Bow down to the India's Missile Man Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Dear all,

On 27th July evening, the whole country mourned to the death of a Bharat Ratna, India's Great Leader, India's Missile Man, Youth Icon and Ex-President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. A person who was a true Indian, who invested all his life in the betterment of the country and its countrymen, who was always eager to help the youth of India and the world and inspire them to make wonders, is no more among us!

What was so special about him, that the news of his death spread like wild fire and that the whole country was in grief receiving the news of his death?

These are a few things which made him the person he was and so different from others.

First and foremost thing, he was a Leader by Example! 
He was a type of a person who wont set you alone into the dark, but would be there with you, when you needed him. He said a great thing about being a leader, that managing Success is easy, but A Leader should know how to manage Failure. In one of his lectures, when he mentioned how should a leader be, he talked about his Project Director Prof. Satish Dhavan taking up the full responsibility of when the Missile Launch for 'Rohini' had failed in a press conference, and later, when it was successfully launched, he sent Dr. Kalam to head the conference and celebrate the success.

He was extremely humble and a down to earth person!
He performed small acts of kindness all through his life. Being an Ex-President of India, he had many people working for him, but he made sure that he would even talk to the one smallest in position. Even on his last day, he thanked the Security guy, who was standing for a long time for him to take the stage. I mean, that was not required, as the guy was doing his duty, but Dr. Kalam was quick to thank him.
Because of these acts of kindness, he earned a lot of respect from the people around the world.

He was fascinated by the youth of the country and guided and helped many in getting their dreams come true!
He and his team were always busy on some or the other projects and whenever he saw great ideas or a spark and needing something, he would help that person out. There have been hundreds of instances where he has helped students from different universities and schools in getting their dream projects built.
He was easily approachable via email and his team was prompt to reply within a few minutes of sending them a request.

He always worked for his Passion and what he was best at till the last moment of his life!
As we all know, he was a great leader and an eloquent speaker, he was an inspiration for the youth of India and worked day and night to help them out. He and his team was always busy in managing his schedule and made sure that majority of the people got benefit from his speeches.

It was because of his deeds towards the public that he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest Civilian honour!

There are so many of his quotes based on his experiences in Life and which if followed would make any life meaningful. Here are some which I like:

But the one which I love the most:

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was great at inspiring people, not just by talks, but his own actions and the immense lot of work that he did. He never got retired! He kept on working till the last day of his life!
What a Great Leader, What a Great Life!

Dear Sir,
You will always be alive in our hearts for all that you did for us!

Sincerely,
From an Indian on behalf of Every Indian!

Its not over, Until I Win

I am a fan of Less Brown.

He has had humble beginnings but with help of his mentor and his own self, will and handwork, he has achieved what he dreamt of!
And I love these lines which he says:

If you want a thing bad enough to go out and fight for it,
to work day and night for it, to give up your time, your peace
and sleep for it… if all that you dream and scheme is about it,
…and life seems useless and worthless without it… if you gladly
sweat for it and fret for it and plan for it and lose all your terrror
of the opposition for it…
if you simply go after that thing
that you want with all your capacity,
strength and sagacity,
faith hope and confidence
and stern pertinacity…
if neither cold, poverty,
famine, nor gout,
sickness nor pain, of body and brain,
can keep you away from the thing that you want…
if dogged and grim you beseech and beset it,
with the help of God,

YOU WILL GET IT! – Les Brown

Today is Less Brown's birthday,. so a happy birthday to you Less!
And thanks for playing your part in the universe and making life of many of the people easy.

Its all about Conquering our mind Barriers!

Friends,

This post is about a worthy moment of my life, the day I cycled to Kabirvad and back (almost!), travelling around 160+ Km on the road and that too on a Fixie (Non-Geared) Cycle.

Dec 22nd 2013: The day it began!
A few members of BCC (Baroda Cyclist Club), decide to go Kabirvad, over the next weekend. Luckily, I get to know about it. There are two car racks available, so in total, there is a capacity of 5 people to come by car. I start pondering can I do it? Can I go? Because, I have been out from majority of BCC rides since August (The Timbi lake ride). So first, I need to get prepared for it.

Dec 24th 2013: Confirming the Participation for the Kabirvad Ride!
There were 4 (Aakash Gupta, Manish Lakhani, Tripti Kathuria & Dr. Kinnari Patel) who had confirmed the participation for full ride, which they said was around 165+ Km. Two others (Milin Desai and Chandrakant Golani) had decided to come by car till Hotel Nyay Mandir and then ride till Kabirvad, which would be approximately 18-20 Km, one side. So there were 3 vacant places in the car rack. But, I had decided I am gonna do it -- Full 165 Km. Aakash said it would be difficult to do it on a Fixie (Non-geared) Bike -- as the avg speed needs to be around 22-25 km/h. (Poore week bed pe rahega!) A couple of well wishers said it will be impossible for me to do so. (Thanks, that was a challenge that motivated me!)

Dec 25th 2013: Merry Christmas.. The preparation Starts!
 Correct me if I am wrong, but we can't just dream and sit back silently and watch our dreams come true. There has to be a plan and then an action.
And as Bo Bennett has rightly said: "A Dream becomes a Goal, when Action is taken towards its achievement."
In that week, I tried doing 2 city circuits, (17 Km each) in as much less time as possible. And once, did around 45 Km at the avg. speed of 22 km/h.

Dec 28th 2013: The rest day!
A well wisher said, don't ride the previous day if you are planning a full ride till Kabirwad. So didn't ride that day. I was pretty sure I could do the full ride. As such, I had no other option because the 3 vacant positions in the car rack were full. So if I wanted to go, I had to ride. I serviced my bicycle at home and got a new gel seat cover to improve the cusion.
Sad news! Manish Lakhani is not accompanying, as he has something urgent on 29th Dec. Damn!
Aakash told me and Tripti "Make sure you arrange for lights tomorrow, to be safe on road". A dear friend, Milin Desai lended me his light (Oops, I still haven't returned it, Will do it soon Milin.. ;) ) and everything was set.

