Advantage: Roshan

Why?< EOM>

2010-09-05T22:08:00.002+05:30

myPhone

2010-08-25T22:51:00.004+05:30

For the first time in my life, after using close to half a dozen mobile phones, I bought one on my own. Here it is!

The good:Decent touch screen. Unlimited music download for a year.
The bad: Moderately expensive and hence a botheration (to take care of the device)
The ugly: Built in memory card. Hence no additional memory.

Image courtesy and details at:
http://www.nokia.co.in/find-products/products/nokia-x6-8gb

I too have a symbol

2010-07-18T09:47:00.006+05:30

`225 was deducted from my account for not maintaining a minimum balance of `1000. :). Re/Rs/Rupees is now the stylish `!

PS: If any of the chaacters seem unreadable to you, please download Rupee_Foradian.tff.

2010-06-06T00:22:00.001+05:30

ഇല്ല, അതുമില്ല. വെറുതെ മോഹിച്ചു. ഇനി ഇപ്പൊ സസ്പെന്‍സും ഇല്ല, ആകാംക്ഷയും.

Days of suspense are over.

2010-05-07T22:23:00.003+05:30

ശരിക്കും ആഗ്രഹിച്ച രണ്ടു കാര്യങ്ങളെ കുറിച്ച് തീരുമാനമായ ദിനം.ഒന്ന് കിട്ടുമെന്ന്ഏകദേശം ഉറപ്പായി. മറ്റേതു കിട്ടില്ലെന്നും. :) :(

It's on.

2010-05-06T07:31:00.000+05:30

The war is started.

Pichle saat dino mein

2010-05-02T22:53:00.003+05:30

In Mangalore, half of the year you would wish it rained, and the other half you wish it stopped. Rains have started.

In the last seven days,
I played frisbee, I played cricket, I played shuttle and yes! I played guitar.
I bought a pair of new jeans(after planning for 6 months!) and I attended guitar classes.
I bought a guitar bag, I am planning to buy a new guitar and planning to buy much more.
And i got a hike.
And..I attended a vellamadi party.

Back at home

2010-04-17T22:37:00.001+05:30

At home. Travelled by bus from Kasargod to Trivandrum. First of its kind experience!

Update for the day

2010-04-15T00:06:00.002+05:30

When you are happy, it shows, and it shows right on your face.
When you smile, you look better, in fact you look awesome.
When you are motivated by someone, you do your best.
And when you have that feeling that you are doing good, you feel that you are simply wonderful!
-recent discoveries.

Something big athand. Just cant afford to lose it. Badly want it. Days of suspense ahead.

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya

2010-04-11T19:09:00.002+05:30

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya: A must watch movie for boys ;)

Love!

2010-04-08T21:43:00.001+05:30

You know its love when all you want is that person to be happy, even if you are not part of their happiness.

2010-03-29T22:23:00.001+05:30

From time to time, life has kept me teaching the same thing again and again-that one must be prepared to lose anything in life, no matter how valuable it is.

O ho hooo

2010-03-07T22:17:00.003+05:30

Karthik Calling Karthik:
It seemed rubbish at times.
Highly impressive at other times.
Being a die hard fan of Farhan Akhtar, I would like it anyways!
Worth watching as its a fresh topic in the Hindi movies with a lot of suspense.
It's not a love story(Deepika was lovely..btw...)
Neither its a "Wake up Karthik" kind of movie-though it seemed to be one at some point of time.
It's totally different movie and you would never guess the story(unless you have seen A Beautiful Mind)
At times, you would not be able to guess what's going to happen next, full of suspense.
The movie was really impressive in connecting the dots...ie, providing logical explanation to whatever seemed to be a nonsense. Thank God, it didnt turn out to be a movie where a resident of that flat(a Farhan Akhtar look alike), who had been murdered there long ago,was calling Karthik on phone :P.

Music is really good. Heya. Also Karthik 2.0.

Loved the scene where Karthik after the first call walks (in suit) to meet his boss.
Also the sequence before the closing scene where the mysteries unravelled. It was presented well. But the closing was a let down, as it took away the excitement built up just a few scenes back. It was okay though.

Farhan Akhtar is superb- Actor, Director, Singer! His movies are a variety and well thought out!!

Didnt actually want to write this, but wanted to write something.
Incidently, this happens to be my
100th post.

വെറുതെ.

2009-11-21T22:27:00.002+05:30

ഒരുപാട് നാളായി ബ്ലോഗ്‌ ചെയ്തിട്ട്...എന്തോ, ഇപ്പോള്‍ തോന്നാറേയില്ല.
ഒരുപാടുണ്ട് എഴുതാന്‍...ഒന്നും എഴുതുന്നില്ലാ..

2009-04-04T20:27:00.004+05:30

So finally here's my updates:
I am going back to Mysore tomorrow,after a four day leave. Since I have test on the morning I arrive, and since I absented myself from the module, I am mentally preparing myself to fail for the first time, in the first module test of my extended training.

So now I made it clear that my extended training has started.It will last for 7 weeks.Going back to Infy wont be the same. What was apparent during the last three months is now a reality. I am alone. All the near ones have left for Chennai. I will never forget those nights we wandered in the campus, either till the security scolded us away or till it got late night. And that day we visited each and every shop in Mysore! Wish I had those photos to support my claim!

Regarding movies, here are a few movies from the past three months:

RNBDJ: I guess you know the expansion. Even if you don't, don't worry,it's not worth knowing.Of late, Shah Rukh Khan is treading the same path as Mammootty-making a fool of himself. The ending of the movie- the montage of photographs was much better than the movie itself.

Delhi 6: There are many people who said that the movie is a "different one".I would say this one wasn't a flop just because the director is assumed to be talented. Else it's nothing short of a flop.Second worst movie of the year.

13B: This movie, I would call was either comically tragic, or tragically comic.I don't know what the actual intention was.I couldn't help laughing at some of the logics presented in the movie. But on the whole it was okay, a good time pass.

Walkeurie: I dont know if the spelling is correct;this one was very good.Story from Hitler's Germany. It is about a failed assassination attempt of Hitler by Tom Cruise(Col. Stauffenberg) and his accomplices, and the price they pay for it.

Revolutionary Road: I had gone to watch 'Benjamin Button' and ended up watching this. Now this one's the worst movie of the year. No comments. It tested my patience.

Fashion:Wow! I really liked this one. The thing I liked the most was the unpredicatability of the story. I could never guess what was going to happen next. And the realistic portrayal of the life of models.

Rock On: Wanted to watch this for long, got a chance only two days back. Good movie.Not anything more.

I wouldn't have the company of any friends for watching movies hereafter.I will miss it-Teena,Lakshmipriya,Stallon and Neethu!

Music:My current favourite is 8*10 Tasveer-I love it!
I also downloaded Eternity by MLTR.I have just started listening, so too early to comment. As of now,not impressed.

And!! I started playing snooker!!(pool, to be precise).

I have no idea how my life's going to be like in the next two months. I have no idea.It will be lonely, especially when Lakshmipriya also leaves. I still can't understand why things happen to me like this; and only to me. :) .

No hopes, no expectations.Just living life as it comes. Happy with all those who are/were so nice to me-Thank you so much.

Nazaara hai koi andekhi tasveer ka-Tasveer
Dedicated in fond memory of...

Gone

2009-04-02T22:41:00.004+05:30

ചില നേരങ്ങളില്‍ തോന്നും എന്ത് അപ്രതീക്ഷിതം ആണ് ജീവിതം എന്ന്.ഓരോന്ന് ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നു,പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കുന്നു,സ്വപ്നം കാണുന്നു.എന്നാല്‍ സംഭവിക്കുന്നതോ സന്കല്പിക്കാന്‍ പോലും പറ്റാത്തത്. ഈ അവധിക്കു publish ചെയ്യാന്‍ എത്ര posts എഴുതി തയാറാക്കി വെച്ചിരുന്നു.എത്ര ഫോട്ടോസ്.ഫോടോസിനെ കുറിച്ചു എത്ര posts.photographyയെ കുറിച്ചു എത്ര എണ്ണം.ഞാന്‍ friendsഇന്‍റെ കൂടെ ഫോട്ടോ എടുത്ത എത്രയോ രാത്രികളെ കുറിച്ചുള്ള post.

I was very excited about all those. But the reality is, this will be my only post.

I know that not many people read my blog. But if you happen to be the person who got my camera, please return me the memory card. You don't know the value of those photos. I wont get those moments back. Give me back at least those memories. I feel like crying.

There are some things money can't buy.

Back to you

2008-12-09T23:58:00.005+05:30

Death.
How would you prefer it?
To know well in advance, when you are gonna die?
Or,
Encounter the reality just before you die!

******************************************************************

Things have changed so much in such a short span of time. In less than 48 hours, a lot of things happened; I knew things won't be that easy when time comes for me to rejoin, but I didn't know it can get so ugly. The shock on getting the mail from HR, the tension of ticket booking (which were nowhere to be found), the task of gathering (finding,to be exact) all my belongings from Mysore and repacking them (in fact now I have more luggage than when I went for the first time), the reluctance to come out of this holiday and actually start "working"... It was all great! I had a bit too much of holidaying. Wonder if it's going to do me any good.

This time I am serious: hereafter you can't find me in Trivandrum (atleast!).

The journey starts tomorrow.

******************************************************************

A strange fear lies in some corner of my heart. It surfaces at times. When it does, it disturbs me a lot. But what I don't know is what I fear?
Do I fear myself?

Murphy Again!

2008-11-28T21:24:00.000+05:30

Yes am not going to Mysore. Parole has been extended.

If it can..., it will!

2008-11-25T23:25:00.004+05:30

Murphy's Law: "if anything can go wrong, it will". This is one of my favourite laws governing day-to -day life..Now don't call me a pessimist. I love this law because it proves to be true on many occasions, almost every time.

My version of the law is: things never happen as you want it to be. If you want something, you never get it. If you have lost interest in something, it won't be too long before you have it.

Well, I am experiencing too much of "Murphy" nowadays, the latest being my return to my job. When I really wanted to get back to work, there was no way that I could. Now when I have slipped into a holiday mood, they want me back.

I am returning to that "self-sufficient" world, that place which never made me homesick. That kind of place in which you rarely get a chance to be in. I am getting back to work on December 1st. But things will be very different this time. This time it will be more challenging and tough, hope it's more creative and productive too.

Once again: hereafter you will fing me at-
GEC, Infosys, Mysore.

Music

2008-11-23T23:00:00.002+05:30

There's a song. A song which I can identify in the first two seconds of its start. I have done it countless times. I marvel at the "identity" this song has. So distinct. Yuhi Chala chal rahi from Swades. Those beats. Just a couple of those beats can tell you that it's this song. So wonderful is it's creator. A. R. Rahman. I adore this man.

There is a man whom I equally hate. Himesh Reshamiya.He's a guys whose songs too I can identify in two seconds.But the difference is that in the third second I change the channel. National nuisance, that's what I fell about him.

ഓര്‍ക്കാതെ...

2008-11-23T22:37:00.002+05:30

ആ ദുരന്തത്തിന് നാല് കൊല്ലം തികയുന്നു. എന്ത് പറ്റി എനിക്ക്? ഓര്‍ത്തതേയില്ല....
നന്നായി.

2008-11-21T22:41:00.001+05:30

ഒന്നും എഴുതാന്‍ പറ്റുന്നില്ലല്ലോ.ഒന്നും സംഭവിക്കുന്നില്ല.കഷ്ടം.

2008-11-19T23:14:00.000+05:30

Today's Flick: A Beautiful Mind-A Really beautiful mind

നിണം

2008-11-17T20:49:00.004+05:30

ചോരയുടെ നിറം എന്താ?ഇന്നാ test tube കണ്ടപ്പോള്‍ തോന്നി ഇന്നു വരെ ഞാന്‍ വിചാരിച്ചിരുന്ന നിറം അല്ലചോരയ്ക്ക് എന്ന്. ചുവപ്പ്, പടരുമ്പോള്‍ ഒരു ഓറഞ്ച് നിറം, ഇതായിരുന്നു ഞാന്‍ കണ്ടിട്ടുള്ള ചോരയുടെ നിറം (ഒന്നോ രണ്ടോ തുള്ളി ചോരയുടെ നിറം). ഇന്നാല്‍ ഇന്നു ഞാന്‍ കണ്ടു,ചോരയുടെ നിറം...കടും ചുവപ്പ്.deep red അല്ലെങ്കില്‍ maroon.വല്ലാത്തൊരു ആഴം ആ നിറത്തിന്.

കഴിഞ്ഞ ഒരു മാസത്തില്‍ ഞാന്‍ ബ്ലഡ്‌ ടെസ്റ്റ് നടത്താന്‍ കൊടുത്ത ചോരയുടെ അളവ് ഓര്‍ക്കുമ്പോള്‍ എനിക്ക് വിശ്വസിക്കാന്‍ പറ്റുന്നില്ല.ഈശ്വര!ഇത്രയും ചോര ഞാന്‍ വെറുതെ കളഞ്ഞത് പോലെ. ആശുപത്രിയില്‍ കിടന്നപ്പോള്‍ദിവസവും അവര്‍ രണ്ടു നേരം ഒരു syringe നിറയെ ചോര എടുത്തു കൊണ്ടു പോകും. അങ്ങനെ എത്ര തവണ?പക്ഷെ അപ്പോള്‍ ഒന്നും ഞാന്‍ നോക്കിയിരുന്നില്ല, ചോരയുടെ നിറം.

Life@Infosys

2008-11-12T12:33:00.005+05:30

ഇന്‍ഫോസിസിലെ കഥകള്‍ പറയാന്‍ ആണെന്കില്‍ ധാരാളം ഉണ്ട് .ബുദ്ധിപൂര്‍വ്വം ഡാറ്റ കേബിള്‍ മൈസൂരില്‍ മറന്നു വച്ചത് കൊണ്ടു ഫോട്ടോസ് ഇടാനും പറ്റില്ല. എന്നാല്‍ ഞാന്‍ അതൊന്നും അല്ല പറയാന്‍ പോകുന്നത്.

