Voyage

1 Picture

2012-01-15T01:12:00.000-06:00

2 Songs

2012-01-15T00:52:00.000-06:00

Choosing two songs is not a difficult task for me, as there are two songs which are always in playlists. As far as music goes, I love sufi, 80's rock, 60's and 70's music. Most of the time, selection of music depends on mood...

1. Estranged (Guns n' Roses)- One of the all time favorite of mine, I heard this for the first time in 2007 (I know its very late) and since then it is a permanent member of my playlist. There was huge transition from liking the opening guitar by Slash to lyrics. This number is magical, at least for me.

2. What a wonderful world (Louis Armstrong)- Beautiful lyrics and a great feel good factor associated with it. Let the song speak for itself:

3 Films

2012-01-11T09:17:00.000-06:00

By far the toughest one... How can a film freak decides on films!? Before starting this list, let me give you a little background- From my 6th Semester in BE onwards, I am watching movie a day (almost). I specially love fantasy and Sci-fi movies and not a big fan of romantic ones. Most of the comedy movies bores me and I always look for 'it' factor in a movie. So common movies won't do it for me.

Choosing 3 films out of a huge database of movies is a humongous task, so I though who not 'cheat' a bit! I am going to put name of three movies which comes in my mind without putting a great thought and lets see what is the outcome. It may be little biased, but these movies must be among my top 10 list.

1. Lord of the Rings (Trilogy)

This trilogy made off masterpiece from Sir J.R.R. Tolkien, is by far my all time favorite. A well written, well executed with great screen play, amazing special effects, great story and equally well acted. For me, it is the day modern classic among movies. I have seen this series number of times and every time it has something new to offer. It is a great fun in watching extended version of this movie back-to-back over weekend (total 12 hours), I have done it couple of times and wish to do it again!!!

2. A walk to remember-

I know I mentioned in the beginning that I am not a big fan of romantic movies, and I am definitely not!! But this movie has its own magical effect. I rented this movie as no other option was available, and Oh Boy! I was surprised, shocked and emotional after watching this flick based on novel of same name by Nicholas Sparks. A must watch for anyone and everyone, this is a movie that truly stands out. It shows that simplicity, if presented in a simple way could be very charming.

3. The Matrix trilogy-

From fantasy to romance and finally to Sci-fi! An out-of-the-box thinking some of the greatest special effects of the time and great actors makes a movie special, and this movie has everything to offer. This movie is like old wine, it grows on you with time and stays forever.

Finally, in my concluding remarks I must repeat that these three were among my top 10 list. I will not be able to sleep if I won't add few more names along with these three-

12 Angry Men

The Godfather

A Wednesday

Rang De Basanti

X-Men series

One flew over Cuckoo's nest

The bucket list

Up in the air

Back to the future

Schindler's list

The great debaters

Black

... and a never ending list!

4 Books

2011-12-30T09:03:00.000-06:00

Before starting this post, I must confess that I am not a big time reader. Specially past 2-3 years were my non-book-reading years. So these book may not be gems, but I like them very much...

1. Its not about the bike: My journey back to life (Lance Armstrong)- Its autobiography of Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, one of the best book I read in my life. This book is not stop journey in a life of a guy who never gives up. This book amazes me sometimes about the spirit that Lance has, and also a big inspiration source for me.

2. The motorcycle diaries (Che Guevara)- As wikipedia says "The Motorcycle Diaries is a memoir that traces the early travels of Marxist revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara." I picked up this book after reading its synopsis on some website, being traveler I like to read travelogue and this one was much more than just another travelogue. It was a window in Che's life, his early days before he became famous.

3. The Bhagwat Gita for daily living (Eknath Easwaran)- I am not a religious person, I saw this book first when I was in my final year of Engineering. I started reading first part of this book (it is a three book set) during breaks and free lectures from library, and after graduation I purchased all three parts. Though I have never finished these books but still they are in my favorite list. Whenever I am down or want to have some space for self, I spend some time with it. I think that is one of the reason that I have not completed it, as I want to keep it in my reading list as long as I can. I must say that I am impressed with the modern world illustrations and discussions given in this set of books.

4. Shantaram (Gregory David Roberts)- Its about an incredible journey of a convict from Australia who escaped prison and went on to become entrepreneur in Australia, but this novel covers a part of his life when he come to India and joined underworld and also about hardships of life. A story inspired by life of author is one of the most addictive novel I have ever read (apart from Angles and Demons). I can't wait to read its sequel coming mid of 2012.

5 Foods

2011-12-26T08:21:00.000-06:00

For a foodie like me, I got to say picking five dishes ain't no fun. The easier way out was I mention the name of countries but that would be cheating. I am a vegetarian, but never compromised on my taste buds. I have tasted food from almost 20 countries and I think my interest in food makes be a good judge (though little biased one). So here are some of the dishes that I likes most among the once I have tested so far-

1. Eggplant Ravioli (Italy) - Eggplant known as brinjal in some parts of the world. First time I have tasted it in Macaroni Grill (Columbia) and since then I have been a big fan of it. If you love cheese (as you will be all cheese after you eat it) and you are a fan of ravioli this is one dish that you should not miss.

2. Burrito (Mexico)- The father of all rolls! This is one dish that I have tasted in many form, be it fresh burrito at Chipotle or some refined once of any local Mexican restaurant, they always something to offer. My personal favorite once are from Chipotle and Chevy's along with freshly prepared Guacamole. I liked the once with stuffing of black beans, rice, lettuce, and super spicy salsa along with regular ingredients.

3. Dal (lentils) Bafla (wheat doughnut like food) laddoo (sweet dish) (Indian)- Indore in capital of Indian food, and the king of food in Malwa region is Dal Bafla. Sometimes simple is simply beautiful and testy as well. The best test comes when they are prepared with traditional method on 'kande'. This is a food with lot of fat content and equally awesome taste.

4. Pat Thai (Thailand) - These are noodles prepared with fresh vegetables (if you have ordered the veg version of it). The real taste comes when it prepared with right amount of sauce(s) mixed at right temperature. I tasted it first at The Bangkok Garden and following it, I have tasted it at many outlets, and still I can't avoid its temptation.

5. Pizza (Italy, America)- Be it traditional Italian pizza, Brooklyn style pizza, Chicago's famous pizza, or a pizza from that unknown shop in Utah between Moab and one of the canyon that I can't recall (that was by far the most delicious), I am a big pizza fan. There is a reason that my friends say that Domino's next door is running because of me ;). A fresh crust, good amount of fine quality cheese and some good toppings like jalapeno, green papers, and onion can make may day!

Apart from these five dishes, there are lot more that I like. I would love to invite you all to my restaurant (once it is open) to come and lost in world of food.

6 Places

2011-12-25T10:50:00.001-06:00

Wow! Now I am loving this... This list includes both, the places that I have already visited and places that I want to visit.

1. Siberia- I have never been there and may be I will never be... but I have some special place for Siberia in my heart, there is something special about this place that connects me to it. I don't know much about it, and I really don't want to know apart from watching some pics and I will be more interested in going there personally and explore more about it.

2. Greenland- A beautiful country with very less population and lots of ice, except for some of the shore parts it is very less or almost unexplored. It as got that enigma, that touch and feel that will pull me from anywhere in the world.

3. Yellowstone and Grand Canyon- Keeping these two places together is intentional, I just missed these two by few miles last time due to limited time. But I promised myself that in my next visit to North American continent I will visit definitely be there... both have got a distinct identity and distinct beauty.

4. North East India- Beautiful land and beautiful people, be it evening in Darjeelin, a great day out at Changu lake, warmth of people of Sikkim, crazy drives on the roads of ‘seven sisters’ or local dances. This part of India is a whole new world to explore and visit. Once you are here, you will never want to leave this place.

5. Leh Ladakh- A place in far north of India with sheer beauty and elegance. It has memorable landscapes, magnetic hill, Buddhist temples and monks. One of the best place for road trip on bike.

6. Europe- I definitely can't pick a country, be it romantic place like Italy or fun filled streets of Spain, the grass fields of Scotland or beauty of Sweden and Denmark or fashion filled Paris... Its totally worth it to spend some time in Europe and enjoy the life!

Though list needs only six places but there are other places as well that I would love to visit.

7 Wants

2011-12-20T07:31:00.000-06:00

Wants! Just opposite to my previous post, where I had to think a lot about fears, this one is more like selecting from a list. Some of the wants are listed in 10 Secrets, so I will try to exclude them in this post. As picture above says, I am a greedy guy and all I want is everything (Just in case anyone remember tag line of movie "Bas itna sa khawab hai").

1. I want to write a fantasy fiction that includes some Sci-fi and some mythological elements.

2. I want to direct a movie, no matter it is 2 min short flick or a 3 hours movie. But it got to be a good quality work.

3. I want to sky dive from at least 14,000 ft.

4. I want to run a global multi-cuisine restaurant chain.

5. I want to visit Siberia and Greenland, there is something over there that always attracts me.

6. How about a dinner with Eva Mendes and Salma Hayek!

7. Finally, a techno-house with at least a patio, hot tub, jacuzzi, mini theater, indoor games arena and a beautiful organic garden.

8 Fears

2011-12-08T09:24:00.002-06:00

F.E.A.R.S. interesting word, it is. I don't know what fear me most, but just putting some random experiences that I might put under category of fear. I didn't know it is going to be so hard to find my fears...

1. Reptiles- I am not sure if it is hate or fear, but I just can't stand those animals near me specially small ones like lizards, and snakes. The big ones like crocks, alligators usually attracts me.

2. Chatter box- There are some people who just talk, talk and talk. Just can't stand them though there are few exceptions in this category.

3. Traffic/Pollution- Story of most of the Indian cities, but I try my best to avoid it.

4. Crowd- May be this is effect of Columbia or my inherent nature, I just can't stay at crowded places. It makes me uncomfortable to the soul.

5. Monotonicity- I can't live a predictable and same day in and day out kind of life. I love living on the edge, So slow, monotonous life is not for me and among my fears.

6. Authority- I am a rebel, given a condition that I have to live under other's authoritative rules, may not be so pleasant experience for me.

7. Kids- That is a damn big one! I am scared of lil ones, specially the dirty crying ones. They really scare a hell otta me.

8. Fear of unknown... I don't know what it is but it is there!

9 Loves

2011-11-20T09:28:00.000-06:00

Here comes the part-2 of series. I must say that this was easier one as I love life! so not very difficult to choose 9 loves among them. I think a major challenge will come when it will come down to songs, movies...

1. Nature: I love to loose myself in beauty of nature around, be it Badlands of South Dakota, or Rocky Mountains or Changu Lake close to India-Chaina border in North-East.

2. Travel: I am a traveling soul, may be it is in my genes

3. Photography: The creative Anoop! I think that all I can say, as I am not among most creative people out there but this is something that keeps me going.

4. Movies: A secret, I have a rough record of watching one movie a day for past few years!... and if that movie is Sci-fi, Adventure or fantasy then it is even better...

5. Being alone: My outlook may be social, but I love being alone and being to self.

6. Sufi Music: I just love it!

7. Reading: News (political), mysteries of world, mysteries of Universe, supernatural phenomenon, aliens or anything that is 'interesting'.

8. Challenges: There is no big fun than defying the odds and coming out...

9. Life: From where I started, I love life... and everything/everyone involved in it, my be its not fair at times or frustrating as well... but this is what we have. So why not learn to love it that way it is!

10 Secrets

2011-11-16T09:00:00.003-06:00

Thanks to Priyanka for this idea, the "You" challenge... I must confess its not as easy as it look, being honest to self is not a very simple thing these days... so being honest to world will be a lot more difficult! So be it, this time I am in... (anyways secrets never means "Dark Secret")

1. A poet exists in me, it a secret to most of the world except blog sphere. (Though last few attempts were not up to the mark, as some inspiration was missing behind them).

2. I just want to do something that people will remember my name for at least 100 years, not a big expectation!

3. I have a secret ambition of having a business, and a NGO in field of education.

4. I am still waiting for a girl bindass enough to ask me out!

5. Once in a life, I want to give a motivational lecture to a big audience.

6. Sometimes I think I can dance well, and choreograph as well.

7. I am very pseudo-extrovert type of person, people around me (who casually know me) think that I am very outgoing and open but the fact is it is just one of the mask that I wear. So many people around me for years don't know me well and on the other side there are people who know me well in minutes.

8. I did fall in love once, it was actually a 'fall' (if you know what I mean).

9. I never forget faces, even if I see that person after years but at the same time I am extremely poor with names and dates. (I did forget me birthday once!)

10. Bad manners are BIG turnoff for me, be it table, dressing, traffic or any other ones.

Inside Out

2011-10-14T12:56:00.000-05:00

Inside Out

I wanna fly, high up in the sky,

Leaving everything that makes me shy,

Looking far from the visible sight,

Just to go beyond illusion and might…

I wanna swim, deep down the sea,

Visit mysteries hidden inside me,

To fight and win the war within,

To see the strength that not yet been seen…

I wanna dance, till I’m down,

Go in, out, and around,

See the world with a new prospect,

Live a life with faith, love and respect…

I wanna walk, through unknown path,

Feel so lonely that I could talk,

Leave past behind myself,

And go beyond conscious self…

I wanna see, into eyes of sun,

Feel the heat and get little drunk,

So that I can forget all the pain,

And enjoy the life that I call a game…

I wanna feel, true meaning of joy,

No fun in being shy and coy,

Go out and shout it loud,

I don’t care who is around…

I wanna know, the reason of being,

Though it’s not a simple thing,

I wanna know, purpose of my life,

The very reason why I survive…

I wanna die, with no regrets,

It doesn’t matter what I get,

But, today I am alive,

And, I gonna live my life…

-anoop

Shit Happens!

2011-10-08T11:50:00.000-05:00

So finally I am back! and this time I will be more regular... some of you must be shocked to see the title of the post, well this post is one of the most random, thoughtless, and negative (in a way) post I have written... it is just a result of an angry, confused and complicated mind condition... so digest it with Hajmola!

Confused…

Who am I? I know not when you are around,

They say love defines a person, but I am long lost,

I walk down the lonely road, hoping you would join,

But in the end, I left alone with your memories…

You are my best friend, and you are my worst foe,

You were the one I trusted, had faith in you,

But you have broken trust, and faith,

Now you lost the left respect…

I am losing myself, becoming what I am not,

Just running behind the shadows of unknown,

Living in the sweet reminiscence of past,

Just want to convince myself, that we are a world apart…

I know, you think I made some mistakes,

But those mistakes were being rather grace,

I know its hard to bury past and look to the future,

But all I want is my old friend back!

Sometimes silence is so loud,

That it heard thousand miles,

It hits the wall within, and breaks heart,

Break this silence and hold my hand,

I want you, I need you, and… I love you.

P.S.- This is unedited raw version, and I intend to keep it like this...

A letter to my students

2011-06-10T04:16:00.000-05:00

Dear Students,

As many of you aware of that I am leaving VIT soon, so I thought that this would be a nice time to interact with you one last time and say my goodbye. Last year, I joined VIT in month of March, that time I was excited as well as little scared too. Excited, for that reason that I will be pursuing my dream career and scared because I didn't wanted to mess up my first assignment.

