Did he play politics?!

Sachin was told not to play politics and stick to playing cricket by Thackeray. I wonder who gave him these rights to decide who plays what. Commenting through his own news paper, Saamna, he reacted to the comments made by Sachin that he is first Indian and then a Maharashtrian, which of course he is proud of. Agreeable. But as one of the comments that I read, what will the Thackerays write for their nationality??? Indian or Maharashtrian? Its time to open the eyes and be open minded.

Such comments from a so-called leader were never expected. Where do he and his people disappear when there are terror attacks? How come they have high levels of energy to contradict the views of noted figures across the country? There was also another incident when a senior minister was taking an oath in Hindi which is our official language and was man-handled for not taking the oath in Marathi? This is the height of ignorance. Such narrow mindedness is not at all appreciated among us Indians.

I think we are moving backwards in this regard when the world is opening up new ideas and is welcoming peace pacts. I personally believe that Thackeray's comments can be ignored as it bears no consequence to any of us cricket fans. He could very well be termed as a man of words without actions.

All in the name of a game!

In some corner of Middle East (I'm avoiding the locations here!), the news broke out stating that an angry wife left her husband accompanied by their only son and the poor guy has filed a complaint with the cops. The cops with the help of the immigration department say that they will try and trace her, as well as do the needful.

Now, it all began when they both started to speak about the football teams of their respective countries which were to clash in the qualifying rounds!!! Yes, I said it right! They started to argue on the team that would win and finally he has ended up in this situation.

I have heard of couples getting divorced with many reasons but not something like this! Indeed, I praise and respect their patriotism but not at the cost of their relationship. Needless to say, such situations are faced by couples at different junctures which they handle tactically.

There could also be many other reasons for their decision of separation but has erupted with this argument and has made them face it. Football?! None would have expected it would end with the name of the winning team.

Where are the songs?!

Where are those wonderful numbers that I used to listen while on my way to work? Whichever channel it is, whatever is the time, all I get to listen is more of advertisements and those RJs going blah blah blah blah, rather than songs!

Is it mandatory for those radio stations to follow a particular ratio? Are they running behind targets just as the sales guys do? What's happening?! Give me a break...!!!

Its too irritating to listen to those questions like, "Its this color, does this and does that. What is it?" Come on, grow up people. I was laughing my heart out on one of those amateur jokes. Just on the name of passing time, don't keep yapping about something that doesnt do any good to the listeners. All the guy on the phone would win is a ticket to some movie or a music concert. Nothing more than that. I bet people would get hooked on to the channel if good numbers are played rather than this blah blah stuff which everyone is irritated with.

At least, talk about health, give some tips, talk about safety while driving, talk about how people could make their day better. Please dont give crap which people would get irrirated with, first thing after we get out of the house. No offences to anyone or any channel, its my view.

My plight with Dubai Taxis

Taxis in Dubai, a name that is dreaded by most of the passnegers. Few months ago, the situation was much different than what I am witnessing now-a-days. The drivers didnt seem to acknowledge the calls and requests of passengers, though large in number and would vroommmm away without performing their duties. Or they stop next to you, lock the doors from within and lower the window pane to ask where I would like to go, just ignore the drop off request and move on. Many a times I've almost felt the tyres on my feet. Or they would not bother to stop even if they are travelling empty. My calls to the toll free numbers to complain on such indecent behaviour has fallen on deaf ears of the authorities.

After a few months, now, with many of the expats back to their countries due to their loss of jobs in the UAE, taxi drivers are willing to take passengers, be it a short distance of couple of kilometers. Of course, with some revision on the rates by the authorities, its beneficial for them too.

The other day, I had to drop off my friend in one of the main streets in Bur Dubai and was on a call talking to another friend. In the span of around 10 mins, I could see numerous taxi drivers slowing down their vehicles near me to see if I needed their service. I think they have learnt a lesson. With the termination of drivers with improper behaviour and with the inclusion of new fleet and well trained drivers, things have changed a lot. Now-a-days, the waiting for a taxi hardly lasts for a few minutes whereas it was for hours earlier.

'More passengers and less accommodative taxi drivers' has changed to 'less passengers, well behaved taxi drivers and more vehicles'. Hats off to the authorities to take serious measures to see to it that policies are adhered to. I still remember days when I used to wait for the taxis during mid-day, with mercury levels as high as 45 deg C, my blood boiling with irritation and frustration I've walked to my workplace rather than grumbling and complaining about the system. Many a times I've picked up a fight with the taxi driver who bluntly ignored my requests. I found that its no use of increasing my blood pressure by talking to these guys and rather find my own solution to transport myself to the destination.

