Is Happiness Elusive ...or we just fail to find it!

hap-ee-nis: bliss, contentedness, delight, joy, pleasure, satisfaction...

The state of joy, getting hold of a new comic book, delight seeing a new pencil, ecstasy munching a candy, satisfaction playing with a friend, contentedness getting a new dress for festival and the sheer pleasure of mom’s home cooked food.  I am at times left distraught wondering, where did I lose those little but precious moments of genuine inner peace.

Lost maybe, in the growing up process; some pleasant and unpleasant circumstances; the daily grind, losing our loved ones, health issues, relationships taking a beating, so on and so forth.

Is it so difficult to smile and laugh? At times, if you notice closely, we even forget to breathe properly; such is the hurry, rush and preoccupation in our lives. The many roles that we don and the balancing acts we put up add to and take its toll on our fragile minds and souls.

I understand that all of us are not born with sunny dispositions. As we grow, we learn that happiness is a state of being, which is commonly construed and attributed to our experiences with our environment – people, places, things...

I personally at times feel that being nice, good and positive can be tiring and that one loud outburst displaying negative emotions, like yelling, cursing, use of abusive words can give some temporary power and excitement to the mundane, but most of the time causes exhaustion to the self, more than to the target audience.

I believe, once in a while such outbursts are healthy, but if the frequency continues then surely things are not conducive to the self and to others in your life.

Every bit of emotions we experience, like joy, excitement, stress, anxiety, sadness, anger, pain, are integral moments. We as humans are capable of learning and un-learning from them, by means of introspection and intent. It’s not easy for sure but nonetheless, trying helps!

Total bliss, the ascetic way is far fetched! Down the lane, I have learnt to love my pain and it helps me enhance my thinking, creativity, empathy and determination to face challenges. But I also love my moments of peace and cheer.

So in pursuit of some happiness, I am working on a few aspects (tried, tested and shared by many, for sure) and hope to achieve, that something, to soothe my soul and mind.  It’s hard, very hard!

• Stop anticipating negative moments and reactions – It’s damaging to you and you alone.
• Stop worrying, because most of it does not happen – Even if something happens, damn it, you are capable of catching it by its neck and throwing it away.
• Stop getting caught in needless drama that happens around – People like to pull you into it to entertain them.
• Stop heeding too much to other’s unrealistic and demanding expectations of you – Learn to say NO; there is no end to what others want of you.
• Stop caring too much about what others think of you – Remember, you are a champ.
• Stop neglecting health issues – Health is indeed the first and foremost wealth.
• Stop reliving the anger caused by situations and people – Grudge will weaken your soul. If still it refuses to leave your mind, then use it towards some positive, constructive and productive means for you. (Read somewhere: Holding a grudge is letting someone live rent free in your head)
• Stop being scared or sceptical about taking up new assignments – There is always a way when there is will.
• Stop taking crap from people- Make peace with yourself.

• Give whatever assistance you can to people less fortunate than you – Experience the joy of unconditional giving.
• Give support to social causes – It’s always blessed to give than to receive.
• Give a thought to pursuing a hobby – It’s fun and soothing.
• Give praise, appreciation and acknowledgement to that deserving friend, neighbour, relative, colleague, acquaintance, your own kids, spouse, siblings and parents, for a good deed or work – Feel the power of giving.
• Give that friendly big smile, nod, and a wave to all the people you come in touch with daily; the road side vendor, maid, watchman, driver, milk man, paper boy, office peon – See the magic of acknowledging a fellow human being.
• Give some time connecting and networking with friends and develop contacts – It can be enriching.
• Give a thought to your blessings and make gratitude an attitude – Explore the power of prayers.

I am in the “Give” mode which helps me maintain my mental equilibrium, but need to work seriously on the “Stop” aspects to enhance the quality of peaceful living. It’s a long list; just needs that nudge of  conscious effort, exercise and implementation.

 SMILE J

The Radiant Sun...Silk...Shine to Recharge my Life!

Source:The Hindu

The road...more travelled, the journey unforgettable, the cacophony unavoidable, the air non-breathable and the destination inevitable – my work place! This sums up my everyday saga in life.

The morning rush hours, the craters ridden dusty roads of my city, the mad traffic jams are a every day nightmare.  To top it all is my old sentimental scooter which bears the brunt everyday and helplessly passes on the same to my bones and nerves. 

The rattled and tattled me, en route to work every day and back home on the faithful oldie is indeed, an ordeal.  The ride is no less adventurous, than the Dune Bashing, Roller Coaster Rides or Mud Car Racing.

