Today when we talk of India, we no longer discuss the future of India. We say the future is India.
India is surging ahead and showing the way to rest of the world.
India, the youngest nation led by a majority of passionate citizens.
India, a global nation, filled with second highest number of English speaking people.
India, a land of opportunities coupled with entrepreneurial spirit enabling majority of its people to be self employed.
India, a land of the erstwhile Dollar Dreams is now employing an ever increasing number of expats.
India, the land of outsourcing, coming to a full circle by creating employment offshore.
India, the land of bullock carts and potholes now has amongst the largest numbers of Billionaires.
India, the land of snake charmers and swamis has now emerged as a thought leader in technology.
India, the land which transcended poverty and urban culture to emerge as a sporting nation
So I am here to not tell you what you already must have read or heard insurmountable times…
The time for India is now and no one knows this better than us…
India is unstoppable and the land of infinite opportunities.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Oh what a Monday...
Manic Monday, the song sung out doesn't even come close to the incredibly and utterly horrible start to the day I had.
Well, the day began at an unholy hour when the alarm chimed its enthusiastic self at 0415 hours, yes, you got that right, at 4bloody’o clock in the morning; a groaning self woke up wondering WTF is wrong with the world to make you get up so early. Little did I suspect that this in fact is the high point of the day!
So trying to ignore the buzz through my head, I get ready, not wanting to keep the cab driver waiting. HAH! The alleged waiting would happen only if he would have arrived in the first place!! Apparently the competency required to book even a simple cab is amiss amongst the chosen few for the job! At 5, feeling a bit jittery I called up the cab agency only to find out that the cab is scheduled to arrive on time, except that the time is 4.45 in the evening, not morning! Yes, this is what I call as a wtfmonday! After frantic calls to numerous cab companies, being greeted in an incomprehensible morning mumble, my desperate pleas were heard by a saviour. So a cab booked, although a bit late made me feel a bit comfortable, slightly elated about the small personal victory I had just achieved.
After an uneventful ride to the airport, I arrived upon a sea of people; it felt like a mass exodus, like the time of partition, with people racing against all odds to reach across to safety. Standing in the check in line, with hurried glances to my watch every few seconds made me reach the counter, greeted by a hassled and embarrassed ground staff. “Sorry sir, the flight is full, you are late!” Say whaaat? Lady, its 50 mins to the flight take off, are you for real? Typical nuisance of capitalism, over booking and making a profit! So there I was stunned, zapped and such being told to wait. Thus ensued a conversation ranging from threatening notes to pleading for help. After a battle of wits, thankfully I was transferred to another flight which was due to take off 10 mins later. “Score!” Is what went through the back of my mind.
Rushing to the security check, I was greeted by what can be referred to as a “Langar!”; a free meal that is given in Hindu temples and Gurudwaras, where one and all queue up for a free meal. It actually seemed like the airlines had distributed free air tickets and everyone decided this was the time they wanted to travel. After standing in the queue of about 1973 people, the CRPF (a note to the unwary, they are the security personnel guarding all airports in India) personnel decided that their shift had ended, without caring about the relieving officer to come and replace them. “Yes, my workers union rocks, I can simply leave when my work is done, who the hell are you to judge me!” The grumbles quite soon reached a crescendo and pretty soon the harassed and grumpy guards had to come again. “Yes, there is a God!”
Clearing the security check, I donned the avatar of Usain Bolt, quite literally bolting to board my flight. Fortunately I had fellow passengers, suffering the same woes as myself. Boarding the flight, which a slight sheen of sweat, which was more to do with the mind than the physical exertion I started searching for my seat. Finally, some respite and an easy breathe.” No, my son, not so soon”, was what fate was telling me. At the farthest corner of the plane, I got middle seats, the chair was the one which did not recline and to boot it up, I was seated between two blobs of mass whose flesh was spilling from all sides. This was to be one hell of a journey.
On the bright side, having such a harrowing start to the day, the regular fuck ups that happen every day seem not even glance worthy. So far so good (or bad!), I am now just waiting to end the day with a glass of rum and some nice retro music. (Please hear me God!)
Well, the day began at an unholy hour when the alarm chimed its enthusiastic self at 0415 hours, yes, you got that right, at 4bloody’o clock in the morning; a groaning self woke up wondering WTF is wrong with the world to make you get up so early. Little did I suspect that this in fact is the high point of the day!
So trying to ignore the buzz through my head, I get ready, not wanting to keep the cab driver waiting. HAH! The alleged waiting would happen only if he would have arrived in the first place!! Apparently the competency required to book even a simple cab is amiss amongst the chosen few for the job! At 5, feeling a bit jittery I called up the cab agency only to find out that the cab is scheduled to arrive on time, except that the time is 4.45 in the evening, not morning! Yes, this is what I call as a wtfmonday! After frantic calls to numerous cab companies, being greeted in an incomprehensible morning mumble, my desperate pleas were heard by a saviour. So a cab booked, although a bit late made me feel a bit comfortable, slightly elated about the small personal victory I had just achieved.
