Forget the past and Move on

Read this somewhere and found it worthwhile to share it.

A wise man once sat in the audience & cracked a joke.
All laughed like crazy. After a moment he cracked the same joke again and a little less people laughed this time.
He cracked the same joke again & again, When there was no laughter in the crowd,
he smiled and said

"When u can't laugh on the same joke again & again, then why do u keep crying over the same thing over and over again.

'Forget the past & move on'…

Bye Bye 2010

What an year 2010 turned out to be. It started at the deserts of Jaisalmer and ended on the beaches of Goa with the entire in-between spent in Delhi. The year had its share of ups and downs which I believe every thing has. Let me have a quick recap of the year as I recall the events...
Marriage was at an all time high with my sister getting married and a lot of friends also getting married including Ashish, Kunal and Shubhi as well as few friends getting engaged which included Saurav and Saurabh.
The threat of recession became less which lead to lot of friends switching companies which of course doesn't include me :)
Not many trips happened this year. The ones that happened though were great and included return from Jaisalmer, a trip to Ramnagar to attend a marriage and finally a trip to Bombay, Pune and Goa.
Got my driving license finally and then bought a car (Alto). I never thought I would be driving on the roads of Delhi but as usual things that I don't want to do I end up doing them.
Joined badminton club this year to continue my relation with sports; and also to take some care of health :)
Spend some wonderful time with family and friends, had the usual fights in office, planned and replanned my future, managed to stay away from marriage despite everyone's best efforts, my VISA got declined, got another loan, saw my favourite team lose in the FIFA world cup, and many more.

They say whatever happens, happens for a reason. And now what had to happen has already happened in the last year. Now that the year has gone, only memories remain. Goodbye 2010.

Common Wealth Games - I was there

Finally I went to see the commonwealth games or CWG as it is commonly known. And believe me it was a wonderful experience. A friend of mine had asked if I wanted to go to the games and I had said yes without a thought. Its not that I wanted to go but it wasn't also like I didn't want to go. Also such events occur once in years and once in decades in your city; so when it comes just grab the opportunity. I did that thanks to my friend for taking the initiative and booking the tickets. So it was Sunday 10th October that we (6 people) went to the games.
We started from Rohini East metro station and proceeded towards Green Park metro station. The tickets had free metro passes which was really good initiative taken by the Delhi Govt to aid spectators. We got down at the Green Park metro station and took the bus to Siri Fort Complex. Yup the bus ride was also free :). We reached Siri Fort Complex and after going through the security checks finally reached the stadium. We went inside and there it was in front of us - the beautiful Badminton courts. First glance and I knew it was going to be amazing. And I was right. As we entered there was a mixed doubles match going on involving India. Every single point was cheered liked India had won the match; and India did win the match.
The stadium had 5 courts and we switched between courts to watch the matches of interest. There were some closely fought matches as well as many one-sided matches, but every match was enjoyed. When India wasn't playing some other teams got the support of the entire crowd and was duly appreciated by the players. And finally we got to see the badminton queen of India Saina Nehwal in action. The long wait was worthwhile as Saina demolished her opponent quickly and the roar from the crowd was deafening. That was the last match we saw there and started for our next stop - Major Dhyanchand National stadium.

We took metro and then shuttle to reach the stadium to watch the big match India vs Pakistan. After a thorough security check we finally entered the stadium. And one glance of the stadium from one of the open doors and I knew it was going to be amazing. And when I entered the stadium the feeling was simply unbelievable - you have to be there to feel it. There was still more than 30 minutes for the match to begin but the stadium was jam packed. In fact there were more people in the stadium than the no of tickets. Despite having a ticket we had to sit on the stairs; not that we minded :). The view was spectacular to say the least. The floodlights had illuminated the field as if it was midday. The Indian flag could be seen everywhere. The Pakistan team was 1st to arrive for warm-up greeted by a decent cheer. And then when the Indian team came to the field you couldn't hear your neighbour.

With 5 minutes to go before the match started the two teams lined up for their respective national anthems. And when the Indian national anthem began the entire stadium was singing the anthem. Never before had I witnessed so many people singing the national anthem and one could feel the pride everyone was feeling.

