tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32755627101747983592024-03-13T23:07:00.838+05:30GlimmerAjay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-67911657151292437462020-11-30T20:43:00.000+05:302020-11-30T20:43:05.575+05:30Why we need mentors<p>A mentor is a friend, philosopher and guide,</p><p>Who's always by your side;</p><p>Whatever secrets you have, do not hide;</p><p>Keep your eyes open wide, </p><p>So that no one can take you for a ride!</p>Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-35331612216681526332020-10-31T23:29:00.001+05:302020-10-31T23:29:51.891+05:30A commuter's tale (Central line) <p> It's a Herculean task to board trains from farflung areas like Kasara and Karjat ,</p><p>To reach their workplaces on time everyday, commuters are stuck in a rut,</p><p>The two slow branch lines meet at Kalyan ,</p><p>Thereafter the trains are fast, but it's not easy to get in, even for Shaktimaan!</p><p><br /></p><p>There's only a halt at Dombivali in between, </p><p>No one is spared in the dense crush load, not even a teen,</p><p><br /></p><p>The Parsik tunnel is crossed-it's so dark that nothing can be seen! </p><p><br /></p><p>Bypassing Kalva and Mumbra, people who push others are so mean,</p><p>That you would not be so keen,</p><p>To board or alight at Thane;</p><p>Where many commuters fight to get out with those who wish to get in-this happens everyday.</p><p>It's worsened by the influx at Mulund, what else can we say? Ignoring Nahur and the unruly beasts who enter at Bhandup, </p><p>You feel you've landed in a soup;</p><p>Zipping past Kanjurmarg,you can breathe a sigh before Vikhroli,</p><p>As those who wish to change to the metro at Ghatkopar , move to the door sincerely,</p><p>Students get off at Vidyavihar and scores of others gather,</p><p>To disperse at Kurla, the harbour line junction, they fight at the platforms and bridges with one another,</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>One is thrilled to see the train skipping Sion,</p><p>After Matunga, everyone gets ready to pounce like a lion</p><p>Towards the exit at Dadar,</p><p>Changing to the Western line, it's so crowded, who cares except your father.</p><p><br /></p><p>Then onwards it is less crowded ,</p><p>Skipping Parel and Currey Road, now you know you're not dead;</p><p>As you approach Chinchpokhli,</p><p>You can move freely;</p><p>And then comes Byculla, an undeserving fast local halt ,</p><p>Not for any man worth his salt;</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>The harbour line joins again at Sandhurst Road;</p><p>And at Masjid there is less load,</p><p>As you finally chug into Victoria Terminus,</p><p>You travel like this everyday, but don't create a fuss!</p>Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-37314013165811535512020-09-22T22:05:00.001+05:302020-09-22T22:08:21.247+05:30An unforgettable journey<p>I have fond memories of train journeys from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s. In May 2004, my mom and I were travelling from Ahmedabad to Bangalore. Our fellow passengers were a couple and their kid(7-8 years old). He was very naughty. I interacted with him and got to know he was a Shaktimaan fan (just like me). So he pestered me to sing the title track now and then.</p><p>I remember singing 'Shaktimaan...Shaktimaan', while the train crossed Vadodara, Surat and Valsad. He tried singing but couldn't get the lyrics. After that it was time to have dinner and go to bed. </p><p>The 'jamming/jugalbandi' session started again the next morning, once the train crossed Satara. He woke me up '<i>Bhaiya utho, Shaktimaan ka gaana please!' ('Brother, wake up, please sing the title track of Shaktimaan</i>'). I did not want to sing but he threw tantrums. </p><p>He had a toy mobile phone playing an off-key version of 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' from Dil Se! His parents said that he was bored. So the session continued till the train reached Sangli (their destination). Once they alighted at Sangli, my mom breathed a sigh of relief! </p><p>That brat's name was 'Kovid' and I called him 'Kovid Shaktimaan'. Little did I know that 16 years later, both ' Kovid' (or rather COVID!) and Shaktimaan would be back!</p><p><br /></p><p>P.S. Shaktimaan was back on Doordarshan, once the nation-wide lockdown was imposed because of the COVID pandemic.</p>Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-60154175672534262020-08-16T13:15:00.000+05:302020-08-16T13:16:29.762+05:30Introspection: One's inner drive<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">सोनचिड़िया </span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">की </span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">उड़ने </span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">की </span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">क्या </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">मकसद</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">केदारनाथ की यात्रा </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">या</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;"> काशी में जन्नत?</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">तुझसे है </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">राब्ता</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">, ये क्या जाने </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif;">छिछोरे</span><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">?</span></span><br />
<pre class="tw-data-text tw-text-large XcVN5d tw-ta" data-placeholder="Translation" dir="ltr" id="tw-target-text" style="border: none; font-family: inherit; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -2px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 0.14em 2px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 277px;"><span lang="hi" style="background-color: white;">मेरा दिल बेचारा हो गया, </span></pre>
<pre class="tw-data-text tw-text-large XcVN5d tw-ta" data-placeholder="Translation" dir="ltr" id="tw-target-text" style="border: none; font-family: inherit; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -2px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 0.14em 2px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 277px;"><span style="background-color: white;">शुद्ध देसी रोमांस के बारे में सोचते सोचते!</span></pre>
<pre class="tw-data-text tw-text-large XcVN5d tw-ta" data-placeholder="Translation" dir="ltr" id="tw-target-text" style="border: none; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; line-height: 32px; margin-bottom: -2px; margin-top: -2px; overflow-wrap: break-word; overflow: hidden; padding: 2px 0.14em 2px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; unicode-bidi: isolate; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 277px;"><span style="background-color: white;">
</span></pre>
<span style="background-color: white;">(Sonchiriya ki udne ki kya maksad?</span><br />
Kedarnath ki yatra ya Kashi mein jannat?<br />
<br />
Tujhse hai raabta, yeh kya jaane Chhichhore?<br />
Mera dil bechara ho gaya,<br />
Shuddh desi romance ke baarey mein sochte sochte!)<br />
<br /></div>
Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-52430687929145751552020-08-09T11:55:00.001+05:302020-08-09T14:01:38.948+05:30An outsider's struggle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We realize the importance of something on losing it,<br />
So why should it be the same for a gem of a person, when he was fit?<br />
Being physically fit doesn't always mean being fine,<br />
'I'm fine' is the world's biggest lie!<br />
It was all in the mind,<br />
Neither yours nor mine.<br />
<br />
Why did he die?<br />
Unlike cats, he didn't have lives which were nine.<br />
It was a wake-up call for all but his contemporaries who didn't give him his share of pie,<br />
No recognition in this big bad world and insiders who didn't care, this is what we hear through the grapevine.<br />
<br />
Justice delayed is justice denied, for such an innocent guy,<br />
Unlike materials, emotions we cannot buy.<br />
Action is necessary, as the culprits shed crocodile tears,<br />
The biggest challenge is to face our fears.<br />
<br />
What can we say in these tough times,<br />
A tiny organism can claim many lives!<br />
But not in his case;<br />
A big devil is depression, which doesn't show its face.<br />
</div>
Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-28175798688683334772017-12-03T00:42:00.002+05:302017-12-03T00:43:58.479+05:30मुलाक़ात का इंतज़ार<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i>प्यार और दोस्ती दोनों हैं अमूल्य,</i><br />
<i>लेकिन यह हमेशा के लिए नहीं, यही तो है अवश्य;</i><br />
<i><br />
बिना आंसूं के आगे बढ़ना हुआ मुश्किल,</i><br />
<i>वक्त और दूरी दोनों का असर है, यह जानता है मेरा दिल !</i><br />
<i>इससे पता चलेगा कौन हैं अपने करीब,</i><br />
<i>सोचते है मुलाक़ात होगी तो अपने नसीब;</i><br />
<i><br />
इंतज़ार करने का क्या फायदा,</i><br />
<i>वह पता चले जब हम मिले, क्या है उसका वादा?</i><br />
<i><br />
अभी वह दिन आया;</i><br />
<i>आज के लिए इस दुनिया की मोह-माया से छुटकारा !</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-42068460571287196972015-11-29T15:45:00.000+05:302015-11-29T23:56:35.391+05:30Metropolises, sun, sand and sea! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This is about a family trip to Andaman Islands (Port Blair,
Havelock, Ross,Viper and North Bay) via Bombay and Calcutta.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>November 3, 2013:</b> Reached Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International
Airport, Ahmedabad at around 05:30 am, to board an Air India flight to Bombay.
Boarded the aircraft at 07:10 am. It took off at 07:30 am, delayed by a few
minutes. At 08:45 am, the aircraft landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport,
Bombay. As we had more than 9 hours left to board the connecting flight to
Calcutta, we decided to meet relatives in the city. We hired a black-and-yellow
taxi to Churchgate. We were lucky to get a Premier Padmini (Fiat), famous for having
ruled Bombay’s roads as an iconic taxi since the 1960s. This was being phased
out in favour of newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles like Hyundai Santro and
Maruti Alto.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Decided to take the Bandra-Worli Sealink. We had to pay Rs
55 at the toll-gate. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Bombay seemed to be like New York, with skyscrapers dotting
the Worli skyline just like Manhattan. Could see Haji Ali’s Tomb. Crossed
Pedder Road, Jaslok Hospital and Wilson College. The city was apparently much cleaner
than Ahmedabad. Turned left at Hotel
Marine Plaza on Marine Drive and stopped near Mantralaya. Our relatives
welcomed us. After refreshing ourselves, we spent time with them. We had lunch
and slept for a while before bidding adieu. </div>
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<br /></div>
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At 3 pm, we decided to leave. We
hired a Hyundai Santro taxi and told the driver to go to the airport via the
Gateway of India. We saw Oval Maidan, Rajabai clocktower just before reaching
Apollo Bunder. We waited for a few minutes near the Gateway of India and Taj
Mahal Hotel. Saw the Bombay Stock Exchange building (Phiroze Jeejeebhoy Towers)
and Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus-a World Heritage
Site), before hitting the Eastern Express Highway. After crossing Byculla,
Dadar and Sion, we took a detour via Dharavi to reach Bandra-Kurla complex.
