Meet The Most Cruel Creature On Earth

Warning: The video below is very barbaric in nature and features extreme cruelty and violence. Please don’t hit play if you are weak heart or too emotional. Kids & pregnant women are suggested to close this page immediately.

Meet The Human!

It’s not that before seeing this video (below), I had no idea ‘bout such brutal acts but seeing this in length hit me hard, really hard. And I finally, after deep thoughts, decided to blog it.

This video below describes the process, though partial still, used in animal farms to get the produce out of them. A produce can be in the form of milk, flesh, fur, horns, teeth, and anything & everything that has monetary values.

This gives an immense sense of self-guiltiness and self-disgust; the cruelty & barbaric nature hidden inside us. I agree that this video deals and focuses only on the cruel acts, but when you are talking of a cattle farm, can you talk of love & care? There is only one intention behind it...sell everything possible.

In this video you can see how animals are cut by their throat, banged on the roof/wall, ragged, boiled and much more. I have already seen this video 10+ times and by the time you read it, the count would be in three digits.

(Click once, twice for IE, to Play. Put Audio on.)

Warning: If you are a kid, a pregnant woman, a weak heart or a very emotional person, don’t hit play.


I know lots of people will question me that when it’s so cruel and everyone knows 'bout it too, why do you have to blog it again? Simple; sometimes a fat person needs to be told that he looks fat. I just did the same.

Moral: Go Veg! I am.

Feel free to pass on the link to all your friends. Please attach proper warnings.


Similar videos
Top Three Reasons Not to Eat Fish: http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/Prefs.asp?video=fish_3_reasons&chgpref=1

Related Sites:
http://goveg.com
http://www.petatv.com
http://www.peta.org

don't plan, don't try, just DO it

times after times, things after things, hopes after hopes...it's like a never ending cycle.......it's called life.

it's been months since i am longing to write a post.........longings after longings. and today i finally decided to "break;" this loop. procrastination, shilly-shally......call it anything, it's everyone's companion. no matter how active, no matter how agile we are, we tend to delay things, i am no exception. i do, i do it many times.....sometimes intentionally, sometimes consequently.

we all have heard the term 'priority list' and believe me if you go and ask anyone "what's yours?", you will immediately get one....everyone keeps it. but the sad thing is, most often than not it's just kept unattended. i am not complaining, how can i? b'coz i sail in the same boat. but then at times things make you realize.....you need to check your priority list, you need to review it, you need to act on them.

this post may already be sounding like a "self-complain note", maybe, maybe not. actually yes. it is. when i sit alone (i do it very often), i talk to self......i realize........i review my list........i re-prioritize...........and then make a plan of actions.......i feel happy then. but then again i get a feeling………how to priorities plan's'. tough act, but i think i am managing to.

i have been reading a lot, i read a lot, books, articles, mails, editorials, all kind of stuffs that is in a language i understand. reading keeps me ticking, same as what music does to me, it keeps me alive. i remember few years back i was reading a book titled 'gods are meeting and you are invited', written by one of my relatives. i came across a page which dealt with the notion of "high.esteem-higher.esteem-highest.esteem-high.esteem-low.esteem-no.esteem cycle'. and i always remember it whenever i come across such a picture around me, inside me. i see this picture very often. it says, there are times in life when we feel good and at that very moment our esteem is at a very high level, then we feel better and then best raising our esteem to its peak. we feel like we are going to win this world with the inner confidence, inner belief.....but then it fades.........fades very fast and we feel fallen on the ground, sometimes even below. and the funniest thing is that this period comes every now and then...it's like a woman's cycles, though irregular ones.

last week i did something, which i have been longing to do for years. no need explaining how would that have felt...felt before doing and felt after doing it. a flood of relief flew towards me, at least.

i have been talking to a close friend on this topic and in each of the discussions a line comes out....."i wish it's not too late". this is a common feeling when we think of things we are longing to do, but hastate/avoid due to 'situations'. let's face it, we all love to play the time game. we all wish to get that 'extra' few days before making the move. how many times have we really gone ahead with things we want to do immediately? you will say, i do it many times; see i wanted to do this and i did it. then i ask you to list me 3 things you want to do but are hesitating.....and no surprises there would be 5+ things. you are smiling? me too.

sometimes it's not the result but it's the attitude that matters the most. we hesitate to do things, we refrain ourselves from actions because we are afraid of the unpleasant probability. it's not wrong being afraid but it's wrong being distracted. don't be. don't let the fear, the unseen deviate you. keep them besides and move. keep them behind and hit. keep them away and live.

i know reading all this now, one's hormonal level will increase and suddenly a sense of excitement will come out shouting high............"yes, i am gonna do it". you will come out of your closet and may do it too. i wish things work out. but still the question is how long will this attitude last?

i think by this time you can make out that this post is again related to "the value of time". and if you have browsed this site, you can find out that there is already a 4 month old post titled "it's now or never".

i just wish we all, including me, realize the value of time at every step of life. and act when its needed the most.

i finish this post with the saying, "don't plan, don't try, just DO it".

The Taj Mahal - The Magic Of Love. Continues!

The Taj Mahal has always been and will always be one of the most enchanting monument for me and I believe it is also for most of the people around the globe. And once again, after 2200 years, the world has re-recognized its magic.





It has once again been voted as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World.