First few month were just regular as I didn't had any class or interaction with you, but from July onwards things changed. I still remember my very first class, I had a lot of plan that I will do this or that... but to be really frank teaching is just like any game where plans are in place until you are not in the field. Once you enter that game, all dynamics changes, and so happened with me, and I must confess that it happened for better. First, six month were full of learning for me as a teacher right from understanding mind sets of my students to work with class dynamics, it was a great experience.

Taking a subject like Embedded System was even more fun, as I was also a student of that subject and every day I had to appear in exam two times (which I did failed couple of times). I believe we shared out best and worst during this period in some of the most interesting as well as boring classes. Then came second semester, which was a totally different experience. Learning is part of life, and I was learning in this class as well. But one thing that was standing out from all was the 'fun' factor that was added to class. I always believe in enjoying my work assignment, and the first year students brought that 'IT' factor into class and it could never get better than that.

Anyways coming to the point, although my age and experience is very small but I thought that I should share some of things with you through this media. May be some of you find it useful-

1. Work hard, party hard: Life is a celebration, so why miss a chance to celebrate every moment that we live may be its a success or a defeat. This is your time, time to go out there and show the world that your presence matters. Work hard as you have never done before and taste the success in every walk of you life. But life full of work sometimes becomes monotonous, so whats the perfect balance?? Party!!!

2. Take challenges, accept defeats and be a winner: When I look at my classes, I see a lot of potential. Time-to-time I tried to challenge you and to my pleasant surprise you always achieved more than my expectations. I feel bad when such a talent seems standstill, it is your time take up the new challenges and explore new possibilities in you. I am very sure that you will be surprised to see your development once you start challenging your limits.

Winning and losing is part of life, some time you will face setbacks in your life. Accept them. Learn from them, re-discover yourself and come out as winner.

3. Search for your little moments of joy, fall in love: There are always little moments of joy around us, may be its a cup of coffee in rains, watching a child playing, your hobbies or anything under the sun that gives you 'that' moment. Once you find these moments around, life will be fun! Fall in love with these moments, cherish them and store them down the memory lane.

4. Life is crazy, it is mess so why not you!: You will meet lot of crazy moments and crazy people in your life. Believe me, sometimes it a good to be crazy or being a mess just of of fun quotient hidden in it. At least do something totally crazy once in your college life. This memory will always going to be with you.

5. Make your bucket list: We see, we feel a lot things around us. And some of these things we really wanted to do in our life, be it being next Bill Gates, or diving from open sky or giving most romantic proposal to person you love. Why not make a list of those desires, and don't forget to update it time to time. Do read it once in a week or paste it in front of your study desk, it will always keep you on the move.

6. Be good, be honest: In the end, I just want to say that be good to others and be honest to yourself. I don't see any sense in having a life full of baggage on our back, be simple and be open about your opinions you will see that life is not that complicated as it is projected by people. Be a good citizen, and active member or society, and an honest person that can take pride in what he does.

This world is very small, we will meet soon at some point in your life... till then good luck to all of you. Fly high and touch the sky...

Good Luck!

Ciao...

Oops!

2011-04-24T09:55:00.000-05:00

Battle between heart and mind is an age old battle, and I believe every normal human being has this experience at some phase of time. I must say that first part is little strong at my side, heart rules most of the time.
I love adventure in life, slow-monotonous and boring life is the last thing that I want, and this thing make me do many things that I do not expect that I will ever able to do.
Most of the biggest decisions in my life were the decisions that I took in shortest time. Be it MS, or not appearing in visa interview at first time, or it is leaving TCS, joining VIT etc.
I have this huge 'khujali' (I did mentioned in one of my previous post) that never let me sit still and follow the life as it is.
I love taking risks at times, specially for achieving my dreams.
I like to be unpredictable, even to my close ones even to myself.

Well, you must be wondering what I am talking about! The fact is, if you are getting some gist from the points that I mentioned above... I did something again... I don't really know if its a right decision at this point or not or even if it is just a reckless behavior. But one thing is for sure that something big is on the way that will be either "make it or break it" for me. Its time when I am keeping my fingers crossed, and preparing to bring my A-game when I start this new phase.

Bharat Bhagya Vidhata

2011-04-08T12:53:00.000-05:00

I have been coming home early every day since this Tuesday, the reason is one 72 year old young man who has been struggling against corruption for last 3 decades, and this Tuesday he silently started his strongest campaign ever. It was a great relief to see that for the first time whole India united for a cause, rich or poor, young or old, educated or uneducated... everyone is talking in the same tone.

Even after being in Vellore, at other end of country, I can feel the heat of movement that he started in Delhi. Probably this is the fastest awakening movement in the history of modern India, just in four days whole country is looking much more aware and much more mature. Everyone was self invited in this movement and I have surprised to see the momentum this movement has gained and rate with which word has been spread across the country and world is simply incredible. It simply shows the undercurrent against corruption and tainted ministers that was just waiting for a right time and right guidance to blow out.

It was a sweet relief that political parties are totally kept out of the activities, as it is a known truth in India that every political party in power behaves the same. I am not sure how successful this movement will be, but it will definitely send a very strong message to everyone sitting in parliament that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

I always had complaint to people working in their air conditioned offices that they never trouble themselves to come on streets for a good cause, but this time even that missing part of society also joined hand. Now I am expecting that this part of society will actively go and cast vote on election day to choose right people.

On the side note, this movement clearly shows that when experience of old and energy of youth joins hand, it can do wonder. It has been said that before fighting enemies of outside, we should fight enemies inside. For the country these enemies are poverty, unemployment, and lake of education and the root of all these problems are directly or indirectly corruption. So, lets join our hands together in fights against this evil and also pledge that we will not any form of corruption.

Today, I can say that I am a proud Indian and for Anna its all respect.

Jai Hind
...

ख़ामोशी

2011-03-03T11:10:00.001-06:00

ख़ामोशी

खामोश नज़रें कुछ कहती है,

बातें फिर भी दिल में रहती है|

इन नज़रों में एक ख्वाब है,

तमन्ना है कुछ करने की,

बहुत आगे बदने की,

क्षितिज को छूने की,

आसमा से ऊंचा उड़ने की,

दुनिया मुट्ठी में करने की,

बस, यही एक ख्वाब है|

बातें भी कुछ ख़ास है,

इस नासमझ दिल के पास है,

बातें है मंजिलो की,

मंजिलो को जाती राहों की,

कहती है तू इन राहों पर चले जा,

अपने मन की करे जा,

बस, यूँ ही आगे बढ़े जा|

इन नज़रों में छुपी जो बातें है,

ख्वाबों से भरी जो आखें है,

कहती है छु लो आसमान,

अनंत हो तुम, अद्भुत है तुम्हारी क्षमता,

अविरल अविचल बढते चलो,

सब को अपना करते चलो...

- अनूप

Beautiful Stranger

2011-02-26T09:49:00.000-06:00

Beautiful Stranger

Day and night I think about you,

Who are you? A dream or reality,

I can see you, I can feel you,

You are my destiny, you are my fate,

You are a beautiful stranger…

I wanna meet you, I wanna touch you,

I wanna hold you, I wanna kiss you,

Waiting for that ‘perfect’ moment,

When you will be in front of my eyes,

Driving me crazy, dancing in the rain…

I am losing myself looking into your eyes,

I feel warmth of love deep down inside,

Then I hear your silky voice,

An unknown voice but still so known,

A voice of destination of this endless voyage…

We started walking through wild countryside,

Holding hand in hand, taking leap of faith,

Thus come twilight time and we reach beach side,

We set there in deep silence,

Talking in our hearts, looking into eyes,

Then comes the moonlight,

To touch our heart and soul, to take us to our divine goal…

-anoop

Down the memory lane...

2011-02-20T02:14:00.000-06:00

I was searching something on internet yesterday night and I came across an interesting website on Hindi literature. I visited couple of sections, and started traveling down the memory lane.

So, when I was visiting some of the pages of the website I came across the page of "मुहावरे" (Idioms) in Hindi, and just like typical flashback in Hindi movie, I came from family of 'mango people', had my schooling in Hindi medium and upbringing like a very normal Indian family of 90's. I was remembering my school days when we were very close to being "Bharatiya" rather than modern Indians. I realize we are missing a lot of things in our life, and I don't think that this neo-generation has any idea about being true "Desi" and they have been eating whatever "Desiness" is been provided by some stupid programs on stupid television channel. The time is not far when we have to find a true Indian in India and this mix bread will take over all.

Anyways, serious talks aside, I am writing this post for those old memories so lets start a journey with me down the memory lane-

Language: Ha, I love that language... so informal (with friends) and so respective and formal (with elders) but still a language that directly touches heart, mind and soul. Usage of local/regional words, idioms were the icing on the cake. I remember when just out of fun, me and mine friends in high school class started using those idioms in regular language!!! There is no comparison between that language and this "khichadi" hinglish.

Games: I have played every possible roadside/indoor game in my childhood, be it late night cricket on road in high school days or paper boat racing during rainy season when I was 4-5 yrs old, it was true fun and enjoyment. The days were full of 'sakal-bandi', 'chupam-chupai', 'sitolia', 'gadha maar' or the best flying kites all day! A great social gathering and great physical activity, where are those days and where are those games... X-Box, PS, Nintendo are good but .... something is missing.

People: I can still feel warmth of some people I met in my childhood, most of them were genuine and they used to meet because they liked it, not just because they have some secret agenda behind it. I have seen some fights, but at the same time I have seen that how same people make up during festive seasons. I rarely feel that connection with people now a days.

Festivals: I love to see that time again, when people used to celebrate festival just for pure fun and enjoyment rather than showing off. Most of the festivities are losing their grace in all show off today, and I doubt when if we even enjoy any festival to the core of our heart.

Life: I feel really bad sometimes when I write some blog about lifestyle or some place, because I am not doing anything out of the league. But to most of the readers that is new, the reason is simple that we have lost touch with reality. Most of the events/blog entries that I post used to be a part of out daily life which is lost in time... and now we see them as some big deal. I feel pity for the generation who have to visit some "Dhani" to see a village life or those engineers in Bangalore those eat at Grameen and feel good about it...

There is a reason why we watch those old Doordarshan Ad's on YouTube, there is a reason that why Mile Sur Mera Tumhara still the best and there is a reason why we miss Surabhi, Hum Log, Dekh Bhai Dekh, Vyomkesh Bakshi... the reason is that we are still the same from deep inside. So why not just move few kilometers out of your cities, and witness life and things that I described above still exists... it just we who don't want to see the reality around us.

Far away in sunshine…

2011-02-04T08:47:00.003-06:00

Life is a journey, a journey of some known and some unknown motives. Most interesting fact about life is that most of us claim to know our destination, but very few of us know what our real destination is. I am not in a position to comment anything about others with my little experience and experiment over the mystery called life. But, I would love to comment about my personal experiences.

I have been a firm believer of the fact that if journey is eventful then there is no reason to worry about the destination. Sometimes an endless path itself could be a destination. We are here to play a role, and if possible, to contribute in some way… so if the focus is just on our respective destinations then aren't we called selfish? And may be possible that we get satisfied enough that we hesitate to move forward. So, why not treat those destinations as little stopovers where we reach, take some rest and move forward. Probably it will be more fun to explore a brave new world, to meet new challenges, enjoy little moments and live every day on the edge as if there is no tomorrow.

As I mentioned earlier, it was totally my perception of life and it depends on one's perception about how he or she like to live life. For some it is all about destination and for some it is a fulfilling journey. But for most of us, neither we know the exact path and nor we have a destination, life is just about running around with total randomness and or being a part of some rat race. So, let's take a minute out of life and think about it!

Ciao…

Poem: A Face

2011-01-21T13:26:00.000-06:00

It has been a while since I wrote my last poem. So here is the new entry in poem list... I know that I suck at English poetry, but Winston Churchill and wall paper of my desktop says- "Never Never Never Give Up"... so I will keep trying. Though, Hindi poems will continue to flow...

This Poem is collection of some totally random thought, that I was having this evening and I penned them down... so structure of poem is weak.

A Face

It was a summer evening,

I was going on with some musing,

Passing by woods and bright summer stream,

I saw a face…

A face so soothing, so beautiful,

A face so pure, so soulful,

A face of faith, a face of grace,

A face little unknown, a face little known…

A face with unknown charm,

A face with known warmth,

I knew that this face was the answer,

The answer of my all questions…

I felt that I reached the destination,

The destination of an unknown quest,

It was end of my voyage,

It was the ‘moment’ of my life…

With an end came a new beginning,

I began the journey to love and life,

A journey to the self,

I call it, my return to innocence…

-anoop

Ciao...

Randomization

2011-01-16T11:27:00.002-06:00

Last few days were little busy, new semester has started and I was trying to bring some new stuff in my teaching methodology, so I was occupied in work related stuff. In the mean time I had some interesting conversations with one of my friend and few students, which left me thinking…

Few days back I was talking to a very close friend of mine, and our topic diverted towards careers and work related stuff. I asked her about my work and how she feel about it, she told me that may be you are doing good over there in field of education, but that is not the right place for you. I asked her, then where I am more suited? Her response was you better be in any research lab. On the same note, during my informal conversations with my students, I often find them wondering about my career choice. For, both the cases I have same answer, that’s what I am and that’s what I want to do. I love teaching, I love interacting with number of people and I enjoy what I am doing.

After having a degree from US and good on and off-curriculum track record work in some MNC seems to be and obvious choice. But, I don’t identify myself with that life or little rudely I can say that, that life is boring for me. I know that sometimes I am doing some silly things here, which I often find funny and immature. But if everyone is scared of it than who will take the lead?

My philosophy is very simple and very straight forward; I want to be the best in the world at what I do. Definitely I am not at this point of time, and may be I will never be. But all that matter is by every passing moment I am improving myself and I am right on 'it'. My to-do list is little long and little ambitious, so I have lot to do in next few decades so why worry about what others think… just live life king size, be good ,do good and enjoy the cup of life till its last drop!

P.S.- thanks to Priyanka for pointing out a blunder... late night blogging is not good ;)

Ciao...

From Dawn to 'Dust'- Chennai and Mahabalipuram

2011-01-07T05:13:00.002-06:00

So here we go… it was New Year weekend and I really wanted to make it better than my previous ones (sleeping, or working in laboratory), so me and one of my colleague Santhosh decided to visit Mahabalipuram, Kanchipuram and Chennai and have a little outing at these two places. We have been planning this for over a couple of months, but every weekend there is some work from University that was killing our plans.

The original plan was to visit these places on my Access, but considering weather conditions we thought why not have even more fun by traveling into local state transportation buses, that too the worst ones. Later, it came out a bigger adventure. We changed a plan little bit, and rather than going to Mahabalipuram, we started for Chennai. The day started with nice three hour bus journey, after reaching Chennai both of us were feeling hungry so we decided to take food at Sarvana Bhavan (famous food chain here), which is famous for its ‘thali’ (assorted food). As soon as ‘thali’ arrived, my first reaction was OH MY GOD!!! The reason for that reaction is here-

Anyways, I decided to finish each and every bowl of that ‘thali’, and I DID IT! After grand lunch, we visited Chennai Central mall for some window shopping, and also major attraction was landmark as I as out of contact with the new releases in fiction and non-fiction for almost 2-3 months. It was a wonderful experience to back to world of literature. We spent almost three hours over there and then moved to Marina Beach. To be really frank, I was not expecting anything out of Chennai beaches, but it was better than my expectation with a harbor in the horizon and some kites flying in the sky (I am a BIG kites fan!). I decided to take out my camera and try to click some pictures there to clean the photography ‘rust’ that I had last weekend.

