tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30730531751149247942024-03-19T05:42:35.579-07:00Wrapped up in thoughts!Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-62131498492471183632018-02-20T06:33:00.001-08:002018-02-20T06:35:00.347-08:00Rumor<p dir="ltr">Rumor has it<br>
That she has left.<br>
She no longer lives<br>
Where she used to.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Her plants has died<br>
That she took care of.<br>
Balcony is filled with dried leaves<br>
And wind blown scrap</p>
<p dir="ltr">Bills remain unpaid<br>
Groceries uncooked, stale<br>
Calls to her goes unanswered<br>
And messages undelivered.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Nobody knows her story<br>
Or why she left.<br>
What is her pain <br>
And what she suffered.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Rumor has <u>it</u><br>
That she has left.<br>
Never to be back again.</p>
Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-19027823256245876592017-08-22T08:45:00.001-07:002017-08-23T19:27:17.302-07:00Accused: not real enough<p dir="ltr">I am currently caught up in a frenzy of legal jargons like prosecution, defence, deposition, subpoenas, sentence, out of court settlements, guilty or not guilty. All these owing to back to back episodes of 6 seasons of 'Suits' and John Grisham's 'The Rainmaker'. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Started to wonder how many times we get accused in life by friends, best friends,  lover, family, colleagues, acquaintances and strangers of things that we do, we don't and what they think we are. We are often handed out a sentence without the opportunity to build our case and fight it. Getting cold shouldered is an example of this. Judged by people and tried and punished, sometimes all happens so fast and we get served, out of nowhere.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Got served recently by someone extremely close. Accused of being not real enough. It is not the same as being 'unreal' which would mean unbelievable or out of the world! Not real enough would probably mean not genuine enough or not worth anything to be done for you. You are real but sorry not real enough in my life. It is all the same like being accused of a crime, going through a trial unaware and then jolted back to reality when the verdict is out for you. And it is final. Accused of being not real enough. I can't fight my case, and I can't plead not guilty as it is not going to affect the judgement. </p>
<p dir="ltr">So I am going back to the pages of Rainmaker because it is more fair than life. The accused gets time to build a case and  prepare. Plead not guilty. The accused there gets a fair trial.</p>
Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-82535702405271630652017-08-06T11:19:00.001-07:002017-08-06T11:19:28.176-07:00Sounds of the night.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
The night itself is quiet, reserved and eerie.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the sounds that accompany it are not. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two kinds.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Dogs barking, the siren of the ambulance, the noise of a car
reversing, ticking of the clock, furniture being pushed, rare sounds of a
cricket, a train whistling, an owl screeching, wind hitting the windows, a
child crying.. The sounds gets magnified in the dark and in the quiet of the
night. They come much closer to you as the distance between the sound and you
gets lost in the night. But they are tangible in the sense you can <i>unfeel</i> them. They are external noise and
can be Ignored or blocked by covering your ears and putting on some music. Or
by moving to a high rise apartment. Or by sound sleep.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was the first kind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Second kind is internal to you. But these sounds makes the
night air heavy. Ecstasy of achieving a long awaited dream, nervousness for a
big interview the next morning, disbelief that you have won what you have, travelling
excitement, prospects of a new beginning, gratefulness for a second chance,
prayers of relief that the battle is over, happiness of having your love by
your side.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wails of the heart for a love that will never be yours to
hold, accepting the failure, prayers for the sun not to rise tomorrow, dismay
for a lost opportunity, cowardly decision’s voices, dread for the next day at
work, cry for that lost friend, sobbing into the pillow to drown that sound, pain
that is beyond physical, loss of appetite for life.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The night air is heavy with these sounds when you step out
from your room. It seems so quiet and peaceful but it is noisier than the most
crowded place you have ever been. The night cannot sleep because of this. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The night is never at peace.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-31648636525087259382017-07-27T08:57:00.001-07:002017-07-28T04:54:33.067-07:00*T&C do not apply<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The process of giving and receiving is ancient and exists so
intensely in our species. It is dynamic and continuous, each one of us goes
through it probably more than ten times in a day. In the corporate world we
say, “I scratch your back and you scratch mine”. We give something and we want something in return. We
do something for someone and we expect that person to do something similar for
us. We are only human, after all. <i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">(Courtesy </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; line-height: 107%;">Sierra Noble
- Human After All Feat. Michael Logen)</span></span></i><br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
It lies in our core, maybe. As humans, we tend to get
attached and expect. To be a giver and not wanting to receive is tough and
impractical. You act out of pure love and harboring expectations that person would
do something similar is not unreasonable. You receive it, you are happy. You do
not receive, it hurts you. Would not it be much easier with no terms &
