The Year Gone By

This year was an impactful year.

Helped me grow as a person in a way I had'nt given a thought.

Though the first half was uneventful.. the seond I'd say was tangy! Tangy coz I did things I'd planned very well.. but there were something missing at times which took the tizz away.....
Just coz it's been an unforgettable year, I wanted to list down all the things I learnt, did which was new to me.

In the first half, to begin with I finally took Ma on her first international trip. Even though it was only Sri-Lanka, It's a start. It was such a bonding experience, that I'll cherish forever.
Then got a chance to the Western ghats with friends for a exciting trek over a weekend. Even though just a weekend, thouroughly enjoyed it.

Was feeling experimental one fine day & went and got my hair straightened. Such a wrong decision!! I already had decently straight hair, this over straightening decision worked bad. Would never recommend it atleast to people with already straight hair!

Entering the second half of the year, another high point was the visit to Pondicherry with half the family for another weekend. Family bonding was in prominence.

In personal wishlist, fulfilled a long time wish - got my first tattoo! Pretty glad about it till now. :)
Then went on a Great trip to the Himalayas. Two Super weeks! Though it wasn't just as what I'd hoped.. it still was GREAT! I'm Totally in love, awe, humbled, mesmerised, spellbound and magnetised with the Himalayas! I'm gonna keep visiting!!

The came Diwali and with it came a long awaited gift. It was the best weekend of the year!
Had a lovely start to my New years and didn't realise when the festive weekend was over already!

December came and I had another thing lined up for the year and today as I write this,  got it done today morning. I got my nose pierced. :D
Though was apprehensive how it would look, I wanted to since long.. so went ahead before the year got over. I think it looks nice! :)

Then on the personal front, broke off with some relations whom I thought I was emotionally dependent on and that had me crippled. One was located on a high pedestal. A conscious decision   which I was already late in taking.

A year of impressionable moments, a year of momentous memory making, a year of certain very important realisations.

2013, you shall be remembered for the lasting impact you made!

Oh Thy Gyaan!

Reading gyaan is easy. Clicking on the share tab is more easier! Taking a rain check if they follow the same before propagating it? Who cares!
Wish some people stop sharing gyaan that they themsleves don't follow!

 

Times Gone

This year, I finally swept up the broom [yea..me brooming too] on  people/relations that have been an eyesore for me. I have cut-off from people who do not deserve to be in my life.. and who've been sucking my happiness since a few years, just becoz they did affect me.

Now there's just one person I need to eliminate. I need to Stop watching hamster Arnab Goswami. There was a time he was a journalist. Now he is nothing but a TRP generator and Hamming bird!
Gonna unsubscribe from Times Now after posting this.

[It's So dissaponting when people you've had faith on, break it so bad!]

Destiny Tales!

I may not know a lot about love and lovey-dovey relations first hand.
But I do know first hand that relations - any kinds- are bound by destinies and not by emotional or practical decisions.

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Happy or Gay!

The Gay rights judgement has left the community heartbroken, anguished and enraged. I feel rightly so.

I truly believe the criminilisation of having a choice which is exercised consensually within the confines of four walls should not really be anyone’s concern.

No, I’m not advocating Gays or Lesbians here. I’m talking of a choice. Everybody is entitled to have their choice ..especially once you turn adult and have to make ‘Adult’ choices-  more so; and definitely if you live in a democracy.

It is now proved that how much importance we [be it India or world over] give to sex. And if it’s That important, it is equally important for people to make the right choice in regards to the partner they want; to be able to have the freedom of choice over the issue which the world seems to be obsessed with!  

If everybody has a right to choose a partner of their choice and from the 'Everybody' if a few choose different from the regular pattern, why should it matter So much? As long as they're not forcing themselves on the object of their affection, I believe its all good. I don't understand why it's such a big issue. 

And Seriously what difference does it make? Its not like they are going to procreate? 'They must for their families' I hear? In a country like ours the LAST thing we need to be concerned about is of procreation!
If the very people who are supposed/expected are not interested for whatever reasons in procreating the natural way, why force and risk bring a child on Earth? To make his/her life miserable? Having an heir to the family is considered So important, but raising that very heir in good circumstances is not given a thought at all. Always a shocking fact!

And for the people who've been crying hoarse that these people go against the law of nature, they forget nature itself is not perfectly consistent! Nothing is perfect. Ever. When nature itself is changing, why are we selectively rigid to change our thought process? 