Autorickshaws were seen after crossing Dharavi (they were not allowed in South
Bombay). Took the Western Express Highway and reached Santacruz airport at
04:30 pm. Waited at Terminal 1A to board the evening Air India flight to
Calcutta.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The aircraft took off at 06:40 pm. Dinner was served: Veg
salad, bread roll, rice, curry, chocolate cake and tea. At 9 pm, the aircraft
landed at Netaji Subash Chandra Bose International Airport, Calcutta. We identified
our bags and hired a yellow Ambassador taxi to Salt Lake. Reached the guest
house at 10:30 pm. As we were tired, we hit the sack after checking in.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>November 4, 2013:</b> Woke up at 7 am, had breakfast and went
shopping around Bidhan Nagar, Salt Lake Sector-III. We decided to visit the
Botanical Garden. Calcutta had many yellow Ambassador taxis, trams and colorful
old buses. Crossed the second Howrah Bridge (Vidyasagar Setu) and reached the
Botanical Garden. The main attraction was the 250 year old banyan tree, but it
was difficult to spot. Went to
Rashbehari Avenue (Lake Market) and had a masala dosa at an Udupi restaurant.
APJ Abdul Kalam had dined there in 2005! </div>
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Visited Victoria Memorial in the
afternoon, but didn’t go inside. Returned to Lake Market for shopping. Returned
to the guest house at 5 pm. The sun had set by then (Quite early for people
from Ahmedabad). Had dinner and slept.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>November 5, 2013:</b> Woke up at 7 am, had breakfast and called
the driver who had taken us around the city the previous day. He said there was
a problem with the car. So, another vehicle was arranged for us. Went to
Victoria Memorial again. Went inside and felt the relics were more interesting and
informative than any high school history lesson! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Went shopping at Lake Market again. Had lunch at Komala
Vilas, a South Indian restaurant. Left for Belur Math at 02:50 pm and reached at
around 4 pm. Got to know a lot about Ramakrishna Paramhamsa, the Mother and
Swami Vivekananda. Temples were built in their memory, overlooking the Hoogly.
Bought some books from the souvenir shop and proceeded to Dakshineswar on the
other bank of the Hoogly. Calcutta got its name from the presiding deity of
Dakshineswar. There were subordinate shrines with lingas of Lord Shiva. Dipped
feet in the holy river and left for Salt Lake. Reached the guest house and had
dinner. Went to bed by 10 pm (we had to reach the airport at an unearthly hour!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>November 6, 2013:</b> Woke up at 02:45 am and checked out at 3
am. A taxi was waiting for us. Reached the airport at 4 am. Boarded the early morning
Air India flight to Port Blair. It took off at 05:55 am. Breakfast was served:
Veg cutlet, bread and butter, chole bhature, fruit salad and tea. At 07:50 am,
we could see the Andaman islands. The emerald sea contrasted with the dark
green rainforest of the archipelago, just like the Caribbean or Mauritius
(exotic locales). <o:p></o:p></div>
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At 8 am, the aircraft landed at Veer Savarkar Airport, Port
Blair. The weather was warm (29 degrees Celsius) and sunny. Some passengers
were scolded by the airport authorities for clicking pictures.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We identified our bags and proceeded to the arrivals gate.
Someone had come to pick us up. Checked into Hotel Anbu at around 10 am. Relaxed
in the room till 10:45 am. The driver came at 11 am to take us on a city tour. </div>
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At
first, we visited Samudrika Marine Museum. It was really impressive, more than
just another aquarium. Found Nemo (Clownfish feeding on sea anemone)! <span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> There were other colorful
species such as parrotfish. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We visited Chatham Saw Mill and the Anthropological Museum
of Port Blair, but they were not as impressive as Samudrika. We had lunch at Annapurna,
a vegetarian restaurant. At around 3 pm, we went to Corbyn’s Cove beach. There
were rocks along with white sand on the shore, apart from coconut groves in the
vicinity. We could see tiny crabs making intricate patterns. Spent half an hour
there and proceeded to Cellular Jail. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Andaman archipelago may seem like a cool holiday
destination now, but not in the past (from the 1800s to the 1930s). Prisoners
were treated cruelly, probably worse than slaves. ‘Kaala Pani’ is the term used
for the sadistic treatment meted out to them. After sunset, there was a sound
and light show which was interesting.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Went back to the hotel, after shopping at Aberdeen Bazaar. Had
dinner at the hotel. It started raining after 9 pm. As we were tired, we hit
the sack.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>November 7, 2013:</b> Woke up and went to the Port Blair jetty
to board ‘Sea Princess’. Left at 08:30 am and reached Ross Island at 10 am.
Ross Island was a British settlement planned for recreation. There were Japanese
bunkers. They bore evidence that there had been an attempt by Japanese soldiers
to invade the territory. Deer and roosters were seen. A church (Presbyterian)
was seen overlooking the azure sea. Feral beach was beautiful, with coconut
groves on the shore.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lunch packets of pulav were offered before reaching Viper
Island. Spent a few minutes there. There was a memorial for prisoners (they
were there before the construction of Cellular Jail). Arumugam, the guide, explained the history
behind the memorial with full gusto. There was a moment’s silence in memory of
the martyrs.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Proceeded to North Bay Island. Went in a glass boat to see
fishes and corals (the sea had a greenish tinge). Went snorkelling. Could reach
the ocean floor and touch some corals. There were shops selling coconut water
and coral/shell souvenirs. The shore was composed of corals and shells, not rocks
or sand. No crabs were seen.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Left at 04:30 pm and
reached Port Blair at 05:30 pm. The sun had set by then. Reached the hotel and had
an early dinner <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>November 8, 2013:</b> Woke up at 04:15 am. Went to Port Blair jetty and
boarded ‘Hut Bay’. Left at 06:30 am. Reached
Havelock Island at 9 am. Went to Dolphin Resort in a Tata Sumo. Checked in and
had breakfast. </div>
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There was a beach (Vijaynagar beach-No.5) in the vicinity, unmatched
in terms of beauty. The sea was an exquisite shade of cyan. The shore had white
sand, shells and corals, apart from coconut groves. It was a sunny day and nothing could spoil one’s mood. One
could spend hours relaxing in the picturesque, pristine surroundings.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Had lunch at 1 pm. Left at 03:30 pm for Radhanagar beach
(Beach No.7). <o:p></o:p></div>
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Reached Radhanagar beach at 4 pm, after crossing a tropical
rainforest. Dark clouds were seen in the southern horizon. It started raining
after a while. Though the beach was rated by Time magazine as the best Asian
beach, it didn’t seem as interesting as Vijaynagar beach. It was sandy, with green
hillocks at either end. Sunset was observed at 04:45 pm and there was darkness
by 05:30 pm. Went window-shopping at stalls near the beach and returned to Dolphin
Resort at 6 pm. Went for a stroll on the beach, after having dinner at 8 pm. Rocks
could be seen at low tide.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>November 9, 2013:</b> Woke up at 04:45 am. Went to the beach and
saw rocks at low tide. Came back to the room as it started raining after
sunrise. Had breakfast and checked out at 08:30 am. Reached Havelock jetty and
boarded a speedboat at 9 am. Reached Elephant beach after 30 minutes. It was
beautiful but not as picturesque or pristine as Vijaynagar beach. Trees were on
the shore. Went in a glass boat. Could see fish species like angel fish, zebra
fish and parrot fish, apart from corals. Went snorkelling as well. The view of corals
and fishes was far better than the same at North Bay Island, though we weren’t
supposed dive and touch corals on the ocean floor.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Took another speedboat back to Havelock jetty. Reached at 1
pm and had lunch at a restaurant near the jetty. Boarded ‘North Passage’ to Port Blair. Left at 04:40 pm. Caught
a glimpse of the setting sun. Reached Port Blair jetty at 06:45 pm. Reached the
hotel and had an early dinner, as we had to board a morning flight to Calcutta.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>November 10, 2013:</b> Woke up and reached the airport to board
the Air India flight to Calcutta. The aircraft took off at around 08:30 am.