The 20 Finalists were (Monument & Location, Construction Date, Symbol Of):

• Acropolis, Athens, Greece (450 - 330 B.C.), Civilization and Democracy
  
• Alhambra, Granada, Spain (12th century), Dignity and Dialog
  
• Angkor, Cambodia (12th century), Beauty and Sanctity
  
• The Pyramids of Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico (before 800 A.D.), Worship and Knowledge - In Top 7
  
• Christ Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1931), Welcoming and Openness - In Top 7
  
• Colosseum, Rome, Italy (70 - 82 A.D.), Joy and Suffering - In Top 7
  
• Eiffel Tower, Paris, France (1887 - 89), Challenge and Progress
  
• Great Wall, China (220 BC and 1368-1644 AD), Perseverance&Persistence - In Top 7
  
• Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey (532 - 537 A.D.), Faith and Respect
  
• Kiyomizu Temple, Kyoto, Japan (749 - 1855), Clarity and Serenity
  
• Kremlin/St.Basil's, Moscow, Russia (1156 - 1850), Fortitude and Symbolism
  
• Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Peru (1460-1470), Community and Dedication - In Top 7
  
• Neuschwanstein Castle, Fussen, Germany (1869 -1884), Fantasy and Imagination),
  
• Petra, Jordan (9 B.C. - 40 A.D.), Engineering and Protection - In Top 7
  
• Pyramids of Giza, Egypt (2600 - 2500 B.C), Immortality and Eternity),
  
• Statue of Liberty, New York, USA (1886), Generosity and Hope
  
• Statues of Easter Island, Chile (10th - 16th Century), Mystery and Awe
  
• Stonehenge, Amesbury, UK(3000 BC - 1600 BC), Intrigue and Endurance
  
• Sydney Opera House, Australia (1954 - 73), Abstraction and Creativity
  
• The Taj Mahal, Agra, India (1630 A.D.), Love and Passion - In Top 7
  
• Timbuktu, Mali (12th century), Intellect and Mysticism
  

The voting, which continued for months, ended yesterday (6th July, 2007). The results were declared on the 7th July, 2007 (GMT) @ Lisbon. It was 0230am, 8th July in India. And I just managed to watch the live concert online. I was overjoyed to hear the list of new wonders, it included my pick.

Though it doesn't really matter if The Taj is 'officially' in the list of wonders or not b'coz it's always going to be the most wonderful monument ever made. But still at some part of my heart it really feels proud to see its worldwide recognition. It's the one and only entry from India and is amongst the World's Top 7.


And if you are one of those unlucky people who are yet to see this glory in reality, you can take a small virtual tour of the Taj Mahal here: http://www.taj-mahal.net/augEng/main_screen.htm
(Use your mouse to walk through. Watch out for Yellow arrows to move to another section OR use the Orange dots on the map-view placed on the right side of the page.)


Long live the greatest monument of love......The Taj Mahal.

It's Music, Play It! Celebrate the World Music Day!!!

It's World Music Day Today! The 21st, June' 2007.

Music........a great reliever, a great connector, a great inspiring thing, a great energizer, a great escalator, a great fun, etc, etc, etc.......and so many other heavy nouns & adjectives that one can remember, all can be pleasantly, rather musically, attached to this word.

On the personal level, I have been completely into music, not making ;), but listening..................for years & years and today it feels that its an inseparable part of mine.

I don't know when I started listening to it but as long as my memory goes.....there is music, music, music & more music......even more.

I remember when I was very young (8 years back), I used to sing. I used to sing on stage, I used to give performances in contests, public gatherings, etc. etc. But it's past now.

It is a very known & experienced thing that when one enters the teen age lots of physical changes take place. And I was no exception. And for me.........there was a change in my voice too.........from sweet girly-girly (yes truely) voice to still-sweet but boyish one ;)

But do I care? Na. I still manage to sing when I am alone. And I have broken so many mirrors already.......ha ha ha. Just kidding.

And today.......it's one of my most 'active' activity. I just can't help it. I don't want to.

So on this musical day all I will say is.................Keep humming, keep crooning, keep singing...........in short.......Keep 'MUSIC-ing'.

la la la la la la lalalala...........la la la la...la la la la.....lalala.................:)

Cheers!

Sorry - To BE or Not To BE

Million dollar word.
Anything wrong......sorry.
Anything not working......sorry.
Anything working......still sorry.
Anything needed......sorry.
Need another chance......sorry.
Sorry, sorry, sorry.
And voila......things settled as desired.

A 5 letter word with 5000cc Horse power.
A 5 letter word with lots of oomph in it.
A 5 letter word with an ability to express the innermost feeling.
A 5 letter word......powerful than anything else, literally.

We all use this word. Every day, every other moment. But do we really mean it EVERY time?

Sometimes it’s used as the shortcut to make up things, some time just for formality, and sometime just to please others.

Sorry literally means……Feeling or expressing regret or sorrow or a sense of loss over something done or undone. Feeling, you read that? You need to feel it. Hope you get the point.

When it’s said with immense sincerity & innermost feeling, it will show in its each letter. It will express the inner self of yours. And I am sure it will solve any misunderstanding/problem.

So, use it only when you mean it. Else it’s just like cheating with your words. Hope, you don’t like cheating!

Cheers!


P.S. Could had written this post very nicely in more than 10000 words, but just keeping it short & unstructured this time.

It's Now or Never! It's Time.

How many times you wanted to do a thing, but couldn't go ahead.

How many times you wanted to say something to someone, but couldn't go ahead.

How many times you wanted to roam around freely, but couldn't go ahead.

How many times you wanted to raise your voice against something, but couldn't go ahead.

How many times you wanted to do be yourself, but couldn't.

How many times, how many?

I understand its human nature to always look for success. We all hate failing, don't we? It's good at one place but at times it may (read:will) hold you back from what's waiting for you. How? Just think....we wait for the right time to do something. And we keep telling our selves, "its not the right time, Let's wait a little more". But that 'little' turns out to be too long and the time passes and passes and passes. And when we realize that bingo! its the right time.......it gets too late. And then we have nothing left than being sorry. Sorry to self.

Always remember, "An extended wait is not patience, it's delay."


So please,

When you think you have to do a thing.............just go ahead and do it.

When you think you have to say something to someone.............just go ahead and say it.

When you think you have roam around freely............just go ahead and free your wings.

When you think you have to raise your voice against something............just go ahead and raise it with confidence.

When you think you have to be yourself.............be.

Time once gone can never come back, value it!

Wishing you all the best!!!

My two cents,
Ro

Happiness is a voyage, not a destination. Find out the ‘The’

It was one of those sweet moments which came after a long time for me. I was on a 2 days off again. It’s not that I don’t take leave but this time it was a little different. I had gone to Deoghar to my parents on their memorable wedding anniversary. Instead of celebrating with tens of people we decided to be with god & nature. We moved to Parasnath. I have been there so many times but this time it was after a gap of 4 years. I felt again that it’s one of the most beautiful places I would ever visit in my life. Parasnath is considered one of the most auspicious places for Jains. Few people also call it the Macca of Jains, no wonder why. The atmosphere, the scenery, the peace, the excitement all grips you so much that you feel you have suddenly come to heaven.

