Many Lives, Many Masters is the true story of a prominent psychiatrist, his young patient, and the past-life therapy that changed both their lives.
As a traditional psychotherapist, Dr. Brian Weiss, M.D., after graduating from Columbia University and Yale Medical School, spent years studying the human psychology, training himself to think like a scientist and a physician.He was a consertive physician who distrusted anything that could not be proved by scientific evidence. But when he met Catherine, a patient, who came to his office seeking help for her anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias, he was shaken to the core during the therapy sessions that followed. For the first time, he came face-to-face with the concept of reincarnation and rebirth.
After she sought his help, for 18 months, Dr. Weiss used conventional methods of treatment to help Catherine overcome her traumas. When nothing worked, he tried hypnosis, which, he explains, “is an excellent tool to help a patient remember long-forgotten incidents. There is nothing mysterious about it. It is just a state of focused concentration. Under the instruction of a trained hypnotist, the patient’s body relaxes, bringing out memories of long-forgotten traumas that were disrupting their lives.”
During the initial sessions, she regressed back to her early childhood and her mind brought out isolated, deeply-repressed memory fragments. She remembered the time she swallowed water and felt gagged when pushed from a diving board into a pool; also how her father molested her one night when she was three. But what came next, was something that surprised the doctor beyond his imaginations.In a series of hypnotic states, Catherine recalled “past life” memories that still caused her nightmares and attacks of anxiety. The doctor described how she vividly recalled the details of each of her 86 past lives – her name, her family, physical appearance, the landscape, and how she was killed by stabbing, by drowning, or illness. In each lifetime she is making progress in her understanding and at the end of each life she tries to fulfill the ultimate goal of learning from the life and becoming God Like through knowledge. The doctor also hears her remarkable revelations about his family and his dead son.
The Masters also spoke various things which are worth a read. Some excerpts:
1. “Our task is to learn, to become God-like through knowledge… By knowledge we approach God, and then we can rest. Then we come back to teach and help others.”
2. “We must share our knowledge with other people. We all have abilities far beyond what we use. …you should check your vices… if you do not, you carry them over with you to another life… when you decide you are strong enough to master the external problems, then you will no longer have them in your next life.”
3. “Everybody’s path is basically the same. We all must learn certain attitudes while we’re in physical state. …charity, hope, faith, love…we must all know these things and know them well.”
4. “Everything is energy… Humans can only see the outside, but you can go much deeper… To be in physical state is abnormal. When you are in spiritual state that is natural to you. When we are sent back, it’s like being sent back to something we do not know. In the spirit world you have to wait, and then you are renewed. It’s a dimension like the other dimensions…”
5. “The fear of death…that no amount of money or power can neutralize”…remains within us. “But if people knew that life is endless; so we never die; we were never really born, this fear would dissolve.” We have “lived countless times before and would live countless times again…and spirits are around us to help while in physical state and after death, in spiritual state.” We and our deceased loved ones would join these guardian angels.
6. “Everything comes when it must come. A life cannot be rushed… we must accept what comes to us at a given time… life is endless… we just pass through different phases. There is no end. Time is not as we see time, but rather in lessons that are learned.”And as finally Dr. Weiss says " I also feel responsible for my actions, the negative as well as lofty. I know there will be a price to pay. What goes around truly does come around." Surely this book is going to change many lives.
Read on....
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Three mistakes of my life - Book Review
Chetan Bhagat's books are like whey protein - easy to digest and high in entertaining nutrition.I read "Five Point Someone" as a friend recommended it to me, with strict instructions to complete it in five hours. This one is a similarly interesting five hour read. Re reads though are sufficient to qualify you as dumb or being on bench.
Having been a lifelong resident of Gujarat's apologetic substitute for a capital Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad was the place where I spent the best days of my youth. The earthquake, the subsequent riots, cricket-our national obsession, religion, undercurrents of Hindu nationalism politics are all mentioned with a red hot love story stuffed in and hence the book based in Amdavad's pols not only relates to our lives but also makes for an amazing masala movie type read. The author oscillates between class and crass, but the former does out do the latter eventually. The characters aren't as well formed as they were in the first novel. Also they are always shown munching on Khakhras, making it seem to be Amdavadis' favourite food and inadvertantly hurting the sentiments of the gastronomic pleasure obsessed Amdavad denizens. time and again Amdavad is spelled as Amdavab, making me wonder if i bought the original copy or a pirated one.
Spelling mistakes and khakhras apart the author has touched the core when he writes about the riots. As Ali's father, the zoology professor learnt from the chimps fighting for everything and eventually kissing to make up every time. " Life will have many setbacks. People close to you will hurt you. But you don't break it off. You dont hurt them more. You try to heal it." The message will do well not just for Amdavad, or five crore Gujaratis but for our country and the world.
It seems that Indian publishers have finally realised the importance of low prices to keep the book on top of the best sellers list and avoid piracy - probably after the innate businessman Kishore Biyani priced his book as low as 100 bucks and sold better than Harry Potter week after week. So for this book, the die hard Gujju's verdict is : For a cool 95 bucks, its a steal.
Having been a lifelong resident of Gujarat's apologetic substitute for a capital Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad was the place where I spent the best days of my youth. The earthquake, the subsequent riots, cricket-our national obsession, religion, undercurrents of Hindu nationalism politics are all mentioned with a red hot love story stuffed in and hence the book based in Amdavad's pols not only relates to our lives but also makes for an amazing masala movie type read. The author oscillates between class and crass, but the former does out do the latter eventually. The characters aren't as well formed as they were in the first novel. Also they are always shown munching on Khakhras, making it seem to be Amdavadis' favourite food and inadvertantly hurting the sentiments of the gastronomic pleasure obsessed Amdavad denizens. time and again Amdavad is spelled as Amdavab, making me wonder if i bought the original copy or a pirated one.