conditions being implied when you are a giver? They say the world is round. So
if you keep on giving love, help, blessings, prayers, support, appreciation out
to the world, one day it is going to come back to you. <o:p></o:p><br>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-2HIqn2jnFkH3T63u9MLgmDbbCDI0hIRepbBFQqPKDyyGa2smCTu97yDo8ZdcwdeIOn2cFZIYnTXmRa1UG8Ap53x3aEsSaiNhYOasZms_hdER_c96lGp4EC9pQZmYvWK97jngDcvkTE/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="188" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-2HIqn2jnFkH3T63u9MLgmDbbCDI0hIRepbBFQqPKDyyGa2smCTu97yDo8ZdcwdeIOn2cFZIYnTXmRa1UG8Ap53x3aEsSaiNhYOasZms_hdER_c96lGp4EC9pQZmYvWK97jngDcvkTE/s200/download.jpg" width="200"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let us not talk about love here, is it not already
complicated enough.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let us talk about selfless kindness. Or compassion towards
our colleagues at work. Supporting each
other without corporate politics involved, without forming lobbies, fulfilling
ambitions through sheer honesty and hard (or smart) work. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let us talk about helping people generally, strangers or
acquaintances. No kind deed should be looked upon a favor to be returned at an
appropriate time and place. Giving without keeping any hope of receiving is not
easy. I try every day and fail maybe 95% of the time. It does not make me
selfish, does it? But I do have to make a conscious decision to shake off any
anticipation to receive. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ed/99/84/ed9984ec0236d1396a642adc1ac9e156--bestfriends-bff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for dogs unconditional love" border="0" height="320" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ed/99/84/ed9984ec0236d1396a642adc1ac9e156--bestfriends-bff.jpg" width="273"></a>At work, I used to often cross paths with an ex colleague. I
must have smiled at him every time for almost a month and he never acknowledged
or returned it. Then soon I stopped too. At first, deliberately and then it came
naturally to me. To look at his eyes and turn my face away, without spending a
free smile. Today, I look back and do not see his cold face and I only remember
my immaturity. Imagine getting worked up so much for a smile. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Selfless people are great, they have crossed over to the
other side. They have understood the meaning of loving without expecting, they
sleep better at night and are at peace. Anyone who has a pet dog can understand
what I am talking about here. A dog’s affection for his/her master is pure,
unrefined and innocent. Can all of us be less like humans and more like dogs?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What a world would this be if every time we give out something,
terms & conditions do not apply?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal">Small acts, small steps. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal">To just give
without intentions, to just give without limitations.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-7311142938153941202017-02-18T11:03:00.000-08:002017-02-18T11:03:27.763-08:00Quicksand.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is an
emotion, being in quicksand. Slowly and surely, you feel being pulled into it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Scientifically,
quicksand is sand that has absorbed too much water and becomes extremely light.
You step on it and it gives way. You will not drown to death; you will only
feel like you will. Because the ground below is not infinite and it has a base.
If you just remain calm and slowly find your way out of it, you will live. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I guess it
is not easy to be calm at that time. Maybe the brain stops working and the
logic does not seem logical. Only the ones who have felt it can explain though
it is inexplicable. This feeling of drowning into nothingness.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Quicksand is
not always a negative state to be in, contrary to what Google says when you
search for it. So this might be a different take on the concept. This is the
fun about abstract topics; there are always more perspectives than what meets
the eye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You might be
drunk on ambition and greed; it pulls you in. it is difficult to stop the craziness,
and it is quicksand. It requires the strength and will power to come out of
this mad cycle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You might be in love. You might be
losing something or someone. You are experiencing it and not able to take the
path which is logical and practical for you. The constant war, the constant
debate in your head. Sometimes the pull and the tide are way too strong:
quicksand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I think
courage is the key here. Courage does not always mean being not afraid. Or to
find the way, to swim to the shore, to fight for what you want. Sometimes courage
is also to find the will to stay right at the spot you are, just holding on. You
don’t have to wait for help, you just have to hold on. It does not mean you are
depending on anything or anyone else to come and find you. It is just enough to
just hold on. It is okay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Quicksand is
not a bad place to be. If you happen to be in one, give it a chance. Give
yourself the chance to experience it. It might change the whole perspective of
