tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-153423602024-03-08T05:56:00.609+05:30Adventures of a TravellerBecause Life isn't about reaching a destination, its about enjoying the journey.Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.comBlogger419125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-52582123629894572922015-02-18T16:18:00.001+05:302015-02-26T17:13:38.179+05:30Blog moved<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Hello folks.<br />
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The party continues over at: <a href="http://adventuresofatraveller.wordpress.com/">adventuresofatraveller.wordpress.com</a><br />
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Do come over. Would love to see you there. :)</div>
Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-6213695171818654912014-04-24T13:15:00.000+05:302014-04-24T13:15:16.255+05:30World Book Day 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Very kicked to have received this on World Book Day 2014. Cheers!</span><br />
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Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-15774927097771983162014-04-22T09:26:00.001+05:302014-04-22T09:26:54.135+05:30Bawali Rajbaari, West Bengal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On Sunday, I visited the Bawali Rajbaari here in West Bengal. Roughly 30 kms from home, located just on the outskirts of Calcutta, this is an ancestral home which is being remodelled as a weekend getaway. The work is still under progress but the opulence for there for all to see.</span></div>
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Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-7693811394053983842014-04-20T22:56:00.002+05:302014-04-20T22:56:48.243+05:30Book review of 'White Mughals' by William Dalrymple<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I originally posted this review on my Goodreads page <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/821383634?book_show_action=false" target="_blank">here</a>:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The book is set in that window of Indian history which sees the Mughal influence wane and the British colonial culture rise. The action is set in Hyderabad and briefly shifts to Calcutta before moving south again. The dramatis personae include a soldier and diplomat of the East India Company who falls in love not only with the culture and tradition of 'Hindoostan' but also with a beautiful begum. The affair, and later the marriage, gives rise to a scandal which shakes the foundations of the British diplomatic relations with Hyderabad. But behind the court intrigue and the scandal lies the world of love, romance, beautiful architecture and the happy meeting ground of the East and the West.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">William Dalrymple is a master storyteller, and one can only wish he narrates more such tales about India's history. The drab history textbooks of school are an utterly poor comparison to the books that he writes, simply because of his ability to transport us back to the world of kings and queens, sahibs and begums, of tehzeeb, and a world where letters were written to loved ones. The sights and sounds of Deccani culture come alive in front of the reader, and that in itself is as great a compliment as I can give this author.</span></div>
Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-9694898335779144472014-04-20T08:56:00.000+05:302014-04-20T08:56:03.297+05:3040 is the new 30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, here's the deal. I'm already past 30. But I firmly believe that these <a href="http://www.thrillophilia.com/blog/50-places-to-visit-in-india-before-you-turn-30/" target="_blank">'50 places to visit in India before you're 30'</a> are worth experiencing at any age.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hence, here's a mini-bucket list, if you will. I plan to finish visiting these 50 places by the time I'm 40.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As it turns out, I've already finished a few:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1. Kolkata (Well, I live here. So...)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Vaishno Devi temple (Been there as a kid. Although, wouldn't mind the trek again)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3. Orissa Konark Temple & Surfing Lessons (Did the former when I was a kid, so maybe another trip beckons. Did the latter just a couple of months ago)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4. Go to Gokarna and do nothing. (Oh how I miss the tranquility!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5. Experience local trains in Mumbai. (Oh how I miss the mad rush!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6. Bombay to Goa road trips (Did many of those. ;) )</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7. Chandni Chowk Food trip (This was done in 2007 when I went to Delhi as a Management Trainee)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">How many of these places have you visited and experienced?</span></div>
Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-22473349953466201842013-03-22T11:31:00.001+05:302013-03-22T11:39:30.214+05:30Book review - "Talespin" by Sanjay Chopra<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16179072-talespin" target="_blank">Talespin</a>" is a wonderful book of short stories by author Sanjay Chopra. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Most stories aren't of the twist-in-the-tale variety but they rather engage well with the reader on the basis of narration. This in no way takes away from the fact that the stories are a compelling read. Take "Turache?", the first story in the book, for instance. Describing a fictional account of the meeting between a young Alexander and King Darius III in 331 B.C., the story nicely sets up the kind of good narration one can expect from the rest of the book. It's the story of a powerful personality and the words are able to convey the force of the mighty Greek emperor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The war-stories are never too far away, case in point being "Men of the Horse" and "Awake", but the one which impressed me the most was "Bata shoes" (as unlikely a title as any for a war story). I loved how the author was able to capture the emotions of pride and nostalgia a son felt to a place which he was only connected to by memories of his father. More than a 'war' story, I'd like to label this one a 'father-son' story, although the theme of patriotism too does come in.