Landed at Calcutta Airport at around 11 am. Took a taxi to Salt Lake and
checked into the guest house where we had stayed earlier. </div>
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After refreshing ourselves,
we had lunch and decided to take the famous Metro Rail to Kalighat. Boarded a
train at Jatin Das Park. It was as crowded as a Borivali-Churchgate fast local
train at rush hour. The coaches were not airconditioned. Namma Metro (of
Bangalore) seemed better in comparison. After visiting Kalighat temple, we
returned to the guest house at Salt Lake.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>November 11, 2013:</b> Reached the airport and boarded the 6 am
Air India flight to Bombay. The aircraft landed at Bombay Airport at around 9
am. Spent 8 hours in transit, before
boarding the evening Air India flight to Ahmedabad.<br />
<br /></div>
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The trip ended on a memorable note. Before leaving for
Ahmedabad, we saw Kirron Kher in a lounge. She was being interviewed by a reporter. <span style="font-family: "wingdings"; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span><o:p></o:p><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The aircraft took off at around 06:45 pm and landed at Ahmedabad Airport after an hour. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are the pictures: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/a.kishorec/media_set?set=a.702651733080311.1073741830.100000064722389&type=1" style="font-family: 'times new roman';" target="_blank">Diwali 2013-Trip to Bombay Calcutta and Andaman Islands</a></div>
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Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-88038651263724538192015-09-21T19:30:00.000+05:302015-09-24T19:33:28.737+05:30The farmer's tale<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Here's the Indian farmer, who's overlooked by someone employed in another sector;</div>
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Success on reaping a good harvest is sweet, just like nectar!</div>
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He's the breadwinner of his family, but doesn't realize he indirectly gives us our daily bread,</div>
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Without which many would not be well fed;</div>
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They would not be at peace while going to bed,</div>
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Some things are better left unsaid;</div>
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He has many mouths to feed,</div>
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And has to sow many a seed;</div>
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Hunger has to be appeased, by food which is a basic need;</div>
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Rain or sun, he has to toil,</div>
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And he remains a true son of the soil;</div>
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He has to feed all, irrespective of color or creed,</div>
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And is oblivious to the landholder's greed;</div>
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Deprived of support, cultivation can be affected by just a weed,</div>
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To which others pay no heed;</div>
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Dependence on middlemen is for sales,</div>
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But no one has time to listen to his woe-filled tales,</div>
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Of borrowed money as a loan;</div>
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Taking his own life seems to be the only option, leaving us with many a bone.</div>
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Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com0Pune, Maharashtra, India18.5204303 73.85674369999992518.2795358 73.534020199999929 18.7613248 74.17946719999992tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-19509352031306513772013-03-21T10:02:00.000+05:302013-03-21T10:07:08.166+05:30Breathe in a bit of...Fragrant and Vibrant Gujarat!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This blog post is about a recent family trip to Kutch, an arid district in western Gujarat.</div>
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December 28, 2012- Left Ahmedabad at 07:20 am in a white
Tata Indigo. </div>
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We went west of the SG Highway (NH8C) to reach Sanand and crossed
the Tata Nano factory at Charodi. We bypassed Virangam and crossed the Narmada
on the main road to Dhrangadhra. On reaching
the Jalaram intersection, we took the road to Halvad. After the Falku bridge near Halvad, we halted
at an outlet of ‘Honest’ (an Ahmedabad-based chain of restaurants, famous for
its bhajipao and pulav) for breakfast. We helped ourselves to fafda and gota
(Gujarati farsan) and left at around 10am towards Kutch.</div>
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Cranes were seen near
Aniyari (17kilometers from Maliya and 28 kilometers from Morbi). CNG autorickshaws,
typical of Ahmedabad, were replaced by ordinary yellow and black ones. It was
surprising to see non-vegetarian cafes, in a predominantly vegetarian state
like Gujarat. Villagers were moving around in three-wheeled contraptions called 'Chakdas'. A 'chakda' is a cross between a Royal Enfield motorbike and a tractor.Villagers were clad in colorful attire, contrasting with the dull brown surroundings.Salt pans and windmills were seen near Samakhiali (Surajbari
Checkpost to be precise). It was a sparsely populated region, but lots of
industries were seen. Some of them were the Oreva-Orpat electronics plant of Ajanta
and the Yo electric bike factory of Electrotherm.</div>
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We reached Bhachau(a town badly affected by the 2001 Gujarat earthquake) after crossing an RTO check-post at 11:40
am. Roads deteriorated in quality after crossing a railway gate in Bhachau(from
four-lane to two-lane). We crossed the factory
of Sanghi Cement and the farm of Suzlon Energy near Dhamadka . Hillocks
appeared after Dhamadka. </div>
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We reached Bhuj at 1pm, after crossing Madhapur. We checked into
a hotel downtown at 1:30pm and had a Gujarati thali at Green Rock restaurant. After
resting for an hour, we left at 04:25 pm towards the White Rann (desert) at
Dhordho village. We crossed Rudramata dam at 04:43pm and theTropic of Cancer at
04:58pm. The landscape changed dramatically. There were less shrubs and bushes,
thanks to the scanty rainfall that rendered the land arid. We got permits to
visit the Rann at Bhirandyara. Reached Dhordho, a little to the west, at
05:57pm. The White Rann was reached at 06pm. Sunset was followed by moonrise. We
were lucky to visit on a full moon night. Though the captured image of the moon
was not as spectacular as the images on Google, it was nice to see the parched
sandy land illuminated by moonlight. We left the parched land at 07:15pm and
reached Bhuj at 08:40pm. We had dinner at Sankalp (another Ahmedabad-based
chain of restaurants, specializing in dosas) and spent the night at the hotel.
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December 29, 2012: Woke up and had dabeli for breakfast. It
is a famous Kutchi snack, also called double roti(it’s just like a burger or
vadapao with pomegranate and peanut fillings instead of a potato cutlet/patty). We checked out of the hotel and went shopping for handicrafts/souvenirs in the
market and decided to visit the Kutch Museum, the oldest in Gujarat. </div>
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The museum, earlier known as the Fergusson Museum, was
established by Maharao Khengarji III on July 1,1877. It was full of exhibits
showcasing the handicrafts of Kutch. It had galleries on Kutchi art,archaeology
and anthropology too.Examples of tribals in Kutch are Koli, Vagadia Rabari,
Kach Rabari, Ahir, Charan, Matwa and
Meghwal. Those belonging to the region are skilled in embroidery work,
patch work, brocade work and silver engraving. As a matter of fact, a silver
sword was presented to Kuldeep Sharma, an IPS officer of Gujarat cadre, for his
admirable work during his tenure as the DSP of Kutch. </div>
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After visiting the museum, we headed to Mandvi, 60km south
of Bhuj. We reached the coastal town at around 1pm and went inside the Vijay
Vilas Palace. It was named after Yuvraj Shri Vijayaraji , the heir of Maharao
Khengarji III . It was meant to be a summer resort. It now belongs to the royal
family of Kutch, whose members reside inside. One must note that Hum Dil De
Chuke Sanam (a 1999 Hindi film starring Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai and Ajay
Devgan) was shot inside the mansion of sandstone. It was full of ornate arched gateways with a
panoramic view of the Arabian Sea. We had lunch at a restaurant downtown and
decided to visit the beach. Though not as crowded as the Juhu in Bombay or the
Marina in Madras, it was buzzing with activity. Camels were seen and there were
windmills too. </div>
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We departed for Ahmedabad at around 4pm, crossing places like
the Adani Power Plant, Mundra and Anjar. We halted at Dhrangadhra for tea and
reached Ahmedabad at 10 pm. There was enough time to have dinner before hitting
the sack. It was the end of an
unforgettable family trip, with fond memories still lingering in our hearts.</div>
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Allow me to end
here by sharing some Gujarat tourism ads starring Amitabh Bachchan:</div>
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1.The Gujarat Tourism ad about Kutch in English: </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><u>www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojVT6GH0FHs</u></span></div>
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2.The same in Hindi:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><u>www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSf3eosEzU4</u></span></div>
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3.Khushboo Gujarat Ki-Festival-Kutch-Hindi:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><u>www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c5vonNMXTU</u></span></div>
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4.<cite style="color: #009933; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px !important; font-style: normal; line-height: 15px;"><span style="color: blue;"><u>www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDac2mcduNY</u></span></cite></div>
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5.Rann Utsav: <cite style="color: #009933; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px !important; font-style: normal; line-height: 15px;"><span style="color: blue;"><u style="font-style: normal;">www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1f3a3X6IA4</u></span></cite></div>
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<span style="color: #aaaaaa; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></span>Here are the pictures: <span style="color: blue;"><u>https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.540427802636039.128547.100000064722389&type=3</u></span></div>
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A few words
I’d like to quote,”Breathe in a bit of Gujarat”,</div>
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“कच्छ नही देखा तो कुछ नहीं देखा! (If you haven't seen Kutch, you've seen nothing)”,</div>
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“कुछ दिन तो गुजारये गुजरात में!(why don't you spend some days in Gujarat!)", </div>
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Why don’t you come and behold the wonders of
this vibrant state for yourself?<span style="font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> </div>
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Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com5Bangalore, Karnataka, India12.9715987 77.59456269999998312.4764147 76.949115699999979 13.4667827 78.240009699999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-36238412474759407282012-09-27T00:26:00.003+05:302013-04-17T08:57:03.893+05:30Why this Kotagiri di?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Okay, the title may sound funny and mislead you, but nothing seems apt after visiting the Nilgiris again after 4 years (The Nilgiris Revisited sounds a tad too commonplace). My college life has been full of industrial visits (IVs) to different places. All of them have been like picnics for socializing rather than going to visit industries. But it doesn't matter for a student who has to complete 26 credits(8 subjects). Some classes in the morning and others in the afternoon, apart from seminars, assignments, quizzes and reviews-Aargh!! Give me a break from this hectic routine! When my (I'll use 'our' from now)class representative, Samuel announced about the confirmation of the trip to Kotagiri, many students were thrilled. Barring the IV to Pasteur Institute, Coonoor in 2008 (we were freshers then), all others were one-day trips from Vellore. Moreover, the IVs to Pondicherry(2010) and Yercaud (2011) lacked the charm of the first IV to Coonoor. It's probably because we were younger and got to know each other pretty well during those 3-4 days of fun and frolic in October 2008. Ahh, nostalgic memories keep haunting us, but we sadly decided to move on and be less adventurous, settling for one day trips instead. There were other formalities like getting permission letters from professors (ask any VITian, it's a Herculean task!)<br />
