tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-187958602024-03-07T22:34:47.595-08:00Chasing the Wind...Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-81053332350681159832009-03-22T07:47:00.000-07:002009-03-22T07:55:17.303-07:00Here again, hoping the second-coming would be better!!!It has been more than a year since I have posted and thought that i would no longer continue. Since then a lot has happened, personally and around in the world too. The colour of the glasses through which I view the world has changed slightly.<br /><br />As I was sitting watching TV, and browsing this Sunday evening; a thought which has cropped up a few times, appeared again and this time I acted upon it. And presto the blog is revived. Hopefully it has a better life this time around.Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-37429708403998988602008-02-24T02:43:00.000-08:002008-02-24T02:58:55.430-08:00Last post from 'this place I have grown to love'I had to spend a little time contemplating what would be an appropriate description of this place but everything seemed cheesy and somehow not fully conveying my thoughts, feelings whatever.<br /><br />I guess this might as well be my last post on this blog.<br /><br />So this is just to make sure that I would be posting something knowing that it would be the last one.<br />I wrote one post last year which on the lines of a farewell note so don't need one this time round.<br /><br />Two years of one's life means that something has to be learnt, some new friends made, more experiences, memories, etc. While I didn't expect any of the things I mentioned above, I wanted to discover what I should be spend my life on (no I don't mean a career). That I guess I have achieved and in the process got something better which the ability to say that I am at peace with who I am. I guess that is a result of a lot things from before and events here but I would like to credit my stay at this 'adjective-defying' place for a major contribution (of course it would also involve the low-life ( :D no seriously you couldn't hope for a better bunch of chilled out hard-working people (:D) ) who infested this place during my stay here) .<br /><br />That I can't ask for anything more is a true measure of the significance of my time spent at this hillock outsiders call "IIM-Indore".Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-15782392391803826372007-11-01T13:44:00.000-07:002007-11-01T14:19:45.051-07:00'Happy Days' and then a little moreI had work to do and I really am not into movies and definitely not into Telugu ones ( actually the fingers of one hand will be enough to count the number i have watched). When I came to know that we were having a screening of a Telugu movie in the auditorium I shouldn't have given it a second thought. But in keeping with the trends I have been exhibiting this term, I went to watch this movie called 'Happy Days' and I tell you the title is definitely not misleading. It was a breeze and nice fun in the way only telugu movies can. I guess each language has its specialty which allows for movies to be made the way they are. The movie as such was almost unadulterated fun with reality being hit for a six and for once I didn't mind. The movie wasn't what one would call a master-piece. However it touched a chord within me because it reminded of the time in engineering college. I think with a few modifications that movie could have been about me and my friends (ok not a few but loads). We had a great time and I do miss college to a certain extent.<br /><br />A short (or rather long depending on what one would call a 2-3 km stroll) walk after that had me pondering about the nature of progress that we make in life. I wondered what if I knew then what I know today? Life would have been different for sure but would it have been better? Anyways what do I know today that really would have made such a big difference? All said and done it the experience of dealing with different types of people and the ensuing difficulties which impart one with the most knowledge. The question which keeps popping in my mind is what if i could turn the clock back? Pointless question I know but it sort of gave me a better picture of what I am today. The choices I made which have cut off some options for me but which has allowed me to become this person with whom I am almost totally comfortable. Should that be traded for something else?Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-16552356075654597282007-10-21T11:48:00.000-07:002007-10-21T23:17:30.631-07:00Term VThere are times when one wishes one could turn the clock back and do things differently. One ponders about the 'what if' s and the 'but' s. I am no stranger to that vocation but things have taken a turn. While one could say that things took a turn when I left Hyderabad to join this place but of all the terms put together this term has seen I can see the difference in myself and I kind of like it. I guess it has to do with the nature of the term (Term V). My biological clock has gone for a toss (and in any normal manner, for example last night I slept at 1am and woke up at 5:30am which is mind-boggling for anyone who knows me for any period of time and what is worse is that today's schedule might be something totally different) The reason being classes at odd times and only one per day which makes it a bit of a pain. However it has allowed for chilling in and has built tremendous momentum towards an inertia which prevents me from stepping out of the room which has resulted in my hair and beard taking their own personality and not being very far from being more infamous than their transporter. Now for the more boring parts.<br /><br />Life this term can be broken down into a few basic activities which warrant different posts.<br />1) Watching and Following Football<br />2) Watching T20 World Cup with the whole block, this was special<br />3) Sitcoms (This definitely warrants a post or more)<br />4)<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scotland_Yard_%28board_game%29"> Scotland Yard</a><br />5) sleeping<br /><br />Thats it. A brilliant time where even people who spent previous terms mugging have turned to sitcoms which is quite an indicator of the time that one has on his hands. Watching movies is routine and can be squeezed into life very easily. It is when people start watching shows left right and center do we know that they way too much time on their hands. And that is not a bad thing :DSajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-72929456731635093622007-10-04T14:48:00.000-07:002007-10-04T15:07:32.574-07:00Something which was supposed to be random but turned into another bore-fest about that bore who goes around telling everyone his name is sajeevIt has been a long long time since I posted. I don't know what direction this post is going to take. There has been so much happening but now laziness and assignments have become an integral parts of my life. So there again is my oft-repeated excuse revealing itself in its 34th avatar.<br /><br />As I sit in front of the screen and wonder what to write about, I have absolutely no idea but one thing is for sure: I am finishing this post in one go. I wonder why anyone would even be interested in reading this stuff and I wonder about the reason why I have this blog. It is definitely not there for the outside world. It is not meant to be an exhibition of my writings nor is it a dairy (definitely not at the rate I update it). So what purpose does this blog serve? Why do I keep posting here?<br /><br />If anyone has the patience to go through all my posts I guess they would find the answer or rather answers. Once in a while I desperately feel the need to write and write anything( yeah it does happen or there is no way the number of posts could have made it into double-digits ) . Sometimes this blog is a forum for friends to know what is happening in life and once in a while discover things about me they didn't know before ( and being the complex person that I am that is bound to happen once in about say a million posts (which is to say never for those of you who still think I am complex person)). One thing is sure almost every post slips into being a bore-fest about this small person with a big ego called Sajeev. There have been times when I wished I could write more often and make this an opinion-blog but I know that is not happening. Coming to think of it I still don't know for sure why this blog exists, at least I am not able to come up with any solid reason other than maybe the fact that I like the sound of my own voice or in this case the way I form a sentence. Which again can be the topic of a post totally by itself. So why did I even ask the question of this blog exists? Maybe because I felt the need to post something and I had to fill the space and voila I got something which sounded decent enough but could then turn into a post about myself. Now that my itch to write something or rather anything has been satisfied I would like to think that my next post would be about something more meaningful.Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-86591111806203789472007-04-13T12:43:00.000-07:002007-07-31T14:12:41.912-07:00A post which would have made sense two months ago, doesn't make any now, so is shortThere are times when things keep reminding us that there is a child inside every one of us. It shows in unexpected ways and different ways on different occasions for different people(GLOBE!!!). Anyways in this case the person I am referring to is none other than yours truly. The occasion being my first trip to Delhi. It was a journey that I decided to look forward (after quite a bit of cribbing about not getting Hyderabad as my summers location). I wouldn't be wrong in saying that it was a case of a boy looking forward to the big city. In my case waiting to be awed and I guess you know what would happen in case the person has already visited a few other big cities. Much as I would like to finish it off in a paragraph and spare you the agony of the whole post, I feel that a little elaboration wouldn't hurt you much and would do me a lot of good (overcoming a bit more of my companion -laziness).<br /><br />The previous paragraph was written more than 3 months back and I have been too lethargic to post anything here.<br /><br />To finish off the theme of that post, I didn't like Gurgaon. Delhi is ok but not a place I would choose to live. There is absolutely nothing which you wouldn't find in any other major city. I would say that I was distinctly underwhelmed.<br /><br />On the other hand I got to visit Mumbai again and absolutely loved the place. The city has a personality. More helpful people, you can go anywhere at anytime, no one interferes, no random fights, great transport system, pretty good weather, I could go on and on and on.<br /><br />But I guess no one cares what I think now and I guess even I am just trying to make this a post.<br />I think I will be posting a proper one sometime soon.Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-40894468139664697502007-04-04T22:06:00.000-07:002007-04-05T00:57:17.135-07:00End of Year I<span style="font-family:arial;">There are more times than I can count of instances when I wish that I was endowed with less laziness. And then are bucket-loads more occasions when I feel that God could have gifted me with more skills. Well, this post is not supposed to be about my skills, but the above is just the prelude to the statement which confirms (for those who haven't observed it already) that this post comes after a long time and that I wish I posted more often. Taking all things into consideration, this term the "I didn't have enough time" excuse would hold some water. I guess that is enough of an apology for those who did miss my writing skills :D (Why do I have the feeling that no one in the audience raised their hand? Ah well, you will come around some day when I manage to write a best-seller! What??? Well, there is no harm in dreaming!)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The intent of my writing this post is commemorate the end of classes for the first year(the exams finish tomorrow). I hate using cliche (now this too has become a cliche) but I need to something to the effect of 'the time has flown and I can't believe that the year is up so soon'. To say that I have enjoyed it would be poor use of the repertoire of words. The word 'enjoy' requires lots of qualification for it to be properly put in context. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">I would like to put the negatives out of the way first and then go on to better things. I guess it is not just me who has been underwhelmed by the institution. There were much higher expectations when we entered the portals of this institutions. To say that we have been more than slightly disillusioned and the quality of our learning has been affected as a result, would not be off the mark. There have been times when I was in disagreement with somethings going on here and there were more than a few who were unhappy with my disagreement. Well, those things are bound to happen in life but it still is jarring to see the cynicism which creeps into people. I could dig a bit more but I am in no mood to continue with this postmortem.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The great thing about staying in a hostel is the bonding which occurs. People whose existence I was unaware of just a few months, come along, make an impression and form bonds which are strong enough to last a life time. I would say that friendship is still very under-rated. I realize that all said and done, it is people who count. There have been times when I was down and I didn't ask for help, but I was glad I got it. I guess it is the very environment of being in a hostel which makes one feel much more strongly for others (at least a lot more than I used to). </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">There were lots of occasions when I have had fun, from water fights, matka-phod in the mud to trips to the city. However, one of the most important groups that I was a part of this year was my study group. That we are notorious is a gross understatement. We kicked, pushed, pulled, fought, screamed, swore ( all over GTalk and in class when we realize that no one has turned up with the assignment) and of course did the brilliant presentations. It was kind of ironic that we could have done a lot more but we still managed to get pretty decent grades for our group work. My only regret is that we could have done a bit more of 'group' work!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Then there is the row in which I was seated for the first year. I had the privilege of being in the same row as some very talented people. There were at least two of us who had a great talent for sleeping, all the row was more than very competent when it came to class participation(CP) and we also had time to indulge in 4-by-4, cows and bulls, and other games. There were more than a few times when I put my neighbour in danger by not waking him up before asking a question, but we were always there to alert each other when our main occupation in class (i.e sleeping for those who couldn't make it out) was going to irk the professor. Then there was the really chill trip that we had for our bench party. It was a great time and I am going to miss the row.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">There were a lot of others whom I had the privilege to talk to on all kinds of topics (well, mainly football). Looking forward to more of that next year.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">This writing would not be complete without a mention of the wonderful people that I call my friends. All of them have their quirks but each one of them is very caring. The sort of people who would go the distance for you. There are times when we try to look back and trace the way in which we made friends and find it difficult to point the time when we became friends, but that doesn't really matter ( though I am sure that there will be at least one point/incident which settles the issue). What does is the fact that one has them in place and that they now how much one values them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">As I leave for summers, I know for sure that I am going to miss this place and what is even more tragic - the people!</span>Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-15807124803866523082007-02-08T08:46:00.000-08:002007-02-08T08:49:02.175-08:00Terror strikes E-block<p class="MsoNormal">0200 hours, <st1:date year="2007" day="29" month="1">29<sup><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span></sup> January, 2007</st1:date></p> <p class="MsoNormal">E-block</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Residents were shaken by the thought that the roof had fallen on their heads when they heard a sound akin to the one hears in their respective nuclear nightmares. After discovering that disaster decided not to visit upon them in a drastic manner, some brave and curious souls (i.e anyone with working ears and central nervous system) decided to find out what happened. After a little shouting, banging of doors and the customary swearing, it emerged that a resident had been subject to the totally nerve-shattering experience of having a powerful cracker burst under his bed while he was engaged in an activity we are inclined not to reveal. The room filled with smoke attracted participants from all over the floor and other floors too. A preliminary investigation into the episode revealed that while the exact sequence of events was not known, the victim had strong suspicions about the identity of the culprits and was pretty enthusiastic to tell them what he thought of them. However the after-effects (visible in the nervous shaking of the hand which was holding a cigarette lit to relieve the tension) prevented him from letting himself go in a manner which would have delighted the spectators. While all of this lead to much speculation, chatter and laughter, the group realized that the neighbour’s door was open. And on the bed were visible the hands of the sleeper pulling the blanket over the head. As the reader might have guessed this lead to even more mirth and laughter as the participants were left marveling at the levels to which sleeping in class can elevate one’s immunity to noise. The participant from D-block was flabbergasted and dumb-founded while others were left wishing that they could sleep so soundly.