Do we need to Grow up once again?

Listening to a very nice song today
from 3 Idiots.
"Give me some sunshine, Give me some rain..
Give me another chance, I want to grow up once again"

Lyrics of the song are beautiful and plead for
a life that was unlived...desires unfulfilled
and dreams unrealised.

Many people in this world might be able to feel
the dilemma expressed in the song. Luckily I am
not one of them as after listening to it, I
thought whether I want to grow up again.
No...not really; in fact if given a chance
I would like to grow up just the way I did,
make the same mistakes, meet the same people,
befriend the same people and yes even love
the same ones.

There is a quote which I remembered,
"If God put all the troubles of the
world in one big heap and then asked us to choose
one for ourselves, we would still end up
choosing the one we have now."

There might be tough situations in every life,
but haven't they always taught us something.
Even the people who hurt us teach us
a lesson of life by letting us know we
should never act as they did.

No, I would not like to grow up once again.
In fact I believe no one should.
Lets live life completely...even if
we commit mistakes, lets correct them,
lets make ourselves better with each and every
new day.

"No need for a sunshine, no need for a rain,
Once I found myself, I never turned back again"

God's Plan For You

When u feel low
nothing seems true ,
Remember God has
something planned for u,

Whenever life sinks
to the depths of blue,
Remember God has
something planned for you,

In the end when you are
surprised to get your dues,
Then you'll get this was
actually God's plan for you.

A Beginning for a New Role of Life

Suffering from nausea in the mornings and the nights.
Not liking any cooked food.
Fruits and juices acting as my survival kit. Also chaats and snacks.
Every now and then, heartburn occured as well.
Totally confused about what suits me and what not.
Finally the appointment day came; the doctor's
cabin opened and I lay down.
As the ultrasound was done; I saw it...
I saw the head, I saw the arched back and I saw
the shape that was to become feet.
The feeling made me cry, the feeling of having
a baby inside me; my baby finally within me.
It was beautiful, and I fell in love with it
the moment I saw it.
You always hear other people talk about the way the feel
in such a state but you have to be actually experiencing the joy
to understand it.
In fact, journey full of diffulties still has to be made
and this is just the beginning; yet with the
prospect of gaining something too precious
makes all the pain and the troubles worthwhile.

Reached Safely to Redmond on Wednesday 1 am India Standard time

Jaisa ke aap sab jaante hain…bina poori baat bataye..main nhi reh sakti…
Aadat u see…
Is liye apna US wala dukh bhara safar( shuru mein thoda dukh…aakhir mein bahut saara
Magar beech ka achcha tha :P ) aap ko likh rhi hun.

Day 1- Sunday evening, 7:30 pm in India
Hum log taxi se Mumbai ke liye nikle…Monday subah 5 baje ki flight thi;
We reached at 11. Ab who airport wale guard ne bola ke 2 baje andar allow karega
Lounge mein baith jaiiye…Delhi mein lounge free tha magar yahan kamino ne ek aadmi
Ke 60 Rs charge kiye and that too u can be in lounge only for 3 hrs (Samien mein monisha nhi hun but u know I become kanjoos in such situation). Anyway as hum dono subah s epacking ke thake the humne ticket liye aur lounge mein baith gaye. Wahan veg sandwich aur small pizza ka dinner kiya (dono nihaytee bakwaas bane the..magar bhooka kya naa karta).
Imran ko neend aa rhi thi but I was bored; maine apna laptop unse nikalwaya( don’t tell me aap logon ko laga ke main laptop bag se khud nikaal paoongi…arre toot photo jaata toh?) and mere system pe GovindA KI MOVIE LIFE PARTNER loaded thi wo dekhi…wahan baithe aur log bhi laptop use kar rhe the…difference was unka laptop plug wahan ke points mein lag gaya..magar mera nhi( arre mera videsi laptop hai naa, plug is different ;) ) so I watched the movie using battery. Movie khatm hone ke aadhe ghante baad we went inside airport lekin wahan bahut saari formalities mein 1 ghanta katt gaya
So after 1 hr we were in flight.

Day 2- Monday morning, 5 am in India
Qatar Airline was quite good,har seat ke peecche small screen tha which was a touch screen; we could touch the screen for power on;there was a main menu; we could choose any movie, any serial from their collection and hear it using the earphones provided ( Zaara earphones free the magar maine churaye nhi…batao Samien ko that I am so gud).
Khair toh phir maine 2-3 “Friends” serial ke episode dekhe…(missed u Sumi and Zaaru)
“Doctor dolittle part 3- million dollar mutt” movie dekhi(ok ok thi)
So hum Doha pahunch gaye in 3-4 hrs(doha is in Qatar…try google map;) )
Wahan checking wagirah ke baad Qatar airways ki doosri flight thi
To New York… usmein pahunch gaye.

