Road Rage

Delhi is now Officially N.C.R -National Capital of Rage ... Last night a Man was shot at in road rage but got saved thanks to his metal belt, 2 days ago a man was beaten over a scuffle, as to who will be served Parathas first @ a roadside eatery, Gurgaon Toll Booth shoot Out....Whats happening to the Dilwaala Delhite ... I am a Delhite too & am proud of Delhi the City, Its beauty, the architecture..., the heritage, the history, the roads, The food of Delhi, the large heartedness of its people, the fact that its a melting pot....But I am not proud of Delhi being a city of Ego Maniacs, who can end lives for trivial, insignificant things .... Why ?????? Why are we slaves to Our beaten, Bruised, crushed, battered, Full of Low self esteem, - EGO - that we can pull triggers on such stupid things... ......A bad fish spoils the whole pond, but if the fish stays for long, the Pond spoils the sea..... I ma afraid this might soon become a City trait...already Lot of Places & Cities in India itself, look down upon Delhites - as some of us, again serving our shallow egos, would have attempted to beeing the BOSS.......


We already have a reputation of the Power crimes -with any of MPs/MLAs son almost getting away with crimes....For Every 1 Manu sharma caught (Comedy of errors), there are 10 others who are scot free & they are the Delhites, the world sees...



Those who do this Think again, You are spoiling your cities name- Delhites are not like this ---- Pl check the Bad Fish in the Pond

mehengaai

Kitni bad gayi mehengai hai, thaki haari jantaa deti duhaai hai


is mehengaai se humein raahat dilaao, aisi shammat aai hai

Hum puri koshish kar rahe hain, aage tak arzi lagaai hai

samaaj ke yeh bade thekedaar jo chalaate hamaari sarkar hai

Chintaa mat karo hum tumhaare saath hai, yeh kehte hain

unse puchcho kya woh jaante hai ki gareeb kasie rehte hain



Chintaa mat karo hum tumhaare saath hai, yeh kehte hain

unse puchcho kya woh jaante hai ki gareeb kasie rehte hain

kal kuch theek hoga aisaa sonch ke kitne aansoo behte hain

sab kuch seh lenge hum, par pet ki bhookh kaise sehte hain

unse puchcho kya woh jaante hai ki gareeb kasie rehte hain



sabji, doodh, daal, phal sab mushkil se hi khaa paayegaa

Itna saara anaaj sarkaari godaamo main waise hi sadd jaayegaa

apne bachchon ki bhukh ko bhul jaa, jab pet milaa hai jo bhojan bhi aayegaa

Love the Pain

Just last week, we were blessed with a Baby Boy in our Family ...my wife delivered a tiny, 2.7 Kg, Baby boy on 13th October....and I became a Father for the first time... Was just wondering what a strange relationship life has with Pain.... Just Imagine, The Life begins when the Baby Comes out of the Mothers womb..... But the Mother, has to go through probably the Biggest Pains of her entire Life .. The Labor Pains... Some Doctors say, that the Pain, though cant be measured, but would be equivalent to the pain one would feel on breaking of 40 bones in ones body..... Life Begins with Pain.....

Day 2 - As is a Normal routine, Most New Borns, have a very High level of Billurubin Count, which is indicative of the Preliminary Jaundice in new borns .... The New Born is probably not even aware of his existence in the world & he has to be pricked ..a Blood Sample for evaluation Jaundice ...... a 20 Hour Old baby, being Pricked for blood ...... Life Sucks from Day 1 ..... Another Tryst with Pain

This is Intreresting, The babies are supposed to have a balance of Mothers breast feed & the Lactogen Milk.... Even Breast Feeding is not too easy for the Mom...... The Baby sucking & biting the Mom at the Nipple, is not easy for the Mom to tolerate.....

So thats how life is .... No Complains.... We are conditioned for Pain..... As many People say, Life is tough, But at the same time, Life is a fair equaliser ... It balances out things even for a 2 day old baby .... It conditionns us for pain.....so that we are ready to handle Life with all its vagaries, unprecedencies... As They Say, No Pain No Gain......So Love the Pain .....

