B A N G A L O R E !!!!!

It has been almost a month since I landed in Bangalore. The place is so different from Chennai my last stopover. The culture, its people is so vibrant and hits you immidiately(very much similar to mumbai)


My first week in Reuters has been quite entertaining one. From Skits to role playing, quizzes.....you just name it, I experienced everything. This is the way Reuters welcome newcomers its a great way.


Last week we had a party at hotel Leela for the entire Data Operation team and ........we had a B L A S T.


The infrastructure is pretty cool with flat screen monitors, personal telephones with STD & ISD facility, Reuters Messaging Service (similar to MSN)etc etc.


But the amount of passwords one is supposed to remmember is quite intimidating. IDs for telephone, PC, Bridgestation, 3000xtra, Oracle......the list goes on and on.


To meet the alreadu existing high standard is quite a challenge but as others have done it so will I .......



WISH ME BEST OF LUCK GUYS

Bizarre Stuff........

Wat is life coming too....or is it that people are ready to go to any extent just to grab a few .......foreheads.....

I got this info from one of my friend..... and this is the bizarrest stuff I ever heard......

Pratik Patel has put up a part of his body - theforehead - as ad space on an Internet auction site. Sold on the idea of the human billboard?

Well,21-year-old Pratik Patel, is convinced that he willfind takers on the auction website on which he hasbecome the first Indian to auction a body part as adspace. Yes, this computer management student from Punedoesn't deny being inspired by "fellow advertisers" onthat particular auction website. "I was rather surprised by the overwhelming responsethat Andrew Fischer got. He sold his forehead as spacefor advertising and got $37,375. When he can earn somuch through his forehead, why can't I?"

And what of other body-part auctioneers like AngelBrammer of Scotland, who sold her bust as ad space;and the pregnant Elise Harp of Georgia, who auctionedher protruding tummy as ad space? "Well, if I had whatthey have, I would do it too!" he saysFor those interested in buying Pratik's forehead as adspace for 30 days, bids start at Rs 1 lakh. "Listingis free of cost. However, the transaction fee of 5% onthe final value is what the advertiser has to give theportal," informs Deepa, corporate communicationsmanager of the website, "The rest is all his."

Money, however, is not his only criterion, insistsPratik. "Money apart, I also want to be famous. Thisattempt to auction my forehead is a stepping stone tothe UK, where I intend to pursue higher studies. Ofcourse, the more I am paid for my forehead, the betterwill be the quality of my education, the life of myparents and friends, and the life of tsunami victimsas I want to make a donation too. I also plan to buy alaptop." If Pratik has already planned how to spend what heearns, it's because he's confident the concept of bodyparts as ad space will work in India. "Why not? It's a unique concept. It's a matter oftime.

The moment this becomes a trend here, there willbe no looking back." Adds Deepa: "If corporates come forward to plant theirlogos on someone's forehead, it won't be long beforethe trend spreads like wildfire. As far as body partsgo, being an Indian portal, ad spaces will always haveto cater to community viewing." Pratik, in turn, is game for everything. "Put any logothat you want on my forehead as long as the money isbig."

Did we hear a bid out there?.....

Nonsense

Ah........ I have to hurry and jot my thoughts down. The more I think about what to write beforehand, the worse it'll come out when I try to express it.


Well, several times, I thought about giving up on this site. Several times, I read a few old posts and felt like (no actually I knew......) it was all trash (crap...... bullshit).


Several times, I asked, when did I have such moronic ideas? So I wondered, why not throw it all away, since it does not represent my current beliefs?


But if I do that, I will never have a decent record of my younger years, because when it comes down to it, my views are always changing.That's why this blog will remain. New layout, new style, but nothing of the past will be deleted. This will only mark the stepping-stone of my growth.


For one day I will look back on this post and say to myself, when did I have such shitty ideas?

Adios ! ! !

Well .... its time....

Time to pack my bags ......... and ......... start my journey ......... once again .......... the winding path of life lies ahead of me.