But hey, once I reach my work place and toss off my scarf and shake my stiff head and stiffer shoulder, the soft lovely touch of my shining tresses bring the spring back into my steps. I straighten myself and stride confidently into the office space.  I feel like I have just stepped out from a chauffeur driven car, directly from the top salon in town.

My hair is strong like the Knight in Shining Armour, gives me that extra edge to hold my own, in spite of the drudgery I face, every day. The healthy shine and lovely fragrance of Sunsilk Radiant Shine Shampoo  on my hair makes my day productive, and my mood as radiant as my hair, at its super best, all day long.

Sunsilk Radiant Shine Shampoo is a part and parcel of my essentials and I recharge my hair with it, to keep that enviable bounce and shine in my life.  The Sunsilk Radiant Shine; now and always, to look and feel my elegant best and geared to face any challenges in life with élan!

                

 * The Radiant Sun...Silk...Shine to Recharge my Life is a true narrative of my daily ordeal, commuting the roads of Hyderabad, written exclusively  for IndiBlogger Contest "Recharge your hair Recharge your Life .

We Time ... A Lunch Date with My Beloved

I am a sucker for contests! Especially where some scope for creative writing is involved. This is a childhood fancy carried into adulthood. In the process I have won quite a few goodies ranging from Stickers, Chicklet packets, pens, cinema tickets, gift vouchers and very recently "We Time" from TVS Wego.

It just happened on Diwali eve while browsing the Facebook page,  I hit upon the Diwali We Time Moment Contest on the TVS Wego FB Page. It said -Tell us how you would surprise your loved one this Diwali. The most creative and romantic idea wins!

Here is what I wrote in a jiffy that evening when  my creative juices were overflowing...

Close your eyes! I say to my beloved...hold his hands gently and lead him up the stairway. A whiff of cool  breeze and a sweet fragrance lovingly touches my beloved's face and I see a faint smile appear and feel his grip tighten my hand, sensing the warmth and some element of surprise... we step on to the patio and I ask him to open his eyes...Surprise!Surprise! his astonished face looks like a colourful sparkler. Amidst all the lovely lit candles and roses, he sees his bunch of school buddies standing quietly, suppressing their laughter on seeing his amazed expression and go screaming and cheering loudly, which easily overpowers the noise of the crackers booming in the surroundings! This is what I have imagined as my romantic gesture, a memorable evening for my MAN, my BELOVED! #TVSWEGO #DIWALICONTEST #ENTRY

I was somehow sure of emerging a winner (cheeky, right?) but was hoping the prize will be a TVS Wego to ride on for an all time We Time!

Source: www.tvswego.com

Anyway as expected, I emerged one of the six winners announced and the prize was a We Time lunch or dinner at The Marriott, Hyderabad. A tad bit disappointing but nonetheless an exclusive "We Time"  in our busy ho hum lives looked good enough. 

I informed my choice of date and time to TVS Wego and they promptly booked a table for two at The Marriott, Hyderabad for my lunch date with my beloved, my hubby. 

The Marriott, Hyderabad is not new to us, but the exclusive date made it special. The staff at Okra, The Marriott were very gracious. They had a special menu for us. 

We are vegetarians and were leisurely served  a course of Sparkling Wine ( both don't drink), Tomato Soup (Roasted tomato, mars Capone, focaccia crostini), Chef's Salad (Red Apple, assorted lettuce, micro greens with ginger honey dressing), Pasta Spaghetti (Aubergine, feta, confit tomatoes and pine nuts) and last but not the least my favourite part of the meal, The Dessert (Blue Berry Cheese Cake, bowl of fruits, a scoop of Vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup).  

The Chef personally came over to our table to inquire on the food, which I thought was a nice gesture.

Our two hours of leisure We Time together over food was pleasant, thanks to TVS Wego and The Marriott!

The Rising Star of World Badminton - PV Sindhu

PV Sindhu is currently ranked World No. 11 in the Women's Singles Badminton.

@ Lunch by Sindhu's parents celebrating her Macau Title

This lanky, fit, all of 5 feet 11 inches towering tall, 18 year old kid is the rising star of World Badminton from India and more specifically Hyderabad; home also to Super Champ   Saina Nehwal currently ranked World No.6; India's No. 1 & World No. 14 Men's Singles Champ P.Kashyap; Men's Singles India No.2 & World No.21 RMV.Gurusaidutt.

They all train at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy.

On Court, Sindhu is determined to go for a win. In her own words, 2013 has been her best so far and there is no stopping from here. 

