tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72533649421289711262024-03-13T20:20:35.542+05:30Eternally ArticulateVatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-3812025875498358792011-12-09T11:53:00.001+05:302012-12-02T00:28:03.682+05:30More than a heart<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>-Vatsal Khullar</b></div>
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<b>A few strokes of blood</b><br />
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<b>Transformed the canvas,</b></div>
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<b>From Holy white to Dark,</b></div>
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<b>For all that flowed was not in vain,</b></div>
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<b>It had taken with itself, ages of pain.</b></div>
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<b>Splashes of blood is all what it seemed,</b></div>
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<b>But much more for me,</b></div>
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<b>It was the axis of adversity,</b></div>
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<b>The Pole of agony.</b></div>
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<b>Those years when my heart had seethed,</b></div>
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<b>Stood all there in colour.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Far away, like the Solitary Sun was I,</b></div>
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<b>All vibrant but up, alone in sky.</b></div>
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<b>I looked around, not a friend or foe,</b></div>
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<b>Yearning alone for a pebble to throw.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>The Profound pounding heightened,</b></div>
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<b>Emotions spilled out.</b></div>
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<b>The evil was untenable,</b></div>
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<b>An injured heart had called out.</b></div>
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<b>A heart yearning for love had got,</b></div>
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<b>A companion it had always visioned and thought.</b></div>
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<b>An unmatched match, and emotions deep</b><br />
<b>It was undoubtedly, a giant leap.</b></div>
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<b>The Sun had fallen in love with the Orb of night.</b></div>
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<b>Blaze went after moonlight.</b></div>
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<b>A unison was out of bounds for sure.</b></div>
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<b>Could a heart ask for more?</b></div>
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<b>Bereaved lay the victim of love.</b></div>
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<b>Another heart had fallen for a heartless snub</b></div>
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<b>A dream was shattered, a hope was killed,</b></div>
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<b>The joy of bonding, shot up and nilled.</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>The clock struck on,</b></div>
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<b>And time passed,</b></div>
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<b>Moments later, the heart thumped its last,</b></div>
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<b>Lay motionless a corpse, with eyes open wide,</b></div>
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<b>In hope of getting one last sight!</b></div>
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<b>Leaving incomplete a shapeless wish,</b></div>
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<b>The solitary heart that weeped.</b></div>
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Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-32659954809183937752011-08-30T00:46:00.003+05:302011-08-30T00:57:10.259+05:30A Toast!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Goodbye to you my trusted friend</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b> <div class="MsoNormal">We’ve known each other since we were nine or ten</div><div class="MsoNormal">Together we’ve climbed hills and trees</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Khuller<span> </span>Sahib! Well. Every time that you went abroad before this was for a vacation and you would come back in a few weeks. But this time it isn’t the same. From now onwards, you shall be coming back to India for a few weeks, like you would for a vacation. So, I just felt like writing this.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">Our friendship is as old as we are, and I think, not many as old as us, can boast about such a close friendship that is 18 years long. We’ve been friends with each other, even before we learnt how to crawl :P</div></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><b>You just delayed your trip by one day because of Hurricane Irene. That was what Nature had sent to disturb US. Well, what we're sending in from here is exponentially worse than Irene. Don't let me down now. Ours might not be Irene but its (V)Iren for sure.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><b>Wahan jaake bechara Non Veg kha kha ke bore ho jayega. Mujhe pakka pata hai ki tu Dominos, McDonalds aur KFC ko toh pakka yaad karega! Bechara Om hotel wale ka Butter chicken ab kaun khayega? Honey Chicken kaun khayega? Mere haath ke baney super duper, yummy, delicious, tasty, juicy, sinful rolls kaun khyega? Nizamuddin ki murgiyan sadak pe bavri hoke Viru, Viru chilayengi! Tu mujhe yaad kare na kare, un masoom Roomaliyon ko zaroor yaad kariyo so haste haste tere liye shaheed ho gayin! :P</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><b>Ab toh Sirji ka 18th birthday bhi aa raha! So, you are going to be a BIG BOY now! Ab toh tu khud se khana bhi kha leta hai, raat ko bed pe susu bhi nahin karta! So you are a big boy in true sense of the word! Well, its been quite unfortunate for you for not being able to celebrate your birthday properly in India for so long. Either it was CBSE or rains or DPS which kept you away from celebrating. I'm sure this year you'll make up for all those lost years by opening a lot of bottles. I insist that you drink 2 extra bottles just to remember your soon to be 18 buddy, far away in India.