life that you had.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-67194497380521115322017-01-21T09:09:00.000-08:002017-01-21T09:14:51.465-08:00The pain of Optimism<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1kNmZbchmIo6II5kF4Vt8H6J9wkQr7UBtQDObmNMHqc2anBv3Sj2I6pPeTVkDwrLOj13qAySp1lxhsmAQR1TNn32Myb0XFLfRlgT0ohIl4AVKPnFRFb54AWZJvQXmzdMyxjlXGRtyw0/s1600/optimism-wordle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1kNmZbchmIo6II5kF4Vt8H6J9wkQr7UBtQDObmNMHqc2anBv3Sj2I6pPeTVkDwrLOj13qAySp1lxhsmAQR1TNn32Myb0XFLfRlgT0ohIl4AVKPnFRFb54AWZJvQXmzdMyxjlXGRtyw0/s1600/optimism-wordle.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Be positive.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Hold on. If you truly want it, nothing is impossible.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Believe in it and it will happen.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Law of attraction works.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>When you want something, the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.</i></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Great thinkers, philosophers and speakers have always focused upon the power of positivity and optimism. Their writings and quotes have inspired millions to get back on their feet and achieve quite difficult dreams and goals. Self help books sales are getting higher each year. Today's world is tough to live in with tougher challenges and tougher aspirations. In such times, staying optimistic is the mantra and is contagious. The more optimistic people are, the better.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I am a firm believer in positivity and am of the notion that everything can be possible if only we can strive towards it. Be it a new challenging work profile or catching an office cab in 4 minutes flat, it can be done if only I try and give it my best. Optimism is like an omnipresent initial feeling about almost everything.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lately I have been wondering, like everything else , does optimism also has two faces to it in terms of consequences?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You are positive about a dream that you have. A dream that seems impossible to be true. You work towards it and give it your one hundred percent to make it happen. You pray, send out that message to the universe (request it to conspire) and you tirelessly believe in it. But it is a known fact and you know it, it is not going to happen. NO matter how hard you try or how badly you want it, it is just not going to be a reality. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the arrival point of the pain of optimism, and it arrives in full pomp and style.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Being positive pushes you to keep believing in your dream, logic and experience pushes you to give it up. It is a fight between the right and left side of the brain, it is a war between the heart and the mind. But damn, it must be frustrating.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If your core is optimistic and you have never-give-up attitude, you are in for a disaster in such situations. You will be torn. What do you do then? Give up your core and accept defeat in the face of the ruthless realities of life. Or foolishly keep working and hoping and praying that one day, your dream will come true. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How does one deal with such situations or does one have to deal at all or let life take its course? Let time tell. Just let it be until that precious dream stumble upon realization that it is supposed to remain and disappear in the same form. Allow it to self-subtract and self-destruct.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Poof!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-87710872237827596292016-06-23T09:39:00.000-07:002016-06-23T09:42:08.838-07:00Eventually everything connects<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlwvJW9TqqOTF2-OcjnaAuVrQnKjhC3zylGe9xfLBvroejA9ruiqdqzYz7CVs-ZxyZSiiBFe-xchIk7aqTxZKpdNzOiGbTQZEb_sms6E3gToasahaW8QjWVQJUqtWolPfmARd7WdS5G0/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlwvJW9TqqOTF2-OcjnaAuVrQnKjhC3zylGe9xfLBvroejA9ruiqdqzYz7CVs-ZxyZSiiBFe-xchIk7aqTxZKpdNzOiGbTQZEb_sms6E3gToasahaW8QjWVQJUqtWolPfmARd7WdS5G0/s200/download.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">“In
chaos theory, the butterfly effect is the sensitive dependence on initial
conditions on which a small change in one state of a deterministic nonlinear
system can result in large difference in a later state”. (Work of Edward
Lorenz).</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A
butterfly flapping its wings in India can cause a hurricane to happen at a
later time somewhere in Argentina. If the butterfly had not flapped its wings at a
certain point in space/time, the hurricane probably would not have happened at
all. This shows the interdependence of different elements in this universe and
the connection is real and proved. Everything is connected from the breath of a
new born baby to someone falling in love far away. Each person that we meet in
the different walks of our life are a part of the plan, each activity of ours
leads the story on and connects to make a part of a story of someone else’s
life.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9x3m6bE2S5YjW8zBkaLD9R67voZoOUAERyZbbb8BXxXIcuyel_x045sGjs8IdW6wPlYZy3wEOcHzWt0y_0rnUXz_KOtnDgsKsMnriLLvFMcBS7mzGSX7SbvSQP2GAZvc1AHuoNdXGAsI/s1600/gugelmann_banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9x3m6bE2S5YjW8zBkaLD9R67voZoOUAERyZbbb8BXxXIcuyel_x045sGjs8IdW6wPlYZy3wEOcHzWt0y_0rnUXz_KOtnDgsKsMnriLLvFMcBS7mzGSX7SbvSQP2GAZvc1AHuoNdXGAsI/s320/gugelmann_banner.png" width="320" /></a><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Let’s
imagine, you missed your usual time route C metro train and had to wait for
another 2 minutes for the next one. The train which you missed earlier had a
seat which you would have occupied if you had reached on time. This seat which
is now vacant was taken by a girl, H, who is not having a very good day and is
relieved to find a seat. H had a tough day because she was fired from her
temporary position in a company because the permanent employee, A, is back from
her maternity leave. H knew she was a temp but was performing well and needed
this job badly. A had to fight with her husband, O, and in laws to re-join as
they wanted her to be a stay-at-home mom to look after the kid. A has worked
hard in her job and her career is a part of who she is. O only wanted A to be
at home for some time as he thought it would be good for the baby and had no intention
of ruining her career. O himself is having a hard time at office due to
lay-offs by his company and his boss, S, might give him the pink slip any time.