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Anyway, it came as a pleasant surprise when Samuel announced about our trip to Kotagiri. It was at the right time-we MSItes were bogged down by the academic workload as I had mentioned earlier. Kotagiri, nestled in the Nilgiris at an elevation of 1793m, could offer respite from the sweltering heat of Vellore as well.<br />
The 3-day IV is described as follows:<br />
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September 20, 2012: Two buses were booked for the IV, as train tickets weren't available. We were told to assemble at VIT's All Mart gate at 7 pm. Getting a seat was initially a problem, but it was sorted out. We departed at around 8:30 pm. We crossed the outskirts of Vellore, and the music player was turned on. The experience of frenetic dancing to several Bollywood numbers cannot be described in words. We stopped at a roadside shack somewhere near Krishnagiri for a late dinner at around 11 pm. We fell asleep shortly after midnight, with those melodious tunes reverberating in our ears.<br />
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September 21, 2012: We woke up near Mettupalayam at around 6 am. We were at the foothills of the Nilgiris. After a break for refreshments, we began our ascent up the winding roads of the Nilgiris. After 3 hours, we reached Kotagiri and checked into to Bel Air Cottages. The cottages were well-furnished and comfortable. After the long, tiring bus journey from Vellore, we decided to rest for a few hours there. In the afternoon, we decided to visit a tea estate. It was nice to see how tea leaves were picked and processed. The transition from green to brown was interesting to note and other processes like sorting and packaging were clearly explained. Though the main purpose of the IV had been fulfilled, there was more to look forward to. We had a very light lunch at Kodanadu View Point. We could see the entire stretch of hills around Kotagiri from there. Not very impressed, we clicked pics and decided to return to Bel Air. As it was dark by then, we kept ourselves occupied by playing Frisbee and Dumb Charades in the garden. At dinnertime, we enjoyed playing 'Passing the Parcel' around the campfire. Prior to hitting the sack, we had a session of 'Truth or Dare' . It was fun getting to know one's deepest desires with no offence, or the expression on one's face after having performed an arduous yet hilarious task.<br />
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September 22, 2012: After a good night's slumber, we had breakfast at Bel Air and decided to visit Doddabetta, the highest peak in the Nilgiri range at 2637 m. We had to change from buses to jeeps in the vicinity of the peak (to handle the narrow, winding roads with steep gradients well). The coniferous trees and the mist made the location seem picturesque. Lots of pictures were clicked, while we munched on carrots and purchased souvenirs. We had lunch at a restaurant in Ooty. After a while, we went to Pykara Lake . The place was water-starved despite the clouds and rainfall, but verdant and picturesque. Those clad in green seemed to blend in with the surroundings. After the visit to the tea estate, we could see shades of green and brown in action again! It seemed like an exotic locale in Europe ! Lots of pictures were clicked, amidst logs, bogs and meadows. I feel Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, or Twilight could have been filmed at Pykara, rather than Europe or North America. No castle or mansion could be seen though! We went back to Ooty after sunset and had dinner at a Dominos Pizza outlet. We purchased home-made chocolates (Ooty is famous for them) and reached Kotagiri at around 9 pm. Dinner was served for those who didn't have anything in Ooty. As we were tired, we went to bed a little earlier than the previous night.<br />
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September 23, 2012: Most of us woke up after 8 am. After breakfast, we packed our bags and decided to bid adieu to Kotagiri. We left in the afternoon at around 1 pm, when it started raining cats and dogs . A picture of our group was clicked, amidst the downpour. We reached Mettupalayam at around 4 pm and had a light lunch. The eateries didn't appeal to us much-most of them were tea-stalls or roadside cafes (dhabas). After a while, we proceeded towards Vellore, halting at Bhavani Sagar Dam on the way. There was a park in the vicinity, where we played games like kabbadi and lock-and-key. We left Bhavani Sagar at around 6:30 pm. We decided to have dinner at an Adyar Ananda Bhavan outlet near Dharmapuri. We departed at around 11pm and finally reached VIT Vellore at 2:45 am ( September 24, 2012). We were exhausted after the 13 hour journey, so we feel asleep after reaching our respective hostel blocks. We probably missed some classes in the morning, but some were cancelled too! :)<br />
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We were back to the routine of Continuous Assessment Tests, quizzes, assignments, reviews and seminars, but rejuvenated after the trip to the Nilgiris! I have visited Himalayan hill resorts like Dhanolti (Uttarakhand), Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), Gangtok (Sikkim) and Darjeeling (West Bengal) with my family. But visiting a quaint town like Kotagiri with my friends in VIT is an experience in itself! It's an unforgettable trip, etched in the sands of time. After all a thing (or a place) of beauty is a joy for ever. :)<br />
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Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-36839660880793116482012-08-11T17:29:00.003+05:302012-08-11T17:31:51.285+05:30What I feel about friendship<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S9icl--D060/UCZGl9TUTCI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/k41EScD9968/s1600/friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S9icl--D060/UCZGl9TUTCI/AAAAAAAAAQ0/k41EScD9968/s400/friends.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
'A man is judged by the company he keeps.' This is a true saying. Apart from the place you grow up in and your family, friends have a profound effect on your psyche. For instance, if you socialize with the crowd you meet in church every Sunday, you'll probably think like them and abhor evil. You can't choose your family, but you can choose your friends. Choose them wisely.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dqRf6D4mod4/UCZFsNcDieI/AAAAAAAAAQs/61XHRkmKecU/s1600/harry-potter-ATDH2-Review-Artwork-646x325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dqRf6D4mod4/UCZFsNcDieI/AAAAAAAAAQs/61XHRkmKecU/s400/harry-potter-ATDH2-Review-Artwork-646x325.jpg" width="400" /></a>I've always liked the Harry Potter series for showing what true friendship is about. We have a lot to learn from Harry and Ron. They were depicted as polar opposites, yet managed to become the best of friends. Harry could have chosen to be with Draco Malfoy, but decided to remain with Ron. The friendship between Harry and Ron wasn't bereft of problems either. They quarreled several times, but were ready to forgive each other. Anyway, I feel Hermione was there as a neutralizing factor. It's amazing to note that Harry and Ron remained best friends even after marriage (generally, friendships aren't strong after marriage.)<br />
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Let's come back to the Muggle world I grew up in. I was an introvert, with very few friends in school. I regret not having socialized much. In college, I regret having made many mistakes while choosing friends. It was stupid of me to choose friends who weren't right for me. I went out of the way to be friendly and caring towards people. But I realized that it was futile to expect them to reciprocate the same.<br />
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There is no such thing as true friendship in college. In a materialistic world of make-believe, people change with time and so do their friends. It really hurts when people ignore other friends when they get into relationships. Come on! Think of the plight of single people too! The campus is supposed to be cosmopolitan, but there's apparently no unity among students! Groups divided on a linguistic basis seem sickening. I agree that it's important to preserve and promote the cultures of different states, but not at the cost of becoming clannish. This is a major impediment to friendship. During college farewell parties, students realize that they may never meet their friends in the future. It's really hard to say goodbye, isn't it?<br />
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If someone asks me the number of friends I have, 545 seems unrealistic, considering I merely know 20 really well. Even those 20 are not met on a regular basis (Thank you, FFCS-Fully Flexible Credit System!). Poking,tagging and liking does not give the same feeling as listening to a friend's dulcet tones in person (Or at least, over the phone).<br />
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Hanging out can foster better understanding among people. I've never had a friend or a group with whom I could plan a trip to Spain (Like the 3 guys in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara). Forget Spain, a visit to Apna Dhaba (an eatery near the VIT campus) seems to be a big ordeal!<br />
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Friends, get out of your comfort zones. Your cocoons become your limitations. Go out and make new friends!<br />
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<a class="leftAlignedImage" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1077326.J_K_Rowling" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; float: left; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-right: 10px;"><img alt="J.K. Rowling" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1334596338p2/1077326.jpg" style="border: 0px;" /></a><br />
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“Harry - you're a great wizard, you know."<br />
"I'm not as good as you," said Harry, very embarrassed, as she let go of him.<br />
"Me!" said Hermione. "Books! And cleverness! There are more important things - friendship and bravery and - oh Harry - be careful!”<br />
― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1077326.J_K_Rowling" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">J.K. Rowling</a>, <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/4640799" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone</a></i></div>
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“True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it be lost.”<br />
― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/901497.Charles_Caleb_Colton" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Charles Caleb Colton</a>
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<a class="leftAlignedImage" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/46261.Muhammad_Ali" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; float: left; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-right: 10px;"><img alt="Muhammad Ali" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1323184538p2/46261.jpg" style="border: 0px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It's not something you learn in school. But if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything.”<br />― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/46261.Muhammad_Ali" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Muhammad Ali</a></span></div>
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<a class="leftAlignedImage" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/229.Abraham_Lincoln" style="color: #666600; float: left; font-family: georgia, serif; margin-right: 10px;"><img alt="Abraham Lincoln" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1198518158p2/229.jpg" style="border: 0px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Am I not destroying my enemies when I make friends of them?” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/229.Abraham_Lincoln" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Abraham Lincoln</a></span></div>
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<a class="leftAlignedImage" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4467789.Mahatma_Gandhi" style="color: #666600; float: left; margin-right: 10px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Mahatma Gandhi" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1303458099p2/4467789.jpg" style="border: 0px;" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“It is easy enough to be friendly to one's friends. But to befriend the one who regards himself as your enemy is the quintessence of true religion. The other is mere business.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4467789.Mahatma_Gandhi" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Mahatma Gandhi</a></span></div>
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<a class="leftAlignedImage" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1244.Mark_Twain" style="color: #666600; float: left; margin-right: 10px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Mark Twain" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1322103868p2/1244.jpg" style="border: 0px;" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1244.Mark_Twain" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Mark Twain</a></span></div>
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<a class="leftAlignedImage" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/25241.Bob_Marley" style="background-color: white; color: #666600; float: left; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-right: 10px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Bob Marley" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1207771636p2/25241.jpg" style="border: 0px;" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just got to find the ones worth suffering for.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/25241.Bob_Marley" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Bob Marley</a></span></div>