Karva Chauth

Karva Chauth – one of the Traditional Festivals of Punjabis . wherein all the married ladies of the House fast until they see the evening moon . They are not even supposed to have a drop of water the entire day until they see the evening moon & see the face of their beloved husbands through the sleeve or channi .. The husband then offers water to the wife & she breaks the fast .......The Ladies celebrate this fast for ensuring longevity & a healthy life for their husbands . There are many legends associated with this Fast fo Karva Chauth . That of Queen Veeravati or Stayavan-Saviti, Even the Legend from Mahabharat Talks about the Karva Chauth


There is the Legend of Queen Veeravati who was the only sister of her seven loving brothers, who was married to a king. On the occasion of the first Karva Chauth after her marriage, she went to her parents' house. After sunrise, she observed a strict fast. However, the queen couldn't stand the rigors of fasting and was desperately waiting for the moon to rise. The seven brothers who loved her dearly, were very disturbed watching the distress of their sister and decided to end her fast by deceiving her. Then the brothers reflected a mirror through Pipal tree leaves. The sister, taken it as moon rise, broke the fast and took food. However, the moment the queen ate her dinner, she received the news that her husband, the king, was seriously ill.The queen rushed to her husband's palace and on the way, she met Lord Shiva and his consort, Goddess Parvati. Parvati informed her that the king had died because the queen had broken her fast by watching a false moon. However, when the queen asked her for forgiveness, the goddess granted her the boon that the king would be revived. But to achieve this, she would have to undertake the Karva Chauth fast under strict rituals, then only her husband would come top life. Thus, by strictly following all the rituals of Karva chauth, queen Veeravati, relivened her husband.



The Legend of Mahabharata

The belief in this fast and its associated rituals goes back to the pre-Mahabharata times. Draupadi, too, is said to have observed this fast. Once Arjun went to the Nilgiris for penance and the rest of the Pandavas faced many problems in his absence. Draupadi, out of desperation, remembered Lord Krishna and asked for help. Lord Krishna reminded her that on an earlier occasion, when Goddess Parvati had sought Lord Shivas guidance under similar circumstances, she had been advised to observe the fast of Karva Chauth. Draupadi followed the instructions and observed the fast with all its rituals. Consequently, the Pandavas were able to overcome their problems. On this day, fasting women listen to Karva Chauth legends with rapt attention.



The Story of Satyavan and Savitri

There is the story of the Satyavan and Savitri. When Lord Yama, came to procure Satyavan's soul, Savitri begged him to grant him life. When he refused, she stopped eating and drinking and Yamraj finally relented. He granted her, her husband's life. To this day, Karva Chauth is celebrated with great faith and belief.



The Legend of Karva

According to another legend, a woman named Karva was deeply devoted to her husband. One day while bathing, he was caught by a crocodile. Karva came running and bound the crocodile with a cotton yarn. She then went to Yama, the Lord of the death, and requested him to send the offending crocodile to hell. When Yama refused, she threatened to curse him. Afraid of the power of a devoted wife, Yama readily accepted and sent the crocodile to Yamalok or hell, and blessed Karva's husband with long life.



Another Legend which talks about Karva Chauth..In earlier days,, when a women would go to stay at her In laws House, she would have very few companions or friends to discuss her problems & personal life.....Our Society being extremely conservative those days, women were not encouraged too much to speak or be too vocal...Also staying together with os many family members would mean little time for her & even lesser time with her husband...Hence there was a tradition, wherein she would befriend one of the ladies of the house, it could be her sister in law, neighbours, small girl child in the house, & this relationship would be sanctified by elders .... Thus they would be confidants for each other & the bride would discuss her personal, health & hygiene related problems with this confidante of hers .... This relation would become so strong that eventually one day would be earmarked as a celebration for this special festival & relationship....It would be full of festivities, fun, frolic ... Later Husband was also included in this festival, as the relationship of God Sisters or god Friends, as they would call it, came into being because of the marriage only....

Today Karva Chauth has become as big as any other festival in Delhi & Parts of North India...Its a Perfect example when tradition meets Fashion...It has also been Popularised a lot in Bollywood flicks and especially Filmmakers like Yash Chopra, Karan Johar...Due to the Ever Increasing Popularity of Bollywood Films in the Indian Diaspora settled all cross the globe, This was one of the best ways to present connection with their Motherland .... The Famous Karva Chauth Scenes &8 songs in, Blockbuster movies Like Dilwale Duilhaniyan le jaayenge, released in the year 1995...Another BlockBuster movie, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum, had a massive song & dance sequence involving the 3 hot superstars o fthat time.....Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas, Maha Shivratri are all National festivals, & the actual celebration & after effects for these festivals, span atleast 2 days or more ... In Today fast paced world, where Time is money 7 even More than that...because one can still earn lost money, but cant earn lost time......Karva Chauth steps in as a nice, refreshing small 1 day festival..Also unlike other festivals, which are about the Complete Family & a whole lot bigger gamut of thngs involved, Karva Chautgh is smply about the women & her desire..Its about her desire & wish for a Happy & Long Life fir her husband, Its about her coming out in the Open & saying , that I Care for my Husband... Its about Coming out in the Open & Saying, I love my Husband & wish a Long & Happy Life for him..Its about a womens sacrifice .... and who says sacrifices always have to be about struggle, hardship & troubles

