Life is Calling

“ Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself “ -- George Bernard Shaw Most of us have heard about this commercial punchline “ Life is calling , where are you !!! “ I always ask my compatriots, friends one question and the Q is “ have u faced your very own “ Life is calling, where are you “ moment !!! ..well … I have faced and i am going to give list down treatise memoir of my experience now. By the time I was appearing for the Joint entrance examination post Class 12th, my mind was brewing an amazing cocktail . It had engineering, and medicine as the base ingredients. Thee then exotic flavors like Law , Pharmacy & Accounts were infused to enchant new age prosperity. Lured by thrills they offer, I myself added toppings like Armed Forces, Merchant Navy etc. It was like I was in the center of the Rie De Janerio carnival parade hypnotized in my very own ‘The Matrix’ zone. My Neo came in the form of a sudden invite from one of our family friends for a quick retreat in the Himalayas near the Indo-Bhutan border at Sikkim. I still remember I had hit the road only to have some blast on the top of the world but destiny had different plans for me. A mystical land with surreal weather conditions welcomed us as we started our onward journey from Gangtok. The serpentine roads narrowed with each passing kilometer. The roads were precariously wound around an undulating row of mountains that looked like inverted ice-cream cones, topped with London Dairies vanilla ice cream. These stoic gigantic natural walls pierced through a sea of translucent cotton candy clouds and at 10,000 feet above sea level the place might as well have been the land of fairies and elves where mythical beings and human souls co-existed. It was certainly a picture perfect view despite the daunting & treacherous journey that led to it. The road used to thrust all your phobias right into your face. I still recall getting off my seat and squatting on the floor of the jeep while crossing one mountain pass just to avoid looking out of the window. It was hard to watch the tires of the moving jeep a few inches away from the bottomless valley without imaging a fall and going up in a gigantic ball of fire. To my eighteen year self, getting there seemed like Harry Potter's journey to Hogwarts. Our trip ran through numerous picturesque valleys slowly climbing up to the literally breathtaking passes at 13,000 feet above sea level. As we reached the destination, we overlooked lush green mountains and meandering rivers & found ourselves in an outstanding place to unwind in nature's lap. It was only a matter of split seconds, the visibly lush green forest was now all white and cotton-y. That's the thing about the hills they say, the weather changes in a fraction of a second. And here I was at a place 13000 feet above sea level, to witness nature's marvel unfold right in front of me while I sipped on my hot chocolate. Not that I hadn't witnessed the phenomenon before but there was something more enchanting about this, something I couldn't quite put a finger on as on date today. All the cloud candy floss looked to me like all the choices I have in my career buffet spread …. Whining over them I could understand my crossroad crisis . Tucked quietly away from the rest of the world, in the green environs of the mighty Himalayas I started harvesting my mind. They say “ Mind is a wonderful servant but terrible master “ …. I can vouch that too …. Initial hours when I started ploughing my mind I was more confused, frustrated and anguished. I literally had lost any inclination to explore the wonders of nature with my family & friends. The next two days were spent lazily hassling around watching the dance of the clouds across meadows amid pleasant chill breeze. I had spent the time in an adjacent Buddhist monastery listening to the hymns and the sounds of the Tibetan drums & bells while other members of the trip were busy exploring the flora and fauna of the surrounding. Every time, I thought, I got the breakthrough, instantly another emotional wave splashed the sandcastle I had engineered, pushing me back to square one. I was totally self-consumed. I was intoxicated in that serene, enshrined atmosphere. As darkness loomed in the evening, I used to spend hours in solitude witnessing the spectacle of twilight in the sky sitting on the windowpane while listening to the orchestra of insects. One day I dozed off on the armchair. By the time I regained my senses to hit the bed, a sudden peep on the window revealed slight amber hues over the horizon issuing the invitation of a brand-new day. I decided to apply brakes in my dream odyssey, put on my leather jackets and shoes and came out to breathe the fresh oxygen in the ‘Brahma Muhurtham’. I started a wanderlust track out in the hue of dark and light. I can listen to shrill sounds of the drums coming out of monasteries as well as witness intermittent moving tiny flashes on the national highway. After a stroll, I could smell wild floral hues & hear the burbles of the flowing waters from the adjoining creeks. I continued for some more time. I still could not get it how it happened but & as the sun rays beamed gradually, the smog that clouded my mind since the day I stepped in here also evaporated. I could finally decide what I want to pursue in life, the specialization I would like to dive into. The saying goes “Nothing succeeds like success” …as clarity emerged within myself it looks like destiny delivered an immediate gift to me. I could witness the majestic Mount Kanchenjunga peak with its full glory unfolding in front of me … still i get goose bump when i recollect those seconds ..the first spark of sunlight sparked a Pinkish-orange glamor on the snow clad peak & then transforming to golden and yellow with time ultimately bringing up usual snowy majestic senorita with a tinge of blue …. It's a lifetime experience which was granted to me by destiny. Bestowed with umpteen glorious views of the Kanchenjunga peak and surrounded by the eastern Himalayan ranges, monasteries and temples, our camp shines as a serene destination to unwind and rejuvenate to many but to me it was my own place of Nirvana, my Bodhgaya. At the abode of the Himalayas, nature ignited the spark plug of my life engine which I drove to become what I am today…. Our age-old spiritual scriptures have mentioned that nature always throws us hints and clues of life and it's up to us to intercept those cryptic messages, decipher them and implement the directives. Watching the awesome wonders of the marvelous planet we call our home, I started my life on my own terms and filled myself up with a new zeal and enthusiasm. Browning a quote from the great poet, Robert Frost, “With miles to be before we sleep “ I appeal to all of you to face your very own “ Life is Calling” moment and unravel your own destiny which is true to yourself ….

