Archana?

Looking through the eyes of love!

2009-12-12T12:08:00.002+05:30

I knew of a young girl once upon a time.

All she wanted was a simple life. She dared to dream of a house in the woods, a lovely river running close by. A tree in front of the house. And lot of nests on the tree. The sunrise would wake up the chicks in the tree and they would merrily chirp. The little girl would wake up to this heavenly music each day. Stroll in the woods collecting rare and fresh flowers on the way. She would share her fruits with the squirrels that were as carefree as she herself was. Ah - her life seemed just so perfect this way.

But alas! That was not to be. Her simple life was always in her dreams. She woke up to the shrill alarm clock each day. Each day was a rush to the school. Each month was a dash to be first in the class. Each class was a stepping stone to the holy grail that is called engineering. She went through the same grind as all others with her. She did her engineering, she managed to get into a "company" which was envied by many. There she found everything but precisely THAT - company.

The friends she made told her many a times - you are so not cut out for this. You should be far in the woods, lovely wilderness. With so many secrets of the nature to unveil, you are wasting your time here. She knew it all along too.

But she got stuck more and more in the grind of the life. Then she got married. Her prince came along and took her away from her dreary days. She loved her castle. It kept her safe. But still she needed to go out and face the world each day. A child no longer, she could ill afford the dreams she still dreamt of.

Then came a cub of her own... Looking at her, the woman thought - My baby should get the best of everything. The best education, the best clothes, the best opportunities. Then she caught herself - What about the best mother? The grind of life is taking its toll on you. Today you are afraid to even dream of the freedom that makes you happy. You know you are leading a life that is not for you. You force yourself to a unhealthy tirade and in turn you grow morose, bitter and tired. When you were never true to yourself, your dreams what good can you be to this little little thing in here?

Isn't there a way out for this mother? Is she too late in the pursuit of her dreams. Are the wilds too crowded now? Are the birds not singing in the nests still? Are the flowers, fruits and squirrels not in the wait still?

So what if she couldn't go there alone? So what if her childhood never saw the beauty of the nature? Isn't it better to go there now than not go at all and keep wondering for the rest of her life - What if I had?

Dark ages are a thing of past. Really?

2009-09-08T14:05:00.002+05:30

For a progressive nation like India, its a shame that some of our so-called "Community leaders still live and swear by the dark ages. Read about one such great icon here.

Honor killings, social boycotts, sati and God know what else is still being preached, practised and followed in the interior parts of the country. And the wily politicians, astute in the game of vote bank politics, make a blind man look more pro-active. God bless India.

Mera Bharat mahaan.

Zara headlines se SaRaK, SRK...

2009-08-22T06:00:00.004+05:30

"Uproar after 'King of Bollywood', Shah Rukh Khan, held at US Airport"
"Shah Rukh's name not the cause of detainment"
"Shah Rukh gives a fitting reply to Amar Singh"
"The real reason for Shah Rukh's detention"
yada yada yada...

Is there an end to this mega-byte splashes? I mean, what the hell? When an ex-president of Kalam's stature took a similar episode in his stride, wonder why this episode should command the media frenzy.

But then, there has to be a difference between an intellectually advanced brilliant scientist and a megalomaniacal nautanki, right?

We are all RACISTS...

2009-06-19T05:39:00.004+05:30

Sometime in 2006, one of the ten days of the Ganesh Utsav, I was coming back home from work one night. The temple nearest to my house was filled up with the people who had come for the ganesh aarthi. I was walking nonchalantly towards my home when suddenly I felt a strong stinging "slap" on the back my neck. I winced in pain and God knows which part of my brain told me to duck into the nearest open gate but I did. And as I rushed into safety of God-knows-whose-home, I saw two youths speeding away on a motorbike. I was not sure whether it was an incident of eve teasing or what but as soon as they zoomed past me, I ran for my life into my house barely 50 meters away. Once I told my mom what happened, she, not being in shock that a victim faces, checked the spot where they "hit" me and told me matter-of-factly, It was your gold chain they were after. And true, the sting was that of a blunt blade which left a long thin scar at the nape of my neck. And my chain, well it was broken into two. The only reason why they did not get it was because, it had a ganesh pendant attached to it and as I had just walked past the temple where the aarathi was going on, I had, without realising, clutched the pendant and was humming along the aarathi.