And guess what? S is you. It is all a part of the big picture.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Who,
how and why you meet is pre designed. The three states as a result of the
choices that you make (yes/no/neutral) is also pre designed. They say time
decides who you meet in life, your heart decides who you want in your life and
your behavior decides who stays in your life. The person sitting next to you
in a cab can turn out to be your soul mate. Your batch mate in a class of 50
can be the boss for your kid brother. Your best friend of one time can be lost
and disappear from your life in a frame of 5 years. God does not play dice and everything
is destined to happen, of course depending on what you choose.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Destiny
is the result of the choices that you make in life” And the choice that you
have made in the past or are going to make tomorrow is connected to many
destinies, yours and others. Nothing happens without a reason and every move
you make is moving from one dot to another. Life is a path connecting dots in
the canvas, and if we can just peep into it to see the bigger picture, we will
realise that eventually everything connects. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That’s how life happens.</span><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-70593124628927068492016-06-20T10:05:00.001-07:002016-06-20T10:05:41.981-07:00Breakfast Extravaganza<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A friend of mine once quoted "Lunch and dinner is overrated. Breakfast is definitely the most important meal of the day". A good breakfast advice is rooted in serious scientific studies too.<br />
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Having a grand breakfast means getting up early in the morning, you surely cannot have it post 12 o'clock. It will be called a brunch then or rather, early lunch. So being a late riser, I definitely missed out on those "breakfast in style" for a long time. But better late than never!<br />
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There are plenty of places where one can enjoy a beautiful breakfast, relax and have a good time. Thanks to ever increasing fad of "themed restaurants", Bangalore boasts of a huge list of such places. Outdoor sittings, artistically themed, European decor, open terrace sittings,cosy places, book cafes etc are just a few to name.<br />
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I have recently been to a few. Did not take many, but think images below can somehow provide a glimpse of what I relished!<br />
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<b>Cafe Max:</b> Located in Indiranagar, it has open spaces and it is airy with sunlight coming in through the open windows. They have pastry counter and the sitting is casual. Good food and nice ambiance. I had apple pie and farmer's breakfast with coffee. Yum!!<br />
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<b>Ant's cafe</b>: I had a pleasant surprise after reaching this place that Ant stands for Action Northeast Trust and is a part of voluntary organisation that works on the development issues in Northeast India. Greeted by a map of NE India with all the ethnic tribes mentioned on it, you enter into a store showcasing and selling all the traditional stuff of Northeast. The cafe is in the first floor, the steps leading to it has interesting facts about ants. Beautiful setting with greenery all around, there are no windows and I would love to sit there when it rains. They keep books for reading and they serve breakfast the whole day. English breakfast or Belgian breakfast with pancakes are a must try!<br />
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<b>154 Breakfast Club</b>: A small cosy place in residential area in Koramangala. They have an open kitchen and homely sitting. Services are prompt though weekends are busy. Had the "Big Breakfast". Good food and awesome omelettes!<br />
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<b>Smoke House Deli</b>: Quite the posh place it is. European styles, clean, pristine ambience with amazing music. Mostly European crowd, they have an outdoor sitting too. White color seemed to be the theme of the place. They say that all their dishes are gluten and trans fat free, so be ready for a guilt free trip to good food. Awesome service.<br />
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<b>MTR</b>: Madras Tiffin Room, the one in Indiranagar is almost always crowded and they have space outside to wait in line. You can buy coffee/tea while waiting! Masala dosas are the best here. Filter coffee is a must-try.<br />
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It is not only about the food, it is about the whole experience. Fresh air and energetic people around makes this time of the day really good. What more do you need to do on an weekend, it is all about relaxing right. So call up friends to plan a grand breakfast or grab a book one fine Saturday morning and off you go! Happy Weekend Breakfasting ..<br />
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<i>Courtesy: Zomato</i><br />
<i>My guide to restaurants!</i><br />
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Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-49757477631341911742016-05-17T07:13:00.000-07:002016-05-17T08:31:18.924-07:00Being alone and being lonely<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Do you not mind going to the movies alone? Do you not mind mall hopping alone? Do you not mind having a coffee and reading a book at a cafe alone? Do you not mind travelling alone? Do you not mind going to the beach and sit alone? Do you not mind sitting and eating alone?</div>
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If your answer to all or any of these is no, then I belong to your club. Our species might be rare but definitely not absent. Us doing these does not mean that we are dejected by friends, family or lovers or we are freaks. My colleagues calls me a 'weirdo' because I sometimes go to movies alone or go for shopping alone. I don't mind being called that because I know I am just as normal as them.</div>
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Probably we are very comfortable in our own company, listening to the thoughts that crawls through our minds. Or we just want to go out and we do, as simple as that! </div>
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I have my breakfast alone at office and I like it. Not a morning person and can't handle gossip at 8 o'clock. But I do have coffee and lunch with my friends at office. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIn-SS-WsRYO46y_ggTYjcUeozngjW8_UFa47zMTf_XuC3phCyFxGnHFx3Mrjk0ojgCuA0-mtQFB35OG3o819acFZjoX6ShhyS_GDv2lghuSx7FT3kXhuE9luSkNnGbRvkO9jPWWyPZYg/s1600/BeFunky+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIn-SS-WsRYO46y_ggTYjcUeozngjW8_UFa47zMTf_XuC3phCyFxGnHFx3Mrjk0ojgCuA0-mtQFB35OG3o819acFZjoX6ShhyS_GDv2lghuSx7FT3kXhuE9luSkNnGbRvkO9jPWWyPZYg/s320/BeFunky+Collage.jpg" width="320" /></a>I have been staying alone for the past 5 years. And the questions comes from every possible direction that what the hell I do alone? What do I eat? With whom do I talk to? What do I do at weekends? Don't I get bored? Do I have friends at all? The curiosity of humans at other people's expense is incredible!<br />