Its a relief today to see how the passengers are taken care of with neat interiors, car fragrances in all taxis etc. I remember those malls where people used to wait for a long time to get a taxi whereas now-a-days, taxis wait for the passengers for a long time. Situation has indeed changed a lot in this regard.

My first ride - Dubai Metro

"Hey, lets take a ride on the metro" my room mate said. Anyways, its Friday, the rides start by 2.30pm, good time to catch up with it after the lunch. Four of us friends gathered up our energies (After a lazy Friday morning) and went to the nearby Burjuman station. Huge crowd waiting outside the station took us for a surprise. We all decided to finish our lunch so that we can have the ease of moving around the station to know things better, since we were going in for the first time.

With our tummies full, we all slowly propelled ourselves to the ticket counters 3 floors below the ground level. NOL card, as it is called, is a prepaid card ticketing system. We had to go one more floow below to reach the platform. Excitement started building up as we all knew that its the first ride on metro in Dubai for all of us whereas I could see people in their calmness and the familiarity was shown off on the faces of people who frequently travel by metro.

As the announcement was made about the arrival of the train, we could hear the swoosh of the train passing through the tunnel and it came to a halt. We stepped in to find ourselves squeezing in, as the train was quite crowded. Of course its a crowd of the weekend. With limited number of steel bars to hold on to, we could support ourselves somehow to avoid being jolted time and again when the train speeds up, stops and turns. I was ready with my Nikon D60 to capture the moments and also the Dubai that we were veiwing from a higher perspective. I could take some pictures, though not too many. Burj Dubai was one of the best!

Sheikh Zayed road was quite different to be seen from this height. We indeed enjoyed the ride. Volunteers were seen moving all over the stations as well as in the train to guide the passengers, if need be. The only challenge I felt for the RTA, was to make sure to maintain the trains. With people from all over the world, from different walks of life concentrated in Dubai, most of them would use the metro on a daily basis. With many of them without civic sense and social etiquette, I am sure the trains would cease to be the same. Stringent fining system would help the authorities to keep the miscreants at bay.

Hats off to the RTA and all the other departments to make it happen! Though I've travelled a lot in India by train, being familiar to this kind of a transport system, the Dubai Metro is indeed a great achievement for the city and is surely noted for this, worldwide.

Denial of information

My day begins with the updates on the news over a cup of coffee. This normally gets me out of the daily blues to get up and get ready for work. The thought process in the morning is so complicated with puzzling thoughts criss-crossing about home, work, finance and much more.

Leaning back on the couch, sipping my favourite coffee (self-made!), I switch ON the idiot box (my frustration is making me call it so). All I get to see are Ads, Ads and Ads. With frustration building up, I browse through the other news channels where I could get some updates but in vain. Am not naming the channels, but its really frustrating when you have limited time to catch up with things happening around you through the idiot box and all you get to see and listen are stupid advertisements about losing weight, new car in the market, credit cards to tempt you buy stuff that you have been dreaming of, so called cricket stars now playing actors, shampoo that would make your hair strong to work like steel wires etc etc etc...The most frustrating part is that all these news channels have timed their Ad-slots in such a way that at a given point of time, every channel plays some or the other Ad, denying the viewer the options to get what he/she wants.

Now, I have learnt a lesson - not to depend on the idiot box but to get updated through various websites. Its quite relieving to know things at the click of a mouse. No need to wait, just keep flipping through the sites, keep browsing and all the news are in front of you. Sigh! I wonder when things would be different. With all due respect to the media & marketing industry (I'm in the same industry, lol), its high time to think of ways to time the Ads in order not to hamper the schedules.

The Sushi Way!!!

The first ever Sushi that my wife, Sandhya tried. Though I have relished this unique Japanese preparation earlier, this time it was a wonderful experience with Sandhya and me tasting sushi at one of the malls in Dubai. Being vegetarians, I had to choose from couple of options available and the chef was kind enough to give me more options of non-vegetarian sushis that could be used as veg sushis by including some vegetables instead of the seafood.

I chose, ordered and waited. I could see the excitement building up and the order was ready within a few minutes.

"Is this what we are gonna eat?" asked Sandhya.

"This is what you wanted right?" I replied.

I am a bit familiar with the chop sticks and started carrying out my job of munching them sushis. I could see a strange look at her face with the first sushi being tasted by her. She seemed to enjoy it but this fun lasted only for a few seconds within which the seaweed in which the rice and vegetables are wrapped began to give her a weird taste.

Not being familiar with these tastes, she couldnt continue anymore. Finally, I being the 'blessed soul' to complete the content, use up the soya sauce, other ginger and chilli servings along with the sushi.

A wonderful experience indeed. I would surely continue to have these tasty preparations by the Japanese.