She lived up to her top billing by winning her maiden Grand Prix Gold title beating Singaporean fifth seed Juan Gu in the women's singles final of the Malaysia Open badminton on May 4th, 2013.

On 8th August 2013, Sindhu defeated the defending champion, second-seeded Wang Yihan of China, to enter the women's quarterfinals at the Badminton world championships. She became the first Indian female to win a singles medal (Bronze) at the World Championships and broke into the world top-10 for a brief period. 

PV Sindhu continued her winning streak and asserted that she is indeed the rising star of Indian badminton by clinching her second Grand Prix Gold Title, the Macau Open Grand Prix Gold 2013  with a superb win over Canada's Michelle Li scoring 21-15, 21-12 in merely 37 minutes, on Dec 1st, 2013.

Sindhu was conferred with the Arjuna Award in September,2013.

She is the Icon player of the Awadhe Warriors Lucknow, one of the IBL teams. 

During my coordination of the IBL Shuttle Express Programme for School Children in Hyderabad, Sindhu launched the Hyderabad Leg at the Indus World School, the IBL School Partner here on July 16th, 2013. 

She immensely enjoyed interacting with kids and readily obliged everyone with autographs and photographs; was at ease with the media during the press conference and enjoyed her lunch at the school's dining hall.

At the recently organised "Herbalife Kids Badminton Championship 2013" , the National Badminton Coach Mr. Pulella Gopichand and his prodigy Ms. PV Sindhu readily agreed to be the Chief Guests for the award ceremony, to the delight of the winners and runners up. Being Children's Day on November 14th, I asked her to say a few words to the kids and her spontaneous shy response was, "I myself am a kid, what do I tell them" ; I was very amused and realized she actually is a kid!

Off Court, she is a normal teenager, just a kid who enjoys her glass of cola and junk food. 

Her parents Mr. PV Ramana and Mrs.Vijaya, former National Volley Ball players should be very proud and happy to see their and daughter's hard work pay off  in the form of her victories.  

More accolades are wished for this young sports person.

My Childhood Confederate & Cherished Memories ... Soft, Gentle and Pure like a Dove!

I jog through my childhood memories at the age of five, remember this little fella, two years younger, looked exactly like Pee Wee (the cute friend of Richie Rich)  and  followed me everywhere. 

I still fail to comprehend my adventurous streak at that age, it baffles me no end whenever I think about the shenanigans initiated by me and very diligently followed by Pee Wee – my younger sibling!

Pee Wee was the central character to all my experiments, most of the memorable ones are at our Mom’s dressing table.  The long mirror, the attached side tables with drawers appeared like a magnificent throne. My little Prince Pee Wee (read guinea pig) seated on the throne, all geared up for the grand game to begin. The contents of the drawer, my mom’s prized possessions, lured me to pick and cajole them with my artistic hands – a box of compact face powder, talcum powder, kaajal, lip stick, cold cream, bottle of liquid red kumkum & nail polish. Oh!  What a treasure, waiting just for me - Their Saviour.

I begin with the compact face powder, followed by all other ingredients that give Pee Wee; the killer looks (really frightening, I should say). Very satisfied with my artistic outcome on Pee Wee, I do the same to my sweet and soft face. Our artistic endeavour is highly visible on the dressing table, mirror and the floor. The colour riot beckons.

Mommy dearest is busy cooking in the kitchen, with intervallic voice call to check on our normal existence . Whenever there is pin drop silence, it is a obvious danger pointer.  She swiftly sprints in search of the little angels (actually read devils) and find us, the dancing duo skating on the rink of talcum powder with a pair of socks adorning those nimble feet. The horror is apparent on mom’s pretty face.  The riot of colours on the faces and surroundings instigate unexplained emotions in Mommy. 

Now, the memories bring tears with all the laughing at those nostalgic and crazy moments.

My love for experimenting stayed intact through my growing years. It graduated from gaudy colours to genuine skin care. I began using only Besan (Chick Pea Flour) on my face to prevent the wear and tear of skin caused by the regular toilet soaps. I vividly remember the launch of Dove, the soap with moisturizing cream way back in 1990’s when I was in college. The premium product was very enticing; the price frightfully expensive. But my mind was set on experimenting Dove and #DoveFaceTest. 

I earned my pocket money imparting tuition to neighbourhood kids and my mom permitted my splurge understanding its true value; and here I am hooked to Dove for life!

Dove was an indulgence then, very carefully used and guarded. My Pee Wee was also not allowed to touch it and was permitted once in a while to use it only on his face (budgetary constraints, you see) ; moments when my soft and gentle emotions were afloat.

