Election Vows .....

Democracy, the dictionary describes it as " Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives". Interesting definition.

Bihar, goes to polls today. Violence, booth capturing, private armies, failure of law and order are all trademarks of what usually happens during the ordeal called General Elections in that state.

Vow, the dictionary defines it as "An earnest promise to perform a specified act or behave in a certain manner, especially a solemn promise to live and act in accordance with the rules".

Well, most of the folks out here are familiar with the election vows, which apparently do not seem to adhere to the definition above.

Well browsing through channels today, I came across this candidate who is contesting from Jehananabad in Bihar on behalf of LJP. In an attempt to bag votes this father of 9 childrean has taken a vow that he would have a tenth child only if he wins this time. What a serious oath!!! I have never come across somone who has ever promised a brigter future to our nation!! Better living and civic amenties can wait. What an oath!!

May his tribe increase!!! ;-)

Sound of Mercy .....

A country that was once a part of this 'nation'. That country,now in the limelight for supporting terrorism and a potent threat to the sovereignity of this nation. The country runs, terrorist camps, a nuclear programme and has deals with a lot of nations who would not like the direction in which this nation is headed!!

Well, all that is said and done. The country's integrity and soverignity should be defended by all means. This post is the rant against all the folks who feel that 'we' should not help 'them' as they are a potential threat to us. Well, disaster strikes are random ( Seismologists may beg to differ .. but lets not get technical) and thus shunning 'them' on these grounds may not be the most right thing to do. Aid to 'them' is no way wrong. Maybe one need not help them financially , as there is a fear that the money may get siphoned to the wrong sources. But some, so called 'educated' were of the opinion that even 'humanitarian' aid should not be provided to this country that has committed 'inhuman' acts!!

SIGH!! Very few people derive a high in 'hitting' their enemy when 'they' are helpless!Atleast, thats what the "BOXING' coach taught me in school!!

Graffiti on a T - shirt.

Graffiti on a T shirt...

" Chai ...... Chai ....... Chai, Chai .. Chai"

Chai .... The National Drink of India. :-).


PS : Well if U felt a lot of blogs are being dedicated to Tea and Coffee ... well i promise to change it! Lemme grab a Coffee meanwhile!

Infini'tea' or 'Java'?

Sunday evenings are normally reserved for relaxing. Well this Sunday was slightly different as I had to keep up an appointment to meet an aquaintance at Cunningham road. As i set out towards it, had evening showers for my company. Driving alone in the rain is the second best thing a guy can ask for. ;-). Anyways ...... the fine drops of rain and a drive on relatively 'empty' Manekshaw road . Wow ...... Incredible.

Location is Reliance Web World at Cunningham road. Awesome net speeds and wonderful ambience , the store is a one stop for shopping, connections, browisng and refreshments. After the showers a hot cappuchino beckoned. Awesome music playing in the background and an inviting ambience, I settled down for sometime ordering a cappuchino. Served with the hot cappuchino came a brochure which read ..... " Before 1900 , word 'java' meant 'nutmeg' ( a spice) and not coffee. In 1723, Bach composed Coffee Cantata. In 1800's heavy tax was imposed on Tea and hence America moved to Coffee, Coffee is an expression of freedom". Interesting, I had my coffee relishing the coffee and the music.

The acquaintance I had to meet was not fond of coffee and wanted a 'tea' joint. Infinitea is a tea joint right opposite of Reliance Web world at Cunnigham road. As we were chatting about a host of topics , he ordered for some Ice tea. In this weather ice tea ... hmm ....I saw a promotional brochure. It reads , " “I don't care about immortality, just the taste of tea.", If you are cold, tea will warm you; if you are too heated, it will cool you; if you are depressed, it will cheer you; if you are excited, it will calm you."Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea! How did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea." "There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."".

Wow .... Infinitea or Java ......... U decide!! Well the first best thing a guy can ask for is to drive in the rain with interesting company!! ;-) What did U think?

Movie Bazzar .....

