sayhai2 poorna

Tangled: Movie Review

2011-04-07T05:21:00.000-07:00

If you fancy fairy tales, then Tangled is a must-watch. Tangled is an animated 3D movie from Walt Disney animation studios. The story is loosely based on the German fairy tale, Rapunzel. It is said that the movie was also initially named Rapunzel. However, later it was changed to “Tangled” to give a clue about the story of the movie, which revolves around the magical hair of the lead lady, Rapunzel.

The Plot
A bad tempered old lady, Gothel uses a magical flower, which is imbued with the essence of sun to stay young forever. At that time, the queen of the kingdom becomes deathly sick. The people in the kingdom were sent to find a solution that would cure the queen. They find this magical flower and cure the queen using it. The queen, who was pregnant, passes the magical power of the flower to the baby princess, Rupunzel. On the other hand, Gothel becomes furious for snatching the magical flower from her. So, in a perfect rage and with the sheer determination to get back the source of her eternal youth, which is now in Rupunzel’s magical hair, she kidnaps her.

She raises the princess in an isolated tall tower and makes her believe that she is her mother. She constantly preaches Rupunzel that the outside world is cruel and mean. In the mean time, on each birthday of Rupunzel, the king and queen launches a magic lantern in the sky with the hope that the princess would come back to their kingdom. Rupunzel, who sees these magic lanterns from her window, gets curious as to why a magic lantern is added on the eve of her birthday year after year. She expresses her curiosity to Gothel, who in turn emotionally blackmails her. Meanwhile, a thief called Flynn Rider, who has stolen the crown of the missing princess, reaches the tower seeking a hideout. Rupunzel, who was initially suspicious of Rider, later strikes a deal with him to escort her to the kingdom, from which the magic lantern is launched in order to get back his stolen crown. Rider helplessly accepts the deal. During their trip to the kingdom, Rupunzel and Rider realize that they share a special bond. They also face problems from the guards, who are in search of Rider and from Rupunzel’s foster mother, Gothel. What happened to their journey? How did they escape from the guards and tackle Rupunzel? Did they tie knots? Did Rupunzel come to know that she is the lost princess form the rest of the story.

Characterization
The characterization of Rupunzel is brilliant. One half of her personality is innocent and docile and the other half is bold and intelligent. It stands out from the rest. However, the characterization of Rider is much like our typical Bollywood hero characters. I felt Sharukh khan would perfectly fit the hero character in this movie. So, it is nothing new to us. Similarly, Gothel’s character is much like the in laws, who would plot plans against the lead character in the Ekta Kapoor’s serials. The movie also has a place for non- human characters like Maximus, the horse-dog, who would initially fight with Rider and later becomes his friend and the chameleon, which is the friend of Rupunzel.

Visual Treatment and Music
The movie is very rich in animation and grand. The graphic developers have captured the intricacies of the characters and given attention to every detail. The characters emotes well and looks visually appealling. The visual effects are brilliant. The movie also has some enchanting pieces of music almost back to back. The background score is also good.

Conclusion
The animation has come out exceptionally well making it a must-watch film. However, the storyline is too simple and stereotypical. Even then, Tangled is a pleasant respite for the eyes that is too tired of watching the negative reality extravanzas dished out by some of the Indian and Tamil directors in the name of reality and slice of life. With the grapevine abuzz that this could be Disney’s last movie based on princess, one can hardly give it a miss.

Special Day Celebrations! Do We Really Understand Them?

2011-03-18T06:04:00.000-07:00

Valentine’s day or Women’s day celebrations are purely western concepts. A few people initiated such celebrations in our country and in the recent years, everybody seemed to have jumped into the fray. Last month and this month, I witnessed the Valentine’s day and Women’s day celebrations in my office and in the IT Park, in which my present office is located. On Feb 14, I saw some shops in our building putting up sale for Valentine’s day celebrations and this month, it was women’s day’s turn. Hope they won’t put up a similar sale on April 1st :).

I personally don’t celebrate all these A days and B days, however, I have no qualms against people celebrating them. They are free to celebrate them provided they don’t hurt the sentiments of others. The question is do they really understand the spirit behind such special days? For instance, on women’s day, most companies had asked the women employees to wear a saree and conducted special games (no intelligent games, all kids stuff) and gave feast for women employees alone in a separate room. One particular company gave special neck massage from a beauty parlor for women employees alone. Almost, all companies including mine gave roses to all women employees alone. The gift shop in the complex gave away free mehendi cones for women visitors alone on that day (I was given a free mehendi cone that cost 12 bucks for the greeting card that I bought for 10 bucks:).

Now, do you think these women’s day celebrations have actually served the women community in any way? According to me it has only taken us a step backward. It has reiterated the fact that:

• Women still like roses and mehendi cones (why not give away a key chain or a pen as gift? It could have proved to be much cheaper than mehendi cones).

• Women should wear only sarees for special occasions (why not ask wear whatever you are comfortable in).

• A service from beauty parlor is a must-have.

• Women require special care (on that day alone) and the day is strictly meant for women (why create a chasm between the male and female employees by not including the male crowd in the celebrations. Including them will only increase their respect for women and will help them appreciate the magnificence of women).

So, my humble suggestion for all women’s day or Valentine’s day or mother’s day enthusiasts is don’t blindly celebrate a day without appreciating the spirit behind them. Try to do some justification for the day by understanding the rationale behind them.

The New Grading system for CBSE Class X: A boon or bane?

2010-06-16T21:51:00.001-07:00

The ministry of human resource development (MHRD) has finally taken the plunge and directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to replace the present system of awarding marks with grades for Class X board examinations from this academic year (21010-2011). Accordingly, the CBSE has also made the Class X board exams for this academic year optional and has advised the schools affiliated with it to convince their students to choose the grading system instead of taking up exams.

The response for the grading system is mixed among various stakeholders, such as parents, teachers, and students. The major attraction of this grading system is that it reduces the stress of scoring high marks on the students and they do not have to burn the midnight oil in a bid to score more marks. The parents can also heave a sigh of relief as they no longer have to worry about the marks scored by their children. The grading system addresses the critical issue of increasing student suicidal rate year after year. It allows the students to study in a relaxed curriculum. It also focuses on the over-all development of students instead of emphasizing only on academics. Students can now study with better understanding rather than by hearting to score more marks. The homework, assignments, and project works has more weightage than written exams. Many experts feel that this system can make the students industry-ready as it focuses on developing the creative and soft skills of the students, thereby preparing them to face the job market. The teachers can also focus on imparting the knowledge rather than completing the portions on time.

However, many students think that they are in for more trouble. They feel some teachers may be biased and can sideline the students who are not favorable to them. Schools may also have their own standards and can play favorites while awarding the internal marks.

Apart from this, students who can score good marks may be demoralized. They will be sharing the same grades with the students who have scored eight to nine marks lesser than them. Also, making the exam as optional has only created confusions among the students. Parents and teachers may convince them to do away with their decision of taking up or not taking up the exams. Moreover, many teachers think that there will be more pressure on the them. According to this new order, there will be two assessments in an academic year and the teachers have to evaluate the students twice and keep a track of their performance. Therefore, teachers have more responsibility than before. Similarly, this system may stifle the competitive spirit of the students and may encourage mediocrity. Students would become insouciant and nonchalant.

Critics also pose questions like what if a teacher quits and another teacher has to evaluate in the middle of an academic year? How will they track the previous performance of the students? On what basis will the students be admitted in class XI? What if a student wants to join the State board form class XI onwards? How the CBSE board proposes to map the CBSE X grades with the State board HSC marks? The CBSE board and MHRD should address these questions and give the final shape to the grading system. If some of these issues are resolved, the grading method may take our education system to a new level.

Bade Adieu

2010-05-01T10:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my last working day in the organization that I was working for the past two and half years. What started as a normal day turned out to be a surprising day.Yes.To my utter surprise,I was inundated with gifts by my project managers,reporting managers and fellow colleagues.

Many people from various sources, viz.skype, gtalk, mails and phone were asking me whether it was my last day and wishing me good luck.It was out of the blue.I never thought that so many of them came to know or remember that it was my last day.I am truly honored. One common question that everyone asked was how do you feel? And my answer was I neither feel good nor bad. I am nuetral. I don't feel good because I am leaving an organization that I was part of for the past two and half of years. I will no longer meet my friends and other supportive colleagues.I will miss my van journey, my van mates and the chat and fun etc On the other hand, I don't feel bad because I am moving forward. I have taken a decision that will further my career goals.

People I Admire

2010-04-21T00:18:00.000-07:00

We come across many people in our everyday lives. I wonder how some people alone can make a visible mark in the work they do and influence our way of thinking and personality. When I say people I admire, I am not talking about people those who have made it big in the society or celebrities. Ordinary people, who have carved a niche for themselves in the work they do, no matter what it is, or people who have grate personality, attitude, communication skills, dressing sense, or sense of humor are the subject matter of this post.Some of the modern home makers among my friends and relatives are such people, who have made a grate impact in me. They have given a new dimension to home making. Their attitude towards their lives is amazing. I don’t have any name that needs a special mention here. All of them have more or less same qualities and temperament. In a country, where many women see marriage, children etc as an end to personal preferences, these women give importance to personal grooming, personality development, and communication skills in spite of being home makers. They are well updated and modern. On the other hand, they can score well on home making as well. While they can make the world’s most piquant food, keep the home spic and span, and take good care of the children, they can also enjoy themselves in an evening party, get absorbed in Sidney Sheldon, and talk endlessly about politics or current trends in cinema. Many of these women have a burning desire to prove themselves, but don’t have the right opportunities to prove.

The person who comes next to my mind is one of my friends, let’s call her Prajitha, who did a short-term course with me. We became very close in a short span of time. Sooner or later, we were looking up to each other for opinions and suggestions for landing in the right job at the end of the course. Prajitha has lost her mother when she was in her early twenties. When her mother was down with cancer, it seems she used to nurse her mother, cook and run the entire household at the young age. Besides carrying a lot of responsibilities in her slender shoulders, she managed to secure a top rank in her post graduation and a first class in her computer course. But she didn’t have her mother to share her happiness. Troubles did not end there. After a few years of her marriage, Prajitha had delivered a blue baby. One day, the baby fell sick and was hospitalized. Around the same time, her husband also met with an accident and was admitted in the same hospital, where her baby was admitted. By god’s grace, her husband recovered but, she had lost the baby. However, today, Prajitha has recouped her losses. She has a cute daughter to die for and a supportive husband. What surprises me is Prajitha do not have an iota of self pity or negativity. She remains positive despite seeing all the odds at a young age.

Apart from these people, some of my classmates, colleagues, relatives, and friends, who can stand by their opinions and put their foot down firmly in case of disagreement, are responsible for shaping the way I think and act. I take a leaf out of their lives and apply it to my life situations with gratitude.

Contemplation

2010-04-19T09:57:00.000-07:00

The last day in my present organization is round the corner. I wish I take a brief sabbatical to reflect on life and internalize the valuable lessons that I learned not only in my two and half year stint in the present organization, but all through my life. I wish I have the time to take stock of my experiences - good or enchanting experiences and bad or learning experiences and thank those who made my life easy and also those who acted tough to only bring out the potentials that were dormant in me. How I wish I could take time to recount the moments that almost reduced me to tears as well as relive the moments that kept me in high spirits. I also wish that I can look back and analyze where I have gone wrong and what was right and plan the life ahead accordingly.

However, I still have my plans charted out. It doesn't mean that I have taken decisions on the spur of the moment without any forethourght or I have ventured into uncharted waters. It only means that my fast- paced life doesn't provide the leeway to take time off for such musings. It means that I can take more charge of my life if I introspect. However, some of the lessons that I learned by the virtue of my experience are still etched in my mind as a beacon of light. They come handy as and when needed to steer me towards the right path.

You may wonder what is the necessity for such contemplation now. Isn't it too philosophical? Can't we take life as it comes? I don't subscribe to the idea of living life as it comes. We should imbibe the valuable lessons that each experience teaches us and reflect those lessons in our life.

2010-04-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I happened to visit Tiruporur (Murugan) Temple with my mom. I was shocked by the filthiness of the place.Visitors and devotees have dumped all the possible garbages inside this temple- crushed plastic water packets, water bottles, crushed paper plates, soiled papers, and leaves. You have to literally walk on these bits and pieces. To make the condition worse, some visitors also pour water, break coconuts, light lamps and camphor balls anywhere on the wayside. The cleanliness sense of our people is appalling. There should be stringent laws to monitor such inorderliness and protect the cleanliness and decorum of temples.

Updates in My Life

2010-04-07T02:32:00.001-07:00

I have finally taken the plunge and put my papers in my present organization. I did not take the decision on the spur of the moment, but was actually dilly-dallying for quite some time. I arrived at this decision after giving enough thought to it. But what next?? Well!! I have many plans up my sleeve. However, it is too pre-mature to announce it to the world. Hope everything goes well!!

On the other hand, I did a small research on when one should leave their present job. The list goes like this:

You are stagnant/ in the same post or position for a long time
Your interest in your work is on the wane
You feel you are under paid
You are not appreciated or encouraged
Your moral values are not in line with the values of your organization
You feel insecure/ threatened

Apart from the above reasons, people leave their present job for better opportunities, due to problems caused by co-workers or boss, marriage, child birth and other family situations. Some of my colleagues have had left their jobs for supporting their son or daughter appearing for board exams.

Waking Up to Realities

2010-03-29T05:33:00.000-07:00

It has been quite some time since I posted my last entry. Of late, I wonder what do I blog about. I am bereft of ideas. However, I am back to blogging after a long sabbatical. My heartfelt gratitude for the readers and fellow bloggers, who were kind enough to shoot a mail and instigate me to resume blogging.This post is about my recent realizations.

Realization 1

If you are feeling a little low, go for a make-over. It need not be a complete make-over that will burn a big hole in your wallet. It can be a simple yet stylish hair style, a little hair coloring or highlighting, a mini spa or anything that you can afford. If it is possible, invest in a few new outfits. Otherwise, wear well-pressed and fresh clothes. Voila!!! You cannot believe the energy your make-over will produce. You will be in high spirits. I have tried and tested it.

Realization 2

Never under estimate your abilities. For that matter, don’t overrate too. Have a bird’s eye view of yourself. Weigh your abilities and shortcomings from a distance. Judge yourself from a third person’s point of view. This has helped me carry out some difficult tasks with ease. I couldn’t believe that I have done them.

Realization 3

Never pay heed to the discouraging remarks of others, blindly. See through people and find out whether their remarks are genuine or due to vengeance. Accept only if you feel their true motive is to help you. Even if their motive and intention is all for your good, they will know you only in a particular situation. You will know yourself better than anyone. Only you can be your best critic. But never ignore a mistake on your part. If you know that you have committed a mistake, accept it immediately.

Realization 4

I used be a stingy person till my post graduation. I would even walk several kilometers to save a penny. With the passage of time, I have become a spend-thrift. I realized we cannot save and build any grate wealth by depriving ourselves of happiness. Whereas, we can become even bankrupt by being a spend-thrift. BALANCE is the keyword.

These four realizations are nuggets of my personal experience and not a piece of fiction.

Are We Becoming more and more Unethical?

2010-01-03T20:21:00.000-08:00

Why many of us do not give attention to small mistakes that can have bigger impacts? All mistakes cannot be punished by the law. Some mistakes are legal but not ethical. For instance, many of you would have watched the movie, Anniyan, the magnum opus creation of Shankar. For the uninitiated, Anniyan is a Tamil movie directed by one of the leading directors of south India, Shankar. One of my favorite scenes in the movie is a person who would not stop his car for taking a seriously injured person to hospital would be killed by Anniyan. Later, he would also argue with Anniyan that there is no law that says that we should stop the car to save a person met with an accident. This is a classic example for a mistake that is legal but not ethical.

I can see more and more people becoming unethical of late .... Being unethical is unfortunately mistaken for being smart and shrewd in many instances. Instances such as one partner cheating another or children not taking a good care of their old parents are becoming common in our country. In the wake of 2010, let's wake up to the human being in us.

Two-in-One Post :Paa Review and Besant Nagar Round-Up

2009-12-23T03:17:00.000-08:00

Here is another two-in-one post amidst my punishing deadlines. Again the post is about my favorite subjects. You would have guessed it right if you had even taken a glance at my previous posts. Yes.The post is about Movie and Shopping.

Paa-A Review

I visited Sathyam theater to watch Paa recently. As I was waiting in the lounge for the show to begin, I was looking forward to watch a grate movie.The movie had also set the bar very high in its very first reel itself.I would have been disappointed even if the movie, as it progressed, failed to meet my expectations by a few brownie points.Instead, it maintained its standard till the end.It is a must watch for all in particular, for the differently-abled. The director could have made Auro (played by Amitabh Bachan), a child affected by progeria to sing a sonnet on account of his rare illness throughout the movie. Instead he has depicted his character as a witty and humorous one. This is one of the strongest points of the movie.The director, R.Bala Krishnan should be appreciated for the script and his exceptional narration. The jokes that auro cracks with a touch of brilliance is amazing.For instance, in the climax scene, when the whole family was grief-ridden, Auro says to his grandfather (Paresh Rawal), who talks seriously to him that the visiting hours is over. Amitabh Bachan has stolen the whole show through his extraordinary actions. The actor, whose experience in the industry spans for four and half decades, has carved a niche for himself in this film. Special accolades for the make-up crew for the prosthetic make-up. Amitabh's make-up brings a child affected with progeria alive. Abhishek Bhachan has also proved that he is an exceptional actor through his subtle actions and exceptional emotions. Vidya Balan is gorgeous and looks like a woman to die for.In her present looks, she can easily be passed off as the mother for a 12-year old. However, she should shed a few pounds for the other stylish roles. Other actors such as Arundathi Nag (Vidya's mother), Paresh Rawal have done full justice to their respective roles.

Ilaiyaraja has proved that he is a meticulous musician.Though he has taken a leaf out of his previous works, the music is soothing and compliments the movie well.Another interesting aspect of the movie is the brief climax. The director could have dragged the climax and left a depressing hangover in you.But he has made the climax short and sweet without making you to reach out for a hand kerchief. At the end of watching this movie, I felt happy for witnessing a brilliant movie in my lifetime.

Besant Nagar-A shopping Round-Up

This Saturday I visited Besant Nagar with one of my friends, Niranjani.We kick-started our day with the lunch in the PlanetYum in the Besant Nagar beach. Then, we headed to a bag mall called Dora bag mall near Velankanni Church in Besant Nagar.The shop is a heaven in the earth for bag lovers. I was amazed to see two room full of bags in all possible varieties in this shop. For patient and decisive buyers, there is no dearth of choice. But others will have a difficult time to arrive at a decision. If you come as a family, you will find bags, purses and pouches for everyone in the family.For ladies, they have formal office bags, party bags, clutches, jute bags, beach bags and the list is never ending. Similarly, for guys, they have purses, office bags, and pouches.For kids, they have school bags, lunch bags etc They have bags for all occasions-travel, evening outing, party, dinner etc So if you are a bag freak , don't wait. Head straight to Dora bag mall.

Then, we continued hunting for new shops in Besant Nagar and its nearby areas . We went to a shop called Mishmash in Valmiki Nagar in Thiruvanmiyur. I heard about this shop in a TV program. From the moment i heard about it, I couldn't resist dropping by. But what I witnessed after reaching there was a small room (read store room) with all the nice stuffs sourced from various locations of the world and the country. Even a small box, which will leave you wonder what its utility is, will burn a big hole in your pocket. But if you want to source some stuff from some foreign land, then you can get in touch with the owner of the shop. She seems to know what to source from where. At last, wanna know what we bought on that day? A son papdi in Tiruvanmiyur beach .

Remembering 26/11

2009-11-25T21:03:00.001-08:00

It's been one year since the Mumbai terror attacks happened. As usual, our inept politicians think paying homage and giving an emotional speech would suffice. Have they implemented their action points? How many of them have turned their words into actions? Has our security system improved? Answers to none of the questions are satisfying. Security is still far fetched for an average Indian.

In this first anniversary of those who died on the three-day long attacks, the politicians should not stop with paying tribute but should explain the people those who elected them, what steps they have taken to avoid such tragedies. We are entitled to know that. Will they do?

Read this article on the Mumbai Terror attacks. Read my previous articles on the same here: The Unsung Heroes and Mumbai Terror Attack: Let the Dawn Crack the City Soon!

Two-in-One Review: The Secret and Wake Up Sid

2009-11-12T12:48:00.000-08:00

The Secret Movie-A Quick Review

Recently, I bought "The Secret" movie from The Landmark. Believe me, purchasing the DVD was such a herculean task. I had to place the order and then wait for a call from the Landmark personnel for grabbing hold of this self- help documentary. Though "The Secret" movie was released first and the book was made available subsequently, I had read the book first and bought the movie only later. "The Secret" movie is distributed through DVD and internet (streaming media).It contains a series of interviews of around 25 authors. The packaging of the movie is awesome just like the packaging of the book. The quality of the picture and sound, the demonstration of the concepts of the law of attraction through appropriate scenarios, the background music and the interviews of some of the experts of the law of attraction are the pluses of this movie. The major shortcoming of this movie is its length. The teachings could have been crisp and short to suit the movie format. Then, the downsides of "The Secret" book are also applicable to the movie (read the review of "The Secret" book here). However, I enjoyed reading the book more than watching the movie. It doesn't mean that the movie is anything less than that of the book. I personally enjoy reading self help books than watching as movies. But if you enjoy watching motivational videos and lack the much needed impetus to lead a happy life, then "The Secret" movie version will appeal to you.