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">In the morning there was more than a little tale-telling, boasting and unconvincing denying by a prime suspect. While more details are being revealed, I salute the spirit of the culprits and the sleeper. I also want to extend my sympathies to the victim on behalf of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">IIM</span>-I family. (:D) </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Readers beware and watch this space.</p>Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-4600708627672066982006-11-14T02:55:00.000-08:002006-11-14T03:44:31.061-08:00Writing for Accuracy, Brevity, .... !!!A Management course is one filled with subjects which can be full of learning! And then are some which one feels one would have been better off without. I am loath to criticise anything which goes on here(mostly out of the selfish motive of self-preservation). However, certain incidents force one's hand or rather keyboard. I am not going to rest peacefully till this particular post is done. I guess this like the proverbial tale about buses which never come for ages and then turn up all of a sudden in force(by the way i am referring to my posts on the blog). Those studying with me would guess what I am cribbing about just by the title. For those who are more fortunate, I will just give a gist of the situation before I launch into something totally random which I hope would extinguish my ire. Well, the outline without revealing too much details would be: we have a course, the objective of which is to enable us to do what the title of this post indicates.<br /><br />While the objective might not be such a bad thing. However I have a problem with it too because it sort of vindicates the other measures which are followed in the course. How the world would be a better place for managers if all are shorn of style and made to write like 1st standard kids with their essay on the Cow, My Best friend, My father, My country, ...(I guess you get the idea). How anyone can judge a proposal for marriage on the basis of brevity is a matter beyond the comprehension of anyone who is not from the 'School for Uniform Blandness and Tastelessness'. To imagine that I had to write a brief proposal to marriage which is going to be evaluated for its brevity still gives me shudders. Some of the arguments against the established patterns of teaching make more sense(as they have always done).<br />Well here is a sampling of my first two lines:<br />Love is the basis of marriage. We love each other. ....<br /><br />To think that I was made to write such banal stuff. Something totally devoid of any character, style and substance is going to be rated above eloquence. I pity the girl who even has to read such a love letter. I am definitely a crusader against lies but there has to be a limit to concise communication. The way people write is an indicator of the way they think. To limit that particular art even when it comes to everyday communication is to take away something substantial from people. To ask one to communicate clearly is one thing but to dictate the style and impose a particularly revolting type of blandness as the model for ideal official communication is definitely one of the symptoms of a professor who hasn't heard of mass-customization.<br /><br />I can't continue much longer because I am not making much sense but let this just stand as a post in the fight against uniformity! Express yourself and don't be bothered by the word limit!<br /><br /><br />PS: This post is going to be edited(for better or worse) sooner or later.Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-42951496426918764812006-11-13T12:44:00.000-08:002006-11-13T14:05:05.183-08:00A thank you note!!!(even if the first two paras don't read like one)Just over 10 days ago, I crossed another of those milestones. Gentlemen and the odd lady who has the misfortune of having enough time to read my blog(or even more bad luck to know me pretty well and be coerced by me to read the blog), I am no longer 22. People have had numerous ways of dealing with birthdays which can to a certain extent be modeled as a function of age. Kids love it while those who are actually kids when it comes to the maturity of the mind seem to fret that life is going to end sooner than it was going to(the reference point being the previous birthday). While this is not necessarily a fair picture but then having a go at constructed straw-men is always fun and seems to make the argument easier with those who fail to realise the fallacy being committed.<br />Well, the purpose for my starting this particular post is much more pleasant than all this bilge you have had to endure.<br /><br />My birthday happens at such a time that I rarely have been able to celebrate it on the actual day that I was born(for various reasons, of which vacations and examinations will have to fight it out for the position of Mjr.Culprit) . This year, there was additional factor in the mix and that is the fact that there is no blood relative with me at the time of the birthday(I assure you it is a different type of feeling) and then there was the small matter of mid-terms ending on the day. The Mid-terms actually played a crucial role in preventing my butt from having to take a recourse to ice-therapy and I truly thank God for instilling sense in the doctors to take me out from mother's womb at the time that they did and not wait any longer for this procrastinator. I thank God I was not born a week later(one person had the misfortune of having his birthday coincide with IRIS, our festival and something which warrants a post of its own and a lot more).<br />I did have my 'fair share' of kicks and stuff over the head when clock struck 12 but the situation could have been a lot worse.<br /><br />Now fast-forward to the evening of November 3rd and welcome to the reason for the post. I wish I could express it more eloquently than I am doing it now but words sort of fail us(notice the us and not me) when we need them the most. I was able to give a treat at this nice place thanks to assurances from friends(they know who they are and this post is dedicated to them if ever such a thing was possible). The effort they took to make me really enjoy the day is one which will keep me going at times when I am down thinking about sadder things in life like broken promises. They truly made up for my not being at home(I wish I could say more but that alone should mean a lot and it does to me)Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-1156882582764044412006-08-29T12:01:00.000-07:002006-11-13T12:40:06.895-08:00another random wasted postIt is soon going to be 2 months from the time that I have arrived and I can't avoid making a cliched statement which goes on the lines of "I can't believe how the time has flown".<br /><br />this again has become an outdated post becoz the laziness which has become a manifest part of my make-up as the years have gone by. The date today is the 18th september and this post was started on the 30th and i hope to write proper post soonSajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-1154465120557968392006-08-01T12:00:00.000-07:002006-11-13T12:40:06.661-08:00Ignore this post!!!I had come up with a great post with pictures and all, only for technology to spoil it all!!!!!<br /><br />Can't be bothered to do all the work again but lets see what happens, I might still manage to get over my lethargy!Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-1152299179750460232006-07-07T12:02:00.000-07:002006-11-13T12:40:06.340-08:00A journey and settling in!This time last week, I was still in Hyderabad still not sure about how I would be reaching here. There seemed to be not much options left. My dad wasn't at home and he was also going to come. HE arrives on Saturday morning at 9 in the morning. By that time, we had someone say they could arrange for reservation by some Sampark Kranthi Express leaving at 11 AM. So it was a rush to the station.