diamonds'n'pearls

2010-09-16T23:31:00.002+05:30

Feeling too much of emotional upheaval.
might even erase this post later.
i wonder what is worse?

Not being loved and hence not feeling the love,
or being loved but not feeling it?
Feeling an internal emotional vacuum that saps your energy and makes everything look the color grey!

2010-02-20T21:46:00.002+05:30

One needs to be self centered so as to withstand any upheavals in life...

I need to work on it somehow.

One key aspect is not to be dependent on external factors for the sense of stability, peace and

happiness.

The moment you hand over this key to someone, it's lost from your hands.

What is the process that would lead on to this state of being?

I think it requires a lot of self introspection. One needs to be in a constant state of awareness.

2009-10-18T21:43:00.002+05:30

Why do I seek something that is not within me?

I have to bring back my centre to within SELF rather than let it be influenced by the outside forces.

Man ko kabu karma hia! Man lakh khwaishen karta hai, lakh cheese chahta hai. Lekin hume man ko bhojan dekar use tript nahin karma chahiye, kyunki who fir koi aur chaha aapke saamne rakhega. Fir aap uski chah purni karne main apni zindgi gavandenge, aur fir tab tak samay haath se nikal jayega.

So you need to be focused darling.

What are your life’s aims and aspirations, just keep your eyes on those, rest is transitory.

It would go by like sand from the clasped hands.

You will never be alone, because you have yourself to rely on.

MATTERS OF HEART...

2009-10-18T20:53:00.001+05:30

Have I given too much of myself to him?

There was a time when he used to express his love so much that it used to be beyond my comprehension.

And now the time is such that I feel an utter need to be with him and speak to him and he is not there.

What is this about the male psyche? When they are sure that they have the person they want completely, they just sit and relax easy. Work done. No more effort or exploring required.

This feeling left me restless and frustrated and to top it all, angry.

Why can’t stupid women be more like men?

Get them addicted to you and then tell them to go on a diet! That’s the policy men use.

So, the ball is in your court now. Would you play by the same rules as men or continue whining about your own rules not being followed?

OR leave the game altogether and live in your own safe world!

THE DAY OF THE INTERVIEW...

2009-06-22T22:50:00.002+05:30

There are two incidences I would like to share.

The first one goes like this:

I was called for an interview to a far off place away from the city where I live. I was not even sure if I would be able to make it there.

Then there was this close friend of mine who not only guided me on as to how to reach my destination but also helped to prepare me for the interview.

Then there was another nice person I had called for help and who tried to help as far as was possible. I was surprised by sheer selflessness of these people.

Even the auto-waalaha who had taken me there was ready to wait for me during the interview. But I had paid almost double the amount for that journey, so it almost negated his good-will??

So I went into the reception area and like other candidates sat there waiting for my turn.

I struck up a conversation mostly to know if someone was from my part of city so that we could travel back together. The group kept on becoming larger and larger. The people were from varied backgrounds. There was a sense of openness I felt.

There was another female candidate sitting right opposite to me, and we decided to head back home together. Then, a turban clad young man came out of the interview room. We all stopped talking and looked at him. He waited for something like a few seconds and blurted, “If there’s anything regarding interview you would like to know?” And we all bombarded him with questions. He answered them good humouredly while seating himself comfortably on a chair. Then I took out a bottle of fanta coz it was a searingly hot day with hot winds blowing by. He suddenly said, “You know, you must never drink an orange coloured drink before an interview!

I felt like a child caught in the wrong act. I looked at the bottle as if it contained some hallucinogenic agent and wondered the same. I might even affect my performance in the interview!

I could not contain myself, so I asked him all bothered, “Why so?”

He said, “Kynki jab aap interview dene jaate hai toh apki tongue and lips orange ho jaate hai!” and hearing this, I could not help laughing. I was going all hahaha right outside the office from where maybe I could be easily heard or seen!

Once the interview was over, another guy suggested that since he had brought his car he would drop us in the city. I somehow managed to send the auto-waalaha back, I felt a little guilty but the prospect of saving money was alluring.

So the three of us, two of us females and the turban clad young man went downstairs. Then he offered to take me back home on his bike since he was going to an area nearer to my place. I accepted his offer and thanked him for the same.

Then the three of us chatted as if we had always known each other even though we still had not even introduced ourselves. And during the conversation I heard myself giggling in a way that is done only in front of people I know and am comfortable with. I was quite surprised.

Then we parted company knowing that we may never see each other again but also knowing that this meeting was wonderful. The way we felt closest to the strangers.

Then the two of us headed back on bike. I soon got used to the hot wind and my burning skin.

And I was completely oblivious to the fact that someone was actually in front of me driving the bike. He also must have felt a sort of silence and asked me if I was still there. I answered in affirmative. Then he said something and I again giggled in a manner as if he were a close friend of mine. He was to drop me at a particular spot, I was not sure if he would ask me for my contact number. He didn’t and I was not surprised. Somehow I knew it.

I have seen guys who do you favor coz they want something in return, but he was not one of those. I thanked the almighty coz there are still a few people who are selfless in their acts and do not expect anything in return but a good company for that moment.

I hope this narrative helped to reaffirm our faith in the humanity in a small way.

I’ll write another incident later on. Right now, I’ll sign off.

a new job...

2009-01-23T14:38:00.004+05:30

I had a great opportunity to work with a different organisation.

The sphere of work would have been different and more enriching than my present work.

But there was a block and that was the salary. it was certainly lower than the salary I would get

as a result of a recent increment. That put me in a serious thinking mode. i was almost ready to chuck my present job. Then i realised what an ass i had made of myself. I could not negotiate my salary with them. also instead of serving three months' notice period at my current job, i was ready to serve only one. that at cost of paying them two months' salary.

consultations with some friends made me see the light.

also a sexist remark made by my would be employee had left me tongue tied.

according to him, being a girl, and having no one dependent on me, i should not be much bothered about my remunerations. suddenly an ad which is taking rounds of our tv network came to my mind, where the boss made similar remarks when a lady walked up to him asking for an increment. and i thought would i be able to work with such a person and an organisation?

2009-01-06T10:58:00.000+05:30

I HOPE THIS YEAR BRINGS IN NEW BEGINNINGS AND NEWER POSSIBILITIES...

SONE KI MURGI...

2008-09-22T17:55:00.004+05:30

Ek thi sone ki murgi jo deti thi anda,

par pad gaya uske sar pe ek danda!

Kehta mustanda,

De ek aur anda!

Sadly, that was our country centuries ago,

greed and cowardice, made us slaves first under Muslims

and then the English.

But now, the state of affairs is no better.

The ministers vying to outshine

each other in garnering the vote bank.

The kind of tricks they would use, is pretty disgusting and nauseating.

What with promoting infiltration from Bangladesh, making our borders porous

to mass reservation policies, leaving the deserving candidates in lurch.

