Author Archive
Tools ‹ Creative Writers Blog — WordPress
Add comment August 18, 2009
Walking through life too fast: In the wrong lane!
- Lonely in the fast lane
I dreamt of the morning sun, but the weird part was the clouds were too dark. So much that, the sun was hidden behind it. The shadow eclipsed the fireball such that the Knight of light was shut behind the emptiness of the vast sky.
I saw something today and felt a lot more than I would normally feel. It was asking me to slow down on life.
Worried and hurried by the daily routine of making the dough for our bread, butter and “jam” I had forgotten how it feels to be human again. Surrounded too many a times by those who I would recall (If I would ever want to recall them that is) as just a dark abyss or shadows, who are never there and would never be beside but only follow through.
I rushed in with my routine as I cast away the holy smokes of unknown groups; I spent the precious fifteen minutes of morning scurrying around for getting things together set and ready for the day.
And what a day it was….
As I rushed across through my door leaving behind a cracking sound that would have awaken my neighbors for sure, my amazing hunt for the treasured Auto rickshaw for my today’s Mumbai journey began. Begging around at qualms for a ride for which I am sure to shell out a hefty piece of green from my pocket, I finally managed to convince one of the amazing rick drivers for a drive to my office.
As I waited in the rick, my work had begun with morning calls from all around the amazing spaceship in which I was and all of a sudden the vehicle screeched. I felt like my house door was hitting me back, I t was really loud!
Oh God! Was I going to get late ‘coz of some pointless traffic today?
As this question infuriated my tiny brain, I looked out and screamt at the first guy standing near the rick.
I took out my frustration of blocking my time and space early morning at him and was trying to move on into the rick, I saw something.
The guy had only one leg, his packet was lying scattered on the road and there were only loud angry horns supporting him. He was not angry, was just trying to gather his scattered stuff of the rusty roads of Mumbai.
I swallowed my horrible tone, got out of the rick, bowed my head in apology, and actually told the vehicles around to shut up, picked up his stuff and dropped him to his office.
We did not speak, he asked me few questions, but I told him I felt to horrible to answer for what I had done or was going to do had I not just seen what I saw. He just smiled, and he made my morning peaceful.
As I got back to work, the start was not very good and as I saw the day proceeding ahead, I could feel only emptiness around me.
But my sweet friend (emails) dropped in some note which staggered me. It was about a similar incident that happened with me today that the mail was describing.
I paused with shock and a tiny bit of surprise.
I pondered back to what and how my day began.
It took a physically challenged and lonely guy on the street, who was also trying to make his living, slow me down with an act of solitude and humbleness on his face.
I remembered my time back at work again today; I found loads of emptiness, no courtesy and nil gratitude for life from those around. It looked so sad. I had the guys number with me, I called him during the day, thanked him for slowing me down and making me realize how important it is to what we strive for, that’s more than just a job.
I guess running scurried in the routine rat race, with all those around, I had forgotten the value of time, money and what it means to give someone space and support.
I felt good, as I jotted this down but I really asked myself, ‘Is someone who is less fortunate and more troubled in life hitting so hard against you with his life scattered but yet not complaining, the Only person who can make us look back and think about how we live?
The reality was harsh and sad.
I think it should never be a jerk that would desperately need to slow us down.
As I jotted down the final lines, I found myself remembering that guy’s face from morning, who had so much less than I did, but still thanked me, was smiling at the end of the day and said, this is a routine for me, I hope you have a great day!
I need a great day…. I think it’s time I got a great day!
But the next time, I won’t wait till my rick hits someone…..
So, how was your day?
Le’mme know
3 comments August 4, 2009
Le Tour de France 2009
- The Tour Map 2009
The Tour de France is the most well known and prestigious of cycling’s three “Grand Tours”.
The race lasts three weeks and attracts cyclists from around the world. The race is broken into day-long segments, called stages and this year’s 2009 was upstaged by the 24 year Mark Cavendish.
- Age: 24
- Team: Columbia
- Born: Isle of Man
- GB Team: Olympic Podium Programme
Mark Cavendish
The leaders of a team and his team mates racing on the Tour de France try to excel, individually or by the support they provide to their team. This amazing sporting team spirit of courage, determination and perseverance which is the Tour de France is an annual bicycle race that covers around 3,500 kilometers (2,200 mi) throughout France and bordering countries.