Dec 29th 2013: The day of the Adventurous Ride!
We were to meet from McDonald's OP Road at 4:45 AM. We all got up at around 3-3:30 AM and did some warm-up exercises. We had enough water, Electral sachets, dry fruits, some chocolates, glucose biscuits and 1.5 kg bananas as eatables along with puncture and maintenance kits.
The ride started with the four of us in alphabetical order -- Aakash Gupta,  Dr. Kinnari Patel, Tripti Kathuria and Varun Shringarpure.
The route for the ride is as follows:

Mcd OP Road -> Manjalpur -> Panasonic Makarpura -> Jambua Service Road -> BIT Edu Campus -> Varnama -> Karjan -> Hotel Darshan -> Hotel Nyay Mandir -> Kabirwad -> Hotel Nyay Mandir -> Hotel Sahyog -> BIT Edu Campus -> Makarpura-Jambua Service Road to Vadodara


View Larger Map

After around 32 Km, we took our first break, at Hotel Darshan for 10 mins, to grab a nice hot Tea and a Good Day. It was the onset of morning and a nice Orange sun was seen in the mist above the open fields. (The beauty and ambience can't be explained in words, so to experience it, join us the next time we go!)

Around 55 Km into the ride, Aakash started feeling a little exhausted, as he didn't have anything in the early morning. A strong person by heart, he grabbed a few dry fruits and some water and started riding with all his might. The next we stopped was only at our first destination -- Hotel Nyay Mandir on Bharuch Service road. We reached at an average speed of 22 Km/h and took around 3 hours 30 mins to reach. We got fresh, sprinkling cold water on our face, which felt hot as compared to our hands and faces. After having light breakfast and a couple of cutting chai, we waited for our friends coming by car.
Milin Desai, Chandrakant Golani, Deven Parekh, Mira Vora and Hitesh Divyeshwar reached and unloaded their cycles from the car racks, and we were set to leave for our destination - Kabirvad.

It was a dumpy-bumpy road with more potholes then flatter roads. The best part about travelling through the road were the farms on either side of it. Multi-talented CG started clicking pics with his DSLR wherever he could find a nice scene thorough the fields. We reached the destination, but Milin's cycle had some issue on the way. So he, Aakash and Chandrakant had to go back from midway and come to Kabirvad in Car. The total one side distance we travelled was 87.8 ~ 88 Km. There, we got a bad news that Tripti will not be coming back on cycle. Aakash, too was not in the best of his condition to ride back, so ideally there were just two riders returning back on cycle -- Dr Kinnari Patel and myself.

After a much needed break at Kabirvad (a way to longer one rather!), we started off, in the afternoon to ride back, first the bumpy ride and then the good highway roads. Coming back was difficult, due to the heat of afternoon along with the fatigue of the 88 KM done while going. The result was, we took too many breaks while returning back. Infact, my coming back on cycle was mainly due to Dr. Kinnari, who constantly motivated me on the way -- "Well done Varun, credit goes to you for even thinking of doing it on a fixie; I know you will complete the ride; You have the guts to do it.." We had an ice cream on the way around 75 Km from Vadodara, and a chai at around 30 Km from Vadodara.

At 24 Km from Vadodara, I started feeling pertubed and had to stop. A pain in stomach made me very uneasy. I thought I won't be able to ride anymore and need some vehicle to take me thereon. I requested Dr. Kinnari to continue as she had to attend a function at around 6 and it was already 4:30. 15 mins later, I puked -- I am sure having chai in hot afternoon was a bad decision -- nevermind. After taking electral mixed water and resting for 20 mins on the road, I was sure now to continue my journey on cycle. I was out of water now and had no wish to stop anywhere even for a bottle of water. I started the ride by reciting Bajrangbali's name and regained strength to move on. The sun was setting now, so it was cooler. phew.. Felt good! At Makarpura-Jambua Service road, I took a left to enter Vadodara and felt uneasy in left leg. Yes, it was a cramp. Again, decision of not to get down for a bottle of water had paid off!

It was foolish to travel by cycle now, as I had one fly-over minimum. So finally I decided to give up my ride there. Best option was to take and auto return back and hence exercised it. Though happy to have covered a good amount of distance, I felt bad for two things: Leaving Kinnari ma'am alone on a highway to travel and second unable to complete the ride till home!

Sincere thanks Tripti and Aakash on the way towards Kabirvad you guys were superb inspiration Aakash, it was a priviledge travelling a long distance with a pro-rider like you!
And Kinnari Ma'am thank you so much for being a great motivator throughout the ride coming back -- else I am sure I would have given up at Kabirvad.

Conclusion:  
Two things specifically:

1. I am definitely sure now, that its not about the bike. Yes, I do believe that if I had a geared cycle, then the ride would have been smoother than what it had. Also, I might have completed my ride till home. 
2. Barriers are in our mind, once we conquer them, we can do it. I remember during the Tour-de-Pavagadh ride I was morally down even while going and hence coming back was quite difficult. But for this one, we all had decided we gonna do it, we all had prepared for it, and in fact, we did it!
3. Seeing the spirit with which Kinnari Ma'am was riding and completed the whole ride, I am sure even Age is not the barrier either in doing something, that you wish to do!

Brevet 200, you are on the list to be conquered Next!

Mr Positive Uncle

Dear all,

This article is about my good morning friend, Mr. Positive Uncle.

Give me a chance to introduce you with him.
I call him by that name, because I don't know his name.
He is a little short, medium built person, with age above 60 for sure.
He is a regular walker on my road, and he is very regular at it.
Oh, you have a question, that why do I call him friend? -- Well, I think age is never a barrier to make friends.

One more thing about him my dear friends, (which I feel bad for) he only has a left hand.

Do you want to know what makes this person Mr. Positive?
Its his attitude!
He gives a broad smile and waves to every passer-by  -- walker, jogger, runner, cyclist who are exercising like him, and even school children, who are on cycle or with parents or in auto-rickshaws and vans.

Wow!