Whatever little they do, they have started advertising it by their names as if they are using their hard earned money.

Take it re-working of a park or putting up the bus stops, you can see the names of ministers of that constituencies written over there.

What to say, it's like termites eating the wood from inside, making the structure hollow.

It looks fine until one day it just collapses!

What can we do as citizens? see this state of being and feel helpless or frustrated?

Or is this an action time fellas?

THE STARRY NIGHT...

2008-09-06T22:15:00.003+05:30

Oh starry night!

With stars blinking with all their might.

Envelope me in your arms,

Like a shroud of the silken night.

Like a soft breeze you whisper in my ears,

For our togetherness for all the coming years.

I gaze into your eyes,

And see the desire burning high.

I lay my head on your heart,

Beating with the rhythm of love that would last.

I close my eyes,

And utter a sigh,

And drift into a contented sleep.

Then suddenly I wake up from my dream,

Your face vanishes like the morning mist.

I search for thee,

Running and stumbling.

Are you a figment of my imagination?

Or did I really see your deep dark sparkling eyes?

Smiling and egging me on,

To do the mischief like never before!

self composed

searching for...

2008-09-06T21:49:00.003+05:30

i STILL HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR...

These lines aptly describe me current state of being.

i am still searching. the thirst still remains unquenched.

there's a burning desire within me to achieve something in this lifetime.

Patience is the key word pour moi! [:)]

patience ..the sweet patience...

Self composed

2008-08-17T23:09:00.002+05:30

this is something i want to understand about myself.

I am supposed to be an emotional person, but it is an emotional black out i am faceing.

the people who are close to my heart are also the ones whom i cn stay away from. how and why? i ask myself.

why have i become stone like, unmoved by other's pain and need for me?

as if life goes on...whether someone is present in your life or not!

but would it? the true value one realises when one looses that one cherished thing forever.

i would not want that to happen to me, can not even think of pain i would have to undergo. it still shows my selfish streak, worrying about my future grief.

but what about today, when the people whom i love are still with me by the grace of god, why am i not able to cherish their limited presence in my life?

i still have lot to learn in life...but one thing i need to learn is to put other's interests above mine, otherwise, i would writhe forever in pain and melancholy.

god, here's my prayer to you, please open up my heart! let me not be afraid 'to love, to give and to feel the occasional pain'!

cherish love give...

these words convey a lot of meaning.

i hope from now on, i look at things with a different perspective...a fresh and a loving approach!

amen!

FRIEND HAVE YOU CHANGED?

2008-08-10T21:39:00.002+05:30

Since you have come back,
i feel things different about you.

What has changed i wonder,
the bylanes that meander?

Your words are sharp as a sting,
To which my heart would not sing.

I wish your old self was here again,
So that we can walk together in arms again.

Life is nothing but a dream,
I do not want to wake up one day and scream.

Oh! Where are you my friend?
Since you came back to me.

self composed

2008-08-02T21:59:00.002+05:30

Today after so long, i finally decided to pen a few thoughts.

and it is emptiness i feel at the moment. not knowing exactly what to write.

The futility of things around me does not escape my notice.

'The purpose of life' is one quest that has been sought after for so long.

people are born, eat, play,sleep, grow, study, work, reproduce, lie, cheat, destroy. and the life goes on!

what a waste of such a beauty around us and god's effort to give us a beautiful life.
have we compensated peace and tranquility with the comforts and luxuries of our times?
How i wish to live in a place close to the nature, with nothing to eat but fruits fresh from the trees, and cold, sweet fresh water to drink!

and meditate....

THE MUNDANE

2008-06-17T11:57:00.002+05:30

this is something i just wanted to pen down without much of contextual credence at the moment.

it's one of the things I have learnt in life.

Around three years back, almost everyday i used to come back home from my evening course classes. I used to have so much time on my hands during the journey to think about various things, some mundane and some of importance. But I was gripped by those thoughts which were very painful. Day after day, the pattern used to start, filled with self pity. I used to brood on and on without pausing to think if it would really help me in some way, rather, I was detroying myself mentally.
then one fine day, on such a journey through the treacherous routes of the mind, I suddenly realised, I am actually relishing the idea of being pain. Wait. you would say, how is it possible? How can anyone enjoy being in pain? but if you all stop and think, you would understand that this is what happens to most of us.
We cling to things which give us pain, as if our very survival is based on their contemplation. We seem to relish self pity and the feeling of helplessness.

From then on, anytime I found myself wandering in the by lanes of pain, I have tried to put brakes. And yes, it does help. It's mind playing games on you and making you his slave.
We ought to decide for ourselves, that we are the masters and not the slaves!

PUNJAB MEMOIRS...

2008-06-01T01:31:00.002+05:30

2008-05-31T21:28:00.000+05:30

Of One Self-Slain

2008-05-09T14:44:00.003+05:30


WHEN he went blundering back to God,
His songs half written, his work half done,
Who knows what paths his bruised feet trod,


What hills of peace or pain he won?

I hope God smiled and took his hand,
And said, “Poor truant, passionate fool!
Life’s book is hard to understand:
Why couldst thou not remain at school?” Charles Hanson Towne

2008-04-26T22:44:00.003+05:30

Many a times I do not understand the workings of a human mind. It seems to have an 'on' and 'off' switch.
last night I was in a state of deep turmoil. urging myself to be in control. But it did not work. At that very moment a friend needed my urgent assistance.
I could have just stayed on in my room and maybe brooded or cried over it, but instead I went to her.
The next moment when I was back, lo and behold, my emotional self had taken over again.
How we put on masks and how we hide behind the masks is the thing i contemplate on. And last but not the least, the need for a mask is what that amazes me. The colour white in the daylight and the colour black at night. Is it some sort of a camouflage? Are we so scared of ourselves that we can not face our true selves?

RANDOM THOUGHTS

2008-04-20T17:42:00.002+05:30

These are the things i thought about, mostly while travelling alone.

One thing that always pains me is the shrinking agricultural land. Now it would be very mean of me to question why agricultural lands are being sold by the farmers. The reason is very simple...absence of profit!
I see shopping malls squatting where golden crops were cultivated once. The greed and the burgeoning population are usurping the land to sheer commercialisation.
But have we ever given thought for a moment to the fact 'where would food come from?'
The rising food prices bear a testimony to this fact. I hope we realize it before it's too late to act upon.

2008-04-06T21:16:00.002+05:30

I strained my ears to hear the music playing softly,

It was not outside,

But inside the music was playing.

THE MORNING LIGHT

2008-03-05T14:38:00.005+05:30

The golden light spreads through the sky,

Slowly blushing like a maiden who’s shy.

The dew drops glisten like droplets of pearl,

On the grass so green.

With people waking up from their dreams.

A song fills the sky,

With a cool breeze blowing by.