The Tour de France 2009
Individual times to finish each stage are added up to determine the overall winner at the end of the race. The rider with the lowest aggregate time at the end of each day wears a yellow jersey.
The course changes every year but it has always finished in Paris and since 1975 along the Champs-Élysées.
It typically has 21 days, or stages, of racing and covers not more than 3,500 kilometres (2,200 mi).[2] The shortest Tour was in 1904 at 2,420 kilometres (1,500 mi), the longest in 1926 at 5,745 kilometres (3,570 mi).
The number of teams usually varies between 20 to 22, with nine riders in each. Entry is by invitation to teams chosen by the race organiser, the Amaury Sport Organisation. Team members help each other and are followed by managers and mechanics in cars first Tour de France was staged in 1903.
Riders aim to win overall but there are three further competitions: points, mountains and for the best young rider. The leader of each wears a distinctive jersey.
The maillot jaune (yellow jersey) is worn by the general classification leader. The winner of the first Tour wore not a yellow jersey but a green armband.
The maillot vert (green jersey) is awarded for sprint points. At the end of each stage, points are earned by the riders who finish first, second, etc
The Points and more:
Flat stages: 35, 30, 26, 24, 22, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 points are awarded to the first 25 riders across the
finish.
Medium-mountain stages : 25, 22, 20, 18, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points are awarded to the first 20 riders across the finish.
High-mountain stages : 20, 17, 15, 13, 12, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points are awarded to the first 15 riders across the finish.
Time-trials: 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 points are awarded to the top 10 finishers of the stage
OVERALL STANDING ON TIME
Results link after stage 21
Total distance covered: 3459.5 km
http://www.letour.fr/2009/TDF/LIVE/us/2100/classement/index.html
Winner: Mark Cavendish
Legends Trivia:
A legend of the same:
Lance Armstrong in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005
Image Source:
Add comment August 2, 2009
Tools ‹ Creative Writers Blog — WordPress
Add comment July 31, 2009
Kargil Vijay Divas
Its been a decade since May – July 1999 and today India celebrates it’s 10th anniversary of Kargil War.
This was a war that claimed the lives of over 500 of India’s bravest soldiers. There are no words which can do justice to the valiant act of our brave soldiers, to whom we are indebted forever. They are our True and real heroes.
These real life heroes fought the enemy in a terrain and altitude, where probably the everyday Joe that’s You and me would have difficulty in just moving from one spot to the other.
Today, with so much of media buzz I recollected my meeting with one of these Kargil heroes who had visited our College after this heroic victory. The way that legend spoke to us of the environment that was at the mountain peak, surviving that itself was a war. It was a high altitude warfare in a mountainous terrain.
He mentioned on that during these unbearable and severe freezing chilly coldness, the armymen at times actually sat “on” the fireplace to beat the cold. I remember the heroic soldier mentioning of the different phases of this heavy war.
Starting with Pakistan, infiltrating forces into the Indian-controlled section of Kashmir and occupying strategic locations enabling it to control NH1.
The final attacks from our Forces happened in the last week of July and the fighting ceased on July 26 with our Victory. True to our country’s heroic character despite having to pay a heavy price for fighting a war within its territory, the Indian forces allowed the Pakistanis return across the Line of Control.
Casualties for both sides were heavy.
By the end of the war, India had resumed control of all territory south and east of the Line of Control, as was established in July 1972 as per the Shimla Accord. The day has since been marked as Kargil Vijay Diwas – Kargil Victory Day in India.
3 comments July 27, 2009
Routine ramblings blog: Luminous day flying and landing nowhere artsy!
day of the glimmering dawn
On an early luminous morning, I rose with the gleaming clouds radiant with the globe of sun lit in the sky.
I got geared up to backpack for my tour to the city of Nawab’s (Hyderabad).
Well I was returning the same evening, so there was nothing to backpack really, but just thought it might add to my reader’s interest of something exciting that might be coming. Ahem!
As I completed with my calorie burning session for the day and drove to the Mumbai Airport I was already waiting for the day to end. Why, ‘coz I felt it was going to be a routine day assignment with zilch added to the learning kitty, so I thought.
Yet, the day went off smooth, with even few new learning’s added to the food for thought pool for the day.
I had ample time still left, so I wandered around the streets. As usual landed where I first start off or end up in most of the cities, at the Art museum.