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Yes, I stay alone. I have hobbies and interests. I cook my food and eat. I watch romcom and love it. I listen to music and probably sway to some favorite numbers. I have my folks back home and I have people in my life who loves me enough to let me have my space. They don't suffocate me with probing questions and they don't investigate my case. They care enough to just let me be. I have few but special friends. We may not share a minute to minute report but we do share our happiness and troubles. My life is good.</div>
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I might look alone but definitely am not lonely. There is a huge difference, my friend.</div>
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Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-74738401135010168642016-05-10T09:22:00.001-07:002016-05-11T02:27:18.560-07:00Immeasurable love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7e4GdkC9f_aQuNNCcMjKSLiRfBaczvl4zjv0YnsKoqLFQkv76f4MncLoTXt35qW6-cQu7vmMJpv-2Cs_pd-SBi4HJyOSq5yqGzs9TLL5WhcBnvY-tuGk2UGCYPL8l_nXkWYK-cnqrkuw/s1600/measure-love-450x299.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7e4GdkC9f_aQuNNCcMjKSLiRfBaczvl4zjv0YnsKoqLFQkv76f4MncLoTXt35qW6-cQu7vmMJpv-2Cs_pd-SBi4HJyOSq5yqGzs9TLL5WhcBnvY-tuGk2UGCYPL8l_nXkWYK-cnqrkuw/s320/measure-love-450x299.jpg" width="320" /></a>We all love and we are all loved. It is a basic emotion and is the most sought after. It is an extremely fulfilling feeling and is the root of many heart wrenching stories. People rise in love and achieve greatness in life. People lose in love and succumb to many levels of deaths in one lifetime. So love is all there is and they say "love is not for the faint hearted".</div>
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But can we measure love..if yes, what are the dimensions to measure it in? What is just the right amount of love for it to be sustainable? What duration must love live to prove its genuinity? Can't we love deeply but briefly, passionately but selfishly? All the terms, conditions and boundaries that makes us self-appointed judges of love distracts us from the truth that love is boundless, timeless and has a mind of its own. It is not a slave to our philosophies and man-developed theories. Love has wings and it flies. It is pure and heart-driven, innocent and tumultuous.</div>
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A mother's love is the purest of all and there is certainly no doubt about it. A mother can love all her children equally and infinitely. But is romantic love divisible i.e can you love more than two people at the same time? If you do, does it mean that you really love neither of them or you love both of them? Is this possible and does this kind of love exists?</div>
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Long gone are the days when people had to wait for months to get a reply to their love letters. Probably it will be carried by a bird or a man by foot across great distances. What remarkable patience they might have had! Now we are into instant messaging and instant calls.</div>
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<i>"The double ticks has become blue, why has not she replied yet?She probably does not care for me."</i><br />
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<i>"I called him like 2 times, why has not he called back yet? He probably does not think of me at all."</i><br />
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<i>"He did not plan to come and meet me, he wanted to stay in. Why? he does not have any interest in me anymore."</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3I1IDQFBX99I8_q63-uoRMG3xc-s_HcS-0KpnWvUJ1Dbg-vd_lwIQUcvS8zsd7MncOTmQD75RnMGHBajcYli-QmuDcjH4h9y7qoM64v24Va3wwYTSVGvx7btD7dQ43pcLnVfRcVsMFO0/s1600/L20-800x655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3I1IDQFBX99I8_q63-uoRMG3xc-s_HcS-0KpnWvUJ1Dbg-vd_lwIQUcvS8zsd7MncOTmQD75RnMGHBajcYli-QmuDcjH4h9y7qoM64v24Va3wwYTSVGvx7btD7dQ43pcLnVfRcVsMFO0/s200/L20-800x655.jpg" width="200" /></a>How do you know and how do you measure the love? The time it took for her to reply after reading your messages or the number of times he sent her flowers. If a person has loved before, does this fact make him/her less capable of loving again?How much time gap is appropriate? Simple yet quite complicated.</div>
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How can we measure something which is itself not measurable, it has no units. Maybe love is vast like the universe and deep like the sea, not limited by days, months or years. In this mundane world, are not we lucky to still find love no matter how brief or deep, how shallow or selfish, how pure or exclusive. Can we just hold on to it and not spend our limited and precious time in defining and measuring it?</div>
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Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-80567651978069154882015-12-09T18:23:00.001-08:002015-12-09T18:23:42.079-08:00Dear heart<p dir="ltr">Dear Heart.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It's you and me.<br>
Against this world.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Stay close.</p>
Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-42127065966936898812015-11-06T22:40:00.001-08:002015-11-13T05:26:43.728-08:00Don't wake me up.<p dir="ltr"><u>Don't</u> wake me up<br>
I already am in my senses<br>
Even though it might seem<br>
This is not real<br>
This will not last.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Don't wake me up<br>
I have not felt this awake<br>
Since a long time.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Don't wake me up<br>
I want to sleep and live this dream<br>
Just a little while longer.</p>
Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-25697502829070106602015-09-07T08:29:00.001-07:002015-09-07T08:32:11.320-07:00The art of letting it go.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You know
you want it. You know you can’t have it. And this makes you want it more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The heart
is always the culprit in this kind of mess. The mind already knows that it does
not belong to you and so there is no logic yearning for it. But does your heart