Then comes the Sun riding high on its golden chariot,

With the stars running for shelter

Under its compatriot.

The moon loses its sheen and charm,

That it bestowed with vanity,

Through the night so dark.

And now it becomes ever so humble.

The warmth transcends from the sky

Into the very being.

The flowers lose their hesitancy,

And open up to receive the divine blessings.

Quenching their thirst for the nectar that resides

Deep inside.

The dull brown earth becomes a

A myriad of colours and fragrances,

Instilling the desire for beauty and tranquility.

The river water gushes by,

Like crystals in a flow.

Making the morning light its own.

With the fish dancing to its magical tunes.

With an angelic halo around their peaks.

The glorious mountains heave a sigh of relief,

For the dark velvet has ascended down deep.

The meditative silence of the yogis

Reverberates through the universe,

Adding on to the vibrancy so diverse.

And I, a silent spectator

Can not help but smile,

For it has filled me with a divine delight.

composed by: sonal

A RAINY DAY

2008-03-04T13:32:00.000+05:30

It was a rainy day, and I was already late for my bus.

As it is even in the best areas of Delhi, the roads were flooded with water. Instead of asking anyone to drop me at the bus stop, I ventured out myself not wanting to trouble anyone.

But then, I had not envisioned what was going to soon happen.

As I moved out, there was no place to tread; the roads were fully submerged in water.

But a stupid voice within me told me that I can make it.

I tried finding puddle less spaces, but my expensive shoes were completely soaked with water by that time. I couldn’t decide whether to move on in this mindless fashion or go back. But going back didn’t appeal to me, so I moved on. Then I saw raised surface and put my foot forward on it.

SPLASH!!!

NEXT MOMENT I WAS WAIST DOWN IN WATER!

A concerned uncle ji came running towards me asking me if I was alright. And I was still in shock to truly recognize the gravity of my situation.

I looked around myself and slowly realized that I had straight on stepped into the water filled ditch. The anger and frustration took hold of me. My fresh clean clothes got wet and muddy.

I was so furious that I decided to go ahead to my workplace. (Now even thinking of it makes me laugh!)

Then my sane mind took over. I was just thinking about various possibilities after coming out of the ditch, all undignified and wet, that I received a message on my cell phone, which was something like this: “good morning, have a great day ahead”!

Huh! The irony of the situation could not escape my notice.

I very coolly replied that I fell into the ditch!

Then I went back home and hurriedly changed into fresh clothes and fortunately was not late for my work!

THE TWIN

2008-02-21T20:52:00.003+05:30

Have you ever wondered if you had a twin soul in a different galaxy/universe?

One identical to you, as to your face; but then everything else would be different. Just like an electron has a positron as its opposite, like matter and anti-matter.

As if everything in your life is mirrored in a different light.

Though it’s a strange thing to enter one’s mind, but then coincidences have been a part of mine.

Well there can be a debate on the topic if anything is really a coincidence or is it meant to be just as it is.

Coming back to my coincidences, just after this thought crossed my mind, I read a book where such a possibility was thought upon.

Recently, I was thinking of the same thing, when I started reading the novel “The White Castle” by the Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk.

In this novel, an Italian scholar is enslaved by a Turk, who was identical in appearances except his long beard.

All the time both of them were scared of admitting the fact that they were identical. Ultimately, their personalities merged with each other. They became each other’s essence, losing their individuality but still trying to hold on tight to shreds that were their own.

So, what if we all had an identical soul somewhere in the universe, emulating our very own mannerism, better in some respects but worse in others?

2008-02-19T21:31:00.001+05:30

Hier, j’ai vu une fille. Elle portait une robe blanche. elle était dans le jardin. Elle a eu une fleur colorée dans sa main. Elle était comme une princesse. Elle a tenu une fleur colorée.
j'ai souri à elle.

An incident…

2008-02-16T21:37:00.001+05:30

After saying goodbye to my friend, I walked towards my home. I had just walked a little distance that I saw a man sitting on the ground holding his stomach. He was wearing white shorts and T-shirt. He was bleeding profusely from waist down. A 1 ½ year old child too was sitting next to him and crying. That really shook me hard. Then I saw an overturned vehicle. I felt helpless, didn’t know what to do. Soon people gathered around him. I found out he was from some other city and was here on a visit. It was difficult for us to find out the phone number of his family so as to inform them.

Now, he was lying on the floor, unable to bear it. I sat down next to him; I could feel the vibrations in my hands. Spreading my hands above him, I started moving my hands up and down over him. Even in the pain, he was laughing at what I was trying to do.

But soon he stopped laughing, and his pain started ebbing away. He became calm.

Then I opened my eyes, and I was lying on my bed, dreaming. I had this ominous feeling that this was telling me something.

I wanted to go up and spread my hands in front of the god so as to receive blessings.

Who was I? “The man” or “the healer”? Or the both?

THE MEANDERINGS......

2008-02-08T23:44:00.000+05:30

Today I had an intense desire to meet my friend. We act like each other’s stress busters. And it also gives us respite from the daily bickering that life offers us now and then.
We went to a park, it being a cold day, sent her to shivers. So we decided to walk instead. She proposed we go to a south Indian restaurant. I being in no mood for food refused her. But then as we started walking I said alright we would go. But by that time she had changed her mind. We headed towards a juice shop. After enjoying our share, we spotted a popcorn vendor. We went cheerfully munching the popcorns.
I had to check out gyms in the nearby area, and we went on a prowl. After going back and forth at the same place we finally located it. Then I took a handful of popcorns and went inside, and suddenly realizing the irony of the situation I kept them safely inside my pocket, with a smile on my face. I introduced myself, and asked my friend to come in as well.
And now this guy, who was the instructor, was hardly acting like one. He was very fidgety and was hardly looking into our eyes.
He kept on looking elsewhere. Finally I could not control myself, and turned to see what he was looking at. It was nothing!
His behavoiur really surprised me. After equipped with the information, we left the so called office. We saw another popcorn vendor stationed outside; we reached for the money and bought another pack. While passing the previous vendor with our mouths filled with popcorns, we could not help but giggle. Then we generally sauntered in the alleys of the place, peeping into nooks and corners. And filled with sheer joy of discovering the ancient, we went back home, with a note of see you soon….

2008-01-28T22:11:00.000+05:30

I cried for the angels to be by my side,

But no one came to my respite.

Then came an angel from my world,

My little brother whom I loved...

THE MERMAID...

2008-01-26T15:02:00.000+05:30

“Don’t look at me”,

Said the little mermaid…

“I’m not beautiful…”

Then she went away splashing the waters around her…

In one fluid motion,

To a world so deep,

Filled with hidden treasures.

And breath taking sights…

She merged into the colour of strange lights,

Her hair swaying gently with the waves of the ocean…

With a tear like a pearl,

Resting on her cheeks..

“Who says you are not beautiful?”