Why cant we have one day of her sacrifice & yet celebrate that sacrifice with great aplomb, elan, grace, grandeur, fun, frolic & lots of masti......... As Indians, we are sop obsessed with the Idea of Scrifice & penance, that Fun & enjoyment, seems to be a vice & not a virtue... So In a way, this Festival breaks Restaurants, Malls, Markets, Multiplex, all are dressed in the flavour of karva chauth... Karva or Clay Pots are adorned so beautifully in shops. Karva Chauth Food Items..Specia; Karva Chauth Thali being as a hot seller in restaurants.... Women can be seen adorned in the best of Bridal Clother, Bindis, Jewellery, Bangles, Vermilion , vow, If Sacrifise is so beautiful, then might as well do it gracefully. Just Remembered a Poplar Ad for a Scootie, which had the Punchline “Why should boys have all the fun .......Karva Chauth is about Fun for Women, so go out there & have it.......

Navratris - A Dicotohmy

The Festival of Navratris, although very popular & widely celebrated, also brings out tremendous dicohotomies in our society & ourselves as well .. Being a Devout, HardCore Non Vegetarian Food Lover, these 9 days of abstinenc seems to much of a sacrifise isnt it..It is also a period, when heavy drinkers, also have to refrain from Consumption of Alcohol ....... Many also practice complete celbacy during these 8-9 days of Navratris...Vow.. Women could never feel so much respected in a society....Where women power is celebtrated with so much aplomb, fanfare & pride...Durga, Saraswati, Laxmi, Kaali, all forms of the Shakti or women power......

I have seen many Delhi & North Indian Families, end the last day of the Puja, or naumi, as its called, with a Kanjak Puja at home....Its a small Puja where 8-9 small girls, representing the Goddess, in its avatars, are worshipped for a brief period though....With the Traditional Praisad or Offerinngs of Halwaa, Puri, Ornaments..People aslo wash their feet with water to cleanse them before the ritual....Isnt it strange..In a Country, which is still struggling with the highest Crimes against women..... Rapes, EveTeasing, Dowry Deaths, Female Infantcides, Suppression, Torture..... Fat lecherous Traders or Lalas as they are called in Trade Circles, who keep staring at small girls, probably young enough to be their daughters, are the most eager paticipants in these ceremonies

One Report on the status of Primsry Schooling in India, stated that close to 50% of schools in Villages Offering Primary Education, dont have separate toilets for the Girl Child....The Girl Child, is not the Priority for Educationg in Poor families......

Laughter & The Movies which did it

Was watching Padosan for a while...must have watched this movie 10 times....vow what a roller coaster... what innocence in all characters....The Great Kishore Kumar, Mahmood, Sunil Dutt, The veteran actor Om Prakash, easily the greatest Hindi Comedy Movie...Even Today One doesnt get bored watching these movies..This is what is called Timeless Cinema. In a Time, when Computer Technology changes every month, People Change Mobile Phones every 6 months, a New Car is Purchased every 5 years, when nothing in life seems permanent, why is it that a Movie which made your Grandfather, laugh so much, almost 30 years ago, makes you go crazy with laughter all over again when u watch it again for the umpteenth time. A movie which has made generations enjoy the same humor & made them laugh, every single time, what is this thread that keeps us all tied together & evoke same reaction..... Emotions....I think the basic emotions that we all strive for today, still remain the same .... Laughter it seems, is probably the best manifestation of the emotion of Happiness....




While, there is still a huge debate about the means & ends to achieve Happiness & satisfaction the same, & how to measure the quotient of Happiness or satisfaction in a Person. But How about a Laughter...When was the Last time we had a Big Thunderous laughter, the one where you forget your basic manners & etiquettes for a while and just break into a crazy hysteric laughter.... I am not referring to the smile which may grow big depending upon your jawline, but the crazy shrieking laughter, the one where your eyes are so much filled up with water, that one would easily feel that you are crying... That Laughter I am referring to ....