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">When I write this, I just cant stop myself of being reminded of our days as toddlers when we use to crawl, then we started walking, you taught me how to cycle on your blue colored as a responsible elder, how we both used to meet everyday(though we still do, but not for long), your obsession for getting photos clicked at one point of time. Well, you may not remember a lot of things but somehow, my memory is good when it comes to all these things. I just cant forget how you always </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;">vomited after drinking Fanta. That was something that ran in the family. </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><b>My evenings, outings and movies are going to drastically fall down once you leave. Next years IPL, this years Grand Prix, Vir Das' show, Kathak by Birju Maharaj,etc. are surely going to miss two of their loyal audiences.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><b>I would like to wish you centuries of success, fame, good health, prosperity and tolerance. I hope we continue to be as close as we are. I look forward to seeing you in December. Hopefully I might see you in US next year too. If not as a student then I would surely come to meet you. I would always pray to god that I predecease you as your one friend I would never want to lose. Lots of love and wishes from me. You shall be greatly missed.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><b>Don't forget to send me a Rakhi every year, Didi! As Vidit says, Shaadi karke mat aaiyo, aur karni hogi toh Ladki se hee kariyo. Don't forget to give Andrew a tough time ;) I'm sure he's going to call us in India in another 15 days. Well no friend is as great as I am who can tolerate you for 18 years *BOW* </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><b>A toast to our friendship! Cheers!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, Arial;"><b><br />
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</b></span></div></div>Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-40854431878700038742011-08-12T15:45:00.004+05:302011-08-12T17:55:17.367+05:30The Darker Side<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>How to disturb a mind at peace? Ever heard about something like this? Well, if you haven't then your at the right place. That's because, I think no one specializes in this art, better than I do.</b><br />
<b>I'm updating my blog after so long and it pains me to start with something which has been disturbing me for so long so I thought venting it out over here would help.</b><br />
<b>My attempts to reconcile with myself have proved to be futile and this post is just going to be a spontaneous flow of emotions. You might just happen to find your computer screen wet!</b><br />
<b>The past few weeks have been distressful with a lot of things happening and people starting to find my normal behavior hostile. The ones who know how I am have been getting offended by my jokes. I have been at fault at times but sometimes I myself am unable to rectify what error have I made.</b><br />
<b>Most of the times I say things which I don't mean in a fit of rage or in a comical mood. I never mean any of that. Bear with me but its a habit that I'm trying to change.</b><br />
<b>My sorry's have almost become ubiquitous but those mere words do not let me get over my guilt. I may not be at fault, but the very fact that I had a misunderstanding with some is enough to start the cycle of self blaming and remorse in my mind.</b><br />
<b>I may look like a beast but I am still a human. I can at times err. Its a request to all the people to please not keep anything against me. In case they've been hurt or they wish to convey something, please come up to me. I love criticism. Don't let any of my acts change the way you think about me. That's my greatest fear.</b><br />
<b>And the recipe to disturb a tranquil mind is to make or not a mistake, have a small fight and then keep thinking about that until your drained of all your energy and fears like an end to the friendship start hogging your mind, body and soul.</b><br />
<b>I have a deep feeling of possessiveness who are close to my heart and I become very sensitive.</b><br />
<b>By the end of my transformation process, I think I'll become someone sans humor, sans soul, sans mind and only my brain to calculate my next step. That's something I would hate to become but I think, that is what the other social animals want me to be.</b><br />
<b>This post is no farce and all this actually puts me under a lot of stress. I have actually started wonder how will I ever be able to co-exist with my life partner.</b><br />
<b>I once again apologize to anyone and everyone who've been hurt by me. </b></div>Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-69164459083048958732011-05-08T09:24:00.001+05:302011-05-08T09:30:19.749+05:30Tide of the Night<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: right;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><b>-Vatsal Khullar</b></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><b>O Lord! Descend! Descend! Descend!<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />Present me the cloak of darkness<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />And seize from me the agony<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />Conceal with you, my encounter with defeat<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />Put me to sleep as night falls<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />For under thy bosom, I feel no harm<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />The confluence at dusk,<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />Comforts me with the transition,<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />Into tranquility that shall timidly walk in.<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />The all pervasive silence shall disperse itself in all directions,<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />And composure like the Bodhi, sullen the ambiance. <br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />As the world engrosses itself with the fallacy of worlds beyond stars<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />I light the fire,<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />For the embers shall be my friend for the night.<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />The crackling reassures me that I'm not alone.<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />Under the divine light of the moon,<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />I see my silhouette.<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />I hear the stars whisper my name.<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />They inspirit me with a promise,<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />That the sun shall bring warmth along,<br style="line-height: 1.2em; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;" />Which is best enjoyed after a cold winter night.</b></span></div>Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-62981528282563805432011-03-08T11:43:00.001+05:302011-03-08T14:45:14.857+05:30Don't wait,It may be too late<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b><br />