Aaj jaane ki jid na karo…

Rain started splashing against the window pane suddenly. I was browsing lazily on a Sunday evening without any notion of going outside.
The sudden call of Lord Varuna forced to look across the window. I just opened the window and smelled the fragnance of soil that emancipates the atmosphere.

A sudden stoke of adrelanin in my brain and i found myself in the street with the wet kisses all over my body.

This stroll brought out the old charm of feeling the droplets, small shining droplets on all over the strands of my hair, on my arms, on the eyebrows and the wisp of cool air making me long for something warm, much warmer than the gelaming sodium vapour overhead.

A paradox, a pleasure. I was humming on some of the favourite tunes of Kishore Kumar, Sonu Nigam and few more and it was really a pleasant surprise that I could recollect most of the lyrics of those archived memories! The tunes seem to hit the perfect chords and suddenly singing was never seemed so wonderful – an unchained melody. My voice, the lyrics, the tip-tip decibels of rains, the whizzing sound of fast rolling tyres on the wet tarmak and intermittent honking of horns all seemed perfect.

As I strolled further with my singing hitting the higher decibels I noticed a few passer-by’s glancing on their way. I noticed the Shanti Sagras and Lados and FunNFoods ...these were inviting. Even more conspicuous was the steam emanating from the tea kettles at Shanti Sagar. . I ignored all of them, with some difficulty as I continued.

A 30 minutes stroll in the rain completely cleared the settled dust, the dust settled on my mind through out the day. I thought rains are so essential for farmers and as a nuisance to the urban daily commuters. However, the rain was just too strong to allow misconceptions rule my mind. Rains are equally essential for a parched urban soul as it is for a parched cultivable land. Perhaps the soul needs it more than anything else.

Aaj jaane ki jidd na karo… another humming that filled my mind as I walked on through the puddles, wet trousers, drops on my arms, face … aaj jaane ki jidd na karo…

Adieu ........... DADA !!!!!!!

A glorious career comes to an end today, Sourav Ganguly, the man with a never-say-die spirit, packed his pads for ever. The Royal Bengal Tiger has bidden his adieu to Cricket today. Love him or hate him ..... Everyone had to accept and acknowledge him....Not even his fieriest critic can spell any cast of his Captaincy Q. He is undoubtedly the BEST INDIAN CAPTIAN India has Produced till date.