Spelling mistakes and khakhras apart the author has touched the core when he writes about the riots. As Ali's father, the zoology professor learnt from the chimps fighting for everything and eventually kissing to make up every time. " Life will have many setbacks. People close to you will hurt you. But you don't break it off. You dont hurt them more. You try to heal it." The message will do well not just for Amdavad, or five crore Gujaratis but for our country and the world.
It seems that Indian publishers have finally realised the importance of low prices to keep the book on top of the best sellers list and avoid piracy - probably after the innate businessman Kishore Biyani priced his book as low as 100 bucks and sold better than Harry Potter week after week. So for this book, the die hard Gujju's verdict is : For a cool 95 bucks, its a steal.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Transfer Vehicle in Pune RTO
Am not much into informative blogging, but I had to write this one as I didn't want anyone else face all I did trying to transfer my vehicle to my name.
These transfer details given below are for used two wheelers when transferring the vehicle which is from the same RTO in which you reside and only for Maharashtra RTO. The documents that are required for the same are as given below:
1. Form 29 - 1 Copy
You can download the pdf version of the Form from http://www.rtopune.info/downloadrtoforms.htm
2. Form 30 - 2 Copies
You can download the pdf version of the Form from http://www.rtopune.info/downloadrtoforms.htm . The Pune RTO website is a gud one with nearly all the information. So if you need more hard facts you can refer it anytime too.
3. Chassis print of forms
The chassis number of your vehicles is the number that is printed on the left side of the vehicle below the steering. (ie. true for bikes atleast). You need to get a trace of this number on a paper using a pencil. Make three chassis traces and stick them to the three forms ie the two copies of Form 30 and one Form 29 that you got from the site of RTO Pune.
4. Valid Vehicle Insurance Papers photocopy
Check the dates. The insurance can be in the name of the previous owner. How to transfer it to your name - most insurance companies will get it done for around 50 bucks. Get it attested.
5. Valid PUC photocopy
Check the PUC dates. Get it attested. A valid PUC is important if you want to transfer vehicle to your name.
6. Address Proof
Electricity Bill, Ration Card, etc will do. If you live on rent, you will need the agreement signed on a 20 Rs Stamp paper with yours and the owners signatures.
7. Original Address Proof
A copy of your driving license will suffice. Get it attested.
8. Purchase Receipt
You can skip the copy of the purchase receipt if you want to. But if the owner has one get it photocopied too. And attest. :-)
9. 1 photograph + thumb impression with notary
I got my photograph on a Affidavit cum Indemnity certificate which I got typed by a local court clerk. I met a Captain Patil who sits in the opposite to Wadia College, Beside Manikchand Ikon building, Near D.P. Road, where there are some other notaries etc too, and got this whole thing typed.
Next wherever you have put in your signature, also put a thumb impression at all those places. And get the thumb impression attested by someone again.
10. After assembling all the documents get all the photocopies attested by a notary, a doctor or anyone you can find.
11. Finally, go and submit the form at Window 22. As far as I remember thats the one.
12. The form will be checked and they will let you know if anything is missing. Once this is done, they will send you to the clerk who handles the file for your series.
13. The series for a vehicle is decided by the alphabet preceding the number of your vehicle. For example if your vehicle number is MH-12 CM 9050, then CM is the series of your vehicle. Every clerk is assigned a fixed number of series.
14. That clerk will register your vehicle for that series and then call you a few days later.
15. Next, you have to go and pay the money for the smart card. Every smart card costs 350 bucks. (The transfer costs 30 and smart card 350. I wonder who is profiting - the RTO or the agency they have outsourced it to? Definitely, some babu would have made tons by awarding the smart card contract to his friend's son.)
16. The smart card will be ready the next time you go. It will be with the clerk who first took the transfer file from you. Carefully check the details on the smart card before you sign that you have received it. Later, you might not be able to change anything.
Finally you have your ownership. The staff at RTO Pune is civil and courteous. They are every bit helpful. Even some agents are ready to provide you all the information you need. The problem with doing the whole task by oneself is that you will have to visit the Pune RTO office a number of times. With the RTO Pune timings being from 10:30 to 6:30, it is always tough for working people like us to manage. This is when the agents can be slightly helpful. The ttal cost of the transfer though, will not increase 500 bucks. Even if you include all the commute from your place to RTO, it will be around 100 bucks more.
Going to an agent or doing it all by yourself is your choice. But do take care to prepare a complete, comprehensive file as I have shown above. If you do that, the rest will not take much time.
Feel free to contact me for any help.
These transfer details given below are for used two wheelers when transferring the vehicle which is from the same RTO in which you reside and only for Maharashtra RTO. The documents that are required for the same are as given below:
1. Form 29 - 1 Copy
You can download the pdf version of the Form from http://www.rtopune.info/downloadrtoforms.htm
2. Form 30 - 2 Copies
You can download the pdf version of the Form from http://www.rtopune.info/downloadrtoforms.htm . The Pune RTO website is a gud one with nearly all the information. So if you need more hard facts you can refer it anytime too.