Asked the prince…

“Your voice soothes my nerves,

Filled with a song to sing…”

“Oh! You are lying, just trying to capture my heart…

Why are you tearing me apart?

Look into my eyes,

What do you see inside?”

“I see a beauty within,

Filled with a loving heart…”

“But you are lying,”

Said the little mermaid to the prince,

And went away

Never to come again...

The prince was sad,

He had lost what he loved…

To the harsh words

That once she had heard…

composed by:

SONAL

The Butterfly and the Chameleon

2008-01-24T15:51:00.001+05:30

The Butterfly and the Chameleon

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful and colourful butterfly in a garden. It used to make fun of the chameleon.

Butterfly: You ugly chameleon! You are spoiling the beauty of the garden.

Chameleon: Oh, you proud butterfly, one day your pride shall destroy you!

But the chameleon became sad, because it was a dull brown coloured creature. It prayed to god.

The god was very happy with its prayers.

God: I am very happy with your prayers. Ask whatever you wish for, and it shall be granted.

Chameleon: God, make me the best in my environment.

God: Granted!

Chameleon was surprised to see that its colour changed according to its surroundings, but could not understand the true meaning of its blessings.

After some time it saw the butterfly resting on the flower. The butterfly was oblivious to the approaching chameleon as its colour merged with its surroundings.

With one swift motion, the beautiful butterfly was devoured by the chameleon.

Now the chameleon understood the true meaning of its blessings.

So what’s the moral of this story?

One who’s able to adjust to the changing conditions is the one who survives.

Too much pride in oneself may result in one’s own downfall.

Any other lessons from this? Do pen it down..

Written by: Sonal

WISHES FOR MY FRIEND..

2007-12-27T20:27:00.000+05:30

On this day my friend,

i wish you an eternal happiness and joy...

MAY YOUR MARITAL LIFE BE FILLED

WITH LOVE AND EXCITEMENT...

amen!

DALHOUSIE...

2007-12-26T21:55:00.001+05:30

My excursion to Dalhousie...

2007-12-26T21:51:00.000+05:30

26 th December, 2007.
New Delhi

It’s been one year since I had guts to go to an unknown destination all alone. But then I was not alone. I met an incredible bunch of people who were not only with me but provided me with an immense support in an alien country.
There are many instances which are still crystal clear as soon as I close my eyes.
My first ‘night journey’ alone in the train and that too in a second class compartment, chatting with the co-passengers, waking up in the train. Reaching my destination at Pathankot was no less an adventure. It almost took me half an hour to reach my railway accommodations booked by strangers that were to become my friends and then waiting under the December sun for almost an hour to have my room opened. By the time I had freshened up and was laying snuggly in the bed I heard the door bell ring and saw the people whom I had just known over the phone. They gave a new meaning to my journey and adventure and I was to learn many things from them which made me more open and receptive during my next trek during summers.
It took us another 2 hours to reach Dalhousie but not without a stopover at a beautiful wayside hotel. By the time we reached Dalhousie it was dark and cold and set up in the ground we saw tents and first thing I thought was, "oh god, I really hope they don’t make us sleep in there” because it was so horrifically cold.
While we were getting ourselves registering, two boys from Mumbai had reached as well for the same excursion. They seemed like a bunch of teenagers. Though we hardly ever talked but they left an impression on me which still persists.
At the camps we have a strange routine of campfire. We were pretty excited when we heard about it for the first time thinking we were going to have fun with a bonfire in the centre. Later on it became almost a joke within our groups since what we had was a candle being lit amidst claps and chantings of “fire fire, campfire”. I though it could not get more ridiculous than this, but it did when we saw people performing in front of us and more so when we had to present ourselves in front of the audience.
Then we saw a group of people who were visually challenged but they had the courage to go through the tough terrain of the mountains which gave us courage in return. After one day of acclimatization during which we got to know little bit of each other, we set on our trek the next day, the start of an amazing journey.
This was the time when I had fleeting glimpses of what it feels like to be in love again...

Thought of the day...

2007-12-08T20:50:00.000+05:30

Where does this sense of warmth come from?

When everything around me is so cold, freezing and numbing??

A Woman and a Man...

2007-12-07T19:54:00.000+05:30

A Woman and a Man.

One of the relationships that one has to fulfill when one’s born is that of a woman and a man.
I have used the terms in reverse order as a revolt against the conventions.

Slowly and steadily I have come to realize the place of woman in man’s life. For most she’s nothing but a thing meant solely for the pleasure of men. According to still prevalent society norms, she’s a birth machine, pleasure giver and a free maid who does man’s bidding and gets hurt and exploited throughout her lifetime.

It seems as if the very gods created this system of tyranny.

But then we are born with an inner power and a sense of resiliency which helps us to bounce back and face challenges again and again in life. It’s the test of our shattered spirits, how much more we have courage to withstand and still have an immense ability to give unconditional love. This won’t go waste. It’s a preparing ground for tribulations we have to go through in this lifetime and the next. And by Jove, we sure are on a path to show this world what we are, our true power and potential is coming in the foreground, shaking the very foundation on which the men of this world stand.

And as I write this, I feel tears stinging my eyes. Yes this comes from the depths of soul of a woman…

2007-12-06T22:27:00.000+05:30

Si je veux

Alors je peux...

What am I?

2007-12-06T14:47:00.000+05:30

What am I but a speck of dust..

But a speck of dust powerful enough to cause a storm….

As I see another day...

2007-11-26T14:50:00.000+05:30

All the mornings that we wake up, this was one where I truly thanked god for showing me another morning. Whereas normally, mornings are the times when the insurmountable amount of tasks lie ahead of us, which dissuade me from leaving my bed. But today thankfully I left my bed with a prayer on my lips.

Previous night I was reading a book and by the end of it I had a bad feeling down my spine. I could only sense it but could not make out the cause behind it. Felt as if same bad news was going to present itself at ungodly hours of the night. And it did...

I woke up with the sound of doors banging with each and a tiny light i had on was flickering on and off...

I knew it was an earthquake, I simply could not move, some inner fear gripped me, held me tight... and only thing i cared about was the safety of my family. I started calling them out so that they could get up and move out. And I could finally leave my bed strengthened by the voice of my mother.

Along with us our neighbours were also moving out seeking safety in the open...And there was this darkness only magnified by the sheer luminosity of the moon.

The feeling was so strong that there was a possibility of its recurrence. Finally we all moved in thinking whatever may happen would be seen at that moment. I went in and laid again in the comforts of my bed with a shadow of fear still lurking around, attentive, waiting for it to happen again. But slowly I drifted back into sleep more deeper and peaceful than usual.

Morning brought with it a sense of renewal. Then I started thinking, it could not be a mere coincidence 'coz probability of an event happening on the same date again and again is not too high. And it was a 26 again. Being a person with a scientific bent of mind i still could not shrug it off...