Global Education Centre (GEC) യില്‍ ഞങ്ങള്‍ പത്തു "GEC" കാര്‍ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു .ഒരേ ക്ലാസ്സില്‍. ചില നേരങ്ങളില്‍ ഫുഡ് കോര്‍ട്ടില്‍ ആ ചെറിയ വട്ട മേശയില്‍ ഞങ്ങള്‍ പത്തു പേരും ഒരുമിച്ചു ഇരുന്നു കഴിക്കുന്നത്‌ ഓര്‍മയില്‍ വരുന്നു. ഇനി എനിക്കതെല്ലാം നഷ്ടമാകും .ആ ക്ലാസ്സില്‍ ഇനി അവരോടൊപ്പം എനിക്ക് "ലൈഫ്" ഇല്ല. അവിടെ കണ്ട ചില കഥാപാത്രങ്ങളെകുറിച്ചു ഒരല്പം:

രമിതാഷ്: അവിടെ ആവോളം "എന്‍ജോയ്" ചെയ്യുന്നു. എന്റെ സ്വന്തം ബ്ലോക്കിലാണ് താമസം .നേരത്തിനു ഒരുങ്ങില്ല, ടൈ കേട്ടാനറിയില്ല എന്നോഴിച്ചാല്‍ വേറെ ദുശീലങ്ങള്‍ ഒന്നും ഇല്ല.

പ്രമോദ്: എന്റെ ബ്ലോക്കിലെ മറ്റൊരു സഹവാസി.ആള് ഇങ്ങനെ പാവമായി നടക്കും. ദോഷം പറയരുതല്ലോ,ആള് സ്വന്തം ആളുമായി മാത്രം ചാറ്റ് ചെയ്തു മറ്റു തരികിടക്കൊന്നും പോകാതെ വളരെ decent ആയിട്ടാണ് അവിടെ ജീവിക്കുന്നത്.

സ്ടല്ലോണ്‍: എന്താ ഇപ്പൊ പറയുക, ആള് ഭയങ്കര ഹാപ്പി ആണ് .ഏതാണ്ട് സ്വര്‍ഗത്തില്‍ ചെന്നു പെടുന്ന ഒരാളെ പോലെ .അത്ര മാത്രമെ ഞാന്‍ ഇപ്പോള്‍ പറയുന്നുള്ളൂ. കൂട്ടത്തില്‍ ഒരു ദുശീലമേ ഉള്ളു. വഴിയേ പോകുന്നു പെണ്‍കുട്ടികളെ ഒക്കെ കാണുമ്പോള്‍ ഇവന്‍റെ വിചാരം അവര്‍ എല്ലാം ഹിന്ദികാര് ആണെന്നാ .എന്നിട്ട് മലയാളത്തില്‍ ഒരു കമന്റും. അത് കേള്‍ക്കുമ്പോള്‍ ഞങ്ങള്‍ എല്ലാം നെറ്റി ചുളിക്കും .എപ്പോഴാ ഇവന്‍ കാരണം കൂടെ നടക്കുന്നവര്‍ക്ക് തല്ലു കിട്ടുന്നത് എന്ന് എന്ന് ഞാന്‍ എപ്പോഴും വിചാരിക്കും.
ഒരിക്കല്‍ ക്ലാസ്സില്‍ ഒരു തമാശയുണ്ടായി .മുന്‍പിലിരിക്കുന്ന ഒരു മുംബൈകാരിയികുറിച്ചു തോമ ഇങ്ങനെ ഡയലോഗ് അടിച്ച് കൊണ്ടിരിക്കുകയ. കുറച്ചു കഴിഞ്ഞപ്പോള്‍ ആ പെണ്കുട്ടി തിരിഞിട്ടു ഒരു ഡയലോഗ്: "I can understand your language". അന്ന് ഞങ്ങള്‍ GEC കാര്‍ ചിരി അടക്കാന്‍ ഒരുപാടു കഷ്ടപ്പെട്ടു!

അനൂപ് M. K. : ആദ്യ ആഴ്ചകളില്‍ MK യുടെ കമ്മ്യൂണിസം കണ്ടു ഞങ്ങള്‍ ഒക്കെ ഞെട്ടി തരിച്ചു പോയി. MK ചൈനീസ് ഭക്ഷണം മാത്രമേ കഴിക്കു .ചൈനീസ് നൂഡില്‍സ്,ഫ്രൈഡ് റൈസ് തുടങ്ങിയ ഭക്ഷണം മാത്രമേ കഴിക്കൂ. ഇവ ഇല്ലാത്തപ്പോള്‍ പോലും sauce എടുത്തു കൊണ്ടു വരുന്നതു കാണാം .എന്തിനാ എന്ന് ചോദിക്കുമ്പോള്‍ പറയും അത് ചുവപ്പാണെന്നു! അങ്ങനെ കമ്മ്യൂണിസ്റ്റ് ഭക്തി കൊണ്ടു നടന്ന ആള്‍ പെട്ടെന്നാണ്‌ ഒരു ബൂര്‍ഷ്വാ ആയി മാറിയത് .ടിപ്പ് ടോപ്പില്‍ വേഷവിധാനം. ഇടുന്ന ടൈ വരെ "branded". വെള്ളിയാഴ്ചകളില്‍ ബാക്കി എല്ലാവരും casuals ഇടുമ്പോള്‍ MK fully loaded branded wear ഇല് ആയിരിക്കും. ഇപ്പോള്‍ ഇഷ്ട ഭക്ഷണംപിസ. നൂഡില്‍സ് , ഫ്രൈഡ് റൈസ് തുടങ്ങിയവയൊന്നും ഇപ്പോള്‍ ആശാന് വേണ്ട. ബൂര്‍ഷ്വാ ഭക്ഷണം മാത്രം!
MK ഒരു ബൂര്‍ഷ്വാ ആയി മാറിയത് അവന്റെ നാട്ടില്‍ എങ്ങാനും അറിഞ്ഞാല്‍ നെട്ടൂരാന്‍ മുതലാളിയുടെ അവസ്ഥആകും.

സൂരജ്: ഇന്‍ഫിയില്‍ കോപ്പി അടി കര്‍ശനമായി നിരോധിചിട്ടുള്ളത് ഏറ്റവും ബാധിച്ച വ്യക്തി. ഇവിടുത്തെ HR ഒക്കെ കോപ്പി അടിയെ കുറിച്ചു പറയുമ്പോള്‍ സൂരജ് ചോദിക്കും, "എന്തിനാ അയാള്‍ അത് എന്നെ നോക്കി പറയുന്നതു" ? ഏതായാലുമ് കക്ഷി കോപ്പി അടിക്കാതെ എക്സാം എഴുതാന്‍ പഠിച്ചു.

ടീന: ഇസിന്ബയെവ പോലെയാണ് ആള്. സ്വന്തം പേരിലുളള റെക്കോര്‍ഡ് സ്വയം തിരുത്തി കൊണ്ടിരിക്കും. ഏറ്റവും കൂടുതല്‍ കാശിനു ഫോണ്‍ വിളിച്ചതിനുള്ള സ്വന്തം പേരില്‍ തന്നെയുള്ള റെക്കോര്‍ഡ് മാസത്തില്‍ മൂന്നും നാലും പ്രാവശ്യം തിരുത്തും. . .ഏഴയലത്ത് പോലും എതിരാളികള്‍ ഉണ്ടാവില്ല, എന്നാലും ടീന സ്വന്തംറെക്കോര്‍ഡ് വാശിയോടെ മെച്ചപെടുതികൊണ്ടിരിക്കും.
ഒടുവില്‍ കിട്ടിയ വാര്‍ത്ത ഫോണ്‍ കളഞ്ഞു പോയി എന്നാണു. കഷ്ടമായി പോയി.

ലക്ഷ്മിപ്രിയ: ആര്ക്കും ഒരു ഉപദ്രവവും ചെയ്യില്ല. എന്നാല്‍ വഴിയേ പോകുന്നവര്‍ എല്ലാം അവള്‍ക്കു ഉപദ്രവം ഉണ്ടാക്കുകയും ചെയ്യും.എന്നാല്‍ അതൊന്നും കക്ഷിക്ക് ഒരു പ്രശ്നമേ അല്ല.

ഇതെല്ലം ഒരു പക്ഷെ ഇനി വെറും ഓര്‍മ മാത്രം. ഇനി ഒരിക്കലും ആ ക്ലാസ്സില്‍ അവരോന്നിച്ചു പഠിക്കനാവില്ല. ഒരുതലവേദന വന്നപ്പോള്‍ ഇത്രയ്ക്കു മാറ്റങ്ങള്‍ സംഭവിക്കും എന്ന് അന്ന് ഞാന്‍ കരുതിയിരുന്നില്ല.

ഹര്‍ത്താല്‍

2008-11-12T12:24:00.005+05:30

ഒരു മാസവും അഞ്ചു ദിവസവും ഹര്‍ത്താല്‍, ബന്ദ് തുടങ്ങിയ വാക്കുകളെ ഞാന്‍ കേട്ടിട്ടില്ല.ഇവിടെ വന്നിറങ്ങിയപിറ്റേന്നു ഇവിടെ ഹര്‍ത്താല്‍ ആണ്.പിന്നെ നടന്ന എണ്ണത്തിന് കണക്കൊന്നും ഇല്ല. ഇന്നു രാവിലത്തെ ഒരു വാര്‍ത്ത വായിച്ചു ചിരി വന്നു പോയി.ബംഗ്ലാദേശില്‍ നിന്നുള്ള നുഴഞ്ഞു കയറ്റത്തില്‍ പ്രതിഷേധിച്ചു ABVP കോളേജ് പഠിപ്പ്.....

One more

2008-11-02T10:10:00.001+05:30

One more gadget.

2008-10-27T16:51:00.002+05:30

കാലം വരുത്തുന്ന മാറ്റങ്ങള്‍!

at home

2008-10-24T17:11:00.001+05:30

Home's Heaven!

The only things I miss here are
1. that blanket
2. that tv
3. 24 hour hot water supply

Mysore

2008-09-13T10:04:00.001+05:30

A break for some time. Hereafter you can find me in Infosys GEC (Global Education Center). Though there is a lot to write, oops, no time.

Till you find your dream

2008-09-11T08:41:00.000+05:30

Climb every mountain,
search high and low
Follow every by way,
every path you know
Climb every mountain,
ford every stream
Follow every rainbow,
till you find your dream
A dream that will need, all the love you can give
Everyday of your life, for as long as you live
Climb every mountain, ford every stream
Follow every rainbow, till you find your dream
A dream that will need, all the love you can give
Everyday of your life, for as long as you live
Climb every mountain, ford every stream
Follow every rainbow, till you find your... dream...

-The Sound Of Music

വട്ടന്‍!

2008-09-09T20:23:00.002+05:30

എനിക്ക് വട്ടാണ്
നിങ്ങളാരെയും അറിയിക്കാന്‍ പറ്റിയില്ല,
ക്ഷമിക്കണം.
"നിനക്കു വട്ടായപ്പോഴേക്കും...
നീയങ്ങു വല്യ ആളായിപ്പോയി,
നീയങ്ങ് ഭയങ്കര ജാടയായി പോയി"
എന്നൊക്കെ പറഞ്ഞു എന്നോട് പിണങ്ങരുത്.
നിങ്ങളെ ഈ വിവരം അറിയിച്ചില്ല എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു എന്നോട് പരിഭവവും അരുത്.
ജാടകൊണ്ട് ഒന്നും അല്ല അറിയിക്കാഞ്ഞത്.
ജന്മനായുള്ള സ്വന്തം വട്ടു തിരിച്ചറിയാന്‍ കഴിയാത്ത നിങ്ങളെ എന്തിന് വെറുതെ എന്റെ വട്ടിന്‍്റെ കാര്യംപറഞ്ഞു ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടിക്കണം? എന്ന് ഞാന്‍ കരുതി.
അപ്പോള്‍ പിന്നെ ഇപ്പോളെന്താ അറിയിച്ചത്? എന്ന് നിങ്ങള്‍ ചോദിക്കും
കാരണം ഉണ്ട്.
ഇപ്പോള്‍ എന്റെ വട്ടിനു നല്ല കുറവുണ്ട്.
ഇവിടെ നിന്നു പോകുന്നതിനു മുന്‍പ് എനിക്ക് വട്ടില്ലായിരുന്നു
ഇവിടെ തിരിച്ചു വന്നതിനു ശേഷവും എനിക്ക് വട്ടില്ല
ഇതിനു ഇടയിലുള്ള കാലത്താണ് എനിക്ക് വട്ടായത് !!!

എനിക്ക് വട്ടില്ല എന്ന് ഞാന്‍ പറഞ്ഞാല്‍ നിങ്ങള്‍ പറയും എനിക്ക് വട്ടാണെന്ന്.
എനിക്ക് വട്ടാണെന്ന് ഞാന്‍ പറഞ്ഞാല്‍ നിങ്ങള്‍ പറയും: "മഹാന്‍", "ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ പൊരുള്‍തിരിച്ചറിഞ്ഞവന്‍", "സാഹിത്യകാരന്‍"...
ഇങ്ങനെ ഒക്കെ പറഞ്ഞു നിങ്ങള്‍ എന്നെ പുകഴ്ത്തും.

നിങ്ങള്‍ വല്യ ആള്‍ക്കാരെ പോലെ എനിക്കും മഹാന്‍ ആകാന്‍ പറ്റുമോ എന്ന് ഞാന്‍ ഒന്നു നോക്കട്ടെ.

("ഇവിടെ"=തിരുവനന്തപുരം)

Vibgyor

2008-09-08T16:48:00.001+05:30

Absent

2008-09-07T19:25:00.002+05:30

Just an observation:
You will rarely find me in my college photos.

New

2008-09-04T08:40:00.004+05:30

Two new gadgets into our family. Thanks to Shajichayan :-)

It's the seventh phone I am using in four years ;-)

Peter Keating

2008-08-27T10:25:00.003+05:30

Peter Keating is a new draftsman in the office of Francon & Heyers, the leading Architects in America. Guy Francon, one among the two partners is very much impressed with Keating’s academic records and so has a liking for him. Tim Davis is the most skilled draftsman at Francon’s office. Now read the following:

In the drafting room he found Tim Davis, his best friend, slouched despondently over a drawing. Tim Davis was the tall, blond boy at the next table, whom Keating had noticed long ago, because he had known, with no tangible evidence, but with certainty, as Keating always knew such things, that this was the favored draftsman of the office. Keating managed to be assigned, as frequently as possible, to do parts of the projects on which Davis worked. Soon they were out to lunch together, and to a quiet little speak-easy after the day’s work, and Keating was listening with breathless attention to Davis’ talk about his love for one Elaine Duffy, not a word of which Keating ever remembered afterward.

