The Alchemist

The art of Alchemy is ancient. Simply defined, it’s the process of turning lead in Gold. There is a solution/stone that when touched with, the thing turns in gold. Pioneering the same is a person called as an Alchemist.
Though Coelho’s book teaches us the moral of following our dreams, there is something else that we should understand from it. Reading between the lines, we observe that every human being in his/her life meets an Alchemist- A person who turns that lead of a person, into gold. But that comes after his destiny as a “lead” is fulfilled. Everyone/Everything has to fulfill his destiny. Before that, no matter what you do, you will not be able to transform yourself.
But the law of nature is very rewarding. It lets you meet your alchemist at that very time when your destiny as lead has been fulfilled. Then he comes, with a philosopher’s stone and touches you. The transformation is not easy. Shedding old characteristics and donning new one, is not a cakewalk. It takes tremendous persistence, patience and belief in the alchemist to help you transform into gold.
Every one has that luxury, but not the wisdom.
It takes an open mind to know who your alchemist is. It teaches your one lesson: never underestimate anyone. Who knows, he might be your “Alchemist.”

Lingo!

1. Shakespear once said " What's in the name?"
I repeat" Whats in the name, as long as i get your number right."

2. Never say the phrase, " Its a different ball-game" when you are with a woman.

3. If we most of the time we are finding solutions to organize things, why is a company called an "Organization" ?

4. Why is it called a "Beauty Parlor", when most of the people going over there are not beautiful?

Do you have anything to add?

Ram

There is short track from film "Swades" that I just love.

"Ram hi toh karuna mein hai, shaanti mein raam hai
Ram hi hai ekta mein, pragati mein raam hai
Ram bas bhakton nahin shatru ke beech chintan hai
Dekh taj ke paap raavan, ram tere mann mein hai
Ram tere mann mein hai, ram mere mann mein hai
Ram toh ghar ghar mein har, ram har aangan mein hai
Mannse raavan jo nikaale, ram uske mann mein hai."

It means
" Ram (lord), is in compassion and silence.
Ram is also in unity and progress.
He is not only in his disciples, but also in his enemy's penance.
Oh, Raavan, introspect and you will find Ram is in your mind.
He is in your soul, He is my soul, He is every house, every yard.
He is in the soul of those who kill ravaan from their mind."

Purify thyself!

Phone calls

" Ignoring phone calls is a gambit reserved for dolts and egomaniacs. "

- Paul Hawkinson , Publisher, Fordyce Letter- in an article on ERE.

Which one are you?

Aerobics

Aerobics. I didnt know squat about it before I joined it. Morning batch 7:15 to 8:15. Sole guy. What would you do?
First day, I couldnt understand what was going on. They were jumping from one side to one side on what I can call as a high-beat music. But as they say "In rome, do as the romans do." I followed the lead. But the rhythm was too hard to get. And I wasnt even aware of the terminology!
Then there was solace with the mat's. Oh! Wait a minute, it was hard too! With 30 crunches ,at the end you wont feel your muscles. I felt like "mere pet pe kisne laat maari hai." But all said and done, when I walked out after a cool-down "Shavasan", I never felt so fresh and energetic.
Aerobics is all about toning your body bringing flexibilty in and increasing your stamina. If you got to do it, do it right.
Its very important that you concentrate on what your instructor is telling and not on the cute girl besides you. :-)
Come on guys, get on the tracks and move "side-to-side right."

The Departed

I am phonetic for english movies. And especially action movies with a plot. If you love this, then " The Departed " is your heaven. Not only the film has Martin Scoresce as the director, but a punching starcast with Jack Nicholson (Costello), Leornado Di Caprio (Billy), Matt Damon (Colin), Mark Whalberg (Dignam) and Martin Sheen (Queenan)
The broad plot, is that Costello is a mafiosi, in downtown Boston. He adopts Colin, trains him as a policeman, and helps him get in the Detecive unit of state police. So Colin is the rat. Wait thats not it.
Billy, who backround is criminal, is also aspiring to be a detective. But as test, he sent undercover as rat in Costello's unit. As the plots unfolds, there are other shocks that come through.
Through foul language,and awesome screenplay, Scorese justifies the film to the fullest. Dont forget to watch till the end. Its one "fucking" movie!
And also, analyze this " Cops or Criminals. When you are facing a loaded gun, what's the difference."