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<div style="text-align: right;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">-Vatsal Khullar</span></b></span></b></div><b>Lying down on the beach sand,</b><br />
<b>My gaze set upon the horizon.</b><br />
<b>I thought, there existed a world beyond the union</b><br />
<b>A world unknown to me,</b><br />
<b>A world unventured by me,</b><br />
<b>What was it like?</b><br />
<b>Why couldn't I ever look beyond my shell?</b><br />
<b>Cornered by such questions,</b><br />
<b>I set out on a journey.</b><br />
<b>It was one sans path,</b><br />
<b>It was one which would build the path</b><br />
<b>I never cared for those who lived beyond my vistas</b><br />
<b>But It was me was their focus,</b><br />
<b>In whose hearts, I throbbed.</b><br />
<b>My expedition could've been fruitful</b><br />
<b>But it was a little too late.</b><br />
<b>It was time for me to go,</b><br />
<b>Go without the last few words that could change lives,</b><br />
<b>The words which were more than just words.</b><br />
<b>I couldn't say the final goodbye,</b><br />
<b>As I saw them sobbing,</b><br />
<b>Not the ones I lived for,</b><br />
<b>But the ones who lived for me.</b><br />
<b>I stretched out my hand, </b><br />
<b>But all I could find was emptiness in the air.</b><br />
<b>Something was lost,</b><br />
<b>I was lost .</b><br />
<b>That is all that I remember of them.</b><br />
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<b>Courtesy: Boredom</b><br />
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</div></div>Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-6790225051684919802011-03-06T17:00:00.002+05:302011-03-06T17:03:30.166+05:30My Experiments with Food-Kyonki Hum Desh ke liye Khaate hain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>Disclaimer: This is not a sequel written by 'Note wale Bapuji'.</b><br />
<b>Hello Forks and Knives.Ironically enough, I started with a mention of Gandhiji who barely ate anything(With all his fast unto deaths and calculated meals) in a blog about Food. Woaahh!!</b><br />
<b>I'm sure this post would be one which will be close to My stomach and the tummies of those who'll someday eat food made by me. After writing a blog post about my obesity, next up is the reason, FOOD!</b><br />
<b>Before I go into the details, a small tribute to the writer. Basically people fall in love with me at their first site. I'm so handsome, dashing and smart. Who wouldn't love me even if I carry a pot (belly) with me. For those of you who don't know, I'm an aspiring chef. I love to eat and cooking is even more fun.</b><br />
<b>Though, foodies are generally 'Masahari', I for a change am a 'Dimaaghari'(Veg+Dimaag). Yummy brains haan. Ekdum *slurp* *slurp* *slurp* That's quite a PJ, lets just settle on 'Shaakahari'</b><br />
<b>But what I cook is yummier than brains. At least the people say so. The ones who don't, do not live to taste anything else. I love to experiment with what I cook(Once I made a coconut based Pasta). I can make a decent Thai Curry, Cup Cakes, Cakes(with and without icing), Souffle, Pasta, Garlic Bread and the list goes on for another 100-200 pages. That's how equipped and trained I am.</b><br />
<b>As I child also, I was very fond of cooking and hence joined the Home Science club. I face the repercussions till date. People still tease me because I was the only boy. Teachers still come up to me and say, "Oh, this boy has come such a long way from serving tea to guests". My Principal once told me after I'd conducted a quiz in school, "When I saw you in the refreshment duty, I never though you had so much talent". How encouraging(not).</b><br />
<b>The reason why I think I'd love to cook is because I love to eat. I eat like a glutton! I don't really take into consideration the calorie factor when the thing has taste factor attached to it. Obviously, hygiene is a separate issue altogether.I have a liking for all kinds of foods and cuisines. I personally like Italian, not a big fan of Chinese. Thai food is good too. But best to apne Indian Cuisines only. After all, Hum desh ke liye khaate hain. Indian food toh ekdum *Slurp* *Slurp* *Slurp*</b><br />
<b>India mein toh Guju food, Panju food, Tamilian food Ekdum Solid. The Bongs take over for the desserts. *National Integration*</b><br />
<b>But, there is no other bread that can compete with Garlic Nans in a duel and nothing as yummy as Dal Makhni and Shahi Paneer. Together the trio make an awesome combination which I don't mind eating for all the three meals.</b><br />
<b>So,*Burp* that's it *Burp* from the *Burp* Foodie Desk.</b><br />
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</div>Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-52078997391686821072011-02-17T23:37:00.000+05:302011-02-17T23:37:00.071+05:30Intrinsic Inlingua<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Though I've always been passionate about learning new languages, lately I have witnessed a sudden increase in my enthusiasm towards them. I hail from a background which has Sanskrit, Punjabi(the very language everyone tries to destroy in their attempt to speak it), Hindi and Gujarati attached to it though I can only speak d latter two with some fluency. Though my mother tongues remain to be Hindi and English.<br />
I have in recent times started picking up some funny phrases or words from Bengali, and practice on the Bengali crowd of our school. They deserve a special commendation for they sportingly accept the stupid remark I make and curse me back in Bengali! Bingo! Here I learn another word for them and set out on my endeavor to find out what that means. I have been learning the 'tongue rolling' language under the tutelage of Guru <a href="http://quoterandomlyricsoften.blogspot.com/">Suhasini Krishnan</a>, Guru <a href="http://peabee25.blogspot.com/">Priyanka Banerjee</a> and Guru <a href="http://thefunnynamedblog.blogspot.com/">Ishan Roy</a>. Some words I picked up today were:<br />
Nongra Kukoor= Ganda kutta<br />
Bhalo Bhedal= Achhi Billi(HAHAHAHAHHAHA!!!)<br />
Ghoda'r Dheem= Horse ki poop<br />
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The other language that I fluently converse in and can read only a 'leeeeetle beeet'(in the French style) is Gujarati. The first thing that I've been asked to do by people when they find out that I speak in Gujarati is to say 'Kem Cho?' I mean Gujarati isn't limited to just 'How are you?' It's a goddamn language people!(Didn't I just sound like <a href="http://quoterandomlyricsoften.blogspot.com/">Su</a>?). The second thing on their agenda is to ask me to say something in 'The' language as if I carry a set of phrases to say in front of people. Atleast be decent enough to give me a line to speak or maybe some words? For this reason(and for acting miserly at times) my friends like to call me Gujju Seth!<br />