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<a class="leftAlignedImage" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/947.William_Shakespeare" style="color: #666600; float: left; margin-right: 10px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="William Shakespeare" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1179017891p2/947.jpg" style="border: 0px;" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/947.William_Shakespeare" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">William Shakespeare</a></span></div>
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<a class="leftAlignedImage" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2980674.Jess_C_Scott" style="color: #666600; float: left; margin-right: 10px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Jess C. Scott" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1318979326p2/2980674.jpg" style="border: 0px;" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Friends are the family you choose (~ Nin/Ithilnin, Elven rogue).”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2980674.Jess_C_Scott" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Jess C. Scott</a>, <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/13985338" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">The Other Side of Life</a></i></span></div>
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<a class="leftAlignedImage" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2839202.C_J_Langenhoven" style="color: #666600; float: left; margin-right: 10px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="C.J. Langenhoven" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1234347852p2/2839202.jpg" style="border: 0px;" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Friends should be like books, few, but hand-selected. ”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2839202.C_J_Langenhoven" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">C.J. Langenhoven</a></span></div>
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<a class="leftAlignedImage" href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/289513.Benjamin_Franklin" style="color: #666600; float: left; margin-right: 10px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img alt="Benjamin Franklin" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1215314094p2/289513.jpg" style="border: 0px;" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">― <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/289513.Benjamin_Franklin" style="color: #666600; text-decoration: none;">Benjamin Franklin</a></span></div>
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<br /></div>Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com3Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India12.9165167 79.132498612.7927017 78.974570100000008 13.040331700000001 79.2904271tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-74523035788117343762012-07-04T17:31:00.000+05:302012-07-04T20:23:03.614+05:30Culture shock: Ahmedabad and Bangalore blues :)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUHPwuB7bxA/T_Q1eVebI9I/AAAAAAAAAQU/aQvy53weafM/s1600/Amd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xUHPwuB7bxA/T_Q1eVebI9I/AAAAAAAAAQU/aQvy53weafM/s1600/Amd.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1EHzx4AwCU/T_Q4ESV9MNI/AAAAAAAAAQc/YEaUhezLIto/s1600/vs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1EHzx4AwCU/T_Q4ESV9MNI/AAAAAAAAAQc/YEaUhezLIto/s200/vs.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There's a famous saying, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." One always takes things for granted back home-such as good food at home or in restaurants, multiplexes where one can watch a variety of movies, other hang-out spots and above all, the security, comforts and conveniences of home(as opposed to a hostel) and Mother's love (Yes Papa, you too!). Only when one moves away does one realize how much one misses them-small things, but magnified in importance with time. Truly, home is where the heart is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The city you are born or brought up in will assume prime importance,as it tends to grow on you. Moving to another place is bound to result in culture shock, as people do not act the same everywhere. Habits such as food, clothing, tastes in music and literature, vary from place to place as a manifestation of cultural differences.Culture shock may occur because of differences between expectations and reality as well; for an alien, a new place is not the same as what it looks like on TV or in books. Experience is the best teacher one can get. I did experience culture shock when I moved from Ahmedabad to Vellore in 2008, for pursuing a five year integrated Master's degree after school. Though I am a Tamilian, I have a special affinity for Gujarat rather than Tamil Nadu. I<span style="background-color: white;"> pref</span><span style="background-color: white;">er vada pav, farsan and aamras to idli sambar and lemon rice!</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">You can say I am a 'Gujaratified' Tamilian. But I didn't feel like that earlier. </span><span style="background-color: white;">It's surprising to note that my favorite city was Madras(sorry, I have a fondness for old names of cities) before I went to study in VIT Vellore. I took everything in Ahmedabad for granted. I never liked it when I was living there, thinking Madras was great while Ahmedabad was hot, dusty and polluted, a medieval city of crumbling monuments, congested streets,pols and nothing more. One year in Vellore changed that opinion: Ahmedabad became my favorite city all of a sudden, and I started liking Bangalore more than Madras too. I probably thought Madras was a bigger version of Vellore.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">Ahmedabad is a major city of India. It's a gourmet's paradise, a hub for gastronomy.People are fond of eating and are willing to experiment with different cuisines. They celebrate with food-it's more than just for nutrition or filling the belly. Seasons change and so do food items available to eat. Dalwada is for the rains, Aamras for summer, fafda-jalebi for Dusshera, and oondiya or sev-tamatar for winter. On the other hand, Vellore is a small town, merely known for its private university-VIT, missionary hospital-CMC, and for being the hottest place in Tamil Nadu :) I know it's stupid comparing the two, which are as different as apples and oranges, but let's see what Vellore needs to learn from bigger cities like Ahmedabad and Bangalore. I have been to many states in India, but Gujarat offers the most mind-boggling variety of food, at least in terms of vegetarian items. It's easy to get the food of Tamil Nadu(like dosas and idlies) in Gujarat, but the converse is not true. Try getting vada pav, dabeli, gota, buffvada, other farsan items and aamras in Tamil Nadu. You may not get them anywhere in Tamil Nadu, and even if you do, they'll be ridiculously overpriced! A dabeli costs Rs 10 in Ahmedabad, while it's available for Rs 75 (gasp!) at a high-end mall in Madras. Ahmedabad offers a better variety of ice-creams too. There's more than just vanilla, strawberry, mango, chocolate or pineapple available at any ice-cream joint in Ahmedabad. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Arun is a poor equivalent of Vadilal,Havmor or Amul. A glass of soda is available at any branch of Gandhi Soda Shop for just Rs 5. Served under hygienic conditions, many flavors are available, apart from ice-cream soda for just Rs 15. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">RK or Jay Bhavani vada pav, Karnavati dabeli, Dakor gota, farali buff vada, Honest bhaji pav,Continental/Indian/Chinese food at Choice, Havmor ice-creams, juice and snacks at Shambhu's Coffee Bar, Gandhi soda, Astodia/Raipur/Sabarmati jail bhajia and the exquisite Gujarati thalis served at Vishala, Rajwadu and Gordhan Thal-these are a few of my favorite items I can't resist having when in Ahmedabad and which I miss in Vellore. Not the best of Vellore food served at Darling and Baby (these are funny names of so-called top-notch restaurants in Vellore) can appease my taste buds. I have also noticed that food in Vellore is a tad too spicy for comfort (cooks in Vellore have a habit of adding red chillies to everything.) That's probably because people in Ahmedabad love food which tends to be on the sweeter side; Gujarati food is known for its sweetness. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If one needs to watch a movie in Ahmedabad, one is spoilt for choice in terms of multiplexes-PVR, Cinepolis, Cinemax, Big Cinemas, Wide Angle, City Pulse, City Gold and more. Vellore, on the other hand, struggles with single screen cinema halls like Raghavendra. It's rare to see English films being shown in Vellore without being dubbed in Tamil. One may have to go all the way to Madras to watch the latest one. Moreover, Vellore does not have a single outlet of McDonalds, Dominos, US Pizza or Pizza Hut, which we take for granted elsewhere. I hope it gets at least one of them soon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"> Another city I like a lot is Bangalore, the city I was born in. People generally don't like the dosas of darshinis served with sweet sambar, but I think otherwise. Masala dosas served at Shanti Sagar, MTR (Lalbagh Road), Adigas or Chalukya (Race Course Road) seem to taste better than the same served at Saravana Bhavan or Sangeeta. </span><span style="background-color: white;">I probably prefer the Karnataka (Udupi) style to the Tamil Nadu style dosas because I want them golden-brown, thick, crispy and served with sweet sambar. The Tamil Nadu style sambar's a bit too insipid for my liking.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I don't hate Vellore, but I just can't like it as much as Ahmedabad or Bangalore. People may consider this blog post to be 'Vellore bashing' but whatever has been mentioned is straight from the heart. I hope I like a city more than Ahmedabad or Bangalore in the future. By the way, it's time for me to go to Vastrapur lake and have my evening quota of vada pav and Gandhi soda! Aavjo (Goodbye)! :)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com3Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India23.0395677 72.566004522.9226712 72.408076000000008 23.1564642 72.723933tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-22549834608571916452012-03-31T19:28:00.000+05:302015-12-15T19:07:15.259+05:30M.Sc Biotechnology students-sob for a job! :)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fhEvsq5Ys10/T3cMJ6Zh26I/AAAAAAAAAPA/B1KQ_VN7Ggg/s1600/unemployed+msc.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fhEvsq5Ys10/T3cMJ6Zh26I/AAAAAAAAAPA/B1KQ_VN7Ggg/s320/unemployed+msc.gif" width="320" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-novEkRm_wOA/T3cMG501PxI/AAAAAAAAAO4/PNMO_qNydY0/s1600/choosing-a-course-college.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-novEkRm_wOA/T3cMG501PxI/AAAAAAAAAO4/PNMO_qNydY0/s1600/choosing-a-course-college.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">“What do you want to do on completion of this course?” is a
question asked by many. It’s very difficult to answer that question! It’s
because there’s always a difference between what we want to do, what we end up
doing and what we actually get. If you ask a kid what he or she wants to become
in life, the answer will be clear (doctor, engineer or pilot) initially, but
will change with time. Situations can make one change one’s goals suddenly. For
instance, one might have had a childhood dream of becoming an astronaut, being fascinated by stars and wanting to explore outer space. But with time and
growing levels of sense, practicality and maturity, one becomes down-to-earth
and probably settles for a more attainable, softer option such as investment
banking. It’s been no different for me. I have had wacky goals of becoming a teacher
of social science, then an astronomer and a bike racer! <span style="font-family: "wingdings";">J</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "wingdings";"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But I gave up on those dreams, as they were not feasible to be
followed considering my impulsive temperament and my awareness levels those
days. I became interested in life sciences when I was in the eleventh grade (as
I did well in a nationwide Biotechnology Olympiad). I decided that
biotechnology would be a suitable career option for me. The thought of modifying
DNA to heal the world seemed amazing to me. My dream company was Genentech, a
San Francisco-based biotech firm. I thought biotechnology could make a better
impact than information technology in any way. I wanted to join VIT University
and pursue its well-known B.Tech programme in biotechnology. But sadly, my VITEEE-2008 rank (5327) wasn’t enough, though I had been called for counselling. I
had done better in VITEEE compared to other engineering entrance exams. I was
left with 2 options: To pursue a B.Sc in life sciences at St Xavier’s
College, Ahmedabad or the newly introduced 5-year integrated M.Sc programme in Biotechnology offered by VIT University, Vellore. I opted for the latter, thinking it’d be an
excellent alternative to the B.Tech programme offered by VIT. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Three and a half years later, looking at the final year
B.Tech Biotechnology students getting placed or coming to Vellore for their
reviews, I feel a better VITEEE rank would have made a significant difference.