Let me narrate a recent incident with him..
I was off all exercising some weeks back. No Cycling, No walking or jogging. I love the rains, and getting drenched, but somehow was getting tired and missed out on most of the action this year. But one day, when I was back on saddle, I met him on the road. I met him. He almost waved as if he had something to talk to me. I stopped and moved near him. He came near to me, put his hand on my shoulder and said: "Son, I saw you after so many days. Were you ill? Otherwise I normally see you daily, Hope you are ok? What made you take such a long break from your workout? Or did you join a Gym or something?"
Honestly speaking, I was taken aback for a moment. He touched my heart by showing the concern towards me. Who in the world other than our Family and Close Friends even have time to look and talk to people so simply and affectionately? Who actually cares? Well, I got an answer that day, there are many who don't but there are many like him who do.
I replied to him honestly: "I think its my laziness that deprived me of either riding a cycle or walking/jogging. No I haven't joined a gym, as I don't like it. But yes, even if I missed it, I will continue cycling, and be as much regular as possible".
He patted me on my back and laughed, take care and don't bunk..

This event increased my respect for him.

A Conversation

Awesome Conversation between God And a Man. Read it and don’t forget to share it with your friends.

Man: God, can I ask You a question?

God: Sure

Man: Promise You won’t get mad …

God: I promise

Man: Why did You let so much stuff happen to me today?

God: What do u mean?

Man: Well, I woke up late

God: Yes

Man: My car took forever to start

God: Okay

Man: at lunch they made my sandwich wrong & I had to wait

God: Huummm

Man: On the way home, my phone went DEAD, just as I picked up a call

God: All right

Man: And on top of it all off, when I got home ~I just want to soak my feet in my new foot massager & relax. BUT it wouldn’t work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did You do that?

God: Let me see, the death angel was at your bed this morning & I had to send one of My Angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that

Man (humbled): OH

GOD: I didn’t let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.

Man: (ashamed)

God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick & I didn’t want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn’t afford to miss work.

Man (embarrassed): Okay

God: Your phone went dead bcuz the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn’t even let you talk to them so you would be covered.

Man (softly): I see God

God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn’t think you wanted to be in the dark.

Man: I’m Sorry God

God: Don’t be sorry, just learn to Trust Me…. in All things , the Good & the bad.

Man: I will trust You.

God: And don’t doubt that My plan for your day is Always Better than your plan.

Man: I won’t God. And let me just tell you God, Thank You for Everything today.

God: You’re welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I Love looking after My Children..

Just a note guys, I read this somewhere, and thought of sharing it here.

Why always do what you love?

Hey Friends, well today, on my Birthday, I would like to post something regarding Passion and about doing something that you love!

We all do many things, some because we like to do them, some because we are forced to do them. Ask yourself, which ones do we enjoy the most? There is no double mind in answering this one, they are obviously the things that you like or you love to do. There are many success stories of people who have excelled by doing what they loved to do, may it be Sachin Tendulkar in Cricket, or Roger Federer in Tennis or Steve Jobs in Software Development.

Remember Steve Jobs thrown out of his own Company Apple when he was 30? Just think of it. The company that you started, you are thrown from at after running it for 10 years? Hell! But he had taken some decisions which his board members were not in favor of and eventually he made his way. He did it because he was in love with what all he did, and didn't want to compromise that at any cost. Finally the result was Next and Pixar Animation Studio, the best computer animation film studio we know. This is just talking about a small instance of Steve Jobs.

Here, I would like to share an example of my grandmother. She is a good cook.. Oops, I mean a great cook *wink. Not just because she prepares delicious food, but even because she is always ready to learn anything new that comes up. Daily, she checks out newspapers and magazines, to get knowledge about preparing some new dish. Even today, at an age of above 70, she is not ashamed of learning anything new, and never does she say that she knows everything. Talk of preparing some dish, and she would have a number of ways of doing it, with some quick tips and the best way to do it. Also, even if she is down with fever, if she has made her mind or someone asked her to prepare something special, nothing can stop her from doing so. Nothing at all! (May she always remain as she is -- Touchwood!)

That's what happens when you do what you love. You may succeed or may fail. But even after failure, they would be happy because they might be loving  that -- even after failure. Because, no failure can let you quit. You go on and on and on.. Come What May! For all such passionate people, one thing is in common, Success or Failure never matters, what matters is they love what they do.

You can think of some instance of your life that you enjoyed the most. The one that you gave your best effort. The sole reason as to why you put in effort for that thing or loved that thing is because you loved doing it. Well, while concluding this, I would like to re-itterate two things that many have always said: If you have found what you love, go behind it without wasting anytime and in case you haven't be in search of it. Because its the best feeling you can ever have!

Failure - How it really feels?

As per my knowledge this is not a question to be asked, Whether you have ever tasted failure?

You, me - everyone of us has experienced it at some point in our life. 
And regarding how it feels, I have watched a lot of inspirational people talking about really great stuff. They say you should not take defeat negatively, it is a stepping stone of success, it always teaches you some lesson and the first time I felt my foot!

This is because of the fact, that failure takes the hell out of you when you experience it. It even makes you feel miserable, lonely and at the same time, it flashes and flushes all the hard-work that you had put in for the thing you wanted to achieve.

Then what is so great about failure, that many great people talk about it so positively? Is it that we are taking it in a wrong way? Or is it that we are unable to see the other side of it? 

Thinking about it further, analyzing my past shortcomings and trying to understand the real meaning of what all those great speakers meant regarding lack of success, I have come down to a conclusion. 

Failure never matters, but how you take it and fight back does! 

It may have been painful and hurt you badly, but it should in no way make you quit from what you were doing!


Its important to have a right person by your side when you fail:

And that's none other than you yourself! Don't look for anyone else near you to come and support you in your difficult times. Yes, it feels depressing at that moment of time, you feel like quitting, leaving it altogether and what not, but this is the time when you speak WAIT! 
What went wrong in here? Lets check all the events in sequence. And then assess what was wrong. 