I do know a person in my acquaintance who is gay , and honestly I don't think I can ever associate the word 'Criminal' with him! That's a heavy word to mark anyone with just because of their sexual choices. When I take a moment to think of him as a person, I really can't find anything wrong with him. Definitely not a Criminal!
So long as he isn't harming anyone, seriously - why should anybody harm him?  Even if considered alternate, It’s his personal choice. For God’s sake. 
...And since I've mentioned God - I'm wonderng which sacred texts quote of Homosexuals to be criminals? Atleast the Hindu scriptures don't. And I'm really not aware if the other religions consider it immoral. And if yes, on what grounds.

Taking if it IS a sin too - then hasn't God supposed to have said, he’s given us a free will and make our Karma's/destiny? Or that all our ‘sins’ will be taken in account on Judgement day. So, WHY are we already trying to become the judge here? 

Agree this may be uncommon, but so are So many other things! So what’s the problem in accepting this? For a moment imagine someone ruining your life by taking The most important decisions that shape your life. Abhorring feeling right? This is exactly how the gay community at the moment must be feeling. 
End of the day, they're the ones who actually struggle on all counts. Coming to terms with their own sexuality first, then being revealed, getting parents approval..find acceptance among peers.. find someone of their choice.. and so on. Easier to give statements on it than know what it is to experience it. If I may say so, they do suffer.. And after all this, if they're still standing up for their right of freedom of choosing; the law really must make way.

I also happened to hear what Baba Ramdev's views on this and here's what I want to tell him.

Note for Baba Ramdev:

You say its abnormal to be gay and if this is legalized, tomorrow Humans may start wanting to have sex with animals too!

Seriously Babaji? There’s No difference you see between humans and animals? You equate same gender sexual preference with human-animal sex? I don't get it- guess something's gone wrong with you!

While I like your yoga teachings, I really think you Atleast should stay mum on this topic.
Please don’t push away the people who respect you for what you are good at by poking your nose in things which are certainly not your domain.
How would you feel if someone tomorrow says being Single is a crime? Yogic saint or any other! You'll rebel! Just like you have your reasons, others have theirs! Try and remember that.

For the rest, it takes all kinds to make the world. And if something is not your kind, it does not make them wrong in any which sense.
..Coz live and let live is the only kind which will make the world a kinder place to live in!

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Hossanaa.....

A song which reminds me of sweet memories......

Err and Forgive!

So it's like this. If you err [!] in India, you say 'sorry' and move on. After all, you are from a forgiving nation.. Especially sighted in terms to crimes/remarks against women. [Uncalled for outrightly disrespectful remarks fall under Crimes!] And the free flowing crimes can come from anywhere. Be it a layman, who is rather expected to make these remarks..; even people in power [who are SUPPOSEDLY educated] can bark their mouth off! What happens next?
Don't fret! Nothing that would cause change our choc-a-bloc life in anyway! LIFE GOES ON AS USUAL IN INDIA. Crimes against women happen AS USUAL. But Who cares! Apparently a handful in this oceanful country!

Reason for this ire: http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/enjoy-rape-remark-sinha-s-sorry-fails-to-cool-anger/article1-1150927.aspx?hts0021

Way to go Ranjit Sinha! My deepest sympathies for your wife [If you have one] and a hope that you have No daughters!

Rakhi

This was an essay I had written for a friends little daughter for her school competition last year. Thought Rakhi is an apt time to put it up on my page too. To the lovely bond between brothers and sisters! :)


Hi Brother,

Don’t get surprised on receiving this email. You know your sister better than that. It seems like I met you a year or back so… whereas it not even 40 hours since we parted.

Somehow, different time zones, different countries .. The time I left on is doing that to me.
I still don’t believe how stupid the travel agent could be by mixing up the dates of my departure.. Causing me to miss Rakhi.

Suddenly, all the years of our growing up & togetherness is hitting me. You remember the times when we used to be our back up for each other in tuition? Or when with that modest pocket money we used to buy b’day gifts for each other…or...the time when....oh well, there are just so many times to remember between us!

London’s cold climate makes me feel even more cold & makes me want to run back to India.. I don’t know why females need to go away from the people that they love the most.. Fathers, mothers, brothers, etc….Maybe the jet lag is making me sound more sad so. But I can’t help regretting I had to part from u just 3 days before Rakhi.

Am I sounding like a sad record form the sad songs that you absolutely hate on my iPod? You better not say that..coz tomorrow when I call you India time for Rakhi, I better see a somber mood on you. & yes, that means I hope you have fixed up the web cam, so that I can See you as well!!