Overcrowded Lift

'I've not come here before' said my friend's wife. We three went to this small but wonderful mall in Dubai. Lot of window shopping to do, accessories to choose from, plenty of food from different parts of the world at the foodcourt awaiting you, numerous promotions ON for Ramadan, its a nice place to spend the evening.

The wonderful time we experienced moving around in this mall was shattered by a comment by a Russian lady in the lift while we took the express lift that would stop only on the Ground and Level 4, where we were waiting to be transported to the ground floor. I could see her chattering on her mobile phone with a trolley full of her household items that she must have picked up from different outlets there. 'blah blah blah blah...', she was apparently fuming with someone on the receiving end!

We were waiting for this lift to reach Level 4, she was the one to enter. Seemingly fuming, she frowned at the people who walked in to the lift. As we started moving towards to ground, 'stupid', she said. I wondered whom she addressed this to. 'Why do so many people get in to the lift at one time?' she said.

I could feel myself getting restless and tensed. 'Excuse me ma'am, what did you say, who is stupid here?' I asked.

'Why do so many people get in to the lift at once?' she repeated.

'There are other lifts too. You could have used those and reached the ground. And please refrain yourself from using such a language in public places like these. You never know, people do get offended. When you are in a public place, you need to adjust. Otherwise, choose a better place to shop around.' I said, controlling my words, to keep it simple.

I never heard another word from her as we reached the ground floor. Couple of men in the lift echoed with me and told her not to throw such comments in public places. Our remarks added to her state of anger and she walked away.

There are very few who adjust to the situations. I wish not to be in her state. It would surely cut a sorry figure in public!

Mixed feelings

My state at this point of time - A feeling that I'm not able to name, a cocktail of emotions that leaves me confused, no focus in what I'm doing currently, waiting for another 30-34 hours sounds crazy, I've been away from my love for almost 10 months now!

Am sharing the experience that I'm going through, Sandhya, my love is arriving tomorrow to Dubai. Have seen her in Kochi last Nov. This set of feelings is something that I undergo everytime I meet her after a gap. Its a feeling that I am not able to name, but am trying my best to put it in words. I am falling in love, again. We have been married for the past 4 years, still falling in Love all over again is the best way to express what I'm experiencing. Its a state that one goes through while planning to propose one's Love to the dream-life-partner. Its a feeling that one is filled with, while the other person nods 'Yes, I Do'. Its a feeling with an entirity of Love and affection. She is going to be here with me, in my arms, to share every feeling that I'm going through!

We both called each other this morning to find out that there is an emotion which appears as though there is no emotion. Is this normal?! Is this the extreme state of excitement. I have heard one of the learned teachers say, 'When you push anything to the extreme, the opposite will emerge'. I'm going through this emptiness within. Not an experience that I would undergo frequently. Is this the arrival of emptiness when you push the excitement to its extreme?! I dont know, and dont want to know too.

I know, my heart is responding to its companion! Waiting, is what I've seen for the past few months. Its finally over. Let me be prepared to witness her reaction at the airport, for sure she is undergoing much more than what I've tried to define.

My first visit to Kish Island

Its a memorable event for me, on the whole, to this Island off the coast of Islamic Republic of Iran. Kish Island, as its known, is a place which every resident in the UAE would remember, which allows a person to visit this island without any visa for 14 days after which one needs a valid visa from the Immigration authorities in Iran. People would go there to get a new visa to enter the UAE.

For a few its a wonderful journey, whereas for many its a pain. I have visited this place 3-4 times, thanks to my previous employer who never completed the process to issue an employement visa for 'n' number of unforeseen reasons. I still remember my first visit to this island which is hardly 15kms in length and 8kms in breadth. Kish Air that carries people to and fro, is a small Fokker F-50 or F-27. A scary flight indeed! A flight of 40 mins is completed with some snacks served along with a Farsi speech by the crew on flight safety.

I was welcomed by the immigration officer at the Kish Airport which has only one single floor building with two huge hoardings "Arrivals" & "Departures". Once the immigration formalities got completed, I was driven to Hotel Farabi where I was supposed to stay. Managed by the airlines, this place is a congregation of different nationalities who reside in the UAE. I could look at the weary faces of the people there who must have been staying in this hotel for God knows how long. I have even met people who have completed months of stay there. I was asked to approach the reception to complete the check-in formalities which I refused and demanded that I need to take a look at the room in which I would stay.

That is the last conversation I remember! I went to one of those rooms, 6 beds like a dorm, untidy bedding, unhygienic comfort stations and floor dirtied with skins of bananas and oranges. I didn't talk to anyone there but just found my way out to reach a cabbie. I told him to take me to a better place. A drive of just 5 minutes and to my relief I reached this wonderful place, Hotel Pars Nik. I remember staying in this place for 4 days after which my visa arrived. I stayed in a 'suite'.

