"The Green Eyed Monster..."

Have you ever observed a burning log? When you ignite the sparks, it catches fire and you seem to enjoy the warmth it provides. You slowly realize the log is turning into charcoal and you put off the fire. This charcoal can again be set on fire but then it reduces into ash. Once you've got ash there is nothing you can do with it.

Jealousy is very commonly used to bring out inner emotions and spark some fire into relationships. What one needs to remember is that just as the log turns into ash so does the human nature undergo transformations. Once it turns into ash you cannot obtain the old log back. You are gonna get your fingers burnt when playing with fire. So beware of the green eyed monster!

"Redemption... at last!"

Yup, I am officially a Computer Engineer now (at least academically if not professionally). For me this is the end of my long lasting college life (no more further studies). I won't claim to be absolutely ready to enter the big bad corporate world but yeah I am ready to test the waters. It feels so good to be out of the college but then I'll definitely miss it a lot. To all my friends reading this, I have a humble request, keep doing so and stay in touch. 

"Yet another demon slain"

 Yeah you heard that right, I've, by God's grace, slain another demon. What else would you call something that just doesn't let go of you, no matter how hard you try it always comes back to haunt you. Thats what Maths 5 was for me.

This subject can be very deceiving, it looks so simple just simple statistics and stuff. But when the paper comes you don't seem to understand what to do. You start forgetting formulas or as in my case, interchange them. You try to maintain your calm but when you realise that time is against you, you panic.

Even after the paper is over the suffering doesn't end there. Till the results come out you left hanging between the devil and the sea. Finally when the verdict is out you are in a state of disbelief. God has finally taken heed of all your prayers and granted you victory. Relax but be on gaurd, you never know when the next one will rear his ugly head.

"Resume... Whew!"

I never thought writing a resume would be so challenging. After spending 23 years on this planet with 18 years spent in education you think one would have enough material to fill a telephone directory. Think again coz I barely managed to fill two pages. As an afterthought it is better to keep it short and sweet (others don't have enough time to read unnecessary details about you) and to the point.

How do you make yourself presentable on paper? When it comes to selling myself, I fail miserably. Thats one of the reasons why I still have to depend on my bro to get my comp upgraded coz I just don't have the skills (or the patience) needed to convince my Dad to shell out the moolah.

And why do experts keep on suggesting to remove the "I" from your resume. I understand that using too much I's in the resume will make me look like a strong selfish individual with no regard for teamwork (so much for the psycho babble). But its MY resume and it should be about ME. There are only so many ways in which you can rephrase the use of I in a sentence. Writing a resume really tests your skills at rephrasing. Trust me on this one.



 

"Don't mess with us"

 Why don't these so called terrorists take a hint and leave us Mumbaikars alone. How many times do we have to prove our mettle and show them that their tactics don't stand a chance when it comes to breaking our indomitable spirit. Sure they managed to bring the Western Railway services in the city to a halt (shedding lots of innocent blood in the process... May God have mercy on their souls) but then people here didn't panic and take off instead they risked their lives and helped the victims first (and the world has the nerve to label us rude).

I'm sure when the services resume (probably today it might have), people won't even think twice before getting into the first class compartments and get to work. Mumbai is a city that goes on forward. No matter what transpires, the city and its people bounce right back.

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder"

I am not quite sure whether it is absence or distance but then both have the same effect. Why is it that we tend to value people more once they are gone? Why do we reminisce the good times we shared when they are not near but bicker about anything and everything when they are? It's a common known fact that works of art fetch greater value (running into lakhs and crores) when the artist is dead, whereas he would have have died of poverty coz he couldn't manage to sell even one of his works.

Why can't we cherish our loved ones when they are right here with us? Why can't we leave all our bindings and just live the moment? Why is it that we realize true love only when we bid farewell? I know these a lot of unanswered questions and frankly speaking I have no clue. But then if I had all the answers what would be the point of living? Life is a journey, we learn along the way right till the very end.

"Rain rain go away, Come again another day."

Rains are back and with a vengence. That might be too harsh a word to use but the fact is that after 26th July 2005 the people of Mumbai (including me) are psyched out. The rains received so far are well within the normal limits considering the previous years, but the effects are worse. People have become more cautious. Even at the slightest hint of heavy rain, they don't prefer to get out of their homes. Schools, colleges, offices and other institutions close shop early.