Your Viewpoint towards it is very important:

Every kid tries to walk when it is nearly 1 year old. It falls while trying, gets up and tries again. And while doing so, it actually starts walking. Maybe for walking it is essential to fall, so that it understands how to avoid from falling.

Look at the kid's attitude, its fighting spirit.. I mean falling, getting up and still not quitting? 
I think, if ever we fall short while doing something, and our mind says to drop that idea or quit it, we must always think of small kids around. They are a great source of inspiration and give us all the strength to try it yet again!


Don't be Perplexed:

Why are all of us so much frightened of failing? I was having a small discussion with my friend Darshana, and had a nice example of taking it positively without being afraid of it. Think of swinging on a swing when you were a kid. If you fall down, the max that you would do is laugh loudly, look around, dust off your clothes and get on the swing again. 
So when you are a kid, if you are not afraid of falling down, what happens when you grow up? What is that fears us? Is it failing that we fear or is it that people around see you fail? 
Well, we should never worry or be scared of making mistakes. One who is weak at heart who does that. This fear will never let you take up a challenge or try anything new in your life and hinder your own growth. You will never identify any new opportunities, try it out and would never develop or sharpen your skills. We are accountable to ourselves and not anyone else, so why care if anyone sees us failing? 

Sometimes, some things may turn out badly. Nevermind, happens!

Its a Learning:

Just like every success teaches you something, even every downfall does!

Mistakes give you the opportunity to learn, and there should be a lesson learnt from it. What is more important is learning from our shortcomings and make sure we do not repeat the same blunder again. Its not making a mistake that is a crime, but repeating it and not learning from it, surely is! 

Never does it mean that you should always fail. Also, as Mr. Harsha Bhogle said in a lecture series of his, "Everytime you fail you learn is true, but there is no mathematical relationship between failure and learning. So, the more you fail the more you learn maybe correct, and the person who only fails only learns is not true"
So rightly said by him. It is not a mathematical conclusion. 

Take it seriously:

All over above, when we see, that its not a crime to fail, at the same time, its important not to take it lightly. Failure happens, agree, but we must not ignore it. Important thing is to think about what next and how to try again.

After you fail, you gotto assess things, what went wrong in the current situation. And you need to make sure you don't repeat that mistake again. Mistakes are always allowed, just repeating them are not allowed.


No matter how many times I break down, there is always a little piece of me that says "You're not done yet, GET UP!!"

Never Quit!

A Story of Appreciation

Hello Friends,

Well, the below story is neither mine, nor am I its writer. But I loved it while I read it and thought of sharing it with you guys in here. So here it goes, check it out! I can guarantee that you will like it!


**Story of Appreciation**

One young academically excellent person went to apply for a managerial position in a big company.

He passed the first interview, the director did the last interview, made the last decision.

The director discovered from the CV that the youth's academic achievements were excellent all the way, from the secondary school until the postgraduate research,
Never had a year when he did not score.

The director asked,
"Did you obtain any scholarships in school?"
The youth answered "none".

The director asked,
" Was it your father who paid for your school fees?"
The youth answered,
"My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees.

The director asked,
" Where did your mother work?"
The youth answered,
"My mother worked as clothes cleaner.
The director requested the youth to show his hands.
The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect.

The director asked,
" Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?"
The youth answered,
"Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books.
Furthermore, my mother can wash clothes faster than me.

The director said,
"I have a request. When you go back today, go and clean your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning.*

The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high. When he went back, he happily requested his mother to let him clean her hands. His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to the kid.

The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. His tear fell as he did that. It was the first time he noticed that his mother's hands were so wrinkled, and there were so many bruises in her hands. Some bruises were so painful that his mother shivered when they were cleaned with water.

This was the first time the youth realized that it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school fee. The bruises in the mother's hands were the price that the mother had to pay for his graduation, academic excellence and his future.

After finishing the cleaning of his mother's hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.

That night, mother and son talked for a very long time.

Next morning, the youth went to the director's office.

The Director noticed the tears in the youth's eyes, asked:
" Can you tell me what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?"

The youth answered,
" I cleaned my mother's hand, and also finished cleaning all the remaining clothes'

The Director asked,
" please tell me your feelings."

The youth said,
Number 1,
I know now what is appreciation. Without my mother, there would not the successful me today.
Number 2,
By working together and helping my mother, only I now realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done.
Number 3,
I have come to appreciate the importance and value of family relationship.

The director said,
" This is what I am looking for to be my manager. I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done, and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life. You are hired.

Later on, this young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and as a team. The company's performance improved tremendously.

A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted, would develop "entitlement mentality"and would always put himself first. He would be ignorant of his parent's efforts.
When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others.
For this kind of people, who may be good academically, may be successful for a while, but eventually would not feel sense of achievement.
He will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more. If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying the kid instead?*

You can let your kid live in a big house, give him a Driver & Car for going around, Eat a Good Meal, learn Piano, Watch a Big Screen TV. But when you are Cutting Grass, please let them experience it. After a Meal, let them Wash their Plates and Bowls together with their Brothers and Sisters. Tell them to Travel in Public Bus, It is not because you do not have Money for Car or to Hire a Maid, but it is because you want to Love them in a right way. You want them to understand, no matter how rich their parents are, one day their hair will Grow Grey, same as the Mother of that young person. The most important thing is your kid learns how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and learns the ability to work with others to get things done..

A Morning Scene from the eyes of a Jogger!

Hi Friends,
Do you like the beautiful mornings?
Well, if yes, you may have your own reasons for it, and even if not, lets try to look at some of the instances which you would have not seen and could get a little bit of likability towards it.