Wake Up Sid-A Brief Review

Here is another review of a mainstream movie, Wake Up Sid. As the title sugests the movie is about a boy, Sidharth, who wakes up to the hard realities of life.The movie is a splendid entertainer. Ranbir Kapoor perfectly fits for the "boyish" Sid role. He steals the show through his innocent expressions and natural actions.Incidentally, his slim figure and cute face makes his job easy. His performance is completely convincing that it is hard to believe that he is only acting as Sid and not Sid in the real life.Konkan Sen Sharma has also done full justice to her role as an ambitious writer who makes a positive influence in the life of Sid. Other supporting actors such as Anupem Kher (Sid's father), Supriya Pathak (Sid's mother) have fulfilled the demands of their respective roles. The music complements the movie well and adds value for the narration.We can give a thumbs-up for the song "The Wake up Sid" rendered by Shankar Mahadevan. Apart from the "Bombay" controversy, there is no major downside in this movie.

A Medley of Thoughts

2009-09-24T21:10:00.000-07:00

I think I posted my last entry eons ago and while resuming blogging I was completely overtaken by writer’s block. To overcome it, I am goanna make this post a medley. I want to resume my blogging sessions in a happy note, so I choose my favorite subject in this post. Yes. It is shopping!!! In the past one month, I have visited various shops that have put up their sales. But sadly, most of them passed off their old stocks as new ones in the name of discounts. In a retail store in Pondy Bazaar, I saw identical pieces for different prices. The prices vary according to the quality of the stock. If the quality of a product is poor, then the price is low. Then, why call it a discount, sale, bonanza etc I think the most appropriate term would be “annual clearance”. Some shops describe their sale using this term. Hats off to them. As I have mentioned in one of my previous posts, we only pay the actual price of the product. Ok…. Let me stop boring you to death with my never ending lecture about shopping.

A few weeks ago, I attended a training program called “The Culture of Execution”, which was sponsored by my company. It was organized by a training organization called “People’s Craft” and conducted by one of its founders, Mr. Anil Chawla. It was a power packed program, in a true sense. It provided the impetus to grapple with my “now” highly-pressurized work environment. The program is all about amazing your customers by going an extra mile with the team effort (at last, I have incorporated various objectives of the program in a sentence). If you get an opportunity to attend this program, never miss it.

Back to my shopping experience, I checked out the landmark sale as well. A book recommended by Mr. Chawla, “Think and Grow Rich” by Nepolean Hill was calling for my attention in the stand. Luckily, it was reasonably priced. So I grabbed it instantly. But only after venturing into reading the book, I realized that it is priceless. I will post my insights about that book later.

The Secret - Book Review

2009-06-12T03:44:00.000-07:00

I was introduced to "The Secret" by one of my uncles. I got hold of a personal copy of the book and ventured into reading it with expectations soaring high. I found it very interesting and inspiring. The design of the book is awesome and caught my fancy at a single glance. Every aspect of the design is breathe-taking. In my opinion this book defies the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover”. The feel-good factor flows through its content as well.

The author Rhonda Byrne claims to have captured the essence of the most powerful philosophies, teachings and knowledge in the world in this book. She says that she discovered the glimpse of "The Secret" through a 100 year old book. Since its discovery, she was consumed by the desire to share her wisdom to the world and it lead to the birth of "The Secret". Apart from Byrne, there are 29 authors for this book. The profiles of these authors is the most attractive part of "The Secret". There are some of the prominent personality developers, quantum physicists, authors, teachers, and philosophers among many others. It is noteworthy that the author of the Chicken soup for the soul series, Jack Canfield is also one of the authors.

The core concept of "The Secret" is "The Law of Attraction". The authors describe this law as the most powerful universal law. But the whole book preaches this law to a sickening extent. It inundates us with an over dose of information on the law of attraction. However, there are apparently less or no concrete action points on using the law of attraction. The readers can merely read the book as if they read a story book. There is no appropriate call for action.

In the same way, the authors say that our thoughts attract their corresponding results. They say that our “thoughts become things”. However, the book fails to address how thoughts alone (without appropriate actions) can become things. Similarly, the authors say that "The Secret" techniques work best for self but not others. They have only contradicted themselves here because in one of the chapters called the secret to the world, one of the authors recommends us to visualize the people around the world being happy during disasters. If "The Secret" techniques can only work for self, then how visualizing other people being happy can better the situation?

In the same way, the book says that people those who succumb to disasters, invite themselves to such situations through their thoughts. It further says that the person may not necessarily think of the same situation but may have some or other negative feelings such as fear, separation etc If a few or more people have died in a disaster, how could all of them been in the same frame of mind?

Similarly, many people have criticized "The Secret" for being impractical and focusing more on material goals. "The Secret" is still a welcome addition to the self help genre. Though it may not turn your life around in a single day, it is an effective tool for shifting our thinking and understanding the thought process.

The supporters of "The Secret" including the big names such as renowned talk show personality Oprah Winfrey hail this book as a mind-blowing and ground breaking phenomenon. However, I am not sure whether or not this book can have the same life-altering impact in you because the reviews and reactions for the book are mixed. But I understand one factor here. Any change should start from You. This book is only a good vehicle for the change. If you are looking for a change, ride on it.

Here is the link to "The Secret" website:
http://www.thesecret.tv/

After a Short Break !!!

2009-05-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

It's been quite sometime since I blogged. The crunched time lines in office kept me super busy. Yesterday,I managed to finish my office work on time and did not have any spill over, luckily.So that left me with ample time to blog today. For the past two weeks, I am witnessing what I would call as perhaps, the worst patch of my work life.But luckily, it helped me to discover a new facet of myself. It made me to take up assignments that I used to previously consider as difficult.It gave me a sense of satisfaction. At the end of every chaos, we will have some key takeaway - a moral lesson,a new dimension to life,discovery of thyself and true quality of others, and many more.It is one such learning experience for me.So next time when you venture in troubled waters, think what key takeaway does it has.You will realize that your experience is worth its pain. So does it sounds philosophical? Then, I"ll switch over to something light.

Did you watch the new NDTV Hindu channel?It looks like a lifestyle channel, more or less, like NDTV Goodtimes, but with the primary focus on the Chennai city.But the look and feel of the channel is not on par with NDTV Goodtimes.Moreover,the same programs are recast over and again.The slots are not filled up.However,it has got some interesting programs such as, Super Shopper, which takes us for a ride to various interesting shops in the city. A must watch for shopaholics.The channel is targeted at the middle and upper-middle classes and intends to capitalize on the wider readership that "The Hindu" enjoys in the city.If you find time, check it out!

Realization

2009-04-29T03:28:00.000-07:00

Sheena woke up with all smiles and got ready for the school. She was jubilant since the last evening. She was over the moon. Her father had agreed to send her for the school tour to Kodaikanal for three days. She started dreaming about her travel in the night-long train for the first time with her friends, her stay with them in the hotel room, sight-seeing, shopping, boating…….. one thing after another came to her mind. She had already decided on the dresses that she should wear during the trip. She had also decided to get herself a pair of slippers from her savings. All her memories were around the Kodaikanal trip from the time when her father assured her to arrange the money for the trip, by hook or by crook. After all, for the first time in her life, she was going to go for a trip along with her friends. She will be in the sixth grade by next year. Since her present school offer only up to primary education, she and her friends have to move to different schools for the sixth grade. Afterward, they can no longer meet. Sheena thought it is a good idea to spend a reasonable time with her friends and then bid a farewell to them.

Sheena reached the bus stop. As usual, she started thinking about her trip while waiting for the bus .She thought that she should confirm her teacher about her participation in the trip as soon as she reaches the school. All of a sudden, a loud voice shook her out of her reverie. A biker, who stopped at the bus stop, was talking loudly in his mobile phone. Sheena was quietly eaves dropping on his conversation. “How long will you take to return back the money? You borrowed the money to pay the picnic fee of your son and promised to return it back in one month. It’s been three months since you took the money and gave only few thousands as the interest. You don’t even earn enough to meet out your personal expenses. Then, why do you send your son for the tour? Knowing your status, your son should confine to your home. At least, you should’ve told him that he should not fancy such pleasures, given the fact that his father is capable of earning only peanuts. No matter what, if you don’t settle the money along with the interests before today evening, I will take all the goods from your home and sell it”. After a heated conversation, the biker started his vehicle and flew away.

Sheena returned home. She walked up to her father and told him in a firm tone “dad, I don’t want to go to the trip”. Her father looked at the child strangely.

Don't Judge a Book by its Cover!!

2009-04-27T21:21:00.000-07:00

I boarded a long route bus from Pondicherry to return home from office two days ago. I didn't have the exact change( 10 rupees) to give the conductor. So I gave a 100- rupee note (which is usually accepted in these buses).On that particular day, the conductor got irked and demanded the exact change. He took my 100-rupee note saying that I need the change now, no matter what.I rummaged through my hand bag, but in vain.I was helpess.

A fellow passenger, who was clad in an ordinary dothi came for help.He asked "madam,how much change you need?".I told him that I have around five bucks.He generously offered me a five rupee coin.But I was not willing to accept his offer.Why should I accept money for free? I was very thankful to him, but didn't take the money.Then, the conductor himslef gave back the changes understanding that I truly didn't have change.He must have thought that I was simply lying.

But what I understood from this incident was that we should not judge anyone based on our pre-conceived notions.The man, who came for help was looking very ordinary.He was clad in a not-so clean dhothi.However,he had the willingness to help, which not many what we call as "classy looking" people may have.But unfortunately, we don't believe them and we doubt the motive behind their actions.Have you not judged someone based on their looks? Ask yourself!!

A Trip Down My Native Village

2009-04-20T04:05:00.001-07:00

This weekend I visited our native village called Nagainallur, which is situated near Thottiyam in Trichy district. This small village sports a festive look during Sri Rama Navami, one of the biggest events that happen in the village every year. This year Sri Rama Navami happened on Sunday.

To attend the event, myself, my parents, my aunt, and her boss went to Nammakkal(a popular town, which is famous for Anjaneya temple) by car.We stayed in Nammakkal and traveled to Nagainallur from there .

We started on Saturday morning by around 7 a.m from Chennai and reached Namakkal by 1 p.m. We stayed in a three star hotel called Hotel Golden Palace.We were awestruck to see a reasonably posh hotel in a small town, such as Nammakkal.

The flower arrangement

This flower arrangement was warm and welcoming.The flowers were fresh even on our arrival by 1.00 pm.

A warm painting

This painting on the top corner of a wall in the reception also caught my fancy.

The double-bed rooms were spacious. It had all facilities. You name them and it had all of them− air conditioner, television with cable connection, mini refrigerator, wardrobe, bathtub, shower and waiter-on call.The food and services were also good. The entire hotel, including the rooms was spic and span. In short, the hotel lived up to its name, Golden Palace.

(Note: Click the images to see the bigger versions of them.)

The full meal

Coming back to my trip, after the lunch, in the late afternoon, we headed to a village called Musiri to get the blessings of a Dhikshadar residing in that village.

The trip from Nammakal to Musiri was not very scenic. Most of the fields were dry and infertile. In addition, the sun was also scorching. Moreover, the Cauvery River running across these towns apparently had less or no water. My heart wretched to see a string of lorries waiting to ferry the sand from the river.

A lorry waiting to carry sands in the banks of the river Cauveri

There seem to be a brisk business of the sand, which poses grater risks to the ecological balance. The driver informed us that these sand businessmen are given a free hand by the policemen. Hope the concerned authorities take up this issue seriously and bring about some rigid measures against it.

Now back to my trip. We reached Musiri and located the Agraharam (a stretch of Brahmin houses), where the Dhikshadar was residing. We got his blessings and headed to Nagainallur.The people in Nagainallur were in a festive mood. The village hardly has 15-20 houses, out of which, people reside only in 5-6 houses permanently. Other houses will have its residents only during this Sri Rama Navami celebrations. People those who are native to the village and others from various parts of the country flock together during this event for 10-15 days. On our arrival to Nagainallur, many people from various places were already present.

A hall that is named after my late grand father

We participated in a low-key celebration and headed back to our room in Nammakal. My parents chose to stay back to participate in the night-long bhajans. Later, in the early morning, my parents came back to our hotel for a few hours of rest. Then, we started to Nagainallur to participate in the Sita Kalyanam (the marriage ceremony of Ram and Sita) that is organized as part of the Sri Rama Navami. It is believed that if those who are waiting to get married or those who want a child participate in the Sita Kalyanam and eat the marriage feast, marriage or child birth will happen for sure. There are many success stories of people those who have achieved what they wanted by participating in this event. The proof of pudding is in eating. Isn’t? The power of the god (Ram) residing in Nagainallur was evident by the crowd that participated in the marriage ceremony. There were hundreds of people from various parts of the country. The heads referred to the crowd

as “jana samudiram” which means ocean like crowd. There

The vigraham or distinctly styled statue of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshman along with Hanuman

were also scores of bhajan troupes present.

The bhajans were enthralling. The entire Sita Kalyanam procedures were performed through bhajans. Another major attraction of the Sri Rama Navami celebrations is its food. The food is delicious and heavenly. It is said that King Nalan, who is famous for his exceptional culinary skills, had left his serving spoon in this village several centuries ago.So this serving spoon is believed to be the reason for the delicacy of the food .

But on the flip side, the hall had thatched roofs and was packed with people, people and only people. The weather was also very hot and there were only a few fans. So the humidity and stickiness was unimaginable. The only saving grace was the panakkam (a drink made of jaggery and lemon) that was available abundantly. It seems they prepared the drink by using 300 kgs of jaggery. We drank many cups of pannakkam and butter milk to beat the heat. Finally, the most awaited moment arrived. It was the thali-tying (mangal sutra or a thread tying) moment. It is believed that whatever we ask for during that moment, the god will grant us. It was the most defining moment. I was literally reduced to tears.

After Sita Kalyanam, the lunch begins. The lunch was served to people in batches. It is believed that Lord Ram will have his food in the first batch. So, after the food, the banana leaves in which the food was served for the first batch of people were not removed.

A typical village house

Men would perform “anga pradarshanam” (rolling on the ground) in these leaves. I personally feel this practice facilitates breaking one’s ego and surrendering to god. Otherwise, who would roll on the left-over leaves? I was moved to see several CEOs and heads to perform anga pradarshanam. At the end of the day, we are all equal before the god. Isn’t it? This anga pradarshanam marks the end of the Sri Rama Navami in Nagainallur. After this ceremony, we reached Nammakkal and packed our bags and headed towards Chennai. The memories of Nagainallur are etched in our minds.

(Note: Click the images to see the bigger versions of them.)

Spare a Thought Before Hitting the Forward Button!!

2009-04-13T03:18:00.001-07:00

Imagine you have got an email forward that calls for an action like this:

Forward it to 20 people, otherwise you will lose your job or fail in your exam.

Certainly many of you would have got forwards like this.What will you do with them? Will you treat them with disdain and push them into the trash or dutifully forward it to 20 people? I generally give a damn about them.Some idle people those who have nothing to do, draft such mails and spread them.I will treat such mails as mere spams and would delete them instantly. More often than not, such mails will have an image of a god to create a fear factor.Some mails may also have case studies(?) explaining what happened to people those who failed to heed their instructions.

Here is a sample from one of the forwards that I got:

Class 1 Officer of Indian government received this picture and called it 'junk mail', 8 days later his husband died.

T. Ratan received this picture, gave it to his secretary to make copies but they forgot to distribute: she lost her job and he lost his family.

My humble request to people those who forward such mails is please remember that you have better work to do.Internet is a powerful medium. Please don't use it to promote superstitions. I have seen some people forwarding them by adding a sentence, such as "I don't believe in this.....but still". What difference does it make? If you don't believe in the content of the mail, why should you follow the instructions in it? Spare a thought!

Arundathi:My View

2009-04-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

I seriously regret for watching this movie in the first place.Since I am not in a mood to draft a proper review, I simply provide my general insights about this movie.The reason I wanted to see this movie was it is said that this movie is doing well in the box offices in Tamil Nadu.My quest to understand the "why" behind it instigated me to watch the movie.

The plot is Arundathi is a brave princess of an empire.She buries her devil brother-in law, who had acquired super natural powers to take revenge of her, alive.Even after his death, his devil spirit remains in the old palace, where he was being buried alive. Arundathi reincarnates into the same family again as Arundathi after one generation .The evil spirit of the buried brother in-law is still waiting to take revenge of Arundathi.In this battle between the evil and good, how the good destroys the evil power forms rest of the story.

Pluses
Anushka's appearance and her body language

Minuses
A very high dosage of superstition( a general phenomenon in all the mystery thrillers)
Absence of a gripping story( the story is not new)

The conclusion is I couldn't able to find the "why" part that I set out to find.

My Movie Collection

2009-04-10T08:01:00.000-07:00

I have quite an enviable collection of movies(Mostly Hindi and Tamil).However, you will be surprised to know that I haven't watched more than half of the movies that we have. The reason is I watch the same movies over and over again.Hope I clear the backlog gradually.

Pedestrians or Pests?

2009-04-02T02:39:00.000-07:00

This morning due to some delay, I had to come to office by bike instead of bus (my usual means of transport).I prefer bus over bike because I can escape the sun and get some exercise.However, I don't mind coming by bike once in a while.Moreover, I can also put my bike to use by occasionally bringing it to office.Otherwise, it is in the cold storage.

Coming back to this morning. I was riding my bike in barely 25-30 km speed considering the mad traffic in the vekatanarayana road. When I was speeding towards a signal, which had already turned orange, an old couple was super coolly crossing the road as if they were walking the ramp. I had to put my bike to a screeching halt only to see the signal turn red. The traffic police personnel deputed in that signal started to yell at the old couple by saying "Can't they wait for few seconds? If old people behave and act in a hurry like this, what can we say about the younger lots?".Had the old couple waited for a second, I would have reached my office five to ten minutes early.

Imagine this to have happened to someone going on an emergency.Every second counts for the one who is speeding to fetch some medicines or attending an interview.Isn't? I have experienced such incidents of pedestrians crossing the road even after the signal turning green very often. I heard that the traffic department has introduced a sophisticated system to track and fine the motorists, car drivers etc if they don't obey the signal rules. Can't they do something about these pedestrians those who never mind the signal?

Movies Again!

2009-03-31T01:55:00.000-07:00

This post and the previous post is dedicated to movie enthusiasts like me. I am unleashing my strong liking for movies in this post.Hope you enjoy!!

My most favorite genre : Diaspora
I have watched all the popular diaspora movies, such as Monsoon Wedding, Bend It like Beckam and Hyderabad Blues.

My second most favorite genre : Mystery Thrillers
I love movies that keep me on the edge of the seat with suspense and twists.

My least favorite genre : Science Fiction
I don't like science fictions at all. I am not a kind of person who would appreciate machines, technology, discoveries etc (that's the reason why I skip most of the Hollywood movies)

Here goes the list of my favorite movies:

English

Sound Of Music
My Fair Lady
Home Alone
Sixth Sense
Titanic
Omen

Diaspora

Monsoon Wedding
Hyderabad Blues
Bend It Like Beckham

Tamil

Mouna Raagam(my all time favorite)
Anbe Shivam
Vetri Kodi Kattu

Hindi

Chak De! India
Guru
Parineeta
Fashion

All About Movies

2009-03-30T22:55:00.000-07:00

I am a complete movie buff.I should say watching movies is more than my hobby.I like any movie with an acceptable story line.But I hate movies that would make me feel down. If a movie create a depressing hangover, no matter how brilliant the direction, narration or technology, I don't want to watch it.I feel such movies would poison my thoughts.I will not recommend such movies to others as well.

Do you know movies communicate directly with your subconscious mind? When you watch a movie in a big 70mm screen with the accompanying sound effects in a closed environment, you are completely under the spell of the movie. You tend to imbibe the subtle concepts that are blind to your conscious mind, at a subconscious level.In other words, you cannot make a conscious choice of accepting or rejecting an idea that is conveyed in the movie.For instance, if you watch a scene of the antagonist killing innocent people, you tend to relate yourself with the victims.You will feel as if you are one of the victims.This impact is also long lasting.You will be in the same frame of mind for two or three days. If the idea and the portrayal is powerful, it can even last for months or years and more often than not, it becomes permanent.

If this is the case with adults, then imagine the impact of bad movies on children.The children could perceive the bad situations and people that are portrayed on the movies as real.It can make a permanent dent in their attitude, feeling and personality. So encourage your children to watch movies that would promote peace, happiness and well-being.Ensure that you and your family watch movies that only make you feel good.

Yavarum Nalam: In My Point of View

2009-03-29T01:44:00.000-07:00

The mystery-thriller genre has been explored by many directors in many ways. The Tamil cinema industry or rather the Indian cinema has left no stones unturned in this genre. If these statements echo your opinion, then you should definitely watch Yavarum Nalam.