Day 2- Monday morning, 9 am in India
Airline wohi thi aur service yahan bhi achchi thi; same collection of movies.
“He’s just not that into you” movie dekhi-this one was good (lots of cast , something like life in a metro…many stories)
15 – 20 min kee “Jai Veeru” dekhi ( ab ye mat poochna ye kaunsi film hai..it stars fardeen khan and kunal khemu…woh gaana hai ismein – Tenu leke chala apne naal…bas us gaane tak hi dekhi…jheli nhi jaa rhi thi)

Then finally mood achcha karne ke liye DDLJ dekhi…badha badha ke( I know…I know..magar who collection mein thi so cud not stop my self)
Aur haan ek episode dekha serial “I dream of Jeanie” ka aur ek episode “how I met ur mother” ka.
Beech beech mei n bahut khaya peeya; Qatarairways ki flight mein Indian lunch aur brkfast serve karte hain; matlab sabzee, roti,chole ,daal,chawal etc..
So bhooke toh bilkul nhi rhi.( ye toh waise aapko andazaa hoga)

Day2 – Monday night, 11 pm in India
We reached new York and wahan immigration check ke counter pe bheja…
Yakeen kariye wahan 8 counter the and 3 log kaam kar rhe the…do toh bahut slow..
In actual one person was handling 30 people..and usi mein humara passport neeche hota gaya
Kyunke unka sada hua system tha…main door wala officer file laake rakhta tha…jo baad mein aate the…unki file upar rakh ke chala jaata tha
Counter wala banda upar se file uthata tha..is chakkar mein 2 ghante lag gaye…balke zyaada..
India ke govt offc wala haal tha…
Finally jab clearance mila humari flight mein aadha ghanta tha…
Baggage bhi lena tha…
Aur jis terminal pe hum the wahan se flight nhi thi…Wahan internal Metro jaisee train chalti hai jo different terminals pahunchatee hai…us se hum pahunche jab tak apne terminal flight ka
Door close ho gaya tha L it was 5:10 pm and 5:30 pm ki flight thi.
Wahan kee us airline wale counter ki bandee ne kaha next flight is tomorrow evening 5 pm…
Phir kynke humein Qatar airways ki flight th…imran us bandee ke paas wapas gaye who boli ke morning ki
8:30 flight hai toh uske liy usne ek note likh ke diya ( they did not as for money…agar hum kisi aur airline se karate toh2 logon ka 1000 dollars pad rha th L and who company nhi deti coz ye wala free offer tha)
Khair raat airport pe guzaari kursi pe soke….u can imagine kitni takleef huy hogi…
Wahn phone th airport mein magar us se international call nhi ho rhi thi…
So hum ghar nhi kar paa rhe the phn.

Day3 – Tuesday night, 8 or 9 pm in India
Finally yahan subah huyi aur hum flight wale terminal 3 pe gaye…3 wale counter pe lady ne kahan 3 se nhi aapko terminal 4 se jaana hai ( hum terminal 4 se hi 3 gaye the…sab saaman laad ke)
Terminal 4 wapas gaye toh wahan ke counter walon ne kaha unhe Qatar airways se koi request mail mein nhi aayi toh who ticket kaise dein.
Qatar airwayska ek bhi employee nhi aaya tha..new york time se flight 8:30 am ki thi…it was 6:45 aur hum dono itne thake the
Ke kabhi bhi gir jaate…magr Imran ne himmat ki aur mujhe wahin chodke terminal 3 phir se gaye ; wahan se Qatar airway walon ko phn kiya (achcha woh terminal 4 ki kamini lady boli main kuch nhi kar sakti Qatar ka number bhi nhi tha uske paas…kuch nhi aata tha usko)..phir Imran ko terminal 3 se ticket mila…
Leke who terminal 4 aaye…wahan phir doosri teesree floor se hum gaye flight gate pe
And finally 8 am pe we were in flight.
Is beech hum kitni baar escalators chade saaman leke main gin nhi sakti…bas escalators chad rhe the aurtrain se safar kar rhe then[Escalators zyaada use karne pade kyunke lifts bhari thi aur humein urgent sab terminals pe jaana hota tha ke kahin ye flight naa choot jaaye]…saamaan wali trolley bhi nhi thi(coz Imran ke paas 5 dollar ka change nhi tha…mujhse kuch uthwa bhi nhi rhe the…khud bechare do bade trolley suitcase kheench rhe the
Aur kandhon pe laptop bag bhi taang hua tha… L .. I had my black bag aur ek chota trolley wala suitcase)