<br /><br />Things didn't work out since it was a Saturday and we had to sit in a cramped position near the toilet in a reserved bogie for the whole duration of journey till Bhopal. In between we had a berth given in Nagpur which was useful since my parents used the concept of time-sharing on it. At Nagpur I was able to meet my friends Prasad and Pravin. Then we enter MP and we have quite a reception in the form of a chain-snatching gang almost snatching mom's chain but ma was too alert for any nonsense of that sort. A minute later we heard screams and I came to know of at least 2 people in the compartment whose chains were snatched and a person's whose purse was stolen. Oh the modus operandi was to pull the train chain in some God-forsaken place and then go along the track and capitalise on any opportunities available. That was quite a welcome and has taken away all desire of traveling by train in MP.<br /><br />We reach Bhopal at 3 in the night(or morning depending on your being a nocturnal creature or not being one). Dad is not well at all. We go to the waiting room and I try to get some medicines but it was in vain. We managed with something in ma's purse and some Limca. At 5:30, we go and engage a cab to Indore. My task being to stay awake in the front seat so that the driver doesn't fall asleep and it was quite a task, since I didn't get to sleep in the train and the previous two days too. We reach Indore at 10 and then life gets real easy. We had lots of family friends taking care of us.<br /><br />I have a great lunch at a real good hotel in Indore called Sayaji. Do go there if you happen to visit Indore. At 4:30 we start off with the rain pouring heavily. Reach my home for the next 2 years at 5:45. Manage to get my room allotted and after some time my parents leave along with batch mates who managed to get a ride to the city. I go to my room and find that the senior in the room next to mine is an acquaintance from Hyderabad, so that makes the transition easier. I meet some people and then go have dinner. A meeting is scheduled at 11:30 and by the time I sleep for the first time here it was 4!<br /><br />Then I get my system on Thursday and life has begun in earnest here!(Oh the assignments, meetings and quizzes had already started)<br /><br />The place is truly beautiful and the joy of watching football matches on the screen in the auditorium is really worth experiencing!!!Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-1151661461599547442006-06-30T02:16:00.000-07:002006-11-13T12:40:05.997-08:00Thanks, I am going to IIM-Indore!This is going to be the last post from this office! I have had news!! I am going to IIM-Indore!!!<br />It has been real short notice. I came to know yesterday and I am leaving tomorrow!<br /><br />So there is a lot of work lined up and I won't be able to do all that I have wanted to In case I get into an IIM.<br /><br />However there are loads of people to thank. Gosh, and I haven't even won the Oscars!<br /><br />So where do I start? From the obvious: God. It has been one heck of an experience and thanks for it. Then thanks for all those whom He has surrounded me with.<br /><br />My parents word aren't enough so I would reserve them for others. Then there is Sandeep my brother who does everything at home whenever he is at home so that I don't have to(that he scolds me once in a while is a different thing).<br />My cousin who was at home when my parents were not there and took care of the house and me during the the CAT session and my Granny too who was a presence.<br /><br />Then there are friends who asked about how I was preparing (even though they knew I don't do much in that way). Friends who were excited when I got the calls for the interviews and helped me in the preparation. And who had to listen to me when I didn't get a call from anywhere. Who were waiting with me for the final call. I could go on and describe a lot more but this is clearly a case when words are surely not enough.<br /><br />And even as I type there is a tear in my eye! If they are reading this, great but I guess they would know anyway. I love each one very much.<br /><br />there are friends from pagalguy with whom I was able to have some great times in a very short time of knowing them. Encouraging me through what has been a tough time! The same applies to friends at office who were great through the time I was with them<br /><br /><br />Some say I deserve it, there are some who would say that I deserve something better but I know that in more ways than one that it is more than what I deserve. However the people I have around me have played a big role in making all of my life such a great journey that any success I have can rightfully be claimed by them too.<br /><br />I haven't mentioned any names but each of the persons know who they are! If I make a list it would be a long one with each one contributing in their own way! I would love to do that one day if I ever get around to an autobiography(hehe that was supposed to be funny)!<br /><br />Thanks everyone!!!Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-1151478217451990952006-06-27T23:29:00.000-07:002006-11-13T12:40:05.689-08:00I want to write about ....There are a lot of things that I want to write about!!!<br /><br />From the World Cup to the advertisements being shown during the breaks(the adidas ads are real good especially for a football freak with a knowledge of the game's history). The one with Patrick Viera saying 'deja vu' to Ballack has to be the clincher. The other ads in the series too are brilliant.<br /><br />Football is something which I haven't written about on my blog and considering how much I love the game I think it is pretty amazing that not a single post has made it to the blog yet and this one too is not about football. But I want to write one soon!<br /><br />Then I wanted to write about a lot of other things, some seemingly trivial but have angles which I consider important and then there are some issues which can be very deeply delved into.<br /><br />For example I wanted to write a bit about marriage expenses and the good work being done by the Hyderabad Welfare Society. Read the it<a href="http://www.hindu.com/2004/07/16/stories/2004071612780300.htm"> here</a>(hope the link works, do inform me if it doesn't). While I think that marriages should be very simple but as I think more about the issue and realise the importance of memories I can understand the need for a little bit of pomp(the poor girl in most cases is going to be married only once). So when I read the article the first time round I was a bit skeptical but then realised that it was only through the Society's initiative that these people were able to have marriage which would have been beyond their reach. Hope that these small gestures which might not seem significant on the surface but are vital to the overall well-being of society since it is increases the good-will factor.(Logically it doesn't make as much sense but people are not just rational beings, at times I wonder if they are rational at all).<br /><br />As I typed out the previous paragraph I had a call on my phone which I ignored and that was from the sales department(or whatever) of HSBC credit cards. While in the beginning I willingly cooperated but their persistence in asking for all sorts of details meant that I decided not to take the card and have not been receiving their calls since a month now(that they still persist is amazing but it is also a sign of desperation to sign on new customers, I wish I could help out that agent by giving him the information but I no longer have the patience to cooperate)<br /><br />There is one I want to write about the nature of love, the seeming inexplicableness of the whole thing. This being prompted by the death of a boy who was around 10 years old due to tumors in the brain. His parents had to care for him for around 14 months and since I am not mentioning any details here but I just want to express my appreciation, the boy was an adopted one. I was going to write 'I know the pain must be great' but then realised that I don't. My thoughts and prayers at this time are with them and I pray that there are more people of their kind in this world. They would surely be an inspiration to me. And I want to explore more about the nature of love(especially in the broader sense of the word which is much misused to my annoyance).<br /><br />I want to write a post about my friends each of whom is a special person and write a post each about the best of my friends. They are all pretty precious. Then there is a friend I made during the summer, so I would like to write about meeting people.<br /><br />There are a lot more things which keep propping up in my mind and I think maybe I should blog about these too.<br /><br />Now if I wasn't so lazy and if only I had the capability to write all those posts!Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-1150193740584400852006-06-13T02:50:00.000-07:002006-11-13T12:40:05.388-08:00Shifting Office Locations<span style="font-family:courier new;font-size:130%;">I usually do not crib about things but I have decided to do that now since it would be a different kind of post and I have told a person or two that I am going to do this post.