Image Courtesy : www.Coloringpages101.com

Its all so beautiful in the morning! It starts with the Fajr - the morning prayer - of the Muslims, The chirping of the birds, and the sounds of paperwala and milkman at your door.
Looking thru a joggers eye, the first thing that you see when you move out there on the road, are the walkers/joggers/runners/cyclists; the ones very much like you. Some are invincible runners, while others are lackadaisical walkers.  Some you see blossoming and smiling at you daily, few in a bad mood due to something, few still sleepy and some compelled to go out there by either their parents or their doctors too arrogant to even look at you. Many prefer the road while others prefer going to a garden for a healthy and clean workout. On open grounds as well as gardens, you might see a group of people enjoying in laughing clubs. Few, enjoying a cutting chay, from the tea stall just opened with a couple of Parle G biscuits! [Updated 25th Sept 2012, after an idea suggested by my friend Devashri] Some enjoying their morning snacks, Pauva with tari & Sev Usal nearby. [/Updated]  A couple of people got to jog so that their dog get some exercise.
You see the cute little Kidos going to school, waiting for their Auto, or a Van or a school bus playing hide and seek, thumb fight, scott, etc till their pick-up vehicle arrives. Their parents get them ready faster and their stops early, not only so that they don't miss their ride, but also so that they can chit-chat with their friends(other parents) gathered there. You also see the college dudes and dudetteses out there either standing at the bus stops listening to their Ipods, or smsing or riding roughly on their vehicles to impress some around, with ear plugs and bandit queens even with a dark black goggles. A very popular scene is, when a person calls someone in the bus while running, "Dude, stop the bus, I almost reached!" (Ubhi rakh la, bas pohchi gayo!)
There are the road side vendors, the fruit-sellers, who either spent their night at the same place wake up and getting ready for starting their business while there are some hawkers who come from long distances, getting up very early buying the vegetables for their daily business.
There are some who move in their jeeps with loads of grains for the birds to be sprinkled in the small garden area developed near major cross roads, while bread and rotis for dogs, cows and other stray animals. Few people get some packets of biscuits for the stray dogs and feel happy seeing the dog wagging its tail while some beat them with stones out of either fear or hatred.
Next, there are the masons that move along with their family, to the construction site where they are currently working. You definitely see atleast 1 out of 5 persons sharing a bhakhri (bread) out there to some stray animal, either a cow, dog, buffalo, donkey; any one. He  himself has so small a tiffin, that he can hardly satisfy his hunger. Yet, he shares it. Sometimes, it actually feels who is rich? The one who has a lot of money or the one who has a big heart?
Don't know why, but it is a very happy feeling going out for a walk, watching all this! Do you go out in the morning and watch anything of this or anything more? If yes, please put it down in the comments section. And all those readers, who don't like to get up early, do you feel like at least giving it a try atleast once after reading this? And what about those who go out forcibly for the workout, would you like to go and feel such a beautiful scene rather than just being there?

Happy Morning Buddies!

The Lovely.. rather the Lively Change of Life!

Hey friends,

Recently, after a very scanty rainfall during the whole of monsoon, we had a nice or actually must say a little too much of rain almost at the verge of completion of the season!

The last whole week has been so rainy. We all started enjoying the cool breeze and the drizzle while going to our schools, colleges and offices! But, by the end of the week, when it was only rain and no sun, didn't we get a little fed up and little tired of it?

And when today, the Bright sun came out of the grey clouds, in the sky, it actually got smiles on many faces. When there was too much rain all throughout the week, yesterday, many places had even started to stink, not just the dustbins placed at the end of the lanes, but even our own terraces where we could see some traces of algae. The clothes we wear, remained damp for a long time, and they were not as crisp to wear as they usually are in the summer season. With the sun peeping out of the clouds, the dark morning seems suddenly so bright, as if it pumped up some energy all around. I am sure all of us were dying to see the sun out there. The sun from which we all hide during a hot afternoon (or even during a morning, when we see majority of girls wearing gloves and a scarf over their face and head) seems so beautiful today, that we did go to our balconies or gardens, or terraces or the road to have a kind of sun bath. Didn't we?

So reading all through this, are we getting some conclusion? Anything that is Monotonous, gets us tired or bored, and all require change of some or the other sort! Also, everything is enjoyed when available in a proportion. Too much of anything is not good!

Well, I think the same we can compare with our own life too! Think of it. Let me give you some instances of my life which I can think of at this moment while writing this article. Maybe based on those, even you will have similar instances to recollect and maybe some similar or contrary feelings too..

I remember, there was a time when I used to fear change. Any type of change, say the change in my school life from primary to secondary section, or the change from school life to my college life. Maybe, it was because of I didn't know what's in store for me over there. But, after reaching there, starting it off, I actually started enjoying it. Every single time this has happened. So what that fear was all about?Was it for going through the unseen/unnoticed instances? Or was it due to up coming situations and lack of experience in it, which was never handled before?

So basically, after experiencing the changing seasons and also after facing the changes and challenges in life through various situations, one thing is for sure, that we love to live our life because its not monotonous! 
Analyze it, you feel always excited and energized when something new comes up in our life. A monotonous schedule in our life is kinda more of a machine types; getting switched on and off during a particular time frame.

Also, considering a case where we don't like change, lets remember one thing: "Change is Inevitable" -- It is to occur, whether you like it or not.
Can you recollect the Darvin's Theory of "Survival of the Fittest"? Even in there, it came down to a very small yet effective conclusion, that the one who accepts changes and alters itself accordingly so that it becomes favorable to that particular change!
Then, why not accept it with all the cheers and happiness. Half the battle is already won, when we are ready to face any situation that comes up!

With a noble thought that from now on, all of us will always take the change of life positively and though sometimes we may get afraid but we will surely won't get nervous or won't be panic!

Happy Lively Change!

3-Idiots Aamir Khan Dialogue on definition of Books

Hello Friends,

I am pretty sure you have watched 3-Idiots! Well do you remember this dialogue about books in it...?

Instrument that record, analyse, summarise, organise, debate and explain information that are illustrative, non-illustrative, hardbound, paperback,  jacketed, non-jacketed, with foreword, introduction, table of contents, index, that are intended for the enlightenment, understanding, enrichment, enhancement and education of the human brain through sensory route of vision... some times touched!

Enjoy!

A Trip that has got us all friends closer to each other in the journey of Life!

