Effect of a vacation !

Today I was dragging my feet to go to office after a blissful vacation of 2.5 weeks but the day was nothing as I thought it would be. It was infact the opposite and after a long time I really enjoyed being in office. Things that made my day were -


1. The sense of awe when I saw the beautiful camups of my office with all water fountains fully functioning after such a long time.
2. Colleagues and project mates greeting you with a smile and saying "Welcome Back" !
3. Friends bombarding you with Hi's and questions as soon as you log into your system.
4. Meeting another bunch of friends for lunch and they abusing you for not getting them anything from the place where you went for vacation and immediately demanding a compensatory treat in a 7 star hotel.
5. Mail from Infy scrabble captain saying that I was selected for Infy Scrabble team after playing so many rounds of games.
6. Irene after all did'nt damage NY much as expected and hence no extra work burden from onsite !
7.107 unread mails(thankfully fwds) in my inbox to read !
8.Meeting friends again for snacks and the start of the usual teasings and arguments !
9. Finishing substantial amount of work.
10. And leaving office early with a sense of satisfaction and contentment !!

What's Next ?

The fever pitch in the country is raising by the minute with Anna Hazare's deteriorating health after fasting continuosuly for the past 8 days. The whole country is united for fighting corruption though lines are divided over the dangers of powers demanded in Jan Lokpal bill.

The government again misjudged the crowds and support that Anna Hazare and his cause has, and decided to blink finally. The meeting that took place today at the parliament between the Government(Pranab Mukherjee, Salman Khurshid) and Team Anna(Arvind Kejriwal, Kiran Bedi and Santhosh Bhushan) did not seem to go well by reading the grim expressions and body language of Arvind Kejriwal and Kiran Bedi though Mr.Bhushan seemed relaxed and non-chalant.

Again the government is trying to buy time and as Anna's health is deteriorating, we can just hope that this movement still continues to be peaceful and no unfortunate event takes place which would take away the focus from fighting corruption and the need for a better Lokpal Bill.

But as we know, a strong Lokpal bill means a deathknell for all the corrupt politicians and government servants of this country. As a cynic, though I support Anna's good cause, can we really expect this government and parliament to actually pass the bill with the required majority ? What if the deadlock continues? What will happen if Anna refuses to take medications or drips ? What if some unruly elements manipulate the emotions that are running high in the country now ?

Inshaallah nothing like that happens....but still, one can't help wondering what's next?
Definitely history is being made now. But have we learnt from it and will we refrain ourselves from committing the same mistakes ?

Arranged Marriage - A nice video !

Found this Video posted by a friend on FB. Liked the take on arranged marriages in this video !
A very interesting interview !



Of course at the end when the guy says "I felt lost and now have found the way ...." is a bit too filmy! But neverthless a cute and nice video !

The direct link to this video - http://youtu.be/nYHeLoj1H2Q

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara !

Zoya Akhtar, the director of this movie has silenced all her critics and has proved that she was not just lucky with "Luck By Chance" but that she indeed is a powerhouse of talent to reckon with.

For a change we have a director who understands that audience do have a brain and can think.

This movie is about 3 friends on a bachelor's party to Spain and their life changing experiences. The 3 musketeers are Imran(Farhan), Kabir(Abhay) and Arjun(Hrithik).

Abhay Deol's dilemma if he is marrying the right person, Hrithik's obsession with work for the sake of a secure financial life, Farhan's strained relationship with his parents, strikes a chord with all of us.

The best thing about this movie is the way the director has conveyed the meaning and importance of living life fully without preaching and without getting too sentimental.

All the actors have done justice to their roles including Katrina and Kalki. For me the highlights were of course Farhan's expressions in every scene, his antics and the deep intensity of his eyes which expresses a range of emotions.

Some of the scenes that you wont forget for a long time are -

1. The banter of "mantally sick bwouy" between Farhan and Abhay.
2. The scene in the restroom where they start shouting at the same time.
3. The scene where Katrina comments upon Hrithik's pink cell phone.
4. The 15,000 ft bungee jumping scene.
5. The misunderstood proposal scene.
5. The out running of bulls in the last scene.
6.And of course the antics and Shayaris by Farhan.