Placements are assured for B.Tech Biotechnology students, as the course is
well-known and established. It’d have been really different if Maaruthy, Mayur
and Anchit had been my classmates, though there’s no shortage of creative
people in my class such as Deeptiman, a fellow blogger. I can’t understand why
M.Sc Biotechnology students aren’t given priority for placements. I feel a
plethora of subjects, ranging from modern physics to environmental health, is
covered in the curriculum. But why we can’t intern at ISRO or a pollution
control agency (just because it’s mentioned that M.Sc Biotechnology students
are not eligible?) Not everyone can pursue a PhD after an M.Sc, owing to
financial or other constraints. Pursuing an MBA after an M.Sc may raise a lot
of questions, as an additional investment has to be made, for yet another
Masters degree! Cognizant can hire M.Sc Chemistry graduates but why not M.Sc Biotechnology
graduates (in the life-sciences department)? This was something I got to know
from a classmate of mine, Kshitija. What do M.Sc Biotechnology students lack
which other graduates apparently have? Nothing! It’s not industry-specific
skills (M.Sc Biotechnology students have had more rigorous laboratory sessions
than B.Tech students-who have readymade culture media provided for ease in performing
experiments and reporting results.) It’s really sad, considering M.Sc Biotechnology
students spend 5 years learning and trying to apply what’s been learnt, yet
falter when it comes to employability in the global scenario. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I agree it’s a competitive world out there, where the
ascent up the corporate ladder is full of people waiting to pull you down. So
go ahead, do what it takes to get that dream job, as you are different from others. Looking at your CV, recruiters should feel you're different. You can be a successful person with a good job amidst a crowd of others. It is sad that engineering and medicine rule the roost as the most popular careers in India, apart
from management, civil services, chartered accountancy and banking. There are other
options in sectors like hospitality and hotel management, but they’re not
popular owing to lack of awareness. Moreover, a doctor or engineer still
commands respect in society, as pay packets are good despite the recession. I
got to know from today’s newspaper that a B.Tech student of NIT-Allahabad got
a mind-boggling offer from Facebook. No wonder M.Sc students turn green with envy.
Now I feel it’s worth dropping a year after school, to pursue a B.Tech degree
after slogging for engineering entrance tests. Siddhant (a B.Tech Biotechnology student) couldn’t pursue a career in medicine. But he decided to make the best of whatever
he got. He stood first in his batch and went to Imperial College, London for
his final semester project. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">I hope an apparently underestimated course such as M.Sc
Biotechnology gets recognized not merely in society, but in terms of employability
as well. It’ll be justified if some people such as professors dare to
venture into entrepreneurship and generate new avenues (in terms of employment) in different sectors for M.Sc Biotechnology students. </span></div>
</div>
Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com21Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India12.9165167 79.132498612.7927017 78.974570100000008 13.040331700000001 79.2904271tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-31868567006482113332012-03-14T18:24:00.002+05:302012-03-14T18:24:41.169+05:30Nostalgia<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">We often pine for the days of yore,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lost in the sands of time, shut from the present like a
slammed door,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">With regrets expressed as tears that can fill many a pore,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">It’s as futile as murder for revenge with gore;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Feelings of guilt in an individual, expressed to the core,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Are as normal as getting a bedsore;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Something that can retard is fear,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">As making mistakes is inevitable, and no one’s really a
Seer,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Who can introspect and know your own self better than you;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Risks have to be taken and thus emerge a successful few,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Who’ve realized their true potential and believed in their
dreams;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">They don’t need to crib about not having lived well, as
their enthusiasm bursts at its seams;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">They don’t yearn for memories in the past, as life for them
is never as bad as it seems;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Breaking the shackles of the past that can equally haunt or
please, is an ordeal,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">But they live in the present and work for the future, what
else do they feel?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com2Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India12.9165167 79.132498612.7927017 78.974570100000008 13.040331700000001 79.2904271tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-37232488574150064822012-02-18T11:44:00.001+05:302012-02-18T11:49:33.383+05:30Crossbreed- this was the topic given to me for the creative writing event of Riviera'12<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The term is self-explanatory. It literally means ‘a living entity which is a cross between two different breeds.’ As I am a student of biotechnology, it is easy to give an elaborate description of the term. A crossbreed can be interspecific, such as Durum wheat. The process involved is interspecific hybridization to give rise to an improved variant, as different traits are combined and expressed. It is easier to manipulate plants rather than animals, as their genomes are less complex. Hence, most of the applications of crossbreeding are confined to agriculture.<br />
<br /></div>
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Healthy plant variants could be selected based on natural genetic engineering, which was done with partial human interference of choosing and crossing different breeds. The foundation was laid for the development of modern biotechnology involving highly mechanized manipulation of plants at the genetic level. Crossbreeding wasn’t just confined to breeds between different species but between different genera as well. For instance, the ‘pomato’ is an intergeneric cross between the potato and the tomato, combining the best traits of each.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
However, crossbreeding hasn’t been successful in the case of animals. Certain defects are probably formed during crossing over of genetic material. This leads to organ rejection, malfunctioning of systems and ultimately death. Humans may have 98% genetic similarity with chimpanzees, but merely that will not ensure the formation of a crossbreeds called ‘chimpumans’ or ‘humanzees’! After all, who’d like to have progeny who’re neither humans nor chimpanzees? Hardly a few, who are crazy, wacky enough to experiment with no regard for their personal ethics. It’s a waste of time and money into this research which is futile, rather than investing on more immediate issues of the global economy and the environment. Millions of people don’t get two square meals a day to consume and this is more pronounced in today’s era of fiscal recession. The globe is confronted with environmental issues such as global warming and the rapid depletion of exhaustible resources too. Therefore, in a nutshell, let nature take its own course for genetic engineering and the evolution of organisms due to variation in traits. Human beings need not play God. Nature has given us plenty to meet our needs. Our greed may not have a so-called panacea by the name of biotechnology. In a nutshell, the idea of human beings trying to create hybrids of animals seems fine for science fiction books such as Frankenstein or mythological stories depicting a chimera or a unicorn, but not in real life. </div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">(February 4, 2012)</span><span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ww3uNUqdAo/Tz9Coc4jpEI/AAAAAAAAAOk/zOVD6OdybE0/s1600/awkward-logicdude-thewolf-cross-breed-tiger-wolf-demotivational-poster-1276141893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4ww3uNUqdAo/Tz9Coc4jpEI/AAAAAAAAAOk/zOVD6OdybE0/s320/awkward-logicdude-thewolf-cross-breed-tiger-wolf-demotivational-poster-1276141893.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com0Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India12.9165167 79.132498612.7927017 78.974570100000008 13.040331700000001 79.2904271tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-11693471371780245772012-02-12T19:05:00.003+05:302012-02-17T12:35:01.726+05:30Green over red<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNnjb9aLcrw/TzfFTz-sVPI/AAAAAAAAAN8/lH0D3GegYiM/s1600/Image0145%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YNnjb9aLcrw/TzfFTz-sVPI/AAAAAAAAAN8/lH0D3GegYiM/s320/Image0145%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wy3Q_mW4bRg/TzfFaooe4pI/AAAAAAAAAOE/kmMqGjFZ2jU/s1600/Image0146%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wy3Q_mW4bRg/TzfFaooe4pI/AAAAAAAAAOE/kmMqGjFZ2jU/s320/Image0146%255B2%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DV9zq80W0s/TzfFf-pLlFI/AAAAAAAAAOM/MW07YZbvbJw/s1600/Image0148%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--DV9zq80W0s/TzfFf-pLlFI/AAAAAAAAAOM/MW07YZbvbJw/s320/Image0148%255B2%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This is the fast-paced era of worry and haste,</span><br />
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Playing God shouldn’t interfere with taste,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And nutritional value, of dire need during the period of recession;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As there’s disparity, which makes it difficult to realize a vision,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Of happiness, which is a relative concept;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It takes a lot of effort to satisfy the needy,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And the same, if not more, for the few who are greedy;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Therefore we ought to provide something for the generations to come,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And not usurp exhaustible resources mindlessly without leaving behind some;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Sustainable development is the only probable panacea,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For giving back what we owe our descendants so that they can see;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For combating unusual seasonal variations, which can also result due to pollution,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Knowing about the solution is easy, but it’s not so for the execution;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> It begins from within, a deep desire to change for the better,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Even a small step taken by each of the seven billion inhabitants of this planet,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Towards recognizing the wonders of Mother Nature, whose requirements man hasn’t met.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At his own cost, ignoring the five elements that have sustained him in the past,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But whom he has to sustain in return, if they don’t last. </span></div>
</div>Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com2Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India12.9165167 79.132498612.7927017 78.974570100000008 13.040331700000001 79.2904271tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-47235805126903126572011-12-20T11:23:00.000+05:302012-02-17T20:57:26.062+05:30Trip to the Lion City-November 2010<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 12pt;">October
31, 2010: I was happy to leave Vellore (at last-after 3 and a half months!).