3. Chassis print of forms
The chassis number of your vehicles is the number that is printed on the left side of the vehicle below the steering. (ie. true for bikes atleast). You need to get a trace of this number on a paper using a pencil. Make three chassis traces and stick them to the three forms ie the two copies of Form 30 and one Form 29 that you got from the site of RTO Pune.
4. Valid Vehicle Insurance Papers photocopy
Check the dates. The insurance can be in the name of the previous owner. How to transfer it to your name - most insurance companies will get it done for around 50 bucks. Get it attested.
5. Valid PUC photocopy
Check the PUC dates. Get it attested. A valid PUC is important if you want to transfer vehicle to your name.
6. Address Proof
Electricity Bill, Ration Card, etc will do. If you live on rent, you will need the agreement signed on a 20 Rs Stamp paper with yours and the owners signatures.
7. Original Address Proof
A copy of your driving license will suffice. Get it attested.
8. Purchase Receipt
You can skip the copy of the purchase receipt if you want to. But if the owner has one get it photocopied too. And attest. :-)
9. 1 photograph + thumb impression with notary
I got my photograph on a Affidavit cum Indemnity certificate which I got typed by a local court clerk. I met a Captain Patil who sits in the opposite to Wadia College, Beside Manikchand Ikon building, Near D.P. Road, where there are some other notaries etc too, and got this whole thing typed.
Next wherever you have put in your signature, also put a thumb impression at all those places. And get the thumb impression attested by someone again.
10. After assembling all the documents get all the photocopies attested by a notary, a doctor or anyone you can find.
11. Finally, go and submit the form at Window 22. As far as I remember thats the one.
12. The form will be checked and they will let you know if anything is missing. Once this is done, they will send you to the clerk who handles the file for your series.
13. The series for a vehicle is decided by the alphabet preceding the number of your vehicle. For example if your vehicle number is MH-12 CM 9050, then CM is the series of your vehicle. Every clerk is assigned a fixed number of series.
14. That clerk will register your vehicle for that series and then call you a few days later.
15. Next, you have to go and pay the money for the smart card. Every smart card costs 350 bucks. (The transfer costs 30 and smart card 350. I wonder who is profiting - the RTO or the agency they have outsourced it to? Definitely, some babu would have made tons by awarding the smart card contract to his friend's son.)
16. The smart card will be ready the next time you go. It will be with the clerk who first took the transfer file from you. Carefully check the details on the smart card before you sign that you have received it. Later, you might not be able to change anything.
Finally you have your ownership. The staff at RTO Pune is civil and courteous. They are every bit helpful. Even some agents are ready to provide you all the information you need. The problem with doing the whole task by oneself is that you will have to visit the Pune RTO office a number of times. With the RTO Pune timings being from 10:30 to 6:30, it is always tough for working people like us to manage. This is when the agents can be slightly helpful. The ttal cost of the transfer though, will not increase 500 bucks. Even if you include all the commute from your place to RTO, it will be around 100 bucks more.
Going to an agent or doing it all by yourself is your choice. But do take care to prepare a complete, comprehensive file as I have shown above. If you do that, the rest will not take much time.
Feel free to contact me for any help.
Monday, October 20, 2008
We need more Sachins
The little master scales another peak, adds another feather to his cap, another trophy in his shelf, another record to his name and the whole nation celebrates. When Sachin plays India celebrates. For all of us he isn't a Marathi or a Mumbaiya but the toast of the nation.
The little master has done what very few could in todays sectarian world. With his bat he has scaled the peaks of regionalism and transcended regional boundaries. Decades ago we had one Mahatma who wasn't a Gujarati, who wasn't a baniya but who was an Indian. So much so that he probably lost his life in trying to stay one.
We need more Sachins, more Gandhis and more celebrities that don't inspire regional fervour but national reverence. More so in these times of votebank based, divisive, dirty politics that is soiling the soul of our diverse nation. The MNS is not wrong in demanding Grade 4 jobs for locals. But it is grossly wrong in trying to gain votes by dividing the nation.
So lets have more Sachins, for cricket, for India.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Forward Fascination
Its a love story born of boredom and desperation. Its a love story that helps spawn other love stories. I have been on the internet since nearly a decade now, but my dependence and love for forwards has never been stronger. Bench period has provided me with the time and patience for going through all the forwards. Some of the reasons I love forwards.
1. Excellent source of General Knowledge.
2. Best tool to make your presence felt. I've known people whom I miss when they don't send me forwards.
3. Helps remember all the Days-Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, Family,Earth, Sun, Moon, Ocean and Friendship days - though I suspect that the latter seems to be cropping up just about every month. And since its all on e-mail, I never forget sending cards for the same. :-)
4. Helps revise all the wonders of the world. The 7 ancient wonders, 7 modern wonders, 7 engineering wonders, 7 engineering blunders and a whole lot of lists of all wonders everywhere.
5. Helps keep us updated with the latest news.
6. Forwards help us move forward with all the beauties who probably wouldn't give you a second glance but would adore all your forwards.
7. And last but not the least. It helps me say - Am busy.
1. Excellent source of General Knowledge.
2. Best tool to make your presence felt. I've known people whom I miss when they don't send me forwards.
3. Helps remember all the Days-Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, Family,Earth, Sun, Moon, Ocean and Friendship days - though I suspect that the latter seems to be cropping up just about every month. And since its all on e-mail, I never forget sending cards for the same. :-)
4. Helps revise all the wonders of the world. The 7 ancient wonders, 7 modern wonders, 7 engineering wonders, 7 engineering blunders and a whole lot of lists of all wonders everywhere.