Dove today is my  necessity and a legacy, that I have passed on to my daughter. Now, my Pee Wee is a Big Man (wise from all the childhood histrionics) and lives in UAE. Being my childhood confederate, he knows my Dove obsession and hence by default, it is a part and parcel of the goodies bag I get from UAE. More like a loving gift from my Mayaka (Parents Home). Seriously, I mean it!

* My Dove Story for IndiBlogger Contest "Dove Guessing game with my friend",  is a true account of my childhood experiences and Dove is indeed my everyday necessity, the narrative shared on Dove is 100% true.

Finding Love...The Platinum Way!

I gaze at the stars every night, standing on the patio of my parent’s house and feel the cool breeze brush my face. The still chill in the air brings a shudder and I sense a pair of eyes watching me. I glance around, but see none. My heart feels hollow and my mind makes a conversation – “What is this emptiness I feel?”

I lead an active life professionally and socially. My parents are the best, having given me, their only child, all their love and unconditional support in all that I wanted to do and have in life. I have some wonderful friends who care for me and are fun to be around. My work gives me solace and is my spiritual journey.

I work to share my love, affection, knowledge and to uplift the lives of young girls who have no home or family to call their own. I lead a privileged life and want the same for my fellow human beings. My parents supported my decision of quitting the high profile corporate world in my pursuit for a more meaningful completely satisfying occupation that I love to breathe in and out daily. I think this is my Karma!

But then, what is this ‘heart’ yearning for? What is this ‘emptiness’, I feel? My thoughts overpower me for a split second as I cross the main road to reach my work place and in a jiffy I feel a strong grip on my arm which pulls me so roughly, that I am consumed by anger, followed immediately by a gripping panic. I am alive, having just missed being run over by the speeding city bus!

And suddenly a sense of warmth creeps into me as I look around to find myself in the strong arms of a handsome man. Is this the ‘Platinum Day of Love’!!! His piercing brown eyes look familiar and I can sense anger and concern in them. I am oblivious of the crowd gathered around me.

With a jolt, I recover from my moment of clustered emotions, straighten myself, pluck his grasping hand off my arm, murmur ‘thanks’ and run across the road to my everyday destination, my work place.

I enter my office in a daze, gulp down a glass of cold water and look for my mobile to call my close buddy and share with her my eventful journey to work. Oh No! My mobile’s missing and I remember to have dropped it on the road during the highly tumultuous moment of my life.

Just as I get up still shaking from the day’s event, to ask an office staff to go and look for it; I see my messiah of the day or should I say my life walk into the office with my mobile in hand. He gives me a big smile and hands over the mobile and I feel his finger slightly brush my hand. And suddenly the ‘emptiness’ in filled with some weird ‘heaviness’.  I say to myself, what the hell is this?

Oh my God! I recognise those eyes. He is that shy boy, my neighbourhood best friend when I was a 6 year old. I remember howling for days, when he moved from the city with his parents as I had lost my best friend and play mate. I asked him was he the same childhood buddy and the way he laughed and hugged me acknowledging the fact is something I cannot forget ever in my lifetime...

Love is in the air, the stars are shining brighter, the heart is full of joy and both of us coincidentally have chosen Platinum Love Bands to bind us in togetherness! Yes, platinum for its purity, rarity and preciousness, just like ‘pure love’.

I am remembered of a quote by Robert Frost - "In three words I can sum up everything, I've learned about of life: it goes on... " Love for eternity...The Platinum Way!

* A rare confession:  This is a pure(ly) imaginative narrative by a hopeless romantic, i.e ME for the IndiBlogger Contest  - Platinum Day of Love

Very Very Special Face2Face - VVS LAXMAN

I highly recommend this motivational talk by VVS Laxman to all youngsters!

Source: KKRmindstudio -  Thanks to Dr.KK. Ramachandran, Director GRD Institutions, Coimbatore - TN

US Universities Fair in Hyderabad, India by Linden Tours USA

Linden US University Fair in Hyderabad

Date & Day: Wednesday, 30th October 2013

Fair Time: 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm


Local Contact:

Manjula Harpanahalli
Tel: +91-8008988351 (10 am - 7 pm only)
Email: hmanjula@yahoo.com

Location:Taj Krishna,Road No. 1, Banjara Hills,Hyderabad 500034,India

Participating Universities:

