When a child is born in an Indian household one of the foremost things that goes through the parent's mind is the child's marriage. And this is so the case especially if its a girl child. Right from his infancy to the last breath, an Indian from the average middle class attends at least 8600 weddings in his/her lifetime. And mind you, this is said to be just an average number.
I guess I am no exception either to this rule. I have attended that number of weddings already I guess. So even though I cannot be an authority on this topic, I guess atleast I can speak my mind out on this ostentatious event of Indian culture.
In Indian culture, a marriage is given the utmost priority in every household. Parents make investments, save up money to show off their entire life savings in an affair of 2 or 3 days. I have attended the weddings of the rich and famous, and also seen what simple weddings can all be of. After seeing all this, I cannot help but imagine how my wedding is going to be. I do not want it to be anyway how it is usually held amongst my friends and relatives.
My wedding needs to be special, and I cannot make it any special if am performing rites and rituals which are of no meaning to me and worse this is being celebrated amidst people where I do not know more than half the people. I pity the bride and the groom when I see them on their wedding reception evenings trying to look their best in sweltering conditions, gaudy jewelry and fake smiles and handshakes. I find it very ridiculous, and can never see myself doing the same.
If I am completely given the choice to celebrate it the way I want, I want it to be a simple spiritual event in a temple. And to witness this very important event I want the people who matter to me the most to be around me. I do not want to see the wife of my cousin's brother-in-law's co-sister's bhabhi's grandmother's brother. I do not know if I am appearing to come out as very sharp and rude, but yes, that is how I want it to be. Following this simple wedding where only the main ritual of tying the knot should be there I want a very grand party to be hosted by me and my bride-groom. I would not want my parents or his, to spend all their life savings on my important day. I do not want another bland boring reception party to my credit, I would want a party that is going to be talked about. For this I request you to come and attend the wedding party, because I do not want to reveal all my plans here :D
People say marriages are made in heaven. I think more emphasis in today's wedding should be given to the couple tying the knot and their future, rather spending lakhs of rupees. Most of the people today utilize weddings as a status symbol to show their wealth and money. I would call these types of event very pretentious and lacks the mystique of marriage. Hopefully the weddings soon do not become like much ado about nothing - or something much to do about everything!! People wish for weddings for elaborate elegance, halls filled with families and friends, But if someone asked me what kind of wedding I wished for, I would say the one that would make me his wife!
Monday, April 28, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Ode dedicated to kaka
They hate to be rude, yet they'll straighten the crooked picture on your wall and snap off your blaring TV. They like people, but they hate large crowds. Like gentle doves of peace, they go around mediating and patching tip quarrels between others; still they enjoy a good argument themselves. They're good natured and pleasant, but they can also be sulky, and they balk at taking orders. They are believed to be extremely intelligent. At the same time, they're incredibly naive and gullible. They'll talk your ear off, yet they're wonderfully good listeners. They are restless people. But they seldom rush or hurry. Do these traits seem familiar to you. Well, it has to be because I am talking about our dear own Libran - Harsh Kataruka.
Whenever I have read about Librans anywhere, I have found it very easy to associate it all to Kaka. He has earned this nickname - Kaka very rightly as he has something or the other to be given as an advice like one benevolent uncle. Kaka has endeared himself to the entire class in many ways, but has also earned a reputation to be irritating at times. Some people might even say "at times" is not exactly accurate (pun intended!!).
A complete die-hard romantic by nature, he managed to win the heart of one the prettiest lasses in our class. Everyone in the class envied him for this, and even made people ask "yella ok, kaka yaake"!! ;)
He was one of the few in the class who could be called an all rounder, and not just because of his appearance. His forte not only included computer programming but also debating. He was known to be a good competition for many debaters in the college. I know one day he is going to carve a niche for himself in the field of finances or business and has all the potential in him to be a world class leader.
His attitude is such that he takes every little thing very seriously. He is known to be a stickler for minute management too. This habit of his sometimes can get on people's nerves actually. He has another side of his, where his mood swings like a pendulum. He is either too happy, or portrays himself as if the sky has fallen on his head. When he is happy, he brings the roof down with his jokes and fundas. But when the latter happens, he goes into this eerie silence as if to bring his body and mind in harmony with the tragedies of his life.
There is one thing I do not like about this guy. He just does to know how to move on in life and forget the past. I am not saying that it is an easy thing for me to do, but he carries his past so much so that his present and future can get hampered. He loves being despondent in life, and also he tries to blame everything on himself.