Last Night, again while watching the Movie Singham, I had a similar experience, not the eyes filling up with water, but almost a hysteric shriek...The Villian Prakash Raj, on being Cornered by the Cops, & were discussing various options to kill him off... The situation was quite hilarious & the actor did a great job of venting his frustration in a comic manner....



And Laughing apart from its obvious health benefits, is also a great antidepressant & can lift your mood by few notches....While Happiness is subject to fulfillment of lot of things, your desires, achievements, same may be the case with Satisfaction, whereas Laughter is Independent of any such thing. So to Speak Laughter is mutually exclusive of Happiness & Satisfaction, and may have same or better benefits than achieving Happiness or satisfaction



So How about having a great Laughter Soon …. I can suggest some all time Great Comedy Movies, which can help you achieve this job, Like “Half Ticket” , “Pyaar Kiye Jaa”, “Andaaz Apna Apna” “Peecha Karo”, “Jaane Bhi Do yaaron”, Golmaal (Original), “Rang Birangee”. These are some sure shot Comic Crapers, which will take you on a comic ride & rest assured, you will get that crazy laughter


Half Ticket – Kishore Kumar took being Crazy to the next level. He Plays a Kid in the movies in a major part of the movie…and a mentally deranged one …… What a Legend....Kishore, Mahmood, you don’t get people like these anymore

Mushkilen maan lengi haar

Uth khada hounga apne pair pe, gir gir kar itni baar, ki mushkilen bhi thak kar keh dein maan li hamne haar

Jeevan kabhi ek samaan sa nahin chalta, yeh to samundar ki tarah hai jisme kai baar aate hai chadaav aur utaar

Yeh raah nahin hain asaan, par Rukunga nahin, harunga nahin, thakunga nahin, manunga nahin kabhi haar

Chod do yeh sangharsh ab, chod do yeh maarg, tumhaare liye kuch aur behtar hai, kehten they sab mujhse baar baar

Himmat nahin choddi, nishtha nahin toddi, kabhi rah nahin modi, chahe mili ho kitne hi kasht, ya kitni hi maar

Is jeevan se sab kuch seekha hai, is se hi sab kuch paaya hai, Mujhe naaz hai khud par, is duniya par, aur is jeevan se hai pyaar

Is jeevan ne hi himmat di hai mujhe kehni ki yeh har baar

Uth khada hounga apne pair pe, gir gir kar itni baar, ki mushkilen bhi thak kar keh dein maan li hamne haar

Mukammal jahaan

Har kissi ko Mukammal jahaan nahin milta, Kahin zameen nahi miltee kahin aasmaan nahin मिलता

वक़्त ka paiyaa ghum  chukka hai ab, aaj itnee door hain khade hum dono ki peeche mud ke dekhna ka samay hi nahin milta

Woh saath bitaaye din woh pal aaj bhi hamein yaad aate hain, har ek yaad, har ek pal ek meetha sa dard de jaaten hain, samet loh yeh sab yeh pal phir nahin milta

Kya pata thaa humein, ki jeevan ki raah mein haath tera chut jaayega, alag ho jaayenge hum, alag raah chal padenge, bheed main bhi tanhaa rehte hain, woh saath ab nahin milta

Paisaa, Gaadi, makaan aaj sab kuch mere paas hai, phir bhi kyun ek khaalipan ka ehsaas hai, dhan se sukh praapt to hota hai, par chain phir bhi nahin mlita

Aaj bhi reh reh kar sonchta hun, ki kyun hum bichde, kyun hue judaa.... Kaash yeh waqt ka paiyaa peecha jaa pata,apni ki gai bhool ko sudhar paata, sonchta hun kaash ki, hamaari chahat ka rang phir chadta, kaash ki pyaar ko woh phul phir se khiltaa

Par us bade shaayar ki phir baat yaad aati hai aur dukhi dil ko jhuthe mann se samjhaata hun, sakun to is man ko phir bhi nahin milta

Kya kare, har kissi ko mukammal jahaan nahin miltaa, kahin zameen to kahi aasmaan nahin miltaa

Is darr se kyun tu dartaa hai

Kya hoga jeevan mein aage, yeh sonch kein mann machlaata hai,

Chintit vichalit hota yeh mann, bhavishaya ki sonch men pad jaata hai

Bhoot kaal mera beet gaya, kuch khoya hai, kuch paaya hai

Vartmaan par bhi mera niyantran nahin, jab bhi door ki sonchta jaata hain

Aaj mein jeeyo, aaj hi jeevan hai, kal mein kyun tu martaa hai

Yeh darr bada darpok hai, iss darr se kyun tu dartaa hain ?