In the same year, one of my colleagues returning from work late at night in a 7-seater auto, was robbed of all her gold ornaments and cash and ATM cards. She was a careful woman who dreaded other heinous crimes and got into such autos only if there was another female co-passenger... That fateful night, there was one. An accomplice. She blew chilli powder in this female's face and then the gang made off with the loot. She, to this day, considers herself lucky that it was just the money they were after.

Many such incidents come to our minds. The ones we have read in newspapers, heard from friends. And what is the first reaction that comes to our mind? Maaaaan, people OUGHT to be so careful while travelling at night. Its an unsafe world out there.

Circa 2009, Sydney - A couple of Indian students in Melbourne were mugged by druggies, junkies whoever. And the media cries "Racism"... Whhhhhaaat! And since then, each of the attacks gets undiluted publicity in the print and the press. Ozland is racist. People here are just so hung about themselves. Why cant the country do something to provide security to international student? Universities want money, they don't bother about the Indian students!!!

This kind of knee jerk reaction takes me by surprise. I am not, for a moment, condoning the attacks. Its bad that students who come here to study should face something like this. But when someone is robbed/raped in India while traveling late at night, its an unfortunate incident which could have been warded off if the victim was a bit more careful. But at the same time when something like this happens in a foreign land, we are all ready to scream at the top of our voices RACISM... What the hell do you mean when you react saying Indian students need security. Are you implying that all those Aussie students and people who got mugged deserved it? Why are you not reporting various mugging and robbery episodes that have seen Aussies, Chinese and other "westerners" hurt or even dead? Is their life of no value or consequence in comparison to an Indian's? Who is a racist here? And who isn't a racist? Just because the robbers in India are of the same skin tone, we are quick to rebuke the victim. And because the attackers here are not desis we cry foul? What kind of parameter is that?

Indian students in Australia are a workforce. Poor kids, my heart goes out to them at times. Working in Seven-11s at nights. Cleaning offices. Working their asses off in grocery stores and malls and all such places. The 20hrs per week work restrictions that student VISA imposes on them is an evil. They like to take their chances and not report all their work hours in fairness. The employers, well aware of this, take advantage of these kids. Again opportunism, not racism. Not unlike the Indian baniya who thinks nothing of employing under aged kids in his shops to lift heavy sacks of rice and wheat knowing too well, he is in too much need of money to complain.

These kids, the Aussie Indian students, work all inhuman hours till 2 or 3 in the nights. And when its time to come back home, the only cheap and economical option in the public transport. trains. Which, at that hour, are bereft of many people. Most of the passengers at this time are tired and overworked students or shady characters. Understandable, isn't it?

Would you consider it safe to ride an APSRTC bus at 3 a.m in Hyderabad? Is Mumbai local a safe ride at 2 am? No? Then why should the Sydney metro be any different? Lets use the thing we all refer to as common sense before making ridiculous assumptions about the country on the whole.

True, racism exists in bits and pieces in any foreign land. I would be one of the first to admit it. As a 9-month pregnant woman, I have had "chapters" of silent snobbery where people did not make way for me in the lifts/crowded trains and I would have to push through them with my big belly. And the very next instant, when a gori pregnant woman came on, there would be smiles and gushes and instant gaps. It used to make my heart cry. But the selected few people who did that, the memories they left have been overwritten by scores of others who made me feel comfortable and special in those trying days. So yeah, racism is present here, but this place is not racist. Yes, their condemnation of the Indian workforce, their contempt for the desis who have taken away "their jobs" is a racist trait. But then, Indian awe of the firangees is a racist thing too, isn't it?

So basically aren't we all the same?

Love, Life, IPL and more...

2009-05-11T16:48:00.002+05:30

Where has the promise of all those months gone off? I will be back to the blogging world, I had said... Humph! Did not quite realise the amount of effort that one has to expend in bringing up a small child, quite underestimated the capabilities of the little one to wrap mumma around the tiny finger :)

But back I am. In this while, I have had a ball of time. Went to India with my mom as a new mom. And boy! That was some fun!