<br /><br />All was going well at my office, the place was good and the tea breaks even better, till the time they decided to shift locations for my project. We shifted from a building called 'Cyber Pearl' to 'Cyber Towers"(which is what one could consider the face of the IT/ITES industry in Hyderabad, yes it is the round building which you must have seen on TV). Seems a good move? Wait till you hear my story.<br /><br />It has been a little over a week since we shifted and I still haven't got used to the place and don't like the look of it .<br />The first thing which goes against Towers is the fact that it is an older building and seems to have been designed to use all the space possible for work.However a deeper inspection would reveal that even that goal isn't fully achieved due to the circular shape of the building which doesn't allow for baloncies on the outside so has to make to imitations of the indoor variety. THe structure being such that it lends itself to being very dark. So much for the architecture, I haven't yet come to the part where the shift has been an irritant and then there is a real tragedy lurking there too.<br />I am trying to be expressive and lucid but my horror at being in this place doesn't allow me to go through my limited repetoire of words efficiently.First, coming to the machines on which we work, they are the same but we simply don't have the same access previlege to same number of sites. Earlier our project had access to almost everything other than sport and even that could be got on a few newspaper sites. But now they have blocked newspaper, orkut anything you can think of. Even the proxy avoidance scheme doesn't work with proxy avoidance blocked. The height of it has to be "Philanthropies and Charities blocked", Come on , give me a break!(breaks are also a tragedy here as you are about to find out) This has to be a tragic blow for anyone but for someone like me it is an unmitigated disaster which falls beyond measurement by the Richter scale.<br /><br />Now, if only the place were more convenient, this could have rankled less. But even to take a break and drink a cup of tea one has to hold the cup of tea in the hand and then swipe the card not once but twice, struggling to keep the door open(Try conjuring up images of someone getting to all sorts of shapes just with a cup in one hand, card in the other and the leg try to keep the door open). It is definitely not funny if the door consistenly bangs into the back as you let it go. Once I agree is funny, twice and thrice too but everytime?<br /><br />And now to the real bad part. You have to swipe twice everytime you have to go to the toilet!!! I mean what about the poor fellow who is in a hurry. I guess I can't elaborate further without being crude so I stop this paragraph right here. And I just remember the facility here is also real poor and the quantity low. So leading to queues at particular points of time. Ok, I stop here. But give me Pearl anyday!<br /><br />Now the cafeteria! The food is equally pathetic at both places but the resturant downstairs at Pearl was better for the small snacks(However I admit I am yet to explore this place fully).And I have to go to change floors to get there! The cafeteria in the company however is totally insufficient to even hold the employees. The Coffee Day Express doesn't have enough variety of snack. I guess those who know me will surely be feeling sorry for me by now.<br /><br />And then there are the elevators(or lifts as some would call). They have to be travelled in to be believed that such a variety too exists. There is one which would qualify to be a compartment in the narrow guage railway and it feels that way too. The lifts, because of the number of people are usually crowded and even when you manage to get into the lift, it takes an age to reach the floor you want. There are friends for whom it takes less time to travel from home to the building than from the ground floor to the office. I would recommend the stairs especially during peak hours.<br /><br />Oh there is still good coming out of it for me! Maybe I would lose weight! Maybe I would work!!! </span>Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-1150106311673728702006-06-11T22:51:00.000-07:002006-11-13T12:40:05.064-08:00Thanks for a great time.This summer has been one which I have thoroughly enjoyed insipid of having to go to office and lingering disappointment which now has stopped surfacing hull's someone brings up the issue. My parents had gone out for most of the time and my brother was at home and we had a whale of a time. My cousin who finished his twelfth had joined us too in the party that we had. While describing all the experiences is beyond my limited abilities and I don't have many pictures to post, there are a few things I would like to mention and a few people I would like to thank.<br /><br />The reason being the football that we could play. We had this whole gang of around 10 to 12 and Saturday mornings were great. As were Sunday evenings! There could be no greater feeling of freedom and exhilaration than that of playing football in the rain. Absolutely great!!! And to follow that up with servings of mirchi and masala vada, with music accompaniment if one wished for it! I guess I would give more description as I keeping mentioning names.<br /><br />First up would be Sandeep, my brother who got everyone together and organized and planned everything. From the idea of playing to the trips, most of the things were his ideas. And the best part was the entertainment with football, he was on the opposite team most of the time but I enjoyed being on his team. He almost always scored when he wanted to. I am privileged to have such a brother(I guess there are times when we all have a go at younger siblings but I keep thinking at times I know him even before he was born!)<br /><br />Then there is Johnson 'the wall'(in footballing terms, so that means that whoever went in against him inevitably had to take the fall, ofcourse there were honorable exceptions which needn't be mentioned here!). He is someone who is always ready to help(and that is the one of the grossest understatements of my life)<br /><br />Benny, awesome player, can dribble real well and always ready to play. He was willing to come at 12 in the noon just because I had to fulfill my whim of playing football that day as I had some other things lined up for later that evening. Great fun to be with and to quote him as he describes himself, "in one word 'cool'"<br /><br />Then next on the list would be Vamshi, my brothers school mate and his brother Vimal, who not just added numbers but gave variety to the skill on display.<br /><br />Sudeep, my cousin, enjoyed his time with us too. The best description I can give is one that an uncle of mine uttered ,"nee voolu antha etkaram"(when translated it means something on the lines of 'your whole body is filled with sarcasm'. He did help with the cooking and stuff around the house. And provided laughter on football field with regular mistakes.Talking of mistakes leads me to Rohit, whose being on the team seemed to boost the opposition but Sandeep did say that he could do a job if given clear instructions. However he is pretty enthusiastic and lends some of the variety needed to make the fun complete.<br /><br />There was Arpan who joined us 2 times, he got so excited about playing football, he went off to buy a ball without even asking us(that he didn't seem to find it is another matter).<br /><br />Paul, who played goalkeeper and whose size allowed him to perform a good job, managed to ignore the jibes and provided more entertainment of the comical error variety(ofcourse Rohit and Sudeep would rank way above him but still)<br /><br />Sam, who was I guess the youngest but never let it show. He joined us on our night together in the house when we had a riot. And he liked to play defence but I think he would useful on the wing too.<br /><br />Then there is Leena, she has to be seen to believed. Full of energy and towards the end picked up the nuances of football too pretty well. She was usually the last to feel tired and nothing seemed to faze her. Balls hitting her with force, clashing of heads for balls in the air and tackling did seem pretty routine for her. Atta girl! Way to go!!!<br /><br />Beryl and Chrysolite did join us for the jaunt at Eat Street and the boat ride was fun too.<br /><br />I seem to have left someone out. Hmm.. He played Defensive Midfield, tried to pass the ball(and was successful once in a while) and in general used to tire easily. However he enjoyed it to the hilt and is grateful for the time he had and would like to thank all involved in making this summer almost as good as the summers in Kotagiri!Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-1149246617129292332006-06-01T21:17:00.000-07:002006-11-13T12:40:04.747-08:00Why the protests against reservations aren't working and a bit moreThe protests against reservations have brought cheer to my heart as they are an indication that all is not lost. There are people around who seem to have the ability to take things head on. I have been seeing the way things have been going and I feel that this is the ideal way to go about things. Protesting in a peaceful manner.