Working in the financial industry can be quite an ordeal, especially when you work in the Consumer Finance. My dad works in that line. On of the most competitive markets to be in, the pressures these organisations are under are immense. They do provide the loans but the 'defaulters' seem to just enjoy with the money and not pay back.

Infact some of them (defaulters) yield to muscle power to abdicate their terms of payment sometimes. Well, the other day there was a lot of news at my dad's office as one of the defaulters was a much feared anti social element. Anyway with all this conversation fresh in his mind, my dad was on his way back.

A busy junction, traffic choking and carbon monoxide in the air he was waiting for the traffic to inch forward. When ahead he can see a spec coming closer. Infact its a man running. Blood apparently dripping from his shirt, he is being chased by another with a sickle dripping with blood. The victim seems to be running in frantically , the guy behind swinging his sickle without any concern for the others in the way. The whole crowd is shocked but not reacting. The guy dashes my dad's stationary vehicle and runs ahead. Blood dripping all the way. My dad parks the bike to just turn around and see what the problem is. Then suddenly the guy chasing the other stops. The 'victim' stops too. They turn back and walk the opposite way. They seem to be amicably talking and in fact exchanging 'pleasentries' at each other.

As they cross my dad, he confronts one of them and asks what the issue was,

With all smiles one of them says " Saar adhu movie shooting saar. Neevu gabri adhra" with a cynical smile!!!!

PS : The translation ,"Thats a movie shooting, U dont worry".

Calvin ........ and me??!

Of all the comic strips I have come across, Bill Wattersons's , Calvin and Hobbes has been etched ... probably in an indelible state of my mind. The depictions in those strips often span a whole array of emotions mostly on the lighter side of the spectrum. Simplicity, humour, philosophy and the way the world is percieved by a mischeivous six year old and his partner in crime are all the trademarks of this masterpiece.

One of them which I liked a lot ......

Hobbes : Why is Ur Snowman sad?
Calvin : He knows his existence is mundane and knows sun is beating down and he is gonna die.
Hobbes : Is he going to stay like this the whole day?
Calvin : Nope. He is going to buy a flat screen tv.

Simple, yet this strip apparently conveys the message that most of us do lead unepic lives. Despite all that we make life a little interesting with some available sources of entertainment.

But essentially I was wondering what makes me like this strip so much. Is it the humor which I appreciate? Is it his attitude? Or is it that I have been through similar stuff (sometimes) and i feel connected coz of that?! Or is there a Calvin within each of us? Hmmm ........

Charge of the Geek brigade.

Tumultous Monday should I say ....... Sigh!!! The traffic scene in Bangalore is radically changing day by day. But sadly not for the better. Of these 'long' journeys from ' home' to 'office' ( how ironical ... if at all time spent were a decider then .......) the only respite many of we commuters have are the FM stations that churn out music to our ears.

A leading daily had remarked that prolonged exposure to music through headsets at full volume can lead to disastrous effects over long periods of time. In accordance with that my radio volume is at 50% .

My fellow colleagues seemed to have serious fun discussing about Take homes, House rents and how somone who had flunked their 'compre' had been the 'chosen' one to go 'Onsite'.

An excerpt :

Col 1 : Hey so how the weekend.
Col2 : I was at home itself. It was like somone had issued a Exclusive Lock.
Col1 : He he he.
Col2 : He he he.
Col2 : So ur weekend?
Col1 : It was fun ... On saturday had so much fun ... it was like a 'Buffer Overflowing'
Col & Col 2 : He he He.
Col1 : So when is ur birthday?
Col2 : ...........
An eloquent pause.
Col2 : Its on May 10
Col 1 & Col2 : He he he !
Col2 : I was actually wondering in which format I should tell ya!!
Col1 & Col2 : He he he!!

I increase the volume to 100 %. The Charge of the Fire Brigade, by Alfred Lord Tennyson came to mind. " Cannons to the Front of them, cannons to the back of them .... ". Oh here were the geeks.

SIGH!! How far is this place!

Time flies and how ?

It was not how I expected it will turn into. It was not the way i expected it would end. It was just not the way I thought things would carry on.