I was close to Hyderabad Birla Museum center (Art center) and shockingly experienced the utterly un-courteous poorly maintained, staffed with sad and dark minded traditional non art valuing staff and suffocating, hot and humid interiors with no ventilation (No A/c or fans were switched on even after asking / requesting). It was undoubtedly the most awfully maintained Art Museum I have ever visited in my entire life.
Left the sad area, not so soon though and later landed in the nearby cool, calm and beautiful Birla garden and saw idols, and sculptures of Gods (Shiva / Nandi) and many others.
SHIVA Nandi
Finally I got my Meru and landed back at Hyderabad Airport and realized I was ONLY 3 ½ hours early than my reporting schedule. Hmmmm, hungry, famished and extremely glad with the royal treatment received at the Birla Art museum (still could not get it out of my system especially since it was at an Art museum).
Anyways, I went to airport coffee shop and ordered myself a ‘cut the carb and fat down’ Italian Salad Sandwich with a Big Mug of Coffee. Had a relishing meal and got on board. I usually dislike flight food unless it’s Jet.
Luckily the Meru experience was comfortable throughout as I landed back home with few good learning and some bad experiences with a decent meal coupled with my very favourite Coffee.
The day was over as I rolled back under my Mickey Mouse sheet for a sound sleep unruffled and dozed off into the sweet arms of nidra.
hey, needed to ramble something off my routine at least once in this blog… come on! What say?
Cheers
Long live Art and artists
Add comment June 25, 2009
IIM Indore – IRIS Break Free – Klueless Game
Dear Readers,
This is one of the coolest games that ’s probably available online…. from IIM I Team
Do try it out …..
It’s awesome
Keep thinking and keep playing….
Image Source: IIMI IRIS
Add comment June 20, 2009
Addiction: Contagiously unique: Dying to get Offline, but alas!
ADDICTIONS: Dying to get Offline, but Alas!
“Greatness adds to the Good & evil begets evil, as simple as that”
One 12 year old kid, who was supposed to enjoy his summer vacations by going out or playing till he drops in the heat, was having a horrible day yesterday, because his mother was not allowing him to play the Xbox (which he was playing for more than few hours already).
He came to me angry with his mom and asked, ‘I am getting bored. I don’t want to go out and play. Can you tell mom to allow me to play on my Xbox so that I can have some fun.’
I guess, this is what has become when I look around me, except for those very few who are still fortunate, under control and in touch with the real world.
That’s when it struck me.
I too have been addicted. I realized that I have become utterly obsessed to the cyber world like millions across the world. Today I am just one among the million less fortunate getting strangled to the today’s ipv4 syndrome – The Internet.
This virtual platform engineered by those who started it as an information sharing platform has gone manifold through inventions & contributions by great pioneers like Al Gore, Tim Berners-Lee, Vint Cerf, Robert Kahn, Leonard Kleinrock, Lawrence G. Roberts, Radia Perlman and few others.
But why do I quote the first line that “greatness adds…..”
I realized the missing link around that could hold me grounded and keep me engrossed in life that is real.
Today, as I scan across my little self-centered murky world, I find all those around fixated to something that is not just contagious, but uniquely contagious, in the sense that, it drives oneself to catch their novel form of addiction on their own.
Surrounded by those either addicted to the till death do us apart yearning for money or those with a deflective state of philosophical bent through religious dose of daily booze or those obsessed with zero value adding life skills of traditional education or the amazingly exasperating bunch of hardcore shopaholics who have today led me to succumb & snail myself into a smaller world owing to sheer utter boredom.
I feel suffocated when I end up nowhere but yet ‘find myself’ in a Mall every other day or worst diluting my already troubled fitness regime sitting in a restaurant that is definitely not helping me regain my good old self.
Why? ‘coz today I am tired of again and again planning a spontaneous tour to a better place or at least a real world around and unfortunately cannot also find, ‘who can take on ideas to connect to the real world’ & initiate an adventurous outing may be?
I keep trying to reinvent by being innovative and planning to reach out to the outer and real world and sadly find myself in a restaurant or compulsorily on the almost only way to stay connected with each other today – Telephone or even worst in a bar or a again a mall.
The value addition per se seems to be missing at every stage as addiction has caught up with specific religious routines of not thinking beyond the monotonously small world around.
With so much of information explosion, I am today finding the spontaneity missing around me so much that I chose to get addicted to a virtual world with just a couple of hardware and loads of unnecessary junk from all across the globe.