<br />However, the time for peaceful protests is long past. We have become a people who won't listen to words and our politicians are even worse. We fear those who are violent(radical should be the right word but not it is not radical enough to convey my meaning) and in this case fear is what should be generated in the politicians. For example, how to do movies get banned? Fear of violence!The time when voices of dissuading were heard was really short(if at all it was ever heard). It is the mob which rules.<br /><br />I have read about people likening the situation to the revolutions in Eastern Europe but although they seemed to be spontaneous, they were very well planned. So we can go one up on them at this moment of time without actually resorting to violence(as in killing). One of the major ingredients for success is subversion from within. Unfortunately the best solution without violence is paralysis of work in the country. The movement needs even the bureaucrats, soldiers in the army to come together. The ultimate strike would be of those providing security to the vibes. That would certainly set the cat among the pigeons. I know this is wishful thinking but it sure would be effective. So let us consider a lesser alternative which is vandalizing the HARD ministry office. It would certainly set them thinking. I am surprised that I am suggesting something on these lines but that appears to be the only feasible solution. Bringing the country to a grinding halt. It would people up if in a city like Hyderabad the protest are not held on Sundays but rather on weekdays. The protests seem to be just a token expression and not that serious since no one is actually being affected(I am talking about the phenomenon in Hyderabad). By protesting on a weekday we would actually be sacrificing a lot more and at the same time make the point in a more emphatic manner. A thousand people on a weekday morning for 2 hours near secretariat would be more effective than five thousand on a Sunday. I still think that protesting in that way is unbecoming but that is the only resort left if anything meaningful is to come out of the protests. The protests are not registering where they should. The age of reason seems to have passed us by, and what is left is a mentality for which 'majority is right' leading to the culture of the mob.<br /><br />We have got the weapon of productivity and the country's economy can be heavily damaged through a little bit of strategic planning. However it would affect us too. So we need to make a few sacrifices, so that the future generations won't be sacrificed. Looking at it logically, it is in the prosperity of the affluent that the not so affluent can prosper. A simple example here would be that of the maid servant, who is dependent on work from someone who is richer it is basically those who have the power who are ignorant of it and the ways in which to unleash it. Being a socialist at heart I still don't understand how the middle-class has failed to assert itself as a major influence which counts. (What does being a socialist have to do with it? You might ask. It is just that I see that there are more ways possible) It is only when there is a major crisis that we raise our head an moan , protest and go back to sleep. This is also a result of a lack of major sacrifices being made. For example, very few of our best students go on to become teachers, especially for someone in the age group of 14 to 22 it could be crucial unwillingness to come to terms with reality is affecting us. The dream to earn big bucks makes engineers and MBAs of us all but then there are few who actually want to build something more meaningful<br /><br />Protesting as I have said before is all very good, but it is time for us to inarguable the direction that we are taking!!!<br /><br /><br /><br />PS: this post was in draft mode for a long time and much more water has passed under the bridge.<br />PPS: I will be writing more probably on the issue but I may take up a diametrically opposite stance the next time around!!!Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-1149159605104483952006-06-01T03:45:00.000-07:002006-11-13T12:40:04.412-08:00on being balancedA balanced look at any issue would be the optimal way to solve problems arising from it. An objective view allows for an answer which gives satisfaction to everyone involved in the process. Being unbiased gives one much more room to maneovre and look at pros and cons of both sides of the coin.<br />Even in today's society, a balanced person is more appreciated and held in higher esteem than one who is prone to bais. I guess the advantages involved are bit obvious. When pure reason is held higher than emotions and reasons of the heart, we would have a world which is much easier to understand.<br />However there are a few issues which are not so clear. For example, how balanced should one be so as to be balancedly balanced. Can someone put so much of emphasis on being balanced so as to become imbalanced with regard to balance.While one could possibly be perfectly perfect, being balancedly balanced seems an impossibilty because of the very nature of being balanced.The dilemma is perhaps about the balance to be struck between being reasonable and irreasonably reasonable because of human nature being more than just 'reason'. There is also the question of just how much emotion to show. There are times when we just let instincts take control. However that is also a crucial factor in being balanced since the suppression of emotions for too long a period could lead to disturbing the equilibrium of the person as a whole.<br /><br />As I ponder there are lot of things which come to the mind which are prescriptive and I don't particularly think that I of all people should be prescribing something as a thing to be practiced. As I keep typing the very nature of the matter baffles me since it is ambigous and will be contradictory the moment I put it down. So I would finish off this peice much shorter than I originally thought. Probably the secret to being balanced is allowing oneself to be imbalanced once in a while(in a balanced manner???)Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-1148039153108046832006-05-19T04:38:00.001-07:002006-11-13T12:40:03.913-08:00controversi around the da vinciAs issues go there have been plenty to write about this week. However I would like to concentrate on the controversy which surrounds the release of the ‘Da Vinci Code’ movie. As a believing Christian and an ardent believer in free speech I think that this is going to be a challenging piece of writing personally.<br /><br /> As I start off I want to state what I want to achieve through this piece. I would like to portray an even-handed picture of the scenario. Argue the case for screening the movie and also try to throw light on the mentality which is trying to get the screening of the movie banned. However the writing would not be complete without stating my personal convictions and giving you an idea of what I think of the book.<br /><br /> Here is how the whole affair unfolds. Another sensational novel which seemingly reveals stunning facts about Da Vinci’s works, the Holy Grail, the Catholic Church and the life of Jesus. The book becomes a blockbuster best-seller and has been on top of the charts and thereabouts since the time it ahs been published. As has been the case with Hollywood, the book is made into a movie. At this stage a few members of the Church around the world wake up and decide to protest. In India, we have the leaders of some union of Churches deciding to ask for a ban on the movie. A further twist in the tale occurs when in a show of minority solidarity even the Muslim leaders decide to join in the protests since Jesus is one of the prophets. In addition to all of this we have the media playing its typical role of the tail wagging the dog. That in short is the tale.<br /><br /> Some of the sensational claims made by the book are that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and that they had a child. The line of Jesus is supposed to be the Holy Grail. There are lot of other strings in the plot which are controversial.<br /><br /> However, this is not the first time these sorts of claims have been made. There have been other books too which have created more than a flutter by claiming things on a similar line. The Da Vinci Code is the latest in the line. In the book form it did not receive much attention from the authorities at a higher lever in the church. However the movie is a different thing.