Well ..where do I begin? Could connect it to the flight path traced by a butterfly. Colourful, interesting and curious it whizzes past U. Enjoy it and let is pass.The moment U beging to get closer to it it moves away. Stay away and it comes back. Hmmm........ Interesting.


It was a mixed bag when the seperation actually hapenned. Things seem to have changed. Butterflies are best left on their own. I am much relaxed this way.

Cynicism .... Reloaded.

The drizzle in the evening was a welcome break from the intense heat that was just boring through me the whole afternoon. Madurai, the place where the Meenakshi temple is situated. The temple is an architectural wonder , with the art standing tall even after 382 years of when it was constructed.

Time had come to bid adieu and to head back . Train journeys always provide you with some food for thought, this time no less ofcourse. There was a mixed bag of personalities this time around. A middle aged person was too engrossed in discussing her 'take home' with another. As her friend parted away she began religiously reading 'Men are From Mars , Women are from Venus'. The ticket checker who came in to verify took the additional pain of introducing all of us to each other bu reading out all our names and seat numbers loudly.


Thats when I met this guy. A T shirt, Jeans and an attitude to match that. He bid adieu from his dad ( I guess ) and promised to call once he gets some accomodation. After a while of silenence he starts a conversation ... an excerpt ... R.

R : Is it raining outside ?
Me : Hmm ... I guess ( Well its pouring out what did U expect me to say??!)
R : The TT gave a introduction of all of us isnt it?
Me : Yeah .... ( I smile ... That was the best I could do that question)
R : U From Bangalore?
Me : Yeah I am.
R : Is it really cold there?
Me : Well the weathere is good most times of the year. We do touch 35 sometimes, but we touch 14 sometimes too. Overallk its pretty nice.
R : Oh ....we see temperatures till 48 - 50 here. (:O)
Me : Oh really??!
R : So where do U work ?
Me : Me .... well I work in the Service Industry. (:-))
R : Oh ..... ( A look of disappointment in his face)
Me : What about U?!
R : Well I am a Software Engineer, I am going to Mysore to join Infosys.
Me : Oh ......... Thats nice.
R : Well IT was always my choice and this company is great U know.
Me : Hmm heard of it .... Pretty neat campuses U all have eh?
R : Yeah, U name it from Multiplexes, Swimming Pools, Shopping Malls, Guest Houses and yeah the reputation of the company .. is just too good.
Me : Oh really?!
R : So how is this place Koramanagala?
Me : The real estate bit is a bit expensive. But yeah this place is close to ECity.
R : Oh ... If I get a choice between Bangalore and Chennai, I guess I ll go 4 Bangalore
Me : But the Cost of living is more in Blore.
R : Considering I work for Two years in Bangalore , I should be able to buy something in Bangalore .
Me : Really?!
R : I think so .....

Optimism of buying a place in 2 years ........... and his cynicism about the service industry. SIGH!!! He has lots of things to learn and experience!! ;-)

Incoherence .....

An acquaintance (Y) that occurred offlate is the subject of this blog. Came in contact through a buddy of mine.

Y had some issues with the curriculum they followed and those issues pertained to the profession I undertake . The buddy of mine felt that just coz i work in a field I would n 't blink my eyelid to help people out with their issues after the ordeal I go through everyday. Sigh!!!

Anyway the issue with Y began after I apparently did help out with the issue . Y seemed to be really thankful for me having done this favour and wanted to extend the boundaries beyond the realms of aquiantances!! I mean getting all carried away by a simple gesture was all too much anyway. Well it apparently appeared so strange that merely by helping out with a small issue somone wanted to extend their association.

Well what may have triggered this .......... Incoherence at its best.

Weekend Getaway .......

Embarking on a journey that was just about bound by time gave me a sense of surreality. Time is supposed to be boundless and here it bound my trip …………………………………… Screeeeeeeeecccccchhhhh!!!!!!! Sorry for the interruption … Now coming back to reality…… J

We started around 7 30 am on Saturday and proceeded, from my place towards Old Madras road. Surya aboard now the focus shifted towards Silk Board Junction. The ‘aam citizen’s’ mode of transport bought Jyo into the world of fun …. Ahem ahem and that would be the Qualis we all were traveling of course. Circa 8 30 , we were at Joyee’s place. After some hassles we managed to get her and Hiresh on to the Qualis.