Then something else struck me, this incident happened at a time when our country is in a serious turmoil. Everyday some or the other group of people is spreading seeds of hatred and violence, resulting in numerous deaths and psychological breakdown of the people.

It was as if mother earth was saying wake up, it's now high time. Don't destroy or you shall be destroyed!!

I think we all should heed to its warnings...the way we are killing everything beautiful around us, purging everything of its sacredness...

The Callings....

2007-11-20T19:02:00.000+05:30

Few weeks back I went to a place from where I could just see the beginnings of the

mountains far away...beckoning me, calling me and missing me...

And so do I...and so do I..

I am just yearning to be back there...as if a child wants to reunite with its mother...

The softness I feel,

the sweet lullabies I hear...

WINTERS...

2007-10-25T14:17:00.000+05:30

There’s all familiar chill in the air again…

One that I relish, helping me escape from the long searing heat of the tropicals…

LIFE'S LESSONS....

2007-10-18T15:49:00.000+05:30

Live every moment fully as if our very own presence in that moment was a miracle in itself…

Presence of death in our lives makes us more aware of our lives urging us to live it fully, be PRESENT.

Excerpts from VERONICA DECIDES TO DIE

2007-10-16T11:01:00.000+05:30

“They think that they’re normal, because they all do the same thing. Well I’m going to pretend that I have drunk from the same well as them.”

“Madness is an inability to communicate your ideas. It’s as if you were in a foreign country, able to see and understand everything that’s going around on you , but incapable of explaining what you need to know or of being helped, because you don’t understand the language they speak there.”

“We’ve all felt that.”

“And all of us, one way or another, are mad.”

“During her life, she had noticed that a lot of people she knew would talk about the horrors in other people’s lives as if they were genuinely concerned to help them, but the truth was that they took pleasure in the sufferings of others, because that made them believe they were happy and that life had been generous with them.”

They reacted in unpredictable ways, they surrounded themselves with defensive walls, they behaved just as she did, pretending they didn’t care about anything. When someone more open to life appeared, they either rejected them outright, or they made them suffer, considering them inferior, ‘ingenuous’.

She was sick of self control, of masks, of appropriate behaviour.

Excerpts from VERONICA DECIDES TO DIE

When I am alone....

2007-10-11T19:56:00.000+05:30

I have felt closest to my ‘self’ when I walk in silence alone.

I completely surrender myself to the thoughts. Not the devilish thoughts which take you spiraling down an abyss but ones which make you think further and analyze.

This is also the time to explore the innermost feelings regarding life itself, what it means to me and what I mean to it.

Then suddenly in almost a detached way I feel alone. As if I am a drop of water seeking to merge with the sea. Strongly feel the lack of umbilical cord attachment I had with my maker. Not realizing that what I seek outside is within me. There’s a hint of affirmation, but still I feel a desperate need within my soul to return to where it is supposed to be.

In this fast paced world we lose our true sense of ‘Being’. We get lost in the myriad events. Every day is same as the previous one whereas on organic level we are simply withering away, foolishly whiling away our time in mindless pursuits. Seeking our identities in what we do rather than what we really are.

These are the words of a soul who feels lost here unable to find the meaning in a meaningless and mindless existence.

P.S: This is my existential enquiry rather than a pessimistic approach to life.

Calvin & Hobbes...

2007-10-10T17:23:00.001+05:30

2007-10-04T14:41:00.000+05:30

My favourite thing is to go

where I have never gone!!

Diane Arbus

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking

2007-09-21T17:14:00.000+05:30

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking

I have climbed highest mountains
I have run through the fields
Only to be with you
Only to be with you
I have run
I have crawled
I have scaled these city walls
These city walls
Only to be with you

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I have kissed honey lips
Felt the healing fingertips
It burned like a fire
This burning desire

I have spoke with the eternal angels
I have held the hand of a devil
It was warm in the night
I was cold as a stone

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I believe in the Kingdom Come
When all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
Well, yes I'm still running

You broke the bonds
And you loosened the chains
Carried the cross
Of all my shame
all my shame
You know I believe it

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

2007-09-20T16:43:00.000+05:30

“If I’m not for myself, who will be for me?

And if I’m not for others, what am I?

And if not now, WHEN?”

Hillel (Ancient Hebrew Sage)

MOON STRUCK

2007-09-20T15:54:00.000+05:30

Moon as we know today was very different during its formative history.
I have had recurrent dream of moon being very close to the earth, almost as it was touching her...
A huge white structure shining through the night. This gave me creeps and hence the dream was an equivalent of a nightmare.

Poets write poems describing the beauty of moon comparing it to one’s beloved’s face, ignoring how pock marked and scarred its surface is. At times when I look at the moon, particularly the full moon I get shivers within and sometimes I am simply enthralled by its sheer beauty and magnificence.

It made me wonder why?
Then I saw this amazing programme on National Geographic. It was based on the moon and described how the moon was formed. The leading moon-creation theory among astronomers is known as the "giant impact" or "big whack" theory. According to this theory, an object about the size of Mars—half the size of Earth—slammed into our planet very early in its formation. This impactor hit, and everything was thrown every which way. Material was shattered, melted, vaporized, and thrown out into orbit. Some of that material condensed and aggregated into the moon."
It's believed that some of the impactor's ( I think it’s name was Phoebis??) remains became part of the moon, as did large parts of early Earth's mantle (the layer between core and crust), which were hurled spaceward.
And indeed then moon was much closer to the earth than now around 17,000 miles away. It appeared as a huge structure almost knocking at the doors of earth.
You can imagine how creepy it can get. And then the earth itself was not as it is now. It was a steaming pot of molten rocks. Not a beautiful sight as well. I can easily compare the ancient earth to our version of hell.
Then how did I dream of something that I have never seen or heard before but which in fact is true according to one of the theories dealing with the formation of moon??

I’m almost toying with my imagination now. Maybe I was there…you see those were the times when the hell was really on earth.
So is it why I really appreciate the beauty that our mother Earth has bestowed upon us? And we “THE MORONS” are on a full time mission towards its destruction.
Ah! Let me revisit moon. So I was saying that the moon has been our companion almost since the inception of our earth.

We all talk about how sun is responsible for the existence of life on earth.
But what we fail to notice is that the earth wouldn’t have been what it is in the absence of the moon and there would have been no you and me!!

The angle of inclination of the earth, the seasons, the tides all are influenced by the moon. Moon also slowed down the speed of our planet from 6 hours a day’s rotational period to 24 hours now, hence stabilized our atmosphere as well. Without moon our planet would be like a wobbling giant who has not found his foothold.

Not only that, we can attribute volcanic eruptions as well as earthquakes to the moon, particularly to the full moon. No matter how destructive forces these are but we attribute the features of earth to these geologic phenomena. It was also said that the December tsunami that had hit the shores of Phuket was predicted by a leading seismologist based on the lunar cycle.