The next challenge I faced-Food. Being a vegetarian (Eggetarian, to be precise), I found it difficult to communicate what I wanted. Hardly anyone understands English / Hindi there. Lady luck favoured-I found a Filipino and he was kind enough to communicate to the chef on my requirements. I remember having bread & tea in the morning, egg fried rice for lunch and curd rice for dinner. I could remember even the okra fry and brinjal sambar that my mom used to make and I never used to have it, but used to escape to some hotel nearby. Those delicacies that I used to hate appeared like a banquet fit for a king!!!

I visited the underground town of Kariz, the zoo, various malls spread across the island, took a ride along the coast, the Greek Ship, Kish island park etc. These attractions completed washed off those bitter memories that I had with this place and people. Its a wonderful place if you need to take a break from the hectic schedule. I am planning to visit this place once Sandhya is here. A weekend stay would rejuvenate one, indeed. Worth a visit at least once. I am sure one would wish to go back again!

Relocation

Shifting the house! This activity sounds familiar to all of us. We move from one place to the other. Its more common here in Dubai where people tend to save those few Dirhams. With the house rents seemingly reducing, people look forward to move to different locations keeping in mind the time taken to travel to and fro their work places.

I had a similar session yesterday. Our landlady vacated her office that was located in the hall, in our apartment. We friends used to stay in the room. All we did was to move our stuff from the room to the hall which she made available for us. Today I am not able to sit and work in the office. Back, hands and legs are aching! I realize now, how my parents used to carry out this house-shifting activity earlier. The maximum we friends moved was our clothing, cots, couple of furniture etc. But when I recollect our shifting in Bangalore, Mysore and Mangalore, its a huge task to carry out, that my parents did. Everything from kitchen items, furniture, bedding, clothing etc., to vehicles, its a major task. They used to start packing things a week earlier in order to make sure they dispose the unwanted.

This is only half the job! Unpacking and arranging the stuff at the new place is another painstaking effort which they carry out. With much of patience and hard work they used to shift each and every necessary item, arrange them in order and dispose off the unwanted even after the shifting is done.

"I am dead tired because of this shifting" I told my mom.

She laughed, "Just moved from one room to the other, that too in the same apartment? Imagine how your Dad and me used to shift from one place to another, from one city to the other."

Hats off to them. They have done it for us. No wonder people say, once you are away from the family, every small thing that the family did for us will appear as a mountainous task. I completely agree. It makes sense.

Ignorant Co-workers

"I need a flyer for my product" says my colleague who wishes to promote his products for which he needs some flyers to be printed. This is no rocket science. Some images of the products, text explaining the product with technical specifications and its ready for print.

"I need the monogram of the company to be added" he says. I tried correcting him that it is the logo of the organization that he is referring to. But no, he wouldnt budge.

I sent him a project brief form to be filled up by him, so that I could have maximum information about the product, the USP, the technical details etc. He starts blabbering. I wonder how they work? What if there is a sales meeting and the clients ask questions that he is not able to answer? Its a pity!

"Just scan the sample flyers, add our logo and print it". I wonder whether they are aware of the process that goes into the making of the final print material. Hours of designing, scrutiny, image corrections, alignments, final artwork etc etc etc...I dont think he or any of his team members are aware of such a process. Most of them here think that its an easy process to plan and release Advertisements in news papers, print marketing materials, arrange exhibitions and other events, plan and execute outdoor campaigns etc. How in the world will someone explain them the roles & responsibilities of our department.

Curious enough to know, I once asked this colleague of mine, whether he knows something about brand positioning. The answer he gave shook me completely. From then on, I avoid such situations, so that I dont blow my fuse off. Buying enough time for the job to be completed, we execute the jobs within our office's four walls so that we do justice to our profiles. Nevertheless, even now, most of my colleagues think that we simply visit the office to carry out our profitless activities and rot.

What best describes these colleagues whom I am referring to? Ignorant, lacking knowledge of marketing & communication activites, unlearned, unknowledgeable. I dont know honestly. But need to move along with the flow. As they say, 'if you are not able to change the flow, go with it'. After a point, I should surely instigate change, but at this moment, I need to wait and watch.

Hhmmmpphhhh!!! God save these people.

Les Paul

Les Paul, this might ring some bells in the heads of those Guitar & Guitarists fans. Yes I am talking about the legend who invented the modern day solid-body electric guitar. He started to play the harmonica while he was eight and started playing banjo and moved on to cultivate great interest on guitars. Incidentally I learned that he is the inventor of the neck-holder for the harmonica that allows the player to play the harmonica as well as the guitar or any similar instrument. I used to watch these artists who play the guitar and the harmonica and also sing. Used to wonder who is this person who invented the neck-holder as it was beautifully planned equipment to support the player. Some used to sing too, apart from playing.

