I love 300 route is whenever I see that bus, somehow it brings me joy within myself..Thanks 300 for that :)

Festival of Lights!!!

Long time since I wrote a blog, so thought of writing one. Then came the next question, on what topic? I did not think much on that, today is Diwali and my favourite festival. Immediately jumped into write on that.

Why diwali is celebrated? To not go deep into the history of diwali celebration, it is very simple. To celebrate the good winning over evil. Right from my childhood, I always love this day, and the following is just a routine of diwali celebrations for me. I go back to my childhood, where I will not sleep the day before, I would be counting the time for sun to rise. Once I see some sun light, I jump out of my bed, and it would be sound of the crackers all around. I would also love to burst, and there are some formalities to be done before that at my home. Need to take bath first, that too oil bath. While taking bath, I'll also apply Shikhai. My parents will warn me dont open your eyes till Shikhai is washed away, otherwise your eyes will start burning. So I'll tightly close my eyes. Then after taking the bath, wearing new dress. It is always a great feeling to wear new dress, we'll feel we look over smart and I used to stand in front of mirror atleast for some time.

Then after that, there would be sweets and other special food items would be ready. I'll go there to take it, then I will get the news - first we need to goto temple, and then only can have breakfast. But still I take some vadas and sweets. Then when everyone is ready, after praying at home - appa will show aradhana, then we'll crack few crackers, till the time before this, I would be waiting for the moment to burst crackers. But when the time comes, there would be few, no not few, many butterflies inside. I will try to burst and then run 100 m away to find I have not done the needful. Then again I'll go there to burst, but after 2 - 3 attempts, finally I'll succeed. Then we'll all goto temple. It would be great to see everyone wearing new dress, everyone wishing each other and seeing everyone very happy. I feel why cant this happen everyday???

Then after coming, it is breakfast feast. I would be completely full, but Amma will come and serve 2 more idly's, first will resist and then I'll have that as well. After that TV programmes, by this time, patti mandram will start, we all amma, appa, akka and anna sit together and watch it. Then there would be variety of programmes, and after heavy breakfast got over, now its time for heavy lunch.

In the evening where we can crack colorful crackers. I feel this is more beautiful than the power crackers. I spend most of the time in the evening by bursting that, and after having dinner - peacefully going to sleep after 1 full day's enjoyment.

From the next morning, I wake up and start waiting for the next diwali to come. It is indeed a great festival, that brings joy in everyone be it whatever sorrow we may be in.