A thing or two about ...dreams

1. Don't ever stop chasing your dreams...not matter how impossible it seems..

2. If you can dream something good , chances are you can give it a fair shot.

3. Dreams and Dedications make a powerful combination.

4. Don't take your dream very seriously ....don't neglect it either...balance it out.

5. I dream all the time.....what about ?....let that remain a mystery for u guys.

6. All the best for all the dreams that you'll may have...I too have a dream of something good...let's see what comes of it..

7. Stay clear of the bad dreams though !

8. Dream it to do it...

AN AUTUMN IN THE ANNAPURNAS

The Annapurna range of Nepal can be best viewed from Pokhara in the autumn months. I had the privilege to the witness the majestic beauty of the Annapurnas with my family. It was a real delight though the prices of commodities seemed to burn a hole in the pocket, but that was soon forgotten with one glance at the pristine lake Phewa, with waters that were about as crystal clear as it gets. This was my first visit to Nepal but something inside me tells me that I will come back with eyes wide open ready to wonder in amazement at the marvel of mother Nature in the lap of the Himalays.

Pre Puja- Puri trip

Spent some days in the holy city of Puri in Orissa just few days back. There visited the holy temple of Lord Shri Jagannath as also the Gundicha temple. Took a bath in the waves of the ocean. Visited Konark, situated 40 km from Puri as well as the well-known Chillka lake. Also went to the artists' village at Raghurajpur for some souvenir shopping. The weather was hostile in the beginning but, it changed from the second day onwards giving way to clear blue skies and the sun beaming down on the waters of the blue sea- all perhaps for us to watch from the balcony of our sea -facing room and enjoy.

CWG- DELHI,2010 : MORE BLOTS THAN BOON

Even amidst the recent fiasco being played out in the domain of the media,

I believe that if we put our mind and heart to it then we could still pull off something that can be considered a decent edition of the games...only a handful days remain before the games begin....but make no mistake, even if we manage to pull off the games this time at the last moment, the image of Delhi as host to these games will remain etched in everyone's memories for the wrong reasons. Yes, India's image as a host to such international events has rarely taken a serious beating in front of the sporting fraternity of the whole world as this time...in light of recent events I ask, were the gains worth staking goodwill of the entire nation in the hands of people who, in hindsight, it seems didn't know their jobs?...So much for reputation !

Some of the Greatest Films that Hollywood has given the world

Schindler's List

Summer of '42

Papillon

Jumanji

Dead Poets Society

Patch Adams

Good Will Hunting

Titanic

Dead Man Walking

What Dreams May Come

Bicentennial Man

Caste Away

The Empire of the Sun

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

The Reader

The Bridge on the River Kwai

E.T : The Extra Terrestrial

The Exorcist

Saving Private Ryan

Forest Gump

Love Song for all Seasons

1. January- Yeh Haseen Vadiyan ( Roja)

2. February- Chupke se (Saathiya)

3. March- Tere Naina ( Chandni Chowk-China)

4. April- Ruth Aa Gayi Re (1947 Earth)

5. May- Teri Ore ( Singh is King )

6. June- O Sathi Re ( Omkara )

7. July- Aaoge Jab Tum (Jab We Met)

8. August- Mora Saiya Mo Se Bolena (Khamaj)

9. September- Tu Hi Re (Bombay)

10. October- Saiyan (Kailasa)

11. November- Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

12. December-Kuch Na Kaho(1942...)

Love is that drug

What can I say that has not been said before about love ?

Writing about human love is an ominous task so I'll not make the effort at explaining how things happen as I feel that takes away from the spontaneity and charm of it.

For those who have not experienced it, I say,Just Keep the Faith and let love find you. It could be unlike anything you've ever experienced so far. It may just make you a better person for all you know. So open all your windows and let love sweep into your life -like that refreshing evening breeze that comes along after the fury of the hot summer Sun.

corruption & I

One does not need to dig deep into oneself to judge one's action. That action may be just or can be corrupt. If figures are anything to go by India heads the league of nations as far as corruption is concerned. Infact the system is one that breeds corruption at its different hierarchy.It's probably a way of life these days.

You probably know this by heart but we could do well to stop pretending as though everything's all hunky-dory (trust me it's not).

I feel that sitting on files in workplace is in itself a form of corruption that betrays the faith behind draining the public exchequer over your compensation package for the work that u seldom complete on time...and don't ask them for they have no accountability to their employers ( people ) and treat them as shit..remember this- corruption does not pay....cos someday u could be at the receiving end of a similar situation when someone may just ask u to pay up additional (and usually illogically hefty) amounts for what is very much part of their job....that day u will come to understand the plight of the helpless u had been extorting this long ....till that day comes, just chill...but that day will surely come to haunt you and those u love.

The Link

What links Bengal,Leh,Pakistan & Russia ?

Let's just go through the recent turn of events. ..cloudburst induced floods devastate Leh, an unusually warm Russian summer leads to forest fires, drought-like conditions plague several regions of Bengal, while one-fifths of Pakistan is still under water...i think the link lies in the big G, Global Warming...what's ur take ?

JUST NEWS ?

1.Devastating floods hit Leh in J& K. Cause seems to be Cloudburst...toll on life and property unprecedented. Many missing. Floods also kill many in Pakistan.