Name	Contact	Web Address
Academy of Art University	Aaron Cardozo	www.academyart.edu
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University	Sunder Raghavan	www.erau.edu/international
Fairfield University	Christopher Johnson	www.fairfield.edu
Fairleigh Dickinson University	Gayathri Attiken	www.fdu.edu
Florida Institute of Technology	Stacey Reeder	www.fit.edu
George Mason University	Elena Agaragimova	www.gmu.edu
Iowa State University of Science and Technology	Ann Gogerty	www.iastate.edu
La Salle University	Robert Arcangel	www.lasalle.edu
Loyola University Chicago	Lindsey Simon	www.luc.edu
Polytechnic Institute of NYU	Abhyuday Pai	www.poly.edu
San Jose State University	Curt Anderson	www.sjsu.edu
State University of New York, New Paltz	Beth Vargas	www.newpaltz.edu
University of Colorado Denver	Genny Parker	www.internationaladmissions.cudenver.edu
University of South Florida, Tampa	Shifali Kumar	www.usf.edu
Xavier University	Daniel Marschner	www.xu.edu

Mom - My Guardian Angel

MOM...been 5 years!!! Love You...

No words can express the love, affection, power, beauty, grit, goodness, contentment and majesty in the way you lived . You continue to be our guardian angel and guide. We know you continue to pray for our well being and safety and also that of all your loved ones. We miss you but again know you are within us! 

Hammock Shopping 2030 – The future of Shopping!!!

Imagine lazing on your hammock, sipping hot coffee, relaxing holiday, reading a romantic novel and ... your mobile rings, ripples your state of serenity. Hello! There you hear the familiar baritone, the voice that made you skip a heartbeat, once again. That’s your childhood sweetheart calling you from nowhere, and a loud cheering fills the ear. The ‘Gang’ is all there, just cannot believe your ears. Your childhood friends have connected with you and are all set to pick you up in the evening for a gala get-together to reminisce the old days and celebrate the reunion! It’s a pleasant surprise for you.

You are just not in a mood to lift your butt and drive around miles looking for that “Special Apparel”; but first of all –What is it that you want to wear and look stunning to your friends? Viola! ‘Yours Only’, the friendly app which can be used on a laptop and a mobile; is your buddy, stylist & shopper; the all-in-one wonder is in your hands and at your command.

You activate the app on your mobile and use your voice command to specify your requirements, size and your budget, for the special evening wear and within seconds you have a set of apparel with suitable accessories presented with the price tag for your review.  The awesome stuff spread out for your selection makes you elated and satisfied.

You take your pick, pay and the online shop promises to deliver your stuff within two hours and you go back to reading your novel and keep relaxing.  

As promised, your shopping bag is dropped at your doorstep and just not the stuff, but a personnel from the service provider accompanies with some variant sizes, to make sure you get your best fit. A very personalized and professional service indeed!

Thud... I just fell from the hammock. Hey, was I dreaming? Yep, but I think online shopping is just about fun and immensely convenient even today. As I imagine about the future of online shopping, I am browsing for a book ‘House of Cards’ by Sudha Murthy and a 16 GB pen drive and my EBay Check, the official Google Chrome extension from EBay  India bit.ly/eBayCheck_Extention gives me the best price on eBay.in. I just compared the prices on other online shopping sites and found it to be the lowest here. I shopped at eBay.in and my book and pen drive was delivered in two days time at my doorstep. For real, no day dreaming here.

I am a shopaholic and I do strongly believe in retail therapy. So Happy Shopping 24X7! J

Blame it on...

It's been a year again, time flies and my resolution to actively blog failed. Alas! this time around I blame it on Social Media Sites and Smart Phone Technology- Facebook, Twitter, Blackberry Messenger, Skype & Whats App. They are like instant fast food, ready in two minutes, very tempting and addictive. Instant communication has become so easy and fast that my fingers are tap dancing all the time.

I am hounded by my Laptop, Tab & Blackberry. They seem to follow me everywhere. Oops or is it me after them? Whatever...

The fun part is keeping in touch with friends and family on a regular basis by acknowledging their presence with 'Like' on their FB Status, sharing snapshots and messages instantly through Blackberry Messenger,Chat up on What's App and Skype with pals from any corner of the world and Twitter -  Oh Lord, I am addicted. it keeps me updated on News around the World and an opportunity to interact and follow celebrities, like minded tweeple who are total strangers. It makes the world a really really small place.