5. Helps keep us updated with the latest news.
6. Forwards help us move forward with all the beauties who probably wouldn't give you a second glance but would adore all your forwards.
7. And last but not the least. It helps me say - Am busy.
Train Travail 2
Nose dripping and eyes watering, as I returned from Bangalore by train, I actually empathized with the BMC which I heard was again under fire for the inefficient drainage system. I secured an upper berth and got to my reading. I had barely turned a page and my ears usually inundated by alien sounds in this part of the country, heard some one speaking a familiar tongue and that perked my interest. They were Marwaris. Soon I got acquainted and exchanged the usual enquiries about each others' reason for the trip. They were forthcoming and interested in chit chat but since I was bogged down by my surging eyes and splurging nose, I was unusually reserved. I passed a sleepless night as the Maadu children engaged in a screaming competition and I seriously contemplated a childless future.
Soon it was time to leave as the familiar Hyderabad landscape passed by me. It was then that aunty asked me "Would You like to come to our place? Its nearby, you can have tea with us and then leave for your place." I muttered something about reaching office early in the morning and escaped. I have been travelling a lot since the last few years and such companionship now seems normal. But sometimes I wonder wether I, representing the typical new generation IT worker would go out of the way and invite a complete stranger for coffee?
This snobbery or better - the reluctance to acquaintance might be attributed to the polite society that we all are a part of, in which we usually keep to our non-interfering, non-meddling selves. I dunno the right from the wrong but I believe that most of my peers would agree to behaving the way I do.
Soon it was time to leave as the familiar Hyderabad landscape passed by me. It was then that aunty asked me "Would You like to come to our place? Its nearby, you can have tea with us and then leave for your place." I muttered something about reaching office early in the morning and escaped. I have been travelling a lot since the last few years and such companionship now seems normal. But sometimes I wonder wether I, representing the typical new generation IT worker would go out of the way and invite a complete stranger for coffee?
This snobbery or better - the reluctance to acquaintance might be attributed to the polite society that we all are a part of, in which we usually keep to our non-interfering, non-meddling selves. I dunno the right from the wrong but I believe that most of my peers would agree to behaving the way I do.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Sunrise at Vizag's R.K.Beach ...... Super start to super days ....
Best Beach in Vizag .... Rushi konda beach .... Serene and gorgeous...
View of Vizag from KailasGiri .....
On the way to picturesque Araku ....
Up to Araku ....
The katki Waterfalls....
The first sunset .... The sun was hidden behind the clouds so we watched the fishermen fish ....
Waiting for Vizag ... bored tired, hungry, shitty too ....
Gorgeous Godavari....
On the way to Vizag ..... NH-6
On the way to Vizag ..... NH-6
On the way to Vizag ..... NH-6
Vizag Visit 2
It was unusual for me to be awake watching the sun rise. Being in the afternoon shift at STC had deprived me of this pleasure. I was in the seat next to the driver's and the rest of the gang had succumbed to the movie "Welcome" and gone to sleep. I was supposed to see to it that the driver doesn't get sleepy and my 'wows' as the sun rose, duly ensured that.
As the sun rose in the pink-violet sky, the barren fields, bordered by the tall standing coconut palms formed the landscape and the mist in the sky made it seem as if a cloud had descended on the earth or maybe .... we were in heaven. And it was a gorgeous sunrise, the first of few more to come. After a lot of chit chatter, fun, sleep and eventual boredom we reached Vizag through the eastern ghats at 4 p.m. First destination was Kailasgiri which had superb views of the city and a nice little ropeway. Snap snap there and we moved on to the beach. Watched the waves from a distance, inched closer. Hardeep was the first one to get his legs wet and soon all of us were trying to save our clothes from getting drenched and Avni from getting drowned. Half an hour of fun and then we trekked our way to the hotel, dirty drenched pants rolled up and shoes in our hands. An eventful dinner with the head waiter suffering the wrath of Naiya Maiya and we went off to sleep for the day.
Early the next day we watched another glorious sunrise from the beach, saw the fishermen get their catch from the ocean went snap snap and after getting some idlis packed left off for the splendid Araku valley - the queen of the Eastern Ghats. The two hour journey to Araku was via Borra Caves, which unfortunately were not accessible to us due to APTDC strike. Nevertheless we went over to Katki waterfalls with sixteen of us in and also above the roof of one jeep. The ones in the jeep indulged in punching the bums of those on top, perched above, hanging on for dear life, we enjoyed a splendid view of the valley amidst all the screaming and shouting and singing that sixteen wild souls could do. Once there we had a gala time bathing in the waterfalls with Moiz getting in his element showing off his 'tond' body. Hardeep learnt that not just driving, running on the hills is also quite a dangerous task. After the climb and back to the waterfalls we were famished and hungry for Araku. After having Biryani we moved to the Botanical Gardens there. Tried getting as many snaps as possible there with my tired camera and then we left for Vizag late in the night. After failing to find a restaurant good enough for our dainty dames we settled for good old idli dosas and the night with some other head waiter blessing our good sense.
Final Day with the snaps .... coming up next .....
As the sun rose in the pink-violet sky, the barren fields, bordered by the tall standing coconut palms formed the landscape and the mist in the sky made it seem as if a cloud had descended on the earth or maybe .... we were in heaven. And it was a gorgeous sunrise, the first of few more to come. After a lot of chit chatter, fun, sleep and eventual boredom we reached Vizag through the eastern ghats at 4 p.m. First destination was Kailasgiri which had superb views of the city and a nice little ropeway. Snap snap there and we moved on to the beach. Watched the waves from a distance, inched closer. Hardeep was the first one to get his legs wet and soon all of us were trying to save our clothes from getting drenched and Avni from getting drowned. Half an hour of fun and then we trekked our way to the hotel, dirty drenched pants rolled up and shoes in our hands. An eventful dinner with the head waiter suffering the wrath of Naiya Maiya and we went off to sleep for the day.