As I drift towards spending shockingly gifted long & empty weekends addicted to the virtual galleria, the more I realize the emptiness of adventure and spark with zest and energy around.
The more I update myself on Web3.0 today, the more I feel sorry for the world of tomorrow that ‘might’ be a part of these uniquely contagious addiction syndromes over a period of time.
Now that I have done some keying in for the day, let me get back to Orkut or Facebook where I can meet real people, ahem!
Can’t believe, I am actually dying to get offline!
What say?
Let me know your views
Ananth V – ‘(Still Online)’
Image Source: AnanthV
8 comments May 31, 2009
TV Soaps, Reel & Real life: Winds of blurry reality
Twirling Dreams & Blurring Reality
Money, passion, exhaustion and fame…. Drawing to a weekend where serenity was the magic to the tempo of realism called Life!
Met up with an old buddy, yes, the same friend who shared his dream with me and wanted the same to be shared with all of us through this platform: Choked by a crab
He said, I want to share another one this time.
I asked him, “You spend too much time sleeping, don’t you?”
Thank God, he took it lightly, just the way I had meant it.
But he meant business as he straight away quoted “I saw a baby monkey running around me with whom I was playing and then feeding a watermelon”
We knew we were no Birbal, so we got Sherlock. No, not the web search app from Apple (That’s still Google for us).
We got searching and finding all probable combinations. Why? ‘coz my chum seemed quite uneasy and anxious since a couple of days with this and he said, lets put this again on board.
The combination of a baby monkey being fed watermelon, hmmmmm….
The Web help sources said, That could mean putting jointly emotions of innocence which was trying to be grabbed from the past.,Unsettled triggers of unfinished business from childhood recollections that could have sparked very recently. That with a monkey that was being fed, probably expressing a betrayal of expectation from someone who should have been there more to support you who meant close to you and finally with a fruit that is either about ease or about fiery passion. These were amazing combinations which meant well, nothing to me as now I turned at my buddy.
Slowly we put the running ball together; I noticed a sneer and a sense of realization on his face. He said, I got my answers, now you quote down your lines.
His face was composed or a lot calmer now and now that I got that he got it, I was sure I need not try to know what it was.
But I felt uncomfortable when I quoted his dreams the first time on the blog after he said, go for it. Flash it across. Now a repeated second one made me say to him, ‘it’s not right to talk about your life on a Writers blog.’
He said a simple line after which I started to key in the new post here.
He quoted, “It helps me relax to read it across the blog and it helps me know, it’s just out there, happening and makes me feel in control from within. It’s good to flush it out of my system than to burn wakeful from inside in the barrenness.”
That’s when I realized the influence of Soaps on TV. With Ekta Kapoor and her Dramarama swarming the nation like a wild blaze, people find themselves sharing a part of it, some or any part of it at times and that’s what keeps them at ease and linked day in and day out.
It’s not the actors, it’s not the lines, its Reel reality with a dash of overflowing emotions bundled with of course repetitive unnecessary camera shots. (ya, ya I have seen an episode too.. big deal)
Well, I don’t know about me, but Ekta definitely built her dreams with it….
And to my pal, Happy dreaming buddy! Have a good nights sleep!
Chao!
Image Source: Click
1 comment May 29, 2009
Life, Teenage and beyond: “When I was 21….. It was a very good year”: Missing 21
When I was 21
Another ‘good’ year, or is it?
A stressful month, painful week, draining last few days…. has finally brought me to a not so energetic weekend.
Duh!
It’s 6am IST on a Saturday and I am awake writing a blog…. So take a wild guess!
But yes, I had few other realizations of f late about people and life. They don’t change, they won’t change…. Either we learn to adapt or we learn to let go.
I usually have been habituated to working with a big team professionally and have an extremely choosy few friends. And it’s true what they say. Our friends teach us more than anyone else of things that could be played and done right to socialize. I have been lucky and in awe of few such friends of mine to whom I might not have mentioned this to, but have helped me a lot to gain control of myself and my social life over these years.
Today I understood when Sinatra started by singing when I was 21 as I missed being 21 a lot, when it was a very good year … remember!
Those who probably knew me two years back, if they wind up discussing with someone who knows me not from yesteryears, would sense they are discussing of different individuals. I changed… for some reason, i changed. Became more calm, more patient and more socially acceptable and human.
So today, I fall flat and confused when I am questioned for being too calm and non-aggressive and on the other when I know how hard I have worked for it.