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The remains of a half built French building can still be traced in me which is crumbling day by day. My three year stint with French has left me with a legacy of a handful of words sans grammar. The brief period gave me just a glimpse of the language that has against its name one of the oldest literatures. The thing which still puzzles me is that why do they not have proper words for 70,80 and 90? I have known one 'French Fanatic', a die hard French lover who virtually worships French. Mademoiselle <a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=792925507">Gauri</a> is one person who is always so excited about the French . The language topper knows way too much about France and the French culture than even the French themselves do I believe. She ardently collects French magazines and her latest tally is 21.<br />
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Another language that fascinates me alot is Urdu. Actually, it isn't Urdu but Urdu poetry that I genuinely wish to read and understand. The poems written by distinguished poets like Mirza Ghalib, Bahadur Shah 'Zafar', Zauq or the more contemporary ones like Javed Akhtar and Gulzar have enticed me lately. I wish I knew some of the language so that I too could write maybe just a beautiful Couplet.<br />
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These are the languages that I know or wish to know. I didn't really touch upon any of the International languages but there aren't many that I would like to learn as compared to the Indian ones. It is a matter of pride for me that all over the world, countries have one language they speak but India can boast of not 1 or 2 languages but 28 recognized ones and another maybe 100 which are spoken around the subcontinent.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_R-Kwao8pTJw/TEALtm7dgJI/AAAAAAAAAqI/vdGi9-NFcDU/Languagepanel_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_R-Kwao8pTJw/TEALtm7dgJI/AAAAAAAAAqI/vdGi9-NFcDU/Languagepanel_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="155" /></a></div><br />
</div>Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-65204296905061574292011-01-14T23:19:00.004+05:302011-01-15T12:35:43.011+05:30Dharma Kshetra: Kurukshetra<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDCq2HKDHF6EBdwfBEoLvNifJZWPgDuGklnjzSNPuFHxnxTIHv78VLg5SJfrVSrFush-oNfH_t-YAWGH48atyM5e6kTR43axAATePAJTiD8t0V9AwguoOQ8pjhtgBYP47A0r0mId-iYhA/s1600/Kurukshetra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDCq2HKDHF6EBdwfBEoLvNifJZWPgDuGklnjzSNPuFHxnxTIHv78VLg5SJfrVSrFush-oNfH_t-YAWGH48atyM5e6kTR43axAATePAJTiD8t0V9AwguoOQ8pjhtgBYP47A0r0mId-iYhA/s320/Kurukshetra.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Truth always Triumphs is what we learn from our epics but the path, is seldom easy. I write today about the Indian Epic I like the most, Mahabharat. It is not my religious inclination that makes me write this today but my sheer fascination for the story, its characters and the way it has been written.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am well aware that this post will only have a handful of readers and an even lesser number of comments, but that doesn't deter me from continuing. Also, Summing the entire Epic Poem wouldn't be possibly for me, still an amateur writer.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The story follows the events which lead to the Kurukshetra War between the two sparring factions of the Kuru Brothers. The Hastinapur kingdom had to be divided into two, to accommodate the two brothers.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyu-6Nl4HI8LUxjDab7Zy4yOQuHNtyk_JDMPW5c1QqhoFcMFMU-96xknGgxqQ4WarvqdJgOnF9mmC8y1H4jhMo2AYNQQA6CCbxdXbxZmmpdbVPZWGHFVWO1meBOpJlUbzfxOS3ZuNEzDOo/s1600/800px-Draupadi_humiliated_RRV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyu-6Nl4HI8LUxjDab7Zy4yOQuHNtyk_JDMPW5c1QqhoFcMFMU-96xknGgxqQ4WarvqdJgOnF9mmC8y1H4jhMo2AYNQQA6CCbxdXbxZmmpdbVPZWGHFVWO1meBOpJlUbzfxOS3ZuNEzDOo/s320/800px-Draupadi_humiliated_RRV.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pandavas, the rightful successors of Hastinapur, who ruled Indraprastha, were unlawfully beaten in a game of die and sent to the forests for 12 years in exile and one year of exile in disguise. This cheating wasn't new to them as previous attempts to kill and dethrone them had been made. Duryodhana, to insult his rivals had stooped down to insulting Draupadi and publically de robing her. In all his evil actions he was accompanied by Shakuni, Dushasana and Karna.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The enmity existed since Childhood but the major conspiracies began with the burning of house in Varnavrata, cheating during the game of die, indecency with Draupadi,etc. Duryodhana's lust for Power had reached d apex point where he was ready to lay down lives of innocents so that he does not have to give up half the kingdom to the rightful owners(He even refused to give the Pandavas 5 villages in exchange of their demand for Indraprastha).</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bhishma fell on the 10th day of the war when his body was shot with multiple arrows by Arjun, but he only died after the war had ended as he was bound by a vow, given by him to his father. He lay on a bed of arrows for 8 days in the battlefield. The war eventually ended in The Pandavas victory and Yudhishtir</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">a was crowned the King. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7sKXowXB8ZiyxCvXV0p16tU_jUTdv6qFbXmx_KYTbZpDFzF3jlwrKSjy3U7781DlhhEZ4NxONcyVSYmpBEuK9cu-qpHjUQHKQwY-2pHq-jVD7d5MUORap_dKRW_nmiup5B1Hy2M2TEvG/s1600/Files+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7sKXowXB8ZiyxCvXV0p16tU_jUTdv6qFbXmx_KYTbZpDFzF3jlwrKSjy3U7781DlhhEZ4NxONcyVSYmpBEuK9cu-qpHjUQHKQwY-2pHq-jVD7d5MUORap_dKRW_nmiup5B1Hy2M2TEvG/s320/Files+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My Favorite Characters in the Story are Bhishma, Vidur and Krishna. Their views and their undying attempts to stop the war must be commended. Their logics to defend what they said, and the very trait that they spoke only the amount required moved me. Bhishma, who regarded Hastinapur as his mother, tried to Pacify things and prevent the destruction which would eventually destroy his beloved Kingdom. He had been under the tutelage of Parashuram who was a renowned warrior, and Bhishma was considered to be a Flawless Combatant.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would also like to mention my appreciation towards Karna for the chivalrous person he was. He always felt indebted towards Duryodhana for considering him a friend and crowning him the Kings of Anga, the reason why he never left Duryodhana's side. He was a Charitable man and always eager for a war. He had to bear a lot of insult for being brought up by a Charioteer. His love and respect for his friend was such that even after finding out that he was Kunti's eldest son that he could eventually be the King of Hastinapur, he refused to side with the Pandavas, the reason being that he was indebted by Duryodhana. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dhritrashtra's love for his son had blinded him and thwarted all efforts made by all the well wishers to stop what was eventually destined to happen. No threating or warning could made by sages, his ministers, wife, charioteer could move him and stop his son.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The war itself couldn't be fought without malpractices. The rules were flouted by both the sides. The Pandavas always shielded their acts by citing previous instances wherein the Kaurvas had not kept there word. An example would be where Abhimanyu, Arjun's son was murdered by multiple people at once where as it had been decided that only a duel would take place between two warriors.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWg1M2lfuf9jgHRaWGTdbafzKWrYO5CmxVT1Mi3IgMgsrHXRoX6CtN656uSlCvrEl54ckXoNbhq2dLji-mgsl9NCC6h-75FfYIYqdpnqJfEhwDRVbvAsfxCNwlTQYkv32HhqG23PJ3-bE/s1600/Krishna_and_Arjun_on_the_chariot%252C_Mahabharata%252C_18th-19th_century%252C_India.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWg1M2lfuf9jgHRaWGTdbafzKWrYO5CmxVT1Mi3IgMgsrHXRoX6CtN656uSlCvrEl54ckXoNbhq2dLji-mgsl9NCC6h-75FfYIYqdpnqJfEhwDRVbvAsfxCNwlTQYkv32HhqG23PJ3-bE/s320/Krishna_and_Arjun_on_the_chariot%252C_Mahabharata%252C_18th-19th_century%252C_India.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The reason why I score Mahabharata over Ramayana would be because of it's relevance in today's time. At a time when brother's are running after each other's life, in a world dominated by materialism, the story seems so apt even today. The cruelties being committed on Women shows that there respect and image in society has stagnated ever since. It also shows the differences which exist in every family big or small, and the presence of protagonists and antagonists. There is something to learn in every small incident and word spoken by someone.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Another thing that influences me is that every character unlike Ramayana has a shade of grey. Like reality, there are goods and bads in everyone's personality. In Ramayana one either has a white shade, when every trait of his is good or he's demonized for his negatives.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvF2F-4fn9TLP8efPMgxD1mLrVvs_wVJUwWYTCxUqpz1b-MbKt0X74cEp_mW7FIewCjbLhXjfU2bQE588up5ZRmjYzhDkfRPLuz9kfFVjST6vJ_M4pItm4n8l_sckgSAzm8ZWLUtwgBPu/s1600/Mahabharata2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvF2F-4fn9TLP8efPMgxD1mLrVvs_wVJUwWYTCxUqpz1b-MbKt0X74cEp_mW7FIewCjbLhXjfU2bQE588up5ZRmjYzhDkfRPLuz9kfFVjST6vJ_M4pItm4n8l_sckgSAzm8ZWLUtwgBPu/s320/Mahabharata2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Epic also gave the Hindus their Sacred Book, the Bhagvat Gita.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would advise the avid readers to read the book and the Non avid readers to atleast watch it on TV. It would actually be better if everyone watches it on the TV, because the complexity in the story and the number of characters can surely confuse anyone.</span>Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-64734897837119998742010-12-26T01:14:00.004+05:302010-12-26T22:33:00.028+05:30Rail Ki Kahani, Meri Zubani<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As I waited on the platform at the Borivali station awaiting the arrival of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shatabadi Express, noticing the flies over the railway tracks, It struck me how enthusiastic people are about travelling by train in India. It was 7am.I was about to travel in India's fastest train in a few moments. They train slowly entered the station bringing in with it that signature smell and a lot of mosquitoes! The train justs topped there for two minutes and I had to make way for noddy(myself) to get into the train, pushing aside the other's who were imitating me ;)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I had 2 bags with my clothes and 3 cartons of the best quality Alphonso mangoes(without which my family wouldn't let me enter my home). Mangoes are a must for my family whenever I come from Mumbai. But I must also say that my maternal side makes good use of those mangoes. They store the pulp for the year, make Aamras, Mango shakes, Dishes, raw and what not!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">'Sumhow', I managed to reach my designated seat after winning my war with the ever rowdy crowd, and settled on my chair. An assortment of newspapers and magazines was lying lined up in front of me for MY entertainment. I just picked up a TOI and glanced through the Bombay version, to accompany my reading session, the waiter/rail purser/you choose appropriately brought in d trolley and asked me if I wanted coffee. Why in world would I ever refuse a cup of coffee? By the time I was done wid my old age style of reading the newspaper and sipping my coffee, I was deep in the countryside with distant huts and nearby fields clearly visible.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My huge window gave me a clear view of the passing rivers, windmills and at times Power Plants. It may seem dull when I write about it but you don't get bored even for a minute even if you get to see the same fields, trees and hutments for hours. Though I had been advised to catch up on my lost sleep because I had got up at 5 but the journey didn't make me sleepy at all. After all this was the first time I had initiated a rail journey all by myself.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was on this journey that I realized why Gandhiji always preferred to travel in 3rd Class with the masses. It was because it connected India, not just geographically but also socially. In a train, it really didn't matter to people who was sitting next to them. It hardly matter if it was a Brahmin or a Muslim in that era which was dominated by Casteism and Communalism. He also got to interact with people of different strata's of society and how people thought. Railways were to India then what Tata tea is to India now :P</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Coming back to my journey, I had by now entered one of the most developed states of India, Gujarat. It was quite evident from the train because instead of those poverty stricken mud-houses, I could now see pucca houses. The trees which lined the tracks were full of raw mangoes. I knew that somewhere behind those trees was one of the most beautiful village from where my grandfather hailed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We soon crossed important stations like Navsari, Anand, Vadodara, etc. But more than stations in my journey was food!!! There was something or the other constantly coming in infront of me. It all started with that refreshing cup of coffee, followed by breakfast, then coffee again, soup, lunch and finally dessert. The food wasn't as bad as the newspapers say but it wasn't excellent either.