But now, the studies reveal that our long term companion is slowly leaving us by 6 inches a year, trying to establish its own identity. And this separation would catapult earth back to its gory history.

So is it “THE MOON” that we should really revere?

I hope I’m not sounding too lunatic or moon-struck!!!

THE RAIN

2007-09-09T15:25:00.000+05:30

As I look out of my window,

I see trees swaying to the tunes of the wind.

Rain singing its song…

Pitters patter pitter patters…

Gently caressing,

cajoling me to move out.

Not just to see it but to feel it on my skin.

Its softness enveloping me tenderly in its wetness.

Is it a maiden’s tear drop that I see?

Falling from the sky…

Pining for her lover,

Waiting for his return?

Or is it a joyous outburst,

that skies can’t contain.

Of merging with the One.

Whatever it maybe,

I know for sure.

It has filled my dried up spirits

to the core..

self composed

GAMES

2007-09-05T16:31:00.000+05:30

I feel there’s a very thin line between what is real and what is unreal. At times it becomes difficult to draw a line and reorient oneself to the situation.

Then there are times when I feel that we are doing nothing but playing games with ourselves and others.

We are the chief players of our games and then somehow our game conjoins game of another person. This is where our rules get modified. Sometimes we slash at the game of another person…driving him/her away.

Then there are times when our interests match so much that we become the GAME as well as its PLAYERS.

We start following a set pattern. One move almost definitely leading to another which is predetermined. And this is where one gets lost.

Is our life merely a game that we so articulately follow??

Routines, customs, environmental/behavioural stimuli that we so blindly follow/respond and adhere to.

One word forming a mental image of a set pattern that would automatically ensue.

Are we mere slave to words/images? And then again and again am I just repeating myself…moving in a circle? Coming back to the same point?

Where are the feelings?? Or do feelings and emotions follow a set pattern too?? Responding and reacting to whatever one receives and classifying everything as sought or unsought?

Or maybe we are neither the game nor the players of the game..then who are we?

But is our life not a game? We all seek mutually fulfilling relationships…and if that criteria is not met..we simply move away…is this not a reflection of a mind set that plays games?

FLOWERS: THE ESSENCE OF LIFE

2007-08-24T22:37:00.000+05:30

RAISON D' ETRE....

2007-08-10T22:57:00.000+05:30

Is life all about coincidences..or there are subtle hidden messages?

Today i had to go somewhere for an important task, and travelling to that place is not a piece of cake. After that i needed to go somewhere else...now this place was completely out of way from my journey back home. I had to resign to the fact that not right now but later i would find some solution to it...
On my way back home i decided to catch on to my beauty sleep...and out of nowhere there was this fly pestering me, I tired hard to shoo it away but it had a strange affinity towards me..i was wondering why the person sitting next to me is not the subject of fly's attention, and then felt guilty for thinking this thought!!

I did not see her face, when we reached our stop, she turned to me and told me that she knows me, I looked at her and told her the same. but then I asked her i don't remember from where..
is there any connecting link...she said there is..sahajyoga...we had met almost a year back for a meditation programme....
And we generally started chatting about things in general. Then I asked her where she lived..and voila..it was the very place where I had to go but was finding it difficult. she had parked her vehicle near our stop and we both had to travel further to reach our homes. She offered me lift..and I just could not believe my luck...
In fact earlier I had boarded a different metro (yah, i did not mention it, we were traveling by metro) but since it was too crowded I got down from it to wait for another one...and that's how I met her....
We traveled back together and I got down exactly at the place where I had needed to go...
Since then I have been thinking that this was not a mere coincidence...the way our steps matched so as to meet again...a bigger hand plays a tremendous role in our lives which we can not afford to forget in our running behind time lives.
And then she gave me an important message which even my other friend has been feeding me upon...and that is...discover and enhance the spiritual aspect of mine...I think this was raison d' etre for our meeting in first place.

THANK YOU....

2007-07-31T22:21:00.000+05:30

Feelings unspoken stray from my heart into yours.

Its song that you would never know.

I let it pass, I let it pass.

2007-07-26T15:45:00.000+05:30

But I being poor,

I only have my dreams.

I have spread my dreams under your feet.

Tread softly....'coz u tread on my dreams...

2007-07-07T18:06:00.000+05:30

After so long we got respite from the heat and choking humidity but at the moment I'm feeling too zonked out to enjoy it... First week at work takes the breath out of the person. Still miss my long sleeping hours. Yah that's what I want and a cold cuppa coffee... Any one interested in going out for one?? With me of course..:)

2007-06-28T19:55:00.000+05:30

IF A PICTURE’S WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS…..LET IT SPEAK…N SHARE

MY MEMOIRS OF TRAVEL TO SAURKUNDI PASS…A HEAVENLY PLACE ENSCONCED IN THE SHIVALIK RANGES

2007-06-28T11:19:00.001+05:30

river through my bus window....

2007-06-28T11:10:00.000+05:30

ON ROAD TO BABELI BASECAMP...18th MAY 2007...... Pic taken in the early morning sun at the site where we had our breakfast....

2007-06-28T11:03:00.000+05:30

DIFFERENT MOODS OF THE RIVER BEAS!!

2007-06-28T10:57:00.001+05:30

Rappling point near our campsite at Babeli: had a stone falling on my shoulder...had only minor scratches on my shoulder by the grace of GOD...but it taught me a lesson...heed to others when on to an adventure or anywhere in life...

2007-06-28T10:54:00.001+05:30

Beas can be seen flowing by....

2007-06-28T10:49:00.001+05:30

THE RAINBOW: ENCHANTED!!
SEGLI:Our first campsite...there was a canteen set up by a local near our campsite...had one of the best times there getting to know each other...singing songs..conversing..and had some excellent hot n spicy maggi n omelettes there..

2007-06-28T10:47:00.001+05:30

From Hora Thatch to Maylee...an uphill task...

2007-06-28T10:44:00.001+05:30

Which side's his back??: nearing our destination Maylee...

2007-06-28T10:41:00.001+05:30

THE MAGNIFICENT CLOUDS

2007-06-28T10:36:00.000+05:30

In the shadows: having fun at Maylee...only place which we literally got to explore...going up the meadows was arduous...coming down was fraught with the risk of us slipping down...

2007-06-28T10:35:00.001+05:30

Sheer mystification....

2007-06-28T10:32:00.001+05:30

Tried to capture it all...the meadow, the snow covered peaks n the silver lined clouds: Maylee

2007-06-28T10:30:00.001+05:30

Shot at while shooting!!
Enroute to Daura from Maylee...the sheep in the background were the focus of my endeavour...

2007-06-28T10:28:00.001+05:30

Another view of our campsite...

2007-06-28T10:25:00.001+05:30

Our campsite at Maylee: a place with vibrant meadows....