Quote-Unquote

" It doesnt matter who does it for the first time. What matters is who does it right."
-Steve Ballmer (CEO, Microsoft),
Answered, when asked why Microsoft is the one to follow the footsteps of competitors.

Blue Brain

There is a area in your brain (not mine!), that is called as a neocortex. This region helps to adapt yourself so effectively to the changing world. In this area, you will find a structure called as a Neocortical Column. It marks the quantum leap from reptiles to mammals and therefore constitutes the birth of mammalian intelligence and the emergence of human cognitive capabilities. The NCC seems to have been such a highly successful microcircuit design, that it was repeatedly copied to become almost 80% of the human brain (millions of columns were added).
Wonder why I am writin all this? Well there is a project which is bein carried out by IBM and Ecole Polytechnique Federal de Laussane (EPFL) which is called the "Blue Brain"
The project aims at building a human brain replica. But the next 2-3 years is devoted only to build replica of the NCC mentioned above.
Read here about it and wonder!

Happy Employees

" It is believed that happy employees are productive employees. Research shows that productive employees are happy employees."

- Dr. Debashish Chatterji (Prof: IIM Lucknow)

Konkan Photo-Log

Here in graphic detail, I explain how our konkan trip was.

1)6:30 AM: We started through chandani chowk to head for Paud. Its a hamlet about 20 kms from pune. The sun is just about to rise......

2) 7:30 AM: As you move ahead of Paud, there is a place called Tamahni. About 40 kms ahead of Paud, the much awaited Tamahani ghat starts......

3) 8: 30 AM: Through twists and turns and hopless roads we reach a scenic place. Relization dawns tha we are nothing in front of mother nature.......

4) 9:30 AM: Its breakfast time. We stop at a place called Surabhi about 84 kms from Pune. The Mumbai district border begins....

5) 10:30 AM: We reach the cross road which marks the start of the Konkan's archtypal "red sand." Srivardhan is just 75 kms now....

6) 11:30 AM: Connecting from Mandgaon, we miss the Lonere turn towards Srivardhan. 20 kms up, we realize we need to trak backwards and turn left for Srivardhan. Srivardhan still is 50 kms....

7) 12:30 P:M: Taking right from a village called Mhalsa, we finally reach Diweagar. The road was better, but the sun was not. After visiting the "Golden Ganapati" temple, we head off to the beach....

8) 1:30 PM: We have heartful lunch and start for Srivardhan which is about 17 kms from Diweagar. We encounter another beach mid-way....

9) 2:30 PM: We hit Srivardhan and go directly to the beach. The water @ knee-deep was very cool......

10) 3:30 PM: We moved out of Srivardhan around 3:00 PM. The aim was to reach Mandgaon before 4:30. Admist, my bike encountered a fuel supply problem.....

11) 4:30 PM: Reached Mandgaon. At a local service station, the guy said that fuel-supply pipe was clogged due to dust/carbon particles. My bike couldnt idle, so we decided to go idle for a while...

12) 5:30 PM: The problem is not that grave. With a little skill we could manage to drive safely. Pune is still 100 kms. We pray and kickstart....

13) 6:30 PM: We reach the cross road which connects us to tamhini. The roads are worst and driving is a pain. The sun starts to set.....

14) 7:30 PM: The tamhini ghat is crossed half-way through.Kudos to my bike for bearing the kind of roads we just traveled. Pune stands about 50 kms still.....

15) 8:30 PM: A stop over at mulshi. Little relief from the pain as it was moving up to the neck. A call home to tell we are reaching in 45 minutes....

16) 9:30 PM: After dropping Umesh at his home, I finally reach my alma mater. The water is boiling hot. I am off for a soothing bath..

nah... No pictures there :-)

So this is how the day ended. You can find the statistics in the post before this.

Konkan Road-Way Statistics

Here's what I did on Saturday.

• Objective--> Travel to Konkan on my bike.
• Riders--> Moi and Umesh
• Vehicle--> Bajaj Pulsar DTSI 150 CC (Definately Male!)
• Proposed Distance--> 320 Kms
• Travelled Distance--> 416 Kms
• Take 0ff--> 6:00 AM
• Touch Down--> 9:30 PM
• Places Visted:- Diweagar, Srivardhan.
• Travel Route:- Pune--> Paud--> Tamhini--> Mandgaon--> Lonere Phata--> Mhalsa--> Diweagar--> Srivardhan--> Mhalsa-->Mandgaon--> Tamhini--> Paud--> Pune.
• Petrol Required--> About 8 liters.
• Biking Hours--> 13
• Comment--> A ride of a life, experience of a lifetime.