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The train gradually slowed down and when the regular travelers got up, I knew it was the end of my very enjoyable journey and it was time for me to pick up my 5 pieces of luggage with 2 hands(now I wish I was one of those million gods who have 4-6 hands). The temperature in Ahmedabad was 45 degrees and it was as if I'd entered an Oven from a Refrigerator. I found an auto and bid goodbye to the train who had played the role a host to me for 7 hours. It had taken me through the countryside where India's heart, beauty and diversity lies.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It was then that I realized that though it had taken me longer than a flight but the trip was more than just travelling. It was an experience for me which I would remember all my life. It wasn't just looking at things from the top(more than the things, it is the clouds we see) but I was with the the scenery. I was a part of the whole canvas.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would suggest everyone that if you have time, you must travel in India by train because it is a unique experience that I feel everyone will rejoice in.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">P.S.: I would take this opportunity to pay tribute to my Maternal Grandfather who was a great rail enthusiast. Someone who could bet on railway timings. His love for trains was such that he would take the longest possible railway route to get to his destination. I'm always reminded of the great soul whenever railways are mentioned in front of me.</span>Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-4512869877085576502010-12-22T18:25:00.000+05:302010-12-22T18:25:39.549+05:30BMI: Bohot (Zyada) Munching IndexAs I continue to eat and ask people to surrender their tiffins to me, I have aptly and rightfully gained the title of 'The Foodie' or a little more rough tag of Bhukkad! I'm someone who appears from thin air whenever a tiffin is opened, whenever food is bought, whenever someone cooks, and the likes of such situations. No wonder my brother equates me to the baby depicted in the advertisements of Michelin tyres<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVP4fLZK7HKRzUV55SFsJFqYRd9UsNgkiSnO4-9W6-NurlAocvHJxevMhcd-QkPNkat4EMYountdtYPvEs0p2UuW1UJKfHhWJFABtJlwsOt0iDH43RYCCXXT9m1Ybx1HToHhDvcZEJ3Wb/s1600/michelin_logo_2369.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVP4fLZK7HKRzUV55SFsJFqYRd9UsNgkiSnO4-9W6-NurlAocvHJxevMhcd-QkPNkat4EMYountdtYPvEs0p2UuW1UJKfHhWJFABtJlwsOt0iDH43RYCCXXT9m1Ybx1HToHhDvcZEJ3Wb/s320/michelin_logo_2369.gif" width="320" /></a></div>Doesn't my body look like this guy? I guess it does, all because of my eating habits. Astonishingly, I don't regret or I have no remorse for the way i binge on food because I have a very simple theory(inspired by my father) that this is the only life I have to live, so why not live it to the fullest?<br />
I may control myself by putting restrictions on my eating to turn my lifestyle into a 'Healthy' one but what's the fun then? Will I be happy? N-O NO! Without good food, my life will be a boat without water, a mobile without balance, a pair of shoes without feet, clothes without a body,etc.,etc.(I hope I've made my point clear :P)<br />
I may extend the last few years of my life by doing so, but are those years, when your body has been infested with every single disease known to Human kind, worth living? In my opinion, it's another N and an O.<br />
The only reason why I would put in that my effort and heart into that 'enormous' task of losing weight would be for two reasons! The first is obvious and I leave it upon the readers to decide( I just hope I have people with some intellect reading this who can figure this out) and secondly so that I can get RID of the acne which have turned my face into the surface of the moon. Anybody willing to go on an expedition may do so on my face(Registrations now open for girls. Criteria:The candidate should be beautiful ;)) ( Well, I guess i just overshot my limit, but nevertheless, registrations are still open for Who dares wins :P)<br />
I just wish I could have my acne-free skin back again! I miss those golden days when 'people' use to pull my cheeks and say 'Such a quite little boy'.<br />
So I'll end this before my tears wipe the ink of this post.<br />
P.S.: Please oblige me by 'penning' down your comments!Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-43683685723562215312010-12-16T23:16:00.001+05:302010-12-16T23:16:17.494+05:30In the wee hours of morning<div class="MsoNormal">It stood tall with might</div><div class="MsoNormal">The day broke, bringing in light</div><div class="MsoNormal">Gushes of air engulfing me</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I stood underneath the pine tree</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The day broke , brining in light</div><div class="MsoNormal">Birds chirping melodiously</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I stood underneath the pine tree</div><div class="MsoNormal">Imbibing the composure and serenity</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Birds chirping melodiously</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ending the silence of the night</div><div class="MsoNormal">Imbibing the composure and serenity</div><div class="MsoNormal">Embellishing the day, now active and bright</div>Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-34953295647341120172010-12-16T23:15:00.000+05:302010-12-16T23:15:43.762+05:30Enlightened<span style="color: black; font-family: "Microsoft YaHei","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN;"> Enlightened<br />
I <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walk<br />
Home <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Experiences<br />
Gathered,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>now <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mould<br />
My <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>personality,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thinking,<br />
Making <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>me<br />
Stronger</span>Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-79339710886260536372010-12-05T13:09:00.000+05:302010-12-06T19:06:33.139+05:30A ship that never sinks....As I switch off the lights in my room and lie down on the bed, my minds drifts away, not to places around the world or to the time that has passed, it drifts to the time that is yet to come. It lingers to a place where I see an old bespectacled man with white hair, wrinkled and sagging skin weeping on a sofa as he speaks to someone in his faint and squeaky voice, both reminiscing their childhood days. Sobbing nostalgically at the bygone glorious days of their youth, full of joyful and sorrowful moments when they stood by each other.<br />