After spending few hours there and enjoying some delicious beach side bhajji (bhajiya (India fried snacks)), sugarcane juice we decided to start our journey towards Mahabalipuram. I was excited as we were on time and about to reach Mahabalipuram about 7:00 PM, and it would have been a great site to visit shore Temple in evening, but there were some other plans in store for us… Chennai traffic! We spent almost 3 hours to reach main bus stand and then further 3.5 hours to reach Mahabalipuram. By the time we entered the city, it was 11:30 PM and I was in no mood to spend my New Year’s Eve on roads of deserted town. So, we booked a lodge and rush towards the sea shore which was luckily 5 minutes walking from lodge. By, the time we reached there, it was 11:55 PM and withing 5 minutes we welcomed 2011 with a great show of fireworks on the sea shore! At 12:30 AM we decided to get back to lodge with aim of getting early and welcome first day of year on sea shore.

Next morning, we reached beach at 5:15, and it was a great experience. A beautiful dark and silence all over with sound of waves coming from distance. That moment was the highlight of our trip! We could see people lighting the fire and sitting around it and enjoying the fresh atmosphere. Slowly, morning arrived to enrich us with a new energy and new hope for New Year…

After spending couple of hours at beach we came back and packed our bags with the plan that we will leave for Kanchipuram after visiting ancient scriptures in the town. We started with one hill top and visited many beautiful cave Temples there along with a light house.

The next stop was ‘Five Rathas’, which is one of UNSECO site in India, after reaching there we changed our plan as we can clearly see that Mahabalipuram has much more to offer, and we canceled plan to visit Kanchipuram and decided to stay and enjoy Mahabalipuram. I got into my laid back traveler attitude near the place and lied down to enjoy the beauty of place. After two hours we visited the ancient Rathas and decided to go to visit the shore Temple. When we were walking down the road, we could see lot of rock sculpture work is going on and some of the great artists are busy in doing their work. We decided to pay visit to one of the artist and we have seen him making one clay model live in front of our eyes… kudos to those artists and their accuracy.

Finally, we visited one of the most beautiful temples on Indian coast lines and spent some time there. In return journey more surprises were waiting for us, as soon as we reached the bus stand, a sea of thousands of people was waiting for us and each bus was going jam packed. So, we decided to move a kilometer in opposite direction to catch a bus and get a comfortable seat. Luckily our trick worked and we got in but easily, and soon people started pouring into the bus and we could see people standing/sitting on top of the bus as well… anyways we reached Vellore via Kanchipuram late night with some of the great memorable experiences.

And finally some flicks of waves striking the stones...

Ciao

...

From Dawn to 'Dust'

2010-12-25T08:53:00.001-06:00

It has been a long time since I have been craving to go out, and finally today I decided to take the first step. I would call it a long drive as total distance covered is just over 90 km in the time span of almost 7 hours.

Yesterday, when I was in VIT, I decided to make the first move. I was really sick and tired of making plans and canceling them so this time I didn’t made any plan. This morning at 5:30 AM, I got up and Googled the places to visit near Vellore, and randomly selected one. So, there it started from Katpadi to Amrithi Forest. I just looked at map, it was showing some 28 km.

I started at 6:00 AM, with only piece of information about the route that I have to follow SH-9. I drove about 12 km from my home, and noticed a scenic way towards hills nearby and decided to change the course. I asked one of the tea vendor about the way, all I understood from his Tamil that it will also take my to Amrithi Forest area with longer route. I didn’t know what compelled me to take longer route, but after having a cup of tea there as I can’t resist ‘gumti’ tea, I followed that way. It was dawn time and the countryside view was just mesmerizing, and little fog was icing on the cake.

Though Vellore is the hottest and driest place in TN, but this time because of heavy rains it is very cold and wet. After driving for next 12 km, I missed a detour and ended up in some very backward area. I was about 8 km from Amrithi and suddenly I found the muddy road leading to a small creek. I though that I will be able to drive through the creek and I heard someone, an old lady was coming towards me trying to say something. From what I understood by her expressions and hand gestures that I shouldn’t cross that creek, then I decided to stick to my old trick and waited there for someone to pass through that creek, so that I can see how deep it is, and here are some glimpses that made me change my route.

So, now it was time to find a way out of countryside, I backtracked to nearby village and was looking for someone I could talk to, and suddenly I heard a God send voice speaking in Hindi- “Kya Hua” (what happened?), I saw one mid aged person speaking in Hindi in one of the most remote place in TN. It was 8^th wonder for me. He helped me out by suggesting another route which added another 20 km to my estimated calculations of miles. I followed the route, while making sure that I am on right road by asking people about it. I learned very important thing that even if you don’t know the language of people but expressions and hand movements (if you are in India) are enough to give you the answers of most your questions.

This new route was just awe inspiring with lush green fields and mountain side drive. I encountered some wild monkeys, peacocks and other small animals on my way and finally reached Amrithi Forest, Zoo, and conservation area.

Amrithi is one of the untouched areas for trekking point of view. As I tried to enter to jungle part to reach the waterfall, I was stopped by forest guards as flow was water was high, but great Indian ‘jugad’ again worked and I got a chance to visit the waterfall (though without camera). The Zoo is just ok and there is nothing worth mentioning, except that there are lot of imli’ (tamarind) trees, but a good place as far as this part of country is concerned. In my return journey, I decided to follow SH-9 but it was not as beautiful as the scenic road that I followed in morning and also with heavy traffic.

I must suggest that if you have two wheeler then do follow the route that I followed it is worth going. For me, Amrithi was just a place to break my ‘traveling-fast’, so I didn’t explore it much (due to restrictions there). I reached home by 12:30 PM, with goals accomplished, 90 km driving, testing of my physical condition and a few photographs (I am feeling that my hands are little rusty, as I was taking outside photograph after 1.5 years, hopefully I will get back to form soon). Yes, I had ‘banana bhajiya’ on my way back, by a vendor making it off fresh banana, and it was one of the most delicious bhajiya I had in past few months!

P.S.- Roads are more or less good, except for some patches of gravel road in between. I am still dusting my cloths, so be careful while selecting cloths.

"Say"

2010-12-21T23:13:00.000-06:00

After a long time, a came across a song which is worth posting. It not a very new song, but I heard it sometime back and it got lost in shuffle. I must say it has double effect if you listen it rather than just reading the lyrics, so here it is "Say"- By John Mayer

"Say"

Take all of your wasted honor
Every little past frustration
Take all of your so-called problems,
Better put 'em in quotations

Say what you need to say [x8]

Walking like a one man army
Fighting with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you'd be better off instead,
If you could only . . .

Say what you need to say [x8]

Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for giving over
You'd better know that in the end
Its better to say too much
Then never say what you need to say again

Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open

Say what you need to say [x24]

P.S.- This song is worth dedicating to everyone reading this post...

Life!

2010-12-17T12:03:00.000-06:00

Strange name for my post, right?? I always write with spirit that is full of life, but this time I am little down, or I would rather say I am tired. I really don't remember when I had a full weekend for me... just me. But, seems like the work life balance is going wrong some where, without me knowing about it.

It sucks to work continuously without having a break, as I say my students that even machines needs oil and maintainance time to time and I am on roller-coaster ride for last three months continuously... But, for me last three days were kind of eye openers. I realized that I am not in touch with people I care about, most of them are either angry with me or just wondering what happened to me. I forget at least 3 birthdays, 2 anniversaries, 1 guest post on a friend's blog, my morning Yoga, many breakfasts and lunches, and many more things. Well, what can I say, the visit of the delegation was very crucial for us and we have been preparing for it for 6 months. So, all my focus and dedication was just in one direction... as someone said "Ek baar jo maine commitment kar di, to main apne aap ki bhi nahi sunta...". So, there was a commitment from my side, and now its time to move on and explore life little more, just feeling like getting up from a deep sleep and its time to get ready and get going.

Now some good news, finally after one year my camera is out. Yesterday, I clicked some pics as well (check my facebook profile). Tomorrow my Suzuki Access will be back after 15 days of repair time, next two weekends I will be getting full off so planning to visit some nearby caves or Mahabalipurum. Most likely in January, I will go for a very short visit to Lakshdweep (if anybody interested, because going alone or with wrong company sucks). Finally, I started cooking today (shows I am definitely getting some time now) so dear friends, family and all put all angry faces aside because... I am back! and its gonna be legen...(wait for it)... dary.

A pic for those of you who are not on facebook (hands are still rusted, but will post some better ones soon on The Third Window)-

Break Down the Walls...

2010-11-20T09:06:00.001-06:00

When a child is born, he/she has only blood relations. The first part of the life is childhood, the life that we all miss and, most things we miss about it is free atmosphere around us and a total break free live without tensions and social obligations. But, as we grow up we make new relationships, friends, love, enemies etc., and suddenly one day we realize that we overload ourselves with all the relations and social boundaries.

For me, I like life with no boundaries, I am not a very social person, I hate kids, I don't like noise around, can't stand relatives most of time... Presence of people in my house usually bugs be if they are there for long time. I think, I was just opposite to it few years back, but may be its effect of last three years (in US) that I spent alone. Now, when I look back, I think what has happened to me is for a greater good. I am a wanderer by basic nature, staying at a place with the same group of people is not possible for me, it doesn't mean that I don't respect relationships, but life need seasonings time to time, otherwise life becomes boring and still.

These days, I am breaking the walls that I have created around me. It is a time when I move on and reach to new heights and do something that satisfies me rather than wondering and worrying about people who doesn't matter much to me. I care about very few who are close to me, and I used to care about others as well in a caring way... as unlike others comments and kiddish things never affected me. But, this time I think that I should challenge myself little more and get out of useless boundaries.

As I always say, comfort zone in one's life could be very productive at the same time very dangerous as well, from the past experiences, I learned that second case is more true in my life. So, why not break down the walls around and set self little break free to enjoy a brave new world...

(just some random thoughts)

ciao

Suit Up!

2010-11-16T09:06:00.002-06:00

So in next two days my first semester as an instructor will be over, seems like that time just fly by like anything. I still feel like my first class just got over there, I was little nervous as well as confident about the choices I made. This one semester definitely was a roller coaster ride with lot of ups and downs, got a chance to meet some of the very interesting people as well as some of very irritating individuals. This profession teaches you a lot, I remember I was very sensitive person specially when there is anything related to me, or people connected to me or my country is going on, and always believed in making everyone happy (no matter what) but now I am learning to be little tough with people and situations.

I loved the work, my class at the same time I hated the admin work to my guts. But all are part of academic life, I am really happy that I have not compromised on my mission (may be in some other post), at the same time sad to know about dishonesty, and disrespect growing in this field. Its high time when both faculty and students should understand their responsibility and behave accordingly. Looking at the brighter side, I must say that it was a pleasure to guide some of brightest minds in the country and interact with them and make a bond with the neo-mentality, and I hope to continue the same in coming time.

It was a great learning experience so far and I am looking forward to next semester, I am really not sure how long I will be in this profession, but I want to learn and enjoy every moment of it.

So, suiting up for coming semester...

P.S.- I am learning to say 'no' as well :)

Ciao

So finally it begins...

2010-11-14T06:51:00.000-06:00

Its been a while since I wanted to read something good, last year when I was in Bangalore I came across 'Shantaram' in our home library. Looking at the size of the book, I didn't dared to start it, but I was constantly getting good reviews about the book from my friends, book critics etc.

After coming to Vellore, I found some extra time in late evening, which I usually kill on internet... so while returning from Indore last week, I saw this fiction on a book stall and decided to purchase it. After reaching here, it was a long wait of a week to start it as there was heavy work load from VIT, and today finally I started it! I have finished just one chapter of part one, but with every turning page I am liking it more. Just looking like day to day story of us and people around us, and I am guessing that like every story around us, it will be extraordinary in itself.

I will be sharing some interesting quotes from this book time to time... but for now, I am visiting Bombay once again with Mr. Roberts.

Ciao

Immortals of Indore

2010-11-04T02:50:00.000-05:00

So here I am, back to my home town... the city of love, the city of food... Indore.

This city has seen my childhood and my adulthood, and in the same way I have seen a lot about this city- the people, the places, and the stories. Each and everything is imprinted in my memory. Now every time I visit this city, I see some changes... population is growing, it is losing its peace, it is developing with rapid speed and there are a lot of things that have changed the face of this city, but at the same time the heart and soul of the city is still the same... they are immortal. This pure heart and soul keeps this city in a special category and that is the reason why most of the outsiders comes here once, never want to leave this place and people like me want to come and visit it again and again.

1. If you are talking about Indore and you are not mentioning the food, then you know nothing about this place. People here love to eat, this is one of the place in the country where you will never have problem with food as food from each and every part of the country is available here. But, you have to modify it in little spicy form otherwise your food will be a big failure here.

2. Poha and Jalebi in the morning and Pan shops in evening are a part of life here. They are not just eating joints, they are heart and soul of this city.

3. People here are modern, but at the same time very much attached to their roots. One from cities like Delhi or Mumbai may call them as small town mentality people, but it is something that they are proud of!

4. In this city, social activities really means social activities... those activities are not limited to a club or society. Here, neighbours know each other and they know how to celebrate as well as support each other very well.

5. Indori Language, you probably aware of Mumbaiya, Bhopali and Bihari tones of Hindi... I would like to invite you to enjoy another tone, which is Indori... a unique, funny, and interesting way of speaking Hindi. Search of youtube you will love it.

6. Most important immortal of Indore is that people know how to enjoy life, they are not just busy in making money or running fast with the pace of life... they know how to cherish it and enjoy little moments of joy.

7. People here love to have small fights, specially on roads when they are driving or sitting in public transport. It starts without any good reason and always (mostly) ends with both parties ending up smiling and having cup of tea together...

8. Barber shop are men's gossiping points many guys just go there to talk about all issues like social, personal, love, movies or anything under the sun. You will never get bored if you are at any barber shop.

9. Most important thing about this city which is noticed by everyone is that people here are welcoming and open minded. You will never see people fighting over language, state or any other issue that you see around. Also, they love to have guests and insists you to be a part of their evening as and when possible.

...these are some of the immortals of Indore from many, I hope I will share some more with you soon.

Who I Am...

2010-10-18T11:58:00.000-05:00

Neither fire, nor water, nor air, I know not who I am...

ARS (Automated Response System)

2010-10-07T01:59:00.002-05:00

Warning: This is not a technical blog about any of my project, so please discontinue if you are thinking something like that.

Automated Response System (ARS) is very common word that we come across when we watch Hollywood movies and read some Sci-fi stuff, but today I am talking about our personal automated response system that, most of us don't realize that it exists somewhere in our body (brain to be precise). The most common example of ARS is our reflexes which automatically reacts to some of the activities around, another example is out sixth sense (yes! I believe in it). But, I am not going to talk about any of these systems too, today I am talking about some of the systems in our body that we rarely notice which is little funny and equally interesting too.