But otherwise, here is one guy who is bundled with a lot of energy and enthusiasm to live a grand life. His English skills and knowledge about history are something that I have always envied. I have heard from his hostel-mates that all he has to do to study is flip through pages. His photographic memory and amazing grasping skills would aid him to complete his studies to perfection within half the time the others took. And of course in the remaining half time, one can always guess what he did!! ;)
A testimonial for him will be incomplete if I do not mention his fanaticism his love for the religion of cricket, and his god Sachin Tendulkar. He has crickets tips and trivia on his finger tips, and never fails to show off this knowledge of his. And these days he is trying to play his guitar and croon to some numbers, he is getting to be good day by day. Also I know he tries to experiment with making cocktails and shooters.
All in all, this fundebaaz is really a loyal and a true friend, and never can there be a dull moment when he is around!
Whenever I have read about Librans anywhere, I have found it very easy to associate it all to Kaka. He has earned this nickname - Kaka very rightly as he has something or the other to be given as an advice like one benevolent uncle. Kaka has endeared himself to the entire class in many ways, but has also earned a reputation to be irritating at times. Some people might even say "at times" is not exactly accurate (pun intended!!).
A complete die-hard romantic by nature, he managed to win the heart of one the prettiest lasses in our class. Everyone in the class envied him for this, and even made people ask "yella ok, kaka yaake"!! ;)
He was one of the few in the class who could be called an all rounder, and not just because of his appearance. His forte not only included computer programming but also debating. He was known to be a good competition for many debaters in the college. I know one day he is going to carve a niche for himself in the field of finances or business and has all the potential in him to be a world class leader.
His attitude is such that he takes every little thing very seriously. He is known to be a stickler for minute management too. This habit of his sometimes can get on people's nerves actually. He has another side of his, where his mood swings like a pendulum. He is either too happy, or portrays himself as if the sky has fallen on his head. When he is happy, he brings the roof down with his jokes and fundas. But when the latter happens, he goes into this eerie silence as if to bring his body and mind in harmony with the tragedies of his life.
There is one thing I do not like about this guy. He just does to know how to move on in life and forget the past. I am not saying that it is an easy thing for me to do, but he carries his past so much so that his present and future can get hampered. He loves being despondent in life, and also he tries to blame everything on himself.
But otherwise, here is one guy who is bundled with a lot of energy and enthusiasm to live a grand life. His English skills and knowledge about history are something that I have always envied. I have heard from his hostel-mates that all he has to do to study is flip through pages. His photographic memory and amazing grasping skills would aid him to complete his studies to perfection within half the time the others took. And of course in the remaining half time, one can always guess what he did!! ;)
A testimonial for him will be incomplete if I do not mention his fanaticism his love for the religion of cricket, and his god Sachin Tendulkar. He has crickets tips and trivia on his finger tips, and never fails to show off this knowledge of his. And these days he is trying to play his guitar and croon to some numbers, he is getting to be good day by day. Also I know he tries to experiment with making cocktails and shooters.
All in all, this fundebaaz is really a loyal and a true friend, and never can there be a dull moment when he is around!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
US of A - my future?
In little over 3 months, I am heading to US of A to achieve what every normal Indian mortal dreams of i.e. the American dream. I have got an admission into one of the prestigious universities there, known as Carnegie Mellon University. I think I have chosen the course I want to do, and hopefully I have taken the right decision.
If I ask myself why I want to go to US to pursue my dream, well the only answer I can get is that this is what I have wanted to do right from my childhood or rather high school days. I think I was more serious about my studies and career during my school days rather than now. When I was the school kid I wanted to be the next Sabeer Bhatia, and I was pretty sure that I will discover or invent something that big like Hotmail ;)
Well now that I am about to embark on this journey to fulfill my dreams I am all excited. I am filled with dreams of everything. I am basically turned on because of the fact that I will be getting to stay all by myself without anyone to question my every movement,for the first time in my life. :D
But I will be lying if I say that I am all geared up without any nervousness. I am scared at the same time. There are a lot of things I am leaving behind before I go. Firstly I am concerned about my parents. Now that my mom is not in her best of her health states, her situation worries me. It concerns me because its going to be only my father with her now. Its now that I am selfishly wishing that I had a sibling to take care of them when I am going to be away. Secondly, I am going to leave everything that makes me lead a rosy life here, to an unexpected land to discover everything on my own. This doesn't scare me exactly,to be honest. The only thing I am hoping for is that the things do not become too difficult owing to current recession scenario and I will have to regret my decision of leaving a decently paying job. Thirdly and also most importantly, I am going to be leaving my friends. I am going to be going away from A, don't know for how long and don't know if its forever. I am going away from the people whom I love, trust and adore the most. I don't know if they'll miss me, if they'll recall me but I know for sure that I am going to miss each and every one in my gang. But I guess the philosophy of life is - we meet to part and we part to meet. Hope life does come a full circle!! :-)
But apart from these few hiccups I am looking forward to my next step of my life with full zeal and vigor. I am going to put in efforts to make something out of me at least now. I hope to give reasons to my parents, family and friends to be proud of me.