The Plot
Manohar(Madhavan) and his family, which comprises of his wife(Neetu Chandra), mother (Saranya Ponvannan), sister, brother(Sanjaih Bokaria),sister-in-law (Ameetha), nephew and niece move into a new apartment, which is on the thirteenth floor. At this juncture, Manohar senses a string of strange things happening around him(and his family) since they moved to the apartment. The milk gets over-burned everyday, the puja room could never be up, the lift never works for Manohar alone, and again the camera in the mobile phone could never take a perfect picture of him alone. Being oblivious of all these happenings, the women folk at home, who are very enthusiastic and crazy about the mega serials, venture into watching a new mega serial called "Yavarum Nalam".

An already puzzled Manohar happens to watch this serial on a lonely afternoon. To his utter shock, the serial reflects his life and depicts a close-knit family like the one he has. The incidents that unfold in the serial starts to get reflected in his life and home. Initially, the incidents in the serial are happy and the same gets replicated in his life also. When the incidents in the serial are not good, things in Manohar's life also turns towards the worst. Sooner or later, Manohar starts turning to the serial to foresee incidents that could happen in his life. Also, being bewildered by these coincidences, Manohar tries to find the person behind the making of this serial. At this point, more surprises were in store for him. He finds out that Yavarum Nalam is not a mega serial....but, a game show hosted by popular actor Khushboo.Then, how the mega serial is being telecast in his television alone by 13:00 hours everyday and who are the cast? Manohar in league with his friend, who is a police officer discovers the unholy secret behind this mystery. In this process, how Manohar saves his family from an unprecedented danger forms the rest of the story.

The Cast
The cast includes Madhavan, Neetu Chandra, Saranya Ponvannan and others. All the actors have lived upto their roles. They bring the upper middle class family alive. In particular, Madhavan has played his part well.This movie marks the comeback of Madhavan after a while. After a couple of failures in Tamil, he has once again clinched success with this movie.He has proved himself through his exceptional emoting skills.Neetu Chandra, looks apt for this role.Others are pillar of support for moving the story.

The Crew
The director Vikram K.Kumar should be appreciated for his treatment of this story. He should particularly be appreciated for not using the cliches of the horror/mystery thriller genre. You cannot see the elements that you have seen in the other horror movies, such as tapping of the doors and windows in the air, growling of the dog, a young woman clad in white saree walking amidst the snow etc He should also be appreciated for using the mundane and inanimate things such as television, mobile etc as elements of horror.

But he could have avoided few flaws that are obvious even to the eye of a common man. For instance, in a particular scene, Madhavan pulls out "The Hindu"newspaper from the hands of a woman in the hospital and when he flips to the television program guide section, it is printed in Tamil. Similarly, how Madhavan alone could sense the similarity of the serial, "Yavarum Nalam" with that of their lives, that too, by watching only one episode of the soap? How come the women, who watch the serial from the day one with at most interest and addiction are completely oblivious about it? Why Saranya, who always discusses about soaps with her friends, doesn't discuss about the serial "Yavarum Nalam" alone? The director has failed to address these pivotal issues in this movie.Another hitch that I felt is that why the doctor who believes in the "after-life" of living beings doesn't take any precaution to safeguard himself from the "spirits".Why he didn't expect that he is vulnerable to them?

Given the fact that the director has tried his hands for the first time in the mystery thriller genre and this is just his second film and he has dished out something refreshingly new, we can forget the mistakes in this film and expect more from his future projects.

Now coming to the cinematography, P.C Sriram has proved his mettle as a seasoned cinematographer. He has simply created a "magic" with his camera throughout the film. Whats more? His camera is the real hero of the film.In particular, the lighting sets the right mood of the movie. The use of different lighting for different parts of the movie is brilliant.The duet song featuring Madhavan and Neetu Chandra has a bright sunshine kind of lighting, one of its kind that I have ever seen in a horror movie.The flash back part is shot in black and white taking us for a ride down the late 70's. Even the most mundane elements in the movie such as the lift, the photo frame etc produces a horror effect. I feel the cinematography calls for awards similar to that of Oscars. It is simply superb and amazing. And music? It is very ordinary. In particular, the background music, which is like the backbone of horror movies, is not effective.The "Yavarum Nalam" title song alone is good.The editing by Sreekar Prasad is commendable.

The summary
"Yavarum Nalam" is a welcome and refreshing addition to the horror movies in the Tamil cinema.

A GIFT to MYSELF ON MY BIRTHDAY

2009-03-23T00:03:00.000-07:00

I never celebrate my birthdays. My attitude towards my birthday (or birth itself) is “why on the earth I am born?” (I don’t want to sound philosophical here). Moreover, my birthday falls during vacation, so I never had the opportunity to distribute sweets to my friends and classmates when I was in school and college. Of course, on home front, my mom would make payassam (a traditional sweet) and gift me a new dress. Even my friends would give me gifts and cards and demand for treats. This has been my birthday celebration over the years. I would simply wear the new dress, receive gifts, give treats and respond to the wishes. What do you wonder? This is how even you’ll celebrate your birthday. The difference is I have never shown enthusiasm to my birthday celebrations. In reality, that day doesn’t mean much to me. It’s another passing day of the year.

But, of late, I have realized that the happiness should start from within. “I” should celebrate my birthday in the first place. So I have decided to have a gala time with myself on this birthday. I want to gift myself all the things that I like on that day. I want to gift myself all that I have denied (myself) on my birthdays so far’( don’t be impolite by asking how many birthdays so far?). Why is it that no greeting card shop sells a greeting card for wishing oneself? We have greeting cards for wishing everyone on every occasion but not oneself. Sounds funny? If you can find a greeting card to wish your mom’s distant aunt’s granny for congratulating her on making nice ladoos, why not a greeting card to wish oneself ? So if not a greeting card, I am planning to get at least some gifts for myself on that day. Not expensive gifts, just a few simple gifts that can bring an avalanche of happiness to me. They are:

The gratitude book from “The Secret” collection by Rhonda Byrne (yes. this is a bit expensive)
A business notebook with perforated sheets
A nice DVD.

Beyond all these, I have a precious gift for myself. That is a “new me”. Yes. A better version of myself. A “me” with a positive outlook, enthusiasm and better control over my life. A priceless gift for the lifetime indeed!

Slumdog Millionaire - Commodification Of Poverty

2009-03-17T22:54:00.000-07:00

Do you want to know what all are the problems that exist in India? Then, go and watch Slumdog Millionaire(SM). The director has packed the movie with poverty,religious riots, poor sanitation, theft, beggary, mafia and prostitution. As reality bites, the movie does create a depressing hangover. But the substance of the movie is the same like that of our usual bollywood movies.

However,the screenplay is strikingly refreshing. How Jamal got all the answers right is conveyed through a series of incidents from his own life. The author of the book Q&A (from which the movie is adapted), Vikas Swaroop should be appreciated for the gripping screen play. Another novel aspect in this film is the Hindi dialogues are not shown as sub-titles. Instead, the translation of the dialogues are shown near the characters that deliver the dialogues. However, for no reason all the characters start speaking English, abrubtly( from their adolescent period). I understand that the director,Donny Boyle could have included the Hindi dialogues in the beginning to retain the nativity. But it would have made a big difference had the movie been made in Hindi completely.May be the director want the English-speaking audience to be much receptive to his film.In my opinion, if the substance of the movie is good, the audience will give a damn about the language in which it was shot.Had the director used Hindi completely, the movie could have been much more authentic and credible.

In the same way, some of the scenes in the film appeared to be too dramatic.For instance, in a particular scene, Jamal looks for Salim's name in the database, which will lead to the reunion of the brothers. How did he manage to find his brother in the database of a call center? Similarly, the sudden and unexplained change in the attitude of Jamal before the climax.

On the other hand, whatever is said and done against the movie, not a single day passes without a news about it. Armed with many prestigious awards and the much coveted Oscars, SM is undoubtedly the most happening movie of this millennium, not only in India but, in the whole world. But if you have still not watched SM and planning to watch it with your expectations soaring high , then it might certainly fall short of your expectations. Against the popular beliefs, the director has not bombarded or hyped the situation in the slums in India. But has mercilessly exposed the murky side of Dharavi in Mumbai.He has presented the suituation in the slum without refining or rather I would prefer to say, giving a raw feeling to it.We cannot deny that they do not happen. They certainly happen.But, Donny Boyle could be blamed for communicating that Dharavi and India are the one and the same. The westners could deem the condition of Dharavi as the condition in India, which is certainly not.

Beyond the begging bowls and hunger pangs, the movie has a soulful love story.However, again, the love between Jamal (Dev Patel) and Latika (Frieda Pinto) is not anything new that our Bollywood movies have missed.It is again the same love story in the back drop of poverty and crime. The only saving grace is that there is no duet of Latika and Jamal, supressing the flow of the movie, instead the duet(Jai Ho) is placed at the end of the movie along with the moving credits. The music is definitely not the magnum opus creation of Rahman, however, it compliments the film. Can he add pepper to the milk sweets? He has given his best within the scope of the movie.

The director should be appreciated for the perfect casting. In particular, the youngest Latika, (Rubina Ali) and the youngest Salim (Azharuddin Mohammad Ismail) perfectively fit their roles.
It is very surprising to know that both Rubina and Ismail are actually from the slums. They have handled their roles with a touch of professionalism. Even other actors such as Dev Patel, Frieda Pinto, and Anil Kapoor have done a good job. Similarly, the cinematography is excellent. The cinematographer, Anthony Dod Mantle brings the filthy atmosphere of the slums alive.

With this, I complete my review of the much coveted and Oscar-award winning movie, Slumdog Millionaire. No matter whether I liked the film or not, I am happy to have witnessed an Osacr award winning Indian movie in my lifetime.

One More Award..........

2009-03-16T22:49:00.000-07:00

This day has turned out to be my day.Yes, I have got one more award.Thank you, Freya for making my day.More than your award, you made me to write a post. I really appreciate it. Before i pass on this award, I'll highlight the rules for receiving this award (As mentioned by Freya, ad verbum).

1. Put the logo on your post.
2. Nominate 10 blogs that you feel show great Attitude or Gratitude or both.
3. Make sure you link your nominees to this post.
4. Let them know they received the award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received this award.

And I pass on this award to bloggers who i feel show great attitude or gratitude- Niranjani, Karthik, Karthik Krishna, and lancelot.I pass this award to them because they read many blogs and consequently encourage fellow bloggers. I couldn't think of more blogs because I passed awards to many only recently and only these four seem to have fit the bill.

What to Name It

2009-03-12T01:41:00.000-07:00

On my way to work this morning, a middle aged woman boarded the bus with her two special children. I was delighted to see her calm and poised face. There was not a single sign of weariness in her face. Moreover, she didn't cajole the fellow passengers to spare their seats for her children citing their condition as a reason. She let them travel by standing all the way (they seemed to have the stamina).One among the two was a boy, who occupied a seat by himself when a passenger alighted in his destination. After a few stops, the girl also found a seat on her own and was signaling her mother to stand beside her. What surprised me was the mother was not cocooning or defending her special children. She was only guiding and supporting them. She gave them the freedom to fight against the odds in their lives. The children couldn't have learned the Darwinian concept of "the survival of the fittest" in a better way.

Retail Therapy: Lessons Learned

2009-03-10T23:18:00.000-07:00

I am writing this post to unleash my guilty feeling about being extravagant, at times. So what motivates me to splurge?

Fabrics
Books
DVDs
Cosmetics

If I see any of these stuffs in display during an outing or shopping , I'll simply blow the budget. However, of late, I am wary of what I am splurging on.Otherwise, I'll end up getting a big rod from my mom. I follow a specific strategy to check my spending habits. I ask myself few questions before spending on something, no matter how expensive or inexpensive it is: Will I use this? if yes, how often?is it worth its price?will it bring me happiness? If my answers are not convincing, I'll never kowtow to my wishes.I'll simply resist my temptation.

On the other hand, I am also aware of the fact that all of us are entitled to small treats once in a while. After all, retail therapy is a saving grace for many of us in our fast-paced lives. So what is the conclusion? Here are some key lessons that I learned out of my shopping experience.

Be a smart buyer.Be cautious about picking up stuffs that will not suit your lifestyle. For instance, if you are a party animal, buying a jazzy ball gown makes sense.But why should you pick up a dozen of expensive casual wear if only formal dresses are allowed in your office? Don't you think one or two will suffice?

Don't fall into the sale trap. Sales, discounts ,offers and all are marketing pitch. Every shop announces such offers once in a year to clear its old stocks.Earlier only garment shops announced such annual clearance sales.Of late, all kinds of stores seem to have jumped into the fray. Here I have more things to say. I feel season sales are a strategy for big shop owners to pull the middle class crowd. People fall into the trap because they get access to the stuffs which are otherwise expensive for them. But what we actually do is pick up old or damaged stuff for lesser prices by the standards of the shops. On the other hand, by our standards, that is our usual budget.So what happens? We end up purchasing the poor quality stuffs for our usual budget. Who is the loser here? Spare a thought.........However, we can't blame all the shops. You can get a fair deal during the season sales in many so-called expensive stores.Be alert and grab the chance.

Don't be a copycat. Don't spend on a stuff just because your close pal did. There could be some logic behind his/her purchase.

Don't take your plastic card. If you go for shopping, draw money from the ATM before hand and leave your credit card at home.This will help you to plan your spending and also to stick to your budget .

Blog Awards

2009-03-08T23:26:00.000-07:00

Of late, my interest for blogging is on the wane.However, I was pushing myself to write at least one post a week. At this juncture, this award from Karthik Krishna has truly raised my spirits.KK, thanks a ton for your award and Lancelot, thanks for initiating this award. I am truly honored.Before I write 10 things about myself as per the instruction, I pass on this award to one of my favorite bloggers , Freya.The reason for passing this award to her is her blog lives up to the title of the award.It is cute. So, thank you Freya for making my job easy. When I thought of passing this award, the first name that came to my mind was you.

I also take this opportunity to thank Karthik, who passed two awards to me sometime back.Since this is a special post about blog awards, I would like to pass on those awards (though a bit late) to some of my favorite bloggers. I pass the Butterfly award to Ritu, whose blog is very cool.I added her blog to my favorite list on the very first day I saw her blog. So she is the appropriate person for this award.

Then, I pass this garland blog award to Nita and Aravind for expressing their social responsibility through their posts. Most of their posts create social awareness to the readers.So there can be no better persons for this award.

While passing the awards that were bestowed on me, I would also like to pass a new award to bloggers who were very supportive and encouraging.I would like to pass this significant blogger award to Karthik Krishna, Karthik,Vishal and Niranjani for constantly encouraging me in the blogosphere.Kindly bring to my notice if I have missed any blog(that I know) that deserves any of these awards .I will be more than happy to pay heed to your views.

Ok. As per the instruction given to me, it's time for listing 10 things about me.

I have a good sense of humor.
When I was in school, I was a dunce at Maths.
I like potato very much.I can exchange anything for a cup of aloo sabji(potato side dish).
My favorite colors are black,yellow, and blue.
I hate fancy accessories.
I like watching Tamil and Hindi movies that belong to the 80's.
I am scared of dogs, in particular, stray dogs.
I used to be a very stingy person till my school.Over a period of time,I became an impulsive spender( eppidi irunda naan, ippidi ayitten).
I won't lose temper easily.But if I lose, I will throw tantrums at others.
I am a late sleeper and late raiser.

Added Later: As some of you may wonder what to do with these awards (like I did), I give a quick gyan on the steps that you should follow:

Copy the image of your award and flaunt it in your blog
Link the image to my blog if you wish
Pass it to your favorite bloggers if you wish

Who said Traveling to Office is not a Fun?

2009-03-05T00:56:00.000-08:00

People those who have read my past few posts must be aware of my new office location in Tidel Park. I commute to office by MTC buses. It takes more than one hour to reach Tidel Park from T Nagar. And from my house to T Nagar bus terminus, it takes about 15 minutes by auto. It means that if I am lucky enough to find a bus as soon as I reach the T Nagar bus depot and the traffic is not very bad, my average travel time to office is one hour and 15 minutes. But I think I am definitely lucky to find a bus almost everyday because the frequency of M7 that travels between T Nagar and Tidel Park is quite good. But I should be much luckier for the driver to start the bus as soon as I sit in the bus. At times, it irks to sit in a bus waiting for the driver to start it when you know that you have more than one hour to reach your destination.

But I should say that my bus travel is very eventful. I get to see many people− young college students, boisterous school children, quarrelsome vendors, sluggish office goers, reserved IT employees with ear phones plugged to their ears and the list is never ending. Fights and quarrels between the conductor and passengers are very common. The major upside of my bus travel is I get to indulge in my interests. I listen to music, meditate or read my favorite book. Of course, the most feasible option is listening to the music. For the rest, I need 100% concentration. So, of late, I play my favorite music or listen to the FM in my mobile. It simply refreshes me. Then, I get to know the routes and various locations. What’s more? The experience is worth its time and effort.

And eventually if I find an AC bus, I will consider myself luckier on that particular day. The AC Bus, 19 B, stops at very limited stops. So I will reach office within 45-50 minutes. Unlike the ordinary bus, the crowd in the AC bus comprises of only office goers and college students. Who will not like to travel in a bus with a clean and cool ambience? The peppy songs that are played in the FM add more fun to our travel. But the charge in the AC bus is four times more than that of an ordinary bus. Then, while returning, I mostly catch a mofusil bus, which is not very interesting.But the only respite is one of my colleagues company and our unlimited chat sessions and of course, I can reach home early.

Added Later: And a word about the conductors in the ac bus. Unlike ordinary buses, the conductors in the ac bus are civility personified. They are very polite and friendly.The sense of humor of some conductors make a big dent in our tension in the busy morning time.

Wherever You Go, Our Network Follows!

2009-03-03T21:36:00.000-08:00

No this post is not about HUTCH! Sorry, VODAFONE! It is about a friendship!! I can't call it a friendship........ May be an acquaintance.........Ok. Let me put an end to this hype and come to the point. Way back..........a few years ago......My parents had put me in a Matriculation School that is located in West Mambalam. I joined in the fourth grade after spending five years in a CBSE school. In my new school only one girl was quite close to me. Her name is Lakshmi. One particular incident about her that is still fresh in my mind is that she used to bring mostly Maggi for lunch. And she wouldn't take anyone's food. And even I wouldn't take outside food except for her Maggi. She was plump, fair and had a long hair. I just spent two years in that school because it was very far from my home and commuting was posing some problems. Consequently, I went onto do my rest of the schooling in a state board school. I joined in the sixth grade in that school. When I was in the seventh grade, one day I saw Lakshmi in my school. Yes. She has also joined the same school but was in a different section.

Days rolled on. Both of us were busy with our studies. There was a chasm between us. Given the fact that I used to be an extremely shy and introverted person, I didn't make any attempt to make our budding friendship to bloom. I completed the tenth grade and continued my eleventh grade in the same school. This time Lakshmi was my classmate once again. She was also the class in-charge. But we had chosen different optional subjects, which meant that there were a fewer chances for us to mingle. Then, I went onto do my under graduation in a popular college in the city. I used to commute to college with one of my friends. One day I was waiting to leave with her in the college corridor. Guess Who I saw then?? Lakshmi........ She had joined in a different branch in the same college during the same timing (day college) as mine. I did my post graduation in the same college, she also followed.

It has been few years since I finished my college. My contact with Lakshmi was almost snapped except for the initial formal scraps in the Orkut (Lakshmi found me in Orkut and added me as a friend some time back). Once again days rolled on. Now my office location has been shifted to Tidel Park. This morning, when I was about to keep my foot ahead in the escalator for going down, guess who was coming up in the other side? This time no prizes for guessing. It is none other than Lakshmi. I was surprisingly waving my hands towards her. But more surprises were in store for me. “Which company you work for?” she inquired. I proudly mentioned the name of the concern that I work for. A friend beside her was giggling………….what else? She also works for the same concern that I work for but in a different subdivision. The story continues…

After a Break

2009-03-02T22:29:00.000-08:00

In one of my previous posts, I mentioned that my interest for blogging is on the wane. I also promised myself that I should rekindle my interest and continue with blogging. But I could'nt honor my words. Here I am back after a brief break. So what keeps/kept me busy these days?

1.Travel to Office
My office location has been shifted to Tidel Park.So travelling eats most of my time. It eats more than three hours of my time on an average day.

2.Reading
I am currently reading "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne.The book is very interesting and exciting. I will later post my views on the same.

3.Outing
I am hardly at home during weekends. I either visit my friends or go for shopping or movie.

4.Television
I have added one more program to my viweing list: Enge Brahmanan by Cho in Jaya TV during all week days.

So here I am done with a post. Hope to keep up the spirit.

My Valetine's Day

2009-02-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

My valentine's day kicked off with SMS exchanges with my close pal. We both decided to celebrate our singledom together.We chose Spencer Plaza as our destination. We decided to meet by 11am. But an impromptu work delayed my schedule by 45 minutes .By the time i reached spencer, my friend was standing outside Westside with BP soaring sky high. But my presence should have brought an instant smile in her lips. She was waving her hand towards me with a big smile.And I forgot to mention about my looks.I was looking like a "damsel in distress". I was wearing an old faded pant, which don't fit me anymore and an adam's day's old top. And not to mention that unkempt hair and tanned face due to the ride in the hot sun. I am sure I would have been the only soul in this earth to have gone so "casually" on that so-called big day. Then, as usual, we visited every nook and corner in Spencers making quite a big dent in our bank balance.