Today I was working on solving one of the project problem to help one of my student since early morning, and, suddenly I realized that after few hours of head banging I am feeling very very hungry. As, the work is in deadlock, so I decided to take some time off and start writing blog... now what is the connection between my hunger, blog and project?? Simple, its my ARS when I am very busy or mentally tired I do this. I started to think about my school and college days, I never looked panic during my exams, there is always a chilling attitude about exams from my side, whereas many of my friends were totally panicked and rushing around. Then I noticed that it was my ARS which made me do something different then being panic. I remember that I used to eat a lot those days, and gain a hell lot of weight during my exams (combine effect if eating and sitting), and now this system has also acquired another member in the family which is my blog. Whenever I am supposed to be super busy, panicked, or tired I do one of these activities.

Its kind of discovery in self, I don't know how many of you realize that you have this system, but I am very sure that you must be having something which is funny at the same time very interesting. I remember one of very close friend of mine who used to shout 'Aao... Aao' before all viva exams, saying that he gains confidence after that... I am sure its his ARS, another one I have seen doing moonwalk right before the exams (its true!!!), and I also used to watch a lot of movies before my exams... all these are ARS!

Believe me, for some these are just silly activities but for some its just like performance enhancer, rather then being panicked their subconscious mind make them do some other activities that I mentioned, to make them roll again.

I think, my ARS has served the purpose for me... time to get back to work again! :)

ciao...

Maine to panga lena hai...

2010-10-01T11:07:00.001-05:00

Kabhi kabhi mere dil main khayal aata hai... well, aaj kal kabhi kabhi nahi kai baar mere dil main khayal aata hai ki life is going on the same track for a long time. But, 'khujali' inside me is not letting me to be on same track for a long time, jab tak life main koi panga na ho tab tak dil nahi bharta hai. Professional front things are going well, and personal front things are looking up, but there is life beyond the professional and personal sphere where only 'me' exists (egocentric Anoop!!!). The 'me' circle of life is not letting me sit tight and do things in regular manner, and today after talking to one of my student the 'me' inside me is just kicking me to get out and get going in truly 'me' style.

Life main pange ka bhout importance hai, specially jab panga life se lena ho (total Rajini style panga), and Khujali inside me never let me sit without these pangas. Now question is what is next Khujali for me, bas yahi point hai jahan par ek bada sa '?' (question mark) aa jata hai. I have done many crazy things in life and my khujali always biased towards adventure side of life, it always made me do things that raise the bar to a next level. But this time, its different! I am feeling like doing something different, this time its invoking my creative side, its invoking an entrepreneur inside me, its invoking responsible (?) me.

Gustakhi maaf, but dear Khujali I am new to this new phase of life and 'me' don't not like being responsible. It just want to be same old irresponsible that do whatever it want to do, makes mistakes and laugh at those mistakes, like to make fool of itself and fool others and finally being enigmatic and love to see 'dhakkan' like expression on the faces of others. Being so unpredictable such that sometimes it surprise itself... and the great feeling of banging head with hand and have a free laugh (not the artificial one that we are used to these days).

Well, what can I say... this is one of those weird posts that I usually write to confuse others ;) and as far as 'me' is concerned... he says- Neither fire, nor air, nor water, I know not who I am!

I am here again...

2010-09-30T10:29:00.003-05:00

Before starting the poem, I would like to thank each and everyone of you who sent me messages and called me after reading my last post. It feels really good that there are some people out there who cares about you. Well, coming back to poem, it has been a long time since I wrote a poem in English, I am not good at this but thought why not give it a try-

I am here again

I remember those days of sorrow,

I remember the days with no tomorrow,

I was trying to go beyond the gain,

… and I am here again.

The path was complicated with ups and downs,

I needed you when I was down,

You came and held my hand,

… and I am here again.

You are my destiny I knew,

But had the fear to accept the truth,

But, I fought my fears to win you again,

… and I am here again.

Now hold my hand and walk with me,

Down the roads reaching inside thee,

We walk down those memories again,

… as I am here again.

The clouds are giving sign of rain,

Dance with me to ease my pain,

Let me kiss you in this rain,

… I am here for ‘you’ again.

A bad day...

2010-09-27T12:10:00.002-05:00

Today was one of the bad day of my life, I was struggling all day just to feel free of all burdens. The fight between heart and mind is probably the oldest and most unresolved fight in the history, you don't know what you really want to do and what you are really doing. The heart is pulling you in one direction whereas mind is saying you you to do just opposite. The struggle of making a choice between heart and mind makes you a complete mess and in most of the cases you end up hurting yourself and hurting someone very close to you. most of the time there are some side effects as well...

Today, I ended up hurting someone who is very close to me, broke my professional etiquette and for the first time shouted at one of the student who eventually ended up in tears, was not able to give my 110% in class, and in the end I am have nothing but feel of guilt.

After all this, at the end of the day I am still not sure which side I am going. Probably people have seen best of me, but not some are seeing worst of me, and I am standing totally helpless to do anything about it. Every time when I gets into any big trouble, I always look for some peace in any secluded place like temple or close to nature and try to find answers and I usually get the right answers, but this time all I am getting is a blank. I am a fighter and straggler who never gives up so easily, but this time I feel like giving up on very first step.

Some Kalmadi Jokes....

2010-09-25T22:51:00.000-05:00

For last few days, I am receiving some sms and facebook comments about Kalmadi. Though the turned a national pride to national shame, but at the same time he himself became a national joke in front of the country. Some of the interesting msgs are jokes are compiled below. Please add your jocks and comments in the comments section.

Disclaimer- I do not bear responsibility for any the jocks posted here, they are compiled ones!

--------------------------------------------------------

Kalmadi tried to hang himself after all this shame, but ceiling in his house cracked and fall down.

--------------------------------------------------------

Baba Kalmadi have you any shame,

No sir, no sir, its a Loot Game,

Crores for my partner, Crores for my dame,

Crores for me too, putting India to shame...

-------------------------------------------------------

A teacher asked her student what his father does, he answered 'he's a stripper working at a joint'. After class she asked him if it were true, and the boy said 'he's actually on the CWG committee working with Kalmadi, this sounds a lot less embarrassing'!!

--------------------------------------------------------

Kalmadi Kalmadi, yes papa

Eating money, no papa,

Telling lies, no papa,

Show your balance sheet... ha ha ha

------------------------------------------------------

Saturday with Pav-Bhaji

2010-09-25T06:59:00.001-05:00

Its been a while since I posted a blog related to food and related stuff. I accept and Italian food is my weakness, but you can't beat Indian food at its best. I started to like cooking when I was in US, initially it was a burden but slowly with headphones on and different experimentation (that include the incident when I almost set my apartment of fire) I started to enjoy cooking. My part time work at Rollins helped my in developing skills in International food and at the same time was lucky to get roomies who liked the variety in food and accepted my experiments with food!

After coming back to India, its on and off with food. As I believe to cook the right food, you need right mood... after joining VIT, I again got a chance to get into cooking as its a good stress reliever in the evening when you have heavy day and need something to charge yourself. I have been doing some regular stuff for a while with occasional changes in the menu, and most of those changes are on Saturdays and Sundays, today its a good chance to get into cooking as its all day power cut and there is nothing much to do... planning for Pav Bhaji. As my cooking range is electric so have to wait till evening 6 before start cooking. I love making Pav Bhaji as people like it the way I cook, and today there is no one but me to enjoy it so its little odd but let it be... lets get on and get going... (I will post some pics as soon as it will be done)

P.S.- Some pics...

I know its a weird post from my side, but sometimes its fun to do stuff like this :)

Beautiful Stranger

2010-09-19T11:42:00.000-05:00

Last few days were very eventful in my life, now when I look back then I realize that I have done so many things last few days which were totally unlike me, the things that I used to think that I will ever do in my life. But, life is full of surprises and you never know when you will see a magic in your life.

Some strange things happens so fast that you never know that its a dream or reality. I think I am in a dream streak these days, time is flying like anything and I feel like living each and every moment of it. I am just trying to keep some of these moment close to me, and feel like I could get hold of them but definitely its not possible. Moments pass by, but memories are always there to cherish. Life is very strange, moments that makes us happy at present same moments makes us cry after some time and in the same way the moments that makes us cry at present gives us a reason to laugh in future.

This life is full of struggle and disappointments sometimes, and when some moments of happiness comes they look so strange that sometime they scare us, and looks like illusion. I live in moments and enjoy them, but at the same time get scared of it. That time you have some 'addictions' in your life which takes you away from all fears and give you a confidence in yourself. For some people addictions are bed, but for me I love my addiction :)

Just a thought...

2010-09-12T04:12:00.000-05:00

Recently someone posted it on google buzz... I really liked it so rephrasing it here-

"Never miss an opportunity to make others happy, even if you have to leave them alone in order to do it...."

When you are at comfort level with someone, the person could be any one, your good friend, student, sibling or even the one you love. You get to know them and sometimes you get surprised with the hidden potential of that person. You get to know goods and evil of the person, initial period is always full of hick-ups as you are getting to know each other. Sometimes some of the incidents/talks make you feel that the potential of the person in totally unexplored, and to see them successful, sometimes you have to make some sacrifices. Just looking at long term goals, short term ones looks insignificant. If you really care about them, sometimes its imperative to leave them or even leave them on bad terms. Probably they will never know it, and they will never want to see your face again, but you always know at bottom of your heart that you care about them...

Ciao...

Why?

2010-09-11T17:14:00.000-05:00

Why do we bang our had on the rock when we know that its going to hurt us in the anyways?

Why do we make make same mistakes again and again when we know that result will going to be same?

Why can't we understand simplest things in the life?

Why its so hard to draw lines sometimes?

Why do we give up so early sometimes?

Why its so hard to understand people and its so hard for them to understand you?

.....

Lot of questions, but no answer...

Surprized!

2010-09-05T12:23:00.002-05:00

I used to tell my friends that big decisions in life takes least time, but I never experienced it before. But, sometimes life surprises you the way that you have never expected. Some moments feels like they should never pass and some moments pass so fast the you left surprised that how it happened! Its just an exuberance... an excitement from inside.

Right now, I can't say anything... but I am just living the moment and enjoying every bit of it.

Salaam Zindagi!

Noor-e-Hindustan...

2010-09-04T01:01:00.000-05:00

I am sure most of you watching news and following some stories coming into media for last two months from Kashmir region. I don't know what to say about that situation, because as a proud Indian I have no doubt that Kashmir region was, is and will be a part of Republic of India. But at the same time I have concerns about the people over there, and about the tax payers money being wasted on one single state.

I know that this post may be little strike on some of us, but seriously just take the two points I have mentioned above. First, about people of Kashmir, if just 5% of there allegation on Indian police and army is true then just imagine how tough life would be there to live in this situation, at the same time the daily life threat from militants and other separatist groups. You can't pick a side and without picking a side you can't survive. So, what is the result? Some fools will influence you and guide you in the way that you are behaving these days. It is the time when government leave all the pride behind and take this issue seriously and take some strict steps to control the situation, not by keeping people inside their home but by creating an open atmosphere there.

Now looking at the other side, I do accept that people there have problems and they are in some real tough situation. But, will behavior like this will solve the problems? I believe that the way there people are behaving these days is little immature. If they don't have faith in their country and they think the neighbors will be a better option then what the hack they are doing here, they should have moved back there long back. They have to understand that the amount money put on this single state and special provisions given to this state are something which they will never get in either of autonomy or going with Pakistan option. I don't know if these people watch television or not and how much they are in touch with the situation across the border, just think of a life in that country and ask your self that is that the place where you want to be?

I believe that there are two clear options in front of people and Government of India-

1- Try to mix with the mainstream in India, and don't look at the government with expectation of something 'special'. Be a good citizen of India and support the country by helping us removing all these trouble makers like militants and separatist. You can do so by informing any suspicious activities near by your place, not giving them place to live and perform operations and at the same time boycott these separatist parties, if you won't support them, there will be no existence of them in the beautiful valley.

2- Its my humble request to my government that stop throwing a big chunk of tax payers money on a single state if these people are not ready to co-operate. If you calculate the amount of money spend on different schemes, military operations and other stuff in this state it would a shocking revelation. Why not spend the money on development of country, infrastructure, creating jobs, warfare, agriculture, education, sports etc. I believe that we have more big concerns they to worry about. China is creating troubles everyday, if some emergency arrives then we should be in a position to stand by our-self. So why not focus on making the country stronger.

This second point is written keeping in mind that if people of J&K are not cooperate. I believe that if this is the case, let them go be a part of some other nation or let them be on their own, they will learn soon that what blunder they have made. At the same time, open doors for the people who really want to be a part of this country and reallocate them in other states. I believe that this step would be a responsible as well as strict step.

Anoop

...

Common Wealth Game

2010-09-01T10:17:00.000-05:00

Two years back when I was in US, there was some exciting things to look forward in India after my return. One of those was Common Wealth Games in Delhi, and to tell you the truth I intended to attend the games, but that time I didn't knew that Common Wealth Games means Commonly Wealthy ban-ne ke Games (Games to become wealthy commonly) for politicians.

Facts have been stated many times, and I am repeating once again that amount of money spent for preparations is more than that of Beijing Olympics, work done is hardly 10-20% of them. None of the sport complex and sport village can be called completely done! No sporting facility is available for players to practice regularly. People responsible for all this mess up are not even accepting their fault, on top of that they are busy in blame game and being ignorant. All these things have been said repeatedly, along with much more irregularities. The corruption will require a separate blog post, and I seriously do not want to touch that topic as it just more and more disappointment.

I am not writing this blog to restate the complaints as you all know about them, this blog is about what should be done about it. I believe that this is the time to shake things up from top to bottom. Last time I saw some hope, anger and awareness in this country after Mumbai attack, I think the time is calling us to show the same face again to tighten up the things. I think that some of the things that we can do are-

1. Boycott the games, I am serious about. Those who know me, they know that I am not a person that support this type of activities. But time is asking for sending a strong message to this government, opposition and all the useless people sitting in parliament. Whole world should see what happens in this country... no Mr. Singh or Mr. Gandhi can cover this shame. Its not against the players participating form Indian side, but national interest is above individual interest.

2. Country wide legal cases filed against IOC, and other people involved in this scam. One or two request can be ignored, but when thousands and millions of cases filed, they can't be ignored.

3. All players should boycott the associations run by politicians (irrespective of they are honest). Specialists of the game should be given ultimate power. Politicians could be given role of 'external adviser' at max.

4. There should be a new provision to file criminal cases against these a$$*****.

I think that money spent on organizing these games was enough to develop multi-sports facilities throughout the country, or to meet any problem like hunger, poverty, illiteracy up to a great extent. So, next time any candidature should be proposed after common consensus is the country. When thousands of farmers are dying out of hunger, there is no arrangement of power, or even clean water to drink I believe country is not in a good condition to bear these games with corruption on top.

P.S.- anyways we are not going to create magic in these games, so there is not matter of pride in conducting these games saying that it will bring pride for India in sporting world.

Thought Crises

2010-08-30T11:27:00.000-05:00

Today, I am sitting in front of computer and trying to write something, I started with different things 2-3 times and after writing few lines I cleaned up the stuff and got back to the first line. I rarely have such a thought crises... or at-least manage to get some crap to write for this blog. But this time, its different...

I think I have thought about everything that I possibly could but result is nil... seems like too much of interaction within a day makes you empty from the top floor... and today was one such day!