Early the next day we watched another glorious sunrise from the beach, saw the fishermen get their catch from the ocean went snap snap and after getting some idlis packed left off for the splendid Araku valley - the queen of the Eastern Ghats. The two hour journey to Araku was via Borra Caves, which unfortunately were not accessible to us due to APTDC strike. Nevertheless we went over to Katki waterfalls with sixteen of us in and also above the roof of one jeep. The ones in the jeep indulged in punching the bums of those on top, perched above, hanging on for dear life, we enjoyed a splendid view of the valley amidst all the screaming and shouting and singing that sixteen wild souls could do. Once there we had a gala time bathing in the waterfalls with Moiz getting in his element showing off his 'tond' body. Hardeep learnt that not just driving, running on the hills is also quite a dangerous task. After the climb and back to the waterfalls we were famished and hungry for Araku. After having Biryani we moved to the Botanical Gardens there. Tried getting as many snaps as possible there with my tired camera and then we left for Vizag late in the night. After failing to find a restaurant good enough for our dainty dames we settled for good old idli dosas and the night with some other head waiter blessing our good sense.
Final Day with the snaps .... coming up next .....
Vizag Visit 1
There were no lights anywhere. No electricity and hence no sounds. The only sounds were the sounds of the jungle around us. The trees on both sides of the winding road that went up and down the terrain looked eerily beautiful, silhoutted against the moonlight. The soft rains added to the calm serenity of the night. It was an enchanting evening.
The clog in the wheel though was the clutch kit. It was a two year old Eicher mini bus that we had hired and it had broken down 60 kms from the nearest town of Rajahmundry and the gorgeous Godavari. With Khammam, the next big town still 150 kms farther off in this naxal prone area, we didn't have much time to enjoy the enchanting evening. I and Moiz were drenched in the rain, looking for a mechanic, looking to hire a vehicle back to Hyderabad and back to our then beloved Monday morning.
Somehow we managed to flag a Luxury Bus on the highway and managed to get into the already full bus. The gals somehow managed in the available seats and we guys were left to experience the "Dil Chahta Hai" journey with nothing but a newspaper between our butts and the bus floor. Moiz, Chaitanya and Bhavik were sitting in the cleaner's seats behind the driver with Moiz trying to test the alertness of the driver by repeatedly falling over him. The driver too responded by averting a few close shaves. Dilip experienced the full wrath of Mahakali as he woke up to find a foot pressed upon his chest. After trying to learn Telugu, listening to Telugu music all night Naiya eventually understood "U r my chocolate". Dimple started with praying in our mini bus and ended up cursing all and sundry responsible for our fate. Sated she managed to catch a wink. Parita talked for some time and eventually succumbed to sleep.I being my excitable self wasnt able to sleep and hence occupied myself with trying to lull Madhav and the Moiz to some rest in my lap. Dipika probably spent the night dreaming horrid naxalite dreams because of the fright that Madhav had given her earlier in the evening. Kunal, in a vest, wrapped in a shawl to protect himself from the unusually cold morning looked very much the cute teddy. The mood was sombre, so much so, that even Shilvi was silent.
Eventually after one rather long pit stop we reached on the Hyderabad highway near Uppal cross roads from where we managed to get another dreaded mini bus back to Secundrabad station. Our Vizag adventure finally came to an end as bleary eyed, battered bodied we reached our homes that morning.
What we did in Vizag .... comin up ..........
The clog in the wheel though was the clutch kit. It was a two year old Eicher mini bus that we had hired and it had broken down 60 kms from the nearest town of Rajahmundry and the gorgeous Godavari. With Khammam, the next big town still 150 kms farther off in this naxal prone area, we didn't have much time to enjoy the enchanting evening. I and Moiz were drenched in the rain, looking for a mechanic, looking to hire a vehicle back to Hyderabad and back to our then beloved Monday morning.
Somehow we managed to flag a Luxury Bus on the highway and managed to get into the already full bus. The gals somehow managed in the available seats and we guys were left to experience the "Dil Chahta Hai" journey with nothing but a newspaper between our butts and the bus floor. Moiz, Chaitanya and Bhavik were sitting in the cleaner's seats behind the driver with Moiz trying to test the alertness of the driver by repeatedly falling over him. The driver too responded by averting a few close shaves. Dilip experienced the full wrath of Mahakali as he woke up to find a foot pressed upon his chest. After trying to learn Telugu, listening to Telugu music all night Naiya eventually understood "U r my chocolate". Dimple started with praying in our mini bus and ended up cursing all and sundry responsible for our fate. Sated she managed to catch a wink. Parita talked for some time and eventually succumbed to sleep.I being my excitable self wasnt able to sleep and hence occupied myself with trying to lull Madhav and the Moiz to some rest in my lap. Dipika probably spent the night dreaming horrid naxalite dreams because of the fright that Madhav had given her earlier in the evening. Kunal, in a vest, wrapped in a shawl to protect himself from the unusually cold morning looked very much the cute teddy. The mood was sombre, so much so, that even Shilvi was silent.
