Happy B'day Elee !!

U turn 28 today !! 28 !! Oh my God... that sounds that u r really growing old... in a couple of years u would have passed the youthful 20s... and will be in the mature 30s !! That means u are left with just a couple of years to celebrate ur youthfulness :D

Ha ha ha... that was just to tease u up... but seriously bro... we are really grown ups now :). This past year... life took a sharp turn for good... i got married.. then u got married... (me before u as with all the good things of life HA HA HA) that actually indicates we have grown up ! 

I miss the days when we went to SMICE and every afternoon u used to tell me the tales of ur "kaarnaamas". And I would listen.. giving my valuable comments in between and ur much awaited GPOs :P.  U used to be a champ there (sounds way kooler coming from me, isn't it? ;). 
U were the uncrowned "thalaiva" of SMICE in the first few years of this century.

Back then... i dont think anyone in the school could have had a romantic interest in u... i dont really understand how can bhabhi forget ur "gundagardi" in school :P. 

There are a lot many things in life... which I have learned from u... ( and of course logarithms is not one of them :D)
and also many more which I have taught u :P 

But the best part remains the way of coding our teasers in a manner that noone else can understand... i m not sure who among us initiated that... but i give u the benefit of doubt here because u were the senior gamer in this. 

A lot of ur memories are rushing through me today... I am not much sure why... but may be... as we have read once....

उमंगें यूँ  अकारन ही नहीं उठती 
न अनदेखे इशारों पर कभी यूँ नाचता है मन  ...
....
नदी में बाढ़ आई है 
कहीं पानी गिरा होगा ....
....
किसी भागीरथी के भूमि पे अवतार का दिन आज ही होगा !!

दक्षिण भारत में उत्तराहारी की व्यथा

हाँ हाँ मुझे पता है की "उत्तराहारी" जैसा कोई शब्द हिंदी शब्दकोष में नहीं है, किन्तु यहाँ प्रयोग किया गया ये शब्द मेरे दक्षिण भारत के अनुभवों से प्रेरित है। यहाँ का खाना खा कर मुझे ये एहसास हुआ कि मैं सिर्फ अपने आप को शाकाहारी कह कर अपनी भोजन शैली को अभिव्यक्त नहीं कर सकती।

ऐसा नहीं है की मुझे दक्षिण भारतीय खाने से कोई दिक्कत है, अपितु उ. प्र. में तो हम बाहर खाने के लिए डोसा बेहद पसंद करते थे। लेकिन चोट तो उस दिन हो गयी हमारे साथ जब यहाँ हमने डोसा मंगाया और मिला "सेट डोसा" वो भी "वेज करी " के साथ। उस दिन से डोसा लेने में भी हिचक होने लगी।

अगर आप कभी दक्षिण भारत में एक महीने भी रहे होंगे तो आप मेरी इस बात से अवश्य सहमत होंगे कि यहाँ मिलने वाला उत्तर भारतीय खाना भी दक्षिण की झलक लिए होता है। अगर थाली में रोटी है तो बस वो थाली "नोर्थ इंडियन " हो गयी। कोई ये भी तो देखो की उस रोटी के साथ तो साम्भर ही मिल रहा है। जिसे हो सकता है वो दाल कहें लेकिन उसमें लगे राई, करी पत्ते और चना दाल के तडके के बाद हमारे लिए उसे दाल कहना काफी मुश्किल है। और सब्जी! क्या कहने!! भिन्डी की तरी वाली सब्जी.... और सूखी भिन्डी में नारियल !! ये तो सिर्फ मैंने भिन्डी का ज़िक्र किया है... अगर सारी सब्जियों का हाल बता दिया तो पढ़ कर ही पेट भर जायेगा !


चावल का ज़िक्र किये बिना तो दक्षिण भारतीय भोजन असोचनीय है। वो भी हमारी तरह नहीं कि रोटी खाने के बाद थोड़े से चावल खा लिए, यहाँ रोटी आपने भले ही कितनी खाईं हों चावल तो फुल प्लेट खा ही सकते हैं। मेरे कार्यालय के भोजनालय में जब कभी "नोर्थ इंडियन" थाली मिलती है तो उसमें होती है एक रोटी, 2 प्रकार के चावल, राई के तडके वाली तथाकथित दाल, एक नारियल से सजी हुयी सब्जी और पापड़। जब मैं कह कर रोटी की संख्या बढवा लेती हूँ, तब भी परोसने वाले को चावल की मात्रा कम करने में बड़ी हिचक होती है।