चेहरा

2010-08-29T08:15:00.000-05:00

ज़िन्दगी भी क्या नए रंग दिखाती है,

हर मोड़ पर एक नए चेहरे से मिलाती है,

चेहरे, कुछ जाने पहचाने से, कुछ अनजाने से,

किसी के पास जाने की दिल करता है,

किसी को भूल जाने की कोशिश करता है|

कभी कोई चेहरा अपना सा लगने लगता है,

किसी चेहरे से मिल कर रुक जाने का मन करता है,

इस ज़िन्दगी के सफ़र में कुछ हमसफ़र बन जाते है,

कुछ इस भागदौड़ में खो जाते है,

कुछ खोना कुछ पाना सब एक सा लगने लगता है|

क्या भूलू क्या याद करू, कुछ समज में नहीं आता,

बस चलता जाता हूँ, आगे बढता जाता हूँ,

कई चेहरे नयी चीज़े सिखाते है,

तो कुछ नयी राह सुझाते है,

सुनता हूँ सब की, पर करता हूँ अपने मनन की,

क्योकि में भी एक चेहरा हूँ, इस भीड़ में अकेला हूँ|

-अनूप

My own Star Trek...

2010-08-28T02:26:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was watching movie Star Trek (2009), though I am big Star Wars fan, but I must admit that I enjoy Star Trek occasionally, specially this flick when I watched first time in Columbia. I went home and watched most of the series from beginning. One of the interesting thing about both the movie series are their opening and closing monologues. We all know about Star Wars's "Long time ago, in a galaxy far far away... " similarly Star Trek has “Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Her five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.” very interesting and full of adventure.

Today, I thought why not define my own voyage the way Star Trek has done...

"Space and time are the new frontiers. These are the voyages of a complicated mind, on a mission of learning and understanding each and everything comes in its way. Its mission to explore and develop a brave new world for itself, meet distant civilizations and live a life full of adventure."

Seems like the Sci-fi craze is back! I really need to search my collection back and take out some of the good documentaries, books on space otherwise I will kill a week watching movies again.

The sinner me!

2010-08-24T03:03:00.004-05:00

Today, when I was on the random searching mode I thought that lets change my search track from technical, political to something different. Eventually, I decided to search about seven deadly sins and four last things. Although, I know that what are the sins and last things but I wanted to read about them in detail and also about their origins. I must say that lot of websites have very interesting information including beloved Wiki. After reading about them in detail, I tend to believe that I am a big sinner too... May be all sins will not apply to me, but to be fair most of the sins I have committed at some part of my life. The sins are wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.

The revelation was equally shocking ans surprising, looking at the atmosphere around me it is very clear that these most of these sins are not actually sins anymore they have became part of life and sooner or later all sins will be considered normal. Because believe it or not that is the cost that we are paying with being so called developed and cultured. I don't know which direction we are going in, but what ever that direction is, it doesn't seems the right one. Gone the days when these were sins and considered untouchable, now these sins have got a new name- status! and we all are running behind them.

Lets define new sins in the modern society, I am very sure that honesty, and other virtues are sins for a person to live in the modern era. Seem like the time is coming to interchange sins and virtues.

New Poem

2010-08-18T07:26:00.003-05:00

एक मुसाफिर बन निकला था मैं,

चुनी थी अपनी राहे,

बढ़ चला था प्रगति पथ पर,

देखी कई नयी दिशाएं|

चलते हुए जा पहुचा वहां पर,

जहाँ सूरज डूबता था,

लेकिन पाया की वहां पर भी भौत उजाला था,

खो न जाऊ चका-चोंध में, डर सा लगने लगा,

लेकिन साथ ही साथ नए सपने देखने लगा|

फिर सोचा की शायद यही मंजिल है,

और रोक लिए अपने कदम,

रहा कुछ दिन वहां अकेला,

लेकिन मन भर गया जल्द ही,

लगा की यह वो मंजिल नहीं जिसकी मुझे तलाश है|

फिर चल पड़ा रह पर,

फिर मिली मंजिल, खड़ा हूँ मंजिल के सामने,

लेकिन देखता हूँ की रह ले आयइ है उस ही जगह पर,

जहाँ से की थी सफ़र की शुरुआत,

बस रस्ते नए है, रूप नया है|

The Masters of The Universe...

2010-08-16T05:46:00.002-05:00

Since my childhood, I am very interested in space, shuttles, ships, aliens and all those things on great contradiction related to existence of the Universe. This weekend, I was on my way from Vellore to Bangalore, and looking at the diversity of the fields outside of my train and same thought process started again. I am not sure where I started, but soon I was thinking about our existence in the Universe. How can a life form evolve in the dead weight like earth, I have seen the best and worst of this evolution process. If I agree with most of the Scientists that we the cells came from the foreign planet through meteoroids, even then I think that there should be some starting point of inception of life in the Universe. I believe, we have a lot of learn about those details about ourselves. The next thought that strike my mind we about the Universe itself... what is it? How did it came to existence and how it grew so much and so complicated... what is exact size of it and what is beyond it? More I think, more complicate it gates, probably we are designed it that way to ask so many questions to ourselves.

I know, that most likely in this life I will not get answers of most of my questions, but I am a believer and optimistic person... who still looking for answers to these questions. When I was younger, I always believe that thinks are not what they look like, there are people out there who made this game called Universe and they are watching us closely may be for some study... or may be just for fun! I call those people The Masters of The Universe.

First Week

2010-07-26T02:44:00.000-05:00

First week of class is over! I have been waiting for this week to come so that I can test myself in the modern standards of teaching. I must say that I have got some of the brightest minds sitting in my class room. The week was over with a pinch of salt because of some technical issues, sometimes it feel like that we have became the true servants of technology. As far as class is concern, I am trying to keep their interest alive and trying to put the subject in more interesting and interactive way. I am not totally successful with that but ready to take this as challenge and try to do better and better everyday. Really there is a lot to learn from my students and I am a good student of my students ;)

Most interesting part of last week was when I have collected an informal feedback from my students. I am glad that they have participated actively and gave be great suggestions! And thankfully most of the suggestions were related to some of the non-technical part of the teaching... hand writing, audibility, pronunciation, and make class more interesting and interactive. Well, what can I say I am on it and ready to put on some good efforts!

ciao

Auroville

2010-06-29T03:01:00.001-05:00

I spent my last weekend in Pondicherry, the trip was very successful as I got some quality time to spend with family. Pondicherry as a place is just an average spot to visit, I would say nothing outstanding that I have never seen, but it has some typical beauty that is mesmerizing. We didn't want to rush the trip, so we have visited very few places. Some of the things to do in Pondy are-

1. Take a downtown walk around Aurobindho Samadhi, the nearby French consulate and some of the buildings are really beautiful.

2. Spend an evening a Rock Beach.

3. Spend a morning at Auroville Beach or Paradise Beach.

4. Visit Auroville and spend some time to learn about that place.

5. Make sure to eat a any local pizza outlet, a lot of them are there you will like the test there.

I wrote this blog to share information about Auroville, it is a world village conceived by Shri Aurobhidho and The Mother. The place where there is no religion, no money, no color. It is a world town where people from different part of world stay and work in collaboration and harmony. A true peaceful and beautiful place that has lot to offer. We had some time constraint, so couldn't spent enough time to explore more about the town. Hopefully in next trip will get to know that place more closely... but do visit their website and learn about their unique concept of peaceful leaving.

Time to Gear Up!

2010-06-23T01:15:00.000-05:00

Finally after a long time... a family weekend! Mom and sis are coming to Vellore today, and luckily I got this weekend free from all those duties that I hate to do. So, its time to have fun and enjoy the Indian Monsoon. I believe that there could be no better place then Pondicherry in this part of country to go for a weekend and have fun. So, after a long battle with back problems and boring weekends with exam duties, its time to get back on road.

I just noticed that I haven't used my camera for last few months, so it will be a good time to try some hands on photography and bring the best out of the French Architecture of the coastal town of Southern India.

What is going on??

2010-06-11T06:32:00.000-05:00

I wanted to write this blog a long back, but work is keeping me busy here and home internet connection is no longer active. So, finally today I got some time to reiterate some of the recent incidents in India.

1. I was born in 1984, for most of you this year means nothing, but for a whole city name Bhopal it was a nightmare to remember the this year. I gas leak in Union Carbide Factory took more then 25,000 lives (Government figure is 16,000). Millions have life long deficiencies or illness and many future generations are carrying those symptoms, it felt like a Nuke attack on Bhopal. After 26 years of court trials, the people who were responsible have got 2 years imprisonment!!! I wonder, if it is possible in any other country in the world. On top of that, the main convict is spending his life in outskirts of New York, everyone knows that except Indian and American governments.

First, those people faced a tragedy and then followed by such a disrespect to those who are dead. Its a shame, on any civilized society and people who takes responsibility to be representatives of the society. The news that I have mentioned was on enough to broke hearts of millions that now a followup is airing that claims that State Government had helped in escape of the main culprit.

2. Manipur, a north eastern state of India. With population of about 24 lac is suffering from the 'bandh' announced by the Naga people. These so called activists have closed the National Highway for many days. This highway is the lifeline of this small state, and all supplies of food, medicines and other important things has been done through this highway for many years, and now the situation is that the state has no food, no medicines, no gas... in all they have nothing to live on. The local food price in the market has reached up to a level that it is out of reach of common man, most of the hospitals are closed or taking only emergency cases due to lack of medicines.

And our beloved government is doing.... NOTHING. I wonder, if in place of a north eastern state if it would be Delhi or any other state... the army has been called by now, but people sitting at the higher level never cares about a state which is politically and financially not very beneficial. No wonder they ask for a separate country or getting in closure with China, I don't blame them. Our government has to understand that concept of Republic of India is not only limited to a few state, the a holistic concept that our forefathers conceived and everyone believed in it. They have to understand that organizing CWG or aiming Olympic or boasting about our software industry is worthless if so many people are dying or suffering.

Looking at these two situation, sometimes I ask myself is it the same country that I believed in and confident about? I need answer, and presently I believe that no one is out there with a satisfying answer.

All I Want Is…

2010-05-30T11:09:00.002-05:00

Everything! Well, let's be little modest and talk realistically. There are a lot of things that we want to do in our life, and probably my list is little ambitious one. So, here goes the final part of my bucket list that I started couple of week back on this blog-

Skydive alone from 15,000 ft

Own an island at Lakshadweeps

Do a great job as instructor and bring in the change in the system that I am looking for… (details will be in some other blog)

Fulfill my business dreams

Work in the field of micro finance and child education

Adopt a child

Getting married (if I will ever) at some very interesting place… may be under the sea, or on top of Mt. Everest ;)

Able to be in the old physique and able to kick, jump and run again

Direct a movie

Write one of the best fantasy-fiction of all time

Well that's all about the current dreams… but as the life had been 'dreams unlimited' so far… so this list will grow with time.

PS- This was just on the fly list for fun… so no serious talks and questions please ;)

Please! Let 'em fly...

2010-05-18T03:17:00.000-05:00

Now a days, when I see local news paper here, I noticed a lot of focus is given on how Indians are doing in other countries. It is no secret now that many of the top companies in the world are headed by Indians or people of Indian origin. In the list of richest people in world you see two Indians among top five (not referring to any latest list...). But, a common factor in all the stories is that they left the country and then they earned the spot where they are these days.

India is a amazing country, people here learn to struggle and grow as their life proceeds. So, it makes really easy for them to grow in other countries where the struggle is very less to none and as a result you see LN Mittle, Indira Nui etc. But what are those factors which are keeping same person behind in their own country. Sometimes I think about these factors and in the end everything becomes so complex that I choose to leave this topic. But, now here in VIT I am learning some of these things... and I will share with you as the time permits and relate my experiences with current day problems.

The very first thing that I learned here that we waste a lot of time of some non essential things. I can tell you about many complex processes in India which are comparatively very simple in other countries. Right from any simple work in the municipal corporation of your city to get driving license to just pay your fee in college. Everywhere things are so complex that most of the time we give up. This things lead to corruption, as we are so frustrated with the whole system that we like to pay some extra bucks to get over things done in easy way. With time this dependency becomes habit... and result is what we see around us. Other thing that I have seen is that we spend so much of energy in paper work, for a very small and insignificant work we use a lot of applications, which lead to nothing but wastage of time, energy and paper. I am not opposing the use of papers for important stuff, but using so much paper for nothing never makes sense to me...

So, in this frustrating atmosphere if someone wants to do something better for himself, for his society and country... probably he/she will spend his young energy is most useless work and but the time that person is ready to explore the world... probably half of his age will be gone!

Kya Kare Kya Na Kare

2010-05-14T01:38:00.000-05:00

It has been more then a month since I joined VIT University. I was one of the interesting decision I made, as those who know me for sometime can't imagine me in the academic field. I joined on March 25th, and it was most weird time to join any education institute in India. The reason being that it as almost term end as exams are there in late April and May. So, there I was...

After joining here, soon I realized that there was nothing much to do till Summer Semester starts in mid of May, so whole day you are sitting in your office (which is (un)-fortunately in front of Director's office and just above Chancellor's office). I came to know that at least 20 more faculty members are suppose to join in coming months... and then it all started. Suddenly, you became the most senior faculty member among new joinees (although your age and experience clearly shows as you are the youngest one)... many new faculties come to meet me and seek some guidance about finishing some formalities and all those kind of things... they face my face first with a feel of nonacceptance that they are talking to a student (who has faculty ID card and wears tight T-Shirts and designer jeans with Nike shoes). Then they all start speaking some alien language (which indeed called Tamil) and after explaining to them that I don't understand, they move to some other room or talk in English (in last month I spoke the amount of English that I haven't spoke in my first 3 months in US).

So that was the beginning, after a few days I started to feel alien in my own office as all the new faculties have been assigned room in some other building which is at last 2 Km from here so a whole group decided to stay in my office as I was sharing the office space with two more faculty members (temporarily). Now you feel to realize that you are a product of globalized market... people around you are speaking the languages which sounds very similar and very difficult to understand (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayam.... all in a single room). Also, sometimes you hear some interesting versions of English (Tamil, Chinese etc.) I must add that after Made in China products, and next globally available phenomenon is Made in China Students...

Finally, you have been assigned some exam duties where you just have to stand for three hours in the hot afternoon and you feel like crashing down to sleep... (I HATE EXAM DUTIES). Somehow, you finished the exam duties and you have been assigned a subject for summer... you start to prepare lecture notes, quizzes etc. When all preparations are in full swing, one night at nine you get an SMS from your colleague that all new faculties will take classes from next Fall semester and your summer class has been canceled :(( The ABET accreditation committee will be visiting your campus this December and you have been assigned responsibilities to develop an Embedded Systems Lab and they also requested (?) to offer a course in Embedded Systems coming fall... and so your life goes on and you SUCCESSFULLY finished your one month in academic field :D

The Bucket List... Travel

2010-04-27T01:10:00.001-05:00

1. Leh-Laddakh (India): One of the most amazing and sacred place of the world... An open jeep or something similar will add to the flavor of the place.

2. Euro Trip: I just want to drive down, crossing countries and visiting people and places...

3. Caribbean: No description needed...

4. Siberia: One of the coldest place on earth, and equally interesting...

5. Africa: Some remote part of Africa will be fun to visit :)

P.S.- There are some other places, but this is my must visit list :)

To Do List...