Sourav will be remembered as a cricketer who had a career as dramatic as it can be. A dream debut at Lords with back to back Centuries, transforming Indian Cricket Team to the media buzzed “Team India" - A Team of Fighters, had his share
of Controversies always, made one of the best comebacks in Cricket History after being relegated.... 'The Prince of Kolkata' had complete coverage of his Sine Curve. What singles him out is his ability to translate back to Sine from Cosine quadrant
every time. He is really a spirited fighter who will inspire posterity for a long time. A legacy to be cherished in the hearts of millions. Already his soccer-style shirt waving from the Lord's balcony has become one of the niche points of Indian
Cricketing Moments. As long as Cricket will be played, Photographers or the media barons will continue to flash this. It is not only a gimmick which some guys might spell out to Milk booty, it also signifies the arrival of New India. A young, vibrant India ready to take on the world. It has huge psychological significance. If the last ball Sixer of Javed Miandad of Chetan Sharma dehydrated Indian spirit of its self Confidence in the mid-eighties at Sharjah, the very act, however controversial, has the Sanjeevani effect that we can. It has outcast the eclipse of mental block edges that used to savior our minds. He elevated the spirit of the team from the point of no return. Made people eat up their words countless times. Always un-predictable. None except Ganguly can dare an eye to eye to Steve Waugh,in the zenith of Australia's Glory, which he did compelling the later to ventilate his discomfort against Sourav in his autobiography. This is the USP of DADA, the real DADA of Indian Cricket.It's not surprising the whole stadium giving standing ovation when he went to the enjoy the central 22 yard stretch for the last time. Even fellow Australians gave him standing ovation ... a feat to be untouched for long long time. Always he earned respect and admiration from the greats of Cricketing World. Be it, Boycott,Kapil,Gavaskar,Lara,even Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting...... It by itself testifies his stature .... reflection of his steel.Not everyone can breathe the fragrace of honey in the air .... baring the butterflies who find their own way to praise the best flower.

He is a cricketer of his own class, a lefty with rare elegance and glamour. It is a treat to the eyes to observe his silky cover drives. Equally electrifying was his lofty sixes. Ganguly, the captain will overshadow Ganguly, the palyer ( World Class Left Handed Batsman). Will never forget the innings of Asia Cup Finals at Dhaka,the smashing of Srilanka on '99 WC,most lethal partnership with Sachin in the opening slots -- The list is endless. I would miss those silken drives piercing seven fielders through the off-side which propelled Dravid,The Wall to give him one of the many synonyms he has been attached to - "The God on the OFF SIDE". Not only me, cricket fans across the globe will have the same opinion. Had a hope that Dada will thrash a Century in his last innings. Unfortunaletly, the Prince of Kolkata went out for a duck in the last innings of his career’s final Test innings. Objectively, it elevates him on Limits tends to Don Bradman !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!}}}}}}}}}

Might be Dada can continue to serve for some more time. Might be he would have scored some more runs. Might be he would have parked some more centuries to his kitty ...... but the timings could not have been better what I feel. He is the person, who had compelled mighty Australia have a taste of their own pill for the first time. Today, when the Sun sets on VCA Stadium Nagpur, its the Tri-Colour again reigning supreme over the sprinkle stars. He will have the satisfaction and confidence, that the team he built on his own from scratch has finally graduated to a side which can stand tall against any one. The remarkable historic win against Australia will be the greatest tribute, the contemporary comrades can pay him .......which Team India did for their Principal Architect.......... Life with its pinch of salt might not be sweeter than this ..............

Road to Success

The road to success is not straight
There is a curve called failure
A loop called confusion, Speed bumps called friends
Red lights called enemies & caution lights called Family

But if you have a flair for perseverance & determination,
A driver called God will drive you to the highway of Success ......

One needs to roll on there as it's an eternal road without any station !!!!!!!

What women want

The other day i had a great discussion with our women colleagues on the very old yet irreistible topic viz Womens Liberations, Their likes and dislikes, Men ego,Men Hypocracy, Pseudo - Femine Exploitation etc.etc. As usual THE ARGUMENTS STILL CONTINUES !!!!!!! ...... The very next day one of them came back with a very good poem which i am posting ... its a nice penned down thought on " What Women Wants " - given the fact even God fails to understand lets browse through view ......