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Right towards the end come three relatively dark, but extremely interesting stories. I loved the compactness of "The Contractor" and "Betrayal" was eerie. But my most favourite of this trio has to be "A Sound Idea". It kept me guessing as to what the outcome of the story would be. I loved the macabre ending. Spine-chilling, is the word.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The most heart-tugging story, however, has been kept for the last. For an extremely short story, "The Day Tina Was Born" will at least bring a lump to your throat, if not a tear to your eye. This story is pure emotion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was great fun reading "Talespin" and I must thank '<a href="https://twitter.com/TSBookClub" target="_blank">The Sunday Book Club</a>' (#TSBC) and the author for the book give-away. I wish Sanjay all the best for his future endeavours and look forward to reading his next book.</span></div>
Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-85045955368228616292013-01-03T01:54:00.000+05:302013-01-03T01:54:48.401+05:30Phone Lock Screen<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-24236350550601372152013-01-02T04:14:00.001+05:302013-01-02T04:14:50.252+05:30The mother of all nightmares<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I woke up today morning to the mother of all nightmares. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was back in school attending the economics class! I have always had this love-hate relationship with economics as a subject: I loved to read and understand the concepts but for some odd reason, I could never express these ideas on paper in the exams. Still trying to guess where the hate part came from?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But was this the end of the nightmare? Oh no, sir. Not yet. We are just one-third down the road.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Next, while the class was in session, who do I see standing outside the classroom requesting the teacher that M/s. Shekhar be allowed out for a chat? My boss from the previous organization under whom I learnt the ropes of sales in a market as awesome ("Sheldon, here is where I hold up the sarcasm card") as Calcutta. Sales was one of the things I dreaded most when I stepped out of B-school and it made me change myself to someone who I wasn't then (an experience which, by the way, I eventually am thankful for.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">However, moving on with the dream. Now, since we had no place to sit and discuss the monthly sales numbers, my boss and I went to another class room
which was being used by guess who? Well, horror of horrors, no less than a finance professor from my MBA college, who was at that very moment checking exam papers! Finance was one thing which I till date don't know why I opted for as my minors in MBA. Let's be honest: I sucked at it. Although I enjoyed logical stuff, and remember preparing balance sheets and profit and loss statements with proficiency, some of the stuff on markets just seemed to whizz right past my ears. No surprise then at the fear of the subject.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Thankfully, I managed to realise somewhere around here that I was dreaming and that I should wake up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Even after all this, I don’t know how I managed to wake up with a grin and go, “Well,
how’s that for a start to the new year?”</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Since then, Motee and Mishtha have both tried to
assure me that this dream basically means my worst fears are behind me now. (Love you, ladies!)</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 18px;">Here's wishing a Happy New Year to myself and to you, dear reader. Have a smashing 2013. Cheers!</span><br />
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Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-86541851843470782562012-12-22T01:23:00.002+05:302013-03-22T11:35:31.446+05:30The stolen kiss<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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"Tell me more about stolen kisses," she had said.<br />
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He took another sip of whisky, put down the glass and stared at the blinking cursor. His fingers flew across the keyboard.<br />
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"Here's a book you might like," she said.<br />
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"Hmm. A Greek mythological love story," he remarked, reading the back-cover of the book she had handed him.<br />
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He pushed her against the row of dusty books in the old library, quickly looking over his shoulder to make sure the septuagenarian librarian wasn't around.<br />
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"You like these, do you?" he whispered, as he looked into her bright, kohl-lined eyes.<br />
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"Don't you?" she asked him, with a flutter of her eyelids and a quickened breath.<br />
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He let his arms gently hold her waist as he pulled himself closer to her.<br />
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"I do," he whispered as he moved closer.<br />
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Their eyes faltered, and closed.<br />
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They stole a kiss in the old library. The dusty books of Greek mythology were their only witnesses.<br />
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"Not bad," he said as he emptied his glass.<br />
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He poured himself some more whisky...</div>
Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-6093095534288874822012-12-07T21:12:00.003+05:302012-12-07T21:12:24.707+05:30Wait<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Even before the cobwebs of sleep had cleared from his mind,
he checked his phone. No unread messages. “Not to worry,” he told himself, “she
will call soon.” The majestic sun travelled its long distance across the sky.