2010-04-26T04:58:00.000-05:00

So, finally boring days are over and VIT people have given me some responsibilities. In the mean time I was also working on some of the project ideas and finally feel like I am very close to start something new here. But, before starting the real work so ground work needs to be done... and here is my to do list-

1. Work on the setting up the embedded systems and programmable hardware lab. (I have most of the hardware avaliable here, but formalization is indeed needed)

2. Its really hard in India to get Computer Science students for some hardware projects, they are mostly interested in software programming. So, I am thinking of starting a fun group that will focus on some fun projects. I hope I will get some students through it.

3. The internal protal here is a big let down, specially to conduct short quizes, and assignment distribution. I have to find some better way of doing it... (Suggestions??)

4. Prepare lecture notes and lab assignments for next semester's Embedded Systems course.

5. Work on some project ideas for B.Tech and M.Tech students and also looking forward to start some basic research which may take some time.

6. I really hate these exam duties, have to bear it till May 12th.

7. How about a weekend road trip?? Have to go out of this killing summer for some time...

A Catalyst Needed!

2010-04-19T10:05:00.000-05:00

Its been a while since I have posted any 'content' post, for last month or so I am just posting some links or random thoughts that come across my mind, and I must say that this post is no different. Couple of months back, I used to think that after joining VIT, I might be busy and loaded with work but still will find some time to write about experiences of the new life. But, the face is I am getting enough time as workload is very less and I do have some not-so-interesting stories, and still I am just killing time.

Last week, I have opened Voyage many times and set down to write something... but seems like a catalyst is missing which force the chemicals inside my mind to write something. I have so many stories about VIT, IPL, Shashi Throor etc... and everyday I am getting new updates on news, but still that cloud of late-back attitude is hovering over me.

I really have to find the missing catalyst before alienating myself.

P.S.- After writing this blog, I am feeling little better and may be after reading it 2-3 times over coming days, will get back my missing catalyst... this is what called self inspiration ;)

कुछ हिंदी में हो जाये!

2010-04-09T04:57:00.003-05:00

काफी दिन हो गए है, लेकिन हिंदी में कुछ नहीं लिखा, तो सोचा की आज हिंदी में ही कुछ लिख लिया जाये, आखिर पड़े-पड़े लेखनी मैं भी तो जंग लग जाता है ना! आज कल काफी समय मिल जाता है, तो कुछ समय हिंदी साहित्यिक रचनाओ एवं पत्रों को पढने में व्यतीत कर लेता हूँ| कभी कभी आश्चर्य होता है की साहित्य की इन बेजोड़ रचनाओ का भविष्य क्या होगा जब इस अंग्रेज़ पीढ़ी के बच्चे बड़े होगे जिन्हें की हमारी भाषा और संस्कृति के बारे मैं पता ही नहीं होगा, लेकिन मुझे दुःख नहीं होता अपितु इस नौजवान पीढ़ी पर दया आती है की ये पीढ़ी कुछ महान रचनाओ से वंचित रह जाएगी|

Another Poem from Dushyant Kumar

2010-04-07T03:53:00.001-05:00

I have just finished with the last blog, and suddenly I saw this poem from him and couldn't resist to put it on the blog--

Is nadi ki dhaar me thandi hawa aati to hai,
naav jarjar hi sahi lahro se takrati to hai,

Ek chingaari kahi se dhoond laayo dosto,
Is diye me tel se bheegi huyi baati to hai,

Ek khandahar ke hriday si,ek jungli phool si,
Aadmi ki peer gungi hi sahi gaati to hai,

Ek chadar saanjh ne sare shehar par dal di,
Is andhere ki sadak us bhor tak jaati to hai,

Banjar maidan mein leti hui nadi,
Patharon ki ot mein ja ja ke batiyati to hai,

Dukh nahi koi ab uplabdhiyon ke naam par,
Kuch ho na ho aakash si chati to hai.

-By Dushyant Kumar

The other side of coin...

2010-04-07T03:45:00.001-05:00

Before posting the link, I must say that what Naxals have done yesterday (killing 83 CRPF Jawans) was absolutely not accepted and should pay for that, at the same time I am not a big fan of Arundathi Roy. But, this whols Naxal story has other side too... and looking at such a detailed account I have to believe that if not all then some part of it is definitely true, and which is very disappointing. Its a shame of the whole country and the government that this kind of things are happening and people who are responsible for this are sitting in some position at center or state. Its a big article, but do take some time to read it... its a worth read.

http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?264738-0

In the end in words of Dushyant Kumar-

हो गई है पीर पर्वत-सी पिघलनी चाहिए,

इस हिमालय से कोई गंगा निकलनी चाहिए।

आज यह दीवार, परदों की तरह हिलने लगी,
शर्त लेकिन थी कि ये बुनियाद हिलनी चाहिए।

हर सड़क पर, हर गली में, हर नगर, हर गाँव में,
हाथ लहराते हुए हर लाश चलनी चाहिए।

सिर्फ हंगामा खड़ा करना मेरा मकसद नहीं,
सारी कोशिश है कि ये सूरत बदलनी चाहिए।

मेरे सीने में नहीं तो तेरे सीने में सही,
हो कहीं भी आग, लेकिन आग जलनी चाहिए।

till next time... Ciao!

A Phone Call

2010-04-04T23:31:00.000-05:00

This morning, I was doing my regular stuff at VIT. Suddenly my phone rang with some unknown number...
"Good Morning"
"Good Morning, may I speak to Mr. Anoop Jain... I am calling from ***** Communications"
"Yes, this is Anoop. How can I help you?"
"I have seen your profile on one of the job protals, as you are working in the hardware design and development so we have a good job offer for you in our company"
"O.K., can you send me the job description on my email mentioned on the same portal"
"Sure, I will send it to you. May I know what is your current location and where are you working now?"
"I am currently in Vellore and working as Assistant Professor in VIT University"
"Oh, so you are in academics?"
"Yes, Sir I am!"
"I am really sorry Sir, I have mistakenly called you. We can not offer this position to you"
"OK, not a problem. But may I know why?"
"(silence...)"
"Sir you there..."
"Yes...we are looking for professionals..."
"...and not looking for those who prepare these professionals?"
"(silence...).... its not like that sir"
"...anyways, thanks for your time... "

.... I don't know how and when this mentality will change... but this needs to be changed.

a new avenue

2010-04-02T04:20:00.000-05:00

First of all thanks to Harshil for this title "a new avenue", so, finally I am here at Vellore and starting a new career as Asst. Professor at VIT University. I am confident, but still have lot of questions about this career. I still wonder that this noble field is still considered 'untouchable' among students here in India. May be they like A/C offices and money involved in the corporate lifestyle. But, looking at the newly selected batch of faculty members here, I am sure that good time is coming in the field of education in India. As for me, I am just following my dream, as Priyanka told some time back "not everybody gets second chance". So, I am all set to enjoy my "second chance".

I wonder sometimes that how much adventure we have in this field, right now I am just having a chat with one of the new joinee with me along with writing this blog. She worked eight years in a University in Chennai, and there they have rule that you can not teach same subject in conseuctive semester, WOW... means lot of new things to learn and expend the circle of knowledge which is really good for someone beginning his career in this field.

Looking at the University and meeting some of the wonderful minds of the country gives me a great satisfaction and proud feeling, I just can't wait for some foreign Universities to come and revolutionalize and revitalize this field in India!

My house hunt is still on, and once I get the place to live I will start to look around and search some of the hidden natural treasures in this part of country...

till next time... Ciao!

The Open Field

2010-03-04T11:28:00.002-06:00

"Sometimes it hell getting to haven", I heard this about a year back watching a wrestling show. If my memory serves me right, I wrote about it that time. Today, this line came across my mind while thinking about last three months.

It has been long, tiring and difficult journey. I had multiple goals to achieve, and all of them were very crucial with respect to my future and the way I like to see my life. I never liked the word 'compromise', but now I have learnt that for rest of my life I have to live with it. I was like a wild hawk who like to measure distances with my own flight, but who ever thought that this hawk will lose the wings so soon. But, I have no regrets and no complain I have done my best and I will do my best on the road to recovery. I will not be 100% of what I used to be, but seems like it not the end, it is more like a beginning to explore new dimensions in the life. May be I just need some time to figure out and find out that what is my second love, because I had never thought about it before. So, it is time of some introspection and then again start my journey towards the excellence.

Life is an open field now, and I may choose any path in front of me. But, looking at past and my inherent nature I will probably love to make a new path myself.

-Thoughts from a wandering mind

Yesterday Once More

2010-02-26T08:52:00.002-06:00

This is the generation of Rock music and Hard Metal, and I am one of them who follow this form of music religiously. But, some time you are not in mood to listen the 'heavy' music and at one such moment about two years back I started searching some old school stuff. The result was incredible and more than my expectation.

I started with listening to Smokies, Chirs Nroman was just amazing those days leading Smokies to name and fame. As I started exploring, it was really hard to believe that how such a wonderful music can be forgotten or lost. The list goes on with The Carpenters, Eagles, Scorpions and many more such groups. More I listen more I am involved with them, whether its small account of Yesterday Once More (Carpenters) or the extreme emotions with Lay Back in the Arms of Someone (Smokies). Each and every song has something to offer with its uniqueness and simplicity. How can one forgot Hotel California (Eagles) or Wind of Change (Scorpions). Well, after listening to these songs on youtube, the next thing in my to-do list to purchase some of these musical gems to keep them with me all the time.

Now looking at some other untouched music, especially by Indian audience is American Country Music. There are a lot of small music bands there, and believe me they carries a whole new dimension in the world of music. They may not me huge hits around the globe like their pop and rock counterparts but they are no less in quality. I started listening to this form of music during my road trip to Cumberland Island in Georgia, while playing around different radio stations while passing through states of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia. Just roam around the Nashville- the music capital of America and listen to the singers on road side, you will not believe that you may never want to leave that place due to mixed effect of atmosphere of Somkie Mountains and the Country Music… its like drinking 200 yrs old wine. You might want to check some of numbers by Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Julianne Hough, Keith Urban, etc. The use of the basic instruments like Guitar, Harmonica, Banjo, and Mandolin will take you to another level of musical satisfaction.

Mr. Professor

2010-02-23T09:17:00.002-06:00

I think I would rather say Mr. Assistant Professor, so finally after four month of search and some wavering towards the tipping point, it is OVER!

When I came from US, I had a plan of action and a set goal to achieve. It was very clear that I want to make my career in the academic field. There are couple of reasons behind it, first and foremost the fact that I love teaching and I had some great experiences in past in this field. Second, I want to make my career in the field where I have plenty of opportunities of learning and shearing so that I will never get bored. Finally, I have seen other side of life where you have lot of money but no time to spend it or your life is more like a time table where your working hour increases with your experience… and I never wanted to do that.

Before coming to India, I had some planning about what I wanted to do and where I wanted to do it… and after a deep thought I came up with three clear things-

Institute should be autonomous (or deemed) where I can design my own course with my own approach and have some opportunity of research

I should start with a well managed institute as I really, really don't want to get into silly things that happens in many institutes across country

I want to start with a ranked institute where I can get a good start and have good prospect of progress

I must say that after a few months of search, I was preparing me to inter the industry. But, life always comes with some different plan and sometimes these plans are what you have been expecting from bottom of your heart. So, finally here I am. The very first interview call I got from VIT (Vellore Institute of Technology) University, it is ranked #1 in private engineering colleges and overall rank is #9 after IITs and BITS. A well managed institute with great infrastructure and provides a decent amount of opportunities of research (all these statements are based on a detail conversation that I had with one of the professor of VIT who meet me in a train journey). Now this interview call has transformed into an offer letter and I am keeping my fingers crossed for the new adventure of life and I wish I will get what I am expecting with VIT.

I am looking forward to join VIT next month, will keep you posted with what happens next…

Main, Bangalore aur Kutte...

2010-02-09T09:41:00.002-06:00

First and foremost, happy new year to all of you... I know that it is too late, but seriously this year beginning was not that happy for me, right from the very first day! But take a chill pill... I am in good spirits and getting better day after day!

Many of you might feel odd to start my 'blog year' with this blog, specially considering the fact that I have gained the reputation of a serious blogger... So, it has been three months since I stepped into this city called Bangalore, and I am spend most of the time in the confined space called apartment with getting in contact with this physical world. But, the creatures that I have been in contact with is not belong to class of Homosapiens instead they belong to the Canine family. I know that I have worked with this family for two long years during my stay in US, but this experience is definitely more exciting and intriguing.

Right from very first hour that I have spend in this city, I have seen these *guys* roaming in this city with an air of a prince like Rahul Gandhi, they typically found in a group of dissatisfied individuals looking for food like Indian Hockey Team looking for money, and some like to spent their time alone showing off their intelligence like any fresh IIM graduate from India.

I have been forced to write this account because of 'my experiences with dogs' here, the very first night I went to have dinner at a friend's place where I have been followed by a *barking gang* almost half a kilometer making me jumping of the back seat of bike. Next morning I found an egocentric maniac in my gully, this Mr. Black and White person were not among most friendly individual that I have met in my life.

Then days after days I have started meeting (facing) the whole new world of this species on the earth. But, I was still happy that these guys are at least out of my home... but probably the god of dogs was watching me and then comes my worst nightmare, the last month that I have spend in the rehab got not one not two but three such a wonderful personalities that I will remember for a long time. Right from those sleepless nights to running behind them I get my underwear back (ya! I recently discovered that Labradors love underwear) to falling from my bed to those unsuccessful efforts that I have made to keep them out of my room made me a real big fan of these species, and the best moment of the day comes when after having all then run ins then came into room in night moving their 'pooch' and seats next to my doctor saying that "GOTCHA!!!"

Kisi ne sach hi kahan hai... ki har kutte ka ek din aata hai :(

2009

2009-12-30T08:25:00.001-06:00

1. I am officially a foreign graduate with MS degree ;)

2. Trying to develop a taste towards a corporate life, and culture

3. Once again I played the Heart Break Kid and going towards Heartbreak and Triumph

4. Had a wonderful farewell from US, one of the memorable moments

5. I returned to India… just for all those who are skeptical about my returns

6. Became a bit lazy about couple of things

7. Long sitting sessions took the physical health away… time to get back in shape

8. Some of the last year’s resolution met and some are still left

9. Movie streak is still on and numerous movies are added to records

10. Did miss the peace of Columbia, but enjoying the crowd of India…

11. I don’t think that I will survive Bangalore more then 5-6 year

12. Developed some innovative business ideas, and seems like I will going to end up in business after couple of years

13. How about writing a fiction :D

14. Photography is ON and going strong

15. Finally, end of year is disappointing I HATE SITTING AT HOME. I am not meant for it…

The Prince deserves the Kingdom? Really!

2009-12-25T07:47:00.001-06:00

I was wondering since I came back to India about the popularity of Rahul Gandhi… the next prince of Gandhi dynasty of Great Indian Political Theater. The youth of India is really crazy about him, with a huge fan following over internet as well. He has all the good reasons behind it, he is good looking, and he talks his heart and has a very clean image in the current political scenario. I really liked the fact that he made many young people to think about politics seriously and many youngsters are becoming part of active politics and for them the politics is not just thing of those tainted individuals that mold it for their own benefits.

