Delhi Incident: Aftermath

The dark forces of the beautiful Delhi have marked their presence once again, and this time victim was a 23 years old girl. This time she was not alone, but traveling with her a friend. After every such incident we raise our concerns over media, in parliament, on social networks, over blogs, in homes, offices and small tea stalls around every corner of the city. But, after few months it will be a forgotten story, why?? Because we are so ‘great’, ‘resilient’, know how to ‘move on’ and many other adjectives could be given to support this, but the fact it that it is nothing more than ‘ignorance’. We talk about this for some time, slowly start be feel better that it didn’t happened to someone we know and then get busy with our daily life.

It was really hard for even a person like me, who thinks that surrounding usually don’t affect me, to just read about this incident. So, imagine what that girl must have gone though. I still get shiver while reading doctor’s statement, and her friend’s recount of the incident. It is really hard to believe that such animalistic behavior still exists in humans (if we bother to call those people human). These people were not merciless terrorists; they were normal citizen of this country, who can be found around the block in every city, and village.

I am saying all these things because I am hearing the demands of people, political parties, student unions etc. to ensure death or other extreme measures for anyone who commits this type of crime. But, is it really the solution? This time, accused could get a tough sentence as they do not belong to ‘privileged class’ of politicians, businessmen etc. But, will people stop committing such heinous crimes? What will happen to girls like Ankita, Ruchika etc. who are victimized (in a similar way) by so called ‘privileged class’?

You cannot make people to behave in certain way by just threatening them with a tough sentence, it can bar them for sometime but instincts can’t be killed by force. It could be a good means, but it will not last for long time, especially in this country, where people are notoriously known for coming up with “work arounds”. Is government, politicians, court really serious when they say that they will hang all accused, especially given the fact that many accused are around them (politicians, businessmen, military(?) etc).

Then what could be more effective solution to this problem, if not force then what? I think that the best way to control this problem is the proper counseling at grass root level to develop understanding and respect towards opposite sex, especially in Indian social setup. This counseling cannot be done at any consoling center in specific. A complete effort will be needed, including that at home, playground, collages, schools, and in social circles. One cannot expect a person to respect other sex if he has seen his mother, sister beaten by father and other family members right from the childhood. Apart from this, there has been a growing frustration and insecurity among people which lead to these type of incidents directly or indirectly. Frustration from their current state (financial, job, family etc.) and insecurity about their future, some commits suicide, some commits crimes and some turns towards alcohol-drugs etc. The current case is outcome of effect of alcohol (as per one of the convict), so it is important to go into the root of the problem before start to look for a solution, ‘quick fixes’ won’t work every time and probably they won’t work this time.

In the end, I just pray for the victim and hope that her life will be saved by doctors, and more importantly may god and society give her courage to live a life with positive outlook for the future.           

26/11: हिंदुस्तान की कसम - Kalpesh Yagnik

**** Following post is taken from Dainik Bhaskar (bhaskar.com), I do not own any rights for it and all views express in the post were of the original writer of the post. It was published long back, but in the light of current events, I think its worth sharing. ****

कल्पेश याग्निक; भास्कर समूह के नेशनल एडिटर हैं, उन्होंने यह लेख मुंबई हमले के तत्काल बाद लिखा था| इसमें निकृष्ट नेताओं को नकार, आतंक के विरुद्ध एकजुट होने की गौरव गाथा का वर्णन था|

 
बह रोने की आवाज से हुई। टीवी पर अमर जांबाजों के साथी सैनिकों द्वारा उनके पार्थिव शरीर पर तिरंगे तह कर सलीके से रखे जाने के दृश्य पर देशभर की अनेक महिलाओं के साथ मेरी पत्नी भी आंसू न रोक सकी। बाहर बच्चे को स्कूल वैन तक छोड़ने आई एक युवती सेलफोन पर रुंधे गले से बता रही थी कि बेटे ने अखबार देखकर कहा: मम्मी, इसके डैडी तो मर गए! भीतर मेजर उन्नीकृष्णन की मां फफक रही थीं। चैनल बदलने पर रतन टाटा को भर्राए गले से बोलते सुना। फिर ताज के स्वागत कक्ष में मातमी माहौल, बिखरे कांच, टूटते दिल और यह सब बताते हुए फूट-फूट कर रोती बरखा दत्त।
 