He dropped dead on his bed. No unread messages. It had been two years. The wait
continued.</div>
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Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-43227865253215125972012-12-06T22:16:00.002+05:302012-12-06T22:28:32.557+05:30Chocolate<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Mlinzal twitched nervously. Boss Zoltan had made it clear he
would leave Mlinzal back on Earth if he didn’t manage to snare at least one
earthling. Which is why, Mlinzal had camouflaged himself as a human in this
hideous “shopping mall”. As a female walked towards him, he gently offered the
tray to her. “Chocolate?”</div>
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Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-67896881557609195292012-11-24T16:39:00.002+05:302012-11-24T16:39:33.867+05:30Rant<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
His Mom went on non-stop.<br />
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"You're not eating right. You've lost weight."<br />
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"You have dark circles around your eyes; you're not sleeping enough."<br />
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"Get married."<br />
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"Don't go out drinking with your friends."<br />
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"Don't drink too much."<br />
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"Wake up; it's time to go to the mandir."<br />
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He smiled. He was back home after a year.</div>
Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-82364095413233144982012-11-20T19:46:00.003+05:302012-11-20T19:56:59.508+05:30Lonely<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Princess felt lonely in the dungeon. There had been muffled voices from beyond the walls, but that was all. Surrounded by darkness, she felt like she hadn't even opened her eyes. Now, as she got pushed out of her prison, her heart leapt with anticipation of never being lonely again.<br />
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"It's a girl."</div>
Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-76314114198338304372012-11-15T17:21:00.001+05:302012-11-15T17:21:33.436+05:30Sea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I stand at the docks, looking at the Arabian Sea reflecting the
night sky. Inshallah, tomorrow I make my first voyage. People warn me about strange
lands and sea-monsters, but... A strange sense of destiny seems to be calling out
to me. My first mate asks me, “Sinbad, do we sail tomorrow?” “Yes,” I reply.</div>
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Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-21819607549327707762012-11-14T17:51:00.000+05:302012-11-14T17:52:18.969+05:30Children's Day 2012<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Felt inspired to write a short story for Children's Day today. Also, decided to challenge myself and stick to the 55 word limit. Racked my brains about for a bit for a story when the idea struck me while I was in... </div>
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Just go ahead and read it, will you?</div>
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Happy Children's Day.</div>
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<b>The Happiest Downpour There Ever Was</b></div>
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Unsupervised and thoroughly drenched, seven year old Akash joyously
danced naked as refreshing cold drops of water descended upon him. “Nothing feels
better on a hot summer morning.” Just when he felt he could go on like this for
ever, he heard his mother, ‘You’ll be late for school. Get out of the shower
NOW!!”</div>
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Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-46375663481803934392012-11-12T18:28:00.001+05:302012-11-14T17:51:49.410+05:30Mask<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My first attempt at writing a 55 word story. Also, hoping this helps me get back to writing. Anyway, here goes:<br />
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<b>Mask</b><br />
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The pain was unbearable. Ashish lay quietly as his torturer
leaned over him, his mask hiding a sinister grin. The naked bulb right over
Ashish’s eyes notched the torture a degree higher. A final drill and then…
sudden silence. The torturer took off the mask and smiled. “See you in six
months,” said the dentist.</div>
Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-54683426281447571202012-10-25T23:40:00.001+05:302012-10-25T23:40:32.549+05:30Deep in the meadow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A little post halfway through <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2767052-the-hunger-games" target="_blank">Hunger Games</a>, I came across a lullaby, which I strangely found rather sweet. Here it is:<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Deep in the meadow, under the willow </span><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">A bed of grass, a soft green pillow </span><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes </span><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">And when again they open, the sun will rise. </span><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Here it's safe, here it's warm </span><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Here the daisies guard you from every harm </span><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true </span><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Here is the place where I love you. </span><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Deep in the meadow, hidden far away </span><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray </span><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Forget your woes and let your troubles lay </span><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">And when again it's morning, they'll wash away. </span><br />
<span class="b-lyrics-from-signature" style="color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 0.8em; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">html ]</span><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;"> </span><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Here it's safe, here it's warm </span><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Here the daisies guard you from every harm </span><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true </span><br style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="color: #474747; font-family: 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 23px;">Here is the place where I love you. </span></div>
Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-74901916641778276292012-06-06T06:50:00.000+05:302012-06-06T12:00:03.723+05:30Book Review of "Krishna - The Man and His Philosophy" by Osho<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is the first book of Osho's that I have ever read.<br />
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I had quite a few pre-conceived ideas about Osho till now(not all of
them complimentary) based on whatever I had heard about him over the years. The
irony is that most of the times, the people who were speaking to me about him
were actually praising him. However, the idea was firmly set in my mind that
Osho’s teachings were the direct opposite of what Vivekananda, a hero to me since childhood, professed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Perhaps this was why I could never bring myself to actually
read much of Osho’s works. A paragraph here and there was fine but I really
couldn’t shake off the idea that here was essentially just an intelligent
man playing to the galleries.</div>
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<br /></div>
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That was till I read “<a href="http://www.oshoworld.com/e-books/search.asp?search=krishna&select_search=search_title" target="_blank">Krishna – The Man and His Philosophy</a>.”</div>
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<br /></div>
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I still don’t agree with everything that Osho writes, there
are still questions unanswered, doubts which raise their head when I traverse through
some of the answers that Osho gives, but it is difficult to refute the fact
that one is forced to think, and think hard, about some very interesting ideas
that Osho discusses. And that is what makes reading Osho so much fun.</div>
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<br /></div>
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“Krishna – The Man and His Philosophy” is basically
conversations which Osho has with his followers during a ten day meditation
course at Manali in 1970. What begins as a free-wheeling discussion on the
personality of the historical figure called Krishna becomes nothing short of an
interpretation of the essence of The Bhagavad Gita.</div>
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Nor is Krishna the only personality discussed. Constant
parallels are drawn with Buddha, Mahavir, Christ and Mohammed. What is
refreshing to see is that Osho doesn’t just extol the virtues of any one of
these great personalities. He points out the ideologies of each of them,
leaving for us to decide which “path” we choose to seek. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seekers such as