Jis maan ki kohk se to jevan paaya, kya tu usko chun paata hai

Bada ho ke paathshaala, vishwavidyaalay jaata hai, jeevan ka saleeka, achche karm seekhta hai,

Is duniya mein badne ki neev wahi pein paata hai, par kya tu hamesha woh paatshaala, vishwavidyaalay chun paata hai

Aage badtaa hai, rozgaar ke koshish mein apnaa karm banaata hai, par woh bhi har baar tu nahin chun paata hai

Aaj mein jeeyo, aaj hi jeevan hai, kal mein kyun tu martaa hai

Yeh darr bada darpok hai, iss darr se kyun tu dartaa hain ?

Itni door ki mat sonch, Ek pal mein yah jeevan badaltaa rehta hai

Jeevan bhar ki chestha, bhavishya ke liye ki gayi har chinta, har prayaas, Insaan ke jaate hi reh jaata hai, aur bhavishya haath maltaa reh jaata hai

Tu toh itna parashrami hai, sachi nishtha se apna karm kartaa hai

Jeevan se ladtaa hua, aage badtaa hua, kabhi jinda, kabhi toda marta hai

Aaj mein jeeyo, aaj hi jeevan hai, kal mein kyun tu martaa hai

Yeh darr bada darpok hai, iss darr se kyun tu dartaa hain

Badi Khushiyon ka intezaar

Zindagi badi khushiyon ke intezaar mein bitaate hain, par aise lamhe to jeevan mein teen chaar he aate hain, chotti chotti khushiyon mein he jeevan ka asli ras hain, inke liye ham kahaan tayaar ho paate hain,

baarish mein chai ki pyaali, doston ke saath kahi har baat, har gaali ,

maa ke saath subah ki sair, bhai ke saath kabhi pyaar, kabhi bair,,,

woh subah uthte hi angdaai, woh patni se mithi ladaai

maa se najar chupaate ghar mein peena sharaab ka ek jaam, aur chotte bhai pe lagaa dena baaki sab ilzaam

bemaani cheezon ke na milne par, bekaraar ho jaate hain, Aage badhne ki bookh, aur is daud mein, kai baar bebas aur lachaar ho jaate hain, chotti khushiyo ko mat bhulo, yeh jeevan ka saar ban jaate hain, chotti chotti khushiyon mein he jeevan ka asli ras hain, par in ke liye hum kahaan tayaar ho paate hain

Zindagi badi khushiyon ke intezaar mein bitaate hain, par aise lamhe to jeevan mein teen chaar he aate hain

The Survivor Brands

The Survivor Brand

Jack Welch of GE had said in his famous book “That if GE cant be No1 or No 2 in the Business Category its Operating in, its not Worth Continuing the Investment in that Category “ Well GE is a Giant Organisation & can afford the Fire Power required to back these claims, But every Organisation cant do that

Every Organisation that enters a Market may not always strive for the No1 – No1 2 spot, Rather they would be content making their place in the Market. The Laggards or existing Players,May still be thinking in terms of growth in Market share & Bottom Line & keep the cash flowing. I am sure not many of us would spare much thought for the strategy that an existing laggards in the Market, or Pra # 6 or # 7 Bran would be thinking, or probably a new entrant

The reasons for remaining in the market despite such stiff competition may be many for the Laggards or New Players –
 The Volume of the market may be too big too ignore
 Growth Potential of the Market may be Impressive
 The Category may seem to be the Sunrise industry for the years to come
 Profitability may be highly exciting

Simply put, The Category seems to Lucrative to Ignore. At the same time, The Entry Barriers to the Market are Huge. Take Example of the Existing Mobile Handset market in India. At Last Count there were more than 250 Brands Registered in India, some operating at the Regional Level, some have gone Pan India, Like Lava, Lemon, Karbonn, Winncom – MicroMax being the harbinger of the evolution in the Mobile Hansdet Market. Fathom this, The Mobile Handste market in India is a whopping 120 Million Units per year, Thats really Huge & am sure any Group of Indigenous entrepreneur hearing that would Like to Jump the bandwagon

The slew of Indian Entrepreneurs setting up Mobile Handset Brands, imported primarily from China, is great example of that....Importing Highly Feature Loaded Handsets, at a very Low price, creating New Customer Segments & we have a revolution at hand.....Qwerty Keypad, which was being positioned by Nokia & RIM as a Premium / Corporate Kind of a Product, for checking e mail, was exploited to the hilt by the Indian Brands, Positioning as a great SMSing feature for the young Teens