I know if I write any further this letter will definitely go unread. So, before you get any such thought, I’ll say bye.. & you do know how much I miss you brother!
Love & lots of best wishes forever,

Your Sis.

Thank You

Today, the first Sunday of August is celebrated as friendship day the world over.

Now, I've never been for the getting mushy over friends on friendship day Only.. so its as usual a day for me like any else. Though from the last couple of years I do look forward to hear specifically from a couple of friends. [Exceptions are there to every rule..? :P ]

I do ofcourse love my friends [who doesn't?!] as I truly believe its such a wonderful boon to choose friends in our lives... Such a boon to have relations whom we love without any force, any obligation... But yet, I have never felt the need to go shopping for cards & bands & celebrations on this day.

However since the past year or so with more & more friends reconnecting over the Internet, friends are constantly in touch in the virtual world.
Some become so connected, that life seems so good with them in it.
Among intelligent conversations, arguments, mad laughter times & a whole lot of things what normal friends do... we share everything; except the abnormality that most of them are miles & miles away.
Still they stay comfortable snugged within the heart like the old strong wiry creepers who cling to your heart and keep it binded! :)

Today, as since morning my phone has been beeping away with 'happy friendship day' messages &  calls; I have been replying to each & every one of them, wondering that have I really made them happy for them to hold me special?
Thinking more on it made me wanna give into this day's celebration from my side over here.

Here's my small bit of acknowledgement for the wonderful friends that have touched my life & made it beautiful over the years.
Even with distances, arguments, indifference, cold wars, no talks at times... there have been/are moments of laughter, care, understanding, comfort & the realisation of a meaning each relation has brought.

To my most dearest friends, who are an important part of my life:

Thank you All for adding happiness, beauty & value to my life in every way. I cherish each & everyone of you and it goes without saying I am always there.

© All rights reserved with Biraj 3Vedi. To re-print, prior permission required from the author.

World Environment Day

World Environment Day.

This day makes more and more sense with each passing year that we humans are successful in abusing Mother Earth beyond acceptable limits.

For someone like me who is passionate about Nature and the Environment, I was all participative in the Environment week celebrations at work.

A part of it was to come up with innovative ideas for saving the environment. And came in some really good ideas! While I cannot take any ideas from office contributions to put it up under my name - I am putting up ideas suggested by one of my dearest friend. I had asked him for his inputs on saving the Environment and I was Surpocked [Surprise + Shock] with his long email of ideas. With his permission, this goes on my blog page - as my acknowledgement for his contribution as well as for the good ideas presented.

1.  The Traffic police should start charging fines which should include planting of trees according to the severity of offense committed. [Loved this one]
2.  There should be 1Re. donation towards the "cause green" on every online purchase made (as we see a boom in Online shopping ) [Absolutely!]
3. New societies which are coming up should be made compulsory to leave SEZ land alone. [NOT at all sure if the selfish Govt. can leave the profit calculations out of this]
4. Car pooling should be implemented forcefully with strict laws. [Hmmm...]
5. Schools should mandatorily teach children how to recycle/reuse newspapers as they are the next generation. [Should start rightaway!]
6. We should discourage brouchers and pamphlets distribution, which would decrease usage of unwanted paper. [AGREE]
7.  New building constructions should include solar paneling.
8. Every house should have a rain harvesting plant/ plan.
9. Use of bio-fuel should be encouraged.(For the unawares - it is condensation of natural waste like animal excreta, fruit residual like sugar cane, coconuts, hay etc.. are made in a block for usage in household and also in industries ) [Good idea]
10. Every society should be taught to make bio gas.
11. Purchase only after clearing your stock of food , to prevent overstocking and wastage.
12. Use of solar cookers by families to be encouraged.
13. Individual houses should be encouraged for natural fencing between two houses - by planting trees rather than Cutting trees and fixing fences for separation.
14. Water usage should be calibrated as per family members and there usage.
15. Use of bicycles should be encouraged for short distances.

These were some of the bright and quite a few very implementable ideas. Each idea even if followed partially till we make a habit of it, would make a difference. Let's take a pledge to ourselves to try and minimise our carbon footprint as much as possible. Happy Environment day.

....& not forgetting - Thank you Dr. Joshi for your contribution! :) .. & Congratulations for earning a place on my blog! ;)

9 myths about Solo Women Travellers!

Solo travelling gets a lot of piqued interest in India. Though I belong to modern twin cities of Hyderabad- Secunderabad; I yet have to yet meet a solo female traveller in person.