US of A, here I come... :-)
If I ask myself why I want to go to US to pursue my dream, well the only answer I can get is that this is what I have wanted to do right from my childhood or rather high school days. I think I was more serious about my studies and career during my school days rather than now. When I was the school kid I wanted to be the next Sabeer Bhatia, and I was pretty sure that I will discover or invent something that big like Hotmail ;)
Well now that I am about to embark on this journey to fulfill my dreams I am all excited. I am filled with dreams of everything. I am basically turned on because of the fact that I will be getting to stay all by myself without anyone to question my every movement,for the first time in my life. :D
But I will be lying if I say that I am all geared up without any nervousness. I am scared at the same time. There are a lot of things I am leaving behind before I go. Firstly I am concerned about my parents. Now that my mom is not in her best of her health states, her situation worries me. It concerns me because its going to be only my father with her now. Its now that I am selfishly wishing that I had a sibling to take care of them when I am going to be away. Secondly, I am going to leave everything that makes me lead a rosy life here, to an unexpected land to discover everything on my own. This doesn't scare me exactly,to be honest. The only thing I am hoping for is that the things do not become too difficult owing to current recession scenario and I will have to regret my decision of leaving a decently paying job. Thirdly and also most importantly, I am going to be leaving my friends. I am going to be going away from A, don't know for how long and don't know if its forever. I am going away from the people whom I love, trust and adore the most. I don't know if they'll miss me, if they'll recall me but I know for sure that I am going to miss each and every one in my gang. But I guess the philosophy of life is - we meet to part and we part to meet. Hope life does come a full circle!! :-)
But apart from these few hiccups I am looking forward to my next step of my life with full zeal and vigor. I am going to put in efforts to make something out of me at least now. I hope to give reasons to my parents, family and friends to be proud of me.
US of A, here I come... :-)
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Testimonial for my grandpa
My grandpa was like one in a million person for me. He was this fine man with hair of silver and heart of gold. He was the only one who made me feel that I was loved and that I was wanted in his life. He was the only one who made me feel that if I was not around him, he would miss me. His love for me was completely selfless. So here is something I would like to write in his tribute.
My grandpa came to stay with us after my grandmom passed away. His sons and daughters-in-law were only more than delighted to let him go. My mom, though she faced some kind of resistance from her in-laws and my father, was more than happy to let him share our home. I was the most excited. Initially I was also bit skeptical because I had to share my room with him. But it was very soon that I realized that he was so much fun. Everyday we would have something or the other to chat about. He used to treat me to Bhel puri and paani puri almost every other day. He used to get me all sorts of goodies. He would buy me stuff for my birthday, gave me small pennies to keep as pocket money. It was so much fun while he was around. He was one person whom I could bank upon very blindly. He used to always show me off in front of relatives and friends as if I am his prized grandchild. He used to praise me more than what I deserved for my marks, achievements in school or college.
One incident that totally endeared him to me was, Once when I got caught at home with a letter written to Arpan on his birthday. My parents hit the roof reading the contents of the letter and hurled all sorts of abuses on me. Their diatribe went on for days. But it was my grandpa who came to my rescue. Though he didn't completely approve of my activities, he just saw it as an innocent mistake of a young teenager and asked my parents also to see it the same way. He was like "If the child doesn't do these type of mistakes at this age who else will". That sentence stuck me so hard, that I wept because only one person seemed to understand me in that situation. I started seeing him like god sent gift during crisis.
This dear old man always knew how to just mind his own business and rarely interfered in the household affairs. We all loved him thoroughly. Infact I used to go green with envy when my grandpa started spending more time with another grandkid which was a new entrant in the family.
When he passed away in 2004, I thought that I lost someone very dear some one totally irreplaceable. He was such a person in my life that I miss him even today, remember every little thing that we shared. I love you, grandpa.