So what am I to do? Where am I to go from here….
I come from a middle class orthodox family, valuing teachings of the great more than life. I do not obviously abide by those at the same level but I respect the learning’s in every form of practicality in life today.
The quotes and learning from the holy books of Gita, Ramayana, Bible and great leaders and my personal influencers like Mother Teresa, Swami Vivekananda have shared their wisdom across the globe. When I read through them, I feel so shallow in my life of doings.
I have always found peace when I was able to lend a helping hand to someone really needy, be it education, physical help or bringing smile through words of humor. I have lost all that today in the rat race of life.
Recently I received a letter where I have been nominated for Rashtriya Gaurav award (I thank them for my nomination) for my contribution to various NGO’s over the years, but strangely I did not fill up my nomination, because there is so much more to do…… so much of void to be filled, my work has not even begun.
I am not trying to preach like the great influencers, trust me I do not have that audacity anymore. I am merely like a candle in front of the mighty sun, running confused and with chaos on what is to be done more, better and positive…..
The great words from Gods and legends have taught me to just keep pursuing my work and not bother. But today the days and weeks seemed to be either hooked up on monotonous ideas which itself cracks the point of having ideas or no learning and loads of zero value addition routine tasks or chasing god forsaken numbers or planning them and with nothing coming in return from any of these that could be worth valuing; “TIME” seems to ask me, are these days even going to be worth remembering?
The answer I get is a simple no!
So today I ask my friends who have either massively or in any other way, impacted a positive way of life in me, how do they do it? …
To name a few: Anand P (A humble guy & a master & wizard on traditional High quality education), Amit R (Very helping & his PR skills are better than SRK’s), Ajay K (The most modest, sincere & humble being) who have been my very close friends since decades and of course there are many others who have added and impacted at some level or the other as excellent friends: Beta, Chinki, Kishore, Prakash, Bala, Hari bhai, Sagar, Chintan, Akshay, Prasad, Deva, Mani, Chini, Ankur, Venky and there are those whom I can’t mention owing to uncanny reasons…..
or do they too miss being 21….. Come on fellas, give me your comments…
Quotes from Holy books and some of my personal great influencers:
“There is neither this world nor the world beyond nor happiness for the one who doubts.”
“ Karmani ave adhikars te: –you have the power to act only; ma phalesu kadachana:–you do not have the power to influence the result; ma karmaphal hetur bhoo: –therefore you must act without the anticipation of the result; ma sangostu akramani: –without succumbing to inaction; ”
“Anything that brings spiritual, mental, or physical weakness, touch it not with the toes of your feet “
“I will deal with them according to their conduct, and by their own standards I will judge them”
“I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness”
Image Source: AnanthV
5 comments May 16, 2009
Heath Ledger: Batman’s Serious Joker, “Why So seriousssah…….”
As the Osacar mania settled in and the winners went backstage to celebrate the 81st Academy award, my heart stood still for few moments.
Of the winners list announced, I searched and landed back for the nth time on the name of one of this years Academy award winners.
It has been 7 years since I have not missed the Oscars, from my home television set of course, but this was the first time I was very sure of the award winner in one of the categories.
So sure, that when I had seen the Actors performance and was heading back home from the PVR cinema at 1:40pm night in Mulund – Mumbai, I said to my friend, “Ye saal, Ek Oscar to malum chal gaya, isko hi jayega, Kya superb performance diya re is bandhe ne” so to say, I told my friend that I was damn sure who is going to be winning one of the Academy awards this year, amazing performance it was.
It was the first time I stood up in between the movie to add a thunderous applause to the already amazing background score of the movie.
Needless to say, I watched this movie twice in the theater, for the very first time in my life, watched a movie more than once.
As days rolled by, I got busy with work, then one day, I heard the shocking news.
The Actor had passed away. He died of a drug overdose.
I went online, scurrying through the sites to hopefully see if it was not true, but went motionless on reading it in every website.
The 28 year old brilliant performer, Heath Ledger who won a million hearts with his uncanny and outstanding performance as the Joker had passed away.
I pay my humble tribute to this legend of an artist.
The Joker will always Live…….
Why So Serious…..
Why So Serious
“Either you die a hero or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain” – Joker ~ The Dark Knight Returns
Image Courtesy:
Heath Ledger: Heath
Joker1: Joker
Joker2: Why SO Serious
1 comment February 23, 2009
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2009
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival The 2009 Kala Ghoda Arts Festival will be on from 7th February to 15th February.