This movie leaves you feeling good and smiling and thinking of how you are going to live your life fully in the present. And yes you will be humming the songs while you do that.

Rehna Tu !

When I listened to this song first, I thought it was a song sung by a guy who expresses his feelings to the girl he loves.
But then when I saw the movie I realized that it was dedicated to the city and the spirit of Delhi.And then again when I concentrated on the lyrics I realised that this was no ordinary song.
The lyrics of this song is written by Prasoon Joshi and transformed into magic by the music and voice of AR Rahman.

Delhi 6 movie was released way back in 2009 and this song still has a soothing effect to anyone who hears it and who can understand and appreciate the deep hidden sufi meaning in this song . This song can suit your need beautifully to descibe human love for a person, city, thing or even god as you can see in the last stanza.

Now you may be wondering to whom am I dedicating this song to...It is definitely to my beloved city.

Yesterday was stuck in a traffic jam in heavy rain. And I was thinking how peaceful and calm this city was 10 years ago and how it has transformed now. Then I remembered this song and realised that no matter what happens I will keep on loving this city.

The song and its meaning goes like this...(The below translatiuon does not do full justice to the lyrics but could not find a better translation on net)

Rehna tu, hai jaisa tu
Thoda sa dard tu, thoda sukun
Rehna tu, hai jaisa tu
Dheema dheema jhonka, ya phir junoon
Thoda sa resham tu humdum, thoda sa khurdura
Kabhi tu ad jaye, ya lad jaye, ya khushboo se bhara
Tujhe badalna na chahoon, rati bhar bhi sanam
Bina sajawat milawat, na zyada na hi kum

(Just stay, stay as you are
A little pain, a little comfort
Just stay, stay as you are
A gentle breeze, a stormy obsession
A little silky, my beloved; a little rough too
Stubborn at times, you quarrel or fill with fragrance
Wouldn’t want to change you, not even a little
Without adornment, without impurity, no more, no less)

Tujhe chahooon, jaisa hain tu
Mujhe teri barish main bhigna hai, ghul jana hai
Tujhe chahoon, jaisa hain tu
Mujhe teri lapat main jalna rakh ho jana hai

(I like you, just as you are
In your rainfall, I want to soak and dissolve
I like you, just as you are
In your flame, I want to burn and turn to ash)

Tu zakhm de agar
Marham bhi aake tu lagaye
Zakhm pe bhi mujhko pyar aaye

(If I’m wounded by you
I’m also healed by you
I find love in wounds too)

Dariya, O Dariya
Doobne de mujhey, Dariya

(River, O River
Let me drown in you, O River)

Rehna tu, hai jaisa tu
Thoda sa dard tu, thoda sukun
Rehna tu, hai jaisa tu
Dheema dheema jhonka, ya phir junoon

((Just stay, stay as you are
A little pain, a little comfort
Just stay, stay as you are
A gentle breeze, a stormy obsession)

Haath thaam chalna ho
Toh dono ke dayein haath sang kaise
Haath thaam chalna ho
Toh dono ke dayein haath sang kaise
Ek dayain hoga, ek bayain hoga
Thaam le haath ye thaam le
Chalna hai sang thaam le

(If we are to travel hand in hand
How can our right hands together?
If we are to travel hand in hand
How can our right hands together?
One would be right, one would be left
Take my hand, hold my hand
We have to travel together, so hold my hand)


The song takes on a completely different meaning in the last stanzas and that is when you realize that this song is not just about earthy love but much beyond it !

Aazaadiyan - Udaan !

Udaan released in 2010 is one of the best movies that I wish I had seen earlier in the theatres. Thanks to Prashanth's nice reviews and pendrive full of movies, I unintentionally stumbled upon this movie and due to boredom decided to watch it. All I can do now is thank god that I did watch the movie.