US Universities Fair 2012 in Hyderabad - Linden Fairs

US Universities Fair -HYDERABAD 

Sunday, 21 October 2012

Fair Time
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Local Contact

Manjula Harpanahalli
Tel: +91-8008988351 (10 am - 7 pm only)
Email: hmanjula@yahoo.com
Location:Taj Krishna,Road No. 1, Banjara Hills,Hyderabad 500034,India

revenir

No better day than today, "Ugadi" the new year day for people of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh; Gudi Padva for Maharashtrians (I am half-Kannadiga, half-Maharashtrian and living in Hyderabad,Andhra Pradesh for the past 27 years), to make a comeback to my world of blogging after 30 months...too long a time! Blame it on Facebook, Twitter & my roller coaster personal and professional life.

Excuses...excuses...excuses... No more. Truly missed being here and was itching to get back.

Life's been full on, with helluva lot of changes. Last year we moved into our new home after all the hectic and tumultuous 2010. Still settling in...

Over these years, some relationships have blossomed because of the unconditional love, help and trust demonstrated by the wonderful people in our lives and a few have turned sour because of some egoistic, slapdash and sardonic people ; I count both as blessings. Sour relationships, I believe is God's way of sieving the coarse unwanted stones, thus saving us from getting hurt further. I think life is precious and can be lead peacefully without complications, but it is this nagging human tendency to create complications and make lives miserable. I am in the process of learning to off load unwanted emotional baggage and take everyday as it comes. "Live and let others live with dignity and command respect, do not demand it" is my favourite maxim for this season.

I am truly blessed to have some fine people in my life who proved to be my spring boards to a productive professional life which keeps my faculties in-tact. I appreciate their presence, the opportunities that came my way and the cocktail experiences; syrupy, tangy and at times bland.

Shared some fine moments with the lovely and dynamic Saina Nehwal. It was in 2009, to be precise August 8th, I met her for the first time, totally in awe of this young achiever. We touch base every day since then and travel together on her endorsement assignments. She is truly a gritty young lady, knows her priorities and is a very focused and dedicated sportsperson. I enjoy her funny chit chats aboard flights and in the vanity vans during her shoots.

My family life has been spunky with my daughter's histrionics and my hubby oscillating between the wifey and his girlie. Adithi is my stress buster, as well as giver, who hates me when I yell at her and wishes to punch me, whispers to her dad that "mom is over reacting, she can't be yelling like this to me", and looks suspiciously at me when I am in my best and pranky moods with her; enjoys it thoroughly and claims she loves me a lot. I kinda buy this statement! She loves our girlie-girlie whispers to tease her dad. My brother Ravi very aptly asks me over our tel cons, "What's the episode like today?", if nothing significant on any given day, then he says "Ok, it's the daily soap".

There is this little hero who is the center of our attention presently. Advait, my 18 month old nephew. Adithi adores him and has to see his snap and kiss it everyday, which her Ravi mama promptly posts on BBM. What a blessing this technology has been! My five year old nephew, Raghav is another live wire, like Adithi and she adores him equally. These two little fellas are truly delightful.

The best about Facebook has been connecting with most of my childhood friends and bonding big time. It has been very emotional as well as exhilarating getting in touch with friends who you went to school with, from LKG to 10th grade; friends from college; family friends...friends...friends. More about them in my next blog. Keep in touch!

Symmo- A Super Guy!

I had this wonderful opportunity to meet and interview Andrew Symonds, the highest paid player of Deccan Chargers and former member of the Australian Cricket Team; the so called bad boy of the cricketing world. My knowledge of Symmo was about his famous clash with Harbhajan Singh, his drinking habits, his fishing expeditions and what not! This was what I had read in the newspapers and watched on television. Anyway, I had not formed any opinion about him and went to meet this towering tall, very talented, and famous cricketer for the first time. My request to him was to give his fans a message. He added a bit of humour to our brief conversation . The second time I met him after a couple of days, was for a more formal interview .

Symmo came on dot to the venue and was polite and very cooperative. He sat on his chair and popped a Wrigley's bubble gum in his mouth. The day before some newspapers had carried photographs of Symmo distributing Wrigley's Bubble gums to Children from an orphanage at one of the Wrigley's and Deccan Chargers Event.
Symmo was requested by the video photographer Julian Dismore, not to chew the gum as it wouldn't look appropriate on screen. Symmo immediately agreed and disposed it. As a warm up, exercise, Julian casually spoke about the nice flavour of the gum, etc and I too added, they were good as they had different flavours, and how kids love them and I continued saying my daughter too likes them and I will take some for her. We then started off with the regular questions and Symmo answered them extremely well .


After the interview, I was waiting in the lobby of the hotel with a colleague and I saw Symmo walk by and after a few minutes he walked back and I was sitting alone at that moment. He quickly walked towards me and handed over an envelope and said these are for your daughter! I was pleasantly shocked! And before I said thanks, he was gone. Wow! what a sweet gesture from this man who is publicized as a bad boy of the cricketing world. I am glad to have experienced the very humane and wonderful side of Symmo, the dynammo...my title for this hulk.