He found Davis now in black gloom, his mouth chewing furiously a cigarette and a pencil at once. Keating did not have to question him. He merely bent his friendly face over Davis’ shoulder. Davis spit out the cigarette and exploded. He had just been told that he would have to work overtime tonight, for the third time this week.

“Got to stay late, God knows how late! Gotta finish this damn tripe tonight!” He slammed the sheets spread before him. “Look at it.! Hours and hours to finish it! What am I going to do?”
“Well, it’s because you’re the best man here, Tim, and they need you.”
“To hell with that! I’ve got a date with Elaine tonight! How’m I going to break it? Third time! She won’t believe me! She told me so last time! That’s the end! I’m going up to Guy the Mighty and tell him where he can put his plans and his job! I’m through!”
“Wait,” said Keating, and leaned closer to him. “Wait! There’s another way. I’ll finish them for you.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll stay. I’ll do them. Don’t be afraid. No one’ll tell the difference.”
“Pete! Would you?”
“Sure. I’ve nothing to do tonight. You just stay till they all go home and then skip.”
“Oh, gee, Pete!” Davis sighed, tempted. “But look, if they find out they’ll can me. You’re too new for this kind of job.”
“They won’t find out.”
“I can’t lose my job, Pete. You know I can’t. Elaine and I are going to be married soon. If anything happens…”
“Nothing will happen.”

Shortly after six, Davis departed furtively from the empty drafting room, leaving Keating at his table.

Bending under a solitary green lamp, Keating glanced at the desolate expanse of three long rooms, oddly silent after the day’s rush, and he felt that he owned them, that he would own them, as surely as the pencil moved in his hand.

It was half past nine when he finished the plans, stacked them neatly on Davis’ table, and left the office. He walked down the street, glowing with a comfortable, undignified feeling, as though after a good meal.

* * * * * * * *

In the drafting room, Keating concentrated on Tim Davis. Work and drawings were only unavoidable details on the surface of his days; Tim Davis was the substance and the shape of the first step in his career.

Davis let him do most of his own work; only night work at first, then parts of his daily assignments as well; secretly, at first, then openly. Davis had not wanted it to be known. Keating made it known, with an air of naïve confidence which implied that he was only a tool, no more than Tim’s pencil or T-square, that his help enhanced Tim’s importance rather than diminished it and, therefore, he did not wish to conceal it.

At first, Davis relayed instructions to Keating; then the chief draftsman took the arrangement for granted and began coming to Keating with orders intended for Davis. Keating was always there, smiling, saying” “I’ll do it; don’t bother Tim with those little things. I’ll take care of it.” Davis relaxed and let himself be carried along; he smoked a great deal, he lolled about, his legs twisted loosely over the rungs of a stool, his eyes closed, dreaming of Elaine; he turned once in a while: “Is the stuff ready, Pete?”

Davis had married Elaine that spring. He was frequently late for work. He had whispered to Keating: “You’re in with the old man Pete, slip a good word for me, once in a while, will you?-so they’ll overlook a few things. God do I hate to have to be working right now!” Keating would say to Francon: “I’m sorry, Mr. Francon, that Murray job sub-basement plans were so late, but Tim Davis had a quarrel with his wife last night, and you know how newlyweds are, you don’t want to be too hard on them,” or “It’s Tim Davis again, Mr. Francon, do forgive him, he can’t help it, he hasn’t got his mind on his work at all!”

When Francon glanced at the list of his employees’ salaries, he notices that his most expensive draftsman was the man least needed in the office.

When Tim Davis lost his job, no one in the drafting room was surprised but Tim Davis. He could not understand it. He set his lips defiantly in bitterness against a world he would hate forever. He felt he had no friend on earth save Peter Keating.

Keating consoled him, cursed Francon, cursed the injustice of humanity, spent six dollars in a speak-easy, entertaining the secretary of an obscure architect of his acquaintance and arranged a new job for Tim Davis.

* * * * * * * *

By a unanimous decision of Francon, Heyer and the chief draftsman, Tim’s table position and salary were given to Peter Keating. But this was only part of his satisfaction; there was another sense of it, warmer and less real-and more dangerous. He said brightly and often: “Tim Davis? Oh yes, I got him his present job.”

On Peter Keating, From Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead

മഴ

2008-08-27T00:51:00.004+05:30

തൃശ്ശൂരില്‍ പോയി വരുന്നതു വന്നു വന്നു ഒരു ഹോബി ആയി മാറിയിട്ടുണ്ട്, എനിക്ക്.നേരത്തെ എറണാകുളം തൃശൂര്‍ ആയിരുന്നു എന്‍റെ സന്ചാരപഥം. ഇപ്പോള്‍ തിരുവനന്തപുരത്ത് നിന്നു ആയി എന്ന് മാത്രം. ഒരു ദിവസം 600 കിലോമീറ്റര്‍, കുറച്ചു കടുപ്പം തന്നെ...അതും ആഴ്ചയില്‍ രണ്ടും മൂന്നും തവണ..

അനിയത്തി ഹോസ്റ്റലിലേക്ക് മടങ്ങി. ഇനി എന്നാണാവോ ഈ വീട്ടില്‍ എല്ലാവരും കൂടി ഒന്നിച്ചു? എന്‍റെ മുറിയില്‍ ഇനി തലയും കുത്തി കിടന്നു പഠിക്കുന്ന ഒരു രൂപത്തെ miss ചെയ്യും. ഒരു അനക്കവും ഇല്ലാതെയാവും.

ട്രെയിനില്‍ ഞാന്‍ ഒരു coffee വാങ്ങി അവള്‍ക്കു കൊടുത്തു.എനിക്കും വാങ്ങി തിരിഞ്ഞു നോക്കുമ്പോള്‍ അവള്‍ അത് കൈയില്‍ നിന്നു താഴെ ഇട്ടിരിക്കുന്നു കുറെ അവളുടെ ദേഹത്തും വീണു...അവളെ ഒന്നു നോക്കിയ ശേഷം ഞാന്‍ ഒരെണ്ണം കൂടി വില്പനക്കാരനോട് ചോദിച്ചു. അപ്പോള്‍ അയാള്‍ "മുഴുവനും താഴെ പോയോ" എന്ന് ചോദിച്ചു.അയാള്‍ ഒരെണ്ണം കൂടി തന്നു. ഞാന്‍ അതിന്‍റെ പൈസ കൊടുത്തപ്പോള്‍ അയാള്‍ വാങ്ങിയില്ല. എത്ര നിര്‍ബന്ധിച്ചിട്ടും അയാള്‍ മൂന്നാമത്തെ കാപ്പിയുടെ പൈസ വാങ്ങിയില്ല. എനിക്ക് ഭയങ്കര സന്തോഷം തോന്നി.അഞ്ചു രൂപ ലാഭിച്ചതിലല്ല...ഇങ്ങനത്തെ ആള്‍ക്കാര്‍ ഉണ്ടല്ലോ എന്നറിഞ്ഞിട്ടു. ഒരു മാലയ്ക്കു വേണ്ടി പോലും കൊലപാതകം നടക്കുന്ന ഈ നാട്ടില്‍ തനിക്ക് അര്‍ഹമായ പണം ഒരാള്‍ സ്വമനസാലെ വേണ്ട എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞപ്പോള്‍, സന്തോഷംതോന്നി. പെട്ടെന്ന് ഓര്‍ത്തു പോയത് ഒരു രൂപയ്ക്ക് വേണ്ടി വഴക്കിടുന്ന ഓട്ടോക്കാരെ ആണ്.

അനു പോയി. കുറെ നാള് കഴിഞ്ഞു ഞാന്‍ എന്നോട് തന്നെ ചോദിക്കും...ആരായിരുന്നു ഈ അനു?

ആലപ്പുഴ വഴിയായിരുന്നു മടക്കയാത്ര. ഒന്നോ രണ്ടോ പ്രാവശ്യം മാത്രമേ ഇതു വഴി വന്നിട്ടുള്ളു. പല കാഴ്ചകളും കണ്ടിരിക്കുമ്പോഴാണ് എനിക്ക് മനസ്സിലായത് എനിക്ക് water bodies ഭയങ്കര ഇഷ്ടമാണെന്ന്. നദിയും പുഴയും ഒക്കെ കാണുമ്പോള്‍ എനിക്കുണ്ടാവുന്ന സന്തോഷം! ഏറ്റവും കൂടുതല്‍ ഇഷ്ടം കടല്‍ ആണ്.പക്ഷെ വളരെ കുറച്ചു പ്രാവശ്യം മാത്രമേ കണ്ടിട്ടുള്ളു. അതില്‍ ഏറ്റവും കൂടുതല്‍ ഓര്‍മയില്‍ നില്ക്കുന്നത് ശ്രീലങ്കയിലെ ആ കടല്‍ തീരം. കടല്‍ എത്ര കണ്ടാലും എനിക്ക് മതിവരില്ല. അത് പോലെ ഇഷ്ടമുള്ള വേറെ ഒരു കാര്യം മഴ നനയുന്നതാണ്. എല്ലാം മറന്ന്, തകര്‍ത്തു പെയ്യുന്ന മഴയില്‍ ആസ്വദിച്ചു നടക്കുക!ഹാ! ഇപ്പോള്‍ അത് ചെയ്യാന്‍ പറ്റുന്നില്ലല്ലോ...കാരണം? എന്തൊക്കെയോ നഷ്ടപെടും എന്ന പോലെയുള്ള ഒരു തോന്നല്‍, കൈയില്‍ ഉള്ള എന്തെങ്കിലുമൊക്കെ നനഞ്ഞാലോ എന്ന വിചാരം, വെറുതെ എന്തിനാ എന്ന ചിന്ത, പനിയെ പേടി,എല്ലാത്തിലും ഉപരി, കോരിച്ചൊരിയുന്ന മഴ അറിഞ്ഞു കൊണ്ടു നനയാന്‍ വേണ്ടുന്ന ധൈര്യം, അത് കിട്ടാത്തത്...

ഇപ്പോഴും ഓര്‍മയുണ്ട്...ആറാം ക്ലാസ്സിലെ ഓണാഘോഷം കഴിഞ്ഞു തിരിച്ചു വരുമ്പോള്‍ പെയ്ത ആ മഴ...അറിഞ്ഞു കൊണ്ടു അതും നനഞ്ഞു ഞാന്‍ വീട്ടില്‍ വരെ നടന്നതും...കണ്ണുകാണാന്‍ പോലും പറ്റാത്ത പോലെതകര്‍ത്തു പെയ്യുന്ന ആ മഴ.
അനില്‍ സര്‍ന്‍റെ ബൈക്കിനു പുറകില്‍ ഇരുന്നു ആ രാത്രിയില്‍ എറണാകുളം MG Roadല്‍ നനഞ്ഞ മഴ...അവയെല്ലാം ഞാന്‍ അറിഞ്ഞു കൊണ്ടു നനഞ്ഞവ ആയിരുന്നു.നനയാതിരിക്കാന്‍ എനിക്ക് പറ്റുമായിരുന്നെങ്കിലും നനയാന്‍ വേണ്ടി ഞാന്‍ നനഞ്ഞ മഴകള്‍.

ഇനി എന്നാണോ ആവോ ഒന്നു കൂടി?എന്നെങ്കിലും ഞാന്‍ കുട എട്ടുക്കാതെ പോകുമ്പോള്‍ തകര്‍ത്തു മഴപെയ്യണേ..അന്നെന്റെ pocketല്‍, നനയും എന്ന് ഞാന്‍ ഭയക്കുന്ന ഒന്നും ഉണ്ടാവരുതേ..

മഴ മൊത്തമായി എന്നെ നനച്ചു കഴിയുമ്പോള്‍ ഒരു പ്രത്യേക ധൈര്യം തോന്നും... എനിക്ക് ഇനി ഒന്നും നഷ്ടപെടാന്‍ ഇല്ല എന്ന്...ആ ധൈര്യം തോന്നുമ്പോള്‍ പിന്നെ ബാക്കി മഴ കൊള്ളുന്നത്‌ ഒരു ഹരമാണ്...നനഞ്ഞിറങ്ങിയാല്‍ പിന്നെ എന്താ പേടിക്കാന്‍, പിന്നെ നഷ്ടപ്പെടാന്‍ ഒന്നും ഇല്ലല്ലോ..

ഓടി പോകാന്‍ വല്ല സ്ഥലവുമുണ്ടോ?

2008-08-25T20:52:00.003+05:30

എന്തില്‍ നിന്നൊക്കെ ഓടി പോകാന്‍ ശ്രമിക്കുന്നു,
അതെല്ലാം എന്തേ എന്നെ വിടാതെ പിന്തുടരുന്നു?
എവിടെ പോയാലും എനിക്ക് സമാധാനം തരില്ല എന്നുണ്ടോ?
ഇങ്ങനെയൊക്കെയാവാന്‍ എന്താ ഞാന്‍ ചെയ്ത തെറ്റ്?

Beware of

2008-08-25T18:39:00.003+05:30

The ones I fear the most are the ones which come to you and say, "I'm nothing compared to you..., you are great, I'm nothing...". So let me get your help. And finally ...

The most dangerous species. Parasites.

purely coincidental!

2008-08-21T17:28:00.016+05:30

മകന്‍റെ മരണവാര്‍ത്ത അറിഞ്ഞ് അമ്മയ്ക്ക് പോകാന്‍ കഴിയാതിരുന്ന സംഭവത്തെ പണിമുടക്കുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെടുത്തുന്നത് മനുഷ്യതമില്ലായ്മ ആണെന്ന് CITU സംസ്ഥാന General Secretary എം. എം. .ലോറെന്സ്. ഇങ്ങനെ ഒരു സംഭവം ഉണ്ടായതില്‍ അതിയായ ദുഖമുണ്ട്. എന്നാല്‍ ഇതിന് പണിമുടക്കുമായി ബന്ധമുള്ളതായികണക്കാക്കുന്നില്ല.പണിമുടക്ക്‌ നടത്തിയത് കുട്ടി മരിക്കും എന്ന് അറിഞ്ഞിട്ടല്ല...ഇതു യാദൃശ്ചികമായി സംഭവിച്ചതാണ് . ...ഇതൊക്കെ നിങ്ങള്‍ സമരവുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ടു കാണുന്നത് , അധാര്‍മികമാണ്, ന്യായമല്ല...