2007-06-28T10:15:00.001+05:30

THE ROCK!!!

2007-06-27T22:49:00.000+05:30

Mountains surrounding our campsite at DAURA...this was the chilliest place with sun playin hide n seek with us...n the snow fall chilling our bones...

2007-06-27T22:47:00.001+05:30

SAURKUNDI...a closer view....

2007-06-27T22:42:00.000+05:30

There's something about this TREE!!

2007-06-27T22:39:00.000+05:30

CAPTURED THE BLIZZARD...BUT ONLY AS A PIC!!

2007-06-27T22:35:00.001+05:30

SAURKUNDI....A HIGHER PERSPECTIVE!!

2007-06-26T23:10:00.001+05:30

on way to Longa thatch....had faced blizzard again.... the beauty of this place was...flowers blooming even with snow around...

2007-06-26T23:08:00.001+05:30

on way to Maylee...an uphill task...

2007-06-26T23:04:00.000+05:30

view from my tent!!!
slept on the floor with a blaanket as only cushin in freezing cold...but the experience was indescibabale...always had a good night's sleep...

2007-06-26T22:55:00.001+05:30

is it going up...or down???

2007-06-26T22:53:00.000+05:30

enigmatic...

2007-06-26T22:51:00.000+05:30

going down to Lekhni...

2007-06-26T22:42:00.000+05:30

on the way to lekhni....the downhill wz tough on joints...n the place later stank of sheep shit...ughh..

2007-06-26T22:37:00.002+05:30

an insider's view of beauty outside...

2007-06-26T22:37:00.001+05:30

cool waters...

2007-06-26T22:32:00.001+05:30

the fanciest accommodation we had....at Lekhni...our last campsite....

2007-06-26T22:25:00.000+05:30

I could not resist taking several shots of snow covered peaks...though how insignificant the quantity of snow was...

BANE OF EXISTENCE

2007-06-15T09:37:00.000+05:30

Putting of things for later is the bane of my existence. I have suffered a lot due to this in life. Be it important matters like career or something lees profound, I have always found ways of twisting around the issue and making a get way. Procrastination has gotten me falling down in a deep abyss. What makes me stop from doing things which are easily doable without much pain and effort I wonder.
I guess I would put this wondering as well for later.

2007-06-11T21:37:00.000+05:30

CELINE DION lyrics

2007-06-08T22:20:00.000+05:30

RONAN KEATING lyrics

WHEN IN LOVE

2007-06-07T10:31:00.000+05:30

When in love,
the heart knows no containment,
no boundaries imposed.

You and I completely dissolves.
What's left is a feeling so ethereal and eternal.

And yes, I'm in love unbounded by parameters set.

The feeling knocks at the door of my heart,
stares through its windows.

I want to wish it away, but can't.
It stays.

It shakes me, stirs me, amazes me.
Would it last? I question myself.
Is it really love that's knocking my doors?
It ties me and frees me at the same time.
Don't know what to make of it.
But the feeling stays on..
Till when, don't know.

Slowly I open the door, curious...
But then the social mores make me shut again,
leaving me in wonderment,
What if?

I let it seep in through the edges,
gently swaying me and holding me down.
And then it's there,
would be there till the end,
nestling softly in the recesses of my heart,
making it softly miss a beat that I know not of...

self composed

A DISTANT MEMORY

2007-06-06T23:33:00.000+05:30

Are you a mere memory,
or something more?

Can I still see you, touch you, be with you,
and hear you laughing?

Oh! How I miss your laughter
that stirs my soul.
Making me ache within.

But you are not a memory for sure,
'cause I saw you and touched you and your soul...

self composed

2007-06-06T20:45:00.000+05:30

MAKING UP ACQUAINTANCES

I was welcomed by a lady. She gave me my tent number. This time I was not expecting to stay in the tent. I had thought that we would be spending our time in a pucca accommodation. But then the tents were inviting as well. I requested the lady to give me the same tent as the friend I had met earlier.

I inquired about her from the people around me. They were familiar with her as she had already arrived before me.

As soon as I entered tent I saw these girls wearing army shirts. The next question that popped out of my mouth was if that was a dress code. It was kind of exciting.

But that was not so. I chatted with the girls and made my acquaintance with them. Then I met M and was relieved to see her, and we hugged like old buddies.

So in all we were nine girls in the tent without any bed with just blankets covering the floor up.

But then I was somehow ok with that. Then the difficult part was remembering their names, it has always been my weakness. So I told myself since I have almost 10 days, I would memorize atleast 2 names daily. But slowly as I became a part of the group, this problem vanished. Ok. Let me introduce the members of the gang I met in my tent no.6. There was K who’s descendent of Shivaji, A with curly hair, big smile, laughing most of the times, then K-2, with long beautiful hair, silent, N with whom I could strike long convo, then S, N’s younger sister, more mature and calm than her sister, then we had C who has a positive aura around her, sadly though I could not get to know her much, then M who could keep sitting in the same posture for hours together. They had come along with two boys, R and T. T was someone whom I got to know better of the two. There were all from Mumbai, and so was M. Hence I thought that maybe because if this M would get closer to the group and I might be left out. But later it proved to be otherwise. The language barrier could not really come between our budding friendship.

There were sundry items that I urgently needed to buy, but we were away from the main town. So we (M &I) decided to go to the river bank and then try our luck at the local shops.

Once we reached the riverside, we were struck by its sheer magnificence.

We dipped our limbs in cold water and ventured in. Then I discovered that M had this craze of getting herself clicked, and she was justified as she was quite photogenic. I on the other hand am more satisfied with capturing the beauty around myself.

But then I got tired of this tirade. We were getting late and we had strict timings at the campsite beyond which we might mot be allowed to enter in. Anyhow I persuaded M to come out and visit the shops. The place could hardly meet my requirements, so I went back to our campsite a bit disheartened.

In the evening saw people playing badminton, there was this desire flickering inside me for playing as well. But strangely I was not feeling restless to be a part of the game.

At night M & I joined the group of our tent mates. There were several other groups as well. Every day some new 50 people entered the campsite and almost the same number reported back from their trekking excursion. I was quite amazed at the good management and arrangement of huge quantities of tasty food. The night was calm and pleasant.

Here we have this concept of campfire where people from all groups gather and programme is presented by 2 day old group at the camp. The strange thing is that there’s no fire in campfire. Instead what we had was an arrangement of coloured bulbs which were lit by chief guest of the night, followed by clapping and sounds of ‘fire, fire, campfire’. Later on it became a joke around as even in severe cold conditions burning of wood was not allowed. It sure did help in conservation of the environment but left us deathly cold. During the programme we were served hot bournvita milk. It sure gave us warmth.

MY TRAVEL MEMOIRS

2007-06-02T22:04:00.000+05:30

What I am going to write here not only pertains to my travel experience but also the emotions I went through.