Victor Hugo once pointed out that " There are fathers who do not love their children;
there is no grandfather who does not adore his grandson."
My grandpa came to stay with us after my grandmom passed away. His sons and daughters-in-law were only more than delighted to let him go. My mom, though she faced some kind of resistance from her in-laws and my father, was more than happy to let him share our home. I was the most excited. Initially I was also bit skeptical because I had to share my room with him. But it was very soon that I realized that he was so much fun. Everyday we would have something or the other to chat about. He used to treat me to Bhel puri and paani puri almost every other day. He used to get me all sorts of goodies. He would buy me stuff for my birthday, gave me small pennies to keep as pocket money. It was so much fun while he was around. He was one person whom I could bank upon very blindly. He used to always show me off in front of relatives and friends as if I am his prized grandchild. He used to praise me more than what I deserved for my marks, achievements in school or college.
One incident that totally endeared him to me was, Once when I got caught at home with a letter written to Arpan on his birthday. My parents hit the roof reading the contents of the letter and hurled all sorts of abuses on me. Their diatribe went on for days. But it was my grandpa who came to my rescue. Though he didn't completely approve of my activities, he just saw it as an innocent mistake of a young teenager and asked my parents also to see it the same way. He was like "If the child doesn't do these type of mistakes at this age who else will". That sentence stuck me so hard, that I wept because only one person seemed to understand me in that situation. I started seeing him like god sent gift during crisis.
This dear old man always knew how to just mind his own business and rarely interfered in the household affairs. We all loved him thoroughly. Infact I used to go green with envy when my grandpa started spending more time with another grandkid which was a new entrant in the family.
When he passed away in 2004, I thought that I lost someone very dear some one totally irreplaceable. He was such a person in my life that I miss him even today, remember every little thing that we shared. I love you, grandpa.
Victor Hugo once pointed out that " There are fathers who do not love their children;
there is no grandfather who does not adore his grandson."
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
My dream home
January 22nd 2007, that is the day I started earning. On this day, I started working as an intern with i2 Technologies, Bangalore. Apart from all the great work experience, SCM related skills that I was learning I started to earn money. When I earned my first salary I was thrilled beyond means. Its not as if I was seeing money for the first time or that I was financially challenged, but the smell of your OWN money is something intoxicating.
Soon I started wondering what is that I want to do with all the money that I am going to earn one day. I mean what is that one thing I would want to indulge on if I happen to earn loads of money. A car, a flat, diamonds...all that is there!! But I needed something more than this to motivate me to earn lots of money. Thats when it stuck me that I wanted two things very dearly in life - home and travel!!
Home to come back after travel, and travel to go out of my home!!!
I want to build the most beautiful home that is possible. It should not just be a dwelling place, but something filled with so many elements that I should be attracted towards it even after years of staying under the same roof. I want to feel pampered when I come home, it should be something that I would want to get people home and hear their praises. Its something I want to do up very creatively. I have already designed some aspects of my home like my bedroom, the bar, the bathroom, the garden etc etc... I would want my bedroom to be made really lavish. I want dark black granite flooring with pure white walls. One side of the bedroom is going to be facing the garden through a glass partition. I want the glass partition to be such that it has two plates and there is water flowing in between the plates continuously. I will always feel thats its raining outside, and thats when I feel the best. Another feature of my home, is going to be the bar. I make no qualms about relishing alcoholic beverages. So obviously I will have a beautifully decorated area dedicated for my bar. I am going to call it a tree-tavern. It is going to be decorated like a tree, with it's branch tips holding glasses, and the trunk of the tree will be the bar cupboard, and small tree stumps are going to be used as bar stools.. doesn't this sound great. This is my own creative idea. I hope this is feasible and works out.
This is one home that is going to be decorated for me to come back not only to rest but a home to treasure all the important events my life. My memories are going to be inscribed in there. I hope this home happens!! I hope I am able to earn all the money I want to build this home.
As Robert Southey has one mentioned "There is a magic in that little world, home; it is a mystic circle that surrounds comforts and virtues never known beyond its hallowed limits” I hope to create this magic for me and my loved ones!
Soon I started wondering what is that I want to do with all the money that I am going to earn one day. I mean what is that one thing I would want to indulge on if I happen to earn loads of money. A car, a flat, diamonds...all that is there!! But I needed something more than this to motivate me to earn lots of money. Thats when it stuck me that I wanted two things very dearly in life - home and travel!!