<br />
As I dire to see the face of the other person, my mind questions who could that be? Who shall secure such a special place that he could move me to tears? Is there someone with whom I will share such a relationship? The answer that comes back to me is that apart from family, the only ones who make that little space in your heart are the people who are family to you: Friends.<br />
<br />
I'm a person who does not make friends very fast. It takes me some time, and the other person some more time to accept me. I don't know if that is due to my looks, my conduct or something else. I also am aware that at times while I'm in a facetious mood, I cross my limits when while joking, therefore irritating the other person.<br />
<br />
I recall the days and the people whom I once considered friends but we stand estranged now. Such instances have turned me into an insecure person. I always fear the loss of my friends whom I consider 'True' pals. I think I've finally found associates for whom I could lay down my life without expecting them to do the same.<br />
I write this today for the first time, to tell my mates that they really matter to me and that I always fear their loss :)Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-83257459660235524512010-11-26T23:36:00.000+05:302010-11-26T23:36:49.829+05:30Have we learnt our lessons?So finally we got to see tanks rolling down the streets of South Mumbai- Not to control a riot, but a 'ceremonial' parade to mark the 2nd anniversary of the tragic Mumbai Attacks. Some memorials have also come up in different parts of the city including the iconic Taj Hotel and The Oberoi Trident, where the terrorists wantonly killed more than 200 people.<br />
It saddens me to say this but apart from wide criticisms of such an attack, we haven't managed to achieve much. International pressure hasn't brought us any good because Pakistan is still indifferent to the Indian demand to bring the perpetrators of the attack to Justice. Mothers still lament and sorrow the death of their brave and valiant sons who lost their lives in a country, which fails to even honour their sacrifice.<br />
A media report has recently uncovered an astonishing fact that even after 2 years of the barbaric attacks, the city of Mumbai lacks the equipment and weaponry to handle another attack of this intensity if it happens. I think it'll take another 3-4 attacks and 700-800 lives before we Indians get out of our slumber to beef up our defenses inspect the reasons why such an attack was carried out.<br />
The lone surviving terrorist of the attack H.E. Ajmal Amir Kasab, despite being given a death sentence continues to endure a fearless life in luxury. Despite the fact that he was caught red handed, I think the Indian Judiciary is just stretching the case to showcase the world how transparent and just the Indian Judiciary is.<br />
Hoping that we stand up united against the divisive forces and resist such attacks aimed to disintegrate India.<br />
Jai Hind!Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-22695687001988497682010-10-24T00:22:00.000+05:302010-10-24T00:22:53.458+05:30The Delhi lootfestAs the Helium filled blimp rose in the air in the Jawahar Lal Stadium, a 60,000 strong audience let out their oohs and aahs, clicking the spectacle in their Cameras. What followed that, left the audiences in the stadium and the TV screen awe-struck and gaping. With widespread allegations of corruptions preceding the games, no one had really expected such a flawless opening ceremony. The International media went to the extent of calling the Open Ceremony better than Beijing could put up.<br />
<div>The next 11 days were full of enthusiasm and came as joyful for some and heartbreaking for the others at the same time. India managed to break its previous CWG medal record and secured the 2nd position in the Medal Tally. The Delhi 2010 games also saw a lot of records being broken and new ones being set. Overall the games were given the tag of 'Successful'.</div><div>However, the term successful itself is ambiguous. What exactly should be there in the games for it to be successful? Despite the fact that top athletes backed out, human rights were violated, tourists avoided coming to Delhi, incomplete work till the last minute, a CWG village full of filth, how on earth can we call such games 'Successful'? A more appropriate word would be Fiasco!</div><div>The official figure for the games expenditure(excluding the cost of the swanking new airport and metro) stands at 23,000 crores whereas the revenue the games have generated doesn't even touch 80 crores. Newspaper reports suggest that Delhites will have to pay for the games for the next 30 years as part of the various taxes. The cost of the the equipments and the renovation was inflated exponentially and a good amount of money went to the personal accounts of the highly placed people. Such cases of corruption should be treated severely with an iron fist and the guilty should be slapped with charges of treason.</div><div>The probe headed by the CVC is looking into the charges of fraud and has promised to punish the convicts. The report with the findings will be submitted in 3 months.</div><div>Among the many people who voraciously expressed their dissatisfaction with India holding the games was an Ex-Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer who said that, if the money used for the games would've been used to strengthen and reinforce the infrastructure related to sports in our country, Indian athletes could've out shined countries like China, USA, Russia, Australia who perform exceedingly well and compete for the top notch in Olympics and World Championships.</div><div>The IOA has commenced the process for bidding for the 2019 Asian Games and speculation is rife that India will also bid for the 2020 Olympics.</div><div>Ending on a positive note with a hope that we'll learn from our mistakes and the next time we hold such an event, stringent and regular checks will not give us a chance to let others question our readiness and we ourselves will not commit a heinous crime like stealing the peoples hard earned money by an act of theft. </div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-31252494498906046882010-10-01T17:54:00.000+05:302010-10-01T17:54:36.457+05:30Gar Firdaus, ruhe zameen ast, hamin asto, hamin asto, hamin astoMaharaja Hari Singh greeted the guests in his Durbar Hall who had come for the Grand Dinner hosted by the king, unaware of the jackals who'd crossed the Jhelum into his beloved Kashmir, who's throne he failed to give up. <br />