Day4 – Wednesday morning, 1 or 2 am in India
Finally 8:30 am New York time flight chali aur 2 pm New York time hum Seattle pahunch gaye…
Wahan jab baggage aagaya toh phir taxi ki..Anurag ko phn kiya aur uske ghar pahunch gaye..(Imran ko raasta pata tha is liye usko aane se mana kar diya)
Yahan aake 3 din ke baad nahane ko mila…itna sukoon mila ke kya bataoonJ
Sabzee banake rakhkhi thi usne aur readymade wali rotis thi ; saath mein maine thodi daal bana lee..
Phir anurag offc chala gaya…sab kitchen ka aur gahr ka mujhe bata ke…bechara mujhe ek naya Saa kapda jo usne pooja ghar ke paas rakhkha hua tha bhi deke gaya ke namaaz padhnee ho toh ye abhi
Ghar mein use nhi hua hai…pooja ghar cover karne ke liye laaya tha woh)
Khaa peeke Imran so gaye par mujhe neend nhi aarhi thi…

I think this post was enough in terms of my journey :)

Let's Go Green...Happy Earth's Day!

With even Google going green today, I was just thinking what was the wayI could save my planet.Like our DC initiative of "No print out" this week, there might besmaller steps that lead to big success.
So for a while, I tried to let my creative instincts go wild...Maybe i could use Banana leaves in place of plates;so that i use no water for washing dishes(though minimum utensils are being used for cooking).
I could use more fans at home..close all the doors tightly so as tosave the breeze or wind outside.I should eat no vegetarain food today...only Non-veg shouldbe eaten...let's save the plants for a rainy day. And finally maybe I should write only on my PC and not on any paper today...saves paper right?? :)

Hoping for a better Future of IT

Read about the improving economic state in TOI yesterday.I hope along with economic improvement,there is also an improvement in project status of us employees.It is soooooo boring to be on bench and equally boringto know that there are many other's like us (means we can'tmove to their account either :( ).For hard workers bench might be a break but when people are on bench for extensive periods...it is notonly boring but it kind of pushes a guilt on the person as wellthat he/she is not contributing anything either for themselves or for the company.Maybe like the upward swing in share-market today; there mightbe an upward swing in the IT industry.

It might be darkbut its not the end
It might tire you outbut don't break;
bendIts time like these
when u find true friends
Dawn might break anytime
To make fortunes ascend

Which is the better gender?

Dear reader,

If you came here to read the answer to this question you can press the back key as we shall not be doing that. I simply wanted to know why people keep on posting articles and poems on this topic again and again.

People need to grow up and understand things can never be generalized.
There are never better countries, better men, better women, better children.

Generalizing is a term we learned in mathematics; but its not practical
to generalize in every day life.
Life is beautiful as well as Life is Terrible.
Even the most horrifying incident, teaches you.
Even the best moment in your life might have some sadness with it.
In later times, you might reflect on it, understand it,
and be able to analyze that your current situation was an outcome of it.
Hence the people who hurt you are many times responsible for your
success. The country you hated might lead you to a place you love.

Hence Generalization should not be a way of life.
Live life, don't divide it into compartments else you
won't be able to enjoy.
Meet people, don't put them into imaginative galleries
cause what might be true for one might not be true for other.

As Alison Boulter once said
“Always remember you're unique, just like everyone else”

A WONDERFUL MOTHER

A WONDERFUL MOTHER

GOD made a wonderful mother,
A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine,
And He molded her heart of pure gold;
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,
In her cheeks, fair roses you see;
God made a wonderful mother,
And He gave that dear mother to me.

~Pat O'Reilly~

Not Another Love Story

Recently there was a short story competition in Infosys.
I don't know who finally won it but the stories that I
usually come across in the company forums are mostly
mushy love stories.
I don't have a problem with love stories...but isn't love an expression between
parents and children; between sister and brother; between friends as well?
Why don't young writers try to explore this path more instead of the same
young boy meets young girl criteria.
Well maybe I am old now or whatever but reading stories that reflect life
seems more interesting.
Recently I finished a short story book by Jeffrey
Archer ..."Cat-o-nine tails". Most of the stories were real life incidents
of convicts. The book was wonderful . Only one story was not
a story of a convict. In case you want to read, won't like to spoil
the suspense; but only after I finished reading it did I realize it
was a love story. Yet it was so subtle; so beautifully layered...
that the author does not just convey the main protagnist's love
but also a basic trait of human psychology.

Love stories are stories of life...but
Guy-meets-gal-i-love-you stories a definite no-no.
Spare me from these any day.

Where have the Dream Merchants gone?

Recently I have seen a dearth of good ideas in Television advertisements. The 80's and 90's saw wonderful advertisements made and dished out. In fact the 80's gave way to a new experimental look and most advertisements settings shifted from the rural to urban areas.

In my teenage, we used to watch a program on Zee TV named "The Dream Merchants". It was a half an hour long program but me and my sister used to wait for the end 5 minutes. The series was about add film makers, their latest adds, their interviews etc. The end 5 minutes, advertisements from different countries were shown. Most of them didn't even need us to understand the language and that was the best part.As the years approached towards the millennium, many foreign adds were copied by our Indian add film makers (yes believe me its true). First example that comes to mind was the Aamir-Mahima and Aishwarya Pepsi Add.