I like all those faces that I have mentioned above, but there are certain things that seem to be misplaced, first, people have already acclaimed him as the next hope of the country. Being a person of logic I think that so far he has not done anything for country that shows his so called wonderful quality and dedication towards country. I was watching an interview where he mentioned that all he is doing these days that to rebuilt congress, so my logic says if he has not done any observable thing for country even after being on the post of the cabinet minister so far then what we are expecting from him? First, may be most of the youth is misguided from media or maybe they have misinterpreted the whole scenario in both the cases it is very dangerous for the youth and country to believe on such person.

Second, I am highly disappointed with selection of his close ones. Most of them belong to some of the richest families or from old dynasties (Schindia, Pilot, Shailja Kumari, Jindal etc), in the counter argument you can name few like Minakshi Natarajan etc but if I compare the names then the picture becomes very clear. So, are we supporting some kind of age old system of following a family or a group of families? If this is so they why do we need democracy? Why not go for the system that we have left behind years ago?

Finally, I have some questions about his qualities. I have never seen him in a heated debate, I have never seen him as confident leader while speaking and moreover he is still under that ‘Gandhi’ cover and has no individuality out of it. I want to see that future leader of my country to be a confident, strong and thoughtful. I am just asking you a question, does he possess those qualities and does he deserves what he is getting? I am not a prince with silver spoon in my mouth, and I want someone like me who truly represents the ‘stupid common men’ of this country.

Bangalored...

2009-11-29T11:08:00.002-06:00

Its unbelievable but its true... I spend a whole month at the same place without outing, without sports and without anything that I like (that includes blogging too). I all have done for past one month is to sit in front of the stupid laptop, visiting same job portals, same company sites and that concludes the happening of the whole month :(

What a boring time and what a pain...

P.S.- Oh God! Please give me a job or give me a bike so that I can start an adventure trip again...

Chapati to Idli Dosa... the begenning

2009-10-29T12:40:00.003-05:00

So finally I reached the Silicon Valley of India, the City of Gardens... Banagalore. It was twilight time when my train stopped there, with a lot of luggage and strict instructions from doctor I have to find a coolie to lift all the stuff and take it to auto stand... and I found one young guy asking me to lift my luggage from some distance. I communicated with him and made that deal in Re. 100... As soon as that guy approached me, I noticed that he was limping a bit and then I realized with the smell coming out of his body that he was totally drunk... 'welcome'...

As soon as I came out of the station, I cold breeze of wind flowing there the take off the fatigue of the 27 hour journey. I took a auto to reach home, Arpit welcomed me there (he has put on a lot... I meat LOT of weight). Evening was just okay with some formal introduction and dinner at a friend's place as cook has taken off for a month.

The next day started a bit slowly, I decided to take a walk around and while roaming in the area I noticed that unlike many cities in India... it was well managed city with a great cleanliness and greenery. People were welcoming and had a good sense of talking... breakfast was Idli and Vada from a shop which has a sign board of badam millk (milk with extra 'l') ... then lunch was at Dadawadi Jain Bhojanalaya... and then we went to Jayanagar Sector 4 for some evening walk... and had some good veg. sandwich there...

The city is crowded with software engineers, you can feel their air... same way of behaving, talking, and living... probably I will be a part of this crowd in sometime... or may be not! lets see what future is carrying for me...

युगांधर

2009-08-28T09:57:00.004-05:00

Here come another oldie... I wrote it in India while pursuing my under graduation...

युगांधर

जब अन्धकार में पाओ खुदको,
प्रकाश की और रुख करना तुम,
जब आशा की लो बुझती दिखे,
नई राहे खोजना तुम।

तुम हो जो कुछ कर सकते हो,
तुम ही आगे बाद सकते हो,
बस अपनी इच्छाशक्ति समेट कर,
जुट जाओ लक्ष्य प्राप्ति में।

यही वक्त है, जब तुम कुछ कर सकते हो,
नई राहे चुन सकते हो,
आत्ममुग्घता से बहार निकल कर,
सबको अपना कर सकते हो।

जागो! तुम ही विजेता हो इस युग के,
तुम्हे युगांधर बन दिखलाना है।

चला चल

2009-08-27T19:12:00.004-05:00

जीवन रस पीये जा, नामुमकिन किए जा,
प्रगति के पथ पर, अविरल तू बढ़े जा।

नामुमकिन में भी मुमकिन है, यह जानना है तुझे,
अंकुरित होती क्षमताओं को, पहचानना है तुझे,
जीवन पथ की शुरुआत से, आकाँक्षाओं के क्षितिज पर पहुचना है तुझे।

राहें नई है, मुश्किल है, तो क्या हुआ,
उन्हें पार कर ही तो मंजिल मिलेंगी,
इस असंतुष्ट ज़िन्दगी में, तभी संतुष्टि मिलेंगी।

छा जाओ विश्व पटल पर, यह नभ तुम्हारा है,
करो ख़ुद कर विश्वास, आने वाला कल तुम्हारा है।
नज़रों मैं मंजिल हो, कुछ कर गुजरने का जज्बा हो,
तो इस कुरुक्षेत्र के अर्जुन तुम ही कहलाओगे,
आज नही तो कल अपनी मंजिल को जरूर पाओगे।

P.S.- I wrote this poem a long ago, even I don't remember when. While packing today, I came across it...

I am done...

2009-08-25T08:38:00.001-05:00

So finally another chapter of life ended yesterday, as I completed my MS from University of Missouri. This period of time was simply great with some of the most memorable experiences from working all nights up in the lab to have extreme road trips to lead one of the most prestigious organizations on campus. There are a lot of things that I have learned apart from the regular classes and research work, and I am sure that it will going to have a great deal of impact in my life.

With that being said, it time to shift the gears and change focus towards a new dimension in life. Now it’s time to go to other side of fence and face that thing what everyone calls ‘real world’. There are a lot of expectation and speculations; I am not sure that how India going to treat me and weather I am still a good fit there or not. All answers are closed in the black box of time, and I am going to reveal it soon. Its last few days in Columbia, a home away from home and I am going to make most of this time.

Video Blog!!

2009-08-06T00:42:00.004-05:00

Here comes the first one, I know its a massacre but bear with it till I will get a better and improved one!

50 Things by Ben Jones

2009-07-24T11:38:00.004-05:00

I was planning to surprise everyone with some new stuff... but due to some technical problems, it has been delayed for some time. In the mean time, here is a wonderful article that I copied from Pritesh's blog who also copied it from someone's blog :)
Reading this, I was in those four wonderful years of my life... here it goes-

A superb read. Quoting it full from the author's page.

"50 Things"

Dear Class of 2010,

This will be my last entry written specifically for you; beginning with the launch of our new site in early September, I'll begin focusing on the future class of 2011. I hope that you guys won't be strangers; stay in touch either in person (come visit us!) or online (please drop by the blogs from time to time and say hi).

As you begin your college experience, and I prepare for my 10-year college reunion, I thought I'd leave you with the things that, in retrospect, I think are important as you navigate the next four years. I hope that some of them are helpful.

Here goes...

Your friends will change a lot over the next four years. Let them.
Call someone you love back home a few times a week, even if just for a few minutes.
In college more than ever before, songs will attach themselves to memories. Every month or two, make a mix cd, mp3 folder, whatever - just make sure you keep copies of these songs. Ten years out, they'll be as effective as a journal in taking you back to your favorite moments.
Take naps in the middle of the afternoon with reckless abandon.
Adjust your schedule around when you are most productive and creative. If you're nocturnal and do your best work late at night, embrace that. It may be the only time in your life when you can.
If you write your best papers the night before they are due, don't let people tell you that you "should be more organized" or that you "should plan better." Different things work for different people. Personally, I worked best under pressure - so I always procrastinated... and always kicked ass (which annoyed my friends to no end). ;-) Use the freedom that comes with not having grades first semester to experiment and see what works best for you.
At least a few times in your college career, do something fun and irresponsible when you should be studying. The night before my freshman year psych final, my roommate somehow scored front row seats to the Indigo Girls at a venue 2 hours away. I didn't do so well on the final, but I haven't thought about psych since 1993. I've thought about the experience of going to that show (with the guy who is now my son's godfather) at least once a month ever since.
Become friends with your favorite professors. Recognize that they can learn from you too - in fact, that's part of the reason they chose to be professors.
Carve out an hour every single day to be alone. (Sleeping doesn't count.)
Go on dates. Don't feel like every date has to turn into a relationship.
Don't date someone your roommate has been in a relationship with.
When your friends' parents visit, include them. You'll get free food, etc., and you'll help them to feel like they're cool, hangin' with the hip college kids.
In the first month of college, send a hand-written letter to someone who made college possible for you and describe your adventures thus far. It will mean a lot to him/her now, and it will mean a lot to you in ten years when he/she shows it to you.
Embrace the differences between you and your classmates. Always be asking yourself, "what can I learn from this person?" More of your education will come from this than from any classroom.
All-nighters are entirely overrated.
For those of you who have come to college in a long-distance relationship with someone from high school: despite what many will tell you, it can work. The key is to not let your relationship interfere with your college experience. If you don't want to date anyone else, that's totally fine! What's not fine, however, is missing out on a lot of defining experiences because you're on the phone with your boyfriend/girlfriend for three hours every day.
Working things out between friends is best done in person, not over email. (IM does not count as "in person.") Often someone's facial expressions will tell you more than his/her words.
Take risks.
Don't be afraid of (or excited by) the co-ed bathrooms. The thrill is over in about 2 seconds.
Wednesday is the middle of the week; therefore on wednesday night the week is more than half over. You should celebrate accordingly. (It makes thursday and friday a lot more fun.)
Welcome failure into your lives. It's how we grow. What matters is not that you failed, but that you recovered.
Take some classes that have nothing to do with your major(s), purely for the fun of it.
It's important to think about the future, but it's more important to be present in the now. You won't get the most out of college if you think of it as a stepping stone.
When you're living on a college campus with 400 things going on every second of every day, watching TV is pretty much a waste of your time and a waste of your parents' money. If you're going to watch, watch with friends so at least you can call it a "valuable social experience."
Don't be afraid to fall in love. When it happens, don't take it for granted. Celebrate it, but don't let it define your college experience.
Much of the time you once had for pleasure reading is going to disappear. Keep a list of the books you would have read had you had the time, so that you can start reading them when you graduate.
Things that seem like the end of the world really do become funny with a little time and distance. Knowing this, forget the embarassment and skip to the good part.
Every once in awhile, there will come an especially powerful moment when you can actually feel that an experience has changed who you are. Embrace these, even if they are painful.
No matter what your political or religious beliefs, be open-minded. You're going to be challenged over the next four years in ways you can't imagine, across all fronts. You can't learn if you're closed off.
If you need to get a job, find something that you actually enjoy. Just because it's work doesn't mean it has to suck.
Don't always lead. It's good to follow sometimes.
Take a lot of pictures. One of my major regrets in life is that I didn't take more pictures in college. My excuse was the cost of film and processing. Digital cameras are cheap and you have plenty of hard drive space, so you have no excuse.
Your health and safety are more important than anything.
Ask for help. Often.
Half of you will be in the bottom half of your class at any given moment. Way more than half of you will be in the bottom half of your class at some point in the next four years. Get used to it.
In ten years very few of you will look as good as you do right now, so secretly revel in how hot you are before it's too late.
In the long run, where you go to college doesn't matter as much as what you do with the opportunities you're given there. The MIT name on your resume won't mean much if that's the only thing on your resume. As a student here, you will have access to a variety of unique opportunities that no one else will ever have - don't waste them.
On the flip side, don't try to do everything. Balance = well-being.
Make perspective a priority. If you're too close to something to have good perspective, rely on your friends to help you.
Eat badly sometimes. It's the last time in your life when you can do this without feeling guilty about it.
Make a complete ass of yourself at least once, preferably more. It builds character.
Wash your sheets more than once a year. Trust me on this one.
If you are in a relationship and none of your friends want to hang out with you and your significant other, pay attention. They usually know better than you do.
Don't be afraid of the weird pizza topping combinations that your new friend from across the country loves. Some of the truly awful ones actually taste pretty good. Expand your horizons.
Explore the campus thoroughly. Don't get caught.
Life is too short to stick with a course of study that you're no longer excited about. Switch, even if it complicates things.
Tattoos are permanent. Be very certain.
Don't make fun of prefrosh. That was you like 2 hours ago.
Enjoy every second of the next four years. It is impossible to describe how quickly they pass.
This is the only time in your lives when your only real responsibility is to learn. Try to remember how lucky you are every day.

Be yourself. Create. Inspire, and be inspired. Grow. Laugh. Learn. Love.

Welcome to some of the best years of your lives.

-B

Lets play the hard game...

2009-07-09T16:51:00.004-05:00

Its been a while being in a shell, and struggling against some useless things. I don't even remember last time when I was trash talking, hell rising, and extreme going kind of person. Well it seems like that its time to go back to roots and shake the things us from the bottom, with the good ol' self and a new and improved package. So just get ready for the rumble and ride of life on voyage... cos' its time to play it the hard way with more fun and more extreme themes.
Voyage 2.0 beta version is coming...

Finally...

2009-07-08T05:51:00.002-05:00

Finally it 'seems' that I have found the solution of all the problems and will be able to work on my research from today onwards. It would be a bit crazy as I have to use two laptops and my desktop together to run it in bits and pieces but I am happy that now after one and half month of struggle I will be able to do something. This time just keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that everything goes well when I will start to work this noon after coming from job.

adios...

2009-07-03T16:47:00.001-05:00

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

2009-07-02T20:33:00.000-05:00

“Woods are lovely dark and deep,
But I have many promises to keep.
Miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep”

How life sucks...

2009-06-12T16:47:00.004-05:00

06/01/09- My project is in last stage of completion!!!
06/02/09- There are two minor corrections suggested, hoping to fix them in couple of days.
06/04/09- While working on the corrections lab computer is attacked by viruses, trying to get through this matter.
06/06/09- While fixing viruses, I realized that I am no more able to log in the normal mode.
06/08/09- Lab computer is crashed, though I have all back up ready with me.
06/09/09- Trying to work on my laptop, but it seems its not supporting that files.
06/10/09- New OS is installed on my laptop, but still same problems exists.
06/11/09- Talked to some of the experts in the field, they have no clue whats going on with my laptop and lab computer, no solution
06/12/09- Last hope is gone

Result- I am suppose to graduate in 1 month or so, still not started writing my thesis. Project is in the black hole, and I am totally clueless.

2009-06-07T18:00:00.000-05:00

ज़र्रे मैं उसी का नूर है, झाक ख़ुद में वो न तुज से दूर है,
इश्क है उस से तो सब से इश्क क, इस मोहब्बत का यही दस्तूर है

I was listening some of the Delhi 6 songs while waking towards my lab, then suddenly voice of Amitabh Bachchan came up with the words that I have mentioned above... what a voice! It is one of those voices that I can never forget in my life. It reaches out to heart and make us believe on it. Couple of days back, I was reading an article about Amitji and it tells about I he was rejected from everywhere because of his voice and looks, and now looking at the present time it is one of the most respected voice in country.

It is really hard to understand how time changes and life shows new colors. At some point of time you are a total failure and at some other time you are leading the world. It all depends upon your hard work, attitude and little bit of luck. History is full of the examples like Amitabh Bachchan who started from being 'nothing' and ended up with being 'everything'. The common factor in all of them was some driving force that keep on pressuring them to do something to reach the higher orbits of their life. I am not sure where is my 'force', but it looks like its time to find it out and start something that I really want to do.