Gallery and pavement shows, exhibitions, literary events, film screenings, music concerts, dance performances, theatre shows, workshops, heritage walks, a food fiesta, and a buzzing street festival bring in audiences and participants from all over the city.
The Schedule Of Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 2009 is as follows:
7th February, 2009
8th February, 2009
9th February, 2009
10th February, 2009
11th February, 2009
12th February, 2009
13th February, 2009
14th February, 2009
15th February, 2009
Add comment February 9, 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR – WELCOME 2009
Wishing everyone a very Happy &
Prosperous New Year
Welcome 2009
God Bless & Be Well
Ananth V
Add comment January 1, 2009
Mumbai Routine: The wait was finally over….
Snarling all around with a face that could not look dimmer than what seemed to be. As I walked into the client’s office, he was staring at the horrible sounds that seemed to be echoing through his office with my entrance.
But I guess, the meeting was important enough to entertain my orchestra of heavy cough and cold in his conference room.
I finished my appointments and meetings one after the other and rushed to find a cab back home. Desperately with my weary self I carried the exhaustion my body was trying to bear all around the crowded street of Andheri.
As the misery of my last 3 days fever and cold seemed to catch up on my body strength, I caved in and started hunting for a rick that could take me home in it’s own topsy-turvy way. I finally found one in the horribly crowded and filled with heavy horns and brakes road of Saki Naka. I entered in and re-checked with the Pilot of the ‘Rick’ of my destination. He nodded and took off in his horribly rash way that he drives. He drove like he owned the road, but the only issue was, with his speed, he seemed to also own my life for that hour or so. Anyways, I was too tired to move and in those twenty minutes or so he just all of a sudden stopped.
“Gas nahi hai sir rickshaw mein” he said and eyed for me to get off the vehicle.
No gas in the rick, Wow, fabulous. I was at the Hira Nandani area of Powai at 7 pm where I would never ever get another rick in less than half hour.
Bingo, I was right! I got the rick for my way home at 7:25 pm. I was half crashing down when I reached home.
I ate something light to keep me ticking and rushed to the doctor to get some meds of this stretched weariness. Luckily, there were only 2 other miserable looking individuals at the doctors waiting room. I took my number and just laid back in the seat waiting to get my dose of medicine. It was 9:30 pm. In the next 30 minutes or so, there were apparently 6 others who went directly in saying they needed to just show their reports who apparently the doc’s helper felt was fine to let them in. By the time the whole lot went in and out and me with the other one more waiting to get in could explain and get things right, (which I did not get into as it seemed like a fight when the others were doing it, so I just laid back in the seat) the time was 10:20 pm.
Finally, it was my turn and I could not believe my luck. The doc had an emergency call and she left.
Finally, I got my dose of meds and left at 11pm. Glad… My wait was finally over and apparently when I took my meds back at home… so was the day!
Happy healing!
Add comment December 19, 2008
Mumbai Attack: Why {‘Me’mbai} … will never be my question!
Mumbai -TREE Grace -Strength!
Why {‘Me’mbai} … will never be my question!
The first breath of air that I ever took till the current letters that I am keying in…. Every minuscule moment screams of the word MUMBAI.
I grew up proudly in this beauty of a land which we term, as the city of dreams. The energy and drive that Mumbai can bring for anyone is, in human terms, unreal and eccentric. Growing up here, all I ever worried about was nothing other than ‘just the fear of growing too slow’.
For I knew, that my quick paced city was safe and would keep me safe.
Life was driven by the ambition of achievement and passion, nothing more.
Life was socially or otherwise, always strictly business for every Mumbaikar.
Mumbai never had Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs or any other community. Mumbai in its most awful state of affairs always seemed to come to a consensus on the basis of an understanding but has stood strong and has returned hitting harder.
We are a cash rich city by means of real estate, human resource and the dream builders of the world. At the end of the day, everyone knows… There is only one Hope on the face of this planet… that can withstand any trial, wherein so many cultures and dreams have been built from and with nothingness, Our Mumbai.
But this week, Mumbai met with an attempt which has made things very personal.
In the name of community and insane inhumanness innocent lives were driven into havoc. We were attacked by those who had nothing in their minds, but a canvas of painting the city red. Of giving a message to all: Stay away from this city …..