But then one fact still exists, the problem of water logging due to infrastructure planning without foresight has started to cripple Mumbai like never before. The city with a "never say die" attitude has started to think twice. What can they do when the very life-line of the city, the railways, starts limping. Population will keep on increasing. The railways have already gone way past their intended maximum capacity.

Its high time we start investing some thought and lots of money in setting up alternative modes of public transport. Mumbai Metro is a start in the right direction but it has to be completed much more faster (35 years is ridiculous) in order to provide us with value for money.

Till that time, think smart and stay safe. 

"Mumbai Metro is coming our way!"

 Woo hoo! Finally after years of speculation and anticipation, the first stone has been laid for the ambitious Mumbai Metro Project. Even if all goes well (lets really hope so) it will take at least 2 more years (thats the official estimate) before the first phase is completed.

Metro master-plan

* Phase I
Colaba-Andheri-Charkop: 38.24 km
Bandra-Kurla-Mankhurd: 13.37 km

* Phase II
Charkop-Dahisar: 7.5 km
Ghatkopar-Mulund: 12.4 km

* Phase III
Bandra-Kurla Complex to Kanjurmarg via the
Airport: 19.5 km
Andheri (East)-Dahisar (East):18 km
Hutatma Chowk- Ghatkopar: 21.8 km
Sewri-Prabhadevi: 3.5 km

The transition period is going to be really tough. The roads are gonna be dug up again resulting into traffic snarls. Lets just hope that when the project is completed travel within the city is eased up a bit. But just the metro isn't gonna solve all our problems. Simultaneously we should improve our existing railways and public bus transport. These 3 should complement each other.

Another ambitious project still to be completely realised is the Bandra Worli Sealink. The hovercraft project was started a few years back but then I guess it was a few years ahead of its time and it failed to take off as expected. But now with the metro around the corner it would be the right time to give the hovercraft another shot.

"Raindrops are falling on my head"

The monsoon has arrived in Mumbai although a bit early this time. The rains arouse mixed reactions among the people. We have sort of a love-hate kind of a relationship with the rains.

We love it for giving us respite from the scorching summer months, for filling up the water bodies which ensure smooth water supply through out the year, for the fresh smell of wet earth, the grilled corn (bhutta) with the roadside vendor, the idyllic afternoons spent at home sipping tea along with piping hot bhajiyas (personally I don't drink tea or coffee but I love the bhajiyas). We love the rains and it is the perfect time to spend some quality time with your loved ones. Going for long drives to scenic waterfalls surrounded by lush mountains tops my list.

But then we equally hate it when the trains are late and the roads are filled with muddy potholes. We hate being in damp clothes (although getting wet in the rains is a thoroughly enjoyable experience) not to mention travelling in crowded local trains, getting late for appointments, the vehicles passing by splashing muddy water all around, etc. The rains have a peculiar knack of showing up exactly when we leave our house and stopping when we reach our destination and vice-versa.

When we are tucked away safely in our houses shielded from the rain and the wind, we tend to enjoy it. But what about the people who live on the streets of Mumbai. They have no shelter to protect them from the lashing rains or the howling winds. What about the fishermen who risk their very lives in the choppy seas to earn a living. What about the building collapses and the water borne diseases that plague us. We tend to look away from these harsh realities of life.

Like any other stuff, Monsoons too have their share of good and bad things for us. Life is too short too be spent cribbing and complaining, so enjoy it as much as you can. 

"Road Manners in India - A distant dream"

The other day our Prime Minister commented that building good roads alone ain't enough, it should be complemented with better road manners. I thoroughly agree with him. In India Road manners are virtually non existent. As with any other case, there is no one single party to be blamed.

The RTO officials are corrupt only because we are ready to bribe them. How else could I manage to get a license at the age of 16 (the official age here is still 18 unlike most of the western countries) without so much as even giving a driving test (the officer just asked for my name and that was it).

The so called Driving schools are a scam. They don't teach you about lane discipline, how to parallel park...heck I didn't use the reverse gear even once during the entire duration of the course (which by the way is 1 month). Sometimes they are not even bothered whether you really know to drive or not, but you will get your license as long as you pay up their fee.

The infrastructure in most parts of india really isn't meant to observe road manners. The signals don't work most of the times so do the street lights, there are no lane markings and no crosswalks. The pedestrians occupy the roads since hawkers occupy the sidewalks (if there are any). The pedestrians don't give a shit about the motorists and the motorists reciprocate the gesture. It may sound funny but I was on my bike and suffered a minor wrist injury because a man, blindly crossing the road to catch a bus, dashed into me instead of being the other way round.