We decided to go by road and the journey was a mere 2.5 hours long. But for me, it looked that I have travelled ages. If my memory goes right, it must have been 8-10 years since I travelled by road in such a manner. It was a sheer pleasure this time. It was summer at its peak with blazingly hot air, but still it didn’t seem to bother me much. Why? B’coz I was completely in the nature. I kept looking outside and as far as I could see it was green, green and more green. People were seen busy in their daily hustle bustle of life but at the same time they seem to enjoy whatever comes their way. They were sweating, they were tired but they had a streak of smile on their face every other moment. By looking at them one could very easily identify if they had enough resources to eat twice a day or not but still they were as agile as they can be. Agile enough to face and at the same time enjoy life. It takes great courage to live your life in limitations.

While in the car, I just kept looking around making sure that I don’t miss anything. It’s my habit to look deep and try to see the unseen, something which is not visible but can be felt. One thing I realized, again, that what matters most to people is not leisure but happiness. No matter how the life is, no matter how the day is, no matter how the night is, people look for happiness and they work very hard for it. There are few people who keep crapping about the problems in their life……..I feel sick of my life, I am not earning well, I have a pathetic family, I am not doing enough for my family, my sister has to get married but I don’t have ‘enough’ money for a royal marriage, I am not satisfied with my job, I don’t have responsibility in my job, I have to take so many responsibilities in my job, I proposed someone but he/she rejected my, etc, etc, etc. And then there are people who want to be happy in whatever way possible…….my life is great even if I don’t live a royal life I am enjoying every moment of it, I am earning nice and I just have to carry on this, I have a lovely family and they love me very much, I am planning to marry my sister next month; the ceremony would be very simple but would be very alive, my job is nice and I am very satisfied with it, I am happy that at least I could express my feelings to the person I love, so on and so forth. Now you better know which of these two groups is happier.

I was just going through an old presentation last night which also says…..”Happiness is a Voyage not Destination”. So true! We need to learn to ‘be’ happy rather than thriving for happiness. I know it’s easier for me to sit here with my parents and key in these thoughts than to go and face the various nitty-gritties of life. But still the question is, is it really so tough to be happy?

Once we entered Parasnath, we could sense the sweet fragrance in the air. It feels as if flowers are floating in the air all around and you can’t help but throw your fist in the air to grab some of them. I did. The place is completely surrounded by the holy mountain on one side. It’s tall, it’s green, it’s enchanting, it’s so close to you that you feel like going ahead and embracing it. The mountain is very auspicious b’coz it has in it many holy temples. People get up early in the morning, around 4am and get ready to mount it in a group of 5-10-20-50-100. It’s mere 27km...9 km upwards, 9 km scattered & 9 km downwards. Scared? No need to be. Once you start mounting it you forget all these stats. It’s green, green & more green all the way through once again. People keep chanting religious Namokar Mantra, bhajans, etc all the way through. And you certainly realize how beautiful nature is when it’s left un-tampered. Why do people cut trees, Why? All in all it’s a complete ‘fun’ time being there b’coz....b’coz it gives you happiness.

Though we didn’t mount as we had not planned for that in advance and also because we had to leave the very next day, but suddenly I happened to ask my mom, “Maa, can’t we stay here for a week more at least?” And before I could wait for an answer I, myself, replied…………”Aha! May be some other time.” And we all smiled. I wished if I could freeze the moment.

We returned back by road, again meeting life in its various faces on the way. I remember that while returning back, we had run out of water. We stopped by a hand-pump and I got out with the empty bottles in my hand. Before I could approach the lady filling up her bucket on the pump and ask for her favor, I could see her pushing her bucket aside and giving me the way. I can’t help but stand for few seconds and realized the hospitality. I took the bottle to the pump while the lady pumped it until it was full. I just thanked her and was back in the car. I turned back and saw her back to the duty. It was raining fire on her head and she had 10+ buckets besides her. But still she had a smile on her face. Hats off.

Don’t we all have to carry on our duty everyday but most often than not we start feeling tired? Then...then we complain, my life is not happening, the job is very monotonous. I want to switch to a newer organization at least it would give me some fresh moments and when that starts boring I will switch again. And the chain continues. I am thankful to god that I don’t suffer this phobia. For me life is beautiful and it gets better every second. I just happen to live it in the best way. Not much of beguilement but enough to enjoy each bit of it. Job…………I just love it. I make sure that at job I don’t work rather I play. And that’s what keeps me energized. I don’t work because it’s my duty, I work because it’s fun and it gives me happiness.

We finally reached home and we all were very happy about this small trip. We didn’t carry any cam else I would have put few snaps of the place here. And today when I am writing this post, I can very clearly sense the fragrance following me even here. I will remember this small trip for a long long time.

That’s it. A small post on a small trip.

Did this post seem like an over statement of a small thing?

Or, did this post seem too much tilted towards the happy parts of life?

Or, did this post seem like an exaggeration on anything?

No matter what it felt to you, for me it was just an attempt to focus on the happier side of life. And for me this post ‘again’ gave me few streaks of happiness and every time I read it I can’t help but close my eyes and feel life.

Now the question is, what is ‘The’ most important thing in life: Being Happy with what you have OR Striving for the unseen? Close your eyes and Think. The choice is always yours.

Cheers!

How Do You Know When You're In Love?

How Do You Know When You're In Love?

How do you know when you're in love?

Is it the crazy things I do?

Is it the fact that my heart skips a beat
every time that I think of you?

Is it the fact that I can't sleep at night
when your image is in my head?

Or is it the fact that I can't stop smiling
after every word that you've said?

Is it the need to hold you in my arms
and keep you there forever?

Or is it the fact that I wrote you a poem
and sent it to you in a letter?

Is it this awful feeling deep inside
whenever I have to take you home?