Sweet Nothings

2009-01-30T05:46:00.000-08:00

Here I am staying back at office to finish some work. But the work can start only by 7.30 Pm(IST) as a person from the U.S needs to give us access to an application.Till then, I have nothing to do. In fact, I had nothing to do since morning.This long waiting time irks me a lot.It is going to be this way for some days and we have to bear with it. But blogging proves to be a pleasant interlude. Thank goodness , there is some phenomenon to keep me occupied.Otherwise idle time will drive me crazy.

But at times, I seem to lose interest in blogging too. Not to blame blogging, it is definitely an exciting activity. However, I am that way. Over indulgence in something will make me bored very soon. In the same way, my enthusiasm for blogging seem to be on the wane. However, I have re-kindled the interest to keep myself busy.It is not only in blogging, be it reading or outing, if i over do, I am bound to lose interest in it.But I cannot blame my lack of interest alone for my break in writing for the past few weeks.I was busy at both personal and official fronts. Here I am back with three posts in a row.Hope I continue without breaking again.

A Divine Experience

2009-01-29T22:20:00.000-08:00

It was a lazy afternoon.I was in a very deep sleep. I was sleeping so deeply, that too, in an afternoon after so many months. In next to no time, I started dreaming . I saw a light approaching me and I could hear Jesudas's Harivarasanam in my dream. I have only vague memories of my dream, but it was a divine journey.Was my spiritual experience real or mere figment? No matter what, I enjoyed it.

I first listened to Harivarasanam in a dance program in my school.It was only then that song caught my fancy. It is a favorite divine number for many like me. For the uninitiated, Harvarasanam is a lullaby rendered by Jesudas for Lord Iyyappa. It is played in Iyyappa temples before closing for the day.It is Jesuda's signature song. This song alone pulls a huge crowd for his music programs during the Marghazhi season in Chennai. Of late, we play Harivarasanam at home in our MP3 player in the evenings . Jesuda's divine voice sets a feel-good mood and takes us for a divine ride. It creates a calming effect in our minds. I feel light after listening to it in a packed day. I would recommend Jesudas's Harivarasanam as a must listen to all.

My Favorite Television Programs

2009-01-29T03:47:00.000-08:00

Airtel Super Singer(Vijay TV)-This program is a treat for music lovers.I watch super singer since its inception two years ago.The participants are highly professional and very capable.Moreover,one can learn various intricacies of music by watching this program.The lively anchoring of Chinmayee has made Super Singer, a chart topper.This is the best out of the best music competitions that had ever happened on the television.

One Life to Love(NDTV Good Times)-As it is evident from its title, this show provides insights to make your life more meaningful and enjoyable.It delves deep into various personal as well as professional issues in our lives. Simaran Bhargava's anchoring and the feel-good factor are the major attraction of this show.I personally admire Simran's impeccable and stylish English accent.

Hot Property(NDTV Profit)-This is one of the successful programs in NDTV profit. If you are planning to buy properties , then this show comes handy. It allows you to keep a close watch on the real-estate industry, the market trends and alike. This show also has a question and answer session, where property-related queries can be raised to the experts. If interior designing is what interests you, then look no fuurther. Hot Property provides views of breath taking interiors and sample apartments.

Neeya Naana(Vijay TV)-This is one of the most popular Tamil talk shows. The moderator/anchor, Gopinath has taken the anchoring field by storm with this show. Sometimes, experts are invited to give new insight to the discussions.Since most pressing social issues are discussed in this show, it is a big hit among the Tamil audience.

The Coffee Boy

2008-12-24T02:45:00.000-08:00

I have come across many people who grapple with the vagaries of life.How many twists and turns in their lives? Sathish, the boy who brings coffee in my office is one such not-so-lucky person. His story touched my heart. Sathish had lost his mother at a very young age and was raised by his father.But he did not share a good relationship with his father and was completely detached from the family.His upbringing made him an irresponsible and easy-going person. He used to spend all the money given by his father lavishly and was not questioned by him.He had no one to seek guidance or support except for his maternal grandparents, whom Sathish used to visit once in a blue moon. However, Sathish was a brillaint student.So he went on to study engineering. But as a twist of the fate, his father passed away when he was just in his first year of graduation. Sathish had to discontinue his studies and had to join the pantry in my office as a coffee boy.An ambitious engineering student is in charge of supplying coffee in my office today.But what surprises me is the hope that Sathish has got. I was gobsmacked when he shared his story with a smile tugged to his lips. He has plans to finish at least a bachelor degree and get a secured job. I pray from the bottom of my heart for his dreams to come true.

My New Cordless Headphone

2008-12-19T00:33:00.000-08:00

I bought a new Cordless Headphone with Mike from Sify Mall. I was thrilled to walk in the park with my ears plugged to the cordless head phones. My walking sessions have become much more interesting and productive with my new headphones. But the downside is all the eyes are fixed on my headphones (lol, I am truly lying).To my surprise, I also walked few meters more yesterday with never waning enthusiasm.Thanks to the FMs! Moreover,it is really refreshing to walk in a lush park listening to ilayaraja's music. If you haven't experienced the fun, head to a nearby park with your headphones on. A simple way to unwind after a packed day.It makes you nonchalant and insouciant at least, for an hour.

Atheism Vs. Theism: In my Point of View

2008-12-12T02:54:00.000-08:00

The following is my views on both atheism and theism, which are purely based on my experience, exposure, and understanding. I have neither gone through the doctrines of atheism nor am I well-versed in theism. So, what I write may not be a gospel truth. I neither press anyone to subscribe to my ideas nor do I subscribe to any ideas on the subject. However, kindly register your thoughts on the post. Both bouquets and brickbats are welcome.

To begin with, I feel I have imbibed both atheistic and theistic ideologies since my childhood. But the strong theistic family background makes me more of a theist than an atheist. But I promise you that I wouldn’t unleash the theistic thoughts in me and will try to be neutral. Moreover, I am not a very strong god believer when compared with other members in my family. Now, I think you will be convinced that I will keep things in perspective. Well! Why I say that I am not a strong god believer? It is because I know that I should not expect from god what I don’t deserve. I am aware of the fact that god is not a magician with a magic wand in his hand, which will dish out whatever you wish for.

Do you know why some of your prayers are answered and some of them are not? Is it because some gods have more power and others do not? Well, Joseph Murphy, the author of the power of subconscious mind has the answer. He believes it is because of the way you pray. He also explains how you should pray in his book. He says “a true prayer should be felt at your heart and should have sunk in your subconscious mind”. So how this idea fits into my topic of concern? Well! Don’t you think that your prayers are answered because of you? Your prayers are answered because you feel them at your heart and they sink into your subconscious mind, which in turn makes things happen. The reason is You not the God. In other words, I would say your subconscious mind is the god. But the places of worship, rituals, and other religious practices set the right environment for communicating with your subconscious mind. They lift your spirits and bring your attention to one place, which is a minimum requirement for registering a thought in your mind.

Moreover, belief in god keeps the worries that are caused by things that are out of your hand at bay. On the other hand, I completely agree with the atheists that belief in god will reduce the belief in you. People (some god believers) fail to make an attempt to solve problems that are very much humanly possible and feasible. As I already mentioned, god is not a magician to grant whatever you wish for. You need to work hard and make an effort to achieve in all your endeavors. Have you ever wondered why we do sacrifices, such as head shaving, walking in bare foot and give offerings in the form of money, gold or others? Our elders have introduced such practices to indicate that one cannot get what he or she wants without any effort from his or her end. We follow such practices meticulously, but we fail to recognize the spirit and idea behind them. So what are you waiting for? Are you treating god like a magician disdainfully? Or goanna understand the principles behind theism and atheism, and act accordingly? The decision is yours!

Fashion-In My Point of View

2008-12-07T09:11:00.000-08:00

Have you ever guessed what happens behind the ramp that the models walk? Well! "Fashion" has the answer!The king of reality fares, Madhur Bhandarkar has come up with yet another reality extravaganza that gives us a glimpse of the fashion world. This movie unveils the hard realities behind the most glamorous,opulent and stylish world: the fashion industry.The cast include Priyanka Chopra,Kangna Ranaut,Arbaaz khan,Mugdha Godse and many others. Meghna Madhur(Priyanka Chopra),a conservative and middle-class girl, travels to Mumbai to try her luck in modeling.She also manages to make her dream a reality after a brief struggle.In between, she encounters love, hatred, challenge and humiliation.She deals everything with her emotions in tact.But after reaching the pinnacle point in her career,her persona undergoes a complete transformation.How that transformation leads to her downfall?And what happens to her journey forms the rest of the story.

The major attraction of the movie is it gives us an insider's perspective of the fashion industry.The director has brilliantly roped in the real life incidents of the insiders into the movie.The stories that we have heard and seen about the fashion industry comes alive in this movie.The dialogs written by Niranjan Iyengar is another tower of strength for this movie.For instance,Priyanka was asked whether her aim is to become a model.She says no and after a pause,she continues "super model".Power packed words indeed!

Now coming to cast.The director deserves accolades for perfect casting.The actors are perfect fit for their roles and they rock. Leading the pack is Kankana.Though she comes for a brief period, she stuns us with her killer performance.She brings a spoiled and arrogant model alive.Then follows Priyanka Chopra.Priyanka has proved herself as an innocent-aspiring model,an arrogant-successful model, and a stable-human being.Her performance is remarkable.The performance of the rest of the stars, such as Arbaaz khan,Mugdha Godse etc is also worth mentioning.Mahesh Limaye's cinematography is brilliant.It captures the jazz and glamor of the fashion world to the fullest.Salim-Sulaiman's music has also come out well.

But one small hitch in the movie is Priyanka's parents were shown(apart from the opening scenes) only after her downfall in the industry.Where did they go when she was clinching success and transforming into a model with "attitude"?After her come back, she makes calls and stays in touch with her parents.But what about during the initial stages? Of course, such quirks are quite ignorable.However, had the director shortened the slightly long-winded script, the movie would have been impeccable.In my opinion, this movie is a "must-watch" and the team can expect many prestigious awards and rewards.

Rain! Rain! Went Away

2008-12-02T06:26:00.000-08:00

Finally, Chennai people heaved a sigh of relief as "Nisha" bade adieu.Some of the roads are free of water but water is still clogging in many parts of the city.It is only this year, water seemed to have entered into many residents.Otherwise,only people who live in lower terrains experience water flooding inside their residents.I also have my share of experience with Nisha.

Last Thursday,I started from my office, which is in T.Nagar by 5 pm.But till 5.45pm , I didn't find any auto for my residence, which is barely within two and half kilometers from my office.Finally, I cajoled an auto man to pick me up for any charge he quotes.He informed me that the Duraisamy subway and Madley subway were already submerged in the water and have been closed.Consequently, I agreed to get down near Pothys and decided to walk till my house.At first, he ventured into the new flyover that is built in T.Nagar.Much to our shock, the traffic had come to a historic standstill.The auto driver lamented that we could reach the destination only after three hours if we proceed in that route further.So, he took a different route and maneuvered the auto into different streets and lanes to reach barely few meters away from the starting point.

In next to no time,he took a wrong one way route and "safely" dropped me near the Duraiswamy subway after giving several reprimands from the uniformed personnel a pass.After the action sequences, here comes the humor part.I had only one 500-rupee note in my purse.So I handed over that 500 rupee note and asked right royally for the balance.

The auto man gave me an irritated look as if he had decided to take me back to the starting point, but said in a seemingly polite tone that he had no change. I rummaged through my handbag very hardly and could manage to find a 50 rupee note.I handed over the 50 rupee note saying "idu dannga irrukku"(I have only this, sir).I didn't bother much for the dirty glance that the auto man gave back but moved out of the auto (with a bad feeling).The poor auto fellow left the place helplessly. Then came the tragedy.I had to literally swim in the water that was flowing into the streets like river(see picture).

Luckily, I had many companions,who had ventured into the same task.But to make the situation worse,the people who were coming from the opposite side were "wishing me a good luck" for passing the manholes and puddles on my way by saying "pathu poma kuli naraya irukku" (be mindful of the man holes).I could see many scooters and cars coming to a halt with strange sounds.Many people were pushing their(broken down) vans and cars in groups to their destination.I carefully kept one foot after another in the water as if I was learning to walk only then.Not to mention, I had to battle out with the cardboards and other particles that were getting caught in my legs.At last,I reached home.Thank god! The ordeal was over.After that,I didn't show up in the rains for the next three to four days.But,today when I came out in the scorching heat,I was wondering whether I am in the same place where I was few days ago.Luckily, a grate deal of water has dried up in Duraiswamy subway.

(Note: these are pictures of Duraiswamy subway after heavy rainfall on Thursday.photo courtesy:e-mail forwards)

Unsung Heroes

2008-11-29T04:24:00.000-08:00

I dedicate this post to all the common people who emerged as individual heroes in the Mumbai Terror attacks.In particualr,I salute the employees and staffs of Taj Mahal and Oberai-Trident hotels, who have given a new definition for playing host.It was very heartening to see these employees to even accompany the evacuees till they reach their cars.In a positive light, this terror attack has shown the world that we Indians are still driven by the belief, "Aditi Devo Bhava" (which means guest is god)!It has proved that Indians are inimitable when it comes to serving and safeguarding the guests.In particualr, my heart was pounding for the GM of Taj Mahal hotel, who lost his wife and two children to the terror attacks and was still on his duty.I am bereft of words to describe the sincerity and loyalty of these men.Kudos to them!I also salute the doctor couple who saved the life of a common man when their own lives were at stake.I feel this world spins in its axis because of the existence of such noble men.These people live in the same land, where the cunning and self-centered politicians live.I wish god's peace for these grate-hearted people and express my gratitude from the bottom of my heart.

Mumbai Terror Attack: Let the Dawn Crack the City Soon!

2008-11-28T03:58:00.000-08:00

The terrorist attacks in Mumbai has caught the attention of the whole world. Several foreigners and guests lives are still at stake, much to the ignominy of the nation.As the terrorist attacks unfold,the death toll also raises.How many more terrorist attacks will make this nation to wake up to terrorism? How many more terrorist attacks would make our passive politicians more responsible?

One of the acclaimed writers Shoba De expressed that robotic speech of our politicians would not help the situation.True words indeed!Similarly,many people condemned the passiveness of the government through SMS to the local channels.One of the sms interestingly stated that we can send all the politicians to home and let the military rule this country.I think such opinions clearly echo the sentiments of the entire nation.It apparently shows that people have lost their faith in politicians.However, the heroic act of the local police men, Army personnel, NSG and Military Commandos came as a saving grace.But unfortunately,we have lost some of the prominent personnel, such as ATS chief Hemant Karkare,IPS officer Ashok Marutirao Kamte,Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan,NSG hawaldar Gajendra Singh and many other senior police officers in our battle against terrorism.I express my gratitude from the bottom of my heart to all those brave hearts who risked their lives for the well being of civilians.May the soul of all those who died rest in peace and may the Mumbai city come to normalcy soon.

Varanam Ayiram - In My Opinion

2008-11-27T01:30:00.000-08:00

A much touted Tamil movie, which is supposed to be the magnum opus creation of Goutham Menon, failed to live up to its expectations by few points. Let us start with the bouquets first and deal with the brickbats later. The movie is a sure treat for Surya’s fans. Goutham Menon should be appreciated for bringing the innate acting skills that were still (wow!) dormant in the actor to the fore. Surya has exceeded well beyond the previous standards set by none other than himself (in movies, such as Pitha Magan, Gajini, Kakka Kakka, and Peralagan for the uninitiated). The actor's hard work and dedication is apparent in almost every frame. Surya has stolen the whole show without any doubt. The next person who deserves accolades is the music director, Harris Jeyaraj for his brilliant composition. His music is a tower of strength to this movie. The visualization and Tamarai’s lyrics make the songs much more special. But much to our disappointment, some of the songs remind us of Harris's old flicks. This movie also marks the introduction of Sameera Reddy in kollywood. Sameera is a divinity in motion. She looks gorgeous and stylish. She also plays her part well.But she looks older than Surya in most of the frames, disappointingly. Anyhow, out of the three heroines, Sameera leads the pack.

Now it's time to deal with the brickbats. Gautham Menon has dedicated this movie (as a tribute) to his father. He also confessed in one of his interviews that he made some changes in the script (which was initially a love story) to emphasize more on the father-son relationship. Here comes the problem. The director has tried to fit two seemingly intense subjects in a three hour movie. He could have focused more on either the love part or the father –son relationship part. For instance, the movie Autograph deals only with the love of the hero in his various phases of life without digressing from the subject. But in this movie, the scope of the subject is not properly defined. Consequently, we cannot bring the story of the movie into a bracket, say “a father-son relationship story”, “a love story”, “the life cycle of a man”. It is all the three. Furthermore, the kidnap scenes were strikingly redundant (guess the director has made it short now).So, the long-winded script forms the major flip side of the movie. Similarly, though the father-son relationship has come out well, it is a rehash of what we saw in movies like, Thavamai Thavamirunthu. Likewise, the ordeal that Surya goes through after Samira’s death, the concept of reminiscence and unfolding different stages in the life of a hero, etc reminds us of Autograph. Similarly, Surya-Sameera’s love was not communicated very effectively to us. It starts as a love at first site, and then the heroine denies hero’s love, travels to US, and accepts his love suddenly and at last she dies. So Surya’s ordeal after Sameera’s death is not justified. In the same way, Simran and Divya Spandana look like props in the movie. In particular, Simran’s make up in the 80’s period is atrocious. I am sure this pretty actress could have looked better had the make up department taken more care. Now coming to Divya. Actually, there is nothing much to talk about her. She doesn't have much scope to act in this film.So, lets hope she gets better roles in the future.

Apart from all these, many more questions can be raised. Where did Divya go when the father Surya was in the death bed? They all stay in the same house. Isn’t it? But she appears only after the flash back. May be the director wanted to keep Surya-Divya’s marriage initially under wraps to maintain the curiosity among the audience. But he could have justified her absence in the first few scenes by giving some reasons.As a parting note, I would say Goutham Menon has shared some of the memories of his father through this film. His diary, though had a few interesting sections, on the whole, failed to provide an interesting read.

Confessions of a Shopaholic

2008-11-13T08:53:00.000-08:00

As a big time shopaholic, I have made purchases both online and offline.The major upside of online shopping is, you can make prudent decisions.You can find up-to-date information about a product in various websites.You can visit the online forums to know the pluses and shortcomings of a product from the other users .You can also learn what others are buying, which product is the chart topper ,what are the alternatives available and alike.There is no hassle of running from pillar to post to meet your custom requirements. But still I personally find online shopping less exciting because I cannot get the look and feel of the product to the fullest. For instance, I am planning to purchase the Nokia 2680 slide model from online vendors.The model is available in four different colors, but still I am not able to decide as to which color looks to its best.Moreover, shopping online doesn't provide a sense of satisfaction. On a serious note, it is said that the online shopping is the major reason for the present inflation in India.But it is a sure time and effort saver.Whatever is said and done, online trading is here to stay.

Greenhorns! Few Words of Wisdom for you

2008-11-12T04:34:00.000-08:00

Today, my project manager had some surprise in store for me.The moment I entered the office, he handed over a big bar of chocolate to me, much to the surprise of myself and some of my colleagues.When I probed him more, he said that it is his reciprocation for the gesture that I had demonstrated the previous day.I was gobsmacked.It took me few minutes to realize that it is a token of appreciation for my miniscule act of being open and confident during the (one-to-one) confirmation meeting. In fact, I was not very sure whether all that I had spoken during the meeting was right or wrong.I had an iota of doubt as to whether I had been less professional. But my project manager's gesture validated my act. Now I understand that we can be open and confident provided we keep our emotions in tact. After becoming a working professional, I never harbor grudges. I learned to be that way from my very first job.

So, Green horns out there! whenever there is a hitch in your job, immediately raise a flag and sort it out. Remember, you are not a mobile dustbin to dump all the grudges within you. It is fine to keep your superiors in loop when you venture out in troubled waters.Moreover, your superiors are much experienced than you. What appears to be an unsolvable problem for you, may be trivial for them.With the virtue of their knowledge and experience, your superiors could demystify the challenges that you face in your job.In fact, they will be more than happy to help you. At the end of the day, your performance is important than your patience.

Office Politics:A Glimpse of My Experience

2008-10-31T02:21:00.000-07:00

Office Politics can at times, take a toll in our lives.In my few years of experience in the corporate world, I have grappled with such politics many a times.In my very first job, when I was fresh out of college, the first task in my hand was to come into terms with a team leader, who was highly innocent and immature. He had this habit of talking loudly about others and taking every small issue to the manager.When he displayed one such behavior towards me, I showed my displeasure promptly. From then onwards, he stopped talking loudly about me unnecessarily.On the other hand, I paid heed to his comments on my work and proved myself.Later, he became one of my best friends in the office. Then, I had a friend, who was extremely possessive about me.She wanted to know everything about others. She used to annoy others by shooting one question after another.Most of my colleagues hated her for acting as a spy in the office.