I knew the stay was temporary ......... and so were my companions. A few of them will join me ...... others will be forgotten in the vast milieu of crowd.

This is the time for retrospection ........ times that flew by (partying???) ....... and those which didnt (classes which were held exactly after the lunch). But the time spent here wasn't bad at all. I learnt quite a few things about me ........ about those around me ...... and more importantly about ............. we ............. humans.

As I pack my bags ......... I just cant help remembering the days we enjoyed ....... and those we hated (read the exam days) .......... our trip to MGM ........ freshers party .......the management meets ..........

And now some parting thought .................. to my friends .........

Old and good friends share a piece

Of passion, pain, and pleasure

That no one else, no family can

Begin to know or treasure.
It's as if a secret room

Held their private store,

And every time they met, they could

Go through some special door.
It doesn't matter if they see

Each other every day,

Or years and years go by before

They come and go away:
The moment that they meet it all

Is there--the memories of

Fierce loyalty and times of need

And gratitude and love.

PS: Do remember me friends ....... I am not that bad........... after all!!!!

The Sacred India - From the eyes of Paul Brunton (P B)

One of the best books on spirituality I have ever read till date. What I like about this book is the that the author adopts a no-nonsense attitude right from the beginning. He doesnot merely believe in words or is overawed by the acts of wonder workers (miracle men).

PAUL BRUNTON

Born in the year 1898, in the land of the queen, the author was greatly interested in the art of yoga & meditation. Infact it can be said that PB introduced this art to the west after having himself mastered it in India.

HIS QUEST

PB travelled extensively to the east (which doesnot necessarily correspond to India), went to Egypt, Japan among other countries. During his journey, PB came across various spiritual person, Mstics and Saints.

Some were fake.......some were genuine. The account of his meetings with various wonder workers in India to read.

While going through the book.......PB's feeling of restlessness comes to the fore. It is as if he is in search of something.....something he knows exist........yet he cannot find it. It is his restlessness that brings him in contact with some of the finest spiritual masters during that time. Sri Sri Lahiri Mahasaya, Sri Shankaracaharya, Meher Baba to name a few.......

His search ends in Arunachala at the Ashram of Sri Ramana Maharishi..........

And as the author puts in.....

"the sky is strewn with stars, which clusters in countless thousands.....close over our heads. The rising moon is a thin crescent disc of silver light. On our left the evening fireflies are making the compound grove radiant and above them the plummed heads of tall palm trees stands out in black silhoutte against the sky

My adventure in self-metamorphosis.......is.......over."

Height of Joblessness !!!!

Should the word 'Sindh' in our national anthem be replaced by some other word or the name of an Indian state???

Only a jobless person.........who has nothing else to do in life apart from ........well ....... staying alive...... would have thought of such an atrocious thing.

What amazes me the most is the fact that even the Supreme Court ....... India's apex institution on law order has taken this issue seriously. It has decided to seek a response from the Center in Public Interest.

Public Interest????

How many of us really bothered to ponder on this issue.....

And believe me there is nothing to think about......

At this point of time miliions of cases are pending in the high courts & other law enforcement agencies.

Why burden the judiciary with a case which is at best insignificant and at worse irrelevant ?

According to the petition the presence of the word Sindh in our national anthem is anomalous, both geographically and politically. This petition is based on the fact as Sindh the region is in Pakistan, singing in praises in of land belonging to a foreign nation would hurt the sentiments of all right thinking Indians.

Bullshit !!!Absolute f****** shit.

Here is my viewpoint......

The word Sindh in the national anthem doesnot have any particular geographical significance.

The same should be applied to the entire anthem. It should be regarded essentially as hymns or a song that expresses the true patrotic feeling of an Indian.

Take the case of Britain's national anthem 'God save the queen'. The poem was written when Britain had large colonies in the east. Does that mean in the post colonial era their anthem needs to be changed.

Another instance could be of Singapore's anthem 'Majulah Singapurah'. This anthem is written in Malay.......a language most Sinaporeans don't understand.