Many other's but can't recall; we learnt them only because of that advertisement based Tele-series.But today as I watch the television, I hardly see an advertisement worth remembering.Or anything which makes me feel "Wow, that creative". Don't we deserve to have more adds like "Jalebi"(Dhaara), "Kuch khaas hai hum sab hi mein "(Cadbury), "Main Khush hun aaj khwaamakha"(Cadbury).

The add film maker's of today need to udnerstand we don't need star power in an add to make it look good.[Pepsi- Bubbly adds featuring Shahrukh, Kareena, Priaynka were horrible]. The best advertisements for me are still the ones that had nameless faces.

-"Kya hua?...Bachi ro rhi hai...Oodwards dede...wahi to main tujhe deti thi...jab tum chotee the" (Oodwards -tonic)

-"Are you ready for the magic...Let the magic began. " (Pepsi)

- "Itne kapde ek saath koi machine mein nhi dho sakta" (Videocon washing machine)May be the Add film makers are channelizing their energies in the wrong directions...they need good Ideas...and not Big actors.

Hoping makers like Vidhu Vinod chopra(He made the Remo and Juhi Chawla Starring Pepsi add) and Alyque Padamsee venture out again and give a queue or more to the current Add film makers who will remain only film makers if they carry on like this. They need to come out with more if they want to become Dream Merchants.

Rain - different perspectives

Standing in the rain, waiting for the bus.I look around and see dirt and mud flying on the rod;cars moving so fast, drivers not caring about pedestrians.Vehicles skidding and slipping, small childrenwith their parents who are holding umbrella'swaiting for the school bus.One society having knee length water due to whichsome people are struggling to come out of the gate for 10 minutes.

In the midst of all chaos, I hear humming;I turn around and see a boy aged 7-9 yearswearing very ragged clothes but a raincoaton top. He is carrying a milk packetand wearing ordinary chappals.But while he is walking he is humming....guess his perspective was better then the others.

Leaving Infy...

First steps were not easy

There were roads to reach

there were bridges to build

many barriers to breach

It seemed hard at first

to adjust, understand, react

People were friendly but

me myself feeling abstract

As days passed I overcame

initial shyness, hesitation,

Knowing the ways of the team

bought joy and satisfaction

But now the path makes a turn

needs a different direction

need to think of avenues

Need a new plan of action

what lies ahead for me

is not short of a mystery

Living my Life in present

not thinking of past or history.

A Walk Towards the Light

It was dark.
As they walked through the mud, hand in hand their feet keep slipping of the ground.
The mouth of the tunnel was getting closer. The rotten smell of the water was appalling to them.
Sometimes a rodent would pass by their way, which scared her even more. She was clinging to him and he was trying to support her as well as himself on the slimy surface. As they walked he kept checking back to see whether they were being followed. Though there was no one behind, the hair on his neck stood whenever he heard any splashing sound usually made by the things in the drainage pipe.

Suddenly she started crying; "Sara, what happened...," he asked softly.
"I can't walk anymore, I am tired", she whined.
"Just a few steps more,” he persisted.
"When will Mommy and Daddy join us?” she asked
"They are coming dear...they are a bit behind that's all", said Jesiah.
Jesiah was 12 years old and Sara was 6.
But in the past 24 hours both of them had aged 10 years.
As all siblings, both had their share of fights. Usually the fights always ended in Sara's favor being the younger and more aggressive one. But today she seemed tired from all the action she was to young to absorb.

Just 48 hours ago it had been a total different scene. They had been to Uncle Josh’s party.
Even there many people had come all wrapped up in coats and mufflers. The environment had become cold with the news of troops taking over their city. Father was solemn but Mother was worried sick. Most of their relatives and Jewish friends lived in a different country and to travel to their places would need a lot of time which was nearly impossible. In the end, the worst had come true when they reached back home from the party.

Gun shots were heard nearby and now it seemed the whole city would be terrorized and tamed within the night itself. The big bunker Father had created in the yard was sufficient for all four of and so Mother shouted for everyone to move into the yard; carrying Sara in her arms she ran towards it.
As father opened the bunker Jesiah was the first one to dive inside. When he got down, he heard a gunshot, followed by his mother’s scream. Sara came tumbling down the bunker door and it was locked shut. Both children were silenced due to the terror above.
As Jesiah heard the next gunshots, he knew what was happening but he silenced Sara with a movement of his finger to his lips. He hugged her close and sat in the same position for ages. Finally when all was silent he looked around and found a candle. Lighting it he saw that There was no bedding, no food and absolutely nothing in the bunker but a table with candle and matchsticks on it.
In order to survive, they had to go out but Jesiah felt going out at this time won’t be a very intelligent move. So he and Sara slept on the bunker floor and as he lay down he planned what could be done next morning.