सारा राष्ट्र रो रहा था। किंतु यह कोई कमजोरी का क्रंदन नहीं था। न ही किसी विवशता का रुदन था। ये पलकें तो आहत होने से भीगी थीं। तीन दिनों से बंधी हिचकियों का खुलना था। कलेजा मुंह को आ गया था। सो फट पड़ा। अपनों को खोने का दुख था। किसी और के अपनों के जाने का दु:ख था। इजरायली बच्ची के माता-पिता के मारे जाने का सदमा ठीक उतना ही गहरा जितना ताज के जनरल मैनेजर की जयपुर में पढ़ चुकी पत्नी और दो बच्चों का। सब हिंदुस्तानी। जो भी आतंक के विरुद्ध- वे सब हिंदुस्तानी। जो भी आतंक के साथ- वे सब आतंकी। जैसे 9/11 पर फ्रांस के एक अखबार की हेडलाइन थी: आज हम सब अमेरिकी हैं।
 
26/11 को देश पर हमला, 29/11 को देश एकजुट उस रात हमारे मुंह पर था कि हम पर आक्रमण हो गया। आतंक अंतहीन है। हमारा खून बहता जा रहा है। अब हमारे सीने शहीदों की शान में तने हुए हैं। कमांडो कितने ताकतवर हैं, उनकी हिम्मत की सानी नहीं, तीन दिन-रात चले इस खतरनाक ऑपरेशन के दौरान कई जांबाजों ने पानी तक नहीं पीया- ये बातें हमारे बीच हैं। हमले के दूसरे ही दिन गोलियों की बौछारों के बीच आम आदमी, युवतियां व छात्र भी, सुरक्षा बलों का हौसला बढ़ाने के लिए नारे लगा रहे थे।
 
यह नया मुंबई था, नया हिंदुस्तान था। 1993 के खौफनाक मुंबई धमाकों के कुछ ही घंटों में शहर सामान्य हो गया था। इस बार नहीं हुआ। डटा रहा। एकदम निडर। इंडिया अटैक्ड से इंडिया युनाइटेड। भ्रष्ट राजनीति, त्रस्त जनता तीन साल में आतंकी हमलों में 800 निर्दोषों की जान जा चुकी हैं। किंतु क्या तब के और अबके प्रधानमंत्री, गृहमंत्री, मुख्यमंत्री या एकाधे सांसद ने ही कभी गद्दी त्यागने की पेशकश तक की। न अटल बिहारी वाजपेयी में इतना माद्दा था कि किसी मंत्री को बर्खास्त करते, न डॉ. मनमोहन सिंह से ऐसे दमखम की किसी को उम्मीद है।
 
गृहमंत्री शिवराज पाटिल इतने गैर-जिम्मेदार निकले कि 200 कंमाडों फोर्स को दो घंटे के भीतर मुंबई भेजने की अति गोपनीय, अति संवेदनशील जानकारी खुलेआम टीवी चैनलों को दे डाली। क्या इसलिए कि आतंकी मजे में टीवी पर देख सकें कि उनके मुकाबले के लिए सरकार कितनी देर में क्या करने जा रही है?यही नहीं- आज तक कभी किसी शासनाध्यक्ष ने खुफिया तंत्र की नाकामी से इतनी जानें जाने के बावजूद किसी अफसर को बर्खास्त नहीं किया। क्यों? कोई रॉ प्रमुख, कोई आईबी प्रमुख, कोई गृहसचिव, कोई पुलिस प्रमुख आज तक किसी आतंकी हमले से खुद तो विचलित नहीं ही हुआ, कोई इनका बाल तक बांका न कर सका। जांचों के जीवाश्म अनंत हैं- उतने ही अजर हैं उच्च पदों पर बैठे निर्लज्ज नेता व अफसर। हालांकि पहली बार लोगों की घृणा इन सब के विरुद्ध खुलकर सामने आई है। नया हिंदुस्तान जो है।
 