As seen above, it is the poetry & patriotism rather than ground realities that dictate the choice. The literal meanings of the word do not always determine the sentiments national anthem evoke. A country as diverse as ours, can only be united by the patriotic feeling that is invioked through our national anthem.

Chopping and changing it may not mean much to the common man........ but it would be an insult to the Constituent Assembly comprisisng of emminent personalities who on 15 Aug 1947 adopted Rabindranath Tagore's rousing invocation of India's ...........

New Spirit......

Jesus and India - is there a connection.....

Of all the saints, mystics and spiritual masters, I have heard of till date.....one intrigues me the most- Jesus Christ. My curiosity arises not from what he spoke and preached.....but who he was??? His life???.

MY QUESTIONS:

• The Holy Bible is also silent ......and mentions it as the unknown days of Christ. Why is this so...was it done deliberately......or was it out of mere ignorance.....
• After the crucification there has been numerous Islamic, Buddhist and Hindu scriptures which have recorded accounts of travelling of a saintly man from the west.....to the far east.......why has Christianity chosen to deny it.....

SOME POSSIBLE ANSWERS:

According to Holger Kersten a renowned researcher.....Jesus came to India......during his teens.....in search of truth.....
Kersten provides irrefutable evidence to this fact.......from the writing in the Buddhist scriptures and certain excavation conducted by him in an around Jammu & Kashmir*. This can be understood from the fact that at that time (and possibly even now)..... India was the powerhouse of spiritual knowledge. Supported by kings....and their subjects...... spiritual activities were given the highest priority in their daily life.

This is the reason why certain teachings of Jesus have marked similarities with Hinduism and Buddhism.

After crucification

Not only did Christ survive the Crucifixion, he travelled with his mother (Mother Mary) to India and finally died at an old age. The tomb of Jesus still exists in Kashmir. Accounts of his second arrival to India can be found in the Bhavishyat Mahapurana (a hindu scripture written in Sanskrit) and also in writings of Mullah Naderi.

What pains me is the fact that proponents of Christianity have chosen to ignore these irrefutable truth for such a long time and possibly will do it in the future......but why.......do they consider that associating christianity with the religions of the east would make it inferior........or is it something else........

Christianity as a religion is as good as any other religion in any part of the world. It is the acts of some people and their vested interest that hide the truth from coming out.

But ...... as they say........ truth has its own way coming out..........

Sooner or later !!!!

* The only trade link available between India and the west was through the Silk Route..... men and material passed through this route only.

Do visit this link http://www.sol.com.au/kor/7_01.htm to know more.......

Bye Bye 2004.........Welcome 2005

On the new year's eve........chill out with friends.....party hard all night........usher in the new year among your loved ones...........so that.......... it remains that way all the year round.

On the 1st of Jan........start the day auspiciously......pray to the Almighty.......that he is there with us in this year too......as he has been there for all this time.

Have a GREAT......GREAT......GREAT new Year.........

All the very Best.....

The day after tomorrow........

The day after Christmas in the year 2004 will forever remain etched in the mind of chennaites and to those, whose lives changed forever after those killer waves crashed onto their loved ones.

Wherever I put my eyes on I can only see death and destruction. Life has come to a standstill in Chennai on 26th Dec 04. It was around 6:30 AM (IST) when I felt the first tremor that rocked Chennai. The tremors continued for about 15-20 min. After the experience of Gujarat earthquake (I was in Mumbai that time), I understood that the epicenter of the quake would be somewhere away.

Little did I know what was in store for the day?

The first Tsunamis struck at around 9:30 AM (IST). I was at home when I heard the chaos…..people running around in panic. At first, I couldn’t understand what had happened. There was lot of confusion…..and rumors started spreading. It was only when my friend, who was at the beach, called me up that I could get the true picture. I rushed out of my house towards the beach (curiosity……..it’s in our genes).

And then I saw something which made my heart froze. A huge wave….. almost equal to a two storey building ……..and still increasing…….came crashing onto the beach. People were running everywhere…….for their dear life.