Jesiah woke before dawn break. He cautiously opened the bunker door. Seeing no one around, he woke up Sara and took her inside the house. The house was a mess. All wallpapers torn, furniture tossed aside. It seemed as if a whole tornado had gone past it.
Jesiah took his school bag, filled it with food supplies and then asked Sara to do the same. Packing these he cautiously looked out of the window and just then saw a soldier on patrol. He dived down taking Sara with him. All through this his mind was trying to solve the puzzle that his parents had left for him.
The puzzle of survival.

Both of them then quietly made their way back to the bunker. After midnight Jesiah woke Sara up and both of them slowly but cautiously walked out of the bunker into the woods. They had walked for many hours when they saw that a line of soldiers was monitoring the way out of the city. Luckily, Jesiah saw a drainage pipe nearby and they both made headway for it before being noticed.

Jesiah knew that Aunt Liza would take them if they made it out of the city.But Sara understood not much except for the fact that Mother and Father had left Jesiah in charge as long as they were unable to join them on this adventure trip (something that Jesiah told her it was).

As they were wading throught he dirty water, Jesiah remembered the conversation he had with his Father a few days ago.
“So the troops might come marching here any day my son; I know you are young, but I think you would have to grow up soon,” his Father had said.
“Tell me one thing Daddy, why does Hitler hate us so much?” Jesiah had asked.
His Father had reflected on the question, and then answered as a matter-of-fact, ”Jesiah my boy, people have a habit of sharing. People like your Mother who has so much Love inside her can just give love out to others. But people like Hitler don’t have any love at all. They just have Hate, and that’s the only thing they can give others. They don’t have any emotion left in them anymore. They just want to get rid of every one- and everything.”

As he was walking he felt a tug at his shirt. Sara was looking at him innocently.
“What is it Sara?” he asked softly.
“ Jessiah, I really miss Mommy. When will we go home?” she asked in a low voice.

Jesiah looked at the light outside the mouth of the tunnel.
It was showing an open sky with stars in it.
“Soon Sara, soon”. He smiled back.

Dhoop ke sikke

Well I just read my friend Jaykumar's blog and he did just what I was about to do.

That is I also wanted to post the lyrics of a song which in recent times

has affected me a lot.

Written by Prasoon Joshi for the movie Sikander, I got goosebumps

when I heard the lines of second stanza.(highlighted in navy blue)

The lyrics do only half the work, go hear Shankar's vocals;

as usual he gives his best.

(Anusha)
Tee ri ree.. ree ri ree.. Tee ri ri ri ree.. ree ri ree.. (6)
(Anusha)
Dhoop ke sikke.. uthaakar gunguna de use
Baingani kachche hatheli par sajaane do use (2)
(Shankar)
Bholi bhaali bholi bhaali rehne do
Zindagi ko zindagi ko behne do (2)
Behne do… (4)
(Anusha)
Tee ri ree.. ree ri ree.. Tee ri ri ri ree.. ree ri ree.. (2)

(Shankar)
Barood jab bachcha tha woh titli pakadta tha
Woh ambiya bhi churaata tha.. patangon par jhagadta tha
Agar tum uska maanjha lootte woh kuch nahi kehta
Thoda naaraaz to hota.. magar phir bhi woh khush rehta..
Magar dhoke se tumne uska bachpan bhi to loota hai
Zara dekho to uski aankh mein woh kabse rootha hai
Jugnuon ki roshni mein dil lagaane do use..
Dil lagaa..ne do use..

(Anusha)
Dhoop ke sikke.. uthaakar gunguna de use
Baingani kachche hatheli par sajaane do use
(Shankar)
Bholi bhaali bholi bhaali rehne do
Zindagi ko zindagi ko behne do (2)
Behne do… (2)

(Shankar)
Pa.. Pa Sa Ga Ma.. Ga.. Sa Dha.. Dha Ma..
Ga Ma Pa Sa Ga Ma Pa.. Ma
Ga Ma Pa Ni.. Dha.. Ma…
Ma.. Sa Ga Ma Pa Dha Sa Dha..
Ma Dha Sa Ga Ma Pa Ma.. Ga Sa Ga..
Sa Dha Ma Pa Dha Sa.. Sa..

(Shankar)
Bahut jaldi dupatte odhna sikhla rahe hai hum
Kyon zindagi ko raat se milva rahe hai hum
Woh palloo se chipak kar maa ki chalti thi to achchi thi
Akela chodkar usko kya kehna chaah rahe hai hum
Kya kehna chaah rahe hai hum (Anusha)
Ek gehri neend se humko jagaane do use
Jagaa..ne do use..