Diogenes, Ramakrishna, Vivekananda, Tagore and Krishnamurthy are also spoken
of. Enjoyable, memorable and hence, recall-worthy anecdotes about each of them
are scattered throughout the book. Sri Aurobindo of Pondicherry (whose identity
I was initially confused about since Osho kept referring to him simply as ‘Aravind’),
however, comes in for severe criticism.</div>
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What made the book most enjoyable was the fact that Osho
keeps narrating one anecdote after another to drive home his point. Albeit
these sometimes simplify the message to a great degree, they are nonetheless
essential for a beginner (like myself) to understand the core of what Osho is
trying to convey.</div>
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<br /></div>
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A great book, if for nothing else but for its ability to
force you to think (rethink?) about religious and spiritual stand-points. An
absolute must-read.</div>
</div>Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-86643018057567449682012-05-14T00:46:00.000+05:302012-05-14T00:46:42.406+05:30The IPL tamaasha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I love cricket.<br />
<br />
And living in India means you cannot escape the Indian Premier League (IPL).<br />
<br />
And how could you miss it? The silken drives of Dravid, the brilliance of Jayawardene and Sangakarra, the fiery pace of Dale Steyn and the fearsome accuracy of Malinga... these and many more cricketing delights are on offer.<br />
<br />
Yet...<br />
<br />
There was <a href="http://www.firstpost.com/blogs/gavaskar-my-hero-now-adorns-a-sideshow-296779.html" target="_blank">this</a> post by Tom Alter on watching Sunil Gavaskar, his cricketing hero, reduced to a gimmick on what they call 'Extraaa Innings'. "Cricket," writes Alter, "is reduced to a sideshow of a sideshow."<br />
<br />
And that is when I realised that the game of "cricket" that I knew and loved had been lost.<br />
<br />
In the last couple of weeks, when I had crashed onto my bed at night, excited tweets of "Chennaaaaaaiiiiii.....you rock!!!!!" didn't spur me out of bed to switch on the TV, but those describing the courageous declarations of Michael Clarke and the close finishes that the test matches of the West Indies vs. Australia were producing, did.<br />
<br />
Someone wrote about how IPL is the perfect "timepass" for a country which loves "timepass". David Dhawan-Govinda movies worked because they were "timepass", so will the IPL. It is entertainment for the masses.<br />
<br />
I realised today how true the "timepass" tag is for the IPL; I now keep the TV on mute and go about my daily chores as I normally would. The game is itself of little consequence; watch a bit of it when passing by and move on.<br />
<br />
Mukul Kesavan in <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Decadence-and-the-IPL/articleshow/13099576.cms" target="_blank">this</a> article hit the nail on the head on a number of reasons why the IPL is more a farce than cricket. He compares the IPL to WWF; of how the two are nothing but orchestrated entertainment orgies. It has become a carnival of big hitting where all the audience wants to see are sixes. Sixes did you say? Well, let's sell that and make it a "DLF maximum". Stunning catch? Why not "Karbonn Kamaal catch"? And ultimately, it is all about stringing together "Citi Moments of Success".<br />
<br />
Its like selling the soul of cricket to the devil.<br />
<br />
Of course, you should completely forget how rules are tweaked and conflicts of interest are shoved under the carpet (and I'm talking about YOU Mr. N. 'India Cements' Srinivasan).<br />
<br />
Where the question "Why Munaf Patel and Harbhajan Singh, team member and captain of Mumbai Indians (owned by one of the wealthiest men on the planet), should not be banned from subsequent matches after a behaviour like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4hyrrzsD7c" target="_blank">this</a>?" is never asked.<br />
<br />
It is not that the IPL doesn't bring forth moments of cricketing joy. There was *that* six by Sachin off Albie Morkel in the first game of this season's IPL, awesome enough to inspire Sidvee to write <a href="http://sidveeblogs.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/tendulkar-genius-captured-in-19-seconds/" target="_blank">this</a> post.<br />
<br />
The "away" game that Saurav Ganguly played at the Eden divided loyalties in the city. Sidharth Monga aptly <a href="http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/563979.html" target="_blank">described</a> the excitement and the anxiousness of the days prior to the game and during the match itself.<br />
<br />