Departed from Katpadi (Vellore’s railway station) by 2609 Bangalore Express at
15:55. Reached Bangalore City at 20:06. My parents had reached safely from
Ahmedabad with my grandmother. I was glad to meet them after ages. We discussed
about the forthcoming trip to Singapore! Stayed at home for two nights-October
31 and November 1.</span><br />
<div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">November
2, 2010: D-Day! Passports and visas were ready! My parents and I were all set
to leave! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">We left
home at 06:45 pm in a Maruti Suzuki Swift. Reached Bangalore’s Devanahalli
International Airport at 08:35 pm. After immigration and security check, we
were free (at 09:45 pm). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 96.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Boarded a
Singapore Airlines aircraft at 10:45 pm. It took off at 11:10 pm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Had
dinner-an Asian vegetarian meal was served. It comprised rotis, paneer curry,
pulao and yogurt. Also had fruit punch. Pity I couldn’t consume an alcoholic
beverage (Cocktails like Bloody Mary and Screwdriver, apart from J.B’s Black
Label and Smirnoff’s Vodka were available onboard.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 96.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">My window
seat (Economy class) was comfortable, but I didn’t sleep well. I didn’t watch
any of the movies on board, which included Inception, Salt, Avatar, 3 Idiots, I
Hate Luv Stories, My Name is Khan, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Sex and the City
2, Toy Story 3, Knight and Day, The Dark Knight, Terminator Salvation apart
from some Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French and Tamil flicks. TV Shows onboard
included an episode each of F.R.I.E.N.D.S, The Big Bang Theory, The Simpsons,
Gossip Girl and Doctor Who. Instead of watching them, I chose to keep myself
occupied with the flight path. I was updated with geographical information, as
the aircraft flew over Tamil Nadu, The Bay of Bengal, The Nicobar Islands, The
Straits of Malacca, and the Malayan peninsula before ultimately landing in
Singapore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">November
3, 2010: Reached Singapore at 6 am. Cleared immigration and retrieved baggage. Singapore’s Changi Airport gave an excellent
first impression of the city-it was well maintained compared to many airports
in India. We left at 08:30 am. A person called Guna had come to receive us. We
left in an air-conditioned Toyota van.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">The
streets of Singapore were spotlessly clean. It felt like Paradise being
there-so Utopian that you couldn’t imagine in any Indian city. The tarmac or
asphalt roads were smooth, devoid of potholes and sand (typical of Bangalore
and Ahmedabad.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 96.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">We zipped
past at a good speed, not exceeding the speed limit though!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 96.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">Another
difference between Singapore and India (in terms of transportation) was the
absence of noisy three-wheelers and annoying tractors on streets. Moreover,
just a few two-wheelers were seen. Most of the cars were of Oriental origin
(most of them Japanese Toyotas, Hondas and Suzukis, apart from Korean Hyundais and
Kias.) Most of the taxis were either Hyundai Sonatas (new) or Toyota Crowns
(old). A few, presumably the affluent, owned European models like the Bentley
Arnage, the Audi A4 and the occasional Lamborghini Gallardo. No Fords or Cadillacs
and certainly no Maruti 800s, Omni vans, Gypsys or Ambassadors (Indian cars) were
seen. A few motorbikes were seen-2-stroke Yamaha RX-series bikes, along with Hondas
and Suzukis. A few Bajaj Pulsars were spotted as well! Scooters were few in
number, mostly Vespas of Italian origin. There were no Kinetic Hondas, Activas
or Bajaj Chetaks, but mopeds were in plenty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 96.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 96.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">We
reached Little India and checked into the Grand Chancellor. It was recently
built and the rooms were comfortable. After
refreshing ourselves, we visited Singapore Zoo and went for the Night Safari.
It was nice to see a well maintained zoo which was more like a national park,
instead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">November
4, 2010: Went for the city tour in the morning. Saw Raffles Hotel from outside,
but the building was not impressive compared to many skyscrapers in the city
centre. We saw the Singapore Flyer, but did not go for a ride.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 96.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">We went
to the riverfront where the Merlion and the statue of Raffles were located. We
also went to a Chinese temple and prayed for good luck. In the afternoon, we
visited Sentosa Island. This was the most enjoyable part of the trip. The Underwater
World was more than just an aquarium-the experience was as good as scuba
diving! It was worth viewing many exotic aquatic species there. We went up the Singapore Tower and had a bird’s
eye view of the city. Later, there was a dolphin show, where acrobatic feats
were performed by a porpoise. Just after sunset, we went for an entertaining
show- “The Songs of the Sea”, with spectacular audio-visual effects, held on
the shore of Siloso beach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">November
5, 2010: Visited Jurong Bird Park in the morning. A mind-boggling variety of
avian species could be seen. There were bird shows too. Came back to the hotel
room and relaxed for a while. We went for shopping in Little India in the
evening. Mustafa Centre was just awesome-there were more goods for sale than in
any Indian supermarket. The stores on Serangoon Street were really
well-decorated for the festive occasion of Deepavali. We went to purchase
souvenirs at ‘3 for $10’ shops.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;">November
6, 2010: Visited Veerakaliamman temple, Little India in the morning. It was
like any temple in Tamil Nadu, with a gopuram and red stripes on walls. In the
afternoon, we got ready for the journey back home. We returned to Bangalore at
night by a Singapore Airlines flight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">It was an unforgettable trip. I feel like
visiting the city again, probably for work in the near future. I was very
impressed with the city’s infrastructure and the perfect amalgamation of
tradition and modernity. It was a perfect pot-pourri of the West (industrialization
and efficiency in implementation of laws) and the East (the Orient-for culture
and family values.) Rudyard Kipling would have sung a different tune if he had
visited Singapore (His quote “</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">OH, East is East, and West is West, and never
the twain shall meet</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 115%;">”
</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">is not applicable!). It is evident
that Singapore is a fine city, because there are fines for everything (this is
a T-shirt quote)! </span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 96.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; tab-stops: 96.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-38782387920788443742011-12-13T10:37:00.001+05:302011-12-13T16:02:51.086+05:30Let there be light<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jealousy is an emotion that can kill,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many a time, it occurs as a result of making a mountain of a
molehill;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It can choke, when with or without a gill,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A fish out of water feels and nothing can fill,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The void of regrets, not having fulfilled one’s dreams,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When, in danger zone, traumatic effects are seen and life
seems to be bursting at its seams,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Comrades don’t listen; they condemn one in anguish who
screams,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Aloud to make one’s voice heard, as anything is worse than
what it seems,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Judgment Day seems to have come before expected, one feels
like giving up in despair;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Jealousy is like Kryptonite, sapping one of positive
feelings, making one think life’s really unfair,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Or like a Dementor, whose name is enough to scare,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And presence difficult to bear;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In this materialistic world of gold-diggers, few seem to
care,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For a noble cause and for those, to confront their fears,
really dare;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Life’s like a race, it zooms ahead like a hare,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">An individual who’s happy with limited resources is rare;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">However, there’s light at the end of the tunnel,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So there’s another opportunity for one’s ideas to sell,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Another story to tell,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Life on Earth is not really like Hell;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dark days are over,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Even by thinking, “Never say never”;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One is not too small to make a difference,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Even a lit incense stick can trigger a bonanza of
luminosity, which makes sense.</span></div>
</div>Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com2Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India23.0395677 72.566004522.9226712 72.408076000000008 23.1564642 72.723933tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-90616967355623218362011-10-25T19:17:00.001+05:302011-12-13T16:03:36.836+05:30The luminosity of success<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For the average person, success may seem elusive,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sans hard work and persistence, who can live?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not even the crème de la crème, who have to slog day and night, </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At least for the bread to be consumed by the family, which they have to give;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The struggle for existence is like a battle, where one must prove oneself competent to fight;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Success and failure are optional;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In this noisy, competitive world, one shouldn't remain in the lull,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Of ignorance and mediocrity, as each one of us has traits which are unique;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One ought to follow one's heart, even if one is meek,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lest one should miss out on opportunities one can seek;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In life, one ought to have fixed goals,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They ought to remain a challenge, not a piece of cake, such as a trip to the Poles;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One ought to decide, whether to stay at home and enjoy with one's family,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Or whether to dare to move outside one's comfort zone and experience the big, bad world that's there to see;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Being within one's cocoon is hard to resist,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Unless, to go afar, one wishes to persist;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Even if it is to keep up with the Joneses,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To the individual who is passionate about her/his endeavors, success will be hers or his.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Success is manifested as different things for different people;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For many, it is money and fame;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For a few, it is having listened to the inner voice and having trodden a different path without regrets,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ensuring that unlike others, they aren't the same;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As the secret of success lies behind the endless toil,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Which is done with love, with a positive feeling that plans won't foil.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Legend has it that a prince was forced to leave his kith and kin for fourteen years;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Confined in exile in the woods,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He confronted his fears,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And proved himself a righteous individual;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Upon returning home, he was proclaimed a hero,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Because he was not afraid to take risks for a selfless act,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Which can be established as a fact,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">That success shouldn't blind us;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We should celebrate the triumph of truth, awareness over oblivion and good over evil, without any fuss.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Manifested as visible radiation and waves of sound,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The luminosity and decibels of the occasion will ensure that the Lord of Darkness will be found.</span></div>Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com0Bengaluru, Karnataka, India12.9715987 77.594562712.724026199999999 77.2787057 13.2191712 77.910419699999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-20696339926799678892011-10-14T13:39:00.000+05:302011-12-13T16:11:11.661+05:30You know you're a Tam-Brahm if....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>1.</strong>You wake up to M.S. Subbulakshmi's dulcet tones that resonate from your cassette or CD (nowadays MP3?) player- "Kausalya Supraja Rama" of Shri Venkateshwara Suprabatham.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>2.</strong>You consume 'Madras filter coffee' of the finest decoction and go through snippets of the morning newspaper.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> The Hindu(pronounced 'Hind-do' [as in 'do' it well], not 'Hinthoo') is your favourite newspaper.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>3.</strong>You own a TVS 50/XL Super,Suvega(affectionately 'Sevika'),Luna,Bajaj M80,Hero Puch or Enfield Mofa which is used for commuting, even you're a priest(sastrigal) going for a 'homam' from one household to another.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> You may own a bicycle or an ancient Ambassador(affectionately Ambi's Amby!) car.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>4.</strong>You condemn 'mixture',namkeen and farsaan as 'sundry items', yet have them for lunch along with your thali.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>5.</strong>'Stamping not allowed' would be more appropriate than 'Parking not allowed' as you care for your kolam.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>6.</strong>You can't wait to rush back home after office hours as you don't want to miss the latest episode of Metti Oli, Kolangal, Chithi, Selvi, Manaivi, Comedy Time or Kondattam on Sun TV(or Raj TV,Kalaignar TV,Jaya TV,Aadithya TV,Star Vijay).</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> If you're a westernized yuppie,you'll feel the same for Two and a Half Men,How I Met Your Mother,Family Guy and the Simpsons (on Star World),apart from Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah (on SAB TV).</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>7.