And about time to come off maternity leave... (Hand me the napkins someone! Sniff!! Sniff!!) World seems such a ruthless place now. Bringing up a baby outside of my comfort zone in India, without the cushion called "extended family", housework, baby's needs, work pressures, a resolution to not yell or hit her ever! (big promises??!?). Add to it the trauma of leaving her at the day care. Am traumatised for sure, her reactions nonwithstanding. But que sera sera. Shall cross the bridge when it comes to that. God's smiling on me still :)

Been following IPL guys? What a season? More than the matches the blogs are making news. Purpotedly from the KKR camp, news coming in thick and fast... Does anyone believe any of it? Whats your take? And whom are you rooting for this season? I am with deccan chargers all the way... Rock on, deccans.

Sorry if all this seems disconnected. Just wanted to GET ON WITH IT. More later. (Hope its a bit more coherent than this!!!)

Where have the three decades gone by?!?!?

2009-01-23T16:21:00.003+05:30

As I told you a few days before, I am not a mother to a wonderful wonderful kid... Sometimes it all seems like a dream. Am I really married? Is this kid really mine? Have I come so far in life?

It seems like yesterday - I was refusing to walk and was adamant that dad or mom carry me around? Maths and 7 table seemed so tough... Board exams - cramming up all those questions and answers... Engineering - a blur of practicals, papers, thesis, project work. Infosys - a cauldron of projects and deadlines. Did I not just arrive in Australia? Has it really been a year? And am I really twenty seven years of age? Do I really have a family of my own now? A husband who needs me to around to look after him. A daughter whose every waking moment has to have momma in vicinity...

Time flies people... It really does!!!

In God we trust!!!

2009-01-16T04:10:00.002+05:30

There was a dictum I heard long long ago...

In God we trust, everything else we test!!!

It seemed hilarious at the time. Not so anymore... The news of the multi-million scam in Satyam has left a bad taste in the mouth. Blue Chip company. A star on the Indian IT horizon. Fudging the books, showing assets and deposits where there were none?

I always wondered what would have happened to the lakhs and tonnes of engineers churned out by the Indian education system were it not for the IT companies. No reservations, no quotas, no recommendations, just merit. Indian IT has brought such a major change in the lives of so many people. In my IT career spanning over 6 years, I have seen numerous such examples. "Son of a temple priest is a PM and the whole family now lives in pucca ghar for first time in decades.", "Only son to a widow gets his sister married in aplomb, builds a formidable asset bulk for the mother" etc etc

My naivety - I thought the sector that has done such good for the general aam junta is beyond such dark activities. Bribes, corruption etc was not for IT sector...

One incident and the whole perception crashed. I just wonder what this means to the image of "IT from India" per se!!! As it is, the whole world is moving in to the darkness of economic recession the likes of which have not been seen since the days of "The Great Recession"... For many of us, this is the first financial crunch we would be living through. Things were gray enough without skeletons from the Satyam closet tumbling out...

Who can say what is to come over the next few days!!! Wait and watch and PRAY people!!!

Hi to y'all!!!

2009-01-15T11:36:00.003+05:30

Hi Folks....

Hasn't it been so long since I wrote... I wonder if any of the regulars still check out this place... Have been meaning to get back for quite sometime now and never did find time... Reason: MOTHERHOOD :))))

And am I loving it?!??! Its such an adorable phase in life... Having a bundle of joy in your arms. Though she is barely over 2 months of age (today happens to be her 2nd month bday in fact) she still has her dad and me nicely wrapped around her little chubby finger. Friends who know me can vouch for my jest in surfing and ORKUTTING... And imagine the same me - I refuse to check the scraps from 5 to 7 in the morning because that's the time she spends giggling and cooing... Wouldn't miss one second of it for anything else in the world. One yell from my mom,"Ishu is smiling" and I leave all I have in hand to rush over and catch her in that mood...

Infants are really tempting... Have always been so for me. But that was so different. That was just fun. I used to think many a times. "Its OK to have neighbor's kids drop in for an afternoon play session. That's so refreshing. But having a kid of your own... Its just such high maintenance affair. Diapers to be changed. Feeds to be given. And then the sleepless nights.."