Truckers on the highways are much well behaved inspite of being illiterate, its the spoilt rich brats in their flashy cars who cause all the mayhem. Autorickshaw drivers are in a league of their own. They'll cut in front of you, make U-turns, stop in the middle of the road without a warning. I won't even start with the incessant use of the horn (very irritating).

But then all this has its (sort of) plus points too. Where else can you drive without the fear of being pulled over by cops for speeding. Burn rubber on the highway, weaving in and out of traffic as if you are runnning a race. My brother used to drive here in India but being used to the US roads he now shudders at the very thought of taking over the wheel here.

Before leaving I would like to mention that road infrastructure is being improved to world class levels on the major highways and the newly planned cities. Its just us people who have to catch up. 

"Is Mumbai really rude?"

I for one don't think that Mumbai is rude or very polite either for that matter. It treats you the way you treat it. Its just a matter of "as you sow, so shall you reap". Mumbai can be indifferent and apathetic at times but really generous and selfless at other times. The never say die attitude is typical of Mumbaikars and it makes Mumbai the wonderful city it is. It welcomes every one with open arms. For every cheat in mumbai we will find atleast 10 honest people.

Its really unfair to measure Mumbai by western standards coz our culture is totally different. First of all english is not our mother tongue and we aren't raised according to their culture. So forgive me for supporting the mumbaikars who don't mind their P's and Q's. Its the warmth and love that these people have to offer that counts. Which other country lives by the saying "Atithi devo bhava" (The guest is an incarnation of God).

And to top it all New York is supposed to be the most polite city in the world according to these so called researchers. Do I need to present any more arguments in punching a hole in the credibility of the report? I really don't think so. I rest my case. Its upto you to decide. 

"15 seconds of fame"

People are ready to do anything (and I mean ansolutely anything) for their 15 seconds of fame. There is no limit to how low they can stoop to achieve it. All this for what, to share a bit of the limelight only to be pushed into the darkness of obscurity when someone else comes up with something even more scandalous.

Case in point is the recent ruckus created by one Miss Rakhi Sawant. It seems as if this girl and scandals are inseperable. No longer does she get out of one than she steps right into another. I won't elaborate on this coz the media has already discussed it more than required. One look at the series of photographs and any sensible person with a little bit of common sense can understand that it is nothing more than a cheap publicity stunt. The female was, shall I say, over friendly with him.

There were a lot of factors in play the item girl tag, the booze, the media, etc But this does not justify whatever he did. He should have been smarter (I think he is smart considering the amount of publicity they got). Now Miss Rakhi Sawant forgot the saying "What goes around comes around". A few months earlier she had caught someone else by surprise and kissed that person. But then it was a female and she didn't press charges. That female later on went to declare that it was sudden and she felt embarrased. Although the pictures show her puckering up and kissing with her eyes close (what a surprise).

What surprises me though is the extensive media coverage provided. For one entire week I couldn't go through any news report, paper or magazines without stumbling upon this topic. Is there a dearth of serious news in this world or has the reader lost all intelligence and self respect that he has to put up with this mindless shit (please don't mind my language). Only one question comes ahead "Whatever happened to responsible journalism?" 

"Retirement...?"

How's this for irony, all through the college and exams I was actually looking towards the vacation. And now that it is finally here, I am already bored. We have been so used to our daily routine that now we don't have a reason to get up in the morning anymore. How long can one watch television? Even the movies from the previous night are repeated in the morning. Catching up with old buddies is a great idea but it too lasts just for a few days.

Is this what retirement feels like? I really gotta find something interesting to do in the meantime or I am gonna go nuts. Any suggestions?  

"Last Exam..."

 Giving the last exam arouses in us mixed feelings. You are tensed preparing for the exam and at the same time you are relieved that after this you will be free for a while. But this anticipation of the vacations can cause some trouble. Being the visionaries that we are, blessed with foresight, we often start planning stuff to do during the vacations even before the exams get over thus causing a lax in concentration. That is why we often score less marks in those papers (not necessarily true for everyone).

But giving the last paper of engineering is a whole different experience. You know that this is perhaps the last time you will be giving an academic paper. The college won't be reopening after the vacations. No more submissions and assignments (to be copied and completed at the very last minute). No more xeroxing the notes. No more bunking the lectures and hanging out in the canteen. No more doing mischief sitting at the last benches (or any other bench, in my case).

The tension (this paper can make or break your life) and the anticipation (of the future) can be nerve wrecking. I am going to miss college life a lot. But it is an experience worth remembering.