Right Now the slew of the Local Brands is riding the bandwagon of Low Cost, Loaded Features (Consumer Benefits, Smart Phones in the range of 3999/ onwards are available in Most Local Brands today) & a Robust Distribution structure....Thanks to the Evolution & Transition of the FMCG Industry leaders to the Lucrative Telecom Sector....Thats a Fact of the Indian Telecom Industry, Most of the leading FMCG Industry stake Holders, have shifted to telecom.. Be it Top Notch Professionals or the Leading Distributors / Stockist of FMCG, all have slowly transitioned / adopted to the Telecom Game

Whilst the distribution reach achieved by Most Local brands in such a short span of time is enviable..While the Credit & Logistics, 2 most vital Parameters of this business, have been mastered by the MNC giants, Nokia & Samsung, with clearly defined Process & Parameters, it is the agility to respond to Market & the Flexibility to adapt, which has helped the Local Brands also gain quick access to the Market. With some of the Promoters of the Regional Brands, being strong & Influential People & using personal persuasion than a documented Organisation Chase

However there are a Few Challenges that might be overlooked & Ignored in this excitement
 Consumer Service standards are still very Low in the Industry – Most Brands are still Operating with the 3rd Part arrangements
 Very Ltd R&D to bring the latest Cutting edge technology to the Consumers
 While the Distribution structure is pretty robust, the Local Brands have huge work to do to create the Retail Infrastructure & the Consumer Experience
 One of the Key reasons for Nokias rise in India was its ability to Offer unmatched Consumer Experience via its Retail Infrastructure – NPDs / Retail Showrooms
 Local Brands need to get out f the Price war sooner or later
o Pick up any Industry in India- The Top 2 brands are always the Highest Priced
o Price war cant be Played for too Long especially against Giants, who can flex every bit of the Financial Muscle when required
o Need To have Clear Positioning for the Brands defined

Apart from MicroMax, None of the Brands are trying to come up with a Clear Positioning statement for the Consumer
Come to think of it, There is a Clear Positioning for most of the leading brands today Blackberry, Apple, Samsung. Even Micromax is trying to create on, But the Other Local brands don’t have any yet...All of them seem to Offer the similar Positioning in the minds of the Consumer – Great Features, High Battery, dual sim, Qwerty & all in the same Price range

There seems to be very Ltd differentiation – The above mentioned are only how one can create the Differentiation – Service reach & quality, Retail & Consumer Experience (The Mobile Handset Industry , now needs to emulate the impeccable FMCG retail Model), R & D, Green Initiatives – Coporate Social Responisbility, Or Massive Brand Awareness –

Brand Awareness - Celeberity Endorsement, come at the next stage, once the Brand has established itself at the Ground Level, with Stakeholders, Consumers.. The Iconic & Legendary, Amitabh Bachchan , is the Brand Ambassador for One of the Brands Called Zen Mobiles ... whats its done for the brand, remains to be seen

Thats a Question the Survivor brands need to ask themselves ?

Moments & Little Pleasures

Coming back from a Nice game of Squash with Younger Bro at One of Our Childhood Favourite Hangouts- NSCI – National Sports Club of India - One cant help but go down the memory lanes.. when as Kids we use to frequent this place a lot with Family, Dad being one of the earlier members fo this Iconic Club..Though none of us in the family had any serious inclination towards sports or any such activity that leaves the body exhausted & depleted, but NSCI was different.... As Kids, what used to attract us were the Huge Open Spaces in the Club..The huge Parking Space, Tennis Court lawns and a Gigantic Family Restaurant room.... The atmosphere at a Club is quite different from that of Hotels or Fine Dining Restaurant. There is some sort of aristocracy associated with the Clubs, thanks to the Popularisation of the Club Culture by the British

The Dining room at the Club would offer an almost picturesque view of the beautiful garden outside, serene &so beautiful..There was a TV section in the Dining Room, which was a small 3 step depression, where massive 15 seater Sofa was placed.... We would run from one end of the Dining Room & in an almost Filmy action sequence , just jump down on the sofa sets ...... and not just once , we would keep doing it 4-5 times, till the time, One of Managers would just smilingly grab us by hand & drop us in the custody of our already harassed parents

Vow... The memories are still fresh of those days... When Life was all about Living in that days, That moment...The only thought occupying the mind was that moment, that day.....how to make the most of it ? How to have maximum fun ? How to enjoy to the hilt ? And not having thoughts of planning for the Future, 3 year plans – Family Plan, 5 year Plan , and that too without any control over the present.....The biggest worries in Life , those days was not being able to complete the Homework, or being sidelined by the group of friends...or being made too much fun of by friends and planning how to handle it .....Too much stress to Handle, Is it ?