Eventually after one rather long pit stop we reached on the Hyderabad highway near Uppal cross roads from where we managed to get another dreaded mini bus back to Secundrabad station. Our Vizag adventure finally came to an end as bleary eyed, battered bodied we reached our homes that morning.
What we did in Vizag .... comin up ..........
Zooooo
This weekend the Gujju Gang visited the "Zoo". Most of us hailing from Ahmedabad and roundabouts have a typical notion of a Zoo. The Kankaria Zoo in Ahmedabad being the benchmark. Hence a seriously depleted gang boarded the 7Z bus to the zoo from Paradise bus stand. A visit to the amazing Jawaharlal Nehru nature park - as i should rightly call it changed all that. A superbly well maintained zoo with beautiful animals and surrouds it was a photographs and I went berserk with my S3 IS as I clicked just about everything in sight. Gotta admit though that I did feel the need for a DSLR with its speed and efficiency as I missed out on a few beautiful shots because of the slow speed of my S3 IS. The white tiger was gorgeous and posing for us too, the colourful birds and the flowers in the Butterfly garden were very beautiful too. The boat ride in the masonry dam created at a cost of 1 Lakh rupees was bliss. We missed the train ride but snapped a lot of silhouttes in the train tunnel. The safari ride was where we came face to face with some healthy, well fed tigers who were so used to tourist vehicles that they scarcely gave us a second glance as we ogled them endlessly and by threatening to open the vehicle's door troubled a bunch of foreign tourists who were into the ride with us. All in all it was a hugely fulfilling day for Janit - the photographer, though Janit the lazybum suffered a lot as the zoo was huge.
Am itching to go there again with my cam in tow and click more pics. I was lucky to get the snap I have uploaded here as there was the sun coming on these two pretty birds from the skylight and it illuminated them and their perch. Time was a huge constraint though as inspite of all my efforts I barely managed to click a mere 150 snaps.
So for all you shutterbugs out there, the Jawaharlal Nehru Nature Park is a heaven in waiting.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
To all Future Leaders
Every time I manage a seat in the Satyam bus I heave a sigh of relief. Sometimes even the Mumbai trains seem simpler. Agreed the transportation is handled by an independent entity and the mismanagement is not our fault. But under the current circumstances two points warrant immediate attention.
1. Being the great leaders that we all are can't we just stand in a queue at the bus stand all by ourselves rather than behaving like the common junta ? Infact the common public in many cities is far more disciplined in this matter as compared to us at Satyam. In Mumbai I have invariably seen a queue being formed regardless of the number of people itching to get in.
2. Every state transport bus has reservation of seats for women. Why cant we have the same at Satyam. How can we bear to see our fellow female associates pushed around everytime they seek to get into a bus ? Eventually the poor women associates have to depend on a bhaiyya or a saiyya to help them out by reserving seats for them. And the rest just wait.
No matter how long we were formals and keep shaving off our beards, leave alone being leaders, we are far worser off than the man on the street if we don't behave with discretion.
1. Being the great leaders that we all are can't we just stand in a queue at the bus stand all by ourselves rather than behaving like the common junta ? Infact the common public in many cities is far more disciplined in this matter as compared to us at Satyam. In Mumbai I have invariably seen a queue being formed regardless of the number of people itching to get in.
2. Every state transport bus has reservation of seats for women. Why cant we have the same at Satyam. How can we bear to see our fellow female associates pushed around everytime they seek to get into a bus ? Eventually the poor women associates have to depend on a bhaiyya or a saiyya to help them out by reserving seats for them. And the rest just wait.
No matter how long we were formals and keep shaving off our beards, leave alone being leaders, we are far worser off than the man on the street if we don't behave with discretion.
Good Morning
Salutations to the Father of the Nation.
I believe that you can't make a Mithunda fan love Kukunoor movies by showing him loads of Kukunoor ones. Its the character of a person, his upbringing, his persona that define the kind of taste he exhibits. This taste is reflected in most of the choices that we make as a person through our lives.
I saw a program to be telecast tonight on CNN IBN called as "Did Gandhiji's death go in vain?". Being an ardent blogger as well as someone who adores and admires the Mahatma such programs and the increasing debate with regards to the relevance of the Mahatma in recent times has compelled me to write this up.
Love and Truth. Are they relevant in today's times? When won't they be ? Infact they are more relevant than ever before. With a well educated, affluent and growing middle class this is just natural. The dilemma of the geat Indian middle class is that even though it itches to get to the upper echelons of society, it fails to do so and since going down isn't an option, it prides itself by scorning wealth and living by the values. Thats why I think that this middle class believes in and lives by the ideals of the Mahatma and a large and shrinking section of the society actually understands and loves what he stood for. And for those who don't I'll cite the Kukunoor example.
I believe that you can't make a Mithunda fan love Kukunoor movies by showing him loads of Kukunoor ones. Its the character of a person, his upbringing, his persona that define the kind of taste he exhibits. This taste is reflected in most of the choices that we make as a person through our lives.
I saw a program to be telecast tonight on CNN IBN called as "Did Gandhiji's death go in vain?". Being an ardent blogger as well as someone who adores and admires the Mahatma such programs and the increasing debate with regards to the relevance of the Mahatma in recent times has compelled me to write this up.
Love and Truth. Are they relevant in today's times? When won't they be ? Infact they are more relevant than ever before. With a well educated, affluent and growing middle class this is just natural. The dilemma of the geat Indian middle class is that even though it itches to get to the upper echelons of society, it fails to do so and since going down isn't an option, it prides itself by scorning wealth and living by the values. Thats why I think that this middle class believes in and lives by the ideals of the Mahatma and a large and shrinking section of the society actually understands and loves what he stood for. And for those who don't I'll cite the Kukunoor example.