<br /><br /> The impact that a movie through its visual images makes is much more. It draws a larger audience. An observation which I would like to make at this point in time is that people watching a movie are less reflective than those who read a book. The reasons being the time factor and external images. So there might actually be some justification for letting the book be and protesting against the movie.<br /><br /> However, even among movies it is not the first which makes this kind of claims. There have been which would be considered even more blasphemous but they were screened. So the protests in India are more in keeping with our times, when sentiment is respected and reason is used as a hand-maiden to emotional drama.<br /><br />The media in India which likes to portray itself as treading the middle path but fails. The case in point being the refusal to see that those who are against the screening the movie also have the right to protest in the name of freedom of expression. It is the incitement to violence which has to be frowned at.<br /><br />Why should we be bothered about freedom of expression? Actually the removal of the freedom would seem ideal since there would be no chance for resistance and dissent. Anyone making a statement would be careful and would not hurt sentiments. Well, this would work out alright if there was a rigid definition of what is right and wrong. In short if would be perfect if we were robots. I know this is an argument which makes its case by example rather than pure sequential reason but the argument has its merits (the major one being it is easy for me to put forward and takes less space).<br /><br />As a Christian the bounty offered for Dan Brown by a business man in Bombay is ridiculous. Watching him on TV however gave substance to this piece. The man was ignorant of most of the tenets of Catholicism and only seemed to know the names from Bible and attached sentimental importance to them. And he is a typical example of the fuel on which the ideologues on both on the left-wing and especially the right-wing thrive. People who are fundamentalists not when it comes to their beliefs but others’ view of their beliefs. However, I do not say that the movie should be screened because of those opposing it but rather because it has its own value. It is useful as a starting point on a journey of dialogue on faith. A sincere examination by a seeker who makes a through study as result of the movie would lead to startling discoveries.<br /><br />Now for my views on the book and the claims it made. The book is a fast-moving thriller but is very shoddily researched. There are many errors of fact like the one about Priory of Sion. There are many clumsily made interpretations which are shown as new and there has been a great deal of twisting of history to paint the Church black. For instance, Mary Magdalene is never portrayed as a prostitute in the Bible or the early church as claimed by the book. It was only from the sixth century that the particular version came into existence. There are many such claims which can shake the faith of the weak. That is where the whole problem arises. There is no easy solution. The issue here is a bit deeper than the cartoon controversy since the whole movie portrays quite a few things wrong and the media is used here is much more graphic. So the move to screen the movie with a disclaimer even at the beginning is what I would approve and am glad that is the way things seem to be moving.<br /><br />As I now know the movie is going to be screened which is a victory for everyone, both for those who want to watch it, for freedom of expression and even for those who are worried, the last because hasn’t turned out so great.<br /><br />I would recommend that if you are watching the movie: watch it the same way you would watch any other. The ‘Da Vinci Code’ is after all just another movie made to rake in the moolah.<br /><br /><br /><strong><em>This was written to be read at a oratory club that I go to Fridays. I am going to read it later today.</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong>Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-1146889426155737242006-05-05T21:20:00.000-07:002006-11-13T12:40:03.436-08:00Will this be my shortest post so far?I had a great holiday in Vizag thought of a lot of things to blog and write about but now don't remember a thing(or can't be bothered).<br />Vizag however is a great place. Almost totally empty roads and the place is pretty scenic .<br /><br />And I love water!(Not that I can swim but water has me real excited)<br /><br />So there, my shortest post!Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-1145779311104668492006-04-23T00:04:00.000-07:002006-11-13T12:40:03.206-08:00A few questions about the formation of the self(person/whatever)!A chain of events yesterday(22nd April) has had me thinking on lines which I had done some previous thinking but I guess since it was crystallized yesterday or I just think that because I was fascinated enough by it to blog(which takes a lot of effort from my lazy being). I guess much great minds then mine have dwelt on the subject and have writtten much greater things but I would like to have my say too for all it is worth.<br /><br />I had a day yesterday when I met friends from Pagalguy after the results debacle and there was talk about the results and so on. And at that moment of time my reactions were perfectly normal and I would say they were pretty good actually. I was the same old casual person, a bit hopeful, a bit down but pretty much ok with life.<br /><br />As I look at it even now I think that is what my reaction to this whole phase is.<br /><br />However as I was travelling back by the bus after a lot of walking and an unsuccessful time with autowallahs who didn't want to come in the direction in which I had to go. As I was standing in the bus I was thinking if the reaction I had was the one which is truly me.<br /><br />I think I know myself pretty well but yesterday I was left to ponder who is it that I know. I guess I rarely have let my instincts have a full go so I don't know who I really am. But then again what if my very instinct is to think. I guess it is something which is appreciated by most people but I am not that way because of people, it is basically the way that I am.<br /><br />However the struggle to identify if the self on display and the self that you know is the same is not of the same magnitude as the one to figure out if the present self is the true self. I guess it would be even more difficult in case a person with an almost uniform self(by uniform I mean here someone whose private and public personalities don't differ much). The question which I guess would be the sum of all my doubts would be the one which has been put as 'what do children do if there is absolutely no contact with human society?' Would they still be exhibiting behaviourial tendencies of the parents? I guess atleast the walking posture could be similar at some point of time.<br /><br />So am I back to making the cliched statement that I am a total of loads of things which went into my making: my family, education(yeah right!), books(a major part), faith and ofcourse friends! But then again the way choose friends when we are kids now fascinates me. How did I choose a particular set of friends in my 5th/6th class? I probably could have chosen anyone but even at that early stage we chose each other without any prompting and that has in a major way shaped me.<br /><br />I guess if we think about these questions we will have some interesting answers.<br /><br />However towards the end of my post I will again have to make mention of the fact that each person is moulded in a different way and if you care to reflect on the process you find it truly beautiful!Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-1145424942021028652006-04-18T22:08:00.000-07:002006-11-13T12:40:02.913-08:00A wee little bit about happiness???This is probably going to be the most random of all my random postings on the blog since I am blogging this for no other reason but the fact that I stumbled on to the create post page and decided that I might as well do some writing(yeah right). So this is going to be one painful read(especially since I am some one who prefers not to eat to having to fix something for myself(meaning I am very lazy) and then I am considered a foodie by all the people who know me). The randomness might be getting to you already since you would fail to connect all that was written between the words predicting randomness and its confirmation.<br /><br />Well, here goes.<br />I guess I am happy now. But what does that mean? How can I be happy? Is it just happiness or something more which allows me to be cheerful inspite of the circumstances. At times I feel that 'pursuit of happiness ' as an ideal is hyped and not actually as meaningful as happiness is something which is quite temporary. By very definition happiness is just about the moment. However, I guess it is the right word for our age which is about the 'instant'. Not that I am saying that it is a bad thing but it hides a lot of more meaningful things. I believe in living in the present but then for the present to have meaning the past and the future should make a contribution too.