But know what - Its just the same things that give so much joy now. Having someone else's kid over means you get only the fun part of it. Not the sense of belonging. With Isha here, I feel I have finally gotten home :)

Anyways, motherhood's sinking in and am enjoying it... Now its about time I got back to the other aspects of me, least of which is not writing... Hope to hang in here a bit more than the past few days... Meanwhile drop in to say a hi fellas!

What a man!

2008-09-10T10:59:00.000+05:30

It happens only in India - 8 :)

2008-08-28T08:32:00.001+05:30

"Anyways, finally comes to me. Might as well save the transit time" :)

It happens only in India - 7 :)

2008-08-28T08:31:00.004+05:30

Our passion is someone else's pain! Like we care? :)

It happens only in India - 6 :)

2008-08-28T08:30:00.002+05:30

Trying to rear a vegetarian pet... No wonder, then! :)

It happens only in India - 5 :)

2008-08-28T08:29:00.001+05:30

"Salaam sahab!" - Quintessentially Indian, that sentiment!

It happens only in India - 4 :)

2008-08-28T08:27:00.001+05:30

Pardey mein rehene do, parda na uthaao! :)

It happens only in India - 3 :)

2008-08-28T08:26:00.002+05:30

Hehhee, bhaichaara? :)

It happens only in India - 2 :)

2008-08-28T08:25:00.001+05:30

We love our Gods, we never forget our daily poojas, but then we care for the chappals too :)

It happens only in India - 1 :)

2008-08-28T08:23:00.001+05:30

We queue for so long, what else to do?

My take on The Edge of Reason - Helen Fielding

2008-06-05T10:32:00.016+05:30

You could tell the character of the man by the kind of books he reads - quipped someone.

Now I have liked and loved a lot of books. Then there are some which leave a lasting impression. And funnily sometimes the book is NOT written to be thought provoking. One such instance - Bridget Jones Diary. When I read it over an year ago, I could totally totally relate to the singledom ideas elucidated in there. From Woophee, Hurray, I am single!!! to Oh, Why the hell am I still single. The embarrassing Indian marriage matches hunt did nothing to quell these feelings too. But then that was it. The book was funny. You could relate to the characters. It showed back all the mistakes you did. And the in-the-end-it’s-all-well feeling. Thereon, I just let it pass.

Now, back to the present times(Hehehe, interesting concept, that phrase, aint it?). Blissfully married for almost an year now. And a book fanatic forced to give up the wonderful wonderful collection :( Thanks to the baggage restrictions. I have NOTHING to read these days. Or more appropriately HAD nothing to read until a few days ago. Ok, let me change that to I had nothing of MY choice to read until a few days back.

The thing is - the house we are staying in right now was a bachelors pad. So some of the guys did not pick up after themselves while leaving. So, in effect it was was a virtual dumping ground. Apart from a few horrible things they left behind, (this being a family space, I guess I am better off NOT listing 'em) some books also were scattered around. Thankfully, they must have had the same problems with baggage restrictions. Now most of these were from authors I have no idea about. The titles did not seem interesting either. But I know myself. And I know how desperate I can get in the total absence of books(From reading the back of the milk can, butter cover, tin lids to couting the number of letters and vowels just to keep reading... Been there, done it all.). So I stashed them up in the room nevertheless. Some of them turned out interesting. Others, kept me alive during days of utter boredom.

But all that has changed now. I eventually got back to one of the most serious vows of my life - to spend 10% of my salary on books :) Well maybe not 10% now that I have a lot of stuff to do once I am home. Still I intend to buy at least one book each month. To keep my passion, hobby, interest and sense of books alive.

And guess what was the start of it all. Edge of Reason, the sequel to the Bridget Jones diary. Now Srilu had warned me - After the Diary this one will not be THAT interesting or funny. Thanks to her warning I started off with a low expectation level. And for once, the rarity in itself, I THROUGHLY disagree with her opinion. Maybe the book is not that funny. Yes, it’s not as rib tickling now that the protagonist has kissed singledom goodbye. But I have already made up my mind, I love the sequel better than the diary.

I mean, people may find it strange. But then there are certain elements and characters in the book that made me sit back and think - Whoa! Haven't I been there too? Haven't I done something like this before? Isn't it my kind of a reaction to trifles? Now I might be eternally confused but it’s rare to find me introspecting on what I, ARCHANA, can do wrong. The Leo within does work in its own independant ways. But this time, for once it was in slumber. To my credit, I did not wake it up either.