Then, I had another colleague, who was very kiddish and highly annoying.She used to tell a lots of lies and put the blame on others.Similarly, another senior colleague used to act very high highhandedly and throw tantrums on others. There are also people in every office who would hardly acknowledge your contributions and always highlight your short comings. I also have and had colleagues who are embodiment of negativity, and who will take up every mistake no matter what, to your superior. I have also seen colleagues who would burst a small problem and make it a big issue. But, at the end of the day, your work should speak for you. Is n't?Moreover, if you have supportive friends,you can tackle the office politics with ease.

Rainy Season: The Other side of Chennai

2008-10-28T08:27:00.000-07:00

In Chennai, the rainy season is generally marked by prolonged power-cuts, water-clogged roads, chaotic traffic, and viral infections.If the rain hits the city, it stumbles and turns topsy-turvy. Of course, power-cuts and traffic have become almost order of the day( even during non-rainy seasons).Then, the state government's decision to extend the present power cut schedule from one and half hours to four hours came as a shock to the Chennaites.The situation may be even more worse in towns and villages of Tamil Nadu because the state government had announced a ten hour scheduled power cuts.It was announced that the new power cut schedule comes into effect from November 1st.Apart from revising the schedule, the state government had also decided to charge 50% more if the power consumption exceeds 600 units.The charge was expected to be 70% more for the commercial complexes. But luckily, the opposition parties interfered and criticized the decision of the state government strongly. Consequently, the government's withdrawal of the revised power cut charge came as a sweet diwali surprise for Tamilians.

Even a year back, we didn't experience frequent power cuts in TN. It is only of late, the power cut has taken a toll in the lives of people of Tamil Nadu.If the State government fail to plan for a permanent fix, the production across various industries is going to dip.Remember, industries can no longer rely on generators because of the soaring diesel costs.Hope our government realize that an alternative plan to the power cut is the need of the hour.

Another nagging problem that Chennaites experience during rainy season is water clogging. It takes one hour to reach a destination during the rainy season that will usually take only twenty minutes. The concerned authorities should spare a thought and do something about the Chennai roads that are in a very bad state.One classic example for the life in Chennai during rainy season could be the last Friday evening.Many of my colleagues had stories of how difficult it was to reach their respective destinations on Friday evening due to the unprecedented rain.In fact, it was rainy heavily only for few hours.But, that was enough to leave the city stumbled.Many office goers reached home only late night.Moreover,the DMK's human chain added fuel to the fire.Many people couldn't find any autos or buses to their homes and others got strangled in the traffic on Friday evening.Another problem that makes the rainy season the worst thing in Chennai is the mosquitoes and the resultant viral infections.If the corporation can take necessary measures to curb these problems that form as the flip side of Chennai, the city is sure to be a paradise in the earth.

The Reincarnation of Karz

2008-10-18T22:32:00.000-07:00

Karz is packed with love, revenge,betrayal, and sentiment. It is the remake of Subhash Ghai's Karz, an old block buster of 80's. The cast include Dino Morio,Urmila Matondkar , Himesh Reshamiya, Shweta Kumar and many others. Ravi Verma (Dino Morio) is a multi millionaire who is madly in love with the beauty, Kamini(Urmila Matondkar) .He marries Kamini and visits his mother and sister. But Kamini kills Ravi Verma (in league with the villain , Sir Juda) trickily in the plane itself and proves it as an accident.Consequently, Ravi's mother approaches Maa Kaali and claims her son back. After 25 years,Monti (Himesh Reshamiya), a singer who is (funnily) called a rock star, musical sensation, genius and many more, realizes his past birth and gains revenge against Kamini, who enjoys the undisputed wealth of the Verma empire as the princess of the palace.Then, he reunites with his mother and sister in his present birth.Finally, Kamini crashes in the same place where Ravi Verma's plane crashed.

The only good aspect in this film is Urmilla's roaring presence and exceptional action.But much to our disappointment, she looks old in most of the frames.Dino Morio only makes a special appearance and has done his part well.Though Shweta Kumar needs to work on her make-up and costume, she emotes well. Now coming to Himesh Reshammiya.His chapped lips, drowsy eyes and stubbles make his appearance horrid.Moreover, he tortures the audience with his bland emotions and annoying dance steps .Not to mention, he churns out a song after another, but luckily some of them are of an acceptable quality.But the title "rock star", bestowed on him (of course, in the film) is a definite misnomer.There are many more characters like the villain Sir Juda, who communicates by using his musical touch pad,Monti's selfish foster parents, Kabeer chacha etc those who have done their parts satisfactorily. Similarly, cinematography is a big plus for this movie. In particular, the helicopter crash scene in the beginning was shot exceptionally well.

But the film is a mere bland treat to the audience. It fails to keep the audience under its spell. The major drawback in the film is the absence of nativity. The film is completely shot abroad for no reasons.In my opinion, Karz is a curse on the audience.

Alpha Miracles Continue to Rule Our Lives

2008-10-18T12:21:00.000-07:00

AMP has once again proved its might.If we practice AMP meditation meticulously, there is no looking back. Here is yet another incident that increased my belief in AMP, manifold. For the past few months, me and my family members were desperately searching for a lost cardboard box, which was full of photo albums .All these days, we were only under the impression that the cardboard box must be mixed with the other boxes in the loft.But to our utter shock, we didn't find it in any of the lofts. It had an entire collection of our (mine, my sister's and cousins') childhood photographs, my parent's wedding photo albums, our school, college and other important photo albums. It is needless to say that we were worried as photographs are very sacrosanct and they are records of various moments in our lives. Moreover, we didn't have a copy of even a single album.We rummaged through all the shelves, cupboards and other possible places, but in vain. Consequently,we assumed that we must have lost that box, when we shifted house , two years ago.

Though initially I was worried, I did alpha meditation and wished to spot the lost box and recover it safely. Simply after one or two sessions of alpha meditation, I heard from my uncle that it must have mixed with the goods that we sent to his place in Salem. It struck him only then.He also promised to search for it. Within two days, he located the box and it's on its way to Chennai via courier. Isn't it a wonder? A box , which we were searching for months, had been located within two days. I wish alpha should continue to rule and propel our lives in the same way, in other aspects, as well.

Ten Things that Make Me Happy in a Jiffy

2008-10-17T11:43:00.000-07:00

At times, I feel blue like any other human being.Given the fact that I can be a very sensitive person, in particular, in my personal life (we can't be that way in our professional life), I will turn negative often(of course, sensitivity is a negative trait). During such downbeat moments, a few things can make me happy instantly.

A hilarious or thrilling movie( basically, any movie with an acceptable storyline)
A nice magazine or book
Writing or blogging
Alpha meditation
Shopping, movie or outing with friends or family
Walking in a park listening to music
Seeing family photographs
Eating potatoes
Listening to music
Singing

Who Foots the Bill?

2008-09-27T06:13:00.000-07:00

My cousins have come down from Salem. It's one of those rarest occasions that all my cousins are present this weekend to have a gala time.Ok.I don't want to digress.I am coming to the point.Whenever, we, relatives are on an outing spree, it is always my cousin brother who bears all the costs. As usual, as always, this time also he has taken charge of all the expenses.The reason he says for settling all the accounts on his own is that he doesn't have any other commitments.I am happy that my cousin brother is very affectionate and committed. But some men do not want women to pay the bills for the simple reason that it is not culturally appropriate to let them pay.This really left me with the question of who should foot the bill on an outing?Men or Women?

Traditionally, women were mere home makers, they didn't earn any money , so obviously the men who accompanied the women had to foot the bill.But in a country like ours, allowing women to pay the bills are still seen as inappropriate.As a matter of fact, universally, men are supposed to foot the bill, no matter what the occasion. I seriously don't subscribe to that idea because it promotes male chauvinism.It further suggests that women are mere appendages. Secondly, some women could play their gender card and make the innocent men to bear all the expenses.So, ultimately, who should foot the bill? The answer is simple. The one who suggested for a time out should pay the bill, no matter what the gender. Another possible alternative could be sharing the expenses.

Airtel Super Singer Rocks!!

2008-09-16T04:16:00.000-07:00

I am a die hard fan of the Airtel Super Singer program that is being telecast in Vijay TV. I have been watching it since its inception two years ago. Both myself and my mother would sit entranced in front of the TV while watching it.I should say that I have learned so many nitty-gritties of music after watching the program . As I have watched many episodes of the Super Singer program, I have unconsiously imbibed the "Dos and Don'ts" of singing .When I sing, I do reflect many things that I have observed in the program during my rendition. I also get laurels from my near and dear ones for honing my singing skills. But I know I have a long way to go.

Now, coming back to the Super Singer program.As the participants progress to different levels, the incompetent ones get filtered.This ensures that the participants whom they present to the viewers in the subsequent levels are highly competitive ones. They get good recognition and exposure. The most attractive part is that the participants get hands-on practise lessons from some of the legends in the industry. Moreover,they also get a chance to participate in the musical events organized by Vijay TV in the future. The channel leaves no stones unturned to promote the budding singers. Hats off to Vijai TV!

On the other hand, it can avoid ridiculing the "not-so good" participants by airing their rendition for boosting its TRP . Why should the channel treat some participants with disdain? Is there any rule that each one and everyone who participate should win? Many participants could have given it a shot and turned out to be unsuccessful. What is wrong in it? Will the creative head who is responsible for the program pay heed? Such practises could make a permenant dent in the confidence of budding singers. If Vijay TV can avoid such flaws, I am sure Airtel Super Singer is going to be a master blaster hit forever.

Enterprenuership Dreams

2008-09-16T01:27:00.000-07:00

I have read many articles, interviews and stories on women entrepreneurs those who have made it to the top. Many such women have really inspired me and instilled a desire to start my own business.But I don't want to sail in uncharted waters. I am aware of the fact that I should gain sufficient experience and learn the nitty-gritties of the industry in the first place.Though it is too premature to tell the world that I want to go on my own, it is my dream. It's time for me to develop the qualities that are required for an enterprenuer.

But I have already got some hands-on experience on enterprenuership in my college. When I was in my undergraduation, I was part of the bazaar organized by my college. I hired a stall to sell the multi-level marketing products distributed by my parents.I employed innovative techniques to attract the crowd to my stall(there were more than hundred stalls). I distributed hand-outs listing the products that are avaialble in my stall.I also announced free gifts with every purchase. But as a twist of the fate, few onlookers adviced that I should not display MLM products in stalls.Consequently, I had to hide all the products from the display and show them only when visitors approach my stall.Though my first enterprenuership attempt was a big flop show,I still take it to my stride because I atleast made some attempt to attract visiters to my shop.Moreover, I neither gained nor lost anything. I sold the visitor passes to meet out the shop expenses. So I did not spend a paise form my pocket.But I gained hands-on lessons for my future enterpreneurship venture.

Hope I did not digress by recounting my enterprenuership exposure. Coming back to my enterprenuership desire. If I have to start a business, I should only capitalize on my writing skills.There are already many home-based businessmen those who freelance for writing projects. May be I should follow suit in the future and then build my own business. Lemme see what future has in store for me??

Another Occassion to Thank AMP

2008-09-15T01:14:00.000-07:00

As I told in my previous post, I went to attend my colleague's wedding reception last evening .I also mentioned that I decided to attend it only after some amount of dilly-dallying.So the last minute preparation was about to drive me crazy. I was wondering whether my sari is in a proper shape or not, whether the reception was still on or not because it was quite late.While commuting to that place, I just did alpha meditation for a few minutes. To my surprise, I could feel comfortable.After attending the reception , while returning home only I noticed that my purse was missing. I thought I would have left the purse at home.So I called up home and asked my sister to check whether my purse is found anywhere around. But she said my purse was not there. I closed my eyes and did alpha meditation. Suddenly, I recollected that I had put my purse in the gift cover that I handed over to the bride and bridegroom.Moreover, the bill of the gift is also there in that cover.I rushed back to the reception venue. I felt really embarrassed as to how I am going to ask for the gift cover back.I somehow mustered the confidence and reached the venue. To my surprise, few of my colleague's relatives were moving the gifts into the car.When I was about to approach them, as a sheer coincidence, a girl came with my gift cover near the car. I explained her what happened and she gave back the bill and my purse with a smile in her lips. I should thank AMP for sparing me from the trauma of losing my purse because it had some important items such as my debit card, business cards etc Moreover, it would have been a big embarrassment because the bill of the gift was also present in the cover. Thank you AMP. At the same time while thanking AMP, I also commit myself to not to repeat such careless mistakes. With little planning and concentration, I could have avoided such mistakes isn't it?

Packed Weekends and Lazy Weekdays!

2008-09-14T23:08:00.000-07:00

This weekend, I was committed to every event that came my way .Consequently, my weekend was packed with activities.My uncle and aunt had come down from Salem. So my cousin brother had decided that we should have a gala time and booked tickets for Saroja (a happening Tamil movie) for the Friday night show. We went as a team of nine people.What's more ? We had fun as if there is no tomorrow. On Saturday, after making up for the lost sleep on the previous night, I went for shopping with my aunt and mom. One good point is I didn't blow much of the money but still made few purchases.On Sunday morning, I went with my friend for Saroja again (what to do this was booked a week ahead).We finished our outing with the lunch.It was an early morning show, so I woke up early.I very badly wanted to hit the bed but in vain. After lazing around for sometime, out of the blue ,I realized that I had to make it for a collegue's wedding reception in the evening. I had no energy to commute all the way to the marriage hall.After dilly-dallying for sometime, atlast, I had decided to show up for the wedding reception. When I returned from the reception, I was over worked and flopped in the bed without further wasting time.My weekends have crunched schedules than my weekdays indeed!!

Teachers those who inspired Me!

2008-09-12T03:13:00.000-07:00

Though we have well past the teacher's day,I feel its still time for me to reminisce about teachers those who are a reason for what I am now. I have always been fascinated about my English teachers throughout my tenure in school and college. This is one reason why I like English even today. The first English teacher who instilled an interest for English in me was Bama miss.She is my fourth standard English teacher. I remember her only vaguely.But still her cute pony tail and her decent look and accent fails to leave my memory.Then, my sixth standard English teacher, Rajeswari. She was civility personified.I still remember the poetry that she taught us first "I know a face a lovely face, the face is full of ... and grace".She had a gentle voice which gone well with her slim frame. I really doubt whether any other teacher can be so kind towards her students like her.

The next person who made an impact in me is Jalaja teacher. She was teaching social science for us in the same sixth standard.She used to go that extra mile while teaching. She was very committed to her profession.Moreover, she had an enterprising personality.She used to mingle well with students.She was also the class teacher for us in the seventh standard. The class teachers usually handled only English.We all protested and made another teacher to step down as social science teacher and made her to handle both social science and English.

Once we had a lesson on Walt Disney in English. Jalaja teacher inspired and guided us to create a miniature of Disney land in our classroom. We invited other teachers to see our work.Not to mention,we gained laurels from all. The best part of Jalaja teacher's English sessions are she used to conceive tunes for poems and make us sing poems in her tunes, which was a major hit among students. Even today I remember the poems that she taught for their unique tunes. While handling social science, Jalaja miss had the knack of captivating the students.Her never waning enthusiasm would inspire any student. In the middle of the lessons, she used to shout "take down the additional questions", the students would enthusiastically follow her instructions.She also created a healthy competition among students of different sections.Another classic example of her uniqueness and commitment is she used to take special classes everyday in the evenings for one hour.But the downside of her personality is favoritism.

After Jalaja teacher, I had an English teacher in my eleventh standard. Her name is Sarala. Again she inspired me for her great accent and presentable appearance.Her sessions on Shakespeare, in particular, "All world's a stage" is unforgettable. To my surprise, she continued to be the English teacher for my twelfth standard also.

In college, I had Radha mam in my first year of under graduation.She also handled few subjects in the second and third years. Initially, she was very close with students but later many students didn't like her for whatsoever reasons.But I cannot deny that she made an impact in me for her interactive sessions which turned out to be productive many a times.Next to her, my English lecturer Parvez Dhara Boat(hope I got the spelling right) inspired students through her efficacious sessions.Later, in my post graduation, Vijayanti Krishnaswamy, my journalism lecturer was a source of inspiration .She is a journalist turned lecturer, who had immense interest in teaching journalism.Her lecture notes were more than enough for students to score in the exams.While talking about teachers those who inspired me,I cannot leave Dr.Padmaja. She was the visiting lecturer in the institute in which I was pursuing a technical writing course. Her enthusiasm, in depth knowledge in the subject, and employing innovative techniques in teaching made her to stand apart.

Don't Wait for the lady luck to smile at You!

2008-09-10T01:01:00.000-07:00

"Opportunity knocks only once" is a well known adage. But how many of us wake up to the opportunities that are around us? Many of us wait for an opportunity instead of creating or at least recognizing the opportunities that are around us.The famous personality instructor and author of the book "You can Win", Shiv Khera says "winners make things happen whereas losers wait for things to happen". A person who believes in time and luck only becomes victim of the time. On the other hand, one who believes in himself takes charge of the time. So stop waiting for the time to come! Stop expecting a luck! When an opportunity meets preparation , that is luck.The key word here is PREPARATION. So be prepared and grab the opportunities that are around you.

Moreover, the downside of such superstitious beliefs is that we tend to pass our failures and mistakes as bad time, learn nothing out of them and continue to wait for the lady luck to smile at us. According to Suki Sivam, a famous speaker, fate, destiny or time, no matter how you call it, is nothing , but the manifestation of the thoughts that are registered in your sub conscious mind. He says " you cannot blame the external conditions for the events that happen in your life. You should take responsibility for the situation in which you are". According to Joseph Murphy, the author of the book, The power of your subconscious mind "the law of your mind is the law of belief".So you give life to elements such as fate, destiny or bad time, by your belief. They are all mere figments. You can win them by the virtue of your intelligence. So think intelligibly and conquer the world!

Pizza Hut Invasion!

2008-09-03T23:54:00.000-07:00

Today I went with some of my colleagues to Pizza Hut for lunch. I personally don't prefer Pizzas for lunch. However, I like devouring them in the evenings.But of late, I am avoiding pizzas because I am scared that I would gain some extra pounds. Today luckily I did not come by bike to office, so I can go home by walk and can be spared of the guilty feeling of having no physical exercise combined with eating Pizzas. But one good point about eating Pizaas is we won't feel drowsy. Many a times, after going for lunch outside, I won't feel like getting back to work. This is in particular, true with Punjabi food. The use of ghee in the Punjabi food often create a kind of drowsy feeling.Looking forward for our next lunch outside!!

Friendship at Work-Nuggets of my Experience!

2008-09-02T10:11:00.000-07:00

I earned some of the best friends in my work life. I have few close college pals with whom I spend every alternative weekend till today.However,out of many friends in school and college, I am still close with only few.The reason may be I was not a very outspoken or neighborly kind of person till my college. I was plagued by the fear of rejection and suffering from over dose of poor self-esteem.It was only when I debouched from my school and college life to the corporate world, my personality underwent a sea change.My performance in my very first job and the name that I earned among employees boosted my self-esteem.Consequently, I could come out of the shell and mingle with others easily. As a result, I had(have) many close pals in my previous office.Due to our varying wavelengths, the girls at office were in two different groups.Some of them, who were very homely and traditional formed a group.The rest of us, who were quite forward in our thinking formed another group. I cannot forget the days when we used to chat loudly in the pantry with a cup of tea/coffee in our hands. I really miss those chat sessions ( and of course, that delicious tea from the vending machine) that we had during our break time.

We used to experience power-cuts very often in my previous office. They didn't have a generator for whatsoever reasons. So we cannot work during those black-out days.However, even then, we (girls) were not suppose to go out and expected to remain inside the office premises. This was the general opinion of the management and other employees. But we felt that unsaid rule was really kiddish and oppressive.We started going out like other (men) employees and gave a damn about the dirty glances that was exchanged by the rest of the employees.Had we committed any felony for these men (and some women) to make a hue and cry out of it? We used to visit the nearby shops and would get snacks to kill the rest of the time. We used to go out for lunch once in a while and stay in office after working hours in case of pending assignments ( as if it is a big achievement). Sooner or later, we became trend setters.

We were bold and outspoken.On the other hand, we were also sincere and hardworking.So everyone accepted us for what we were.What I shared with you all is just a tip of an iceberg.We had far more pleasant moments and also fights and disagreements.Not to mention,we were also supportive to each other and extended helping hand during difficult times.A friend in need is a friend indeed!What's more? This is not only a story of friendship but also a description of how a relatively reserved girl turned out to be a chatter box!!So folks out there! If you think that college life is the end of your joyful or gala time with your friends, change your opinion! In fact, I have my best time with my college friends itself only after becoming a working professional!

The Odd Man is finally "IN"

2008-08-31T23:54:00.000-07:00

As I already told you in one of my previous posts, most of my family members are staunch believers of Alpha mind power. Only my cousin brother was negative about AMP. Finally, he also got inspired and attended the session this weekend.I am planning to go for a refresher this month. I feel AMP's levels are very much commensurate with Maslow's needs or motivation theory, which is well received world over. Abraham Maslow says "only if the basic needs of an individual are met, he will seek to satisfy higher levels of needs".Similarly, AMP has several levels, in which Level-1 helps an individual to achieve his basic goals such as material goals. It has got many levels that help an individual to grow in many aspects.Every individual in particular, one who works in a highly stressful environment such as IT, should practice some form of meditation such as AMP.There are few more odd men who are yet to be "IN".