हद तो ये है कि हर बुधवार को हमारे "किराये के मेजबान" सुबह के नाश्ते में भी चावल परोसते हैं। कोई तो इन्हें बताओ कि जीवन में चावल के अलावा और भी स्वादिष्ट व पौष्टिक चीज़ें उपलब्ध हैं।

खैर खाना चाहे जैसा भी हो ... जब कस के भूख लगी हो तो सब कुछ खा ही लिया जाता है। और बस यही करते आ रहे हैं हम पिछले एक महीने से !  आशा है कि हम भी धीरे धीरे यहाँ की पाककला के प्रशंसक बन जायेंगे। 

Chak De India

I was shopping in the market today (of course well before 2:30 pm). I encountered with a scene that made me think. There was a group of 8-10 boys who held a Tricolor in their hands, a sign board reading GO INDIA GO, and a stick and ball figure painted in golden color to resemble a fake world cup. And cheering in unison... "JEETEGA BHAI JEETEGA... INDIA JEETEGA" and "GALI GALI ME NAARA HAI... WORLD CUP HUMARA HAI..." Such mobs are not very uncommon in the streets of Kanpur, but only for religious festivals.

When I returned to home and switched on TV every news channel had people discussing cricket. News showing the "TOTKE" that citizens are doing and prayers and offerings held for the victory of India.

I have never seen anything else that can unite the nation better than this world cup. The spirit shown by the nation during "The Indo-Pak" is incredible. I would strictly suggest GOI to declare these days of world cup as National Holidays. Not to promote the game, but, the spirit. I have never seen so much patriotism even on the national festivals of 15th August or 26th January or 2nd October.

On the occasion of National festivals, one can find people repenting over the present conditions of the nation, poverty, unemployment, corruption, the nation of one's dream, etc. etc. But this "undeclared festival of nationalism" shows no boundaries for one's pride in the nation. You wont find much people repenting over the defeat by South Africa, or Tie with England, or the previous losses. People are focussed on the repeat of 1983 and only a few fear of 2003. Whereas when it comes of The Declared National Festivals, people love to remember the setbacks more than the achievements. But when it is world cup, people don't want to utter anything inauspicious.

The celebrations are national in their real sense. And people from every creed, caste, religion, age and status are their cheering for TEAM INDIA.

So, My Best Wishes For The World Cup to Team India... Go get it... at least for the united nation. Come on India.... Jita De :)

Happy Republic Day

Every year 26th of January is celebrated as a day of national importance, a day to show patriotism. It is celebrated to commemorate the enforcement of The Constitution of India. It is marked by the great PARADE at the Rajpath. The President of India unfurls the National Flag and gives the bravery awards. Then, the grand parade commences. The power of the Indian Armed Forces, the natural and cultural heritage, the human resources are all displayed to the People of India and the wide world.

I usually had a doubt that why some of these activities can't be exchanged by the activities of the Independence Day? But gradually I found out that whatever is being done has a great significance including the time, the place and the people involved. The Independence Day marks our freedom from British rule, the power being given to THE INDIANS to govern themselves. But it is the Republic Day that marks the beginning of that governance. The Independence day declared that we want to govern ourselves whereas Republic day declared that we can govern ourselves.

The office of Prime Minister of India was established with the declaration of Independence on 15th August, 1947. But the office of The President of India was established with the acceptance of The Constitution of India, on 26th January, 1950. This marks the reason of the dignitary concerned for unfurling of The Flag on each of the occasion.

Dr. Ambedkar introduced The Constitution of India with these words (along with many other statements), "Its distinguished feature is that it is a flexible federation." The former prime minister of United Kingdom said, "Of all the experiments in government, which have been attempted since the beginning of time, I believe that the Indian venture into parliamentary government is the most exciting. A vast subcontinent is attempting to apply to its tens and thousands of millions a system of free democracy... It is a brave thing to try to do so. The Indian venture is not a pale imitation of our practice at home, but a magnified and multiplied reproduction on a scale we have never dreamt of. If it succeeds, its influence on Asia is incalculable for good. Whatever the outcome we must honour those who attempt it."

The preamble to the Constitution of India is a brief introductory statement that sets out the guiding purpose and principles of the document. We all have read it once in our school time but with a little understanding. So I am giving here the Preamble for the intellectuals to read and appreciate. Wish you all a very Happy Republic Day.

The Preamble

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:

JUSTICE, social, economic and political;

LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;

EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;

and to promote among them all

FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, DO HERE BY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.

Waving off 2010

Its a lovely evening... A perfect New Year's Eve.