Want to see more about the story of grit and determination? Stay tuned....

Phoolon ke rang se.......

Phoolon Ke Rang Se Dil Ki Kalam Se Tujhko Likhi Roz Paati
Kaise Bataaoon Kis Kis Tarah Se Pal Pal Mujhe Tu Sataati
Tere Hi Sapne Lekar Ke Soya Teri Hi Yaadon Mein Jaaga
Tere Khayaalon Mein Uljha Raha Yoon Jaise Ki Maala Mein Dhaaga

Haan Badal Bijli Chandan Pani Jaisa Apna Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Humein Kayi Kayi Baar
Haan Itna Madir Itna Madhur Tera Mera Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Hameh Kayi Kayi Baar

Sanson Ki Sargam Dhadkan Ki Beena Sapnon Ki Geetanjali Tu
Man Ki Gali Mein Mehke Jo Hardum Aisi Juhi Ki Kali Tu
Chhota Safar Ho Lamba Safar Ho Sooni Dagar Ho Ya Mela
Yaad Tu Aaye Man Ho Jaaye Bheed Ke Beech Akela

Haan Badal Bijli Chandan Pani Jaisa Apna Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Humein Kayi Kayi Baar
Haan Itna Madir Itna Madhur Tera Mera Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Hameh Kayi Kayi Baar

Purab Ho Paschim Uttar Ho Dakshin Tu Har Jagah Muskuraye
Jitna Hi Jaoon Main Door Tujhse Utni Hi Tu Paas Aaye
Aandhi Ne Roka Pani Ne Toka Duniya Ne Hanskar Pukara
Tasveer Teri Lekin Liye Main Kar Aaya Sab Se Kinara

Haan Badal Bijli Chandan Pani Jaisa Apna Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Hume Kayi Kayi Baar
Haan Itna Madir Itna Madhur Tera Mera Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Hameh Kayi Kayi Baar
Kayi Kayi Baar
Kayi Kayi Baar

Wonder when I will get to sing this song......

Very Happy Diwali

To My.....
Readers, Fellow bloggers, Critics and Community Friends:
"Let there be more light
and prosperity this year.
Let there be more sweets
and hugs that endear.
Let this Diwali, in its wake,
Bring you moments, surreal."

Hitch

Want to impress you loved one? Want to make your crush take a notice of you? Want to understand how women think? Grab a DVD of " Hitch".
Its tagged as a romantic comdey, starring Will Smith, Eva Mendes (Oomph!), Kevin James et the party! The central theme is a take-off from a "date doctor" or a "romance consultant" concept played by Will Smith. Eva plays a coumn gossipist for a mid-day daily , while Kevin James (King of Queens fame) plays one of his client.
See the movie, because there is nothing I can tell that will do justice to the same. I loved one of the lines and I have to mention it here;
Eva- " So,what do we toast for."
Will- " Ok, Lets see. Dont ever Lie, Steal, Cheat or Drink. If you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. And if you must drink, drink to the moments that take your breath away."
Let me know how you find it....

Unreasonable

I have heard this term umpteen number of times. Unreasonable.Dont be unreasonable. Dont demand unreasonably. That's an unreasonable deal. Blah, Blah, Blah.....
What exactly is being unreasonable? Let's try and find out. Shall we?
G.B Shaw says that ""The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." Thats Shaw. Its true, that if we behave in a reasonable manner we accept things as they are and loose the power to change them. But I wish to touch the aspect of relationships over here.
Unreasonablity is always there a pure love relationship. This is because Love itself is unreasonbale. But that on the positive side is enjoyed by everybody. If a husband buys astronomically expensive gift for his wife, he is being unreasonble. But the wife sure enjoys that.
But when that unreasonablity strikes on the negative side, its not acceptable. What is wrong if the same husband behaves in a manner that is not logically acceptable?
It exists in each and every relationship. If people learn to accept, there will be no divorces and fights over petty issues. As they say, you tend to hate them the most whom you have loved most in the first place.
Try being unreasonable and accept the unreasonablity too....