സാറിനെ ഞാന്‍ ഒരിക്കലും നേരിട്ടു കാണില്ല.കണ്ടാല്‍ പറഞ്ഞേനെ..

ഇത്രയും മനുഷ്യത്തവും ധര്‍മ്മബോധവും ഉള്ള മലയാളികള്‍ ഉണ്ടെന്നു അറിഞ്ഞപ്പോള്‍ തോന്നുന്ന ആശ്വാസം ചില്ലറയല്ല. അല്ലെങ്കില്‍ തന്നെ മലയാളികളുടെ പോക്കിനെ കുറിച്ചു ഓര്‍ത്തു ടെന്‍ഷന്‍ അടിച്ചിരിക്കുവായിരുന്നു. അപ്പോഴാണ്‌ ഇദ്ദേഹത്തെ പോലെ ഉള്ള നല്ലവര്‍ ഉണ്ടെന്നു അറിഞ്ഞത്.എന്താശ്വാസമായി എന്ന് അറിയാമോ? ഇനി മലയാളികള്‍ വഴി തെറ്റി പോയാലും സാരമില്ല. ഇദ്ദേഹം CITU യില്‍ ഒതുങ്ങേണ്ട ആള് അല്ലായിരുന്നു.കുറഞ്ഞത് മന്ത്രി എങ്കിലും ആക്കണമായിരുന്നു. ജന നന്മയെ ഓര്‍ത്തു... അദ്ദേഹത്തിന് ഈ സംഭവത്തില്‍ വിഷമം ഉണ്ടായത് ഓര്‍ക്കുമ്പോള്‍ എനിക്ക് സഹിക്കുന്നില്ല.എന്തിന് ഇത്രയും ലോലഹൃദയനായ അദ്ദേഹത്തെ നമ്മള്‍ ഇത്തരം ക്രൂരമായ വാര്‍ത്തകള്‍ പറഞ്ഞു വേദനിപ്പിച്ചു? ദൈവം ക്ഷമിക്കില്ലകേട്ടോ..

പിന്നെ അമ്മയ്ക്ക് പോകാന്‍ പറ്റാത്തതിനെ പണിമുടക്കുമായി ബന്ധപെടുത്തിയ സംഭവം.എന്ത് നീചമായി പോയിഅത്?ഇങ്ങനെ ഒരു അടിസ്ഥാനമില്ലാത്ത ആരോപണം നമ്മള്‍ ഉന്നയിക്കാമോ? ഇവര്‍ ബന്ദ് നടത്തിയത് എന്ത് നല്ല ഉദ്ദേശ്യത്തോടെയാ, എന്തൊക്കെ കഷ്ടപ്പാടുകള്‍ സഹിച്ചാ.. അതിനെ അഭിനന്ദിച്ചില്ലെന്കിലും ഇങ്ങനെ സത്യവിരുദ്ധമായ കാര്യങ്ങള്‍ പറഞ്ഞു അവഹേളിക്കരുത്. പണിമുടക്കായത് കൊണ്ടാണ് വണ്ടി കിട്ടതിരുന്നതത്രേ! ആരെങ്കിലും വിശ്വസിക്കുമോ ഇങ്ങനത്തെ പച്ചക്കള്ളം?

പിന്നെ കുട്ടി മരിച്ച കാര്യം... അത് അദ്ദേഹം പറഞ്ഞതു നൂറു ശതമാനം സത്യമാ.. ആര്‍ക്കെങ്കിലും പറയാന്‍പറ്റുമോ ആരു എപ്പോള്‍ മരിക്കും എന്ന്? മരിക്കും എന്നറിഞ്ഞിരുന്നെങ്കില്‍ അദ്ദേഹം തീര്‍ച്ചയായും ബന്ദ് (സോറിപണിമുടക്ക്‌) മാറ്റിവെച്ചേനെ. അല്ലെങ്കില്‍ തന്നെ ആരൊക്കെ മരിക്കും എന്ന് നോക്കി ആര്‍ക്കെങ്കിലും ബന്ദ് (വീണ്ടുംസോറി, എന്ത് ചെയ്യാം) നടത്താന്‍ പറ്റുമോ? ബന്ദ് ആണോ മരണം ആണോ പ്രധാനം? മരിച്ച കുട്ടി ആരു? വെറും ഒരു ഇന്ത്യന്‍ പൌരന്‍. അങ്ങനെയുള്ള ഒരാള്‍ക്ക്‌ വേണ്ടി ബഹുജനങ്ങളെ ലകഷ്യമാക്കി സംഘടിപ്പിച്ച ഈ കലാപരിപാടി (ഐ മീന്‍ എന്ടെര്ടൈന്മെന്റ്റ് പ്രോഗ്രാം) ആണോ പ്രധാനം അതോ കുറച്ചു ആള്‍ക്കാര്‍ മാത്രം പങ്കെടുക്കുന്ന ഒരു പ്രാദേശിക മരണം ആണോ വലുത്? ഹര്‍ത്താല്‍ ആകുമ്പോള്‍ ആക്ഷന്‍ ഉണ്ട്, സസ്പെന്‍സ് ഉണ്ട്, ബുദ്ധിപൂര്‍വമുള്ള "കളി"കള്‍ ഉണ്ട്.മരണം ആണെന്കിലോ? ഛെ ബോറ്, വെറും ഡെസ്പ് കരച്ചില്‍മാത്രം. ഏതാ കൂടുതല്‍ നിങ്ങള്‍ കാണാന്‍ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നത്...നിങ്ങള്‍ തന്നെ പറയു..അപ്പോള്‍ നമ്മുടെ മാന്യ ദേഹത്തിനെ ഇത്തരം അപ്രസക്തങ്ങളായ കാര്യങ്ങള്‍ പറഞ്ഞു അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്‍റെ സമയം കളയുന്നത് എന്തിന്.

ഇതു യാദ്രിശ്ചികമായി സംഭവിച്ചതാണ്...എന്താണോ ആവോ അദ്ദേഹം ഉദ്ദേശിച്ചത്...ബന്ദ് ആയിരുന്നു എന്നാണോ? അതോ മരണം ...ഓ പിടി കിട്ടി പോയി.ഹര്‍ത്താല്‍ ദിവസത്തില്‍ മരണം, അതിനെതുടര്‍ന്നുള്ള ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടുകള്‍... അവയൊക്കെ ആണ് അപ്പോള്‍ യാദ്രിശ്ചികം ആയി പോയത്.ബൈ ദ വേ വാട്ട് ഇസ് ദമീനിംഗ് ഓഫ് യാദ്രിശ്ചികം?ഇസ് ഇറ്റ് അണ്‍എക്സ്പെക്ടെഡ്?അല്ല...കോ -ഇന്സിടെന്‍സ് ആണോ...സോറി വല്യവിവരം ഇല്ലാത്തത് കൊണ്ടു കറക്റ്റ് മീനിംഗ് അറിയില്ല...ഇങ്ങനെന്തോ ആണെന്ന് അറിയാം. പക്ഷെ അര്‍ഥംമനസ്സിലായി വരുമ്പോള്‍ എനിക്ക് ഞെട്ടല്‍ അനുഭവപ്പെടുന്നു...സത്യമായിട്ടും സാറിന് അറിയില്ലായിരുന്നോ, ഹര്‍ത്താല്‍ ദിനത്തില്‍ മരണവും വിവാഹവും ഒക്കെ കേരളത്തില്‍ നടക്കുന്നുണ്ടെന്ന്. അതിനേക്കാള്‍ പ്രധാനമായമറ്റു പലതും പലരുടെയും ജീവിതത്തില്‍...എനിക്കറിയാം സാര്‍ എന്താ പറയാന്‍ പോകുന്നത് എന്ന്...രാജ്യതാത്പര്യം ആണ് പ്രധാനം,അപ്പോള്‍ വ്യക്തികള്‍ ഇങ്ങനെ പലതും സഹിക്കണം. അത് സാറിന്‍റെ ഇഷ്ടംപോലെ.ഞാന്‍ ഒന്നും ചോദ്യം ചെയ്യുന്നില്ല.ഒരു ഡൌട്ട് മാത്രം...വ്യക്തികള്‍ ചേരുന്നതാണോ സമൂഹംഅതോ...നിര്‍ത്തെടാ!. അവന്‍റെ ഒരു മണ്ടന്‍ സംശയം. നീ പറയാന്‍ ഉദ്ദേശിച്ചത് പറ...അല്ലാതെ സംശയം പോലും... അപ്പോള്‍ സാറേ, ഞാന്‍ പറഞ്ഞു വന്നത് എന്തെന്നാല്‍...ഇങ്ങനെ കേരളത്തില്‍ നടക്കുന്ന എല്ലാ പരിപാടികളും, അവയ്ക്ക് നേരിടുന്ന ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടുകളും ഒക്കെ സാറിന് അറിയില്ലായിരുന്നോ...അവയെല്ലാം വെറുംയാദ്രിസ്ചികമായി സംഭവിച്ചതാണെന്ന് ഓര്‍ക്കുമ്പോള്‍ എന്‍റെ കണ്‍ഫ്യൂഷന്‍ കൂടി വരുന്നു..വാട്ട് ഇസ് ദ മീനിന്ഗ്ഓഫ് യാദ്രിശ്ചികം..?ആ എന്തെങ്കിലും ആകട്ടെ...ഞാന്‍ എന്തിനാ ഇങ്ങനെ ആവശ്യമില്ലാത്തത് ഒക്കെ ആലോചിച്ചു
വട്ടു പിടിക്കുന്നത്‌.

സാറേ ഞങ്ങള്‍ മലയാളികള്‍ എല്ലാവരുടെയും കല്യാണവും മരണവും ഒക്കെ ഏത് വിധേനെ നടക്കണം എന്ന്തീരുമാനിക്കുന്നത് അങ്ങയെ പോലുള്ള അതികായന്മാരാന്. അതിനുള്ള അവകാശം ഞങ്ങള്‍ മലയാളികള്‍കാലാകാലങ്ങളില്‍ തന്നു പോന്നിട്ടുമുണ്ട്. ഞങ്ങള്‍ ഓഫീസില്‍ പോണോ കല്യാണം കഴിക്കണോ എന്ന്തീരുമാനിക്കുന്നത് അങ്ങയെ പോലെ ഉള്ളവരാണ്. വിവാഹവും മരണവും ബന്ദ് ഇല്ലാത്ത ദിവസങ്ങളില്‍നടത്തുന്നവര്‍ ഒരു കാര്യം മനസ്സിലാക്കണം, അത് നിങ്ങളുടെ മിടുക്കല്ല...വല്യ വല്യ ആള്‍ക്കാര്‍ അന്ന് ബന്ദ് വേണ്ടഎന്ന് വെയ്ക്കാന്‍ കാണിച്ച മഹാമനസ്കത! അവര്‍ ഒന്നു വിചാരിച്ചാല്‍ ഉണ്ടല്ലോ...അവര്‍ക്കു ബന്ദ് എപ്പോള്‍വേണമെങ്കിലും പ്രഖ്യാപിക്കാം. നിങ്ങളുടെ വിവാഹത്തിന്റെ തലേന്ന് പോലും. അതൊക്കെ യാദ്രിശ്ചികം മാത്രം. (സര്‍, ഞാന്‍ ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞു എന്നത് മനസ്സില്‍ വെച്ചു എന്‍റെ കല്യാണത്തിന്‍റെ അന്ന് ബന്ദ് വെച്ചു എന്നോട്പ്രതികാരം ചെയ്യരുത്, പ്ലീസ്! ഞാന്‍ പെട്ട് പോകും.) അപ്പോള്‍ ഞാന്‍ പറഞ്ഞു വന്നത് ബന്ദ് ദിവസം നമ്മള്‍ എന്ത്ചെയ്യണം എന്ന് ഇവര്‍ തീരുമാനിക്കും. അതിനിടയില്‍ എന്തെങ്കിലും പറ്റിയാല്‍, വെറും....മാത്രം. മിണ്ടാതിരുന്നുസഹിക്കുക. ജന്മനാ സംശയാലുവായ എനിക്ക് ഒരു ഡൌട്ട് കൂടി...ഇനി വന്നു വന്നു നമ്മള്‍ ബന്ദിന്റെ അന്ന്ചെയ്യുന്ന എല്ലാ കാര്യങ്ങളും ഇവര്‍ തീരുമാനിക്കാന്‍ തുടങ്ങുമോ? ലൈക്‌ നമ്മള്‍
എന്നും ചെയ്യുന്ന, ഒഴിച്ച് കൂടാനാവാത്ത, ജീവിത ചര്യകള്‍...അങ്ങനെ ആണെന്കില്‍ മമ്മി എനിക്ക് പേടിആവുന്നു...കാരണം നമ്മള്‍ മലയാളികള്‍ അതും മിണ്ടാതെ അനുസരിക്കും....

NB: ഇതു വരെ നടന്നതും ഇനി നടക്കാനിരിക്കുനതുമായ ബന്ദുകള്‍ക്ക് മരിച്ചവരായ ആരുമായി ബന്ധമൊന്നുമില്ലാ...ഉണ്ടെങ്കില്‍ തന്നെ അത് വെറും യാദ്രിശ്ചികം മാത്രം

What's this, Roshan?

2008-08-21T00:57:00.002+05:30

To be frank, I don't intend to write anything.
The date of joining has arrived from Infosys. I don't know whether it is worth it, but I am feeling an excitement that I haven't experienced for quite some years by now. The desire to excel, the courage to dream; I am having them all, and I feel very happy to experience them. Seems like...
All I can say is I feel good.

That's one side of the story.
If someone's disturbs you beyond the limits, it's perfectly alright to kill that person, isn't it?
Coz if you can't kill thoughts, kill the one that generated 'thoughts that can't be killed'. The logic is simple: if you don't! it will kill you.
That's it. Let this remain incomplete and vague.

Btw: Don't kill yourself in the process. Coz in my eyes, you are worth more than anyone else.