"True Friend...!!!"

A girl asked a guy if he thought she was pretty,

He said...no.

She asked him if he would want to be with her forever....

and he said no.

She then asked him if she were to leave would he cry,

and once again he replied with a no.

She had heard enough. As she walked away, tears streaming down

her face the boy grabbed her arm and said....

You're not pretty you're beautiful.

I don't want to be with you forever, I NEED to be with you forever.

And I wouldn't cry if you walked away...I'd die...

I got the above story from a friend of mine (it is a different case that it was a chain mail) and I thought I'ld share it with you guys. For me this story captures the two different aspects of friendship that I identify with, naughtiness and sensitivity. Inspite of the guy's blunt responses to her queries, he came through when it mattered the most (making a girl cry doesn't always necessarily mean that you are insensitive or mean).

Men always need to be tough on the outside but give them a little time and understanding and you'll come to know the real them.

"Technology and us..."

Internet is one of the greatest inventions of mankind. It has found a variety of useful purposes in almost everyfield. It wouldn't be wrong to say that it has greatly influenced the way we live and think. Almost anything and everything you need is readily available to you within a few clicks and that too free. "Free" thats a word we Indians love.

Music, we all love music and what we love even better is free music. There was a time when sites used to host music files for free downloads, but then they had to be shut down due to strain on the resources and issues with copyright infringement. Then a college kid came up with a brilliant idea and application based on P2P (peer to peer) technology called Napster. It was a big hit, so big that it made the music industry sit up and take notice. They somehow managed to crack the legal whip on such applications.

Now, the human mind comes up with the most ingenious solutions when faced with such tight situations. It was not long before we were presented with something known as "torrents". It is a wonderful protocol for file sharing of any kind and it also manages to circumvent the legal copyright infringement issues. So if you wanna download anything from the net for free (movies, music, games, ebooks, etc) then torrent is your best friend.

Download a client like Azureus, Bit Torrent or Bit Comet and log onto sites like www.thepiratebay.org, www.mininova.org or www.desitorrents.com and believe me your life will never be the same again. 

"Old habits die hard"

It's true and I was made aware of it once again today for the umpteenth time. No matter how bitter your past experiences, no matter how many times you've vowed to yourself never to repeat it again, the basic goodness inside you never dies and you inevitably end up making the same mistake again.

Men are such fools (more so when females are involved). They'll do anything (well almost anything) for a female irrespective of the compromises that they have to make. A very good friend of mine from the past 3 years calls me up and says that she needs a favour from me (these things normally begin like this). She needs to xerox my notes since she has misplaced hers and just 3 days are left for the exams. I tell her that I'll meet her in college around 10am. She sounded very desperate and asked me to make it by 9 to which I replied in positive (what else is a guy supposed to say in a situation like this?).

Anyways, I got up early, caught the heavily crowded 8:31 train (which by the way was 10 mins late), huffed and puffed my way to college and made it by 9 am. Now let me tell you a small secret about my dear friend, she always has late nights (studying) and seldom gets up before 11. A voice inside my head was telling me that she won't make it on time and that I am wasting my efforts. But the eternal goodness inside me made me think that atleast today she'll make it on time especially since it was her need. Boy was I wrong.

As predicted she came late and she had found her notes (I am happy for her). She thought that I would be late (which was highly improbable and she very well knew that) and seemd very apologetic upon realizing that I had made it on time. Well now doesn't that prove what a sweet heart I am. On the contrary, how could I be such a fool?

Do you feel sorry for me? Don't. Because what I am going to reveal next will make you getup and hit me through your monitors, for being so naive and gullible. The same female asked to get along to college another set of notes (just last week). She showed up neither on the designated day nor the day after that (coz she got another friend of hers to courier them to her). Needless to say those notes were in my bag, till today (coz informing me about the same was not a priority).

Living in Mumbai I need to be much more smarter than this, right? Well this is the way God has engineered me and I guess that little bit of goodness will show through my actions no matter how much I try to supress it. And no this is not a case of being blinded by a female's charms coz similar situations have occured where the other party involved were boys.

"Need For Speed Most Wanted"

I know this isn't the time (BE 8th sem board exams are going on) but this definitely is the place to write about it (it's my blog so who's gonna stop me). I know I am ages behind but it was only yesterday that I got to lay my hands on EA's "Need for Speed: Most Wanted" title (due to the generosity of my friend Anish, we spent the entire day playing it) and I have to admit that I am hooked (I even get dreams about it now).