Then there was that over that Dale Steyn bowled to Richard Levi. Six balls of sheer brilliance, resulting in a maiden over. The last ball of that over was a perfect in-swinging yorker that bowled Levi. And here's what breaks my heart. When today I <a href="http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=dale+steyn+richard+levi&oq=dale+steyn+richard+levi&aq=f&aqi=g3&aql=&gs_l=youtube-psuggest.3..0l3.232742.232742.0.233081.1.1.0.0.0.0.240.240.2-1.1.0...0.0.pzmMUIYrO7Y" target="_blank">search</a> for the words "Dale Steyn Richard Levi" on YouTube, all that is available is the last ball of that over. This is the perfect example of what we have reduced this great game to.<br />
<br />
Not a game. Not a celebration of skills. But a tamaasha.<br />
<br />
If it wasn't evident enough that this was a tamaasha, there are the "cheerleaders". Thankfully, a PR lady in Bangalore <a href="http://www.cricketcountry.com/cricket-articles/The-naked-truth-about-the-Indian-Premier-League-cheerleaders/14328?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">interviewed</a> these beautiful girls and showed us how they are actually well qualified young girls from respectable families. Unfortunately that is not how the Indian masses switching on TV see them. Most of them, I'm sure, are waiting to ogle at the slow motion replays of these girls dancing.<br />
<br />
But don't I watch the IPL myself? Have I too, like millions others, sold my cricketing soul to the devil? Have I too not defiled the sacred game that was handed over to me by Dad when he took me to Eden Gardens on a chilly winter morning to watch a Test match between India and England?<br />
<br />
And then, it struck me. The answer lies in this ad for the 2012 IPL.<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/EFuG7H11DRE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
I was like the two boys who are discreetly looking for some entertainment. Some "tamaasha". The carnival. Where I can watch the greats of the game peddle their craft for a few coins. Where girls dance atop platforms in front of the crowds. Where the thrill is heightened by the sense of excitement at having watched something which I know was impure.<br />
<br />
Is this cricket? Of course not.... "Yeh IPL hai boss!!"</div>Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-83595379587968257752012-04-06T21:57:00.005+05:302012-04-06T22:37:09.624+05:30#ThingsILoveAboutKolkata<span><span style="font-size: 100%;">You know how they say that it is because of Twitter that the number of blog posts have gone down.</span></span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Well, today is the day blogs pull back one of their own. For here is a post inspired by a Twitter trend.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Sometime earlier today, self-confessed Calcutta lover <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/thesatbir">@thesatbir</a> started the hashtag #ThingsILoveAboutKolkata innocently enough. "Please contribute," his tweet read.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">What followed was bizzare. The topic trended at number one in India for most of the afternoon and it is almost seven hours later that the hashtag is still trending at the number 3 spot as I type this.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">There was no way I could've put together *ALL* the things people said, but here are some of my favourites:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div><ul><li><span><span style="font-size: 16px; ">#ThingsILoveAboutKolkata That I cannot fit in 140 characters (@diptakirti)</span></span></li><li><span><span style="font-size: 16px; ">Balwant Singh Dhaba ka chai, doodh cola and old Sardarji at the counter (@anushreekejriwa)</span></span></li><li><span><span style="font-size: 16px; ">Usha Uthup (@vijaypandey)</span></span></li><li><span><span style="font-size: 16px; ">Flury's</span></span></li><li><span><span style="font-size: 16px; ">'Bhar' (earthen pots)</span></span></li><li><span><span style="font-size: 16px; ">Satyajit Ray</span></span></li><li><span><span style="font-size: 16px; ">Saurav Ganguly (Dada)</span></span></li><li><span><span style="font-size: 16px; ">Yellow Ambassadors as taxis</span></span></li><li><span><span style="font-size: 16px; ">White sarees with red borders</span></span></li><li><span>Tarka dal at Azad Hind Dhaba (@kavibhansali)</span></li><li><span>Maacher jhol</span></li><li><span>'Roshogulla'</span></li><li><span>'Sondesh'</span></li><li><span>'Mishti Doi'</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; ">K C Das</span></li><li><span>Ind vs. Aus 2001 test match Dravid and Laxman (@dev8th)</span></li><li><span>The Bengali accent</span></li><li><span>Calcutta paan</span></li></ul><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>And here are some that I put forth myself:</span></div></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><ul><li><span>Fuchka</span></li><li><span>Bob Biswas</span></li><li><span>Jhaal Muri</span></li><li><span>College girls in bright sarees on Saraswati Puja day</span></li><li><span>Netaji's statue</span></li><li><span>Eden Gardens</span></li><li><span><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/seemantinibose">@seemantinibose</a> pointed out "In a packed bus "Dada ektu shore darate parchen na?" and the fight starts :)" which reminded me of my friend Rahul Chawra's (<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/srahula">@srahula</a>) debate histrionics when he said the following</span></li><li><span>Conductor shouting at the driver, "AASHTE.... LADIES... KOLE BACCHA..!!"