Les Paul died at the age of 94, on 13th of Aug 2009. Have been reading about him on different websites as well as on Wiki. In 1948, he met with a near-fatal accident and his doctors had a challenge in fixing his right arm. What a disaster!! They told him that once they fix his arm in one position, it would remain the same for the entire lifetime. He instructed the surgeons to at an angle that would allow play the guitar. He continued to play the guitar with this arm. Truly a legend.

The reason why I was caught by his personality is because, I used to play guitar (very minimal) while I was in Mysore. I used to go to Mr. Felix, who happens to be the band master in the Mysore Police Dept as well as the lead in St. Philomena's Church, one of the famous tourist attractions of India. He is a master in playing string instruments and piano. Gem of a person, talented to the core, he can play great notes after couple of pegs! I got flabbergasted when I saw him play the base cello and he didnt realize that we were a group of around 13-15 students enjoying his performance.

It was only when I started to learn how to play the guitar that I realized how difficult it is. I wonder how Joe Sitriani plays his guitar. His fingers are not that of humans!!! I tried to explore the notes and also created some base chords for a nursery rhyme! Mr. Felix was surprised with my inquisitiveness. Exams approached and I was barred from attending these classes and then I had to move on with my studies, never to get back to learning guitar.

I dont regret though. I enjoy listening to the legends play the great numbers and also frequently visit the live bands that play in Dubai to admire their talent. I make sure to befriend those lead and base guitarists. Names like Roy, Bogs, Adrian, Tom are familiar in my room as I keep talking about these guys who play in different clubs. I look forward to continue doing the same.

My tributes to Les Paul. May his soul rest in peace.

Home

House, everyone of us have. But home?! Is it a home?! In a literal sense, house is a dwelling that serves as a living quarters. But what about home?! Its the environment that we create in the house we live in.

We have heard news flash stating that thousands of people going homeless. But they are able to survive in refugee camps, temporary arrangements like caravans etc. Can these be their homes? Nope. Home is where happiness and peace is. Once you live with a family, your loving ones caring for each other, the place acquires a serenity, an aura of joy and peace engulfs. We all would agree that we would like to be in such a place after a tiring day, to return and share those unique moments with the loved ones.

Living in Dubai for close to 2 years now, I have never come across such a situation. The reason, I stay with some friends. All I can find is a room full of noise, some stupid regional songs on the TV, one guy is busy chatting on his laptop or browsing for the action packed car races with blaring engines on Youtube, another is sleeping, this is the usual situation. Looks like an unmanaged and unmaintained room in one of those college hostels.

Recently I found a new way to escape this indoor fiesta! Cooking!!! I confine myself in the kitchen for close to an hour and a half. I try out my cooking skills and there has been a great development. Two-in-one; I get to eat home made food, I escape the commotion! Needless to say, I save those few Dirhams which goes to the restaurateur. I am able to avoid those nights when I suffer from heartburns and gulp Gelusil in the middle of the night and get back to sleep. I had never tried out my cooking skills in India. There was no situation to do so, delicacies prepared and served by Wife, Mom and Sister. I am also able to understand how they manage things in the kitchen, even after working and coming back home to start off the preparations for the next big day. Hats off to them.

Its relieving to know that I would stay like this only for couple of months more, in the midst of the 'indoor' fiesta. Once Sandhya (my other half) is here, I would move out of this place to re-invent the days we spent together in Bangalore. Waiting to experience HOME again.

Here I come 'Home Sweet Home'.

Traditional Dress!

I sent a mail last Thursday to the staff in this branch requesting them to wear our Indian Traditional Dress today, 15th Aug. I expected a good response as 99% of them are Indians. This activity of wearing traditional attire during such occasions have been happening even in my previous organizations and I've been receiving very good response. We distribute sweets too.

To my surprise, it was only me and my colleague who wore traditional kurtha and the rest came in their usual formal & semi-formal attires, as they would do normally.

Is it because they would feel odd wearing our traditional outfit? Is it because they simply didnt want to buy a new clothing (maybe they didnt have any to suit the occasion)? Is it because they are just not bothered to acknowledge a colleague's request? Is it because they dont have this habit of remembering our nation's most celebrated occasion? Most likely, one of these reasons is applicable to each and every one of us. Being out of our country, we tend to miss all the occasions back home.

Of course, in the midst of all these, we did enjoy the occasion. Remembered our good 'ol days in India. Took some great photographs (another opportunity to experiment with my Nikon D60)!

Thank you Mother India, for everything.

Independence Day

This is a day when we all celebrate our freedom. It has been 6 decades, but are we still free? Maybe, may not be.