The game is mind blowing to say the least. In true EA tradition the attention to detail is immaculate. Every thing about the game from the graphics to the sound, the cars, their handling, the storyline, the tracks,etc simply rocks. I had been watching the previews and articles about this game even before its official release and now that I have actually experienced it, it has managed to surpass all expectations.

Now the sorry excuse for a machine, called my computer, can't handle this truely awesome game and I don't think I can buy a new machine sometime in the near future (a variety of "rational and logical" reasons come in the way). So if anyone is kind enough to lend me some playing time on their computers or better still their PS2's (I know that's asking for a lot more), I would really appreciate it, so much so that I am even ready to kill for it (just kidding).  

"Have mercy..."

The other day I was on my bike with a female friend (name withheld for protecting the physical health of the author. Getting beaten up by a female ain't something that I look forward too) and I spotted two girls outside a cafe. "Wow nice girls!" Did I just say that out aloud? Shit what will my friend think about the kind of a guy I am. It was then that I realised that it was she, and not me, who had mouthed those words. What a relief or is it?

Wasn't it bad enough fending off other guys while vying for a girls attention that now I have to deal with other girls too. I barely manage to hold my own against other guys but to compete with a girl (and that too in this matter) is a strict no no. Girls have all the advantage they are sensitive, on the same emotional wavelength and not to mention definitely better looking than I am. They can openly hug and kiss in public without being subject to ridicule or the fear of being termed gay (you have no idea how incredibly jealous that makes us).

Now if I tried to do something like that with a girl, the public will beat the crap out of me (thinking that I am trying to molest her) and if it were a guy, then he will beat the crap out of me (thinking that I am gay). So sticking to the good old handshake is the best option left. Girls there are a few good straight men left on the face of planet earth. Just remember this before you take any drastic decisions (although girl on girl action is every man's fantasy).

God made Adam and Eve (not Adam- Adam or Eve-Eve) and thats the way it's meant to be. I believe in Womens liberation and their capability to do (almost) everything that a man can (sometimes even better). If you take away our necessitiy in the process of procreation (which by the way is the last straw we are hanging by) then nature will no longer deem us straight men fit and the next phase of evolution will skip our species (like it did with the dinosaurs, the dodo and the apes).

This is a plea from a good straight guy who happens to be your friend "Please have mercy!"

"What is life?"

Getting up everyday to go to a job you hate,

Grumble and complain about it to everyone,

Come back home and sleep,

Continue the above routine for the next 30 years of your life.



If this is life then I rather die today!

 Lucky is the man who finds work in the field he loves. There is no other matter of greater joy or satisfaction for him. Many of us find ourselves stuck doing something that we hate but still we continue due to a variety of reasons. Most of us have talents which if nurtured and guided in the right direction could lead us on the path to greatness (ok I got carried away a bit but at least we would be much more happier if not successful).

Ask any parent what they want their child to become when they grow up and pat comes the reply, "Engineer" or "Doctor". Its as if these are the only two professions left on the face of the earth. Ask the child and they will come up with, "Fireman", "Chef (or rather Bhelpuri wala)", "Ice cream man","Astronaut","Actor","Miss India", the list is endless and gets much more creative. But a few years down the line they also seem to adopt their parent's views. What happened to their own dreams? Have they stopped dreaming? Certainly not! Then why this change all of a sudden?

The answer is simple, Consumerism. Everywhere around them they see people living a lifestyle consisting of big brands, dining out, having fun, spending money as if there were no dearth of it. To fuel this trend new age banks and financial institutions make it easier for us to spend money that we don't have by luring us with credit cards and all sorts of loans that we don't need. To sustain such a lavish lifestyle people need money and these professions, we aim for, are just right. But money gained at what cost? Is it really worth sacrificing our dreams?

Let me bring your attention towards something. Take a good look at some of the multi billionaires of the world. How many doctors and engineers can you find amongst them? Most of them are self made men and women who strived at something they love, had that brilliant idea in a crazy moment and had the persistence to make it big. They all worked towards achieving their dreams.

Whatever it is that makes you tick, I say go for it. Let others say whatever they want. Chase your dreams. The going definitely ain't gonna be easy but its better to live your dream rather than not to dream at all. I admit that I wanna be a computer engineer to make big bucks so that later on in life I can provide economic stability for my family (Woah! I can't believe I am actually writing this down. What's wrong with me? I am too young to be even thinkin about a family) and splurge on my true passion "Automobiles". Who said dreams are gonna come cheap anyways?