Or is it just being here without you
that makes me feel so alone?

Is this hunger deep inside
that longs for your kiss?

I feel so happy sometimes feeling that I'm in love
for there are so many things I would miss.

But still I am not sure if I am in love, am I?


P.S.: modified thoughts, originally from spillyourdil

Har khwahish puri ho, jaruri to nahin (Hindi Poem)

Khwahishen hazaron hai in aankhon mein,
Manzilein lakhon hai in rahon mein,
Par har woh dagar apni bane jaruri to nahin
Har umeed, har khwahish puri ho jaruri to nahi.

Manzilon ka kya hai, har taraf bichi padi hain,
Ye to khud pe yakin ho ki pa lenge unhe,
Kosish nahin himmat karle had se jyada khud pe bharosha chahiye,
Har muskilon ko paar karle aisa dilon mein hosnla chahiye,
Fir bhi kya pata kab kis mod pe
ek aisa manzar aa jaye jo ye sikha jaye
Ki har woh manzil jo apke samne hai use paya jaye jaruri to nahin.
Har umeed, har khwahish puri ho jaruri to nahi.

Rahon mein kayi muskilen hain, raho mein kayi faslein hain,
Kuch idhar kuch udhar har taraf uljhe se pade hain,
Par fir bhi dil mein tamanna hai, dil mein yakeen hain,
Ki angaroon ko chuna hi nahin unhe apna banana hain,
Unhi angarron se baagon mein ful khilna hai,
Chal pada, nikal pada, khud pe yakin aur khud pe bharosa kar ke,
Par fir kahin kisi mod pe ek anjazana sa woh ehsaas
Ye bata gaya ye sikha gaya,
ki har yakin hakikat mein badle jaruri to nahin
Har umeed, har khwahish puri ho jaruri to nahi.

Sapne maine bhi dekhe hain, sapne dekhna chahta hun,
Sapno mein khud ko jina aur khud mein sapno ko jina chahta hun,
Par kya karun kisse kahun ki woh sapne,
jo kisike saath dekhein hain unhe aklea nahin jiya jaata,
Badhaya hai jo haath maine unhein thamne wala ek haath chahiye,
Unhe pura karne ke liye unhe jine ke liye, ek saathi ka saath chahiye,
Par jab woh na mila jab woh na dikha
to fir ye dil ko samjhaya,
Ki………………………………….jaruri to nahin.
Har woh khwab jise dekhe hai who puri ho jaruri to nahin.

Na pure ho sake woh armaan,
Na puri ho saki woh khwahishein,
Jin armanon mein khud ko piroya tha,
Jin khawahison se khud ko bhigoya tha,
Aaj un ke bina un se alga ho gaya hu,
bhid mein bhi tanha reh gaya hun
Fir bhi chehre pe wohi muskaan hai, chahe hi dil bhale hi ro raha ho,
Kyunki apne aansuon apni taklifon ko jahan ko dikhaya jaye jaruri to nahin,
Har umeed, har khwahish puri ho jaruri to nahi.

Par fir bhi dil mein kahin ye yakin hain kahin ye viswas hai,
Ki zindagi imtehaan le rahi hai,
khud ko samajhne ka mauka de rahi hai,
Samajh raha hun, samajh gaya hun, aur age bhi samajh lunga khud ko,
Bhale hi ye khwahishein puri na ho, na sahi.
Bhale hi ye sapne adhuri rahe to ye hi sahi.
In ke sahare jite aya hun, in ke sahare hi ji lunga.
Aur jis din alvida kehne ke samay ayega,
in khabon in manzilon se ek baar guftgu karunga
Aur ye kahunga ki….
Mana ki har woh khwab jo dekha tha woh pure na ho,
Har woh manzil jis ke liye badhe the apna na ho,
To kya hua,
Khwabon ko ji lo, manzilon ko chum lo,
Kyunki aaj ye mahaz khwab hai,
Par hamesha khwab hi rahein jaruri to nahin.
Dekh lo inhein, ji lo inmein,
Kyunki har khwahish puri NA ho, yeh bhi koi jaruri nahin.

If you want to be understood………Listen

A small child hiding away from his brother under a mountain rock to give himself some momentary pleasure,
A young but already separated couple taking a tour together and still thinking why they are together again,
A deaf and mute girl with extreme s-e-x-ual desires imputable to others' rejections,
And so many other small things which are so true, so real.
That’s Babel.

Last weekend I saw Babel (Hollywood, 2006), starring Brad Pitt & Cate Blanchett. I saw it not because I am a Brad or Cate fan, but more because of it’s outstanding performance at international film awards ceremonies. And as because I had read in advance that this movie has won 15+ international awards, I had to feel the class too. (B’coz I wanted to convince myself that I understand movies too. Does it happen to you too?) And yes, it was in one of my favorite theater ‘Nandan’, Kolkata, India.

The film looks at relationships, from husband/wife, parent/children, brother/sister and plays around the themes of love in adversity. I will like to mention few incidents from the movie to point out few things about us.

Two some 10-12 years old brothers in the deserts of Morocco quarrelling over the newest .270 caliber rifle which their father bargained. The elder being elder tries it out first but is not as skillful as the younger one. Their decision to check the long distance hitting capabilities of the rifle shows the inner intellect of a young mind, the curiosity, the excitement the young ones have. And just in the course they aim at a tourist bus to see if it reaches it. They are disappointed. We all love to judge things, we all love to judge people.

Some where in US, a maid is nursing the two young kids scared of some past brutal incident. The tenderness the lady shows to the kids makes you feel blessed and you can’t help think of your childhood, putting your head on the lap of your mother. Eyes wet already?

Cate feels something on her neck. It’s bleeding, bleeding heavily. Oh my god. It’s a gun-shot. The bus stops and everyone starts showing the panic. But no one comes out to help. People love showing their empathising-careness but are found castrate when needed to act. Don’t we see such people everywhere around us?