ഷാലൂ

2008-08-17T20:45:00.011+05:30

കഴിഞ്ഞ മൂന്നു ദിവസങ്ങള്‍ ഇവിടെ തകര്‍പ്പ് ആയിരുന്നു . മൂന്നു കുട്ടികള്‍ ആയിരുന്നു കഥാനായകര്‍. ഡാഡിയുടെ ഇളയ സഹോദരനും കുടുംബവും ഞങ്ങളുടെ വീട്ടില്‍ വന്നിരുന്നു. അവരുടെ മൂന്നു കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങള്‍...നല്ല രസമായിരുന്നു അവരുടെ കാര്യങ്ങള്‍ കണ്ടിരിക്കാന്‍. മൂത്തയാള്‍ അലന്‍. ഇപ്പോള്‍ രണ്ടാം ക്ലാസ്സില്‍. അവനോടു ഏത് ക്ലാസ്സിലാണ് പഠിക്കുന്നത് എന്ന് ചോദിച്ചാല്‍ അവന്‍ ഐറിഷ് ആക്സെന്റില്‍ പറയും:"സെക്കന്റ്" (ഫേഴ്സ്റ്റ്, സെക്കന്‍ഡ്‌ എന്നൊക്കെ അവന്‍ "പ്രോപര്‍ ആക്സെന്റില്‍" പറയുന്നതു ഞങ്ങള്‍ക്കു കൌതുകമാണ്). ആളൊരു കുപ്രസിദ്ധ വില്ലന്‍ ആയിരുന്നു ചെറുപ്പത്തില്‍. ഇപ്പോള്‍ ഭയങ്കര ശാന്തന്‍ ആയിപ്പോയി. അനിയന്‍ അവനെ ശാന്തന്‍ ആക്കിയതാണ് എന്നാണു ഞങ്ങളുടെ നിഗമനം.

രണ്ടാമന്‍ ക്രിസ്റ്റി. ചില നേരങ്ങളില്‍ നമ്മള്‍ അവന്‍റെ ഗോഷ്ടികള്‍ കണ്ടു ചിരിച്ചു മരിക്കും. അല്ലാത്ത നേരങ്ങളില്‍ അവന്‍ അവന്‍റെ ചേട്ടനെയും അനിയത്തിയെയും ഒരു പോലെ എടുത്തിട്ട് പെരുമാറും. ടിക്-ടാക് ആണ് കക്ഷിയുടെ ഇഷ്ട ഭക്ഷണം. പക്ഷെ അവന്‍ അതിനെ കിറ്റ്‌ കാറ്റ് എന്നാണു വിളിക്കുന്നത്. അവന്‍റെ ചിരി കാണുമ്പോള്‍ എനിക്ക് ജെറി മൌസിനെ ഓര്‍മ വരും. അത് പോലത്തെ കള്ളച്ചിരിയാണ് അവന്‍റെ ട്രേഡ് മാര്‍ക്ക്. ഭയങ്കര കുസൃതിയാണ്, പക്ഷെ അവന്‍റെ തമാശ നിറഞ്ഞ പ്രവര്‍ത്തികള്‍ കാരണം എല്ലാവര്‍ക്കും അവനെയാ കൂടുതല്‍ ഇഷ്ടം. അവന് ഒരുകാര്യം വേണമെങ്കില്‍ അത് നടത്തിയിരിക്കും. അതിനുള്ള സൂത്രങ്ങള്‍ ഒക്കെ അവന്‍റെ കൈയില്‍ ഉണ്ട്. അത് നടക്കുന്നത് വരെ അവന്‍ അടങ്ങി ഇരിക്കില്ല. അവന്‍റെ നമ്പറുകള്‍ നമ്മള്‍ക്ക് മനസ്സിലായാലും അവന്‍റെ ബുദ്ധികാണുമ്പോള്‍ സമ്മതിച്ചു കൊടുക്കും.

മൂന്നാമത്തെ ആള്‍ ഷാലോം. ഞാന്‍ "ഷാലുക്കുട്ടിയേ" എന്ന് വിളിക്കും. ഒന്നര വയസു വരും. പഞ്ച പാവം. ഭയങ്കര കളിയും തമാശയുമാണ്. പക്ഷെ വേറെ ആരേയെങ്കിലും കണ്ടാല്‍ അപ്പോള്‍ ഓടിക്കളയും.എന്നിട്ട് അമ്മയുടെ കാലില്‍ തൂങ്ങും.നമ്മള്‍ കൂടുതല്‍ അടുത്താലോ?, "അമ്മേ എന്നെ എടുക്ക്‌" എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞു കരയാന്‍തുടങ്ങും. പിന്നെ ഒരു രക്ഷയുമില്ല. ഞാന്‍ പഠിച്ച പണി പതിനെട്ടും നോക്കി എടുക്കാന്‍. ഒരു രക്ഷയുമില്ല. അടുക്കുന്നില്ല. ഒടുവില്‍ ഞാന്‍ രണ്ടും കല്പിച്ചു എടുത്തു. ആദ്യം ഭയങ്കര കരച്ചില്‍. ഞാന്‍ എന്‍റെ സകലനമ്പരുകളും പുറത്തെടുത്ത് കുട്ടിയെ ചാക്കിട്ടു. പിന്നെ ഞങ്ങള്‍ കളിയും ചിരിയും. പെട്ടെന്ന് അമ്മ മുന്‍പില്‍ വന്നുപെട്ട്."അമ്മേ എന്നെ.." പിന്നെയും തുടങ്ങി. ഒടുവില്‍ അവള്‍ അമ്മയുടെ കൈയില്‍ കയറി. അപ്പോഴാണ്‌ രസം. സ്വിച്ച് ഇട്ടതു പോലെ കരച്ചില്‍ നിന്നു. ഞങ്ങള്‍ എല്ലാം zooയില്‍ പോയി.അപ്പനും അമ്മയുമെല്ലാം അവളെ എടുത്തു തളര്‍ന്നു. അവള്‍ക്കു തന്നേ നടക്കേണ്ട അവസ്ഥ വന്നു. ഞാന്‍ situation മുതലാക്കി. അവളെ എടുത്തു. അവള്‍ക്ക് വേറെ രക്ഷയുണ്ടായിരുന്നില്ല. അങ്ങനെ ഞങ്ങള്‍ കുറേ നേരം നടന്നു.ചാന്‍സ് കിട്ടിയപ്പോള്‍ അവള്‍ വീണ്ടും അമ്മയുടെ കൈയിലേക്ക് ചാടി. കുറച്ചു കഴിഞ്ഞു ഞാന്‍ ഞങ്ങള്‍ തമ്മിലുള്ള പരിചയം കണക്കിലെടുത്ത് വീണ്ടും എടുക്കാന്‍ ചെന്നു. അപ്പോള്‍ അവള്‍ എന്നെ കണ്ട ഭാവം നടിച്ചില്ല.അമ്മയുടെ തോളില്‍ തിരിഞ്ഞുകിടന്നു. ഇത്ര അടുക്കാത്ത ഒരു കുട്ടിയെ ഞാന്‍ ആദ്യമായി കാണുകയാ. എന്നാല്‍ കളിയും ചിരിയും തുടങ്ങിയാല്‍ പിന്നെ ഭയങ്കര രസമാണ് താനും. വേണ്ട എന്ന വാക്കു അവള്‍ക്കു അറിയില്ല. അതിന് പകരം അവള്‍ "ഇല്ല" എന്നാണു പറയുന്നതു.ഞാന്‍ എങ്ങാനും അടുത്ത് ചെന്നു "ഷാലുക്കുട്ടിയെ അച്ചാച്ചന്‍ എടുക്കാം" എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞാല്‍ അവള്‍ നീട്ടി പറയും: ഇല്ലല്ലാ... ചില നേരങ്ങളില്‍ ക്രിസ്റ്റിയുടെ അക്രമങ്ങള്‍ സഹിക്കാന്‍ പറ്റാതാവുമ്പോള്‍ മാത്രം ഷാലു ശാന്തത കൈവിടും. അവള്‍ അവനെ ചീത്ത വിളിക്കും:പോടാ പുല്ലേ. ഏതോ സുരേഷ് ഗോപി സിനിമയില്‍നിന്നു പഠിച്ചതാണത്രെ! ഇനി എങ്ങാനും അവള്‍ക്ക് ഭയങ്കര ദേഷ്യം വന്നാല്‍ അവള്‍ ഒരു warning മാത്രം കൊടുക്കും: "ഞാന്‍ 'പോടാ പുല്ലേ' വിളിക്കും..."

Target struck!

2008-08-11T11:26:00.005+05:30

Wow! So India has a gold medal. Abhinav Bindra has won the gold medal in the 10m Air Rifle. The first Indian ever to win Olympic gold medal in an individual event. I was really thrilled to hear the national anthem played during the award ceremony. It's the first time that I am hearing the Indian National Anthem played in a medal distribution ceremony of the Olympics. And Mr. Bindra looked so calm and humble, smiling with an effect that "I do it everday". Yes he must be doing it. And heard that tremendous hardwork and determination brought him back from an injury.

As usual, the medal came from a person, who wasn't actually expected to(though he was consistent in his performance. We expected other "stars" to win the medal). The differences being this time the medal came at the start of the event itself, and that it was a nothing less than a gold! Also it is not a consolation medal, won to save our face, but this time we are really enthusiastic. Ms. Nehwal has advanced to the Women's Badminton Quarter Finals in style, thrashing the fourth seed. Hope she too wins another medal for India. The Archery team disappointed us. All eyes focussed on what RVS Rathore can do. It's a joyous moment for India, but we shoudn't forget that it is only a start and that we shouldn't be complacent. Countries of our size are grabbing medals. We shouldn't stop before we enjoy the same status as them.

One thing that makes me very happy is that the silver medalist is a Chinese. They are determined to become the best in this Olympics. They have been training themselves for years for this event; but we have shown them that when we really put in our talent-you just can't beat us!

Dare to live!

2008-08-10T23:38:00.007+05:30

"Suiciiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide"!
For those of you who have seen the movie Sholay, you can't forget the scene in which a drunken Dharmendra climbs to a height and shouts (I will commit) suicide! It's a very funny scene wherein he threatens the public that he will commit suicide. And it is all fake. He isn't drunk and is trying to act so. So why am I telling all this? My today's story is about my suicide attempt!

Back then I was a small kid. I am not sure whether I was in LKG or UKG. Those school days were a torture for me. I hated going to school (there is no official records on how many thrashes I have got from my father for refusing to go to school each day. Each day I will say, "I won't". He will say, "You will". After some drama, I will start getting my usual quota. I will refuse to walk. I will be dragged. And I will continue taking the beatings even on the way, due to my "undying spirit" for "that what I believe in". Eventually I reach school. The next day: the same events take place in the same order).

Yes, those days were actually hateable. I was in a foreign land, my class was an unknown world, all I knew was that there were countless benches behind me, all occupying hostile children. I didnot know the language (Hindi) and the classes were scaring. I was afraid of all the teachers and their classes. I still remember my first caning in my school life, for having scored 2.5 in Hindi. Those red digits are still vivid to me. She didnot know that I didnot know anything in Hindi and that I didnot belong to their place. I wanted to say, എന്‍റെ ടീച്ചറെ എനിക്ക് ഈ ഭാഷ അറിഞ്ഞുകൂടാ...കിലുക്കത്തില്‍ ഹിന്ദിക്കാരന്‍റെ കൈയില്‍നിന്നു ഇടി കിട്ടുമ്പോള്‍ ജഗതി പറയില്ലേ..ഏതാണ്ടു ആ അവസ്ഥയായിരുന്നു എനിക്ക്. My academic life was full of such terrifying events. And all these were despite my being the second rank holder in the class. School!! was hell for me.

So, it was some vacation. A long one, but not the annual vacation. In their system, the summer vacation comes in between an academic year, so that you have homeworks to be completed when you return. I don't remember the exact events, there was some "Herculean task" to be completed, which was left uncompleted due to my "hardworking nature". I knew that the holidays were coming to an end. I shuddered when I thought of returning to school. I asked my mother when the school will reopen. She said "Thursday". Slowly the week went by. When it was finally Wednesday, the homework was still incomplete. And you know, those homeworks were dozens of pages and in many subjects. There was no way that you can complete it in one day. As the hours passed, I became more and more worried. Finally it was evening. I felt that it was the "End of World" for me the next day. There was no point in going to School the next day, since I had no hope of returning alive. I decided to act. Like all those great Dictators who considered it a shame to die at the hands of their enemies, I too felt that it was a disgrace. Moreover I didnot have the strength to undergo the torture. So I decided to end my life. Rather than wait until the next day for someone else to take my life. So death was imminent. Yes, my hour had come. So, I decided that no hope was left and death was the only way to evade the danger.

So I found out a method to die. I took a pen and "inked" my tongue. As soon as this ink reaches my stomach I will die, thought I. After having taken my doze of "poison", I went to bed and lied there, anticipating death. I was very sad, though, because I was going to die.

Some time later I found out that I did not die. I was shocked and troubled. Not dying now means that an even painful life awaits me the next day. I was not the one to withdraw due to a failed suicide attempt. This time, there will be no errors! With such a resolve, I now took a really fatal poison; you know what? I ate a full page of paper and to make sure that I surely died, I also "inked" my tongue, this time with double the quantity of ink!

Not to mention that I am still alive to narrate this story. It was a historic suicide attempt. I was a little kid but somehow after this event I decided that I will never try anything of this sort in my life, no matter what happens. I still don't know how the idea of suicide was so strong in the mind of a small child. Maybe that is something that the media and society injects into children. In those days there were no Cable TVs, there was only one channel-DD. If my case was so, what will be that of today's children, who are exposed to unimaginably inappropriate contents. Wonder how their personality gets distorted, and how strongly their immature minds absorb the contents meant to satisfy the adults who sit with mouths wide open before unrealistic stories.

Don't you know want to know the climax? A depressed Roshan, a complete failure, who failed not only in his homework, but also in his suicide attempt, went to his mother (after the failed suicide attempts). On seeing him his mother asked why he was so sad. He replied that he hadn't completed his homework. "So complete it, why are you sad? Don't you have one week?", asked his mother. "One week? how? my school reopens tomorrow, right?", he asked confused. "No, it is next Thursday", replied his mother.

Do you know how happy I felt then?