After an uneventful ride to the airport, I arrived upon a sea of people; it felt like a mass exodus, like the time of partition, with people racing against all odds to reach across to safety. Standing in the check in line, with hurried glances to my watch every few seconds made me reach the counter, greeted by a hassled and embarrassed ground staff. “Sorry sir, the flight is full, you are late!” Say whaaat? Lady, its 50 mins to the flight take off, are you for real? Typical nuisance of capitalism, over booking and making a profit! So there I was stunned, zapped and such being told to wait. Thus ensued a conversation ranging from threatening notes to pleading for help. After a battle of wits, thankfully I was transferred to another flight which was due to take off 10 mins later. “Score!” Is what went through the back of my mind.
Rushing to the security check, I was greeted by what can be referred to as a “Langar!”; a free meal that is given in Hindu temples and Gurudwaras, where one and all queue up for a free meal. It actually seemed like the airlines had distributed free air tickets and everyone decided this was the time they wanted to travel. After standing in the queue of about 1973 people, the CRPF (a note to the unwary, they are the security personnel guarding all airports in India) personnel decided that their shift had ended, without caring about the relieving officer to come and replace them. “Yes, my workers union rocks, I can simply leave when my work is done, who the hell are you to judge me!” The grumbles quite soon reached a crescendo and pretty soon the harassed and grumpy guards had to come again. “Yes, there is a God!”
Clearing the security check, I donned the avatar of Usain Bolt, quite literally bolting to board my flight. Fortunately I had fellow passengers, suffering the same woes as myself. Boarding the flight, which a slight sheen of sweat, which was more to do with the mind than the physical exertion I started searching for my seat. Finally, some respite and an easy breathe.” No, my son, not so soon”, was what fate was telling me. At the farthest corner of the plane, I got middle seats, the chair was the one which did not recline and to boot it up, I was seated between two blobs of mass whose flesh was spilling from all sides. This was to be one hell of a journey.
On the bright side, having such a harrowing start to the day, the regular fuck ups that happen every day seem not even glance worthy. So far so good (or bad!), I am now just waiting to end the day with a glass of rum and some nice retro music. (Please hear me God!)
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
So much has changed...
I realized I have not had a chance to pen down anything in way too long a time. Can't really still come to terms with how much how life has changed in the past couple of years. The speed at which my life, my work, my entire thought process has changed leaves my dizzy, now that I have had a moment to reflect back on it.
The changes which come into our life, forced or otherwise; after a conscious decision mould us into the individuals we are. It is indeed up to us to have a control over most of our life, however there are some diversions which come along the way, steering us into a particular direction. Destiny, if you must call it. Destiny often leaves us overwhelmed, which is a natural reaction but dealing with it in the most positive manner takes conscious discipline. Now, I will not go onto say that I have mastered this, saying so would mean one has reached a state of self actuation and I am literally quite far away from that.
But what I have realized is that, no matter what happens, do not lose the sight of your ultimate goal, whatever it might be. Getting bogged down happens to the best of us, but getting back on one's feet to head "full steam ahead" is the important thing. Why I say this right now, is primarily due to the fact that I am faced with a similar situation, which is worsened due to the fact that I do not really know what precisely is wrong. Yet, there is an increasingly gnawing feeling, incessant and growing, like a miasma, spreading its roots within while outwardly there is a calm. I do not mean to sound like a melancholic soul right now, in fact quite the opposite, most of the time that is.
I started my post with the intent of writing something and ended up ranting about something else altogether. Right now would be a good opportunity to reflect back and align thoughts in a manner which would at least help define what the cause of such feelings might be. That would be a step in the direction of setting the course right... I hope..
The changes which come into our life, forced or otherwise; after a conscious decision mould us into the individuals we are. It is indeed up to us to have a control over most of our life, however there are some diversions which come along the way, steering us into a particular direction. Destiny, if you must call it. Destiny often leaves us overwhelmed, which is a natural reaction but dealing with it in the most positive manner takes conscious discipline. Now, I will not go onto say that I have mastered this, saying so would mean one has reached a state of self actuation and I am literally quite far away from that.
But what I have realized is that, no matter what happens, do not lose the sight of your ultimate goal, whatever it might be. Getting bogged down happens to the best of us, but getting back on one's feet to head "full steam ahead" is the important thing. Why I say this right now, is primarily due to the fact that I am faced with a similar situation, which is worsened due to the fact that I do not really know what precisely is wrong. Yet, there is an increasingly gnawing feeling, incessant and growing, like a miasma, spreading its roots within while outwardly there is a calm. I do not mean to sound like a melancholic soul right now, in fact quite the opposite, most of the time that is.
I started my post with the intent of writing something and ended up ranting about something else altogether. Right now would be a good opportunity to reflect back and align thoughts in a manner which would at least help define what the cause of such feelings might be. That would be a step in the direction of setting the course right... I hope..