A deaf and mute girl in a modern city of Japan is affectionate to a young but raunchy lad. And as soon as he is aware of the disability he behaves stranger again. We want people to be perfect but we forget the fact that no one is perfect. We all need to look into mirrors daily. The girl’s frustration drives her to give away with her pan-ty and debunk. People dare do things they are not comfortable with, not comfortable at all. But they still do it to tell them self that they are no less then others. And they feel it’s fun until it turns fatal.

The younger brother is spying on her sister changing clothes out of an agreed hole in the wall. The elder brother warns but is pushed back with the reply “What’s your problem? She doesn’t mind it either.” This kind of spying is not uncommon, it happens very often around us. Though it’s not always with this much of mutual consent but it happens, it does. Why? To some it is fun to cross the taboos and enjoy the momentary pleasures. And the same is revealed with that under-the-mountain-rock act.

The tensed couple somehow manages to reach a nearby village but the rest of the group members feel scared of entering, for the people are termed ‘terrorists’. I wonder how it is that one person’s act causes ill-fame to the entire mass. And then comes an old stranger lady’s care ness. The care lets you feel that people have beautiful hearts and are very caring from inside. People can’t see others suffering and few feel it is god’s act to heal other’s pain. Hats off to those honest NGOs.

The maid has to go to attend her son’s marriage but faces difficulty in finding someone to take care of the two kids and hence takes themselves with her. They enter Mexico. The kid asks, “Is it Mexico? I have heard it’s not safe”. Why are we taught these things so early in our childhood? Iraqis are terrorists. Americans are not faithful. Indians are conservatives. And so many other things. While the newly wed couple is cutting the cake, the lady is embracing an old strange in a separate room. Loneliness again. It drives you to do things you are not proud of, not proud at all.

Cate’s neck is stitched with needle to stop the blood from flowing. The pain makes her unmovable and she confesses of peeing in her pants. She wishes to do it again. Brad takes off her inners and makes her pee in a cooking pan, while she is resting on his arms. They embrace, embrace in fear of losing each other. But they hold each other tight. No matter whatever drove you to separate (god forbids) with your loved ones, your heart IS always connected. It will always care for your ex-spouses, ex-husbands, ex-friends even if you don’t let them know it.

Other tourists’ arguments to move asap, angry fight and then the silent departure from the place leaving behind the couple alone. People don’t like to be in the wet shoes for a long time. Everyone prefers being out of other’s troubles.

The mute girl’s act of attracting the police officer by daring naked and thinking it may attract her the pleasure. But it turns frustrating b’coz the officer knows it’s not ethical and resists. She cries, cries loud. The crying on the shoulder limns the inner confession, the guilt we feel after doing any thing wrong. If someone does anything wrong, intentionally or unintentionally, we need to understand his/her inner state at that time. We need to understand what made that happen and then we need to act to counsel that person so that it is not repeated. We need to empathize not discard.

The killing of the elder brother in police encounter drives the younger boy to rip the bloody rifle brutally. His innocence drives him to his confession towards the policemen, ”It was me who shot. My brother is innocent. Save him please. Save him please.” We love your family, we all. And at times we made sacrifices for our families, not because it will make them happy but because it gives happiness to us too that we could do something.

Brad & Cate are taken to a hospital by support (at last) from the local government. She is out of danger and is pictured on TV all over the country describing how she survived the ‘terrorist attack’. What a headline.

It is an old saying that “The grass is always greener on the other side.” I would add, “And when the grasses start dying, the greener sides die first and then all looks the same. Everyone worried, everyone helpless.” You never know what is there in life for you to face, how brutal, how pain-staking. The moment you start feeling that everything is fine, everything is under control something or the other hits you from nowhere. But all you have to do is to have faith in yourself, have courage in yourself to fight it and fight loud. I do, I try to. You?

These are just few incidents that I have scrapped here and there were so many more, with some truly great messages.

I remember after the show ended, I stayed in my seat for 5-10 minutes until I heard someone say, “It’s all over.” I smiled and replied, “It is Never. It goes on and that is life.” No wonder if he stared at me after that.

I wondered what is meant by the title ‘Babel’. I googled and found that it means “A scene of noise and confusion”. True, both were present throughout the movie. And the both are present in everyone’s life; every time, every moment.

The tag line of this movie is “If you want to be understood………Listen”. True We need to learn to listen, not just listen to others but also to our inner-self. We shall ask our selves, What I am doing is right? Is this what I should do? Is that justice? Is that me?

I am sure I will remember this movie for a very long time. Frame by frame.

Lesson learnt: No matter how prepared you are, you should be ready to face. Ready to face life.

All the best!

Mission ‘Uninstalling Internet Explorer 7 a.k.a. IE7’

Wow Internet Explorer 7!!! It is Awesome!!! Tabbed look, RSS feed viewer, Search box, Quick Tabs, Stronger Security, and lots of other things. I feel blessed.

Days passed & nights passed with blessings all around. But hold on what’s that? Is that a fly in my soup? IE7 doesn’t work with this software; IE7 doesn’t work with that software. Phew!!!


Googling...

Oh, it’s not the IE7; it’s the software which is not compatible with IE7. Seems like they need to release new versions. But until that happens, it seems that I need to adieu to IE7. I will miss you.

Anyways, let me uninstall the IE7. How do I do that? IE7 doesn’t have any uninstall option in the Start Menu entries. Oh, you are a dumbo Ro. You need to go to Add/Remove Programs from Control Panel. Scrolling the big list…here it is Microsoft Internet Explorer 7. Let me click on it to get the Change/Remove button. Where is the button? Hey. Hello. Where are you? Let me see others in the list. They have the button. Why it’s not on the IE7?

Let me go the Microsoft way….Reboot the machine.

Restarted -> Logged in as Local Administrator to avoid permissions issues -> Went to Add/Remove Programs. Uff, It’s not there still. (God!!! Time to file a ticket to IT Helpdesk?)

Googling...

Oh, I need to select “Show updates” on the top of the Add/Remove dialog box. I selected it and then could see few updates under IE7. YES!!! They have the buttons. Seems like I have to uninstall the updates first to get the button on IE7 item. Smart concept!!!

I uninstalled the 2 updates. Rebooted the machine. Went to Add/Remove box. . Fainted! No buttons yet. Now what is the problem? Who took the button?