Wherever my travels take me & I meet new people, different people express different thoughts about my travelling on my own. There are myths that people harbor about female travellers and here are the oft heard ones that I keep hearing - which sometimes irk me, sometimes get me amused.
Here are the Top 9 that get to me!

1. You must be stinking rich to afford solo travels - Well, I would love to get this true! I plan for each of my trip well and save and save for each trip! Its MY passion - so no one but I takes care of it from planning to executing to everything on between!
2. You mustn't be normal. - Seriously I have had people say this to me more than a few times. I guess in India if a girl travels on her own, it probably is considered abnormal. There is nothing like being abnormal though. It's about following your passion, even it comes to chasing it solo. 
3. You must be an 'advanced' person!: Whatever this means - the message I always get is that travelling on your own means you are one among the flighty types. Just becoz a girl travels solo, they are not looking for Flings! Rather any sane seasoned solo traveller will vouch that is far from the truth.
4. Your family must be too independent - Independent I am. But, Sometimes people express in a way that drives the message that the family does not care enough- to allow you on your own. Far from the truth. Infact I have to give my itinerary details in detail to my family before every travel..& I don't mind that. 
5. It must be easy for 'someone like you' to go out and meet new people: Generally solo travellers are ambiverts if not extroverts. It's a part of the necessary learning in travelling. But not always it is easy to do that. New people always give new vibes, and not all vibes make you feel comfortable.Your guard is a little more high in certain places and yes, I do feel shaky on certain grounds [Literally!]
6. We can be adjusted: I can talk of myself on this. While I am a non fussy traveller, people assume that just becoz I'm on my own, I can shift to the middle train seat, sit in the back seat in some travel car, change of balconied room in some hotel, adjust in the next batch of someplace to let some 'together people' together, etc. Well, I take pains to do all the above mentioned so that I get it right for me. So, while I am an accomodating person mostly, I do not adjust for certain things. Myth to be broken - we cannot be 'adjusted' as anyone pleases at All times.
7. You would get so bored and lonely - Not at all! Ask any of the ones from us; why - that's the precise reason we travel alone so that we can cherish the "my time". I for one, am a big champion for the 'My time' concept. So I am nor bored not lonely... 9 out of 10 times I am blissed out during these very travels.
8. Men are creeps for female travelling alone. - From my personal experience I can say that it is far from the truth. Ofcourse you'd agree continuing chatting up with someone after the basic acquaintances are made and you can sense the body language and listen to your personal GPRS - your Gut. And the times I have interacted with them, I have found they are absolutely normal people, not creeps waiting to lure any female traveller! Sad myth this. [This does not imply to go around loose in making new acquaintances - go with your gut, but Never Ever leave your guard] ... And lastly,
9. It is WRONG to do that!: This statement one can hear only in India. How a female should operate in the Indian society is so wired into the Indian psyche, that quite a few Men have told me it is Wrong to travel like that, as females are not built to stay without support, travel being out of scope. 

Well, to respond to that, I take a walk away from these people rather than telling them away - coz walking away leads me to another new destination!

There is one more thing  I missed out on which I Have to add. That being:

"Don't you drink?.. oh come on it's OK, you can order a drink. You travel so much..surely you would not be a teetotaler" When I'm clear enough with my reply, I don't  understand the need to not believe or question it. I've heard this on two specific occasions - by males and I made sure I was far-far away from those people from then on. [Mostly hotel aquaintances who start off making small talk.. and then try to get friendly.] My safety antenna would have been touching the sky then!!

Those are the few things I have encountered time to time which makes my resolve more stronger to break them. Not to prove a point really - but to just to revel in one of my passions.

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Tere Bin

I've always liked Punjabi songs. They have this instant pep-up-the-energy kind of feel to them and get one out dull moods instantly. Since the time I visited Punjab, I have more started appreciating Punjabi songs. Not all ofcourse are just peppy numbers, there are a lot of soulful songs too which have these Sufi type of beautiful tones to them. And in these some are absolutely terrific! [From my limited exposure to them.]

Here's putting up one of my all time favorites. Tere Bin Sanu Soniya........ Beautifully rendered by Rabbi. And this unplugged version is so much more soulful than the original. The original was taken off youtube, so here is another version of it:
It's afterall the season of Love..  Enjoy!

Tick- Tock We’re 30 – Book Review

Tick-Tock Tick-Tock, it's 6th Feb and the deadline to review for Milan Vohra's 'Tick-Tock We're Thirty' is just a day away! I received the book from Women's web for a review and putting up the same on my blog.
Rushed me into finishng the book by today evening so that I could put up my review here.