'Life'....huh!!! .....the word has given a new meaning to me now. I understand how precious are the days when one feels the warmth of their loved ones all around them....what it takes to wipe tears of others while holding back ones own. True how a shocking incident can test our….. character.

By 12:00 PM (IST) the actual extent of devastation began to sink in……overturned catamarans…….sinking fishing boats…………merchant ships struck to each others...… floating planks…..and above all thousands and thousands of human lives. What makes the situation worse is the fact that majority of the dead were children who were either playing or had come with their parents for a walk on the beach.

The epic devastation of Bhuj and Latur earthquake on land remains etched in the country’s collective consciousness……..one more has been added……

Its night know when I write ……deathly silence engulfs us all…….broken only by the roaring sound of waves crashing onto the beach.

It has been a day of grief…..pain…..but as life goes on……the agony of those who have left their dear ones…….will be overcome…….I know they will…..

WE SHALL OVERCOME
WE SHALL OVERCOME
WE SHALL OVERCOME……….SOMEDAY
O DEEP IN OUR HEARTS
I DO BELIEVE
WE SHALL OVERCOME
SOMEDAY

Economics of Life

During my 12th grade, I happen to read in economics (I actually did that....can u believe it !!!) that resources available to the society were always limited, in comparison to our limitless desires.

One question that's been bombarded me umpteen times: "What do you want to be?”or"Do you have an(y) aim in life??" (latter one being my dad's way of phrasing the same question....with the "y").

When I was 6 - 7 yrs old........I wanted to become just like the ice cream vendor who used to come every evening (not sell ice creams.......but to have all of them).

When I was around 11 yrs old ....... I was sure that my future was in gardening .......I had seen the gardner sit around lazily, chatting with his friends.......simple life........ no problems whatsoever

As I grew up Diego Maradona used to fascinate me.......I just wanted to become like him......what skill he possessed......outstanding!!!!

Then came Tendulkar.......Vishwanathan Anand..... the list goes on and on........

History had always envinced an interest in me........I always wondered how those historians, archaeologists etc used to come up with amazing discoveries. I wanted to be one of them.........probably ........probably even now.....

By the time I was in senior secondary the ocean of accountancy engulfed me.......... in the beginning I found it tough......but slowly got the hang of it......

Then came college hmmnnnn..... no........life aint that bad.....this is what I felt then........especially in the company of friends.........

And here I am......... almost on the verge of completing my MBA in finance...........

As I look back in the past , I wanted to be a lot of things. And I guess I'm no different from others. We watch action movies, and we want to be there, to do that. We see bungee jumpers perform astonishing feats, and we feel an urge to emulate them. Finally.........it is what we do in life is important........ not the one we left back.

Those options that went off into thin air were not entirely unachievable. But I just didn't opt for those.

Why?.......... It probably wasn't the best option to choose.

In effect, we all desire a lot. We also have a lot of options to choose from. But we chose some of them ......not all , coz we didn't have the time or resource to be in all of them at the same time. In other terms, we couldn't have bit more than we could've chewed!

And that's what economics is all about - the science of choice, given the infinite wants and limited resources!

Quite funny, isn't it?

Bangalore Ahoy !!!!!

I am off to Bangalore......for only a day though......

Going for the Reuters interview........hope I make it.........

Last time 24 of us from the college and it was great fun........full partying (and ....... !!!). Lets hope the going is good and I come out successfully.

From the brief time I was there I got the feel that it was almost had that Mumbai touch in itself. Actually I felt Bangalore to be a lot better than chennai (which is full off @#$%*&^).

If I hit the bulls eye then the next 2 yrs (hopefully) would be in Bangalore (yippeee!!!!).

By the way I am already placed in INDIABULLS an equity trading company. (hehehe)

But if I get in Reuters then I am ready to ditch this job.

So pray for me guys pleaseeeeeeee!!!!!

.:. Diwali .:.

Hey guys

wishing u all a very happy deepavali.

It has still been raining quite a bit, even on the day (and night too) of Diwali. So......by now you must have guessed how much I would have enjoyed........this time.
Didnt post for a long time......