Hello Friends,

Well, this in post I would like to share a very nice and touching instance of my life, that I spent with some of the most awesome people I have ever met in my life.
In this post, I would like to name them first, they are, Hardeep Bhamra, Urvesh Vekariya, Kiran Patil, Yogesh Patel, Vinayak Chauhan, Ramesh Babu, Darshak Shah, Nimit Patel, Muktesh Mehta, Bhavesh Maniya.

We all 11 made a very runtime plan and went to Abu-Ambaji just to chill out and enjoy.All of us got Tatkaal reservation and went by Train, while coming 4 of us came back  by train and the rest by Bus.
We relished each others company there! We roamed around together, went to the Ambaji Temple in the morning at 5:15, then went to Abu stayed at a Hotel called Maharaja, went to all the tourist spots, played some Games like Air Hockey, shooting and Racing at the game parlour, went to the Haunted House (I still remember I was on Nimit, He(Nimit) was on Ramesh and then He(Ramesh) was on Hardeep, but we still enjoyed it inspite of Hardeep got his goggles broken).. Man! It was an awesome trip!

But I think the best part of the trip was not this fun. It was one hour that evening, Saturday evening that we all spent together in that room chitchatting and knowing more about each other. We actually got together in that room to pull each other's leg, specially Darshak's I suppose, but it came to be such that at the end of that one hour, we all got so emotional! I think that one hour was the best one hour of my life till now.

I not only got to know how others are, I even gotto know myself much more than what I knew myself. For some people like Ramesh and Yogesh, which we thought to be fun loving and tension free come what may, we  even found that even they have an emotional side of theirs, which they never come out with in public. Even a person like Nimit, who is so strong, got emotional, while telling his life story, when at a point of life, he got upset thinking his parents were worried for him and his future, and how he covered it up; relieved them from this pressure. There were some very shocking things revealed in front of us, specifically the ones like Vinayak and Muktesh don't have their father, and Vinayak still misses him and wants to secure his family in a way so that they don't feel the loneliness that he has felt in his childhood.

We only knew Darshak as a source of Fun, but in this trip, we even got to know that he feels the pain when someone teases him, he is too introvert to say that to others, but he does. And with Bhavesh, a very kind guy, who seems to take care of even his seniors, has learnt a lot from his past experiences and thinks of his family as his first responsibility. Urvesh, who is a happy-go-lucky guy, the most tension free person I have ever seen, is also a very family minded person and respects his elders like anything.

This trip, also told us, that things are not always the way we see it.
Ramesh, whom so far we have only seen cursing his father, has his father as his role model, and he still repents on the thing that he had told his father, when he was a child. Also, he is so proud of his father! I already respected him for what he was, but sometimes, I personally didn't like when he used to say something bad about him. But I think this instance, changed it all. I respect him from my heart now!

I knew Hardeep Sir and Kiran Sir very well, many of their thoughts, their views, their stories, how they have come up to this level, and I think the best part of their life is that they haven't forgotten their past, and even today, they make their best to help every kid/younger one in their own way so that he/she can succeed/sustain/be happy. I must say I am a part of this-- the younger one who has got the privilege to work with such masters, and gotto know life more, and succeed!


Sometimes, somethings really have a imprints on your life. I think this trip was one such!

It will always be remembered for its beauty and the reason it took all of us so closer!

Cheers,
Varun 

My friends got engaged. aawww the cutest couple!

Hello friends..

You already know them! They are here Mr. Murthi and Miss B -- Oh... I must say to be Mrs. Krishnamurthi!

Wow! They just got engaged yesterday! And I can't explain how happy I am for them.. The best part of their engagement ceremony was the song by Mr Murthi, which covered their complete life.. rite from their school thru college and the present! Awesome..

I am really happy for my sister got such an amazing life partner.


So they are no longer two but one now. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate!

Happy Happy Times!

Cheers to Miss B and Mr Murthi! --- WoooooHooooo!

Being Human?

Hello Friends,

In this article, I would like to narrate a small instance that I encountered when I was travelling on my bike.

I was on my way to the office, when I saw few people gathered on the cross roads. Approaching the cross roads, I saw an old man sitting in the middle of the road with a small kid (probably with his grand daughter). They were on a moped, and met with an accident with a car driver.

I had not seen the accident happening, so I better not comment on that. But, the scene that I saw was very enraging. A young stout guy in a white Verna, met with an accident with this old man. This guy, didn't even have the courtesy to get down and help the old man and the kid to get up and take them on the side of the road. Instead, he got out of the car and started shouting at him, boasting about his post and position, and the damage that the accident did to his newly bought car. And you know what, this mannerless guy was wearing a T-Shirt of "Being Human"

At the same time, some stopped there and with the help of a couple of guys more, helped the old man and the kid to move to the left side of the road. We parked his vehicle. One of the guys helping them, was a  Doctor, and had a small First-Aid Kit with him in his car, who helped them cleaning the wounds and small bandages very fast. (That's courtesy I think!) One of them was so furious on that shout guy, he literally went to fight with him!! Almost hit him with his helmet in his hand. One more, bought a bottle of Bislery from a store nearby for them. We all departed in few mins after the old guy was feeling better and the small kid smiling at us!

After this event, I really felt bad for the old guy, he might have been in fault during the accident, but then looking at his age, should he have received that response from the Young Guy?
Tell me guys who was the real human in this situation? What actually that guy who met with an accident with this Old man would have done? Was he right on his part, for what he actually did?
Does only wearing a T-Shirt of "Being Human" make you a Human? Or is it that your deeds, your actions and your responsibility towards other humans make you one?

I would not like to conclude this with a Moral or something, you are the best person to decide it!

Hardwork always leads to Success!

Hello Friends,


Today, I write this article because someone has inspired me to write this one. That person is the one whom I really respect a lot, and I was told that it could become a source of inspiration for many as well as people would understand that there is no substitute to hard-work and are no shortcuts in reducing weight.


Yes my friends, this article is on reducing weight, which I recently did -- I reduced 12 Kg (26.45 Pounds) -- in a time period of 6.5 months -- since Oct 15th 2011.