(Anusha)
Dhoop ke sikke.. uthaakar gunguna de use
Baingani kachche hatheli par sajaane do use
(Shankar)
Bholi bhaali bholi bhaali rehne do
Zindagi ko zindagi ko behne do
Bholi bhaali bholi bhaali bholi bhaali rehne do
Zindagi ko zindagi ko behne do
Behne do… (4)

(Anusha)
Tee ri ree.. ree ri ree.. Tee ri ri ri ree.. ree ri ree.. (4)
(Shankar)
Zindagi ko.. behne.. do..
Bholi bhaali.. bholi bhaali.. bholi bhaali rehne do..
Zindagi.. ko behne do..

Mom and Dad I Love You Everyday

Holding my hand when I needed strength,
Telling me to believe in myself today,
Giving me courage to face the world,
Mom and Dad I Love You Everyday,

Asking me to fearlessly speak the truth,
Hugging me in case I had a bad day,
believing in the dreams I pursued,
Mom and Dad I Love You Everyday,

When I failed at stages in life,
Proving that its not the only way,
Providing an optimistic view for me,
Mom and Dad I love you everyday,

Physical distances may be there now,
Far I am, but I still follow your way,
Life is to be Lived and not just lead,
Mom and Dad I love you everyday.

Dedicated to my Awesome Parents...
who are there for me today, tomorrow and always.

A Democracy Tale

The Teenager: "Can I go out Mom?"

Mom :"No dear, its raining."

The Teenager: "Dad, Can I borrow your car?

"Dad: "Nope, I won't be able to use it on my office daysif you get it thrashed on a weekend."

The Teenager: "Hey bro, Can I turn on the volume of the stereo?"

Brother: "Hey no, I have a test on Monday...you want me to fail?"

The Teenager: "Sis, Can I make the sandwiches today?"

Sister: "Of course not, I keep a very neat kitchen table and you will spoil it."

The Teenager: "Well, Why should I vote? "

The Family Replies:"Because its a democracy dear, everyone is entitled todo whatever they want. "

Monday is so BORING

Why is Monday soooo boring...It doesn't end soon ..and it brings a whole week with it.

Remembered a joke on it.

Prisoner: When are they punishing me for the crime?

Officer : You shall be hanged on Monday.

Prisoner: Can't you hang me on Friday instead?

Officer: Why? why not on Monday?

Prisoner: It sounds terrible to start my week like that.