2. Inflation continues to pinch the pocket of the common Indian.... hearting to hear that even in this acute shortage crisis owing to a lackluster monsoon, there seems to be no shortage of food grains for rodents....is this not crime enough for punitive action ?

3.The a-political rally at Lalgarh was in the news for reasons more than one. Was she or was she not...that's the question on everyone's lips instead of will they or will they not.

4. "Common-Wealth" Games is turning out to be a saviour of sorts for the Indian media. Where did you'll last come across such a nice punching -bag ?. By the way it also goes on to show India's perennial under preparedness at hosting such world events...but that's not important, right ?.It merely shows that- Money in the pocket is money spent.

5. Where and with whom does the buck stop on the issue concerning Bhopal Gas Tragedy? I guess we'll need another 25 years for ascertaining that too....and compensation...never mind that ! I am sure the victims can manage without them... extradition of Warren Anderson and the curative petition...no need for it. why accuse a nice man who couldn't even hurt a fly but somehow ended up killing or maiming generations of deprived Indian citizens and will continue to do so in times to come with a bit of help from our apt politicians.

6. Superbug -an antibiotic resistant bacteria is traced back to India . This requires our foremost attention.

Gurudongmar Lake @ 17100

The vast expanse of the valley seems surreal at times ! My heart skips a beat at the thought of the desolution,tranquility & the stillness of the air at this place. The Gurudongmar lake , situated at 17,100 ft above sea level is one of the highest lakes in India and indeed elsewhere.

Reliving those moments in this extremely inhospitable paradise of the Himalayas.

Pictures taken in the month of October 2009

A RIDE NOT SO SAFE

The highly acclaimed Indian Railways is so far one of the single biggest killers of 2010 after the Maoists ...Once again there has been a devastating railway accident. This time a collision between two trains at Saithiya, West Bengal....shattering 60 to death....leaving over 120 grievously injured...many 100's widowed or orphaned and true to tradition,O ACCOUNTABLE. what we can do, however, is pray for those affected and offer our help in any way we can ...being presumptuous enough to think we understand their plight would not be apt at the moment...just think.. scores of families torn apart...little ones orphaned...when u add to this the Jnaneswari Express Massacre sometime back..it makes u secretly dread boarding an express...your ticket to the afterlife literally !

NEW RUPEE -OLD PROBLEMS

The Union Cabinet today stamped its approval on the new symbol of the Rupee incorporating from Devnagri and Roman scripts. The big question, however, on everybody's lips does not change despite this recent face-lift. In a country such as ours, where abject poverty resides amongst the masses, when inflation's turning northwards, where disparities plague the very system we once created for ourselves- is it justified to divert the focus away from such vital issues to superficial displays of national fervour over the changing look of our currency....Tell me will this change of symbol of the mighty rupee make any sense to all those in our nation living in sub-saharan conditions.....Some might argue that the government is doing it's bit in working for the needy& that there is no conflict of interest between the change of the symbol and poverty alleviation....point taken...my humble submission is how can you then justify the equality symbol in parallel lines (depicted on this new symbol of the rupee)often indicative of the gap existing between the rich and the neddy in our society...Is it not a brazen display of dichotomy, especially at times, such as this when every conceivable commodity is pinching the pocket of the middle class ever more by the day, can u think of the plight of those lying below the line of poverty ?. Until the day you relieve them of their sufferings might as well omit that equality sign on this newly designed rupee, a misfit especially in times of acute economic crisis of a rich nation inhabited by its poor masters...

THE SOUTHERN SPLICE

In a particularly hot & sultry August of 2007, I visited the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerela & Andhra Pradesh with my family.It was quite an experience . Sharing some of the memories of the tour through pictures, not words as they can only tell half the story !

Hills for Loneliness Seekers

Hills are a wondeful place to be. Pay them a visit and watch them grow on you.

I was never really a hill lover. I have always resented them. My liking has always revolved around the beautiful turquoise seas. So when I decided to travel to Sikkim with my family for the extended puja vacations last autumn, people really didn't know what to make of it. Even my parents were surprised. When we returned home, there was bliss written all over our faces and minds refreshed.

Certain observations from that trip that I'd like to share -

* Book all your tickets well in advance to avoid the rush.

* Take along more than one camera if possible.

* Make an attempt to keep your eyes open during the journey up and downhill or else

you might miss out.

* Go with an open mind.

* Avoid the liquor and intoxicants.

* Take the untrodden path.

* Most of all,enjoy yourself.

THE CASE OF THE ORACLE OCTOPUS

This year's ongoing FIFA WC in South Africa has been one unpredictable journey.

Predicting which way a match will go puzzles even the most informed experts, so how come an octopus , a German resident , has got this seemingly impossible task spot on. Public opinion is divided on this: some discard this as hooplah , others attribute it to be some kind of a special gift that certain animals possess in these matters....One thing is for sure, Paul- the psychic octopus has taken the world by storm and captured everyone's hearts and imagination ....angry fans may kill it, Spain may even adopt it but I feel that we should let him be...hurting some, delighting others but in the process, entertaining all the fans of the beautiful game in his own special way.