<br /><br />So I find that being filled with joy is more important than just being happy at any moment of time. It allows you to have a much greater fulfillment. The way I see joy is something which is not dependent on circumstances while happiness is.<br /><br />So why is happiness more sought after rather than joy? There are a number of reasons(but if look at it even more closely it is just one thing) but for the purpose of making this readable I would not like to state them here. I guess it is something which one can figure out for oneself if one is willing to spend the time thinking about it and make what is in my opinion a very worthy investment of time.<br /><br />By this time you can probably figure that while I might have recovered to a great extent from the shocks of last week, I still am going be scarred for sometime now. However, I find there is a lot to rejoice about in life.<br /><br />By the way, I have got loads of spare time on my hand and if anyone is willing to talk meaningfully about these things and anything else, I would be most willing to oblige you. Some might think that I am begging and if thats what you think so be it.Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-1145357658160018482006-04-18T03:30:00.000-07:002006-11-13T12:40:02.564-08:00The worst time of my life???I recovered from the worst day of my life within 2 days and have cheered up to a great extent.<br />I have been given the kick by the IIMs(well almost). I am waitlisted 211 at Lucknow and I have not been numbered but waitlisted at Indore(Indore is another story altogether with me coming to know that I am waitlisted there only on Sunday. They had a major(rather minor) goof-up by confusing the mm and dd columns)<br />Well Wednesday, 12th April is officially now the worst day of my life so far. And exactly 8 years ago,1998 that is, I got baptised.<br />Well, I was expected to take it lightly and carry on but then I required some time to mourn. I find it rather strange that while a person who got a seat is supposed to party and be happy, someone who fails is supposed to take ti on the chin and move on as if nothing has happened. That was the logic which I gave to people who tried to cheer me up. I actually think that it was good for me that I didn't act normal(I think I have to be a different person to be able to do that). My aunt however said that someone is as mature as you are shouldn't be taking things this way and she got the same response.<br />But again as I look at it, the very fact that I consider this to be the worst part of my life probably means that I haven't been through much in life and that I am pretty raw and protected. I wish it wasn't like that bu thtat infact is the truth. So once again I learn that I am one lucky person.<br />A few observations about my self during that time which probably everyone goes through. I didn't want to talk to people but I wanted to talk to just a few persons. It is the sort of time when a shoulder around the arm is more appropriate than the words of wisdom(I admit that they are true0<br /><br />Well, coming to why I was rejected? Maybe i was a bit too casual for their liking or maybe they didn't like my face(I don't blame them if thats the reason)<br /><br />However there is still hope for me!Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18795860.post-1144736634630864422006-04-10T22:39:00.000-07:002006-11-13T12:40:02.219-08:00Waiting,,... Reservation... and a few more thoughtsThis is post is more a sort of marker, something I want to look back at later and laugh at myself and wonder how I could be such a wreck. So people say that the results will be out tomorrow and I have been trying to avoid anything and everything which amounts to speculation but I can't help being human inspite of myself(whatever that means).<br />So am I nervous? Nothing to be doubted there but what do I think I will do if things go wrong? Is it really that significant? Considering that this was supposed to be a trial run I haven't done that bad but then the significance grows because of what I have put into it emotionally(no i haven't prepared a lot but a lot of thinking took place) and what I gave up at the work place(I had loads of fun and did no work). So while I could go on living but the days would be longer and life would seem miserable.<br /><br />And a few other things which have occupied my mind of late...<br /><br />The reservation issue which has had me thinking more seriously. Ideally speaking I am against reservations in any form. Unfortunately the country we are living in is not in the ideal state.<br />So reservation do have somethings going in their favour in my mind at this point of time. The reactions of those opposed to the reservations does get revolting(but then so is that of people who support reservations).<br />I was chatting with someone about this and he made a few interesting points but one was pretty radical while others were something which have to be thought of while discussing reservation.<br />First, the poor condition of primary education in rural India. Infact there is this huge gap in the quality of education. We can always point to success stories of people who overcame the odds but the fact there is that they overcame the odds and success(or whatever you call it) didn't come to them on a platter as it does to most of us who study in English medium schools and for whome the emphasis at home is on education rather trying to make ends meet. That in itself is a major disadvantage. What does this have to do with caste? While there are people from the generally more affluent castes(since I don't care for the very notion of caste I refuse to use the phrase 'upper castes') who are poor but consider this: the poor Brahmin has a better chance of doing well because of the cultural advantage he has at home and the shaping of the genes and habits over the generations. While I hate the stereotyping, one has to admit that it is the truth and habits which are passed on for 3000 years can't be overcome so easily. So while I believe that the all the poor who are good enough to persue education should be funded to a certain extent, when it comes to reservations only a really good primary eucation system can help a kid from the disadvantaged section overcome the disavantages. But we are not prepared to bear the cost which is required both economically and in a sense socially. There were people who had been dedicated to teaching in the villages but unfortunately the tense I used is the past. It isn't as if the education system anywhere in the country is in great shape but those who attend private schools have a definite advantage.<br />So, can we really help put primary & secondary education aroudn the country on the same scale? There can never be no, but we lack the will because we already can manage and are not affected. The reservation issue just enrages and provides an outlet for the various frustrations we have in life.<br />It is also interesting that those who are against reservation are not against coaching which gives an advantage to those with money.(I beleve as an evil coaching comes just below reservation but unfortunately I have been guilty of taking it too but I moan maybe because I didn't benefit much from it). Life would be very interesting without all the coaching classes and instiutes(yeah life and the results too).<br />There is a lot one can say aginst reservation which you must have read 'n' number of times and also there is much which can be written for it and the hypocrisy of those protesting against it.<br />One solution which the person I was chatting to proposed and the one which is radical but effective solution(and which won't be implemented) is Inter-caste marriages being actively encouraged. Not the ones between Brahmins and well-off Christians or between Punjabis and Malyalis but something more drastic. The benefits are there but the response that this suggestion gets inpublic would be one of the reasons which the proponents of reservation have got going in their favour.<br /><br />Enough said on that front ...<br /><br />There was another interesting conversation I had with a friend which has made me think about the direction I am taking in life but also ponder about how many close friends can one have?How many people can I care for? I guess I am having a problem there because the love that I give has been more of a leaking one in most cases rather than the overflowing variety. There are loads of things to set right in life(none that seem apparent but they are the kind only I can know)...<br /><br />and to close I don't know how tomorrow will go but I am hoping and praying for that whatever is best for me happens and that I will be able to deal with it whatever it maybe.....Sajeevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10305287161770807497noreply@blogger.com1