listen?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgUQldEZ2RToV7GTo7KQnpBM5IfmQPYwTteQu37q6hZAeNBX8chniXrJpGWZMDsLarGZh6IaHW37k4qaPxYnZ2ozVTVihLJMHCaoV8nuN3CJVZXRGOVF1vnbNwAZENauZ5rFsuXdVEVQ/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgUQldEZ2RToV7GTo7KQnpBM5IfmQPYwTteQu37q6hZAeNBX8chniXrJpGWZMDsLarGZh6IaHW37k4qaPxYnZ2ozVTVihLJMHCaoV8nuN3CJVZXRGOVF1vnbNwAZENauZ5rFsuXdVEVQ/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not
everything in the world is for you to win and make it yours. Love. career,
money, happiness, peace, comfort, luxury-there is no end to what this mortal’s
heart wants. Often it happens, in this crazy stubborn want for “something”
makes us lose what we already have and what is already ours. Want makes us
blind and oblivious to the concept of “content”.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our share
in everything in this world is already measured and kept aside and will never
change, no matter how much we fight and sulk. Wanting “it” which is not ours always
leads to misery and ends in pain causing hurt and dismay. There are innumerable
instances where ordinary men has turned into poets writing about their yearning
and unfulfilled dreams. Pain has a strange beauty and emptiness has great
inspiration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buddha
has taught the Four Noble Truths: Life is suffering. All suffering is caused by
some “want”. Suffering can be overcome and happiness can be attained. And there
is a path to overcome suffering.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Most of our troubles are due to our passionate desire for and attachment to things that we misapprehend as enduring entities.”~Dalai Lama</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />We all want to be happy yet we do things to ourselves that cause us pain. Man is a set of contradictions and never ceases to surprise ourselves of what we are capable of. The heart wants what it wants and it often refuses to give an explanation. There is no cure and there is no redemption.<br /><br />Zen philosophy says that when you stop trying to grasp, own, and control the world around you, you give it the freedom to fulfill you without the power to destroy you. That’s why letting go is so important: letting go is letting happiness in.<br /><br />Everything is an illusion. To be truly happy, you have to learn the art of letting it go. <br /><br /></span><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-81521037896360228292015-09-01T11:21:00.000-07:002015-09-01T11:21:56.055-07:00Faith restored<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It happened yesterday.</div>
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I was travelling back
from an official trip, exhausted. The day started at 7:30 am and I took the cab
from airport at 9 pm. On the way somehow I kept thinking how the human kind is
selfish and becoming demonic in nature with each passing day. Neared my home
around 10:30 pm and after getting in I realized I left my mobile in the cab. I
rushed downstairs but obviously the cab had left. I panicked and without a
mobile I felt helpless. Luckily my house owners were awake and I asked for
their help. Called at my number around 15 -20 times but the cab driver did not
answer. Then we called the customer care of the cab service twice and finally
got the cab driver details. <o:p></o:p></div>
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He said that he has
the phone with him but he is already on the highway so it is not possible for
him to come back then. I offered to pay the fare and he said he will come back early
morning. I hardly slept and woke up in the wee hours of the morning and waited
for him to come. He came.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He came and gave me
back my mobile phone. I said sorry that I bothered him. He said he is sorry
that he did not check the cab after dropping me. I was grateful and relief spread
over me. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There are still a few
souls among us who are kind and honest. I have pushed my doubts some miles
away for now. A simple act has restored my faith in our kind. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-1578895303646605402015-06-19T10:16:00.000-07:002015-06-19T10:16:09.992-07:00Drenched!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">I guess it was meant to be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">After almost 2 months of house searching from Delhi in
Bangalore, I had almost decided to take a PG and then think on the future
course of action. Especially when an almost final deal failed at the last
moment. A dear friend had advised to search groups in Facebook where good deals
are found without the interference of brokers. And then I found it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">A college senior-colleague-brother-friend checked it
out, sent me photographs of the place, building, area, route till main road.
And I told myself, “let’s take it and see what happens. At least I will have a
roof over my head”. Moreover, they had 2 dogs, it cannot be so bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">And I arrived in Bangalore. Stayed a week in a company
provided hotel accommodation and one fine Saturday morning, I reached my new
place. And I fell in love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">I have my small, cute 1BHK in the second floor in the
terrace. The area is still getting populated & luckily, my building is
empty on three sides. Green, peaceful and cosy, all wrapped into one. What more
I can wish for?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">My favourite time of the day is when after dinner, I
sit in my balcony, feet up in the railing in style, some soulful music through
headphones and I let myself relax. The wind is usually perfect, blowing my hair
and I feel drenched in its touch. Just a perfect ending to somewhat imperfect
days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhlQwnVypWpU-OxI999Lu20SMIawkaHT9UCQj2qwe_LMLBGbEhnUsES_RRBIQgwHgmUpSp70lTiE_queMq2_orGnagXp2zCrgRcSn3JO_8egQdLyVjFJV82Qv3VciUrrEv21De357ye8/s1600/love-rain.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhlQwnVypWpU-OxI999Lu20SMIawkaHT9UCQj2qwe_LMLBGbEhnUsES_RRBIQgwHgmUpSp70lTiE_queMq2_orGnagXp2zCrgRcSn3JO_8egQdLyVjFJV82Qv3VciUrrEv21De357ye8/s1600/love-rain.gif" /></a><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">I am also given access to one more terrace above mine
through an iron ladder. It is more beautiful out there. I can see the Nice Road
(highway route to Mysore) and the headlights of the cars streaming by and even
the buildings beyond it. Sometime, I should try to locate the Bannerghatta
National park also, which is not very far away. From no-sky view (Delhi DDA
flat) to whole-sky view is a tremendous upgradation for me. I can see the whole
uninterrupted arc from the coconut lined horizon on my right to the coconut
(& a few buildings) lined horizon to my left. And the moon is always right