Let me brief you how I started. Well, actually on 14th Oct 2011, I got detected for High Thyroid and High Cholesterol. I was really taken aback, was sad, obviously didn't let my feelings get expressed on my family -- for whom it was a massive blow, my grandma, my mother, my daddy, my sister, who literally had started crying when they saw the reports -- and I was the one smiling at them, saying don't worry, its a temporary one, all this will get cured. I had a belief, that if I put some real effort I can do it -- Anyone who puts it, does it, so why not me? As some one has rightly said --Belief in oneself is one of the most important bricks in building any successful venture. And this time, I had to take some sure-shot steps to reduce weight and get the cholesterol and thyroid in control.


Now, believe me, I have not been a perfect human being to know everything, and to do everything the right way! I am still learning, from the various experiences that life gives me. So previously, even I had tried many shortcuts to reducing weights, obviously, was never serious, but tried some vague ideas and some things that I read on internet and some as insisted by my dear friends -- like dieting, gyming, etc. -- and the result was Nothing. Reason again maybe because I was not serious towards it, or maybe because they were shortcuts or maybe because they lacked consistency.


But this time, I was pretty sure I gotto do it at any cost. I think that's why its rightly said -- Necessity is the mother of Invention. I gotto know the actual way or say the real path that let to reducing my weight, Pheew!! Finally!  In the beginning, I started slow walking, then Brisk walking, then jogging and then brisk walking and running (sprint) -- for a distance of around 7.5 to 8 KM (around 5 Miles). Next, after time period of around 3 months of doing this, I bought a Bicycle, and traveled 25 KM daily, which I continued for 2 Months. And currently, I do both -- Cycling as well as Brisk walking -- Cycling around 18 KM and Brisk Walking 4 KM on daily basis.
I have been consistent this time, and everytime I stand on weighing machine, I get down cheerfully getting to know that I have lost something. And I think -- I may be wrong but that's what I think -- what helped me reduce weight this time was punctuality.


So why did I write this article? Just to boast about my success?


No friends, you may surely feel it boastful till now, but the prime intention of this article was to tell you all, that THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE TO HARDWORK -- THERE NEVER WAS! And if you are keen on reducing weight, believe this and start working the basic way.
You may surely reduce by going to a Gym, but you can also do it the basic way -- Walking, Jogging, Running, Cycling -- and as such exercising in Natural Environment is always good, plus you can save money!


I have seen many friends, literally starving to reduce weight, get green tea and what not. They search for all the shortcuts, and try them all -- Well I was one such previously, so I won't blame you!
But I think, sometimes, some things happen in life that make you serious towards something, I would really like to thank that blood report that said I had high thyroid and high cholesterol -- which helped me achieve this!


To all my Dear Friends -- Please stop trying and thinking and start working!!! As Action is the foundational key to all Success!


This is the truth of life, for anything that comes your way, not just reducing weight. Reducing weight is just taken as an example of my life. But actually, You give that thing, that work your 100% and you are sure to get results out of it! Also, I while discussing with some of my friends, they say that not hardwork, but smart work leads to success -- I would like to say, to know the way to work smart, you need to understand the work first, which you can know by toiling hard, and get to know what it is and then act smartly -- Hope I am right.. 

Cheers,
Happy Hardworking!

A Cancelled Plan actually must say A Postponed Plan and Some Broken Hearts!

Hey Friends,

This article is an incident about yesterday.

I was to go for a dinner with my best pals. We made this plan just a day before and all of us were so exited about this! But since morning I wasn't well. I had some stomach problems.
Still, I didn't tell anyone about this and kept on for an affirmative for the plan. In any case, I didn't wanna cancel the plan because of me. I didn't wanna cancel the plan because of me.
(I am neither trying to praise or showoff by making this statement, but I wanna explain what type of a person I am.. Whenever there is something, wherein I am a part of it, I try to give my 100%  and be there come what may. I am always in for my friends, try to be with them whenever they need me, if its work, I make sure I am in there till it completed successfully, if its family, it actually becomes my duty and make sure I am there. In any case, I never like that it gets affected because of me. I don't know why, but it feels pathetic and feels as if I am guilty if I am unable to do. But sometimes, some situations aren't in your control -- some situations demand more importance than some others and you need to cancel or do away with one.)
 Finally, after going to Latrine for the third time during the day in office, I told one of my friends about it -- that I got some stomach problems, and don't tell anyone but I may either drop out or come but won't eat.
She told me that its not important to eat! And we go some other day!(obviously, I understand, what was more important was enjoying together, and I surely won't have if I had gone yesterday, I wasn't well!)

And hence, we postponed the plan. But from that moment, as I just told you how I feel when such a thing happens -- as if I am the culprit and was responsible for spoiling their moods.

The bad feeling, kept on pinching me long (and it still is pinching me!), and I decided that we go come what may!!
But the damage was already done... Everyone was already upset.. I think my decision of telling that I wasn't well did it.

I am very sure they understood my position and that's why they took the decision of postponing it, and they wanted that we go when all are 100% so that all enjoy!!

But how do I explain how bad I feel about it...

In case you refer to this article anytime in future, I am sorry guys!!
I am extremely sorry.. Please forgive me for spoiling our plans and your moods!

Enjoy your game and chase your dreams, because ultimately dreams do come true!

Hello Friends,

Remember this statement?
Yes, you are right! It was spoken by the God of Cricket Sachin Tendulkar, on the day he scored his 100th 100.

Every great personality has a life from which we can learn if we want. May it be Sachin Tendulkar, may it be Aamir Khan or anyone.

And What does their life teach you?
Its not the end result that matters, its the path followed to achieve it, the hardships and obstacles faced and the way in which the person bounced back after failure that matters!


Like in case of Sachin Tendulkar, if you read more about him, there are great writers like Harsha Bhogle who have spoken/written about him, that he started his career at the age of 16 and he is still playing.
So what has it been that has kept him going?
Talent? --Nope!
Its the Passion to Perform! Its the Desire, the his Dreams!!