I mean, this whole book, purportedly written in jest, made such an impact on me, I would put it right on par with Richard Bach and Shantaram. Trust me, I would recommend it to everyone. You may like it like I did or you may find it no big deal. Just read it once. My own observations are on these lines:

Rebecca - Now here is one serious thought! How many Rebeccas have I had in my own life? Friends who pretended to be friends. All the time trying to pull me down. Making sure I never had a chance to deal with my pessimism. Always highlighting my nits, more than sufficiently highlighting them and then highlighting them again in public. These are the people who shamelessly approached me at all times. Every hour asking for opinions if they as much had to fart. What is the best way to do it? Why do I think that this particular thing was best done this particular way. People who took all possible help from me all the time. But never ever acknowledged THAT in public. People who made sure wherever I was, with whomsoever, they made sure they were there too. So that they could convince themselves that all those people thought of them highly. At least higher than what they thought of me. Now, I haven’t been blind to them. It’s not that I have not noticed them. It’s just that I kept my line of thought clear of them. Or so I thought. I did not think they were worth pondering over. Like Bridget, I would keep telling myself of the "spiritual bankruptcy" one faces by not learning to overlook. But seething within nevertheless. Today I realize the futility of it all. And I know now what I should have long long time ago. There are Rebeccas in everyone's lives. The idea is you realize that there are people who love you too much to take notice of them. Srilu, Pammi, my husband, Pravs - all of them and then some more. They have been around no matter what people said. No matter how much the Rebeccas of my life tried to make sure they were more important to these people than I am.

As to the ones with whom the Rebeccas succeeded - Well, I have nothing to say to them but this - You made your choice. I am sure you are happy there :) God bless you!

I know today I am far better a person now that all the weeds are out! Seriously, I owe at least a thanks to the Rebeccas of my life! I am really glad you won’t leave my life and get lost. I don’t need to keep cleaning up my emotional attics and closets. You are taking all the garbage from my life straight into yours. Ha-ha, I love you! More than I loved you when I thought you were my pals!

Shazz - Ah, it’s easier to fight Rebeccas. You know they are the enemy but what does one do when it’s all in friends. And when all that is done in good intent. Here I am to blame as well. I have also been a Shazz in so many lives. Prejudged or misjudged people in other's lives. Gave opinions unwarranted. And when all that my friends wanted was a shoulder to cry on, I painted the town black for them. Just because I wanted to make sure they are not hurt. And sometimes that's been done to me too. But then such is love. Sometimes with an intent to not hurt, we end up hurting people all the more.

And the observation by Mark Darcy was correct too. With a gang of girls, who are really good friends, there is always this risk. Of overanalyzing, dissecting each and every uttered nuance, of finding meanings where there are none, hitting the panic button for self and others when all is really well.

To all my friends I have to say this - As I was reading the book, the truth about the 3 girlfriends- Jude, Bridget and Shazz- hit me hard and really hard too. There are times when all you want to do is let the steam off by bitching about the people you love. Most of the times, I end up relating your story to mine and depressing you all the more. See, it’s inevitable that when you tell me the issues you face with people in your life, the ones who are really important, I should compare those issues with the ones I have in my life. Now your people and my people are different!!! The ones in your life are a lot better in some respects to mine and then my folks are darlings compared to your people in some other aspects. But I tend to forget that. it will be good for you if YOU do not. I may not be in your life 10 years from now. But they might still be around. We are all building life long bonds here. Do NOT ever think my judgment will be always correct. I KNOW I don’t need to give you this particular bit of warning but then never hurts to say. I am here ALWAYS if you want to bitch about things that are not perfect in your life as you are there for me. But these are the people whom we ultimately love - all said and done, these are our people. So yes, I maybe your best friend, your listening ear and I am always ready to hear, offer free advices to all you have to say. But remember one thing, in your relationships with other people, I AM an outsider. I don’t know the dynamics of your life, at least not ALL of it for sure. I don’t even know what all is critical for you and what all is not. You and only you do. Remember THAT!