Now it all seems stupid, thinking on how easily I had decided to die, the reason I had for it, and still, the strategy I adopted for it! But what I feel now is that everyone who attempts suicide is as foolish as I was, no matter how grown-up he is. Anyone attempting a suicide has a valid reason to do it, but it is only years later, when he has lived much more and gone through a lot of experiences, that he realises that his cause was so childish(yes, as childish as mine, no matter what the cause is). No problem in this world is a sufficient reason for us to end our lives, because our lives are greater than the problems themselves. It might be only later that we understand that our perspective was narrow and that what we saw was only one bit of the whole picture. And that there was a way out of the problem that was troubling us, it is only that we couldn't see it then.

That little beacon of hope, which we were looking for, may be just across the river; if only we swim to the other shore! But most often, we give up, thinking that it is all over, and let us sink in the river.

Only few are fortunate to realise this truth, those foolish ones like me who didn't know the right way to die. For the intelligent ones, they either die without realising it, or escape but with irreparable damages to their bodies, and live a horrible life, now without even the strength to commit suicide, but realising that the earlier life was much better, if only they hadn't tried to end it.

That funny event of my childhood days taught me a great lesson. When you think that everything is over, just wait for some more time; an entirely different life may be awaiting you.

A bend in the road is not the end of the road,
Unless you fail to make the turn

Beijing, aha!

2008-08-08T18:46:00.009+05:30

Was watching the Olympics Opening Ceremony till now, but the "power cut" played the show-stopper...oops I can't watch it right now as there is no power supply.

It was really nice. Especially the play with electronics... who else can excel in it other than the Chinese?

The part which impressed me the most was that where tiny box shaped blocks moved up and down to create various formations. It was spectacular. While I kept thinking how many computers were involved and how many months of coding was required to achieve the precision of these movements, came the shock! Humans were inside these blocks (unseen to us) and they were moving each of the blocks up and down. Just imagine their memory and synchrony, in a situation where they can't even see how the other blocks are moving!

Ho! The power supply is on... Hope that the lighting of the Cauldron is not over. If it's, then I will miss what I really wanted to see.
******************************************************
Yea, I made it! A Chinese gymnast, with the spotlight focussed on him, ran 360 degrees around the stadium before lighting the Cauldron. Yes, but he ran through the air, at a height of hundreds of feet! It was spectacular. In recent years we have seen the dominance of technology over the conventional way of shooting an arrow to light up the Cauldron. But here they merged human skills and technology to produce a wonderful show for millions of viewers worldwide. And the fireworks were magnificent! It was better than the one seen in Sydney Olympics. When the athletes from different nations marched past the audience it seemed that it was a fusion of culture. From the darkest to the fairest, the strongest to the fastest, everyone was here. I saw that I hadn't even heard of many of the countries before. Some had only a handful of athletes. But at the event of the event they will have a handful of medals too. What about the nation with a billion population. Each time we get away with a single face-saving medal, and that too from a "not-so-popular" athlete. By the way, are athletes popular in India?

Not so this time, it seems. With a silver medalist leading the "Indian Army" and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi herself waving to the athletes, it seemed that the Indian camp is very enthusiastic. And we have more medal hopes in this Olympics than in recent ones. RVS Rathore is on the top of the list, with his body language indicating that he is thirsty for gold. Anju Bobby George is another; though she is a performer, medals have been evading her. We have hopes in the boxing and shooting teams also. The tennis duo, Paes-Bhoopathi too can bring in a medal provided they don't contend individually for the Double's title. And the point is that we have similar hopes for every Olympics, until we realise that though we are as good as we expected, others are better! Let's hope there is a change this time.

Trivia:

Around 40 billion$ USD spent for Beijing Olympics.
The order in which the nations appeared in the march past was based on the number of strokes required in the Chinese alphabet to represent the first letter of the country's name.
At least one of the colours in the five Olympic rings is present in the flags of each of the member nations.
The Mascots

Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color and inspiration, Fuwa will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace -- and good wishes from China -- to children all over the world.

Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends, Fuwa also embody the natural characteristics of four of China's most popular animals -- the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow -- and the Olympic Flame.

Each of Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name -- a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow.

When you put their names together -- Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni -- they say "Welcome to Beijing," offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of Fuwa as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games!

Let the Olympics make human kind Swifter, Higher and Stronger!

Once again trivia: "It doesn't matter whether you win or lose, what is important is that you participate", was probably said by an Indian athlete.

മദര്‍ tongue

2008-08-08T11:07:00.005+05:30

കേരളത്തനിമയില്‍ മുങ്ങിക്കുളിച്ചു പച്ചവിരിച്ചു കിടക്കുന്നെന്‍ മാതൃഭൂമി...

Yea!! I am learning how to type in Malayalam. And it's as if I am going back to my Standard Two basics in learning Malayalam Fonts.

And I am seriously worried, having seen how English can be used to create Malayalam, whether the next generation will learn how to write Malayalam.

ഡു നോട്ട് റീഡ് ദി അബവ് മലയാളം ലയിന്‍സ് ഫോര്‍ എ സെക്കന്റ് ടൈം ഹ ഹ ഹ ..ഇറ്റ്സ് റബ്ബിഷ്,
ദാറ്റ് വോസ് ജസ്റ്റ് ആന്‍ എക്സ്പെരിമെന്റ്റ് ഇന്‍ ടൈപ്പിങ് ഇന്‍ മലയാളം.

ഹാ ഹാ ഹാ, ഇപ്പോള്‍ മലയാളം എല്ലാം ഇംഗ്ലീഷിലും ആയി
and English in Malayalam.

Having learnt how to write Malayalam(is it?) I have converted my previous post to Malayalam font.

Go.

2008-08-06T22:44:00.003+05:30

Na hai yeh pana
Na Khona hi hai
Tera Na hona jane
Kyun hona hi hai

Tum se hi din hota hai
Surmaiye shaam aati
Tumse hi tumse hi

Har ghadi saans aati hai
Zindagi kehlati hai
Tumse hi tumse hi

Na hai yeh pana
Na Khona hi hai
Tera Na hona jane
Kyun hona hi hai

Aankhon mein aankhe teri
Baahon mein baahein teri
Mera na mujhe mein kuch raha hua kya
Baaton mein baatein teri
Raatein saugatein teri
Kyun tera sab yeh ho gaya hua kya
Mein kahin bhi jaata hoon
Tumse hi mil jata hoon
Tumse hi tumse hi

Shor mein khamoshi hai
Thodi se Behoshi hai
Tum se hi tum se hi

Aadha sa wada kabhi
Aadhe se jyada kabhi
Jee chahe karlu is tarah wafa ka
Chode na chote kabhi
Tode na tute kabhi
Jo dhaga tumse jud gaya wafa ka

Mein Tera sarmaaya hoon
Jo mein ban paya hoon
Tumse hi tumse hi
Raaste miljate hai
Manzile miljati hai
Tumse hi tumse hi

Na hai yeh pana
Na Khona hi hai
Tera Na hona jane
Kyun hona hi hai

വീണ്ടും ...

2008-08-06T22:11:00.006+05:30

ചിറകുകള്‍ ഓരോന്നായി അരിഞ്ഞു കളഞ്ഞാല്‍...
എല്ലാം കഴിയുമ്പോള്‍ അവന്‍ ജീവനോടെ ഉണ്ടാവുമോ?
അതോ ഒരു പുതിയ ജീവിയായി മാറുമോ?
ചിറകുകള്‍ ഇല്ലാത്ത ഒരു ജീവി...

That night it rained

2008-08-06T12:38:00.010+05:30

Taken from an e-mail forward

"Lets go for a walk", said Rahul.

"Yippee. Lets go", said Swetha, almost jumping out of her seat.

It was yet another boring day in the Mysore training institute. Dusk

was breaking in. Swetha had already taken two breaks since lunch.

Nevertheless, she had been anticipating Rahul's invitation for

another break.

Rahul and Swetha had known each other for the last couple of months.

They had been together since the training days. People knew them as

the best of friends. Rahul, the regular T-D-H type, who spoke with a

heavy Bengali accent, was a popular flirt in the DC. On the other

hand, Swetha was a chubby sweet little girl, who was always on the

lookout for sorrow souls. They enjoyed being in each other's company.

Swetha would disclose all his crushes to Rahul, and Rahul would

always be seen taking classes from Swetha, on how to impress a girl

in 24 hours. Rahul had helped Swetha to forget her 7-year-old single

lane relationship and Swetha would see to it that Rahul would never

be lonely. Most of the time, they were together. People admired, some

even sneered with jealousy, the relation that these two shared.

The walk today was unusually long.

"This is gonna be one of our last walks", muttered Rahul in a low

tone.

"I know", replied Swetha in a soft, almost inaudible voice.

Mysore DC had completed the long cycle training and the postings had

been announced the previous day. Swetha was posted at Mysore base

location, while Rahul would have to shift to Bangalore. Even though

they both always knew that they had to separate one day... they did

not expect it to happen so soon.

Swetha, who belonged to the sentimental group, looked at Rahul and

managed to pass a disguised smile. "I tried my best for a swap. The

HRC is stubborn. She is still holding on to 'EURP P.U. doesn't

encourage swaps.' I cannot stay here alone Rahul."

"I swear, I am gonna miss you badly too dear" replied Rahul, again

faking a smile.

"Hey don't worry sweetie, Mysore is just three hours from Bangalore.

Just call me and I will be here." said Rahul, trying to cheer her up,

though his words did not light up Swetha's face.

She just replied with a frown. "You will be busy with your new girl

friends and your work. You will soon forget me"

"Hey come on!" said an offended Rahul. "You are my best friend. Can I

ever forget you dear?"

"You just wait and see", came an almost sobbing reply.

"Don't start crying dear." Said Rahul with a gloomy face... "Oh... by

the way... it's getting late... let's go back" he said, taking a

U-turn.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As destiny wanted......... the next week saw Rahul packing his bags

for Bangalore, while Swetha moved out of her PG, to a rented apartment

closer to her office. They parted with a few wet handkerchiefs. The

bus started moving. Rahul looking through the Volvo glass was trying

to say something to Swetha. His actions deciphered, as "I will call u

when I reach there. Gonna miss you. Take care... Bye-Bye"

Swetha was comforted by her own tears. She felt very lonely, as if

she had lost something. Something, very precious. Consoling herself,

she went back to her room, shut the door, and started sobbing again.

She had found a very good friend in Rahul, and he was her major

support. She had no clue in the beginning that she would get so much

attached and more important... too much dependent on him. She sobbed

herself to sleep.

A couple of hours later, she heard her mobile ringing. One look at

the tiny screen, which happened to display, "Rahul calling..." and she

was overjoyed. She answered the call with a "Hey... You reached so

soon? How was the trip?"

"Yo dear! Just reached. Bangalore seems to be bliss. The climate is

almost like Mysore. It is wonderful... though Mysore was better....

Coz I miss you badly here..."

"I miss you too dear," said Swetha... trying to stop her tears. They

talked on for almost an hour. Swetha was all the time advising him, on

what to do and what not to do. And Rahul was responding with a "Yes

dear" "Ofcourse I will" "Sure, I wont"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A couple of days had gone by. They used to call each other every day.

They did not miss the good morning / good evening / how are you / I

am fine ... SMS almost every hour. Thanks to the Airtel to Airtel

free SMS scheme. Slowly the days went by. Two weeks had past since

they parted.

That Saturday, Rahul called up Swetha in the morning and said... "Hey

Swetha... you know what... I am gonna have a terrific weekend. We are

going to check out Nandi hills today."

"We? What do you mean by we?" asked a puzzled Swetha.

"Oh Oh. I completely forgot to tell you about my new friend. She is

so cute. We are in the same project. We both are going to the hill

station. Just about to leave... So thought of calling you up and say a

hi."

Somehow the "hi" was not so enticing for Swetha. Back there, she was

finding it hard to talk to anyone after Rahul left, while on the other

hand, someone had already taken her place in Rahul's life. She managed

to mumble out "That's great Rahul. Have a nice time... and enjoy

yourself." She was kinda upset, but dint show it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Days went by and Swetha was feeling that the distance between her and

Rahul was slowly increasing.

Then one day... the phone at her desktop rang. "Swetha... you have to

go to Bangalore for one week to gather the details of our APPLE

project". It was the voice of her PM. Swetha could hardly believe her

ears. "Wow! What luck! I can meet Rahul for a week," she said to

herself. She was very much happy and excited over this new twist. As

luck would have it... it was Rahul's birthday next week. She thought

of giving him a big surprise. Therefore, she hid the news from him.

Next week, Swetha was in Bangalore. Thanks to the huge crowd of

people, she managed to go unnoticed by anyone, especially Rahul, for

the first day. It was evening. She had left office early. She went to

the market and brought some beautiful flowers. She had been waiting

for this day. Flowers have this magical way of pleasing people... and

so she was choosy in selecting them. Rahul was her best friend, and

she cared a lot about him.

Taking the flowers home, she had her dinner and was waiting for time

to pass. She knew Rahul's address... she left the hotel at 11:30 and

hired a taxi to reach Rahul's place. It was a short distance away, so

she reached pretty soon. She groped around and found out his flat. The

lights were still on. She frowned. She wanted this to be a magnificent

surprise and hence had expected him to be sleeping. Nevertheless, she

timidly went to the door and rang the bell. The door opened in a few

seconds... There was Rahul. "Happy birthday..." said Swetha. Rahul was

stunned. He could not believe his eyes. Taking the flowers, he said.

"Oh gosh! Thank you so much Swetha. I never expected you... come on...

come inside..." Swetha removed her shoes and went in. Little did she

knew that there was a bigger surprise waiting for her inside. She saw

that the room was decorated and there was a birthday cake, which had

candles on it. There was a pretty girl standing there in blue denims

and a red top.

"Err... Swetha let me introduce you to Neha. And Neha, this is my

friend Swetha" The girls exchanged smiles and said Hi to each other.

Swetha felt uncomfortable. She wanted to be the first one to wish him

on his birthday. But look here! It seemed that someone else had

already done it. Still, controlling her feelings, she did not react.

They sang the birthday song together, cut the cake, and had fun. The

Party was over. Swetha said, "Rahul, it's getting late, I will leave

now. Can you tell me where can I find a taxi?"

"Hey, are u nuts or what? It is very late. You don't need to go

anywhere. Sleep here tonight. Even Neha has decided to stay back."

Swetha would never have accepted this, but the last line "Even Neha

has decided to stay back" drove her to say, "Well, if you insist, I

will stay back."