Somewhere else the Pathan tribesmen, sent by the Government of Pakistan waited on the other side of the bridge waiting to get a signal from the Muslim Kashmiri guards that they'd killed their Hindu counterparts. While, the Maharaja and his guests rejoiced the Independence of Kashmir, something sinister was being carried out 50 miles west of Srinagar. A group of men planted dynamites inside the Mahura Power Plant, the sole power station in Kashmir and destroyed it, plunging the whole state into darkness.<br />
As soon as the Pathans entered the boundary of Kashmir, they dispersed into the Dark night to loot the Bazaars known for their Handicrafts all over the world. All efforts to call them back made by their heads to continue their voyage to Srinagar were all in vain. The people of Pakistan describe this looting as the biggest mistake made by the tribesmen .<br />
Maharaja Hari Singh made a distress call to India, asking them to rush troops to counter the invaders. However, India, in order to give this a legal framework asked the Maharaja to sign the Treaty of Accession so that India can legitimately send in the troops. Hari Singh had to give in and troops were airlifted to Kashmir after the accord was duly given the assent.<br />
The newly formed Dominions of India and Pakistan locked horns over this issue and believed that this was the time they could vent out the bitterness and hatred towards each other. After a combat, this issue reached the UN. The UN advised that the Pakistani forces retreat to the International Border and after normalcy is restored, a plebiscite be conducted in the state to decide which side do the people want to join. This plebiscite was never conducted and the Kashmiris now say that they were cheated by the Indians.<br />
The dispute continues to exist and 4 wars have been fought between the two countries over the issue. Talks meant to find a solution to the problem have failed and in-spite of international pressure, no solution has been found. The state continues to witness Human Rights violations, violent protests, high unemployment, murders, rapes,etc. and the state is mostly dependent on the center for funds.<br />
This conflict has cost both the sides millions of rupees and Heavy militiralization of the region. The state has been a victim to heavy insurgency and terrorism for the past two decades. Both the sides believe that a solution needs to be found to the problem at the earliest.<br />
The possible solutions that are doing the rounds are:<br />
1. Making the international border irrelevant and both the sides have their own joint jurisdiction over.<br />
2. Considering the LOC as the international border.<br />
The US President has told India that it needs to solve the Kashmir issue before it can secure a place in the UN Security Council.<br />
An answer to this problem has been given by the people of Kashmir themselves.Independence.<br />
This issue has been persistently raised by the separatist leaders there and continues to invoke passion among the people. Independence as an option has been voraciously debated in India and the around the world.<br />
The Kashmiris fail to understand that because of this very demand, they are in such a mess today. Their state is landlocked, topography is mountainous which means agriculture on a large scale is not possible, large area but thinly populated,etc. With so many reasons, survival without support is absurd.<br />
The only feasible option that stands in front of them is to join India, a secular nation as this integration would be licit taking into account the fact that the Maharaja had acceded to India and also taking into consideration that the state has a significant Hindu and Buddhist population.<br />
Hoping for a speedy but unobjectionable solution to the problem.Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7253364942128971126.post-44302892377450516782010-09-25T00:59:00.000+05:302010-09-25T00:59:54.021+05:30The Sacrosanct DivideThe birth city of Ram, Ayodhya, has turned into a fortress with just 4 days to go for the Supreme Court Bench hearing on the deferment plea.Paramilitary forces have been deployed in Ayodhya and all major cities to control the situation created by the verdict. The outcome of the hearing will decide the fate of the land which has been the subject of debate for more than half a century now.<br />
The Hindus believe that the land is the birth place of Lord Rama and a temple dedicated to his glory stood there before Babur ordered the sanctum sanctorum to be demolished and a Mosque(Masjid) be built over the rubble.Thus it got its name 'Babri' or the one constructed by the grace of Babur. The 500 year old Mosque witnessed events that changed the course of Indian history over the years. It oversaw the rise and fall of the Mughal and British Empire followed by the World Wars and later the challenges Independent India faced.<br />
The seeds of conflict were sowed in 1946 when the Hindus claimed the site and a full scale debate erupted when in 1949, idols of Ram, Sita and Laksham were installed in the Masjid while the security personnel were asleep. The ensuing fight between the Hindus and the Muslims culminated when lakhs of Karsevaks assembled near the Masjid and Demolished it. In 2003, a survey conducted by the ASI revealed that it had found the ruins of a 14th Century temple where the Masjid once stood.<br />
The place is extremely sacred to the Hindus since it is the birthplace of Lord Ram and it known as the Ram Janmabhoomi. The sentimental value attached to it and the cultural connection induces a feeling of pride in Indians and the zeal of acquiring the land comes from within. I feel that Muslims do not have any religious value attached to the land except for the fact that a mosque once stood their. The founder of their religion or one of the most revered god in their religion was not born on that piece of earth and thus they should 'sacrifice' that land to set an example for the majority to learn and become the epitome of love, harmony and peace in India. I also feel that apart from constructing a grand temple at the Ram Janmbhoomi, a mosque should be constructed in the adjoining area by the Hindus keeping a part of the temple funds to honour what the Muslims have done for them.<br />
Such an example of togetherness and adjustment would increase the trust among Hindus and Muslims and reduce the threat of a future conflict or riots In India. If such a solution can be found, it will instill a sense of victory among both the factions and help the Hindu Majority comprehend that their interests are safe in India.<br />
I hope that what could not be accomplished in the last 18 years is achieved in the coming days and a peaceful solution is either negotiated or a verdict is given which is acceptable to both.Vatsalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10516142625750861671noreply@blogger.com15