Bangalore seemed to faintly disappear in the background as our vehicle sped from 0 to fun in just no time. To set the mood up we had to play some music. Randomness has its own disadvantages and on randomly choosing a CD, it turned out to be a Soft Instrumental. Well not something U would associate to start a trip actually. Anyways …. The vehicle veered in control and we were treated to delicious sandwiches by Chef: Jayeeta Roy. Nice ones indeed. Guess some amount of ‘man’ hours would have gone into making it. No pun intended ;-).

After 4 hrs of driving and sometime of navigating through mysore (not out of interest but by taking the wrong route) we did reach the Infy Guest House. Refreshments hardly were something to raise a toast too but the campus by itself had a splendid view. The English style cottages, lush lawns, Greek constructions, beautiful gardens, multiplexes, snooker parlors , cricket ground and yeah I just forgot a few Development centers too. The next stop was the GRS fantasy park. Water is fun ……. From waves, to oscillatory rides and some more water rides …………… it were fun. J. Surya was at her shreiky best and that according to her was just for fun. Anyway we shall take that at face value, it was fun J. The next stop was at KRS. The musical fountain was the major attraction ……. The music, water, lighting the co ordination was just awesome. Just awesome. I guess if all the movie stars could actually gyrate to that precise accuracy many movies would have been Super Hits ;-). Heading back we went to a restaurant called Heritage which I guess didn’t seem to have any of it in the first place, so the hunt for dinner began and that ended close to 12 midnight.

The next day was of course was reserved for a date with Ooty aka ‘Queen of Hill stations ‘or that’s how people call it. The journey up there was filled with fun and frolic. The Bandipur sanctuary ... on the way up was a treat to the eye. The Silence of that park affected slightly due to the voices within our vehicle. Ooty …. Was at sight by 3 pm. The Queen of course seemed particularly busy and dint seem to receive her guests in the way she royally would have I guess. Chocolates for lunch and snacks at 4 30 pm as a substitute for lunch are indeed experiences one can cherish sometimes. Our date ended with our inability to even enter her famed Botanical gardens. Our tryst with royalty was turning sour ……. thereby we deserted a lesser royalty and walked away towards the ‘Empress of Cities’ …… of course Bangalore. ;-)

The drive back was high pitched ….. men don’t have a high pitched voice …. Or do they (?) ;-). The music collection that we had would make other play lists bow down with shame. ;-) .Songs are best when heard with the lyrics understood ……….. Jumboo did the thankless job of explaining the same with a smile on his face. Humming along and gyrating as much as possible we moved along. Dinner …ah what is that. Was it the timing or coincidence ……. Too hard to say. With music playing along and Jyo and Surya (bits of Joyee/Hiresh) adding flavors to the same… and dancing away too … the journey was all fun. Thus came to end one of the trips that happened and yeah the trip was fun. J

Resolutions ....

Resolutions ........... well suprising as it is to myself, I have a steely determination to uphold the resolutions I make. This trait is embedded deep within me that I never go back on the words I promise myself. There are hundreds of instances where I have done just that and I still do.

Well I guess all thats changing offlate now. It all started with me deciding to avoid all modes of communication with a certain X. Well i succeeded to a fair degree to isolate myself from X. But X................. I guess this emotional vice is just too excruciating. Though I am isolated for some strange reason I feel like I shouldnt be walking so far away. I feel its kind of acceptable to retract the resolutions i make. I feel it is justified that I can relax the stand I have taken. I feel that I am kind of craving to break the stand I have taken and am actually putting up with some stuff I need'nt.

I guess this is just a temporary phase and I shouldnt stoop down to allow some aquaintance to shadow the commitments I make to myself. Resolutions .................... are sanct and have to be honoured!!