I am a Symmo fan! My daughter, Adithi too is...she loves him.

Remembering Mom...

I miss you mom. I miss my daily telephonic conversations with you. I miss your ever cheerful voice. I miss your encouraging words. I miss your hugs. I miss your criticism. I miss your physical presence. I miss your prayers for our well being... But you are alive in my memories, heart and mind. A year has gone, but it seems yesterday I bid you farewell! I love you mom.

Having lost my dad very early taught me my first lesson in interpersonal communication. As a kid, I was in awe of my dad. Though we were close, I still maintained a distance, spoke little out of respect and sometimes out of fear. We were taught to speak carefully to elders, no back answers, no tantrums, etc. In the process, there were some positive aspects, like my creative side, my feelings for him, my thoughts that went unsaid. I still regret having not shared my feelings with dad.

Since then, I have given a lot of importance to sharing my positive thoughts , experiences and feelings with family, relatives and friends. I value communication, networking and connecting which I think, makes us more human.

As a Psychologist and Counsellor, I have encountered kids who find it frustrating having parents who are uncommunicative and overly occupied with their work life; kids who actually have no clue of their parent's work profile. One instance I remember vividly , the frustrating face of a student who went to attend the visa interview at the US Consulate and was rejected visa as he stood dumb, when asked about his dad's work profile. It was because he had no clue about what his dad actually did at the work place. And the student felt remorseful and angry about his dad for being aloof and non communicative.

There are instances where kids complain of parents who hardly spend any time with them, in the name of heavy work load and often are subject to the standard speech, "I am doing all this for you, your comfort etc". Most of the kids loathe it. Some kids find it convenient having a parent, specifically dad, away from home as long as their materialistic needs are fulfilled. They don't want to be policed. It is really a sad situation.

I am glad, my dad exposed me to his work environment. He was a mining engineer at Hutti Gold Mines in Karnataka State. He always encouraged learning. I spent fourteen years at this small and cozy place, since my birth. Hutti and my childhood memories of the place, have a special significance in my life. Those wonderful memories and people have resurfaced in recent times. I credit the Internet and social media networking sites for this.

I am an avid blogger and active on Facebook. My write-up about my mom on this blog, surprisingly, had friends who knew my parents and were not in touch for years, messaging me here and conveying wonderful things about them, which I did not know or instances that had just faded away from my memory. It is indeed a feel good factor!

Facebook has got me in touch with my childhood friends and people from our Hutti days. The old photographs posted on Facebook, transports you back to those golden days. Again, these are people who knew my parents and remembered such minute details about them. One of them described how pretty my mom looked when she first arrived in Hutti as a bride and also the colour of saree she wore for the wedding reception at the Hutti officers' Club. This event took place in 1969, 40 years ago! These are emotional and mind blowing moments for me. I feel blessed for having such wonderful parents. They were karmayogis in the true sense. They lived short but meaningful lives.

Don't shy away from sharing your feelings, experiences, achievements, concerns and thoughts from your loved ones. Let's share good things about our lives and keep in touch!

Lesson in Labour Management

I am reading the English adaptation of the original Marathi book, Shri Sai Satcharita - The Wonderful Life and Teachings of Shri Shirdi Sai Baba , by Govind Raghuanath Dabholkar alias 'Hemadpant' for the fourth time.

Each time I read, I find something new and relevant. Today I was surprised to find a piece on Labour Management in the Chapter XVIII & XIX. The Sadguru appeared like a management guru to me. See how relevant, are the teachings of Sai Baba! It is very important for us to learn and implement the same in our daily lives, than just going to the temple and prostrating before him. Here, Baba's teachings regarding self-behaviour, slander and remuneration of labour is highlighted.

Baba's Advice regarding our Behaviour:
The following words of Baba are of general welfare and invaluable. If they are kept in mind and acted upon, they will always do you good. "Unless there is some relationship or connection, nobody goes anywhere. If any men or creatures come to you, do not discourteously drive them away but receive them well, and treat them with due respect. If anybody wants any money from you and you are not inclined to give, do not give but do not bark at him like a dog.