What women want

Women are shallow
Women are vain
Women, men feel
Are often a pain.

Now if that’s true
What’re you to do?
I must ask then
What’s a woman to you

A mother, a wife;
Or a sister beside
Here are some women
Men walk alongside.

We say we are equal,
We say we are strong
Truth of the matter is;
We are rarely wrong!

What do we want?
You ask us today,
Will you ask again tomorrow?
What happened to yesterday?

Are you ready to listen?
That list runs long
No expense necessary
But you must be strong.

We want love & respect
Not be spoken down to
Some understanding & compassion
For the work that we do.

We play many roles
We try not to hurt,
We pretend to be strong
Whenever you are curt.

We say we are equal
We say we are strong
Truth of the matter is
We are sometimes wrong.

We want to be cherished
Thought of as wise
A compliment from you
Will be really nice.

Treat us sweet
Treat us kind
Treat us like Queens
We don’t mind!

Be nice to a lady
For how lovely she is
Her smile & her warmth
Is one you will miss.

Buy her some flowers
A trinket or two
A bar of chocolate
And she’s closer to you.

A call in the day
‘Hi! How do you do?’
A hug in the night
To say ‘I love you’

Hold our hand
Please make us laugh
Listen to our woes
They will divide by half

Let me end my rambling
Let me stop this jaunt
I have answered the question
Of what women want!

Any one out there with any more views ????????????????

A Night of Romance

I am posting a small scriplet which moved me like anythig .....Its not my original rather taken from somewhere else Cant stop the temtation to have it in my blog

A night of romance

A night of romance is all I desire
Cradling creamy moon in my lap
The twinkle of stars in my eyes
Sweet smell of wine in our sighs
Sitting beside you on the grass
Under the clear black open skies
Your fingers moving hesitantly
Slowly trying to touch mine
Distant music floating in the air
Rhythm of heart-beats deep inside
Sending shivers down my spine
Knowing the world is conspiring
To end it all in a kiss divine

A prelude to new beginning and the power of love

I have seen the movie P.S I Love You !!! today. It was in my shelf for a long time borrowed from Niel. Just happened to came across the DVD post mid-night while just browsing through my shelf before attacking the bed. Sometimes a single thought gives you a new direction and that’s what happened with me today. Inspite of having a good eventful day -- a Weekend categorized with an early morning wake up, Spending half a day at office doing some work, having lunch with some old friends, Guitar Class with the evening being spent with College Friends freaking out in malls favoring eye candies followed by a yammy dinner of Hyderabadi Biriyanis ,,,,,, cant ask for more ,,,,,,, but the very sight of the DVD moved me to press the eject of D Drive of my laptop. Within 2 mins i was going through the titles. A great movie which seeks the power love .... that i can destroy you and make you alive from dead too.... The movie also epitomizes how a good precise planning can make the mountains move ....how you can bring back someone to life from virtual dead... The Hero Gerard Butler dies a pre-mature death with his beautiful wife played by Hilary Swank amalgamates herself into a shell of the memories of her decayed husband. It also gives flesh to the understanding that if you love someone trulely you ought take care now and even after you are gone. Jerry, the husband knows that once he is gone , Holly,the Wife will be devasted.No one knows Holly better than Jerry. Now Jerry had to take care of her even after he is gone,,,,to bring her on board of life. He made a brilliant plan to embark the voyage of re-discovery of Holly on her 30th birthday through a gift in the form of a Birthday Cake and a pre-recorded message being delivered to her.It is followed by a series of letters with instructions to live life. He knows that Holly cannot deny Jerry. He took this advantage while forcing Holly to scrap her inhibitions. He prepared her brick by brick . Its really eventful saga to enjoy the series of events through which Holly transformed herself, started to live life !!!!!!!!!!!

It clearly envisages the words of Deepak Chopra " There is no accidents. There is only some purpose that we havent yet understood "
We need to move on and Kiss the World !!!!!!!!!!