Mark Darcy – Ah! Blush! If life has thorns, then it has flowers too. If there are Rebeccas and Daniel Cleavers, there are Mark Darcys too. Rather for each life, one Mark Darcy is enough. Your person, the person whom you love like you love no one else. The one who loves you no matter what you are, how you look, what you have said and done. ONE such person and you are blessed. Maybe everyone finds someone else like that eventually. But if it’s just a select few who get so lucky, then I guess my luck has been so good that it is obscene. I have my husband and then I have Srilu. Both of them have been so bloody good to me, I feel at times I could just jump off a cliff out of sheer happiness!!! I am so blessed... If there is a life for me beyond or rather without the two of them – I am thankful to God I am unaware of it. Muaaah, I love you both...

Well well well, a long time since have blogged and for this hiatus, I guess I have returned with an awfully long post. And a ridiculously mushy one at that.

But then that is how books are. You read some you are so depressed you just don’t wish to live any longer in the mean cold world. There are others, you read them and fall off the bed, chair, table, building, whatever, rolling in laughter. And then there are a precious few like The Edge of Reason. You read them, and you are thankful. Of being alive and literate enough to read books. Truly, they have such precious lessons to teach you.

Thanks Helen. For being a friend I have never known personally.

Ridiculous, or shall we say blessed!

2008-05-19T13:45:00.004+05:30

Almost everyone who knows me, like really well, will vouch for my absent mindedness. And also for complete uselessness in crisis situations.

So why are we suddenly in this oh-I-am-such-a-stupid-dame mode? Because I am and I proved it yet again. What happened in my life/kitchen/marriage this morning could very well have ruined it all for once and forever.

So it goes something like this -

I was packing lunchbox for husby dearest and the gourmet that I am... I wanted him to have ghee-laden sambhar rice instead of the bland version. Pop open the ghee and alas! just a weeny bit of it stuck to the far recesses of the tin. Enough for his lunch, the ever sacrificial me thought. I had turned off the stove around 5 minutes ago and it was still warm. (In these countries, it is heater plates instead of LPG, so the stove typically stays warm for around 15-20 minutes AFTER you turn it off). So I merrily put in on top of it and instead of remembering to take it off in 2-3 minutes which is my wont, went OUT of kitchen and started checking on my TO-DO for the day! Yes yes, I know what kind of ridiculous idiot it makes me.

15 minutes later, I enter the kitchen and BY JOVE the tin is ON FIRE... Not those teeny weeny matchstick flames. I was more of those flames from the mouth of volcanoes. It threatened to eat off the kitchen.... I rushed out of the kitchen and banged on the bathroom doors for Husby's aid. (I told you I am quite useless in crisis situations. As far as my roles goes, I just create such instances and wring my hands in misery.) Husby to the rescue.

The guy came and took it off with his bare hands and threw the goddamned tin into the sink and poured water all over it. A sooty kitchen, a smoky hallway and wet floor. Add to it, all ten fingers of your loved one's burnt pretty sore.

What would happen after that is anyone's guess. I cried my heart out. Poor thing was unable to even hold the spoon for eating his cereal. Such a dimwit I am and he is paying the price of my high levels of IQ.

If what happened was bad enough, then really what we escaped for also nothing short of miraculous. If any of the remnant ghee had spilled over his fingers, the burns would have been far worse and far more serious. Had the fire not been put then, the woodwork just above the stove might have caught fire as well and the whole kitchen would have been in flames. Had I entered the kitchen 5 minutes too late, the smoke would have poisoned both of us in totality. Had this been India, the LPG would have burst in my face and God knows if we would be even alive to tell you this.

But in spite of knowing all this, I cant help but feel contrite. I forgot the FIRST lesson mom taught me while cooking - Never leave the kitchen with something left on the stove.

I forgot that and I paid a huge price for it. Sorry Husby...

Let go!

2008-05-14T09:10:00.002+05:30

Blogging after a long hiatus - yes, the poem is mine. Just a different way of presenting it.

Lost!

2008-04-24T13:49:00.002+05:30

Joblessness has ushered a new wave of laziness in me for sure. I am sitting idle at home all the time. Most of the waking hours in fact are in front of the PC. Having said that, the slow blogging is surely all the most not excusable.