What are my plans this 15th? Planning to come to the office wearing a traditional attire. Maybe a kurtha set. Need to buy one though. "Take those good kurthas that you have" Mom said. I didnt want to get them here because I could find a situation that I would be wearing it in Dubai. I regret now, to have left those traditional dresses back in India. I still remember my days at Dell International in Bangalore when we all planned to paint the Customer Care division with saffron, white and green. Our plan worked! we could see only these three colors that day. Dresses, balloons, flowers, our national flags, and much more.

I had worn a white kurtha set with the saffron and green as chunnis. Appreciation and praises poured from the team members!

I miss being in my country this Independence Day. Especially the celebrations and of course, a day off from work! I need to glue on to my couch to watch and listen to some desi news so that I could be updated on the happenings that day in India.

Waiting!!!

This is something everyone of us dislike to do. Being clear of my order for lunch, from the usual restaurant that picks up my call and they know my name, my location and the order. My lunch menu is fixed unless I change it.

Probably this is the first time that the order was sent wrong. The reason-maybe because I added another order for one of my colleagues. Am waiting for my order to appear in front of me and I am confident of finishing it within minutes. I realized how difficult it is to wait with empty stomach. I wonder how people survive without food for a long time. I wonder how people survive at the Poles, in the deepest jungles, the members of staff of various Channels that show us creatures, places, lakes, depth of oceans, mountains and what not, which of course we might come across for the first time on TV. How do these people survive? Who is there to pick the phone and take down their order? They wait for hours and hours to just complete a documentary of maybe 45 mins. I am sure it must have taken months together to complete one single program.

Hats off to those brave men & women who risk their lives to reveal nature to us as seen through their eyes! May GOD bless them!

Finally my present waiting is over. My food has arrived.

Recession?

It seems as though the number of hours per day has been increased. Or maybe the clock has stopped ticking!

With my manager off on his annual vacation, though I've got this lengthy joblist in front of me, there seems to be no big deal of a job to be executed. With people around me who can easily call a 'logo' as 'Monogram' (lol), I am finding it difficult to convince them on the jobs that we had planned, on the events that we were prepared for, on the media releases that we had already scheduled. On the name of the recession that has invaded the world, anything and everything is blamed no the recession. Poor recession, what wrong has it done?

In fact, in a way this was required. Famous Economists, pondering over the situation few years later, wrote books to express their genuine analysis which could prove the situation which we are in currently. No, no one seemingly believed their words. But here we are, in the middle of the downfall in the Economy.

Especially, the cost-cutting measures that the companies carry out. I am sick of hearing this 'cost cutting' thing! Every morning I get up to be surprised and shocked that one of my friends / relatives has lost the job. WHY?! All in the name of recession. What were these managers and the so-called bosses doing so far? In the name of cost cutting, for example, we are now drinking our 4-times-a-day tea in the office in china cups which was hitherto served to us in disposable tea cups. What saving does the management acquire by stopping the usage of disposable tea cups and including the china tea cups? I will surely end up vising my family doctor for one good reason of being affected by some infectious bacteria. How can I be sure of these cups being washed properly and hygienically stored to be used the next time?! Point to be noted and to be pointed.

Well, time has come for me to buy my own cup. Needless to say, I need to wash my cup even in the office now. Enough of cooking, cleaning and washing of utensils going on at home and now, even in the office? OK, accepted.

Wife?!

This is a person who is discovered to be The One for most of us men when we are in to our last few years...

Yes, I mean it. Just imagine, the person who has been all through your life next to you, through crests & troughts, who has held your hand - be it a sorrowful moment or a joyful one. When you have issues at work, you shout at her, when you have had a promotion or a hike in the pay, you take her for a wonderful eat-out session at your favourite restaurant, sitting across the table is The One who has been with you, next to you so far, you look at her sparkling eyes. You tell yourself that "My dear Wife, you are the one for me, my friend, guide and love. What would I have done without you in my life?". Never to mention, you have already admitted that your partner is the reason for most of your successes.

When you are angry, she is the one who becomes the listener. When you are devastated, the only shoulder you look for is hers. When you need to share the most romantic moment in your life, she is the one who sits close to you, ready to receive your love. I have seen many-a-times, the home-maker, as we call her, is the one who never bothers about herself but is there always next to you/your kids, taking care of all, every moment.

A person who has dedicated herself, her cute smiles, her dreams small & big, her fantasies like those of Alice who is lost in her own wonderland, all to make things happen in your life. There are many chances that these dreams and fantacies of hers may just get vapourized in to thin air. But she never regrets. She is ready to fill those gaps with those little romantic moments that you spend with her. Can I say that she has sacrificed most of herself for the sake of this relationship? No, its not a sacrifice, its in fact a contribution. A contribution of her time, love, energy, all-in-all herself.