MY BUS JOURNEY

As I mentioned earlier, there were going to be no familiar faces in the camp except one, a person from my work place with whom I hardly conversed.

Fortunately at the transport office I met a girl, M, who was heading for the same campsite. I was so relieved. We struck up a conversation and exchanged numbers. But then we were traveling to the same destination by different buses.

I had booked sleeper A/C coach and got upper berth. The space was same as that of a luggage compartment. So you can imagine how cramped I felt. Believe me this experience is both exhilarating and uncomfortable. First of all I could not sit properly, so I was in half reclining position. But then I got to see the views which a person normally sitting in the bus can never have. I spent a restless night in the bus, kept tossing and tumbling as the bus moved through the mountains. Got up to a beautiful view and my eyes could not get enough of it. Then we stopped at a dhaba, and I freshened up, got my breakfast packed. I felt so independent and confident in this unknown territory.

I was in a joyous mood, not worrying about my future experiences in the camp.

We had Beas river flowing by our side. I craned my neck like a curious child looking at the beauty around myself. There was this river flowing by, sometimes through mountains and sometimes through valleys. No words can describe that place in its entirety. But then my mind took control over me. I started feeling dizzy due to the proximity to the mountains and continuous motion which my eyes refused to adjust to. And then I had this fear of crashing out of the bus through its windows due to my momentum (actually there wasn’t any provision for safety incase bus met with an accident. The probability of a person being tossed out of the window in upper berth was high). Then we passed through this huge tunnel, which was never ending. It was intensely dark which gave me creeps. Maybe such a long journey had its toll me. But then I was nearing my destination. I got down from the bus at my campsite relieved and excited.

THE REALITY

2007-05-30T12:45:00.000+05:30

At the moment I am wondering what the reality is. The time I spent past two weeks or this moment. It gets difficult to accept the normal routine of life. Still feel as if I am walking in a dream. Getting up from my bed in the morning was a completely different experience.
Got used to the mountains, lush greenery and the sound of the river and not to be forgotten people who were like family to me. I felt so much at home away from home. Maybe they were someone really close to me from my past. Never bonded with anyone so quickly and strongly before. Hope to meet them again in this lifetime.

My Trip

2007-05-17T11:05:00.000+05:30

Well Today I'm going for trekking again as I did during my last vacations. The only difference is that it's going to be a longer trek, of around 10 days and I would be spending my time with complete strangers. It sure makes me feel apprehensive as staying like this for such a duration is challenging. But I hope to discover myself during this interim. Would get to know things about myself which hardly surface during our daily lives.
I thank God for giving me such a wonderful opportunity and pray for lord's blessings.
I hope to make the best of it.
Amen.
For those interested in knowing about my trek route I have posted my itineary.
You guyz have a great time as well.

Day 1	Report at Base Camp (Youth Hostel Babeli) -ht. 4,000 ft.
Day 2	Acclimatization and Orientation.
Day 3	Rock Climbing
Day 4	Trek to Youth Hostel Segli - ht. 7,100 ft. (8 km) 5 hrs.
Day 5	Trek to Youth Hostel Hora Thatch - ht. 9,000 ft. (10 km) 7 hrs.
Day 6	Trek to Youth Hostel Maylee Thatch - ht. 10,500 ft. (6 km) 9 hrs.
Day 7	Trek to Youth Hostel Doura - ht. 11,300 ft. (10 km) 7 hrs.
Day 8	Trek to Youth HosteI Longa Thatch - ht.10,800 ft. (12km) 8hrs. via Saurkundi Pass(12,900 ft.).
Day 9	Trek to Youth Hostel Lekhni - ht. 8 ,100 ft. (10 km) 4 hrs.
Day 10	Trek up to Manali Town(Aalloo Ground) road head, transfer by bus to Babeli Base Camp, Valedictory function.
Day 11	Group breaks after breakfast

2007-05-16T22:16:00.000+05:30

DIDO lyrics

my dayz memoirs!!

2007-05-13T22:03:00.000+05:30

after two days of watchin movies at home and sleepin thru the day i finally spent an entire day outside...and now i'm zonked out...

morning ws good with regular workouts and thn a run for the movie...a goof up of friend left us with three extra tickets for the movie...but thn the demand ws more thn supply so didn't loose any money..

Watching the movie was fun ...certain scenes were comic as well...but the funniest part was the guy sittin next to me...he had his face covered with his hands from the side as if to prevent me from seeing him...and it ws for almost the entire duration of the movie...ahh..as if i was dying to see him...

then i went to cloth showroom and tried out of many just one dress...didn't like it..
and forgot to buy gifts for my friends. :(
but thn we had a good time at barista...actually i met one of my friends after a very long time so we caught up with each other's lives...

and then in the evening met another friend of mine and went to district park n jogged n talked...
finally we sat on the hillock feeling peaceful from within...
being with the nature has always this efffect...

another side of this eventful day...cudn't read my fav sunday newspaper!!

SUMMER HEAT

2007-05-08T23:10:00.000+05:30

It's getting hotter and hotter daily that its getting difficult to make up for the loss of fluids in the body...
now how much water one drinks one remains forever thirsty.
One not only gets shivers in cold weather but also when hot breeze breezes past your skin raising your hair.
And clothes a sign of civility can be easily forsaken. How I would love to go for work in cotton shorts, T-shirt and sandals.
But in hot country like India one can see people dressed in tight clothings, sweating and puffing, but strict moral and dress codes don't allow people to breathe through.
Just imagine a dupatta (worn by females) tied to your neck choking you to death dripping with sweat.

MIND GAME

2007-05-01T15:18:00.000+05:30

Well they say dreams tell us a lot about our past, present and future.

At times what we dream is completely weird and out of sync with the reality.

Dreams can be the projection of our suppressed desires as well.

Well last night I had a terrible night. All because of nightmares which attacked me one after the other.

One dream that I vividly remember is that our neighbor’s daughter brought her father’s dismembered hands to me. They were bleeding. She asked me to keep them. I didn’t know what to do with them. Maybe preserve it in the refrigerator so that it could be stitched back again to his arms. I was completely horrified. Gosh!!

Then I had another nightmare I felt like screaming but couldn’t as I felt as if someone was holding me down. I wanted to go and sleep with my parents as I sleep alone and felt scared but I just could not get up…I was held tightly. Couldn’t even open my eyes.

Then in the morning I tried to think why I had such a terrible night. Then I came to the conclusion that since I was reading a book which talked about disidentification with our minds, I guess it was my mind’s effort to show me that it was still in control of me. It could still wield its powers on me.

Once our minds take control over us, they become more of our enemies rather than friends. Tame your mind and then you would realize how wonderful our lives can be.

It’s our tool and not the other way round.

All the pain and negative feelings are projections of mind, once we realize that we can work towards our salvation…