</span></li><li><span>Coffee House-er shei adda ta</span></li><li><span>A. C. Market</span></li><li><span>'Daak naam' aar 'Bhaalo naam'</span></li><li><span>Mahisasurmardini on radio on Mahalaya mornings</span></li></ul></div>Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-84034259413102911632012-04-05T23:55:00.004+05:302012-04-06T00:34:22.925+05:30It's what you believe inIt is not often that I lose sleep over an article that I read in a business magazine. I admit it used to happen a lot when I was in college, but not any more.<div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; ">Which is why the last few days have been unusual.</div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; ">I came across <a href="http://blogs.hbr.org/taylor/2012/04/its_not_what_you_sell_its_what.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+harvardbusiness+%28HBR.org%29">this</a> on the Harvard Business Review blog the other day.</div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; ">In 2009, when Tim Cook was asked by an analyst how Apple might change if he (Cook) were to permanently replace Steve Jobs (who had just taken a leave due to ill health), Cook's reply was little short of awe-inspiring.</div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; ">"We believe we are on the face of the earth to make great products, and that's not changing."</div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; ">"We believe in the simple not the complex... We believe in saying no to thousands of products, so that we can really focus on the few that are truly important and meaningful to us."</div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; ">Even if this were a doctored answer, what hit me the most was the conviction that Tim Cook's words seem to have.</div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div>As the article goes on to say, "<i>It's not what you sell it's what you believe."</i></div>Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-91576180388357376272012-03-24T13:18:00.005+05:302012-03-24T13:41:34.904+05:30The student learns...<span ><span style="font-size: 100%;">Walking in the footsteps of a great is a special joy reserved for few. And uncovering a path which has been previously explored by someone and was thus far hidden from you means that the joy reaches another level altogether. The </span>serendipity<span style="font-size: 100%;"> of stumbling upon something which was left there precisely to help you can bring a smile to your face. The student always remembers what he learnt by doing or discovering something himself rather than learning by rote.</span></span><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">The Shiva Panchakshara Stotram took me a few weeks to memorise. The stotra praises Lord Shiva and each stanza ends bowing to the five letters (hence 'Panchakshara') that constitute Namah Shivaya.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">It isn't that the meanings or the words are difficult to understand. What I was grappling with, however, was the order in which the stanzas were to be recited.</div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; ">Till one morning, while I was reciting the said stotra during my morning prayers, it struck me like lightning: a<span style="font-size: 100%; ">s a mnemonic clue, the first word of each of the stanzas begins with the letter in the order in which it appears in Namah Shivaya.</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">The thrill of excitement that I experienced with this discovery cannot be expressed. More than the fact that I will never get the order of the stanzas wrong, I was super kicked about the fact that I had discovered this clue on my own: no elder or website or book had alluded to this hidden fact.