If we do a quick rewind in time, & try & find out, there will probably be very few moments in life , which clearly stand out in Memory ---very clearly remembered.....& evoke a feeling of having just happened in your memories.

The day you Scored Highest Marks, The day you topped Your exam. The first day of College, The First Date, the first Kiss, Your First day at Job, Day of Promotion at job, Your marriage, Childs Birth, Childs B’day ....so an & so Forth.......Keep counting, there will be few & far in between ,and you will realise that these small moments take a while in coming – Obviously between your Marriage & first child, there will be a good 2-3 years.....

Instead of waiting, why not create those moments in Life ....... Going for a Long drive just with your Dad and remembering Old times, Fulfilling your Moms Long desire of Singing, Going with your Parents for a small vacation every 8-10 months
These are the Moments, when one recollects, will give far greater happiness & pleasure, than those that just happen in Life .. Because Creation of a Moment is always more momentous than just waiting for the Moment to Happen

So go Out & Create Your own...Happy Living

2 Sides of the same coin

2 Sides of the Same Coin - is a small account of his life by a Security Gurad at a Plush Mall in Delhi - How being in the midst of abundance of wealth & richness, he looks to life with a Positive approach & not perturbed by his own strugle

Hi Friends , My Name is Happy Singh. I really Like my name… I think even Lucky singh would have been good…. I feel I am Happy & Lucky Both & Why Not ? I feel happy to be having this Life, Happy to be alive in this world, Happy to be married to my Beautiful , Kamala……She is Dark, But very beautiful eyes…..I have 1 beautiful Daughter Guddi, who is Like they say “The Apple of My Eyes”…..She is also dark like her mother, but has very sharp features , and she has a very sharp brain as well
Yesterday only she made me memorise some English Verbs & quotations –can now repeat without breaks…& some good words….Like what is your Name ? I am Fine, Sir ….etc….She is very good….Even I am learning many new things form Her……Its good to see that She is taking Interest in the studies, Unlike her father or Uncles. I started working from a very early age, Beginning the struggle & Toil at an early age. My father worked in the Gas Furnace on Outskirts of Delhi, & we resided in one of the Small rooms for the workers of the Plant, I used to do some odd, jobs at the Construction sites as a daily wager, as a Domestic Help later, I have one younger brother, who later stayed with us. My Mother worked as a Domestic Help in some Big Kothi in Delhi , she suffered from bad health….My 2 elder brothers, died in the Mothers womb only…I was told, that they died of some horse carriage / or may be mother went roaming in a carriage, & they died because of so much movement, or miscarriage, I don’t Know…. My Younger Brother, is a very simple guy……He is very quite normally, but gets very angry when people tease him….People used to call him an Idiot….Idiot meaning, that he had no brains…..That he cant understand simple things easily……So they called him an Idiot…..One day, while coming from work, I saw a Cigarette Pack lying on the floor. I picked it up, & saw some Skeleton Sign on that…I asked some Friend, who knew little English, whats written on this…He said, It is Printed, “Smoking is Injurious to health “….That day I realized, that so many of us, Including Me smoke everyday, are such Idiots……when it is written on the Box, that it is harmful to health , still we keep smoking it………Then so many of us are Idiots, if we cant understand this simple thing & still keep doing it…………
After working so many years, as a Labor, at the Gas furnace, my father developed severe respiratory Problems, because of so much exposure to gases & Fumes….He was later made to work in the Time Keeping Dept, keeping in mind his health…He finally died at the age of 54………After his death, the Factory gave me the job of the Time Keeper at the factory, & My Younger brother got a job as a plant runner…My Mother, finally expired after 3 years…She died of Severe TB…That’s when I decided, that If I need to prolong my & my Familys life, I need to Move out of the Factory Job…….The Job was as it is too demanding…..I used to be working mainly on the night Shifts from 10PM to 8 AM…. I would come home, and would somehow find the Home to be relatively chilled, because of the excessive heat waves that I was subjected to Being In & Out of the Plant….The meals at the plant were also very Bad……My health started to deteriorate…..I continued like this for 5 years & then things Changed
Todays Life is so different, Although I may not be earning so much, But I really get to learn & see so much in this Job….I get to see so many rich & Influential People , that it all really adds upto the experience. A Man is Known by the Company He keeps, I read in Guddis Book somewhere.
My Job here is very Interesting, I get to meet so many Different Types of People, & most of them are Consumers / Upward Consumption Cycle of Life. I also get to give all of them, a Half Hug…..My Job Demands that……there is very less time & I have to meet so many of the Customers, so I cant Hug all of them
My Office is located at one of the Prime & Biggest Properties in South of Delhi, The main Place of the Rich People of Delhi. The office is located in the heart of the Commercial Market, Saket. Our Office is Spread over an area of 2 Lac Square Feet, That’s right, 2 Lacs Square feet of Posh Construction, Spread Over 4 Floors…All of which is Centrally Air conditioned. The Best of Flooring & Tiles, The best of Designs, The best of Fittings, Paints , Lighting, a Fantastic experience… I think I have come a Long way from the Dingy Cabin of a Security Officer at a Gas Furnace…..I don’t feel proud,, Because Pride is the beginning of Downfall, But I really feel happy to have come here. Its like to be at the Center of such great activity