Love it or Hate it!

2009-06-05T02:59:00.002-05:00

Its 3 AM and like any other day I am in my lab working on some project module and simultaneously watching a movie to keep me up. Its been after a while that I am feeling close to work and trying to focus more and more towards research. The truth is, after a long time I am facing a good challenge and this time with approaching deadline the research work look like going towards dead end, but I know that I will not let it happen.

For last couple of years, I have noticed that with increase in work load, my involvement in other stuff also increases. This time again, I am enjoying my evening send volleyball, occasional table tennis, blogs, photography and movies. This things help me to keep momentum towards work, just keeping my finger crossed to get over this module which has became the most prior thing in my life for now. Sometimes I love doing all the work and some time I hate it like hell, its too hard to understand these two opposing feelings and when I focus more and more about thinking over it, I go towards zero and all scattered thoughts start to flow in my mind (just like right now, I don't know what I am writing and why I am writing this blog). But I must confess, I enjoy this state because its very unusual of me and it help me know a new person in self.

Attitude

2009-05-27T04:04:00.005-05:00

Life is all about attitude, or in other words I can say that attitude is a virtue that defines one's life. Many time I try to control my attitude towards certain things and needless to say that I fail most of the time. Its really fun to lose against self and play with attitude. Its endless race, and I believe in the school of thought that says it all about controlling your heart, once you have control 'inside', you can easily control the 'outer' factors.

Sometime we do need an "attitude adjuster", to bring us back to ground. This time I think that a lot of people need it in different context including me. There is nothing serious about it, its all about keeping you updated with world, and for that you need some passion and in my case passion comes from three sources, 1. Inspiration 2. Attitude 3. Challenge. I had enough of first and third, but second one is still in trial phase, so I thought that lets give it a shot.

P.S.- Probably its my last blog to some of the people who receive it in their mail box due to limited accommodations. If you are a regular reader and you don't see blog in your mail box in next couple of days then let me know, I will add your name back in the list. Its just to save it from some worthless deliveries.

Bas aise hi...

2009-05-22T02:28:00.002-05:00

Sometimes, I wish that I could have a remote with which I can go back to my life and change some moments. I know that its not possible, nor I have regrets of anything that needs to be changed but there are certain things that could have been better. Things are really challenging around these days, but they are not so interesting that I can challenge myself to go for them and use my 'impossible is nothing' attitude. Just want to re-live that killing spirit.

Today, I was listening some of my favorite songs from movie Paap, Krishna cottage etc. and some old days just passed by me, the nights with song and plannings, the days of extra ordinary spirit, some great friends, and a lot more things... and today I see myself and its really hard to identify that 'self'.

Lot of things have changed, some improved, some lost and some gone worse. But no remorse, no excuses, and no complaints...

updates...

2009-05-12T01:35:00.003-05:00

First and foremost- 1. Happy B'day Priyanka!!! I know its 1:35 hours late but I am improving :)
2. Congratulations Kruti ji... :) (details will be given later)

Research- Its going like one step up and two step down, those who know me they know that this is what happens with me every time but in the end everything fall at right place, keeping my fingers crossed for it. I am giving my efforts (honestly this time its not best of my efforts).

Job- Just waiting for Friday when this job will be over and I can look forward for some other stuff and spend more time towards research work.

Life- Unpredictable, boring, monotonous. It really need a booster like nitrogen oxide.

India- I have started dreaming about going back to India. Its not homesickness, but can not wait till July.

USA- Now I feel that I am going to miss this place, with short time left here I am developing an inclination about this place specially towards Mizzou and Columbia.

Confusion- For a long time, I have not hared anyone supporting my decision of going back to India. I am ignorent to those comments in beginning, but now they have started to come over me.

Book- After a long time I have started reading some non-technical stuff. Its "Three mistakes of my life", thanks to Anu for the sending this book all the way to me after I missed my copy back in India.

Job Search- I have no clue where I am going here, probably need to rethink about my strategy after Friday.

Graduation Ceremony- Though I will be graduating in Summer (July), but I am taking graduation walk this Friday as we do not have commencement ceremony in Summer semester. I am really excited about it and looking forward to walking with my regalia and feel proud to be a part of the great Mizzou tradition.

P.S.- Its a long due post, now onwards I will try to be more regular.

Shame

2009-05-07T02:14:00.002-05:00

Shame on all my so called 'Educated' youngsters of India who don't even bothered to go out and vote for the country.
Guys, we can just talk big over the internet and other means, but never took it to practice. At the same time salute to all the true believers of democracy who have been voting for years.

Must visit this link...

2009-04-24T21:48:00.000-05:00

http://fakeiplplayer.blogspot.com/

This guy is just amazing... total paisa wasul...

Secrets of Unconditional Love...

2009-04-12T21:52:00.002-05:00

The reason why you immeasurably care for a person without any thought of reward is one of science’s biggest mystery. Now, researchers at Montreal University claim that they have unraveled the secret behind unconditional love.

The research team, led by Professor Mario Beauregard, of Montreal University’s center for research into neurophysiology and cognition, found that the emotion emerges from a complex interplay between seven separate areas of the brain.

Such brain activity has only limited overlap with the cerebral impulses seen in romantic or sexual love, suggesting it should be seen as an entirely separate emotion.

“Unconditional love, extended to others without exception, is considered to be one of the highest expressions of spirituality. However, nothing has been known regarding its neural underpinnings until now,” The Times quoted Mario, as saying.
To reach the conclusion, the volunteers were recruited on the basis that they had a proven ability to feel strong unconditional love: low-paid assistants looking after people with learning difficulties.

In the study, Mario asked them to evoke feelings of unconditional love and hold them in their minds while they had a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

Of the seven brain areas that became active, three were similar to those of romantic love. The others were different, suggesting a separate kind of love.

The findings showed that some of the areas activated when experiencing unconditional love were also involved in releasing dopamine - a chemical deeply involved in sensing pleasure, with rising levels strongly linked to feelings of reward and even euphoria.

In a research paper in an academic journal, Mario said: “The rewarding nature of unconditional love facilitates the creation of strong emotional links. Such robust bonds may critically contribute to the survival of the human species.”

Courtesy: silverscorpio.com

Some weird thoughts...

2009-04-10T21:34:00.001-05:00

1. Whats speed of dark?
2. When I am going to experience the free fall of earth in the universe?
3. Do I really care about time?
4. Am I really wana to do this?
5. Why these Americans are so formal and superficial about most of the things?
6. knock... knock, is there someone in the sky (Hello GOD... Hello Aliens)?
7. More hard work... more failures, the less the better...
8. कितना भी करो... कम पड़ ही जाता है...
9. If Singh is king, who is the queen?
10. If 'con' is opposite of 'pro', what is the opposite of progress?

P.S.- This is my 100th post on this blog... :)

Return to world!!!... from call center

2009-04-07T19:11:00.003-05:00

Finally I got my laptop back... and the funniest thing was after receiving my laptop I got call from dell that it will take 15 more days to get the laptop!!!
In last two weeks, I have spent about 30 hours talking to dell and convincing them that I am under warranty, that was a great experience in itself as I was talking to people in my own country and the were not able to understand my desi-english. After the whole experience, I clearly understood that why Americans are so furious about the services of the call centers and keep complaining about it. The best part of the story was talking to dell support in some South American country, and spending 8 hours and finally succeeded in convincing them that I hold warranty!
The good thing in the whole story was seeing that how modern communication has made this world so small... I called India, they transferred me back to South America as the Vostro call center in South America then again while fighting to them I have been transferred back to USA... its simply wow... it was a world tour in eight hours that night...
I am really thankful that now I have laptop in my hand... my research data is safe (which is a life saver for me right now) and I have learned the importance of backing up data on the same day!

update

2009-03-31T12:04:00.001-05:00

Laptop motherboard crashed!!!
Will be back soon...

P.S.- Life without laptop sucks

just a thought...

2009-03-23T22:47:00.001-05:00

"sometimes its hell getting to heaven"

My love story...

2009-03-10T23:25:00.003-05:00

First of all... HAPPY HOLI TO ALL!!!
Have a great day with full of colors and joy...
Its time for a very important blog, its all about my love story... This story starts with her and this story is just about her. She may not be the most beautiful person in the world, but she has got that inner beauty that has power to make the world a beautiful place. She is one of my sweetest memories in college days, a very dependable friend, an honest human being and has everything that you look forward in a person in your life. I still remember when I first saw her in the white, she was looking like an angel who mistakenly landed on this earth... and I told God, please grant me with this treasure in my life. One of the most admirable quality of her is her singing, a brilliant singer (which is a least expected thing for a persona like that), can sing almost everything and a great person with instrumental music as well. I still remember her voice, especially when she is hot, she sounds great, we spent most of our good time fighting with each other and that every moment is treasured in my heart. It's been more than one year since I have got feelings for her and made her a very important part of mine, I have spent hours and hours with her and shared my deepest and darkest secrets with her. She is the first and probably last one so close to me... someone told it very true that first love is always special in anyone's life... and she was my first love.

We know each other so well that sometimes there is no need to use the words to express the feelings inside, her voice tells all what is going inside her. Its just been two weeks when I got to know that she in no more a part of my life, she has got someone who can take care of her in a much better way... It was really hard to see her going to someone else, but may be this is what we call life. But I am sure that she will never get someone who loves her and care for her like me... I really miss you... dear... 7CS 83G... yes thats what her name is, my first ever car Geo Prizm.... ha ha ha
Happy Holi...

P.S.- In memory of my very first car...

Kuch Meetha Ho Jaye...

2009-03-05T00:15:00.004-06:00

Bhai logon, bhai logon ki bahan logon, all Bobby Darlings and Karan Johars out there first of all I am extremely sorry for last post. After getting such a tremendous response through your 'prem patras' with all great 'praising' language and lovely 'galis' I am changing the mood of this post. Before I start I just want to say that while writing that poem I was not at all inspired with DevD and it was nothing but just a poem... to dil pe lene ka nahi!

So lest talk about this post and some future posts... I was watching The Dark Knight for 5th time and finally I understood the joker was actually telling me that 'why sooooo serious', then with great expectations and aspirations I decided to follow the given directions and decided to include some less serious stuff on this blog page.

For this first post, I was thinking of an appropriate topic and finally I realized that what could be better then 'Me'. Yes! I, ME, MYSELF... the classic chapter of comedy itself... thoda sa jalwa, thoda sa pyar and baaki saara nimbu ka aachar (wah wah... wah wah)...

Life is going at a great pace these days... such a pace that I can beat Bret Lee with my pace and project is going just the opposite pace... I mean like the slow spin of a gully cricket. So bole to watt lagi padi hai mamu...

Moving forward to some latest news... I am gonna to be be-car very soon, new job is good and really matter of proud for a computer engineer to work away from computer as CSA (costumer service attendant) and doing all Ramu Kakagiri at campus dining services in University, apart from that lagging far behind in my movie streak and just watched 3 movies in last couple of weeks :(, plannig to go NY but this poor Indian graduate has limited funds this time and looking for some alternative options as well.

Aur baaki sab vaisa hi hai, except my kamar and tummy which is increasing day by day like great Indian population and all possible ways to control it are seeming failed just like Indian government in case of controlling population.

...and as a footnote, I am completer bored of Indian reality shows, newspapers with Chand-Fiza, Rahman-Oscer stories, boring movies and wanna a break from the routine things and looking forward to do something wild (I know what you dirty minded people are thinking, so STOP THAT!!!).

Winning and Losing...

2009-03-02T20:15:00.002-06:00

Before I start this post, GOOD NEWS!!!
I got my new adapter!!! (For people, those I have added or re-added today for email "My laptop adapter was crashed so feeling incomplete")...
Today was a mixed day... got some great news like my best friend's wedding bells are about to ring and she is about to leave our singles club but at the same time some disappointing news from corporate world and my never ending job search, finally I have listed my car on Craigslist to sell with a great disappointment (it was my first car ever) and I really don't know how to react with two together. But finally, the brighter side clicked and I am really enjoying the time with the good part of the news.

I think, I have started this post to write something else and I am just going in perpendicular direction. So, changing the gears and sharing my new poem-

एक बंद मुट्ठी में कुछ कैद था,
शायद सपनो की ज़मीन थी,
या अरमानो का आसमा था,
एक जीने की तमन्ना थी,
या फिर किसी चीज़ का जूनून था...

कुछ तो था उस मुट्ठी मैं जो शायद बहुत अज़ीज़ था,
एक हक था उस पर और वो भी बहुत करीब था...

वक्त आ गया था उससे रूबरू होने का,
खुली मुट्ठी तो मैंने देखा की कुछ नही था बाकी,
या शायद कुछ था ही नही, बस एक आस थी,
या थी एक कोशिश, हवाओं को पकड़ने की,
और कुछ बीते लम्हों को कैद करने की...

Two days without laptop...

2009-02-26T21:34:00.003-06:00

Its my second day without laptop (officially, though I am writing this post with my laptop). I am in a shock, and surprised that I am still surviving and alive. The bad news for the day is my adapter will take at least 5-6 days more in delivery, so again I have to charge my laptop with my roomie's charger early in the morning and spend the whole day or limited battery life and with my lab computer. More updates about the story later on... once my adapter arrive!

Dilli 6

2009-02-20T23:29:00.002-06:00

I must say if you have a bit of common sense and understanding of the visual signs then go and watch this movie. India times, Taran Adarsh, Khalid Md. all have lost control over their mind as they are giving such a poor ratings to this master piece. I totally agree with them that this movie has very weak ending, but still looking at the brighter side and forgiving Rakeysh Mehra for inducting Amitabh and Abhishek conversation in the end... this movie is simply great. It is not among the path breaking like RDB but still it has all those elements that make you watch this movie. This time not any spoiler for this movie, just watch it and judge it, specially the screenplay and symbolism will definitely make you respect genius inside Rakeysh Mehra, but at the same time Abhishek is a negative point in this movie (Yes! I... the die heart fan of Abhi is saying that), he acted on extremes in this movie... sometimes very good and sometimes very bad, Sonam has something in her which in noticeable in this movie, all supporting cast is simply great the they leave more then expectation.
I will give it 3.5*.

P.S.- Raghuvir Yadav was disappointing on the other hand good to see Om Puri using mind while selecting role.

Yet another year...

2009-02-15T10:51:00.002-06:00

Yet another Valentine's Day has passed with all great stories contributed from all over the nation with curtsy to Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena and ShriRam Sena, apart from these heroic acts from all these groups love has again find a way to celebrate their day. It was nice to know that finally after efforts by these groups this time people stood united against these local terrorists to oppose them and it was really nice to read about some of the interesting campaigns by Internet community, at least these things will help these groups to know that people are now much more aware and they know how to react to what is wrong.
Coming to my Valentine story, its another year... still single and still NOT looking. Sometime I do think that lets get into all these stuff then at the same time the second thought process starts reminding me of fun of being single and independent, and I really belong to school of second thought process until and unless someone from Venus side of galaxy of same frequency will arrive to this guy from Mars.

Randomness...

2009-02-09T01:57:00.001-06:00

I guess I could be pretty pissed off about what happened to me... but it's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst... And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life... You have no idea what I'm talking about, I'm sure. But don't worry... you will someday...