The match started and quickly India got their first penalty corner which lead to their first goal. Every time India went into the offence the noise levels increased. Every pass, every dribble was cheered with a loud roar and when India scored the entire crowd was on their feet. You could here people chant - "Bharat mata ki jai", "1 2 3 4 we want one more", "Jeetega bhai jeetega India jeetega" and many more. And there was not a single person who wasn't participating. India won the match convincingly 7-4 and moved to the semis. Many people left the stadium as the match was ending but the majority of the people stayed back for the victory lap. And when it happened the crowd cheered as if India had won the tournament :).
As we came out we had to take the shuttle to the metro station. As I had to go the opposite direction of others I took the 1st shuttle. It was full and people were still trying to board the bus. And inside the bus the chants were still going on as if the match was still on. And the people who were walking along the road towards the metro station also joined in chorus. Finally the metro station arrived and everyone de-boarded the bus. The day was comming to an end.
But overall it was a wonderful experience - something which is hard to describe in words and needs to be felt. Its a shame that so much controversy surrounded the games which kind of makes it certain that such events won't happen here in near future. But then again the organizers, volunteers, spectators and the players have given their best to make sure each event is a success story and Delhi has once again proved that when it comes to participation they are always game. I wish such events happen in future and I would definitely like to go there :)

Aur khud se milne ki saari liney vyast hai...

A few days back I received an SMS from a friend which included these lines -

"Duniya se milne mein hum sab mast hai,

Aur khud se milne ki saari liney vyast hai"

Somehow these lines stuck in my mind and I spent sometime going over these. And I realized that these carry a deeper meaning than what catches the eye; especially the last line - "Aur khud se milne ki saari liney vyast hai" (a translation in English would mean something like 'all roads leading to meeting you are busy'). This line sums up pretty well the way people are today - they have time for everything except for themselves. People are very busy tending their jobs, meeting deadlines, obliging the social commitments, catering to family needs, etc, etc. But when it comes to their hobbies they don't have time; when it comes to doing what they want they don't have time; when it comes to fulfilling their dreams, they don't have time. In fact many people don't even find time to dream, set their goals, tend to their health, relax.

Its strange that people know all along that they need to relax, take a break before resuming their daily chores. But they postpone it to grow further in their career. They feel that a few steps more and then they will be able to be in a better position to enjoy. Once they take those steps they go for a few more steps and the cycle continues taking them to a point of no return. And by the time they realize this they go too far which takes a toll on their body, on their mind, on their relations, on their heart, and they cannot undo it. Some end up being very successful while others don't but the end result in terms of their personal life is same. And then they regret neglecting all the things that should have been a priority rather than postponement.

It brings up the question that what should one do? On one hand you need to find time to spend with yourself but on the other hand you need to be spending extra time in your job to go past your competition which is immense these days. So can one blame you for not spending time on things you like instead of doing things that you must in order to grow in your career. Tricky question. But I guess the answer is simple. Extra hours of work doesn't necessarily mean more output. Efficiency is the key. If you look at the definition of efficiency it is output/input. The more input you put in the lesser is your efficiency. And why would you need to put in extra effort? Because you are not sharp mentally, because you have lots of things on your mind, because you are tired, because you are not happy. And why is it so? Because you are not looking after the most important person that is YOU. And if you don't look after you then your efficiency is going to decrease. And there is a extent to which you can push yourself with the possibility of reviving yourself; post which you will not be able to go back.

So you will have to take it as a priority to look after yourself, pamper yourself, indulge yourself in activities you like without caring about others. No matter what take sometime out everyday for yourself and do what you like. This will not only make you feel good but also help you do well in other things because a well-oiled machine will always give a better performance (here I am taking the liberty of calling you a machine - the best one ever created by the almighty himself).

Go and meet yourself, spend time with yourself and make sure you have a good time :)

Shouldn't I be complaining?

Of late I have been seeing the behavior of a few friends change. That could be just my thought or that could be reality. I would tend to think they are as I see them. I will quote a few instances and you decide for yourself.

Let me start with KS. We have been very good friends for quite sometime. But I have seen some changes in him in the last few months. There have been quite some instances -

He had a self imposed ban on him from drinking and as a friend we (we here refers to a group) never forced him. But one day while travelling to a friend's marriage he didn't refuse on being asked by a guy we met only the second time.

He used to find time for friends but since getting engaged (almost) he has been it seems always on phone. So busy that he didn't even pick a phone of a bus mate who was running a little late.

We were watching movies. In the interval we asked him to bring us some nachos and pepsi to which he refused. Had he been asked by a girl or a relatively new friend he would have brought it.