Traffic Jam-2

After my first post on Traffic Jam, here is an addition to the philosophy:

	Traffic	Life
Baggage	Ever seen a vehicle with truckload of baggage moving fast on the road? No. The more the load, the less the efficiency, more the fuel consumption. Then they are stereotyped as the “heavy vehicles.” Plus, more toll on the highways :-)	Ever seen a successful human being bogged down by past-tense or surroundings? No. The more you dwell in your past failures (read as baggage), less the concentration, more unproductive work. Then they are stereotyped as the “lay man.” Plus, more toll on the mind due to excessive baggage.

The language of Love

How many languages have you mastered? English, Hindi, German or perhaps French. You know there are two more languages that don’t have an official course. Body Language and Love Language.
Lets talk about the sweetest language, the Language of Love. I am not talking about the endearing talk between newly married couples. Incidentally the language manifests where all the other languages fail to convey something. This is the language helps us to understand the, subconsciously, what are loved ones are trying to convey.
Did you hear that? Someone is thinking about you right now. Someone is praying for you. It’s the language in which a new born baby talks to his mother. It’s the language in which a paraplegic husband talks to his wife. It’s the language in which two people in love miles apart talk.
No messenger. No broadband. No email. Simple wireless connectivity. Go ahead, connect!

Optimism

What do you think is the height of optimism? I will tell you what it is for me....

1. I believe that this is not my last visit on earth.
2. I believe that I will meet all my loved ones once again even after I die.
3. I believe that I will talk to my near and dear one's even after they die.
4. I believe that life is not a one-stop phenomenon. We will keep meeting in different forms in different era's.
5. I believe that if I medidate with utter purity, I will talk to god himself.

Please god, render me pure. So that there will be no fear, no doubt, no disbelief.....

F.R.I.E.N.D.S

The last episodes of F.R.I.E.N.D.S were aired in the recent past on TV. 10 years. The cast and crew have been entertaining us for 10 years. No matter how many times I watch it, its always seems fresh. Why does it make us laugh the way it does?
I think because it weeds out the perfection aspect . Show blatantly, how everyone is a looser in their own aspect and create subtle comedy out of it. We for all our lives, tried to make it perfect, but lost ourselves in the same. The serial touches that aspect. The love between them still resides even after facing their whims and fancies. I vividly remember the "sterotyped" punch lines of every character:
1) Monica--> I Know!
2) Rachel--> Oh! I am gonna cry.
3) Phoebe--> Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat, What are they feeding you?
4) Chandler--> Could I be more sorry?
5) Joey--> How u doin?
6) Ross--> We were on a break!
Eyes moisten when you see the last eposide. But why? Its not the last eposide. F.R.I.E.N.D.S will always last. In the hearts of the people who have laughed admist their sorrows at the demeanor
of 6 different people.
Probably they can also form a verb out of it. I "friendsed" you i.e. I made you laugh.

Traffic Jam

I live in a city called Pune (Maharashatra, India). The city roads (a.k.a potholes) are crude and traffic is huge. The result: a traffic jam almost at every crossroad or signal.
Yesterday, victimized by this, i put my thinking cap on. An interesting analogy started evolving by what I am or probably everyone is going through; in traffic and in life.

	Traffic	Life
Type	Vehicles forming a bottleneck at a crossroad or signal blocking smooth commuting of the vehicles.	Thoughts forming a bottleneck at a decisions point blocking smooth functioning of the task.
Vehicle	Maximum idle time which draws more fuel and cuts overall efficiency.	Maximum non-productive thoughts draw more stress and cut the overall thinking power of the brain.
Rush	Everyone trying to get a slice of the road and move forward. The result again result in a mini-traffic jam which further delay.	Everybody�s ambitious and wants to move ahead without knowing where they are standing. The result is fierce competition everywhere.
Rat-Race	As and when the traffic opens, look how the vehicles will try to overtake each other. Honking horns and polluted surroundings.	The jealousy creeps in and we size each other on the possessions we have. Stressed hearts and polluted minds.
Multi-Lane	Every size and type of the vehicle has a lane. The big task is to stick to the same regardless of who is driving besides you.	God has made everyone unique. The big task is to identify what you are made of and remain loyal to it without trying to change yourself. Stick to your lane!

P.S - This is the intial draft. It will be refined in due course of time as and when I hit the nail. Do leave your comments or suggessions behind. It will help better me.