I still havent got that bug to post everyday......

College is going on.....the same......

I have started to work on this project on building a website on the nuances of Finance. Lets see when I am able to actually put it online. Keep you guys posted on the latest on this front.

Apart from that life is busy as usual ....... travelling from home to college consuming half of my day (I hate that !!)

Cya

Its raining.....raining.....raining........&......

Thats wat is happening in chennai for the last few weeks. This used to happen only in Mumbai.... seems like chennai got the rain (bug) too.

And with change of weather bring (especially during rain) with it sufficient dosages of .... running nose....sore throat....and worst of all F E V E R. Even I couldn't escape its clutches.

To make it worst the roads are all clogged with water (sewage and bloody stinks like hell). The roads in and around Mandevli and Mylapore (chennaites would know them better) test even the best of the drivers .......worst if you are in the bus (standing).....with your entire body doing all forms contortions (quite..... painful I should say).

Rain or no rain ......our classes will go on and on and on ...........morning to evening.......the next day............the day after...........

Ma Durga r Pujo

Can you smell the intoxicating fragrance of Sharat kaal and hear Anandamayee’s footsteps in the air ? Does your heart beat in the rhythm of Dhaak and K(N)asar coming from within ? Yes, it is that time of year once again.

Thats wat every bengali live for..... The entire year we wait for those three days (sapthmi....asthami...&...navami it means 7th 8th and the 9th day) when the entire bengali community comes together to celebrate Ma er Aagomon (Mother's Homecoming).

Hmmnnnn.....the three days .......one doesnt even know how time flies by........it just feels yesterday that I was listening to Mahalaya....and..........

Well.....coming back...... the traditional six day countdown to Mahasaptami starts from Mahalaya. Goddess Durga visits the earth for only four days but seven days prior to the Pujas, starts the Mahalaya. The enchanting voice of Birendra Krishna Bhadra fill up the predawn hours of the day thus marking the beginning of "devipaksha" and the beginning of the count-down of Durga Puja.

To commemorate this festive occasion , the preparation starts about a 2-3 months back. No stones are left untouched to make this occasion a success. Afterall it is our Ma who comes to visit us only for a few days after an entire year.

The ocassion ...... as I told above..... starts with Mahalya ....thats the first of the ten days of the festivities. On this day bengalis living in Kolkatta visit the Holy Ganges.

The following days are spent on various activites such as giving finishes touches to pujo pandals .... running everywhere for chaanda (hehe) etc.

The real celeration starts from Mahasapthmi ie 7th day of Ma staying with us. Its fun and frolic all day around....adda with your friends being the only exercise of the day (and to top it all.........u get to savour the lip smacking........bengali cuisine.... damn I feel hungry already).

Mahashthami and Navami passes in the same manner.

The day of Vijaydashami is generally marked by gloom and saddness. Well.....atleast I felt something like that. Especially during the time of Bishorjon of the Idol of Ma.

To tell u the truth ........ I........I couldn't stop my eyes from getting moist. Especially because this was the first time I ever went for bishorjon. With heavy hearts me and my friends departed to our houses......back to life.......as usual.......work as usual......huh??

But as they say "Ashchey bochor abar hobey" (Next year ..... again).

Before I finish this very......long..........Post......of mine.

Lets.....atleast.....for the last time.......this year.......shout in unison.

BOLO DURGA MAI KI........JAI !!!

PS: I FORGOT.....SO BAD OF ME....

Today I turned 23.....

One more year gone. One more year old (old??.....no way!!!!).

To my parents and sis who were the first one to wish me (dot at 12:00). As always loving and supporting me.

To my friends in Chennai Shwetha, Parvadha, Nalini, Sudha, Sriram (thanks for the tip on good life and good WIFE !!!) .....Ajai..... my friend in Mumbai ......thank you all for wishing me....each one of you have contributed in your own way in making this day so special ... Its overwhelming to know that you are still important in the eyes of some people.

Today, while cleaning my room (finally,....did it after.......ummnnn...... dont remmember).

coming back......when I was cleaning my room....... I came across some pictures (very old........atleast it looked old to me). I uploaded some of them here.....