Googling...
Googling...
Googling...
GREAT!!! Long live Microsoft!!! It’s a known Bug.

Microsoft believes that after installing IE7 on your machine, if you get a Change/Remove button in the Add/Remove Dialog box for IE7, you are lucky. If you don’t, you are in the mass, just like me. Read this: KB923721. The page reads: “You cannot uninstall Windows Internet Explorer 7 Beta 2”. What a title! Though the page speaks about problems with IE 7 Beta 2 only, but it is true with the IE7 Final version too. I used the Final version only.

The suggested workaround: 7MB download cost on the network. . You need to download the Internet Explorer Uninstall Tool package.
The uninstaller uninstalls the IE7 and you get back your IE6. At last! (I am feeling better now. I will sleep well tonight. Thanks KB, thanks Microsoft.)

This is the first time I have come around a software which asks you to download the uninstaller separately. I wonder Microsoft didn’t release any patch for this too.

Lesson Learnt: When you download IE7 installer, make sure you download the IE7 Uninstall Tool too.

Cheers!

ASL Plz

I nvr tho8 dat it wud end lke diz. Scrabbled? Read ahead….

I hate using shortcuts such as hru, sm1, gr8, etc. in sms, chats. Still there are some selective ones which I use such as ttyl, asl and kit. I use asl as everyone else does for getting a stranger's introduction during online chats (which I seldom do). But last week happened a strange but funny incident.

Read this small conversation…..

Italiano (name changed): Hey!
Ro: who is this?
Italiano: I am from Italy.
Ro: not interested.
Italino:
Ro:
Italiano: Can I chat with you.
Ro: Tell me a thing first, how did you get my id?
Italiano: yahoo directory
Ro: I see.
Italiano: Can I chat with you.
Ro: (thinking)
Italiano: ??
Ro: (thinking)
Italiano:
Ro: ok.
Italiano:
Ro:
ASL plz.
Italiano: asl means???????????????
Ro: Are you new to chat?
Italiano: asl means???????????????
Ro: Age Sex Location
Italiano:
Ro: ( what did I write wrong. Let me see again what we talked. Why this blushing symbol.) What was there to be Blushing in it?
Italiano: Hmmmm, You are naughty.
Ro: Don’t be fishy with me.
Italiano:
Ro: Why this symbol? Is anything funny going on here?
Italiano: No you said na “Sex Location”. You are very naughty
Ro: (grrrrrrrrr kit kit kit kit kit)

Ro has signed out!!!


Lesson learnt: “Never use shortcuts with strangers. NEVER!!!”

Thought it was annoying to me at the time but I remember I smiled so many times after signing out thinking about the incident. And even now when I am writing this post I am smiling again. Now the scene is that anytime I read the word “ASL” I am rofl. Rofl means rolling on the floor laughing . I wsh I m nt wrtng shrtcts nymre.

Before ending this post a strong advice….avoid using shortcuts with those who you don’t know, else my best wishes with you.

CA (Come Again).

Love is just Love

It was more than 2 years back, 26th August 2004 to be specific, when I wrote these lines of thoughts. I remember I was undergoing my graduation exams at that time and during the small breaks from studies, I used to add more lines to this. [don't worry, I topped the exam :)]. And this is how this entire thing came up. Why I wrote it?......that is a completely different story. May be in another post some time?

I don't know whether I should call it a poem or not, but as for me these lines sings by themselves so I call it a poem, My First Poem. I hope to write many more in the coming days, when I am in mood.

As I am writing so many other things on this blog site I thought of putting this one too. So that it could be found anytime. And what could have been a better time to add it to this site than this week. A week when Love is in the Air all around. So, here it goes...."Love is just Love."

Love is just “LOVE”

Love is……………a Mystery.

Love is the language through which
two hearts express the intangible.
Love is an ocean of immense ecstasy
where one sinks deep
to soak soul in drops heavenly.

Love is the smile that sparkles
in someone’s presence.

Love is the tear that trickles
when one cares for someone.

Love is the immeasurable faith
that sprouts when
when one finds the other half.
Love embraces without pretenses.

Let me remain me
Let you remain you…
Let’s unite to become one forever.

Is this what Love says?

Love is the song that is sung
at the silent beats of heart.
Love is the divine rhythm
at which soul dances recklessly.

Love is a treasure of enticing pain
where one longs for someone
countless nights and days.
Love is infinite
expanding beyond the cerulean sky
and carrying in it the whole of existence.

Love is the string which ties
two souls in eternal bond.
Love is completion
with a streak of emptiness in it;
emptiness that is fulfilled
only in the presence of the beloved.

Love is the creation of a creator.
Love is the poem of a poet.
Love is the painting of an artist.
Love is the symphony of a musician.
Love is the religion of a lover.
Love creates but never destroys.
Love is a faith which never betrays.

Love is a rainbow
that embellishes eyes
with its myriad colors.

Love is the blooming flower
whose sweet fragrance
intoxicates the senses.

Love is a drop of water
on the heart of parched desert.
Love is a beam of light
flashing in vast darkness.

Love is the breath
that carries wisps of scented air.
Love is the sigh one takes
in remembrance of someone.

Love is a shower of rain
sprinkling around boundless bliss.
Love is life flourishing
in its most awesome form.

Love is Everything
and Everything is Love
yet words fail to delineate
what Love is.

Love is
ineffable

inexpressible
indefinable.

Love is beyond words.

Love is the ancient wine
with its flavor beyond description.

Falling in Love entails rising …
Falling and rising together…
A puzzle it is... isn’t it?

Love is a feeling
that one may have for a moment
but whose essence lasts forever.

Love happens once in a lifetime
but it’s tough to recognize it
it just happens…happens by itself.

Love is the purest virtue, the highest power
a dais where once you step,
you leave behind all selfishness and desires

as Love increases, desires decrease.

Love nurtures soul in a bliss.
Love doesn’t know give and take.
Love just shares…beyond boundaries.
Love doesn’t bind;

its sets one free
removing bars and inhibitions.

Love is beyond logics..

Love is beyond deductions….
Love is beyond understanding……
Love is beyond comprehension…….