Mahatma
Salutations to the Father of the Nation.
I believe that you can't make a Mithunda fan love Kukunoor movies by showing him loads of Kukunoor ones. Its the character of a person, his upbringing, his persona that define the kind of taste he exhibits. This taste is reflected in most of the choices that we make as a person through our lives.
I saw a program to be telecast tonight on CNN IBN called as "Did Gandhiji's death go in vain?". Being an ardent blogger as well as someone who adores and admires the Mahatma such programs and the increasing debate with regards to the relevance of the Mahatma in recent times has compelled me to write this up.
Love and Truth. Are they relevant in today's times? When won't they be ? Infact they are more relevant than ever before. With a well educated, affluent and growing middle class this is just natural. The dilemma of the geat Indian middle class is that even though it itches to get to the upper echelons of society, it fails to do so and since going down isn't an option, it prides itself by scorning wealth and living by the values. Thats why I think that this middle class believes in and lives by the ideals of the Mahatma and a large and shrinking section of the society actually understands and loves what he stood for. And for those who don't I'll cite the Kukunoor example.
I believe that you can't make a Mithunda fan love Kukunoor movies by showing him loads of Kukunoor ones. Its the character of a person, his upbringing, his persona that define the kind of taste he exhibits. This taste is reflected in most of the choices that we make as a person through our lives.
I saw a program to be telecast tonight on CNN IBN called as "Did Gandhiji's death go in vain?". Being an ardent blogger as well as someone who adores and admires the Mahatma such programs and the increasing debate with regards to the relevance of the Mahatma in recent times has compelled me to write this up.
Love and Truth. Are they relevant in today's times? When won't they be ? Infact they are more relevant than ever before. With a well educated, affluent and growing middle class this is just natural. The dilemma of the geat Indian middle class is that even though it itches to get to the upper echelons of society, it fails to do so and since going down isn't an option, it prides itself by scorning wealth and living by the values. Thats why I think that this middle class believes in and lives by the ideals of the Mahatma and a large and shrinking section of the society actually understands and loves what he stood for. And for those who don't I'll cite the Kukunoor example.
Mumbai
That day I again managed to breach the cordon and entered the Virar fast boarding it from Borivali. After a few hostile glances and some mumblings indicating - Better get into your own train, I settled into my customary position beside the train door.
After Andheri passed by, I heard him preaching. He was talking about the Lord Christ, referring to him as Yeshu, a term used by the lower class Christian community when speaking of Jesus. As soon as he started he was warned and asked to stop. He didn't pay much heed to this and continued nevertheless. Hearing the commotion I tried getting a look at his face but was unable to do so as the train was heavily overcrowded. Soon there were shouts which forced him to discontinue and confront the shouters. He tried placating them in the softest of tones as the rest of the travellers were hell bent on pushing him out of the train.
Travelling in a jam packed train where humans are worser off than cargo - that compartment is the roomiest one I have observed, commuter anger has been a cause of concern in Mumbai since a long time. And every "Train Travail" as I called it is a testimony as much to the grit and determination of the Mumbai junta as to the apathy of the different governments that ruled over it which has reduced our financial capital to this state.
Studying in a convent, Christmas was as much my festival as it was for my Christian friends. Yet over the years I had come to love the way it was celebrated in Mumbai. I still vividly remember the Vile Parle streets adorned with christmas trees and lots of stars of different shapes and sizes. The gaiety was somehow always missing in Gujarat. In my recent visits to Mumbai though this sentiment seems to be waning. And its just not me that thinks this way. A prominent actor isn't given a house as he is a Muslim, compulsory reservation of flats for Marathis in locales, separate societies, not just by Parsis, but the newly rich Jains and diamond merchant Patels.
I dont know wether its commuter anger or Shiv Sena rhetoric at play. When I work in an office in Hyderabad where my colleagues constitute virtually the whole of India, and who readily celebrate Uttarayan - eating the chikki, with us, all I ask is where is Mumbai heading ?
After Andheri passed by, I heard him preaching. He was talking about the Lord Christ, referring to him as Yeshu, a term used by the lower class Christian community when speaking of Jesus. As soon as he started he was warned and asked to stop. He didn't pay much heed to this and continued nevertheless. Hearing the commotion I tried getting a look at his face but was unable to do so as the train was heavily overcrowded. Soon there were shouts which forced him to discontinue and confront the shouters. He tried placating them in the softest of tones as the rest of the travellers were hell bent on pushing him out of the train.
Travelling in a jam packed train where humans are worser off than cargo - that compartment is the roomiest one I have observed, commuter anger has been a cause of concern in Mumbai since a long time. And every "Train Travail" as I called it is a testimony as much to the grit and determination of the Mumbai junta as to the apathy of the different governments that ruled over it which has reduced our financial capital to this state.
Studying in a convent, Christmas was as much my festival as it was for my Christian friends. Yet over the years I had come to love the way it was celebrated in Mumbai. I still vividly remember the Vile Parle streets adorned with christmas trees and lots of stars of different shapes and sizes. The gaiety was somehow always missing in Gujarat. In my recent visits to Mumbai though this sentiment seems to be waning. And its just not me that thinks this way. A prominent actor isn't given a house as he is a Muslim, compulsory reservation of flats for Marathis in locales, separate societies, not just by Parsis, but the newly rich Jains and diamond merchant Patels.