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
An ode to beer...
My creativity in the "arty" department is limited would be a very mild description on how my brain leans towards that particular area of expertise... but then there are always exceptions and my love and devotion to a most brilliant invention by man; has inspired me to come up with a piece of genius...
Oh glorious beer, Oh frothy pint
With body gold and head so white
Please don’t make me pick a fight
And help me be witty on Ladies’ Night
Oh glorious beer, ‘neath heavenly foam
Don’t let me pass out too far from home
And if I am rude as I drunkenly roam
Don’t let them harm this wee beer-buzzed gnome
Oh glorious beer, Oh frothy pint
Bestow on me thine amber light
Give me slurred speech and blurry sight
But help me o' help me from hugging the toilet tonight
Oh glorious beer, Oh frothy pint
With body gold and head so white
Please don’t make me pick a fight
And help me be witty on Ladies’ Night
Oh glorious beer, ‘neath heavenly foam
Don’t let me pass out too far from home
And if I am rude as I drunkenly roam
Don’t let them harm this wee beer-buzzed gnome
Oh glorious beer, Oh frothy pint
Bestow on me thine amber light
Give me slurred speech and blurry sight
But help me o' help me from hugging the toilet tonight
Monday, April 26, 2010
An Ode for My Alarm Clock
Monday mornings, glorious Monday freaking mornings have inspired me to pen down my first attempt at word play and rhyme..
Every morning I lie there innocently sleeping
When the peace is ruptured by a horrible beeping.
My serenity ripped asunder, sudden and drastic
By this evil, demonic, red-eyed piece of plastic.
I roll over in pain and pound on the snooze,
Groaning, moaning, thinking "What's there to lose?"
"Don't make me get up, just nine minutes more."
The same thing I've said every morning before.
It's not that I hate mornings or dread the new day.
It's just that I loathe waking up in this way.
I'd much rather simply rise up with the light,
Glowing in the window, chasing away the night.
But the sudden screaming, the incessant fuss,
Makes me want to yell and cry and simply to cuss.
Especially the knowledge that all of my sorrow
Will be repeated the same time, same way, tomorrow.
Every morning I lie there innocently sleeping
When the peace is ruptured by a horrible beeping.
My serenity ripped asunder, sudden and drastic
By this evil, demonic, red-eyed piece of plastic.
I roll over in pain and pound on the snooze,
Groaning, moaning, thinking "What's there to lose?"
"Don't make me get up, just nine minutes more."
The same thing I've said every morning before.
It's not that I hate mornings or dread the new day.
It's just that I loathe waking up in this way.
I'd much rather simply rise up with the light,
Glowing in the window, chasing away the night.
But the sudden screaming, the incessant fuss,
Makes me want to yell and cry and simply to cuss.
Especially the knowledge that all of my sorrow
Will be repeated the same time, same way, tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
It is official..
.. 5.30 in the morning.. coming back from one of the best New Year's party ever... VIP section of the club, to the presidential suit after party.. it was all good! Riding on the euphoria of a great start to the year, me and bro are talking and my wishful thinking makes me chance upon a prediction..
1. Udit - I think you are going to be with someone real soon man... BAM! he is married within the next 4 month!
2. Arjun - Dude.. lookout.. i give you an year and a half at the max... true to the soothsayers words.. my bro is now fixed up to be married.. it has happened!!
Congratulations man.. to you and Piya.. god bless!
P.S. Just make sure I am the god father.. and you have a room for me in the house where i can grow old! :-)
1. Udit - I think you are going to be with someone real soon man... BAM! he is married within the next 4 month!
2. Arjun - Dude.. lookout.. i give you an year and a half at the max... true to the soothsayers words.. my bro is now fixed up to be married.. it has happened!!
Congratulations man.. to you and Piya.. god bless!
P.S. Just make sure I am the god father.. and you have a room for me in the house where i can grow old! :-)
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Is this all that happens in 40 years..
Client: "... all this is ok.. but what exactly do you mean by Web 2.0"
before we could answer.. over enthusiastic colleague..
"You heard about windows 3.1 going to Windows 3.11 to Windows 97 rite..its the same.. its an upgrade from 1.0!"
Now I am flummoxed as to what my reaction should be.. but this is not the end.. this leads to a debate between the two..
"Yeah that's ok.. but they took 40 years to go from 1.0 to 2.0..?"
.. wtf.. I am headed outta here!
before we could answer.. over enthusiastic colleague..
"You heard about windows 3.1 going to Windows 3.11 to Windows 97 rite..its the same.. its an upgrade from 1.0!"
Now I am flummoxed as to what my reaction should be.. but this is not the end.. this leads to a debate between the two..
"Yeah that's ok.. but they took 40 years to go from 1.0 to 2.0..?"
.. wtf.. I am headed outta here!
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