Are You Altruistic?

2008-08-28T01:24:00.000-07:00

I have come across many people in my life those who are naturally altruistic. They don't show off or establish themselves as altruistic people.My mom is of one such kind, who never shows off by giving statements such as " I am interested in social service"or "I am very socially responsible".She carries out her personal duties meticulously and helps people those who approaches her, whole heartedly. On the other hand, I have seen people those who are"actively" involved in social service to gain name, fame, to socialize or to indirectly increase their business contacts.

In my experience, I have seen many people those who are associated with social service associations/clubs simply for time pass(sorry, to hurt people those who are whole heartedly involved in social services). They come for meetings/gatherings to show off their opulent jewelery and attires.Besides, there are also people those who have indirectly improved their business by using the contacts that they established through their social service. When you help someone expecting some return, no matter what, name, fame, business contact or money, you simply help them with a tinge of selfishness.On the other hand, if you help someone purely for their wellbeing, then you are altruistic and selfless.That's how altruism differs from helping.

Besides, there are also another extremes like those who completely ignore their families for their social service.If a socially active individual ignores his family to help another family, who will take care of his family?Doesn't it make sense to carryout all our duties and then help others? But there are also a handful of people those who have got the right balance. Let's reckon them as our models to emulate.After all, at the end of the day, it is your INTENTION not your ACTION that matters more.

My Blogging Sessions Could Be At Stake

2008-08-27T04:20:00.000-07:00

Only few minutes ago, during the Tea time, I heard from one of my senior officials that our projects are still underway.It will take another two weeks for the projects to begin.But once started, we are going to work under crunched deadlines.It means long working hours and no time for blogging. I'll reach home all tired and will become weary of the computer monitor.Not only for blogging, it means no time for watching TV or reading books.However, I will generally run through the newspapers.But, I know there are many men and women out there in the IT/Software industry who work without any momentary respite.I recently read in a newspaper that a software engineer jumped from his office, which is in seventh floor(even my office has a branch in seventh floor, however, I am not a software engineer) due to mounted tension.Why can't these men just relax and enjoy their work?At the same time, we can't blame them, the organizations put a lot of pressure on individuals.The IT organizations have raised their bar in the recent times.However, the employees should spare a thought before they make such fatal decisions.Coming back to my blogging sessions,I still have two weeks for reading and writing blogs.I"ll utilize them to the fullest!

Three Liters of Adam's Ale a Day Keep the Diseases at Bay

2008-08-27T03:05:00.000-07:00

Many of us those who work in an air-conditioned environment often fail to take eight glasses of water a day. No matter whether you feel thirsty or not, sip a little amount of water now and then.Moreover, thirst is only an indication of dehydration. So, don't wait until you are thirsty.A doctor advised me to take 3 liters of water everyday. You will not fail to consume 3 liters of water a day, if you know the benefits that it has in store for you.

Water-The Elixir of Life

It cleanses your internal organs by flushing the toxins in your body
It makes the skin glow, prevents dry skin and wrinkles
It is a natural appetite suppressant .Hence, helps in weight reduction
It promotes digestion and absorbs nutrients that are essential for the body
It reduces the risk of heart diseases
It prevents frequent headaches.

If you don't like the taste of the plain water, spice it up by adding some cumin seeds or tulsi leaves to it. You can also squeeze half a lemon in a bottle of water. Similarly, it is believed that drinking a cup of hot water after a heavy meal would promote digestion.

Twist of the Fate

2008-08-27T02:52:00.000-07:00

As I told in my previous posts, I was busy catching up with my friends on last Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, I went to my friend's place and parked my bike outside her house. Then, we left to Egmore for shopping in an auto.When we returned after 3 to 4 hours, I was shocked to notice that my bike was missing. We inquired a traffic police in the nearby signal.He gave a toll free number and asked me to ensure that my bike is with the police. Then I went to a small lane near Kamarajar Memorial hall with my auto man to collect my bike. I paid Rs 150 as fine and collected my bike and drove back home around 8.00pm.Later, I came to know that the traffic set-up was changed in the lane only few days ago. It was a small lane in Teynampet but is converted into a main road. Hence, parking is prohibited in that lane.Had I parked my bike inside her house, I would have been spared of all this trauma.I cursed myself for my foolishness.But what is the use of having the wisdom after committing a mistake?

Its Time for the Inequality to Reach the Exit Door

2008-08-25T23:26:00.000-07:00

In the present corporate environment, there are a handful of married women those who excel in both work and their personal life.They are full of energy, highly spirited and competitive. While interacting with them, I found that their hubbies shoulder some of the so called "responsibilities of women" at home. The spouses share the domestic chores, child care and all the family responsibilities. They ensure that none of them are overburdened. If this looks like an Utopian situation for you, believe me, such families do exist. A new breed of younger generation follow this model to ensure that they stride forward. Hats off to them!

But there are also many families which still stick to the Adam days' rules . Few years back, when I was pursuing my under graduation in Sociology, we did a small survey on " the Attitude of Men towards Mate Selection".Surprisingly, the result was that the majority of men in the marriageable age group would accept if their would-be wives earn in par or more than them whereas they were not willing to extend any support for women in their domestic chores, in particular, for cooking. But they preferred to marry working women to be spared of their financial burden .Well, this survey was conducted among young men in and around Chennai six years ago. The attitude of men could have changed now. Moreover, the IT boom has made major alteration in the lifestyle of people. In particular, if both husband and wife work in a highly demanding environment such as IT, sharing family and financial burden among husband and wife becomes inevitable. Many men seem to have realized this. What about women? What is there stand in this?

Well, a few days ago, we, some of the old pals flocked together at a friend's home for spending time together. We all exchanged our views on our ideal man. All of us had these points in common. We all wanted a forward thinking (modern in outlook, belief in equality etc) boy. Similarly, his family should also have a modern outlook. He should accept us for what we are
( should not impose changes or restrictions on our way of dressing etc). He should not be too orthodox or belong to the old school of thoughts. The boy should earn a decent compensation or at least should have the potential to come up in life. We do not want someone who has merely inherited some wealth from his father/grand father as a stroke of good fortune .Similarly, we all wanted a boy who has a pleasing personality to an extent. Ok, lets come to the meat of the matter.We believe in division of labor.We do not want to be over loaded. We all thought that we should take time out for catching up with our friends and indulge in our interests even after marriage.But we had different views on the habits or personality of the boy. Some of us expected a boy with clean habits such as non-smoking, non-alcoholic etc But there were also few who do not care about that. Remember, this is not just the views of few close pals but I come across many young people such as my colleagues and other friends with same expectations. Well, the present day working Indian woman want to be treated with equality, to be respected for what they are, and do not want to be overloaded in the guise of empowerment. What do you say?

A Guide to Shopping in Chennai

2008-08-24T23:11:00.000-07:00

City Center

This weekend I was completely on a shopping spree as usual. Shopping has almost become my hobby I guess. Every alternative weekend I pick up some junk stuff, much to the disappointment of my mom. But, remember, I am writing this post only after qualifying myself by shopping in most of the shopping outlets in Chennai. So,let me quickly get into what I set out to do.

Chennai is truly, a shopper's delight. The IT boom and increased purchasing power of people has resulted in the mushrooming of shopping malls and shopping outlets in and around Chennai .It has got countless shopping outlets that offer stuffs in all ranges. If you want to escape from the scorching heat and want to shop in an air conditioned environment, you have shopping malls such as City Center in Radha krishnan road, Spencer plaza in Mount road (Anna salai) , Alsa mall and fountain plaza in Egmore. Remember,shopping in these malls can make a big dent in your bank balance. But you will be spared of the hot sun, crowd and parking woes .Moreover, the quality is assured. What's more? You will get a complete shopping experience.

But if you give a damn about the hot sun and don't mind staying outdoors, you don't have to have deep pockets. Simply head to pantheon road in Egmore or to Parry's corner to pick up cheap fabrics or the famous Burma bazaar near Parry's to get cheap imported goods . In Pantheon road, you can find clothes as cheap as RS 30 per piece. If you pick up 3 or 4 tops, you can bargain for Rs 25 per piece. Similarly, you can also find salwar materials , shirt and pant materials for cheap prices. The best part of this place is that you can bargain even for half of the price that the vendor quotes.

Similarly, you can find good garment shops in Luz corner.There are shops such as Gani, which has good collections that come for best prices. But an entry about shopping in Chennai will not be complete without mentioning about T Nagar and Pondy Bazaar. T Nagar is the hub for shopping in Chennai. You will find a plethora of shops ranging from big to small in T Nagar. You can get anything under the sun here. Pondy Bazaar is closely located to T Nagar. It has got some of the big time showrooms such as Naidu Hall, Globus and Big bazzar.Big bazzar which practically sells everything from fabrics to gizmos, has also got another branch in Vadapalani.

If you are looking for books, CDs or stationery, Landmark in Nungambakkam high road, or Odyssey in Adyar, Higginbothams and BookPoint in Mount road are the places that you need to check out. On the other hand, if you are looking for beautiful conventional items and handicrafts, Central Cottage Industries Emporium in Temple towers, Anna Salai offers the best of the bunch.As a parting note, I would say enjoy yourself by shopping but be wary of the fraudulence.Happy Shopping!

Chennai Celebrates its 369th Birthday Today

2008-08-22T01:18:00.000-07:00

Folks at my office are all set to celebrate the 369th birthday of Chennai.On the eve of that celebration, I got an interesting mail that described the history of namma Chennai( means "our Chennai",Times of India,Chennai edition's lingo). Here it goes:

The founding day of Madras is considered to be August 22, 1639. For, it was on this day in 1639 that a sliver of land where Fort St George is located, was handed over by the local Nayak rulers to the East India Company’s Francis Day, his dubash Beri Thimmappa, and their superior, Andrew Cogan. Out of the fort, grew settlements. Then the villages around it were brought together. And then, the old and new towns linked up. And we had the city……

Chennai day celebrates the birth of this great city.Though I am born in Karur, Trichy district (my mother's place), I have visited Karur hardly once or twice after I was born. so I am a pakka Chennai girl.Chennai is a grate place to live in.My friends those who are from other cities such as Pune, Kolkatta are of opinion that though Chennai is modernized with the virtue of the IT boom, It still holds its traditional values.It comprises of both extremely westernized population and extremely conservative population.My friends also opined that Chennai is the best place for education, which is evident from the performance of the Chennai students in the CBSE exams every year.

Similarly, Chennai has got the best medical facilities. You can see people from other countries and states marching towards Chennai with some ailment everyday.Chennai has also got best means of transport.It has an active railway system, metro buses, private autos, call taxis and share autos (in limited areas). But the proliferation of private vehicles (in particular, car) has paved way to chaotic traffic in the city.Likewise, the cost of living in the city has also skyrocketed in the recent years. The real estate boom and inflation has made buying a piece of land within the city a lifetime dream for the middle class population.Not to mention, scorching heat, pollution,water scarcity during summer and water clogging during winter are the well known characteristics of Chennai. Power shut downs are common during summer and winter.Beyond all these setbacks, namma Chennai is still a paradise in the earth. Isn't it?

Why is This Inequality?

2008-08-21T03:01:00.000-07:00

Being born and brought up in a joint family, I have experienced subtle forms of gender inequality at home. Though the inequality has never been intense(my parents, uncles, aunts and grans shower equal affection on girls as well),I cannot deny its presence.As soon as my sister was born( three years younger to me), there are few people in my family, who behaved as if a death happened at home.The reason was simply that my parents already had a daughter(myself) and god had punished(?) them with a daughter again. My own father,in later years, shared that he was expecting a baby boy and had prayed for one.Though he was initially upset of having a baby girl again, he could sooner accept my sister with élan. He gave us the best education, whatever we name, he would get for us.But he had never been active in bringing us up like my mother. In fact, my father would not even know the section in which me and my sister were in at school. No matter what it is, illness, tuition classes or parent-teacher meet, it was my mother who would initiate despite her work load. But my mother has never reckoned her daughters as a load on her. Even today she would say that we (me and my sis) are her best assets.

On the other hand, some of my relatives and family friends, who have sons used to throw sympathetic glances on my parents for not been blessed (??) with a son as they are . Today, me and my sister are in no way inferior to their sons.We are educated and employed as their sons are.In fact, we provide helping hand for my father on financial front, which many sons do not do.

The question that keeps haunting me as I write this post is I come from an educationally forward family, which lives in a city for generations. If my educated relatives themselves are biased, what about the illiterate people those who live in villages? I feel education has very limited influence on our attitude. Gender equality is an attitude that our people need to develop consciously. It has been drummed into their heads for generations that having a baby boy is an achievement or an asset for the family. But practically, there are sons those who have abandoned their parents and daughters those who take care of their parents even after their marriage. Will our perspective on gender change??

Watch your Wardrobe

2008-08-19T04:51:00.000-07:00

You can give a face lift to your personality by building the right wardrobe .You are judged by what you wear and how you wear it.Your attire speaks volumes about you. No matter what you are, a college student or a working professional or a home maker, you can boost your self-esteem by doing a basic wardrobe make over. Here are the steps that you need to follow:

Don't be a fashion victim. The outfit what Kareena Kapoor flaunts or an over-coat what you saw on a cover girl/boy may not be right for you. Invest on outfits that suit your personality and values. Don't go by the fashion or trend while choosing clothes. Make sure you are comfortable and carry the right image in an outfit.
Organize and maintain. Wash or dry clean them and arrange them according to their type (formals/casuals) or material(cotton/synthetic/silk) or however you are comfortable.You can even simply hang them in hangers and arrange the hangers.In this way, you can save the space and also can easily locate and take an outfit without disturbing the arrangement .Be sure to press them before arranging them in your shelf.If you are planning to fold and arrange your clothes one on the other, you can keep dry leaf bags between your clothes instead of using the naphthalene balls.
Don't stock up. Clear your wardrobe from time to time.If you haven't worn a particular outfit for the past six months(except for the heavily worked outfits that are meant for specific occasions), go ahead and donate it for the poor and needy.The key here is to make you clear the junk pieces that you will no longer wear.It is needless to say that you also need to clear the torn and faded clothes no matter how much they mean to you. Similarly, when you go for shopping, don't grab clothes on the spur of a moment. Analyze your wardrobe and carry a list of items that you need and the budget .
Build a decent number. In your pursuit to make your wardrobe less clumsy, don't hesitate to stock a decent number of clothes.Don't repeat the same outfit at least for three weeks. Similarly, stock up different colors and types of outfits.Of course, this depends upon your lifestyle and personality.
Grab the accessories.Apart from investing in good quality outfits, pay attention to your accessories as well. There is no point in wearing a well pressed and expensive safari suit with an age old torn slippers.This is a big fashion mistake. Make space in your wardrobe for accessories such as belts, shoes, slippers, bags, jewelery and even hand kerchiefs.

Now all said and done, your wardrobe cannot be changed in a single day. It will take time to give a new lease of life to your wardrobe. Each month allot a small budget for building your wardrobe and stick to that budget. You will see your wardrobe changing completely over a period of time.

My experience with Alpha Mind Power

2008-08-10T23:11:00.000-07:00

Ever since I practiced Alpha meditation, I completely recovered from migraine and insomnia. My experience with alpha last evening increased my belief in alpha, multifold. Yesterday evening, I went for a causal walk in the park where I usually walk(see the post: A green haven).While returning from the park, I took a short-cut back home. But I was scared of stray dogs, which are usually present in that street.Moreover, that street is also very lonely . I wished that the street should be free of stray dogs and relatively busy.I wished the same through alpha. To my surprise, there were no stray dogs and the street was also quite busy. Similarly, one day I was rummaging through my shelves for a misplaced book. I searched throughout my house but i couldn't find that book at all. I immediately visualized as if I found that book in the alpha state. Within few seconds, I could trace the book in a shelf right under the table where I was sitting.Now I strongly believe that sooner or later, all that I wished through alpha is going to materialize.(If you wonder what alpha mind power is? please see my previous post: The sub-conscious mind is your open sesame to happiness and also visit http://www.alphamindpower.net)

Fun with Aromatherapy

2008-08-08T01:18:00.000-07:00

Aromatherapy literally translates "treatment using fragrance or scent". Each fragrance has its own unique healing properties. Aromatherapists believe each fragrance creates particular effect in the body and mind, thereby alleviating several pains and worries. I have tried some aromatic products and they have done wonders for me. I once purchased few aromatized hair oils for hair growth and seen wonderful results.Besides, I have also used lavender oil, olive oil and jasmine oil. Lavender oil promotes sleep and creates a calming effect . Olive oil is good for skin and hair. It is ideal for people with dry skin as I have. Jasmine oil has pleasant fragrance.We can dilute and spray them in our cupboards and sofa sets. Aromatherapy uses various other essential and carrier oils. We should not apply essential oils directly to the skin but we can apply carrier oils onto our skin.Besides oils, aromatic products range from candles to dry leaves. But we should use them with proper guidance. Aromatic products can be detrimental for people with some kind of allergies. So, if you are planning to buy aromatized products, be sure to check with a drug specialist.One best practice for using the aromatic skin products is to use them with the guidance of a beautician.

Where can you find aromatic products?
You can find them in all major drug stores. In India, you can look for them in stores such
as Health&Glow.

Who is the biggest player or which is the best brand in India ?
Blossom Kochhar's Aroma magic

How is it priced?
Prizes differ from brand to brand and product to product.

What are the best ways to use aromatized products?
You can make best use of aromatherapy through massage in spas(trained aromatherapists apply oils onto your skin and massage your body in a serene ambiance with lilting music), oxygen bars (a place where you can sniff aromatized oxygen ), personal and domestic care(ranges from soaps, candles to bath salts).

Where can you find more information on aromatherapy and aromatized products? http//www.aromacures.com/

Self Scanning

2008-08-07T04:39:00.000-07:00

As I go through a lean phase at office, I have some time to catch up with blogging. So, I thought I can do a self-scanning of myself.Let me try to list my pluses and minuses through this post(pardon me for writing a personal post that is not worth a read for others, but I thought a person who visit my blog should get some idea about me). Ok, at first, let me list my pluses.

Pluses

I have a good sense of humor
I am approachable and affable (of course, I'll say sorry to people those who try to misuse me)
If I determine and focus on something, I will never give back (of course, determining and focusing happens hardly)
Similarly, if I have to do or prove something, I will do it at any cost.I have that will power.
If I like a work or an activity, I can spend even 24 hours in that(there are instances of people pulling me when I was glued to the monitor at work, I was called as miss. sincere in my first job)
I am very sensitive (I can't pass criticism as mere comments.Instead, I'll really take it up as challenge)
Though I have poor self-esteem, I am quite straight forward and outspoken person (I can't harbor a grudge for a long time instead I"ll vent it out)
I can counteract an opposition without hurting others(courtesy: my sense of humor)
God has blessed me with a good skin ( I never had pimples, touch wood)
I have relatively good linguistic skills and can write well to an extent
I have got such a sweet voice
I believe in equality to all in particular, equality to women.
I will never get angry immediately (except with my sister and father) and will give enough chances to others.
I am very honest and faithful person
I have a willingness to help others to an extent ( but can say a big "no" to people those who try to take a ride on me)

Minuses

I am very indecisive.I can't take quick decisions
I am very lazy and will not do work that doesn't interest me
If I get angry, I will throw tantrums and shout at others(this happens with my dad,uncle and sister)
I am quite unorganized and clumsy
I have quite low self-esteem and at times, stammer while talking with elders or superiors
I am either too positive, enthusiastic and full of life or too negative and lifeless.No stability
If I get bad experience with some situation, I will get demotivated and lose interest in that.(for instance, I lost my camera mobile, I totally lost interest for mobiles)
I can be very playful at times
I am very impatient
I have very thin hair
I am quite short
I am very kiddish. I will expect appreciation and approval from others for every small thing
I can be over sensitive and touchy at times in particular, in my personal life

So this brings me to the end of this list for a while. Of course, this list is open for my friends and well-wishers to add or delete some points from both the sides. In fact, I request people those who know me better to comment on this so that I can work on it.

Whose Fault is It, By The Way?

2008-07-30T23:04:00.000-07:00

The unfortunate soul 1:Kaushigan is barely 5 years old . His mother passed away when he was a ten month old baby and his father, who donned the role of his mother as well, had met with a fatal accident last week. Now Kaushigan is under the care of his old grand parents.The only source of income for this family was Kaushigan's father's salary. Now that he is no more, Kaushigan's life is at stake. The most appalling thing is that he didn't even realize that his father is dead and will never return . The poor boy is said to have still waiting for his father to return (?) from his office .
Note : Kaushigan's father was killed by a corporation lorry driver, who was using a wrong route and partly by the police officers those who failed to be proactive.
The unfortunate soul 2 : A differently-abled chennai girl, who is visually impaired, wrote her Higher Secondary examinations with the help of scribes. One of the scribes, who was appointed by the government, is said to have poor knowledge of accountancy. As a result, the differently-abled girl had to fail in the accountancy exam alone.