“Atithi Devo Bhava” , meaning Guests are Like Gods. This is how we treat Guests in Our Country, With such great honor & Love..and my Job in this context becomes very Important Here…..I am the first Point of Contact for so many people who come to Our Office.. I am Like a Brand amabassador I Feel, We also get a free Company attire…I am the Security In Charge for Passage No2 at Select City walk, Delhis Biggest & Best LifeStyle / Shopping Mall. That’s why I said, I get to give all of them, a Half Hug, to check their Jackets, shirts, Trousers, wallets etc
Mall, First my Friends in the Other Depts in Security used to call it as Maal…I also Used to call it a Maal, Seeing How People come & Spend so much Money , I thought it may be a Maal…But I know it is called a Mall
I get to see so many People, & also Learn a Lot from them. I see so many new models of Laptops, Latest Mobile Phones, Fashions, Clothing, How people spend money , & Also how not to waste money
3 days ago, I saw some School students, Young Girls & Boys, who had come to the mall… They all were from some good school, as they were all talking to each Other in very fast English, They spend close to 6,000Rs in 3 hours…..Almost my 1 months Salary……..But One thing I didn’t Like,,, Their skirts were too short….all above their Knees….I will not send my Guddi, to schools, where girls wear too short skirts…..Also they learn bad things at School…..One girl got a Call from her mother on the latest Cell Phone, and she said , that she is on a Tution… I hope My Guddi, will never lie to us

Last Saturday, I saw One Middle aged woman, walking Hand in Hand, with Her Husband….when suddenly her Cell Phone rang..After finishing the call, she said to the Guy, “My Husband keeps calling me every 10 minutes.. I am fed Up”…..This type of thing also keeps on happening at the mall sometimes…..

I also see a Lot Of Old People coming here to enjoy……Lot of Old Uncles & Aunties, Come dressed Like Boys & Girls…Wearing Young Clothes, Nickers, Shorts, Color T DSHIRTS, Printed Shirts, Sleeveless Kurtas…All clothes of the Young Boys & Girls…some of them Look very bad, while some Look very smart dressed in Young Clothes….
I also learnt something about Foreigners,….People say that Foreigners were very bad People. They ruled us for so many yearm & that they Looted & Killed Indians….Here I see so many of o Foreigners, They are very Nice to us, Infact most of them greet us with a smile….Many a Times on Days of celebration – New Years, Christmas…I have got man Gifts from the foreigner Customers who come to our mall
I have bought Jeans for Guddi……I see so many People in the mall wearing Jeans………Guddi Told me one Phrase form Her Book…..”Great Minds think alike”…All these Educated & Rich People must also be thinking same things, as they are wearing the same jeans in the malls……..May be Once guddi starts wearing Jeans, she will also think Like educated & Modern People

As For Myself, well as I Said, I am Happy & Enjoying myself…Its so nice & Clean here…Fresh & Chilled air of the air Conditioner, Nice, Clean Clothes, Beautiful faces…., wonderful Fragrance of Perfumes, Ice Creams, Food,,,,, I am in the middle Of Richness, Money. I see crores of Rupees being spent on malls every week, I see so much richness, so much money around me ……. But still dealing happily with my own poverty … Wealth & Poverty – Both are 2 sides of the Same Coin - Money