</strong>You've grown up drinking Ovaltine('Oval'),Viva,Horlicks and Maltova (nowadays Milo, Boost and Bournvita).</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> You've offered Crush,Oval, juice concentrate or syrup,apart from tea and coffee to guests.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>8.</strong>You've visited least one of these restaurants- Mylai Karpagambal Mess in Mylapore,Woodlands, Palmgrove (in Madras),Dasaprakash (in Madras,Mysore,Ooty,Ahmedabad,Jaipur,Delhi,Agra and Lucknow),Chalukya,MTR,Vidyarthi Bhawan,CTR,Janatha,New Krishna Bhawan (in Bangalore).</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>9.</strong>You love shopping at Pothys,Nalli,Naidu Hall,RMKV (in Madras) or Rangachari Textiles (in Bangalore) despite the proliferation of malls with branches of Westside,Pantaloons,Wrangler,Nike,Reebok,Adidas,Big Bazaar and Vishal Mega Mart in your city.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> A visit to 8th cross,Malleshwaram or Sampige Road (in Bangalore),Ranganathan Street or Panagal Park (in T Nagar,Madras) is a must rather than a visit to Commercial Street or MG Road (in Bangalore),CG Road,Ashram Road or SG Highway (in Ahmedabad).</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>10.</strong>You don't play cards as there's no 'green' card, which every holder [an Ambi Mama,Athimber or Chitappa of yours in California/Texas/Michigan/Illinois :) ] uses to return to India every December for the Margazhi music festival in Mylapore Kutcheri Sabhas. There are Carnatic music concerts held elsewhere too-at the Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Malleshwaram (in Bangalore) and the Shanmukhananda Hall,in Matunga (Bombay). The Tiruvaiyuru Thyagaraja Aradhanai,held in the month of January,is famous too.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>11.</strong>You stay in localities like Mylapore,Triplicane,Adyar,Besant Nagar,Saligramam,Vadapalani and Nanganallur (in Madras),</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Malleshwaram,Basavangudi,Banashankari and Jayanagar (in Bangalore),</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Vastrapur,Memnagar,Satellite and Bodakdev (in Ahmedabad),</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Matunga and Ghatkopar (in Bombay),</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> RK Puram and Munirka (in Delhi)</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><strong>12.</strong> Your long, tongue-twisting name is truncated to your initials. For example: Melattur Sundaram Rajagopalaiyer is known as M.S.R. to all.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">(October 14, 2011)</span></div>
</div>Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com0Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India12.9165167 79.132498612.7927017 78.974570100000008 13.040331700000001 79.2904271tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-10342616727852965492011-09-10T12:39:00.000+05:302011-12-13T16:02:05.941+05:30The Rising Force in the Eastern Hemisphere-September 10,2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DTb4cxxIG18/TmsNCq2cr-I/AAAAAAAAAC4/2D34UtVaiB8/s1600/eastern+hemisphere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DTb4cxxIG18/TmsNCq2cr-I/AAAAAAAAAC4/2D34UtVaiB8/s320/eastern+hemisphere.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">An era had begun in the new millennium,imparting in the developing half of the globe,a feeling of vigour and ecstasy,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To challenge the invincible,with the collapse of the West's economic supremacy;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Plagued by terrorism,which promoted the adoption of stringent safety measures that were meant,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To lead to outsourcing of jobs to the Orient;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The American dream was not worth hankering after,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When equally good and more fulfilling opportunities lay ahead at home,rather;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Where the heart truly wanted to be,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">With more for oneself to feel and see;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For the home-bound expatriate,having migrated yonder,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Absence from home made the heart grow fonder.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The upheaval in the Dark Continent was against tyranny,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And the extermination of the world's most undesirable in a British colony;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Amidst political instability in a gerontocracy,that led to vulnerability,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To terrorism,nepotism and corruption,apart from hi-tech scams that amounted to felony;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A crusader had emerged to combat,with the support of many a citizen,</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Whose abstinence from food and drink led to the Gandhian change we wished to see in our countrymen;</span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For progress,prosperity,security and equality in society,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And freedom from the clutches of tainted politicians and from bureaucracy.</span></div>
</div>Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com0Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India12.9165167 79.13249859999996312.813943700000001 79.054092099999963 13.0190897 79.210905099999962tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-71186807487787483802011-08-02T13:35:00.000+05:302011-12-13T16:07:56.024+05:30F.R.I.E.N.D.S,dost,amies,amigos....:-)- August 1,2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGDvdQ5OWbg/TmN4MngGdHI/AAAAAAAAACk/MMwZuReID3o/s1600/friend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wGDvdQ5OWbg/TmN4MngGdHI/AAAAAAAAACk/MMwZuReID3o/s400/friend.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Friendship is a barometer of success in life,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Behind every successful man, there'll be many enemies, but only one inspiring wife;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Who has to be his best friend for life-his true companion,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But friendship isn't merely restricted to marital love;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Trust, compatibility of interests, altruism and above all, acceptance of differences are attributes of a successful union,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Which can be extended to platonic interactions as well;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Friendship sans romance is the best, but only time can tell,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Whether the transition from stranger to acquaintance to friend, is genuinely for the person, or for the benefits;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When you feel betrayed, in your face the reality really hits,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Because they are fair weather friends of the first order;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The affinity one has, with betrayal in trust, is replaced with sadness and hatred on the border.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">One ought to choose one's friends carefully and be nice to all,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But should not be susceptible to flattery or be gullible to backstabbers, lest one should fall;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Difficult to form and even more difficult to break,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Since friendship is essential for a social animal, one ought to learn to be one's honest best, for any other's sake!</span></div>Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com1Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India12.9165167 79.13249859999996312.813943700000001 79.054092099999963 13.0190897 79.210905099999962tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-71945415374651966182011-06-16T14:32:00.000+05:302016-07-22T22:08:20.407+05:30With humour and wit,mind it!-June 16,2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Once upon a time in independent India, a boy was born in Bangalore,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">To Maharashtrian parents of Tamil ancestry, who never knew for him,that success and laurels beckoned galore;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Who never knew what fate had in store for him,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Despite the fact that it seemed dim;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But he proved things wrong, making ends meet as a bus conductor,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">With his inimitable mannerisms, he arose as an actor,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">First in theatre and then in cinema,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">After being rechristened by his mentor, he became an enigma!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">His popularity with the masses rose with time, which he could not while (away),</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Because of his humility, genuine nature and ability to act in all genres with style (that was there to stay);</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The 'punch dialogues' and the amazing, Newtonian flick of the cigarette,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">On messing with him, getting kicked in the air was what the goons would get!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He became the messiah of the proletariat against the cruel socialists, in a society rampant with corruption,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Even with hi-tech humanoids to save and help the world's population;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He's well-known,apart from South of the Vindhyas, in the land of the Rising Sun,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Even in other parts of India and the globe, his stunts and dialogues can stun!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Jokes apart,come whatever may,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">He's on the way to a speedy recovery in the abode of the Merlion, which is the news of today!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Merely mentioning his name can make one shiver, what do you say?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Unmatched in power and status as the leader, he commands respect in his way (his own,unique way!)</span></div>
Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com0Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India23.0395677 72.56600449999996322.9220977 72.441739499999969 23.1570377 72.690269499999957tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-48173531153077956302011-06-10T18:24:00.000+05:302011-12-13T16:10:23.347+05:30The Himalayas-June 10,2011<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3QMsayZfSdU/TmOCcsOkHFI/AAAAAAAAACw/DLpej8banoM/s1600/himalaya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3QMsayZfSdU/TmOCcsOkHFI/AAAAAAAAACw/DLpej8banoM/s400/himalaya.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 16px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i></i></span></b></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Towering above the Indian plains,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Lies the mighty Himalayan range;</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Whose ecosystem is fragile and susceptible to change.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Formed as fold mountains from mere alluvium,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">They’re relatively young, compared to the basaltic Gondwanaland which had existed for more than a millennium.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">From the valley of Kashmir and the rainshadow region of Leh,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Perennial rivers originate and cascade their own way.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Amidst tributaries and distributaries, religious fervour at confluences,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There’s serenity at pristine locales in the high reaches;</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Along with snow-capped peaks,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">When illuminated by the rays of the sun at dawn, they cannot be described by any word one speaks.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">From apple orchards and handicrafts,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">To verdant territories and scenic rivers with rafts;</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">And the influence of Buddhism,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">With monks, monasteries in ample;</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Hardy mountain-dwellers being represented as a microcosm,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Tenzing Norgay, who made it to the summit of the highest peak on earth, is a shining example.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Truly, lakes and caves thrive in God’s abode,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Where both savage and sage aspire to visit, despite the relative absence of rail or road.</span></div>
</div>Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com0Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India23.0395677 72.56600449999996322.9220977 72.441739499999969 23.1570377 72.690269499999957tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3275562710174798359.post-56125491435207689202011-02-25T17:26:00.002+05:302020-10-26T12:19:34.770+05:30Vegetarianism and animal cruelty<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Vegetarianism seems to be the fad of the day,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Not adhering to Mother Nature, we'll have a hefty price to pay;</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Animals are cruelly raised on factory farms, so dark that there's penetration of hardly a ray,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Shifted into cages,like prisoners, they too have feelings, which they can hardly express or say!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For they're unfortunate, there's no other way,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Except to be processed into meat and stuffed like hay;</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Or being slaughtered, tortured with hormonal injections, come whatever may,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Their misery is pitiable, so much for even a hen to lay;</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Cruelty imparted towards animals is ubiquitous, from the farm to the bay,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The least we can do is to be aware about the hazards imparted, that can take our physical, mental and spiritual well-being away;</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">For the environment or one's health, consumption of meat is not okay,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Ask anyone who'd like to consume a product that's generally in a condition of decay!</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">If voraciously consumed by gluttons, animal species have not much to stay,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Depletion of animal species and cruelty to animals are reasons for which we need to find, for survival and existence, another way;</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Having the will, not merely for a religious cause,we'll know whether our food comes with or without a face,</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">So that we can choose to ethically treat animals,love them as our kith and kin, and quit the meat-eating race.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br /></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Dedicated to vegetarians/those against animal cruelty. P.S-Am a lacto-ovo-vegetarian</i></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="line-height: 1.5em; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(Feb 2011) </span></div>
</div>Ajay Kishorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16693056512857518554noreply@blogger.com0Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India12.9165167 79.13249859999996312.813943700000001 79.054092099999963 13.0190897 79.210905099999962