As of date, we have earned over decades the bloody audacity to shout at the top of our voice that we are going to welcome the world more than ever and by God, will the world too take this city with more respect than ever before.
We will and have already bounced back to grow, party and capitalize harder than anyone could ever dream of.
No one is scared…… bloody not even close…. Now the city is going to have more guests, more visitors and tourists than ever before. All will have the hot and crispy groundnuts outside the Taj Mahal Hotel once again and hang out. Drive around the Marine Drive and catch a movie at Metro this week.
Why, because, WHY MUMBAI, will never be my question. You wanted to hit the best… Thanks for reminding the billions all over, that the city of dreams is actually a city that never sleeps. It is actually built with people that love this land and she gets her energy from the blood running through each of our veins. The city has never slept and will never sleep. We will grow beyond what anyone can fathom and will welcome billions more to this land to grow along with us everyday.
We are dreams… We are hope… We are strength…… The commandos, the NSG and every brave staff at the hotels, the amazing heart of every civilian, The Trident, Nariman House, Taj, Colaba, CST and all over … gave us more hope than ever before. A heartflet sincere Thanks to each of the heroes. We will always bounce back and hit harder than one can ever EVER in their bloody sense of the term even think of.
I will never ask why M{e}mbai.. I know… ‘coz people always go after what’s the best….. It’s sad… for the rest… ‘coz they will never get even an ounce of it…. It’s not for cowards, it’s not for Losers…. It’s for the mighty strong who face Life… not from behind a bush…but Face to face!
M{e}mbai!
Look at us – We are ready to rock the world again!
—
Image Source: http://ananthvclickswordpress.com
5 comments November 30, 2008
Mumbai Terrorist Attack: This is Mumbai… Do not ever try this again!
Mumbai
As the flames of the city seemed to settle down with the dust, the pace of the city was just as Mumbai would be, quick, chaotic, restless and as always undying.
What about it’s spirit?
I would not want to quote the routine but yes, the city is once again ready to bow down and salute the real life heroes – Our Officers & commandos.
Our Mumbai did not see any one “Leader” around, probably for reasons of safety and security as the true brave hearts were giving us everything they had that too for those, who only read about them in the daily papers.
As the real law holders fought for us, we the timid people, could watch them shed their blood from our home television sets. But at least the food did not go down our throats for those two days. At least, so much of shame was within, for those who spilled out all that they had for us…..
We mourned, we wept, we screamed inside our hearts in agony as the city was witnessing a fiery night out of nowhere.
As the cowards drew the first blood, it just got too expensive, as by the grace of God, Our Nation was blessed with the brave sons of this soil who kept the crown standing at the same place.
As we rejoice for those who were rescued, as we SALUTE those who saved our souls and as we mourn for the deceased, the flame within cannot fade.
You know why?
You can beat us, you can make us bleed….. but you can’t break us….
This is the Mahatmas land…..
I salute today from my cosy home sitting in my comfortable chair those who have made me feel safer today…. the real heroes who always were the demi-gods.
I bow down to every Life lost and pray for their souls to find peace.
“I only hope one day for this free land…
to be actually free…
from the filthy games
and selfish deeds….
as I found my city’s crown today….
shattered to many a piece….”
This is Mumbai, Do not ever try this again…..
2 comments November 29, 2008
mumbai attack Gloomy skies below streets of Mumbai
As I took the steps ahead on the swarming streets of Mumbai today, I felt like I was on top of a gigantic winged messenger of the gloomy skies that seemed to fly beneath me.
I could feel the burden of my thoughts being splashed across the busy streets, scattered and roaming without a moment of rest.
I felt my insides roar with a gore of pain whilst I kept trying to further increase my pace.
Was I dreaming…. As the question zoomed across my confused and battered mind today, I felt the speedy vehicles whiz past me with least care and concern. I stepped back few paces and the pain seemed to be agonizing even more.
What was happening?
I was feeling twitchy and was experiencing a moment of stagnation in my thoughts. Was the concerned concern with respect to my routine or my life, my dreams or my goals, my ideas or my passion? I could not separate the gold from the dross.
I kept walking few steps ahead as I called in for a cab for my ride back home. I did not want to ponder… I did not want to question anymore? I just did not want to ask myself today… What is it that’s turning my insides out? I guess, by then my Nokia 3500 reminded me of the fabulous songs that it had in it’s memory. I took the music pills and gulped it through my ears one after the other and tried to make my pain go away.