Hollywood Movies that Inspired Our Movies

Thought of making a list of all movies in the Hindi film industry that have been inspired from Hollywood Flicks.Please don't hesitate to add your own in the listalso there are some movies which were inspired from a Hollywood movie(I have seen them) but I cannot recall the original's name.
So do keep updating my listHoping your favourite movie is not on the list.Movies inspired :: (there might be more than 1 movie inspired )
Point of No Return - Kartoos
It could happen to You - Bade Dilwala
Face Off -Aks
Blue streak - Chor machaye shor
The excorcist - Jaadu tona,1921
Dead Poet's Society - Mohabbatein
The Devil's Own - Baadal
Seven - Samay
A kiss before Dying - Baazigar
Patch Adams - Munnabhai MBBS
You've Got mail - Dil hi dil mein, Sirf Tum
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - Satte Pe Satta
Cinderella Man - Tara Ram pump um, Aryan
Memento - Ghajini
Sleeping with the Enemy - Agnisakshi, Daraar, Yaarana
The Usual Suspects - Chocolate
Reservoir Dogs - Kaante
Jagged Edge - Kasoor
American Pie - Yeh kya ho raha hai
When harry met sally - Hum tum
My Sassy Girl - Ugly Aur Pagli
What Lies Beneath - Raaz
Kramer Vs Kramer -Akele Hum akele Tum
Sleepless in Seattle - Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
A Walk in the Clouds - Dhai Akshar Prem ke, Kunwara
The Godfather (Part1) - Aatank Hi aatank , Sarkar
Cellular - Speed
French Kiss- Pyaar toh hona hi tha
If Only - Rubaru
She Devil - Biwi No 1
The hand that rocks the cradle - Khalnayaka
Bruce Almighty - God Tussi Great Ho
The Bourne Identity - Tumko Na bhool payenge
Snatch - Fool and Final
The Rock - Qayamat
The Gift - Rakht
The Rundown - Naksha
Collateral - The Killer
Paycheck - Krish
All My Sons -Rang De Basanti
Indecent Proposal- Sauda,Karobar
Man on Fire - Ek Ajnabee
Nine Months- Salaam Namaste
I am Sam- Main aisa hi hoon
One flew over the Cuckoo's Nest - Kyun ki...
Harry Potter - Aabra Ka Dabra
The Fast and The Furious- Dhoom
Ocean's Eleven - Dhoom
Unfaithful - Murder
ET - Koi Mil gaya
Forest Gump - Koi Mil gaya
Father of the bride - Aisi bhi kya jaldi hai,Aapko pehle bhi kaheen dekha hai
Meet the Parents - Kehta hai Dil baar baar
I know what you did last summer - Kuch to hai
The Whole Nine Yards - Awara Pagal Deewana
Primal Fear - Deewangee
My Best Friends Wedding - Mere Yaar ki shaadi hai
The Twin Dragons - Judwaa
Child's Play - Paapi Gudiya
Unlawful Entry - Fareb
See no Evil, Hear no Evil - Hum hain kamaal ke
Meet John Doe - Main Aazaad hoon
Brewster's Millions - Maalamaal
Bichchoo - Leon
Hitch - Partner
Body Heat - Jism
Derailed - The Train
The Silence of the lambs - Sangharsh
West Side Story - Josh
There is something about Mary - Deewane Huye Pagal, Pyaar Ishaq Aur Mohabbat
Forget Paris - Chalte Chalte
Dinner De Cons [ Dinner Games French Movie ]-Bheja Fry
Twelve Angry Men - Ek ruka hua Faisla
Disclosure - Aitraaz
Fugitive - Criminal
Nick of Time - Badshaah
A Short Love Story - Ek Choti see Love Story
Return to Eden - Khoon Bhari Maang
The Hard Way - Main khiladi tu Anari
While You were sleeping - Har dil jo pyaar karega
The Wedding Singer - Kahin Pyaar Na Ho jaye
Consenting Adults - Ajnabee
Analyze this - Hum kisi se kamm nahi
State Of Grace - Footpath
What About Bob - Deewana Mastana
Mrs Doubtfire - Chachi 420
Eye For an Eye - Dushman
Anger Management - Mujhse Shaddi Karogee
Houseboat - Ek Ladka Ek Ladki
Philadelphia -My brother Nikhil, Phir Milenge
John Q -Tathastu
Hot Chic - Mr Ya Miss
The Miracle Worker - Black
Out of Time -Zeher
Cactus Flower - Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya
Boeing Boeing - Garam Masala
Bonnie & Clyde -Bunty Aur Babli
Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - Phir Hera Pheri
Just Like Heaven - I See You
Changing Lanes - Taxi No 9211
A Bittersweet Life - Awarapan
Dot the I - Naqaab
Three Men & a Baby - Heyy Babyy
Green Street - Goal
The Good Earth - Mother India
The Sound Of Music - Parichay
The Seven Samurai - Khotte Sikke, Sholay, China Gate
A Few Good Men - Shaurya
The Eye - Naina
Streets of Fire - Tezaab
Scarface - Aatishbaaz
Mercury Rising - Champion
Charade - Chura Liya hai tumne
On the Waterfront - Ghulam
The Entity - Hawa
The Sting - Hera Pheri
The Others - Hum kaun Hain
Lipstick - Insaaf Ka Tarazu
Breaking Away - Jo Jeeta Wohi sikandar
The Reincarnation of Peter Proud - Karz (Rishi Kapoor)
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels - Khel
A Beautiful Mind - Madhoshi
Irma La Douce - Manoranjan
Whipped - Masti
The truth about Cats and Dogs - Mujhse dosti karoge
U Turn - Musafir
Class - Oops!
A Fish Called Wanda - Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav
High Heels Low Lifes - Paisa Vasool
Body Double - Pehla Nasha
Parent Trap - Pyaar ke Kabil, Do Kaliyan
The Desperate Hours - 36 Ghante
Some Like it Hot - Rafoo Chakkar
Laura - Rog
Frantic - Roja
X-Men - Rudraksh
Roxanne - Sajan
Dragonfly - Saaya
Taxi driver - Sadak
Picture Perfect - Tera jadoo chal gaya
The towering Info -The Burning Train
Summer of '42 - Tum
The Shining - Vaastu Shastra
The Apartment - Yes Boss
Marrie Poppins' - Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic
Love Actually - Salaam-E-Ishq
Matchstick Men - Bluffmaster
Nine Queens(Argentinian) - Bluffmaster
Dan in Real Life - Sorry Bhai
Pretty Woman - Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
The Baby Maker - Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
Who is Cletis Tout? - Anthony Kaun Hai?
Old Boy(Korean Movie) - Zinda
Tarzan (the Wonder Car) - Christine
Liar Liar - Kyunke main jhooth nhi bolta
Cobra - akayla
Duel in the sun - Janbaaz
Once upon a Crime - 36 China Town


There may be many more.So will keep on updating.
Updated 30/03/2009

NEXT - Aa Dekhen Zara
Miracle - Chak De

Lots of hue and cry was made over Vijay Mallya's bidding for Mahatma Gandhi's stuff. The Government's spokesperson Ambika Soni saidthat they were in constant touch with Mallya and this is a government accomplishment.The very next day, an agitated Mallya told TOI that no one from the government ever spoke to him about the deal. That was a big slap on he spokesperson's face of course(though I am 100% sure she didn't care for it, politics makes you spineless).