It is directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and has Anand Tiwari, Ronit Roy, Ram Kapoor starring in it. The best part in this movie is the ending. A very realistic ending supported by beautiful lyrics and music. The song is called "Aazaadiyan" which literally means Freedom. This song has the ability to instill hope in you even in the darkest hours. Hats off to the lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya for giving us such an amazing song. The lyrics and its meaning goes like this -

Pairon ki bediyan khwabon ko baandhe nahi re, kabhi nahi re
(If one's legs are haltered with chains, it never stops your dreams)

Mitti ki parton ko nanhe se ankur bhi cheerein, dheere dheere
(even the smallest sapling breaks into the earth, slowly)

Iraade hare hare, jinke seeno mein ghar kare
(those, whose hearts have blosomming detremination)

Woh dil ki sune kare na darre, na darre
(they listen to their hearts, never fearing.)

Subah ki kirno ko rokein jo salaakhein hai kahan
(Where are those bars that can stop morning rays (there are none))

Jo khayalon pe pehre daale woh aankhein hai kahan
(where are such eyes that stand guard over thoughts)

Par khulne ki deri hai parinde ud ke chhoo lenge Aasman aasman aasman
(It's only until they open their wings, birds will touch the sky)

Subah ki kirno ko rokein jo salaakhein hai kahan
Jo khayalon pe pehre daale woh aankhein hai kahan
Par khulne ki deri hai parinde udh ke chhoo lenge
Aasman Aasman Aasman

Aazaadiyan, aazaadiyan
(freedom.. freedom...)

maange na kabhi, mile mile mile
(is never won by asking for it)

Aazaadiyan, aazaadiyan
(freedoms.. freedom...)

Jo chheenein wahi, jee le jee le jee le
(those who snatch (their freedom), live)

Subah ki kirno ko rokein jo salaakhein hai kahan
Jo khayalon pe pehre daale woh aankhein hai kahan
Par khulne ki deri hai parinde udh ke chhoo lenge
Aasman aasman aasman

Kahani khatam hai ya shuruwaat hone ke hai (hone ke hai)
(Is it the end of the story or a new beginning ?)

Subha nayi hai yeh ya phir raat hone ko hai (hone ke hai)
(Is it a new morning or night about to fall ?)

Kahani khatam hai ya shuruwaat hone ke hai (hone ke hai)
Subha nayi hai yeh ya phir raat hone ko hai (hone ke hai)

Aane wala waqt dega panahein
(Will time that comes give us space to enjoy ?)

Ya phir se milenge do raahe
(Or shall we be getting dilemmas (tensions, troubles))

Khabar kya, kya pataa
(Who knows....! )

Welcome for new joinees in my project !

This was the fun questionnaire I was supposed to fill when I joined the project. Never knew it would be forwarded it to every person in the project. Anyways it was a nice experience and fun filling it. My answers are in bold. Everything else was commented by them ! This is how it went...

Cluster Name: = Web-Client
Technical Skills: = [just in case your team quickly needs an additional hand :)] = WebLogic, Websphere
What best describes you: = Friendly, outgoing, a voracious reader.
What best describes your home town: =
A blend of Trend and Tradition (Which place you are from?)
Your idea of a perfect work environment: =
CCD at every building, Bowling Alleys, Multiplex, Internet Access and clock-in of 8 hours per day.
(8 hrs – every 2 hours at CCD, Bowling Alley, Multiplex and Surfing – Work done:))
If there was one thing you can change @ work, it would be: =
First let me get a cubicle and PC and then I will think of changes :)
If not here as a ‘talent’ in Infy, where would you love to be: = IIM-B any day!
Funniest / Craziest Moment of your life: =
Hmm.....Getting ragged by Seniors and we in turn started ragging them!
What was the first thing you did, when you received your 1st job offer: =
Celebrated with friends since we all had got placed in the same company!
Special Skills [Now…be open. you can win people’s heart here!]:=
Debates, Trekking, Reading books, Blogging etc
Your inspiration / Role Model: = Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, J.R.D.Tata, and Warren Buffet.
If you could have 3 wishes granted, what they would be?

1. Join Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! (Which house you wish to join?)
2. Be a successful Writer!
3. Study at Harvard Business School! (If you get IIM-B, HBS & Hogwarts at the same time, what’s your choice?)

One last question, what would you do, if you won a $ 09 Million in Lottery: = Travel the whole world, Buy a Farmhouse, Publish my own books etc etc

Welcome to MSSBian Family & wishing you Good Luck!!!


***Onsite Folks are BCCed
Regards,
Bala