A riddle that can be solved
only when one falls in Love.
So…………

Fall in Love

to see how Love elevates soul to higher terrains.

And as any other word would fail to describe
what Love is
So…………..

let it remain the way IT IS.

Love is just Love.
Nothing below nothing above……
Love Is Just “LOVE”.

Love is a gift. A feeling, an inspiration which can raise someone to the sky from the ashes.

If you love someone Express it. For, an unexpressed love can turn out to be a poison, a poison that will not kill you, but would make you suffer each and every moment. Don’t worry how your beloved would respond to you, because you didn’t ask him/her before you started loving. He/she might not respond to you at all. Never mind, if you loved honestly your duty is to just keep on loving. You never know when stars turn your way and starts shining on you with their full strength. You never know when the cupid hits the bull’s eye. You never know.

So, express your love, express your feelings to the person who matters the most in your life, i.e. your beloved.

Wishing you all the very best of luck.

With Lots of Love.

Ro

When in India do as the Indians do

3 attempts.
1st) 6 hours in line. 1st counter: cleared. 2nd counter: rejected. Result: 2+ hours sitting on stairs thinking what to do.
2nd) 2 counters: cleared. 3 verifications: negative. Result: 2+ days sitting in dark thinking what to do.
3rd) Bribe (read ‘donation’). Result: Passport in hand.

Lesson learned: “When in India do as the Indians do”. Welcome to India Ro!

I know most of the people reading this post will say, “It is alright, Ro. It happens here daily. And after all, all is well that ends well”. Agree.

But this was one thing which kept me worried for over a year since I took the 1st attempt. When I first filed the application for my passport 12 months ago, I had doubts in my own mind but someone vowed me his strong back-support (what was the word: “contacts”). And the words after the result, “Come back, let’s plan the next attempt”. I vowed, “I won’t with you”, and I didn’t. 3 months back I filed again through an agent (the word this time: “care”). And the words after the results, “You should have made some offerings too”. I talked to myself “I have never done it. I don’t want to either. Let’ see if things can be done without dirtying my hands”. Then came the third attempt with the same agent a month back; the weapon this time: bucks. And it worked. Congratulations!!!

Even still today I am unable to believe that I did such things to get things done. And I don’t know whether I should feel happy or frustrated. I had heard it many times that in India (at least) you need to pay the officers some money ‘too’ to seek happy ending. But I thought that there are only few people who expect such. But I was wrong. All men are same. I don’t know if I have got this mentality of donating injected in me now, but at least I will not be showing a cold shoulder to it if needed. Life has again been very educating through these attempts.

And today when I am writing this post, one of my friends is suffering the same problem. No offerings have already resulted in a negative feedback. Time for another warm Indian welcome, hun?

I was reading an Article in the Times of India (Newspaper, India) last week. The front page headline read “India: World’s No. 1 Bribe Payer”. No wonder to me as India has always been at the top of these lists. But this time I said to myself, “I am also a part of it, now”.

I contributed just for my passport. People do it for so many other things, everyday, everywhere.

Corruption is far dangerous than diseases like Cancer and AIDS today. Rather it would be a foolish act trying to make any comparisons. We all have read it so many times in printed media and have seen on electronic. But what are the reasons behind such bribing all around us? Who are responsible? Let’s check out the viruses:

Virus I: The Politicians. Every 1 out of 3 politicians today are charge-sheeters. No wonder that they are great inspirations to the public. And it seems like we love them so much hence re-elect most of them.

Virus II: Judicial System. 365 days in a year, 730+ scams. Lots of hearings, lots of accusations and lots of escapes (read: clearance). No big player goes to jail. Another great source of motivation.

Virus III: Population: Everything in India can be cursed to population. Too little jobs and too little average household income. Most of the people in public departments are not paid properly; hence they are forced to take bribes (officially?). Too many applicants and fewer seats; hence they are forced to make bribes (officially? Yes.) and get in. Officially because institutes/schools call it “donation”. Bribe got this official name long long ago.

Virus IV: You and Me.
Most of the people today have “I don’t care” attitude. It seems like we have become used to it. We don’t really care anymore and are ready to pay bribes as it would speed up our work. And those who don’t or can’t bribe, never raise their voices against it. I hear people say, “Who wants to take the pain of shouting, is it worth? I will find another way myself”. Seems like we all believe in system at first, don’t we?

I won’t quote lengthy on this topic because everyone knows how things work or how to make things work. So I am skipping those great stories here.

Though I personally feel (read: believe) that there is no solution to this bug but if there is any it has to be a change in our attitude. Not just me, not just you, everyone.

Time for self-check: Have you ever bribed someone in any way? (I can already see you nodding yes so many times). Feel free to share your brave endeavors with us here.

Right now, I am also in a fight with an apex Educational institute. Once it’s over, I will share the story.

With the hope that our ranking goes down.
Signing off.

Platonic Friends. What’s wrong with my friendship?

This post is over 1700 words. So if you are running short of time, feel free to exit. But if you think you can give your 5 minutes, you may enlighten us with your views on this.

Who is your best friend? Ahem! My best friend is Shalini/Rita/Priyanka. I suppose this is the most impromptu answer expected to such a question. Why? B’coz in our society being best pals with someone of opposite gender is yet not too acceptable a thing. So Rita (name changed) pushes her best friend Amit to the back of her mind and declares Shalini as her best pal. Strangely, it is to Amit she turns when she is in dire straits or when she needs a shoulder to weep on. It is with Amit who she celebrates her latest A grades. But still these answers come, it happens very regularly. Do these sound familiar to you too?

Even though we declare ourselves from a rapidly developing society which claims to be having a broad minded thinking, the common view still is that friendship can not exist between a boy and a girl b’coz if your best friend is a girl then she is a ‘girlfriend’ and if you are a girl and your best pal is a boy he is your ‘boyfriend’.

And it is so rooted to our culture that a dialogue on this had become the best dialog of the decade years ago. It was as “Ek ladka aur ladki kabhi dost nahi ho sakte” (A boy and a girl can never be friends) from the movie Maine Pyar Kiya (India, year 1989).