I dont know wether its commuter anger or Shiv Sena rhetoric at play. When I work in an office in Hyderabad where my colleagues constitute virtually the whole of India, and who readily celebrate Uttarayan - eating the chikki, with us, all I ask is where is Mumbai heading ?
Hyderabad Blues
After spending the last few years of my predominantly uneventful life, travelling in different cities, the "blues" article has become a regular feature of my blogs. Its nice to dissect and discern the different cities that I travel to and gain an insight into, not only the city but my perception of my surroundings there.
Six of us disembarked the Satyam train, alongwith a host of fellow Satyamites, all of us temporary migrants to the Telugu town of Hyderabad. Unsure of a halt by the train we had started hauling out our luggage on the platform long before it stopped. Consequently by the time all of us disembarked, our luggage adorned half the length of the Begumpet platform. And that was the beginning.
Its been exactly one month and eight days and two invaluable kilos of body mass in Hyderabad and each day has been a day of celebration. Celebrating our successes, our failures, celebrating the loss of a roof over our heads, celebrating the loss of a companion, celebrating our new homes and our new friends, celebrating a journey so topsy turvy that we smile through our tears.
Hyderabad is a city that owes a lot to its administrators and unlike Mumbai its for all the good that they have done for the city. A very well developed and even better maintained city with inhabitants who possess the laidback attitude of a small city and the cosmopolitan culture of a big one. This optimism also stems from the fact that my last sojourn was Mumbai during monsoon.
Summarising, I luv the place and the city and am looking forward to moving out of its hospitals which have become my favourite weekend hangouts to exploring it in its entirety.
Six of us disembarked the Satyam train, alongwith a host of fellow Satyamites, all of us temporary migrants to the Telugu town of Hyderabad. Unsure of a halt by the train we had started hauling out our luggage on the platform long before it stopped. Consequently by the time all of us disembarked, our luggage adorned half the length of the Begumpet platform. And that was the beginning.
Its been exactly one month and eight days and two invaluable kilos of body mass in Hyderabad and each day has been a day of celebration. Celebrating our successes, our failures, celebrating the loss of a roof over our heads, celebrating the loss of a companion, celebrating our new homes and our new friends, celebrating a journey so topsy turvy that we smile through our tears.
Hyderabad is a city that owes a lot to its administrators and unlike Mumbai its for all the good that they have done for the city. A very well developed and even better maintained city with inhabitants who possess the laidback attitude of a small city and the cosmopolitan culture of a big one. This optimism also stems from the fact that my last sojourn was Mumbai during monsoon.
Summarising, I luv the place and the city and am looking forward to moving out of its hospitals which have become my favourite weekend hangouts to exploring it in its entirety.
Life is Beautiful
If there is one thing that a pure born and bred Gujarati relishes more than his fafda, jalebis, undhiyu and reliance shares combined, its the festival of Uttarayan. And for all of us here in Hyderabad, saying that being away from our roots on this day was a traumatic experience is putting it mildly. As the reinvented saying goes "You can take a Gujarati out of Gujarat but not Gujarat out of a Gujarati".
So yesterday all of us from Gujarat got together and celebrated Uttarayan at a friend's place. After a lot of noise and very few kite flying experiences we settled down for lunch and some for a much sought after post lunch siesta. After that we visited snow world.
The city of Hyderabad is built around the magnificent Hussain Sagar lake. The very well developed and maintained lakeside attracts hordes of locals and tourists on most days and more so on holidays. Snow world is another tourist attraction akin to a huge refrigerator where sub zero degree temperatures are maintained alongside the production of loads of snow and games which add to the fun. And fun was what the thirty two of us had in loads. Hitting each other with ice balls, going down the slopes of and dancing in the ice to the tunes of Kajra re.
Reminiscing back home wid sore backs and behinds, we were tired but satiated. Life presently is beautiful. Loads of fun, friends and masti. Movies and out bounds and eating out every day. Life is picture perfect. Am looking forward to becoming fitter and travelling around Hyderabad and making new friends and doing more of reading, writing and photography. Am not a sceptic and yet have failed to unravel the order amidst this chaos. Am living life in the moment. And enjoying it. But the big picture irks me nonetheless. How long without a purpose, without a want, a burning desire for success? Or should it be how long till I change my parameters for success?
So yesterday all of us from Gujarat got together and celebrated Uttarayan at a friend's place. After a lot of noise and very few kite flying experiences we settled down for lunch and some for a much sought after post lunch siesta. After that we visited snow world.
The city of Hyderabad is built around the magnificent Hussain Sagar lake. The very well developed and maintained lakeside attracts hordes of locals and tourists on most days and more so on holidays. Snow world is another tourist attraction akin to a huge refrigerator where sub zero degree temperatures are maintained alongside the production of loads of snow and games which add to the fun. And fun was what the thirty two of us had in loads. Hitting each other with ice balls, going down the slopes of and dancing in the ice to the tunes of Kajra re.
Reminiscing back home wid sore backs and behinds, we were tired but satiated. Life presently is beautiful. Loads of fun, friends and masti. Movies and out bounds and eating out every day. Life is picture perfect. Am looking forward to becoming fitter and travelling around Hyderabad and making new friends and doing more of reading, writing and photography. Am not a sceptic and yet have failed to unravel the order amidst this chaos. Am living life in the moment. And enjoying it. But the big picture irks me nonetheless. How long without a purpose, without a want, a burning desire for success? Or should it be how long till I change my parameters for success?
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