Home to come back after travel, and travel to go out of my home!!!
I want to build the most beautiful home that is possible. It should not just be a dwelling place, but something filled with so many elements that I should be attracted towards it even after years of staying under the same roof. I want to feel pampered when I come home, it should be something that I would want to get people home and hear their praises. Its something I want to do up very creatively. I have already designed some aspects of my home like my bedroom, the bar, the bathroom, the garden etc etc... I would want my bedroom to be made really lavish. I want dark black granite flooring with pure white walls. One side of the bedroom is going to be facing the garden through a glass partition. I want the glass partition to be such that it has two plates and there is water flowing in between the plates continuously. I will always feel thats its raining outside, and thats when I feel the best. Another feature of my home, is going to be the bar. I make no qualms about relishing alcoholic beverages. So obviously I will have a beautifully decorated area dedicated for my bar. I am going to call it a tree-tavern. It is going to be decorated like a tree, with it's branch tips holding glasses, and the trunk of the tree will be the bar cupboard, and small tree stumps are going to be used as bar stools.. doesn't this sound great. This is my own creative idea. I hope this is feasible and works out.
This is one home that is going to be decorated for me to come back not only to rest but a home to treasure all the important events my life. My memories are going to be inscribed in there. I hope this home happens!! I hope I am able to earn all the money I want to build this home.
As Robert Southey has one mentioned "There is a magic in that little world, home; it is a mystic circle that surrounds comforts and virtues never known beyond its hallowed limits” I hope to create this magic for me and my loved ones!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Sagar sir and April fools day!!
Happy April fool's day to you all!!
Though I have not been able to really know the history behind this particular day its something I have always enjoyed on many occasions. It is a day marked by people playing pranks and practical jokes on one another. So similarly I have been a prey to many such pranks. This year was no different either. sigh! :D
One of my favorite teachers, Sagar sir called me up today morning asking for a help. He said that our HOD, Prof N K Srinath was looking for someone to help his relative to get a government job and he assumed that my dad can be of some help. I don't know how Sagar sir knows where my dad works, but he told me very innocently that my dad who works in KEONICS can help him. Though I was smelling something fishy in this conversation, but when he mentioned about KEONICS I couldn't take a chance. And moreover, he told me that it was HOD who was seeking for help. When its our HOD in question, we never ever refuse to help. So I immediately went ahead and called our HOD. And bang!! Within 2 seconds I realized that Sagar sir was again playing another one of his stupid pranks on me!! It was a bit embarrassing..infact a lot, to explain to HOD why I was calling him and he was not at all able to understand me. Then when I heard a rage of laughter in the background, all I could say was Dammit!! Sagar sir fooled me again, and did it continuously for the 4 year... Well, that makes me love him more...
This incident left me wondering, is any other batch of students in this world which is as privileged as we are to be in such closeness with teachers and HOD. Info Sci batch 0f 2003-07 will always be remembered for everything we did. I miss college so much.
Mark Twain has remarked - "April 1st: This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three-hundred and sixty-four."
Though I have not been able to really know the history behind this particular day its something I have always enjoyed on many occasions. It is a day marked by people playing pranks and practical jokes on one another. So similarly I have been a prey to many such pranks. This year was no different either. sigh! :D
One of my favorite teachers, Sagar sir called me up today morning asking for a help. He said that our HOD, Prof N K Srinath was looking for someone to help his relative to get a government job and he assumed that my dad can be of some help. I don't know how Sagar sir knows where my dad works, but he told me very innocently that my dad who works in KEONICS can help him. Though I was smelling something fishy in this conversation, but when he mentioned about KEONICS I couldn't take a chance. And moreover, he told me that it was HOD who was seeking for help. When its our HOD in question, we never ever refuse to help. So I immediately went ahead and called our HOD. And bang!! Within 2 seconds I realized that Sagar sir was again playing another one of his stupid pranks on me!! It was a bit embarrassing..infact a lot, to explain to HOD why I was calling him and he was not at all able to understand me. Then when I heard a rage of laughter in the background, all I could say was Dammit!! Sagar sir fooled me again, and did it continuously for the 4 year... Well, that makes me love him more...
This incident left me wondering, is any other batch of students in this world which is as privileged as we are to be in such closeness with teachers and HOD. Info Sci batch 0f 2003-07 will always be remembered for everything we did. I miss college so much.
Mark Twain has remarked - "April 1st: This is the day upon which we are reminded of what we are on the other three-hundred and sixty-four."
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