Why does she want to be with you? Maybe love, security, a feeling of being wanted, to give and take, to make a family, to give you those cute little ones whom you have been dreaming about. She believes all the words you say, yes she does. Why does her single touch relieves you? Why does her kiss makes you forget your world? Why does her voice sends those tingles & chillness through your spine? Why do you long to talk to her when you are stressed out? The answer is LOVE. This beautiful emotion, which not only can be experienced but also can be explained in a million ways, is the emotion that every human is longing for.

And believe me you, this emotion is the only reason why you look forward to look at that shining face with sparkling eyes when you get back home after a tiring day. It can bring you relief equal the one we had when we landed in our mother's arms when we were just few hours old. Why is it that you tend to sleep like an infant when you are in the arms of your loved one? It is in this Nature; one hug of hers and you go flying, one kiss and her knees go weak, one word of love, both are in paradise. Delight, fully experienced; bliss encountered like never before.

Dont you think it takes a lot to give? Try giving and experience for yourself. Its easy to receive and that is what you have been doing all this while from your loved one, The One, Your Wife. Take a moment to look deep into her eyes, say those words that she longs to hear from you, repeatedly, be it day or night, it is mutual, the result can be experienced by is hard to explain. Again, language has its barriers.

Affection, an addiction...

This is a feeling that we all seek, rather crave. Right from the time when we started realizing that we have taken birth on this planet and that we would be taken care by many people around us, we have been craving for this feeling of being affected by love and being cared.

Its indeed a positive feeling of being liked, cared and loved. Of course, we all would feel high and on cloud number nine when someone loves us and cares for us and above all expresses these emotions towards us. We humans are social organisms and cannot live alone, if we do, we might be heading to the Guinness book of records!

I have come across people who find it so easy to express their love and affection and have wondered how the hell are they able to bring out their feelings and emotions by their words and physical gestures. I have also found out through my pretty little experiments that it does makes a lot of difference when you express your affection physically. Imagine, your love sitting next to you, expresses a discomfort, what would you do? Imagine this scene is set in one of the restaurants that you have visited for the first time in your neighborhood. Well, you might begin with "Are you alright? Its Ok. Lets go home and you could relax there. I'll prepare your favourite coffee with scrambled eggs" etc etc etc.

But how does your love take this? Well ask him/her. But imagine this - the same scene, you just hold hands, whisper those three words that we all eagerly wait to hear from our loved ones, whisper "I Love You". Assure that you are there and nothing will go wrong and things can be sorted out. Do this with a lot of emotion. I bet there is a huge difference.

Being a trainer, I always have taught my trainess that the words we use carry just 18% result whereas 82% is the emotion that we fill and the body language we use while talking. I have seen them all pumped up with emotion and can see their facial expressions changing and their hands gesturing in unison with what they are talking. A good sight!

Your words and body language make a lot of difference for sure when it comes to handling situations where you and your loved one are involved. Well, I believe there are many situations in life when your looks, hugs, gestures of affection would communicate a lot that are much more powerful than your words. Language has its own limitations. This is for sure. No wonder there are numerous experiments carried out to understand how our minds understand the affection shown through body language. Its an amazing study. I would rather start doing it, start expressing my love through gestures and words filled with love & emotions. There is nothing to lose. Afterall, you are contributing to the relationship that you care about and value for.

What are you waiting for then? Go on and start expressing.

Guru

"En Guru, aaraama?!" (What master, are you fine?! Literal translation from Kannada)

The usual greeting in most parts of Bangalore, oops its become Bengaluru now. It gives you a good feel when someone approaches you with this greeting. Auto drivers, shop keepers, friends, relatives and so on. Guru! Why do they call you Guru? What does this word mean? Upon checking my dictionary which is an important link on my computer's quick launch, I found out that Guru simply means, "A Hindu or a Buddhist religious leader and spiritual teacher". Now, how in the world have we all become Gurus?! Point to be noted and to be pointed!

Guru simply is a term used to address others, greet others etc. in Bengaluru. The city apparently has picked up many people from other states of our country and the current situation is - more outsiders and less Bengaluru people. Now-a-days even the outsiders have started using this word "Guru". So to say, "Kya Guru, Kaisa Hai?!"

Guru of Sex, the usual term used for counselors and Sex Therapists (Mostly in the US). They have gained more importance by addressing them this way. For me, when I hear the word Guru, it takes me back to that day when I watched this movie "The Guru" with Jimi Mistry on the lead role and Heather Graham (ooohhhh) who tries to teach him what Sex is. He learns from her all about sex and how it relieves one from stress and tension. He uses these ideas to make money and becomes a successful Guru in the US. And the story goes on. A movie worth watching.