So we have Gandhi's things in our country now. Great. Has the communal tension eased here? No. Is there any lessening of rapes and murders in the capital. No. Did any robbers surrender? No.Point is why are we equating a Great man and his thoughts to materialistic possessions.

Ironically, Gandhiji did not like to have materialistic comfort around him. He shunned that way of life.His need were simple and basic. With all that he just wanted us to believe in simplicity of living; of sharing responsibility; of loving our fellow men. Did bringing his possessions back to India did any of that?No it did not. Were Gandhi's possessions the reason for his thoughts?Of course not.

It is very fashionable to say today that Gandhi's non-violent theory failed and Bhagat Singh's Rebellious theory was better. If we think about it, I am sure most of the people reading this article never knewwhat the independence struggle was. Two centuries of enslavement is not funny.

At that time, it was a necessity to end the British rule. Every person did what he thought would be best. To compare their actions with each other is actually an insult to their spirit. They were working for a common goal. No wonder the goal was finally achieved, but not all were alive to see it.The point I simply want to make is, its great that Mallya bought Gandhi's things back. But making it a national accomplishment is not.

National Accomplishment will only be when we can proudly say that we preserved his teachings by implementing them. In fact, when we make a difference of not waiting to do all good someday but by simply doing something good everyday.

Do You believe in God?

From the past few days, I have been getting quite different responses to the question above. Some feign indifference, some get angry, others just stare at me in disbelief.Its not that this question is asked to them directly but whenever Godcomes up in the conversation I have seen an uneasiness that starts showingin many people's behaviour.

Is the present generation so fed up of God that they do not even want to discuss him?Or maybe its the other way round...that is Heis being discussed so much and in so many relative fieldsthat He is suffering from over exposure. Mainly by political leaders and So called Religious flag holdersGod is being exploited in every way possible. They have givena thousand interpretations to His books, His commandments.In such a scenario can we really blame this generation for not having faithin God?

Another reason for this crisis( which some say)is that we do not have enough time for family so who can find time for God.In teenage I really used to wonder how people pray 5 times a day.Where do they find time?But once in adult hood when I finally found my faith, I knew timewas never a constraint. What we love to do...we find time to do.

Also in case I lie all the day, dupe a few people, steal from manyand then go ahead and pray would not make any sense.I can be religious even without praying.Every religion has the same basic commandments:
Do not Lie
Do not Steal
Do not Sin

Problem with the current world, they have forgotten these mainpoints but are ready with the interpretations of all the others.I can't help remembering of my grand mother whenever I think of religionbecause she was the one who instilled religion in me.She used to explain all nature's wonders that how God had created them and we children used to listen wide-eyed.A child has a faith in the unknown...and that is lost in the years that follow.

I believe God exists...and I believe He watches over me.
When I am happy He sends someone I can share it with.
When I am sad He makes someone listen to me.
When I am alone He makes a friend call me and
When I need Him, I can pray in any way...I know He Listens.

My Wish came true...yet again

There is a line in Alchemist"When you want something,the whole Universe conspiresto help you realize your desire."I don't actually know when it started happening to me but I realized it quite late in life that whatever I desired in my hearts of hearts I got it.

Maybe if I had seen my life more cautiously during my childhood and teen age...there might be more instances of such happenings.The object of my desire could be a formal shirt;(I liked it when I was about 6 in a shopping mall and did not say anything yet my parents bought it for me) or it could be a trip for my Mom to a place(I wanted my Mom to go since she would love it)....all these happened sometimes creating happiness as well as creating a fear in me.

Can I really wish all things for myself? What if things I fear in my hearts of hearts also come true? Is this a curse?Whenever one of my desire comes true, these questions hound me for times endless...and yet each time I am left with myself with an emptiness around.

I even saw the short film "The Secret" which explains the law of attraction...whatever we want is whatever we get. It was nothing new for me... but it does teach a lesson to think of all positive happenings of life. The only flaw in the whole outlook is what if you prayed for something but the way you got it bought you sadness?Well, we can't want the way; that's what the book and the movie tell us.So maybe we can wish for things which while making their way to us won't hurt other's prospects; though I doubt if everyone will be able to do that.

My latest wish came true too..though cannot discuss it right now. Although, it did not hurt anyone on the way, it did put my life on a different track. Till then as the cartoon character Lulu's friend Tubby said "Who knows what the future holds! Neeeeext..."!

A New Day

Finally made my blog today.Nothing special happened today except for the chit chats with friends..fight with a lady in the dormitory..call with my PM, and of coursethe finalizing of my new room mate. Well hope to record better history then the one i am doing today. So let's start with a poem (my own creation of course)

A new day to start in the morning
which gives me a chance to change,
the things that don't seem right,
the things that may seem strange.

Many a times the book of life,
can be made to end in a better way,
if only we have the courage to change,
wrongs done in past to rights today.

Cheers!!!