And I talked about what all can we learn from great successful personalities is always dream! Set them as your goals, and make an effort to achieve it!
We must never forget that why all great personalities succeed -- is because they do what they do what  they love to do.. May it be anything, sports, research, -- anything!

Always make your dream your goal of life and work passionately towards it. You may not know when your dreams would come true, but they surely will!

Even sachin said, he had the dream of bringing a World Cup home, which he/they could achieve after 22 Years!

22 Years is not a small time, but what is more important is he/they did it!

So always chase your dreams, Passionately!!
Cheers Pals!

A Special Friend that I met along the way of Life!

Hello Friends,

This article is for my cute little friend and a special one for sure.. Miss B!

Oh yes, as always, I will not mention the name directly.. You may find her name somewhere in the article. (depends! not sure will write it or not)

Well, I learnt one thing after meeting her, that the strength of a friendship, or rather be any relationship does not depend upon the time you spend! We became friends around 5 months back, in October 2011 and you know what, we have get along so nicely now, that we can't miss a day without messaging each other a single day! (except the weekends!)

Before we go ahead, let me tell you all very frankly please DO NOT consider this friendship or relationship as a boyfriend-girlfriend one! Let me tell you, this one is much above it! (And actually I am not learned enough to define my current expressions and feelings in words, about what this friendship or what this person is for me!)

We first met during the rehearsals of the Annual Day Celebration at our Company with some group of people and just as like-minded people come together and share their views and thoughts, we went on sharing some really good moments..

We (as a group) performed on stage during the Annual Function.. and majority of us dispersed into our own daily chores of work! But as I rightly said above, some like-minded people come along and stay together for life! I, B and a couple more are still very close friends, share our thoughts and sorrows, have fun, discuss things give some beautiful names to each other and much much more!!

Tell you guys, she gave me a beautiful name "Santa" just before Christmas of 2011. Well, I really don't know whether I am worth it, but I try to keep up to it!

And my friends, you know what? No friendship is perfect without a fight.. Yes, indeed, even we had a small Fight! It was at the end of the year and we said bye-bye to that with 2011!

Blossoming and Bubbly B!

Everybody have their good and bad days, and not all days are same and that's why you feel happy during the Good ones.. Once even she had some really pathetic days and I tried my best to comfort her by playing some pranks and some self jokes. I thank god I was successful and I got this in return!

I got to say, that appreciation is always delightful and when it comes from the person you admire the most, it feels like Heaven!

We celebrated the colorful festival together with some more besties! Enjoyed like anything..

Now along with our work daily, we play pranks with each other, and some other people in our group, have fun, enjoy, take care of each, are always ready when anyone of us needs the other and what more do I say! I can just go on and on and on... and never stop!


Concluding this article (I would not say I kept it short), today, as I sit on my chair, writing this Article for you Miss B, I must tell you that you are the Best Person I have ever met in my life!!! And maybe, I will never meet anyone as good as you are or maybe there will be anyone as special as you are to me! Its really very hard to believe how someone out of my family could start understanding me so well in so less time!

You ROCK as you are!!! Please be yourself!
And keep on sharing your fragrance as you usually do!

Some Happy Friendship Moments

Recent Instance:

Today, i met one of my best friend's fiance. I met him previously a couple of times maybe.... But today.. When there were talks about some specific topics we both are interested in, it seemed to me like we are dear old friends chit-chatting!

Strange are some situations and cool are some people that turn so good friends in so less time.

And i gonna call him KK...

"Murthi" as my friend calls him..

Well, to tell you guys, we share some common interests like bikes -- specifically Bullet and Java the antiques -- and Blogging.

Believe me, he puts his heart out on paper (not literally) when he writes...

Oh man! I have become a fan of his articles..

And yes one more thing that we have in common.. We both are Fat... (Just that i am a bit more)

To summarize the above, i would say that,

Everyone of you might have come across such a situation, wherein you met someone had just an aquaintance and suddenly, you become good friends... (with one thing in both's mind, hey you like it?? Me too), and that's where the fun begins!

And till now, I have always seen one thing, that even from a big crowd, likeminded people always come together and stay buddies...

Wish you all such Happy Friendship Moments! :-)

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When the Going gets Tough, the Tough gets Going!

This is an article about a person whom I admire a lot -- HB!

I met him for the first time during my induction. And man, must say, what attitude, what personality he had.. We all started talking about him after he left!

Next, from my first day at work, I have always found him to be the Fun-Loving, Workaholic and Bold  He-Man at Investis.

Well, now let me explain why I added all these adjectives to this person. He and his team works under a tremendous work load.. (Many a times, it seems that they have keyboards even at their feet!) And yet, I find him and his team mates always cracking jokes and having fun.. And neither does it affect their speed nor the quality of work they do!

As far as his work is concerned, I would say for him its like if there is any way to do the work, it only one.. "The Right Way" -- The Perfect Way!
We have always noticed perfection in his work.

Our team and his team work very closely -- must say hand in hand with each other. And once, during an annual event in our company, I gotta chance to talk to him something about his personal life -- The tough times that he has faced, the hard life that he has lived, the failures that he has had, and yet he is happy with what he has and whatever has happened to him!

Basically, after what I knew what all he had faced in his life, my respect for him actually increased, because there are people who get unhappy with life and stop trying once they face some hardships and failures in life, and he, was one of those few who bounce back and not just that, one of those who is on a roll!
I recollect a quote from William Arthur Ward at this point in time -- Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records! And he is the second kind of guy-- Truly Exceptional!

He is a person as I know, who has no fear to tell anything to anyone, come what may! -- whatever that person is, if he thinks he gotta say it and its right, he will never think of the consequences, he will speak it out!

And I think he follows this -- Instead of giving myself reasons why I can't, I give myself reasons why I can!

Currently, after sharing a nice period of almost 1 year and 6 months together, we are really good friends and for him, I just got one thing to say -- Not all pebbles can become a Diamonds. Its just the ones that can bear the Heat, do well under Pressure and have the most edges cut to perfection that shine the most! -- And this one is of a special Kind!

You Rock HB!!