there above me, and even a floor closer. I can get drenched in moonlight and
star light every night. The view of “Great Bear Constellation” is a daily trip
to childhood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">The best is of course, when it rains. The proud wind
bringing in the pitter-patter rain drives Amu & Chinnu (my two constant
companions) to the shade. Then it pours and I am driven to the shade too! But
it feels beautiful while my soul gets drenched in the rain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">My home keeps me happy. The separation from the mad
crowd is just enough to keep me sane. I am grateful and waiting for the time
when I bring my family to share this with me. It will be sure a great
experience for them too. Deta (my father) never liked it in Delhi. I hope I can
compensate his bad experience there with my “drenched” place here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-5787551110411742722015-05-26T10:27:00.002-07:002015-05-26T10:47:26.939-07:00Indomitable Delhi Autos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Second to the metro, the autos can be considered as a second lifeline for Delhi. Places where there is no reach of metros or buses, autos usually are the best option to travel. Yes, best if you have the power or expertise or the patience to bargain.</div>
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It has been more than 2 ½ years of surviving in Delhi now. But auto<em>walas</em> still don’t cease to surprise me! If they realise you are new to the city, they will strip you of all your money and you will realise only after paying them. So the first tip for a good bargain is to show as if you were born in the city and you know the place like the back of your hand. Take the help of Google map or something but never show that you do not know.</div>
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Recently government has made the use of meters in autos mandatory much to their dismay. The public including me saw new hope of paying the appropriate fare finally. But again the auto<em>walas </em>outsmarted us. They have far more devious plans.</div>
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So now, at first you state your destination name. Majority of them will answer with an ambitious number. You say “<em>Bhaiyya, meter pe chalo na</em>”. Usually the answer is “<em>Meter kharaab hai, chal nahin raha hai”</em>. Then maybe because you were getting late (thanks to that 10 min snooze alarm), you get on it.</div>
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Second scene might be that you asked for the meter to be run, and he takes you via the longest route possible but at the same time, making you feel as if it is the shortest route. And you end up paying much more!</div>
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Due to my travelling job, I have come across many excuses from these auto<em>walas</em>. They are charging more because <em>“wapas khaali aana padega”</em> or <em>“mujhe ghar jaana hai aur waha se mera ghar bahut door hai” </em>Can you imagine that we are expected to pay for their trip back home too?? Another excuse is <em>“bahut jam laga hai madam”.</em> I have tried using the formula (learnt from a friend) <em>“jam mein phase toh Rs 20 extra nahin phase toh meter se Rs 10 kam”</em>. Sadly this formula has yet to work for me. One more proposed deal from auto<em>walas</em>is “<em>meter se Rs 20 extra, mera us side ulta parta hai”</em>. The scene is really crazy.</div>
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Once every week, I need to go to my company’s factory situated in the dirtiest industrial area of Delhi, the infamous Okhla Phase 2. Battered roads that are built every year, the extremely smelly Sanjay Colony and the not-so-civilized public. Believe me, it is very difficult to get an auto to reach there. By meter, it is exactly Rs 37. I had paid once. But the auto<em>walas</em> eagerly fight to take me to Okhla Phase 2. And they recognize me even when my face is fully covered from the heat. I am the Madam who pays Rs 50 to go Okhla Phase 2. Single <em>sawari</em>. It is not that I have not tried to fight for justice. I have, many times, at the cost of reaching late to office, standing under the scorching sun with my laptop bag while listening to all the excuses listed above. So this way I have reached the status of <em>Madam</em> amongst the auto<em>walas.</em></div>
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I also had the opportunity of coming across very decent and polite <em>autowalas</em> also. Surprised? Yes, they very much exist though a rare species. Only last week, I reached the New Delhi Railway Station by paying the correct fare of Rs 150 in the early morning at 5:30 am (as already mentioned, I travel a lot!). I had been paying Rs 180 till now. Once, overcome by emotions while experiencing polite behavior of an auto driver, I said to him ”<em>You are very polite, thank you”. </em>He stared blankly at me.</div>
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Some auto<em>walas </em>switch on the meter without being told so. They will take the exact fare, not a penny more.</div>
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I know one who often takes me Okhla. He is a young guy called <em>Raja </em>full of energy and vigor. He keeps his auto clean and decorated. He wishes me “<em>Goodmorning Madam! How are you? How does my auto look? Maine isko aaj subah dhoya hai..phool se sajaya hai”.</em>I say “<em>Acchahai”. </em>Once he said to me “<em>Madam, main aapko pehchaan hi nahin pa raha tha aaj. Aapke chehre ka light chala gaya hai. Aap subah ko uthke kya karte ho? </em>I suspiciously said “<em>Umm..bas..ghar ka kaam wagera..Kyun..?” </em>And he answered “<em>Aap kal se uthke first ek glass paan ipiyo. Ek hafte mein aapke chehre ka light wapas aa jayega..mera guarantee hai..”</em> I had a good laugh with him that day. He recently gave me his phone number because he wants me to get a job for his sister. I have not been able to do so till now. Maybe I should start searching.</div>
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I am taking my morning glass of water regularly though.</div>
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<i>(Written on October 2013)</i></div>