Earlier he was game for parties but now he always comes up with a 'NO' one way or the other. Not that he doesn't go to parties but its just he prefers going with his team rather than friends.

Earlier he wouldn't mind attending parties even if he himself had to host one. But now suddenly he can't afford to party citing reason that he doesn't have money. But he has the money to finance his fiancé's trip and also to give party to his new project team for no reason whatsoever.

We were on bench for sometime and had loads of fun. He got a project a few days back and since then he has turned busy with little or no work. He prefers sitting on his seat doing nothing rather than sit or go out with friends.

Enough of KS I guess. Lets talk about SS. We were in together in my last project and were a close knit team. One day I saw his status on gtalk saying "Boston, USA". I was surprised and pinged him. He said he had just come. When I asked him why he didn't say anything before leaving he gave all sort of excuses.

Moving over to SG. We are friends since XII standard. Its been some time since we are in regular contact but once a while we do talk. But for last few months he had almost disappeared. I got the news of him getting a job from a common friend. He never bothered to call and share the good news.

Then there's SD. She went to UK on a 2 weeks trip but that got extended. And she didn't even bother to tell this.

There's another SG who is married now and in Bangalore. She booked a new car. she had been telling about buying the car all along but when the day of arrival of the car finally came she didn't bother to share the news. That again came from a common friend.

It seems I am complaining. Well I am; I have a right to do so. I can understand friends not wanting to share bad news but not wanting to share a good news is strange. At least for me. I will be waiting for your comments.

Everything is dependent on others; or is it?

A few days back it was raining as I was going home from office in the office bus. It had been raining for quite sometime and as a result there was a lot of water on the road. We were crossing the Kapashera border (Delhi - Gurgaon border). As I looked out of the window I saw hordes of people walking. It was time for them to go home as well. Most of them work in the factories in the surrounding areas. People in the bus were cursing the rain as whenever it rains the roads are filled with water and it creates traffic jams. And I agreed with them. Then I looked out again and saw the people walking in water logged roads, rain falling steadily on them. Some of them had removed their shoes and were holding them as they walked.

I remembered the days when I had to go through rain in the similar way. I never quite liked that. I remembered the days when I used to travel via public conveyance. I still do that but the frequency has reduced to very low. And now as I listened to the people in the bus cribbing about the water logged streets and as I saw the people outside walking on such street fully drenched I wondered if I should join the people inside the bus in cribbing or should I feel happy that at least I am not out there on the road; I wondered what the people outside would be thinking and should I pity them for having to go through such ordeal (if I may call it so); or should I just ignore everything and sleep for sometime. No point in guessing that I chose to sleep.

It seems to have become the pattern for people nowadays. You look at people who are better off than you and you crib about your life. You look at people who are not as well off as you and you feel happy about your life (or do you feel sad about them - No both are not the same). You see people smiling and feel why can't you smile like that. You see people do things and feel upset as to why you can't do it irrespective of whether you have tried it or not.

It seems strange, doesn't it, that your actions, happiness, sadness, life is dependent on others. Does it really have to be that way? I don't think so. But I see it everywhere, all around; people discussing others rather than themselves. And if I speak to them their response is "you don't/won't understand". And then I decide to mend my own business.

Bio-data instead of Resume :)

K came up to me and said "I committed a blunder yesterday" and here's the conversation that followed -

K - "And you are going to laugh about it"

I - "And what exactly did you do?"

K - "I have made mistakes before but nothing like this. And the worst part is I never realized it"

I - "But what exactly did you do?"

K - "Here's what happened. I had sent my resume to Infy through S. S called me yesterday and asked "Why did you mention your height and complexion in your resume?". I replied that I didn't. To this S said "But the HR was saying you have mentioned these facts". I was taken aback. I went and checked my sent mail and found that I had sent my bio-data instead of my resume."

I - "You mean you send the marriage bio-data?"

K - "Yes."

I laughing now - "You really did that?"

K - "Yes. And S didn't even check it before forwarding it. In fact she saw it after forwarding it".

I laughing uncontrollably now

K blushing "Stop laughing"

I laughing even more

K now getting angry "Stop it will you"

I - "I am imagining how the HR would have felt when she opened your resume oops bio-data"

K - "Stop it"

I - "And then she would be putting it up in the Infy matrimony portal if they have one"

K - ''Ab bas karega"

I continue laughing and soon K joined in :)