The next day morning, once again Shweta wished Rahul and left for her

hotel.

Work was hectic. She met Rahul for his dinner party in the evening.

Neha was with him. She found this annoying, but as usual, did not

utter a word.

The next day morning, she called Rahul and said... "You mean fellow,

you haven't shown me around Bangalore. I am free today evening. Take

me to the good places"

"Sure we will do that baby." Was his reply.

The day was boring for Swetha with not much work to do. She waited

until five and then buzzed him on his cell. "Where are you Rahul? Come

on... let's go!"

"Oh... I am so sorry Swetha; I have this telecon thing... I am gonna

be late... just wait for some time... please dear"

"Sure I will wait dear, you finish your work. Tell me where are u, I

will come there and cheer you up", said Swetha.

"Hey that's fine dear. No need to take any trouble... Besides, Neha

is also here."

Swetha was surprised. She had not expected him to say this. This

time, not knowing how to react... she was searching for words to

reply... she struggled and said... "Well.. err ... Rahul.. I am.. err

very tired.. I think I will go back... err.. Let us go tomorrow..."

Rahul replied "Wow, that's fine... no problem. We will surely go

tomorrow okay, thanks a ton Swetha for understanding."

Unfortunately tomorrow never came. Rahul was busy with one thing or

the other. She was feeling all the more lonely and desolate. The

feeling that Neha had replaced her position sank her. A frustrated and

irritated Swetha was waiting for her last day in Bangalore.

That day, she did not expect Rahul to call her. So to inform him that

she is leaving, she called him in the evening and told him that she is

leaving in an hour. She was shocked by Rahul's reply. "Oh I am so

sorry dear; I won't be able to come to see you off. Today I have a

very important meeting, I am really sorry yaar." "Its okay Rahul",

said Swetha, thinking at the back of her mind... what meeting could

Rahul possible have after office hours.

Heartbroken by the crushing changes she found in her best friend, she

left for the Majestic bus station and boarded her bus. She kept on

looking outside as if she was expecting a miraculous surprise. But no

one turned up. Resting her head on the slide seat, she closed her

eyes. Memories of those wonderful times spent with Rahul were flashing

in front of her eyes. She did not have any grudges that Rahul had

replaced her, but what pricked her was how easily she was forgotten

and forsaken. The journey was perhaps the dullest and saddest for

Swetha.

Back in Mysore, and back to work, Shweta was trying to cope up with

life. After a week, Rahul called her up. She did not want to create an

issue, but just could not stand it. She blurted out everything. She

asked him to give an explanation. His reply was "Look Swetha, you are

a very good friend of mine. But now, there is someone more important

in my life. Someone with more priority. Swetha... I am in love with

Neha." The words were so cold that Swetha could feel its bite.

Gathering all the bits of her remaining calm, she sobbed and said. "I

don't have any problem with that Rahul. But falling in love doesn't

essentially mean that you have to forsake your old friends"

"You have never fallen in love. What will you know about love,

Swetha?"

Rahul's words shattered her heart. She had never expected to hear

this from the person she cared and loved the most. She quietly cut the

phone. She shut her eyes tight and cried.

That night it rained.

______________________________________________________________

We should never forget our friends, coz it hurts. It hurts a lot,

when you feel that you have been replaced... when you have been forsaken...

and when you have been forgotten and when you are no longer wanted.

Though the truth is that,
Replacement is inevitable.

Refreshed!!

2008-08-04T22:24:00.009+05:30

I am giving my blog a face-lift. Looks better!

Nothing quite happening. Wasting all the time.

And today, I lost one of my strong, age-old beliefs, I understand that things are not as I think they are; I lost my faith in someone. The realisation has made my life miserable.

Smile!!

2008-08-04T00:41:00.003+05:30

I, Roshan is awake at this late hour of night. Just dropped in to record something.

Don't know why, but I am very happy. :-)

Couldn't make a difference

2008-08-03T06:56:00.003+05:30

Oh yeahh!! This is my first post in August. In July I broke the record for the maximum number of posts for any month till date. Almost one post in every three days. Let's see what happens this month.

Went to Thrissur yesterday. Yet another Improvement. To call it an improvement exam is a shame to that word itself. I got out of the exam hall in one hour. And that too due to unavailabilty of "twine". I wanted to "make a difference" in this exam. No way. Everything happened as it usually does. I conceded innings defeat. Badly wanted to study two full modules, at least for once in my Engineering life. I managed three or four pages. Not that I don't want to, but that I can't. Anyhow as Sheela says in "Manassinakkare": "Theernnu, ee janmathile (Engineering) bandhangalellam". Pray that I don't encounter one more of this kind.

On the way out, I looked at the Main block rooms, the Graphics Hall, The room to which we came first... Tried very hard to create some nostalgia. Felt nothing. Just glanced and walked away.

The rest of the day was uneventful, contrary to my expectations, except for some time at Jaijo's house. Maybe the final visit to his home of such a kind. Our routine "house visits" which lasted for four years has finally come to an end. The eight-o-clock visits...those were the best time of my life!

And Andu is Andaman, once again. Which means that he has gone back to his home in Andamans. Went to see him off. Came back and celebrated Jaijo's dad's birthday. Went to China Gate for dinner. And rushed to Railway Station to catch my train at 10.20. In the train I remained awake for most of the night, listening to music.

The only achievement of the day was that I got still richer in my movie collection.

The reason is you

2008-07-30T21:58:00.003+05:30

I'm not a perfect person
There's many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning
I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go
That I just want you to know

I've found out a reason for me
To change who I used to be
A reason to start over new
and the reason is you

I'm sorry that I hurt you
It's something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears
Thats why i need you to hear

I've found a reason to show
A side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that I do
And the reason is you

2008-07-30T12:39:00.004+05:30

I was observing...how things get replaced. Everything in this world does. Today you are there, tomorrow someone else will be; today you are something, tomorrow you won't be, someone else will be. Replacement is inevitable.

Once again

2008-07-25T22:23:00.010+05:30

Serial blasts in Bangalore...tragic. Who will compensate the loss to the families of those who died? Had they known today morning that their dear one will not return in the evening? Anyone can be a victim of terrorism. We don't realise this truth until we are part of the tragedy. When we hear such news, we take it casually thinking that it is someone unknown to us. We too can be in their place.

One of the news scrolls I saw today evening amused me very much: "Bangalore Police very alert (after the incident)". My comments to them: "Please go home and take rest. The terrorists have done their job. Now there is no point in your remaining alert. If it was to be done, it had to be yesterday. And not after the blasts have taken place. Now please don't strain yourself too much by remaining alert.

As for the Police and the Govt. of the remaining Indian cities: Please remain alert. It's not until anything tragic happens that we realise that it was 'possible'. Many cities (eg. the ones in Kerala) still don't believe that they too are vulnearble. There is no point in being extra-alert after the event.

If they don't: Who knows how many of us will return home tomorrow evening?

Of late

2008-07-23T12:53:00.002+05:30

Whom will I tell all that I want to speak out?
When will I do all that I want to do?

Feel like I am once again stranded alone.

Confident

2008-07-22T23:06:00.004+05:30

The Parliament showed its confidence in this Government. So the Manmohan Government continues to be in power and the Nuke deal will materialize. The mudslinging that took place in the House for two days will now be continued outside, with the BJP alleging the UPA to have won the motion through corrupt and unfair means. The most happy person is Amar Singh of SP, with this coalition meaning much to him and his party.

Earlier during the day:
Rahul Gandhi: Pretty decent speech. It is relieving to see at least the young MPs talking sense, and not just shouting and blabbing. He might not have delivered a speech of ‘karisma’, might not have done justice to his being projected as the “star” speaker, but there was something in the interest of the nation. Usually the members beat around the bush during their speeches, or mock each other-where can they find time to discuss national issues amidst these. Rahul’s speech differs from those, so feel I.

Lalu Prasad: Oh God! I adore this man. Whatever you accuse him of; this is a person who can take on the rest of the Parliament alone. He was handling the whole Opposition all alone. And his wits, tongue they kept even his opponents laughing and at times clapping. There were so many who insulted him during their speeches, but once he gets to speak, he sees to it that all of them are slaughtered. You will never get bored watching him talk, with all his funny quotes. The only problem probably will be with his “ij” and “waj” (is and was). We might not be able to follow his command over English :) .

And having seen two days of debating, I nominate Somnath Chatterjee for the Nobel Prize for Peace. I would have become mad if I had gone through such a chaos. Controlling a class of one thousand nursery children will be far easier. Earlier I had thought that the Traffic Policemen in Ernakulam handled the most chaotic job in the world; now I know that the LS Speaker does it!

How many years more will it take for the entire Parliament to uphold the dignity of the House?

The House.

2008-07-21T23:13:00.007+05:30

Most of the day was spent watching the Trust Motion. I quite got addicted to the news and the LS proceedings. At times it was fun to watch the nonsenses uttered by some members and at at other times I wondered which side is right and whether the deal is good or bad for the nation. Among the speakers I had heard speaking, Praful Patel, Minister for Civil Aviation was my favourite. He, rightly emphasized that none of the members were talking about the core issue: Energy Security, something that has to be discussed in such a great detail, and were bluffing on trivial and irrelevant matters. He said that whether or not the government wins trust, it should be the interest of the members to seriously discuss the measures for energy security, a serious concern for every nation, which was not happening in the Parliament as no one was taking it seriously. I liked his voice modulation very much. Initially he was so calm that I felt that he didn't quite fit into the role of a LS "speaker". But minutes later he was roaring. And the best thing was that he wasn't bluffing. He talked to the point and quoted figures. And he kept his time. It was great to watch him talk. I felt that what he had said was right as other members were talking on topics completely foreign to the subject of discussion. One eminent (Sikh) member was saying that he won't support the motion as the Sikhs haven't benefitted anything though it's a Sikh Prime Minister! Another person started saying something and just as the Ruling camp opposed saying that what he had said was a breach of some rule in the House, he just swallowed his words and said the exact opposite. His attempt to save face was really a comedy to watch. Finally Somnath Chatterjee put him in a fix. He assured the ruling camp that whatever this respectable member is saying is true, so he claims, so he will have to bring the evidence tomorrow. (Poor guy, he will have to bring the "imaginary" newspaper he was supposedly quoting).

Somnath Chatterjee is another person to behold. He is doing a superb job. Don't know what his fate will be after the motion, with the CPM crying for his blood. But I feel that what he did was proper-the Speaker should put the House above everything else, even his party. Actually the CPM should have been a bit more sensible, at least to save itself from the present disgrace. But can't blame them, Somnath's refusal to quit makes the opposition lose two votes: one of Somanath in favour of CPM. The other vote is that of the Deputy Speaker, who will assume charge as the Speaker when the Somnath quits. As the Deputy Speaker is a sure vote in favour of the Congress, the Congress would have lost his vote if he becomes the Acting Speaker (as the Speaker doesn't vote in the normal case). Thus Somnath's refusal to resign is a double blow to the No-Confidence seekers. And only time can prove how crucial these two votes can become, as the margin is very narrow.

I am waiting for the final result. And it's going to be a suspense-thriller. Let's see what happens. Can the UPA prove the majority they claim or will it be the CPMs turn to overthrow a Govt. which went against it's wishes?

My High School

2008-07-20T22:29:00.000+05:30

What was special about today?

I got to see my school, my alma mater after seven full years. Didn't quite feel any emotion on seeing it once again. It looks the same. Actually I was passing that way, so I could barely take a look. The School which gave me all I have: Christ Nagar English High School.

SH-1

2008-07-18T00:24:00.001+05:30

Today we went to our native place. I spent more time driving than we spent there. All our visits nowadays are in such a hurry that we barely get time to spend time with the people there.

Driving: Aha!! Today is a special day. The 'to' journey was full of adventurous driving. After years of driving through NH and AC roads to reach our home, it was for the first time that I was driving through MC road. It was a totally new experience. Very difficult to overtake, with steep slopes and near-hairpin curves. The return journey...God!! We were literally washed out. I have never drove through such heavy rains. At times I stopped in the middle of the road to check whether I was on the road itself. It was flooded a feet high in many places. Who said there are no rains in Kerala?

But these are not what I want to tell you. It's something that happened during our journey to my mother's house (near Tiruvalla). I, on the M.C. road was cruising through the straight, flat road built by the adorable Pati-Bel. I was really enjoying the quality of the road. The last reading that I had seen on my speedometer was 80kph. It was rising. But still it was pretty "normal" speed for such quality roads, you could take it to much higher speeds, I was just restraining myself from the temptation. Suddenly some distance ahead I could see a Jeep pulled over, with it's rear side visible to me." Is it a Police Jeep?", thought I. I lost a couple of seconds in assessing whether it was a Police Jeep or not (it proved to be very costly). Suddenly I saw it's colour and could see the "Police" board. Also came to my vision another Van parked adjacent to it. God!! I hit the brakes (not too hard, lest it should come to a sudden halt, or they notice that I had slowed down seeing them). I realised that I didn't have enough time to bring it below 70kph. And to worsen everything suddenly a hand came out signalling me to pull over. I just got a fraction of a second to look on the speedometer-I felt that it gone below the limit but I wasn't sure, I didn't have time to make sure. I put the left indicator and pulled over. There were many vehicles by the road. It was a "checking". Guess I made it(slowed to allowed speed limits), thought I. I tried to convince , myself. Actually I became very happy, it was the first time that I was going through a Police checking. Though I used to carry all the "papers" all the time, I haven't witnessed a single "checking" till date. So I was happy that the "papers" came to use atleast once. Also we didnot have the Pollution Control Certificate till yesterday. What a coincidence that I got it certified yesterday. We were fortunate, else would surely have been fined on it. I got all the papers in my hand and walked to the officer.

I happily extended the papers. He didn't look at them. He turned back and shouted to his assistant, "WagonR".

He turned to us and said, "You have been stopped for overspeeding. Speed Tracer."

"Yes, I know", thought I. I have sound knowledge of the equipments these people use.

"That's very bad". I told myself. I felt that this charge was specifically created for me. I felt that I wasn't appreciated for the 999 road rules I follow, but was getting punished for this single fault. They are doing this because they can't find any other fault with me, no matter how hard they try. These are really unreasonable people. I tried to console myself.