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Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-16620088250068601952015-03-18T10:29:00.000-07:002015-03-18T10:29:20.111-07:00My Revolutionary Companion of 6 hours<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few months back when I was in Delhi, I was returning from an yet another official trip from the hills. I was relieved that my boss stayed back and I would have some "me-time" while travelling back. Got the aisle (aargh!) seat with a guy occupying the window seat. Middle seat awaiting.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then a tall non Indian girl entered the coach followed by her travel agent with her ticket copy at her hand. She stopped near me and said "that's me" pointing to the middle vacant seat. She had this huge huge suitcase probably weighing more than 20 kgs. She tried to attempt to lift it to put it above the seats, but she could not. Male passengers around pretended to be very busy on the phone. And she was talking to her agent that how will she get it down, how will she leave it at the aisle etc etc. Then i intervened and told her "you sit down, we can ask the pantry staff to help pick it up and put it down". </span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Suitcase above our heads, all well seated and the train started with a jolt. And of course, when two ladies are sitting side by side, there will be few exchange of words. Lets refer to her as M. An Ukrainian tall blonde lady in her early thirties. With a bright blue covered Ukrainian book in her hands. My eyes kept going to the book. And we started talking. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She has worked in Delhi for a period of almost 1 year previously. But this time, she was in India with a mission. To find peace and some meaning. She was returning after attending a program in an ashram somewhere in the hills. She is a revolutionary, actively involved in the ongoing Crimean crisis. She described her entire experience. How people have died, how people are surviving, the attitude of her old friends and grandparents towards the revolution of Ukrainian versus Russia. How her mother is actively involved in this and how her father prefers to support this war monetarily and not physically. She narrated how this war has broken her mental strength and she was no longer able to cope with the death and sacrifice of her countrymen. She could no longer be happy. She started to hate people laughing around her because how can they laugh with so much pain around. How can one find happiness and peace amidst this war. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">She stumbled upon this ashram after much research. Coincidently last time she was in the hills partying with her friends, she had taken a photo of the same ashram name and then completely forgot about it (realised later). But then it was meant to be. She registered and she is so glad she made it. She felt the connection and successfully experienced the "spinning mantra". The program did her good and she says she feels much stronger now. My eyes were still darting towards that book in her hand.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After some time, I went back to my book and she, to hers. She started telling me the plot of the book. Author was Viktor Frankl writing about his experiences of surviving a concentration camp. WAIT! I told myself I know about this book I quickly opened my lap top and there it was in pdf formal, the e book "Man's Search for meaning" by Viktor Frankl!! My God, what a coincidence! Out of all the million books, we both had the same book, one in pdf format in English and hers in bright blue cover in Ukrainian. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finally after 6 hours of travelling, we finally reached Delhi. She would be staying in a hotel in central Delhi and since it was on my way, I offered her a lift in my radio cab. After taking down her fb contact, we said our byes and I left for home. Imagine what my driver said. "Madam, you became friends with her in train? I had picked her up from XYZ Mall around 3 weeks back at 2 :30 am in the morning with a man and dropped her to this very same hotel". There was a slight undertone in his voice which I did not like. I understood what he was trying to say. And I thought to myself that maybe we need to revolutionize ourselves and our society. People are dying in some part of the world for the sake of their country in gruesome circumstances. We can do better than being judgmental, I guess.</span></div>
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Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3073053175114924794.post-70509134828253118762015-03-04T09:25:00.000-08:002015-03-04T09:25:19.485-08:00Life in Delhi..City buses and CS!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Short by stature and passive by nature, i am not the ideal candidate to lead a very satisfactory life in Delhi with my kind of job. I do not push, I get pushed. I do not shove, I get shoved. Overall every day is an ordeal for me to travel by public transportation. When I have to sit in my office for work for an entire day, my body breathes and then wonders..why so quiet??!</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">City buses are a big no no for me. Especially after the bus gangrape case of Delhi, I make it a point not to travel by those. Sometimes I am forced to take a city bus while travelling to Uttar Pradesh for my exams. Gents sit on the seats reserved for ladies. On expressing my concern meekly, a fellow exam mate girl answered "yeh ulta Pradesh hai..gents bathte hai ladies seats mein..". We had a good laugh and getting each other's support, we both gave an earful to the nearby seated gents.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One hell of a battlefield is Central Secretariat (CS) and Rajiv Chowk metro station! Stylish girls with high heels suddenly turns into some hungry crazy zombies rushing & pushing running for a seat. The most dangerous of all are those aunties who get prepared with some light exercise the moment the incoming metro light falls on the walls. You can actually see the determination in their jaw line, bags tightly clutched in hands all ready for the big war. They will push you so hard into the train as if saying "aaj baithenge ya marenge"! And if you dare to challenge them (highly not advised) they will give you such a dialogue that you will be ashamed to have disturbed them in their pursuit of a seat. Ashamed you will find a corner and perhaps sit down on the floor of the train.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a long day's work and skipping 1-2 trains to get a seat decently at CS, the moment I reach Lajpat Nagar, I quietly stop reading or using my mobile, close my eyes and pretend to sleep. Because it is this station where old aunties who can hardly walk, comes back from the market after an eventful day spent in shopping. Big bags, chana or tikki in hand, they come and stand near you giving those looks "sharam nahin aati beta..main khadi hu..uth jao..koi sanskaar nahin hai kya..". But seriously, I think I deserve my seat more than you. Of course, i have given up lots of seats to deserving people and I will continue to do so. But, sorry, not to aunties who cant stand but can spend the day in market shopping.</span></div>
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Namratahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13819330100891111722noreply@blogger.com4