समुद्री मार्ग: 15 साल बाद भी भंवर 1993 में मुंबई पर हमला इसलिए हो सका क्योंकि अरब सागर के सीने पर सवार होकर आतताइयों ने कोई 800 किलो आरडीएक्स भेजा था। समुद्री सीमा नौसेना और कोस्ट गार्ड के जिम्मे है। कस्टम का अमला भी तैनात रहता है। इनमें तब भी हक की लड़ाई थी, आज भी जारी है। 15 साल बाद इसी समुद्री छाती को चीरकर फिर आतंकी आ गए!इतने सालों में कुछ सबक न लिया? कुछ न बदला? हमारी समुद्री सीमा 7000 किलोमीटर की है- जिसकी देखभाल कितनी कमजोर है इसका अंदाजा इसी से लगाया जा सकता है कि खुद रक्षा मंत्री एके एंटनी ने लोकसभा में स्वीकारा था कि आतंकी समुद्री मार्ग से आ सकते हैं।
 
स्वीकारा तो सही,.. लेकिन किया क्या..? और उसी मार्ग से आतंकी आ ही गए तो एंटनी, शिवराज पाटिल की तरह पद पर बने हुए क्यों हैं ? इस हमले में एनएसजी का एक लेब्राडॉर डॉग मारा गया, वहीं सैकड़ों कबूतर भी चल बसे। वे गोलियों से नहीं दहशत से मरे। एक फोटो में गोलियां चलाते हुए हमारे एक सैनिक के चारों ओर ढेरों कबूतर दिख रहे हैं। वे उड़ क्यों नहीं गए? संभवत: वे जानते थे कि ये गोलियां जान बचाने के लिए चलाई जा रही है- इसलिए डटे रहो। हिन्दुस्तान की कसम।

Link to Post- http://www.bhaskar.com/article/NAT-mumbai-attack-2260018.html?HT1a=
 

Respect...

I don't believe in philosophy of give and take, but still there are certain things in life those needs to be straighten up with this philosophy. The topmost item on that list is "Respect", some people needs to learn this simple thing. I see around, when someone put everything in line for an individual with or without expecting anything in return, but least a person can expect is a respect from that individual. Some people take care and concern for granted, whether they know it or not but they start disrespecting other... may be by simple gestures or by just simply ignoring them. 

Time is the biggest remedy, at least people say it... but what I see is that it is true for the cases when you are hurt or broken from inside, but when you are disrespected every passing day... I think, a time comes when you feel like getting on the the face of the person and tell him/her that enough is enough. 

Just wanna say those people... STOP IT! Stop taking anyone for granted, if you have seen the best of a person, just wish that worst never comes in front. Because if it does... it will be more than just RESPECT...

A letter to my students

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...

Bharat Bhagya Vidhata

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
 ...

Far away in sunshine…

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…

Beautiful Stranger

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 :)

Why?

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...

Noor-e-Hindustan...

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

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.

Please! Let 'em fly...

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! 

I am done...

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.

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.

Yet another year...

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.

Fear...

I was looking into eyes of some people and trying to imagine some moments from past, its just hazy atmosphere all over, some kind of fear building all around... fear of job, success, losing a relationship, failure, future, security, competition, silence, loneliness, incompleteness and all other feelings. I simply don't understand that is this the sole feeling all around in life of most of people or they can even think out of it. Some people are successful because they have fear of being unsuccessful, some are running from their life because they don't want to face the reality called life and some are just keeping silence because they fear to talk, some don't want to take even the slightest of chance because they fear the risk...

What to say its never ending story, may be I could find a way out of my fears or at least learn to face them in more better and effective way...

आसन नहीं मंजिल, मुश्किलों से गुज़रना है,
खतरों से खेलना है, गिर गिर कर संभालना है...