These two cases are just the tip of an iceberg. There are countless people in this world those who feel the heat for their fault of none. We can pass them off as their bad time, fate or destiny. But will such statements spare the victims of their trauma? Had our legal system been stringent, the lorry driver who killed Kaushigan's father would have been dismissed and could have been asked to give some compensation for the security of Kaushigan. The scribe who wrote the accountancy exam for the differently-abled girl could also be barred from teaching for his or her life time. Will our legal system fight for such victims in the future? Let us hope for the best!!

A Green Haven

2008-07-17T01:24:00.001-07:00

Of late, I walk in the evenings in a park close by to my house. As it is evident from the title that I have given, the park is a green haven in a true sense. It takes only a few minutes ride from my house to reach the park. The park has a separate play area, which has few swings, slides, merry-go-round and sea-saws for children. It also has many sit-outs .Then, it has a tall wall with a big clock, which is visible from any corner of the park.I usually walk in the aisle which is surrounded by lush green grasses and plants, enjoying the view of the children playing in the play area and lovers cootchie-cooing in the sit-outs . As I walk, the aroma of the herbal plants also accompany me all the way. The occasional flute performance and songs rendered by fellow walkers are a real treat for the ears. After walking for about one kilometer, I sit in a cornered sit-out to cool my body down. The cool breeze blended with the aroma of the plants create a soothing effect in me.I also update myself of the latest fashion by observing the young girls those who come to walk in the park. I also learn new ways of walking(some people do simple exercises as they walk). I learn a lot of new things from people visiting the park. In short, my walking experience will remain as sweet memories forever in my heart.

The Sub-consious Mind is your Open Sesame to Happiness

2008-07-08T00:16:00.000-07:00

Myself and most of my family members are staunch believers of Alpha Mind Power (www.alphamindpower.com) and we practice the meditation that we learned from the AMP workshop regularly. The idea of the mediation is to connect our inner energy with the cosmic energy that is abundantly available around us. No I am not talking greek and latin.I am presenting my view about a form of meditation that I learned form the AMP workshop. The aim of AMP is to make our sub-conscious mind work for us. How is it related to the title of the post? Why not?All that I set out to say is our sub-conscious mind is our password to happiness. We can make things that are beyond our means happen by programming our sub-conscious mind. For instance, if you want to crack a difficult exam where you have only 1% chance to make it, you can make it happen by making your sub-conscious mind to believe it. After all, your sub-conscious mind is the real you and the conscious state of mind is what you have developed out of socialization. How can you program it? There are three ways to program your sub-conscious mind:

Visualize: Visualize the ideal situation.In this instance, you can visualize as if you see the result in the internet and you have cracked it with flying colors. Do this at least thrice a day.
Read: Jot down your goals and read it thrice a day until you achieve them. You can also write it three times if you want.
Listen:Record the(positive) statements that you want to register in your sub-conscious mind in a tape recorder and listen to them thrice a day.(These techniques are a combination of techniques that I've read in various books.However, some of it are also recommended in alpha )

I have heard and read about the power of sub-conscious mind in countless books and audio CDs. AMP meditation is one way to access the sub-conscious mind. There are various programs that steps you through the process of accessing the sub-conscious mind. Choose one among them and make your sub conscious mind work for you.

If you can Dream IT, You can Make IT.

2008-07-07T02:46:00.000-07:00

The very idea of this post is not just to pass a piece of advice that I had received. It is to make people understand what I have realized from my experience. My words spur from my individual experience and not a blind cliche. The first dream that came true for me was my specialization in my post graduation. Being a silent and shy person(of course, then), I eyed Mass Communication, which called for extremely outgoing and extroverted personality.I worked very hard for the entrance, group discussion and alike. But because I was quite introverted, my lecturers were somewhat reluctant to offer me a seat. Keeping my performance in the entrance test and my assurance to change myself in their mind, they offered me a seat at last. I could have just missed the seat had I not determined to get there. I had no choices for post graduation other than Mass Communication. I never thought of other choice if I failed to get there. It was my sheer DETERMINATION that got me there.My second dream that saw the day's light is that of becoming an Instructional Designer.I wanted to change my career from content writing to Instructional Designing. I was offered the post of an ID in almost four companies but each of them had its own downsides(either the company was far away or the job is a contract-based one or very short notice period and so) . At last, I had to settle in a job (because I kept rejecting many and I was eventually between jobs for three months) of a content writer once again. But I accepted that with pride and saw the greener pastures in taking up a job of a content writer.I also determined to stay in that company at least for one year.But I realized that god was merely testing my patience when I received a call from a top e-learning company for the post I was looking for. It was almost three months since I renewed my profile in the job portals(job portals require you to renew your profile often and prospective employers also prefer renewed profiles ) and I had just merely mentioned my interest to work as an ID to one of the HRs working for a HR concern when I was on the lookout for an ID job. She had also informed me that one big player is looking for an experienced person and my profile doesn't match their requirements. After three months, she had called me and told that the big e-learning player is willing to consider me and I should appear for the interview and a entrance test.My joy knew no bounds. It is needless to say that I got the job that I was looking for. Lady luck had smiled at me after several hurdles.I realized that If we have determination, endurance, and perseverance, we can get whatever we want. So if you can dream it, you can make it.If my experience can boost even 1% motivation of at least one reader, I will consider myself worthy. After all "a candle loses nothing by lighting another" (courtesy: www.reach.ind.in). Have inspirational stories worth a read ? Feel free to share.Let me get some dosage of motivation to perform better in my current job.

Attention Parents! Never Overburden Your Children When they are Still Greenhorns!

2008-07-04T02:14:00.000-07:00

Last week one of my uncle's acquaintances, who is just a 29 year old young man, had passed away due to a sudden heart attack.The most appalling fact is that he got a girl child only in the recent past. The guy was employed by a major IT giant and was giving a new lease of life to his economically struggling family, which was once running a successful business. The reason behind his sudden demise is said to be too much burden on him to make the family economically forward once again. Another incident that I have read in a top magazine was also in the same lines. A twelfth standard boy, who scored low marks in some competitive exam had set himself ablaze. The boy's family comprised of him, his younger sister and widowed mother. His mother was earning a meager salary to eek out a living. The family's future was bestowed on the boy. He imbibed the same thought that his family's future lies in the grades that he scores then. He was striped of the childish traits that is unique for a teenager like him. All this had lead to that fatal end. Parents in this IT era are increasingly wishing to live their lives through their children. They expect their children to uplift their family soon after they enter a top most company. They should understand that the younger people those who enter fields such as IT already work in a highly stressful environment.The pressure from the family front would only add up to their worries and make them prone to heart attacks , blood pressure and other stress related diseases.On a concluding note,all that I would like to say for the parents is give your son or daughter the time to grow professionally.Never put the burden of uplifting the family solely on them when they are still in the nascent stage of their career.Let them shoulder your responsibilities initially and later you can put the entire onus of earning for the family on them.Similarly, if you are a parent of school children who are preparing to face competitive exams, never confuse them by correlating their marks with the future of the family(or their future either). Just briefly imply them the importance of studies and being on their own.

Impolite auto drivers in Chennai roads-Is there a panacea?

2008-06-28T08:26:00.000-07:00

The auto drivers in and around Chennai city are increasingly becoming cruel .The auto rides are proving to be totally unsafe for women in the city. In the past few days a whopping three cases have been reported on auto drivers from different parts of the city. The most appalling one being the case of an auto-driver who is reported to have slippered a journalist. On that fateful day, the journalist has traveled along with her colleague in an auto. The women are said to have got into an argument with the auto driver when he drove past their destination. The furious auto driver got off his auto and slippered the journalist several times. He also refused to heed to the plea of the journalist's colleague who accompanied her. All this has happened in a broad daylight but no one came for the rescue of the women. The public remained as mere spectators to their horror. In another case, an auto driver is said to have pushed an elderly woman from the auto after looting her jewels. In another case, an auto driver looted about two lakh from a woman. All these incidents vouch for the fact that arrogant and cruel auto drivers are on the prowl. The Chennai auto drivers are already blamed for charging exorbidant fares from the public. With regard to this issue, the Times Of India had recently published an article that concludes saying that the Chennai auto drivers are very unruly when compared to their other metro counter parts(the article also included vox populi ).In cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore,Delhi and Hyderabad, the auto drivers are much polite and charge reasonably. In most of these cities, auto drivers use meters and collect only the price shown in the meter.Its high time for the authorities to bring some regulation and take severe action against the arrogant auto drivers.

Gift for the Occassion!

2008-06-26T23:10:00.000-07:00

It was my colleague's farewell day. She leaves abroad and expected back to India only after a year or two. So we, some of her close friends decided to send her in a happy note. We thought of giving her something small as a token of our friendship. Three of us visited the cottage industry (run by the government of India) that was in a stone's throw away from our office. The cottage industry had brilliant stuffs. But all three of us had different ideas as to what we should gift our friend. We had the same dilemma when we had to gift another friend on her birthday a week ago. These incidents prompted me to write this post.

Why do we gift someone? Of course, to show our love and affection. Some of my friends are of opinion that we should not only gift for the sake of it but the person should really use it. It should not just be ornamental but should be functional as well. But in my opinion, it should be appropriate to the occasion. During occasions such as farewell, your gift should be memorable. It should carry your memories. In such occasions, you should avoid a functional gift that could become defunct with the passage of time. On the other hand, for occasions such as marriage, you can gift stuffs that the couple can put to use. The burden on the couple to set up a new home is more. So, you can share the burden and give them gadgets that they don't have to buy.Moreover, if you want to add value to your gift, go a mile ahead.

Here are a few hints that you can follow while gifting:

Take effort to know what the person likes. The joy of gifting is in seeing the person enjoying it.
Blindly don't pass on a gift that you received and decided not to keep .Even if you plan for re-gifting,be sure that the person likes the gift.If it is possible, inform the person that you are re-gifting because you know that the gifted would enjoy it more than you would.
Decide on the gift based on your budget, the age of the person to whom you gift and the relationship that you share with the person.
If you are not sure whether the person-to-be-gifted would enjoy your gift, go for a gift voucher.

Dasavatharam-In My Opinion

2008-06-24T23:17:00.001-07:00

Another daring attempt by Kamal Hasaan. The story revolves around Govindarajan (Kamal haasan), a scientist at a US tech lab. Govind and his colleagues develop a chemical substance, which is actually capable of killing a million people to tame terrorism. But the team in-charge device plans to sell the chemical substance for a huge sum. Govind being a good natured man trickily takes the chemical substance into his custody. During his attempts to take hold of the substance, he was chased by one of the agents, Fletcher (kamal) in his company. Accidentally, the chemical substance was routed to India. Therefore Govind travels to India illegally in the goods container of a courier company in search of the chemical substance. As a result, he was labeled as terrorist. Fletcher continues to chase him in India. Whether Govind escaped from Fletcher and managed to save the lives of people from the ill effects of the chemical substance forms the rest of the story. The director has roped in the chaos theory and butterfly effect http://imho.com/grae/chaos/chaos.html in the story. But the opening sequences that ways back to the 12^th century doesn’t provide any basis for the movie. The director didn’t establish any explicit relation between the 12^th century events (idol drowning) and the 20^th century effect (tsunami). As a result, to the common viewer, both the events look like two separate stories. Moreover, the chasing scenes are very tiring and they fail to create a kind of curiosity among the viewers. Furthermore, the ten roles played by kamal, which is supposed to be the major attraction of the movie turns out to be a downside. Most of the roles are forced and do not fit into the story. But Kamal Hasaan has made full justice to all the roles that he has played. The actor has stolen the whole show. Asin who plays a Brahmin girl is present in most of the frames but has a very little part to play. She repeats the same “perumale” dialogue throughout all the frames. Other eminent actors such as Napoleon, Nagesh, KR Vijaya, Rekha and Jaya Pradha hardly show up for one or two scenes. The major upside of the film is the cinematography. The camera angles are very innovative and are of Hollywood standard. Kudos to the cinematographer, Ravi Varman. Similarly, the art direction is also worth a mention. The art director, Prabhakar has brought full life to the movie through his sets. The music director, Himesh Reshamiya deserves accolades too. In particular, the “kallai mattum” number rendered by Hariharan is lilting and brilliant. The placement of the songs and the absence of an obligatory duet song is also another aspect that takes the movie almost nearby to success. But too many characters and lack of a proper flow between scenes witness the flipside of the movie.

Why I Like late 80's and early 90's movies?

2008-06-17T22:52:00.000-07:00

As an IT employee, I lead life in a fast lane.My favorite pass time during weekends is watching movies. I either visit a theater with my friends or watch movies at the comfort of my home. I have realized from my years of movie watching experience that cinema is nothing but the reflection of society.Today's movies reflect the same society that I live in. Yes, a society where people lead life in a hurry just like me.They don't live life to the fullest. Whereas, in late 80's and early 90's, people should have lead a relaxed yet active life. The movies thoroughly capture the essence of the lifestyle of people lived in that period . How movies of late 80's and early 90's are different from present days' movies? There was more attention to the details , the movies were quite far from the reality(it depicted the ideal self), the songs, fight, location and props created a kind of utopia.It gratified the dreams of the audience.In other words, those days audience lived their dreams through the movies.
In contrast, the present day audience would like to see themselves in the movies. They would like to see the real-self, not the ideal self. They dismiss ideas that are far from reality. But the late 80's and 90's movies portray a kind of dream-like world in a detailed manner with a little use of technology.Moreover, those days' movies were much creative than the present days. Even today, I buy DVDs of 80's and 90's movies.Just like those days audience, I gratify my wishful dream to live a peaceful life by watching those movies. It is needless to say that I don't merely fancy the movies of 80's and 90 's but actually adore the peaceful lifestyle of the people lived in that period.

Nostalgia for My Childhood Days

2008-06-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

If I get an opportunity to relive, I will choose my childhood days.Those times are very sacrosanct. My hey days way back to early 90's when I was in school. Though I had sad school days, I had far more gleeful moments at home.I was brought up in a joint family set-up, so finding companions for playing was far easy. My sister, cousins and neighborhood friends were my playmates and the games that we used to play were so different and unique. We used to play with kitchen set, Barbie dolls and Teddie Bears. But what's different is the way we used to dress up.We will wrap one piece of towel around and put another one like a duppatta to emulate our mothers those who wear Saree. We used to stealthily take salt, water, tamarind etc from the kitchen and try our hands in cooking(?) in our dummy kitchen.

Another interesting game that we used to play is hide and seek.It is not like how rest of the world plays. We used play hide and seek in a low temperature room ,which would have been packed with margarine cardboard boxes (my father was into margarine trading then). Even the staffs in my father's office used to participate in our game. It goes like this. We used to turn off the lights in that room and ask one person to catch others. The rest of us would hide ourselves in between the roof-high margarine boxes and keep shifting our places whenever the person was likely to catch us. The person who was caught should catch others. Interesting indeed?
Another game that we used to play was temple game. Though it was a game, we used to perform it with full faith. We used to use a cardboard as our temple and place godly pictures and photo frames in it. We used to buy flowers, fruits , camphor, fragrances and alike and put kolam ( a traditional drawing that is put by using rice flour).We used to chant religious verses that we had known.Intrigued? There is lot more to come!

Though there are numerous games that we used to play, the most exciting ones are the in-door games. The game of life, Scotland Yard, the game of business and trade, cards, snake and ladder are some of the games that engaged us during our holidays. The best part of the indoor game is even adults used to join us. we also used to play shuttle cock, throw ball and alike once in while.Not to mention the trouble that we used to give to one of our neighbors by putting the ball every time in their terrace and making them to open several locked doors to get our ball back.

Also in our summer games, our best companion was our pet sophia. We used to put a tilak( an impression made in the forehead by using saffron powder) in its forehead and dress it up with a pearl-like chain and alike. Our summer pass times do not stop here. They include homework and assignments from the elders at home as well. Myself, my sister and cousins used to be assigned with hand writing assignments every morning. we had to write three sets of hand writing assignments, viz,English, Tamil , and Hindi. Apart form that we should also memorize and tell arithmetical tables orally. Based on our performances, we would be either awarded with a visit to a movie or hotel or punished by having made to sit in the loft. Nice ride down memory lane indeed!

Joining the Fitness bandwagon…………..

2008-06-08T09:01:00.000-07:00

In recent years, fitness has become the buzzword right from the college campus to kitchen. Sadly, fitness is equated with skinny and stick-like look. Having been skin and bones all through my life, I have never fancied size zero (because mine was minus zero). Not much attention been given to the disappointments and anxieties of thin creatures even today. The focus is always on the physiological and psychological problems of over sized blessed (at least here) creatures. There are times when I used to crib for not been able to wear many traditional outfits. There are instances of being mistaken for a kid and having had to sit in someone’s lap if happened to travel in a packed auto rickshaw. All these and many more. It just took two years for things to turn upside down. Yes, after becoming part of the much coveted IT industry, I no longer have “size minus zero” I have bright chances to become a stockily built creature in the near future. In next to no time, fitness, exercise, dieting and calorie counts became my favorite buzzwords too. Just like my IT counterparts, I keep chanting these buzzwords and never follow any. I ride to my office everyday, use lift to reach the next floor, and visit eat-outs in the name of weekend getaways. What next? A warning signal from the body. The doctor has advised to involve myself into some fitness activity apart from staying away from junk food (saved for not being a foodie). Now I get closer to what I set out to write. Yes, I have joined the fitness bandwagon. Though I go easy on my intake, I walk for about half an hour in a park close by to my home five days a week. I take oats meal for my breakfast and never head towards the hot samosas or the heavy lunch at the office pantry. I can see the results in a matter of week. Hope to be in my own shape soon ‍

Ignorance is bliss!

2008-06-05T03:10:00.000-07:00

On my parents' 25th wedding anniversary, I visited Sri Matha trust (an arm of cancer Institute of India in Adyar that provides free food and shelter for poor patients from outstation) with my father to provide something small that I can afford to the ailing patients.During our conversation with Mr.Shankaram, its coordinator, we got a lot of gyan on the trust and its activities. Some of the words of Mr.Shankaram are worth sharing. He said that many residents of the trust are from interior or rural parts of Andhra Pradesh. They do not have much awareness about the disease. They were referred to sri matha trust only by the local NGOs during the medical camps and like. They undergo medication without even knowing the cruelty of the disease.According to them cancer is just like a cold or fever that doesn't have medical facilities in their place. "They enjoy Telugu movies in particular, NTR movies and other TV programs" says Shankaram.This attitude of these patients is their best medicine. They are not plagued by the fear of death unlike the educated lot, who immerse themselves into the information from various sources and consequently turn negative. This is exactly the attitude of a bumper bee. A bumper bee has a small body but heavy wings. Aeronautically,a bumper bee cannot fly but it flies. Guess how? Its simple. You and me know that the physical make of a bumper bee could actually prevent it from flying. But it doesn't! Thats how it flies! These patients also have the same attitude.They are like bumper bees and are ignorant about the disease. I am sure they will fly like a bumper bee one day.

Do weekend getaways burn a hole in your purse? Read This!

2008-06-05T03:09:00.000-07:00

I can't imagine passing even one Saturday at home devouring whatever crap the TV channels dish out. When the weekend approaches, its time for me and my friends to plan for that week's outing. Little we know then that we are goanna spend all our hard earned money in some movie that bore us to death or in a restaurant exchanging a bland treat. Only when it turns Monday that we would realize that we have really blown all the money and that much awaited “Saturday” has actually made a big dent in our bank balance. We almost became addicted to weekend getaways that we can't help ourselves indulging in impulsive spending. Of late, I have realized how foolish am I to spend all the money on the spur of a moment. Can’t I really enjoy my weekends without blowing the budget? The sudden wisdom spurred the thought of planning for economical weekends. Here is a list of things that Weekend enthusiasts like me can follow to keep themselves occupied during weekends:

Become a member of a nearby video library and rent few DVDs exclusively for weekend. Purchase economical yet yummy eateries such as popcorn, cotton candies, puffed rice etc Invite your friends to join you and enjoy a different movie watching experience with your friends. If you share the expense, this can prove to be the cheapest and finest way of passing the weekend.
Visit a park that is center to all your friends and have a bash. This is economical and healthy too.
Break your “Not Entering kitchen” policy and try your hands in various dishes. Involve your friends also in mixing, chopping, grinding and blending.
Visit a coffee pub and order for only one glass of coffee (considering the budget) for all of you and have unlimited hours of gossip session.
Visit a temple by using the public transport. (Remember, this can kill most of your time and also can bring lots of laurels from the elders’ side.)
Lastly, choose a peaceful room, switch the AC on and get yourself into the blanket and get tuned to the dream world.

How I evolved to be what I am now?

2008-04-23T10:02:00.000-07:00

As a kid, i have always been spanking and hyper-active. My mother had a very tough time tackling a naughty me, just like all other mothers. But with the turn of events, it was only during my schooling , I became docile and introverted. I developed a kind of low self esteem and estranged myself from the main stream. It is evident even from the video and photo records of my young age that I always look for a hideout to stay out of focus. I will always seek the security of a crowd who share similar low self-esteem traits just like me wherever I go. The breeding ground for my negative thoughts about myself is definitely not my mind. I was neither born with the thought that I am unfit nor I had the maturity to decide my self-worth. It was cultivated only in my school days.