On my second b'day



The day I turned 5 yrs old ... me on the left........ with my cousin brother.






With my grandmother

The return to innocence........

It takes ages to create something out of nothing. The sweat of every man involved in that creation............years of effort....years of pain........years of reversals........but man is confident and has determination to reach his goal........ultimately he wins.

Voila!!!! what a beautiful sight must be for those whose hard work finally paid off.

It takes a few fleeting moments to destroy man's very own creation........by himself...........what an irony!!!!.

Its in our nature to destroy ourselves..............

And yet we forget about HIM.........He who gives us all.......the power to think...........to create.........

I probably dont know why I am writing this ...............probably you wouldnt even understand what I meant to convey.

What prompted me to write was this picture taken from columbia space shuttle in its last mission.

The photograph attached was taken by the crew on board the Columbia during its last mission, on a cloudless day.

The picture is of Europe and Africa when the sun is setting. Half of the picture is in night. The bright dots you see are the cities lights. The top part of Africa is the Sahara Desert.

Note that the lights are already on in Holland, Paris, and Barcelona, and that's it's still daylight in Edinburgh, London, Lisbon, and Madrid. The sun is still shining on the Strait of Gibraltar. The Mediterranean Sea is already in darkness.

Show me the M O N E Y..........

Its time. Yup my friends.......it is that time of the year when the employers start searching for their prospective employees (read bonded labourers) .

Slowly........... it would become a mad rush. Trust me man............. a month or so........only one question will be hanging in the air..............Which company is coming.............. or for that matter..........did u get in somewhere???

Welcome.......welcome to the M B A Placement season. Here no one is your friend. Steal, Kill do anything but get a job somehow.

As my classmates say "who cares about others when your life is all hay and sunshine"

A vision of Spring...........

Just had some thoughts coming in my mind. What better way than to jotting (rather typing) down in the blog.

Some sketches of them.

The pyramids of Egypt – Pharaoh’s Glory Gold………. Diamonds rubies dazzling wealth……….. monuments of magnificence……..today stands stark forlorn, forgotten, against the arid particles of the desert ………….the Sahara

The grandeur of the Maya people ………. The genius of their astronomy and mathematic ………………skeleton of an empire……………the bare bone of a city……….. swamped in the Amazon jungles of South America.

The crumbling columns of the Colosseum…………..the empty galleries of theatre & forum where once music, dance, logic and politics flourished.
Alas! the Greek tragedy.

The might of the Caesar………the brilliant oratory of the senators……….the built – up gospel “ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME” …………..that great Roman empire today………..shadows ……..shamble……….the ruins.

This is the consistency confounding story of Man everywhere. We are a peculiar creature ………..the innocence and gentleness of a child………..the perservity and fiendishness of Mephisto…………….the beauty and love of an angel…………..All three coexist……..

What a marvel of the creation???

Who created the earth……….the sun…………….the moon……….stars. How did our space and time come into being?

What was before????

What will be AFTER ????

Yipppeeee!!!!

I feel great. My grades came out for the summer project. I got an A........ yes an A....... that means out of a GPA of 10 i got 10. I feel like flying to somewhere...... This is one of the happiest day of my life.

But I know......... there is still two terms to go and I have to work really hard to keep my grades up.

I am thinking on creating a site which will deal with issues related to Finance. Actually my site layout is ready. Time permitting I will start with this one too. The reason for this second site is that I dont wanna put financial stuff in my personal site which basically deals with SPIRITULAITY.

See the layout.......... does it look good........please tell me.

Rachael !!!!!!!

GOD

She looks just amazing............

beautiful....................

soooooooooo cute............

Today I was watching the movie American Crime and the only thing I remember about the movie is rachael...........rachael...........& only RACHAEL.

And she is not one of those dumb bimbos............she acts quite well.

I had watched her movie josie and the pussycats twice.........given a choice I will watch it again & again & again.....

PS: DON'T APE AT THE PICS........@##$%^&