The weather is just so cool to keep a smile on any face readily experiencing it. I have been waiting for a long time to experience those chills which only a foggy weather can offer. It seems like all of a sudden autumn has arrived. The trees are shedding their leaves a bit more today. The wind is soft and cool. Mr. Sun has not bothered coming out for most part of the day and rested in the shades.

The morning was also beautiful. Mr. Sun allowed me to take that extra 15 mins. of sleep today, which he has been obstructing daily by peeping in through my window with full force. I just loved it when i snoozed my alarm today without being disturbed by its brightness. And I simply knew that it is going to be a lovely day.

2011 is going to be more cool than 2010. And the last day of 2010 just gave it the way. The forces of nature are all set in a festive mood. Giving a blessed welcome to the upcoming year.

But I miss my school friends... I miss visiting Etawah Exhibition with them... Having that Khanna's Softy...

I miss my college friends... I miss the sips of Coffee... Eating Golgappe across the road... Sharing Kurkure... Creambell Licks... And Maggi, of course.

But I am going to enjoy my time... Going to my cousin... My first friend from childhood... The one I have been intimate for the longest time... Hope to have a good time... And hope you all have a good time too...

Wish U All A Very Charming New Year...

First Experience of Flying High

As a child I have always dreamed of flying high. Above the buildings and the road and the fields and everything else. Yesterday, I got the chance to realize the excitement possessed in this dream.

I was sleeping when the phone rang. It was him. He said, "If you want to do flying, then come quickly to air strip." It took me a moment to get the sleep out of my head and the next moment i got ready to go. I was cycling at the highest speed i ever did. And I finally reached there after a wrong turn or two. At the gate of the airstrip I was stopped. I had forgotten my I-card in hurry. But I went in some how. Far away, I spotted him. Thanks to his unique physique. We waved to each other. I rushed towards him and filled the form and deposited the fees. Emptied my pockets and proceeded.

The glider was spotted landing and when it did I was all the way more excited. It was a small craft with long wing like projections and a fan at the nose and glass doors that opened upwards. I was told to take position inside it. A very cozy seat and even cozier way of sitting. Fastened the seat belt. I had a joystick in front of me. But the pilot(or whatever the one flying a glider is called) told me not to touch it(the worst part).

The engine started, fan rotated and we started moving on the runway. The outer things can be seen from the side glass only. In the front their was a control panel with lots of dials and switches. If i looked out it was feeling like sitting in a car. So i stared at the control panel. I identified one switch that was labelled CAGE IN. I guess it was some kind of a safety measure. There was a compass at the top of all other dials and that was the most familiar thing inside the whole craft.

By the time i was looking at the control panel the craft had already taken the lift. And when i looked outside I was already high above the campus. I felt as if the craft is not at all moving. Because the only kind of movements I have yet experienced were in terrestrial vehicles, that show the high speed of the vehicle by the speed with which the trees and other stationary objects disappeared. But I recalled that the moon moves with us and so was the campus beneath me.

I tried to locate our position. But all the things appeared so small. Also, the roofs of the buildings are not as distinct as their lateral views. But I identified the Lawn Tennis courts and the players in it were mere like ants and then i realized that i am at a very great height. I asked the Pilot( or whatever he is called) and was answered that we are at a height of 1000m right now. The highest point of our flight. He pointed to one of those many dials. I was enjoying the beauty of the scene, identified the P K Kelkar Library and the fountains. The pilot pointed to a few other spots. And then there was a silence. He might have shut the engine off (at least this is what I presume). The fan at the nose has come to a halt. After 10 secons or so, he told me that we are at a height of 700m now. Dashing over the G T Road, I spotted those toy trucks and cars on it. and beyond were beautiful fields, patches of yellow and green color.

We were at around 500m high(now I can look at that altimeter myself) and the pilot moved the rod like device between our heads. and we were again facing the G T Road. This time when we flew over the road, the trucks were larger. We crossed G T Road at a height of 100m. Then the campus and the air strip was visible. I was a little thoughtful about the excellence of the pilot as we were about to land just on the right edge of the air-strip. But by the time we landed we were right in the middle of the run-way.

And there was my brother, ready with his imported camera, clicking. I was not able to see the road in front of me. So, I asked the pilot my last question, "how do u see the runway?" And my question was proved very stupid by the answer, "through the sides". Then we were lead to the hangar by a man waving his hands probably to give directions which I failed to understand.

I unfastened the seatbelt and the pilot opened the door for me. And I came out with the broadest of my smiles. It was so delightful. One wish was accomplished.