Guru, according to me is a name given to a person who is capable of preaching what he has learnt. He whose knowledge has got enhanced his life experiences by years of learning, application and discovery. This name fits one who is capable of attracting a large following of people who believe his methodologies and by applying these methods in their own lives, they have discovered a lot of truths that they use in their own day-to-day lives.

The truth differs from person to person, community to community and cult to cult. There is no "The Truth". There is only truth. So, the truth that your Guru shares with you is His discovery. That need not be the same for you. But it could help you discover yours. Never get carried away from His truth and never try to discover the same. It will never happen. Guru is a path which you use to reach a truth, your truth. But He and His truth are not the solutions.

Happy learning.

Stress!!

Now, people who are reading this would surely think, "Stress?! Thats part of my life. Maybe I might go on for the whole day without my regular intake of the premix coffee prepared by my favourite dispenser, but I cannot go home without a head ache".

Thats what it is, it never warns you, doesnt have any limits, it can come to you anytime, anywhere, it just needs you, yes it just needs you. The moment you know that your pace of breathing increases, the nerves on your head and neck starts exploding, beware, you are about to be visited by Stress!!

What the hell is this? A state of mind? A physical discomfort? An emotion? I think its just a state of your mind. You tend to face some situations that you cant. You are continuously put into situations where you need to complete tasks, physical or psychological. When you feel that its not going to happen within the stipulated time period, you are the host for Stress!! "There he comes, Welcome!"

What do we do now?! Honestly, I dont know. I feel that the solution is oneself. Everyone of us has different ways to handle the situation. For me, the moment stress tries to befriend me, I would probably turn on some rock or heavy metal by Megadeth, Metallica, Hinder, Linkin Park, Guns N Roses. This would ease the situation. Of course there are harder methods of sitting idle and keep on thinking of the state in which you are. But I am not game for that. There is this method which has been prescribed by many of our Gurus - Meditation. The other day, Swami Iswarananda Ji was telling me about Meditation. "I have tried it too", I said. The way he has discovered Meditation - Mind Engaged Deeply In Total Awareness Transcending Its Own Nature. Got it people?!

However, I need to admit, once I sit for meditation, as I approach the state of silence, I tend to face more turmoil. Oh my my my! Its just making me think more and more and I'm sucked into the whirlpool! No wonder people tend to walk off from such sessions, midway. Or escape this state by either sleeping or listening to their favourite track which helps them to be away from this turmoil. I think if I move on and allow myself to be pulled into the whirlpool, I might face the reality. And once I face the reality, maybe I would come out more courageous, more healthier, with strength to handle various situations and also to handle stress. So, bring it on! My dear friend Stress, I'm going to show you what reality is.

Let me try this! So, people, wish me luck!!!

Who am I?

"Who am I?"

"Silly Question"
"What?"
"Ask someone else"
"Attend a spiritual workshop"
"Ask your Guru"

Is this how people would react when I ask them about myself?!

Maybe, need to probably scale the lengths of Dubai creek, the usual abode of walkers and joggers who are health conscious. Most of them would raise their eyebrows when I seek an answer for my question, "Hey can u tell me, Who am I?". Ooops, putting myself in their shoes, I feel strange in being approached by someone over there with a similar question.

Dwelling deep within, I found that I am just a victim. Oh, now dont think that I've committed some crime. No, thats not what I did. I have become the victim of all those circumstances surrounding me. I cannot be out of it, but part of it. No one exists all by himself/herself. If you think you can, then you may probably be lying to yourself.

What are you when you are filled with emotions like love, hate, anger, happiness blah blah blah? You are the series of those thoughts that make up the emotion that has possed you at that point of time. You are not angry always, you dont hate people or things or anything 24 hours a day, you are not happy all through your life. So, these emotions visit you like your guests and leave. Why do they visit? They have to, in order to balance your life. Every emotion has something that we need to learn from. If we learn and act, we are placed better in life. If we dont, be prepared to face the ultimate truth which is always bitter. What do you want to do?

You are your emotions. You are your thoughts or feelings that make up these emotions (I think so). My next question...Why the hell do we blame ourselves or others because we got angry, or hated someone? No need right? Then what do we do when we are victims of our emotions and the circumstances that engulf us? What do we do when we are under attack by these uneasy situations? Think and act. Learn. Best is to learn so that we are well prepared for the next attack.

As they say, "Life puts you in situations only after knowing that you can handle them well. A coach pushes his pupil into the pool only when he is 100% confident that his pupil will swim and come out and not drown. Till then he coaches."

When did I learn to handle situations and my emotions then? Why is life giving me situations to handle, emotions to tackle? Hmmmm, need to think. Happy thinking.