I soon faded into the sound and beats and slowly into the gaping hole of the future. It looked just like a white light to me now. As I felt the agony slowly finding it’s way back, I pumped up the volume and let the music take control. I did not know what it is and today, I just didn’t want to know.
I had learnt to let go finally… Finally…… I had learnt what they mean to de–stress ….
Even though I knew that it was temporary… I felt at peace that it was over for the day…..
No more blasts, no more sounds… just serene emptiness of space….. hope and peace restored….
Image Source: http://ananthvclicks.wordpress.com
—
Ananthanarayanan V
5 comments November 28, 2008
Mumbai terrorist attack , another sleepless night!
November 26th , 2008: The sunset yesterday in the city, that never sleeps, was true this night as the city of hope and dreams heard a gunshot as the night grew dark.
In an eyes blink there was chaos all around. Soon, the media flashed videos of firing, blasts and destruction in different locations of Mumbai at the same night all at once. Trident, Taj hotel and the Nariman House along with other locations like Vile Parle are facing the wrath of this unholy quest for utmost chaos.
It’s now been a relentless 22 hour fight against terror for Mumbai’s different law forces, who have been battling it at a stretch. We have already lost hundreds in numbers and billions are drowning in high emotions as we look at the terrible losses in the form of innocent lives and great officers and law enforcers of our country.
All for a cause that no one would want to excuse. Not Mumbai for sure.
I just pray with billions others worldwide to end this mayhem of bloodshed and bring down the terror in a way that would end any such chaos to ever strike any nation.
Hoping an end for it soon…….
—
For losses that can never be explained… for lives taken that can never be excused…. For hope and faith that will never be shattered….. May the supreme force bring justice and peace back to the lives of all those who are still at the mercy of this terror and bless the souls of the innocent and brave lives under attack, whose spirits and fight in this tragic encounter leaves us all wanting for nothing more but an end……
1 comment November 27, 2008
IIM Indore my blog: The Life at IIM I
Nostalgia, Learning that was – LIFE at IIM I
The journey began with an entrance exam on paper and ended with the Learning stock that is priceless for ages.
So was the journey at IIM Indore for our PGCPM batch of 2007. As we entered into the IIM I campus and found ourselves inside the huge auditorium with levels, where right from the “Badshahs” of business to the Maharajas of Politics had made there presence felt at some point of time or the other.
The emotion of each student was running sky high that day as we awaited the Director of IIM I to make his entrance. Eventually we eased in and as the sessions began the same day giving us a hint of what was to come. Honestly, most of us were not prepared for what “was” to come in the rolling days ahead.
At the end of the week, we were exhausted with the load of assignments and case studies already, yet, as we came out of the session room the whole batch stood still. It was the amazingly breathtaking sight of the evening hues on the setting sun right in front of the Library in the campus. It was stunningly gorgeous.
All of us settled down gradually as we returned to our dwelling places and with the routine learning and the intermittent shocks that our subject gurus used to give us we learnt a lot more than just case studies in this Learning process.
We learnt a lot from each other at every stage. We had people with great business skills and amazing professional knowledge in the group. We learnt about group dynamics, team work, focus on a single goal, standing up for each member, fighting for what is right, hard work and so many amazing qualities that no amount of books could give us, from one another.
The journey we eventually understood, was never about the course, it was about how to grow in the society with each other and come out strong with positive values and skills.
Kudos to my friends at 2007 batch and very special hats off to few of them who gave so much more than just friendship.
IIMI BATCH 2007 PGCPM
So at the end of the lovely journey of IIM I, a special thanks to those amazing friends who meant a lot and made profound impact on the whole group.
So, Thanks to Ajay for his amazing humble nature, Thanks to Sushma for her relentless never give up attitude, Thanks to Vishnu and Sakha for showing what energy in group is all about and how much it helps for one to survive each day of hard work in and out, Thanks to Mudita for her sheer energy and brilliance, Thanks to Bipin for his uncanny sense of humor and Thanks to Rahul for the everyday ride in his fantastic Scorpio.
I know I am sounding a bit shaken, but rest assured the knowledge has been stirred in well. Bit of quantum of solace mood I am in today I guess.
God bless and be well
Ananth V
2 comments November 20, 2008
writer
anandha
karishmas
blessedart
anjeneyan
aduadi
shivanshjuneja