Slanderer Condemned:
Sai Baba required no special place nor any special time for giving instructions. Whenever an occasion demanded, He gave them freely. Once it so happened that, a Bhakta of Baba, reviled someone behind his back before other people. On leaving aside merits , he dwelt on the faults of his brother and spoke so sarcastically that, the hearers were disgusted. Generally we see that, people have a tendency to scandalize others un-necessarily and this brings on ill-feelings. Saints see scandal in another light. They say there are various ways of cleansing or removing dirt, viz. by means of water and soap etc, but a scandal monger has got a way of his own. He removes the dirt (faults) of others by his tongue, so in a way, he obliges the person, whom he relives and for this he is to be thanked. Sai Baba has his own method of correcting the scandal-monger. Baba pointed out to him a pig, that was eating filth near the fence and said to him, "Behold, how, with what relish it is gulping filth. Your conduct is similar. You go on reviling your own brethren to your heart's content. After performing many deeds of merit you are born as a human and if you act like this, how can Shirdi help you in any way?"

Remuneration for Labour:
Baba said that, "nobody should take the labour of others in vain. The worker should be paid his dues promptly and liberally." If the principal taught by Baba, be followed, i.e. if the remuneration for labour be paid promptly and satisfactorily, the labourers will turn out better and both the labourers and their employers will be profited, and there will be no room for lockouts and strikes, no ill feeling between labour and capital.

Allah Maalik - Peace be to all

Meeting Saina Nehwal

Date: August 8th, 2009

Venue: Hotel ITC Kakatiya, Hyderabad
Event: Launch of Saina Nehwal as Brand Ambassador of Deccan Chronicle and Odyssey
Experience: Awesome

I was happy to meet Saina Nehwal, India's top shuttler and ranked No. 6 in the world. She is an enthusiastic, down-to-earth and a sweet youngster. A very determined and dedicated sports person. Deccan Chargers Sporting Ventures Limited have entered into Sports Personality Management and Saina is the first sports personality to be signed by them. Deccan Chargers' first undertaking was to rope Deccan Chronicle and Odyssey as Saina's official sponsors. It was a privilege to meet Saina's distinguished coach, Pullela Gopichand.

Saina was very happy with the support and encouragement provided by DeccanChronicle. Though she was recovering from a bout of chicken pox, she played extremely well in the World Badminton Championships held in Hyderabad last week. Saina became the first Indian woman ever to reach the quarterfinals of a World Badminton Championship. She lost in the quarterfinals, but I am sure she will have more opportunities and more victories definitely await her.

What does SUCCESS mean to you?

I am always baffled when I think about SUCCESS. When I introspect and ask myself, "Am I successful ?"; I find it hard to describe! Because "being successful" is dynamic and situational.

Success can mean different things to different people. I may have name and fame, but no money; I may have name, fame, a fantastic career and money but no good health or personal life; I may have money, great friends and family, but no time to spend with them; I may have none of those mentioned, but I am peaceful.

Presently, I am having a great time at work. But I am suffering a lousy back ache, which is killing me. I am terrified about it and worried. I feel there is nothing like having a fit body and peaceful mind. I crave for it. The day I find them both, should be "Success" for me.

Finishing my morning household chores, seeing my kid off to school on time and reaching office at 10.am is "mission accomplished". And getting back home without getting stuck in traffic is "heaven". The routine stuff gives me a feeling of success for that moment.

So again, when I ask myself, Am I successful?...I really don't know.

I request my readers to enlighten me, by telling me "what success means to you". Please folks, be good and answer...see ya.

Welcoming IPL 2009 Champions

The victorious Deccan Chargers team returned back to Hyderabad on May 27th, 2009 at 9.00 pm to a rousing welcome by fans. The team consisted of T. Suman, Shoaib Muqsusi, Harmeet Singh, Jaskarandeep Singh, Y. venugopal Rao, Arjun Yadav, Abhinav Kumar, Ravi Teja and Azhar Anjum Bilakhia. It was good to see these young confident cricketers cordially meeting fans and speaking to the Press.

Adithi was again excited to meet the cricketers and patiently waited with us at Shamshabad airport. She was joined by her cousins Pinky and Ashish and friends Vyapti and Rutwik, so the fun doubled. The response from the fans was overwhelming. The Deccan Chargers were taken in an open bus for the victory ride from the airport to Hotel ITC Kakatiya.

The roads were jam packed with fans on motorbikes and cars. We followed them for sometime and then managed to drive ahead to the Hotel and had to wait for a good 2 hours before the team bus paved its way through the crowd and reached the hotel. It was 1.00 am.





The kids though hungry and tired, never complained. The team cut a cake and opened a Champagne bottle and then we moved to have our dinner at 2.00 am. It was an exciting evening ! We reached home by 3.00 am !! And I was up again by 5.00 am!!! Back to work...