</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span style="font-size: 100%; ">For benefit of the readers, here is the text of the Shiva Panchakshara Stotram:</span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0.5in; "><b>Na</b>gendra Haaraaya Thrilochanaaya<br />Bhasmaanga Raagaaya Maheshvaraaya<br />Nityaaya Suddhaaya Digambaraaya<br />Tasmai <b>Na</b>kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0.5in; "><b>Ma</b><span style="font-weight: normal; ">ndaakini Salila Chandana Chaarthitaaya<br />Nandeesvara Pramatha Naatha Mahesvaraaya<br />Mandaara Pushpa Vahu Pushpa Supoojitaaya<br />Tasmai </span><b>Ma</b><span style="font-weight: normal; ">kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0.5in; "><b>Shi</b><span style="font-weight: normal; ">vaaya Gauri Vadana Aravinda<br />Sooryaaya Dakshaadhvara Naashakaaya<br />Sree Neelakantaaya Vrisha Dhvajaaya<br />Tasmai </span><b>Shi</b><span style="font-weight: normal; ">kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0.5in; "><b>Va</b><span style="font-weight: normal; ">sishta Kumbhodbhava Gautamaaya<br />Muneendra Devaarchita Sekharaaya<br />Chandraarka Vaishvaanara Lochanaaya<br />Tasmai </span><b>Va</b><span style="font-weight: normal; ">kaaraaya Namah Shivaaya<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-left: 0.5in; "><b>Ya</b><span style="font-weight: normal; ">jna Swaroopaaya Jataadharaaya<br />Pinaaka Hasthaaya Sanaatanaaya<br />Divyaaya Devaaya Digambaraaya<br />Tasmai </span><b>Ya</b><span style="font-weight: normal; ">karaaya Namah Shivaaya.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 115%; "><blockquote><span >Panchaaksharam Idam Punyam<br />Yah Pateh Shiva Sannidhau<br />Shivaloka Mavaapnothee<br />Shivena Saha Modate</span></blockquote></span></div>Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-12980433514058780242012-03-06T07:28:00.003+05:302012-03-06T07:34:31.336+05:30Super 8: The Play<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: left; ">A little late in the day, but these are memories from a wonderful Sunday afternoon spent with good folks a few weeks ago:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span ><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-teYOUpPsyf8/T1VwGRMuoVI/AAAAAAAABFA/QOohYH4ecZ0/s1600/20120306_072525.jpg" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-teYOUpPsyf8/T1VwGRMuoVI/AAAAAAAABFA/QOohYH4ecZ0/s320/20120306_072525.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5716598555015029074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div>Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-89982664500469359962012-03-03T12:12:00.002+05:302012-03-03T12:20:04.479+05:30Two masters and their booksSwami Vivekananda and Osho are two intellectual greats who I have always admired. Whilst in college, one of the earliest salaries from my job was spent on the 12 volumes of the collected works of Swami Vivekananda. To this day, they remain a source of inspiration and guidance whenever I feel lost.<div><br /></div><div>Osho's works, on the other hand, are a source of great joy. The refreshingly different look at the world and the concepts that we have been fed from a "conventional" point of view always make me smile when I read his works. It is not only the sense of challenging the accepted truth but the very logical arguments that he presents to state his case which are a joy to read.</div><div><br /></div><div>For those who would like to read more:</div><div><br /></div><div>The complete works of Swami Vivekananda can be found <a href="http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/">here</a>; and</div><div><br /></div><div>Quite a few of Osho's ebooks are available <a href="http://www.oshoworld.com/e-books/">here </a>for free download.</div>Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15342360.post-73893880059771000242012-02-29T16:16:00.003+05:302012-02-29T20:57:50.214+05:30Agra<p style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Last weekend, I was in Agra to attend Herbert's sister's wedding. The fact that this wedding brought together so many college friends was an added bonus.</p><p style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Bulla and Budhau came over from Calcutta, Pauki came from Bangalore and yours truly took the Agast Kranti Rajdhani from Bombay. Also joining us from Delhi were Rohit and Daddu.</p><p style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Short trip, majorly sleep deprived.. But it is a special joy to meet old pals and wish a friend's sister all the best for a happily married life ahead.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><span><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bIi2SnU14C-7rEvBcjA2KS6RUHICqPvTNPWjv31f7OqtmzTNSI7ULNVNvM_MxvODukmlgpd7JdmeX8Af7B3nGIQh0T6tEq5-W9su5PzaLXM6_mw71h-GGSI3xuyClFk8gBoVAw/" style="font-size: 100%; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span>From L to R: Budhau, Pauki, Traveller, Herbert, Rohit, Bulla, Daddu and Herbert's Jijaji</span></div></span>Shekharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10389180819626234425noreply@blogger.com0