The education system in those days determined the worth of a student only by the grades that he or she gets. I was not an outstanding student. But I had my own innate and unseen talents. I was a sure dunce at Maths and related subjects. But was a good student in English and other creative subjects. On the home front, everything ended up with a comparison. My mother had to maintain a facade of normalcy for inquiries about my studies, school or health. It further added up to my negative feeling. It was only when I reached my eleventh standard that I realized the real-achiever sleeping deep inside me.It was the moment of freedom for my poor mother who had struggled with me since she had put me into that "much coveted school". I passed out twelfth standard with a better percentage and was admitted into the city's one of the best colleges.

It was only in my college that I found a new me. I won prizes in writing competition, internship presentations and much more. It was only at that moment that I decided that my life will be associated with writing. Later, for the first time in my life, I chose a specialization of my choice in my post graduation after a long battle . My first decision paved way to the subsequent independent decisions as regard to career, job and hopefully marriage. Though I don't lead an outstanding and successful life, I have evolved to be a better person than what I was. I humbly pass all the credits to my mom, who against all odds in a joint family set-up, brought me up as what I am now.I am looking forward to find more newer dimensions of myself and become a much better person.

Yehi Hai Right Choice Baby!

2008-04-13T07:31:00.000-07:00

What sets India apart from the rest of the world is the role of the parents and grandparents in nurturing the lives of the children. Joint family system may be a thing of the past, but be it education, career or marriage of a youngster, the elders at home have a big role to play even to this date. The young people are considered immature, inexperienced and indecisive even in this information age in many Indian families. There was a period when the so-called experienced people used to force their judgments on the poor young chaps. But the present generation prefers to be given a free hand in choosing their career and life partner. Thanks to the exposure and maturity of the new breed of younger generation. They do make informed decisions but many times against the will of their parents. It is true that every creature born in this universe should be given its due right to live its own life.

But some go to the extent of completely ignoring the wishes of their parents and their dear ones, and emerge out as selfish and self-centered individuals. The parents and children should participate in the decision making and come out with a win-win situation. This is where the message said in the movie Santhosh Subramaniam fits in. The story is weaved around an affectionate father who acts quite high handed in his penchant to give his son the best life. The ambitious son could neither give in nor able to ignore his father. The story reaches an end with a message to all over-ambitious and affectionate fathers. The father and son make an amicable decision that satisfies all concerns. Let’s adapt this model. Parents and children should join together as a family and come to a conclusion that is made bearing all concerns in mind. In particular, when it comes to decisions concerning marriage and career, opinions of both parents and children should paid heed. Surprisingly, many parents give that leeway to their children. In particular, they leave the choice of choosing a partner to their children. They strike a balance between being strict decision makers and affectionate parents. As writer Saddaf Siddhigh, in her article in the Hindu magazine (dated-16-04-08) observes, present day marriages are semi-arranged. She says parents and children come up with a design where both the parties are satisfied. The key here is that the sentiments and freedom of both the parties should be respected. Let's welcome this trend with a red carpet and pray for all such dominant and selfish practices to reach the exit door.

Om Shanti Om- In my point of view

2008-03-24T08:19:00.001-07:00

If you want to sit back and simply enjoy the magic happening in the screen, Om Shanti Om (hereafter, OSO) is certainly for you. Farah khan has provided the viewers with a staple dosage of entertainment. By the time, your left brain raises questions about the possibility of rebirth and existence of spirits, your right brain suppresses such thoughts and commands you to appreciate the screenplay, dialogues and characterization in the movie. Of course, the music and actors are tower of strength. SRK rocks as usual.He has got ample scope for comedy, romance,sentiment, dance and fight in this movie. Kingkhan has utilized the opportunities to the fullest. In particular, he has handled two opposite characters well. He shows adequate differentiation in his body language as both poor "Om Prakash Makhija" and rich "Om Kapoor". Hats off to SRK!!

The greenhorn Deepika Padukone is sure to be a next big thing in bollywood. She looks gorgeous and full of life. In my opinion, of late, no bollywood actress is of stunning beauty other than Deepika.She plays the role of "Shanti", an actress who has made it big in the filmdom .She acts well too. What's more the future is going to be full of surprises for this young actress.

Disco and Om shanti Om are sure chart toppers in the composition of Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani. The highlight of this movie itself is the Om Shanti Om song, in which Farah surprises the viewers by introducing one star after another dancing for this song. At least, two dozens of stars make their appearance in this song. Thanks to the industry experience of the director! But she could have avoided the superstitious and cinematic treatment of the story. The climax vouches for the heights of superstition.

The cinematography by Manikandan and art direction by Sabu siril adds more strength to the story. In particular, the posh bangalow , which was set to fire with Shanti and Om alive, fails to leave our memory even after the end of the movie. Kudos to Sabu Siril for his excellent work. So if you believe in magic and don't care much for the logic , OSO is your kind of film.

Stand Still in Life !

2008-03-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

Breeze may come and go
pushing the flower down, but
the plant remains still;

Rain may come and go
letting the water touch the earth,but
the sky remains still;

Quake may come and go
damaging the earth, but
the floor remains still;

God may come and go
making the people realize him,but
his power remains still;

Money may come and go
testing the attitude of people,but
its value remains still;

Happiness and sadness may come and go
changing the trend of life,now
you stand still!

(This poetry was penned by me for an intra-mural competition when I was in my second year of under-graduation.Surprisingly, it was also adjudged as the second best poem)

Velli Thirai – In my View

2008-03-17T10:43:00.000-07:00

A remarkable movie that captures a glimpse of the world of cinema. The movie unveils the hard realities of the dream world. Kanniah (Prakash raj) is a bothersome individual, whose sole dream is to see himself play the protagonist in the big screen. His dream is very strong that he will not accept anything less than that of a role of the hero. He almost pesters and annoys everyone around him and knocks the doors of people who have made it big in the celluloid. He badgers saravanan (Prithvi raj), a young assistant director who is waiting for his dreams to see the day’s light and shares his room. On the other hand, Saravanan is in love with Mythili (Gopika) who has already carved a niche for herself as a big heroine in the filmdom. At this juncture, kanniah trickily steals a story penned by Saravanan and registers it has his own story. He approaches producer Balaji (Sarath babu) and director (Pratap Bhothan) and blackmails them to make a movie for him by using the story. Being impressed with the brilliancy and soulfulness in the story, they had no other go than to accept his blackmail and make him the hero of the movie half heartedly. From then on, there is no looking back for the cunning Kanniah. He baptizes himself as Dhilip kanth, appoints MS.Bhaskar as his manager, refuses to give appointment for his friends and so on and so forth. On top of all, he blames poor Saravanan for trying to kill him and files fake charges against him. Mythili, who rescues Saravanan, was abandoned by her greedy and cunning brother ( Sampath Raj). Consequently, she marries Saravanan and starts a whole new life with him. Saravanan, who is now known to the world as the husband of a well established actress, did not like shining in the reflected light of his wife. All his attempts to become a director only drive him to the dead end. He had to accept life with its realities and as reality bites, he joins as a cab driver. Mythili, who can’t tolerate the agony of her husband anymore, decides to part. At this point, opportunity knocks for Saravanan, but with a price tag of having to direct Dhilip kanth, who has now become a big hero with an iconic image. How he tackles egocentric and selfish Dhilip kanth and whether he has been successful in completing the venture that he set out and whether the parted couples rejoined and whether Saravanan proved himself makes the rest of the story.

Another message that this movie has is that the stardom is not a magic and is not as gleeful as it seems to be. The most impressive part of this movie is its dialogues. “Try to ape the technology of Americans in your movies, not their culture”. “Small small words should not mar the love that started with small small eye contacts”. Adds a touch of class to the movie indeed! The movie also has a gamut of big names showing their faces for a scene or two. The list includes Trisha, Sandhya, Swarnamalya, Lakshmi Roy (although assumes the role of a second heroine) playing their real time roles in the movie as well.

The artists fit their roles appropriately and lived in their respective roles. Leading the pack is Prakash Raj. He has not only kept up to his caliber but goes well beyond his previous standards and also emerges successful in it. Prakash Raj definitely steals the show. The young and smart looking Prithvi Raj lives up to his role. He just not resembles a good hearted and ambitious young chap, but lives as one through his role. Gopika is a welcome addition to this movie and has done a good job. Not to mention, well established actors like Sarath Babu, Pratap Bhothan have played their parts well. And the music director, G.V Prakash could have done a shade better. This is definitely not his standard. Let’s expect more from him in his next venture. What’s more? Kudos to the entire team of Velli Thirai for their extraordinary production.

…………….In the lap of Mother Nature

2008-03-12T22:34:00.000-07:00

One Sunny morning!

My heart was filled with misery and gloom

All of a sudden, I heard the sound of a flower bloom,

A fragrance wafted through my little room,

Causing a sense of buoyancy in me.

I was out of the blue, upbeat and sanguine,

with a surge in my confidence to win.

All of a sudden, the world was graceful and serene

I could not fathom as the force seemed to be divine!

All at once, appeared an angel

With sunshine in her smile

And moonlight in her eye.

“O, angel! What’s the raison d'être

Of thy’s impromptu call to the earth” said I

“Dear, folks call me by name,

Some call me an epitome of beauty, some call me happiness,

I don’t show up when you are downbeat or upbeat

But, always live here” said the angel.

“O, angel, who are you?

Where do you live?

In this land or water

Or in the sky?” uttered I.

“Daughter! I am ubiquitous

And I am the land, water and sky,

And I am your Mother Nature

With oodles of love and affection

To cherish the mankind” stated the angel.

Remember ! No Task is Bigger than Thy power

2008-03-07T06:38:00.000-08:00

When i was in Class twelve, my father had put me into a personality development program called MAX Excel. I learned a lot from that program.In particular, the Director of that academy used to say that we should aim for power that are equivalent to our tasks and not for tasks that are equivalent to our power. Promising words indeed? The best way to pray god , no matter what your religion is, is to pray for the power to tackle the tasks at your disposition and not to coax god to make things easy like how we used to cajole a kid into sleep. When I talk about prayer, I remember a story about Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Vivekananda.

Once Vivekananda told Ramakrishna Paramahamsa that he is gonna pray Maa Kali for happiness and material things(I seriously don't remember what it is, anyway that's not our concern here). Paramahamsa laughed and kept quiet. Vivekananda came back to Paramahamsa and told " I went to Maa Kali to pray for material things but what i actually asked was for knowledge and wisdom.This story has the essence of what i set out to say in this post.

But in our daily lives, as human beings we only aim to make tasks simple. For instance, take the case of reservations that our politicians provide for the weaker sections of the society. For a student who belongs to SC/ST category, getting a little more than "just pass "mark is all it takes to get into the much coveted "medicine" or "Engineering". What they should have done is to have provided free coaching classes , expert attention and all the other facilities that their economically forward counterparts have and then made them to compete with the rest. This is where they make them competent and improve their power equivalent to the tasks. By denying the weaker section from competing equally with the rest, they estrange them by indirectly saying " you are not competent enough and only if we relax our standards you can thrive". So next time if your tasks seem to be big, just remember that your power to confront them is also big. Shift your attention to the resources and support that you have to tackle the tasks.

Top five melodies of Illaiyaraja

2008-03-06T22:33:00.000-08:00

Illaiyaraja is reckoned as a king of the melody. Many of his music albums left the world spellbound. His harmonium (keyboard) has made magic onscreen for more than a decade. This divine music genius has captivated many hearts around the world. I am one among his diehard fans. The following is the list of my top five favorite numbers in the genre of melody composed by the music maestro.

Thallattum Poongatru (Gopura vasalille) - This lilting song is rendered by veteran singer S.Janaki. You simply close your eyes and tune your ears to this unique piece, I am sure you will move to another world. The finest use of flute, piano and violin throughout the song vouch for the brilliance of this legend.

Sangathil padatha kavithai (Auto raja) – Not many are aware of this brilliant composition of Illaiyaraja. He himself has rendered the voice for a duet with S.Janaki. The dialogues that form part of this song in Illaiyaraja’s voice add zing to the album. The singers have sung in their base voice in most part of the song. The subtle use of instruments such as piano and violin is the major attraction of this song.

Enthen nenjil ezhulangangal (Guru) – This is a lilting solo by S. Janaki. You hear it once and it will linger in your mind forever. The song calls for a high comfort level with both the base voice and high pitch. The singer has handled the transition form base voice to high pitch and once again to the base, very well. This song embraces the western classical style of music and is full of soul. The music maestro has once again proved his brilliance through this number. Kudos to Illaiyaraja.

Rathiriyil poothirukkum (Thanga magan) – A masterpiece of Illaiyaraja, which is rendered by music king SP. Balasubramaniam and S.Janaki. This song is set to tune in hamsanandi raga and the veena notes are the most enchanting part of the song. The singers are to their best in this song. In particular, SPB, who did not receive any formal carnatic music training, has rendered the song with good “gamakkam”. In the line “kannasaivil oru bhavam”, SPB has treated the word “bhavam” very well. No wonder he is called “padum nila balu” ( balu, the singing moon) by the people of Tamilnadu affectionately. I have another point here. Though the mother tongue of both S.Janaki and SPB are different, their Tamil diction is just like that of a native Tamilian. They have a lesson for the new breed of singers from other languages that “Be a Roman when you are in Rome”.

Ennule ennule (Valli) - This romantic soulful number is from the album Valli. The song begins with the traditional mrindangam beat, which extends for a few seconds. The beat fades out abruptly and the chorus fades in. This unique treatment of Illaiyaraja is simply splendid. This song is rendered by Swarnalatha. If you listen to this number, no matter where you are and what you do, I am sure you will be left speechless.

Though limiting my favorite melodies in the creation of Illaiyaraja to five is an act of trying to fit a whole pumpkin into a small jar, I feel these songs are the epitome of his magnum opus in the melody genre.

Hail the mother nature !

2008-03-06T09:11:00.000-08:00

Sizzling of the tree,

Bustling of honeybee,

Surging of waves,

Pay heed to the voice of Mother Nature!

“Hey folk!

Though shall bid a brief adieu to thy dues

Take heed to my plead!

Gaze at the green and tall hill

Peep into the deep and blue sea

Marvel the shining silver stars”

UTTERS Mother Nature!

Come out of the reverie!

Thou shall vow

Thou shall not sabotage

The green haven in lieu of

Her mercy and nobleness!

A ride down the top notch theaters of chennai

2008-02-25T08:58:00.000-08:00

The IT boom has made weekend getaways popular in Chennai.People are busy either shopping, or watching movie in a cozy theater during the weekends. If you are planning to visit your friend in Chennai on a Saturday, mind you, don't show up unannouncedly to his or her place.Your impromptu visit could actually make him or her miss their weekend outing, which is very sacrosanct.Weekend outing has become popular even among the middle class population in Chennai. The theater complex owners have thoroughly used this trend to their advantage.Most of these complexes are also shopping malls and have food courts, games etc in them.On the other hand, there are people who go for window shopping to these malls but the theaters are still chart toppers.

People have started looking for a class when they visit a theater.The theater owners have also well understood the demands of the movie goers and have introduced heights of sophistication in their theaters. Though there are many renowned theaters in chennai , leading the pack are Satyam ,INOX and Swarnashakti abirammi. Among these INOX and Swarnashakti abirammi are part of shopping malls.Abirrammi only recently joined this bandwagon with its introduction of Swarnashakti abirammi, which provides a matchless class to compete with Sathyam and INOX. The best part of the abirammi complex is the parking arrangement.The parking space is alloted in the fourth floor of the complex. You simply step your car into an elevator,it takes you to the terrace.It work just like the normal elevators that we use, but the difference here is that it takes you along with your car and you can park it in the terrace. Against this, the city center, where the INOX is , has an undergorund car parking set up.A drive to the underground parking lot was like a pleasant journey by itself. Abirrammi mall followed by the City center tops the chart , when it comes to the parking arrangement.But sathyam provides free parking( from monday to saturady 5 pm to 2 am and sunaday 8am to 2 am) within its complex and also it has special parking annexes at the "T" junction of Pattulous road and White's road.

As for as seating arrangement goes, again Swarnashakti abirrammi provides a very comfortable seating to the viewers. With just the press of a button, the seat extends to provide you with ample space for stretching your legs forward and leaning back .You can watch the screen as if you watch lying in a sofa at the comfort of your home. This seating arrangement is available only for poeple who choose to buy 120 rupees tickets, which is also the highest ticket price in INOX and Sathyam.Though Shree in Sathyam complex provides a sofa to ensure comfortable seating, the seating arrangement in Swarnashakti abirammi lives up to its name. But Sathyam provides its online customers with an option to choose their seats . They can have a say over the row of their seats. Sathyam and INOX also maintains a posh look and provides a very high index of cleanliness.But the theater authorities of Swarnashakti abirammi should pay more attention to their standard of cleanliness. Ofcourse,all the three theaters allow you to book your tickets online or over phone. Sathyam also has a unique prepaid card called fuel, which you can use to book tickets and snack online. Swarnashakti abirrammi and sathyam also allow you to order your snack beforehand and get it served right at your seats. Swarnashakti abirammi have waiter-on-call service for food and beverages.

Moreover, people also prefer to complete the movie going with a lunch , snack or a dinner. Abirammi mall and City center have exclusive food courts. Sathyam has also recently introduced its eatery called ecstacy.But the downside is there is a dearth of choice of food that are available over there. As i said earlier, if people are looking to combine shopping and movie going, then INOX , which is located in City center and Swarnashakti abirrammi, which is part of the abirammi mega mall fit their bill. On the other hand, Sathyam provides a unique movie watching experience. The sound effects are of very high quality in Sathyam. Similarly ,Abirammi mall also have other theatres apart from Swarna Shakti abirammi within its complex to serve all classes of people. So you name it and we have it is what seems to be the business mantra of these theaters.Isn's it appropriate to give them a five star status and label them as the five star theatres in chennai.

The story of a businessman

2008-02-12T06:57:00.000-08:00

The train was pulling out of the Trichy junction. Manikandan iyer, a 65 year old man was looking at his emotionally driven co-passengers waving hands to their friends and relatives those who were standing in the platform.Many of them had last minute messages like call me as soon as you reachChennai , take good care of the child, see you next week and so on. The train started moving fast and slowly the station went out of the sight.

Mr.Iyer comfortably leaned towards the window and enjoyed the view of the passing fields and fertile lands. As the train was moving, he had taken a ride down his memory lane. A tenth passed-out, mani iyer started his life as a delivery boy . He was employed in a food colors and essence manufacturing agency for a meagre salary. Hailing from a middle class family, Mani iyer learned to lead a simple life. But with the virtue of hardwork and persistence,he had grown to become a propriator of a food color manufacturing company when he turned just twenty-five.

He was married to Padmavathy, a good natured and simple girl. They also had two sons and one daughter. After several years, they got their daughter, Janani married and had put their elder son,Seetha Raman in a medical college. Their younger son Rajesh was studying in school.Because of the twist of the fate, his wife Padmavathy left this world leaving behind a 20-year old and a ten-year old sons and her forty-year old husband Manikandan. Helpless Manikandan was greif-ridden for several months and his attention was completed diverted from his business, due to the sudden demise of his dear wife and added family burden. Unable to see him juggling too many roles, his widow sister, Alamelu offered him a helping hand in managing the home. Poor Manikandan had to face the vagaries of life and forced to get back to his business.

His troubles did not stop there. His ten-year old son, Rajesh was diagnosed with mental illness and shock due to the sudden loss of his mother. Manikandan was clueless .He had a tough time in both home and business fronts. At this juncture, Alamelu came up with a suggestion. She suggested Manikandan to remarry. Only it will bring all the troubles to an end. Though Alamelu could manage the home, she felt that a bride could only give a new lease of life to her poor brother and his home. so, in a strict tone, she said that she needs assistance in managing home and only a new bride could fill the place of his wife and not her. Manikandan had no other choice and he paid heed to his sister.

In a month's time, Alamelu found 28-year old Pushkala, daughter of a widowed woman, Dhanalakshmi. Pushkala's family was struggling to make the ends meet. Her mother was working as a cook to win the daily bread for her family. Pushkala was the second child to her parents and had a elder sister, two younger brothers and a younger sister.Though her elder sister was married, her husband was also not economically forward to support this family. Alamelu who understood the state of Pushkala's family, offered to support the family on the account of Pushkala marrying her brother. Dhanalakshmi had already heared of Manikandan, a budding businessman, who was known for his hardwork and discipline. So she came to a conclusion that she can bring her family out of poverty only by marrying Pushkala to this middle-aged widow man.Also Pushkala was well past her marriageable age and Dhanalakshmi had no hope of getting her daughter married with her meagre income. Pushkala was too innocent to even understand the sacrifice that she was making for the well-being of both the families.

Pushkala and Manikandan got married. In few years, Manikandan had opened an eponymous chain of stores across three towns.Pushkala and Manikandan had four sons and one daughter for them. As Alamelu promised,Pushkala's family was completely supported by Manikandan. All her siblings were married and after their marriage, Manikandan and Pushpa assumed the role of their parents. Manikandan became a big business magnet and Pushpa and Manikandan lived happily ever after.