Why it is so? Why can’t we think beyond this sick-minded-ness and regard this healthy and pure relationship. Why can’t we just let two people live their own lives? Or why can’t we mind our own business first?

I know reading this post till this point you would be thinking that it is pity that people have such a narrow mind. We are in the 21st century and should think broad now. But time for a self-check, be honest to yourself and think: how many times you have seen a boy and a girl sitting on bench in a park and have not raised your eye-brows? Even when you don’t know any of them and have no ideas what they are talking about. How many times you have seen a boy and a girl talking in the ground floor and have not passed comments when you go up to your colleagues? “You know what, just when I was coming up, I saw Rita with a boy downstairs. They were quarreling. It seems the boy was her boyfriend”. Don’t you do so too? Be honest, b’coz I don’t want to comment on this now b’coz if I do I will add 1000-2000 more words to this post.

I read a verse from Chanakya few days ago, “There is some self-interest behind every friendship. There is no Friendship without self-interests. This is a bitter truth.”. I think he is true and I think it is not bitter even it is good that there is some self-interest. Why? B’coz if you don’t have an interest in something you will not think of it, you will not work for it, you will not feel for it.

You breathe b’coz your interest is in your life, you eat b’coz your interest is in your health, you work not for the success of your company but b’coz your interest is in your career and your prestige, you invest b’coz your interest is in a secure future, you love b’coz your interest is in removal of loneliness and you cry that is also b’coz your interest is in letting go off the pain. Are these interests wrong?

You meet some one and befriend her. That is also due to some self-interest and it is that you need someone when you are down, you need someone when you want to shout at, you need someone to talk to when there is no one to listen to your funny stories, you need someone to make a call to when you find your are bored and also you need someone at the time when you see others happy with their own companions.

Are these self-interests wrong as per you my friends? If yes, I tell this to ALL my friends, I am wrong too I am totally wrong. B’coz my friendship with you was, is and will be only and only b’coz of my self-interests. What is that self-interest that may vary for one to the other. For someone it is that I want him to get over the illness immediately so the next time I see him I don’t lose more faith in god (b’coz I don’t want to turn an atheist). For someone I want her to see at the top of her career. What purpose that will serve me? One day, it may make me say, “you see that girl, yes the one with the prize in her hands, she is ‘my’ friend. And I am proud that we are friends”. That will give me immense happiness. But hold on...it is scientifically proved that when you are happy, some useful chemicals are produced in your body that is good for your health. Here also self interest. Justified, isn’t it?

But hold on here again, had that been a boy you would have gone on stage to congratulate him but as she is a girl you will sit silently and wait for the ceremony to get over so that you can meet and congratulate her separately. Why? B’coz if you go on the stage to congratulate her, there would be more people talking of this incident then people talking about her getting a prize.

What is the solution and who is responsible for such mentality? I will talk about the latter first b’coz after that the former will not need much talking.

Responsible…the society, the education and the individual him/her-self.

The society…and by society I mean the people of it. It is they who spread rumors, it is they who talk about these on every nook and corner for hours when their family needs them badly. “You know I saw Amit & Rita sitting in a temple. I suspect something is fishy here”. Or, “This boy comes to Rita’s house very regularly, seems like some thing is cooking here”.

The education, b’coz we from our very young age have been taught rather instructed that as a girl, you should play with girls only and vice versa. Young minds already molded at so early stage, how can we expect them to think differently now?

And The individual…that is YOU. Yes you are responsible too. If you are honest and what you are doing is not wrong, why it bothers you what others ‘may’ or do say. Why can’t Rita go ahead and say that yes Amit is her best friend and he is always there when she need him. Why can’t it happen that when people point fingers on your true & platonic relationship you can’t stand tall to defend it with all your force? If you value your friendships you should, else do one thing my friend, free it off.

I know if this post is being read by an Angel, she would say, “Ro, you are a boy and if a boy says that his best friend is a girl then it might not raise problems but I am a girl. If I say this it will be like calling troubles and lots of questions to self. B’coz in our society girls are known to be in Limits and we can’t ignore those raised eyebrows and snide remarks around ourselves”.

Why do we want to bind ourselves by these taboos? Why can’t we go ahead and break the shackles. Why? B’coz I feel we don’t have courage to do so. It takes great courage to raise a problem but it takes one’s heart to go ahead and fight against it.

I personally also have also gone through a lot of these comments & rumors and that too repeatedly but I don’t care until it comes to me directly. I believe that there is no point calming down barking dogs b’coz they are all around me but when one tries to bite me, it would never be able to bite ever again. Many times it comes directly to me too, multiple times BUT it has never been from the same person. Why? I defend it so strongly that the person listening can never raise the question again. Why do I defend? Simple, b’coz I value that friendship. I want that to grow and I am in no mood to let any one outsider come and cast an evil eye on it. People even come and say dirty things b’coz they envy me sometimes for such a close friendship, but ask me if I care. Why should I? Is what I am doing wrong? Is what I am doing not justifiable? When I know that what I am doing is not wrong I should not care what people say of it and I don’t. And the day I feel that what I am going to do is wrong, I will not do it in the first place.

Now the time for the solution. I will not say much on this b’coz I want the readers to leave solution to this as a comment (please do let me know that is it same at your place too or is it only in India?). Hence, I will stay short. For me the solution relates to the most complex thing in the universe, The Human Mind. Our heart is not bad, it understands the feelings of an individual, but our mind has been so polluted from ages that we can’t think beyond these things. What we need is proper guidance, proper counseling and above all proper education; out-house as well as in-house education. And rather than the toddlers it is the time when grown up people need these more. Even though we have co-education schools today the story has not changed much.

We need to make people feel that it is perfectly alright if a boy and a girl is talking over phones, it is perfectly alright if they are meeting regularly, it is perfectly alright if they are counting on each other, it is perfectly alright if they are friends.

As healthy competition is encouraged among all age groups and all genders, so should friendship.

With a hope that our mind, our mentality will change for the betterment of an individual and friendship flourishes around us.

Straight from the heart of a person who be-live-s in friendship.