Just a promise. Will post soon. Promise.

Orkut, the new Bible?

2008-03-24T14:44:00.002+05:30

Jesus H Christ! What is the world coming to. This morning I woke up to the shocking news of double deaths of an Infoscion and his wife. Apparently the bloke suspected his wife of infidelity and in a fit of rage strangulated her and then hanged himself.

Gulp! Infy, Koramangala... All pieces of the puzzle seemed to be a part of life gone by. Had I ever passed this guy while I stayed for two years at the KEC? My heart went out for this guy, the anguish he must have felt over the supposed betrayal and the futility of it all.

The papers also pointed out very clearly that this was an intelligent guy. But immediately went on to add something about him being a "peeping tom" who used to hack desktop visions of his colleagues. Something stuck to me as odd! Here is a man who just died. And there comes a friend who is supposedly a "friend" of his and he gives such unflattering statements like that. What a cynical world. But then I brushed the feeling on.

In the afternoon, logged into ORKUT, I just typed his name on whim and sure he was there on the ORKUT. While his scrapbook filled with the RIP messages left me all the more melancholic, know what chilled me to the bone?!?! Word for word about the peeping tom was picked up from nowhere else but his testimonial. What a shame you journos?

Do you know what are testimonials? Do you know how they are written and in what sense? A man who joined Infy 9 years ago, must have been a genius geek to say the least. That, a man of that calibre could come up with such a tool is no big deal! Must you highlight that in wake of this terrible hour for him and his family. Shame on you...

As usual, you, the weird journos leave in hanging my head in shame.

New blog....

2008-03-17T04:33:00.000+05:30

Heya there,

How is life treating you all? Being a housewife gives you a lot of time and responsibility in kitchen, aint it? :) To keep a record of all those memoirs and my experiments with veggies and spices, I have got a whole new blogspace.

Visit it at - http://archcooking.blogspot.com

Happy cooking!!!

The circle of life!!!

2008-02-22T12:45:00.005+05:30

A kid is born and all rejoice
Listening to the cooing voice
And lying in crib he wonders
"Have I re-entered the circle of blunders

I have just left past life's bane
What was left, that I am here again?"
This realisation vanishes with passing days
And life entwines the soul into its maze

Kid watches the elder brother dash to school
While he's munching cereal with a bib like a fool
Then starts the schooling, an endless gruel
The boredom that schools start, colleges fuel

Heart pines for the independence to arrive
For that first job, does it badly thrive
Even then, life is a series of challenges and tasks
"When were you last at peace?", the inner voice asks

"Not now, I have a some work to do
Deadlines are many, days so few
I have to find my life mate still
So please keep quiet you will?!?"

The voice then retreats in a corner
The body treats the soul as a foreigner
And then the work is done, life mate is found
Noises are heard and inner voices drowned

Milestones after milestones are scaled
And the true purpose of life stays veiled
At the end, to the soul the body turns back
"Tell me now, what is it that I lack?"

"Your entire existence is fraught with strife
Where is it that you have lived in your life?
Show me a moment where you sought no goal
Tell me a day you spent looking at me, your soul?"

The body laments remembering all the faults
Throwing away buds of life to pick worthless salts
And now, withered age with callused hands
Its left alone to rut on merciless sands

How many more lives to waste still?
When does the aim of the soul fulfill?
When will be the body find itself in peace?
When shall the running after trifles ever cease?!?!

An ode to a bleeding heart!

2008-01-17T19:35:00.001+05:30

A silent prayer for love since years
Has been answered with an ocean of tears
Love can neither be forever nor be pure
It can only hurt way beyond we can endure

Every time one hopes and tries to be glad
Love or the lack of it makes life look a fad
Not by designs, its mere destiny
That gloom is gargantuan, happiness so tiny

No one can ever truly tell
When the cup of sorrow will quell
It takes forever to light a smile
Even then, it stays for just a while

It bleeds the heart to live like this
Instead a drawn out death maybe a bliss
For whats the point in carrying on
When clouds of despair make life forlorn

But what if the death awaited is not an angel too
For how a happy end be to life where smiles were few
How can it all wrap up on a happy note
When the journey so far has been in a sinking boat!!!