"What's their speed?", the officer asked his assistant. Now I understood why he had yelled WagonR earlier. These people are measuring the speed of ALL the vehicles(and not just overspeeding ones). These are really unreasonable people, thought I. Very bad.

I wasn't sure at what distance from their van they had measured my speed. I just anticipated hearing humiliating figures-80,85... I waited for the officer to show me his teeth, in glorious display of his supremity. Overspeeding was one disgrace, which I could bear, but the declaration of my speed would be another, and this would be unbearable. I visualised the things to happen. The assistant would declare the speed. The officer would stare at me and mock, "Ethryaada maximum speed?". And then I would stupidly smile at him.

"69", said the assistant.

"What!!!", God!, I made it. So I wasn't wrong. The speed had fallen below 70. What a narrow escape! A smile appeared on my face.

The officcer said, "the maximum speed allowed for this road is 60kph. We excuse those upto 65 kph. But you will have to pay the fine.

"No, no, nohhh!. These are really unreasonable people. How many times did I break 100 kph today morning and they are fining me for exceeding 60 kph. These are really unreasonable people."

"Are you going to pay now or in the court?", asked the officer.

The rest of the story is not worth remembering. All I can say is that by the time that all the proceedings got over, my Dad's financial status got poorer by Rs. 300.

At the end of the day, I need to ask some questions. I am not justifying my overspeeding or advocating driving at high speeds. But I need to say some things.

The maximum speed of 70 kph allowed in Kerala, if not permitted on the State Highway, where else can it be attained? Please don't tell me NH because, there it is usual to see vehicles with speeds in excess of 120 kph.

How many vehicles today do actually drive at speeds lower than 60? What about all these Skodas and Hondas?

These people had selected the best part of the road, a straight stretch one, to actually make sure that all the vehicles do exceed the limit.

Which is really important? To charge all vehicles with a mere "number" or identifying those ones that are actually driving dangerously.

Overspeed is a relative term. There were many sections in M. C. Road where I had to roll-on for minutes in second gear, at speeds below 20kph. 60 will be an unimaginable and impossible figure there. Still they belong to M. C. Road itself, right? Even a forty would be a dangerous speed there. I feel that the speed allowed for different roads should be different based on the quality of the road. And of course, it should be displayed properly. For, I couldn't see anywhere in the M. C. road that the maximum speed allowed was 60kph.

If you are not allowed to drive fast on good roads, where else can you? As a citizen, I would like to ask: who will compensate for the time I lost in all those parts of the SH which were not worth being called even a mud road? We should realise the need for "everyone" to travel fast. (Yes that's very important, not just for the ministers). One question that I wanted to ask the officer was: "Sir, do you intend to say that really all your Jeeps travel on these roads below 60kph!!".

And one final thing, I am willing to keep any speed limit they set-provided they ensure that not a single person breaks it. Nothing is more frustrating in this country (on the road), than to see that you are driving below the maximum speed and suddenly someone buzzes past you at a speed 40 kph HIGHER than you!!. I will obey the rule, but then everyone else too should be forced to. I was fined for breaking the rule but I can ensure that there were a thousand others who escaped on the same day even after crossing 100 kph. You need proof? Well I did :). Is not that injustice? I am sure that these guys were not "ensuring" the law but just "collecting" some money.

Tailpiece: On the return journey I was very "desp". Not on being fined. Thinking about the speed for which they had fined me. Oru naanam ketta fining aayi poyi. Purathu aarodenkilum njaan engane ithu parayum? Naalu aalodu njan engane parayum, That I was fined for driving at 69 kph!!! Pandu etho pattaalakaaran naatil vannu thenga veenu marichu ennu pranjathu pole.I cursed myself, especially when I thought of the ninetyes that that I had hit earlier during the day.

Having said all this I should tell you all one thing. Though I have told all this,

Statutory warning: Driving at high speeds is injurious to health. And at times to your purse.

Pappu...

2008-07-13T00:21:00.001+05:30

Not doing much other than watching TV, movies and sleeping.

Today's movie:

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na: Superb.

I thought of stopping it during the first ten minutes. It was "killing" me. But thereafter it got hilarious. I rate it superb for it's humour. The treatment is superb, nice humour and good plot (the horsemen :)). I liked the Nasaruddin Shah part the most, he enacting the ghost of a dead father. It's so funny to watch his scenes, with his wife describing him as a promoter of non-violence who had died during an attempt to stop a fight between families(the funny part is that he was a Kshatriya who died during a fight between families-we burst into laughter when we discover this later). The songs are good but not of A. R. Rahman standard, they are better with the video as the visualisations are pretty good. "Pappu can't dance" song- I love it!(Since I myself can't dance).

Genelia'a acting is good, her mannerisms in some scenes are great. Imran Khan had a good debut, and so were other actors, did a good job.

I think this movie got more than they expected (Imran Khan was shocked to see the Box-office response), I think everything worked well. And a lively, humorous treatment. The ending was great, though it is a common ending in Hindi movies. The only thing in the movie that I can't digest is that none of the characters have got any work/job. All they do is sing, dance, party and of course, fall in LOVE.

Ranjore Ke Rathore....I still can't help laughing!

Autograph and JT YJN are two movies you should watch back to back: contrasting themes:)

V+A=IO part 2

2008-07-12T00:14:00.000+05:30

This is a continuation of the previous post titled V+A=IO. Then I was wailing about something I badly wanted. Something I did not have. And now I have it. And it seems so ordinary. No more fascination.

The laptop has arrived! So unexpected!! I was dreaming of it for so long, I did not have it then. I felt very bad. Now, when I had given all hope and trained my mind, here it is, right before me. Like many other things in life.

Today’s movies:

Bhoothnath: average. Old formula of child-ghost/super-hero relationship. There are some comedies but on the whole the story is weak and at times dragging (especially, there is nothing happening in the first half). The actors have done a reasonably good job. In the end, as usual, the child parts with the ghost!

But the movie tries to bring a different ending by returning the ghost to the child forever. Nice experiment, but I don’t think that it (climax) did any special wonder to the movie.

Autograph: Wanted to see this for this movie for years. Got it finally. Good one. The best thing is that the events are very natural. You can find that many events in the movie can be found in your life. Kudos for keeping it all very simple. Liked the theme: there are things more important than "love".

To Thrissur and back

2008-07-11T23:41:00.002+05:30

Today was a wonderful day! I went to Thrissur and came back.17 hours of business, out of which I was travelling for 14 hours. 600 km covered in a day. It was an eventful day. I had little time and a lot to do. The happy thing is that I did all that I wanted to do. It was a fruitful day.

The day started with a race session. I was late for the train and our driver put up a good show: drove at high speeds, took all the wrong lanes (my God!), and finally we got there on time. Actually this event can sum up the rest of my day. Everything was similar. Repetitive. Took Venad Express to Thrissur. Along with me was my sister. We spent time talking and listening to music from the single music source we had:).

I wanted to get my TC and course certificate from college. I was supposed to be in the office at 12 noon, not being able to make it spelled that either I miss my return train at 02.55p.m. or that I don’t get my certificates. And the best thing was that at 12.00 noon I was still at the railway station! From there I dashed to the college. All the time I wondered what will happen if that guy at the office went out for lunch. I won’t be able to find him for another two hours; even if he was there at his seat there was no guarantee that he would be willing to complete my work before his lunch (there are a thousand formalities, you see, from this counter to that table, they keep you roaming. By the time you get everything you would have the “autograph” of everyone in the office with you!). I got there by 12.20p.m. Thanks to Anu, she had kept everything for my T.C. and C.C ready. So I only had to sign it. So I got it quickly. One final job-I need to get back my 10^th and 12^th certificates.

”Sir…”

“Come after lunch”, said he.

”Sir….”

”Can’t you understand? It will take a lot of time. Come after lunch”.

I thought everything got doomed. I went back to the “two possibilities”. I imagined myself missing the train and the better case, returning without the certificates (and going to Thrissur again for that).

Enter Anu again. “Kaalil Veezhu”. She advised. So I took out the actor in me and performed again. Poor guy, he felt sympathetic. The work he had predicted would take “a lot of time” got over in one minute. Hooray. I accomplished everything, thought I. But I had no idea of the things to come.

And by the way, having gone through the exit procedures of my hostel and college, I have a thorough idea of how these guys keep you running and exaggerate their work. The golden rule to get your work done: “Kaalil Veezhu”. Make them feel that they are the Indian Prez and you are some convict begging their mercy (Daya Hargi). The man in the hostel spoke with immense satisfaction after having done my work. He appeared to be doing a favour for me. He told me that actually my work can get delayed by a day, it was a special favour he was doing for me. Earlier he had kept me running and given the same excuse-“will take a lot of time”, for not being able to refund my Caution Deposit. Again this work got over in 5 min. He was too merciful to me. (And you know, he requested me not to tell anyone what he had done for me, or they too will demand speedy work...ha ha ha). Not to be defeated, I returned with the most innocent and obliging voice, “I am very grateful to you, SIR”. Got out and laughed with Jaijo on the events inside.

Back to the story. There were a few of our classmates in the college. Spent the final moments with them. Had lunch with them at Canteen. Enjoyed some genuine “choris”, for the one final time. Lakshmipriya was leaving. Sent her off. Finally went to Jaijo’s house for the last purpose of my visit-to get some movies and songs written (on a DVD). The rest of the story is like the Hare-Tortoise race story. I relaxed a bit too much at Jaijo’s house. In the middle of DVD-writing, I got a call that the train will arrive in 2 min. Two minutes?? God, it’s the last train in the evening. I can’t miss it. “Two minutes remaining”, said Mr. Nero. I left the DVD to its fate. We ran out of the house. Got into the car. Still Jaijo delayed another minute. I thought that chances were getting low. A minute later Jaijo appeared with the “completed” DVD. Another race session! For the first time I anticipated accidents during his driving. We lost time in a lot of jams. Into the railway station, I found a train standing at the platform. We ran out of the car (Anu was with us). Before our entering the platform, the train started moving. I had two heavy bags which was hindering my running. I asked Anu to get in first. And finally I got in. God, it was great. If we had lost another five seconds on our way we would have missed the train. It seemed miraculous. I had done everything I wanted. Got the train. Even the DVD:). And I felt that the situation was created for another purpose; to give me and Anu a final trip together. But for the rush we had, there would have been some other people too with us, who now had missed the train because of the confusion we had created. I am sorry for them, but Thank God.

The journey with Anu ended at Ekm. Then I travelled alone. Slept a lot. Listened to a lot of music. By the time I reached Trivandrum Railway Station I was asleep, my phone battery had drained long since (and the music had ended some time back) and my fellow passenger had to wake me up. Finally got back home. A new life begins. At home. Away from college

Renewed!!

2008-07-10T23:38:00.000+05:30

College life over. Back in Trivandrum. I am "refreshing" my blogging life to a new level.

The eldest friend I have!

2008-05-26T18:35:00.004+05:30

Saw Benachachan today.

After four years.

Emm..i saw his photo, he is in US. I can't explain the thrill I felt when I saw his photo. Wow, I love him.

If there is anyone I would love to become, it's Him.

He teaches me one of the greatest lessons in life: live life simple; with what you have; happily.

You don't need anything extraordinary in you to be great.

I admire him!

Why don't you play?

2008-05-25T14:42:00.003+05:30

"You cannot win until you play", the status msg of one of my friends says. So true. It reminds me of my engineering life.

Went to church. Found so many friends. Felt love and affection.
But I missed you. Only you were not to be found!

My plight is very bad.
Don't feel alright.

Trivandrum

2008-05-23T16:11:00.000+05:30

Thank God!

My internet connection is finally ready.

By the way, I am now in Trivandrum(Thironthoram, as they say here). Most of my time here is spent analysing how different this place has become ever since I left. One of my observations is that everyone here has grown very old! That woman at the milk shop(no, she couldn't recognise me), that neighbour of ours, all seem to have grown prematurely old! The only person whom I know, who didn't seem older was the man at the internet cafe (he too didn't recognise me).

We live very near to our previous residence, and our house is very close to the Cliff House. But couldn't sight any of those ministers or Mr. Achumama himself.

Speaking of Trivandrum City: God! After driving in Ernakulam, I find that driving here is cakewalk. (In between my drive from Ekm to Tvm was great. I never knew that driving at night is heaven! Also the road was very much full of "signs", so I enjoyed it very much). It so less crowded and of course, more disciplined. But a parallel you can draw between motorists here and there is that: both overtake through the left! I thought it was a feature of Ekm but now I feel it's very ordinary in India. The people here are much more "friendly", unlike those in Ekm, where you can find only strangers. Speaking about roads, oh no, it's damn confusing. One-ways, Fly-overs and what not. Only today I realised that two places I had thought to be kilometres away are just near to each other! Only thing is that there is a flyover and two one ways so that they make it all very complex for you. In short, I still don't know the routes here.

Otherwise, this place is very calm. The roads outside the city seem like those of my native place: very serene. In the city, everwhere you can see Police either expecting a Dharna or picketing, or waiting for some VIP to pass.

What else, learning to live in this new place. There are a lot of people I know in this place, but I haven't come across anyone who could recognise me. Waiting to be in our Church. Maybe I can find someone there. And of course, my School! After seven years. I need to be there soon!

My new residence is at:

T.C. 11/1272(4)

Challirikkal House

YMR 31, Nanthancode

Trivandrum

Reminiscing

2008-05-23T15:32:00.000+05:30

5A, JM Crescent
P. J. Antony Road
Mamangalam
Cochin-24

This is no longer my place of stay. It was the place in which we had been for the shortest span of time(9 months) but it was my favourite.

A few photos:

The Elevation

Common Space

Sliver

Children's Park

A little of Garden

Drive-in

Ho!!

This place no longer belongs to me.

Exodus

2008-05-12T08:37:00.004+05:30

Good bye, Ernakulam.

Today evening we will start off to Trivandrum. Packing yet to start. Dad is ill. I too not feeling well. Got to drive.

You gave me so much. Thank you very much. Some day I will return.

New place, new hopes, a new beginning.

Even otherwise, I was thinking of starting afresh. Nothing's working for me. Let's see what happens in the new place.

I am returning to Trivandrum after 7 years. In these years I've been there only thrice. My last visit was 4 years back. Don't know how that place looks like now, or whether I remember anyone there.

I am unplugging my modem. Don't know whether I would have broad band there. Don't know when I will be able to blog again.

Bye.

The journey begins.