Quest

In quest of our life, sometimes we like the roads to our destination so much that we always want to be on those roads, for some people it is distraction and for others it is destiny. I am very confused about this philosophy, lets take two cases-

1. I have seen in many cases where we follow our dreams and after reaching goal we miss those things a lot that we have left behind, in most of the cases it is the price that we have to pay to get something better in our life and in some other cases we spend rest of our life to undo what we have done.

2. Now lets look at the opposite case when we consider our path as our destination and stays where we are for rest of our life, in this case most of the time those decisions looks good for the moment but we regret our decision rest of the life.

I know that it is typical human nature to long for something which is not in our hand, but still why people are not very satisfied with their present state specially taking into consideration the fact that most of them are in this state because of their own decisions. I could see a lot of my friends in the field of software or management working in top MNC's and the common virtue they share is dis-satisfaction with their job, on the second thought I try to remember old days when they had dream to join those companies and after their selection they had a glow on their face with a satisfaction of achievement, but now just in couple of years that satisfaction has been replaced by some kind of frustration. I know its not in the human nature to stay at same place, and stay satisfied with the same conditions, but still I feel that somewhere there is a missing link...

The third window- Panorama

Frustrated...

Some of the recent headlines-
1. Condoleezza Rice visited India, Pakistan to assure peace in the South Asia
2. Pranab Mukharjee had a talk with his Chinese counterpart over the issue...
3. Foreign minister of Saudi Arabia visited India
...and then finally here comes the biggies-
4. India tone down war talk!
5. We will declare war if any other attack took place in 'future'- Pranab Mukhaejee

Conclusion- Dearest leaders of my country have worn bangles, they are seriously suffering from short sightedness, they are weak in their foreign policies and strategy management.

I know, in this globalized world its really hard to survive alone and withstand the global pressure from some countries those direct (or I'd say dictate) the world, but still I have very simple question to ask- 'Do we have some self respect?'. We have got a very good chance to end this age long problem of India... and we wasted it foolishly. I am surprised that we are from the country where people like Kautilya (Chanakya) who was the forefather of the Nitishastra were born. I am frustrated listening to these so called 'hard' statements, and seeing these boneless creatures ruling the largest democracy in the world.

Time...

I was talking to a good friend of mine after a long break of about two and half years. Just realized after talking to that friend, how time pass by leaving us behind with the some remains of the past. It has been a long time talking to some good old people, whom you left behind trying to walk with life or getting busy with some other stuff. It was a great experience knowing that sometime some good memories left with you and bad memories vanish with time, may be it is a great remedy or a great reminder.

Lets go together...

After a long time we are fighting for some worthy cause, but with what I see from here in United States reading newspapers and watching channels, there still a big chunk of people missing. Looking at the crowd at Gateway of India, Jantar-Mantar, Bangalore, Pune, and other places and looking at the words of wisdom written on the posters I could easily make out that its all educated people, people from offices, colleges, and schools (which is good in a way). But we need to take care that we should not forget the people from other part of society those who work on hotels, restaurants, and daily wedges. These are the people who are major contributors in the voting system of India, unfortunately they make their decision over night based on who is paying for their drink a night before the election or who is paying them mere 10-20 rupees. Lets put some efforts to bring them into this revolution, or else we may probably face similar leaders again.

Unite we stand

Its been a week since attack on Mumbai, yesterday I have noticed an unusual thing in the whole country, people from all over the country have joined the solitary and peace march in Mumbai. It was a crowd of more then 50,000 people there at gateway of India and they all were protesting on the theme 'enough is enough'. Its very unusual to see people talking intelligently and logically about issues related to recent terrorist attack. The similar peace march and candle vigil was held in the different cities all over the nation, it was good to see that South India also actively supported including cities like Banglore, Channai, Hydrabad and many more. Before this attack, the general mentality of people of these cities was 'let it be', but now it is changing to 'its us'. Hope this unity will stay longer and together we can again prove the world that we are the best! amen