The preview of the book on the cover is certainly interesting.

"The clock is ticking towards Lara’s thirtieth birthday and the whole gang is coming together to celebrate it. It’s a pact they made back then to meet when they all finally turned that age. So far, so cool. What isn’t cool is the other pact Lara had made one tipsy evening with Nishad. To marry each other if neither of them were hitched by then"

The basic story revolves around Lara Bagai- Nishad Nath and their friends. They all plan to meet up for a re-union for Lara’s upcoming 30th birthday with her's being the last of the group to turn 30!

As I started the book, I realised it took me a couple of chapters to understand the whole lot of characters into it! It wasn't a bad thing.. but for new readers it would have left them confused for a while with all the Reeti's and Riya's and the Sita's and the Sai's..!

The book picks up pace mid way and that's when I started enjoying it. The goof-ups, link-ups, the joys, the aspirations and more of all the characters at different times in the book is easy to understand then. The language is also easy and readable and would not be tough to follow.

Don't want to give the total summary of the book here... else what will you go and buy the book for! [:D]  All in all, a decent read with some pretty good funny punches at intervals. Maybe if it wasn't just with so many characters to follow, I'd have finished it much earlier.

If one is a relaxed reader, they will sure like to pick this one up!

Rules for a Happy Marriage

I had read this poster somewhere some time back and really liked it. And just becoz I liked it, It made so much sense to put it up here too! :P
Thanks to Google, I got the exact one that I had read.

But putting up something which is already out there on a blog is boring right? Will look like a copy/paste I did. So here's the twist. After the list stated below, I'll put down my Rules of a Happy Marriage too. That makes it interesting for me too. Makes me wanna know how many are in common with the ones found common everywhere.

Here goes the common list:

1. Never both be angry at the same tme.
2. Never yell at each other except of the house is on fire!
3. If one of you has to win an arguement, let it be your mate.
4. If you have to critisize, do it lovingly.
5. Never bring up mistakes of the past.
6. Neglect the whole world, rather than each other.
7. Never go to sleep with an arguement unsettled
8. Atleast once everyday try to say something kind or complimentary thing to your partner.
9. When you have done something wrong , be ready to admit it and ask for forgiveness.
10. It takes two to make a quarrel and the one in the wrong is the one who does the most talking. 

Now here's My list. Its again a list of nine as usual!
 Firstly, I sincerely believe that one should enter Marriage only when one is sure of a strong like for the to-be-partner. It is much easier to build the bond on, if the liking is already established. So I'm not even going to put that point of having a liking as a rule here. It is a default in my rules.
Considering that established, I'd go with the rest of my list in no particular order.

1.  Don't take each other for granted. For this, Atleast once a day, try spending half an hour with your spouse. Not between TV commercials.. or in calls; but a proper "S/He" time.
2. Respect forms a big part of the relation.. Respect each other, each other's immediate families and closest friends. This also means, Never belittle the other in front of your peers/friends/colleagues/family.
3. Never quarrel in front of kids. Doing that will definitely be a problem for the future. Blame game is the biggest rues for a Marriage. Most of the time, Kids make a family complete and if the kids are to witness unpleasantness; rest assured the future isin't bright for the Family.
4. Never be angry at the same time. Yea, I totally agree with this. If one is blowing his/her lid, the other should immediately calm down .. else move away. Both bringing the house down will only make matters worse.
5. Plan your kids! I mean the number! This statement may sound weird to some.. but its equally weird when I hear - it was an accident! And yes,  I have heard this atleast a couple of times...! I mean This accident is going to be an integral part of your life which can change the relation dynamics between the couple. So, Please - Plan!
6. Chalk the important lines. Defining and being aware of each other's personal choices always helps. In being mindful when to draw the line in giving out opinions or even to bind stronger by sharing things what the other likes.
7. Give each other space: By doing this, you simply are giving enough room for your partner to miss you and think of you; as well as time for you to do your own thing too. After all both would probably have an independent social life! [I'd wish even a homemaker to have a social life..!] Being in each other's hair all the time could be SO stifling after a while.
8. Travel : Breaking the rut to discover a new place, with just the two or the family definitely acts as a cementing factor. It also rejuvinates the marital bond.
9. Forgive! : People are different and your spouse is part of the 'people'. Expecting him/her to be attuned to you in each way is asking for a bit too much. There would be clashes.. but Forgiving and not holding each other for the clash makes it a truly loving relation.

There it went! That was my list of most important things... what would be yours? :)